Let the summer begin...

The last of the school year activities have concluded - HOORAY! 

Spring concert - check
Last day of school - check
Graduation parties - check
Cheer camp - check
Last soccer game - check
Dance recital - check

Bring on the sleeping in, the hazy and lazy, the sprinkler and swimming pool.  The long nights and endless days.  Bring on the ice cream truck!  Oh wait, that's not my life that's my kids life - oh well at least I can observe from the sidelines. Summer - it's my favorite.  Haven't I been telling you this for the past 5 years???

Dance pictures.  Enjoy. 

TTFN... and yes their ears do stick out when their hair is slicked to their heads.  Did you notice they have the same ears.  Guess they must be sisters.

Rollerblades, Ripsticks and new bikes - oh my...

I guess you could say it was a very active birthday for the girlies. 


 
We have already experienced a ripstick wipe out.  Skinned knee, skinned hands and a skinned chin.  Of course the world ended and life as we know it halted for 10 minutes while Lauren wailed and contemplated her injuries making sure to cry harder each time a new scrap was found.  She takes getting hurt very seriously.  Luckily all is well and she was able to get up and get ready for school with no complaints. 

Syd on the other hand was full of complaints about getting ready for school.  Sometimes it is hard to believe these two are sisters - their personalities are so different.

The last day of school is on Friday and will conclude with the traditional all-school mass.  I told the girls I wasn't sure I would attend because I know I will cry and I don't want to cry.  They both insisted I attend and Syd proclaimed it the annual mom's crying mass.  Maybe all the build-up and dread will short-circuit the tears - I can always hope.

Just rambling today.  I'm going to try to get back in the swing of this blogging stuff and maybe find something entertaining to write about - we shall see...

TTFN...

Only two words...

Donald Driver...

Did you see Donald Driver on Dancing with the Stars?  Oh my.  I'm impressed.  That man can MOVE!  WOW.  He could give My Mario a run for his money and that's saying a lot!!!  Next time I'm in Green Bay I'm knocking on that man's door - they'll be dancin' in the streets!

Okay so maybe it was a little more than two words but I just couldn't help myself.

TTFN...

Well, it's about time....

Did you see it?  Did you see Castle tonight.  It's about darn time Beckett and Castle got together.  Of course all the angst will be over now and the show will go downhill (ala Moonlighting) but I know I for one was tired of the waiting.  Oh and as long as we're talking about TV I have been switching off between The Voice (I'm not a tatoo kind of girl but I can make an exception for Adam Levine) and DWTS.  Tonight DWTS won and I'm glad it did.  I like a good dancing duo or trio:-)

Okay that's it.  Back to your regularly scheduled life.

TTFN...

Who knows what could happen while I've been away...

I came back to post a blog tonight and blogger has totally changed.  Holy Bananas, I didn't know I'd have a learning curve to deal with although I think I'll take my usual approach and jump right in and see what works.  Here's to nothing, you'll see this post or you won't :-)

I'm going to try to blog more often again. 

Tonight Syd told me she wanted to learn to do the laundry so into the laundry room we went.  Doing wash with Syd is very entertaining as there was much commentary not the least of which was learning what each stain on her shirt was while doing the pre-treating.  What can I say she has a memory like her mom.

That's it for tonight.  I said I was going to blog more often I did not say how long it would be nor the interest level but anything is a start.

TTFN... 

It's all about the egg hunt...

My kids had been anticipating the annual egg hunt at my parent's house for weeks before Easter.  When the big day arrived they could barely contain their excitement.  But not only did we not take any egg hunt pictures we didn't come home with any candy.  We accidently left it behind when we left late Sunday afternoon.   Let's just way it's been a long week...

Pictures of the kids in their Easter best - well except for the bunny ears - that wasn't exactly part of the church clothes.  AND it's been awhile since I've posted kid pictures - right???  I haven't updated in so long even I don't remember what I did last. 

Alex, Syd & Lauren with their cousins Jordan and Austin

I have no idea what month it is...

seriously, my natural clock is so screwed up because of the weather we have been experiencing in my part of the country.  Last year I didn't think winter would ever end.  I felt like Mother Nature had a personal vendetta against me.  She must have been feeling pretty crummy about that as the weather has been unusual and phenomenal for the past 8 days, maybe more, I've lost count.  For example today, March 19 it is in the 70's the windows are open, the breeze is blowing and it is GLORIOUS.  It has been 80 degrees for the last couple of days.  Not that we don't have a nice day in March every so often but this has been sustained nice temps.  What in the world is going on?  Is the world ending?  Is global warming for real?  Is Mother Nature trying to kiss up?  I have no idea but I like it.  Oh and if you think I'm confused you should hear the birds.  I have never heard so much tweeting and peeping and hoot hoot hooting.  It's crazy.  It's like a Dr. Seuss book come to like with all the happy noisy creatures around.  I can't wait for those furry, fuzzy trees to show up like they have in The Lorax. 

So enough about the weather - but really it makes me happy. 

I had a very nice birthday followed by a nice week.  The kids made me special gifts from their hearts and we enjoyed birthday cake and Outback on Saturday.  I think that makes it a celebration.  Last Monday I also spent the day in the big city with my friend Roxann visiting old friends and catching up.  It was good - very good - but it makes me miss those friends even more.  We did have a bit of a problem getting out of our friend Malia's cul du sac with the navigation system leading us to deserted and non-existent roads, empty cul du sacs and the children of the corn (it's a long story and really if we hadn't been laughing so hard we might have ended up on the right path sooner and not run into those scary kids one more time - , after 10:00 p.m., in the dark, sitting in the middle of an empty, undeveloped cul du sac, two kids in hoodies, faces covered - I was scared.  Admit it, it would have scared you.

TTFN... and remember those GPS systems don't always know what they are talking about.

It's that time of year...

I suppose I should contact Babs (aka Barbie, sister of Skipper, Friend of Midge, on again off again love interest of Ken, loved by millions, can't keep a job yet has multiple dream houses - you know the girl) about our big day which is right around the corner.  While I've got her on the phone I will be asking her for the secret fountain of youth she seems to have found.  Have you seen her?  Her skin is FLAWLESS.  I don't know, someone mentioned it might be plastic, but she doesn't looked lifted and tucked to me.  Anyway, I digress, sharing the day with Barbie the doll is my claim to fame so I like to throw it out there now and then because really I don't think I can even come up with six degrees of Kevin Bacon.  I'm a small town Iowa girl at heart what can I say (and NO I have not been to the Field of Dreams nor have I ever lived on a farm - I'm a city mouse).

Soooo the b-day is around the corner.  I feel like I have aged a lot in the past year.  Maybe it is time to admit I'm not 25 - but you already knew that - right? 

Okay, I've got a call to make.  If I get that secret to looking like Barbie I'll be sure to pass it on - you've stuck with me this far it is the least I can do.

TTFN...

Okay, so...

I'm kind of thinking of shutting down this blog.  I know I've said this before but really I just don't know.  As you can tell I have not had much to say lately and I think blogs are kind of going to the way-side.  I'm not sure what to do.  I like to write but sometimes I think I should just leave it in a journal.  I'll think about it more tomorrow.

So I'm in the middle of watching the Grammy's.  Yes, it is really tragic that Whitney Houston has died (I kind of feel like some of my youth died too) and Jennifer Hudson was fabulous but the performance that really tugged at my heartstrings - Glen Campbell (why yes I do know all the words to Rhinestone Cowboy.  I KNOW.  Who would have guessed.  But hearing him sing) made me remember my life as a little girl.  There are two shows I remember my parents watching - The Glen Campbell Show and the, oh shoot I can't think of his name now, the guy from England.  Tom Jones - so glad I got it I'd hate to have been up all night trying to remember his name.  Anyway, I remember my parents watching both of those shows (I think my mom may have had a little crush on both of them - I remember my dad having sideburns for awhile - I'm just saying...).  So Glen tugged at my heartstrings which made me want to hear more and that took me to YouTube of course and there I found that Wichita Lineman song.  I like that song, I forgot I liked it.  (I'm listening to James Taylor sing it right now - good but not as good as Glen Campbell).  So there you go.  Another secret revealed - Glen Campbell and Tom Jones make me remember being a little girl in our craftsman bungalow with the little telephone cubby, sun porch and flower painted bathtub (it was the 70's you know).  

TTFN...

Hello It's Me...

I know it's been a long long while.  Nothing's going on and everything is fine.  I just can't think of anything to say.  (feel free to hum along if you knowthe song...).

Yep, it's been awhile.  Nothing's happened and everything has happened - isn't that life.  Let's see if I can remember the highlights of the last couple of months over the next few days. 

Christmas was good.  Santa got an A in everyone's book. 

That's it for today.  What can I say - there has been nothing going on and everything going on...

TTFN

So let's discuss...

Who is watching The Bachelor?  Who thinks it is the most pathetic, psychotic Bachelor yet?  I mean skiing the streets of San Francisco - really?  For those of you who may not have witnessed this train wreck Benny Boy took all his little bachelor bunnies loaded down with ski equipment up a hill in San Francisco.  Once at the top of the hill the found an artificial snow filled ski run.  Really?  Yes really, but that is not the best (worst) part - soon Ben's Bunnies were stripping down to their bikinis and leg warmers.  REALLY?  YES REALLY!   I was embarrassed for them just watching.  Seriously, it was so sad and pathetic I'm tempted to stop watching.  And I'm not a big Ben fan either so I have no idea why I am watching.  I guess I just don't want to take a chance I might miss something like downhill skiing in the streets of San Francisco.  Oh Lord...

TTFN.

It's been awhile...

sorry, life has gotten in the way.  And really tonight I don't have a lot to say so I'll just leave you with some pictures of my Glitter Me! creations used by a client at two different events.  Thanks to Ronie for the pictures.  Seriously, I keep telling you all I meet the nicest people.  I love fabulous clients!

Nineteen!

It is hard to believe Alex is celebrating his 19th birthday today.  I just had a life realization moment - I HAVE A NINETEEN YEAR OLD !  Man if that doesn't make me feel ancient nothing can. 

It was a great day for him and he is now planning to sleep upstairs on the couch while his sisters sleep under the tree because they were too sad to sleep there without him since that is their usual tradition,  It makes me a little sad too (that he is starting to outgrown some of these traditions).

So happy birthday to Alex - my very own 19 year old!

TTFN...

I'm still here...

I don't think Blogger wants me to be here as I can't sign into my account as I used to.  I have no idea why - I think it has something to do with gmail - which I don't really use - but that is another problem for another day.

We trimmed the tree the weekend after Thanksgiving but I am just getting around to posting the pictures tonight.  Sorry, I've been slow like that lately (I won't even talk about those Christmas cards I vowed I'd be sending this year...).  So here you go - pictures.  I promise to write more in the new year.  I'm hoping things will be less crazy and more interesting ;-)

I'm thankful...

my house is nearly clean
my mom is making the turkey and pies and stuffing for Thanksgiving Dinner
my family will begin arriving this afternoon for the turkey day festivities
I can sleep in a little bit tomorrow (see that note about my mom making the turkey, stuffing...)
Syd was a great little helper today and Lauren was the official decorator for the holiday
Alex got a haircut and the HotY will be home at 3:00

I'm not thankful for
the gallon of milk I broke on the garage floor
the Pledge that accidentally got sprayed on the kitchen floor
and the washer that broke last night
but all in all there is more good than bad. 
For that I am especially thankful.

Happy Thanksgiving!

TTFN...

Did I mention I'm glad to be here?

I just remembered I totally forgot to tell you about this - I don't know how I forgot but I did.  Earlier in October I attended a funeral so I was dressed up and wearing heels.  I stopped at the store on my way home and had a couple bags of stuff.  When I walked in the door, standing in front of the stairs, I tried to kick-off my shoes without putting my sacks down and then it happened (fine you know what happened but let me tell you anyway).  I lost my balance, I tried to catch myself but it was too late.  I went down the stairs backwards.  At the bottom my head hit the floor, my legs flipped over my head and my neck gave a horrendous crack then my head hit the floor again, this time so hard my cotacts popped out.  I KNOW!  I layed there for just a second making sure I could move my neck and slowly stood up.  Other than rug burns on my face and bruises along the back of my body I was uninjured.  It could have been bad - it could have been really bad, especially since there was no one home but the pets (some help they would have been - although to Autumn's credit she did touch even one thing that came out of the bags when they went flying)..  Once the HotY and kids did get home I told him the story and then subsequently during the night I would remind him that I could have died just so he would appreciate me being around even more than usual :-)  But it really did scare me.  AND I totally believe that my Guardian Angel was watching over me - I'm really thankful she was around! 

Okay that's it.  You know I've had so many close-calls I obviously have not done whatever it is I have been set on this earth to do.  Darn I wish someone would clue me in about that - but maybe it's better I don't know - you never know when my luck may run out!

TTFN...

Trick or Treat...

The night was perfect, we walked a long way and they came home with full buckets. A success all the way around.

THE holiday devoted to candy has come to an end, the porch light is off  - let the Christmas music begin :-) 

Here are pictures of the Scarecrow and Bat Girl:

We have communication problems...

or my family does not deal well with change. 

Today I had a meeting at the girls' school and I knew I would be there until release time so, I sent an email to the HotY stating not to stop to pick up the girls today since I would be at school.  When I got to the school I asked the school secretary to let the girls' teacher know they should not go into the pick-up line since I would be at school and could wait for them near the office.  Great.  Bases covered. 

Fast forward 90 minutes - announcements are made and Lauren & Syd are instructed to come to the office for pick-up.  A few minutes later in walks the HotY.  What are you doing here we each asked?  Well apparently he did not get my email.  I got the situation cleared up after at least 2 explanations and he went on his way.  Next came the girls.  "Mom, why are you here?" "Why did we need to come to the office for pick-up?"  "Where is dad?"  I'm here for a meeting.  You came to the office because I am here for a meeting.  Your dad is at home because I was here for a meeting.  You would think that would have ended the conversation but nope - my curious little angels just couldn't grasp the change.  "you mean you were in a meeting here?"  "how did dad know he shouldn't pick us up?"  "I still don't know why we had to come to the office".  By the time we pulled into the garage I was not explaining any longer.  Really, the concept, it wasn't that difficult, at least I didn't think so but apparently I was wrong.  Boy no sudden moves in this family :-).

TTFN... and I will definitely think twice before I make any schedule changes again.

Oh My Gosh...

or in other words, let's talk about sex.  I was going to use that (the sex thing) as the title of my post but then I remembered what happened when I titled one of my entries "girls gone wild" and really, I don't want that happening again (people using that phrase as a search and ultimately landing on my blog - I can only imagine what a "let's talk about sex" search would bring here).  ANYWAY, I thought I would put the topic out there for you right away so if you are skittish about this kind of thing you should just move along now.  Sooooo, today in the car one of the girls asked what a period was (and they weren't discussing grammar) so I tried to explain the menstrual cycle on a third grade level.  A mom's body thinks it is going to have a baby every month so it prepares a little nest for the egg and when the egg comes but there is no baby the body has to get rid of the nest so the mom bleeds for a little bit and the nest is gone.  Okay fine that seemed to go well, I felt pretty smug and clever.  Oh but wait, a question  "mom how come a mommy doesn't have a LOT of babies?  How does the baby get in the egg?"  Ummm, well, the mom and dad have to do a special hug to make the egg turn into a baby.   Oh good another question, "Mom every time you hug you could have a baby?"  Ummmm, well the mom and dad have to do a special hug without their clothes on.  " MOM, YUCK that is just gross.  Why would you ever want to do that?"  And then Syd, in her infinite wisdom said "well, if I ever decide I want to do that I am totally closing my eyes, or I'll wait for a power outage" at which time Lauren spoke up and said "why are we still talking about this".  It sort of shut down the conversation - although I was sure to tell them I did not want to find out they had been talking about this at school to which they both responded "ewww why would we want to talk about that at school it is GROSS".  Man, I hope they think it is gross until they are at least twenty!

Yes, I know...

it has been awhile.  I don't even know if I can remember what has happened since we last talked.  I know, considering the exciting life I lead and all.  Well, let's see...  I went and looked at a group home for Alex.  It is an apartment building with common areas on the main floor (living room, bathroom, kitchen, dining room, and laundry) and two bedroom "apartments" on the 2nd floor.  Each apartment has two bedrooms, a bathroom and a living area.   I met the staff but none of the individuals living there as they were all out and about.  There is 24 hour supervision and I liked the set-up and the idea that Alex would have a space of his own when he wanted time away.  And he can decorate it any way he would want to once he moved in.  When I talked to Alex about this at home he told me very adamantly that he would not be moving out and he would be living right here.  I can see this is going to take many discussions.  I am sure it is very confusing to him.  I mean why would he want to move out and why would we want him to move out?  And just to be clear, I'm not in any hurry to see him leave - I've always thought 21 would be the ideal age for him to try life "on his own" but if a good spot becomes available things might happen more quickly.  As it is Alex is spending more time away from us in outside activities, respite, etc.  I feel so guilty, like I am abandoning him or something as I am here and all.  But we have been told this is good and it is part of the transition.  Okay...  but I still feel guilty - like I'm a lady of leisure without responsibilities.  Dang it where are my bon-bons?

Yes, yes, yes, I have been watching Dancing with the Stars.  I'm glad that Kristin or Kristy or Christa or whatever her name is went home last night but it must have been a huge slap in the face to her as Chas Bono is still in the running even though he can barely move his he/she butt across the room.  Speaking of Chas, I find him kind of likable and could care less about his sexual gender orientation as long as he doesn't show up at my door like a Jehovah's Witness asking me to check out his "Watchtower".  Then again, I wouldn't want anyone showing up at my door asking for that unless it was Kyle Chandler or Rob Lowe or My Mario or ...

So moving on, Syd reorganized the bathroom cupboard above the toilet (the most poorly designed concept EVER) and now every time I open that cupboard door something falls out and lands in the toilet.  So far it has been primarily fingernail polish which then goes in the garbage.  I wonder how long until the girls notice their supply is dwindling...

TTFN... and NEVER install a cupboard over your toilet no matter how short on space you may be - it's a BAD decision.  Trust me.