Random Ramble................................

Worked at home today, all day. After months of working 5 days a week, it was wonderful to not have to drive in, yet I kept feeling like I didn't belong at home.

DS10.11 is going crazy with impatience. Christmas can't come fast enough. I'm sure he's waiting for one present in particular, and then we'll never see or hear from him until he decides to eat.

Yumi is having trouble keeping to her diet. She's only allowed 1/2 cup a day because she needs to lose a few kitty pounds. We can't feed her diet food because she's allergic to corn. We feed her a grain free kibble, 1/4 cup in the morning and 1/4 cup at night. For some reason, she's been devouring it so quickly. I don't get it. She's been hunting for more food and we find her in places she shouldn't be.

I made soft ginger reindeer cookies. I noticed one pretzel antler missing and worried it was the cat. Thankfully DS10.11 confessed, and I didn't have to throw the batch away thinking the cat had possibily licked them all!

Better Late than Never Christmas cards should go out tomorrow. I tried to send cards to only loved ones we won't see the next few weeks. (I'll be so glad when survival unemployment mode is over.)

I have to pick up a few last minute gifts tomorrow, and my paycheck. In reserve order.

I can't believe they are forcasting rain for Christmas Eve and snow for Christmas Day. To me that translates to ICE!!

DS14 told me why watches are made with quartz. Turns out the vibrations from quartz have the amazing abilitily to keep accurate time.

Surprised Russell didn't win, yet completely understand why Natalie did. Next season's twist sounds really interesting- Villians vs. Heroes

I really shouldn't wait for the end of the day to drink water, but I get so busy during the day, I forget to drink.

Chocolate covered pretzles had to be invented by a woman. Whoever she was, I thank her immensely!!

I forgot to tell Santa I need chocolate covered cranberries too.

My mind is now wandering in a dangerous chocolate direction. I better go find a better distraction.

No Time For Cohesive Thoughts, Just A Relaxing Ramble....

I craved a nectarine the other day, but working my way through a case of Clementines is wonderful as well. I'm sorry oranges, compared to Clemmies, you're only good for juice.

I can feel the autodidact in me returning. After all the stress its good to know she's still in there, waiting patiently. On the list- learning HTML code, landscaping for birds, the art of persuasive speech, mediating, herbal remedies, and figuring out how to use your passions as a means of financial support.

Yesterday was the first day I felt the cold bite me. There's a point where comfortable, refreshing chilly, turns into, "Hey, this hurts!" I need to rediscover the art of layering.

I also need to clean out the closet and find those gloves!

Despite the facts, we still have hope. That is a result of prayer I'm sure.

Also I'm amazed at how prayer and a little holistic effort is keeping my health in check. Felt the verge of a sore throat coming last night, and I thought about smashing up and eating raw garlic. I decided since this was DH's birthday weekend, I'd spare him. I took apple cider vinegar and honey instead. Its a 50/50 blend, and I gargle a spoonful before swallowing it down. I also add a teaspoon to a glass of water and drink it that way. Maybe its the Clementines as well, but this morning, no sore throat! Yeah!

Going to really have to try hard to avoid sugar and this will help as well. Its going to be a challenge this weekend. Kringles are on sale at the Pig!! $3.99!!! I told myself though since I've already baked not only a cake, but also brownies, there's no need for Kringle, no matter what a great price that is.

My plan for enjoying DH's birthday dessert is to allow myself one bite of cake and one brownie. If I'm going to indulge, it might as well be something that I really enjoy. Although the cake is tempting, Fudgy Ghiradelli brownies are where its at!

I love how when I asked DH what I should make for his birthday, he said to let the boys decide. One son said vanilla cake, the other said chocolate brownies, so now we have both!

I think I hear the birthday man waking up. I better go pounce!

I should be sleeping in but since I can't.....

I'll babble.

Multiply has just stepped over the line. I can ignore most advertisements but they have found my weakness. The Hershey Kiss logo staring at me from the corner is pushing me over the edge! Wish I could afford a premium membership.

Last night we watched a few episodes of World War II in HD. It was pretty good. The boys were really into it, and I know this is because of their gaming. I found it odd to be seeing so much color footage of the early 40's. The soldiers all looked so youthful. Its easy to forget that when you see older World War II veterens. They were fighting all over the world at such a young age.

I'm trying to feel more organized. I know a great deal of the stress I've been feeling since working more hours is because I don't feel balanced. I also worry I'm not getting stuff accomplished because I'm pulled in different directions. So this week I'm writing down each day, stuff I need to tend to. I prioritize the list and if something isn't completed, it gets moved to the next day.

Remarkably, its helped already. Even if I don't feel like I'm accomplishing much, I can review the list and see that indeed I am reaching goals. Plus, my family has stepped up and completed stuff on my list too. I suppose it was a good decision to leave this list out in the open where they could see it. :) Coming home yesterday to the smell of a clean bathroom was a gift!

I've placed "Exercise" on the list for everyday and given it a priority of 1. Its easy for me to place my family's needs and work's needs in front of my own, but I also know that exercise isn't really just for me. By exercising I can stay healthy, which in turn means I'm available for my family and work. I know I've been exposed countless times to illness, and I also know each time I've been able to fight it off. I'm worried this won't continue to be the case though, since my daily walks had disappeared once I began working double the number of hours I had worked before. So now as soon as my work shift is over on Mon-Wed-Fri, I'm exercising, and on Tues & Thurs, I'm exercising after breakfast.

And with that final sentence of the last paragraph, my oatmeal is consumed. So I'm off to change from pajamas to work out clothes.

Thoughts....

Yumi is driving me crazy, meowing, pawing at the door. I don't understand why she thinks she's an outdoor kitty when we've always tried to keep her indoors. Plus its freezing out! I know she is bored I haven't been able to pester her.

Animal crackers and hot chocolate feed the soul.

My nest is not complete. DH has left to spend a few days with his mom, helping her fix her basement. I won't see him again until late on Saturday. :( I know he'll be in good hands though.

Wishing my mind would focus on things other than work and financial stress. I just want to take control of it all and know its all going to work out.

Yesterday, my boss was standing over my shoulder and she said she smelled garlic. When I went to kiss DS10 goodnight, he said I smelled like salami. DH confirmed it, I need to cut back on the raw garlic. I swear its been keeping me from getting sick though!

Wish I had the time to really focus on cleaning my house. Now that its getting colder and we have to close things up, I'd feel better knowing things were really clean.

Last night a little boy tinkled on my desk at work. I'm sure his parents were mortified, but in hind sight, maybe its not a good idea to stand your child up on the desk instead of the floor? Thankfully the puddle didn't hit me or my notebooks and we had disinfectant on hand. Another parent watching me clean it up said, "At least it wasn't puke." True. There are much worse things to have to clean up.

In about 24 hours I can relax a bit. During the next 24, there's a span of about 9 hours when I'm going to feel guilty and worried. Its unavoidable.

Looking forward to the comfort of friends this afternoon. It will make those 9 hours easier.

Better get a move on. Daylight's a wasting.

Sorry the weekend is over, but anxious to move on...

Aren't these beautiful? My DMIL has quite the green thumb. The bees were very happy to have one last delicious drink before winter comes. It was unseasonably warm today, almost reaching 70. We took full advantage of it, and enjoyed a stroll along the lake front.

I love Lake Michigan's lake front. We don't live near an ocean, so for me, this is as close as I can get. When I look out at the big spans of water, I can't help but feel my nautical ancestors calling to me. I've always pictured myself living near water and trees. Maybe someday.

I'm sorry to see the weekend come to an end, but anxious for the week to get moving. I'm praying DH gets a call this week for an interview. We're heading into our 4th week of unemployment. We have an appointment this week for food and health care assistance. If we do qualify, I understand it may still be several months before the benefits kick in. Our appointment for energy assistance isn't until the end of January. At that rate, winter will be over by the time that kicks in. The wait list is very long, and I'm sure its because the unemployment rate is very high in our area.

We tried to unload a car load of stuff at Goodwill, and I was surprised they refused to take any toys. The only toys they will take are brand new, in the box, never opened. I'm going to try another charity like St. Vincent's or Salvation Army.

I found out my sister had full blown H1N1. She lives 3 blocks away and she never called me. I'm sure it was a rough week for her, but I was hurt she never called. I would have liked to have had the chance to help her out, making meals or something. She actually never calls me. Its always me calling her. Of course she's very quick to call my other sister and gossip about me. I'm seriously taking a good look at my side of the family and realizing our relationships are not what family should be.

Maybe its because of the closeness I have with my husband, children and mother in law, but I can't help but compare what they offer me compared to what my birth family offers.

When I was younger, I thought it was me. I was the "EMO" child and the rest of my family just made fun of me or rolled their eyes. I only remember my father's mother being like me, and I watched as they made fun and rolled their eyes at her too.

"Will you stop your crying and carrying on!"

I can remember my Grandmother talking to me alone in her kitchen. She'd tell me I was special. She'd say things like, "Don't let them ever get you down. You are special!" We had that bond of both being emotional creatures. I lost my Grandmother while I was in high school. Thankfully, I met my husband shortly there after.

I'm so grateful for my husband, my children and my mother in law. They always lift me up. I cherish the time I have to spend with them. I know this week that time will again be limited as I try to put in extra hours to help. I so desire to go back to my old schedule, working 3 nights instead of 5 days. I miss being able to unschool myself on things that interest me.

I know I'm being selfish and most people don't have the luxury of working part-time, but you have to understand I didn't find true peace and happiness until I began unschooling with my children almost 11 years ago now. I was a nervous, anxious mess when I worked full time and tried to balance being a wife and mother.

I have a gift for being very patient. I was born to be a parent, and I'm frustrated my role in this capacity is being deminished. 

If you've made it to the end of this babble, thank you for listening. I've decided to live honestly and make my life an open book, because one day, all truth is revealed.

Don't expect me to organize my thougths...

Life for me lately has been unpredictable and with that comes an unpredictable mind.

I'm finding myself dreaming lately of what life will be like once DH's unemployment is over. I'm making all these plans. I keep dreaming him in a better job where he's happy and the money is comfy, and by comfy I'm talking he'll make as much as he made before or more so. :)

I felt we were living frugal before, but now I can see we could have done much better. The more you have, the more you have to lose. My goal isn't to have more, but to DO MORE, once we're through this lay off. I'm sure this is the lesson I was suppose to learn from this.

I'm going to put away the Halloween decorations today and start to bring out Christmas. Yes, I know its still weeks away from Thanksgiving, but there is a special set of Santas I want out.

Today is the anniversary of my cousin's death. In the years before she lost her battle with cancer, she hand painted a Santa figure for everyone every year for Christmas. I cherish the collection I have, and it reminds me to be more like her in spirit. Donna loved family and loved Christmas. The Santas are coming out today.

I'm also looking forward to making home made, southern style biscuits. Wish me luck because I've never attempted them before. I think I'll also try a beef stew slow cooker recipe.

I don't miss eating out at all, but the challenge has been time. Working more hours, my domestic Goddess role has been diminished. :)  I miss my primary role in household management. There are some things that just need a woman's touch, no offense to my awesome husband.

I'm hoping to stretch my legs this weekend as well. I miss my walks. We're suppose to have warmer weather, in the 60's, so it will feel good.

Tuesday's ramble...

Frost advisory tonight. It seems too early, but when I think about all the nature cues, its not surprising. Most of the geese and ducks have lone gone, the squirrels have been ramped up OCD style, digging and burying their food supply, and even the garden seemed to shut down early.

I think I'm ready though. I had DH haul out the extra down comforter, and I scored at the Farm & Fleet store yesterday- "Lowest prices of the season", grabbing us a few pairs of jeans. Now if only I can find my socks. Preferring to be barefoot, I'm always challenged when it comes to finding socks and footwear.

I'm motivated to pull the looms back out and knit more caps and try scarfs too. The chill in the air has me wanting to bake, and I'm back brewing and drinking my tea on the hot side.

I'm trying Hawthorne Berry tea. I've read its good for your heart and circulatory system. I also heard it may help RLS. I read that many believe in the healing power of Hawthorne Berry because its believed Christ's crown of thorns was made from Hawthorne Berry branches. Of course I thought that was cool, and I had to Google to see if I could grow a Hawthorne Berry bush in my yard!

The boys have been enjoying their new Xbox 360 and I'm surprised it hasn't consumed all their time like I thought it would. Its just another console to play different games. They are still enjoying other activities.

Yesterday they took turns sawing down the wild Mulberry bush trees that had taken over on the corners of our Sleepyhouse. I love how easy Mulberries spread and the fact the birds love them, but the reality is, we can't have them growing so close to the house and risk damaging the foundation. We still have a larger tree on the corner of our lot. The boys did a bit of pruning, removing the branches touching the ground. Hopefully this helps strengthen the tree. I know all the sawing will help strengthen my boys' arms!

I think even though it may be scary to watch your baby yield sharp tools, its good to place them in their hands with supervision. I can remember years ago our doctor warned me that boys have a natural fasnication with knives. I thought at the time, whatever, how can he know, but later discovered it was true. So we've always tried to be there, guiding them as to how sharp they can be, and the damage that will occur if you don't focus and concentrate on using them correctly.

Case in point, the day mom almost took off her finger tip slicing a bagel. Had the blade not caught in the bone, her fingertip would have popped off! And yesterday, peeling butternut squash too quickly, her DNA almost was added to the risotto. Its amazing how many times I've warned my children only to injure myself! LOL!

At the library yesterday, I saw the latest issue of National Geographic. It has a really cool fold out poster of a giant Redwood tree. I have to see if I can buy a copy of the magazine now, just for the poster! I love trees and its on my bucket list to see a Redwood. The people climbing the giant tree looked like ants.

Speaking of ants, we watched a Goosebumps video, Awesome Ants last night. We borrowed a whole slew of Goosebumps videos at the library, getting in the Halloween spirit. There's something about curling up under a blanket and watching a scary video together when its cold and dark outside that is comforting and bonding.

I guess I've babbled enough. I better get up and get moving. Have a great Tuesday!

Babbling On...

Yikes! I'm home alone! Well, sort of. Yumi and the birds are with me, but my children went over to a cousin's house to hang out and drool over his X-box.

Why is it I dream of having the place to myself, yet when that comes true, I freeze, not knowing how to best enjoy it?

Wait....let me go put on my music and grab a Dandy Blend Latte.

I should be cleaning and packing for our Minnesota trip, but that's no fun. I should be re-drafting training documents for work, but I'm not feeling it.

Instead, I'd rather sit here, by the breezy window and let my thoughts wander.

Last night I had to ask a little girl's parents to not allow her to dance and jump in the windowsill. You would think that would be a no brainer. She was dancing and jumping in the window like it was a stage. They had actually moved a chair so she could climb up into the window to perform. They completely failed to see the danger in allowing your child to jump inches from a glass window. Sometimes I feel like I'm surrounded by morons. The little diva threw a temper tantrum, and I received dirty looks from her parents. Of course you know if this child would have fallen through the window, we would have been sued.

Got my feet wonderfully muddy this morning, picking cucumbers for my mommy. She wants to make "pick-a-lily" (don't know how to spell it but that's how it sounds.) I'm not a fan of relish, but I do love farm fields. I was very grateful the farmer allowed me to self pick and even more surprised when he wouldn't take any money for the cucumbers. He also invited me to pick all the Romas I wanted no charge, but I told him I was waiting for ours to ripen. I hope I don't regret that decision. A part of me wanted to pick them though just to bring to a food pantry somewhere. I can't believe how much food is wasted not even harvested!

Made my Mamma Jama Boob Squish appointment. I'm just a little overdue. The death of a home schooling mom I knew pushed me to pick up the phone. She lost her battle with breast cancer and my heart is breaking for her two children who must go on without her now.

Parents shouldn't have to leave their children until those children are old and grown themselves. Not that there is ever a good time to lose a parent, but it seems so unfair she was called to heaven before her children were ready to be without her. So please bring those cold metal plates down on me and pinch away. I'd rather have a head start if I ever have to run the cancer race.

Better get moving. Maybe its the tunes or the fact I just realized, I could be dancing around like a crazy lady since no one is home to see me! :)

Wednesday's babble

Out with the old, in with the new. Really, I don't know what was wrong with our old town sign, but our village has spent the money to erect a newer one. Except for needing some weeding, the old sign seems fine to me. One of these days I really should become more active in my local government.

Have you read this article about the FTC monitoring blogs? I read this a few days ago, and it really concerns me. How can this not be a violation of free speech? The FTC is concerned that some bloggers are receiving free goods in exchange for writing about them and readers may not understand those bloggers were compensated. Why do we need government to regulate this? What ever happened to "buyer beware." Their argument is that when you walk into a store, you can identify the salesclerk. My response to that is what makes the salesclerk any more or less trustworthy than anyone else?

For the record, Emergen-C, Dandy Blend, or any other product I've written about, I've had to buy with my own money. I don't receive free gifts to blog, and my blog is just my opinion. I have not scientifically tested the products I review. Now hopefully the FTC won't come after me since I've disclosed this to you!

I'm trying to brain storm for things we can enjoy only in summer time. DH & I realized, since our boys are unschooled, they don't really see summer like we did as kids. Summertime to us meant freedom. Our boys never lose theirs. It made me think about how our life revolves around the seasonal calender rather than a school calendar. Its the seasons and holidays that bring change into our lives. I should focus on that and do a better job with our family traditions.

So what kinds of things do you only enjoy in the summer time? I know trips are the obvious, but I'm looking for life's little pleasures, keeping in mind money doesn't buy happiness.

My Take Your Kid To Work Day...

Its been a not so typical day. I subbed for someone at work this morning so I'm a bit late getting to blog world and Facebook. The boys rode in with me so they could take advantage of the swimming. I was surprised because DS13 is very congested, but he still wanted to go. They had the pool all to themselves. Its too beautiful outside today to be swimming inside I guess.

I would love to open windows now that I'm home, but ironically, its too warm outside. The temperature inside is a nice cool 70 but outside its already in the 80's. Crazy Wisconsin weather.

This weekend we may take a road trip to scout out hiding spots for our Letterboxing workshop next week. If we decide not to go, I'll just use last year's hiding spots and hope most of the attendees are new to the workshop. Its crazy to think a week from today is the home schooling conference already! Where has April gone?

I somehow managed to muster up enough desire to watch this week's Survivor. After Brandon was voted off last week in Coach's "Dragon Slayer" plan, I swore I'd never watch the show again. I'm glad I did because even though Coach wasn't voted off, his side kick was. It was an excellent blindside!  I'm hoping its only a matter of time now for Coach's demise. I can't stand him! He thinks he's such an honorable player, but he's a sneaky snake just like most of them. I love watching Karma come back to bite him!

DS10 came upstairs and said, "Mom, I have some bad news. NO ONE HAS DIED OR ANYTHING AND THE GAME SYSTEMS ARE FINE, but my tooth came out and I lost it in the couch."  So now between the cushions its not just loose change and crumbs, but also a baby tooth.
 
Well, I'm heading back outside. Sorry to ditch you but its just too nice to be inside for long. Have a great weekend!

Quick babble for St. Patricks

I'm much too busy to organize my thoughts. Just be thankful I made it here!

Yesterday I went a bit nuts with wishful, warm weather, thinking. It was the first day it was warm enough to go without a jacket and even though I was going to order from Burpee, I caved at  Farm & Fleet and bought seeds. I picked out Buttercrunch lettuce, butternut squash, garlic chives, watermelon, cantaloupe and Roma tomatoes. I tried to buy things I knew my family would eat. Don't ask me where they are all going!! I hadn't planned on turning my entire small yard into a garden, but this morning I thought, why not? From "Melonhead" to "Melon Farmer"? It could happen.

I'm going to try and make our own seed starters using newspaper. I saw a tool at Burpee, but I don't want to pay for it. I'm going to brainstorm my own version. I have no southern windows so I'll have to set up a light table in the basement. We can't transplant here until mid to late May. 

I found a clearanced water cistern fountain for $24. I couldn't pass it up. It has a spitting lion head. I'm not sure where I'll put it, but its just large enough I may be able to grow a water plant in it. I may try a water lily, but we'll see what I can find at the nursery in a few months.

I'm a little jealous the birds are not using my homemade bird bath, but rather the abandoned turtle sand box for their bathing pleasure. Our neighbors, driven out by foreclosure, left the sandbox last November and it filled with snow. Now its all melted and created a mini-beach for the birds. I think it won't last though. I've seen someone stopping by every now and then, taking pictures of the property and doing improvements. I'm guessing the bank is getting ready to sell it. I hope someone nice moves in.

Speaking of moving, we're excited one of the families in our homeschool posse is moving just down the street from us!! I can't tell you how awesome this is, knowing the boys can see their "hs" friends more than once a week. Of course this does mean world's will have to colide. To date, we've never mixed our neighborhood posse rats with our homeschool posse at the request of my son. I think he's worried about everyone getting along.

Well, I better get moving. I want to make a new granola today that uses cranberry juice. (Giada recipe.) I'll let you know how it goes.

No time to blog! How crazy fast can I type this babble?

Watch out. Random ADHD blog post ahead.

I need these shoes. (I'm sure Blind Melon fans will understand why.) Unfortunately, I think I need to go to Venezuela to get them.

I must bake and decorate 10 feet of birthday cupcakes for my decade old dude.

My family thinks I'm being too mean if I hang the banner I painted. It says, "NO MORE WIMPY SINGLE DIGITS!" (We'll have single digit aged guests in attendance.) Kind of reminds me of the time my then future MIL made me a birthday cake that said, "You're not a crummy teenager anymore.." only I was turning 19.

I cranked out a bunch of work for my job this morning and because our CD surround player stopped working, I listened to WXRT via the internet. How I miss some things about living in Chicago! WXRT is the best radio station on the planet!

Why must it get death cold again? Just to spite me because I was feeling naturally high this morning?

It was weird. I had this rush of euphoria just looking forward to the upcoming weekend, being with my family, knowing spring has to come, finishing a project. Of course when "our" song came on the radio, (Little Wings), that helped tremendously. It was followed by No Rain, which even thought that's not my favorite Blind Melon song, just the fact Blind Melon gets play time on the radio is a plus.

I suppose because my dryer is now fixed, my washing machine had to go. Makes sense. She's crying because she's jealous the dryer was getting all the attention from Mr. Appliance Repairman. There is a nice little stream running across my basement floor whenever I try to wash clothes now. Sigh... Must wait for next paycheck to invite back Mr. Appliance Repairman.

Holy Cold Cows! I opened up my gas bill yesterday. Highest its ever been. Last January I paid $130 something. This bill was $175. During the months we don't have to run the heat, its only around $30. My friend said hers was over $400!! She lives in a 2 story, one hundred plus year old home though. I so need Spring! (Or those shoes!)

My parents may run away to Arizona after all. I wish I could stow away.

Excitement at the pool last night! Our lifeguard had to jump in because a guest with special needs had a seizure. His therapist was right there with him, but our lifeguard jumped in to help. It only lasted a few minutes and he never lost consciousness. I guess this poor fella has them all the time, thus his need for a therapist to swim with. Strange thing was, our life guard told me after wards, he could feel, only the part of the guy's body that was out of the water, his head and shoulders, was seizing. From the chest down, what was under the water didn't seize up. I have to wonder if the warm water had something to do with this? (We keep our water at 88 degrees.) After about 15 minutes, the young man could walk and talk again like nothing had happened. His father thanked us and promised they would be back next week to work with their therapist once again.

I'm not sure how our lifeguard liked hearing this! He seemed pretty shook up, but that's what happens with your first rescue. Your adrenaline starts racing and even after the guest is safe and secure, you're pumped up.

Ok. I'm getting too cold sitting by the window here. Time for hot cocoa! I probably won't be able to check back in until after our birthday party bash weekend. Have a great one yourselves!

I'm just not feeling it...

I'm not feeling this blog post today. We've got the worries. I think the bitter, dangerous cold has me scared. Will my car start when I need to leave for work? Will it start when I need to drive home? My furnace is constantly running. Will our utility bill be outrageous?

DH was a little late last night coming home, due to the blowing snow, and DS9 was worried something bad had happened. He's so much like me when it comes to worrying about the what ifs.

What doesn't help matters is hearing of bad news. My parents were witness to a horrible tragedy involving their neighbor, so now I'm worried about them. They're not in danger of a mob hit or anything, but I'm worried about them dealing with their grief, especially since right now they are trapped inside due to the dangerous temperatures.

I'm really going to try and focus on the positives today. It would be so easy to give in to the anxiety and depression but this isn't where I want to be.

DS9 asked me to provide healthy food and snacks to him. He told me he is beginning his plan to get in shape because he wants to be a police officer. He told me even though being a police officer doesn't necessarily mean constant action, you still need to be in shape.

"You know being a police officer isn't going to be like being James Bond, mom."  That's good. I would prefer he wasn't shot at everyday.

We've been having some serious UNO battles. We're currently using a National Parks deck, with wonderful photos from US parks. The special card is the Bear Attack card. You don't want to be hit with that!

Speaking of cards, DS is creating special cards to infuse into his Apples to Apples deck. He's also been writing trivia cards.

Last night DH and I watched a different version of Sweeney Todd. Now I'm wondering how the original story was written. The version we watched last night wasn't the Johnny Depp musical. I don't recall the actor's name, but in this version on the IFC channel, Mr. Todd isn't after the judge so much. He's even more of a psyco, turn on a dime, type killer. It was more dark than the Burton film, and showed more of what life was really like during that time period.

I better stop putting off going out into the arctic air. I have to try and start my van or for sure it won't start tonight. I also need to stock up on healthy snacks for someone's future law enforcement goals. 

Stay warm!

Busy Babble

I really don't feel like I have the time to blog, but I want to be able to look back and see what we were up to.

My van turned over 200,000!! Whoo Hoo!!!! I only hope it makes it to 300,000. Can't afford a new or even used new car right now. Yes, I was driving when I took this snap. I was even speeding, going 26 in a 25!!! Oooooh!!! I'm so bad!!

DH turned 40 and we celebrated with a rare supper out at Outback. What was that I was just saying about going veg and meaning it? There is something in their steak rub. It tastes so good especially when you first swirl your fork in garlic mashed potatoes before stabbing the tines into that delicious juicy bite of mammal flesh.

I did go back to veg after Friday night. Saturday we drove over the river and through the woods and welcomed Grandma back from Arizona. We celebrated DH's birthday again with pizza at Kaisers. I went with thin, crusty, cheese goodness with a side of fried green beans. SO YUMMY! Its a good thing I can only get fried green beans in Kenosha or I would eat them way too often.

I tried to do some Christmas shopping yesterday and it depressed the hell out of me. I was so uptight and tense by the time I hit the sheets. I just am not a shopper. Never have been. Even shopping online drove me batty. I have this thing about getting the least expensive price and I don't want to pay for shipping. I have too high of standards too. Everything looks like crap to me.

My one glorious moment of retail bliss was the box of sunshine spheres from Spain I bought from the Wiggler. Can a person OD on Clementines? I may be the first. I picked up a crate for only $3.99. Why did I worry about buying two and having them go to waste? I'm already almost half way through the box. The $3.99 price was a weekend special only. I'll have to go back to paying $8.00 now that I'm hooked on a Clementine high.

I haven't finished decorating for Christmas yet. I'm very tempted to call it done and put the storage bin away. Less is more right? So why do I feel I'm emotionally letting down my family if my house isn't transformed into Santa's cottage workshop?

Tomorrow we are suppose to be hit with a few inches of ice with a few more inches of snow on top. The boys are stoked but the adults who have to drive in it, are not too excited. Maybe I need to think sled dog team instead of worrying about how our next vehicle will materialize?

Have you heard of photo walking? Its simply taking a walk and snapping photos as you go. Often there are groups that do it together. I'm thinking of trying this. My camera is crippled, but what have I got to lose? If I can stay upright during the ice storm tomorrow, I'll try my first photo walk and I'll let you know how it goes.

Well, I better get to chores. Our bikes need to trade places with the sleds and hang from the garage ceiling. I'm sure DH will want to pull the car into the garage tonight too.