Thursday's List

Many many smiles this week:

A new addition to our family, whom I can't wait to meet next week

Meeting goal at work today- FINALLY

The end of a test at work, which should lead to a bit less stress

Drinks tomorrow night I hope

Dinner date with my hubby tonight

The silly songs he sings when he is in a good mood, no idea to what melody but he always makes me smile

Shopping for a little one, and throwing in some stuff for the older ones too

Good grade on my first paper for my class- the first one is always the hardest cause you don't know how the prof will be grading

A blog award this week

Fall weather in the air

Three daunting bags of apples waiting to be processed--and my hubby promising to peel them

A long conversation with my mom today about everything

A date with my brother next weekend for his birthday

Going to bed before midnight for the first night this week!

Hugs to everyone!!

I got an award!!

How much fun is this..




I won an award from Tina who's blog I love reading!!

The rules of the award are:
Sum up your blogging philosophy,
motivation, and experience in 5 words.
Tell who gave the award,
and pass it on to 10 other blogs of substance.

My five words:
Everyday, pause, remember, appreciate, smile

I started this blog because I wanted to take the time to remember and document the things that make me smile. This blog allows me to stop and appreciate things in my life. As a result of this blog, I have "met" some of the most amazing individuals who share their lives, their observations on the world at large and I am glad to have an audience that reads what I have to share!

Blogs I love to read over my morning coffee:

I Make Soap

A Homesteading Neophyte

At The Farm

Kathy's Kampground Kapers

A Knitting Nurse

Olde Baggs 'n Stuft Shirts

Absolutely Narcissism

Ninny's Notes

The Middle Side of Life

The Divining Women

He's here...

and promises to bring us many many smiles for many years.
Cameron was born at 12:41am. Six pounds 12 oz- he is just a little peanut. Mom and baby are doing well. That was the text message sent to me at 3:04 this morning. Complete with a picture.
I haven't been able to stop crying since then. I talked to my sister this morning and she sounds good...she wishes I was there and so do I..but for now I will wait for the pictures on my phone....

Skippy- Just wanted to let you know that I am thinking about you and sending you healing thoughts and lots of love...if you need anything, please let me know.

Waiting for a phone call

I am sitting here waiting for a phone call instead of going to bed....why you ask? Because my sister is pregnant...this is her third child and she wasn't feeling well when I talked to her earlier. She called me about half an hour ago to tell me that she was going to the hospital because she started bleeding and she was freaking out a bit. My parents are on their way home from Savannah so I hope they make it in time to get there. These are the times that I HATE living so far away. They are all in Maryland and here I am up in Maine. I would have been there in a heart beat to sit with my niece and nephew in the hospital and entertain them while she went into have the baby. I wish I could be there to see their faces when they see the baby for the first time...when my niece finally can let go of the secret of whether or not she has a baby sister or brother....to see the joy in my brother in laws face when he holds the baby for the first time, and see the tears in my sister's eyes when she gets to hear the baby cry for the first time. To document the moments with my camera instead of waiting for a text message or a phone call and that first picture. To know that it will be at least a couple of weeks before I can go to see them and by then he/she won't be a little baby anymore. The routines will be established and they will all be functioning as a family unit should and I will be on the outside looking in for a few days while I can be there with them. There will always be that warming up phase from the kids because we don't get to see them often enough, my nephew will always be a little bit shy when we first get there and my niece will take a few minutes to warm up to us. They will always look at me and say "we haven't seen you in forever" "why do you live so far away" There will never be enough hugs and kisses from them to tide me over till the next time. They will grow up faster than i can imagine and although I talk to them on a regular basis, I will watch them grow up via pictures on facebook and email. Now there will be a new little one to spoil...and watch grow up...missing out on the milestones...watching videos of their first steps, talking to them on the phone for the first time. Hoping to cram all of the love, hugs, laughter and kisses into a short trip...hoping that they know that I love them more than anything and wishing that I could be there to see their first day of school, their first dance recital, all of their birthdays, see them when they put their first tooth under the pillow for the tooth fairy and be the aunt they can always come to no matter what's going on....but right now, I just wish I could be there to hold my sister's hand, sit and play with the kids, and be there when my brother in law says "It's a......." and see the look of pride on their faces....the next time I see them I will hug them a little tighter, play a little longer and hope that they know how much I love them...even when I am not there..

Weekend's over!!

We had a really great day today....went to brunch and then to a big super store to try to find a freezer. We picked out one and now just need to figure out where to put it. We came home to try to clean the house...we didn't get very far...went to a local veggie stand and then apple picking again. We have another fifty pounds of apples to process....more apple sauce is going to be the plan. We spent the afternoon just chilling on the couch and snuggling with the kitties. It was nice to have a relaxing afternoon watching stupid movies...the house isn't clean..but this was definitely what I needed this weekend. Hope that everyone has had a great weekend and is ready for this week!! It's gonna be a fantastic one!

Random Photos

I really have to thank Skippy for asking me to post some pictures yesterday....it was awesome to go through those pics and try and pick out which ones to post...because I have over 2000 pictures from each of our trips to europe. I tend to be a bit of a pictureholic- I take pictures like crazy and always have a camera with me...I decided that I was going to post some other pics that have made me smile while I have been going through them...They are completely random pics from the last two years...hope that you all enjoy them

















!

Tuscany in Pics (just for you skippy)

half day!!

Today was a half day at work...mostly because I couldn't possibly have been there all day but the furnace guy coming was a good excuse. The furnace guy just left to go get parts for the furnace- ughh..this really-easy-needs-to-be-done-yearly job is going to probably result in needing to replace the furnace....of course hubby isn't home so he is asking me questions that I can't answer...the furnace guy will be calling him when he gets back to explain what is going on...
Part of the stress at work is supposed to go away next week. I am quite excited about that....I am hoping to make it through next week and then things should be a bit better....
Today's smile is a memory....last year at this time, we were visiting Tuscany with my parents. My parents lived in Germany for a year and a half and we got to go visit them twice. Last year we rented a villa in Tuscany and spent time in little villages and at family vineyards before meeting up with my parents friends to go to Oktoberfest. I was looking at the pictures today...it was definitely the trip of a lifetime...
I am looking forward to a weekend and no alarm clock tomorrow!!

Better

Not all better...but definitely an improvement on yesterday.
My list of random things that have made me smile this week ( I might make this a habit on Thursdays)
All of the blogs that I read on a daily basis. I am trying to get better at commenting but I love reading about everyone's take on the world
The leaves are changing....almost overnight...the smell of fall is in the air!
Being proactive about getting the house ready for winter without being reminded by my hubby of the things that need to be done
My kitties snuggling and needing to be pet when we are watching TV
The season premiere week of all my favorite shows.
A surprise visit last night from David's cousin and her little girl
A new cupcake recipe that I can't wait to try this weekend
My hubby yelling "honey I'm home" even though it's 8:15 with Dr. Pepper cause I didn't have any caffeine today and I have a crazy headache
My acupuncturist- who is just amazing.

Bitch and Complain

Today was one of those no good, very bad days...waaaa...there I said it. There is just too much going on right now and for whatever reason things seem to center around work. It is just a job...I need to remember that and not take things so personally.
Anyway....the good thing about today was that every time I turned around someone was trying to make me smile. I had several customers today who said things that made me chuckle. Example:
Me; Did you have a chance to get the application done
Customer: I have been busier than a one legged man in a a$$ kicking contest
Me: Ummm...

Another example:
Me: How are you doing today
Customer: Not bad today..and hey its almost over and if we are lucky we'll be right back here tomorrow
Me: hmmm.

So I guess while I feel a little dejected and feel a little emotional (stupid hormones..why do we want to get pregnant again? Is it really worth the emotional roller coaster that I am on with my emotions and pills? Again...waaaaa) it is nice to know that there are people out there who make me smile- whether intentional or not- and who, for a minute, make me smile in the midst of the chaos.

YAY I'M DONE HAPPY DANCE!!

Today is a day that I dread for six weeks....well not this date but this day in a six week period. I am working on my Master's Degree...and I procrastinate...A LOT. This day, in my six week cycle of classes is the LAST DAY BEFORE THE FINAL PAPER IS DUE. I always wait until today to get the paper done. I was dreading this particular paper because the class was managerial accounting. Ick, ugh, yuck, gross, boring, blech. Six words to describe the class. It wasn't fun, I didn't enjoy it and really I don't know why I am doing these classes. Anyway....the paper wasn't bad- it was on outsourcing- why you should do it, why you shouldn't and everything in between. The good news is that it's done...only took about three hours and it's turned in and I am finished with the class...hence the happy dance- no working till all hours of the night on it...no pulling my hair out...just sat down got it done and have a reprieve- for two days...next class- economics, starts on Tuesday!! Maybe I won't procrastinate so much? Probably not but it's one class closer to this goal and really being finished...my hubby is also in the process of making me a wine rack- that makes me even happier!!
See y'all tomorrow!!

Breezy Saturday Morning

Today has been a great day! I was able to sleep in while snuggling with my kitties in the down comforter. Hubby had to get up early this morning and has actually been working all day. I got up this morning got some shopping done....I am excited because I will have new pillows on the bed tonight...that always makes me happy. I also hit a great sale- $2.99 for all their spring and summer clothes....hubby has some new shirts!! I have been doing some research for my paper that is due on Monday and have just been able to chill today. I love lazy Saturdays with the windows open, in comfy clothes, when work is the furthest thing from my mind. Fall is very much in the air and I love the cool nights and mornings...the leaves are starting to change and sweaters have come out of the closet. Hope that everyone is enjoying their weekends!!

A list

I haven't posted in a few days...and I am exhausted and ready for bed so I have a list for you...some of which I reserve the right to expound upon on a later date/
Things that made me smile this week:
My hubby surprising me with chocolate chip cookies after a rough day
My coworker who makes me laugh and whom I totally thought was going to jump out and scare me today but didn't
Dishing at happy hour, off the clock with coworkers till almost eight o'clock
A surprise box in the mail from a blog giveaway
The crisp, cool fall air
My down comforter
The windows being open
Snuggling with the cats
My class being ALMOST over (only my final paper left)
Starting a new class
My coworkers enjoying the apple cake I made for them
Talking to my mom for over an hour the other night
Bringing my hubby home dinner tonight cause he was a bit upset that I was out so late at said happy hour and him trying his best to not smile when he saw that it was his favorite.
Going upstairs, crawling into bed and hopefully sleeping through the whole night.

That's about it tonight. I promise a real post this weekend as I am procrastinating writing my final paper for my class!!

Berlin NH

Last year, my dear hubby had a pretty bad accident while driving- without going into too many details, he had an episode and was told that he couldn't drive for 6 months while the drs tried to figure out what was going on. This was a particularly difficult time, because he works as quality control guy for construction sites and was working on a federal prison in the middle of nowhere- driving back and forth on the weekends to see me and staying up there all week. He had met a great couple who were renting a house and they were renting out a room to him and providing him with meals and stuff. They were just good people, those people that would give you anything you needed, their dining room table was always full of people because they loved being around people and loved being able to share with others what they had. Well, I was worried about driving hubby back and forth and how he was going to get to work....and how he was going to be- I wasn't going to be able to see him everyday, make sure he ate what he was supposed to, take his meds...all those things that after a huge episode one wants to be able to do. They were my angels....they promised to make sure that he was eating right, that he got to and from work everyday, that he was taking his pills, and that they would call me to let me know if anything happened. Not only that, but they would often meet me halfway for dinner with David...made my hour and a half drive only forty five minutes. They were lifesavers during this time in our lives and I honestly don't know what I would have done without them. We went to see them yesterday, they are done with the job up here and want to get out before it gets cold. On the drive up, I contemplated the role that they played in our lives. These were strangers who took in someone they didn't know, spent huge amounts of time with him, drove his all over the place and never once did they ask for anything in return. I tried to find the words last night as we were saying goodbye to thank them for everything and to tell them how much they mean to me- and they came out in the way of tears. So there we all were, including my hubby, with tears running down our faces, knowing that by the grace of god we met each other and having no idea when we would see each other again. We hugged even tighter and didn't have the words to say goodbye- we will see them again- they are those friends that you make that will always be friends, no matter what. We are better people for having known them and they taught us lessons that we will never forget!

Sharing is caring

I did something today I wasn't sure I was going to do. I shared this blog site with people in my "real" life. My coworkers to be exact. My stomach was in knots and I am still not 100% sure about it...but if I am going to put it all out there, I might as well share with those that are in my life (hi guys if you are reading this!). Kind of a weird feeling..but good at the same time!
My nephew (my sister's child..not to be mistaken with my sister in laws kids that I was talking about earlier this week) had his first day of preschool today. I sent my sister a text wishing him good luck and telling him I love him. Apparently he asked my sister when I would be down there! Ha....too cute. I talked to my niece tonight on the phone and she was full of news about school and music class. She is having a great time in school- do you remember that first day of school? Spending days picking out just the right outfit, putting your pencils in your pencil box and packing you backpack for the first time. Wondering if you were going to fit in, wondering how the bus was going to be, wondering how it would be away from your parent for the entire day. Feeling like such a big kid when you climbed onto the bus, hoping that you wouldn't have to sit alone and that you would know someone. I think that first day of school, whether it was kindergarten, high school or college was always the best- always the one that you would remember. You may not have met them all with the same level of enthusiasm, but it was like going out on some new adventure, never knowing what was going to come next. Hearing the excitement in the kids voices, knowing that they are hitting some pretty huge milestones and being able to be part of it, relive a little bit of my own childhood through their eyes, that is a pretty amazing gift.

The Smell of Fall

Apple season has come early this year. One of our traditions with the nephews is picking apples. We always end up with far more apples than any of us know what to do with and this year is no exception. I think we ended up with close to five bushels of apples to split between all of us. We brought home almost two full bushels. The problem, I HATE peeling apples. More than doing just about anything. Luckily, my hubby doesn't feel nearly as strongly about peeling apples as I do. Also luckily, I remembered I have one of there:


of course I didn't remember that I had it until he was halfway done with the apples that he was peeling last night, but at least I remembered. I do love the smell of cooking apples. Apple pies, apple crisp, apple sauce, apple butter, apple bread, applesauce cake....I love making it all. I walked in the house tonight to the smell of cinnamon and apples simmering away in the crockpot waiting to be canned for apple sauce. Unfortunately that five quarts was only about an eighth of a bushel so there will be lots more in my future. The smell of cooking apples and the chill in the air reminds me that fall is right around the corner- which means fresh, crisp air, beautiful foliage and lots of baking--definitely puts a smile on my face.

Amazing weekend...

You know the old saying it's not the destination but in how you get there...well we proved that to be true this weekend. My husband and I took off on a little mini vacation- B&B in Vermont for a few days and then a couple of days with his family for our Lazy Labor Day Lobster Lounge- without lobsters this year. Vermont was okay, but getting there was most of the fun...complete with a visit to the candy store with the worlds longest candy bar- bar full of candy, not an actual candy bar. David has been wanting to go for ages (since we saw it on one of our Travel Channel marathon weekends- you really can get sucked into those shows). It was on our way to Vermont so we went. Vermont was fun....a little messed up with the planning...but we really did have a good time. Then we headed to Bangor on Saturday with a stop at the Cabot cheese factory (AMAZING). We hung out with the fam and spent time with our nephews in a bounce house and just had an awesome time. The little one is just the cutest thing....he looked at me today and said Auntie I love you. I told him I loved him too and he asked me if he promised to let me give him a kiss once a day would we move up there. When I said that was a hard bargain to let go pass but that we couldn't he stuck his little lip out and said well I still love you anyway....can you come back tomorrow..too cute. The hubby looked at me as we were leaving tonight and said "you know I wouldn't have changed one single thing we did this weekend- it was perfect"...and he was absolutely correct- it was one of those rare absolutely perfect weekends that was made that way by the time spent together and with family. Couldn't have asked for anything better than that to put a smile on my face tonight.

A coke and a smile

A red can of coke, a scratch off ticket, a bingo game, a quick smoke outside, the ice machine downstairs, the tomatoes on your sandwich. A smile, a laugh that was unmistakable, always up for a quick drink after work, ready to listen, ready to vent, ready to be the "work mom"...ready with advice and a friendly hug, or a stern talk and a stiff upper lip. Very rarely a cross word was spoken. A mouth like a sailor and a laugh like an angel. You were living the American dream, so happy and content, even when the world was crashing down around you. You wanted three more years till you retired and then to travel the world with the man you have loved your entire life. You would give anything for your kids....for any of us...call any time, that's what you always said. You were the first one to offer a hug and the last one to leave. You were the luckiest person i have ever known, Tuesdays were always full of stories about bingo and the money you won. You would give the shirt off your back if you needed to and were never too proud to ask when you needed someone. You had the most amazing knack for honesty, your smile would light up the room, you had knowledge beyond any of us in the company, you were genuinely a friend to everyone who you met. You once told me that you won't be judged by what you did but by who you are and how you are remembered. You always said that tomorrow isn't a guaranty and reminded me that it's about what you do today. You fought gallantly to the bitter end my friend. The memories of you will live on forever....you left behind the world a better place than when you found it, a lot of people who love you and are honored to have known you. I hope that you are sitting up there tonight, with your bingo cards in front of you winning every single round...you will be missed, but every time I see a coke can I will think of you and smile and know that it was me that was truly blessed to have been able to spend time with you while you were on this earth. Rest in Peace and make sure you yell bingo loud enough every once in a while so we still know that you are there!