38 Pens

I keep trying to get everyone organized, neat and tidy around here but sometimes it seems like I am treading water, moving a lot but not getting anywhere. These are all the pens my husband brings home from work. Every few weeks or so, I go around and gather them up and put them in a baggie and send them to school with him. (Funny- last time I was in his office, I saw one of the baggies on his desk, still full of pens!) I usually put them in his lunch bag or else the baggie will sit on the counter for weeks. I don't know how these all end up here, I guess he just keeps putting them in his suit pockets as he uses them, whatever, we end up with this mound of pens every so often. I tried giving him a whole drawer in the kitchen to put his man stuff in, principal keys, car keys, cell phone, palm pilot, pens, etc. but somehow they never quite made it there, it always looks like Batman threw up all his gadgets on the counter at the end of the day. We are trying a new system of hanging our keys by the garage door and keeping all other gear in my cute Longaberger stack rack (see "Around the House"). I hope this works. Now is it too nerdy for the principal to wear one of those pen holders around his neck like the kindergarten teachers wear (Hey, I was a kindergarten teacher, I had one so don't get all defensive!)? Maybe that will force him to use only one per day? I think I'm fighting a losing battle on that one!

History

I think it's pretty exciting to see these Hillary and Obama signs. I am trying to remember all the news coverage of this election, been saving some news articles too. Someday I want to be able to tell my children or grandchildren what it was like to be living during this time of historic choices for presidential candidates. It's not everyday that you get to live something that kids will be eventually studying in their history classes!

Maxie-pie

Just got word my little Max is not going to need surgery. Oh I swear I could have kissed that vet tech right there on the spot. I was not only worried about him needing surgery on his bladder but I was dreading the projected $1000 price tag. I have been praying that the medicine and special diet would work and we (me and the vet/staff) think it has worked for now. I feel a big sigh of relief coming on, so glad my poochie is ok. Love him, after all, he is my first baby!

Two recent books

Always searching for knowledge, just sometimes in the strangest places... here are two books I recently read. What would a psychiatrist say about me? I would love to know. A book about cleaning house and a book by Sylvia Browne (love her!) am I searching for truth, justice and the cleanest house or are there other hidden meanings to my book selections? Something to ponder. As I was dropping these in the return box at the library, I thought it was funny that I had these two books, totally different, both of which I enjoyed very much. I'm actually reading another Sylvia book right now, just because I thought it sounded interesting. I've always enjoyed watching her on Montel and I have read several of her books. I love how honest and straightforward she is, whatever the subject, and she's pretty funny too! I told my husband that I want a "reading" with her, it costs about $700, so it probably won't happen, guess I'll just enjoy her books for now.

Around the house

Is this why I can't lose that mommy muffin that hangs over my jeans? Probably, don't answer that! Seriously, when your husband works as many hours as mine does, you have to have chocolate daily, no exceptions. But when he works all day on Saturday too, you need to have chocolate so bad you'll scour your recipes to find one that has the ingredients you have on hand to make some yummy triple chocolate chunk brownies. They definitely helped me through the day. Here are my cute new additions to my minuscule laundry room. We do have the world's smallest laundry room, no joke! The Longaberger basket stack rack was from my birthday last year! It's been in hiding in my closet just waiting to be hung up. (I was waiting for the bead board to be installed- that was this year's birthday present.) The coat rack we made ourselves, so DIY! I have been eyeing these hooks at Hobby Lobby for a while. I just went ahead and bought them last week. I asked Paul if he had any scrap wood to make a back and frame and lo and behold he did. His new nail gun and air compressor makes all my "jobs" fun and easy. So he put it together and I painted it and voila! I love it. I wanted to paint the room lime-ish green but he said no. Oh well, guess I can't have everything. Anyway, I plan on making some cute tags for the baskets and I am hoping this helps us keep the clutter off the kitchen counter and coats off the floor. We'll see...

Hello Sun!

We got to play outside today! We took a walk and the kids rode their bikes. Zoe rode and Parker rode his little bike that I have to push, a little crazy but fun because he is learning to steer. The sun was in and out, neighbors were walking and doing yard work. People were waving as they drove past. My dog was happily sniffing and walking. OMG, I think I feel my spirits lifting as I type. Oh I really needed that. I just love the sun and warmer weather. Here is a picture of the kids from a couple days ago... yes they have Happy Meal boxes on their heads. Zoe said they were marching band hats. I say they were temporarily insane with cabin fever. Hopefully, the worst weather is behind us... we need to be outside!

Searching for treasures

I always dream of finding a treasure whether it be at the flea market or thrift store, a garage sale, a local craft show, I've even been know to grab other's trash, I haven't found any gold, yet. I'm still dreaming of my debut on "Antiques Roadshow". Here's how I imagine it: "yes I was just driving by and saw this chair by the side of the road in their trash, I took it home and cleaned it up..." I have wacky aspirations! Cleaning up around my house is no different, I never know what is lurking behind the dresser or under the beds. I always hold out hope for a random wad of cash (trip to Archivers!) alas I usually just find kids' schmag. See above. These "treasures" were found among the cushions of our sofa. Guess I'll keep searching for my one of a kind treasure.