Sometimes Crazy just works

I have to admit when I first read Mari Kondo empties her pocketbook daily, I thought she was a bit crazy. Then I was at Target trying to pull out my wallet from all the junk that had piled into my bag since I cleaned it out the week prior. Maybe. Just maybe...she's not so crazy. With all the purging, I knew I had an empty box. One afternoon I plunged into the deep end and dumped everything out of my bag.

Now, remember, I had not completely finished my closet. I spent the next half hour rearranging my closet so I would have a shelf for just purses. I did have them in a hanging system on the rod, but it was behind the door and there was no space available for a box. Plus, I'd been toying with the idea of getting rid of it anyway. Out it went. An empty shelf was created and low and behold, a box filled with everything I usually carry in my bag at some point.

I have been using this method for about two weeks now. I love it! My bag is always clean. I can change bags depending on where I'm going or just my mood. To be honest, I only have five bags but they range in sizes so depending on what I need for the day I have choices.

I have a long way to go to finish organizing. Some days I am overwhelmed by it all. Then there are the days when I look at something and smile. And think, "that brings me joy".

A loss

We have been missing Crooked Tail for a few days. This morning John and I found him. He had passed away in the last few days. He was as sweet as a feral cat could be and we'll miss him, his weird "meow" and the way he would rub against your leg when you fed him. Rest in peace, sweet boy.

A week on the go

Tuesday, the girls and I had errands a plenty to run. Always seems like there is something we need or somewhere we need to be. Tuesday, we needed dog food. Rosie was quite distraught when we didn't feed her before we left; we were completely out of dog food.

Wednesday, the girls and I were suppose to go on a field trip to the Augusta Canal but it was rescheduled. Unfortunately, it was rescheduled to a day we cannot attend. I think we'll try to go ourselves one day with John.

Thursday, the girls and I went to Charlotte for the morning to help my parents with some yard work. All the recent rain made the grass really fast. Jesse learned how to put together, and use, a weed eater, and Chloe helped transplant some vegetables for Grandpa. Then of course, we had taekwondo too. I would have skipped taekwondo, but one of our students was graduating early. I always like to be a graduation, especially for my own students.

I should really post daily!

I'll start with last Thursday at taekwondo. I was practicing my new form. I was at the second spin, reverse heel kick. In the middle of the kick, I was thinking this is looking really good. Then, it all went wrong. Oh, so wrong! My foot that was suppose to be planted on the floor went up into the air; I became horizontal then crashed into the floor with my entire body. Oh, the pain. Okay, it didn't hurt. It did knock the wind out of me. By the end of the night my right hip was sore and the next couple of days my shoulder blades and lower back were a bit stiff. I'm fine now, thanks for asking.

Friday, Hank was bad. There was a gold cat (not one of ours) on our back deck. I went out to look around the backyard before letting Hank out and I didn't see the cat. Hank bolted out the back door right to the cat. The cat ran down the backyard and jumped. I thought it jumped over the fence (that is what our cats do), but NOOOOO. This stupid cat jumped up a tree. Then, while Hank was at the bottom of the tree barking at the cat, the cat jumped down. They rolled around with each other for about five seconds then the cat when up another tree. This is when I caught up with them, grabbed Hank and took him inside. It wasn't until late that night we saw his leg was swollen. We hit the scraps, or bites, with peroxide a few different times that night. By Saturday night he was fine. Crazy dog.

Saturday the girls and I drove northward. I went to my Uncle Carroll's funeral with my Mom and the girls entertained Grandpa. They enjoyed seeing the snow/ice that was left there, but really wanted their own snow. lol John went south to visit with his Mom. He saw one of his sisters too.

Sunday we relaxed. I started on my book club book again. They are asking us to turn them in early for other to be able to read them...they are short on this particular book. And since I won't make it that night, I really wanted to turn my in the next time we go to the library. (I finished it this morning.)

Monday was a hectic morning. Rosie went in for her shots. She is now on glucosamine for her knees. I was told when she was a puppy her Boston Terrier side would give her this problem. I'm just glad they make it in treat form so she'll take it. Then I had to take Hank in for a re-check (they called me when I was on my way home) from his visit last summer. Like I said, Monday was hectic.

I had not checked my emails since Saturday morning. Okay, I have not touched a computer at all since Saturday morning. So yesterday I was going through my seventy emails. I found two from the Library. Both girls had entered a drawing into the "Kids in Print" at the Richland County Library back in November. The emails were informing us both girls' drawings were accepted. There will be a reception in a couple of weeks and they don't have rehearsal so they can go. They were both so happy.

Today, it snowed! Okay, it was not even a "dusting" but it did snow. The girls went out this morning and played a bit. They built the tiniest of snowmen. But they had a great time and the dogs did too from what the girls told me.

A note about Chloe. She did not make volunteer of the year, but she was so happy so was nominated.

The difference a year makes

One year ago today, Hank joined our family. We were all a little unsure. Not sure where things would go. Anytime you get a new dog there is a learning curve for all. The dog needs to learn your rules and you need to learn the personality of your new dog. We spent the first month doing those things.

Now, we cannot imagine life without him. He is a bundle of energy! He is loving, always giving kisses. He follows me everywhere. When we get up in the morning, he won't leave our bedroom until I do. lol 

We look forward to all the upcoming years with both our loving doggies.

Never a dull moment

Today was one of those days where everything seems to go right. They are rare, but so worth the wait.

This morning the girls had to rise early. We actually did school work today. Normally, we have school one weekend a month (when John works). Poor girls they had to get it all done before lunch today. But they worked hard and finished everything I asked them to do.

Lunch was quick, and nothing to brag about. Unless you count the ripe avocados because they were awesome on my wrap! The girls both had ramen. (Not even close to my favorite...I don't even like the smell.)  Anyway. I think what made it better was the mail. They both received a letter from a Sanchez. They were very quiet on the car ride, looking at their letters.

The reason the girls had to work so hard then eat a mediocre lunch was because Chloe was going to a friend's house at noon. Last year during "Music Man", Chloe made friends with a girl named Gabby. Well, Gabby got sick before the show even started. She wound up in the hospital and never made it back to the theater. Chloe was heartbroken. But! They met up again during this show and now they are making sure they can continue contact. They have already exchanged emails and now phone numbers. I don't think they will go another year without talking again. lol

Jesse and I spent the time at Goodalle State park. It was beautiful! So quiet and peaceful. There were quite a few people there (at least 6 cars, which is a lot for this park). Many people were having picnics, some just letting the kids run and others were walking their dogs. Jesse swung while I just relaxed in my camping chair. It was perfect.

We picked up Chloe, then headed over to the auditorium at Camden High School. That place is gorgeous! Today was a three-hour rehearsal so I actually got to go home. The rest of the week you will find me in the right wing trying to coax 114 children to stay behind the line and stop them from talking. Wish me luck!

We went through a drive-thru coming home. It has rained all week (it seems) so John wanted the girls to be able to get outside with their pellet gun and bow tonight. They had a great time. I was inside working on a project listening to both dogs whine, because they could not go out too. Poor puppies. Not! This afternoon I forgot I had let Hank out. He was out for over an hour. I suppose he got bored because when I called him in he had "dirt" all over him. I tried to wipe him off with a moist paper towel to discover it was not dirt. Oh, no! It was poop! Really, Hank?! So to the bath he went. Crazy dog!

Snow! Not exactly.

Well, since they were calling for an inch of ice, I suppose I'm happy with about 3-4 inches of sleet. There was some snow that came down for awhile this morning, but it began mixing with sleet about 8 or 9 this morning.

I could have spent the day downloading my camera; however, I didn't. lol  Surprised? Probably not. I did take a few more pictures though. I'll get to it one day. Maybe tomorrow. I haven't decided on school for tomorrow. We didn't have school today, but two days I think would be too much. I'll put it down as TBD.

We had a good day anyway. This morning we all played Payday together. Jesse won with over $45,000. I came in last, only because everyone else continuously landed on "Deal". I landed on it once. Oh, well. The girls wound up playing another game with Chloe winning it. She had over $100,000!

John and I both did some internet research. I was looking for RVs, of course. I'm not sure what he was doing, but last night he was looking at compost toilets.

I think the funniest thing today was Hank. We can always count on Rosie to not want to go out when it is wet, but Hank is always up for going out. He loved the last snow. This, however, was not snow. It was some snow with sleet. I was talking to my Dad, when John opened the door and Hank ran out turned around immediately and ran back in. I laughed so hard. He said he was having none of that! lol

I think I'll bug John some more and go look at RVs more. :)

Opening night of "Wizard of Oz"

The snow this week caused the cast to lose two rehearsals. So last night they had microphones, lights, costumes and every thing else thrown at them. I think Chloe is a little worried about opening night, but I know she knows her part and she'll do great!

It will be a long weekend, with a show tonight, two tomorrow and the final show on Sunday. John did take off work tomorrow (only the second time he has taken off for drill in 18 years), but I'm thankful he did. Now, Jesse can stay home and Chloe and I can stay in town rather than rushing back to the let the dogs out and rushing back to get there in time for the second show. This is the first time we have done it this way and I'm really looking forward to it. :)

Pictures are still on my camera. lol  I really hope Sunday morning I'll have a chance to get them downloaded; however, I just may want to sit in my chair and do nothing after tomorrow.

I have a doggie story: Rosie was standing next to me, trying to get petted, when Hank decided he wanted to go look out the window in the door. When Rosie didn't move, Hank crawled under her. It was so funny! She still just stood there. I admit I laughed pretty hard, but no one else saw it so I looked crazy. As usual. lol

UPDATE:
I just have to say that "Toto" stole the show tonight. At least for those of us who were sitting on our row. The theatre has elevated seating in the back and there is an open space between it and the floor seating. Dorothy, her gang and the yellow-brick road went through there many times tonight. And every time Toto got further and further behind. I really hope Toto had knee pads, because "he" was on "his" knees all night. So adorable! At one point, Toto tried to grab the lion's tail to get a "ride", but instead the lion fell down then ran off to catch up with everyone. It was too much fun!

Chloe did a great job and made an adorable monkey. The only problem: I'm short. And we were sitting in the back. Most of the time she was on stage, she was on her knees. Not sure why the smallest lead monkey was on her knees, but that is what the director said for her to do. I plan on taking my camera tomorrow to get some pictures.

What a day!!!

I'll start with yesterday. Yesterday was fun day. Of course! It snowed three inches here. The girls had a blast playing in the snow. John decided he was old because all the water (when they came in) just frustrated him. I just chilled. I mean what else could you do with most places closed?

Rosie had fun in the snow too. I took both dogs out yesterday morning and she started dancing in the snow. I wish I'd had the camera. I do have a Rosie story. She needed to go out last night, but she refused to go out the door. I finally put her sweater on then she bolted out the door. She is such a girl! lol

Hank had a story too. The girls took both dogs out yesterday afternoon. Chloe started kicking the snow up in the air and Hank started jumping trying to catch the snow. He was jumping so high! I got a few pictures, but haven't downloaded everything yet. I'll post them when I post a picture of the swing, which I took after it snowed. lol

Today we were back to our schedule, sort of. We finished all of our school work. Chloe had rehearsal tonight. They finally got their costumes. She loves her hat; she was very concerned about the hat.

I have some news. Shh. It is on the down low because the email has not been sent out yet. Do you remember both girls auditioned for "Alice in Wonderland" a few weeks ago? Well, I found out tonight they were both cast. Chloe is "Alice #2" and Jesse is "the Tin Man". Okay, now you are confused. Mr. Jerry wrote this particular "Alice", which has "Dorothy" and all her gang ("Wizard of Oz"), a few Twilight people and some other people I don't recall. They did this play in Columbia last fall, but we didn't see it. Jesse is really happy to be "the Tin Man" because "The Wizard of Oz" is her favorite but she was too old to be in the production Chloe is in. Chloe is elated to be "Alice", and more so when she found out her friend Gabby is "Alice #1".

Where's the snow?

The girls have been so excited expecting the snow the meteorologists were calling for. Rehearsals were canceled. Schools were closed (all day). Stores closed between Noon and 2pm. Yet, we sit here, at almost 7:30pm, and still no snow. To say the girls are annoyed would be an understatement.

We do have some freezing rain, or sleet. The deck is slick all over. Hank tried to pull me off the steps going out, then I almost fell again coming back in. He's a little excitable. lol  We were looking forward to snow, not icky ice. Rosie was not impressed.

We still managed to get school in today. And even baked some cupcakes. You know that counts as Home Ec, right? And laundry is almost caught up. Almost.

A sick day??

Okay, we flub it a little. Chloe was suppose to go to rehearsal today. Instead, I called her in "sick" and we went to see my parents. We were originally going to go visit last weekend; however, Dad was still feeling bad from a shot he had the Monday before. I felt a little better today, so I think it was a good call.

Today was also the day my parents got to meet Hank, and our first long car ride with him. He did really well. He even licked my Dad twice, something my Dad usually doesn't let a dog do. I finally asked Dad what he thought. "Do you think I can make a dog out of him?" He shrugged his shoulders, but I think he believes there's a chance. LOL He was a good boy...most of the day. ;)

And of course, the first thing the girls had to do when we arrived home was to run to the backyard and swing for a few minutes. They are loving it and looking forward to spending some time swinging...before it snows. LOL

Too much at once

Well, I admit I did not do any cleaning today. I took a look at my calendar for the next few weeks, then decided I should take today to relax. I won't get much time to relax in the upcoming weeks. Chloe will have rehearsal for "The Wizard of Oz" every day for the next week-and-a-half leading up to the four shows. Speaking of this, tickets are now available to purchase on-line. Just go to the Columbia Children's Theatre's website to the YouTheatre section to purchase a ticket. :)

Tonight both girls auditioned for "Alice in Wonderland", at the Kershaw Fine Arts Center. They will find out if they get a part at the end of this month. Rehearsals for that play will begin mid-February. Yes, it is theatre season in the Morgan household.

As if that were not enough, Jesse is preparing to get her fourth degree black belt at the end of February. She'll even get a new pair of pants, with a black stripe. :)  Most of our fourth degrees graduate high school shortly after, so you rarely see anyone other than Master Mike wearing them. I think she is going to enjoy being a little different from everyone else for awhile.

I have to put a note in about Hank. Hank has now decided that the men in the house should stick together. His favorite place to lay down is now John's lap. Tonight Hank jumped onto John's lap, sat down, then stuck his nose really close to John's face. lol  Rosie still likes to go up to Hank and poke him with her nose. It is adorable because he just stands there while she does it. She really likes Hank.

Cleaning day!

Today, I asked John to run a couple of errands. I then told the girls Dad hadn't had breakfast yet, so they went with him knowing he'd eat out. All that just meant that I had the house to myself so I could clean. I didn't get everything I wanted done, but I achieved a good bit. I even cooked another chicken and did three loads of laundry. Woohoo!

We've been discussing building a deck out by the pool area. We spent a good bit of time this morning discussing the subject. I think what we discovered is we have different ideas of what it should look like. I imagine we'll spend more time talking about it and looking at design ideas before we start anything.

John did get two shelves up in the dining room for my plants. It was an idea we came up with a few weeks ago, but hadn't implemented yet. I love them. Now, I need to repot a few plants (then I'll take a picture).

I know I need to post a picture of Hank. I have only taken one of him, while he was sleep on Chloe's blanket. I haven't really taken many photos lately. Shocking! I know.

Did I tell you I broke my toe at taekwondo Thursday night? I don't think I did, but Wendy mentioned it here. Anyway. Jesse kept insisting I didn't break it. Today, I showed my tow to all three of them. It was so pretty! All purple, lilac and black.  Now, she may believe me. LOL

I'd count today as a good day. I need a few more just like it. :)

Finally, Friday!!

What a long week! It was a great week, but long. Today, we went to buy a few things for the Hankster. He now has a new blanket so he can give Chloe hers back. A new sweater with Grumpy, because, well, he can be grumpy. lol  And a water bowl for his crate. I've been feeling bad there was no water in there when we have to leave him. So, I suppose the water bowl was for me. ;)

Tonight, we went to the girls' favorite store so Chloe could get one of the new LEGO minis. She was feeling each bag for a bit then just decided to take a chance and grab one. Would you believe she actually got the one she wanted!! Amazing! She was excited.

We were planning a trip to Charlotte this weekend, but between Mom's schedule, ours and Dad not feeling so great, we decided to put it off a bit. We're looking forward to going up so they can meet Hank. I hope he likes there as much as Rosie does. She adores Grandpa!

Now, I'm having big hopes on getting a few projects done this weekend. So long as I don't feel like I did this afternoon, I should get a thing or two done. Fingers crossed!!!

Its been a couple of days. Whew!

Welcome to our world...it gets crazy around here!

Chloe had her second rehearsal for the "Wizard Oz" last night. In and of itself, not so bad; however, last night we also had to make icing for cupcakes we were delivering today. Add both of those things to spending two hours at the library, laundry and Hank patrol and that makes for a long day.

Jesse had some good news yesterday. She found out she is the library's Winter Spotlight Volunteer. She was so excited. And she received a gift card too.

Hank is adjusting well. Rosie likes him; she keeps nudging him with her nose. And today she rested her head on his neck, as they were standing in the living room. It is too funny.

Doctors. Doctors. Doctors.

And I don't mean Dr. Who (but I wish I did) {giggle}

Today, Rosie had her check-up at with the Vet. She is doing awesome! :) 

Jesse went to the doctor. She didn't have anything in her chest, so she should be improving over the next couple of days.

Most of my morning and early afternoon were spent in those two places. Jesse and I then went to get Hank some food/treats and a few other items.

John and the girls took Rosie and Hank out to play soccer in the yard this afternoon. I think they all had a good time and got in some good exercise.

A week! Really?

We realized late last night Hank had been with us for a week. It is hard to believe. We have easily adjusted to having dog number two. I believe he is adjusting to us as well. He still goes to bed every night about 9pm, like we were told he would do. He loves to play; he is adjusting his volume for us, so he is not as loud as he was a week ago. He already knows to look to see if the chair is at the window upstairs. And he KNOWS there is more than one cat out there. lol

If I had written this last night, I would have said he was doing really well and seemed to have learned his boundary in the backyard. However, I'm writing this today, and oh the difference a day makes. Today, we let him out (without a leash) to play soccer with the girls and Rosie. I wasn't out there so I don't know all the details, but he saw/heard/smelled M.C. in the woods (within the fence) and off he went!  Now he knows he can go out into the trees, but I'm hoping he also knows it will get him into trouble. I think he prefers to hear "good Hank" vs. "bad dog". lol  He is hearing "good Hank" far more than the other, but when I finally got him in the woods it was definitely a "bad dog" moment.

He seems to be happy here. At least, we hope he is. Rosie is enamored with him. And we are enjoying is weird company. Yes, he is weird which makes him fit in perfectly with us.

Wow! Just wow!

I just took the dogs out. I had Hank on his leash because Cat Black was on the deck. Well. I could not believe what I saw! I opened the door and Cat Black put two paws inside the house and rubbed her head on Hank's muzzle! She just saw him for the first time last night. And now the Warrior Princess is rubbing up on him. Wow!!!!!! Amazing! And Hank didn't make a sound.

I finished a project today! I wanted a place to put aprons. We used to hang them on the key hook in the dining room, but you couldn't get to the keys easily and it looked messy to me. Then I had them in a tiny drawer, but there were too many of them to fit well. Honestly, the whole thing was gettin' on my nerves. I started just hanging my apron on the key hook.

Finally, a couple of weeks ago John came up with the brilliant idea of using a utensil holder for all the silverware. You know one of those for a picnic table that has three compartments. Well, guess what...you can't find them this time of year. Geez! Really?! I was already anxious to move everything, so I used what I had. I had a wide utensil container from IKEA and put all the silverware in it. After an hour, I was irritated. However, I was loving having the drawer for the aprons and the girls coffee mugs.

Then John had another idea. The Disney cups! We have so many souvenir mugs and most of them are being stored in the top of the cabinet. Today, I finally got the cups down and sorted out the silverware. Not only are the forks, spoons and knives in their own cups, but we also have a cup for our chop sticks! I'm happy now.

is it bedtime yet?

School was called off today because Jesse had a low-grade fever and a sore throat. I thought I'd get a good bit of cleaning done, but I didn't. I did get some laundry done though. :)

Our new dog is doing well. He is adjusting and learning our rules. He had a great day today. We let him out twice today with no leash. He ran up the hill and down the hill so many times it was just funny. He has also taken over one of Chloe's blankets. So, this weekend we are going to go out and him his own blanket. I mean Rosie has her own, so should Hank.

That is it. I'm tired. My brain is tired. I'm going to bed.

A new seat

We went upstairs today to work on schoolwork. The new dog, Hank, was staring out the back door in search of cats to whine at, so we couldn't get him to come upstairs. The solution: the sewing chair in front of the back window with both sets of blinds raised. He loved it! He sat there all afternoon. Okay, he went from the window to the back door all afternoon. But he wore himself out. lol

I had the chance to go hang out with my friend Julia again tonight. I was trying to make it up to her for hogging the conversation Monday night at rehearsal. We had fun. Well, I had fun. We always seem to have weird conversations, but it may just be us.

Jesse has complained about her throat today. She had some hot tea that helped for a bit. Tonight she has a low-grade fever. If she still feels bad tomorrow morning, we'll see if we can get her in to see the doctor.