Do you like free stuff?

Really. Who doesn't?

Especially handbags. Woohoo!, Right?

Go here www.handbagplanet.com and register to win a free handbag. yes! I'll wait. Totally cool.

I guess it's a new website and they're promoting through twitter and facebook and blogs. Who cares? It's just one click and you never know!

Don't hate me because I'm....

beautiful late. (Sorry, old 80's commercial reference.)

And possibly a procrastinator.

But good things come to those who wait.

Really, I'm sorry, but I had a GREAT weekend away and I just don't think I can get the Traveling Bloggy Box of Goodness in the mail today.

But I PROMISE that it will go to the nearest US Post Office on Tuesday.
Really.

To Tiff, because she was the first to respond.

Updates later today.

I'm baaack!

From a great trip to the Windy City.

Except it wasn't windy or even cool.

Beautiful weather, fun meeting internet friends, and I'll update after I unpack and see the fam.

THE TRAVELING BLOGGY BOX OF GOODNESS LIST

Okay......

Here's the list!

Tif - from downbeatmuse
Heather - nobody but yourself
Karen - wubtub blog and real life neighbor-friend!
Carrie - Pearls of Something
Lorrie - our name is blog
Mandy - first you make a roux
Marla - Paklet adventures
BJ - Don't overthink it
Lea - Everything but the Kitchen Sink
Lauren - WVULauren
Miss Thystle -Miss Thystle
Debland - Don't judge this book by it's cover
Sarah - Soulmoxie

Deb - I NEED your address.

If I left anyone out, please let me know. I'll send an email out tomorrow with some ideas, guidelines and fun things to think about.

But, for starters...
Basically, this is just for fun - what you put in your box is up to you, but shouldn't break the bank. Something from your town, something you love, something you want to pass on - a book or a knickknack. While certain used things would not be cool - a used book or re-gifted fun chotke would be okay. I'll probably include a journal for everybody to write something in as we pass the box around.

The idea would be to receive your wonderful box, bask in it's gloriousness, take photos (of course) blog about it, enjoy the goodies, and pack it with your own special sumthin- sumthins and send it on. Within a week. Com'on people, any longer than a week and it will never make it's complete fun circle. And since you know it's coming to you, you can think about what fun, small (and preferably not heavy) goodies you want to include for the next person.

Sounds like fun, eh? I can't wait. :-)

So, while you're waiting for the exciting details, click on the blog links above and get to know some new blog friends and think about who might be before or after you on the list.

Don't forget!

To email me your info (kwr221ATaolDOTcom) if you want "in" on the Traveling Bloggy Box of Goodness!

I'll post details tomorrow, so don't delay!

So far, I have: (updated 3:06 PM Tuesday)
Tif - from downbeatmuse
Heather - nobody but yourself
Karen - wubtub blog and real life neighbor-friend!
Carrie - Pearls of Something
Lorrie - our name is blog
Mandy - first you make a roux
Marla - Paklet adventures
BJ - Don't overthink it
Lea - Everything but the Kitchen Sink
Lauren - WVULauren
Miss Thystle -Miss Thystle

Anyone else?

Debland?
ETW?
Kate?
3carnations?

Anyone? Don't be shy!

If not, that's okay, too. I just don't want anyone to feel left out.

TUESDAY 8:30 PM UPDATE: I'll keep this open until midnight - mostly because I'm dirty and sweaty from more garage cleaning and purging - and I'm off to take a shower and have some wine. :-)

I'm very excited!

About 2 things.

First, in just 5 days I'm traveling to Chicago to meet some on-line friends. Yup - I've "known" some of them for probably 12 or 13 years, starting out on an AOL message board, actually a debate board.

The topic? Whether moms should stay at home or work outside the home, specifically when our children are young. We're so past that discussion these days. I mean, how much can you say about that? (What's right for me and my family, may not be what's right for you and your family, n'est pas?)

Besides, after this many years, our kids are older and the point is moot. Day care is not an issue for most of us. We've moved on to teen and pre-teen issues and some are empty-nesters.

I love a good "Girls' Weekend" and I'm looking forward to this.

But I've never met them.

Crazy? I think not.

Sure, there's a risk that they *could be internet trolls, I suppose.
By now, we've shared a lot on the boards, many of us have friended each other on Facebook, and we've participated in book box exchanges.

I'm betting we're a pretty normal bunch, :-)
I think of it as an adventure. Besides, I've never been to Chicago.

I'll fill you in next Sunday.

The second thing I'm excited about? My church congregation voted today to "call"** a pastor! We've had interims for about 2 and a half years now, each one bringing their own gifts; but this feels "right" for our future ministry. This new pastor is a woman, and I have to say, I like her style. I think this is the beginning of new things as our congregation opens our heart to God's word and discerns our mission in the community. I think this new pastor is just the right person to be with us on this journey!

God is good.

All the time! ***

** "call" is the term our denomination uses when they meet with a pastor and determine whether his or her gifts and theology match the needs of the congregation. It's more than a job interview, it's a call by and to God to serve each other.

*** God is good, all the time! Is a response used often in Lutheran gatherings (at least around here) - an acknowledgement of God's gifts and blessings among us.

So, whadya think? Have you ever met any fellow bloggers or internet friends in person? Would you? Is it crazy?

Is it different, do you think, to meet for coffee or a drink when you happend to be in the same city; then it is to make plans to meet up somewhere out of town?

I've heard of internet friends who have opened up their homes to host an internet friend - frankly I'm not sure that my DH would go for that.

So, what's your take on this?

I look forward to hearing your thoughts. (My real-life friends mostly fall on the side of "Wow!, That's great, can't wait to hear about it." At least that's what they say to me.) ;-)

Enjoy the day.

Night and Day

The difference between Surly Teen-age Son and Darling Daughter - in 2 photos.
Surly Teen-age Son doesn't want to suffer through a pose for me, much less acknowledge that he is my offspring. Can you see the look of pure joy on his face? @@ And to think he used to worship me.
(He claims I took 6 photos, but there are only 2 on my camera. Hah!). Mind you, this photo was taken at 6:27 AM, yes, AM!
Mean Embarrassing Mom was the one who got up at 5:30 AM to bring him to practice.
And I showered and dressed. It's not like I drove him in my PJs. (There is NO photographic evidence that I did, indeed, do this last week.)
Darling Daughter is a Happy Camper.
And thrilled that she has her own personal Official Photographer and One Woman Papparazzi.

'Nuf said.

Happy Hour!

I don't know who's happier - me or Toby (that's the blissful cat in the pic below)
Photos courtesy of DD, age 10.

Please to notice:
1. complete lack of gray hair (I love you, Tom!) ignore the way it's blown out - it's always better on day 2 - you all know that (sorry, Tom)
2. double chin that couldn't be erased no matter what angle I asked DD to take the pic from :-(
3. cat furniture and accoutrement in the background, window seat - for the cats, red knit square - for the cats, out of sight - cat bed on couch, basket of toys and catnip scratcher
4. Awesome wine glass from YouKnowWhere. Let your fingers do the surfing and head over there for your own awesomeness - whether you like wine, coffee or ice cream - there's something to brighten your day and reflect your point of view. If you check out the website, it'll also tell you local stores that carry their good stuff if you'd like to check it out in person. I found some right up the street from me at A Different Point of View in Pittsford. And *that was even before I *knew Lorrie. I just have an eye for the cool stuff. ;-) Personally, I'm looking forward to visiting the *real store on NYC someday soon (soon is all relative) in Grand Central Station.

PS. Don't forget to let me know if you're in for the Traveling Bloggy Box of Goodness, and if you already said yes, email me with your address - kwr221ATaolDOTcom

LUNCH!

Yes, lunch with an exclamation point!

Why? Because I met a fellow blogger IN REAL LIFE and I just love making new friends.
Yes, those are ginormous balloons. DD brought them home last night from the "Not-X-and-Not-Z" event last night and even with giving away 5 to Heather's Kiddo, my DD still has about a dozen left. Don't you just love Heather's smile?
And here we are after lunch (a lunch, I might add, filled with Eating Things That I Clearly Don't Need, but nonetheless Enjoy Immensely. Burgers and fries and shakes.)

Oooh, if you look closely, you can see my "ish" watch. :-)

We're both talkative, and Definitely Not Shy, because we didn't run out of things to talk about. In fact, I'm hoping we can do it again and share more. :-)

I have an idea... (Update!)

...now bear with me. This could be a lot of fun.

I've been reading blogs with contests, and blogs where people do Secret Santa exchanges, and blogs where people send packages with some of their favorite stuff in them, and I've been involved in an online book box exchange.

I'd like to start something fun here. Are you game?

All, like, 5 of you? Any lurkers out there would be welcome too.

I'd like to start a box that would travel from person to person. It could be filled with a few books to swap, a pic or two if you want, and a little treat - something that represents your hometown, maybe? And anything else that would brighten the day of the person receiving it.
You would excitedly receive your package, gloat and ooh and aah over the goodies, photo document it and maybe blog about it, savor and enjoy the goodness within, then lovingly add some new goodies and mail it to the next person on the list.

If you'd like to participate, please email me at kwr221ATaolDOTcom and let me know. I'll collect addresses, map them out, input the data, devise an efficient route, randomly or not-so-randomly match up the recipients, and creatively stock the first box and send it off to begin its journey of surprise and delight.

Whew! I'm exhausted already. Not really. ;-) But if you participate, I'll collect your addresses (and swear to keep them secret - just the folks involved will get'em), include a list, pack the first box and ship it off. Easy-peasy, as they say.
Oh, and leave me a comment too so I know if this is a good idea or whacked.

Whadya think? Anyone in? First response will get the first surprise! :-)

UPDATE: Thanks to Tif, the box will forever more be known as "The Travelling Bloggy Box of Goodness"!

(And in case you have privacy concerns, I can set it up so that I give each person the next address on the list so everyone only has one address. Or, if you don't care, I can include the address list in the box - preprinted address labels and then you just send to the person after you.)

The Alphabet Not-for-Profit that my husband works for...

You all know it. This group made it a household name.




Anyway, tonight was the kick-off of their annual "Invest In Youth" campaign. The goal this year is to raise $1,250,000 to provide scholarships for camp and day care and for financial assistance for families for memberships and programs at the "Not- X-and-Not-Z".

The room was filled with several hundred dedicated volunteers who are involved in the fundraising. Many families who have been touched by the "Not- X-and-Not-Z" or helped told their stories and there were inspiring stories from 3 different people about how they lost more than 100 pounds after they made a commitment to exercise at the "Not-X-and-Not-Z" (geez, I have no excuse) and there was a great testimony from a family where both parents are in the armed services and grandma had custody of their son who had a great experience at overnight camp.

They announced the results of their early campaigning - the in-house fundraising of staff, key donors and supporters. They've already raised over half of their goal! They always have a good time at these events, and much silliness is involved - think summer camp skits. Two years ago when they broke the one million dollar mark, my DH and 2 of the VP's dressed up as Spice Girls. My husband is a large and hairy man. This was frightening. Maybe I can search for the photo that I snuck. and post it later.

Anyway, the energy and spirit and support for this campaign is great. The money really goes to a good cause and the families who have been helped are really great. If you have a "Not-X-and-Not-Z" in your community or are involved with the "Not-X-and-Not-Z", you should know that it's much, much more than a place to work out or send your kids to camp - the "Not-X-and-Not-Z" is committed to making those experiences available to all. So, if you get a chance, give to a good cause. :-)

Did I mention that I worked for the "Not- X-and-Not-Z" for 11 years? (before I had kids and then due to conflict of interest, both DH and I could not continue to work for the same association). Oh, yeah, and I met DH through the "Not- X-and-Not-Z". :-)

Darling Daughter came home with more than a dozen HUGE balloons from the event. Little perks of attending. Somehow they all fit in my van and doh! I forgot to take a pic - it was quite a sight.

I'm off to meet Heather for REAL today for lunch! Enjoy the day.

More Greek goodness

Since the first Greek Goodness went over so well, here's another luscious family recipe.


TIROPITES
FROM Yiayia Diamando Pechulis
to: Mama Anna Tatamanis
to: Mama Artemis
to: Daughters: Connie, Diane, Michele
Kristin, and Grandaughter Tiffany

In small pot:
1 cup milk
1/2 stick butter
Cook and stir slowly together until it slightly boils, medium heat.
then add 1/3 scant cup farina. (this is like Cream of Wheat - you can find it in the same isle in the grocery store)
Stir until smooth and thick
Remove from stove and add :
1 8oz cream cheese cut up
2 eggs
1 cup grated Romano cheese (or parmesan, but romano is stronger)
salt and pepper
Stir until smooth consistency.
small pieces of Feta (to be placed in each triangle before you wrap it up.

Cut sheet of phyllo in thirds at the width. Take one of the cut sheets, Melt a stick of butter and brush phyllo with butter, place 1 tsp of batter on end, add one small square of Feta on top, --bring up sides of phillo over the batter, then fold as the flag or you can roll. Brush melted butter on top
Bake 375 20 minutes.
Can be baked ahead and served cold. Do not warm in microwave (the filo with wither.) Do not cover the tiropites (Phillo will wrinkle up ) If you want to warm them , put in warm oven for about 10 minutes.
Enjoy !
All my love, Mom Artemis
P.S. you can make large ones with more batter and only 1/2 sheet of Phyllo for a luncheon or side dish. xx

Think buttery, flaky, cheesy goodness.

This is a family favorite - BUT, the best is yet to come...... spanakopita! :-)

Don't judge this book by its cover: Seriously, who doesn't love a contest?

If you like contests, or just funny t-shirts, go visit Deb over in Debland.

Don't judge this book by its cover: Seriously, who doesn't love a contest?

Have fun!

Smorgasbord, potpourri, a hodgepodge of randomness and shame

The first day of school. DD calls these her "teacher pants", which I think is really cute. Thee are no photos of Number One Son. He declined to be photographed and left at 7 AM to have DH drop him of at school - so no school bus shots. Yes, those are weeds overshadowing my lovely garden.

Below - MY pastitsio. Note that the top, creamy layer of bechamel sauce is thicker than the photo I included in yesterday's post. :-)

My 2, yes 2, goddess mugs. Note the chip on the lip of the one on the left, forcing me to drink left-handed to avoid it. I prefer right-handed, so this was not acceptable. But I love the mug soooooo much that I was willing to live with it.

Now I don't have to. Thanks, Lorrie!
I love you, I love you, I love, you, I do!
Close-up of the chip that caused me great sorrow and anguish.
Blurry photo of the super fun watch that I won over at Our Name is Blog (I'm having a very lucky streak, here. I am blessed!)
Proof that DD's room does, indeed, have a floor. And we caught sight of it for the first time in 3 months.
This is what the same room looked like after I came home from a very nice dinner at a country club last night. (no, not mine, hah!) (and dinner was with some very nice folks, who are related to the crypt-keepers, but I digress)

How can one dimunitive 10 year old trash a room sooooo quickly?
Really, I am baffled.

These are the beautiful roses that still look gorgeous after almost a week. I suck at photography.
More shame:
My garage.
I don't think we had a car in there last winter, but I could be wrong.
See? Lorrie and Kiki - I am *so not bragging about clearing our clutter. I am desperate. An intervention from "Clean House" might be in order, but I think they'd be afraid of the magnitude of the challenge.
Anyway, we usually clear it out for winter and then trash it up again all spring and summer.
My laundry room.
'Nuf said.


Take your pick. It's all shameful.

Greek Goodness

That would be pastitsio.

A hearty greek macaroni and beef casserole - think lasagna made with ziti and a bechamel sauce on top. Yummmmm.
This is not a picture of my pastitsio. Mine looks messier, but my topping is creamier and thicker - better, of course! :-)

Brown ground beef in frying pan - I use about a pound and a half. Mix in finely chopped onions, more or less depending on how much you like them. Drain off the fat, add a can of tomato paste and fill can with red wine ( don't forget a glass for the cook, too!) and add that. Then add salt, cinnamon (about a 1/2 tsp), and nutmeg (about a 1/8 tsp). I also like to add a little oregano and basil or greek seasoning (Cavender's is one brand).

Let it simmer for a while and add more wine if necessary or even another can of tomato sauce. Then taste and add more seasonings if you like.

Boil a box of ziti or rigatoni or penne. Drain and add a little of the ground beef mixture (about a half cup to a cup), then mix in a stick of butter or margarine, 1 or 2 beaten eggs and about a half cup or so of grated parmesan or romano cheese.

In a long pyrex casserole dish or a foil pan, layer a cup or so of the gr. beef, then the ziti mixture, then the rest of the gr. beef mixture.

Cover it with bechamel sauce.

Bechamel:

1. In a saucepan, melt 4 tablespoons butter, then mix in flour and 1/4 teaspoon salt.
2. Slowly stir in the 2 cups hot milk, stirring well after each addition so that no lumps form.
3. Cook and stir on medium high until cream sauce starts to thicken; stir for one minute more, then remove from heat. not too thick, it will thcken a bit when cooking, but not too thin, either
   
4. Beat egg (or two) in a small bowl (it;'s creamier if you seperate the eggs and whp the egg whites seperately before adding), then pour into cream sauce, stirring briskly.
5. Blend in the 1/3 to 1/2 cup Parmesan or romano cheese. add a little bit of nutmeg

This sauce should be nice and creamy and not taste flour-y. Pour over the casserole, sprinkle with a tiny bit of parmesan and paprika (for color) and then bake for 45 min to an hour at 350 degrees.

Let set for 10 minutes before serving. The measurements of these ingredients are very forgiving - it's my greek mother-in-law's recipe and she has changed it over the years - at one point there were like, 8 eggs in the recipe.

Enjoy!

Pictures of my shameful clutter and disaster coming later. I'm working up the courage.

Sunday

Not in a real writing mood, but I see some of you have been stopping by... so here's my boring recap.

• church
• homemade chicken salad for lunch
• organized luggage closet in basement - we clearly either have way too much luggage or don't travel enough
• sorted through dress up clothes and Halloween idea chest. Kids are 10 and 13 - definitely don't fit into the same stuff they wore when 4.
• Emma played 52 pick up with the markers from art area - ALL over basement floor.
• checked up on internet friends in TX. Most okay - one has wind and water damage from roof torn off :-( Lots of stress there for everyone in Texas or with loved ones there.
• hot and humid here - feels like July or August, not September. No motivation to weed or mulch or plant mums (although honestly I haven't been motivated to weed all summer and it shows.)
• went to WalMart (ugh I hate Walmart, I'm more of a Target gal) in search of elusive black Papermate Flair marker. Not at Target, not at Staples, not at Wegmans, not at Walmart. Strike that. It is at Staples, but only in a box of 12 for $14.99. NO WAY.
• Teenage son is bugging me. All. The. Time.
  
• Today, so is DH. He went to spend sunny day on boat. Alone. We didn't want to go because he was grumpy. :-P
• Anniversary roses are still beautiful. And I still love him even when I don't want to be around him. ;-)
• Basement looks better, garage looks better. Bedroom and kitchen still waiting for designation for Federal Disaster Relief Funds. I'm thinking basement and garage are evidence of how I procrastinate when there are other things I really need to do.
• Made Greek Pastitsio for dinner. Greek husband missed it. He can have it cold. :-P. Recipe later this week, stay tuned.
  
• Guess I did feel like writing. Just not in complete sentences or paragraphs.

Catch you tomorrow.

My rain

is no big deal. A rainy day now and then is good for the soul.

I used my rainy day to clean out 5 garbage bags, 7 big boxes and assorted other junk out of one corner of my garage. It was the growing mountain of stuff that has migrated from the kids' rooms, our closets, kitchen detritus, you know the stuff - stuff that doesn't have a home anymore, stuff that has outlived it's usefulness.

This was a mix of:
1) crap
2) stuff for the snooty consignment shop (better than garage sale quality)
3) stuff for the garage sale that dd desperately wants to have (yeah, right - I don't have time for them anymore)
4) crap
5) stuff for church rummage sale
6) stuff that isn't good enough for consignment or church, but I can't throw away, so maybe it's good for the Salvation Army

Anyway, the snooty consignment shop took about 20 of my recent hardcover books (nothing earlier than 2006), but didn't want the Halloween costumes or kids' dress shoes. Oh well.

I took a van load of crap to church and another van load of crap to the Salvation Army box. I'm quite pleased with myself, as long as I don't look at the rest of the garage, the basement or the mountain of laundry still in my bedroom.

Anyway, about the rain - it subsided enough for Number One Son to go the hs football game, although it rained out the local town celebration. DD's soccer got delayed until next week, so no biggie.

And all, in all, I'm thankful it's just rain. My rain is no big deal. In fact, it's pretty insignificant compared to the sever weather in other parts of the country. I'm worried about blogging and posting friends, college roommates, and distant relatives who live in hurricane country.

I'm checking the weather channel, thankful when they post internet updates, and hoping that they all ride Ike out with minimal damage and no injuries.

So, batten down the hatches, help your neighbors, hug your kids and pets and update when you can. Stay warm and dry.

Take care.

Let us know you're okay.

15 years

I'm sure there's a lot I could write about the ups and downs of 15 years of marriage, but I'm not sure that either of us has the time today or any day.

Let's just say that I vowed to take the good with the bad, the better with the worse, sickness with the health, richer or poorer, etc. And I mean that. I am a big believer in forgiveness. For all of us - for kids, parents, spouses, friends, neighbors and coworkers.

We all mess up, we all have misunderstandings, we all have times when we take more than we give.

But life is a continuum, a circle, things ebb and flow. And if we always expect the day to be sunny and the tide to be high, we are often going to be disappointed.

So, no matter what stage we're in, we're F.A.M.I.L.Y. And family sticks together. And no matter where we are, I'm happy to be here. Really.

I appreciate the journey thus far, and I look forward to the journey ahead.

Last night darling husband and I were going to have a low-key dinner together in celebration of our anniversary. Darling daughter had curriculum night at school, Number One Son had football practice, so were just going to meet after the curriculum night for a late dinner, no big deal.

So, I pull up in the parking lot of the restaurant and go around to the rear of the car to get to the path, and jumped. Screamed, really. DH saw me pull up and was behind the car with a beautiful spray of 15 roses and a bag from our favorite jewelry store.

We were NOT going to do gifts. :-P

This was a really nice surprise!

And the best part about the earrings (besides that they were perfect!)?

DH said, "they had gold, but I know you really like silver"; and "I know you like funky earrings and these are kind of funky"

Hallelujah! After 15 years he picked out earrings that he thought *I would like, not ones that he liked or thought I should like. :-)

Really, that's a biggie. He's always picked out more traditional and conservative jewelry when my tastes have always run towards more artsy, one-of-a-kind or hand-crafted pieces. He did good.

Anyway. The dinner was delightful. Oh. And the earrings? Did I mention they're Pandora? From the new mix -n-match line. :-)

Life is good.

God is good. All the time.

I saw the cardinals again today. :-)

And they're singing up a storm in the forsythia bushes next to the back deck. Calling to each other and flitting from branch to branch. I know they're there, but they're just out of sight. I find them comforting anyway.

For those of you who don't know, the cardinals remind me of my parents. My Mom died in February of 2005 and then last year, my Dad died in March. Both were unexpected.

This is what I wrote about cardinals back in February when I had a blog on MySpace (gag. It just wasn't "me" over there)

Ground Hog Day is tomorrow. Right now there's the pitter-patter of sleet and freezing rain outside my (dark) window. Is Spring really not so far off? It's hard to believe sometimes.

I saw a cardinal the other day. Unremarkable, I know. But there's a story. I'm much more aware of cardinals these days.

After my mother died, I started seeing a cardinal in my backyard. While that might not seem unusual, I've been feeding the backyard birds here for 14 years and the cardinals did not come to my yard. My neighbor's yards, yes, just not mine.

Anyway, I took comfort in the sight of those cardinals and thought often of how my mother was with me in spirit, although I missed her physical presence. Why a cardinal? Well, my mother loved cardinals and I just associated this cardinal with her. Hey, it's not something I need to analyze deeply, I'll take comfort wherever I can get it.

When my father died last year and I started being visited by a pair of cardinals - a male and female and they often perched in a backyard tree and sang to me while I was on the deck and I was at peace. Suddenly, I saw cardinals in places I never did. Cardinals showed up in the brush by the parking lot when I got to work, they flitted past me when I went for a hike. I found a cardinal garden flag among the supplies in my Dad's garage. I took it. It hangs by my front door. My mother-in-law gave me a cardinal Christmas ornament.

Cardinals were everywhere, and usually turn up on just those days that I'm feeling sorry for myself. God is good! All the time!

Is it the spirit or presence of my parents? I don't now, but does it matter? They make me smile.

Time to wake the children.
*******************************************

Back to the present.

Tomorrow would have been my Dad's 77th birthday.

It's also my 15th wedding anniversary. And of course, the BIG ANNIVERSARY.

It's still another day on the calendar, ripe with it's own future, although we will never forget the past.

I saw the cardinals again today.

Peace.

Autumn

I love Fall.

Absolutely, head-over-heels, L-O-V-E Fall.

So, a day like today:

67°F/46°F Today Sunny. High 67F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph.

75°F/59°F Thursday Mostly Sunny

....should make me deliriously happy.

Perfect, right?

There's only one problem.

I'm having my seasonal weather-change-wardrobe crisis.

Ack. My closet and my body are not ready to give up the summer capris, sundresses, tees and shorts.

I haven't done an inventory of my sweaters, cords and boots.

I'M. NOT. READY!

Nothing fits, nothing "goes together" anymore, nothing's fun!

I'm in danger of leaving the house looking like a frumpy-middle-aged-mom. (Which I am, mind you. But that's. not. the. point.)

I *want to look like a hip-mom-on-the-go.

You know what I mean, if you watch Stacy and Clinton like they're the new messiahs.


Oh, great. And now I'll be late for work. :-(

How do you handle these wardrobe transitions, these in-between-times?

The blog version of...

... a bad hair day.

Nothing seems to fit right and I can't get my pony tail just right.

(You know what I mean - think back to middle school when it was so very important to get the pony in just. the. right. spot. Not too high, not too low. And most importantly. No bumps. You know exactly what I mean, don't you?)

So, anyway, I've changed this template over and over again, and it just doesn't quite fit right. I liked the style of the pink, but it was, well, too pink.

I liked the template from earlier this week because the title didn't cover up my photo, but the colors were too stark.

I'm not html savvy enough to make changes and I really don't know how to get into customized layouts.

This one is okay, but the blog title completely runs over my face. Hah.

Anyway, bear with me. I may change outfits and hairstyles several more times.

So, should I go short and sassy or let me layers grow out? What do you think?

Yay! Blog Love!

Thank you to Marla from Pak Adventures for giving me some Blog Love. I'd like to pass on the lovin' so read on... (and I'm going to try and not list people I've already given awards to - I'm fair like that.)

Now.. the rules are.... (rules, schmules. Do what you want - even if it's just grabbing the nifty little heart box and putting it on your web site. Or do nothing. Or give it to just one special blogger. Or pass it around to 20! What do I care? Be empowered!)

1.The winner puts logo on her/his blog.
2.Link the person you received your award from.
3.Nominate 7 other blogs.
4.Put links of those blogs on yours.
5.Leave a message on the blogs of those you’ve chosen.

So, here are my winners! (In no particular order - sorry, no favoritism)

1. Lorrie from Our Name Is Blog - well, she's funny and she has GREAT stuff!
2. Linda from Stalked by God because she seriously amazes and inspires me, and she's grown into such a beautiful woman (I know I sound old, but when I met her, she was a teen). This is inspirational writing, and I hope she does write a book someday.
3. Heather from Nobody-but-yourself because she seems funny and real and she's almost a neighbor so maybe we can meet for coffee (or wine) or to feed the ducks or something.
4. Laura and Jenny Fabulous (they count as one because they're cousins) from Livin'Laura and Livin' Life (see, even their blogs are almost the same name)
5. Barb from Blackbelt Scrappin because she takes awesome pictures and she has great recipes on Tuesdays - check it out.
6. The girls from Smartini - they're always serving up something to quench your thirst and they're funny, too.
7. Carrie from Pearls of Something because her observations on homeschooling and kids has me laughing and thankful at the same time.
And because I'm a rule-breaker, I'll add Tori from Baby Bloomr. She's a blend of inspirational and sometimes snark. Plus her commenters can be pretty funny, too.

Update: A few of you have commented to me that you don't think you know 7 other blogs (the same thing happened to me when I started out -it's amazing how quickly it snowballs though) . Anyway, since I obviously bent the rules and listed 9, don't worry about it - link as many as you like, even of it's only 1 or 2 or 3. Have fun and spread the love! :-)

hee hee

Okay, so three posts on Friday must've plum wore me out. ;-)

And I know I've been garnering a reputation for posting like a meth dog, (or whatever that phrase is); but really, I've been trying to work on this moderation thing and also trying to be "in the present" with my own life. Sorry for all of you who have been checking in all weekend, only to find that shockingly I did not update - yes, I can see you.

So, I don't think I did anything exciting; but I did manage to take Number One Son to football and hockey Friday night, take him to a 6:30 AM football practice on Saturday (yes, I know, too damn early for the weekend, especially since I did the Friday night pick-up as well - but I was nice and let DH sleep in), finally sign DD up for soccer, pick more nits, cook a spectacularly bad dinner on Saturday, do a kick-ass children's sermon at church today and engage in appropriate witty small talk at a church board reception for the new music directors this evening.

Okay, well, maybe the sermon wasn't kick-ass, but I think I did pretty good. Sorry, Lorrie, I did not mention Hell.

I'm trying to conjure up warm-fuzzy feelings about church amongst these young souls; so instead, I stuck to the theme of school supplies, and how they feel about starting school and the support they receive, and doing well in school, blah, blah, blah and how the Bible is a source of support and encouragement (along with parents and teachers) and gave them stickers and a 2 Bible verses to carry with them.

I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13

and

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6

It was a little more involved than that, but you get the general idea. Then we did a "Blessing of the Backpacks" to send them on their way.

Oh, and then we went to the Fellowship Hall after church and had ice cream sundaes (yay!) and my DD helped lead songs. I was very proud of her.

Oh, and I ate BEAR.
Yes I did.
Not a lot, but I tasted it. And I didn't even gag. But it was really hard to get past the "but-it's-not-beef" thoughts. :::shudder:::

Update: I checked. It was a black bear. Female. Shot somewhere up in Canada.

To blog or not to blog

That's not really the question.

The question is why do so many bloggers feel the need to apologize when they're not blogging? I'm sure I'm included in there somewhere, so I'm not pointing fingers.

Okay, I put this little button on my sidebar, but I think it's time to bring it to your attention.



I have read quite a lot of blogs that mention being in a funk (yeah, I *know I already blogged on that - today, in fact), but I've read more today that talk about the pressure of blogging, the expectation of blogging something everyday and not always "feeling it".

Well, why do you blog? (yes, I know that I've already asked THAT question, too)

Actually, no I didn't. I actually blogged about whether or not your blog is public or private to your IRL friends.

So, why do you blog?

If it's for YOU, don't worry about when, how, or how often you post.

If you get paid for it, well then, quityerbitchin and get back to work.

(Oh, and if you're from Ugly Outfits New York? YOU should feel guilty. At least a little bit. :-) Post another photo already! It's tourist season for pete's sake! Ugly outfits abound in NYC in the summer.

Even I, upstate hick that I am, know *that.

Geesh, the last update was July 24th. What gives?)

But really, isn't this an outlet for most of us? A place to complain, observe, document our lives, spout off, pout, be funny or try-being-funny?

Relax. It's the weekend. And there's sure to be more blog fodder around town.

Or "Real Life" to live. And laundry. Let's not forget about the laundry.

Enjoy the day.

Hey, you!

Yes, you - the lurker from Pittsford.

Do I know you? Because we're practically neighbors.

I see that you're from Pittsford (or at least close to it) because Feedjit (that's the box on the right hand side of my blog, down near the bottom) tells me so.

I say, "or close to" because Feedjit thinks I'm from Rochester when I'm not. And that another online friend is from Lehighton. She's not.

Close, but no cigar.

Anyway, I'd think that you're a neighbor or friend, but since you come from ETW's site I'm not sure. It could just be completely random.

Anyway, I'm curious. I won't bite. I promise. But could you please tell me if you wandered over here randomly or if I know you?

Thanks.

A drought and a search for inspiration

No, not mine, and not the weather.

But I just got finished reading 4 of the blogs on my blogroll and they all mention some form of lull, drought, funk, uninspired feelings, lack of creativity, or whatnot.

What's going on? Change of seasons? Back to school? Or, as Lorrie suggested, in a comment on Miss Thystle's blog, we're all in the same menstrual/menopausal cycle?

Maybe we should all go buy pints of our favorite Ben and Jerry's flavors, stock up on chocolate bars, and your favorite chardonnay or pinot whatever? That's not a bad scenario on a good week and it certainly has it's appeal during times of funk.

Not that I'm there yet, but I do find myself wishing for a good rain-soaked Saturday to curl up and disappear. Except that instead of curling up with a good book, I would really need to use the time to clean house, declutter, organize and work on my children's sermon.

Yes, I said children's sermon. Underneath my snark and mundane observations lies a faithful soul. I occasionally let it bust out and try to inspire, ignite and enthuse young people at my church on their faith journey. This week though, marks the beginning of the fall christian education cycle at church and this particular children's message is not just an add-on to the traditional sermon, it's THE sermon of the morning. Yikes.

I feel unprepared and a little anxious about the message and the delivery. I had a blast last time, as the lessons talked about building your house upon the sand or the rock - remember that? The wise man and the foolish man? Think of the kid's song. Anyway, we had fun and I even brought in a dish pan of sand and water and rocks.

So while I'm not exactly in a drought or funk, I am in search of inspiration. I know where to find it, I just need to be still enough to listen. It's all around me.

See ya later!

Enjoy the day.

PS - Oh, and you know what?
MY WATCH CAME YESTERDAY!!!!!!!
Thank you Lorrie! :-)

Check this out and go get your own.

I have to say, anyone who knows me and how I am with time, KNOWS this watch with it's "ish" time is absolutely, fantastically, perfectly appropriate for moi.

PPS - thoughts on the new colors? Thumbs up or thumbs down?

This is GREAT!

Okay, I totally read about this on Marla's Blog, Pak Adventures. But tell me, is this not the greatest thing?



Go ahead, click on the image and visit the Something Store. I'll be here when you're done.

I think I'd like to send these to so many people I know. I wonder if half of them would "get" it, though.

I mean, I think some people would just open it up and say "What the poop is this?" And some would say, "Wow, how cool!" And run around the house hollering "Woohoo!".

:::looking around::: not me, of course. I haven't ordered one. Yet.

But I'm thinking about it.

Enjoy the day.

Another lousy day

Well, the day itself wasn't that bad, but I found more evidence of you-know-what on DD's head last night. Arghhhhhhh.

So, we treated again. Today is the first day of school, so she had her special outfit all picked out and wanted to straighten her hair.


Hah-hah! (insert evil cackle here)

We'll fry the suckers, burn them, annihilate them! Yup, as I read more about those little suckers, the more I know.
This time, I was on a Harvard website, http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/headlice.html, and did you know that heat from hairdryers, curling irons, etc will kill them? You can also freeze them, but considering the current weather and their proximity to Dd's head, that's not really an option.

Wish us luck.

Enjoy the day.

Am I the Only One?

Not watching the new 90210?

I swear, a quick perusal of some of my favorite blogs and Facebook friend updates would indicate that EVERYBODY is watching but me.

I don't even really remember watching it faithfully the first time, so it really wasn't even on my radar.

But, come'on......I'm feeling left out here. No less than 4 blogs dedicated to a recap or a confession of watching trashy TV...and I'm not done with my list.

So, tell me - should I go check it out? Does not being interested make my O-L-D?

What am I missing here?

The Labor Day pics I promised

This was the view from the back of our boat as I drank my morning coffee. :-)

This friendly duck thought I'd share my bagel.This seagull swooped down and grabbed a tidbit.
The kids fished, DD did some macrame (she fished, too.)
I think I was reading a book and off camera duty when they fished - no photos.We took the kids tubing off the back of the boat.There's a big wake, so it can be a pretty wild ride.
Then we anchored at a popular sandbar and had fun jumping in off the deck. I LOVE this pic of Number One Son's friend in mid-jump.
Yes, I really DID go in the water.
And DD took this video of Number One Son's friend tubing.

More later

I've got some fun pics of the kids tubing from the boat this weekend. It's not often we get such great weather on the unofficial last weekend of the summer - but this was great!

After I wrestle the laptop from DD and get caught up, I'll be back with pics.


Enjoy the day!