Season Swapping

Have you noticed how incredibly fast the "seasons" switch in stores? Not long ago there were advertisements for fans and warm weather things and all of a sudden there's winter gear. Yeah I know, it IS that time NOW but I feel like tomorrow I'll be seeing sandals and air conditioner filters again. LOL As it is I saw a listing of outdoor things on sale and instead of sporting things it was mostly blow up pools...and yes, this was TODAY. :o? I'm not really sure what to make of it anymore, things move WAY too fast.

Home Improvement

It's funny what you absorb wihtout knowing it. Since I've been watching so much HGTV I've found myself looking for unconventional uses for things when I'm shopping. I saw these fantastic metal placemats at Crate and Barrel the other day that would make really neat wall motifs. LOL Fabric is another thing that I'm always noticing, so that I can frame it as wall art. I'd really love to be able to afford a kitchen remodel one day not only because ours stinks and is ugly but our sink is a pain to wash anything in. You come out all wet everytime from backsplashing. I'd love one of those deep-set copper sinks with some really neat green tiles, task lighting, and other things...I think I already have it planned out in my head.

Stain Be Gone

There's this guy that used to be shown on PBS named Graham Haley that showed all kinds of cleaning tricks. Of course I was never smart enough to sit there with a pen and write it all down before they stopped showing the series during pledging periods. He really only uses a few household things to clean an array of items like toothpaste to whiten white shoes and lemon with salt to polish copper. He has a few tricks using water softener but for some reason I could never find the stuff in our stores here. Well, I guess HERE we don't have a really big hard water problem but now I've completely forgotten what the use was for to begin with! So frustrating...anyway, I may have to pick up his book so that we can try to be slightly more eco-friendly around here.

Flu Season

Has anyone been able to get the H1N1 shots yet? The last I heard here, there isn't nearly enough to go around and it may come down to those in dire need getting it before anyone else.

I have never had a flu shot of any kind in my life. I know some people will disagree but I've personally never had a need for it. I end up with a bad cold more than I ever get the flu. I know that this thing is totally different and a deadly mutation can occur at any time so I'm thinking that I will get one of those if I'm able.

It's a pretty scary thing knowing that people can have such adverse reactions to the illness. From what I know we've had one child death here in since fall began already and I'd really hate to be hearing of so many more before the year is out.

Freezing

It's funny that when the weather turns cold we all end up doing any unconventional thing we can to keep warm. For at least a month already we have a duvet cover taped to a corner partially covering our walls to help keep some of the cold out. I'm trying hard not to use the space heater so much this year but it's almost nearly impossible since our room is at the top of the house with uninsulated walls and our beds have to be on the outer walls. I worry most about No-No since she's so small and if need be she comes into bed with us. I thought about getting heated mattress pads but I didn't read up on them before the cold came and we have a pillow top mattress so I don't think that our sheets would fit having something else on there. That reminds me...I should buy more blankets.

A Present for DH

I'm always baffled when it comes to buying presents for the guys. Even with Yes-Yes things are getting harder (and MUCH more expensive) each year.

Normally for DH I'll buy something he needs like clothes or fishing stuff to make it a dual purpose gift but this year I kind of thought that I should go for something more fun. He really wants a gps thingy so he can get to new fishing locations but knowing that he can barely turn on a computer and that it'll probably end up lost or unused makes me lean towards a fishing game I saw that comes with a reel-like thing. I think he'll like it...it's one way of going fishing right? ;o)

Onto the Countdown...

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving (if you celebrate it) and in one day the official countdown to Christmas begins.

It's always a love and hate time of year for me since it should be a time of fun but I end up working the hardest I do all year. I've worked in a variety of occupations and no matter which one it is this is always the most chaotic time. Doing the contract work that I do means long hours and no sleep. The money ends up being terrific but it never gets easier. Since this is the time to profit I earn and spend as I go to buy stuff for the kids and often it can feel like I'm working for nothing.

That all changes Christmas morning when the kids see what was left for them and they get to tear open their presents. Again, it's bittersweet for me since I still feel like a kid that never grew up and I end up getting nothing since our financial state has gone by the wayside. If I can pull it this year I'll be leaving myself something under the tree...I think I deserve it. LOL

Cruse Away

I really want to take a cruise one day. The prices that I've seen are making it pretty affordable I think. some of my family goes on regular cruises and one of my friends just got back from her's. She was lucky enough to lose her wallet on one of the islands but someone actually called her to turn it in! Talk about luck! I miss seeing pristine beaches with the crystal blue ocean. I haven't seen anything like that in forever. One day I think DH and I will have to get one of those montego bay vacation packages or something. I've always wanted to see Jamaica and the Bahamas. Eating boatloads wouldn't hurt either. LOL

The Precious Pinky

I'm missing my laptop. The thing finally gave out on me about a week or two ago and I'm using a borrowed one. It's funny how you never really notice how you like things set until you don't have it anymore. I will hopefully have it back in a couple more weeks or so *fingers crossed* so I really don't feel like changing anything on this one. Thank goodness I did buy the extended warranty, normally I wouldn't but I figured that if I was already spending over a $1000 than I might as well. Lucky for me the problem is covered and I don't have to pay anything. I hope nothing happens to it since I didn't get a chance to back it up before it died. :-/

Satsuma Festival!

If you love those tiny sweet mandarin-like oranges you'll love this festival. The best part is that ut's free! Next weekend in Auburn people will be flocking to taste chocolate dipped slices and buy their Satsumas buy the bushel at the Mountain Mandarin Festival. Last year there was a special Mandarin gelato created just for the festival. MMMMM! I'm trying to figure out my schedule and hopefully can attend. If there's anything we need now more than ever is vitamin C! LOL

November 20, 21 and 22, 2009
Gold Country Fairgrounds, 1273 High St., Auburn, CA

Preview Friday 12:00 – 5:00
Saturday: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm; Sunday: 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
Information: 916.663.1918

Fly Away!

My sister-in-law is wanting us to go for a visit next summer. I'm not sure we can afford something like orlando vacations right now. My new job isn't going according to plans. I'm kind of bummed since I've never actually spent time outside of a house in Florida. One of my best friends goes there every year and just got back from a birthday trip. I wish I could have gone, God knows I need a vacation. I'm still trying to pull a Disneyland trip though so hopefully that can happen. In the meantime I'm just trying not to become discouraged.

Holiday Helper

I'm going to need serious help this year when it comes to eating during the holidays. I thought that by being poor we would eventually lose weight but I think that we've only gone into malnutrition. LOL I'm really going to have to follow the "one bite" rule and hardly eat much of anything or I'll probably be like 10lbs heavier by January. Either way I'm gonna need a good fat burner to save me from myself. LOL

BIPOLAR!

It really sucks trying to be with someone that's bipolar. He had an episode today, again. He tends to take on other people's drama as his own. Then he'll come home and get up in my face as if I'm the reason life is sucking. Too bad it's the other way around.

Tomorrow is our 15 year anniversary...not much to celebrate. Sometimes I wonder why I've even stuck around THIS long. He does have good days but as of late it's more like good "moments". The good part is he knows he needs medication, the bad? He won't get in to get on the meds. It's pretty much always been the same story with a minimal amount of progress.

Last week I gave him his "30 day warning" and I'm sticking to it. I can't take his unwillingness to participate in life anymore. Our kids deserve better and they're gonna get it if it kills me...with or without their dad.

Too Bad, So Sad

Well, I wasn't as good on my promise to myself as I thought I would be. I really wanted to get going on a fitness regimen the last few weeks but things have been so crazy that I never got around to it. I have to go to a reunion of sorts, which is actually one of my old high school friend's kid's birthday party. She's all cute and skinny, everyone else is too...then there will be me. Fat and dumpy.

I really need to get going on something since there is so much coming up. I have all the fitness equipment that I need I think. I just need to make space to use it. That's a whole day of moving in itself!