And the Pendulum Swings

Our house has sold, and we have 8 months until we HAVE to move. We could move sooner if we want, but we have to find a house first.
We started out with certain goals in what we wanted in a new house. Months later, our goals have changed a bit.
Today, we drove around for about 2.5 to 3 hours just looking at different areas in the county. We're considering not moving into the city limits. Maybe we'd like a house in the country, maybe a mini farm, not in a neighborhood, maybe we should build???? Who knows! We find areas we like, but what we like isn't for sale. Or the house/land is too expensive. Or the house is too old, and we wouldn't want to do all the renovations needed. Or it is too far from town.
Abbie hates the whole process. She just wants to pick up our house and move it somewhere. Or build the exact house somewhere else.

While driving around today, Abbie saw a "neighborhood watch" sign and wanted to know what that meant. Paul and I explained it to her. She got very excited and said, "I'd like to spy on our neighbors and see what they are doing." I don't think she really meant that she wanted to watch the neighbors, but I think she meant she wanted to watch the neighbors' houses for suspicious activity. She does have her own set of binoculars so we'll see if she tries them out...

And in other news, tonight I watched a marathon of "Say Yes to the Dress." I never watch this show. I just turned it on to have something in the background. Eventually Paul said, "You know, I really liked your wedding dress. Every time I see a picture of you in that dress, I get butterflies." Awwww, how sweet! That was the perfect thing to say!

Cussing and Smiling

*Warning - there is NO cussing in this post.*

I am NOT a morning person. Not, not, not!!!

A perfect day for me is to sleep until I wake up (usually 9 - 9:30 am) assuming I go to bed at 11 pm or midnight. I like to wake up on my own - no alarm clock, no one telling me they are hungry, no phone ringing, etc. Even though that doesn't happen a lot, that is my preference, and I don't care who knows it.

The early morning drive to school is not my favorite duty. Many mornings, when the alarm goes off, I think mean thoughts (cuss words or just a general pissed off feeling). Lately, though, I have tried to break myself of the cussing (even if it's quietly in my head), but I still think "that can't be the alarm" every time the alarm goes off.

Some mornings, I'm on the road - about 7 minutes away from the school, and I suddenly realize that I am 1) awake, 2) in the car, driving, and 3) in disbelief that I am awake, out of bed, and in the car driving. Think about that for a minute.

Last week, as we pulled out of the driveway, I remarked "pink sky in morning." And Abbie finished the phrase with "sailors warning." That made me smile. I told her how my dad always recited that phrase to me every time he saw a pink sky.

My dad was my school driver, and he and I had a good time together. Everytime there was fog, he would say, "It's froggy. Someone must have let a frog out." He taught me several little catchy phrases. I continue the tradition with Abbie.

Even though I hate being out of bed so early on school mornings, I enjoy the scenery and conversations with Abbie. I smile when I think of my early school mornings with my dad.

In the Swing of Things

Trying to get back into the swing of blogging. Here is a snapshot of our life right now:

• Abbie is having a great year in 4th grade; better than last year; we like her teacher; she is having math tutoring twice a week and that is working out very well for the both of us
• Abbie is reading the Warriors series (she really loves these books). I recently bought some picture books, and Paul wondered why I would buy books meant for much younger kids. 1) I miss picture books, 2) I liked the art work on them, and 3) I miss getting to read out loud to him and Abbie. So they had to let me read both books to them.
• The 3 of us are proud new bike owners. But there is a complication.
• Paul hurt his back (doctors just think it is a muscle), and that has put a damper on our biking ambitions. Even though his back has gotten much better, he is still having to ice it every day. Sometimes, prolonged activity (such as driving or spending 2 hours in the corn maze), makes his back act up again.
• We saw Zombieland and really enjoyed it. Paul's back problem is really going to make him a liability if we ever get attacked by zombies.
• My dad has a new batch of chicks. Abbie really enjoys visiting and playing with them and naming them (Mango, Pineapple, and Parrot are the names I remember from the recent batch). She likes putting them on her shoulders and one in each pocket (the deep, baggy kind), but she doesn't like chick poop in her hair.
• We haven't found a house to buy yet. There is one we really like...But we're also toying with the idea of staying in the country and having a house that is not in a neighborhood. Paul changes his mind a lot.
• I still have one foster kitten that I need to find a home for. At times, I have hated all the extra litter duties, but I have really enjoyed the experience so much. I can't wait to do it again!
• Paul is off tomorrow. I wonder how we will spend the day?
• We may go to Asheville next weekend (the Fall colors are wonderful) or we may go to the Creeper Trail if Paul thinks his back can handle it.
• I think I know what design I'll use for this year's Christmas cards.
• There is not a lot on my calendar this week, and I love that!