A day late and a dollar short....

Actually, three years late and a whole lot of money short. A couple months ago I purchase my first high end pair of socks. I figured since I was a working woman (never mind that it’s just 15 hours a week) I would splurge. Well, I LOVE my socks. I LOVE them so much that I am stressed out about loosing one. Our method of laundry leaves us caring for widowed socks far too often.

In my furry I came up with this great idea to sew snaps into socks so that you can snap them together before you throw them into their pending doom (I mean, laundry). So I started my own little market analysis. Asking friends if they would buy such a product, choosing my market, and even… yes, having a dinner meeting to discuss the possibilities (o.k… it was discussed with Tim on our date, but dinner meeting sounds so much better). So, Tim convinced me the way to go was to patent the idea and then just sell the patent. He is brilliant. So much that someone else has already done that exact same thing, three years ago. Not only did they steal my idea but Tim’s too. Dag gum it! And, I was so excited to make my first million before Tim!

Sharing a few simple words with my coffee.....

Well, I have to admit it does feel good having my life return to the normal state of chaos. The kids are back in school. I’m back to working fewer hours. Even the traffic around town has become more tolerable.

Every night has become game night at our house. It has been a great source for stress release. Each of us has our favorites on the Wii. Libby’s is “Cars”. Mine is “Mario Cart”. Tim’s (I’m guessing) is “Zelda” and maybe the “sports package”. Luke’s is “Lego’s Star Wars”, “Rampage” and possibly “Mario Brothers” (yes, the 80’s game). We are playing it so much we have almost missed the bowl games. And, we LOVE the bowl games! Go SEC!!! I think the only SEC team that has lost so far is Tennessee…go figure.

The Libster woke up early this morning . Normally she crawls in bed with us but this morning I heard her make her way into her brother’s room. I got up about 30 minutes later walked into Luke’s room and found them cuddled up together. So cute! Since I was up earlier than I was expecting or even hoping I started an Amish almond bread/cake. Smells great! Wish I could share ;)

EDIT** Is it just me or has my profile picture disappeared?

10 things I've learned in 2006.

1. Building a house is way way stressful.

2. I don’t like living in someone else’s house.

3. How to build an ICF wall.

4. I was created to long board.

5. I can’t play Milton Bradley’s Operation game.

6. My feet feel best in a Keen.

7. I am not in control (I relearn this one every year).

8. Sometimes you have to let dreams die.

9. The correct way to shine shoes.

10. Hospital Bills are negotiable.

Hopefully, I have learned more than just these 10 things. One thing is for sure. Over this past year, I have forgotten far more than I’ve learned ;)

Merry Christmas!!!

Dilemmas.

It seems I have so many. I’m not sure if I create more than I need or if I suffer from an average amount. Either way I think I have way too many. It might be that I over analyze, therefore prolonging the solution. Take for example. Last month I got (in my opinion) ripped off by my cleaners. I have used the same cleaners for over 10 years. They know me by name and I have always appreciated it when they greeted me using my name. I have been a loyal customers taking all of our dress shirts there to be cleaned and pressed and I use their tailor for all my alterations. Until. I took them 3 pair of pants to have them hemmed. The sweet white haired lady pinned them up for me and said give her two weeks. Ok. I agreed that I would pay her 10 dollars for each pant. I don’t know if that is high or not, but I like these people so I was ok with it. Well 6 weeks later my pants are ready. I go home and 2 out of the 3 are perfect but then the last one… I am still stepping on. So, I take them back and say “this pant is still way to long”. To may amazement she took them and then said two more weeks and 10 more dollars. I was like… “ahh, what? I have to pay again…after having to wait way too long”? She said “Well, they will have to be hemmed again”. I agreed to pay 2 more dollars knowing I probably won’t see those pants until spring. I left irritated and vowing to never use them again. But there’s my dilemma. I don’t know where to go to have our shirts cleaned. I have one major requirement. It has to be an “in-house” service. I don’t want to use a place that sends off the clothes to be cleaned. And, really most of the cleaners around here do so. For the past 4 weeks I have been driving around trying to pick a cleaners, wondering is it a convenient location , a good price, and will they use my name? Oh well. I know what you’re thinking, if this is my biggest dilemma I should stop my whining and start ironing. I tried that ( ironing not , not whining). And, I would rather go back to those thieves. Ugggh.

7 days and counting.....

Well, I don’t know about you but I am officially worn out! I think I’m officially done with my shopping too. Except for some small stocking stuffers and a few things I have in my hold pile at work. So... maybe I’m really not “done”, but for my emotional well being we are going to say I’m done. Luke’s last day of school was this past Friday and Libby’s was today. So, the only really official thing is Christmas break has begun! We pulled up our boot straps and made our way into “the mall” (the only mall in our city) to see Santa. It went well except for Santa breaking little Libby’s heart. When Lib asked him if she had been good, he said “pretty good”. You can see her “I’ve been busted look” below. I wish they would have waited to have that conversation after the picture was taken. I think she was hoping for a “very good”. Luke left there with a renewed belief in Santa, saying” how did he know…?”

Moooooo......

Well, our tradition has been to eat breakfast with Santa but we missed that this year so we decided to have dinner with the Christmas Cow. I can’t say the food was any better because both involve Chic-fil-a and well….we love chic-fil-a. But I will have to admit that Santa is much more of a conversationalist . The cow waves and gives high fives but that’s about it. So, we are still prodding the Libster to see what she wants for Christmas but I believe we have just about convinced her she wants a doll house. However, we will be making the dreaded trip to the mall to visit Santa to confirm.

Ho, Ho, Hmmmm.....

Wow it’s cold! The boys left this morning to do their Christmas shopping. I hate it for them, it is only 30 degrees outside. Libby and I are content to stay in with our coffee and cinnamon rolls! Well, my coffee… her milk and cinnamon rolls.

Luke has been saving his money to buy Christmas presents. In his sweet way he was badgering his sister yesterday to see what she wanted. She wouldn’t give him any information, she just pledged her allegiance to Santa Claus. I tried to explain to her that other people want to give her presents, but she wouldn’t budge. Yesterday, I was online searching for the best price for a specific doll house (... just really guessing what she wants at this point). In desperation Luke came up and asked if he could buy it for her. Unfortunately, he hasn’t saved enough. Knowing now of his generous spirit we will have him start saving his money a little sooner next year ;)

Now, if we can just get Santa to tell us what libby wants for Christmas.

living in bloglessness.....

Wow! I can’t even express how busy life is right now. (I’m sure I don’t own the exclusive rights to that thought this time of year). After work, PTA responsibilities, building a house, raising kids and the “to do’s” of Christmas I don’t have much time for blogs. Sad, seeing that is my number one way to decompress. I suppose I will have to find my daily therapy while in the check out lines, or counting receipts for the school, perhaps in the endless work that surrounds this house. ahhhhh......!
I’m definitely not going to find it at work. I have noticed lately there are more people walking around the store uptight and impatient. I mentioned my observation to a co-worker and they said it just gets worse as Christmas comes closer. Yuck! I’m not so sure I’m going to enjoy Christmas so much in the “land of retail”. Oh well, I’ll just keep smiling and hope that everyone finds what they need. For now, I must go and make a dent on my daunting list of things to do.


** funny side note**
The boys were up early today. Tim got Luke stared with a bowl of cereal and I figured I would let Luke finish getting himself ready for school ( never again). He couldn't get his hair to lay down so he decided to cut off the part that was sticking up!

Our trip home

Good thing it's a short trip!

Thanksgiving through their eyes...

We went for walks.

We beat up Uncle Tim ( or Dad) and

we made a huge leaf pile to jump in.

And, we ate lots of good food!

(Tim is taking the pic)

good times....

The best thing about this time of year is getting to hang out with all our friends that come back to town for the holidays. It’s so good to catch up. Some of our friends get the “traveled the furthest in the car award” driving all the way from Dallas, with three kids mind you! ( I have a group pic but my picture drive is broke) However, one gets the “traveled the furthest period!” coming all the way from Africa. Now that was an awesome surprise! And still…others get the “day late award”. We won’t even get to see them : (
Tomorrow we head over the moutains and through the woods to Grandma's house we go. This time of year is the only time all year that my sisters and mom are all together. Good times!
Have a good one!

The day after.

Minor surgery wouldn't be minor surgery without mylar balloons that sing and lots of good food! I think Luke is feeling better already. He is on his 3rd meal and it’s just mid day. Yesterday was rough, rougher than what we anticipated anyway. Although, it’s a much better day for him, I on the other hand am being held hostage by a seven year old that knows he can have what ever he wants. I have played more Battlefront Star Wars on the XBOX and Pocket Tanks on the computer today than I have all year. Really though, I’m not complaining. Just like any mom I would stand on my head, painted in peanut butter if it meant having him feel better. Fortunetly, I don't think it is going to come to that. :)

Say a prayer....

Our day starts early tomorrow. We have to be at the hospital at 7am. Luke is having his tonsils out and maybe even his adenoids. He hasn't had strep throat all school year. Hallelujah!!! But, his tonsil refuse to cooperate and return to normal size. The doctor is suspicious that his adenoids aren't helping his cause either. When Luke sleeps he snores and when he isn't snoring, he isn't breathing. His tonsils actually close his airway when his throat relaxes. Yikes!! I know he is going to be miserable when he wakes up in the hospital tomorrow but I can't wait until he can breath freely and comfortably. He is so brave. I am so proud of him!

Wish me luck!

Tonight we start the tournament for volleyball. We will be down our best male hitter and female hitter in the finals. We will also be short a player because one of our other guys blew his knee out last night. We finished first in the regular season but we may need more than luck to sweep it.

Life with him is a whole lot different than without him...

If you know Tim or at the very least read his blog you may have wondered at one time or another how I do it. Well, it’s never boring around here, I a sure you. As his wife I often feel like I’m standing on the other end of the tether holding on for dear life. However, his newest venture doesn’t make me white knuckled so much as exhausted. Our life a month ago would have him working in a big city far from home, however now has him sitting at our kitchen table. I love having him home. I know it’s only a matter of days before his office space is available and then he'll walk out that door every morning. Until then I will take the endless banter and wit that is hurled at me 24/7 and settle for finding moments of solitude in my sleep. I would rather have him here sitting behind his Mac in our kitchen than sharing him with the rest of the country any day. Life with him is a whole lot better than without him.

Hallelujah !!!!!

It's the end of the harassing phone calls and the endless (and insulting) TV ads. Its election day. Wahoooo!
Our senate race has been ugly and embarrassing on a national level. In fact I'm having a hard time coming to terms that I have to actually vote for one of them. In my opinion I have to choose the lesser of two evils. I have a hard time believing that a recorded message on your phone or a nasty commercial about a candidate's character is going to sway anyone. I guess it is true what they say "if you don't stand for something, you will fall for anything".


oh....and I need your opinion. I have a great chocolate cake recipe that I'm getting a little bored with. Do you think if I added an orange flavored extract and orange peel shavings that it would resemble orange chocolate?

good times...

We went to a local college where they sponsored a trunk or treat. It was cute. All the trunks had themes.

Upgrade shumutgrade!

I “upgraded” to beta blogger ( John, it is on the right side bar on your dashboard …look harder next time ;). I’m still trying to figure out why it’s called an “upgrade”. Anyway, if you click on comments you will be asked if you want to view “nonsecured” items. Well, those items are people’s profile pics, so no worries…just click yes. Sorry, I know it is very annoying.
I will post pics later tonight (maybe tomorrow) of the Halloween festivities.

**edit** And, if you have upgraded, my bloglines no longer notifies me when you update. Ughh! What's that about?

The rain has made us all crazy!!!!

Kind of a low key weekend... except for the husband leaving his j.o.b. But I believe it’s a great move. The kids have lost all sense of reality this rainy weekend. Libby’s favorite show is Hannah Montana. It’s on the Disney Channel. Billy Ray Cirus and his daughter Miley star in this very cute show. The characters on the show go by their real names. Well, Libby has insisted on us calling her “Miley” and her brother “Jackson” ( Miley’s brother on the show) and her dad “Billy Ray” and me “Aunt Dolly” ( Dolly Parton has guest stared as the aunt….Billy Ray’s sister). This is hilarious! Tim looks as much like Billy Ray as I do Dolly Parton. But it makes her happy so we have spent this weekend trying to remember the right names and listening to Libby…I mean “ Miley or Hannah Montana”( you will have had to seen the show to understand) sing very loud and very long. It’s a good thing that “ Miley” doesn’t understand that sisters and brothers don’t cuddle or kiss or we would have some problems….or maybe we will. Oh, brother….anyway, it looks like the TN. VOLS are trying to lose so I better go and start calling the plays…it has worked, I promise ;) And, Tim (I mean "Billy Ray") has me listening to 14 songs that he has narrowed down for his ring tone on his phone... I don't know why he won't just pick "Islands in the stream"....it's a classic ;)

Who needs a title anyway?

It seems to me that life is just one huge contrast day after day. Yesterday was a GREAT day. Nothing huge happened just several simple things that worked together to make the day work and work well. I had a great morning at my j.o.b. My training is officially over and I have been given my own responsibilities and managing quite well. I work in retail but it isn’t just any normal retail there is a lot to remember because there is a ton of security issues ( a couple months before I got there an “unloaded” gun went off in the store). We sell guns, amoung many other things. Anyway, I want to be known as a valued employee with a good work ethic, and yesterday I left feeling like I accomplished that. I came home made an Amish Chocolate cake that I have been waiting to make for the past 10 days as I watched the starter mature (multiply), that turned out better than expected. I went on to play volleyball last night and hung out with a group of people that I have grown to love (my team). In the 22 years I have been playing volleyball I have never played on a team that gets along better. We win a lot ( 29-1) but more than that we enjoy each other’s company. It’s a great feeling to feel valued as a team member. The kind of value that pulls your team out of a 9 point deficit with a strong serve. It seems everyone on my team has had their turn at that and last night was mine. Then just as I was expecting to spend the evening alone (cause Tim is out of town) one of my best friends walks through the door to spend the evening with me. It was just an all around very good day.

Then there is today. A day full of disappointments some expected….others not. Some by those you love…. and some by those you don’t. Anyway, I guess that's how it goes. And, so it goes…..

V.O.L.S... goooo VOLS!

The UT game was a blast. Well, mostly a blast. The first half was somewhat boring as it was mostly a defensive game and Ainge (UT quaterback) threw 3 interceptions. Yikes!!! I still can’t believe we won but it was exciting that it came down to the final few minutes. We had great seats! My seat was a lot better than Tim’s as he was next to the most obnoxious guy in the stadium. Ha! I saw more eye rolling from Tim in those few hours than I have in our ten years of marriage. UT is now 6-1. So we just need to beat LSU and pray that Florida drops a game then we will own the SEC. GO VOLS!!!!!!

My Cankle

So, evidently you can sprain your ankle by doing something even less stupid than longboarding backwards in flip flops (that's how it happened last time). Last night as I was going down the stairs my left foot just turned in with no warning. Fortunately, I was on the the bottom stair when it happened. I have fallen from the top before and that hurts! I suppose I need to be more careful, at least that is what I would tell my kids if they had done such a thing. I'm not real sure how to do that unless I avoid the stairs all together and that would bring on an entirely different problem like the absence of clean clothes and a deprived dog. So, I guess I will just have to suck it up and be brave. I have to work tonight (that's 4 hours on my feet). And, tomorrow (that's 4 more hours on my feet). Then Saturday I have The TN/AB game (that's 3 hours on my feet and endless walking). Nice.

BEFORE



















AFTER

good times....

Its pumpkin carvin time! The kids picked their pumpkins and designed the faces. Luke had a notebook of different faces he had drawn and after a lot of indecision just let his daddy pick one. The Libster just looked at Tim and made a crazy face and said "that's what I want". I cleaned them out (with the kids help of course), Tim cut them out. Libby went in to wash her hands after every time she touched the pumpkin goo. And, Luke....well, I had to strip him down before I would let him in the house, he was covered in it.
We ordered their costumes. Luke will be Anakin (from StarWars) and Libby will be a purple dinosaur ( no, not Barney). I love the fall and all the fun things that come with it.

My big news......

So.... this is where I will be spending some of my free time for the next uh.... well, who knows how long. I got a job at one of the coolest stores in town. I have always loved this place. Now I get discounts and even pro deals on a few items. It will take some serious self discipline not to spend every cent I make here. I will be working while the kids are in school and one night a week, hopefully not too much on the weekends. So, I think it is going to be a good thing. I'll let you know ; )

What shall we name her?

So, I have been sharing my kitchen with a black widow spider for about a week now. Tim comes home with this creature one day wanting to show Luke. Well, of course Luke was and still is all about it. I have been pretending that is doesn't exist, telling myself it's just a figment of my imagination. Well, after I started dreaming about spiders all over my house I figured I needed to deal with reality and get to know this little guy ( or gal I should say). So, today I looked up some facts about the black widow and was happy to find out that these "ladies" haven't killed a human in North America in the past 10 years. Wheeew!!! And, after trying to get a decent picture of her (failing miserably) I have come to realize that this spider is really kinda pretty...in a scary, creepy, kinda way. She is very shiny and clean looking with this perfect red hour glass shape on her belly. If only these spiders would stop eating thier mates they wouldn't stay widows for long ;)

The boys have been feeding her bugs and Luke makes sure she has water everyday. This is nuts, I know! Who has a pet Black Widow?..... leave it to us.

Our cub scout

I just can't stand it! He is so cute I could chew him up. What is that about anyway? Why do I want to consume my son? When he was a baby I actually had a dream that I put him on a cookie sheet and put him in the oven. I was really going to eat him up! He has such a sweet heart. Yesterday we were playing around and he jokingly called me a fat old lady. I said never call a girl fat! Old, maybe.....but never fat! Well he said it again (just kidding of course) so I pretended to cry. His heart broke and his tears were huge. I felt terrible. It took a minute to convince him I was okay. We kid a lot around here so I was a bit surprised he took me seriously. He has such a sweet spirit about him and I am so proud of my tiger cub!

living la norma loca....

Uno.
I am loving Monday night volleyball! I’m playing on a team that whips up on everyone! We are 8-1. We dropped a game early on to a team that we went on to beat twice. Really, I shouldn’t get too cocky as we are going to be losing our best hitter due to his back surgery. This kid can hit anything. As a setter there is nothing more fun than running quick sets and watching someone drill it. ( And, yes I do expect J.T and Beth to come to one of my games since you attempted to go to one of Tim’s) ; )


Dos.
It’s a good thing I enjoyed myself yesterday because today I have to glue 360 some paper toppers on to large envelopes. Oh…. the joys of PTA.

Our historian

Luke loves History so it wasn't a big surprise when he said he wanted to do his media fair project on the book On Board the Titanic. He worked very hard on it. We are so proud of him!! Although, during the making of the iceberg we had a mishap with the x-acto knife, or I should say Luke had a mishap. Don’t worry he still has 10 fingers and 10 toes but it isn’t because he wasn’t trying to amputate them. I was trying to teach him how to cut away from the body when using a knife. Well...he hadn’t quite got the hang of it before he turned the knife on himself and cut his leg. Not bad but definitely worthy of a Backyardigans band aid. Just after it happened Luke says to me “When I become a father, because I’m pretty sure I will, I think I’ll make my kids turn eight before I let them use an x-acto knife”. I’m pretty sure I got a failing grade as his parent that day. Here’s hoping we can drop our lowest grade in this class!

my new love....

So...my new thing this summer has been long boarding. I love it. It is my most favorite thing to do with my free time. My “brother from a different mother” introduced me to it. It seems to be a good fit too because I married a “traditional” skate boarder. After deciding I wanted a board of my own we started the hunt for the perfect board. One thing you need to know about Tim he is the ultimate deal finder! So with great success we found the best board for ME. I emphasis me because every long boarder that gets on my board bails on it fast…they all hate it. But, I love it. It is a bit squirrelly but it carves better than a warm knife through soft butter. I haven’t been on another board I like better. Well, it didn’t take long for Tim (maybe 2 hours) to want a long board after I had mine. I think he was even surprised with how much he enjoyed the long board after riding short boards all his life. Since then we have spent much of our summer carving it up. You know you have it bad when in your mind you are constantly scoping out roads to ride down. I might have to start keeping a note pad in my car because the list is getting long. It is kind of funny that this 35 year old, mother of two, has just bought her very first pair of vans ( pink polka dotted no less). But I guess if you know me it’s not too far of a stretch and I refuse to let my age or how I spend my day or even what I ride define me ; )

Happy Birthday Luke!!!!

We had Luke's 7th birthday party today. Good times!!!
The pinata only lasted three swings ( a new record). We gave out punching balloons in the goody bags and I believe every yahoo ( I mean boy) left with theirs already popped. I can't believe we are celebrating number 7. What an indescribable blessing it is to be his mother. If nothing else happens to me in this life I have already been given more than I deserve.

aa..aaahhh..aaahhhh...two!

1. The “9/11 mastermind” Khalid Shaikh Mohammed and I share the same alma mater. He was there (a small North Carolina college) in the mid 80’s, I came in 89’. (I transferred on to a different school to finish my degree).



2. Last night was the opening night for my fall volleyball league. I love my team! I ‘m playing with some power house guys that can just kill the ball. This should be fun!

Awwwh Snap!

Guess who is going to be a bridesmaid? Yep, me! Can you believe it? The bride is 20... so I will most definitely be the oldest one up there. That’s okay as long as she doesn’t make me wear some form fitting spaghetti strap lingerie looking thing. Oh…the things we do for the people we love!

simple pleasures

Tim and I spent a couple hours longboarding at the park yesterday. It was hot and muggy but it just seemed the thing to do between the rains. It was a good workout and just plain fun. We also made a friend. I had to force this butterfly off my hand. What can I say... Bugs love me. I can't say its mutual but I did appreciate my time with this little guy.

keeping it real....

Blogs are a bit strange. I always struggle with what should I post or how much of myself do I share? I feel like I need to add a disclosure saying “in no way is this blog a full representation of me”. I wonder if I should share when my heart is heavy but do I really want to post such things on a place where anyone can have access … not really. But, I don’t want to be a fraud either. I want to be an authentic person. It’s not like on a horrible very bad day you are going to stand on a street corner announcing your hurts and disappointments to everyone that walks by. And, in someway putting those very same things on here makes me feel like I’m standing on 56th and Broad. So, there won’t be any pictures of the kids, or a story of how wonderful my life is. All I got today is this strangely vague post and my best effort to keep it real.

Happy 33 Timmy!!!

This picture always makes me laugh. He looks "special".

Happy 33!!!!!!!!!! We love you!!!!!!!!!

When Tim is gone...

1. I run out of cereal bowls, spoons and forks. I don’t cook big dinners when Tim isn’t here. I just stick to kid friendly easy stuff served on zoo pals. I can’t seem to remember to start the dishwasher when it’s practically empty. I know, I know, I should just hand wash….. NEVER!

2. The kids start to act a little weird. Luke has taken up knitting (promising to only knit boy stuff, by his own resolution ... not mine), and Libby is sleeping through the night. Typically, she calls out for us to open her door. Then about an hour later she calls out for us to get the cat off her bed. Then an hour later she wants someone to sleep with her. Kinda nice she has stopped this since I have no one to tag team with.

3. Something major happens with the house. The floor joists are going on today!!!!!!!!! Hip… hip… hoorrraaayyy!

4. The mail sits in the mail box for the week. I can’t seem to remember the mail!! I should tie some ribbon reminder around my wrist or better yet just have our mail held while he ‘s gone….hmmmmm.

5. I have no idea what is going on around the world because I forget to turn the TV on ( so if something major happens that I should know about, please let me know).

6. I get to watch all the chick flicks I want!! Seen any good ones lately? The sappier the better!

7. And, last but definitely not the least, I miss him.

Great day!!!

Well, there is no doubt that this has been a hard summer. It seems like things have been coming at us from all angles. For Luke his struggle has been loosing his most precious possession, his blue blanket. I can’t remember how or when his attachment with it started. I just know one day years ago it became a part of him. Every night before I go to bed I go into the kids rooms to cover them up and every night Luke had his blanket under his chin. And, when he is sick his blanket is the only thing that will remotely console him. Over the years I have taken his blanket to the tailor to get holes patched and the grandmas have done what they could do to repair the worn out corners and holes too. Tim and I have kept up with this thing for 6 or so years, never wanting him to lose it. I felt I had let Luke down when we came back from the beach and it was no where to be found. I called the hotel more than once and turned this house upside down. I have tried to tell Luke that his blanket was gone but never in those words. Every night for the past couple weeks he has cried and asked for us to look for it. Knowing there was no where else to look I would walk out of his room heart broken.
Well, today I picked Luke up from school and today was different as Libby is at my moms visiting with her cousins, and the neighbor kids went with their mom. So, today I just had Luke. We decided to go for a special treat, milkshakes. As we were sitting in the drive thru I leaned over and grabbed Luke’s backpack to check for homework and when I grabbed the zipper the small pocket in front opened. And, there fell his blanket. I grabbed it and held it up, Luke’s chin dropped. He has taken it to school with him everyday. On his back no less. No one thought to open up that pocket. It seems foolish really to have so much love for an object but when that object has been your source of comfort for all your life and then its gone what does foolishness matter? So, my hope is that this is just the beginning of the end of a really hard summer. And, we can find some rest in knowing that our boy will sleep much sweeter tonight.

Happy Birthday Libby!!!!!!!!!

Despite the scary storm in the beginning Libby's pool party was perfect. Actually the storm served us well, we had the pool to ourselves.
It is so hard to believe that our baby is 4!
We love you Libby lou!!!!!!!

Painted and Purtieee!

So much for being a stay at home mom. I might as well change my title to Rental property manager. I have been at our rental property all week… painting! At the moment I am a good mix of the color Kilz primer, Lindsburg gallery brown, and my natural skin color . The primer is the worst thing. You can’t scrub it off, it has to ware off. So, I look like I have some rare disease. Even my own mother in law asked me if I was “scaling”?%#@ Tonight is date night too! I just might be the only person out tonight in long pants and long sleeves. If I remember right, I think gasoline is the only thing that takes off Kilz. I suppose I have a choice of looking sickly or smelling ghastly. Lucky Tim!

We're home.....

Well, we’re home. We have been so busy since returning that it almost seems like we never left ;) Here are some of my favorite shots from last week. I don’t claim to be a “Kelly Michele” with the camera but I thought these were kinda creative. Tim actually took the one of us, just reaching out his arm and snapped, not bad, better of him of curse… I mean course. :)















I will miss this.

Happy Birthday to my mom and me!!!!

Yep! 35 years ago today my mom gave birth to me on her birthday. How sweet.

And, almost as sweet, she gave me her grandmother's diamond ring today. It is a family heirloom, lasting through five generations. I look forward to the day when I pass it on to Libby.

The last time my mom and I spent our birthdays together at the beach, it was 11 years ago and Tim purposed, so the way I figure it, I'm 2 for 2 for diamond rings on my birthday at this beach. Not bad! :)

Who's the crazy klepto lady from the eastern block?

Everyday I set up my little umbrella and chairs down by the water. I like to have a place for Tim and I to sit when the kids are playing in the gulf. Yesterday while I was sitting on the patio with my family I looked out and someone was sitting in my chair. I asked “who is that”? None of us knew. This lady stayed a while, made herself at home while we all just snickered about it. I didn’t care, I just thought it was kinda funny that someone would do that. Well, after a little while she gathered her things and moved on. No problem.
Well, then an hour or so later she came walking back by and the kids were building a sand castle. While their backs were turned she bent down, never breaking her stride, and picked up their purple plastic castle making thingy (looks kinda like a bucket) and kept walking. My sister says to my mom “that lady just picked up something”. My mom says “she probably just dropped her shoe”, Leslie my sister says “no I don’t think so it was purple”. I walk up and Leslie asks me if the kids have something purple they were playing with. I said “yeah”. So, Les and I went down to investigate, meanwhile this lady is just walking away. Sure enough Luke says he is missing his purple plastic castle making thingy. Leslie and I look at each other and say “let’s go”. We start running down the beach for this lady. We catch up to her and she is still holding my kids purple plastic castle making thingy along with a plastic shopping bag full of stuff (probably other people’s stuff). I said “excuse me but that’s my son’s” pointing at the purple plastic castle making thingy. And she says sorry but she just wanted something to hold her shells. I said “well, you can’t just take people’s things especially from kids”! She said she was going to return it. (Yeah, whatever)! Tell that to the police! Just kidding. I said “that wouldn’t have been a problem if you had asked” and she went into how she did but we knew that was a flat out lie and she probably wasn’t “all there” any way. So we got the purple plastic castle making thingy and headed back. We were baffled at her sense of entitlement from sitting in my beach chair to helping herself to my kid’s beach toys. This was definitely what I call a Seinfeld moment.

more on the beach....

On Monday Libby decided she didn’t want her floaty anymore and started swimming (the whole length of the pool). Peer pressure isn’t all bad ;) Luke taught himself how to back dive. And, Tim got Chris R. hooked on skim boarding. Here are some of my favorite pics so far.

We love the beach!

We are having a good time. It’s hot..hot...hot! It’s a good thing we are surrounded by water. I can’t believe I used to live here. I have become such a weather wimp since living in the mountains! The kids could stay out all day in the heat, I prefer getting started early and coming in late afternoon to avoid the hottest part of the day.
We got to hang out with Penny and family yesterday. They are staying just a few doors down. Luke and the Libster are loving having their friend Jordyn around. Well the pool is calling my name…..later.