Well, our new floor is done. Not by us, though. On Friday morning, we ripped up the carpet and were ready to start laying the laminate by around lunchtime. We cut 2 boards and the saw literally burst into flames. So we get another saw, work till about 5, and get only about 50 square feet done. The next morning, the saw stops working. It was not too funny. But one funny thing was that I sat down on a bench on our front porch to have a little cry, and while I was sitting there crying the bench broke. We were pretty much displaced from our house for 3 days.
We ended up having "paid professionals" install the floor this morning. They were done in about 5 hours. It looks great and I really really like it.

I'm going to attempt to make 2 dishes for Thanksgiving tomorrow. I didn't even try last year, being great with child, and also disheartened by my past failures. There was the big flop with sweet potato pies 2 years ago (they flopped right out onto my oven door as I was getting them out) and of course, what I like to call "The Chocolate Pie Incident." (Some of you were unfortunate enough to partake of what was left of that chocolate pie, most of which had spilled in the back seat of the Mallard. That was at Christmas, but it still counts against me.)
This year, I'm making sweet potato casserole and the old stand by, green bean casserole (not a stand by to me, I've never made it.) Why, why, why do I always volunteer to make a dish I've never tried to make before? Wish me luck!

It isn't often that I'm seized by an impulse. But occasionally, I become a woman possessed (so to speak.) This time, I was seized by the impulse to...paint. And get a new floor in my living room. So I did. I thought it all up on Monday night, and today I spent the day painting my living room, kitchen and hallway. Somehow, in my mind, it all seems quick and simple. I literally think it won't take over 3 hours. Ha.
I also bought laminate flooring for my living room and hallway. I'm planning on us installing it ourselves. The only problem is, it has to be cut.. with a saw...and we don't have a saw...or know how to work a saw. Oh well. I never did mind about the little things...
Jonah and Todd went to a birthday party at the bowling alley today...(Jonah's plan before they went: "I'm gonna get a lot of bowls!") Just before they left, Jonah leaned against the WET PAINT on the wall wearing a brand new shirt. Sheesh.
Tonight we went to the lighting of Rudolph the Red Nosed Pumping Unit. I know all you former Lufkinites are missing that big old reindeer. Don't try and deny it.
There was a huge crowd there tonight, and when it was time to light him up, the whole crowd did a countdown from 10. Just picture it...5...4...3...2...1... ... ...nothing.
We all just stood there...except for the band and singers, who gave us a rousing rendition of "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer" and never missed a beat, unlike Rudolph himself.
Suddenly, the lights flickered on...the crowd began to cheer...then ...nothing again.
We waited..
Flicker...nothing...flicker...nothing.
Those poor kids.
Finally, and somewhat anticlimactically, Rudolph came to life.
We went into the mall to see Santa, and for the first time ever, Jonah sat in Santa's lap and had his picture made. He was absolutely beaming, and they talked like old friends. Finley screamed, so we whisked her away before they took the picture.

I got back last week from my annual "reunion" with 3 of my best girlfriends. This year, we went to Nashville. The trip began with an airplane ride, which is something I haven't done in 15 years and I was straight up terrified. But, obviously I lived thru it (and the return flight.) On our first night, we took "The NashTrash Tour," where we boarded a bright pink bus and were shown the sights of Music City USA by "The Jug Sisters." They had appetizers (Ritz crackers with EZ cheese) and drinks (when we stopped and everyone got off the bus and bought booze, even the Jug sisters... but not me, of course...seriously, I didn't). They even sang and danced a little, right there at the front of the bus.
One night we saw a production of "Cabaret." Wow...it actually made me blush. Has anyone else ever seen this musical in person? Somehow it seems much racier when it's live scantily clad people instead of just on a movie screen. Also two guys kissed in the play. The playbill said that one of the "kissers" sings in a gospel trio when he's not...you know.
Well, as some of you know, I'm not a good closer. So, that's all.

Well, here it is. My first blog. So much to say...where do I begin? Well, I'm really just doing this one to see if my blog works. So here goes.
I took Finley to have her picture made at Sears a couple of weeks ago. All in all, I wasn't too pleased with the whole experience. But luckily she's so cute that the pics turned out pretty good, despite the photographer. Here are two of my favorites. The one I actually bought was cute but when we got it back she wasn't even centered in the picture, plus she had drool all over her chin.
Shame on you, Sears Portait Studio. Shame on you.