The Right Amount

Searched high and low for a certain kind of handsoap that had a certain ingredient in it for a science project Christian will be doing in school tomorrow.

Can I just say?  I love (love, love, love, love) Target.  It was the last place I was willing to go before he would be sent to school empty-handed.  Thank you, Target.

I invited my friend and her son to dinner.  We had German spaghetti, veg and parmesan bread (veg and bread courtesy of my friend).  It is nice to sup with others.

I'm plating food in my cafe on FB (I know, it's so infantile and silly, but I do have some time to play there), surfing blogs, and going to do a load of laundry for Connor (who should have asked so much earlier today . . . but I'm mum and I haven't really any reason to say "no" now).

And, thank you NEX for having these cute shoes I picked up when we were looking for that aforementioned soap (ahem).

This day had just the right amount of everything.

Now I shall pray the rosary.  Hello, Mary.  I want to say I love you!  I want to give you a crown of roses.

Tomorrow I Start With A Clean Blanket - Linus (Peanuts)

I have joined up on Facebook . . . mostly because it allows me to chat with family (and that aspect alone has made it addicting!) and catch up with old and new friends.  The upside to it lately has been this game I've been playing on it.  Yes, Cafe Ville.  It's mindless in so many ways and often times aggrevating because the system slows down or swallows up my stuff to never be seen again.  Anyway, being ill (as I have been and no longer am, thank God - and thank you for all your well-wishes!) provided the wasted time I needed to goof off on-line in a different area than blogging. 

The game, after a few days, has really started to disinterest me . . . as I feel better I am wanting to engage in real life more. 

Perhaps I do not have an addiction . . . and that is a good thing! 

Because, I now realize, too, that blogging has taken way too much of my time . . . before Facebook.  And, being on FB as made me waste so much time that I'd have spent writing here and reading other blogs.  I do not want to not do either so I'll have to limit my time altogether. 

I've realized I have a lot of time to waste and I'd rather use it up doing more productive things in real life.  In order to do that, I have to manage my time more wisely.  So, that said, I am going to do both, but more restricted than before.  I know every single one of you knows what this "struggle" entails so I know I do not have to say much about it, for which I am thankful.

For now, I'm reading "The Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins (because Teenie has asked me to so that we can talk about the story and characters . . . so I'm busy reading . . . and it's a gem of a book thus far).  Tomorrow I join the world of Bunko.  Never played before so this should be interesting (Notice:  I did not say "hard" - apparently if you can roll dice and count to six, you will likely win!).  Anyway, as with many things in my life and perspective:  I play games to have fun; if I win, fine; if I lose, I congratulate the winner. 

Keep things pleasant out there, because people are precious, and, life is worth living.

Thursday Post-Its

• What I didn't say in the previous post was that the doctor who treated SB's bow stuck in the throat actually emailed the x-ray to my husband because it was so "incredible and funny" . . . And, really, this is the stuff ER folks "live" for, right?  I mean, you want to be on shift to see this stuff.  
• Crickles is home again today.  Three days.  Bad cold.  I'm treating him with OTC's and not taking him to the doctor - even though the school rules say past three days they want a doctor note - he's not got anything a doctor can treat, but he's not well enough to sit at school coughing on everyone and feeling crappy.  Fortunately, the office staff I spoke to this morning agreed with me . . . I'll be picking up his school work this afternoon, after school lets out.  
• I am getting sucked into FaceBook.  This is not a good thing.  It is a medium where my new friends keep in touch - regularly - if not by text messaging.  So, I am now FBing more than I ever intended (not my new friends fault, I have weird OCD behaviours, but at least I don't get depressed when there's no comments, messages, etc. - I get "depressed" because of my compulsion to check so often and I want to yell at myself for this compulsion and I don't want to care that much!).  
• Text messaging.  I said I'd never do it, but I find it fun . . . I just can't type fast enough on my dinosaur phone.  I even called AT&T Wireless about when I can do the phone upgrade . . . C'mon February!  Yeah?  But, dernit, I do.not.need.fancy.dodads.  I just want to text on a keyboard - a regular phone pad to type on is "so obnoxious" and I have thin patience for wonderful technology on old technology.
• I'm reading Carrie Fisher's "Wishful Drinking" book that I picked up at Border's last night.  I like her writing, because she is honest about how ding-a-ling-y Hollywood is.  Try living in it/around it your whole life . . . I can't imagine.  NO, I have desire to ever be "discovered" now.  I spent a lot of my youth dreaming about being a "star" . . . I thank God that He didn't allow me that!  I would have been an even worse version of destruction to myself had I had money and fame confused with my youth!
• My friend is buying us some bagels while she's out grocery shopping.  SO, before she gets back and brings them over, I better get my arse outta my pj's and shower etc. It's almost 9:30 am.  Ridiculous!  Normally, I'm "together" by 8am but . . . I have not been sleeping particularly well lately due to my allergies and rude nighttime breathing.  In other words:  I must be snoring (ah, embarrassing!) slightly and waking on and off through the night.  It's not helpful to being alert much the next day.
  

Managing Hope

I feel better today. Even my mood is more hopeful!

No caffeine yesterday left me suffering a hum-dinger of an headache, which I tried to sleep off all night, but finally, at 5:30am, I got up and took some Motrin with milk. Why did I try to kick it on my own? I have a sneaking suspicion that my stomach acid is in high gear and that is why I'm having the "tightness" and constant heartburn/burping. I was afraid of the coffee and the Motrin burning a hole in my stomach. Plus, when you worry like I do about stupid stuff, it doesn't help!

I'm about to go down and have breakfast: wheat toast with thin layer of peanut butter, a banana, and some tea. Lady Gray. I need a bit of an artificial boost so I can manage the petrol pump around 9am and then the drive to the Oreck store. Gosh, I really hope they have vacuum bags in stock!

I'm looking forward to cleaning. I tell you what, when I saw the inside of my vacuum (after having used it since moving here - and using it in the condo - without a bag) . . . uff da! YUCK! I was thinking I am really losing it.

I hope I get outta my 40's with my mind in tact. Some times I wonder. I hope I can manage that.

Geesh!

The one thing I went to shop on Amazon for is not going to be in the box that is now on it's way to me. Go freakin' figure!

The yoga DVD was "in stock" when I ordered it so I can't figure out for the life of me why on earth it is not in the box coming. If I had ordered it alone, I'm sure it would be on it's way. I decided to add-on so I could claim free shipping. I realize that means that the ordered items may come in separate shipments. I guess their books and DVD's are in separate areas of the warehouse or in different warehouses all together. But! Doesn't it just waste their time in the long run? Well, I didn't believe I would be getting a shipment notification less than 24 hours later on any of the items, so I am happy about that! I did not need the two books I ordered, but I got them anyway. Here's why: I'm diggin' the In Conversation With God for Lent/Easter. So, I decided to get the next one (Ordinary time - maybe 13 weeks of it, there are more books in the series I plan on getting one at a time); and, Fire Within (because I keep reading snippets on other blogs that speak highly of this book . . . ).

Currently, I am reading a book to review for Catholic Company. I hope to read/review it by end of next week. My primary focus this week is to make sure the younger two finish their school year.

When we get to HI in June, we will be in an hotel for a few days before we locate a rental to live in for X amount of time (6-9 months?) before we're offered and can accept housing. There is a housing list we must sign up for once we arrive. I know, it's crazy, but it's a crazy we are used to even if we're not crazy about it! It could be a year before we get into the housing (gov't) that we are aiming to get into. What does this mean? Sadly, that when we finally have all of our belongings on the island and moved into our rental (end of July all our stuff should be there, but we'll be in something long before that) we will have to move.again.Holy.Mother.of.God.and.all.that.is.holy! into said gov't housing. Jolly of jollies! Sorry, but I just have to say a huge "crapola!!" right here. It just needs to be said.

Fortunately, my husband's new sponsor (the other one has retired from the Navy and so) has said she would love to take care of Holly (she has two dogs and a cat herself) - as long as we pay for food . . . come see her regularly . . . Initially, we'll take her up on it. I think. I seriously have trust issues and this move is really cracking me open. It's a good thing. I have not one reason not to trust this lady. I assume with three pets of her own, and offering to keep ours for us, she loves animals. So, based on that, I'm willing to give it a go. I absolutely adore my little Holly (if you haven't guessed it by now). I never thought I would love a dog like I love this girl. I swear it!

Okay. Other than the initial getting there and getting settled, I am looking forward to HI more than I can express here. We know no one there, really, so it will be an adventure figuring it all out. The sponsor can only do/say so much for us, after all. She's another chief in the USN and by what my dh said, I think will be of immense help to us. I'm already thinking about a thank you gift. I know, calm down anyway, dumb***. I can't help it! I like to do things for others, too! My mind goes miles and miles over the speed limit of normal. I hardly get to sleep easily most nights. It's not anxiety per se either. I just get excited about tomorrow before it gets here. I have had stress (acid-reflux, anyone?) over the impending move, but just over some details I have absolutely no control over. Knowing that, I pretty much start to pray when those thoughts start to prey on me. I'll pray. It works.

And I'll eat chocolate.

Note: I just got an email notice: the DVD is now on it's way, too. Hurrah! God and Amazon do want me to lose weight and be flexible!

I'm Baking

I just whipped up four batches of simple shortbread. I still need to bake the cookies, but the dough won't be done chilling for a bit. They are so easy. Why am I baking so many? Well, not because I am going to eat all of them. I'm baking them for the Divine Mercy reception tomorrow. Some of them will have drizzled chocolate on them. Yum! I hope I'll get to eat one at the reception.

I still have not done any of my morning prayers. I did go to the DM novena at 3pm, but I really need to do my daily prayers. This is the first time in ages that I've put them off this long. Terrible!

Must make dinner first, then I can bake the cookies between prayers. They get prayed - some times it takes me longer to get around to it. The day has been so pleasant! I went to coffee and breakfast with a friend of mine (her treat, the sweet lady!) I'd never been to Le Madeline's and it was fantastic. Oh, and the sun is out! It's warm!

I'm so bloody happy!

Let the Dust Settle

I sign on here and the first thing I'm lambasted with in Yahoo News: Brad Pitt's secret meeting with the President. Bah! Obama wouldn't be president if he wasn't a die-hard celebrity. We cannot run this country on the whims of celebrities. No, I did not entertain the article, because I can't abide the celebrity mentality in this country.

There were a few celebs I used to love knowing about (the dudes, mostly): in my youth it was Duran Duran and Depeche Mode (Nick was a cutie and I thought that Alan Wilder was beyond yummy-lish); then I watched a few teenage-angst films with Christian Slater in it and entertained my thoughts (too many if you ask me) with him for years . . . Then I met my husband and still thought about celebs. Unhealthy. Then, dammit, Lord of the Rings introduced this lovely specimen of man ever: Orlando Bloom. My thought life took off and my prayer life suffered . . . I was unhappy! I wanted the super duper good looking man and the life that went with it . . . Let's just say, obsession with anyone that isn't your spouse is robbing your marriage of the fullness it can be. There was no way my husband could please me when my brain had me living another life.

Why do I share this? I know I'm not alone. We all have varying degrees of liking whom we should only admire. There is nothing wrong or unhealthy about liking some one's acting talent and enjoying their films - and even admitting they are handsome or pretty. After that, though, you know, it is walking on shaky ground. Why? It isn't right to be so obsessed about an actor that you purchase every magazine with his face on it or in it. It isn't right to scour the inter net for websites . . . and stare at him for ages. It isn't right to think about him for hours on end or to use him in your "gotta get to sleep" strategies. Trust me, to varying degrees I did this - wasting my time, in small ways damaging my marriage (which is on solid, loving, good ground - but I was risking it by being unhappy, you see?), and really telling God I was an ingrate about all the blessings He's given me by wanting what I cannot ever have.

With all due respect, I laid all that to rest with the Confessional and a wonderful priest who has counseled me out of that ungrateful business. I haven't purchased the glossies in a long time and when I see Orlando's lovely face, I thank God that he has a good life (by all outward appearances), and I wish him well. That's it. That is within the proper boundaries of admiring a person. And, I don't surf the net or link to any pages on Orlando like I used to. I was following his tail for a couple of years. My friend, Dawn, knows my stupidity then, and really has been a great person in assisting me in seeing my folly.

I used to think it was funny to say, "My boyfriend, Orlando . . . ". Some of you may have done this and some may not have. Some may still do this. For many of the some who do, it has become habitual and really borders on infantile. I did this - I'm just dishing on myself, but I tell you what, there are many women my age (39) who fantasize this way, thinking it harmless and just for fun, but it's a dangerous business. And, I know it made me look like an ass.

It's an embarrassing confession here, but perhaps it will help some of you who are struggling with such silliness. But, think about your husband for a long second here: how do you think he feels knowing you think some other man is better looking or even could compare? It would hurt me to know if my husband found anyone else remotely attractive to the point he had to have magazines or Internet sites with her on it. How obnoxious! Yet, it would be okay for me to? Well, doesn't Jesus say if you think about doing it, you have? Lordy, have I had time in the confessional over it! If you keep justifying the sin, you look stupid. Period. Yes, God still loves you, but do you love you? Really? Then, stop looking outside the marriage.

In the past two years, I have been free of the obsessiveness. My soul is at peace. I have noticed some bloggers who have their wee fan behaviour and some that are trying to be funny, but then, go over the border on posting pics and comments about an actor or actors - it's just wrong. I want to gag, but I also feel so sorry for people who justify that infantile behaviour with the rather harmless sounding, "but I love my husband and he's "it" for me." Well, if your husband is "it" for you, drop the celebrity-itis.

This is so not where I was meaning to go today, but you know what, I sense that the Holy Spirit is wanting me to share this so it may help someone put it all into God's perspective.

And now for something completely different . . .

Adoration was wonderful last night. It was great to just be with God in a focused way. I sat to the left of the altar. After Adoration, I went to the right to chat a friend and the incense smelled better there. On the left I could only smell embers, on the right, the parfume. Anyway, that stuff is intoxicating! I love it. It was nice to put all my blogging buds intentions up there - it seems like it's a bigger, more serious request there than when I'm just warming up my sofa and praying here.

Later, I will post about friendships. I was reading St. Francis de Sales' Introduction to the Devout Life during some of the Adoration time and he had much to say about friendships. Also, there are some of you (probably many of you, like me) who suffer with what "to do" about such and such a friendship. Perhaps with this Saints help, I can write something effective and "food for thought" about friendships.

We over-slept the alarms this AM so I had to drive my son to school on fumes. Let's just say I do not like pumping petrol. A few years ago, I was pumping petrol using the automatic shut off. It didn't shut off . . . I had to throw away my jeans, socks and shoes when I got home. It scared me from the pump for years. This morning, I put the petrol in. Of course, I shouldn't be afraid that it would ever happen again - the pumps are all brand spankin' new! It still unnerves me a bit. After that, I dropped my son off at school and went to get my money from a daycare job.

Tonight is Soup and Stations. I love this. I'll be making macaroni and cheese soup (Pampered Chef recipe) to bring. It will not have the broccoli or ham in it. We know why no ham, but why not the veg? Well, it waters it down some and then kids will whine. Yes, they will. So, for soup and stations, I make it a bit more plain and everyone loves it.

A question . . .

Would any of my readers like me to participate in 7 Quick Takes, Simple Woman's Daybook, or Friday Fun Facts, or anything like that? I started to do some of these and sort of went 'ta ta' to them. But, I am willing to do something on a regular basis if there's enough suggestions. Friday Fun Facts could be where you all ask me something you want to know about me or whatever. I'd ask for Q's on Thursday and answer on Friday. Well? What say you?

Enjoy Your Coffee (i.e. Life)

The Coffee or the Cup (h/t - a dear friend, JoMary, sent this email chain to me)


A group of alumni, highly established in their careers, got together to visit their old university professor. Conversation soon turned into complaints about stress in work and life. Offering his guests coffee, the professor went to the kitchen and returned with a large pot of coffee and an assortment of cups - porcelain, plastic, glass, crystal, some plain looking, some expensive, some exquisite - telling them to help themselves to the coffee. When all the students had a cup of coffee in hand, the professor said: "If you noticed, all the nice looking expensive cups were taken up, leaving behind the plain and cheap ones. While it is normal for you to want only the best for yourselves, that is the source of your problems and stress. Be assured that the cup itself adds no quality to the coffee. In most cases it is just more expensive and in some cases even hides what we drink. What all of you really wanted was coffee, not the cup, but you consciously went for the best cups... And then you began eyeing each other's cups. Now consider this: Life is the coffee; the jobs, money and position in society are the cups. They are just tools to hold and contain Life, and the type of cup we have does not define, nor change the quality of life we live. Sometimes, by concentrating only on the cup, we fail to enjoy the coffee God has provided us." God brews the coffee, not the cups . . .

Enjoy your coffee! "The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything." Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God. Have a blessed day and enjoy your coffee!

PROCRASTINATING

I am the QUEEN of Procrastination!

It snowed last night so school started two hours late. Okay. But I was up and down all night long hacking. I slept in, so the two hour late thing really worked for me. Now, I have these other things I need to do. First, I called a gal to make sure the parish council meeting is tomorrow before I called back the financial gal who will or will not attend (based on the weather and her being older). I was on the "horn" a long time with the financial lady. I don't mind, but I mind. When I'm 87-years-young I hope to hell I meet up with some people as patient (as I come across) as me some day. I don't really mind listening to their stories. In the long run, it is not a problem. But, my being sick I only have so much energy - I need to take a bloody shower and it's presently 11:30am! I finally have the boost of energy to do so and what do I do? Sign on to this . . . I mean, I have nowhere to go and nothing to do . . .

I do have to upload several assignments for the kids (tests, actually) while they take their other tests. It takes five minutes, but I act like it's going to be a surgical procedure to remove my left lung, yeah?

I am on the other side of this illness, I believe, as I feel better as every hour passes.

I watched Elizabeth: The Golden Age yesterday. I'm a fan of that era so I've seen and read enough to be interested. Still. The film was very glossy and such, but like watching a re-run. If I have time today, I'll watch Pride and Prejudice. All three of the films aren't what my hubs would watch . . . so I am watching them as quickly as I can so some of the others in queue come that we can watch together.

If you leave a comment, let's discuss our favourite scents. What's yours? You can tell why if you like.

Addendum: Well, folks, it's 12:47 and the dern stuff is uploaded to Seton and I'm going to run a brush through my hair now . . . blow it dry. It's too cold out not to dry my hair all the way. One of the many reasons I love blogging is: it sorta holds me accountable! Yeah, you all know what I mean.

Oh, and please offer up a prayer for author and blogger, Amy Welborn, as her husband passed away quite suddenly. Mary, Mother of God, Ora pro nobis. St. Joseph, ora pro nobis.

Strange Things Are Afoot At the Circle K

There isn't much going on in the blog-sphere, is there? Most have gone on holiday, which is a good thing. I just went to the mall to appease my three youngin's who were deprived of shopping yesterday when we went to get our family pictures taken. Dad wasn't about to traipse through the Mall in his uniform nor was I in my dern heels. They were quite disappointed. Then I open my fat gob and announce we would return "tomorrow". So, today is tomorrow and we went. The eldest found absolutely nothing he was looking for, and so, returned home quite sour in mood. The youngest found something (bionicle thing - those things walk the line of creepy and cool) and the girl found more earrings (gave me two pairs, what a sweet gel she is, yeah?) and I bought her two articles of clothing at Limited, Too. I also stopped by the photographers to get more prints, because I had miscalculated. I've told you before that I stink at math! No surprise I mussed that up, yeah?

I have a couple of New Year's cards to put together to mail out. They were Christmas until New Year's came and went before I bothered. I actually was waiting on the photo's. I think a few of my friends would like to see how I'm aging, at any rate - I am (aging, that is). I shall attempt to take a picture of said picture and post it soon.

I have a tree and Christmas decorations to take down and store. I want to do that today. I know tomorrow is the Epiphany, but I don't want to spend two hours working at it when I could do it now. I will be able to solely focus on God then.

I need to make dinner and attend a New Year party thingy with my husband. A good place to drop off my undrunk beers. My husband asked if I was going to drink them. Yeah, in about six years. I do not drink often enough or enough to keep them. I got a six pack of Guinness and a six pack of Harps. There's four of each left. If someone else will drink them, why not? I can only offer it. Anyway, they're taking up precious space in my crisper.

Until next time: many blessings!

What Day Is It?

I feel all out of sorts, because I got so much done yesterday. I'm not used to the feeling of accomplishment. It's pretty groovy.

Yes, the grocery shopping . . . I can't believe how much I complained and then it went so smoothly. If any of you prayed for me . . . well, thank you so much, because it worked!

I had pulled into a parking slip near the entrance of a busy commissary, feeling very giddy about scoring such a close spot to the doors on a rainy day! But, then I looked at the two packages on the passenger seat and said an "oh, shit!", hemmed and hawed about two seconds, determined to mail the blasted boxes out . . . backed out (carefully - I'll just about break my neck these days to be ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN no one is behind me) and drove the block over to the post. There was a longer wait in that queue than I experienced at the commissary an hour later (there was no queue at the commissary), but even that wasn't too bad. Then, I found a parking slip even closer to the door on my return. Yes, I thanked Jesus. I wasn't in the commissary more than an hour when I came back out again with over $300 worth of groceries. Our norm is $250 at the most, so this was a big deal! The bagger was nice and did a great job (no can chasing when I got home). The dog was kenneled when I burst through the door, the kids were helpful in hauling it all in. Brilliant!

My friend, JoMary, sent her eldest up with crapes she'd made. Can you say "yum" like a kid who's just discovered candy? Yum! My girl brewed some coffee for me to drink with the crapes - I hadn't eaten yet and it was all so yummy! Then, I finished up my neighbour Christmas goodies, delivered them, and stopped by JoMary's and she made me her tea. Yum!

I did not have to go to the Scout's Court of Honor last night, either, so I had a quiet hour to pray before I played LIFE (the board game) with my two younger ones.

And, my eldest didn't mind when I kissed him "ciao" this morning - fervently! I lovingly made him a swiss cheese, turkey, butter lettuce on sourdough sandwich. Ah, the sweetness of motherhood restored.

Sadness, Appointments, Groceries and Other Boring Shite

I have a wee feeling of sadness about me today, but I know the cause so it's kept wee: I did not get up and make my eldest boys lunch nor send him off with the usual blessing and kiss on top of his head. I feel like such a gobshite. But, then, I suppose that's normal when you love your kids and can't get yer bum out of bed to say "have a lovely day, I love you!"

Ah, well. His dad said he'd made himself lunch. His dad said he heard him exit the house.

The rest of my morning has gone rather well, though. I managed to get a grooming appointment for Holly. That will be Thursday morning. T'will be lovely to have a sweet smelling pup at Christmas, yeah? And, I rang up the vet to make the overseas screening appointments for both Holly and Galadriel (January). They'll get their rabies (and distemper, for the cat) and Holly will finally be "chipped".

The laundry is finally going again. I accidentally - and you all know how awful this can be! - washed a wad of unused tissues in the wash last night. Oy vey!

My grocery list is ready. I'm not, but nonetheless, I must trudge forth so we don't starve to death. I have told you all before how much I loathe grocery shopping. I load a trolley up, go through the LONG commissary line to pay up, pay some dingdong to sack my groceries unevenly, just to get home and have to haul it all in -whilst holding off the dog and the apparently stark raving mad with hunger kids - to put it all away neatly in the cupboards. Not my favourite thing to do in life, grocery shopping. YUCK!

Did I mention I have to tip the bagger, too? Let's just say they are not pleasant if you don't tip them what they think they are worth. I always tip just $5. Even when I can't afford to really do that. They seem to be quite happy with that, as I am certain there are many blue-hairs (retirees) that come in and still tip like they're living in the 1940's. I've witnessed it, or I would not mention it like it's the gospel truth. Still, some of these kids don't act nice. For the most part, they are super nice and polite, but bag the groceries like I can carry "that many canned items in one bag". I can't. I'm wee and have imperfect arm muscles. And, I do not enjoy chasing canned items down the hill as the bag will most certainly tear and send them rolling. It's just a small thing, but annoying nonetheless.

I also got a call today from a daycare provider who would like to employ me twice a week until the middle of February. A few hours each time. I'm game. I just have to ring her back and say so, but I will wait until I get back from grocery shopping. She has three little girls who are just the cutest girls. They're all three or four - chatty Cathy's.

I'm planning. My husband is the pack cub master for a Cub Scout pack in our area. There are about three corners in this house jammed with Cub Scout stuff. This morning I was able to voice my desire to round up, sort through, and get all of it back to the church (who charters the pack). He said we need to go through that closet there, too. Fine. Let's make it our pet project this weekend. BEFORE Christmas. I think he's game.

I know, I must be ill. Absolutely. However, lately I find myself returning to my old way of organizing. I'm tired of stuff everywhere. Especially stuff that does not belong to us (scout stuff). Can you tell this is one reason why Hawaii is so appealing to me? That is one great benefit of the military: moving now and again. It forces us to purge. Now that we are finally getting an overseas billet (job) - even though we're still going to be in America, it's considered overseas - I find I want to purge more than we usually have in the past. It's starting to take over my thoughts. This is why I am so glad my parents have sent money to us rather than boxes of presents. We can just save the money for the new sofa I've been hoping to buy. Of course, we plan on getting the kids some stuff with the money - because the grandparents intended that - but it's nice that there is less stuff coming in. And, the old sofas are going to be history. Those who know me, know how much I've been literally aching to get rid of them.

So, regardless of the annoying task of grocery shopping today, and feeling ill that I did not wish my eldest a grand day, I have managed to feel pretty good about today. I hope you do, too.

Some of the Nutty Stuff Going On Here . . .

Another post today. I'm full of stories and such, but I fear posting too much in one day may tire you out, me out, or rather, not collect the readership since many only have time to read one pithy post a day per blog visit. I'm sick. I have to visit each blog on my roll several times a day - there is something wrong with me. And, I wasn't kidding in my previous post: I have some weird cold that is giving me underlying crappy feelings (like a low-grade fever and you just breathe a little shallower?). But, I'll be fine. I'lll cook up some of this:

Huh. When I went to fetch this picture I learned that it's made by Krusteaz. I love that company. They make great quick breads in a mix. They have the best blueberry muffins mix out there, in my humble opinion (of course). Ahem.

Okay, I'm learning how to do this stuff slowly: moving the html picture links/uploads about in my postings so the pictures are where I want them. It's easier to do than I thought, but it still stinks. I wish we could upload pics for a single post on a side bar while writing our posts, and do a click and drag to paste them. That would be cool! I know, I'm an IDEA genius!

So, here's something crazy my daughter did. She made these dresses for her dolls from cotton balls:

And, because the dern weirdness of this family ever impresses me: my son's birthday cake (all his idea).

I have removed the Hello Kitty candle . . . Either I am making my kids insane or they are making me insane. Keeping it in the family! My husband thinks we're all nuts. He must be really lonely. Kidding. Ahem.