Sour grapes

For Jim's "When you are going to blog again so that picture of me moves down?" request.......

I haven't been in the mood to blog though.

Ever feel like some days or weeks life just gangs up on you and you just can't seem to catch a break let alone come up for air?

That is how it has been here. Wish I could hide my emotions better. But, alas, I can't. I wear them on my sleeves, both sides. Makes for some heavy days. There is so much going on with everyone near and dear to me, my postive energy is just draining. Sometimes it can be so challenging being the up beat one, the "think positive" one, the "things will get better soon" one. Most days it comes easy. A friend once told me, that I seemed to have a gift for looking on the bright side, and seeing the positive in a negative situation, and she loved that about me. I also had another friend tell me she got tired of me always seeking out the bright side, and sometimes she just needed me to wallow with her. So I guess there is a no win situation there. Then there are the days that I need to be my own cheerleader. There aren't too many people standing on my side lines rooting for me. The ones that are usually there have their own challenges in the last few weeks. I seem to be great and cheering for everyone else, but most times not so good at seeing my own "bright side". Part of my humanity I suppose. I am not a good wallower. I hate it.

Gee - aren't I a bundle of "take something good away from my blog today!?"

But on a positive note - Treat or treating tonight. The first year Kaite is going with two friends, just here in the development, instead of one of us. Seems it would be a fate worse than death to be seen with her brother when he is wearing a box. So pictures will come in the next day or two, and this negative sour post will move on down the line and once again be replaced with more encouraging more postive vibes.

So this week is one of those weeks, we get through the day and that is about it. Guess there is nothing wrong with that. I hate to waste days like that, but better that than

Couldn't resist

I absolutely can not resist blogging this.

What is that?, you say.

THAT would be Jim with his arm stuck in the fireplace!

Yup! You heard me correctly.

Never happens. Never screws up when fixing something. Got his hand wedged in there, and wifey had to come to the rescue. After he told me what tools I had to fetch, but rescued none the less!

But of course I said, "I have to get the camera first!" He was yelling something about his arm falling asleep while I took these.

But rest assured, all is well. Hand and fireplace intact. Not working yet, but intact.

Happy Halloween

Here ya go! The Fishlock Pumpkins!

Scooby is one K. and I carved at youth group the other night. She did a great job!

The other two are from the pumpkin patch. The one on the left is C.'s the one on the right is K.'s The lightbulbs inside rather than candles - courtesy of Dad. The kids were not happy about it. They wanted candles.

So Happy Halloween everyone! Sending happy chocolate wishes your way! May you the tricksters pass you by!

Giant Jack-o-lantern

The 88 pounder is now a jack-o-lantern. Other than getting it into the house, was not as difficlut as we expected. The kids decided this one had to be mean. So they scetched, we cut. He has been quite the conversation piece in the neighborhood!

Halloween parade

A few pictures from the Halloween parade last night....


I have no idea what order Blogger will post these photos.....


So first there is the rare photo of J. and I together- K. took it. we were actually leaning to the side and she tilted the camera. Made it look like we were laying back. Interesting angle.
Then the all tooimportant "I have my pumpkins ready for the candy" shot of C. with his and K.'s pumpkin.
Then there is K. marching - brought tears to my eyes - I remember my own Halloween parades, and I knew the first thing she would say to me was - "My hands are so cold!" - and I was right. Then there is the "Ok that is enough pictures ,mo-om" face. I only took like 12 of her marching.
This afternoon is pumpkin carving here at home, then tonight K and I are going to youth group to the pumpkin carving party. Should be fun!
Lots of pumpkin posts coming up I suppose!

**Edit** I told you it was a rare picture of J. and I - Blogger poofed it away!

Nice reminder today

As I was reading blogs this morning - one of the bloggers posted this -

God reminds me of 2 Cor 12 9But He said to me, My grace (My favor and loving-kindness and mercy) is enough for you [sufficient against any danger and enables you to bear the trouble manfully]; for My strength and power are made perfect (fulfilled and completed) and [a]show themselves most effective in [your] weakness. Therefore, I will all the more gladly glory in my weaknesses and infirmities, that the strength and power of Christ (the Messiah) may rest (yes, may [b]pitch a tent over and dwell) upon me!

Just as I have been feeling a bit overwhelmed once again by some of the day to day "life" stuff. This was a nice reminder. There is a plan in all of this somewhere. Whether I see it or not.

The challenges for K. and I. - the stress of her challenges - sadness for missing family - feeling invisible at times to my family and other family members - thinking about changing jobs -

I lean on God the most when I feel the weakest. That is when I pray the most. Reminds me that as much as I like to think I am in control, I am not. I get those reminders often. That is when I get blue. I like to think I can pull everyone I love tight to my chest , wrap my arms around them, and keep them happy and safe. when I start to feel things slipping out of my fingers. But then I have to realize that when things are slipping out of my fingers, they are slipping into God's hands where they belong. My prayer today is that I can take comfort in that.

J'ever wonder

Did you ever look at one of your kids and wonder how they could ever belong to you?

This is K's room.

On a good day.

there are days I get hives going in there.

A clean floor last no longer than 30 min tops.

She is only required to clean it up at once a week so I can vacuum. I gave up even trying the daily tidy routine.

And that does not include "surfaces" which is usually an arguement to reorganize about once a month. She seems to crave caos around her.

And I - am the quintessential neat-nick. I refuse to use the word freak. My bed is made every day, and the dishes are washed at night. I like things in their place. Not to the point of OCD, but everything has a place, everything in a place. With the disorganized minds I live with, if I don't keep everything in order, none of us would ever know where anything is.

So I ask myself - where on earth has she come from? But am realizing as she gets older, it is just a "thing" with her. So I go in there as little as possible, and do not help her find anything that she is missing. I guess some day she will start to keep it tidy right?

Then there is the issue of the body snatchers that are stealing my girl away. Anyone who knows K. knows she is normally very bouncy, chatty, loud and busy. Here lately, this moody, brooding, pouty creature has replaced my beautiful girl! At Target last friday - you would swear I was walking her to the guillatine! She was slouching ( so much so she looked like a big S) and dragging her feet -in untied shoes - so loudly you could hear us in the next isle I am sure. I had to swallow my pride, tell her that I am sorry I was going to sound like a fuddy dud but could she please stand up straight! She then proceeded to sit on the floor in the shoe isle and argue with herself or me, I lost track of which it was. She had tried on a pair of shoes, and I asked her if she liked them. Yes I do. Ok, I say, then get them. But they make high heel sounds when I walk (they were a bit "plasticy" sounding) . ok. so dont' get them, I say. But I like them. Ok, then get them - but be sure you are going to wear them, I say. But they make that noise - voice getting higher - Then don't get them and we'll keep looking. But I like them! Now two ladies in the isle are starting to stare as I am sure we were quite a site to behold! I say, do you realize you are sitting on the floor arguing with yourself? But I don't know, she says. Mom decides - Ok, leave them and let's go. *sigh* :::shuffle shuffle shuffle::::: I offered her to the register lady for awhile, but she refused to take her.

Now the last two days, my girl is back. Bouncy, smiley, irritating me in other more enjoyable ways.

I don't think I will survive the teen years. Honest I don't. Maybe that is why liquor stores stay in business. I can see myself sitting at the table alone at night, drinking a glass of wine mumbling to myself.

Pumpkin Fun

So this is what we did today. (I apologize - for some reason blogger rearranges all the pictures)

Of course I got to play with someone else's digital SLR after we put the pumpkins in the car!

We got the required "posing with our pumpkins" shot of each of the kids - mitten on the lens and all. And the kids and I - and yes - I forgot and am wearing my sunglasses as usual. What you can't see behind us is the turkey that will be Thanksgiving dinner in 6 weeks. Shhh...don't tell the kids.

K. had fun helping to paint faces, and eating too much cake.

C. is posing with his 88 lb pumpkin! "Guess the Weight Win the Pumpkin" - Daddy put C.'s name on the slip with his guess and won! So now he wants to carve it. I think that may require a saws-all! I just love the look on his face. And the pure joy in his jumping steps when he came to tell us that he won was irreplacable.










I am actually so grateful to this family for sharing their farm and hospitality with us. It always turns out to be such a nice day for us to spend together as a family - cost free to boot! We relax and enjoy each other so much more there than we do at Merrymeade where it is all about the begging for treats and crowds. Some days we get so wrapped up in the homework and the going here and going there that happens when you have healthy happy children. I think we try harder than the average family to spend quiet family time together but at times it gets challenging especially when you have a pre-teen who is starting to mope and be convinced that anything to do with home is
bor-ring. But that is another post.

Feeling Blog-y again!

Well I would be if blogger was cooperating. Seems the darn picture upload is not functioning again.

Funny - after being so empty for the last few weeks, my head and our lives are suddening bursting with things to share. I made up my mind to share one thought each day this week. A little wee challenge to myself. Let's see if I can do it!

I wanted to start with pictures of our trip to our friend's pumpkin patch today. The couple were our realtors when we built the house, and Jim still does work for them occasionally. Every year they host a pumpkin patch party on their farm. Free for us - hay wagon rides to the patch, pick our pumpkins, yummy food, games, face painting...animals....it really is nice to have a quiet beautiful place to just hang and have fun as a family. So as soon as blogger is working again, I can share the pictures and tell the story.

Until then , happy night!

:O)

Linked to this from another blog. Had to share it. Love YouTube!

Dare you to try not to smile during this video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vr3x_RRJdd4

Bad bad blogger

I have been a bad bad blogger.

Sorry.

Crop for a Cure is behind us for this year.

Recovered yesterday and still a bit this morning.

My heart is heavy for a variety of reasons.

A few friends are hurting.

K. is struggling in school.

Just stuff.

So not feeling very inspirational today. But I still took a minute to stop when I was hanging some laundry this morning and just listen to the birds, enjoy the cool breeze on my face and remember even though I may be feeling heavy these few days - life is still good.

PS This is the picture that I was looking for on my birthday. This is my sister and I , not sure exactly how old we were. We were both finally home, so had to be about 2 or 3 months old. All I do know is that those are newborn size jammies, and see how long those legs are? We were
ti-ny. So since I didn't have any other pictures uploaded to share, thought I would share that one.

I will return when I am feeling a bit lighter!

Me - circa 1985?

This is me and my senior high color guard outfit. The picture does not do it justice! The tassle on the zipper, the gloves, cording on the sleeves, braid on the hat. LOL! The buffalo hat blends in with the uniform. I couldnt' find one of Jr Hi, and will still find one with the hat on! K. thought the boots rocked!

Check out those legs!

Oh to have a waist that small again!

I came across a TON more pictures I am dying to post. J. and I dating. Our first apt. College. Baby pics. It was a true walk down memory lane last night.

47th "Original" Calvalcade of Bands

And we were there!

Boyertown Tradition.

Calvalcade of Bands.

Boyertown Senior High once again proved why they are the gold standard for field performance marching bands. They ROCKED. They are just so "crisp" - is the only word that comes to mind. At one point in the show - bucked all tradition, removed their hats, sporting rainbow colored "do rags" and SANG! It really was awesome to see.

K. is in the bandfront. Flag, or "silks" as they are now. And, far to many years than I care to remember ago - so was I! Same field, same stadium. Some of the best fun I had in school. I am so proud of her. She enjoyed herself and did very well. I got so teared up dropping her off at the band room, watching her run up to one of the other colorguard, clasp hands, giggle and jump up and down. The experiences are going to be so good for her. If I was a wonderful blogger - I would have dug up an old picture of me in my uniform. But I am not that good. I'll find one, soon, promise. I tried to explain to the girls that we did not get to wear such nice unforms. I am talking Fred Flintstone Buffalo Lodge hats. They were not convinced. So I must dig up the photos. K. was of course totally THRILLED to be wearing sequins. She was wishing she could wear it to school. The girl has never been afraid to stand out.

As I said before when I watched her practicing. It was a very serendipity experience to see her doing what I did, on the same field in the same calvalcade. The coolest part is that it was totally her choice. I feel so blessed to be raising my kids were I was raised. I know we tease about the boondocks, and lack of civilization - but this area is a great area for raising our kids. Now I am the "parent in the stand" - I will however resist the urge to buy mom jeans, and a hoodie.