And for once I can honestly say, "I CAN'T wait for Super Bowl Sunday!"

For the past two weeks, Man-Child has been on a mission.

To talk his father (the one who hates to drive and do anything that isn't part of his daily routine) into driving up the mountain to watch "THE" game and spend the night in the dorm.  Once I discovered Man-Child's mission, I jumped on board.

So, in addition to MC calling Hubby EVERY SINGLE DAY for the past two weeks to beg him to come up, I have been on the other end saying, "Really.  You SHOULD go.  It'll mean SO much to MC.  You'll have fun."

Sure, MC is mainly pushing for the food he knows his father will bring - but I think watching the game without his father last year was depressing to him.  This is something they've done together for years.  And last year was the first time they've each watched the game without the other.  And I can attest that it was depressing for Hubby too since every time I walked by Hubby would say something along the lines of "I wish MC was here.  It's just not the same without him."

Today Hubby finally cracked.  He is going (fingers crossed - until he actually drives off, I won't believe it).

I, for one, cannot be more happy about it.  One because I know Hubby and Man-Child will have a great time.  And two, because for the first time in twenty-three years I won't have to hear all the hoopla (and yelling - and no, it apparently doesn't matter that "their" team isn't in the game) that goes along with the Super Bowl.  For the first time in twenty-three years, I'll be able to watch whatever I want on the main television.  Or not.

It's gonna be glorious.  And quiet.  I can't wait.

Twenty-three years and counting...

Today is our twenty-third wedding anniversary.  Wow.

This was taken at a party about a week or so after we were married - gosh we were young!
And I'm thinking I may need to re-visit that haircut.

It's hard to believe that so much time has passed between then and now.  Back then I was young and dumb optimistic.  Today I'm older, wiser and still dumb optimistic, for the most part.

I know that when we rushed into this marriage, oh-so-long-ago, that there were those that thought we were crazy, that it wouldn't last or that I was pregnant.  And, obviously, they were all wrong.  Well, except for those that thought we were crazy...they might have been on to something.

But whatever, it's worked out.  Sure, we've had our rough patches through the years (I'm not even counting the unemployment years).  Some of those patches were so rough, I wondered if we would weather the storm.

We did.

There have been times when he's made me so mad I wanted to hurt him - seriously hurt him.  But I refrained.  I'm sure he's felt the same at times (although, perhaps not as often - 'cause I'm SO easy to live with....) and, obviously, he's refrained as well.

P!nk's song "True Love" speaks the truth about love. And, funnily enough, this album also has a song called "The Truth About Love" which also speaks volumes about what love entails.

FYI...the lyrics are rather explicit.  You've been warned

It's not always wine and roses.  Sometimes it's threatening bodily harm if he EVER chews celery within your earshot again.  Or if he keeps moving the furniture a fraction of an inch at a time.

It's always about compromise, communication, and knowing what battles to fight and what battles to let go.  It's about laughing together.  Because the ability to laugh in the face of your struggles will carry you far.

It's about the occasional surprise, such as this absolutely gorgeous arrangement...

And remembering that you promised to love this celery-chomping, furniture-moving man till death do you part.

And, as I like to remind him from time to time, the only way he's getting out of this marriage is through death...most likely his.

It's seems to have worked so far.  So let's see what the next twenty-three years brings, shall we?

Wanna See My Closet? Of course you do!

As you all know, we've moved.  As you also know, this place has no real closet space.  You know this because I've whined about mentioned it in just about every post except the last one, since we've moved in.

You may also recall that at one point, prior to move, I declared (much like Scarlett O'Hara) that I'd NEVER share a closet with the husband again.

And I'm not.

Now, I could have declared the not so walkable, walk-in closet for my own and banished hubby to the smallest bedroom's standard closet - what?  He was willing.

But I decided, that I would take the smaller closet on the OTHER side of the house.  All fifteen steps from our bedroom door to that door.

And I decided to make the entire room my closet.

As Man-Child so astutely observed..."Mom, you are the ONLY person in the world that can down-size and STILL end up with a bigger closet."

Yes, my child.  It is undeniable, your mother has super-human powers.  And an extensive shoe collection that wouldn't have fit into that smallish walk-in closet in the master.  It's called "thinking outside of the box."

And now, today I can reveal this to you because they have finally removed the giant file cabinet that has been taking up space in there and I can proclaim this room "done."

See?  It literally IS the smallest closet in the house

See how cramped everything is in there?  And this is AFTER I cleaned it out.  Obviously, I need to go through it again...particularly since I have some gift cards burning a hole in my pocket; but I'm reluctant to buy anything until I make some more room in there.  Notice the matching hangers?

Just a peek at part of the shoe collection

After adding some of these Closet Maid shelf things (they stack up on top of each other) I was able to get my shoes organized.

And some more shoes....of course.  And this is AFTER I donated forty pair.
*sigh* I admit it.  I MIGHT have a problem...

WHY I never thought to do this at the old house to build that coveted "shoe wall" I wanted, I'll never know.  But I had an epiphany one day while looking at the two or three shelves I already owned, while wondering what to do with all these shoes.

These shelves are reasonably priced and easy to put together - I did them all by myself!  Even Hubby was impressed.  They do come with these things to anchor them to the wall because I suppose once you've gone past stacking three of them they are easy to tip over.  I didn't anchor them to the wall because 1) we are renting and 2) no one is in there but me.

I added the chair, ottoman and table so that I could have a cozy, little get-away when I need it.  Or as a place to sit down to put on my shoes, of course.

I threw in some art just for a splash of color and added my jewelry boards...

And now, I have my very own dressing room!

The guys tease me endlessly.  They tell me I need a star on the door with the word "DIVA" written across it.

Little do they know, I've already found one...

(Source)

It's your turn - what's your closet look like?  Do you have to share or are you spoiled, like me?


***

Happy New Year to all my dear internet friends.  I wish you nothing but the best for the upcoming year.  Let's make it a good one!