Somehow,  I managed to post everyday.  (Well, technically  there was one night when I clicked post then went downstairs to let the dogs out and came back to find that I had timed out and not posted and it was four minutes after so I posted it again and changed the time because I had written it and tried to post maybe that’s cheating, but I don’t think so I’m counting it.  Can you say that all in one breath?)

I’m glad I took on the challenge as it certainly got me jump started and ready to start blogging again.  Just in case you didn’t notice, I had pretty much stopped.

I won’t promise to blog everyday again.  Goodness know there were some days that I was really searching for something to write about…but I will promise to blog on a regular basis again.  Now, I’m going to bed.  Can you tell that I’m really tired?

P.S.  I’ve got a doozy of a story to tell you about a moody barista.   Hopefully I can remember it tomorrow!

One of the chores that the girls are to do is empty the dishwasher.  One has the top shelf and the other does the bottom.  We tried to do the whole switching off every day or every week, but none of us could seem to keep track of who did what on which day.  Don’t even bother mentioning charts…we’ve had a zillion and yet still don’t seem to be able to keep up with them.   I seem to have taught my daughters to function by rote.  (Change is bad, m’kay?)

Anyways, back to the dishes.  (You thought you could distract me by getting me to fret about how unprepared my kids are going to be for the real world and real chores didn’t you? )  For some reason,  they don’t like putting my big beautiful mugs away.  They claim that my coffee mugs are too big and are hard to find space for.  So they sometimes set them on the counter and “forget” to come back to them and put them away.

This happened yesterday.  There were four mugs stacked up into two piles.  Normally, I would make the guilty culprit drop whatever she were doing and come put them away.   Luckily for them, neither was home at the time.  So, saying a few choice words about my little angels, I lifted the mugs and placed them in the cupboard right above my head.  Then I went back to what I was doing,  promptly forgetting all about them.

This morning, as I blearily reached for that first cup of morning brew, I  noticed that there was a little dribble of dried coffee on the side of one of my clean mugs. Wondering why that was there, I reached up to take down the offending cup.  As I pulled the cup towards me, I realized that it was half-full of coffee from at least the day before.  I desperately tried to right the cup, but found myself  screeching in horror as the ice cold coffee rained down upon my head and all over my nightgown. 

Apparently, my child had carelessly set the clean mug right on top of the dirty, half-full mug.   I had then, unknowingly, stowed it away in the cupboard, only to douse myself the next day.   Fortunately for my girls, they were all asleep and I had time to relax and forget about exactly how upset I was first thing in the morning.

When my family was finally assembled, I told them all about my early morning mishap.   Instead of offering me some much deserved sympathy, my entire family burst into laughter.   By that point, I was ready to giggle along with them. 

But never fear…I will get my revenge for the coffee shower….

Several years ago, as we nibbled on leftover turkey, one of my girlfriends (Hi Susan!) told me about something called Black Friday.   I was a bit leery of getting up at such an early time in the morning just to go shopping, but I’m game for just about anything. 

So we got up waaay before the  crack of dawn and headed out to find some deals.  I still marvel at how much fun we had that morning so long ago.  We were both very young and just starting our families so the amazing deals were very much appreciated.  What there was of the crowd was friendly and jovial.   Our fellow shoppers joked with us and pointed out deals that we had been unaware of.   When we were finally done with our shopping we stopped into a local diner for a leisurely breakfast.   We scurried home and hid away our loot just as our families were getting up for the day.

I’ve gone shopping on Black Friday a few times since, but none of them were nearly as fun nor as magical as it was that first time with my friend.  (Well, that time that KT and I went by ourselves was close).   Every year that passes, it has become less fun for me.  The deals are still there, but the crowds seem to be a bit more frenzied, desperate and rude. 

I think that it was the feeling of caring and comradery that was so appealing to me.  Now, when you hear stories of people sleeping in front of stores in order to be the first ones in, and trampling each other…well…it’s something I would just rather not be a part of.  Last night, we made the decision to forgo the madness that is called Black Friday.  The deals didn’t seem to outweigh the stress and hassle that this ritual has become. 

This morning, I allowed myself to sleep in as long as I wanted.  (which, sadly was only until seven.  I refuse to think of this as a sign that I’m getting older).  I got up and sat in my favorite chair sipping my coffee.  As I gazed out my window watching the squirrels dig up my bulbs accompanied by the sweet sound of birds singing, I thought to myself that this, perhaps is, is right up there as one of my best Black Fridays… 

Right now I am thankful for….

A cat sitting on my lap

A husband that never stops talking. (sigh…)

Dumb kid movies

leftover turkey

leftover Cherries in the Snow (YUM)

having my parents here today

have I mentioned that my husband is a nonstop talker? (He’s wreaking havoc with my ten minutes)

my wonderful coffee maker

cork screws

good friends

journals…I like to hoard lots and lots of journals

sappy movies

yeast!    (I’ve been playing with baking bread..and rolls…and buns…and anything else I can think of .)

my Jeep!

my brand new convection oven that I finally, finally got!

I’m calling time.  The husband should be thankful that there are laws protecting him…

On the first of November, KT got really excited.  She told us all that it was almost Thanksgiving and she couldn’t wait for it to arrive.  We were a bit puzzled as she doesn’t usually get overly excited about any holiday, let alone Thanksgiving, so naturally we asked her why.

We half expected our maturing young lady to mention something about counting her blessings or to gush about all the things she was grateful for (Hey, it could happen!) We weren’t terribly surprised to find out that it wasn’t any of these things.  We were, however, surprised to find that she was most excited about the prospect of dining on Tofurky again! 

We told her that she could have it at other times of the year, but she refused that idea.  Apparently, Thanksgiving is the only time she can eat the stuff. 

She always was an odd child…takes after her father of course….

This morning after I dropped Mimi off at school (because she managed to miss the bus) I stopped at the grocery store to get things for Thanksgiving.  Just in case you were wondering, if you wait until two days before the holiday, your choices are somewhat limited. 

As I unloaded my cart, I laughed at myself as I wondered if I was getting ready to load an arch.  I had two turkeys (they were little and very frozen!) two boxes of stuffing, two pies, two things of vegan butter, two…well I think you get the picture. 

7:30 am is a very good time to do your last minute Thanksgiving shopping.

One of my little preschoolers came into class late today.  Her mother was in the midst of apologizing when the little girl looked at me and said indignantly said that “They got me with a shotgun!”  Her mother quickly explained that that her daughter had just been vaccinated.  I can’t help but giggle every time I think of that.

Last time we were at the doctors it was to get a mole frozen off of Mimi’s foot.  After Doctor Sally finished applying the liquid nitrogen, she dumped the entire cup out onto the floor.  We stared in fascination as the little globs of nitrogen bounced and skittered all over the floor until they were all evaporated. 

I’ve been trying to grow a wart just so I can see that again.

I want to know what your all time favorite cookie is.  The one that you love to eat, but don’t want to be bothered with making yourself.  Also, what kind of cinnamon roll do you prefer? Yeasty with cream cheese frosting? A light glaze? Sticky buns? Nuts? Raisins?  

Times up.

Whenever Shaun can’t find me right away, he starts calling for me in a very pathetic sort of way.  “Suuuuuuuzzzzzzzzzzyyyyyyy” he calls.  “Oh Suuuuuzzzzzzyyyyyyyyyy ….where are yooouuuuuuuu…..” I almost always choose to ignore him.  This is partly because of  a blend of contrariness, amusement, perhaps a smidge of embarrassment and the desire to be left alone. 

This evening, I heard Shaun hollering for me upstairs.  Of course, I couldn’t hear him.  I was extremely busy watching the only television show I watch.  (and it’s really dumb so I’m not saying what it is!  Although I will say that I’m rooting for Lance…or maybe Warren, I’m not sure)  Eventually, Shaun exhausted his search upstairs where I usually am, and after a quick peek to make sure my Jeep was still there, headed downstairs. 

He came around the corner and just stared at me for a moment before breaking into manical laughter.  I’m quite used to this odd behavior from the man I married so I patiently paused my show and waited for him to calm himself. 

Shaun finally told me that I looked just like Snow White sitting in the forest with cute little birds perched on her and all the woodland creatures gathered around her. 

To be honest, I just looked at him like he was nuts. (Yes, he gets that look quite often from me!)  Then I looked around and thought that maybe he might have a point.  I didn’t have any birds singing to me, but there were a couple cats curled up on top of me.  There was a guinea pig peacefully nibbling on her lettuce by my side.  One dog was nestled right up against me while the other was at my feet along with yet another cat. 

I found myself giggling along with my husband.   In fact, his silly observation lifted my mood so much that I invited him to join me.  He took one look at what I was watching and instantly realized that he had something very, very, very important to be doing. 

So much for the first of my band of merry men.  I guess I’ll just have to settle with being Princess of the Woodland Domestic Creatures….

I’ve never really been much of a party person.  The thought of making small talk with a bunch of strangers has never appealed to me.  When confronted with large groups of people and lot of noise, I tend to shut down and climb into my shell.   At parties,  I’m more inclined to spend the evening catching up with an acquaintance or sitting back like a Wall Flower and observing the festivities.  Both of which seem to be frowned upon when you are supposed to be mingling.   Yet…somehow, I found myself hosting a party last night.  The first party I’ve ever had.  (Kid’s birthday parties don’t count.  Kids are easy.)

Last month a small group of friends met for dinner at a local restaurant.  We had so much fun getting together and just catching up on life that we decided to make it a monthly thing.  We also agreed that this would be a great opportunity to expand our group creating what I think of as a Venn Diagram of friends.  (I don’t know if anyone else thinks of it in that but that’s how my brain works!) Each of us was to take a turn arranging something for us to do and we would all invite a friend that we felt would get along with everyone.

Somehow, it turned out that I would host a Bunco party for the month of November.  It didn’t matter that none of us really knew how to play…it was just an excuse to get together and have some fun. 

We had lots of fun.

We talked non-stop and rolled the dice as the  laughter (and the wine) flowed.  KT had been out with her boyfriend and stopped in to say “Hi”.  (The boyfriend, like a typical male, declined to stop in!)  She said that she could hear us laughing hysterically from down the street where she had to park.   I think that was her subtle way of telling us to tone it down a bit, but it only seemed to add to the merriment. 

All too soon, our game of Bunco were over.  Everyone was willing to go another round or two, except for one woman who said she had to get back home to her teenage kids.  (Apparently, she was under the impression that we were a serious Bunco group and seemed rather disgusted with us!) Nobody else was ready to go home so we all sat around chatting with each other for sometime.   It was nearly one o’clock in the morning before everyone was ready to go home.  (Shaun had previously agreed to play taxi driver if needed, nobody needed it though.  Too bad, it would have been interesting trying to get someone up in that oversized Jeep of his!) 

This morning was a bit…um…rough.   I found myself abruptly reminded of why I hardly ever drink more than the occasional glass of wine.  Yet, when Shaun asked me if we had fun last night (I don’t think he ever poked his head out of the dungeon…typical male) I couldn’t help but grin. 

It seems that maybe I might like parties after all.  I can’t wait until we all get together again…

People will be here in ten minutes…and all my friends are lushes so I may not be in any shape to blog later. 

Dang that NaBloPoMo…

So I’m not going to.  I’m going to bed instead.

So there.