Too much trepidation...

Here it is New Year's Eve day - the last day of 2010. It came so quickly. I'm not quite sure I'm ready to let it go. Last year, as far as I was concerned, 2009 could not come to a close fast enough. For some reason it was a hard year. This year was a hard year also but 2011 will be even harder. Although I will still be employed for one more month I believe I've started to say goodbye - goodbye to a 14 year career with a good company, a great boss, fun co-workers (well several of them anyway :-)), fair compensation and a comfortable place where I knew I belonged. Although I have started to say goodbye I'm not ready to say goodbye (I'm known for my ambivalence).  I thought I was ready but I'm not.

I know people become unemployed every day - I know I've had plenty of time to look for another job - I know many would tell me to straighten up, cope and deal - but I'm not ready. The strange fact is I didn't even realize I wasn't ready until today when I was reading someone's thoughts on the end of 2010 and my eyes started welling up and the tears started flowing and then I realized I'm not looking forward to 2011, I'm not ready. 2011 is too much uncertainty and unfamiliar territory and budgeting and soul searching and trepidation. Too much trepidation. I'm not ready.

TTFN... May your 2011 be filled with good things in familiar settings and not too much trepidation.

The most wonderful time of the year...

The follow-up edition.  I love Christmas - I really do.  I love the hustle and bustle and good cheer and pretty lights and Christmas trees in windows and little kids singing and shopping and wrapping and seeing family and sharing the love.  What I don't love are the days following Christmas when the trees start coming down and the lights begin blinking off and the stores are filled with muddy foot prints and people returning the gifts that they just didn't like.  There isn't so much good cheer as resentful impatience.  And it's all happens so quick.  One day everyone is hurrying and scurrying and the next they are trying to figure out what to do with all their old junk.  I know it can't be Christmas every day but maybe once every six months??? 

Personally I won't be taking my tree and decorations down until New Year's Day so that leaves me six days to savor the season.

I'll just be over here - gazing at the tree and thinking about the memories of the season...

Merry Christmas...

Merry, Merry, Merry Christmas!

Let the Festivus begin!

Only two short days before the beginning of the biggest season of the year.  I'm not ready.  Cookies are not baked - except for one batch of Peanut Butter Star Cookies, which are tasty but falling apart because I used too much flour and the little helpers in the house were pretty heavy handed with the sugar rolling so the stars have all fallen off.  Guess which cookies I'm making again along with the others on my list?  I had plans of mixing up several batches tonight - I got ONE done.  And that one looked iffy along the way.  First I forgot to add and melt my chocolate chips, so back to step one.  Okay good, chips added and melted - now to add the eggs while beating.  Great - well except for that piece of egg shell which slipped in the bowl and never made it out.  UGH.  I'm claiming ignorance when someone gets that crunchy bite of cookie (Yuck and for some reason finding egg shell in my food TOTALLY grosses me out so I certainly hope I'm not the finder/keeper).  When I talked to my sister to find out if she was making her "famous" Swedish Creams she told me she wasn't because she wasn't stressing herself out about baking this year - which I sort of sneered at (sorry Nic, but it's true).  Now I'm wondering if she had the right idea - but darn if I didn't already buy the heavy cream to make those Swedish Creams...'
Along with the baking I have yet to wrap the majority of the presents to go under the tree and I never did make much progress on that Christmas card thing (I haven't given up on the dream - it could still happen).  So I am hoping to accomplish much in the next two days - along with finding my Christmas spirit.  The reason for the season has been totally lost on this soul lately.  SIGH.  I've had enough whine with my cheese so I won't even get into the cleaning I have yet to do before the present UNwrapping begins...

TTFN...  May the Spirit of Christmas find it's way into your heart.

BLIZZARD...

Yes, as the rest of the universe has heard we had a blizzard. The Metrodome collapsed. The Vikings had no where to play their little game. It was a weekend.

I haven't stepped foot outside of my home since Friday evening. I'm beginning to get a little stir crazy. That and as I was doing ANOTHER load of laundry I realized there is only one weekend left until Christmas and I now have an almost irresistible urge to venture out into the frozen tundra to complete my shopping. And really, how in the world does the time slip away from me every year? You would think after 40 something years of celebrating Christmas I'd get how the whole thing works. Not so much I guess.

Just a short post tonight. I wanted to include some pictures of the snow but I'm so sick of looking at it I couldn't bring myself to take a picture.

TTFN...

Well that snuck up on me once again...

It's Christmas Card time.  I always fail to remember I need to prepare for these things.  You would think the big green tree in the living room and those cards arriving in the mail would be a daily reminder but it doesn't seem to be doing the trick.  I haven't sent cards for the last two years.  No Christmas picture, no cheerful letter rejoicing in the wonders of my young Einstein's, no pretty glittery card - NOTHING.  Nothing for two years - but now I'm starting to get a little worried that people may cut ME from their Christmas card lists so this year I'm sending the cards - at least that's what I decided five minutes ago.

Sooooo, if I am on your list do not cut me - I really didn't cut YOU from MY list - NO ONE has received cards from me - really, I promise.  And I might even put together a little letter (note to people - I like the letters I really do so if you can send a letter do it - and a picture - a picture and a letter - that's the best Christmas card) just to let everyone know about our lives and the dog (it's always about the dog). 

Okay gotta run.  I've got places to go and things to do.   But if you see me out and about please remind me I said I was sending cards this year.  Really, I seem to keep forgetting...

TTFN... I found that card on Etsy - here: http://www.etsy.com/shop/studioflowerpower?ref=seller_info - Pretty cool!

There's a mouse in the house...

Sydney was in this year's presentation of the Nutcracker - Clara's Dream - as a mouse (she has self-named herself "Squeaky".

Squeaky was fabulous - of course that is my opinion - but she was a great little mouse.

Although there was much whining and crying about rehearsals and having to miss the very newest episode of Wizard's of Waverly she stated it was all worth it in the end.

A great start to the Christmas season.

I wanna go home...

said in my absolutely whiniest voice. Really, just take a minute and imagine it. Dejected face, whiny voice, a longing gaze to the North. No I haven't been kicked out of my home to live on the street but I have been relocated to a new work space (no I don't have a new job just a relocation by my current employer). So this new work space - I DON'T LIKE IT! I have no natural daylight, I'm in a cube, my workstation is burgandy and grey (think early 1990), thousands of people work here, parking sucks and did I mention I have no natural daylight? See why I miss my old home?

On the bright side - even out of the thousands who work here I did randomly run into two people I know (not involved with my own division) on my very first day. It was kind of like being the new kid in school and then finding a first friend. I even had someone to talk to while walking in the building.

I'd post pictures but I'm assuming there is a policy against such things.

My world has gotten bigger yet smaller and filled with rules - you know how I am about those rules - some stick and some not so much. I've got some work to do.

TTFN...

It's been a bad day...

first let me say I know exactly how self-indulgent writing a blog can be. It's my blog I can say what I want to. I can talk about whatever I want to. I don't have to wonder if you want to hear what I have to say or even care but I can talk anyway because like I said - it's my blog. Yep, blog writing is very self-indulgent. I wonder if they did a socialogical study of bloggers what prominant personality traits would surface. Egotistical, insecure, fame seekers. It's an interesting concept - I'm not sure I want to know which category I would fall into.

So in my self-indulgent vein I guess I'll talk about me - again. WOW surprised aren't you :-) Anyway, It has been a bad day. One of those days where I have been near tears all day long. Maybe it is the upcoming changes in my career life. Maybe it is the weather. Maybe it is the dream that I had last night that seemed so real I felt the loss when I woke up in the morning. Maybe it is thinking about what the future holds for my kids. But probably it is a combination of all the above. UGH.

I just deleted two paragraphs of blah blah blah. Even though I thought I wanted to talk I guess I really don't want to after all...

Sorry, let's try to get together again tomorrow. It will be a better day.

TTFN...

Another parental decision that didn't turn out quite as planned...

Really, there are so many opportunities to make bad parental decisions that I don't really have to go out of my way to find them - but sometimes those decisions that you think are great - well sometimes bad happens before you even realize it.

Tonight is the perfect example - with a point on it. Every other Sunday night we have family movie night. We find a great family movie, dim the lights, find blankies and cuddle buddies, place the pop and popcorn within easy reach and settle in for whatever movie extravanza is on the agenda for the night. Usually it is a Disney movie, or Hannah Montana or Barbie or some other animated flick. This week I picked the movie and hyped it up all day long. Marly and me. A movie about a dog, a funny movie about a dog, a funny movie about a dog with a personality which too closely resembles a dog we all know and love (and I'm not exactly comfortable about that). I knew it had a sad ending but I assumed we could all deal with that. It's life, life happens, not every ending can be a happy ending. Little did I know it would be heart wrenching, openly sobbing, throat closing sad. And the best part of it all - bedtime was supposed to follow. It was an event - sobbing children and a dog, wet from the tears which were shed all over her shaggy coat. If it wasn't a Sunday night I'd be having a cocktail. Next movie night it's back to kids choice. But the dog - she's very happy - tonight she walks on water (the cat is really ticked off).

TTFN...

A sneak peek...

Another Halloween over and done. This year I guess you could say we had hybrid costumes. They weren't quite homemade but they weren't standard issue store bought either - hybrid.

We had a Pirate Skeleton (part skeleton t-shirt, part new "sword", part hand-made vintage pirate cape from 1999), a Ballerina Skeleton (new skeleton costume with repurposed tutu), and a Devil Princess (new princess dress with new devil accessories, old leotard underneath for warmth). No one can say we aren't creative in this house.

And did you see those descriptions, that wonderful vocab (just call me the vocab queen - it's happened before) - hybrid, repurposed, vintage - I feel so so so 2010!!!

I'm leaving you with pictures. I'll have more to show later this week. There was caramel apple dipping, pumpkin carving and of course the pumpkin gut eating picture.

TTFN...

Oh and BTW - just when I thought it was safe to mention the frontage road and how road rage free I have been about it lately it happened - this morning - Walmart driver pull-out inches in front of my car. NICE! If Walmart can offer a photo center, and a pharmacy counter and a vision center why can't they offer a DMV branch???? What do you say Walmart - as long as you are holding all those bad drivers captive why not give them a little somthing to aspire too - like responsible driving???? It's just a suggestion :-)

Random Thursday Thoughts...

I have had a lot of quirky random thoughts running through my head today and since my writing has been less than inspired lately I figured I might as well share. I mean, what have I got to lose, it isn't like I don't eventually end up sharing everything anyway.

So first, I have noticed there has been an epidemic of people calling me "Ang" lately. I'm not saying I mind but typically the "Ang" tag is usually thrown out there by people who know me well. People who are an immediate part of my life. People who I consider a friend and I assume feel the same way in return. BUT that being said, even among the intimate group there are some people to whom I have never become an "Ang". Angie yes, Angela sometimes, but the "Ang" thing just never seemed to come from their lips and I was fine with that - it's all a personal preference, although in the past week some of the "Angie" group of friends have actually started to become "Ang" callers. Again, I want to make it clear I don't mind at all, and typically it isn't such a big deal - but there have been a handful of people just this week (or maybe I just noticed it this week) who have begun calling me "Ang". It kind of makes me wonder what it is about. Has something about me changed. What? What changed me from "Angie" to "Ang" for them? It's a ponder...

Oh and on a tangent - here is a little trivia about me and my name. I used to HATE my name. HATE IT! I wanted to be Susie or Beth or Jennifer or Velvet (remember that doll with the plaid dress and "growing" hair) or anything but Angela or Angie. As far as I was concerned it was a bad name. But then somewhere along the line (and really I'm ashamed to say it probably wasn't until I was a young adult) I decided to embrace my name and love it. I didn't even realize it until one time during a doctor's appointment the young doctor asked me if I liked my name (while I was in the dressing room changing no less). Ffter I got done thinking "wow that is a weird out of the blue question to ask me while I'm changing my clothes" I said Yes and I realized I meant it. I liked my name. He then went on to explain he and his wife were expecting a baby and Angela was one of the names they were considering. At least it didn't seem quite so random then. I wonder what they named their little girl? I guess that will just have to remain up there as an unknown mystery just like the "Ang" thing (I don't think I have used quotations this much in my entire life).

Anyway, the other thing I feel a dying need to discuss is toothbrushes. This thought isn't quite as random as you would think as one of the columnists in our local paper was discussing the rules of toothbrushes - like no matter how immediate your connection sharing a toothbrush is pretty much off limits and I couldn't agree with her more. I just wish my daughters agreed because they seem to be under the impression that toothbrushes are equal opportunity household items. They have used my toothbrush, they have used each other's toothbrush, they have no sense of boundaries when it comes to teeth brushing. I've tried to talk to them. I've tried to buy different colored brushes. I don't know maybe it is a twin thing - but still - YUCK. USE YOUR OWN TOOTHBRUSH. Not doing so is gross!!!

Okay, that's it. My ramblings for a Thursday. Aren't you glad you stopped by - so much information in such a little space :-)

TTFN... have a good night.

Parenting - it's a hard job...

UGH! Parenting. You would think I had never done this thing before but as I'm trying to guide my daughters through the trials and tribulations of second grade I am realizing how some things were soooo easy with Alex. His elementary school years included teachers and paras and counselors and parent advocates and case managers telling us what to do along the way. There was a plan and things pretty much went as planned - well until about fifth grade - but that's a different story for a different day. Anyway, with the girls it is MUCH different - seriously, I am winging it most days. I have no idea if I am doing the right things. I consider it a good day if I remember to sign papers and get folders into back packs (and really some days - it doesn't happen). I have to admit most days I feel like a failure as a parent. I actually let them skip dance every once in awhile, have candy after school for a snack and watch tv. If I was a real parent we'd have play dates and swimming parties and study time with apple slices and milk. I'm sure that is how it works in every other family - right??? So for today I'll just hope and pray that they grow up to be healthy, productive, well-adjusted adults. Did I say UGH already?

Sorry to be Debbie Downer tonight but I'm just feeling overwhelmed with life. I hope you understand.

Here's to a better day tomorrow...

I'll be putting this on the list of things I'll never do again...

So earlier this summer I started having my nails done on a regular basis. I found a great salon and I just kept going. One day I decided to really live on the edge and have an acrylic tip attached to one nail that just wasn't living up to the expectations of the other nails. I know it isn't like acrylic nails are anything new but I had never done them before. So I got the tip and I liked it - I really liked it and the polish stayed on that nail much longer than the rest (ha, so much for the underachiever status of left hand index finger).

Next time I went to have my nails "done" I threw caution to the wind and said give me a full set of acrylics. So she did - and she did a great job and the nails looked perfect. BUT once I had a full set I didn't like them. They were too thick at the tips and I couldn't use my nails as screwdrivers or scrubby pads any longer. I couldn't even give a decent scratch to a mosquito bite. So I had them taken off assuming my nails would go on as previously living. WRONG. My nails are ugly, and scratched up and weak and they hurt. I know - who knew? See where vanity got me? Sore nails. So acrylic nails - been there, done that - not doing it again. I've learned my lesson but I'm wondering how long it will take them to get back to normal - anyone???

And the real lesson in all of this is I have long nail beds (it's a good thing - long nail beds mean your nails never look short and stubby) so there was really no need for the acrylic nails other than the allure of PERFECT nails. From now on I'm settling for above average :-)

TTFN... take care of your nails - acrylic is NOT the answer

It's an annual thing...

Today we made our annual trek to view the fall colors in the bluffs and valleys of our own home state as well as neighboring state (should state be capitalized???)

I'll get into more about the trip later this week. Tonight it is just the pictures. Oh and FYI - these pictures were taken with the iPhone. I think they turned out pretty well considering they were taken with a phone.

About my daughter - what's her name...

So Lauren has feelings which become hurt very easily. She is the pleaser in the group and can get upset if she doesn't think her efforts have been noticed. Tonight, while playing a game (I think it is called Buzz Word) Lauren insisted she had previously said the category we were getting ready to play - something that no one could recall and no one could recall it because WE HAD NEVER PLAYED THE CATEGORY BEFORE. No matter how much we tried to convince her that we had not played this card she insisted that we had, finally disolving into tears and claiming we never remember anything she does or know anything about her - which was followed by the following facts which she claims we couldn't possibly remember about her like, what her favorite thing to do in the winter is and what her favorite color is and what she likes to do on stay home days and then her parting words "by tomorrow you won't even remember my name" put the HotY and I over the edge. We were laughing so hard tears were coming from our eyes. This probably didn't help matters and certainly did not win us any parent of the year awards but it was just so dramatic and if you know Lauren it is all about drama. If she hurts her foot she may never walk again, gets a hang nail and her finger might fall off, and let's not even get into the dire consequences if she bumps her head. So her parting words were just so-so-so--- Lauren. We finally stopped laughing long enough to reassure her that not only did we remember her name but we knew her favorite activities and her favorite color but I couldn't bring myself to claim we remembered playing the category she insisted we did - BECAUSE WE DIDN'T PLAY IT BEFORE and that is my last word. That girl - she can be so stubborn.

TTFN...

Awkward silence...

I have not been able to put a finger to the keyboard in weeks. I want to write but I have nothing to say. It's like that awkward silence when you are with talking to someone and you don't want the conversation to end but you just don't know what to say. It's exactly like that. So just like when you want to say don't go in that instance I'm saying don't go now - stick with me. I'm sure I'll figure out something to say sooner or later - in the meantime hang in there with me - Deal???

So this is reality...

sometimes I tend to live a bit in denial, hoping and praying things will turn out okay without having to go to too much pain and effort. You know, like thinking there really is a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. If only...

So as I briefly eluded to on this blog at an earlier date my job is not in a stable place right now. As a matter of fact my job will cease to exist as of January 31, 2011. I have known this for over a year. I have not done much of anything to secure another job. The fact is I just keep thinking things are going to turn out fine. My instinct keeps telling me not to panic. Last night I had a dream I actually looked for a job. This morning I woke up - my mind ignoring my instinct - PANIC!!!

I don't have to get a job immediately and maybe I can come up with some super creative idea to make my little Glitter Me! business more profitable and my friend Amy and I have a few ideas swirling around but the fact of the matter is - January 31 - it is almost here. What the heck am I going to do? Where is that darn pot of gold????? Where are my rose colored glasses - because really - seriously - Reality Bites!!!

TTFN - oh panic is a great motivator so if you have any job leads please do not hesitate to let me know.

GGGGOOOOOOAAAAAALLLLLLL......

or whatever it is that they yell at those world soccer championships. It's another one of those details that I kind of skip over.

So I think it is safe to say I have a soccer player. Lauren had her first game of the season this morning and she was awesome if I do say so myself. She hustled and moved the ball and wasn't afraid to get in there and block. The girl is competitive and yet she is a good team player. All the makings of a good competitor. I was so proud of her today. Even with an aching head she kept at it - coming to the sidelines crying but still not failing to play her hardest. That's my girl!!!!! GO LAUREN!!!

And the halftime show...

The beginning...

School started last week for the girls and today for Alex. The beginning of the school year. I am better about beginnings then I am about endings so there usually aren't any tears on the first day of school (unlike my friend Amy who has a problem with the beginning and not so much the end - we are very different that way). ALTHOUGH my baby is a senior this year and that makes me feel a little teary but the real water works won't show up until sometime in late May. Enjoy the reprieve :-)

Unto every life a little glass must break...

My new furniture arrived on Saturday. It's more furniture than I had before. So far I have rearranged three times. Now I am on the wait and see plan - I'll see how I feel about the arrangement in a day or two. I'm still not sure it's right but I got tired of pushing the furniture around. The HotY helped but he really doesn't understand the concept of just a couple more inches - it matters!

Since I am changing my color scheme with the new furniture I need new accessories and pictures. I shopped for accessory pieces on Saturday and bought this gorgeous shallow glass bowl which I displayed with another big pretty shallow glass bowl I already had. I had them on those plate holder things that hold them upright - I can't describe what I mean but I think you know - right???? Anyway, they looked awesome on the sofa table. Those I knew were keepers and perfect just as I had arranged them. Well you know what's coming right? Today, while I was cleaning the girls' room Alex was messing around in the living room - I'm not exactly sure what he was doing sometimes he just wanders and moves stuff around - and it happened - CRASH. I knew exactly what it was. I walked in the living room, the HotY flew up the stairs and I just walked back out. I wasn't dealing with it (I know - see how I am - sometimes I just walk away). Alex came in the bedroom and profusely apologized I said it was okay that I knew it was an accident and I just kept putting away clothes. Then Lauren, always the just say it like it is girl, came in and said "wow mom, I thought for sure you would be crying". I wasn't because you know what - it is what it is. The bowls are broken. Will I find something similar - yes to the one no to the other. Was it just stuff - yes. It did put a scratch my brand new table and that makes me a little sad but what can I do. I guess it has just been that kind of weekend. Sometimes you just can't fight what happens. Sometimes you just have to walk away and let it sit. Luckily for me someone else was there to pick up the pieces - but it doesn't always happen that way - but still you can let it sit for awhile and deal with it when you can. KWIM? Unto every life a little glass must break - or something like that. For today I'm not fighting and just accepting the broken glass.

TTFN...

I've created a monster or my dog is not dumb or I have no idea what today is....

In my quest to begin walking again (really are you sick of hearing about this yet - I mean really - if it makes you feel better I have stopped counting the days so I have no idea what number today is - 10 maybe????) ANYWAY - the walking has also resulted in dog leash training and iPod listening - all nice benefits - or so I thought until tonight when I decided to take a break night. It's rainy, it's probably bug heaven out there and I gave myself permission to skip tonight (it won't become a habit). BUT the dog had other plans. I am listening to my iPod while typing because there is nothing I want to watch on tv and if I run iTunes from my computer it slows everything way down so I just listen to the iPod - it bugs the HotY - I'm not sure why - maybe because when I have the ear buds in my ears I can't hear anything (like him or the kids running around when they are supposed to be sleeping or Alex talking to himself - I can hear Steve Perry crooning in my ear though - but I diverse). Anyway what I can hear is the dog whining and crying and barking and nudging my hand and legs and just being a nuisance - more than usual. At first I couldn't figure out what her problem was and then I realized she sees me with the iPod - she thinks we are going for a walk. She wants to go for a walk. She recognized the iPod. Either my dog is a genius or I have created a monster.

Oh and on a side note - we took the cat to the groomer yesterday and they shaved her down so she looks like a different cat the dog thinks she IS a different cat - genius or monster - you decide...

Oh Bruce Springsteen is singing to me now - so much better than listening to the kids fights. Eat your heart out HotY.

Day Six...

Okay I'm about done with this day thing. My life just isn't that interesting. I'm still tracking my walking but I don't think everyone needs to keep track. Let's just say I'm going to once again make it part of my daily routine I'll keep you updated on how I'm doing now and then. Really it's a big thing - accountability, although tonight, tonight is probably a wash - if tomorrow night also ends up being a wash feel free to yell at me. I do have good excuses though, the kids start school tomorrow so there is much to do and I don't feel good - cramps. Enough said and really as crabby as I am right now I don't have the patience to deal with a non-compliant dog. Hmmm, it sounds like I'm rationalizing. Maybe I'll change my mind - I still have an hour to decide.

Rambling. Not feeling too chatty. Mostly feeling wound up. I should probably quit while I'm ahead.

Have a good night. I may walk after all - it depends.

TTFN...

ETA - I did my walk - even further than usual. I can feel summer turning to autumn in the wind so I better soak up the season of sun while I still can.
Oh and BTW I really have never liked the name Cupcake World for this blog - I was coerced into changing it but as long as I'm on a roll of not accepting the status quo I'm changing it back - Crabby Deal - that's what it is. Hope people can still find me - besides all those that are googling Cupcake World looking for a pelethora of cupcake goodness but instead find me are going to be a lot less disappointed. You know I told you I was feeling rambly and quirky tonight so if you are still reading this unconnected diatribe you have no one to blame but yourself - but really, I'm glad you're still here :-)

Day Four...

• Slept in
• Bought Furniture
• Had A Heart-to-Heart with the HotY
• Had A Date Night
• Went for a Moonlight Drive

The Dog is Pouting - No Walk - sorry pup but every dog has their day and today was not yours.

So I have no idea what I am doing with this numbering of the days. Day one was supposed to be an indication of - well I'm not sure what. Day One I guess. So for right now I'm just going with it. I know you might not like it but really it's my blog and I can write how I want to :-)

The series of pictures at the top is exactly why I bought new furniture today. Besides I told you this was coming awhile ago - who knew it would have taken so long - but then again - I just have to walk into my downstairs bathroom and it's unfished state and I am reminded that things around this house - they happen in stages - that's all I'm saying.

TTFN...

Day Three...

• Dog Walked


• Laundry started


• Time alone enjoyed

Okay well that time alone thing was good until about 9:00 p.m. after I got back from walking the dog. I'm lonely. The HotY should be home about midnight. I'm glad - but please don't tell him - no need for him to have this information :-)

I was looking for something in my photo files and came across a bunch of pictures the girls had taken with their camera. I'll save the Barbie parties and WebKinz group shots for another day. The picture above was taken by Sydney - I actually love it and I love seeing the things they are up to when they think no one else is watching. It makes me smile.

TTFN...

Day Two...

NOTHING HAPPENED...

Well there was work and a doctor's appointment and meet the teacher and a two hour drive to drop the girls off for a weekend with grandpa and grandma and then there was supper with Alex and arranging respite care for Alex for the weekend and laundry. BUT there was no walking. I know there is still time but I don't know that it is going to happen tonight. Besides the dog is tired - she went to the dog park today. But tomorrow - tomorrow I am all alone. All kids - OUT. The HotY - attending a concert in the cities with some friends. Me - HOME - HOME ALONE. Can I get an ALLELUIA! Really, just one, for me. I haven't been home alone home alone in a long time. Right now it feels good. Don't get me wrong I love them all but sometimes distance - it's a good thing (don't even pretend you don't know what I mean). So tomorrow night it's the dog and I. We'll have a walking date under the stars in the moonlight - I just know she is going to love it!

TTFN...

Day one...

WALKED THE DOG.

I used to be a walker. I walked every day. I loved walking. It helped me think and clear my head. It allowed me to admire the beauty of the trees and flowers and sun and stars. It made me feel like I was doing something for myself. It was my time and no one else could intrude - unless I let them. And then I forgot, I forgot all these things I liked about walking and I quit doing it. Sure we do the occasional family walk but I had forgotten my solitary walks until tonight. I just decided to do it, I wanted to do it. It was a beautiful night and the dog was bugging everyone so I put on my shoes grabbed the leash and headed out the door - just me, the dog and my iPod. And guess what I enjoyed myself and I remembered, I remembered how much I liked this feeling and tonight was a bonus as it was a beautiful night, just the right temperature with a full moon (or nearly full) to guide my way. The only down side was the mosquito's thought I was a tasty treat when I stopped at the park for a couple of minutes to mess with my iPod. I HATE mosquito's.

So I'm calling this DAY ONE. Tomorrow when I don't feel like walking I'll have to come back here and remind myself how much I liked it tonight. I'll let you know about day two.

TTFN...

Cousins unite...

Last weekend we traveled to Michigan for a family reunion and wedding. There were aunts and uncles and cousins galore. Girls certainly outnumbered the boys and fun was had by all. There was dancing and tractor riding and swimming and sleepovers and ping pong and more dancing! Lots of pictures to share so the writing is short :-)

Dance Party Fun


Cousins

Slumber Party!

Wedding

Mark & Dee Larkin



Flower girls - Madigan, Teagan, Delaney
\Sydney



Lauren



Alex



Madigan



















Olivia & Syd



Delaney

Shaylin & Lauren