Thanks IKEA!

The truth, I have never been a fan of shopping, unless it involved SHOES (my one true love). My bedroom has become too small. . . the walls were starting to close in on me. I decided back in June that I wanted a change. For the last 11 years I have had the same headboard (a.k.a. crap collector) with the smallest drawers ever. Half the time I couldn't ever use one side of drawers because I would have to climb over my bed to get to it. Not a problem when you're awake or not late for work. So the monster junk collector is now a thing of the past, thanks to IKEA. I found my drawer and bedside table and knew that this is what I wanted. . . now I just had to find my way out of the biggest maze to be created by man. I love IKEA, but it is impossible to find an exit route. I hope I am never there during a fire.

I always find the most fun gadgets there and really wish I had my own house to put all those FUN things into. Oh well, the basement is FREE! I spent 2 evenings putting the dresser and tables together. I really feel my age after sitting on the hard floor or leaning over the product for hours at a time. I think my finger tips were numb for a few days from the screw driver. But, I just have to think of the finished product. All my "crap" has a home and I feel so organized (now I need to work on my office/crafting space). So thank goodness for huge buildings you can't find your way out of, that have reasonable prices and good food (my other favorite is Costco). So just wave if the next time you see me is in IKEA, I am probably lost, but enjoying all the fun stuff. But, you never know, you may be lost too. Enjoy the next couple hours and just follow the signs.

Crazy Boys and Aunties

QUIET . . .

I have now spent almost a week without the "little boys" around the house. As you know I am single with NO children, but as I come from a large family, noise should not be a problem, or at least nothing new. For 1o days. . . yes TEN, we have had the privilege to tend Char's nephews. Their parents we off gallivanting in Mexico and we had their kids at our house. I have never had a problem with my name, it isn't my favorite, but now I don't want it to be uttered ever again. My name is easy to say and so Murray said it and said it and said it. . . you get the picture. Char was "MANNA", grandma was "MANNA" and any female that walked through the door was "MANNA. " I put that it caps because it wasn't said, it was screeched and screeched LOUD! This little guy may be little, but he has got a voice on him. I could be in the shower with him at the top of the stairs and I could hear it. By the end of the week, whenever he said it . . . we ALL answered. He is such a bossy little man.

When you're single you don't have to worry about homework, lice treatments, snack time, or forcing dinner down their throats, CARTOONS (ugh!), bath time, changing diapers, entertainment for hours before bed time, administering cold medicine, vomit from an upset kiddo who didn't want to go to bed, and the million questions following a thousand more questions (really, they were never ending). Like I have always said I LOVE KIDS, but they wear me out.

But at the end of the day when they look at you and yell "boppy," they lay their head on your shoulder and pat your back, it is all worth it. Or when they are mad at you and they pout for a few minutes, but crawl over to you after a while and want to get on your lap and give you some love. Along with all the yuck. . . you get a WHOLE bunch of loves and kisses and hugs. So I do get how mom's do it, to a point, but I will always be grateful for when the parents come home and I can just be plain old aunt "MANNA." Kids are the BEST!