This morning we got on an elevator with an elderly couple. The man was almost doubled over with osteoporosis, which inspired Charlie to start pointing and saying “THAT MAN IS SICK,” over and over again. I couldn’t get him to shut up stop saying it, because the kid loves to repeat himself when he doesn’t feel like his point has gotten across. I apologized and kind of awkwardly rolled my eyes and laughed about kids saying the darndest things, and got down on his level to distract him until we could get off the slowest elevator on earth. The poor man just quietly sat there while his wife gripped the handles of his wheelchair and looked at us disapprovingly. Pursed lips and all.

It was a lovely moment, and I look forward to many more.

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So often I read the blogs of others and feel exactly the same way about a post so much that I would rather just share that and say, “Exactly.” Here is an example:

2010! from Ashley’s Closet

There were also great moments in 2009, many of which are written about on this blog. How can there NOT be great moments with John and Charlie in my life?!

I’ve decided that 2010 will be an amazing year and the start of an amazing decade. I’ve needed a new decade for a long time.

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Over the last few weeks, I’ve been teaching Charlie lots of Christmas songs. But every time I started to sing “Santa Claus is Coming to Town,” I stopped myself…sure, I liked the song growing up, and it’s on my favorite Christmas movie, Elf, but OMG! Sing it to yourself and really think about it. And then read Rational Jenn’s post. (Ryan and I must be on the same wavelength.)

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Charlie and I have been swapping illnesses since before Halloween, but hopefully as of TODAY we’re finally on the mend.

Because of my lack of energy and coughing fits, our house is a Code Red/Level 5 Disaster Area. I’m cleaning like a fiend and trying to catch up on laundry, but the laundry is kicking my butt! There are only three of us living in this house. We wear one outfit per day and maybe wear the same pajamas for a couple of nights. But anyone that could see the massive amount of dirty laundry could easily be convinced that the Duggans stayed here for a week. That’s with me doing a few loads here and there while sick!

I have some theories on how this has happened. Not all of them can be proven, but since when have I needed proof for my conspiracy theories? Here is my list:

(I won’t name specific names to keep from finger-pointing.)

1. We must all use a different towel every day. Maybe two each.
2. Someone thinks that dishtowels are only used once, like paper towels.
3. People are breaking into our house, borrowing our clothes, and then breaking back in to throw the used clothing into the laundry room.
4. Someone is throwing clean clothes into the laundry room to make me suffer.
5. Our parallel universe selves are jumping over into our world and leaving their dirty clothes for me to clean, and then coming back later to collect. I really should check our closets/drawers for duplicate articles of clothing.
6. It is a voodoo curse.

One day my children will do all the laundry and I will pay them handsomely for it. Clearly it will be worth it so that I keep my sanity. Plus, I’ll have more time to guard our house against clothes-borrowing home invaders and parallel selves.

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A few weeks ago, we moved from the old purple theme of the blog to one a little less “loud”. It was a temporary step while we worked on a more final theme that both looked clean and professional and could be more easily personalized. This is the result – and it’s here to stay. You might notice some minor things still changing here or there, but nothing drastic.

Also, as part of this, we’ve also resurrected the John & Ansley twitter account (@johnandansley) which will be used to automatically tweet all of our posts, but not much else. I’ll still be using @johncox63 and Ansley is still using @ansleycox. If you haven’t already – follow one or all of them.

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I have a case of writers’ block and can’t seem to come up with posts lately. I’ll think of something to write about but talk myself out of it. I hope to be back soon!

Maybe I’ll throw up a slide show or two…

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I hadn’t seen this photo or heard about this article before seeing this link on Ashley’s Closet. AWESOME.

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Geez, we have been so lazy with the blog! I’ve been much better than John…I swear he’s still around here…somewhere.

New posts coming soon! (From me – I can’t speak for the guy who disappeared.)

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Please excuse the “I’ve Been Published” post if you saw it before John took it down. I don’t even remember writing it…I’d already taken my Ambien for the night and then got inspired to write. Thank goodness it was more normal than most of my Ambien-induced ramblings!

I have a growing list of funny conversations/stunts I’ve pulled while on Ambien, but I think I’d embarrass John (and I guess myself) to share them. Like the night there was a French flight attendant on my nightstand, or the monster in Charlie’s diaper bag…

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