The leaves are changing and the walls are changing

The leaves are changing and the walls are too! I am so excited about Fall this year. (And yes, I do realize Christmas is just around the corner and the house isn't anywhere near ready, yes I do know that.)

But I am excited for Fall and I am excited about the process and progress, slow though it may be at the house - our dream home.

The walls of the stairwell and foyer are progressing nicely... and I get giddy thinking about how far they have come from this... (which shows the underlayer beneath the 6-8 layers of wallpaper that was taken down by none other than "my charming")

...to being washed, patched and sanded as the primer coat is being applied starting at the top of the stairwell:

Can you see the early signs of the transformation?

Yeah, I can too.

This is from the top of the stairs, that round wall goes around to the side hallway. Chad and I love that rounded corner.

So the transformation, remodel is coming along... and the walls are changing as quickly as the leaves on the trees.

Check back for more progress updates.

How is your current "home improvement" project coming?

Find yourself....

Organized for back-to-school? What?

Photo: tipjunky.com

Organized for back to school?

Yes, I have a freshman starting at Virginia Tech in about three weeks and I have a freshman starting at her new high school in about 2 weeks.

But I can't even get unpacked and get our lives organized enough to find my comb and the extra body wash I bought months ago. Who can think about gearing up to get organized for back to school?

Maybe this will be the push I need to put it into high gear so that we can finalize the unpacking and getting the house setup.  Jas will be moving "again" and Kass will be wanting new school clothes... so I guess we better get to work!

The house is in "reno" mode with constant progress being made nonetheless.  The floors turned out great - thanks to my charming and... he has moved on to the stairwell wallpaper/walls.  All six layers of it to get down to the plaster.  But underneath that mass of filthy unbelievable wallpaper we are seeing walls and we know that soon we can apply primer and then our choice of color!

I am excited about the progress and I am excited about what God has already done for us - blessing after blessing in this house of our dreams.  However, with so many things that need to be done on the house, I am finding myself frequently in a true "overwhelming" state of mind.  And with the kids going in two different directions with new schools and new seasons starting for their lives - it has been a diversion. Perhaps it's a good diversion, just perhaps.

But I have reminded myself often: "When my heart is overwhelmed, lead me to the rock that is higher than I." Psalm 61:2b

...And I am comforted by His grace, His presence, His faithfulness, and His peace... every time... every.single.overwhelming.time.

Making the Most of Easter and Other Holidays Alone

Spring has sprung and Easter arrived to celebrate new life, and for Christians – the new life you received  when you accepted the very Easter story. His story in history is what gives us joy unspeakable. 

I celebrated the day without the kiddos (it was their dad’s weekend, you know). Following a morning of worship celebration at church, I went with friends to a dynamic 2 hour drama of the Resurrection of Christ in Radford that night. The day was full and the focus was obvious. 

It is tough when you have to celebrate some of the holidays without your children being there. I know.  I get it. But making the most of your holiday, even when you are alone, is where you have to focus your time, your energy, and your planning. 

It can be so easy to let yourself get caught up in the gloomy, oh-my-life-stinks mode.  But how much more enjoyable it could be if you would just refute that mode and with intentionality make the choice to fill your day with friends and things you enjoy.

1. Plan a special time to celebrate with the children on a different day than the holiday falls, if they will be “visiting” on the holiday itself.
2. Make the tradition and fun be about the holiday season – not just the specific day.  Spread out the celebrating so it falls on more than one day during the season.
3. In advance, contact friends and make plans for the day when the children will be away.  Plan a meal with friends or family, an outing, or plan to join them in their family time.
4. Make a list of things you don’t get to do when busy with the children.  Have it available to pull out when you feel the “blahs” of your me-time. Here’s my list for me-time I put together three years ago.

These are just a few simple ideas to keep yourself from focusing on the negative when you have time on your hands without the children, especially during a holiday.

It’s normal to think about them, wishing they were near.  But just think, when they are off to college and doing their own thing on holidays throughout the year, you will be this much more prepared for it.

For some of us, those college days are closer than we like to think about.

Technorati Tags: Easter story,Easter Holiday,holidays,me-time management,single mom,single mother,unspeakable joy,Christ,Christians,Resurrection,holidays without children,lonely,Easter,planning,lists,family time

Photo Credit: Katherine Shinault

Soul Surfer while I wait…

While I sit waiting on Kassity to finish with her Orthodontist appointment… and waiting, at least they have Wi-Fi available. 

Surfing the web and going through my emails, I found the release on this upcoming movie this weekend.  Soul Surfer: This is one I do want to see.  Have you seen the previews?  A girl who suffers from an accident that results in amputation, finds her true purpose and passion in life while supported by her family and her faith.

The storyline is excellent and I look forward to sharing this one with the kiddos (well at least Kass).

Here are some fan’s testimonials below and some clips from the film.

Enjoy!

 

 

Technorati Tags: Soul Surfer,tweens,family time,family movies,family entertainment,faith,personal development,Life Lessons

TOP TEN Biggest Little Things of 2010

 

I wrote this list in December and didn’t ever post it because it needed links. 

Here’s the TOP TEN for 2010… with links and all.  Finally.

Enjoy.

10. Jas’ comment recently “Do I get to take my bed when we move?”

9. Funniest Christmas memory of 2010

8. Writing a procedure manual on the side– and getting paid for it.

7. Getting the book, Eat, Pray, Love for free on PaperBackSwap.com

6. The coolest birthday card.

5. Writing for Examiner.com

4. Finishing the “work in progress” half-bath.  Finally.

3. Excavating the back yard to level the lot and re-seed as prep for putting the house on the market.

2. Refinishing the hard wood floors.

and the Number ONE thing in the list of Biggest Little things was:

1. The reveal of Mr. M’s 2 year and 5 year plans.

Find yourself… keeping it real.

Photo Credit: PhotoXpress.com, author: scalesy

Single mom says “What?”

When I got the news from the doctor who called me about 5pm on my last day of work before the Christmas break, I was mad.

There, I said it.

But after taking time to process the information and taking Kass to see the Orthopedic surgeon, the specialist, and just days later the gentleman who will be customizing her special brace (because I don’t know his official title at the moment); I started to evolve to a point where I am grateful.  Yes, grateful we found this issue while she is 12 and still growing so we can work with her spine and hope, with a brace, she doesn’t progress toward a higher degree and have to have surgery.

Kass has scoliosis of the spine at 25%. (At 5-20% you only have to monitor the issue, so she just passed the cutoff that requires a brace.)

She took the news well.  She seems to be ok about it as we begin this journey.  I am bracing for when she has to wear the thing 24/7 (except gym class and during our yoga at home). (Oh, and no pun intended there.)

I am proud of her attitude and am thankful my reaction has progressed with prayer and processing all this new information.

So I was putting it all to the side to enjoy the Christmas holidays and make memories this year before it was all over…but tomorrow we go for her next session with the gentleman who will be making her brace. Time to face it again, face the fact that my little girl who is wearing braces on her teeth will be adding to her current required apparatuses.  Just like the orthodontic braces, this back brace isn’t cheap.  But they are allowing me to use a payment plan.  (I know you are thinking: Oh goody, another monthly payment.)

If I sound cynical, I apologize for that.  I am sincerely doing better about all this, and do know God is good, all the time: He will provide and take care of this for Kass.  I have faith.

So what issues are you facing as a mom or as a single mom as the new year approaches?

We all have our ‘stuff’ to deal with – some new – some old.

Find yourself… keeping it real

Photo Credit: (photoXpress.com / Chad McDermott)

sponsor: http://helpforsinglemother.net/

Technorati Tags: scoliosis,back,brace,braces,children,single moms,payment plan,yoga

Snow time like the present

As I sit on the sofa, curled up in a blanket with my laptop on me and Kass plays with her Lego city she is making on the loveseat, I look out the window at the snow.  It’s our first snow day. The office was closed and of course the schools were as well.  Ice covers our street and snow lays a few inches thick over everything.

We have been so hectic crazy busy lately that I haven’t blogged in eons, it seems.  Not really.  A few pics here and there, but that is all I have been able to post.  Finally with a snow day bringing some time to spare, what do I dare say here when it comes to my thoughts, my fears, my personal growth, my future?

It is what it is. 

Life is good, life is hard, life is beautiful.  But sometimes we have to look a little harder to see that beauty; to see through the muck that comes our way.  This includes expenses that pile up to keep a vehicle on the road, or paying higher electric bills for the season.  It’s not easy.  I’m not going to pretend that it is… to keep up with everything.

But here is what I do know. With a little faith, a little hope, and a lot of prayer, it can be done.

And happiness and contentment can be found.  Even taking care of all the “muck” as a single parent, it can be done. With wrapping paper staring at me in one corner and gifts that need to be wrapped in the other, I know it is still possible – to get it all taken care of, even in the midst of the gift giving season.

Laundry may be piling up and I never get a completely empty sink in the kitchen, but the kiddos are fed, playing, talking to me about recent adventures with friends, and enjoying the most up-to-date techno gadgets.  Plus I know where they are, what they are doing, who they are with and overall that they are staying out of trouble. They continue to make me proud. What more can a mom ask for?

What are you grateful for this Christmas?

As a single parent, what are you asking for this Christmas?

How do you define happiness in your present moment?

Share your thoughts in the comments section below.

Find yourself… keeping it real

Technorati Tags: Christmas,happiness,single moms,single parents,life,personal development,contentment,parenting

close call and grateful

Gratitude.  This is the month to emphasize gratitude. 

I wrote this a few Wednesday nights ago, but I hadn’t posted it yet.  Sorry for the delay… here you go:

Tonight was an example of a time to be thankful. 

On the way to church tonight, we had a close encounter.  It gave a whole new meaning to the phrase “a deer in headlights.”  Yes, a doe was standing there looking at the car as we approached a section of 460.  Standing in the middle of the road.  I’m thankful to God that Mr. M was able to swerve and maintain control with the skill of a racecar driver while missing an impact with her. She attempted to come in our direction by turning, but we still missed her.  It was a truly divine God moment.

And I will never forget it.

Hopefully I won’t get another chance to look up at the face of a deer so close anytime soon.

I have one more thing to bring to the table this Thanksgiving as my reasons for being thankful in 2010.

So as we say goodbye to November and hello to December (and my baby girl’s birthday, tomorrow), Consider all the wonderful blessings in your life.  I have many.

Is there a specific moment you have to be grateful for and thankful for in recent history?  Share it in the comments section below.

Find yourself…keeping it real.

Technorati Tags: thankfulness,gratitude,deer,headlights,close call,driving,nearmiss,November

I love Donald Miller…his blog and his books

If you haven’t read Donald’s blog, I have one word to describe his insight and perspective on Christianity: cool.

So to follow up my recent post referencing my readers to an article that talks about things I chose to filter, I wanted to also share a Christian resource that I enjoy and pull interesting perceptions from… Donald Miller’s blog.

Check him out… here’s a couple quotes from his blog post recently titled: How to Give Your Home and Your Stuff Meaning.

It made me think about how cool it was that my friend, in preparing a ranch for others to be together and to be with God, was imitating the heart of God without, perhaps, even realizing he was doing it…

I’ve discovered a little secret my friend with the ranch must have discovered a long time ago: Managing God’s stuff for the enjoyment and comfort of the people God loves is a blast. It gives meaning to your things, and a feeling of importance to the places you get to live within…

What are the things you’ve done to convert your home into God’s home, a place you get to manage for Him?

Yeah, he’s just cool like that.  Brings the ideas about being a Christian… down home… into the heart of where we live.

Enjoy.

Find yourself… keeping it real.

Life is Full as My Heart Swells

As it should be, life is full.  Right now my emotions are drained and my life feels scattered with so many changes going on in my world.  It’s nothing new, the only constant in life is change. But in the midst of all the change I do feel an unexplainable peace.

It’s been a long time since I just sat and wrote.  Wrote about everything on my heart, everything in my mind.  I have written some thoughts recently about my son, about a beautiful butterfly; but not about me so much.

I know I have been avoiding the realization of some special people moving out of my life.  People that over the last six years became like family, literally. They have been promoted in the organization I work for and for them that means moving out of state. And for me it means lots of new things, a new boss and new directors to get to know and work with.

As we clean up, clean out and organize file rooms and closet space, it’s all been good.  But the busyness hasn’t removed the emotional affects, only diverted it for a while.  Friday I finally faced the reality and let the tears flow, and then I couldn’t get them to stop (Just ask Mr. M).  But it’s Tuesday and I am better and looking forward to meeting the new boss in person tomorrow. 

It’s time for our new adventure to begin. It’s the next chapter and I’m anxious to turn this page and see where it’s headed.

Ready or not, Wednesday is coming!

Find yourself… keeping it real.

Photo Credit:  photoXpress.com\ author: grekoff

Little things I’m proud of lately

• I still have the pair of scissors in my desk from my first day on the job 11 years ago.
• Recently (with some great help) pulled up the carpet in my living area and hallway and had the hardwood floors refinished.  I have wanted to do that ever since I moved in 18 years ago.
• My new breakfast table and chairs from IKEA (Thanks Mr. M for putting them together as well as Kassity’s new bed within just days of each other.)
• Read more books already this year than I had read in 24 months 2 years ago. (Yeah think about that one for a moment).
• I am finally learning not to take myself so seriously.
• When we found my old Bible from my teenage years, early twenties during spring cleaning last weekend, Kass wanted to have it.
• My son created an audio clip, posted it on facebook, and said he just knew I would want to post it on my blog. Here’s the link.

 

Find yourself… keeping it real.

Photo Credit:  Katherine Shinault – picture of my hardwoods.

Technorati Tags: hardwood floors,scissors,proud moments,Bible,facebook,audio clips,reading

Another list of gratitudes

There I go with my made up word again. My gratitudes are things I am thankful for and here goes the list so far this week:

Gratitudes this week

1. God was watching out for my brother-in-law last week when he was hit by a drunk driver in a head- on collision.  He wasn’t seriously injured even though the van he was driving was totaled.
2. My floors are finished.
3. I finished the book club book, “The Glass Castle” a Memoir by Jeannette Walls. (Book club meets tomorrow!)
4. Even though both my kiddos are home sick today, after the doctor’s visit we have them fixed up with what should get them both back to the land of the living in a few days.  (They must have picked up my virus, sadly.)
5. Since I was home with them I was able to coordinate the last day of work for the floors. 
6. Very thankful for family, friends I call to vent to, rant with, and release the stress of my days and the ‘dramedy’ that seems to slip into my attempt at a simple life.
7. Oh and of course, also thankful for the long awaited – no kids along – date night with Mr. M. last week.

I have so much to be grateful for.  How bout you? 

What is going on your world that you can put on your list of gratitudes?

Find yourself… keeping it real.

Photo Credit:  Katherine Shinault, Dogwood close up taken on the Blue Ridge Parkway

Technorati Tags: grateful,thankful,lists,sickness,home improvement,hardwood floors,accidents,date nights,single moms dating

Reminiscing with Strawberries

We Missed Easter

So we missed church Easter Sunday morning.  Kass was sick running a fever.  I think she must have what I had a couple weeks ago.  She’s had a fever since Saturday.

With her sick, we didn’t get to do all the traditional Easter stuff; going to church, spending time with family, or eating a big meal.  But we spent the day together, her laying around, while I tried to get her what she needed to make her feel better: crushed ice, medicine, noodles, pedialyte, hot towels.

We talked about the Easter story; (or I talked and she lay on the couch and listened).  Then we watched one of the movies based on Janette Oke’s book series, Love Comes Softly.  Then she slept for most of the day.

I hate it when she’s sick.  

Making the Most of the Day with Strawberries

Later in the afternoon we got out the ingredients I bought to make a strawberry pie.  I found a simple recipe online last week, but couldn’t for the life of me find the recipe again.  It wasn’t bookmarked and going through my history – it still couldn’t be found.

So… I just reminded Kass of how my gramma (her great grandmother) used to make strawberry cake with pound cake and jello.  We made up our strawberry gelatin, punched holes in the cake, poured it over, and let it chill.  She kept asking when would it be gelled enough for us to add strawberries and whipped topping. “Soon, very soon;” I was glad she was perked up and eager to have it.  A couple hours later, voila.  I made her a yummy strawberry desert, remembered the old days when we spent Sunday afternoons at my gramma’s house eating this same treat, and we made it a pretty good Easter Sunday after all.

Hope your holiday was special and just as sweet!

Find yourself… keeping it real.

 

Technorati Tags: Easter,Easter story,strawberries,desert,sickness,holidays,caring for children,children

Yearning for Spring – Photo Journal

Monday last week I decided with the air so warm (in the high sixties) and me so antsy for spring, I would take the afternoon off.  Kass and I took Happy and Jovi to a neighborhood park and spent a few hours enjoying the spring-like day.

(The following I wrote in my journal while at the park.)

It feels so good to have the sun on my back sitting at a picnic table (scratch that) on a bench (since I had to move to another spot as Kass moved to another area of the park). 

 

Kass is playing with Happy and Jovi while I enjoy the afternoon - enjoy 60+ temps and sunshine.  I needed some outdoor relaxation.  And they need some exercise and change of scenery.

 

A change of scenery is good for all of us.  Even if Jovi did get off her leash and collar when we first arrived.  It was too loose.  Chasing her around like a mad woman – that was me.

The trees stand bare of leaves, naked before the sun yearning for the buds that will bring leaves – the same way we yearn for spring to bring relief from a long winter.

The breeze reminds me it’s not summer yet as I appreciate the sleeves of my sweater.  But the sun feels so wonderful – even the cool breeze can’t make me want to leave.  Not this time.

The blue sky – so clear, so vibrant.  How long has it been since I have sat below such a sky with no agenda, no place to rush to?  Too long.

Find yourself… keeping it real.

Technorati Tags: outdoors,photography,pets,parks,spring-like,blue skies

Warmth Ranks Higher Than Pride

Chilled

My hands were so cold they were turning red and I could barely bend my fingers to count the money.  The wind was blowing at a moderate rate and we were standing in the shade.  I was having a hard time focusing on the purpose for being here on a Saturday morning, I could only think about how many hours we had left.  I hate to whine and here I am doing it anyway.

No I wasn’t hiking up a mountain, skiing, or any of those fun things that might come to mind.  Kass and I were hosting a girl scout cookie booth at 10:00 am at Kroger.  The sun was shining bright deceiving me into only a light jean jacket, no gloves, and only one pair of socks.  It was 42 degrees according to my vehicle, but with the sun shining I thought we wouldn’t feel so chilled at the booth.  Then when we arrived I realized we were in the shade.  My body began to chill down to the bone.

I don’t like cold – can you tell?  I normally prepare for these outside events with many layers and a heavier coat.  But this time I was becoming miserable and I had only been out there about 10 minutes.  Kass and I would intermittently go and stand in the parking lot to feel the sunlight to get some warmth.  But out there the wind was worse and it wasn’t helping.  My face was getting numb and I had a hard time moving my lips to talk the few customers.  I know you think I am making that up – but it’s true.  My toes were getting numb and felt like stiff extensions that would break if I bent them in one direction too far.  At this point we had been here an hour.

Warmth Ranks Higher Than Pride

Then help arrived.  Two other girls from the troop along with one’s mother and the other’s father showed up to join forces.  I was grateful for some relief just so I could find a spot to get warm.  But I stayed at the booth.  Their chatter and warm personalities were just what Kass and I needed to get our minds off being chilled.  As we shared our complaint about the temps – the mom that had arrived (R) went to her car where she found coats!  Enough coats for all the girls (and me) to add an extra layer – even though we looked like we were playing dress up – no one cared.  The additional warmth was enough to erase any embarrassment that we may have otherwise felt.  Warmth ranks higher than pride.  That should be in a book somewhere. 

I do not know what warmed us more, the camaraderie of friends, laughter, and conversation or the added layers (perhaps it was the combination) but friends made the difference either way.  Coming to our aid we were elated.  After their arrival the time seemed to fly by.  The next time I looked at my watch it was almost 1:00 pm.

What a difference friends make.

Thanks R, Q, J, and A for helping out Saturday.  You will never know how much your arrival meant to Kass and me.  Even in this post… I cannot fully express the bond that was made.  

Is this getting too sappy?  Don’t worry – we are not planning to stalk you.  You just became a part of a vivid memory we made on Saturday.  You each had parts in our story of life and we will forever remember the warmth of friends that day.

Oh and does this count for my social spoke on the wheel of life?

Have you made a vivid memory in life’s story lately?

Find yourself… keeping it real.

Technorati Tags: friendships,relationships,camaraderie,gratitude,girl scout cookies,warmth,friends

Photo Credit: babble.com

Abandon Ship or Toss Him Overboard!?

GE3F6BSE4UUD  (Technorati Claim Token)

Jump Overboard

How many times have you wanted to jump ship?  Have you ever said – “That’s it! Enough is enough!”?

No I don’t mean on your relationship with your significant other (even though that relationship is what I have been focusing on this month); I mean with your kiddos!

The Boiling Point

Many times I have found myself at that pressure point: boiling; as they have gotten on my last nerve when it comes to reminding, reprimanding, and refereeing a set of siblings.  Just yesterday I wanted to either strangle my teenager, toss him overboard, or drive off and not come back…. for a long time.

Now I would NEVER actually follow through on these crazy notions, mind you, but it’s no rarity that this happens while parenting, working fulltime and wearing all the other hats we do as parents… especially as a single parent.  So what is the answer?  How do we cope?

Life Wheel – Out the Window!

At that point when I found myself getting hotter and hotter and my voice was rising higher and higher I just wanted to take that life wheel of balance and chuck it out the window.  So keeping things in balance wasn’t helping in that moment.

Reflection

Of course, later that night when I reflected on the moment and my reaction, (my despairing and loud crazy woman kind of reaction) I was disappointed.  I regretted that I let the pressure get the best of me and push me past my “point.”  I prayed, “Change me, Lord.”  I want to react better to my kiddos when I’ve had it “up to here.”

It’s all about choices.

I don’t always make the best ones.

Good News

But the good news is, He still loves me.

And that’s the point.

My kids may disappoint me too – pushing me past my “point.” But I still love them  - and yes indeed, very much.  And realizing that God still loves me as well– even when I get bent out of shape at times… makes me feel better about my own “disappointing reactions.”

Find yourself… keeping it real.

Photo Credit: PhotoXpress.com/MAXFX

Technorati Tags: relationships,parenting,love,choices,disappointing oneself,God's love,stress,pressure,reactions,raised voice

BUDGET Woes? Try this – Part One

Budgets:  They aren’t fun, but they are a necessity.  As a single mom, I’m the sole breadwinner and I’ve found there are two choices that let me successfully support myself while raising my children: 

1. I can sit around in self-pity, moaning and groaning about what I don’t have and wishing away life as I run up credit card debt; or
2. I can embrace my current financial status, appreciate it and create a financial strategy that lets me live well and get out of debt.

I choose the latter, and I hope you will too because it’s really the first step to create and keep a good budget.

Embrace where you are.

– Your life is perfect. That may be strange to hear if you’re in a stressful financial position. But if you have a job, then be grateful. If you are unemployed continue working towards the goal of getting a job. Be willing to accept something – even if it is not your dream job right at first. Getting a job somewhere will be better than no job and no income. Always be grateful for where you are and what you have in life. Focus on the positive aspects of your current circumstances and remember the glass is half full. Count your blessings which include more than just your income.

Appreciate what you have and enjoy it!

– You have a roof over your head. You have food to eat and provide for your family. Instead of buying things, pull out the things you already own; put them to use and enjoy them. These might include books, music, instruments, games, etc. that are collecting dust in your closet. Make use of the things you already own instead of mulling over a wish list of the ‘other’ things you want.

Don’t compare yourself (or your possessions) with others.

– A writer once said of her younger growing up years that she didn’t know how poor she was till she befriended a rich girl. If we stop comparing ourselves to others and what they have, we might find we don’t even miss those extra things. Things are not as fulfilling as the media makes them out to be. If you own “this must have item” it still won’t bring you true happiness.

Keep life simple so you can save – every penny counts.

– Even the smallest of luxuries can be cut back to make way for other uses like getting out of debt or saving for a rainy day. Small luxuries include specialized coffee drinks, soft drinks with lunch (get ice water), or vending machine items for snacks. Making even the smallest sacrifices, will allow you to put money left over toward reducing your debt or increasing savings.

Once you embrace your current financial position, appreciate what you have and are content with the here and now, it will be easier to stick to a budget and make it work. You may also be surprised at how leading a simple financial life leads to enjoying a richer life overall.

Stay tuned for Part 2 – The Simple Monthly Budget

Find yourself… keeping it real.

Technorati Tags: budgets,contentment,finances,credit card debt,gratitude

Top 10 Biggest Little Things of 2009

It has become a tradition here on my blog the last couple of years to end out each year with my Biggest Little Things List.  This year I have put the list together again and hope you have been keeping up all year so you know when most of these happened… and if not… you have some catching up to do!

Top 10 Biggest Little Things of 2009

10.  Almost becoming a Grad Student.

  9. Giveaways on the blog, including a Wii Console and Wii Fit game.

  8. A few amazing photos

  7. Becoming a Girl Scout Leader

  6. Having the internet installation guy think he might know me from high school till I told him what year I graduated… which was over 10 years before he did!

  5. Learning how to make a tasty vanilla chai with Mr. M and learning that I even like chai

  4. The braces investment for Kass

  3. Our biggest snowfall in over 10 years

  2. Jas getting accepted to Governor’s School

  1. Meeting Mr. M.

Well there you have it… the top 10 Biggest Little Things of 2009. 

It’s been quite a year… there were several more things I thought of that didn’t make the list.

What were some big / little things that happened to you this year?

Find yourself… keeping it real.

Technorati Tags: relationships,chai,vanilla chai,staying young,girl scouts,photography,snow,Governor's School,single moms dating,braces,Wii Gaming Console,Graduate School

Photo credit: http://himynameis.files.wordpress.com/2009/02/top10.jpg

Snowed In By 18 Inches

I have to tell you I love having this “forced” down time.  Snowed in with 18 inches of snow piled up between my Infinity and the street, I haven’t been anywhere since it started on Friday a little after two.  Kass and I have been making boxes, bows, and gifts when she; her friend, E; and Jas aren’t out playing in it.  A true white Christmas… even if it is a few days early. 

For Christmas this year, not only have we received the gift of a special snow – that isn’t normal of this magnitude… but we received the gift of some downtime, at home, just me and kiddos, while enjoying the winter wonderland and all the things we normally don’t find the time to do during the season.

The only thing missing is Mr. M. since he is also snowed in with his 2 boys… across town.

Here’s a few more shots of the kiddos enjoying the white stuff…all eighteen inches of it.

 

 

 

Find Yourself… keeping it real.

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Home For Christmas

Well with the forecasted MAJOR snow storm coming to the east coast… including my city nestled in the valley of these mountains…I came home early from work, and the kids were let out early from school today.

It’s after 2pm and the snow hasn’t made itself visible yet, but I understand from the meteorologists that it is dissipating at this point in the upper atmosphere…blah blah blah… hopefully we will get to see it in reality soon.  I get as excited as the kiddos when I think about snow coming… I love a snow day! 

But at this point, since today was my official last day of work before the Christmas holidays… I am now home for Christmas for good… other than finishing my last minute gift shopping and to get food between now and the first of the year. Woo Hoo!  It is one of our blessed perks at the office – two weeks off for Christmas.

In the meantime… I will try to post and let you know just how much snow we end up with…

Merry Christmas everyone… enjoy your special time with family and friends… that is my wish to you!

Oh and before I could finish this blog and hit publish…

It started snowing!  It’s beautiful.

Find Yourself… keeping it real.