And so they are home . . . .

The various t.v.'s are on. 

The house is already a wreck.

The boys are back in town.  And, after a quiet weekend, I'm glad - despite my protestations about wanting alone time; I did miss them.

I did get some things done - which for some reason I can't seem to get done with them here.  Why is that???

The keeping room has finally been re-arranged to my satisfaction (at least for now....it's a tricky room).

After Wilderness Chic's posts about her beautiful home; I am sorely tempted to do my own little tour and invite you to do the same ('cause yeah, I'm nosy and love to see how other people live...)....but the house isn't ready yet.  We've been here about 1 1/2 years and it's still not ready.  I'm impatient, I know.  My last house wasn't ALMOST just right until right before we moved out of it after living there for about 10 years.  It takes time.  I know.  But her pictures have just spurred on the nesting instinct and I want to get some stuff done around here.

I have enjoyed the complete and total uninterrupted computer time.  The ability to peruse blogs; comment; etc. without someone leaning over my shoulder and complaining "are you done YET???"  And the totally clean house.  Yeah; that I miss.  But having my guys home, safe & sound - noise, mess, smells and all?  Priceless.

Another book review.....because yeah, I like to read ALOT

Have just finished The Quickie by James Patterson & Michael Ledwidge.

Love James Patterson.  He has written many, many wonderful books.  I've never been disappointed when I pick up one of his works.

This is an excellent book.  At only 274 pages it's a quick read (pun intended).

It begins with the lead character, Lauren, seeing her husband with another woman entering a hotel.

She decides to even the score and decides to meet up with this co-worker who has been flirting with her.  The night of passion takes a decidedly bad turn when she witnesses her new lover being murdered.

Her desire to uncover the truth quickly dissolves into saving the man she loves - which in turn leads to even more twists and turns.

This is a definite read, in my opinion.

My Day

It's been quiet.

Very quiet.  The only sound I currently hear is the clicking of the keys as I type.  The quiet in this house is very rare.  I have a loud Hubby; a loud Man-Child; and there always seems to be a tv on somewhere in the house.

I've come and gone without any questions.

The ability to have lunch at 3:00 pm and a dinner consisting of a piece of cheese went without a comment.

It's been very nice.  Although, at first, I kind of regretted not joining the boys; I'm glad I stayed behind.

One, for my sanity.  And two, so that they could have time together away from the house.

I can honestly say I've had almost no human contact - except for the folks I've interacted with in the stores, etc.  (And the one idiot teen driver that I almost backed into because she was flying through the parking lot!  Seriously?  Slow down in parking lots - those of us with smaller cars can't see around the giant SUV's).

Well, that's not quite true.  My friend that is contemplating divorce called this evening under the guise that I should have dinner with them since I'm alone.  I could hear in her tone that she needed to talk - so I agreed to come by - but not for dinner.  (Since we last discussed this situation; her hubby has left.  He thinks that this will all blow over soon.  And maybe it will.  But after listening to her this evening....I have my doubts.  Unless he is willing to make some MAJOR changes I do not see him coming home anytime soon.)  I can tell you that walking into her house this evening I could sense a change.  It was calm.  Even with three young boys - that was a calm house.  She was calm; they were calm - there was a total sense of peace.  She was the best I've seen her in a long time.  So I visited with her (or more accurately, I listened to her) for about an hour and then came home to my own quiet, calm house.

My plans for tomorrow?  Not quite sure.  But I know I will relish the quiet for as long as I can before they come storming in all loud and sassy.  And then, life as I know it will resume.  And I will be happy to have had this time and happy that they are home, safe, where they belong.

Some new baubles to add to my collection

Well, since you are sitting there reading this - it must mean that I've typed it; which must mean that I've decided to stay home and let the boys run off for the weekend.

That means the house is clean and quiet and will stay that way.  At least until they return.

Anyway, the ever-thoughtful and lovely Chic Mama has seen fit to bless me with this:

Apparently she has sensed the fact that I have definitely been in need to some sunshine & flowers! 

The rules of this pretty Sunshine award are:

■Pay it forward – nominate 12 bloggers


■Put the logo on your sidebar or within a post


■Link the nominees within your post


■Let the nominees know they have received this award by commenting on their blog


■Share the love and link to the person from whom you received this award


I'm actually going to attempt this as there are a few folks out there who I know could use a little sunshine.

1.  Bare Naked Mummy
2.  Bina at Just Another Day
3.  Brighton Mum - Teenage Angst
4.  Jody at Take Me As I Am
5.  Kathryn at From The Inside...Out
6.  Jaci at Ravings of a Mad Housewife
7.  The Amazing Trips
8.  Gayle at Gramme's Blog
9.  PoshTotty
10.  Lee at The Way I See It
11.  Momma at Live Laugh Pull your hair out
12. Mrs. Lovely at The Ideologies of Melissa

That was HARD! 

And speaking of so very sweet and thoughtful Mrs. Lovely; she has given me this:

Which upon receiving, I immediately began to sing the Folgers coffee commerical in my head (and I bet you are singing along now too - it's okay, you can't help it; it's catchy!)

"The best part of waking up..." award is awarded to the 5 bloggers that you're most excited to see have posted when you log into your dashboard/google reader/ whatever. Yes, only 5! If you're always checking someone's blog to see if they've posted, they deserve this award!"

This one I bequeath to each and everyone of you - because I am constantly checking on you - but not in a stalker-ish kind of way, promise!

So, thank you Chic and Mrs. Lovely for the beautiful awards and for thinking of me!

I'm a bad wife......

In my last post, I complained about Hubby and his lack of "vacation" skills.

He proposed a trip to Asheville, NC this weekend to visit his daughter.

I don't want to go.

In truth, he's been at least three to four times already - without me.  Granted, one of those times I had to go home to check on my dad.  The other times?  Well, let's just say, they became a "test of wills" and I won.

There is absolutely no reason in the world that I shouldn't go this weekend.

Except I don't want to.

Why?  Snow is predicted.  I have stuff I want to do.  The lure of a house all to myself?  And, seriously?  Why should I go seeking snow?  I've had more than my fair share this winter (with more predicted for next week!).  I'm cold enough here without travelling to the mountains to find more.

But the guilt!  Here I've been complaining that Hubby never wants to go anywhere or do anything (and it's true - unless it's something he wants to do....).  I haven't been up to Asheville since she's moved here.  I haven't seen her since Christmas.  But still.....

I don't want to go.

Somebody absolve me so I can stay home in relative peace, please!!!

Vacation Frustrations

Hubby is on vacation this week.  Yay!  Right?  errrr....

No one else is.  Man-Child's in school and I'm at work.

This is a running "thing" (I won't call it an "argument" - it's more a of a sore point - that could possibly escalate into an "issue").

I realize that Hubby's job has it's "busy" seasons.  And that they usually the occur when normal people take their vacations.  I GET it.  BUT, other people at his company (and in his department) seem to be able to sneak in some time off during these "busy" seasons......

I don't resent Hubby his time off.  God knows he needs it and deserves it.  And we all know I have no problem taking my vacations.  And yeah, if he wants to take some of it by himself - doing absolutely nothing - cool.  We all need that once in a while.

What I do resent (and am beginning to resent more and more) is that Hubby never takes family vacations.

"Oh no!"  he insists that he took a week off in the summer with us.  Yeah - FIVE years ago!

I have informed him that Man-Child will be gone in about two years - off to college - not caring about spending any time with us.

His response?  "I spend plenty of time with him!"  And he does - those two are as thick as thieves! 

But it's a everyday, routine kind of time.  Not that special - this is vacation, let's have fun kind of time.

Yes, I generally take almost two weeks around Christmas - but guess what?  I'm usually spending it with Man-Child and doing prep stuff for the holiday.  I generally take a week in the spring - to take Man-Child somewhere for Spring Break.  Sometimes I take a day here or there or maybe a long weekend to go to Texas to visit family and friends.

But Hubby?  He takes a week in February - alone.  And does nothing. 

The rest of his vacation time?  I'm guessing is "thrown away" - because he certainly isn't using it (and I know for a fact that he gets way more than one week a year!).

I realize that he and I have very different ideas about what "vacation" is; I realize that he has an extreme dislike to flying (although - hello? they have drugs for that and I would ask for them if the situation were reversed....); I realize that he gets really uptight if we have to drive for any length of time (yes, all this pretty much means vacation can be, at the very least, a chore for him.)  BUT, ususally, once he gets to where we are going - it's all good.  So what is the problem?  Why doesn't he want to have vacation with his family? 

This is the kind of stuff that keeps me up at night.  I just don't get it.

It's not like we aren't "fun" people.  Man-Child and I  hilarious and always seem to have fun.

I. Just. Don't. Get. It.

What am I missing here?

D-I-V-O-R-C-E (anyone remember that song? that's the only note of levity in this post...)

So, here's the deal.

We've known this couple for about 11 years or so.  We are friends.

I love her - she loves me.  The hubbies - they are best buds.

Perfect; right?  'Cause, really?  How often does that work out - that couples love each other?  Not often.  Usually the stars have to be aligned just right and for us - they were.

Now, I have known from the get go - that I could I never be married to this man.  He's a great guy.  He's fabulous, etc.  But, as my hubby?  No.  One of us would end up being maimed (or even dead in the backyard) - and it wouldn't be me (lucky, lucky him - right?!).

For the past - oh six or seven years - I've seen this coming.  And now, finally, I think it's here.

She was over here today - with her suitcase.  She's done.  We talked.  She told me it's over. I told her she was welcome.  In the end, she went home - she's concerned about the whole "abandoning the house/kids" issue.  I don't blame her.  (Although, between you and me?  I don't think he knows about that....she totally could have skated on that one!)

My advice for her is sparse - I simply do not have experience in this arena.  I've told her in no uncertain terms (several times) - that she needs to do what is best for her and the children.  I've told her that I will support her no matter what.

My heart is heavy.  I love them all.  But, right now?  It's the children I'm most concerned about.  I made that perfectly clear.  I know that there is nasty arguing going on.  I know that those children have been witness to it.  I know that those children are not happy.  I know that she isn't happy.  I know that, despite his bravado, that he is not happy.  At this point - I think they are toxic for each other.

But those children?  That is what breaks my heart the most.  Because I can look at those kids and see what all this has done to them.  I told her today - that if, they do end up divorcing, that the children would be fine.  Why?  Because the arguing (which can get really ugly - I know I've witnessed it on an occasion or two) would be done.  I know - I remember how my parents were.  And when it was finally done?  It was a relief.

I can't even begin to imagine the position she is in right now.  But - again, between you and me? She needs to send him packing.  Those children deserve soooo much more than they are getting right now.  SHE deserves so much more than he is giving her.  And truly?  He deserves so much more.  But as things stand right now - they are all slowly killing each other.

And it is breaking our hearts to be watching this from the outside.

In ten years.....

The very sweet Respectfully Yours over at Here Is What I Think has deemed me worthy of the "You're Going Places, Baby" award.

"This award means you're really going places, Baby. You'll still be blogging about your great adventures 10 years from now, and I'll still be reading them."

{ The Rules }

1. Link back to the blogger who sent you this award

2. Post where you would like to be in 10 years

3. Pass it on to other special bloggers!

 

#1 - Accomplished.  Go visit RY; she is wonderful!! And not just because she has deemed me worthy of an award - really!

 

#2 - Ohhhh, I hate these types of questions.  I'm more of the "let's see where this goes" kind of person; because I'm generally happy with where I'm at.  But in this instance?  I'll actually try to answer it.  Do you know what would be AWESOME?  If in the next ten years I could actually meet some of my new friends face to face - even those that live "across the pond" or across the continent.  That would be an awesome goal!  One that I may even actually work toward.

 

#3 - Passing it on.  Er....., ummmmmm, shuffling feet.  You guys know I can't do this part.  You Know IT!  I think of you ALL as bloggers I want to be reading (and meeting) ten years from now (except for you crazy stalker/serial killers - I {and Hubby} really don't want to be meeting you anytime soon).

So thank you so very much RY!  I totally appreciate you thinking of me - I definitely expect to still be reading you 10 years from now as you blog about your retirement experiences in Florida!

Thank You letters

Dear Hubby;

Thank you so very much for sharing your cold with me.  On the first decent weekend we will have in eons!  I will cherish it.  The sniffling, the sneezing, the aching - you are far too generous to me.

Much Love,
Me

********

Dear Big Baby Man (@ work):

Thank you for pouting and being a general baby today.  It caused me much amusement.  I particularly enjoy that I've learned you are trying to discredit me (and my boss - whom you seem to have declared your mortal enemy for some reason; I can only assume it's because she's smarter and much more grown up than you).  What gives me even more pleasure?  That you were chastised for your behavior.  Although, I know what you were up to today - cause you are transparent like that.  I've got my eye on you, my friend.

Very truly yours,
Me

******

Dear Procrastinators (again, at work):

Thank you so much for delaying your duties so that I had to stay late last night.  There is nothing I enjoy more than sitting around at work, after hours, twiddling my thumbs just waiting to complete a project.  This is the stuff I dream about when I come to work every morning.  You made my day!

Very truly yours,
Me

*****

Dear Morons Who Don't Know How a Three Way Stop Intersection Works:

All I can say is thank you for bringing so much excitement into my life.  What other amusement can I expect on an almost daily basis than watching you almost slam into oncoming traffic that has the right of way?  And the best part?  Watching you get all righteously indignant while beeping your horn.  You crack me up - until you almost hit my car.

Me

Some "Trends" should NEVER see the light of day.

Seriously??

Source

I was perusing the latest InStyle magazine.  I came across this sight quite often (couldn't find it on InStyle's site though - funnily enough....). 

Apparently, socks with heels is the most current trend.  In fact, one person wrote in to say (something along these lines - I don't have the magazine in front of me) how much she loved this look and how should she wear it.  I'm thinking "Ummmm? NEVER!"

Now - maybe this makes me a very conservative fashionista - dare I say it?  A fuddy-duddy.

But I vow to you all right now "I will NEVER, EVER be caught dead wearing socks with my high heel sandals!"