Photo a day!

I am back and up an running...seems adding "debugging a computer virus" was necessary in my busy schedule.

But I did still take photos of everything else we have been up to!

This has been decided by unanimous vote to be a new family tradition. Sunday in the sleet and rain, we stayed in a built houses! C. was very disappointed to find out we wouldn't be immdiately eating our creations but he got over it quickly. As you can tell also, a good bit of the candy got consumed during construction. The hardest part was getting J. to back off and let the kids do what they wanted to do, not what he thought they should do. The kids were also shocked that I got for myself! But of course!

I am not sure what order these are going to post....the one with the snowy roof and yellow circle windows is K's, the one with the twizzler framed door is mine, and the one with the half and half roof is C's. We had so much fun watching Christmas dvd's and constructing.

The last night we finally got around to the tree. So finally at least the family room is settled and glittery. Helped a little bit with my mood. How could you not smile at all that glittery glowiness? I love the traditional look we get with the lace bows,popcorn, red balls and candy canes. The mantel lace was given to us by good friends last year since they no longer have a fireplace.I wasn't sure how I was going to like it. I love it actually. did treat us to new stockings though this year - to *go with* the new look of the mantel. ::teehee:::

A photo a day

I am setting a goal for myself to post photo a day in December.

So here is what I will call "ready, set...."

This is the tidiest part of the house right now. Boxes boxes everywhere.

Awful yucky weather supposed to some tomorrow..so by this time tomorrow these boxes should be gone and beautiful decorations in their place!

Bah humbug.

And so it begins! The Christmas season!
This would be my silly son after he found all of the Santa hats in the boxes of Christmas decorations that are not littering my dining room! He tried a third one on the top but it wouldn't stay on.
I am trying depserately to get in the holiday spirit. Feeling rather scroogy. Well -let's say this - we are in the spirit of giving, and have gotten out stocking donation and angel tree donations all shopped and bagged up for church this weekend. I guess that is the important part, right? But as far as the house goes, right now I have no desire, gumption, or spirit at all. I am not sure what is going on. Just tired of being stressed I guess. It all seems like just one more thing to do. Hate that feeling! I will get over it. It would help maybe if I have been anywhere in the last week that seemed to be festive or happy. Everyone seems to be trudging along right now, the stores seem to rush everything (they were even talking at Micheal's today that the spring set ups are due out next week! Geesh can we enjoy on thing at a time!?) Got some things out today, but everything I am getting out looks worn and blah to me. Our stuff is so mish mash and unmatched. Noses falling off stockings. That sort of thing. We really need some knew things, I am sure shopping would help my mood but not the bank acct! We will hopefully get the tree up this weekend, but waiting for daddy to be home to help is the hard part. Nothing is up outside. We were away for the holiday weekend, J has worked 10 hours a day since and is working saturday, supposed to rain/sleet sunday...so unless I get to it Saturday between all the kids activities, it won't get done. Wonder why I am in a sour mood? I did pick up gingerbread kits to make houses, and with the nasty weather supposed to come sunday, I am hoping that we will spend some time on those and the tree. Maybe make something warm and yummy in the oven. That should certainly help the old mood.

I am setting a goal for myself to take a photo a day in Dec. Try to capture some of our traditions, and Christmas activities and hopefully get them into an album pronto. Not doing much of that lately.

Start the count down! 25 days til Christmas!

An ACK moment

Finally got to watch Hairspray last night! Good movie. Loved it. Even the kids, after whining about watching it, loved it in the end. They love Grease I knew they would enjoy this. One of my favorite parts was when Tracy's dad asked her if she really wanted to dance on tv, and when she said yes, he told her to GO for it. I so wishsomeone would have ever encouraged me that much when I was younger. But I digress...not what I intended to post about. I truly had an "ACK" moment during the movie. (So much to explain to the kids! And how wonderful that they have never heard of fall out shelters and known segregation) There were so many characters and interactions to evaluate but the one that hit home with me, and maybe you have to have struggled with your weight to truly get it, but it was Edna Turnblad. When Tracy was trying to convince her to be her agent and she revealed that she hadn't been out of the house in 10 years.....at first you are surprised. But then what she says that I can totally relate to is "I'll do it when I am a size ten again" , the neighbors hadn't seen her in such and such a pounds etc. Oh man, can I do totally relate. For me it is my weight. How many times I have said to myself, I'll do it when I lose 20 lbs. Or how many times I have avoided volunteering for something because I don't want to be "on display". I am well aware of the self talk, but it was really hearing someone else say the things outloud that made them sound so absurd. So my goal for myself is to stop living for "when I...." or "someday.." and do my best to do what I want now. I tend to want to hide when I am not feeling great about myself.....then today on one of my message boards was this poem. Since it also related, I am including it too. I want to be my own best friend, treat myself like I would a friend, and say the things to myself I would say to a friend.

My Own Best Friend
If I was my own best friend, I would forgive myself for things I regret.
I would tell myself it was normal to have things work out wrong sometimes.
I would tell myself not to stand in such strict judgment of myself, that nobody’s perfect, and life’s a lesson.
I would tell myself how much I love me just for being me.
If I was my own best friend, I’d cheer myself on when the going got tough and tell myself I’m almost there and I can do it.
When I was feeling down, I would give myself a big hug and let me cry on my shoulder.
I’d listen. I would give good advice—the kind that is constructive and helpful and doesn’t include any “shoulds”.
If I was my own best friend, I would point out that I was worth having around for a long time to come whenever it looked like I was about to indulge in too much of a bad thing.
I would tempt myself with food and activities that were good for the being as well as the soul.
I would encourage myself to foster relationships with people who make me feel good about myself, have something to teach me, and fill my life with joy.
If I was my own best friend, I would tell myself to stop wasting valuable time and live life to the fullest starting right now.

Thanksgiving humor

A day early but we are heading to NC today, and I don't think I will get to post.

Happy Happy and blessed thanksgiving!

This turkey reminds met o be thankful for EVERYTHING God gives me - good and not so good. I won't use the word bad. Nothing God sends is "bad" per say. Just a test maybe. A growth opportunity. This has certainly been a full year. K's therapy. J's depression. K's struggle with school this year. Certainly lots of testing going on, and I am guilty to say, I haven't been the most grateful lately. I am trying hard to turn that around. There has certianly been way more good than not so good. I need to focus on that.

We are all healthy, strong, our frig is full. There is a car in garage, and lovely house to live in surrounded by gardens.We are working. Paying the bills, and having a bit of fun with what's left.

So life is good.
be thankful in ALL things.

Seriously?

I mean seriously. This is so absurd, I have to share it.

If you are easily offended - read no farther.

I had to investigate after K. and I saw on of these,

hankfully in some comical color, hanging from the hitch bar of a pick up sitting next to us. Being the niave person that I am, I am thinking....there is no way that is really what I think it is supposed to be. It must have some purpose other than to hang there looking like the obvious.

But lo and behold - http://www.bumpernuts.com/ is exactly what they are. Thankfully - the version we saw was the not the realistic version that is out there. Also just as thankfully, K. thought it looked more like a butt. I garuntee you, the more realistic version does not. And, yes, it serves no other purpose than to hang there. I could possible see if it had some purpose to the function of the hitch or trailor. But nope, it's job is just to hang there.
Now I am no prude. I enjoy a good dirty joke as much as the next person, am not ashamed to talk of sexual things, see a dirty movie......but I can not be the only person who thinks this is just totally unecessary and uncalled for!? Who in their right mind feels they have the right to subject me and my children to pornographic "decorations" on their vehicles, that leave me trying to explain? I am all for free speech but when does it cross the line? Follows right along with the sticker I saw in a window a few weeks ago, with a cartoon photo mooning me, telling me to "Bite Me". Or the car I was riding behind in Allentown a few months ago, that had totally pornographic cartoons of large chest women doing gross things to each other, smack dab in the middle of the rear window.

Is it necessary? Where does it stop? I must be showing my age, and used to think I was hip, but this is just ridiculous!

Seriously.

Did anyone but me suddenly realize that Thanksgiving is less that TWO WEEKS away!!??

Seriously.

I need to start my Christmas shopping.

Seriously.

We will be away for Thanksgiving weekend, which means I really should get the Christmas stuff out this weekend. Otherwise - it won't go up til two weeks before Christmas. Oy.

Seriously.

It makes me want to fall over and ask who took the extra week out of November!

Dude

This guy has been cracking me up lately. He comes up with the darndest things....been very inquizzative, as usual, lately. Talking about inventions, and asking questions about everything under the sun. Very affectionate too. I am personally loving every minute of it.

But also coming out with things like this.....

Heard from the back seat of the car after an agonizing decision of what donut to buy at Dunkin Donuts.

"Mmmmm, it's like an explosion in my mouth!"

Yup. My life never lacks for the off beat and interesting!

"i cannot endure to waste anything as precious as autumn sunshine by staying in the house. so i spend almost all the daylight hours in the open air."
n. hawthorne

Pretty much sums up my intense need to get out to Hawk Mountain today. We had already planned to go to see a Golden Eagle demonstration they were having. Weather and a variety other things gave us some good excuses not to go, but something in me needed to go. The fresh air. The crisp air. What my heart was crying for right now. Took my niece, who summed it up by saying, "This is nice" on the way up the trail. it was nice. The trails were pretty empty, only the die hard come out this time of the year, so at a few points throughout we were alone, and it was quiet. I love that. That leave it all behind, clear your head quiet. I firmly believe there may be few other places I would rather be most days.

No pics. Left the camera at home, to be "in the moment". And the kids reminded me of it, everytime we saw something cool, or the beautiful view. So next time, we take the camera. My little map reader, aka C, made sure we stayed on the right trail, but was also dying to take some alternative trails to the top. A bit short on time today, I promised him next time we would certianly pack a lunch and take some of the longer trails and loops. He absolutely LOVES climbing on the rocks at the over looks. I have to tell him to go no farther or I think he would climb right down the side of the mountain.

Just a chuckle

Ever feel like this?

Teehee.

Mocha *love*

Just one more thing to totally justify my dork-ness.

As I was running into Starbucks for my "usual" today, something made me stop and look at the mugs on the shelves. They have these really cool mugs, that are 20 oz and look just like one of their venti paper cups. How cool is that? But I digress. I never stop to look at this stuff. But today I did. And what to my astonished eyes should appear?

Mocha powder! :::insert comical eye rub and double take here:::

Anyone that knows me well, knows of my addiction to this stuff and how crushed I was last year when they stopped selling it in the stores. I nearly did a happy dance in the store. The happiness in my heart was almost palpable. The young gal at the register did not seem to understand or share my enthusiasm for my purchase! I plan on stocking up this time!

And of course, on the way home, this led to a thoughful journey in my head about things that make us happy. When you think about it, we take so much time in our lives planning the "big" events and those Kodak moments, when really want brings us the most pleasure and happiest memories are the little things that just make us happy day to day. Those things that just make you stop and go "ah". So I decided to make a list of ten simple little things that make me happy, and if you gave me a choice I would take one or a combination preferably, of these things over some big planned event any day.

So here are my ten, and I am sure there are more....make your own list and take inventory of what is on it. Then, do those things!

1. Mocha powder (had to have that one!)

2. quiet time at home alone

(and if you had told me years ago I would enjoy this I would have laughed at you)

3. my children's laughter

4. an unexpected hug from my darling

5. Anything with sundried tomatoes, olives and olive oil

6. A nice glass of wine enjoyed with a friend

7. Being outside in the woods (preferably with my family)

8. True honest family time just the four of us having fun

9. A call from a friend

10. early morning at the beach with a book and a cup of coffee

I neglected to add a trip to the hairdresser on that list, which is where I am off to this afternoon, nearly giddy with the prospect of finally finding time to get a trim and highlight!

Halloween deux

Yeah Blogger is cooperating today!
This would Halloween at out house!
K. asked if " a friend or two" could come Trick or Treat at our house since they live rural. This turned into 10 - 13/14 year olds at our house for pizza and Trick or Treat. They were much calmer than I expected until they got back! Oy. But it went well, and K said everyone at school today was still talking about how much fun they had. So, all is well.








This is K. in her spider witch costume. What you can't see are the two inch high heel boots Daddy let her buy at Jake's. I hate how grown up she looks. At least her costume was modest! And here she is with a few of her friends.








Then , there was my ninja. I swear I might as well just buy the costume in June. I think ninja has been our theme every year forever! Not that he even knows what a ninja is, but he likes the all black costume and it covers his face.











And with a couple of his friends. I could tell who played midget league football, and which girls cheered. There a lot of Boyertown football players and cheerleaders in costume last night. I would be getting every penny out of those uniforms too! I used to use K's dance costumes as Halloween costumes when she was smaller!

Frustration.

Just in case I was fooling myself into thinking that life was just happily rolling along...enter in ...
frus·tra·tion /frʌˈstreɪʃən/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[fruh-strey-shuhn] –noun
1.
act of frustrating; state of being frustrated: the frustration of the president's efforts.
2.
an instance of being frustrated: to experience a series of frustrations before completing a project.
3.
something that frustrates, as an unresolved problem.
4.
a feeling of dissatisfaction, often accompanied by anxiety or depression, resulting from unfulfilled needs or unresolved problems.


Because it always seems to help to type some of my feelings out, and because I promised to keep this an honest account of our lives to look back on......I will share that the last two weeks have been loaded with frustrations for me. K. started off in Sept. doing awesome in school. Suddenly for some reason the month of October, she has fallen to pieces. With all of the wonderful improvements we are noticing in her and her behavior and sensitivities, it does not seem to be translating into success in school. She had an extremely anxious and panicky week last week. Patience I know. But I am the one that the teachers and counselors call. I am the one that argues with K. The last two weeks have been particularly bad. Incomplete assignments, disorganized notebooks.....she would have all B's if she just did what was expected of her. DO you know how frustrating that is? Then, add to it that C's teacher sees fit, while I encourage interaction from the teacher to tell me when things are going on, to call me and, well , basically whine, if he does meet every single one of her expectations every day. Organization is the bane of my exsistence. Add to it, that since I am TRYING to find more time for myself, J. is "helping" with homework more often. Well every time he helps, C's teacher is on the phone with me the following day telling me what is missing or wasn't done. He is working slowly again, but not as bad as it was when he was unmedicated. (which was increased last week and will not be increased again) I am trying so hard not to get frustrated, and not to get angry, but if I hear "I'm sorry I forgot", or "I am sorry we got mixed up","I saw it in his book but didn't think about it" one more time I may just scream. I am trying to find time to walk and take care of myself. But it seems I can not even rely on the other adult person in my house to help me. Everyone is so quick to tell me to just let the chips fall where they may, but when it comes to the kids and their success in school...I can't let that happen. Besides, I, me, only me, am the one that gets the call...has to explain that my husband was responsible the night before, and basically I am the one that the responsibility ultimately lies. I want to come up with reward systems for expected behavior. The teacher seemed less than thrilled. ARGH. And of course, there will probably be no follow through when I am not here at home.

I know that my problems are small compared to the ills of the world and other more severe problems that families face, but they are our issues that I deal with every day. So to us are as big as any others. No less frustrating. Some day hopefully, I will look back and read all of this, and smile at my concern, and say, "see it all worked out didn't it?" - that is my prayer. One reason I try so hard to make sure we make fun family days is that our daily routine is usually so fraught with tension and arguements about school, homework, constant redirection, and stress etc, that it feels like there is no fun on our days. Tonight is a fun night. K having friends from school over to have pizza and trick or treat. This is the first time ever, anyone but her two neighborhood friends, have been calling, or showing interest in hanging out with her. BIG step for us and for her. So what started out as two friends, has turned into 10. I am sure I will post pictures and tell the story tomorrow. Life is good. No matter what we deal with here, I know we are blessed with each other. Somtimes however, it is hard to remember.

I promised

I promised glowing pictures....here they are....C's spider










K's pirate ship - this was pretty cool.











And for my father in law and husband - YAY SOX! I tried to stay up and watch the game the other night - but baseball makes me sleepy. :::teeheee::::