I Love Fall

I love fall.

End of story.

Ok... not so much.

I love the colors of the changing leaves. They remind me of life. Life is FOREVER changing. Sometimes it's beautiful and awe inspiring. Later, it can be dry, dull and downright ugly.

I love watching how the cool weather make the dogs run extra fast, chasing each other as if they know winter is on their heels. It's way cool to watch them skid into the leaves.

I must get a picture of that.. :-)

But, fall always brings cool breezes, fresh air and the smell of.... what is that smell?

Cool crisp air... but, what is that smell??? I'm sure Yankee Candle has a smell that tries to imitate the smell of fall. That would be an impossible smell to duplicate.

Pumpkins, Leaves, Cool Air, Football Games, Crunching as you walk... but what is that smell??? I guess it's just.. fall.

Washing Machine Blues...

I know I have a problem.

I love doing laundry.

There I said it.

I love the way it feels when it comes out of the dryer.

Warm, fluffy, fresh, smelling like Downy ...awww. There's nothing like it.

It all started when my son, bless his little 6ft. 3 inch heart, ... as I was saying... It all started when my son walked through the kitchen with his muddy shoes on. He paused at the sink. Possibly to quench his thirst. When he left the sink, he also left his size 12 shoe prints on my new rug, that adorned the floor in front of the sink.

Vacuumed. Nothing. Vacuumed again. Nothing...again. The lovely red mud color still lays on the rug like a tired ol' cat.

So, I do the logical thing. I throw the rug in the washer. Use a little Oxyclean and wash!

Apparently, this was not a "washable" rug. How do I know? you ask?

Let me back up a bit. I have a "front end loading washing machine". This was purchased because of the amount of water it would save. Energy efficient.

Can I just tell you... water is water.

My washing machine, light lit up that said, " Load Complete". The logical thing now to do, would be to open the washing machine and throw the rug in the dryer.

Right?

I opened the washer, only to have five or more gallons of water rush out of the machine like an ocean wave days before the hurricane hit !

I yelled. I might have even said a "word".

When the wave finally settled on my laundry room floor,and the particles of rug lined the machine.... I gasped at the mess that now laid before me. The rug, was no more.

I tried to find something positive in this incident. I thought. And thought some more.

Then it came to me.

We are kind of like the rug. We are really not made for this world. We live in this world, and we sometimes get walked on, and carry scars of this world. When we try to clean things up ourselves, we fall apart. We sometimes even get carried away by a big wave. Which in the end, is another big mess. Some messes effect others. Only the one true God can clean up our mess. He can make the rug new again. Now, it might carry the stains of our past messes. But, it's invisible to God. We are new again.

And the good part. God will clean up the mess NOW. I have to wait till Wednesday for a repairman. Sigh.

Just a Thought.

Cousins... Aunts.... Uncles.... Siblings... Nephews... Nieces.... Family..

It's a mystery.... You know the joke of you can pick your friends, you can pick your nose, but you can't pick your family. It's so true. But, another mystery is the connection family members have. We had a "Cousins Reunion", Aug. 2009. Some of my cousins, I hadn't seen in ten-twenty years. As crazy as it seems, we picked up where we left off. Greetings, hugs, stories, laughter, more stories, joking, harassing, remember whens', and then hugs again, and then on our way to our separate lives. Forever connected as family & enough love to keep time still until the next time we meet.

The Life Seen Through Katie....

It's a Dogs Life.

How simple. Sleep, eat meals that are prepared for me by the master of the house. I don't have to cook, clean up plates & messes.... just eat.

Then after meal time. Sleep. The only question would be where? In the garage on my cot with the fan. (yes, we provide a fan for our dog) Or on the porch basking in the warm sun rays? Aww this time, I'll rest in the soft lush grass under a shade tree and listen to the birds chirp.

After a few hours of this leisure activity, I'll sashay over to the owners son and follow him around a while. He does tend to get into some messes.

Time to drink water. I wish they would put more ice cubes in my water dish. It is 98 degrees outside after all. My only complaint.

My favorite time of the day is when the UPS man comes. He is so scared of me. You should see his eyes widen when I come charging his truck. He gets all jittery and starts throwing dog bones my way. I love dog bones. I'm not going to bite him. But, he doesn't know that. I sure do get a lot of dog bones though. hehehehe

I chase lizards, keep all snakes and unwanted guest away from the house and alert the owners when a deer is near her flowers. I win points on this one.

Yah.. all in all, I'm pretty much a big deal around here.

Did I mention I'm ready to go to the beach?  Charlie has heard this daily.  What is so special about the beach?

Wake up when you want.  Throw on your swim suit, an ample amount of sunscreen, a ball cap, sunglasses, while dragging your beach chair, towel and a large bottled water to the beach shores.

Carefully place your chair in the direct rays of the sun. Towel in chair, hat on head. butt down. Ahhh... The sound of waves hitting the beach. The sand under your feet. Your eyes cannot contain the entire ocean in one glance. The warmth of the sun bronzes your body with a steady breeze coming off the ocean to keep a constant cooling effect.

Later, there is a possible sand creation, and game of botchy ball to be had. Or there is the uninterrupted time to read the book that you've meant to read for a long time.

No house to clean, no work, no deadlines, no piles of laundry, but most importantly NO Alarm Clocks !!!

Did I mention, I'm ready to go to the beach?  I can hear it call me.  

Merry Christmas ?!

It will be now. Charlie was in Michigan trying to get home. The snow was blowing sideways and they were cancelling flights left and right. Charlie flew out of Raliegh, NC and the only flight he could get... flew into Greensboro.

So, Jennifer and I went at 2:00 a.m. to Greensboro to pick him up. Traffic was good. No State Troopers. We drove the speed limit...of course.

Jenn and I looked georgous ! No make up, bed-head, sweats, and a cheery face.
So, we drove, picked up the zoned out Charlie... from lack of sleep...and drove home.

Then.. Jennifer began her night of pure...not so heaven.. Megan's dog, Zoe, the chi-wawa...began a barking adventure ! It lasted for hours.

I woke up at 5:00, after going to bed around 3:15ish..to make sure Zach was up, to go to work... (he was) then I took the stupid dogs out to go to the restroom. I know TMI. Back to bed by 6:00, up at 7:00..,,.because I could hear Megan getting ready for work... dang Chi-wawa ..barking again... I take her out to go... again.
Im now up ...eat...check e-mails... go back to bed at 8:45... up at 9:30..because who can sleep.

Instead of leaving Santa...cookies and milk... we are thinking about leaving him a Chi-wawa with a label that says... "Return to Sender".
Merry Christmas...

Dec. 19,2008
Wow ! Happy Anniversary to me !! Happy Anniversary to me ( and Charlie) HHHHHAAApppy Anniversary to me and Charlie !!!!! Happy anniversary to US !!

We have accomplished 27 years of nothing but marritial bliss ! No worries, stress, all roses and sunshine ! Walking through malls and smiling while watching me get my nails done and never a toe tapping feeling of being rushed. Fresh breath and stylish hair every morning. Never complaining, and always asking... what else can I do to please you oh' Princess of mine.

And I to him... Perfect home cooked meals on the well decorated table, that HGTV would look at and say "ooooo- ahhhhh". Laundry is always fresh and crisp. A dust particle never touches the furniture. The TV, is always programed to ESPN, or a quick zip to FOX News. I a wait his arrivial at the door with sweet tea and slippers in my hand. After dinner, while he is watching TV of his choice with the remote at hand.. I give him a 30 min. neck and shoulder massage. What? you don't believe me?

Let me finish. Along with the 27 years of perfect marrital bliss... There were CHILDREN. Three to be exact. Perfect from day one. Slept through the night from birth, never burped nor pooped in public. As adult children, they have always had spottless records. Never a ticket, nor a sassy mouth. Rooms were always clean, shoes, and clothes properly placed in their rooms. Dishes were always carried to the dishwasher and carefully placed..so not to break .Mom was always kissed and thanked for the wonderful meal that was prepared for their nourishment. Toliets were always flushed, and they were always careful in the house in order to never break, distroy, or run over any item that could cause their father and I any stress. Charlie and I have had it so easy, it's almost embarrassing. I only wish you could have it this good.

Now.. if you believe this, I will sell you some oceanfont property in Arizona !!!
But, Charlie and I have been married 27 years. He's a keeper.