Full Circle

My 17 year old just got her learners permit.

I am both proud and terrified at the same time.

How is that possible?

Surviving Irene

24 hours without power.

Let me repeat that previous sentence.

24 hours without power.

I will admit the first 8-12 hours were fun.  Lots of family time, board games, chatting AND watching the storm.  Whipping trees, swirling leaves and pelting (sometimes) rain were entertainment.

Meals were quick, like cereal and pb&f (fluff because we're here in New England.) I did break out the ham and cheese for dinner.  Snacks.  Lots of snacks.

By 6 PM, I was all out of entertainment.  The redbox movie I rented was a JOKE.  No biggie, we all went to bed early.  My teens hung out together.  My youngest went to bed pretty quick in the pitch black dark.  Candle light for us adults.  (whoowee! ahem.)

This morning I was awake at 6 AM.  Still no power.  Ugh.

The storm had long since past.  I took a drive around and saw endless uprooted trees and downed power lines.  But I saw bucket trucks.  Thankfully we have a town owned power company, so we didn't have to wait too long before we were back in business.

I love me some electricity.

Seriously?  I don't know how our ancestors did it.  Granted it was all they had ever known, but still.

Totally Perc'ed

I got up at 4 AM this morning.

We took a drive into the BIG city and didn't even see the sunrise.

My man, had surgery on his left foot.  Two Three tumors were removed from the arch along with some of the tendon.  The most sensitive part of the foot.  The area that I scream loudly if tickled.  (and it gets tickled a lot), sliced open.

He has stitches and a bloodsucking drain.  These little test tubes, attached to the drain, need to be switched out everytime they are half filled with blood.  It REALLY IS as gross as it sounds. Thankfully he hasn't filled the tube, not even close.  We both are watching it.

To say that he is in agony, is an understatement.  Although I do believe he has finally gotten enough medication in his system ... because he is sleeping soundly.  Finally.  Which is good.

I'm fretting about having to work tomorrow.  I know he and the older kids will handle everything just fine and I'm anxious to start my vacation.  (August 27th through September 6th, woot!)

I am also dying to get organizing.  I mean really people, the totes in the front hallway are just callin' my name.

At least it's Friday tomorrow.  Right? Breathe!

..... Up To Speed

I have to say that this year our anniversary passed with very little fanfare.  Not to say that nineteen years isn't worth celebrating (it so totally IS!) but instead of the usual dinner out and perhaps a Walmart Trip, we hung out at home and had Chinese food.

My man's back is in tough shape.  Its hard to watch someone you love so deeply .... suffer.  That issue alone has been hanging in the balance for an ENTIRE YEAR NOW.  It just plain sucks.

Anyway!

In my own special celebration of our anniversary I had the prong fixed on my engagement wing ring.  I dropped it off weeks ago ... thinking they would call when it was ready (read: not.) and finally picked it up Saturday.  Sweet.

I went to the beach for the first time Saturday afternoon.  I have to say it has been a very long time since I went to the beach at that time of day.  (we left at 3 PM, SO LATE for my Type A)

It was beautiful.  Warm breeze, setting sun.  I actually went for a swim.  Me.  I swam in the ocean.  The Cape Cod water was warm.  My youngest, cried the whole ride down because we forgot to bring her pail and shovel, was so excited to play in the ocean.  We got there as the tide was starting to go out, so there were lots of tiny crabs to chase and sandbars to play on.

I didn't wear any sunblock.  (yes, I am a rebel) But I didn't have any sort of redness on my skin either.  I made sure the girls were covered though.  They don't have seasoned skin.  By the way ... to the gigantic SEAGULL - bigger than my dog even - that tried to eat out of the closed Dorito Bag ... I bet you didn't see that rush of sand coming, did ya?

In other news, I am preparing for yet another Consignment Sale.  Which has been a TOTAL BLAST to do.  I'm reliving my childhood in the throes of Polly Pocket.  What?  That's not weird or anything.  Really.  We had some and I was able to get a good deal on some big sets of the stuff.  Which really equates to a butt load of little shoes and outfits. Lots to keep track off.  Organize.  Tiny dolls.  Tiny matching accessories.  Love it.  I am hoping that all this YIELD will = $$$ at the sale.  I know with saran wrap and tape I can make my own appealing packaging (oh look, something shiny).  More on that (with perhaps pictures even!) later.

Did I mention how I've been cleaning out my storage space?  The THINGS you find when you do such things.  I almost feel like a Hoarder.  Even though I can't possible be one.  Nope.  Not even, when I moved twelve totes of Halloween Decorations out to make room for a crafty, shelving, table, lamp area, still not having enough space and then realized I need to move at least the other eight totes (which have my Thanksgiving, Easter and Valentine's Day decorations in).  Dudes?  Even I had to look at that and go ... ergh ... this is scary.  At first I thought well, that's silly.  Then I see my man's face when he sees them all, taking over the entire Kitchen (to be fair, my kitchen is very small, people!).  Tote towers with a mosh of paper Frankenstein's and assorted lighted Halloween themed statues.  It was quite a sight.  Taller than the kitchen table.  I foolishly thought I could just get them into the front hall closet, no biggie. Yet, somehow I didn't think that one entirely through.  So now ... (plan b) they are in the front hallway.  Yup.  I'll be doing some purging too.

So there you have it ....

More On This Later ... (pinky swear)

• My 19 year anniversary to my husband.
• Afternoon trip to the beach.
• Upcoming Consignment Sale

Coming Back Home

Life is just flying by.  Days pass, turn in to weeks, months ... and finally you stop and look back and think, WOW.  The last time I posted anything was February.  Really?

There is so much social media these days and it's all so distracting.  I spend oodles of time on Etsy and Pintrest and yes, that dastardly Facebook too.  But none of those sites give me the one thing I've been missing for the past many months.  Writing.

Creative writing.  It's something that I enjoy and I've gotten so far away from it that coming back, is HARD.  If that makes any sense at all.

So I'm breaking the ice.  Cracking my knuckles and getting my feet wet but by FINALLY writing again.  It feels good. 

Now where to begin.  HA.