Recollection Friday - vball, halloween and donut brain

another week, flown by.

sunday brought a decision on which club team to choose. grace got offers from the two we tried out for and sarah got one offer and one alternate.  by lunch time, after church it was made... we'd be going back to where we started. both girls are thrilled.  we were headed into commitment week as i like to call it.  it's THE week we commit ourselves into a crazy schedule of practices and games/tournaments, a commitment to long nights - staying up late to finish homework, commitment to eating out more than i like, commitment to hard core scheduling and note taking to keep myself sane.  why do we do this to ourselves?  Oh yeah, these two...

they love the game and it has so many benefits to their self esteem.  of course we have to do it! #lovenysvolleyballers

 

monday was halloween.  

halloween should be on a friday night, every year, seriously.  that's alot of work for a monday!

this year the dressing up was a breeze which this momma appreciated.  grace went as a volleyball player and sarah as a greek goddess (her sisters costume from last year).  they literally threw things on that night which was easy.  

each girl had their own friend over to t or t.  this is how you do it.  it used to be art and i with the girls but now, friends.  it was actually great, we all had fun.  we parked ourselves at the end of the driveway with our fire pit, roasted hot dogs, ate chips, cookies, drank lemonade - talked about how much candy was in store for us.  this is our first halloween in the neighborhood so we weren't sure what to expect.  we headed out once it got dark and were not disappointed.  our neighbor, her daughter and friend agreed to show us the ropes on merlin drive and i learned some new things.  

what did i learn about my new neighborhood you ask? 

1. my alderman lives two 4 doors down - he's very nice, introduced himself to me with a handshake and an offer for a candy bar.
2. orlando pace lived in my neighborhood, we trick or treated at his house.
3. there is a very old grave site, three to be exact, fenced off in a culdesac. it's so old, you can't read the stone.  me thinks i  will look into this 
4. our  neighbors go all out at halloween with elaborate decorations, full size candy bars, drink stations at homes with every bottled drink imaginable.  my kids were spoiled and their friends said they would be back next year! ha!

it was fun and i got 15K steps.  a win-win!

got a text from church, late night which is usually not good.  one of our little two year olds was taken to the hospital.  she was inconsolable and not moving her head/neck.  many tests and the threat of meningitis brought the conclusion of an abscess on her neck and surgery was done.  i visited this little girl in the hospital where we had taken grace when she had her seizures.  it brought back many memories, scary moments.  i understood what this mother was going through but i knew her daughter was in good hands at this children's  hospital.  i had a few sleepless nights over this little girl, she's a sweety.  she is home now, after surgery and recovering.  God is good.  it made me come home and love on my girls a little longer, scares like this make you reflect.  while i'm not sure what His plan was for grace and for this little girl, i do know he is perfect in all His ways and he was there for me and this other momma.

art's birthday is next week, coming up fast.  other than a new coffee mug i got nothing!  absolutely nothing!  art's not the easiest guy to buy for (he says the same about me).  i've asked for ideas because the girls want to get him something but nothing as of yet.  he traveled this week which  means i don't rest well.  house seems very big when he's gone. sarah ended up sleeping with me. she of course loves when he travels :).  truman has spent alot of time on our bed which is a no no while art's at home. he brings warmth and comfort that dog of mine.  

sarah's class won the candy contest.  they collected the most candy for the schools trunk or treat.  they won a cinnamon donut and apple cider party.  her teacher contacted me at the beginning of the week to see what she could have.  i have donuts and would send one.  that was wedensday when she asked, i wrote it on my planner and guess what friends?!? i forgot!!!  epic fail not only for my girl but for her teacher!  darn my absent minded brain, especially since i had written myself a note!  i made up for it though, i brought the teacher 6 plastic bins for operation christmas child shoe boxes.  no i wasn't trying to make up for my mistake.  in my defense i had purchased the bins before realizing i had forgotten the donut!   i made it up to sarah as well.  i delivered that forgotten donut to her for an after school snack.  all is well now.

but my brain people! if i don't write it down it gets lost in space (apparently even when i do write it down it's lost).  my system has failed me or maybe i've failed it.  either way i gotta get serious and get my head in the game.  it's times like this i think i'm headed down the dementia road already!!

back to donuts... i have officially sworn in hump day as our official, family donut day!  there's a donut shop not even two miles from our home.  it's also on our way to school (yikes for my waistline).  we could bike there and feel less guilty about indulging right?!?  good donuts are my weakness!!!  everything in moderation...

all this talk of donuts, now i'm hungry.

until next week...

fall at merlin drive

i love fall.

it's my favorite season.

things are cool and crisp.

sweatshirts have been pulled out of the basement boxes.

fall decor is up - starting with halloween.

we had fun pulling things out.

all made it safely from the move.

the inside.

this sun room is one of the reasons we purchased this house.

we love the light in this room.

i've enjoyed decorating this mantle thus far.

i've tried to keep things at a minimum.

i didn't want to compete with the view.

i already had the wooden box on this mantle but for fall i added faux leaves, sprigs of color and real pumpkins.
i like how it turned out.

i added this banner last year.
thank you dollar bin at target!

i made this two years ago.
still a favorite and my girls love the bling.
the slice of wood is from our backyard at the old house.
love it.

my grandmothers old bible and pumpkins.

 my new purchase this year.
not from the target dollar bin.
but from target $7.
fell in love with it.
it's fun on my coffee table.

fun with candle stands.
again, my girls like the blingy owl.

this scent.
yum.

now outside.
the front door.

mums and more mums.
art loves these and brought home four.
our tree stump that art worked so hard to bring down to the wood.
this was fun to move.

my kids have outgrown the little red wagon but...
the big pumpkin will be the one we carve as we get closer to halloween.

this scarecrow.
wouldn't be halloween without him.
my sister made him.
he's sporting a new shirt from goodwill this year.
he's so fun.

one of the mums, closet up.

and today i'm making my banana muffins.
no not pumpkin, banana because grace has been asking for these for awhile and it's perfect weather for warming up the oven and indulging.
here's the recipe.
the next batch will be pumpkin.

we're ready fall.

bring it on.

another volleyball post

we had a busy weekend

it was the lutheran middle school tournament

there were 8 teams from the area competing

we played some tough teams

we won some

lost some

in the end we got 5th place which the girls were happy about

grace received one of the "all around" tournament medals for her team.

it was funny because at first she didn't think it was a big deal until it was explained to us that throughout the tournament, coaches from the opposing teams would watch and vote on the team members that overall stood out in their playing.  that made my girl turn red and quietly giggle.  it was sweet and fun to watch.  art and I laughed along.  

we're super proud.

volleyball brings confidence for my girl and this team has been so great for her.

club was a good experience but there's something about playing with her bff's at school that makes her really click and shine.  at least in my opinion :).

i love how the 8th graders are supportive and encouraging to the lower class man.

it shows me we are in the right place for my girl.

grace got to see her friend who transferred to a new school this year.  

we sure have missed katie.

we got there and katie's team was already playing but as soon as it was done and the coach set them free, grace and katie were hugging.

they ended up playing each other, it was tough but in the end katie's team won out.

friends forever though.

once the tournament was all said and done grace and h er teammates ended up hugging on their friend again and congratulating.

look at those faces.

i almost cried.

such good girls.

i felt very blessed, again to be in the right place for my girl.

way to go eagles.

you shined this weekend.

i loved every moment of it.

my 45th in pictures

i am 45

it came and went without too much hoopla

and I'm okay with that

i slept in for an extra 23 minutes

okay, actually i overslept but I choose to see the glass half full

ahhhh the rush

worked out with this sweet lady

had to get a selfie, of course!

we are beautiful, no make up, sweaty - yes beautiful, you might say glistening :)

this song makes me dance every time

even in the car

ask my girls

i dance

in the car

heck i dance to this entire album

kudos to me for getting my groove on, in the car

this guy loves selfies

not!

{sigh} - that's the sound he makes when I pull out my camera

he loves me

he was excited it was my birthday

my lunch.

turkey, mayo, cucumber, s/p

simple

yummy

afternoon

laundry (not shown, didn't' want to bore you)

dusting (again, boring)

evening

tattooed dog for dinner (not shown, but yum-o!)

new movie theater in town

can you say spoiled?

these reclining seats rocked

never will i want to go back to the old seats

never!

love these two

the movie was Peanuts

loved it

they were true to charles schulz and the characters

my brother was in town

woot woot! Uncle Kendall lounged with us

it was nice

45 is starting off great

don't panic

i saw this, this past monday as i walked into wally
i have to admit it makes me feel anxious
7 saturdays until Christmas, wow!
the list is building in my head...

those marketing people have me figured out :)

blistery day, halloween and random

What a cold blistery kind of Fall day.
Every time I hear someone use that word, "blistery" I think of Winnie the Pooh.
We watched that video many a times when my kids were babies.
I miss those days.

My blistery day is simple.
Ran Truman to the groomers, he needed a haircut sooo badly.
Drop off drycleaning.
Work on church needs.
Throw a load of laundry in.
Fold a load of laundry.
Meeting at church this afternoon.
Defrost dinner.
Set out costumes, make sure everything is ready.
Call orthodontist for appointment.

Art's working from home today so every once in awhile he comes up for air to talk.
I love talking to him.
Having his full attention.
Seems those moments are fewer and fewer with the busyness of life.
Our talks usually are catch ups as our heads hit the pillow and we doze off each night.

Tonight is Halloween.
We will stay put, going from neighbor to neighbor.
The girls love our neighbors.
They give out normal candy bars, like the big ones and they buy them just for our girls.
Who wouldn't love that!?!

Pizza is on the menu tonight.
This afternoon, pumpkin carving with Daddy.
Truman even has his own costume.

This picture makes me kind of sad.
Look at those chubby cheeks on Sarah.
Grace is tiny here, so sweet.
Man I miss those days.

Got a text this morning from a friend who's kids go to my girls school.
Was lovely to hear they struggled with math last night as well as us.
Boy oh boy is 5th grade math a challenge for G this year.
Praying for her today.
We were so focused on math that I don't think we gave adequate time to Social Studies and there is a test today.
My little girl who used to listen and follow her momma and daddy's directions is now a big girl, questioning her parents and trying to assert her own independence.
It's good and bad.
When you know they will fail at things because they didn't listen to you.
It's a life lesson.
Hard for me to let go.
I mean look at her face, that sweet, little face.
So hard.

Blistery day = wind = more and more leaves falling to the ground.
I mowed yesterday and had the yard all nice and green again.
You wouldn't know it today.
I do enjoy watching them fall to the ground though.
Now raking them is not so much fun.
Just sayin'.

Project life app is not working.
Bummer.
I'm thinking it's on my end.
Not sure.
Gonna have my hubby look at my ipad to see if it is a space issue.
My ipad is getting up there in age.
I refuse to replace it though.
Not sure I'll buy another "i" product when it dies.

I'm finally getting over this sinus/allergy yuckiness.
At least I think I am although I currently have a headache from it.
These up and down temperatures are havoc on my head.

I am ready for the weekend.
I am ready for some down time with  my girls.
I am ready for some fun tonight.

Happy Halloween everyone!
Enjoy this weekend.

plapp 10/12/14

from the app

if it weren't for Truman...

Yesterday morning I went to let Truman out to go potty.

I opened the front door and "Wow!"

What a beautiful sunrise.

I ran back in and grabbed my camera.

Pink, blue, purple, orange, yellow, just gorgeous colors filled the sky.

It made the colors on the Fall trees seem more vibrant.

I just stood there and took it in.
In my fuzzy pink bathrobe (I was still in my pajamas)
I'm sure the neighbors thought I was crazy.

So happy I took the time to enjoy.
God's creation at its best.
Wow.

yesterday was a good day

Of all things yesterday was a good day.

And it was a Monday!

Go figure.

The girls were slow going as it usually is on a Monday but we got out the door.

I dropped the girls off and headed to a local park to walk the trail.

I can't even tell you how many laps I went, I lost count.

I put on Mandissa and went.

I started out with a scarf on.

By the time I was done (an hour later), it was off.

I got warm.

Felt good.

After my walk I grabbed some photos of the fall colors in the park.

So pretty.

I spent the rest of my morning and early afternoon with Jonica, diving into a new commitment I've made to our church.

All I can say is thank you for Jonica and her commitment to the children's ministry at WCC.

She is my trainer.

So helpful.

And patient.

And encouraging.

What a blessing she is.

She's my friend also (and most importantly).

She came to Grace's last volleyball game which was later that afternoon.

They won!

They rocked it.

So proud of these girls and how much they have learned this season and grown together as a team.

I have loved being with them in practice, helping out.

Enjoyed it all and somewhat sad to see it all come to an end.

Just somewhat :) though.

It will be nice to have our afternoons back.

I'm sure something will fill the time.

.

The hour I did make it home yesterday before picking up the girls I put tator-tot casserole in the slow cooker and I must say SOOOO happy I did.
Because after the game and travel time, we were home around 6:30.
Who wants to cook when we should be sitting down to eat?
I'm so happy I had the fore-thought to prepare and dump everything into the slow cooker.

The girls got their homework done.
We talked.
We laughed.
We read.
I jumped back on my laptop (church work).
Texted Jonica too many times for help (thanks J).
Went to bed WAY too late, around midnight.

This morning I'm tired but wouldn't change a thing about my day yesterday.
A nap is needed, even 15 minutes would refresh me.
Then onto household chores I ignored yesterday :).
Back to life, back to reality.

30 things you might not know about me

1. My first little girl crush was my youth minister.
2. I grew up wishing I had long brown hair like Amy Grant and Kelly from Charlies Angels.
3. I do not like cats.  Cats to not like me.
4. If there was one thing I could change about myself, it would be my skin tone.  Not my birthmark which get questioned about alot.
5. While I hated it growing up, I love the red color in my hair because it links me to my Papaw Perry and my mom.
6. I do not like wearing the color orange.
7. My mom has dementia.  It's easier not to talk about it. Even though she is here on Earth, she isn't and I miss her terribly.
8. My Dad was my hero growing up but as moms mental health declines the title of "hero" takes on a new meaning.  His love for my mom is much like Gods love for his children - filled with grace, it's never ending, forgiving, patient, caring, self-less and giving.  I want to be more like my dad.  I want to be more like God.
9. Grace in a nutshell is her momma.  She does not like it when I say that.  You see there's good and not so good in that statement.  Sometimes I wish I had a re-do button for how I've helped shape her.
10. I have a weakness for Fall scented candles.  I have seven of them within 20 feet of each other in my house.
11. I bite my nails sometimes.  I have since I was young.  It's a nasty habit.
12. I am SO impatient.  Ask Art.  I have learned to control it, well sometimes, when it's really important :).
13. I feel self conscious because I didn't get a college degree.
14. I wish I was more outgoing.
15. I would love to take ballroom dance lessons with Art.
16. I would like to learn to shoot a gun.  I think I would enjoy the rush.
17. I would love to own my own pre-school some day.
18. I do not like math and haven't since 6th grade (shhhh.... don't tell Grace)
19. I dread the day we loose Truman, that will be a hard day.
20. I dislike riding on school buses.  Probably because I was traumatized on one as a child.
21. I wish I hadn't quit taking piano lessons in my youth.
22. I am living vicariously through Grace and her volleyball talent.  I  loved it as a kid but never pursued it.
23. I love to hear Sarah's baby voice even though I don't encourage it because it reminds me she is still my baby.
24. I wish we had had another child, a boy to love on and carry on Arts name.
25. I go through life with my glass half empty most of the time.  I dislike this.
26. I love to decorate my house and do diy projects.
27. I think as I age I have become more of a hypochondriac.
28. I like to clothes shop alone.  While I value Art's opinion, I get in the zone when it's just me and I get it done quickly.
29. I wish my bible knowledge was stronger.
30. I love to hear stories about mine and Art's families, our history and share them with my girls.

Pins of the week

Five of my finds on Pinterest this week:

{Because I need all the help I can get...}

I've taken on a new role with our church...

{Gifts for those who serve}

{Cute and yummy game}

{Locks have reference and keys have verses}

{Games and more games}

week of october 5th

What I created with my pl app from last week.

apple picking

We went apple picking over the weekend to our favorite orchard.

The girls look forward to this every year.

We picked our favorites - Blushing Gold (below) and Mutsu.

Yum.

Caught my girls picking.

Love those freckles.

Got the annual picture of the gang (minus me) walking the aisle.

There I am!
See, it's documented.

Feeding the lambs.
:)

There were alot of giggles doing this.

Fun with Art.

Another tradition.
The see how tall I've grown picture.

So pretty.
Serene.
Beautiful day too.

Hididng in the corn.

Again more freckles.

Wonderful afternoon with my family.
Now onto the apple recipes.