Dear Uncle Jimmy and Burt...

Dear Uncle Jimmy and Burt,

I was getting ready to take the kids to school, and I looked out the kitchen window.   And this is what looked back at me.

Then I looked again.  And this is what else looked back at me.

And to think you spend hours looking for these animals.  And all I have to do is look out my window.  How lucky am I?  My own personal zoo!

Love,
Tracie

Planting Bulbs...

A few weeks ago I got this brainstorm that our family fun event for the weekend would be to buy bulbs and plant them.  I thought it was brilliant.  But except for Hannah - no one else shared my excitement so..... the project stalled until last weekend.  And then Miss Hannah and I planted bulbs!  All toll we planted about 600 of them - all different kinds, blooming times,colors, and sizes.  (No tulips though because our "pet" deer like them too much.)

We planted them all over the yard with the hopes we would surprise the non-planters come spring.  And we did have a lot of fun! We even planted some near the swing set!

But as I planted, I could not help be reflective and full of hope.  Planting bulbs always does that to me. 

I can't help but wonder when I place those bulbs what my life will be like 6 months from now...  I think about my children being six months older - and Dave and I too...  I think about Easter and seeing bunnies running through the yard...  I think about the Pirates and think this is going to be a winning season...  I think about sunshine and longer days - and the opening of Oglebay Swimming Pool...  I plant and I just think... 

And Hannah gets it too...We played "I wonder" together...

It was just awesome and so much better shared...

Note to Self...

When picking out flowers in the spring... 

This is what petunias look like in the fall...

This is what daisies look like...

Buy more daisies.

Dear Hannah...

Dear Hannah,

One of these days my little one...  your children will do this to you...

and they will do it often...  and I will just sit back and smile.  :-)

Love,
Mommy

My Evolution

There was a time in my life that I would have never gone to bed at night...

If this was left out... 

Of if this bucket of stuff was sitting on my front porch...  (I know - gross)

Or if my chairs were not perfectly arranged and Noah's kickball was not put away...  

 

Or even if Dave's coffee cup was left in the shrubs...

 

Or if my garage looked like this...

But I have evolved - and I will have you know that I am learning to live with a little chaos.    Some of that stuff has been this way for a few weeks.  And I have slept just fine...  That is big for me.  I mean so big that after I took these photos of this insanity, I still left it like that. 

Ok - so I photographed it, then I ran around like a chicken with my head cut off and picked it all up.   So maybe I haven't evolved completely...  but there are fingerprints on my door - and I am calling it a night.  Let the chaos pile start all over...

Date Night! And My Dream Movie (Ha!)

Last Saturday, Dave and I went out on a date!  Mom and Dad had the kids for the whole night, so Dave and I got to go out!  I even got dressed up.  My feet adorned sandals (to which my right foot is still killing me 3 days later).  We started out with dinner which was nice and quiet!  We even told the server to go slow.  We weren't in any hurry!  Life was good!


We played with the idea of going to a movie all night.  I looked at the list and nothing spoke to me.  Dave, however, wanted to see Inception - the movie about dreams.  ~shakes head~  I know what you are saying - that is rumored to be a good movie - so let me back up. 

One of my biggest requirements for enjoyment - especially enjoyment that I pay for - is that it requires little thought on my part and doesn't make me sad.  You see I am constantly on.  My brain is always trying to re-engineer something, schedule something, make a list, improve a process.  From work to laundry, it doesn't matter the subject, I am working on it.  This isn't because I ncessarily want it to be that way, it is just me.  So when I do stop the brain for a bit, I need to literally shut it off.  So going to a movie that requires me to think is like asking me to work, because I am not going to stop after the movie. I am going to continually try to figure it out because chances are I am not going to understand it the first time. 

Now back to the movie, we went.  Dave's thought was no kids and opportunity - carpe diem!  So away we went.  I had changed into my tennis shoes and jean shorts and decided to make the best of it.   Plus, buttered popcorn is always a convincing argument. 

So six minutes into the movie, buttered popcorn about one-third done (remember previews...), I text my Mom...   I am lost.  Never fear, I pressed on, trying to get this movie, trying to logic it out...  I ate my popcorn, then switched to Nerds candy, slurped my soda....   But it was just a battle I was losing.   So I decided to go to the bathroom, - that would kill time right?  Wrong.  I was back in 5 minutes, and they were still talking dreams...  A dream?  A dream within a dream?  Who is dreaming?  Insanity, I say. 

But my glitter came when I acidentally hit the arm rest next to me.  Honestly, it was like MAGIC!  The arm rest moved up.  Are you thinking what I am thinking?  BINGO!  Nap time!!!!!!!!!!   I rested my head on my arms and got comfy across two seats - and fell sound asleep.   I fiquired, what the heck?  Why not dream myself instead of watching a movie about dreams?  I woke up just in time to catch the end.   What a perfect night!  I didn't bug Dave asking him tons of questions, so I think he was happy too!

So the next day, we went to my parents house.  Dave was telling them the story of me and the movies.  He said - It is just one of those movies you have to watch more than once.   I wholeheartedly disagree.

For the record, my favorite movies have happy endings.  They require no thought.  They just take me on a 90 minute happy vacation.  And I am okay with that. 

Only Dave... The Grocery Store

Yesterday, I was reading a post from one of my favorite blogs, Southern Plate.  She posted a recipe for Seven Up Pound Cake.  Inside the recipe, she inserted this video.



Well, I about split a gut laughing because I could so relate.  She refers to her husband as Left Brain.  My hubby - and I dearly love him - could be called Scatter Brain.   This video made my day - so I decided to share it with my friends via email.

Me to Friends:  If you have a minute, watch the video in this post.   My Dave would do this.

~time passes~

I realize I need a few things at the grocery store - totally unrelated to the video.  So I get my iphone and I text Dave (because calling him and telling him doesn't work so good).

Me to Dave:  Two PBS American Cheese
Me to Dave:  PBS means pounds  (My phone quick used pbs when I wrote lbs.  So I had to explain to him because I didn't want him to bring home a television channel.)
Me to Dave:  Hoagie buns
Me to Dave:  Gal of milk
Me to Dave:  1 pound ham

Dave to Me:  Could you put them in a numbered list for me?
Me to Dave:  Was that too funny?
Dave to Me:  I would never do that btw
Me to Dave:  Yes you would.

~time passes~

Dave comes home, I am in the kitchen making dinner.  He is empty handed.  I am doing a mental head shake now because I know what is coming.

Me to Dave:  Where are the groceries?
Dave to Me:  ~BIG GRIN~  ahhhhhhh......   you were serious?


So I guess the moral of the story is, don't text your husband to do something on the same day you send him an email joke about the same subject.  Thank goodness for powered milk and plain bread!

My Secret Silliness...

There are a lot of things silly about me - of which I will be the first to admit.  But something that I truly love and enjoy is Junie B. Jones.  If you don't know who she is, she is a fictional character in a children's book series of the same name written by Barbara Park.  And in her own words, I think she is a nutball.  This little girl gets in more honest trouble than should be allowed - and goodness, I am certain we have all been there in one form or another.  She is just energy plus!

I get an enormous amount of pleasure reading her stories to my kids at bedtime.  There are times I laugh so hard that they can't understand what I am saying.  And truth be told - I have read the books without my children present.  They are one of the best pick-me-up's out there.  She is my secret silliness!

So... as I was reading last night her chapter book titled Shipwrecked, there was a line that I thought was great!  Her friend Lucille was upset when she found out she had to make her queen costume for the school play rather than have her "richie" grandmother buy her one.  So the teacher gives her glitter and a crown and tells her to get started.  Lucille becomes very excited that she gets to use glitter.  Junie B, who narrates the stories, simply says: "A little glitter can turn your whole day around."  

Now how great is that?  In the midst of all the fun and silliness - profound wisdom.  In any day, at any time, a little glitter can turn your whole day around!!!!!   That one is one for the bulletin board or fridge!    

And then there was one...

Last Thursday, Noah started school.  Miss Hannah started today...  It is hard to believe that they are both in school now.  I sure do miss all the noise in the house.  (I never thought I would say that.)

But it is nice to know that some noise and chaos is still at home...

Swimming....

I took this photo a week or so ago at Oglebay.  I am testing out how to add photos direct from my new phone! Enjoy the photo of my happy kids!

My Desk

My desk is a mess.

I want it clean and organized.

But I hate this desk.

It just doesn't fit 2 computers very nice.

So I let it become a hot spot of paper hell.

I even see a lego man and a bobby pin on it.

So my kids are using it as storage too.

Before I had kids, I had a neat desk.

But before I had 2 computers, I had a neat desk.

Really, last Saturday, I had a neat desk.

And now the magazines are coming again.

I have like 20 subscriptions - most of them I got free.

So I read all I let pile up at the beach.

And now they are coming back.

My desk looks like the ER waiting room.

I actually make doctor appointments just to drop them off and get rid of them.

There is a dog tooth on my desk.

At least that is what I think it is.

It could be a lego piece.

How do you tell if it is a dog tooth?

Maybe I will take it to the vet and ask.

So I started writing and my desk was a mess.

And it still is. 

And it is going to stay that way.

Because Stephanie Plum is calling me.

My Butterfly....

I have tried on many occasions to photograph nature - but I usually just get ok results.  I took this photo at the New River Gorge Bridge in WV.  And I am so proud of it.  How cool is that?  You can even see the feet of the butterfly!  Oh Happy Day!

TV at home.... And how the Duke Boys Rock!

TV is a funny thing in my house...  I so wish we could purchase our cable a la carte - because we tend to watch the same channels.  (for the record, Golf, FSN, Nick Jr., Sprout, PBS...)  Dave and I are pretty in touch with what we allow our kids to watch.   We just think there are some things they don't need to see yet.   And to be completely honest, there are things my own eyes don't want or need to see.  It just gets to me in ways I can't explain.

But if I am being honest here - there are days when I can't take to watching another kids show.  My sanity is dependent upon not seeing anyone animated.   So Dave and I have created a plan - but we didn't even know we did it.  It all started with Andy Griffith.  We simply bought the TV series on DVD.  They like it, we like it.  Total win.  We have Gidget and  Leave it to Beaver too.   What makes me smile is these shows were funny.  I belly laugh.  And it isn't sarcastic funny like today - it was just honest laugh at the person or situation funny.

Our latest purchase was The Dukes of Hazard.  We bought this for Noah's birthday.  I have such great memories of that show.  Every Friday. 8pm.  The Dukes.  The best part - My kids are loving it!  Just enough action to make them happy and us too...  Dave and I were working at Mom and Dad's last weekend before they came home.  I walked into my parents garage to find Noah and Hannah jumping the front my Dad's Impala as if it were the General Lee.  I caught them red handed but the only thing I could do (aside from call the Dent Wizard) was to smile having been there done that myself.   This morning, I heard them having an extremely serious conversation as to who was there favorite Duke character.  (Bo won - hands down).

One of these days my kids are going to catch on to our scheme of keeping new TV away from them by giving them old alternatives.   But for now, we are all happy happy happy!

Happy Birthday to Me....

My wish...  more of this this year...

My Neighbor

Something has been bugging me lately.  You see, I have had a neighbor who has been ill since my son was born - about 7 years ago.  Her kids have had nursing care in and out of her house for some time.  Then, not too long ago she was permanently moved to a nursing home...   Her illness is not of the physical kind - she is losing her memory.   This lady - and she was a lady - was the epitome of grace and giving.  She was always very thoughful and welcoming.  She was always dressed proper, and basically, had her stuff together.  Her yard was always impeccable.  (In fact when I moved to my house, I snuck around her yard to note all of the types of plants she had because they were so pretty and the deer stayed away.)  Financially, she appeared to live a comfortable life...

Well, I am not sure of the whole story - but this past week her daughter moved from her house and folks came in to clean it out.   I can only assume what happened.  They loaded everything that was left in a big old truck.  Ripped down the curtains...  And then the workers set to "cleaning" up the yard.  They hacked away at shrubs.  The completely removed this absolutely gorgeous clematis she had growing around her lamp post.   It just made me so angry - her whole life of working to keep everything so nice - packed and whacked in the matter of hours.  If the workers didn't have so many muscles and tattoos I might have given them the what for...  not that they really had anything to do with the injustice to my neighbor - but darn if someone needs to teach them what is a weed and what is not.

Incidents like this just make me think...  and worry a bit...  will I raise my children to take care of me with dignity as I age?  And I am not saying - literally take care of me - but to help make the right decisions for me as I try to do for them now?   Life really is a circle, isn't it?   I just wonder how my neighbor would have done things different, or if she would have, if she could see what happened this week?  All I know for sure is it certainly is a sad situation...

The Sidewalk...

These are my little ones sitting out on our sidewalk. 


They just finished some ice cream.

I took this photo of them when they weren't looking.  (I like to take pictures of them from behind because I want to remember how they look when they don't know I am watching them...)

So then they heard my camera click and then this happened...  They wanted photographs. 

Well not the boy - he was just happy biting his ice cream stick.

Isn't it great?  Being bored on the sidewalk, eating ice cream, goofing off for the camera.  Life can't possibly get much better from my point of view... 

Unless of course it looks like this...

Stop and Look...

My yucca plant is in full bloom - I never realized how pretty the blooms really are - especially when you bend down and look up at them...   I have had this plant for years and never taken the time to appreciate it.   Let's just say - I have finally stopped and looked at my flowers!  What a great thing!  Happy Friday!

Being Number 2....

When I think about stories I tell about my children, I often will refer to them by numbers...  and they know their number...  So I talk about 1 and 3 a lot.  Number 1 - school, sports, reading - and just cause he is my little boy....  Number 3 - just because life is never boring with her...  But my number 2 sometimes does not get the talk time the others do...
 
But for the record...  she is an awesome kid!  She is my helper.  I can always count on her to be there when I need a hand...  When it is time to eat, she does... When it is time to go to bed, she does...  Baths, likewise...  When I need a break from #3, she is there...  She loves to play office with me, and her dollies are the most educated dolls in Wheeling.  She is a talented little acrobat and soccer player and quite the artist...  She taught herself how to ride her bike on two wheels as well as pump on the swing...  And she is smart as a whip.  Her newest skill is identifying bugs - thank you very much!  She can operate my washing machine and divide an egg like a pro...

If determination was an Olympic event, she would win.  When she wants something, she practices and works at it until it happens.  I don't imagine life will always hand her what she wants, but I don't doubt for one minute that she will make her own wishes come true. 

And I know she is mine - but I sure think she is beautiful!  Her smile is infinite, and her heart is huge.  Hands down, I think she has the most beautiful hair in our family - a combination of the right color, wave, and thickness.  Her eyes are so inviting and the color is that of amber...

My life is just a better place because of her...  She wakes up happy and goes to sleep just the same...  And all the time in between - she is a joy (ok almost all the time in between)...  I am sure am blessed that she is my little girl...

Happy Flag Day!

There are many things I enjoy...  watching the flag wave is definitely one of them.  The motion of the flag in the wind gives me peace...  as does it shear presence.   Watching it makes me thankful - for our leaders, for our protectors, and for our land....  She sure is a grand old flag!

Kickball

This past year my son has fallen in love.  Not with girls mind you - they are gross to him.  But he has fallen in love with kickball.  He would play kickball 24-7 if he could...  and I am certain if there was a professional kickball association, he would aspire to be a pro.

He has downloaded the kickball rules... he has framed out a field in our yard... and he has even made up rules (as he goes along)...  he has taught Hannah to play... and he has convinced Dave and me to play...   He is even learning how to multiply when keeping score...  and has mastered a do-over....


I just love how excited he gets when it is time to play.  His smile is so big!  And when he plays - it is all out.  He finishes up all sweatty and red-faced.  He is just so very happy when he plays!  And for me, it makes running all over the field with him worth every minute.   Anyone up for a game?

Oglebay Park Swimming Pool

Some of the best times in my life have been spent at Oglebay Park Swimming Pool.  I love the place.  My parents took my sister and I swimming almost daily when we were little - the benefits of teacher parents!  Then Aimee and I would go ourselves as we got older...  When I first got married, I had my own pass and would read for hours there while my hubby played golf. 


But ever since I had my first baby seven years ago, it was not always possible for me to go to the pool with my little ones.  Call me a chicken, but trying to work out the logistics of watching them at the pool was more than I could handle.  The bathroom situation alone scared the pants off of me.  That is until now...

Noah and Hannah can swim.  Miss Sarah is safe in her little life vest.  And Oglebay installed a family bathroom.  So we are back!  On Sunday, Dave and I bought a family pass - and we went both Sunday and Monday.  We had a blast!  I can't tell you how good it felt.  Passing on this tradition with my kids...  Sharing something with them that I love.  Being on a little vacation only miles from my house.  Not being distracted by the house and things to do...  Just loving the pool.  Splashing, swimming, jumping....  Watching my hubby wince with fear of the cold water.  (Chicken!) 

Over time, things have changed all around me.  I have changed for that matter.  But really, the pool is the same.  There are no longer diving boards and the No Running signs on the concrete have been removed.  The folks at the pool let you use their chairs now... but really all else is the same as I have always remembered it.  And someday, I hope my little ones will remember it too... 

Hello Again!

It has been awhile...  but I am back...  look for me to start writing again... 

Snow Storm February 2010

Forgive me for not posting in a few...  we have been enjoying the snow...   I have been taking a bunch of pictures with my Nikon (best present ever from my hubby)!    Enjoy!

Happy Fri - I mean - Snow day!

The snow is unbelievable right now... it just keeps coming down... This is the snow I like - the snow you watch... just not drive in... Last year I had to take Noah to school on a day with snow and lots of ice. Against my better judgment, I went down one of our hills (as opposed to the other one) - bad call as I proceeded to slowly kiss a guardrail on the way down. I was going so slow it didn't damage the van in anyway - but it took awhile and some salt to get me out of there... where am I going with this? Well now, Noah says to me - Mommy you are such a great driver and I love when you take me to school - except can Daddy take me if it snows? Parents take note - if you don't let your kids practice driving in the snow (Hey Ma - ya listening?), their future kids will not want to drive with them in snowy weather... I digress...

Aside from my hill experience, there are only a few snows that I really remember in my life. I remember one as a child in the 70s where the snow piled as high as a mountain (I wonder how high it really was... in my mind is was at least 15 feet tall...) - I remember playing with Aimee... I wish she was here today because boy would I get her with some snowballs... Then there was another bad snow when I was in college and classes were canceled for a whole week. Now if you think snow days are fun in grade school and high school - let's just say - the fun cannot compare...

So I am looking forward to tomorrow. Hanging out with my kids and my hubby - because I have a sneaking suspicion we are not going... anywhere... I am willing to bet sometime in the afternoon Dave will get ants in his pants and have to go somewhere... so maybe I can convince him to go get my Pittsburgh papers at Kroger - and maybe even buy some $10 firewood for our fireplace (honestly, I really have to get around to calling that guy to bring us some)... I also might get to try out the kids new tube and make some homemade hot chocolate... And in all, I just hope that tomorrow and the days to come - gifts me with another snow fall that I will remember...

TLSS

PS - I took this photo from my laundry room window...  it was coming down fairly hard but can you see how the snow was really sticking to the right side of the tree?  very cool.

Random Dozen

This looked like fun to me so I will play along - it originated at 2nd Cup of Coffee.  I would love to hear your answers in the comments...

1. Do you use the labels various charities send you as “free gifts?”
Yes.  I sure do.  I don't want to waste them.  The only ones I don't use refer to me as Mrs. David...


2. What is your favorite time of day (or night) for skywatching?
Evening.  I love to watch the stars and Mr. Moon.


3. What is the most adventurous you've ever been with trying a new food? (Keep it G-rated please)
I really can't say I am that adventurous.   I like to try new nationalities of food - but at that it is the common food of the country.

4. Have you ever heard a rock sing?
No - but I have heard Dora get her rocks to sing....

5. If you could learn a language you don't presently speak, what would it be?
Spanish

6. Al Capone's tombstone read, “My Jesus, Mercy.” If you could write your own epitaph, what would it say?
Passionate in all things.

7. If you were a famous musician who was known by one name, like “Cher,” “Sting,” or “Jewel,” what would it be? It doesn’t have to be your first name, but it can be, if you’d like.
Tracie

8. Have you ever been inordinately “into” a television show?
When must see TV was really must see TV - I was all over that.  Now that I have kids - not so much.

9. When you sneeze, do you go big, or do you do that weird “heenh!” sound that makes people think you’re going to blow your brains out? Any other variation we should know about?
When I sneeze, people know. 

10. Do you still read an actual newspaper that you hold in your hands, or do you get your news elsewhere?
I read the paper and I search the net.

11. Are you a good speller?
No. Not. At. All.

12. At what time each day do you start thinking about lunch?
Usually about an hour after I finish breakfast....  Is that wrong?

Feeling my age...

I have a bunch of things to write about today - but something happened to me that really made me feel my 36 years old.   When you need copies for the PTA you need to send them to this really nice lady who runs the copy center at our high school.  When they are finished, you go to the high school and pick them up - swapping blank paper for pretty copies...  pretty good deal and cost effective for the school. 

So today I had copies to pick up.  I pulled up my mini-van to the front of the high school - mind you this is the school I went to some 18 years ago.  (Oh. my. 18 years ago.)  and there were kids everywhere.  So I am thinking it must be lunch time.  But I no sooner shut my door (and locked it just to be safe) that the bell rang...  So there I am in the middle of a million high school kids (OK I am exaggerating - there were only like 100 thousand).  

And that is when the old starts to settle in...  The police officer I need to report to (yep I said police officer - 18 years ago we just had a scary looking detention teacher) knew me when I was little - so I didn't even need to show my ID.  Or maybe I had the trust-worthy Mom look???  (please say it isn't so).   So I scribbled my name on the sign in sheet and off I went to the copy room.

Do I need to remind you there were a trillion high school students in those halls?  And I was trapped in the middle!  As I walked, I was feeling pretty good - thinking look at me out walking these kids.   I have loads of energy - I can keep up.  But as I walked I started to look at the kids....  POOF it happened...  not only did I feel old...  but I turned into my mother.  I actually thought to myself - these kids look like hoodlums - I am glad I locked my car (um van)...  most of them looked like they rolled out of bed or were headed to gym class.  I saw one girl who looked remotely nice - but most looked like grunge.   Many were high school beautiful and skinny - but had wardrobes that would make Clinton and Stacey cringe...  Now I am not Ms. Style - not by any means - but man - I think I look better in my pjs than these kids do at school.   What ever happened to looking your best?  Or today is looking your worst actually looking your best?   

So I got my copy paper, hopped back in my van, and felt eternally grateful that I went to school EIGHTEEN years ago...  I wonder what the kids will look like when Noah, Hannah, and Sarah go to school...  I am hoping by then there will be a 50s trend going through - where skirts and ties are all the rage...

TLSS

p.s  the shirt in the photo is my hubby's favorite shirt - he asked me to marry him in that shirt - and those are his painting pants....  i guess some grunge is ok  :-)

My email rules...

So last night I decided that I would clean up my email both at work and at home.  Just like in my life I am not that crazy about clutter - so a three digit inbox is more than I can mentally handle.   But I started to really look at the emails that I get from folks and if I could write emails rules just so folks know ahead what I am going to read... they would go something like this...

1.  If it is funny, send it.  I love to laugh.
2.  If it is heartwarming, send it.   You just can't read too many good things.
3.  If it is a compliment or will make my day, please hit send.
4.  If you are asking for prayers or sending me one, go ahead send it my way - because in the middle of working in front of these machines all day - prayer is always welcome.
5.  If it is a puzzle or a game, I will play.
6.  If you are going to teach me something, even trivia, my mind is open.
7.  If you are helping a cause, let me know - I try to help.

Now here is where my delete button gets happy....
8.  I don't like email that makes me cry or makes me sad.  I know that this is me living in a fairy tale world - but I don't watch bad news or sad TV - so I am not going to read it in my email.  Mom, please note.
9.  I tend to pass on email that puts down the president or any elected official.  I deleted them when they were about W, and I delete them now about Obama.  I give all elected officials credit because theirs is not a job I would want.  And somehow, I just don't think we see the complete picture when we forward away - true or not.
10.  I am not email superstitious.  In real life, I am.  I don't like Friday the 13th.  I have the same ritual everytime I board a plane.  I never travel without my cross.  But don't tell me that I have to forward stuff... I throw caution to the wind.  I will, however, forward if it meets my criteria 1-7 - but only to the people who I really think that it fits.

What do you do?  Do you have unwritten email rules too?

TLSS

My 20 Wishes

I love the knitting series by Debbie McComber.    Twenty Wishes is the last one I read...  (There are 4 books in the series and I have read them all but I read 3 and 4 out of order.  Not sure why?)   Anyway, I absolutely love how she writes because I feel connected to the characters - they seem as real as you and me...  In this book the ladies each write a list of 20 wishes and then works to make those wishes come true...  Not all of the wishes were fancy - and I would not say the lists were bucket lists.  These were just wishes that meant something to each of them, and if I recall most of their wishes came true by the end of the story.... 

So I got to thinking about that after I finished the book.  What would my 20 wishes be?  And I have thought of that often after I finished the book.  So today on my 36.5 birthday, I am write those 20 wishes out and see what happens from here.

1.  Learn to knit or crochet.  (yes the books are inspiring - but I really want to make an afghan - I love those things!)
2.  Go to a ski resort in the winter and stay holed up in the cabin near a fire with a good book and my family.  
3.  Cook in my new and improved kitchen.
4.  Go to the Grand Canyon.
5.  Learn to make a basket.
6.  Plant apple trees in my yard so I could make applesauce and pies.
7.  Have a total organized attic.  (I know that sounds like a task but if you know me - you know how excited I get when things are organized).
8.  Catch a foul ball (without breaking anything).
9.  Teach my kids to snorkel.
10.  Have fresh flowers in my house more often.
11.  Play soccer in the rain with my family.  (It always looks like so much fun when they do it on The Big Green).
12.  Get dressed up really fancy and go on a date (that I did not plan any aspect of) with my husband - at an event that is not a wedding or a funeral. 
13.  Replace my porch swing...  and put hanging baskets near it...  so I could swing and watch my flowers throughout the summer...  2 of my all time favorite things to do.
14.  Learn to identify more birds.
15.  Play kickball.  Gosh, I used to rock at that game.  (without breaking anything).
16.  Be a blessing when no one knows it was me.
17.  Go for a hike and end it with an old fashion picnic!
18.  Watch the sun rise while sitting on the beach.
19.  Walk in a half-marathon.
20.  Drive in a car.... that is a convertible!!!!!!!!!


What do you wish for?

TLSS

sarah, Sarah, SARAH!

Well, my little artist is at it again.   In lieu of a nap today, my little angel (who can now crawl out of her crib) decided that she was going to try another form of artistic expression today.  It is called powder art.   What do you think?  Look hard at anything white - it is all over the place!!!  She used an entire bottle of baby powder!  I think I might want to take a nap myself.   Anyone up for a powder cleaning party?  Add this to the list of things little miss cannot be trusted with.

 

 

 

PS.  This is also on the list of things I will not miss when she is older.  I have a feeling her antics will never really go away.

The Bear and the Photos

So somedays you get the bear...  and other days the bear gets you...  Today, the bear got me. 
Today, I decided to organize a years worth of photos....   Let's just say this morning when I woke up I looked like this... (imagine with me... - I am using animals here because I can't even think to use real people!)

After I looked at my photos, I realized I was sorely mistaken.... my image should more be like this...

Let's just say - this whole thing has me feeling a bit like this...

TLSS

PS.  And I even got up early and worked out!  

clipart from http://www.free-clipart-pictures.net/

Earring Day!

What a great day today was!  I spent the entire day with #2!  And she got her ears pierced!   It was so exciting!  Such a cool bond - just us... together!

My little girl....

My big girl... with earrings just like her mommy!

TLSS

Haiti Relief - Every One Can Help

If the news from Haiti is too much for you lately, I can understand. But it seems out of every crisis comes strength. There are a group of bloggers out there - really amazing, incredible women - who have gotten together and are donating money to Haiti relief funds if people link and/or comment on their blogs. How wonderful is that!    I first found out about this by reading one of my favorite blogs, SwagGrabber.  Click here to post a comment on Sherri's blog (SwagGrabber), and she will donate money to the Red Cross.    Money Saving Mom is doing the same thing.  Check it out here.  You will find one blog leads to another doing similar things.

Jenny at Southern Savers has compiled an extensive list of Supply Drives in the south - but for those of us a little more north can probably get some great ideas on ways to help.

The power of one.   Do something.   As for me, Dave and I are going to support the Red Cross with blood and money...

-TLSS