Happy Birthday Tanner!

Remember THIS little guy?





Sigh. He's not so little anymore.


Today is Tanner's 6th birthday. At this very moment in 2002 (with my Mother still somewhere in Kansas...sorry Mom, I held on as long as I could) Jeremy and I were welcoming our little bundle of joy into the world. I might be biased, but I remember gazing at him and thinking how very beautiful he was...so sweet, so perfect. I still catch myself thinking that exact same thought.

Tonight, I'm gonna make my little birthday boy some ice cream cone cupcakes. It will be just him and me celebrating this evening. But I can honestly say I'm TOTALLY ok with that. Tomorrow, Tanner's best friend Tyler is spending the night with us, and Sunday we're having his birthday party with the rest of his friends. He is LOVING his birthday presents. We bought him a new bike (complete with new helmet and pads), and some "Harry Potter" stuff. I'll be sure to get LOTS of birthday pictures as we continue to celebrate so that you can enjoy the weekend with us.

Happy Birthday Tanner!!! We love you!

Happy Labor Day!!

It's Baaaaaaack...almost

Ahem.....I have an announcement to make. Tomorrow is the first day of September...which means I can officially start my early annual celebration of Fall. Giggle with me, you know you are excited too. I've said it before, I will say it again, I love Autumn.



I love the crispness in the air, and I glory at the sight of leaves that set the tree lines ablaze with their shocks of red, orange and yellow. I love being able to break out my sweatshirts and jackets. I love apple cider, and Mums, and everything else that goes along with this amazing season.

Of course, September ALSO means that a very special five year old will be turning SIX. Time flies so quickly, and I am always amazed at how big "my little peanut" has gotten. We haven't quite finalized plans for birthday celebrations for family yet, but we're going to the kiddy party on the afternoon of the 21st...I wasn't brave enough to try and corral children without my husband who has to work in the 19th and the 20th. So if you are family and would like to visit on one of THOSE days, then you're welcome...I am pretty sure I can handle YOU.

I will also be saying "Good-bye" to my best friend this month (sad sigh). She is packing up all her belongings and moving far away to Illinois to be with the love of her life. I can't say I blame her, I wouldn't want to be away from the love of my life either. I will miss her though, even though I will still talk to her EVERYDAY...but you know how it is, it just won't be the same. So everyone wish luck to Deanna....and donate boxes if you can :o)

And now, I am going to say goodbye to YOU...just for a little while. The sun is setting and my two favorite guys are outside playing, and I am anxious to be playing with them...I'm sure you understand. Much love to you all. And don't forget to get out there and start looking for signs of Autumn to enjoy, for after all, “Autumn is a second spring where every leaf is a flower."

Tanner's Puzzle

Tanner wanted to show Grandma and Grandpa this "puzzle" he made at school. He was really excited about it so we made a video. Enjoy!!

Our Favorite Student

I finally took the time to upload the pics from Tanner's first day of school. He has just finished his fifth day as a kindergarten student and is loving it! So far, I have nothing but great things to say about the school. In the mornings when I drop him off, he is greeted at the door by some overly cheerful teacher. During the day I can check in on their schedule online, so I know what is going on at that exact moment. Then at the end of the day, they walk Tanner out to the car and off we go. He is learning lots already. I am a very proud Mommy!!

And here's a picture of Tanner and Scooby playing Tug-o-War...just for fun. It was supposed to be a video of Tanner batting...I really do have one, however, blogger is not cooperating. So I'll have to try again later.

I'm ready...sort of.

Thursday is the big day!!! Tanner is very excited about starting Kindergarten. Mommy is excited too, but it's also mixed with the bitter-sweet knowledge that her baby is not a baby after all. We got an information packet two weeks ago giving us all the information we needed for the first day of school. His teacher's name is Mrs. Verch, and we're going to the open house tomorrow night to meet her. His buddy Tyler has a different teacher than he does...actually ALL the boys in his preschool class have different teachers, courtesy of Miss Crystal. Apparently, they give her a call when picking classes. I am thrilled that we have found such an excellent school district. I have heard nothing but great things about it. I just know that Tanner will continue to blossom this year. All of his school supplies have been purchased, along with his new school clothes. I bought the ingredients for Tanner's choice of dinner Thursday evening and chocolate chip cookies (which will be waiting for him on the table when he gets home Thursday afternoon). One night this week we're going to make the head of a "book worm" to put on his wall that will help us keep track of all the books he reads this year (for each book he reads we will attach a body segment). And last night he went to his first "Back to School" sleepover.

Every year, Miss Crystal hosts a back to school sleepover at her house for all the kids at the daycare center that are in Kindergarten and older. I think this year she had about twenty attend. She is a MUCH braver woman than I am. I dropped Tanner off last night and came home to a quiet evening alone. When I picked Tanner up this morning he was bursting with excitement about the things they had gotten to do. He really had a good time. Besides watching movies and having popcorn, the played on Miss Crystal's slip and slide and got to play in the hot tub and pool. They also took a little walk to the creek. Tanner's shoes were soaked and I had to dig them out from underneath 30 other shoes this morning. I was a bit jealous when I found out he got a soak in the hot tub...instead of a vacation next year, I may just go to Crystal's house. Right now, Tanner is taking a nap. I was informed that he was the last child to fall asleep...some time after midnight, and they were up this morning at 6:30. He's sleepy.

Tomorrow, the preschool is having Lil' Angels photography come in to do some pictures. They bring costumes for the kids, and they photograph them all dressed up! Some of the packages are really high, but we chose to buy one anyway. After all, we're not paying for childcare anymore (YAY)!!!!

I.O.U....

....some T-ball pictures. Tanner has been playing T-ball for two weeks. On Monday night, we head to the ball field here in town and watch the hysterics as this amazing group of 3-5 year olds do their best to get the basics of the game down. They are all so cute. Tanner is AWESOME...and that's just not Mommy talk folks! Every time he bats or throws the ball, I hear people whispering things like "Whose kid is that?", "Wow, he's got an arm", or "Look how far he just hit that ball!" Last Monday I was so proud when the ball he hit went sailing over everyones heads and into right-center. That's my boy!!!




Next week I will remember to get a video of him batting and running the bases so you can share in my pride!


We had a much better week here at Casa de Bradshaw. Rocky was sick for a few days and we were pretty worried, but it turned out to be doggy flu and he has made a full recovery. Tanner also has a new dog named Scooby (guess who named him) who we rescued.



Scooby is a Golden Retriever/Australian Shepard mix. He is seven months old and potty trained, although he has had a couple of accidents in the house when I missed him prancing at the door. He is a 27 pound baby!!! We don't think he will get much bigger and have decided to keep him inside. I am too scared to send him out into the yard...I'm just paranoid. Scooby LOVES squeaky toys and Tanner loves throwing them to him. Truffles loves her new playmate, so everyone is happy. And speaking of Truffles...isn't she adorable?? I love her!

Healing...

I slept in today. Tanner slept in today. Jeremy slept in today AND is staying home from work. We decided that we needed one day that we could spend together after our really horrible week. It is 12:30 and we are just now stirring.

Our tally of "Lost" Items stands as thus:

Our beautiful girls Chloe and Nugget whom we will miss more than we can say.

For those of you who I haven't talked to this week, our outside dogs got Parvo within the last two weeks or so. We noticed Chloe wasn't feeling well on Friday of last week, we immediately isolated her and began treating her, but Monday morning at about 1:00 AM she passed. As we doctored Chloe this weekend, we kept a close eye on our other dog Nugget, Tanner's golden lab. Monday night we noticed the first symptoms. Both she and our new puppy Truffles went to the vet on Tuesday to be tested. Truffles tested negative, Nugget did not. She fought hard as did we, but we lost her yesterday morning at 6:20. Tanner is devastated. Mommy and Daddy are heartsick.

Which brings us to the next three "lost" items.

Sleep...countless hours of it. One of us was up every hour giving medicine. And if we weren't on medicine duty, then we were still up, fretting.


Tears...Lots and lots of them. Parvo is terribly debilitating, and it happens so quickly.

Our sanity....like it wasn't going anyway

And the final thing that makes our list of things lost this week is....ALL of our fish. All four of them died last night, or this morning. We're not really sure when it happened. In short, it's been one of THOSE weeks.

Today is our day of rejuvenation. We're going to play and cuddle and soak in all the love that we can possibly give each other. Tomorrow we can go back to everything else that waits for us, but today...we heal.

PANIC...and Chicken pox!!!!!!!!!

Today, I received my second heart stopping call in my journey of motherhood. It was 4:44 p.m...about 30 minutes before I go and pick up Tanner, when the phone next to my desk rang. Only two people call on this phone. Babs always sends me an instant message before she calls so that just left Tanner's teacher Sabra. It was indeed her. Our conversation went something like this.

Sabra: Hi Juli, it's Sabra. How are you today.

Me: Oh, I'm really good, I'm glad the day is almost over.

Sabra: Me too. I was just calling to see if Tanner's ok.

Me: (confused) What do you mean??

Sabra: Well, he's not here today, so we just wanted to make sure he was feeling alright.

Me: (10 times more confused than before) What??

Sabra: (silence)

Me: (heart stopping and dropping into floor, bile rising in throat and hands shaking) What do you mean he's not there???

Sabra: Ummmmm....well maybe he is here today and I just haven't seen him. I had to teach the three year old class today.

Me: (Panic taking over every ounce of my body and desperately trying not to scream or cry) Can you please check right now and let me know.

Sabra: Yes...............(LOOOOOOOOOONG PAUSE while she checks)............................................. Oh Juli, I am so sorry, he's here.

I don't really remember the rest of the conversation, I just know that I hung up, and bowed my head on my desk and sobbed for ten minutes. Then I threw up. I have never been so frightened in my entire life, I honestly felt my world stopping. After I had collected myself and washed my face, I went and got my son who is now sitting next to me on the couch where he belongs. He is fine, I am fine...WE are fine. Although, I am not quite sure if the spots that have appeared on his tummy and back are a LOT of bug bites or the beginning of chicken pox. Heaven help me, I don't know if I can take another panic attack this week. Pray for my sanity folks, I just might need it.


UPDATE*******It is DEFINITELY chicken pox...I need my Mommy.

Just want to share....

I have some pics I need to download of our fun weekend in Anthony with Mom and Dad. But I wanted to brag a little bit on my Dad, who took this AWESOME picture of my favorite little guy while we were at the lake. Tanner was standing on the bank (feeding the fish an ENTIRE box of Sun-dried tomato and Parmesan crackers) and he got a great shot of him looking out at the water. I got a little creative with the picture HERE.

Isn't it gorgeous?? Thanks, Dad for always catching the perfect shot!!

The Notorious Mr. Bradshaw

Do you all know my husband? I know you've met him, perhaps even conversed with him, but have I ever really "introduced" him to all of you. Jeremy, who will be thirty one years young in a week, is from a tiny town north of Springfield. Most of his family are farmers and avid hunters...I call them rednecks, they don't seem to mind. He has a sister who is ten years younger than him and they didn't really get close until the last four years or so. He is extremely intelligent, wickedly funny, endlessly patient and my best friend.

Jeremy came into my life at a time when I desperately needed to laugh. I had been, well, in a funk for over a year. I had very little to smile about in March of 2001 when we first met. 2000 had been a rough year on me, and the beginning of 2001 was no better. His easy laugh and light-heartedness proved to be therapeutic in a way. We started dating in May of that year. It was a bit of a "whirl-wind" romance if you were on the outside looking in. But Jeremy was so open about his life and so easy to get to know that by the time he asked me to marry him in December, I knew everything I needed to know. I said "yes" without hesitation. We were married the following May, a year to the day from our first date.

I have often wondered how he puts up with all of my little nuances. He spoils me rotten and humors me when no one else will. We have shared dreams, fears, laughs, and tears. I feel, sometimes, like we have been together forever, yet we never run out of things to talk about. We were having a conversation the other night and it turned to both of our pasts, and the fact that everything we had gone through had somehow brought us together. I don't think either of us had ever really thought of it that way before. It has made me appreciate him even more...even his um...less gifted moments. Here is a conversation between myself and my best friend, whom I love more than life itself:

Scene: Jeremy and I are standing in the back yard looking at the trees that we have just planted. The leaves look a bit fried.

Jeremy: Do you think we should pull the leaves off??

Me: No honey, just leave them alone and let the poor things heal, they just went through a windstorm. The leaves will come off in the winter.

Jeremy: (after a long pause) You think we should pull them off this winter?

Ah yes, that's the man I love for you. He can do long division in his head, is very handy around the house, does my laundry, and is the best father in the world. When you're that wonderful, do you really need to remember that the leaves fall off the trees in Autumn?? I think not.

For my favorite men:

To the most special men in my life...my husband, my dad, and my Grandad, I would just like to say that you are the strongest most amazing men I know. I have learned so much from all of you and I am so happy that each of you will play a part in influencing Tanner. We are so very lucky to call you Fathers and Grandfathers. I hope you all have a fantastic day...you deserve it more than you will ever know. I love you!!!!

Dear Tanner,

Yesterday was a big day for you....a proud day for me. Your preschool graduation made me realize how very quickly time flies. It seems like just yesterday that I was able to hold you in my arms without you wanting to wriggle free. Now, you are too full of energy to be held for long. Hugs are quick...though no less wonderful. You have learned so much in the last year. You can count to thirty, and write your ABC's. You can spell and write your name. You know your phone number and address. You have your first best friend. You love to make up silly songs, and your imagination is nothing short of amazing. The stories you tell make me laugh. You are full of life and love and laughter. I am so blessed to be your Mommy. Although I am a little sad that time has gone so quickly, I am excited to see what Kindergarten and beyond will bring for you...I am also a little scared.

I realize that you have to be able to go out into the world, to be free to make your own mistakes...and learn from them. It terrifies me to know that I won't always be right by your side to protect you from all the things in the world that I never want you to see. Yet, I know that you will be fine...more than fine, really. You will be as amazing as you are now, and that gives me comfort. After we tucked you in last night, your Daddy and I were talking about how fast you are growing up, and about how very proud of you we are. Despite all of our flaws and the many mistakes that we have made, and will inevitably continue to make, you are perfect in every way to us! We love you more than anything.

Today on our Anniversary...

I just want to tell you, Jeremy, that...



Every day has been a wonderful adventure. I can not guess what tomorrow will bring, but I know that with you by my side, I can accomplish anything. Happy Anniversary, honey. I know this year will be as wonderful for us as the last six have been. I love you!!!

The Roaming Blog: Vacation Edition

Hello Vacation...I have missed you. I am so glad you could come and stay for awhile.

The Bradshaw's are on vacation!!! We deserve it, really. Today was lovely, although I didn't get to sleep in as long as I would have liked to. Tanner still had to go to preschool (he gets to stay home on Friday), and Jeremy and I got to spend the day enjoying each others company. That NEVER happens. We sat outside in the sun, relaxing. We drove up to a local Nursery and walked around their greenhouses looking at flowers and enjoying the beauty that surrounded us. Funny how I never appreciated that when my parents used to drag us through greenhouse after greenhouse. I wanted every plant I saw. I got a couple of tomato plants that already have tomatoes on them!!! AND they fit in a pot so I didn't have to plant them in the yard. I told the lady that I thought I might not be "horticulturally gifted". She laughed and suggested these bush like tomato plants. We'll see how I do and go from there.

We went to Walmart this afternoon after picking Tanner up at school. I don't know that we will be allowed back in. How sad would my life be if I couldn't go to WALMART?? It all started with those stupid 50 cent toy machines in the entrance. Tanner HAD to have a toy and picked the mini glo-sticks. I blame my Mom for his love of glo-sticks. She introduced them to him. Anyway, this is the world's smallest glo-stick. TINY. Jeremy immediately became the husband that no woman wants to take out in public...ever. In his best announcers voice he began telling everyone about the "Multi-purpose glo-stick...now with even glow-ier technology." I kid you not. I wouldn't lie about that. Ok, I laughed a little bit. But people looked at him oddly, and it WAS a little embarrassing. And of course, the goofy apple doesn't fall far from the goofier tree, so Tanner also introduced most of the Walmart shoppers to HIS best announcer voice. Yeah, they're weird, but I love them.

We are in the middle of deciding what to do about Tanner's preschool. For the last week, they have done absolutely no work and have been outside all day, everyday. He comes home covered from head to toe in dirt. Today I ruffled his hair, and there was a dust cloud!!! Seriously. I have no problems with the kids getting ample time to play, but I also have him there to learn...and he's not. I am not sure that I want to pay 90 dollars a week for a babysitter. Today, I suggested to Jeremy that we give his two weeks notice. In June, he has his Pre-K summer school for half of the day Monday-Thursday. I can handle working and him for half a day and Fridays. For July and part of August we are talking about hiring a babysitter who can watch him here at our house and supervise his play time while I am working. Most of you know that I have not ever really been thrilled with the preschool that he attends here. And lately, I am even less satisfied with it. I just have certain expectations...and they do not meet them.

I have promised Jeremy some computer time, so I am going to hand him the computer and head for bed. I hope you all are enjoying your week. I plan on getting another blog in before I have to head back to work. We're planning a picnic at the park later this week...so look for pictures!! Hey...David Cook is the new American Idol!!! Thank you America, for not disappointing me :)

The rest of the pics I promised

Meet Chloe. Chloe is the puppy that we got for an OUTSIDE dog. Please note that she is in my kitchen. I love her, but she is BIG and clumsy and she EATS EVERYTHING. She lays by the front door a lot. I think she likes the way the tile feels on her tummy. Apparently while laying there one day she got bored and chewed on the wall...she took the paint off the drywall. Easy repair, but that's not really the point. We are buying her pen next week, and she is being shipped to the back yard where she belongs.



Doesn't she look much happier frolicking in the grass anyway?? I have to say that she is a very smart dog. She caught on to Fetch pretty quickly. She LOVES Tanner. I don't know that he loves her right now. He brought in one of his stuffed animals that sits on his toy box and showed me a small hole on its chest. He very seriously said, "Chloe ate his heart! She's a bad puppy!"



Tanner got this gi-normous bubble wand thinga-ma-jig to play with (I think that might actually be the name that was printed on the package). As with most of his toys, he played with it for about two minutes. Do all little kids get bored that easily, or is it just mine???



Since Tanner wasn't playing with it anymore, guess who decided to take it for a spin? I really truly believe that 98% of the toys that "Tanner" picks out, aren't really JUST for him. It should also be said that Jeremy played with this toy for approximately two minutes before he got bored. So maybe it's a guy thing??


We have a pretty large yard. The largest I have seen in the subdivision so far. And on a GOOD day it takes Jeremy a few hours to mow it. When Tanner is hanging on the back of his shirt the ENTIRE time, it takes a bit longer. I didn't mind, I'm not the one mowing, and it makes for a cute picture.



We FINALLY got Tanner's swing set up. It's been in the garage since September. He loves it, and Mommy is already terrified of his amazing dare-devil stunts. He's a bit like a spider monkey on the thing, climbing and jumping, and hanging upside down. I TRY really hard to bite my tongue and just let him be a boy. It's soooo hard sometimes. I honestly have no idea how my mom even let Hondo out of the house without some sort of tracking device and a private duty nurse. I know, I know...I need to relax. Easier said than done.

Next week, beginning on Wednesday, I start my much needed vacation. Jeremy's starts tomorrow--he gets two or three more weeks a year than I do. It's crazy how much time off he has this year. We don't really have any plans. We're just going to take it one day at a time and stay close to home. We may let Tanner skip school one day and take a trip to the zoo. I wouldn't mind spending some alone time out in the sun with a good book. Jeremy and I have also talked about visiting the Skinny Improv, in Springfield. I love a good improv set and think it would be a lot of fun. Mostly, I just want to relax and unwind a little bit. I am going to shut the office door and spend time with my boys. I can't wait!

Just some pics to keep you coming back:

No thoughtful post today. I left my creativity in my other pants. I thought you might like to view some new pics, though, since I haven't posted any in about fifteen years.

This is the Infamous Caterpillar bucket that my little bug hunting explorer has been carrying around every time we are outside. Our yard is CRAWLING with caterpillars. Is it weird that I think they are kind of creepy??



No that is NOT Tanner's soda. I would never give my child 64 oz of sugar. It's Jeremy's...and it's diet. And I have NO idea what is underneath Tanner's shirt.

I actually have more pictures AND a video, but Blogger is suddenly being very uncooperative...so those will have to wait until tomorrow. Enjoy these and maybe next time, I will actually have news or other fun things to share.

Happy Mother's Day

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To My Mom:

Through the years, we have been through so many wonderful and humorous adventures together. We have laughed together, cried together, and enjoyed life together. You have been there for me every single time I have needed you in one way or another. You have shaped my life like no one else, and made me want to be a better woman. Because of you, I am a woman who is proud of what she has become. You gave me the strength to stand up for what I believe in, and to rise above any challenges that come my way, a trait that I know was given to you by another strong and beautiful woman. In a million years, I could never begin to repay all the love and support that you have given me. Just know that I love you, I appreciate you, and even though you are miles away, you are on my mind today!!

Tanner also says, "Happy Mother's Day, Nana!"

The Roaming Blog: Late Night Edition

It's May. Flowers are blooming, the days are finally warmer, and I am much too busy to enjoy any of it. May is one of those crazy months in which I feel overwhelmed knowing that yet another important day is right around the corner. This month we have Mother's Day (I still have not purchased a card for my own wonderful Mother), my brother's birthday, my mother's birthday, various graduation ceremonies of family members, weddings of friends, and then my own wedding anniversary, and Memorial Day. This year, I thought it would be fun to throw in Tanner's Pre-K summer school. Why not, it's just one more thing to remember. I have to say, I am ready for June to be here. I look at my list of things to do, and places to go and I get tired. YOU are probably tired from reading the list too! I decided that I should probably just take it one day at a time. Please forgive me should I forget or delay a birthday, or a graduation card. It is not intentional.

Things I am loving right now:
1. My new Cucumber Melon shampoo and conditioner (shhhh don't tell Jeremy, I don't think he has noticed the extra bottles yet)

2. The new Sierra Mist Undercover Commercial featuring the Rock (who will play Agent 23 in the movie I can't wait to see YUMMY!)

3. THESE yummy AND healthy treats

4. And last but not least, YOU, oh wonderful blog readers.

Things that are annoying me to no end:
1. HIS existence (I never said I was nice)

2. HER existence (at least they are both FINALLY gone!)

3. And most of all, the fact that I need a pedicure in a bad bad way...I want pretty toes.


The last week has been rough on yours truly. Last week, I began taking the Metformin my doctor prescribed me. That's the one that will control my insulin. Oh people! I would not wish the side effects on my worst enemy. Food has not been my friend. Everything I eat turns against me. I thought at first that I would take the advice of some people that have been on the medication for awhile and not eat very many carbohydrates. It didn't work. I then decided that maybe my body was rebelling because I was depriving it of foods that it is used to. Nope, not so. It's EVERYTHING....even water. Tomorrow, I am supposed to transition to taking TWO of these devil pills each day. Laugh with me. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. I am going to wait until Saturday to attempt that. Then, if it doesn't go well, I won't be working, and Tanner will take care of me. Right?? Maybe Mom should pack a bag and head this way...just in case.

It's 11:40. Jeremy is watching NBA basketball (I hate March -June), and I am falling asleep as I type this. So it's off to beddy-bye for me. Good night to all you people that are crazy enough to still be awake. I will talk at you again soon!

One Man's Trash...

I have been assessing some of the rooms in the house the last week and have come to the conclusion that it may be time to do some spring cleaning. Let me take you on a tour and you can tell me what you think.

First we will head to my bedroom. Upon first entering everything looks normal. You see my vanity with the music boxes on top. To your immediate right is Jeremy's nightstand looking very uncluttered with just his lamp and alarm clock on it. So far so good. On the other side of the bed is MY nightstand. AHEM...three almost empty liter bottles of key lime flavored water, one half full (I am trying to be positive) bottle of green tea, four hair ties, my lamp, my alarm clock, and three books, ALL of which I am reading. Jeremy MIGHT have mentioned something about all the water just sitting there....I MIGHT have sarcastically replied that I was afraid Aliens were coming and that I was just trying to protect the family in "Signs" fashion. I don't think he believed me. Whatever, that's his problem, the aliens will probably get him first.

Moving into my closet you see Jeremy's clothes neatly hung up on his side, shoes placed precisely on the shoe rack. On MY side of the closet, the clothes are also hung neatly...except for the neatly folded (yeah right!) stack of clothes sitting on the shelf next to the towels. Underneath that shelf is my shoe rack. Most of the shoes are on it as they are supposed to be. Except for the fourteen pair that are in my living room. None of which I will ever be able to wear again since Chloe decided that one shoe from each pair should be destroyed. I cannot throw them away though, because they are ALL my favorite pair. On top of my shoe rack, where shoes should be are my two scales. My new one, which works beautifully, and my old one, which doesn't really turn on anymore. But I might need it, so I can't get rid of it. Don't argue, I will win that argument. Just ask my husband.

The bathroom looks really good. I am not allowed to clutter the counter, and I have a roll away cart for my three hundred dollars worth of cosmetics, lotions and hair care products that I don't use. The cosmetics,lotions and hair care products that I DO use are placed neatly under the sink. REALLY. I fear that if the cabinet under the sink was messy, then my husband would throw my things away, and I would be lost. So this part of my bathroom is just as it should be. There is, however, still the shower to deal with. I honestly have no good excuse for my three almost empty tubes of conditioner, the two COMPLETELY empty bottles of shampoo, the four different types of exfoliaters and shower gels, and the three razors I no longer use. It's kind of sad really. I told Jeremy while we were at Walmart this afternoon that I needed some conditioner. He gave me the death look, so I didn't say another word.

I really think that what I have mentioned above is a whole day's worth of cleaning and organizing. And I haven't even delved into my office yet...or the kitchen cabinet where I keep medicine and vitamins and other things of that nature, or the dreaded totes in the garage. I am a mess, people. I mean, you're not going to walk into my house and say "ACK, it's a pigsty!" Because it's not. But there are areas that you don't get to see that could use some work. How do normal people find the time to clean, and do laundry, and work, and play with their children, and cook healthy meals for the family that they love. HOW???? I think I was absent on the day that those genes were being handed out. Oh well, we get by, and I suppose that's all that matters when the day is over. Eventually, I will get to everything. I will throw away the things that need to be thrown away, and maybe I'll even have a garage sale for the things that I can't bear to throw in the trash...how much do you suppose I can get for a completely empty bottle of shampoo??

And now I must dash. I could clean...but there's a "House" Marathon on today, and I do adore that man!!! Hugs and Kisses from your favorite pack rat! :o)