Really?

I was checking Amazon to see if they sold Starbucks Tazo Iced Green tea filter bags. I'd checked the Starbucks online store and they didn't. In my travels I found this.

Starbucks 16 ounce Insulated Tumbler

Price? 59.99. Seriously? Granted you get a discounted refill when you use it I almost deep fried my computer with the spew of beverage I was drinking.

Am I reading it wrong? Is it a "collection" of cups? That seems an awful high price to pay for a plastic cup. My my my.

From Where I Sit

From where I sit the view is vast.


From where I sit the grass is green,


the sky, blue.


The dew fresh...


and relaxation tools abundant.



Happy beautiful Saturday everyone.

Thankful Thursday

Yes, I am alive. I am still around. Lurking. In the darkness. Contemplating life and enjoying my family. Cleaning my house. Trying to stay sane. I've kind of hit a blog snag and am at the road where I'm asking myself if I should continue this or not. I've let it consume me at times and that has been weighing heavy on my heart.

I was out of town for a bit but it IS Thursday and I do have it in me to post today.


1. As I entered my car this morning and flicked on the windshield wipers to erase the morning dew I saw this...
And considering I was still mustering the courage to trudge on to work this "V" for victory made me smile and thank God for hope (and victory) in conquering the day.

2. I'm thankful for friends who listen to me when I whine about falling off the wagon and resolve me to get back on with a good old fashioned weight-loss challenge. Thanks friends!

3. Actually thankful that I spent way too much time focusing on a task at work today which caused me to miss the main course of my lunch. (Makes me able to eat this less guiltily.
4. Thankful that I have energy enough to do a few loads of laundry out so I won't be stuck indoors the whole weekend.

5. Thankful that my kids are happily playing together with Legos. Well two different sets of Legos NEXT to each other. Hey. Baby steps.

6. Thankful that I have yet to decide on what kind of car to buy so I have yet to have a car payment.

7. Oh and I should say I'm thankful my lovely vehicle is still alive and kickin' and getting me to where I need to go.

8. Thankful for crevices such as these that cause delight and awe in eyes of all size.

9. Oh so very thankful for fresh garden produce! This is all that is left of two nice zucchini and two summer squashes. They were delish! I wanted to roast it all but the kids insisted they make zucchini bread with their Grandma. Who was I to argue since it's THEIR garden?


10. Thankful that we have had several days without rain in which to enjoy nice visits on the patio swing.


Thank you God,
You're the One,
Who makes my life
so much fun.

Thankful Thursday

Wow. Where has the week gone? I can't believe that it's Thursday already. The week has flown. Such great things to be thankful for.

1. Clean counters and WINDOWSILLS!!! THAT only happens like twice a year. (I don't even have a party scheduled in the near future. CAN I get an amen?!

2. For a little boy that knows how to entertain himself while his mommy works hard to accomplish clean counters and windowsills.

3. For the forest and all it's glorious smells with bright green tones and black black earth. Mmmm a little piece of heaven every time I pass through it.

4. For wonderful first second graders who allowed me to spend time with them every week. I hope to see more of you next year.

5. For a mom that wanders in and out of my house just when I seem to be needing her most.

6. For sunsets more gorgeous than my camera can capture.


7. For rain. Yes rain. Even though I could use a little less right now (hint hint).

8. For summer vacation! No more homework checking for at least 60 days!!! Wahoooooo!!!

9. For happy children.

10. For encouragement from friends when I'm feeling at my lowest. Thanks all you uplifting souls.


Thanks, Man Above!

Friday. Is There Any Other...

day that smells as sweet?

For me it is the end of a work week. The beginning of a time to regroup, reclaim my house, and relax with my family. As a mom who works outside the home as well as in it I feel the pressure of having to answer to more bosses than I should have to. Having to please more people than is humanly possible. So when I missed my workout window working two hours passed my time, and then sat in traffic that crept along for 30 minutes more of a commute than my already 45 minutes I knew it was time to call home.

Me: Hey
The Law (aka my husband): Hey
Me: Can we got out?
The Law: Sure. Where do you want to go?
Me (trying not to choke since we never ever go out on a Friday because we don't like people crowds): Um I was thinking that steak place or the turtle place.
The Law: OK
Me (still in shock that dinner discussions weren't needing to be raised to a Senate committee): Which would you prefer?
The Law (asks the kids): Ok, it's the turtle. I'll meet you there.

And so there it was. Dinner with the family. Simple as that. Afterwards I took the future pilot and 'the Law" took my favorite little girl and we went our separate ways. My party went to the grocery store and it was the most peaceful shopping experience I've had in a long long time. My little shopping companion was a dream.

Oh did I mention that the store was pretty much empty to boot? I may just make a habit of this.

Thankful Thursday

I'm back again. Struggling. I'm not sure why. Nonetheless I'm thankful.

1.) Thankful that I ran 2.6 miles today even though I forgot my towel (again) and sweat kept dripping in my eyeballs.

2.) Thankful that the poison ivy between my toes is healing and that God gave me the strength to push through the burn. (Seriously it made me feel more accomplished!!!)

3.) Thankful that the scale has not gone up in accordance with my eating habits. Thank You God for mercy!

4.) Thankful that the weekend is full with fun events.

5.) Thankful that my hubby will be home for most of it.

6.) Thankful that the future pilot is tired and needs someone to take him to bed (you can BET I'm volunteering for that one).

7.) Thankful that other bloggers are not the slackers that I am--lest I have nothing to read and be entertained with (sneak over here to Casey's place . Her post on MTV awards is very silly. She's a hoot).

8.) Thankful for the encouragement of friends. Especially ones who read your blog NOT because you begged them to but because curiosity took them there and they took the time to tell you that they enjoyed the read. Thank you Annemarie. You get your's up and I will plug it a thousand times over. Right here. Right on my sidebar. I promise.

9.) Thankful for melt in your mouth chocolate creme puffs that crush all chilly like in your mouth. Seriously. "In moderation" of course.

10.) Thankful that there is peace in this house.


"Thank You God" to You I sing,
Thank You for the joy You bring,
Thank You God for everything.