To My Faithful Mini Van

Dear Mini Van,
You've been there for me for 9 long years.You've certainly done your best for me, and I do so appreciate it.  You've started up on cold winter days, and kept me cool in the 100 degree heat. You've driven three in kids in comfort and unabashed mom-style. You've played 1,989 hours of Barney, Disney Princess, and Taylor Swift, without a single thought as to what you wanted to hear. You've absorbed 35 gallons of pool water, and remained speechless as countless pounds of beach sand have been rubbed into your seats and floor. Like any good friend, you've tried your best to hide the Kool-Aid stains that have decorated the interior. Remember the giant sized McDonald's Orange drink that Emma spilled all over your carpet? Remember learning together that McDonalds Orange drink does NOT come out of carpet? To show my appreciation, I've tried to feed you well. Even right now, if you're hungry, you can still find a bunch of nuggets and fries somewhere in there. I'm sorry about the Chik-Fil-A fruit cup hidden in the back compartment that attracted all the fruit flies. It was nothing personal - really. Oh, so many years full of whining  tanrums laughter, and you've been there for them all. We've had so many good times together, and boy are you a trooper. Remember the bottle of formula that got lost one scorching summer? Silly van. You should have told me you were hiding it. Bet you never realized a smell like that existed, did you?? Not to worry. The fermenting apple juice covered up the formula smell eventually. Or was it the vomit? Anyhoo...  Even as you got older, you forged ahead. Did you know that as you aged you'd begin to lose body parts? Or were you trying to play tricks on me? When you lost your first door handle, I thought it was a little bit funny, you trickster. When you decided that you didn't want to open your back hatch anymore, well - that was a little annoying. But when you dropped the third door handle? Hmpf. What kind of trick were you trying to play on me? Was it payback for the fruitflies? I'll admit, it must have been hard for you the past few years, hearing how much the kids all hated you every time you gave them a ride. But me? You know how I love you. And because I care, I will be passing you on to someone who will continue to love you in your old age. It's time for the old folks' home, my little Sienna. Don't cry, really. Everytime you look around, you'll remember us. The crayon, the Sharpie marker, the Coke on top of the ceiling. And the Orange Drink. (Or maybe the vomit.) (Can you ever forget all the vomit?) No matter who drives you, you'll never really be able to forget us. We've left a permanent mark. And I'll never forget you, either.
If you have any advice for my new Sequoia, just let him know. He's a big boy, so I know he can handle it.
Goodbye, Sienna. It's been a wild ride.

New Year Stuff

Ahhh, it's Tuesday. We've survived two days back to school. 
Two whole weeks off for everyone, and for two whole weeks, I've been dreading the start of school! Mornings filled with breakfast making, and lunch packing, and snack packing, and homework signing, and glove finding, and unfortunately some grouchiness too. What's not to love? Honestly, I've never seen anyone that consistently has such foul moods in the morning as Clara. That kid just doesn't know how to wake up on the right side of the bed. Well, it's back to normal, I guess - is there any such thing?? I've heard that normal is just a setting on the dryer. ;)

I'm incapable of composing a cohesive post tonight. I blame it on the weather. My toes are cold right now - that's what I'm thinking about. It's absolutely SO gosh dern freezing here. Our fireplace has been running nonstop. Methinks we'll be having some excitement when the next gas bill arrives.

So, on an exciting note..... I'm working on character development.  Last week I became ruthless. Something I've wanted to be for a very long time. I spared no feelings, I tossed aside. I gave no thought to sentiments. Yes, I could get used to that. No holds barred. I went through all three of my kids' closets, and we got rid of almost everything!!! Even the playroom is done. If we didn't absolutely need it, it was GONE. I think we singlehandedly contributed to almost half of the town landfill. AND, we gave 28 huge bags full of clothes to Goodwill. That is a.l.o.t of crap, y'all. And oooh boy does it feel good!
Seriously though, I think that's my resolution this year. To get rid of crap. No, that doesn't sound good. To be ruthless. No, not that either. How 'bout this? I resolve to continually get rid of anything we don't need. It's either trash, or there is someone else who could use it.

It's been an interesting start to the New Year so far. I'm anticipating what God will have in store for me this year. No telling. If I had my way, I'm sure I'd mess it up royally. Every day that goes by, I see more and more clearly that His ways are NOT my ways, and His thoughts are not like mine. Thankfully, His mercies for me are also new every morning.
I've been thinking on this verse for the past few days - Acts 2:42. I hadn't read it anytime recently, but it's been on my heart lately. "They devoted themselves to the Apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, and to the breaking of bread and to prayer."  I think this will be one of my verses for the year. Even just the prayer part - the devoted word makes it a pretty stong statement, doesn't it? I want to be that woman - the devoted one.

How 'bout you? What are you resolving this year? What are your goals?

Can It Be?

So I've slacked on the blog, and it's been two weeks. I can't believe tomorrow is 2010!
Christmas came and went in whirlwind fashion.
We've had lots of family time, and I'm sad that it's ending soon. I think one of the kids' favorite things we did was our Christmas lights tour. We all put on pajamas, grabbed blankets, popcorn, and thermoses full of hot cocoa. Then we piled into the van and looked at lights. Daddy wore a Santa hat, and belted out Feliz Navidad. (There may or may not have been a little peppermint schnapps in my cocoa.)

Emma has never been so thrilled with her gifts. Yes, we caved and got her a cell phone. I still can't believe I'm saying that. And, she got clothes from Hollister, which was her dream come true. AND, she got Ugg boots from Grandma. So all in all, she thinks she is one REALLY COOL teeny bopper.

Does anyone think it's funny that when I asked Ryan for some Burt's Bees products, he bought me wrinkle cream???? Moving on.......

We have a big New Year's party here tonight. And yet I'm sitting here on the computer. Must. Get. Off. My. Butt.

Happy New Year!!!

(btw, I'm also posting at Chic Critique today....... visit me over there!)

Wendesday Night Whine and Wine

I'm feeling the need to whine a little bit.

I am SO STINKING TIRED!!!
I've had a bad cold for well over a week now, and I just can't get rid of it. My face hurts, my eyes hurt, my ears ache. I'm tired of blowing my nose and clearing my throat.
I've gotten so little sleep the past week it's ridiculous.
I don't normally pack every day full of things to do. But last week and this week have been nuts. I've had stuff going on NONSTOP, from the rump-crack of dawn, till midnight each day.

I'm not done shopping yet, and haven't even started wrapping. I let the housecleaning get away from me the past two days, and now I'm paying for it. Dontcha hate those days when you don't want to even come home to your own mess? (really, how many pairs of socks can my kids leave on the floor in just one day? I picked up 7 tonight......)

I'm torn tonight between the soft comfy bed that's calling my name, and the glass of wine and fascinating  worthless television watching that will allow me some quiet. Tell me I'm not the only one that purposely stays up late, just because the kids are asleep and it's quiet? I mean, I love sleep and all. But I can't enjoy a quiet house if I'm asleep, right? I knew you'd agree.

And now for the most random jump from one topic to the next.....

What is with that stupid song that I hear every time my daughter turns the radio on? It's called Firelies, by Owl City. It's so weird, I had to look up the name and read the lyrics. Call me whatever sweet thing you will, but I have no idea what that guy is talkin' 'bout. Apparently he'd like to make himself believe that planet earth turns slowly......   umkay........

Moving on.
Where is my glass of whine wine?

John had his Christmas program at preschool this morning. He looked SO goshdang cute. He wore grey cords, a pinstripe button down shirt untucked, and a loose tie, with his hair spiked up. The most GQ little 3 year old EVAH. He frowned almost the entire time he was on stage, and kept yawning. At the end, when the audience clapped, he joined in and clapped for himself. :)

Ok, bed..... or tv.  Bed? TV?

Good Night, Y'all.

Tea With the Coffee Gal!

For the past few weeks, I've been looking forward to my very first face-to-face meeting with a bloggy friend.
AND, especially excited because I was meeting Kellie from La Vida Dulce, who is one of my very favorite bloggers.
AND, we were meeting for tea! Could it get any better?

Having never been through an In Real Life meeting, I really didn't know what to expect. I've read Kellie's blog for a year, and just knew I'd love her even more in person. But what if she didn't like me?? What if there was nothing to say?

My worries were for nothing. She was so sweet, even as she walked in and we saw each other for the first time. I've seen plenty of pictures of her, and knew how pretty she is. But truly, she is even prettier in real life!

Just look at this lovely table. Isn't it the perfect setting for new friendship and good conversation on a cold, rainy day?

The food was so yummy. (Except for the deviled egg!) We tried everything, and laughed when we couldn't figure out how to eat the tapioca pudding in a chinese soup spoon. Are there rules on these things??

The scones were warm and so good. And the tea was just right. Doesn't Kellie the coffee gal look right at home with her cup of tea?

One thing I really love about Kellie is that she has such a sense of calm and peace about her. She's gentle and sweet, and it only took one minute of conversation to see why everyone loves her so much. Plus, she loves to shop!

Those 2 1/2 hours went by too fast.
Thanks Kellie, for a wonderful afternoon! I can't wait to do it again!

I've Officially Started Shopping in Ultra Annoying Stores

I found myself in a Hollister store the other day.
I KNOW! What was I thinking, right?
I will just tell you this: I did it out of love.
For my 11 going on 18 year old daughter.

Last week she asked me again why she coudln't shop at Hollister. After all, she's the ONLY ONE OF HER FRIENDS (haha) who doesn't wear Hollister or Abercrombie everyday to school.
(Do you hear me playing the world's tiniest violin?)

She didn't bother asking about Abercrombie. She's been good about it, and she understands perfectly well why she isn't allowed to wear their clothing. She knows about their advertising, and agrees that she'd never want to promote those images.

But the Hollister thing? Well, I admit  - I've just assumed it was just like Abercrombie. I looked around on their website, expecting images of pretty much nude teenagers - but I (thankfully) didn't see that. I decided I'd just have to go to the store and check it out myself.

There are so many battles to pick these days. I didn't want to choose this one, if I didn't have any valid points. So I packed it up on MY FREE MORNING, and went to Hollister.

I no worries about finding it in the mall. I just followed my nose. Have you SMELLED these places? P.U.

After 30 seconds, I'd had enough. I'm not kidding you! They are all about atmospehere over there, those classy folks. The music was SO FLIPPIN loud that I couldn't even think. My sense of smell was in overdrive, from the equivalent of 19 bottles of cologne sprayed everywhere. The bass was so strong that my poor little heart kept trying to leap out of my chest.

And my eyes, oh my poor eyes! What exactly is it about a store that's so dark you can't see that is supposed to be appealing??
I'm not joking. I had to keep stepping away from the shelves and holding up the price tags to see the prices in a little smidgen of light. I. COULD. NOT. SEE.
It's not like I'm 98 yrs old people! These 35 year old eyes couldn't see squat.
I lasted more than 30 seconds in there, though. Know why? I didn't see anything that I objected to. No naked guys on posters. No trashy clothes.
I spent about 40 minutes in there, gasp! And I got Emma a few new things for Christmas.
Know what's funny?
The kid at the register had to keep stepping back and holding the price tags up to scan. Because it was SO DARK EVEN HE COUDN'T SEE!
I politely suggested to him that maybe a spotlight would work wonders back there.
He didn't think it was funny.
He just thought I was old.

Here There and Everywhere

A random list of thoughts today....
Whew. A week past Thanksgiving.
I survived a house full of 19 people.
We've finished decorating.
I got to visit with my grandparents from Florida.
I'm getting some Christmas shopping tackled.
The stomach flu came and went in just one day here.
Looking forward to seeing friends this weekend, and going to a party on Saturday.
How about you??

I'm also blogging at Chic Critique today....... come visit me there!