Tuesday, March 27, 2018

Tuesday talk about post 1300

Wow.  Thirteen-hundred posts!  And I'll type up another one since all the members of the Chairman and co. are presently occupied with various things and no one is calling out my name.  Lets see how long it lasts. 

Have you ever bought glasses online?  We have used eyebuydirect.com twice now for two of the MYP.  They had a current prescription.  Glasses in one store were quoted at close to $400.  We don't have that kind of bills laying around to burn so we checked into on-line sources.  Both of the MYP bought TWO pairs of glasses that were delivered to the door that fit and looked great.  None of them even needed slight adjustments.  And it cost around $30 for both pairs.  This is not a paid endorsement but I like my friends to save money. 

I walk our neighborhood area daily.  I was secretly wishing they'd each open their doors and I could walk in and look around and see what the interior looked like in decor, cleanliness, and floor plan.  No one has really offered so I'll just keep walking by.  Some people keep all their blinds closed night and day.  Maybe it's because they know I'm nosy. 

The Chairman and our oldest took off for NYC last week on her spring break.  I was invited but declined the invite when I heard the itinerary.  I really was glad I declined when their outbound flight was cancelled and they grabbed a rental and drove 15 hours.  They had a splendid time, made lots of memories, and she even came home with a couple pairs of shoes.  So if you know her, you would know it was successful!  I missed them both by the second day.  Thank goodness for Facetime and text messaging!

My family likes food more and more spicy.  And if I make cookies, cinnamon rolls, muffins, you name it, after the first day no one will hardly touch them.  So frustrating!  If anyone wants a day-old lemon poppyseed muffin, stop on by!  I can't eat them all or I'll surely have a muffin top (and bottom).

I've had some ulcer-like stomach pains again.  Thank goodness for medicine that was prescribed last year.  However, the medicine says to take on an empty stomach four times a day.  The guidelines to make this ulcer go away says to eat five small meals a day.  You do the math and tell me when I can and cannot eat.  I figure there's a five minute window a couple times a day where it would work. 

We have a special week coming up again!  Several opportunities to be with some special people.  A special meeting.  Special feelings.  Spring is a special time around here.

Last week I was alone with daughter #1 and we had been shopping.  As we got into the car I looked over at her and her eyes were welled up with tears.  I suddenly felt really worried and my mind came up with about 13 reasons she was sad - from college to friends to sickness to emotional trauma to... you name it.  I'm calm like that.  Anyway, I said, "what's wrong?".  She then looked at me and said, "I'm just so glad you adopted me.  I see other adoptive families out there when I'm working or whatever and some of the parents look really weird.  I'm really glad you both are my parents."  Well my eyes welled with tears too.  I hugged her and we talked a little bit about how miraculous the match was that took place nearly 18 years ago on the other side of the world.  We're thankful that it wasn't just authorities involved but a much higher power. 

Well this is enough for post #1300.  There may be a break from regular programming next week as I won't be by the computer.  I won't forget you though! 



Monday, March 19, 2018

Monday Musings

Post #1299.  Kind of impressed aren't you?  Or not.   That's ok.  I still love you.

What's new with you?  Wish I could hear you.

We've had water in the basement.  I think this is the fifth time.  I try to practice what I preach and keep a nice attitude about me, but I nearly was ready to really give our plumber a piece of my mind after our issue was "fixed" and I went downstairs to water the very next day.  Luckily he finally fixed it.  Luckily he was kind as a little lamb.  And luckily he offered all his services without pay which I didn't allow happen lest I need him again.  So far, my socks have stayed dry since then.

Do you play Words with Friends?  Remember that Scrabble-like game?  Well I only play with my big sister and I noticed I've played 803 games so far.  I must need a life.  The MYP make fun of me but I can handle it because I have a lot of wordy-combacks to their sass. 

Ever since I can remember, every box of garbage bags say "now even stronger!!!".  I wonder how strong they really need to be?  What are people throwing into these bags that need such heft?  Anvils?  Cement blocks? 

I went to the dermatologist last week to have her look at some sketchy black moles.  I've been to the medical doctor for physicals but the dermatologist examination was way more invasive than my normal physical.  She left no skin unchecked!  Good thing I'm not the most private person out there.  And by the way, my moles are not scary ones.

I saw a mom out walking with a little one that looked about two years old.  She was on her phone talking and talking while the kid just sat there riding along in the stroller.  I shouldn't be judgmental but I sure wish she'd be telling her little one about the duckys in the pond or talking about the cars going by instead of blathering on and on with a friend about nonsense.  I was nearby long enough to know that's what it sounded like.

The other night I dreamt the Chairman sold his car for a giraffe.  He came home and showed me this enormous giraffe and said they were going off for a walk.  And because he didn't put this ginormous giraffe on a leash it walked out on a partially frozen pond and was going to drown.  I overheard the Chairman say that he was going to go to jail for animal cruelty.  I think I need to lay off spicy food too late in the day. 

I have a created a bracket for the March Madness basketball hoopla going on.  I notice a inverse correlation between how well my bracket does to how much I'm interested in it.  I'm not doing so well so I'm pretending I don't care. 

So this week is graduation picnic planning #2.  I feel like I just went through this.  Maybe it's because our first two are only 11 months apart.  I'm smart like that! 

Well this is probably enough for today.  Always nice to chat!  😊

Monday, March 12, 2018

Monday Musings

Here I am again!  Back in the drivers seat ready to Muse.  Lets see where this goes.

I feel like a contrarian this morning.  You know come September you see everything pumpkin spice?  Well it is nearly spring and I have had a hankering for pumpkin bundt cake.  One is currently baking in the oven.  Pumpkin spice... in the spring.  I feel so risque.  Maybe I'll do up some lemon bars in October.

So how's the time change going for you?  I enjoy the longer evenings but I certainly don't like walking around the house changing all the clocks - much less feeling like a truck hit me.  And I'm a morning person.  I remember it being brutal when we had babies and the time change was the night before our special meeting.  It's still brutal with teenagers.  On a Monday morning.

We've had water issues in the basement again.  Some 'float valve' isn't working.  In spite of that frustration, I'm very thankful we know a plumber that lives nearby.  As the water level was rising at 8:30 Saturday night I texted him a picture of the alarm going off and he immediately called with a temporary fix.  Because of the water issue, I can't do laundry until he comes.  I am enjoying the day off of folding socks.  But if he doesn't come over in the next day or so, I might be heading to the store to buy underwear for some family members since they tend to have a low inventory.  Heh.

As most of you know, our MYP came in rapid fire.  We return from China with child #1.  Two months later we welcome newborn #2.  Two years later newborn #3 is born to us.  Since #3 never liked being a baby and walked and talked before the age of one, we practically treated our MYP as triplets.

We ran the household with a military-precision schedule for a few years for my own sanity.  I sometimes wish I wouldn't have been so intense those days.  Soon school.  And lanky legs and crooked teeth and broken lamps.  Then a son that towers over me.  A fashionable daughter.  A graduation.  Another looming in a couple months.  Three drivers.

I was reading an article about the 20 truths of teenagers.  Yes, they will make mistakes.  Yes, they may dent your car.  Yes, they leave humongous shoes and backpacks strewn all over the house.  Yes they go to bed too late.  Yes, they have a sometimes-snarky comeback to a soft suggestion.  It's kind of like riding a roller coaster you can't get off.  Whooo-eee! 

So the days go on, I feel myself wanting to once again freeze time.   Some of the time they have their friends here.  This weekend we had one come for one night and two the next.  All different teens.  They are often gone - sometimes for entire weekends.  But I love, love to have the bedrooms full and them all home again.  I love our nearly adult conversations with them.  I love that we not only love them, but we like them.  They haven't left but I miss them already.

Well if you will excuse me, I've got a delicious cake coming out of the oven.  It smells like fall in here.  Heh


Thursday, March 8, 2018

Thursday Thoughts

Did you miss me?  Or maybe I should say, is anyone still stopping by?  Did you think the earth was flat and I fell off the edge?  Or maybe you thought that something was dreadfully wrong here at the Chairman and co.

The answer is simply I didn't take the time to sit down and type anything.  Maybe it was winter doldrums.  Maybe I'm as lazy as I appear sometimes.  Anyway!  I've been thinking of you all and missed writing so will just pen some thoughts.

We are feeling the empty nest already and the birds haven't fledged.  It comes gradually.  College classes, jobs, and extra-curriculars cause the MYP to come and go more and more.  I counted up and one of the MYP was only with us for the evening meal twice last week.  And for some reason, they all are calling it "dinner" not "supper".  It's frustrating but there's bigger things to worry about.

I purposely buy candy the MYP don't like.  That way it doesn't disappear so quickly.  I'm thoughtful like that.

We all took the five love languages test.  I recommend it to any family.  The Chairman's love language is touch.  Mine is acts of service.  In case you were interested.  So if I keep rubbing his head will he empty the dishwasher?  That would be an interesting sight.

Did you know if you get a steam stain on wood you are to fix it with running an iron over it?  That seems so counter-intuitive it makes my head spin.  But it does work.

Some think crocus or daffodils blooming are the first signs of spring.  For me it has been and always will be the first robin I see.  For some reason it just makes me feel all happy inside to see them back.

Today's news said that we live in the 2nd drunkest state in the union.  North Dakota beat us.  I like people from North Dakota and I don't think I've met a drunk one.

I quit sorting my clothes.  I just dump them all in one load and haven't had an issue.  Is that weird?  I do wash towels and sheets separately though.

I was at Goodwill today and saw a skirt that looked like something I would like.  I paused to look and realized it was one of the ones I donated a couple weeks ago.  I must still like the same style.  heh.

I currently have family in Hawaii.  They are sending beautiful pictures of beaches and sunsets and even a huge bale of turtles (I looked that word up).   See?  You can learn things if you read the Chairman and co.!  I digress.  Anyway!  I think they are subliminally bragging with those pictures.  And yes, I have some envy.

I read the 20 things you can do wrong while you shower.  I do 11 of them so I wonder if I don't smell good?  Let me know if something is amiss.

Do any of you have three teenagers in your home right now?  You may know how if feels like.  One day you feel like it is rainbows and sunshine and all that is good and they are only going to bring joy and do great things in the future.  And the next day it feels like they all may end up in prison.  Not really that... but I'm so incredibly glad the Chairman and I are a team navigating these uncharted waters of life.

Today is International Women's Day!  Hooray!  Yay!  Let's celebrate!  Or not.  I'm a stay-at-home mother these days.  I kinda run the gamut around here - operational wise and to the masses I probably am not contributing enough to society.  That's ok because I'm very, very thankful for what I get to do.  I just wonder what day will be International Men's Day because I think they deserve the same recognition.  Now excuse me while I fall off my soap box.

I was with someone recently that hasn't had the easiest road lately.  But she is continually thinking and doing for others.  And I left with the feeling that really the secret to true joy is thinking about others more than yourself.  It's basic but still so incredible to think about.

Well this is enough for today!  I may return to regular programming...!  And maybe even throw in some pictures for fun.