I'm Home!!!

I am back from beautiful Seattle. Had a blast, pics to come.

I just have to say how much I love to fly. It's not the long lines at security, it's not the seats that recline 3 inches back, it's not the fact that I am sitting on a floatation device, it's not the tray table that is too low to be of much use, it is not even the weird little half cup of ginger ale with too much ice so you freeze your upper lip and the tip of your nose. The reason I love to be in an airplane:


I love to look at the tops of clouds.

My thoughts about today

Today I am so proud to be an American. As I watched the inauguration of President Obama, I felt so proud to be a part of this amazing country. I think we all should, weather or not you voted for Obama. (I'm not gonna tell who I voted for, so neener neeener neener) I was so struck with the history of it. I thought about all the inaugurations I have seen (the first one I remember is Regan, I was in a hotel with my mom...) and I couldn't help but feel the history of it all. The military band playing made me wonder if that was a bit what it was like for our founding fathers...a band playing while the people gather to watch a new president take office, the same oaths taken. But what struck me the most was this:

The peaceful transfer of power. I never really thought about it before, and maybe it was because I felt so much tension during the campaigns, but I was really struck this morning. To put the choice up to the people, and then accept that decision--no fighting or bloodshed-- is an awesome thing. To pass the mantle with not much more than a handshake and some goodwill...to accept the office with a simple oath...It is democracy at it's very best. I am proud to be a small part of it. Now that all the pomp and circumstance is over, it is time to get to work, and I will be praying for our new President to be wise and effective and successful. God Bless America.

On a lighter note, What was up with the poem? I didn't get it. And the benediction was...interesting. When Aretha Franklin got up to sing, I said "That is quite the hat" to which my 4 yr old replied, "that is quite the woman". Then, when she started to sing, she said, "That is quite the voice, mom" :)

These pics can be found here.

Something is wrong with me.

Seriously. Here is what I did this morning.


I have 20 pair of shorts and 5 patterns to make by next week. (Yay! They let me start making patterns!) I had 2 and a quarter hours alone to do as much as possible. I make the patterns...they weren't too hard, and sit down to sew shorts. I do two, and, as I am sewing the waistband on the second one, I think to myself, "Hmmm. I wonder if I can draw a bird." I did not see a bird, hear a bird, not a feather, nothing.

Next thing I know, it is 5 minutes later, and I am sitting with pen in hand drawing a bird.

Like I said, something is wrong with me.

And no, I cannot draw a bird. At all.

all you Seattle-ites...Help!

I am off to Seattle in a few weeks to visit my sister! I am so excited to see her, and to play tourist with her (and her cute fam). Here is my quandary: I am to set the itinerary. We are going to do Pike's Place and take the ferry to Bainbridge island...but is(are) there something(s) I should not miss doing in Seattle? I want to know. (My sis is pretty new there, so she isn't quite the expert yet) Leave a comment and let me know what I can't miss! I'm counting on all you northwesterners! Thanks :)

Danielle- can't wait to see you, sista!

Something that I love...

I love that tonight I turned on the BBC version of Pride and Prejudice and let my girls watch while I made an emergency run to the store to get medicine for our sick daddy (Don't worry, he was home with them) and when I came back, they were still totally sucked in. They even begged me to let them watch some more tomorrow..... :)


Who needs Hannah Montana when you've got Lizzy Bennett??? (Not Us!!!)

Crossroads

I have feel as though I am standing at a cross road in my life. Okay, maybe not standing at it yet, but it sure feels like I have one block to go and I am running at a full sprint. That intersection is getting bigger, and I don't know which way to turn.

My youngest is going to school next year. That leaves me with...time. I know that kindergarten isn't a lot of time, but I have learned that a year goes by fast. My big question is: What am I going to do with myself? My Hubby and I have come up with several paths for me, but I cannot for the life of me figure out what I should do, so I am making a list. (I am very good at lists)

Option one: Do nothing. Well, not nothing, just do nothing different. Hubby says he is totally cool with being my sugar daddy and supporting me in the lifestyle to which I have become accustomed. ;) The fact is that doing nothing wouldn't be nothing at all. I could volunteer in the girl's classrooms, clean the house spotless everyday, pour myself into my church calling, work out without worrying about my kids (or being interrupted by them) Do the grocery shopping without forgetting anything and not coming home with fruit snacks I did not intend to buy, wash the car every once in a while, attack the "box of shame" (a large box in my closet full of projects I haven't done yet...I tend to loose steam after the purchase supplies stage....)

I think I could handle this option, for a while. But I can't see this as a long term solution. I would get a little antsy. (okay, maybe a lot) Eventually.

Option two: get a real job. But doing what? I have done a little of so many things in my life. (at least it seams to me) I have been a dental assistant, a seamstress, a camp cook, a receptionist, a cake decorator, a caterer, and for one day, a sample person. (it was awful) It seems like I am forgetting something, but It is late and I can't think of it.

Anyhow, I can't think of anything that really want to do at this point. I have to be home before the kids get home, though. I remember as a kid, whenever any one of us would come home, we would walk in the door and shout, "MOM??" she would usually holler back, "In here" and that was it. We didn't always go to see or talk to her, we just knew she was there and that was good. I know it is a bit old fashioned or silly or whatever, but I want that for my girls.

Option three: Go back to school and get a new degree. This one sounds so fun to me, except for the part where I have to choose a degree. I think I could be one of those life long students that never really finish school because they take every class under the sun. I never did that the first time around, I was too busy being responsible and stupid. (I didn't take the fun classes because they didn't seem "smart" enough) Sometimes I think I would like to go to nursing school, then one of my kids throws up and I realize I don't like other people's bodily fluids (or solids). Every time I get a facial I think I would like to be a master estitician, then I remember you have to touch people's feet. I think I would like to be something where I can be in charge. I would love to start my own business of some sort or another, I just think the risk is a bit much for me to handle (closet control freak...) I do know that I need to choose something where I can create... I have a physical need for it. I can definitely rule out teaching (ugh) and anything that requires me to take stats again ( I have no idea how I passed that one). And definitely no receptioning for me anymore...But I would love to be a student again! (aslo, after reading this, I think english major is out...)

or

Option four: Have another baby. This one is hard. I haven't changed a diaper in over 2 1/2 years. I don't remember what to do with a baby, really. I like sleeping through the night and it makes me cranky when I don't. I don't have a car seat or stroller anymore. I don't carry a diaper bag or anything big enough to even hold one diaper. I am a crazy pregnant person. I am an even crazier after pregnant person. But still, it is an option, and it ought to be on the list. And our babies are really cute.

So, now that I have laid it all out here, which way will I choose? I still have no idea. I

Phew. Right now option one is looking might tasty. Maybe that is because it is an hour past my bedtime and I am so very tired......

Happy Puke Year!

Guess who pulled an all nighter??! We did! At least the adults. The girls slept intermittently, just not at the same time. They took turns being sick, and at one point it just started being funny (to me....My man never got to the point where he could find the humor...) What a way to start off the new year (or Puke year, as we started to call it sometime around 4 am)
Today, instead of the planned sledding, we are trying to catch some naps and doing laundry.





Lots and lots of laundry.