Archive for October, 2009

Last night Tim, my nephew and I went to supper at Longhorns. Then we stopped by Books A Million to read books and drink coffee!  I never actually BUY anything… I just like to scan the tables of contents and then read what I feel is pertinent to me!  As I was in the mood to organize, I stopped by a section that had ideas on how to organize a kitchen.  Most of the book, however, was about CABINETS that are available, not the actual organization skills of how to take a crappy kitchen and make it functional!  And, if I had the money to plunk down on a new kitchen, I sure would not need the book.  I’d just rely on the bells & whistles of the cabinets available nowadays.  (I found a perfect set of cabinets once that had a built in espresso maker.  Tim said NO.)  Heck, instead of trying to buy a new functional kitchen (at least $10K), let’s just scrap it all for a $4K espresso machine.  That would make me happy.  I wouldn’t even have a clue as to what brand to buy for $4K!  But, I did find this online:  Kuppersbusch Coffee Machine for $3899. I guess it would suffice.

Back to my story!  Today we had breakfast, then ended up at Walmart and Big Lots.  Wally World ended up with about$85 (not all of it belonged to me!) but I did get a plastic storage container with wheels to put my summer shoes in and store under the bed!  Reminds me of that Michael Jackson song, “Farewell, My Summer Love”, only its “Farewell, My Summer Shoes.”  We escaped Big Lots after spending about $95.  I must admit, I got quite a bit of plastic storage goods there.  Unfortunately, I got home and tore the entire kitchen all the pieces, and realized I needed MORE plasticware!  I traveled back to another Big Lots the opposite direction as its closer, and spent another $25.  I think my job is done, for now…  or at least I work with what I have and figure out that I’d be better served with more plasticware!

I must tell you all that I’ve been a pretty unmanageable individual these past few days:  irritable, cranky, moody, biotchy, whatever word you can conjure up…  but through it all, I found that I have the best man in the world.  Tim tries his best to make me happy, and he (God love him) does a terrific job.  He has the patience of a saint.  I informed him this morning, “I’m a very special person.”  And he said, “Really…?  And why is that?”  I said, “Cause I have you!”

So let’s get a recap of what I did this weekend:

• Put new shelves in my closet (equipped with shoe racks, belt hanger, and a necklace rack!)
• Cleaned out the closet, have a nice pile for Goodwill (or as they say in the south, “Gootwill”)
• Cleaned out the entire kitchen cabinetry
• Got a new cabinet in the laundry room and cleaned/organized it
• Laundry
• Have to mention shopping (Big Lots, Lowes, Walmart & yard sales)
• I did sneak in a trip to Vitamin Shoppe!!

No wonder I’m tired!  I’ll be glad to get back to work tomorrow to get some rest!!

This morning, Tim & I dropped my car off at the Honda dealership to have a long overdue oil change.  He & I then had breakfast at IHOP.  I was not too hungry and felt crampy.  Seems like members of my royal family, Mother (Nature), Aunt (Flo) and Uncle (Tom) have decided to play some tricks on me.  I never know when they will come to visit.  Anyway…  afterwards, we went to three yard sales in our neighborhood.  At one, I purchased a 50 cent organizer to hang inside my closet to make a home for all my belts.  FIFTY CENTS, keep in mind.

Once we arrived home, I felt a little stir crazy, agitated and just kinda down.  I started to clean up the house, but felt so overwhelmed.  I feel like I have no storage space.  I’m sick of the clutter.  It’s time to weed out some crapola!  I almost started to cry.  I tried to rehang two pictures.  I dropped the picture hanger and yelled “I need some help here!”  Tim was sorta frustrated with me, but patiently helped me hang the picture.  Is it just me, or when you’re hormonal, do you seem to get clumsy and nothing works or turns out right?!  (maybe its just me)  I started in the kitchen, cleaned off a few things from the table.  Then wandered to the spare room to put something in my clothes closet.  Now mind you, if you come to my house, you would not think that I had reason to be frustrated.  It looks tidy.  But, its underneath the layers, you know what I mean.  NOT FUNCTIONAL FOR ME!  That’s the best description.

I turned around, standing half inside the closet, and there was Tim.  He said, “Hon, it will be ok.” and then he hugged me.  “I know you’re upset; you just have to relax.  Things aren’t disorganized.”  I could hardly catch my breath without that knot inside the pit of my stomach.  I was just frustrated. DANG YOU, HORMONES!  Since I had no place to hang my new belt hook, I stood there and totally re-invented the flow of my closet and it required a trip to Lowe’s.

So fifty cents for a belt hanger at a yard sale…  and $154 later (our purchase at Lowe’s) I feel that I will at least get something accomplished today – MISSION REORGANIZATION.

Cuisinart Flavor Duo Ice Cream, Frozen Yogurt, and Sorbet Maker

Last night, I had a concoction of stuff all made up, tossed it into the cheapo $18 RIVAL ice cream freezer (thanks, Walmart)… put in the ice cubes, salt… hooked the lid on top, plugged it in. NOTHING. No humm, no buzz. Dead as a door nail. I can count on ONE hand the number of times I have used this machine!! Ok, maybe two hands… six times MAYBE. I’ve had it for probably two years?

So I started… ladies, you know what I mean… I started in prepping Tim to get a new one…

As he is trying to fix my old maker: “Tim, what AM I GOING TO DO?”

Later: “Tim, (cutesy baby voice with bottom lip stuck out) I can tell you what I want for Christmas if you want me to.”

Silence.

“Tim, can I have a new Cuisinart ice cream maker?”

Later. “Tim, I found a Cuisinart ice cream maker at Bed, Bath & Beyond for $49.99″ (their single chamber version, though I must admit, I had my eye on the duo!)

Silence. Finally later, he said, “Just wait, hon.”
Gawsh. I hate that response.

So tonight, BINGO! We were at Sam’s. They had the dual ones awhile back. None, not one in sight tonight. Darn. But wait! There in the clearance corner is the duo one for $45!

“Tim, look! Macy’s had them for $100! This is the last one! It’s just $45.” (notice how I quoted the HIGHER priced place and the higher but comparable model)….

“Ok. Put it in the cart.”

SO LOOKIE, LOOKIE!!   SEND ME YOUR PROTEIN ICE CREAM RECIPES!

How could you not love children that look as cute as these?  I took pictures of the kids tonight with their blue jean jackets and bandanas on.   Momma loves her lil’ chillren!