Monday Musings

Well I might as well stick to the old title of Monday Musings since it's Monday and I'm Musing.  The MYP were actually making fun of me last week.  They heard that I resumed blogging a bit and they thought I was doing this:

.  

I sure hope not.

I didn't think I would be able to post pictures today because I was having issues importing them onto our desktop.  So I contacted Apple and they called me back and just as we got through the pleasantries of how my day was going - voila!  (do I overuse that word?) they were importing.  "Rachel" giggled a bit and said "I'm sure glad I could help you!".  So I said enthusiastically, "Thanks so much for all your help!"  I hope I made her Monday.

Last week I successfully gave blood.  I walked in and went through all the steps and background info that is needed to be a donor.  I passed my iron level by a .1.  Yes you read that right.  I squeaked by with .1 to spare.  Then "Jess" said as I headed to the donor area, "would you mind if we used someone in training to stick you?"  I was wondering if she thought I looked super-nice, or if she thought I was a jerk.  No matter I hesitantly said "yes" and "Sarah" came over.  She was a large lady with a small tattoo on the side of her neck with a strong smell of cigarette smoke.  I was uneasy but chattered along while she fumbled with the plastic tubing and bags.  Long story short after the initial poke (and blood dripping down my elbow), it went ok except the raisins were stale at the snack bar.

Last week I also had my annual mammogram.  As I drove there I was thinking, this could be a very worrisome day with more appointments or it could turn out to be the best day ever.  Well I was at the test center for only 20 minutes and in that time I had a breast exam, a 3D mammography, and an all-clear result and she sent me on my merry way.  I love that there's a radiologist right there waiting to read results.  And I love even more that I have an all-clear again.

A few days ago I spent 2.5 hours in the car driving the youngest of the MYP to two kinds of lessons.  I sure hope she's getting better at what all these lessons are for!  I was complaining talking with her on the last leg of the journey about how much time we had spent in the car that day and she said, 'well in just a little over a year this won't be happening because I'll be able to drive myself.  Reality bites sometimes.

I took Lisi to a pet store and turned around to find that she was shoplifting.  How embarrassing!

I always think our cat and dog look cute together.  But I'm really biased.

Lisi loves when I lie down by her.  I may or may not like it too.

We had another extra-special privilege this weekend.  I am trying my best to get work done ahead of time so I'm not a "Martha".  This time it worked.  The time together was precious.  She came a stranger and left a dear friend.

Ok time for the smile section.  Happy week ahead!

well not quite...

Finally going to get political

Well, well, well, we have a new president.  I took some time out of my day last Friday and watched a bit of the pomp and circumstance.  I think it's finally time write a paragraph and let you know how I really feel and which side of the aisle I sit on.





So there you have it.  That's how I feel.  It isn't something that I need to talk about or something that I need to throw out there to trouble the waters of friendship or fellowship.  I will say this.  I'm proud I'm American.  Just travel to a third-world country and you will have a deeper appreciation for our land.  I'm glad for liberty and freedom.  And I'm thankful that there is a higher power than what we can see and hear speaking the rhetoric that is promised.

The internet is a dangerous place.  I began looking up a recipe for cheesecakes and found myself watching a YouTube video of what really is on the inside of a kangaroo pouch.

I have a sick teenager here.  I feel bad because she feels bad.  I also feel bad because she wants to cuddle and be close and I am doing all I can in my power to not get her illness.  So I tell her she can be close as long as she doesn't breathe on me.  I hope the kefir keeps me strong.

I have five pair of reading glasses.  The dollar store is a marvelous place to get them - although they do make your pages seem like they are warping near the bottom of the lens.  But I can never find them and then when I do I find all five on the same end table.  I think they like to hang together.

My catering gig last Saturday was a success they told me.  Now I'm back to just catering the needs of the Chairman and co.  It's still rewarding but not as flattering.

I purchased something called Unstoppables.  I'm not sure why they are called that but they are laundry fragrance enhancers.  I just looked it up and their slogan is "smell like the lifestyle you deserve".  Well anyway, I put them in a load recently and one of the MYP came home and said that her friends said, 'why do you smell like laundry?'.  I laughed and she said it wasn't funny.  I may or may not have added them again to her load this week.  I'm a fun mom like that.

I am constantly running out of thyme.  I'm not sure if I'm wasting it or just not use it to its full advantage.  But once again, it is on my list to buy.  It is possible to buy thyme.

I'm off to see if I have enough iron in my bloodstream to donate blood.  I keep turning down the sweet American Red Cross Lady, but this last time she offered me a $10 gift card if I came in.  Money talks and I listen.

This is enough!  I'm feeling lazy and won't post any pictures today.  But it sure was fun to chat with you today!

A little chat

There's a cold shoulder.  And an icy stare.  I think winter gets a bad wrap sometimes.  Especially when you enjoy outdoor sports and don't mind the cold.  Well today it's nasty.  Freezing rain and the roads are tentative at best.  I hope someone takes some video of people slipping because hardly nothing is funnier.

I just was running some errands and saw an older lady in the Costco lot driving on her completely flat tire.  I waved her down and when she rolled down her window the smoke/alcohol fumes nearly consumed me.  She muttered an expletive under her breath and off she went.  I doubt she goes far.  

Then I went to Aldi.  I found so many perfect things for my catering gig this weekend.  As I was leaving a mother asked to use my cart.  Then she looked into the van and said, 'Evan, give this nice lady the quarter'.  He was about two and painfully cute and said he wanted to hold the quarter.  Well she had me at the cuteness of her little boy and the fact she called me a 'nice lady'.  So off I went without my quarter.  

Did you know Costco is starting to get normal milk cartons now instead of those flat things that spill all over your counter when you pour?  I reckon they'll be selling less milk since half of it won't be spilling anymore.  Or not.

The other night the Chairman and I were alone so we decided to go out!  We went to a nearby greasy-spoon place that sells delicious Greek gyros.  Then to Menard's and Home Depot.    Don't ever say romance is dead after twenty-two years.  

My name is Linda and I finally have to admit something.  Our son is a redneck.  He's been mainly raised in suburbia.  He's been nurtured and encouraged to love and respect all ways of life.  However, his deepest love is the country and anything that has to do with hunting, fishing, and what-not.  He already has warned me that he doesn't intend to stay near the city when he grows up.  I say power to him!  I can't wait to go visit him wherever he chooses to live and work.  

When you're trying to sleep, why is snoring so annoying and a cat purring is not?  I spent a few moments the other night trying to figure it out and I haven't yet.  I do not love the cat more than the Chairman so that is not a reason.

"You know you haven't shaved your legs in awhile when you feel the hairs on your leg billowing in the breeze when you walk outside."  I won't say who said that but I will say it made me laugh.

And finally, I saw this quote recently and liked it.  I don't know who to give credit to and I'm too lazy to look it up.

"Preach the gospel at all times.  When necessary, use words."  

So this is enough.  I'll add a few pictures at the end and wander off to continue my day.

Our UPS man always leaves a treat with the box.  I would rather he leave me a doughnut.

Was a beautiful day to hit our little ski hill Saturday.  

Don't ever say I'm not a fun mom.  I let her make fried pickles.  

YUM!  These fresh-squeezed-out-of-the-chicken-eggs are the bomb.

If I don't answer a text within 28 seconds, the MYP almost panic.

Um.  This is partially true.  I love asking him a yes/no question and hear him say slowly "uh-huh" behind the newspaper.

I may have lied...

... or maybe not.  This isn't a Monday Musing.  However, it is considered blogging so that kinda-sorta makes me a liar.  I hope not because I know that lying is a terrible thing.  We've tried to teach our MYP that since they could understand.  And here I am being a lousy example to the watching eyes.

Anyway!  Here I am.  Just two weeks later typing up a blog post.  Why you ask?  Well to be perfectly honest, I was a bit sad that I wasn't going to blog anymore.  The Chairman asked me after I told him I was quitting, 'are you sure?'.  One of the MYP asked me the next day, 'don't you want to record special milestones?'  Then today I just read about the Pioneer Woman's sweet Basset Hound Charlie dying.  I got a bit teary-eyed of course and was thinking how much I would want to therapeutically write a post when Lisi finishes her days (which I hope isn't real soon).

So!  I may continue blogging but only at a pace that isn't every Monday.  Or maybe it will.  I have no idea.  I'll type along when inspiration strikes - if only for the amusement and record for our own family.  Will see.

So!  We just had our house bursting with family again.  I think the word 'blessed' is sometimes overused but I feel completely justified to use it when describing my own family.  I still have living and loving parents.  I have a sister and a brother who both have spouses I adore.  I have nephews and nieces who were adorable babies and now are friends to me.  And a good majority of them were with us for the weekend from far away places.  Yes, I am blessed and I have and always will give thanks for what I have.

If you know the Chairman, you might know that he isn't really big into changes (unless wheels are involved).  So the other day when I texted a picture of some furniture and asked him what he thought - I figured I'd wander off and that would be that.  He responded, 'sure'.  Oh?  Really?  A few more calls made and within an hour of walking into the store, I had three humongous boxes in my garage and a slight pit in my stomach.  Did I do the right thing?  What if he hates it?  How do I ever return this when it's all unpacked?  What in the world do I do with these mountains of cardboard?  Thankfully, it all passed the rigid test of the Chairman and the cardboard was mostly consumed with a pyromaniac, gas-in-hand son.

So the blessings of family also bring the mountains of sheets and towels that need to be run through the cycles.  I better go do something more productive.

So this is enough today!  Glad to touch base again.  Will just see how life unfolds and as inspiration strikes how much I type up on here.  Thanks for all your support!  💕

\

The end of the Muse

It all began on July 4, 2007.  I did a test picture of a trip we took to Colorado.  I wanted to see how a blog post works.  I had no idea if anyone would even see it.  But someone did.  And another.  And another.  I found satisfaction in writing about our lives.  I became connected with other bloggers who became like friends to me.  It became something I enjoyed doing and eventually I started to Muse each Monday.

It was fun and I enjoyed writing.  I laughed and sometimes cried as I typed up my weekly Muse.  However, lately I've been lacking the inspiration and the humor and even the joy of writing.  So I think it's time to take a break.  I don't intend to Muse weekly anymore.

I may return to pen something that was emotional or meaningful to me.  I may return to type up a story that happened that I don't want to forget.  But that's about it.

Thanks for your support and for the memories and for encouraging me to keep at it for nearly ten years.  💕