Mix it up a Little

Sometimes I get bored and start to move things around.  Usually it's furniture in a room.  Since we have lived in the same house for so long, moving furniture around gives the rooms a different look.  Makes everything look new and fun.

Instead of moving furniture, I decided to move items in a cabinet in the kitchen.  I switched the cabinet that had plates and bowls with the cabinet that has glasses and mugs.  I didn't tell anyone about my crazy idea the big move....I just did it.  I wanted to see if things would flow better.  (The cabinets are near each other)

Well, everyone in the house freaked out.  The change was too much for them.  They wanted me to change them back.  I said I would switch them back to their original cabinets....when everyone was used to it this way.  (I'm so mean)

Since that change went over so well, I'm thinking about my next move.

Any suggestions?

Gone Ice Fishing

Last year, when I was working, I would tell Alex or Bella that they could ask Nick to help them.  You know, drive them somewhere or pick them up.  Nick is really good at helping out.  He will watch Bella while I work.  In the summer, he would split the time with Alex.

One day last summer, I came home from work and Alex said he wasn't able to go somewhere.  I said, "Did you ask Nick to drive you?"  He said, "Yes, but he said that he wouldn't take me because he was ice fishing."

June in the Midwest.  It was a little chilly last year, but, not cold enough for ice fishing.

I laughed.  I figured Nick didn't want to be bothered driving his brother around.

Time went on and I would get these reports from both Alex and Bella that they couldn't go places or do things because Nick was, "ice fishing."  I started figuring that if Nick didn't want to do stuff, that was the excuse that he would use.

Now, when we are trying to figure out where Nick is, someone will say, "He's probably ice fishing."

National Card and Letter Writing Month

How many handwritten letters have you sent out this month?

April is National Card and Letter Writing Month.  This is a great time to send some love via snail mail.  Let others know you are thinking of them.  Everybody likes getting personalized letters!  (much better than getting bills!)  You don't have to write a novel.  How about "Hi" or "Hello?"  Tell them you are thinking of them or that you appreciate them.  A little note in the mail will put a smile on someone's face.

We still have a few more days to go this month, so get going!  Grab some paper and a pen and start writing!

The Tooth Fairy

So, the Tooth Fairy visited again.  Yea, I did say that the Tooth Fairy was all done here, didn't I?

If you have been keeping up with the Tooth Fairy posts, you will recall that we have encountered some problems.  You see, the Tooth Fairy has had some problems fulfilling her role when it comes to visiting during the night.  She can be quite forgetful.  I'm not sure if this is with just our house or is she slacking off on all of her tooth fairy duties?  I mean, how many houses does she visit in one night?  Is there only one Tooth Fairy?  Does she have helpers?  Is there one Tooth Fairy per State/Country?

So, as I was saying, Bella had another loose tooth.  It fell out when we were at the dentist.  He said that this is the last tooth (I've heard that line before).   So, Bella put the tooth under her pillow that night and waited for the Tooth Fairy to visit.

One of the problems that we have is that not everyone in our house is asleep. Apparently the Tooth Fairy only visits when everyone in the house is asleep. Of course, it doesn't help that my children are light sleepers. Oh, and when they lose a tooth, they don't sleep at all (well, until the Tooth Fairy visits). I'm not sure if it's the excitement of her pending visit or they are trying to catch me her in the act. 

The last two teeth were quite challenging, but the Tooth Fairy pulled through. It may have taken more than a day, but she got the job done. 

This visit proved to be quite difficult.  The first night she didn't visit. Bella said that it didn't help that I went to check on her in the middle of the night.  When I walked into her room, Bella sat up and said, really loud, "Who are you?"  Talk about scaring the $4/# out of me.   I told her, "It's Mommy and I missed you."  (Hey, it was 3am. I had to say something!)  I tried not to check on her the next night. Turns out the Tooth Fairy visited when Bella went to school and I went to help out at her school. 

The Tooth Fairy left a note.

She also left a ton of glitter all over the bed and floor. What was she thinking?

Well, it's been a fun ride, Tooth Fairy.  Thanks for the fun and the money.  Oh and especially for the memories.  I'll miss you.  I'm sorry for interrupting your schedule.  I apologize for the bad press and talking abut your forgetfulness.  I realize you have tons of children to visit.  Thanks for taking the time out of your busy day (night?) to make children around the world happy about losing a tooth.  On behalf of all theses children, and especially mine, I say, thank you for a job well done. 

Stroopwafels

The company RT works for is doing a fundraiser.  Well, actually the branch in the Netherlands is doing the fundraiser.  They sent some boxes packed with stroopwafels to be given to people who donate money.  RT donated some money and got his package of stroopwafels and brought them home.  If you don't know what they are, search it online.  A stroopwafel is a waffle made with two thin layers of dough and has a syrup filling in the middle.  They are very thin and very delicious.

Ever since getting these stroopwafels, that is all we hear.  Well, RT doesn't talk about them, he just likes saying stroopwafels. (try saying it..it's a fun word to say)  He walks around the house saying it.  He then started asking in German, "Do you want a stroopwafel?"

I really like stroopwafels and would consider making them.  Although I'm not sure if I could go on hearing RT's stroopwafel commentaries.

Yard Work

Did two days of weed pulling, rock moving, garden prep and yard clean up.  I made the mistake of moving some rocks while kneeling and I think I pulled my back.  If I'm walking and I drop anything, it's just going to have to live there forever because I can't bend over to get it.

Mountain Driving

I like to drive.  I also enjoy being driven (in a car...not crazy!).

When we go on vacation, RT feels the need to do all of the driving.  I offer to drive (or take turns driving) and am always turned down.  Very rarely will RT let me drive.

Recently, we went on a little driving trip.  Alex did a lot of driving (trying to get those hours in for his license).  RT drove when Alex took a break.  I offered many times and of course, was turned down.

One day, during our trip, RT decides that he is going to have me drive.  Of course, he decides this when we are in the mountains.

For the record, I have never driven in, on or around mountains.

When we drive to Florida, RT drives through the mountains.  For some reason he saves driving in heavy traffic for me (something that I absolutely hate doing).

So, RT has this harebrained idea that I should now drive.  It started with the idea of RT and Alex doing a hike together.  I would drive them to the trail head in the morning and pick them up in the late afternoon.  Sounds easy.  The only problem?  We are staying in a cabin that is high up in a mountain and the roads leading to it are pretty steep.

I agreed to the plan (yea, not sure what I was thinking).  I had nightmares that the road was really small and I was going to drive the car off the side of the mountain.  I woke and told RT, he said I need to conquer my fears.  Of course he wouldn't be in the car when I was driving up and down the mountain, so, what did he care?  I'm sure he checked on my life insurance policy to make sure "death by driving off the side of a mountain" is acceptable for cause of death.

I am happy to report that I survived.  There was one mishap, but, I won't speak of it for a good 5-10 years (or more).  I don't think RT needs to know what really happened.

When I picked them up at the trail head, I told RT that he had to drive back..

My mountain driving days are past me.

Let's just check that one off my bucket list and move on.

Another Soap Post

Went to visit my friend, Patti and guess what?

She gave me soap!

She must know what a hot commodity soap is in our house.  It's nice soap and I'm not sharing.

Don't worry.  No one will know about this soap.

HA!  It's not like my family is going to go looking for bars of soap!

The Chauffeur

Alex has his drivers permit.

I think a lot of parents freak out when their kid starts driving.  It is a shock, I'll admit.  I mean, just yesterday you were chasing them around and strapping them in a car seat.  Now they are able to drive the car (with you riding along side them, of course).

I think it's a little scary at first.  Especially since they have no idea what they are doing.  Well, they know a little because they are taking Drivers Ed, but, they haven't started the driving part.  As a parent, you have to teach them some of the basics.

Driving with a student driver is like an amusement park ride.  You don't quite know what's going to happen.  It might go slow.  It might go fast.  It might just stop altogether.

At first, Alex's right turns were....interesting.  He would turn and then stop.  There was a hesitation (like, what do I do next?).   It was like time stopped.  It seemed like five minutes passed, but, it was probably only seconds.  Then, he would accelerate and we would be on our way.

Alex is a lot better at driving now.  He has been driving for six months.  He is 16, but, he has to have his permit (and 50 hours of driving time) for nine months before he can get his Drivers License.

I have to admit, I am enjoying all of this driving.  I get to be chauffeured everywhere.  If I say I have some errands to run, Alex is right there, offering to drive me.  Of course, once he reaches his 50 hour mark, who knows if this chauffeuring will continue.

Write out Blog Posts

When I writer a blog post, I (usually) write it out long hand.  You  know, pen/pencil and paper.  The old fashioned way.  I'm not always around my computer.  I usually carry some paper with me so I can write out a post or two during my break at work.  I guess I could use the Blogspot App, but, there isn't a great connection in the office at work (and there's no wi-fi).

You may think I'm wasting paper, but, I'm actually using the back side of paper we received (either through mail or backpack mail).

I guess you can say I'm giving my posts a personal touch.  And, practicing my handwriting at the same time.

April - National Card and Letter Writing Month

It's back!

National Card and Letter Writing Month!

That's right.  The entire month of April (30 whole days) is dedicated to sending Happy Mail!

C'mon!  Who doesn't like getting a handwritten letter or card?  I know that's the first thing I tear into when I get the mail!

Grab some paper and a pen and start writing!  And, don't give me the excuse that you don't have any pretty paper to use!  Get out some crayons, markers, stickers, watercolor paints, colored pencils and start prettying up that paper.  Oh and don't forget the envelope, too.

Letter writing is a great way to practice your penmanship.  It's a great way to connect with old friends and maybe even make some new friends!

What are you waiting for?  Get that paper and pen and start writing!

I'm not a person who gets car sick.  In fact, I enjoy riding around in a car.  I can read or do puzzles (crossword or sudoku).  I enjoy the scenery around me.  Riding in a car is a pleasant experience.

Unless, of course, we are driven through the mountains and RT is at the wheel.  He likes to go as fast as possible, whipping around the hairpin turns.  I try to deal with the dizziness and nausea I feel.  When I mention it, he replies that he isn't going that fast.

Working on my revenge.  I'm taking any and all suggestions.

Thought I would make sure that the boys survive while I'm away for a few days.

Stocked the bathrooms with toilet paper.  Made sure their shower has a soap bar and put the extras under the sink.  Let's hope they can find them.  I also made sure that all of the bathrooms had soap (by the sink) and a clean towel.

So, the home phone rang at 12:44 AM. We couldn't get to the phone in time. (we = RT).  The caller ID said, "private caller."

 I think "private caller" should look at the clock next time and try calling us during daylight hours.