It Is What It Is

"To all the Blogs I've Loved Before.."

First, I want to set the mood for your reading pleasure.  Close your eyes, and think of the Willie Nelson song, "To all the girls I've loved before.."  Can you hear it?  That's the kind of mood I'm in folks.  I'm trying not to be a hater.  Hater of myself and the procrastinating that has invaded my life.  But first before I write about that, I must go watch" Curb Your Enthusiasm"....I'll be right back, I promise.

I'm back...seriously, I have the worse case of procrastination EVER!  I've been able to accomplish only those things that need taken care in the most immediate of ways.  For instance, today was a beautiful day.  I didn't have any place to be- so I could in theory get caught up.  I did take care of a few things that I needed to-BUT the things that have been hanging over my head for way too long- didn't get touched.  So because of that, I'm going to tell you about all the blogs I wish I would have written in the last few weeks in hopes of actually getting them written-

1.  Desk Redo Bloggy Style- UPDATE - In this post, I show all the progress I've made on my desk- actually showing the finished product.

2.  Volleyball- A Love Story to replace A Love Story- Football

3.  A Season of Cheer- In this post I tell all about my adventures in cheerleading coaching 19 ten year old girls- (I can almost hear you laughing as you read this...)

4.  DIPS- Revisited- This is my cooking mini-tutorial where I photograph and make the dips submitted by  two of my faithful commenter's.

5.  DIPS- for Book clubs- this had to be postponed because the dip party was postponed- so I guess I'm not procrastinating on this one...

6.  Decorating for fall- Because I actually did so little it wasn't worth the effort.

7.  How to Parent an 18 Year Old- If anyone has any advice on this- I could use your help.

8.  My new favorite author- Jen Lancaster!

9.  "Twilight"- I'm behind the curve...

10.  My New fall Favorite TV Must Watches...

11.  I have a New Boss- Oh mY!

Hopefully, I've peaked your interest.  I know I've peaked mine.  Lets hope I can kick this procrastinating cloud that has been hanging over my head and get to writing!  Are you procrastinating anything?  Tell me what it is so I can feel better about myself!  Thanks for sharing!

Happy Birthday, Sister!

Today is my one and only Baby Sister's birthday!  Happy Birthday, Kelly!  I love you!

Labor Day means WORK and Happy Birthday Middle One

Alright friends, I've been a laboring this Labor Day Weekend.  I hope you've been enjoying the last bit of the official summer. 

 Remember when I mentioned that when you remove every roof ever put on your 82 year old house it spells- MESS any way you slice it?  Well, this mess has started an avalanche of other messes- it's like attack of the messes.  I've been digging out of messes all freaking weekend. 

Shall I recap? 

1.  ROOF-

 

Don't let the blue sky fool you- this was after all three previous roofs were removed and we're moving toward the installation of new roof.

 

See the dumpster that has been blocking my driveway and back entrance for the last seven days?  See blackness on the driveway- that is the remnants of old shingles and is taking over  everything?

 

Ah, ha- this is a better illustration of the mess that is now completely covering my attic- chunks and dust and junk covering everything!  Did I mention that the attic is my primary area of storage for all things in my household?  Dear Beloved made it up the stairs and cleaned that portion- it's just so completely overwhelming.  Trying to clean it all right now is just impossible.  Plus it's been about 500 degrees up there making the job even harder.

2.  Refer to first photo for a look at chimney that is now crumbling and needs to be repaired.  We know we needed to have the plaster on the chimney and front facade of the house taken care of- just not right after replacing the entire roof.  We optimistically thought we could make do with a fix on the chimney until the spring- but alas, the chimney is in even worse disrepair than originally thought.  We could actually have large chunks of plaster falling off the chimney and hurting people or worse damaging my new roof (I kid..) But I'm not kidding when I say- goodbye $2,000 more dollars. 

I might also add here, that I"m not opposed to fixing my house or spending the money to do so, it's just that the timing so sucks. Not that house repairs ever have good timing, but I would love to spend money on fun things- like a new kitchen or bath.   I could have had my new kitchen about five times over by now.  Oh well, time to get over it....

3.  Eldest moved into the basement into her new super cool faux dorm room.  This left her old room open and available.  We have moved Youngest into that room thus leaving her old room which is attached to our bedroom open and available to become a master bedroom sitting room.  We're  moving Beloved's Mancave out of the basement and allowing this to become more of the Lounge area of Eldest's Dorm and the hang out area for the other kids.  Leaving the family room the gated off shrine of family rooms.  (Remember the new carpet.)  Even the dogs are banned from this room.  So all of these changes have involved lots of moving, organizing and cleaning and ya da, ya da, ya da....

It really felt like we would never get any one thing finished completely.  I am happy to report- that both girl's rooms are pretty darn near close to being completed.  Odds and ends, mostly.  We are actually able to walk in the rooms and the upstairs hallway without climbing over things, finally.  

4.  Middle One turned 15 years old today!

 

In the midst of all this laboring, I actually made him his favorite Red Velvet cake with cream cheese frosting- all homemade I might add!

 

It's hard to believe that in six months he'll be eligible to take his driver's test.  Oh, my...

5.  Football has started- actually, it started in June and has been going full steam since then.  We've had a couple of scrimmages and two games.  You know I love all things football- so let me share a couple of shots, of my Middle Boy in his high school uniform!

 

He's #78! 

 

 

Last one, in formation, ready to snap the ball. 

Alright- that's all for now- gotta go do some work for the start of a new work and school week.  Enjoy the start of all things Fall!

Riddle Me This

Q- What do you get when you have 3 previous roofs removed off of your house built in 1927?

A- A big, fat, f %*&%$#@#$% mess! 

If I open the door to my attic I can see the sky peeking through-please Lord, don't let it rain!  I'm afraid to go up to check out the damage- since I can pick up large chunks of roofing materials on the steps leading up to the attic.  All I can say, it isn't pretty. 

I'll take photos and share later, when I've stopped crying. 

What's Been Happening?

Sorry for the delay and lack of fresh posts.  It's been a hectic week or so of back to school activities coupled with end of summer vacation activities. 

A week or so ago, my good buddy B and family hauled it in from the great state of Massachusetts for a family wedding.  We were lucky enough to spend a few hours together. 

 

I know I kid,but really, can you possibly pick a better spokes couple for Crest Whitening Strips or for orthodontia?  I mean these people have freakishly straight and white teeth.  It's all apart of their appeal.  They joined us with their darling daughter, K at Youngest's "Back to School Splash" pool party.

 

We gathered up a large group of soon to be (but are currently now) 5th Grade girls to have one last bash before the school bell rang.  It was a glorious summer day.  Plenty of sunshine and warm temperatures. 

  

And true to the party's theme- SPLASH- they DID!

 

This week has been getting used to getting up early again, packing lunches, getting uniforms together and trying to work out new sports schedules.  My annual back to school photo with all three kids was a total bust.  

My camera was broken (or so I thought) and I had to use my phone and then the emailing of the photo turned out to be the size of a postage stamp and Middle One would not, could not be bothered to stand still and pose and Eldest drove off to college.  I got a pic of her backing out of the driveway.  At some point- I'll work it out but until then, I got nothing to share.

Hope your back to school happenings are going well.  As I like to say- "It is What it Is, my friends."

 

China for 20, Right?

This past weekend, Beloved and I went away by ourselves for our anniversary.  No kids.  For the first time, we left Eldest in charge and didn't have any other adults come and stay with them.  (We did have family and close friend, J checking in periodically.)  We didn't go far, a couple hours south of our town, to the big city of Columbus, Ohio.  Beloved and I started our lives together in this town.  We lived there for thirteen years before moving northwest.  We have a history there and lots of friends that we can still visit.  (Disclaimer- it's virtually impossible to see all of the people we would have liked to visit with- so please do not be offended if we did not get in touch with you while we were there.  We promise- you were in our thoughts and if only we had an extra day or two...)

Anyways, we were there to celebrate our 20th Wedding Anniversary.  20 Years....wow I think that's quite the milestone.  I'm proud that we can say we've been married that long.   So in honor of this occasion, I present to you a photo montage of the Beloved and I...

 

This was one of our early dates.  I believe it was our 2nd.  Our first date consisted of going to a play on campus and then out for drinks and dancing at the "Nick."  (It was the 80's, man!)  After this date he asked me to his fraternity Date Party.  This was in February.  I borrowed this dress from one of my sorority sisters.  I was a sophomore and he was a junior.  Shortly after this date party, we stopped dating, for two years.

 

This was the spring of 1986, my Senior year.  Beloved had graduated by then and we were engaged to be married.  He came back to campus for my Spring Date party.  (Aren't you loving my purple eyeshadow.  I really wish I could find that Cover-girl 4 pack palette again...)

 

Another late 80's photo.  We were engaged, again at this time.  (Did I ever tell you the story of our three engagements before actually getting married?)   I was visiting him in Columbus at this time, while I lived in Cleveland.

 

August 11, 1989.  This was at our wedding rehearsal dinner.  Can you believe all that hair?!

 

Outside the church, immediately following the ceremony.  We released black and white balloons.

 

Black and white wedding party- before black and white was cool.  I thought at the time that my bridesmaids, clearly could wear these dresses again.  They did not look like a typical bridesmaid dress.  Looking back now, yeah, not so much... 

 

August 12, 1989.  Our first dance as husband and wife. 

P.S.  I LOOOOVED that headpiece.  Just thinking about it makes me want to go up into my attic and take it out of the preserved box and put it on and dance around my house. 

This past weekend celebrating at the same restaurant where we celebrated our first anniversary.

With these friends from college, where it all began.

D and L               and                   E and H.

 

That about says it all- Happy Anniversary, Beloved.  I love you.

P.S.S.  I wanted to share my favorite gift of all, from D and L.  They are so sweet and generous.  This was included in a card from them.

 

At first I didn't quite understand why we were given a map.  Then D reminded me that China was the traditional  gift for the 20 year anniversary.  Absolutely, perfect.

Happy Birthday, Beloved!!

Happy, Happy 46th Birthday to my Beloved!!

 

You get better with age.  It's really not fair that men age more gracefully than women. 

A slight graying at the temples is distinguished on men.  Those crinkles at the eyes are charming and sexy. 

 

He doesn't really like to get his photo taken, but too bad.  You must have the obligatory birthday photo with your birthday cake.  In this case, it's a birthday cheesecake.  It's his favorite.

 

Hope you enjoy this side of 40 more than the first half.  The best is yet to come!

Love, Me

Random Photo of the Day

In the interest of time and because frankly, Pilate's kicked my butt tonight and I have about a gillion things I need to do- I'm going to go into the vault of photos saved on my hard drive and pull up a photo for no particular reason...I'm closing my eyes and wherever the cursor lands, that's the photo I'm using.....ready.... 

  

That's my nephew, A along with Spiderman being played by Eldest.  This was from a few years ago.  A is everything that photo shows and more.  He's smart as a whip and cuter than a bug.  Believe me, the kids knows how to work all of that to his advantage.  He's away this week visiting our Aunt in Maryland.  I'm sure he's having a great time.  A is my sister's son, her oldest.  He'll be starting 1st grade in less than a month.  All I have to say Sis, better you than I! 

 A and Beloved have an interesting relationship.  Basically, Beloved gives this kid all kinds of sh%* and A thinks it's the most hilarious thing he's ever experienced.  You'd think that would make him not like to be around Beloved, but it's the opposite.  A will "skype" call Beloved just to blow him some sh%* back!  It's hysterical.  A you're a real, treat!  Love you!

Conversations of the Camp Kind

Youngest returned home safe and sound after a truly fantastic week at camp.  Each time camp is over she states "this was the absolute best camp ever!"  Mind you, when we left her a week ago, I had a few mommy moment reservations.  Usually, when we drop her off at camp, she's kicking us out the door before I've had a chance to finish putting on the fitted sheet on her bunk.  She always has a cabin mate that she knows from home. 

This year, she moved up a level in her group.  Her cabin facilities and location changed as well.  It was a much different story this year.  She had been placed in one of the more "rustic" A-Frame cabins.  This cabin was located in the woods.  There were no bathroom facilities in her cabin.  They had a "hike" to the toilet and showers.  This was our first surprise.  Her cabin in previous years have always rivaled prime state park resorts. 

Next, she was the last to arrive to her cabin.  This meant, no choice in bunks.  (This is a very big deal...)  She was relegated to the last bottom bunk located near the door.  This was surprise number two.  Well, at least she'd be in this adventure with her buddy from home.  Surprise number three- no cabin buddy.  Well, that did her in, her eyes got extremely wide and tear filled.  I asked her if she wanted to step outside for a minute.  "Yeesss."

The minute we were out the door, she threw herself in my arms and started crying.  I immediately try talking her down and bringing up all the positive things she had to look forward to that week.  That seemed to help.  She pulled herself together, wiped her eyes and asked if she'd look like she had been crying?  "No, you look fine," I said.  "Okay, I'm going to go back in now.  I'll say goodbye to you and dad out here.  You don't need to come back in."  Alrighty then, she was being a trooper.

Fast forward to end of the week.  Pick up day, she was crying because she was  leaving all of her friends and  had such a wonderful, fun time.  The entire way home was nonstop chatter about everything they  did that week.  Who said what, every funny joke, every meal, every everything...This is actually a good thing about Youngest.  She tells me everything without being prompted.  My other two, tell me nothing.  Especially if I question them.  They will shut down.  I have to sit back and wait for them to impart information regarding  particular event.

Well, because Youngest is such a chatterbox, she wants to make sure you are listening to each and everything she is saying.  She will stop and ask questions of you, or will come right out and say- "Are you still listening to me?"  I have learned to add to the conversation to avoid the dreaded condescending "Are you listening?" 

You never know where these conversations may take you or the things you will learn.  She started discussing a game they had played in their cabin, where the counselor would ask a question and then each girl would get to answer it.  Sounds like a fun exercise.  The counselor asked  each girl to describe their bedroom  She went on to ask which direction their feet faced in their bed. 

"She said, Mom, that if your feet faced the door then that was bad luck.  She said you should hang a crystal from you door to counterbalance the bad luck."  (Yes- my 10 year old said counterbalance.)

I said, "Oh, like Feng Shui?"

She said, "Duh, she's Australian." 

Well, I guess she told me.  See the things you learn at camp? 

Graces - 20 of 52

FAMILY. 

They're the ones that are always there.  They have your back.  You love unconditionally.  These are some shots of our family and of events that took place during the busy month of May and early June.  It seems like a really long time ago that these happenings took place and now I feel so far away from that time and in such a different place.  Moving ahead, looking forward with new stories to tell.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

It's rare to catch this one with a smile- seems like the perfect place to end and begin...