Can't Out-Smart Them!

Am I ready for school to begin?  Maybe ;->

Ghosts In The Machine

As we go through another phase of our lives we find ourselves searching for a new family car.  The ol' Dodge Grand Caravan has paid it's dues, taken us on many trips, and is now ready to retire.  It didn't ask us if we were ready for it to go, the little weasel. If it had I would have said, 'That doesn't work for me.'  But alas, I'm not able to use my Oprah wisdom on machinery.  So on we go, in search of a free car. ;->

Currently we've found another Caravan and it's clean and all (no dog hair, yet) but my heart just isn't in it.  It's the same year as our broken van yet it has crank windows, no head rests for the passengers in the back and only 3 doors.  This is a van remember, 3 doors is a bit inconvenient.  But I'm thinking, beggars can't be choosers so I'll move on.

We were given the incredible, generous option of driving this car for the weekend to see if it would work for us and while I was driving this car home I turned on the radio.  When I tuned into my favorite station what song should be playing?  The Rolling Stones "You Can't Always Get What You Want".

I kid you not.

Night And Day

I can not believe the differences in my children's personalities.  They were created by the same parents.  They are only 3 years apart in age.  I believe we've shown them the same love and attention.  However, the way they handle situations is approached by completely different attitudes.  Amazing.

One has always challenged me at every step, the other has been consistently more cooperative.  I've talked and talked with both of them through out their lives.  My conversations and actions are accepted so much easier by one of my children, while I can almost guarantee I will be challenged by the other.  Their ages haven't made one bit of difference.  They are who they are.

I try to keep a sense of humor about this strong personality.  She's definitely taught me a thing or two (or two hundred!) about myself.  And for that I'm grateful.  And... incredibly exhausted.

The Countdown To This School Year

Teacher assignments arrived in the mail yesterday. It's so fun listening to my daughter on the phone saying "Who'd you get?" over and over.  I remember that experience so clearly, although it was many, many, MANY moons ago. 

I hope this year works out.  8th grade for my oldest, 5th grade for my youngest.  There's been so much drama this summer I'm anxious for the school year! Girls are so mean.  From what I understand of boys they just wrestle, or hit, then it's over and done with.  They grunt at each other, nod their heads, then go get something to eat.  Girls?!  Oh geez, we just talk so damn much, and tend to make up things just to make sure our "story" has your attention, we keep getting ourselves in deeper and deeper with the needless drama!

Ugh.

Must stay positive. Think positive. That's my mantra.

Mama Bears Unite!

Denim!

Target has joined ranks with great Back-To-School commercial champ Staples ("It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year").  Love this

Denim.  Of course

Virtual Girls Night Out - Being The One In Charge Stinks!

Oh, right, it's Friday and that means I need to get the Virtual Girls Night Out going.

I really need to update this button - it's back to Fridays, thank you very much!

It's been such a weird week.  You know when you have parenting moments that you thought would happen "later" but then something comes up and that "later" becomes "now" and you panic because you realize time is going by so-o-o-o flippin' fast and then you wonder if you've screwed everything up because a situation you thought your child knew better than to get themselves into has happened and you doubt their future, your future of parenting and everything in between?  (I need to take a breath...  *1*2*3* sigh *... doing a little better now.)

Oh boy, let's get this VGNO going!


*The Virtual Girls Night Out is for those that don't have a chance to truly get out of the house but still want to "hang with their friends". So, make yourself a cocktail, put on something cozy "what-ever's" and have fun. Leave a comment to let us know you stopped by. We'll do the same and say "Happy VGNO!"*

Time For Some Tunes! 

Mat Kearney "Hey Mama"

Make sure you get that clapping down! ;->

Time For A Cocktail!


Joyful Bull
(For whatever reason, this title just speaks to me this week)

Ingredients:
Coffee
1 Shot Tequila
1 Shot Kahlua
1 Splash Tia Maria
Top With Whipped Cream
Directions:
Fill mug 2/3 full with coffee. Add Tequila, Kahlua and Tia Maria.Stir. Top with whipped cream. Garnish with cherry or mint.

I'm up for this! Most likely a couple of these. Cheers!

Time For A Party Game!

You know what?  That would be really nice, but I don't have one.  Sorry.  I remember when I was doing meme's and different kind of games every week and I just haven't done that lately.  Maybe my spirits will change once my girls go back to school.  (We still have about 2 1/2 weeks of summer vacation.)  I don't know.  We'll see how it goes.

I will keep you posted on the Traveling Heart-Shaped Rock once Mary from Kyooty Center is able to get a pic.  It's still going!  That's the good news :->

Alright blog pals, I need a mental health break from this Parenthood.  Is that even possible?  No, not the way my brain works.  OK then, I'll just party at the Virtual Girls Night Out and be happy that I have fantastic blog buddies like you.  Cheers!

Not Prepared

Had the wind knocked out of my sails last night.

I'm not sure how I can share the experience here.

Just when you think you know your 13 year old... you find out there's more.

Ugh

Virtual Girls Night Out - Peace Baby!

* Just a reminder-The Virtual Girls Night Out is back on Fridays! I need to change my button :-> *

Well, my 13 year old returns from her week-long Camp Fire camp tomorrow afternoon, only to rest for a bit and be on her way to another week-long camp on Sunday.  Ah youth!  It's definitely different in our house without her here.  I miss her!  Well, lets forge ahead and get going with our Virtual Girls Night Out!

*The Virtual Girls Night Out is for those that don't have a chance to truly get out of the house but still want to "hang with their friends". So, make yourself a cocktail, put on something cozy "what-ever's" and have fun. Leave a comment to let us know you stopped by. We'll do the same and say "Happy VGNO!"

Time For Some Tunes!


Matisyahu "One Day"

Time For A Cocktail!

World Peace
Ingredients:

1 1/2 oz Bombay Sapphire® gin
1/2 oz fresh lemon juice
1 splash elderflower syrup
2 drops Blue Curacao liqueur
2 drops almond syrup

Directions:

Place all the liquid ingredients in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake well, and strain into a chilled martini glass.

Elderflower syrup?  How interesting.  Almond syrup?  Lovely in a cocktail!!!  Cheers and Peace!

Time For The Traveling Heart-Shaped Rock Update! 


Well, our little gem has made it to it's second destination with Mary at the blog Kyooty Center in New Brunswick, Canada (no picture yet, but soon!) and will be setting off to its third stop with Tracie at the blog From Tracie in Florida.  Our heart-shaped rock is right on track with 24 stops so far.  Would you like to take part in this blog hopping photo project and get on the list?  Please click HERE for all the info. :->


Well, well my blog friends, cheers to you and have a wonderful Virtual Girls Night Out!  

30 Days About Me: Day 9 - Something That Makes Your Life Easier

Here we go with "catch-up" again.

~~~ Day 9: Something That Makes Your Life Easier~~~

My first impulse was to mention an appliance, or some kind of machine.  (Let's say, when my car is working!  That's pretty great!).  However, I'm going in a different direction with my answer and I'm going to say something that makes my life easier is my husband, Rob.

I am so grateful that I am not in the job of Parenthood alone and I am not in this land of Holy Matrimony alone, either.  Rob is involved, attentive and available.  Talking isn't his strong suit (I'm writing this as if he's reading it so none of this is a surprise ;-> ), but he will listen, he will cooperate and he will help.  Having Rob in my life makes my life easier.

~~~ Day 10:  Then & Now~~~

Let's see... I'm at a loss because my current laptop only has pics from 1999 to current.  Here's a pic when my house was pink (my 10 y/o still wishes it was) and my oldest was two:

The trees have grown up and out a lot since then (kind of like me - wait not up, just out... hey! I'm workin' on it!).  For the now:

Here's a fuzzy picture of me while on vacation 2 weeks ago, doing a group "Cheers" with our S'Mores.  And that little head from the picture up above?  That's the tall 13 y/o in the middle of this picture :->;

And that brings us to

~~~ Day 11: Favorite Artist or Band~~~


It's U2.

The first (and only) time I've seen this group was in the very beginning when they were on tour for the War album in 1983.  (Were some of you even born yet??).  It was in a small-ish venue (by their current standards) in Portland, OR  and Bono was climbing up the walls, literally.  It wasn't even my choice to go, but my friends wanted to go, and I liked a boy that was going... and so on and so on and so on.

When music affects you, there's no mistaking that feeling.  You think 'Finally, THIS is what I want to hear.' You soar. You dance. You dream.  You feel happy or sad, or both.  It's the best.

So there we are, all caught up for 30 Days About Me... Join us over at "A Daily Dose of Toni"