Fun in the Snow

My idea of superwoman is someone who scrubs her own floors. ~Bette Midler

I don't like snow. However, I'm in the minority at my house. Yesterday, DD and Dd played outside for hours. After dumping about a foot of heavy, wet snow on us, the sun came out -- it was so warm, DD played outside in her snowbibs and a windbreaker, and was still sweating.

Poor Dakota gathers snowballs in her fur something fierce, though, and we make her lie in front of the stove to thaw. Check it out (this CAN'T be comfortable):






I stayed in and did chores all day. Something about having DH home makes me want to clean. So... I swept and vacuumed, did laundry, made dog food, washed dishes (three times), dusted ... you get the idea. Today, though, I have GOT to get caught up on computer stuff (I didn't blog hop, didn't write, didn't do any but the most important work at LASR/WC ... I am BEHIND).

On that note, I will simply say: Have an awesome day :-)

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You Are Unique Because You're Bold

Unlike most people, you're willing to say or do whatever you feel like. You don't try to go along to get along. If you think you're right, you'll hold your ground. You are rare in that you are completely fearless. No one intimidates you. Like a snowflake, you follow your own path. You fly solo, and you like it that way!

The Snowflake Test

Hmmmm.... mostly...

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Monday, Monday

Learning is a treasure that will follow its owner everywhere. ~Chinese Proverb

I was going through DD's schoolwork yesterday -- I only grade her stuff weekly, because I'm a lazy slug -- and discovered that I didn't have enough math worksheets to grade. Ooh...someone hadn't been doing her homework and she was so busted, lol. So she spent yesterday working on math AND she lost TV privileges for this entire week. She's not a happy DD.

However, we just finished our first quarter and her grades are fantastic. Mostly A's and a couple B's -- ironically she's doing best in Math, and that's what she complains most about!

I have to say that I really do admire teachers. I do NOT enjoy grading papers at all, in any way. And as I sat there yesterday doing only one child's papers and scowling the entire time, my admiration grew for the folks who do this on a daily basis for 20 - 30 (or more!) kids -- you all deserve a special pat on the back.

I spent yesterday cleaning. My poor house was in desperate need. I've been good at the basic stuff: sweeping, mopping, dusting, etc. But the "deep" stuff? Scrubbing the bathrooms, wiping down all the cupboards in the kitchen, cleaning the fridge -- that had been left long enough. I didn't get everything done I wanted to because I had laundry and baking to do, too. But I got enough that I didn't get the shakes every time I looked around. I hate a dirty house. I don't mind clutter, but dirt makes me crazy.

Today I'm hoping to get back into some semblance of routine. DH is still home, but I'm going to give it a go. I swear, next November, I'm going to run away from home for the month! *G*

Happy Monday!

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You Are Bubblegum Flavored Toothpaste

You are impulsive about most things in life, and you can't say no to fun! You are always in search of a new adventure. You try to lighten up every task and bring a little zing to your day. You like whimsical little treats, like bubblegum Like everyone else, you have your struggles and problems in life. Unlike everyone else, you don't let the difficulty of life get you down. The world may be a harsh place, but knowing that you can bring sunshine into other people's lives keeps you going.

What Flavor Toothpaste Are You?

The First Rule of Blogthings Is: You Don't Talk About Blogthings

HAHAHAHAHAHA.... no.

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Monday Morning Meme and more

Dust is just a country accent. ~Author Unknown



1. You have just been hired to clean your own home, what is your first complaint?

That hardwood floors are impossible to keep clean! I hate them... hate them. I'll Swiffer and mop and five minutes later there is a fine layer of dust. ARGH!!!!

2. Are you able to ignore a ringing telephone? How often do you allow a ringing phone to go to voice mail? Do you answer your cell phone, out in public, every time it rings? Or do you silence it and get back to it when you’re in a more private area? How often would you say you’re on your home phone? Your cell phone? Do you like talking on the phone or do you view it as a necessary communication tool?

I seldom outright ignore a phone, but I will check caller ID and won't answer a call from a number I don't recognize. My cell phone almost never rings -- I'm not a big phone person and am always amazed at people who have their phones all but glued to their ears. Is there really that much to talk about? But, yeah, when it rings I answer because it's typically either important or it's my mom (who is also important!).

3. When did you last go for a bike ride? Do you own a bike? Do you encourage your children to ride bikes? Given the most popular New Year’s resolution of losing weight, would you consider putting bicycle riding as one of your exercise options? Why or why not?

We did LOTS of bike riding this summer because we'd take Dakota to wear her out. It was the most efficient way to get rid of all that crazy energy she has. But, using it for weight loss or fitness? Nope... because there are so few nice days to ride. We've had frigid temps and snow on the ground for months and have months to go. There is more winter here, than summer. I'm trying to get DH to say "yes" to a treadmill. I'm such a lump.

4. If you had to name a smell that always makes you nostalgic, what would it be? What sorts of memories does the smell evoke?

Leather. And before some of you let your minds run away with that (get them out of the gutter RIGHT NOW. You know who you are), the smell of leather reminds me of horses. I really, really miss having a horse. *sigh*

What about you?

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Attention authors: I am going to begin a "What, When, Where, Why, How" day on the blog. I'll ask you five questions beginning with those words -- you answer (feel free to be verbose. No three word answers, please.) and I post them on the blog. This is in lieu of the guest blogging I had last year. I'll also include an author bio, your site/blog and one book cover. I won't schedule your day until I receive your responses back. IMHO, it's a fun and unique way to showcase yourself.

Interested? email me at authormariannearkins AT gmail DOT com and I'll send you questions.

C'mon... be brave.

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We got about a foot of snow yesterday. Whee.

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You Are Chocolate Chip Pancakes

You prefer sweet and rich foods. You shy away from anything that's overly bland or unnaturally fat free. It's not likely that someone would find low fat cheese or sugar free cookies in your kitchen. Instead, someone might find a pan of brownies baking in the oven or warm popcorn covered in real butter.

What Kind of Pancakes Are You?

Yep. Hence my need for a treadmill!!!

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Done.

I really don't think I need buns of steel. I'd be happy with buns of cinnamon. ~Ellen DeGeneres

I had no idea it would be so exhausting to put in a hardwood floor. My job was simply to sort the pieces and organize them in an appropriate row -- preferable without cutting -- so it was a bit like fitting an enormous jigsaw puzzle. You see, we used "rustic" prefinished hardwood. Rustic means all the bitty pieces and ends and slightly irregular bits that don't go in the premium hardwood. So I had a LOT of bits to fit. These weren't the nice, 5 foot sections of regular hardwood.

I did a lot of standing and squatting and by the end of yesterday (2 1/2 days later) my legs were in agony. But... it's done:





We did three rooms, but all the stray furniture is in the last room, so I didn't take a picture.

Today's duties are all about massive cleaning because there is a layer of dust on absolutely everything. I have to wash all the curtains, and dishes or utensils that are stored outside of cupboards, wash the walls (I have a lot of walls...ugh) and dust the mantle, windowsills, ceiling fans, etc. The blinds are cheapy ones, so I'm throwing them away and buying new ones. I also have to go buy rugs and those little felt whoosies for the legs of all the furniture.

Tomorrow will hopefully be a day of rest if I can actually get all the cleaning done today.

Ugh. Anyone want to come help?

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Dena made me feel a little guilty yesterday in her comments (Hi, Dena!) when she mentioned how sad it makes her feel when she comments on a blog with a question and it isn't answered. I know I've been guilty of that sometimes. I don't mean to be, and I do try to address questions in the next day's post -- but I am horrifically absent-minded and sometimes I just plumb forget.

I'll make an effort to be a little more conscientious about this in the future, just as long as the "future" doesn't include installing flooring. I feel like I've lost two days somewhere. Nothing much besides that got done.

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You Are Peppermint Flavored Gum

You have a sharp mind that is always churning. You are mentally hyper. You're always thinking of something. And while your mind is always on, you're not the most physically active person around. Some people make mistake you for being lazy, but the truth is: you never relax. You tend to get so deeply into your projects that you ignore everything around you. You are creative and cutting edge. You love telling people about your newest ideas and discoveries.

What Flavor Gum Are You?

Well... wow. That's pretty close to RIGHT on...

Scary.

Monday Madness...

Housework is something you do that nobody notices until you don't do it. ~Author Unknown

My husband claims I am not organized. This is because he looks at my personal areas in the home and sees clutter (my desk, for instance). He doesn't realize that I know what and where every last bit of paper is, and when it bothers him to the point he tidies it up (usually by stacking everything in one big pile) he doesn't understand why I get angry... It's "neater" isn't it?

I am also very nuts about laundry. When I take off my clothes, they are ALWAYS right side in (unless they need washing inside out, as is the case in very few instances). My socks, my shirts... everything: right side in. My DH? Nope -- and if he's wearing layers, they all come off, together and inside out, and are put in the basket the same way.

DD's fave laundry quirk is taking off her pants, undies and socks all together so that the socks and undies hide inside the pants until it's too late...

If I lived alone, and if I were struck blind tomorrow (no, God, this was NOT a suggestion) I would be able to find anything in my house. I know where my dishes are, I know how I organize my junk drawer. I even fold my underwear (something that mystifies my husband who, before we were married didn't own a dresser, just two laundry baskets: clean and dirty).

The odd thing is this: My DH considers ME the untidy one. He believes my clutter is a "mess" and will stuff it places -- not where it belongs (in the closet, the drawer, the nightstand), just off the flat spaces so that things look neat.

Our house is frighteningly tidy. He and I compliment each other -- where I am neat, he is not. And vice versa. It may create frustration on both our parts, but it does make the house look good!

What about you? Organized? Tidy? A pack rat? Clutterbug?

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I have given up the ghost on my NaNo endeavor... that said, I really, really enjoy the story I'm writing, so it will be completed. Just not by the end of November. That frustrates me to no end, as I am all about setting and reaching goals. I probably could have done it if I had had the occasional day alone with no DD or DH around. That just never happened. And, DH was here more than he was gone -- he took many, many days off for hunting season, and then frequently decided to NOT hunt and hung around home.

I'm sad. It's the first time I haven't "won" at NaNo... *sniff*

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You Are 65% Real

You know who you are, and you're pretty darn comfortable with yourself. Like everyone, you struggle with the parts of yourself that aren't so great... But you're good at accepting who you are and not dwelling on your faults. As a result, you're confident, optimistic, and very real.

How Real Are You?