OK..a little pouting.

But I am trying not to let myself get dragged down into the muck. Soccer was fun....the kids played their butts off. It was much warmer than I thought it was going be. My wind-damaged umbrella isn't going to last much longer.

Highlights o' the day are lame:

• It's "Nacho Sunday!"
• Scott got the dvd for Weeds: Season 3!
• Lovin' Diana's new tattoo!!!!
  

I Am Tired Of Pouting!

I guess a brief sabbatical was all I needed to see the world from a slightly different perspective. If there is one thing I have learned over the past 6 months it is that there are just something things over which you have no control....no matter how badly you want it. So...the pity party is over for now (but I do reserve the right to bust out the pity party without any notice).

So we have had this tree dying in the front yard for about 4 years. Each year it gets a little worse. This year it is, for the most part, a goner. Our neighbors were having some tree trimming done and their tree dude made me an offer I couldn't refuse. So now my house looks naked! This gives me yet another project for spring.....what to put in the empty space. I have some scraping and painting to do around the garage and sunroom in Ocotber. Then I am going to paint OVER the wallpaper in the house. I know....I know....you are probably screaming "Don't Do It!!!!!" Well, I am going to. We have been here 8 years and "no one" has bothered to help me get the REALLY high areas figured out. So painting it will be! I mean c'mon.....it can't look much worse!

And yes...there actually were some highlights o' the day:

• talked to an old friend and that brightened my day
• made some new computerized artwork for my bedroom wall (nothing fancy...just some wise words of wisdom)
• getting ready to make valances for my bedroom out of my favorite Longaberger fabric (I'll post pics when it's done. It will brighten things up a bit!
  

I am on a blog-free sabbatical. My life has gotten completely crazy and close to unmanageable. When things become straightened out and settled, I will be back to share. Hugs to you!

I've got a fever and the only prescription is......More Cowbell!

Today was one of those days that I thought was going to be relaxing, productive and enjoyable. WRONGO! I did manage to get a pot of coffee brewed. The kids kind of got themselves to the bus stop. I had planned a little housework, some soccer planning and relaxing Di-time. That's not how things worked out. I spent most of my day working on soccer stuff. The uniforms are still unfinished...the game times I was given are wrong...and I had to send out email to the parents. I knew there would be repercussions. I finally managed to get out of my nightgown and into the shower before 4. I had a meeting at 5 and another at 6:30. Paul helped me out by meeting with the uniform guy to pick up our missing gear. I didn't get home until after 9:30 only to discover I had to go to the grocery store to get a lunch together for Alex's fieldtrip. After packing the lunch I checked my email and sure enough, there were displeased soccer parents. My head, by this point, was thobbing. ENOUGH ALREADY! BUT.....I have managed to come up with......

Highlights O' The Day:

• I made caramel custards....delectible!
• I baked bacon & swiss mini crustless quiches
• I picked up an iced s.f vanilla soy latte....two down, one to go!
• I laughed my a$$ off watching these clips I gotta have more cowbell! and Will Ferrell Montage
  

Still Holding!

This must be some sort of world record....one Starbuck's latte so far this week! Keep in mind, I drink allot of coffee at all hours of the day and night. So for me, this is a gargantuan accomplishment! I am making my own....quite delish! Hot AND cold. Yesterday was an iced s.f.caramel soy latte. A nice change from mocha and vanilla. And the ice cream making is coming along quite nicely....cookies-n-cream this afternoon (s.f. Oreos!) I know...I sound obsessed with lattes and ice cream. But gee Wally, they are so good!

Today's Bright Moments:

• The weather is gorgeous today...nice a cool....sunny with a slight breeze!
• I got out my favorite pair of jeans to wear....and they fit just right!
• Hugs from my wonderfully amazing children!
• Getting my CPR renewal out of the way (and yes, I passed again and can now go out and continue to save the world....lol)

I had a great quote o' the day from the infamous Bobby Brown, but lost it. It was a classic!

One Down...Two To Go

It's Tuesday and I finally broke down and gave in to temptation. Starbuck's. Mmmmmmm.......it was delightful, heaven in a cup, total bliss! Grande, sugar-free vanilla, soy latte. Scott G. and I stopped on the way back from Indy after totally earning a treat! We had an exhausting run earlier in the evening (but cool) and then had to take a transport WAY up north. And the best part...I still have two more lattes left for the week! Yeah me!

Daily Highlights:

• Being exhausted to the point of giddiness and getting to watch part of Talledega Nights. That movie is SO wrong in so many ways! I love it and am still giggling.
• Getting to hug my boys before sending them off to school. I miss saying goodnight and tucking them into bed on work-nights.
• Sleep! Or so I hope.....off to bed I go!

Thought for the day....The important thing is to accept the struggles as a part of the beauty of life, not as blemishes on it.

You Know I Love It But.....

Aaaaahhh.....my Starbuck's dilemma. I love it....more than love it. I need it, crave it, lust after it, desire it, gotta have it! As I am driving down the road, my car automatically veers towards the nearest store. I have no control over it....the car has a mind of its own. Even when we are coming back from a run to Indy in the wee hours o' the night I find that the ambulance does the exact same thing! Go figure!!!!! That round, green and white illuminated sign is like a beacon in the night....guiding me toward it. Yes, it's yet another addiction. But geeze o'pete, it's costly! I have a reloadable Starbuck's gift card which gives me free soy milk and flavorings when I use it. I put a certain amt. on each pay day and tell myself that I will only spend THAT much for the next two weeks. HA!!!!! That never happens. But using that card does drop my price a bit (notice the wussy attempt justification there?). But I am still spending ALLOT of dinero to get my daily/weekly fix.

A solution? I have the technology! Well, in this case the gadgets and ingredients to make my own lattes/cappuccinos (and btw....they DO rock!). I have an espresso/cappucinno maker, a huge variety of flavored, sugar-free syrups, soy milk, clear plastic cups WITH lids (almsot like the REAL thing) and groovy straws. I even have ice for those days when only an iced latte will do the trick. lol So my goal for the week? Good question.....I think purchasing three lattes from the BUX (as I affectionatly refer to it) is a good starting place. Not too lofty of a goal....but enough to get me through. Think I can do it? Well, do ya? And BE HONEST!!!!!

Hey! It's Friday!

Silly me! I had forgotten what day it was! OK....you have to check out SARK. She writes the best stuff....feel-good stuff. When I read it, it makes me feel emotionally lighter....happy, even! She has a newsletter that is so fun to read. And she gives lectures all over the country. I so want to go!!!! She just rocks! I think I have 3 of her books....one is a cute little daily activity "motivational" type book. Sometimes I do the activity...sometimes not. Just depends on my mood.

I have not made any ice cream today, but my second freezer bowl arrived yesterday, so I can make protein ice cream for myself and regular custom-made stuff for the kids. I am envisioning gummy worms, sour patch kids, m&m's....you name it, we'll make it! I know....I am totally obsessed. But hey....that's just the kinda girl I am!!!!! ;-)

The Ice Cream Obsession

Yes, the protein ice cream is becoming an obsession. Thankfully, it is very healthy! It contains a minimum of 40 grams of protein. I consider it a meal and my daily protein allowance. Since I have been back to work I've not been eating on a regular schedule and find that by the end of the day I have forgotten to eat a meal. So this kinda covers me. I've made Pistachio, Mixed Berry Cheesecake, Chocolate Peanut Butter cup and Espresso. A lemony one is next on my list. Yummy! I am still keeping up with the lattes though...lol (homemade AND Starbuck's). BTW....did you see the Starbuck's oatmeal????? It looks SO good! I will have to check out the nutritional info on that. How cool would it be to have a latte and delicious oatmeal? WAY!

Soccer is getting ready to begin for Scotty. He has 2 games on Saturday in Indy. We are still awaiting jerseys..the whole club is. What a disaster! But they have been promised for tomorrow night. Cutting it a little close, aren't we??!?!?!??! Alex will have his second game on Sunday. I'll take pictures so you can see the little atheletes in action!

Happy 40th Birthday, Paul!

Happy Birthday to you....happy birthday to you...happy birthday dear Paul.....happy birthday to you!

Yes, you finally caught up to my 40 years! We are worse for wear but still hanging in there. Of course there will be yellow cake with chocolate icing (is there any other kind of cake for you? And double chocolate brownie ice cream). Maybe your gift will actually arrive before you turn 41! lol

Happy Birthday!