Confessions of a pack rat

I came to a realization today that I am a pack rat. I also suffer from pack rat guilt. I don't know if this is a recognized medical condition, but I have it. I realized this today as I was cleaning off my kitchen counter. There is a thank you note from someone in the ward and I don't know what to do with it. I have read it, I don't have a particular emotional connection to this individual, yet I can't throw it away. I will never look for this letter again, but the thought of throwing it away causes anxiety. This is the time when I now share that this is not unique to this particular thank you note. I have kept ALL of the cards we received for our wedding (this was over 3 years ago). These are in a suitcase downstairs, and I can't bring myself to throw them away. I know that I need to let go, but for some reason.....

HELP!!

Sean's phobia

Sean has a phobia.

He is deatlhy afraid of a wrinkle in his clothes.

It is a race to the dryer once the buzzer goes off.
Too bad his wife doesn't care.

I love you Sean.

The curse of the red velvet cake

Tomorrow is Jordan's 9th birthday. He has been waiting and planning for 6+ weeks for his birthday party. I am admittedly a lazy mother. I do not believe on having a birthday party for friends every year, In fact I don't think in the past 3 years that I have done a friend birthday party for Jordan. Thus, the guilt won over. Sean and I planned a friend birthday party this week for him. We decided to have his party at....






He invited 3 friends from school and 2 cousins. Me being the resourceful (cheap) mother that I am decided to make his birthday cake. I, of course, procrastinated the baking part until this morning...late morning at that. So when it was done, I was more than behind. When I thought it was cool enough to remove from the pan......I quickly learned that I was wrong. The cake broke into 3 pieces on my stovetop. This was not my shining moment of the day, BUT I picked it up and put (smashed) it together the best I could. At this point there were a few thoughts running through my head. I could go and pick up a generic cake at the store and try to 'redecorate' it....bake another one (and be even further behind)...or try to make it work. Again my frugal side won out and I was determined to make it work. Sean brought out the fan for me and started to accelerate the cooling down process. Once it was cool enough I frosted it. I did pretty well until I got to the 'crumby' part (later known as the 'don't eat...too much frosting' part). There was not going to be any way to avoid it...I had crumbs in my frosting. Luckily for me I had planned well. I was going to put crushed oreo cookies (dirt) on top of the cake. I was pretty impressed with my finished creation.....

The treasure map under the cake...the treasure on top, and Oreo dirt to cover up all my mistakes.

.....At least they said it tasted good.