Wordless Wednesday meets 12 on the 12th...

While i was away...it wasn't all laughter and drinking...a little somethin' crafty was a happenin!

Gratitude Challenge: Day 12

Today's gratitude challenge is another no brainer for me. I married this guy 13 years ago today. I am grateful every day for his love, his patience, his forgiveness, his paycheck (hey it can't be all sappy, or you'll quit reading my blog) and his sense of humor (again, he married me, he'd better be able to laugh now and then).

There are days when he puts up with me. And yeah, there are some days when I'm putting up with him. But in the end, it all works out and we have discovered that we're a pretty good pair. And those Things? They complete the picture! :)

Happy Anniversary, Hubby! You are the best!!!!

Gratitude Challenge: Day 11

Today's gratitude...is really an easy one. As a veteran myself, I am grateful for having had the opportunity to serve my country. I remember very clearly that day so many years ago, when I raised my hand for the first time, reciting this solemn oath

I Martha Louise Granum do solemnly swear
that I will support
and defend the Constitution of the United States against
all enemies, foreign and domestic.

That I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that
I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of
evasion and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the
office on which I am about to enter. So help me God

It was truly an honor to serve my country, to care for not only
wounded and sick service members but also their family members. No one can truly appreciate the countless sacrifices that our active duty service members make each and every day. I was fortunate to see first hand how much these brave men and women give up in order to serve our nation. This Veteran's Day, I ask us all to remember the words of Father Dennis Edward O'Brien, chaplain, USMC who wrote

It is the soldier, not the reporter who has given us freedom of the press

It is the soldier, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech.

It is the soldier, not the campus organizer who has given us the freedom to demonstrate

It is the soldier, not the lawyer, who has given us the right to a fair trial.

It is the soldier, who salutes the flag, who serves beneath the flag, and whose coffin is draped by the flag, who allows the protester to burn the flag.

now, get off the computer, and go make sure you are flying the colors today, ok?

Gratitude Challenge: Day 10

Today, as I unpack and resume my regular scheduled life, I am taking time to reflect on the gratitude I feel for my online friendships. Thanks to my friends in Texas...I had a great time and it was an honor to be able to meet ya'll!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Gratitude Challenge: Day 9

Today, as I stare at my two over-stuffed bags, I'm grateful for the liberal luggage policy of Southwest Airlines. 'Nuf said...

Homeward bound later today. Have had a most excellent time...and but like most things in life, all good things must come to end...saying goodbye to new friends and old, and heading home to those crazy Things and their dad (who sound like they survived just fine in my absense. Aw man, there goes THAT job security!)

Gratitude Challenge: Day 8

So have you figured out that I've written these in advance? Assuming no disasters occured, I"m deep in the heart of Texas, bonding with some fabulous women I've known for years...but only met for the first time this weekend.

Isn't technology a good thing?

And that my friends is what I"m grateful for today...more specifically the gadgets we take for granted these days...laptops, cell phones...high speed internet, email, blogging. Little gadgets and feautres that make it so much easier to stay in touch when adventures take us away from home and family.

Gratitude Challenge: Day 7

I'm grateful for the gift of a good book.

When this entry posts, I'll be out of town. And one of the things I'll miss is our family routine of reading together. Each night, the Things and I snuggle into our king sized bed, and listen to a story that is of interest to all of us...

Last month we started the Percy Jackson series...The Lightning Thief. Now, we're enjoying book 2 in this series. It is so much fun to watch the boys get drawn into the story, trying to guess what happens next and amazing me with their ability to "predict" the story. (they must get this from their dad, who has an uncanny ability to predict the story line of even the most complicated t.v. mystery).

Thing Two is our reluctant reader...but I'm grateful he's an eager listener making it possible for us all to enjoy the adventures that a good book takes us on!

Gratitude Challenge: Day 6

Today's gratitude is one I've commented on before...but bears repeating. I'm grateful for the supportive family that God has blessed me with.

Later today I'm heading out on adventure.
My guys will be having a "guys only" weekend.
Thank you guys for keeping the whining to a dull roar as I abandon you for the weekend...
See you all on Sunday...

(traveling without the laptop...how very daring of me, eh? But this way there will be peace in the valley as Thing One and Thing Two and Hubby will all have access to their favs online in my absence. And nobody has to share or wait their turn. I figure I can mooch email time from someone else with a laptop.)

Wordless Wednesday: Hair by Jane

Gratitude Challenge: Day 5

Today, I'm grateful for Jane.
What? You don't know Jane?
Too bad...because she's good...she's really good!
Yesterday, she washed that gray right out of my hair and sent me on my way.

*and if I manage to style it as cute as she did, that might be my wordless Wednesday post later today.

Gratitude Challenge: Day 4

Today's the day...it's finally here. That alone makes me grateful. I mean come on: just think...No more approved messages and annoying phone calls.

Yet, I'm also grateful to live in a country where I am allowed a say in who we elect for president. So, while it remains to be seen as to whether my guy will win, at least I had a chance to vote for the man who best represents my views and concerns.

So just in case you haven't exercised this right, remember the words of Louis L'Amour...

To make democracy work, we must be a notion of participants, not simply
observers. One who does not vote has no right to complain. ~
....Louis L'Amour

Gratitude Back tracking...Days 1 and 2

Ok, so I started the challenge a bit late...and I thought I could accept being late to the dance and missing the first two days. But I can't...you see I'll get all confused on which day I'm in if it doesn't match up with the date on the calendar. I'm a bit of a control freak, what can I say?

so, here it is...belated gratitudes...

November 1st: Grateful for the control I was able to exercise with the plethora of treats that had passed by my way on Friday. I had good news when I checked in for my weekly meeting. Really good news...but I"ll save that for another day. Suffice to say, I'm getting closer to my final goal! Go ME!

November 2nd: Grateful for the liberal return policy at Target. And for those considering buying Guitar Hero World Tour for Wii...might I suggest you wait a bit until they work out the kinks of the drum pad. 'nuf said....

Giving Thanks....all month long

Later this month, we'll all gather with our family and friends to celebrate Thanksgiving. Chances are good that we'll eat too much, maybe drink too much and hopefully take a moment or two to give Thanks for the many blessings we have.

Yet, one of my bloggin' buddies, Midnite Scrapper in CA suggested a month long challenge. Give thanks every day this month and blog about it. Prizes are being offered. Yep, even us bloggers need a little incentive to take on a challenge. I'm game...I think I can find a little something every day to give thanks for.
Are you up for such a challenge? If so, join in the fun and start bloggin! (and don't fret about the daily part...blogger lets you schedule postings so if one day you are super thankful, you can get your posts ready to post in advance).

Me? Today, I'm thankful for that extra hour of sleep. I'm a morning person and so I didn't spend it sleeping...but I am enjoying the extra time to get the day started.

Why is it...

that what I should be doing, I don't want to do?

The Day After...

Maybe it was all the excitement of the day?

Maybe it was the merlot I had in my coffee cup?

But today? I'm one dragging momma....wondering after the second cup of coffee when the burst of energy will hit...

So instead of being productive, I'll update the blog with photos from yesterday. All in all it was a fun time. The weather was PRIMO...warm. But surprisingly, the activity in the 'hood was rather mellow. It is a sign of the times? It is because it was Friday night, folks were at parties and other such destinations? I'm not sure...but without a doubt, it was a rather quiet celebration.

Thing One was something between a moose boy and a hunter. By the time we finished, he was a boy in a flannel shirt. For a kid that loves his make believe world, he has a real hard time putting himself in that world. I guess that's a good thing, right?

Thing Two was Frankenstein. And I must say, he made quite the cute little Frankie. But shhh...don't tell him that...cute isn't cool when you are 9.

And as for Momma...well, you've got Sharpay meets a Miss Piggy wig. I guess that gives you Sharpig, right?

WW: fair and balanced blogging

this one? Not so afraid of the camera I guess...

WW: proof of why I'm not a fan of the portrait packages

I'm just sayin'....

It's probably not a good idea to spend Saturday night catching up on your growing list of unwatched TiVo programs. Especially if this involves a marathon session of CSI, CSI-New York and E.R.

That is unless of course you didn't want to sleep last night...
Yep, I am just sayin'....

Wordless Wednesday:

Taking Flight

As most of you know, I have this small passion for scrapbooking. And in my pursuit of this hobby, I've found a couple online communities that share my passion. One of the places I like to hang out is called Scrapshare. It's a message board where we exchange tips and ideas for scrapbooking. Yet along the way, friendships are formed and a real sense of community has been formed. Like any community, there are happy times and then there are the sad times.

This past week was one filled with sorrow. Last Monday, one of our members rushed her 5 yr old son (Danny)to urgent care only to soon learn he had a tumor lodged on his brain stem. While surgery was attempted, Danny would not wake up from his surgery and soon the hardest decision any parent must make was being thrust upon Donnann and her husband.

Soon the questions were being raised on Scrapshare. What could we do as a community to show our support for this friend during her most darkest hours? A fellow member, and close friend of Donnann suggested a balloon release. (if interested, Desi has also done a remarkable job of keeping us all updated through her blog.)

So this morning at 1030 local time, the Things (with a visiting Thing) and I did our part...My heart truly aches for what this family has gone through. And what they will go through in the days to come. This has got to be simply every parent's worst nightmare.

I ask that all of you, take a moment to hug your things a little tighter today...giving thanks for the health they enjoy. Celebrate the days we are blessed with! And please keep Donnann, Dan and their surviving daughter Madison in your prayers.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own
understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your
paths straight. -Proverbs 3:5-6

Nice boys or new strategies to stall bedtime?

The other evening, Thing One had his nose buried in my scrapbooks. They've been on the same shelf now for almost a year, but apparently, he just discovered them. He chimes in with "Mom, these books are so good. I love all the pictures and reading all the stories!".

"Thanks son, but come on, time to brush teeth"

Then last night, as we were watching the season finale of Project Runway (for which I believe I now must pay up on my wagers to Ms. Dodi), the younger thing starts in...

"Mom, you should try out for this show."
"But son, I can barely sew, much less design clothes"
"No, you need to go for the one for scrapbookers!"

OK, boys, it didn't work the other night...it's not working tonight.
(but I am going to blog about it!)

Food for thought...

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.

Thanks Mr. Twain for that reminder...

'Tis the season...our annual trip to Nick's

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Wordless Wednesday

Home Sweet Home...

The suitcases are unpacked and tucked back under the stairwell.
Loads 1 and 2 of laundry are done (with only one load left to go).
The kitchen is restocked.
The puking has stopped.

and all is well with the world...

Sleepless in San Jose

New code name for Thing Two: Sir Pukes A lot...

Suffice to say it's going to make for an interesting trip home...

12 on the 12th

0630: what a way to start the day. Playhouse Disney (that's the only kid channel that we get) 0700: I'm assuming that whomever they hired to create the decor for this hotel was fired. I like blue as much as the next gal, but come on, icky Hospital Blue? YIKES.....it's a bit much
0800: Sure son, go ahead and eat the cookie in bed. It'll make up for the nauseating decor in the hallway, the limited kid options on the TV, and the highway robbery they are committing when they charge me for Internet access. Oh, and let's not even mention the limited parking that was available last night (the attached convention center was host to the Bay Area's biggest and best Dandia. Whatever that means: all I saw was car load after car load of women in saris, each one more beautiful than the next).
0830: Yumm-O: awhile back Colorado quit selling the twisted variety. So now whenever we travel out of state, it has become a bit of an adventure to see if they still can get twisted cheetos (and yes, they have just enough different taste/texture than the simple puffs that you can still get at home)

0845: OH no, I looked at my watch wrong and it isn't almost 1000, it's barely 0900...too early to show up at the inlaws house. Let's kill time at Santana Row
0905: Only place open is Borders (which is probably a good thing for my wallet)
0930: Happy Thing One: he spent his lucky money on a book. Big surprise there, NOT!
1245: After lunch, we visited a park....

And now...for more adorable Nephew pictures...
And more....
And More....
And more...

Sorry, Mrs. Smith, I'd have gone by the Jelly Belly plant and picked up some treats for you...but I couldn't tear myself away from this adorable little guy. I'm sure you understand....even without curls, he's totally huggable.

You came for the pictures..

and thus I shall not disappoint...

We're here...

And all is well.....

Wordless Wednesday

And we're out of here...

Heading out in the morning for a few days visiting the inlaws....
Assuming we've got internet access, I'll update the blog while on the road.

if not, we'll catch up on Monday!

Look Ma, no cavities...

Which is the good news...

Took the Things to the dentist today. All that brushing, rinsing and finally flossing (honest, they floss now that we've discovered those Reach floss thingies) has paid off.

Sadly, the good news did not continue. One needed a tooth wiggled out today. The other has been given 30 days to wiggle TWO teeth out or come back. And they both need consults with the orthodontist.

Do you think Congress will bail us out so we can pay for their braces?

If you give a Thing a camera...

Sometimes you get the expected...But also, you sometimes get the unexpected...


Thing One or Thing Two (and maybe Hubby) took these other three photos.
Must remember to hand over the camera a little more often. It is always interesting to see the photos that other people take.
*taken LAST weekend. This weekend? Total homebodies...

They know...

Yesterday, we took a little trip. An adventure with another family. (photos to follow, still on the camera). On the way home, the car was so quiet for having 5 hyped up boys in the back.
For a moment I thought they had fallen asleep. No such luck.

Instead, the other mom asked "are you guys chatting or playing?" (picto-chat on nintendo Ds)
One of the boys replied "We're doing both...that's what being a kid is all about: chatting and playing!"

Well by golly...if they know it, I wonder if they'll ever appreciate how easy they've got it?
Yeah, I don't think so either...maybe when they are all grown up and nostalgic....

Got Quirky?

Yep folks, another round of Tag is being played and just when I was bragging about not being tagged, I learned it was because I'd already been tagged here. Thanks ladies...I'll try my best at this one.

Here's the challenge:
List 6 of your quirks
Here are the rules: Link the person who tagged you, identify your quirks and then tag 6 fellow bloggers to do the same.

1. I simply must park in the same spot at the school every afternoon when I pick up the Things. And while they may be old enough to find me even if I'm parked elsewhere (who am I kidding? They could probably walk home by themselves, I'm just not ready to let go) but it really messes with my chi to not get my spot.

2. In order to get that spot, I leave 20 minutes early for a drive that take me at the most 4 minutes. Being late? Really bugs me. You can be late and it won't phase me. But me? ACK, we're late...hurry up boys...to which they've learned to respond with "No mom, we're just Martha late!".

3. Time for bed? I simply must sleep on the same side of the bed and on my right side. When Hubby is working nights or out of town, and in theory I could have the bed to myself, I still curl up on that edge of the bed...

4. Um...Uh...this is hard...can I cheat and borrow some quirks from my officially diagnosed quirky kid? Like did you know for the longest time he'd eat chicken only if it came in the little box from McDonald's? And while we couldn't afford to be going to McD's over and over, I would save the box and fill it with regular chicken. Yep, I"m the enabler to the quirky... that counts right?

5. Still nothing...is it because I haven't had enough coffee yet this morning? I'll often read the ending of a novel and if I like it, I'll read the beginning.

6. Six? Did they really say six? Why not three? Do I get bonus points for trying? Camera: can't leave home without it. Yesterday we toured the US Mint. Can you guess what was harder for me: leaving my purse locked in the car or not being able to have my camera with me on a family adventure? Ding Ding Ding: we have a winner! I felt naked the entire time...no camera case slung over my shoulder.

Ok, who to TAG:
I'd tag Tracey: but she's too busy trying to get through nursing school..
I'd tag Dodi: but like me, she's raising quirky, which leaves little time for herself to be quirky. Plus, she needs to be updating her blog with Project Runway stuff
I'd tag Ganelle: but she's more into playing pranks than playing tag.
I'd tag Aimee: but...well, I can't tease her because yes, she has updated her blog recently but usually she's about due for a nag instead of a tag.
I'd tag Danielle: but I'm thinking she might still be in that American sugar coma we induced with the goodie box of treats we sent her..
I'd tag JuniorTX....hmmm...just maybe she'll play along...although last I read she was busy helping build a library in her small town (she doesn't have time to be quirky with plans that big on the horizon!)

(and the other five of you as well...even though I've provided you with excuses...give it a try, please?).

Wordless Wednesday: Remind me again....

why did we bother getting them bean bag chairs?