Box of Chocolates

Pow is what follows bang right?  Anyway, the house was publicly listed yesterday afternoon with pictures and was on realtor.com last night without pictures (pics this morning).  This is where the POW! comes in.  Someone is coming Friday to look at this lovely house for sale. I didn't expect someone so soon.  From what I understand these people are ready to buy and narrowed it down to a few houses but want to see this "NEW" listing before they make their final decision.  WOW! I realize that the possibility of them buying my house is slim, but wouldn't that be something else? At least we have someone coming to look that seems to be half the battle.

Christmas is over, Maddie turned six and my house is officially for sale. Ending '08 with a BANG!  This past week has been quite a surreal experience.  Christmas was low key but wonderful. Mark and I didn't exchange huge gifts but we didn't forget to get a little gift for each other. He got me three of my favorite things: french vanilla coffee, earl gray tea and dark chocolate. So simple, yet it showed me my man knows what I like. Little details that speak volumes.   This is Nathan's first Christmas where he understands a little about what is going on.  He was so very cute.  He would open his presents and take them across the room and put them in his pile over by the couch. He had his little area of Nathan only toys.   Madison's Webkinz party was a huge success.  Everyone left with a couple of prizes.  A lil'kinz with trading cards or a webkinz figure.  We had a Jelly Bean Challenge, the Wheel of WOW and Quizzy's corner.  We made Cupcakes just like Webkinz p

Have you ever been in limbo?  An uncertain period of awaiting a decision or resolution; an intermediate state or condition.  This is my life.  LIMBO!  For two months we have just been sitting waiting.  For what? A job.  It is amazing how a job defines your life.  It is who you are, what you can spend, where you live.  These are all huge revelations to me.  I say, love what you do because it is so much of who you are.  I have a CRAZY peace about life right now.  I thank everyone for their prayers and please continue to pray for us.  We have no idea what tomorrow holds but I can't worry about that. Today has enough trouble of it's own. Someone very wise said this, Matthew 6:34.   How about some random thoughts: Nathan clear out of the blue said to me, "I love you mama."  two and cute, cute, cute! Madison is meeting or exceeding Kindergarten exceptions!  GO GIRL! Everything that has been tested she meets the requirement for the year or exceeds it!  She has daddy's IQ

We took the kids to Sea World yesterday for our last hurrah of the year.  Our tickets expire the 31st.  Of course the day didn't go completely as planned.  Does it ever?  About 1:45 Nathan and I got into battle of the wills.  I wish I had a video camera.  I'm sure the gift shop camera got a hilarious taping of our little rumble.  Hind sight is 20/20 and at the time I thought he was being naughty.  Later I realized why we got into the wrestling match.  Regardless, his heart was in the wrong place.  It was the attitude that was the bigger problem at that moment.     So, you are asking what happened, right?  Well, Mark took Madison and Alex on the Atlantis water ride, since Nathan is too small we were going to wait for them at the aquarium/gift shop. All was fine until Mark came back bone dry.  They waited in line and got all the way to the front next in line and the gate opened and Alex got scared.  I told him to leave her with me and get in line again with Madison.  Madison want

Is that right 12 more days until Christmas?  Which means 14 more until Madison's birthday.  I can't believe it.  For the first time ever am not done Christmas shopping! I haven't even hardly started to get ready for the big birthday party two days later.  I am usually done with both and starting to buy things meaninglessly.  I haven't even finished my must get list!   I woke up yesterday with what I think is a great idea for one of my nephews and OF COURSE I can't find it.  I already got him something but I want to get him this one great idea of a gift.  I have my mom on the job though.  One plus to her living in a different city.  More places to find JUNK:)  I need to get my act together and get this ship sailing.  I am sitting here thinking of all the places I must go to find the perfect gift.   It is chilly outside.  You think that would get you in the mood.  NOT! It just makes me what to stay inside.  This is the one day of the week I don't have to go to war

Last night we did the usual bath time routine and Madison went last. The hot water ran out pretty fast but it was enough for her to bathe. About an hour and 1/2 later I went to wash my hands and I waited, and waited, and waited for hot water.  Nada, nothing, not even lukewarm!  Have you ever lived life without your water heater for 12 hours, how about a day?  I do believe the water heater is the most under thought of appliance in your home.  At least until it doesn't work.  We have used this one for 11 years and yes it did run out of hot water on occasion, but never did it not do its job.   You use your water heater everyday but you rarely see it or even pay much attention to it.  I will testify that I have a whole new appreciation for the water heater. Of course I was wondering how much is this going to cost.  I am so proud of Mark.  Although it took him a better part of the day we have a new (bigger) and working water heater.  It is only bigger because the 30 gallon cost more tha

I have never cared about recession until this one.  Apparently during the last recession I didn't notice a thing.  Probably because we were living the DINK lifestyle (dual income no kids).  I don't even think I had my own 401k at the time.  Anyway, Mark for the past two years has worked for a pool manufacture.   Do you know anyone in the past year that has put in a pool? Probably not.  This is the reason why he isn't working.  The pool industry is all dried up. (I couldn't help the pun.) Although we knew the pool cash cow wouldn't last forever, it did last for over two years.  Two years at the beginning of Nathan's life that Mark was able to be here at home.  He got to see his son grow up from a baby to a little boy.  What a blessing.   That chapter of our lives is coming to an end.    Mark is now looking for a "9 to 5" job.  Two years ago we said when and if the pool job ended Mark would look for a job outside of our area.  Well, the time has come and

So much is going on around here.  Lots of getting ducks lined up kinda thing.  Much of it I  just can udder the words or type them as of yet. Keep posted for further updates on all that.   In the middle of all our getting ducks lined up and ready to waddle is this thing call Christmas. I love the true meaning of Christmas that is CHRISTmas.  The day in which we are supposed to celebrate the birth of the Messiah, Savior, Son in the trinity of God, his name is JESUS, I think you get my point.  I am down sizing this year.  We have oodles of boxes full of holiday cheer.   Our tree is a little bare compared to years past. Mark did put lights on the house for the first time in a couple years but I am NOT putting out anything else for Christmas.  Not to prove a point or even because I am being a bah humbug.  It just seems appropriate to be lean this year.  It was nice when Nathan woke up this morning and said " the tree is beautiful".   He doesn't care if our house is transforme

As in, I wonder how the boy is still alive at two and a half. Look at this mug shot. Above the right eye was Saturday nights accident.  Nathan was "dancing" and fell into the entertainment center. He gives a whole new definition to break dancing.   What the picture doesn't show is the bruise on top of his head and his red, black and green eye. Sunday afternoon injury is the upper lip and cheek.  He fell in the garage "helping" daddy. Today, above left eye (right of picture). He was walking as he was looking behind him and when he turned around hit the door frame.  Mark says he looks like a poster child for abuse :(  It hurts me to even look at him.  It looks like he is growing horns on his forehead.  (click on picture if you dare)  Saturday night his forehead bruised before I even picked him up off the floor.  It bruised before it swelled up.  Madison said, "Well there goes family pictures!"  Who does that sound like?  ME!  Mark and I just laughed.  Wh