The Mystery Gift Mystery

I will start by stating that I had an awesome post written--loaded with linkage and photos--and then the damn pc locked up on me and I lost it all. So pardon my clipped tone and lack of description; I am not one for doing things over.

Anywhoo--

Here's Tim's Christmas present--a superlong (10 feet) Dr. Who scarf!

I am so proud of this scarf. I was inpired by some knitting patterns I found and altered them to crochet. Check out this.

And now for photos from some awesome elves--Crochetville and Crochet Sleuth readers. I love everything that was sent to me, and hope everyone had a happy holiday season!

book thong in a new Wiggles book, photo entitled "wigglethong"


Mary Englebreit (I ♥ her art) notepad


Opal sock yarn


Even more Opal sock yarn

Lori, I have been unable to restrain myself and have completed one crochet sock already with the yarn you sent--it looks awesome--self striping and all--I will post the pair when I finish #2!

What the he** happened to Photobucket's nifty thumbnail code generator??

Next time I post, I will put up some non-crochet Christmas gift pictures, as all of us are so pleased with all of our gifts. We feel truly blessed.
*************
Ahem, Mememememe!
If you had to choose between the services of a cook, maid, chauffer, or masseuse — absolutely free, but only for a year — which one would it be? Why?
Well, this one isn't so hard for me! A cook, hand's down, wins my vote. Why? Because I hate hate hate cooking. It seems like such a waste of time to me, when I can just buy a bag of animal crackers and eat them til I'm full. Maid--nah, I kinda like to clean (yeah, I know, weird). Chauffer--I'd rather have the cook, but this would be my second choice, because then I could crochet on my way to places. Massuese[r]--nah, that's what husbands are for, lol!

Happy Holidays!

Happy holidays, readers! I hope you and your family/friends enjoyed yourselves today as much as mine did. Whew, it was a little too hectic for me, but it was awesome to see the everybody happy and healthy, as well as [hopefully] please them all with some gifts.

Our day went like this: Holly and Ryan woke up around 6:30/7 am, and they played in their beds for a half our or so, and then we started opening presents around 8. Emma was at her dad's house, as his parents are visiting from Texas, so they naturally wanted to have her there for Christmas morning. Holly and Ryan had a blast opening their stockings, and Tim and I opened ours and our gifts to each other. I will share those with you when I've got pictures ready.

Around noon, Emma and her dad (Rick) came over with more presents. Rick left and Emma watched her new DVD of Hillary Duff's Cinderella Story, the babies and I napped, and Tim played on the computer.

When the babies awoke, we all went over to my parent's house for dinner and still more gifts. Rick and his parents also met us over there. Everyone had a wonderful time, though it took the babies a little time to warm up to Rick's mom and dad, and it was a lot of people in my parents' small house.

I am very lucky that when Rick and I separated after 10 years, he and I (as well as both our families) were wise enough to realize that we should be friends still, for all of our sakes. I also give much credit to Tim, my loving husband, who also sees things as I do, and is open and friendly to Rick and his family too. It makes for a much easier time when it comes to celebrations and holidays. It may seem odd to people that we celebrate occasions with ex-es and their families, but so far we are able to manage it, and Emma truly benefits from it. Holly and Ryan adore Rick, too, and he feels the same towards them. Our motto has become "the more the merrier!"

Stay tuned for some holiday pictures (I left the camera at my parent's house)....
_____________________

Mememememe!

1) Do you use fabric softener or softener sheets?
Softener sheets--doesn't the liquid just rinse away??
2) Do you dry clean clothes on a regular basis?
Does annually count as "regular"? I don't have much dry cleaning, since I can wear jeans to work (thank GOD)
3) Do you do laundry as it piles up or do you wait until you are out of clean clothes?
I try to do a load per day. I don't mind laundry so much.
4) Do you use a clean towel every day for your shower or use the same one throughout the week?
Same towel for a few days. You just showered--you're CLEAN.
5) Who does the laundry in your household?
Everyone who can reach the knobs on the washer and dryer. There's instructions posted next to the machines in case anyone [Emma] needs them. The babies help put stuff in the dryer. Ü

Must...Get...Act....Together

Ok, just a quickie tonight, since I am feeling kind of frazzled. And fat. And yucky. Also, the TV lineup's all messed up tonight, and that irritates me.

Yes, even a quick MEMEMEMEME:

Have you ever broken a bone?
Unfortunately, a few: Collarbone (as a small child, my neighbor fell on me as we were looking up, running, and chasing an airplane). Arm (fell off the balance beam in fifth grade gym, bone poked out of my arm, classmates barfed in the locker room). Ankle (fell off the top of a pyramid in cheerleading practice).

More later, soon, I promise. OK, maybe not til after the holidays, but I will do my best.....

{No Title Today-ntt}

I can't think of a title, so I am leaving it blank.

Well, the pictures are now OFF the camera and onto Tim's harddrive. A step in the right direction, eh!? Now, if I were going to work tomorrow, I'd edit them with software there, and then post 'em, but I'm calling in sick, remember? ;)

I am going to bite the bullet and sumbit my ideas to the crochet pattern-a-day calendar, and see what happens. Now I just have to DO it....

Memememememe!

1) Can you play a musical instrument? If so, which one(s)?
I took piano lessons for years, but now I can only barely pick out nursery rhymes on the keyboard I have. I kind of regret this, but I hated the lessons at the time.

2) If you could be part of any band or musical group on the planet, which one would it be and who would you be and why?
I have no idea, lol! I am not that into music/bands/etc.

3) What is your favorite genre of music?
I don't really have one, I guess. Stuff I can dance to in some manner--anything from country line dancing to techno.

4) What is your least favorite genre of music?
Gotta go with anything "sappy" or "uplifting" because they usually just make me want to scream. I cannot stand stuff like Amy Grant or Kenny G. (Sorry to the people that like them....)

5) What was the last song you heard or what are you listening to right now?
Hooverphonic, "Wicky"

Mystery of the Missing Pictures

Yeah, I don't have any pix yet. I hate the uploading linking process, so that's why I don't have them yet.

Good news! On Friday, I found out I had sick time that I hadn't used yet that I need to use before the end of the year!!! I'll be feeling kind of ill Monday morning I think. Actually, what with all the wrapping, preperation, etc. that I need to do before next weekend, ill may not be far off, lol.

Well, my Christmas gift crochet is done, but I have some other stuff I need to finish asap. I am thinking about submitting 3 things to the Crochet Pattern-A-Day calendar. Honestly, I am afraid of being rejected though. It would really suck to hear, "I'm sorry, the submissions you sent are not what we are looking for this year...." I know there's nothing to lose, but still.... Is anyone (everyone?!) reading my blog submitting anything?

Memememememe!

Do you remember being 9 years old?
Yes!

Are you male or female?
Female.

Do you think the sex of the person makes any difference in whether or not you have a difficult being 9 or not?
Hmmm. Interesting question. I don't think so, not back then (in the 70s, when I was nine) or now.

Was being 9 tough or simple for you? Why?
I remember being 9 as a simple, fun time. I remember playing with friends that lived close by, enjoying school (Native American studies and cursive handwriting!), and knowing how to do enough stuff on my own (watching tv, riding my bike) so I could have a good time. I don't recall being too stressed out by "big" problems or injustices, or having an overwhelming amount of responisbilities.

Would you want to be 9 again? Why or why not?
Only if I could be 9 again in the same times--I think 9 now is more stressful, so if I could go back to 1979 again, and still meet my husband later in my life, and have my same kids, I would love to be 9 again! Know what I mean?

Friday, Friday...

I got some great things in the mail today! I will post pictures asap, but let me tell you what they are for now.

Darla and Lori, both members of Crochetville with me, sent me Christmas gifts! Lori sent me a beautiful skein of green variegated Opal sock yarn, and Darla sent me a very cute chapstick holder keychain. I love and appreciate them both!

It was really fun participating in this Wish List idea, and I am glad I was able to also grant a couple wishes for others.


Meme: The key is obvious.

1. Describe the condition of your keyboard:
My keyboard at home came from my mom's old computer. It's a Gateway one, with a couple of weird buttons, but pretty good shape. I wish it propped up in back more, though. My work keyboard--oy--it's loaded with crumbs because I munch all day while I work. Pretty good condition otherwise.

2. Can you sing, or are you always out of key?
Embarrassingly out of key. If I have to sing in a group, I just lip synch. Apparently I have a low singing voice (alto?) and a range of less than an octave, lol! There's no songs written for that.

3. What keys do you carry with you?
Our house, our car, mom and dad's house. That's it I think...??

4. What is the key to personal happiness?
An enjoyable job, happy children, enough free time to spend with your spouse, and just enough money so you don't have to worry ALL the time.

5. What gets you keyed up?
People that have no tolerance for others; people have too much money while others have nothing.

The Memes Mystery

I am going to start putting question/answers on my blog that if you want, you can then put on your blog, and on and on. So, here's todays meme:

Trigger #106: Complete paragraph--list four things:
If I had time to be more involved in the community I would....

--become a literacy volunteer
--teach a kid's yoga or exercise class
--teach people how to crochet
--form a "stitch 'n' bitch" group to work together on projects and community stuff

*****
Pix to come shortly of what I've been doing (socks, sweater, stuff). I gotta run now though, I'm off to another holiday party at work! (Gotta say this--as much as this company gets ON MY NERVES, they do have a lot of holiday "cheer"!)

Holiday Survey Story

I ran across this Holiday Survey while blog trolling today, and thought I'd post it too. I get to leave work early today because we're going to our "team lunch" at the Olive Garden. I can't get into any heavy thinking or anything, so filling out this form fits right into my day.

1. Egg nog - yum or yuck?

Yum, though I rarely buy it. I grew up drinking it (mixed with milk so it wasn't soooo thick), and now drink it when I visit my parent's house this time of year.

2. Stay up until midnight on New Years?

Usually, unless there's nothing good on TV. Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve totally bores the crap out of me (what is with those "artists"? they suck!), so I have to find something else.

3. Prefer white or colored lights?

I prefer white, but use both. My kids like the colored ones.

4. Favorite holiday song.

Hmmmm. "Do You Hear What I Hear?" and "Little Drummer Boy."

5. What is your tackiest holiday decoration?

LOL! well, I used to have a little tree that suction cupped to the car window and lit up via a cigarette lighter plug, but I brought it into work for a display and someone stole it!

6. Do your kids have too much and you wonder just WHY you are getting more??

kind of. I try not to buy too much for the kids. I don't have to worry about them getting "enough" because the grandparents take care of that really well.

7. If you celebrate Christmas, when does your tree go up and come down?

Tree usually goes up the day after Thanksgiving, and comes down by New Year's.

8. Christmas again - open presents on Christmas eve, morning, or other?

Everyone gets to open one present on Christmas Eve, and the rest on Christmas morning.

9. Favorite holiday tradition?

Still working on this one. The youngest kids are still too little to do too much, but I'd like to have a cookie baking day, or kid's party, or something, in the future. We all baked gingerbread man cookies this year, which was really fun.

10. What do YOU want for Christmas?

Oh, I bet you can guess. Yarn, hooks, patterns, gift certificates for night's out with my husband (to movies, dinner).

I'll wrap up today with a quiz (it's been a while since I have found any worth posting):

You Are the Reformer

1 You're a responsible person - with a clear sense of right and wrong. High standards are important to you, and you do everything to meet them. You are your own worst critic, feeling ashamed if you're not perfect. You have the highest integrity, and people expect you to be fair.

What number are you?

Yeah, that fits me pretty well.

The Case of a Cozy Christmas

Well, that weekend went by in a flash. Tim's computer's down, and so I don't have new photos of crochet goodness to show (my computer doesn't have the camera software installed on it). He's working on it though, so soon. I have been a busy elf lately!

Here are a couple clickable pictures of our Christmas tree this year. Usually I like to decorate like crazy for Christmas--I have tons of music boxes, homemade decorations, special ornaments, and ceramic heirlooms that I like to get out and display--but that didn't happen this year. This year, I got out the tree, lights, box of glass ball decorations, tinsel, advent calendar, stockings, books, and wreath. That's it. Whatever didn't get put up in the two hours I had slotted for "decorating" got put back in the closet til next year. I couldn't deal with the fighting, whining, crying over whose turn it is to see a certain music box, and the begging to have them all wound up at the same time (or for the 88th time). I have lots of other ways to instill the virtues of patience and sharing in my kids, and adding alot of stressful objects to the list wasn't making me feel too festive. Here's our tree this year, still pretty, though it looks a little bare to me:



In the first picture, you can see the "tree" that my dad made to hold our stockings (since we have neither mantle nor staircase to hang them on), as well as two of the three stockings I made, and the fancy one with my name that my grandmother knit for me. I will take some closeup shots of these to show them off better.

And here is our new entertainment center (with our crappy second best TV)! Our main TV is larger, but is at the repair shop. Still haven't heard if it's fixable yet.... Anyways, we love this new piece of furniture, and it didn't take long at all to fill up.


Good luck to everyone working on holiday gifts--as am I!

I Swear That I Was Going to do Work

...but then I got to work today, and our work applications are all down due to some kind of server issues. "The Unix people have been called." Um, ok, I guess I won't hold my breath til it's fixed...

I have no crochet to show you all today; I will go on and on about other stuff instead. Ü

I saw the dumbest thing in a car parked in front of my work building today. This minivan had a whole bunch of crap hanging from the rear view mirror, including a craft made by a preschooler. It was a dinner size paper plate with kid drawing and writing on it. Now, believe me, I adore all my kids' artwork. I have kept their first crayoned circle, and almost everything else they have all made. But perhaps the rear view mirror is not an appropriate place to hang a dinner size paper plate--can we say, "vision obstruction"?

*Sigh* We are still waiting for the stupid heating contractor to finish up our furnace work that they are charging us $2000+ for. Oh, we have a working furnace now, thank God, but the ductwork is still all messed up under the house (heat only comes out of 3 vents), and the chimney needs *whatever they do to it*. I keep calling them and asking them when they are coming, and they keep saying "tomorrow" but it hasn't happened yet. What the f**k is wrong with so many of these contractors? WHY is it so hard to get anyone to COMPLETE a job? I don't care whether it's plumbing, heating, construction, roofwork, whatever--they are all the same! I don't get it!

I found a couple cool sites yesterday. All Consuming and Weblog Bookwatch both monitor the books that bloggers are writing about. They scan and count blog links to Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and other book resources to see which books are being talked about the most. That's pretty cool! I will be adding buttons to them on my sidebar soon. [Speaking of sidebars, I have no idea why mine is now at the very bottom right of my blog. It is supposed to be in the top right, and my pix are all small enough, so ???]

For curious minds out there, I am working on my 100 things list so I can be a "joiner" (lol, if you knew me in person, you'd know I am so not a joiner...). I'm not sure why I feel the need to expose so much of myself to others in this manner, but I'm going to do it anyways. Probably because it feels "safe" just typing it--more anonymous. So you have that to look forward to from me soon.

Finally, I am working on a rant about poverty and health care and government assistance from government morons. I know you all want to hear more of that from me. Seriously though, I view my blog as a means of possibly opening up others' eyes to what different people and family's lives are like. I have some fresh stuff to go on about as we receivers of public assistance (see, not just a repeat of one of my old posts). How we can still have a very happy family life in spite of it. I want to bump out some preconceived notions of the "poor."

I do have a question for internet/blogger superusers--why is my blogspot blog not searchable on Google--I want it to come up when I google key words, but it doesn't. My old Diaryland one does, but not this place. Anyone know what I can do about that? Is there a setting I am overlooking?

The Case of The Little Boy's Big Feet

Well, Ryan's socks didn't fit him. I should have known they wouldn't--we have a really hard time getting any normal shoes and socks on his porky little piggies! I think I will frog the top (cuff) part of the sock, and then he'll be able to try on the foot part. I think that will fit. Then I will work up an "open" cuff, with maybe laces up the front, to keep them closed. Or else just really big. I'm not sure yet.

I don't know what happened to my photo of the socks before, but here they are again, before I rip 'em apart:



I have been messing around with a couple images to come up with a button for Crochet Sleuth, and this is what I have so far:


It is supposed to be a transparent background, not lavender, but I kind of like it lavender too. I clicked "set transparent color" in MS Photo editor, but it didn't save it that way. Oh well. I will leave it like this for a while. Go ahead and steal it if you like.

Don't feel like blogging much today, so I will probably jump on again tomorrow.

The Mystery of a Good Book and TV Show

I wanted to draw attention to a really good show on non-cable, network TV. It's called Nanny 911 and it is on Fox (I believe ABC? has a simalar version starting soon). It's a reality show about a family having, um, difficulty parenting their children. One of 3 regular British nannies swoops in and stays with them for a week, teaching the parents (and viewers) how to control their kids. The cameras document the before, during, and after behaviour of the family. If all is to be believed, and I think a lot of it is because these families are almost totally lacking in any kind of basic rules/consequences, astounding results are achieved very quickly. At the very least, the viewers get to see that basic, genuine parenting measures are necessary and effective. It reaffirms a parent who hates to discipline her kids but knows it is necessary so they don't act like monsters. Some of the basics that have been brought home to me are:
1) All actions have consequences.
2) Show them how much they are loved with words and affections.
3) Spanking probably means YOU have lost control; there may have been an opportunity before the spanking where you could have shown a better, calmer parenting technique. Kids learn swatting and hitting is ok if that is what is done to them. {That said, I am not totally opposed to spanking in all cases--just that I should try to stay in control more and not let them make me lose control.)

I also recently finished How To Talk So Kids Will Listen, and Listen So Kids Will Talk. This is also a fantastic parenting tool, and a very quick read due to lots of illustrations. It gives the parent STEP by STEP tools for diffusing situations with kids. Definitely check it out of the library or buy it. You won't regret it, I am sure.

A non-parenting book I read is called Celebration, U.S.A.: Living in Disney's Brave New Town. I am a Disney-phile, and love to read about Disney's effects on culture, media, architecture, etc. This book is written by 2 married journalists that move to Celebration, Florida, a town "underwritten" by the Disney company. It is a wonderful introduction and analysis of the "neotradional" style of architecture and town development/layout. Interesting read.

And finally, before I change my sidebar, I wanted to feature my absolute favorite Thanksgiving book, I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Pie. You have to check this book out for next thanksgiving. I read it every year (dramatically, of course) to my whole family. It's based on the story I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly, except each thing this old woman swallows is a part of the thanksgiving feast (rolls, salad, cider, turkey, squash, etc.). In the end they roll her out the door and she becomes part of the Macy's parade as a balloon. Funny.

See what all these books look like in the sidebar to the right!

Evidence of Crochet

I know this will be hard to believe, but I have finished the Crochetville Pillowghan-Along on time for Christmas! I think it took me about 9 months to make this blanket, but at least it is done. And you really can't even tell I was such a doof that I sewed the "pocket" squares on the wrong edge. Hell, I'm still able to fold it and tuck it, so who cares! {Reason? Emma, 10, chose this particular time to have a "heart to heart" talk, about why I am no longer with her father and why she now has to "share" me with her brother and sister. Apparently I don't do well Thinking, Talking, and Crocheting at the same time.)




And, on top of this, I even have more f.o.'s to show:
Ryan's sleepy socks (hope they fit him!)



A baby gift of 2 bibs and a blanket (made out of 2 skeins of Homespun that were supposedly the same dye lot--NOT):






Wrist warmers for Tim (did I show these already? I can't remember):



Phew! I actually have alot more stuff "in progress" but can't show you because they are gifts.

Gotta run today, I have lots of errands to do--

Bye!

The Wish List Case

I've seen several of these wish lists around the knit/crochet blog rings, and thought, "What the heck, I may as well try it." First the instructions:

Step One

Make a post to your weblog/journal. The post should contain your list of 10 holiday wishes. The wishes can be anything at all, from simple and fandom-related ("I'd love a Snape icon that's just for me") to medium ("I wish for _____ on DVD") to really big ("All I want for Christmas is a new car/computer/house/TV.") The important thing is, make sure these wishes are things you really, truly want.

If you wish for real life things (not fics or icons), make sure you include some sort of contact info in your post, whether it's your address or just your email address where Santa (or one of his elves) could get in touch with you.

Also, make sure you post some version of these guidelines, or link to this post (it'll be public) so that the holiday joy will spread.

Step Two
Surf around your blogroll (or friend's blogrolls, or just random journals) to see who has posted their list. And now here's the important part:

If you see a wish you can grant, and it's in your heart to do so, make someone's wish come true. Sometimes someone's trash is another's treasure, and if you have a leather jacket you don't want or a gift certificate you won't use--or even know where you could get someone's dream purebred Basset Hound for free--do it.

You needn't spend money on these wishes unless you want to. The point isn't to put people out, it's to provide everyone a chance to be someone else's holiday elf--to spread the joy. Gifts can be made anonymously or not--it's your call.

There are no rules with this project, no guarantees, and no strings attached. Just...wish, and it might come true. Give, and you might receive. And you'll have the joy of knowing you made someone's holiday special.

My List
1. I wish for the newest Diane Mott Davidson mystery, Double Shot.
2. I wish for some awesome sock yarn, like Reggia or Opal.
3. I wish for a gift certificate to Elann.
4. I wish for anything else on my Amazon Wishlist.
5. I wish for a second car for my husband, so he wouldn't have to stay home all day all the time with the kids while I have the car at work.
6. I wish for Raggedy Ann, Raggedy Andy, Holly Hobbie, and Golden Book collectibles.
7. I wish for more free time to crochet and read.
8. I wish for Emma to get a basket in her last game of basketball next week.
9. I wish for a new home, one that is in better shape than ours, and a little bit bigger.
10. I wish for a job that pays more than $24,000, and one that I like better.

Dear Santa and Elves,
If you can grant me any of my wishes, please contact me at shelby12314472{at}yahoo{dot}com.
Sincerely,
Michelle

The Christmas Gift Mystery

I am so excited about the Christmas gift I am making for Tim. I really wish I could describe it and post some pictures, but on the off-chance he reads this blog (I think he may get his fill of me in person Ü ), I don't want to ruin the surprise. Lets just say it has something to do with one of his favorite television shows.

I am also making some other things--and--drumroll, please, I have almost FINISHED my Neapolitan Pineapple Pillowghan that I started last February!! I will post some pictures of that tomorrow, because it's recipient already knows she's getting it for Christmas.

Also almost complete are a pair of toe up sleepy socks for Ryan, and a sweater for myself. I am almost to the point where I can start some new projects, and I am very excited about that. I've got so much cool yarn to try out, and even more on my wishlist in my head!

Well, the heating contractors have not yet come back to do our ductwork or chimney/roof work. Getting a little irritated, but they aren't getting any money from me until they are DONE with the job. At least the new furnace is functional now.

I've been searching for some (Nancy Drew/mystery/crochet) images to use to create my new blog button, and I ran across this cool poster for Reading is Fundamental (RIF):








I have no idea if they ever used it in a campaign, but I thought it was pretty neat.

So far I am loving Blogger--I hope I continue to feel this way!

The Case of the Flaming Furnace

In an effort to get up to speed on this new blog, I am going to try to post more often. Like every other day or so. We'll see how that goes, LOL!

For the moment, however, I need to backtrack to Thanksgiving weekend and tell you what all happened, and how I came to be grateful for our new furnace....

Thanksgiving weekend started out fantastically this year. I had to "work" on Wednesday the 24th (I say work, but I mean web-surf), and management let us all leave at 2 pm, with pay. Yippee!

Tim and I had plans for the four days ahead of us--we were going to paint a wall in our living room. Specifically, the wall where the wallpaper was falling down due to humidity and toddler handiwork. Wednesday night Tim spackled all the joints and holes, and we cleared the way for the project to begin. Stuff was moved to the middle of the living room, and every-which-way. The only glitch was that the picture tube in our "good" TV blew out, and it needed to be taken to the store for service.

Thursday morning watched an hour or so of the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade on TV, and then we went to KMart to do a wee bit of shopping. It was the only place open and surprisingly wasn't too busy. Then in the evening, we met up with friends and relatives at a local restaurant for Thanksgiving dinner. This is the second year we've gone out to eat for Thanksgiving, and let me tell you, it makes a world of difference in my moderately dysfunctional family's mood. Less stress for all of us, especially since none of us enjoys the art of cooking.

Friday and Saturday are a bit of a whirlwind. They include such things as sanding the wall, priming the wall, a family bowling outing, a pizza lunch, going to pick out an entertainment center (our Christmas present from my parents), and blissful naptimes. I am very grateful for all of my family members (well, most of the time), and all of the blessings we enjoy, such as food, housing, and employment.

Sunday was when everything began to fall apart. Literally. The day was going to be "painting day." And believe it or not, we did actually get the painting done. Very proud of this, as the one wall now looks great. The plan is to put our new entertainment center there, along with much more stuff on the bookshelves in the new center. We needed to go out Sunday morning to pick up a few necessities at Walmart and drop off the dead TV at the electronics store, so we left our house about 10 am.

When we arrived home about 2 hours later, I entered the kitchen and was struck with a horrid burning smell. Crap. "This cannot be good," I thought. We scoured the house looking for what might be causing the odor. This was a little difficult, as the house smelled like paint and primer to start with. Hard to locate a new odor under that. We finally determined that it must be coming from the furnace, and a call was placed to an HVAC contractor. They showed up a short while later, and confirmed that it was our furnace causing the stench. Not only that, but apparently while we were out, the furnace was "shooting flames" out the front of it (!?) and thus melted all of the wiring to the furnace itself. This is what caused the smell. Needless to say, as person that struggles with the kind of OCD where I have to keep checking electronics/switches/etc. for fear of fire, this was absolutely devastating to me. I have hardly been able to sleep since then.

Monday would be spent making phone calls to schedule HVAC contractors to give us an estimate on a new (and improved with safety features that have evolved in the last 25 years since our furnace was made!!). We dragged our sorry butts out of bed Monday morning, trying to get our resolve up to this task. And wouldn't you just know it, the coffee maker decides to bite the dust right then. Little b***ard. Thank god we have about 4 others, so that I could at least try to start the day off *right*. We learned that a new propane furnace was going to run us about $2000, regardless of who we chose to do the work. And that we were going to have to wait a few days to get it installed. This is not news to be taken likely, since we live near Rochester, NY, snowiest city in the US. (Local joke: you know you're from Rochester when "You define summer as three months of bad sledding.") We also have three kids, and live in a mobile home, not the most heat-efficient building ever constructed.

"What on earth did you do?!" Well, in the end, everything has worked out as well as it can, I guess. We finagled with the quickest company to get them to price-match the cheapest company, and thus got our furnace mostly installed yesterday, Tuesday. They are supposed to return and finish up the chimney and duct work today (as of 3pm, however, they hadn't shown up yet....).

Through the unpleasantness of the past week, I been made aware of how thankful I am to have my wonderful family, and all our "things." I have learned precisely how much I appreciate a safe, working furnace, television, and coffee maker. Oddly, I can't think of a better weekend to have all this happen on.