Library Love

I seriously have a love affair with my local library. It wasn't always that way.  I liked the library when I was younger, always joining the summer reading program.  But when I hit my teenage years, we went our separate ways.  Then the big book stores moved to town. Music, coffee drinks and story hour was the rage when my kids were little.  And too little for the library.  We would browse the children's books {and parenting books} spending a small fortune on the perfect new book or two to add to our collection. It got to be expensive after awhile and then I thought of an old friend.  The library!  Ahh, the library... {swoon}  all those free books, cd's, dvd and other resources at my ready.  No money required.  All they need is my little 2 x 3 card and a promise that I will return the material in two weeks.  What's not to love!  So that's where I found myself today after work.  I felt it was time to re-read a few classics.  Here's what I chose:

Ready for the Oscars

I am a huge award show fan and tonight is the mother of them all - The Academy Awards.  This is my nod to the fancy food the stars will dine on tonight.  My own Oscar feast...

Eat your heart out.  Now back to my place on the couch, watching E! and the Oscars!  

Cinderella do the mopping

Ugh, my daughter caught me on film.  And cleaning no less! I should could have deleted this pic and used another one from today but... that wouldn't be authentic would it?  Isn't this project of mine, about my life, no matter what?
Pictures of my life no matter what.  So as you can see, I turn into Cinderella on Saturdays. Doesn't every mom my age, who works during the week?  Cleaning, laundry, grocery shopping and a few times a month, mopping.  I don't mind. {unless my picture is being taken}  My stepsisters kids do help out, and so does my prince charming.  We all reap the rewards with a clean, calm house; lasting with teenagers Saturday night through Sunday.  Then it all starts over again on Monday.  Cinderella indeed!  :)      

Having my 'cake' and eating it too

For my little preschool friends, everyday is a party.  Everyday, we three teachers, host a small gathering for 13 young minds who are trying to learn and play together.  And just what does every party need... cake.  My little friends are experts on making birthday cake.  These delicious 'cakes' are made out of everything from blocks to pegs to sand. Today, play-dough was their medium of choice. The 'cake' seen here, is a two part birthday cake, made especially for me.

The first being a "purple leaf that is grape" and the other one, is "just cake" cake.  The leaf cake, I was told, "was special because it had a candle on it."  My little friends go all out for these daily birthday's, singing the birthday song and cutting the cake to share with others.  As seen here:

Who ever said "You can't have your cake and eat it too", obviously never worked in a preschool classroom.  Not only can I enjoy cake everyday, but I never have to worry about any calories.  

Comfort food

Okay, so I admit this isn't very healthy. And I know all that hard work I did at Jazzercise {yes, Jazzercise is hard work, especially when you are uncoordinated, clumsy} is now negated.  But... sometimes after a long, tough day at work, and when exercising doesn't change your mood,  you just have to succumb to comfort food. And since my all time favorite comfort food is found seven hours away, cheap mexican food will have to do. {Sorry White Castles!} 

Are you sure it's not Monday?

Why is it when you start your work/school week in the middle, the first day back always feels like a Monday?  The day starts sluggish, no one really wanting to get going.  Everything seems a little off, a little late, not wanting to cooperate.  Or maybe that is just me.  I am, after all, the mother of two teenagers and they are anything but responsive in the mornings.  Such is the case this Wednesday morning.  Who knew this lovely polka dotted backpack would send our morning into a tizzy.  We have a time table to keep so we can all arrive at our respected schools on time.  Seems easy enough and mostly it works.  But not when showers aren't finished until 6:50, and we need to leave by 7:05. {Yes Danny, that is you}  Or  realizing half way to school that you left your backpack at home. {Hello Emily!}  Because of late shower taker, we left home at 7:15 and right when traffic kicks in.  Realization of forgotten backpack was somewhere between 7:18-7:20, and of course, past the turn around point, where everyone could be at school on time.  Grrr... On the bright side, it is Wednesday after all.  

Visit to The Roots Salon

Today was my final day off on this long four day holiday from school. {Ugh... don't even want to think about going back tomorrow!}  Since yesterday was a day of maintenance, today had to be a day of beauty.  My friend Kate, an awesome Cosmetologist, has been cutting my hair for many, many years.  I started with her back when we were neighbors and she was quietly seeing clients out of her house; and stayed with her when she opened her first salon with her sister.  This past year she moved into her own small salon, aptly named Roots.  She makes all of her clients feel welcomed and cared for. We gab about our families, amazed at how quickly they are growing up and catch up on the direction our lives are going.  It is the best hour I spend and I always leave feeling beautiful!  Thanks Kate!  Love & Light! 

Maintenance Day

Today was a maintenance day; a check up for all types of bodies -- mine and my car.  A day like this is usually full of apprehension...  what will they find, can it be fixed and how much is this going to cost me.  Both doctor and car mechanic greet you with that friendly, reassuring smile.
Then they go to work.  Both car and person, placed on the rack; vitals are taken;
a poke here, a prod there; removal of some fluid and a covering to stop the leak for each patient.  A detailed report is given, concerns noted and a plan of action is written if needed.  If all is well, you are given a sticker and sent on your way.  If not, you are referred to another place that can help you.  Happily, both myself and my car are good for another 3,000 miles.  Although, one of us has to have a major probe that is long overdue but that is for another day.

Organized Chaos

Lazy Sundays are the best.  It's my day to relax, catch up on my tv watching and work on the organized chaos that is my craft room.  The pile of books on the desk is what my evening holds for me.  Checking out all the goodies I have to have {want} from SU or what awesome layouts I will find from my craft magazines.  By the time I go to bed, the chaos will be put away, waiting for what the week holds and I get to do it all over again on Sunday.  However, next weekend is the Academy Awards so I will keep my chaos to a minimum this week. Yes, Sunday's are the best.

Married 18 years today!

What a lovely sight to see... tulips from my wonderful hubby, Dan.  Today isn't just another ordinary day in my life.  Nope, it's my 18th wedding anniversary.  And what a great day it has been!  Well, actually it started last night when he "kittynapped" me from work.  He had written a poem, {love} explaining what we were going to do that night.  Lots of surprises were in store... a shopping trip to the mall; dinner at Jazz {yum}, watching our wedding video and a movie.  Then for today, he took the day off, made me breakfast in bed and then we just spent the day together enjoying each others company, doing everyday life things like grocery shopping.  It was just so nice.  You may think that poems, flowers and such is just sap, but I love sap.  And I love that he gets it. He has always been the romantic type, remembering the little things, like my favorite flowers or taking the time to write a poem.  Little things like that are important.  Life sometimes is lived in the little things.  God has blessed me with not only two wonderful children but a loving man to spend the rest of my life with.  Life. Is. Good.

Valentine Cookies

My lovely daughter Emily decided to treat the family to homemade cookies for Valentine's day. They look pretty good don't you think? She did a great job and even cleaned up the kitchen. Of course, she only decorated these seven and is letting us do the rest.  :)

Just Testing

Still working on my simple blog, trying to figure it all out.  Can't wait to share my photos and thoughts on a daily basis.  If it worked properly, a christmas picture of my family should be below.  If not, well I still have some learning to do.  See you on the 19th!