Day 29

I am thankful today for family traditions. Tonight we decorated our tree as Christmas music played in the background and the girls exclaimed "oh, look at this one" each time they touched a new ornament. Then we had cocoa and enjoyed the beauty of Christmas. Ok, not as Norman Rockwell as that but close.  There may have been a little bit of fussing and fighting about who was going to hang which ornament.  Maybe.

Day 28

I am thankful today for all the clothing in our closets. I just cleaned out Kayla's and even with what doesn't fit her anymore or what isn't pre-teen stylish, she still has plenty to choose from. My closet and Gracie's are the same way... we are not in NEED of anything and for that I'm thankful. New shirts are always fun and nice but wants are very different from needs.

Day 27

I am thankful for good friends like my friend Britta who will get up at crazy hours to fight crowds on Black Friday. Actually though, we didn't have bad crowds at all. We went to the "little" Target and hit the jackpot. It was almost too easy.  We did pay our dues at ToysRUs first though. 

Day 26

I am thankful today for Thanksgiving.   Every other country should adopt such a day to just spend time with family and be thankful for the blessings in life despite your other circumstances. If there is one things I've learned there is always something to be thankful for, even in the middle of a storm.

Day 25

I am thankful today for a wonderful day of sibling bonding with my big brother... Huey's for lunch, a bit of shopping and then a stop at Baskin Robbins. Yum!  I am not thankful that they did not have French Vanilla.  Never in my life has Baskin Robbins not had french vanilla. 

Day 24

I am thankful today for jumper cables because I was able to help a poor guy who broke down in the middle of the inspection line this morning.  Thankfully the station wasn't open yet so we didn't hold anyone up.   Poor guy was just not having a good day.   Hope he passed inspection!

Day 23

I'm thankful for my J&A gals who give me that link to the good ol days. I think I could have hung out talking and laughing for another couple of hours if they hadn't turned the darn restaurant lights out on us! :) So good to see each and every one of you!

Day 22

I am thankful today for my Wii Fit and all of the fun ways there are to move and stretch without even realizing I'm exercising.  I thought I hated Yoga but turns out I love it!   But what I really love is the boxing!   Can't wait to get the new WiiFit Plus software! 

Day 21

I am thankful today that my husband not only enjoys cooking but is wonderful at it.   He can move around a kitchen as well as Emeril and I move around a kitchen more like Elmer Fudd.  If it weren't for him my children would only know Hamburger Helper and Kraft Mac and Cheese.   Instead they know the good in mushrooms and tomatoes and real chicken that doesn't come from a can.

Day 20

I am thankful today for Max Notowitz, a Holocaust survivor who shared his story with me and Kayla yesterday. I am grateful that he was so willing to talk about such a horrifying time and share such an important piece of history with young people. I have it on video and if I can ever figure out how to split it into smaller clips I will share.  

Day 19

I am thankful today for music and the feeling I get deep down in my heart whether I'm singing or just listening to some amazing piece of work. I had the opportunity to do both tonight and its just what my soul needed.  I am blessed to be at a church with some phenomenal musicians.  

A Good Wife

From 1955 issue of Good Housekeeping! (or maybe just an internet joke but still great)

Have dinner ready. Plan ahead, even the night before, to have a delicious meal ready, on time for his return. This is a way of letting him know that you have been thinking about him and are concerned about his needs. Most men are hungry when they come home and the prospect of a good meal (especially his favorite dish) is part of the warm welcome needed.

Prepare yourself. Take 15 minutes to rest so you'll be refreshed when he arrives. Touch up your make-up, put a ribbon in your hair and be fresh looking. He has just been with a lot of work-weary people.

Be a little gay and a little more interesting for him. His boring day may need a lift and one of your duties is to provide it.

Clear away the clutter. Make one last trip through the main part of the house just before your husband arrives.

Gather up schoolbooks, toys, paper, etc. and then run a dust cloth over the tables.

Over the cooler months of the year you should prepare and light a fire for him to unwind by. Your husband will feel he has reached a haven of rest and order, and it will give you a lift too. After all, catering for his comfort will provide you with immense personal satisfaction.

Prepare the children. Take a few minutes to wash the children's hands and faces (if they are small), comb their hair and, if necessary, change their clothes. They are little treasures and he would like to see them playing the part. Minimize all the noise. At the time of his arrival, eliminate all noise of the washer, dryer or vacuum. Try to encourage the children to be quiet.

Be happy to see him.

Listen to him. You may have a dozen important things to tell him, but the moment of his arrival is not the time. Let him talk first – remember, his topics of conversation are more important than yours.

Make the evening his. Never complain if he comes home late or goes out to dinner, or other places of entertainment without you. Instead, try to understand his world of strain and pressure and his very real need to be at home and relax.

Your goal: Try to make sure your home is a place of peace, order and tranquillity where your husband can renew himself in body and spirit.

Don't greet him with complaints and problems.

Don't complain if he's late home for dinner or even if he stays out all night. Count this as minor compared to what he might have gone through that day.

Make him comfortable. Have him lean back in a comfortable chair or have him lie down in the bedroom. Have a cool or warm drink ready for him.

Arrange his pillow and offer to take off his shoes. Speak in a low, soothing and pleasant voice.

Don't ask him questions about his actions or question his judgment or integrity. Remember, he is the master of the house and as such will always exercise his will with fairness and truthfulness. You have no right to question him.

A good wife always knows her place.

Day 18

I am thankful today for the Memphis Tigers! For all they have been through they still played one heck of a game last night and I think Pastner is going to be a great coach! Go Tigers Go!!

The Price of Children

This was not written by me nor is it new. Its been circulating in the email world for years but it brings a smile to my face every single time I read it. Hope it does the same for you:


The government recently calculated the cost of raising a child from birth to 18 and came up with $160,140 for a middle income family. Talk about sticker shock! That doesn’t even touch college tuition.

But $160,140 isn’t so bad if you break it down. It translates into:

* $8,896.66 a year,
* $741.38 a month, or
* $171.08 a week.
* That’s a mere $24.24 a day!
* Just over a dollar an hour.

Still, you might think the best financial advice is don’t have children if you want to be “rich.” Actually, it is just the opposite. What do you get for your $160,140?
* Naming rights. First, middle, and last!
* Glimpses of God every day.
* Giggles under the covers every night.
* More love than your heart can hold.
* Butterfly kisses and Velcro hugs.
* Endless wonder over rocks, ants, clouds, and warm cookies.
* A hand to hold, usually covered with jelly or chocolate.
* A partner for blowing bubbles, flying kites.
* Someone to laugh yourself silly with, no matter what the boss said or how your stocks performed that day.

For $160,140, you never have to grow up. You get to:
* finger-paint,
* carve pumpkins,
* play hide-and-seek,
* catch lightning bugs, and
* never stop believing in Santa Claus.

You have an excuse to:
* keep reading the Adventures of Piglet and Pooh,
* watching Saturday morning cartoons,
* going to Disney movies, and
* wishing on stars.
* You get to frame rainbows, hearts, and flowers under refrigerator magnets and collect spray painted noodle wreaths for Christmas, hand prints set in clay or Mother’s Day, and cards with backward letters for Father’s Day.

For $160,140, there is no greater bang for your buck. You get to be a hero just for:
* retrieving a Frisbee off the garage roof,
* taking the training wheels off a bike,
* removing a splinter,
* filling a wading pool,
* coaxing a wad of gum out of bangs, and coaching a baseball team that never wins but always gets treated to ice cream regardless.

You get a front row seat to history to witness the:
* first step,
* first word,
* first bra,
* first date, and
* first time behind the wheel.

You get to be immortal. You get another branch added to your family tree, and if you’re lucky, a long list of limbs in your obituary called grandchildren and great grandchildren. You get an education in psychology, nursing, criminal justice, communications, and human sexuality that no college can match.

In the eyes of a child, you rank right up there under God. You have all the power to heal a boo-boo, scare away the monsters under the bed, patch a broken heart, police a slumber party, ground them forever, and love them without limits, So . . one day they will, like you, love without counting the cost. That is quite a deal for the price!!!!!!!

Love and enjoy your children and grandchildren!

Day 17

I am extremely thankful that a friend who so richly deserved it finally got some really really good news! My heart overflows with joy for you who shall remain nameless but you know who you are! :)  Its nice when things turn around unexpectedly for the better.   I'm happy that she's happy. 

Day 16

I am thankful for the kindness of others. Just a smile and a have a nice day can really turn someone's day around.  That's what happened to my day at least.   Pass it on to someone else today. :) Have a nice day!

Day 15

Day 15 - I am thankful for books that spark my imagination and can transport me into someone else's life and adventure for a little while. So many stories and So many possibilities!   I just finished Melissa Gilbert's autobiography and it was lots of fun.   I have a whole stack of new books to choose from now.  Might have to play eeny meenie miney mo. 

Day 14

I am thankful that its almost time to listen to Christmas music. Don bought me the new Casting Crowns Cmas CD yesterday and I'll admit I listened to it last night. I have a ridiculous amount of Cmas CD's ... what can I say? Its my favorite time of the year.   Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells......

Day 13

Today I am thankful for Friday evening plans with new friends who feel like old ones. BWW tonight for the Wings Throwdown (that's what hubby is calling it). I'm not a big wing fan but I'm all about social get togethers with fun people!

Day 12

I'm thankful for the beautiful fall leaves. The contrast of yellow against red against green is just gorgeous! I need to take my camera out and capture the colors before they are gone.

Day 11

I am thankful today for spaghetti. Yep, I said spaghetti. Its one of my favorite meals and its on the menu tonight. Its been a long day and I need a comforting meal and spaghetti has never failed me.

Sunny Days!

Wow, these kids have to be close to 50 by now... Happy Birthday Sesame Street!!

Day 10

I am thankful today for The Ellen DeGeneres Show and its host Ellen. Its true that laughter is the best medicine. She never fails to make me laugh out loud and her generous spirit is contagious. I cannot tell you how many times in the last couple of years that she has helped me through some tough times.

Day 9

I am thankful for Sesame Street and all it has meant to me and my children. I grew up with Big Bird, Snuffy, Cookie Monster, Kermit, and Grover. And of course Kayla and Gracie grew up with Elmo. The music is a part of who I am and sometimes I find myself watching the show even when the girls aren't home.

Day 8

I'm thankful for my sister.   She is one of the most compassionate and loving people I know. She's laugh out loud funny and writes wonderful poetry. I love to giggle with her and she even shares my love of cows. She is a wonderful aunt to my girls and I'm so glad they have her in their lives. I only wish she didn't live so far away.  

Day 7

I am thankful on Day 7 for my big brother.   Not only does he live in the one of the coolest places ever to visit (NYC) but he's always hip to the latest celebrity gossip, movie openings, and TV shows. He is a pop culture guru. I also love that he loves my girls and emails Kayla all the tim...e. I am especially thankful that he will be home for a whole week very very soon!

Day 6

I think Day 6 is an appropriate day to be thankful for our military. From the Marines to the Army to the Navy to the Coast Guard to the Air Force, I am thankful for all of the men and women who work and fight every day for our freedoms and our safety. My heart goes out today especially to the families at Ft. Hood. God Bless the USA.

Day 5

Its day 5 and today I am thankful for Facebook. Facebook has allowed me to reconnect with so many friends from so long ago and keep up with them on a more daily (or at least weekly basis) including but certainly not limited to my preschool boyfriend Kenny (we were going to get married in Hawaii and honeymoon at Disneyworld.), my 3rd grade BFF Heather, my brother's best high school friend Carl, my from afar high school crush Aaron, my lifelong from birth friend Hilary, and my long lost high school friend Leonard.   My life is richer for having them back in my daily life. 

 

 

Day 4

 I am thankful for my mama who is my best friend, my confidante, my personality twin. She is the most vivacious (don't insert age here if you want to live) year old I know and amazes me sometimes with ther technical know how. She is the gadget queen, game queen, shopping queen, and Queen Mum of our family. Not to mention the coolest hippest Nana on the block.

Day 3

I am thankful for my second child Gracie.  She is my carrot topped little ball of energy and snuggliness. Her imagination thrills me and her smile makes my heart melt.  She is a compassionate soul and has a lot of love to give.   She loves music and Sesame Street and the Upside Down Show which comes on too late for her to watch but sometimes we let bedtime slide just so we can hear her giggle at Shane and David's antics. 

Day 2

I am thankful for my firstborn, Kayla.  She is smart, spunky, beautiful, funny, sassy, compassionate, creative and kind. She is very much like my sister and the two of them are kindred spirits.  She is a wonderful artist and writer of short stories not to mention the world's biggest American Idol fan.  I can't wait to see what the next few years will bring.

Day 1

I am thankful for my dear husband Don. I don't remember life without him and he brightens my every day. Behind that tough guy facade he has a heart of gold and loves his family unconditionally. He is my knight in shining armour, my prince, my soulmate, my partner, and my missing puzzle piece.

30 Days of Thankfulness

I have signed up for 30 days of Thankfulness on Facebook.    I thought I'd post what I'm thankful for here as well so all the posts will be in one easy to find place. 

Here's how the founders explain it.

We are committed, to starting our day in thanksgiving everyday. When our feet hit the floor in the morning we say "thank you" Then we write what we are thankful for every single day on our FB walls for all our FB friends to see! And even if we are having a really bad day, we will find a way to give thanks for one thing everyday. Just Imagine the impact being thankful EVERYDAY could have on our community and even the World. Positive energy flowing from all of us to the world! How many will join our cause? No matter what your religious beliefs are ... you are welcome here, so please join us. I think we can cause an effect that will push away negative in our thoughts and in our surroundings. Beginning NOW can you find something be thankful for and write it on your FB wall and by doing so send positive energy for all to see? Can you be thankful 365 days a year? What profound effect will this have in our life? Let's find out together! So Invite all you FB friend to join in. We all need positive people in our lives!

Perspective

My oldest has been in CA since June 14th visiting her dad. It has been a long, hot summer around here but when I miss her the most I go back to this picture and remember the day we spent together sitting and looking at the vast ocean before us. Such a rare, quiet, special moment together with not much to say but so much to take in. Six more days till she comes home. Six more days.

PSA

Mother-Daughter Music

I came up with this great idea to make a cd for my mom for Mother’s Day.   I had a blast googling songs about mothers and daughters and motherhood in general.  Did you know the Spice Girls had a Mom song?  It didn’t make the cd cut.  Neither did Boyz 2 Men or Tupac.   But it was nice to know they all loved their mamas enough to write a song.   Here’s my final playlist.   Maybe I’ll elaborate about some of them in later posts.

In My Life from the Providence soundtrack (not the Beatles version… Providence was “our” show)
Thanks to You – Tyler Collins (never heard before my Google search but great song)
Kind and Generous by Natalie Merchant (because she is kind and generous)
The Perfect Fan – Backstreet Boys (what can I say, its a sweet song)
Butterfly Fly Away – Miley Cyrus  (speaks to me in not only a mom way but also as the daughter)
You’re Gonna Be - Reba McEntire  (all about the hopes and dreams a mama has for her baby)
Ride- Martina McBride (because we all should ride)
Somebody’s Hero – Jamie O’Neal (because my mom is my hero of course!)
Slipping Through My Fingers – ABBA (go find my previous post about this one.. sniff sniff)
Baby Don’t You Cry (The Pie Song) from the Waitress soundtrack (perfect lullaby)
Angels – Randy Travis  (another I’d never heard before my search)
Thank You Mom – Good Charlotte (always and forever)
In My Daughter’s Eyes – Martina McBride (duh)
Ready Set Don’t Go – Billy Cyrus & Miley Cyrus  (another tearjerker – we’re sappy people)
Don’t Forget to Remember Me – Carrie Underwood
Pray for You – Sara Evans (lots of country mama songs out there)
You Can’t Lose Me – Faith Hill
The Best Day – Taylor Swift  (makes me all happy, brings back memories, and makes me sad at the same time)

I printed out all the lyrics so she’d have them to look at as she listened to the CD.  Took me hours but I know it wasn’t time wasted.    She’ll cherish it for a long time to come.  Question is, how do I top that next year??

Ride

I’ve had a particularly frustrating couple of years between some health battles, a pending move that didn’t pan out, and some other major life changes.   There was a long while where I was in the dark and couldn’t see the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel.   Thankfully that light was not an oncoming train and things are looking up.  There are days now when the smile in my heart actually shows up on my face and I’m sure that’s a relief to everyone around me but no one is more relieved than me, myself and I.   I just saw Martina McBride perform this on TV and fell in love with it.   Its my new mantra.   I’m doing my best to Ride that crazy roller coaster called Life.  Hope you are too!

RIDE – Martina McBride

You wake up from your dreaming
and you don’t want to face the day
You can’t find a reason
to think your world will ever change
You can hide beneath the covers
Or you can run outside head up high and carry on
Life is a roller coaster ride
Time Turns the Wheel and Love Collides
Faith is believing you can close your eyes and touch the sky.
so Shine while you have the chance to shine
Laugh even when you want to cry
Hold on tight to what you feel inside and ride…
It brings you up slowly then shoots you like a rocket towards the ground
it twists you and it shakes you before it turns you upside down
You can’t see what’s around the corner
and You can’t look back, so just live it up and feel the rush
Life is a roller coaster ride
Time Turns the Wheel and Love Collides
Faith is believing you can close your eyes and touch the sky.
so Shine while you have the chance to shine
Laugh even when you want to cry
Hold on tight to what you feel inside and ride…
Ride, ride
So shine while you have the chance to shine
Laugh even when you want to cry
Hold on tight to what you feel inside and ride
Ride, ride!

Finally Home

25 Things I hate about Facebook

Crazy Little Thing Called Love

The first album I ever bought was Queen – The Game. I wore it out and knew all the lyrics by heart. This was by far my favorite song and I still love it to this day. However, lately I’ve been listening to Michael Buble’s version. Its still a ton of fun to sing, just in a different kind of way. No matter whose version is playing, it will always take me back to my Queen album spinning round and round on my Mickey Mouse record player. Happy Valentine’s Day! Hope you experience that crazy little thing called love today!

Crazy Little Thing Called Love – Queen

This thing called love I just cant handle it
This thing called love I must get round to it
I aint ready
Crazy little thing called love
This (this thing) called love
(called love)
It cries (like a baby)
In a cradle all night
It swings (woo woo)
It jives (woo woo)
It shakes all over like a jelly fish,
I kinda like it
Crazy little thing called love

There goes my baby
She knows how to rock n roll
She drives me crazy
She gives me hot and cold fever
Then she leaves me in a cool cool sweat

I gotta be cool relax, get hip
Get on my tracks
Take a back seat, hitch-hike
And take a long ride on my motor bike
Until Im ready
Crazy little thing called love

I gotta be cool relax, get hip
Get on my tracks
Take a back seat, hitch-hike
And take a long ride on my motor bike
Until Im ready (ready freddie)
Crazy little thing called love

This thing called love I just cant handle it
This thing called love I must get round to it
I aint ready
Crazy little thing called love