Thursday, December 4, 2014

Tiny Houses

Since the whole November posting thing didn't work as it was intended, I kept all of Kim's prompts and will use them when I feel the need to write something. And today? I feel the need to write something, anything.

This summer I became obsessed with the whole tiny house movement. Now I don't think Jeff and I could ever live in a tiny home permanently. I mean, where would we put all of the children when they came to visit?  (And they better visit.) But when the house is full of people and all of their things, it is sort of daydreamy to imagine living in something that takes a couple of hours to scrub top to bottom and only have minimal stuff to put away. I also like the closeness. (Most days.) I even have a whole board on Pinterest devoted to the things. I have dreamed of building one in the clearing out back when the kids all move out. We can live there and open up "the big house" when people come to stay/holidays/etc.



The prompt is this:

Someone's paying you to move into one of those tiny house everyone is talking about. If you can survive a whole year in that house with just the things on this list, you get a bajillion dollars. Tell us how you fill in this List Of Things You Can Take With You:
  • 5 books - I'm going to cheat here... my kindle. So as many books as exist taking up the space of one. Oh, and a sketchbook and a notebook.
  • 3 outfits - Jeans, t-shirt, sweater, socks & black boots; yoga pants, t-shirt, sweatshirt, socks, sneakers; Skirt, flowy shirt, sweater, sandals. This is rough though. I'd like to think I could have more than 3 shirts and 1 pair of jeans.
  • You have a fridge/stove/oven - but you can only take 1 counter-top appliance - My percolator for coffee. I can handle no microwave but don't mess with my percolator!
  • 1 DVD collection of a TV show (your budget doesn't allow for Netflix) - It would have to be Gilmore Girls. I can rewatch that forever. 
  • 1 childhood artifact - Meh. Don't need one. I'll take an extra outfit instead. Or, at least another pair of jeans.
  • They will give you ONE subscription to a magazine - what is it? - Again, meh. But if I had to choose? Probably something like Entertainment Weekly. Can I trade this for a pair of flip-flops?
I've been trying to decide what the one thing I would have to bring would be. I mean, for this exercise I'm done but we all have that one thing we would need. One thing that serves no practical purpose but we just need to have. And right now, for the life of me, I can't figure out what it would be. My ipod? I'm assuming I'll have my phone as we aren't talking about moving into a cave on a deserted island. So maybe just put some music on that. I'm not a huge music person so that would probably be plenty. I don't know. So, what would you bring to your tiny house and what is one thing not listed you would HAVE to have?

Tuesday, November 11, 2014

Where in the World

is would you go?

I've decided to use another of Miss Zoot's prompts. This one is about travel. Assuming you have unlimited funds to make this year/month/week EXACTLY how you'd want it to be. And when you come back - your job is waiting for you. Where would you go:

If you could spend ONE WEEK anywhere in the world, where would you go?
One week... I've always wanted to spend a week at some exotic beach resort with frozen drinks and no kids. Warm breezes and that blue, blue water you see in all the ads. Just a beach, a frosty drink and either my husband or my girls. The word of the week would be RELAX. Oh, and no forgetting the kindle.

If you could spend ONE MONTH anywhere in the world, where would you go?
My new travel obsession is Greece. I have no idea why beyond those blue waters and white houses on the hills. Cliffs? Mountains? Whatever they are. It will take me a month to get used to all the stairs but it will only take a moment to get used to the delicious, delicious food. A month would give me time to explore, relax, create, eat, and just soak in the atmosphere. The light there makes me want to take up painting or drawing or my camera.

If you could spend ONE YEAR anywhere in the world, where would you go?
This is a hard one. I like my house and my life and a whole year away would make me sad. But, if I had to go for a year it would be with a flight to Europe and a Eurail Global Pass. That covers 24 countries. Of course, I'd have to add England and Scotland. Money is no object! Isn't that what the prompt says? So all those places! A year should be enough time. Oh, do I get to travel with an interpreter? I'm going to need one of those.

Tell me where you would go in the comments! Or put a link to your blog post about this in the comments. Please! I want to know.

Tuesday, November 4, 2014

Sports!

So that posting thing I was planning hasn't actually been going as planned. Shocking. I know. Or possibly not shocking at all.

Yes, that one.

I signed up for Miss Zoot's prompts for November and have read each one and thought about posting and have done... nothing. Sorry Kim. You are doing all that work and I'm doing nothing. Doesn't seem fair.

Today's rockin' suggestion is Sports. And anyone who has ever met me, seen me on any social media, or had the unfortunate opportunity to smell my children knows - we do sports. Well, I don't do sports. That's just silly. I attend my children's sporting events. Mostly. And I drive them back and forth to practices and games/meets/tournaments.

My oldest, Alex, limited his serious sporting activities to baseball and soccer. He was a three season soccer player and a 2 season baseball player (with lessons during the off season). So there was overlap. The one rule I made when the kids were little - ONE SPORT - PER CHILD - PER SEASON. Broken. Baseball being his lifelong passion has taught me to enjoy the sport more than I did before but in general, I'm not a fan. I will watch my children play but, yeah, that's it. Now that he's in college he plays on a recreational soccer team and a rec softball team at the school and he played on a rec baseball team over the summer. I only went to one baseball game and haven't been to any of the others. I will say, he misses playing competitively and has been in talks with the college baseball coach but he's not playing for them yet.

Tyler, is my second son. My most competitive son (where sports are concerned). And my most focused son. He has taken gymnastics (until 6th grade to play soccer - see rule above), golf, ski team, and is a four season soccer player (RULE BROKEN). He gave up all other sports competitively to focus on soccer and has been killing it. Unfortunately, now he's in college and the competition is tough.  He has been so close to making various college teams during the application process last year but he just missed. It is heartbreaking as a parent. He is playing on an intramural team and a rec team at school and he still has a shot for next year. I believe he begins training with the team soon so we will see.

Now that those two are out of the house, the sports schedules have let up and NOW my junior in high school has decided to pick up a new sport. NOW. So this is the year I learn about how the swim team does things. Dylan has tried various sports over the years. Wrestling, soccer (off and on), lacrosse, tennis and now swimming. He's hoping to get back to tennis this year too. But overall he's never been a big sports kid. He seems to prefer individual sports to team sports. I think he may be pretty serious about swimming though because he has been getting up at FIVE-FORTY-FIVE for weeks to swim before school. Before the regular season started. This is a kid that likes his sleep. The season started yesterday. It should be interesting. Also, I need to figure out how to hold a team breakfast for 30 at my house in the coming months. I've chaperoned the varsity baseball team's Myrtle Beach trip for two years for Alex. That was cooking and shopping (my God the shopping!) for approximately 30 but it wasn't in my house. The things you learn that you never imagined sports will teach you.

It's the youngest, Zach, that may be the death of me though. He's a two season soccer player, baseball player, and ski team racer. He also joins every club known to man and now that he's in high school he's doing even more. This kid is a serious overachiever. He's hoping to play premier soccer but I'm making him wait because there is just not enough time in the day.

So what has all this taught me? The least athletic person on the planet. The person who didn't expect any of her children to play sports. Sports can be good. The kids' grades tend to be better during sport seasons. They form strong friendships and develop healthy habits in regards to exercise and nutrition. And you need to take out a second mortgage to feed them when they are playing.

Saturday, October 25, 2014

Crime of the Century

The scene:
the kitchen counter

The booty:
Bag of hot dog rolls

The suspect:



The evidence:
Empty bag next to the suspect's blanket.

The evidence found several hours later when victims were going to bed:
found BETWEEN the pillows:


Further evidence:
Once victims were in bed and distracted the suspect was caught sniffing around pillows and digging at them.

Verdict:
GUILTY

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Tattoos

10/16:
Weather report: Absolutely gorgeous! Sidenote: Fog this morning was insane.

I've reread the posts I've been writing and realized I've forgotten how to do this. Apparently practice is key and I've fallen way, way out of practice. I have decided not to give up. I shall keep writing and maybe, if we're all lucky, I'll get better at this. Or at least not make anyone want to vomit at my words.

Tonight is the last JV soccer game of the season. As fall sports come to a close in our house a sigh of relief can be heard. It hasn't snowed and no freezing rain. This may be a first. Global warming - it's real, yo.

10/21:
Weather report: The rain has arrived.

It seems the doubt from the realization my writing is crap has kept me from practicing after all. I shall no longer look back. Onward!

JV soccer ended the season 13-3. Pretty great record if you ask me. And now on to the winter sport portion of the year. That would be ski team and swimming for those of you (mom) following along at home.

I managed to see both of my older children today. Tattoos are healing well. Having to bring them mail and groceries are a great excuse to see them now and then. It seems they have entered the buckle down portion of the semester. Grades were doing well and now the workload is increasing. I hope they can keep it up.

So tattoos... yes. If you follow me on Twitter or Facebook you will see we had a family tattoo day on Saturday. EIGHT of us got tattooed. Those getting inked for the first time included my husband, oldest child, second child, and my MIL. Those getting 3rd or 4th tattoos were myself, SIL#1, SIL#2, and Alex's girlfriend. It was a long day. We had people along for moral support though. Tyler's girlfriend was present as was our youngest. Also, "adopted" child Brenden showed and even brought the new girlfriend around for introductions.

The first time tattoo(ees?) were surprised it hurt so much. I'm thinking that is my fault though. I am known to have a VERY low tolerance for pain. I mean I am quite the wuss. I accept this. It is what it is. However, I now have 4 tattoos. And yes, I always say, they HURT. But I'm thinking the people in my life didn't realize how MUCH it hurts. It was eye opening for some. And, I'd like to think I upped my street cred just a bit. Maybe that should be house cred. since they mostly live in my house at least part time and no one on the street knows.

I love October. It is usually sunny and not too cold and just beautiful where we live. But as the days get shorter, my bedtime gets earlier and I have a harder time waking up in the morning. I'm tired. I was thinking something was wrong until I remembered I think that every year. I just have to get past this adjustment period where the extended darkness tells my internal clock it's time to sleep. I may be counting the hours between when I can nest in my bed and read/sleep. Maybe.

Time is up! Time to publish. From now on it is writing and publishing. No thinking allowed.


Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Outlander

So the rain has arrived. Luckily it is still fairly warm. And that is all for your daily weather report.

Why do I feel it necessary to give a weather report? I have no idea but I really do. Always.

In other news, work is very busy. I love when work is busy. I love when I am busy and have lots to do. I get to do spreadsheets and grids and my job really is the perfect job for me. And I didn't want to kill anyone today! There was a small chance of a strangulation. Or two. Maybe three. But for the most part, everyone is a delight. And even those I think of strangling I usually like.

Let's see...
I've been re-reading the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon. It is taking FOREVER. That is both good and bad. Good - I love it. I don't want it to end. BUT, I keep thinking I'd like to take a break and read something else but I'm afraid I'll lose all of the various threads of the story. I am finally reading a book I hadn't read yet, An Echo In The Bone (Book 7). I put it off when it was released because I couldn't remember what had happened in the others.

Last time I read the whole series it was as each book was released. I remember not really enjoying A Breath of Snow and Ashes (Book 6). I remember thinking it was much too wordy (992 pages! Seriously!). But, this time I have to say, I really enjoyed it. So once I'm done with this one (only 850 pages!) I'll only have one book left in the series!

I started reading them in JULY. Yes, I have spent the last FOUR MONTHS reading these books. And I'm guessing... it might take me until the end of the year to finish the main series. (There are also some novellas and tangent novels she's written that I haven't read either.) I have a feeling when I'm done I'm going to want some short, quick one offs!

Oh, and Outlander has been made into a TV show. IT. IS. SO. GOOD. It is on Starz so it may be difficult to get but it is worth it. The first half of the season has been on and the second half will be in the Spring. And, it already got renewed for next season. Book 2, Dragonfly in Amber, will be the second season. The book I really want to see on screen is Voyager (the 3rd book). I never realized how funny Voyager was. I have decided it is my favorite.

Oh, and if you're on Goodread's, friend me (hmdavis). I'd love to see what you're reading. And as always, you can always talk books here on the blog.

Tuesday, October 14, 2014

Warm weather, do not leave us. Please.

It is the type of day outside that makes you look for reasons to stay outside. Highs in the low 80's, warm winds, brightly colored leaves and just gorgeous. Also, probably the last day it will be this warm until June. Everyone is prolonging lunches and taking walks and trying to avoid their desks. I'm not sure how anyone can tell people not to do this. It is too nice and it will be too long before we enjoy this again. (This is until Mother Nature decides to prove us all wrong and does it again just to spite us and this narrative.)

So I mentioned two of the offspring are in college. I did not lie. They are both attending the same college. They both live on campus. They both have girlfriends. They both seem happy.

What else is there to say? One is a journalism major and the other Physics. Yes, I know... physics. Insane. I always wondered if he was really mine. Now I'm sure he was switched in the hospital.

Life, it sounds so calm. It sounds so delightful and accomplished. It sounds like we are winning at parenting. (Not to worry, we're not.) The problem with teenagers is their stories are their own. But just know we all have our issues. I worry about them all in different ways. I'm still hoping they all grow to be happy, productive members of society. I'm hoping we all make it out of the teenage years alive. Do not laugh, there are days I wonder.

I can say, the house is so quiet now. So much calmer. So much less laundry! So many less groceries! I'm not sure why the bills aren't going down though. Can I ask? Why are groceries so much more expensive? How did this happen without me noticing? The past year has been insane! Am I the only one this is happening to?

A story I can tell is my story. A story of a surprisingly happy marriage. A story of settling into life a bit more. A story of (hopefully) coming into my own. I will try to focus things there.


Monday, October 13, 2014

Hello there.

 It's been... a super long time. It's also been massive losses of past content and the ditching of my domain.

Not sure what I'm doing here but felt the need? desire? itch? to write something here. I've been denying it for weeks but have let the blank page cower me. I've let the terrible photo below mock me as the last thing I contributed to the internet.

I found while moving my archives over that my favorite posts are reading about what was going on when. Things I had forgotten remembered. The whole reason I started this thing.

So, we're going back to basics. No design to fiddle with. No domain to keep up. No brand or advertising or anything. (Not that I had any of those things.)

Just me writing.

Writing about one of the littles, the older of the littles. The little whose birthday is today. The little who is officially SIXTEEN.

He may not be so little anymore.

So now I have two children in college. IN. COLLEGE. And two children in high school.

Where are those adorable little boys? Where are they? All I have now are young men who are all taller than me. All taller than their dad. Smelly and busy and all doing their own thing.

People ask how they are and I don't know what to say. Alive. Still in school. Still doing what they do.

To be fair, Dylan started swimming. As in the swim team. I haven't seen him swim yet but he seems to really like it. Like leaves the house at 5:45 AM to go to the pool. Without prodding likes it.

Dylan also had a roll in the school musical last Spring. He's worked backstage for the last few years but decided to try his hand on stage. He amazed me. He danced. He sang. He had his own lines and was funny.

Zach is on the JV soccer team, the ski team and the baseball team. He is also involved in several clubs. I'm not sure I even know all the clubs he's involved with. I usually find out at some crucial moment when he needs a permission slip signed (Math Team) or a coat for the coat drive he helped spearhead (Community service club). Who knows what else he's involved with. He is a total overachiever. He does NOT take after his mother in this area.

And here I'll leave off for today. I must pick Zach up from soccer practice and check on Dylan and his Trig homework.

Thursday, July 10, 2014

Wednesday, July 9, 2014

Hitchhiker


This little guy snagged a ride on my side mirror this morning. He rode all the way to work (about 25 miles). I wonder if he knew the adventure he was in for when he decided to hang out here. I wonder if he knew he'd never see his family again. Or if he was eaten by something as soon as I left the car in the parking lot. Or if he was run over trying to find his way home. Or maybe, he found a new home and some new friends and is having the time of his life right now.