Chocolates

Every once in awhile (actually, more often than I will admit), I wake up in the middle of the night trying to catch my breath. I think it's the normal things that everyone dreams/worries about: money, kids, marriage, work...you get the picture. I then try to visualize a relaxing place - and more often then not, it's the beach. I then count to 10 and try to relax each muscle in my body (which, by the way, I don't remember exactly how many muscles we have even though I took anatomy and physiology a mere 2 years ago...I remember how many bones we have: 206). Anyway, my life these past few years has been turned into a whole new normal - and it isn't something I have quite figured out yet. My marriage is 20 years, my kids are growing before my eyes, and I find myself living in my 7th house. I have gone back to work full-time (which has cut back my middle of the night internet jaunts) and still can't seem to get dinner on the table. I found myself at Toys R Us the other day and started wondering when exactly is the last time I was at a Toys R Us? It had to have been in Rocky Mount before it closed. Now that the kids are getting older, I find myself thinking about all that we have grown out of. And it's not a sad thing for me...I do miss some aspects of preschool and wish that my kids taking the bus on the first day of kindergarten was the worst thing that could happen. But we are past that, and now my fear is if my son will get it together and graduate in 2 years. Or if my daughter will get really involved in school and make a good circle of friends. And then there are the "little" girls. I caught myself saying that for the millionth time last night. They are 10 and 7...still my little girls! Ahhhh...life....it really is a box of chocolates....and right now it's the kind that I take a bite out of, not necessarily my favorite, but eat anyway. Cause I need chocolate...like I need my family. It's a staple of life.

4 Thanksgivings

2008 - With the Pearsons - Castle Rock, CO

2007 - Castle Rock, CO

2006 - Rocky Mount, NC

2005 - With the Nadings - Rocky Mount, NC

May 2009...so now I'm wondering why I didn't originally post a picture of 2008? Who knows where my mind is!

hmmm.

i thought i'd post something for november. but i'm really not in the mood so i will say: happy thanksgiving! i love the food! can't wait to eat! see you in december....

I'm leaving on a jet plane...

...but I know I'll be home on Monday. I'm heading to NYC to visit my friend Sandra. I'm flying out with our friend, Malia, on Friday for a quick but fun visit. It will be nice to be together. I've already dug out old pictures (cuz I'm a picture freak). I just want to go and visit. I think Lisa and I did everything there was to do out there 3 years ago. This time it's to catch up and make sure Sandra is okay. She's gonna beat this cancer thing. I know it. See you when I get back (and you all can get up off the floor amazed that I posted twice in one month). :)

Fall is in the air...

Ahhh, I love fall. And not just because of the cool weather, changing leaves, nor the tons of decorations I have amassed over the years. No, I love fall for one reason and one reason only. pumpkin. spice. latte. Yep. We were introduced last year by a mutual friend, Rene. She's the one that told me just last week that they were already in the air. So yesterday Steve and I were heading to Safeway to grab some last minute dinner items (which is typically the story of our family and dinner making) when lo and behold the biggest smile came across my face because I knew right then and there that I would be drinking heaven. We walked into Safeway and I walked right over to the little Starbucks store and with pride ordered my first grande PUMPKIN SPICE LATTE (with whipped cream) for the season. $4.09 later I was walking the aisles oblivious to the chips and cookies calling my name. And all because I love fall and pumpkin spice.

Anybody home?

Ahhh, hello there in blogger-land...anybody home? Because apparently I am still on vacation according to this blog. Can't say what I've been doing. Or not doing. Just taking each day as it comes. And now that I am big-working-woman, who knows when I'll be back. Makes for a great New Years resolution. Maybe I'll write again before January. Maybe not. I'll decide. I TOLD YOU THIS WOULD BE HARD FOR ME! Did anybody listen? I, apparently, did not. And I like my title soooo much that I will not give it up. Not even for an instant. And now I am really babbling...

Time to hit the road

It's vacation time! And you know what that means in our household...pack up the car and let's drive a zillion miles!! It's the night before our big trek and do you think anything is packed??? Heck no!! At least the laundry is done. And there are a million (not a zillion) things on the dining room table ready to go into the car. And we have a full tank of gas, tons of snacks and I've already hit the ATM. Now it's on to Kansas, Indiana and Michigan. It will be fun to be with Steve's family for the 4th of July. Then it's home for a day and my family reunion down in Gunnison for a week. It's going to be a crazy 3 weeks but we'll make it. And we can't wait to start. Wish us luck and say a prayer for me (cuz you know it's me driving and Steve meeting us in Detroit...).