Well, blogger is continuing to mess up my pics. If you can't tell, this is my Dh carving my kids pumpkins with a dremel. He wouldn't let me use the dremel. Bleh!
Went to church and then straight to the craft fair today. Managed to find a Christmas gift for my Grandmother, a stained glass Angel. She loves and collects Angels. I hope that she likes it. I didn't see much else for the rest of my family. We couldn't leave w/o fudge, though. The best fudge ever. My Dh who doesn't have a sweet tooth AT ALL, devoured a chocolate cheescake flavored fudge. DEVOURED! They also had a Lemonaide flavoe that my son liked.
Haven't managed to finish 'Blue Smoke' by Nora Roberts yet. Normally I would have finished it in a maximum of 2 days, but OMG, yesterday I had the worst headache. It just would not go away. It felt even worse when I tried to read, so I had to stop. I did manage to pick up Lynsay Sands new vampire book. I don't keep a TBR pile, cause I never have that much extra money to keep a stack AND I read FAST. But, I won't start it until I have finished my library book.
Feeling kinda down today, I need a pair of shoes and the pair I really like, I can't find in the right color around here. Also, feeling really guilty that I NEED a new pair of shoes. Do y'all ever get that way? You spend all your time and attention and money on your kids, so that when you need something like clothes or shoes, you feel guilty for spending the money on yourself? I DO. I always feel that way. Ugh! And sometimes feel bad when I WANT something, not necessarily need it. Books don't count that way, either. Books are as vital to me as air or food and my family understands that. I try not to buy too many, I try and exhaust the library first. Or only buy books I KNOW the library won't get. Looks like my library will be getting the newest MaryJanice Davidson hardback. And the newest book by Erin McCarthy, too. I'm just waiting till they add the HOLD feature to the desriptions on the database.
Well, enough about my guilt, pumpkins, gifts, and etc. Night Y'all! B.

Blogger ate my post and srewed up my pic. I'll repost tomorrow. B.

Oreo was curled up with my Dh in bed this morning. I know I show a lot pictures of her asleep. That's because she is always moving when awake, so much so that it makes it hard to capture a picture of her that isn't blurred.

Guess what I picked up today??? The library called today! Yea!!!!! I can't wait to dive into this book. Even the cover is nice. Nore Roberts name and the title are in holographic metallic. It looks so cool.

We had a relaxing day today. We even managed to take our recyclabes to the center. We have to take them, unless we want to pay a garbage company to pick them up. We feel that recycling is a good thing to do and want our kids to grow up learning to do it, so that it becomes second nature to them. But, I am not paying extra for something that I didn't have to pay for when we lived in California.

Had our class at church tonight. I am really enjoying this. And it's nice to want to go to church, rather than feel that it's what I'm supposed to do. I also feel like I'm learning something. My son didn't want to go to the nursery tonight, so he spent 15 minutes in our class with us until he got bored enought to go to the nursery. He also is starting to want to get out of the nursery before we are done, after class....during discussion group. He has found that the snacks they put out for us are still there and he loves to mooch the sweet things. Tonight there were some cookies left, Oreos, his favorite. He ate 5. His teeth were almost black. Thank GOD the other members of our group thought he was adorable. I agree, but then I have an emotional attachment to him. *g*.

Dh and I are getting this stupid cold and I gotta tell you, I don't want it. I have too much to do to get sick. The kids being sick has already thrown my cleaning schedule off kilter. (Don't start.) I know it sounds weird to have a cleaning schedule. It's not like the same thing gets cleaned on the same day every week. It's more of a 'this should have been done by this time last week' thing.

Now, www.smartbitchestrashybooks.com , had a small burb about ebooks versus regular books and the availability of ebooks this week. For anyone interested. They also have opened a discussion about terms used in books today and wether they are vulgar or not. I plead the 5th on that one. I read romances, but am very conservative in my vocabulary. I could handle "throbbing manhood" , because it was ridiculousand it made me want to laugh. But the others ......I find tooooo much. It's the way I was raised I know. Anyway, form your own opinions.

Now, I'm off to read my coveted new book. God bless libraries. B.

Oreo crashed next to me yesterday. When she is relaxed she lets it all hang loose! HA!
Had dinner at church this evening. It was to welcome new members. It was quite nice. We had a good time. It was funny having to explain our church history. Did I ever tell y'all that we haven't told our family we're converting? That they have no idea we are going through classes to do so? Before y'all start wondering why we are hiding this, let me tell you that my Dh's family is very tied to their religion. He has a cousin who is a Preacher and another who is married to one. Did I ever mention what his Mom said when we told her we were going to our church? "You don't want to go there, they worship Mary!" Um, no they don't. Gotta love ignorance. It's sad when you have to explain to a parent how WRONG they are. They are tolerating it right now. Dh and I expect a family intervention sometime. (they probably won't really do that) when they find out about our conversion. By the way, I have been deliberately vague on this subject. I don't want to offend anyone.
I am SO excited! MaryJanice Davidson has 2, count 'em, 2 books out this week. I have to pick one and I can't wait to read both. I have to wait till next week, though. My van is on the fritz and Dh doesn't get home in time to go to the book store. I could order them throught the mail, but I'd hate to pay postage and then have to wait anyway. Oh, well. I wish my library would be better about their buying. They don't seem too fond of her books. Or Angela Knights, either. I AM number 1 on the waitlist for Nora Roberts new book, 'Blue Flame'. Any day now, I'll get my favorite phone call....."Mrs.(blah) the book you placed on hold has just come in and you have 3 days to pick it up". Fingers crossed it's tomorrow, Dh's day off.
Well, on the Cold crisis 2005, my son is still sick, my daughter is still sick (seems like forever), and my Dh and I are now getting sick. Yea!
Off to pop cold meds. Night y'all! B.

Cead Mile Failte. That means a hundred thousand welcomes in Gaelic.

She's just TOO CUTE! I just want to cuddle her. Oreo just continues to sleep near me. I guess she feels safe, that I will protect her.

Haven' t been up to much this weekend. We had to stay home because the kids are sick. I hope they are well enough to attend a dinner at our church tomorrow night. We RSVP'ed before they had gotten sick. Let me tell ypu, 2 cranky kids are driving me up a WALL. My daughter is acting like she's dying. It's just a COLD. My son is cranky, but he still manages to be in a better mood about it.

I have been checking into Blog templates. I like the one I have. I just want to add one thing. I really like the black background, I prefer simple, I just want to add a trikelon to the corner. Dh has been busy with schoolwork (working on Master's degree) so I haven't really bothered him too much. Maybe later this week when he's able.

Feeling a little cheated today. I missed out on a sale at my FAVORITE store to pick up a dress I had been lusting after. I'll get over it. I look at it this way.....It just wasn't meant to be. I know this sounds selfish, I'm sorry. It's just I sacrifice so that my Dh and kids can have the things they need and want. Sometimes jealousy rears it's ugly little head.

I AM looking forward to Halloween next week. I will pick up my candy this weekend, and we will carve the pumpkins this weekend as well. I can't wait. My son and daughter can't wait, either. Our weather has cooled down enought that they will have to wear heavy sweaters or coats. I am a little worried that they might still have their colds then. I'm sure I'm just being silly. Colds aren't supposed to last that long. I have been pushing orange juice like crazy here, though.

Well, I told warned you that we haven't been up to much. We're just boring old fuddy duddies. Bundle Up! B.

I call this picture "A-HA"! I caught him! I finally caught him carrying around his 'baby'. He didn't know I was around the corner with my camera phone. I just held it out and facing him, I couldn't see him myself. Now, if I could just find a way for you to hear him. Heh-heh.

Guess what I did all day? I painted my daughters room. The whole thing, by myself, while Dh was at work. May I mention that painters tape is a great product, but getting it on straight where you need it is a pain. My daughter had been waiting patiently for my Dh to paint her room for about 2 months now. I had had enough of his 'forgetting' to do it. It took me 4 and a half HOURS to get everything. Did I mention the chair I had to stand on to get to the upper half of the walls? (I am not exactly tall) Daughter helped by unsrcrewing all the faceplates for her outlets. Her room is now a very light lilac. Have I mentioned my daughters favorite color is purple. Her blanket is purple, her satin quilt is purple,her antique rocker is covered in purple fabric, and most of her clothes are purple (or pink). Her dad had even made a bookcase I painted purple for her. I just need to find her a new light fixture now. We ALL hate the light fixtures in the bedrooms and hallways. Dh and I put in a ceiling fan with nicer lighting in our room. I just need to find something for the kids. I'd actually love to find a small chandelier for daughter's room. I want her room to be pretty. I just need to repaint her bed sometime later. (It's iron metal, another antique).

Add laundry and other household chores to the mix of painting my daughters room and I have been BUSY today. I ended up with paint on my clothes, my hands, my feet ( I painted barefoot, I DO live in the South), my knee (wonder how it got there?), and my hair. HA! Luckily the paint was water based!

My daughters cold is still here. It is making her cough so much her chest hurts. I feel bad for her, I bought her some medicine yesterday and she actually took some. However, it doesn't work. I finally get her to take medicine, and it's like drinking Kool-aid for her. UGH!

Haven't heard from the in-laws this week. Yea! A little nervous BECAUSE they haven't called this week. But, I know better than to borrow trouble.

Oreo is still settling in. The other cats are starting to get used to her. She chased one of them around my bed last night. Bwahahaha! It was the funniest thing to see this small kitten chasing Layla (my 12lb/7 yr. old cat) around. I about fell in the floor. Oreo seems to like me, even though I am the one who gives her her medicine everyday. When she's tired she crawls into my chair to sleep. She's SO sweet. Crazy but sweet. We watched her play last night and bounced, yes BOUNCED, around the room. More like hopped, actually. Too cute! I had forgotten what it was like to have a kitten around. LAYLA is SOOOOOOO jealous. I have another lap baby and she hates having to share. Hopefully they will all eventually get along. Say a prayer.

Well, bored y'all enough tonight. Take your comatose selves off to bed. B.

Now, I've told you before, this cats elevator doesn't go all the way to the top. Squeekie is as sweet as they come (if he's not feeling scared),but he has issues. He doesn't like any change in the household. He's scared of plastic bags and strangers and his own shadow and just about everything else. In this picture he actually thinks he's hiding. No, really. He thinks that if he can't see you, you can't see him. He's NOT, I repeat NOT being punished. *g* It looks like that though, doesn't it?

I took the kids to storytime at Barnes & Noble tonight. My son got a He wanted to look at all the other books. My daughter was a little old for it, but seemed to enjoy it. I also found out that a book I thought was coming out next month is already released. "Hula Done It" by Maddy Hunter. I have been waiting for this book since I finished the last one, last year. I went ahead and bought a copy to add to my TBR basket. I LOVE HER BOOKS. They are without a doubt hysterical. Truly. In the last book I laughed so hard my face turned red and my eyes watered and my kids thought I was nuts. They are about a woman who's marriage ended when her husband left her for another man. She moves back home ( from New York). In the first book she is accompanying(sp) her Grandmother on a trip to Switzerland as her companion. It's actually a Seniors tour group. She's the youngest one on the trip. The tours regular guide ends up murdered and Emily (heroine) takes over. If I tell you everything I'm sure the author will be mad, but trust me. TRY IT! The swiss rooms, her watch, aerosol spray, a toupe, a wooden leg and other events follow. And her Grandmother is a hoot. (No other word for her.)

Anyway, what we thought we allergies bothering my daughter this week, aren't. She has a cold. Ugh! And has refused to take anything for it. EVERYTHING medicine wise seems to make her gag. (She's been bad about taking medicine since she was a baby.) I stocked up on kleenex and orange juice. My son is showing signs of having it now. And the cycle of sickness begins. This year seems to be bad for it. Which is weird, because I homeschool my daughter and she's not around alot of other kids. But, we have been out in public alot lately. The one downside of socializing them. And the mall. I wonder if they can still catch cooties? *g*

Well, better wake her up for cough medicine. Sleep tight. B.

Awwww! She finally got tired. She seems to gravitate toward me these days. ME, the evil lady who gave her a bath, cut her nails, combed her, took her to the vet, and gives her worm medicine everyday for the next week. Of course, I also pet her, play with her, make sure she stays out of trouble and just plain love her. I am such a sap. I must have recieved an extra dose of maternal instinct.

So, the book seems to be good. I liked the first chapter, but to be honest, I haven't had time in the past 2 days to sit down and read more of it.

Out of left field here, I have a strange question for y'all. If you have a cell phone, what is your ring tone? My Dh loves me SO much that he put a specialized one on mine. I have the theme for the X-Files. I LOVE IT! I don't know anyone who has this tone. See, Dh works for a cell phone company. Not in one of the stores. But in one of the call centers. He's a supervisor in Data. You know, if the software on your phone acts up, you just might get transfered to a department like his. He also likes to play around with said software. And his computer. He can take just about any sound clip and turn it into a ring tone. Is he not too cool? He also has his programmed to play certain tones for certain people. His ringtone for me is Lenny Kravitz singing 'American Woman'. His ringtone for when his parents call is 'High Noon'. Bwahahahaha! Ever realize how much these actually reflect on personalities? Mine? I just love the X-Files.( I watch the old re-runs on TNT.)

Have to go make dinner. Stir Fry, with chicken, rice, onion and italian squash. Yum! Y'all come back now ya hear? Bwhahahaha! Sorry, in a warped mood. B.

Say "Hi" to Oreo. She loves this ribbon. Best kitten toy ever, she LOVES this. We are glad her name is Oreo, but as the days progress, we are finding other names that would have been just as fitting. Flash (she runs fast), Lightening (same as before), Blaze (sensing a theme here?), Pounce, Bounce, Frog (new theme). She is a ball of energy and fun. We get the biggest tickle at watching her and playing with her. Our other cats still HATE her. Their period of adjustment MIGHT be longer than I thought.

Went to class at church tonight. Really enjoying it. Finding new information exciting and meeting new people fun. It's so hard for me to not hide behind my Dh, but he seems to be feeling a little shy himself when it comes to our discussion groups. I admit it is hard for me to open MY mouth and speak OUT LOUD to other adults. But, I am trying, hard, not to return to my usual behavior of hiding wherever I can find a spot. Dh thinks this is strange. My wanting to be un-noticed. It comes from being heavy in school, with a book at the end of my nose. I have something to confess. When I was in 5th grade I was diagnosed with being manic depressive. It was found that this was caused by a chemical imbalance. I recieved treatment that was in clinical trial. I got better. I now DO NOT have this problem anymore. That whole thing did not help my feelings of isolation in school, however. I always worry this might return, but so far so good. No borrowing trouble, and et al. I DO keep a lookout in my kids, but they are very confident and assured, and I talk to them about anything they want. I did have scares with this when I was pregnant. It was the only thing I was unhappy with my OB/GYN about. She was constanly referrring to the fact that I might suffer from post-partum depression. Well, DUH! I NEVER WOULD HAVE FIGURED THAT OUT! Geez, I did (do, really) have a brain. I knew what to be on the lookout for. Oh, and my Dh knows all about this. He even has helped me to see that this shaped me to be the person I am. (Isn't he sweet?) I don't mean to sound 'preachy'. But, this blog is about me and my life and EVERYTHING that entails. Although, I do still screen anything that might come back to haunt me. (hope the in-laws never find this blog) Oooh, boy would that be a ruckus. ('Scuse me southern roots rearing head. )I've heard a few stories on other blogs of people posting and then someone in their 'real' life comes across it. AND THEY GET UPSET. Um, hi, it's the internet. People all over the world use it. Even across the street. HA! Soooo, anyway, bored you to tears yet? Need kleenex? TOO BAD! Ha-ha-ha.

Oh, picked up my book at the library today. Wish me luck. Night. B.

Is this not the cutest? Oreo had a rough day yesterday and today. Yesterday I gave her a bath and clipped her nails. Today.....her vet visit. She cried the whole time. I felt like the most evil thing. OMG, have y'all been to the Vet lately. Her visit cost me $100. OUCH!! There went the hardback book I was going to buy next week. Oh, well. There's always next month. I couldn't not take her, ya know? I wanted to make sure that, as a stray, she's healthy. And she is.

My best news today was that the library called and one of the books I have requested came in. 'Slow Burn' by Julie Garwood. I hope it lives up to it's reviews. I've never read one of her books before.

My kids are sooooo cranky today. Ugh! You know those days where you just want to stay in bed and pull the covers over your head? Oh, yeah. I wish I could do that, especially today. They are soooooo getting on my NERVES! Aaaggghhhhh!!!!! Luckily tomorrow is Dh's day off. HE WILL BE CUTTING THE GRASS TOMORROW! And if he doesn't, I'll have to torture him. It's not like he has anything major to do. I'll bet he doesn't get to it. Which will leave it to me. Again. At least the weather is cooler in the evenings and mornings. And it does count as excercise, especially since we have a steep hill on one side of the yard.

By the way, the other cats are still in their snits. They are reacting to Oreo like she is the Spawn of Satan. Also, treating me as the Supreme TRAITOR!

I'd also like to tell you that me being the MAJOR TECHNO GOOBER that I am, I still have not managed to figure out how to put up links to my favorite weblogs, web pages and such. Please forgive me. I am also wanting to change my background and my Dh will get to it, when he figures out WHERE to store the info for it. I haven't bugged him about it. I just hint around. He'll get to it, one of these years. So be patient OK? Have a great night. B.

So, our new kitten is a handful. She can run like lightening and loves to get under our couch. She also loves to attack her tail, her feet, a ribbon, table legs, the scratching post, her shadow, the wall, and on and on .........etc. My daughter thinks Oreo is the best thing since chocolate. The other cats still hate her, and at least 2 of them won't come downstairs, unless it's to check if she's still here. Poor babies, their life has changed. I can't wait until they accept her, although it will be at least 2 weeks before that will happen. They are SO upset. I hate to make them mad, but they'll have to get over it. It's still my house. As much as they'd like to think otherwise.
Today was spent keeping an eye on Oreo as she explored the downstairs, she sleeps upstairs with my daughter. (We thought Oreo would be safer there in her room, with the door closed, at night.) I was also spent the day cleaning my floors, doing laundry, dusting furniture and cleaning my Dh's chair and the couch which are leather. Tomorrow I'll tackle the bathrooms. My least favorite job in the world. It's the thought of all those germs, it just icks me out. However, I find such satisfaction when I see everything clean. I have to admit, I am a bit if a neat freak. I'm not as bad as I could be, but yeah, I drive the hubby crazy. Have you ever noticed that most men just don't get it? About things having to be CLEAN? Like the floor? Or say ..... the bathroom sink? My Dh will walk right by a piece of paper on the floor. Like a horse wearing blinders. I just......can't. It is impossible. I have been known to pick up toys at the Doctors office and straighten the magazines. ( I know, wierd.) I can't seem to stop myself.
I forgot to describe saturday, probably because I was so tired saturday night I could't summon the energy to post. We spent the WHOLE day saturday running around between 2 towns trying to find my son a size 4-6 Spiderman costume for Halloween. NO ONE HAD ONE!!! NO ONE!!! My Dh and I had to do sometning we didn't want to do, disappoint my son. We really wore ourselves out and I still feel guilty that we couldn't find one for him. We went EVERYWHERE. We actually had to talk him into being something else. He decided he'll be a Fireman. Which is OK, because we had practically everything to do this. We did have to go buy him a pair of rain boots, so he'd look like he was wearing the whole deal. He already has a firemans coat. My mother-in-law found one for him last year. Not one of those plastic thingies either. A REAL coat. It even has the metal clips. And he has sooooo many of those plastic fire hats it's funny. He's going to be cute! ( of couse I know this, he's my baby) My daughter was easy. She wants to be Hermione, from Harry Potter, again. This will be her 2nd year going as this. I tried to talk her into something different. No go. We just had to find her a wand. Last years was lost somehow. Her cloak still fits, so we are ready. The fun part will be trying to curl her hair. Her hair is straight as a ruler, a beautiful chocolate brown, but won't hold a curl to save my life. Even using all the beauty products you can think of. I remember when she was 6 and we had a Mother/Daughter Tea to attend, we spent 30 minutes with mouse and a curling iron and hairspray to give her beautiful little ringlets. It was back straight in 20 minutes. No joke. UGH! The funny thing is, I have naturally curly/wavy hairthat I keep pulled into a braid. Drives her crazy. She just has her Daddy's hair that's all. We keep his hair as short today as when he was in the military. His hair looks strange any longer than that. Fuzzy. With cowlicks. Understand why it's short now? I just looked over at him, he fell asleep in his chair. God, I love that man. Even after all the ways he drives me crazy, I can still feel my heart feel that 'ol pitter patter when I look into his blue eyes. We've been married almost 14 years. I FEEL OLD. He's still my best friend. And he can still make me blush. OK, I'll stop now. I need to send him to bed and lock up, make sure the cats have food and all that. Y'all have sweet dreams. B.

Ok, you know how I said that I am a sucker for cats? And you know how i said my heart is like a marshmallow? Well, meet Oreo. She is a new, NEW addition to our family. As of tonight. I couldn't say no when I saw that face and got to hold her. She is so sweet and about 5 weeks old.
Let me explain. So, today was busy. BUSY. We had Church this morning and were committed to 2 different family outings. We had to run by the store on the way home from Church, because my son broke his sunglasses. Then we had to change, load the cake that I made last night for a picnic the in-laws insisted we attend, and then get to said picnic. We spent about 2 hours at said picnic to please the in-laws and then had to leave. You see, yesterday was my Dad's birthday. He turned 60. But, yesterday we were busy running errands, so we went to his home today. I love my dad, really. It's just that we are not close. Especially since he remarried a couple of years after my parents divorce. Don't think I was unhappy with his remarriage, I'm not. I like his wife. It's just that now he's more wrapped up in his other life. Well, anyway, we went over there and were talking and catching up while my kids played outside. Next thing I know my daughter comes in holding the cute kitten in the pic above. I never intended to bring home this kitten. But then my daughter mentioned that the neighbor was taking the kitten to the pound the next day. No, really. My dad confirmed this. My daughter turned her big blue eyes on me and the lip started to quiver, "But mom, what if no one adopts her? They put those animals to sleep." OK, arrow to heart, holding firm though. Next thing I know my dad is telling he that they ship some animals up north that can't be adopted down here. Then he also adds that they think that those animals may be to corporations for research. At that point my head and heart both scream HELL NO! So, I gave in. She came home with us tonight and will be getting a check up at the vets probably tomorrow. Go ahead, say it. SUCKER! Yea, Yea, I know. But, she's soooooo cute and sweet. Of course my other cats hated her on sight. I've been throught this before, so I know what to expect. It will take about 2 weeks before they accept her. That's OK. I work with hard headed people all the time. Y'all know I'm a Mother! Bwahahaha!!!!! So, meet Oreo. Oh, come on, you know we had to name her that. She's black and white and SWEET. HA! So off to referee. Night. B.

Isn't this butterfly pretty? We saw it at a rest stop in Georgia. The rest area had planted butterfly bushes. There were at least 40 of them flying around.

I didn't post yesterday bacause we were late in getting home from my in-laws. The kids and I spent the day with my mother-in-law shopping. She wanted to get them some clothes. Those that have seen my earlier posts about my in-laws are probably sure, like I am, that they have a hidden agenda. Those that haven't read of the in-laws will just think that it was awfully nice of them to buy my kids some things for winter. Some time in the future payment will be expected in some form or another for their nice act. I'm just waiting. I wish I could just appreciate it, but I know better.

Today was spent running household errands. My favorite was to the library. A book that I had ordered came in. Yae Me! Spent too much time looking for a pair of jeans for daughter. I have to be careful where to get them from because we have to buy her a 10 because of her height, but she only ways 65lbs. Therefore most 10's are so big around the waist it's funny. Belts don't help. So I have to find SLIMs. Only one place for that, the mall. I don't mind shopping for my kids, but my daughter takes so long to try on clothes that I become soooooo bored. So does my son. But, he's pretty easily entertained. I then had to do my grocery shopping. By this time my kids are bored out of there ever-lovin' minds. So I race, literally, through the grocery store. I finally get home in time for my DH to help bring in the load I spent all day collecting. He helps me, which is great. Beware! Aliens are here! But, he then takes 2 HOURS to decide what he'd like for dinner. 2 FREAKING HOURS PEOPLE! We ended up with take out pizza. OK, he's forgiven. After spending all day running around, I didn't want to cook anyway.

Tomorrow I get to spend endless hours looking at Halloween costumes and picking out pumpkins. Ooohhh! Let the fun begin. Hopefully I can direct a side trip to the used bookstore. Hhhmmmm. Any ideas? I'll have to think about this. It will take cunning and wile. I know, I'll BRIBE them. Maybe a cookie from the local bakery. Or better yet, doughnuts from Krispy Kreme for breakfast sunday. Yup, that'll work. Better start dropping hints about the bookstore. Gotta run. B.

Is this not the sweetest thing? Both asleep, and Squeekie is smiling.

Today was my Dh's day off. We had planned many errands to run today, yet only the class we attend at Church was done. Tomorrow I have to go over to thein-laws. My mother-in-law wants my help in picking out some clothes for my kids. I'm just thanking God that she asked. Half the time she'll pick stuff for them that is too young or that my kids won't wear. Last year for my son she wanted to get him this smocked shortall thing in baby blue. He's 3. He likes Spider Man, Bear in the Big Blue House and Trucks. I had to tell her that she was welcome to buy it, but I felt that it was a little immature for him. She also bought my daughter a short set that had a big fruit on it. FRUIT? She won't wear it. It sat in her closet all summer.

I'm starting to look out for Christmas ideas for the kids. The first of next month I'll do my shopping. We don't go overboard, but we do like to give them fun things. My favorite things to give are the stocking stuffers. I love looking for little things to put in and suprise the kids with. My Mom was great at it. I don't give clothes for Christmas. Later, when they are teenagers, yeah sure.

I also like to find interesting toys for my Dh, too. Not, those kinds, get your mind out of the gutter. Sheesh! I found a hand-carved wooden puzzle a couple of years ago, he really liked it. I won't post my ideas for him this year, because he sometimes reads this blog. For me, I am always given a gift card to the bookstore. I love it. What could be better?

I have to run. Family life intrudes on my quiet time. BYE! B.

This is Tiger. Apparently he likes my treadmill as much as I do.

GUESS WHAT?! I"VE BEEN TAGGED! This is my first time, so be gentle. *g* I'm supposed to find my 23rd post, 5th line of said post. Repost said line and look at it for any hidden context.

OK, here goes. Sept 1, 2005, 12:19 am.

"Which was nice, really."

Um, ok, hate to tell you, but there is NO hidden context. I was reffering to the fact that I was sick as a dog and my Dh and kids took me out for dinner for my B-day. But, if you want me to explain...... I didn't feel like going, but did so to please my family. I could tell you, that that sums up my life. I tend to do what others want to please them. I can't help it. I was always the kid on the fringe of everything. I was too quiet, too shy, too bookish, too nice, too sensitive, to be popular. I was also overweight. More toward chubby, than huge. I yearned to fit in. Never happened. I AM STILL LIKE THIS. I have gotten better, though. I am really only that way during meeting strangers or people I slightly know. Around my family I act like myself, unless they've gone to great lengths to do something to try and please me. Then of course, even if I hate it, I act happy. Who doesn't? Enough! More than you wanted to know.

Signing off. Night. B.

Ok. This is not a good pic for ME. But, can you see how comfy she is? Yup, that's me, cushion for cat. Note the un-lady-like pose I'm in? I'm wearing shorts, I promise. I apologize. I just know my Mom is rolling her eyes at me. "I know I raised you better than that young lady", I can hear her now. At least I'm flexible. Bwhahahaha!

Want to know something wierd? Layla, the cat above, loves the smell of mint. And coffee beans. Strange, I know. I never claimed to raise normal animals. Or kids. HA!

Today was GREAT. It was nice and cool. FALL IS HERE! YEA! Of course, this meant I had to go through my kids closets and see if any of their clothing from last year still fit. My daughter shot up about 3 inches. At 10 years old, she is at my shoulder. I'm 5 foot 4. (nusre at her ped. dr. said to take height at 2 yrs.old and double it, thats how tall they'd be by time done growing. Daughter is going to be about 5 foot 11.) Aaaahhhhh! That's what I get for marrying a tall guy. So. all her clothing from last year is SHORT. My son only seemed to gain about an inch, maybe inch and 1/2. So today we went and priced a few new outfits. Holy Mother Of GOD! Whan did clothing for kids get to be sooooo expensive? I have nothing against Wal-Mart, but I usually don't buy their clothes there. Sweatsuits, yes. Not much else. Wal-Marts clothes usually don't bear up under the strain of keeping up with them. But, BIG BUT, I looked today just for the heck of it. NOT BAD. Had a CUTE sweater my daughter loved. It was $18. Not TOO bad.( I still have to look at Target, their clothes for girls are cute.) And God forbid I not check out TJ Max. Only problem with going there is yoou have to treat it like a treasure hunt. My son is easy to shop for. Childrens Place. They ALWAYS have something for him. And the prices are GOOD. ANy other ideas of where to go?

Have I ever mentioned the fact that my DH has 3X's the amount of clothes I do? I don't think that's natural. My clothes take up less than half the space his does. I hear that it's usually the other way around. I guess I'll be forced to pick up a few things this year. *sigh* Actually, I'm not a big clothes shopper, at least not clothes for me. But, you can only wear jogging pants so may places. I'm a stay at home Mom. I don't usually need a lot. But, this year is different. I am seen out in public more. I guess I'll grit my teeth and just get it over with soon.

Still deciding on taking the kids to the fair this year. We did the Math and it's EXPENSIVE. WAY EXPENSIVE. I could take them to Toys-R-Us for cheaper.

You know how I said that Aliens have landed. They're STILL here. My Dh is one of them. He is being so helpful lately. And he's in a better mood. Seriously, I think things at work are going smoother now that he's the routine of it down. And that releases a lot of the stress he was carrying around. I also think our little tiff last month helped. He was finally able to tell me that he was stressing over his job and why, and I think just sharing that with me made him feel better. Right now he's playing hide-and-seek with the kids before bed. I LOVE IT! My son laughs the entire time, so you KNOW where he is! It's too funny.

Finished 'The Trouble with Valentine's Day' by Rachel Gibson. It was good. Not great, but good. The 2 main characters are a former hockey player whose career was ruined by a woman shooting him because he slept with her as a one night stand, and a woman who quit her job as a PI because she gave a guy the info on where his wife and kids were and the guy killed them and his self. There was a 2nd romance in the book between her grandfather and his mother. I just found the way their sex life started together as implausable. And the way he realized he loved her enough to marry her, while he's fishing! Come on. Really? So, I liked well enought to pass the time, but it's not going on my keeper shelf. I now have to choose from the others, wish me luck.

Enough of my domestic drivel. I'm off to bed. Night. B.

So, the thing with the in-laws has passed, for now. They came over today, after calling first, and spent some time with the grandkids. My Dh and I just acted as laid back as we could. I prayed in church today to just help me show .....mercy and compassion. And then I let it go. I feel soooooo much better. Of course, I still won't take any of their controlling attitudes either. What kills me is, no one else on MY side of the family seems to understand what our problems with Dh's parents are. Oh, well.
Today was also spent relaxing. For a change. We didn't have to run errands or any major household repairs. It was nice. We could have painted the molding in the house. Or worked in the yard. Or painted my daughters room. But, it was nice to take one day out of so many and do nothing. Well, my Dh did cook dinner tonight. Which was great. He is such a great cook. He's been cooking since he was about 18. He taught himself. His mom can't seem to cook anything without destroying ALL flavor. Trust me. Not a grudge. She's the only person I know that can cook a pot roast in a crock pot, adding moisture, and DRY IT OUT! It ends up like rawhide/leather. EEEEEWWWW! And then wonders why we;re not hungry when she cooks it. And cooks it often, too. Just about every family dinner. Ugh!
My kids spent the day outside, almost all day. It was so nice. And quiet. I know I keep using the word nice, but it was. I have started one of my 'new' books. "the Trouble with Valentine's Day" by Rachel Gibson. So far it seems pretty good. I'll let y'all know when I'm done, what my measly opinion is. I still feel ripped of for buying the hardback "Grave Sight" by Charlaine Harris. I know that it was my decision to buy it, and if I was disappointed(sp) with it, it's my fault. I just wish I could DO something about it. Yet another 'let it go' moment. Nothing much else going on here today. So, if you tuned in for excitement, you're out of luck. Night. B.

Patches ATTACKS! All the cats love this 'bug'. It's filled with crinkly and catnip. This thing is more than a year old, and still.......they love it. Squeekie carries it up and down the stairs, no it's not his 'baby', he just carries it up and down too.

I FINALLY made it to the used bookstore today and came home with 5 books for $1.25 plus tax. YEA! I picked up : 'Under My Spell' by DeborahWright, 'The Trouble With Valentine's Day' by Rachel Gibson, 'Close to You' by Christina Dodd, 'In Deep Voodoo' by Stephanie Bond and 'Confessions of a Lingerie Addict' by Jennifer Ashley. I can't wait to start reading! The only trouble I have now is trying to decide which one to start with.

My son is getting ready to hit another growth spurt. Know how I can tell? He has been eating like a LUMBERJACK! He ate 3 peanutbutter and jelly sandwiches (crust cut off) within an hour last night. For my 'picky' 'eat like a bird' kid', this was quite astonishing. He didn't stop there though. I actually wondered about the hollow leg myth. He's 3 years old. I'd heard that teenage boys ate alot. Can't wait to see my grocery bill then!

Have a bit of a 'thing' going with the in-laws. They called myDh this morning while he was coomuting to work to ask if I would like to meet them for lunch. He called me, I REMINDED him that I already had plans for the day (errands) and that they were welcome to come over when I was done and home. He had already pretty much told them that. They called me later, to again invite me to lunch (with the kids). Since I really needed to get my errands done, I again reminded them of this and invited them (AGAIN) over after I was done. They said they'd stop by then. Errands ran late. I called Dh to let him know, he called them for me to let them know as well. They then said that they MIGHT stop by today or maybe tomorrow. OK. Did they ever consider that we already have plans for tomorrow? Or that I broke MANY speed limit laws trying to get home so they could see my kids? EXCUSE ME? I hatee to sound off the wall, but I know this is a control thing with them. Since I wouldn't jump to accomodate them, their pulling this ----. Fill in the blank. It took me about half an hour to calm down. I'm calm now. I'm just not going to play this game. They either conform to our way, or they just don't. My big mistake was telling my kids that they were going to come by. My son was sooooo upset. My daughter, wise to them, just rolled her eyes. I won't put them through this again. If they visit, fine, I'm not going to get my kids excited first though, by telling them. Typing this out, I realize I'm still mad. I'll get over it. See, that's why I love this blog. In real life, I am the 'nice' lady. The one who never has a bad word to say about anyone. HERE, I can let it ALL out. HA! I know y'all are rolling eyes out there. Stop, they might stick like that. Bwahahaha! I know y'all heard that growing up. Bwahahaha! Couldn't help myself, SORRY. Night. B.

I love this look! He is soooo funny. NO ONES HOME! You can just tell. Although, he is smart enough NOT to have his pic made when he's carrying his 'baby' around. He always does it when we can't get to a camera in time.

Dh finally put all our components back in the Armoire. Yea! Everything is back where it should be. To say that while everything was in chaos, I was .......uncomfortable, is an understatement. I am such a neat , everything in it's place, freak.

Haven't heard from the in-laws this week since I wouldn't let them have the kids/germ carriers. They think that they are punishing us by not calling. Bwahahahaha! Oh, please punish me more, I've been sooooooo bad!(Dh got a kick out of this.)

IT RAINED TODAY! YEA! I love the rain. It seems so soothing to me. It also brought cooler weather here. 'Bout time. It's starting to seem like fall. Of course, this also means that I now have to purchase cooler weather clothing for the kids. That's why I love those stores that discount name brand clothes. Here we have T.J. Max, Ross and Marshall's. The first of these usually has the best choices. My son refuses to wear overalls, which is a shame, because is there anything cuter than a little boy in overalls? My daughter seems to like whatever I pick out. Which is pretty good considering she's 10 going on 20. (I'm pretty conservative) See, miracles DO happen.

Haven't mamged to get by the used book store this week. I'm really going to have to make more of an effort. I like to have alot of books I haven't read handy. This keeps me from losing it when the kids go from playing peacefully to fighting unmercilessly. As you can see, there is NOTHING going on here today. Nada. Zip. Zero. Zilch. Sorry. Better run now, before you nod off. B.

Layla makes it so hard to post a blog!
I am stilll trying to kick this little germ. It HATES me. The kids and Dh got over it a lot faster. NO FAIR Dh's Dad had surgery done on his back about a week and a half ago.(herniated(SP) disc). Then last week they wanted us to come over. Um, hello, my kids are sick, your son has been sick......germs! My mother-in-law tried a guilt trip, I guess she wanted to help HER husband get up off the bathroom floor. HELLO, THINK! The man just had surgery and she wants 2 hyper kids to visit them in their itty bitty house, with NOTHING for the kids to do right after they(kids) have been sick? HUH? I don't get it, you'd think she wouldn't want to get sick, and this germ, fromHELL, takes no prisoners.
This is the reason Dh is biding his time in his new job, once he's been in this place 18 months he can transfer. TO ANOTHER STATE. Just the next one over. We will sell our house and move. It will only be a 2 hour trip for visits. I know this sounds mean, but it has to be done. To preserve our sanity. I know if we stay this close to them, they will pull something and I'll say something that will hurt our relationship. So, this way, peace will be had.
Dh has been real nice this week. He has really tried to help, he bought me a bud vase of roses, while I was hugging the floor. And he even tried to help with laundry. ALIENS HAVE LANDED and taken my DH. Be on the lookout. Yours could be next. (I read this to him and he said,"gee thanks") HA! I sooooo love him. He's still suprising me after all these years. COOL!!! Well, gonna get some rest. Be good. B.

Well, this is so not a good picture. I'll try and post a better one later. Anyway, this is my big project of the last couple of weeks. It's supposed to look OLD.

You know that nasty little germ I didn't want? Yeah, well, it got me. Saturday night, sunday morning and all day sunday. This also came with a killer migraine that I just can't shake. Why do I feel guilty for having to have someone to help me when I'm sick? I love my Dh, but somehow, he made me feel guilty for having to take care of things around the house, including the kids. At one point everything started to turn grey and I ended up on the floor. And yet.......FEELING GUILTY! WHY???

I did finally make it out of the house today and treated myself to a new book. "Grave Sight" by Charlaine Harris. I am a huge fan of her Sookie Stackhouse books, but this one was cold. I was actually kind of dissapointed. I had so been looking forward to this book. I already knew the premise, a woman who finds dead bodies through a 'sense'. She was struck by lightening when she was younger and now travels with her step-brother 'consulting' for people to find their dead family and she can also see how they died. It sounded cool. But, still it was very dark and hard to connect with the characters. I'll just stick with the Sookie Stackhouse books.