I can’t get from here to there

All I wanted to do was work on my book, but Monday is bathroom cleaning day, and I figured that I could get 2 bathrooms cleaned easily in a half hour, and I could work on my book guilt-free the rest of the day.

So Monday, I went to my laundry room to get my original swifter mop to wash the floor. I use micro cloths so I can wash and reuse them. This mop is so old that the flat bottom part of the mop is held to the upper part by wrapping the micro cloth around and tucking it in.

I picked up the bottom part of the mop, the mop, and the microcloth. It was then that I remembered I had put the comforter cover in the washer to get the wrinkles out so I would not have to iron it, and it needed to be put in the drier.

I was going to put the coverlet (is duvet the correct word?) on my light ikea quilt, which, though a bit too warm, would be better than 2 light blankets which were not warm enough.

So I put the 3-part mop down, and opened the drier which contained dry kitchen table cloths, towels, and dishcloths.

None of my 4 clothes baskets was empty because they were still full with clothes/sheets/towels from Saturday, that needed folding.

I often wait until Monday to fold my clothes, which I do while I talk to my friend on the phone.

I had been folding clothes on the queen bed in the room vacated in August by 2 of 4, as my land line didn’t work well in my bedroom as it is too far away. I like to use my land line during the week because my minutes are getting low on the cellphone I share with…but I digress.

But now I can’t fold clothes on 2 of 4′s bed because the bed is up against the wall in the living room. Hero is going to paint the room for my new office. But he hasn’t been able to paint because he’s had some paying work—we like to eat.

Well, I moved the kitchen towel load that needed folding to the smaller table on the kitchen, as the large dining table was covered with my materials relating to the book I am working on. I am trying to organize before adding material and going through time #4.

The table is partially covered because last week hero’s computer wouldn’t even start, so we had to share my G5, so I had taken a number of items to the longer dining table, and there they sit; though as of 4 days ago, the computer has its new logic board and I am back to having full possession of my computer.

I think I forgot what I was trying to say. And I’ve forgotten where I was going.

Have your cake and eat it…

Part way through wrapping the gift for the wedding reception, I remembered—
THE CAKE.

The world’s most incredibly delicious cake. And I remembered where I had first tasted it:

At the exact location we would soon be at. The time was 11 years previous at our friend’s sister’s wedding reception.

THE CAKE was all I could think about. Would they have THE CAKE at this reception?

Whipped cream frosting and wonderful rum filling between layers of the moistest, tastiest cake layers ever.

We arrived at the location and walked in. There was THE CAKE. THE INCREDIBLE CAKE.

But first hello to the new bride and groom, then choosing from the assortment of delicious foods (leaving room for THE CAKE), then chatting with friends.

When will we eat THE CAKE??

Finally, the lovely couple cut THE CAKE.

Finally, pieces are cut and given out. The top layer is chocolate with chocolate filling in the middle.

I want to choose my piece, but I eat the piece I am given. But wait—

They are cutting the bottom layer—strawberry with several layers with filling.

“Have another piece” someone says. Do I dare? I think for 30 seconds.

“Yes!” (Have your cake and eat it 2.)

The end of the evening comes. Most of the guests leave. I help with cleanup.

Someone brings THE CAKE leftover back to the kitchen.

“Go ahead, have another piece. That is what we did at the last wedding reception here,” says the hostess.

So I did. And I’m not sorry.

(Have your cake and eat it 3!)

Humble Pie

It was Saturday, the day of the wedding reception that I had known about for 2 months.

We had pondered the perfect gift, and it was finally decided that Hero would pick it up in the afternoon on the way home from working at another friend’s house.

Hoping I wouldn’t have to saddle Hero with also finding wrapping paper, I checked into my rather large, random assortment of gift wrap: mostly used gift bags and new but outdated Christmas wrapping paper.

I was elated to see some paper that would work, but I didn’t recognize it.

My girls are good about wrapping gifts artistically in appropriate paper (not a trait acquired from me). It must have been leftover from one of their gifts, I thought.

Both of them had their own places, so I claimed the roll of gift wrap as my own, and put it on the table to expedite wrapping when Hero brought the gift home.

Now 4 of 4, who still lived at home, was also going to the reception. In the back of my mind, I knew that I would need to guard that precious wrapping paper from him, so I did not have to make a trip to the store at the last minute for gift wrap.

When I heard 4 of 4 in the kitchen talking about wrapping his gift, I hurried out to protect my rights to that paper.

“That’s the paper I‘m going to wrap the gift your dad is bringing home,” I announced impetuously before he could start cutting the priceless roll.

”This is my paper left over from the wedding I went to a few months ago,” he said quietly, rather confused at my sudden appearance and claim on the paper.

I managed an apology, and fortunately he held no grudge—and there was enough to wrap two gifts.

What’s Happening

I see some people visit this site, and as there hasn’t been anything new for a bit, I am putting up a quick post to say thank you for stopping by. We had a hailstorm blizzard for a few minutes the other day, and I took this photo of hail on a barrel cactus.

I have at least 2 posts I want to write, but am engrossed currently in WWI and chapter 10, and trying to get through my next book, Echo Hill and Mountain Grove, a third time. I still have incoming material from people who have been so helpful. Maybe I can complete my part by December, we’ll see.

Today chapter 10, tomorrow chapter 10 and grocery shopping.