Our matress is approximately 527 years old. It was created before quilted tops, before any real cushioning of any type at all existed; or at least if it had any of these luxeries they are a part of its extreme distant past. All that remains is a tan-ish, somewhat bouncy, very creaky rectangle.

After a realization that it has GOT to be contributing to my continual back/neck aches and Chucks sore backs we are in the baby steps of looking for a new mattress. Since I’ve never bought myself a new mattress I am a bit overwhelmed. Obviously I want something that is not going to break the bank, but neither do I want to be so cheap that I end up hating the new mattress as much as the old.

It almost feels a bit like I’m picking a new relationship. I mean, think about the amount of time and the importance the “bed” plays in ones life. Besides the countless hours sleeping, it’s the place you run to and throw yourself on when your heart is broken. It holds your tears and frustrations. It is the mountain piled upon when the kids (and dog) wake up too early or run from the thunder. It holds the secrets of late night conversations between friends and lovers. It comforts you during the flu, and let’s you take refuge when you just need some time to hide from the world.

With all the parts it plays in my life, this seems like such a big decision.

If words were spelled like they sound in most of America the pledge of allegiance would look like this:

I pleg aleegans tu tha flag ov the United States ov America; tu the Republik for wich it stands; wun nashun under God, indivizibl, with liburty and justis for all.

If they were spelled like us southerners talk, it’d be more like this:

Ah pleg awleeegans tu da flag ov da U-nitid States of Amereeca; n tu da Republik fer wich it sta-ends; wun nashun under Gawd, indeevizibl; wit liburty n justis fer awl.

Just Sayin’

For the past three summers our electric bill has been skyrocketing (I have this theory that we have an “electric leak” of some sort but my electrician husbands just laughs whenever I mention it).  In an attempt to thwart the impending bills I have resurrected the old clothesline in the back yard.

Chuck filled in the open ends with some spray foam to keep the wasps away (I am epi-pen allergic), I gave myself blisters spray painting the poles a pretty green then my husband ran the line and added some support for the aging poles.

A surprising thing happened when I started pining up the clothes and dutifully checking to see if they are dry; I found that I love it!  Maybe its the extra dose of vitamin D or the fresh smell and crisp feel of the clothes, I don’t know but I do know that I’m filled with an extra sense of pride and accomplishment when I dress in the morning or lay down in my fresh sheets at night.

I’m anxious, too, for the electric bill next month to see if its making a financial difference.  I doubt, though, that any financial gain will make me give up my new found pleasure.