I Have Been Replaced

I have been replaced.  I am no longer the main woman in my oldest's life.  He has a serious girlfriend.

I like his girlfriend, and so does Loni, Mina, and BFF.  

I miss my time with my oldest, but I do find their relationship fascinating.

My oldest is Raymond in so many ways it is freaky for me at times. Now he is dating a girl that is so much like I was in college that I sometimes feel like I am watching myself on a date with Raymond. Sometimes I get so wrapped up in watching them when we are out that I go back in time and forget I am supposed to be participating in the evening.

Now my oldest does not see the any tie to me and his girlfriend, but as I told him, he did not know me back then and there are definite similarities, especially in the interaction between the two of them. 

I don't know where their relationship will end up, but right now he is very happy, and that is all that matters to me.

I'm a Cover Girl

I often choose a book by its cover. I'll be walking through the library or Half Price Books and a book cover will catch my eye and I will stop and look at the description and into the cart it goes.  On weeks when Raymond was too weak to go to the library, I would go to the library and pick all his books by covers that I thought he would like.  I found him some great reads.  He really enjoyed "The Brief and Frightening Reign of Phil" (see Raymond's review)

Recently I was walking through Half Price waiting to hear what amount they were going to give me on the van full of books I turned in for them to purchase and a cover caught my eye. There was a quilt on the cover of the book.  I picked it up, checked out the back and decided to purchase it.  The book is called "Annie's Second Wind" What a gem of a book!  Full of quirky characters, and emotions. I was also pleasantly surprised to find out that it was signed by the author.  I love what he wrote: "Never follow the recipe always follow your heart."
 

Two Gentlemen of Lebowski - Most Excellent

Fans of "The Big Lebowski" will enjoy this: http://www.runleiarun.com/lebowski/

Rain, Rain, and More Rain

It is raining.  It has been raining since early afternoon and it is now after midnight. 

I don't have to go to work tomorrow so I was really looking forward to curling up in my bed with my Kindle2 under my quilt and sleeping late in the morning.  However, I think my night will be spent on the couch.

When I went in to go to bed, the septic alarm was going off.  It is still pouring down rain, and the alarm will not go off until the pump has been able to clear out the excess water.  The alarm is outside the bedroom windows so it makes it impossible for me to sleep on the bedroom side of the house.  Raymond could and the boys can sleep with that constant loud hum, but I cannot.  

Oh well, best laid plans.

I Like to Drive My Way

I have a lot of personal quirks and rules.  BFF asked me the other day if something I told her about working one of my jigsaw puzzles was rule two thousand and something.

One of my quirks is I don't like to ride with other people unless we are going to a place I won't drive to (the airport) or I am drinking.

Saturday I drove when BFF and I went to the quilt shop.  On the way back it was raining.  BFF suggested that I might want to turn my lights on. Well, no I did not want to turn my lights on.  I did not think it was time to turn my lights on.  I know when I like to turn my lights on, and when I don't want to turn that switch.  

Upon BFF's suggestion about the lights, I told her the story about when the day Raymond told me to turn my windshield wipers on. Now I hate windshield wipers, they get on my nerves.  I don't turn them on until I am ready, which is when I no longer can see to drive safely.  Now this particular day, Raymond's side did look blurry, but my side was still okay, but he told me to turn my wipers on.  I had an answer for him.  I pulled off into a parking lot, walked to the back of the van and retrieved his wheelchair and suggested he wheel himself to where he needed to go.  He agreed that he would let me decide when to turn on the wipers.  

I think BFF got the point because she did not say anything more about my lights.  

Anyone want to go for a drive?

My Baby is Sick

My baby just called and he is sick.  Okay, maybe he is not a baby at 16, but he will always be my baby, and he is sick. 

He called to tell me he was going to bed so that I would not call at my usual time and wake him up.  He said he didn't think it was serious, but I am worried any way.  Dorm rooms are like petri dishes. 

If he was here I could take his temperature, make sure he was drinking lots of fluids, and tuck blankets all around him.  Instead I will worry all night and hope that he wakes up healthy and happy.

Out of My Comfort Zone

BFF and I went to help out at "Operation Quilted Comfort" yesterday at Happiness Is ...Quilting. 

I was happy to help out, but definitely out of my comfort zone.  I am so used to my own quilting tools that is was difficult for me to use other tools and it felt very awkward.  I also did not feel like I was doing my best work because I was having so much trouble adjusting to using cutters that did not fit right in my hand.

BFF and I did cut two quilts kits out to piece, and we brought home kits to piece. 

I would probably do this again, but I would definitely take my own cutter and rulers. 

2 1/2 Baths - 2 1/2 People - Always Waiting

There are 2 1/2 baths in this house.  My youngest has been home for a month and the oldest has been in and out for a month so I am going to call it 2 1/2 people living here.  I am always waiting for my bathroom.

Yes, I am eccentric and only like my bathroom and that is why I am waiting, but why does the youngest like my bathroom?  He has his own 1/2 bath and the oldest is not here so he has full access to the master bath with the giant shower, but every time I want to go into my bathroom he is in there.

I'm sitting here in my towel wrap right now waiting to go in and finish getting ready for church.  It seems like I will never get in the bathroom.

The youngest goes back to school on Monday and once again I will have the house and my bathroom to myself.  It may be a few days before I miss him.

Tick tock, I need to leave for church.  I guess I will go drag him out of there.  I am tired of waiting.

Blessed

That is what I am. Truly blessed. 

Pouting

I am pouting because I went shopping with BFF today to use coupons and gift cards.  We went to Joann Fabrics because I had coupons and she had a gift card. As she was standing in line to have her fabric cut I spied something I thought she would like...a blue sewing basket with cats on it.  Well she went gaga over it and ended up getting a good deal on it with my coupons and her gift card. I am pouting about it because I could not find a nice green one.

I can't pout too much though because I got a fabulous deal on a great green purse at Macy's and BFF let me use her coupon to get an even better deal. 

Still I want a pretty green sewing basket. 

Oldest Writes Again

Grocery Shopping through the eyes of a 19 year old.

Oh Boo Hoo

I go back to work tomorrow.  I have been off since December 22 and I have enjoyed every minute of doing nothing.

I was considering traveling back to KY over the vacation but the weather has been so wild that I decided I would be crazy to even look into the details. Once that was out of my mind it was all about pure relaxation. 

Unfortunately, oldest and I were sick a good part of it with a cold, as was BFF so some of our activities were limited. I slept one whole day completely away. 

I enjoyed my Christmas decorations every single day until we took them down on Jan. 1. 

I think I have actually only left the house about four times, maybe 5 since I have been off, so I haven't had to deal with a lot of people and the craziness of the shoppers and returners.

The boys and I were able to get the workshop and green building all cleaned out and need to take a trip to the donation house.

I read some excellent books. 

Worked on the turtle quilt a few nights.

We are still eating Christmas ham and homemade rolls, although we did finish off the 3 pounds of baked ziti, so I haven't really had to cook other than the eggs and toast that the youngest loves so much, not even a grilled cheese has been made. (What is it with these people and my grilled cheese sandwiches?)

I am very sorry BFF was so sick and we had so little time together.  I also have missed Loni and Mina something fierce, and there is never, ever enough time with Sis. 

I guess it is time to go back to the real world, but I sure wish I could stay home until the youngest goes back to school on the 18th.  I so enjoy being around him.  The oldest has to go back to work tomorrow, so I will probably see as much of him now I as I usually do during the school year. 

Oh Boo Hoo I will actually have to wear something besides day time pj's and slippers starting tomorrow.

Happy Anniversary from Raymond

Today is my 28th wedding anniversary, and Raymond gave me a terrific gift.

For years Raymond and I talked about having Solatubes put into my dark living room and other areas of the house. Only after Raymond got sick we decided not to put them in because he slept in the living room so much and it was so hard for him to sleep we decided to leave the living room dark.

Today I had three solatubes installed and I used Raymond's money to pay for the entire thing so it was like he was giving me an anniversary gift.  

The installer Scott was terrific.  He explained everything to me and he did a great job of cleaning up after he finished working.

It has made a huge difference, especially in the laundry room, except we keep trying to turn the lights off. 

Ringing in the New Year 2010

Happy New Year!

We are really ringing it in here thanks to the wind and my five dot bell from Windsong.

Many blessings to all in 2010.