Taking it to the Streets

Changes in the gym scene have occurred.

I canceled my membership with the fancy gym.

I joined a small and simple gym across the street from my house.

I'm saving (big gulp) $140 per month.

Yup, that's some serious ka-ching.

But, now that I'm only paying a teenie tiny amount each month for the gym

($19.95)

I don't feel bad about walking outside.

So, yesterday I did just that.

In fact I walked 5 miles.

Yup, I did.

These photos I took while walking.

Taking it to the streets so to speak.

More like the lake next to the high school.

But it was a welcome change.

Teachable Moments

Third Grade has been interesting this year.  My son got a first year teacher and she was amazing.  But she has given some assignments that reach a bit over the top for the abilities of a third grader.  For a parent, this is frustrating.  I have done my best to use these situations to not only spend quality time with my guy Thomas but to use them as teachable moments.

The project for the month of April was a biography.

You had to read a biography, write a report/speech, prepare visual aides, and become your person while giving your speech/presentation to the class.

This can be overwhelming when you're 9.

But we have a rule here.

With every opportunity (challenge) given to you in school, 

you are to jump in with both feet and give 110%.

Thomas loves history.

Thomas loves Abraham Lincoln.

Fortunately he was first to choose Mr. Lincoln.

We worked all month on this project.

He read a great book and knew his facts.

We scoured the internet for photos of Mr. Lincoln

We ordered some museum documents of Lincoln's writings

as well as some posters from when he ran for presidency.

He practiced all weekend on his speech presentation

He wore a stove pipe hat and black beard and black suit jacket.

He had his presentation board detailed with photos and timelines

and general highlights.

I sent him off to school yesterday - probably just as nervous as he was.

But he rocked it!  

All that hard work (even when he wasn't happy about it) paid off.

He was so proud of how awesome his project was

 in comparison to some of his classmates' projects.

His comments while telling us how it went?

"You could tell that some of the kids didn't work very hard"

"If you aren't going to give 100%, others will notice"

"I loved becoming Abraham Lincoln"

"Thanks Mom, you're the best mom for making me work so hard and helping me"

So, as much as I tried to teach my son something about the importance of hard work,

and I am certain he learned something, he taught me something too.

Teachable moments are everywhere, everyday.

Moments where we can both be the teacher and the student.

Merry Monday!

Merry Monday - what an odd sounding phrase.

But I am attempting to find joy in every day.

My pastor has been preaching on beatitudes.

HIs words have really been speaking to me.

Life here is crazy right now.  Super crazy.

But I see the light at the end of the tunnel.  

But for today, make it a Merry Monday and give thanks.

Thanks for another Monday.

A job to go to, children to tend to, bills to worry about, 

a roof over our heads,  all things to be thankful for.

Merry Monday Everyone.

If I had a hammer...

We're still in construction zone around here.

It's getting better, but there is still a great deal of work to be done.

Since my camera is being non-cooperative, I used my daughter's camera to take photos of the progress.

She has yet to show me how to download from her camera, so my photos remained trapped.

So, what's been going on?

Well, I made some last minute changes.

After the death of our friend Sandy, I came to the realization that I had a lot of wants that could be satisfied in a simpler and much less expensive fashion.

So, rather than solid surface counters, we bought butcher block ones from IKEA for 1/5 of the price.

I purchased a farmhouse sink from IKEA for waaaaaay less than anyplace else has them for.

I purchased appliances in white and not in stainless steel.  (I know, the horror of it)

I have sworn I would only get Stainless Steel for years.  I was kind of snobbish about it actually.

But, I saved some major cash and really, does it really matter?  How blessed am I to have appliances!

The floors are almost finished, there are still 3 walls left to paint, the trim has to be purchased (and painted and installed), cabinets are due here on the 29th and the appliances are coming on the first.

My daughter's birthday party is the 15th - can I have it all done!?  The pressure is on.

(pictures soon, I promise)

Parenthood (2)...

Boy things have been changing around here.

It all started when my daughter got her belly-button pierced.

Well, that and when I had my meltdown.

Do you ever do that?  Meltdown?

Not pretty.  I'm not proud.

They call me the chore nazi.  You've heard of the soup nazi?  I'm the chore nazi.

Frankly, I'm tired of that label.  I don't like being that way, but I want some help dang it.

I had an idea, not my own - more like Fly-Lady's, but I took it.

I can do anything for 30 minutes.

If I can, so can my kiddos.

So, everyday after school for the first 30 minutes, everyone must clean or organize.  No excuses.

No tv, no phone, no texting, no video games, no computer, nothing, nada, zip, zilch...

This is when it happened.  Thomas decided to clean his bookcase.  He asked for my help.

"Mom, I can't fit all my books - it's a mess.  Some of my books are baby books."

BABY BOOKS.  My heart shattered.

Thomas is a sentimental little guy and won't part with anything.

I convinced him that we could put his books in the attic and it would clear off his shelves and he was all a go.

8 boxes later...

No more "baby books".

I had myself one heck of a good cry.

Until the next day when he decided to start on the closet.

He came down the hall to where I was dusting, carrying in his hand his Thomas the Tank Engine Take-A-Long carrier.

Now, my Thomas played with trains (and little else) since he was 1 and just stopped when he was 8.  He still breaks them out once in a great while.  His entire world was Thomas the Tank Engine.  Not kidding.  We even ordered some pieces from England because you could get them here.  I tell you this to get you to understand what happened next.

"Mom, could we put this in the attic too?" he said as he held up the carrier.

"Sure, I'll put it with the other boxes" I replied.

So, what was my next move?

I took that big silly piece of plastic, went into the bathroom, clutched it, and had a really good cry.

As if that weren't bad enough, my daughter (after the 30 minutes) ran upstairs to announce that her friend Jamie (who I had never met) was coming over to pick her up so that they could go out.

In a car.

Without parents.

Stick a fork in me.  I'm done.

Hubby's response?

Let's have another baby.

(please excuse the absence of photos as my camera is not cooperating at all lately - let's just say that perhaps without photos adds to the drama of the post) LOL

Parenthood...

So, the past 5 days or more I have had parenthood on the mind.

I also seem to be bombarded with examples of parenthood every place I turn.

I didn't choose parenthood, it found me.  I'm not complaining.  God knew what he was doing and I love being a mom.

I don't have a relationship with my parents.  I don't talk about it.  I've come to a healthy place in that situation and it's all okay now.  

Here are some examples of where I've cried lately about parenting...

This is O'Neill and his daughter Sunshine and they are on the current biggest loser together.  I am blown away by how much he loves her.  He won a car and without so much as taking a breath, announced that the car would be Sunshine's.  Yes.  I cried.

Then I watched Parenthood (the old movie) and I cried and cried (again).  

Of course, I laughed too.

But, parenthood is like that, dontcha think?

Laughing, crying, frustrations, unexplainable joys...

A roller-coaster ride.

In my parenting journey, I have recently experienced a great deal of changes recently.

I'll be sharing them soon.

Oh-No!

Yesterday I realized that it's the end of the school year.

Or should I say that it's rapidly approaching.

May is never easy when you're me.

My daughter's birthday, wrapping up PTA projects, and the dreaded end of the year class picnic.

My daughter's party is going to be an old-fashioned back yard gathering.

Volleyball, Bagg-o, Crochet, Bocce Ball

Simple food...fried chicken, salads, italian beef sandwiches and of course cake.

Oh, and my girlfriend is going to MAKE Sangria.

The 3rd grade picnic this year?  I'm doing a Luau.

Today is the first planning session - this is where I assign everything and pray that the other people do what they are supposed to do.  We're off to a bad start - I let one mom pick the day and time and she chose today at 9:00 a.m.  Yesterday she sent me a note to let me know she FORGOT.

I have very little patience for that kind of thing.

I'm trying to keep positive.

So NOW we're meeting today at 10:00 a.m.

Is springtime hectic for you too or am I the only one?

The Road of Life...

The Road of Life...

I expect to 

pass through this 

world but once.

And any good therefore

that I can do

or any kindness

that I can show

any fellow creature, 

let me do it now...

for I shall not pass this way again.

Thinking...

Tonight I'm sitting here in my chair and I'm full of thought.

I've decided to call this my "thinking chair" for now.

I'm full of thought tonight.

So many racing thoughts.

So many things put into perspective for me lately.

The past 24 hours have been filled with tears, memories, pictures, old friends & faces of days gone by.

It makes you think.

The past 25 years we've all been so busy with ...

Kids

Life

Work

House Repairs

We all didn't make time for each other.  Not enough time.

Does it really matter if you have granite counter tops?  A fancy car?  A huge home?

Fancy custom cabinets and furniture?

I went to a young woman's wake and funeral - a woman I still cannot believe is gone.

She was a leader in boy scouts, a dear friend to many, an active member at her church, an amazing wife, mother, cousin, daughter, daughter-in-law, sister, niece...

She was full of life and love and laughter.

No one cared about her house, it's value or the belongings inside it.

No one cared what kind of car she drove, the size of her diamonds, the purse she carried.

No one cared where she got her hair done or if her nails were freshly manicured.

She touched lives.

She made a difference.

Over 1,000 attended her wake.

The church was filled like Christmas day for her service.

I am re-thinking everything.

I want to have better friendships and I want to be a better friend.

I want to have a better marriage and be a better wife.

I want to be an active member in my children's schools

I want to make a difference.

I want to be the change I wish to see in the world.

My mind is racing!!!

Do you live the life you admire?

Sad Monday...

Today we lay to rest our friend Sandy. 

A 43 year old woman, wife and mother, daughter and friend.

She will be missed.

Her life should be celebrated.

Her husband and son need continued prayer.

May your Monday be filled with moments that make you stop and think of

how blessed your life is.

A Sneak Peak at the Final Choices

Oh Boy have I been stressed out over this great room situation.  

You have NO idea how I've agonized over the choices.  

I have LOTS of photos, 

but before I show you the destruction, 

I hope to be able to finished photos.

In the meantime...

How about a sneak peak at the choices??

White cabinets

Savannah Corian Countertops

White Subway Tile Backsplash

Paris Rain (BM) Paint color

Old Vintage Hazelnut Stained Hardwood Floors

Light Fixture for over the table

I am still looking for the perfect faucet and window treatments as well as a light fixture for over the sink.

But, choices have been made.  

Much relief is felt.

He Can See Clearly Now...

This is my little Man T.

He came to me about a month ago complaining of headaches and an inability to see the board at school.

Guess what?

He needed glasses.

Here he is, sporting his new "spectacles" as he calls them.

He has been smiling ear to ear since he put them on.

It broke my heart to see how excited he was to see things clearly.

I can only imagine how long he has looked at the world with a cloudy view.

Then again, I think many of us have a cloudy view of the world, don't we?

Movies & Books...

Saw some movies lately.  


Some in the theater and some on DVD.


Here's what I've seen...

The Diary of A Wimpy Kid


it was funny and cute.  laugh out loud funny.  Of course, my son T loves these books and I have had the privilege of reading them as well and I think both the movie and the books are great.

Alice in Wonderland (in IMAX 3D)


Okay, so I'm in the minority when I say I am not a Johnny Depp obsessed fan.  He's okay, but I'm not what you would call a fan.  But, this movie was awesome!  Very dark and crazy - very Lewis Carroll - and I enjoyed it very much.  The gal who played Alice was beyond perfect for the part.  No, I did not take my 9 year old.  I had fair warning that it was a bit dark and so I thought I'd preview it and I'm glad I did.  Nope, he won't be seeing it.

How to Train Your Dragon (in 3D)




How could you not like this movie!?  It was soooo cute.  Both my almost 16 year old and my 9 year olds LOVED it.  A definite family movie.

The Blind Slide


Okay, I was afraid to see this movie.  I cry at the commercials for this movie.  This movie was awesome and amazing.  A new favorite for me.  Sandra Bullock was wonderful wonderful.  LOVED LOVED this film and everyone in it.  I laughed, I cried, it became a part of me.  (okay, that's a line I use - sorry).  But, if you haven't seen it, do!!

The Time Traveler's Wife


Based on one of my very favorite books of all time.  I really didn't know how they'd pull this off on the screen, but they did a great job.  Of course, the book was much much better, but the movie was great.  I even loved their house in it.  Having it set in my city of Chicago was just icing on the cake.

Up in the Air


Okay, I heard bad things about this movie, but I enjoyed it.  George Clooney is YUMMY.  A couple of twists I didn't expect, and the ending wasn't my favorite, but I think it fit the movie.  

I'm reading House Rules by Jodi Picoult.  Goodness it's a great book.  But, I pretty much love everything about her writing so I'm not surprised.




P.S. My daughter and I are both on a mission to get a photo of the creeper family's plastic flower display...
        but we have to be sneaky....very sneaky!

Adding A Little Humor...

Okay, my last post (well, not about Easter - the one before that) was such a total downer and I've been in a bad place since that happened - I need to add a little humor.  Lighten things up a bit.

So, it was a gift when I saw my neighbor pull out her cardboard box from her shed.

Before she even opened it up, I had a chuckle.

Now, I have to add that my neighbor is a creeper.  The parents AND the child watch our every move.

So, I have no opportunity to take an actual photo of this annual event in motion.

OR the after lovely of her labors.

So, what was in the box you ask?

Well, her plastic flowers of course.  LOL.

Nope, I'm not kidding.

Every spring my neighbor puts plastic flowers in her yard.  EVERYWHERE.

She also adds wooden tulips.  LOTS of wooden tulips.

I swear!  Plastic flowers in baskets, she puts them in the ground, they are all over the yard.

They are they all summer.  Never ever a real flower to be found on her property.

So, in honor of my neighbor the creeper, enjoy a little laughter on this Monday morning.

Happy Easter!

Romans 6:8-11
Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. (NIV)

John 11:25-26
Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.(NIV)

A Sad Day...

Today we received a phone call that was devastating.

Today we learned that a dear friend lost her life.

She and her husband have been together since they were 14.

They have an 11 year old son.

My husband has known both of them most of his life.

They all grew up together.

She and her son were skiing in Canada and she lost control.

She crashed into a fence and they were never able to revive her.

Her son witnessed the entire accident.

My heart is broken for so many reasons.

Please pray for this man and their little boy.

Their names are Tim and Trevor.

Life is short.

Count your blessings.