306 days

photo 266

2008-11-23T14:15:00.000-08:00

After all of the complaints about having to wear a tie to school everyday, I was absolutely shocked when Forrest asked if we would buy him a suit to wear to Youth Convention. Of course we went that day...and I was shocked when he picked out not one suit, but two...because "Mom, think about all of the ladies that will be there, I need to look good". While I realize that I may be a bit partial, I have to say he looked great. (I texted him while he was at the convention and I asked how it was going. His reply..."I am totally rockin this suit"... have I mentioned how modest he is)?

photo 265

2008-11-22T14:06:00.000-08:00

We had a very lazy Saturday...a rare treat. We missed Wall-E while it was in theatres... so we bought it, snuggled up on the couch and watched it together this afternoon.

photo 264

2008-11-21T14:00:00.000-08:00

Each week Cammie is assigned a new letter. She and I go through magazines looking for pictures that begin with that weeks letter. She likes to take in at least two pictures...just in case someone else brings in the same picture, she'll have a back-up.

photo 263

2008-11-20T13:54:00.000-08:00

Just in case you were wondering how big a 9 month old Saint Bernard's foot is...I wear a size 8...evidently so does he.

photo 262

2008-11-19T13:51:00.000-08:00

Chloe made this noodle necklace at school in preparation for their Thanksgiving feast. I wonder if the real indians had brightly died noodle necklaces?

photo 261

2008-11-18T13:45:00.000-08:00

My Grandma gave me this plant 14 years ago. She started it from a clipping from her larger plant. When she first gave it to me it was one little sprig with 3 or 4 leaves on it. (Pardon the pic...taken with iphone in really low light).

photo 260

2008-11-17T13:23:00.000-08:00

Each of us got to take a rose from the funeral arrangements. I plan on hanging these upside down to dry and then attaching the bouqet to the corkboard in my office.

photo 259

2008-11-16T13:19:00.000-08:00

The slide show is coming together. I'm soaking in each of the images, searching for details and answers to questions that I waited too long to ask.

photo 258

2008-11-15T13:14:00.000-08:00

Mark and I are working on a slide show to play at the funeral. All of my aunts, uncles and cousins have brought us pictures of Grandma. I love getting to go through them all. This afternoon I found a huge plastic tote under the bed in Grandma's guest room. It was stuffed with pictures. I spent hours sorting through them and I loved every single precious second of it. My favorite pictures were the ones taken when she was a teenager and in her twenties. I would give anything to be able to ask her about them.

photo 257

2008-11-14T13:11:00.000-08:00

My Grandma died this morning. I didn't take any pictures today...my camera was the last thing on my mind. This is the last picture that I have of us together.

photo 256

2008-11-13T12:54:00.000-08:00

Chloe's class went to the Adventure Science Museum. She was so excited about her first field trip... but she was even more excited about riding on the school bus to get there. During a lecture about dinosaurs there was a Q & A session. The lady held up something that looked like a rock and asked if anyone knew what it was. The first kid said "a rock"... which was wrong. Chloe was called on next and she shouted out "dinosaur poop"...everyone cracked up laughing... the boys especially...something about the word "poop" and 6-7 year old boys. Oh, she was right...it was fossilized dino poo. (Please ignore the very poor quality of this photo and yesterdays photo...both were taken with iphone in poor light).

photo 255

2008-11-12T12:43:00.000-08:00

Every Wednesday I volunteer in Chloe's class. I help the kids with their AR tests. Chloe loves to have me in her class room... and I love that I am able to be.

photo 254

2008-11-11T20:56:00.000-08:00

Miss. Marley had an apointment to visit the vet this morning. 12 weeks, 32.5 pounds.

photo 253

2008-11-10T20:52:00.000-08:00

The down side to volunteering to work the book fair... finding too many books that you can't live without. (This is the second haul).

photo 252

2008-11-09T20:45:00.000-08:00

Allison at Maggie Moo's Mom made me these adorable custom hankies. (There are actually a few more but they are being laundered).

photo 251

2008-11-08T20:42:00.000-08:00

I. Heart. This. Doggie. (Especially when he pouts).

photo 250

2008-11-07T20:39:00.000-08:00

Staff retreat... things to read during down time...

photo 249

2008-11-06T20:34:00.000-08:00

The Webkinz collection is getting out of control. When we asked Chloe what she wanted for her birthday, without fail her reply... "Webkinz". These are the newest additions.

photo 248

2008-11-05T15:52:00.000-08:00

Supergirl has insisted on donning her uniform...(no, it is not a costume, it is a uniform) every single day.

photo 247

2008-11-04T15:49:00.000-08:00

We have established that I am partial...but seriously, could a doggie be any cuter?

photo 246

2008-11-03T15:44:00.000-08:00

We had a few spider balloons left over from the Halloween party. Cammie wanted to let one of them"fly away".

photo 245

2008-11-02T15:41:00.000-08:00

Happy Birthday Ladybug!

I cannot believe you are 7!

photo 244

2008-11-01T15:39:00.000-07:00

While at the school carnival, I thought it would be fun to torture Forrest by making him pose with the girls. Does he look thrilled or what?

photo 243

2008-10-31T15:33:00.000-07:00

For the pumpkin carving contest the kids had to choose a partner and show up at the party with a hollowed out pumpkin. The actual carving took place during the party.

photo 242

2008-10-30T15:29:00.000-07:00

Chloe and Cammie went to a Girl Scout trunk-or-treat with their Brownie troop. Chloe was a "snow princess", Cammie "supergirl) and their friend Madeline was a kitty.

photo 241

2008-10-29T15:25:00.000-07:00

When my folding table is clear of laundry it can be used for other things... like a staging area for the Halloween party we are throwing for the youth group.

photo 240

2008-10-28T15:13:00.000-07:00

I first heard of the class "basket" when Forrest was in the 5th grade. I think I sent in a $20 dollar donation. We did not attend the auction and I maintained the allusion of large Easter basket type baskets going for a hundred dollars or so. Imagine my surprise when I found out that the the term "basket" was used very loosely... the word "basket" actually means "room moms competing to create the most elaborate set up possible...and then it is wrapped in cellophane and referred to as a basket". Our "basket" was an oven donated by the Sears outlet.

photo 239

2008-10-27T15:07:00.000-07:00

We went to early vote today. I forced my silly son to go with me so that he could see how it works... I must admit, the thought that this goofy kid will have a say in the next election is scary. Just kidding... what really scares me is that he will get hisdrivers permit in 3 months.

photo 238

2008-10-26T15:05:00.000-07:00

This is my new favorite iPhone game...Wurdle. It's simliar to Quordy only there are more letters and they look more like Scrabble tiles.

photo 237

2008-10-25T15:01:00.000-07:00

Cammie began drawing these owls last week. Since then, they have been turning up around the house. This particular owl is a boy...because only a boy owl would have blue hair...according to the artiste.

photo 236

2008-10-24T14:56:00.000-07:00

The foliage this year is unusually vibrant. I think it seems that way because all of the trees lost their leaves early last year due to the drought. Regardless of the reason it is gorgeous!

photo 235

2008-10-23T14:52:00.000-07:00

Over the summer Chloe decided that she wanted to collect snow globes. If she hears you mention that you are going on a trip she will casually say "I bet they have snow globes there. Did you know that I collect sow globes"?

photo 234

2008-10-22T19:01:00.000-07:00

Sidewinder is a local plumbing and sewage company. Click on the picture to get a closer view of what is written on the bumper. I thought this was HILARIOUS! (I was so happy that I had remembered to put my camera in my purse).

photo 233

2008-10-21T18:56:00.000-07:00

I have an aversion to checking the messages on my machine. I always check the caller-ID to see who called though. Once a month I will go through and delete all of the old messages. Weird.

photo 232

2008-10-20T18:53:00.000-07:00

Forrest is constanly switching out the artwork on the back of his bedroom door. Every time that I go into his room I check for his newest drawings. This one cracked me up.

photo 231

2008-10-19T18:47:00.000-07:00

Mark has been trying to convince me to give up my "paper" calendar and switch to Outlook for a few years. Since the iPhone synced so easily with Outlook I decided to give it a try. After a three month trial run, I switched back. Not only did I switch back, I bought an even larger calendar than I had before the switch.

photo 230

2008-10-18T18:42:00.000-07:00

While putting away the coffee cups, I decided to clear out some of the clutter that made the cabinet over-crowded. Even though the kids haven't used a sippy-cup in almost two years, for some reason there were all of these sippy components in the cabinet.

photo 229

2008-10-17T18:33:00.000-07:00

Have I mentioned that we didn't tell Forrest that he would have to wear a tie and sweater vest in the Fall and Winter if he got into JPII? We knew that he would be less than excited about his required attire. Right before school started we told him...and to say that he was a wee bit disgruntled would be an understatement. Today was his third day in tie and vest...he claims he is choking...poor kid. (Doesn't he look cute though)?

photo 228

2008-10-16T18:28:00.000-07:00

Have I said that I LOVE these doggies? They are so sweet together. There were a few moments after we had paid our deposit but before we had brought Marley home that I thought "what have I done"? I am happy to report that there has been no feelings of remorse. These puppies are the best.

photo 227

2008-10-15T18:26:00.000-07:00

The moon was HUGE and bright tonight...I wish we had a telescope.

photo 226

2008-10-14T18:23:00.000-07:00

Fall makes me happy...

photo 225

2008-10-13T12:40:00.000-07:00

In a moment of domestic bravery I broke out the ironing board. I know, amazing isn't it? Don't be concerned, there were no pleats or creases to worry about, and no clothing items were harmed in the filming of this event. The shower curtain made it through safe and sound.

side note: I had to go out and buy a new iron. After using the old one to put a hem of "stitch witchery" in a costume at church it somehow got misplaced. I hadn't noticed that it was missing until yesterday. When did I use it to put that hem in? Last Halloween.

photo 224

2008-10-12T12:30:00.000-07:00

Winston...mourning his fall from "top dog" status and the loss of his beloved air vent.

photo 223

2008-10-11T12:27:00.000-07:00

Meet Marly. She moved in this morning and promptly took over Winston's beloved air vent.

photo 222

2008-10-10T12:23:00.000-07:00

Winston...in a state of contentment and happiness...secure in his "only dog" status. Poor guy, he doesn't realize what tomorrow is...

photo 221

2008-10-09T12:14:00.000-07:00

Today was not a good day. I walked into Forrest's room to get the empty hangers out of his closet and I was confronted with this bold statement of rebellion. He seems to think that he is "too old" for Bionicles. It's "not cool for an almost 15 year old to have toys layin' around his room mom". "Mom, seriously...I'll be driving in a few months. Don't you think it's time to put that stuff up"?

My answer..."NO, I most certainly DO NOT think it's time to put that stuff up".

sigh.

Unfortunately, he's right. That's what I decided after spending most of the day looking at old pictures of him and figuring out how many days I have until he leaves for college.

photo 220

2008-10-08T12:12:00.000-07:00

My magnet board is officially full. Two more are in the works.

photo 219

2008-10-07T12:06:00.000-07:00

This is what I see 50% of the time when I walk into his room (the other 50% of the time he is bent over his sketch pad...his recent fixation is political cartoons). He has great taste (ahem...no, I'm not partial) in music and he is constantly pushing himself to learn new songs. It's good for me to remind myself that even though he can drive me absolutely insane at times...he rocks.

photo 218

2008-10-06T12:02:00.000-07:00

Theses two have the biggest "personality clashes". To see Forrest teaching Chloe how to play Rock Band gives me hope that eventually they settle into one another.

p.s. please excuse the super blurry photo...very low light.

photo 217

2008-10-05T11:59:00.000-07:00

I heart Hannah. I cannot believe how big H is. It's so strange thinking of her in middle school. Stranger still is thinking about her moving up to the youth group next year. .

photo 216

2008-10-04T11:55:00.000-07:00

The bees at the Pumpkin Patch were relentless. When this guy dove into my soda I gave up the fight. We stopped at McD's for large teas afterward...nary a bee in sight.

photo 215

2008-10-03T11:31:00.000-07:00

Our house must have faulty wiring or something...we have light bulbs blowing out on a daily basis. It's gotten to the point that I wait until a minimum of 6 lights are out before I go around the house with the basket o' bulbs and replace the blown bulbs.

photo 214

2008-10-02T11:28:00.000-07:00

My two favorite moments:

1. At the beginning when she asked Biden if she could "call him Joe".

2. When she reminded him that he had stated during the primary that Obama wasn't ready to be president.

The Saturday Night Live spoof of the debate was great too.

photo 213

2008-10-01T11:24:00.000-07:00

Peeling potatoes is one kitchen task that I actually don't mind doing. It reminds of my Grandma. She would always let me peel the potatoes when she cooked dinner. When I was too little to reach the counter she would pull a chair up to it for me to stand on...and she also let me eat little pieces of the raw potato with salt sprinkled on it.

photo 212

2008-09-30T11:20:00.000-07:00

I have ever said that I do not heart grocery day? I don't mind the shopping part...it's the toting the 256 bags into the house and putting everything away part that drives me nuts.

photo 211

2008-09-29T11:16:00.000-07:00

Cammie and Chloe received their report cards today...this was Cammie's first ever report card. I can't believe (a) that 6 weeks of school have already flown by and (b) that Cammie is in kindergarten...I know I've had 6 weeks to get used to it, but it just seems unreal that she is big enough to be in school.

photo 209

2008-09-29T11:06:00.000-07:00

This has to be the strangest antique/art/junkstore that I have ever entered. It's located next to the hotel where our retreat was held so on our way out of town we stopped in. It was...strange. It had a weird assortment of things...things that I couldn't believe anyone would buy...and then when I saw the prices, I just laughed.

poto 210

2008-09-28T11:11:00.000-07:00

Tiffeny (who owns Winston's mom) brought the puppies by for another visit today. It's good for the pups to be socialized as soon as possible and with as many people as possible...and our 5 kids plus half the neighorhood kids are a socialization in themselves. Cammie squatted down to pet one puppy and then several rushed her and she ended up on her bottom with 4 puppies kissing her.

phoo 208

2008-09-26T10:21:00.000-07:00

After our evening session, several of our friends came back to our cabin to watch the first debate. I'm not happy with the options we have for our country. For the second presidential election in a row, I have to go with the default "lesser of two evils"...

photo 207

2008-09-25T10:17:00.000-07:00

We left for a marriage retreat in Monteagle this morning. When we got here, we found out that we could rent a cabin instead of staying in the hotel. Believe me when I say that the cabin was "basic"...but I loved the afternoon sun on the ceiling.

photo 206

2008-09-24T10:13:00.000-07:00

Every single day, Forrest eats a bowl of Cocoa Krispies after school.

(The pic was a bit blurry...my finger slipped when I went to adjust the contrast...and it ended up looking like this...I decided Forrest would like it this way, so I left it).

photo 205

2008-09-23T10:03:00.000-07:00

After Forrest entered middle school he was no longer interested in taking box tops to school. Out of habit, I continued to tear them off of packages and toss them in the "box top" drawer...for three years. When Chloe and Cammie came home from school asking if we could "start collecting box tops", I pulled out the drawer and showed them our stash. They looked happier than they had on Christmas morning. Chloe decided that they should ration them and each of them should only take in 30 per week. Once Cammie agreed, Chloe trimmed around the edges neatly and seperated them into 6 stacks of 10. For Christmas, Santa will be bringing Box Tops.

photo 204

2008-09-22T09:59:00.000-07:00

Did you know that the entrance to Target is also an entrance into a time warp...seriously...you walk in expecting to "just pick up a few things"..."it will only take a minute"...and when you walk out, you find that you have lost two hours of your life.

photo 203

2008-09-21T09:55:00.000-07:00

The new puppy came for a visit today. Winston willingly shared his water with her...hopefully this means he won't be too jealous of her when she moves in for good...

photo 202

2008-09-20T09:49:00.000-07:00

I love curly leaf ornamental cabbages...especially when they have dew drops on them.

photo 201

2008-09-19T09:47:00.000-07:00

My muffin can read.

photo 200

2008-09-18T17:40:00.000-07:00

Comin' in for a kiss...

photo 199

2008-09-17T17:31:00.000-07:00

The window box under the kitchen window...replanted for fall. Are pansies not the happiest flowers?

photo 198

2008-09-16T17:23:00.000-07:00

Cammie presented me with this bouqet a few days before I left for NY. I was surprised to find that they were still blooming when I got in Monday night.

photo 197

2008-09-15T17:19:00.000-07:00

Quordy. The only thing that made two 4 hour layovers bearable...and the most addictive iPhone game download out there.

photo 196

2008-09-14T17:07:00.000-07:00

The Jersey skyline at sunset was gorgeous.

photo 195

2008-09-13T17:00:00.000-07:00

I heart the subway. In fact, I heart public transportation in general...in big cities, not in Nashville.

photo 194

2008-09-12T16:52:00.000-07:00

Happy Happy Birthday to me!

photo 193

2008-09-11T16:49:00.000-07:00

Times Square

New York, New York

photo 192

2008-09-10T09:39:00.000-07:00

Birthday present number 1. Honestly, I am spoiled beyond reason.

photo 191

2008-09-09T09:37:00.000-07:00

After the mums are potted, it's time to break out the Fall wreath.

photo 190

2008-09-08T09:34:00.000-07:00

I absolutely love mums...they signify the beginning of my favorite season.

poto 189

2008-09-07T09:31:00.000-07:00

Saint Bernards grow extremely fast. It's a good idea to photograph them next to a stuffed animal while they are tiny and then rephotograph them next to the same stuffed animal periodically to show the progression.

photo 188

2008-09-06T09:28:00.000-07:00

We spent the morning doing outreach to promote our Friends Day services tomorrow. I had forgotten how rewarding community outreach is.

photo 187

2008-09-05T15:50:00.000-07:00

My knock-out roses after an afternoon shower.

photo 186

2008-09-04T15:47:00.000-07:00

I heart kids that read.

photo 185

2008-09-03T15:45:00.000-07:00

I tend to gravitate towards earth tones...in clothing, in decorating, in scrapbooking...I forced myself to use pastels for ths one.

photo 184

2008-09-02T15:43:00.000-07:00

Chloe's first spelling test...I broke my "no magnets on the fridge" rule for this one.

photo 183

2008-09-01T15:42:00.000-07:00

Shopping for girl toys...photo courtesy of Hannah who was bored to tears while furniture shopping.

photo 182

2008-08-31T15:38:00.000-07:00

Bet ya can't guess what this is...

(Rachel and Renee you're not allowed to guess).

photo 181

2008-08-30T15:36:00.000-07:00

Shopping for boy toys...

photo 180

2008-08-29T15:34:00.000-07:00

Sarah's birthday was on Wednesday...we celebrated tonight at Sambucca. Happy Birthday Sarah!

photo 179

2008-08-28T15:31:00.000-07:00

I spent the day in Franklin with a friend picking through antique stores. This tray was my favorite find. I set it on my desk to hold scraps.

photo 178

2008-08-27T15:27:00.000-07:00

This lovely specimen of an evergreen tree was planted by my lovely specimen of a neighbor in June. In June, this beauty was only half brown. In June, the weeds were not taller than the leaning brick edging...but almost. Now, it is almost September...the weeds are taller, the edging is leaning-er and the evergreen is ever browner. If it happens to be uprooted and hauled to a dumpster in the middle of the night...it wasn't me.

photo 177

2008-08-26T15:24:00.000-07:00

Winston, the six and a half month old Saint Bernard has a paw larger than Cammie, the five year old girl.

photo 176

2008-08-25T15:20:00.000-07:00

Sometimes, no matter how sunny it looks, there are a few clouds and stray threads blocking the view...and sometimes, the prettiest wrapped package with the tidiest bow is held together with duct tape underneath...

photo 175

2008-08-24T18:29:00.000-07:00

"Photogenic" is not on the short list of good-qualities that I posses...for some reason, I liked this one though.

photo 174

2008-08-23T18:26:00.000-07:00

My beautiful Grandma on a good day. I am so immensely thankful for the good days.

photo 173

2008-08-22T18:22:00.000-07:00

Me as Strawberry Shortcake, circa 1982. (pardon the weird camera angle...no matter where I stood or how I turned the camera, the shot kept coming out crooked...my patience was on the thin side, and rather than throw the camera or kick the table the layout is standing on, I settled for a crooked picture).

photo 172

2008-08-21T18:19:00.000-07:00

Firmly back on the wagon...

photo 171

2008-08-20T18:15:00.000-07:00

Forrest continually leaves his retainers lying around the house. On one hand, I want to complain about it and on the other, I'm just happy that he remembers to wear them 90% of the time and they haven't been thrown in the trash or fed to the garbage disposal.

photo 170

2008-08-19T18:12:00.000-07:00

Freshly filled cereal-keepers make me happy...(it's the litte things in life)...

photo 169

2008-08-18T18:08:00.000-07:00

I forced myself to clean off my desk. I plan to create at some point this week.

photo 168

2008-08-17T18:05:00.000-07:00

Consignment sale mayhem is over. While I will be selling things in the Spring sale via Saint Vickie, I think I will forgo the working part...how many of you saw that coming?

photo 167

2008-08-16T18:02:00.000-07:00

I love this kid...seriously, "Happy Cammie"...she is just the coolest.