My blog is quite familiar with the backseat these days. I'm sure it could rustle up a few coins, several dead leaves, some stale cheerios and a dried out marker or three from in between the seats.
However, I have to think the backseat can't be all that bad. You gain a totally different perspective of things around you. You can see where you are going AND where you've been (if you turn around), you don't get kicked in the back by feet on your seat, however you GET to do the kicking.....
What I'm basically getting at is I've let my blogging slip because I've had bigger fish to fry. The summer was a busy one with it's fair share of difficulties. Can I have a summer re-do? I've realized how fast time flies! Didn't we just celebrate Christmas last month???
I can't promise I'll be "back" for any amount of time. When things get crazy my computer time tends to be cut short, and rightfully so!
During my blog neglect break I have learned (and am still learning) lots.- I have found that I absolutely love cottage cheese and pomegranate!!! Oh yes! So delicious!
- I have heard the most interesting sentences come from my son's mouth. More on that later.
- I've heard my girl start reading & in turn found out that Caleb is now reading small words just from listening to her sister's learning.
- I have realized the importance of having that one, godly woman in your life. The one you look up to & admire for her relationship with God, her husband and her family.
- I am still learning how to let my house go just so I can spend time with my children.
- I have felt the pain of losing 2 little ones to miscarriage & knowing that a friend "wasted" a precious life because it wasn't convenient or easy.
I could go on and on, but those are just a few things I could think of off the top of my head.
I wouldn't take back any of the good things about this past summer, but I would not want to re-live it. I'm happy we move on and make better choices as we learn and grow. I'm glad God takes the negative in our lives and uses it for good.
I'm so thankful He saved me and is so patient with me even when I make the same stupid mistakes over and over.
I'm thankful He is still growing me in the wife and mother He wants me to be.
This year has been a year of struggles, heartache, letting go and growth. While I wouldn't like to repeat it I am so thankful God allows these things to happen so that we may grow in Him & be wiser & more thankful because of it.
So, with all the being said. I hope I am back to blogging a bit more regularly. I make no promises, however I will try my best.
Thanks to the amazing ice storm I've been offline since Friday. I have been able to check in periodically, but nothing permanent. Apparently Comcast is still experiencing some issues which disconnects me. Love it.
All this offline business gave me some time to think. So, I've decided to take a bit of a break. Not long, just a week or two.
With Christmas right around the corner, Afton's play, and numerous family gatherings coming up I figured this would be the perfect time to take a breather.
I may post a funny or cute picture from time to time. Or post something profound and full of wisdom (ha!). Other than that I'll be laying low.
Just don't forget about me. I promise I'll be back.
Until then...
Today is an unusually mild day in New England. Especially for November. It so beautiful out and the sun is shining. I haven't raked my yard yet because I love the way the leaves look as they cover the grass. It's almost like natures confetti.
So, this is what we've accomplished so far today:
* Left at 8:30 to bring Gracie (our cat) to the vet to get "fixed".* Went to a local market to pick up some of Mike's favorite meat. Our home group is doing a dinner tonight and he mentioned he wanted to pick something up to grill. I picked up some sushi (packaged, but that's ok...Philadelphia rolls...mmmmm!)*
Voted and I have my sticker to prove it *big smile** Filled the van with gas at $2.19/gallon. I was excited!!!* Went for a walk with the kiddos when we got back.* Had lunch (mmmm...sushi...even the kids had a bite and liked it)* Kids into quiet time* Now I'm workingLater on we have to pick up Gracie and then come back home. I'm hoping to get the last two loads of laundry folded before Mike comes home and we have to go to our dinner. We shall see!
I'll leave you with this last bit of encouragement...DON'T FORGET TO VOTE...see you at the polls!
So, by now you've probably noticed that this happens once a month. I don't do it on purpose and I definitely don't mean to leave you all hanging. Sometimes the blog funk just happens. Now, it's not because I don't have anything interesting to blog about. Quite the opposite actually. It just happens when life gets busy and family takes precedence.
This week is a bit busier than most weeks. We've had a play date, home group, play practice, lots of driving, trick or treat on Thursday, more driving, an early Thanksgiving on Saturday and more driving! Oh, and I still work every day for a couple of hours.
BUT......
Daylight savings time is on Saturday night/Sunday morning. Which means an extra hour of sleep!!!! At least, I hope that's what I get. The kids like to throw me a curve ball and cheat me out of it sometimes! So, don't forget to change your clocks back before you go to bed on Saturday, and enjoy the extra hour of sleep!!
Me? I'm off to drive some more. Time for Afton's play practice. Ciao~
If you hadn't noticed I took a bit of a blog break last week. I had so much to say and share, but each time I sat down it ended up not being the right time. So, after a while, I realized this would have to wait. It always seems to happen that way!
I have high hopes of blogging it up from now on...or at least until another busy week comes around.
Just to bring you up to speed I'll give you a quick update on what we've been up to.Two Saturday's ago we went to a science center to have some fun learning about different things. The kids had a blast (big kids included!). Mike was off and running to try out some of the hands on stuff and I have some great shots of all of us.
The next day, Sunday, we went to a favorite swimming hole we've dubbed "50 Foot Hole". It's actually a river that has several levels of rocks you can jump off of. That was a ton of fun! It was several hours away so the drive was a bit long, but the portable DVD player is a lifesaver for the kids and the parents!
The week was pretty busy with all sorts of stuff. Mike took Monday off to hang out with us. I still had to work so he took Afton out for some "daddy/Afton time". Tuesday was Mike's bday! He is the big 3-5, and he was actually excited about it. He keeps saying he can't wait to be 50...he's crazy like that! I made him a cake and we sang happy birthday, or, as Caleb likes to say it "Happy to you".
Wednesday and Thursday were fun because I took the kids and we went camping with my Dad, 3 sisters and brother in law. It was just one night, but we still had lots of fun! S'mores, camp fire, tents, big sticks, dirt...you name it! Mike took Wednesday off to go fishing with a buddy so he was pretty happy about that too!
We started our always fun, but busy, weekend on Friday by picking Miya up. The next morning we got up and drove 2 hours to visit with Mike's brother, Tim and his wife, Nicole! That whole day was so relaxing and fun. After eating lunch we went to the ocean which is practically in their backyard. They water was calm with very small waves and it was so warm (for the Atlantic). We spent about 2 hours at the beach swimming, tossing a football, catching hermit crabs, and all sorts of other things. Then we went back to their house, rinsed off and had dinner! We hung out for a little while longer before packing up and heading home.
We woke up Sunday and headed off to church. It was a beautiful day, gorgeous and sunny! After church we had lunch with my family at a little chicken shop Meg & Toph know about because they made t-shirts for them! The food was so good!
After finally making home we relaxed for what seemed like a few minutes before heading back into town to bring Miya home. Our weekends with her are always too short! We hope that this will change one day soon!
It was so nice to wake up on Monday knowing I didn't have to sign in to work! Mike decided to go fishing early that morning and then work on his breaks with his fishing buddy/mechanic. So, it was just me and the kids until 3:30. I actually stayed in bed until 8:15 that morning! I can't tell you the last time I did that. I'm never in bed past 6:30...and that is on weekends! So "sleeping late" was a real treat!
AND.....
since it was a vacation day, the kids and I watched movies and shows all morning! That was a special treat for them since that NEVER happens. They're lucky to get 1, maybe 2, shows during the whole day!
Mike ended up getting home around 3:30 and I left with Afton at 5:00. She and I went to Meg & Toph's house for a little while...just to hang out.
Now, they both have moped's so, of course, I had to jump on those! I've never been on one before so I was a bit nervous. The good part is I only injured my left big toe. The rest of the time was spent taking spins around the neighborhood and laughing!
So, that's the recap. It's been a fun, busy, jam packed week and we're still going! I think I'll stop there for now though.
I'll be back with more later on...hopefully...lol
That's how long it's been since I posted. Normally I like to keep up with one a day or at least every other, and if I think I'll be busy then I'll pre-post.
This week...not so much.
There really isn't a rhyme or reason to it, I guess. Maybe it was the busyness of children, work and life. Maybe it was the fact that I'm on this 7 day detox food program and it messed with my thinking. Really. It did.
Either way, I think I'm back. At least, I hope I am. *grin*
It's been an interesting, fun filled, busy week which started on Monday with my fast. Water only. That was rough. Tuesday was really hard too because I could only eat certain things. Then came Wednesday...MUCH easier! Seriously. Just getting over the first two days was rough. After that I found I had a ton more willpower than I thought.
What prompted my detox diet was the need to start from scratch with my eating habits. I had been slipping into the deep, dark carb abyss and I needed, desperately, to get out. This was a very healthy alternative to all the other things that don't work. So, here I am.
I'm still keeping up on my running so we'll see how I far come Sunday.
Anyway, that was all I had for now. I have need to go organize my desk. Or at least try.
Farmers market tonight. Maybe I'll find some interesting teas that I can drink on Monday!
I'm apologizing in advance for the next few days of posting.
My mind seems to be all over the place recently. Different thoughts, different ideas...so, don't be surprised to find a variety of topics in my daily blogging. Sometimes I read something that is encouraging and other times I read something that is informational. I may share all of it, some of it, or none of it...we shall see!
With that being said...
I'm all about looking at the positive side of things. Most days I do ok...some days I don't (those are the days I'm really tired!), but overall, I try to think of something good in every situation.
This article was great because it puts a positive spin on the rising gas prices! If anyone can put a smile on our face while were pumping gas at $4.00 a gallon...it's worth blogging about!!!
Not as in "I'm taking a day off", more like, I've been "off" today. Not myself...
This morning was good, the day itself was good, the kids were good, but "stuff" is going on and I have a heavy heart.
However, I did get in a good 2.5 mile jog/fast walk...so that helped me vent a bit of emotions.
I should be back to "normal" tomorrow...sorry for the no show in posting!
I have pictures, updates and other stuff to post. I'm just trying to catch up from a very crazy week/weekend!
I hope everyone had a wonderful 4th!
I'll be back as soon as I can to post some pretty interesting stuff :)
Two Christmases ago I received a very cool gift from the wonderful in-laws!
It was a Swiffer Sweeper + Vac! It is the best invention ever! I'm not joking! It totally eliminates the need for a broom and dustpan or a vacuum. It takes the best part of a swiffer and combines it with the best part of a vacuum and puts it into one, very stylish unit! Plus, I save money by not buying the replacement pads! I cut up my own! I took an old jersey pillow case and cut it into the right size squares. That way I can use, wash and reuse them. It works just as good!
I've swiffed my kitchen floor twice, if not three times, a day, my bathroom floor daily, my entry way daily, and by the kitty box several times a day for the past 1 1/2 years!
Today I am sad to announce that it has bit the dust (I know, I know...I couldn't resist!!!).
I've been in denial for several days saying that "it just needs to be charged again" "maybe if I leave it alone it will come back to life" and the most obvious case of denial "noooooooooooooo...it's not possible. I've given it a good productive life here!". Today I am coming out of the denial closet and admitting that it's not coming back.
So, it's time to replace my best, floor cleaning friend because I'm getting tired of lugging the real vacuum around the entire house!
I'll introduce you all when I get it!
Until then....
...when you're so busy!
I can't believe it's been almost a week since my last post! That's horrible!
We have something going on all the time right now (or so it seems!).
So, enough of my excuses...I have to get back on track so I'm not leaving you all hanging and un-entertained!
Yesterday was Afton's first swimming lessons. She absolutely loved it and can't wait to go back! This time Mike will be with us so I'll be the one in the water with her. Apparently that's how it's supposed to work, but I never read that when I signed her up online. Maybe I missed it, but you would think they would say it pretty plainly. Or maybe I should have realized it. Either way, Mike will be there to reign in Caleb and I'll be able to help Afton. It will be good for all of us.
We're off to do more strawberry picking this morning. Last week we picked about 4 1/2 pounds and went through those in 3 days! Yeah...that's crazy! Today I want to get about 8 pounds and hopefully I'll have enough to make jelly, freeze some for smoothies, and then have some to just eat. There is nothing like eating fresh strawberries!
Then tonight we're going to the farmers market that our town has on Thursday nights! Last week I picked up some raw milk (straight from the cow) and Mike said it was really good! I don't drink milk (except cream in my coffee) so I couldn't tell the difference. I took his word for it. So, we're all gonna go see what we can find. Some weeks are great and others aren't but we're still in the middle of the good growing season so there should be lots to look at.
Last week I also picked up some really yummy chai tea. It's the loose tea that you add to boiling water. Then you add the milk and some sweetener. When you're done you strain it and drink it hot or pour it over ice! It was so good! I'm used to the commercial, pre-packaged, wicked sweet chai tea, but this was so not like that. I'm almost out already so I may pick up more if we have enough money with us.
Anyway, that's just a quick blurb to keep you busy for 3 minutes!
I'll chat at you later!
