Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Paul's 44th Birthday Dinner

ANOTHER BIRTHDAY....

SPENDING TIME WITH GIANT BROTHER ADAM

WHERE'S THE CAKE...WHERE'S THE CAKE...?

MADDIE..PAUL...TAYLOR

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Wanna Save Some Money?

So while I was sitting in various doctor offices yesterday I got to read a lot of magazines. I did find a cool article with some way cool website that offer discounts and promo codes for online orders.

The next time you order something from any place on line check these sights out:

promotionalcodes.com
Ebates.com
redplum.com
retailmenot.com
freeshipping.org

Now I haven't personally tried out all of these sites...but I did order something today and saved 10% on one site, and got free shipping on another which saved me about $16 bucks on an online order I had holding in a basket.

So go and buy something...right now!

Monday, March 29, 2010

Agressive Buyer Wishing to Purchase the Following...

Wanted....size 7 men's shoes.
Mud, sewer and water resistant.
Durable shoe laces that can double as a sling shot or handcuffs for little sister.
Oder repellent.
Antibacterial.
Invisible shoe prints for cleaner cars and carpets.



Jack took Gavin for a walk...can you tell?

Sunday, March 28, 2010

Saturday, March 27, 2010

An OCD moment...

Last night my sister and I found out we share a common disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder. We laughed about curing irons, stoves, space heaters, and garage doors.

I confessed to her that in the past I have gone back home from work to make sure I turned off the iron. I've called security at the bank to make sure I turned off my heater after hours. When I get up in the middle of the night I will make sure that every single door is locked, .... one more time.

My good friend is celebrating her daughter's birthday tomorrow. She is using my bank's conference center for the event. As I am the keeper the the Conference Center keys...I told my friend I would be happy to get the keys for her.

On Friday morning I was awoken by a nightmare. I dreamed that I forgot the keys in my desk. All the guest were arriving for the party, and there wasn't any way for us to get in. Needless to say when I got to work on Friday morning, I put the keys in my bag, and yes...I probably checked on them eight times during the day. As if the keys were going to grow legs and just walk out of my purse.

So today I can add a new OCD action to my list. Buying toilet paper in bulk. Yep... I went to Wal-mart and bought the 18 double roll pack, only to come home and find that I must have already done this last week. I can't even close the door to my linen closet.


P.S. Anyone need a roll of toilet paper?

Friday, March 26, 2010

Flash Back Friday 3rd Date



What I wrote in my journal about Date #3...right next to my Train Concert ticket on July 15, 2003 at 8:00 P.M. in the Murate Egyptian Room.....(ticket price $25).

Tonight was the reason behind the first two dates. Paul had asked me to the Train concert first. We both agreed we wanted to meet before the concert.

The people were worth the price of admission alone. We would pick someone out of the crowd and tell their life story to the other one as if we were their best friend, and we knew every single detail about them. Paul was really good at this! My favorite was of a little balding man who Paul said owned a little watch shop. He made up a lot more, and I can't remember all of it now.

For awhile tonight I was wondering to myself if Paul would just be a good friend. Then he looked at me. He has this gaze as if he were inviting me to look inside. I can't recall anyone ever inviting me to see who they really are. It is a comforting feeling.

Then when the night came to an end and it was time to go, there was a place inside me that started to tighten, almost ache. I missed him, and he hadn't even said good-bye.

He showed me pictures of his kids that he kept in his car of Taylor and Adam.

When I got home I called him, just to thank him for such a great time. We talked another hour, and laughed. He really makes me laugh.

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Say Cheese...



There is always one in the bunch! This really does not qualify for awkward family photos, but if you would like to see some click here.

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Hung-over or Heartbroken


Yesterday ended badly. Then the day was done, and so was the damage. I wanted to sleep and could not. I moved from bed to bed, then to the sofa trying to get comfortable. I try to watch a movie. I sipped some wine, drank some tea, and ate an ice-cream sandwich. I read for awhile, but after reading the same page three times I gave up. I surfed the net. I went and sat outside for awhile with the dog.

I sat in the darkness waiting for sleep to come. I turned away from the clock that seemed to be shouting the time and told myself not to look, and wished for my brain to stop replaying words and events in my head. Sometime after 4am I feel asleep.

My husband on the other hand indulged himself in good beer, and some of my wine and was feeling no pain (Payne). For this I found myself jealous that he was out cold, and all I could do was listen to him snore. This only made the red on my alarm clock seem brighter.

So there we were, one hung over and the other heartbroken when the alarm went off at 5:30 am. We both talked about calling in. How delicious an idea to spend the day in bed together (since we are without kids) and maybe help each other feel a little better from our personal woes.

However, being the responsible adults we are, we crawled our wrecked bodies out of bed and took ourselves to work.

As for my sorrow I am crossing my fingers that things will work out, but sometimes nothing that you do is the right thing. I could always take Paul’s approach and indulge in some adult beverages, but then tomorrow I would wake up with both a hangover and a heartache. But if I had to pick one, I would choose a hangover over a heartache any day! Sweet Dreams!

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Welcome to Meet You...




Macey has gotten the entire "Nice to Meet You" expression wrong. It's now "Welcome to Meet you" in our house.

Monday, March 22, 2010

Pouting...



I wished that pouting still worked for me now that I am much older!

Saturday, March 20, 2010

Day Trip to Cincinnati

Since it was the 1st day of Spring Break for the kids, and Paul was off of work we got away. Just to Cincinnati. We shopped at IKEA for mom, Jungle Jim's for Gavin, Park for Macey and the Party Source for Paul.



It is an international market so you see all kinds of things there that you just wouldn't believe. Kangaroo meat? Really! Gavin couldn't believe the things we saw!



We almost bought this gum for my friend Doreena that actually eats bologna sandwiches for lunch.



This little piggy really did go to the market!
And my kids kept trying to pick its nose and poke out its eyes.
If you want to see what people do with the pig's head, click here.



Tired of that boring Hamburger Helper...why not try it with Rattle Snake?

We all picked something out. I found my favorite Whoopie Pies! Gavin got a pickle from one of the many bins of them to choose from. Macey got some candy, and Paul got some beer.

Friday, March 19, 2010

Flash Back Friday - 2nd Date



July 2003 - What I wrote in my journal about our 2nd date....

At the last second I invited Paul to Indy. He brought the rain, and I made him dinner. I decided if he could handle my cooking, and a house filled with kid toys and superhero's, then maybe he could handle anything I threw his way.

The night was so much more relaxed. It's great learning him. He seemed at ease and wanted to know so much about me. And lots of hugs were exchanged. He hugs good!

Paul talked about his kids, and the day they were born. It was sweet. You can tell he is in love with them!

After dinner we sat outside and watched the rain fall. We both love the rain. About 10 p.m. Paul got his umbrella out of his car, and we took a walk through New Pal. I so enjoyed his company. I remember walking on the bridge over the railroad tracks, watching the fireflies, and making a new friend. It was a content moment.

All the walks I had taken in the rain in honor of Paul, to be close to him. Finally, I had the real deal.

We laughed so hard, especially over a conversation about batteries. He left at midnight.

I am on such a high!


photo taken in Bridgeton...must have been before Macey, as look at that flat tummy! I wouldn't trade her for the world, or even that flat tummy.

Thursday, March 18, 2010

A Hello to Taylor

Hi Taylor, we love you...(stick out tongue. Taylor likes to stick out her tongue...but not her gum.)

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

It's St. Patricks Day...did you wear green?

Of course the kids wore their green today so they would be spared pinches from classmates. Gavin was glad to have his green sweatshirt that he wears everyday. His favorite color is green. St. Patricks Day or not, he always has the color on him! Still he wore his knee-less new pants, and untied shoes.

Macey had this outfit on earlier this week. I hope Stacy from what not to wear does not stumble upon this "fashinated" beauty...pink tutu's and zebra socks are not a go...ever! (Fashinated is Macey's own made up word for when she thinks she is pretty. She will ask me, "Mom, I look fashinated, don't I?"



So Happy St. Patrick's Day. May your pockets be heavy and your heart be light, may good luck pursue you each morning and night.

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Girl Friends

Gavin is showing off for them, and dreaming of ways to get one.....


Macey is just so glad she has them!

Sunday, March 14, 2010

Girls Rule



Hanging out in their fort....

Saturday, March 13, 2010

Our Dancing Queen....

Because sometimes ya just gotta dance, even if people are watching, with a camera!








Friday, March 12, 2010

Flash Back Friday - The Starting of US

When we were younger and cuter...



So here is what I wrote in my journal about Paul after our 1st date.... End of June 2003

After a few months of emailing, and a few quick phone conversations, we decided to finally meet face to face. (we actually found each other on eharmony) I think I will forever remember how nervous I felt. As anxious as I was to meet him, the fear to take this to the next step is overwhelming. The anticipation had me eating Tums all afternoon, and into the date.

We arranged to meet at Cheeseburger in Paradise. I got there first, thankfully, because I needed a drink. I was eyeing everyone at the bar trying to pick Paul out of the crowd. And there he was...I knew him when I saw him, walking across the parking lot. Instantly he made me smile, even before he saw me. I got up and gave him a hug. I felt as if I already knew him, a familiar friend. He didn't hug back much. Later he told me it was the most comforting part of the entire evening.

He was gorgeous. I was taller than him with my sisters heels on. Of course my sisters had to dress me for the occasion. He was wearing a blue shirt, that reflected the blue in his eyes. We were both nervous.

Our overly excited islander welcomed us to paradise. I became more comfortable, but still couldn't eat. I think I probably only ate two entire bites of my meal. He probably thinks I never eat.

We joked about the things we could make up about the other to our friends the next day at work. I decided on telling my friends he showed up to our date in his post office uniform, with black knee socks pulled all the way up(he was working at the post office at the time). And that he asked me to cut up his hamburger for him. He choose the silent treatment to his friends. I was going to tell all my friends that I felt as if I were on a date with Cliff from Cheers.

Paul kept nodding his head from side to side...I think he was nervous.

After dinner we drove downtown and went for a walk on the canal. When we were walking some people passed by and made me nervous. I don't know how Paul sensed my concern. "I've got your back" he told me, so calm, and then he touched me. I think I felt at that moment he could be trusted.

The ride home was quiet, later he told me that I intimidated him. He thought I wasn't interested.

At the end of the date Paul zipped out of my car as fast as he could "Thanks, I had a wonderful time." Then we went home and waited to see when the other would call...

He called me the next day. And life felt good!

Photo was taken in October 2003 at the River in Derby Indiana.

Thursday, March 11, 2010

A Heart Breaking Question...

I got an email today at work from Paul with the subject: "Macey broke my heart"

this is what he wrote...

We got in the car to get Gavin, she was singing her song from school, she stopped, and said "Daddy, will you wait for me in heaven?"

she is so precious.....

I told her I'd have dinner waiting on her and we didn't have to worry about that for a long long long long time....she giggled.


Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Welcome Warm Weather....

Sunshine, no rain, and 70...loving it!


Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Coloring

A poem my daughter likes from Amy Grant....

On rainy days my favorite things is a good friend beside me coloring. She might draw a wolf eating sheep while I will scribble and scratch and keep on wadding papers I throw to the floor. I'd like to draw something my friend would adore.



Would she like a birds nest with eggs, or a wrinkled pig with stubby legs? Of course she will say "you draw better than me." And I will think that she is blind and can't see.



I like her picture a lot more than mine. She got all the good crayons that I couldn't find. Leaving me black ones, brown and gray. colors that look a lot like this day.



But even so, my favorite things is a good friend beside me coloring. Amy Grant -

Monday, March 8, 2010

Game Night

Winner gets a kiss...

Saving for Boardwalk...

Man, Go to jail, go directly to jail do not pass go or collect $200...

Daddy's "Roller"....throw me doubles...

Who gets the Jack?