Thanksgiving ABCs

First, I want to say thank you to everyone for their kind words regarding my blog being "under construction".  I have finally managed to get most things in place, and am very happy with how things turned out.  I now have labels for all my past posts so you can easily find things, and I have a separate tab for recipes I have shared on my blog as well.  My about me page has been updated a bit, and the house tour is coming soon!  This has all been a learning experience for me as I have only been blogging a little over a year now.

I wanted to share something that one of our associate pastors at our church shares with us each year at Thanksgiving.  It is called the Thanksgiving ABCs.  We too often forget to name the things we are truly thankful for, and this is an easy way of doing so.  Easy enough that even your little ones can get in on it!  It is as simple as listing your ABCs...
A...autumn colors
B...blogs
C...chocolate
D...dogs
E...eternal life
F...friends
G...(my) girls
H...hubby

Well, you get the picture!  Some things are serious, others just everyday things we often take for granted, and a few that are just plain fun.

While the blog was under construction, we have been working on quite a few projects (the basement is now painted and almost ready for a reveal) and some super yummy recipes.

Thanks for hanging in there with me!  I am going to try and get the Teacher Gift series up for next week.

Writing Today From the Heart~

I had originally planned on posting pictures of our trip to the pumpkin farm today, but some things happened this morning and my heart just isn't in it.  I will post them later in the week, however.

Today, I just felt the need to write from my heart.  Have you ever put you whole self into something, something that really didn't benefit you personally, to have one person come in a destroy everything you have built?  Well, that happened to me today.

For the past four years I have poured a lot of time, energy and tears into a program, only to have the "new kid on the block" come in and basically say, "I'll take it from here and I'm doing it my way."  No thanks for all you've done, all you've created...thanks for nothing.  I probably would not be as hurt, except that his decision not only effects me, it effects a lot of young lives.  Lives I truly cared about.

His decision comes because I disapproved of a decision he made, something if made public, most would disagree with.  Well he didn't like the fact that I shared my OPINION.  I didn't tell him what to do, how to handle it, only that I disagreed with what took place.  It was a matter of integrity for a program I'd spent so many years helping to build.  A program he hopes to build. 

It's really sad that adults these days feel the need to win at all costs.

Check, Check, Check~

Sorry I've been MIA!  One, I've been fighting a cold...my first in forever.  And two, I've been checking things off my to do list.

Basement Walls Installed
Trim Installed in Basement
Flooring Installed in Basement
Cabinets Installed in Craft/Work Room
Unfinished Area Cleaned, Sorted, Organized
Girls Keepsakes Sorted
Declutter Declutter Declutter
Set aside items for Neighborhood Yard Sale in October

Call 1-800-Got Junk  They are here and it feels sooooo good!

I cannot tell you how good it feels to have finally tackled the monster basement!  The painters will be here next week to paint the new walls and trim, then we have to install a few doors.  I will be so glad to have a clean space to then go through photos, the girls old school papers and such.  I have been putting it off because I didn't have a space that I could spread out in and take my time going through the stuff.

Have you been putting off tackling a huge, not so fun, project?

The Day I'll Never Forget

10 years ago, I remember turning on the tv...the exact moment the 2nd plane hit...I was stunned...I'd grown up in NY, been to the city many times, always amazed by the Twin Towers.  My neighbor called sobbing...she too had grown up in NY, lived in the city.  We couldn't even begin to comprehend what had taken place and what was yet to come.

I remember I had a dentist appointment...so I left the house, only to have my husband call and say they were closing his office.  "Why?"  Well, the company that runs the Southeastern Rail System is in our building and they want us out.  And, the Marta (Public Transit) trains ran next to his building as well.   I didn't understand...I don't think anyone really did at that time.

The girls were supposed to go to the dentist that afternoon...we kept our plans to pick them up early as to not worry them, as you see, by now we ALL knew what had happened and what could still happen.  The schools did an amazing job keeping things "normal" that day.  Although, after we picked the girls up and explained we would not be going to the dentist...they said, "we knew something was wrong, just not what"...you see the teachers had been on their email systems all day conversing back and forth with the staff...determining what to do, what to say, what not to say. And, more kids than usual were being checked out.  You see, my daughters school at the time was attended by 17 or more different nationalities, some Muslim. Everyone was on edge and scared.

Most of all, I remember the quiet.  We live in an area where we hear planes throughout the day.  I remember my sil saying how quiet it was where she was, eerily so...you see, they lived near a military base...my brother a Marine, she'd been at the commissary when it happened!

The quiet, followed by the frenzy.

Today, I will say a pray for those lost, those that served and continue to do so, but most of all I pray for our Nation...I pray we won't soon forget, I pray we will come together today and everyday as we did 10 years ago, not just in times of tragedy, but EVERYDAY.  Live life with a purpose, be kind to those around you, be thankful and remember.

It's Really Okay to Say NO~

We've all been there...they need someone to bake 2 dozen cupcakes, they need someone to be the room parent and plan parties, they need someone to serve on such and such PTA committee,  they need someone to coach a little league team, they need someone to organize the fundraiser, they need someone to chaperone the field trip...

Okay, I think you get the picture.  As a mom (or dad, or nanny, or grandparent for that matter), we all know that MANY volunteer opportunities are thrown our way throughout our children's lives.  And, I will be the first to say...I was that parent who without hesitation said, "sure, I'd be happy to".  Well...maybe not always (happily that is).

I am writing this post because I am now the parent of two Seniors (one high school, one college) and for years had been "that" parent, the "volunteer".  I was the preschool mom who planned parties, I was the room parent more times they I can count, I served on various PTA committees, I participated on the board for their sports, I chaperoned field trips, I organized uniforms...and the list goes on.

Well, I am here to say...it is okay to say "NO" when asked to volunteer.  I think all too often we say yes out of guilt.  What if no one else steps up?  Only to later regret we said yes...sometimes it takes away from the things that really matter to us.

I recently had this experience.  I have been handling uniforms for our youngest daughter's volleyball club.  And, recently was asked by the new board of directors if I would be willing to handle them again this season.  I told them, I would consider it, and get back to them. 

After thinking it over (and over and over), discussing it with my family, and remembering that this is what my basement looked like in the middle of the holidays last year...

I graciously declined the offer.  However, I did say I would be willing to train my replacement.  It was a big step for me.  The guilt set in a bit...what if no one else stepped up...they can't play/coach without their uniforms/gear!!

Well, someone did...and that someone is going to do a great job!  A mom like me, looking for a way to get involved and be a part of the program.  And, her daughter is younger so she will be around longer than I.

Lesson learned:  It is OKAY to say no! 

Life~

When I started this blog, I thought, "I can post everyday"...that didn't happen. Posting  every week hasn't necessarily happened either.  What has happened is LIFE.  The good, the bad and the ugly.  I had to experience the days as the stay at home mom with the sick kid, unexplainable migraines are not a pretty thing. I had to experience the work crew not getting things done on time.  I had to endure the endless, "I am sorry mam, the item you are inquiring about is on back order."  I've had to change plans, redo schedules, and be a WIFE and MOTHER.  And, deal with the separation of my parents, one too many times.  I type all of this to say, I appreciate all who can blog daily, produce great before and afters, but I will be one to admit...life comes first for me, and while I'd like to have the daily show and tell...it just ain't happening right now.  Life however,  is.  Raw, real, and painful.  We have many projects in the works. Little by little we are accomplishing them.  But, when real life circumstances get placed before us, they come first.  So, for those of you still with me, thank you...the reveals will eventually come, but for now...real life awaits me, and expects an answer.
~L

Taking a break~

Hope everyone is having a wonderful Memorial Day weekend!  School is finally out for summer, couldn't have come soon enough!! 

We will be heading out tomorrow for some much needed R&R.  Our youngest is off to Beach Camp with the youth of our church.  Living Dangerously (that's the theme).  And, they are TOTALLY UNPLUGGED for the week (no electronics-no cell phones, no ipods, no ipads, no facebook).  She is sooo excited to just be and have fun!!  And, she and a few others have put together a MEAN beach volleyball team.

Hubby and I are off to tour Savannah for a few days.  I've lived in Atlanta for 30+ years and have yet to visit!!  Will have plenty of pictures to share upon our return.

Have a great week everyone!! (and hopefully Blogger will have fixed the commenting problem by the time I return)

What's a girl to do?

Okay, so two + E.R. visits later and lots of meds, both girls are FINALLY on the mend.  Okay, so what's a mom to do with extra time at home?  Why, paint a few walls!!!  Hope to reveal what we've been up to soon.  Just a hint...one involves our downstairs bathroom, the other our front entry.  Oh, and the girls have daddy wrapped around their fingers...he's out for a Mickey D's run for the youngest!!! LOL  Migraines call for MAJOR french fries!!!  Thanks for all the well wishes.

Best of Intentions~

While hubby and I planned to work on clearing out the clutter in the basement this past weekend, the beautiful weather on Saturday (75 degrees and pure sunshine) derailed that game plan!  We spent the day downtown shopping.  Let's just say we paid IKEA and West Elm a little visit.

Sunday found us a church with plans to work on the basement after lunch.  That didn't happen either.  Enter a frantic phone call from our oldest child, barely recognizable for the sobs.  She was suffering an asthma/panic attack/migraine due to sinus congestion and a friend was taking her to the ER. So, we spent the day with her there.  She is doing much better. 

Fast forward a day...little sister is still trying to shake off another migraine.  Guess where we were today...yup, yet another ER!!  She is doing much better thanks to the IV med protocal.  Hopefully she will be back to school tomorrow. 

I  am hoping to get back to several projects I had to put on hold.  One involves a mini-makeover using this...

Here's hoping we are all back to our "normal" routine tomorrow!

Tomorrow's the Big Day!

Sorry, no pretty pictures for this one. Just a quick note to say, while I don't have ALL uniform items back from the printers, I finally did manage to get the jerseys (can't play without 'em).

We are into our 4th Snow Day!! However, it is more ice than snow now...so not fun!!

I will apologize ahead of time for the lack of posts in the next few days. I will be at the gym non-stop, and hope to finally stop and take a deep breath come Tuesday!!

Snow Day Number Two~

We are now into Day 2 of the snow and ice here in the Deep South, and it is a royal mess!! What little melted, has now refroze and it is one big sheet of glare ice out there. While it is pretty to look at, it is wreaking havoc on the roadways. Hubby and our youngest pulled out a car yesterday that had gotten stuck in a neighborhood nearby, and today, he had to get another car out of a snow bank a girl had backed it into. It required 6 others pushing the car sideways, getting it out into the roadway, controlling the car while it spun to the bottom of the hill where he could finally get it safely on a dry patch of roadway. I don't recommend it! He is an experienced, trained driving instructor who also grew up in Michigan...he knows what he's doing, most don't!! I prefer to stay indoors where it is warm and dry.

Needless to say, I am still waiting on player uniforms! And, my printer is snowed in and can't get out of his neighborhood. Yes, I have already had a meltdown (wish it would melt outside). But, I have since come to terms with the fact that "I" don't have any control on the weather!!! We are not expecting temps above freezing for a few more days. Sigh...

Okay, enough whining! Here's some pics we've shot over the past few days.

Hope you are all staying warm and dry!

Snowed Under~

I wanted to apologize for my lack of posts recently. I have been super busy sorting player and coaches gear for the club. All uniform items are supposed to be distributed to both players and the entire coaching staff on Tuesday. However, our weather here tomorrow night might just throw a huge monkey wrench into our plans!! We are expecting up to 5 inches of SNOW!!! Let's just say, my basement looks like a Mizuno warehouse right now, and I am only in possession of 1/2 of the items that will need to be distributed Tuesday, weather permitting!

The plan was for all players and coaches to receive all gear Tuesday night, so that on Thursday night we could have a dry run to make sure everything was in order prior to next weekend's tournament. We'll see what Mother Nature brings tomorrow night. Down here in the South, everything comes to a standstill with just an inch of snow, they are predicting possibly 5!!!
I have a lot of projects planned for this year that I am looking forward to sharing with all of you. But first, I have got to get the 30+ boxes of sporting goods out of my basement!!!

Ice Age~



The rain started sometime during the night, the temperature dropped, and we awoke to an icy mess.  School delayed two hours!  I was just thankful our oldest made it home safely to her apartment last night after sitting for the family she is a nanny for.  The roads were a mess, many stranded with nowhere to go.  By mid-morning we had thawed out and life continued on.  Hubby and I spent the afternoon shopping, and then came home to wrap gifts.  I managed to wrap half of the girls things...so feeling a little less stressed! One more day of finals for the youngest, and then we will all take a much needed break!!!

Thank you for all of the prayers for Will and his family.  The funeral is tomorrow.  Our daughter will be going up to support Will.  It will be hard for her, as this is a first for her.

Heavy Heart~

It is with a heavy heart that  I  write this post.  Our oldest daughter's dear friend Will's mother lost her battle with cancer early this morning. 

We find comfort in knowing she is in the hands of God, and is no longer suffering.

When mom gets sick~

Everything comes to a screeching halt!

My apologies for lack of posts, our family decided to pass around a stomach bug right after Thanksgiving (at least it wasn't before or during).

I am also in charge of uniforms for 118 volleyball players and 20+ coaches for the club.

So with that said, mom's been snowed under (it wouldn't be so bad it if was the really pretty white fluffy kind).

The decorating will resume today, after we see my niece perform in the Nutcracker this morning.  Look for some inspirational pictures in the next few days.

Thanks to everyone for the get  well wishes!!