ROUTINELY MONDAY

[BookSaver]

DNiece's wedding Saturday was beautiful, although a very short ceremony by a JP. DH's DSis and DBIL (the Bride's parents) asked us to sit with them at their table at the reception. That was so nice because we haven't seen them for several months, they've somehow missed several family gatherings in a row. I did see DSisIL at the bridal shower a few weeks ago, but she was so busy meeting the women of her soon-to-be-SonIL's family that we didn't get a chance to chat. My dressy outfit turned out fine, although I had a drink spilled on me at the reception so I'm glad both the top and skirt are washable.

DBIL gave a wonderful speech as Father of the Bride. Brought tears to a lot of eyes! The Bride's brother was Best Man and gave a very funny speech, starting out by quoting the "mawwiage" speech from The Princess Bride movie. The Bride and Groom dated for 8 years. They went through both high school and college together, and waited to get married until both were hired for good jobs. They were both glowing and so happy.

Yesterday was another beautiful Sunday and DH wanted to have another picnic at the park. We agreed that it was the best part of camping, being able to relax in the fresh air with our meal, read the Sunday newspaper, and listen to the birds -- without the stress of packing all the gear or sleeping on the ground. We weren't even bothered by bugs.

The only glitch was that SW put the wrong sandwich in our to-go bag. I ordered a spicy Italian (salami & pepperoni) with provolone and lots and lots of veggies. What I got was turkey, no cheese, only lettuce with mayo. It tasted fine, I like turkey, it wasn't worth going back to argue with them about it -- but I missed my veggies, and I hope whoever got the spicy sandwich stayed in the restaurant to eat so they could get it replaced with the mild turkey sub they ordered.

I think what happened was the poor girls at the counter were having to cope with an equipment problem; their toaster wasn't working so they had to use the microwave for everything. That not only slowed down the line, it broke their routine for making sure everything stayed in the proper order.

Harriet ~ HRH's vegetarian fajitas sound good. That reminds me that I have a taco recipe I want to try that uses seasoned lentils instead of meat.

Helia ~ Congrats to Dd16 for being first chair oboist at band camp. I remember you mentioned that the competition would be tough.

Kathryn ~ Molasses candy, mmm! What a fun new memory you have made with your Dear Unc.

Sadie ~ I'm so glad that your DS18's procedure is still on schedule and they are not going to make you wait again. What a relief it will be when that is done.

LadyMaverick ~ LO's new teacher sounds very well organized. Let's hope she can keep it up all year.

[Lady Maverick]

Rabbit chores done. Did I share that LO has a rabbit? I can't remember. The rabbit cage is too tall for LO to reach into so I end up doing the chores while LO holds and plays with the rabbit. The rabbit uses a litter box so it isn't too bad. Just dumping the litter box then putting fresh hay in it, sweeping the cage, refilling the water bottle and putting out fresh food. LO feeds it 4 baby carrots each day as a treat. The hardest part is catching the rabbit when it gets loose. It provides plenty of exercise because the little dude is can go fast and turn on a dime!

It is over 100 degrees here so I filled the redneck swimming hole (cattle tank) so LO could play while cooling down. While watching him in the water, I cleaned up table & chairs next to the garden. This is where I collect all the garden produce in the morning and also where I brush the dogs. I emptied the container that is used to hold the hair as I brush them because both dogs shed like crazy. Yotee (Blue Healer) only has about a hand ful a day of hair, but Buddy (Great Pyrenees mix) is a shedding machine. I keep thinking Buddy will be bald with all the hair coming out but his coat still looks thick and fluffy.

Next UP-
** LOL put away & one into the washer
** Dinner cleaned up and kitchen set up for morning
** 5 minutes cleaning in laundry room

[Harriet]

BookSaver, I smiled when I heard about the Best Man's speech. Hearing about the drink spilled onto you at reception, I was glad that you limited your shopping time and didn't let perfectionism prod you into fancier shopping. It's a cautionary tale about the best-laid plans.

LadyM, it's interesting to hear about LO's first grade organization. Here dd is looking through schoolwork organizing ideas, including organization "stations" for papers and such. Gotta save all those odd papers through the semester to study for exams.

Here is what I think she REALLY needs. Considering her usual schoolday troubles. Probably wouldn't help! Think I'll email it to her quietly.

Let the chickens out for a yard walk this evening. Trying to see differences in them, learn them, and get them named. A little concerned to see such a span of size/bulk. They have plenty of space and the same food and water, so I begin to question buying locally. When I've ordered chicks from hatcheries, they grew up with consistent size.

[Kathryn-in-Canada]

Harriet: I need that for my organization! Especially on Sunday's when I leave 4 outfits strewn over the bed! How I envy ministers who gown so don't have to worry about outfits as much.

The swim was glorious. I swam 425 metres (just over 1/4 mile) in 20 minutes and then treaded water for 10 minutes for a total of 30 minutes of 'not drowning'. It was a 25m pool with lanes but 3 lanes weren't roped off and since I swim so slowly, I did 17 lengths in the open area. It meant I had to fight the current of the water slide but it also meant I didn't have to worry about holding anyone up. Took 7 minutes in the hot tub after.

I couldn't get the showers to stay on so quickly came back to the hotel and showered here and washed out my bathing suit. Dh figured out the showers (his worked better than mine and stayed on for 2 minutes, not 10 seconds) so showered there.

I've had a glass of milk and might night time vitamins. I might have more water because I'm still thirsty.

[Harmony]

Life is always so complicated and busy, we all need things to help us stay organized, dontcha think? I think I'm a bit addicted to plastic bins...

Busy day. Talked with my friend who is having major problems now that she's home from the hospital and got her set up in our take-a-meal program. I am doing the meal tomorrow. I have the filling made for chicken pot pie, all homemade - and I made so much filling figuring to make us one too, that I might have enough left for a small one for my DStepMiL. I talked with her today also and she's not doing so great, grieving badly...sigh...sigh...that's how our conversations go...sigh... she might appreciate a little meal. She's been going out for dinners all by herself. I'll make the pastry crusts tomorrow and the salad.

I also sent DH down to her with our wheelchair, the good one with the big wheels, that was his Dad's. My friend doesn't feel like she has enough strength for the trip out to get a lab test done tomorrow. It's a sad situation.

Took a while to clean up the kitchen from all that. I just dried and put away all the dishes. I try to keep the counters cleaned up for DH to use in the morning filling his coolers.

Dealt with some other office issues, then I reconciled a bank account, and I made out a sympathy card to send. That lady I visit in the nursing home just had her cousin's husband die. The cousin died about 6 months ago, and he was her last person to help her with things. To my knowledge I'm the only person from church who visits her. Must get up there soon.

Off to bed. Tomorrow's going to be busy.

[Elizabeth]

Good evening everyone! Here is the routine I am trying to add to my life starting this Monday: eating at least one good meal a day (done) and exercise (also done). I was feeling like a real weenie when my dad was here. He is 77 and had no trouble doing any of our hiking activities, AND he was carrying the backpack with the water. (I offered, but he insisted). Today, I walked to the dollar store to get eyeglass cases, mine have broken for both computer and sunglasses.

I am down by 2 cats. DFosterCat2 was adopted and is doing so well, her people want another one of the org's cats (from a different foster). One of the kittens is adopted as well, to be a companion to an adult cat. Since this particular kitten really liked to follow and emulate dFosterCat4, it is likely to be a good placement. The other 4 kittens are now big enough for spay/neuter and I must set up those appointments tomorrow. One may be delayed due to an eye infection. He gets drops twice a day, which he is good about. He must be in isolation for two weeks, which he is not. I am letting him out during the day and keeping the others in the MBR during that time. Right now, he is in my lap.

Most of today has been spent with a friend. I did get one errand done - delivering some cat crates and cages to their proper place. This means that I can now get my car into the garage! I wrote a condolence letter, never easy. I found a job posting to apply to tomorrow. I also started an online (free) perl programming class that will count toward my job hunt activities.

Tomorrow is the first Girls' Night Out with DD12 where she is coming from her new school. The X wants her to walk home with her stepbrother and for me to pick her up a little after 12 at his house. Works for me. There are lots of things on my list, but time is running out tonight. FlyLady's zone is the MBR this week, but I did really good work on that last week while waiting for kittens to produce samples. There is only one box, maybe a quarter filled that still needs my attention for decluttering. Then, I guess I should do something with the closets. They are not really that bad, but I'd rather get to them BEFORE they are bad.

helia: I am sending you a PM relevant to Austin and your DS.

[FelineFriend]

♥ BLOSSOM STREET BRIDES ♥ .... is what sidetracked me this afternoon - 11:30p.m. It's a book by Debbie Macomber. I had the digital library version, read it on my laptop from beginning to end. It was wonderful how it told me on the screen, what percentage I'd read so far and each chapter told me what page I was on, out of how many pages in that particular chapter. I loved it so much!

I'd better run, do QVAR and floss, head to bed with my sleepy-sleepy happy head.