Monday, Monday

January 14, 2013 at 12:02 PM (Around Our House, Family Life, Honey, Lists, Muggins Q. Mouse, Our Boy, Television, The Ab-Cat)

Hello People.

I am late, late, late this morning. Late getting up, late having chai, late posting. Just late.

I don’t think there is too much to say here.

We had a quiet weekend. Mousey and I took The Boy and The Dane to catch the Megabus back to Chicago on Saturday night, after a yummy fondue dinner to cap off the holiday eating. They are back to eating at Moody, which they both agree is not….yummy.

After the drop off, Mousey and I went to a right down the road Salvation Army. I was thinking it was a Goodwill we had once gone to with our friend Fran years ago. It was the one I was remembering, just had the name wrong. I believe that this thrift store was where I first experienced the thrill of finding a good pair of sleep pants!

I looked at lots of stuff, tried on a few things, but only found a white t-shirt for the Ab-Cat. I am alright with that because I certainly don’t need anything. Sometimes it feels like a little victory to NOT purchase anything. Of course it feels like a bigger victory to find something. The thrill of the hunt you know?

Honey made a good stir fry out of the leftover fondue ingredients and I had my last ice cream sundae of the holiday season. It was vanilla bean ice cream with raspberry sauce and chocolate fondue topping. Oh.My.Word. Scrumtrulescent!

We are now on a new path. Mousey is joining us on the path. The Ab-Cat is as well because she has no use for the kitchen and eats what is served.

We are having soup tonight. The kind is to be decided as the day goes on. It will be chicken broth and have chicken in it because that is what we have. The other things will be decided. As the day goes on. Like I already stated.

Mousey went back to school this morning. Her first class was at 8. Last semester she went to much trouble planning her schedule. No early classes, heck, no classes at all on Monday and Friday. And now she is up at the crack of 7! Going to work at 5 in the morning to supervise all of those senior citizens must have reintroduced her in to the morning.

I need to watch season 2 of Downton Abbey, so I can watch season 3 of Downton Abbey.

I have been going to physical therapy for my second round of tennis elbow. I hurt myself moving chairs last February. I thought I had pulled a muscle or something and waited until May to go to the doctor, after realizing that this was no dang pulled muscle. I had recently replaced my old, despised, doctor with a new doctor, whom I really like a LOT. She knew exactly what I was talking about and told me it was a big long word that starts with E, also known as tennis elbow. She gave me a magic shot and I thought no more about it until I felt the familiar twinges on vacation in November after wrangling luggage.

When I went back in last month to have another shot of magic she was reluctant to administer it because she said at this time of year she KNEW I would not rest it and let it heal. I am pretty sure that the last time I had the shot I did not rest it and let it heal. Perhaps that is my problem? Evidently, they don’t like to keep giving the shots because it weakens the ligament. I can understand that, and now I find myself going to P.T. It is not without it’s charms. Except for the ice. I don’t like the ice. It doesn’t feel good and it gets me all wet.

I am doing the exercises, but they don’t feel like they are doing anything. I don’t mind the ultra sound and I love the massage. The doctor said if things weren’t better by the end of the month to come back and she would administer the magic. It is going to be hard to rest it and let it heal because it is my right arm and I, you know, use it. Regularly.

Can I mention again that I really like my new doctor? One of the things that I like about her is a pin she wears on her lapel. I noticed it the first time I visited her and asked if it was a Star Fleet pin. She seemed a little excited and said yes, it was a Star Fleet Medical Officer pin and I was the only person who had ever noticed! How cute is she? She has a sense of humor too, something I have not always found in my extensive medical field travels.

In a strange twist, I discovered that I know my physical therapist! She and I grew up at the same church, Temple Baptist, and she looks exactly the same! So it has been fun catching up with her.

I’d better post this and start doing my BSF lesson. Monday morning and already behind the 8 ball. Sigh.

I sure can say a lot when I don’t have much to say.

2 Comments

Don’t You Just Hate It When…..

January 11, 2013 at 8:12 AM (Confessions, Lists, Whatever)

You lose the drawstring on your pajamas or sweat pants when it gets sucked inside by the elastic?

Blogs you have read for a long time just peter off into nothingness? I am surprised that spell check agrees that is a word. Why wouldn’t you just post a final entry saying stick a fork in you you’re done? Or at least update periodically that you weren’t eaten by wolves or something. I guess I can understand that you have lost your mojo or interest in blogging, but we, your readers that you worked so hard at cultivating, sometimes grow to care about you and your family, and might have prayed for your situations in the past, and had various levels of blog communication with you, we are always left wondering if you are out having a wonderful life and got too busy to blog or you are in the grips of something truly heinous. I realize that they are not obligated to tell us all about their business, but it seems like a courtesy. A final chapter shall we say. I pinky swear promise that I will tell you all if I am getting out of Dodge. And if I can’t, I will give someone my password and they can.

The day you decide to debark The Eating Train is the day there are delectable treats everywhere?

You discover the reason you found that super good deal at the thrift store is because there is a flaw where you did not see it. True story.

The kitty witties that you so lovingly care for and feed and water daily and change their potty box, WILL NOT sit on your lap? Why you do me like that kitties? I have never NOT had a lap cat and now I have three.

And when you make them, it’s not really very satisfying. Trust me.

There is a little something bugging you on one of your boots, that you cannot find, and that wasn’t there the last time you wore them?

You wake up early on the one day that you don’t have to get up early? For no good reason.

These have been some of my ponderings this week.

What bugs you?

Have a satisfying weekend.

5 Comments

The Doings

January 8, 2013 at 9:54 AM (Around Our House, Confessions, Family Life, Honey, Lists, Muggins Q. Mouse, Our Boy, Television, This and That)

I fear I have not gotten back into the swing of things yet. Hence the late posting. I am going to now bombard you with many random things.

The Boy and The Dane return to Chicago this weekend. Mousey resumes college on Monday. BSF does start back up tomorrow and I need to get cracking on finishing up my lesson. I have only had THREE WEEKS to do it. All this down time has made me….unproductive.

I have been focusing some of my time trying to learn how to use my new iPad. I mainly wait for Mousey to become available and then she tells me what to do.

One of my resolutions this year is to make better use of my camera. Taking pictures AND learning how to use the settings.

Next Monday the eating train leaves the depot. Honey and I are getting back on the right track.

There is a lot of television happening this month. I dvr’d  the premiere episode of the third season of Downton Abby because I have not finished season two. I’d best get right on that.

Between The Biggest Loser, American Idol, Top Chef, and not to mention the new shows we are going to try, I will almost be too busy to grow my toenails. Almost.

Our CareGroup starts back up on Friday. I have missed them and it will be nice to catch up. Another reason why the eating train leaves on Monday and not sooner.

I have been wearing nail polish for the last month or so. After not wearing nail polish for several years. What up with that?

My Christmas cards are in the mail as of yesterday!!!!!!! Better late than never, right?

People who know me well don’t expect to get our Christmas card before Christmas. Therefore they are not surprised. To all the others? SURPRISE!!!!

I only have one Christmas present to return, and one to exchange. Pretty good for all of us!

What have you been doing? Do share.

I will just be here waiting to read what you say. And growing my toenails. It’s a full time job if I want to be sandal ready by our vacation to Florida in March.

4 Comments

It’s The End Of The World As We Know It

December 21, 2012 at 8:02 AM (Around Our House, Cats and Dog, Confessions, Family Life, Honey, Lists, Television)

Hey Y’all!

Greetings from the waterlogged Mitten. NOT complaining, super glad it is not snow!

I am not done with all the Christmas stuff, but it is getting there.

Everything is wrapped, but still need a couple things from the store.

Need to go to the grocery for everyday things, plus ingredients for what we will be taking to my aunt and uncle’s on Christmas Day.

We have not made ugly sugar cookies….yet.

I haven’t baked anything except some Sinful Saltines and a batch of shortbread that I gave away as gifts.

My Christmas cards, with note AND letter, should be in the mail sometime between Christmas and New Years.

Or the week after. But hey, it’s all good, right?

Honey is under the kitchen sink right now because no water is coming out.

Sink, why you do us like that?

I heard a rumor that the world is ending today.

Then it’s a good thing I didn’t get all wigged out about getting those cards in the mail.

That would have been a waste of my last days!

The Boy and The Dane are home!

I just discovered that Mama Mia likes her belly rubbed. Lightly. How did I not know that?

Honey just left for Lowe’s. The sink repair is not going well.

I need to finish up the errands today.

It’s getting cold and blustery out there.

Of course it is.

I hope 2012 is on tv later tonight.

It’s a preposterous movie, but fitting for the day.

If it were the last day on earth, which creature comfort would you miss the most?

I am going to say chai.

But you knew that, didn’t you?

5 Comments

The Usual Friday List

December 7, 2012 at 8:16 AM (Around Our House, Confessions, Family Life, Help Me Please, Honey, Lists, Muggins Q. Mouse, The Ab-Cat)

Hello my People.

It’s time for a Friday list, because even though it is not what I assume will happen every Friday, it is what seems to happen every Friday. I should just declare it, embrace it, and make it so. With it’s own catchy post name and maybe a side button. But, as you know, that is FAR beyond my technological capabilities. What would I call it anyway? Any ideas? You are all creative types, flood me with your inspiration!

I got new boots. I just thought you should know. (In my mind, that sounded just like Sheldon Cooper, read it again using Sheldon’s voice. It works, doesn’t it?)

I bought the above mentioned boots for a purpose. I want to wear them with leggings and long sweaters that cover the hindquarters (VERY important that the rumpus is COVERED.). The main reason being it looks like a comfortable look to me, NOT because it looks young and trendy. As a matter of fact I almost didn’t wear it because I didn’t want to look like a 50 year old Hag Barbie.

I had a fashion show for Mousey last weekend, and she helped me narrow down my choices. One was eliminated because it was a little too shapeless, and we are currently deciding between a couple that are both grey and black. I can’t possibly need two in the same color palate. Anyway, I debuted my striped look at church on Sunday and again at BSF on Thursday. VERY COMFORTABLE!

Mousey and Honey both assured me that I didn’t look stupid.

Abby was not so gracious, but I am not sure if I can trust her fashion sense, since even she would admit that she has none.

On the plus side, no one called me Hag Barbie. To my face anyway.  I even got some compliments. One dear soul, Miss May, even told me I looked little bitty. I then gave her a big appreciative hug and knocked a whole bunch of flyers off a nearby kiosk with my little bitty glutal area. Bless her heart, real good.

Maybe I will try them on again and have Mouse-Ann take a picture to show you all. I covet your opinion. We don’t want no freakin’ Hag Barbie look around here!

I also have another pair of new boots. Actually, we bought them for Mousey last year for Christmas. She declined them and they were so cute I couldn’t take them back. They have been in my closet for a year now and I have about decided to break them in. That whole bit didn’t sound like Sheldon at all.

The last thing I would like to share also features Mousey. The other night she asked if we were having dinner, and for some reason the answer was no. She then complained that I don’t love her at all. I helpfully suggested that she make herself a sandwich, which she began to do. As she opened the suspiciously light bag she wailed, “OH NO, it’s butt bread!!!” I asked her WHAT was THAT? She said there were only the two heels left and then reiterated that NO ONE loves her.

Have a good weekend and I hope it doesn’t include butt bread.

8 Comments

Friday Roundup

November 30, 2012 at 7:49 AM (Around Our House, Family Life, Honey, Lists, Muggins Q. Mouse, Our Boy, The Ab-Cat)

Hi Guys!

It’s hard to believe a week has passed since Thanksgiving. Time keeps on slippin’, slippin’, slippin’, into the future. Who said that?

It’s been a busy, productive week, how about a little catch up list?

The Boy and The Dane headed back to Chicago on the Mega-Bus around 7:30 on Monday night. That drive out to Ann Arbor is getting more and more familiar. It was so nice having them, and we know they will be back in about 21 minutes. That slippin’ time business.

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I started the Christmas shopping!!! Always a good feeling!

We received our first Christmas card….before Thanksgiving! My cousin Dorothy and her husband Wade win the early bird contest! I am somewhat looser in my Christmas card goals. I shoot for sometime before Christmas and give myself the option of the weeks after. I have once extend grace to myself until Valentine’s Day, but after that  just seems tacky. I know, I know, that was a sad situation. I will say that I looked at the Christmas picture options at Sam’s earlier this week, so I am clearly on top of it this year!

After a week of playing refrigerator Jenga, Honey is pleased that our shelves are back to a manageable amount of containers.

I made a turkey pot pie instead of the usual chicken and we all agreed that it was not too bad. And that, my Friends, was the last of the holiday eating. Thank you Lord! Except for some spiral ham, that could go into the freezer.

I have Christmas lists from everyone except Honey. He is a bad list giver.

Of course, he did buy himself a new TV for our bedroom because he was having trouble seeing the old one. Surely that can count for something?

The Boy helped me drag all of the Christmas boxes upstairs before he left so I could commence with all the decorating. The boxes mostly decorated our great room until yesterday, when I made the girls help me put the tree up. We listened to Andy Williams, of course.

I had to get it finished before CareGroup tonight. It’s good to have a hard deadline.

Every year I think that I should cull through that Christmas stuff. I don’t use most of it anymore. You know how you get tired of the same old, same old. Unless it is tradition.

Mousey has been working a lot. I am thankful that she can now support her own toiletry habit. Seriously.

Mousey and I have been looking ALL over tarnation for pumpkin spice tea bags. To no avail. Anyone know where we can get our mitts on some?

Yesterday, I found this at Homegoods. The jury is still out. I have tried it and thought it was ok. A little sweet.

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Better than this iffy stuff.

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I bought these bags,

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for this.

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I polished her up right before Thanksgiving because she sat in the dining room, alone and tarnishing, since last Christmas. I am hoping that sucking all of the air out with the vacuum cleaner will keep her bright and shiny until the next use. If it doesn’t work, we will just shine her up again, it wasn’t too monumental a task.

Honey was on line last night shopping around for parts of things that are trying to quit us over here. Dishwasher, vacuum cleaner, why you do us like that?

The Ab-Cat goes to a young adult group at a neighboring church with her friends Running Lauren and I Like Cats Autumn. Yesterday the group was going ice skating and Abby went along. I need to hear how this went down, and if she will ever darken the door of an ice arena again!

Mousey was showing me pictures of the ugly cats she wants on her IPod yesterday. She wants to name it Gravy Boat. Whatever floats your gravy boat.

What have you been up to?

4 Comments

Happy Thanksgiving 2012

November 22, 2012 at 8:18 AM (Family Life, Friends, From the Heart, Honey, Lists, Muggins Q. Mouse, Our Boy, The Ab-Cat)

I almost wrote 2010, on purpose. Why?

I have been catching up on some blogs this morning while sitting here enjoying some chai. Some were about Mama’s in heaven, a Dad that just went to heaven, memories of holidays gone by, scrumtrulescent food talk and learning gratitude and thankfulness. All good stuff.

I feel like counting some blessings.

I am thankful for this holiday, that should cause everyone to pause at least once and think of something they are thankful for. Many things.

I am thankful for the health of my family. Never taken for granted around here.

Thankful that Honey is still employed when so many are not.

Thankful that our friendly neighborhood Meijers is so close by, even though it is a ZOO right now. Most of the grocery stores have pulled out of Detroit for various reasons, and those families have to go much further for their groceries.

Thankful for vacations with Honey. He completes me.

Really glad for growing toenails and that I can wear shoes again, just in time for colder weather! Grow, Babies Grow!!!

Thankful for the big bird on the counter, the ham in the fridge, and all the fixings for a yummy meal.

Thankful for my Aunt Phyllis’ pies, YUM.

Very thankful for The Dane, who chopped all the onion and celery for the dressing! She likes to chop, it is comforting for her. Far be it for me to steal her joy!

Thankful that she and The Boy were able to catch a ride home from Chicago from a couple who live very close by!

Thankful for Mousey’s new lifeguard job. A little money is good!

So thankful for The Ab-Cat’s new van and her regained independence!!

My Grandma Georgia passed away 20 years ago on Thanksgiving. I am so thankful she was my Grandma. She was a fine lady, and people still tell me that they miss her. I know I always will.

Thankful that my Dad is busy, productive and feeling like the Lord is using him for good things.

Thankful for wonderful friends who make living so much better!

Thankful for the jostling sounds on the other side of the wall, it means our Boy is sleeping in his bed and we are all together once again.

Thankful that God loves us, in spite of ourselves, and He cared enough to provide a way for forgiveness and eternal life through His Son, Jesus.

Once again, thankful for blogging. It connects me with loved ones from all over the place and makes the distance seem so much smaller.

Happy Thanksgiving to you all!

What is one thing you are thankful for this year?

7 Comments

Friday Catch Up

November 16, 2012 at 9:18 AM (Confessions, Family Life, Friends, From the Heart, Help Me Please, Honey, Lists, Muggins Q. Mouse, The Ab-Cat)

Ahhh, Friday. I welcome you.

This next week will involve some hectic too though. Because BSF is on Thursday, as is Thanksgiving, we shuffle our week. Instead of leaders meeting on Wednesday and class on Thursday, we scootch things up to Monday and Tuesday, so that means we have to get our lessons done two days earlier. That is a BIG deal for me. I don’t usually start my lesson until Monday. I have some work to do!

Why is spellcheck telling me that scootch is not a word? Raise your hand if you think scootch is a word! I know it is TOTALLY a word.

This is where I will be unloading some bits of the week that clutter my mind and have not made it into a post in some other way. In un-chronological order because that would be too hard to put it into some semblance of order. I thank you for your patience in advance. I realize it takes a lot of skill on your part to follow along without getting whiplash.

Capri Deb and I went to The Hobby Lobby yesterday after BSF so she could get some ideas for a project she is making for her grandson this Christmas. It is going to be adorable, and without going into too much detail because I am sure this is top secret squirrel stuff, it involves a scrapbooking set of skills. I have not looked into this craft medium in some time and the reason is twofold; I already have mountains of supplies and I seldom actually do it anymore. As I was walking the aisles with her, I was getting inspired by all the new things out there! Maybe I will jump back on the scrapping bandwagon for a while. But it will have to be with the supplies that I already have. That should keep me going very comfortably for several years. Not kidding even a little bit.

The road that Mousey and I take to The Value World has been closed FOREVER. At least since spring.  Or last year. Something. They have been doing work on all of the freeway bridges in the WHOLE state of Michigan it seems. Anyway, it has severely thrown off my groove, for a long time. Just this one overpass closing caused us all to have to go one mile over and then one mile back. TOTALLY OUT OF OUR WAY. It affected getting to Sam’s Club, our favorite fruit and landscaping place AND The Value World.  And lots of other times too that I can’t think of. Honey told me the day after we returned from vacation that the road was back open!!! That night, Mousey and I hit up The V World. It was glorious. She found a fleece house coat, with CATS on it. I was consumed with my jealousy.

It was good to get back to BSF, I surely missed all the women! We had a fellowship on Wednesday. It was fraught with chaos concerning bum coffee makers, but the sharing was so sweet I mainly forgot about it. I love those Gals! Anything can come up, and it mostly does. Our topics ranged far and wide and I do mean far!

Just a few of the gems:

We need to give God the glory in all of our circumstances, good and bad. Don’t waste our suffering.

We don’t like to be naked in front of God and others.

Some leaders just love their homiletics, and others think homiletics are the bane of their existence!

The same day, I shared a personal answer to a question that I felt like God was asking me to share. I don’t like to share personal things in a big group like that, because I am not a fan of public vomiting or having a public heart attack. I felt like I should, there was a perfect segue way into it, so I did it. But my question is this, how can I be sure that it was Holy Spirit led? Wouldn’t the Holy Spirit have taken away the urge to vomit and have a heart attack? I thought I might have to leave the room. Does it always need to be so…so…horrifying? These are the things I am pondering today.

Honey and The Girls and I had a fun dinner last night! We went to a local Italian eatery, because Honey had a hankering. We decided to all order something different and split it four ways. Ab-Cat had a pizza calzone, I had a chicken parmesan panini, Honey had chicken Antonio and Mousey had chicken con pollo. It was nice to have a sample of several things. Honey, Ab and I agreed that we all liked Honey’s best and Mousey liked her own. Then we had gelato, just like The Barone’s. It was VERY yummy and we are going to do it all again another time!

I am really looking forward to Thanksgiving! All of the good food and family without all of the hustle and bustle of Christmas!

Mrs. Schmenkman and her son, Pudge. Go see how he has been busy as a beaver preparing for the winter. Ma and Pa Ingalls would be proud.

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Tell me one thing you did this week, preferably something that doesn’t involve being naked or throwing up!

8 Comments

A Little Bit of Things

November 12, 2012 at 8:23 AM (Around Our House, Family Life, Honey, Lists)

Hey Y’all! We are home, safe and sound! I was glad to snuggle on the couch with Girls, both 2 legged and 4 legged. It’s always good to go away, but always so nice to return.

On the way home from the airport Honey stopped and got a new router, which was evidently the culprit in the whole no wi-fi scenario. The Girls were both exceedingly grateful to be able to use their computers again. So, SO happy!

We awoke on Sunday to no hot water again, do you see how God provided for them??!! Honey went down and did his magic thing again and Wha-lah, hot water floweth. I know, I know, we need a new one, it’s on his LIST.

Speaking of his LIST, he is adding to it hourly, sometimes adding things he has already done so that he can cross things off. He feels he needs the sense of accomplishment.

On the way home from our friendly neighborhood Meijer last night, a truck in the parking lot advertised the fixing of windshield chips. Honey made a beeline over there and said he had been looking for these guys for a while. He thinks they do a better job than the body shops. We waited while the man did his thing and I noticed that Honey was adding windshield repair to the LIST and promptly crossed it off. It’s the little things in life.

I have a couple things to share about vacation but they will have to wait as my life has officially started up again. I have a fellow coming to measure some windows for blinds, a chiropractor appointment and a little bit of work later in the afternoon. And more laundry and putting things away to do in between it all. Have a good Monday.

What is on your LIST?

1 Comment

Sandy in Your Eyes

October 30, 2012 at 8:48 AM (Family Life, Friends, Honey, Lists, The Ab-Cat)

I sincerely hope Frankenstorm Sandy is not causing any of you insurmountable grief. We have some wind and rain, but we are Michiganders and a blustery day is nothing new around here. I realize the east coast is having considerably more than bluster.

Praying for safety for all of those in harms way. Mrs. Schmenkman on Sassy Cat Hill, in Virginia, Joyce from This Side of The Pond, in New Jersey, Fringe Girl in New York, and Warren and his Home in the West Virginia Hills come to mind. I can’t even get on his blog and I am concerned. Can the weather even cause that to happen??

!!!Caution!!! 

A bunch of stuff that has no rhyme or reason is flying your way!

Keelyody and I were going to attempt to walk again this morning, but alas, the rain derailed us. Or Mother Nature hates us. You pick.

Abby is thoroughly enjoying her new vehicle! Yesterday was the last trip to the Secretary of State with the signed doctor note and application saying that yes, she in fact does in fact have good cause to have a handicapped placard and symbol on her license plate.

Honey and I sorted through all of the information we had to fill out our absentee voter ballots. Whenever we were unsure about an issue, we looked to see what his union recommended, and then voted the opposite.

I have worn actual shoes, not just sandals, three times and lived to tell the tale. I believe I am over the toe procedure hump. Good, just in time for winter!

Tomorrow is the 100th edition of The Wednesday Hodgepodge!!! Congratulations to Joyce for giving us all a reason to share random bits of our lives with one another. I appreciate her faithfulness, it has been a very fun thing to participate in! Why don’t you join us?

Be careful out there and try and not let that wind snatch you bald!!

5 Comments

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