$29.70 for a Full Tank of Gas!

Back in December, right after my son was moved from ICU to a step-down unit and I was finally able to leave the hospital and sleep in my own bed ... I got gas for $1.959 a gallon. It was the one of the few things that made me smile during those dark, scary days and nights. I smiled again the other day when I filled up for less than $30. Paying almost $30 for a tank of gas 20 years ago would have made me cry ... now I do a happy dance!

Sometimes Criminals Just Make it Sooooo Easy!

I'm not a criminal mastermind, nor do I play one on tv, and I don't pretend to know how their (obviously) brilliant minds process thought ... but if I'm planning on stealing something or robbing someone, I'd probably ditch the girl with the fishing pole first. Or, I might have her hide the fishing pole someplace safe (I sure don't want some low-life to steal it!), and come back for it later. At the very least, I would have her wait a few blocks away, or tell her to go home and that we'll meet up later. But, like I said, I'm not a criminal mastermind, so far be it from me to second-guess their wisdom!

Kitchen Shelves

(Click on picture to enlarge)

Superman hung the shelves in my kitchen last weekend. There are still things around the house to hang (mainly in the living room), but this is the project I've been most anxious to see completed. I love the look of the wood shelves against the brick. 

The "eat" sign isn't going to stay above the microwave. And speaking of microwaves, I need a bigger one ... that one looks like a toy sitting there! I swapped microwaves with my daughter when I moved here. She had a black one, but needed a white one, while I had a white one, and needed a black one. I'll get a larger microwave, but this one works for now.

Okay ... back to the "eat" sign! It will one day be hung on on a different wall in the kitchen, but that's on hold until I decide exactly how I want that wall to look. I originally planned to set a narrow buffet table against that wall. A stemware was going to hang from the ceiling above the buffet, and the "eat" sign would be hung between the two. Unfortunately, I underestimated the necessary walk-room behind the island. The buffet was in the way, so I had to move it out of the kitchen. If I hang the stemware rack there without the table to protect the real estate beneath it, people will hit their head on the glasses, the glasses will fall, everyone will inevitably be barefoot, someone will need stitches, I'll be in my pajamas (or in bed), it will be raining ... or snowing, etc. 

So, no ... that won't work at all! We'll have to move to Plan B ... except ... there was no Plan B.

Thing 2 and I brainstormed and figured out a better place to hang the stemware rack ... so now I need something else to fill the emptiness on that wall. Hopefully whatever I find will allow me to hang the "eat" sign there, too. When I'm out shopping or just surfing the web, I've been keeping an eye open for ideas, but nothing has spoken to me yet. There's no rush. I'll find the perfect something (or somethings) eventually. It doesn't help that I'm not looking for anything in particular ... but I'll know it when I see it ... and then I'll know what Plan B is!

More Apple Dumplings

I made apple dumplings the other night. These things are amazing, and so easy. The hardest part is cutting up the apples. I think I'll try it with peaches next ... that sounds even better!

My recipe can be found here.

Am I Team Left Twix® or Team Right Twix®?

I just ate my first Twix® candy bar. It was free and I needed chocolate. The kids like them, so I thought I'd give it a go. After I ate it, I decided I'm not on either Twix® team. 

So ... not only did I eat my first Twix®, I also ate my last Twix®. It wasn't bad, it just wasn't good. And I still need chocolate.

A New Tenant

I bought a miniature door at least 20 years ago with the intention of mounting it someplace in the house for the kids to discover, and I never did. (Shame on me!) I finally dug it out the other day and put it up. And I love it!

If my mom had done this when I was a child, she would never have had to worry about me or wonder where I was or call me home for dinner ... I would have spent my entire childhood lying in wait nearby, hoping to catch a glimpse of the little people who lived there.

It's not completely done. It isn't permanently adhered to the wall and their mailbox needs hung. I need to get on that. They aren't complaining about having to go to the post office to get their mail ... yet.

I can't wait to decorate it for the all the holidays and leave small treats for the grandkid(s) to discover when they wake up from their naps.

In the near future there will be another really cool discovery for the little ones, but I'll wait until it's done and show you rather than tell you now. I can't wait!!

Um, No Thanks

I still look online at houses for sale. Don't worry, I'm not moving again ... it's just out of curiosity and for decorating do's and don'ts. I still love my house better than any of the ones I look at, especially the one above. The owners of this home have thought of everything ... right down to the serial killer hiding in the closet!

If you're into that kind of thing, I guess this house ticks most of the boxes ...

Be Still My Heart

Sweet baby W came to see me last the weekend, and I was in heaven ... even if he did throw his first temper tantrum for me. It was short lived, however ... but only because I immediately checked to make sure I wasn't holding him in a way that folded his little ear, changed the position I was holding him (numerous times), patted his tiny, padded bottom, and walked around the house until he slipped into unconsciousness. I was able to briefly lay him down and take this picture, but it wasn't long before he realized I wasn't holding, walking, and rocking him, nor was I patting his butt ... and he let me know my dereliction of duty was not going to be tolerated. He puckered up and bellowed, so I snatched him up and held him close as I walked and rocked him and patted his bottom.

I'm sure he's proud of what he's accomplished in the four short weeks he's been with us. He's had his Mommy trained for a while, and his Grandma Jackie is proving to be a fast learner. It won't be long before he has me jumping through hoops for my favorite bite-sized treat! He's probably quite relieved to know that old adage is true ... you really can teach an old dog new tricks!

Really? On November 8TH!!!!!

I came home Sunday evening
and saw this in my neighbor's window.

I hope they see this post
and realize what they've done!!

Surprise Flowers!!

I hadn't been home from work long yesterday when there was a knock at the front door. When I opened the door, a flower delivery man was holding an arrangement. They were addressed to Thing 2. He verified she lived here, then handed me the box containing the delicate purple blooms.

Thing 2 has been having a tough time lately, and it made my heart smile to know that her fiance had sent her flowers to brighten her day. How sweet! I wanted her to see them as soon as she got off work, so I took a picture of the flowers, and the card addressed to her, and texted it to her.

She called as soon as she got off work and asked me, "Did you read the card?"

"Of course not," I replied. "I don't open things and read stuff addressed to you!"

"Read the card," she told me.

As I walked back to the kitchen to read the card to her, I told her I knew they were from her boyfriend, and how sweet I thought it was that he sent them to her.

Then I read the card ...

Even though she spelled it out for them,
they spelled "Mama" wrong!

They were for ME! Thing 2 sent flowers to ME!!! I got a little choked up at how sweet that was ... and the sentimental note didn't help! After I read the card and realized they were for me, I was thrilled ... then I felt bad that they weren't for her! She's the ones who needs flowers right now. I'm the one who should have sent her flowers!!!

When the kids were growing up, I was well aware of the fate of so many children raised in a "broken" home. I was terrified my kids would grow up and be "statistics". I did my best to give them a good childhood, and tried to make sure they had the things they would have had if they were raised with two parents. Being a loving mother came easy to me. Being a stern father, however, did not. But, I know love without discipline is empty, so I had to punish them when they broke the rules. I had to hold them accountable for their actions ... even when doing so broke my heart.

One time, I apologized to her for not giving her a better childhood. She looked at me ... genuinely confused ... and said, "What do you mean? I had a wonderful childhood!"

I guess I hid the exhaustion of all those sleepless nights, the sacrifices, the loneliness, the tears, and the fear of raising three kids alone better than I remembered! Good.

It's a true mark of maturity when you finally recognize and acknowledge all your parents(s) did for you. When she was four years old, Thing 2 promised me she would stay four forever. I guess she lied to me ... because I do believe my little girl is all grown up.