jack frost.

made a little visit. during the night.

we woke up to a light dusting of the white stuff this am. and the cold. he had to bring the cold with him.

everything was covered. not much to do anything too fun in. but enough to get everyone excited.

we dragged out the snow boots and the ski pants. bundled everyone up. and played around in it. threw snowballs. tried to build a snowman. until our noses were red and our toes were frozen.

don't you remember the excitement of snow? even a little bit seemed like mounds of the stuff back then.

luminary.

thanksgiving is over. done. the leftovers are all gone already. the turkeys and pilgrims and their ship, the mayflower are all snuggled back in their storage bin. it's time to move on to christmas.

we headed out to the arboretum this pm for their annual luminary walk. i've always been partial to luminaries. their soft flicker. their simpleness. perhaps it's from my love of the southwest. but i think it came long before then. but i digress. the walk was chilly. well, it was cold. and it was raining/sleeting/snowing during our walk. but it was beautiful and added to the atmosphere.

the littles loved it. chasing down the path. holding hands.

adoring uncle john (sorry juju).

looking at the lights and the waterfalls and the trees. sitting on santa's (or christmas's) lap.

this time both requesting barbies. yes. barbies. but he only siad it because she did. drinking hot apple cider.

warming ourselves by the fires. listening to the dickens carolers. going out to dinner afterwards to warm up.

juju and i even managed to escape for a few minutes. took the scenic route as they wandered down the shortcut with the littles. listened to some indian flute music. i loved it. such a simple and beautiful way to start celebrating the holidays.

christmas lap.

the excitement of thanksgiving has come and gone. the pilgrims have vanished. just as quickly as the bird was devoured.

we've moved full force on to santa. and what he should bring. we've been wavering on what we think we should ask for when we sit on his lap. should it be a princess dress? a pink electric guitar? a kitchen? a drum set? or the easiest on the wallet and the ears. this week - a headband? personally i vote for the headband.

today. we thought barbies would be nice as well as a choo choo. for him and for her. he still is leaning towards a cooking (kitchen) and a headband (don't ask). i'm still gunning for the headband.

but the best part today was when they contemplated how they actually have to ask for these treasures. that they actually have to sit on his lap and ask. there were some tears of fear and shouts of joy. for he is a bit timid to sit on "christmas" lap (not santa's lap. he calls it "christmas lap") and she can't wait to get there. getting her off will be the issue. as was demonstrated by our visit to the easter bunny this spring...

thankful part 2.

so today is my day to be thankful. to spew out what i'm thankful for. and here goes. don't mind the randomness. and don't mind that it's in no particular order of importance. or complete. i'm sure i could go on and on.

family.

sharpie markers. apple computers. and fresh raspberries.

cowboy boots. and words. and john denver songs.

starbucks lattes. and holiday gingersnap lattes.

friends.

cinnabon cinnamon rolls. and thankful that there isn't one here. i only get them occasionally in an airport.

orange julius. again. not here. only when lucky enough to find one.

laughing. and 24 hour news.

my north face puffer vest. and jacket. timbuktu bags.

nikon. and great lenses. and inspiration.

christmas lights.

martha stewart glitter. and green street lights.

cupcakes. and frosting.

warm fall days. and early spring days.

flowers. and rain drops.

good books. and crossword puzzles.

construction paper and scissors.

wine. and cheese.

littles. and words. and wonder.

project runway. top chef. and the barefoot contessa.

mrs meyers lavendar soap.

flip flops. and warm days to wear them.

oceans. mountains. and forests. i'm not picky.

sunsets and sunrises.

dogs and down comforters. and snuggles and hugs.

turkeys on parade.

so today. i decided to break out the cupcakes. and be creative. i felt like baking. so i whipped up a batch of turkey cupcakes. for tomorrow. for delivering to friends. don't worry. it's not an original idea. i just modified it slightly to give them a bit of personality.


i love how it looks like they're just marching along. not caring a bit about their fate.

and he seems to have a bit of attitude. well. shouldn't he? it's his day after all. although. when did your day become the one where you're eaten?

and i know. i hate candy corn. in case you'd forgotten. i won't eat the tail feathers or the beak. i mean really? who would any way?

thankful.

on sunday at sunday school. she was thankful for:

yes - that says princess dresses.

yesterday at school she made a picture. and she was thankful for:

and yes - that's nail polish in the middle and that's supposed to be me(!) on the left and her brother on the right.
and today at dance class she was thankful for. finally. her family.


yes. it's been a progression. certainly princess dresses and nail polish are the things to be most thankful for...

slinky.

i read yesterday that the inventor (or wife of...) of the slinky died recently. her name was betty james. let's take a moment. everyone has enjoyed a slinky, haven't you?

she was 90 years old.

immediately it reminded me of my dear friend jeanne. in texas.

when i worked with her. years ago. she always. i mean always. carried around a little slinky with her. she's just one of those people that always has to be busy with something. (like people who doodle in meetings) and her slinky was her thing. especially helpful in the dysfunctional place we worked. with the crazy people we worked with.

but she always would fiddle. fiddle. fiddle. with the slinky. and i'll always remember her. when i see one. i bet she still has one on her desk now. i'll have to ask her...or send her one for christmas...

46.

happy anniversary to my parents.

wow.

46 years.




that's 46 years. our 10 seems measly in comparison. but i won't go there. this is about you.

46 is a big number. i'm sure it's hard to come by. not many these days get there. congratulations. you've set a high standard for us to live up to.

we had a party for 40. sorry. no bash this year. but toddot got married. so that was a big enough celebration for the year.

3 kids. dogs. and now a new puppy. grandkidd-os. 46 happy fun adventuring years.

a lot to be happy about.

enjoy and celebrate!

happy birthday.

to twinkle.

our first little. our colorado native.

life has been rough for you lately. i know. you don't feel great. the other littles call you "winkie". we don't get to snug like we used to.

but we love you. still our first little.

happy birthday. to you. to you. to you.

finally.

friday.

finally.

yippee!

and what did i get done?

not much. not much at all. but it was a good week. i got focused. i got organized (kind of) and i made it through. i had a lot on my plate this week. and i'm glad some of it is cleared off.

but it's finally friday. and can you believe it? it's also five weeks until christmas.

i know. the holiday decorations are up in the stores. the christmas music has been playing on the radio for weeks. the holiday sales have started. but i'm not in the mood. to play christmas yet. now. don't get wrong. i love christmas. love the whole holiday season. but don't like the way it's been commercialized. extended. used.

but this year is going to be different for us. new family members in town. homemade from me. but the usual busy. busy. busy. rushing around. i think we can say we're already overbooked this coming month. something every weekend. parties. dates. get-togethers. outings with friends. it will be a special, fun month.

but for now. i'm just glad. glad that it's friday.

finally.

suddenly i see.

suddenly i saw. today. and realized.

all the things. that i have to get done. before the holidays.

so i focused. sat down. made more lists. decided what to give as gifts. decided what i'm going to create. because i think this is going to be a handmade christmas from me.

isn't that what christmas is about? the thought? the intention? the things i remember loving the most at christmas were usually handmade. or handed-down to me. heirlooms. or pieces of memories. it wasn't about the stuff. it was about the thought. the effort that went behind, or into the gift.

i'm excited. i have a lot. a lot. to do. but i'm focused. and i'm going to get them done.



so it's handmade. from me. can't give out details. because certain giftee(s) read this site. but more to come. so just know that i'll be busy busy busy. creating. creating. creating.

off the wagon.

oh. i've been good. very good.

not in attempt to entice santa (although that would be nice).

but just good.

i guess i've been a bit freaked out by all the doom and gloom of the financial reports. the excessive hype of the news media. waiting for the recession. the higher prices. etc. etc. and i've had that whole simplify message running through my brain, too.

so i've been good. not great. but good.

i mean really? how many pairs of shoes does one person need? well, ok. i shouldn't ask that one.

but seriously? i have enough clothes, shoes, make up, un-necessities to last me months. no years.

but today. i don't know what happened. i fell. and fell semi-hard. not hard. just semi-hard.

two new pairs of jeans, a sweater, and a new pair of shoes.

i know. i know. it doesn't sound like much. and it really wasn't. old navy for the jeans and sweater (and we know how cheap their stuff is) and the shoes. well. they were expensive. but i had two coupons and a gift card (from a return, of course - see i'm what you could call a "serial returner" - but i'll save that for another post). so in actuality they were cheap. so what if they are cole haans. they'll last forever, right? and they were cheap in relativity...

so there. i 'fessed up.

i fell off. but i'm back on tomorrow.

well, after i get that one sweater at banana that is calling out to me....

quiet. please.

oh, how i wish i was here. today.

i've been fighting a migraine all day. all day long. i could feel it coming on when i woke up this am.

and it's here. a day at the beach would certainly help it.

so i think i'll just think about that.

the beach.

sand in the toes.

sunshine on the shoulders.

the smell of suntan lotion.

a cool drink in my hand.

the spray of surf on my face.

i'm feeling better already.

and it's only monday.

time for more coffee. more coffee. more coffee.

here's my list for the week. and it's only monday. monday.

* pick out and return school pictures
* work
* bank
* layouts to start and complete
* holiday gifts to start
* schedule dr. appointment that i've been putting off for months
* take little 1 to dr.
* photograph session
* write thank you notes for many many various things
* workout
* call friend in texas
* return phone calls
* rsvp party
* finish laundry
* plan menu
* finish cleaning up yard
* wash car and get gas - complete! how do you like paying $1.69 a gallon? yee haw!
* take little 2 to dentist
* call dentist for me
* find holiday outfit for little 1's holiday pageant
* finish painting things
* finish. finish. finish. many things. and it's only monday.

sometimes i think i should just drink coffee. do you ever wonder about those lucky folks that just sit in coffee shops all day? what do they do that allows this to be their lives? what path did they take that i didn't? because somedays, i would sure like to know...

caterpillar.

hours of fun. a caterpillar brings.

we fed him.

played with him.

named him. cater. of course.

built him a house.

decided he would be our best friend for. ever. forever.

and then unceremoniously dumped his house and his food with him back into the yard. and moved onto something else.

how fleeting friendship is when you're five. at least she didn't smoosh him.

drip.drip.drip.

we're working on a bit of remodeling. around here. it's a bit of a mess. and a bit of a disruption.

but i keep telling myself. it will be nice. when it's done. finished. wrapped up. cleaned up. and decorated.

nice.

but today. we hit a pipe. a water. pipe. water spurting. out. dripping. water.

and now we have no water. it's been shut off. shut off until we can get someone out.

so we wait. sit and wait. and hope the guy shows up and restores our water.

and she. is so worried about not having water.

but mommy. "i'm dirty. i need to take to a bath."

but mommy. "i'm so thirsty. i must have some water. my mouth is so thirsty."

because i don't know if i can live with two littles and no water. and i was just in the middle of eight loads of laundry. and no water.

you know what i think?

i think. that people. don't understand the importance of leaving this place a better place than when you arrived. maybe because they don't live in a place or have never been able to truly experience what this world offers. the beauty and peace of the oceans. the calm and glory of the mountains and the forests.

maybe they haven't seen animals in their native habitats. the wonder of nature. maybe they haven't gotten to see how glorious this place is. how it can take your breath away. my trip out west this summer. changed me. changed the way. i think. changed the way i want to be. and i'm glad about that.

they see their concrete driveways and blacktop streets. their beige houses. their perfectly planned landscapes. i know. i live amongst this. i'm part of it...but it doesn't mean i have to like it!

maybe they haven't seen the randomness of nature.



the way a tree can grow here and there. out of a rock cropping on the side of a mountain. the waves crashing endless on the shore. the shells and goodies that are left behind.

the stillness of a forest on a summer day. the clear black sky ablaze with stars on a crisp fall day high. in the mountains.



now, don't get me wrong. i'm far. far. far. from perfect. but lately i want to be better. try harder. i want my littles to get to see these things, too.

i guess i'm just on a tangent today. all because of a commercial for the nature conservancy. it definitely got me to think. i wish i could find the link. it might just get you to think, too.

wandering.

my mind's been wandering lately. thinking alot. pondering things. lots of things. it's hard to keep it on track somedays.

i make lists. but get way-laid. i re-write lists. and still never seem to accomplish what's on them. today i actually made a list in order. in order. of the way i needed to get things done. i got through 3 of the 8 items. maybe i can still finish the rest before the day is done.

but things seem to arise. happen. upsetting calls from upset friends. reconnecting calls from far-away friends. unplanned cocktails. sites and stores and places that i seem to stumble on and stumble over. playtime and teaching time. and chasing around time.

see? i digress. this is how i end up. at the end of the day. with nothing accomplished. i've got to get focused.

these thoughts. these things. that get me side-tracked...

recipes. i've been cooking a lot more lately. trying out new recipes. testing things out. not so good for the waistline. but good for family nights.

writing. i've been writing more these days. blogging. trying to keep my goal of blogging everyday until the end of the year.

working out. trying. it's one of those things on my list. that gets done. somedays.

working. working. working. it's holiday season already. and luckily and happily i've got orders to do and photos to shoot.

meetings. get-to-gethers. appointments. commitments.

and thoughts. the economy. the election. what could happen. what will happen. what could change. get better. explaining to her. and discussing it seems. with everyone. debating. being surprised. very surprised. and frankly disappointed by people's comment's and thoughts on the outcome. that those types of thoughts and beliefs still exist in this world. still today.

what are you thinking about?

good day sunshine

after two days of rain and gloomy skies. the sun. returned today. i had this song on my mind all day. all day.


a little sunlight always brightens up a wednesday.

an interesting conversation at a meeting this am got me to thinking about all the issues as girls. moms. that people face. and deal with. everyday. frustration. loss. let down. depression. joy. happiness. they run the gamut of emotions. and we deal. and keep dealing. as we have. as everyone has. through the years.

but the sunshine helped. it put it all in perspective. and it's all about perspective right?

in my library.

i've been asked with the other yulie to join a book club.

i've thought about book clubs for years. never joined in. i kind of like to read and then ponder on my own.

but this time i might join in. depends on the reading list and timing. it might be fun to read some interesting books. share some thoughts and gain some insights. if it's light-hearted, funny stuff. it might. be. interesting. no deep. stuff for me. i have too much on my mind. for that.

but it would be good to change my reading list. because right now it is composed of these:

fashion.

someone thinks. thinks. that because they are 5. yes 5. that they should dress themselves.

and sure. maybe they should. well they do. but i pick out the outfits.

but this weekend. we were not happy with my choice.

and this is what the result was. of her choosing.

"don't i look beautiful, mommy? don't i?"



somedays you just go with it.

and yes. if you can't detect it from her. stance. there's some. attitude. (well. let's be honest - a lot of. attitude.) that came with. the new outfit.

inspired.

to feed my family some home-made food (we've been on a crazy schedule of late and the meals, well. they've been sporadic. to say the least.). so i made something. something i've never made before. something. i think i thought i'd never make. ever.

pot roast.



now. mind you. i don't consume red meat. no big political statement. or ideological reason. i just don't care for it. haven't had any since 1994. gees. do the math. over 14 years of no red meat. no hamburgers. hmmm. and i'm no better or worse for it...

anyway. my husband loves pot roast apparently. didn't know that. except his mom was here recently and he mentioned it to her. of course. now, i do feed him red meat on occasion. it's usually when we have company. but it's still served in the house.

so pot roast. i think he almost tumbled over in the grocery when i told him what i was going to make. i love to cook. love to try new recipes out. but this is one he never considered that i'd make. i mean. i make steak soup. with ground turkey breast.

for pete's sake.

i had to dial my mother. my mother. to figure out what kind of meat to buy. and i'm not an idiot in the kitchen. but i had no. idea. no idea. at all. as i stood there. looking at all the disgusting looking cuts of meat. so i dialed. she too. was flabbergasted. flabbergasted. that i would be asking her this question. about meat. you see. she is always hounding me. hounding me. to eat meat...

i must say. after the deliberations in the meat aisle. the chopping of the veggies. the seasoning of the meat. the darn thing did turn out pretty dang good. of course i didn't eat the meat. just the veggies (i know. i know. the meat flavored the veggies. i never said i was a vegetarian. just that i don't. like. red. meat.). but it made the house smell good. it was filling and warm. and comforting. just like i remembered it from when i was a kid. and my mom would make it on cold. winter. nights.

and the recipe you say? the recipe? from my favorite. cookbook. the joy of cooking. it's the best. most reliable. one. out there.

just what i wanted.

playdate = blind date

i thought when i got married. that blind dates were over. done. no more.

pushed aside. never to be thought of again.

but i was wrong. of course i was wrong.

we had a playdate yesterday. my two littles with two other littles. they are all in the same classes together at school.

and i realized that a playdate = a blind date.

but what i thought of as i drove home was. playdates. they are blind dates all over. you get together because you hope your kids will get along and play nicely together. have fun. use up some energy. but you don't think of yourself. what am i going to do for the two hours that they play? will we hit it off? will we have anything to talk about? what if my kids don't behave? what if they spit? what if they hit? what if they forget how to share? what if they break something? what? what? what? what will the other mom think of my unruly kids? will she think i'm crazy? will she question my parenting skills?

the littles had great fun. new toys. new friends. new messes to make. they tried to clean up. they said thank you when we left.

the other mom was interesting. creative. smart and above all nice. she invited my two wild and crazy kids into her house. that alone is enough to make her a saint.

but play dates. they are. blind dates.

it's blind dating. all over again. but with littles involved to add to the stress....

leap of faith.

i got up early today.

haven't been sleeping well. i guess it's still an election day hang-over.

but it was worth it. there was the most glorious sunrise this am. the sky was all purple and orange. all hues.



i tried to get a picture. i don't know that i captured it. but it was amazing.

still and colorful. an amazing way to start the day.

email.

my friend, diane sent this the other day. one of those emails. you're supposed to answer and send back.

well. of course. i never responded. i tend to get in a rut of reading emails. and not responding. so i'm doing it here. in my blogsphere. why not? the only other thing to talk about today is building fairy tents in my neighbor's living room...hee hee. christine. we did a good job. it's very ethereal.

( x ) gone on a blind date
(X ) skipped school.
( ) watched someone die
(X ) been to canada
( X) been to mexico
( X ) been to florida
( X ) been on a plane
(X) been lost

( X ) been on the opposite side of the country
(X) swam in the ocean
( X) cried yourself to sleep
( x) played cops and robber
( X) recently colored with crayons
( ) sang karaoke

( ) paid for a meal with coins only
(X) done something you told yourself you wouldn't
( X ) made prank phone calls
( X ) laughed until some kind of beverage came out of your nose
( X ) caught a snowflake on your tongue
( X ) danced in the rain
(X ) written a letter to santa claus
( X ) been kissed under the mistletoe
(X ) watched the sunrise with someone
(X) blown bubbles
(X ) gone ice-skating
( ) been skinny dipping outdoors
(X) gone to the movies

1. any nickname? yes
2. favorite drink? skinny almond lattes with extra velvety foam. previously discussed in this blog. and no. longer. available.
3. how many times married? 1
4. tattoos? No
5. how much do you love your job? to the moon and back.
6. birthplace? st. paul minnesota.
7. favorite vacation spot? today that would be anyplace that is warm.
8. ever been to africa? no.
9. ever eaten just cookies for dinner? yes
10. ever been on tv? yes. does the nordstrom grand opening count?
11. ever steal any traffic signs? yes.
12. ever been in a car accident? yes
13. drive a 2-door or 4-door vehicle? 4 door
14. favorite number? 3.
15. favorite movie? love actually.
16. favorite holiday? easter.
17. favorite dessert? birthday cake.
18. favorite food? raspberries.
19. favorite day of the week? wednesday.
20. favorite brand of body wash? lake austin spa
21. favorite toothpaste? crest extreme herbal mint.
22. favorite smell? rainy days in the spring. bread baking. a coffee shop.
23. how do you relax? seriously?
24. how do you see yourself in 10 years? accomplished. happy. and proud.

recovery.

i'm spent.
worn out.
beat.
exhausted.


you name it. i'm it.

the excitement and adrenaline rush of the election yesterday.
wiped me out. i don't remember being this tired.

ever.

but it was worth it.

well. well. worth it.

i don't mind losing a day for what happened yesterday.

change.

a long day.

a long day.

4:45 am at the polls.

an hour to set up and get everything ready.

i was on edge. i was nervous.

i didn't want to be the one. the one who's polling place didn't run right. have machine failure. problems. issues. any of that.

i didn't want cnn to show up on our doorstep. i didn't want to talk to anderson cooper in that manner. i didn't want to be one of those people. the ones in florida. four years ago.

i was excited. but nervous. i've worked many elections. i've been a judge before. but today was different. people were actually going to come vote.

we were ready. i opened the doors at 6 sharp. we had a line winding down the sidewalk. into the parking lot and down into the street. they couldn't wait to come in. to get to the machines. to cast their vote. to get their sticker.

the day went smoothly. over 70% turnout in my district. 70%. fabulous. how funny is it that everyone wanted. an i voted sticker. and not just for the free coffee at starbucks or the free chick-fil-a sandwich or the free krispy kreme donut. but to wear. to show that they made their choice. that they celebrated their patriotism. that they voted.

there was a bit of reality however. someone actually came in and said they could only get a sticker every four years. is it possible. we workers thought, that they actually believed this? that they weren't aware. that there are more. more. elections than presidential ones???? that there are actually elections every year. even every six months? that you don't have to wait four years to get another sticker?

anyway. it was a good day. busy. tiring. stressful. fun. interesting. invigorating. friends stopped by. delivered coffee. support. and lunch. the people we met. so interesting. and everyone there. despite their differences in opinions and thoughts. to vote. i know. i love politics. this may be as much as i'm ever involved in them. but i love it.

despite his misgivings. but in a giving frame of mind, john even blessed us with his presence at our election results watch get together. he even allowed us to photograph him with a sign. a sign that he didn't care for. that he cringed at. and you can't tell but his shirt says vote for. and ends with barack obama sign. hee hee. but it's too late now. the other yulie was so proud of him. knew he was mocking us. but knew we got the better of him this time. forever it seems as it's on film this time.



her: "that's barack obama mommy. that's him!"

"he's going to change my life, mommy. change my life."



from a five year old.

a good day.

a day for change.

a proud day to be us.

a day of hope.

24 hours and counting.

it's almost. almost over.

the ads. the phone calls.

the yard signs.

the mail pieces.

the non-stop news coverage.

it all comes down to tomorrow.

i've collected my stuff.

my precinct ballot box and voting materials are in my car.

ready to go.

ready to be set up. at 5 am. that's am. in the morning. i'll be a judge at the election tomorrow. an "election official". a volunteer.

but i love it.

i love the excitement. the interest that this election has created.

i love that i had a conversation with my 5th grade neighbor this afternoon. so interested in the election. so knowledgeable. so intune. so cool.

what if everyone was that engaged? what if everyone voted tomorrow?

what if?

when we believe.

i attended an event tonight. at the time it was inspiring.

now. it seems. almost like it could be. could be. life changing.

i know. that sounds dramatic. but seriously. why not? why not be dramatic? why not try to believe?

a presentation. about "celebrating what's right with the world" by dewitt james.

a fascinating look at how to live your life. from a photographer's perspective.

since i aspire to be an amateur photographer (guess i am an amateur, so more of a pre-pro), i was fascinated. besides the obvious. the photos were tremendous, the framing was perfect. but the perception. his perception was eye-opening.

"instead of looking at what was wrong with a photo, i looked at what was right." how true. is. that? how often. how often. do i look at what is wrong. instead of what is right.

instead of focusing on the bad that comes from rough. or tough. situations. i need to look at what is good. good. there is a lot of good. i've seen a lot of it in the past few weeks. and for that i am thankful. very thankful.

i loved his quote. "perception controls our reality and if we don't believe it we won't see it."

i'm going to focus on the good. and see if i can believe it.

hold hands.

i have two littles who love to hold hands.

"hold hands mommy hold hands."



all the time.

all the time.

except when we're in parking lots, of course.

he especially likes to "hod hands".

when we went to get our flu shots yesterday. he was all. about. "hodding hands".

i think the hospital brought back surgery memories for him.

he didn't like seeing mommy get a shot. he wanted to "hod your hand mommy".

then he kissed the ouchy.

such a sweet little boy.

i hope he always wants to "hod hands".