On top of things

These are a few things that make me feel like I am on top of things.

1. nails freshly painted, finger and toe
2. car washed and full tank of gas
3. check book balanced and up to date and bills paid
4. freshly showered
5. clean sheets and bed made
6. caught up on laundry and all put away
7. having extras of things in the closet like toilet paper, baby wipes, cleaning supplies, etc.
8. all emails replied to and a clean inbox
9. watching Netflix movies in a timely manner
10. lists, lots and lots of lists

and of course, having a fresh post on my blog.

What are some things that make you all feel like you have yourself together?

Water, water everywhere

I've lived in this house for 7 months and have yet to receive a water bill. I called before we moved in. I called again a couple of months later, and I called again yesterday. The woman asked if construction was complete. Well, yes. Then she said someone would have to call me back. So I get a call back to schedule someone to come out to install a water meter. Uh, I've had water since I moved in. I've used it. A crapload of it. I mean we watered the sod a ton when we moved in and have been watering a ton lately in hopes of keeping it alive. We've all bathed and showered quite a few times in the last 7 months, not to mention the laundry and dishes we've washed.
So will I now get a bill for 17 million dollars for the last seven months or did we inadvertently steal 7 months worth of high water usage?

Over the top

My daughter, H, has received yet another birthday party invitation. Now I do not begrudge the children for aging (though sometimes I wish they wouldn't, but that really only applies to my own), I am a little overwhelmed by the parties themselves. H has been invited to parties at the bowling alley, Build-a-bear, Libby Liu's, and twice at Paradise Park.
Rumor has it that at least a couple of those cost around $25 per child. WHAT?!? These kids are 6. Why would parents spend hundreds of dollars to have a party for children that would be just as entertained with some construction paper and paint? I don't get it. At all.
I have never had a party at a location unless you count my backyard. I can't imagine spending that much on a birthday party. It's insane. And wasteful. And I don't think it teaches a good lesson. You don't need to buy friends. You don't need to structure activity for little ones. They can make their own fun. And should be encouraged to do so.
But if you are looking for a place to rent, I have a great back yard for a small fee.

Things I love

1. the IKEA catalog
2. getting packages in the mail, even if they are things that I ordered for myself
3. getting a roll of film developed, the anticipation and surprise, unlike digital where you know exactly what you are getting
4. going to the bookstore and buying an armload of books and magazines
5. taking long, slow, bubble baths without interruption
6. going to the beach (a lot harder to accomplish living in KC than when living in SoCal)
7. people complimenting my kids (makes me feel like I am doing something right)
8. going out once in a blue moon getting shit faced with friends and staying out really late
9. emails
10. finding money I misplaced or had forgotten in a pocket or while balancing my checkbook
11. a pair of pants that fit well, and underpants too for that matter
12. handwritten letters, especially with no reason other than to say hi and I'm being thought of
13. laughing out loud, really loud because something is so funny
14. starting a new book that turns out to be really great
15. a pedicure
16. a great haircut
17. finishing a project, especially one that was harder than anticipated or that was a long time coming
18. a new calendar
19. the smell of a freshly washed baby
20. the Sunday paper and having time to read it
21. the smell of laundry right out of the dryer
22. babies that take naps
23. when a stranger does something really nice for me
24. looking at old photos of my parents, grandparents, etc when they were young and thinking about what their dreams were and where they thought life would take them
25. planning things, vacations, gardens, parties, anything

I'm back

I am home. Finally. For at least a little while.
We went to St. Louis over Memorial Day weekend to visit my mom. Stayed for four days. Came home for two and then went to Davis, Oklahoma for three more to visit my dad, his wife, and my grandmother.
I do not love travelling. I love getting somewhere. But the actual journey isn't that fun for me. And maybe that is just because I travel with my kids. Maybe it is fun with your buddies. I don't know.
But in the few short days that we were gone, here is what we did:
St. Louis - Zoo, Butterfly House, Grant's Farm, Magic House, and a few restuarants. Oh and Harper and my mother went to a movie. Hubby and I unloaded assemble yourself bookshelves that weighed about 300 pounds and carried them up forty-eleven stairs and assembled them.
Davis- Chickasaw National Park, Natural History Museum in Norman (T. Rex Sue was visiting) and a few restaurants.
We are glad to be home. My eldest started her summer program which lasts a month. And my youngest was kind enough to sleep in until 7:30 then fell asleep in his high chair at 8:30. I put him down for a nap at 8:45 and he is still sleeping. Must be rough to sit in a carseat for a total of about 30 hours over 10 days.