Deep Thoughts: Dog Walking and Bin Men

So…I clearly do some of my best ruminating while I’m walking Indy so be prepared for some greatness.

OK…maybe that’s a stretch. Or simply an out-right lie.

I can’t really promise anything other than a bunch of words strung together.

This morning began as any other: I left the house at 5:45 in an effort to get $50 in free groceries at the new Fresh Thyme Market which is celebrating its grand opening today.

So maybe that’s not like any other day.

As I pulled into the PACKED parking lot at 6 (yes, that’s in the AM), my phone began ringing. It was my friend CB (who was the mastermind behind this whole idea), calling to tell me that all the numbers (there were 250 numbered tickets for the first 250 people in line to each claim $50 in free groceries) were already gone. The line had wrapped around the building. And then some.

Bummer.

But, because of this, I was back home by 6:15 and by 6:20, I was walking Indy. Which I am certain he very-much appreciated.

He’s trying to watch his girlish figure.

I don’t know what that means because

a) he’s a boy…technically a eunuch, but potato, potahtoe…and

b) he’s a dog…so yeah…not really a “figure” to watch.

My apologies…these are the things that pop into my head and I feel compelled to share.

So…I was out walking the dog and he, as he (usually) does, made a deposit in someone’s yard (rarely is it one of the various empty lots nearby).

And being the conscientious dog-owner I am, I bring little “poo-bags” with me.

Much to my boys chagrin, this can be anything from a grocery bag, a bread bag, a tortilla bag, or a newspaper bag (you know what I mean, right? The bags the newspaper is delivered in if the weather appears somewhat dismal and wet. Or at least should be put in…sometimes it is not and you have to spread the newspaper all over the house trying to get it to dry just so you can thoroughly check out all the ads and clip the coupons.)

The PBA thinks is odd that I would save all those bags, but I ask why pay for something you can get for free?

Sometimes I think I’m a product of The Great Depression.

But other times I actually buy (insert look of shock here) the pack of 60 or 900 or whatever the count is “official poo bags” at the Dollar Tree…but only the ones with pink bones on them.

I try to emasculate the dog whenever I get the chance, apparently.

Besides…he’s color blind so he doesn’t even know the difference between pink and blue or why that would even be emasculating.

But do me a favor and please don’t tell him.

Anyway…this morning (as ALWAYS) I picked up the poo. Twice, actually. He went twice. And even though it’s lots of fun to carry a dog’s poo through the neighborhood, I began looking for somewhere to dump it. I mean…throw it away. There’s not nearly as much construction as there has been, so finding a construction dumpster isn’t as convenient.

I mean, there is a house nearby that was struck by lightning a few weeks ago and there’s a large dumpster in that driveway, but it’s really close to my house…if I’ve carried the poo for most of the walk, what’s a few more yards, right?

Yes, you’re right…if I happen to pass by it, I chuck that poo right in the dumpster.

Don’t judge.

And if you’re judging me on that, just wait; you have not yet begun to judge! (I don’t know what that means.)

Today was trash day. (Note the smooth transition) As my British friends might say, “The bin men are coming today.” How very proper and lovely to say it like that.

Anyway…lots of people had already put out their trash cans. And it occurred to me that I could sneak those poo bags into someone’s trash can and no one would ever be the wiser.

You’re judging me, aren’t you? Well, I have to admit, I also judged myself. Where would I draw the line?

What else would be acceptable to throw in someone else’s trash can, uninvited and unwanted?

Where would the insanity stop?

Well, I decided throwing dog poo in someone else’s trash can probably wouldn’t get me in too much trouble…but I still didn’t do it. I am "a straight and narrow kind of gal"...I say this in case you didn't know.

Don't judge.

I did carry it (it being the dog poo, in case you had lost track there) all the way home and put it in our own bin. (Look at me, pretending to be British; if I begin speaking in a British accent, just go along with it, please. Also, I’d like you to read the rest of this as though my voice does have a British accent. Thanks.)

But I did have another deep thought while walking the dog…I waffled between “where to unload this dog poo” and “the Mint-X trash bag commercial”.

Anyone out there know which commercial I am referencing?

Here it is for your viewing pleasure…it’s not on Youtube so you’ll actually have to click on the link…sorry to make you work a bit for it.

Is there such a large problem with rodents destroying trash bags that we have to market specific bags to avoid it? I suppose for some people but for the masses, probably not.

Just going out on a limb here. (I’ve certainly just jinxed it and we will now, most certainly, have an infestation of rodents in our garage…my apologies to Mr. AR.)

Anyway…the commercial makes me giggle (yes, I have the maturity of a 10yo boy) and really just wanted a reason to share it with you.

Notice my smooth segways…oooo and ahhh appropriately.

On that note, I think I hear the bin men coming down the street...and me without my bins out! Have a lovely day!

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Getting the Crown I’m Due

Well, I kind of have a lot to say in this post so pull up a chair.

You have undoubtedly been wondering what is going on in our household within the realm of dental work. 

Am I right? I mean, come on! Who ISN’T dying to know about our dental work?

Well, let me tell you: the 11yo is doing just swimmingly (his word…no lie…this IS my son) with his braces. He’s all but forgotten about the major surgery he had just a few weeks ago. The crazy-crooked canines (not to be confused with the ones my foster daughters apparently thought Indy would use to bite them…which, as an aside, he most assuredly did not…he just has a horrible underbite that makes him appear ferocious) are pulling up into position so nicely. The braces themselves are not a hindrance in any way, even in lacrosse with that lovely mouthguard he gets to wear.

The 12yo is still waiting for a couple baby teeth to come out so he can get HIS braces. You know, because it’s that whole “rite of passage” kind of thing. We all remember reading “rite of passage” stories in lit class in high school, right? Or maybe that was just me paying attention in class.

See, Mrs. Baxter? I did learn something!

I don’t, however, recall reading a book in lit class in which a character (main or otherwise) getting braces was a rite of passage, but still…I’m certain that you understand.

Well, yesterday, I took the PBA to a new dentist. I did so somewhat begrudgingly…I LOVE my former dentist. I won’t say he's my "old dentist," but he IS a grandpa.

Just sayin’.

I have known him for years.  I babysat for his children. He came to my wedding. We still go to church together.

I LOVE him.

But he’s retiring soon. And he sold his practice. And the new guy…I should probably be more respectful…the new DENTIST…he doesn’t take our insurance.

To be fair, my former dentist may not have taken it either. We didn’t have dental insurance for years and years and years…instead we paid for visits out of our flexible spending account (not that you needed to know all that but I felt compelled to share; I sometimes give out more information than necessary, in case you didn’t know).

But NOW we have insurance. And after yesterday, I am glad. And all kinds of thankful.

I don’t want to get ahead of myself. Just a little foreshadowing for you. (Again with the lit terms…look at me go!)

I prefer to NOT know if my former dentist would have taken our insurance so I can make the break with the office a clean one and only having to reference the insurance issue and not make it personal.

But since I’m all about being honest…I don’t love the new guy. And I am OK with leaving that practice.

Since January I have been hemming and hawing about finding a new dentist. I was having trouble finding one which took my new insurance.

What good is insurance if you can’t find a doctor who accepts it, right?

Well, and to be honest (which I always am), I needed to find one who accepts our insurance AND one which a person I trust recommends.

I’m not too picky, am I?

Well, I finally listened to my friend SV. You may recall that I have mentioned her before…she has the same initials now as she did before she got married. And she didn’t even meet her husband in her homeroom class or anything…because seriously. What are the odds that you can grow up with a last name beginning with the letter “V” and then marry someone (who you did not know from high school homeroom) whose last name ALSO begins with “V”?

I think she should play the lottery....because how lucky is she that she didn't have to change all those monogrammed sweaters, right?

Anyway…she recommended her dentist. So I called the office on Tuesday. And they got us in on WEDNESDAY.

Which was a little unsettling…I thought to myself, “Are they just not that good/busy that they can get us in the NEXT DAY?”

Because as I may remind you…it was for me AND the PBA. So 3 of us. Three next-day appointments.

Hmmmm. I had my doubts. Sorry SV…I wasn’t meaning to doubt you. But I kind of was (Look at that honesty again).

But I did not act on my disbelief…I decided to give it a try. The 24-hour cancellation policy was kind of what did it for me.

Don’t judge.

So…long story short (ok, shortened): I was ah-mazed with this place. Lovely. Friendly staff. Didn’t make me feel rushed like they had somewhere else to be, or dumb for asking questions.

And very high-tech. Which I found to be somewhat intimidating. I’m sure they didn’t catch on to that at all.

But I won’t go into all that flashy stuff. I am here to tell you about our dental issues as of late.

The boys got x-rays and cleanings and all that fun stuff.

I got the same treatment. Mine took the same amount of time as the two of them. I’m sure it wasn’t because I was busy chatting with the friendly hygienist.

I really should get out more. I think the hygienist was thinking that too.

On top of all the excitement of making new friends (I am certain the hygienist will be calling me to grab some coffee with her soon), I must tell you that yesterday was the end of an era, my friends. Yesterday I was informed that I do, indeed, have my first cavity.

My first.

Ever.

Yes, I said my first cavity.

In fact, I was so over-zealous in my break of this streak, that I have not one, not two, but three cavities.

Three.

And one of them needs a crown.

I almost cried.

OK, maybe I did.

To be fair, they are tiny cavities. Excepting the one needing a crown.

A crown.

I keep saying it so that hopefully it will eventually roll right off my tongue.

But as of yet, no; it still sticks in there like a popcorn kernel that’s been spot-welded on a tooth. You know what I mean.

I asked him "Why, oh why would I get three cavities NOW? After 40, I mean, 27 years without?" (OK, maybe I didn't say exactly that...but I was thinking it.)

He wasn’t sure, but he did have some thoughts on the one needing the crown.

I shall back up and describe that one for you though…it’s my back molar. And the cavity is on the back edge…not between the back two teeth. It’s in the very back.

And the hygienist’s little scrapey tool went right into my tooth. I was so thankful I didn’t feel that. Fortunately the cavity isn’t to the nerve. Yet.

They took pictures (and x-rays but I found the photos to be cooler…don’t judge) of my teeth so I could see the rot.

I won’t lie…it was gross and fascinating. He asked me about my wisdom teeth…he said, “This might sound strange but were they on their sides?”

Me: Um, yes, they actually were.

Him: Well, it looks like maybe the wisdom tooth over here was sitting on top of this molar at some point and rubbed against it, pitting it out and making it prone to getting a cavity.

Me: Awesome.

So…he went on to explain that since I have the same affliction as my 11yo…that being “the world’s smallest mouth”, and that it is at the very back, he was not confident that filling it would be effective, especially for the long-term. He said a crown would be better but it’s up to me.

Argh. A crown. Makes me a little sick.

Why? Pride. I have pride issues. For some reason I enjoyed the “no cavities status”. And now that’s over. It’s sad isn’t it?

I’ll confess it. I feel a little, ok a lot, sad about it.

Would you like to see a more interesting word than “sad”? Ok, I am full-service: I am feeling melancholy, gloomy, dismal, glum, miserable, despondent (ok, that last one is a little strong, actually).

But mostly I am just sad.

And do we remember what I do when I feel sad, gloomy or despondent?

I eat.

I am an emotional eater.

Which brings me to another point: what better way to celebrate three cavities at one? Buying a bucket o’ ice cream at the grocery on the same day.

Now what was it again that he asked me regarding the amount of sugar I eat?

I’m not really sure…and Christine, in case you were wondering, I am certain that my Tootsie Pops fix at soccer games have NO bearing on my recent tooth issues either…

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How Long is a Day Anyway?!?

For the record: I never expected this foster parent thing would be easy.

But no matter how much I read, learned and was told, I never could have anticipated all the little things that have come up.

And big things too. Wow...the reaction of the girls to Indy was NOT anticipated.

At all.

They talked about other dogs they knew and that they pet them and fed them, etc.

And when we walked in the door and they saw him in his crate, they FLIPPED OUT.

We are talking TOTAL freak out.

As I have said several times already (and will surely say it again): screaming like wild banshees.

But that is better now. The 3yo no longer forgets that he is friendly. She was having trouble remembering that...he would walk out of the room and when he came back in, she would have a minor freak out and stand up on the chair or couch.

But like I said: it's better now.

But she still calls him "dat dog". For example:

• "Dat dog gonna bite me?"
• "Dat dog is nice." 
• "Dat dog gonna geh my food?"
• "Dat dog is sof. He so sof."

And truly I am not complaining about the experience...I am not. I am sharing my experience with you...whether you want to know or not.

We are putting one foot in front of the other and walking blind faith.

We are serving the Lord as we serve the girls. I believe that with all my heart.

God is my/our strength and my/our shield. He's the Rock on which I/we stand. His mercies are new every morning. Great is His faithfulness.

This is what rolls around in my head.

But some of you may be wondering how I am doing physically. It's really not this bad (clearly), but this is the visual which comes to mind:

I have included it on Youtube above but in case it doesn't come up on your phone, please try this link on Vimeo.

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Ten Things of Thankful: Week 36

Well, without intentionally diving straight into the list, I am going to. 

• I have to say that the high point this week was the higher temperatures. And by higher I mean one day it was about 60 and two days it was in the 50’s and some of the snow (in fact a lot of the snow) melted. But of course we still have a massive pile in our front yard because we live at the end of a long court, where the snow plow shoves all the snow. We will still have a pile of snow there in May. And it won’t be the first time that has happened.
• But I can see a bunch of grass…sure it’s yellow and hideous but I’ll take it!
• I am thankful for the rain! I love rain and I love thunderstorms…mostly because they usually mean Spring. I love Spring…I am SO ready for Spring. But we all are so this isn’t really anything ground-breaking which I am writing. Moving on.

Speaking of storms, Indy was thrilled to hangout in the guest bathroom with us on Thursday night when the storm sirens were going off...

Here's another...he's looking less "hill-jack" and dare I say "cuter" in this one...

• Since I already dove right in about the weather (quite frankly, I couldn’t contain myself!) I shall just keep going with my non-numbered list. I am thankful that I finished my/our taxes.
• And I am thankful that we are getting a refund from both federal and state. Yes, yes I know you don’t really want to get money back because it means that the government was able to use my money, interest-free, and is just now returning it to me. But I am still happy.
• I am also thankful that I did not end up leaving my children outside for the gypsies (no offense to any gypsies who may be reading this) even though they might have deserved it. We had a rough start to the week, let me just say. But I think the warmer temps (and time for the PBA to play outside) helped everyone’s attitude immensely. Phew!
• I am thankful for a new book from a sweet friend! If you have never heard of Tricia Lott Williford, you are missing out on something fabulous. I have been reading her blog for about a year and a half, thanks to the recommendation from my friend PA, and I am addicted. She is an amazing writer. And she just published her first book. It is glorious, and lovely and (at times) funny, at other times gut-wrenching, and always well-written. My favorite quote thus far: "Turns out, on a shaky and uncertain day, there is humor and comfort in the rules of punctuation. I always suspected that could be true." ~ Tricia Lott Williford, "And Life Comes Back". Get this book and read it. Available everywhere books are sold. (And no, I make no money from the sale of this book...just to clarify.)
• I am thankful for my belated Valentine’s Day M&M’s (50% off at the CVS!)…and God-bless Mr. Always Random who had some difficulty tracking any down. But he was tenacious (mostly because he knew he had to be) and was successful in finding not ONE but TWO bags of M&M’s.
• I am thankful for Free M&M’s. Also from CVS. They had a special offer of buy an individual package of either Mega M&M’s or Birthday Cake M&M’s (they were each 75 cents) and then you got ExtraBucks for 75 cents. For those of you who are coupon and/or math-impared, that makes them (basically) free. At least for me, because they know I’ll be back and will easily spend that 75 cents.

They did taste like birthday cake...but original are still my favorite...in case anyone out there would like to make note of that for future reference...

• I am thankful that I can check Spam off my bucket list. Well, I wouldn’t say that…mostly I was happy/thrilled/surprised that I could put together a new recipe which included Spam. And it was T.A.S.T.Y. Don't believe me? Try it for yourself. I've thrown down the gauntlet...what will you do with it?
• I know I have mentioned this upcoming "event" before but we are finally at the threshhold. I am thankful that my 10yo’s surgery is happening on Monday…not because I want him to need surgery (I'm certain you understood...but just in case not, I felt compelled to clarify) but because I won’t have to wait any longer for it to take place. And neither will he. Or will anyone else who has been anticipating it. If you are so inclined, please pray for him on Monday morning as he is having 10 teeth removed. Yes…I typed that correctly and you read that right: 10. One-zero.  And prayers for the doctor as well. And maybe one for me, as I wait for him to come out of anesthesia, especially. Thanks in advance. (More on this later…the reasons and such.)

That’s about it…hop on over to see what other things of thanksgiving are listed this week!

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Snow Much Fun And Then Some

Yesterday we received about 11 inches of snow.

Yes, that is a lot of snow for here, especially since we received 5 inches just a couple days before.

And yesterday's snow wasn’t just any old snow either…it was perfect snowman snow. Wet and heavy and perfect for packing.

Some might say it was perfect for snowball fights, but we don't tolerate such violent activities here at the PBA. All those Nerf weapons are merely for show.

Church was canceled due to the weather. It’s not that we are wimps…most churches and businesses and frankly almost everything was closed. (It's still closed...they have already closed schools for tomorrow. Tomorrow. Not the PBA, of course, which has gone over well, I must say...but I digress.)

But since the air temps weren’t cold (comparatively) yesterday, Mr. Always Random took the PBA outside to play. 

And shovel.

As an aside, Mr. Always Random cleared the driveway 4 times yesterday.

Indy so desperately wanted to go outside. Oh, the whining at the door…I couldn’t stand it so I sent him outside too.

He loved it.

And was very helpful in building the snowman…as you can only imagine.

In fact, you don’t even have to imagine because I took pictures. 

From inside. No way was I going out in that.

The three (four if you include Indy) of them ended up building two snowmen, as well as an Indy replication; apparently Indy was a tough critic of the 12yo’s work because he knocked down his replica at least three times in the process.

Notice the dog's chain...that didn't work for too long and he had to be relegated to a different location.

Notice the tree branch to emulate the fluffy tail. That’s my favorite part.
Also, notice Indy in the background...he was running around in the snow like a spaz.

No, my lens wasn't dirty...those are big fat snowflakes falling...they were the biggest ones I've ever seen.

By the end of the day, the arms were weighed down with snow.

Today they have taken on new personas because the Packers lost...so the snowmen wanted to take off their Packers Fan gear.

Fairweather fans? (See what I did there?...it's ok, you can laugh.)

You can tell by how the “new” hat is sitting how much snow we got over the course of yesterday.

That mound is the "Snow Indy"

And as an aside, I must confess that yes, we do have a “How To Build A Snowman” kit, as it were, complete with all the essential pieces for the quintessential snowman.

Because I am cheap (some might say thrifty), I didn’t buy it full price. Or even half price. It was marked WAY down, because it was end of season. And the box was damaged (which, of course, affects the interior contents how?) so they took even more off.

It has come in quite handy… because I rarely have what we need to make the face, we are always prepared. What…are we supposed to be creative?

And who doesn’t love a pre-fab looking snowman?

Personally I think the Cheesehead gave it a certain “je ne sais quoi”, don’t you?

Anyway…the snow is not exactly what I wanted to write about today. I have a PSA for you.

Well, for those of you who get temperatures which dip below freezing and linger there for a while.

You know how pipes on outside walls can freeze, and eventually rupture?

Well, no worries, that didn’t happen to us. We have had pipes freeze up on us in the past but never burst (knocking on wood as I type…ok not really, it makes it too difficult to type… but you understand…).

No, no the PSA about which I am talking is in reference to how you try to keep the pipes from bursting.

You know what I mean…the part about keeping cabinet doors open so warm air from the room circulates into the cabinet and around the pipes.

The second part of that being to leave the faucet on with a tiny drip or trickle of water running out.

Well, these things are uber-helpful to keep in mind, and put into practice.

BUT…yes, you knew there had to be one…BUT, when instructing your children about such things, there are two things which you should keep in mind:

1.  Make sure your children understand what a “trickle” is...and that having a faucet “on” vs having a faucet “on a trickle” are two very different things.

2.  Make sure that the sink does not have a clog and does, in fact, drain properly.

You are a super-astute readership so I know you can see where this is going…the good news is we now have:

• A bathroom sink and counter which have been completely wiped down.
• A bathroom cabinet which has been cleaned out of any extraneous supplies, including those bothersome extra rolls of toilet paper and boxes of Kleenex…all of which had quadrupled in size in their attempts to soak up excess water. (As an aside, I have to admit that I threw up a little bit in my mouth when I picked up the soaked roll of toilet paper, even though I knew it was only soaked with water from the sink; there’s just something about soggy toilet paper that makes me gaggy. Don’t judge.)
• A set of bathroom cabinet interiors which were wiped down in their entirety and are completely crude-free.
• Cabinet doors which have also been wiped down and are also completely crude-free.
• Bathroom floors which have also been mopped…and are...say it with me: crude-free.
• A linen closet which has been liberated from all those free-loading towels that were hanging around in there doing nothing.
• A washing machine which gets to do its job and wash a load of towels at the beginning of the week (we don’t usually do that…towel-washing day is on Friday, unless someone is sick).

How’s that for being glass-half-full? I am trying…and speaking of staying positive, I ONLY have the rest of today and all day tomorrow until I SHOULD be able to leave the house.

I am POSITIVE I may go insane by then.

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Who Isn't Thankful for Learning How to Wallpaper?

So…it’s the new year. And so far my resolutions for the year are going pretty well, thank you so much for asking. (that might be #1 for my non-numbered list) Only 361 days to keep.it.up.

I have no idea where this week went, let alone 2013, but it is ok…what would I do with all that time if I could hold onto it? Keep it in a bottle? Any Jim Croce fans out there?

It’s been a busy week, but aren’t they all? Just busy in a different way; no scheduled activities yet (which could be #2 on this same non-numbered list), but they will all start back up this coming week.

But thankfully (#3…if I were to number) none of them are scheduled on Monday. I should really not complain, so don’t read this in a whiney tone, but it is going to be a HIGH of -10 here on Monday.

Yes, you read that right…it was not a mis-type. That is a (-) in front of the 10.

And no I do not live in Alaska; it will just feel that way.

I must confess that the thought of it has crushed any dreams I may have ever had of living in Cicely, Alaska (reference, anyone?). I don’t like cold or snow. But then again, it’s not always as bad as it seems.

But I digress.

So now, I shall commence with my again-non-numbered list of TTOT. It’s what you were all waiting for anyway…I am thankful for

Spending New Year’s Eve with my three favorite guys (Mr. Always Random and the PBA, in case you were not sure)…it was a pretty wild time, as one might expect. We busted out Mr. Always Random’s haul of cheese and sausage from Pepperidge Farms (He loves that stuff and it’s on his Christmas list every year…it’s the little things really), pizza from Papa Murphy’s (the $5 Favs…we’re cheap), and milkshakes utilizing my botched Peppermint Oreo Bark as a mix-in (tasty!) made with my new blender (which I’m not so certain about yet, but it’s red and shiny and looks pretty sitting on the counter).

Going to bed before midnight on New Year’s Eve…shocking, I know. We let the PBA stay up to midnight if they wanted…at 10:45 the 10yo came to snuggle in our bed and promptly fell asleep, and the 12yo fell asleep watching “Twlight Zone” on the SciFi channel at about 11. We’re all night owls, to be sure. Don’t judge.

Not being sick or hung-over (there was no reason because I only had one drink and that was at about 6pm) on New Year’s Day. I felt great!

Spending all day on New Year’s with a sweet friend.

And her adorable kiddos.

And their dog.

Learning to hang wallpaper on New Year’s Day.

MASTERING hanging wallpaper on New Year’s Day. OK, probably not really mastering, but still it looked pretty good and her son was surprised and pleased. (He was out of town and came home to a finished room…I was glad to help her pull off the surprise. Also, I feel compelled to tell you that  no it was not “a nice floral pattern” as my 10yo asked about it…it looks like a brick wall).

As an aside, I don’t know what it says about me that I did not take a picture of the friend (she might have killed me if I had), her beautiful kiddos, or the wallpaper project we worked on for 6+ hours…just the dog. It made Indy jealous, which was the whole goal. Frankly there’s not much challenge in it, but still, I consider it a challenge.

Finally getting in our annual Duck Pin Bowling and Santorini’s Greek Kitchen …I know you are dying to see the pictures but no worries…it’s on my docket to write about soon. I promise I won’t forget.

School starting again. I LOVE vacation and three weeks wasn’t nearly as long as I thought it would be (although on Day 2 I was having serious doubts about my sanity when I planned for us to have three weeks off, as well as my future sanity when the three weeks was over), but it’s good to be back into a routine. I’m sure the PBA would concur…if you strong-armed them.

A consultation with an oral surgeon for my 10yo…remember that whole “Anklosis” thing? Well, the oral surgeon (who, as an aside, I have known most of his life, and is the son of our dentist who is in the process of retiring) wanted us to have a 3D x-ray taken just so he could see how things are in relationship to one another in there. He’s going to use that x-ray, as well as consult with another oral surgeon, our dentist (his dad) and the orthodontist who referred us in order to come up with a course of action. And just because I couldn’t let it alone, I asked him how common this sort of “hot mess” is…and he said “not very common.” Fabulous. My kid is going to be “that kid” who gives the oral surgeon and the orthodontist a great story to share at cocktail parties. I won’t even go into the possible options (none of which sound great), until after we meet with him again in two weeks. So we’ll just put it out of our minds until then, ok? So where’s the thankfulness in that? That we had the initial appointment and that we can continue to stuff it down into a “mental compartment” and not deal with it for two more weeks.

I’m sure that’s at least ten and if not, there’s no need for you to count and tell me about my mis-step. 

Instead, spend your time hopping on over to Lizzi and the other co-hosts to see their thanksfuls for the week.

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TToT Year End Wrap Up

Well, apparently my brain is still on a little bit of a writing hiatus. It’s not that I want it to be; it’s just that it’s busy ruminating on other stuff.

Or if I think of something about which to write but don’t get it written down, I forget what was so important that I wanted to share with you.

I am certain all of you, my loyal fans, have noticed my absence.

And my absence, I mean my not feeling obligated to put pen to paper every day. And also share it with the world.

This reminds me of a New Year’s Resolution, but we’re not there yet. No, no, it's not New Year’s yet, and no time for “resolutions” as of yet. 

And no, I don’t typically do resolutions, or if I do, I do not speak them aloud.

Any-who…

I didn’t do this Year in Review thing correctly at all.

In fact, I didn’t know that’s what we were doing until I went to link up with my rogue TToT Week 2 and discovered my error.

I’m astute if nothing else.

Don’t judge.

Actually, I never read the other blogs until AFTER I write mine otherwise I get swayed. And not that this isn’t a lovely group by which to be swayed, but I am trying to tap into my own creativity and not yours.

Plus I think it could look like you copied me if someone would read me first, and I don’t want that at all.

I'm sure you understand.

So…all this rambling to say, I just have a bunch of things I am thankful for today. Maybe not enough to do two days, but more than 12 so I’m calling it done.

And I’m going with the Miss Bloggypants style of NOT numbering my items. You’ll just have to trust me. If we can’t trust each other, then what are we basing this relationship on?

OK, so here is my Year End Wrap-Up of Thankfulness. This week I was thankful for:

• The time set aside to celebrate the birth of our Savior.
• A packed house at Christmas Eve service…and this even at the 7pm one. I cannot recall the last time that happened.
• Seeing this grandma on Christmas (she’s 95…she’ll be 96 in March, but don’t tell her I told her age to everyone!):

This is from her 94th Birthday...and yes, I cropped the rest of us out. Sorry everybody!

• And this grandma (she’s 90…you may remember her birthday party from February, if she looks familiar):

Photo from her 90th Birthday Party

• Mr. Always Random coming to the gym with us and playing 4v4 with the PBA and some other guys and kiddos.
• Indy…what else is there to say about this awesome picture?!?

• Lots of coffee and candy in my stocking (including extra-special fabulous coffee from the creator/owner/coffee seeker of Dangerous Grounds)
• When the PBA each received gifts which were well-below their age-appropriateness, and we discussed what should be done, they didn’t hesitate to offer that we just keep them for the Foster Kiddos (which we’ll still waiting on the Foster Kids to be placed…but you probably already guessed that, since I had  mentioned nary a word about it…)
• Naps...not long naps, persay, but naps just the same.
• And time to read…I’m still not finished with “The Book Thief” but I am enjoying it. See item above for details on why I don’t have time to finish the book.
• A day-trip to Mammoth Cave for the four of us (more details on that to follow…possibly…or maybe I’ll just post all the photos here…I haven’t yet decided. The decision will be clear when you’re reading the post.)
• A day in late December, in Indiana, in which the kiddos could play outside in t-shirts (albeit they were a little chilly but attempting to be tough. I didn’t even tell them to put on jackets, because frankly I didn’t blame them.)
• Taking Indy for a walk on a day in late December, in Indiana, and I only had to wear a sweatshirt and sweatpants…and shoes and socks, of course…BUT no hat, gloves, scarf or coat. Yipee-skippy!
• These guys:

• The Foster Children who will enter our home, wherever they may currently be; once it actually happens, I know that the whole experience will not be easy nor will it be anything we could possibly imagine, but it has been a blessing to pray for these kiddos we’ve never even met, and I am thankful for it.

Hop on over to visit Lizzi and see how the Wrap Up was supposed to have been done! 

Have a Happy New Year!

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Wordless Wednesday With More Than A Few Words of Thanks

So I started out this blogging thing because a sweet friend encouraged me to do so. I am still not entirely certain what she saw in my writing but she thought others would enjoy it.

Basically I did this whole thing so that people would tell me I was great and a publisher would discover me and I would have a book deal within months.

Clearly that has not happened.

And that is fine with me. I actually don't know what I would do if that happened.

BUT if you do happen to know or work for a publisher and think I may have what it takes to make big bucks at writing, please be in touch. I don't want to shut any doors, you understand.

So...my point in all this was that I didn't get into writing a blog as a way to make friends. I mean, that seems a little crazy, considering I have no over-arching topic (for example infertility, adoption, homeschooling, cooking, crafting, etc.) What would make someone want to stick around day after day, week after week?

And yet, I have managed to attract a few followers.

And from that, I have begun to follow others.

And sometimes those lists overlap.

This has been the case with Kari, aka Miss Bloggypants. She's funny and warm and all those things you want in a friend.

And she is my friend.

And yet we've never met.

And being as how she's a friend and either a) has Gifts as a love language or b) was paying attention when I said Gifts were MY love language or c) is just super-nice and wanted to send me a gift or d) all of the above...she sent me a gift.

Yes, she did. I gave her my address. And she gave me hers. (Fingers-crossed that she doesn't turn out to be a stalker.)

So...since this is supposed to be "Wordless Wednesday" I shall cut to the chase (kind of...don't expect too much from me...I am still me)...I think you can all tell how fabulous I think she is, right?

If you don't get it by what I've said, just go check out her blog. You'll see it too.

All this rambling to say, on Monday, I got a package in the mail. It had these lovelies drawn on the outside:

This is a picture of Piper and Henry...her dogs. They have their own FB page, just like Indy.
And yes, the dogs are friends on FB. Don't judge us.

I hated to open it because I didn't want to ruin all the hard work by her daughter Gillian. Didn't she do a fabulous job of drawing all those pictures?!? She's only 11...I am beyond impressed with her skills.

So once I did open the paper (notice I did so very carefully!), I found this inside.

I do have small feet, but no, she did not send me a pair of girl's shoes

So I opened it to find this:

And since I am a good little rule-follower, I did read it first. And didn't open the gift until it gave me permission.

So once I opened the tissue, I found this:

 And Kari felt like it was meant to be (I tend to agree)...it is from her home state (that's the requirement which started her quest, actually, that it be from her state)...and the fact that it has my name on it (spelled correctly I might add) and is CHOCOLATE. It was God's Hand, for sure.

OK, Kari didn't say that...I may be embellishing a bit...but I'm certain that's what she meant.

And I also found this in the box:

I know it's difficult to tell because I am not a skilled photographer but it is a decorated paper towel roll. Isn't it cute? Gillian even decorated that too...what a talented girl she is!

But wait! There's more! INSIDE the tube was THIS:

How fabulous is this?!? I mentioned to Kari a couple weeks ago that her daughter should try to draw Indy; as evidenced by the pictures above, she's got Piper & Henry down pat.

And I, for one, think she got Indy totally perfect...from the underbite to the fluffy tail. And I'm certain that you all agree.

Thank you, thank you, thank you, Kari and Gillian! And a Merry, Merry Christmas to you too!


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