Can't find the words

I've been trying all morning to think of ways to word this post so it won't make me cry, but I've given up on that.

I need to take a little time away from my blog. Something is happening in my life that's really difficult for me, and I'm having a lot of trouble just trying to take care of the kids and get through the day. I want to write because writing usually helps me deal with things, but this time I'm discovering it's too hard to find words. And even though I know that you would all be nothing but caring and supportive, the situation is just too hard to talk about right now.

I hope you can be patient with me. I don't know when I'll be back. Maybe next week, maybe tomorrow. Maybe I'll be able to post again later today. I just don't know. But I would appreciate good thoughts and prayers if you have any to spare. They're needed.

I'll be back as soon as I can. Thank you for understanding.

Just like Arnold, I'm back!



Image courtesy of mckenna71
rgbstock.com

"You can find your way across this country using burger joints the way a navigator uses stars.”

American journalist Charles Kuralt reportedly said this, and I have to agree. I don't care if I never see the inside of another fast-food restaurant.

Still, those places are a treat for the kids, and I'm happy to make them happy when we're all crowded together in a vehicle for two days. After what seemed like the longest car trip ever, we arrived home safely late Saturday night. And each of us had never been so happy to see our own beds.

There's something about going on vacation that really makes you appreciate what you have at home.

What do I have at home? So many good things, like love and laughter and comfort and familiarity. Right now I also have mounds of laundry, but that's a story for another day.

I'm glad to be back here at the blog. I've missed it and you. ☺

Gone fishin'



On the road again...
Photo by Kim Newberg, courtesy of Public Domain Pictures

By some miracle, I managed to finish packing, and hubby, the kids, the dog, and I are now on our way to see my parents.

Okay, that's not entirely true. I'm actually writing this post at 1:46 a.m. as I wait for my ninth of eleven loads of laundry to dry. I'm surrounded by half-packed suitcases and a long list of things I still need to do. But no matter. I'm optimistic that my first sentence will be true by the time you read this post. ☺

I'm also writing to let you know that I probably won't be posting during my vacation. I'll be staying with my parents, who have neither a working computer nor Internet access, and I don't own a laptop (yet. Every time my husband asks me what I want for Mother's Day, Christmas, my birthday, whatever, I always mention a laptop. Someday...)

Anyway, I'm going to try to get in a trip or two to the library, and if I do, I'll definitely post here and visit your blogs. I'm not sure how likely it is that I'll get to a computer, but I will try. (I can't stay unplugged for long!) So I hope you can forgive my two-week absence here and at your blogs. I'm looking forward to catching up when I get back!

Happy Sunday! See you soon. ☺

And the craziness continues...

Well, I'm down to the wire now. My family and I leave for our two-week vacation tomorrow morning. So far I've gotten a grand total of—wait for it—zero bags packed. My mind is swimming with all the things I still have to do: errands to run; stuff to buy; laundry to wash, dry, and fold; suitcases to pack...

I need a packing miracle...or maybe just the hilarious Mr. Bean:



In other news, remember when I peeled my finger a few weeks ago? Well, guess what I did again yesterday afternoon. You got it. Clearly, apples, potato peelers, and I should not mix. However, my kids were kind enough to give me one of their cool
Band-Aids, so it's all good. ☺

Cool,  huh?

Have a beautiful Saturday!

Friday fun

Happy Friday, everyone!

It's nearly the weekend, and that means it's time for this week's dose of fun. Enjoy!

funnysigns.net

funnysigns.net

funnysigns. net

funnysigns.net

funnysigns.net

funnysigns.net

(STOP, collaborate, and listen)
funnysigns.net

Okay, how many of you have this song in your head right now?  ;-)


Moving on to this week's video... Here's Ellen with more hilarious police reports:




Have a great weekend!

I'm {blank} because...

I found this meme—started by Ashley at Little Miss Momma—during my travels around the blogosphere and thought it looked like fun. Happy Thursday, everyone!

* * * * * * * * * *

I'm weird because...

• I put hot sauce on my potato chips and popcorn.
• I have to use a comforter when I sleep, even in the summer.
• I can't sleep at night unless the comforter is covering my shoulders.
• I like onions and mustard on my grilled cheese sandwiches.
• I think Cheerios smell bad.
• I sing "Janie's Got a Gun" when I clean the house.
• I am not a hugger (kids, hubby, and parents excluded, of course).
• I reserve a huge part of my brain for celebrity facts.
• I'm terrified of house centipedes.
• I still have all my notebooks from high school and college.
• I'd rather shop for groceries than clothes.
• I don't like clothing or jewelry to be tight around my neck.
• I can't face my husband when I sleep; I feel like I'm breathing in his air.
• I can't start my day without making the bed.
• I talk to myself (and to my characters) all the time.
• I'm compulsive about checking (and sometimes rechecking) all the appliances before I leave the house.

Invasion of the toys! This is why I don't invite you over. ;-)
[My five-year-old son took this picture!]

I'm a bad friend because...

• I wait for someone else to make plans.
• I rarely invite people over. (My house is usually a mess.)
• I sometimes get excited and interrupt other people.
• I'm not good with spontaneous plans. I like routines and schedules.
• I'm secretly glad when plans get canceled because then I can hang out at home.
• It sometimes takes me a while to return e-mails.


I'm a good friend because...

• I listen.
• I'm loyal.
• I like giving advice when I'm asked for it.
• I apologize when I'm wrong.
• I remember birthdays and other special days.

I'm sad because...

• my kids are growing up so fast.
• I sometimes feel like I'm failing as a mommy.
• I live 1,000 miles away from my family and only get to see them once a year.
• I never seem to have time to do everything I want to do.
• I still have a ton of laundry to do before our trip.
• I feel like I don't do enough with my kids.
• I wanted to lose a few more pounds before my vacation.
• my husband drank all the milk last night and now there's none for my cereal.
• I'll only have sporadic Internet access while I'm on vacation.
• I sometimes feel like I'm just spinning my wheels when it comes to following my writing dreams.
• Gossip Girl is ending after next season. (I know I mentioned this earlier in the week, but trust me, it bears repeating.)

Image courtesy of Sanja Gjenero, rgbstock.com

I'm happy because...

• my kids tell me daily that they love me.
• I have so many wonderful blogging friends.
• I got my hair cut last Friday.
• my kids are healthy and happy and smart.
• It's almost time to visit my family.
• my kids like to sleep in.
• school's out, so I've been getting a little more sleep each night.


I'm excited because...

• my blogging friends gave me so many great book suggestions yesterday. (Thanks!)
• I'm going shopping for my daughter's birthday gift tonight.
• we'll get to celebrate my daughter's third birthday with my parents
• my friend is having a playdate for our kids this week—and we'll have Mommy time!
• I'll be seeing my parents in a few days.


How about you? What are you {blank} about today?

I need books!

Image courtesy of Sanja Gjenero
rgbstock.com

My vacation departure date is looming, and as I went over my many packing lists this morning, I realized that I'd forgotten to include something crucial: books!  I'll have quite a bit of downtime during this trip, including a two-day drive there and back, and what better way to fill the time than to read? Luckily, I still have a few days to get to the library and bookstore—and that's where you come in.

Friends, I need your help. What books do you suggest I take? I like a good story and am open to just about any genre. I posted a list of some of my favorites here. Most of them are classics, but I'm interested in more contemporary books as well; I often head to the New Fiction shelves at the library and bookstore.

So what are your must-read books? Tell me what you've enjoyed recently.