Welcome To My Life

{ a perfect December day}

2010-12-21T11:37:00.000-05:00

Today is a perfect December day because...

It's the first day of winter.

There was a lunar eclipse early this morning.

It snowed last night.

No school for my kids.

And it's my birthday!

Thank you for all the wonderful birthday wishes!!!!

I just might have to celebrate with a large cappuccino...

and a cupcake.

And I'm going to wish I was here...

or even here....

But really when I know I'm here...

And here are just some random pictures that I love....

I would post new pictures but I'm having issues with my computer...I've been fighting with it all morning.

Doesn't it realize it's my birthday and everything is suppose to be perfect today?

Moving...

2010-11-30T12:53:00.000-05:00

I'm moving my blog to Home Love but I'm still working out the details.

LB

Got forks?

2010-09-23T10:59:00.020-04:00

I woke up this morning to this sign in my driveway that said…DEER KILLER'S AUNT GOT FORKED!

Thanks to my niece I had all these plastic forks in the yard.

And my jeep was covered in this stuff…

Somehow Brayden managed to get himself in a bind.

It all started when she hit a deer a few days ago.

I called her a "deer-killer".

So while she was at work last night, I wrapped her car with yellow caution tape and my sidekick wrote "I'm a deer-killer" on her bumper.

It's just a little innocent prank…considering she drew all over my jeep windows with hearts, pac-man and happy faces.

(this is really an on-going prank that started in the summer but there's no need to go back that far)

So now I am on a mission…you know, payback.

I am calling all you pranksters for some good tips.

Fun and harmless of course.
The time I sprayed silly string all over my niece's car didn't turn out so well.
Did you know silly string ruins car paint????
I didn't!
Turns out my niece is deathly afraid of spiders and Chihuahuas.
Hmmmm…
I need some help.
It's so on!
Watch your back K10…and your little sidekick.

I know where you live!

Homeschool lesson of the day: Fall Equinox

2010-09-22T18:51:00.002-04:00

This is the time of year I put away my flip-flops, pool toys and beach towels. Gone are my carefree days, iced tea and lemonade. Although summer is my favorite time of the year, this is my husband's favorite time. I don't blame him…I love it too. I love the crisp night air, apple pie, pumpkins and the bright colors of the fall leaves.

This year the fall equinox will be on September 23 at 3:09am (UTC time) which in my area will actually occur September 22 at 11:09 pm EST. During the fall equinox, the sun crosses the (celestial) equator and moves southward in the northern hemisphere. During this time, the sun appears to be almost directly over the Earth's equator. The length of night and day is nearly but not quite equal. The word equinox comes from two Latin words which mean "equal" and "night". After the fall equinox, the nights begin to get longer.

What does this all mean and why am I telling you this? Did you know during the equinox you can stand up a broom? Last year I tried it and my broom stood up for hours. I also heard you can stand up an egg. I haven't tried it so I don't know if this is just a myth.

So there it is…a little homeschool lesson. And maybe even a trick to impress your friends with.

Quote of the day...

2010-09-02T10:27:00.000-04:00

"Life is too short to drink cheap coffee"

I am at the jeep dealership waiting for my jeep window to be fixed.

I will be waiting for at least two hours according to my serviceman.

I dropped the kids off at grandma's.

I forgot to feed them breakfast...as Shaye reminds as we're heading out the door.

I did not eat breakfast too (ugh).

I have had about 4 hours of sleep.

I have a half cup of yesterdays brew of coffee(ugh).

So do I dare try dealership coffee?

No way...

I just daydream about Starbucks.

Boy...that diet coke in the vending machine is calling my name.

Summer's End

2010-08-16T10:17:00.001-04:00

I feel the summer ending. School starts in a few weeks, no more plans for road trips and vacations, and I'm shopping for pencils and notebooks. These are all the signs that summer is coming to it's end. My nephews are preparing to leave for college and my mom will be returning soon from her month long vacation in the Philippines too.

I love summer and the carefree days. I will miss it. I enjoyed my first summer back in Ohio. Although this was the first year in about 10, maybe 15, years that I did not go to the beach. I traded it in for a pool in the backyard. The kids have enjoyed having the pool too.

The summer was filled with a lot of activities. We made a big dent on the "summer list". Ok, I did take "wash the dog" off the list. And we missed the meteor showers...I forgot about it. Oh, we also did not make it to Chicago, not yet. Pat is on his way there as I type, but the kids and I could not make it with him. Shaye had to attend a ballet workshop which was mandatory. Did I tell you that Shaye made the ballet competition team. I'm so proud of her. Not bad for only taking ballet for 6 months!

Last week we went to Pigeon Forge with my sister, my bro-in-law, and 4 of their 5 kids. We had a blast! We zip lined, went whitewater rafting, played games, shopping and just hung out. The kids had so much fun just playing around at the cabins. They played games, one of which I'm surprised they didn't have nightmares over this game. It was nice to be all together. It has been years since we've been together like that. It just seemed to never happen while we lived in Virginia. And now that my 2 nephews are leaving for college, it was extra special.

I forgot to take pictures while on vacation...notice no pics in this blog. Actually I forgot to take pictures of the whole summer. Maybe I can beg, borrow and plead for pics from my family and friends. Until then, you just have my words to picture my summer. And a wonderful summer it has been!

Now excuse me while I unpack some school books....ugh!

Running???

2010-07-21T08:40:00.000-04:00

I went running today...sorta!

Let's just leave it at that.

{ summer list }

2010-07-02T10:08:00.002-04:00

My summer is in full swing and I am enjoying every minute of it.

And the summer check list…

Still working on it but here's what we've checked off…

Swimming

BBQ

Painting

Museum

Cooking

LBP

Bday party

Picnic

Wii

Take pictures

Rock climbing

Reading

Naps

Riding bikes

Geocaching

Bake a pie

Movie outside

And did I say…swimming?

Lots of it!

{ Party Time }

2010-06-12T15:39:00.000-04:00

Today was suppose to be Brayden's birthday pool party

but we cancelled it because it has been raining too hard to have a party.

(The party has turned into a FIFA soccer watching get-together)

But his birthday was still fun....

Well the cake has been eaten, the gifts all opened and the guest are all gone.

The birthday party is over....

and Brayden has officially turned into a teenager.

Party time:

and the best for last...

And I agree with Shaye...

He is definitely sharing.

{ project for the day...bday cake }

2010-06-11T10:27:00.000-04:00

This was my project for the day..with Shaye's help.

Step one:

get all ingredients

step two:

mix together for 2 minutes

Step three:

pour into pans and bake

Step four:

frost and decorate

Step five:

add candles...and worms

Shaye ( my little elf-helper) did such a great job decorating the b-day cake.

She's quite the trooper making a triple chocolate cake for her brother,

considering she doesn't even like chocolate.

Yum-o.

The cake was a success.

Only one piece left.

I wonder if Brayden would mind if I ate it for breakfast?

Chocolate goes great with coffee!

(are you still wondering what's in the box????)

{ 13 years ago...}

2010-06-10T10:24:00.000-04:00

13 years ago today my life changed.

I had my first child...my son Brayden.

June 6, 1997

Today is his 13th birthday and I'm wondering where did all those years go.

The cute little boy holding match box cars and dinosaurs.

The little boy that could watch pokemon for hours (well, he still does that).

He would sit quietly for hours watching things and people.

The years went by fast!

And now the "teenage" years begin..

What will they bring?

attitude, talking-back, resentment, "whatever"s...

I hope they bring...

growth, strength, confidence, and a peek to what he will become.

And I hope to have 13 years and more to watch it all unfold.

Happy Birthday Brayden!

We're going to have a party later and I can't wait to see his expression when he opens this...

Well...Pat and I went a little "over the top" when it comes to this gift, but it will be a gift he has to share.

I'm excited about that!

You will just have to wait to see what's in the box...
I can't spoil the surprise.

A special birthday dinner tonight, then cake, then presents.

Saturday will be his birthday-pool party.

A little bbq, games, swimming and family.

It should be fun!

Happy Birthday to my "little boy"!

Do you think I can keep him in here until he's 18???

{ remember me }

2010-05-30T15:29:00.002-04:00

Don't forget to thank a service member this Memorial Day...and honor those who have served.

Thank You...

Row

Travis

Kimmie

June

Jeramiah

Melissa

Jeff

Ginny

Jim

Paula

Michael

Amy

Jay

David

Yvonne

Chris

{ summer list }

2010-05-26T11:16:00.002-04:00

I'm sooooo excited...
yesterday was our last day of school.
Shaye took her history test.
Brayden turned in his science experiment.
And I was just glad I survived the year!

Now off to work on my summer list.

I took this great idea from a blogger I like to follow. "whatever" at...megduerksen.typepad.com

I better get going.
I have a big list to work on.
Enjoy your summer
and let's see what's on your list.

2010-05-21T16:16:00.000-04:00

I found that I always try to take the road with the least traffic. I call it the "low road". While I lived in Scotland, there were two ways to work...the high road or the low road. The high road was only about 2 or 3 miles, it cut right thru a hill and was a straight and short shot to work. But the low road was along the waters edge and it was about 5 miles or more. It was crooked and narrow with the water on one side and homes on the other. On the low road I had the view to the ship I worked at. The USS Simon Lake was in the middle of the Loch. It was a gigantic hunk of steel in the middle of Scotland's beautiful green landscape. I loved going to work on the low road. I rode my bike rain or (sometimes) shine. I once ran it for fun not realizing how long it was....I took the bus on the way back!

I always look for a "low road" anywhere I go. I avoid freeways. I like taking my time to my destination. I like the scenery. I like the winding paths through tree lined streets and homes. It seems to be my philosophy for everything. I take my time and try to enjoy it along the way.

So...do you take the "high-road" or the "low-road" ?

{picture thanks to JS at USS Scotland Reunion/facebook }

{ i heart road-trips }

2010-05-20T09:13:00.000-04:00

One of my favorite parts of summer...road trips!

I might be the only one in my family though.

Here's a few of my favorite memories...

{ numbers }

2010-05-19T09:06:00.000-04:00

{ numbers }

more subjects to test

more school days

more days to Memorial Day

days to Brayden's birthday

days to July 4th

days of summer!

{ a traveling school...}

2010-05-15T08:41:00.000-04:00

We just got back from Virginia Beach to visit Row and her family (and Pat had to work). It was a quick trip...only four days. I had to be very creative with schoolwork this week.

We did lessons anywhere we could.

{Oh, I'm just kidding. Having school up in the trees didn't work out well.}

We had school at Row's dining room table, Barnes and Noble, and the Chesapeake library. This is my favorite library. It's two levels and has a great children section with everything my kids like to read. The young adult section has bean bags and tables...and books too. Upstairs they have computers, work stations, and a resource center. I like this library because it's more like a bookstore and it's quiet.

My local library is very small. Brayden has read everything he is interested in already. He tells me there's nothing to read! Although there are hundreds of books in there. The worst part is that it is very noisy. People talk really loud, they talk on their cell phones and even the librarians are chatting at the front desk! There is a quiet room in the back, where the magazines live. But Brayden said it's even worse in there because all the seniors sit in there. So when they try to talk to each other they are almost shouting at each other because they have a hard time hearing each other. These are Brayden's words. Is that a sign that I'm old because I like to sit in the quiet room (with the seniors) and I'm complaining about noise at the library?

I guess I have a thing for libraries. I like to go to them in big cities. I like the one in Cleveland. It's in an old building with 5 levels and a tunnel leads to the building next door, which is a more moderen library.

{this is the stairwell on the modern side}

We are home now. And back to school in all the normal places. A desk!

Only 10 more days of school...then summer vacation. I did tell you..I can't wait!

{ I can't wait... }

2010-05-08T09:20:00.000-04:00

Sping is here...
and Summer is just around the corner.

I can't wait.
There are only 15 days left of school.
Then I can say I survived my first year of homeschooling.

It has been a challenge balancing teaching and my homelife. I have to confess my home has suffered. There are dirty dishes in the sink more than clean ones. The laundry is overflowing out of the laundry room. Many dinners consisted of cereal. And I can't remember the last time I mopped the kitchen floor.

So, yes I am ready for summer.

I'm ready for...
barefeet
lemonaide
swimming
BBQ's
picnics
reading outside
naps
ice cream
road trips
the beach

I can't wait.
What's on your list?

{ test week }

2010-05-07T09:00:00.002-04:00

My kids (and I) survived the week...

This week was the first time taking the Ohio Achievement Assessments.

Math, Science and Reading.

Being our first year of homeschooling and our first year back to Ohio, I had no idea what to expect.

I tried not to put any extra pressure on them.

We reviewed flash cards, practice tests, online classes and then reviewed some more.

I'll find out, in the summer, if all the hard work pays off.

Until then....back to school work!

{ Brayden and Shaye are testing out how static electricity works at the science museum

and Shaye is testing the no-gravity theory at the moon. }

{ i am eleven }

2010-04-18T09:45:00.001-04:00

i am eleven.

i am all girl.

i am a gymnast.

i love to dance.

i love to draw.

i love to read.

i am a good cook.

i bake the best cookies.

i am ME.

{ i am her brother....and i am just waiting for the cake }

{ slowing down }

2010-04-14T13:20:00.000-04:00

"There is more to life than increasing its speed."
-Mahatma Gandhi

I did a little slowing down this weekend.
I spent the weekend in the Tennessee mountains with my family.

A nice break from the real world of dirty dishes, laundry, schoolwork, bills, blah, blah, blah!
We rented a cabin outside Pigeon Forge and just hung out….together.

We played games, read, and zipped around the trees.

One of our favorite parts is the zipline, which is right at the foot of our cabin.
You start off by jumping from a platform, then zoom across a line right over the top of the trees.
It's so much fun.
You can sit and watch the view or hang upside down like a monkey. Shaye has her own moves…she freestyles!

This is me slowing down....

4½ hour car ride
2 kids
1 husband
3 days in the mountains
Zipping 250ft above the ground
0 stress

Priceless!

{ Happy Birthday to Shaye }

2010-03-30T09:40:00.000-04:00

Today is a special day.

Happy Birthday Shaye!

Can you tell we got up early???

This is Shaye's morning face.

lol

It's her happy face....

happy birthday face!

come back later for more party pictures....

{ horses, chickens, cat and dog….oh my }

2010-03-26T12:53:00.007-04:00

My family and I just returned from our little road trip to Virginia Beach to visit my sister, Rowena.

You would never guess we were at the beach.

The kids enjoyed riding the horses (ok, only Shaye enjoyed it, I forced Brayden on the horse).

Shaye helped collect fresh eggs in the morning and helped feed the horses.

Duke (the dog) and midnight (the black cat) seemed to enjoy us around too.

It was a great little get-away to cure my cabin fever.

The weather was beautiful….75 degrees!

But we also had another purpose for our trip…other than visiting family.

We all participated in the Virginia Beach Shamrock 8k.

It's become a tradition to run it as a family.

Although I was not in the best shape to run it….it was still fun.

At the end, you get a medal, a t-shirt, Irish stew (and a little Irish beer!).

I cannot tell a lie…sitting on the beach with Pat, sun and 75degrees, with my beer in hand, at 10 am in the morning was great! I know…who drinks that early???

I miss the beach!

Watching my kids run from the waves, feeling the cool sand between my toes (more like my aching feet from the run) and just watching the view with no worries…life is good!

{ Mini Me }

2010-03-10T13:49:00.002-05:00

Guess who wants to be a gymnast?

Yes my little girl wants to be a gymnast just like her mom.For those of you who didn't know me in my school days, I use to be a gymnast. I ate, slept, breathe it. I lived in the gym.

Shaye has never seen me do gymnastics...but has heard the stories. She has seen the scars. And I can't keep it from her (as much as I tried). She loves it! Cartwheels, backwalkovers, roundoffs...and she loves the bars.

So now I have come full circle and I now sit in the stands and watch her. I watch her flip, bend and sometimes crash. I cheer her on. I try to be just a mom...and not a coach. I sit and wonder where this will lead her. But more often, I sit and remember.

(I wish I had more pictures to show you but they were all blury. I'm a better gymnast then photographer)

{ bits and pieces }

2010-02-22T13:09:00.007-05:00

I've been missing...

I've been busy with...

keeping my kids in line.

oh..just kidding (this was last year when they were misbehaving).

I've been enjoying the winter snow storms...

and more snow.

I've been homeschooling...

I've been watching them grow....

I've been reading with them...

I've been baking, cooking and cleaning.

I've been (helping) making treats...

mostly just watching, Shaye is now the baker in the house!

they were YUMMY!

I've been shoveling a lot of snow. a lot of snow. a lot of snow.

and the best part...I've been playing in the snow with my kids. There is something magical about playing in the snow at twilight.

and I've been getting lots of XOXO.

That's what I've been doing.

Just bits and pieces.

What have you been up to lately????

{ snow day }

2010-01-10T12:19:00.002-05:00

{ snow }

This is the reason we moved back to Ohio, according to Brayden, because it's all about the snow. And boy did it snow! Four and a half inches fell between thursday & friday and the flurries have not stopped since. My son is in heaven...and so is Shaye. I'm more of the beach bum, so I've been enjoying it from the comfort of my family room, next to the fireplace. Of course with a large cuppa joe!

It's always nice to have someone else shovel off the snow...thanks shaye

{ our home }

{ teddy in his new coat }

{ burrr..it's cold out here }

{ brayden covering shaye from head to toe...yes that's shaye under all that snow. i think teddy is making sure she's okay }

{ time to organize...the kitchen }

2010-01-10T11:11:00.000-05:00

It's that time of the year...time to organize. How about starting in the kitchen. I love open shelving. I took down my cabinets (over 3 months ago) and now I'm ready to put up some shelves. How about these....

{ country living }

{ houzz }

{ houzz }

{ houzz }

{ country living }

I love the clean white look, the open shelves and brackets underneath. I like the stainless steel with the touch of country charm too.

{ work in progress }

2010-01-08T16:52:00.003-05:00

I'm working on the blog and giving it a little facelift. I went back to the simple look. I like it better and it's easier to get around. I'm thinking about a new title for my blog...

LadyBird & Co.

birds nest

nesting place

a house becomes a home

(I would like to focus on getting my new/old house decorated)

Or maybe I'll just keep the same one..."welcome to my life".

Does anyone have any good suggestions for blog titles?

{ new year...new resolutions }

2010-01-08T16:20:00.004-05:00

Happy New Year to everyone. I have thought about the new year and what kind of resolutions I should make. Last year was not a success....so I thought I better add it to this years resolutions too.

I am a work in progress. Forever in progress! I have so much to work on...

organization

not procrastinating

losing weight

running

simplify

happiness

health

adventure

home

life in general

????

There is no possible way to accomplish all of these in a year. So which one do I focus on? Maybe I'll keep thinking about it and see which one screams the loudest, or maybe it's just me procrastinating. hmmmm.

{ are you ready for Christmas }

2009-12-18T11:47:00.003-05:00

Are you ready for Christmas???
Of course not.
I managed to get the tree up and decorated this year.
But it's always fun to look for inspiration.
Maybe next year....
until then I'll just dream a little.

{ spellcheck is my friend.. }

2009-11-05T17:37:00.003-05:00

Not a good start to home schooling...I spelled "museum" wrong on my last post. lol. Can I blame it on how late I was and how I was in a hurry to get to my "classroom"!?!? Yes..I was the last one to show up. My two kids had already started their subjects. Spell check is now my friend, along with my teacher guides and answer keys. And thanks for all the support and suggestions.

{Field trip to the Cincinnati Art Museum}

2009-11-05T08:21:00.003-05:00

I made a big change in my life and my kids, and have decided to homeschool them. Yes, me! I know it sounds shocking to hear it from me. The girl who enjoys going to the gym, decorating my house, shopping and hanging out with my sister. But...it was a choice Pat and I decided was the right thing to do for our kids.

I am their "learning coach" and they do have an online teacher. They have all their courses laid out, they have all the resources they need, they take tests, they have all the core subjects plus we added new ones like Latin and French, music, & technology. So far it's going smoothly. No stress in the morning to catch a bus, no tears over hours of homework, and the best part...they're learning!

I have to say...I was very hesitant to do this. I have no experience in teaching, I have no degree, I'm not that organized (you should see my desk). But a great friend told me that I could do it without all those traits. Because a mothers love trumps all of that. I know how my children learn, I know there moods, I know how to push them without going to far, I will always have their best interest and I will always stand behind them, I will encourage them and I will do all of that with love.

So here I am...another job to add to my list along with cook, housekeeper, accountant, taxi driver, referee, etc., etc....teacher! Wish me luck!

Since the kids are both learning about art, we took a field trip to the Cincinnati Art Museum with their art teacher and helper (Krysten). Shaye looked for sculptures, still life and abstract works. Brayden is covering artist from the Renaissance period. Ugh..a lot of them have nudity, I had to edit and walk fast by some of them. All in all, it was a good day. I got to spend the day with them and they had fun along with learning.

Cincinnati Art Museum

( look closely you will see us)

Brayden

on the way out of the museum...

{ coffee??? please }

2009-10-09T09:03:00.001-04:00

4 hours of sleep every night + 4 nights = A LOT OF COFFEE!

{ quote for the day }

2009-09-30T10:06:00.002-04:00

The most important ingredient we put into any relationship is not what we say

or what we do, but what we are.

-Stephen R. Covey

{ the new "old" house }

2009-09-16T11:36:00.006-04:00

I know you are waiting for pictures of the new house. I'll get them soon. Pat bought me a new camera and it "should" be easier to download the pics onto my blog. I'll soon see.

I'm working on the house at a frantic pace. I don't even have that many before pics to show. I will have lots of after pics though.

Just a few things on my list...

1. paint dining room, again ( i don't like the color i picked out)
2. put up blinds
3. remove wallpaper in kitchen
4. paint kitchen
5. new lighting in dr, lr, family rm, bedrooms, and bath (on Pat's list)
6. paint kids rooms
7. paint master bedroom
8. pick up vanity and counter top for masterbath
9. pick out tile for shower and floor
10. pick out new toilet (very important)

Okay that's just this week. Now you know why the pictures aren't ready. I'm off to Home Depot. They know me by name now. CJ at the paint department is my new best friend. I actually will invite her over when the house is done. Charlie at the appliance department is also a new buddy, thanks to my new fridge, washer and dryer. I'm off to make a new friend in the tile department...I hope.

I need a better name for my house rather than the new "old" house. Any suggestions??? Maybe once I show you what it looks like, you can help with a name.

{ surviving the first week of school }

2009-08-28T07:30:00.005-04:00

My kids have made it through the first week of school. The routine is setting in...wake up at 5:30, get ready for the day, breakfast, walk dogs, pack lunch, drive to school. After that I'm ready for my 2nd or 3rd cup of coffee and a nap! I'm not a morning person.

I had a close call yesterday. I was so tired I didn't realize I turned off my alarm rather than hitting snooze. I also didn't hear the kids alarm. I jumped out of bed at 6:10 and had everyone out the door and in the car by 6:25. I don't know how I did it, but we made it to school on time.

Pat is in Colorado this week and I can't sleep when he's gone. I've been staying up way too late and I guess I finally crashed and fell into a deep sleep...where no ALARMS live!

Oh, I'm already counting the days until next summer....and sleeping in.

{ Respond With Purpose }

2009-08-22T11:26:00.004-04:00

Respond with purpose

What upsets you is not what happens.
What upsets you is your response to what happens.

Just as easily as you respond in a negative way,you can easily and naturally respond in a
positive, empowering, uplifting way.

The biggest problems are often caused by
what you choose to do about the smallest problems.
Most of those big, painful problems are so unnecessary.

Keep reminding yourself that you are in control of you.
You are in control and you can decide
exactly how you wish to feel at any point.

Imagine the power of remaining calm and focused
and resourceful when some totally unexpected,
disappointing development interrupts your day.
Truly, you can make the disappointments not disappointing at all.

Respond on purpose, with purpose.
Feel the power and the joy as every moment gives you a way to move forward.

Ralph Marston

{ my summers end }

2009-08-17T23:10:00.008-04:00

Summer is over wednesday for me and my kids. The first day of school is coming. Gone are my days of sleeping until 9am (sometimes even later), gone are the days of amusement parks, road trips and junk food. I love summer. I love spending the days with my kids. I love going to new places with them. I love the carefree spirit they have during the summer. It allows them to truly be a kid...a child. And I also can re-live my childhood through them.

One of the best things I did with my family was the ziplines in the smoky mountains. The view is spectacular and the zipline is fast and fun. If you're in Gatlinburg, you must try it. My son was very nervous...but after the first zipline, he was hooked.

Summer Fun...the ziplines at Gatlinburg

the look of summer fun

{ Here I Am }

2009-08-02T21:58:00.002-04:00

It's been so long ago since my last blog that I almost forgot my login password to my blog. I even surprised myself when I remembered it. So here I am.

It's been over a month since I sold my house in Virginia. My family and I have been living out of our luggage and eating out for every meal (ugh) for the last month. It's all catching up with me! I feel like I'm on an endless vacation. And you know what happens on vacation...you gain a lot of weight!

Good news on our search for a new house...we put an offer in on a house. We narrowed our search between 2 homes....a beautiful house with vaulted ceilings, finished basement, breakfast room with large windows, ready to move in. I wouldn't have to paint a single room. The only downfall is the yard, or the lack of a yard. And our second choice is a older home that would require some work to update it (removing wallpaper, painting, etc.) but it has a large yard that would be perfect for the kids and the dogs. And it has a in-ground pool. So which one do you think we picked????

We decided on the older home. I know it's not move in ready and doesn't have vaulted ceilings and an open floor plan. Pat loved the other house. But we decided the older home was a better fit. It's in a better school district, a bigger yard, and don't forget about the pool. Plus it's also $25,000 cheaper. It's cheaper because the house is a "short sale" but that also means it takes more time to get everything approved. So I am currently waiting, hoping, praying for everything to fall into place....and quickly. In the meantime, I am getting all my ideas for the house. What color do I paint the rooms, how do I fit my furniture in, how can I get a doggie door in, when will the kids go to school, and of course...when can we have a pool party! I'll keep you posted.

Back to blogging...

2009-07-06T09:57:00.003-04:00

I'm back...life was a bit stressful and I fell off the blogging wagon.

I made it to Ohio. The kids are done with school! The house is sold! Everything I have is packed and in storage! My family is together in Ohio! And now I need to find a place to live!

But for now, I'm enjoying a bit of summer...hanging out with family and sleeping in.

{ a look into my future }

2009-05-20T07:46:00.002-04:00

Today I had a preview of what the next few years are going to be like.

During breakfast I notice that my daughter has a little bit of attitude, a tone to her voice, not that sweet child like voice that speaks to me. Maybe she’s just tired from not getting enough sleep since she’s been sick. So I ignore it. I pack her lunch and she tells me I didn’t pack enough food…there’s that tone again! I ignore it again. I then tell her the American Idol update and she quickly corrects me when I miss pronounce Danny’s last name….oh, there’s that tone! I can’t ignore it anymore. I quickly correct her and tell her that I will not tolerate her talking to me like that. She gives me a look and then…..the tears! This is the worst thing to happen before school if I want her to get to the bus on time. Once she starts to cry it doesn’t stop.

Is this the beginning of her “tween” years? Oh, please help me!

Later that day I pick up my son from school. He is clearly upset. He experienced a little bit of bullying today. As his mother, I want to march right back to the office and let them know what’s going on. What about the “no tolerance” to bullying I am told about. Of course I don’t….that would be over reacting. I want him to be able to handle situations on his own too. So I made sure it was not serious…he did not physically get hurt. I knew a time like this would come. Middle school kids can be mean. They are far more advanced from when I was that age.

Is this the beginning of his “tween” years? I hope not!

{ my love of all things white }

2009-05-17T12:34:00.006-04:00

I love to decorate with white. All my dishes are white, my serving platters are white and my table and chairs are white. I even painted my kitchen cabinets white. It just has a clean and simple look.

Here are a few ideas. I was just doing a little (online) window shopping. The best way to shop when money is tight! My favorite is the large farm-style table and white chairs. I love how old and distressed it looks.

{ My Interpretation of President Obama's Mortgage Foregiveness Act }

2009-05-15T13:03:00.003-04:00

My interpretation of President Obama’s “Mortgage Forgiveness Act”

President Obama passed a program to help homeowners, like myself, keep from losing their homes and falling to foreclosure…but let me give you my interpretation of what the forgiveness act has done for me.

I have passed the year mark that my house has been on the market. Pat and I have done everything possible to sell it. We have fixed, replaced and upgraded our house. We have lowered our price (ugh..over $50,000), we have never refused a showing, we have begged, borrowed and are ready to steal. And now we have come to the conclusion that we need to get help from our Mortgage company. Should be easy, right??? President Obama has passed all these programs for us. He’s here for us…he wants change like me!

Did he forget to tell that to the mortgage company. Why does it take 10 weeks to be assigned a counselor to help me? Why is a counselor impossible to get hold of? Why does the person you’re talking to refer you to someone that might be able to help you better? Why did they not receive my packet I faxed to them, twice? Why did my packet get sent to the wrong department? And since it was sent to the wrong department, why was it rejected and closed! Yes…after weeks of waiting, my cry for help, rejected and closed.

The customer service rep-so called mortgage counselor proceeds to tell me that she needs to reopen my case and resubmit my package. And refers me to someone else (heard that before) and I should wait until next week to see if anything has been done. Wait…did I hear her right??? I don’t know, I had a moment were my face turned red and all I heard was blah, blah, blah. I didn’t even ask her to hold while Shaye had a coughing attack and got a little sick (in the sink..yuck). Did I tell you that Shaye has a bit of pneumonia (a story for another day).

Okay, so now back to my interpretation of a mortgage forgiveness act….

Please forgive me when I use all the @#%& words I know when I talk to my mortgage company!

Please forgive me when I’m in a bad mood after not getting any help from all the acts I was promised but not given.

Please forgive me when I don’t have dinner on the table because I was on the computer all day trying to find some loophole I fit in.

Please forgive me when I decide to no longer pay my mortgage

And (kids) please forgive me because I have no idea if we will have another opportunity to have a mortgage.

{ useless things to know about me }

2009-05-06T12:54:00.007-04:00

Here are a few things you know about me and some you didn't...

1. how I order my coffee.."grande, non-fat, wet, cappuccino, please".

{ yum }

2. I eat a piece of dove dark chocolate everyday.

3. I love to play little big planet on PS3 with my kids.

4. when I was younger (a long time ago), I could do a double back flip.

5. I joined the Navy and lived on a ship, but I can barely swim.

6. I lived in Scotland for over 2 years.

7. I've traveled to London, Edinburgh , Paris, Mallorca & Menorca Spain, and Portugal.

8. I love to shop at flea markets.

9. I hate cleaning the house.

10. I love my husband and kids! { :) but you already knew that }

Some days I have to make a list to remind myself of the things to be thankful for and all the things I've done. It helps me get through the day. Try it...it will be hard to stop at just ten.

{ handmade love }

2009-04-25T22:26:00.002-04:00

Gifts from my kids...

Brayden's creation

Shaye's creation

{ Run, LB, Run }

2009-04-19T14:01:00.004-04:00

Did I run while the kids were on spring break???? No, not one mile! Walk and step aerobics yes, but running, NO! My goal of that half marathon seems to be slipping away. I need some motivation to get back on track. Maybe new shoes, maybe losing those extra (chocolate bunny) lbs., maybe a pedometer or maybe just some competition. Whatever it is...I need to find it soon. Okay, how about swimsuit season! It's just around the corner. Ugh, I need to go run now!

{ my facelift }

2009-04-09T21:19:00.002-04:00

okay...now that I got your attention. I did not get a facelift! Do you like the new look I put on the blog? It took forever to do it and I lost a bunch of stuff and had to redo a lot. But I figured it out (I did have to call Pat a handful of times for help). I'm giving it a test run to see if it's a keeper...or I might just change it again!

{ This is a special day...}

2009-03-30T09:46:00.007-04:00

e happy 10th birthday e

SHAYE

e make a wish e

{ i run because....}

2009-03-23T15:58:00.004-04:00

My top ten reasons I run...

1. I run for my health!
2. I run for chocolate!
3. I run for the challenge!
4. I run for cupcakes!
5. I run to clear my head!
6. I run because I'm 40!!!
7. I run to feel strong!
8. I run to lose weight (because of #2 and #4)!
9. I run because I have a goal to run a half marathon!
10. I run because I can!

Why do you run????

{ Shamrock results }

2009-03-21T18:57:00.003-04:00

We did it!!! the results are in...Race Results for Running Events Active.com. It was cold as usual but the kids, Pat and I had a great walk/run this morning. We had a goal to finish it in 1 hour and 30 min and we finished it at 1:08. I'm still waiting for the pictures to post online.....hopefully soon.

{ Shamrock On }

2009-03-20T20:57:00.005-04:00

Tomorrow is the big race day...the Shamrock 8k. I've been running for 8 weeks and logged in a bunch of miles. I ran in the rain and cold, I've done step aerobics until sweat was pouring off me and I put a lot of miles on the treadmill. I'm ready!
Every year Pat and the kids stand on the side to cheer me on. They wave at me at the start on 31st street and they make their way to King Neptune on the boardwalk to see me finish.
But...at the last minute I decided it would be nice to have the whole family do the race. It might be the last time we are in Virginia to do it. So this year I will be "walking" the 8k with my family. No need to worry about my time, will I make it to the end???, will my knee and ankle feel ok??? Piece of cake! I guess I didn't need to train so hard after all.

{ a losing battle }

2009-03-13T11:32:00.006-04:00

I've been trying to lose a few pounds I put on (when I sprained my ankle and stopped working out) and I'm having the hardest time doing it. Want to know why????

Because of this cute face...

And these darn cookies the

"little cute face" keeps selling to me!

LB vs. LadyBird

2009-03-06T21:45:00.003-05:00

I finally changed my facebook name to my real name and added my maiden name. It's so strange seeing LadyBird on there..and no more LB. I've been LB for such a long time! But since I have...I have been contacted by some of my childhood friends. My neighbor, an old classmate, a dear friend, an old coach. So happy I did now. I hope I hear from more friends, but isn't that what facebook is all about. Isn't that why there's so much name dropping????

So feel free to call me which ever name you know me by. I'm not one of those people who get mad when you don't use the right one. Just don't call me...Debbie!

{ Chicago }

2009-02-25T09:02:00.009-05:00

I'm suppose to be cleaning my house...but I would rather show you the pictures of my trip to Chicago. Pat took me to Chicago for our anniversary. We had a great time walking around the city, enjoying the restaurants and bars, and going to the museum.

{Chicago's skyline, Navy Pier, and Lakeshore }

{ the view from the condo we stayed at...Field Museum }

{ Cloud Gate at Millennium Park }

{ Reflections }

{ underneath the center of the Cloud Gate }

{ Pat and LB's reflection }

{ BP Bridge, a steel sided bridge that winds through the park..look close and you'll see me }

{ Pat and the headless statues in Grant Park }
The staues are just standing in the middle of the park. You can get a sense of how tall they are because Pat is 6'5.

{ the Chicago Tribune building is embedded with pieces of famous places...one of our favorites, of course, is Scotland }

{ the WTC embedded in the Chicago Tribune }

This is just one the many pieces in the building. There were things from China, Istanbul, Paris, England, Philippines and more.

{ The city...off to the left is Sears Tower }
and just behind Pat is the John Hancock building where we went to the 95th floor. As you go up the elevator your ears pop.

{ the Field Museum }

There are very interesting artifacts here...but the most famous is "Sue" the dino. Just behind the museum is the aquarium and planetarium. And to the side is Soldier Field. Maybe next time we'll get to see those places.

{ Sue and Pat }

That's just a few of the places we went. We walked everywhere! Millenium Park, Grant Park, Lakeshore, Navy Pier, the Magnificant Mile {shopping!}, the Hancock building, Field Museum, chinatown {and had a few drinks at Grace's O'Malleys}. It's a great city and I hope we get the chance to go back again.

{ 17th }

2009-02-22T21:43:00.004-05:00

Today is my 17th Anniversary! Yes...seventeen. It all began when two young kids met in Scotland. Oh, we were so young. To celebrate we had dinner at Finn McCools. A small Irish pub style restaurant. We always try to have something related to Scotland on our anniversary because it reminds us of when we were there. So we order Shepherds pie, fish and chips, and a pint of ale. The setting was perfect with bagpipe music, sitting in a stone-castle pub with the fire going and our waitress is wearing a kilt. When the food arrives, I notice it starts to rain outside. It's blowing sideways with the wind. It rains sideways in Scotland...a chilly, windblowing, rainy day is how we remember it. It was Perfect!

Pat and LB in Chicago. Our reflection off the "Cloud Gate" in Millennium Park.

{ week four and five }

2009-02-22T11:34:00.003-05:00

well, week four has come and gone. I was good and bad! I walked and did a lot of aerobics, more than running. Week five was better. I managed a 5k. I'm halfway to my 8k goal. Pat and I walked/jogged 6 miles on Sat. The first 2 miles with the dogs, the second 2miles just us, and the last 2 miles with the kids. We had to make sure everyone was getting there turn. The kids want to do the 8k with us now. That would be fun...they usually just watch, but we would probably walk the whole way.

Onto week six...I hope to RUN all the miles this week.

{ i heart Adele }

2009-02-11T10:36:00.005-05:00

My new favorite singer is Adele . Her debut album is '19'. I'm so glad she won a grammy for best new artist and best female pop vocal. My favorite songs are cold shoulder and chasing pavements. I love running to cold shoulder. Speaking of running....off I go!

{ the zoo }

2009-02-09T12:49:00.003-05:00

Oops...I didn't get my long run in this weekend. My family from South Carolina came for a visit. It was a gorgeous day so we went to the zoo. Does walking around the zoo for 4 hours count as a workout? The kids had a great time because all the animals were out enjoying the warm weather too. Hmm...my favorite animal to see was the giraffe trying to brush his teeth on the pole. Does he even have teeth? Well he has a purple tongue that I saw, but I didn't see teeth.

I guess you're never to old to go to the zoo. You'll be surprised how fun it is to stare at the animals like you did when you were a kid. Oh yes, did I mention "the kids" had fun too!

{I would post pictures but I still don't know how to get the pics from my phone to the computer yet. Anyone out there have any idea?}

{ week three }

2009-02-07T22:53:00.002-05:00

I'm on week three of running and it's going good. My ankle feels a lot better. I switched the insoles in my shoes and it seemed to make a big difference. I was able to run 3 miles /walk 1mile Mon, 2miles tues, strength training weds, step class thurs & fri, 2miles friday and I'll do my long run tomorrow. I'm also using some light weights to strengthen my knee & ankle. Onto week 4....

{ I had a bad..haircut..day }

2009-02-04T16:50:00.004-05:00

I finally did it...I cut my hair. I have been growing my hair for about 2 years. Basically because I was too lazy to get a haircut so I trimmed my bangs myself. Occasionally I would get my hair trimmed by my hairdresser. I decided when I turned 40 I was going to get it cut into a "bob". I love that style. I'm at the salon, sit in the chair and tell my hairdresser "ok..I'm ready to cut my hair". I tell her I want a shoulder length "bob" and make sure it's long enough to put in a ponytail. I wear my hair in a ponytail everyday! And then I change my mind..."well, what if I keep it long but just have layers around the face so it's not so heavy around my face". I think maybe that will keep me from wearing it up. She tells me that I won't be able to put it in a ponytail with the layers because they'll just fall out. OK. No...I'm ready to cut it so I tell her to do the "bob". I want it to look like Jenny McCarthy's (she was on Oprah today). I sit watching her cut it and it looks good so far. She then blows it dry. Still looks good. She turns the chair (I can't see now) but I think we're almost done and she is just trimming ends. I was wrong. In the end, I have a chin length cut (someplaces even shorter) with layers all over. I can't even grab enough hair for the ponytail. What happened???? Somehow what I asked for gets lost in translation and I end up with both cuts we talked about in one style. I'm crushed. I waited 2 years for the "bob". Good thing my hair grows fast.

I call Pat (he's in Cincinnati) and tell him I got my hair cut SHORT! I tell him what it looks like. "It sounds like your trying to talk yourself into liking it", he said to me. I am...I'm trying to. It's a great haircut, just not what I wanted. Maybe it'll grow on me. I hope! {sorry no pic's until then}.

{ open house }

2009-02-02T11:15:00.003-05:00

Have you ever had a party...you set the table, clean the house, set out the flowers, shine all the windows, vacuum all the floors, light all the candles, scrub every bathroom, mop the kitchen... and the guests never show? That's how I feel every time I clean (like a crazy lady),decorate, and stage my house for a showing for another realtor. I have been preparing for this party at least 30, 40, maybe 5o times now. But still no one is interested. My kids have been great helpers. Their rooms are always clean. They've vacuumed, dust, and put up with me for the last 11 months. But still no party!

Through all of this, I am still hopeful. I have to be or I would be insane to keep putting my family through this. Everyone has a positive word..."it's the market", " you have to wait for the right person", "don't worry, someone will buy it". I'm grateful for them but sometimes hard to listen to. There are no more explanations for my house, I've used every comment about it, so now I've just turned to nodding in agreement as I hear another person giving me advise. For all those who are in my shoes ( or who's been there), I promise not to give you any advise about selling your house. We can just nod at each other in agreement.

signing off as..."the party-pooper"

{ our day at the park }

2009-02-01T19:34:00.003-05:00

It was a nice warm winter day so we went to the park for an hour. {And we had to be out of the house for a showing...yes my house is still for(ever) sale}.

{photos taken by Shaye...and a few by me}

{ Sunday Cookies }

2009-01-31T23:49:00.007-05:00

Here's a recipe for Sunday cookies or as Pat would say growing up..."hunday tookies". Every sunday his mom would make a batch after church. Okay I am not that kinda mom so my kids and Pat only get them on occasion. They're yummy and easy to make.

Sunday Cookies

1 stick of butter

2 cups sugar

1/2 cup milk

3 Tbsp cocoa

Mix together in a saucepan and boil for one minute. Remove from heat and then...

Add:

3/4 cup peanut butter

1 tsp vanilla

3 cups oats (I like old fashioned)

Spoon onto cookie sheets and allow to cool.

Here are a few tips...you must boil them for exactly one minute {time it!}. I start timing them as soon as I see bubbles in the center of the pan. If you boil them too long they're crumbly but if too short they never get hard. My mother-in-law told me they work without cocoa too. I have not tried them that way yet. I always seem to have an endless supply on hand. She also told me that almond extract works if your out of vanilla. Growing up with 5 boys in the house, she said you make them with whatever you have on hand. And don't forget someone always gets to lick the spoon!

{ My Name }

2009-01-31T12:47:00.004-05:00

I was trying to search some friends and wanted to search myself. How many LadyBird's can there be? Well, I thought I was an original. I had heard about a few other girls with the same name. I was wrong. There are a lot of LadyBird's in the world. Mostly from the Philippines and a few from Russia or other European countries. There's also the Ladybird company in the UK. I loved buying their stuff when I was in Scotland. It's neat to see my name on books, pencils, clothes or whatever.
Now I know (my little bubble burst)...I am not an original!

{ facebook??? }

2009-01-30T19:03:00.004-05:00

ok...I'm on facebook now. Why??? I don't know I like "blogspot" it's easy, I get it! My sister asked me to join (or I should say re-join). Maybe I can just keep sending friends and family this way. There is just way too much info being passed around. I tried to update my profile. My sister suggested I sign in as "LadyBird" rather than LB just in case any old friends are looking for me (lol). While updating it, I accidently updated my marital status to "in a relationship and it's complicated". What does that mean? That's the question my family is going to be asking. So of course I felt the need to explain because it's out there for everyone to see. It's partly true...isn't it always complicated?

Just in case spending hours on blogspot, jumping from one blog to another is not enough, you can now do it on fb. good luck and happy chatting.

{ a post for my friend...}

2009-01-28T19:25:00.005-05:00

Just a post for my friend Beth...don't worry about me being on week 2. I'm going to run an 8k in March, first (just to get started back into running). I hope to run the half marathon in Sept. All you need to do is pick a run you want to do, and then allow at least 12 weeks to train before the run. I'm going to train 16 weeks, just so I can work up my mileage slowly. I think I'm going to redo my training schedule and just run 2 miles/ 2 times a week and have a long run on the weekend (slowly adding miles until I get to 10-12 miles). It's easier to follow and probably better for my ankle. So, if you want to start now (or soon), just walk/run 2 miles twice a week.
It would be great if you would like to come up to VA to run with me in September. Or maybe we could run together in FL (one day). Once you start running, just keep me posted on your miles!

I have a great song for running...Melissa Ethridge / I run for life (I think that's the title). It's a great song to keep you motivated.

By the way, do you have an email address?

{ week two }

2009-01-27T16:06:00.003-05:00

On to week two, the first week was tough but I made it. I'm going to have to cut back on my running days to 2-3 days only. My ankle is still bothering me and I don't want to have another set back.
I still haven't heard from my sisters on joining me...hum! I do have a dear friend willing to try it with me and help motivate each other. I would love to hear from anyone else willing to take the challenge of running a half-marathon this year???? Well....off to hit the pavement. Actually today it'll be the treadmill since it's raining.

{ week one }

2009-01-22T10:02:00.003-05:00

I've started the first week of training/running. It's always hard in the beginning. I decided to take a step aerobics class and then played volleyball for an hour instead of walking on the treadmill. Both kids have been home sick so I've been working out in the evenings. Tuesday was a rest day...good thing (kids still home sick and we were expecting snow). So I made up for it with yesterdays workout. I know I 'm suppose to start out slow, which I have. I've been walking on the treadmill and taking step classes for a few weeks now. I was in a hurry to get 2 miles in on the treadmill, so after a few minutes of warm-up, I decided just to run the whole 2 miles (slow). Surprising myself...I did it and felt pretty good afterwards. My ankle is still a bit sore but other than that it was a good run!

{8k Training Schedule}

2009-01-21T09:48:00.005-05:00

Here's my training schedule for my goal of running a half-marathon. I'm starting slow since I haven't been running lately. I'm following a training program from the Yuengling Shamrock 8k and half marathon (Virginia Beach). I've adjusted the 8k and half program to fit my schedule. I'm going to run the 8k on March 21, so I'm training for that first. Then I adjusted the half-M training program to start after a 2 week break. Normally an 18 week program, I decided to add 4 weeks to the schedule just so I could start slow and work my way up. The goal is to run the Rock and Roll Half Marathon (Virginia Beach) on Sept. 6! Here I go....

Week 1: Jan 19-25
Monday: 2 miles walking
Tuesday: 30 min. walking
Weds: rest / strength training
Thurs: 30 min walking
Friday: cross training (spin/step)
Saturday: 30 min walking
Sunday: rest

Week 2: Jan 26-Feb 1
Mon: 2 miles run/walk
Tues: 3 miles run/walk
Wed: rest / strength training
Thur: 3 miles run/walk
Fri: cross train (spin/step)
Sat: 35 min walk/run
Sun: rest

Week 3: Feb 2-8
Mon: 2 mile run
Tues: 3.5 mile run/walk
Wed: rest / strength T
Thur: 3 mile run/walk
Fri: cross T (spin/step)
Sat: 35 run/walk
Sun: rest

Week 4: Feb 9-15
Mon: 2 mile run
Tues: 3.5 mile run
Wed: rest/strength T
Thur: 3 mile run
Fri: Cross T
Sat: 5K or 30 min run
Sun: rest

Week 5: Feb 16-22
Mon: 2.5 mi
Tues: 4 mi
Wed: rest / strength T
Thur: 3 mi
Fri: Cross T
Sat: 40 min run
Sun: rest

Week 6: Feb23-Mar 1
Mon: 3 mi
Tues: 4 mi
Wed: rest / strength T
Thur: 3 mi
Fri: Cross T
Sat: 45 min run
Sun: rest

Week 7: Mar 2-8
Mon: 3 mi
Tues: 4 mi
Wed: rest/ strength T
Thur: 3 mi
Fri: Cross T
Sat: 50 min run
Sun: rest

Week 8: Mar 9-15
Mon: 3 mi
Tues: 3 mi
Wed: rest / strength T
Thur: 2 mi
Fri: cross T
Sat: 30 min run
Sun: rest

Week 9: Mar 16-21
Mon: 2 mi
Tues: 3 mi
Wed: rest / strength T
Thur: rest
Fri: rest
Sat: 8K Race day!

Here are a few tips...
1. Don't be a slave to the schedule
2. Start slow...walk first and work up to running.
3. The long distances on Saturday are the key workouts. Take it slow.
4. Have 2 days a week to rest. I find it's better to train less mileage than more (less injury).
5. Have fun!

After the 8k, I will take a 2 week break and start the half M training. I'll post that later.

{ A Historical Day }

2009-01-20T18:39:00.005-05:00

Today we all stayed home...no school due to a snow day. Although not a snowflake fell out of the sky today. We were anticipating 1-3 inches of snow but nothing happened. How did they get the weather so wrong today??? That's ok, it gave the kids the opportunity to stay home and watch the Inauguration with me. It was moving to see how many people were in DC to see such a historical event. It brings me hope and I am definately ready for change!

"Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we've been waiting for. We are the change that we seek."

Barack Obama

{ Girls Night Out }

2009-01-19T15:53:00.003-05:00

Shaye and I spent our "girls night out" coupon shopping. I haven't done it for years. I hate grocery shopping and bringing coupons just makes it take longer (3 hours long). But with times tight now, saving money anyway we can is helpful. I think our coupon adventure was a success. We saved $88 on our bill, thanks to unlimited triple and double coupon day at my local grocery store. That was almost a 50% savings. The best part was seeing Shaye excited that we had saved all this money. A lesson learned!

{ Just for the fun of it...}

2009-01-18T12:07:00.004-05:00

I've been putting off writing my NY resolutions because they always seem to be the same...lose weight, get organized, save money, read more, etc, etc. Those are things that will forever be on my list. I am a constant work in progress. Doesn't it seem like that? So this year I decided to focus on one thing only. Something that doesn't involve improving myself but just for the fun of it...to say I did it. So this year I decided I wanted to run a half-marathon. Why? I don't know. I should of done it a year or two ago. Back when I was in shape and running daily. But I didn't. Since then I sprained my ankle in the summer and I am no longer running so it will feel like I am starting all over again.
I turned 40 this year {and so did Pat} and I feel I hit a small milestone. I can no longer say I am 3o-something. I have joined my sisters in the 40-something group. I am excited about it! To celebrate the beginning of the 4o-something years, I will be running. I hear the rock and roll half marathon is great for beginners. So off I go...hitting the pavement! Anyone care to join me {hint...to any of my sisters}???

{ All About Buddy }

2009-01-11T10:57:00.010-05:00

Three years ago we took in Buddy from a friend, who had a friend, who had a neighbor, who had a friend that found him lost in her neighborhood. They were unable to find Buddy's owner and he had been living at a farm. He was on his way to the shelter. Brayden wanted a dog for his birthday, so we decided to see Buddy at the farm. Of course he was adorable. Small, cute and calm. Little did I know that these were traits of a scared puppy and not of a black lab. So we took in this small, 6 month old lab. Buddy grew into this huge 90lb dog with a short attention span and loves to chase bunnies and squirrels. He has taken me down on our walks, has pulled me through bushes and I have many times experienced rope burn trying to hold onto him while he chases a bunny. He is referred by Pat as "labradork". And he reminds me of Marley in "Marley & Me". With all those traits, he is loved! Buddy is part of the family now. He travels to Ohio with us, sleeps with the kids and I like to think he will be there to protect us if ever needed {the way he barks and growls at the UPS man}.

Today is Buddy's 4th birthday and he will be celebrating with a thick and creamy peanut butter sandwich. YUM-O. Life doesn't get any better than that for a dog!

{ Cleaning out the Candy Jar }

2009-01-06T12:16:00.003-05:00

I'm cleaning out all the things good...I mean bad for me. My kids have been given all this candy between Halloween, school treat bags, birthday parties and Christmas. We haven't even seen Valentines and the Easter Bunny yet. What do you do with it all????

{ the little kid in us }

2009-01-04T11:27:00.005-05:00

I was reminded by a friend { hi beth } about the many talents that Pat has. He is hard working, focused and driven...but inside him lies a little boy who loves to play video games with the kids, shoot hoops and plays volleyball like he's still 2o. My friend asked me, how did I get Pat to make a gingerbread house? It's the little boy in him...he makes one every year with the kids. And Beth, he wanted to make sure I told you he was the only one to make his work with icing. The rest of us cheated and used the glue gun to keep it together.

I wish the little boy in him would come out more often...but the real world seems to draw him back in! But when it does, it reminds me of one of the many reasons I love him. He is a complex person, mostly misunderstood. Everyone seems intimidated by him. Maybe of his size { 6'5 } or stature but I know the real Pat. Caring, sensitive....i can't tell you all his secrets. So, if you look close enough, you'll see it. The little kid in us all!

{ Christmas in Review }

2009-01-02T10:15:00.011-05:00

I know it's a New Year but I wasn't able to get all of our Christmas pictures posted when we were out of town. Here is The Carney's Christmas in review...

Christmas Morning

Pat's big Christmas hug!

Emily and Matt Bryant

I can explain...that's me and my homeboy David.
{in Pat's shirt and hat}

Krysten with Teddy

the stockings were hung...

Brayden, Shaye and Matt checking out the stockings

Shaye sharing with Rio [Krysten's dog]

Grandma & Grandpa Carney's Christmas tree

decorated by the kids

Our Christmas mugs with our initials.

No we didn't change our names...oh, our real mugs are in the mail on the way to Virginia.

G & G Carney

The Carney's [almost all of them]

Uncle Lin, Lindsey, Shaye and Buddy

Baking goodies...coconut macaroons, fudge and truffles

Brayden's gingerbread house

Pat's creation!

Shaye's birdhouse

LB's gingerbread house

[of course, it's completely decorated]

That's the Carney Christmas. Now onto 2009. Happy New Year.

{ Celebrating Christmas }

2009-01-01T11:12:00.006-05:00

Happy New Year to everyone! It has been a wonderful holiday for our family. We had planned to stay home this Christmas, but our plans changed and we ended up traveling back to Ohio. Definately unexpected. I mailed all our gifts and so did our family in Ohio. There was still shopping, baking and decorating to do. But at the last minute Pat needed to go back to Ohio for work and we decided to go with him since school was out...well, almost out. The kids were not too worried about missing 2 days of school.

So with one day notice, we had an early Christmas at home and opened our gifts to each other. The kids played with their new toys for the night and then we packed our things and left at 4:30 in the morning. We surprised all our family in Ohio...since it too was a surprise for us. And so our unexpected Christmas travel turned out to be a memorable one. There is nothing better than being with family for the holidays!

Our early Christmas

Buddy gets a new bed...Shaye tries it out for him

Teddy gets a new bed too

{ Christmas Pictures }

2008-12-19T20:08:00.008-05:00

As promised, I finally have our Christmas photos ready. It's quite a production getting everyone in the picture, looking into the lens and eyes open. Buddy is the least interested in having his picture taken...but we got him in a few of them.

{almost perfect}

{ Christmas with a little attitude}

[Shaye and Teddy}

{Brayden and Buddy}

{my beautiful Shaye}

{where's Buddy?}

{my handsome Brayden}

{Shaye's favorite Christmas present...Teddy}

{and finally Buddy, doing what he does best}

Merry Christmas to Everyone!

{ Christmas Ornaments }

2008-12-10T16:41:00.004-05:00

We have been receiving and making ornaments for every year. Our tree is filled with memories. Pat's elf always takes the top spot. "Elf" is the very first ornament Pat received and he has an ornament (or two) for every year since. We decided it was such a great tradition that we would continue it with our kids. It makes our family tree very special. Merry Christmas.

{Buddy also helped picking out the ornaments}

{ It's starting to look a lot like Christmas }

2008-12-08T07:33:00.010-05:00

{Buddy and Teddy helping the kids decorate}

{kisses from Teddy....yuck}

{The Christmas Tree}

and all the other trimmings around the house....

{The end to our Thanksgiving Holiday}

2008-11-30T11:18:00.010-05:00

Did you survive your Thanksgiving holiday? Our Thanksgiving started with a fire in the oven. I forgot to clean out the burnt cheese from many pizza nights, and a little cinnamon sugar and butter from Shaye's monkey bread, that made the perfect combination to start a fire in the oven. I had to put the crock pot into use. I have never cooked my turkey in the crock pot, so I had to call my sister, Ruth, for advise. A few hours later, of scrubbing the oven, I was able to use the oven again. I will have to put "clean the oven" on my to do list next year.

Finally the meal was prepared, the table was set, and the drinks just needed to be served. I heard a loud crash in the kitchen....and glass was everywhere. One of the stemware glasses rolled off the counter and broke all over the floor. We got it all cleaned up and finally sat down to enjoy our meal. It turned out pretty good, except I made enough food for 3 families. All my recipes for thanksgiving are for a lot of company! This year we decided to stay home so it was just the four of us.

Lets see...we had turkey for four days, 4 different pies ( i ate a whole pecan pie by myself), we ate mashed potatoes for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and we're still working on the sweet potatoes. I hope you enjoyed your Thanksgiving as much as my family and I did.

Now...the start to the Christmas preparations. Shaye has been helping me make all our gifts this year. I also need to start my holiday cards, and the best part...decorating the house.

Happy Holidays!

{ Happy Thanksgiving}

2008-11-27T08:34:00.003-05:00

May your stuffing be tasty
May your turkey be plump,
May your potatoes and gravy
Have nary a lump.
May your yams be delicious
And your pies take the prize,
And may your Thanksgiving dinner
Stay off your thighs!

-author unknown

{Smashed Sweet Potatoes}

2008-11-26T16:42:00.004-05:00

If your looking for a tasty sweet potato recipe, here's one from the Barefoot Contessa.

4lbs sweet potatoes (about 6 lrg)
1/2 cup orange juice ( I like to use only 1/4c)
1/2 cup heavy cream
4 Tbsp (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, melted
1/4 cup light brown sugar
1 tsp ground nutmeg (I only use 1/2)
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp kosher salt (it calls for 2, so add more if you like)
1 tsp ground black pepper

Preheat oven to 375*. Scrub potatoes prick them several times with fork or knife, and bake them for one hour or until very soft when pierced with a knife. Remove from oven and scoop out the insides as soon as they are cool enough to handle. Place sweet potato meat into a bowl and mix with an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment and add the oj, cream, butter, brown sugar, nutmeg, cinnamon, salt and pepper. Mix together until combined but not smooth and transfer to a baking dish. Bake the potatoes for 20-30 minutes until heated through.

YUM :)

{Jamestown Field Trip..Jamestown Virginia}

2008-11-26T10:42:00.005-05:00

Shaye and I went on her fourth grade field trip yesterday. We had a lot of fun once we adjusted to the cold air off the James River. This was Shaye's second time there and my fourth ( 2 other times with Brayden's class). Shaye took pictures of the original church building and gravemarkers on the island they originally had the settlement. But they found this site was not a good place to live. They did not have fresh water, the water was brackish. They had been drinking the salt water for a year and were getting very sick before the Powhatan's showed them how to get fresh well water. We also saw the glassblower make bottles. The bottles are made from sand, ash, and limestone and when done are a beautiful green color. The settlers made the bottles to sell back in England, but the English didn't care for them because they wanted clear color glass. So they turned to growing and trading tobacco. We also toured the replicated ship, the Susan Constant, the Powhatan Indian village and the settlers fort. It is a great history lesson.
I'll post pictures later, once I figure out how to transfer them from my camera/phone.

{ the kids blog too}

2008-11-23T20:04:00.003-05:00

the kids and I spent the whole day baking pies and between baking the kids created their own blog page. They put a lot of work into it and are very excited for everyone to see it. If you want to take a peek it is...culdesacclub.blogspot.com. They both love to read and wanted to post info on books they've read.

{Snow Day}

2008-11-21T20:40:00.004-05:00

We woke up to snow flurries today...can you believe it! Brayden & Shaye quickly got dressed and headed out to play before school. It melted as soon as it hit the ground and it stopped snowing after a couple of hours. The kids were sad that there was nothing to play with afterschool.

Brayden's little snowman

look close...you might be able to see the snow

{House For Sale}

2008-11-20T19:52:00.008-05:00

Just adding pictures again of our house (in case you didn't read about it earlier..I lost all the old posts).

the kids room

"We do not remember days, we remember moments"

The Loft

Our Master Bedroom

My Favorite little birdies

Our "new" kitchen. I recently painted the cabinets in a creamy white and the walls are silver sage.

Our Dining Room

{Help, I lost my blogs}

2008-11-20T19:37:00.004-05:00

Yikes....just picture me pulling my hair out and SCREAMING. I deleted my blog and have to start all over again. I did mention I am a beginner blogger, right? Hopefully I can get all those pictures back up....soon.