Havin' fun

Just playing around with my blog. Saw that it had been the beginning of summer since my last blog...ahhhh-best intentions. Thought it was pretty appropriate to put up a picture of just Mike and I since that is the new family mix in our home right now. All three boys are off to college so Just Mike and I at home. I am enjoying having Mike all to myself, but of course miss the activity of the guys around! Makes for one quiet house. Hmmm, maybe I will pick this up again. I kind of like talking to myself this way for a change. Blessings, ME

Mia's Day

Oh my poor sister...Mia's first day of swimming lessons started with a very cute picture of her in her Dora swimming suit. Well I guess it didn't go as smoothly as Sara had wished. Mia clung to her instructor the whole time :( My poor baby girl apparently wasn't even talking to Sara by the end of the lesson.
All was not lost however-for the next picture shows Mia on her new bike. Who would have known that this smiley little girl had cried for a good 30 min. earlier that day!!! Blessings...

New Class

Gotta love May Flaum! I am taking a scrapbooking class from her this summer titled "Camp Scrap". Decided to try and take her challenges and apply them to card making also. Here I tried to take some of new favorite paper and minimize my scraps. I especially want you to note the cool frog that the card is resting in. Went on a search for one while Sara, Mia, and I were in Snohomish. Found this little gem and I absolutely LOVE it :)

Summertime...and the livin' is easy...

Want to know a great "pick-me-up"? Google images named "Summertime"...it will put you in the mood :) Yesterday was my last day as an instructional coach for my school district. But I can't really live in that mood since my summer days are only one more "have to get up in the morning" morning!!! In just a few short days you shall find me in our backyard garden (by the way, got a little surprise to post come father's day), reading a book and enjoying my flowers! mmmm....blessings on your day!

Just Because

I was reading my blogger dashboard and one on my blogs asked what we like...just because. I am sitting down here on the couch next to Mike, holding his hand off and on while I read. I thought, that's it!

Mike, I love holding your hand...just because...

Preciously-Held Memories

Last night was the last Varsity Boys Soccer Game that will have one of my sons playing in it. Wow-what a fun night it was. I am finding myself just being quiet this morning...saying goodbye to quite a bit lately. Josh's senior year, a friendship or two, and a much-loved position that I have held for the past 7 years. I must admit that loss is not my favorite emotion. But just trying to live in the good memories of all of it while I allow myself to grieve too...sometimes growing up, even at 49, just plain sucks! Blessings on your day

Sunday of My Week

Whoot! Whoot! Whatever shall I do today without my camera by my side???? What a rewarding project this was. Late for work, so I'll post words later :)

Saturday of My Week

7:00 or 8:00 I forgot to see what time I actually got out of bed this morning vs. the time I woke up and THOUGHT about getting out of bed. Isn't this what Saturdays are all about anyways?
8:00 Coffee, coffee, coffee and checking my blogger dashboard. I hear Mike downstairs rustling about and wonder what he is up to. Perhaps he is getting the Christmas Houses boxes out of storage so that I can finally get the rest of Christmas down for the year (pitiful, I know) I figure I am already ahead of the game by having my houses up for next year!!!
9:00 Lots more sewing to do so I head downstairs...I HAVE THE BEST HUSBAND EVER!!! Not only are the boxes out, but he has gone ahead and put them all away :) I don't know if you have ever had to put a Snow Village house back in its box, but it is quite the adventure figuring that puzzle out!! This is a true gift of love, and I cry while I tell him that. Oh-how I love him.
10:00 I finally finish helping Mike out, and head outside to tie up some of the spent tulips. The neighbor girl comes over to talk while I do this, so I give her a tour of the backyard garden. Its fun to see how much she really knows about her flowers. She is only in 5th grade, but has helped her grandma in the garden quite a bit.
11:00 Time to sit down and sew...
1:00 I take a break for some lunch and decide to get 6 more tags finished and take them down to Etcetera. I am thinking of May's thoughts to craft at least 15 min. a day, and this time feels really good.
3:00 Picked up a bird and a candlestick from Etc., then stopped by Lowes for 2 houseplants. One upstairs in the guest bathroom-a cool looking fern that will love the humidity from the shower. The other one is a multi-colored leaf to go in the bird pot downstairs. I will take a picture of it-my attempt at Shabby Chic. A look I love so well-but have a hard time putting it together. Where is the House of 3 when I need them???
4:00 Time for a little nap on the couch while Mike watches golf.
4:30-Finishing up the sewing. Mike leaves for soccer finals in Seattle.
5:00-Take work over to Melissa, then off to Fred Meyer to figure out what to plant on the deck outside our bedroom. Oh My-Fred Meyer has the BEST flowers this year. I complimented the manager and he said that they changed providers. Very good move on their part!! I will be buying all out pot flowers there come Mother's day!
7:00 I am pooped! What a busy day. I crawl into my jammies, then into bed with my computer and just surf around until I am tired. Josh has friends over and they are laughing rather loud...can't really complain about that now can you? I know I won't sleep until they leave, but I am resting, so my world is good. I am grateful...

Wednesday of My Week

5:45 Up for a cup of coffee and a look at my blogs :) Probably up there with one of my favorite times of the day :)
7:30 Same as every morning,but this time I thought I would wear my pink shoes, along with a navy blouse and hot pink sweater...kind of fun today
7:50 Kindergarten duty in the gym. Today I approached Rachel with a smile, complimented her new jacket, and gave her a choice of what to do. She graciously (hmmmm) choose to listen to reading, and was complient until the last 5 min. where she turned into a horse and whinied all around. I wonder what causes this behaivoral problem?
2:15 This was when my world kind of turned upside down. (therefore the bread-the explanation is later in my post) Found out that Cathy had been moved to a different position, and Dacia is now an instructional coach. Lots of feelings at this point, mostly anger, manipulated, and so many secrets that nobody seems to have known about...this has left me exhausted, sad, and worried.
5:00 Becky shows up at my house with a loaf of bread from Great Harvest. Needless to say we got through a good three fourths of it! I am choosing to add this to my week because I am realizing that this situation too is bringing a form of gratitude. This is good for me to see the sad in my life can also bring about a form of gratitude.
6:00-9:00 I just crawled into bed with my jammies and watched t.v. -let's try again tomorrow.

The Tuesday in My Week

Nothing like a pair of bright orange patent leather sandals to just brighten your day!!!
5:45 Up and sitting on the couch with a cup of coffee-reading Oprah
6:30 Pulled myself off the couch and started my day
7:50 Had Kindergarten duty in the gym...nothing like hugs from little girls to start a day off right! And why must all boys run in and slide on their knees to the appropriate circle? What is in these boys? God?
9:00 After checking emails and posts, my day of coaching begins in Mrs. McPhee's first grade room.
10:30 Jennifer meets Mr. Lopez and I here at Lewis and Clark and together we observe Mr. Sanchez. I am very proud of this man-he has come so far from his first year. What skill and talent exudes from him as he teaches his students.
(Just writing this makes me realize how much I will be missing this job. I wonder what you have in store for me Lord Jesus-will I feel as fulfilled with my job as this one?)
12:00 I drop off more bags at Melissa's. I need to take a picture of my bag of bags.
3:00 I head down and pick up my afterschool kids. Only three more weeks to go. We had a wonderful season working on "Lizards". Do you know that one lizard will squirt blood out of the corner of his eye to protect himself from his predators? The bloods tastes bad too! Oh how the kids enjoy that one!
5:00 I head home, hoping to sew a little more, but find myself laying on bed taking a little nap. My lower back has been hurting a lot today, and my legs ache so badly. I really need to get back to that work out! I tell myself after the academy is over, but am thinking that is not such a good idea as everyday the weight comes back on more and more.
6:30 The Panthers play Pasco tonight and Josh is so excited because he is playing forward. Turns out he scores with a beautiful header in the first half. He really plays well tonight and we win in a shoot-out. I have to remember to check the online paper and print it out. Chris Feldman made his first goal kick in shoot outs! I was so happy for him-and sooooo thankful that he made it :)

10:00 Oh man-time to make the coffee and hit the bed. Shoot! Parenthood is on and I LOVE Parenthood :)
11:00 God bless my 7 hours of sleep rather than 8 ;)

The Monday in My Week

5:45-alarm went off-hadn't gotten coffee ready the night before so up I went
7:00-head off to Newbery for Job Alike
7:30-Welcomed my third grade teachers with Ali's quote for the day
9:00- Off to Starbucks for coffee-needed this to face my day
9:30- District Office...full of planning trainings for the rest of the year.
12:00-Picked up lunch at Taco Bell with Laura and Becky. We ate upstairs just to get some sunlight
2:30-left the District Office for Lewis & Clark...pulled K duty this week :) or :(
3:00-met with Oliva to go over portfolio for her Pro. Cert. So fun to see her grow as a teacher and become more confident in her decisions for her students. She will do well in this profession.
I think I better let her know (note: write a card for her)
4:00-came home and relaxed in the quiet-journaled-just started to close my eyes when Jeni stopped by
6:00-checked blogs and emails
7:00-Mike came home!! We ate dinner and came downstairs to sew and watch tv.
8:00-Cathy stopped by and we visited, oh she can make me laugh...
9:00-Bed (I know, we are pitiful old people!)
Picture today is the view I see each day on my way home as I drive into my driveway-oh, such beauty. Read today in May's blog that I can scrapbook any way I want. I am not beholden to anyone else's idea of how this should look. This schedule works for me just this way...thanks May :) Good night.

Love These Boys of Mine!

Aren't they handsome? Next year all three of them will be attending WSU. Hard to believe that this is where I am in regards to stages in life. I need only to close my eyes and images of them as babies readily creep in...Thank goodness for memories. Wonder what images creep into your mind as you close your eyes??? Enjoy...

Great Website!

Found a FANTASTIC website last month and I watched the first live show last night. WOW! There has been so much about digital scrapbooking lately, and while I do understand the popularity of it-I think I am too hands on to enjoy it as others do! I just took a class at Big Picture Scrapbooking by May Flaum (my absolute favorite crafter) on Hybrid Scrapbooking and found out that I can enjoy this process much more. There is just something about the touching and cutting that revs up my engine :) Okay-and perhaps the actual "buying" of the products in the store releases my endorphins like no other! (the true shopaholic in me speaking up)...anyway...go check out Paperclipping. Right now you can join for $16.00 off the membership price. I think you too will be hooked after "Just one look-that's all it took, baby, just one look"...
Enjoy today:)

simplicity...

...decided to wait and post this picture later after not being able to post it with the others. Today I decided that I needed to be able to look at this picture just for its order and simplicity. Feeling overwhelmed with all the "jobs" I am carrying right now. I know that it is for a good cause, but I am somewhat exhausted by keeping up the pace. Funny to hear this right after Spring Break-but perhaps that is the culprit!! Here's to a day filled with order and ...simplicity...

He's coming home!

Mike flew to Bogeta, Columbia to visit his brother for the week. I am missing him badly, but am driving over to pick him up today. Can't wait to hear all about his antics while there! I am sure Mark enjoyed having his brother come over and see his life while teaching there. Mike and I have this "life joke" going on. When I pack for a trip I bring absolutely everything but the kitchen sink-whereas Mike prides himself on getting everything he needs into ONE SMALL BACKPACK! Seriously...the rotten thing is, he usually gets away with it. Well for this trip he was smashing it all in to make it fit-along with the repeated phrase "I can use Marks"...can't wait to see how much Mark was actually willing to share with him! Love you Magnum and can't wait to have you home again! Gotta Go!

Spring-Bring it on!

My first tulips of the year :) Just looking at this makes me smile. I wonder what this spring will be bringing me. A new position is on the horizon, my last son graduates, my boys turn 22,20, and 18 (the even years roll off my tongue so much better than odd years). I am ready for the warmth and beauty that it brings...enjoy your day...

The Picture Says It All...

Gotta love Spring Break! I have always thought I could do "stay at home wife/mom/daughter/crafter/reader/gardener" really well. As long as the paycheck keeps coming in that is. It's Tuesday, I'm on my second cup of coffee, the blogs are all ready for me to read...life is good :)

Such Silly Things Make Me Happy

First day of Spring Break :) I plan on spending some serious time in my scrapbooking today, so I thought I would post pictures of the "before" and "after". Now deciding which is which is totally up to you! I have another photo of the cleaned up version-but I can't seem to get it to download in the correct order...oh well...I'll try again later. Enjoy your day!

So Totally Random!

You see? This is why having a blog is so great! Where else in my life am I able to post the things that make me so happy, and them peruse them again and again at my own leisure?!?!?! I spent the morning on the couch, coffee mug in hand, just reading through the different blogs on my dashboard. Now I wondering if there are more men blogging or women? I am thinking that it is a great idea for women who need to get all those words out every day!! That plus I don't know that a man's blog would be all that interesting:
Today-ate, worked, vegged out, slept.

Okay-I know that I am profiling there...but since no one really reads my blog-I guess its okay. Let's see what catches my eye tomorrow...

I'm back-and with the RED SHOES

I have found that the problem with a blog is that you have to have the TIME to download all the wonderful pictures onto your computer before you can post them...there's the rub ;) Aren't these shoes the best? Was at work a couple of Mondays ago and happened to walk past Becky's feet when- WOW !!!! My eyes caught these beauties. There is just something wonderful about wearing red shoes...very similar to a brand new pedicure-you just smile every time they catch your eye. Thank you Becky for filling my life with pure lovliness that day! Only 4 days of work this week-so let's see what tomorrow brings! ME

I had the BEST memory today at work...when Josh was little he used to come upstairs in the morning, snuggle up to me, and watch TV with me while I drank my first cup of coffee. One morning, when he was around 5 I think, Mike walked into the bedroom. Josh put his arm around me and in the most serious voice said, "Dad, walk to the river and cry your tears, she's my wedding girl now!" Oh, I just LOVE that memory. So glad I have it written down now :) If you're reading this, try and think about one of your very favorite memories. It will do your heart good. Blessings, ME

How Can I Put This Away?

Isn't she beautiful? I love everything about my Peace Angel. Her green is the perfect green-she has sparkles and satin. Her Peace letters are vintage-like, and check out her grey-striped stockings! My very favorite part though is her rather rounded stomach...sigh...she is so hard to wrap up every year. Luckily she lays to rest in a rather beautiful box. I'll post a picture of that later! Let's see what strikes my fancy tomorrow!

That's All-Bye!

I got to talk to my 3 year old niece on the phone tonight. She was thanking me for the food set I gave her for Christmas and our conversation went something like this..."la la la la la mugga la la la park la la la four years old la la la milk la la la butter la la mugga lala la la juice la la okay???? Oh if my world could be as simple as going with mugga to the park when I turn four years old ;)

I needed peace tonight as my world is being rocked a little right now. Then I realized that my sweet Lord Jesus had provided me some peace in the gift of talking to Mia tonight. If I am going to post about one thing that really touched my heart each day-I had better keep my eyes open! I would hate to miss my blessing.

...therefore...the box...!

Well...School is back on! Thanks to this little box I was all ready to go :) Since when did I have grey hair in my temples too? Guess I just can't hide it anymore-therefore...the box...!

I am feeling good about this new year. I think that its because a new year gives us permission to try new things. I am looking forward to trying new things at work, new things at home, new things in my scrapbooking, and even a new hair color...therefore...the box...!

Why don't you try something new? ME

You have to love teenagers!

Joshua stumbled out to the living room this morning with his pillow and blanket in tow, leaned up against this post and literally grunted, "good morning". I have to admit that I have loved having my young men at home these past few weeks. When they were younger they got along like oil and vinegar-but they have become a pretty good salad dressing after all :) I have one more week with all of them here-and must remember to look at this as a blessing rather than a raid on the toilet paper budget!!!

School starts up again tomorrow...we'll see if I am able to get a post in-but I will be carrying my camera, so one never knows...stay tuned :)

Hey! I kind of like this...

I totally enjoyed going through the day today wondering what picture I would post. I realized that I have a number of things in my life that thrill my heart. From a husband who makes the coffee in the morning, to friends who are willing to help me process my life over a cup of coffee, to other friends who let me chat their ears off while fixing a meal for their awaited guests. I have many joys in my life, and what a thrill to concentrate on them today.

I chose this picture because it includes many of my passions. Of course "my men", along with my scrapbooking, and then quotes...yes, quotes. I love everything about them. You will find that I will be posting many.

"It's not the Home I love, but the life that is lived there" (by Elsie deWolfe)...think on that for a little while. Let's see what comes up for tomorrow.

Happy New Year!

I have decided to start up a dream of mine...my own blog! I can't wait for it to evolve, much like I look forward to evolving this year. I am collecting a picture each day that makes me happy. Of course as I sit inside while the snow is coming down outside, what better memory than that of Hawaii, tan feet, and pedicured toes :) Agree?

Come along for the ride; I promise it will be an adventure. ME