I"M NOT WEIRD OF ANYTHING

I'm not weird or anything: To be honest, it's an honor to have my first Meme....even if it's taken me almost a week to figure out only 6 -- that won't scream out Patty is so Weird!!

1. As most of you can see. I am a horrible speller. I blame it on a new type of curriculum that was used in my first grade class. It was then determined to be ineffective and thrown out the very next year in 1977. Now to be honest, I only remember overhearing this and committing the excuse to memory. I have a great way to skip details that don't apply to me. For instance.....I almost think the new curriclum was Phonics......only after seeing commercials for how it will teach every child to spell.....did I realize that was the program my mother said didn't work? Wish I could clarify this with my dear Mother who now lives with Jesus. Since I can't.... I'm staying true that in 1976... some horrible spelling curiculum was brainwashed into my brain and poor me....I'll never be able to spell! (my sister and brother are good spellers...won spelling bees even) ( I am not getting the dictionary out for this post - sorry)

2. I am a speed reader. I've never been to any type of class. I just skip all the little words.....you know "in-is-the-as-was" type words. I can and have finished many a novel in a couple hours and often don't start a book if I must do something important the next day. I can not put a good book down. Now, skipping all the little words does mess with my comprehension. I'm blaming it on Random Fact #1's brain washing!!! I have been blessed to have good test taking skills, also that sharpies were around in Nursing School. In order to comprehend every word - I'd read while the highlighter was at the ready to highlight. Praise God, I can remember the important stuff and I have been told I am a good nurse. Less anyone fears....

3. I am greatly effected by what I think people think of me. Probably why it's taken me a week to do this Meme. Someone loaned me this great book......http://www.amazon.com/Search-Significance-Seeing-Worth-Through/dp/B0002H7GDU/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1201804952&sr=1-1. I bought my own copy before Christmas to highlight and not miss the little words. Hopefully I'll finish it before we go out into the fishbowl!

4. I am terrified of mice!! More than Ann is afraid of spiders....or certainly just as much. If a mouse can run up my childhood friend, Julie E.'s pant leg, It could run up mine. I can smell the room they are in....although research says I'm smelling their droppings. I refuse to be anywhere a mouse has recently been. Now interesting enough I am not as afraid of a rat......they are big enough to kick away if they try to run up a pant's leg. Not that I want to see one...or am not repulsed by their existence. They are just a little lower on my intolerance list. Snakes are a millimeter higher as they eat mice and rats.

5. I don't eat meat. But I'm not a vegetarian. I'll be a little more specific. I don't eat anything that has the texture of red meat, or is non processed ham or turkey. I hate the taste of chicken and fish. Very rarely, I will have a craving for smooth non fiberous or non-fatty turkey or pork. I eat that in very small servings and that could last me months! Never fear... Most places will exchange beans for hamburger....and soy products grill up nicely on the grill. I have no problems eating carbs or cheese or Dr. Pepper.....which has gotten me into this shape!!

6. I don't like movies! My parent's faith told them that cards and movies lead to sin. So I saw my first movie, Footloose, when I was 16. Interesting - my parents were not upset. I think it was more about wasting money then the movie itself. But, to this day I don't watch movies unless I can do something else along with it. My brother and sister have the same problem I do......I just can't stay interested that long. I married a man who memorizes movies, can watch them over and over, and takes such enjoyment in them that he's teaching the kids to do the same. I'm all for it. I think a movie is like a mini vacation from stress. And I wish I could like them. I am trying to watch chick flicks as I scrap book.

Done!!! Many blogs I read only know me by a blogger number. Some of my new commentors have already been tagged. But thanks so much for commenting!!! So I tag----------
Kate (who doesn't have a blog but I wish she did), Mishi and Jessica and Joelle(who I wish blogged more).

Friends

First I just need to say 53 POSTS!! Wow....I don't know how interesting they were but I am glad I have many blessings to blog about. I am also glad I have some faithful readers all over the country...even if they don't comment!! I am inspired to post yet another.

These are California pics of MG and HSM washing their new kitties. Build a Bear is alot of fun... although quite an infrequent investment. The girls miss each other. One thing that still helps Shark Boy is a very special Super Bear that he recieved at our going away party in 2005. He frequently presses the paw that says "LUKEY You are my very best friend... Love, Owen"

Thanks Ann and Owen....It has helped tremendously over the past years and especially the last few weeks.

So with this special bear in mind, the girls got identical kitties. The kitties tummies say similar messages --- in 4 year old languange...but HSM is pretty close to Owen's words.

This is the shirt they labeled as "Mermaid Girl", "HSM's biggest fan" and "Spunky Girl". Being 4 is wonderful!! Now we just need to get Spunky Girl's way for some fun! I need to get Ann's way too! Friends are wonderful, if you are 37 or 4!

PS I caved and drank a DP ...my throat is scratchy, body is achy and I was trying to ward off the flu with DP's medicinal effects. I felt a lot better for a couple of hours too, now I am drinking my hot tea. :-)

Cravings

First 12 hours without Dr Pepper

* My son cuts his long sleeves off his Star Wars t shirt on the school playground as it hit 70 today and then fell to 20's in about 3 hours
* I broke the combination window and B worked 30 minutes to fix it (In the flurry 20's)
* Doing Pilates off a DVR recording, my 4 year old chimes "Mommy you aren't even doing it good like the easy lady." "Mommy get your tummy up." "Mommy are you crying?" As she twists her self into a pretzel just like the 'advanced level lady"

Is there DP anonymous?

Hi, My name is Patty and I am ADDICTED to Dr Pepper! I can admit it...but don't want to quit. I can follow any diet, and actually exercise..but am unable to give up my kick from Dr. Pepper. Since I don't do diet soda, or coffee --all that's left is Vivarin (I've actually considered this as an option). I do have tea....especially iced tea but my kidneys go into overtime and this does not always work in nursing....but my doctor insists on weight loss....and I'll have more energy, feel better, smile more and actually fit into 75 % of the clothes in my closet. So I went to Wally World and paid full price for a Mr. Coffee Iced tea maker, because when I go off the DP -- I need lots of cold tea and fast to get through my day. I have NO DP in the house and the stupid (00ps - hope little ears in my house won't read that word) pitcher has a crack from top to bottom. Now I have to go back in line at Wally World to return it -- or stay hooked on DP. Lets hope I still have the motivation to quit when I see how crowded the parking lot is.

Malaise (Sheer fatigue)

Wow, 6 days again without a post. :-( I actually have some things to post and a MEME to respond to. I am beat though.....my brain is mush. I am not going to read a single blog! The phone rang at 6 for me to come in early and work the floor, then follow up with a very sad admission. There has to be a full moon ---- Nurses with the flu, clotted lung drainage tubes, mentally ill wives, and unexpected dying patients. Oh and my stable patient lost his gold teeth! What?? I can handle no more!
Tomorrow, I stay at home - and will not answer the phone.

Maybe it's magic!!!

I am proud of how much I was able to declutter from Mermaid Girl's room today. Good-bye dozens of Happy meal toys, broken toys and toddler toys that I probably liked more than she did. There is a fundraiser at Shark boys' school for a teacher who is ill.....It made it easy to gather a whole box of great books to donate for a great cause!! It was a little challenging to get the bags to the garbage and boxes to the trunk without her little eyes. I was cleaning off some of her bigger toys to donate to the re-sell-it shop and was amazed at how dirty the clorax wipes were getting. "Mermaid girl how can your toys get so dirty?" "Ummmmm...maybe magic?" Maybe!!!

Moms....Polly Pocket comes so unbelievebly accessorized...but how do you keep all these itty bitty toys in one place.... clear rubbermaid is what I'm using now....Thank goodness Polly is no taller than a crayon!
Blessings, Patty

California

Wow 2 weeks have lapsed since my last post. I'm surprised anyone is still reading. I can't not say I have much done in decluttering... because we have been having fun in the sun in California! The bad news is I still have allergies there. I was able to avoid my Zyrtec and I did not take any inhalers...but needed to resume back here. I am considering this a blessing however, I now know that wherever God places our family....it will be the right place and I don't need to to wonder if the air is better in the Southwest.
Well on to CALIFORNIA. It was so nice to make memories with my daughter. We loved touring 2 zoos at a 4 year old speed, shopping for girly things, playing at parks and spending time with our good friends who we have not seen since May. MG loves playing with her little friend ...now known as "High School Musical 2's biggest fan" or "HSM fan". She gave MG a shirt with 3 friends dancing under the title "Best friends". One was even looked like MG. They named the girls "HSM", "MG" and "Spunky Girl".

We loved worshipping with our friends.....and seeing how God has blessed them in their temporary placement. It is perfect!! We miss them, but know that God is working wonderful things through them all.

The best part is the beach!!!! I love the water and so does MG!! The first picture is her first step in the ocean!! She still keeps talking about the moving water. We had a bonfire on the beach until far after the sunset and made wonderful memories!

This post is sooo long. I should try posting more! Now on to declutter my scrapbooking closet. Wish me luck!

Blessings, Patty

P.S. Thanks for your prayers... Shark Boy has needed them. The timing of this trip couldn't have been worse...but I had to use the tickets. He is doing better...but still struggles to fall asleep without fears.

War on Clutter

Wow! My first post of 2008 and only 4 days late! Perhaps regular blogging should be on my resolution list. But that would just equal failure in '08. Maybe next year!

We are down to less than 6 months before big changes in our life. Thus far it has been fun to watch the count down....now it's time to get busy. Thus my plans are -
declutter--- perhaps this will help. http://www.flylady.net/pages/FlyingLessons_Declutter.asp I visit this site often and even have someone named Skipper sending me emails every day to get a spotless house and remain that way in 30 days. Yeah...... Skipper's email is deleted most every day. I do have a plan. Starting on Tuesday -- Goodwill or our favorite campus store will get some of our treasures. My first version of this sentance said "may get some of our treasures". SHEEESH!!!! I wish I knew why I remain such a pack rat. Maybe there is a magic pill or fairy that can make this problem vanish. Last night, I was dreaming of my house looking like it could show on HGTV. So starting on Tuesday --- the bags and boxes come out. I have broke the house down into do-able areas. I have "Clean Sweep" and "Misson Organization" on DVR as motivational encouragement. I have the box tape, labels and an area to place boxes of mementos that we do want to move around the country. I want to win this battle!!! I have learned 2 pieces of advice in a book I've read recently. One reason houses stay cluttered is perfectionism......... Crazy enough.....I can understand this. If I don't have the emotional or physical energy to complete the job and not make mistakes.....I will never start. Another piece of advice is not to look for big areas for storage...... i.e. a smaller bookcase is just a good as a huge one. I buy the big bookcase....and just keep 4 times as many books!! Wish me luck!!! So off the computer now to help Mermaid Girl collect her 10,000 barbies and accessories that took a journey around our house today while Mommy was at work!

Thanks for keeping Luke and Caleb's family in your prayers. Luke is doing much better. I know Monday will be hard, especially for Caleb's brother and family.