A Simple Country Mouse

Good morning bloggers. How have you been? I hope good, but even if you are going through hard times, I hope that you have a silver lining to hold onto. Me? Well, it's been a long week to be sure. Earlier this week I made a post about when we have to say goodbye. Whether it's goodbye to a friend who is moving away, or someone who is retiring, or someone who you love who has passed away, it's never easy to say goodbye. I suppose we have to look to the future and know that Abba has a plan for each and every one of our lives, and that no matter what, He has our best in mind. Now we may not always like what He has for us, and we may decide to throw a temper tantrum, but He still has what's best. He gives us the strength to say goodbye no matter the situation. It never gets easier to say it, but it does get easier to understand that he is holding us in His arms. All we have to say is "Abba, hold me please. I don't have the strength to stand." As someone I knew o...

I do love a good day of relaxation and sleeping. Sleep is a great thing. Really is. I do so love a good nap. How about you? I spent my day napping, watching Doctor Who and stuffing my face with all kinds of yummy food. With several seasons to catch up on I could only make it through a few episodes before nearly falling asleep and needing to wander around the house in my jim-jams. Pjs, sweats,ushers to whatever you choose to call them, they were quite comfy. With everything from Gushers to Crackers and gravy, Fruit roll ups to bugles, I thoroughly enjoyed munching all day until we as a whole family went out and had Red Robin burgers. Yumm!!!! I can't wait to eat leftovers tomorrow. Sorry I haven't written in a while. things have been a bit crazy. Sunday my parents took off. Monday we had Author's friends in for a quick lunch, and Tuesday was back at work. Wednesday was work yet again, but it was the day I had to begin to say goodbye. So, today was along day of quiet relaxat...

When we have to say goodbye, it's not always as easy as it sounds. The staff at my work threw a retirement party for one of two of our retiring bosses. They are well loved and respected. For me, today's is almost harder than the other one because I am much closer to this one. He is a caring and kind, gentle and patient. When I first came to this job, he was always there to check on me. He was the one who made this place home. I am having a heck of a time trying to let go. Trying to say goodbye.

So, family came last night, and it was a blast. We stuffed our faces with yummy food, laughed hysterically, and passed out from exhaustion. This morning I woke up early and got to head to take my dad out to do something we have never done before. We went out to the dock, and then hit the coffee shop. Chai tea in his hand, and white chocolate mocha in my hand, we sat down and chatted for a while. We then headed back to the hotel, so that we could pick up mum and Half-Pint to head the farmer's market. Munching on gyros from the greek vendor, mum and I enjoyed some one on one time. We then headed out to World Market and Top Foods. Can't wait to see what we will do next. Talk to you later.

Well bloggers, the house is clean and we await the arrival of my parents. With country music in the background and Author tapping away at her latest book, Scientist doing the dishes, and me sitting here blogging, we are all at ease and enjoying some down time before the everything goings bonkers. I really should work on my sketches but I am just going to enjoy a little relax time. I have to admit, I'm pretty nervous about my parents coming. I hope they see what I see when I look at our little home. Yes, we live in an apartment, yes, we have a section of the living room screened off for Author, and yes, not everything is in perfect order, but when I see our home, I see a place of safety. I see a place where those who need a place to crash can stay, a home that's warm, and to be honest it looks like it just stepped out of a magazine. Covered in Pier 1, World Market, vintage picked up here and there, and of course a touch of each of us, it's warm without being overwhelming. ...

Well bloggers, just 24 more hours until my family arrives at my door. So, in all in a flutter, I head to an appointment, and then get ready for a day of serious house cleaning. With 2 loads of laundry to do (which considering there was about 9 loads just over a week ago), vacuuming, dusting, and touch ups of this and that, I do believe the house will look great. Especially since Gamer and I grabbed that last little decor that the house needed before they get here. Scientist and I put it up the night before last and it looks quite adorable. In our house we have a thing for forest colors. Chocolate brown, beige, greens, and splashes of this, that and the other, including reds, yellows, and even a tiny dash of blue, though blue is very tucked away. We have a wall applique tree of all chocolate brown that we had put up on the screens that block out Author's bedroom. It has little mirrors formed like leaves tossed about with the chocolate brown leaves that make up the rest of the tree....

Errands and chores, errands and chores. Does that ever feel like your mantra on days off? You just get stuck doing more errands and even more chores? That's how I spent my day off...doing guess what? Errands and chores! Oh joy. Not. Well at least the house is clean, the laundry is done, dinner was made (and quite yummy if I do say so myself), and the world is put to rights in the Sound Castle. Gamer and I spent the day running errands to all over town. Everywhere from the fabric store to the movie rental store that is closing down, to (my favorite) Pier 1 Imports, and the grocery store. We had to pick up a needle and thread to hem Author's slacks for work, return a movie (and of course pick up a few), get a couple of decor items to finish a particular corner in the house, and grab a couple of groceries as we were out of coffee creamer (a horrifying thought to have coffee in the morning with no creamer) and Author needed deli meat for her sandwiches. Once we finished running a...

Remind me why I got up at 8:30 this morning? Oh yeah, that's right, so I could get off earlier and head to big brother and sister's for dinner and games. At work this morning we were supposed to serve 70 people...which turned into more like 90-100. Oops. Thankfully we had just enough food. The Lord provides. Our menu was quite delicious. Consisting of crab ragoons, Pad Thai noodles, Shrimp, Chinese BBQ pork, and fried rice, all finished with a coconut and pineapple ice cream topped in toasted coconut and a fortune cookie, the lunch was a smashing hit. Directly after work, I came home, and passed out on the bed for a little while. I was plumb tuckered out. Gamer dragged me out of bed so we could make dinner and game night with family on time. We still wound up late. Then again, we missed the turn twice. Third times the charm they say. Granted, big brother ran down to the road so we could find the house. He then hopped onto the hood of my MR2 and rode up to the house. Sister had...

I'm a dreamer. Always have been. When people tell me grow up, dreams are for kids, or adults don't day dream...I smile and chuckle. Why not dream? In a world where this is sorrow, grief and pain, why not dream? There is so much joy and love in this world too don't get me wrong, but imagine if you could fly, or swim underwater without having to come back up to breathe. Imagine if you could travel time, and watch history for yourself, or maybe you want to head to the stars and find a new planet that has yet to be discovered. If you are like me, you want to dream. It's a good thing. Some dreams are things that can become a reality, and some that are so far impossible, but come on, it's worth thinking about. Perhaps you dream about a new place to live, or a new friend to help you through something. Those are amazing dreams too. Think about it, what would the world be like if no one ever had a dream. We would have no lights, not internet, no computers, no outrageous shoe...

"But baby it's cold outside..." Yes, yes, yes, I know. It's not Christmas, but here at the Sound Castle the weather is turning to be a little chillier. It's beginning to look a lot like winter. So, for the first time in a while, I got to pull out my warm sweater, and my adorable shrug boots. Black, of course...the boots I mean. Granted the skinny jeans, and top were black too, but have no fear, I always throw a splash of color in. My local-made french-styled scarf of deep teal, I brought the gray and blue out of my eyes and makeup. Yes, I have a thing for fashion. It's just a little one I promise. With a Greek gyro in one hand and eye out for a good deal, Author and I wandered the farmer's market in search of something we couldn't live without. Considering we have this fabulous little cupcakery right across the street, we headed across and snagged some of the best cupcakes this side of heaven. A cup of coffee in one hand and a box of cupcakes in the o...

How to you deal with your one of Those days? Me? A cup of coffee, a good chick flick, and some time with Meshka. Sorry bloggers, it's been one of Those days.

You know bloggers, there are few things I will never take for granted. My family, my freedom, my friends, and the simple things in life. So often I tend to forget about how much I love the sight of a clean house, the smell of the BBQ grilling up some yummy something, sound of laughter from a little child, and the companionship of family. A cup of coffee, the laughter of friends playing a game together, completed my picture of a simple day. This morning I woke up to clear skies, and the warmth of the sun on my face as I luxuriated in my soft comfy bed. I enjoyed slowly waking up and walking out into the living room to find the boys playing a game together. They were laughing at something silly in the game and the sound of it brought a smile to my face. When I got a call that big brother and sister were coming with our niece, my smile became a grin. I was so excited to see our little one. Gamer and I slammed out cleaning the house to surprise the roomies, and so we didn't have to wo...

Good Morning bloggers! I promise I'm a little more awake than last night. Granted last night I didn't post until almost 2:00 in the morning. Way to late for my poor little body to be up after a long day at work, and 2 long games of Settlers of Catan. At least I got a fair amount of sleep last night. I slept in until 10:45. The only reason I got up at that time was because I had an appointment to go to at 11:00. This morning when I woke up the sky was all clouded over and there was a light mist sweeping over everything. So, when I got back from my appointment and my roomies had coffee on, I poured a cup, snagged my laptop, curled up in a corner on Author's bed and started blogging. I'd say that's a good start to my day, wouldn't you? By the way, I stumbled across this blog that is super cute. Ironically it's called, A Gracious Stumble. The blogger is very entertaining to read, and keeps you engaged with little games, and amusing stories. Go check it out i yo...

I seriously hate being lactose intolerant. Especially when I am craving it super bad. Bleh. I'm sorry bloggers, I'm so tired tonight. We just finished a very long game of Settlers of Catan. Gamer and Scientist tied, if you were wondering. Well, one big happy thing is Scientist got his first pay check today!! Go Scientist! Well, off to bed with me. Let me know how your day was. See ya tomorrow.

YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We have over 100 page views bloggers!!!!!!! Doing the happy dance!!!!!!! Oh yeah, that's right, we are all doing the happy dance!!!! When I got on and saw how many page views from just today I couldn't believe it! I'm so excited!!! We are growing bloggers!!! I don't know about you but I say we celebrate! Me? I'm going to pop open a bottle of Coca Cola, and drink to our growth. Nope, I don't usually drink alcohol. I'm a lightweight so it's safer if I stay away. ;) What about you? How are you going to celebrate us growing? Today has been a great day. Work was fun. I got an assignment that I can't wait to really get into. It will allow me to really show my colors so to speak. I work as a prep cook in a kitchen, and our season is kicking into high gear. I'm so excited to get back into the swing of things. Yes bloggers, I love to cook! Right now I've got my homemade chili in the crock pot simmering away for tonight's dinn...

I promise I did not forget about all of you. It's just when you can't find internet, you can't post. But I do intend on telling you about everything I saw. I spent the weekend with Gamer and his parents in a little beach town south of us. The town itself simply exudes life and vitality. With it's quirky little shops, and yummy little cafes, it's a place to enjoy the beach, a little shopping, and some really great food. One of the little cafes I stopped in at had some of the best homemade clam chowder, and bread sticks. I'm not much of a bread person, but this bread was quite delicious. Another little shop I popped into was an eclectic mix of fun and funky mixed with a bit of retro. There were these adorable little dolls. Now, I'm not a doll person at all, but these were the funniest little things. They were called "dammit dolls." No Joke! They are meant for those really bad days were all you want to do is smash something against the wall, or slap ...