Better Late than Never or I Haven't Forgotten my Blog, I've Just Been Busy

I haven't forgotten my blog, but it has been busy lately.
Let's see:
We have sold our house in Kenosha.
We spent a week in Branson MI in ungodly hot and humid temps.
I sent the children to live with Grandma & Grandpa for a week or so.
I went back to OH and looked at more houses.  In more ungodly heat and humidity.
We put an offer in on a house in OH and are waiting to hear back. Did I mention that I don't like the waiting and the unknown?
We had the house inspection here in WI and have 2 items to fix. One we knew about and another is an easy fix. Supposedly.
I made a discovery. Not only am I not the most patient person in the world, I'm not the most optimistic either. I think it's because then it's easier to not get so disappointed.
I'm really hoping we get this house in OH. We have a second choice but it's not as nice as the first one.
I'm a little scared that we'll GET the first house in OH. It might be more than we can handle (but, oh, it's so pretty and definitely in the life style to which I'd like to become accustomed).
That's about it for now.

Promises, Promises

After our last move, we promised that we would not let things slide as long in this new to us house. We were so very adament that our house would look nice and we would keep things under control and initally, we didn't do too badly. Then, I suppose, well, life just sorta took over. Oh, and don't get me started about the children.
Boy, oh boy, are we paying the price for that now.
Literally.
This week, we will have a carpenter here to fix the trim around the garage door and the side door and fix a board in the deck and replace a board on the end of one of the benches on the deck. But first, I need to paint and or prime/paint all the trim so he can use it.
Then, we will have painters in and everything except for the kids' rooms will be painted.
However, prior to this, we (meaning...me) have to take down every last little stinkin' piece of wallpaper and wash the walls. And declutter and take to storage all the crap, er, stuff that has accumulated in the house but that we can't live without but don't want anyone to see when they come tour our little abode to see if they would buy it.
That is, if we can get the relocation company to get moving and get us our interview so we can get a realtor that doesn't live 1 hour away to list our house. Seriously,  the relo company gave us a choice of realtors from Waukegan (who knew nothing about Kenosha or any of the neighborhoods or schools) to one in Brookfield who didn't even sound too sure about where Kenosha is and why someone would choose to live here.  Frustrating, to say the least.
But enough about that.
This weekend, we are off to fix what needs fixin', pretty up what needs prettying up, and trying our best to show off the rest. 
Next house, we are soooooo keeping up with things.
I promise.

Weight Loss the Easy Way

I have finally discovered the secret to losing weight. It's quite simple really.
It's called......moving.
That's right, getting ready to put your house on the market is a guaranteed weight loser. Without trying, I've taken off almost 6 lbs in the last 2 weeks.
Course, it couldn't be the constant activity, no time for snacking, healthier eating since the kids are home for the summer, smaller meals so I can eat quickly and get back to the task at hand...or anything like that.
I'll admist, it's nice to see the scale moving. But, damn, I'm tired at night.
So, this moving thing? Great for weight loss, tough on the body.

Movin' On Up

There are about to be some big changes here at our house. As in, our house will soon be on the market. Why? Well, because we are moving.  Gulp!
Yep, we're moving to Ohio. The Hubster got a new job and we will be moving lock, stock and barrel to our new home in OH. Well, technically, we'll be moving to some sort of temporary housing then to a 'real' house but at any rate, we'll be moving.
So, my posts will come as often as I can spare the time. It's been hectic lately and promises to continue to be that way for some time.
Wish me luck and pray for a quick sale!

They're Going to Take Me Away!!!!!

I think my children are out to get me.
No, seriously.
I think their goal is to slowly and methodically drive me crazy.
Take today, for example.
Me: Did you brush your teeth? (thinking, do I really need to remind you EVERY day to do this?)
S: Of course
Me: With toothpaste?
S: Ah, oh......well, maybe not. I'll just go check (note: which is code for No, I didn't do whatever you were asking but let me run and go do it now before I have more trouble)
Me: SIGH!!!!
This whole episode was preceeded by an incident last week where, after going into the bathroom to start C's shower, I couldn't find any soap.
Me: S, did you take a shower?
S: Yes.
Me: Did you use soap?
S: Wait, let me check.
Me: SSSSSS!!!!!!!
S: No. Why, is that important?
Lordy, heaven help me stay sane.
So after the toothpase incident, S comes down with a vitamin in his hand. "Mama, I found this on my bed again." We had found one earlier in the weekend and couldn't figure out how this got there. I could only conclude that someone either (a)didn't take their vitamin and tried to hide it or (b)someone got into the vitamins and took an extra one/two/three and dropped one in the process. Neither was a good option.
But, today, I noticed that this vitamin looked suspiciously like the one that C was supposed to take this morning.
So, I put it back down next to her place at the table. When C came down (S was outside riding scooter), we had a little conversation.
Me:C, don't forget to take your vitamin.
C (mouth open, looking totally astonished): Oh.....
Me: I think you forgot to take it this morning.
C: Well, let me check. (see, I told you, it's code)
Me: Let me help you with that. I know you didn't take it this morning and I know that you threw it on top of S's bed. Now, chew it up and have some water to wash it down.
Then, we had a little conversation about how imporant it was to take any medicine that we give her, how it affects our trust in her and how sick Maggie could get if she got hold of the vitamin.
Me: How many time have you done this before? (knowing I can't really believe the little rat,er I mean, girl)
C: Just twice.

So, my morning will now include doing a vitamin check of Simon's room.

See what I mean? They're out to get me, I'm sure of it.

Lenten Update

My mission (and I did choose to accept it) was to get rid of 40 bags of stuff in 40 days.
Update:
 Well, I am cleaning out a lot of stuff. I've gotten rid of 19 bags of clutter. Some of it is going in the garage sale, some is being tossed out, and some is going straight to St. Vinnie's.
I am still demucking and cleaning. It feels really good, almost freeing. I'm still at it and it will continue past Lent. I think this is my new habit.
Tackling the dungeon, er, I mean basement is next on the list. I will post before and after pictures, but don't hold your breath. This one's gonna take a while.

Highway Signs

Went up to my Dad's a few weeks ago. Just me and the kids. But no Maggie, thank goodness. She gets whiney in the car with only the kids for company.
Anyway, we're tooling along the highway, la de da and I come up to a slower moving vehicle. I get into the left hand lane to pass and realize that I need to pass a couple more cars. No problem, I'm kicking right along.  We were on a four lane highway so there was plenty of room to pass.
Suddenly, I look up in the rearview mirror and see this little 2 door car right on my backside. No, seriously, I couldn't see the front 1/3 of the car the guy was going so close. Well, that rather slightly ticks me off. I mean, it's dangerous and stupid so I very, very gently tap my brakes so the lights go on as a "Back off my a**s!" signal to Mr. Driver (who is about 22 and is in the little car with his girlfriend riding next to him).
I actually speed up so that I can move back into the right lane as soon as possible 'cause I'm perfectly okay with Mr. A**hole, er, I mean, Mr. Driver cruisin' right on by me. Go ahead, I think, really, I don't mind, speed along and go far, far ahead of me. And I may have prayed real quick  for a Mr. Policeman to be up ahead with a speedtrap for my new friend. Ahem (or is that Amen?!).
I get back into the right hand lane and I glance over at Mr. Driver. He is now even with me, rolling down the passenger side window, hanging onto the steering wheel with his left hand and leaning out the passenger window with his arm and hand hanging out and he's giving me the one finger salute. Waving it madly around and about. His girlfriend is trying to pull him back into the car and yelling at him to "Knock it off and behave! Watch where you're driving" And, I believe that he may have been saying a naughty word or two directed at me. 'Cause I'm good at reading lips that way, I guess.
Holy moly, that was one nasty case of car rage. Geesh!
Meanwhile, C & S have witnessed Mr. Driver's behavior.
"What is that man doing?" asked C looking very confused by they whole thing.
I qiuckly respond, "Oh, he's just waving hello. Let's all wave back to him and make his day brighter."
I wave (with all fingers not just one), C enthusiastically waves and S half-heartedly waves.
 There was a few second of silence then I hear, "Ah, Mama?" says S.
"Yes?"
"I don't think he was waving hello."