some of the smaller things

I got done around the house started with a shopping trip.  I didn't have anything scheduled for Saturday so I knew I wanted to hit up a few stores to find some new things for our bathroom.  I was tired of the birdhouses I'd been looking at for nearly 20 years.

I guess I need to keep the picture of Strat.

So here's the new stuff.  I was going to buy real plants but then I saw the fake ones and new it was a better fit for me.

See that stand holding bath stuff?  That used to be beside my sink, holding all my oils and junk.  I took an empty box I had in Eric's bathroom and put it in the stand's place.  Now my junk holder matches Cosme's.

I also found these little nail polish holders.  There is no way a bottle of nail polish could fit in there.  I tried.  They seem more like lipstick holders.  They don't even hold the bigger bottles of oils but at least the smaller ones fit.  I'm only keeping the frequently used oils in here.

And all the decluttering I did in the process of swapping decorations made me think of the Christmas t-shirts in the closet that were taking up valuable space.  I used an empty tub I had in the laundry room and freed up space for clothes we wear more often than once a year.

The rest of the closet could stand to be worked on too but I'm saving that for another weekend.

In the living room, I found a couple of new things while out shopping.  I bought some new dried flowers/stems to put in this blue thing.  Looking at them now, I'm wondering if I should keep the old in there and just thin it out.  Hmm...

On my last stop of the day, I picked up a throw for the living room.  I bought it thinking about the colorful chair next to the couch but for now I have it hanging over the back of the couch just to think about.  It's really soft and lightweight.

Nothing I bought was expensive, y'all know me.  I'm cheap.  I was pretty happy about that throw though and considered getting another one.  It was regularly $19.99 and was on sale for $11.99 but for some reason rang up $7.19.  I like deals like that.

Another thing I've been thinking about is switching artwork around.  I'm really tired of the birds over the fireplace and think I might put the painting by Dodo's friend up there.  I'm just not sure.

I guess spring cleaning has hit early.  Nothing is safe around here.  The boxed up picture of Strat says it all.

i had a plan for the weekend

and that was to TCB.  It happened.  I didn't get to everything on my list but I'm fine because the big ones got done.

First off, we celebrated Eric's and Paige's birthday on Friday.  I don't have any pictures but Eric wanted a Key Lime Pie so I tried a new recipe I found on Pinterest.  I don't have any pictures but it's definitely a keeper.  I guess that's my excuse to make it again.  I need pictures.  I made a cheesecake for Paige, no new recipe there, just the one Dodo always made.  We went out to eat and then came home for dessert.

That kitchen faucet I ordered (and even paid for faster shipping) before Christmas that's been sitting here since around December 24th?  It's not sitting in a box anymore.

The old one came out easier than expected.  Not that it should have been difficult but, I know how things go around here.  There was very little foul language during the installation.  And the uneven holes in the granite that I was worried about?  We were able to adjust the deck plate a little to help.

Oh, there is a soap dispenser taking the place of the old sprayer and there is a bottle of Softsoap right there.  I forgot to pick up a refill jug at the store.

Guess what else was delivered and assembled?  The rocking chair.

The instructions started off a little demanding.  I must?  Really?

But look at me, they probably wanted me to open this packet at the ziploc end too.

Well they showed me.  I had to read the instructions... several times, and then I had to get Cosme to come in and read them too.  I finally got it done.

WARNING: I assembled this thing on my own. SIT AT YOUR OWN RISK.

And look.  That pillow matches the grey too.  I sprayed the chair with Scotch Guard and now it's ready.

Oh, and I did one more thing.  The new faucet inspired me to call someone to come look at the dishwasher.  They're coming today and it ISN'T Sears.  I hope it's not going to be another $400.  I was already burned once.  Anyway, I'm hoping it'll help out with me staying on the right track of cooking instead of picking up.  There's only one way to find out.

I checked off a few other things over the weekend but I'll share that tomorrow.  It wasn't anything big, just little things.  I didn't do laundry so that's what I'm working on now.

i talk trash on Archer being

a scaredy cat but let's face it, I'm the biggest one of all and I always have been.  I took Maggie to Brazoria with me last night to find out why the lights weren't on.  That was a good call.  It wasn't necessary but it was still a good call.  She was so calm the entire way and after all the escaping I've been putting up with lately, it was a much appreciated change.  It was pretty awesome.  We got there and Maggie was in hunter mode, ready to kill any and all critters.  And yes, I wore a hat.  My head was cold.

She's ready to kill with kindness.

She didn't find anything but she sniffed everything.  Cosme said Archer cried the whole time we were gone.  When we got back, I put Archer on the leash and took him out to the front yard to pee and not feel left out.  Once back in the cage, I hope they didn't swap stories or that outing to the front yard wasn't going to seem so great after all.

I think I need some oils on my neck.  I have an ache from my neck to the top of my back and shoulders.  I might just use the heating pad while Little E's sleeping.  Those oils though have really been helping out.  Cosme's been stuffy and sniffling and peppermint in the diffuser has helped the most.

I also already finished meatballs for dinner.  I pulled them out of the oven at 7:45 this morning.

I would say that's bragging about me being so ahead of everything but since I had planned on us having them last night, it's really not saying much.  I've already sampled them, you know, to check for doneness.  They're simmering in sauce now.  I should probably sample that too.  I think that's a good idea.  Right after that, I'm pulling out the heating pad.

i ordered a rocking

chair the other day and I got the email that it shipped.  It's not some exclusive piece of furniture, just something I found on Amazon.  I had been thinking about it and then I saw this picture of the version of it in wheat.

Don't really click image to open expanded view.  That's part of the screen shot.

See that pillow?  We have that pillow in the living room.  I took it as a sign and decided that was the chair I needed.  I didn't get wheat though, I got grey.  I hope they didn't only pair that pillow with the wheat chair because it doesn't match the grey one.  Maybe it was a sign that I shouldn't get the grey (the one I was already looking at) but the wheat instead.  Oh well, it's too late now.  Besides, I like the grey.  I didn't want to go with anything that was too similar to the couch because I didn't want anyone thinking "bless her heart, she tried to match but it just doesn't work".  Not that I think anyone who actually visits would think that but you never know.  I think I'll need to play musical chairs tables though.  I plan on putting it next to the printed chair so they'll probably need a table between them.  It's a good thing I have a few extra tables sitting around.  I'll post a finished picture when it gets here.  I know everyone is just as excited as I am.  Don't fret.  It should be here between Friday and Tuesday so we don't have too long to wait.  Only a few days of being on pins and needles.  We'll be fine.

I made a new dessert

I found HERE on Pinterest.  It's Heath Bar Crunch Cookie Bars.  I have a few bags of Heath baking bits and I've really been wanting to use them.  I thought about oatmeal cookies with Heath bits but I HATE making cookies.  Cookies are such a commitment.  If you can avoid dedicating all that time, then why not?

I like these.  I wish I could taste more Heath but I guess if I wanted to taste more, I should be buying and eating a Heath bar instead of baking bits.  I will definitely make these again.  I also pinned another recipe for something similar but it called for oatmeal.  I'll probably try those soon.

In other news, 2019 is starting to look like the year I'm turning into Mom.  When did I slice my finger?  Two weeks ago?  Yesterday I slammed a different finger in the dryer door.  I also stubbed my big toe on my right foot... twice.  I have no problem picking up traits from Mom, but this is one I'd rather do without.

I'm going to get started on today's chores before the baby gets here.  I'm thinking I should get a jumpstart on childproofing the house for her... and Mom... and me.

we had a threat of freezing

temps for Saturday night but I don't think it got that low.  I knew it was coming so to be prepared, I ordered these things off Amazon.

They went on easily and more important, they'll come off easily.  They're little pouches you slip over your faucet and then use the attached velcro strap keep it on.  I was excited to get them but I'm sure they're nothing new.

They're almost $10 for a set of two so I figured I'd get some.  Last year I had the faucets wrapped but it didn't do much good.

Also last week, in addition to ordering faucet covers, the dogs got out again.  I was home alone with Little E and had no choice but to load her up and go looking.  I wasn't sure what I'd do if I found them because I wasn't about to load them into the backseat with her.  I left the garage door open and back door unlocked and took off.  I didn't see them anywhere after circling the main block a few times.  I came back home to check the backyard.  They weren't there.  I couldn't let it go because I really don't need any tickets.  I locked up the house this time and grabbed the leashes with a plan in mind.  I started circling the main block again and spotted them running behind some fences.  I made a u-turn and headed back.  On my way to the last intersection, I saw them again, running full speed down the road headed back to our street.  I caught up, called their names, and jumped out with the leashes.  I'm not sure if their outing involved a dip in a lake but they were wet.  I got them on the leashes and with the baby crying in the backseat, we started back to the house.  This was not how I would've predicted my afternoon going.

I might add that while I saw the guy in Brazoria a couple of days earlier with his dogs on a motorized scooter and thought it was funny, I realized later that people were probably going home talking about that Angleton lady driving her SUV who was too lazy to walk her dogs.  Whatever.  If they would've stopped to listen, they would've heard me yelling at the dogs with a crying baby in the backseat.  I also wasn't chilling with a cigar.  Anyway, I was furious at this point, TOTALLY furious.  We made it back to the house and somehow I managed to carry the carseat on one arm with the two dogs linked to the other.  Once we stepped inside, I let the dogs know they were in DEEP trouble.  Anyway, fast forward to Saturday.  I was home alone with the baby again and Archer was whimpering like he needed to go to the bathroom.  I waited until she went down for her nap and then let the dogs out.  They kept looking back at the door to see if I was there.  I made it a point to let them see me through the blinds.  Archer wandered off behind the palm-looking plant/bush thing that blocks the latest escape routes but I was pretty sure I had the area secure.  Maggie stayed in the middle of the yard, facing Archer's direction but glancing back at me while I watched.  I wanted to test them.  I stepped away from the blinds and she took off running.  At that speed, I figured she was chasing something but I ran to the window by the bar and saw them both in the corner... DIGGING!  She was on watch and keeping me distracted while he was doing the digging.  It's like they've seen one too many prison movies.  I ran to the backdoor and clapped my hands and screamed for them to get inside NOW.  They came running back in and I yelled at them.  I'm really surprised the baby didn't wake up.  Once Paige came to get the baby, I went outside to block more possible escape routes.  I took the dogs out there with me and they knew I wasn't happy.  I'm hoping it's secure but I'm not taking too many chances.  I let them out for longer periods of time but they're still under heavy surveillance.  Hey, maybe I need a camera.  I also need more cinder blocks.  I'd also like to hang sheet metal inside the fence but maybe after the fence is replaced.  Maybe I just need guards in booths along the perimeter.

It's crazy that we thought Archer was innocent in all this.  Now we know he just doesn't like to get caught.  He didn't want to get close to that hole while I was filling it.  He can't handle the consequences.  When he gets in trouble, you'd think I was beating him with torture devices.  He's a total drama queen.  Then there's Maggie, you know, the one who hung out with the one cop to visit until Animal Control showed up to haul her away to jail that one time?  Maggie walked right over to the hole, knowing she was in trouble.  She handled being in trouble like a man and then walked away without a peep or anything.  I swear she was wagging the tail she doesn't have.  It's like she shrugs it off like she doesn't care about consequences.  She's all about doing what she wants, when she wants and having a good time, no matter the price.

So, that's what happened when I wasn't posting.  If they escape again, they might want to rethink coming back.  I'll miss them but I'm serious... until they get out again.

I didn't watch Little E

yesterday so I ran all my errands.  I hope I didn't forget anything.  You know, Little E just seems like a mouthful, even to type.  I might have to work on that.

So in all my errands I ran yesterday, I made it to West Columbia.  We talked about old candy at Christmas and there's a shop there that has a few things.  Old candy doesn't sound right.  Vintage candy?  Anyway, I only bought one because the shop owner wasn't there and the new old stuff wasn't coming up in the computer.  Here's the one I bought.

I found out it wasn't one we talked about so there's that.  I ended up giving it to Cosme because the last thing I want is coconut candy.  Yuck.  He opened it and I saw that it looked like caramel.  I asked if he was sure it wasn't caramel.  He said it tastes like coconut.  I touched it and it felt like caramel.  I smelled it and yeah, it smelled like coconut.  I left it alone and he finished it.  Next time I'll get the peanut butter stick candy that wouldn't ring up.  Here are a few others they had that I swiped images of off the internet.

Oh, then there's this stuff.

I picked up my Kroger order yesterday and they gave me a few pieces of this candy.  I'd never tried it so we had that last night too.  I asked Cosme if it was good and he said yes.  I realize now I asked the opinion of someone who sat there and ate coconut candy.  I bit into mine and goo oozed all in my mouth.  I sat there holding the goo in a puddle under my tongue because I hated it.  I don't know what I was expecting but not that.  I ended up eating it because I didn't have anything close by to spit it out in.  The shell was fine but don't give me chocolate candy that I assume will be solid and then surprise me with liquid inside.  That's not right.  Cosme got another piece of it in his lunch today.

I also tried a new recipe yesterday, Poor Man's Meal.  Well, it's not really a recipe and it wasn't technically anything new.  We've all had it.  It was from a YouTube video I came across.  A girl was making something that was seen on another video by a lady who cooked meals they made back during the Depression.  (Think Julie and Julia, or whatever the movie is where the blogger goes through Julia Child's cookbook, making everything.)  I'm making this too confusing.  How's this?  After seeing the channel where a lady made meals served during the Depression, a young girl tried her hand at one of those recipes.  Anyway, the recipe called for potatoes, onion, and hot dogs.  I went with sausage instead.

It was really good.  It's basically just cooking potatoes in a pan with onion, like breakfast potatoes, and adding meat.  I'll give you one guess what's for breakfast this morning.  Cosme had his with egg and cheese in a taco with hot sauce.  I think I might just have mine on a plate, maybe with ketchup.  I don't know though.  Wrapped in a tortilla with cheese sounds pretty awesome right now.

Oh well, that sums up my day off.  Now I need to get busy because today isn't a day off.

just a few minutes before

I cut my finger the week before last, I thought about the dogs being outside.  It was a cold, wet day and I wondered if they'd rather be inside.  I went over to the back door to let them in and nothing.  They were gone.  We went outside and found the escape route, a hole they dug under the back of the fence.  I put the back seats down in my car and spread out the vinyl tablecloth.  It's like "you know the drill".  We drove around back and nothing.  We drove through the back of the neighborhood.  There they were, like "HEY! There you are!  What's up?"  It makes my blood boil.  Cosme gets it now.  So they were nasty and dirty and jumped in the car... front passenger floor board.  We got them back home and Cosme blocked their hole and I cut my finger.  The next few times they were inside, those sad "donate money to the dogs or they'll die" commercials came on.  I made them watch and said that would be them if they kept getting out and I won't donate any money.  I also told them if they like it so much out there on the loose then maybe they should stay.  Everything seemed fine after that.

We did realize one thing though.  Cosme was looking out the back window and saw Maggie walking around and Archer was back by their patched escape hole, DIGGING.  All this time we assumed it was all Maggie.  Every time we'd yell at them, Maggie would be unfazed with her butt wagging while Archer would barely make eye contact with his head hanging low.  It's like those dog pictures where you know one of them made the mess and it's always the one who won't look at the camera.  We've been fooled.  I'm not saying Maggie's innocent in it all, I'm just saying Archer isn't as innocent as he makes us think.

Oh well.  Yesterday I thought I'd let the dogs inside so I opened the back door.  Nothing.  They were gone and the new hole was right next to the old one.  They got out but I didn't find them anywhere.  After circling the neighborhood a couple of times, I came home and they were in the backyard.  I looked on FB and saw there was a post in the neighborhood group about two loose dogs.  So now we know the dogs will sneak out, go cruising, and then come back home and sneak back in.  It's so frustrating and something else needs to be done.

ugh.

In babysitting news, it's all going well.  Knock on wood.  I also need to buy more wipes.  Paige works a half day tomorrow so I'm making a list of the things I need to get done.  A Clicklist at Kroger is definitely one of those things, right after turning the heat on in Brazoria and maybe a pedicure.

I planned on chicken fried steak for dinner last night and invited Eric and Paige over to eat.  It all happened but I needed ibuprofen with a hot bath at the end of the day.  I also have some dirty dishes that lingered around for me to finish this morning.  On the plus side, I was very happy with the gravy I made and there was some leftover so I'll have rice and gravy for lunch... and possibly breakfast.

For now, I need to let the dogs out and hope they don't leave while I get chores out of the way.  It might be easier and less stressful to sit out there and wait.  I guess we're back to that.  Awesome.

day one of the new

gig is in the books.  Little E went easy on me yesterday and took three naps, with one being almost three hours long.  During her first nap, I decided to wash dishes and then plopped.  I got a picture but my phone didn't save it.  I don't know why it does that sometimes.  (1 point taken from Samsung and given to iPhone) I figure that won't happen today.  I'm going to prepare myself and do everything I can think about doing before she gets here.  So yeah, she went easy on me but don't think I'm not tired.  I am.  I was tired to begin with.

I did get the dresser finished yesterday.  I was so excited to have a place to store her things and I still need more room.  Typical.  I'll figure something out.  Speaking of her things, the dryer just stopped.  I need to go put that stuff away and start more clothes.  It's already 6:30.  Time is flying this morning.

i didn't finish the dresser

but I'm almost there.  I cleaned it with Clorox and water again and left it in the sun to dry.  Before hauling it back in, I cleaned it with wood cleaner.  You know, I probably should have cleaned it with the wood cleaner after I carried it back in.  Have you ever held a wet baby?  That's about what carrying a polished piece of wood furniture is like.  It was pretty slick.  It still looks rough but let's face it, it's been around a while and has taken a beating from a few kids.  So anyway, after I managed to get the dresser in without destroying anything, I started on the drawers.  I cleaned and brought in the first two and lined each of them.  I had to stop there because I needed to go to LJ.

Here's a peek at the top drawer.

I didn't have any drawer liner so I went to Dollar Tree and found wrapping paper I liked.  While there, I also got a few of those little plastic bins.  You can see I have the socks in one and the hair things and nose sucker in another.  Now I just need to figure out what can go in the other three.  Anyway, that's that.  I might try to finish this morning before she gets here.  Oh yeah, today's the first day of my babysitting gig.  I think today's the day I should start drinking coffee.  I'm sure I'll be worn out by noon.  I told Cosme I was already trying to decide if I should TCB when/if she goes down for a nap or if I should plop and crash.  I also told him I plan on making dinner tonight but there's a good chance that might not happen.  We'll see.

So, I'll probably work on the dresser a little more before she gets here.  I already have the paper cut for the last two drawers so now it's just a matter of getting in there and putting it all together.  It will be nice to have a place to store her stuff, other than just on the bed.

Okay.  I'll try to get in there.  Something tells me I should do everything I can right now.

is it time to go back

to bed yet?  I know it's 6:00 in the morning but I need more rest.  I need more Icy Hot.

I got Mom's baby dresser to the middle of the garage yesterday and started cleaning it.  I actually didn't even do that part all on my own.  I did do all the cleaning though.

I washed it down with Clorox and water and then sanded the insides a little.  Today I'll wash it down with Clorox and water again and let it sit in the sun, assuming we have sun.  I'll watch the weather report to plan a little better.  Ah, the perfect excuse to go get back in bed.  I think I'll take some ibuprofen too.

I. AM. SORE.

My back hurts.  My neck hurts.  My hand hurts.  Sometimes TCB can suck but I really like it when it's done.  I hope I'll have pictures of a completed and filled dresser to share tomorrow.  I hope we have some sunny weather.  I'm hope I'm not too sore to finish.

i got so busy yesterday I

didn't stop to post.  At 7:00 yesterday morning, instead of eating breakfast and writing a post, I had already folded one load of laundry, started another, and was outside taking Christmas lights off the trees.  I didn't finish the lights because I needed the ladder and didn't feel like going to get it.  Speaking of ladders, the new one I got for Christmas is pretty cool.  It's a little heavy but it's cool.  The part I like most about it is that I adjusted it to 8' and climbed up to remove everything from the Christmas tree with no problem.  It wasn't shaky or anything.  It was nice.  Anyway, I'll  probably finish the outside lights tomorrow.  Instead of finishing yesterday, I came in to get cleaned up and run errands.  I went to Aldi, HEB, Tractor Supply, and Kroger.  I loaded up on groceries and guess what we had for dinner.  Really, guess.

Chicken Express.

I was going to make something but dang, I was tired.  It was a busy day.

I decided to try a new recipe.  It's Italian Ricotta Cookies and I found it on Pinterest.

I've seen them around on different sites but finally decided to try them.  They were different.  Cosme liked them.  I'm still on the fence.  I think it's just that they weren't what I was expecting.  I had a sweetie in mind and these weren't anything like sweeties.  These are soft, like cake cookies and aren't very sweet at all.  I didn't make all of them and still ran out of glaze.  Maybe I should've made the glaze more like icing, you know, like on sweeties.  I don't know.  I repeat, I'm still on the fence.  We'll see how they are today, now that they've had plenty of time to set up.

I'm going to try to TCB today.  I have things I want to get done around the house and I'm starting to feel my motivation kicking in.  There are a couple of things I'd really like to get done so we'll see.  Hopefully it'll end better than yesterday with me stopping to put it off for a couple of days.

Hopefully.

i am free and clear and

all things hysterectomy are in the past.  WOOHOO!  Today I'm moving a box that was off limits before.  I thought I'd get it done yesterday but it was a stressful morning for me.  I was a bundle of nerves until she said everything looks good and after situations get me worked up like that, I crash.  I stopped to pick up a few things at Kroger and Whataburger and came home and crashed.  I'm blaming it on my nerves but it was also cold and rainy.  Oh, I bought this shopping bag at Whataburger for $2.15.

The sign said to buy 10 Whatameals and get a free tote or to purchase it separately.  I purchased it separately.  It's bigger than I thought but that's fine.

I shared a recipe link way back in 2008 for The Union Oyster House cornbread.  (And to reminisce, if you go to the restaurant's site and read the history, they have a picture of the Kennedy booth where we ate on our road trip visit.)  I decided to make it on New Year's Day to go with our meal.  I was sure I had shared it here so I went to look it up.  I found it but when I clicked on the link, it wasn't any good.  I guess it expired or something.  Whatever.  I found it somewhere else so I'm posting it again HERE.

That is some seriously good cornbread.  It tastes like cake.  The recipe says to bake it in an 8x10 pan but I don't understand how that's even possible.  I baked it in my 9x13 casserole dish and it almost wasn't big enough.  I think I'll use my cake pan next time.  I call it a 9x13 pan but it's a little bigger.  Either way, that's my favorite cornbread.

Enough talk about cornbread.  I need to make the bed and start laundry and then I'm going to move that box.  Next I'm going to take my new ladder to the front porch and take my garland down.

and there went

Christmas and New Year.  Time to start again.  New year, same me.

Last night was a little rough.  I woke up around 1:30 with a really bad stomach ache.  This was higher than normal, like an actual stomach ache and not an abdomen ache.  My stomach felt sore, like I'd imagine what someone felt like after doing a lot of exercises.  I hope it passes because I have an 8 week follow-up tomorrow and I'd hate to reschedule.  I think I'll take it easy as far as my stomach goes today.  I might even try to work a bottle of water in somewhere.  My plan for the upcoming weekend is to move Mom's baby dresser in from the garage to Eric's room.  I need to get it cleaned up and situated because I have nowhere to put baby stuff and my babysitting gig starts next week.  In order for all that to get done, I need to be released.

I asked for some items from Costco for Christmas and people didn't really understand why.  I don't like going to the closest Costco and plus, I don't even have a membership.  Anyway, Lauren stocked me up on paper towels, butt wipes, and gloves.  I've been going through gloves like crazy since Sunday.  So, who's laughing now?  Definitely not me.

I was cutting apples to put in chicken salad and somehow the knife managed to miss the apple and get my finger.  It cut through my fingernail about halfway down and I was seriously so overwhelmed with not only the blood and pain, but the thought of what just happened that I really felt lightheaded.  I ended up taking a long nap later.  So, as I do things around the house feeling like Michael Jackson with my gloved left hand, I'm so happy I asked for gloves.

Enough of that.  I can't handle it.

I ordered Little E some Converse and they are WAY TOO CUTE.

I think her actual size came out to 1.5 but I got a 2 so they'll last a little longer.  I also saw these.

They were on clearance, making me assume they'll never come back, so I had to get a pair of those too.  The smallest size they had was 4 but I got them anyway.  The price was good and she can grow into them.

I was about to go into another story but I think I'll save it for tomorrow.

Until then,
the gloved one