Moderation

It's funny. I forget how challenging the holidays are time and diet wise. There is just so much to squeeze into such a short time. I eat and drink way out of moderation. Yuck. Pepsi and no bakes for breakfast. Little Debbie tree cakes and pie. Good but not good. And although I'm a crazy person and run/worry off most of it, my face looks like I'm 16 again, and not in the good way. Time to get real folks. 

R&R

ahhh rest and relaxation...
Our couch has taken all it can take. It now sits on the ground. I'm going to take a hint and lose some weight.

Mom gave us childhood scrapbooks for Christmas. Bub wants to know why I look like an Indian in all the pics.

Christmas 2014

Stella peed on me while I was pulling up her leg warmer.
Mom gave John and Harbor potpourri to drink- not really it was a spiced drink but apparently had gone bad. She did offer to put 'whipped creme stuff' in it. Vodka. I informed her that wasn't gonna happen :)
The boys said I can't put potpourri out anymore. 

Holiday movies

Favorite holiday movies? White Christmas, Holiday in Handcuffs, 12 Dates of Christmas, Christmas Kiss, The Vicar of Dibsley Christmas episodes, You've Got Mail, Santa Buddies, Santa Baby 2, Christmas Cupid (-), All I Want for Christmas (both of them-), Christmas Crush (--), I'll be Home for Christmas (-), The Christmas that Almost Wasn't (-),  are on Netflicks. Unfortunately Fred Claus, Miracle on 34th Street, Elf, the Santa Clause movies, 4 Christmases, The Grinch, Bishop's Wife, Christmas Vacation, A Golden Christmas are not. I have It's a Wonderful Life on VHS. I like quirky, funny and semi romantic ones. I'm putting up the last of the decorations and John is sick on the couch so we are in for the night. Not a big fan of Christmas with the Kranks, Scrooged, Get Santa. 

Inappropriate

I am an inappropriate laugher.
I joined a friend at the theater to watch Gone Girl and having read the book and, knowing this girl is a psycho freak, I laughed through most of it. My companion mentioned the other people in the theater might find that strange not knowing what's coming. Tis true, I couldn't help it....

Sneakercon

Last weekend we traveled to Sneakercon, a sneaker convention catering to the crowd who knows their sneakers.
While we were in line, vendors passed out QR code papers to make an offer on all available shoes- Jordan 11, Kobe 9, Lebron XI.
Bub bought 2 pairs of shoes, one for 25$ and one for 130$.
After a few hours it was so crowded we all felt uncomfortable so we headed downtown, where we paid too much for parking- $30 a day, and ate at Downtown Dogs
We took the boys downtown to the Nike store. Amazing. Yo bought Harbor a KD 7 jacket and I bought him another pair of overpriced socks.

We stayed at the SpringHill Suites in Chicago Elmhurst/Oakbrook Area and it was lovely.
We headed to Armitage which is our favorite street in Chicago.
Art Effect had a lovely little skirt I purchased. At All She Wrote I found a Kate Spade book thermal travel mug that I'm drinking out of right now. My favorite consignment store in Chicago has been McShane's Exchange for years but this year I found 1 dress and when I was checking out I asked how far their other location was and she said it went out of business. :( very upsetting. But their was another store a few doors down and I bought a sweater there.
The boys ordered bacon by the pint at a sports bar on Armitage.
Gas cost about $100.

This week is OGT testing and I realized kids today can't tell time and don't even grasp how long minutes are.... Not good.

My own son seems unable to fill out an envelope. I was lamenting they are unable to tell time when the subject of filling out an envelope or writing a letter came up. The teacher sheepishly said, did you get your letter??? Ya it was a pitiful envelope from my son.

professional

What a depressing state of the union... literally.
Most of the hubbub boils down to not trusting us to be professionals and do the jobs we were hired to do. The fall of the union is the bickering between members of questioning what the person standing next to you is doing or not doing and is it fair. Question the individual not the group. Coaches put in a ridiculous amount of time and yes they choose to do it and yes they get paid. If they choose to not do it your kid will go without. The community will lose out.

Be NICE

I think we should be able to choose classes as adults:
mythology (it comes up all the time!)
budgeting
balancing life
meal planning
how to talk to a teenager without getting the stink eye

Everyday I am reminded of how it all comes down to nice people. It does. I need to be surrounded by people who are giving each other support and the benefit of the doubt. Mean people stink- big time. Why do you want that kind of negativity out there? Don't throw around meanness. Kindness is free. If you feel hate toward another human being, if you want to get even or posture to get the advantage- who are you? It says more about you than about the person you are directing that toward. Just because you hold the power to make a decision doesn't mean you should mess with that. That crap will come back to you- or it should. I don't want to spend my time planning how to mess with somebody, how to show someone how much power I have, how important I am. I don't need to. Do you?

Country Living

I'm wondering if all new YA books are required to have the word 'immortal' in them or be about getting wasted? Seriously... looking for more depth...

When the back covers say things like 'Stephenie Meyers meets John Green'  Meyers and Green must think they are the bomb to be THE NAMES

This year's Country Living Fair highlights:

Wine on High- New Age White

La Rousse Malbec

Haiku Poetic food and Art- Eastern Rose, Lettuce Wraps, and a Harvest Roll

humanity

Alrighty. Who's found my blog? No one visits for a year and then I check in today and BAM! Visitors. How does that happen? Anywho, doesn't matter. I write on...
This has been a tough week. This being an adult business. This parenting business. Tough. It is toughness I would never have imagined. If it weren't for voices of reason, snippets of conversations while doing hall duty, messages sent from parents of a classmate, a former student coming home and being proud of his journey, a leg swung over mine on the couch... I don't know how I'd proceed sometimes. Luckily this business of being a human is a group endeavor. 

Bewildering

It has come to my attention that maybe I bewilder people. They don't know what to do with me. That's ok.
I spent the better part of 2 hours putting together a few outfits and packing for a few days. I considered where we would be- shopping at an upscale outdoor plaza, when- August but cool for August, who- the people I would be with but also around, and then I added things I couldn't wear to work or other places. I added jewelry, bags, and shoes for walking. That is what I do. I like to use my creativity in my creation of an outfit. And people openly consider me. This has happened to me several times lately. A few weeks ago a lady sitting across from me, who I did not know, kept openly staring. At least she was smiling but I kept catching her looking at me. Ok. Thanks for appreciating the outfit :) Yesterday my companion said, 'now is that something you would wear to work?' yes. not sure if that is a good thing or again- bewilderment. Ok.

Also after spending several days lately with wonderfully loving, giving, generous, gracious, nonjudgemental, encouraging, uplifting, intelligent, funny, insightful, spirit led, good good people I found my self rethinking some people who are just not that I spent too much time with. 

Dwindling

Summer is dwindling down to nothing but I've decided I'm not going to let it.
Things I can still do once school starts to make summer last....

walk the dogs
swim with the dogs
SUP
kayak
read books and magazines on the pontoon
porch: put cushions/tablecloth/lights out, sit/read, facebook/instagram/pinterest
put the hammock in the back yard and read in it
fix summer food and drinks

Thursday Bub went with me to Yo's pool and the family gathered for some end of summer fun. Of course he conned me into taking him to Dick's to buy lures for his HS fishing tourney and Plato's to just look for shoes. He found stuff. Huh. Surprising. We also went to Walmart to pick up snacks and drinks for him to take.

Saturday I participated in Cincinnati's Color Run with 3 friends. Afterward we ate at The Tin Roof with what seemed to be the rest of the runners. Great place with quesadillas and nachos.

Hilton Head

At the Apple Barn...
Do you make your own applesauce? no.
What's in this? apples.... onions....noooo
5 min farts
hot air balloon
After 3 wineries you get a free wine glass after 5 you get a free stemless wine glass. Margaret says I want them today!!!
Free wine glasses are in the car.
Sometimes I just feel inadequate with the amount of products Yo uses and I don't. - Margaret

Super 8 motel... Yo- The shower is made for a troll.

Family Time

It's been a lovely past few days. The girlfriend is out of town so the teenager is around more often. I don't say it out loud but, like yesterday,  I came into the kitchen and he was just sitting there. On his phone playing whatever, but he was in the room. So I asked do you want a pb sandwich? have you seen this printout of what you should be eating? bowl of cereal? yogurt? milk? powerade? and he took it all as he sat and I put dishes away.

Yesterday we went to church then ate lunch at the Angilos in Goshen, Bubs said that one is best, then picked up some things from my parents while Hubs fixed something they've been struggling with having to do with electric. Actually Bubs helped just as much and he talked to them about it since he's been working with his grandpa and electric. Then we headed home and Bubs drove me and him out to the driving range for a bit. We stopped at a garage sale and I get teary eyed when he looks around with me instead of hanging out in the car. Back home we get an unexpected visit from family so we clean like a mad dog on a Sunday, not happy about unexpected visits. Then they leave and a football coach comes over to talk football with Hubs and Bubs hangs around. Then he heads out to play BBall at the clubhouse with a friend and I read on the porch, The End of the Point. When he gets back I feed him again and he heads to bed.

Saturday was equally lovely. I spent the morning on the porch and a large fox went hopping through the back field. I'm hoping he makes a return visit. Last week while walking the dogs I saw a little deer laying just under the tree line. Peaceful. Finally I got the boys to get out of bed and we all went to Taste of Belgium in Clifton. Not as good as my and Bubs first visit but the trip was nice. We then went to Kenwood and Bubs exchanged his shoes, I spent more of my gift card and we ate again. We spent an exorbitant amount of time in shoe stores.  On the way home we stopped at Paradise Ice for the 2nd time. I'm telling you this stuff is the bomb! Then home and visited a friend's cookout, then took the dogs and the boy out on the pontoon for fireworks. They were troopers. The teenager made me especially proud because he went to a friend's party, found out the parents were out of town, and he came home. He came home. Breathe. He's going to make it.

Friday was the 4th of July and we all went to the parade. The teenager drove separately because a friend of his has been hanging out here the last few days and the teenager is driving him back and forth home to take care of his animals. But the came to where we were and watched the parade with us. My best friend from high school met us there with her family of 4 little ones. Blanchester's 4th of July Parade is honorable. It is also the best time for those who are back in town to walk the street downtown and mingle. I love seeing past students and their babies. Adorable.

Thursday we all went to Yo's pool. We met at the Root Beer Stand, not quite as good as I remembered, but good. The weather wasn't cooperating but it was fun. I actually played with water guns with the boys for a long time and it was really fun. Sat in the hot tub. Helped Yo with her craft room. Generally just hung out. We took the boys to the mall for a bit or actually they took us. The boy loves to drive Yo's convertible. Also the guy with us had never ridden in a convertible or gone to Orange Leaf so we checked both off his bucket list. The kid was friendly and talkative. Very enjoyable to be around.

Wednesday I met a friend for a 6 mile walk on the Loveland trail and an iced coffee. I really wish we lived closer. We just chat and we think alike and we reassure each other that we are ok.

Sipping...  a homemade creamer
Listening...  Lake Street Dive
Reading... The End of the Point
Sharing... a recipe for homemade creamer, Lake Street Dive music video
Watching... just finished the only 2 seasons of Life on Netflicks

peaceful

There is nothing more peaceful than my porch. The sounds, the smells, the beautiful scenery- it is balm to the soul.

I have not trusted myself to write for awhile. I'm struggling this summer. Feeling a little overwhelmed about how to get everything done, organized, cleaned, how to shoulder all the responsibilities.

I have, so called, friends who have been very judgmental lately and I don't need that. I'm tired and I'm lonely even though I am surrounded by family and friends.

I'm catching up on my Bible reading and constantly reminded that the one who I was supposed to be reading with on this plan gave up on  me. Not a good feeling. But I have been catching up at my own pace and trying to not to let that bother me. But it does. I'm tired of being acting disappointed every time I fail. Or I forget. Lend a hand people. Have a heart and some compassion. Life is hard and we need encouragement not judgement or disappointed looks.

So I've been looking for something uplifting to watch on television/netflicks to help me relax. And I've noticed, there is nothing relaxing on television. Crime, apocalyptic, and drama that's what's on television.

Bub got 3rd place in the adult division of the FLW circuit. That's a good showing. A paying slot.
http://www.flwoutdoors.com/bassfishing/bfl/tournament/2014/7156/lake-st-clair-coangler-results/?dpl=1&all=1&sr=1&rpp=50&&sort=pl

sprint

Summer is sprinting by. I am doing things and getting things done but I feel weird.
Boys leave Sat morning and I going to scrap hopefully Sat-Sun with the dogs we will see how that works.

meal plan: water, green smoothies, eggs, nuts
walk the dogs, work out print- Jessica videos,

Article to share:
Reading: Wild by Cheryl Strayed
Sipping: Caramel macchiato

Love Nest

Sunday lounging...
Sam's last day with us here at the Love Nest. We celebrated by watching Analyze This, having a green smoothie, and scrapbook organizing. It was quite good.
Yesterday Marina had to go in for emergency tooth/mouth surgery yesterday and it was sad. So glad she is ok.

Perfect

The perfect day...
reading daily affirmations wall and pinterest everyday
coffee on the porch

Got moving on the house today...mirrors, glass, toilets, dust

Judgement and Grace keep popping up in my mind lately.
I'm seeing people not give grace to others but just judgement or the refusal to be friendly. Why? It has to take more negative energy to act that way. I want to strive to be friendly even with strangers. I think sometimes this appears two faced because I've opened up to close friends about my frustration with certain people just to then turn around and be friendly. Therefore I vow to stop cutting on people behind their backs, stop participating in the negative talk. I need to live by the adage that if you wouldn't say it in front of them don't say it behind them. No one wants to be talked about negatively behind their back. 

Porch Perfection

I forget in the winter how much I enjoy the porch and spending my mornings, afternoons and evenings here. I have plenty of things I can do from right here. In my next life I'm working from home and I will work on my porch! The sounds are incredible all day long. The crickets that I remembered being out at night are actually out all day.

So the person from the unfortunate post continues to perplex me.
I hate feeling as though I've disappointed someone but in this case I do not feel at fault. I'm tired. I don't need one more person defining how I should behave. At a recent gathering she was standoffish and I was uncomfortable. I'm tired of it quite frankly. I don't like feeling like someone thinks I'm acting inappropriately. I want to be around those who help my being.

I don't feel the need to be around people who are judging me or trying to get me to be the person they want me to be. I think that's because I am ok with who I am. I don't need someone else's approval. I don't like the feeling that gets me in the pit of my stomach when I'm around judgmental, negative people. 

Road Trip

We left around 6pm on Friday and traveled through Louisville, Nashville

We stayed on the south side of Birminghm. We made it to the Florida line by 1:00.

Yolanda says we are difficult, snooty travelers. I don't agree. You just need to know the truths...

Eat the free breakfast, you never know when we'll eat again. 

The car will be traveling quickly and erratically. 

Preventative pee when given the chance. 

If we are going out to shop or just to pick something up-it might b awhile. 

We won't beg you to go- we don't care. 

You will pay your own way. We work for our money. We are not looking for sugar daddies. 

Lazy Saturday

With the arrival of Sam I am guaranteed to stay home for a weekish. I love it!
We watched Finding Normal on Netflicks a few nights ago and it was a pleasant surprise. Really good.
I love love love my porch. I plan to spend most of my summer right here.
Porch Activities:
Catch up on devotional reading
Magazines

Finally Friday

Feels like the first day of summer!
Finally spending the morning on the porch with a cuppa. Sam has arrived and we have settled in for the week.

Although Tuesday of last week was the last day of school it was crazy until today.
Wed- retirement party
Thurs- book club
Fri- left for Florida
Sat- Florida
Sun- Florida
Mon- Florida
Tues- road home
Wednesday- home and anniversary dinner at Aponte's Pizza, bought a handmade sewing table at This n That Consignments in Mason
Thursday- worked and book club

Finally friday and home for the day!
A deer was in the back field tonight about 8:30.

The First Day of Summer!

It's here! It's finally here! The first day of summer!
After an initial shock of the alarm going off before 6am because Hubs and Bubs was headed to the weight room at 7am. I slept in until 8:30.... ahhhhhh. Now I need to get the house cleaned because the girlfriend is coming over at noon. I told the teenager this will not be an everyday thing. Oh I know. Yeah we'll see.

So on this first day of summer I am perfecting my Summer Plan. Already off schedule but I must clean this house!

Looking forward to
lounging with the pups
inviting people and dogs over to lounge on the back porch, grill out, go for a boat ride

Signs of Summer

Everyone must have their own signs of summer. A few of mine...
I can see the red canoe on the lake outside my bedroom window
Tourists flood Lake Lorelei, walking, biking and running boat motors loudly
Graduation is over

unfortunate

Interesting school year...
I can't believe it is over but I so need it to be over. I learned a lot and realized I need to get some things straightened out because I may not get to spend the rest of my days here.
A good friend reacted in a way that shocked and hurt me and also taught me to not trust people so much. That is unfortunate.
And lastly, it all comes down to good kids and good friends. I learned to slow down and enjoy the ride.

Enough Already

When there are things out there like cancer and birth defects and tornados why do we as humans have to toss in bad vibes, hatred and backstabbing to the mix? Isn't it bad enough that there are those things we don't have any control over and make no sense? Why do we then have to add to the misery in the world? Kindness is free. Support is easy. If someone is doing good leave them be. Add your blessing. We all have enough to worry about. Geesh. Enough already. 

Peeved

Censoring my title today.
So, dealing with some drama lately that has gone on way too long. But torn about how to go about stopping it or just let it ride and don't participate.
Choosing option 2. In the end I want to be blameless. I started out blameless and I want to make sure I continue to be blameless. AND I want to make sure I am taking my own advice when it comes to handling other people's reactions to our decisions. If the tables were turned and my son was going through this what would I say to him?

To the one who is choosing to react this way...
I hope you miss me. I hope I was the friend who created fun and surrounded you with love and that you miss that from me. I hate going through my days thinking of you and what I would normally tell you, show you, send you and knowing you have chosen not to hear from me. But that is your choice and I will respect that.

When I look back on last summer I remember spending countless hours
making Harbor's t-shirt quilt with 2 generous friends
back porch reading, cruising facebook/pinterest/blogs
lounging pool side with happy pups, family, friends
reading on a boat along side a fisherman or two
holding new babies and slowing down to breath with them
making Pinterest projects and recipes
facing the ocean, feet in the sand, friends by my side
reading without a quitting time
walking alongside my pups
harvesting from our garden

Been talking bathing suits a lot lately... a friend and I were comparing suits we've been looking at. She ordered online I did not. Today she told me to avoid the VS high waisted bottoms because 'they're cheeky'. Adorbs.

Shake shake shake!

Last weekend I went to Shaker Village with a group of lovely ladies. We had a bit of a snafu on the way down there, the gas gauge broke and we ran out of gas, visited one of the lady's sons at college, toured around the village and each of us took a ride on the giant swing on the way out of town. Saturday night we played bananagrams and we had to argue with the oldest member in our party about what were real words because she was playing words that Words With Friends accepts. Hilarity ensued!

Unfortunately someone who was not with us found out we went and has been giving two of us the cold shoulder upon our return. Honestly I am upset but I am torn with how to handle it. I intentionally didn't tell her we were going because I knew her feelings would be hurt and now that she has found out they are. To address or not address?

Break up

Goodness. That spring break flew by. The boys left from school Wednesday. I had to help with the Academic Banquet and that went by sslloowwllyy. Then I spent Thursday putting our house back together. It took the entire day and really the house isn't even all clean. Friday morning I spent ordering pictures to scrap on Saturday. Friday afternoon I met Sally, Elaine and Madeline at the movies and saw Grand Budapest Hotel which was amazing. Wes Anderson is ridiculous. We went over to Cooper Blue for drinks, appetizers and stayed so long we had dinner. I am constantly reminded how much the little things mean to people when I'm with Madeline. She wears her heart on her sleeve so when she looks at me I know she wants to ride with me, sit by me, tell me something. God love her, she's a sweet person. It does something to my soul to know someone loves me like she loves me. Friday evening I finished cleaning up for the scrapbook gals, Bev and Margy, to come play on Saturday. And they actually came and spent the weekend which was unexpected and lovely. I scrapped 2014 and should finish that today.
Also on the docket today.....
follow the plan
laundry
dishes
putting things back in place

That should about do it.
I'm focusing on losing weight and paying off bills. Losing the weight of the stress both of these hold on me.

The boys come home today. I can't wait really. I've missed them something fierce this time. Probably because Bub and his girlfriend of 7 months broke up. I trust his judgement but it is difficult watching him go through this. 

Ugly

What's amazing to me is that we go to the same school and I had no idea a 'near fight' had occurred. That not my kid but someone close to him was being harassed.

So I took a nap and it was lovely not to have an alarm.

I'm feeling ugly lately.

Pride

Ate at the Rookwood last night with Sally, Elaine, George and Madeline prior to the Playhouse showing of Pride and Prejudice.
My dish was an eggplant, spaghetti squash, chickpea extravaganza. I also had two cocktails- a singapore sling and something with Bullet bourbon- I had to mix that with cola. A stunning meal. We added Dojo gelato to the mix.  

Looks good

I love to go to goodwill with my parents and putter. My dad finds me in the store to ask, "does this fit?" As he tugs on the front of the purple plaid shirt he's tried on without ducking into the dressing room. Looks good, I say as I continue puttering. Of course once he gets to the checkout and realizes he has to pay the tag price of 4.99 he decides to wait until Saturday when he will get 50% off.

First porch day

Finallyyyyyyyy
An evening spent on the porch. I checked facebook once I got home from dinner at mom's, dropping Bub at driving school and Hub left for a first fishing evening on Lake Lorelei.
Lovely...
And yet too soon I had to come inside to work on my studio desk.
I can still hear the birds sing and frogs croak.

Croak!

Yesterday we came home from lunch and paused outside because we heard frogs. Frogs. It's sounding like spring!

Time Change as Times Change

Time change, church, lunch at Red Zone, picked up the girlfriend and she's here again today.
Luckily hubs is keeping watch so I can work on my paper for class Thurs.
Cleaned off some paper work, added some new books I picked up at goodwill and thrift to my lists... generally wiled the day away in my studio while being uncomfortable with this whole teenage boy girl hanging out.

My Life Plan

Sometimes when the school day is over and Bub comes into the library he is excited and chatty and I'm trying to get my things together to leave. The other day I interrupted his diatribe and he said, "Will you stop? I'm trying to tell you my life plan!" Which, by the way, is to pay cash for his car and house. Good plan. Also that house is a one story ranch with a basement. Funny how my life plan was a two story with a basement because I grew up in a ranch!

He also said he will have 10 kids so he will always have servants. Of course this followed his father asking him to go do whatever and help a little more. 

A student came in the library and I was trying to get something done on my computer so I was half listening when he said, "Mrs. L listen. This is a Cade story you're going to need to pay attention." So I stopped and listened intently to a ten minute story of I have no idea what.

Last Sunday we took Hub's parents and grandmother to the Cincinnati Symphony. It was lovely. Beforehand we had lunch at a steakhouse and Bub ordered salmon. Salmon? And he ate it. I love that he surprises me by ordering salmon. We discussed going to PFChangs at Bub's suggestion but later found out he only likes to walk in between the horse statues really. Another thing I love about you.

At the sound of the power drill Bubs immediately hops up and goes toward the sound. Another thing I love about you.

I'm watching...

Things to do while girlfriend is visiting son... on my couch... in my living room...
Clean my kitchen that faces said living room
Make the weekly menu while standing in kitchen
Cook in the kitchen- facing the living room
Work in my studio and position myself to... face the living room

They watched I listened to the Croods, Ghost.

I am happiest when something- a husband, a child, a dog- is laying on me and I can feel the rise and fall of their breath as life goes on.

If I'm ever in trouble I want you on my side.
These words from a coworker after an intense meeting where I left thinking, well, that I'm a little too intense. I hate getting walked on so maybe I always have an answer. It's who I am. Don't ?!@# with me and think I'm going to take it laying down. Tired of this  !@?!

ALS

so today i was called to the office because not just one but three reps from Josten's were here to meet with me and my supervisor. had i done something wrong? were they going out of business? turns out my rep has ALS and is not doing well. i am heartbroken for him. this is a guy i see once a month or so and we chat for awhile each time about kids, sports, and such. he's a really good family guy who loves his wife. so sad. i'm sending up a big ole prayer for Tim tonight and for his family. 

Standing appointment

Showing up at IHOP today for a breakfast meeting with some friends the hostess asked, "Just one?"
"No, 5 please."
"Do you have a standing Monday table?"
I didn't know people even did that.
Then while Steph and I tried to decide if we should get sweet or savory crepes she suggested we each order and then split. Perfect.
"We are too much alike," she said. So true, and comforting. I can not wait for our weekend getaway. I'm already making conversation cards about things I want to talk about with these ladies. They are my true, dear friends, my mentors.

On the docket...
privacy and teenagers
teenagers and intimacy
people saying, well he is a boy
where Steph is sending her son to school

I really respect these ladies and look forward to the support with which they surround me.

arctic blast

3rd arctic blast of the season brings unbelievable snow....
Discovered Prudence on Hallmark Movie Channel. Dear Prudence is the first one I'm watching now. Cute murder series starring jane Seymore.

Sick weeks

Ugh! I've had the crud, the coughs and now the congestion for about 4 weeks now I guess. At least I don't feel horrible most of the time.
Yesterday I couldn't stay awake at the ACT. At least I was just watching the bathrooms. I fought to just get home and go back to sleep but of course the boys were ready to go out when I got back so off we went! We took back Christmas stuff and did some shopping and went out to eat at Chili's. A great day really. Then I crashed and now, well, I'm paying for it. Ah well.

Snow Day # !@#$

But, alas, the State of Ohio has given us 4 more days on top of the 5 we already had and a possible 3 more using Blizzard Bags so it isn't as painful as usual.
We slept in, as usual, and then Hubs made gravy, biscuits, scrambled eggs, bacon and OJ for breakfast while Bubs and I played Campbells Alphabet game in the kitchen. These are the days memories are made from. I did some laundry and cleaning up but we just eased back into another game with the three of us. Bubs traveled upstairs to his XBOX and then would drift back down to play with us. Last night we watched The Departed then today Hubs suggested we put in the You've Got Mail DVD. Later I turned on The Bone Collector while we played another game. I went back to watch Sherlock because I fell asleep watching it the first time. I'm hoping this isn't the end of the season. Again. Way too short.

Yesterday a co-worker of mine, not a teacher, commented on the coming snow/ice/sleet storm. 'Well usually no matter what you'd know where to find me, but now with the new grandson, I'm not coming to work! I used to not have anything else to do!' I am always taken aback at people who have no hobbies...

Thriftshop

So I'm on the mend today and I ventured out with the boys. The girls were distraught watching me get ready to leave.
We went to Hillsboro to get new (to us) tires on the suburban then out to what was supposed to be breakfast but ended up being lunch at Frishes (the only redeemable thing being the vanilla coke especially since we are days from the switchover to pepsi at Frishes). Then Bubs was all about stopping at some junk stores... Sometimes that kid surprises me. He and the Hubs bought some junk and then Bubs let me pick him out an outfit for the upcoming basketball homecoming spirit day Thrift Shop. That's pretty exciting. He chose a denium carthart vest that has wooly on the inside and a plaid long sleeve shirt with cords. Yeah. Pretty thrilled actually.

Crud

Feeling like crud the last few days. Doing activities that can be done while lounging on the double wide chair.

The other day Bub's was telling us his Spanish teacher is a 'pretty smart lady'. He likes to throw around his knowledge and apparently she is making this difficult because she knows so much. He got in a small jab about a turtle and its classification and her comeback was a very scientific sermon. He was 'put in his place' I suppose. Quite funny to hear him tell it.

some things i should be able to get done today...
print printables
read attachments
paint my nails

Bible Studies

Attended my first Beth Moore Bible study this evening. Not sure this is for me. Anymore it takes a lot to make me want to leave my family and pups and go out after I just got home from a long, exhausting, although enjoyable day at work. I'm looking for something personal, extra, insight, relationships. Instead I showed up to a room of a few other women who chatted a bit then we basically watched a video and said good night. Not what I was thinking. Of course it was my first night and I missed the first meeting last week so I didn't have any insights or learn anything the week before. Here's hoping this week in the workbook homework will sway me over to looking forward to this.
I am looking forward to another 'Bible' study I am currently 'in'. My friend G read a chronological Bible last year and said she was starting it again this year. I asked if I could join her. We'll be meeting in the next few weeks to discuss our month's reading. That should be interesting. I've been taking notes, and jotting down thoughts.
I'm seriously thinking next year I'll host a Bible study in my house, once a month. We'll read some selections and then we'll talk it over, dig in deep, relate.
Alrighty I'm off to read for the evening and sip on some throat soothing tea. Somethings caught in there and I'm hacking. 

Snow Day #6

Well there is that. We are now past our days but goodness knows I would not want to get out in this cold! Temperatures were in the negative teens with wind chills we've never heard of around these parts :)
I've been watching Rosemary and Thyme episodes the last few days. A good British mystery show.
Can't seem to get anything done. Not motivated to move for the last 7 days. Yesterday I cleaned the kitchen. The laundry is done up but that's about the extent of it.
Yesterday we watched 007 Skyfall, a James Bond flick. The hubs and I that is, the teenager had already seen it apparently.

I need to get into the groove of dailies:
Weighing 1st thing
Drinking water
Bible reading
Drinking green tea
Write in my Berry Basket journal

Snow Day #5

January 6th and our 5th snow day. Yikes. Not so good al. But needed. It is currently negative 1 degree. Even Stella won't stay outside long. 

First Saturday

Loving my new fit bit.

Working at home today to get caught up on scrapbooking.. ok not caught up but moving toward being ready for Jan 31 scrap weekend.

I finished watching The Lord of the Rings trilogy and reading Game of Thrones.

The girlfriend came home with the teenager. We made pizza and they are watching a movie while I act like I don't exist. Joy.

Sunday… reading Eleanor and Park and completely loving it…
But he kept finding new pockets of shallow inside himself. He kept finding new ways to betray her.
need to watch Billy Jack

Snow Day #4 from Thursday Jan 2

Today's Main Goal...
Finish Game of Thrones! That left me with little time for much else. I've been reading it since November. Geesh, at least it is super good.
And then we ended up with a house guest so I stopped to clean up our house a bit. I'm hosting some crafters tomorrow so I would have had to do that anyway by the end of the day.
Hubs has been watching/listening to Lord of the Rings movie trilogy with me. I'm not that impressed with the movies but I am impressed Hubs has hung in there. Bubs quit about an hour into the first movie. Can't blame him.

Here's to 2014!

Another year has come and gone... so fast!
This morning I am working in my studio organizing iPhoto, Shutterfly, Walgreens and Snapfish. Not going smoothly of course.  I taxied the teenager from his New Year's Eve party to his girlfriend's house for the New Year's Day. Hubs left to fish at 6 this morning. Now back in the studio trying to organize and clean. I'd like to get to the playing part but no so sure about that today.
I've revamped my resolutions... really just recopied last year's since I've shifted more towards
Top Ten Things to Focus On
1 Follow my personal plan- if it's important it gets put into the routine
2 Get skinny/Eat Less Move More- pitiful that over the last decade I've continued to get heavier each year
3 Read my Bible plan- starting over
4 Focus on Family- spending quality time with them and feeding us healthy meals
5 Read an hour a day/200pgs including one YA from my library per week
6 Be Nice- less judgement, more grace
7 Spend Less
8 Clean and Organize
9 Create Daily
10 Watch movies and series

Added some books picked up here and there to my collection and updated my lists.
Cleaned the studio table off.
And now it's almost 7pm and I'm sitting down to read. Finally!