Ramblings around the house

The water lines to the washer have sprung a leak somewhere - so this is how my washer has looked for two days:

That does NOT make me happy.  What you cannot see, but does exist, is a large hole cut out of the wall below the valves now.  I'm unsure as to why that was necessary - but the husband assures me it was.  I think he was just in the mood to tear some shit up.  It's his favorite part of any job and of late - he's just been "fixing" and not destroying - so I think he just needed to tear something up.  He assures me he'll have it fixed today.  I'm not holding my breath because every day he tells me it'll get done - then announces he's missing a part he really needs to complete the task.  I think it's his way of controlling me.  I'm paranoid like that.

But I'm not going to let that get me down and spoil my holiday spirit!  No no no siree!  So I took a walk around the house to look at my favorite Christmas decorations.  I'll share them with you here.

I love this shiny little purple tinsel tree!  It makes me smile every time I see it!  So I put it in the bathroom for all to enjoy!  There's just something about purple Christmas decor that draws me in - it's so.....unexpected!

And I love this wooden picture - the neutral colors - it's so serene and understated in its beauty.  It's got a touch of glitter on it which captures your attention and just draws you in.  I purchased it at a local GARDEN store several years ago.  Since then, I return to that store annually - to see what other treasure they might have for me!

I love these silly gals with their purses and extreme hats!  Their colors are great also - kind of a lime green with red - again - totally unexpected and whimsical!  And this great red glittered "Believe" sign.  I've never assembled these 4 pieces in this arrangement - but this year it just came to me - and I love it!

A tin print of passed out Santa - it makes me laugh every time I look at it.  I bought it in a year I could totally relate and it was my favorite piece that year.  I don't really share this sentiment this year - but it still makes me smile, so I displayed it anyway.

And last up:

 

My sweet canine buddy.  He's not allowed on the furniture - but since I started working from home - he has claimed this chair as his own (hence the throw over it) because he can sit in it and watch both me at my desk AND see out the window and keep an eye on the goings on outside.  It's his daily post.  He also ALWAYS carries a stuffed animal (or 5) in his mouth at all times. This happened to be the one he lifted from the blonde's room on that day.  He makes me smile and brings me happiness throughout each day - he listens to me and seems to really appreciate me.  And I appreciate him and his innocent face!

Have a great day!

Reflections........

Last night, after a VERY long meeting (all day) in the office, I returned home to:

The husband wandering around the kitchen - wondering what to make for dinner
The brunette laying in her cozy bed amongst her eleventy nine hundred pillows - facebooking
The blonde - working on MY computer
The dog - wagging his tail like he'd found his long lost friend

The house was a mess.  None of the daily chores had been done  - as I had left the house at 6:30 a.m. and it was now 6:00 p.m.  And you know what?  I didn't care!  I just felt this huge sense of relief to be HOME.  I quickly changed into my jammies and a sweater and we threw together some tomato soup and grilled cheese and gathered around the kitchen table to eat and chat.  Our nightly routine.  Eating dinner at the table with the kids has been something we've always incorporated into our lives.  It's only a rare occasion when we don't do this.  We tested the blonde on her upcoming spelling words.  Then the brunette named all the bones in the body for her anatomy test.  Then I showed off my knowledge of human anatomy by breaking out in a rendition of "Head & Shoulders, Knees & Toes (knees & toes)."  The brunette wasn't outwardly amused -but I know deep down she really was!  I especially loved the part where the brunette got to her elbow and paused, "what is this called?"  And the blonde offered her assistance, "It's an ELBOW." 

Of course it is.

Then we piled onto the couches and watched "The Sing Off" - what a great display of unadulterated talent!  It's such a treat to trip across shows like this.  Anyway - as I padded around the house in my slippers - I felt so.... at ease.  So comfortable and content.  Maybe it was the two glasses of wine.  The bottle did say "RELAX" on it - and that I was.  Regardless, I looked around and the house wasn't crammed full of the normal overload on Christmas decorations - there are a few in each room - just enough to make the house look festive - but not the usual "every inch is decorated Christmas" chaos going on.  It feels good.  To not be crowded out by the masses of decorations.  And it feels good to be able to work from home and enjoy the decorations and tree and Christmas music all day, every day.  I missed that yesterday while I was at the office.  And it hit me...

Had I always been forcing the Christmas spirit because I felt left out or that I had abandoned my family unit by trudging into an office each day?  Is THAT why I over-decorated the house?  The brunette doesn't seem to think we have enough decorations out.  But I feel the spirit more than I have in years past - when I would have 2-3 hours a day in my home - and it was spent in a flurry of activity trying to prepare for the holidays.  Cussing the Santas that were in my way.  Constantly rearranging the shit so I could move.  Never smiling.  Rushing to get it all done.  But not this year.  I can move.   I can breathe.  Christmas music blares out from every electronic in the house - from every room.  We're lying around together - watching TV.  Or the other night I was working in my office and the girls joined me in that room and studied while I worked - Christmas music accompanying our efforts.  There hasn't been any yelling. Or any sense of rushing.  And I hear the sound of my daughters' voices singing Christmas songs as they move about the house.  I don't recall hearing them sing in prior years.  Was I not listening?  Or were they not singing?

I have actually taken the time, during the day, to stand at the tree and admire each and every ornament.  Remembering (or attempting to remember) which child it was given to and when.  Some are labeled.  Most are not.  Thinking about where our lives were then and where they are now.  And thinking how the blonde's life is so different than the older two's lives. 

Last year we had so much snow at Christmas.  SO MUCH SNOW.  And we were all a little perplexed as plans continued to get canceled - sitting around - staring at each other - wondering what we should do to pass the time now that our plans had changed.  This year I'm actually a tad saddened that we haven't had that snow - the type that leaves you stuck at home - just so we can sit - alone - just us - and play and relax.  I hope we get that when the Prodigal Son comes home for Christmas Break.  I hope if we do, he'll come out of his cave and join us for our fun.  I'm ready! I've ordered movies and games and stocked up the pantry with baking supplies. 

And I'm so very very thankful for the gift of ROWE - being able to work when I want from where I want.  The gift of MY TIME has been one of the greatest blessings ever.  And has forever changed my life.  And hopefully the lives of my family members- who spent so many years with me absent during this time of year because I had to get food on the table.  Now.  I'm still providing.  But in many many ways  - not just financially.  It's the greatest feeling to have your cake and eat it too!!

Unsolved Mystery....

WTF is the fascination with going out to eat amongst teenagers?  I don't get it.  It's no wonder more than 2/3 of them are overweight.  Is there some mysterious draw to fast food?  I spend hundreds of dollars each month on groceries.  I make up menus in advance, I try to get a good variety of healthy  foods that the kids enjoy.  And yet, I find myself forking over additional money ALL.THE.TIME for fucking fast food.  It pisses me off.  That's what it does.  And starting in 2011 - shit's gonna change.  You don't need any of that greasy, high fat, no nutritional value shit.  Food is provided - - - at home.  It's those goddamned school lunches - that's what it is.  It gives them a load of carbs and then their little bodies are screaming out for more!  Must run to Sonic after school - must get carbs!  Must have them - - - NOW!!!

With the Prodigal Son - it's different.  He has a meal plan with his dorm - as I recall it was quite expensive.  But I'm guessing he sleeps through the meals and misses them - so then he goes out to eat and next thingyaknow - he's spent his gettin' home gas money on fucking fast food.  Nevermind the meal plan.  Nevermind the fact that I buy him extra snacks and shit that he doesn't need.  He spends all the money on fast food.  I think he burned $2,500 or so on fast food last summer.  Uhhhh - that was your college spending money dumbass.  And you fucking ate it.

So for 2011 - it's a new day for me.  I'm not shelling out anymore money for fast food (unless they are on a field trip or something - then of course they have to eat and I understand that) - they can fucking eat the food that is provided and already paid for.  Then, once a month, me the husband - we're taking that extra cash and we're going out to eat so I have one night where I don't have to cook or clean.  Fuck it.  Its MY money - I worked my ass off to get it and by God, I'm spending it on ME.

You can eat peanut butter & jelly or go hungry.

And then I accidentally got drunk..........

On Nyquil.  Who knew?  It wasn't the liquid kind - it was the gel cap kind.  And I guess I normally take that stuff then head on to bed....but last night I took it, then remembered the Sing Off was on and I wanted to watch it.  And I was drunk.  And getting drunker by the second.  I couldn't remember who was who and what they were singing.  But I remember they were good.  Or so it seemed, in my drunken state.  I won't make that mistake again.... but since I'm not hung over this morning, maybe I'll just start taking Nyquil instead of Whiskey when I want to get a buzz on.  It's a consideration.  Of sorts.

After I bragged blogged about staying on budget with my online shopping yesterday, I got on Amazon and ordered another round of goodies for people.  I think that I'm officially done with my ordering shopping.  That means all gifts should arrive here by the 14th and I can get them all wrapped and put the wrapping supply mess away and get my dining room back in order!  Today I need to run to Hobby Lobby and get some frames - they're on sale this week, like they are every other week.  And I might go to Kohl's for a sweater.  And I see I have 3 meetings on my agenda.  And I have to wrap up a project for an all-day meeting tomorrow. And somewhere in there the brunette and I need to go by and clean the office.

I've been listening to Christmas music now for several days. I did finally go out and purchase the Martina McBride Christmas CD because I'd heard enough of it on Pandora that I determined it was worth the purchase.  And it was only $7 thankyouverymuch Walmarts! 

Well, evidently I have nothing interesting nor funny to add to this - so that's it for now - perhaps I'll run into some humor along the way today and share it with you!

It's Monday.  Again. The weekend was pretty low key as it appears the husband, the blonde and myself are all attempting to get sick - but fighting it off with all of our might.  So we spent quite a bit of time sleeping.  Maybe we're getting ourselves prepared for later this month when activities and festivities will rule the universe and sleep will become a rarity?  Kind of like squirrels preparing for winter?  I had 10 hours of sleep last night and I'm still exhausted.  Maybe I'll get a nap in today?!  That would be wonderful!  I love naps and think everyone should have one daily!

I have a horribly busy week ahead...AGAIN.  Last week was total chaos for some reason.  Projects were taking longer than originally anticipated, shit was coming up at the last minute - it was just total insanity.  Let's pray that this week isn't a repeat.  I actually have some meals planned out for the week - things with lots of vitamins and vegetables - hoping to build up everyone's immune systems as we move into this winter wonderland!  Last year I was so "on the ball" with the immune building plan - this year I feel like I'm behind the ball and trying to catch up. 

Anyway - I've been listening to Christmas music on Pandora and after 3 or 5 days of listening to it non-stop - I've decided to purchase the Martina McBride Christmas CD.  Some of the songs have this great middle-Eastern sound to them - and her voice is so lovely.  And I've decided to buy ALL the Jessica Simpson Christmas CD's and burn them - ALL of them - woman cannot sing.  And she shouldn't be allowed on the radio.  Or Pandora.  Or anywhere else.  I was told I could get a better selection if I streamed through my laptop instead of my iPhone - but then I would have to purchase speakers for the laptop - and blah blah blah - it was just getting too expensive - all I wanted to do was hear some Christmas music!  For FREE!!!  And something more than the same 5 songs over and over.  But that's what has happened on Pandora's free app for iPhone - I'm now hearing the same 10 songs over and over.  And that makes me sad.  I think there are other stations - I'll have to try to figure out how to get to those and mix it up a little today!

I see on my gift list, I only have two people for whom I have purchased nothing.  Why do I ALWAYS end up with these two people lacking a gift?  Why don't I tackle them first?  They are always the most difficult to buy for.  And I usually end up getting them each the same thing every year.  How boring.  And non-personal.  Dang it.  I'm likely stuck this year again.  Here's your obligatory g/c!  Merry Christmas!  B.O.R.I.N.G.

I've gone pretty light on Christmas this year.  And I'm proud of myself for sticking to my intended budget.  Online shopping has really helped with that.  I determined what I wanted to spend.  Then I determined what I wanted to purchase - then I shopped online for those items.  Using coupons and promo codes, etc. as they became available.  Every day there is at least one, if not multiple, deliveries here - and I just simply wrap the item as it arrives - or save it for the blonde to wrap when she gets home from school.  It's been SO non-stressful this way.  AND I will not have the after-Christmas angst of having over-spent like I normally do.  See - about this time of year when I go to the stores - I just start buying.  And buying.  And buying.  And then one person ends up with a lot of gifts, so I have to even the score with the other kids and pretty soon, I've spent the whole budget on just the kids.  I vowed to NOT do that this year.  And so far, I've adhered to that plan.  Thanks to Al Gore and the innernets.  Although I do need to go get some stocking stuffers and such - but if I could THINK about what those would be - I could get those online also! 

Maybe I'll peruse the lines today and see what I can come up with..........

You'll NEVER make any friends that way........

Today I ran in to do my weekly grocery shopping - I like to do it on Thursdays because there are fewer people AND my favorite sacker works on Thursdays!  YAY!  I love Don.  He is mentally challenged.  I'm not being facetious people - I'm serious here - he does.  Don't ask how I know - I just know.  I can tell.  I'm smart that way.  Anyway - Don - he's probably in his 60's or so.  And I always look for the line that he's working and I always go through his line.  I.LOVE.THE.WAY.HE.PACKS.MY.GROCERIES.

It's eerie like he's been to my house before - the way he packs my groceries - it literally only takes me 5  minutes to put away an entire week's worth of goodies if he's packed my bags.  He's amazing!!  So last time I was there - a couple weeks ago - I was in his line and I commented to the checker that I loved Don and he does an amazing job with sacking the groceries - perfect every time!  Unlike the one dipshit that puts every item in its own bag.  Or his twin brother that puts ALL the items in ONE bag and you can't lift the damned thing.  Don is just perfect.  The checker gave me a fake smile and that look - you know the one, "You're a crazy fucker!"  So I said it again.  And she gave me the same look and fake smile.  I thought, man!  That's rude - none of these people are nice to Don.  None of the checkers EVER speak to him - it's like he's invisible or something.

So, me - being the nice person I am - spoke to Don the last time I was there.  I told him he does a great job and I love the way he sacks my groceries.  He acted embarrassed and continued talking to himself under his breath.  I usually listen to him to make sure he's not plotting to go postal or something.  And typically what's coming out of his mouth is totally benign.  Chatter about the groceries he's packing and walking himself through how they should be packed, etc.

So TODAY - I go through Don's line and he must have remembered me or something - because he immediately greeted me and asked me how I was.

Don:  Hi!  How are you today?

Me:  I'm fine thank you Do..

Don: I'm pretty good too myself.  All things considering and all.  I mean it could be better but it could be worse and all. But for the most part I'm really pretty good.  I mean all things considering. Some days are better than others and then others are worse but for the most part I'd say I'm pretty good.  All things considering and all.  I mean it could be worse I think.  No.  I know it  could be worse.  But I know it could be better too.  So I'm not sure.  But yes, for the most part and all things considering I'm pretty good.  The eggs go in this sack here so that's where I'll put them.  But since you asked, I'm pretty good.  For the most part. Could be better, could be worse.  But I'm not complaining other than it could be better.  I'm going to put this sack over here because it's heavy and all and that seems like a good idea.  But I'm not that bad.  I know I could be worse but I'm sure I could be better.

Me: {nodding and constantly smiling at don} {fake, pursed lip smile to the checker} {DON!  SHUT.THE.FUCK.UP.  you will NEVER make any friends if you seriously do not .SHUT.THE.FUCK.UP}

Don:  So on the good days I'm pretty good and on the bad days I could be better but that's life I guess, I mean isn't that what they say anyway?  I mean could be better could be worse?

Manager:  SOMEONE GET OVER HERE AND HELP DON WITH HIS LINE!!!

Don:  Do you want help out with that because I can help you out with that because today I'm pretty good but other da......

Me:  NO.  Thank you Don.  You have a VERY nice day.

And all the way home I laughed.  Poor Don.  He got stuck on a subject matter and could not get out of his endless loop of chattering about better and worse. But seriously - he'll never make any friends that way.  And it occurred to me why, when I go through his line, regardless of the checker, they are not speaking - they never say a single word.  Well no shit.  They are afraid if they speak they will get nevershutsthefuckup Don going.

I think I'll buy Don a Christmas present.  He can't help it if he got stuck in a loop.  It happens to me too.  But usually I've had eleventy five whiskeys at the time.

And the whirlwind continues............

Yesterday turned into another insanely busy day for me.  Oddly enough, I wasn't annoyed by the flurry of activity - but instead I felt rather blessed and encouraged by it.  I have quite a few tubs of Christmas decorations lying about.  My typical approach to the holiday decorating is to drag out every tub I have and one by one set out every single thing I have.  Last year I think we knocked the process out in less than an hour.  Me, unpacking the items, barking out orders to helpers "this goes over there - NO! NOT like that dumbass - like this - Jesus can you not remember what it looked like last time?  THAT is how it goes."  It was NOT joyful.  And when it was finished, I barked out some more orders, "Now get those empty tubs put away.  This house looks like shit." 

This year, I'm trying a different approach.  I think I already mentioned that I'm only putting up one tree this year instead of two.  And I let the kids decorate that tree.  There was something "off" about that tree.  Every time I walked by it in the daylight and could really see the decorations, there was something that made my OCD kick into high gear.  Something that caused me to NOT want to look at it because it made me nervous and anxious.  I'm happy to report that yesterday, I figured out WHAT the exact problem was.  It was this damned "sugar-coated" candy garland.  See, there wasn't enough of it to properly go around the bigger tree that we're using this year as it was purchased for a smaller sized tree.  So we had just kind of draped it on the tree - here and there - and it stuck out like a turd in a punch bowl.  HERE I AM!!! THE CANDY GARLAND!!!  SEE ME?!!!    Yeh.  I see you - you fucking candy garland - you're making me nervous and upsetting me.  So I just marched right over to that tree and tore it off.  All of it.  And instead of placing each crappy strand into it's own ziploc baggie for safekeeping, I wadded up all the strands and threw them in an empty tub.  HA!!!  I can deal with that mess when I put the decorations away in January.  I'll regret that move - but when I turned around and looked at the tree - I saw 18 years of love and memories - 18 years worth of ornaments the kids have made and collected and received. 

Ornaments I purchased for the kids when there was no money for ornaments.  Crappy little plastic figurines that I paid 50 cents for.  And I remember how they smiled with joy when they got them - because the prior year the tree had been nothing more than red ribbon bows for decor.  Their little eyes sparkling and their squeals of delight - "Look!! I got a Mickey Mouse!"  "Look!  I got a guitar!"  The ornaments my mom has given them each year.  The ones I have given them each year - representing their interests at the time.  All beautifully displayed on the tree and easy to see and appreciate without that fucking candy garland in the way.  I was so pleased with myself that I just walked around the tree - fondling each ornament and letting the memories come back to me.  Where once the little black converse shoe ornament adorned the lowest branches because that was as high as the Prodigal son could reach, it now hangs on the highest branch - because he's as tall as the tree now and the blonde gets the lowest branches.  The tree is now PERFECT!!

But it was missing the skirt.  So I marched to the basement, dug through some more tubs and found the skirt - then marched back up and got it set up.  And then I wrapped the presents that the UPS dude had delivered and placed them around the tree.  There.  NOW it looks like Christmas.  And then I started digging in other tubs that were out.  And I as I unwrapped each item, I made a decision - do I love this?  Does it bring me joy?  And if the answer was no - then it went back to the tub.  And only my absolute favorite things that make me smile made their way out for display.  The things that cause me to giggle with joy.  And I placed them randomly around the house - in placed they had never been before.  It was great fun!  I still have 12 tubs to go through.  But I'm not doing it all at once - I'm doing it during breaks I take between work projects and meetings.  So it's like a little treat for me!  And somehow in the process, I am finding the joy in my heart that I know exists and should shine through this time of year. 

I was crazy busy with work yesterday also.  Worked all day.  Spent time with the family and then worked some more into the night.  But it's okay - because it's warm in the house, it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas, and I'm not being a raging control freak bitch about it!!  I think I might have even heard the girls giggling with each other this morning!  It's going to be another great day!!!