Can I Be A Cat?

Sometimes, I get jealous of my cats...mainly because they get to nap in the sun.

And because they do not have to deal with crossing guards gone wild. Six of my guards (out of 38) were evaluated yesterday afternoon and all six failed certification...all six. (one was talking on her cell phone, one abandoned ship 15 minutes early, yet another was so busy talking to everyone that kids were crossing themselves. SIGH.)

Not good. Not good at all.

After finding out about it this morning, I just wanted to nap in the sun without a care in the world. Who am I kidding...I might be back to napping in the sun if my ship doesn't repair it's leaks.

=0)

Maggie...in her current favorite spot:

I picked Alex up from school...it's finals week so he was done at 10:15am this morning, and off we went to visit the orthopedist. As long as he is taped/braced, he is good to go, so I have a very happy basketball player now.

And a very worried mom. But oh well, what's new.

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We then made a little detour to Sprinkles, because it's free cupcake day. And who doesn't love a free cupcake? (Oh...and today I had orange. Probably my new favorite.)

Our sunny day has suddenly become overcast and chilly...I am heading out to work with my guards. Again. Tonight I am meeting some friends for dinner...homemade chicken pot pie for the male crew here at home.

And below is Mollie. We call her our dog...she sleeps with all four paws in the air, follows me everywhere and loves me most of all. Sigh.

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FOR TODAY:

January 25, 2010

Outside my window...sunshine! After a week of rain (something we're not used to!) the glorious sun is shining brightly down on us. The temps are a bit chilly...low 60's, but I'll take it. More rain in the forecast for this week, but it's OK...the rain is making everything so lush and green outside.

I am thinking...that the weekend flew right on by. Basketball, birthday parties, concerts, wine with friends...it was a just a really nice (and calm!) weekend.

I am thankful for...DVR. Sounds shallow, huh? I just love that we can tape anything and watch it later with no commercials.

From the kitchen...last night I made a great pot roast and risotto, so something MUCH lighter tonight. M has choir but because it's finals week, no basketball. I'm thinking a pot of potato soup and some homemade bread.

I am wearing...jeans, a long sleeved black t-shirt and tennis shoes. I've already been out visiting a few guards...and was home in time to usher the boys out the door for school. Time to shower and face the day.

I am creating...finished all of my orders from last week and got them shipped. I just placed a big silver order...once that comes, I'll get back to work. I'm taking a class that is challenging me creatively...and causing me many burns. Molten wax and silver are HOT.

I am going...welll, after I shower, I should run errands. But I might just hide out at home, catch up on some paperwork and work on the laundry.

I am reading...the book of Luke for bible study. Also, a stack of really old Bon Apetit's that are by my bed.

I am hoping...to cross off some of the things from my 'to do' list this week. There are some time consuming things on there...renewing my passport (which expires the day before I am coming home, so it has to be done) is one of them.

I am hearing...cats meowing at the back door.

Around the house...the house is in pretty good shape, but the floors need to be swept and the boys bathroom needs it's usual clean up.

One of my favorite things...the morning sun, shining thru the windows in the front part of my house.

A few plans for the rest of the week: only 2 basketball games this week, a visit to the orthopedist for Alex, and I am on call in for jury duty. My number is pretty high, so I don't think I will have to report this time around.

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...hydrangeas. In a pitcher. On the kitchen table. Sigh.

For more on The Simple Woman's Daybook, visit HERE.

Glimpses

A glimpse of today:

A glimpse of tonight:

Tons of Mud

OK, rain. It's been fun. But now it's time for you to go away.

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Brian has been loving it though, and thankfully owns an extra pair of old shoes or two, because the bestest thing in the world is playing soccer and football in the rain. Rain means mud. And what boy doesn't want the go ahead from mom to play in the muck?

And excuse the cheesy smile.

It wouldn't be so bad if he only did this once...but it seems that as soon as he comes in and gets cleaned up then someone else calls for a mud match.

My washing machine is tired. Very, very tired.

This morning, after being awake in the middle of the night, I was totally, totally dragging. The rainy weather didn't help, nor did the fact that my car's 4 wheel drive locked on yesterday and I was stressed about it.

But then I got an SOS call that a MOPs leader was ill and out I ran with my hair in a very pathetic looking barrette.

Whatever works, I tell ya.

Once there I found out that there was no copy of the devotion she was supposed to give and couldn't I just wing it?

Sigh. Not my gift. But in the end it all worked out well...and on the way home, the 4WD unlocked.

And then the rains stopped for a brief 30 minutes and the sun came out.

God is good.

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Oh, and because I know that you've all been on pins and needles...Brian got a B+ on his science fair project. And then he criticized my typing.

Gotta love the baby.

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Play Nice, Please

3:00am.

Rain is falling, hard, outside my window.

Everyone in my family is asleep and I am awake, talking to cats. And watching Real Housewives of Orange County. And sneaking a snickerdoodle. Or three.

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I've spent the last hour deleting some of the nastiest comments EVER from Ms Anonymous, who seems to think that attacking my character is cool. And it's not. So there. And why stick around and read 87 posts, leaving 87 nasty comments if you don't like what you are reading...I'm thinking we both have something better to do.

Yep. We do.

Pass the snickerdoodles, please.

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Yesterday was the strangest weather day...sunshine to torrential rain (and yes, I mean torrential) to tornado warnings to sunshine.

I was blessed to be able to work from home yesterday and watched it all from my kitchen windows, hammering away at both jewelry and my computer.

Gotta play cafe world, you know.

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I did get out today...drove to LA and met my sister in law for a fondue lunch. Fondue + sisters + rain = a very fun afternoon.

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The Simple Woman's Daybook

For Today, January 18, 2010...

Outside my window...rain, rain and more rain. In fact, they are predicting up to 6 inches just this week. That's just crazy!

I am thinking...about all the weeds that will need to be plucked out of my garden after all the rainstorms move through, and wishing I had taken the time to secure down weed covers last week when I was thinking about it.

I am thankful for...the last month with all my boys home and sleeping under one roof. Matthew is moving back to the dorms today...sigh.

From the kitchen...a full turkey dinner is cooking! Turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, green beans and cranberry sauce...the whole works. While cleaning out the outside freezer, I found a turkey tucked in the bottom...I bought it at Thanksgiving, but ended up buying a bigger one for the crowd I was feeding...this one is a 'tiny' 22 pounder.

I am wearing...my standard uniform. Jeans and a short sleeved black t-shirt...and bare feet.

I am creating...a bunch of new pendants. I am donating one to an auction and have an order I'm working on for a wedding in February...the bridesmaids are all wearing a specially created design by the bride. So sweet!

I am going...absolutely, positively nowhere else today. I did go to the gym this morning, but other than that, we are in for the day.

I am reading...a somewhat delightful and trashy James Patterson mystery. Perfect for a rainy day.

I am hoping...that I can get my house back in order. It's just in need of good cleaning and someone, anyone, with the motivation to do it.

I am hearing...my youngest whistling. He just learned how a few days ago and does it every waking moment. It was cute at first...

Around the house...the washer and dryer have been doing their thing, a fire is in the fireplace and that guy that I like so much is home, working on his laptop.

One of my favorite things...the early morning quiet before anybody else rolls out of bed. There are alotta boys per square inch in our little house and as the only girl, I treasure that time.

A few plans for the rest of the week: the farmers market for produce (if the rain lets up), coffee with a friend who I haven't seen for awhile, bringing dinner/hanging out with a friend who had emergency brain surgery last week, 3 basketball games (2 for Alex, 1 for Brian), and hopefully mopping all the floors.

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...Alex and his hidden stash. =0)
For more on the Simple Woman's Daybook, visit here. (And Laura...you need to do this, too!)