Mom says...

Last week I made a bedskirt for the antique bed in Chris'/Ian's room. Mentioned this to Mom on the phone and now she says I have to post a pic so she can see it. So here it is. :)

Furlough Fun

Today I'm on my first regularly scheduled furlough mandated by my employer for the year. We are required to take 8 furlough days, 5 which are "scheduled" and 3 which are at our own choosing. So...today's was the first "scheduled" one.

Quite a few of my fellow employees are really crabby about being furloughed. Loss of pay, same amount of work, and less time to get it done it. While I'm crabby too, I'm trying to put a better spin on it...i.e. even though we are taking a pay reduction it really does give me a chance to catch up on things that I want to do. You can't buy that kind of time. So what am I doing? I'm baking a pound cake (again), intend to go shopping, and then sleep all afternoon with the cats.

Post Summer or Pre Fall

Today's weather was crisp but clear. Believe it or not, this morning we had our first snow flurries. Snowing on October 10....that has to be a first. The plants are valiantly trying to survive...the last of my smmer pink geraniums are blooming and yet the first of my fall sedums are too. So what time of year is this really...late summer or early fall? But then again...maybe winter? I'm so confused...

Time For More Jewelry Making

Today was a nice relaxing Sunday...the kind you wish would last forever. Made a bedskirt for the antique bed in Chris' redecorated room. Also made a new necklace and bracelet...I keep wondering when I'll run out of ideas. If you do run out of ideas...just let it sit for a few days and let the creative juices run again. Then look at your beads and more ideas will come.

Oatmeal just got yelled at by Gman. He's trying to do his work and she decided she wanted to be next to him. So she curled up on his briefcase and got yelled at. Poor kitty...

Empty Nesters

So today must be what it is going to be like in 3 years when Eric leaves for college. Today, Eric went to his best buds home for a birthday party and is staying over night. That leaves the parents home without any children. During the first part of the day, we hardly noticed he was gone since we were busy out in the yard winterizing it and raking (ugh...for the next 3 or 4 weeks we will be slaves to the leaves).

Anyway, after we were done, we sauntered inside to collapse in our chairs in front of the boob tube. With remotes in hand, we started to surf through the channels. Some 30 minutes later, we realized how quiet it was. At first, it was somewhat refreshing...but then as time dragged on, it seemed somewhat awkward. As dinner time rolled around, I found myself trying to talk myself out of cooking "just for two". It wasn't really worth it...was it? I wasn't hungry anyway...so I just kinda let the clock run out.

The two cats were busy being their lazy selves. Today was no different for them except that their people were home instead of at work. But they didn't let this put a cramp in their style...they slept the entire day anway.

Since this lonely feeling was somewhat new to me, I decided to blog. I ask myself...so when Eric leaves for good, will this awkward feeling occupy my days? How will I get through? Or will it eventually go away and I'll get back to focusing on ourselves as a couple instead of ourselves as parents...parents who never have time for themselves and are always doing something for others. This is an interesting dilemma. One I haven't contemplated since before 1987 and the birth of Ian. The thoughts and motivations of 22 years ago seem so long ago...and now seem so selfish. Yet at the time, they didn't seem that way. Hmmm....I'll have to think about this some more. But I won't have to think about it for awhile...Eric doesn't leave for 3 more years...so no worries.

Chris' New Room

Ha! Thought of a possible blog item.

In late August, we shipped our second oldest off to college at UW Madison...his departure created a hole in our hearts and home that we won't ever be able to fix...but it also created a new room that has become a much needed guest room! It needed redecorating...taking it from a b.o. infested football/soccer/wrestler high school athletic locker room to a calm, serene, soothing bedroom for visiting family and friends.

And yes...when (and if) Chris (or Ian for that matter) ever visit home again, it will become their bedroom again. But once they leave (which surely will happen)...it goes right back to a guest room. Here's the photo of the new bedroom suite.

Now What?

So now that I have my own official blog, what do I do? Since I'm not sure, I'll have to ponder this for awhile.

Whilst I might get street cred from the kids for keeping up with the times and gettin' a blog, "old ones" like me will probably take our time thinkin' before we blog. Very much unlike the young ones of today who cross the street then look for cars. They probably get their blogs, plunge head first, and blog away. No direction...no forethought...no plan. Much like their day to day 'living on the edge' philosophy...e.g. buying the latest electronic gadget even though the one they have is plenty good enough. Spending their last dime today with no fear of how they are going to pay for tomorrow's bills.

No, my blog won't proceed this way. What will my blog say? What is my blog's goal? What is my blog's point? There are so many questions that my blog could ruminate. I'll think about this some more. B/c tomorrow is another day.