Treasure Hunt Tuesday

I have a friend who takes great pictures and has a treasure hunt every Tuesday where I can share pictures based on the theme. This last week was "Plants, flowers, and trees, oh my". I knew I had to get with it on this theme. Because we have plenty of all that here at home.

This is where I go walking every morning and I love the fresh air and all the trees.  (sorry they're late Jenee).  

My necklace.

In the previous post I mentioned a great necklace that I was wearing.  So now I will share. HomeStudio  is an etsy shop I was introduced to through another great blog, Make and Takes. Mark and Stefani at HomeStudio have great designs and great customer service.  I had to get the kitty cat tile for Paige.  It has a mommy kitty and a little girl kitty.  Paige can't wait to wear it.  I want to get silk cording to go with it and tie the adjustable knots on it (I don't like the chain for her).  I'm not a very good picture-taker so if you go to their website you'll see it better.  Sometimes they run great specials like 'buy two get one free'. I thought these were super cute so I wanted to share. Perfect for Christmas presents. HomeStudio also shares their directions of how they make them.  (I want to point out that this was another reason why I like HomeStudio. They are willing to share their ideas.)   Well, I need to go shower and put on one of my necklaces because I have a lunch date with a second grader.  He wants me to experience Pizza pockets at the cafeteria. Yippie, I can't wait. I should just be grateful that he still wants me around. I think I'm pretty cool but it's nice that he does too.

Simple Women's Daybook, Sept. 5th

Outside My Window...

it is sunny and 85 degrees. The rain is coming in tomorrow.

I am thinking...

about special friends.  I'm missing them. Especially the ones that make me laugh out loud when you least expect it.

I am thankful...

for hair straighteners.  They give me another day of not having to wash my hair. 

From the kitchen...

I came.  Once I saw (and smelt) all the dirty dishes I decided to blog first.

I am wearing...

a great new necklace (with clothes as well). I'll include a picture eventually.

I am creating...

memories.  If I can ever figure out what camcorder to buy I might actually be able to retain the memories.  I have a bad memory. Will that be fixed in the resurrection?

I am reading...

a lot of kids homework and all the school papers they send home.  Seriously, save a tree or two.

I am hoping...

for my vertigo to go away and never return.  There is always hope.

I am hearing...

Nothing, nothing, nothing. 

Around the house...

are legos.  It's funny how you find little planes, trains, and automobiles in every cubby possible.

One of my favorite things...

are kisses from my kids.  Paige gives me kitty cat kisses/licks and Lane tries to give me soap opera kisses. He smashes my face and I try to tell him that girls don't like that.

A few plans for the rest of the week...

a little bit of this, a little bit of that.  The world is my oyster (without kids in tow). And I have a hot date tonight with a man that I've known for 13 years.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing...

Nice clean school shoes.  Once they hit the playground they never look like this again.

10 years of something resembling pure bliss

Today marks the day that 10 years ago Blake complained of the heat, pictures being taken of him, and all the attention that he was getting.  Otherwise know to me as our wedding day.  Thank heavens he had no complaints about his bride.  (I was pretty perfect)  It's been a wonderful 10 years and relatively painless.  He still makes me laugh and I smile when I see him across the room.  Ten years into it all, I now know what a great dad he is and how supportive, easy-going, and hard-working he is.  I am always first on his list.  Thanks for a great 10 years and I'm excited to see what the next 10 bring us.

His gift will be something to keep him young at heart.  Stay tuned...

(Hurry and read this. Blake may delete it at any time because of the sappiness.)

1st day of school (or 5th)

This is Paige's first day of school but actually Lane's 5th day of school. I got Lane's original pictures on the new camcorder but we ended up taking it back because of Mac compatibility. So in the process we lost the pictures and 1st football game. And that is the quick story of how Lane's "very special 1st day of school pictures with new clothes" turns into the "very un-special 5th day of school pictures with last years clothes ('cause Mom forgot to do the laundry)".

(Paige's teacher didn't recognize her at first.  Probably because her hair was pulled out of her face.)

Paige's first day seemed to go very well for her. Mine on the other hand was a little rough. I went exercising right after and could barely see were I was going. For once I was very grateful to Blake for poisoning my ipod with horrible loud rock music.  It made it very hard for me to focus on my babies.  That was until a Taylor Swift song came on and all I could see was Paige as a 16 year old.  See how my day was going?  I did enjoy the rest of the afternoon after I got past how quiet is was at home.  It made it even sweeter when I picked the kids up and Paige was smiling and having a great day.  She met 2 new friends but can't remember their names.  She was really excited that her teacher didn't give any homework.  Really, what Kindergarten teacher would give homework on the first day of school?  She enjoyed it all even with a double ear infection (found that out tonight. Sorry babe, I guess your ear really does hurt).  Lane capped off his evening with a football game and scoring the final touchdown (they don't keep score and he is normally an offensive lineman) so it was kind of sweet for him.  Coming up next: all the things you can do at home without kids.  I'm trying to keep positive about all this change.  

Real Men of Genius...Dedicated to Evil Empire 3

We don't drink...just love the song!!  Please disregard all the advertisements.

(Pause the music down below)

Simple Woman's Daybook, Aug. 29th

This is a new way to share some of my thoughts that I want to try to do weekly.  Warning: Comments may be very random, sarcastic, and real.  You'll probably get to see the more imperfect part of my personality.  I know, you didn't think I was imperfect, did you?

Outside my window...

It's cloudy but finally stopped raining.  Maybe we can play outside later today.

I am thinking...

about the changes in my life.  Am I ready for them?  

I am thankful...

for employment (or should I say my husband's employment.  My job of MOM will always be in demand). I have a friend who was recently laid off and the stress and unhappiness is painful.

From the kitchen...

The dishes are clean, do I really need to say more?

I am wearing...

pajamas, of course.  I live in the east and I don't require myself to be productive until the rest of my family and friends in the west wake-up.  (I know, it's a stretch).

I am creating...

a mess.  I'm supposed to be organizing things.  It's not working very well.

I am reading...

the Old Testament.  I signed up for an Institute class.  Sorry to say, this is my first time reading the Old Testament.

I am hoping...

that I get through this next week with my baby starting school.

I am hearing...

"Wonder pets, wonder pets, we're on our way to help the baby kitten and save the day."  (Paige's favorite cartoon)

Around the house...

the floors are clean (vacuumed and mopped).  We had visitors and there are some things I only do when we have visitors.

One of my favorite things...

is the smell of freshly cut grass. The Gap has a perfume that reminds me of cut grass. I love it but don't own any. (My birthday is coming up :).

A few plans for the next week...

will be very simple.  I'm switching over to emotional survival.  Paige will start school and then I will try to figure out my purpose in life.  I know it sounds dramatic but that is where I'm at even if it is irrational.  My babies are growing up.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing.

We went on a new adventure close to home.  Lane got a little too close to this waterfall.  I told him that I wouldn't jump in to save him.  I know, that sounds so horrible when it's repeated. Not one of my good parenting moments. 

If anyone else wants to do a "Simple Women's Daybook" on your blog I'd love to read them.