What's Your Vision?

 A few years ago my brother inspired me to practice The Secret and use a vision board which has worked for me in miraculous ways.  So, I thought I'd start a little tradition -
Vision Board Sunday

and here is what is on mine this week:

Normally, I am a strictly Alternative Rock kind of girl,but I heard this song and it made me want to dance like a teenager again.  Or workout like I'm going on Spring Break, or just .........smile and feel young.

I want one!

I'm in charge of Christmas Eve Dessert, so I'm envisioning how amazing it's going to look.(this one is going to need A LOT of positive energy)

Loving picturing how my woods floors will be at Christmas

Oh, to be able to see clearly all the time!!!!

Snow on Christmas!

This belongs to the sweet lady who cleans our house and does our laundry. 

and finally:

READING on VACATION

Share your Visions by linking to your site in the comments - Maybe we can all be inspired by each other.
Have a GREAT Week!



Don't Buy Potpourri - TRUST ME.

The hubby has to take the same shot EVERY year - in front of the cannon.

Yes we do recycle the costumes and yes, that is the last known Halloween picture of my oldest.

The oldest stopped dressing up.

Yep, that's him in the back.

The hubby and I had so much fun trick or treating last night that the kids were actually asking us what time it was, dragging their bags of loot and skipping houses before we realized they were done.  

  

What better opportunity to look inside the homes you admire on any normal day than when the door is hanging open and all the lights are on?

While I was peeking into the houses, the men with kids were busy trying to look somewhere else.  We got stuck behind a group of girls that looked like they were in college but probably were 15 and 16 years old. (if they were younger I am SCARED) they were dressed like – Sluts?  This is seriously the only theme I can possibly think they were going for.  

I am not a prude and I say wear whatever you secretly hope to be on Halloween. (which for most girls, WANTED is a common theme) but  in 38 degrees, an upper thigh high toga that does not cover “the upper girls” might not be a good idea.  

But it did give quite a few of the Dad’s two thoughts:  1) I can’t believe I am looking at that girl.  And 

2) my daughter is going to become Jehovah Witness before next Halloween.

There is a house near ours that really went all out and decorated every available space with Halloween décor.  But when we went past at exactly 9pm, they were almost done un-decorating.  

Talk about motivation not to mention GOOD IDEA. –the worst part of Holidays is the day after and looking at the stuff you have to put away.

When we got home, high on sugar and the fun of the night one of those random and annoying slam you back to reality moments happened. 

Culprit

 The sleeve of the coat I was carrying down the hallway caught on a basket sitting on a bench .  This basket is filled with pumpkin spice potpourri. (Like 3 bags worth of the stuff – smells like heaven)  As I continued to move past in my hurry to chase costume parts flying off of the little people,  the sleeve pulled the basket down and EVERY SINGLE PIECE OF POTPOURRI not only fell out, but propelled itself down the hallway, down the stairs (covering every bit of step as it went) and because the surface was smooth, scattered into every nook, cranny and crevice available. 

 I kept walking and breathing VERY deeply as I heard the terrible noise of it scattering and then my dear sweet daughter after a moment of shocked silence helpfully said: 

“ I am seriously glad I wasn’t responsible for THAT mess”. 

 She didn’t even give me time to blame it on them!!  The best way to sum it up, is that it truly SUCKED.    As bad as an entire full bowl of cereal spilling all over the kitchen floor right before you are trying to leave for work. (Happened the other day) or as bad as the expensive windshield wipers the hubby bought that do an awesome job of cleaning the window but WHISTLE like a nasty wind when you are driving and not using them. (Happening for the last several months – thankfully I listen to the radio LOUDLY)  It sucked like forgetting to take the crock pot filled with Broccoli Cheddar soup out of your car overnight. (Check!)

Meanwhile, I’ll be picking up pieces of pumpkin spice pot-crap-ourri  for the next decade.  (Which by the way for me, a new one starts tomorrow – I’m sure I’ll be telling you all about that revolting development in the days to come……)

Closer to the last decade than the next one.

The Drop

Remember the stray kitty in my yard?  The kids had named her Katie. We were feeding her, yelling at the other strays who came sniffing around her at 2am,  and providing her a warm dry place to stay in the garage.
In fact this kitty was being pampered even more than the two lazy slug cats who live inside the house.  Who were rudely teasing her from the other side of the window by jumping on the counters, rolling around on the beds and watching Puss in Boots.

But it was getting kind of creepy seeing her eyes every time you looked out of ANY window ANY time, (especially when you were changing your clothes) and the hubby didn't appreciate stepping in her "landscaped cat box" on Saturday while painting the house. (he's patient, but not when it comes to his Teva's smelling like cat poop - secretly, I was training her to use his Teva's as the toilet because I HATE those shoes)  Plus, I didn't want to keep the garage door open and unlocked any more.

I know, we sound like real compassionate people here don't we?  (but we did have her on the list at the rescue center, posted about her, asked everyone we knew and it was looking like she was stuck in our window sill for the rest of her life (which after 12" of snow would not have been good)

On Sunday, I awoke to a cup of Starbucks in my face.  I knew when I saw it that the hubby had done the deed. Made the drop. Performed Operation SCAT

(Sadly, we live no where near a Starbucks so anytime we get one it's because we went INTO TOWN) We had discussed doing this and didn't really WANT to do it, but given no other choice, he put Katie in a crate and dropped her off to the rescue shelter before they opened. (Yes it was still dark and Yes we had a back up story, and NO he did not wear a cat burglar suit or cap)

BEFORE you start yelling, this rescue place is where we purchased the two cats we have.  It is like a Four Seasons Hotel for animals. We were on their list, but by the time they would have ever called she would have been a catsicle, taken advantage of, hit by a car or all three. (We've been on that list two other times for strays that we have come across, with NO call back)  I was even calling a shelter a county away every single day as soon as they opened to see if they had an opening. (their instructions...)

So he fed her, put her in the crate with a blanket, and she let him pet her the entire car ride.  Then he set her by the door in the crate and well, ran.  (Not really - I think he was secretly hoping to get caught so we could actually talk them into taking her in)

On Monday, he called me up and said,  "I saw Merlot today".  Since he isn't really a drinker,  I was trying to figure out if that was a stripper or maybe a Star of some kind that he met (because all Stars come to Amish country to hide out - *aka Mike Tyson)

After a few minutes of playing the guessing game he said "Merlot, aka Katie" a-la witness protection style.

They named her Merlot and it turns out that  the "kitten" was 2-3 years old who apparently likes computer keyboards?? Who Knew? (they give all their strays colorful descriptions and names- that is why our cat Truitt was formerly known as Barney who liked dressing up in tutu's)

I couldn't believe he actually went there - I teased him: "What if they had cameras and they had taken a picture of you when you made the drop and there was a WANTED poster now?? "

 He said she was really happy (yes, they conversed) and also disturbingly the center was NOT packed with cats as they had told us over the phone.  There were empty compartments. (I honestly can't say cages because they truly are not - I think they are similar in size to a Japanese train hotel room)  They were never going to call us.....

I know SOME ONE out there might still be seething.  But the story is that she showed up in our yard and would not leave.  We thought she was a kitten because she was so small.  We could not bring her inside because we already have two, both the hubby and I are allergic, (geniuses, I know)  and I did not want to leave her outside without being fixed (other strays were already sniffing around and several times we had to yell out the window to scare them away from her)  We called the shelters, posted her and begged everyone we knew. No one wanted to take her in.

So of course we went back a day later to check on her and of course I had to whisper-scream at the kids to NOT call her Katie.  She didn't even recognize us.  She did look a LOT happier.  So then we tortured ourselves by going to see the dogs.  This is a good way to make you feel better when you are having a selfish moment.  Most of them were left because their human's had moved, died, or ran away.  I almost came home with a Winston who enjoyed reading newspapers by the fire.

We left with tears in our eyes and vowed to volunteer at least once a month, but to NEVER ever tell our secret..... Well,   til now.

Do you think there is a Wanted Poster??

Venting

Wanna listen to me Vent?
When I’m done, you can vent back and I promise to listen...........................


Ready?

6th Grade Math Homework. No Clue. Whatsoever.
And they NEVER bring the Math book home so I can attempt to figure it out. Apparently everyone shares one Math book?? Is this really true??
I have spent 1 hour trying to find answers on-line and found NOTHING titled:
I am dumber than 6th grade math homework.

Tomorrow is Camouflage day at one school (for the girls of course) and Wear Something Pink at the other school (for the boy – OF COURSE)

It is dark in the morning when I leave the house and it is dark by the time I change my clothes after work. It happens every single year. Yet I forget how this makes me feel every single year. It does nothing for my desire to go outside and exercise and nothing for my joyful mood.

I love this time of year – yet, I never get to enjoy it without the monetary stress. From now until 12/25 at approximately 8:30am (when the wrapping paper has been cleared away) I am under

HIGH STRESS LEVEL –CAUTION: There WILL be Temper Tantrums Quite Often.


I listen to a great radio talk show on my way home. It’s meant for the 20 to early 30 set not yet married, and normally I can relate because I never feel my age. On the way home from work they talked about all the great sex they are having, how to make it better and even more disturbingly, that less than 3 times a week is extremely dangerous for your health and relationship. I’m scared. VERY scared for my health.

I’ll stop now – because the rest is just downright boring: A bill that forgot to be paid, a concert that someone wants to go to that will require me to drive to, endure, probably enjoy, and spend money on. A list of items that need to be purchased, A list of things that still need to be done to the house before winter hits (snow in the forecast in the next few days), a bad day a work, ungrateful people, Halloween, Birthday, Bridal Shower, Thanksgiving, CHRISTMAS .....
and the fact that I feel like I need to be breathing deeply into a brown paper bag. DOES THIS WORK??!!

Sometimes, I can’t take it.

But I always do. Every single time. (might do so a little less than enthusiastically, but I take it)

Maybe I need to start with one single positive moment each day:

Let’s see……………..

OH! Got one!

This day will be over pretty soon.

See?  I CAN be positive!

A Mixed Bag

Thank you amazingly supportive readers!  You politely told me that I have not jumped the shark, and to stop my whining.  (I swear I was not fishing for comments!)  I will chalk my dark mood up to Pre Daylight Savings Time Blues.  Rest assured I am snapping out of it.  It is still raining in my world (I think we are on our 50^th day of rain in two months, and last night we got 2".  STOP the gutter thoughts!) it is dark when I leave for work and dark when I get home, and it currently is a mere 37 degrees. 

But I’m not going to let it get to me!

Here is a little tidbit that might make you smile:

Next Door to my office is a factory that makes musical instruments.  This factory must have at least 200 cars in its parking lot every day.  Can you believe that the musical instrument business is doing so well?  If I could afford to buy the kids an instrument and pay for lessons, they would be making my life miserable with bad notes right now.  

In the early summer the factory workers went on strike.  I do not want to get into the politics of why, but watching this strike from an on-the-other-side-of-the-fence perspective, I have to tell you it’s a strike unlike any I have ever imagined or at least seen in old 70’s movie scenes.

They have a pod.  You know those on demand storage containers.  Their pod is like home base, I am fairly certain they have made a kitchen and living room in there.  There are always at least 10 to 15 people jammed inside playing cards, doing each other’s hair and eating home cooked food.   Then they have some really nice portable tents outside.  There are usually a dozen people sitting under them continuing the party from inside.  I have seen them play catch, corn hole, hoops, and once I thing they were doing a conga line.  As it is getting colder they now have a fortress of wood stacked up – wood that would last an entire winter.  They light fires in old metal garbage cans.  This is about as authentic as they get. 

The company has had to hire security.  One guy who sits in his car all day long.  He does get out and walk around periodically to mingle with the party goers under the tent. 

The strikers don’t yell.  They don’t shake their fists; they actually don’t even look at you when you drive by or if they see you watching from your office window. They have a few signs and the only obnoxious thing they really do is park on the side of the road.  They have some nice cars, these strikers. 

I would say at least 150 parking spots have filled back up at the factory, so I’m not sure how successful this particular strike is.

Sometimes I try to rally my 6 co-workers into striking.  I think it would be fun to play corn hole and warm our hands over the garbage can.  I wonder if our neighbors would let us borrow some firewood?

And finally check this story out: http://www.kcci.com/r/29528191/detail.html

If this doesn’t either bring a tear to your eye, give you hope and inspiration, then I think you may have the blues worse than I do…..

Have I Jumped the Shark?

 I'm worried.   I may have jumped the shark.

If you are not familiar with this phrase, educate yourself and then please come back.

These are the possible moments that I may have jumped the shark:

I started tweeting. I'm not very funny yet I choose to tweet random thoughts that pop into my head as if someone cares what I have to say.

I follow more people than I have followers. I have read that this is a twitter faux pas.

I follow Martha Stewart (I thought maybe she would offer tips)
I believed for a minute she does her own tweeting.

The only tweet of mine that has been re-tweeted is this one:

I really want to follow someone but according to the rules I can't over-follow, can more hurry and follow me so I am appropriate??


My blog has been at 83 followers for months. Half of those followers joined in the first few days. The other half are people I have personally met.

I had 1 comment on my last post and the post before that, 2 comments. They commented on my post because I commented on their post.

My facebook profle picture is over five years old.  But I do still have and wear that shirt........

I actually care that I may have jumped the shark in the eyes of people I do not know and will most likely never meet.

I might have jumped the shark, or it might be the pre-daylight savings time blues.

MADE-Up Holiday HEAD's Up!

For year's my friends and I thought we were lucky when we had a boyfriend around this time of year.  The opportunities to torture the boys in our lives were endless in one month alone:

Homecoming - Just what a young man wants to spend his money on: A Suit, Expensive Dinner, and a Dance.

Why yes, those ARE mullet's

Haunted Houses - The guys always liked this one the most - plenty of opportunity for girls to grab them and throw them between the next scary thing and a girl's chest.

Sweetest Day - In a few months Valentines Day is right around the corner!

Halloween - I know all the men in my life are fans of dressing in costume........

Unfortunatley NOT a costume

Did you stop and ask yourself what SWEETEST DAY was or do you know all about it but pretend not to?

I think it was when I moved to a different part of the state that bordered two other states that I learned most people do not really "celebrate" Sweetest Day outside of Ohio, or even know what it is.

In more recent years, we have watched it approaching, we forget about it and then we remember it a few days later.  The last thing either the hubby or I need is another reason to feel bad about not buying each other anything.

Tonight, I discovered the reason why most people do not even know this crazy holiday.

It was started in 1922 by a man in Cleveland. He wanted to bring happiness to orphans, shut-ins and under-privileged. His intent was to show these people that they were not forgotten. (Love how we quickly changed that plan to meet our greedy needs)

So, unless you live in Ohio, you are probably off the hook.  If you live in or near Ohio and you have already heard the advertisements for Sweetest Day, you can explain the reason for lack of gift is that it is for orphans, shut-ins and under-priveleged.( your honey probably will not want to compete in that category) You might then have to visit a shelter or volunteer your time helping those less fortunate, but in the end it's a win-win.

You can thank me later for:
A. Reminding you of the approaching Non-Holiday
B.  Giving you a few excuses/reasons not to celebrate it
C.  Giving you a reason to donate your time.

Happy Sweestest Day!  (Always the Third Saturday in October)