Which Came First...the Chicken or the Egg?

I have been pondering lately why I always feel like my life is completely...hmmm..."disheveled". I look around me and it looks like something exploded in my house. Clothes, shoes, papers upon papers needing to be filled out or filed away, mega amounts of art supplies and toys, toys, toys. Dust, leaves, grass, dirt tracked in on cleats and by the dog. Laundry that grows overnight. Days come, days go -- and not nearly enough is accomplished. Can you say Calgon, take me away?!?!?!? I am overwhelmed and end up wasting time because of it.

Sometimes I wonder if the way I feel inside is caused by what is on the outside -- or if it works the other way around. Am I feeling so disheveled because of my surroundings -- or is the way I'm feeling inside causing the lack of organization on the outside? Reminds me of the whole chicken or the egg question. Which causes the other? Or is it a combination of both and therefore it's just basically a big, vicious cycle that I can't seem to break. It's so frustrating.

Regardless of feeling buried in too many things and not having enough time or motivation, I am so grateful for my life. My children are such a blessing. I swear there are so many days I feel like I am completely failing as a mother -- but then a really great day will come along and I think, okay...maybe I'm doing something right. Maybe. Hopefully.

Anyway -- I realize I haven't been blogging or visiting or keeping in touch like I should. But I am here, just not very focused or organized. I hope all my blogging buddies are doing well and enjoying some peaceful days. Sooner or later I will find my peace -- inside and out.

As I leave, I thought I'd share some recent photos of what is occupying our time these days -- soccer, Easter, and a bonus picture of our pup Nola just because she's so cute. Ignore my windblown crazy hair -- my life is one constant bad hair day! :)

Enjoy your week!

Painting Tips a la Rita

Yes, it's true -- I remember how to blog. You had your doubts, I know. But here I am ready to share some of my painting knowledge with you.

Today, I have some house cleaning that needs to be done, but I also have a painting project that we started over a year ago and have not finished. (Sad, but true.) So today, I decided to paint a bit before cleaning house. Why? Who knows -- but I thought I'd share some tips I've learned along the way.

1 - Dog hair does not make for a nice texture on the wall you are painting, so if you're tempted to try it -- mixing dog hair with your wet paint -- I do NOT recommend it. Lock all curious long-haired dogs in a room or get them out of the way somehow before you paint.

2 - When you tell your four-year old not to touch the walls because they are wet with paint -- be sure to repeat it about 32 times. Apparently repeating it 12 times is not enough. You will have a handprint on your wall and a little one with a colored hand.

3 - Do not wear one of your favorite shirts or sweaters to paint just because you are too darn lazy to change.

4 - Do not tell yourself it's okay to paint in a spot where you have not taped the woodwork. You will make a mistake -- no matter how careful you are.

5 - Feel free to take a break and do something fun -- like blog or share a bag of Cheez-Its with your dog. I did both.

6 - If your husband tells you he will help with this particular project do not believe him. He lies. He will back out. (This one may only apply to me, but you never know.)

7 - If aforementioned husband comes home and immediately critiques your work (as I am quite sure mine will do), make sure all sharp or heavy, blunt objects are out of your reach. You will want to use them. Tell him if he wishes to judge -- he can paint it himself. (In the nicest possible way of course!)

8 - Once you start getting paint on things that should not be painted -- step away from the roller and/or paintbrush. It's time for a break or simply time to quit. Trust me.

9 - Most importantly -- if you are ever looking for help with your own painting project, do not -- I repeat DO NOT ask me for help. You will regret it! I am the anti-Martha Stewart and you do NOT want me touching your walls!

10 - Finally, once you are done -- give yourself a little pat on the back. It may not be perfect, but you've accomplished something and it feels good.


Happy Weekend Everyone!!!

Letting the Joy In

Lately, I've been feeling -- hmmm...what's the word....maybe just plain old "blah".

I want to feel joy -- and peace -- and calm -- and content. But I just haven't been able to. I have moments...fleeting, little moments...but that's about it.

Too much to do -- too many worries -- too much stress. I suppose I bring it on myself. And I'm the only one who can fix it. I have to figure out how to rise above. But it has been a chore to do that lately.

Sometimes I wonder if it's the time of year. Or perhaps because we've all been sick at my house pretty much continously for a while now on some level -- one after the other and it just makes things seem sluggish. I don't know.

I struggle with finding balance BIG time -- am I the only one? Balancing focused time with my kids with the many things that have to get done -- the places we have to go -- the plans we need to make -- the sports, the scouts, the projects for school, the usual day to day stuff -- all the while with time just FLYING by at light speed. It really is. March already? Are you kidding me??

I find joy in little things. I need to remember that. The world feels like it's falling down around us some days -- but I want to focus on my little world -- my faith, my family, my dear, dear friends (I just love you all!) -- and protect and embrace the joy and surround myself in the happiness that comes from those things.

I am TOTALLY babbling today -- venting really. And believe it or not, today I am actually feeling pretty good -- a bit more light-hearted than I have been -- so don't take my rambling as complaining or moaning and groaning. I'm just thinking out loud -- letting some of the pent up blahs spill out I guess.

Okay -- enough of that. If you have any magical formula for finding balance and not worrying and feeling stress when you're a wife and mother -- please share it with me. I am always hopeful that SOMEDAY I'll get a grip! :)

Have a great weekend!!!

There are bricks in my chest....

at least that is what it feels like. I think I am getting sick and it really does feel like I swallowed a large brick and it is lodged in my chest or something. I am also ridiculously tired, but part of that is having children who won't sleep through the night lately.

Anyway -- I have been a horrible blogger and blog visitor and I am attempting to remedy that situation. Not tonight though. I just can't muster the energy.

I miss all of you in blogland. Darn Facebook has ruined me, but I really do need to get back to blogging. It's something I enjoy usually and it seems for the past several months I have just let the things I enjoy fall to the wayside -- scrapbooking, blogging and a few other things.

As I leave you -- I was wondering if you could do me a favor. If you are the praying type, please say a prayer or two for a family I heard about today. My husband coaches my two older kids in basketball through a church program here. We heard this morning that one of the other coaches had a three-year old who got pneumonia and he or she passed away. Just three years old! It breaks my heart. I don't even know them -- but I'm sure they could use some prayers.

Love to my bloggy friends -- catch up with you soon!

Four Years to Build a Snowman

I know what you're thinking....it took you four years to build this little snowman? And how in the world does someone spend four years building a snowman?? Let me explain.

This week marks the four-year anniversary of the kids and I living in Tennessee. (My husband moved a few months before us.) In four years, we have never had enough snow to build an actual snowman. That all changed yesterday.

The kids were dismissed from school early and in fact, they have a snow day today. (Which initially I was excited about, but as the day progresses, I'm wondering if I'm really excited...they have had some moments, let me tell you! LOL). Anyway -- we played in the snow for a long time yesterday and it was a blast!

I remember our first or second winter here and a local friend of mine called one day to see if the kids had "played in the snow". I was puzzled because we had just had the slightest dusting of snow and when I looked out my window I saw a little snow and a whole lot of mud! I'm from northern Illinois -- I could not imagine playing in the snow unless we had several inches on the ground. After several winters here, I have come to realize that this is the South and playing in the snow means doing your best with whatever falls from the sky -- even if it's 1/4 of an inch!

Still, my northern-minded self has never really taken the kids out to play in less than an inch of snow. So yesterday, my youngest son at age 4 had his first real experience with a snowman and snowballs. My other kids have no real memories of playing in the snow either -- even my oldest son, who has seen pictures of himself in the snow, but can't really remember being in it.

I have to admit -- I think I had just as much fun as the kids!

I know some of you are sick of the white stuff and I understand. When we lived in Illinois it often felt like we had eight months of winter. But when you don't have snow often -- it sure can be fun!

Hope you're having a good week -- Happy Tuesday!

Pro Bowlers Tour -- Here We Come!

A few months ago, my children received a Wii game system as a gift. My youngest son, age 4, quickly became addicted to Wii Sports -- bowling in particular.

In no time, he had the "record" score in our family. He also quickly developed his own style. He has a whole bunch of stunts (bowling standing backwards, laying on the ground, with his eyes closed, spinning in a circle) -- and he can get strikes while he is doing these stunts. I know you think I'm lying, but I promise you I speak the truth. (I have witnesses! LOL) He is quite amusing to watch and has entertained not only our family, but some of our friends on many occasions.

Yesterday, he set a new high score -- 289, which is 11 strikes and one spare. He got that same score four different times. He was determined to get a perfect game, but 289 was the best he could do. Pretty good if you ask me!

This morning, he was on a mission. The boy is somewhat of a perfectionist (which worries me a little because so is my oldest son and it can be a bad thing at times!). But because he had to be perfect, once he started bowling if he wasn't getting a strike every single frame he would start over. (And over and over again!)

His persistence paid off -- and look what my amazing little world class Wii bowler did this morning --



(not the best quality photo -- I had to snap it quickly before he changed the screen! -- but you can see what he did!) A PERFECT GAME!

He was quite excited to say the least!

So look out all you professional bowlers out there -- I realize this is just a Wii game, but we may be on to something here!

Have a great day!

Wow!

Last night, my husband and I had the good fortune to attend a concert by these guys -- that's right, The Eagles. They were amazing, incredible -- simply fantastic!

I have always said the best concert I ever saw was the Eagles when they were on their Hell Freezes Over tour in the early to mid 90s. When my husband surpised me with Eagles tickets this year for Christmas I couldn't believe it.

I hadn't been to a concert since that last Eagles show and I have to admit...I wondered as we were on our way to the show, if they could possibly be as good as the last time I saw them. I mean -- we're talking a 14 or 15 year difference and the Eagles have been around for over 30 years. You always hear stories about older bands not sounding so great as they get older. But I have to say -- I think they were even better than the first time I saw them. They are such talented musicians and they put on such an enjoyable show. Three solid hours or more of music. And when we left, we were thinking of all the songs they DIDN'T play -- and realized if the Eagles played all of their hits at a show (including solo hits by Glenn Frey, Joe Walsh and my boyfriend Don Henley...hee hee) -- it would probably last five or six hours!

They played seven or eight songs from their latest CD, Long Road Out of Eden -- beautiful, beautiful songs. I am getting that CD as soon as I can.

If you ever have the chance to see these guys -- and if you are a fan...heck, even if you aren't a big fan -- you have to go. You will enjoy every minute of it.

And finally I have to give a shout out to my girl Wendy. My husband and I rarely get out of the house just the two of us and especially not on a school night for the kids! Wendy hung out at our house with the kids way past her bedtime so we could enjoy our concert. Thanks Wendy -- you know I love ya!

Hard to believe it's Wednesday already! Hope you're having a good week! Chat with you soon!

It's 11:20am -- do you know where your....

shower is???

Apparently I don't. Because it's 11:20am and I am still in my PJs.

So pathetic.

The kids have the day off. They too are in their PJs. We are practicing the art of being lazy and I might add -- we are doing a darn fine job. We could give lessons.

I am also sad to say I am mildly (or more than mildly) grumpy today -- I am blaming it on hormones, because I really have no other reason and as a girl it's my right to use hormones as my excuse, is it not?? That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Speaking of sticking -- the most beautiful big white snowflakes are falling outside and actually sticking on the ground!!! I am loving every minute of it. I know many of you are so sick of snow you want to hit me for saying that, but we rarely get snow here and I am downright excited. I've been having snow withdrawal. I also know our Tennessee snowfall won't last long -- it never does -- so I have to enjoy it while I can. It just looks SO peaceful and beautiful outside. And we don't have to go anywhere today -- you can't beat that!

Alright -- I think it's time for that shower -- and to do some laundry -- and to clean some floors -- and to feed some children. My lazy extravaganza has come to an end.

Happy Monday to you -- chat with you soon!!!

Keeping It Real

During the school year, my kids attend a weekly religion class at our church. Last year, when we met one of my son's teachers I knew immediately that I liked her. She was one of those people that just made a fantastic first impression. She was exuberant and had the warmest personality. It was obvious she loved children and I was glad to know she would be teaching my son.

After only one or two classes, she was diagnosed with cancer and was forced to quit volunteering her time at church. I didn't see her after that and since I didn't really know her well, I didn't keep up on how she was doing. At one point, I had heard she was doing well and feeling pretty good. After that, I didn't think much of it.

Sadly, this past weekend we heard that she lost her battle to this awful disease. I learned things about her I never knew. She was just 40 years old and had five children -- all of them still at home, the oldest in high school, the youngest around my son's age. I also learned that she made the same impression on many others that she had made on me. I feel certain she touched many lives in a positive way during her 40 short years on this earth.

Why do I share all of this? Because to me, hearing this news has made me very thoughtful this week. It has been a reality check for me -- something we all need from time to time. It has given me the push to reflect a little more on what is truly important and it has served as a reminder that the day-to-day things that often cause us frustration just really aren't worth the anguish.

As I have gotten older, situations in my life have changed me. I tend to be anxious and feel stressed in many situations. I get overwhelmed. I used to be MUCH more laid back and try as I might to be laid back now, I tend to let anxiety or stress get the best of me. It makes me really sad that I have become this way. So when I hear about lives cut short, it makes me realize -- I need to calm down. I need to take a deep breath and not be so stressed out. I need to enjoy the little moments of each and every day instead of worrying so darn much. There are a lot of things to be worried about, it's true -- but there's only so much you can do in most cases. And it certainly shouldn't take the joy from your life. Life is too darn short.

Here's hoping YOU are enjoying your weekend and that you are not a stressed out worrier like me! I STILL have not been visiting my friends on their blogs (I blame Facebook! LOL) -- but I think of you all often and will continue to try to stop by and see what you're up to! Have a great day!

Just Popping In

I must be crazy. I decided to join Facebook this week and have now given myself just one more way to spend time on the computer. It's no wonder I never scrapbook anymore. I am either on this computer or reading or a tired bump on a log when I actually get some time to myself. I still keep hoping that once I get around to re-organizing my scrap supplies, I will get motivated to be crafty again. I have so many photos just waiting to be shared. They aren't much good sitting in a file on my computer. And I keep having that nagging feeling that I am just letting the memories of our family adventures and the funny day-to-day things slip away. I know I won't remember it all when I finally do sit down to scrapbook. My memory is not what it used to be and although I try to write things down in a journal or notebook sometimes, I'm not very consistent about that either.

I have to say, joining Facebook has been a lot of fun. I have heard from several people I haven't seen or heard from in years. I think it's such a cool way to stay connected.

Tuesday marked the official end of our holiday break. Getting back into our routine this week has been rough. None of us are doing very well. Four days into it, we are all still tired and just not feeling in sync. I'm sure it will be better next week, but wow -- it has been a very disjointed week for everyone at my house!

Well, I have a very full day of cleaning, a few errands and laundry ahead, so I guess I better keep this short.

Hope you all have had a great start to the new year. Enjoy your weekend!

Elaborating

Well, geesh -- when I made my last post I had every intention of posting again that very same day or possibly the next and all of a sudden it's January 4th. Oops -- so much for getting it done! LOL

Anyway... here's why I've decided to call 2009 the year of getting it done.

The beginning of a new year is a time when I think most of us have that feeling of motivation -- a clean slate, a fresh start. Not only is it a new year for me -- it's the year I turn 40. FORTY!!! I can't really wrap my brain around it yet, but here's what I do know. I'll be forty and there are so many things I want to do -- and darn it, what am I waiting for??? Time certainly isn't slowing down and obviously, I'm not getting any younger. Time to get it done, wouldn't you say??

I have a really awful habit of concocting what I think are great ideas in my head...and then not acting on them. Laziness, lack of self-confidence, fear of rejection, lack of time, feeling overwhelmed at how to get from point A to point B -- so many things keep me from moving forward when I have an idea. Then my ideas just kind of fall to the wayside and time marches on and before I know it six months have passed.

I know not all of my ideas can come to fruition. But I'll never know which ideas will pay off if I don't get organized and act on them. So this year -- it's time to get it done! (And although I am not a superstitious person by any means, I have always thought that odd numbered years are nicer to me than even numbered years...crazy, I know! LOL)

I hope you all have a wonderful 2009 filled with many blessings and dreams fulfilled. Happy Sunday! Chat with you soon!

The Year of Getting It Done

That's what I'm calling 2009. I'll be back to elaborate later. Right now I'm headed out the door.

Happy New Year everyone!

She's a Mommy's Girl

It has been a crazy month and I have been a slacker here on my blog. As we gear up for a new year, I thought I'd sneak in what may be my final post for 2008 and give you an update on our new furry family member, Nola.

Nola has been here nearly two months now and is settling in quite nicely. She is playful and SO lovable! She loves to snuggle right up next to you and she is incredibly soft. The kids LOVE her and she loves them too. However, she seems to be my sidekick for now, as she follows me absolutely everywhere I go. I cannot leave the room without her underfoot, which is sweet, but also kind of annoying sometimes. I'm sure she's going to make me fall down the stairs or trip and fall on my face one of these days. Matt also said she cries for me when I leave the house sometimes. How sweet and sad is that? As much as I still miss Apollo, it is really nice to have another furbaby who is so very sweet and loving.

This photo is Nola on Christmas (can you see her stocking in the background???) She was very tuckered out at this point along with the rest of us! How was your Christmas? Ours was low key and relaxing and wonderful. We are usually traveling for Christmas and we finally got a chance to stay home this year. I have to say -- I LOVED it! I loved that my kids were able to wake up in their own beds and have Santa come to our house. I loved that they had the whole day to enjoy their new presents. I loved that we went to our own church on Christmas Eve. I loved that we were together and healthy and celebrating the holiday without too much chaos. It was really nice.

I think I will spend today packing up the Christmas tree and decorations. I usually like to leave them out until the New Year, but I am just itching to get my house back in order. It feels so cluttered at this point and it's making me a little crazy. I think it will help get the New Year off to a good start if I can get things pretty much in order before the 1st.

Alright -- I hope I have not bored you to tears with today's highly unexciting post. I tried to visit some of your blogs last week and will continue to try and sneak in some blog time this week. I miss all my blog visits!

Have a great week!

A Birthday Girl

Yesterday, my girl Rachel turned seven. I don't know how -- but she did. She had a half day of school then I took her and two of her best friends from school to Chuck E. Cheese and to see "Madagascar 2". She also invited her big brother because she could not stand the thought of him feeling left out. I thought that was sweet. We had a lot of fun! We were supposed to finish up our day by going to a family karaoke night at a local restaurant with some friends , but we got home later than expected and Rachel was too tuckered out. Here is a current picture of her and one from her 1st birthday -- boy, time flies!

Another highlight of our week was my oldest son, Ryan in his school play. He was Charlie Brown in "A Charlie Brown Christmas" performed by all of the 4th graders at his school. He did such a great job -- all of the kids did really -- and we had a wonderful time. I have not loaded the pictures on my computer yet and I'm not sure how they turned out, but if any of them are post-worthy -- I will post one later.

This past week was crazy busy, as I'm sure it was for everyone. I am not 100% ready for Christmas, but I just needed to get through Rachel's birthday and now I hope to finish up the last few things for Christmas today and tomorrow.

Hope you all are surviving the holiday season and having some fun! Chat with you soon!

So much to do...

so little time. That is why I am not posting -- that is why I am not visiting you.

I hope I will find the the time to blog and blog hop soon -- but it may be a while and I am not holding my breath.

Hope all my bloggy friends are doing well. I look forward to visiting you SOON!

Have a good week!

The Roll of the Dice

Being the mother of this adorable little guy right here always keeps me on my toes. Of all my children, Nick is the one who I have to worry about the most as far as freak accidents go. He has had stitches across the bridge of his nose -- he woke up one day and couldn't walk due to some strange inflammation of his joints -- he received an injury by falling at the bowling alley and I thought he had a concussion -- and we have had at least four or five trips to the ER with him in four and a half years. To me, that's a lot -- especially since my other two kids have (knock on wood) not been in the ER that much combined.

Today, we had a heart-stopping moment again. Let me start by saying, it was one of those days where I was feeling a bit irritated -- just trying to get things done and the kids were talking to me and needing something one after the other NON-stop (no, I am not exaggerating). Nick in particular was a barrage of questions and comments. "Hey mom, can I....?" "Hey mom, will you...?" "Hey mom, I need..." -- I heard it over and over and over again and I was beginning to lose my patience.

Then I heard Nick yelling, but it was completely unintelligible. I was in our kitchen -- all three of the kids were in our living room. So I yelled, "What is it Nick??" -- and thankfully, even though I was busy making lunch and had just been on the brink of some serious impatience -- my mommy radar realized his reply was full of panic. It was almost like he couldn't breathe -- and he definitely couldn't say any words.

Just as I was running into the living room, my oldest was screaming, "Mom, he's choking!!!" Nick, who LOVES to carry small toys and coins around and I have never caught him actually putting them in his mouth, decided to shove this plastic die into his mouth. It is the size of a big walnut -- and he somehow managed to get it past his teeth -- but could not get it back out. My heart stopped when I realized how jammed in there it was and my older kids started crying. My oldest started screaming for his dad who was upstairs and my husband literally appeared out of nowhere behind me. By the time my husband was there, I had gotten my fingers around the die and was working like crazy to pull it out. It was really jammed in Nick's little mouth and he could not catch his breath.

It felt like it lasted forever, (though it was probably seconds) and I was shaking by the time I finally got it out. Nick was crying hysterically and my husband was clinging to him. I couldn't wait to hold him in my arms. I am sure I hurt the inside of his poor little mouth, but I shudder to think of the alternative. It still gives me chills as I type this and it happened hours ago.

This stupid orange die that he loves -- well, he loved it until today -- rolled right into the trash can after this incident. None of us wanted to look at it again.

It's funny how a quick, scary incident can change the mood in your house immediately. My husband had been in a grumpy mood, as had my oldest son and they were snapping at everyone. I was feeling irritable and impatient. Once this scary moment was over, we were all suddenly much calmer and nicer to each other. It's like God picked up our home -- shook it up -- and set us all back on the right track.

I am so thankful my little guy is alright. I said many, many prayers of thanks.

On another note -- I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving and long weekend! I meant to post on Thanksgiving, but just never got around to it.

I wish you a great week ahead.

You Must Promise Not to Laugh

This post is only for those who promise not to laugh. Do you promise?? Come on...I need to hear you say so. (hee hee)

I was going through some old books and came across this poem. It was written by a young poet who obviously had some seriously dark moments in his or her youth. The poem is titled "Solitude".

Haunting cry of midnight owl
Resounding through the darkened hollow
Left alone without the guidelines
That my being now must follow

Lonely light of moon above me
Dulled by misty fog of night
Strength escapes me at this moment
Hope is not within my sight

Black the clouds reign high above me
Thunder's roar the stillness breaks
Noise which matches that inside me
Disorder of the heavens makes

Parted from all forms of safety
What is right remains unknown
Standing in the storm around me
Lost, confused and all alone


Can you say DRAMA!?!?!?!?! And okay, okay -- you can laugh, because the poet is ME at age 17!!! As I am reading this, I am not sure if I should be sad or CRACKING UP! (I think cracking up is more appropriate.) I found a whole journal of old poems written when I was between 15 and 18. Many are depressing like this one. Some are ridiculous. Some are oh so corny (like one that was meant to be patriotic and one where I am professing my true love and I can't even tell you who I wrote it for!)

Those were the days when I was sure I would grow up to be some fantastically popular author. I can see now why that hasn't quite come to fruition. Although I do still hold on to some strands of hope that I will publish books someday. Maybe I should just avoid the poetry.

Hope you had a wonderful weekend -- happy Monday!

Well, I hate to admit it...

but I am disappointed. I was trying really hard to convince myself that I wasn't disappointed -- but I am.

In my experience, a book is always better than the movie they make of it, so I was not expecting to like this movie as much as I enjoyed the book. But when I went to see Twilight last night and the movie ended, I didn't necessarily feel disappointed initially -- but I felt a little indifferent. I had lost the excitement I had when we walked into the theater. For me -- it was a let down.

It wasn't awful -- I did like it to a certain extent. And it did lay the groundwork for the next installment of the story. I won't say anything that may ruin it for all you other Twilighters who still need to see the movie. I hope you enjoy it and I actually am hoping if I watch it again when it's out on DVD, I'll learn to like it a little better.

That's all I've got today. I am blogging because I am stalling. I've been working on a photo project today and I needed a break from it -- but now, I should probably get back to work.

Hope you're having a great weekend!

What is Important?

Why do people insist on placing importance on things that really are not that important? I suppose we all have our own idea of what is a priority and what is not, but there are some pursuits that I firmly believe will never make one happy.

One thing that I think people place far too much importance on is money. Yes, I realize it's necessary and of course I would love to have more of it at times -- I can't deny it would make life a little easier in some ways. But I am not about to pin my hopes of being happy on the idea of having more money. Money does not equal happiness. Money cannot buy happiness. "More" is not always better. The more you have, the more you want. Isn't it better to learn to live with less? To appreciate the true non-material blessings we have and not worry so much about the "stuff" we think we need or want? You can't take it with you -- the money or the stuff.

Sometimes it is frightening to think about the future and what it may hold. How will we afford college for the kids? Will we have enough to retire? Are we prepared if an unexpected tragedy strikes -- is anyone? For me -- this is where faith comes into play. You can't just sit around and expect God to take care of everything for you. What you can do is believe that if you live your life to the best of your ability according to what you know is right - God has a plan and will provide for you. It won't always be easy and it's not supposed to be. But I think there is a certain peacefulness that comes with learning to accept our trials along with our successes -- to accept that things aren't always going to be perfect.

I'm rambling about all of this because I live with a pessimist. It's difficult and downright depressing some days. But I can't let it bring me down. Someone around here has to have faith that there is in fact, a light at the end of even the darkest tunnels. My children need to realize this too -- I will not let them learn to feel despair -- because even in our darkest moments, there is always HOPE.

This time of year, I admit that even I tend to have moments of wishing for more. I feel like we can't afford to do for others what I would like to do during the holidays. But the truth is -- maybe I just need to be more creative. To remember that gift giving doesn't have to be anything big or cost a lot of money. It's about letting others know you care and appreciate them. And I don't know about you, but sometimes it's the smallest gifts or acts of kindness that touch my heart the most.

With Thanksgiving right around the corner, I notice many of you are posting daily gratitudes on your blogs. You inspire me and remind me each and every day that we all have so much to be thankful for. I am grateful for so very many things, but high on my list is my wonderful friends near and far.

I hope you are having a happy and productive week! Chat with you soon...

History Repeats Itself

Two years ago when my daughter was in pre-school, she learned a song in class that begins, "The Lord is good to me" -- perhaps you know it? If not, it's a short, sweet little song that lists some of the things the Lord has given us and ends with, "Amen, amen, amen, amen, amen." Like a prayer.

When my daughter came home and sang this song for me, instead of ending it with the "A-men", she would sing, "Aww man, aww man, aww man, aww man aww man!" It cracked me up every time because try as I might to convince her that the word was actually "amen" -- like when we pray -- she insisted her teacher was saying, "awww man!" -- like she was frustrated or upset.

Fast forward two years later...my youngest is playing a few days ago and I hear him mumbling a song under his breath. Suddenly he gets to the end of his song and belts out "Aww man! Aww man! Aww man! Aww man awww man!" Yes, he too is in pre-school, learning the same song with the same teacher -- and like his sister before him, he does not sing "amen" -- but rather -- "Aww man!" No wonder they are such good buddies -- they are so much alike sometimes it's scary! (And they're pretty darn cute aren't they??? Look at those cute faces...not that I'm biased or anything....)

Speaking of history repeating itself...I would like to take a moment to welcome back my friend...

Peppermint Mocha Twist -- how happy I am to see you again! And how unhappy my husband will be at the number of trips I might possibly find myself making to Starbucks this month.

I have about a million things to do today...but guess what? I'm tired of always having a million things to do and I may only do a few of them and ignore the rest. I may just spend the rest of my time today hanging out and reading blogs and doing whatever else I feel like doing. I haven't done that in a long time and I think I'm due. Sometimes you just have to cut yourself some slack -- know what I mean?

Finally, I would like to mention my cousin's Etsy site and blog. She would love for you to stop by and say hello. She has been doing some fun giveaways -- if you have a second -- go check out her handiwork here -- The Belladonna Shoppe.

Hope you've had a great week. Enjoy the weekend!