One Tippy Toe at a Time . . .

. . . is how you ease back into blogging after an extended absence, No?

Did anyone see the Lunar Eclipse?  When we went to bed last night, it was too cloudy to see much of anything, but around 3 o'clock this morning, it was very red and super cool.  Insomnia has its privileges. 

Baby Boy and I finished our Fall semesters successfully.  Whew!  I took 15 hours this semester, and let me just say that was too many.  Housework, schoolwork, sanity in general . . . it all suffered.  I'll be pulling back to part time in the spring.  Well . . . not exactly part time, but less than 15 hours.  Let's just say that. 

Great news!  I finally received my acceptance letter to my first choice university.  I have one more semester at the community college and then I'm headed for the Big Time.  I think Baby Boy is going to take another 2 or 3 semesters before he's ready to transfer.  He has a very strategic plan.   

I'm still trying to get motivated for Christmas. 

My sister bought a new house and graciously hosted Thanksgiving Dinner there, but it looks like it's back over here for Christmas Eve Dinner for Mom #2's daughter and her brood and Christmas Day Dinner for my family this year. 

I won't bore you with all the details, but I have extreme entertaining anxiety, and I am not looking forward to any of it.  I hate holidays, but I've already got the house-cleaning list up on the white board.  Grab a pair of rubber gloves and come on over if you have any free time.


Did y'all see Fabio win Survivor?  I thought he was so cute during the season, but on the reunion show, I didn't really care for his haircut.  I liked it better long.  Not that he's asking me for any styling tips now that he has a million dollars.  I could use a donation though, so if any of you know him personally, send him by my house, LOL. 

OK, I think that's all for now.  I'll try not to be such a stranger.





Until next time . . .

Thankful

I'm thankful that currently there is no dust anywhere in my house.

I'm thankful that the floors are spotless and sparkling.

I'm thankful that the carpet hasn't only been vacuumed, but shampooed as well.

I'm thankful that there are no dirty dishes anywhere in the entire house.

I'm thankful that we're finally having the kind of cool breezy weather that encourages opening all the windows and thoroughly airing out the entire house.

I'm thankful that Baby Doggy has been bathed, brushed and trimmed and won't smell like the not-so-great outdoors for our Thanksgiving Day guests.

I'm thankful that the pies and cakes are already baked.

I'm thankful that the hors d'oevres have been pre-assembled and only need to be warmed in the oven ten minutes before our guests' estimated arrival.

I'm thankful that Mom #2 makes the best turkey in the world, so that I don't have to worry myself with that chore.

I'm thankful that my Mom has been staying on her meds and is gracing us with both her presence and her world famous Holiday Dressing this year. It's been often imitated but never duplicated during years when she can't get herself together to make it.

I'm thankful that my Dad has decided to come to Thanksgiving Dinner this year as well. He's had a rough couple of years and has been withdrawn and depressed. He is slowly bouncing back to his silly old self and he's always so much fun at family gatherings. We've missed him and welcome him back with open arms.

I'm thankful that Baby Boy kept me company while I ran errands this week so that I didn't have a panic attack in the holiday traffic.

I'm thankful that our family has come through a tough financial year still intact, still in love, and still full of hope.

I'm thankful for all of my blogging buddies who allow me to whine, moan, complain, brag, fret, and cheer on an extremely semi-irregular basis, but still support me and read even when the content is not all that stellar.

I'm especially thankful that even though I have some severely erratic, anal-retentive, abnormally psychotic tendencies . . . family and friends, both real and virtual, have allowed me to be myself and have loved me in spite of it all. Who knew there was so much unconditional love in the world.

I wish the same and more for all of you, this Thanksgiving and every single day of the year.

Eat, live, love and play well.

Deep Breaths

It has been confirmed.

We're having Thanksgiving Dinner at our house this year.

I really don't do well with house guests. Even family.

Obsessive cleaning has begun.

Meal planning is in full swing.

The anxiety is already in full force.


Breathe in. Breathe out.


Until next time . . .

THANKS!!!!

This is the day we set aside each year to publicly announce the things we are thankful for in our lives.


I'd like to take a moment to share what I'm thankful for:

• I'm thankful for my wonderful family. I have been blessed beyond my wildest dreams to have such an incredible son and spectacular spouse who support me and love me and accept me wholeheartedly even with all of my numerous flaws.
  

• I'm thankful that we decided to homeschool Baby Boy. It was such a pivotal decision in my life and I don't know who or where I'd be if we hadn't made that choice.
  

• I'm thankful for my new granddaughter. Although there have been times when I thought she just may be the death of me, she has already in six short months, taught me so much about unconditional love, total trust and devotion, and patience . . . patience . . . patience.
  

• Despite lots of turmoil, economic uncertainty, unnecessary wars, unequal rights and other general unpleasantness, I am thankful to live in the United States where I am free to bitch, moan, and complain about whatever and whomever I see fit. I don't rant often on this blog, but in real life, I usually have A LOT to say.

• I'm thankful that Mom #2 is a talented and enthusiastic cook. I have mentioned it often here and on other blogs as well that I provide the kind of cooking that keeps my family from dying from malnutrition. It's usually done within 30 minutes or less; sometimes it may take an hour if I'm trying to "make it fancy," but not often. This Thanksgiving the delicious, decadent, laborious holiday cooking will all be done by Mom #2 - AND - she's been trained to clean up after herself. Hallelujah!

• Last, but certainly not least, I'm thankful for anyone and everyone who is reading this. I know there are lots of other more interesting, motivating, and inspirational blogs out there. Thank you so much for dropping by from time to time and taking a tiny peak into my little corner of the blogosphere. You make me feel special, and no one can live without that feeling. You're the best.
  

Have a Happy Thanksgiving Holiday . . . be sure to spend it with those you love!

Until next time . . .

Happy Day After Thanksgiving!

HAPPY DAY AFTER THANKSGIVING!!!!

I hope everyone's holiday was wonderful and I hope everyone has a whole bucketful of reasons to be thankful. This has really been a tough year for us, but I am thankful for my incredible spouse, my fantastic son, and the fact when no one else is there for us, we are ALWAYS there for each other.

True family is the best reason on earth to be thankful!

We had a wonderful feast of turkey, ham, dressing, mashed potatoes, spinach and bacon quiche, rolls, and gravy to drown it all in. For dessert, we had pumpkin pie, pecan pie, pound cake, whipped cream and ice cream. Delicious!

We had my mom and sister over as well as Mom #2's little brother. I had invited my dad, but he decided he wasn't up to it at the last minute. It's okay. He will eventually come around, I hope. A great time was had by all. Our dinner was a fantastic success!

We also put up our Christmas tree and decorated the inside and outside of the house. I like to have a full-on Christmas themed home from Thanksgiving all the way into the new year. It's so festive!

I've started buying a few things off of Baby Boy's Christmas list. We are really tight this year and won't be able to buy much at all, but we've decided that every extra dime we get will go to Baby Boy. I mean, we are parents, right?

Anyway, I'm going to keep it brief today. I just wanted to wish everyone a happy long weekend, and I hope a great and loving time will be had by all! :-)


Smooches!