little at a time

I've been watching too many episodes of Hoarders.   I'm pretty much a Hoarders hoarder.    I'm not sure what draws me to the show, or why I want to watch train wreck after train wreck.   
I'll take a glimpse of some of the consistent symptoms of the people that are documented.... and then I look around my own bedroom. 
I see my own piles that continue to grow.  The piles of folded clothes on top of the dresser and the blankets and shoes stuffed into the closet.    I almost feel the dread seep in and then I remember (remind myself) that I am totally not a hoarder.   I'm just a single parent.
I actually enjoy getting rid of stuff.   One of my friends pegged me right when they said that I would probably be happy with a concrete slab and a bed.  
That's true.  
I am a firm believer of "less is best".

I was able to purge quite a bit from my basement, last week, in preparation for a yard sale that my sister was hosting.   I feel much lighter and hopeful for a full organized basement in the future.   

My spurts of motivation come and go.     After expending the energy on the yard sale, I realized that nothing else had been done around the house.      The air conditioning hasn't been running as much because of the cooler temperatures, and things are starting to smell mildewy and mucky.
Cleaning the bathrooms should help.  :)   That's on the agenda for tomorrow.

I have huge motivation, of decorating for Halloween, once I can get the house in order.   I have a black Christmas tree that I'll be putting up this year, with Halloween ornaments.  I am psyched!

I know that I probably have a ton of other more important things that I should blog about tonight.  But I had my show on my mind.
 Off to watch my nightly episode.   And hoping to get motivated to tackle the bathrooms tomorrow...

Celebrating with my sister and  my brother-in-law today!

I'm an aunt to a newbie!

no pressure

wow.  I freaked out just a little when I read this in a recent email about a fundraiser that I will be a part of in November:

"We are honored to have Ms. Jan Karon as the Keynote Speaker, so you will not want to miss this special event. Also, Candy Sadler will share how you can partner with Mission Link to help rescue these beautiful women. Finally, Jill Botham will share her story that will capture your heart."

um.  no pressure, right?
Months ago, I thought, "sure, I can do that.  I'll write up a little something to share".  But months have flown by and the reality of a public speaking event is unnerving.    
I suppose it's crunch time to come up with something that will capture the heart ;)

It would probably be worth the price of the ticket just to see me fumble through my small part.

Please consider joining me!  

"The Next Chapter"

MLI'S Fund Raiser Tea
to benefit Uganda Widow Ministry

Omni Hotel,  Charlottesville, VA
Saturday, Nov 12th, noon-4pm

Guest Speaker: Jan Karon  (author of the Mitford series)
Holiday Boutique Shopping: Noon -1 o'clock
English Afternoon Full Tea: 1 -3oclock
Book signing and shopping: 3 -4 o'clock

Table Sponsors: $300 (10 seats)
Individual Seats: $35
Call Office 434-984-1995 to purchase your table or seat

http://www.missionlink.org/

oh boy

My sister is due to have a baby.... days ago.    We had all placed our bets on when the baby would be born, and if it would be a girl or boy.    She and my brother-in-law have been patient enough to be surprised by the sex on the birth day.  
Kudos to them.    
I am looking forward to finding out if it's a boy, a girl, a puppy or a Klingon.    Most of the family is rooting for a girl.... so of course I'm expecting a boy.

I have boys, I teach boys, I enjoy letting boys be boys.
And today, I was shocked that I had forgotten what it's like to be a girl.   Girls have become foreign to me.  I'm amazed that I used to be one.  (hehe)

My niece left her doll at my house last night.   It's one of those cutsie 'american girl' type of dolls.   
I walked into the basement and that thing scared the crap out of me. 
I am totally not used to seeing little lifeless people laying around my house.    I brought the doll upstairs,and sat her on my couch so that I'd remember to return it to my niece. 
This afternoon I walked into the living room and screamed.  That doll was no longer on the couch.  She was standing up against the wall.   
One of the neighbor boys admitted that he had placed her there... and I was relieved.
I was almost certain that we were going to become victims of some creepy horror movie. 
The drama continued as I was closing up house for the night and noticed someone sitting on our couch.  Holy cow... I am NOT used to having dolls around!

I am used to boys.  
We had extra kids floating around all day.  All boys.
They made a movie about zombies (or something). 
(I just know that I was the make-up artist who had to blacken Lucas' eyes during a wardrobe change.)
They also spent a good amount of time trying to start a fire, boyscout style, by rubbing sticks together.

We are keeping my friend's son overnight tonight.     He lives and breaths boy stuff.   He wanted to hold guns and play with little skateboards.   When I asked my kids to stop talking about television shows, the little guy said, "let's talk about shooting games".    :-)
 I did my best to distract him from the gun talk.... but then my kids entertained him briefly with inappropriate talk of poop and boogers.
My 8 and 10 year old boys will be spending time in their rooms tomorrow for being lousy examples to a 3 year old.      : /

I may have outgrown the dolls and girl stuff....
but I'm wondering if guys ever outgrow the bathroom humor?!

random things I remember from this past week...

I am settling down after hosting my "I.P. Freely" Party.     Thanks to my family and friends who came to celebrate the normal function of my bladder.    We enjoyed alot of food and alot of laughter.

Somehow, this is the second party we have hosted in which my youngest son managed to binge on fruit and junk food, run around like a maniac, have a blast with his friends.... and then vomit.     I didn't keep tabs on what he consumed... but apparently there were alot of strawberries involved.     
He was quick to announce that he would not eat as much at his birthday party next week. 
That's good to know.

This week has been a mess.

The preschoolers showed up to school this week, where I work.   And this first week has been challenging.  That's all I should say.
But, I have seen improvement each day.... and I think I might actually go back to work on Monday morning.

On top of being flustered at work, I had a screaming fit with my boys on Tuesday night.  It was horrible.  I was horrible.     
Thankfully that incident is behind us... and I am thankful for the gift of forgiveness.     

I have noticed that Lucas has been really missing Thayer lately.   He cried for Thayer on tuesday night after my fit.   And he cried again for Thayer, last night saying, "if Daddy were here, he could enjoy my 9th birthday party."  
We cried together.
I can totally see how milestones are going to be difficult for the boys.

I spent most of my evenings this past week getting my house presentable for guests.  I tend to think that I plan parties... just so I have a reason to straighten up my environment.   I'm hoping to keep things in order because the next two months is full of back-to-back activities and parties.     Anyone interested in the 'adult only' trip to the corn maze?!  I can't wait!

right now, I am exhausted.
I am so thankful that the weekend is here!