I'm In The Hospital

Yep, that's right. In the hospital. Outpatient, Room 3.

Why? STUPID SNOW!!!!!!

I received a call today about noon from my immediate supervisor reminding me that I was on the schedule to work tomorrow, Monday, 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM. She felt the need to remind me of that given the trecherous road conditions. She wanted to gently remind me that if I didn't make it in to fulfill my shift, I'd receive an unexcused absence (I'm confused...is this elementary school...). She suggested that I might want to consider coming in this evening and spending the night so I'd be sure to be here bright and early and ready to go at 6:45 AM. After some deliberation and pouting and nagging from my husband how what's melted today would be a sheet of ice at 6:00 AM tomorrow, I packed my bags, slugged my way to the car and got here about 5:30 this evening.

My room for the night looks something like this, minus the window of course.



And I can't find the remote to the TV. The woman staying in the room a few doors down from me relunctantly let me borrow hers. Well, actually, she walked in my room, turned the TV on, asked me what channel I wanted to watch and proceeded to push the buttons herself. I asked if she minded if I just held onto the remote for a short 3 mintues to surf through the channels myself? After I assured her I'd return the thing and gave her the name and address of my first born, she slapped the clicker in my hand and huffed back down the hall. Looks like I'll be watching something called "Snapped" all night because I'm a little afraid to approach that woman again!

Oh my God, will it ever be hot and humid again here???

Stupid snow!

Stupid Snow

Yeah, it's pretty and all and, THANKFULLY, I'm off Friday (yesterday) through tomorrow but the white stuff's really thrown a kinker in the long weekend plans.

My personal contractors, aka Mom & Daddy, arrived late Thursday evening.  The plan was this; hook up the sink on Friday and install the new window on Saturday.  We've taken one step forward and two steps back.  The sink did get connected and I'm happy to report that I have running water, both hot and cold.  But the idea of replacing a window during a snow and sleet storm in below freezing temperatures just didn't appeal to Contractor Dad. 

I tried to bribe, eh, I mean convince, him with a platter full of homemade Starbucks Cranberry Bliss Bars but I wasn't successful.  Oh, he ate them and said "thank you" and then took a comfy seat on the couch...

But while resting and recharging, he did commit to realigning the sink, mirror and overhead lighting.  Maybe I should make that 3 steps back...  So my once almost done bath has been torn apart again.  But this is a "minor" project according to Contractor Dad.  The electrical box for the light fixture was removed from it's original location, and too far to the right of the sink, and relocated a few inches to the left where it will hold the lightfixture perfectly aligned over the mirror AND sink!

I'm just holding my breath that it won't be TOO far to the left now and not allow enough room for the edge/trim of the window. 

Stupid snow... 

I May Be Sorry

I got caught up in the moment. Caught up in another opportunity to spend a long weekend (and Valentine's weekend at that) with my daughter at the beach. I'm not letting the fact that I've only been running sporadically over the last two months keep me from this event.

But I'm focused and determined now and have my work schedule set so that I have three good days per week set aside for training. And I'm registered so there's no turning back now!

I'm sure I'll run passionately - ugly but passionately. And I will finish - slowly but I will finish!

So think of me while you're enjoying the champagne and chocolates that I know your significant others will be treating you to.

And I have my fingers crossed that they'll at least have a bag of stinking Hershey Kisses for us at the finish line!

Do They Resemble One Another?

Late last summer/early Fall, my husband was involved in a "case" that had a happily-ever-after ending. While he was in the family's home writing the report, he commented excitedly about the real German Nutcrackers the homeowners had on display. I've shared with you before Michael's slight obsession with the wooden figurines. Personally, I don't get it but every one's got a "thing"... I suppose his comes from his military stint in Germany. I should be happy his obsession is Nutcrackers and not Hefe Weizen or pub winches!

Imagine his surprise when an anonymous gift was left for him just a week before Christmas. There was nothing but a short note saying "thank you for the daily risks you take in order to keep our community safe." He brought the box home and we opened it together. He was thrilled and was convinced the treat had to come from the family he assisted earlier in the year.

In the box was a genuine German Nutcracker Geppetto and Nutcracker Pinocchio, complete with a nose that grows (you have to replace the short one with the long one...cute, huh?). Much to my chagrin, he found a careful place to display the dolls.

Today I was taking down the rest of my Christmas decor, to include the new Nutcrackers. As I was dusting them off, it occurred to me...Geppetto looks an awful lot like my dad...

What do you think?

Will I Be Crooked When I'm 135?

 My mom and dad left this afternoon after a 10 day stay.  They combined spending Christmas with us with the last bathroom renovation.  And while the project is not complete, the potty and shower are now functioning and for that I am grateful! 

As many of you know, my home has been a work in progress for the last 8 years.  One room at a time we (may dad) have "updated" it and made it our own (within our very limited budget!).  During the last ten days, Daddy has painstakingly tried to update our downstairs bathroom.

Layne-Lynn Farm (circa Janaury '09)

This is our little house (above) in the woods.  According to what we've heard and researched, our house is in the neighborhood of 135 years old.  Not only that, it was relocated to where it sits today from the little town of Gulf, about twelce miles from us.  I'm sure you get where I'm going with this...my house is crooked.  The walls are crooked, the floors are warped, no two doorways or windows are the same size and not a room in the entire house is "square".  Herein lies the challenge for any carpentry, plumbing, cosmetic work.

My dad does what he can to make each room beautiful, in my eyes.  But in EVERY project, there's had to be compromise.  I either had to have the picture on the wall hang level or have it hang so it looked straight to the naked eye but was really as crooked as a dog's hind leg!  The crown moulding bows in the middle and the baseboards look "wavy" because the floor is warped.

The downstairs bath has been no exception.  Notice the cardboard I had to place under the legs of my new little linen cabinet.  It had to be raised at least a good inch in the front in order to stand level (there's that word again).  This is only a temporary fix until leg extenders can be made/purchased.  And then there's the pedastal sink.  It doesn't line up with the overhead light fixture.  So, that meant I had to decide...do I line up the mirror with the overhead lights or with the sink - I couldn't have it both ways. 

Yep, I've learned a lot about compromise living in this old house.  And it's given me pause for consideration as I, too, grow older.  One day, I may have to compromise as I get out of bed - do I push myself up and bear the weight of my body on my achy knees or do I lay in bed a little longer and allow my back to get a little stiffer.  Do I concern myself about my knotted little fingers from arthritis that's set in or do I count myself blessed that I still have all ten fingers and they work, albeit a little slower. 

Our entire lives are a compromise.  Choices.  Remember that if you come to visit one day.  Remember that, while my baseboards may be wavy, my house is solid as a rock.  I know this because my dad compromised - - - he used bolts instead of screws!

2009 Book Club Wrap Up

A year in books...

I like to give credit where credit's due, even if I'm part of the GREAT idea! Little did I know that I would be surrounding myself with warm, funny, intelligent, caring, talented women when Karen and I put out the invitation to start this little Chatham-ite book club. What a year it's been - thanks ladies!

I'd be fibbing if I said all of our selections were slam-dunk winners. They weren't. But that's okay because we still learned something from the read, even if it was the fact we simply didn't care for the book! And I know, personally, I've read books I never would have considered as a result, which has only broadened my mind and knowledge.

Our meetings prompted debate, laughter and sometimes even memories from our pasts. Many times I was content to simply sit and listen and learn and say a quiet prayer of "thank you...thank you for bringing these women into my life". And let's not forget the wine - oh, the wine! Keep your eyes open for "Sandytoes" on the shelves, you won't be disappointed! (Thank you Marianne!).

I've mentioned in past posts how in awe I am of this place I call home. And this small circle of new friends that I had no idea literally lived just down the road from me solidifies my continued amazement of this little community. We are rich in culture, the arts, small-town politics and grass roots concern. In my own selfish way, I hope we're never discovered...

Let me share a little of our Christmas party with you -

Our group (starting from the lower left corner and going around the room): Carol, Charlee, Lindy, Gretchen, Luann, Marianne, Karen and Diane. Cathy, we missed you!

Carol was our gracious hostess. How sweet is her Christmas tree all adorned in purple?


And Carol's Santas gave us a warm reception as we came into the house.


We played the Chinese gift-giving game; in other words, don't get attached to that gift because it may be ripped from your hands at any moment. Carol LOVED her Fiesta ware-looking stacking mugs and, fortunately, was able to keep them for herself!



And remarkably, no one tried to steal Marianne's Russell Stover chocolate box! I think we all agreed she deserved it after completing that Half in November! My runner girlfriend - you rock like the star you are!!! I'm so proud of you!


And this is Miss Charlee's second gift as, like I mentioned above, her first selection was lovingly taken from her earlier in the game. Ironically enough, it was a deliciously scented candle which I know she would have loved to have lit shortly after she opened it. You had to have been there...as one of Carol's beagles causually strolled through the room!




Oh look how in awe I am of this beautiful hanging tea-light red star! I had big plans for this baby as my entire kitchen and family room is red - no, I mean RED (have you been to my house???). My excitement was short lived as I knew it would be. This was too pretty to stay in one set of hands through the night! (note to self - get to Pier One ASAP before they're sold out!)



Not to worry, I didn't go home empty handed. Nope, I received a gift card from our local Chatham Marketplace, another secret we have here in Chatham county! My plans? Lattes for me and my dad! What better gift could there be?!





And Gretchen got beautiful oil and vinegar bottles in a pretty wrought iron holder to sit atop her kitchen counter. Almost too pretty to use!

Sorry I missed the other ladies opening their gifts but trust us when we say it was a beautiful night of friendship, gifts and fellowship.

I'm looking forward to another year of books and literature.

"To sit alone in the lamplight with a book spread out before you and hold intimate converse with men of unseen generations - such is a pleasure beyond compare." - Kenko Yoshida

A Breath Of Fresh Air

It's been a time where we all just needed to be together.  Brandi made it home last weekend and the stars were aligned and our moods were lifted and I was reminded that life goes on.

Bran was on a bit of a mission this trip so we headed out to Dale's on US1 in Tramway (Sanford).  What a beautiful day to stroll through Frazier Furs, live wreaths and rows and rows of Pointsettias.

Inside Dale's was a fabulous assortment of tree ornaments, outside "yard art" and unique gifts for that hard-to-buy for loved one.

Nutcrackers are a favorite of my husband's.  I've allowed, yes allowed, him to have a tree of his own to do with as he sees fit.  He calls it his "old timey tree", which he covers in mini nutcrackers, real candy canes (that the cats think were hung specifically for their entertainment) and those big bulbs that get dangerously hot that we had on our tree when I was a kid.  It makes him happy and I have to admit, it adds a nostalgic feel to the otherwise "don't touch my tree" that I have downstairs.

I love the detail in this "carved" Santa crescent moon.  Maybe I need to make room for a third tree so I can hang beauties like these and not feel guilty about altering the theme...(I think I sound a little neurotic here).

These little guys were just cute and said to me as I passed by, "Hey, snap us!  Snap us!"  So I did.

Little did we know that the "big guy" was due to arrive!  What a surprise that was!

Even "Max" had a wish list he needed to share with Santa! 

This was just one of the many beautifully decorated trees in "Dale's, Too".  "Dale's, Too" is an extension of the greenhouse and is always my go-to shop when I need something extra special.

And just look at the Pointsettias we had to choose from!  Two came home with us and they've kick-started my Christmas decorating.

Yep, it was a much needed together weekend...