Clean Socks - PLEASE!

I hadn't done a load of whites since Saturday. It was now Wednesday and in this house that's a long time to go without. As I sorted and gathered the dirty laundry from each room, I began to notice something peculiar.

The twins rarely have much in the way of white clothes. This is mainly because they are 9 year old boys who run around in jeans and t-shirts and light colors would certainly show all of their activities for the day. But something was missing. I looked around on their floor, behind the door and in the closets but could only find one dirty, inside-out, holey sock.

That night after showers I asked them about the missing socks. "I don't know, Mom" was the answer I received and expected. But with further interrogation I was able to solve the mystery.

You see, it's getting cold here in sunny AZ and these boys like to snuggle. I had noticed that they were sleeping with socks on but didn't think much about it. They've done this in the past. But to my somewhat horror I found out that they were not only using the same socks they had worn that day, but the same socks they had worn since Monday.

"That's gross! Why didn't you put clean socks on? Your drawer is full"

"I wear them for at least 3 days. That's my record".

"Why?" I asked giggling under my breath

"Because I don't want to get up early to grab a pair since they are already on."



Can you believe I let my kids wear them with such big holes that their toes poke through. Apparently it doesn't bother them anymore than the smell or filth that is already on their feet.

I think my goal is to find some Male inspired fuzzy sleeper socks. A million dollars to the first person that can tell me where to find them with out the ridiculous faux leather brown sole.

At The Crossroads

We stood there, my sister and I. Alone but together without the throngs of children that usually surround and fill our space. She lives in another town and these times together are cherished moments. We had the chance to spend a few minutes without the bickering, whining, fighting cousins to do our favorite thing together, aside from a mean game of Scrabble, shop.

And that's when we found ourselves at the crossroad. Do we go right? That's where our eyes took us first. But then the reality hit in an instant. We must turn left. And so with heads hung low, and laughter filling the store, we headed to the plus size section. Numbers followed by X's. Skinny people may not even know that there is such a thing.

Darn those sodas, and doughnuts, and cookies, and large plates of food, and too many carbs, and mangled ankles, and needy children, and hundreds of other excuses.

We've gained weight. Lots of weight.

 

And so it starts today. Protein and Pilate's.

Maybe next time she comes to visit me and the squabbling cousins are left at home and we are faced with another crossroad we can turn to the right.

Favorite Granite Cleaner

Granite counters. So pretty and shiny and durable and I love them but I hate to clean them. They always end up dull and streaked unless you spend extra time and effort wiping them down. Wiping off your counters should not be a project.

I think I have tried every product out there that guarantees a clean streak free shine - Not - as well as a few home made concoctions - Fail.

But I have finally found one I love. LOVE!

In a spray bottle add:

1/4 C. Vodka or Alcohol (I used Vodka because that's what I had on hand and for those of you that know me it wasn't to drink but for a pizza sauce recipe that Bret makes and is to DIE for.)

3 drops/squirts Dawn dish washing soap (This is also essential if you may be tempted to drink your cleaning solution)

1 C. water

I use a regular dish cloth nothing special and have no, I mean NO streaking, my counters shine and the alcohol disinfects.

Try it. You will LOVE it.

Troy, Thalia, & Tourettes

I went to school with Troy

We were friends

I remember him having slight "ticks" but didn't think much about it

After graduation, I would run in to him occasionally at the grocery store where he worked

Fast forward 25 years

This is Troy now

I can't in good conscience sit idly by and do nothing

And so I will share his story and his way of life with as many as I can

Imagine the millions in blog land

If only 10,000 parted with $10, lives would be forever changed

For the better




Donations can be made at any Wells Fargo bank - if you don't have one in your state then a Wachovia bank will link up.

Make your deposit to the Troy J. Marley DBS Benefit Donation Fund

We Are Hurricanes

This seasons hurricanes.

Bret's name is even spelled correctly.

Side by side.

Hopefully we won't cause any damage.

Lift, Lighten, Love

This may be familiar to some. It's a song I find myself humming every now and then and thought I would share -

Have I done any good in the world today?
Have I helped anyone in need?
Have I cheered up the sad and made someone feel glad?
If not, I have failed indeed.
Has anyone’s burden been lighter today
Because I was willing to share?
Have the sick and the weary been helped on their way?
When they needed my help was I there?


Then wake up and do something more
Than dream of your mansion above.
Doing good is a pleasure, a joy beyond measure,
A blessing of duty and love.


There are chances for work all around just now,
Opportunities right in our way.
Do not let them pass by, saying, “Sometime I’ll try,”
But go and do something today.
’Tis noble of man to work and to give;
Love’s labor has merit alone.
Only he who does something helps others to live.
To God each good work will be known.

Can you imagine what our planet, our nation, our communities, our families would be like if each one of us chose to lift someones burden, lighten someones load, and love someone in a deeper way all on the same day?

Keep the Refrigerator Klosed!

Today there was black smoke in the sky.

The lights dimmed and then later went out.

Sister called, her husband was okay. Transformer blew.




Kids thought the end had come.

No air conditioning (Remember it's like 182 degrees outside in the shade)

No TV

No lunch (their excuse was that mom kept calling out, "Keep the refrigerator closed!")

No toilet

Wait - what do you mean no toilet?

Lesson about energy, water and the function of the toilet was quickly taught.

Brother in law and crew got the power back up and running in 2 hours! way to go guys and so glad none of you were hurt!