Out of the clear blue sky

Tonight...a list.

1. I'm applying for a job at the hospital. The pay is better I'm sure, the hours are flexible daytime hours and I'd be in an office setting. If I could get on there making more money, I'd be willing to do fulltime (well 35 hours) so that I could be done working sooner. They'd like someone with medical billing experience though and while I have some I don't have a lot. Still I think I could wow them. Please be in prayer about that as I will be.

2. Finally getting to watch Shutter Island tonight. I read the book ages ago and am really excited about watching it. Tonight hubby's at band practice and kidlet's off to bed soon. So I'll let my Shelbs in and we'll snuggle and watch a good creepy movie. It's the perfect night for it. It got dark nice and early and there's a bite in the air and a ferocious wind blowing, rattling this old house. I'm excited. Tis the season for scary movies...and homemade popcorn (the only kind worth eatin) and hot cider and homemade hot chocolate (the recipe for which I'll post later this week).

3. Tomorrow night I'm going out with Nikki (the girl I have so much in common with) and Jessie (Reece's mom, the neighbor wife). [If I say their names enough maybe y'all will know who I mean and I can quit trying to explain who they are!] A country band is playing at Uncle Ron's in Lincoln, throwing a big ole barn party to benefit the Children's Hospital in Omaha. So we're going to go do that. It's so friggin awesome to have girls again!

4. Been working out like a crazy lady. My father in law was out to visit and he bought our Christmas gifts as he usually does when he's out to visit. He got me the EA Sports Active game for the Wii. I did the 30 day challenge day 1 a few days ago and was crippled for a couple of days there. But, even in pain I continued to do my jogging and step aerobics. Today I was feeling strong though so I did jogging, step aerobics, cardio dancing (an absolute freakin hoot on account of my poor coordination and sense of rhythm) and boxing. I will not tell you whose face I picture while boxing as I don't want the FBI bangin down my door. Let's just say my Jersey Mama calls it "boxin with Barry" **wink**

5. We continue to look for a second doggie. We're looking for a Basset mix of some kind. We've seen two absolutely perfect dogs. One was a Basset/Lab cross and one was a Basset mutt of some kind that no one could determine. Both were adopted in the 24 hours it took me to see them on the site, show Mike and fill out an application :( So if anyone knows of any Basset mixes in need of a good home in Nebraska, let me know!

Hope everyone's having an awesome kickoff to fall!

"Every now and then ya gotta take it on the chin
Gotta turn the other cheek
But then there’s times your old stubborn pride
Don’t back down so easily
And you got no choice but to let your voice
Be heard and hold your ground
And that’s the point that he’ll get the point
And he’ll probably back down
But if he bows up and steps across that line
Ya gotta whoop a man’s ass sometimes
Man, I’ll be the first one here to call you crazy
If you let me catch you cussin’ out a kid or roughin’ up a lady
And God forbid that anybody mess with mine
Ya gotta whoop a man’s ass sometimes"

Excellence is to do a common thing in an uncommon way

It's been a remarkably quiet day here on Ho-Hum Drive. I've done 3 loads of laundry, emptied the dishwasher, picked up the living room and stripped the beds. Nathan forgot his lunch this morning so I ran that up to him, as well. Another reminder of how much different things are when your Mama is at home. When I forgot my lunch, I didn't eat. Anyway, I'm finishing up some more laundry while I watch The Hand That Rocks The Cradle on Netflix (the instant viewing is *awesome* through the XBOX and the nice tv!). I'll pop over to the laundromat to wash our comforters and take Nathan to the library after school. Then I'll start some chicken (I'm looking for a new recipe) and some rice and broccoli for supper. Hoping to get a nice long walk in after supper as well. This is the perfect time to go down by the creek because the skeeters ain't out yet.

I'm just enjoying the fresh air. My curtains flap so pretty in the breeze and I am so in love with my door being open in the kitchen. It was 5 years and just a few days ago that we moved into this home after living with my mother-in-law for a year. I slipped *right* away into the swing of running a household. I remember how happy I was to have all the windows open and smell fresh air and to be able to take Nathan outside to play all day long in the grass and yard. Every spring I think about those days and how awesome it was to have my baby in my own household and to be getting things set up and taken care of, etc. I love spring especially for that reason.

I've also managed to stay on my eating *and* exercise program, WOOHOO!!! I'm not really "dieting" but I'm working really hard on 4 things: water, exercise, portion control and remembering to eat (I have a tendency to forget to eat all day long and then just eat at dinner, SO BAD FOR YOU!). I saw Dr Oz giving out tips and the two I'm implementing now are 1)to drink a glass of water before every meal and a glass after the meal and 2) arrange your food on your plate so there's an inch left around the rim of the plate and your food isn't piled up more than 1/2" high.

I hope everyone else is having a blessed Monday instead of a Manic Monday!

And Spring arose on the garden fair,
Like the Spirit of Love felt everywhere;
And each flower and herb on Earth's dark breast
rose from the dreams of its wintry rest.
-- Percy Bysshe Shelley

There is always room for improvement

The Wii Fit might just be the greatest invention in the history of the world. I'm just sayin y'all. In honor of Wife Appreciation Day *and* how hard I've been slaving on the Super Secret Sewing Project (which isn't a secret anymore, hope the quilt keeps you warm, Mom!), hubby brought me home the Wii Fit. Right off the stinkin bat in the balance test, the doggone thing insults me...er knows me...er something. "Balance clearly isn't your forte, do you find yourself tripping a lot?" Well yes actually Mr. Fit, I do. Thanks for noticing. Aaaaanyway, I spent the first 2 days doing 20 minutes of cardio (that felt like 5 minutes of cardio because it was so fun), yoga, and balance exercises. I have to admit, this is the perfect thing for me. You see, I'm very competitive, I just hate people, and I'm clumsy and too embarrassed to be all awkward in front of other people. That means competing against myself is PERFECT! I'm starting to feel a bit sore from the step aerobics I've been doing, but I still really enjoy it. I keep telling myself that as uncoordinated as I am, I can surely do better. So it quickly becomes "one more try, I know I can do it better". Before you know it I've been on the darned thing for so long! So that's really been fun.

Also, I started the Bible in 90 Days program. Esword is the most awesome computer bible study tool I've ever seen. Not only can you highlight text, keep your notes right there and set it up to do devotionals and bible study passages right on start up, you can adjust the font so your old lady eyes can read it! HOORAY I SAY!

"Most true happiness comes from one's inner life, from the disposition of the mind and soul. Admittedly, a good inner life is difficult to achieve, especially in these trying times. It takes reflection and contemplation and self-discipline."
William L Shirer