but still

I have been buried in homework. And I have several more coats of paint to go on the cabinets. And a thorough sanding on the Dale Earnhardt Wheaties box table.

But today is Saturday and Saturday is yard sailing day! Sugar and I had so much fun. Driving and snacking and laughing and talking and finding all kinds of stuff we didn't even know we needed. The oddest thing we saw today turned out to not be so odd--it was a windchime or mobile of little Nemo clay figures, but all but one of them was wrapped up in tissue, so without my glasses, it looked like one Nemo and ten smashed marshmallows or mushrooms. Or something.

Today's treasured purchases included a couple of size 5 pants/hoodies, an adorable pair of boots that will fit either Ellie or Cailin, a couple of snuggly little dollies, a bendy cow, a mobile with stuffed animals from the sea (non-Nemo), and a Graco baby jumpy seat that was only $5. Also, for $1.35, I got a full-length mirror to mount on the back of my bedroom door, two little vases ($1) that are the perfect size for the flowers that the girlies regularly pick for me as they come in to visit, and two chair frames (FREE!) that will be stellar companions to the Dale Earnhardt Wheaties box table. As soon as I paint them black, talk Jack into making seats bottoms for them, and mod podge the other two Wheaties boxes onto them.

I call this a well-spent morning. Now I will don my painting clothes and put in a good effort towards finishing a couple of projects today. And then I will finish my homework. But that might be tomorrow.

just wondering

Do we only see in others that which we cannot see in ourselves? Or are we all composites that include a bit of everything but in varying quantities?

hear me roar

I may have mentioned this before, but I am woman. Hear me roar. For example:
1. I sing alto, the range of women.
2. I never pass by a bathroom.
3. Which makes me wonder who in the world designed public women's bathrooms? Why do those bathroom designer people put the toilet paper holder on the same side of the stall that the door opens towards, thus blocking my exit from the stall. How difficult would it be to put the toilet paper on the left side of the stall so it would be covered by the opening door and there would be a wide, clear path out of the stall. Isn't life and time spent in hospitals and airports hard enough without having to fight to get out of a bathroom stall? Seriously. If you know the address of those bathroom stall designer people, please send it to me and because I am a woman, I'll send off a letter explaining the dilemma and offering a quick solution and one more of the minor irritations in life could be crossed off of the list.

Now my work for the day here is done. Well, except I forgot to include donuts on the dessert list, so I'm adding them now and in celebration, I will even add one--chocolate chocolate--to my body by way of my mouth. Dunford Donuts are truly remarkable.

just desserts

I'm still starting and completing homework (lots and lots of m.a.t.h. and so much thinking required to answer so few economics questions), mod-podging a table (it would have gone much better had I followed my plan instead of rushing headlong into this one), and painting bathroom cupboards and drawers (I forgot they would need one coat of primer and two coats of paint, and the doors must be painted first on one side, then wait while that side dries, then paint the other side and wait while it dries before painting the first side, blah, blah, blah).

I took a break to think about dessert. So many choices. So many favorites.

1. My homemade pie. All kinds.
2. Cream puffs and eclairs.
3. Ice cream cones. Soft serve, twist, or that other kind--hard packed into the cone.
4. German chocolate cake.
5. Creme brulee.
6. OH--cookies. Definitely cookies.
7. Brownie hot fudge sundae.
8. Anything with pudding.
9. Rice Krispie treats. Or s'mores. Or any other cereal-involved dessert. probably.
10.Strawberry shortcake. I knew there was some dessert with fruit in it.
11. Little Debbie snacks. Hostess treats in a pinch.
12. Candy. Not really a dessert and perhaps another list for another day.

Did I miss anything?

number six hundred

This is my 600th post. Thanks for coming along for the ride. Yet another update for this holiday weekend.

1. Go to zoo with girlies and others (check)
2. Sand, (check) prime, (check) and paint bathroom cupboards
3. Paint (check) and mod-podge Dale Earnhardt table--let's convince Jack it should be a high-banked oval (circular, not oval. good enough.)
4. Yard sail with Sugar (check) and maybe even Colleen (not this time)--plead with the cosmos to send a full-length mirror my way (not this time)
5. Finish lots of homework (uh, maybe tomorrow) (tomorrow)
6. Begin lots of homework (some, not lots) (lots of reading, the night is young)
7. Fly to tropical vacation in Maui (not this year)
8. Commemorate one-year mark since Stu's health took a huge turn for the better (so grateful every day--he just called and asked if I remembered what I was doing a year ago) (see below**)
9. Win Idaho lottery (only possible if I take a trip to Idaho to purchase winning ticket)
10. Mend the 3/4" hole that has been chewed in my lovely flowered yellow quilt (picked up the fabric and thread) (check)

they look so innocent

11. Hang up three new jackets, three new skirts, countless new tees (oh yes I did and also moved many not-worn-for-a-year items to an extra closet, soon to be donated to someone who will love them and their gently-used nature)
12. Smile slyly at my clever shopping skills (yes, of course, still, always) (how clever? new top, new capris, <$10) (I know, amazing!)

**From the time spent tonight at Stu's:

This girl is a poser.


These two, not so much.


I can always count on a hug from this one.


This one loves to take pictures.


Check out the mom in the corner.


Maybe a bit odd, but we had cake for Stu's liver's one-year birthday.

I don't know what the appropriate celebratory event is when it's been one year since a liver transplant. If you were Carolyn and we were in your office, you'd be asking me to describe my feelings and I would need to pause and collect my thoughts. You would be handing me the ever-present box of tissues so I could take a moment to calm my sobs, dry my eyes, and blow my nose. When I think about my emotions for the past year, I recognize fear, concern, worry, doubt, anger, relief, pain, more concern, gratitude, more relief, more relief, joy, gratitude, sadness, calm, joy, and peace. And then a year ago tomorrow, it started again. In no particular order.

I saw an article in the local paper about a memorial wall that has been erected recently to recognize organ donors, and alongside that article was a picture of a weeping mother whose son had told her just weeks before his death that he wanted to be a donor, and she honored his wish. My heart is broken for her even as my heart rejoices watching my now healthy son with his family. I never, for a second, forget her pain and selfless choice. I will be grateful to her forever.

I guess the easiest way to describe my feelings about today is in pictures. This is last year:

This is tonight:

update from yesterday's plans

train ride at the zoo--last bit of zoo fun yesterday

Ellie & Shi


Audrey


Breanne


Janey

Cailin & me--Jessie's favorite pic of the day

Yes, we saw animals, but who wants pictures of animals when we also enjoyed a train ride, ice cream cones, and the carousel?

if you look closely, you can see Breanne catching and blowing kisses from and to me & Cailin

1. Go to zoo with girlies and others (check)
2. Sand, (check) prime, and paint bathroom cupboards
3. Paint (check) and mod-podge Dale Earnhardt table--let's convince Jack it should be a high-banked oval
4. Yard sail with Sugar (check) and maybe even Colleen (not this time)--plead with the cosmos to send a full-length mirror my way (not this time)
5. Finish lots of homework (uh, maybe tomorrow)
6. Begin lots of homework (some, not lots)
7. Fly to tropical vacation in Maui (not this year)
8. Commemorate one-year mark since Stu's health took a huge turn for the better (so grateful every day--he just called and asked if I remembered what I was doing a year ago)
9. Win Idaho lottery (only possible if I take a trip to Idaho to purchase winning ticket)
10. Mend the 3/4" hole that has been chewed in my lovely flowered yellow quilt (picked up the fabric and thread)
11. Hang up three new jackets, three new skirts, countless new tees (oh yes I did and also moved many not-worn-for-a-year items to an extra closet, soon to be donated to someone who will love them and their gently-used nature)
12. Smile slyly at my clever shopping skills (yes, of course, still, always)

four days

Oh, holiday, glorious holiday. And Friday off. Free Friday. What to do with all of this time away from work? Herewith, twelve options:

1. Go to zoo with girlies and others
2. Sand, prime, and paint bathroom cupboards
3. Paint and mod-podge Dale Earnhardt table--let's convince Jack it should be a high-banked oval
4. Yard sail with Sugar and maybe even Colleen--plead with the cosmos to send a full-length mirror my way
5. Finish lots of homework
6. Begin lots of homework
7. Fly to tropical vacation in Maui
8. Commemorate one-year mark since Stu's health took a huge turn for the better
9. Win Idaho lottery
10. Mend the 3/4" hole that has been chewed in my lovely flowered yellow quilt
11. Hang up three new jackets, three new skirts, countless new tees
12. Smile slyly at my clever shopping skills

Okay, so maybe 7 and 9 aren't happening and 11 can't happen until I snag some of Jr's hangers or buy a few more or clean out and donate a few things. And I should probably not be quite so pleased with my nearly out-of-control shopping. But if it's a great deal, in the style and colors you love that love you, how can you not smile?

And yes, it has been one year. Sometimes forever, and others, just yesterday.