Thursday, December 6, 2007

magical first snow

The magical first snow of the season arrived today. I had to chronicle it to share, though it's just not the same as actually getting to watch it accumulate outside your window, it will have to do.

10:20am:



11am:




11:40am:



2:15pm:





Last night while talking to my BFF, while my son was pulling Christmas ribbon off a 100' roll, the doorbell rang.
Thankfully hubby answered that - to which he came trotting back with fruit in his hand exclaiming "this is the best fruit you've ever tasted, they're selling 50 grapefruits, 50 oranges, and 50 apples for a hundred and some dollars, you wanna get them?" ...While I'm still on the phone with BFF and taking pictures of Alex playing with a puddle of ribbon. My immediate thought is - of course - "What?" accompanied with some sort of "are you crazy" look.


Then I took a bite.

I've had 3 oranges, a grapefruit and 2 apples since 7pm last night. We split it with my in-laws and it worked out to be only about $.70/piece so I've rationalized it. And it's SO good! Probably because it's all from CA! Haha. The grapefruits taste like the ones from our backyard in LaHabra! So yummy. No scurvy in our household, that's for certain!


I went to Hobby Lobby (ribbon, above). Alex came with me and kept exclaiming "Look", like "don't you see that, you should be more excited, it's so cool!" So I went thru the whole store playing a weird game of Marco-Polo:

"Looo"

"I see"

"Looo"

"I see"

"Looo"

"I see"

It seemed to have made quite a few people's days from the grins on their faces!

I bought the garland I wanted for our banisters. *We have banisters!* They can't be naked for Christmas!!! I also got a berries swag for the mantle and another swag that I'm going to put on a wreath I already own but wanted to spruce up... haha, spruce - literally, actually... spruce.



I need more sleep.


And it snowed today!!! Life is good.

Wednesday, December 5, 2007

Not Allowed!

I don't feel well. So. Tired. No energy. Dull ache all over. Dark cloud over head. Burning eyes.


This is not good.


I'm the Mommy. I'm not allowed to get sick.

(let me repeat for good measure)

I'm the Mommy! I'm not allowed to get sick!

Friday, November 30, 2007

Kansas Sunset

So, as much as I don't really like that it takes me 45 minutes to drive home each day I have to say that the view can be spectacular! I saw this from my car and called Stan, who then took a picture from our front yard - and this doesn't even capture how amazing it was!


That morning there was a fox running along the side of the road near our house. Sometimes I see wild turkeys. And there's a pasture on the way to the interstate where jersey cows are often grazing.


There's a lovely tree lined pond. Half-way to work is a large valley that sometimes has fog settled in it and I get to drive thru it. And sunrise can be just as spectacular.

My commute would be my absolute favorite part of the day, if it weren't for the other drivers on the road!

Wednesday, October 24, 2007

I'm It!

I've been tagged by my bestest friend in the whole world Liz

Here are the rules:
1. The player lists 6 facts/habits about themselves.

2. At the end of the post, the player tags 6 people and posts their names, and then goes to their blog and leaves them a comment, letting them know they have been tagged and asking them to read your blog for the rules.

One - I compulsively reply to things like this, goes the same for forms. I still have the children's book I'm supposed to send on to some kid sitting (addressed in the envelope) on the front seat of my car along with the letters demanding the same action from 6 other unsuspecting victims. (what's with 6?)

Two - I don't know 6 bloggers, I know 1 and guess who sent this to me... I'll give you one guess!!!

Three - I laughed so hard at the evening news last night that I snorted. I don't even remember what they were talking about. Story of my life.

Four - I eat a Lean Cuisine nearly every day for lunch. I also have a yogurt, some fruit, a V8, 44oz of sweetened iced tea, an ice cream and whatever else I can scrounge up...

Five - Mark, the day manager at my local QT, knows my name. When he says 'have a good day, see you soon', he means it. He knows it... I'll be back again tomorrow.

Six - I'm a sucker for great quotes, but I can never manage to repeat them correctly. Ever. I've stopped trying. My husband is still laughing about some of them.

Tagging: Um, see #2... it's sad, but true.

Thursday, October 18, 2007

fake boobs, all woman

Fall weather has finally arrived!


I'm so excited to be dragging out my favorite jean jacket, sweaters, and boots. I am also digging out my crochet hook! That's right, crochet. As though I didn't already have enough on my plate, I'm also going to make some Christmas presents... you have to at least give me credit for starting in October!!! I'm telling you, the hazards of Hobby Lobby are many! You go in for a wire wreath frame and you walk out addicted to a skein of the most famulous fluffy-soft yarn!


My B-I-L got married this last weekend. There's another girl in the family! It strikes me that they're so young. Then it dawns on me that we were at least 5 years younger when we were married! They have a lot of growing up ahead of them and hopefully, like Stan & I, they will grow up and grow together thru their marriage. I barely held back the waterworks, standing up there watching my little brother say his vows... looking like a grown man starting out on a life of his own. **sniff**


We didn't get many pictures, but this one was fun... the photographer took it for us!


I'm telling you, it takes a real woman to walk in a strapless mermaid dress and 4" stillettos while carrying a squirming 30 pound toddler - without having a wardrobe malfunction!! It's so much fun getting dressed up though! The gal who tailored our dresses did a fabulous job of stitching in some boobs for me and I even treated myself to a good mani-pedi!



It's sad that I don't have anywhere to wear such a fabulous dress... When you were 4 you could wear a crown and your favorite fuzzy pink slippers every day, but you get older and POW, you gotta wear real shoes and brush your hair! The heels will get some play time though. I love sexy shoes and these are about as good as they get. Bronze & brown, sorta-animal print, patent leather peep toes! They'll be great with my Lucky jeans and a sweater anytime there's not actual snow on the ground! I'll be better positioned for a kiss from the hubby too!

Thursday, October 4, 2007

hello... Faith... is that you?

At church we have been going thru Hebrews talking about "Churchy" words. Incarnation, Covenant, Priest, Temple, Sacrifice, Faith... Faith is what we talked about Sunday and last night at small group.

I have always felt like I've had very strong faith. I've always been content in my faith. God has blessed my life. I can look back to times in my life that God has directed me and everything has seemed to fall together - in ways I know I couldn't have made happen myself. So I know that God gives direction and blessing. Not just in general, but personally to me. So I know that he will continue to. (That is the definition of faith, right.) Why would he stop now? I will continue to be faithful and his promise is that he will be faithful to those who are faithful to him.

But sometimes… sometimes, there's this little voice in the back of my head that asks if I'm content because I'm choosing to be faithful, or if I'm choosing to be content because I'm lazy. I don't spend as much time as I should reading my bible. I don't set aside a specific time every day to talk to God, or more importantly to listen for God. But I still feel strong in my faith. I still pray every day. I read Christian books (Simple Church is captivating me right now). I’m in a small group. I even check the “I’m here all the time” box at church. I’m involved in ministry. I talk about my faith to others. My husband & I speak deeply and intimately about our faith and about what Christ and church means in our life. I try always to be an example of God, of Christ, of being a good, responsible Christian.

But am I lazy? Am I resting on the fact that I grew up in church to fill in the gaps in my depth of knowledge? Am I “familiar enough” with the bible that it’s become like the episode of Backyardigan’s I’ve watched 20 times and can tell you, in my own words what happens, even quoting some of the lines and singing a song word-for-word? Is that enough? Is it more meaningful that I have the scriptures in my heart? Is it lame that I rely on that? Is it hindering my spiritual growth that I don’t read the bible and pray every single day? With my husband? Would the benefit outweigh the additional lack of sleep? Is it laundry, and dishes, and an adorable little boy, and an adorable big man that get in my way of spending more time in scripture… or are those all just convenient excuses? Or, is this questioning of my blind, child-like faith an evil doubt? Am I strong in my faith and these questions are being raised by a voice other than God’s? Should I continue to choose to rely on faith, continue to try to grow in my knowledge, and remain content in the shelter of God’s wings?

I want it to be child-like faith, not just naiveté.

Australia's looking good...

I slammed my right thumb between two pieces of 6" steel pipe this morning, helping to pull an order. (and the girl that I am was thinking - no, I was doing so well making my hands pretty for the wedding)



Then, our picker decided to misbehave with me on it - freezing and shouting "Error 81" at me while 12 feet in the air. All this before lunch.



I think I'll move to Australia.

Tuesday, September 18, 2007

incarnation

In-Car-Nation. Talk radio junkie. Me.

I listen to Dave Ramsey, Laura Ingraham, Hannity, and Savage or Shanin & Parks. Depending on my mood. My favorite is a local guy - Chris Stigall. He's my morning dose.

So, he's talking about that University of Florida student, Andrew Meyer, who rushed the mic. to ask John Kerry questions and was ultimately tased. He's playing an audio clip but isn't taking sides, yet. My gut reaction, disbelief. As soon as I get to work I look it up.

Watching this video, I couldn't help but react emotionally. Who wouldn't instinctively respond to such cries from another human being? But, there's always another side to the story, right?

Here it is! An e-mail (bottom of page) from a student who was there... I think he says it all. Why couldn't Andrew Meyer behave more respectfully? Was this a stunt for notoriety? I don't know, but I encourage you to read into this before you just react to the video. I believe that, ultimately, the behavior of both parties was horrible. Disrespecting the police, not ok. The police using more force than necessary, not ok.

So, here's the lesson for the day:
Stand up for what you believe, but do so in a respectful manner. Resisting the police, even if you are in the right, could get you tased... or worse.


Come on, you don't have to be a genius to understand that!

I'll save Gazelle Intensity for another day...

Monday, September 17, 2007

Speeding

I have so much to say. I'm not sure where to start. So this will ramble a little.

First and foremost, hooray for wordsmith friends with lovely senses of humor who inspire me to attempt the same in my little corner of the world.

I have been carrying around this
clipping from one of those unsolicited catalogs I won't allow myself to spend money with. I'm going to create my own knock off some day when I have time (and send it to aforementioned friend). Actually, the chance it will elbow it's way onto my agenda in the next decade is slim... Maybe it is worth $25 bucks. Maybe I can find it half-price at Hobby Lobby?

I work full time. I am also full time mom & wife. I try to fit in a little time for me and somewhere in there get some sleep. Time is the thing I can always use more of. If only it came in pill form or gift cards...

In recent discussion with my soon to be sister-in-law we reasoned the vanity procedure we would want - if we could only have one... she said teeth whitening, which is second on my list. I'd want laser hair removal. I could save three-and-a-half minutes every shower. She couldn't believe that I knew exactly how much time it takes and commented "well, that makes sense, you're always looking for ways to save time." Well, it made me think... am I?

Yes.

So, here are some of the ways I make extra time in my day:
1) I speed. Always. It knocks a good 5 minutes off my commute which means I can hit the snooze button for a third time, and still have my cup of coffee for the ride. I tell slow drivers in the fast lane (labeled such because you're supposed to be going fast) that they aren't "committed". I figure this is a word I'm okay with my son picking up. I won't get a call from school because he told a kid to commit... that'd be funny though.

2) I use disposable hot cups (it takes time to wash a real travel mug). I figure that's another 2 minutes. That's pretty conservative considering that I never manage to remember to bring it in from the car, so it sits in my cup holder for a couple days and gets really nasty so that I have to do a soak-bleach-repeat process to drink from it again. I usually end up tossing it anyway because that washing thing takes too much time. (I also use paper plates at home, but I have yet to throw out a plate instead of washing it.)

3) I take a nap in my car at lunch so I can function more hours at home.

4) I strip and sponge bathe my toddler while he's brushing his teeth for bed. He thinks I'm funny. I think he's in bed 10 minutes sooner.

5) I let my face mask and satin lips soak in while I'm showering. 10 minutes saved. Having to turn the water cold enough to rinse my face is a small price to pay for soft lips and refreshed pores!

Now, sure, there are other things I could do - and sure, there are more ordinary things like laying out my clothes and pre-planning meals that I do... but these are the ones that make me laugh at myself.

If I ever stop laughing at myself - shoot me! Please.