Living The Dream (I'm Just Not Sleeping On It)

I looked back to see when I posted the (rather boring, I'm sure) entry regarding The Great Mattress Experiment. The date was June 25th. I had hoped we would make it at least three months. I'd say we will, we won't have much choice, but things are definitely changing in the world of air.

Once we got the amount of air figured out- a little compromise and a lot of give and take, I can honestly say that thing slept like a dream. Very comfortable. No more back pain. Even my left hip sighed in relief. We would have to periodically add air (not much, just a little about every week), but other than that. it has held up well. In the last few weeks, however, the husband and I have noticed that although holding the air is not a problem, the flattening of the mattress is... in other words, it seems like the sides are trying to bulge out while the middle sinks in. Not by a whole lot and the mattress is still quite firm, but enough that you almost feel like you could be lying on the edge of a softly, sloped ditch. And last night especially, I noticed that when the man  of the house came to bed, I felt like I was perched on one of those big, fluffy balloon-type things that people will use to launch another person into a high flying leap into a lake. Plus, my hip hurt all night. I did not sleep well.

Thus the reason for another rather boring post about air mattresses.

Oh well. We are in no position to look for something else. I'm not even sure how the water bill will get paid this week. The husband has unexpectedly went from working every week to working every other week and I can assure you that a mattress (air or no air) will not be on our priority list. I told somebody the other day that it seems like we take a few steps forward only to be knocked back about five. My first thought this morning as I rubbed the dull ache in my leg was about a particular check that has been floating around in that space between writing it and clearing it... if it's gonna hit the bank anytime soon, it will most definitely be this week.

Who's up for more Hamburger Helper?

That would be us. Tired of the same old-same old and yet very grateful for what we have. Not as much as some, but more than a few. God always provides. Milk. Bread. Coffee. Cream. Even the air for our great experiment and the electricity to power up the pump. Thank you, Lord, for even that.

You have definitely made this one interesting life.

The Great Mattress Experiment

Because our mattress situation has sunk (ha!) to the point of becoming desperately desperate, the husband and I succumbed to desperate measures over the weekend (and no, I did by no means overuse the word desperate there). It is what it is. We didn't turn to credit cards or in-store financing- although the temptation has been great- we simply asked ourselves what we could afford at this time in our lives. The best we could come up with?

An air mattress.

We went to Walmart where only crazy people on a Saturday venture (the only description that fits people willing to stand in one of three check-out lines open in a thirty-eight register store) and bought a queen size, comfort plush (oooh) air mattress for forty dollars. We discarded our old mattress with little ceremony and placed the air bed on top of the box spring. On top went our well-used, four-inch foam/pillow top and away we went. The electric pump is built in to the head of the mattress so it is rather handy to use- gone are the days of the bicycle or foot pump.

I immediately took a nap. It really did feel that good.

Then night came along and the husband joined me.

It no longer felt that good.

When he climbed in, my side went up (and there's really not a huge difference in our weight- just enough to make a difference, I guess). For two nights he slept like a baby while I teetered on the top of an over-sized balloon. Last night I told him something had to give... namely the air in that bed. He let some air out and I agreed to put some back in and we finally reached something of a compromise. We laughed to ourselves as we considered the concept of the Sleep Number bed (so that's what the fuss is all about) and said our good nights.

Good grief, did I ever sleep good.

My hips don't hurt, at least the way they usually do of a morning. The mere fact that I am up blogging before I go to work says wonders... not to mention the fact that I am announcing to the virtual world that I actually sleep on an air mattress by choice. I honestly don't know how long we'll be able to ride this cheap and quick fix that we've stumbled upon. It might get old really quick. It might be over in the next few months, but until my paycheck picks up again, it's not a bad decision.

Even if it is a decision based on a lot of hot air. =)

My Friend Has Died

Okay, so I didn't really know him, but stick with the story.

The husband has grown weary of my whining- at least that's what the glazed look in his eyes tell me-

so off to blog land I go.

RIP Vince Flynn. On my list of favorite authors, he's right up there at the top.

*Photo (and other info in this entry)  from his website: http://www.vinceflynn.com/inmemorium.html*

I've read all of his books. Some more than once. I've got 'em in hardback, paperback, and e-back (book, that is). With a disclaimer to say there is language involved, I would recommend them to anyone who likes a lot of action and very little romance.

You gotta admire this guy. He was diagnosed with dyslexia as a young kid and received more than sixty rejection letters while attempting to publish his first novel Term Limits (which would go on to be a New York Times bestseller, by the way). With the exception of Term Limits, the series revolves around Mitch Rapp, a CIA super agent who is part of an operation that doesn't officially exist (or something like that). Every one of Flynn's books would end up becoming a bestseller, and here's a little tidbit of information that's pretty cool... Memorial Day was considered so accurate, it was reviewed by the Pentagon before its released. 

When the husband, who has heard me talk about Mitch Rapp one too many times, told me last week that Vince Flynn had died, I felt like I had lost a friend. Silly, I know, considering I never even met the man, but I think we get to know someone through the things that they write. And when we read a lot... well, that makes for a lot of friends.

So anyway, I just wanted to share with you the passing of a friend. In honor of him, I've started American Assassin (book one in the Rapp series) again.

It helps to ease the pain.

My House Is Dusty For A Reason

I haven't been in the mood to blog much about anything lately.
I haven't been in the mood to clean, cook, or even play with the cats.
About all I've been in the mood to do is read.

Check out my new favorite book HERE.

This book is set smack-dab in the middle of where I grew up (or pretty darn close to it anyway). The husband would say that I have now successfully given away entirely too much information to a virtual world where few people actually know me. He seems to think my stalker fan club is bigger than what it actually is... such is the price of fame (or not). At any rate, I absolute adore this book, so much so, that I am having to pace myself as I near the end. I seriously hate for it to come to a close so quickly. The characters have captivated me, the scenery bewitched me, and the plot has completely and utterly drawn me in so deep that I have a hard time remembering the time and place I now live.

If that's not a convincing review, I don't know what would be.

Maybe it's because at the moment, I am very unhappy and unfulfilled with life as a know it outside my front door. Ironically, things have never been better. Our money woes have subsided, work is steady and sure, and the three young people who share our home continue to plod through life at their own pace (that is a good thing, just to be clear). From the outside looking in, things are looking up. From the inside looking out, things have never looked fuzzier. Maybe I'm just not quite convinced the reality around me is real.

If you think that's confusing, you should be the one writing it.

Oh well. I read and read and pile laundry on the couch between chapters. At some point in the next few hours, I will slip away for a coffee and a potential trip to the grocery store (although I am not really feeling the pull of a check-out line). I'll finish my book and splash cold water on my face and try to shake the memories of home and a slower pace. I'll remind myself that I am blessed and hug the husband who thinks I'm crazy and try not to cry when a child rolls their eyes at me. I'll convince myself that I haven't settled and prop a smile on my face for the morning and roll through another work week.

But you can bet I'll find another book to read.
Just maybe one with a little more violence.*
And, for the sake of laundry and housework, shorter chapters.



*This remark by no means coincides with any feelings I may have on the inside. Just throwing that out there.=)

The Ask Angela Column (Even If You Really Don't Want To Know)

While drinking a cup of Millstone's Foglifter coffee, I have determined that it's the kind of coffee that lifts no fog. Maybe it's just the fact that it was given such a bold name... surely nothing could live up to that. Even so, it's got the tiniest touch of a bitter aftertaste and that always ruins it for me. I'll finish what I have, but will not venture down the Foglifter path again. This is why I always have on hand a few other choices to balance out the not-so-great cup with an awesome one (referring to k-cups and a Keurig here). Every time I think I have a favorite, a new one comes along. For this go 'round, Tulley's Extra Bold Breakfast Blend takes the cake. It's right up there with my other top picks: Van Houtte's Mexico, Starbucks' French Roast Dark, and Folgers Black Silk. One thing is for certain, you ever stop by my house in the morning, you're guaranteed a good cup of coffee (unless you like that weak stuff... I could always water it down for you, but honestly, I don't think we'd have much in common).

Today all three kids are home from school in honor of Presidents' Day and like most kids, they don't care why they have the day off as long as they have the day off. Funny how we have little kids color pictures of Washington and Lincoln and tell the usual feel-good stories about these men and that's about as far as it ever gets. Now I'm not bashing either guy, but like anyone else, there's always more to the story than what the generic history book records. Truth is more fascinating than fiction, you know. Washington has been recorded as growing marijuana for the value of the hemp and the good of the soil (so they say) and Lincoln's ambitions leaned more to what was popular in the political realm rather than the rising demand for equality (doesn't every politician go for the vote?). This is why I like to combine biographies with the history of any particular person or event. You gotta have more than one perspective, people.

Yesterday we went and saw the second Sherlock Holmes movie. For our tight-budgeted family (aka cheap), we like to wait till a movie hits the dollar theatre ($1.99, that is) and hit the Dollar Tree that's conveniently located close by. Between the tickets, the candy, and the nachos I cannot watch any movie without, four of us can have a good time for $20.00.  Notice I said four of us... it's getting to where the five of us are rarely together except for when we sit around the dinner table at home. Anyway, even a trip to the dollar theatre is a treat (we don't do it that often) and not counting the five women who came in late and made it a point to squish in beside us with their oversized pocketbooks and long umbrellas (did they not see the ROWS of empty seats in front of us?)... well, we still enjoyed the whole experience. Along with the first movie, I would highly recommend this second one.

I look back over this post and laugh to myself. Let's see...
I've reviewed several kinds of coffee, two presidents, and a movie.
All this expertise and no job. Ha! I'm on to my second cup.

Happy Monday! =)