MaryFredsays

Ramblings

So....I am not the best blogger.  It really takes alot of time, hats of to those who post everyday!  But seriously I have had many posts started in my head, obviously none of them have come to fruition.  I do have the following ramblings to share:

• Quote from E (age 5 1/2) "Can I wear something cool to school tomorrow, not something cute" 
• Fishing season has begun.  Therefore, I am a widow all weekend.  Fun things planned with the kids hopefully time will go fast.
• I really need to learn how to link to other blogs.  Maybe I can do that this summer when I am unemployed! (Trust me this is a good thing!)
• 9 is a fun age for boys!  6, 7 & 8 were some really hard years at this house.  Did anyone else feel the same way.

Finally, I am working on trying to figure out what kind of blogger I am going to be.  I need to add more "kidisms" because I would like to record some of the things my kids say.  They aren't little anymore so they don't say as many cute things but I still want to be able to record some things.  I would also like to record some thoughts of my faith.  God has done some amazing things lately that have been the culmination of many many years of prayer. 

So, please bear with me as I try and figure out my "voice".  If you have been here before please keep checking back.

Seriously? Is this right?

Today I got the mail.  Not surprising we get mail everyday :) well, except Sunday.  Anyway, I noticed something strange.  Our garbage bill which usually is printed on a post card was in an envelope.  Strange.  Should have been my first clue something was awry.

So I opened the envelope and they are thanking me for faithful service to them for their 10 year anniversary.  Here are some coupons that you will never use, blah blah blah.  Okay, envelope explained.

I proceed to the bill.  Yikes!  First off they are starting to charge me for my yard cart.  You see here in West Michigan our lawns get ignored for part of the year while snow covers them.  And snow is still covering my yard so I still won't be using it until mid-May.  Sigh.

Note to self, call about yard cart.

Well I kept looking at the bill, wow it was large.  So I noticed the fuel surcharge.  Usually its been in the $2.00-$3.00 range for our bill which comes quarterly.  Okay I can deal with that.  But seriously, the fuel surcharge....was a total of $20.00!  That's almost $7.00 a month!  Really, is this right?

So I'm wondering what should I do?  Complain?  This seems extremely excessive.  Or shop around for a new garbage service?  Or is this a common fee for your part of the country?  Any and all suggestions would be appreciated!

my dishes...

Well I have never done this before but, Shannon over at Rocks in My Dryer is holding a "spur of the moment dish carnival".  Sounded like fun! 

My first offering is the typical plate from preschool.  The great part about this one is that it is actually mine from 1975.  All three of my children have one as well.  We joke that since my husband doesn't have one that we are going to order the kit, get him drunk, and then let him color it.  That way it would look like a 4 year olds!

My second offering is our typical every day use.  It is a combination of IKEA and Tupperware.  They work great, don't break, and take up less space in the dishwasher.   

This next set are the dishes that I registered for when I got married.  They are Pfaltzgraff Filigree, I thought that they would go with everything.  And they do.

The final set I am going to show you is incomplete.  I really want Fiesta-ware, they are really what I wanted when we got married 13 years ago but I was talked out of it.  What you see is what I have :)  I love all the colors of fiesta ware and hopefully by the time I am married for 20 years I'll have a complete set.

I also have a beautiful set of Lenox china that was my mothers.  She passed away when I was 7 months old so I really treasure it.  The pattern is discontinued but, it is very simple white with a silver band.  It is boxed up and I don't use it.

Well that was fun!  I hope you enjoyed seeing what I use and what I want to use!  Thanks for stopping by and please leave a comment!

Blame it on the snow....

Really?  Almost a month since my last post?  Yeah, I need to work on that.  Who said posting was easy?

Anyway, I blame it on the snow that continues to come and the snow days that keep the kids home from school.  Mostly because I feel like I have been percolating lots of thoughts but really not carrying through on any of them.

There have been some really rocking blog posts out there.  When I figure out how to link, I'll let you know :O)

I kind of feel like I am in an odd season of my life.  Very content to be home, take care of the kids, hubby, occasional housework and only get out when necessary.  But, I am feeling like I am getting molded,by the words of others and the slowing down of my own life.  Perhaps there is a really crazy time ahead and I am getting rest for that time.

Now I feel like I have been rambling.   Here is a picture of my babies during yesterdays snow day.  This picture doesn't do justice for the amount of snow we have had!

Today is My Birthday

Today is my birthday.  It is the last birthday I will celebrate before my 39th.  Which I plan on celebrating for many many years.

So far its been okay.  Hubby gave me a nice Willow Tree angel.  Daycare kid decided to vomit 5 times.  Within thirty minutes.  Only three of those in the toilet.  Oh happy day.

M's orchestra called me up and played Happy Birthday.  That was sweet, and she told me she loved me in front of all her classmates.  How many more years can I get away with that? 

It's nice to feel loved.  Thanks to everyone for the well wishes. 

And so it begins...

And so it begins...a new journey.  Unfortunately I am not a cybergeek so don't plan on being overly impressed :)  My plans for this blog are to just post thoughts, stories and recipes that come to mind.