May 10, 2008 Ship of Thieves! Stealing the Magic..AGAIN!!! Panama Canal FL to CA!!! Part 7

[disneylover5]

I accomplished quite a bit on house cleaning yesterday....but I did not enjoy one bit of it. If I had the money....I would hire someone...mainly just to pick things up off the floor! No matter how many times it seems I pick something up, something replaces it immediately!

I hate to tell you this, but until they are grown up and gone...this will not change.

I can't tell you how many shoes I picked up this weekend.....

 

[HollyTyler]

I am the same way!! If you give me a tenative route, I will be happy to check to see if there are any caves or other exciting things Tyler might want to do. Just let me know.

Thanks Noel, I appreciate your assistance! We pick up I-75 near Dayton, OH and will take that basically the whole way down thorugh KY & TN.

 

[Jhalkias]

I accomplished quite a bit on house cleaning yesterday....but I did not enjoy one bit of it. If I had the money....I would hire someone...mainly just to pick things up off the floor! No matter how many times it seems I pick something up, something replaces it immediately!

I know how you feel Vanessa, I feel like that a lot sometimes too . . . I really like for my house to be neat and clean, but . . .

I’ve learned to think of it differently . . . Life, if you really think of it, disdains order. Life is messy. Life is not a museum, life is a carnival, a free for all. Whenever I have to pick up, or clean up all this stuff (which is hourly too) , I just look at it and tell myself this is the “evidence of life” all around me. Without all this stuff, without all this mess, there would be no life, and I have to be grateful for and remember these times because they do not last forever.

Some day my house may be the cleanest and stay clean for days at a time – only then will I realize what is missing, and I think I will miss it.

Amy has an aunt who always wanted to keep her house like a museum. The living room was an unapproachable place. You were afraid to take children there to visit.

Amy will attest that our house is full of the “Evidence of Life”, and I wouldn’t have it any other way – even though like Angie and Dennis, sometimes I could fill a dumpster with all that evidence!

 

[birkner]

I watched a few hours of it earlier. Then we had to switch over and watch the season premiere of Simpsons. Also Family Guy tonight was a re-interpretation of Star Wars using the Family Guy characters. We had seen a preview of it a Comic-Con and while not fans of the show normally we wanted to see the whole episode - it was pretty funny.

Watched the Langolier's this morning.

I recorded The Stand on my DVR as I knew I wouldn't get to watch the whole thing yesterday. I saw the Langolier's was on earlier and remember seeing it a few years ago. I was also watching the 49ers and the Monk marathon.

 

[HollyTyler]

I know how you feel Vanessa, I feel like that a lot sometimes too . . . I really like for my house to be neat and clean, but . . .

I’ve learned to think of it differently . . . Life, if you really think of it, disdains order. Life is messy. Life is not a museum, life is a carnival, a free for all. Whenever I have to pick up, or clean up all this stuff (which is hourly too) , I just look at it and tell myself this is the “evidence of life” all around me. Without all this stuff, without all this mess, there would be no life, and I have to be grateful for and remember these times because they do not last forever.

Some day my house may be the cleanest and stay clean for days at a time – only then will I realize what is missing, and I think I will miss it.

Amy has an aunt who always wanted to keep her house like a museum. The living room was an unapproachable place. You were afraid to take children there to visit.

Amy will attest that our house is full of the “Evidence of Life”, and I wouldn’t have it any other way – even though like Angie and Dennis, sometimes I could fill a dumpster with all that evidence!

John, that's the best way of describing what's the best idea I've heard in a long time. I'm going to hold onto your idea and try to remember it on those days I get so frustrated about how messy our house is. Before having Tyler, I used to be one of those people who had everything in its place, and not a speck of clutter lying around anywhere. Spotless house in all regards. And after he's grown up and moved out on his own, my house can return to that condition should I choose to do so. In the meantime, you're right....these times won't last forever, so I'm going to keep all our "evidence of life" lying around!

Thanks for making me feel better about my messy house!

 

[birkner]

Me too Noel!

Who is(are) your favorite(s) author(s)?????

I have never seen Firefly or Serenity - Alex LOVES them both!

New Heroes tonight!

Good Morning Everyone!

I have to admit that I watch more sci fi these days than I read. I love all the Arthur Clarke books, H.P. Lovecraft, Jules Verne, Piers Anthony and own virtually every book written about the Star Trek characters.

 

[birkner]

another Monday. Yesterday...I am not sure what was wrong with the girls...Samantha was helping in the kitchen and knocked over a glass which broke...then at dinner she somehow flipped my plate on to the floor. Then a bit later she managed to knock over a candle - more glass....and neither of them were listening at all. I was at my wits end...it was pouring out so I couldn't really go walk around outside...
John was wanting to watch football and kept trying to put a movie on or something for them but it wasn't working...I really was glad to come to work this morning...I hate to say that but they both want to hang on me and for me to hold them constantly. Samantha is just to tall for me to carry any more and this really seems to hurt her feelings.
Hopefully tonight will be better....I just needed a little break.

As a parent, I remember there are just some days you just want to be over!! Maybe the rain just made them restless. My sister in law used to hate the snow days in Massachusetts with the kids when they couldn't go outside. Despite a full basement with all kinds of to do and area to run around the kids would fight all day.

Hope the girls have a wonderful day at school and when you get home all will back to some sense of normalcy.

 

[birkner]

I accomplished quite a bit on house cleaning yesterday....but I did not enjoy one bit of it. If I had the money....I would hire someone...mainly just to pick things up off the floor! No matter how many times it seems I pick something up, something replaces it immediately!

Having a cleaning lady is the only way I kept my sanity when my kids were growing up. At least ONE day a week, I could come home and the house would be totally clean!! She always came for the day on Friday so the house started the weekend sparkling clean.

My kids were total slobs growing up as kids often are but both girls are total neat freaks as adults!! My son on the other hand and grandsons, well that is another story!!

Our house seemed to be the center of all of kids and their friends. If they weren't in the pool, or the game room or playing basketball, they were outside roaming around. I can't even tell you how many loads of pool towels I have done over the years!! Add in as they got older all the sleepovers, parties, I am grateful now to have some peace and quiet and a relatively clean house!!

You can see why I like to take trips with the GK's. Raised two sets of kids and really love the GK's but not the accompanying mess that goes along with them for lengthy periods of time.

 

[mishoe01]

Marilyn - CONGRATS on baby Molly! I know she will be loved

Kathe - I'll bore you with some of my simple scrapbooks when you're here if you want me to (heehee). Also, enjoy your new baby girl....my parents love having their new granddaughter (Sydney is 7 months old now). I love the fact that they named Serenity after the prayer....that will serve as a daily reminder!

John - loved the pics!


Can't believe it's Monday already! UGH!!

 

[birkner]

I know how you feel Vanessa, I feel like that a lot sometimes too . . . I really like for my house to be neat and clean, but . . .

I’ve learned to think of it differently . . . Life, if you really think of it, disdains order. Life is messy. Life is not a museum, life is a carnival, a free for all. Whenever I have to pick up, or clean up all this stuff (which is hourly too) , I just look at it and tell myself this is the “evidence of life” all around me. Without all this stuff, without all this mess, there would be no life, and I have to be grateful for and remember these times because they do not last forever.

Some day my house may be the cleanest and stay clean for days at a time – only then will I realize what is missing, and I think I will miss it.

Amy has an aunt who always wanted to keep her house like a museum. The living room was an unapproachable place. You were afraid to take children there to visit.

Amy will attest that our house is full of the “Evidence of Life”, and I wouldn’t have it any other way – even though like Angie and Dennis, sometimes I could fill a dumpster with all that evidence!

I agree that the "evidence of life" memories are wonderful. However, I am a clean freak so I am happiest when my house is clean. Even when we travel, we are quite neat and I taught my kids to be the same. I don't mind the messes, just the constant cleanup. We live in the chaos with the GK's now so it is much easier as we are not responsible for the constant cleanup, just short bursts. Just something in my Germanic genes, I guess.

 

[birkner]

Thanks Noel, I appreciate your assistance! We pick up I-75 near Dayton, OH and will take that basically the whole way down thorugh KY & TN.

I will check out a few things and post later.

 

[Jhalkias]

I agree that the "evidence of life" memories are wonderful. However, I am a clean freak so I am happiest when my house is clean. Even when we travel, we are quite neat and I taught my kids to be the same. I don't mind the messes, just the constant cleanup. We live in the chaos with the GK's now so it is much easier as we are not responsible for the constant cleanup, just short bursts. Just something in my Germanic genes, I guess.

I am too Noel, but to me there is a decided difference between being "clean" and being messy or cluttered. Our house is for the most part always "clean", and I can't stand what I would call a dirty house.

Clutter though - toys, clothes, shoes, and the like, I can live with. To me it makes our house a home rather than a museum. Sometimes Amy worries if we have company that they will think we are "messy" people - my response alway is this is what and who we are, and yes, we have kids that leave toys and stuff lying about. So be it. I won't pretend to be someone that we aren't, and when I get the time we will get the clutter put away - only to be replaced another day!

 

[Jhalkias]

I have to admit that I watch more sci fi these days than I read. I love all the Arthur Clarke books, H.P. Lovecraft, Jules Verne, Piers Anthony and own virtually every book written about the Star Trek characters.

I love all those too . . . my first book I read as a kid though was "The Caves of Steel" by Isaac Asimov. Loved his books, Heinlein, Niven, Pournelle, I could go on, and on . . .

Currently reading Terry Brooks Prelude to The "Shanara" series - "Armageddon's Children".

 

[1Grumpy John]

Thank you so much to everyone for the kinds words You truly are a special group of people
Today has just been like a whirlwind I wanted to get up to the hospital before visiting hours so I could have Serenity all to myself, so I was up early and decided to bake muffins to take ( Brian is staying overnight too, the nurses put a cot in the room) and both Brian and Samantha hate the hospital food. I kept almost getting out the door, but they kept taking turns calling me to ask me to bring something with me..you know, baby clothes, the car seat, slippers, apples, phone rechargers....it went on and on...LOL. Finally I told them that was IT! I was coming up to see and hold that baby After a few hours of visiting, I finally tore myself away, I had to pick up a cake for my daughter's birthday , come home and rake leaves, yep, that time of year again, and wash and sort baby clothes and finish getting their room ready. Also had to clean the house as they are coming home tomorrow and everyone is calling and wanting to come over for a visit over the next few days. I sure wish this had all taken place when I was off work for 6 weeks this summer! I'm exhausted already
Kathe

Very best wishes to you and your DS and soon to be DDIL, and of course SERENITY (I love that name) If your son doesn't own a camera might be time for him to get one!!!! you will want tons of pixs of the baby and this time will pass before you know it.

 

[birkner]

I love all those too . . . my first book I read as a kid though was "The Caves of Steel" by Isaac Asimov. Loved his books, Heinlein, Niven, Pournelle, I could go on, and on . . .

Currently reading Terry Brooks Prelude to The "Shanara" series - "Armageddon's Children".

How could I forget Isaac Asimov, Robert Heinlein or Larry Niven!!!

 

[lillygator]

I know how you feel Vanessa, I feel like that a lot sometimes too . . . I really like for my house to be neat and clean, but . . .

I’ve learned to think of it differently . . . Life, if you really think of it, disdains order. Life is messy. Life is not a museum, life is a carnival, a free for all. Whenever I have to pick up, or clean up all this stuff (which is hourly too) , I just look at it and tell myself this is the “evidence of life” all around me. Without all this stuff, without all this mess, there would be no life, and I have to be grateful for and remember these times because they do not last forever.

Some day my house may be the cleanest and stay clean for days at a time – only then will I realize what is missing, and I think I will miss it.

Amy has an aunt who always wanted to keep her house like a museum. The living room was an unapproachable place. You were afraid to take children there to visit.

Amy will attest that our house is full of the “Evidence of Life”, and I wouldn’t have it any other way – even though like Angie and Dennis, sometimes I could fill a dumpster with all that evidence!

what a fantastic way to describe it!! and yes, our house is "clean" just extremely cluttered!
But you are right, I am sure there will come a day that I will miss that.

Thanks Noel, I too hope the girls will be less restless tonight. It's sunny out and hopefully we can swim. I also have a large pot of coins I am going to have Samantha and Haley help count and roll, I think it will help them learn the coins, etc.

 

[MrsMork]

I know how you feel Vanessa, I feel like that a lot sometimes too . . . I really like for my house to be neat and clean, but . . .

I’ve learned to think of it differently . . . Life, if you really think of it, disdains order. Life is messy. Life is not a museum, life is a carnival, a free for all. Whenever I have to pick up, or clean up all this stuff (which is hourly too) , I just look at it and tell myself this is the “evidence of life” all around me. Without all this stuff, without all this mess, there would be no life, and I have to be grateful for and remember these times because they do not last forever.

Some day my house may be the cleanest and stay clean for days at a time – only then will I realize what is missing, and I think I will miss it.

Amy has an aunt who always wanted to keep her house like a museum. The living room was an unapproachable place. You were afraid to take children there to visit.

Amy will attest that our house is full of the “Evidence of Life”, and I wouldn’t have it any other way – even though like Angie and Dennis, sometimes I could fill a dumpster with all that evidence!

Umm.... this is dumpster number THREE!! Way to much evidence of life! John1 I love your thoughts. Life is like a circus and we would not have it any other way!

 

[lillygator]

We have to start working on family pages for the classroom book as well. I don't know where to begin...maybe have Samantha pick out things that she feels describe our family? And a page of things she likes to do? Hmmm....I'll ask her and see what her imagination thinks these pages are supposed to be like!

 

[lillygator]

well Mother Nature has changed her mind...it is now pouring!

 

[MrsMork]

I am too Noel, but to me there is a decided difference between being "clean" and being messy or cluttered. Our house is for the most part always "clean", and I can't stand what I would call a dirty house.

Clutter though - toys, clothes, shoes, and the like, I can live with. To me it makes our house a home rather than a museum. Sometimes Amy worries if we have company that they will think we are "messy" people - my response alway is this is what and who we are, and yes, we have kids that leave toys and stuff lying about. So be it. I won't pretend to be someone that we aren't, and when I get the time we will get the clutter put away - only to be replaced another day!

BRAVO!!!! The mother of my best friend in high school used to say, "if they come to inspect my house they can stay away, if they come to see me all are welcome!"