Absent

I had this whole post about the past weekend just about ready to go. Then, I had to leave to drop the girls off at school and Jason off at work - still functioning as a one car family. Not as much fun as I thought it might be. But, it's almost over and I am grateful for our friend Jimmy who is bringing the 'blue car' back to life.

Anyhow, when I returned from my chauffeuring duties, I sat back down to finish the post and I just froze. I was stuck and couldn't move forward with it. Whatever direction I may have been heading with my post was lost. Forever stuck in some limbo state. Never to be remembered. I was mad. I thought it was going to be so good. Well spoken. Aptly described. Dotted with pictures. 

Not going to happen. It sits in my drafts, lonely and half-done. And there it will sit, collecting dust until someday when maybe I will remember how I was going to finish it so that it satisfied my loose yet harsh standards. 

This is what happens when I get distracted. My brain runs amuck and nothing is safe. Even something as simple as laying out the past weekends adventures. Maybe this weekend will be better for me. Three days off. A volunteer plant sale (more on that later). And some much needed time with the girls and Jason. Let's see how it goes. 

(one picture from the weekend - outside the nifty Cable Car restaurant we dined at)

Movie Night

I declared pizza and movie night Friday. Jason had to work late so it was just the girls and I. Much to their disappointment, I might add. Well, that quickly flew out the window as soon as I suggested going to the video store (yes, they still exist!) and picking out some entertainment. Scooping up some pizza was icing on the cake! 

We cruised the kids movies and settled on three suitable, never before watched flicks. I then proceeded to look for some movies more to my liking and I hit pay dirt. It's been a while since I have actually gone to look for a movie to watch. I just kept grabbing the cases off of the shelves. I managed to stop myself once I reached 'H' and realized that I already had five and was reaching for another. 

How sad, I thought. It's really been a while since I've watched a movie. The last movie I actually went to the theater to watch was The Princess and the Frog - great kids movie, but come on, that's kinda sad.

Anyhow, great success! Bath's were given without much complaining. Perhaps it's because I dangled another movie like a carrot in front of them. Well, I suppose the promise of cookies and milk probably helped too.

(Eating on the living room floor. They love it.)

Washed Away

I feel like we live in Seattle right now. Freakin' rain has been ridiculous lately. If I hadn't butch-cut the back yard, much to Jason's dismay, it would look like a jungle right now. The grass and plants are so green right now that even on a gloomy MI afternoon, it was bright outside.

We have had to bail the pond out several times now. Poor fish were seeing their lives flash before their eyes. Over and over again. 

Even the puppies didn't want to go outside this morning. And they'll go out no matter what. Rain. Snow. Sleet. Freezing. Hotter than a frying pan. They aren't picky. Except for this morning. I guess if I were faced with the prospect of getting drenched and blown over while I was trying to pee I might think about it too.

Weather should be turning around. It better. I am tired of the doom and gloom MI spring. 

Slow news day - posting about the weather...oh well. 

Re-Birth

There comes a time in every car's life where it is old. Past its prime. Scrap. That time almost came for the 'blue' car. Our lovely Escape, with less than 50,000 miles on it and only five years old decided that its current engine just couldn't hack it anymore. When Jason turned the key on Monday morning to start it up, an unpleasant knocking noise was heard. Hoping for something simple to fix, it went to the dealer for a look-see. 

Later that day, Jason got the news - a new engine was needed. A rod had broken. Blah. Blah. Blah. $4-6k. Crazy laughter, muttering and cursing followed. That would have been from me, when he called to share the 'good' news. 

How the hell does that happen?!?!?! How does a car, that we only ask to drive approximately 50-70 miles a week crap out like that? It's not old. It is well loved, cared for. It has a nice garage to hang out in. A van to converse with overnight. What the heck else does it need?

After much soul searching, research and more swearing (me again) we made a decision. One of the perks of Jason's job is meeting all sorts of people with different talents. One of those such people, Jimmy, offered to try and find an engine. With a more reasonable install charge, he said he could replace it. THANK YOU JIMMY!!!!! We will certainly owe you big time! 

So, sorry dealer, you're not getting us to bend over on this one. You should be ashamed of yourselves! Charging almost double the cost of the actual engine in labor. Do you really think we are that stupid? I wonder what they would have said the cost would have been had I been the one to bring it in. What, take advantage of a woman? A car dealer? Never.

Now, we just have to wait patiently for about a week or so for Jimmy to complete the transplant. I think we can manage. 

Happy Mother's Day!

To all the mom's out there - have a great day! 

Enjoy your kids.

Sleep in, if they'll let you. Mine didn't :)

Love your life.

Laugh.

Eat.

Love.

A new day

I woke up this morning slightly unsure of what day it was. As I searched my fuzzy brain for an answer, I looked over to my bed-mate, Olivia, to watch her sleep. She woke up crying last night around 2 am and I dragged my sleepy self into her room to quiet her. It took longer than usual - she was restless and couldn't seem to settle in. I had planned on sneaking out and getting back to my own bed, but I soon resolved myself to staying in her room. So glad we decided to get her a twin bed - makes it much more cozy to stay with her.

She slept so sweetly and soundly this morning. We had to wake her for breakfast, which was not on her agenda. It took some gentle persuading to get her to be one with the world, but she is happily (I think) settled at school for the morning. 

A beautiful day is on the horizon. I see some quality time spent outside on the the new-ish swing set.

Looking back in order to look ahead

I realized today just how off I have been. Looking back through my posts, I have missed a lot. Hardly any Christmas pictures. None of Olivia's birthday. No 'real' shots to speak of. What the heck have I been doing the last few months? Seriously. What gives me? 

It's time to make up for lost time and free my camera of pictures it has been choking on for months. I heard it in the drawer, yelling at me when I would walk by. Lazy bum. Old pictures rotting. Am I ever getting out of here? 

So, here are a few snapshots to catch up on the last few months. 

Christmas morning

Christmas Pancakes

Olivia's Birthday

Showing off new princess outfit

All princess-ed up

Emma 'trying' out her new roller blades

My mess yesterday

The kids cleaning it up :)