Domestic Engineers Need Bigger Wine Glasses

Where I sit....

2012-01-19T06:37:00.000-06:00

...when I blog, write, go through the mail, read the paper, and help with homework.

Where I sit for far too many hours of the day.

The desk is a big, beautiful antique partners desk. It's from France, it's old, and she's a beauty!

I need a comfier chair though. These are temporary chairs until we can find the perfect ones. We had two office chairs, but they were just way too office-y looking for that beautiful desk.

The window faces the street and we can watch people walk by with their dogs and see right away who pulls up in our circle driveway.

My husband likes to sit on the chair next to me and, as he calls it, "breathe my air". In the mornings we sit with our steamy cups of choice and read each other random bits of news.

Sometimes we sound like an old married couple. "Honey, did you see the article on blah, blah, blah?" "Yep, I saw it."

Btw, my spot is the one on the right. You know I'm a Mac girl :)

New Fave

2012-01-17T07:36:00.001-06:00

I'm not shy about not being a morning person. All of my good friends know not to call me before 9am (and this is because I admit that, yes, I do, sometimes head back to bed after the kids get off to school).

However, my friends also know they can call me at 1am and I'm usually wide awake to solve any of their problems. This is something I'm quite proud of.

There is nothing ashamed about being a night owl. Some of my greatest thinking occurs at night.

However, lately I've been feeling like I need to try a little harder to get a handful of things done before the sun starts showing it's rays. Or else I can easily start singing the winter blues and get lazy. lazy. lazy.

So I asked for this little piece of genius machinery for my birthday....and low and behold..it's made a big difference in my life.

That is after it took me days to figure out how to use the thing. And I'm still not quite sure I have mastered it without looking at the directions over and over and reading them out loud very slowly.

Anyhoo...it's changed my mornings.

I ease into my morning, not jarred by the sudden blaring of an alarm.

I wake up softly. I wake up peacefully.

And to prove it....

This morning it was thunder storming (who doesn't want to sleep through that cozy goodness) and I jumped out of bed. Did two sun salutations. Resisted grabbing my robe and instead threw on workout clothes. And within 30 minutes I made breakfast for the kids, did some laundry, answered a long email, and emptied the dishwasher.

If I didn't know myself better, I'd think I was a morning person.

Fake it until you make it. Right.

They say that breaking up is hard to do.

2012-01-11T14:34:00.004-06:00

We had a few breakups in our house last week.

Hearts were broken, tears were shed, and anger even showed it's ugly face a few times.

All the memories of your own breakups come rushing back and hit you like a big gust of wind on a calm day.

You can feel your gut tightening up, tears welling up, and you remember the hopeless feeling of thinking you'll never have another boyfriend again.

All I can do is tell them that time will heal. That they shouldn't waste their next semester of school being mopey and sad. I tell them that I miss their smiley, happy faces. I tell them that life is actually better when you spend more time with girlfriends and less time texting a boy.

But yet, I still see them sad and trying to do their hair extra special before school and picking out the perfect 'you're gonna wish you still dated me" outfit to wear.

One of them has realized that breakups do in fact make the best breakup songs and has been focusing all her emotion on singing with more feeling than she's ever sang before.

Secretly I hope they both have many, many more breakups before their 21st birthdays. Breakups mean you are putting yourself out there and taking a chance on love. Breakups help you grow and learn.

But what I really want to do more than anything...is drive over in the darkness of the night and help them tp a few trees. It won't change anything, but it sure would feel good.

(here)

Where have you been for a month, Gorgeous??

2012-01-06T07:58:00.000-06:00

I've been hooked on pinterest, just like everyone else. Man, it's addicting and so so fun.

I've been cocooned with my sweet babes home from school. Late nights, lazy mornings. Christmas break is the life, ain't it?

I've been causing destruction by eating anything and everything in my path. Just call me Hurricane O--for over, over, over indulgence. Every year I think I'll have a handle on it. Every year my willpower melts like buttah.

Everyone seems to be blogging about their new year resolutions and I've seen some great ones. Most involve eating healthy, simplifying, working out more, and trying new things--which has consisted of everything from traveling, to cooking, to adding more color to their wardrobes.

Well in case you were wondering what mine is. I'll go ahead and tell you.

My new year resolution is to be more. Be more focused. Be more balanced. Be more present. And if this involves eating better, working out more, being kinder, adding more color, or doing whatever..well, then I'll do it all. I'll do whatever it takes.

Because I've finally decided (and it's only taken me 4 decades to learn this) that every action I do, involves a consequence. And this consequence can either be good or bad. Eating more, means working out more. Spending more, means working more. Over scheduling, means more stress.

So I need to think ahead and focus on that consequence. I want the good consequence, not the bad. In order to do that, I need to be more present in my actions. Decide in advance how I want my week to go. Think before I eat. How do I want to feel afterwards? Think before I skip an hour of taking care of myself daily. Think before I say bad things, react negatively, or purchase without thought.

I've always been a spontaneous girl. Spontaneous is fun. Spontaneous comes from the heart. And it's okay to go with the heart, but I have to take my brain along for the ride, too.

Focus and balance. Those are my key words for 2012. Pretty powerful words. And if you'll notice...2 words and 12 letters. 2012. How cool is that?

(photos from pinterest. where else?)

First Turkey

2011-11-23T10:33:00.001-06:00

I'm so grateful that my family is coming today and I'm hosting Thanksgiving this year...and doing most everything all by myself. I have to admit that I've never cooked a turkey before. This is a first for me. I'm a bit nervous.

I feel like such a big girl, with new linens, recipes everywhere, and a cooking schedule.

I've told you before that my Mom is an amazing cook and I feel like I want to make her proud.

So after scouring many recipes and watching cooking videos, here is the recipe I decided to try for my very first turkey-day turkey.

Because as Tyler Florence says......

Roasting a whole turkey to get a perfectly cooked breast is the equivalent of cooking half a cow for a nice filet mignon. After several hours in the oven, it's overcooked, dried out, and stringy. You can cook a turkey in half the time or less by removing the backbone and then splitting it in half. It's juicy, delicious, and makes a gorgeous presentation. Call it a lightbulb moment in the kitchen. You'll never cook your turkey whole again.

(recipe here)

Most of our sides and desserts will be our standard favorites...with a few new ones thrown in. Because I love trying new things...even on special days.

Hopefully Tyler won't let me down with this center stage performance.

Happy Thanksgiving!!

PS. Only 2 more weeks of my busy, seasonal job and then I'm back to writing again. Thanks for being so patient.

We just can't seem to quit watching this...

2011-11-16T09:03:00.001-06:00

Family fun is sitting around together on a Tuesday night watching funny dog videos.

We just can't seem to get enough of this one.

Happy Hump Day!

Happy Birthday, Anna!

2011-11-10T07:35:00.001-06:00

This sweet pea turned 12 today.

Have you ever heard of an IT girl?

Someone who walks in the room and is like a shining star that lights up the room.

Like a magnet that everyone starts to move towards.

That's our girl.

She is the center of gravity for so many circles.

And there is a good reason...she's a lover of life, always positive and supportive,

and always seeing the good in things.

It overwhelms me to think about all the joy she brings to our family.

We are truly blessed to be able to watch her grow up.

Happy Day. Happy Day.

Little People

2011-11-08T10:01:00.003-06:00

The great thing about a family wedding and a weekend with your big, extended, fun family.....

It makes you realize that even though life can sometimes have moments of chaos, sadness, and uncertainty...

you always have family in ever corner of the world, there to support you, love you and offer comfort.

We love both sides of our families. We love them all...the cousins, the aunties, the uncles, the in-laws.

I feel so warm and gooey inside after a weekend with family.

And, so does "Little Me".

(PS. I'm going to have so much fun with Little Me in the next few weeks.)

Hair today, gone tomorrow.

2011-10-28T06:25:00.002-05:00

I had my hair cut short.

I can't even believe I was so brave. My hairstylist was so excited that I thought she'd throw a hair party right there in the salon. "Bring on the champagne and the miniature shampoo bottle party favors, because Sherry is cutting her hair!"

I usually only change with color...red in the winter, blonde in the summer, and brown when I'm getting tired of paying for highlights. If you go through my photos, you'll rarely see the same color twice.

Life is an endless struggle

full of frustrations and

challenges, but eventually

you find a hair stylist you like.

~Author Unknown

But the haircut. Now that's a different story. I've had the same haircut...give or take a few inches...for years. Except for the year of my 39th b-day, where I rebelled and grew it longer than it's ever been.

Basically, bangs and a ponytail.

I've always had bangs. With a forehead like mine and cheeks like a chipmunk, you've gotta have bangs.

“If I want to knock a story off the front page,

I just change my hairstyle.”

― Hillary Rodham Clinton

I wanted the Meg Ryan messy look and it certainly looked that way when my hairstylist did it yesterday. Today it looks like....well, let's just say that it's going to take me a few weeks to figure it out, because the messy layered look isn't that easy to do.

And as my hairdresser says..."your hair grows so fast that you can have a new style every year." So if I decide I don't like messy, I can be back in a ponytail probably by V-day.

The best of the best was when I went to go pick up Drew at school. He walked to the car door, hesitated and said, "Sorry, ma'am, I thought this was my car." and then walked away. I thought he was joking, until he wouldn't come back over to the car. So I yelled for him. He said he didn't recognize me and thought I was someone else.

Obviously, I've been wearing my pony tail for far too long.

Extended Family

2011-10-20T08:35:00.000-05:00

Our extended family is big. A big Irish, Catholic family--yessiree, we are. We are a fun, tight bunch, who enjoy being together and wish it was so much more frequent than the weddings and funerals that we all jump for joy to attend (don't scoff--you know that the only good thing about a funeral is that it brings the family back together again and reminds us all that life is too short and to continue planning 'cousin trips').

We joke that we are the 'other' Kennedy's....the ones without all the fame, money and scandals. The midwest version.

The great thing about facebook is that it's given the cousins a perfect place to reconnect and stay in touch with each other. We now are kinda growing up together again.....and in some way, it's the best form of communication for us. We can share news, photos, family gossip (gasp!), and lots of support.

Two of my darling, adorable, nice as sugar, beautiful, kind, and funny cousins have told me (in much nicer words) to get off my ass and get back to blogging.

Apparently they like the wisdom that this older, wiser cousin offers them.

from Sheridan's blog

They also like the kid stories I tell, since they both are so young and wrinkle-free that they are still in the 4-legged, furry stage of parenting.

So, thanks to my two biggest fans for getting me back in the groove.

I've missed being here!

2011-10-10T09:02:00.001-05:00

Lately I've been enjoying reading everyone else's stories and blogs, rather than write my own.

I'm amazed at the goodies that people find. Makes me think I don't get out much, or that maybe, just maybe, I live in the middle of nowhere. Or maybe I just wear my yoga clothes too much.

I have two big projects I'm working on.....which leaves me little time right now for FB, Twitter, Pinterest....let alone blogging, the new fall shows, and raising a family.

And...let's chat about the weather!!! It's so perfect that all I want to do is be outside! Daily walks and runs have been a huge part of my daily routine lately.

So forgive me while I just enjoy all of YOU for awhile.

I'll peek in next week when I have a good story.

If I were a 15-year old girl...

2011-09-20T10:00:00.003-05:00

and I saw my date kiss his Mother and tell her how much he loved her...

I'd know right away that he was a "keeper" :)

I'm one lucky Mama.

First Homecoming

Favorite moment of my week...

2011-09-09T10:57:00.001-05:00

Elton John concert with my Girlfriends!!!

B-b-b-b-bennie and the Jets!

TGIF!

2011-08-31T08:44:00.000-05:00

I've been away on a few college visits

A word or two about college visits. First of all, you may think they are light years away from you (especially if your kiddos are still carrying lunch boxes and learning how to tie their shoes), but the day will come up so quickly that you will wonder if you were really in a coma and somehow missed all the years in between.

As you listen to the tour guide give his 'rah-rah-rah, come to our college' spiel, thoughts come rushing through your head like water...is this where we will be driving next year with a car load of bed, bath, and beyond bags? is this where my child will live for four years? how will they walk around this campus without me? how will i even sleep without them under my roof?

But you have to keep your mouth quiet, your thoughts to yourself and try not to show any emotion. because it's their choice and only they will know if they feel comfortable.

Deep inside, you know it's not the place for them, but you still have to wait until they say it.

Enjoy the visits though. Even the bad ones. They are road trips that neither of you will ever forget. They are a chance to sing out loud in the car, eat at some new places, and discover things together.

Because a year from now, they will be doing exactly what you have been preparing them for during all these years.

They will be spreading their wings to fly.

And because you can't ask for a do-over, you pray that you did it right. That you've given them the confidence they need. You pray you've taught them right from wrong.

You pray that you've surrounded them with enough love and light, that they will still want to come back often to visit.

Because even though they have begun their flight, they aren't through learning from you yet. And they certainly aren't through making great family memories. Those things never, ever, end.

Creative Slump

2011-08-22T05:15:00.001-05:00

I haven't been very creative lately. No creative thinking, no creative writing, not a creative anything. I've been pretty much serious. Blah. Blech. Blech.

You see I'm working on 2 projects right now and both are pretty non-creative. One is for a committee I'm on and it requires me to act all brainy and serious and ask people for money. The only creative thing I've been able to do is create a few forms and even they didn't turn out too well.

The other project is for a temporary job. It's about as far from creative as I can get. But I need to do it to prove to myself that I can. And I know.. that you know... what I'm talking about. We've all done something to prove to ourselves that we can. 'Ourselves' can be one tough cookie.

I also need to do it because last year when I took the easy route with my p/t job, I basically made $65 a day. Now don't think I'm only all about money-- but dear, let me tell you a secret....I can spend $65 on a pair of cashmere socks (well that might buy me one sock of that pair).

I'm kind of addicted to nice things.

I like creative jobs and by now I imagined I'd be working for some fancy magazine or even running my own business. But my favorite full time job of all time....MOM...kind of takes precedent over everything and anything, and I'm kind of addicted and head over heels in love with that job.

So I'm doing the serious p/t job this year....because those creative jobs right now, they only buy about one toe of that cashmere sock. And my feet get too too darn cold in the winter for only 1/8 of a sock.

(here)

2011-08-19T12:53:00.002-05:00

This whole first few weeks of school thing is tough. I guess we're just not good transitioners, but we are all so dang tired that I even saw one of my kids nodding at the dinner table last night.

I vote that the first week of school should be 1/2 days and the second week should be 3/4 days.

While I attend yet another 'meet the teacher night' and yet another volunteer committee meeting, you can enjoy my new blog obsession---it's this.... click here and enjoy. (I just went back to darker hair color, but Amber makes me miss being a blonde).

Happy Weekend.

Photo Booth

2011-08-16T08:58:00.000-05:00

So our best friends moved to England.

We had a going away party for them last month...and since this is a crowd that frequently gets together, it had to be something different.

So I turned our dining room into a photo booth. I hung a queen sized black sheet from the curtain rod, raided my dress-up clothes box, and set up the camera.

This is definitely the '2am crowd', so obviously the photos got increasingly more comical as the night progressed.

Afterwards, I took all the photos and made them a book to take with them.

It was a fun element to the party and a great memory keepsake for our very missed friends.

Breathe

2011-08-12T15:18:00.003-05:00

Breathe a big sigh, Girlfriends. It's Friday and we made it through the first week of school.

I'm celebrating. I've woken up at 6am for 4 straight days in a row.

I also did this in yoga 3 times this week :) I'm making progress and it's a wonderful thing.

Take time to breathe this weekend. Three deep breathes changes your body chemistry instantly and relaxes and calms you.

TGIF and we can all sleep in tomorrow :)

Back to making tacos

2011-08-10T16:31:00.002-05:00

School started yesterday. Which means I'm trying to figure out a new schedule, a new routine, and a whole new way of doing things.

I'm not a fan of the first week of school. I've said that before, and it's true. Oh, sure, I love all the fun prep that involves shopping for new clothes and notebooks--it's the stuff that comes next. I hate the end of our hazy, lazy days. I hate the end of carefree evenings and eating dinner whenever we want (usually while still in our pool cover ups).

In the summer I don't feel guilty having a cocktail at 3. In the summer I don't feel guilty sleeping late. In the summer I'm much more likely to make all kinds of grilled goodness for our very late dinners.

It's safe to say that I am a summer girl.

Now that school is in session I have to be more serious...early bedtimes, a pre-set coffee pot that says 5:40 on it (gasp!), no cocktails until after homework is done (what if they need my help doing calculus *cough cough*), and serious dinners at set times. Ugh...it all sounds so stuffy to me. I don't like set anything. I'm the kind of girl who has a party and says...come when you want, bring what you want, and leave when you want.

I finished LOST and the final show was so gut wrenching that I've watched certain parts of it at least 8 times in the last 2 days. Each time I cry like a baby. One time I cried in the bathroom.

I have a hard time letting go of characters in books and shows. These characters were so great and they've been in my life for 6 months now. Watching them got me through the flu, late nights when I couldn't sleep, and long car trips. I'm going to be dreaming about them for awhile. I'm tearing up right now just thinking of the final 5 minutes of the show. I might need LOST counseling.

LOST and summer ending in the same week. I might need more than counseling. I just might need a cocktail before homework hour.

Off to make tacos (yuck--total school night dinner).

(here)

Sweet Babes

2011-08-02T12:35:00.000-05:00

See these sweet babes.....

If this seems like it was just yesterday, then why is it that my calendar has the following listed on it for this week:

Middle School Orientation

High School Orientation

Senior Retreat

I still remember buying Disney Princess lunch boxes and Pokemon folders.

It goes by way too fast :(

Re-entry

2011-08-01T10:44:00.003-05:00

It's Monday and I'm still in my jammies at 11:40am. No guilt at all.

It's the last week of our summer vacation. This week is full of new school orientations, dentist appointments, and trips for pens, folders, and expensive calculators.

I'm one of those Moms who has no desire for school to begin again. I love knowing right now that two of my teenage babes are still upstairs snoozing away right now and one is at work with Daddy. I love nights like last night where we ordered a pizza at 10:30pm and then all just sat together in the family room doing our own thing--yet still being together. One reading a book, one reading a magazine, two watching tv, and one going through the mail. We sometimes have those nights until 1am. We all don't want the day to end...kind of like summer.

We partied like rock stars this weekend at the lake with all our friends. Doing things that you only do with good, good friends...skinny dipping, dinners at 11pm because we didn't want to get out of the water, lots of tournaments, lots of inside jokes, and lots of laughs. We didn't want the weekend to end. There is just something special about great weekends with friends...you make memories that you will hold onto forever. For the rest of the week I know I'll have a few giggles to myself thinking of funny lake moments.

I need to make a few giggles this week with the kids--so next week when they are back to books, desks, and early mornings, they can hold onto a great last week of summer memory.

Re-entry is hard--no matter what age you are.

(photos here)

Hey you

2011-07-27T11:22:00.000-05:00

My Mom is here to spend some time with the kids while Mike and I enjoy our annual lake weekend with all of our friends. Always a weekend of fun and a lot of 'what happens at the lake, stays at the lake' moments.

She emailed the kids a list of the dinners she was going to cook them this week and they are definitely going to be eating better than we will be. She's a genius in the kitchen, you know. She's taught me all about using only the best ingredients and she's definitely raised our standards on quality food.

So today is my Friday and I'm off to the lake already. Posting from the car...because last night I was soaking up every second with my Mom and kids before packing. She let me cook for her and it was a treat to show her everything I know..although she always teaches me something new.

When my mom comes I'm a crazy woman the day before--refolding linens, towels and even organizing the fridge that only holds the kids' beverages.

The thing that makes me the most happy is seeing how excited my kids are to see her and spend time with her. One of them even passed up a beach vacation with a friend. I think that even without her special dishes, they know she is just magical to be around. They love being in her orbit.

I love her orbit too--with or without the fresh guacamole, fish tacos and home made pasta.

Have a good weekend.

Wish I could tell you.

2011-07-26T07:20:00.001-05:00

I wish I could tell you what we did to make sure these two sissies grew up to love each other so much. I wish I could tell you, because I'd probably be rich by now if I could share the secret. But the truth is I just wished it hard every time I had a chance to close my eyes, crinkle up my nose, and make a wish.

You see, I wasn't a great big sister. I was far too picky about my stuff being perfect to be a good sharer. I was far too bossy. I was far too consumed with friends and boyfriends. And far too much into my privacy...probably because that was back in the day when the phones plugged into the wall and had a cord that wouldn't allow you to go very far. I received a phone for my 16th b-day and barely left my room again. And when you don't leave your room, how can you be a good anything?

My own sisters might say that I was a good sister, but I bet they'd have their fingers crossed behind their backs.

I have a long list of wishes and dreams for my children and one of them is that they grow up to be the best of friends. Especially these two girlies.

And even though there is a 6-year age difference between them, they already seem to have made my wish come true. These girlies cuddle on the couch, have weekly sleepovers in each other's rooms, share inside jokes, share clothes, and go shopping together. They look forward to seeing each other at the end of their school days. And if one of them is gone for the night, the other one gets a crackle in her voice and a sad look on her face. They went for a month this summer without seeing each other, and in nearly did them in.

It just melts my heart each and every time I see it. And it also makes me want to be a better friend to my own two sisters. Oh, yes, I've gotten way better at sharing. I've gotten way better at being less bossy. And I've gotten way better at being a good sister.

But these two sisters, my own little creations, don't need to be any better at it...they already are the best.

IT'S BACK!

2011-07-24T14:29:00.003-05:00

Yes, the Mac is back!

I feel like one of my kiddos has come home from camp. I've missed this big piece of technology and I've been so out of sorts while those geniuses were working on it.

And, the best is...I didn't lose any of my saved bits of life... and the bill was only $17. This is like a gift from above--since the initial prognosis was $600.

I can hardly wait to get back to MacBloggin'.

So now that I can finally download photos again....here's what we've been up to this month.

a surprise birthday for a friend who turned the big 4-O

welcoming home our girl who was in Peru

cheering on swim team girlies

lots and lots of lake time

a party for our friends who are moving to England

lots of fun, summer colors on our toes

new hats, new recipes, and plenty of fun in a home made photo booth

(more details later, especially on that cute photo booth)

2011-07-23T11:51:00.003-05:00

Don't know where I've been that I just figured this out....but here it is...

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Good News

2011-07-22T10:04:00.000-05:00

It's been a roller coaster week for us.

But life turned on a dime again and we were granted with very good news.

My mother-in-law's full pathology report came back as a 'typical carcinoid'. Until a day ago, I had no idea what a carcinoid even was (I've learned a lot of new words this week).

Basically, it's cancer, but not lethal cancer.

Chemo/radiation plans have been halted and the Doctors will monitor her with scans every three months to make sure nothing changes.

So for now, once she heals from her surgery, she can resume life as she was before.....

The disbelief in the good news it almost as shocking as the disbelief when it was bad. I keep thinking they are going to call us and tell us they were wrong.

I feel like she's been given a second chance. Our prayers were answered. She can put this dreadful week behind her and continue making plans and being grateful for each day.

Life is so precious and our time with each other can be cut short in an instant. Hug your loved ones today. And tell them how much you love them.

Thanks for all the prayers.

Life

2011-07-19T11:41:00.000-05:00

We were reminded this week that life is precious and can turn on a dime. One week you are all happy at the lake smiling, laughing, and talking about the newest restaurant in town. The next week you are having appointments with radiologists, surgeons and figuring out who will stop by on the way home from the hospital and grab the carryout.

Life becomes divided by a line. Before the cancer and after the cancer.

Plans halt, changes are made, and family bands together.

My sweet, sweet, wonderful mother-in-law (who I have been blessed to have known since I was five years old) has been diagnosed. We are all still in disbelief, but we are now ready to dust off our clothes, get back up, and fight, fight, fight.

She has more friends than anyone I know, a very close-loving family, and amazing strength and will.

We know she will get through this.

Road Trip

2011-07-15T10:33:00.016-05:00

Several times during the drive Rae looked over at me and said.... why are you smiling while you are driving?

I kept replying that I always smile...remember, I'm a perky girl :)

(seriously greasy hotel hair..ugh)

Honestly, I didn't even know I was smiling...and then I really started thinking about it a lot and realized that it is truly impossible for me NOT to smile so much when I'm with my family. They are truly my greatest accomplishments and the people that feed my soul. I love being with them, I love breathing their air, and I love knowing we are all connected forever.

I look at them in awe and wonder how I got so darn lucky.

I also know that their time under my roof is very short lived and I need to make every moment count. I need to be grateful for even the little things. Every family joke, every extra long hug, every meal around the table, every life lesson...nothing should be taken for granted.

We had a great road trip and learned more about what we like and don't like in colleges. I'm glad I only looked at one college, because I don't know how she is going to decide. I like each campus we visit.

What we learned about this visit...Nashville is known as the Athens of the South. There are 16 university/colleges down there. Worth the drive.

loved all the cool art we found everywhere

totally inspired by this orange chair. i've been wondering

what to do with an old chair that i have.

every city we visit, we have to stop here before doing

anything else. teenagers love this store.

Happy Weekend. May you smile a lot this weekend while you are driving :)

Mother-Daughter Evening

2011-07-12T16:24:00.002-05:00

Middle school begins 3 weeks from today. And from experience, I know that middle school girl drama is the worst thing about middle school--for the moms and the girls. I can't even believe I'm about to enter this stage again.

So I wanted to get the Moms together for a simple evening of getting to know each other better before the roller coaster begins. We needed a chance to exchange cell phone numbers, get on the same page with our 'it takes a village' manuals, and also just make sure we are were all on the same level of crazy.

(obviously my level of crazy is the highest since i can't even take a proper photo.)

Wine was a definite must. And with every cork that popped, we certainly seemed to solve more problems. Amazing how much more brilliant your ideas become after a glass or two.

I had each of our girls bring a stack of magazines that they could rip to shreds. I supplied the neon poster boards and the glue sticks. We sent the girls to the sun room to make dream boards. It was a great way to keep them off the computer, off their phones, and away from our 'moms only' conversation.

I have to say that the evening was a brilliant idea on my part. It was great getting to know the moms better and feeling like we bonded together to form a great team. Some of us have older teens so it was comforting to know that some of us were dealing with the same issues.

The school supply lists came in the mail today---so I guess it was perfect timing.

Home, squash, and a movie.

2011-07-11T11:40:00.001-05:00

We are home from our blissful time at the lake, where I wore not one stitch of makeup or jewelry for the entire week--and the extent of my hair styling was pulling my freshly showered wet hair back into a ponytail and letting my bangs air dry. Quite a sight we are when at the lake, but that's exactly as it should be when you are rejuvenating and relaxing.

This week I have a hand full of photos to share with you and since my Mac is on it's fourth round of 'let's try this next' from the Genius at the Apple store, I'll have to do this the old fashioned way and take my camera to Tarjay today and make a disc.

We did have a great weekend home though and on our date night we saw this movie....

and laughed our butts off. I even think I snort-laughed a few times. Jason Bateman is a genius at comedy and Jennifer A's body inspired me to do 2 intense days of yoga with even the hopes of maybe having a part of my body resemble hers. I'd even settle for my big toe.

Last night we had our soon to be London dwellers over for dinner. They are in limbo right now waiting to make their move. Their house contents are on a barge right now making the journey over, while they are finishing loose ends here in the states. I made a grilled stuffed pork tenderloin and this side dish....

and it was easy and good. Give it a try, if you like squash. It tasted very fresh.

Tonight I'm hosting a Mother-Daughter evening at my house. I'll give you details tomorrow.

Enjoy your Monday.

Tootles.

Just checking in..

2011-07-07T10:02:00.005-05:00

When we travel as a family, we always keep a notebook full of funny moments, inside jokes, and anything and everything we want to remember about our vacation. We all add to it whenever we want.

It's such a great way to keep track of your vacation memories as a family. And especially fun to read back over them years later.

My daughter just got back from Peru and it was so cute to see that she did this with her own friends. I loved that she carried on our tradition and yet also made it her own.

We are still enjoying our time at the lake and I'm hoping you are having a good week, too.

See you soon.

(photos were hijacked from my daughter's trip.)