It's a GIRL! It's a GIRL! It's a GIRL!

It's a loooonnnnnngggggg story, and not really mine to tell, so I'll keep it brief. 

The three fairies have been staying here off and on for the past few weeks and since their parents are unable  to care for them right now, they'll be staying at Two Moms' Homeschool for the foreseeable future.

They are just soooooo  precious and really deserve a positive start in life.  I hope that Mom #2, Baby Boy, Baby Doggy, and I can give them that.  I also hope their parents wake up and see what they are missing out on very soon.  That second hope is that one that's really on my mind lately. Either way, we've chosen to celebrate the new additions to our family. 

To give you just a glimpse of our new lives, we are being treated to regular serenades such as this one:

There's nothing like three pint-sized bundles of energy to keep you young!  At least that's what I keep telling myself, LOL. 

Have a great weekend!

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 . . .

 

You Slay Me, Lucia

Last night Baby Boy and I went to see Lucia di Lammermoor.  OOOhhhhhhhhh Mmmmmyyyyyyy Gooddddnnneeessssss it was sooooooo good.  If you have read here for any length of time, you will know that I am a true blue lover of all the arts, but opera is my absolute favorite and a personal passion.  

The first act started out kind of slowly and I could actually see Baby Boy wilting in his seat beside me.  He got up and took a brisk walk in the crisp night air during the first intermission and came back somewhat refreshed.  Fortunately, the action really picked up in Act II and I was no longer in jeopardy of losing him.  We were both thoroughly engrossed by Act III. 

In Act III there was a scene where Lucia comes on stage in a blood soaked wedding dress after killing her moments-ago-married husband, hallucinates, and then commits suicide (it's a tragedy). The soprano who played Lucia had a voice so pure and clear and sweet, it just about brought tears to my eyes.  You could actually see her losing her grip on reality and going insane right before your eyes on stage.  She then proceeded to die the most beautiful, disturbing, and agonizingly slow death ever to be performed.  She actually sang blood curdling screams in time with the score.  She was simply marvelous!  Baby Boy and I enthusiastically participated in her standing ovation.

Last night was amazing and just happens to be in extremely stark contrast to what I'm doing today - - taking my Mom to have her colonoscopy.  *SIGH*  Such is the life of the first born child.   

Oh, well.  At least I'll have something lovely to hum to myself in the waiting room.  If I get too bored, I now know how to convincingly go crazy for an audience. ;-) You never know when that skill will come in handy.

Have a FAN-TAB-U-LOUS weekend!
 

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 . . .

Happy 2012!

Last night was the very first New Year's Eve that Mom #2 and I have ever spent without Baby Boy.  He decided to go to a party with some of his friends.  It seems so strange to have a son who is old enough to make his own plans, follow through with them, and leave us behind to figure out what the heck we're supposed to do by ourselves.  

 New Year's Day is Mom #2's and my anniversary, but we've always celebrated it together as the day we officially became a family.   I guess this means Mom #2 and I officially got to have an actual New Year's Eve/anniversary date.  It feels so strange, especially since we just stayed home, made an enchilada dinner, and watched a movie, LOL.  I guess I'm just a cheap date.  ;-)

 

My wish for myself as well as each and every one of you is that we wistfully and nostalgically wave good-bye to 2011 and that 2012 brings peace of mind, body, and spirit, as well as happiness, prosperity, and, of course, plenty of laughter and love. 

Don't spoil it with any silly resolutions!  

Happy New Year! 

Until next time . . .