Monday, January 3, 2011

The New Year

During my Child Raising days, I never really paid too much attention to New Years Eve or the Change in Date (except for writing checks....which took until March to get right). For our family the 'New Year" started in late August when the kids returned to school from the summer vacation. New classes, new teachers, new uniforms, new shoes, new sports schedules, new routines...... I even always got in the mood to try new foods that time of year. It seemed like a good time to start everything fresh. I tended to do my 'Spring cleaning' the month of September, free of children to keep the things I was getting rid of and from messing up the uncluttered and freshly scrubbed areas of our home. I loved having New cookies and treats for the children when they came home from school. I loved going to the New games and practices with them and meeting New people. I loved the New adventure we were all on with that start of the 'New Year"
Then came 2010.
The start of the School year meant the end of Motherhood for me...or at least so I thought at the time. I viewed it as an End rather than the New Beginning I had been accustomed too.
 But....We spent most of September traveling instead of cleaning and for a change, I was the one who got new shoes instead of the kids. The dread of the Empty Nest was replaced a seemingly constant change in Lifestyle complete with a new place to Live.
And so I looked at New Years Day 2011 in a whole different light. There is an anticipation and an excitement of the unknown that is New feeling for me. Wonderment of what is to come has replaced the predictability of the old routines and schedules.
And I Like it.

Monday, December 13, 2010

Smiley Face Cookies

When my children were little (and not so little), a special treat for each was to get to go to the grocery store 'alone'..as in with out the other siblings..with me.
They all had their own way of 'helping' me on these solo expeditions, but the one commonality is the side trip to the baked goods section of our Local Giant Food Store to pick out their oh so Delicious BIG SMILEY FACE COOKIE 


Last week, I had the Joy of babysitting my grandson here in the new digs for several days during which time, I found that my new local Giant Food Store still makes BIG SMILEY FACE COOKIES!



I'm Really glad to pass on a favorite tradition...

As big as C's Smile is, you should have seen mine!





Tuesday, December 7, 2010

The Men in My Life

They are a Motley Crew. Quick witted. Always up for a good prank. Live Life by the 'Go Hard or Go Home' theory.  Do not take ANYTHING too seriousely. They love life, each other and me. For that I love them back with all my heart.







Thursday, December 2, 2010

My Daughter, My love

My Kate is lovely. She is poised, gifted with amazing insight and talent and a truly good hearted person. Most of all, I love watching her blossom as a Mother and Wife.

And she makes me  better at those vocations too.
Thank you my Kate!

Monday, November 29, 2010

Condo Facts

   -  It is only 820 steps to work via the Mount Vernon bike trail shotcut
   -  It is only 2 traffic lights to get to the National Zoo. Grandson LOVED it!
   -  It is possible to prepare a Thanksgiving Feast in a 2x8 galley kitchen
   -  and fit 8 around the dining table quite comfortably
   -  and have plenty of room for family and  friends to lounge around watching Football (all-weekend-long)
   -  I see my grown children a whole lot more often (and for no specific reason...just to hang out)
 

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Finders Keepers

In the process of packing, I found them everywhere....
     On closet shelves, on closet floors, under sinks, in cabinets, in drawers...

My Favorite is the one labled "FARM FUND"


                  

Sunday, November 7, 2010

A Happy Day

The one on the left I met 35 years ago today...and married him 30 years ago tomorrow. The one on the right I met 18 months ago as our daughter brought him forth into our world. I adore them both!