Being back in the Midwest for fall has been a charming experience. It has always been my favorite season and this year I have a new appreciation for it. Down south, in Armpit, FL there are many gorgeous things you will see. Well, there is the beach. You may see gorgeous things or you may see hairy, fat people in wife beater T shirts and Speedos. It's hit or miss. What you don't see are leaves exploding with gold and crimson and orange. In the South Summer gets a little dusty and rusty and then you turn the heater on once and it's Spring again. But here in the breadbasket you see a riot of colors. The kids and I read about the burning bush story in the Bible and after this year we think maybe it was a maple tree. If not, a maple tree should have had the honor, in our opinion, because they sure put on a show. We have made leaf collages and raked them into big crackly piles and the kids have jumped into them. I did not jump, because I am too mature and grown-up. I tripped on my shoelace. Honestly.
Speaking of the breadbasket, there are so many flavors to fall it makes my heart happy. Apple cider mulling with cinnamon, chili, caramel apples. Apple EVERYTHING. Pumpkin bread. Pumpkin pie, hot chocolate on the first frosty night. YUM! Don't worry I make all those things sugar free. Ahem. Well, we have to get ready to hibernate, after all. Sure you can make all those things in the South but it just isn't the same. I don't know why. Perhaps it's just the thought of simmering hot soups and cider when it is 90 that loses some of its appeal.
I put on a cuddly new sweater for church this Sunday and after the service I convinced Hubby to drive through Starbucks. (YES! I do NEED a $5 coffee! No! I can't just drink plain stuff at home!) I would say that wearing a fuzzy sweater and sipping a steaming pumpkin latte has to be one of the greatest simple pleasures but Hubs assures me $5 coffee isn't "simple." OK, it's one of the totally extravagant life pleasures. We'll economize on TP, darn it! Keep the lattes coming!
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Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Cogito Ergo Sum
I think, therefore I am. Among the piles of horse punky Humanists have thrown at our collective brains this saying must surely top the charts. Logic would state that if this is true then so is the opposite. Or, I don't think, therefore, I'm not.
HA! I wish this was true! All the times the kids do something stupid the first thing they mumble (well after a half dozen lame excuses) is "I didn't think."
DUH.
If only they ceased to exist temporarily while their brains went on hiatus, how much happier would the world be? Once reason returned they could pop back into place and think, "YEAH! I don't look like a moron with half my hair cut off because I didn't exist long enough, so I didn't cut off my hair with mom's sewing scissors."
But as any quick examination of current politics will tell you, lack of thinking CLEARLY doesn't delete you from Washington, anyway. Hundreds of people exist there with no trouble at all despite not having a collective thought among them.
Rather we are endowed by our Creator with certain inalienable rights: life, liberty, and the ability to act with no thought whatsoever. This is an actual quote from the original document. Luckily, having received an education better than a typical one from a public school, I can correctly identify this as coming straight off the Magna Carta signed by President George Washington and the King of England at the time, John the XXXXXI. (The history lesson is provided at no additional charge. For an investing lesson send $10 to me and I will mail you the complete program.)
In our on going Latin quest I am going to look up how to say, "I think therefore I have all my hair and my mother didn't contemplate murdering me and leaving my bones to compost in the back yard."
Anybody who can help with the translation will receive the investing course free.
You're welcome.
HA! I wish this was true! All the times the kids do something stupid the first thing they mumble (well after a half dozen lame excuses) is "I didn't think."
DUH.
If only they ceased to exist temporarily while their brains went on hiatus, how much happier would the world be? Once reason returned they could pop back into place and think, "YEAH! I don't look like a moron with half my hair cut off because I didn't exist long enough, so I didn't cut off my hair with mom's sewing scissors."
But as any quick examination of current politics will tell you, lack of thinking CLEARLY doesn't delete you from Washington, anyway. Hundreds of people exist there with no trouble at all despite not having a collective thought among them.
Rather we are endowed by our Creator with certain inalienable rights: life, liberty, and the ability to act with no thought whatsoever. This is an actual quote from the original document. Luckily, having received an education better than a typical one from a public school, I can correctly identify this as coming straight off the Magna Carta signed by President George Washington and the King of England at the time, John the XXXXXI. (The history lesson is provided at no additional charge. For an investing lesson send $10 to me and I will mail you the complete program.)
In our on going Latin quest I am going to look up how to say, "I think therefore I have all my hair and my mother didn't contemplate murdering me and leaving my bones to compost in the back yard."
Anybody who can help with the translation will receive the investing course free.
You're welcome.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Some Good
When D2 was young we would pick her up from Daycare and ask the question, "Were you good?" One particularly memorable day she hesitated, knowing of the report her teacher was to make involving her applying her fangs to a poor helpless victim, she tilted her head and smiled hugely and replied honestly, "Some good."
Indeed. Even the worst day usually has "some good." Sure the pumpkins stuck to the pan, the meat spoiled and the brand new full to the brim gallon of milk spilled over all the cookbooks and the new iPhone charging on the counter, but still, there was "some good."
Well, no, I can't actually think of any. But surely, there MUST be some good, somewhere. The cat barfed on the tile instead of the carpet, I guess that was good. Only a parent can look on the brighter side of vomit to find good, I guess.
I remember when people said high school would be the best years of your life. Thankfully they were not. I mean who wants acne, insecurity, and all manner of indignity to be the best years of your life? I remember thinking that if that was true I should just jump off the nearest bridge ASAP because high school was not my forte. Sure you have no real responsibility but you also have no real freedom. Give me an ID card and a platinum Visa any day over youthful innocence. (Not that I actually advocate for credit card usage, but you know what I mean.) Wrinkles seem like a small price to pay for escaping Bedlam.
Today I changed my FB picture to one of my grandfather. In it, he is in uniform and looks to be in his early 20's. Which means he was younger than I am now, by quite a margin. We won't discuss how big that margin really is. If he was still alive he would be in his 90's today.
Funny how your old relatives were once young people. My point is that if they survived all that, and mostly did it without modern things like penicillin, then I guess there really isn't much that isn't good after all.
Indeed. Even the worst day usually has "some good." Sure the pumpkins stuck to the pan, the meat spoiled and the brand new full to the brim gallon of milk spilled over all the cookbooks and the new iPhone charging on the counter, but still, there was "some good."
Well, no, I can't actually think of any. But surely, there MUST be some good, somewhere. The cat barfed on the tile instead of the carpet, I guess that was good. Only a parent can look on the brighter side of vomit to find good, I guess.
I remember when people said high school would be the best years of your life. Thankfully they were not. I mean who wants acne, insecurity, and all manner of indignity to be the best years of your life? I remember thinking that if that was true I should just jump off the nearest bridge ASAP because high school was not my forte. Sure you have no real responsibility but you also have no real freedom. Give me an ID card and a platinum Visa any day over youthful innocence. (Not that I actually advocate for credit card usage, but you know what I mean.) Wrinkles seem like a small price to pay for escaping Bedlam.
Today I changed my FB picture to one of my grandfather. In it, he is in uniform and looks to be in his early 20's. Which means he was younger than I am now, by quite a margin. We won't discuss how big that margin really is. If he was still alive he would be in his 90's today.
Funny how your old relatives were once young people. My point is that if they survived all that, and mostly did it without modern things like penicillin, then I guess there really isn't much that isn't good after all.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Staring into the Abyss
Ah temptation. If we know what the two oldest occupations are then tempting must be the oldest hobby. I don't know that it pays well, but it does seem to be everywhere. Heck even Jesus had to deal with it. I mean, honestly, the man was just wanting to be left alone in the desert to pray. He wasn't hurting anybody. I doubt the lizards minded his presence much. But could he get some freakin' peace and quiet? Oh NO! The Devil had to show up and start testing him.
Why is it when things are going well, or even when they are not, for that matter, pretty soon the apple is dangled right there in front of you. You might be blessed with a whole orchard of tasty, nutritious apples, but why does the one you shouldn't have look so much more appealing?
After spending 15 years learning every financial lesson the hard way we finally have our ducks in a row. Debt free and saving big time.
But then the forbidden fruit just has to sneak up and bite ya on the butt in a weak moment doesn't it? Oh sure, normally we are strong enough to resist. We can think of our goals and plans and keep to the straight and narrow. Oh sure maybe some dark chocolate sneaks in now and then for medicinal purposes but mostly we can toe the line.
Until in a fit of selfishness our temptations fight out of the cage we keep them in and run screaming through your head HEARTS ON FIRE!!!!!!!
Ok, maybe that is just me. Maybe diamonds aren't your thing. But we all have something that seems irresistible. Big TV's, or cars that are younger than your kids, or cool electronics, or a house you want to be buried in. Something that you would commit murder or mayhem to get. Well, maybe not, but you'd REALLY REALLY consider it.
Maybe even sell a kidney. What the heck, you have an extra, right?
It isn't logical. It isn't smart. It would probably earn you a smack on the head from Dave Ramsey, but that doesn't change the fact that you still want it.
Why is it when things are going well, or even when they are not, for that matter, pretty soon the apple is dangled right there in front of you. You might be blessed with a whole orchard of tasty, nutritious apples, but why does the one you shouldn't have look so much more appealing?
After spending 15 years learning every financial lesson the hard way we finally have our ducks in a row. Debt free and saving big time.
But then the forbidden fruit just has to sneak up and bite ya on the butt in a weak moment doesn't it? Oh sure, normally we are strong enough to resist. We can think of our goals and plans and keep to the straight and narrow. Oh sure maybe some dark chocolate sneaks in now and then for medicinal purposes but mostly we can toe the line.
Until in a fit of selfishness our temptations fight out of the cage we keep them in and run screaming through your head HEARTS ON FIRE!!!!!!!
Ok, maybe that is just me. Maybe diamonds aren't your thing. But we all have something that seems irresistible. Big TV's, or cars that are younger than your kids, or cool electronics, or a house you want to be buried in. Something that you would commit murder or mayhem to get. Well, maybe not, but you'd REALLY REALLY consider it.
Maybe even sell a kidney. What the heck, you have an extra, right?
It isn't logical. It isn't smart. It would probably earn you a smack on the head from Dave Ramsey, but that doesn't change the fact that you still want it.
Friday, October 8, 2010
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Friday, October 1, 2010
TGIF
Along with a sincere shout out to God for once again bringing the school week to a close I wanted to mention another thing I'm grateful for recently and introduce a new regular feature. Of course since it is me, it won't be an EVERY Friday thing, but when I discover something I like I'll pass it along.
Which is a really long winded way to say: YEAH for Eureka Enviro-steam mop! Our lovely 70's era house has 2 floors of wood and tile. I had visions of myself succumbing to severe arthritis from being on my hands and knees scrubbing acres of flooring.
Well, maybe not. I mean it's not like I clean THAT much. But still, I have had many a bad mop. From cheap to "deluxe" they all leave much to be desired. And I'm not just talking about someone else to work them. They fall apart, you can't find replacement, they seem to harbor all sorts of nasty bacteria...I HATE 'em!
So then I tried all manner of new-fangled products that rhyme with Swiffer. Oops. Sorry P & G. It works ok for a quick cleaning but I never felt like they did a "deep clean." Plus they often have a very strong perfume that more often than not makes me sneeze.
Did I mention that my floors get REALLY nasty? Two sloppy kids+two barfy cats+ two klutzy adults=cleaning nightmare. (That's new math, btw.)
So I need a serious cleaner. But I hate scrubbing. Which is why I love the steam mop. It heats a very small amount of water (less than 2 cups cleans several rooms) SUPER hot and basically melts the crud right off. No cleaning products needed. NONE! When you are done you just take the cloth on the bottom and wash it in the washing machine. Floor gets nice and shiny and dries almost instantly.
Pros:
fairly cheap (about $70 from Wal Mart but don't need any cleaning fluids or replacement pads for a long time and can buy inexpensive hand towels when you do)
easy to use
light weight
cleans well (hold in place for 15 seconds and it sanitizes) perfect around toilets etc...
Cons:
Price (initially more than mop/bucket)
cord is too short (solved with an extension cord I got and leave on it)
Can only be used on certain types of floor like sealed wood, tile, linoleum, marble, etc...
Of course it doesn't suck things up; it is just a mop. Still it is my new favorite weapon in the cleaning arsenal.
**Disclosure: no products or goods were received in relation to this review. It's simply my opinion. Take it for what it's worth.
Which is a really long winded way to say: YEAH for Eureka Enviro-steam mop! Our lovely 70's era house has 2 floors of wood and tile. I had visions of myself succumbing to severe arthritis from being on my hands and knees scrubbing acres of flooring.
Well, maybe not. I mean it's not like I clean THAT much. But still, I have had many a bad mop. From cheap to "deluxe" they all leave much to be desired. And I'm not just talking about someone else to work them. They fall apart, you can't find replacement, they seem to harbor all sorts of nasty bacteria...I HATE 'em!
So then I tried all manner of new-fangled products that rhyme with Swiffer. Oops. Sorry P & G. It works ok for a quick cleaning but I never felt like they did a "deep clean." Plus they often have a very strong perfume that more often than not makes me sneeze.
Did I mention that my floors get REALLY nasty? Two sloppy kids+two barfy cats+ two klutzy adults=cleaning nightmare. (That's new math, btw.)
So I need a serious cleaner. But I hate scrubbing. Which is why I love the steam mop. It heats a very small amount of water (less than 2 cups cleans several rooms) SUPER hot and basically melts the crud right off. No cleaning products needed. NONE! When you are done you just take the cloth on the bottom and wash it in the washing machine. Floor gets nice and shiny and dries almost instantly.
Pros:
fairly cheap (about $70 from Wal Mart but don't need any cleaning fluids or replacement pads for a long time and can buy inexpensive hand towels when you do)
easy to use
light weight
cleans well (hold in place for 15 seconds and it sanitizes) perfect around toilets etc...
Cons:
Price (initially more than mop/bucket)
cord is too short (solved with an extension cord I got and leave on it)
Can only be used on certain types of floor like sealed wood, tile, linoleum, marble, etc...
Of course it doesn't suck things up; it is just a mop. Still it is my new favorite weapon in the cleaning arsenal.
**Disclosure: no products or goods were received in relation to this review. It's simply my opinion. Take it for what it's worth.
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