Nature’s Novelty

This week we are on vacation at the lake again. So far we have traded one madding crowd for another, but it does get quiet here during the week. One of my favorite past times here is watching the fauna, particularly the water fowl. Living out in drier hill country, one misses out on that unless one goes to the zoo.

So far we have enjoyed the herons, both lesser and blue, egrets, owls, and ducks. And those are my favorites. I love to watch them paddle like mad and looking so calm and important. This year we got to see a true novelty.

See him?? A beautiful black duck, with green and blue feathers. I don’t think it’s a different species, since the patterns on his feathers are almost the same as the regular mallards. Genetic anomalies like this are rare and beautiful, and I admit to wanting to trap the sucker just so I could get a closer look. I don’t think he would like that, though. I’m pretty sure he would kick my butt, and take my money.

Well, time to get going. The bowling balls aren’t going to roll themselves, you know 😀

Trying to Put Off for Tomorrow What I Can Do the Day After That

Sketchy blogging lately, I know. Sorry, but my Madre is in town, cooking and having a ton of fun with us, and that’s just not to be missed. Seriously, how often do you get the chance to eat for hours while laughing about everything?

Anyway, this week I shall be trying to get caught up on everything I have neglected, including laundry and cleaning. And maybe do some cooking for a change. I feel like I owe my mom and sis a night off from all the cooking and cleaning. We need some comfort food today. I’m thinking meatloaf and mashed potatoes and steamed veggies and homemade rolls.

I’m also thinking I will throw out the bath scale.

And quite possibly my jeans.

Anyway, I’m still murdering books and will be posting the outcome and how-to over at Junk and Glue. Eventually. Little One is beyond thrilled with the sculptures and I am beyond thrilled she has kept her room clean. I know I am rambling but I can’t help it. It has been a crazy week and weekend. Still, I have to get the house is good shape before vacation so I don’t have to deal with it when I return. Nothing worse than having to clean house after frying your skin while having fun fishing.

I swear I will have a more coherent post sometime this week. Until then, enjoy the day!

Ever Have One of Those Weeks When Everything Just Piles On?

Yeah, me too.

On the cusp of my friend’s farewell, my mom came to town for a visit. Then had a BBQ to attend on Sunday, then had to pick up kids from work, then had to fix something for dinner, then get uniforms ironed. Monday it was Eldest’s birthday, which is being observed on Thursday due to work schedules, and she also had to go run to main base and see a friend she hadn’t seen in seven years, because it was her birthday and that’s what she wanted. Then Eldest had to go take her driver’s test today, which took up all morning because she made the appointment waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay over on the other side of Texas. But hey, she passed and I am no longer a chauffeur.

WHOO HOO!!!!

And as an intrepid friend pointed out, she can also be a designated driver. It’s a win-win.

Aside from that, we are also getting ready to go to the lake once again. But before we can go, we need to have some work done on the house. Luckily nothing major, just painting the bathroom and decluttering the upstairs. Why? Because the Lemur King and his royal family are coming for a visit!!!

And I can’t wait! We are going to do all the Big Texas things and eat Texas food and have a grand time. They’ll get a chance to rest on the trip back north, not to worry.

I will try to post more fluff this week. I just have to make sure my mom is otherwise occupied. Maybe cooking for the clan. That would be a win-win, too 😉

It Is Never too Late to Think About Halloween

Seriously, Halloween is just over 100 days away. I have to plan accordingly.

Each year, the kids’ costumes get more intricate. Last year, Eldest dressed as a weird, foul character from Skyrim™, complete with live snake for a necklace. Little One chose another character, and her cloak had stuffed crows attached to it.

Not real crows, mind you. I may be crafty, but I have never learned taxidermy.

This year the girls want to do something more subtle. Eldest may or may not participate, due to upcoming commitments, but Little One has plans…. big plans. And they involve cherry syrup and scar makeup. No, I have no idea if it’s for her, or a victim friend. Sometimes that child makes me afraid.

As for myself, I was all set to make an elaborate Steampunk costume. Until I realized that I would be handing out candy to a lot of kids and their parents who would have no idea what the heck Steampunk is. But not to worry. I have an excellent plan in mind. One that will probably get parents to ban my house from trick-or-treating next year. I’m not divulging what it is, but here’s a hint.

Only it will be black and tan. So you get two hints. And no, I am not going as Vader Princess, much as I would love to.

Maybe next year 😉

On This Independence Day

Let us remember the sacrifices that helped build this country.

Remember, we have a Republic. Let’s work to keep it.

On This Memorial Day

For me, it is one of the saddest holidays, and yet it is also filled with joy, knowing that such courage exists, and such sacrifices are made in defense of freedom.

I give thanks to all the men and women who paid the ultimate price so that I could speak, and worship, and complain, and demonstrate. And to do so in English.

May they never be forgotten, nor their sacrifices be in vain.

Best Mom Day, EVAH!!

So, yesterday was Mother’s Day, and the kids and Hubby surprised me with bling and a new Lolita™ wine glass. I think I am getting to be a bit predictable. Anyway, after gratuitous amounts of loving hugs and coffee, we decided to go to the outlet mall to shop for Little One since she had outgrown a ton of clothes, for which Goodwill is grateful. It was a nice day, and I find shopping therapeutic and relaxing.

I do NOT find traffic relaxing, which is why Hubby drove.

Anyway, we decided to have lunch first at a restaurant conveniently located next to Williams-Sonoma™, which is close to kryptonite for me as y’all well know. I had finished eating and figured it couldn’t do any harm to just go look. So off I went, feeling Hubby’s eyes roll as I meandered into the store. Mind you, I wasn’t planning on getting anything, until I rounded the corner and found this:

I had been looking for that size for a while, but was reluctant to pay the $$$ price tag. Seriously, three figures for that small saucepan? No way. So I checked inside for the price in case it was on sale.

$29.97???

Wha……….??

I check everywhere on that pan to see if there is another price tag. Nope, just the $29.97 one. ZOMG!!!! I run over to the checkout and ask if this is the right price and the manager says that usually the current stuff that’s returned to the outlet is priced to move, so yes. AWESOME!!! But if that wasn’t enough, it was an additional 30% off, plus 10% off for military. So my little saucepan cost $20 and change.

And no, this doesn’t mean my Le Creuset™ bargain hunting is over. It just means that I really, really have to downsize a bit more 😉

Another Dreaded Day

Well, I don’t dread holidays. I only dread those where gift giving is involved. No, not gift giving for others. That’s always awesome (when I get around to shipping gifts, that is. STOP JUDGING ME!!). No, I mean when I am the recipient.

Me: You know, Mother’s Day is only four weeks away.

Hubby: Oh, my God, you ruined my day.

Me: If I wanted to ruin your day, I would have reminded you the Friday before Mother’s Day.

Hubby: Good point.

It’s not like I don’t give obscure hints.

Seriously, I go out of my way to let them know what I like.

I don’t exactly keep things a secret, you know.

I am not a difficult person to buy for, but you would think it’s along the lines of solving the next digit of Pi. But no matter. I know this Mother’s Day will be awesome, because all of us will be together and they always go out of their way to make sure I am well-loved, especially when serving me breakfast in bed.

Of course, if I get that sweet Le Creuset™ pot I won’t mind making them dinner 😉

Ever Feel Like You Don’t Have Any Time to Do Anything at All?

Yeah, me too.

Sorry I have been absent from writing for the last few days. We have been having a lot of fun with our visitors and I have come to realize that A) I am not a spring chicken any more, 2) there is a LOT of Texas to cover just in a 100 mile radius, and iii) there is no such thing as “waiting until tomorrow” to do anything. My legs are killing me, but it was totally worth it.

Anyway, today finds my friends packing and relaxing before their flight out tomorrow.

This is why I am writing right now 😀

I shall miss them, and the food, and the wonderful company, and seeing Texas through their eyes. They made me realize just how special my state really is. I mean, I already knew it was special, but they made it specialer. And according to the spell-check, that’s a word, so I am winning this morning. So have a funny!

Yes, that made me snort my coffee.

I’ll be back in my writing groove in a day or two. Until then, I hope y’all have a great day 🙂

Blessings to All

For God so loved the world that he gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.– John 3:16

Happy Easter, and may you be showered with blessings 🙂