I HATE TRAVELING

If you never hear from me again, it is because I ran away. And I will have taken nothing but a credit card. My head is full with back to school, the house, the attic and some last minute packing for a well deserved trip. Wish me luck. I am still taking bets on who will get sick. 

BEST COOLER BAG EVER

Here it is. The best cooler bag ever. Look for yourself:

What makes it so great? It was a fabulous deal, and has this wonderful bright pink color. It has a shoulder strap, but alternatively you can also carry it with the 2 handles.

It not only was a fabulous deal. It has this wonderful compartment for drinks. To make it even better you can freeze your drinks and then use them as the cool packs to keep your contents cold. 

But wait! That's not all. Look. It has this wonderful small hatch so you can open it and can get stuff out without losing any of your precious cold!

I know. You are SO JEALOUS! How about I get you my mother's phone number?

According to her, this bag is so wonderful she just "had to buy more than one." This is where I come in. I am one of the chosen people who gets a cooler bag dumped on them that they have no use for and no desire in having. That they couldn't turn down cause their mother was so exited about giving them a present. Even better in a color they are not particularly excited about. My sister Eliza knew better and turned it down. My sister Charlotte got one, too.
My sister Charlotte also insinuated that I should be thankful. 

My mother fulfilled her shopping and the hunt for bargain needs. My mother made sure it doesn't clutter her house by dumping her prizes on other people. My mother, I am sure, also raked in a few thank you's.

I am stuck with a bag I don't need and which I, thanks to my hoarding issue, can't but keep or rehome. I am very thankful indeed. *sarcasm off*

MY FAVORITE CLEAN UP APPROACH

For the last 4 days I have been attempting to clean up the patio. I wasn't very successful. Too many single socks and empty dishes for my liking. And don't get me started about the clothes pins that Luke likes to throw around. After a few fruitless attempts I finally had a break through today. I got myself a basket of laundry to fold and a few little helpers. While I was folding laundry I was bosing them around, telling them what to do. By the time I was done the only things left to do is dealing with a basket of  Mason jars that I won't be using any time soon, would hate to throw away, but am not sure what to do with. James churned them out of the garage on to the patio. And I have to wipe of the table. Other than that. DONE! I think I will just hide the mason jars in the basement, and tackle the table,then I can consider another room done. 

3 CONE DAY

The 10 pounds I lost over the last few weeks are back on. That might be due to the fact that I rate my days by the amount of ice cream I need to survive it. today was a 3 cone day.

I once again feel like all is lost. I had 2 really good days. And today is simply awful. I can't get off the couch. I don't want to move, I don't want to think. I don't want anyone to talk to me. James is gone, I am on my own.

Folding a load of laundry takes more energy than I think I have.

10 min feel like 10 hours.

Crying is no fun and gives you puffy eyes.

The kids practiced their dinner prepping skills and the kitchen is still messy.

I lost my to do list and feel I can't go on without it.

Ridiculous. I know.

I am in survival mode and the house shows.

Laundry. Here I come.

5 DAYS LATER

How far did I come? Well. I am proud to say that 5 days later we are almost through the girls' wardrobe. Never mind that half of that was done before I even started out on that new challenge. What happened? Well. Life happened.
Friday I opted for maintenance and baking a cake after 2 days of staring at the walls. Friday afternoon I had a call from the office wondering if my translation was done. I had a mini fit and told them if they want stuff translated they have to SEND IT TO ME. Needless to say I had it back to the office by 8:30 am Monday morning.
Saturday I had half a day of "therapy" hanging out a a friend's house. And when I say "half a day" I mean 12 hours. I was home around 2 am.
Heather is a bundle of efficiency seems to always be balancing at least 5 plates, is the only person I know that can be in 2 places at once and has a way of making me feel loved for who I am that I can't begin to understand.
Sunday after church we had a band drop off, a trip to my sisters for the girls' mini vacation at her house (3 hours round trip for poor James) Heather and her husband and son over for dinner cause at church as usual she jokingly asked what we'd be eating and if it is worth it to stop by. Matt made duck (yes, I was the "sous"-chef) and as it was his first time it all took a little longer. By the time Heather was gone it was late.
Today I sent James and Alex of for a 5 day camp. The girls were brought back with 1 hour notice as their cousin became really sick. I managed to translate another 3 pages this morning, taught Matt and his friend how to cook a new dish and did some maintenance. I passed out on the couch on the patio by 7 pm.
Never mind a 10 month old teething baby that is high maintenance at the moment.

I really shouldn't be surprised that I am not going anywhere with my project. Lets face it. I got a lot done. There was time in between to do more, I simply can't handle more and had to rest in between to stay happy.

To make sure I'll be happy tomorrow, too, I will go to bed now!