"The Poot-mobile"

In 2006 I bought an older PT Cruiser at a really low price from a lady who hadn’t driven it in quite some time. It was in great condition and had such low mileage it seemed like a wonderful deal. Besides it was fully loaded with sun roof, leather seats, and the prettiest teal green exterior ever. I fell in love with my little cruiser at first sight. What I didn’t know before I bought it was that there was a really bad smell in the air conditioner. We did everything we could to get rid of the smell, but to no avail. It was so bad we thought of selling the car just to get rid of the problem. My husband would always blame the smell on me, thus my little car was dubbed the “Poot-mobile”…we have a warped sense of humor. Blaming the smell on me seemed to get us through a few months before we found the culprit.  The “Poot-mobile” had a critter living in the evaporator core. Not sure if it was a squirrel or a rat, but it made a nest and chewed up some really valuable parts. Every time we turned on the air conditioner we would smell the critters waste. I was so glad to finally find out where the bad smell was coming from and of course glad to clear my good name. Unfortunately the name “Poot-mobile” wasn’t as easy to get rid of. Even though I have continued to have trouble with the car since I bought it, I really like my little “Poot-mobile”. Now that we have invested enormous amounts of resources to repair all that was wrong with it, I feel like I have a brand new car. In spite of its high maintenance, I have decided to keep it. I have even grown to appreciate and enjoy it.

Some relationships are like “The Poot-mobile.” When we first meet we only see the good qualities, and it’s not until after making a commitment to the relationship that we notice something a bit smelly (You know what I mean). Because we can’t put our finger on the problem we tend to either willingly take the blame or lay it on the other person (be careful not to call names because it may stick after the problem is resolved).

When smelly is left unresolved in a relationship it can cause real damage that can be quite costly to repair. The good news is, most things can be repaired if we are willing to pay the price and make the required investment. As you evaluate the relationships in your life you may find trouble. It is always more beneficial to choose to make the investment needed to fix the real problem rather than lay false blame or hope the problem will go away by itself. Some may even choose to abandon the relationship thinking there is a more meaningful relationship with less problems right around the corner. But I have found that even when there are multiple repairs that need to be made that repeatedly reveal themselves over a long period of time, it’s not impossible for the relationship to take on the feel of a brand new one. I encourage you to make the investments needed to get your relationship functioning at its best. In spite of the high maintenance costs most relationships are worth keeping. Who knows you may even grow to appreciate and enjoy the other person.  

Inviting All Readers!

You are cordially invited to attend a virtual tea party
At
Maime's Hospitali-tea Cottage
Today or any day

The only things needed for a tea party to be successful are friends who are willing to share their laughter, or tears whichever is relevant at the time. I would love to have all of the above at this special party. This is how it works: You can attend this party by leaving me a comment or email giving me some information such as: your first name, what state you live in, how old you are,  how you found my blog or what you want to hear about. Then write a bit about your life. I really do want to get to know all of you better so we can be friends.  Come on out of the woodwork will you? Let's get this party started! The tea table is set so I'll go first... My name is Elaine (Maime), I live in TX, I am 48 years young. I started this blog as an outlet to share my life with others. Due to a very busy lifestyle I don't have time to talk with each of my friends and family members individually on a regular basis. I find it easier to keep them posted on the happenings of my life through blogging. I also hope to meet new friends. The only problem is I don't know who is out there. You guessed it ...I'm not getting comments or email. If you aren't sharing  your lives with me this will only be one sided. Besides this is probably the only time you will get to share something  with me and not get interrupted (still working on that).  Alright, now I'm sounding desperate...or bitter... or something not good...uh oh here come the tears..:) Seriously this could be so much fun, I have plenty of tea cups ready and waiting for some of you to come and visit.

Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Cookies

 IT'S FALL YALL!  I don't bake goodies very often because I just can't afford them(I'm referring to the calories in case you didn't get it). I just couldn't help trying this amazing recipe from Alisa over at Carolina Panache. The recipe was simple and made so much that I had some to share.

 

 

If you are looking for a great fall snack for your next party these cookies might be just what you need, or you may just want to surprise your family with a home made treat. Hope you enjoy!

Organization

I really enjoy my home much more when it is organized. I am naturally an organized person but I will say that the older I get the less efficient I seem to be. I don't know if I have grown up a little and realize some things that I thought were important just aren't, or if I have just gotten lazy in my old age. Whatever the case may be, I find myself occasionally wanting things organized to the hilt. If you happen to be in one of those get organized moods like I am, I have a little something to share. I ran across this great interview with Krista from one of the blogs I follow. Its great information on organizing your child's closet and I thought you mom's with little ones might enjoy it. Krista is an organization specialist and you can read about her wonderful ideas on her blog.Be sure to go over and check out the rest of her great ideas and tell her I sent you.

Nunchin

I stumbled upon a refreshing book at a half off book store in San Antonio that has been a wealth of fun . It is titled “The Art of The Table” by Suzanne Bon Drachenfels. I have enjoyed it so much. Did you know that in the eighteenth century food was prepared at daylight and the main meal was served at midday or in the early afternoon around 3pm? It was called dinner. In the long stretch between breakfast and dinner an informal snack was served and it was called nunchin. Eventually nunchin developed into nooning, a more substantial meal. And then the midday snack became lunch from the word lunshin meaning “lump” or “lump of food.” Today’s word “luncheon,” comes from the word lounge, meaning” a lump of bread and cheese.” There are many more interesting facts I will share with you as I continue to learn from my knew acquaintance, Suzanne, through her most lovely book.
I would also like to share my Fall tablescape with you. It’s very simple, which is unlike me, but I just felt a need for less.





I got these dishes from Wal-mart years ago and love them because it doesn’t matter what season it is , they always go with my décor. I have collected clear glass for years and find it to be the most practical way to change my tablescape, apart from white or ivory. I can add any color table linens and they just blend right in.
I’m off to enjoy my nunchin or nooning, or lump of food, or lunch as I call it.