Where is that laundry fairy?!

I swear! Has anyone seen her? She has skipped over my house so much lately that I actually had to do laundry today! I thought I might have to have a brush-up on what I was doing, but the instructions are under the lid of the washer - amazing!!! So, alas, my family can wipe away the fear that we will be out of clean underwear. If I could hire someone just to at least clean the bathroom and do the laundry, my life would be sooooo happy.

Mmmmm...if you were here, you would smell the garden-fresh green beans a-cookin' on my stove. Yummy! They might just have to be my bedtime snack. I've decided, though, that I need to start growing some fruit. I love veggies, but I love fruit too and I wish I had some of my own! We are actually growing watermelon and cantelope in the garden at my parent's, but they aren't ready yet. And after getting some awesome peaches at farmer's market earlier this month, the peaches at the grocery store today made me cringe.

Nothin' much else happening around here. Oh, ya, my brother was released from the hospital in Peoria. Interesting story: he was flown there at about 2 a.m. with a broken vertebrae in his neck and a broken rib. Not too shabby for being thrown from a Harley, huh? Don't feel too sorry for him though; it probably wouldn't have happened if he didn't have alcohol running through his system. I'm actually glad that he only hurt himself. One of these days, maybe he will hit his head and learn something...can you sense the sarcasm here?

And, my nephew called and I had to hook him up with a bus ticket home from San Diego, California...little stink doesn't talk to me the whole time he's in basic but when he wants to come home I'm good enough! Oh well. Aren't families LOVELY!!!!!

Whoa, this is ending up to be a long post...so, everyone take it easy and enjoy your last couple of days in July!

Fri. night ponderings...

Today an extraordinary human left us - Randy Pausch , the guy who did "The Last Lecture", died of pancreatic cancer. If you haven't seen the last lecture, google it - it is well worth the time.

Yesterday, my mom, the boys and I ended up driving to Burlington, mostly to get a view of the flood for our very own eyes. I have to say, it seems much more devastating in person. I have mixed emotions about it all - I mean, they do live in a FLOOD PLAIN, but I still can't imagine THAT much water, THAT FAR from the river, staying there for THAT LONG. It was very strange driving on a makeshift gravel one lane bridge surrounded by water in a place where I have driven many times at 65 mph. I soooo regret not having my camera, but the trip was a sidenote. If you want to see some good flood pics, go to http://www.thehawkeye.com/, which is the Burlington newspaper. I'm posting one taken by Adam on June 29th from a flight taken with some of our friends. That is US 34 disappearing into the water.

The playset is almost finished - a few little extras and it will be done! I'll try to post some pics before the end of the weekend.

Last but not least, kudos to Barb, my WLL - way to go babe! Keep it up and kick my butt into gear!

My other residence

Okay, the playset is going well, but I think we (mainly I) got a little carried away with the plans. Let's just say...it's a little big. But ya know what? We're still going to be coming out ahead of one of those sets they sell at Menard's and ours is personalized! And, as they get bigger, they will still have plenty of room for play. And, if Adam ever makes me mad enough :), he could technically sleep out there since it practically requires its own house numbers. The pic I am including is actually from Friday - I'll post another when it is done.

On the downside of things, I hate weeds! I pulled weeds in the garden around the tomatoes, peas and carrots and just as I was finishing up(of course) I think I kinked up my back. Lovely! Although it might be just the excuse I need to see the massage therapist again. I highly recommend Teresa at Azer III for any of your aches or just for relaxation. She started as a physical therapy assistant, so she knows how everything is supposed to work and she's AWESOME! For now, hopefully some Biofreeze and ibuprofen will prove to be my friends.

I must go tend to dinner - biscuits and gravy since I screwed up last night and thawed out sausage instead of pork burger! I still made the burgers, but need to use up the sausage. Nothin' like some good thick gravy to help out while losing weight, heh?

Have a good one!

Chi-town

Greetings all from sweet home Chicago - well, actually, we are in Rosemont VERY NEAR O'Hare. So near, we can watch jumbo jets land on one of the landing strips from the end of the hotel's parking lot. My children think this was planned - so, who am I to spoil their fun? My aunt and her daughter who own a scrapbooking store in Sacramento, CA (mygreentangerines.com) are here with 2 of their employees for a trade show, so my mom, the boys and I came up to spend a little time with them. We enjoyed the sights of Navy Pier tonight followed by some Geno's East pizza, and are going to try for some more Loop sightseeing tomorrow before they (sadly) depart for CA again. The boys thoroughly enjoyed the fountain in front of Navy Pier - J was completely soaked! Good thing the van was nearby with dry clothes. By the way, Happy Anniversary to my hub - 6 years and still going!

Outnumbered

So, this morning at 6 a.m. Si awakes - which right now is a VERY unusual time for him to be getting up. I go get him from the crib and take him back to our bed to lay down so I can hopefully get a few more z's before the whole clubhouse work begins. Only, in returning to our room, I discover A in the middle of the bed and J with him. YIKES!!! With all of us in a queen bed, it gets to be a crowded house. I am so outnumbered around here! All I know is, we are going to be needing a house with another bathroom and it will be mine - ALL MINE - NO BOYS ALLOWED! That way it will be as clean as I leave it and I know I won't have to sit down to pee on the toilet seat! :) But, I can't leave without saying that I do love my men, but it would be nice to have a female around sometimes to share the perspective (no four legged ones count).

Welcome to the blog - I am really doing this???

Okay, after following some blogs, I decided this might be a good thing for me to do - just sit and type and vent my life to the world - or at least to the computer! Right now I'll probably be able to keep up well, but once school starts again, it might be few and far between. I really hope this doesn't become some crazy thing - and I am NOT going to write on here like 5 times a day - but it could be kinda fun. See ya soon!