My head is spinning...

It's been a busy, crazy couple of weeks around here. Preparing the house for tenants (hopefully), selling the truck, buying a commuter car, school commitments with kids, seeing friends, preparing talks for church, Ombudsman training, retirement ceremonies for dear friends, a sidelining illness and I don't even remember what all else. Just too much. Meg has taken up her binky again. I would too if I thought it would calm me down. This weekend my grandma is coming and Justin's Dad. Should be fun. Bug has a school play tonight and no school tomorrow. He's excited about both. It's the last weekend with our stuff for a while. Still need to pack for the road trip. Which means the car needs cleaned out. I think my GPS was stolen out of my car, but maybe it will turn up after all under some long forgotten something in the car. It's scary in there.

Good things have happened too. I had a wonderful lunch with some of my very favorite people yesterday. It was good to chat and see everyone for a while. I have had dear friends come and help me clean up the house. It looks better than it has since we moved in. I was able to share some thoughts with friends at church and that was very nice for me. I am also preparing a brief talk for this Sunday. It changes your perspective on the week and I am grateful for that. I get so wrapped up in stress that I forget to enjoy the happy, good moments that happen as they happen.

I have another 4 days to blog from here, and then it's onto more adventures. Wish us luck. (Oh thanks Mom for the post card. You are a talented woman.)

If You Throw a Princess Party

If you throw a Princess Party, be prepared for the Princesses to come in force. At the recent Kitsap Regional Library Princess Party over 250 princesses and their parents/siblings attended the extravaganza.

What does a well dressed Princess wear to such an important event? Her Princess Christmas dress, of course. And, to complete the perfect outfit, shoes of her own choosing.

We met some friends while we were there and had a great time talking with the Princesses, listenting to stories and making our own crowns to be worn later. They had chocolate, a magic carpet ride game and coloring pages. If you were a two year old princess, wouldn't that be just about the perfect day?

Of course, it couldn't be complete without a photo with Prince Charming.

Potential

While cruising through a far away thrift store on Saturday, I spotted this lovely rocking chair. I loved the size and the style. I am usually not very good at seeing the potential of something that needs a little TLC, that's usually my darling husband's department. This I can see in some darling color like ruby red or winter white with a new seat cover sitting on porch overlooking the beach. What do you think? I am in love with it, or at least the potential it has. Can't wait to get to work on it. Oh, the best part is, it was only $4.00. It going to cost at least triple that in paint. Still a screaming deal if you ask me.

A Cautionairy Tale

Norm Abrams is quoted as saying "Before we use any power tools, let's take a moment to talk about shop safety. Be sure to read, understand, and follow all the safety rules that come with your power tools. Knowing how to use your power tools properly will greatly reduce the risk of personal injury." I think I might add... avoids the risk of a huge mess. Because no one likes to clean beans off of their ceiling.

Another cautionary, or motivational tale. This is what happens when you leave unfolded laundry on your couch too long. And why is it I buy expensive toys for my kids anyway?

From the Backseat

On the way home from the ENT yesterday we were going through lunch options for Meg. She was "starving" (imagine the most dramatic 2 year old voice you can). Peanut butter bread? No. Ham soup? No. Ramen noodle with egg? No. Fish sticks? No. How about a grilled cheese sandwich? YES Mom. I want that. Then she turns to brother sitting next to her and says, "Do you want a boyed cheese sandwich?" I love kids. Especially mine.

Oh, the ENT said it was time to replace her tubes. They are coming out and with two ear infections since Thanksgiving, we need to do something. So we are going in for surgery again sometime early Janurary. Wish us luck, again.

It's been a while

I know it's been a while since I have been a faithful blogger. I was feeling kind of bad about it, making me not want to blog even more, until I started surfing my friend's blogs seeing what they were up to. It seems I am not the only one who doesn't keep up well all of the time. I feel better now, don't you? So, here's a quick recap....

I have LOVED taking new baby photos the past couple of months. It has nothing to do with wanting another baby and everything to do with their so sweet spirits and how moms love the pictures, no matter what they look like.

My kids are bigger, cuter and busier than ever before. Meg is a climber now and I have caught her climbing the pantry shelves quite a few times lately. Bug is obsessed with Mythbuster's. He can't seem to think about anything else lately and is starting to conduct his own experiments. Good for him, bad for the yard and garage. I have been sewing tons in preperation for Christmas. I hope all of our nieces and nephews love their warm jammies, pillowcases and sleep masks. They were cute. I decided about Dec 23rd when I was trying to get my kids sewing done that sewing is kind of like Tuna fish for me. I want to like it, it's good for me, I just don't really like it that much. Sad, isn't it?

Dad has been gone again for a while. He missed Halloween, Thanksgiving and almost Christmas, but made it home by the skin of his teeth. It was his very very last patrol in the Navy so from here on out, he should mostly be home, or at least accessible by phone or text when we need him. So happy about that.

We are gearing up for a move to Sunny San Diego very soon. I thought we would be gone by mid- Jan. but it looks like early February now. Packing, cleaning and purging. They say 3 Navy moves is equal to a house fire in expense and damage. I believe it. This is our 7th move. One or two left before we are done. Anyone need a cute little rental in a nice neighborhood with a fabulous yard? Let me know... PLEASE.

My Grandpa Duane is very ill. We are very sad about it. We really did enjoy a great Thanksgiving at his house with few interruptions and some great quality time. I especially loved that he didn't let the kids noise get to him, he just turned down his hearing aids and smiled. What a guy.

We managed to get some great family time over Christmas. Let the work really begin now. That's the mini recap. Take care blog friends. We will try and keep up in the midst of moving, driving, house hunting and everything else.

P.S. I was planning on uploading cute pictures to show you all what we've been up to, but the old PC isn't playing nice today. Maybe another time. It's all true, really.

A Great Find

A few months back I had a favorite blouse. One that I was complimented on every time I wore it. I loved it, it was silky and a great color and made me feel good. My husband, not so much. He waited to tell me this, of course, until we were out on location with my favorite Portland Photographer and very cool cousin, Sarah, getting our family pictures taken. Cute picture, isn't it?

So, I get out of the car, trekking kids across the field for photos, and he turns to me and tells me I look like Poison Ivy from Batman. Great. Thanks for that vote of confidence. He continued to harass me about it until we got home. Then, in some odd twist of Karma, when I went to change for bed I caught the blouse on my ring and snagged it and ruined it. I was sad. He wasn't.

Fast forward a few months.... I was out thrifting (one of my favorite past times) and found the exact shirt, minus the snag, in my size again. SOLD. I am wearing it to church today and don't really care what he thinks about it. I think this is A GREAT FIND!