Friday Fill In

1. seeing the kids play in the rain never fails to make me smile.

2. i'm looking forward to seeing my baby graduate from preK today.

3. _Bobby Bones show is what I am listening to right now. best thing i found when we lived in Texas. #justsayin'

4. Potato must have pickles in it. but only whole kosher dill pickles that you cut up yourself!

5. fried egg on an english muffin with provolone was the best thing I ate today. (i know, REAL healthy)

6. today was started very early ( I woke up at 5AM!)

7. and as for the weekend, tonight i'm looking forward to pizza with the kids, tomorrow my plans include finally seeing Husband after a long month, and Sunday i want to sleep in!

Snapshot right now: May 2010

1. photo of me: my new 'do...i had to cut if off my neck. it is fun

2. current candle scents: i don't have any candles but i have several of those reed and oil things from Pier 1 in the ember scent

3. what i read this month: started reading "Summer of the Monkey's" to the kids

4. top three songs i was drawn to: Justin Beiber "eenie meanie" Glee Cast version "Jessie's girl" and pretty much any other Glee song!

5. movies i saw: i can't remember if it was this month, but the kids and i went to see "How to Train your Dragon"

6. favorite tv moments of the month: Glee.....Sue Sylvester singing Vogue

7. something yummy i made this month: anything to use up pantry stuff: chocolate chip cookies, banana pudding, lemon ricotta muffins,

8. some place i ate out: Kansai for mother's day...Will took me and Livi on a date

9. something that made me cry: off hand, i can't remember.

10. something that made me laugh: yesterday Will fell while riding his scooter (that's not the funny part) but he wanted a "cast" since he is "injuried". LOVE the Will-words

11. this month i looked forward to: finding out where we are moving to

12. something i want to remember about this month: fun field trip to Kentucky Down Under

13. a photo i took this month: act like that cave pic is right here. I couldn't get it to move down here. That is 125 feet under ground. I was seriously trying not to panic!

We've got the fever

We've got the fever, originally uploaded by tommiea1.

wee little background:

Each week Livi works for some positive reinforcement for getting a stamp all week. A stamp means good behavior from her for her preK teacher. We've done things like eating out, watching "trash" TV like Hannah Montana, a pack of gum in her room, etc. Lately she has wanted to download a song on my phone.

This morning I heard her be-bopping to some song. I "shazamed
it. Turns out it is Justin Beiber featuring Sean Kingston "Eenie Meenie"

oops.....spare me the lecture on how inappropriate it is for a five year to be singing this song. I'm just glad she didn't hear Rhianna's Rude Boy. I think I would have to draw the line at that one.

so, in three short days (she did earn her stamp today), she will be listening to Eenie Meenie on my phone.

oh dear, we have the JustinBeiber fever

ps this pic was taken at the Coke Museum field trip last week. It was the first time she had ever had Coke!

Friday Fill In

And, here we go:

1. Salsa and *chips* could totally be my dinner if I didn't want to eat the entire bag!

2. *About once a year, I will eat a hotdog BUT only if* you've (even) got mustard.

3. By the time I get home, *well, since I am a SAHM, I am technically always home...BUT..I just want to put my feet up, especially since they are sporting the super cute Stephen Bonanno Lisagh sandals* They are named after a fabulous blogger I "know". I started reading Lisagh of Grosgrain Garage when Husband was deployed and she sent me a random email. She is Monkey's mommy. I have never had a pair of Bonanno sandals. *

4. *Fresh sushi* is what I look forward to most when grocery shopping.

5. And I was dreaming, *I was late to pick Will up from the bus stop. Livi and I were in Sam's. I woke up when I heard them announce on the intercom, "Welcome to Barbados!" I almost started crying since I was worried he was alone in the house for three hours...and how was I going to get back to KY from Barbados! But Livi told me, he knows how to get his own snacks. He will just get an apple and a cheese stick! *

6. *Hearing the quiet of the house once the kids are settled into bed* is there anything else better.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to *going to TKD with Will (he is so close to the first stripe for his green belt!), tomorrow my plans include *enjoying the sunshine*, and Sunday I want to *go to dinner with the kids at Kansai*.

Just a little Reflection

without sounding too cliche, as we are in the last couple of months here, a little reflection (taken with my phone while waiting for Will at the bus stop)

To be honest, this has been the hardest place i have ever lived.

Despite being moved how many ever thousands of miles it is from Oklahoma to Alaska, even that was easier. I guess since EVERYONE was far away from home, you either made friends or b!thched and moaned for three years. I choose to make friends and get involved. I made lifelong friends there.

Then we moved back to Oklahoma

It was going home. I already had friends. I went right back to my old job at my old school with my same old friends. Nice easy....I made a new lifelong friend again.

Then we moved to California.

I was big honkin' pregnant. Will was barely a year old. Despite having two kids under 16 months. I got involved in a MOPS group and an awesome playgroup. We were only there a year, but again.....I made awesome friends there.

Then we moved to Kansas.

Two kids under three, living on post in close knit living quarters. Many bottles of wine were shared with friends and neighbors. I made awesome friends there.

Then we moved to Texas.

The kids were two and three. Husband deployed after just a few months for fifteen months. So did 3/4 of the other husbands on the street. The wives that were left there not only survived but we bonded. Again, lifelong friendships were made.

Then we moved to Kentucky.

I have made a lifelong friendship. (Will hopes they will someday be his in-laws!) Seriously he told me that he will marry E, he just has to grow up and learn a job so he can earn the bacon to take care of E. It's so adorable how much he loves this little girl.

The other people in this community don't seem as welcoming and friendly to anyone that doesn't have three or more generations living here. It has been hard. Just now after almost two years here, do people seem to be opening up. As a military wife, I don't have two years to break the ice and just now start making friendships.

Even as hard as it has been, I have made a lifelong friendship. It is the little grain of hope that I take to our next duty station. I can make friends, I will make friends.

In honor of my cheesy reflection: I leave with some lyrics to Nickelback's "If Today was Your Last Day"

My best friend gave me the best advice

He said each day's a gift and not a given right

Leave no stone unturned, leave your fears behind

And try to take the path less traveled

The first step you take is the longest stride

ABC's of me

a: alarm went off at 6 AM this morngin

b: bed was very warm

c: cold: it got down to 38 last night

d: hope my flowers DON'T die

e: eat the same thing for breakfast most mornings

f: foggy day this morning

g: grilling chicken tonight....Will asked for a home cooked meal after having McD's last night!

h: have had two cups of coffee already this morning

i: i have a sick baby girl home today

j: jeans, wearing my skinny jeans! woo hoo

k: KY derby is this weekend...they are serious about the derby here. the kids don't even have school on Friday!

l: love to do the sudoku in pen

m: most days i solve it

n: number of bruises on my legs: 3

o: fell OFF a stepstool while cleaning out my closet

p: was not a PRETTY sight

q: quit laughing, it hurt

r: really hurt, like I almost cried

s: but STUFF is purged from my closet

t: that makes me happy

u: i don't store stuff UNDER my bed....bad feng shui

v: very excited the house is sold

w: washer is going already

x: expect to be ironing this afternoon

y: yes, i iron 90% of our clothes

z: gives me a ZEN feeling to see the wrinkles go away

happy Wednesday

Manic Monday and a self-pic

Big KY hat, originally uploaded by tommiea1.

If you could write your own bill of rights, what would you include?
*a right to a cup of coffee with lots of creamer and Splenda BEFORE anyone can ask a question

What is going on in the world today that affects you the most?
*husband is gone TDY again...i never realize exactly how much he helps out until he is gone....thanks husband for all that you do!

What do you think is the secret to a good life?
*simple: know what you want and follow through with that instead of whining and complaining of how rotten things are

Example: i have embraced the whole KY Derby mindset for a simple Run for the Roses at Will's school. It was a great excuse to find a fun dress I wouldn't normally have chosen. Also, I just added a fun peony to a straw hat. It is held on with pop up dots. I can take it off after the party. Or I might just keep it on there!

happy monday

Manic Monday can be found here: http://manicmondaymeme.blogspot.com/

Right now: april 22, 2010

i am thinking: i wonder if it is going to rain...and therefore ruin our field trip to the zoo tomorrow.

i am thankful for: the sale of our home!!!!! (admit it, that is way worthy of multiple exclamation marks!)



from the kitchen: i think i'll grab a glass of wine (pic taken last weekend because clearly it is evening here!)

i am wearing: a cami top that i wore under my shirt today and jammie pants.

i am creating: the perfect backpack to take to the zoo....did I forget anything??

i am going: to watch Sober House with Dr Drew later

i am reading: just finished "look again" some book my SIL gave me! Very good but worried me. I can't fathom if something ever happened to one of the kids.

i am hoping: i can continue working out at least 3x a week.

i am hearing: ANTM (America's Next Top Model DVRd from earlier in the background)

around the house: i actually have a few messes... i feel so free to NOT have to keep it "show ready"

one of my favorite things: listening to the kids playing outside...jumping on the trampoline, running through the sprinkler, swinging, trying to vacuum bugs with the bug catcher

a few plans for the rest of the week: hopefully a zoo trip, enjoy the last few days with husband before he goes TDY for most of May

a picture to share: see above..i took this with my phone either last weekend or the weekend before, a gorgeous weekend with a glass of wine

happy thursday

My baby can break boards

This weekend my baby boy tested for his next belt in tae kwon do. For each belt, a student has to earn three stripes:

*a new 23 step form

*do a board break and free sparring

*terminology and a tenant. Self -control.....one must exhibit self control inside and outside of the do-jang. Self control must be practiced to avoid injury to self and others.

I was so proud, Will was able to recite that definition from memory! He was very confident in his form. Very soon, he will be a green belt!

Best of all, my baby can break boards!

happy weekend

Make a wish

Make a wish, originally uploaded by tommiea1.

my wish would be for

*Will to be utterly confident for his 6th degree orange belt testing this weekend

* there to be a box of kleenex puffs plus in every room (i'll take the pollen over winter any day)

*for Livi to continue to have a song in her heart as long as she doesn't want to become a popstar

i had to insert this song as i do love me some Nickelback!




happy thursday!

Friday Fill In

Do you see what I see?, originally uploaded by tommiea1.

And...here we go!

1. In 1992, I was *teaching in L-town America.



2. The trampoline (aka "the bounce in our house) brings * laughter and smiles. Since everyone needs a little bounce in their life, please listen to this video!

3. Do what you *can*, with what you *know now*, where you *are in your life*.

4. *Just where I am, but in a smaller pair of jeans* is where I'd like to be.

5. The trees and flowers are telling me *go grab a Kleenex. But I will take spring and pollen over dreary winter every single day!

6. *Laundry* that just keeps going on. *Though I can say I am finally caught up after all the spring break laundry.*

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to *garlic chicken pizza with the family*, tomorrow my plans include *planting some flowers and putting out the hanging baskets* and Sunday, I want to *sleep in and enjoy the sunshine*!

i heart spring

broken heart, originally uploaded by tommiea1.

i took this picture last fall

the grass is almost back to being this green

there was frost on the ground this morning

BUT it was melted quickly

it was warm enough to ride scooters to the bus stop

a bird made a nest in the wreath on my door

she laid two eggs as well

i had to move the wreath since she was dive-bombing people coming in the front door

we are trying to sell the house

can't have some little bird dive bombing potential buyers

i love spring

Right now: 3-25-10 Self portrait

Self portrait, originally uploaded by tommiea1.

1. I am thinking… I am so over the spitty dreary rainy day.

2. I am thankful for… my family, sounds cheesy I know!

3. From the kitchen… I made my favorite Greek pasta salad.

4. I am wearing… jammie pants and the shirt I had on today.

5. I am creating… an organized home with routines that work for us.

6. I am going… to bring cookies to Will's class since he is the Star Student this week.

7. I am reading… The latest Land's End catalog!

8. I am hoping… that realotors will quit calling me and wanting to show the house in less than thirty minutes!

9. I am hearing… Gene Simmons' Family Jewels on the DVR. Don't laugh, he is fairly stable and very funny!

10. Around the house… is little to no mess....see #8!

11. One of my favorite things… is a quiet house with a cup of warm coffee and my sudoku puzzle from the newspaper.

12. A few plans for the rest of the week… cookies at school, pizza Friday, and rent a kid movie: Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs or something fun!

13. A picture to share…My hair is getting really long. I haven't cut it in almost six months. I still get my roots touched up (don't look too closely, my color appt is next week!)

happy thursday...

I just wanna fly

Fog fog go away, originally uploaded by tommiea1.

frequently i have this dream i am flying

it is dark, i assume it is dusk

i can tell people are on the ground....i feel like they are my people

if i fly high enough i can see a path

i try to land as gently as i can on the delicate limbs near the top

the limbs are like these in this pic, kinda flimsy and frail

i try to land on them anyways, just so i can see the path

i usually wake up after flying from treetop to treetop

i never fall...i just wanna fly

so, I leave you with Sugar Ray's "Fly"




enjoy

maybe you can fly, too

just another monday

Short sleeves!, originally uploaded by tommiea1.

great weekend:

* impromptu s'mores around the firepit with the neighbors

*movie and popcorn in the living room

*sunday nap on a rainy afternoon

and since i haven't done one of these in forever: manic Monday

What do you value most in other people? just one?? how about a few: creative, open minded, honest, hard working, fun,

If you could only see black and white except for one color, what color would you choose to see? shades of grey

You have a 10 minute speech to give at a high school, what is it about? there is so much more to life than high school, move on, have fun!

happy Monday

**pic of me and livi taking on friday, when it was nice and warm...and not overcast

Cute Liberty of London shirts

Cute Liberty of London shirts, originally uploaded by tommiea1.

these adorable shirts are now hanging in my closet.

now if the weather would cooperate, one would be hanging on my back.

please, sunshine, come back.

ps, i was completely giddy this afternoon. i spent at least an hour organizing Livi's closet. i moved the spring clothes to the "current clothes" side of her closet.

so, please, sunshine...come back and make two girlies really happy

Friday Fill In

Ginger pear muffin, originally uploaded by tommiea1.

And...here we go!

1. I am so looking forward to *the spring flowers blooming*?

2. *See you* later.

3. When you get *soft pears, make ginger pear muffins*.

4. *Routines and organization* is a big part of my life.

5. If you need anything *call me cell, I am never home*.

6. *Livi is* a trip.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to *PapaMurphy pizza and ginger pear muffins*, tomorrow my plans include *a little grocery shopping* and Sunday, I want to *remember to set my clock...spring forward*!

Friday fill in questions courtesy of the talented Janet

Friday Fill In hosted by --

Rain clouds rolling in

Rain clouds rolling in, originally uploaded by tommiea1.

Livi had school this morning until 2:30. They missed so many days in February, they are doing extended days on Thursdays.

I had all kinds of plans to go up to Louisville. (I had to take my car to the Volvo dealer to look at some headlight problem.)

THEN this is what we woke up to. This dark gray cloud rolled just as Will was getting on the bus.

I am not one to drive in the rain. I am really not one to drive in the rain with just one headlight.



so...

I came home, did a few chores, and took a nap!

happy Thursday

do you see what i see

Running in many directions today, originally uploaded by tommiea1.

can you see those teeny tiny little things on the branches?? i do believe they are little blossoms.

bring on the allergy meds, i'll take the fluffy stuff flying all around.

ps...the people that came for a second look asked for some more information about the subdivision rules about fences!!

whew hoo!!

Sunday in the sun

Sunday in the sun, originally uploaded by tommiea1.

first of all, don't faint.....I really am blogging again. i felt overwhelmed for a bit. i felt obligated to post here. i felt like it was one more thing i had to check off my list each day. i threw a little temper tantrum, stomped my foot, and said, "i won't! i won't do it!"

but then the sunshine came out. i felt the warmth of the sun on my face. i felt like i had a picture i did want to share.

i still haven't picked up my camera. this is just taken with my phone, but it is a start.

we listed our home this past week. we already know we will PCS (army speak for move) this summer.

at the drop of a hat a realtor will call. i am too scared to say, 'uuh, no, you can't come." so, i load the kids up and head to a park. this is the bridge to one near our house.

i loved the symbolism as well....i think i am ready to cross that bridge one more time and blog.

just maybe, notice Will is only about a fourth of the way across.

but it is a start, i still feel the sunshine

happy monday!