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

Home Again Home Again Jiggity Jig...

we haven't done much traveling this summer - which has been nice yet uneventful. We knew we had two family events in August which would require traveling and the rest of the summer - well it went unplanned. I know, what can I say, I'm not an advance planner.

This weekend was the first trip. We were in Green Bay for my nephew's graduation/birthday/farewell for college party. We left Friday morning and got back early this evening. We had a nice time. Saturday was a little rainy but ended up being a beautiful night. My nephew Nicholas has now been formerly welcomed into the adult world.

Along with spending time with my family the trip was actually pretty nostalgic. Before moving to my current fair city I lived in Green Bay for a few years. Although the population is about the same GB feels like a much bigger city with more character. I had actually forgotten how much I enjoyed living there - not that I want to move back or raise my kids there - but still it was a nice place to live at the time. I especially miss the lake shore and the short drive to Door County. If you have never been to Door County I would highly recommend this as a vacation destination - although you will want to bring much patience (for dealing with the heavy traffic) and much cash (for dealing with the inevitable shopping). And really, I'd probably recommend Green Bay too - but probably not for more than a weekend that is enough time to cover the highlights. Anyway, the HotY and the kids got to see where I used to live and work, and shop and go out to play with my friends. They were very impressed :-) Somehow they feel that if you have seen one apartment complex and office building you have seen them all - who knew.

Anyway, I'd post some pictures of our trip, but we didn't take any. I don't know why but it just didn't happen. So you'll just have to take my word for it - Green Bay - a city with character and some really blue collar bars!

TTFN...

0 DTE does not always mean empty...

We have a low fuel indicator light in the van. We also have a digital display that can tell me everything from the temperature to the direction to the miles per gallon I am consuming to the ultimate and always helpful DTE (Drive To Empty).

The other day I had an early morning doctor's appointment - you know the one where you can't wear deodorant or any other kind of fragrance or powder (all you 40 and older ladies - you know what I mean). You would think skipping that part of my morning routine would have saved me a few minutes - but it did not - sooooo of course I was running just a tad late when I jumped in the van and backed out of the driveway at which time I heard the annoying little "ping" which told me that my gas tank was low. The ping had actually alerted me the day before but - well - I forgot. So I quickly clicked to DTE to see how bad things really were - 26 miles DTE. That is PLENTY of gas to get to my destination so I ignored the nearest gas station and headed down the road. Things were fine - I was singing, the sun was shining, I had taken Ibuprofen in an attempt to dull the upcoming pain I would be subjected to - life was good. And then I looked at the DTE and it said 14 miles. How did that happen, I certainly had not driven 12 miles. Yes I was on the highway and yes I may have been going a bit above the optimal 60 mph but really 14 miles DTE. Well I was still feeling smug and confident, the world my oyster. I took the exit, I came to the stop light, I looked at the DTE - 9 - that readout read NINE MILES DRIVE TO EMPTY. At this rate things were starting to look a little bit more worrisome but I was late and although there were grocery stores, and bridal shops and mexican restaurants and other small businesses there was no gas station within a reasonable distance - and I was running late. So I continued on still wearing my rose colored glasses but feeling them becoming a little foggy. I hit EVERY stop light on the way to my destination. I finally reached the street I am aiming for and notice my DTE is now reading FOUR! Yes, I said 4, but in my determined, yet somewhat flawed thinking, I thought this is okay - four is okay - I mean really four miles is a long way. So I continued around the block and got in line for entrance into the parking ramp and that is when reality hit me like a car out of gas. My DTE is now reading TWO - TWO MILES DRIVE TO EMPTY. Two is not very far - two is within walking range two is not enough to wait in line, find a place to park, come back from my appointment, wait in line to pay and find a gas station. TWO WAS NOT ENOUGH. So I pulled out of the waiting line - hurried up the block thinking of the nearest gas station and I hit a red light and then I hit another red light and then I hit ANOTHER red light - and that is when it happened - ZERO DRIVE TO EMPTY. ZERO. That's run out of gas. That's stall in the middle of the intersection and feel like a fool. That's tears running down my face and anxiety making my hands shake. That's I have no gas can but thank goodness my cell phone is charged. THAT IS BAD. BUT as luck would have it I made it to the gas station without even a stuttering stall to make my heart pound in my throat. I calmly filled up, took a deep cleansing breath and felt the out of gas anxiety leave my body - of course I was still filled with the I'm late I'm late for a very important date anxiety and of course the let's smash your breasts anxiety but that out of gas anxiety - it was gone.

So the moral of the story - zero does not always mean empty - although it usually does and I would not recommend testing this theory with any type of frequency. Oh and right now my DTE...



It'll be a good morning.

TTFN...

Missed opportunities...

Okay I've tried to post this entry twice and twice I have wiped out it's existence (by accident) before hitting the publish button. Who knows what that is all about - it may be a missed opportunity but it wasn't the one I began talking about. That opportunity had to do with the assumption that today was a holiday and our kids would not have their normally scheduled activities to attend. WRONG.

We could have had a kid-free holiday to celebrate our anniversary (eighteen years and one day of wedded bliss. Think of it, the HotY, with me, a holiday every day culminating with that big day once a year where fireworks literally light the sky in celebration of our love. Did I mention bliss??? (sorry honey, I may have gotten a little carried away - I love you ;-)) Anyway, had we known we could have celebrated but we didn't know so we haven't celebrated - missed opportunity.


So back to reality - we had a nice 4th of July celebrating with my parents and sister and her family. Saturday was glorious with warmth and sunshine and swimming and grilling and firework watching and sitting under the stars while making glow stick jewelry. It was all good. Sunday was rainy but still a good day with family. Life is good.

Okay back to enjoy my holiday.

TTFN...