More White Stuff

Those of you who wished for a white Christmas must have been pretty persistent! We're getting another 3-6 inches of the lovely white stuff this evening and through the night. Hopefully what hubby removed is all we're getting.

Since I did not want to hurt my back further, I stuck to indoor removal tasks today.

Tomorrow's garbage day so I figured I should go through the fridge and all the cupboards to get rid of super-expired food. Yes, I know many of the dates are "suggested" sell-by dates, but if it's super-expired, it has to go. I mean in my head I "just did this" not too long ago. But my eyes saw the expiration dates without a 2 in it. So you know it's super-expired when it ends in 18 and 19. Uff da. 

It made for quite a heavy garbage bag!

Since I was somewhat motivated, I figured I'd move onto Carter's bathroom. Well, the main bathroom, but I never use it since we have one off our bedroom. Anyway, it's been awhile since I've gone through the cabinets. Quite awhile.

Snow was not the only white stuff needing removal today. Did you know dental floss has an expiration date? Did not know that. Probably more related to minty flavored ones, but still. This floss Jenga tower has been in the makings for quite sometime. 

You might think it's hoarding. I just think it's a sign of good dental health. Obviously everyone under this roof visits the dentist twice a year and gets that free little packet of floss each time. Definitely sticking with that story rather than the notion I keep things for no good reason!

For the record, I threw them all out. Didn't want to be around when the Jenga tower collapsed on some unsuspecting tooth brusher!

Also, it's feeling good to tackle a few decluttering/organizing projects each day – interspersed with Hallmark movies of course. I am gradually getting rid of a few from the DVR storage each day.

Hey, that counts as decluttering to me! On a roll!

Non-Arctic Cat

You want to know what puts the F in Forecast? I'll tell you. Frigid. And maybe another F word. Like Frozen. As in highs in the single digits only for the next week. Uff da.

Good thing Sylvester (my solar sister) and I have the answer: Heat.

It's no secret we both love the sun – whether it's sitting on Mr. Deck Chair or laying on a rug in front of a sunlit window (that would be her, not me. We just like the warmth. As in can't stand to be cold! Ask Mr. Heated Mattress Pad about that. He never gets a day off. 

And I honestly don't have to fight over the thermostat setting while working from home. Hubby and I are pretty sure we've reached the age we feel the cold in our bones. I'm starting to get why "older" ladies wear sweaters in the summer. We must gradually lose our natural insulation as we age. 

One non-guilty pleasure in our house is the in-floor heating in our bathroom in our master bedroom. On cold winter mornings like we're having now, it's so nice to walk from the carpet right onto those heated tiles. Ahhh. So glad we spoiled ourselves when we renovated the bathroom a few years back.

You know who hasn't noticed this hot spot? Sylvester. 

Seriously, my sun-seeking sister did not notice until this winter. All these times she's followed her human to the bathroom. She always stayed outside the door and let him do his business in private. This winter, though, she must have accidentally followed him all the way in and suddenly was like, "Whoa. This is warm and cozy and amazing! And look, there's two rugs in the house I haven't layered in hair yet! Maybe I'll stay a bit." 

And she did.

Tonight I lost track of her while Jim was gone and I was working on some photos while watching boys basketball on my tablet and watching This Is Us on TV. It wasn't until I was going to go brush my teeth that I found her.

And she was sitting right in front of the toilet instead of the other rug by the sink! Based on the projected low of at least 16 below zero tonight, I forecast little movement. 

Of course, the 83-year-old (in human years) is thin-skinned like us old folks. She'll get too hot before too long. I'm just glad I discovered the joys of heat – and how to fake create it – before I got old like her!

Bundle up, kids!

An Apple a Day...

It would seem this is my approach to that novel I'm "going to write someday." Five minutes a day on my Apple will keep the doctor away... and keep me in writing shape until I "have time to really concentrate."

After nearly 8 years of daily blogging, I should be ready, right?

I do have at least 3 different "stories" in mind for books. I have started all of them. Ha. No really. I'm serious. I guess I just have to pick one and go with it.

Here is a sample of the one I may call Little House Out Back. It's fiction but will be based on some deep, dark experiences of childhood. Of course, I have to determine if I can bring more levity to it to balance it. That is my challenge.

In the meantime, read on and feel free to give me constructive feedback...

PROLOGUE

I’ve hated the smell of shit since I was 9 years old.

I can say that now that Momma’s gone.

“Shit!” It feels so freeing to let it out. “Shit! Shit! Shit!” I say, pounding the steering wheel for emphasis. I glance skyward, assuming our generous God found a place for Momma’s wayward soul up there. I half expect her shaky hand to reach down and shove a bar of soap in my mouth.

Did I mention I’ve hated the taste of Dove since I was 9 years old, too?

I pull into the old driveway, feeling the ruts jostle me around like the rickety roller coaster at the county fair. My hand becomes a human seatbelt for the goods in the passenger seat. It just wouldn’t do to have my rare evidence of domesticity all over the floor of the car.

With a grateful step on the brake, I park it in my old spot. I step out of the air-conditioned car and immediately feel two beads of sweat racing down my back as if the elastic band of my control-top panty hose is the finish line. It’s too damn hot to be wearing nylons, black ones to boot. And this black polyester dress – really, why must convention call for such nonsense when the heat index tops 90?

My arms juggle my purse and two pans of bars as I make my way up the front porch steps, carefully avoiding the creaky bottom one, a habit from my sneaky teenage years. I pause at the door, pondering a knock, which is fruitless at this point. I use my free hand to wrangle it open and go in.

Everything from the faded roses on the wallpaper to the worn-out carpet in the entry way is familiar to me. Yet I feel like an intruder. This is not how I wanted to return.

Voices from the kitchen beckon me to the back of the house before I sink into a bout of despair. A quick glance around the kitchen, though, tells me this would be the place to do it. Every available counter space is filled with comfort food – dessert pans, cookies, casseroles. It looks like a Lutheran potluck dropped out of the sky. And frankly, it sort of did.

I nod to the Ferguson sisters and search for an opening to add my pans to the mix. “Ooh, what have ya got there?” Do they really care what I managed not to burn? 

Now I see why they call it “comfort food.” To avoid dealing with the most pressing topic at hand, talk often turns to the neutral and comforting topic of food. I hand over the pans and let them decide if the contents are worth discussing further.

Sensing my chance to escape, I excuse myself and head down the hall to the bathroom.  The mirror tells me my clothes aren’t the only things melting. So much for the industrial-strength hair spray!

I sit on the toilet and glance up at the wall. There it is. That damn poem Momma insisted on hanging on the bathroom wall the day we got the “inside potty.”

The Little House Out Back

Among my childhood memories

One thing I can’t forget

It’s the little house out back

I seem to see it yet.

Out there beyond the lilac bush

It stood so drab and bare.

We never called it a bathroom

For no baths were taken there.

In summer there were hornets

In winter it was cold

But it served a useful purpose

For the ones who had to go.

Though many years have come and gone

I gladly would go back

And enjoy once more the comfort

Of the little house out back.

~ Anonymous

I was 10 years old when we finally got indoor plumbing. No, I wasn’t a child of the Depression, a Baby Boomer or Amish, for that matter. But our country had already turned 200 years old before we finally got flush toilets in 1978.

We weren’t dirt poor – just regular poor – though we did qualify for free lunches. We had always had running water, electricity and a big black-and-white television in a mammoth console that ate up half our living room space. I loved that TV. At the time of the "inside potty" appearance, I remember my heart was torn that year between Ponch and the Fonz, and sometimes Pa Ingalls. I could sure relate to those Ingalls girls and their lack of porcelain facilities.

But all that took second billing to the big arrival.

When we did finally add onto our house with its “full bath” on the main level and stand-alone pot in the basement, my mother hung up that poem on the wall of the bathroom as if to say, “Let’s not forget those wonderful, cozy memories of the outhouse.”

Looking at the poem still hanging there, I can’t help but conjure up nasty and painful memories of that stinkin’ place.

Oh, Momma. Did you think we could just flush away the past? Did you forget or did you just not care? Why is that damn poem still here and you’re not?

I miss you, Momma.

Shit.

 CHAPTER 1

The first time I got stuck in the outhouse was the day I came face to face with the devil.

I had just finished my duty in record time, which one tends to do when surrounded by stench and buzzing flies. When I opened the door to leave, I stared straight into the eyes of a red-haired monster. Just one glimpse of those fangs and I slammed the door in his evil face.

Great. Now what?

So... that's it so far! Thoughts?

What Happens...

I'm beginning to understand the slogan: "What Happens in Vegas, Stays in Vegas." Not because I am doing anything wild and crazy while I help out at a conference, but because there are things you wouldn't believe unless you saw them for yourself.

Or unless someone took pictures.

Here's me trying something new...

Sushi!! I have to admit I did try it last year and could only gulp down one mouthful. I just couldn't get past the words "eel juice" listed as an ingredient on the menu. This year, though, I tried one that had no eel (sounds like a Christmas carol) and was more citrus-y with some cream cheese. Pretty tasty. I had not one, but two!

And I am obviously becoming a master with the chopsticks. I've learned that if I can't pick something up with them in two tries, just stab the food and pick it up that way! Anything goes in Vegas.

To prove my point...

When was the last time you saw cup holders in a bathroom stall? Had to laugh right out loud at the fact it was there. And the apparent design for a two-fisted drinker. Yup, anything goes in Vegas.

Including me staying up past my bedtime every night. Most of my conference is wrapped up now and it will only go 'til noon tomorrow. Then it will be time to say goodbye, hop on a plane and land back in Wisconsin before midnight.

Won't be blogging on Wednesday. You won't miss much as we all will be missing (together) the Pep Rally for the state-bound girls basketball team and a pre-season baseball meeting about a season that may not arrive for awhile.

I'll catch up with you Thursday when I can tell you all about the day in Green Bay, cheering on our Lady Royals... assuming what happens at state doesn't have to stay there!

Tuesday Tidbits

Web M.D.: What's the difference between a migraine, a sinus infection and an abscessed tooth? There is no punchline here. I really need to know! One of the great things about the Internet is you can plug in your symptoms and discover what is potentially wrong with you. One of the bad things about the Internet is that is you can plug in your symptoms and discover what is potentially wrong with you. Do I have an earache or am I having a stroke? I guess I'll find out tomorrow why the pain by my ear Sunday has traveled around to shooting pain on my right side of my head. First stop is the dentist. If it is not tooth-related, I am heading straight for the walk-in clinic. I don't even want to find any more symptoms. I mean I could have picked up malaria but I don't think mosquitoes are snow birds.(By the way, Carter gave Daddy his devastating head cold. So we may be under quarantine here one way or the other!)

Chatter Box: We had parent-teacher conferences this evening. We weren't anticipating any major news, we just wanted to see how the teen was acclimating to high school. Apparently, pretty well. In fact, he's so "comfortable," he doesn't mind talking in class. Even when he's not supposed to! Other than the occasional chatter comments, the teachers enjoy him and he shows them respect. We value that!

Baseball Buzz: Baseball practice is in full swing and the first game is allegedly just over a week away. I'm pretty sure the only way it will happen is if someone builds a dome here. And quickly. Even if the first game doesn't come for a few weeks, Carter insisted it was time for me to trim the locks. So it's goodbye Justin Bieber, hello Baseball Buzz. Nope, no pictures. He may look nice, but he's still all Teen. And you fellow teen parents know what I am talking about!

Bathroom Buzz: OK, I'll keep the details to a minimum. Let's just say we are so close to having our bathroom re-do done, that this morning, for the first time since November, I rolled out of bed, got to use my own toilet and walk across the new heated tile floor to our fabulous shower! At least something is almost back to normal around here! I still had to curl my hair using the dining room mirror, but we're getting there.

Only Robyn of Spring... So Far

Who wants to join my posse and track down that varmint who claimed spring was coming early?

Seriously, we are so far away from it. I had to take pictures today just to prove to my sister down in Texas that we are as far away from spring as she is from us in Wisconsin!

No, this is not a photo of our front yard after a snowstorm. This is today, March 23, 2013 -- three days into spring! To get a concept how big those snow banks are at the end of the driveway, I even stood behind one and had Jim take my picture.

My southern sister thought perhaps I was doing a "trick" shot and laying on some snow. Nope. I am on my tiptoes behind this snowbank! And with above-freezing temperatures like we had today, it won't be long before I am standing in Lake Austin!

Bring it, Mother Nature!

Since it was nice out, I should have gotten out and walked or ran or something. But instead we did a different kind of "running." The errands kind.

First we all had to go to Polito's -- home of the big slice -- for lunch since a new branch opened in Wisconsin Rapids today. Good stuff as always!! Then we dropped Carter off and hubby and I road-tripped to Stevens Point and Plover in search of much-needed accessories for our almost-completed bathroom. Went to 4 stores -- Target, Fleet Farm, Lowes and Menards -- and came home with a new medicine cabinet, towel racks and shower shelf things.

Our plan was that we were going to go to the musical at the high school tonight. But then we got on a roll getting stuff cleaned up and installed in our bathroom so we just wanted to keep going. Got to shower in our own bathroom tonight for the first time in 4 months! And oh, what a nice shower it is!! We should get the toilet re-installed by Tuesday. Carter will be thrilled to have "his" bathroom back.

Hopefully we'll be back in business before the snow melts... 'Cause who knows when that will be??

Top Ten (or Less)

Some recent highlights that are TOP of mind anyway...

Strangest Overheard Conversation: A woman at the fitness center was explaining to her friend: "Do you know what a Freudian slip is? It's when you say something and it sounds like you mean something else. It was named after a scientist named Freudian." Oh, my college psych professor must be rolling in his grave!

Most Misguided Misconception: Hubby and I stopped at Target to check out their bathroom "accessories" for our someday "new" bathroom. On the way out, I noticed fashion boots on clearance so I had to check those out. Jim (who gave me 2 of my 5 pairs) says, "I would have thought you were over the boot thing by now." Oh honey, I am just getting started! Not really, but I do want some gray ones. Ooooh, and I saw some cool purple ones, too! Now that I know they are on clearance, I may have to browse around this weekend.

Gold Digger: I'm having a "Gold Party" next weekend. If you've never heard of it, the hostess has a gold buyer (jeweler) available in her home so people can drop by and cash in their old or broken or unwanted jewelry. Why would I do this? Well I went to one the other night, managed to have 3 pieces of old stuff qualify as gold and I walked out with $240 in my pocket. That's enough to cover my next scrapbooking weekend! Not a bad night's work for doing nothing. I hadn't worn the stuff in 15 or 20 years so I won't be missing anything. Now I just want other people to have the same opportunity. My party/cash-in date is Sunday, Jan. 27, from 3:30-5:30 p.m. Let me know if you are interested. All are welcome to stop by and share in the riches!

Disturbing Sign of Aging: We had a meeting at school tonight to register Carter for his sophomore classes. Yes, sophomore! That's 10th grade! Whoa. The conversation has jumped from ABC to ACT in a few short years, it seems. Does he know what he wants to be when he grows up? Not really. Still wants to use his math skills but isn't sure how. For now, his classes will keep him moving in the right direction. No rush, I say.

Closest Brush with a Head of State: On our way home from registration, we stopped at The Ridges for their regular Thursday night pizza buffet. The parking lot was packed. It wasn't until we got close to the door and saw the two long black cars and a state patrol car still running that we remembered the governor was in town. No, we did not have pizza with Scott Walker. He was in the banquet hall next door speaking at a chamber dinner. Our pizza tasted just fine without the politics.

And That's Final: It's finals week for Carter's first semester of high school. These days -- at our school anyway -- they treat finals just like college. No classes, just testing. There are three 2-hour sessions each day and time for an "off campus" lunch, too. On Wednesday he had 3 finals, today he had 2 and tomorrow he has 1. Then he's done for the day and can come home. Not surprisingly, Carter said, "This may seem weird, but I like finals week. Not because of the tests, but because of the schedule." In other words, Culver's and McDonald's taste better than school lunch. Who can dispute that?

In Sink

The only thing functioning in our bedroom bathroom right now is the faucet in the sink. However, we honestly are getting closer to having that essential room back.

Right now, the shower and drywall around it are fixed and done. The floor guy -- who took the toilet out and set it in the empty shower -- was here Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. Yes, it's a small room but he had to lay some concrete the first day, then mud over the heating pad the second day, lay beautiful tile the third day, then grout it the final day.

We've gone to two paint stores to pick up "cards" with peachy colors. When we decide -- and the last bit of wallpaper glue crap is removed -- then it will just be calling the painter and putting the room back together.

Right now, we've got most things in our bedroom or Carter's bathroom (actually, the "main" bathroom). Doesn't sound so bad, but it takes incredible synchronization in the mornings. And it all starts with me.

If I sleep til the third snooze, we are all going to be a bit behind. I have to shower in Carter's bathroom, then eat breakfast while hubby is showering. Then put on makeup in Carter's bathroom before he has to shower. Then go back to our bedroom to dry my hair. Then go out to the dining room to curl my hair before the mirror in there.

You can't imagine why I'd be anxious to get that bathroom -- temptingly sitting 6 feet from my side of the bed -- back, can you?

Actually, I'm quite anxious to see how it all turns out. It's sort of ironic that the best-looking room in the house is the least-trafficked. The one only the two of us usually see. That's OK. I look forward to enjoying the forced-upon-us transition.

I just have to get a little better and keeping us all in "sink" each morning!

12-12-12

{  12  }

It's just a number but it drew plenty of attention today -- on 12/12/12... the only time in any of our lives we will see that. And not because the world ends next week. There's just no months higher than 12.

Of course, Packer fans made a huge deal out of this since their QB wears #12. I guess someone who I didn't vote for declared it Aaron Rodgers Day. Here's my answer to that!

Unfortunately, Percy Harvin is out for the season, but you get my point.

Carter's school actually had a "dress down" day today. So they didn't have to wear dress code as long as they were wearing Green & Gold. Here's Carter's answer to that... He wore his St. Patrick's Day t-shirt that looks like a GREEN leprechaun suit with GOLD pieces in the pockets.

Oh yes, we are so clever in this house!

Typically, when I'm thinking of 12/12 it's in reference to 12x12 paper for scrapbooking. That's really my kind of 12! Tonight though, we realized our bathroom tiles come in 12x12 size, too. Now I just have to pick out a style and color.

Trust me. It will not be green and gold!

Let It Snow

I don't mind looking at snow but absolutely hate driving in it... oh and shoveling it. But, as the song says, if I have "no place to go," then you can let it snow.

Tomorrow, when we head back to work, it will be a different story!

The first storm of the year made its way across Minnesota, dumping a foot or so in some places, and has been falling steady here since I woke up this morning. Not blizzard-like steady. Just softly falling so that it deceives us with its beauty.

The roads, however, are a mess. But our driveway isn't -- thanks to hubby's manpower. Yup, the snowblower didn't start so we'll be getting that fixed ASAP. There is a whole lotta winter left.

I did spend the day indoors, but not really relaxing and enjoying the view. Worked most of the day in the bathroom and that is down to one section left to strip. I finally gave up around 5:30 and took a shower.

Don't be too impressed. I got a late start to begin with and had to take several breaks in the early afternoon to be sure my Vikings didn't blow their lead. As usual, they kept it too close for comfort. But we won. And I appreciate all the Packers fans who found it in their hearts to cheer with Purple Pride today, too. Thanks!

Carter did some work today, too. After rolling out of bed just before noon, he did some cleaning and even vacuuming in the basement. One, he's getting ready to have some friends over next weekend. And two, he really, really, really wants to prove that a ping-pong table will fit down there. He has not given up on that Christmas wish. Yikes. I'm not sure what we're gonna do about that.

I'll have to watch some more Hallmark movies so I really catch that giving spirit! I might as well since tonight, we have no place to go.

Just hope the plow drivers will be by before we do!

''The Pretty Lady'

Anyone who's played in Pep Band (or listened to one) knows one of the fun songs is The Stripper. Just think of the melody in your head and you'll be swaying back and forth in no time. Right?

I don't know if it's because it's a Catholic school or what, but Carter's band director does not call that song The Stripper. She calls it The Pretty Lady.

So I guess I was a Pretty Lady today. Yup, the painter came and took a look at our bathroom and said we really have to get the wallpaper backing stripped off. He's not going to be able to paint over it in case pieces decide to flake off at some point.

So it was back to stripping.

Good thing we didn't have much scheduled for the weekend. I put in a couple of hours then HAD to go to a cosmetic/skin care party. I left and told the guys, "I'll be back in an hour to start stripping again." Well that turned into 2 hours or so. I didn't know we were doing the whole Beauty Queen Makeover thing! But it was nice.

And, when I got home and changed back into my grubby workin' clothes, I was still the best-looking Pretty Lady in the house!

Hubby ended up helping a lot. It was good to take turns since we both don't have the best backs in the world and you really end up using muscles not typically exercised with our desk jobs. No, we did not finish today. Jim had a few-hour break, too, taking Carter to the batting cage. And I reserved the couch for a 7 p.m. Hallmark Christmas movie. Now it's probably too late to do any more. I mean you're not supposed to "work out" too close to bedtime, are you?

We "pretty ladies" need our beauty sleep!

Getting Steamed

Final score from today's action: Wallpaper Steamer -1, Robyn - Big Fat Zero.

I guess I'm not cut out to be a stripper! How is that the always reliable Diff didn't work on our wallpaper and now the highly recommended steamer didn't? Is it just me?

Grrr. I think it is!

Took today off and rented the steamer. Got it home and was getting steamed almost immediately when I couldn't get the hose connected to the "hot pan" thing. Well I tried everything, including Googling it, and couldn't make it work. Had to call on the next-door neighbor, who was at his shop 10 minutes away. He saved the day. And no, I couldn't have figured it out on my own.

Once I got it going, it required some sweat equity, but was easier than the Diff attempts.I had the wallpaper off the wall in about 3 hours.

Or so I thought.

In reality, I just had the first layer. In most places, the "backing" was still adhered to the drywall. Is it OK to score that and steam it again? I had to call on Mr. Neighbor again and after an educated consultation (of course), we decided to give that a try. Well, I would be giving it a try!

That was quite unsuccessful. It required much scrapping and the backing was only coming off in little shavings -- like wet sawdust. After it took a full hour to get two little areas stripped, I called it quits. Probably too late for my back and arms to thank me, but just in time to prevent my steam from blowing its top!

Next step: We'll return the steamer first thing in the morning then consult with our painter to see what he wants us to do. Then we'll see if I have to strip some more or if we pay someone else to. Legally and fully clothed, of course!

Task Master

Well my career as a stripper is over before it started. A wallpaper stripper, that is.

Could not get the DIF method to work so it looks like I will be using a vacation day Monday to rent a "steamer" that helps it along much better than my spray, scrape and strip method. We shall see. So with that task on the backburner, you'd think I just relaxed away the day.

Nope.

Woke up when Carter nudged me at 6:50 a.m. to help him tie his tie for school. Then, naturally, I couldn't fall asleep. So I got my "Saturday chores" done after breakfast -- as in last Saturday since I am that far behind. Then I sent hubby and my father-in-law off to golf while I went to the eye doctor. I had a feeling they were going to dilate my pupils for the exam so I did not want to try and golf after that.

The sacrifices we make.

Had an interesting time with the eye doctor. He warned me 9 years ago when I had Lasik surgery that eventually, probably in my early 40s, I'd need reading glasses and maybe more. Well the time has come for that. I can use the "reader cheaters" you buy at Wal-Mart and that's fine. My concern has been night driving and not seeing things too clearly. Turns our the astigmatism that haunted my childhood and early adulthood is sneaking its way back. Grr. So I will be getting "driving glasses" for night-time navigating. That's a good thing as far as I'm concerned.

With that task out of the way, I stopped at the Post Office to get Christmas stamps, then went home and made some treats for my contribution to this weekend's cookie bake. So far I have the chocolate mint cookies my friend Julie and I made, plus some other cookies I made up and then the treat today I created. Maybe I'll take some pictures and share the recipes one of these days. I still am not done with my cookie treats so I will have to tackle some tasks in the morning.

This afternoon, since it was the perfect 60-degree golfing day, I got out for a run anyway before we went browsing at Home Depot for bathroom flooring and cabinetry (oh, and paint), then grocery shopping. By the time that was done, it was time to get Carter so I let Jim do that while I started supper. We had an early supper of pancakes and sausage -- sometimes breakfast is the best meal of the day at any time of the day!

Carter and I went to 6:30 Thanksgiving Eve church, where part of the service included that Heroes of Faith video I helped with and the other part of the service, well, AFTER service, included a pie social. Can't beat that! I steered clear of the pumpkin just in case I get my hands on a piece tomorrow!

Got home from church and headed back out on the date with hubby. We went to Rusty's Backwater Saloon near Stevens Point to hear his high school classmate Kathy sing with a country/rock band called Swamp Donkey. Don't ask. She doesn't even know what that's supposed to mean!

She is an awesome singer so we had a great time listening to great music. Yes, I felt old with all the college "kids" out and about, but at least we felt "cool" knowing someone in the band! Ha.

On Break

What's the reward for squeezing 5 days of work into 2? Three days off... well, make that a 5-day break from the office!

I'm officially on my Turkey Break and may even take next Monday off to extend it. Have to use up vacation days or lose them and, as you can tell from the Christmas ads and movies on Hallmark, time is running out!

My plans? Well, right now I've got some DIF soaking into the wallpaper in the bathroom so I can get my stripping routine started. Somehow this probably isn't what hubby had in mind when I volunteered. Ha.

Later, I get to help Carter study for an English test. That will be more fun for me than him, trust me. Likely I will lose patience when he can't define words or use them in a sentence. But I will try to remain calm. I'm on break, after all.

Tomorrow the weather is supposed to be that fantastic Almost Indian Summer day with highs near 60. Somebody in this house better find an open golf course! Just sayin'.

I do have cooking and cleaning and baking and blah, blah, blah that I SHOULD do. And there's always more stripping to do. Maybe I'll be on a mission tomorrow so I can relax the rest of the week. I'm nothing if not goal-oriented.

Right now my goal is to get this stripping business down to a science. If anyone wants to slip one-dollar bills my way, that's fine. I will use them to buy Band-Aids for my blisters when this is all said and done!