Cookie Crumbs and Sweaty Socks and Some Other Stuff

I should probably be using today to take down the Christmas tree, but that never goes over big around here and I hate to be the one to initiate it.  And I should probably be fixing the Sunday meal.  And I should probably be working on putting together the Bible study we are hoping to start with some church family this February.  But after a lot of not sleeping last night, I feel completely unmotivated to even get off of this couch.

So I found this picture on my camera card.  Someone must have taken it the other day when I was napping.  But it gives you a pretty good idea of how I feel today.  

And it doesn't help that the espresso maker broke this week.  The company is sending us the part but unfortunately it is back ordered for 6 weeks.  We are a lot of people and all our appliances get an extra hard work out all the time. Even though Allen always does much research to find the best quality for our home it is not uncommon to have something broken.  It occurred to me somewhere around Thursday how odd it is that the washer or water heater or some other major appliance can break and, while it is inconvenient  we all just make do and keep on going.  But the coffee maker, that little machine in the corner that most people take for granted, it breaks down and our entire house comes to a stand still.  Even the little kids who don't drink coffee are in a panic wondering how long it will be before we return to some state of normal.

I can hear Allen and the kids hammering and sawing and making a lot of construction noise in the basement.  There is talk of having doors sometime before spring.  I was commissioned to come up with some sort of design for the buffet and hutch built in for down there.  Some people see this as a neat adventure.  I have a friend who is amazing at this sort of thing.  If it was her house she would have the graph paper out and have the entire thing marked down and know just what was going on each shelf already.  I like the idea of designing our own pieces so that we get just what we need and just what works for our limited space.  But mostly it makes me nervous.  When you are hiring someone to build such a thing for you, well, it is not like going to Target and picking something up.  It is a real investment and thus for keeps.  What if I miss some important detail and then we find out it wasn't really such a good idea and we are stuck with it for the rest of our lives.  Yeah, I know that's so stupid.  But that's what my brain goes through when Allen asked me to tell him what I want for here or there.  I bet you know just what you would want already, don't you?  Fortunately for me, my husband is a very talented carpenter and can take my vague ideas and make it into a real plan.  Also, fortunately, I am not actually very particular.  I've learned to like what we have and love what the Lord provides so no matter how much worrying I do about it on this end, I know I will love it when it is done.  Next up, I'm supposed to come with a plan for the sewing corner in the playroom.

Last night was Dish Night.  The girls made pizza and we watched Second Hand Lions, again.  This is such a great family movie.  Each time we laugh as if we've never seen it before.  Michael Caine and Robert Duvall play such lovable characters and they come out with some of the greatest lines.  I love the message of living each minute of life as if it is the only opportunity you have.  Too much of life is wasted on what ifs and not enough is spent on the here and now.

And that means here it is another Saturday in Wachter World.  Even though to day is all about work and getting stuff done there is a sense of excitement in the air.  That's the great thing about Saturday.  Just by virtue of being Saturday it creates a lot of excitement.

The sun is out for the second day in a row and I must admit it creates a lot of excitement after a week of dreariness.  I was beginning to think we wouldn't ever get out of the gray doldrums.  The sun just makes my spirits a little higher.  Are you one of those people whose day is directed by the sun or are you one who doesn't even notice the big ball in the sky?

Another thing I am really excited about is the giveaway Brianna is hosting over at By The Way.  It just so happens I am totally loving the bags at Luckycann and I can get an extra entry into the January 28th drawing just by mentioning it here at Art's Chili Pepper.  So pop over to Nana's blog, say hello and check out the great stuff you could win this month.

I am also excited to introduce a new book by my friend Jen T. at Many Blessings, Busy Life.  A Christian, homeschooling, blogging, cloth diapering, breastfeeding, child training, natural living, mama to 11 Jen has lots of experience and  advice to share.  You can get her ebook, Cookie Crumbs and Sweaty Socks, at Amazon.com for just $2.99.

I know its the middle of winter and for those of us in the Northeast that means a lot of dreary days.  But think hard and tell me, what are you excited about these days?