I’m Sure It’s Not OCD October 25, 2007

I like a clean house. In fact tonight as I was vacuuming my new rug, I became conscience of my vacuuming pattern- I tend to vacuum East to West, North to South, West to East, and South to North. This ensures that every inch is sucked clean four times. I like to be thorough.

I always clean the tub with Comet. The tile gets vinegar. The drains get a dose of Pine Sol (original, of course). And I feel most at peace when the kids are bed for the night and my house is well dusted. This is not to say, that my house is always clean. I just like it clean.

When I read about the 12 “germiest” places in my life, I was overcome by the need to scrub…everything.

Stripping Is A Family Affair! October 20, 2007

Yes, I know exactly how that sounds!

You see, we bought this old house in “Mayberry”. And before I go on, I must issue a disclaimer: We are truly blessed to be in this house, and I am very thankful for it.

Now, about this house… We have plans for a new bathroom. We talk about a deck, and we dream of blank walls. All work is on hold until we I get the walls cleared. Right now they are covered in wallpaper- 5 layers of floral/striped wallpaper in EVERY room- some large prints, some small prints, but be assured there are flowers everywhere.

So, everytime we walk past the wall du jour we pick a piece off. Last night, we were busy playing a game of “who can strip the most, the fastest”. Thanks mom for teaching Herbie how to strip successfully!

I Made This! October 17, 2007

Check out “Family Time”. It’s the same old password. Hold the cursor over the images to read the captions!

I am so proud of myself.

I might even be addicted. Check back for more updates!

Dr Seuss, I Am Not October 16, 2007

 

I am not a person who likes a pet.

 

I hate trips to the vet.

 

I am REALLY not a person who likes other peoples’ pets…

 

Especially in my house,

 

And certainly not with a mouse.

 

 

This morning, I fell into a trance

 

And did a little dance.

 

When what did I hear?

 

Neighbor Mama Cat up and moved to a farm

 

Never again to do me any harm!

 

I Can’t Even Sleep in a MummyBag. October 3, 2007

The walls are closing in on me. I open the bedroom door. It does not help. I can’t breathe. I walk into the open living room. I still can’t breathe. I open all of the windows. The proof of fall hits me in the face. I am distracted for a few moments. And, then, once again, the walls are closing in on me. I go out into the yard. I notice two kittens on my steps. I need more space. I stand in the middle of the street and then it hits me like a ton of laundry. I need to get out of the washer and into the heat of “The City”.

So I grab my keys and head out of town. I’ll have just enough time when I get there to breathe in the miles and miles of traffic, red lights, fast food, bus fumes, panhandlers, and coffee on every corner before I have to race home to pick kids up from school. I can breathe again just thinking about the congested space that awaits me!

For years I have wondered why my mother-in-law has to get up and leave Mayberry everyday, “first thing”. I thought it was strange. I thought it was just her. I’ve spent days without going anywhere and thought nothing of it…UNTIL now. I think Mayberry is about 3 miles from one edge of town to the other. I need more than 3 miles to fill my lungs. The charm and peace of Mayberry can be suffocating. I’ve experienced a similar NEED to escape in elevators, tunnels, tents, and really dark rooms.

I’m Raising Men Who Can Say Those 3 Little Words. October 2, 2007

Bigweld to Violet: I LOVE you.

(totally unprovoked. totally out of the blue. totally sincere. totally what made my day endurable…totally.)