You know you're really married when your spouse and you start to resemble each other in so many different ways!
You know you're really married when you look back through the years and think, "I've become him and he's become me!" Aaaaak! That's scary!
Example: You know you're really married when you think about those first married years, and hubby snored like a siren all night long. You had a hard time sleeping most nights between the snorts and grumbles. But then you know you're really married when hubby doesn't snore anymore, but he says that you're keeping him up nights, because, yes, you snore! Aaaaak! That's scary!
Another example: You know you're really married when you think of those early years of wedded bliss, and he was always hot! "It's hot in here," he'd say as he wiped his sweaty brow! Meanwhile, I would be covered with three blankets and could hear my teeth chatter! Now, I can't seem to get rid of the internal heat while hubby curls up under a wool blanket and says, "Do you really need that air conditioner on? I'm freezing!" Aaaak! That's scary!
One more example: You know you're really married when you used to wake up at the least little peep from your child stirring in the other room. Or perhaps they gently call out to you in the middle of the night, and you pop up out of bed then rush to their side. Now, I'll ask hubby, "Did you hear the boy come in last night? I didn't hear him come in. I must have been sleeping like a log." Hubby will tell me the time to the exact minute that the boy got home, and say, "Didn't you hear me talking to him while he stood in the doorway of our bedroom?" NO! Aaaak! That's scary!
That's why I think you can tell when you're really married! When he's become you, and you've become him! Aaaak! That's scary!
Showing posts with label Stuff. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Stuff. Show all posts
July 14, 2010
July 13, 2010
How Many Hours are in a Day?
I'd say there are exactly 3 hours in each day! Whatt??? That's what I feel like on those days that I rush to work, work all day, and come home. I rush in the door, and think to myself, "Peace! I have 5 whole minutes to relax!"
Wrong! Those pesky phone salesmen must have my house staked out, because typically five minutes after walking in the door the phone rings! I think to myself, "Nice, this must be my BFF, B; or maybe it's my mom."
Wrong again! An automated voice comes through the telephone stating, "We are not selling anything....we want...." I usually don't know what they really want, because I hang up! Just like that! I'm not even remotely curious as to what they wanted, and that's saying a lot, because I'm usually a very curious person!
Then I rush into the living room, kick my shoes off, stretch my feet out for what I think is going to be about 3 minutes (two of my five minutes were eaten up by answering the phone, then walking away grumbling about it), when suddenly....my son walks into the door from work and says, "Hey Mom! I'm in a hurry! The guys and I are going fishing! What's for dinner?"
Well, need I tell you there go my remaining three minutes out the window!
So I get up fix dinner, then I realize that I really need to do a load of laundry. Then it's time to eat dinner, wash those dishes, then back to the laundry. Oh yeah! The bathroom could use a good scrubbing, and the counter needs to be cleaned of the debris that's hanging out on it! Next thing I know, it's well getting near my bedtime! Off to the shower I go.....dry my hair, put my jamies on, and think, "Okay, I must have 5 minutes of peace and quiet!"
When suddenly the boy bursts through the door and exclaims, "Hey MOM! I caught 5 bass, I'm going to clean them now!"
Okay, son, just be sure to clean up your mess when you're done!
When he suddenly has a great idea! "Hey MOM! Could you take some pictures of me filleting a fish for my blog."
It's 10:30 p.m! I'm dog tired, but I love my son!
Go check it out on his blog! Click Here!
Wrong! Those pesky phone salesmen must have my house staked out, because typically five minutes after walking in the door the phone rings! I think to myself, "Nice, this must be my BFF, B; or maybe it's my mom."
Wrong again! An automated voice comes through the telephone stating, "We are not selling anything....we want...." I usually don't know what they really want, because I hang up! Just like that! I'm not even remotely curious as to what they wanted, and that's saying a lot, because I'm usually a very curious person!
Then I rush into the living room, kick my shoes off, stretch my feet out for what I think is going to be about 3 minutes (two of my five minutes were eaten up by answering the phone, then walking away grumbling about it), when suddenly....my son walks into the door from work and says, "Hey Mom! I'm in a hurry! The guys and I are going fishing! What's for dinner?"
Well, need I tell you there go my remaining three minutes out the window!
So I get up fix dinner, then I realize that I really need to do a load of laundry. Then it's time to eat dinner, wash those dishes, then back to the laundry. Oh yeah! The bathroom could use a good scrubbing, and the counter needs to be cleaned of the debris that's hanging out on it! Next thing I know, it's well getting near my bedtime! Off to the shower I go.....dry my hair, put my jamies on, and think, "Okay, I must have 5 minutes of peace and quiet!"
When suddenly the boy bursts through the door and exclaims, "Hey MOM! I caught 5 bass, I'm going to clean them now!"
Okay, son, just be sure to clean up your mess when you're done!
When he suddenly has a great idea! "Hey MOM! Could you take some pictures of me filleting a fish for my blog."
It's 10:30 p.m! I'm dog tired, but I love my son!
Go check it out on his blog! Click Here!
July 11, 2010
The Boys Went Fishing!
First I'd like to say:
"Dear Maybe I'll Blog, Maybe I Won't,
I'm so sorry that I have recently neglected you! I've been very busy lately, but it is with great pleasure that I return to you dear Google Blogger! I've recently fought a battle with Wordpess, and it wasn't pretty! It's such a comfort to come back to the familiar and user friendly Blogger for awhile!
Thank you,
Your dear friend, Laurie"
Okay, so without further ado, let's turn to the topic of "The Boys Went Fishing!"
My son is an avid fisherman, and he also likes to hunt. Right now it's bass season in our little section of the world, and you can only guess what he's been up to? Right? Well, of course...fishing!
Hubby doesn't always have the opportunity, time, or energy to fish as frequent as my son, but when the boy was little his daddy took him fishing often! Now that the boy is nearing his 21st birthday, he can go alone, and daddy doesn't always go with him. A few weeks ago, they did get themselves out to Otter Lake, and enjoyed bass fishing together.
They were so proud of their catch:
I bet you all figure we had bass for dinner! Incorrect! My son is going to be living in an apartment with his buddy when he returns to college. They both are stashing their 'catches' in the freezer, so they can eat for free all school year!
I'll let you all know how that turns out in the fall!
One more thing: My son has a new blog that I want to promote! Go check it out! Click Here!
"Dear Maybe I'll Blog, Maybe I Won't,
I'm so sorry that I have recently neglected you! I've been very busy lately, but it is with great pleasure that I return to you dear Google Blogger! I've recently fought a battle with Wordpess, and it wasn't pretty! It's such a comfort to come back to the familiar and user friendly Blogger for awhile!
Thank you,
Your dear friend, Laurie"
Okay, so without further ado, let's turn to the topic of "The Boys Went Fishing!"
My son is an avid fisherman, and he also likes to hunt. Right now it's bass season in our little section of the world, and you can only guess what he's been up to? Right? Well, of course...fishing!
Hubby doesn't always have the opportunity, time, or energy to fish as frequent as my son, but when the boy was little his daddy took him fishing often! Now that the boy is nearing his 21st birthday, he can go alone, and daddy doesn't always go with him. A few weeks ago, they did get themselves out to Otter Lake, and enjoyed bass fishing together.
They were so proud of their catch:
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| Six Bass on a Stringer |
I'll let you all know how that turns out in the fall!
One more thing: My son has a new blog that I want to promote! Go check it out! Click Here!
June 23, 2010
Earthquake!
There was an earthquake in Ottawa, Canada today around 1:40 p.m.
I was at work and I thought maybe I was having a moment of vertigo, or perhaps, the girl standing near my desk was tapping the floor hard with her foot. I didn't think too much about it until just moments later when two of my fellow employees walked in the office, and said, "Did you feel the earth move?" The gym teacher (who happened to be in the gym by himself) called the office and said, "Did the building just shift, move or something like that?" He said the doors rattled, and the floor swayed.
I called my parent across town to see if they felt it, and they hadn't. We were starting to wonder if it was the over 100 year old building getting ready to sway and crumble, or....
One of the teachers came into the main office and stated that the local news channel had a notice up on their website stating that they also had felt the trembling. They were investigating to see if it was a likely earthquake. Apparently so!
You know, I lived in California, earthquake capitol of the world, for almost 10 years, and not once felt an earthquake. I didn't even feel the rather large scale earthquake that postponed the World Series in 1989, even though I was less than 100 miles from the epicenter.
But I have experienced two earthquakes while living in upstate New York. One occurred about 25 years ago right before hubby and I got married, and the other one was today! Hmmm, interesting!
I was at work and I thought maybe I was having a moment of vertigo, or perhaps, the girl standing near my desk was tapping the floor hard with her foot. I didn't think too much about it until just moments later when two of my fellow employees walked in the office, and said, "Did you feel the earth move?" The gym teacher (who happened to be in the gym by himself) called the office and said, "Did the building just shift, move or something like that?" He said the doors rattled, and the floor swayed.
I called my parent across town to see if they felt it, and they hadn't. We were starting to wonder if it was the over 100 year old building getting ready to sway and crumble, or....
One of the teachers came into the main office and stated that the local news channel had a notice up on their website stating that they also had felt the trembling. They were investigating to see if it was a likely earthquake. Apparently so!
You know, I lived in California, earthquake capitol of the world, for almost 10 years, and not once felt an earthquake. I didn't even feel the rather large scale earthquake that postponed the World Series in 1989, even though I was less than 100 miles from the epicenter.
But I have experienced two earthquakes while living in upstate New York. One occurred about 25 years ago right before hubby and I got married, and the other one was today! Hmmm, interesting!
June 4, 2010
Update of Sorts!
I have ridden my bicycle 3 of the 4 days of work this week. It rained yesterday, so the boy suggested he give me a ride to work. It had stopped raining by the time I would have left, but he insisted.
The bike is going to the boy when he goes off to college as there are many on campus who use them to get around.
Today is Friday, and I'm so looking forward to the weekend!
The boy has a new job working in cement! He's working full time, and we are so grateful as many of his college buddies haven't been able to obtain summer work this year.
Last night he pattied up the hamburger for me in the kitchen, and was mumbling something about cement burgers. I looked at him in horror! He laughed and assured me he had washed his hands like a good boy.
An internet friend of mine could use all your prayers, if you feel inclined. She has cancer of the spine and the statistics are dismal.
Although the sun is supposed to shine today, it is foggy out right now! What's up with that?
I hope you all have a blessed Friday!
The bike is going to the boy when he goes off to college as there are many on campus who use them to get around.
Today is Friday, and I'm so looking forward to the weekend!
The boy has a new job working in cement! He's working full time, and we are so grateful as many of his college buddies haven't been able to obtain summer work this year.
Last night he pattied up the hamburger for me in the kitchen, and was mumbling something about cement burgers. I looked at him in horror! He laughed and assured me he had washed his hands like a good boy.
An internet friend of mine could use all your prayers, if you feel inclined. She has cancer of the spine and the statistics are dismal.
Although the sun is supposed to shine today, it is foggy out right now! What's up with that?
I hope you all have a blessed Friday!
June 1, 2010
Mode of Transportation!
I have a new mode of transportation!
No, that's not it! That's the new car that hubby and I bought last October, but that's not my new mode of transportation! Hubby drives the new Optima Kia to work every day!
Let's see! My new mode of transportation doesn't need to make a stop at the gas station. It is man- powered all the way! Have you guessed yet?
Here is my new mode of transportation!
Okay, so you're thinking that I must be crazy, right? Well, I only travel about a mile to get to work. I have been constantly complaining that I just don't have time to exercise! AND my son got a new job for the summer, and he travels 8 miles to work! I told hubby that I thought if I got a bike it would serve a dual purpose - I would be able to transport myself to work (while letting my son drive our old beat up truck) and I will get some much needed exercise!
Today was the first day of riding the bike to work! Listen, I must look either extremely odd, or everyone is admiring my bike, because I got a lot of stares! But I also got a phone call from a friend of mine about an hour after I got to work. She told me that she wanted to congratulate me for "going green." Then I had a janitor who was eying my bike (which I kept in the janitor's room as it was raining). She told me that she wanted one! Then while peddling through town I rode past two ladies on the street; and one of them yelled out, "Hey lady, I love your bike."
It has no fancy speed adjustments. It's just plain old leg power that makes it go! I live in a small town that has a lot of little drumlins that were left by the glaciers long long ago! Those little drumlins are a lot steeper than I realized once I started climbing them with my new mode of transportation! It gives me a lot more exercise than walking to work. It only takes me 5 minutes to pedal my way to work. It also takes me 5 minutes to drive the car - so I figure that's another great reason for using the bike!
One of my son's friends stopped his car this afternoon next to me and yelled out, "Do you want a ride?" I smiled and said, "No way." I'm loving it!
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| New 2009 Optima Kia |
Let's see! My new mode of transportation doesn't need to make a stop at the gas station. It is man- powered all the way! Have you guessed yet?
Here is my new mode of transportation!
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| My brand new Cruiser bicycle! |
Today was the first day of riding the bike to work! Listen, I must look either extremely odd, or everyone is admiring my bike, because I got a lot of stares! But I also got a phone call from a friend of mine about an hour after I got to work. She told me that she wanted to congratulate me for "going green." Then I had a janitor who was eying my bike (which I kept in the janitor's room as it was raining). She told me that she wanted one! Then while peddling through town I rode past two ladies on the street; and one of them yelled out, "Hey lady, I love your bike."
It has no fancy speed adjustments. It's just plain old leg power that makes it go! I live in a small town that has a lot of little drumlins that were left by the glaciers long long ago! Those little drumlins are a lot steeper than I realized once I started climbing them with my new mode of transportation! It gives me a lot more exercise than walking to work. It only takes me 5 minutes to pedal my way to work. It also takes me 5 minutes to drive the car - so I figure that's another great reason for using the bike!
One of my son's friends stopped his car this afternoon next to me and yelled out, "Do you want a ride?" I smiled and said, "No way." I'm loving it!
May 4, 2010
The Last of the Vacation!
Since the drive to South Carolina was so grueling, hubby and I had decided when we drove back home from vacation to take two days with the driving.
So, we decided to do a little side trip which added another 250 miles onto our trip home, but it was so worth it!
We drove through the Blue Ridge Mountain Parkway, then kept right on going which meant we were able to visit the Shenandoah National Park. What beautiful scenery we got to see!
Here's just a small taste of what we got to see!
It was a bit of a hazy day. We had a few raindrops along the way, so the pictures could have been a bit clearer if only the weather had cooperated.
And since hubby and I were there alone, we opted to take separate pictures of each other. There was hardly anyone on the road or inside the park to help us out by getting a picture with both of us in it, so we did the best we could.
It was a wonderful vacation, and unfortunately, it's over, but we have some great memories of our trip to South Carolina!
So, we decided to do a little side trip which added another 250 miles onto our trip home, but it was so worth it!
We drove through the Blue Ridge Mountain Parkway, then kept right on going which meant we were able to visit the Shenandoah National Park. What beautiful scenery we got to see!
Here's just a small taste of what we got to see!
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| Bridge on Blue Ridge Mountain Parkway |
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| Scenery on the Blue Ridge Mountain Parkway |
It was a bit of a hazy day. We had a few raindrops along the way, so the pictures could have been a bit clearer if only the weather had cooperated.
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| The Valley Below |
And since hubby and I were there alone, we opted to take separate pictures of each other. There was hardly anyone on the road or inside the park to help us out by getting a picture with both of us in it, so we did the best we could.
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| Laurie in the Blue Ridge Mountains |
It was a wonderful vacation, and unfortunately, it's over, but we have some great memories of our trip to South Carolina!
April 29, 2010
More Vacation!
I just had to share some more pictures of the beautiful area that my BIL and SIL live. It's beautiful! Their house sets back into a lovely wooded area, and it is so unique!
Here's their beautiful house! It's gorgeous inside!
These are the woods that surround the house. There is just enough light that comes through the sparse woods to make it warm and cozy, but shaded enough to find a cool spot!
We spent a lot of time down by the creek behind the house. Hubby did some gold prospecting down there, and I spent time taking pictures and just looking!
I sat down on the this huge slab of bedrock and played all day.
Hubby spent most of his day in this little gap digging out silt, sand, and some gold with his gold pan.
It was a beautiful day for the most part, but around 4:00 p.m. it stated to rain, so back to the house we went. But overall I will remember it as a glorious day by the creek side!
Here's their beautiful house! It's gorgeous inside!
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| BIL and SIL's House |
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| The Woods |
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| The Creek |
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| More Creek |
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| Hubby's Digging Spot |
April 27, 2010
Betcha Didn't Think.....
Betcha didn't think it could snow in April!! Well, here's the proof. I took this picture this afternoon when I came home for lunch.
Yes, that big white blob is actually a snowflake. The snowflakes were huge, gigantic, white balls of fluff!
And here's another picture for your viewing pleasure!
Yes, tomorrow the forecast is predicting more snow!
But there is hope on the horizon. Friday's forecast is calling for temperatures in the 70's!
No wonder I can't figure out if I'm experiencing allergies or a cold. It's hard to tell! Sniff! Sniff!
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| Snow in April |
And here's another picture for your viewing pleasure!
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| And More Snow in April |
But there is hope on the horizon. Friday's forecast is calling for temperatures in the 70's!
No wonder I can't figure out if I'm experiencing allergies or a cold. It's hard to tell! Sniff! Sniff!
April 25, 2010
Vacation!
I took a vacation from blogging. Didn't really think I would be gone that long, but alas, I was.
But I'm back, again!
One of the wonderful tings that hubby and I did while I was taking my blogging vacation, was to actually go on vacation.
We went to South Carolina to visit family.
We had a wonderful time.
What did we do on this vacation?
Well, we did lots of things, but one of the things that we did was to go gold digging.
Hubby loves to go gold prospecting (we once lived in CA, where it's quite popular). So, we did a little of that. We went to a pay-to-dig site in North Carolina for the day. We had a lot of fun. The sun was out and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. Wanna see what it looked like?
What's a Keene High Banker? That's this pictured contraption. See the pilings of dirt behind the high banker. Well, you scoop a shovel full of dirt into the top bucket of the high banker, then the dirt breaks up and flows through the sluice (the long arm under the bucket). The whole thing is operated by water that is pumped into the bucket. There are sprays of high powered water that criss-cross inside the bucket, which is how the dirt gets broken up. Then the water carries the dirt, gravel, and rocks through the sluice underneath. Gold is a very heavy metal, so it gets trapped within the sluice's rivulets, carpeting, and mesh. When you're all done shoveling the dirt into the high banker, you literally take it apart. Wash up the carpeting and mesh. Throw it all into a bucket, then you can pan out the little gold pieces.
Okay, I know what you're all thinking, what? What are you doing on vacation 'working' so hard? Well, hubby likes doing it, and I don't mind, so we spent a day just digging in the dirt. I think it paid off as hubby has cleaned and panned some of the dirt that we brought home - let's just say it was worth it! It was a beautiful, warm day! We did have fun! We went to a real, live working gold mine to do this, so we got to see a whole lot of operations going on! It was interesting!
This particular mine was called Thermal City Mine. It was nestled between two mountains. We were in the valley between the two mountains. There was all other kinds of gold prospecting equipment lying around here and there.
For instance, this here contraption is called a trommel.
A trommel was used back in the olden, golden days of prospecting, but they are still used today. This is only a picture of a partial trommel from the 1800's. This is the back side of it pictured above. Trommels move a lot more dirt, sand, and gravel than a high banker can. It looks like a huge cement mixer with rolling tub (which isn't pictured here). The tub rotates to turn the dirt over and over and breaks it up, then it moves down into the sluice type area (which looks very much like the arm of the high banker which I posted in the first picture). That's what catches the gold.
Well, now that I've thoroughly bored you with a little gold prospecting history, I'll leave it at that.
I plan to post some other pictures of our trip at a later date. So stay tuned!
But I'm back, again!
One of the wonderful tings that hubby and I did while I was taking my blogging vacation, was to actually go on vacation.
We went to South Carolina to visit family.
We had a wonderful time.
What did we do on this vacation?
Well, we did lots of things, but one of the things that we did was to go gold digging.
Hubby loves to go gold prospecting (we once lived in CA, where it's quite popular). So, we did a little of that. We went to a pay-to-dig site in North Carolina for the day. We had a lot of fun. The sun was out and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. Wanna see what it looked like?
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| Laurie Gold Digging with a Keene High Banker |
Okay, I know what you're all thinking, what? What are you doing on vacation 'working' so hard? Well, hubby likes doing it, and I don't mind, so we spent a day just digging in the dirt. I think it paid off as hubby has cleaned and panned some of the dirt that we brought home - let's just say it was worth it! It was a beautiful, warm day! We did have fun! We went to a real, live working gold mine to do this, so we got to see a whole lot of operations going on! It was interesting!
This particular mine was called Thermal City Mine. It was nestled between two mountains. We were in the valley between the two mountains. There was all other kinds of gold prospecting equipment lying around here and there.
For instance, this here contraption is called a trommel.
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| Gold Prospecting Trommel |
Well, now that I've thoroughly bored you with a little gold prospecting history, I'll leave it at that.
I plan to post some other pictures of our trip at a later date. So stay tuned!
April 8, 2010
Old Pictures!
While perusing Facebook, I've noticed that ehart has changed her profile picture quite frequently with some oldies but goodies! So I'm following her lead and changing my profile.
I probably should have saved this picture for June when hubby and I will be celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary, but I was really tired of looking at that other beady-eyed profile pic that I previously had up! That picture was the total pits!
I'm thinking that it might be interesting for some to see the pictures that hubby and I took during our 3-month honeymoon! We traveled for 3 months after we were married, and traveled across the whole country. We saw some pretty awsome things along the way.
Since I just had to dig to the bottom of the picture box to find this old wedding picture, I guess I might continue to dig.
Remember when...June 1985!
I probably should have saved this picture for June when hubby and I will be celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary, but I was really tired of looking at that other beady-eyed profile pic that I previously had up! That picture was the total pits!
I'm thinking that it might be interesting for some to see the pictures that hubby and I took during our 3-month honeymoon! We traveled for 3 months after we were married, and traveled across the whole country. We saw some pretty awsome things along the way.
Since I just had to dig to the bottom of the picture box to find this old wedding picture, I guess I might continue to dig.
Remember when...June 1985!
February 26, 2010
When You Can Smile About It....
Since yesterday's post was titled "When You Can Laugh About It..." and I poked some fun at my hubby, I thought it would be nice to show you what a wonderfully handy guy he is.
I had a hunkering for wanting a shelf to put my toaster, spice rack, bread machine, and many other little items onto - for storage.
Hubby had some old rough-cut lumber in the garage (alongside all those computer parts and broken down appliances that he tears apart).
He made this handy little shelf to fit right along the wall between my stove and counter.
The thrifty part about this cute little shelf is that it cost practically nothing! I bought some contact paper at the Dollar Store and tacked it onto the shelving. I didn't want to bother painting it. The contact paper cost only $2.00.
So for a very minimal amount of money, I have this cute little shelf.
And it makes me smile every time I look at it!
I had a hunkering for wanting a shelf to put my toaster, spice rack, bread machine, and many other little items onto - for storage.
Hubby had some old rough-cut lumber in the garage (alongside all those computer parts and broken down appliances that he tears apart).
He made this handy little shelf to fit right along the wall between my stove and counter.
The thrifty part about this cute little shelf is that it cost practically nothing! I bought some contact paper at the Dollar Store and tacked it onto the shelving. I didn't want to bother painting it. The contact paper cost only $2.00.
So for a very minimal amount of money, I have this cute little shelf.
And it makes me smile every time I look at it!
February 25, 2010
When You Can Laugh About It....
My dear sweet hubby and I have been married for almost 25 years. Our anniversary is in June, and that will be our Silver Anniversary!
One of the major successes to our marriage has been to know when to laugh. You know, when something is so 'bad' you really need to laugh or else you'll cry.
Please note that what you are about to see is most definitely a 'joke' among family and friends. I'm not bashing my hubby in any way, he 'knows' what I'm talking about here, and he laughs right along with us!
A little background (in case you aren't aware), I'm kinda sorta a neat freak. Not excessively so, just kinda sorta. I didn't become a neat freak overnight (just ask hubby - because that's another 'joke' in our marriage). I used to be the kind of person that could have a cluttered, dusty house; but through the years, I've transformed into a better housekeeper. And since my son has traveled off to college, I most definitely find it easier to keep things "neat and tidy."
My freakiness about being neat and organized probably transpired due to the fact that hubby is a 'collector of things.' He is an organized collector, but nonetheless, he's a collector. I think I like to overcompensate for his, umm, well, collecting.
Sidenote: My dear, sweet mother-in-law, who has since passed away, once told me that Bill was once-upon-a-time a huge neat freak himself. She had 10 children, and she did laundry for 12 people when all the kids were living at home. She was an immaculate housekeeper. But apparently, she didn't put laundry away to my husband's liking when he was a kid living at home. She needed to put his clean laundry at the foot of his bed, and she let him put it all away, because there was a designated spot for black socks, another area for white socks and on and on. Everything had a very specific place to be properly put away.
So - sigh! You can understand why I marvel at the man that I've now been married to for almost 25 years when we get to the pics.
Bill collects old computers, printers, monitors for scraping the copper, brass and other precious metals that they contain. Did you know that a computer motherboard has a small amount of gold? Do you know the current market rate for gold? My husband can spout off the current price for any scrap metal that exists!
Sometimes Bill picks up an old washer or dryer from someone who wants to be rid of it. He breaks all these items down in our basement and garage. He removes all the scrap metals, then takes them in for hard, cold cash. It's a great side business for him. With a son in college, it really helps!
Bill can be very organized and he can 'organize' the piles of junk quite nicely. Such as this pictures depicts of the neatly stacked printers that he hasn't torn down yet:
Or take a look at this neatly stacked pile of containers and boxes that are filled to the brim with computer parts - but notice my neatly stacked laundry baskets vie for that particular spot in the basement too:
But unfortunately, through the years of my hubby's hobby, he has gotten to the point where neatness doesn't always count. It probably has a lot to do with the fact that he's run out of room for all his collectibles, but I haven't told him that yet. Here's another pile in my basement that lies almost (but not quite) within my pathway to the washer and dryer. Yes, I have a precariously, narrow path leading to my washer and dryer. I balance the laundry basket above my head (it's a great workout, girls), but sometimes when hubby knows I'm planning laundry - he carries it down to the basement for me and weaves his way through the collected parts and pieces to deposit my laundry basket right next to the washer. Oh, yeah, right - here's the not-so-neatly piled piles:
These parts are waiting to be cut in to little pieces. Are you laughing yet?
The next pile, I don't know - I'm not sure what he has planned for this one. I do know that it certainly proves that he has bypassed those days when socks had a designated area in his drawer:
Are you laughing yet?
Truly, we do laugh about this. One reason is that my hubby makes a little extra money when he turns his copper, brass, and gold in for cash. I really like that part! We joke that he's laughing all the way to the bank.
But one of the ways that I overcompensate for the 'mess' that I have in my basement and garage is by making sure everything that *I* have control over is neat and tidy to a fault. Such as my washer and dryer area:
And no, I didn't tidy the area just to take the picture, it really looks that way daily. I guess sometimes, I get trapped amongst the 'junk' and I clean that area a lot, ward off the ever encroaching mess, then I trek back through the narrow, winding path to the staircase up out of the dungeon!
One of the major successes to our marriage has been to know when to laugh. You know, when something is so 'bad' you really need to laugh or else you'll cry.
Please note that what you are about to see is most definitely a 'joke' among family and friends. I'm not bashing my hubby in any way, he 'knows' what I'm talking about here, and he laughs right along with us!
A little background (in case you aren't aware), I'm kinda sorta a neat freak. Not excessively so, just kinda sorta. I didn't become a neat freak overnight (just ask hubby - because that's another 'joke' in our marriage). I used to be the kind of person that could have a cluttered, dusty house; but through the years, I've transformed into a better housekeeper. And since my son has traveled off to college, I most definitely find it easier to keep things "neat and tidy."
My freakiness about being neat and organized probably transpired due to the fact that hubby is a 'collector of things.' He is an organized collector, but nonetheless, he's a collector. I think I like to overcompensate for his, umm, well, collecting.
Sidenote: My dear, sweet mother-in-law, who has since passed away, once told me that Bill was once-upon-a-time a huge neat freak himself. She had 10 children, and she did laundry for 12 people when all the kids were living at home. She was an immaculate housekeeper. But apparently, she didn't put laundry away to my husband's liking when he was a kid living at home. She needed to put his clean laundry at the foot of his bed, and she let him put it all away, because there was a designated spot for black socks, another area for white socks and on and on. Everything had a very specific place to be properly put away.
So - sigh! You can understand why I marvel at the man that I've now been married to for almost 25 years when we get to the pics.
Bill collects old computers, printers, monitors for scraping the copper, brass and other precious metals that they contain. Did you know that a computer motherboard has a small amount of gold? Do you know the current market rate for gold? My husband can spout off the current price for any scrap metal that exists!
Sometimes Bill picks up an old washer or dryer from someone who wants to be rid of it. He breaks all these items down in our basement and garage. He removes all the scrap metals, then takes them in for hard, cold cash. It's a great side business for him. With a son in college, it really helps!
Bill can be very organized and he can 'organize' the piles of junk quite nicely. Such as this pictures depicts of the neatly stacked printers that he hasn't torn down yet:
Or take a look at this neatly stacked pile of containers and boxes that are filled to the brim with computer parts - but notice my neatly stacked laundry baskets vie for that particular spot in the basement too:
But unfortunately, through the years of my hubby's hobby, he has gotten to the point where neatness doesn't always count. It probably has a lot to do with the fact that he's run out of room for all his collectibles, but I haven't told him that yet. Here's another pile in my basement that lies almost (but not quite) within my pathway to the washer and dryer. Yes, I have a precariously, narrow path leading to my washer and dryer. I balance the laundry basket above my head (it's a great workout, girls), but sometimes when hubby knows I'm planning laundry - he carries it down to the basement for me and weaves his way through the collected parts and pieces to deposit my laundry basket right next to the washer. Oh, yeah, right - here's the not-so-neatly piled piles:
These parts are waiting to be cut in to little pieces. Are you laughing yet?
The next pile, I don't know - I'm not sure what he has planned for this one. I do know that it certainly proves that he has bypassed those days when socks had a designated area in his drawer:
Are you laughing yet?
Truly, we do laugh about this. One reason is that my hubby makes a little extra money when he turns his copper, brass, and gold in for cash. I really like that part! We joke that he's laughing all the way to the bank.
But one of the ways that I overcompensate for the 'mess' that I have in my basement and garage is by making sure everything that *I* have control over is neat and tidy to a fault. Such as my washer and dryer area:
And no, I didn't tidy the area just to take the picture, it really looks that way daily. I guess sometimes, I get trapped amongst the 'junk' and I clean that area a lot, ward off the ever encroaching mess, then I trek back through the narrow, winding path to the staircase up out of the dungeon!
February 12, 2010
Winter Blah!
Here in the Great White North, we don't consider it Winter Blah time until March (because, you see, winter is so long, we're not supposed to get the blahs until March).
I have the Winter Blahs now, and it's only February.
What are the Winter Blahs?
Well, you wake up in the morning, and you really don't want to get out of your nice, warm, cozy bed, because it's winter outside.
You get ready to go to your car, and you really don't want to clean off the snow accumulation that has somehow accumulated there once again magically overnight.
You get to work, and you really don't want to be there, you'd rather be curled up with a good book and a cup of hot cocoa instead.
You come home, and you really don't want to cook dinner, because nothing really sounds good.
You should be doing laundry or other household chores, but you really don't want to get up off the couch, because the quilt you're cuddling up with is so nice!
You should get up off the couch and go to bed, but you really don't want to, because the sheets in the bed are probably freezing!
Tonight I decided to make Jackie's Chicken Cordon Bleu recipe. It just might lift me out of my Winter Blahs! I need some good food with a good book or a good movie or Spring!
Yeah, that's what I need - Spring!
Hmmmm, I hope Spring is really right around the corner! Just thinking about Spring helps!
I have the Winter Blahs now, and it's only February.
What are the Winter Blahs?
Well, you wake up in the morning, and you really don't want to get out of your nice, warm, cozy bed, because it's winter outside.
You get ready to go to your car, and you really don't want to clean off the snow accumulation that has somehow accumulated there once again magically overnight.
You get to work, and you really don't want to be there, you'd rather be curled up with a good book and a cup of hot cocoa instead.
You come home, and you really don't want to cook dinner, because nothing really sounds good.
You should be doing laundry or other household chores, but you really don't want to get up off the couch, because the quilt you're cuddling up with is so nice!
You should get up off the couch and go to bed, but you really don't want to, because the sheets in the bed are probably freezing!
Tonight I decided to make Jackie's Chicken Cordon Bleu recipe. It just might lift me out of my Winter Blahs! I need some good food with a good book or a good movie or Spring!
Yeah, that's what I need - Spring!
Hmmmm, I hope Spring is really right around the corner! Just thinking about Spring helps!
February 10, 2010
Check Up and Update on College Life!
My mother has been home for three whole weeks tomorrow. She's been a very good girl, and the respiratory doctor told her that her progress was excellent! Yippppeee! God is so faithful!
She's going to see the rheumatologist on Friday morning due to the fact that the doctor believes her double pneumonia is linked to the Lupus.
The boy called last night. He loves his new campus. He loves the food. He loves his Chemistry professor. He told me he's probably the best professor he's ever had.
He has an extremely tough course load this semester, but he's determined to do his best.
He's taking College Chemistry, College Biology and some level of College Math. He has two evenings that he has labs (one for Chemistry, one for Biology). He told me he spent his whole weekend studying. That's good!
So life is getting back to more 'normal' whatever that might be!
My mom and I have started a bible study together as she hasn't been able to get to church (she's supposed to avoid large crowds), but she's thinking she might go to church this Sunday, but no hugging! Her and I have become huge germaphobics recently! We carry antibiotic lotion in our purses, I have it in my desk drawer at work; I even keep it in the car!
Mom and I have also started crocheting shawls for the elderly in nursing homes. It's a program through church, and we're really enjoying it. I go over to mom's house every day after work and we sit and crochet and talk for about an hour, then I come home and start dinner.
My days are long, and I haven't had much time for blogging, but we are all doing well!
She's going to see the rheumatologist on Friday morning due to the fact that the doctor believes her double pneumonia is linked to the Lupus.
The boy called last night. He loves his new campus. He loves the food. He loves his Chemistry professor. He told me he's probably the best professor he's ever had.
He has an extremely tough course load this semester, but he's determined to do his best.
He's taking College Chemistry, College Biology and some level of College Math. He has two evenings that he has labs (one for Chemistry, one for Biology). He told me he spent his whole weekend studying. That's good!
So life is getting back to more 'normal' whatever that might be!
My mom and I have started a bible study together as she hasn't been able to get to church (she's supposed to avoid large crowds), but she's thinking she might go to church this Sunday, but no hugging! Her and I have become huge germaphobics recently! We carry antibiotic lotion in our purses, I have it in my desk drawer at work; I even keep it in the car!
Mom and I have also started crocheting shawls for the elderly in nursing homes. It's a program through church, and we're really enjoying it. I go over to mom's house every day after work and we sit and crochet and talk for about an hour, then I come home and start dinner.
My days are long, and I haven't had much time for blogging, but we are all doing well!
February 2, 2010
Growing Up Is Hard To Do!
I'm one year shy of hitting the 1/2 century mark, and even I find growing up is hard to do!
But the boy, well, he's just 20 years old - and I admit that growing up is so hard to do at that age. But they gotta do it!
My son transferred to Brockport State College this January. It's a whole different world for him. Buffalo is big - really big. Buffalo State was okay, but I think he's going to like Brockport, oh so much better.
The first week of attending Brockport had it's touch and go moments. It's a new campus, new roommates (more about them later), and it's a small town compared to the big city of Buffalo.
The first night we dropped him off around 5:00 p.m. He waited until after 9:00 p.m. to unpack, as his roommate (sharing the one very tiny bedroom within the suite of 6 boys), didn't come back to the dorm until then. Bryce had wanted to unpack before then, but when he opened all the dresser drawers, they were full. Huh? Come to find out the student that had been in the room last semester had left mid-semester, so the remaining student had kind of spread out his stuff to encompass the entire room. Guess he didn't think to prepare for my son's arrival until 9:00 p.m. the night before classes started.
So instead of unpacking, getting dinner, and checking out campus to find out where all his classes were the next day, the boy sat in the room and waited, and waited, and waited for said roommate to return from Band practice. Yes, ehart, he's a band member. Apparently Bryce isn't sure what instrument he plays, but he knows that he's in the band. Can you tell Bryce wasn't much interested in asking him his instrument when he returned at 9:00?
Then Bryce said that 10 minutes after arriving, another suitemate asked him to go and partake in some 'extra-curricular' activity that Bryce wanted no part of. Can you believe he asked him to go do that just 10 minutes after he arrived???? I can! Colleges are full of that kind of thing.
Another of his suitemates is from the Ukraine. He has a bad liver. Bryce told me that "they have no drinking age over there, so he's been drinking since he was 4 years old, and now he has a bad liver."
The first day of classes, I received a few phone calls at work. Each class the boy went to he reported to me immediately following to let me know the cost of the textbook. Did you know that the book, workbook, lab book, and internet OWL (something like Angel, but costs $50) for College Chemistry cost almost $500!!!
The College Math book bought 'used' only cost $125!! He called in a panic and said, "Mom, books for 2 classes already cost me more than a whole semester of books at Buff State!" He actually shrieked this to me over the phone while I was working. If you knew my son, you'd know that he typically never shrieks!
I told him to relax, relax, relax, because I could (if I knew the money was going for books) deposit some money into his bank account back here at home. He's very independent and didn't like the idea (doncha love him?), but I convinced him it would be all right!
Now, I haven't heard from him since last week, so I'm thinking he's getting it all figured out! Right?! I hope so!
Can I just say this: Growing up is hard to do, AND it's going to be a loooooong semester!
But the boy, well, he's just 20 years old - and I admit that growing up is so hard to do at that age. But they gotta do it!
My son transferred to Brockport State College this January. It's a whole different world for him. Buffalo is big - really big. Buffalo State was okay, but I think he's going to like Brockport, oh so much better.
The first week of attending Brockport had it's touch and go moments. It's a new campus, new roommates (more about them later), and it's a small town compared to the big city of Buffalo.
The first night we dropped him off around 5:00 p.m. He waited until after 9:00 p.m. to unpack, as his roommate (sharing the one very tiny bedroom within the suite of 6 boys), didn't come back to the dorm until then. Bryce had wanted to unpack before then, but when he opened all the dresser drawers, they were full. Huh? Come to find out the student that had been in the room last semester had left mid-semester, so the remaining student had kind of spread out his stuff to encompass the entire room. Guess he didn't think to prepare for my son's arrival until 9:00 p.m. the night before classes started.
So instead of unpacking, getting dinner, and checking out campus to find out where all his classes were the next day, the boy sat in the room and waited, and waited, and waited for said roommate to return from Band practice. Yes, ehart, he's a band member. Apparently Bryce isn't sure what instrument he plays, but he knows that he's in the band. Can you tell Bryce wasn't much interested in asking him his instrument when he returned at 9:00?
Then Bryce said that 10 minutes after arriving, another suitemate asked him to go and partake in some 'extra-curricular' activity that Bryce wanted no part of. Can you believe he asked him to go do that just 10 minutes after he arrived???? I can! Colleges are full of that kind of thing.
Another of his suitemates is from the Ukraine. He has a bad liver. Bryce told me that "they have no drinking age over there, so he's been drinking since he was 4 years old, and now he has a bad liver."
The first day of classes, I received a few phone calls at work. Each class the boy went to he reported to me immediately following to let me know the cost of the textbook. Did you know that the book, workbook, lab book, and internet OWL (something like Angel, but costs $50) for College Chemistry cost almost $500!!!
The College Math book bought 'used' only cost $125!! He called in a panic and said, "Mom, books for 2 classes already cost me more than a whole semester of books at Buff State!" He actually shrieked this to me over the phone while I was working. If you knew my son, you'd know that he typically never shrieks!
I told him to relax, relax, relax, because I could (if I knew the money was going for books) deposit some money into his bank account back here at home. He's very independent and didn't like the idea (doncha love him?), but I convinced him it would be all right!
Now, I haven't heard from him since last week, so I'm thinking he's getting it all figured out! Right?! I hope so!
Can I just say this: Growing up is hard to do, AND it's going to be a loooooong semester!
January 21, 2010
January 20, 2010
Running the Halls!
Here's my life in a nutshell today:
I called the hospital to see how my mom was doing. She had a procedure done this morning which I'm sure involved sedation. I wanted to be sure she wasn't sleeping when I went up to see her. The nurse told me (get this one): "Oh, she's not sleepy at all - she's running the halls."
That's my mama! She's not hooked up to anything anymore, so she's really taking advantage of her new freedom!
In other news:
My son is out ice fishing AGAIN!
My freezer is getting full of perch AGAIN!
My hubby is working!
It's snowing AGAIN!
I had a rough day at work AGAIN!
I keep thinking that I'd like to mop my kitchen floor AGAIN!
How's your Wednesday shaping up???
I called the hospital to see how my mom was doing. She had a procedure done this morning which I'm sure involved sedation. I wanted to be sure she wasn't sleeping when I went up to see her. The nurse told me (get this one): "Oh, she's not sleepy at all - she's running the halls."
That's my mama! She's not hooked up to anything anymore, so she's really taking advantage of her new freedom!
In other news:
My son is out ice fishing AGAIN!
My freezer is getting full of perch AGAIN!
My hubby is working!
It's snowing AGAIN!
I had a rough day at work AGAIN!
I keep thinking that I'd like to mop my kitchen floor AGAIN!
How's your Wednesday shaping up???
January 17, 2010
The Phone Call!
When you have sick parents and you hear the phone ring..........cringe! I sometimes don't want to answer the phone.
But yesterday afternoon I got the very besteset of phone calls that I've ever received in my entire life.
I picked up the phone in irritation as I had been trying for over 30 minutes to get out the door to go see my mother in the hospital - but the phone kept ringing.
Suddenly I heard a very familiar voice say, "Hello?!?!"
I screamed (well, maybe not screamed, but almost), "Mom???? Is that you?????"
The answer was a joyful, "Yes!!!"
The ventilator has been removed. She remained in ICU for the night, but this morning while visiting my dad (who is possibly sick with the stomach thingy) the ICU nurse called and told me they are moving my mother out of ICU as we speak.
Praise God!
I want to sincerely thank everyone for their thoughtfulness and prayers. I can't even properly thank you all with words. They just aren't 'enough' for what I feel for the kindness that has been shown to my family throughout this ordeal.
But if you're still tuned in and willing to pray, please pray for continuing wellness for my mama, but I also ask that you pray for my dad. He's very frustrated and a bit down from the radiation, the diarrhea (that we're not sure is from radiation or bug), and he could really use an uplifting from the Lord!
But yesterday afternoon I got the very besteset of phone calls that I've ever received in my entire life.
I picked up the phone in irritation as I had been trying for over 30 minutes to get out the door to go see my mother in the hospital - but the phone kept ringing.
Suddenly I heard a very familiar voice say, "Hello?!?!"
I screamed (well, maybe not screamed, but almost), "Mom???? Is that you?????"
The answer was a joyful, "Yes!!!"
The ventilator has been removed. She remained in ICU for the night, but this morning while visiting my dad (who is possibly sick with the stomach thingy) the ICU nurse called and told me they are moving my mother out of ICU as we speak.
Praise God!
I want to sincerely thank everyone for their thoughtfulness and prayers. I can't even properly thank you all with words. They just aren't 'enough' for what I feel for the kindness that has been shown to my family throughout this ordeal.
But if you're still tuned in and willing to pray, please pray for continuing wellness for my mama, but I also ask that you pray for my dad. He's very frustrated and a bit down from the radiation, the diarrhea (that we're not sure is from radiation or bug), and he could really use an uplifting from the Lord!
January 16, 2010
Baby Steps!
My mother has been doing a bit better. She's one tough cookie!
She's been on a ventilator for almost a week. Well, this is the start of the 4th day that they have it set at 40%, and her oxygen levels keep holding.
Did I say that my mama is one tough cookie?
We went into the hospital last night, the nurse had the curtain drawn, so we waited. And we waited, and we waited.....
Finally, the nurse pulls the curtain back, says, "I was changing her bedding for her, but come look! She's exercising!"
What?
We went in and my mama (who can't talk with the ventilator on) is sitting up in bed and pumping her legs. My 78 year old mama, pumping her legs back and forth, back and forth!
My brother speaks up and says, "Are you taking a walk, mom?"
She gives him the thumbs up, grinning, and chuckling (the best she can with a huge tube shoved down her throat).
They extracted 800 cc's of fluid off her lungs yesterday! One thousand cc's equals one liter!
Did I say my mama is one tough cookie? Oh yeah....
We still have concerns that the fluid doesn't reform (then we could be back to square one), and we also pray that her lungs haven't been damaged.
So - if you're still out there praying, I just want to thank you from the bottom of my tough cookie heart (I think I inherited a tiny portion of that tough cookieness!)
Blessed be the God in Heaven Who hears our prayers!
My mama is one tough cookie (with the help, love and support of our Lord).
She's been on a ventilator for almost a week. Well, this is the start of the 4th day that they have it set at 40%, and her oxygen levels keep holding.
Did I say that my mama is one tough cookie?
We went into the hospital last night, the nurse had the curtain drawn, so we waited. And we waited, and we waited.....
Finally, the nurse pulls the curtain back, says, "I was changing her bedding for her, but come look! She's exercising!"
What?
We went in and my mama (who can't talk with the ventilator on) is sitting up in bed and pumping her legs. My 78 year old mama, pumping her legs back and forth, back and forth!
My brother speaks up and says, "Are you taking a walk, mom?"
She gives him the thumbs up, grinning, and chuckling (the best she can with a huge tube shoved down her throat).
They extracted 800 cc's of fluid off her lungs yesterday! One thousand cc's equals one liter!
Did I say my mama is one tough cookie? Oh yeah....
We still have concerns that the fluid doesn't reform (then we could be back to square one), and we also pray that her lungs haven't been damaged.
So - if you're still out there praying, I just want to thank you from the bottom of my tough cookie heart (I think I inherited a tiny portion of that tough cookieness!)
Blessed be the God in Heaven Who hears our prayers!
My mama is one tough cookie (with the help, love and support of our Lord).
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