Thursday, December 20, 2007

School break.



I love winter break, winter break is my favorite.
We watch alot of Elf (see above), do alot of baking, sitting around, shopping, and all at a leisurely pace.

I adore it.


Did some shopping yesterday, some baking this morning, more baking this afternoon, and then a party tonight. Tommorrow will be grossery shopping (ug and yes I know how it's really spelled, but this way seems more applicable) perhaps a little baking and some wrapping and some serious cleaning.

The picture above is Bo and Emma in St Augustine. We went there for an evening with a friend of mine from work, and for any of you who are planning to go to the "Winter Wonderland" event out there, skip it. What alot of nada. But the fort and St. George street are always lovely.

Merry Christmas, everyone.

Monday, December 10, 2007

11 Pictures = 11,000 Words

Catch up time. Alot of it. We'll just go with the pictures, in no necessarily meaningful order. Bo and Emma in my clinic at school.
Halloween! Starring: Snowflake Princess and Ash the Pokemon Trainer
My current replacement for scrapbooking (which I hope will return to me soon...this is the dryest papercrafting season for me since I started!) BAKING. No kidding. On Sunday I made Pot Roast, toffee, santa sandwiches, sweet minglers and french bread! This picture is of a meat pie I made...homemade crust! :) We have cable for the first time in ever, and I'm hooked on the Food Network.
Spent a weekend in St Paul, MN for a much anticipated wedding, and hit up the Mall of America and IKEA with Mom while we were at it. A very fun weekend!
So very, very happy for these two!
The newest Carter girl, and sweetest thing ever. I miss her like crazy, along with the rest of her family. The kids and I spent a weekend in Atlanta to see her for the first time.
Bo looks bummed out in the picture, but he's not. He's just trying to smile without showing his teeth, which is the newest thing in smiling, aparently. I can't tell you how happy this picture makes me. We have one almost every year of these two in this spot since they were three or four.

Starting off the holiday season with Clarice and Rudolph, who have remained solid companions since that time, and welcome additions to Stuffed Animal Playhouse, which appears every weekend at our house.
And not least, but most recently, Emma had her tonsils and adenoids out. The surgery itself was really easy and the first two days great, but the recovery was a bit more rugged than we anticipated. Mom came to stay with Ems and was a HUGE help. Above is before, and below is after. Her lips are so red from all the popcicles! She is now 10 days out, and finally off tylenol for the most part. There's been alot of crying. Poor Emkins.

Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving, and are gearing up for the Christmas season.
One more week of school, and I'll have my first Christmas holiday off with the rest of my family!

Monday, November 26, 2007


Sometimes they slip by without notice
Sometimes they’re very hard to see
Other times it’s all so clear
When they’re happening to me


Bright penny on the sidewalk
Can’t buy nothin’ by itself
But when I hold it in my hands
It’s a tiny piece of priceless wealth


These are the small graces
The little moments when the miracles come
These are the small graces
Small graces leading me to the larger ones


A smile that is not automatic
That lingers on a little more
Than the time it takes to count my change
The time it takes to close the drawer


Small graces surely have a meaning
Beyond their merely passing by
They are a reminder to the heart
There’s more to life than meets the eye
More to life than meets the eye


Cheerful greetings unexpected
Shared by strangers on the run
For when the sky is clouded over
Still the promise of the sun...


Is in the small graces
The little moments when the miracles come
These are the small graces
Small graces pointing me to the larger ones


Small graces
Little glimpses of the kingdom come
From unexpected places
These are the small graces


Small Graces
Words & Music: Bob Bennett
1996 Bright Avenue Songs (ASCAP)

Tuesday, October 23, 2007

You know what's funny?

this.

You know what is clever, nice and beautiful?

Anyone who can tell me how to imbed that into a post.

I don't hold out much hope, however. Notice my banner?

Saturday, October 06, 2007

Wednesday, September 19, 2007

Happy Birthday.

I could gush all day long, so maybe I just will. Alison is smart, beautiful, witty and generous. I feel so privileged to know her and to call her my friend. I don't know exactly when we started communicating, but I found these files dating back to Feb 2006, and that's when we were to the point of sending things back and forth. I know it's a convinient sort of relationship, this internet thing...but I know enough to know that she is a great person, and although we have never met IRL, she has added to my life, and I am very thankful.



Hope your birthday is happy. <3

Sunday, September 16, 2007

Bo Posted

You can check it out and comment on this blog if you like.

Thursday, September 06, 2007

Today-borday is Labor day!






We had a fabulous Labor Day weekend in Perdido Key, FL with the Heromans. Totally relaxing and so delightful to see our precious nephews again. Bo and Towns played together perfectly all weekend (mutual adoration has it's benefits) and Emma played with Clint- and got such a kick out of him! From the photo it looks like I'm reading Eragon, but I really read all of The Devil Wears Prada in one day. That is just the kind of pace I like in a weekend. Lots (and oh I do mean LOTS) of eating and Diet Cokes, and just hanging out together.

Check out your local Wendy's for the red tile wall outside.

I am so glad to be scrapping with Angie tommorrow night. I'm hoping that some sort of inspiration will kick in. I'm fairly certain that I need to be creative, I just am not pursuing it. Kind of like exercise right now.

I'm aware that I'm neglecting people, and that the house is falling to bits, and the laundry sits in it's toppling towers. I'm a bit frayed. I don't feel good about it. In fact, I feel like going to bed. So pretty much, that's what I'm gonna do.

goodnight.

Friday, August 31, 2007

and all the other days

alarm clock
make lunches
make breakfast
shower
"encourage" emma to get ready
makeup
more "encouragement"
out the door
in the door
blood sugar check
bo to class
emma to cafeteria
stomach ache
nosebleed
meds
meds
nosebleed
headache
stomach ache
sore throat
hurt ankle
nosebleed
loose tooth
blood sugar check
blood sugar check
ice
bug bite
bandaid
stomach ache
blood sugar check
asthma attack
stomach ache
ice
blood sugar check
blood sugar check
fever
meds
fell on playground
blood sugar check
nosebleed
sore throat
stomach ache (see previous)
say hi to bo and emma at lunch
phone calls
blood sugar check
headache
blood sugar check
meds
bumped elbow
blood sugar check
lunch
emails
nosebleed
throw up
stomach ache
blood sugar check
didn't sleep last night
blood sugar check
blood sugar check
disinfect
drive home
snack
email
dinner
dishes
"encourage" children to shower
read to emma
sing
bed

repeat.

Monday, August 20, 2007

First Day




I think Emma was made for kindergarten. She is quite the chirpy wee bird today. She has a fabulous teacher, and as you can see she has lost her first tooth (on that same day she swam to the bottom of the deep end.) Bo is equally happy with his situation and thinks the school is "like, only just about one percentage away from being as good as Hill." Which is saying alot.

I am rather too tired to give a good accounting of my day. Suffice it to say that even though I agree with my dear friend Alison as a general rule that "hair comfort is of the utmost importance, but foot comfort is of no consequence" I must say that 8 hours in heels at an elementary school is pretty much a no. My feet still burn 6 hours later. I'm sporting my new red crocs tommorrow.

Tuesday, August 14, 2007

Taglets by Linda


What do these two things have in common? These fabulous little items. Getcha some.





I have to say that I have fonder feelings for this layout than I bear for most of mine. I could be the polka dotted lightning bolts. Or that I made it over at Angie's while she told me about CHA. Or maybe just that its of my nephew rocking out.

Tuesday, August 07, 2007

The Other News

No AC in vehicle + no water in house = bad scene.

Thursday, August 02, 2007

The Good News

I got the job.
And the school not only is 3.6 miles away, it is the very school I hoped to get my kids into. I just need to verify with the principal that it is cool for them to come with me (which would normally not even be an issue.) This is a magnet school that doesn't accept transfers.
I mean, really. Thank you Lord.

I am also committing to training for the half marathon. Bill says he's going to match my miles. The good news on this front is that on Monday I ran withDanielle, and I actually ran two of the three miles. That's a jaw dropper folks. I haven't run two miles since college. And then I did it only once.

You know what? It feels good.

Tuesday, July 31, 2007

Bo


This child is now 8.

Don't ask me how that happened.

Growing so fast, so smart, so endearing.

The son of my heart.


He was born with a birthmark on his forehead. I'll be honest, I didn't like it. I had seen kids with birthmarks like that and been really distracted by the presence of it. I didn't want people thinking "Oh he'd be so cute if he didn't have that birthmark." No one said it. Someone told me it would fade in two years. It hasn't faded. I stopped noticing it. About a year or two ago, Bo asked me about it. I think someone at school had made a comment about it. I told him that Goody had one also, but it only showed up when she was angry or cried. I don't think I made a big deal about it one way or another. Bo got really sunburned last week with the family here, I mean like REALLY sunburned, and you couldn't see the birthmark. He came downstairs saying "Oh No Mama! I think my birthmark is faded!!!" I looked, but could still see it. I told him it was still there and he said "Oh good. That's my second most special thing that I like about myself."
As amazed and thrilled as I was at this, I had to know what the first most special thing about himself was. His answer: "Spirit"
Spirit is his stuffed horse that he got for his 2nd Christmas.
Love this kid.
Love.

Wednesday, July 25, 2007

Hey Hey

C'est Moi.

Been buried under work traumas and other sundry nonsenses.

Family is in town, which is lovely, spending many hours on the beach just chillin'.




J. K. Rowling, you are some writer, and I thank you.


I interviewed for the position of school nurse yesterday, and as of today have heard nothing. I have my hopes very high. Like gripping my phone, short-of-breath high hopes. They said they wouldn't keep me waiting, actually, she said "We'll call you and let you know what you need to do as far as your security clearance, and all that." which certainly raised aforementioned hopes. I took the first interview spot. So now I wait. Hopefully not through tommorrow, or the acid ball in my throat will slip down into my stomach. The pay isn't as good, but the schedule can't be beat.


Please, Lord, please.



I'm also debating whether it would be prudent for me to start training for a half marathon. Some of you who know me well may be recovering from the classic spit take, but still, I'm thinking about it. I must needs do SOMETHING.

Saturday, July 07, 2007

I spent the morning here, collating and stuffing envelopes with books. The people who read the books may never know how much love and hope with which they were packed. I hope some of them will come and see.
A known, but underutilized truth: singing does make the work go by. So does laughing.

First Fish Tacos. I'm having all kinds of new culinary experiences! I'm branching out. They were quite the taste sensation, stuffed with grouper, lettuce and mango salsa, hello!


Layouts as the guest daisy diva for cocoa daisy, july.





And now I feel that I have made up for the deficiency of pictures in the last post.





Thursday, July 05, 2007

Tagged and Random

Tagged by Amber and Anja.

1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE?
My middle name is my grandmother's middle name "Fay"
No2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED?
last week, but it wasn't a very satisfactory one. Sorta blocked, if you know what I mean.
3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING?
meh.
4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE LUNCH MEAT?
ham
5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS?
yes.
6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU?
I hope so.
7. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT?
Never!
8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS?
Yes
9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP?
I did this sky coaster thing once. No bungee jumping now that I am a mother.
10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE CEREAL?
Quaker Oat Squares
11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF?
Nope
12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG?
Only in a crowd.
13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE ICE CREAM?
Braum's After Dinner Mint
14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE?
man, I really don't know.

15. RED OR PINK?
see above line
16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVOURITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF?
Everything when I think about myself too much.
17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST?
My family in Texas. And Wanda.
18. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU?
only the ones who really feel moved to do so.
19. WHAT COLOUR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING?
Dark Brown Capris and barefeet.
20. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE?
Crap. I cannot tell a lie. A piece of cake.
21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW?
The dryer spinning and kiddies watching Animaniacs.
22. IF YOU WHERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOUR WOULD YOU BE?
I hope red.
23. FAVOURITE SMELLS?
clean laundry, lavender, the swifter wet jet smell is pretty dang awesome too.
24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE?
Derb
25. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU?
Pretty much adore.
26. FAVOURITE SPORTS TO WATCH?
volleyball
27. HAIR COLOUR?
blonde
28. EYE COLOUR?
blue
29. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS?
No
30. FAVOURITE FOOD?
pretty much sushi right now.
31. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS?
happy endings
32. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED?
in theaters: Ratatouille, at home: The Lost City
33. WHAT COLOUR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING?
aqua
34. SUMMER OR WINTER?
summer
35. HUGS OR KISSES?
hugs
37. MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND?38. LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND?
39. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW?
I took a break from 100 Years of Solitude to read the 5th Harry Potter again
.40. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD?
IKEA bubbles
41. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON T.V. LAST NIGHT?
No TV, fireworks at the beach.
42. FAVOURITE SOUND?
Bo and Emma laughing
43. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES?
the Beatles
44. WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME?
Argentina
45. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT?
I can be really bossy.
46. WHERE WERE YOU BORN?
Irving, Texas
47. WHAT SUPERPOWER WOULD YOU LIKE?
mental telepathy.


SEVEN RANDOMS:
1) I'm going to see this tommorrow! I so hope it's good. The poster sure as heck is.
2) My job status changes on Monday. Halleluiah. Per Diem. No more salary. No more job related stomach aches, and hopefully a bit more good head space.
3) My yard re-heely needs to be mowed.
4) I'm not a strong groomer. There is usually something I forget to do unless I'm going to work. Like brush my hair or put on makeup. I'm trying to improve this. Having a daughter has made a difference for me.
5) I listened to "Down in the River to Pray"( from O Brother Where Art Thou) about 17 times in my car today to get the harmony right.
6) I made cupcakes yesterday just so i could do a layout on cupcakes in order to try out for this team.
7) Linda's avatar makes me laugh every time I see it. Every time.


I've done some layouts. I will post next time.

Sunday, June 17, 2007

"Sometimes I feel the sinful urge to get into a scrap."

Angie came over Friday night. We met up once before to do a little scrap shopping and gnoshing on fried mushrooms, but there was very little gnoshing going on Friday. We got our scrap on, and I mean it.

You know it's really fun to scrap with someone who's as serious about it as you are. We actually put in a movie, and I don't think either one of us watched more than a second of it. I coudn't even tell you what it was about! But I can tell you that she is so dedicated to her craft that she threads every stinking one of the chipboard buttons she put on this layout, which I completely adore.

I got all of these done in that one evening.





It was so nice, especially considering that work is sucking all the joi de vivre right outta me.
Let's just say it's an adjustment.
Let's just say that's an understatement.

The title, by the way, is a quote from the movie "Friendly Persuasion" which I highly recommend.
And since I'm recommending movies, here's a book recommendation.

Happy Father's Day :)

Saturday, June 09, 2007

About Bo

We have reached a bit of a dilemma. While I'm sure some of the relatives of this almost eight year old feel there is no dilemma at all, for Bo and me there is.

He decided (and I agreed) to let his hair grow out for a while. Here in Florida there are some pretty cool guys with longish hair. Bill is quietly appalled, as I'm sure both of our mothers are.

You can't imagine how difficult it is to get a "neat" do for this kid. Each hair on his head aims in a different direction. Sometimes it's shiny and flat, sometimes its curly. As a baby he had the most beautiful halo of golden curls. Yum.

He always liked it "spiky" before. Which, obviously, is the easiest.

But at this point.

Well. Aunt Missy called him "Florence Henderson" yesterday. I'm telling you, Mrs. Brady would be jealous of this flip. In this picture it's not too bad, but at the ballgame, oh ho ho!


So I guess the longish-cool kid hair do is out, and Bo will be bringing spiky back.

New best friends are really great things, especially when they live around the corner. Branson's "sleeping over" tonight. You know, when I was a kid, nobody said "sleep over." We all said "spend the night." If someone had asked me to "sleep over" I'd have given them the "You're SO weird!" eye. I give it to Bo a little when he says it, but only a little, because of that whole heaven and earth revolving around the wonder of my children thing. Anyhoo, (gosh, I'm the queen of rambling thoughts tonight!) I enjoy watching them so much. They get along great. And I mean great. And I'm grateful.

Thursday, May 31, 2007

HELP

Need some inspo ya'lls.

New job is an adjustment.

I can stay up tonight, and I just feel like sleeping.

If I do that, then that's another whole evening gone.

I must needs create a few things, but it's all old to me.

Ya feel me?


so drained.

I have nothing to give but hints for upcoming raks and suches:

They are having a DT call and lots of giveaways for birthday fun!

And you really oughta stalk the skulls. I'm just saying.

Friday, May 25, 2007

This is me doing laundry

I love, love, love, love and yea even, love this picture of emma. Taken yesterday on our last "just-a-you-and-me-day" together in which we got nails and hair done, shopped and lunched.

Bo with the Bearded Dragon at Reptile Rescue. So brave!! (seriously, you have no idea how proud I am of him. He is growing so fast, and doing so well with the major changes we've put upon him...ie a new and completely different school the last three weeks of the school year.)
For Sarah B's challenge at ScrapinStyleTV.
Which, by the way, is the new time drain. Scrap Jack of the fabulous Ashley.

Monday, May 21, 2007

I've Been Bit

By the flea market bug.
Again.

Donna and I went on Saturday, and I got this:

and this:

For 25 bucks.

And really, is there anything better than fries and funnel cake at 10:30 on a Saturday morning?



ok, ok, other than this:


But really, if I had the choice between flea market funnel cake and flea market sushi, I'm thinking flea market funnel cake is the wiser option.