Giving Thanks...

That's the theme of the week - if only I could remember. Typically I am pretty good at remembering to be thankful for all that I have - but lately - not so much. I've been crabby. I've been short and snippy with people that I love. I have not been pleasant :-( But I've got to get over it because this is not the person I strive to be - besides my family is coming to our house to share Thanksgiving I need to be happy.

Yes, we host Thanksgiving every year - but before you get all awestruck just let me tell you what my responsibilities are - POTATOES. That's it. Potatoes. The rest - my mom. My parents will show up early Thursday morning with turkey and stuffing, pumpkin and pecan pies and wine in tow. My sister will fill in with the rest and before you know it the preparation and cooking will begin and my kitchen will be a disaster. Unfortunately my brother and his family can't make it this year - my nephew has a basketball game the day after the turkey fun - who plans this stuff??? Anyway I digress, I do have a few more responsibilities than just potatoes but it isn't much when you think about a thanksgiving dinner. There is cleaning and dish washing (I never put my good china or crystal in the dishwasher) and I will have to brave the grocery store tonight (or tomorrow night) but as much as I hate grocery shopping I don't mind going this week. There is all the holiday hustle and bustle and people are cheerful and I usually run into at least a handful of people that I know. It will take me twice as long but that's okay I'm not taking kids and it's a bright, shiny, happy place (seriously, if you think it it's true). So I'm almost looking forward to it - almost :-)

Sooooo, we're finally to the topic I meant to cover at the beginning of this post - in the spirit of giving and thanking and all of that other gratitude stuff I am going to do a little giveaway. Leave a comment (and not just you "usuals" - I mean all your lurkers too) by midnight on 11/29 and I'll have one of my children randomly pick a number or name or whatever (remember me - I'm the one who is a little sketchy on the details - but it will happen) and someone will win this sign - you lucky duckies (LOL).



I know it's not the best picture but it is what it is (I've noticed that this (it is what it is) is the current "catch phrase" of the month. I've heard more people throw this out there lately and it is always in the context of being resigned to a situation. It seems like a lot of people I know amd care about are in turmoil right now *SIGH* I just want everyone to be happy...)

TTFN... have a wonderful thanksgiving filled with love, gratitude and many blessings.

It's so quiet...

everyone is gone and I'm home alone, I'm not sure if I'm happy or lonely - right now I'm feeling more lonely. The HotY took the girls and met up with his parents to watch his niece perform in a band concert and Alex is at a play being put on by one of our local high schools. It has been awhile since I've been home alone. I'm usually the one coming and going and I wouldn't have minded the HotY sticking around tonight :-) I KNOW - can you believe I said that - you aren't used to hearing me utter that kind of sweet talk but just because I don't say it doesn't mean I'm not thinking it. And besides if I let him know that kind of thing then he'd have the upper hand and I'd never get my way :-) I might lose my Saturday morning sleep in or shopping privileges or heaven forbid he might quit unloading the dishwasher. OR OR OR what if he decides he doesn't like me anymore :-(



Anyway, we (the HotY and I) have an unwritten rule that neither of us ever leaves the house without kissing the other goodbye - no matter what - no excuses - not even if you're late, or mad, or have your hands full of stuff and kids pulling on your legs - the rule is a kiss before leaving. I'm usually the one running out the door and then being stopped short by the "aren't you forgetting something" reminder at which point I begrudgingly walk back upstairs (or downstairs depending on the current HotY location) and give the quick peck to which I get the eye roll in return and that eye roll usually ticks me off just enough to send me walking the other way. Come on, I'm just being honest here - this is marriage not Grey's Anatomy. Anyway, the HotY, he rarely needs the "aren't you forgetting something" reminder - but tonight he needed reminding and guess what I got - A PECK! WHAT? I mean it isn't like, you know, an episode of the aforementioned Grey's Anatomy but it's usually better than a PECK. Holy Bananas. So as I was standing there a little bit shocked and dismayed he left. I wasn't sure what to make of that so I started to clean up the kitchen but I felt - well - sad. I was just getting ready to shut off the light and go downstairs when the door from the garage banged opened, the HotY rushed up the stairs two at a time, gave me more than a peck, said "I should have sent the girls with my parents" turned around and left. I have no idea what exactly was going on through all of that or what he was thinking when he left and what he was thinking when he came back (although I do know what he was thinking when he left the 2nd time) but it caught me a little off-guard. So now I'm left here to ponder and feel a little lonely. I'd think that maybe this was his plan but it is just not in him to be manipulative, he is not a game player. What you see is what you get - no false pretenses. That's one of the things that first attracted me to him; self-confident yet modest - it's a good thing. Too bad I can't find a little of that for myself (I'll let you decide if I'm talking about self-confidence or modesty).

TTFN... don't forget to give your own HotY or WotY or Significant Other a kiss before walking out the door, you just never know what may happen.

Thank goodness...

they aren't like me - my girls that is... We had conferences tonight. The first real conferences for Lauren & Sydney. Both of them got rave reports. They need to work on their fine motor skills a little more but the teacher is not worried as they are "such little mites" (her words - and really they are - pictures are deceiving - Syd weighs all of 32 lbs and Lauren weighs 35 lbs and neither one of them are giants in terms of height either - but considering Syd started out in this world at 3lbs 8oz and Lauren was 4lbs 8oz they are doing pretty well). Anyway, the reports were great and the teacher stated they are hard little workers. You could almost hear me letting out the breath I had been holding since we sat down. I was so relieved to hear they were doing well and that we weren't going to be setting down and having "the talk" as my parents did with me each time they had conferences for me - from the time I can remember until High School graduation. And what did that talk consist of? It was the same thing EVERY.SINGLE.TIME. and I quote "Angela could be a straight "A" student if she would only apply herself". Honest to God - ask my mom - she'll remember. It was the same message year after year after year. I did good on all those Iowa Basic Skills tests (with Vocabulary my highest ranking area - always WELL above average and math coming in last place) but I didn't like to study. I was okay with getting by without cracking a book. How stupid. The problem is I should have had to struggle a little bit more it was too easy - but live and learn - right? I was a puzzle to my teachers as I could do so well yet so pitifully. But really there was no big mystery - it all depended on if I liked what I was learning or not. If something engaged me enough I was all over it and acing tests and homework and all the rest (Genetics in High School Biology was my thing - LOVED IT - the teacher actually called me into his office one day and asked me how it was that I could be getting "A"s in the hardest section of the class - I just looked at him and said "because I like it" - come on is that so hard to understand? Oh and I can still give you the stats regarding blue eye/brown eye dominance and all of that - and you do know that green eyes are a fluke right - no gene for green eyes). Unfortunately for me, until college, school was primarily a social event, much to my parents frustration. Luckily I eventually learned that it was okay to be smart - and it was even something to be proud of along with being social :-) So, short story long :-) I'm glad that my girls are "hard little workers" because in today's competitive society and college driven job market it is more important than ever to get good grades and keep up with your homework. Okay, I'm off to hide my report cards. I don't want my kids ever seeing those grades :-(

TTFN...

I know...

I very rarely post two times in one day but I've been thinking about the upcoming week in view of the events of the past week - I guess maybe I didn't exactly expound on the week. So just to make sure we are clear:

Monday - BAD BAD BAD day which was beyond my control and affected people that I care about - it wasn't end of the world stuff but still pretty bad.

Tuesday - BAD BAD BAD day where I was more personally affected.

Wednesday - BAD BAD BAD day where I was contacted by the school around 10:15 to come and get my daughter who had tripped on her way out of school mass and hit her chin on the corner of the chair in front of her and was bleeding all over the place (both she and Lauren were crying - Lauren harder than Syd). I lucked out and avoided the ER but still spent a significant part of my morning at the clinic.

Thursday - BAD BAD BAD day where I accompanied my friend Roxann who, while closing the old, heavy, metal garage door at her cabin, got her hand caught between the panels which resulted in just what you would think - a smashed hand. More blood all over the place. Swelling and just a mess. I got her cleaned up, bandaged and gave her Ibuprofin.

Friday - No tragedies but Saturday was just waiting to happen.

Saturday - BAD BAD BAD day where children were puking, accidents where happening and I was sick of being a nurse but did it anyway.

SOOOOOO.... in view of all of that I've decided that this week is going to be all about giving and being nice. Seriously, I mean it couldn't possibly hurt - and bad things may continue to happen but if I can make someone happy or feel better in spite of the bad I'm going to do it. This I can control - the other stuff I can't but the interactions that I have with those who matter to me - that I can control. I've already told the HotY that I would voluntarily take a family trip with him next Sunday to visit his parents (believe me - this is a big thing). And really they are very, very nice people - and small doses are advised but when they live over an hour away big doses are endured. I am taking my friend Jay a big bowl of his favorite soup for lunch tomorrow. I made Cheesy Ham and Veggie soup for supper tonight. I've also made it for different work events - Jay loves it and is always teasing me about making it for him - so tomorrow he will get his soup and be surprised when he gets to his desk in the morning. I've got a few other nice surprises planned for my friends and I think I will take my kids on a little adventure one day after work. So that's it. That is the plan. To share goodness - because in the end don't we all deserve a little goodness, kindness and care??? I think so anyway.

And now a pause to think about the good things...

like my kids. Last night as I was lying in bed thinking of all the injuries my son could have suffered from his fall and how a dislocated elbow is pretty minor in the entire scheme of things I started thinking about my kids in general. Where would I be without my kids?

There is Alex. Who is stubborn and determined and clever and funny and loving and just good. Although his life is filled with obstacles, obstacles I can't even begin to imagine, he just keeps moving ahead. Never complaining, never feeling sorry for himself, never expecting anyone to make any exceptions for him. There are some who look at me and then look at my son Alex and I can see pity and sometimes disdain in their eyes. All I can think is "you really have no idea, no idea of the things you are missing by only seeing a disability and not seeing a person" because you know what - at the end of the day we all have a disability or two - some just aren't as obvious.

Then there is Sydney. I don't even know where to begin with this girl. She truly thinks that the world has great and wonderful surprises in store for her and she can't wait to discover all of them (especially the ones having to do with boys). Life is an opportunity for singing and dancing and rejoicing and sharing every thought that enters her mind. She has a HUGE crush on her 6th grade buddy and thinks that there would be nothing better than to tell him she loves him. In her mind how could he possibly not think it was the best thing to ever happen to him and it isn't really about her she just can't imagine that it isn't a good thing to "spread the love". The other day while talking to me she said "mommy please do not ever forget to kiss me when you leave in the morning because even though I'm still asleep I can feel it in my heart". I will admit she is a mommies girl.

And Lauren. She's my cautious sometimes subdued always thinking child. Lauren likes nothing better then to get the details and then figure it all out - and she will keep trying to figure it out until it all makes sense to her. I'm not sure if it is a logical mind or just a stubborn one :-) She is also a pleaser - checking in to make sure you are happy with her and what she is doing and she is always looking for ways to make others happy and is greatly empathetic (their teacher told me that Lauren was crying harder than Syd when Syd cut her chin). She's been very busy being a caretaker this weekend. She may sound serious on paper but in reality Lauren loves to laugh and she has a great infectious laugh and really the girl cracks herself up all the time. I love to listen to her go on and on about something barely able to get the words out because she keeps cracking herself up - what can I say she thinks she is witty and of course I think she is too!

So there you go. My thoughts about my kids this week. Sure it might be boring but really would you rather I go back to the whining and complaining???

TTFN...

And it is still not over...

I was quickly reminded this morning that Friday does not the end of a bad week make.

Syd woke up crying this morning and complaining of a headache and wanted nothing to do with anyone but me (not to mention that the HotY was "on call" this weekend and tied up with some computer emergency or another). It wasn't long before the throwing-up began and it just kept coming. I finally got her to lie down and sleep but not until I promised to never leave her side. The up side is I got to spend some time in "the" bed.

About an hour later I was finally able to sneak away and jump in the shower - I still had the volunteering gig to look forward too. I should have known it was all too good to be true and far too uneventful. I was just leaving the High School to do a little shopping before heading home and my phone rang. It was the HotY saying "I think your son just broke his arm he said he fell off the deck". So I sped home ('cuz really I was just hoping for a cop to stop me so he could give me an escort to my house) picked up my son who was obviously in great pain and sped back downtown to the Emergency Room where while waiting to be admitted to a room more throw-up occurred. I mean really I started my day in puke I might as well finish out the cycle. I'm not blaming Alex, he had every right to throw up, I'm just sharing a thought :-) So while we are sitting there waiting I'm thinking my son fell off the deck. The deck which is 12 feet or so off the ground - how did he fall off the deck? Did he fall down the stairs? And where was his father while this was happening? To say that the HotY was on my list would be an understatement. I know it wasn't really his fault but when someone calls and tells you your child feel from at least 12 feet you get a little irrational. Anyway, it ended up that he dislocated his elbow (I know - what can I say some things just can't be explained by anything but heredity). So they fixed it and don't seem to think there are any other injuries. While we were spending our six hours in the ER I heard all kinds of commotion and kept seeing cops walking by our room and then next thing I heard was that they were going into "lock down mode" and everyone disappeared. Our nurse, the people in the hallways, everyone - gone - seriously. It was weird. Finally one of the nurses came back to our room (of course I tried to question her but she wasn't giving me any info) and let us go home - seriously we were there for SIX HOURS. Oh I'm watching the news - there was a big altercation in a small community near our growing city and two people died and several others were hurt and brought to the ER of the hospital where Alex was - I guess that solves the mystery - SAD).

Considering what happened to Alex and the height of the deck I am thankful that there were not more serious injuries. A dislocated elbow and puke are pretty easy to deal with when you think about the "what ifs" and those "what ifs" can do me in every time - seriously. Believe me, I'm not even going to mention that this might be the end of the "shitty week" because you just never know and right now I'm not taking any chances with tempting fate.

So that's it.

TTFN...

That about sums it up...

Yesterday I was talking with a co-worker/friend and after exchanging information (fine we were having a conversation) he looked at me and said "well this is shaping up to be one of my shittiest weeks on record" and all I could do was numbly agree - it has been a shitty week. I'm sorry, I usually try not to be quite so blunt but there just isn't anyway to bury it in sunshine and rainbows. It isn't like I haven't tried but it is what it is.


So during a week when I wanted nothing more then to crawl into my own little bed and pull the covers over my head life had other plans. I have had something come up every.single.night this week. Seriously, Monday night we went out to dinner, Tuesday night I met a friend for a drink, Wednesday I went to a house warming get together for another friend. Thursday I was looking forward to a quiet night at home and the bed thing but then my phone rang and it was my friend Roxann telling me she was back in the country (she has been gone for the past month) and wanted me to ride with her to her cabin 2 hours away. I didn't know what to say. It isn't like I didn't want to go but I looked around and saw the dishes in the sink and the backpacks on the floor and the clothes piled in the bedroom and the faces of my children and I just didn't know if I could be gone one more night but Rox can be very convincing so I told her if she wanted me to go with her SHE had to call the HotY at work and ask him if I could be gone AGAIN, one more night. She had no problem with that, she welcomes the opportunity to flirt with my husband :-). So about an hour later ('cuz believe me if you think I like to talk I've got nothing on Rox - trust me - Oh and Rox you know I love you!) the HotY called and said "do you think you can be home by midnight". I solemnly promised that I could do that (I walked in the door at 11:58) so off I went AGAIN and really by this time - in addition to my dismal week - I was feeling like a pretty crummy wife and mother but I lived with the guilt :-) Luckily for me the HotY is very tolerant of my coming and going. Anyway, I vowed to myself that I wasn't going anywhere this weekend until I remembered I have another social event this evening and that on Saturday I am volunteering at a fund-raising event for the high school associated with the girls' school. Sooooooo I am out on tonight's event, I'm staying home and I'm pretty darn glad about it - seriously!

So I guess although my gut instinct was to hide and sleep my bad week away life intervened and prevented that from happening and really I'm probably better off because at the end of the day avoiding problems is no way to persevere. Although my rose-colored glasses have been tinted blue lately I believe it will be okay and my quirky sense of life will return so don't give up on me I promise there will be more sunshine than raindrops in the near future - at least I'm believing in the possibility.

On wishing stars and the reality of life...

Star light
Star bright
First star I see tonight
I wish I may
I wish I might
Have the wish I wish tonight.

Yes, I still wish on stars and I believe. I believe that if I keep repeating the same wish, if I keep reciting the same prayer, if I keep holding the same hope that all my dreams WILL come true and life will be bliss. Logically I know that life is not bliss, I really do, and as far as a blissful life goes I'm pretty close to there but still I believe in the realm of greater possibility.

My mom once told me that I always get my hopes up too high so I end up disappointed because I have too many expectations. That I'm too much of a daydreamer. She is probably right.

I think I'm done wishing on stars...

Does this mean autumn is over...

I actually talked to my brother today about THANKSGIVING. Yes, I said Thanksgiving. You know that holiday that is going to be here before I know it. I just put all the kids summer cl0thing in bins this morning how could it be November already?

As I am sitting here typing this I just glanced over and noted that I still haven't mailed the birthday presents for three of my nephews I HAVE to get them in the mail tomorrow. Why the urgency you may ask (even though I have had them sitting here for at least three months)?Because one of the birthday's was in February, one was in June and the other was in July. Do you see why I am having a hard time realizing that it is actually November. What can I say, I own a calendar I just don't look at it :-)

I think autumn brings out my domestic side. I actually cleaned, I mean really cleaned this weekend. You know what I mean, going through closets and drawers and cleaning all the notes and school papers and various other junk from the refrigerator doors, along with the normal dusting, bed making, vacuuming, etc. Oh and on Saturday after doing yard stuff I cooked the HotY's favorite meal of roast cooked with potatoes and carrots (not my favorite way to fix a roast but he loves it and what can I say I felt like being a pleaser :-)) and then I made apple crisp. Are you not impressed? Fine, we ordered pizza tonight but yesterday it was all about being a Stepford Wife. It happens sometimes. And really I'm a pretty good cook - I just don't like to cook unless it is for something special but that every night make something for supper stuff - I hate it. I mean really there are only so many different variations of chicken.

So the weekend was pretty quiet. I did go out on Saturday morning for a breakfast birthday celebration for my friend Julie but that was the extent of my excitement but I don't really mind a quiet weekend. It's rejuvenating.

Okay, the pile of laundry which, although started several hours ago, is STILL not done is calling me again and again and again. Life is bliss...

TTFN...

So the princess bride...

thought that I should be sharing my own princess bride pictures since she is intrigued with all that is weddings and pretty dresses (I have no idea where she gets this stuff). But I've already done that - shared some of the wedding pictures - so if you really want to check out the whole deal you can click here and you'll be taken there - to pictures of my own fairytale day - and no it was not a costume ball. Actually for all my delusions of grandeur my own wedding day was pretty low key. I may have even started out the day a little crabby. My hair and make-up did not turn out as I had hoped and I looked ugly, I wore my hair up and I wish I had worn it down, my dress made me look fat (I still have no idea why I choose that shiny satin), I was late -yes, yes, yes, I was the last person to arrive at the church - what can I say - I tried to make it on time but I locked myself out of my apartment while having my mother do my hair, and our cake turned into the Leaning Tower of Pisa because poolside reception on a hot summer day and cake do not mix - who knew humidity would cause the frosting to start melting . BUT on the bright side - it was a gorgeous day in a summer of not so gorgeous days, I loved my veil thanks to my mom who added yards and yards of bridal veiling to my headpiece creating a cathedral length train (no train on the dress but a beautiful tulle train from the veil - I loved that veil - and at reception time - rrrriiiiippppppp off came the veiling and no train to trip over for the rest of the night - because you know about me and that tripping thing - RIGHT?), I was marrying a great guy (and really look how cute he was - YOUNG but cute), and we got married on 4th of July so we went with it and served brats, hot dogs, potato salad, chips and watermelon for our reception dinner and everyone LOVED IT! Oh and the convertible was my car - it was my dowry to the HotY - he still talks about that car. OMG - maybe he only married me for my car :-)

It really was a fun day but if I were to do it again I'd do it much differently. It would be small, it would be intimate and I would spend all that big wedding money on one absolutely gorgeous over the top wedding gown. Yep, that's how I would do it. I'd tell my girls that but everyone knows no one listens to their mothers about wedding advice.

WOW this turned into quite a tangent - sorry. Anyway, now I can tell the princess bride that I have made her wish come true and have shown my own wedding pictures. Oh and if you look at the pictures you can click on them to make them bigger if you are so inclined and if you do that look at how sad my dad looks while walking me down the aisle - I get tears in my eyes looking at that picture - what can I say I'm a daddy's girl!

Okay, I know this is probably one of the weirder posts I have done. I don't even have any brilliant words of advice to send you on your way so I'll just say TTFN...

Of halloween past and present...

I have survived another Halloween. My kids think it is the greatest thing next to Christmas. Me, not so much, I've never been a big fan of Halloween, I don't even remember being that crazy about it as a kid. My little town used to have a Halloween parade and every kid got a full bag of candy - I don't remember what kind of candy it was but I'm thinking those circus peanut things or something equally as disgusting. I wasn't even that crazy about Halloween as a young adult. I went to parties and inevitably dressed up as the girl in pajamas with the baby bottle full of whatever adult beverage was being served but it really wasn't my favorite thing to do and frankly I'm not that creative about the costume thing. Now the HotY he is much more creative about the costumes. One year he made Alex the most awesome robot costume ever. He was the hit of the neighborhood complete with flashing lights and dryer vent legs and arms. I'd show you a picture but the costume happened before we had a digital camera and I just don't feel like going to all the trouble of finding and scanning a picture right now. Sorry but some nights I'm just lazy! So the point is I'm not exactly sorry to see Halloween come to an end - I really can't even wait until the mandatory five day waiting period is over so I can take the candy to work. I know! Oh and about those Halloweens past - I actually made the decision to move to my current small growing city on Halloween SEVERAL years ago thus beginning the journey towards my destiny and the HotY - he's such a lucky guy :-)

Here are some pictures from our Halloween highlights. We had trick or treating in my office this afternoon and someone said they thought my girls looked just like me. I don't see it but took it as a great compliment none-the-less. Alex was enjoying a night with his teen scene group so was not present for the costume photos - again proving that photos of teenage boys continue to be elusive.

The princess bride looking a little disappointed because the frog didn't turn into a handsome prince after all.

Patiently waiting for candy to arrive

Our cute witch who was a little worried that the neighbors might not recognize her with her new haircut.

More of the blushing pricess bride. She received several proposals and refused them all.

The first costumes of the day for school scarecrow day. Note the unbrushed hair and slightly disheveled look - let's just say the HotY was in charge.

Someone was not at all happy about the hat...

Have a great night and may all your halloweens be filled with fabulous costumes and only the good candy!

TTFN...

A moment of clarity...

Has this ever happened to you? When you see something so clearly that you wonder how you could have failed to see the real picture for so long? This happened to me yesterday. Suddenly I had a very clear picture of a situation which has been causing me stress for quite some time. The problem is the clarity did not make me feel one bit better about anything – it made me feel worse. Sometimes that is reality – worse. So now the question is do I continue to look at reality or bury what I know under rainbows and sunshine? I realize this is a hypothetical question as even I know the correct answer I’m just not sure how long it is going to take me to commit myself to the answer and close the test booklet. KWIM? (I love a good analogy, I can't help myself so just humor me - okay?)

Pumpkins and apples...

we still have to go to the orchard and get pumpkins and apples. My kids have been patiently waiting for this treat which I cannot put off any longer. I should have done it Saturday instead of shopping since the weather has gotten much colder since then. But the shopping, it was already planned. Besides, pumpkins or shopping, you decide.

Anyway, the plan was to go on Monday but it was REALLY cold so the plan got changed to today but I'm fighting my once every two years nasty cold and had a stressful day on top of it so the pumpkins, they needed to wait. Now the plan is to go tomorrow and it really can't be put off another day. So tomorrow after school off to the apple orchard/pumpkin patch even if Amy and Heather are going to do a really fun thing in the big city tomorrow night. A really fun thing that they invited me along to do with them but which I declined because I promised my kids the apple orchard/pumpkin patch. That's part of being a parent - putting your own fun aside for the fun of your children. And really picking out pumpkins and apples will be fun and my kids will have a blast and I'll get to take pictures. Not that I'm not envious of Heather and Amy but the pay-off as time spent with my kids will be worth it. So I'm hoping for sunshine and much less stress and no sore throat tomorrow - oh and updates from the girls while they are partaking of their really fun thing :-) Did you hear that Amy - updates. You know my cell number...

Okay that's it.

TTFN... Off to bed.

Oh and that really fun thing that Heather and Amy are going to be doing - YES, it has to do with scrapbooking, what can I say... :-)

Yes, I'm still up...

and yes it is almost midnight and yes I should really be in bed as I am getting a nasty cold and I can already tell that by tomorrow morning I will not have a voice. BUT I don't want to disappoint the HotY by going to bed at a decent time on the weekend - not to mention doing so when I'm sick (believe me he will have a discussion with me about this in about 10 minutes when I do go to bed). I really should have known that this cold thing was only going to get worse as today was a bad hair day. My hair never turns out when I am getting sick - it is like all the sick cells go to my head - really. I'm not kidding. Sick = limp hair. Fine, don't believe me but it's true - ask Amy and Heather they will verify it was a bad hair day.

Anyway, there were two things I wanted to say about today's shopping trip and now I can't remember either one of them. Shoot. I mean it was important enough for me to sign on and start typing and now I can't remember.

Oh now I remember - two very ironic things happened

1. I got to Heather's at 9:15 just as planned and she wasn't ready and why wasn't she ready? Because she knew I was driving and if I was driving I would be late :-O WHAT? And then we got to Amy's house and guess what? AMY WASN'T READY and Amy is always ready on time but do you know why she wasn't ready? Because she knew I was driving and if I was driving I would be late. What is going on here? I'm not always late for social events, sometimes I'm on time and today I was ON TIME. RIGHT ON TIME but from now on I'm going to be late - it is my duty to my friends. I've decided they count on me to be late thus giving them a few extra minutes to get themselves ready so from now on when I'm late it isn't because I wasn't ready on time it is because I'm doing my friends a favor - seriously!

2. Oh and that getting lost thing. Do you know what makes that even more pathetic? I have a navigation system built in my van and we had our destination plugged in and yet I still got lost - which prompted Amy to say "so when your navigation says keep left you keep right???" I guess you had to be here. Anyway, you know sometimes that annoying woman giving me directions gets it wrong and everyone once in a while I just like to test her that's just the way I do it. You know sometimes I think I make my life harder than it has to be :-)

Okay I'm done and possibly slightly delirious (but while I've been typing this my pal Gavin came on and well I had to listen) so I'm going to bed. Finally. The HotY will be happy.

It's a small world...

so I think I mentioned that I was going shopping with my friends Heather and Amy in honor of Heather's birthday (yes we wined and dined her and embarrassed her at the restaurant with the singing of Happy Birthday - something that they don't usually do but our 20 something male waiter was happy to oblige us). Anyway, as I was walking through Bloomingdale's at one of the largest malls in America I heard someone say "sure, just walk right by your sister" and it was MY sister. My sister who doesn't live anywhere near the largest mall in America (I live nearer but I'm not right next door either so I will forgive her for not telling me she was going to be there). I mean really, what are the chances? This is truly a HUGE mall and then to be in the same store at the same time - it was fate! It was nice to see my sister - a good surprise.

And about the shopping. Although we did hit the mall there is also a small independent shop that we like to visit whenever we are in the area but no matter who drives (Amy, Heather or I) we get lost trying to get to the store. Today was no exception (I was driving). Somehow we ended up on the wrong road and had nowhere to go but to the airport - so we cruised the baggage and departure area looking at all the happy people flying away to some exotic locale and then got back on the road again. The problem was we were laughing so hard that I almost missed the right road AGAIN! We finally arrived and made our purchases - of course we got lost again on our way home but that too worked out okay as Amy had to make a stop at Target and there it was TARGET - so we stopped, Amy bought and we got back on the RIGHT ROAD. It was a fun day although a bit longer due to our unanticipated backtracking.

So there you go - a fun and fateful day - FABULOUS! :-)

TTFN...

And now - the rest of the story...

Okay I've given you an overview of the trip. I've given you pictures of the trip. I've even given you a picture of the HotY while on the trip but I haven't really given you the details of the trip. Details like how six hours in the car with only your spouse for company is a LONG trip. But considering we got on the road just seconds before reaching the "I'm not saying another single word to you for the next six months" stage I have to admit it could have been MUCH longer. But disaster was averted after all and the time passed pretty uneventfully, although quietly. After a couple hours of companionable silence (yes, I napped) I couldn't take it anymore and my "I really must do something to annoy someone" tendencies kicked in so I proceeded to sing every song that came on the radio. It really isn't the singing that bugs the HotY so much because although my tone isn't always the greatest I can carry a tune, it is the fact that if I don't know the words I just make up my own. For some reason he seems to find this exceedingly annoying - and really there are a lot of songs where I just wing it so you can imagine his joy at my concert performance. Alas, after awhile even the most effective annoyance can get old so I gave up the singing for an hour or so (besides I was getting a hoarse throat). But I wasn't done trying to push a button. About a half an hour from our destination I found an even more annoying diversion - I began reading EVERY single road sign. I KNOW so juvenile of me but so fun. I was especially challenged when we would pass a farm yard full of campaign signs but I passed the test and even though he didn't tell me I know the HotY was truly impressed with my abilities (oh and in case you were wondering - the most popular sign was the "Right turn lane begins. Yield to bicycles" at the beginning of each right turn lane - I got to read that one a lot). The game came to a quick halt when I mistakenly read a STOP sign a little too emphatically causing him to think there was an approaching deer or something (I was truly sorry). I think it was a good thing we got to the cabin when we did (that slightly smiling picture of the HotY in the car - that WASN'T taken at this point of the trip :-))
Anyway, once we arrived at the cabin all the stress of the world seemed to roll off my shoulders and we were able to relax and enjoy the quiet (and it was REALLY QUIET) and scenery. Finally about 8:00 p.m. we roused ourselves to go in search of pizza - which we found - but upon stepping foot in the door we were greeted by a less than friendly high school girl who told us we could order a pizza to go but there would be no eating of pizza in the restaurant as they were trying to clean up and close. Fine - we could eat it at the cabin there was no need for her to get snippy - sheesh! So we took the pizza and ate cold pizza at the cabin - but that was okay we were on vacation and there was a microwave.
So really that was the pattern of the majority of the trip.

• Mornings spent in the surprisingly comfortable bed
• Annoying behavior when warranted
• Hanging out at the cabin for most of each day
• Enjoying the Scenery
• Savoring the Quiet
• Staring at the Calm Waters
• Marveling at the Sunsets
• Rousing about 8:00 p.m. for something to eat
• Back to the surprisingly comfortable bed.

Now you know the rest of the story and now, I'm done, I'm done talking about it because I'm not sharing all the details and vacation is over. It's back to reality whether I like it or not :-) But try to find your own secluded cabin somewhere - it's an escape I highly recommend.

TTFN...

Always trust your gut instinct...

like when you just want to go for a quick walk and two five year olds ask to join you. I really just wanted to go for a 20 minute walk before it got too dark but then those two faces looked so excited to go with me that I caved and said yes. 20 minutes later when we STILL hadn't left the house I knew I should have followed my original plan of sneaking out the back patio door (I could have been back before then even knew I was gone) but a promise is a promise - so off we went.


Along the way we talked about Halloween and scary witches and skeletons hanging in trees. We kicked leaves and discussed why it is not okay to jump into leave piles if you didn't do the raking. It was a nice walk and we came home with a little color in our cheeks and smiles on our faces -worth the extra time (and so much for gut instinct)!


And now, totally unrelated to walking or Halloween or even scary witches (no commentary here please) are the rest of the pictures I am willing to share from our trip. Enjoy.


Our Cabin - No. 7:

The fabulous screened in porch:

Bedroom (and no that is not someone hiding under the covers - just a hastily made bed):



Kitchen (yes, it got used):

Bathroom (clean, modern, indoor plumbing is always good):

Living room:

Front cabin view:

I could have spent countless hours sitting on this dock:

View from the porch:

Oh and this, this is the HotY. He isn't going to be happy about this:

The Mississippi Headwaters:

Virgin Mary in her grotto:

And the next pictures - pure bliss:

I'm back...

our trip "Up North" was very enjoyable and relaxing. We had an awesome cabin but it was truly secluded as we were the only guests at the resort. We stayed at the Two Inlets Resort. The cabin was clean and modern. The waterfront was beautiful and the relaxation factor was HUGE! We took pictures, lounged by the water, lounged in the cabin, lounged in the screened in porch, lounged on the dock and did a little sight-seeing.

We visited the headwaters of the Great Mississippi, a grotto for the Virgin Mary (yes I have a thing about the Virgin Mary. She's a woman, a woman with a child, a woman who faced great obstacles. I think she would understand me. Sure I didn't ever get the honor of doing the May Crowning in first grade and I'm not a Vestal Virgin and none of my children were conceived by Immaculate Conception but I think I could find a connection with Mary, I really do. And no I am not being sacrilegious I'm being serious. I even placed flowers on her alter on my wedding day it was just something I wanted to do), and yes we did a little shopping. I will post more pictures tomorrow when I have caught up on the laundry and have gotten our lives adjusted to the reality of the real world - which unfortunately does not include watching sunsets over calm waters with nothing more to do than count the leaves falling from the trees...

Gone in a flash...

that is how the month of October is shaping up. It seems like the more stuff we have going on the faster the time flies and this month has been jam packed. It's all good but I could use a little more time on my hands!

The big kid event for the month was last weekend with a special treat for the kids. Several months ago we purchased tickets to attend the Laurie Berkner concert being held in the big city. If you don't know about the goodness of Laurie Berkner check her out. She is a regular on Jack's Big Music Show (I think it's on Nickelodeon) and my kids are CRAZY about her (Moon Moon Moon and White Coral Bells are my personal favorites). The day was a total surprise we told them we were going to watch something. They thought cloud watching would be a good surprise - seriously! When we arrived at the venue they took one look at the posters and proceeded to freak out! It seemed like forever before the doors were opened. Once the concert started it was a free for all complete with kids dancing in the aisles and a 6 year old and younger mosh pit! Alex was kind of on the edge about what he wanted to do,

Lauren sat in her seat glued to my side and was very reserved

and then there was Syd who was not only dancing in the aisles but probably would have climbed up on the stage and joined the band if she had been allowed. That girl. I have no idea where she came from some days! She is like no one I have ever known before. Life is a constant adventure full of surprises and potential.

This weekend was our low-key weekend with only a birthday party to attend. I did get some photos out of the deal - which you are seeing here - today. Both girls were in full "posing" mode.

And the big event for the "adults" in our family is the short week we have this week. There is no school on Thursday and Friday so the HotY is taking full advantage of the break and has planned a romantic getaway for the two of us. Seriously, I know next to nothing about the plans other than we are staying "up north" by a lake in a cottage with fireplace option. Too bad it doesn't include the outdoor hot tub option because have you ever enjoyed the wonder of a hot tub on a cool autumn night under a star filled sky? Seriously, it rates right up there - trust me! I guess there is a lake but I have a feeling the water is not heated :-) So I'm not sure what to expect and at first I was okay with that but now as the date is drawing closer I'm starting to get a little curious about the plans. I've started a list so I make sure I am covering all the possibilities. Right now it includes three items:

• Wine



• Blow dryer



• Make-up

Just because I may be somewhere in the isolated wilderness doesn't mean that I can't try to look nice - I mean really you people know me - right?

The following weekend I have shopping in the big city with Amy and Heather, a school spirit run and a neighborhood party and then it's Halloween - the next big thing next to Christmas as far as my kids are concerned.

So that's it - aren't you glad you asked :-)

TTFN...

Sounds of Silence...

Sorry, I took a little blogging break because even I need relief from myself once in a while! But alas, I keep running into me every time I turn around :-) Anyway, in all seriousness, I have been trying to get some hard things figured out for myself and sometimes the best way for me to do that is to NOT TALK. As hard as it may be for some of you to believe I do have times when I go very silent. Seriously, ask my mom, I don’t even know the last time I called my parents and that is pretty unusual. Besides, along with the thinking silence I have to be honest and say I just haven’t felt like talking to anyone – a rare circumstance. I’ve gone an entire week without having to charge my phone :-) BUT for my friend Wendy I’m going to break the silence and force myself to talk a bit. She and I met on Saturday for breakfast and manies and pedies. Over orange juice and breakfast pastries she informed me of her disappointment in my lack of commentary on the current DWTS. So here you go Wendy…

Dancing with the Stars – what can I say. I have to admit that I just haven’t felt the same about the show since Emmett Smith RIPPED the silver disco ball right out from under my Marvelous Mario’s spectacular dancing feet. My world tilted and I became jaded and skeptical about the entire dancing fiasco. And the producers of the show, well they have done NOTHING to try to win back my love. Cloris Leachman? Jane Seymour? Marie Osmond? A rich basketball team owner and some 18 year old little boy from Hannah Montana? Come on. Give me something here. Obviously, they do not know who I am and what I say about them :-)

Regardless with every new beginning I still expect big things. I think things will be different - that this time it will be good again. That the powers that be are going to hear my pleas and select Rob Lowe to dance all over my heart. But have they heard me? Are they listening? I don’t think so as here we are with “stars” like the Wild On girl, some boxer guy, a washed up football player, a teenager and an old woman. WHAT? Oh and don’t even get me started on the dancing booty chick. She was a huge let-down to all of us big booty girls of the world. I mean the girl may have a body but she certainly didn’t know how to move it. NO sex appeal at all – it was like watching a stick dance. I guess that is the thing. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. Without chemistry and passion the dances just don’t do it for me. Anyone can move the moves but not everyone can feel the moves and this season I think I can safely say NO ONE is feeling the moves. The all look like they’ve just learned how to do the Hustle in elementary school gym class.

1-2-3 CLAP 1-2-3 TURN. DO THE HUSTLE

NO PASSION. NO CHEMISTRY. NO HEAT. BORING!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So yes, yes, yes, I’ll keep watching and hoping for a change but I might be very quiet while waiting.

TTFN. I’m not sure when I’ll write again, it depends on how this thinking thing is going but don’t give up on me. I’ll be back, I promise. Chatty girls like me can only be quiet for so long…