Crocheted cutie pie

Adorable, yes? A free pattern at Lion Brand yarn's site. Yep, I'm learning to crochet, but this is more difficult than what I'm used to so far. Will have to knuckle down and figure it out.

Pure sweetness.

Btw, it's called the Amigurumi Tea Cup Pincushion, if you go to the site (after joining for free) to look for it. Type it in exactly like I have it, and the search will pull it up. They don't put in teacup as one word, but two. Enjoy!

Slowing down

Cutting down responsibilities and foolishness online. Taking a break from Facebook, which is fun, but a huge drain on my time if I let it. Making a very conscious effort in taking it easy. Only blogging and reading email, which is plenty. Have blocked myself from news sites, and that's was probably the smartest thing I could've done. (Leechblock for use with Firefox is a wonderful invention.)

Was hanging out clothes, this evening, and MADE myself go slowly at it. And am trying to not let daily chores blow up into major nonsense. I mean, the clothes will get sorted and folded, and it's not necessary for me to lose my cool in the process. I expect the kids to care as much as I do, but they're young, and probably have a better viewpoint than their work monger mother. :)

Tomorrow was planning on staying home, puttering and reading. We went to the library today, so got a good stash. Then today our Internet modem went nuts and figured it'd have to be replaced tomorrow...was all set to have to get out (and not wanting to). Then, surprise-surprise, it began working again. Will wait another day or two before running that errand. With the last storm we learned we could live without the computers. Perspective, you know?

Off to take a shower and read. Sounds like a plan.

Must adopt playful attitude about life

Have partially recovered from my angst of last night. Woke up way too early this morning (staggered out of bed 2-1/2 hours ago), but surprisingly enough, feel downright perky. Got a wake up call, I guess you'd call it, about my tendency to overdo. I'm thinking the Lord is trying to get my attention, so must do my best to give it my all. (if my oldest daughter was looking at what I'm writing, she'd be giving me a look)

Deep breaths. Enjoy the moment, and stop hurrying....my advice to myself today.

And as the Joker says so hilariously in the Batman movie....."Why so serious?"

Must now go think on things, those necessary and those of nonsense. With my lack of sleep, I'm voting for the latter.

Muddling things over in my head

One of the boys and I have joined the volunteer cleaning crew at church, and yesterday he and I, along with 2 of the other kids went to help get the sanctuary whipped into shape. Our regular time will be 90 minutes twice a month, and I figure that'll be easy to manage. I enjoyed doing it yesterday, and since that was only an hour of work-time then, we got lots done (with about 60 other volunteers crawling over the property!) in short order. Keep in mind that we go to a mega church...huge, but really not so overwhelming when you get used to it.

The only thing is that I noticed that I was working at top speed, like I was attempting to run a race. I transferred my habit of doing one task only to move towards what happened after it and I was hurrying....what's up with that? Like I've got a death wish to work myself as hard as possible. Not sure if I'm determined to impress folks, or just have the need to cram as much as humanly possible into the smallest time frame. So odd.

But, if I think about how it works in this house, it makes sense.

I have help in the kids---they're great about doing stuff, they have to be, or we'd be shoveling muck out the door on a daily basis.

The thing is, I want to enjoy what I do. I don't want to be a working machine, but a person who's reachable and able to slow down. Man, it's hard.

Tomorrow will be a day off of sorts. Library with the kids, and a tea party in the afternoon with the little girls. The thing is, I have to go the grocery store first thing. See what I mean? There's always something driving me. And there has to be a balance, but I've yet to figure out that one.

Fun graphics for the Fourth

Note the new background too. Loving this designer...she just makes me happy. Will maybe go for a gothic/black look next time...very Twilight meets Johnny Depp. :) That is, whenever I can get in a black background sort of mood. Have always wanted to try that, but just haven't.

Goodies husband makes

The table and chairs Gary just finished and delivered this week.

A Friday at home tomorrow

Groceries are in for the weekend. Easy dinners. The house has yet to be put back together after getting the new freezer yesterday, so plan on working on that. Too much stuff, and too little room to set it. But on a brighter note, already have sugarplums dancing in my head at the idea of buying ahead and putting goodies back.

And, have the newest copy of Victoria magazine to read, plus a new paperback called Talking to the Dead by Bonnie Grove. Such a cool cover and the first couple of pages have already gripped me. A perfect night. I'll color my hair (Cool Tea in a G@rnier Nutrisse box) after a bit, then tuck in with my reading treats.

A day at home tomorrow, putting things to rights, and a bottle or two of diet soda to cheer me up.

I'm so easy, it's pathetic. :)

Urgent action needed, please

Taken from Stacey and a notice given from the Homeschool Legal Defense Association.

Monday the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Susan Rice, made the first direct public statement that the Obama administration is actively discussing “when and how it might be possible to join” (that is, ratify) the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC).

She says the administration will now be looking to see whether the US public cares about it (i.e., they get any complaints), and it’s important to let them know how we feel about it immediately.

*from me...the acceptance of this ruling would jeopardize the rights of the parents over their own children...allowing the UN to decide what they would deem correct upbringing...and possibly affecting education whether private or via homeschool.

Article link/excerpt given here:

Here’s what we need you all to do:

1. Call the White House comments line at 202-456-1111. Tell them you heard the administration wants to ratify the CRC, and you strongly oppose this giving away of U.S. sovereignty to the UN. Also keep in mind that this treaty gives the government jurisdiction to override any decision made by any parent if the government thinks that a better decision can be made—even if there is no proof of any harm.

2. Contact your Senators and urge them to oppose ratification of this treaty. (Find your Senators’ contact information by typing your zip code into the box here.) Ask them also to defeat it once and for all by cosponsoring SJRes 16 – the Parental Rights Amendment.

(letter written by Michael Farris from the HSLDA)

And if you need a letter to copy and paste:

Dear Senator,

We oppose the ratification of the UN Rights of the Child treaty. This is an anti-family, anti-American treaty. The administration wants to ratify the CRC, and we strongly oppose this giving away of U.S. sovereignty to the UN. This treaty could allow the government jurisdiction to override any decision made by any parent if the government thinks that a better decision can be made—even if there is no proof of any harm. Please oppose the ratification of the treaty. Lastly, I ask you to cosponsor SJRes 16 – the Parental Rights Amendment to ensure that our family rights are explicitly stated in federal law, since the assumption of those rights is routinely under attack in the courts and the legislature.

Sincerely,

Pug wrestling

Home alone

Just me and the dogs here. Beans simmering on the stove for soup later on. Air conditioning off for a few minutes. Quiet and very nice. Just the hum of the fridge, the minor growling of the Pugs who think they've heard a noise outside, and the tapping of my fingers on these keys.

Oldest daughter and son will be here soon enough. The crowd of 'em are at my mom's having tacos. Nice to have a bit of time to talk to myself and just putter around.

Gary has finished the chair job he's been in the thick of for 6 weeks, and is waiting to hear back from the client about delivery. He's always so relieved and excited when a particular job is completed. So, in celebration---tonight we'll watch Inkheart, which I rented yesterday for one son---but we'll all enjoy it eventually. Three of us have already seen it at the theatre. Well done, but for the least of our kids, will fast-forward through a creepy part at the end. But beyond that, I seem to remember it was pretty kid-friendly. But, then again, I watched it first with the older ones and didn't have to fret about the same things I tend to watch for in relation to the younger ones, you know?

Anyway, will kick back and try to relax. Not easy, but required. Don't want to waste the day in busyness, but in resting and restoring myself. It's allowed, I hear. :)

Have got to add one more thing here....the temperature outside yesterday was 99 with a heat index of 114. Gasp. But we had a breeze kick through after dinner, and today it's 97 with an index of 99. Almost feels bearable...but so strange to admit that 99 is OK. Must be our brains are melting and we can't think straight! The humidity is down and that's the main thing. Ahh, the South. You gotta love it.

Do yourself a favor...

...and click on the link at the top left of the page. The graphics there are just WONDERFUL. Made me feel like Alice who dropped down the rabbit hole. Truly. Such fun.

Monday

Having some trouble finding enthusiasm for the day. Need to get past the heat issue, though. Today's supposed to be 98-ish with a heat index of around 106. It's so hot and humid that after dinner, last night, several of the kids (including the least one) went several doors down to water an elderly neighbor's back garden. They were there about 30 min., but our youngest one looked wasted when she got back. Too hot, and it after 7pm. We need a break in the heat. My goodness.

And our sick dog, Olive, while she keeps on keeping on, is losing her coat at an alarming rate. Some concern there. A growth is near her thyroid gland and I'm thinking there's a connection. She literally scampered out in the backyard this morning like a puppy, though. Sick, and still acting silly. You gotta love that. :) *for anyone who's unfamiliar with Olive's health, she has an untreatable form of cancer and we're just doing our best at keeping her comfortable and happy---sort of a pet hospice. Frankly, she's doing surprisingly well, though I shouldn't be surprised--we are praying.

You know there are some days when you want to see progress on some front. The heat gets to me, I admit. I'm a rain person, and when it's hot and dry for 2 weeks running, I get a bit anxious. Thankfully, my husband still has a full shop, and much work to do when he finishes the current job of making 8 chairs. Three are done, the rest in clamps and he's plugging along himself. Needs to pace himself in the heat, though I'm grateful he has air conditioning in the shop.

I think I'm just tired. Only a fitful night's sleep. Can hear a mockingbird out front and that's giving me some mental lift. It sings all night long (or one of it's relatives)...delightful, even when I'm worn out. Will take the day as it comes. It'll be fine.

Father's Day Eve

Pugs this afternoon all slung out on the back of the sofa, and the new curtain I stitched for over the kitchen sink. While I love the morning sun as it comes through the pink flowered fabric, we block as much of the afternoon sun as we can in the living room, as the Pugs can attest to. :)

Oh, and thanks for the concern about my dizziness. I probably should drink more water, Kim. Tend to drink caffeine and have heard that that's a bad idea in the heat. Maybe I've learned my lesson. Hope so!

Too busy again

I must be a sucker for punishment, but it wasn't intentional. Got the groceries bought before lunch, which is an accomplishment in itself. Came home, ate a salad while the kids put everything away. Then got it in my head to clean the house....living room, dining room, kitchen, and figured I'd follow it up with the bedroom (which ends to be a catch-all, sadly enough). This was to be my Father's Day present to the father figure here...the bedroom part, that is.

After I got the main rooms done (sweating like a pig the whole time), I took a nap, fell asleep after just a few pages of Twilight (a re-read---love that book/movie!), and woke up pretty refreshed. Grabbed a Zero and began doing the bedroom. Finished just before Gary got home, and then launched into making dinner.

Ate sloppy joes and more salad, then got DIZZY, which continues even now.

About to watch a movie with my main squeeze and hopefully the feeling will pass. Just. Got. Too. Hot. DarnIt.

We have a running joke in our house about whether a person would prefer being dizzy or would rather throw up. It's a toss up (sorry for the pun!).

I'll be off now to rest. Time to quit.

Magazines and stuff

Just visited Mary Engelbreit's website, having in the back of my mind that her magazine hasn't been on the store shelves lately. Oh. Should have guessed it, but was surprised nonetheless to find out that it's not being published anymore.

Apparently it's the advertising that's getting them. When Phyllis Hoffman (publisher/editor of Victoria and several others) was in town at a local bookstore to give a signing/talk, she mentioned that the magazines her company puts out won't be affected the same way because of a different approach they're taking to the running of them. NOT to rely heavily on the ads, but work it differently, so that the publisher isn't dependent on who advertises in them. I don't understand all of the details, but would hate to miss Victoria again. Glad it seems secure for the time being.

This has been a strange year. Several magazines are out of circulation, but the one I miss the most is Country Home. I've got copies of that one dated years and years ago. Hard to get used to counting on things only to see them disappear. Like our local fabric store---literally up in smoke. Guess it puts a person in mind of what they *really* can put their trust in, hmmm?

Going to focus on inside sorts of chores today. Need to begin caulking the outside windows, but it's going to be near about 100 degrees this afternoon and I'm not of a mind to bake myself. Makes my head hurt! If I was a smart person I'd just take it easy. There must be something to the reality of being married to a Type A personality. When he's really busy at work (even though I can't see him being busy) I feel I have to keep at it too. I'm very much not a Type A---but have learned to work, work, work anyway. Might be time for a day off, I'm thinking. ;)

My greatest bugbear is fear. It's always there at my shoulder, poking me and prodding me. Put me in a situation and first I'll line it up against what worries me about it. Whether it's about the kids doing something away from home, or riding in the car with someone I don't trust, I fret.

Even now my stomach churns while I rehash a recent episode. With the wind we had last Friday, lots of folks ended up with trees on top of their houses. In our neighborhood alone, I could count 3 of them within a block of our house. And in driving around town, it's hard to pass down a street without seeing some sort of damage from last week's weather. Scares me.

But what really gets to me is thinking about the old, old Oak tree in our backyard. It's got three main trunks past the middle one, and ends up holding water in the center of it. Ants get in there and there's a problem. You can see where this is leading. And honestly, my insides are worked up thinking about it.

My husband is concerned about my issue with fear. He quotes Scripture to me, hoping to ease my mind, telling me that the Lord is taking care of us. I know all of that, but still, I easily go to being overly concerned about what I can't fix.

Thankfully I've been eased with the Bible study we've been getting into with the book of Ruth. She lost her husband and sons, but still, God was in the thick of her life.

Mid-week

A wonderful day so far. Took most of the kids to my mom's this morning (oldest son went on his own) and then took oldest daughter out on some fun errands. Home Depot to pick out a pink paint chip for the bathroom (and got sidetracked in the garden area and bought a Hoya plant which I didn't need, but wanted nonetheless---also called a Hindu Rope Plant and is supposed to purify the air, enhance my decor and calm my senses---we might be onto something here!), then to Michael's for some tea lights (vanilla), more of that cotton dishrag yarn called Sugar and Spice...I love that stuff (on sale at a buck), and then to Fresh Market (the decadent store of delicious indulgences) for some Mrs. Meyer's lavender cleaner, PG Tipps tea, and a Greek salad for my lunch. This salad is so good, it makes me want to cry. My taste buds just dance all over the place when I eat it---maybe once a month I buy myself one. Too delish.

I feel so content I could just melt on the spot. Having a bit of fun money is such a treat, and one that doesn't happen very often.

Will spend the rest of the afternoon puttering and tidying up a bit. The house needs a bit of love, and I want to read in-between spots of cleaning. That's my most favorite, and when everyone gets home, later on, I feel rested and the house look presentable. My gift to me and them.

As a treat to yourself, go visit Brocante Home's pinboard. So pretty. And after that, visit the blog Alison writes to go with it....she's the one who got me started on Mrs. Meyer's lavender. I'll forever be grateful. ;)

On my Tuesday

Talked to oldest daughter on the phone this morning during her break-time at work and said I didn't feel like I'd accomplished anything so far. Asked her to listen to my list of finished to-do's to see if I was holding up my end of the bargain. Funny, huh? She laughs. And listens. And then audibly sighs in the phone. Obviously, I never learn.

By noon or so, I'd:

• been up since just before 6am---Pugs!
• had quiet/prayer time, including reading from Ruth (husband is having us listen to Alistair Begg after dinner in the evenings---good stuff and he's teaching from Ruth---husband has a pretty tidy collection of Begg podcasts).
  
• eaten cereal and had some raspberry green tea.
• washed 4-5 loads of clothes, with the boys hanging out most of 'em.
  
• moved music from my computer to 3 of the kids' MP3 players.
  
• ordered flea stuff online for dogs.
• gone to Walgreens for toilet paper and a soda--took one child so he could get out of the house for a minute.
  
• had visited with my mom when she stopped by to grab one son to help her grocery shop.
• had spent time with the kids chatting in the living room.
• and re-potted my hanging basket petunia which had taken a nose-dive after I took it down so it'd not get blown by the wind last night.....after, get it? Should have left it hanging up!
• ....anyway, that's what my morning held.

And still, I felt like I'd just been twiddling my thumbs. What's up with that? Maybe a stay-at-home mom's dilemma, eh?

Just wanted to share. Fortunately most of the kids will be at my mom's for part of tomorrow. We'll have to see how legalistic I can be then!

*Btw, reading a really good Christian fiction book called The Sisterhood of the Queen Mamas by Annie Jones. Not totally light, but encouraging as well. Love a read like that.

Just stuff

A storm hit the city on Friday afternoon, knocking down trees and taking electrical wires with it, including our cable and Internet (but not our electricity---phew!). Heard a huge rush of wind blow through our old oak tree in the backyard, but thankfully, we were spared any of the damage. But as an afterthought, one of our sons cut down a two-year old oak sapling in our front yard because we got to thinking about it. It's grown with a fork in the top, and it was just a matter of time before it'd be a bigger issue. We're thinking maybe fruit trees would be nice. Small, compact and do-able. ;) Funny, but this part of our yard is the stump graveyard. We plant stuff and cut it down. I'm thinking this is the 4th tree we've had second thoughts about and have cut down early---our neighbors likely get a kick out of our odd habit, well, that is if they even notice.

Anyway, sort of in a like-minded blog entry, Kim had similar things on her mind in regards to computer time wasting. To be distanced from the Internet and all of its busyness and noise has been a blessing. 'Course a couple of the kids have been beside themselves, but change is good, especially in this case. We're so compulsively addictive. It's ridiculous.

So, on that note, will scamper off and do something useful. I admit to enjoying the life of web surfing, but enough is really enough. The Backstreet Boys are on my player and I'm off to enjoy them. Yeah, buddy. Will putter around the house and put things to bed....wiping off the counter, tidying up. That's all good.

Outside

The walkway on one side of the house now....the flowers are great this year with something new blooming almost every week. Before long, we'll be covered up in Black-eyed Susans. And, changes in the form of the shutters getting a new coat of black paint (they're sage green now), and the yellow door will be pink! with the iron ones going to chocolate brown. Soon, I hope.

Next photo is one view of the front porch, one of my favorite spots. :)

(pictures by oldest daughter who has a great eye for setting up the shots!)

Home time

Looking to have a quiet home day tomorrow. Today was spent at the grocery store first, and then took two of the oldest boys to Gary's shop to do the grass. I went birthday shopping for oldest son (who's birthday is on Friday) while they worked. Interestingly enough, our Borders bookstore is looking a bit peckish. Maybe they're only moving books around, but I'm thinknig the stock is WAY down. Have heard rumors.....will be interesting to see how that plays out. Fortunately, my favorite bookstore in town, Davis-Kidd, which is a Tennessee-based store (only 3 of 'em) has been doing quite well. They're closer to the house, anyway, and smaller. I like that.

I really can't stand being away from home at long stretches at a time. Such a hermit, least that's what my husband calls me. That's okay. I do realize how old-fashioned that is in this day and time.

Tomorrow I need to putter around, dust, wash the bedsheets and maybe re-arrange the living room furniture. Trim Pugs' nails and cut more flowers for inside the house. Take it slow and recharge my diminishing battery.

Sounds like a plan.

'It Happened in Italy' by Elizabeth Bettina

When a person gets to a certain age, they oftentimes feel as if they’ve heard it all. That being the case, I admit to being surprised in reading Elizabeth Bettina’s book called ‘It Happened in Italy‘. I have to wonder who else is unaware of the Jewish concentration camps that were run in Italy, and managed humanely.

My father, who was one of the American soldiers present at the liberation of Buchenwald, possibly wasn't familiar with the camps in Italy either. He told stories of the horrors of the skeleton-like people who shuffled around at Buchenwald. To read of the opposite being true in Italy is like a breath of fresh air. The Italians were glorious in their treatment of the Jews.

Elizabeth Bettina is enthusiastic in her praises of the Italians, their care and consistent attendance to the needs of the imprisoned Jews. Her book recounts story after story of survivors and their trips back to Italy to re-visit the old camps. They talk about picnics, soccer and schools for their children---never mistreatment.

In a world of negativism, to read this book is to be encouraged by the human spirit.

(Published by Thomas Nelson, and available for preview on the same page. I'm a member of Thomas Nelson's blogger book review program and more information can be found here.)

Assorted veggies in the crockpot for tonight's soup. Will make that easy bread later on....the one I referred to one time that's called Outrageously Easy bread at their website. Yummy.

Almost finished with the Holocaust book on the sidebar I'm reviewing. Good stuff.

Assorted veggies in the crockpot for tonight's soup. Will make that easy bread later on....the one I referred to one time that's called Outrageously Easy bread. Yummy.

Grace

It's been an emotional week in a few ways. Finally I got enough sleep and able to deal with things, which is wonderful especially considering the things I've been privy to lately. Tragedy in a friend's family, a relative in our extended family who's blatantly wandering away from the Lord, and even the fabric store burning down...it's all hard stuff.

So, church was perfect. The pastor had a short video played at the beginning of the service---fast clips of busy stuff...the things folks fill their days with...just short takes. Then he played scenes of a beach with words from the 23rd Psalm and similar phrases written in the sand, with the words washing away and more taking their place. I don't know but that was a message in itself. I felt myself just giving it all up. Hadn't realized how much I've bottled up inside lately.

The rest of the message was wonderful too. Could've been written just for me, but that's God for you. Now, the rest of the weekend is to be restful. Gardening tomorrow, and one son is cooking out hamburgers for us. Apple pie for a sweet ending.

I love my life.

(painting by eduoard vuillard)

Hancock's fire

Well, one thing is sort of odd here. The Hancock's Fabric store that we've gone to since I was a little girl burned to the ground yesterday morning. Turns out one of those garbage collection trucks---the ones that lift up the receptacles and tip them into a larger truck---ran into the gas meter which caused an explosion, and Hancock's in turn was completely destroyed. A sad thing in addition is that the businesses in the same strip have smoke and water damage. So sad. I drove by there today, needing dish soap at Walgreen's (at the other end, and not damaged) and was able to see the goings on. Doors propped open in the other businesses, lights out in some, still a heavy fire smell, workmen about, and all because of one person's mistake. Life's funny that way.

What caps it off further is that I was planning on going there today to pick up some more yarn for a baby blanket I'm making. Huh! Had to go to Michael's instead and substitute some white to alternate with the pastel I'm doing.

Anyway, life is good nonetheless. Nobody was hurt in the fire (it began just after midnight) and fortunately the person driving the waste management truck was unharmed. That could have been horrible.

Still, it's startling to not be able to do things that I've taken for granted. And when you've gone to the same fabric store for almost 40 years, a change in habit is weird. Will need to drive further for fabric for now, and that's small potatoes. At least there's an alternative.

A slow day

Raining. Wonderful. A slow, steady shower. We've so needed it and it makes me feel so relaxed. The only wrench in my plan, however, is the definite need to go to the grocery store today.

Oh well, there's still about 1/2 a loaf of bread left, so some of them can eat. I'm not inclined to run out of the house yet, so they can gnaw on scraps until I do.

Deep breaths. Nothing pressing and books to read in the house. That's all I need. :)

Music therapy

So, the truth is that I really love our across-the-street neighbors. Love them. And, when the children and grandkids come over and the whole gang is outside, I enjoy hearing the noise. Sort of like listening to a whole bunch of sparrows. At any given time there are probably 10 or so adults and children on their front porch. Tonight, though they got a bit noisier than usual. I tend to think that kids that repeat the same phrase over and over need to be shushed. But tonight? Nah! The adults indulged the little monsters and these little girls were causing me to want to pull out my hair.

I retaliated with my laptop (which I was using out on the porch at the time), turned on my Media Player and let them listen to some Westlife. Full volume. There's nothing like a boy band to split the fans from the non-fans. Within minutes they all went inside. Who can say if they'd have gone in anyway? Won't ever know, but got a kick out of it regardless.

Yes! Gentle persuasion that alters behavior.

About the concert

Good concert last night. Bad audience---well, they were until Shane and Shane hit the stage. I was amazed at the noise of constant babble in the crowd that went on with the opening act...a guy called Mark Trussell (a very talented singer out of Nashville). I seem to remember a similar issue when we went to see tobyMac. The first singers had to compete with talkers, and lots of 'em.

Makes me ashamed of Christians. And young people. Told ours that the example set last night was one of the things folks refer to when they say that they don't like teenagers and college students. Rudeness is just that. Rude. But multiply that by a couple or so hundred folks and you have plenty of room to groan.

Way back when, like 30 years ago---I went to a Keith Green concert downtown. And while I wasn't a big fan of his music, I went with a group of friends, probably from church or school. Don't remember that detail. Anyway, at one point Keith just shut down the concert and gave everyone a gentle tongue-lashing. Asked what the kids were there for anyway. Why were they they if they weren't paying attention. Wow. Very effective, and the mood of the rest of the concert was much more respectful and, yes, reverent.

Someone in an authority position should have gotten the attention of the crowd last night. As a courtesy to the first act, and to the part of the audience that was trying to listen. And to also suggest that the audience postpone the need to text-message all during the show. Kept seeing glowing cell phone screens while the concert continued.

Give me that remnant. Just a few who listen. In the meantime, I'll just grow 'em myself.

Disjointed thoughts

*Let me get the sleep comment out of the way first. Got to bed earlier (drugged, of course) and it worked out that I got approximately one extra hour in under my belt. Feeling pretty good, considering I initially woke up at around 5:15am. What's up with these Pugs?

*Went to our neighborhood association meeting last night---always interesting. I'm in charge of selecting the yard-of-the-month, and have a good time making folks happy. When they get kudos on a job well-done, it's rewarding for me to be able to plunk a sign in their yard saying so. Which reminds me...must fertilize tomato plants today. For sure.

*Anyway, all's well. I don't have anywhere go to during the daylight hours, but am taking some of the kids to the Shane and Shane concert at a local church after dinner. Looking forward to that, let me tell you. Love their music.

*Maybe will re-caulk the porch window today. Or putzy round and tidy the house (a better idea). Have been in a mental funk for about a week and need to tend to the nest here. It's wretched in places. And the truth is, if I get it tidy, my outlook is more perky.

*Can hear some distant thunder, but it's not supposed to rain until tomorrow. Sounds pretty, though. (added later---turns out it wasn't thunder, but an across-the-street neighbor who was dragging a heavy couch to the curb to be picked up by the garbage guys---thunder sounded so much cozier, but I was just plain wrong!)

*Reading a couple of really good ones...the one listed to the side called It Happened in Italy, and The Lost Choice by Andy Andrews. Enjoying both very much. (Update: finished the Andrews book and while it began interestingly enough, began to drag in my opinion, toward the middle...they needed to get on with it!)

*Must be off now. The house awakes. Darn!

To sleep or not to sleep

I. AM. TIRED. Shoot, I could have a sleep blog. Or not. An awake blog would be more appropriate. But there'd not be enough information shared that'd be worthy of reading, I'm thinking. Went to the grocery this morning, after a post office stop and a trip to Home Dep*t. Ate lunch and collapsed in bed afterward, but sleep was still being a stranger. FINALLY dropped off at 2pm, only to wake up when the least one got on the bed at about 3pm, causing it to slosh (waterbed). Better, but not perfect. Still, a bit of sleep is better than none.

Got an email from some unknown person, wanting to give me advice on what natural alternative I wanted to use to improve my sleep habits. Must've followed some linkage sort of word trail in order to find me. Reminds me of folks who walk up to our front door, selling stuff. Did I ask for them to come by? I think not. Delete.

Will gobble up a Mel*tonin before sleep tonight. Still, getting there isn't the problem, but waking up and staying awake is. It'll work out. I'm not wanting advice on how to fix it. Don't even try. :)

Wonder if the dogs would sleep harder if I gave them a Mel*tonin?!?! Huh.

June the first

Woke up WAY too early at 5:15am this morning. Made the mistake of not checking the window shades in the area of the kitchen where the Pugs sleep, and as a result, Daisy was up with the chirping birds outside. With the kitchen facing East, it gets light in there pretty darn early. I complain, but still---there's something appealing about being up before anyone else. I have to admit that.

Thinking that I need to pare down my to-do list for the day, though. Had intended on buying glazing compound at the hardware store, and then to begin repairing the outside windows. That was the plan. But, the more I think about it, the less I feel motivated to begin that project. Might just buy what I need to do the job, and begin when I feel more energetic. Might take awhile. :)

For those of you who've wondered---our ailing dog, Olive, is still with us. She seems to be better, which I find amazing. She's comfortable enough, and hasn't gotten any worse in the past week or so. Yes, and I do believe that the Lord heals even dogs. I know we've been praying, and the prayers of little children surely count for much in God's eyes.

Must be off now. Not sure after 5 hours sleep, if the bed is more appealing or if it's worthwhile to make out my grocery list. Will most likely sit down to write it out and doze off in the meantime. Nobody's prodding me but myself. We'll see how it plays out.

Have a good one!