Just Frozen.....

Everyone is talking about the winter storm that is making it’s way to the Dallas metroplex. My morning shows have been interrupted with constant weather updates....ughhh! 

Oh, and I made the mistake and went to the store. Target was overrun with people stocking up on ice scrapers, food, movies and beer…lots of BEER. People are rushing and running thru the isles to make sure they have enough spaghettios, potato chips, Tyson nuggets, or whatever else they need to get them through the cold weekend. Hot chocolate shelves are empty and the lines were super long. It was a madhouse, reminded me of my Florida days preparing for the next big hurricane!!! But this is not a hurricane, it's ice. All I wanted was to get some salad dressing for my antipasto salad and look for a new book to read, on my only day off. Boy, did I pick the wrong day. 

School will most likely be cancelled so, the only people who should be freaking out and running around in circles are the parents facing this inevitable snow day, home with the kids!!!

Fortunately and unfortunately for me, I will be working tomorrow. I will have the opportunity to drive 10 mph all the way to work behind some really bad drivers. Talk about chaos, the roads are going to be a mess!  

People, this is north Texas, we get ice every year!And even if we give it a catchy name like “Snowpocalypse” or “Arctic Blast”, it’s still just ice and snow. RELAX and be safe. :)

Snow worth it

Weird, unacceptable things have been happening around here as of late Monday evening. After the big ice storm, schools shut down for four days. By Friday at noon, I was getting a little stir crazy.

As I pondered thru the house I couldn’t come up with any good reasons to leave the house.

The refrigerator was full of enough groceries to last thru the weekend and the news keeps showing cars stranded on the side of the road but, I wanted to get out just for a moment. Just to get a change of scenery. But, still no good reason to leave the house until…..I went to make some coffee and noticed that I was out. Now, THAT is a good reason to get out.

So, instead of fighting the crowds at the grocery store for instant coffee grounds I decided to venture out for a venti anything. I was ready to drive up to a window and let someone wait on me for a change, especially a Starbucks!

But, when I finally made it there…..I was shocked to find that they were closed! And I could not believe it.

I sat there for a moment, wondering if I should attempt another Starbucks (there is one just down the road) but I decided not to. I almost hit the grocery store when I looked over and saw the really full parking lot. Nope, I don’t do busy grocery stores. It’s one of the few things have little patience for. Instead I just headed back home. Empty handed. BIG SIGH!

As I headed down the street (at 15 mph), I couldn’t help but notice how beautiful everything looked. The sparkling sheets of white snow and the laughter of kids sledding and playing in surrounding neighborhoods filled my view and I couldn’t help but smile, especially when I reached in my purse and found a package of Starbucks VIA instant coffee……ahhh, it what worth getting out.

they're falling all over

After a month in our neighborhood, we've come to the conclusion that you either have to learn to love the leaves each fall, or you'll go absolutely crazy trying to get rid of them. We live in an older neighborhood, with tons of mature trees all around us--a wonderful thing in the summer when you want to sit on your shaded front porch and sip lemonade, but not such a wonderful thing come this time of the year when you have to wade through piles of leaves to get to your front door.

All you have to do in our neighborhood to find the houses with kids is drive along the streets during November. The houses with kids in them always have front yards covered by the enormous eruptions of strangely shaped leaf piles that look like messy molehills. There might be an odd bicycle or scooter left in the middle of the leaves, or Ethan's soccer ball perched on the biggest pile and you can usually can find a rake or two somewhere in the mix.
When you have kids it's easy to make fun out of the leaves. We've learned to take a no stress approach, and while we'll rake and load the leaves to the curb, we've conditioned ourselves not to mind when five minutes later one child has scattered the same neat pile of leaves in every direction. And every time the front door opens and the wind blows in a stray handful of leaves across the wood floor in the entryway, I'll just go with the flow.
For now, though, we'll just let them fall, and fall, and fall.

Fall is finally here

Oh happy day, so glad it’s Friday! I took a brisk walk this morning to clear the cobwebs after dropping my kids off at school. This fall day could not be any more lovely, with bright blue skies, a gentle breeze, and turning leaves rustling in the trees. I plan to spend most of this weekend outdoors enjoying this autumn weather.

We took advantage of the warm day to get the leaves off of the driveway and walk and back into the yard… Hoping that they can be mowed instead of raked and bagged, we worked hard to spread the leaves around the yard as much as possible. The sad thing is there are still a lot of leaves in the trees!

Sweater Weather

Fall is in the air – can you feel it?
Yeah, neither can I. But I’m excited that it’s around the corner, because hands-down, it’s my absolute favorite season. I love the smells, the sounds, the colors… I eagerly await the first drop in temperature, hopefully not too long from now.....my favorite Starbucks flavors like peppermint white chocolate mocha and hot apple cider make the whole season, I can't wait! This Fall will be especially memorable because we will be settling in our new home, getting to know our new neighbors, and getting back into a routine again. My sweaters have been packed away since April and I think it's time they make their appearance and I enjoy wearing fuzzy socks to bed :)

Fall Back

I love Fall. For me, it is the BEST time of the year. I love it when the summer heat is finally gone, the nights are cool, and the leaves start turning colors.

Every year I torture my family into taking family photos, I make us go out when the lighting is at its best (either early in the am or early evening.....and it's neither is convenient), we have to match, and it usually takes us a few tries to get it right) Each year we pull out previous years photos and compare, it is so funny, I love to hear the kids giggle over their own photos.

With all that, I stumbled across some old Fall photos from years ago:

Tears filled my eyes when I look back at those days. My kids are growing way too fast. It's more the reason that I will continue this tradition of torturous photo taking.....it's just too precious.

For The Love of Shoes

I am completely addicted to clogs. I always have been. Since, I got my first pair, in tenth grade when I was about 16-years old. I’ll never forget those clogs: soft black leather with black wooden soles. I wore them with everything!!!

I’ve owned at least one pair of clogs at all times since that first pair, whether they were Dansko, Berkinstock, or Anywears (you have to remember I’m in the health care field so, comfort is a priority).

But my addiction has been taken to a new level… recently, while I was working, one of our doctors came in wearing her normal ‘surgical colored’ scrubs and as came around the nurses station my eyes were drawn to her green python Dansko clogs. They looked spunky and fun, and she said they made her feel happy! From that moment, my nicely broken in black Dansko’s seemed so dull and boring. Comfortable, yes. Fun, no.

I decided that I needed to go see what was available. So, my next trip to the mall including browsing Nordstrom to see what clogs they had. I found a pair (well, two) that I must have. I just must.

As I shop, I rationalize why I must have them. My feet feel great in them, this is a must. Fall is rolling around and the temperature will be dropping, and I must put my flip-flops away. I must have them!!!!…..in ‘leopard.’ With rolled-up jeans and a slouchy sweater? Yep, sheer perfection.
And the ones in ‘claret’ to wear during the colder winter months are fun and festive, this is a definite must have.
SOLD!
How cute, these will fit right in with my ever-growing clog collection.

A Good Day

It’s hot, humid, and horribly sticky.
Just packed clothes for vacation.
While sitting on the porch, sipping on coffee..... I count my blessings:
1) quiet morning
2) Mike had two days off in a row
3) A clean house
4) A clean heart
5) A clean slate
6) A long, long talk with Lisa, where, among other things, she shared with me some lessons on criticism, perfectionism, and friendship. Our long distance relationship has grown such much and I am ever grateful for her in my life.
7) I've made a haven at home, one that welcomes big kids and little kids, both my own and the ones that come my way for a just a little while
8) Life is Good!

Summer Nights

It is hard to believe that school is but a memory. The temperatures have quickly elevated such that I lie on top of the bedspread instead of snuggled beneath the covers. My nightly ritual of hanging out with the kids consists of cold dinners (i don't want to turn the oven on), ice cream for dessert, and swimming in the evening....it's great!
I enjoy summer, gotta love those free Cinemark movies, $5 bowling days, the community pool, and the beach but, mostly getting to sleep in. In fact, my husband will tell you that I sleep waaaaay in, now that I don't have to drive the kids to school at 7:30am, it's a wonderful thing. As long as we get up in time for lunch, my errands are done, and the kids are having fun...sleeping in is allowed, right?
As much as I am enjoying sleeping in and not having to "assist" with homework, I expect that I'll be eager to get rid of the kids come August when I'll want more time alone to get work done or have my own appointments.
But, so far this summer is terrific, we are spending it with great friends, taking naps, and visiting family. I'm enjoying every hot sticky moment of it.

Merry Christmas

Today could not have been any better.

We had our first white Christmas and it was wonderful.

We woke up this morning to the kids running down the stairs with excitement. Santa had come and they were ready to tear open the gifts that I so carefully wrapped.

We had a big family breakfast in our pajamas.

Then we went to my sisters house where the kids spent the day playing with all their new things and the adults tried to relax from all the pre-Christmas activities.

I talked to my parents and in-laws, it really made me miss Florida. I wish I could be with everyone back home this time of year.

Let it snow......

It's Christmas Eve and it's snowing outside!!!!
If you happen to live in a part of the country that isn’t blessed with this powdery, white miracle, (like us) you know why I am so excited. And of course, snow this time of year is always the best!

I have been anticipating its arrival since I first saw the forecast and there I sat, in the living room by the window just waiting, and waiting. By the time the first few flakes started floating down it was well past 11am and the kids had already accepted the fact that it may not snow.

Today would have been a perfect day for me to bake cookies and stay in my jammies, but I just couldn't, I had to enjoy this wonderfulness.
Me and Melissa had Carmel lattes at Starbucks while the snow fell. Coffee with a great friend is always a good thing. Thanks, Melissa.
The kids loved playing outside as the snow piled on their heads and kissed their noses, it was a lot of fun!
We had Christmas Eve dinner at my sisters house,made by the hubbies who did a really good job, we all left the table absolutely stuffed.
It was still snowing outside.....so we let the kids play in the snow again at night, since it could be gone by morning.

Brrr, it was sooo cold!!!! The kids little fingers and ears were rosy and chilly.
Coffee and dessert by the fireplace wrapped up a beautiful day!
I know I often complain that Texas is a never ending land of cornfields and cows, but it's changing seasons and my great friends are things that make it worth living here.
It's been snowing for more than 10 hours now and we have a couple inches of snow. No signs of it stopping anytime soon.
Today was a great day, I wouldnt change a thing!

Fa la la la la

Christmas is almost here, and like most people I have a lot off stuff to do and I'm not close to finishing it yet.

My kids are going to be shocked when they grow up and find that it's not a "thing" to wait until the middle of the night on Christmas Eve to wrap gifts. I may have grown a few extra white hairs over the past few days!!!!

I have a little bit less to do since my parents are not going to be able to make it this year, but Ethan's gift still hasn't arrived and I need to stock my pantry. The kids have been home, on winter break, eating all day.
So, I still have to go to the grocery and get a few odds and ends today. I found it hard to run my errands today when the weather is was so gorgeous! It was 70 degrees and I couldn't help but force the kids to play outside while I supervise with my large glass of tea. So that is what happened, no grocery, no errands, nothing just a lazy day. It was perfect, except tomorrow will be a crazy day ;(

Rain,extension cords, and lights....oh my!

Today was a cold rainy Sunday but, we put up the Christmas lights on our house anyway. I love decorating! I think it is so much fun to start the process of decorating the house for Christmas. It is exciting to see how it will look this year, what things will work, what won't. I am often heartbroken each year by the things that broke over the year or things that have mysteriously disappeared since last year. But, each year I purchase a couple new things that add to our display and sigh, our house just looks so sweet. All we need now is snow to really look good. Snow always completes the look to make it all perfect.The really nice thing about this year is that we were able to put everything up in 50 degree weather!!! The weather has been so nice this Fall. It is due to change soon, maybe even this week but, putting up Christmas lights in 50 degrees was great, even though it was raining a bit.

Christmas is such a magical and miracle part of the year! I love this season but, I think it is often over done, over commercialized and under done about the true meaning of Christmas……..it’s ALL about Jesus people!
Decorating your home is a symbolic of what we, as Christians, need to do all year round
It is nice to drive down my street and see the spirit of Christmas shining bright.

It's Not Just an Hour

Change is not always a good thing.
This whole daylight saving time change thing bites! I don’t like it at all!
The only good thing about "falling back" is the extra hour of sleep I get one day a year. Oh wait a minute, now that I have children, that doesn't happen. So really there are no rewarding qualities about the winter time change.
Since the time change, I feel like it is time for bed as soon as hubby gets home from work. There's no more going outside for a walk after we get home, no more chatting with the neighbors as we unload the car because no one is out working in their yard or hanging out in the dark. There is no going to the park to play for a few minutes after dinner and before bed.
The Winter Daylight Savings is dividing. I wish we didn't have to turn the clocks back in the Fall. I would prefer it to be dark in the morning when I am rushing around getting the kids ready for school, and to have a few extra moments of sunshine to enjoy in the evening when I get home.