Table Scraps

Hello August

2011-08-08T22:50:00.000-07:00

Oh my. Is it THAT time of year again? Funny how the start of school doesn't have the significance it once had. Oh sure, Patrick is starting at the end of this month. his Sophomore year in High School - if that doesn't seem impossible enough. But Casey works from home, Tim (we hope) and Cailin will be working, and I'm working... no house to myself. No deep sigh for the sheer enjoyment of having the house to myself. I guess this is just another tilt in my world. Times they are a changin'.

I'm in a funk. I need a bit of a change. I've been giving this some thought... but not a lot of thought. Not enough to give me a headache or anything. I need to promise myself a few things.

I promise: To take time for myself every week. To work in my scrap room, to sew a quilt, to take some photos. Just time doing what I love to do.

I promise: To get off my ass and get some blood flowing through these arteries. I will sign up for a zumba class and FORCE myself to get my heart pumping at least four times a week.

I promise: To be a better diabetic. To watch more closely what I am eating, and to dose my insulin more accurately. I promise not to put off the doctor and to take my lumps like a big girl when I get there.

Now, lets see how well I hold to that. I can be such a liar sometimes, especially to myself.

I love them so

2011-07-20T20:00:00.000-07:00

These four have been ruling my kingdom for nearly twenty three years. Each of them has such wonderful traits, the best parts of Casey and I (and some of the worst too).

TIM: Bookish, quiet, insecure, secretly hilarious, angry. ANNA: Sweet, loving, giving, spiritual, soulful, soft. CAILIN: Funny, quick, difficult, quirky, unique, hip. PATRICK: Devilish, kind, charming, responsible, brave.

When Tim was a baby, I thought to myself that I could never love another as much as I loved him. What I found out, after Annie came along, was that I could love just as shamelessly - just as fiercely - but it would be somehow different for each child. And so it went with Cailin, and then Paddy. To not have even one of them in my life would be to chop off an arm. A leg. My heart.

Dear God, thank you for them. Those kids who make me crazy. Who make me cry. Who make me laugh til I pee my pants. Who I would run to the ends of the earth for (yes, I said "run"). Thank you.

We Are What We Drive

2011-03-08T22:30:00.000-08:00

Today, as I was leaving work, I walked into the parking garage behind a stunning, well put- together young woman. Not a hair was out of place. Her scarf hung perfectly balanced around her neck. Her handbag matched her shoes. And the SHOES! She was clack-clack-clacking ahead of me in four inch stilettos. She didn't waver or wobble. She walked with purpose. Head up. I was in awe. Here I was, my coat half on/half off, hair doing god-knows-what on top of my head, and my feet, ungraciously fwop-fwop-fwopping in my sensible flats as I groped up to my elbow in my purse for my keys. (My purse and my shoes are of the same color group.) She did not notice me.

As I trailed behind her, I tried to guess which car was hers. I discovered I was right when she unlocked the door of a white, sparkling clean, two-door-something-I-couldn't-afford. It suited her. Beside her pretty ride sat my very dirty black jeep. Short, squat and in need of a bath. How appropriate, I thought to myself.

Tax Time!

2011-02-26T01:01:00.000-08:00

I used to love tax time.  I loved figuring out the puzzle... almost as much as I loved the end result. We used to always get back pretty sweet returns. It was kind of like a forced savings account that we could count on every springtime. A little extra payola that to spend on something frivolis.... or not.  The truth is, we'd usually spend the money on paying off bills. Nevermind the fact that we had paid them off only the year before.   It was a good time.

Now, I'm not so sure. The pencil pushing has gotten harder. More involved and the payoff isn't nearly as sweet. There was a year not long ago where we actually hadn't paid enough and had to write a check for the shortage. Now that hurt.

This year, with the sale of our house in Allentown, the purchase of a house here, a home office, two kids in college, retirement transfers, charitable contributions, and a tax credit or three, I'm a little nervous. Lots of pencil-pushin' goin' here. However, I must say that after nearly four hours, it's not looking too terribly bad. I'm feeling a teensy bit like a miracle worker. Looks like we just may get a refund. Let's pause for a second while I pat myself on the back.

Because it's almost 1:00 a.m. I decided to stop somewhere in the middle of the section on Casey's home office. It's as good a place as any to hang it up for the night.  I'll wrap it up tomorrow, check it over for errors and mail it off, the old fashioned way on Monday. With luck, we'll get it back in a few weeks.

That would be lovely.

Speaking of lovely, here's something I haven't done in a while - and I love doing it - a nice little break from the seriousness of filing taxes:

Outside my window... the dead of night.

I am thankful for... a job that's fun (really).

I'm wearing... black sweatpants, a purple sweater and purple slippers.

From the kitchen... Diet coke (can #3)

I am creating... a financial windfall.

I am going... to the fabric store to buy fabric for a baby quilt.

I am reading... Left Neglected by Lisa Genova
.
I am hoping...  for a positive number when the tax returns are finished.
I am hearing... the hum of the furnace.

Around the house.... All is calm.

One of my favorite things... Sunset Magazine.

Plans for the rest of this week... A day trip with Anna and Daniel.

A Picture for today:

Taken by Casey at the wildlife refuge near our house. (It calms me.)

12.31.10 Core Story

2011-01-30T00:30:00.000-08:00

What central story is at the core of you, and how do you share it with the world? (Molly O'Neill)

I looked over my December Reverb stories and found that a common note was about the move. About leaving friends, about finding new ones. About adjusting and making things work. About sacrifices. About new beginnings and getting over myself. I was so deeply focused on the move (preparing/moving/saying good-bye/settling in) that I lost sight of everything else. My goals for the new year are to repair that. I need to build up relationships with the members of my family, to be present. To leave the little things until later and pay attention to the here & now. Pay attention to the things that really matter.
I was consumed and now.... I'm not.
I'm here; I'm listening.
Happy New Year 2011

12.30.10 Gifts

2011-01-30T00:18:00.000-08:00

This month, gifts and gift-giving can seem inescapable. What's the most memorable gift, tangible or emotional, you received this year? (Holly Root)

On Christmas (but for my birthday) Casey gave me a new camera. It's a Sony HD digital, with a detachable flash and a zoom lens. He also gave me a camera bag and 12 classes at Ritz Camera. I know that I love taking pictures. I even take some really good ones some of the time. What I don't know is HOW to take good pictures or how to get the most out of my camera. I've had fun since I got it - My goal for 2011 is to take a photo a day. It was an awesome gift and I love him for thinking of it.

12.29.10 Defining moment

2011-01-30T00:08:00.000-08:00

Describe a defining moment or series of events that has affected your life this year. (Kathryn Fitzmaurice)

Watching Tim accept his diploma from Millersville was certainly a defining moment for me. In the distance it took for him to enter the room and find his seat, his entire life flashed before my eyes. I saw him at preschool, playing T-Ball, getting his finger caught in the basket at school (and being freed by the fire department). I could hear his Elmer Fudd voice, talking about saving the world from evil-doers. I saw him playing soccer, baseball and the trumpet. I saw him learn how to ride a bike, and drive a car. I saw him fly off to Europe - and come home. I saw him have his heart broken. I saw him waving a sword with war paint on his face. I saw it all. It defined my role as his mother. I did a good job.

12.28.10 Achieve

2011-01-29T21:52:00.000-08:00

What’s the thing you most want to achieve next year? How do you imagine you’ll feel when you get it? Free? Happy? Complete? Blissful? Write that feeling down. Then, brainstorm 10 things you can do, or 10 new
thoughts you can think, in order to experience that feeling today. (Tara Sophia Mohr)

I want to lose 25 pounds and get my diabetes under control. When I achive that, I will feel healthy. Free. Happy.

1) Weight Watchers
2) Move my body
3) Stop making excuses
4) Cut carbs / they are like crack
5) Park farther away from my destination
6) Be honest with myself
7) Track my blood glucose levels better
8) Set goals big & small
9) Share my successes
10) Stay Positive

12.27.10 Ordinary Joy

2011-01-29T21:39:00.000-08:00

Our most profound joy is often experienced during ordinary moments. What was one of your most joyful ordinary moments this year? (Brene Brown)

One day this summer, Casey and I were exploring a little bit of our new hometown. We wandered down to the riverfront to the boat launch in Washougal. It was sunny and warm and a great day for watching the boats come in. Down on the water - and I mean ON the water, is a little blue restaurant called "Puffin". It looks like a floating snack-shack. You can't see it from the highway so it took us by surprise. We wandered down there and ordered a couple of drinks and some lunch. From our table, we could see people (and their dogs) going out onto the water on boats for an afternoon of fun and sun. We watched sunburned people (and their dogs) come in after being out all morning. Everyone laughing, calling out to each other and enjoying the day. Then there was us, watching them and secretly wishing that we too were a part of that community. I could have sat there all day.

12.26.10 Soul Food

2011-01-29T21:30:00.000-08:00

What did you eat this year that you will never forget? What went into your mouth & touched your soul?
(Elsie Marie Collins)

If we're being honest here, most of what goes into my mouth touches my hips not my soul.

But if we're talking soul food. I'd say it was the first meal I had at my mom's kitchen table. It was her stir fried cabbage & rice. It's not fancy, but boy did it hit the spot. In lots of ways. To enjoy a meal, any meal really, with her and Carmine was something special. It had been so long. To know that I could come back for more the very next day if I wanted to, was a gift. That day, that meal, that moment was good for the soul.

01.25.11 Photo

2011-01-29T21:15:00.000-08:00

A present to yourself. Sift through all the photos of you from the past year. Choose one that best captures you; either who you are, or who you strive to be. Find the shot of you that is worth a thousand words. Share the image, who shot it, where, and what it best reveals about you. (Tracy Clark)

This photo best captures who I am. More accurately, it captueres who I want to be. I want to be laughing, dancing and uninhibited. I want to be free spirited and wanton (okay, so maybe wanton wasn't the best word choice here.) This photo was taken in Buffalo, New York at my brother's wedding. I'm pretty sure my mom took it, but I was pretty busy here, so wasn't paying very much attention to who was playing with my camera. The song that was playing was something like "Jump on It". We flew out of our chairs. < laughing > We were having such a great time.

Sometimes I find that I hold back. I don't laugh too loud or make too much noise. I think I've got to be better about just cutting loose. Like this.

1.24.10 Everything's OK

2011-01-28T11:54:00.000-08:00

What was the best moment that could serve as proof that everything is going to be alright? And how will you incorporate that discovery into the year ahead? (Kate Inglis)

I'm still not fully comfortable in my shoes here in Washington. Still trying to figure out when, exactly, everything will be all right. Day by day I figure things out. I come to terms with things.  I make adjustments, I adapt. I have been living in doubt for nearly a year. Not sure if what I'm doing is right, or if it will be right in the long run. Trying to sort through emotions that I never even knew I had.    That all sounds like I'm in mourning. I'M NOT. I'm just trying to find my way.

When the sun is out, when dinner turns out well, when we're laughing around the table, things couldn't be better. When we're having holidays with the family, when we're looking at family photos, when we're marvelling at the beauty that surrounds us here, things are wonderful.   Proof? Wow. Where does this proof come from?

My discovery is that I take it day by day. My discovery is that I will search for the positive in all things and be grateful for the small things. I'm sure that things are going to be okay.   I am like a cat. I land on my feet (hungry and needing a nap).

1.23.10 New Name

2011-01-28T11:44:00.000-08:00

Let's meet again, for the first time. If you could introduce yourself to strangers by another name for just one day, what would it be and why? (Becca Wilcott)

At first, I selected Shaniqua - because I love the strength and confidence of a black woman. Then I chose Fiona. Partly because I've always loved the name and partly because that kind of name belongs to someone soft and well spoken. Then I thought of Ali. Creative and Inspiring; hip and together. Or Jill, because I've never met a Jill I didn't like. Or an Oprah, because she's... well, Oprah.

Names come with all kinds of mental images. Some are lovely, others not so much. So when trying to think of a name for myself, I just can't come up with a name that I'd rather be than my own. Elizabeth suits me when I'm being a fancypants. Beth suits me when I'm just me. Simple. Easy. Mom suits me when I'm hugging or loving, or yelling at my kids. And Honey, I love the best because it's said with a smile (almost) every time he uses it.

Hello, my name is Honey.

1.22.10 Travel

2011-01-28T11:27:00.000-08:00

How did you travel in 2010? How and/or where would you like to travel next year? (Tara Hunt)

In 2010 we travelled first in March, to search for a house. We took Cailin and Patrick with us and spent time walking into and out of several houses. I would like to have seen more, but our time was so limited. We spotted the first model home in Washougal and fell in love. It was waaay over our budget, so we kept on looking. Around the corner from our dream house was another, more modest yet still lovely house. The outside wasn't as appealing as the inside, but it had everything we needed. We kept it in mind... We enjoyed our time, visiting with family we hadn't seen for a couple of years. The weather was beautiful and we were looking forward to living in Washington. (With the help of our Realtor, we bought the second house we liked in Washougal.)

Our second trip was in June. Casey and Patrick drove across country, and Cailin and I flew. The animals flew separately from the rest of us. Patrick and Casey had quite the adventure, but that's their story to tell. I'm glad they had the opportunity to spend time together like that. It's a trip they will never forget. All of us had an array of mixed emotions. I'd like to say that we were looking forward, not looking back, but that wouldn't be true. I think all of us were mostly looking back. We arrived a few days ahead of our furniture and moved into our new house. It seemed so huge to us. So fresh and clean. It was the beginning and it was good.

The travel we did as a family in 2010 revolved entirely around moving. While exciting at times, it was mostly stressful. Next year I would like to travel to either Yosemite National Park or Hawaii - to celebrate our 25th anniversary. Yosemite, because we camped there with friends when we first met (As a child, I camped there often), or Hawaii, because who doesn't want to go to Hawaii?!

12.21.10 Future Self

2011-01-28T11:11:00.000-08:00

Imagine yourself five years from now. What advice would you give your current self for the year ahead? ( Jenny Blake)

Dear 55 year old Beth,
All of the hard work has paid off. You're fifty-five and feeling wonderful. I know it isn't easy, that whole diabetes thing, but you've managed nicely (even though you were stubborn about it and put it off). No doubt, you're feeling a lot better than you have in years.

Taking time to concentrate on YOU was the best thing you ever did. You came alive in ways you never dreamed possible. And I knew it wouldn't take you long to make friends in Washington. It was a matter of time, and thank goodness you're patient. These new friends will never replace the old. They'll just enhance your collection. You knew that.

Good work. I am proud of you.
50 year old Beth

2.20.10 Beyond Avoidance

2011-01-27T21:01:00.000-08:00

What should you have done this year but didn't because you were too scared, worried, unsure, busy or otherwise deterred from doing? (Jake Nickell )

I didn't throw my husband a 50th birthday bash. There were many reasons. The biggest one being that we were up to our necks (financially, physically and emotionally) into moving. I kept thinking I had time/money and I put it off until it was too late. I wish now that I had of made some changes in what we were doing to allow for a party. It would have meant the world to him. I know how deeply disappointed he was (is) because of it.

They say you can't go back, but I'd give anything for a do-over.

12.19.2010 Healing

2011-01-13T08:11:00.000-08:00

What healed you this year? Was it sudden, or a drip-by-drip evolution? How would you like to be healed in 2011? (Leoni Allan)

I felt healed when I left my job at Healthworks and joined the float pool for the Lehigh Valley Hospital. Healthworks sucked the life out of me. While I was there I worked for the most ungrateful, mean spirited people I've ever known. They promote good health and well-being, yet they hurt people with their words and their deeds. The team had no spirit. The leaders were selfish. Casey called it poison. Most all of the people I worked with there have since left. I'm not sure why the ones who are left have stayed. They were as unhappy as the rest of us.

Moving to the float pool was the best thing I could have done. I worked in an environment where I felt needed and valued. They thanked me every day for being there, for helping out. They were generous with their kind words. They were patient as I learned new things and made me feel confident before turning me out to work on my own.

I knew when I got here what kind of work I wanted to do. I knew what I wanted to look for in a working environment. Lucky me, I have found it and am quite content. In 2011 I hope to continue to enjoy my job with Southwest Washington Medical Center.

12.18.2010 Try

2011-01-13T08:03:00.000-08:00

What do you want to try next year? Is there something you wanted to try in 2010? What happened when you did / didn't go for it? (Kaileen Elise)

I'd like to sign up for and complete the Susan G Koman 3-Day for the cure in Seattle this year. The walk is sixty (yes, I said SIXTY) miles long. It's in September. I think this is something I could do if I started working on it now. It's not that I'm sedentary, I'm just not terribly active. What a good reason to GET active.

Last year, I wanted to run the 5k held in Allentown. I started a training program with a couple of my girlfriends from the Scrapbook store. I bought new shoes & socks, I bought new non-chafing pants, I was ready to go. I went twice. I wimped out. I was guilty and feeling sad as I saw them, all lined up with the runners at the start of the race. Ten mintues later, I took my place with the "walk-in-the-park" team.

I should have stuck it out. I could have done it. I would have been better for it in lots of ways.

12.17.10 Lesson Learned

2011-01-13T07:46:00.000-08:00

What was the best thing you learned about yourself this past year? And how will you apply that lesson going forward?

I learned that I can be creative, artistic even if given the time. I learned that I get great joy from the whole creative process. Through my friendships with girls from Memory Lane, PA I learned to try new techniques, take stronger photos, and to not be afraid of making mistakes. Through them, and with them, I was able to let myself be a little more free. And it was so much fun! What I'd like to do next is to take some classes, both in paper crafts and in photography so that I can reach even further. I think there's a lot of potential in me. I think that if I give myself a little fuel, and a little time, I could really go places. Ha ha. Did I just use a car metaphor?

12.16.10 Friendship

2011-01-04T08:50:00.000-08:00

How has a friend changed you or your perspective on the world this year? Was this change gradual, or a sudden burst? (Martha Mihalick)

My friend Mary has been my best friend for 10 years. We met when our kids were small and we were both new in the neighborhood. Our kids were close in age, our husbands travelled a bit (mine more than hers), and we were both stay-at-home moms. We were drawn to each other like moths. There were days when, even though we lived down the street from each other, we'd call six or seven times because we had something to say that just couldn't wait until we met at the bus stop in the afternoon.

She was my lifeline. I was so far away from my sister and my mom. Mary was it. She and I sat across the table from each other for hours and we never had a moment of silence. There was always something important to say - or to hear. I learned so much from her.

We celebrated birthdays, new years and the fourth of July together. We drank margaritas and jumped on the trampoline together. We laughed until we wet our pants together. We've seen each other at our best and at our worst. We've seen each other in our bathing suits and our pajamas. That is the best and the worst!

And I left her behind when we moved.

(How thankful am I for the technology that allows us to remain close over the miles.)

Did she change my perspective on the world? I don't really think so... but knowing her has added to the completeness of my life. She will always be my best friend.

12.15.10 Five Minutes

2011-01-04T08:31:00.000-08:00

Imagine you will completely lose your memory of 2010 in five minutes. Set an alarm for five minutes and capture the things you most want to remember about 2010. (Patty Digh)

Cailin's Graduation and the Party with her friends. Tim's Graduation from Millersville. Seeing Anna again after a long six months. Watching Patrick make new friends. Our househunting trip and how we felt when we first saw this house. Celebrating holidays with our extended family. Summer heat in Washington. Seeing Mt. Hood as we drive to our house. Thinking of Patrick and his friends floating on a raft in the Washougal River. A football game. Lots, and Lots of soccer games. Having the six of us sit around the table. Casey's Christmas Dinner. Fireworks over the Gorge. A last party with friends. A quilt made just for me. Getting a job... and liking it. The new car smell.

12.14.10 Appreciate

2011-01-03T09:00:00.000-08:00

What's the one thing you have come to appreciate most in the past year? How do you express gratitude for it? (Victoria Klein)

This has been such a crazy year. The getting-the-house-ready phase was hectic and non-stop. The selling-the-house-phase was fast & furious.. The moving-across-country phase was lonely and filled with doubt. The settling-in-phase was, and can still be mentally exhausting. Through all of the ups and downs, and there have been some pretty serious downs, my husband has pulled us through. He works tirelessly to provide for us. A beautiful home. A full pantry. A sense of security. Love. He willingly made this move, and through the craziness, he missed out on his 50th birthday party. One which he was looking so forward to. I will always regret not doing that for him. Always.

I have always thought that I was obvious in my love and appreciation for him. But upon closer inspection, I'm not so sure. I think I need to reexamine how I express my gratitude, and ramp it up a little. :)

12.13.10 Action

2011-01-03T08:46:00.000-08:00

When it comes to aspirations, it's not about ideas. It's about making ideas happen. What's your next step?
(Scott Belsky)

Actions? Actions sounds like work. Like sweat.
To make "it" happen, I think my first step would be to cut out a little more time for myself. Be it to exercise (Ugh!) or to create. Or more frequent hair appointments. Or sleeping a little later. I hope to take more pictures (one a day for 2011) and focus a little more on the half of my brain that likes to make things.

The "it" here, would be self preservation.
Would it be bad to say out loud that my little word for 2011 is "me"?

12.12.10. Body

2010-12-17T10:00:00.000-08:00

Body integration. This year, when did you feel the most integrated
with your body? Did you have a moment where there wasn't mind and body, but simply a cohesive YOU, alive and present? (Patrick Reynolds)

Ok. Let's start out by saying that the title alone here gave me goosebumps. Body. Not my favorite subject, no matter how you put it.

I separate my mind from my body every day. It's an art form and I have perfected it. I am not, nor have I ever been cohesive. alive and present, yes. cohesive? Uh, no.

I tried joining a "learn how to run" program with a group of friends last year. I went out and bought non-chafing running pants, good shoes and a sports bra. I stopped short of the sweat band around my head because i thought it was too eighties. I was ready. I walked a little, I jogged a little, I sweat a lot and was wishing I hadn't been so fashion smart. The only place to tuck my insulin pump was in my sports bra, and my jogging caused such a thunderous reaction inside my bra, that the pump slipped through and was bouncing off my kneecaps at every quarter mile. It wasn't pretty. Any of it. I wanted so badly to be like my friends. So "cohesive" in mind and body. I quit the following week. Non cohesive. Non sweaty. and really feeling like I was missing something. I pinky swore with my best friend never to use (or do) the Ex word. To be cohesive in mind and body, I would have to break that promise. I'm weighing my options.

12.11.10 Things

2010-12-17T09:44:00.000-08:00

What are 11 things your life doesn't need in 2011? How
will you go about eliminating them? How will getting ride of these 11 things
change your life? (Sam Davidson)

If you're talking about "things" like inanimate objects, then okay. If you're talking about things like feelings or attitudes, that's different. Let's see if I can come up with a few of both and have it make sense.

1. The deck. It sits too high in the back yard and makes us feel like we live in a fishbowl. We plan to lower the deck and build a patio so that we can use our back yard without being on display.

2. Negativity I will not let my focus on the downside interfere with my vision of what's good. I will Make a real effort to stop being a Deb.

3. The couch upstairs. It would be more functional if it were a sofa bed. And red.

4. Debt.. Let's get out the financial shovel and fill in the hole we've dug for ourselves. I know that the mortgage is forever, but I think if we knocked out the smaller stuff, life wouldn't be so stressful.

5. 25 lbs. It's been hanging around long enough. Time to kick it to the curb.

6. Cholesterol medication. It can go out with the 25 lbs. (see #5, above).

7. Junk mail. It's in my mailbox and on my computer. It's tucked inside of my newspaper and between the pages of my magazines. I must find a way to eliminate that wherever possible.

8. Worry. I need to let my children make their own mistakes. I need to take a (giant) step back and watch them grow. The key word here is "watch". Instead of trying to fix everything, I need to let them do things for themselves. This includes laundry, making appointments for themselves, and keeping their own checking accounts. By letting them do this, not only will they LEARN a little something, I will worry a little less about everything. Yeah, right.

9. Sit-on-my-assedness.. Get up. Get out. Get off of it.

10. The wall between me and my neighbors.. I've built up this little wall between me and my neighbors. It's just high enough that I hesitate a little before going over. If i could just I eliminate this wall, I might make connections to this new home. I need to let myself believe that it's Ok to do that.

11. Complacency. Life is good. We are healthy. We have jobs and food on the table. We live in a nice house, in a nice part of town. Our kids are thriving. But every day we need to reach a little farther. Learn something new. Discover something about each other, our surroundings, ourselves. Stretch our horizons. Break the ice. Life is good. But it can always be better.

12.10.10 Wisdom

2010-12-17T08:51:00.000-08:00

What was the wisest decision you made this year, and how
did it play out? (Susanna Conway)

It was our job to raise them into being strong self-reliant young adults. It was up to us to make them into independent people; to one day leave us. We knew where we wanted to be in our retirement years, and so we decided to head west. And while we knew the kids weren't ready yet to be on their own, we made the move this year, knowing that (whether or not they liked it) they were coming with us. You see, it is their job to leave us. Not the other way around.
It was the best decision we could have made. They are with us today - well, Tim will be here next week - and will slowly leave us, to be those wonderfully independent adults we raised them to be. Cailin will start the migration when she heads back to Pennsylvania next month. It was our job to raise them. I hope we did it well.

My Heart

2010-12-15T22:45:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow we leave for Pennsylvania to attend our oldest son's College Graduation. Over the past four and a half years, I have struggled with letting go, with allowing him to be his grown-up self. It was hard allowing him to make mistakes and learn from them. I cried for missing him. I knocked sixteen people over when he came through the gate at JFK after spending a semaster in Scotland. On Sunday we will watch him walk, in his cap and gown for the last time. With his history degree in hand, he will enter the gates of adulthood.

Looking so forward to seeing where this leads him. My firstborn. My heart.

12.9.10 Party

2010-12-09T22:50:00.000-08:00

What social gathering rocked your socks off in 2010? Describe the people, music, food, drink, clothes, shenanigans.

In June, our friends the Novak's threw a party for us so that we could say goodbye to the neighborhood. Everyone was there. There was food, drink, and warm air outside. We cried a little and drank a lot. We were given gifts, and smiled for pictures. My best friends (Mary, Caroline, Caroline, Cathleen and Debbie) made a beautiful keepsake quilt that they lovingly wrapped around me. More tears.

I can still feel that warm summer night on my skin.

12.8.10 Beautifully Different

2010-12-09T22:40:00.000-08:00

Think about what makes you different and what you do that lights people up. Reflect on all the things that make you different - you'll find they're what make you beautiful. (Karen Walrond)

I don't know what I do to light people up. Or even if I do light people up. Maybe I spark people; twinkle them.... flicker them. I am the one with a good sense of humor - my sister got the looks.
I'm having trouble finding anything about me that's different. I am rather ordinary. In all kinds of ways. I'm a mom. An average mom. I pack lunches that are average. My house is moderately clean. My car is a Jeep, black, very average. My face is average. It's getting a little wrinkly, but not too wrinkly for someone my very average age. I am a little shorter than average, and am a little heavier than average, but for the most part, I lead a very average life. I don't sing, I can't play the violin, I don't race cars. Nothing special here, and yet I am surrounded by friends. I am loved. So I must be doing something twinkly.

12.7.10 Community

2010-12-09T21:54:00.000-08:00

Where have you discovered community, online or otherwise, in 2010? What community would you like to join, create or more deeply connect with in 2011? (Cali Harris)

I have discovered a greater community through facebook. I know, I know. I started there a couple of years ago to spy on my kids. What I wound up doing was finding my friends from high school, my distant relatives, and my kids - never could I have been more in tuned with all of their lives were it not for the internet. Hey, I recently wished a friend of mine a happy 50th birthday. We have not seen or spoken to each other since our Senior year in high school. I was perfectly comfortable joking with her for hitting the mid-century mark. Facebook has done that for me.

Our community is as small or as large as we allow it to be. I have neighbors I don't spend time with, but I visit regularly with my cousin who lives in Florida. I know that the guy I used to date in high school is opening a wine and coffee club in Seattle. I know that my son needs to clean up his language. Thank you, Facebook.

I am looking to connect more with the community in which I live now. I've been avoiding it. Not too sure why, but I've really been a hermit since we moved here. I think I'll start closest to my home and work my way outward.

Make

2010-12-06T07:11:00.000-08:00

What was the last thing you made? What materials did you use? Is there something you want to make, but you need to clear some time for it? (Gretchen Rubin)

The last thing I made was an enormous batch of Oatmeal, Chocolate Chip Cookies. Patrick and I worked together (me: stirring, him: eating dough). The kitchen counter was crammed with containers of sugar, flour shortening and oats. It looked like a white bomb exploded in there. They came out rather awful, but the time spent with my youngest son was worth every over-baked bite.

Let Go

2010-12-06T07:07:00.000-08:00

What (or whom) did you let go of this year? Why (Alice Bradley)

I let go of Easy. It was hard to tell the kids we were moving. Hard to strip bare our house of all things personal and paint, clean and prepare it for someone else. It was hard to say goodbye to our friends, our comfort zones. It was hard to watch my children cry as we drove away. Hard to move into a new area and start over, finding (or not) new jobs, new friends. I let go of Easy in order to start another chapter in our lives. Easy won't probably be back for a while, but I'm catching glimpses of it more and more every day.

Wonder

2010-12-04T18:13:00.000-08:00

How did you cultivate a sense of wonder in your life this year? (Jeffrey Davis)

First, I had to think of what the word "Wonder" meant. To me, it means awe. Times when I picture myself with my mouth hanging open, trying to figure out how something works.

How do I cultivate that??? I think I do it by being tuned into my story. Every day. Being an avid scrap booker, and a wanna-be artist, I think I take in - and I mean really take it in - the events in my life. Big events, small events and even some mundane daily living type events. The thing is, I write about them and try to capture them in photos. Whether or not I actually build a page is another story. But I pay attention to the details. I comment on them. I try to tell it so someone could experience it as it happened.

Having explored the stories of my ancestors, I found myself looking for ways to be the story teller to future generations. I can only hope that I do it well.

Moment

2010-12-03T07:16:00.000-08:00

Pick one moment during which you felt most alive this year. Describe it in vivid detail (texture, smells, voices, noises, colors). (Ali Edwards)

March 2010. When Casey, Cailin and Patrick and I were looking for houses in Washington. We were on a shared mission. We were excited yet nervous. The sun was shining (yes, in Washington) and it was warm. The green was especially green, the blue sky was especially blue. The snow on Mt. Hood was brilliant and the water on the Columbia river was inviting. Whether we were admitting it or not, the prospect of living THERE was exciting for us all.

At that moment, I felt a sense of knowing that what we were doing was right. I could feel the relief that comes with starting fresh. At that moment, the decisions we were making were good ones.

Octo-Grandpa

2010-12-02T16:16:00.000-08:00

Carmine Vincent Scelzi. You have been making my mom happy for 27 years. You are a loving grandfather to my kids, and a friend of mine. You are Santa Claus in and out of your velvety red suit.

You were at my wedding, and there for the birth of my firstborn. You taught me most of what I know about gardening and everything I know about Italian cooking.

You're stubborn, your silly, you love with your whole heart.

And my whole heart loves you back.

Happy 80th Birthday.

Writing

2010-12-02T08:48:00.000-08:00

December 2 Writing.
What do you do each day that doesn’t contribute to your writing — and can you eliminate it?
(Author: Leo Babauta)

Really? Something that doesn't contribute to my writing... Uh, like Laundry? Vacuuming? Cleaning Bathrooms? Cooking Dinner? Yelling at the dog? Ha ha. Truthfully, all of those things contribute to my writing. Not that I've ever considered myself a writer per se. I do love to journal, to tell my story so I guess you could say that I write. But the things that inspire my stories are my children, my home, even my (ridiculous) dog. I couldn't very well give them up.

Okay, Okay. After some soul searching, I've discovered that I can eliminate cleaning the Bathroom. It's out! Off the list! Cleaning mirrors and toilets do NOT inspire my writing. Ever. The End.

One Word

2010-12-02T08:31:00.000-08:00

This post should have been written yesterday. So I apologize for that. One post. Every day. So that I can reflect and think and feel somehow deeper than I am. This is a good thing. So, I'll begin at the beginning:

December 1 One Word.
Encapsulate the year 2010 in one word. Explain why you’re choosing that word. Now, imagine it’s one year from today, what would you like the word to be that captures 2011 for you?
(Author: Gwen Bell)

My word for this year has to be CHANGE. I know, not unique, not inspiring, but true. Really. On Thanksgiving, 2009, we announced to our kids that we'd be moving to Washington. We said we'd wait until after the holidays to start preparing for that. And so we did. We completely transformed our house. It became what we always wanted it to become. It sold in eight days. We were scheduling movers, packing boxes and saying good-bye before we knew it. We landed (and I do mean landed... with a great thump) in Washington where we force-fed our kids the notion that this was the best for everyone. It was, and continues to be a struggle, but we're acclimating. Funny enough, the rain isn't an issue.

We are finding our way. Discovering different places, enjoying the company of our extended family again, making a new home.

I'd say that for next year, I'd like my word to be (at) PEACE. Comfortable in our home, with our neighbors, with our jobs and in our skin. Having an idea of what the future holds for my kids, as they venture out on their own (please). Feeling calm. Laughing a lot more and worrying a lot less.

2010-09-21T10:31:00.002-07:00

9.21.10
Dear Reading Glasses from Target,
Thank you for bringing me into focus. Newspapers, books and menus look a whole lot better since you started hanging around.
Love, Beth

9.20.10
Dear God,
Thank you for bringing me Casey. After 26 years together, he's still the one.
With Love, Beth

9.19.10
Dear Construction Workers Two Doors Down,
Thanks for taking Sundays off. We all appreciate the extra hours of sleep.
Love, Beth

9.18.10
Dear Deli in Longview,
Thanks for being open, for having a great menu, and for NOT being a Subway. We'll be back!
Love, Beth

9.17.10
Dear Scrapbook Store,
Thanks for being out of stock on so many of the things I wanted. You saved me a bundle!
Love, Beth

2010-09-16T10:15:00.003-07:00

Outside my window... construction workers.

I am thankful for... the internet.

I'm wearing... a blue shirt, jeans & my Rabbit Shoes.

From the kitchen... Peanut Butter Cookies.

I am creating... kits for a crop tomorrow night.

I am going... stir crazy.

I am reading... The Columbian (newspaper)
I am hoping... for more nice weather.
I am hearing... hammers & saws.

Around the house.... Cailin just got up, it's 10:20 a.m.

One of my favorite things... fall colors.
Plans for the rest of this week...Hopefully, a job interview.
A Picture for today:

2010-09-16T10:05:00.002-07:00

9.16.10
Dear Vanilla from Mexico -
Thank you for being such a tall, important bottle in my spice cabinet. You inspire the best cookies, rice pudding and scones in the world. I would be lost without you.
Viva Mexico!

9.15.10
Dear Rabbit Shoes,
Thanks for being the most comfy shoes I own. I have skipped all over Washington with you on my feet this summer, and now that you're worn through, I can only hope that your cousins, the Llama Shoes, can fill your...uh... shoes.
Love, Beth

2010-09-14T08:45:00.002-07:00

Dear Makers of Candy Corn,
Thank you for your orange, white & yellow deliciousness. I had all but given up on ever finding a safe variety for my finiky belly until today, when I spied a small jar at Walmart. I now welcome Fall with open arms. Thank you! Thank you!
Your BFF, Beth

Gratitude

2010-09-13T09:21:00.004-07:00

I spend so much of my time complaining. It's too hot or too cold, my kids are driving me crazy, I hate my body, too many bills/not enough money. I miss my old life. The list goes on. It's ridiculous, really. I have so much to be grateful for. My kids are all healthy. Casey has a job that he loves and it provides quite well for us. I have a beautiful home and food on the table. And our life here is in transition...with a favorable future.

I saw somewhere on the internet, a blog where the woman wrote thank you notes for things that she was grateful for. Things big and small... and some really, really funny things. She has inspired me to do the same and for now, I'm practicing my gratefulness. I smile every time I write one, and I smile during the day when I think of the thing that I've found to write about. It's a great exercise in positive thinking - and I really need the exercise!

Here's what I got so far:

9.13.10 Dear fit and lively couple on the dike trail this morning,
Thank you for saying "Good Job" to me as I wheezed through my first quarter-mile. I thought I was going to die of a coronary, but your words kept me going. Will you be there tomorrow?
Love, Beth

9.12.10 Dear online tutorial on crocheting dish cloths,
Thank you for being free, and easily available. You taught me how do something I had long forgotten how to do. Eight dish cloths are now stored in my kitchen drawer, too pretty to use.
With love, Beth

9.11.10 Dear New York, Pennsylvania and Virginia,Thank you for your sacrifice.
You gave unintentionally as I watched in disbelief. You are talked about, thought about and remembered every day for the past nine years. You will never be forgotten.
Love Always, Beth

9.10.10 Dear Pampered Chef,
Thank you for making the flat cookie scoop. I've had mine for over 10 years and still love it like it was new! The fact that is no longer in production sets me apart from all my cookie-baking friends.
Much love, Beth

9.09.10 Dear bumps in the middle of the roadway,
Thanks for adding to the experience of crossing over the double line. As if oncoming traffic wasn't enough.
Love, Beth

9.08.10 Dear all forty seven companies that Cailin has submitted job applications to,
Thank you for taking your time to reeeeally review her application. We would all love it if you would just go ahead and give her a job now.
Regards, Beth

9.07.10 Dear people who bought our Gas Range,
Thanks for dickering only a little. I liked you and would have hated to send you away empty handed. It is lovely to have that little rectangle of floorspace back.
Love, Beth

9.06.10Dear Lewis & Clark,
Thank you for making Washougal one of your stops. The walking trail they built in your honor is really enjoyable. I hope to walk the whole length of it one of these days. Will keep you posted.
Love, Beth

9.05.10Dear blockbuster employee,
Thanks for finding me in your computer databanks. It made renting five movies a snap!
Love, Beth

9.04.10Dear man at Ritz Camera,
Thanks for knowing so much about cameras, and for being able to diagnose my problem within ten seconds of my arrival. Those classes you recommended will surely help me to diagnose my own problems next time.
Love,Beth

PS : your recommendation that we buy a new camera rather than to have the old one fixed made me especially happy. Casey, not so much

9.03.10Dear friend of Cailin's with the Portland Timber Tickets,
Thanks for passing those along to us. Casey & Patrick had the time of their lives! It is because of you that they will be lifetime fans. go Timbers!
Love, Beth

9.02.10Dear Bisquick Gluten Free Pancake Mix,
Thanks for turning out the best Pancakes I've had in fourteen years. So good, in fact, I ate six of them. You've made me a very happy woman today.
Love, Beth

9.1.10Dear iPad,
Thanks for being there with me while everyone went back to school. The house was so quiet and you helped fill the void. You rock!
Love, Beth

Time Travel

2010-08-18T10:33:00.006-07:00

So. It's August. I haven't been here since April?! How did that happen? One minute, I'm saying that we've got 40 days to move, and here I am, forty days after it's over. Wow. I blinked and here we are. There's so much to tell. So many changes. Let's start with

5254 J Street

The house is lovely. There's almost too much space, but we're getting used to it. After a few weeks, we got our furniture, our blinds, and the rest of our stuff from the movers (That's another story altogether). We arranged, rearranged, tossed, and gave away our things to make room for them in the new house. There's a lot to be said for having a basement / or not having one, as the case may be. We've gotten very creative with the storing of our things. But, at last, I think we have it in order.

The neighborhood is about a year old. And there are Ten houses on this street. The people who live here are nice. Nearly all of the families have two or more children under 10 years old. We are overrun by them. They never (ever) sleep. The neighbors have dogs who are ever vigilant. Barking whenever a step falls on the sidewalk or a leaf hits the lawn. We live very, very close to one another here on J Street. We hear everything. We know everything. This is going to take some getting used to.

Not-So-Giddy

2010-04-28T07:04:00.003-07:00

As it turns out, the people at Rachael Ray waited nearly two years to notify Mary of her tickets, then expected her to read her email and reply within an hour after receiving it. So... sad to say, the RR tickets are out. I'm thinking I'll go to Mary's and watch her cook - she's as good as Rachael Ray... only no TV crew.

49 days until moving day. So much to do. We've gotten estimates from movers and now must choose between them. I wish we could base our decision on the unloaders on the other end... Those lugs can be murder on your furniture - -

We have a teleconference with the money man in Washington tonight. Here is where we sign our lives away. He tells us that we can get all of the documentation done two weeks ahead of the move, then just arrange to wire funds once our Hopewell house closes. Simple as Pie. A three hundred twelve thousand dollar pie. Between packing, graduation, loading, moving, hotelling & flying... the middle of June is going to be a li'l bit crazy.

Looking forward to settling down into some normalcy. Whatever the hell that is. Just out of cardboard boxes. Eating as a family at the table. Sleeping in on Weekends... Oh yeah.

Giddy

2010-04-16T16:11:00.002-07:00

My friend Mary called me today to tell me that, over a year ago, she ordered tickets to see the Rachel Ray Show live, in NYC. Well, they're here and we get to go on May 5th. I'm jumping up & down! I'm laughing like a loon! I'm counting the minutes! What does one wear to a television show taping??? OMG. I will ask myself this question until I get on that bus to New York.
..... only 19 more days!!!

Oh. And the house sold. After only 8 days on the market.... but I don't want that news to overshadow the RR news. Not today. I'll talk about the house some other time. When I've come down off my cloud. So grateful for Mary. For about a gillion reasons... but today, grateful for this.

Confessions

2010-04-06T19:41:00.004-07:00

1. I am nervous about moving. Can this old dog learn new tricks?
2. Candy is like crack to me.
3. Bret Micheals is dirty-hot.
4. I can't wait for Casey to go out of town so I can bake cookies... and eat them.
5. I hope that my children don't suffer from my mistakes.
6. I hate my body (too many cookies).
7. I am a spoon thief.
8. Moose is growing on me.
9. I sometimes pray - in the car - when I'm not yelling at lousy drivers.
10. I credit Casey for my children's great taste in music.

Superbowl Weekend

2010-02-06T06:49:00.003-08:00

We woke up this morning to a blanket (a pretty thick, fluffy one) of white outside. There's snow on the sides of our house and snow in the corners of the windows, just like I used to draw them when I was a kid. There's a kind of hush that falls over the world when fresh snow has fallen. It's nature's muffler, and it's very, very cool. I love snow when I don't have to go out in it. Feeling very thankful that the Master Planner fixed it so that the snow storm hit on a Saturday.
Looks like hot chocolate & scrapping today.... Life is good.

Rainy Days...

2010-01-25T07:52:00.003-08:00

So today the wind is blowing like crazy and the rain is coming down like it does in July. It's 60 degrees out - - feels like spring, but I know it's a fake-out. Don't worry, I know when to keep my hopes in check.

I'm painting the Dining room today. The first of many rooms to paint. I started off in the dining room knowing that it'll be the easiest. You see, I'm only painting the bottom half of the wall - under the moulding - to hide a spot where Cailin put her knee through the wall about six years ago. Funny how the white patch didn't bother us until we decided to sell the house.

While the paint dries, I think I'll go down stairs and work on my next batch of ATCs. They're due next weekend, and I've really got a lot of work to do to them. I've also got some small samples to put together for the Creative Cafe next Saturday, and crop stuff to get together for the Pajama Crop - also on Saturday. Wait! I've also got to finish another layout for a 1-a-week challenge... Man. I didn't realize how busy today was going to be until I sat down here! I'm thinking I should get it in gear.

For dinner tonight, I'm fixing vegetarian Chili (for me) and Regular Chili for the fam. That, along with tortillas and a salad...

Patrick has a soccer game after dinner.

And the wheels on the bus go round & round.

Oh Sunday....

2010-01-10T07:32:00.010-08:00

The weekends fly by soooo fast~

Yesterday, I went to the Scrapbook store (MLPA, Yay!) and I got a new toy. Casey said it was a late birthday present (yeah, that's 'cause he's feeling a little guilty for forgetting it on the 5th!) Since then I've gotten flowers, and a little elephant with a string tied around his foot... so stinkin' cute. I wonder how long he'll feel this badly about forgetting... ha ha. The new toy inspired me to clean my whole scrap room. I even tried moving things around but didn't like it so I moved everything back. It was totally therapeudic. Today, I hope to get back down in the basement and finish my therapy by making a mess again. Life is good.

Outside my window... Snow on the ground. Bright blue skies overhead.

I am thankful for... The heat blowing out of the vent at my feet.

I'm wearing... a grey sweater, jeans & my Keens (Love my Keens)

From the kitchen... I think I smell toast.

I am creating... A page a week for a little contest...

I am going... sit on my hiney all day.

I am reading... Under the Dome by Stephen King

I am hoping... Peace in the Valley.

I am hearing... Casey & Cailin watching a documentary called "Coastline".

Around the house.... TV on, Paddy playing with the cat... Dog (mercifully) asleep

One of my favorite things... my new camera

A few plans for the rest of the week... Winding up my job @ Healthworks; Gearing up for a new adventure.

A Picture for today:
Me & my favorite guy...

A New Year, A new Day

2010-01-05T07:32:00.051-08:00

Happy Birthday to me! Forty-nine today. Ugh! Forty-nine??

One of my goals this year is to blog more often. To say what I think. To share what I know. and to tune in to my forty-nine year old self.

I wound up last year by making a "25 Days of Christmas" album (inspired by Ali Edwards) and here's where the sharing comes in:

Hello December

2009-12-01T11:41:00.008-08:00

I've been told that I need to write here more often. To think that someone else in the world is actually interested in what I have to say... (thanks, mom). This year, Thanksgiving was celebrated with Tim, but without Anna. Seems like our table has been short two years in a row. I wonder if we'll ever be six again. The food was delicious, the weather was almost warm, and the football game was fast & furious, as the crowd who joins us gets bigger every year. We enjoyed a nightcap with our friends down the street.

As we move into December, my plan is to simply enjoy the holiday. To take each day, savoring the little things I enjoy about this place and storing them away in my memory. My 25 Days of Christmas album will help me to keep track - I'll try to post pictures as I go.

Outside my window... grey skies, geese flying overhead
I am thankful for... Casey's employer, who allows us great opportunities.
I'm wearing... a black sweater, jeans and my crocs
From the kitchen... Cheetos.
I am creating... 25 Days of Christmas Album
I am going... to take Cailin to the doctor in Bethlehem after school today.
I am reading... Your Heart Belongs to Me by Dean Koontz.
I am hoping... Peace in the Valley.
I am hearing... Pat rummaging through the fridge for a snack.
Around the house.... Kids coming home from school.
One of my favorite things... grilled cheese sammies
A few plans for the rest of the week... getting ready for a Weisel Weekend with the girls.
A Picture for today: No photos today / Computer cranky.

Finished Project

2009-10-20T10:25:00.009-07:00

A group of us have decided to try out swapping ATCs. If you don't already know, ATC stands for Artist Trading Cards. They're a 2.5 x 3.5 inch card, much like a baseball card, that you can dress up any way you like. Then you trade them... silly, I know. But what fun is it to play with paper/paint/stuff on a small space, pleasing no one but yourself? Our first theme is "Art". Here's my take:

I used scraps of things I had on hand. I think the only thing I bought was a gel medium to get the paint to dry slower, so I could play with it a little. The paper towel that I used to wipe my paintbrush on as I worked wound up being the background for the card on the left.... funny. I really liked how the colors blended. Fun, Fun project. I can't wait for the next theme.

Outside my window... falling leaves, yellow & green

I am thankful for... Days home from work.

I'm wearing... a black sweater, jeans and my Keens

From the kitchen... diet coke.

I am creating... 52 Qs (Getting caught up).

I am going... to take Cailin to the doctor in Bethlehem after school today.

I am reading... Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout.

I am hoping... for good news.

I am hearing... the dog molesting the cat.

Around the house.... kids at school, Casey's at work, I'm just putzing around.

One of my favorite things... facebook (for now)

A few plans for the rest of the week... Work. Start on my hand-made Christmas Gifts

A Picture for today: Have you ever seen a green Moose?

Cool Autumn

2009-10-18T20:29:00.011-07:00

Today, Casey put out the Halloween decorations. It's official. Fall is here. The leaves are falling, and the rest are about seventy kinds of orange & yellow. The air is crisp and it smells like a bonfire outside. Hot cider, warm socks, sweatshirts and the smell of cinnamon. This is my favorite time of year.

I walked the Women's 5k Classic in Allentown yesterday. It was raining, cold & muddy. But I was glad to be there. So many women I know have been affected by cancer. If walking (and encouraging others to join along) helps in some miniscule way, then I'm all for it. We walked together: Team HEALTHWORKS. One of our Doctors was recently diagnosed with a rare form of breast cancer. The news has hit us all pretty hard. It brought us together for this walk. What I didn't know until yesterday was that her time with us is limited. I had no idea. I can't imagine this world without her in it. She's funny and honest, she's a mother and a friend to many. I had been talking about survival rates & how successful treatment is now. My Aunt, my cousin & my mother are all survivors. In my complacency, I completely forgot that some aren't so lucky. I was ashamed for not considering that fact & overwhelmed by the reality of it.

2009-09-13T17:07:00.007-07:00

Love

Sunday Evening

One of Casey's clients gave us tickets to the US Open Tennis tournament Quarter-finals on Friday. Although none of us can claim to know much about tennis, we had a really great time out as a family. As we watched the little yellow ball go back and forth, back and forth, we actually started catching on.... it's a very polite game. Unless, of course, your Serina Williams. Oh, but that came two days later.

Anna is already homesick. I hope it passes as time goes on, because it breaks my heart to be so far from her when she's feeling this sad. I just know that things will get better for her and she will laugh when she looks back on these first few weeks of school.

Cailin is in love. Well, no, she's in Like. Lots of Like. And I can't really talk about it because he's a former crush of Anna's and the budding relationship has caused some real pain between my daughters. I don't know where it's going. I don't know how to help. I can only watch & see. And be there with a box of kleenex for whoever needs it.

The leaves are turning.
It's a quiet kind of sorrow, seeing their lush fullness give way to crinkly leaves. It would be my favorite time of year if only winter weren't on it's heels.

Looking for a Break in the Weather

2009-08-29T06:14:00.006-07:00

9:00 a.m. on Saturday.

Just took Cailin to work for her Orientation @ Red Robin. She'll be hostessing. I think she's pretty excited about the whole thing. Lord knows, she really needed a job.

Tim, my firstborn, my baby, turned twenty-one yesterday. Where did the years go? Wasn't it just yesterday we were tying a cape around his neck so he could save the world? I swear to God, I blinked and here we are, loading boxes into the van so he can move into his own apartment. We're taking him out for a beer. Man. He's enjoying being on his own - - sort of. It took them nearly two weeks to get internet access. It was nearly a deal breaker for Tim, really. The kid spent nearly two weeks with no TV and no internet access. His room is spotless and his laundry is caught up.... Hey, I think we should have removed TV and internet from our home YEARS ago. I would most definately have more productive children.

Anna is moved into her dorm. She's been away a week now. She seems to be settling in nicely - except for the tearful phone call when her cell phone stopped working. Crying not because she missed her mommy, but because her cell phone was on the blink. (again, are we seeing a technological trend here?) I knew she would just love the college life. So far, so good.

I never did get to take the photo journaling class with Cathleen. My schedule at work got rearranged, and there was no chance of me actually making a 5pm class - ever. It would have been a waste of a spot in the class. So disappointed. It turns out that my First Strides is headed in the same direction. It's on Wednesdays at 6pm and - almost every single Wednesday through October, I'm either closing Allentown @ 7 or Bethlehem @ 6. I'm really hating these hours. I want to be one of the chosen ones who gets to dictate her own schedule.

So, Today:

Outside my window... fog and dripping trees.

I am thankful for... a chance to visit with my sister/mom/Carmine/Derek.

I am wearing... a black t-shirt, jeans and crocs.

From the kitchen... a cup of steaming hot tea.

I am creating... a list of things to do.

I am going... to pick up Cailin from work and head out to Shippinsberg to the Corn Festival & to see my dad. It's been a long time.

I am reading... The Red Scarf by Kate Furnivall.

I am hoping... for some financial relief.

I am hearing... silence.

Around the house.... everyone is asleep.

One of my favorite things... kettle corn - gonna get some today! Yum.

A few plans for the rest of the week... Work. Clean my scrap room. Maybe get a little crafty.

Tuesday.

2009-08-04T18:08:00.013-07:00

Here we are, the first week of August nearly behind us... So hard to believe that the summer is winding down. This week, Anna turns 18. My God. When did that happen? She's off to college next week. So far from home. A young woman. wow.

Tim is packing to move into an apartment in Millersville. Having problems finding his (very necessary) 3rd roommate. Ugh. It's been a terrible year for him. I just wish he'd get a break. Somewhere.

Cailin goes on Friday for her Driver's License test. She's still figuring out how to parrallel park. I'm not exactly the best teacher - I'll drive around the block forty-seven times before I'll parallel park. Hopefully, Casey will be home from Myrtle Beach in time to give her a couple of hours behind the wheel before her test.

Paddy is gearing up for fall soccer. So relieved that he can play. Not weirded out about the whole helmet thing. As a matter of fact, he kind of likes being the "kid in the helmet". That and those green shoes... he's a rockstar.

Monday, I start a photo-journaling class with Cathleen (my friend who lives across the street). I'm so looking forward to learning how to take really great pictures. That, and the fact that I'll get to spend time with a friend who, while she lives a stones throw away, I never get to see any more.

Finding peace. Staying in the moment. Keeping Track. Putting things into perspective. Working on it. Every day.

2009-07-15T04:25:00.002-07:00

Drinking a cup of cold tea.
Getting ready to start the day.
Thinking about the kids going off to college.
I'm a little sad.
Melancholy.
The sun is shining.
I will probably hang a load of wash outside.
Going to the SB store today to help out.
Love the SB store.
Lost four pounds last week.

I saw a man the other day, picking daisies in his yard. He had a whole fistful of them. I knew - I just knew - they had to be for his wife. I envied her.

This is me - Today

2009-06-25T19:59:00.003-07:00

I saw this on another blog and loved it:

Outside my window... crickets & fireflies

I am thankful for... My wonderful man, sleeping upstairs. He makes me cozy.

I am wearing... One of Casey's T-Shirts and pink polka dot jammie pants. No shoes.

From the kitchen... tonight was burgers & fries.

I am creating... working to finish a book for a friend of mine. Sadly the computer is on the blink and I'm really, really behind on getting it done.

I am going... to see Kenny Chesney on SATURDAY. Woot!

I am reading... nothing at the moment. Desperately seeking a new book!

I am hoping... that Cailin has a safe & fun trip to the beach with her friends this weekend.

I am hearing... a soccer match on TV and the clicking of these computer keys.

Around the house.... Anna on her computer, Tim on his. Paddy watching TV, Casey upstairs snoozing and dust bunnies run amok.

One of my favorite things... my new socks. I only wear them for work, but they're super soft and my toes are very happy when I wear them.

A few plans for the rest of the week... See Kenny @ the Linc, Lay in the sun on Sunday. See some friends at my favorite scrapbook store, and do about a gillion loads of laundry.

Sorry, Can't post a picture; my computer is on the blink.
Maybe next time.

2009-05-15T05:40:00.004-07:00

May 15, 2009

Sitting here, eating Chex cereal out of the box. Contemplating my life. Thinking hard about my family, my friends, a job that I almost like (now that I'm part time) and a hobby that I love. Worried about my health, financing college for two this fall, and wondering where the "me" time went. I can't be alone in wishing that I had more time to do the things that I love. Who cares about dirty bathrooms??? Somedays I feel like I'm treading water. Making all kinds of movement, but getting nowhere. Just tired.

This past week was Anna's Prom. Hard to believe that my baby is finishing her Senior year of High School this month. She was a vision. I was so proud to be her mother. So proud that she was mine. Unfortunately, I was wearing my gardening clothes - little pebbles stuck to my knees & all. I didn't know it was to be a party - - I thought we were there just to snap a few photos & let the kids go... They served pretty little appetizers on silver trays. I clung to the edges of the crowd, snapping pictures & hiding my tears behind the camera. Even though I looked like I should've been pruning the shrubs, I was bursting with pride.

Visitors coming soon - looking forward to the company. Lots to do to get ready. I think we'll be fine as long as no one opens a closet or looks under a bed. First on my list. Buy more cereal. This stuff is good.

2009-04-30T12:34:00.004-07:00

OH MY...

What a frantic week we've had. Last week, Patrick got cracked by a rock, thrown unintentionally at his head - giving him a skull fracture. He spent two days in the Hospital - one in the PICU and another in the Pediatric ward. Thankfully, the bone will mend in time and the worst thing is he'll have to wear a helmet when he plays soccer in the fall. Yeah, I said "fall". No more soccer for him this season. We want to protect that noodle.

It's taken us a few days to recover from that - being in the hospital is not fun - at all. Now, we're getting back in the groove and - - good news: I'm working part-time again. You know, it's almost palpable. I feel so much better about everything. I even found myself singing in the car! While my singing leaves a lot to the imagination, it does my heart good to belt out a little Chicken Fry on my way to work. Glad that's back

We're in the process of catching up on bills and repairing all the broken parts of our house (man, ist hat even possible??) - It's way overdue... not to mention the fact that we've got company coming in May. Gosh, if they only knew how we REALLY live. Ha ha. Love them - they know who they are - and they love me too, in spite of the dirt.

2009-03-31T15:56:00.006-07:00

"Boing"
In case you didn't recognize it, that was the sound of spring. Yay! One of my favorite times of year (next to summer & fall). It does my heart good to hear the birds singing and see the flowers breaking up from the earth. The ice has finally melted from the pool and this season, we're buying two (not one but two) prom dresses for my girls, both of whom are attending this year. Anna to Parkland and Cailin to Liberty. Before we know it, we'll be celebrating Anna's High School Graduation. God, are we really old enough for that?! (Casey is, but not me!)

Soon, I'll be returning to a part-time schedule for Healthworks. A blessing. I took a few lumps in the process, but it's okay. I'm hoping that it won't be long before I have the opportunity to get into my craft room and make something wonderful. Don't know what yet, but it's in there; the wonderfulness. Just needs time to get out of my head & onto paper... or perhaps fabric.... Thankful - so thankful for the relief from working full time. My soul was crying out for it.

Things work out. They always do.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BEAN

2009-03-08T07:21:00.016-07:00

Today is my sister's 49th birthday. For the first three months of the year, we are the same age. I'm always so happy when the scales of time tip, and she's on the heavy end. Love her.

Spring is edging into our part of the world these days and we see signs of life around every corner. This morning we woke to birds singing, our windows cracked a little to let in the fresh air. It was a great way to start the day. Still looking in the yard for bits of green tulips starting to break the earth. Soon. I'm sure of it.

We're in the midst of planning for Tim and Anna's College plans for the fall. - no definate decision from Tim on whether or not he will be going to Glasgow again or finishing up here in Pennsylvania. My vote is for Pennsylvania, but we all know how much my vote counts. Anna is looking at Concordia University in Portland, Oregon and I really loved that choice, until she got notification that she was also accepted at West Chester, here in Pennsylvania. Sigh. Again, it remains doubtful that I'll get my way.

Cailin is full of spring fever. Focused on being a Senior next year (c'mon now, can't we just be a Junior at least until the end of the school year?). Patrick is gearing up for Spring Soccer. The first practice was yesterday. He came home tired, sunburned and THRILLED at the prospect of an upcoming season.

As for us, we're working hard. We're staying afloat. We're laughing more often than not. We're healthy for the most part. We're in love after 23 years. Life is good.

2009-01-10T16:37:00.003-08:00

2009

I can hardly believe that the new year has begun already. Christmas has come and gone, the puppy is full-grown and Tim is almost on his way home (more on that later). So much to be thankful for. Good health, jobs, food on the table, a new President, great kids and a solidly happy marriage. Life is good!

Soon, Tim will be home from Scotland. I have missed him tremendously. Thank God for SKYPE! With it, we've been able to see him weekly. He's been able to travel & see friends, he has a really sweet girlfriend - who he spent Christmas with, and soon, we'll see his grades for the semester... Hmmm... I wonder....

Currently, it's snowing outside and I'm already itching for Spring. I've never liked the winter here. Too cold for these California born bones. Soon, I hope, we'll be headed back home - to the west coast where we started from. I love my friends here. Hope they won't mind moving with us.

I've been working on a project for the month of January, making ONE scrapbook layout a day. Man, it's been harder than I thought it would be. I'm determined to stick it out. If you get the chance, go to the MY LAYOUTS link and check them out. It's been fun.

Oh I love the Fall

2008-10-11T14:14:00.004-07:00

Today we spent the morning on the Soccer field in Stroudsburg. The leaves are turning, the sun was shining and it was warm out. We started out in jackets, but were down to T-shirts well into the second game of the tournament. (It is beside the point that we lost both games.) We enjoyed a "tailgate" party between games where all kinds of breakfast foods were laid out for all to enjoy. It was a GREAT Saturday. We left the soccer field, came home to pick up Anna & took her to work; got my nails done; went to the grocery store to pick up a few things; finished baking Caroline's birthday cake; and spent 20 minutes on the SKYPE talking to Timmy. yeah. A really great Saturday. When Casey gets home from playing soccer, we'll go over to Chandik's for Caroline's 40th birthday party. It's always good to see our friends & neighbors. While we live just down the block, we hardly every get to spend time together. Why is that?

Tim goes to Scotland

2008-09-19T06:14:00.002-07:00

Today's the day we take Tim to JFK in New York and send him on his way to Scotland for the next five months. Feels a little like the day we sent him off to Kindergarten except that the yellow bus has been replaced by an airplane. (This is Casey's sentiment). He is going to LOVE being in Europe. European History is his thing. He will hardly look back... and I should be glad about that.... He won't have to look at me, red faced and crying, wiping my nose on Casey's shirt. (Never a pretty thing.) I am so happy for him. Really. I am. I know that this is what he has wanted for years. I am so proud. I will miss him terribly. So different knowing he won't be home in a few weeks to do laundry. Sigh.

2008-08-22T20:00:00.003-07:00

Friday, August 22, 2008

I've been tagged...
Marlene tagged me.So now its my turn!! Just follow the rules below and let the person know you tagged em!
1. Link to the person who tagged you
2. Post these rules to your blog
3. Write 6 random things about yourself
4. Tag 6 people at the end of your post and link to them
5. Let each person you have tagged know by leaving a comment on their blog.
6. Let the tagger know when your entry is posted.

... I'm not really big on forwarding mail like this. I don't know. I guess I feel like an intruder or something. I'll respond because I'm crazy about Marlene, but I'll only forward it on to one other person (Marlene's already tagged those who'd I consider first anyway). It's a fun way to get to know people, so don't break the chain on account of me (the party pooper).

Six Funny facts about me:
1. Four is my favorite number - it's inscribed onto the inside of my husband's wedding band. Who would've known then that we'd have four kids.
2. I LOVE ketchup but hate tomatos.
3. My favorite dessert is sweet potato pudding - YUM
4. I cry when I hear the Star Spangled Banner
5. I hate driving over bridges - and close my eyes... unless I'm the one who's driving!
6. I listen to all kinds of music, Country & Western is my fave, Rap: not so much.

Now: I tag Mom

Dog Days of Summer

2008-08-06T09:53:00.005-07:00

I said "no".

I said "not yet".

I said "I'm not ready".

Nobody listens to me any more.

So on Sunday, we picked up this little (ha!) ball of fur. He's a Golden Retriever/Grand Pyranees /Husky mix. We got him from a rescue orphanage in New Jersey. He's mild mannered - except between the hours of 11pm and 5am at which point he barks himself into a stupor. Then he has the nerve to sleep all day. Wish we could say the same. He's ten weeks old, and at the Vet today, he weighs in at nearly 17 pounds. Something tells me that this is gonna be one big dog... He fits his name....."Moose".

The kids are saying "But C'mon... just look at his cute lil' face.... how can you resist?"

Once I get some sleep, I'll let you know.

Family Vacation

2008-07-28T19:40:00.005-07:00

Okay, so it wasn't a vacation in the traditional sense. Casey and I took a week off from work. We did a little work in the yard, we spent time at Home Depot, we took the kids to Knoebels, went to Doctor / Dental appointments, mowed the grass, swept the pool, went to the Keystone Games in York (more on that later) drove Anna to and from camp, watched Cailin get her hair colored (again!) and worked like a madwoman on my layouts for the store (MLPA). Whew! It was nice going back to work today where I could catch my breath! ha ha

Here's a photo of Cailin's new do.

I'm liking her as a strawberry blonde.

Here's one of Knoebel's. I love this place. Lots to do for every one. Tim couldn't come along, because he was working, but the rest of us really enjoyed ourselves (well, almost all of us). Even I went on a roller coaster. They're all wooden roller coasters there and I swear this one rang my bell a little bit.

Last (but not least) Patrick tried out for and made the soccer team to represent the Lehigh Valley in the Keystone Games. He played with 13 & 14 year-olds. The games are held every year in York, PA. His team was undefeated in 5 games and wound up winning the GOLD metal. And while it was a ton of driving back & forth, we were glad to watch him be a part of the whole thing. Next year, I think we'll stay in a hotel nearby. Here's our champion:

Going Crazy!

2008-07-14T15:54:00.002-07:00

I've spent countless hours trying to get Tim's stuff organized for Scotland - I swear the paperwork will NEVER end. Just when we thought we were ready, we decided to send him for a single semester rather than for the whole year (because of the WHOPPING price tag.) - So the paper trail starts all over. I'm very proud of Tim. After his initial disappointment, he has risen to the occasion. I know it wasn't easy for him. I just can't help but think that a four month experience will still be worth the effort. We have a chalkboard in the kitchen that he uses to count down the days remaining before his plane lifts off the ground. Excited? That doesn't even begin to describe it.

Now, back to that mountain of papers before I lose something important (my mind???) After that, we send the tuition payment (cough, cough, hack!). Whoo, I'm feeling dizzy.

Better go lie down.

Someone bring me a cold compress...

Summer Fun

2008-07-05T15:52:00.004-07:00

I love spending time with Casey & Patrick. It turned out that last weekend, Tim was working, Anna was at camp and Cailin was with friends. Patrick, Casey & I went to Bear Valley Mini Golf (up rte 309). We had a ball. Three hours, 36 holes of golf and a gigantic ice cream later, we were worn out! Maybe next time, we can talk everyone else into joining us.

Fun in the Sun

2008-06-17T10:15:00.037-07:00

Yesterday, I braved the elements (the elements being six teenagers in a minivan) and took the kids to Sandy Hook, NJ. Thunderstorms were forcast, but after we all voted, we decided to go anyway. I packed a cooler full of PB&Js, sodas, fresh fruit and snacks and off we went. Casey let me borrow his GPS so getting there was a snap. Jill (as he calls her) led us directly to the water's edge.

It was a bit windy but nice and we enjoyed three and a half hours on the warm sand. The kids splashed in the water (some more than others) and ate gritty grapes. We rocked out to "Apple Bottom Jeans" going both directions - - - It was a great day.

I think I need more days like this to know and appreciate my kids. They're really a lot of fun to be around. Aside from a little sunburn (ask Annie about her backside), we all had a blast.

A note to my men... (who will never, ever read this)

My hub: I knew you'd be a great father the day I met you. Glad that we ventured that road together. For all the hilarious, kind-hearted things you do - Happy Father's Day. Our kids are so lucky to have a dad like you.

To my dad - who loves me in his quiet way. Thanks for being there for me when I was a kid. You took me right up to where I walked my own path.

and to Carmine - You took my hand from there. Always believing in me more than I ever do. You're a confidence builder, that's for sure.

I love you all - Happy Father's Day 2008

Business as Usual

2008-06-07T06:13:00.010-07:00

Okay, so my plans for blogging every day during my vacation failed miserably. By the time I finally got there, there was just no time for computer browsing/using/typing. I did check my mail once or twice, and I popped in on my friends at MLPA to see what creative wonders they were up to, but other than that, I was busy doing other "stuff".

Genie, Mom, Carmine & I went to Long Beach, WA for what was being called a 28-mile yard sale. The Long Beach spit is 28 miles long, and there were A LOT of yard sales... but due to my late arrival, everything was pretty picked over by the time we got there - - I felt bad about that. We made up for it by EATING LIKE PIGS and enjoying the scenery & shops along the way. We even found a scrapbook store to poke around in.

After that, I bounced back & forth between Genie's and Mom's trying to get my fill. Genie & I made Kendall's Graduation Announcements. She loved how they turned out!

We spent a few days with My brother, Eric & my neice, Elizabeth who drove up from San Jose for the Graduation. Elizabeth is four and about as cute as they get... with an attitude. I never get to see them, so this was a real treat.

In the end, because I wasn't going to be able to attend the graduation ceremony (who schedules them for 8:00 p.m. anyway?), I left two days early. Good to be home - to catch up from where I left off - and to have a day or two home before going back to work. I'm so glad I got away for a few days.

I really, really needed it.

Vacation - Day 2

2008-05-23T19:40:00.003-07:00

Spent today finishing up the laundry and working on re-loading our pictures into Adobe. Had a delicious lunch at Cali-Burrito in Allentown with Mary. So nice getting to spend the afternoon with her. We live a block away from each other, yet never manage to spend time together. Just doesn't seem fair. I scrapped another Challenge page but will post it when I return from vacation. I'm too embarrassed to admit that I blew my airline reservations and am in hiding until I actually board the plane tomorrow morning. God, I'm such a dork.

So, tomorrow dressed in dark glasses and a wig, I'll try my luck again at the airport.
Wish me luck!

Vacation - Day 1

2008-05-22T05:54:00.003-07:00

Woke up at 4:00 a.m. and got ready to go. Suitcases packed - check; camera - check; snacks for the plane - check; Ticket - check. Casey drops me off at ABE at almost 5:00 a.m. No lines, plenty of time. I get to the window to find that I had booked the wrong departure date. According to them I'm a week early. wtf?! Apparently, when I booked the ticket, I clicked the wrong box! The girl behind the counter said that because it was a "Super Saver" ticket, she couldn't help me rebook and that I'd have to call the Airlines. Quickly, I called Casey to turn around, and on the numbing ride home, I did my level best to sound pathetic for the ticketing agent. Due to the Holiday weekend, the best she could do was Saturday morning. Same time. Same airport. (Shit. Shit. Shit.)

So, I'm missing the 28-mile yard sale at the beginning of my trip, and missing the graduation at the end. It could be that I'm feeling sorry for myself, but seems like I'd be better off staying at home. Not a good way to start my vacation.

2008-05-18T17:10:00.006-07:00

Later, Same Day: Yippee Me! I finished all of the May challenge pages so far. I've posted them on my photobucket site (a My Layouts link is on the right). There you can see all of the pages I've done since I got brave enough to post on the MLPA message board. If you haven't already seen them, take a peek.

You know, I never thought I'd be a scrapbooker. Never saw myself doing what I do - BUT I LOVE IT. I am happy, down in the basement, with my music on and my exact-0-knife in my hand. Now that I'm thinking about it, I've got 25 Appetizer Recipe cards calling my name.
Later, Gater.

Sunday, May 18, 2008

2008-05-18T04:18:00.008-07:00

On Friday night, Anna went to the Emmaus High School Senior Prom with her friend Ben. It was raining when they left, so we had them stand beneath the umbrella for pictures. They had a nice time at the dance, then enjoyed the After-Ball until 5:00 a.m. Boy, I remember (vaguely) being able to stay up until the wee hours of the morning.

As they left our house to enjoy their evening, Casey & I shared a look... When did she go from being a little girl with a crazy cowlick, to being this beautiful young woman dressed up to go to the ball?

Only 4 days until I leave for Oregon where I will enjoy 10 stress-free days with my mom & my sister. We're starting off with a two-day 28 mile long yard sale on the Coast of Washington State. While I realize that I can't bring big stuff home with me, Scrapbook supplies are both flat & light.... perhaps an extra suitcase would come in handy! Ooooh, the possibilities!

Next weekend, Casey participates in his 24 hour Cancer Walk - I think he raised over $1200 - Thanks to everyone who helped him reach such a fantastic level. He's a determined man - one of the many things I love about him.

Well, it's Sunday, it's 7:40 a.m., and I have a couple of hours before anyone else gets up. Think I'll take my cup of tea to the basement and finish those challenge pages I've been working on. I'll post my favorite one here.

-Peace

May 9, 2008

2008-05-10T04:19:00.009-07:00

Jack: May heaven be full of dog-toys and tulip bulbs.
Rest in Peace, my loyal friend.

May 5, 2008

2008-05-05T19:21:00.003-07:00

Tonight I was working in the basement and as I climed the stairs, I turned to watch for Jack, who usually races me to the top. He was laying on the basement floor and had only raised his head a little to look at me. Not even so much as a tail-wag. I sat with him for a while, listening to his breathing. Short. shallow. breaths. I fear that the end is near for our boy, Jack.

My heart is breaking.

April 30, 2008

2008-04-30T09:26:00.004-07:00

Here it is, the end of April. Already. I love this time of year. With the promise of summer ahead. I can almost feel myself in the beach chair. Much has been going on around here lately. Tim was home a couple of weeks ago. I love spending time with him. He's growing into his man-shoes now and I'm liking who he's become. Anna was asked to the Junior Prom and the Senior Prom at Emmaus High School. We went out and bought a beautiful dress and a week later, date #1 cancelled. I know she was hurt. Thankfully date #2 is a better friend to her. I promise to post pictures later. Cailin is working hard at earning enough money for an i-phone. Not sure that a 15 year old with an i-phone is a great idea, but she's determined. Patrick is playing spring soccer - I've got pictures of that to share too - and Casey just bought him BRIGHT RED soccer shoes. Pat's convinced that they'll make him a better player. okay.

Friday, our dog Jack was diagnosed with cancer. He's being treated now, but we don't know what effect it will have on him. I guess we wait and see...

Today, while getting ready to take Cailin to the Orthopaedic doctor (she's having a cyst removed from her finger), I realized that I couldn't find my car keys. She and I turned the house upside down. After borrowing a car from one of my girlfriends (Thank you, Caroline!) I get a text from Anna... she's got them in her book bag AT SCHOOL!!! Needless to say, the rest of our appointments this afternoon had to be rescheduled. At least we know where they are.

Oh, and did I mention that my computer is dead??? It's been with our friends at the Geek Squad for over two weeks and I am totally in withdrawal. They called and said it was ready and I would've picked it up from them today, BUT I DON'T HAVE MY CAR KEYS!!

A big all-day crop at my favorite Scrapbooking Store (MLPA) in Q-town on Saturday. I need photos to scrap... they're all in my computer.... which is with the Geeks... and althought it's ready , I can't pick it up because.... I DON'T HAVE MY CAR KEYS!!

and so it goes.

April 7, 2008

2008-04-07T15:45:00.003-07:00

You know, it's funny. Years ago, I heard about an idea where you write down the things that you are grateful for. Daily. Say, before you go to bed, you write down three blessings. I have two journals upstairs - both have ONE DAY of blessings written inside. Then... nothing.

It's not because I'm not feeling especially blessed. Not that I'm ungrateful. Just that by the end of the day, I've forgotten to write it down. By the next day, I've forgotten what it was I was grateful for - or how I was blessed.

I'd be ever grateful for a better memory.

On the right side of this page, I've made a place to remark on those things for which I am thankful. There's room for 5. That'd be five for the week. Five. I'm making a promise to myself to update it weekly - and to spend a minute or two reflecting on why I'm grateful.

I'm tying a string around my finger as you're reading this.

April 4, 2008

2008-04-04T20:05:00.003-07:00

Just a quick note... Our of 100 possible points, Patrick got 103 on the project!!! WooHoo! (Goes to show that it does pay to have a Scrapbookin' Mama!)

April Fools Day - 2008

2008-04-01T15:13:00.003-07:00

The sun is shining and it's 70 degrees outside. WaHoo! I love when Spring really starts to do it's thing. As I look out the window now, I see the blossoms getting ready to burst open. I see my neighbor's baby girl out walking on the driveway. I swear that when we burrowed in for the winter, she was no where near old enough to walk! The sky is blue, and there are huge white clouds floating by... I can even hear birds outside. LOVE days like today!

Patrick had to complete a project about the Alto Saxophone. He had this really great idea and a list of materials to put it together. He and I spent Sunday morning putting it together, and I'm pretty positive we'll get an A!!! He looked at his finished project, smiled and said to me, "Man, it's good to have a Scrapbooking Mom!"... Gee, I knew I was good for something!

March 23, 2008, Easter Sunday

2008-03-23T15:55:00.000-07:00

Doesn't feel much like Easter. I don't know if it's because it's come early this year, or because we've bumped up Daylight Savings time.... or maybe it's because Tim's not here. Or because Annie had to work, and we're having dinner without her.

(Sigh.)

I did clean up my craft room. Scrapbooking stuff on the left now where's there more room for it, and the Quilting stuff is on the right. It's not getting used as much these days. Not giving it up, mind you, just resting it on the back burner.

Casey cleaned up the debris out back from all of the wind storms we've been having. He put out the bird feeders and his newest gnome. Starting to look a little spring-ish out there. We bought vegetable & flower seeds for the garden. I'll get them started in the window to plant at the end of April. I love getting the garden going. Getting my hands dirty, and smelling that dirt-smell. Nothing like it.

So... Happy Easter, whoever you are. May the little bit of warmth in the air today, fill your soul this week.

March 19, 2008

2008-03-19T20:29:00.002-07:00

Okay, so this is the first time I've ever "blogged". Blogged. Sounds like Slogged. Not a very attractive word, to say the least. Here is the place where I'm supposed to write about me, about us, about our lives. Daily stuff. Where to begin?

Today, Tim is in his 2nd year of college at Millersville University. This will be the first Easter that we are apart and a little piece of me is saddened by this. To stem the sorrow, I have mailed him a solid chocolate Easter Bunny.

Anna is sick with a stomach virus. She got it from

Cailin who has been home, throwing up, for three days now.

Patrick played indoor soccer tonight and lost 4 - 17. Not pretty.

Casey is out of town... I don't know which town he is IN, actually. Just that he's not here and that he'll be home on Friday. I miss him when he's away.

I'm feeling an ick in my tummy and have called work, but no one has returned my call. Unless I'm as sick as Cailin has been, I'm guessing I'll go in to work.

Will try to post a picture or two tomorrow. Nearly midnight and I'm feeling whipped.

I have Blogged my first Blog.

So there.