back to normal?

I think that it's time to detox off of the holidays. We are completely off schedule, out of whack, off the diet, and are generally living in chaos. Not good. Time to put our lives back together.

I went to the mall today and the sales were amazing. I picked a few things up but didn't go too crazy. I could have if I had let myself, but I tried to show some restraint. I LOVE shopping though. I mean I really love it. If I had any kind of money to back that bad habit up I would be in some serious trouble. I do enough damage as it is with the little cash that I do have. And I am a sucker for a sale. And a coupon. I love to get on the mailing list for my favorite stores so that they send me all the good coupons. I didn't even check today to see if I had any coupons before I ventured out. So out of character! But there were great deals to be had even for the couponless today.

I need to make a giant to-do list for myself to get through the next couple weeks. I failed so miserably with the last one that I posted here that I'm not sure I will put you all through it again, but suffice it to say that I should probably get my butt in gear. I think I'll start with paying this month's bills. So the next time you see me I should have paid my bills and made a list. Deal?

i'm right here

Where have I been???

I'm still here. It's just not worth beating all the other computer addicts who have been here off the computer to get my time in. So I've just stayed away. No bother.

I've been reading two books - A Million Little Pieces, and The Lovely Bones. So far they are both amazing. I get lost in both of them. The Lovely Bones has expanded my mind, and I am really enjoying it for that reason alone. I am a completely slow reader, so it will take me awhile to get through them, especially since I am reading two at a time. I NEVER do that. But I am now. Don't know why really.

The holidays were lovely (that's for you, V). Everyone was happy and cheerful, and we mostly enjoyed each other's company. It was better than I thought. I'm kinda sad it's over.

I'm looking ahead now, because WE'RE GOING HOME!!!
I am so excited and nervous and relieved and happy! Life can get back to normal. Or at least as normal as it's ever been, whatever that is.

Things aren't turning out the way that we thought, but when do they ever? We're choosing to be thankful regardless.

in memoriam

I lost a dear friend this week. He was amazing in ways I don't think I could even express. The words would simply not do him justice. I am particularly sad because I am away, and will not be able to attend the services. I think that some closure here would have done me some good, but unfortunately it is out of my control.

We shared a lot of things, he and I. We did a lot of our growing up together. We meshed in a way that nobody understood. We spoke our own secret language.
He got me. And I got him.
He was smart and talented.
And fun.
And funny.
And comfortable.
He was genuine.
And true.

I miss him.

"Eternal rest grant unto him, oh, Lord; and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace."

surprises

Do you peek?

Personally, I never peek. I LOVE surprises. I hate knowing what my gifts will be beforehand. I was never one of those kids who looked for the present stash or unwrapped and rewrapped the gifts before Christmas morning. Part of the fun is being surprised! Oddly, I am married to the worst secret keeper in all the world. Not many surprises coming my way with him around. But when he does pull it off, it is usually AMAZING and makes up for all the non-surprise gifts along the way.
One year, short on cash, we said that we could only make gifts for each other. I predictably made him a scrapbook. He drew a picture of my tattoo and had it framed. I loved it. I cried. It was beautiful. Last year he replaced my missing wedding ring. Ok, I kinda knew it was coming, but I still cried. He took the time to have it correctly sized and engraved and it was such a touching gift to receive. One year for Valentine's Day, he wisked the kiddos off to a babysitter, and took me out for a moonlit picnic in a favorite place of mine. And he brought along some things he had written and questions for me, so we had amazing conversation too. It was a magical night.
I think most of the time, he is just so excited about a gift or idea, that he can't keep the secret that long. And that's ok. Because he always goes out of his way to make me happy, and I know how lucky I am to have someone in this world who cares so much about me. And it IS the thought that counts. And with him there is so much thought and love in everything he does. So I usually know what is coming. Big deal.

But then again, you just never know. He just might surprise me!