A Grown-Up Getaway

For the very first time in 12 long years Mom #2 and I went on a grown-up getaway with no kids, no grand kids, and no pets!  At first we hardly knew what to do with ourselves, but we recovered from that fairly quickly.  

First we found a very grown-up room in a historical and beautiful hotel.

 Then we thought we'd have some fun visiting some touristy attractions.

 We enjoyed lots of different sights that may have been fun for children . . .

 . . . But without the endless trips to the potty. . .

 . . . Without a pocket full of tissues to wipe runny noses. . .   

 . . .Without the too-cool-for-school eye rolls. . . 

  . . . And without leashes, kibble, doggy-doo bags, or travel kennels.

I'll never forget the complete conversations Mom #2 and I were able to have without interruption.  

 We also had several delicious meals in nice restaurants with real tablecloths, finely dressed waiters, and cloth napkins. 

When it was time for bed, I only had to bathe myself.  

And when we tucked each other in . . . . 

 . . . We only had to kiss each other.

We had an incredible time!  

I hope we don't wait 12 more years before we have another grown-up getaway. 

Have you done anything for yourself or your relationship lately? 

Until next time . . .

 

Reunited And It Feels SOOOOO Good!

My parents, married thirty-six years and then tragically divorced, have been working on finding their way back to one another for the past few years.  It's been a long, arduous road, filled with ups and downs, and way too many tears. 

Well . . . On Saturday we attended the most beautiful, intimate, perfect wedding . . .

The Wedding Party

The Coordinator

The Blushing Bride

The Ceremony

Yes, She Gets ANOTHER Ring!

Sealed With a Kiss

It's Not Official Until They Jump the Broom!

A Family Reunited

We are all so very, very, VERY happy! 

 Until next time . . .

 

Settling in FAIRY Well

We've been oh-so-busy with three new little fairies fluttering about.  I think everyone is finally starting to settle in and find a rhythm.  The fairies are on a pretty strict schedule, which brings me peace.  I don't do very well with surprises or the unknown.  Regularity and predictability are my very best friends . . . I don't know why I can't seem to blog with any sort of regularity or predictability . . . but I do like regularity in all the other areas of my life.  It's very Virgo of me, I guess. 

Our first order of business was to get everyone acclimated and feeling safe and secure.  That's my favorite part because it includes lots of hugs, kisses, and lap-sitting!  We'll be keeping that as a permanent fixture around here :).  The second order of business was to get everyone potty trained.  Which they finally are!  This past week we had ZERO accidents including after nap time and over night.  Now everyone is wearing big-girl panties (except for Baby Boy who would have no part of it ;-). 

I have been doing some gentle "learning-time" with the fairies.  We are learning to recognize the letters of the alphabet, numbers, shapes, and colors.  It's been frantic, fun, and frustrating, but rewarding.  They have a long way to go, but fortunately we have nothing but time to get them where they need to be.  I have to admit that I have a whole new appreciation for those who choose to have big families.  My goodness, everything is immensely more complex when you have to do it three times rather than one.  I didn't realize how easy Baby Boy and I had it, LOL.  As for myself, I'm learning to be humble, patient, and most of all, optimistic.  Those values are being reinforced in me every. single. day.  

As an added bonus, the fairies are excellent for my diet as I barely have time to eat anymore and my pedometer gets well above Dr. Oz's recommended 10,000 steps almost every single day. 

Insanity has its benefits!



Until next time . . .

The Clutter-Free Guarantee

In my absence I've been busy clearing the various clutter from around the house.  While not completely done, I think I'm off to a great start.

Vanity Before - A complete disaster.  Not only too many products, but a lot of trash that just simply never made it into the bin.  For shame!

Vanity After - I got rid off a lot of stuff.  What I simply could not live without, I stacked up neatly.  I think a shelf will be nice in this area.  I've kept it clean for about two weeks now, so this system does seem to be working. 

Nightstand Before - A catch-all for anything that I brought with me when getting ready for bed.

Nightstand After - Pared down to the bare necessities.  

 

Even those two silly boxes that were on the floor next to the nightstand are completely gone! POOF!

The dresser has been the biggest disaster in the house for YEARS!  Mom #2 and I have just piled every single thing up there that didn't really have an assigned spot.  I had been putting off cleaning it because it just seemed too overwhelming.  I was finally forced into cleaning it this past weekend. 

My Mom was coming over so that Mom #2 could show her how to use some computer software.  The software is only installed on Mom #2's computer, which is in our bedroom.  We couldn't find the original software disc to install it on another computer in the house . . . so cleaning my room from floor to ceiling was the only option.  Believe me, my Mom NOTICES cleanliness (or the lack thereof).  I was raised as a military brat, don't forget; both my parents are veterans.  Cleaning was my JOB growing up.

But I digress.  Here's the Dresser Before - A complete catastrophe. 

Dresser After - Spectacularly Clean! 

 Amazing! Yes?  (I know "amazing" is completely overused lately, but in this case . . . it's the appropriate word, believe me ;-)

That's all I have to report for today.  I know you all thought I was slacking off and not posting because I'm too lazy, but I have been busy, LOL. 

I do have a lot of other stuff to blog about, but those posts are still :"simmering."  I'll get to it soon!
 
 
Until next time . . .

 

66 Confessions of an Around-The-Corner Hoarder

Today I am coming out of the closet as an Around-The-Corner Hoarder.   

Let me explain myself:  When people visit, they see a nice, clean, normal looking home.  BUT I have a dirty little secret . . . around every corner is a secret hoard of clutter!  As a matter of fact, I spent the weekend counting and there are exactly 66 such areas in my home.   

Here are a few examples:

I get up and make my bed every morning . . . 

. . . But right around the corner, the nightstand is a nightmare.  

I hand wash dishes several times daily . . . 

. . . But right around the corner, this counter is a disaster.    

I keep the table where we eat virtually spotless . . . 

. . . But around the corner, the top of the dresser is catastrophe.  

I can only brush my teeth in a sparkling clean sink . . . 

. . . But around the corner, the vanity area is begging for a shine. 

I wash all of my family's laundry and hang it neatly weekly . . .

. . . But around the corner, or rather immediately below, the closet floor is fighting WW III.

So . . . I've made a very detailed and thorough list of all 66 problem areas, and I'm going to tackle one every day for the next 66 days.  Hopefully I'll post periodic updates, but you know how I am with blogging, LOL.

Honestly, I LOVE to clean, but I HATE to de-clutter.

Whew!  Confession really is good for the soul!

Wish me luck!
 
Until next time . . .

Have a Holly Jolly Christmas!!!!

From our Family . . . to Yours!!!!

Until next time . . .

The Taste of Victory!!!!

Last Thursday was the OFFICIAL last day of the semester for Baby Boy and me!!!

Since we're so darn proud of ourselves, we decided to have a victory meal.  Baby Boy planned the menu as follows:

• Barbecue Chicken Wings
• Homemade Pasta Salad, and
• Hand-cut Home Fries

Which, of course doesn't include the strawberry fruit bars we had for dessert, YUMMY.   

I have to admit, it is one of the strangest meals I've ever eaten.   Mom #2 and I thought the entire thing was hilarious, but Baby Boy REALLY enjoyed the Taste of Victory!

We never could say "No" to the tummy desires of a hungry Baby Boy.  It's just the Mom in us, I guess.  I'm so proud of him for getting another semester of school behind him.

Congratulations, Baby Boy, YOU DID IT!!!!

 
Until next time . . .