Reader Made Me Do It

Not IT, but reader has made me into a bad blog friend. I am terrible at leaving comments and it happened when I started the google reader. I still haven't figured out how "following" is any different but doing both has some blogs posting to my reader list twice which is very annoying and time consuming, especially when one of those is Pioneer Woman. (She writes some long posts!) I will have to tweak that soon. I cry a little that I am following umpteen(that's KY talk for a whole lot)blogs and yet only three people are following me. Oh well, I keep reminding myself this is all about me journaling more than my readership. The reminder goes unheard as I eagerly await responses and comments like an addict waiting for crack. Comments are my crack. Anyone else have this comment addiction? Why do we need it so bad? I have alot of "real life" friends who give me "real life" attention. I get tons of attention from my family and EVEN MORE from my pets. Surely at some point I will feel validated at just the thought of someone else reading and not need snarky comments-snarky comments are my favorite.

In other news, Erika had her first babysitting gig tonight. It wasn't a "real" gig because she was more of a nursery attendant than an on-your-own full-fledged babysitter. She got rave reviews and I am not surprised. Baby steps. I'm not sure how I will feel about the real deal babysitting, but being a helper to good friends is win-win for everyone.

I woke up this morning intent on not going to church today-just because I am still tired from all the holidaying. When Erik and the kids got up and were going anyway, I decided I should go and it was great. So great I went again tonight and I'm glad I went both times. I'm pretty sure I have gone through some major changes in how I feel about my church family because instead of feeling upset and misunderstood all the time, I now feel really blessed to be a part of such a loving and understanding body of believers. Even people who used to really test my patience now just make me smile and thank God. Mostly because I know I test the patience of many but they smile and thank God for me too. Grace, such a good thing. Grace, best served in heaping portions.

Rip Van Winkle

Now that I have finally awoken from the slumber to replace the lack of slumber, I will attempt to catch up this blog on my life the past few days. I have not "slept" all day, but I have slept and rested intermittently. And it was good.

*Wednesday, Erik's sister arrived into town and we fellowshipped much with her and Erik's mom and dad. She was travelling alone because her hubby used all his vacation time when they went to Disney, her son is interning this whole college year at Disney, and her daughter went with her new, yet possibly "the one" boyfriend. Her kids are both grown now and it makes me hold mine a little tighter as I think how our lives will change in the next few years!!

*Thursday, Thanksgiving with Erik's family and then with mine. Erika made beautiful pumpkin pies for both and I was so proud of her work. She pays such attention to detail. She made little little pastry leaves on top of one and pumpkins on the other. Kayla played nicely with her younger relatives at my family dinner and it was nice to see the young ladies they are SLOWLY becoming. Lilly just loves everything with such exuberance. I would love to experience life for one day with that much emotion!! Both Thanksgiving feasts were wonderful. My mom was able to drive to my sisters using her prosthetic leg and that was a very nice blessing.

*Friday, I experienced Black Friday with my sister and her friend Kristie. It was exhausting but very fun. I got alot of bargains, shopped like it was an Olympic event and ran into lots of people I knew-some I hadn't seen since high school!! I came home at about 1PM. Hubby and I ran some errands and then went to visit his sis and parents again for a bit. We left about 6 and while I planned on going to bed, we watched Hancock instead. Then we all went to bed where I slept like the dead and did not want to get up.

*Saturday, I got up, ate some food, and retired back to my room to finish "The Shack". Expect a book review post soon!! I am now running to the grocery to pick up a few things for my mom, going to shave for my stepdad ad then back home to visit with relatives some more. I am about sixty loads behind in laundry and I don't care. It will still be there when I get around to it. ( or a round tuit...heehee) Death and laundry are inevitable. My kids are watching the Martha Stewart holiday collection DVD's I checked out from the library. We love Martha and we don't care to admit it. She does a good show!!

I hope your last few days have been delightful, whether whirlwinds or resting up time. Relationships with family are awesome!!

Thankful Thursday

We have had a wonderful Thanksgiving with family today. I have enjoyed it thoroughly. Tomorrow I have a rare opportunity to enjoy Black Friday without children. While shopping really isn't my thing, this is a once in a lifetime event. Hubby usually works, but he is still off recovering. I think I am going to go for it.

Need any deals while I am out??

Top 10 Good Things About Today

Well, technically, yesterday considering what time it is. It has been a very productive day and that makes me smile.

1. I got up and made my family bacon, eggs,and biscuits for breakfast.
2. I took my stepdad to the doctor. (He got an A+ check-up.)
3. Got him his favorite McD's on the way home. I tried the new McDonald's pumpkin pie and declared it not even worth the 50 cents I paid for it-but still this was something I have been wanting to do so I declare it a good thing even though it was a bad pie.
4. Took hubby to run some errands. Went to the library. Ran into lots of friends. Just so happened to be there as they set out a whole cart of BRAND NEW MOVIES!!!! We have Hancock, Wall-E, Fred Claus, Kung Fu Panda and some others that we will be the first to view. Eat your heart out stalker Heather!!
5. Took my mom to the grocery and had a nice time. She uses the motorized scooter thingy and I got to drive it to and from the car. I did a tiny donut.
6. Thanked the Lord above that my mom FINALLY got a handicapped parking tag. Do you know how hard it is to get a wheelchair between two cars in a regular spot???
7. Shopped for a few Christmas gifts while mom grocery shopped with her little helper, Lilly.
8. Realized upon getting home and sorting out my stuff that I am about 75% done with my shopping, possibly a little more!!! WAHOO!!
9. Most of those gifts have been wrapped as well.
10. Finally got around to updating my blog!!! AND looked at the calendar and tomorrow is blank. Doing a happy dance. Did I mention we have some cool movies to watch?

I hope to sleep late and have a nice calm day at home tomorrow!! I hope you have a calm day wherever you are as well!!

I'm Back!!

New modem in place. No time to blog. No time to read. 3 day school week, got alot of stuff to cram in. I will be catching up tonight. PLEASE leave me a comment to welcome me back to cyberspace. Tell me how much you have missed me...I am a comment junkie.

Date Night!

Tonight we are going on a date. Hubby is feeling much better, not 100% but about 89%. We are going to try and do a little Christmas shopping as well. December 1 is looming and I am an overachiever, right Hula?? We still have no computer at home and I really miss blogland most of all. Email land is nice too.

*Sigh*

Off to dateland. (It is the best land.)

Desperate

I'm shameless. I will even sneak on the computer at church during praise team* practice. Don't judge me.

*Think choir if you are not Church of Christ. Don't think about it at all if you are and your church doesn't have one.

All three girls did great at the dentist. No cavities. Lilly dental quote:

"They were all up in my mouth with their hands."

Part Deux

I just can't believe how often I get on the computer for this or that. I am having serious withdrawal. My hour and a half at the library flew by. I didn't even get all of my blogs read. I would like to do some online shopping for Christmas...not happening. I would like to do some selling on ebay...not happening. I would like to do a book review and order another book to review...not happening. I would like to comment on some of your blogs...not happening. Be patient...I'LL BE BACK!!!

Modem Inoperate

Nothing will cure the desire to hibernate quicker than a non-working 'puter. I am at the library. Our new modem is on its way. Can't come quick enough.

Today has been fun. Stayed up really late last night getting caught up on some paper grading. Then I started working on schoolwork. Then I decided to go on to bed. Bladder full of TEA PEE woke me up. Continued working on assignments for today. Left to take my stepdad for labwork and a haircut. Back to my mom's for a shave-barbers don't do this anymore ) ; Then I helped Mom find her teeth (!!!!). By now I know what you are thinking...I'm so jealous of this girl's exciting life. I know, I know. I couldn't wait to get to the library and blog about it!! Tomorrow we have two dental appointments. The fun without end, AMEN.

Hibernate

Must resist the urge to hibernate.

Must resist the urge to hibernate.

Must resist the urge to hibernate.

I am really trying but this cold snap plus hubby recovering from surgery really makes me want to bar the doors and sleep for the winter.

Resistance is futile!!

I should've been a bear.

Reunited...

...and it feels so good. Hello blogland my old friend, it's nice to talk to you again.

WOW! A lifetime of things has happened since last I wrote. Wednesday night I rushed all three daughters through the shower and then delivered them to Memaw and Pepaw because Erik's surgery time got moved into the earlier 6 AM slot. Then I went to the grocery and gathered sprite, applesauce, pudding and other soft food supplies so that Erik would have some easy food to ingest upon his return home. Then I came home and thoroughly cleaned the entire house for the second time (NEVER clean too early, it just comes undone!) so we could return to a nice clean house. I got to bed about 1:30 AM. This was all part of my plan to sleep well if we had to spend the night at the hospital.

We got up at 5 AM and headed for the horse-pital for surgery. We prayed just before we left the house and I trusted God to take care of it all. I brought many reading items since no one knew the surgery was early and I knew I would be alone for a while. After helping Erik off with his clothes and on with his tights (heehee-they were blood clot preventative something or other tights)(no pictures, I gave my word), they came and took him away. I went and had a very good breakfast(2 eggs, a biscuit and gravy, hash rounds) for only $1.96. The cheapskate in me took note of that, we may go again for another cheap breakfast!! After that I secured a spot away from the phones and enjoyed my reading material-as much as possible, it was not a good book but I was to far in to give it up. Luckily, Mike came along to rescue me from said book. A LONG time later(about an hour in waiting room time)later, the doc came out to tell us surgery was over and Terrell joined us. We were all very thankful to have a successful surgery even if the whole thing took a little longer than expected.

We visited a bit and then prayed together. Mike and Terrell departed and I went up to the room they would bring him "home" to. I finished the bad book and got started on a really good book. Then I took a break to call my in-laws to come on down and bring the kiddos to see Dad when he got out. They arrived about 5 minutes before Erik was brought back into them room. Erik felt and looked really bad so they did not stay long. It was actually quite some time before he started feeling better. We had some other much needed visits(at least for me) from other church friends and he slowly started to feel a little better. It was about 6 or 7 before he was consistently better but we had already made the call to stay overnight. We went to bed about 10:30 and I apparently sawed some logs!! The next day, Erik was much much better and we got back home around noon. I was very happy I had cleaned. It feels good to return to a clean house.

I have gained about 10 pounds from the good food friends and family have brought over. No complaints though, it is nice to not have to worry about cooking. Tomorrow, the girls and I will go to church and get our lives somewhat back to normal. Erik is still really sore and not doing a lot of moving, but he feels OK. He is over at his mom and dad's tonight to give us a break from his grouchiness, I mean watch a football game. He needed a change of scenery. ( ; He can't drive for a couple of weeks, so I get to pick him up in a little while.

Thanks bloggers for all of your prayers!! I am going now to my reader account and catch up with everyone!! Hope your Saturday night was rockin'!!

Kentucky Rain

My favorite Elvis song, but not my favorite day. It matches my mood today though. Tomorrow my hubby goes to the local Catholic hospital for neck surgery. He has been suffering from neck pain for about 12 years. This was brought on by a combination of football in high school and looking down at mail. The last few weeks have consisted of a chiropractor recommending surgery(!!), xrays, and an MRI. There have also been interviews with people who have had the same surgery and hubby has spent hours reading message boards (not recommended) and printed many many detailed descriptions of this surgery. He is definitely an informed patient. Too informed, I say. He isn't sleeping well. He is nervously trying to get all the big chores done.

I am trying to get caught up on chores too, so I can be a full time nurse. So if you have missed me, that is why. You will miss me some more and I will miss you as well. Please pray for our family. Erik hasn't ever been down and I know this will be really hard for him.

American Consumerism

Hubby and I did a rare thing for both of us. Cover your ears Hula...we went Christmas shopping. A friend invited us to a special Friends and Family sale offering 30% off our purchases. Since I hate shopping but it must be done, we fought the cold and began our shopping. As we walked through the store, it was inescapable-there is too much CRAP in this country. If we are not spoiled rotten, I don't know who is.

There was a whole aisle dedicated to pet Christmas shopping. The sad thing is, some dogs out there will have a better Christmas than alot of kids. They also have better, more stable homes and more clothing. The state of our world really bothers me. (Our pets do not get Christmas presents, but I don't have any hard feelings if yours do!)

I love Christmas-but not because of the stuff. It is more the feelings of generosity in the air, the goodwill towards man. So many people really seek good things to do for others. I love goodwill and generosity. I don't love the commercialism or the fact that our love of stuff gets China richer and us poorer every year.

I sincerely believe most of America is waking up from the drunken spending we have been doing for the last few years. I think we are looking for better crafted and more practical items. I also think we are even looking for more things made in our country. All I can say is it is about time!!

STEP OFF SOAPBOX....The good news is that we found some nice practical gifts for 4 people on our Christmas list. Yahoo, a definite dent is made. We also saved some money...I love friends and family sales!! Awesome!! I hope I can finish all my shopping by Dec. 1.

A River Runs Through It!

Elizabethtown, IL

Columbus, KY

Paducah, KY

We have now completed two days of field tripping!! While the river was not intended to be the focus of our trips, it can't help but be noticed. It has clothed itself with beautiful colored trees on either side and has formed gorgeous sand islands that beg to be daydreamed about.

OK, if you recall, Elizabethtown, IL was late October, but still recent enough to be included. All three of these pictures are in different cities where the marvelous OHIO RIVER runs through. All three are photographed at my most favorite time of year and all three have been destinations for my family. Couple that with our most favorite town of Evansville (ALSO on the OHIO) and our love of river towns is apparent. The river has so much history, so much industry. So variable...one week it is high, the next it is low. I love the way rivers join states to each other and promote tourism. I love that it is a thriving booming industry right now when so little else is.

We will be tripping to Cairo, IL very soon to watch the convergence of the Ohio into the MIGHTY MISSISSIPPI river. Cairo, the most depressing city in the world. It should be booming because of its location and history but instead it is practically a ghost town. Someday a historical society is going to seize that city and restore it to the historical boomtown it should be-and remind us that all history has value and should be noted even if it isn't all good.

A Funny

Lilly knows that Obama is liberal. However, she has a bit of a bizarre definition in her head of what that exactly means. At supper last night she made this hopeful observation.

"Obama will probably just do away with kids being in car seats and boosters and only require lapbelts."

This would be a dream come true for her as we make her sit in a booster until she weighs 80 pounds because we are hopelessly "conservative".

BUSY DAYS!

Somehow I managed to schedule 4 busy days in a row. I am very protective of our time away from home/time at home ratio. Last year we did everything that came our way and so the vow was made to be very thoughtful of the things we got ourselves into. So to have so many things all in a row is not something I am used to anymore!! Today is only day one and I am exhausted!! I am also not at home, I am killing time at the library until our next thing today.

My emotional life is a bit chaotic right now. I can't blog about it, I have finally learned a lesson about the feelings most personal to me. ( ; Let's just say there is alot of soul searching and personal crisis and leave it at that. I could use prayers by the boat-fulls (and by boat-I mean Titanic!) I had lots of worries on my plate already, but yesterday they sort of multiplied exponentially. I hate worry. The Bible expressly warns against it, but I just can't seem to wrap my feeble brain around "Fear not."

In other news, the girls and I are studying constellations-or trying to. Is it just me or are those things nearly impossible to see? I finally realized last night that we were going out too early to see them at their clearest, but I still couldn't make them out later when the stars shone brighter and were higher in the sky. Alas, finding the big dipper is about as far as we can get, oh, and Orion's bow. We may all flunk the science applications lab for constellations.

Things To Be Thankful For

America is still free!!!

We live near a huge lake and the sunsets there are awesome!!

My girls will pose for pictures when I beg and plead.

Gorgeous fall foilage and seldom traveled roads.

Spoiled rotten animals.

Happy Birthday Mom!!

Today is election day, of course, but it is also my mom's birthday. We had a big bash over there with all the sisters and the younger kiddos. All the hubbies couldn't make it, but it was still alot of people. It was fun and took my mind off of the impending DOOM...I'm being overly dramatic but I really don't feel good about Obama AT ALL. I did all that my little vote could do-it worked-my state is still a red state.(all because of me...heehee)

We have a busy end of the week coming up. Hope some of you are happier than I am right now!!

Sharpton & Jackson Consideration

I am pleading with you to please vote for McCain/Palin tomorrow. Otherwise Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson will be out of a job.

This has been "Two things considered...."

Time For Change?

It matters not if you "gain" an hour of sleep, time changes still kick you right square in the buttocks.

NOVEMBER!!!

Surely you jest. It cannot possibly be the eleventh month already. It just can't. It can't possibly be less than two months away from Christmas-that is NOT possible. Every bone in my body is in denial, even though my family is busily making Thanksgiving plans.

I don't exactly remember when days, months and years started flying by like race cars, but the reality is that they are. It troubles me deeply. My kids are growing up. They have moved beyond the stage where it is work to have them around and into the phase of life where they are helpful, reluctantly helpful sometimes, but still helpful. I can't believe how quickly they grow up.

Halloween was fun. The big girls had fun at their sleepover and Lilly had fun being an only child. We went grocery shopping today-just Lilly and I and it was fun. Kroger sent me some kick-butt coupons and so I only spent $95 on this 2-weeks round of groceries. We are officially weaned off of eating out and it feels good. We did not spend alot-usually only 4 or 5 dollars when we were out and about but it all adds up. It is really nice to see gas prices continue to fall, but I don't have any faith at all that they will stay there.

The election is coming up and I can't wait. I bet we get 6 pieces of mail a day. It goes straight to the trash. We are even avoiding TV as often as possible because the ads are maddening!!

Welcome to November!! Carpe Diem!! Winter is just around the corner.