The One Where I have Nothing to Say

I thought I would come do a quick blog post...logged on to my computer...got to my blog...signed in...and now I'm staring at the screen, trying to find something witty, intelligent, worthwhile, entertaining, or interesting to say.

I don't. Nothing. Nothing comes to mind. LOL

So instead, I'll tell you that both girls got their report cards yesterday and did great -- straight As for both of them. We're so proud of them. They both excel in school and are wonderful students.

DH's basketball team has won their first three games. That's always a good thing! He only has one game this weekend (last weekend he had three), and that's a good thing, too.

I've managed to clean out another kitchen cabinet this week, and make some minor inroads on cleaning out my closet. I find myself going through the house, looking for things I can set aside for friends, donate to Goodwill or other charities, or throw away. I feel almost a very compelling need to bring order to our home -- and that means some serious decluttering, getting rid of things, and deciding what we really want our home to be. I want it to be warm, inviting, peaceful, and a real retreat from the world. We have a long way to go, but I'm glad I have even felt like doing this -- it's something I have actively resisted in the past. I won't say I enjoy it, but there is something satisfying about seeing the end result. Speaking of which, the girls' rooms have stayed clean all week and they've even remembered (with only some reminding) to straighten their beds every morning.

Another small success is that we have had family scripture study every night this week. I have also felt a need to do this and make it part of our routine -- not a compelling need, but an urgent need. I don't understand it, but I know that it is very, very important and we have got to do this. I hope Heavenly Father isn't trying to prepare me for a massive trial...we don't need that! But I've noticed that the girls have gotten along better this week and there has been more peace in our home. That's a very good thing.

Hmmmmm...maybe I did have something to say, after all!

10:46 p.m., and Public Service Announcement

I have started referring to 10:46 pm as "the witching hour." For some strange reason, I end up awake, looking at the clock, at 10:46 p.m. every night. It's been going on for months. If I'm asleep, I wake up and look at the clock. If I'm awake, I manage to roll over and look at the clock. 10:46 p.m. Every single night.

It's getting old. I can't figure out why this is happening!!

Along other lines...a public service announcement.

One of my dear friends has been diagnosed with breast cancer. She had surgery yesterday and it went well. I will not go into further details because I do not want to invade her privacy.

What I do want to do, and feel very strongly about today, is to encourage all of you to do your monthly self-exams. If you're supposed to be getting mammograms, get them. Now. Don't put it off. If you haven't seen your doctor in a while, make an appointment. Just do it. Your life and your health is too precious to gamble with...particularly when early detection is so crucial.

Do it for yourself, or your children, or your family, or your friends...but please, do it.

Day 6 of the New Year...

And I'm already not doing well with my resolutions for this year! LOL We did make more progress on cleaning and organizing...I sorted my sweaters and am getting rid of a bunch of those, took a carload of stuff to Goodwill, and finished B's bedroom yesterday. It looks great. Both girls' bedrooms look great...now the challenge is to keep them that way. I need to decide what room will be next in my yearlong endeavor to conquer clutter.

We switch to the 1 p.m. schedule at church today. YEA! We all slept in this morning and it's so peaceful in our house right now with everyone able to take their time getting ready. I really prefer afternoon church.

M's basketball teams won their games this weekend, which is always a good thing.

I went back to work Friday after being off for 2 weeks. I usually dread going back to work after being off for a while, but I think that's because I don't usually feel rested and refreshed after my time off. I can't remember the last time I took 2 weeks off to just stay in town and hang out (usually if I take that much time off it's to go visit family). It was nice to feel like I was ready to go back. I enjoyed my time off but felt ready to get back to our (crazy) daily routines and schedules. Work is going to be really hectic for the next several months so I'll have to take advantage of any opportunity I get to take time off.

We received a Christmas card from the family of one of my former (and favorite) piano students. I love staying in touch with friends. They wrote such a sweet personal note in the card about Joanna still playing the piano (she's the pianist at church) and how she has overcome her nervousness at playing in public. It really made me feel good...for one of my many students, maybe I really made a difference and taught her something she can use and enjoy throughout her entire life. That's what I want my daughters to learn about music -- that it is something you can love and enjoy and continue doing (and learning) throughout your entire life.