I spent 4 hours at the mall yesterday. Did you hear me?? THE MALL THE DAY AFTER CHRISTMAS!!!! I have not done that in years!!! We usually pack up and go to the beach the day after Christmas, but this year the house is demolished and being rebuilt (with an elevator and a swimming pool!!!), so we are home bound. Missy got moolah from the grandmother and wanted to hit the after-Christmas sales. So off we go with the grandmother in tow. There were so many people there I couldn't hear myself think. I only had one panic attack. Missy talked me through it and found a quieter store to browse while I sat and got it together. I texted my friend at one point - "I'm in hell: the mall." She texted back - "Me too. I thought our nation was in a financial crisis. But there are tons of people here spending money." I texted back - "Meet me in the food court." But of course she is in another state and couldn't. Oh, if only. Her daughter could have taken my daughter to the mall, because of course they would be close if we lived near each other, then me and my friend could be home knitting and drinking hot chocolate and watching Lifetime, her FAVORITE channel!!! Wake up! The reality is that we got some really great deals, Missy is happy and that is really all that matters. We won't discuss here what I went through last night from being on my feet that long. Let's just say it wasn't pretty!!!
Since this is the first year in some time that we have been home between Christmas and New Year's, I am finding the pull to put all the Christmas decos away now quite hard to ignore. Usually I wait until everyone has gone back to work and school and I do it alone. But I am thinking it would be nice to have help this year. I may bring it up and see what kind of opposition I face.
It is weird being home now. I don't really know what to do with myself. Why can't we act like we are at the beach? Why can't I just let myself read and knit all day? Why the constant pull to do what needs to be done? UGH!!! I think Missy and I are going to try to do some scrap booking. That will be fun. I guess I am feeling the low after the high of Christmas. Oh well. Enough of this, I am off to watch some TV, knit and drink one more cup of coffee.
Till next time,
Mrs. M
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Sunday, August 31, 2008
So long, Farewell
So much for my getting back into posting. I have given this a lot of thought, and have decided to just stop. I will leave the site up for now. Who knows, when this shoulder gets better and I get back into knitting, I may very well want to get back into blogging. Right now, it just seems like one more chore. I don't need that right now.
I am off to have shoulder surgery and a recovery period that depends on what they find and what they fix.
I appreciate all your friendships and words of encouragement. I will continue to read and comment your blogs, don't worry! You aren't rid of me yet.
If blogging once again becomes a part of my life, I will be back!
So long, farewell, until we meet again....good bye!
I am off to have shoulder surgery and a recovery period that depends on what they find and what they fix.
I appreciate all your friendships and words of encouragement. I will continue to read and comment your blogs, don't worry! You aren't rid of me yet.
If blogging once again becomes a part of my life, I will be back!
So long, farewell, until we meet again....good bye!
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
"What WERE you thinking?"
I want to begin by saying thank you for the warm welcome back. It is good to be back and I hope I can stay with it this time. But now, on to the topic at hand.....teenage boys.
Yes, I have a teenage son. One of my DH's friends said to us when our kids were still young, "There is no creature on earth more stupid than a teenage boy." I must admit I took great offense to that statement at the time. However, this statement has proven itself to be true over and over and over. But never so true as this summer.
I sent my 2 precious children off to Baptist Youth camp this summer with great anticipation. You see, my "space" had been invaded. Around the end of May, my house was no longer my "space" during the hours of 7 to 3, NO! Now I had these 2 teenagers hanging around asking to go here and be driven there and cook this and fix that. UGH! So I was quite looking forward to a week with DH at work and kids gone. Dreams of sleeping in and spending the day watching tv (shows I chose) and planning outings for DH and myself filled my head. Well, Monday afternoon the Reality alarm clock woke me up from that dream.
My DH called. He told me that our son would be coming home on Tuesday. He was caught gambling at camp. Not once! But twice. Yes, he was caught Sunday (the day they left) and was warned that they would be sent home if caught again. And my brilliant son, tries again the VERY NEXT day!!! His excuse/explanation was that he didn't think the leaders would really catch him or send him home. Now, in all honesty, up to this point the leaders have never done that, but the kids have been pushing them and pushing them and I knew that they (the leaders) were at their limit. I KNEW someone would be sent home on this trip! I just didn't think it would be my kid!!! So here he comes, home with his tail between his legs.
The emotion of those 3 days was intense. I vascilated between anger, disappointment, and embarrassment. Probably more time was spent on anger. I was mad that he had ruined my week (now I would be supervising the LIST of chores he would be doing while thinking about everyone else having fun at camp), mad that he interupted time with DH, mad that he would disrespect adults in that way, mad that he put his dad and I in that position (remember DH is the minister), mad that he would be so stupid to GAMBLE!!! What surprised me during this time was the concern I also had about his spirit. He truly came home a broken kid. If it was possible, his tail truly would have been between his legs. DD had to sit through a meeting at camp where the 2 boys apologized to the entire group. The group went on to have a heated discussion. DD said later that DS look like Sunshine (our dog) when we got her with her tail between her legs and crouching. It broke her heart. (and I was mad about that she had to endure that as well)
So, what I thought I would do, I had to give more thought. It is true what they say, "until you are in that position you don't know what you will do." I had to come to the place where I offered myself grace. I can't see the future. I don't know what path DS is heading on. All I know is what I know now. So I had to give myself the grace to parent him/discipline him with what I know now. And I did. I feel very good about how we handled the situation. I think we made our point without going overboard. I know my kid is good. He isn't into drugs, alcohol, sex, or any other "living on the edge" behaviors. He is a good kid. He will be a great man.
But right now he is a teenage boy. Can they do brain transplants on teenage boys?
Yes, I have a teenage son. One of my DH's friends said to us when our kids were still young, "There is no creature on earth more stupid than a teenage boy." I must admit I took great offense to that statement at the time. However, this statement has proven itself to be true over and over and over. But never so true as this summer.
I sent my 2 precious children off to Baptist Youth camp this summer with great anticipation. You see, my "space" had been invaded. Around the end of May, my house was no longer my "space" during the hours of 7 to 3, NO! Now I had these 2 teenagers hanging around asking to go here and be driven there and cook this and fix that. UGH! So I was quite looking forward to a week with DH at work and kids gone. Dreams of sleeping in and spending the day watching tv (shows I chose) and planning outings for DH and myself filled my head. Well, Monday afternoon the Reality alarm clock woke me up from that dream.
My DH called. He told me that our son would be coming home on Tuesday. He was caught gambling at camp. Not once! But twice. Yes, he was caught Sunday (the day they left) and was warned that they would be sent home if caught again. And my brilliant son, tries again the VERY NEXT day!!! His excuse/explanation was that he didn't think the leaders would really catch him or send him home. Now, in all honesty, up to this point the leaders have never done that, but the kids have been pushing them and pushing them and I knew that they (the leaders) were at their limit. I KNEW someone would be sent home on this trip! I just didn't think it would be my kid!!! So here he comes, home with his tail between his legs.
The emotion of those 3 days was intense. I vascilated between anger, disappointment, and embarrassment. Probably more time was spent on anger. I was mad that he had ruined my week (now I would be supervising the LIST of chores he would be doing while thinking about everyone else having fun at camp), mad that he interupted time with DH, mad that he would disrespect adults in that way, mad that he put his dad and I in that position (remember DH is the minister), mad that he would be so stupid to GAMBLE!!! What surprised me during this time was the concern I also had about his spirit. He truly came home a broken kid. If it was possible, his tail truly would have been between his legs. DD had to sit through a meeting at camp where the 2 boys apologized to the entire group. The group went on to have a heated discussion. DD said later that DS look like Sunshine (our dog) when we got her with her tail between her legs and crouching. It broke her heart. (and I was mad about that she had to endure that as well)
So, what I thought I would do, I had to give more thought. It is true what they say, "until you are in that position you don't know what you will do." I had to come to the place where I offered myself grace. I can't see the future. I don't know what path DS is heading on. All I know is what I know now. So I had to give myself the grace to parent him/discipline him with what I know now. And I did. I feel very good about how we handled the situation. I think we made our point without going overboard. I know my kid is good. He isn't into drugs, alcohol, sex, or any other "living on the edge" behaviors. He is a good kid. He will be a great man.
But right now he is a teenage boy. Can they do brain transplants on teenage boys?
Monday, July 28, 2008
Oops! Forgot to Post
Okay, well, I guess I was forshadowing in my last post. It really is hard to get back into habit. It was kind of silly to think that I even could get intof this routine during the summer. Everyone prefers the laptop to the slow desktop upstairs, so I am often out of luck. I have gone days without being on the computer!!! But I am trying to get back into my routine. My dd started back to school last week,and I am having to get up early again.
So knitting. Well, I finished one of the twin's birthday socks only to find that I quit too soon. They were too short, so I had to rip out. But my shoulder has been acting up and knitting is causing a lot of pain! So they still sit. I did pick up my 2nd felted purse and knit some on that the other day. I figured the bigger needles might be better. It did feel good, but the next day I was in immense pain, so I am not sure I want to try again!!! Another reason not to blog.
But I must post about a precious gift I received in the mail last month. I had totally forgotten about signing up for Natalie's Pay it Forward Challenge and yes, that means I forgot to be thinking about sending Darlene and Joy a gift for participating in mine!!(which of course is ALL I think about now!) ANYWAY, Natalie sent me a beautiful brown shawl. It is soooo soft! I can't wait until it gets cooler to show it off! Natalie, I apologize for not thanking you sooner. I am just a rotten friend!!!
So knitting. Well, I finished one of the twin's birthday socks only to find that I quit too soon. They were too short, so I had to rip out. But my shoulder has been acting up and knitting is causing a lot of pain! So they still sit. I did pick up my 2nd felted purse and knit some on that the other day. I figured the bigger needles might be better. It did feel good, but the next day I was in immense pain, so I am not sure I want to try again!!! Another reason not to blog.
But I must post about a precious gift I received in the mail last month. I had totally forgotten about signing up for Natalie's Pay it Forward Challenge and yes, that means I forgot to be thinking about sending Darlene and Joy a gift for participating in mine!!(which of course is ALL I think about now!) ANYWAY, Natalie sent me a beautiful brown shawl. It is soooo soft! I can't wait until it gets cooler to show it off! Natalie, I apologize for not thanking you sooner. I am just a rotten friend!!!
Friday, June 06, 2008
I'm baack
Two months is a long time! But I am starting to feel better and am able to type again. It is amazing how quickly you can get OUT of the habit of an activity. I have thought about writing several times, but just couldn't get in the right (or write) frame of mind to post. I also have been waiting to take some photos before posting. Today, I figured, why wait! So here is a photo-less post.
It is a day late for Love Thursday, but, I think I will post one anyway to catch you up.
This week I am loving:
- Being able to move my arm again (it is no where near healed or moving like it should.....but we are getting there.
- Seeing my potato and tomato plants grow and grow!
- Spending time with friends
- Seeing my son reach a new goal in his baseball career
- having my daughter home for the summer
- scrapbooking with my daughter
- joining a produce co-op!!!! Great prices and great produce!!!
- getting new glasses and contacts
- sending my daughter and husband off to Paris and hearing about their great time together
- getting to spend alone time with my son
- getting a cleaning lady for Mother's Day
Yes, I am sitting here like a lady of luxury while another woman cleans my house. I feel somewhat guilty, but I have to face reality. I can no longer do it. It is interesting that this has been so hard to own up to. I guess I feel like less than a wife and mother if I can't keep our house clean. Silly, I know. I have always wanted a cleaning lady because I hate cleaning, but when it comes to admitting you NEED one because you can't do it, that is a whole other ball of wax! But I am going to enjoy it. I will be driving to Wilmington on Sunday and sitting through a double header in 100 degree heat, so I think I deserve this!!!
Thanks for everyone checking in on me from time to time. I have missed you all and look forward to reconnecting!!
It is a day late for Love Thursday, but, I think I will post one anyway to catch you up.
This week I am loving:
- Being able to move my arm again (it is no where near healed or moving like it should.....but we are getting there.
- Seeing my potato and tomato plants grow and grow!
- Spending time with friends
- Seeing my son reach a new goal in his baseball career
- having my daughter home for the summer
- scrapbooking with my daughter
- joining a produce co-op!!!! Great prices and great produce!!!
- getting new glasses and contacts
- sending my daughter and husband off to Paris and hearing about their great time together
- getting to spend alone time with my son
- getting a cleaning lady for Mother's Day
Yes, I am sitting here like a lady of luxury while another woman cleans my house. I feel somewhat guilty, but I have to face reality. I can no longer do it. It is interesting that this has been so hard to own up to. I guess I feel like less than a wife and mother if I can't keep our house clean. Silly, I know. I have always wanted a cleaning lady because I hate cleaning, but when it comes to admitting you NEED one because you can't do it, that is a whole other ball of wax! But I am going to enjoy it. I will be driving to Wilmington on Sunday and sitting through a double header in 100 degree heat, so I think I deserve this!!!
Thanks for everyone checking in on me from time to time. I have missed you all and look forward to reconnecting!!
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Injured Blogger
Remember that shoulder I keep complaining about? Well, I guess, I had been complaining not only on here but also at home, because last week my family insisted that I call the dr. Since I could no longer raise it to wash or dry my hair, and I couldn't sleep, I decided it was time. I have "adhesive capsulitis" or "frozen shoulder". This is typcially seen in diabetics or people with high blood pressure, neither of which I have. Why? you ask do I have this? Well, I asked the same question. The dr. doesn't know. So now what? I will go in and a radiologist will stick a needle into the shoulder joint. A radiologist must do this because the joint (or something in the joint) has shriveled up and it is too small for the dr. to guess at it! The radiologist will inflate the something or other in my joint and I will begin immediate intensive physical therapy. Yippppeeeee!!!!
So, this blogger is not blogging much because it actually hurts a bit to do this much. Oh! No knitting going on either!!! ARGHHHH!!!
So until the pain lessens........
Adieu!
So, this blogger is not blogging much because it actually hurts a bit to do this much. Oh! No knitting going on either!!! ARGHHHH!!!
So until the pain lessens........
Adieu!
Monday, March 17, 2008
Menu Planning Monday
I have been checking out "frugal" blogs recently. I have found several that I really enjoy. Recently, I found I'm an Organizing Junkie. I really like this blog as I am an organizer at heart. I LOVE seeing the nicely organized closet, shelf, cabinet, or closet. One of her regular posts is Menu Planning Monday. I like this idea. I don't always plan my meals, and end up frustrated or going out to eat. So I am going to give this a try.
Monday - Roast
Mashed potatoes
Steamed broccoli
Tuesday - Fajitas w/leftover roast
Guacomole
Fruit Salad
Wednesday - Bread-crumb chicken (recipe below)
Macaroni and Cheese
Green Beans
Thursday - Eat at church
Friday - Grilled Chicken
Southwest Salad
Saturday - Chicken Salad
Crackers
Sunday - Eat at Mother-in-law's
Bread Crumb Chicken
1 cup Kellog's Corn Flake Crumbs
1/2 cup Parmesean Cheese
1 tsp. Italian seasonings
Mix is shallow bowl
Melt 3 T butter in shallow bowl.
Dip boneless, skinless chicken breasts in melted butter, then dredge in corn flake mixture. Place in greased 13 x 9 pan. Bake at 450 degrees for 20 - 30 minutes.
The sock knitting is coming along. I didn't get to knit as much as I wanted to this weekend. But I finished the ribbing last night, so it should go pretty fast this week. DD is having laser surgery on Wednesday, so our week is going to be much lower key. Hopefully lots of knitting going on!!!
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