Another Day on the Ranch

Now doesn't that look satisfying? It is. I have been enjoying my large cup each morning filled to the brim with cafe au lait. More lait than cafe, as you can see. There's something about this cup that makes coffee so much better. The handle is wonderfully engineered--the thumb fits perfectly on top, the pointer finger through the center and a there's a little notch on the bottom for the middle finger to sit comfortably while lifting the oversized cup. It's just lovely. The design is so pretty to look at too. I love it!

The teenager survived his first concert. He called about midnite with another code 12 (stranded out at his friend's house who lives in the country). Apparently, they had used more gas sitting in traffic trying to get out of the parking lot than expected (newbies). They stopped off at the driver's house to get some gas money from his mom, to no avail; and thus came the code 12 call. Of course, I was already in my PJs; and since I was on E too, I had to get half dressed in order to pump at the gas station. Then we had to drive another friend who was also a code 12 and he lived even further out! By the time I got home, I was WIDE awake and was up until about sunrise this morning, tossing and turning. Awwww, motherhood. I'm not complaining though. I was happy to get him and make sure he was still alive and breathing! He was totally dehydrated, muddy from head to toe and down-right tired. He didn't even want the radio on during the ride home. hehe. Poor guy. His initiation into live rock and roll was totally exhausting. He was able to get an autographed copy of Korn's new cd and was picked out of the audience to wait and meet the band (he had a Korn t-shirt on which I guess helped). Unfortunately, there were a lot of kids who were asked to stand in line to meet them; and by the time the teenager got even close, it was almost time for them to go onstage. Poor guy. He wanted "Fieldy" to just touch his hat. haha. Too cute. He woke up this morning sore. I had to laugh. Awww, the good ol' days. I told him he used muscles he probably didn't even know existed! He said his jaw (from head banging/gritting his teeth, I guess) was sore and he had a couple of bruises from the mosh pit. I just had to smile (and thank God he lived through it!).

I've already begun to re-decorate my new piece in the powder room. Of course, I didn't like the off-white basin on the white marble. The hub had given me this basin set when we were first married and lived in Georgetown. There was a little consignment shop around the corner that sold the most lovely things. This is also French so I knew it would fit. I forgot to mention my favorite part of the table. It has these two swinging arms under the drawer for towels. Isn't that genius? Of course, Miss Bev had to get in to smell it. (Look at her poor scratches from her allergies. She seems to be doing better on her duck & green peas--faw faw faw!). I put my lavender batches on the shelf underneath and added some extra towels and soaps in the drawer. I'm having so much fun with it.

I've been doing odd jobs all weekend. Since it's been quiet without the kid and the hub, I've got some work done. I replanted some petunias in the window box that had fallen when I had the house cleaned on the outside. Of course, when it fell, all the flowers were knocked loose and they died. Grrrr. It looks kind of funny with one flourishing and the other brown and dead. Too late in the season to plant a lot, so I just added a pot of petunias and called it done.

I got the litter boxes cleaned out. A major job in itself. I can be a tad neurotic when it comes to those icky things. I'll let them go for a month or so before I do a complete overhaul. (Of course, they're scooped out every day, ew.) Each one is scrubbed out, set outside for the day to dry and air, the floor scrubbed and then I begin the task of my neurosis taking over. I line the floor with newspaper, then cover that with art paper, tape it down and then I start filling the litter boxes. I swear. I even found a new fandangled filter/register that fits over my vent in the floor. Extra fresh air coming in now! hehe. Look at it while it's clean. The cats will have litter and shredded paper within a day or two! P-I-G-S! And of course, they can be outside all day but wait to use the litter box when they come in. Duh.

I cleaned out underneath the kitchen sink which was despicable. Ew. It smelled mildewy for some reason. I didn't find anything wet, so dunno. Probably something I threw away was stinky. I hate my kitchen, period. Everything is starting to go in it. The faucet is loose and drips (which is probably where the moisture comes from). I won't even go into it. Nevermind. But, that job is finally done.

Now, I only have to decide where to put this, which came out of the powder room. Once you start with something new, it's a domino effect. And then there's this ...... still sitting on the island waiting to be put somewhere else since moving from the powder room.

My kitchen table (and floor) is still a mess with art supplies just calling my name. I just wanted to get things cleaned up while I could before I start another mess. Now I'm too tired to start tonight. Maybe tomorrow. hehe. Famous last words, right?

The hub and kid are one their way home from St. Louis. They had a fabulous time. I can't wait to see them!! Overall, it was a pretty productive weekend. Got more done than I normally do when there's everyone running around. Yahoo.