The Bed. Thebedthebedthebedthebed The.Bed.

The Bed. So did that title exhaust you and make you want to crawl into a nice warm, flannel sheet covered bed? Because really I can’t think of many things that feel better than a good bed. Seriously. But that isn’t really what this post is about. This post is about THIS Bed.



This bed which has been in my family for five generations. This bed, which is an original craftsman style. This bed, which has seen many transformations through the years. This bed, which is one of my most treasured possessions.


This bed belonged to my Great Grandfather; I don’t know when he got it. I don’t know if it was new or used or something he shipped over on a boat from somewhere – but it was his and maybe my Great Grandmother’s but again, I don’t know (why hasn’t anyone bothered to inform me of the little details about the bed? Doesn’t my family know I want to know about stuff like this? Details, I’m all about the details). Eventually the bed belonged to my mom (and I have no idea what happened to it from the time my great grandfather stopped sleeping in it until my mom started but let’s just say it went from him to her). And then when I was about 11 my sister and I started sleeping in it – with striped sheets because really a person needs to know if they are over the line and using more than their share of the bed! Ultimately, when I got the Brat (said in the most loving of voices – really) to realize she was old enough to sleep by herself in her own room the bed became mine – and mine alone – no more striped sheets either. I loved my bed. I loved the way it looked all dressed up with a fluffy comforter and a pile of pillows, sunlight streaming through the window and settling on the warm wood. My bed…


A few years ago the bed went to Alex where he slept in safety and comfort for three years. His time with the bed was short-lived. He graduated to a bigger bed last Spring when the bed became the property of the Lauren & Sydney and is once again sporting striped sheets (I’ve noticed Syd has a hard time staying on her side of the line – so far Lauren isn’t complaining but I know the day will come).


I can’t tell you how much this bed means to me. It is part of my heritage, a big part of my life and the lives of my friends. My closest friend, Roxann, cannot step foot in my home without visiting the bed and talking about all the days and nights we spent lying there planning our futures and spinning our dreams and talking about BOYS! The Bed – it’s been there through it all. It makes me feel all warm and fuzzy knowing it carries my family’s history. I hope the bed will accompany at least one of my children to adulthood I’m not sure who is going to inherit the bed or if there will be a fight for it. My sister and I never fought for the bed – it is as if the bed adopts its new owner and from there it is just a given. The bed knows


So the bed, it’s been a big thing in my life and last night, after a long absence, I slept in the bed and it felt like home. Lauren has a terrible cold and she crawled into our bed. It wasn’t long before Syd was crying and wanting me to sleep with her. So rather than fight the battle at 1:00 a.m I crawled in with her and realized that the bed was still a good fit. I had a hard time falling asleep because I was so busy remembering bits and pieces of my life from when the bed was still mine. I mean technically it is still mine. I see it every day and lovingly dust and polish the headboard and foot board but it’s been a long time since I have actually spent a night in the bed and it really doesn’t BELONG to me anymore - today it belongs to my girls’. I hope they have as much fun as I did planning their lives and dreaming of their futures while lying in the bed. It’s a good place.

TTFN. May you have sweet dreams in your own little bed.

Fear of failure...

and other reasons for doubting myself.

Okay so I had this great idea that I would craft some things and open an Etsy shop. For the past three weeks I have been working on items to put into the shop. My craft room is a mess. Every flat surface is covered. I've got glitter in my hair. And every night I have the same second thoughts and plaguing doubts.

What if no one likes my stuff? What if they think the quality is bad? What if it doesn't sell? What was I thinking?

It really shouldn't be a big deal because it isn't like I have invested hundreds of dollars into these projects - although I have invested hundreds of hours.






So I don't know quite what I am going to do yet. And the Etsy thing, when I think about it, is really just an illustration of my chronic procrastinating when I am on the verge of putting myself out there regardless of the situation. I mean really, what if it doesn't work? What if I am a failure? What if I offend someone? What if someone rejects me, doesn't like me, scoffs at my ideas? Those are the fears that hold me back, that become greater than the anticipated success. Ugh.


Sooooooooo, as far as this Etsy thing is concerned I'm just going to do it and hope that people realize that my items are handcrafted and not machine made perfect and that I'm a beginner and learning as I go. Who knows - my embracing this one little thing and just doing it instead of throwing it away may start an entirely new phase in my life - or maybe I'll just make a couple of bucks...


TTFN.

Halloween reflections...

• The kids had a blast.


• The candy will be going to work on Monday. All the best stuff will be weeded out by then anyway.


• Lauren walked behind me and said "BOO! Did I scare you" no less than 10 times today. It is a good thing it was so darn cute otherwise it would have been darn irritating.


• Pictures were taken.


• Begging and whining reigned.


• Arguing over Halloween candy ensued.


• Another Halloween present and accounted for - bring on the turkey baby!

ARE YOU KIDDING ME????

I mean really, this has to be a joke right?

• Jane Seymour still in competition on DWTS.
• Marie Osmond still in competition on DWTS.
• The Cheetah Girl - OUT?

Let me just say again - ARE YOU KIDDING ME! Even the judges could not contain their disgust over this result. I am beyond shocked. I am so apalled I can't even think of anything else to write. I don't know how long it is going to take me to get over this travesty. OMG - what were people thinking. Yes, I know my life will go on but the injustice of it all just ticks me off. And we all know how darn crabby I can be. GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR.

That's it. I'm out of here. Shaking my head. Man, there are a lot of people who should be ashamed of themselves! And I thought Walmart shoppers were annoying :-)

It's the same thing every year...

My kids love Halloween. It rates right up there with Christmas and their birthdays. I love to see their excitement even it if it noisy!

The festivities begin with the two days before Halloween pumpkin carving - which we did tonight. Usually the HotY goes all over the top on this and picks out these complicated carvings, hands me one and a pumpkin and tells me to get busy. Ummmm have I failed to mention to him less than 100 times that I don't really like to carve pumpkins. I will do the "gutting" and scraping - but I really don't like the carving - it's only a matter of time before I slice off a finger - really, just ask around, my grace and coordination are no secret :-) Anyway, this year I put my foot down and said no fancy designs we are letting the kids tell us what they want and that's it! And he listened - probably because he got to go over the top with this:



ANYWAY, I digress :-) - sorry, some days I can't help myself. So even more important than the carving is our own special family tradition. EVERY SINGLE YEAR Alex wants us to take a picture of him "eating" the pumpkin guts. He thinks it is the photo opportunity of the century - so we took the obligatory pumpkin gut eating picture tonight - and then of course the girls wanted theirs too - so here are our fabulous pumpkin gut photos.





Some people have nice traditions, like making popcorn balls, or building a bomb fire (huh, McHubby while doing his proof-reading duties just informed me that it is not BOMB fire it is Bonfire - who knew - and to think some days I think I'm so darn smart :-)), or making sweet little Halloween treat bags - but my kids - they want to pretend they are eating pumpkin guts. I have no idea why they are so quirky - it must be the HotY!

Here are our pumpkin creations - mine is the kitty - I think it is the best :-)



TTFN.

I have a warning...

DO NOT, I repeat DO NOT purchase apples from a certain new Super Target in a certain upper Midwest city which sometimes receives snow in October. And it is all because of THIS GIRL:



This girl who looks all sweet and innocent in this photo - which by the way, is false advertising.

Yesterday, after the candy incident at Michael's, where she opened a piece of chocolate candy at the checkout and I had to hand it sheepishly to the clerk and say "I'm sorry" because I didn't have 39 cents in cash, we went to Target where she practically drowned in a sea of sadness when the bakery girl handed her sister a pink frosted cookie and she got a plain one (the poor bakery girl took one look at her pitiful face and RAN to get another pink frosted cookie - seriously the sad look SHE pulled out of her hat would have melted the most hardened heart) We were almost ready to check out and IT happened. SHE picked up an apple from the produce bin which she proceeded to smell as if it were ambrosia, and then SHE LICKED THE APPLE. And I, in my haste to control the situation actually PUT THE APPLE BACK in the bin. Yes, I put the apple back in the bin. I wasn't thinking. I'm sorry. I think by Monday that apple will have made it's way to some unsuspecting shoppers home so the apples should be safe by then but in the meantime I feel terrible. I'm sorry and remember always wash your fresh fruits and veggies.

TTFN

Sometimes I actually surprise myself...

like last night while catching the last minute action on DWTS. I saw them announce that the Millionaire and the I Dream of Jeannie chick were done and I found myself actually crying out "NOOOOOOOOO" and then I stopped and thought WTH - you have been wanting this guy out for six weeks and now you are moaning because he is going? What is the matter with you? And then it happened, I realized that I dislike watching Jane Seymour even more than Mark Millionaire. WOW, I didn't even know until that moment. It was an epipheny. Maybe I should write Mr. Millions an apology letter.

Dear Mark,

I would like to apologize for my disparaging remarks regarding your
performance on DWTS. Don't get me wrong, I don't think you stood a chance,
but I didn't realize that I despised Jane Seymour's dancing even more than your
own. So for that I am sorry. When I was criticizing you it should have
been all about Jane. I hope you can forgive me. Take care.

Sincerely,

Cupcake Girl

What do you think? As apologies go it may be a little weak :-)

Anyway, after last night's big news I'll be hoping Janie girl is the next to go, then Marie and after that I don't know who it'll be - I'll have to wait and be surprised, by myself, again, even though I hate surprises, although when you surprise your self it isn't so bad - no anticipation :-)

While figuring out how I really felt about Jane was big the surprises just kept coming. This morning, although I haven't said anything, or really even given it much thought, I realized that I am darn sick of the construction that has been happening on my on the way to work 40 mph frontage road. They were supposed to be putting in a bike path not building a super highway. Holy bananas. You would think that it was an 8 lane interstate overpass considering the length of time and all the crap they have laying around. Not to mention that with the mess and the clogged storm sewers and all the rain the road is flooding out. Nice. Grrrr. So listen guys, finish it up already - okay, I'm sick of you. I'm sick of the mess. I'm sick of the 10 mph posted speed. You KNOW some old lady is going to remember that 10 mph forever after and I'll be stuck behind her chanting "it's 40 it's 40 it's 40" over and over and over again. I mean really, just get yourself to Walmart and quit wasting my time! :-)

So it has been 24 hours of mind shattering revelations, life as I know it has changed. From acknowledging my dislike of Jane Seymour to recognizing I am darn crabby about this ongoing, never ending, traffic disrupting road construction. Believe me - it's been a tough morning.

TTFN - and be open to new revelations - surprise yourself :-)

Gloating - the other unattractive behavior...

I know I have a lot of annoying habits (but really don't we all - it is what makes us humans - right?) but I think one of my least attractive personality traits is the pleasure I take in gloating when I realize that one of my rambling thoughts has been validated by another source. For instance take this post - where I noted that the blond DWTS chick reminded me of I Dream of Jeannie. It was just a casual observation but did you see DWTS last night? DID YOU? Did you see that costume she was wearing? Did you hear the song? YES - she WAS I Dream of Jeannie and even danced to the theme song. So I feel so so so - gloaty :-) The HotY was sick of me by the time we went to bed because, well, I felt the need to continue to glorify in my validated observation ALL NIGHT LONG. Oh, don't shake your head and feel sorry for him, he has his quirks too :-)

And if that were not enough gloating for one day I just have to share this... Remember, remember when I talked about physical attractiveness and how personality has a lot to do with who I feel is attractive and who I feel is not - well here it is - in black and white, scientific proof that once we know a person physical attractiveness cannot be limited to body characteristics and facial features it has much more to do with what kind of person we THINK they are.

I feel so smart! I feel so validated! I'm queen of the world! :-) Really, it's true - just ask those people that think I am high maintenance :-O

Oh and I still think Jenny Garth has got to be one of the sweetest people I have ever had the pleasure of not knowing. I still want to be her friend. If you see her could you please tell her to call me - we can do lunch!

Okay, sorry for the gloating. I told you it wasn't attractive but some days I just can't help myself - is it any wonder the HotY is crazy about me :-)

Planes, Trains and automobiles...

Okay, really just automobiles :-)

Somehow the HotY’s car has become my primary mode of transportation. I don’t know how this happened. Fine, I do know how it happened, and it has to do with daycare drop-off and car seats, but regardless, I’m not happy about the change. And his car - it confuses me. It’s a Hyundai and everything is backwards. All the knobs and switches work the opposite direction than what you would think. Want to turn on the windshield wipers? You don’t push the thingy down you push it up. WHAT? I mean really, I’m still working on that right hand/left hand thing and you want me to try to manipulate these controls backwards? Right. But the good thing about this car – it’s paid for and I don’t worry about someone dinging my door! So I guess I’ll live with it, but just so you know, I’m not happy about it. And now I feel so much better :-)

Have a great Monday.

TTFN!

Hey, guess what???

It’s raining! Who would have guessed!

I wasn’t going to post today because I wanted to post pictures but right now – no pictures to post. But here I am posting anyway.

Hey how many times do you think a person can say post in one post? Hmmmm how many? I think you can say post in a post 8 times. :-)

I am looking forward to the weekend. The house is clean (a BIG Hooray). There is laundry to do, but that’s okay (shhhhhh don’t tell anyone but I don’t mind doing laundry, I KNOW it’s my dirty little secret). I’m going to be doing that scrap thing with friends tonight and probably tomorrow. And I made yummy caramel brownies and taco dip. Oh and I get to sleep in the bed ALL BY MYSELF. I wouldn’t want to make a habit of that but every once in a while – it’s a good thing.

By the way, as long as I have your attention :-) I’m thinking of opening a Etsy shop. What do you think? I have a few creative items under my hat and I thought it might be fun to see if anyone else likes them. So all in favor say yeah.

That’s it. Gotta go. Things to do. People to see. Places to go!! Have a quirkily good Friday!!!!

TTFN

If this is Thursday it must be raining...

because lately every day is a rainy day! I have always wanted to visit Seattle, and possibly even live there, but now, now after days and days and days of mostly overcast skies I'm not so sure. I'm starting to feel water logged. And really do you know what all that humidity does to scrapbooking supplies. YUCK! I don't like limp paper.

Big plans for the weekend? I am planning on scrapping with Amy and Heather at my house on Friday night and hopefully Saturday (Amy, Heather - did you hear that - the Saturday thing?). And if your name is Wendy (and you will know if you are THE Wendy) and you want to join us you know you are welcome! Just let me know - oh and bring treats :-)

Here are some highlights from our trip last Saturday. And as you look at these pictures I want you to notice one thing - see those trees, the ones in the background. Do you see them? And what do you notice about them? THEY'RE GREEN! I told you!

This was NOT the peak weekend...

The HotY has been watching the leaf report for 3 weeks now waiting for that “peak” time to view the fall colors along the banks and bluffs of the Mississippi. Last Thursday he proclaimed that the time had come – Saturday would be the prime leaf viewing day. Leaves were to be 75%-85% changed and that’s good enough because if you know the finer points of leaf viewing you know that if you wait too too too long that you run the risk of all the leaves being blown from the trees. So 75% is good. And Saturday was a beautiful day. The sun was shining the temperature was perfect, the kids were excited about finding pumpkins. As we started out and traveled closer to the river we noticed something – there were still A LOT of green trees – like mostly, surely the colors would become more vibrant as we got nearer The River. Ummmm no! But there was an entire myriad of GREEN to view! Whoever writes the leaf report is obviously not looking at the leaves or color blind! Grrrrrrr.

So along with tracking the perfect leaf viewing weekend the HotY also did a search for pumpkin patches and apple orchards along our route (can you tell he’s a planner – me not so much – well at least not for this kind of stuff – I mean why do I need to be a planner when I have the Lewis and Clark of modern civilization to lead the way). ANYWAY, the first town promised what SOUNDED like a great pumpkin patch, with hayrides, and mazes and pumpkins and apples. So we set out, totally ignoring the local art fair which took over the entire downtown area, traveling along washboard gravel roads nearly being run off the road by the rural post man and backtracking when we came to a dead end in our quest to find the ultimate pumpkin patch. Then we saw it – the sign – the dilapidated apple covered with NO HUNTING signs. I guess we should have taken that as a clue but we didn’t. We drove up the bluff and came to – NOTHING! I mean there was a house and barns and a dog barking at the driveway but it was not the Autumnal playground that was advertised. Let’s just say there was much whining and crying in the van as we turned around and said “no pumpkins here”. We did find a pumpkin patch within a reasonable amount of time and paid $5.00 a pumpkin. What the heck. Pumpkins should be free. Anyway, by that time no price was too great to stop the incessant asking of “when will we find the pumpkins?” So all in all our trip wasn’t quite as expected but it was still good – sometimes it is just about the ride. And hey we got cheese curds and good ice cream - what else does a person need?

I think that the millionaire/billionaire is being booted out of DWTS tonight. That’s my prediction. We’ll see…

TTFN.

I'm consistently inconsistent :-)...

I meant to post the very next day after the big ole blogiversary - but - well I didn't. But I'm here now and we will be reviewing your answers.

You did pretty good - all except for one little area (well two but we'll get to the other not so obvious answer in a minute).

I know I have gone on and on and on about My Magnificent Mario - BUT if you have been reading closely you know that the CORRECT answer to Rob Lowe or Mario Lopez is in fact Mr. Lowe. Could I please direct you to this post as the supporting fact. So maybe it was a trick question but really I thought you knew!

And NOW let's talk about that high maintenance thing shall we :-) There seems to be overwhelming consensus that I am in fact a high maintenance girl. And fine, there may be times when I might be a little - well - over the top - but really, I don't try to be high maintenance - it just happens somewhere along the way - I'm not kidding it just happens because I really am a roll with the punches type - well except for restaurants and seating arrangements -ask Amy she can explain...

As for the other questions - here are the correct answers:

1. Cupcake
2. HotY
3. Rob Lowe
4. Pink
5. Todd Rundgren
6. Dancing with the Stars
7. Exclamation points
8. Target
9. Scrapbooking
10. I'm not answering this one on the grounds that it may incriminate me :-)

And the winner of the Target gift card is Ms. Jenn Jones. WooHoo girl. I know where to find you :-)

That's it for today.

Thanks for playing. Thanks for posting your comments and making my day. Thanks for passing the word about my blog. Thanks for being good friends!

TTFN.

It's a big day....

today is my blogiversary. Yes, it's true. I've been here for a year. In the past 12 months I have done a lot of crabbing and revealing and rambling BUT how much have you really been paying attention??? So here is a little quiz - provide your answers in the comments (no cheating by looking at other's comments first) - refer my blog to a friend - have them document their visit by leaving a comment and your name as the referral and SOMEONE (a random drawing from the comments) will receive a $10 Target Gift Card. I know it's not much but hey, $10 in the $2.50 spot can get you four things :-) So get your #2 pencils sharpened and take the quiz.

Please select MY preference for each question

1. Crabby or Cupcake?

2. HotY or McHubby?

3. Rob Lowe or Mario Lopez?

4. Pink or lavender?

5. Todd Rundgren or Sheryl Crowe?

6. Dancing with the Stars or America's Top Model?

7. Emoticons or exclamation points?

8. Target or Walmart?

9. Scrapbooking or knitting?

10. High Maintenance or no special handling required?

Good Luck!!!!

TTFN.

And the wound is ripped open...

Sorry about the graphic title but watching Dancing with the Stars (DWTS) last night was like tearing the scab off a wound. I mean really, did you see Wayne Newton? Did you see the geek millionaire guy? And these two men are there over Model Man because????? That is what I am asking you. WHY. WHY would those two "dancers" remain when Albert, Albert who knows how to move, Albert who is young and energetic, Albert who does not have hip injuries or stiff bones, Albert who is the superior dancer, Albert who was an Ambercrombie & Fitch model for gosh sakes, is gone? I am less upset over Walmart Drivers than I am about Model Man moving on. It's a travesty :-) The women were okay, well my friend Jenny Garth was her adorable self (okay fine, she might not acknowledge the friendship YET, but I know if she met me, we'd be friends :-)) - but the rest of the chicks, eh, even the Cheetah girl didn't knock my socks off. We'll see what happens - but one of those two men better be gone this week or I'm not watching anymore!!! I'm just saying...

That's it for today. Short and sweet. I'm too distressed about the whole dancing fiasco - it's given me writer's block :-) Oh and one comment about The Bachelor last night - BORING.

Have a fabulous day!

TTFN

It's all for the kids...

You know there are MANY days when I question my ability to be a good mother. I don't think I am unique in this, but in this case there is no comfort in numbers. Although today, today, while it was POURING rain, pouring rain so hard that the windshield wipers could not even keep up, I opened my window ALL THE WAY, allowing rain to come in and soak my sleeve so that I could wave and blow kisses to those two little faces peeking out the window and enthusiastically waving their arms and blowing kisses back. And I didn't even consider not doing it because that is the kind of thing a mom (and dad) will do for their kids. Put their own comfort aside just to bring a smile to a little face. So today, at least for now anyway, I feel competent to be a mom. By tonight that could all change, but for right now I'm just going to go with it and feel all warm and motherly inside.

Don't forget it's all about the dancing tonight!

TTFN.

Peace be with you...

that isn't such a bad way to start a Sunday - right? And NO we did not make it to church today but we thought about it and I did pass on that Peace Be With You thing so I'm going to say I'm good :-)

So although I didn't save my soul I did clean out my refrigerator and freezer. I removed all the food, took out the shelves and washed and wiped and reassembled. It looks fabulous, although it is glaringly clear that I need to make a trip to the grocery store -except for condiments - we're good on the condiments!








I don't know what is happening to me. I seem to be returning to my domestic roots. I mean really, it wasn't all that long ago that I actually ironed AND cleaned my appliances. Oh and just for the record, I don't have the stainless steel refrigerator yet. The one I want is still wayyyyyyyy to expensive for me to convince the HotY that I need it so I'll just have to wait - one of them has to give sooner or later and I'm hoping it will be the price, even I recognize when an item is overpriced.

So that's it. That's what I've got for a Sunday. No church and a clean refrigerator. And don't worry, it hasn't been an all work and no play weekend - yesterday I had a Design Team obligation in the morning, lunch and shopping with Amy and Heather, followed by Halloween crafts for the kids. It's been a good weekend :-)

TTFN!

NO NONONONONONONONO NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

That was me - hearing Albert had been voted off DWTS. WHAT? Wayne Newton stayed and Albert WENT? Okay who of you voted for Mr. Las Vegas? And WHY - WHY would you do such a thing? Please make some sense of this crazy, mixed-up decision. Even the judges were shocked and amazed. I don't get it. Okay first of all, I normally don't even watch the elimination show because frankly I think it is a little bit too cheesy. I had just told Amy I NEVER watch the elimination show - I just wait for the news to filter to me - but last night I turned on the tv three minutes early to get ready for Boston Legal and it happened, I saw it, the demise of Model Man! I just sat there in shock. This was almost as bad as Emmett Smith winning over My Mario. I just can't even process this information. And if you were one of those "people" that voted for Wayne Newton you can just leave right now. Really. Shesh.

So while DWTS was moving along and Albert and I were oblivious to his upcoming shake down I was TRYING to play Dance Dance Revolution (DDR) on the wii. They just came out with the wii version. Well mii didn't do so good at the wii DDR. It was a sad little show. I was booed and hissed and and and I got a failure. I mean really, I can totally understand how Albert felt when he got "the last dance". And the thing is, I have rhythm, I have dancing skills, I can read a chart, but, well I guess it is fair to say I don't have a lot of coordination and I do have to look at my rings to determine my right from my left (you think I am teasing about this? - just ask the HotY that's all I'm going to say...) STILL, you think I could have pulled this together but NOPE. It wasn't happening. So while the DWTS are perfecting their foxtrots and tangos and mambos I'm going to be working on learning my right from my left and trying to beat those dang arrows. Seriously!

TTFN

Clarifications and affirmations...

Before I even begin to go on about the glorious sunrise this morning I have one or two things to clear up!

1. The Model Man - his name is Albert. I know that isn't even close to Ryan but what can I say. I told you I hadn't reached the name point yet :-)

2. Still like "Albert". I love that naughty boy thing he has going on (and I don't mean that in a nasty way - but in a - he is mischeveous way).

So now that we have that straight - other DWTS observations:

I kind of like the Brazilian race car driver (except for that missing tooth thing - or maybe it is just a crooked tooth but I can't help but notice it every time they show a profile view of him).

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE get rid of the millionaire, billionaire - whatever he is. I'd rather watch Wayne Newton.

I still like Jenny Garth. I want to be her friend - do you think I should email her
:-) And the Cheetah girl - she's still the best dancer. Just think what she and My Mario would be able to do together (and did you hear it - the main host guy mentioned Mario last night - did you hear it? Did you? Did you?).

And about that Bachelor thing - well I still think he is okay. He didn't give a pity rose to the chick that took the tumble. That almost made up for the fact that he gave a rose to the body shot chick - guess he thinks someone might be a "sure thing"!

Oh and about that sunrise this morning. It was fabulous. All oranges and pinks and purples. The sky was glowing. It made being an early morning girl worth the trouble. Seriously it was absolutely fabulous!!!

Another tick of the clock...

and the month has passed. I am continually amazed by the speedy passage of time. A wink or two and I'm going to be 60! Okay well maybe not quite that quick - but sometimes it certainly feels that way. I'm blaming it on my kids :-)

So yesterday while we were in church, (we made it on time too - barely, but anything before the first song begins counts as making it on time) Syd was playing with her Ariel, Eric and two Polly Pockets (I know - toys at church but some days you pick your battles and yesterday's battles did not include fighting over 5 inch dolls) As I glanced behind me I noticed something - I noticed that Eric and Ariel were doing a lot of KISSING! Syd is 4 what does she know about kissing? NOTHING - that is what she should know about kissing! Anyway, after mass I asked her what Ariel and Eric were doing - she answered "Kissing". So I asked why they were kissing - well of course the answer was because "they're in looooooove" I mean why else would they have been kissing - it was all so clear to her. And then she piped up to add "they are married, mom". At least she recognizes that marriage is a good preliminary to the kissing stuff! But it made me think - when and how do we talk about this stuff - this grown-up kissing and etc. stuff? I am hoping to postpone the conversation until they are at least 12 years old but I'm thinking that may be too late. Shoot. I'm not ready for this - at least not this year!!! That darn Little Mermaid, I knew she was trouble!

Dancing show tonight!!!

TTFN

The family bed...

about once a month or so it seems like everyone ends up in our bed. I don't know how it happens. There must be some kind of family ESP that travels through the house. This morning was a Family Bed day. Everyone was there, the HotY, Alex, Syd, Lauren, myself, the dog AND the cat! Let's just say it is very cozy - and no one EVER wants to leave. Ummm, excuse me, it's morning, there are things to do, let's get out of bed people. But no one listens to me - and you won't find me kicking and screaming to be let out either. Sure one or two of them may take off for a minute or two - but then they are back, crawling and kicking and trying to find their way into the middle of the heap - since that seems to be the coveted spot - right in the middle. It's like the Holy Grail of the family bed.

So even though it is very cozy and every once in a while someone takes a jab from an elbow and the cat isn't super crazy about the entire arrangement I secretly wish every morning was a family bed morning. All snuggled together, laughing and tickling and fighting for the middle. BUT it's one of those things that just happens, and if it happened every day the magic of the moment might be lost. So I'll take the family bed mornings when I get them - pets and all!

TTFN

Two words...

I have two words for last night's male performances on Dancing with the Stars - "Model Man"! Is his name Ryan? I can't remember, and at this point - names - not that important - I'm still being wooed. So did you see him? Not only is he somewhat adorable in an almost geeky kind of way but he is funny (haven't I told you this is a big thing with me???) AND that boy can move! WOW!

Regarding the other contenders. Well, I'm not sure what to say but I would like to know why they pick competitors who are geriatric, have been injured, or are recovering from some kind of surgery or trauma. Please explain this to me. Is it sympathy? Is it the Heather Mills complex? Is it fair? I mean really WHAT IS THE POINT! This makes me a little crabby. I hate it when things don't make sense to me :-) So if you have the answer please enlighten me because right now it's all a mystery and I don't like mystery any better than I like surprise!

Before we get into the obvious topic...

I need to discuss something. On pre-school days the HotY works from home until drop-off time. That means that the girls are usually still sleeping when I leave for work and are in his hands to get ready for school. And he does a fine job of it - seriously. But this morning as I was picking out outfits for the day I realized that having him dress the girls in new clothing (the previously worn stuff - not such a big deal) causes me great distress. What if adjustments need to be made? What if he doesn't know what needs to be tucked or untucked? What if, heaven forbid, the girls decide to make a change to the previously arranged wardrobe? And accessories - what about accessories??? I know I know but really what is the point of cute clothes if dad doesn't know what he is doing? Yes, I know this sounds incredibly shallow - and on this one point you are probably right. BUT I have a thing for clothes. And when you have little girls - well it is like having your own lifesize Barbies without having to pick up all those annoying little shoes . So if you see my girls and they don't look quite as put together as you would expect - if the shoes they are wearing are screaming out "take off the socks" you know it was a dad day - really!

Okay so I guess I have procrastinated long enough (alright fine, I just didn't want to be too predictable and lead off with TV news - I mean really you would have expected that).

I'm not even sure what to say about DWTS (Dancing with the Stars) except Jane Seymour and Marie Osmond need to GO! I don't mean to be a wench, but really if I wanted to see that kind of dancing I'd just head down to the senior citizen center. Don't get me wrong I appreciate what they are doing but, um, did you check out that Cheetah girl chick? They think they are going to win over that???? I'm just saying... And don't try to pretend you weren't thinking the same thing :-) Personally I really like Jennie Garth. She is a little stiff but I think she is a sweet person and surprisingly not full of herself. Well see how it all shakes out in the next couple of weeks.

And The Bachelor. Oh man. My feelings about the entire night can be summed up in six words - THIS SHOW MAKES WOMEN LOOK BAD! Seriously. I mean, fine, I may have been known to wear my heart on my sleeve a time or two, but I have NEVER stripped down to a bikini and taken a little dip in the pool while everyone else was parading around in their evening gowns. Holy Bananas woman. But I see she did get a rose so maybe her tactics weren't totally in vain. WOW. As for Brad Womack - he looks vaguely familiar and his name sounds familiar too. Was he in Cosmo or Glamour or something as an eligible bachelor? Why do I know this man??? I haven't totally made up my mind about him. He could win me over yet. I did give him a few more points when he recognized how hysterically funny it was that some chick thought her greatest asset was her webbed toes. That sense of humor will get me every time - and those pecs - well that didn't hurt.

Oh and one last note on the Bachelor. Did you see that one chick that got a rose. She had an off-white short dress on with spangles hanging on it. Did you see her? Okay did you see the dress? LOVED that dress. I want that dress. If this dieting thing keeps paying off, I'm getting that dress. Seriously!

It is almost obscene...

how excited I am about the new season of TV beginning this week. And it all starts tonight with Dancing with the Stars. Who will be my dancing diva this year? I don't even know who the contestants are. I know I know - but I'm not so much on the background details until I know what it is I want to know. KWIM? I'll be sure to get back to you on my initial favorites tomorrow - of course my favorite NEVER wins but still I keep hoping (and really, I'm not bitter - it's not like they hip-hopped right over my Rob Lowe).

And then as if that weren't enough for a Monday Dancing with the Stars is followed by The Bachelor. This season they have the sexiest bachelor yet - or so the hype goes. Every season it is something - and every season I am disappointed (well except for Andrew Firestone - now that Bachelor - he was - something. I might have to add him to the list, I wonder what is happening with Andrew? Is he still making wine? Living on his 15 minutes of fame? Trying to find the true love of his life? Anyone???). ANYWAY, we'll see what happens this season - the previews I have seen - I'm not thinking sexy but I'll give him a chance. I'd hate to make a snap decision.

And if my excitement over the upcoming week in TV is not proof enough of the sad and boring suburban life I lead this will seal the deal. Friday night the HotY and I had to attend a wake (this has been happening all too often lately - at one time in our lives it was weddings and then baptisms but lately it has been wakes and funerals as the parents of our friends are aging - I have a lot more fun at weddings). After the wake we went on a "date". Out to dinner at a very nice, local Italian restaurant (and NO I'm not talking about Olive Garden) to be followed by an evening out. Well after dinner the HotY looked at me and said what do you want to do? Go out for drinks? Go for a walk downtown? Sit by Silver Lake and watch the moon reflect off the water? Dancing? Shopping? The world is your oyster. Do you want to know what we did - my choice of oyster? We went HOME! To our nice quiet, clean, temporarily kidless house where we lit some candles, poured some wine, read our books and, ummmmm took a little cat nap! I KNOW! But really at that moment in time there was not one thing I would rather have done. I don't know if it was the carb overload at dinner, or the night air, or just the end of a long week but regardless of the reason I think it was just what was needed...

Maybe this should be my mantra....

I saw this in my Oprah magazine last night. It really struck me...

"I must learn to love the fool in me - the one who feels too much, talks too much, takes too many chances, wins sometimes and loses often, lacks self-control, loves and hates, hurts and gets hurt, promises and breaks promises, laughs and cries. It alone protects me against that utterly self-controlled, masterful tyrant whom I also harbor and who would rob me of human aliveness, humility, and dignity but for my fool". -Theodore I. Rubin, MD-

It's an extravagenza...

A layout plethora for your viewing pleasure :-)

And now for the photos

The wedding portrait!




Will you take these flowers?



The blushing "bride"



The Happy Couple



Exchanging of "vows"



The "traditional" apple slice toast!

Wait a minute, I'm too young for this...

or at least I am in "Angie's World".

The girls are staying with my parents until Saturday (my dad is doing much better, he still needs to use a walker but he's getting there - go dad!!!!). The girls got there last night and were very excited that Jordan and Austin (my nephews) did not have school today so they would be around to grant their every wish and command. Sydney is especially fond of her "VERY handsome Jordan". This morning I got this email from my mom:

Sydney is marrying Jordan today. She wants everyone to come because this
is real and you have to dress up. She is already dressed and has Jordan's
clothes laid out for him. Lauren said she is not going to the wedding. I'll send pictures.

So apparently, my daughter married her first cousin in an outdoor, barefoot ceremony. Wedding guests were wearing crocs - it must have been a black tie only event! I will post pictures tomorrow. Oh and I'm now an aunt to my son-in-law. Should I be moving to Arkansas?

But the fun was only beginning. Tonight when I got home from work there were a couple of hang ups on our answering machine and the CID identified someone I had never heard of - well shortly after that the phone rang and it is a girl - asking to talk to Alex. Well me, being the mother I am, said who is this and she told me her name and that she was in Alex's class at school and wanted to talk to him so I handed the phone over (oh I did ask to talk to her mom or dad but she said WHY? pretty adamantly so I just let it go). Alex talked for about 2 minutes and then said "I'm done" and handed me the phone. I tried to get him to chat a bit more but he wasn't having any of it. So I gently told the girl caller that Alex was getting ready to eat and couldn't talk any longer. I did get him to say good bye, which amounted to just that "bye" click... I think we need to talk about how to treat girls :-)

So that was my day. Love is blooming in the cupcake house. I thought I had a few years before I had to deal with this stuff but apparently I'm wrong. Seriously, I hope the girl calling thing doesn't become regular. Alex isn't a huge phone talker and I really don't want to become his appointment secretary - but it is a good thing - really.

Pictures of the wedding tomorrow.

TTFN

I don't get it...

I live fairly close to my place of employment, and yet, every day it seems to take longer than I had anticipated to drive from my garage to the parking lot. I mean really, one song, that is all it should take, one song and MAYBE some news or a quick commercial but that should be it. Instead it seems to take more like two songs - which is fine if they are two good songs but sometimes they play that dang Sheryl Crowe song and two songs seems like twenty. If the drive had taken the one song + commercial that it should have I would not have had to endure the torture known as "All I wanna do is have some fun". Really all I wanna do is ask you to shut up!

So tomorrow my goal - one song and some news. I'm not being nice and letting anyone merge in front of me. I'm not going to come to a nice rolling stop at the light, I'm not going to be an Iowa driver. Nope tomorrow I am getting to work in one song - of course that is just a guarantee that song two will be good but that is a chance I'm willing to take because there is always the danger of Sheryl Crowe...

TTFN

The click heard around the world...

Did you hear it this morning? That very distinct, very deliberate, very firm click? That was me, locking the bathroom door for myself and every other mother on the face of the earth.

It is a well known and documented fact that children and spouses suddenly cannot fathom life without the woman who holds it all together the minute she steps into the bathroom. REALLY!

I simply wanted to take a shower in peace. I didn't plan to deprive them of my presence for the rest of their natural lives - all I wanted was twenty minutes, to myself, just me and a hot steamy shower. But after no less than a dozen interruptions I did it - I locked the door - and life as my family knew it failed to exist. There was much knocking on the door and jiggling of the doorknob and plaintive cries of "mom". I ignored it all because really I just wanted fifteen minutes - I planned on unlocking the door in fifteen minutes. Yes, I would have come out for something really important like a potty accident or a ringing phone or Rob Lowe at the door - but I needed to keep it all in perspective.

So I got my fifteen minutes, and when I opened the door I found, amazingly enough to others, that despite cries and disclaimers to the contrary, no one's life had fallen apart. All had managed just fine without me for those fifteen minutes. And more importantly once everyone had a chance to tell me about all of their life's big moments from the past fifteen minutes and assured themselves that I had not been sucked down the drain they left me alone. And I got ready AND we made it to church on time. Ahhhh - so thankful for the lock.

So for those of you that weren't quick enough to get to the lock before the door was barricaded with human life, (or heaven forbid those WITHOUT a lock on the bathroom door) the click was for you. Seriously, I don't know one mom/wife who doesn't deserved 15 minutes of alone time, I hope you enjoyed it :-)

TTFN

It was a great Fall "Vegetable"...

and no I'm not talking about zucchini. We went to a Fall Festival today at a local nature park. For some reason Lauren thought it was called a Fall Vegetable. So we had a great time at the Vegetable. There were snakes and fish and turtles to see, cookies to make, necklaces to string, faces to paint and pumpkins to color - and really a pumpkin is a vegetable right - and if that isn't a great fall vegetable I don't know what is...

It was a good day. The kids had fun, the weather was perfect, the sky was that great clear blue that only comes in early autumn and I felt like I did my share of tree hugging for the day - and usually I'm not big on that tree hugging stuff - it reminds me too much of camping :-)

Here are the highlights.

Make it about the good things...

I just read an article about turning 9-11 into a day of kindness and good deeds and I like this idea. Instead of focusing on the evil that immortalized the day that will live on in history I am going to focus on appreciating the good things in my life. Things like family and friends and goodness in the world. I challenge you to do the same (and seriously, this is one challenge that I will follow through - REALLY!)

Take a minute and tell the people that make a difference in your life how much they mean to you. Write a letter, make a phone call, send an email, give your spouse, children, partner, etc. special attention. Do something - make a difference - make it about good. SERIOUSLY!

Sometimes it isn't just about looks...

at least in the world of home appliances and ease of cleaning. Seriously!

Now if you have been paying any attention at all you realize I have children. Three children. Three children who don't know the meaning of "please don't make a mess" - it's true. I know, so hard to believe there are children in this world who have total disregard for the sacred shrine known as a clean house. BUT that would be my children. ANYWAY, one day I decided new appliances - we need new appliances and I got them. Stainless Steel. I loved them. I adored the way they sparkled in the sunshine, and looked so clean and nice and lovely and new. And then they moved to my house and met the children and soon my appliances didn't look so bright and shiny. They had finger prints and drips. But no big deal, I mean, I got the Windex and sprayed and wiped and and and YUCK they looked worse than ever. Enter the HotY who was quick to inform me that the appliances needed special cleaners (I mean really are you surprised he knew? Remember this is a man who seriously has the oil changed every 3000 miles) - cleaners that would restore their former beauty - but at a cost. First there is not a"one cleaner does all" in the world of flat top stoves and stainless steel appliances. Nope the top takes one cleaner and the body takes another. Sure the other appliances can use the body cleaner but still how many cleaners does a person need to clean four appliances? So the cleaners were purchased. But again, it wasn't so easy. First you have to wax the flat top like a car, wax on - wax off, and really I don't mind that part so much. But the stainless steel cleaner part - well if you are a straight and narrow person this cleaner may be right up your alley, but if you are an all over the place, circle around, jump right in and then figure out how to swim girl like me than it is a bit of a challenge since when cleaning the appliance you must remember to always wipe in the same direction. Really it shouldn't be that hard but it ticks me off every time because there is always something just taunting me to give it a good back and forth, round and round scrub, but it just can't be done - not if you want the beauty of a shiny reflective surface gleaming in your kitchen.

So what is this all about - well I just got done cleaning the appliances and realized that I learned a great lesson - Do not be lured by the outer beauty of bright and shiny because just beneath the surface lurks high maintenance. Trust me, I know - not only do I have stainless steel appliances but I own a black vehicle. That dang "pretty face" gets me every time...

Big things...

tomorrow is full of big things. I'm shopping with friends - and not just any shopping but scrapbook shopping. I know I know what can I say, it is exciting. Every color looks good on me, every size fits, I don't have to try anything on and I can purchase more than one item. Really, could there be a more perfect shopping experience? Even shoes have their limitations!

So we'll browse and buy and lunch and chat. I'm looking forward to it. I mean I love my kids, I love the HotY, but sometimes, sometimes a girl just NEEDS her girlfriends. Seriously!

Have a fabulous Friday - I know I will.

TTFN

Another year has begun...

the kids are back in school. Dance classes have started. Newsletters and art work are starting to clutter the refrigerator. Autumn is just around the corner.

I'm not a big fan of Autumn. It's not that I don't think it is beautiful because it is. And it isn't that the weather isn't fabulous because it is. It isn't even the start of school and the end of the carefree days of summer. I don't know what it is. It just seems like such a melancholy time of year for me. Maybe it is winter just a few short months away. I'm certainly not ready to go there yet. Regardless of the reason for the late autumn angst I'm not there yet, for these first few weeks of the beginning of the season I like the hustle and bustle and return to schedules so I'm going to enjoy it for now - seriously!

Here are my monkeys on their first day of school. Enjoy!

I'm a Stepford Wife!

CRUM CRUM CRUM CRUM CRUM. I had an entire entry written. I was glorifying in my accomplishments of the day. My clean house, my organized closets, my freshly ironed (yes I did say ironed) clothing, my first day of school readiness and then it happened. I hit a button. I don't even know what button, but one of those buttons at the top and poof - it disappeared, the entire post, gone, vanished, kaput. And now I've got to try to recreate the wonder that was today's entry. I'm not good at the do-over. If it's not right the first time around I'm not too keen to do it all again so I'm not gonna. You'll just have to trust me when I say it was a wonderous entry :-)

But tomorrow, tomorrow I'm not going to hit any funky buttons and then I'll be able to write - really.

TTFN