BoopBeep Beep Boop

If the Walmart was any indication today, there are still folks who are throwing caution to the wind and trying to puff the sales of the economy. Carts and moms and dads and children were out in full force. I was pretty proud of myself and the restraint I showed. I think the grocery section haunted me a bit but that is what happens when you go to the Super Walmart hungry.

Nonetheless the trip was reserved and I only bought for those on my list and not one thing popped into my cart that shouldn't have. Well, unless you count the bag of bbq Fritos. Ok, and the bag of Doritos. Don't judge. I was hungry. And so was the future pilot. For the record I have not opened the Fritos, and only had about 6 of the future pilots Doritos.

I picked this up for my neice. (Shhh don't tell her. It's a surprise.)
If you haven't seen one of these dolls let me tell you it's pretty cool. She comes with this little pacifier and bottle and when you insert them into her mouth she starts making baby noises and scrunching up her eyes and mouth likes a real baby. When I showed it to my mom she wanted to know what I was going to get my neice when I decided I couldn't part with it. Cute comment Mom but I've just finished with the diapering stage so I don't miss it yet. Much.

These two little curmudgeons could not keep there hands off her...It made me think maybe I should have gotten one for my favorite little girl in the world. But no. She wanted the one that poops on the potty. You know ...the one that they are saying won the ugliest doll of the year award because she looks just like Chuckie's sister. Wonderful. Luckily I've never seen the movie so I won't have to worry about any nightmares.

7 Days

Wow. That's how long it has been since my last post. It is a good thing I don't do this for money or I'd be starving now. I finished my final paper tonight and my final this past Monday. I'm breathing a bit easier now--even though I think I really messed up my final. Maybe it's the glass of wine in my left hand or maybe it's just the fact that I can't undo it that makes me choose not to worry. Either way it's over.

Just like I knew would happen I am contemplating next semester's course load. Shhh. Don't tell my husband. He's likely to NOT be too happy about that. Stuff kind of piles up around here and I don't like for that to happen because it drives me crazy. I've put a lot of things on hold. Like this...
I can't tell you how many times ol Dora dog has dropped this raggedy ol rope toy in front of me this week to try and distract me.

Oh and my kids have thought it quite funny to keep placing this where I might go next...

And when I say things have been piling up around the place this is what I mean...
That is the most tame area. Lord please don't let Social Services remove my kids. I promise I won't lose them in this heap.

And even though they seem to be extremely hyper lately and have made me want to wear this t-shirt every day this entire semester...
I know that these precious little ones...
have been pretty patient and enduring of my school work. So whatever is on the schedule for the next couple of weeks I plan not to allow stress to be one of the items. I simply want to enjoy the season and be able to truly reflect on the blessings God has given me and remember that whatever time I give to whatever project I have will never ever surpass what God has done for us. I hope you will be able to do the same.

Weekend in A Whirl

Silly title for a blog but after posting every day in November I'm really feeling pressed to try and keep that up. I still don't know how others do it.

Saturday I had my day planned out. Pay bills, do laundry, go to bank to pay more bills, hit Homegoods for some assorted things and then mail a package then come home to complete laundry, work on two final assignments, and study for my final exam--which is tomorrow. ACK!!!!

My husband decided we needed to take the kids here...
Because he's been telling me for weeks that the future pilot would love it.

I think he was right.
Afterwards he thought we needed to fill up on food so I'd be too tired to amount to anything when we got home. Well maybe he was just hungry and knew from me telling him that I hadn't yet eaten and it was nigh on 4pm that I needed to eat soon. Nonetheless eating a big meal rendered me sleepy.

When we got home the kids had to play in our first snow...
I am sure we got a whopping half inch!!! Goodness I do hope I don't lose the future pilot in it.
After that I really tried hard to get the kids occupied with re-enacting the Christ child's birth--even though I figured it would be much like that of Mr. Bean's.
I merely wanted them occupied so I could study and get some work done on my papers. It is times like these that I realize how much I'm missing out on. I wonder if I will try harder to be with them after school ends this semester. Whether I'm ready or not school will be over for the semester on Sunday. I plan to thank God a LOT on that day.

I was up until 1 last night. Got one paper down and sent it off today. I had nursery at church then had to shuttle my favorite little girl in the world and one of her friends to the Brownie unit Christmas pin swap. Then it was home to call England. The next paragraph is for my nephew. The birthday man.

I called you. I swear I did. Your number must have been pretty popular on your day. Both times it was busy. Then we had a crisis. Your cat was being tormented by my dog and the girls started chasing him and he wee wee'd on my floor and the girls stepped and knee'd in it and I was running around freaking out trying to figure out what I was going to send my favorite little girl in the world's friend home in because she is so teeny tiny next to your cousin. I was pushing it to try and call you at 9pm. It was the time I had available. I suck as an aunt. You can tell me too if you'd like. Can I JUST take the time to say if you STILL lived next door I swear I would visit you in person to tell you just how much you mean to me. Eat your heart out girls of Grace. He's growing into one fine young man and YOU can't have him. So how's that? Happy birthday man. It still IS officially your birthday in the country you were birthed so my track record should be better. As to your present again, if I send YOURs on time it makes me look bad to that blonde boy that shares a house with you. So it's coming. I promise.

That pretty much sums up my weekend. I am here beginning my last assignment and cramming for my final. After this week it's all downhill. Well unless my daughter keeps reminding me how few days there are left until Christmas. Then the panic will really begin.

I hope your weekend was joyous.

It happened again

Every year I start my shopping and for some reason I always end up buying something for myself. Isn't that selfish? Last year I bought a washing machine. I didn't WANT to buy one but the Maytag I had broke. It would have cost more to fix it than to replace it. But this year? I have no good excuse.

You see, I'd had my eye on this certain clock for oh maybe two years. I drooled over it, dog-eared the page. Allowed myself to be tempted by it. On black Friday it happened. The price of the clock was reduced by two-third's it's original price!!!

Now mind you I was internet shopping. With my sister. We were chatting and I zinged her the link. She responded immediately with "Oh, you HAVE to buy it for yourself." I tried so hard to resist but alas I could not. So I ordered it. It came Wednesday. My favorite first born son attempted to put it up for me that same night but he needed a drill so he tried to complete the job tonight. Unfortunately, this is as far as he got.

There are supposed to be two additional clocks but one of the smaller clocks does not have the larger hook that will fit over the rod. If that sounds confusing to you imagine me trying to explain it to the customer support center. I'd rather not return the whole shebang if I don't have to. I'd like to exchange one small clock for the clock that has the right sized hook.

I need this clock. Mostly so I can keep up with THIS time location...Because THIS location...

is where little sis is and her sweet family. And my goodness if I call yet another birthday boy in the middle of the night I might just get disconnected.

I'm hoping the support center can make it all better so I can hang the rest of the time zones I just have to keep up with. Don't ask me why I picked this one being the olympics are now over.
Nonetheless it would look better with all five clocks. Trust me.

And the little guy behind Beijing?
He was responsible for putting all the batteries in. My boys. Such good helpers to their mama.

Thankful Thursday

Oh many many things to be thankful for. Here's just a very teeny tiny tip of the iceberg.

- A daughter who reads to her brother--even when she doesn't feel like it.
Soft furry kittens that bring out the gentle side in my kids.
A cat and dog that play well (together and rest together even better).

My mom. A woman who comes in rain, sleet, and snow to take care of my kids. One who will bake cookies with the future pilot while my favorite little girl in the world is at school...

and come back later to bake cookies with the girl when she gets home.

I'm thankful for...
-bubble wrap and packing pillows--they're cheap entertainment for kids
- a family to come home to
- soldiers who sacrifice not only their lives but time with their families
- Starbucks Vivannos and the Matcha to go with it!


Oh so many more but I'm also thankful for a nice soft bed which I shall be falling into now.

Goodnight to all. And to all a good night.

Mastercard...you have my vote

I don't usually get into the "use this evil little plastic card" commercials and I definitely don't get into the "gee we can afford to give each other cars" commercials but I have to say I think this one is absolutely hilarious.

Enjoy...

It's Official

I am now a bonafide antiquer. Firefox tells me neither of those are actual words but I'm choosing to ignore them. How dare someone, especially a browser, correct me on MY blog.

Anyway, I dragged my mama all over today. We went to a consignment shop looking for the perfect indestructible vanity for my favorite little girl in the world. They didn't have any. However they had a recommendation. So I pushed and pulled my mama all the way...

next door.
Phew. She's such a trooper. So 7 minutes into our shopping trip, our mission...

was...

accomplished!
Whatdiya think? Ain't it purty?
Believe it or not this fine crafted piece of furniture...
was within budget. I still need to get a nice mirror for it but I can just picture my favorite little girl in the world preening herself before it. Hey, she's a girl after all. :D

And while I'm sure it is not an antique I DID purchase it in an antique shop and I did haggle with the owner. So to me? I'm an antiquer and I dare you to tell me differently.

My mom went the extra mile and allowed me to pick up a few things at Tar-shay, you know the bulls-eye store.

She was such a good sport that we headed south for lunch. I had no idea we'd do that so I didn't bring my camera. This is my first attempt to use phone pictures and while they don't exactly do the day total justice they are a good gist of it.

Oh what a view.

We had the best corner table in the place. I just LOVE the water. We used to live on the water. I miss it a lot.
The future pilot even actually ate a little bit. Something he doesn't like to do. That kid would live off of Ovaltine if you let him. He's never even watched The Christmas Story all the way through so I don't understand that. At all.
When my favorite little girl in the world got home she had to play with the kittens. The visitors have taken up residence--like no one saw THAT coming.

She asked me if she could call her cousin Jake. She has a bond with that boy I tell ya. I hadn't even reminded her it was his birthday. I had tried to call earlier in the day but the line was busy-my mom beat me to it--obviously I did not wear her out enough on our journey.

Anyway, when we called it was after 10 where he is so he was groggy. Ole Jakie Poo that girl loves you and so do we. I mean that. I did NOT forget your birthday. Honest I didn't. It's just that this mean old forgetful aunt DID forget your brother's birthday and I can't send you and Todd gifts on time this year so he feels all like I am just not worthy. Okay? (Oh and don't tell him any of that because well, then he'd feel it)

I captured a picture of her talking to you. See...she still wears her boots. Well ONE of them anyway.