Marie-Therese Gown GIVEAWAY !!!!!!!

Marie-Therese Gown GIVEAWAY !!!!!!!

I am in awe of some peoples enormous talents in the sewing areana!

And with Halloween only 11 days away and having no idea as to what to dress my girls up as, why not try for an absolutely adorable and totally free costume.

If I win, that is. Please let me win!! Please!! Does begging help my chances?!?!

Little Pick Me Up!

Time passes.
Life happens.
Distance separates.
Children grow up.
Jobs come and go.
Love waxes and wanes.
Men don't do what they're supposed to do.
Hearts break.
Parents die.
Colleagues forget favors.
Careers end.

BUT......... Sisters are there, no matter how much time and how many miles are between you.

A girl friend is never farther away than needing her can reach.

When you have to walk that lonesome valley and you have to walk it by yourself, the women in your life will be on the valley's rim, cheering you on, praying for you, pulling for you, intervening on your behalf, and waiting with open arms at the valley's end.

Sometimes, they will even break the rules and walk beside you...Or come in and carry you out.

Girlfriends, daughters, granddaughters, daughters-in-law, sisters, sisters-in-law, Mothers, Grandmothers, aunties, nieces, cousins, and extended family, all bless our life!

The world wouldn't be the same without women, and neither would I.

When we began this adventure called womanhood, we had no idea of the incredible joys or sorrows that lay ahead. Nor did we know how much we would need each other.

Every day, we need each other still.

**Thank Nana for sharing this with me, and now I share it with all the wonderful, fabulous, beautiful, strong, intelligent . . . (I really could just keep going on and on), women that are a part of my life!! Simply put - I love you!!!

So what did you wake up to this morning?

**note that in the picture on the left, either a deer or a dog left some tracks right along our front sidewalk!! A thinks it was a deer!!

**The sheer weight of the snow almost took out a couple of our trees. The picture on the upper right shows how one tree is being held up by the rails of our staircase. Usually it's about 6 feet higher so you can walk under it!!

Yeah - there are just no words!!

At least not yet - they keep freezing into solid ice as they try and come out of my mouth!!

Do I even need to say it - OK, I will - it's only October. Isn't this supposed to be the time of year were we watch the leaves change color and there comes a slight change in temperature, maybe just a little more of a nip in the air? I think someone has an inaccurate understanding of the word "nip". Just to clarify - it means "a little bit"

This had better not be an indication of what mother nature has planned for is this winter. If it is - I am coming for an extended visit to anyone who lives where it is warm and sunny, so those of you in CA and AZ - you are on notice. Have the air mattresses ready!!

At least A & K found a way to enjoy the falling snow! They have been playing with these umbrellas all summer, at least now they are using them for there actual intended purpose.

In fact when K woke up and looked out her bedroom windows and saw all the falling snow her first response was - "look mom - look at my snow!" Guess she is laying claim to it all!

And I even think A might be to blame for the shear amount of the white stuff that fell, because she informed me this morning that her prayers came true - because she asked for a lot of snow. I guess this happened after I had tucked her into bed, because I have no recollection of the snow request along with her wishes for a good night sleep and keeping her family safe.

Now - I am going to warm up my frozen appendages, and drink some hot chocolate - really HOT chocolate!

My Resignation

I am hereby officially tendering my resignation as an adult.

I have decided I would like to accept the responsibilities of an eight-year-old again.

I want to go to McDonald's and think that it's a four-star restaurant.

I want to think M&Ms are better than money because you can eat them.

I want to run a lemonade stand with my friends on a hot summer's day.

I want to return to a time when life was simple, when all you knew were colors, multiplication tables and nursery rhymes, but that didn't bother you because you didn't know what you didn't know and you didn't care.

All you knew was to be happy, because you were blissfully unaware of all the things that should make you worried or upset.

I want to think the world is fair. That everyone is honest and good.

I want to believe that anything is possible. I want to be oblivious to the complexities of life and be overly excited by the little things again.

I want to live simply again. I don't want my day to consist of computer crashes, mountains of paperwork, depressing news, how to survive when there are more days in the month than there is money in the bank, doctor bills, gossip, illness and loss of loved ones.

I want to believe in the power of smiles, hugs, a kind word, truth, justice, peace, dreams, mankind and making angels in the snow.

So here are my checkbook and my car keys, my credit card bills and my 401(k) statements. I am officially resigning from adulthood.

And if you want to discuss this further, you'll have to catch me first because . . .

"Tag! You're it!"

by Author Unknown - although the pictures are all mine, Enjoy!

update

I know it's been a while since I posted and you already know that I am totally not calling anyone to update them or even find out how your lives are doing - trust me - it's just a timing thing.

Also, I am pretty sure you don't want a phone call at 2:30 in the morning with me calling to chat and catch up... so, I'll post here that we are alive, we are just tired -very, very tired. Some days are better than others, but we are hanging in there and the light at the end of the tunnel is getting closer.

Here's just a few quick updates...

The sales year is over for A, maybe now he can finally take a day off - to sleep!! He deserves it for as hard as he works. The man is definitely not paid enough for the time and energy he puts into his company. But at least he still has a job given the massive cuts that swept through the company 1 week before the end of the year when everyone is scrambling to close deals to get them to count for this year. Huge shake up - horrible timing - who's the brain child running this organization - we are just grateful that at least he was/is safe.

Little A has started soccer and loves it. If I can remember to take the camera (and have it charged before I go) I will get some pictures and post them of our girl in action. K is her biggest cheerleader.

Both the girls are loving the warm weather we have been having and I know sooner rather than later we are going to be dealing with snow again, so I will enjoy the warm weather while we can.

I am sure there is more to update on, but my brain isn't processing at normal speeds this morning.

Cee-Cee - I know we were supposed to get together today. Probably won't happen - Boo!Maybe next week? I promise - I will call.

Nat - I hope your baby sell was a success. If I was in CO I would have totally been there (to the detriment of my checking account given the totally cute clothes I know you were selling). Please tell K that we wish her a Happy Birthday (belated by a few days) and that we miss you guys!

XOXOXOX to everyone else!