Instead of Work

It is currently 9:15 pm on a Monday night and my bed doesn't have sheets on it.

Tim just got over a horrible cold and so I stripped our bed and gave it the "treatment".Vacuuming, extreme airing out, washing of the mattress cover, the usual.

I should be up making it so we can get in it and sleep, but I started looking at pictures and realized how much I like the shots my husband gets.

From 6'6" off the ground, perspective is different, and the above picture is a fabulous example.

Also, one should feel compelled to stop and really enjoy Violet's toes in this shot.

Cute enough to eat, I'd say.

There is also a nagging mess in the kitchen that may ultimately require the local Haz-Mat team. Between my innate clumsiness, Violet's desire to share a third of all her meals with her dog, Gunner, and said dogs' desire to play with rocks in a mudhole........it ain't pretty.

Tim recently got me some photo editing software and I now have the Power of Grayskull, or just the ability to tweak my colors and contrast, which is still empowering.

I think I still need a big green tiger to feel whole as a woman though.

We had a great display of fireworks here for the 4th after Violet went down.

We only did 5 fountains, seriously, only 5. We were still just as amused as we would have been at the feet of Lady Liberty. Having children makes you that way. Hot meals, naps, 5 fountains on the 4th, these all become elusive and sought after mirages in your daily life.

The spent carcasses of those glorious symbols of our entertainment are still laying out in the yard. I swear I'm going to get out there and pick them up, soonish.

Yet another example of Tim's shots. Only he could get this close to the top of the flag on our house. It rained off and on the day of the 4th. Tim was in and out, tending to Old Glory to keep her dry. I then tended to her with the color saturation feature of my new software.

All while my piles of laundry taunt me with their collective smelliness and grime. Good thing I don't really scare easily.



My sister took this picture last week.
I can see at least 15 things about this shot I love, but the collective whole.......sigh.
You know how every so often in life you realize that you will never forget a certain moment you are experiencing? This picture is like that to me. I know that every time I look at it, I will get that felling of being in a moment I will never forget.





I seem to be running low on things to say, at last.
I am now off to check my sleeping angel, make my bed, check my angel one last time, and then climb into bed and kiss my husband goodnight.
I hope you are all about to experience a moment you will never forget, and that your housework is not haunting you while you do it. I know mine won't.

Little Helper

Here is a delicious little morsel for you to chew on this Fourth of July weekend.

First of all, forgive me for my commentary. I was eating dinner while filming this....nuff said.

Also, have a glorious, safe, and Blessed 4th.

I am always so grateful to live in this nation everyday, but especially on this day. I always stop to think of all the many men and women who have given their lives so that we can live, multiply and prosper in freedom. I remind myself that freedom never was and still is not free. It was purchased at a very high price, and it is still being paid for.

God Bless all of you have helped pay for our freedom, those who still do, and especially those left to grieve the ones who paid the highest price.

Heavy words. Maybe just watch the video again.

That wee one is enjoying her freedom!!

The Ring......Again

My sister came over yesterday for a mani and pedi.

While I was painting her nails her signature red you see here, I had to stop 57 times to stare at her ring. She has tiny hands, and she got her ring sized down, so it looks even bigger now!

I never knew how much I would actually like a solitaire!!

I might be a little jealous, but I would never admit that.....

Mostly I am still just so happy for them!!

I Hear Wedding Bells

Here is the official, bright and shiny, hot off the press announcement:

Josh and Kimmy are engaged!!!!

And could they be cuter?!?!?!

I doubt it.

Here is the story, as told to me by Josh and Kimmy, and now relayed to you:

They love to hike, bike, sweat, be sore and face near injury on a regular basis. Over this last weekend, they hiked Raspberry Mountain, which is about an 8 mile hike.

They also told me this hike is "their" hike.

Kimmy likes to have a snack at the top of the mountain and when they arrived, Josh offered her a marriage proposal instead of a snack.

She of course accepted.
Good alternative to a snack anytime, in my opinion.

Josh told my sister he knew he wanted to marry her after spending Thanksgiving with our family. Why that is exactly I do not know, but we all adore him.

We went and did an impromptu photo shoot by their house the evening after the proposal.

Gunner and Violet accompanied us.

It was a lovely, loving, lovable, kissable time.

And Josh is definitely a Geek, as his shirt would imply.

I can remember when Kimmy was about 12 she would run around telling everyone she was going to marry a geek or nerd someday.

"Because they are smart!"

Guess she was on to something.

Violet approves of her new Uncle Geek, er, Josh, and the new ring.

And it is a lovely ring.






1.23 carat round cut solitaire in white gold.
Good job, Josh. I'd say you are off on the right foot.
And I know I speak for our whole family, as well as those who know and love Kimmy,
when I say,
We are so happy for both of you. Josh will be a great husband, as well as a welcome addition to our brood of nuts. I know you two will only grow to love each other with each passing day and year, and that is a true Blessing.



And to all of you out there, as soon as I have any info on the upcoming nuptials, so will you.

Just a Little Teaser

Big news is coming!!!!

Hint: it does NOT involve me or my uterus.

Thank you.

I Love TV

I once told my husband we would eat Spam at every meal before I would shut off my cable TV.

I have DVR, and I have lost countless hours of my life to reality programming.

Though I most certainly watch far less TV than I used to, it's the first thing I do if I have some time to myself.

I just want you to know this before I tell you that this is the exact same face I make when I take hold of the remote.

Almost maniacal ain't it?

Help Me Understand

How does this tiny little thing become this so fast:

Also, while you're at it, maybe you can help me understand why the total destruction and chaos seen in the background is somehow growing on me.
Is it the new art nouveau?
Baby chic decor?
I think it says something......