On How to Respond, I Am Not Sure

So, a few years ago, Hubs was at a gas station and he encounters this frantic lady who has a genuinely sad story about her mom being in a nearby hospital because of a bad car accident.  This lady is on her way to see her mom, but only has $3 and needs some money for gas. (There are more details, but I don't remember them. It sounded fairly believable in my husband's retelling of the story.)  She asked Hubs for some cash.  I think he had less than $5 on him, but he gave her that.

Now, Hubs and I are no fools. We know some people have legitimate financial needs and some people are just playing you.  Hubs and I are Christians and as Christians, God commands us to love others, which can include such things as I just mentioned.  We are responsible to how we respond to these people (whether in word or deed, or both) but are not necessarily responsible for how they are handling their situation (be it a genuine need or a lie).  So, we don't know the lady's situation, but Hubs had a little bit of cash, so he gave it to her.

A few weeks later, we were eating on the patio of a local restaurant.  A lady drives up next to the patio.  I hear some commotion and she is crying and carrying on to the nearest patrons.  Hubs says, "Oh! That is the same lady I encountered a few weeks ago at the gas station!"  We listen closely and realize she is telling them the same exact story she told Hubs a few weeks back.

Again, a few weeks later, we are at the same restaurant and the same scenario plays itself out.  You would think she would be more creative and come up with a new story.  But, she clearly appears to be gifted in the telling of that particular story.

Today, I was at Costco with the kids getting baby wipes.  Because, if you need baby wipes, you are gonna need them in bulk, my friends.

I see this lady and I smile at her.  All of a sudden, she comes up besides me, showing me an index card.  I start to read the index card and don't finish it.  I realize it is the same lady, but with a new approach and a slightly altered story.  I tell her that I am sorry, but I can't help her today.

And I walk away torn. And I feel sad. The kind of help she needs is not monetary. And I don't know the right way to respond to such a situation.

So, today, I have done all I know to do, really.  And that is to pray for her.

I think that really is the best thing I can do for her anyways.

'Fess Up Friday, Exhausted Edition

Well, it has been quite the week over here.  I'm totally exhausted and not lucid.

I have lots to 'fess up to, but not the brain capacity to relay it all.  I'm sure you are disappointed.

(FYI-I couldn't figure out how to spell capacity.  Point taken.)

1. I got tired of going to the trouble of telling my order over the speaker at Sonic. It just seemed pointless to both me and the person on the other end of the speaker.  We both know what I want.

And, blogland, we all know that I am recognizable there.

So, yesterday, I just said, "Hey, it's ME.  I want a di-"

My wonderful sonic carhop, interrupting, "Got it. Do you have a freebie coupon today?"

2. I was out late one night this week and, because of that, missed one of the normal times I nurse Lil Miss. Which means I had to pump.  It is as delightful as it sounds. Maybe even more so.

It's kind of like having to pee. You know, like you are in pain and you gotta do something about it.  But much more miserable. Peeing?  You can take care of that anywhere in a minute's time (but please, only in the restroom at my house).  Pumping?  You have to be attached to a giant sucking machine for at least 15 minutes.

Anywho, like I was saying, I had to pump.  It was late.  I wanted Hubs to stay up with me to keep me company.  He gave his standard, "I won't fall asleep. I will stay awake with you."  Which always results in him falling asleep within 13 seconds.  This night, I threatened to pour breast milk on him if he fell asleep.  You better believe he stayed awake.

Yes, I would have.

But not much. I'm stingy with it, given all the effort required to get it out.

Eat That Frog?

Have you guys heard of following Mark Twain quote:

“Eat a live frog every morning, and nothing worse will happen to you the rest of the day.”

????

I was an English Lit Major in college (shocking, no?) and most definitely do not remember hearing that quote.  Not that I read every single thing Mark Twain wrote, but we SURE DID READ A LOT OF STUFF.  Hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of pages a week.  Seriously. And, oh the dissertations essays!

Advice to the young 'uns out there: Never take 4 literature classes in the same semester!  There is just not enough time to read everything and write all the dissertations essays.  That is, unless you give up sleeping, eating, and showering.  And possibly breathing.

Anyways, the frog quote. I have seen it on some organizational/motivational blogs off and on for a couple of years.  And I just don't agree. Or get it.

Plus, I am a vegetarian. It goes against my values.

For instance, my kids went to my in-laws house today. A perfect opportunity to get things done. This is what my living room looks like right now.

Except kinda not.  I mean, the mess is definitely there.  But all the pictures are reversed/mirrored of how to room really looks for some reason(??).

Honestly, it would just take 5 minutes or less to clean up.  But I am just not up for the task at this moment.  I typically keep a very tidy house and do the bulk of it at night, after the kids are in bed.  I was not home last night to tidy up because I was at that class being reminded of how unwise and undiscerning I am.  

UPDATE: I could not bear to write anymore about the room and I cleaned it up. Less than 5 minutes, plus I started the dishwasher, wiped the kitchen counters, and moved a load of laundry.

Darn that frog.  Am I still considered a vegetarian?

Tuesday Tidbits, Volume II

1. First of all, Amy mentioned to me that she too saw the pink pool humiliation on the interstate the other day, a day or two after she saw my post about it. Because it was a different day than when I saw it, it means it was intentional and not just found on the side of the road that particular day.  Oh the questions running through my mind!

2. There is this class that I am taking at our church.  It focuses on being wise and discerning as a wife.  There is a LOT of homework.  Like so much homework that you actually need to work on it each day.  I always wait to start it until about 3 hours before the class (like it is tonight and I haven't started it yet).  That is neither wise nor discerning of me.  Nor is it exhibiting good time management skills.

Though the class is good, I am a bit weary of the work.  But, I power through.  I think part of my ability to power through is that it is a guaranteed night out on my own.  

Selfish?  Probably.  Honest?  Definitely.

3. Our son is obsessed with Maranimal's children, especially Sassy.  We haven't been able to see them much in the last few weeks, which has created an apparent void in our son's life.  Anytime we go anywhere where we have seen them, he will ask for them. I have to tell him that we aren't seeing them that day. He does not handle the let down well.  At all.

4.  I have been overly fixated on green vegetables lately.  Obsessed, even.  

I have been eating broccoli, green beans, brussels sprouts, collards and kale pretty much non-stop.  This is super strange, is it not?  

I bought a huge bag (64 oz) of frozen broccoli at Costco on Sunday night.  I have already plowed through a quarter of it.

I would really like to buy brussels sprouts in bulk, but it appears I am the only one interested in such.  Those puppies are pricey!

Other than my Sonic soda vice, I typically eat really healthy.  But, even for me, this is going overboard. 

5. Lil Miss is 6 months old today!  I can hardly believe it.  Part of the reason I started this blog was to record some of our daily lives and stuff about our kids.  With our son, I have forgotten a lot already. So, I am going to attempt writing down more about both of them.

Here is what Lil Miss is up to (for my sake so I will remember).

She loves to laugh, coo, squeal and slobber.

She is very "kicky" and wiggles/kicks while you hold her.  

She rolls from her tummy to her back but not yet from her back to her tummy.

She is working on sitting up and does the baby tripod sitting up.

She has trouble paying attention nursing when the tv is on.  But if she wants to eat, she throws herself at me and lunges to eat.  She is feisty, that is for sure.

She eats solids once a day and we are about to add a second time.  So far, she has eaten avocados, mangoes, bananas, black-eyed peas, whole milk yogurt, peas, carrots, sweet potatoes, rice cereal, peaches, butternut squash and green peas. She's a fan of the solids.

She has an intense love for teething biscuits and white knuckles them.  It is virtually impossible to get those away from her.

She sleeps from about 7:45 pm until 6:30 am. Eats and then goes back to bed for another hour or so, typically from about 7:15 am-8:30 am.  And then naps again from about 12:30 pm until 3:30 pm or so. Sometimes she fights the afternoon nap, which is no fun for anyone.

What a precious and wonderful addition she is to our family.  I am so thankful for her!

'Fess Up Friday, Church Edition

It's that time again!

Continuing the list from previous 'Fess up Friday posts.

16. I fell asleep in church a few weeks ago.  I had been battling a sinus migraine for 2-3 days.  Because I am nursing our 5 month old, I am greatly limited in medicines I can take.  Benadryl almost always does the trick to knock the pain down a notch or two.

It also does the trick in falling asleep pretty much anywhere.

Such as church.

17. For several years, I volunteered with the one of the kids' ministries at our church.  At one point, one of the leaders mentioned that kids' attention spans are that of their age.  So, if they are 12, then you can count on them being able to pay attention for 12 minutes.

My attention span is about 19 minutes.  Therefore, I must be 19 years old.

18. Because of this attention span, I am challenged during the church sermon.  I look at the clock when the pastor starts his sermon so I know how to plan and prepare mentally.  Like a road map, if you will.

19. I know how long each of the pastors typically preaches, their tendencies and how to prepare mentally for it.

20.  For instance, one pastor always has a video clip and opens with a joke.  He is a 40 minute minimum kind of guy.  He can push 45 minutes at times, which can be challenging. But I do appreciate the guaranteed video clip.

21. There is a family in our church that I am fascinated with.  I semi-stalk them.

22. They have amazingly well-behaved children who even take notes in church.  Their youngest is about 5 years old (the only boy) and has been sitting through church services for several years now.

23. I think their kids' attention spans are longer than mine.

24. I know which service they go to and their seating preferences (balcony, front row, Dad on the end of the row, Mom next to Dad, 5 year old boy next to Mom, then the 4 girls in varying patterns).

25. Hubs knows the drill - if we walk in and they are already seated, we sit 1-2 rows behind them.  If they are not there yet, I try to predict which part of the balcony they are going to sit in.  There are 5 or 6 sections which would meet their balcony, front row requirements.

26. They have not been in church all summer.  I fear they have moved or changed churches.

27. I still look for them.  It's not the same without them.

28. I want to be friends with them.  

Previous 'Fess Up Friday Posts:
The Original
Weakness Edition

Hot Pink Baby Pools - Not Just For Babies. Or Girls.

You know those standard issue baby pools you see at the baby store, right?

Well, the kids and I were driving down the interstate today on our way to go to a local park (and, of course, Sonic).  On the side of the interstate, I noticed one of those prison buses.  The ones where the prisoners pick up trash and what not on the side of the road.  The all male group was walking down the side of the interstate with the bus following behind them.  I see something hot pink intermingled with all of the orange get-up they had on.  As I drove closer, I realized that one of the prison mates had a HOT PINK baby pool tethered to him. And he was dragging it behind him.  Kind of like a mule. But not. Since he is a human and all!

And in the pool?  The tire debris they were picking up.

This wasn't just some pool they found somewhere.  No, this appeared to be a brand-spanking-new pool. Almost like one of the guards bought it for that very reason. For kicks and grins and what not.  I do hope it was just another thing that they found on the road and not an extra measure of punishment given to them. Regardless, it was an interesting site to behold.

Kinda like this, but SO much brighter!

Source

Let's move onto less humiliating, more normal things. Shall we?

Once we were at our local park (Sonic in hand), we started out by feeding the ducks.  This park in particular is one of my more favorites.  

It is a full package for mom and child(ren).  It has ample trails for mom to walk easily with a stroller, it has ducks, it has a playground and it has areas for kids to run around.  Also, a bathroom.  Always a plus. 

As the kids and I were approaching the ducks, we hear a bunch of excited high school girls coming our way.  They stopped short of where we were and started practicing their cheers in the middle of one of the trail paths (?!??!).  

Anyways, like I was mentioning, this is one of my more preferred parks.  The one downfall to it is that there is a lovely waterfall feature that runs into the pond where kids are often feeding the ducks.  There is no fence or barrier preventing your child from falling into the scum pond. Or slipping down the waterfall.  So, as we were approaching the water feature, I notice a lone (ugly) duck nearby behind a fence.  Perfect, I thought!  No pesky canadian geese around, no close water to fall into, and a fence.

The lone ugly duck.

  

Within 4.23 seconds, there were 40+ ducks there. (Yes, I counted.  It was a pretty intense amount of ducks.)

I know that there is a super secret, super quiet signal that alerts the ducks to a possibly feeding frenzy.  I have yet to decipher what that signal is, especially since we were not at the standard water feature feeding place.  

But, the speed at which they showed up?!  REMARKABLE.

Award winning, really.

He was so excited by the insane amount of ducks!

The ugly duck fought the others for the choice food.

Things the ducks consumed today?  Besides the standard issue bread, there were cheerios scooped up from the floorboard on the side of the car where they boy sits and likes to toss cheerios like confetti, an uneaten peanut butter sandwich, some dried up cheese as well as veggie eggrolls leftover from my intense eggroll craving period that occurred during my last pregnancy.

Little girl happy that she has been promoted to
sitting in stroller without being snapped in the carseat. 

Getting prepared for our walk, post ducks.  The cup of Sonic ice water
did the trick in enticing the boy back into the stroller.  He covets the Sonic
cup.  I have no idea where he gets that from.

We had a nice little walk and finished it out with the cheerleaders continuing in their cheers (in the middle of a path! for over an hour! seriously!), a mom pushing a baby in a stroller with a pool floaty (there is no pool! just the duck scum pond!), and a gentleman carrying 2 golf clubs on his walk (there is no putting green! is it for defense?  or for attacking?).

Anyways, it was a fun morning for me and the kids.  I do love just hanging out with them and taking care of them.  They are such a treat.  And I love seeing the joy on their faces when they are having a good time or are learning something new.

Happy Wednesday, my friends.

Tuesday Tidbits

I fear I may have offended my loyal and devoted readers with a comment yesterday regarding the kids' aunt and uncle.  Please note that I said they were the only FAMILY members that know about this blog. Not the only people.

I love you, my dear readers, and so appreciate you amusing me with this newest endeavor of mine.

The reason that I have yet to tell other family members other than one of hub's brothers and his wife is multi-faceted.  And riveting, I might add.  Not really.

Well, first and foremost, it seems like entirely too much trouble and I would then have to field questions as to how to get to the blog, how to maneuver their way within the blog, etc. I'm exhausted just thinking about it.

Secondly, though I am in fact a product of my mom and dad, we do not share the same appreciation of humor and irony.

At all.

Therefore, my bloggy observations and tales would just befuddle them. And I would have to field even more questions. Plus, they would then have to acknowledge the fact that I might have a reason/need to take a pregnancy test.  I would like them to not think of such things.  Nor would they, I imagine.

(Pregnancy tests are on sale this week at Target!  Not that I would buy any. Or any more storage containers.)

(Yes, I did.)

(Buy both.)

(No, I am not.)

Thricely (how's that, Taylor?), I couldn't make mention of the funnies that is our family if they knew of this blog.

Like the fact that my sweet father-in-law couldn't understand why, "I just couldn't get the precious 2 year old to eat anything but cookies all day today!"  

Or that my mother-in-law, upon hearing about the 2 year olds poopy hands incident, said, "Aww.  Bless his heart!"  Bless HIS heart?!?!  Bless my heart!!! The 2 year old was having a field day!

Or that my dad, upon receiving a custom printed Fathers' Day card with pictures of the kids, was not AT ALL interested in the fact that the kids were on the card, but was thrilled that I had also graced the card with pictures of their cats.  According to my mom, he has been carrying the card to show others his proud possession. Their friends have been interested in seeing the card to see pictures of the kids, but apparently Dad redirects them to the more valuable pictures of the cats. 

Or that my cousin shot the tv when the OJ Simpson trials were on.  You know, to take matters into his own hands.  He really proved a lot with that one.

Not that I would tell you these funnies.  It is just theoretical, you know, in case I do decide to divulge them at a later point in time.

Life Lately

Alternate Title: A Post About the Kids for the Aunt and Uncle - The Only Family Members That Actually Know This Blog Exists.  Hi T and D!

We've been busy these last few weeks doing fun stuff with/for the kids.

A couple of weeks ago, I took the kids to a local airport to see the planes.  The 2 year old is obsessed.  We met up with my mom and dad as they live near the airport.  There was a playground and a viewing deck.  My 2 year old was in hog heaven.  He kept looking around, screaming and pointing, "err-pwane!"

No, not in jail.  Just at the viewing deck.

Swinging with Grammy while watching out for planes.

There is a blueberry picking farm near our house.  I went with some other moms not expecting to get much blueberry picking done with our sweet boy (the 2 year old) and our precious girl (the 5 month old).  I actually was able to pick half of a gallon fairly quickly and we were pleasantly surprised to find goats at this place to feed.  Our sweet boy LOVED it!

Goat delight.

I later found the farm's website online and contacted them regarding coming back and feeding the goats (without picking the blueberries).  They were so kind and told us to just come over whenever and feed them.  I have taken them up on their generous offer (or is it vice versa?  after all, we are providing the food and doing the work).  Whatever the case, it is a fun little activity to do with the kids.

Loved feeding them!

Looking for more food to feed them.

The piggies are not ready for snack time to be over.

I realize there are no pictures of our sweet girl at these events.  She was strapped to me during all of these events in a baby sling/carrier.  Doesn't make for that great of a pic.  But I will post some other ones.

She adores her big brother!

She loves to laugh!

The cat is obsessed with her.

Monday, Monday

Well, our 5 month old is going through that phase where she fights sleep but yet it exhausted.  Currently, she is in her crib crying/screaming after napping approximately 17 minutes.  I checked on her, reassured her, and am now letting her try to soothe herself back to sleep.  I am trying to distract myself from the screaming by posting a blog entry :)

I have been trying to take care of something in particular for our finances off and on for a month.  It involves calling the not-so helpful customer service line at a certain financial institution, which is really the cause for my delay.  I finally garnered the strength, determination and courage to call the not-so kind customer service line today.  I was warned by automated robot lady that the wait time would be 5 minutes.  After 27 minutes on hold, they finally picked up.  And then I was immediately disconnected.  I think it might be a ploy of theirs.  I couldn't bring myself to call back to be on hold listening to the same 7 second musical loop again.  I'll try again later in the week.  Maybe.

There is a local law firm that does lawsuits and advertises themselves heavily as that being their "specialty".  You know the kind, right?  They advertise their assistance on tv for your grave and tragic accident and how you deserve hundreds of thousands in settlements.  Anyways, I saw a billboard on the expressway with clever texting lingo that said, "B safe Dn't txt n drv" (or some variation of that) with the sketchy legal firm's logo and phone number.  The massive irony is that they want you to do that very thing so that you can then be sued by their company and client they are representing after you cause an accident by texting and driving.  Vry snky.

Update: Said screaming child is now lying next to me. Smiling and grinning.  She's got me played.

On a brighter note, I got some more brussels sprouts at the grocery last night and just cooked them during the kids' supposed nap time to hopefully reduce possible poopy hand incidents during the witching HOURS to come later this afternoon.

Happy Monday!

Amusing (or Disturbing) Things Seen and Heard as of Late...

...with my unnecessary commentary.

I'm a fan of lists.  Is it obvious yet?

1. I saw a tow truck hauling a hearse down the interstate. I couldn't help but wonder if the hearse broke down before or after it's job was done.  And if the hearse was occupied.

2. Seen on a church sign:

Jesus Saves.  

Obama Spends.

I laughed out loud.  Not just because one is spiritual and the other is fiscal or because it was in a fairly liberal part of town and seemed gravely out of place, but also because that was not at all what I was expecting.

I was also taken aback by the statement.  Just a touch harsh, no?

I was expecting something more fluffy and cheesy like this:

source

3. At the local Barnes and Nobles, I saw a sign that read, "New in History."

It is hard to believe that wasn't caught by quality control personnel concerning oxymorons. Surely they have a position for that?  Maybe Creed was in charge of that one.


4.  My husband threatened the flannel blanket a few days ago.  When I was out running errands an hour prior, my car thermometer read 90 degrees.  And it was so humid that our windows in our house were fogged up with moisture.  But he claimed that he was "so cold!!"

5. I saw a minivan with a vehicle wrap advertising BudLight on it yesterday.  I wouldn't think that would be the demographic BudLight was going for.  Maybe they are trying to tap into the mom circuit?

'Fess Up Friday, Weakness Edition

Joining in again...it's sort of therapeutic.  You know, therapeutic in the sense that you proclaim your neuroses to the vortex that is the internet and they laugh at you (or pity you) and move on.

I am continuing the list format from last week's 'Fess Up Friday.

6. I have a weakness for pregnancy tests. I can't leave one alone in the house. It just beckons me to pee on it. Kind of like the Friends episode where Chandler uses all of Monica's ovulation tests. But not really. Because I actually could be pregnant or ovulating.  Chandler? Not so much.

7. I was proud of the fact that I managed to leave one alone for more than a month.

8.  For the sake of research for the blog, I took it.  I know my 2 readers were counting on me.  It was a sacrifice I was willing to make.

9. No, I'm not.

10. And, yes, we would be thrilled if I was.  Children are a blessing; a messy and tiring blessing, but a blessing nonetheless.

11. I also have a weakness for storage containers and other organizational products, which is ironic because I am anything but organized.

12. I think I am so attracted to those organizational items because they represent hope and possibility to me.

13. Until there are so many unused organizational items that I need something to organize them all.

14.  I also have a weakness for school supplies. Fresh pens, journals, pencils, etc.  I think I also hold out the hope that these fresh supplies will make me feel more together.

15. Maybe I should get a new storage container to hold them?

Because I Wasn't Already Having Enough Fun

So, anyone with young children knows that often the toughest part of the day is when you are trying to make dinner and the kids are DONE. They are tired, hungry, bored of all the toys, tv, etc that can keep them entertained throughout normal parts of the day. You are also DONE by this point of the day, which makes it all the more challenging to keep your sanity.

I have heard people call it the Witching Hour. This is a gravely inadequate term, much like the phrases "morning sickness" (not just in the morning, people!) and a "normal 9 month-long pregnancy" (it's 10 months and yes I want every bit of credit for that 10 months!) are laughably inadequate.

And hour? No, it is HOURS. Plural.

Tonight, during the Witching HOURS, I was making dinner. It was a fairly simple dinner, but that did not decrease the challenges I encountered.

Our 5 month old girl was screaming/crying because she likes to do that from about 4:30 pm until bedtime, around 7:30/8. It is delightful, really. There is nothing you can do, so you just have to kind of let her do it. That alone is terribly draining.

Well, she was in her third or fourth location within 45 or so minutes with her third or fourth toy because I was insane enough (as I am every night) to think that changing something would make her stop crying.

I was in the homestretch of finishing cooking. I felt fairly unscathed at this point. The crying was still going on, but I could see the finish line.

All of a sudden, I turn around and my 2 year old comes walking towards me with his hands outstretched and saying, "yucky!"

He had some stuff on his hands. A lot of stuff. At first I could not determine what it was. I had an idea but I thought, "surely not."

Yes, poop. All over his hands. I had been awaiting a delivery from him, but I was not expecting it to be presented this way.

Knowing it could have been so much worse, I whisper a quick prayer of thanks for it being somewhat contained and am thankful for our 2 year old telling me about it.

I pick him up while holding his arms away from me and take him to get cleaned up and bathe him.

But not before he managed to get some on me.

The baby's screaming has now reached new decibels. Dogs are howling in the distance.

Remarkably, I have managed to remain fairly calm and even laugh at all of this. I do call my husband, who at this point, is on his way home just to give him a heads up as to why I may be a touch frazzled when he gets home. And that I probably need some immediate assistance when he walks in the door.

And, of course, as ALWAYS happens, miraculous peace descends on our house mere seconds before the husband walks in the door and everything appears to be a-okay.

He always wonders why I am so frazzled.

The Neighbors and Questions That Remain

A little less than 5 years ago, when Hubs and I were newly married, the house next door to us was for sale. (This is the house of whom we now know to be Michelle, courtesy of nutty 'nice).

We noticed that the “for sale” sign was gone and assumed someone would be moving in shortly. I hoped to meet them and know when they moved in.

Well, be careful what you wish for, right?

One Saturday around lunchtime, Hubs and I were coming home from running errands. We turned into the neighborhood and saw this:

Can’t tell what it is? Let’s try this closer image:

At first glance, it appears to be a moving truck backing into a driveway. Normal stuff, right?

We kind of wondered why there were so many cars parked on the street but assumed someone was having a party.

WELL, we drive closer trying to get home only to realize the moving truck is parked (or abandoned?) in the middle of the street. No people near the moving van. No people appear to be at the house. No quickly scratched note taped to the truck offering an explanation or a “sorry for the massive inconvenience but the truck died.” Or “we could have put it in neutral and moved it slightly so that cars could squeeze by but decided not to. haha!”

Nothing.

We start to clue in that the half of a mile of cars lined up on the road are all the people’s cars who live further down the street, past the moving truck, but cannot get to their house. They had to park and walk to their house! To the very end of the neighborhood is another half of a mile. Quite the unexpected exercise for some of our neighbors.

And what about the people with cars on the other side of the van? There is only one entrance/exit to our neighborhood. They were stuck in the neighborhood, blocked by the truck. You couldn’t even pull up on the grass to go around because there are utility polls and trees blocking the way on both sides of the street.

This truck stayed abandoned through the evening. We never saw them come and move it, but I can only assume that there are neighbors who wonder WHAT THE HECK they were doing for the 8 plus hours that the truck blocked our neighborhood. Out to dinner? Shopping? Exploring the new area? are simply curious as to the details. Not me, but you know, "neighbors."

Surely there is an interesting behind the scenes story there, right?

Yes, this was Michelle and her family moving in. I do like the family from the little interaction we have had. I think they tried to keep a low profile for the first few months they were there. That, or they just think we're weird and tried to avoid us.

I guess I will never know the story behind the story.

A List, For Sanity's Sake

My thoughts are everywhere today and I feel like a list might help to reign them in.

1. My Sonic car hop is on vacation this week. I was a touch worried he had quit. I finally asked one of the other car hops and was relieved by their answer that he was on vacation. I understand he may not want to make a lifetime career out of being a Sonic car hop but I am hopeful.

2. I tried not to fret about said car hop and reminded myself that I do have a second in command car hop. She is still learning to not give me a mint. And her ice to soda to vanilla ratio is a touch off. But we're working through it. It's a process, people.

3. Hubs is interviewing for a new job. I will be happy whether he stays at his current job or transitions to this new job. Both are great jobs. I just want to know what it will be. It has been a LONG process with decisions made slowly. I totally respect that and the decision process of the company. I just am ready to know, you know?

4. We have been getting LOTS of quotes in the last few weeks for a privacy fence to be installed in our backyard. LOTS because we keep hoping for a miraculous price. That has yet to happen.

I've got the "getting a fence quote" routine down. They knock on the front door, tell me to meet them in the back, I tell them what we want, they measure and then say, "I'll crunch these numbers in my truck and knock on your front door when I have the price."

This scenario happened this morning except that I totally forgot that I had yet to get the price from the guy. Right as I was thinking about hopping in the shower, I heard a knock on the door and was totally confused as to who might be knocking. The Jehovah Witnesses weren't due for another couple of days.

Clarity of mind came back and I realized I had yet to get the price. Good thing I had not hopped in the shower yet.

5. I am pretty confident that my 2 year old is smarter than me.

Happy Wednesday, my 2 readers!

'Fess Up Friday

I am intrigued by 'Fess Up Friday and feeling in the mood to join in.

I find a list is most appropriate for my randomness.

1. My friend, Jessica, came to hang out at my house today. She arrived at 10:30am. What was I doing? Making pasta with garlic, broccoli, and tomatoes. For breakfast....

I could justify my behavior with the following explanation:

I made oatmeal for myself earlier this morning but my 2 year old, who has ONLY been consuming cheerios for the last two days, decided he wanted to try my oatmeal. I let him have it, happy for him to eat something other than cheerios. Things got a little crazy after that, so I didn't have a chance to make anything else for myself for a couple of hours. Then, when I had the chance to make some more food, pasta with broccoli and tomatoes sounded divine. I wanted asparagus as well, but we didn't have any.

But I won't. You've already judged me. And I am ok with that.

2. There are many out there who are all for "breakfast for dinner." I have never been a fan of such, but am definitely a fan of dinner for breakfast. Or anything random for breakfast, really. I have been know to eat egg rolls soaked in soy sauce, chinese food, rice, chocolate, turnip greens, collard greens, sauteed tofu, avocados, tomatoes, and edamame for breakfast. This is by no means an exhaustive list.

3. I am totally obsessed with brussels sprouts lately. I can NOT get enough of them. I keep thinking of when I will be able to go to the store and buy some more yumminess and roast 'em up!

Mmm...distracted again by the thought of their yumminess. I am thinking a grocery store run is necessarily after kids get up from their naps!

And a Sonic trip. My favorite carhop is working today!

4. One day this week, I managed to not notice for a few hours that I had my underwear on backwards. Not inside out. Backwards.

Yes, I am still scratching my head at that one as well.

5. I had to correct said backwards underwear in a public stall. Because it took being kid-free in a public stall for me to realize my dilemma.

Sweetly Answered Prayers and Precious Accountability

From the time we knew we were pregnant with each child, Hubs and I started praying various things for them regarding both physical health and spiritual health. One thing we prayed often when they were in utero and now that they are here is that they would love God and love His Word.

Though I am often inconsistent and because I hardly even know my name in the morning, I try to read some scripture to our sweet boy while he is eating breakfast or shortly thereafter. There have been times when I am more consistent than others.

Lately, he has been reminding me when I don't remember. He will be eating his breakfast and I will be sitting at the table with him trying to wake up and think a clear thought. I am pretty much still a non-functioning lump at this point. He will gently say, "Byyyee-Buuull?" while pointing towards it. And I will gladly read it to him.

What a sweet, precious answer to prayer as well as a great accountability to read my Bible! :)

The Plaid Blanket That I Loathe

Hubs and I are fortunate in that we get along well. We may have a disagreement here or there, but it is typically minor and resolved quickly.

One thing, though, that we remain on fiercely opposed sides is our philosophy regarding blankets on our bed. It is a sordid tale and not very interesting, but the main issue is this twin-sized flannel plaid blanket that he has. I think it was the cover on his bed as a child. It is old, not particularly attractive and HOT.

When we first got married, we did not have a bedspread for our queen sized bed. So, he used the plaid blanket on his side and I used another twin blanket on my side. This was before I hated the plaid blanket.

I eventually bought us a queen-sized comforter and packed up our two twin blankets. I did not at the time realize the impact of my actions. Or that this was only the first of many, MANY, times for me to pack up the blanket.

Our new comforter was pretty and actually fit our bed appropriately. But Hubs wasn't the biggest fan. There was always something not quite right about it to him. Too hot, too big, too hard to share with me, etc. And, honestly, the new comforter was a touch hot for me as well so I couldn't argue.

Before I knew what happened, that plaid blanket was on our bed again. I gave it some time (maybe a few months), but then I put our comforter back on our bed and put the plaid blanket up. By this time, I had also learned of Hubs hardcore protection of the blanket. No one else was aloud to use it, touch it, look at it. Not really, but it felt that way. He would not share it. It was life or death for him.

Whenever the blanket was put away, Hubs would lament how much harder it is to sleep without it.

Now, let me be clear. Hubs is a gifted sleeper. He typically falls asleep within 3.6 seconds. Without the plaid blanket, I think he falls asleep in 3.7 seconds.

The incessant plaid blanket versus our (no longer new) comforter back and forth continued for 4+ years.

This past spring, I asked him what would qualify as an acceptable blanket for our bed that we could share and both be happy with. He gave me his parameters. I obliged and bought what I thought was our bedding match made in heaven. It was not too heavy, not too light, and it actually fit our bed.

Source

I was thrilled to have a pretty cover that fit our bed that met all of Hubs' requirements. It made the whole room feel wonderful and cozy and happy.

I'm easily pleased.

However, Hubs had trouble adjusting to the new blanket. He would seek out opportunities to justify putting the plaid blanket back on our bed.

Most recently, our daughter had the tiniest bit of spit up fall on our new pretty, appropriately-sized blanket. Not to miss any plaid blanket opportunities, Hubs seized the moment and brought the plaid blanket out of the linen closet.

I soon packed it back up (for the 437th time).

Before writing this post, I asked Hubs if he was okay with me expressing my plaid blanket woes seeing as how protective he is over that blanket. He didn't mind. However, I had not thought of the consequences of my asking; the asking made the plaid blanket at the forefront of his mind. And it was on the bed that night.

I quickly put it back (for the 486th time).