I am about to do something really, really hard.  Something I haven’t done in a very long time.  I am going to need your support and encouragement.  Your kind words and positive vibes are going to be the only things that get me through what will certainly be a most difficult week. 

I’m taking the week off. 

Don’t go gettin’ all jealous on me now.  I will still have to make meals, clean the house, and wipe plenty of ass.  I’m just going to take a week off from my laptop which means no emails, no Facebook, and no blogging. 

Just writing that sentence makes me need a Xanax drip.  Who the heck am I kidding?  That’s a bit much for me to do cold turkey so how about I plan to just check my emails {yes, I have more than one account!} twice a day.  No Facebook, no blogging. 

Okay,I’m still twitching but that’s more like it. 

But, Do. Not. Worry. 

I have begged solicited some of my absolute favorite bloggers to take my place.  They will entertain you with their wit and charm, and you will see just why I can’t start my day without them! 

Please be kind–read their posts, and dazzle them with your heartfelt comments.  Go ahead–make their day!   And, since I love ‘ya so much–every comment left during my week “off” will be entered into a drawing for a $25 Restaurant.com gift certificate–winner’s choice!

A few weeks ago, I posted my thoughts on holy hottnessGeorge Clooney’s recent film, Up in the Air, and I asked you this question: 
     Think of all of the “stuff” in your backpack–the knickknacks, the books, the collectibles–the “stuff.”  
          If your bag was about to get set on fire, what 5 things would you remove from it?

I’ve thought a lot about this question.  It’s taken so long to find my answer because, as it turns out, I have an awful lot of “stuff.”  I’ve decided that if my bag was about to get set on fire, this is what I would remove from it: 

This is my bouquet from my wedding day.  These dried flowers are what I held firmly in my hands the day I became “Mrs. MacCooCoo.”  They represent so much to me. 

I don’t know why I love this plate so much, but I do!  I made it myself, and while I do consider myself crafty, I do not consider myself artistic.  But I love this plate, and I am so proud of it.  The night I made this plate was a memorable night, too – my very first “night out” after becoming a mom for the second time.  I remember coming home giddy over my craftsmanship! 

 As vain as this may seem, I love my jewelry collection.  Trust me, there aren’t many “expensive” pieces here but they are rich in meaning.  I inherited some beautiful pieces from relatives, collected several others from trips I’ve gone on, and some were lucky finds at thrift shops.  I personally feel like a simple necklace or pair of earrings can lift your spirits.

My photo albums would most certainly be removed from my backpack.  All of them.  They are filled with wonderful memories, and even though in the movie, George Clooney’s character makes mention of photo albums being for those who are incapable of remembering, I highly disagree.  I often find myself thumbing through albums looking at pictures and reminiscing.  My kids even do the same.  These albums are filled with snip-its of some of the best times in my life. 

Last but not least would be this book, When God Winks, by Squire Rushnell.  I am not a religious person which is why I think I am so drawn to this book.  I believe in things like karma, and coincidences.  I believe in the power of the universe.  I like the idea behind this book that little coincidental things that happen to us are all thanks to our God…and that these little “winks” help guide us through our path in life.  This book is the kind that you can pick up and read a random page, and it just all makes sense. 
Now it’s your turn.  Think of all of the “stuff” in your backpack.  If it was about to get set on fire, what 5 things {not people….just stuff!} would you remove?

Show me your giveaways!!!  Link up as many as you’d like…I love me some freebies so give me lots to win!

So what!…that I am the one who decorates the house?

So what!…that I am the one who chooses the paint colors?

So what!…that I am the one who arranges {and re-arranges!} the furniture?

So what!…that I am the one who can’t stand to see a bare wall and must hang something, anything, on it pronto?

So what!…that I am the one who hangs little {and big!} country signs with adorable sayings throughout our entire house?

So what!…that DaddyMac feels he doesn’t have a single room in the house he works so hard to pay for to call his own? 

Shouldn’t none of this matter when it comes to this recent purchase of mine…

I. MUST. HANG. THIS. IN. MY. MUDROOM. 

Of all the useless crap I’ve chosen to fill my walls with throughout the years, this would be the most adorable and USEFUL piece ever.  And I’m pissed because DaddyMac told me I can’t hang it in the mudroom–and despite the fact that there truly is no other place to hang it, the mudroom is the perfect place for it to go!  This purposeful clearanced sign that I’ve envisioned to help me keep good track of things like putting Buckaroo in sneakers as opposed to Uggs so he can participate in gym class is going to have to go back to the store, all because DaddyMac is planning to turn the mudroom into his room. 

So what!…that I haven’t allowed his old snoeshoes to hang by my fireplace. 

So what!…that I’ve painted almost every room feminine, flirty colors? 

So what!…that I’ve filled the walls with dust collectors? 

{insert temper-tantrum complete with whiney voice and stomping feet…} I. JUST. WANT. IT. MY. WAY.

You know how punishments for your kids usually turn out to be punishments for yourself?  For instance…taking away the TV only leads to you having to listen to their whiny voices telling you that they are bored?  Well…have I got the answer for you {that is, if you have a swimming pool…}!?!

That’s right–that’s my feet relaxing in my pool by myself.  And those are my kids, looking on during their 5 minutes of “time out”.  I took away 5 minutes of pool time from each kid and threw in that they’d have to sit on the deck quietly while I enjoyed some time in the pool…and the key word was “quielty” because if I heard one whine out of them, they’d be out for another 5 minutes. 

Those 5 minutes were total bliss.