An Angel With A Marshmallow

Although Snowy usually sleeps through the night, for the past week or so he hasn’t been doing so well in that regard. And after almost eleven years of being in our family, the determined doggy has finally talked Steve and I into letting him sleep in our bed. So when he doesn’t sleep, we don’t sleep.

Since I’m a light sleeper and hear Snowy most of the time, I’ve been getting up with him, rather than waking Steve from a sound sleep—even though he always tells me to wake him up.

Last night, I was worn slap out (that’s a Southern phrase, y’all) from all of my interrupted sleep (and chaos management) so I asked Sarah if she’d take Snowy upstairs with her for the night.

Well, Little Sir Snowy got it into his Little Sir Snowy Head that he was in the wrong place for sleeping purposes and that he really needed to be escorted down one floor to his “mom and dad’s” king sized bed. Where he rightfully belonged. Because he’s special like that.

So by 11 pm when he still hadn’t settled down, Sarah finally got exasperated with him and came and knocked on our door and handed him over to “the parental units.” (As she sometimes calls us.) Steve sleepily took Snowy from her without a word, brought him back to bed, and Snowy ended up sleeping all night long. Hallelujah.

However, when Sarah got up this morning, she was in tears because she’d had such a frustrating, annoying time with her beloved doggy; then she felt bad about pawning him off on us. When Steve had answered her knock and took the dog without saying a word, she thought maybe he was annoyed with her for not keeping Snowy herself.

So she and I had a little talk and a big hug and I told her it was not a big deal; Snowy had slept great and Steve was not in the slightest bit annoyed with her.

When I saw Steve a few minutes later I told him about our conversation and suggested, “You might just mention something to her about it.”

I was in the bathroom slappin’ on make up (thank heaven for Maybelline) when I heard the following delightful conversation take place down the hall.

Steve: Good morning, Sarah!

Sarah: Mumbling with downcast face, “Good morning.”

Steve: I had a very interesting dream last night.

Sarah: What did you dream?

Steve: Well, I dreamed that a beautiful angel knocked on our bedroom door and handed me a marshmallow!

Steve always did have a way with words. And Sarah has always had a way of appreciating people who have a way with words.

After that lovely “daddy speech,” they started their morning with a hug and a smile.

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In other news, yes the carpet is (mostly) in and yes, I am an exceedingly exuberant woman after seeing the last of the stained, blue carpet we’ve been staring at for nine months disappear out the door, never to be glimpsed again.

The two carpet guys stayed at the house till after 8 pm. When Sarah and I got home at 5 pm, we saw lots of lovely carpet accompanied by lots of clumps of chaos.

Here are the stairs to Sarah’s room. She said she felt like a mountain climber when she tried to get to and from her room. (To get to her room, you turn left at the top of this set of stairs and go up another small flight before finally arriving at her 480 sq. foot aerie.)

Here’s a sneak peek of the carpet; I’ll show you more tomorrow when the job is completely finished. We love the color and we love, love, love the clean, new, fresh look it gives the whole second floor.

Now you would think that since I was dealing with such chaos at home that I would want to spend my time away from home doing something peaceful and orderly.

Not so much.

I decided to attack the drawers and file cabinets in the sound room/office area that I work from at church. There are few things I love better than a mess that needs to be organized; it just brings joy to my soul and sassiness to my spirit. (Almost as much joy and sass as having new carpet!)

And here’s the (sort of) finished project. Actually, I’ve still got a lot of things I’d like to do in that area, like putting up new paint and a few pictures, and maybe even getting a “new” desk from Craigslist. But at least I’m making progress and having fun in the meantime.

Before I close, I’ll answer a couple questions that came in from MN Mom. She said,

Are the steps going up to Sarah’s room also being re-done?

No, the carpet on her steps and in her room is a whole lot newer than the second floor carpet and is in excellent shape. So we’ll be keeping that for awhile. It does have blue in it, but it also has some greenish-aqua; I think she can work around it, color-wise.

Do you have a surgery date yet?

Yes! In fact, two weeks from this very moment, I will be in the operating room having the expanders taken out and the permanent implants put in.

From what I understand, the recovery period after replacement surgery is easier than after a mastectomy; I think it’s more like 1-2 weeks, rather than 4-6 weeks.

I am excited about getting this procedure behind me and getting on with the rest of my life!

Messes. Carpet. Comments. Nathan News.

You know that thing I said to you last week that I would post before and after photos of our bedroom?

Well, I don’t have a bit of problem showing you the before pictures or even the “in between” pictures. But I thought it might be more dramatic to wait till the bedroom was completely done before I do The Big Reveal. And the good news is that we should have it done by the end of the week; we just need to get mini blinds and curtains hung. I am indubitably excited. (Which is much more excited that regular ol’ excited.)

I will, however, give you a little sneak preview of the work in progress so that you can see a bit of the paint color and how the whole project is coming along.

Here’s the photo tour . . . accompanied by a little dash of continued untidiness. (Clutter Meter, be still!)

Remember a couple weeks ago when we had the big discussion about the best way to arrange our bed pillows? Well, I am just going to tell you that I have thrown all of your wisdom and advice out the window and have decided to go my own way and do my own thing in the Pillow War Conundrum Department.

Here is my own personal arrangement. What do you think? Do I need to post another poll so that we can vote on it? I actually really like it. It’s kind of a free form, creative, mashed up morass of pillow-ness.

I snapped this picture of one of our ubiquitous bed piles; it just seemed to be a nice snapshot of married life. “His and her shoes” in the middle of a redecorating process—what could possible be more “married” than that?

And speaking of married life—here are Mr. Smith and me back in our younger days--back when we still had horse and buggies and there was no indoor plumbing. Oh, the stories we could tell of our days back on the lone prair-ee.

Here’s a little ol’ peek at the project in process. (Gives you a little hint of the color.)

And here is your last look at the blue carpet which we shall say farewell to today. Have I already told you how excited I am? Well, let me just say it again! I’m excited!

This is what Sarah’s bathroom looked like when we left the house this morning. We just took miscellaneous stuff from the other rooms and flung it in there. I almost broke out into a hive looking at that scene, but I got out of there just in time. (Snowy is obviously very puzzled about the proceedings. Of course, he’s puzzled about most things.)

Even the steps leading up to Sarah’s room were called into duty for storing stuff.

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Questions and Comments:

Kelly Dunn said, “I'm just curious.....do you always have a camera in your hand? I'm amazed at how you have pictures for all your blogs!”

Kelly, yes I do keep my camera in my purse at all times, in addition to a spare set of batteries. I just sort of feel insecure if my camera isn’t always within reach!

Pam said, “OK... so did you get a new camera? The picture quality has really improved as of late, so something has changed. That pic of Sarah and Snowy on the swing is just lovely... frameably beautiful.”

Pam, nope, no new camera. As always, any picture I take that turns out especially well is completely by accident! But I’m glad that a photographer of your skill notices my occasional good pictures.

Dorine asked, “Did you ever make it to North Dakota when you were traveling and singing? It really isn't "on the way" to anywhere, so you pretty much have to have a reason to want to come!! Just curious! Love all your pictures and stories. You are always in my prayers, Sweet Friend!!!”

Dorine, we sang at a church in Bismarck and also at an Indian reservation somewhere in the state. I don’t remember the name of the town but I do remember that particular concert quite well because I fell off the stage. Backward. Feet flying over my head. Wearing a skirt! It was not one of my finer moments.

Suzi said, “What a neat town!! Thanks for sharing it with us. I wonder, do most of the restaurants in Manteo and Wanchese close for the Winter, or are there enough year round folks to sustain them?”

Suzi, yes, a few restaurants (and businesses) do close here in the off season but last winter (our first one here) there still seemed to be plenty of places to eat and shop.

Bridget said, “So I must confess......I have stolen your grocery list-upon-the-cupboard door strategy....and I actually strung a pen on a string on the inside catch....Amazingly I was able to do my shopping in about 1/3 of the time. As a mom to 5 kids, less time in the grocery store means I'm more likely to not need a rubber room, so thanks a million.”

Bridget, I am so happy that one of my many rambling posts made a practical difference in some ones life. Thanks for letting me know. Now I feel all glow-y inside.

Melanie said, “I don't know if I've ever left a comment here, but I love reading your blog! I'm so glad you talked about Extraordinary Measures because I saw it advertised and then somehow missed it when it was in theaters. I'm going to have rent it and watch it! Have you seen Letters to God? If not, you should watch it, but have those Kleenex handy! Thank you so much for all of your wonderful posts! I'm so glad everyone is doing well!”

Melanie, Since we went through such a difficult time with Sarah’s cancer and treatment, you’d think I wouldn’t want to watch movies about sick kids. But they still just seem to draw me in. I haven’t seen Letters To God yet, but that’s one of the movies that’s on The List. I’m glad to hear it highly recommended. (I also enjoyed My Sister’s Keeper.)

Catherine asked, “Where in Florida is Nathan? Is he back at school taking summer courses? Is he going to be a senior? It seems like he just started college.”

Catherine, Nathan is currently in Winter Park, FL; he’s living for the summer with his girlfriend’s sister and brother-in-law. His university (Southeastern University) is actually in nearby Lakeland, FL. No, he didn’t take any summer courses and yes, he is going to be a senior this year. I can hardly believe it.

Judy said, “It seems there hasn't been a "Nathan Report" lately. Is he doing okay? By openly sharing your lives, the Smiths have become a part of all our families and I miss hearing about him.”

Judy, it was so sweet of you to also inquire about Nathan and to write, “ . . . the Smiths have become a part of all our families . . .”

I feel all glow-y inside. Again!

Nathan has actually had a challenging summer. He got way behind in his summer job search when two jobs that looked like absolute certainties both fell through at the last minute. If you know anything about the college student job market, if you don’t get a job nailed down early in the summer, your chances of finding anything go way, way down.

Bottom line is that he never did find a summer job. He went to interviews, filled out applications, had great references—the whole bit. And I’m not just speaking as a proud mom, but Nathan is a hard worker, shows up on time, and has excellent people skills. His plan was to work himself to the bone this summer and get money saved up but as it turned out, he’s barely making ends meet.

He does have a part time job in the campus mailroom nailed down when school starts, but he wants to find another one in addition to that.

So anyway, that’s the scoop on my favorite son. As you moms out there know, we always hate it when we can’t rush in and make all the tough stuff in our kid’s life go away. Life was a whole easier when he was five years old and his biggest Life Crisis consisted of finding out that someone else ate the last chocolate chip cookie. Oh for those simpler days!

Anyway, thanks so much for asking about him. It makes my mama heart happy to get to write about him.

Carpet Day

In about two hours, The Carpet Guys will kick us out of our house for the day. And we'll be kicked out all day tomorrow, as well. So if anyone happens to see the three of us (with Snowy in tow) mournfully wandering the streets of Manteo with no place to go, you'll know what happened.

Seriously, I've got my two days pretty well planned. I'm going to run a few necessary errands and then work, work, work at the church on a whole bunch of projects I've been needing (and wanting) to get to. Sarah will spend part of today with a friend and then come to the church to do some filing for me and to work/play on her computer and read books.

We're still not sure where Snowy is going to end up for the day but we're workin' on that little ol' detail.

I really think I might just hug the carpet guys when they come in the door and do a little jig with them in the front hall. I'm just so happy that this day has finally arrived! Of course, if I hug them and jig with them, they might pack everything back up and leave in a hurry so I guess it would be better if I kept my exuberance to myself.

I do have A Long Post with pictures almost ready to go, but my next two hours will be spent helping Steve get all the furniture on the second floor ready to be moved--putting away lamps, papers, books, decorations, etc. so that the guys can get all the floors cleared.

Once I get to the church, I'll finalize The Long Post and get er' to ya!

Later . . .

Funny.

I don’t have time for a long blog today but here are a few pictures from our family trek to Home Depot last night. 

Since this blog is being written from a bathroom this week, the first picture is especially appropriate.  A guy with toilet plungers on his head?  Whose name is John?  How funny is that?

As we were leaving the store, I came around a corner and saw two very strange people.  Doing very strange things.   Of course,  I took their picture so that I could, um, show it to my family when I got home.

On the way home from our exciting journey, we splurged on ice cream at McDonalds. Since Snowy used to get treats at our old bank in Smithfield, he was quite convinced that the lady at the window had a doggie snack for him. 

She didn’t.   He’s still getting over it.

  

Have a great day!

Blog. From A Bathroom.

From this particular angle everything about today’s blog writing looks pretty normal-ish, doesn’t it?

However, in this picture, we move from normal-ish to a little bit odd-ish.

Yes, it’s true. I really am writing this blog from a bathroom. Sitting on a chair that is usually in the bedroom. Hovered over by yet another chair that is supposed to be in the bedroom but has now taken up residence (propped upside down on the bathtub) in the bathroom with me.

I even made a footstool out of a magazine rack and a bed pillow. I am so content and comfortable, I may never leave this room again! (Well, maybe to get a Little Debbie snack cake.)

Usually when I blog, Snowy comes and finds me and tucks in beside my leg for as long as I sit and write. He is of the considered opinion that the Smithellaneous blog could not possibly exist without his masterful writing and editorial assistance.

However. This morning when it was time to write, he came looking for me. And found me. And gave me this look. Which made me laugh out loud.

Then he looked off into the distance as though he were thinking, “If I just rest my eyes for a moment, the horrible vision of my Mom writing in the bathroom will go away.”

However, when he looked back. I was still there.

Yes. Here.

And so he thought he should move in a little closer in order to investigate the troubling matter further. And to show his great and grave canine-ical concern

He said, “Mom, is everything alright? Is there some reason you have moved your blog writing from Nathan’s room to the bathroom? You can tell me. It’s okay. I’m here for you.”

I told him my reasons. He pondered them for a moment.

Then he sighed loudly, made a mental note to make some changes in any future writing contracts concerning having to do bathroom work, and resignedly crawled up beside me to ponder the depths to which he had fallen in his career. Poor silly doggy.

And since I’m already on the subject of bathrooms, let me regale you with a few more bathroom pictures. (I know, I know. You’re so happy you stopped by here today.)

Here is what the bathroom looked like Wednesday night when Steve was still painting in our bedroom. Bedside lamps, decorative tables, sitting chairs—they were all piled in there.

I, of course, found plenty of photographic fodder in the mess, including taking this shot of myself and the lamps reflected in the mirror.

And today? Well, today, Steve and a guy from the church are painting in Nathan’s room and using the office for a staging room for all their paint stuff. And since our bedroom is still rather torn apart, that is the reason I made the executive decision to retreat to the bathroom to do my writing.

That’s my story and I’m stickin’ to it.

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Next up . . . .

Pictures of the before and after bedroom paint job.

Also, comments on your comments.

Signing off from . . . er . . . the bathroom.

Clutter Meter. Pretend Poodle.

I’ve always tried to keep a fairly clean house. Or at least, a fairly uncluttered house. Since clutter makes me break out in hives, I’m usually on “clutter alert,” looking for opportunities to reorganize or straighten or get rid of stuff so that there is at least a semblance of order surrounding me.

But this week? Not so much.

This week, clutter will rule my world. Because this week, we are painting. And by “we,” I mean that Steve is painting and I am oohing and ahhing and telling him how wonderful it looks. Painting is not my gift. Trust me on that.

And so this week, I am busy recalibrating my Clutter Meter so that it doesn’t go off with all sorts of bells, whistles and alarms when I catch a glimpse of these kinds of sights.

But the good thing about clutter? And painting?

It means that we are one step closer to getting rid of this old, stained carpet and getting our new carpet installed. I am so very excited about ridding our second floor of blue. Although I have seen many homes decorated beautifully in blue, I don’t own even one blue decoration or accessory, so it’s been a bit of a challenge to try to make all of our browns, golds, and berry colors fit in with the acres of blue that we inherited when we bought the house.

We will also be getting rid of all of these marks and scratches on the walls. Yippee!

This morning, Snowy even dropped by the painting area to take a look around and see if anyone needed a Doggie Supervisor on site. (Since he can only supervise between naps though, it sort of limits his career opportunities in that field.) While he was perusing the painting process, I took his picture so that you could see his poor little pitiful legs. The vet obviously shaved one leg for an IV, couldn’t find a vein and then had to shave the other one.

Here’s another shot of his shorn self.

He looks just like a Pretend Poodle! (But don’t tell him I said that. Because he still think he’s all macho, and everything.)