WWRW: Not a book

What I am reading today is not a book. I hope Jessica can forgive me but I feel this needs to be shared in a venue that may actually garner some views and technically it is what I am reading.

An aquaintance of mine had a baby. And 3 days later his son returned back to God. I didn't even know that his wife was expecting, we weren't close by any means. He was a funny guy with the same birthday as my brother. Though I don't know his wife I feel safe in assuming he is a wonderful husband. He's just that kind of guy.

Then my news feed exploded with people expressing sadness and condolences for him. My heart broke, how unthinkable. I don't know what happened and I don't want to speculate.

And then it exploded again with a blog post written by his wife. I read it and I keep coming back to it. I must have clicked over there 20 times in the past two days. Every time I leave the page with tears in my eyes and hope in my heart.

It is the most beautiful post I believe I have ever read. You should read it.

As a preview of what you're in for here is my (current) favorite line:

 "But my only sincere wish could be that my son would be loved his whole life long and that he would know to return that love in kind. Because he has done just that, he has lived a perfect life. I would never wish less for him."

Please offer up a prayer for this young couple as they go through this time of grief. I imagine they could use all the prayers they can get.

Musings on Macaroni

The first time it happened I thought it was a fluke.

At Sam's Club certain things cycle in and out and often the restock is on the complete other side of the store really high up and they don't want to close an aisle to bring in a skid loader etc. I get it.

But when we went a month later and they were still out, not just out but there wasn't even a spot or a lable for where it should be, and my heart lurched into my throat. I will miss you Daily Chef Macaroni and Cheese.

I know that everyone swears by Kraft or Annie's depending on your crunchiness level, but I have very specific mac and cheese needs that are not met by those brands. You see, I do not care for, what I lovingly call "cheese food." The term cheese food comes from a very funny moment at summer camp, but I digress. 

Cheeze-Its, Goldfish, Cheez-Whiz, Doritos, Cheetos and those orange crackers with cheese stuff in them? I get squirmy just thinking about them. I do not like them and avoid them at all costs. Buying Goldfish for C is truly an act of bravery and supreme love for me because when his little cheese stained mouth comes after me for a kiss or a sip of water I am pretty sure I die a little. 

So when we have Kraft or Annie's, though, I'll be honest, I can't bring myself to buy Annie's. Partly because my in-laws go on and on and on and on about it and I'm a little like "let's just calm down now" Then also partly because it's just way way more expensive and I am at crunchy level .5, so not at all crunchy. 

So when we have Kraft, I wind up only using 2/3 of the cheese packet because you know how sometimes there are spots where the cheese hasn't disolved in the heat/milk/butter and there's a clump on a noodle or 2? That is a circle in hell for me. I combat that by using less cheese and more milk and usually it works out fine. But then I am spending $9 for 12 boxes and not using all the cheese powder. 

So spending $6 for 12 boxes and not using all the cheese powder makes way more sense to me, hence, the daily chef. I generally prefer the generic mac and cheeses anyhow, for exactly the reason most people buy name brand: they aren't as cheesy! Having my generic option ripped from my hands at the only warehouse store available to me in the area (I'd love a Costco but I'm not driving 45+ minutes to get to one when Sam's is 3 mintes away.) was cruel and sad. 

In fact they used to have a different kind of generic and it was REALLY good, but that went away about a year ago so we upgraded ($1 more) to the Daily Chef. (Sam's Brand) Now, for the low low price of $3 more per 12 pack I am stuck with Kraft and throwing away cheese powder. I'm going to have to check the grocery stores to see if there's a good generic with a decent price available. 

More work. No rest for the weary. Not that I am really weary just lazy, it was so easy to stick a box in my cart at Sam's and call it good. Ah well... that is life. 

What I Learned About Laundry and Love

I don't know why, but of all the chores I've never really minded the laundry. Truthfully, I do not sort, I just throw it all in together unless I am washing something red for the first time. But that is besides the point my friends.

This past week I cleaned up our laundry area. I wish it was a noble reason like, say, 40 bag for 40 days but really it was just because it was bothering me. I also cleaned the washer and dryer. Which needed it and also was strangely satisfying. I often don't think to wash the things I use to clean but now I may take this new found clean everything routine and work on the dishwasher next.

I know acts of service is a love language, oddly it isn't one of ours necessarily. I do like to do things to show love for my family and keeping the laundry clean is one of the easiest things I can do. I love the smell of clean laundry. Love it. Cherish it. If I go to the store I walk down the laundry stuff aisle. Even at Walgreens.

I don't really miss the days of the laundromat in grad school though it was convenient to do all the loads all at once. I never could relax enough to leave while my clothes were washing/drying and with the lovely smell it made for a delightful placed to read or study. I always had an idea of writing a musical that took place in a laundromat but I haven't gotten around to it yet.

Other than the scent I could never figure out why it was that I enjoy laundry. It really is a task some people just hate. Especially the folding and putting away part. Then it occured to me that it was something I get from my mom. (My dad too but definitely my mom first.) She always did our laundry and always without complaint. My parent's house has a main floor laundry room and I definitely covet that fact these days. I make do however, what's 9 steps anyhow?

This is not my laundry room. But I like it.
Mine looks way more like a nice washer and dryer in a basement. 

Her act of love in doing my laundry for all those years (and still even now when we visit) really influenced me I suspect. People always say that children learn by example--and the example of doing laundry happily made a difference in my life. I thoroughly enjoy the laundry. And my mother set such a strong example of serving without complaint. I remember when I first started doing laundry or I would try to get the clothes from the dryer and fold them for my mom. I wanted to help her out in the same way she helped me. It made me really stop and think about what I do around the house and how I go about it. I am sure I am setting a good example with the laundry but I am not setting C up for doing the dishes very well.

Perspective. It's a wonderous thing. What if we all made sure to move through our daily actions making a concious choice to set a good example? Certainly, few of us set out to be a bad example, but I bet there is something we could all improve to encourage and train up our children to be better adults.

Even in college I never had a problem walking down the hall to the laundry room to put in a load. Others would complain, some more would let their clothes sit wrinkled in baskets until the next time they did laundry--I happily folded and put away. Perhaps I was being a good example for the girls of the second floor. Who knows? But I can certainly continue to be a good example for my family.

It's the little things you know? The little things of a laundry list of things around the house. Pun fully intended. But that my friends is where love really is. Warm, clean towels folded with love.

Best $5 ever

Not even trying for quick takes today people because I just have to share this with you.

I just spent the best $5 of my life.

I got the original Madeline specials on DVD for $5 on Target.

Of course you may have zero idea of what I am talking about, probably because your name isn't Madeline and you weren't the proud owner of extensive amounts of Madeline merchandise. But I digress.

They are cartoon adaptations of the Madeline books, not that ridiculous television show that used the character, these were truth. (Though, okay, I watched that too.) They were the books come to life. PLUS Christopher Plummer is the narrator, which is wonderful. And again, as a girl named Madeline these versions were absolutely my favorite things ever. I still have ALL my VHS copies.

But alas, no VCR. So this Target find literally made my day!

Of course C would argue the Hotwheels were a better $5 but either way we both left with a fun treat.

Wednesday

It's funny, I don't have a whole lot to say but feel the need to post anyhow. It seems almost surreal that Lent is upon us. Don't get me wrong I have always appreciated Lent but somehow even though it's a pretty late one, it still feels like it was just Advent and Christmas. Oh, that's probably because the snow is still deep and cold. Yeah. That's probably it.

I have a couple posts in drafts ready to go but none of them seem right for today. I have decided to unofficially attack clutter this season as well. Not officially the whole 40 bags in 40 days thing. Perhaps I'll get that far anyhow but I am just going for less. Less clutter, less piles, less "quick someone is coming over shove this in a closet."

I have committed to giving up paper plates. And my heart aches about it but it will be a good penance for me where I can grow. It seems so trite and dumb but it also feels right and that I think it a good sign.

This is where I'd have a meme or picture or something but the someecareds just mock Lent and I don't want to do that. And I can't find anything that conveys how I feel about Lent.

I don't know why, but ever since I was confirmed, regardless of my recent attendance at Mass, I haven't missed an Ash Wednesday. It's my favorite. It's a time where we can all say, I can do a little bit better. In whatever it is we need to improve and that is of course different for everyone.

Gah. The song "Ashes" just hits me every year. I love it. I can't wait for tonight. Hopefully the snow will be stopped and plowed by then.

7 Out of 7

Lamest post ever right here.

I caught the plague from Husband. Not really a big deal and not nearly as bad as some of the things people are getting. But the sneezing and the fuzzy head is not fun.

Way back in high school I used to really like the Oscars but then somewhere I wised up and now I don't give a hoot about awards shows. I mean good for them, but so much politics and such go into who wins... never on merit and never based on true quality I think. I mean, A Beautiful Mind won and I can never get those hours back. Gross. One of the worst ever. So I will not be watching those tonight.

We'll probably watch something on Netflix. Maybe. We've been watching a lot of Full House lately since we bought the house. :) Delightful to relive all the fun and who doesn't love Full House? You know, when Walter was the kid who looked like a duck and Stephanie learned about hurting his feelings.

We're having a tasty dinner of bacon and banana chocolate chip pancakes which I am pretty excited for. Love breakfast for dinner. And that's what's shaking around here. Told you, lame post to wrap up the 7/7. Hope you all had a great Sunday!

They're Addicted and They Can't Stop

And here we are, made it to Saturday. A day many don't blog. (And the day I suspect many won't and the 7/7 posts will stop completely.)

So even though I have pretty much nothing to say, I am posting and getting it out of my system.

I know that this will make me the minority of my generation but I am starting to loathe the whole "25 Truths About Stay At Home Moms" or "30 Things That Will Make You Feel Old."

Pretty much Buzzfeed and the like in general. I don't need to hear vague reasons why I am old, I know that kids born in 1994 turn 20 this year. Because I can do simple math. And the generalizations of stay at home moms was true to an extent but really, anyone could write generalizations of any group and they'd be partly true.

Honestly, they make me a little bit mad. Why should we settle for these things to bring us entertainment?! Why aren't more people posting what books they've read or about Russia invading Ukraine instead of "What State They Should Really Live In" and so forth?

My generation of people is turning their brains to mush one stupid quiz at a time. And it's bad enough that if you take the quiz you can tell with the first question what your result is going to be. But posting it, then debating living in Seattle over Paris with the other drones who took the test is a little extreme.

Oh the internet, such a fabulous invention (Thanks Al Gore!) but such a time waster.

I have no solution and clearly I spend my time blogging and reading blogs so I'm really one to talk about wasting time on the internet. But I have at least expressed my feelings on the matter and now I can probably let it go.