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!

Kitten Heaven

Hanging with Mr. August Jones. He recently got his tiny bits removed!

Discovering their love of shoestrings.

This is Alaska and Indiana - before they had to go back to the shelter. I have no idea if they are still at the shelter. I've been afraid to look. :(

My honey! He loves kittens too!

A lap full of kittens would make anyone smile.

On Again - Off Again

I have an "on again - off again" relationship with this blog. Sometimes I write a lot; sometimes I don't. When I don't write it is usually because a) I can't think of anything, b) I don't have time, or c) I can't write about what I want to write about.
I know exactly what it is like to "be in the closet." It is claustrophobic in here!
I have developed an interest in politics and a keen interest in the health care debate. While I agree that the availability and affordability of health care is a matter that concerns everyone, this particular subject directly affects Paul's career. And after running his office for 3 years, I've developed an opinion about this topic. Since I think about the current political climate and the current health care debate quite a bit, that is the topic that I'd most like to blog about.
But I don't.
Although it's my blog and I can write about picking my nose if I want to, for now, I'm just going to "stay in the closet."
I fell "off" the no-pork wagon recently. I ordered an egg & cheese biscuit from McDonalds, and I didn't discover that it was a sausage & cheese biscuit until I had left. I didn't have time to go back so I just ate it. YUM!!!!
I promised I wouldn't be crazy about not eating pork.... Paul confirms that I haven't been crazy. But I am back "on" the no-pork wagon and still happy about it.

Chores

I asked Abbie to help me fold laundry. I dumped the items on the couch, and she loved the fresh-from-the-dryer-warmth. She asked me to take the picture so that "you" could see if you can find Abbie (like Where's Waldo).

August Jones, Indiana Jones, and Alaska Jones (and the ears of Friday Jones). Eagerly waiting for me and Abbie to come play.

A bumblebee. I'm a bumblebee lover!