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Showing posts from March, 2014

Come Join Me At Turn It Up Tuesday! I'm Co-Hosting

Welcome to the 28th week of Turn It Up Tuesday! Thanks so much to my fellow hosts and our March team and to all of you for making every week so successful! And welcome our April team this week! As you may know, Turn It Up Tuesdays is all about being happy, excited, energetic...and having fun! Link up your favorite posts and meet some awesome bloggers in return! Link up your funny stories, DIY posts, recipes, mommy moments -- anything at all, as long as it is family-friendly. We want to laugh, be entertained, be inspired, and have a good time! Welcome the lovely ladies of Turn It Up Tuesday! And welcome our awesome guest hosts! Interested in co-hosting? If you are interested, please complete this form . Monthly co-hosts will be chosen on a first come first-serve basis. We're now accepting co-hosts for October & November. Co-hosts will receive free ad space on Epic Mommy Adventures for 60 days! Here are the Featured posts from last week! Cathy chose C

Watch That First Step! It's A Doozy!

 It's Spring Break for us in the Pacific Northwest so that puts my skills as Activities Director in high gear.  Today was a trip to Multnomah Falls with a planned hike to the top - 620 ft. up, up and away.  Let's go! Katie and I are as ready as we'll ever be.   After taking this picture we looked at the foot bridge awhile and it seemed odd.  Katie said "There are no people on it?"  I thought we timed things perfectly and arrived before the afternoon rush.  Katie was so excited she ran ahead of me on the first trail, a 1/4 hike.  Good for you Katie.  You go run.  I will walk at a pace which keeps my panting at a socially acceptable level and not alarm others that I might need an oxygen mask. When we got closer to the foot bridge we saw metal fencing blocking the entrance.  What gives?  Well... this is what gives -  On January 9th, 2014 a falling rock damaged the Simon Benson foot bridge requiring it to be closed.  (Can you i

Oops! I Did It Again

I'm participating in Mama Kat's (pretty much world famous) Writer's Workshop . My chosen prompt:   Something that is a challenge for you. My memory. I've discovered that what they say about your memory during menopause is true - your brain decides to go elsewhere when you are trying to recall a name, a detail, or directions.   It's almost like having "mommy brain" again only you don't get as much sympathy, you don't have little children crawling on you as excuses for your lack of brain function, just hot flashes and blank stares.  Not as cute. While watching CBS Sunday Morning with my husband Rob there was a segment on people in the Entertainment industry that had passed in 2013.  One of my favorite channels is Turner Classic Movies and on the screen was a photo of Joan Fontaine.   When she passed in December TCM honored her by featuring her movies (have you seen "Rebecca"?  Wow!  If you haven't seen it, you should!) an

Trying To Keep It Clean Here People!

My 13 year old daughter Lily was given the natural gift of being a talented artist.  She is incredible with her pencil and pen drawings, specializing in Anime styles.  Since she was 10 her talent has really shown and I've offered to sign her up for art classes that I thought would help her talent grow only to be met with the response "No thanks Mom.  Why should I take a class where someone will be trying to change how I draw?  I know what I'm doing."  Um. Well, point taken. Lily - circa 2013 Lily - circa 2013 This year our public school's were able to have Art Class and she was actually excited about this, which was a surprise.  (What happened to the "No one's gonna teach me how to draw!" mentality?).  She brought out her Art Class sketch book during dinner last night and I felt completely immature for what my eyes were seeing and how hard I was stifling my laugh.  Yes, I may be a mid-Forties momma but, my spirit tends to lean toward that

Don't Even Think Of It

When Was The Last Time You Said Something Nice?

When was the last time you said something nice... about yourself? There are things that I have done that have me shaking my head and wondering if I was possessed at the time.  There's no WAY I would behave like that?  Nope. Not me.   Well, the truth is I did behave that way, or say those things, or whatever that has me incredibly grateful that cell. phones weren't around!  Now, my idea of what's bad may seem incredibly tame to others but that's not the point.  There are times when a memory will flash through my mind and I just think, 'What the hell?'  and I get mad at myself for being so stupid.  I need to stop that. It's time for me to replace my feelings of stupidity and embarrassment with the question 'What was I learning?'   (The first answer, obviously - don't do that again! ;-> ) Do you put yourself down for things you've done?  Do you beat yourself up when your choices turn out to be the wrong way to go?

When Too Much Is Too Much

It's Thursday - of course I'm taking part in Mama Kat's (pretty much World famous) Writer's Workshop . My chosen writing prompt:  4.)  Something You Have Too Much Of I started to let my anxiety and low self-esteem take over my mind this morning.  I really didn't want to feel that way so I fought to keep these emotions at bay and I fought hard.  It's been 3 hours now and, so far so good.  What did I do?  Let's see... I forced myself to smile.  Sometimes it turned into a slight grin, but a smile is what it was. Recently it came to my attention that I am the heaviest I've ever been (not counting pregnancies) and although I never-want-to-eat-again! I made myself one scrambled egg, added a dash of cayenne pepper (it helps speed metabolism), a couple of spoonfuls of salsa and topped it with shredded kale.  Some protein, a healthy veggie = my stomach is full and my mind is at peace, no guilt. Our financial situation will be changing i

Checking On The Garden - Wordless Wednesday

Spring is almost here!  Yay!!! Checking on what's sprouting in the garden with Benny. He recovered so nicely from the 4 lb. bag of M&M's he ate on Christmas Eve.   Buds are appearing on our trees and the cherry blossoms are becoming full.  The first flowers of the season to show their pretty faces in our garden are the mini daffodils. It's been way too cold and wet in the Pacific Northwest to plant anything yet, however our hearty rhubarb stays strong year after year.  (And I have a terrific Strawberry Rhubarb pie recipe.  Can't wait for these stalks to grow!) Considering how many seed packets we have, this Spring and Summer should be very busy in our garden.  I can't wait!  Are a gardener?  Or, do you love to enjoy the efforts of a gardeners work?  (I'm a little of both.) I'm taking part in Wordless Wednesday at Tales of a Pee Dee Mama .  Join us by adding your blog link! :->

Can You Make Someone Want To Stay?

I try so hard not to get upset at my dad.  My grumpy ol' man dad.  I take my mind to what he has been going through these past 3 years and I get why he's mad.  I just wish that what my sister, my mother and I have been trying to do to help him through, to help him find some happiness, would work but it doesn't seem like our efforts are working.  I haven't had my life, and livelihood, taken away from me.  I can't relate to him on that level.  I can only listen and watch him process what's going on. 3 1/2 years ago my dad's wife (not my mother) passed away during an operation.  One morning my dad is taking time off of his job to take his wife to the hospital for a procedure that will place a stent in her heart.  That afternoon my dad's wife is dead and he is on a downward spiral with his own health that will make it impossible for him to work - which is not easy for a classic "work-aholic".  And, in 3 months time, he is told that he also

Is This Considered EavesDropping?

Taking part in Mama Kat's (pretty much World famous) Writer's Workshop. My chosen prompt:   7 Things You Overheard This Week . We hosted an Oscar party last Sunday and my daughter was concerned that an open window was too chilly for my mother:  Katie asked, "Grandma, are you cold?" My mom replied, "Oh Honey, I haven't been cold since 1986." My mom and dad, divorced for over 30 years, have remained friends throughout.  Recent developments have made the parts we play in his life very significant and my mom has noticed a change in his attitude.  Over lunch the other day my mom asked,  "Ron, when did you get this appreciation for women?"  He said, "When I got sick and needed help and all of my help was coming from women - smart, capable women.  I can't believe it took me so long." "Katie. Katie. Katie. Katie. Katie. Katie."   My 13 y/o daughter Lily trying to get her 16 y/o big sister's attention. Whi

Did Someone Say 'Pancakes'? - Wordless Wednesday

L. to R.:  Kyla - Lily - Katie March 4, 2014 was National Pancake Day.  IHop was providing a free short stack and asked all visitors to consider leaving a donation to the Children's Miracle Network.  All proceeds went to our designated local charity in Portland, OR - Doernbecher Children's Hospital. It was a fun, and tasty way, to spend time together, and raise money for those that need it most. Did you participate in National Pancake Day too? I'm participating in Wordless Wednesday at Tales of a Pee Dee Mama .  Join us!

I Have A Crazy Idea For A Neck Pillow

Last night I had a dream - Snow had been falling for hours and when it stopped I went outside for a walk.  All around me I saw squirrel's coupling up and kissing.  They would stand on their hind legs, put their front "arms" around each other and have a little smooch with their little lips.  Down the street I walked and more and more squirrels were kissing.  Kissing squirrels!  All over the place! I sat down in the snow and animals started coming near me, sitting on my lap, resting on my arm, snuggling.  Bluejays, chickadees and those darn kissing squirrels.  I soon felt a soft, furry coziness happening around my neck and I kept thinking 'I should be talking a picture!  Why isn't anyone around to take a picture?!'  I felt like a Disney princess with my gathering of forest creatures.  I kept waiting for a song. Being curious about this furry creature around my neck, I slowly looked to my right shoulder to see a fluffy tail, a black tail with a big whit