Robin's Nest

Beach Bums

2009-12-30T08:35:00.005-06:00

The last few days we've settled into a nice lazy vacation routine.

Dave and the girls have gotten up early and either gone to a bakery

or have walked the beach, looking for Sea Urchins

and shells.

We've spent time shopping

looking for souvenirs

and watching the girls spend their twenty dollar Visa cards.

Katie still has most of hers left, but Shayla and Jenna are almost broke.

We've gone out for Dinner, played games, read books, watched movies and have even done a few crafts. Every day, regardless of the weather we have all enjoyed swimming in the pool, especially when the water is as warm as bathwater. Ahhh, there is nothing like lazy vacation days!

Snow Sand

2009-12-27T09:03:00.004-06:00

After three days of driving and wonderful surprises along the route we finally crossed the long bridge into St. Pete's beach.

Luckily, our two bedroom, two bathroom condo was exactly what I was expecting. Within minutes I was doing laundry in the pea size washer and dryer

and the girls were anxious to get to the beach when they saw the view from the balcony.

Walking on the path, lined with natural grasses Jenna remarked how white the snow was. We all laughed and reminded her that it's sand, not snow.

Shayla ran toward the water and began to shovel the sea foam.

While Katie quietly took it all in...the roaring waves, the cool wind,

seagulls and tourists walking briskly along.

Jenna immediately began digging a hole.

She dug for about half an hour and then when the crater looked like a "dinasaur paw print" she filled it back in with the sand.

Shayla was in constant motion running, laughing, spinning and getting soaked.

The water was cold

but Dave and the girls enjoyed feeling the sand rush away beneath their feet.

A Southern Christmas

2009-12-26T06:21:00.005-06:00

Leaving Nashville wasn't easy. The Oprayland had so much more to offer but we needed to continue on down the road.

So this cute Christmas guy woke us all up early and we were making tracks by six thirty.

Driving through Tennesee was just lovely and this outlet store outside of Atlanta reminded us of Grandma. Every hour, after our morning nap the girls were able to open traveling present. We'd already had an early visit from St. Nick the weekend before with my family and had given the girls their bigger presents from us.

They really liked their LIV dolls, but I was a little disturbed to realize that they come with no hair attached to their heads. The two wigs are cute when on. It's a little odd.

Jenna opened a Hello Kitty Stationary.

After the excitement wore off she quickly "wrote" two letters to our neighbor girls.

Shayla loved her Build a Bear Kit and promptly began sewing.

Katie seemed to enjoy her craft kit too from way back in the depths of the Van. "Hi Katie, are you doing OK way back there?" The girls had so much fun that we didn't need to turn on a movie until the last hour when Jenna was snoring softly, books had been set aside and present opening was put on hold.

Eventually we crossed the Florida border and the girls sang a little opera tune. When we checked into the hotel we were automatically upgraded to a very large suite. Apparently, traveling on
Christmas has a few advantages. Then we opened the remaining presents, changed into our suits

and threw our weary selves into the abandoned pool

with a splash,

stretching out our muscles. My tour of Hotel hot tubs continued and this one was awesome and unusually deep.

After a day of eating PB&J we were happy to discover that room service was available and spent the rest of the evening eating some great Chicken and Ribs and watching a Josh and Drake Christmas Movie on Nickelodeon. It was an unusual way to spend Christmas Day but we were together, enjoying the journey.

The Opryland Hotel

2009-12-24T21:04:00.006-06:00

There was a large storm in the forecast and after eight calls in two hours and the capable leadership of my darling husband we decided to leave a day early on our first drive down south. This change in plans allowed us one extra day on the road and we chose to spend it at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel for Christmas Eve.

Dave was able to sweet talk his way into a free upgrade, saving us one hundred dollars and

giving us the luxury of a balcony that overlooked the lovely garden areas and the winding indoor river.

We spent hours skipping around decorated trees,

both indoor and out

and being awed by the many festive lights.

The larger than life Nativity was only dimmed by two angels that tipped over in the strong winds. Katie surmised that they were bowing down to baby Jesus and we all glady accepted that explanation.

Then the girls went and emailed Santa. He's the big red elf with the belly full of jelly that delivers presents to celebrate Jesus' birthday.

We enjoyed a water show while we dined on tasty pizza.

then we followed signs to a child's Winter Wonderland. Not much was left except for a little train.

Shayla's legs barely fit in but they both enjoyed the ride.

Later, we walked under a waterfall,

and felt the water slip through our fingers.

Then we posed for a few more pics,

bought some ice cream and ate it on our free deck.

The Opryland Hotel was a wonderful surprise way to celebrate Christmas Eve

with my three favorite girls, my sweet husband and lots of sparkling lights!

On The Road

2009-12-24T08:41:00.003-06:00

When Dave was a bachelor he would tease his brother Steve mercilessly about the amount of "stuff" that was needed for road trips. Steve has three girls, all grown now, but once, years ago when they pulled up to our house with a trailer attached to their van, Dave howled with laughter. Now, we have three girls and we're driving to Florida and I only wish that Steve could see what Waddles the Duck can see...

we are packed in....Sardines. It's fine for those of us sitting in the first two rows. If however you got the short end of the straw and ended up in the back row, like Shayla then you are stuffed right next to the beach toys and a cooler full of food for Christmas Day. Dave keeps looking wistfully at Vans with hard storage containers on the top whizzing by. He's promised to repack us up this morning and I think if someone offered him a trailer, he'd jump at the chance!

We left for our adventure a day early with the threat of an epic winter storm looming over us. The roads were dry until we hit the border of Illinois and then we came to a stand still. The next two hours we continued forward through sleet and strong winds. We saw a few accidents but mostly on the north bound side where snow was drifting over the road.

At Effingham it took my girls all of five seconds to get on their suits

and after checking our email
and posing for a few pictures we all spent the next few hours swimming. Dave had fun, letting the girls ride on his back while they pretended to be sharks. He's an amazing swimmer. I was a slacker, sitting in the hot tub and occasionally waving over to the pool. Soon, we'll be off to Opryland hotel... if we can pack ourselves back into the van. Wish us luck!

Caroling

2009-12-24T07:31:00.006-06:00

Being a Girl Scout Leader has become one of the joys in my life. We started with a troop of eight girls with dedicated Moms. That first two years we did a lot of tours, going behind the scenes at a Police Station, Fire Station, Kelly Farm, Humane Society, Grocery Store, Doctor's Office and a lovely Flower Shop where they each made their own arrangement. We made dolls together, memorized the basic pledges, earned all of our Daisy petals and with lots of laughter learned how to be a troop.

This year we've grown to seventeen girls and have found ourselves reaching out and giving back to the community. We've participated in fundraisers for ill relatives and just the other day we went caroling at an Assisted Living Apartment Complex.

These lovely ladies and gentlemen were the perfect audience. They clapped often and loudly, had smiles on their faces and spent time sharing with the girls stories of past Christmas treasures.

It was fun for me to watch the girl move past their initial fear and listen to their fiesty version of Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer and it touched my heart to see them interacting with these Grandmas and Grandpas,

giving a gift of time, interest and love.

Whispers and Winks!

2009-12-22T11:27:00.003-06:00

I knew the time would come when my Girls would ask the big question. Is He Real? Is the nineteen year old wearing the white cotton beard and pillow stuffed under his belt the real deal?

I clearly remember as a kid the time my young uncle played Santa. It was the first and only time I ever saw a six foot five, skinny St. Nick. When he walked in the room all 24 of us cousins yelled out "Joe! Why are you in Santa's suit?" before we lost interest and opened our new gloves and five dollar McDonalds gift cards. To this day it still makes me giggle to think of how much work it must have taken Grandma to convince my gangly, teen-aged uncle to play the part and how when he responded with a "Ho Ho Ho, I'm Santa" his voice cracked a little!

This year the mystery has been gone for Katie. We've shared secret whispers and winks, partners in keeping it real for her younger sisters. But a tear still came to my eye when she refused to take her turn sitting on Santa's lap at our annual Neighborhood party. She gave me a look and in her face I saw maturity. She didn't come right out and say that she was too old to make a list, but later she circled items in the adds from the Sunday Paper and handed them to me. I breathed a huge sigh of relief when I saw that she had circled a doll.

Eight

2009-12-16T08:57:00.004-06:00

Shayla Ray turned eight. Last year was her "big" party so this year we celebrated "small."

We started the festivities by shoving big cupcakes into mouths and by opening

small versions of her favorite animal,

big versions of yummy flavored lip gloss

and then an even bigger toy horse that looked quite a bit like Willie, who she rides every other Wednesday. He's such a gentle, sweet equine!

Next, the gang, including her friend Isabel went to the over-the-top, slapstick, zany, cartoon like version of Cinderella at the Children's Theatre.

At one point during the show, they announced a Birthday and Shayla sat up in her chair, anticipating her name to be called next. It never was.

If she felt dissapointment she didn't share it with me, but Dave and I locked eyes over her head and we knew. It's a bit of a bummer to not have a huge, knock em' down, invite the whole town celebration. I enjoy them just as much as the girls. Yet, they have so much, a basement full of toys that rarely get played with, friends living next door, as much Life cereal and natural Peanut Butter as they can eat...they rarely feel want. They're used to immediate need fulfillment.

My goal is that by having to wait a year they'll learn to appreciate the BIG things in life, like spending time with one special friend, wearing matching pajamas,

getting hugs from an Auntie and the handful of presents that have been chosen with love. Maybe, I'm doing it right, time will tell. But what I know for sure is that my time is so limited with these amazing girls and every day counts. My middle girl just turned eight, tomorrow she'll be eighteen.

Sausage Makin'

2009-12-15T22:48:00.005-06:00

A few times a year Dave gets together with his brother Paul and they make Venison Sausage the old fashioned way. They mix in spices, a secret recipe that differs from brother to brother but always contains a lot of garlic and a good kick.

To the Venison they add Beef and Pork. When I was first married I, in my naivety thought it would be fun to help.

My niece Emma still thinks its fun. She's seven. She's never been pregnant and had the smell of raw meet greet you at the door when you returned from work. Emma's never found a tuft of Deer fur lying innocently on your otherwise clean Kitchen counter. She's never walked around tarps hanging in the garage to block the view of ...a Deer hunter's prize. She's never been surprised by a leg of Buck wrapped in plastic, lying innocently in her freezer right above the Peppermint Bon Bon and frozen corn, looking too much like something she'd seen on CSI the night before.

No, the innocent lamb has never spent an entire evening (10 minutes) cranking the handle of this black monster, feeling the burn to your arms but unable to stop because your pride wouldn't let you, not wanting to be the weak link, the new girl with no muscles, especially in front of the family Patriarch.

Thankfully, pregnancies produced babies that needed tending to, lest they eat raw meat off the floor and I was excused from future cranking sessions. Relegated to the warm house and Dora the Explorer reruns where there was an endless supply of Goldfish crackers and Chocolate Milk.

And where I could wait patiently to sample the smoked yumminess sliced on a cracker and cheese.

A Glitter Filled Christmas!

2009-12-07T12:58:00.005-06:00

I love Christmas! I love the decorations, the snow, the jolliness of strangers shopping, the gift giving and receiving. I love the cookies. I love the programs, the parties and I even love the crafts.

Yesterday at a church family event we went "Back to Bethlehem" and visited many shops in a pretend town square, eventually ending up in a stable where a family patiently sat with their baby dressed in robes, surrounded by hay. Along the route we visited a spice shop, a carpentry shop, a bakery, stone mason, pottery shop and a Jewelry shop. It was there that I was reminded to enjoy the moments! At a table we sat next to a Mom organizing the beads for her seven year old, too worried about getting it wrong to make a bracelet of her own. My three girls, a cousin and a friend all sat down, made our own bracelets and left while the little girl sat and watched her Mom patiently arrange beads into a pattern on a paper towel. Good grief. Parenting is hard enough without all of the extra pressure we put on ourselves to be perfect and the anxiety we pass down. My bracelet looked pretty on my arm and that in itself made me feel a little giddy.

There is a freedom that comes with letting go of expectations. Who cares if the decorations on my tree are bottom heavy. It was decorated by very proud kids who smile every time they see it. And the fact that my floor always needs to be swept due to the increased activity in my art supply cupboard or that my kitchen island has dried glue that needs to be scraped? Does it really bother you? Not me. We LIVE here.

Does anyone care that this little snowman ornament is actually touching the floor? Isn't slightly flawed kind of endearing? Don't you smile when you see a kid who obviously cut his own bangs?

I'd much rather watch her face after finding the right spot for an important ornament,

then rush around in a Martha Stewart induced fog. Somewhere, somehow over the last few years I've become more focused on the big picture, the lessons, the message to my girls than in what other people think.

I will not be creating a poster with a spinning wheel for Jenna's Kindergarten project like I did for Katie. Instead, I'll let her do her own, offering advice. That way when she succeeds it will be her victory and not mine. Shayla asked the other day if I really thought Jenna's drawing was pretty or if I was lying. It looked like a bunch of scribbles to her. "I love it!" I honestly told her. I tried to explain that it will always remind me of how Jenna could draw at the age of six. Then, I looked around the house, glitter stuck on the floors, laundry crowding the hallways, gameboard pieces in the mudroom and I just laughed. I love it! I love Christmas, I love glitter and I love being a Mom to little girls!

Sometimes

2009-12-04T17:24:00.004-06:00

Sometimes when the girls get home from school I just have to grab a camera.

They look so cute

and sweet.

Never grumpy.

Thanksgiving in Two Harbors

2009-12-04T15:16:00.009-06:00

Thanksgiving in Two Harbors

was lovely.

The air was crisp and there wasn't even a hint of snow.

And the sunsets were...just amazing, not that I saw any. Dave took these pictures, I was too busy playing Apples to Apples with the girls, eating pumpkin bars and gaining back five of the eight pounds I had lost. Take my advice, starting a diet right before Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas is a REALLY bad idea. I should have ate an Apple. I should have stayed out of the Trick or Treat bags. Darn those mini candy bars.

Dave and Grandpa took the girls rock hunting while us ladies went bargain hunting in quaint little shops with names like, The Oldest Sister and Moosellaneous Gifts.

The girls found a few agates, some sea glass

and came traipsing back to the house with a big bag of treasures.

just in time for some yummy Turkey leftovers!

Later, Shayla and Jenna took turns styling Grandpa's hair.

While I watched as much HGTV as I possibly could. I miss having cable. I miss Divine Design. I miss those pumpkin bars.

I miss my Mom.

Thanksgiving in Two Harbors

was lovely.

Tommy's Old Fashioned Malt Shop

2009-11-23T08:46:00.006-06:00

If you are under thirty years old and are willing to save every dime you make, put off having babies, pray and patienty wait for the right timing, you can make your dreams come true.

My Nephew Brett and his wife Emily are taking that leap, that risk, that first step in an awesome adventure by opening an Old Fashioned Malt Shop in downtown Chaska.

They had a Friends and Family night to help train the cute, high school waitresses
and to work out the kinks, like the fryer breaking.

The Grandma's were there, one to help get the place clean

and another to show support

and big Sister was there in the middle of everything, helping, organizing, making malts and laughing her great infectious loud, happy laugh. If I ever open a business, I'm hiring Melissa to help me launch it. She's just that good at everything she does.

Tom was there. I'd like to know how many hours he's invested to help this dream become a reality? Dad's are just that way. Plus the place is named after him.

Then, there were the great burgers,

and malts.

We tried the Strawberry,

the Coffee Chocolate

and Emily's favorite, Hot Fudge Butterscotch. Yum!

Jenna liked all three

but for Ava it was all about the Strawberry!

If you're ever in Chaska, go say "Hi" to Brett and Emily and help make their dream a success!

A Needle and Some Thread

2009-11-20T11:49:00.003-06:00

Shayla loves to make crafts. She loves to take a box and turn it into a dog bead, or some glitter and water into paint. She loves to glue, and cut (remember the bangs-at-the-root trim fiasco in Kindergarten?) Around her room you'll find string tied to necklaces, tied to fabric, tied to headbands, tied to a sock and finally tied around a Webkins as a leash.

So, it should come as no surprise that sewing is her newest passion. What was shocking is how, on her own she drew this nightgown

for her American Girl Doll,

cut it out using Dad's lefty scissors

and then with a needle and some thread

and a whole lot of love, created a gown for her own baby.

Then, sewed the arms onto a matching gown for herself.
My amazing talented designer girl.

Inspired, I grabbed the scissors and created a Poodle Skirt for my baby
for "Blast to The Past Day" at school.

Shayla quickly picked up the scraps already dreaming of her next project!

God's Zoo

2009-11-16T18:38:00.019-06:00

On Friday the girls and I plus one friend took a drive down

to the Minnesota Zoo.

There we discovered huge Otters from Russia,

gigantic Grizzly Bears,

and long, lean Leopards, looking for an escape route.
Apparently, everything is oversized in the Frozen North!

Meanwhile, over in Asia the animals are odd.
The Takin is a cross between a goat and a cow.

There also was the random tuft of animal fur, the shedded summer coat
of the Asian Wild Horse.

My monkeys were happy to walk for three hours

and pose for pictures whenever I asked.

They laughed with each other

and picked caramel corn instead of an occasional flea!

They oohed and aahed over anything pink

or cuddly

and looked right into the eyes of a Gray Wolf and called him "pretty and sweet."

Then stretched out their arms

as if to embrace the "Kitty"

or to hold the perfectly surreal Seahorse.

I couldn't help but think about the Buffalo we had seen on our

South Dakota Trip roaming wild in God's Zoo.

How one walked right to my car window

to say hello and rolled his eyes when I screamed.

Or the Prairie Dogs popping up here and there

looking thin compared to their City Cousins in prison.

There's something surreal about watching the Antelope play with no borders

and looking at a lovely tree only to discover later

a hidden surprise underneath, a Mule Deer.

God's creation, wild or caged is marvelous in the details!

Veteran's Day

2009-11-12T07:14:00.007-06:00

My parents drove down to spend time on Veteran's day with my girls.

The school ceremony started early with donuts, coffee and Sunny Dee, and lets just be honest, it's not orange juice, it's Kool Aid and it's yummy. There was a flag ceremony, Taps and the unnerving gun salute.

Then there was the ceremony inside the gym where the Veterans sat by the podium while the 801 kids completely covered the gym floor, sitting in rows of Red, White and Blue shirts.

We sang patriotic songs with our hand over our heart while the students did sign language, making the gym come alive, much like fields of waving grain.

A Bag Piper marched slowly in ...

while his screechy lament filled the air,

changing the tone to one of sorrow.

Before the 5th grade essays were read by the fidgeting kids wearing boutonnieres, the Vets introduced themselves and identified their pint sized hosts. It was hard to not get teary-eyed watching the kids stand tall as the Grandpas, Dads, Brothers and Moms took the mike. When the four Great Grandpas struggled to their feet and announced that they had fought in World War Two, I was proud to see my Dad start the clapping and standing ovation and I too felt proud.

Proud of my Dad who was just a kid when he joined the Navy. A plucky kid who after a month of going unnoticed, drinking coffee and shooting the breeze was finally assigned a job chipping paint on the ship. It didn't take long for him to decide that this wasn't how he wanted to spend the next four years, so he approached the Chief and talked his was into a chance to be a Radioman.

I have no doubt that he was good at it. He's good at everything he does. He's a hard worker with a gregarious personality, likable. He's the guy you want in charge. As a Teacher and a Coach he made the difference in many lives. And not just the jocks had knicknames, even the shy kids were affectionately called "Dog" and slapped on the back. He made his athletes work hard and he didn't put up with BS.

Today these "kids" stop to visit, email him and send pictures of their kids. They debate if they should call him Mr. Miller or Don. He's always glad to see them, interested in how life is shaping up, wanting success for them. I love to hear my Dad's laugh and I love to see him with his Granddaughters, enjoying them, basking in the rewards of a life well lived.

Today, I'm proud of my Veteran, my Dad!

Beautiful Scenery

2009-11-04T09:05:00.007-06:00

A few months ago we planned a trip over fall break to The Black Hills. We had hoped to be able to stay at Dave's brother's mountain vacation home. It's the second highest residence in the state of South Dakota. When the time came to travel we had three car loads of eager vacationers.

The girl's ooohed and aaahed at The Corn Palace

enjoying pictures of past glories.

The cousins took turns holding each other's hands and chasing around sweet Ava.

They stood still long enough to pose with me in front of the impressive facade of husks.

Then, they watched movies all the way to Rapid City.

For me, I had trouble deciding what I liked better, the wide open plains

that stretched on forever,

the winding mountain roads alive with deer leaping,

the unexpected snow,

the Loft nestled into the trees,

the view from the wrap around deck,

or watching my girls spend time with family and friends.

Quite honestly, I couldn't take my eyes off of both. One moment I'd sigh as I watched my pajama clad little ones snuggle in next to the fire giggling

and in the next moment I'd step out and breathe the overtly crisp air.

Then, I'd return to try and make Ava grin

marveling at the depths in her eyes,

In the morning, I'd smile watching Auntie Rachel play teacher

and then at night I'd find my husband standing in the cool air, perfectly still and quiet except for the snapping of his camera.

Taking it all in.

Jenna's Perfect Pumpkin Party!

2009-11-02T15:03:00.006-06:00

It seems impossible that my baby could already be six years old. It feels like only yesterday that I was trying to figure out how I was going to take an infant, an almost two year old and a 3 1/2 year old to the grocery store. Now, I can look back at those days and almost laugh. I can fondly recall how nice the manager at Cub Foods was the two times I lost my keys. I must have looked a sight with my hair in a ponytail, my sweat suit stained with baby throw up and one hand on Shayla at all times to keep her from darting. The bags of groceries were stuffed into the cart, next to the infant carrier and unused coupons spilled from my purse as I rifeled through it, trying to find my keys but coming up with a Dora toy and a pacifier instead. I can remember the joy as he handed me my keys and then told me about the "free" kids cookies in the bakery section . Future shopping changed for me in that moment as I learned how effective bribery can be for a parent. To this day, I feel no guilt and when my kids expect chocolate as a reward, I know it's my fault. When they turn 21, I'll pay for a month of Weight Watchers so they can sort through thier food issues. In the meantime, I chose to celebrate my baby turning six, with a party, 17 girls, and a big chocolate cake!

The number's were on the floor ready for a candy walk

The plates awaited cupcakes and the cups cider

the girls snuggled with their auntie

and Jenna opened a present as she waited for her guests to arrive.

Then we danced, and hopped and crawled

and made silly pumpkin people

and played a game that involved a detective and a pumpkin smasher.

Here's a lil pumpkin that's already been smashed.

This detective had a lot of work ahead of her as pumpkins were smashing all around.

Jenna giggled as she blew out her candles, enjoying the attention

and the girls seemed happy to share chairs so that they could all fit around my big table.

In the end, Jenna's Pumpkin Party was a perfect way to celebrate the life of my little sassy, sweet, six year old. And I was able to celebrate how far we've come!

Halloween 2009

2009-11-01T19:18:00.002-06:00

This year Dave and I were recovering from the dreaded flu, H1N1. With coughs that had turned into Bronchitis we weren't really in the mood to carve pumpkins or do Halloween. Quite honestly, I'm never in the mood to carve pumpkins. I'm not a fan of the guts touching my hands and after doing the majority of the work on the girl's carving in past years, I usually just pick the easiest pattern and bang it out quick. Dave is always a sport and guts all five pumpkins, thinning down the walls. This year, I was pleasantly surprised when Shayla chose to do one of my standards, the BAT. Katie chose my other favorite, the CAT. I drew on the pattern with a sharpie and then they did the rest! Jenna even freestyled, creating a cute little face. So, I chose an easy bear and within an hour we were done. It was even fun and set the tone for the rest of Halloween!

That night the girl's hurried to dress themselves, needing just a little help with make-up.

A Black Leopard, a Snow Princess and Cleopatra took the place of our normal kids.

These strangers were very excited and spent quite a bit of time jumping up and down.

Later, these three cuties stopped by to visit and reminded me of how much my girl's have grown and how much work it used to be!

At the end of the night, Cleopatra took off her jewels to sort through her loot, offering her Mom treasures of Almond Joy's and Mounds!

This guy wore his costume all night. Scary!

The snow princess scored the most candy, walking all through our development with a friend. They each thought it was great when I allowed them to eat two pieces before bed. At this rate they should finish their last piece by the fourth of July! By nine I was watching a Movie, grateful for big girls who are good kids even on days when it's OK to be a little bad, girls who don't like coconut!

Sometimes

2009-10-05T23:02:00.004-05:00

Sometimes all a girl needs is to feel pretty

and sometimes all it takes is a pair of frog rain boots

and a new dress.

A dress that you'd admired in the store.

A dress that your Mom said was too expensive and impractical.

A dress that you knew would twirl just the right way.

A dress that your Mom decided to buy anyway to surprise you

and then discovered it had been moved to the clearance rack.

A dress that makes you feel on the outside the way you feel on the inside...perfect.

Sometimes all a girl needs is to feel pretty.

If You Plan It They Will Come

2009-10-04T19:43:00.011-05:00

This is a story about a guy. A guy with a birthday that just happened to be on the same day as the last Twin's Baseball Game in the Metrodome. He decided that he would buy sixty tickets and invite friends and family. The big question was...if he planned it, would they come?

The answer was yes.

The entire crazy crew was there under the giant mushroom ceiling

waving our Homer Hankies,

laughing at everything,

catching a homerun ball,

sharing way too many treats

and making crazy faces.

Lots of nutty faces,

like goofy, baby cookie-monster faces,

evil smiles

and what is it with people sticking out their tongues? First Melissa

and then Lisa.

It was all about just being together

Father and Daughter

Baby and Momma

Sister-in-laws

Uncles and Nephews

Brother-in-laws

Cousins

Friends

Aunties

Lovebirds

Grandpas-to-be

and those yummy

darling Grandbabies that make every day a party for the Birthday Guy.

He planned it, we came, the Twins won and the memories will be a homerun.

Motivation

2009-09-29T13:04:00.002-05:00

Before school started I splurged and purchased for myself a new pair of walking shoes. The old pair were still in great condition even after five years. I mistakenly thought that $55 dollars and a good sale is all it would take to put a new zip in my step and inches off my hips. I now am willing to admit that it took three weeks for me to finally walk out of the house, dog on leash with the intention of walking for an hour. The result, twenty minutes later I would return limping with blisters on both of my feet.

It's now a week later, my gigantic blisters are healed, I just finished eating a snack size bag of Cheez-its and I'm forced to admit that either I buy some new jeans or lose ten pounds to fit into the vast array of clothes already hanging in my walk-in closet. I'm searching for some motivation, some stick-to-it-ness and a little bit of I-can-do-it. I'll keep you posted on how it goes.

Kitty Cats

2009-09-28T11:47:00.003-05:00

I had a Kitty when I was a little girl. Her name was Mitsy and she was a scrappy, mousing, baby making machine. She used to sleep in the crook made by my bended knee. One Winter she chased a squirrel up a tree and was caught in a snowstorm. After days of looking we finally heard her weak pleas for help. My dad, seeing the snowflakes mixed with tears on our faces and hearing her faint mewing, climbed aboard the bucket of a tractor and was hoisted up into the high wind-blown branches. He returned a hero with a skinny, fiesty purring cat.

Eventually, Mitsy was hit by a car and I would go cat free for many years until one fateful day when I would see a "Free Kittens" sign on the side of a road. I would follow the sign to a farm where I would pick Gypsy, the inbred demon cat from hell. The cat that would bite for no reason and corner our friends in the Kitchen where they would fear for their lives. The cat that Dave was allergic to and eventually took into The Humane Society while I wept in the car, having chosen marriage over responsible animal ownership. The cat that Dave lied about for five years, reassuring me that she found a new home with non-allergy sufferers, neglecting to mention the long, padded war gloves the Humane Society workers were forced to don in order to pry my hissing, psychotic pet from her kennel. After that I would swear off cats for the rest of my life.

This however is the exception to that pledge! Jenna and our neighbor girls have embraced the idea of Trick or Treating whole heartedly. With a magic marker they made whiskers on their sweet little faces and went meowing door to door for candy.

They soon figured out that adults are suckers for cuteness and many of us have candy corn in bowls by our front door. Smart little felines!

Tied Together

2009-09-25T13:43:00.003-05:00

After nearly twelve years together there are a few idiosyncracies that I certainly would miss, should my darling Husband cease to exist.

Of course it's not just his crazy habits I would mourn, but also his kindness and attention to details. If I'm real honest here, I can admit that I'd probably end up stranded on the side of a highway with an empty gas tank and a lack of caffeine headache. Dave routinely fills my Minivan and supplies my daily allotment of Diet Coke. Yes, I admit he's my Coke Dealer and he gives me gas. Sounds like a glamorous job doesn't it?! But that's not all, he also stops by Costco once a week to pick up Milk, (my Children really are the Milkmans!), he cooks on a regular basis, dresses with a flashlight at 5am and cleans up the Kitchen as best as he can.

Yes, I would miss all that attentiveness. I'd also lose thirty pounds from not eating a regular diet of Smoked Ribs and homemade Ice Cream, but that's beside the point.....

What I really would miss about Dave is how he takes off his Ties after work and leaves them in a neat pile next to our computer. Last time I did laundry I collected eighteen ties. Eighteen work days worth of fashion. I briefly considered making them into a coat of many colors. Instead, I took a few moments to ponder his color and patterns choice wondering what kind of mood he was in on the day he choose to wear solid pink. Then, I hung them all up, and grabbed a Diet Coke, saying a prayer that I get to gather them for the next forty years.

Love It or Hate It!

2009-09-21T08:28:00.002-05:00

The two-inch Hollyhock that a lady from Bible Study innocently gave me, now towers over six feet tall. I can't decide if it's a pleasant surprise or an invasion.

When I planted it, I had no idea what it would look like.

I was told it would flower.

I certainly didn't expect it to create these delicious, frilly works of art.

Hollyhocks are old fashioned and were typically planted to hide outhouses. I have nothing to hide so I'm stuck trying to decide if I love it or hate it. Even though we refer to it as the overgrown weed, I have to admit that I admire it. You have to respect a plant that can cause such a strong emotional reaction.