randoms from the airport

I'm sitting at the airport this morning getting ready to board my flight. I'm heading to New York first for a few days before I head to New Hampshire for Squam. It's hard for me to believe it's already that time again. I am looking forward to another great class and the connections I'll make that only happen deep in the woods.

But first New York. Back in the day when I was making my flight arrangements I didn't realize I would be in the city during 9/11. I have to say there is a layer of trepidation, but i am grateful for the coincidence. Can't imagine visiting the big apple any other time.

After enjoying breakfast this morning we had a fun lighthearted ride to the airport. I wasn't quite expecting the reactions I received, though I can't imagine why I didn't, they were so true to them. Bella gave me a big hug, told me to have fun and not to worry, they would be ok. Tess barely gave me a hug claiming 8 days is not long enough to miss. I disagree, even Adam misses after 3 days. Megan, poor meg, cried and cried. Makes it so much harder to walk away when there's tears. Sure do miss them!

How come you're always famished and in need of a bathroom when you fly?? Maybe it's just me, but the complimentary peanuts are a must.

The colors are already beginning to cover our mountains -- they were so beautiful as we flew over them. I've never seen them change so early and I'm thinking it must be a result of the crazy dry summer we had. I hope it doesn't peak when I'm gone -- it's one of my favorite parts of the year.

Fast forward.

Funny how it takes an entire day to post since I'm in and out of service constantly. Right now I'm sitting on the plane for who knows how long waiting to take off. Apparently the big storm in NY is causing problems. Bleh! They keep pushing back the time and I'm wondering now if I won't be spending the night in the airport??

Anyway I better sign off. I had hoped to add some photos, but my phone is quickly dying.

Till next time :) Hope your having a great weekend!

randoms

-For starters I completely missed the lunar eclipse this morning. I am way bummed because I was up in time I just plum forgot, which is sad because I went to bed talking about it. Oh well I suppose there is always 2014.
-We're all anxious for the snow. Megan keeps saying, "it's going to snow, the weather people are always wrong" in hopes that she will be right and it will start snowing at anytime. It just doesn't feel like the holidays without a blanket of white covering the ground.
-Speaking of which, today would be the perfect day to go sledding if only there was snow.
-I am officially done with Christmas shopping and now get to enjoy wrapping it all up. I'm glad it's giving me a chance to focus on what this season is all about.
-Did you realize we only have 15 more days?


-We created the saddest gingerbread house I dare say has ever been made. At least it gave us a chance to laugh, a lot. I suppose that's all that counts anyway--that you're having a good time.
-I am loving each day as holiday greetings fill up our mailbox. It's one of my favorite parts of the season.
-Off all the rooms in our home that shouldn't be cold is my bedroom. It about the only room with insulation, but it's freezing or at least it was. Finally Adam decided the air was getting in through the door so he taped it up. Sure we can't use the door, but at least it feels like you're indoors again.
-Cinnamon roasted almonds are such a weakness of mine.
-Just finished The Little Book and need to find something else to read. What are you reading?


-Bella and Megan had a violin performance at the festival of trees last Friday. So glad I brought my heavy camera along without a means to record the photos (no cf card). Luckily I had my iphone with me.
-Lately I've been in such an organizational mood. I literally want to throw 30% of everything we own away. Problem is in order to pull off such a feat I need to have someone with me. I am more attached to stuff I never use than I thought. Why do we always feel like we will, at some point, need it?
-Have you noticed that more and more people are scheduling their parties for weekday nights fearing you'll be busy on the weekends. This is the first year a full weekend in December has been open for us. I am grateful for a completely schedule free Saturday.

Lately

--My sister's in town with her family and I've been MIA because of it. I always enjoyed this portion of our summer, but it seems this time has gone by too fast and I don't want it to end.
--I've been listening to a lot of Selena Gomez & Justin Bieber in the last week thanks to my niece Taylor.
--Our big primary parade has now come & gone, it was over the weekend, and I'm feeling like I'm breathing a bit easier now.
--Megan and I have been butting heads this last week. I feel like she's testing my resolve and consistency, luckily though, I have yet to give in. Hoping it's just a stage.
--Just made a Texas sheet cake and accidently left out 1/2 a stick of butter. Such a bummer when you're craving chocolate cake.
--School registration is tomorrow. I'm still in a bit of shock summer is on it's way out.
--I've been re-watching Downton Abbey with my sister and I'm enjoying it just as much as the first time.
--Just finalized my travel plans for New Hampshire. Cannot wait to go!

thursday miscellany

I have been crazy for reading since January began. I can't understand what it's about since last year I gave such a poor reading performance. Perhaps it has something to do with hiding out from the gray January days, who knows, but for whatever reason I find that I cannot read enough. I just started Major Pettigrew's Last Stand, which I am thoroughly enjoying--great writing, great characters, great story--really digging it.


This is a typical scene I watch unfold every morning after the girls have brought up their school paraphernalia & get ready to head out the door. On this particular day Bella is busy lecturing Megan about treating her violin case with respect. Of course the boots, blanket, and multiple stuff animals are Megan's loot that she brings up with her every morning--her Kitty and pillow pet, known as Pandy, are never far away. It's become part of my routine to get them back to their proper home once the house is quieted down.


Have I told you yet that I've decided, unequivocally, that I am not a painter? Feels good to finally admit that. And it's not even that I think I stink at it as much as I'm not even sure I enjoy it like I use to, though I'm quite certain those two things are related. At any rate, I played around last weeks with some friends and after staring, for far too long, at a masterpiece gone wrong Jenica helped me, in the end, mess it all up.


The January gray is seriously messing with my chi, and while I know we've had some good and sunny days mixed in, I think I'm just done with it--like when I said I was done with it two weeks ago--done with it.

detour-ish kind of day

Some times it can be a benefit to leave your house at 6:30 in the morning. I guess you never know what might cross your path. This morning it was this view...



sort of took our breathe away when we pulled out of the neighborhood to see the city lights sparkling below a brilliant setting full moon. We were all speechless for a moment, it took only two seconds to decided, and then I turned the car around. No one was surprised at all to see us heading back toward the house--I think they've been with me long enough to know exactly why. The view was too stunning to pass up and luckily I had given enough time for this sort of detour.

It seems like it's been one of those types of days, a detour sort of day. The weekend was long, four days long, and while I should be catching up on all the house work that fell to the side while we took time off, my body is slower than usual today to get back into it. You see, I didn't sleep well last night and really haven't been since I mentioned it last week. I thought it was nothing, but now I'm curious as to whether or not my body is deficient in some key element and unable to completely let go. The lack of sleep has worn on me enough to where my long weekend was about catching up on what I had missed.

My head hurts, really it's my eyes, but I still managed to make it up to the school to volunteer in Megan's classroom. There were sufficient parents to cover the class and so I was going to leave as quickly as I came until Megan spotted me and begged me to stay. I milled around in my sweats and ponytail helping where I was needed, grateful I wasn't self conscious at all amongst the other "put together" moms. Even if I do know them I'm not afraid to be seen like I just rolled out of bed. Somehow I am confident in that, but perhaps I shouldn't be...

I came home, made dinner, folded some laundry and found myself on the couch finishing up the last 20 pages of Never Let Me Go. I know that doesn't sound too detour-ish, but I never read during the day, not usually anyway. I save that for the evening when everyone is in bed, which just goes to show you why I haven't been reading very many books. Seems I'm asleep as soon as I touch my pillow--the problem is staying asleep. At any rate, I was reading and crying and I can't even be sure why because I didn't love the book--I'm what you'd say, somewhere in the middle. It started out good, I loved the narrator, but then it took a different turn I hadn't really expected. Honestly I can't quite figure out how I feel about it. All I know is the story, their lives and what they were about saddened me and I long for them to have a better ending. Apparently sleep messes with my emotions.

And so here I am blogging, wondering what I'm doing writing such a random post? What I should be doing is taking a nap so I'll be lively when the kids get home from school, but honestly I'm trying to keep myself awake so I don't mess up my sleep for tonight. I heard once that the worse kind of torture would be to keep someone awake for days at a time. I am beginning to understand what they mean--I'm just not functioning in my same normal way. And I guess that's ok, every now and again you need a good detour. Except I don't know that I'd classify this as good, but it's most definitely detour-ish.

All from the comfort of my phone

It's 3:43am, but when I got started it was only 1:58am. I say that as if it's so normal to be up at 2am awake in bed. I assure you it's not & I'm not happy about this at all.

So what does one do when awake, but doesn't want to get out of bed? Get stuff done using my iPhone. So far I've....

checked email
Checked on orders
Read USA today
Checked facebook
Listed an item on eBay
Ordered from amazon
Signed up for a free Jessica sprague class
Looked through camera roll & deleted a few images


Rediscovered this moment with Megan while shopping back in May
Added more items to my ever increasing to do list
Crossed some off my list
Played a game
& now blogged

Now if only I could have exercised....

xo
Amy
iPhone

friday miscellany

[taken by Amy somewhere in between the outer banks and Raleigh, NC]

01. I cried when I saw this picture. I can't say for sure why. I guess I was just overcome with emotion seeing myself in a place I love to be. Thank you Amy for taking this and seeing me this way. I've really been working hard trying to see myself in the same light as others do, see my talent and embrace it. One thing among the many I learned while in NC when you are true to yourself, when you are using your authentic voice, when you put your whole heart and soul into something you shine and others respond. It's a lesson I am constantly learning, but one I am determined to master.


02. While in North Carolina I was fortunate enough see Jordan and be with her family on Sunday evening. After being gone from my family for almost a week it was such a pleasure to spent time with them and experience their little bits of normalcy that I had been missing. The banter between children, running around, art projects in the works, their laughter and joy....it all felt like home to me. While with them, before they fed me a delicious meal, I had the opportunity to take photos of her beautiful family. I still have not edited them all completely, but this one is a favorite as I remember the two little girls desperate to show me their chickens.


03. It was quite a shock to me to fly into the valley and see a dusting of snow covering the rockies, but it was a quite a different story when I woke up Wednesday and saw at least 4 inches covering the ground. From beach to snow I admit I wasn't ready, but have now since surrendered to the ever changing season and that fall is on it's way out.


04. I've been trying to give my girls more and more opportunities in the kitchen. Today it was waffles, the other day it was banana bread. I've notice more and more lately that they've been thriving on responsibility. I guess their too young to really know what that means, lol, but am always impressed by their desire to be more independent. Sort of freaks me out though to see them taking over a job I would normally do. Megan said to me the other day, "mom when I'm like you will you live next door so my kids can come see you everyday?" Hmm. A bunch of Megan's running around is a scary thought... I responded, "what if we just lived in the same town?"

I hope everyone has a fabulous Friday and an enjoyable Halloween weekend. It really is crazy to think once Sunday is over our focus becomes the holiday season. yikes.

xoxo, amy

four for friday

01.
I have my brother's girls here with us this weekend so my dear Adam is out numbered once again, 6 to 1. It's kind of nice that their coming falls on Conference weekend because it means we can hunker down at home and have no need to go anywhere. With all of us together it's hard not to imagine what it would be like being the mother of all 5 kids, girls no less...I'm thinking pretty crazy.

02. After scrubbing my nieces puke off Megan's floor this morning, yep she's sick, my darling husband kissed me goodbye and managed to rip half my toenail off. Poor guy was mortified when it happened. I for one couldn't focus on his apology as the pain almost caused me to faint...apparently I don't do good with this sort of thing. It was a strange morning. Strange day really.

03.
Do you know the power of the silly bands? Apparently they are great bribes. My girls will do just about anything for a package. BTW ebay has some great deals if you're in the market.

04.
Spend a good portion of time earlier in the week at barnes & noble pouring over Communication Arts Design Annual. It was loaded with so many idea I kept telling myself to make a mental note of certain projects when in fact I know I won't be able to and just need to buy it so I can use for future reference...Adam you getting this?

I was going to do five, but I only got four in my right now. I hope you all have a fabulous weekend!

xox, amy

monday randoms

Just got done with dinner with my girls, Adam's out of town for the week so it's me and them til Friday. I'm not sure Bella, Tess or I got a word in edgewise as we listen to Megan prattle on about her school adventures. So far since school started 1 girl has broke her arm and another one broke her leg. I'm thinking they're going to get rid of the monkey bars.


So last weekend...what a mess. I knew it was going to rain and would have much rather spent the last night with my sister instead of wet outdoors, but Adam felt it necessary that we go to our ward camp-out, so we did. I admit it was more fun than I could have imagined watching 1/2 the tent fill up with water and all four adults smashing into the other half while we tried to stay dry. I guess there is something enjoyable about the sense of adventure...even when it does involve being uncomfortable. It was fun playing games while the rain pelted down and the thunder cracked on the outside. The next day was beautiful weather and if we didn't need to get home to Megan's soccer game I'm sure we would have stayed up there longer.

I've decided to give up candy again and you'll know I've already failed one day into it when I tell you the symphony chocolate bar Adam bought tastes like mint chocolate. I thought maybe he bought mint chocolate to try it out until I saw the candy bar sitting next to a pack of winter-mint gum. I never knew gum in a package could be strong enough to infuse with chocolate.


My dear friend Hannah sent me this one of a kind magnet. I've put it in my kitchen on my magnet board in a prominent place where I can look at it daily to remind myself not only of the good friends I have, but the gift I have to choose the life I want. Thank you Hannah!


Remember this post I did a few weeks ago? I haven't forgot you see, it's just I've had lots going on since then. I stole some time while my sister was busy shopping with her kids one day to tackle my studio. It was just too depressing to walk into and I couldn't take it any more. I got rid of the ugly costco table and utilized the table we use to have in our library. Then after cleaning off my desk I moved it around and wallah, I have a completely different look. I am quite pleased with what I've done so far. It is not complete, I have a lot of organizing and work to do on the walls, but I've already been inspired to be in here more and really that's what I was looking for.

I thoroughly enjoyed the 60-70 degree rainy weather today and can now say I'm ready for autumn. :)

Miscellany

**I'm playing catch up today after spending a great weekend away, actually I should say, I should be playing catch up. I've been busy taking kids to music lessons and school registration that I haven't had the time to catch up like I ought to. Luckily though, Adam did a lot of it over the weekend (what a gem, right?) so it won't be overwhelming once I get after it tomorrow.


[adam took this with my phone]

**Well there was one thing I did get caught up on...being with my girls. It was an utter delight to see my girls this morning. I got in at 10:30p last night so I was unable to be with them when I got home and was anxious to get my arms around them today. I didn't have to wait too long as they each made their way into my bedroom when they woke up to say hello and cuddle up next to me. I have decided these moments have been my most favorite from the summer and will be the ones I miss when they're back in school.

**School. So hard for me to believe school starts in less than two weeks. Like I said we had registration today to sign up for SEP conferences and volunteer times throughout the year. I'm hoping to be at the school one day a week to help in all the classrooms. Hard to imagine they will be at the same school with the same drop off/pick up times...first time in 7 years.

**I've had my computer at the shop getting windows 7 put on it since last tuesday. I took it in then thinking I would be able to pick it up when I got home, but it turns out they haven't even started on it. UGH! They did say they were super busy when I dropped it off, but come on, a week. The joys of technology.

**I've uploaded and am in the process of looking through my photos from the weekend. Had hoped to have a post this evening, but spent the night playing go fish, jenga, & the 50 states. A wise choice if I do say so myself...I'm learning.

**I'm grateful to be feeling so recharged and happy right now. What a blessing it is.

randoms...my head is full of them

**Bella's been away at a camp since Monday, probably enjoying herself immensely while the rest of use are at home missing her. It's crazy how much one person adds to a family. We were eating dinner Monday night and it felt empty. The four of us seemed so small and yet with Bella we feel complete.

**I want these (I'm so drawn to the squares) or something like it for my kitchen. I know just the place. And since I'm not willing to shell out $260 for them, I'm determined to find them second hand...somewhere.

**I think there's a skunk that has taken up residence in my yard. No, seriously. I haven't seen it, but I keep smelling it randomly throughout the day (which is not good for anyone). Sometimes it's in the front, sometimes the back. It's driving me crazy because I can't have my windows open in the morning or my whole house smells skunky. What should I do? Would Animal Control come trap it?

**I have been sleeping horrible this week and I can't figure out why. I get to sleep great, it's just I can't stay that way. So I've been walking around like a zombie around 3 o'clock in the afternoon wondering when I can get back in bed. Drives me crazy.

**Speaking of being tired, I have backed off some, ok a lot, on my p90x. I'm still doing it, but I do miss things (like whole days) here and there. I did do 30 push ups Tuesday morning so I must be doing something right.

**I finally decided to get rid of our home phone and buy a prepaid phone to leave at the house for emergencies and what not. I've thought about it for a long time, but kept dragging my feet. It just makes sense, plus, between that and cutting my cable service in half we'll save like $90 a month. Stoked.

**Last Sunday we had church outside at This Is the Place Heritage Park (more to come), and we gave a ride to our handicap neighbor. He is a funny 55 year old man who's all about business. He doesn't like to be late, in fact if it were up to him he would be hours early and he won't give me the time of day when I say hi to him at the grocery store (he's a bagger there). Anyway, he seems to understand a lot, but he doesn't speak really well. You have to really listen to understand him. When we pulled up to the park Tess said, "this place, I hate this place." (honestly I have no idea where this is coming from. The only other time we've been was last year for church so maybe she's just thinking it's going to be hot, I don't know). After she said it, Richard, who's in the front said in a, I can't believe you just said that sort of way, "dude". Adam and I couldn't contain ourselves. It was just too perfect his disgust. She kept her mouth shut after that.

**Remember this project. I've yet to finish it (ugh I hate that), but have recommitted myself to getting it done and starting 2010. Now that I'll have more time this fall I have no excuses...not that I did before.

tuesday randoms

*It's not quite 7pm, but I'm already in my pjs ready to curl up with a good book and say good bye to this day. Not that is hasn't been a good one, quite the contrary, but even a good day can be an exhausting one.
*I think I'm extra giddy that I don't have anything going on tonight. Literally I think this was the first night we ate as a family in like two weeks. Honestly, I can't remember the last dinner I just made for the 5 of us.
*I've been needing to make banana bread for several days now. I keep looking at the pile of withering bananas wondering if they will hold off for another day.
*Don't fall asleep while reading a hard cover book. I found out the hard way last night when the book fell on my face and the dust jacket cut my face. Ya, seriously.
*Week 5 of P90X is underway. It sucks.
*The nest outside my window is empty now. I'm sad they moved on.
*Just asked Megan where Bella was and she said, "she's downstairs watching Nova...about dreams. It's a boring show."
*Went to Sephora for the first time last night while out with Adam's mom and sisters to celebrate my MIL birthday. Never really understood the allure until I went and saw that they carried Fresh products (love their sugar line). Now I'm happy they came to town.
*Speaking of being at the mall...we got lock in the mall last night with a bunch of other people. What? Seems like a serious hazard.


*I had a babysitter today for a few hours which turned into a neighborhood water balloon fight. Good times.

randoms from the month of May

Congrats to Bella! She got first place in her class spelling bee. She left that morning telling me she was going to come home with a trophy and she did. I think that's the secret in action.


This is the card Adam made for his mom for mother's day. It's little bits and pieces of email forwards she has sent him over the years. I thought it was endearing.


The lilacs have been out for a couple of weeks now and it's been a good couple of weeks. I love lilacs.


Tess took a few friends bowling for her birthday last Friday.


Saturday Adam and I spent a good amount of time looking for music. Always a good pass time for us. (photo by tess)


I took these 3 to get a Slurpee and as it turns out the machines were broken UGH! Surprisingly they did quite well with the news, but I had a feeling they wouldn't let me leave without getting them something. Here is Megan negotiating what else they could get as I take the picture. Shouldn't they have a sign from the street that says "machines down"?


Before we went to the cemetery we celebrated Tess and my niece Estee's birthdays. Don't those cupcakes look delicious? Let me tell you they were. My SIL Amy could go into business.


We went to Liberty park Memorial Day with our good friends who's daughter was having a birthday. It was a low key day walking around (the weather couldn't have been more perfect) talking while the kids played in the water attractions, and going on a few shady rides. Still can't believe we went on those old rides...I was less than certain we weren't going to fall to our death.

photo mischellany

Megan and I play a lot of "go fish". How in the world is she beating me? I rarely win...maybe that's why she wants to play so much.


Adam was out of town several weeks ago and I took the girls to see The Lightening Thief. Sadly I was bored, perhaps you need to read the book so it doesn't feel so choppy. They really liked it.


Seeing the goggles at the edge of the pool just made me happy.




Something about this photograph I just love.


Earlier in the week I may have looked at this photo and said "It's been far too long since I've pulled out the paints", but today after a conversation with Adam and Jill about 10,000 hours I'm thinking, "I have a lot of hours ahead of me to get where I want to be." Luckily today it doesn't feel intimidating. Why can't that feeling last?


I've been helping out in Tess' classroom with junior achievement the last three weeks. Even though they're a great class, I'm still so impressed with teachers...it's a tough job.


Made these tags to go on the party favors for Bella's birthday party. I have a thing for butterflies right now.

15 minute thoughts

-Going to bed at 8:30pm is awesome, too bad I didn't sleep well. I wonder if going to bed so early was the reason?
-Bella is paying someone else's mom $15 to make her a hat. What's up with that? Should I be offended?
-I woke up to falling snow today and it made me smile, don't ask me why. If I don't have to be out in it I love it...too bad I'm going to be out in it all day.
-So I've decided we (everyone living with me) are not "landers" and I'm determined to change that this year...starting with them :)
-Last night we had a spontaneous Queen family sing off in the car. I should have recorded us singing/yelling our hearts out. Go figure, I think Adam won.
-I think I broke my little toe today hitting it against the wall and all Megan had for me was, "ya, that hurts".
-The thing about facebook is it leads you to believe you have way more emails than you actually do. I wish they would only send you your updates.
-Strangely I have the Wizard of Oz songs in my head.
-Damages season 3 started last night and I'm so looking forward to watching it, though, I'm so use to watching the DVDs I think it will be hard to follow along with it live.
-While I like to eat and I don't even mind cooking, I hate to think of what to eat. I wish someone else would prepare the menu for me. Any takers?
-That reminds me the Pioneer Woman cookbook should be at my door any day now. Maybe that will help.
-BTW how is she (pioneer woman) not 200lbs? I've seen her recipes.
-Buzzers ringing, it's time to get off. Yes, I have a buzzer. It's too easy to get lost online so I set a timer and it's totally changed my efficiency while on the internet. I hope there aren't any huge spelling errors because I've ran out of time...who am I kidding, I have to edit.

have a great Tuesday.
ciao!

pieces

As of yesterday we are back on a schedule. As much as I loved my luxurious sleep ins during the holiday break, it feels good to get back on track. My organizing/purging mood that started after Christmas is still with me even though you can't tell I touched the basement at all. Sigh. I'm hoping to get to each room by the time February comes around. Today I took 4 bags to the DI. Feels good to give/throw stuff away...doesn't it?


I keep thinking to myself, so much for resolutions. Five days in and I've already eaten a weekly size portion of candy. I thought I had better willpower than that. Apparently I need to take it once step further and just get it out of my house. I admit to being sad about that. I do love candy after lunch. What do you do to satisfy your sweet tooth?


I'm working as quickly as I can to make the gratitude journals so they'll be ready by next week. I spent all day yesterday printing and was only able to complete 4 books (that's just the printing mind you). I figured out it took me 2 hours to print one book so today I've been calling around and think I will be going the professional route. Just doesn't making sense otherwise.


I could definitely use a bit of this clarity today. I took this photo Satruday morning through my studio window and was amazed by the bright blue sky I woke up to. Today it's gray and drab. Although I'm feeling great, the incessant grayness does have a way of sneaking in from time to time. Man, I wish it would snow again to wash it all away.

so far...

We've been baking,


and they've been helping.


We've enjoy Christmas lights galore.


We've given Santa our Christmas list,


and been an angel in the nativity.


We've partied hard at classic skating [adam took this]


and spent good times with cousins wearing the pjs Nana made.


We've learned how quickly you can make reindeer antlers with panty hose and balloons (Adam's extended family Christmas party),


and squishing each other off the one remaining chair being the best way to win at musical chairs.


I've found subliminal messages from Megan on her board,


and a really cool arrangement of crayons thanks to Tess.


We've enjoyed making and counting down with our advent,


and the changing weather, or not. Man it's been bitter cold.


We've brought home classroom projects,


and a classroom pet...but you already knew that.

...it's been a good month.