Christmas at The Opryland Hotel

SOCKS & TUPPERWARE

SOCKS & TUPPERWARE
—Two things I just can’t seem to get under control.

I have two cabinets in my kitchen that I dare not open. Every time I do, plastic bowls and lids of all sizes and shapes come spilling out onto the floor. Sure, I’ve tried to “organize” and “re-arrange”—even cull a few pieces, but it hasn’t helped. Somehow, within a couple of weeks, all of my efforts are in vain and I end up stuffing (sometimes throwing) the Tupperware back in the cabinets and closing the doors really fast before anything can fall back out. Rob, on the other hand, has chosen to avoid the battle all together. He just sits the Tupperware on the counter ABOVE the cabinets where they belong.

Apparently finding a pair of sock in my house can be just as frustrating. Honestly, I really hadn’t given it much thought until Jackson added socks to his list of things he wanted Santa Claus to bring him for Christmas. It was then that I realized that the poor kid doesn’t think he has any because they are all in the bottom of the blue laundry tub in our bedroom. The obvious answer: fold the socks as they come out of the dryer. And that would work just fine- except for the fact that the socks that go in the dryer are never the same socks that come out of the dryer.

I’m not one for New Year’s resolutions, but these two projects would be good one. Maybe I should read some Martha Stewart—I’m sure she has the perfect solutions to make both my Tupperware and my socks “good things”.

 

I came home for lunch this afternoon to find this fortress, desigend by Rob, to protect our Christmas tree and all the presents from our chew terror dog know as Max. If you look closely, you can see our dining room chairs covered with blankets and pillows- all to shield the gifts and low-hanging glass ornaments. My favorite part has to be the two angels sitting watchfully on top, making sure all is safe.

And to think I was just going to by a baby gate!

Happy Thanksgiving!

There’s no place like home…there’s no place like home…

I made it back from Dallas late Saturday night—completely exhausted and weighing in a good 5 pounds heavier than when I left. I love experiencing new restaurants, and Dallas was full of them. We had sushi at Kunichiwa, steak at Sam and Nick’s and pasta at Maggiano’s. To say the least I’m stuffed. Tis’ the season I guess. With Thanksgiving Thursday and Christmas 36 days away, I’m finding myself keenly aware of my waistline. I actually considered fasting today—but really, who am I kidding--that idea quickly faded at 6:30 am. I think I’ll save all the weight worries until after the first of the year.

Thanks to everyone who helped with the shoe boxes yesterday!!! Rob and I loaded them up and delivered them to the church this morning. I wish I could be there when the kids open those lids and pull out all their surprises! I think what touched my heart the most was going back through the boxes last night and reading some of the notes the kids had included. Thanks again!

I’m still fighting this dreadful cold. I went to see Dr Parker Friday hoping to knock it out early, but I’m afraid I was too late. Given that and the fact the Rob and I have been going non-stop for what seems like months, our weekend was pretty low-key. Friday we rented a couple Monty Python movies and curled up on the couch. Sad to say, I don’t think we even got half way through “Search for the Holy Grail”, before we were both asleep. Saturday we watched the heart-breaking defeat to MS State, and then headed to Birmingham to get out new breakfast-nook table and chairs. Sunday was shoes boxes and laundry.

I’ll be in Dallas for a trade show this week- returning late Saturday. Keep your fingers crossed I won’t have any flight delays and that all this nasty sinus crud in my head will clear out before I have to get on a plane Wed morning.

The GRANT Dinning collection:
(You really can't tell from the photo, but the table sets up pretty high- the chairs are more like pub chairs--prefect for Rob's long legs!)

My new toy

I finally did it! I have given up my old leather Franklin Covey planner-- well, maybe. I've been looking at PDA's for years--literally years, and last week I finally bought one. It arrived last night... and so far so good. I still haven't won the battle over how to download email direct from the Gmail server, but I did score some points figuring out how to use Outlook. It takes more time than I'm used, it seems more complicated, I can't color code events, or doodle in the margins, but I still think it's worth it. I went with a Windows based model and it's got great features like WIFI, Blue Tooth and and an MP3 (like I need another MP3 player, but hey!)