Seriously- enough is enough!

2 days of snow, ice, rain, wind

UGH!

in my best Charlie Brown voice.

Although- Lucy loved it (see above photo)

She won't after Tuesday.

Tuesday she gets a haircut. Big Time

She will go from looking like a border collie to a beagle.

And after sitting in her snowspot- she stinks.

Stinks like wet hairy dog.

She can sit and watch the neighborhood forever.

Kinda like the dog on Bugs Bunny.

The one that watches the sheep.

The one that outwits the wild e coyote.

The one that can't see because his hair is in his eyes.

Thats her when she is outside.

Inside however, she is Nana from Peter Pan.

Always hearding the family together.

Always coming to get me if she thinks I need to

do a better job watching the kiddos.

Seriously!

It's a bit endearing and annoying at the same time.

Sunday Scribblings- Superstitions

I am not superstitious.
Not me.
Never.

1. When reading I will not stop if the next chapter is 13 or 14. This is a recent habit, and I do not know where it came from. Why 14 you ask- well because I will have read 13 chapters, like the 13th floor that doesn't exisit in any hotels. So I am not sure which chapter would be the ... well you know. I find this terribly funny because 13 is actually my lucky number.
2. When driving past a cemetary- I have to force myself not to hold my breath. And just between you and me, sometimes I hold it anyway.
3. I do not walk under ladders. Ever.
4. I always wear my necklace with my charm of the virgin Mary when we take long road trips. Ok, I wear it on short road trips as well. And... I pretty much wear it always, unless I have to dress up for something and put on some pearls or wear a cute funky summer necklace. But as soon as I am back home and remember, the charm necklace goes back on.
5. I do not like to take baths or showers when I am home alone. Of course sometimes hygiene wins out and it is a must... just kidding. I think it's a PSYCHO thing.
6. When I was a little girl, my babysitter let me stay up and watch scary movies. Dracula and the old werewolf ones still stand out in my mind. So growing up, I figured no one could bite me in the neck if they could not see it, so I slept with the blankets curled up around my neck. Sometimes I still do. Habit maybe....
7. I would definately throw a pinch of salt over my shoulder more often, but I can never remember which one the right or the left. And you just would not want to get that one wrong or I am sure something bad would happen. Wouldn't it?
8. I love garlic and if necessary I would wear it.
9. Black cats do not bother me in the least. Except if I were walking at night all alone.
10. I prefer the basement door shut. My cat does not however, it's where we keep the liter box. So I have taught him to find me when he needs to go. And he does. Of course we open the door when we are not home.
11. At night, if everyone else is asleep, I avoid mirrors, reflection, etc.
12. Never step on a crack if I can help it.
13. Oh no, can't end on 13.
14. Can't end on 14 either.
15. Oh this one feel good, safe good, yeah.
16. Hmm. I would never open an umbrella inside. Does that count, because it actually does not make much sense to open an umbrella inside, they usually do not fit through the doorway.
17. See a penny pick it up. Always.

So like I said -not superstitious. Definately not obsessive compulsive. Just good ole normal behaviour. Right?

Is it bad luck to publish a post without a photo? Just curious.

Grateful Friday

1. Meet Isak. He's old.
Going on 17 years. I know that cats can live till 20. But 17 is old. As much as I do not
want him to die. I know (and hope) he does not live for another 3 years.He's skinny, and sleepy and a bit forgetful. Do cats get dementia? So far he is still holding his own. Doesn't seem in any pain right now. But I am grateful that he is still around. 17 years. A lot has happened in 17 years. I was only 21 when I got him. 21. God is that young. God was I stupid back then.

2. VERY grateful that my girls are feeling better. Oh we have
had the sickies in this house. And the little one- well brought her
to the Dr. for antibiotics. Boy did that make a difference. YEAH!

3. VERY grateful that I remembered to make a grooming appointment
for Lucy (our dog). Not only is she shedding like crazy, she stinks!


4. Had a good night sleep last night. (without a Tylenol PM!)


5. Clean sheets on the bed. Can't even begin to count how many
loads of laundry I did yesturday.


6. A sleepy baby. She is finally taking a good nap. This morning she put on
her snow boots, grabed her blanket and layed down on the kitchen floor and...
GASP...fell asleep. Stayed sleeping...another GASP... as I carried her to her room.
And...a final gasp...she is still sleeping 2 hours later! Maybe it's the boots.

7. Got a raise at work. OK just an itty bitty raise. But a raise none the less.
Hey I don't work at a bookstore to make big bucks.

8. The fall 07/Spring 08 (so weird to write 08) class schedules are out
at school. Registration begins for fall in April. According to the class offered,
I will be finshed in 1 1/2 year from now. Graduation should be December 08!
So happy to be finishing up my degree. It just opens so many doors. In so many ways it
is very stupid. The classes I have to take to finish up are not going to make me
a better employee, and they have very little to do with what I want to do.
Do you really need humanities classes when you are almost 40, very well read, and
have worked and volunteered for years. Not really. So much life experience at this
point in life. Enough life experience to just suck it up and get a good grade.

9. Get to scrap tonight. Our Ladies Guild at church is hosting a crop night.
Yes I am psyching myself up for this. It's Friday night- I would much rather
be at home in my jammies, cuddled on the couch with one of my snuggly offspring.
And then later cuddled up on my pillow reading another VERY GOOD BOOK.
I really do not like crop parties. I am not good at them. I cannot talk and eat and
scrapbook. It is a bit surprising to me, since I am usually very good at multi-tasking.
But it really takes up most of my cerebral muscle just being social. It's not really in my
nature. I am a bit of an introvert! I just have learned to hid it very well.
So I am printing out a few pictures tonight and am going to take my January and
February Jenni Bowlin kits and scrap like a mad woman! Because I need to dig into
those kits before the March one arrives. Haven't scrapped much lately and well, I like
to hoard my Jennie Bowlin kits. They are just too pretty to use.

10. Gotta have 10! Grateful that my parents made it to Florida safetly. They drove.
And got there before the storms began in the South. God is Great!

Roses are read, books are too

Just finished reading this book.

It comes out in April.

Absolutely loved it.

I love it when we get

galley reads in the bookstore

that are actually good.

Most are not worth the time.

But lately we have been getting

some great shipments!

It's a snowy, rainy, sleety, icy Thursday.

School has been cancelled.

So that means...

March in like a lion,

Out like a Lamb.

One can only hope.

I am so glad February is over.

I thought that January was bad,

but February was even worse.

It was so cold for most of the month.

I just need warm weather and sunshine.

I just need to be able to get the kids out more.

And our luck this month has not be great.

Car repair, Garage Door opener broke,

washing machine is on the fritz

(sounds like a jet is taking off in the laundry room)

Lots of expenses. Glad that I had the cash to pay for it all,

however that was supposed to go directly onto our debt.

Oh, well. At least I tried.

Ok, since I started this post my kids have officially

driven me nuts.

Love having the kids home.

But my 8 year old, does not stop talking.

Constant talking.

And he's 8, so

constant talking about a bunch of nothing.

Lots of singing. Opera style of course.

Only opera singers should sing opera.

Hope you all are enjoying your first day of March.

Something more uplifting

For some reason doing SPT in Black and White

has left me in a bit of a mood.

But I am glad I got those feelings out.

Sometimes you don't even know

that those thoughts are

lurking inside.

It amazes me how a few tulip bulbs

can make this time of year bearable.

We bought these when we went grocery

shopping on Saturday.

(Gearing up fora big snowstorm and all)

My daughter saw these and fell in love.

And well she has been sick.

And they were pink.

And they were only $3.00

And well....

they have simply made us all so happy.

And since I have nothing else to take

pictures of (other than my kids and the snow)

well...

I took these.

Tonight we are supposed to get snow and ICE again.

Can't believe that today is already Wednsday.

Wish that there was a new Grey's tomorrow.

But I guess after that 3 week succession,

a little break is due.

My kids hate it that I watch Greys on Thursday

nights. Dad puts them to bed. Not that they have

a problem with Dad putting them to bed, it's that

they have a lack of choice that evening.

I watch very little tv, maybe two hours a week.

Seriously. (we don't have cable) that helps.

So they will be thrilled that Grey's is a rerun.

Tonight is First communnion class.

So not looking forward to this.

Don't know why.

Probobly because my kids have all

been sick the past two weeks and I am

in need of a really good sleep.

And well, this adds one more thing to the things we need to

get done today.

19 days until we are in Florida. Can't wait. Can't wait. Can't wait.

SPT-Layers

The earth has been completely blanketed in white.

I had a beautiful drive to work, lake effect snow

falling, trees flocked white.

It was pure beauty.

But it also came with a price.

Some of the weaker

branches

crumbled

under the weight.

The street

filled with a beautiful

white blanket

was also filled with

the skeletal remains

of tree branches that

just couldn't

KEEP UP.

Branches that were

already broken,

branches that were

weaker than the others,

branches that fell

because of other falling

branches.

VULNERABLE

Unable to hold

up the burden.

If I could only

strip

away

these layers.

Layers of

obligations,

emotions,

doubt,

stress,

anxiety,

weight,

anger,

fear,

pain....

Would the core of me,

bare

without the layers

covering up,

burdening,

weighing down,

be able to hold me up.

Would

my core

hold up

as those layers

fall softly

upon it's strength?

SPT- Black and White

Exhausted.

No time to write.

Absolutely want

to crawl

onto the couch

with a blanket and pillow

and hide.

HIDE

Hide from all the problems in my world.

Hide from all the people who need me.

Hide from all my responsibilities.

Hide from all my demons.

Hide from all my joy.

Hide from all my fears.

Hide from all my dreams (they overwhelm me).

I am on overload.

I am short circuiting

I need some time to myself.

I need some time to create.

I need some time to rest.

I am exhausted.

Grateful Friday

1. Yes this is how my kids eat their pizza.

Half with cheese, half just sauce.

Crazy... but it works.

Grateful that I can make this homemade.

You do not get a discount at the local pizza

place if you order without cheese.

2. Rented Marie Antoinette. Hope it's good.

Well, actually I don't care if it is good just

as long as it is entertaining. Can't wait to

see the costumes. Love historical movies, novels, etc.

3. Ok so I heard that it is supposed to warm up

next week. Oh I just keep my fingers crossed.

4. Glad our car is fixable. Not cheep but fixable.

If it can just last a while longer.

5. Grateful for my new printer. Finally.

My old one was 10 years old. Still worked.

But how was I supposed to know that printers

have come so far! Should have replaced it years ago.

6. I have gone through 5 boxes of tissues in the past 2 1/2 weeks.

I think I am finally starting to feel better.

7. Finally made a hair appointment. Next week baby.

Cut and color!

8. All the house if vaccumed. PRICELESS!

9. Finished a good book. Not great but good.

10. Grateful that I have at least 4 more books just

waiting for me!

11. Grateful that this week did not go by as fast as last week.

I just felt as though I lost time. But also grateful that this

week didn't drag either.

12. Enjoyed Grey's last night. Much more than last week. More storyline.

But I really hate that I have to wait a week to find out what happend.

Enjoyed seeing Dylan and Denny.

all i want to do is eat cake

Valentine Love and a Sweet Goodbye!

Valentines came and went in a wonderfully decadent way!

We had a wonderful supper and an incredible desert with

ganache frosting.

Just wonderful spending it with family. My middle child- is in love

with my grandmother. It is so amazing watching a 4 year old and a

91 year old interact. They are like best friends.

We said good-bye to our beloved Buzz Buzz. Lots of tears.

He was a good pet. Even though I know hamsters do not

live long- I somehow always feel responsible. As is there is

something I didn't do right in his care. So now we have a

hamster- frozen by now- in our garage waiting for spring

to be buried next to the previous 2 buzz buzz's.

Mid Winter Blue

I cannot tell you

how many times

in the past week

I have

seen this face.

This face

set just like this.

This face

showing it's dislike to me.

This face-

that was captured

looking pretty

cute in mid-motion-

piggy tails and all.

Oh it has been a rough week

with this little one.

This spirited one.

This big person

in a little body.

I feel like I'm losing grip.

I feel like I did when the New Year

came around.

I feel a weight pulling me down.

I just don't know how to

stop it.

I know it's coming.

Is it the weather?

Is it ______________?

Is it just the season?

Is it my fear of failure

creaping back to me?

Is it my constant questioning of

the decisions I've made?

Is it my lack of meaningful work?

Is it the fact that my kids seem

to be growing up too fast?

Growing up and away from me?

This week went by

way to fast.

I was way to sick

and at times worked to hard

and at times did not work hard

enough.

I had plans

for this weekend.

None of them

happened.

I had wonderful valentine fun

I wanted to do with the kids.

Free from any time constraints.

But I ended up working.

Mindless, low paying, boring work.

I had to fill in for someone who

was seriously injured.

Glad I could do it for her.

She would do it for me.

But I had plans....

And to top it off, we

had a birthday party coming in.

I had to plan a party for 15 Kindergarteners.

Not hard. But a bit draining.

And I was already drained.

Hoping for a better week.

Process?!^#*****

Usually on Fridays I am all get up and go about

all the wonderful things in my life.

Just not feeling it this week.

So this is a most ungrateful Friday- Sorry.

But I think I need to just get it all out and move on.

1. I know that crafts and art should be about the process.

The undenyable bliss that comes from creating.

This week the process sucks.

I committed to making some jewlery pieces for an auction.

Haven't worked on jewlery in a while.

But it is a bit like riding a bike

(haven't done that i a while either).

I have slight arthritis beginning in my thumbs.

Not bad,

mostly just achy at times.

However, I was just that

while trying to make a few necklaces,

all thumbs.

They got in the way,

they hurt,

they hurt a lot.

And on top of it, the ache radiated to my other fingers.

I finished the necklaces.

But I did not enjoy the process.

I knew this would happen one day.

It runs in the family.

But I guess that just doesn't make it any easier

when the time comes.

2. I made a submission to CK Hall of Fame.

I really do not think I have much of a chance.

My origional layouts maybe,

but I have to tell you that scanned copies are just not the same.

And since my printer decided to literally freeze up on me,

I was completely at the mercy

of another unfamiliar printer.

To top it all off,

our Kinkos here in town, d

oes not havea scanner that is wider than 11".

And neither does our scrapbooks stores.

But one of them did happen to have the Epson software

that "sews together 2 scans."

It does a wonderful job.

But a bit time consuming.

And then their printer-YUCK.

So I sent in my entry with less than perfect scans.

I am very proud that I did the work.

I think that I challenged myself artistically.

OH WELL.

3. The weather here sucks. SUCKS.

I know I feel this way about this time every year.

But we are going through a warm spell,

High of 12 degrees with a windchill of 0.

Yes people that is the high.

This is our warm up.

I know it is so much better

than the previous days when the high

did not even top 0 degress with windchills in the -30's.

But 10 degrees is still flippin' cold.

I need to move. Someplace warmer.

Someplace that does not have excruciatingly hot summer

(hate that too).

And some place that has a reasonable amount of bugs.

Hate bugs.

4. I have the GLEEP.

Last week I posted that we had NO Nasty Viruses in the house so far this year.

Well, I got one.

A big one.

A sinus bug.

And now I think its a full fledge sinus infection.

And it is just too cold to go out to the doctor.

I have been a bit of a hermit this week.

But I think some antibiotics are in order.

I have gone through 3 boxes of Kleenex tissue

and my nose is sore and chapped.

5. My daugter is on a Cinderella kick.

So I have watched it everyday for many many days.

I am a little Bibity Bobity Booed out!

6. Ok I really don't have six.

I am racking my brain for a number six.

There must be more adding to this really yucky attitude of mine.

Hey maybe it is not so bad after all.

Maybe I am an just sick and cold.

Maybe there is a grateful list hanging out on the horizon.

Maybe I should just take a nap.

Maybe I will be back later with a better attitude and a better blog entry.

Maybe getting this all down - has helped.

SPT- Black and white

I carry a little darkness within me.
A sounding board for all that light.
A place of solitude and shelter.
A darkness that holds all my pain, and pain and pain.
A darkness that holds my peace and faith.
A solid place
holding me together.

Grateful and Frigid Friday... Brrrrr

Since my last post was a little whiney, it is time to add a post.

I love grateful Friday!

Love Friday, Love paying tribute to all the good things happening.

Love reflecting on things

I may notnormally take notice of.

1. My furnace. The warmth of my home. (The artic blast has hit us-HARD!!)

2. Good food for dinner. And it's all pre-cooked.

3. A semi-clean house.

4. Clean flannel sheets to sleep in tonight.

5. Despite the cold- the sun was out all day. Very grateful to have sunshine.

6. Time to scrapbook, time to read, time to watch Grey's last night.

7. Warm coffee (with hazelnut creamer of course) and cold soda.

8. My kids have been healthy so far this winter. No nasty viruses in our house.

(Knocking really hard on wood right now!)

9. Chocolate. Must have chocolate and husband came through for me!

10. Playstation. I am really diggin Lego Star Wars II. (Got to help out the little ones you know)

11. Just finishing a really really good book! And a galley read at that. Love it when I find a galley read that is good. Ghostwalk, by Rebecca Scott

12. Did I mention my house is semi-clean.

13. Laundry is complety under control- at least today.

14. Nice blog comments and emails.

15. A 20% off coupon to Jen Wilson Designs!! Yep, I used it already. On this, this, this, this and this.

16. Cuddly kids.

17. Homemade soup!

indifference

I have been reading a lot of posts about friends
out here in blogland recently.

I had a best friend, not so long ago.
We were like sisters, we shared just
about anything and were able to tell
each other everything. She knew the best of me
and she knew the worst. She was my maid
of honor at my wedding. She listened to me whine
(and I mean whine through 2 1/2 pregnancies).
She babysat my kids. I babysat hers.

So what changed?
Our lives took different paths.
During my 3rd pregnancy, I quit work to be with my kids.
She took an intense higher paying job
to pay for all her bills as a single parent.

We didn't lose touch in the regular sense.
Maybe there was too much space between us.
I can give myself credit for trying to be there for her.
Her new job was tough on her in the beginning,
her teenager was tough on her,
and her romance- well lets just say it added to all the stress.
I called once in a while
(she made it pretty clear she did not have time for long chats)
and I sent encouraging cards, birthday cards, christmas cards, etc.
always letting her know that I would be here and that she has all my support.

I stopped sending cards after about 6 months
of not hearing a peep in return.
I stopped calling.
I did write one e-mail,
got one response,
sent a reply
and received
NOTHING.

So I stopped.
We never had a fight.
We never had a disagreement.
The last time we talked it was as if nothing had changed.
So I have no closure.
I still wish the best for her.
Heard she got engaged.
Very happy for her.


It's been over a year now since the email.
And I have come to terms with the situation.
Had too.
I've moved on.
I have learned not to expect anything.
But every now and then I have a dream at night that I am just screaming at her
Yelling, spitting, shaking.
Not even sure what I am saying.
While she empties her groceries into her refridgerator.
Not even noticing me.
I hate these dreams.
They are very infrequent, but they feel intense.
And I wake up with anger.

A mutual friend of ours (who is really only in touch with her through occupation now.) says
just call her and tell her how you feel.
Call her.
Say what.
Spurt out all the anger and hurtful feelings I have.
I think that I would just hurt her.
And I am just not about that.
I am not a passive person, I am not a doormat.
I am not afraid of confrontation.
But I also not about to take my anger and give it to someone else just to feel better.

So I accept that I will have a dream now and then.
I accept that her indifference to me hurts.
And always will.
I accept that I need to create my own closure,
spiritual closure.
I accept that despite it all, I do still love her.
I do still care.
And I will be here-
I told her I would be
and I meant it.
And I accept that because
I am the way I am,
that I do hope that there will be a time
when she returns to our friendship in some way.
Even if it is to say
HI.

Ode to Harry...

As I have mentioned before, I work at a children's bookstore.

So today when I opened and discovered that the release date has been

set for #7- I knew it would be an exciting day.

This of course came as a surprise

because at about 11:30 last night I visted

both JK Rowlings website and Mugglenet

just to see if there was anything

new on the Harry Potter front.

And nothing.

Nothing new except some very yucky Dan photos.

Seriously,

unless you are a 18 year old girl (of age of course)

do not bother to view!!!!

They will gross your middle age self right out!

Seriously.

(Oh and that brings me to thoughts about Grey's-

new episode tonight YAH!!)

Anyhow back to Harry...

This is what we do on such an occasion:

1. Get an e-mail to everyone on our mailing list with the Scholastic Press Release.

2. Include on that e-mail that we are now taking pre-orders.

3. Make window posters and counter flyers.

4. Tell everyone who comes in.

5. Get list together for pre-orders.

6. Receive a number of responses back regarding the LIST.

7. Actually take a paid order. Yes by 10:00 am today I sold my first Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

8. Tell everyone that they are working 7-20-07 and 7-21-07.

9. Start visioning the final Harry Potter party.

10. Smile.

As much as I enjoy Harry and JK Rowling,

I do wonder how he happened to be on my book shelf

next to Anna Karenina.

PS- does anyone know how I can get bloger to allow me to put a space between paragraphs.

It just won't let me do it in the conventional way.

My spaces and the stories they tell

Ahh my piano- this was my engagement ring.
My husband just took me to a little music store in a town about an hour away- asked me which one I liked. Of course I was a little crabby since I did not understand why he was showing me pianos when I did not have the money to buy one. So I picked this one and then he got down on his knees and the rest is history. Our History.

Grandfather clock from Germany. My parents brought sent this to my grandparents when my dad was stationed there in the service. Now that my grandparents are gone- it's found a place in my home.

A picture of my grandmother when she was 2 years old. This was her little table and chairs. She's now 91 years old and still drives.















This is the top of my china cabinet that my great Aunt gave me this summer. Apparently it has been in the family for a few generations. Sea Shells and pastel drawing.















Inside my china cabinet- tea cups and a cake stand- just waiting for a party.















A ceramic clock my grandmother made. Tons of gold paint. Could not afford to paint it like that today!

Inside another cabinet. Mother of pearl opera glasses. Once belonged to my great grandma. She received these when she was 16. My old books of Emerson and Washington Irving. Found at a little used bookstore.

Shelf in my living room. Old camera, typerwriter print and my grandfather's Mary and Jesus statue.

A painting I like.



















Vintage Buttons. My grandmother and great-grandmother never threw anything away. I have inherited tons and tons of vintage items.


Not sure what to call this- it was labeled "tray" when I found it in a little vintage shop. It just said "buy me" so I did and now it houses random bits of photos.

Signed print by a favorite local artist. Love the red/orange poppies.

This was my grandmothers first lamp- when she was married. It has lasted all these years. When I moved into my first apartment- she gave me this lamp along with a set of pink and white china dishes (to match my pink kitchen). This lamp has been sitting faithfully by my bedside ever since.



















A little bowl of sea shells collected in Florida a few years ago. Just makes me happy to look at them.
This is a window from the basement of the first house we owned. Painted our monagram on it and now it sits on our fireplace mantel.

This was my grandfathers old typerwriter. As a kid I used to sit in his office and pound away. Now it sits above my tv holding up some of my favorite books including my collection of Elizabeth Goudge books and an origional print copy of Love Story and To Kill a Mockingbird that used to belong to my grandmother.

An old window- above my bed. Working on finding other stuff to hang by it. Looking for an old headboard too.
My grandmother made this when she was a young girl. She entered it in a contest. I just love the colors.
















Northern Girl prints. Have lots of these since my grandfather worked for them.

meme

Two names you go by:
Sam
Dribbles

Two parts of your heritage:
German
Irish

Two things that scare you:
Snakes
George Bush's politics (I like his wife though-)

Two everyday essentials:
mascara
caffine

Two things you are wearing right now:
flannel jammies
long johns - very cold here right now

Two of your favourite current bands/artists:
Kate Havnevik
Gwen Stefani

Two things you want in a relationship (other than love):
friendship
laughter
sex?!*$

Two truths:
I was born in Germany-
I once modeled for a life drawing class during a semester in college

Two favorite hobbies:
photography
reading

Two things you have to do this week:
call for thrift shop pick up
piano lessons with my son

Two stores you shop at:
I hate to shop
Target
Garnet Hill


Two shows you like to watch:
Grey's anatomy
PBS stuff

Two things you'd buy if money were no object:
Right now I need a new washing machine- mine sounds like a jet taking off.
A matching dryer- all front load please, with pedastals

Two wishes for 2007:
world peace
clean political campaigns

Grateful Friday

Oh isn't Friday perfectly lovely- I've been waiting for it all week!
This is a picture of Buzz Buzz III (Buzz Lightyear). He's our 3rd Buzz Buzz. Found these pictures laying around my hard drive and decided to put them on a page. Not very inspiring, scrapping a hamster. But my son was happy to see this. He's very sentimental. Oh, the day we had to bury the first Buzz Buzz was so sad. My heart broke for him. He was 4 and he was so brave. Had to look at buzz one last time (darn hamster died in may hand you know). My dad buried him in the back yard next to Gilda (the wonderdog) under the lilies. I am sure Gilda welcomes the company. No 2 buried there as well.

He is getting used to owning small pets. Already talks about the next buzz buzz. He would really prefer a gecko next time. And as much as I like amphibians, I just really prefer warm blooded animals with fur. Maybe tomorrow I will show you a picture of George- our frog.

1. Thankful for the letter I received in the mail yesturday- a love letter....from my husband.
2. Chocolate and hazelnut creamer. They are my comfort food right now.
3. Some wonderfully nice e-mails I received this week.
4. Thankful that my mom bought my girl some new jeans this week. 5 pair. It was so nice as she was outgrowing her old ones and a few are very close to having holes in the knees. Five is a bit excessive- but they were majorly on sale and now I do not have to stress over having the laundry done just so my girl has pants to wear to preschool. Thanks mom!
5. Getting through all my meetings this week.
6. Grateful that tomorrow is Saturday! I can take a Tylenol PM tonight and sleep soundly until whatever time I decide to roll out of bed. No school, no work, hubby home. He's an early riser so he doesn't mind that I like to sleep in on the weekends. (Is 8:00 considered sleeping in?) At least I don't think he minds- he hasn't complained the past 9 years.
7. Grateful that I have enough money to pay all my bills this month. Had some big ones. God is Great!!!
8. So loved Grey's. So glad that they ran a new one. So glad that on the blog that they said they were not running re-runs for a while. So glad to look up the songs on I-tunes. I need some new ones. Anyone have suggestions for some new songs. What are you listening to right now?
9. Grateful that the weather has been warmer than normal. But a little sad that that is coming to an end this weekend. I suppose it is mid-January.
10. Glad my PMS is gone.
11. So happy to be reading a book I really enjoy. Not a masterpiece. First time writer. Learned lots of stuff that you should not do when writing a novel. However, I am enjoying her work. It's regional fiction whick makes it kinda fun to read.
12. McDonalds- so happy not to have to cook. And why do there fries have to taste so good when they are sooooooo bad for you?
13. Pink cashmere
14. Orange wool slippers
15. Flannel jammy bottoms