Saturday, February 28, 2009

Busy Days and Lonely Nights

I'm feeling kind of depressed right now. Almost on the verge of tears. My husband has been gone for so long (two months today; not counting the month or so leading up to Christmas), I'm not sure I can take it anymore. I try not to feel sorry for myself. I know that there are many women with husbands in Iraq and Afghanistan that they haven't seen in more than two months. (Some may never see their husbands again.) Mine is only in Texas.

I don't know how military wives (or husbands) do it. God bless them. I wonder if knowing that when their husbands leave that it's going to be a year or however long before they come home somehow makes it easier to bear than when you don't know when your husband will be home. But I can't imagine it being any easier. My heart goes out to them.

I have good days and bad days. Good moments and bad moments. Now is a bad moment. My heart aches. It's harder at night. I keep busy during the day, as I would were he at the main shop, so I can almost pretend he's not far away. But after the kids go to bed and all is quiet, I can really feel how alone I am.

I sometimes dread going to bed, though I'm very sleepy, because he's not there. I'm tired of sleeping alone, taking care of our kids alone, getting things done alone. I love my children dearly, but they can't fill their father's place. I need him here with me. Our kids need him here with them.

I've wondered about single women. More specifically, older single women. Older single women who've chosen to remain single. I don't know how they do it - live alone in an empty house. I could never do that. Single life is not for me.

I was 21 when I got married. (Charlie was 25.) I suppose some would think that's too young to get married. For me, it was just right. It was the right path for my life. I make no major decisions without much prayer and thought and looking ahead. I didn't make the decision lightly. I didn't have the best example of how marriage should be, but it taught me things. When praying about my future husband (before Charlie & I really knew each other), one of the things I prayed was that I didn't want my future husband to be anything like my father. And, other than being a good mechanic and liking drag racing, Charlie is nothing like my father. Charlie is kind, quiet, devoted, gentle, loving, generous, patient, doesn't have an inflated ego. He's a good husband and a good father. Things my father was not.

Anyway, I didn't start this entry with the intention of going where I just went. But you know how it goes. One thought leads to another and so on.

It's nearly 5:00 AM now. I just finished watching Becoming Jane and decided to get online before going to bed. Mainly to check my email and a couple other sites. My feelings of loneliness and sadness are weighing heavy upon me and I had to write. I suppose I've put off going to bed long enough. There are things I need to take care of today. Getting a decent amount of sleep will help in getting things accomplished.

Friday, February 27, 2009

Ding Dong...

...the couch is gone! Two men with a truck and Karen with her car just left with our old couch. I'm so glad to see it gone. It served us well, but wasn't doing anything for us sitting on our porch in redneck glory.

Trunk Shopping, Movie Hunting, and other less-than-amazing adventures

It's supposed to rain today, so Kelly and I did the grocery shopping and other things yesterday. My mom picked the kids up from school and then dropped Kelly off here at home. (Kelly enjoys being with me, as she should, and shopping with me. And besides that, she says she doesn't like for me to be alone.) Sean went on to Mom's house with her. He hates shopping and loves being at Grandma's.

Our first stop was Goodwill to drop off two big bags of clothes Kelly can no longer wear (including several gorgeous dresses), a quilt and matching shams, and a comforter and matching shams. We then went to Garden Ridge to get a trunk. (Reason being, the wicker trunk I had, that I kept sheets & things in, which I gave to Mom last night, the cats liked scratching it. I had it covered with a blue table cloth, which kept the cats from scratching it, but it wasn't pretty. What's the point in having a pretty trunk that you can never see?) I'd really rather have a nice cedar chest, but they're expensive.

I had a heck of a time getting a trunk. They had stacked them on flatbed carts (or whatever those things are called), I suppose to move them somewhere else. It looked like they were doing some rearranging throughout the store. The one I had really wanted, when I finally got the smaller trunks off of it, I saw that it had a bad scratch on it. :-/ So then I chose a second one. Got all the smaller trunks off of it, put it on a flatbed cart I had gotten, opened the lid and saw that it was busted up on the bottom. *sigh* Put it back and chose a third one. Took all the smaller trunks off that one, put it on the cart, inspected it and found very minor damage. Hardly noticeable. Thank God, because it was the last big one I saw.

Somehow I managed to maneuver the cart to the check-out line and out the door to my car. It was a little tricky, but I didn't hit anything. lol

From Garden Ridge, we went to Target (I always get what groceries I can there because they're cheaper than Food Lion - I wish we had a Super Target). In addition to groceries, I got Kelly a blue Tinkerbell fairies t-shirt. Next was the gas station, Bianca's for supper (it was so good!), and then FYE at the mall to look for a couple movies on Blu-Ray that I wanted (The Holiday and Becoming Jane - Best Buy didn't have them). They had The Holiday, but it was $40! Uh, no.

Then we went to Borders where I found Becoming Jane for $35. A lady who worked there had to unlock a case for me to get it. (It wasn't until then that I could see the price.) It was a little more than I wanted to pay, but I would've felt weird having the lady put it back. I don't know why they have them in cases. No other store I've been to that sells Blu-Rays has them locked up.

Finally, we went to Food Lion for the rest of the groceries and came home. Mom brought Sean home shortly after that. Kelly did her homework and we (Sean included) watched American Idol. I'm glad that girl (Allison) with the crazy red hair made it through. She was awesome Wednesday night. My other favorites so far are Danny (the guy whose wife died), Anoop (I hope the judges choose him since he didn't get enough votes), Scott (the blind guy) and Lil Rounds.

Charlie and I talked a little while on the webcam after the kids went to bed. (They said good night and "I love you" to him before they went to bed.) I'll be glad when he can come home. I miss him so much. The longer he's gone, the more down and lonely I feel.

Oh, that stupid couch is still on my porch. *sigh* A man Karen, Mom's co-worker, knows was supposed to pick it up yesterday morning for Karen's mom, but he didn't. When I got home yesterday evening from shopping, it was still sitting there. I had hoped that whoever is supposed to be coming to get it would've gotten it while I was out. I had expected it. Yet there it still sits, looking more and more redneck by the day. I'd drag it to the curb if I were strong enough.

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I have to go Saturday to get our taxes done. It's funny, it was raining (hard) when I got the taxes done last year and it's supposed to rain when I get them done this Saturday. I also need to get Sean a haircut and get him some new brown church shoes.

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Almost forgot to mention that one of the books I ordered from Amazon a few weeks ago was finally shipped and arrived the day before yesterday. The Six Wives of Henry VIII by Alison Weir. The other book, The Life of Charlotte Bronte by Elizabeth Gaskell, was shipped yesterday and should be here next week.

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Care Level - Near Zero

I don't care anymore. Unless there has been violence, they need to learn to settle it themselves. Any other mothers feel that way? My kids are 9 years old and almost 12. I used to have something to say to the offending party when the other came tattling (usually Kelly), but now I say nothing beyond "I don't want to hear it". If violence is involved (again, usually Kelly; but not often), then I get involved. It's not that I don't care at all, it's just that they argue over the most ridiculous things. And, as I said, they need to learn to settle things themselves.

I really hate the tattling and arguing. After a few tattling trips, I send them to their rooms for awhile. It's not a cure, but it does buy me a few minutes peace.

This is a nearly everyday occurrence. It could be worse, I realize that. I've seen siblings who argue a lot more and just really have at it. Thank God mine aren't that bad. I'd have to find the nearest bridge and commit Hara-kiri.

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In other news (*wink* @ Joni), someone who works with my mom knows someone who wants our old couch. They're supposed to come get it soon. I'll be glad when it's off my porch.

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A little tidbit I forgot to mention:

I ordered our new furniture on my birthday and it was delivered on my husband's birthday. :-)

Sunday, February 22, 2009

It's here!

Late Friday night, my mom came by to get my old end tables. She put one in the trunk of her car (which couldn't close with the table in it), with Sean's help, and put the other in the back of my car. We drove to her place and while she and Sean carried one table up the stairs and into her house, I took the other out of the back of my car and carried it to the steps. I managed to get it up a couple steps by myself before Sean came out to help. We got it up a couple more steps and then I had to stop. It was really hurting my back and ovaries. I just couldn't lift it anymore. Mom came out and helped Sean get it up the rest of the way and into her house.

When Kelly and I got back home shortly after getting the tables to Mom's, I made chocolate chip cookies and we watched Penelope. Kelly and I both really enjoy that movie.

I was expecting my mom's co-worker Karen to come early yesterday morning to get the wing chairs and coffee table, so I got up at 7:10 AM and waited and waited. After a few hours, I could barely keep my eyes open anymore, so I laid back down and slept for a couple more hours.

Mom, Karen and a friend of Karen's finally got to my house at 2:30. They loaded one of the chairs into the trunk of Karen's car and the coffee table into the back of my car. Mom drove my car and followed Karen and her friend to Karen's house. Bassett had arrived while Mom and Co. were moving furniture out. They moved our old couch onto the porch for me and moved the new furniture in.

After they left, I adjusted the furniture positions a little, dusted the tables and took pictures.


The couch is darker than it appears. Pardon the mess. Been cleaning things out and moving things around.

New chair, throw pillow, & end table. I want new sticks for the vase. Something wavy & thicker.

New chair, throw pillow & end table. Pardon the glare.

New coffee table. The top opens & rises. Ignore the neck on TV. Didn't feel like cropping.

Close-up of one of the throw pillows on the couch. That's Sam's ear in the lower right.

Mom, Karen and Karen's friend came back awhile later and put the other old wing chair into the trunk of Karen's car.

Now I just need to get rid of the couch. (Rick's across-the-street neighbor said he didn't have room for it.) I don't like having it on the front porch (so redneck), but at least the bushes in front of the porch are tall enough to camouflage it. My brother said that a co-worker of his wants it, but has no way to come get it. I said to my mom, "This is the South. Surely he knows someone [or knows someone who knows someone] with a pick-up truck." If he doesn't come get it, I'll have to see if someone can move it to the edge of the yard so that someone will hopefully take it. I don't like it, but I don't have much choice.

Anyway, I'm loving the new furniture. It turned out as nice in reality as it was in my mind. I fell asleep on the couch for an hour or two last night while watching TV. I was still very tired.

The new coffee table is good for storage, like our old coffee table was, but doesn't hold quite as much as the old coffee table. I need to find a place to put Charlie's three big work binders.

Speaking of Charlie, he's still in Texas. *sigh* He doesn't know when he'll get to come home. It's been almost two months now since I last saw him. :-(

Friday, February 20, 2009

That was fast!

I was getting ready to leave the house yesterday to get groceries when my phone rang/David Cook started singing. I didn't recognize the number, so I didn't answer. I wondered if it was Bassett Furniture calling about delivery, though it would be quite early. They left a voicemail and sure enough, it was someone named Lisa who works for Bassett. I called her back and she said that our furniture is ready and will be delivered on Saturday. Wow! That's 2-3 weeks earlier than expected.

So now I have a bit of a dilemma. What am I going to do with our current living room furniture? I had put off figuring that out since I thought I had time. And I had assumed that Charlie would be home before delivery and would take care of that.

I had heard that Goodwill will come pick up furniture and other large items. So I called them, but they wouldn't take it because it's not in great condition. (Sadie's had her way with the backs of the chairs and the sides of the couch. Though you can only see it if you're looking for it.) Next I tried to call my brother Del and his wife Jennifer to see if they wanted it or knew anyone who did, but they didn't answer their phones. Then I called my mom at work and she said she'd ask around.

The kids and I then got ourselves together and got in the car. Del called me back before I got my seatbelt on and when I told him my problem, he said he'd ask around.

So then the kids and I were off. After dropping off my medicine for refill at CVS, we went to Olive Garden for an early supper. We then went to Petsmart for sticky strips to put on the new furniture to keep Sadie from scratching it up. (Our other two cats don't scratch the furniture.) And as we always do when we go to Petsmart, we visited the kitties that are up for adoption. They're so sweet! One or two of them have adoptions pending.

Next we went to Target and Food Lion for groceries, CVS for my medicine and then home to drop off the groceries. The kids wanted new books, and since I love going to the bookstore and getting new books myself, we went to Borders. Sean got Race to Witch Mountain, Kelly got a Junie B. Jones book (something about being a flower girl) and I got O Pioneers! by Willa Cather and Revolutionary Road by Richard Yates.

Once home, I helped Kelly with her homework and quizzed Sean on his spelling words. (Kelly got a 105 on her pre-test and doesn't have to take the spelling test today.) They went to bed soon after that and I watched a little TV before falling asleep a little after midnight. Woke up at nearly 1:30 and got online.

Mom called after we got home and said that she knows someone who might want our old furniture. He lives across the street from her sort-of boyfriend (who lives across the street from her) and I guess he doesn't have any furniture. I told her to tell him it's not in great condition, but it's not bad. She said the guy is a drunk, so... lol Well. So I reckon this guy and Rick (Mom's sort-of boyfriend) will come by, hopefully tomorrow, and take a look at it.

Charlie suggested I put it at the edge of our yard if no one wants it and have the city or whoever sees it and wants it come get it. Ugh. No. I can't bring myself to do that. It just seems so tacky.

So (I say that a lot) I'm nervous about getting the old furniture out of here before the new arrives. There's no room in this house for two couches, four chairs and six tables.

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Living Room Furniture






This is the furniture I ordered. (You should be able to see bigger versions of the pictures if you click on them.) The couch will be chocolate brown. The two wing chairs (the ones I ordered recline) will be a similar color as pictured above. I already have two of the throw pillow pictured above. They will go with the wing chairs. I couldn't find a picture of the throw pillows I ordered. The legs on the couch and chairs will match the tables.

Everything should be delivered in a few weeks.

Sunday, February 15, 2009

New Bedding


I've been trying to find a quilt for a decent price for a few days now. I finally found one yesterday at Bed, Bath and Beyond. It was marked down from $170 to $50. The shams were $10 each. I got the brown pillows at Target for $20. The other two pillows (there's a cream-colored one behind the blue) I've had for awhile.

That's Evie in the picture. We've also had her for awhile.

After going to Bed, Bath and Beyond, the kids and I went to Garden Ridge (got nothing) and Target before going to Mario's Pizza for supper. It was almost completely full when we got there. A few groups left while we were waiting for our pizza, then a few more arrived after we got our pizza. We then went to Food Lion to pick up a few things and came home.

So I reckon my kids were my date for Valentine's Day since my husband couldn't be here.

Saturday, February 14, 2009

Flirty Waiter

I've mentioned Monterrey's Mexican Restaurant several times in my blog. We've been going there for about 14-16 years now. It's a bit of a drive to get there (about 35 minutes) and there are Mexican restaurants that are closer to where we live, but we like it so much that the drive is worth it. I've been many times without my husband (since he's out of town a lot) and it's always been pleasant.

I got groceries on Thursday and Kelly and I decided to go to Monterrey's that evening for supper. (Sean was sick and with my mom.) We got there earlier than we normally do (around 5:00) and there were only a few other groups there. A waiter who's worked there for a few years now seated us and took care of us that evening. (I think his name is Julio.) When he seated us, he asked where my son and husband were. I told him that my son was sick and with Grandma, and that my husband was in Texas working. That he'd been there for about a month and a half now. Our waiter then says, "What? You're too beautiful....". (I didn't quite catch the end of his sentence.) I was embarrassed, but said, "Thank you."

Apparently saying it once wasn't enough for him. "Everytime you come here you look beautiful." lol All I could think was that I wish he'd stop. It was making me uncomfortable.

So he goes away, after taking our order, and I'm thinking he's done now. Nope. On one of his return trips (and he made a few more than were probably necessary) he told me I should smile more (I think after telling me again that I was beautiful) and that I look so nice when I smile.

Oh my gosh. I mean, maybe he was just being nice (I told Charlie about it and he said that the guy wanted me lol), but I really wanted him to stop.

On another stop at our table, he said something about me coming back the next night. I couldn't really understand him (he speaks kind of softly; he also has a creepy grin), but I didn't really say anything to that as I wasn't sure exactly what he'd said.

I think he spoke to me as my back was turned to him, as Kelly and I were walking out the door, but I didn't look back and acknowledge him.

Next time I'll make sure I wait til their busy hours so that he has too much to do to have time to talk to me. He obviously had too much time on his hands Thursday evening.

Now, I'm not an attractive woman at all in my eyes. There are many things about myself I'd love to change. Including the fact that I'm not as thin as I once was. *shaking fist at PCOS* I thought about that as I was getting ready to do a little shopping yesterday (I bought the kids some clothes) and then remembered what my high school Spanish teacher told our class about the trip she took to Mexico with her blond, thin, long-legged best friend. The men there were always flirting with her (my Spanish teacher) and not her pretty blond friend. She asked about it and they told her, "Bone is for the dog, meat is for the man."

Ah. That could explain things a little. Personally, I just think the waiter we had is crazy.

Thursday, February 12, 2009

Rated G

OnePlusYou Quizzes and Widgets

It would probably be a PG-13 or R rating if the music could be included in the rating.

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Six Things That Make Me Happy

Seen at the book-a-rama blog, Six Things That Make Me Happy:

1. My family - Charlie, the kids and our pets.

2. A good book.

3. Visiting Southport, NC.

4. A pretty Spring or Fall day.

5. Things working out; especially when they didn't look like they would.

6. The house being clean and beautiful.

This and That

I finished reading The Kommandant's Girl yesterday. It was pretty good. I'll be keeping this one. I bring books I don't like or thought were only okay to Goodwill when I'm done reading them.

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Kelly got three awards at school the other day. She got them for Music, Pride in Work and Homework.

The kids got their report cards last week. Kelly got all Outstandings and Satisfactories. Her teacher wrote: "Kelly continues to work hard this quarter. She remains on grade level in all areas at this time. Kelly's comprehension skills have improved greatly this quarter. As a result, her reading level has increased from a level 18 to a level 24. This is where she should be by the end of 2nd grade and she has already made it! Even though Kelly has met her reading goal for the year, we want to strive to get higher. Please encourage Kelly to read more non-fiction and chapter books at home. These types of books will challenge her comprehension skills, which will enable her reading level to continue to soar. In math, Kelly remains on grade level at this time. More practice is needed with problem solving, which we will work on throughout the rest of the year. Keep up the great work and remember to read each night for at least 20 minutes."

Whew! That was long. lol

Sean raised his spelling grade from a C to an A (because we make him write his spelling words 5 times each every night), his math grade from a C- to a C, and his science grade from an F to a D. He still has a D in reading (due to comprehension and retention problems; he reads at grade level). His teacher wrote: "Low test scores. Improving. Great spelling grade! Get your reading grade up."

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We've decided to wait until Spring to put our house back on the market. I had been thinking about it for a few days and finally talked to my husband about it. He agreed. Now I just need to email our realtor about it.

Monday, February 9, 2009

Kelly's Birthday

My beautiful nine year old.

Kelly had a nice time on her birthday. Charlie watched from Texas on the web cam and sang "Happy Birthday" with us.

After the festivities, we had sandwiches for supper (fried ham for me) and watched America's Funniest Home Videos and Extreme Makeover Home Edition. Kelly took her shower (Sean had already taken his) and after the kids had gone to bed, I read some more of The Kommandant's Girl. It's getting more interesting.

It's the story of a young Jewish woman (Emma) in Poland during WWII. She has to pretend she isn't married because her husband (Jacob) is deeply involved in the resistance. She goes from her husband's home (he's gone) to her parents home briefly (they're gone too) to the ghetto. With help from the resistance, she escapes to a woman's home (Krysia - her husband's aunt) where she pretends to be Catholic, changes her name to Anna and meets a Nazi officer (the Kommandant) at a dinner who seems attracted to her and asks her to come work for him. Which reluctantly she does. The resistance sees the opportunity this presents and enlists her help. Now and then she gets news about Jacob. Can't wait to find out what happens next.


Sunday, February 8, 2009

Birthdays, Big purchase

The older I get, the more I wish I could slow down time. I turned 36 yesterday. Will there ever be a day when I'm at peace with getting older? Aging was never really a concern of mine until I turned 35. Suddenly I realized I was almost 40! Next would come 50, then 60 and so on. Eek! I feel like I'm running out of time to do the things I want to do and to see my dreams fulfilled.

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Kelly turns nine today. How can that be? Seems like just yesterday she was toddling around with her bouncy curls. Now she's fast approaching double-digits. Before we know it she'll be a teenager with squealing friends and boys chasing after her, if they can get past Daddy, that is. Ugh. I don't want to think about it.

So I did the birthday shopping for Kelly yesterday. Lots of Barbie stuff, naturally. We'll do the cake and gift-opening today. Too bad Charlie can't be here for it. He's still in Texas.

I also bought new living room furniture yesterday. Charlie has been saying for awhile now that he hates the couch we have because it's not comfortable to him. I'm not too crazy about it either, but that's just because it's not my style anymore (it's too country; as are the tables - light wood) and is starting to fall apart. Thanks in part to our cat Sadie. :-\ My husband and kids have taken their toll on it as well.

I went to Bassett hoping to find new living room furniture, but not 100% sure that I'd actually choose something. I did finally decide on a couch (from four that I liked), two recliner wing chairs, a coffee table, two end tables and four throw pillows (two for the couch and two for the chairs). I was able to choose the color and cloth of the couch, chairs and pillows, as well as the wood for the couch and chairs. The couch will be chocolate brown, the chairs linen (a light beige) and the wood will be cherry/medium brown. The throw pillows for the couch are a dusty blue (sea mist, I think it's called) with cream/beige and chocolate brown on them. The pillows for the chairs are dusty blue with some cream/beige. The furniture is due to be delivered in about a month. I'll take pictures and post them in my blog when the furniture gets here.

I prefer having Charlie's input when shopping for big purchases, but 1), it's hard to do that when he's hardly home and 2), he always tells me that whatever I like is fine with him.

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I bought two more books on Friday: The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett and Dreamers of the Day by Mary Doria Russell. Kelly got The Princess Bride and Sean got a coloring book.

Friday, February 6, 2009

Sean - Testing Update

I had a meeting with the school counselor yesterday about Sean. I answered a lot of questions (about behavior, strengths, weaknesses, family health history, his development as a baby - walking, talking, etc., and so on) and she filled out the forms. I then signed a consent form for exchange of information between the school and Sean's pediatrician. That afternoon, the counselor, Sean's teacher, and several others had a meeting about Sean. The counselor is supposed to call me today about what was discussed and about any decisions that were made or actions that were taken.

I forgot to mention before that the counselor had sent home a form (Connors test) for me to fill out (circling my answers for each statement - never, seldom, occasionally, often or frequently) a few days ago. That form will be used in the diagnosis and decision making.

While talking with the counselor today, I asked her if the testing will also be used to check for other disabilities (should it not be ADD) and she told me that it will. The testing checks for pretty much everything that can effect a child's ability to learn and retain knowledge.

After leaving the school, I went to Best Buy to purchase a web cam. Charlie really wanted me to do that so that he could see me and the kids while he's away. Aww. I also bought the Bourne trilogy on Blu-Ray.

I was pretty hungry by the time I left Best Buy (it was around 1:30/1:45), so I went to the Chic-fil-A that was close by. I hadn't been to Chic-fil-A in about four or five years. As much as I'd liked it, I had to quit eating it because it always made my heart race. I decided to chance it in order to satisfy my craving for their waffle fries. lol I also had their original filet sandwich (minus the pickles). My heart didn't race this time, but I probably won't eat there often even though it tasted good.

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Snow Day

For the second time this year, the kids had a snow day. It's unusual to get snow twice in one winter here. They had predicted a possibility of a little snow, but it was a small chance and I wasn't expecting it. It started snowing around midnight, I think, and was still snowing a couple hours later. We only got a trace to half an inch.

I set my alarm for the usual 7:00 AM and planned on checking for a school delay after I got up. At 6:00 AM, my phone rang (well, David Cook started singing actually) and woke me up. "Who in the world is calling at 6 AM?!". I didn't answer. Then my phone beeped letting me know I had a voice mail. It was the school system stating that schools were closed due to icy roads. That surprised me and at first it didn't quite register. It was 6 AM, after all. But then I got it, reset my alarm and went back to sleep.

I think they're calling for a small chance of snow again late tonight. Very unusual. I reckon I shouldn't assume this time that there'll only be a delay if it does snow.

Monday, February 2, 2009

I think I'm Addicted


The kids and I did a little running around on Saturday evening. First was to Wal-Mart so that Sean could buy himself a Bakugan (or whatever those Transformer-like ball things are called) with his allowance, but they were sold out. Then we went to Barnes and Noble to do a little book shopping. An online friend had suggested Ahab's Wife to me and I wanted to pick up a copy of it, which I did. I also bought a hardcover edition of Bram Stoker's Dracula.

I wanted to go to a chocolate store I'd heard about on the news (Loco for Coco) to get some dark chocolate covered cherries (I don't like the cheap ones you can buy in a box; I used to love Russell Stover's chocolate covered cherries, but I can't find them anywhere anymore), but they had closed at 5:00, about 35 minutes before we got there. *sigh* Another time.

So then we went to Target, where Sean got a Bakugan, and then to Monterrey's for supper. So good.

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Charlie is still in Texas and isn't sure if he'll be able to come home for mine and Kelly's birthdays this weekend or not. There have been a bunch of layoffs and the company is trying to save money. So paying for a plane ticket for Charlie to come home for the weekend might not be something they want to do. :-(

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Well, time to cook supper. We're having spaghetti tonight. Yum!