Hair Today.............

Gone tomorrow.......

We love when D1 comes to town!!

Oh Man.........

I set the goal of five blogs a week. Monday through Friday. Each day at 9:00 a.m. Like clock work. However, I didn't take into account I might only get 15 hours of sleep in the 48 hour period since the first set of grans arrived. And I really didn't take into account that my computer would get a virus.  I know for a fact I didn't sign up for that one; very disappointing and lame.  But on the bright side I learned that 14 is a happy number!

I know, I know.........

I just don't know what I know.

Energy has arrived.......in the form of

these three grans!

In this view they look how I feel......

And I'm remembering what I knew!

The Grans

A friend shared this poem with me, taken from her Great-grandmother's autograph book.  I love it.

Long may you live,

Happy may you be.

Blessed with fourteen grandchildren,

Seven on each knee!

Well, I don't have fourteen grandchildren yet but I do believe I will someday.  And as for today I'm blessed to say six are on the way and three shall be here for a month long visit.  In a word I am blessed indeed!

The Mind

Why is it that some things we seem to forget in an instance. And other things we can't for the life of us erase it from our minds.  I know our minds are like sponges............but seriously sometimes I just want to clear the mechanism.  Then there's that time thing; coming back to me like a bad penny.  I think I'll just hit ctrl-alt-delete.  Oh never mind, time is the only thing that works...........again!

Clouds

Often when we leave for work in the morning it is a bright sunny day at our house. But as we approach the top of Mount Saint Helena we can see the valley below covered in fog or “low” clouds. Interestingly, these summer clouds are really just a protective coat over the morning; giving the sun an extra hour or two to sleep in. Clouds are kind in that way – being the sun is hard work and summer days are long. No vacations days in the summer for Mr. Sun. Morning clouds are like a hug when you least expect it. They are a subtle reminder  that nature has much to teach me if I stop long enough to look and listen.

Good Time Bad Time

So I think I have a love/hate (I know hates a strong word) so I’ll use frustrating instead relationship with time. You know time, the thing there is never enough of.  We hear “it’s about time” or “time is running out” or “time’s up” or “time is of the essence.”  Now that’s a great one; not only is there not enough time but now you are trying to rush me. How about this one “better luck next time” at least there is hope in that statement; provided we want to try again! Then of course there is “time waits for no man or woman.” Now that’s time with an attitude ……..great! So where is the love of time? What about “play time” or the “good times” or “party time.” Hey I thought "time was on my side." Honestly, there are innumerable names for time; “me time” or “mom time” or “dad time.” Why even the seasons have a time; “summertime” and “wintertime.” You get the picture about time; you know of that which I speak. But there is one more thing about time that I often miss; time heals. It eases pain, it softens the memory. Time is a gentle healer, it never rushes. I love that about time. So although I get frustrated by what seems to be a lack of time in my life. Today I will look at the passing of time with a greater appreciation. Today I’ll look at time as the great teacher that it is and work harder to do the best that I can with the time that I have.

One Potato, Two Potato

So, D1 sent me a recipe for a fun breakfast idea. You take a baked potato and an egg and some cheese and a little fresh parsley from the garden (or from the store) and some lovely cooked bacon.  

All things good! 

 "Baked Potato Eggs"

After baking your potato cut off a bit of the top;

then partially scoop it out

(you can save the insides for something else)

Sprinkle a little cheese on the bottom

because I love cheese!

Crack your egg right into your potato!

Top with more cheese and a little fresh parsley!

Bake at 375 for 20-25 minutes for a nice over-easy egg.

If you like your egg not so over-easy bake it 10-15 minutes longer.

After you remove the goodness from the oven

top with some pieces of yummy bacon!

Now it's time to dig in!

Oh Brother.....

Hey

You

Sleepy

Heads

Time to

Get Up

We interrupt this blog......

for an important announcement!

I won a portrait from

Rachael Rossman

I love her work!

She is an amazing artist!

And I won...

Me!

Lucky Number 11

That's Me!

A Winner!

Thanks Rachael!

Thanks Rachael's Husband!

(He picked my number)

Happy Birthday Shout Out

To S2 and Dil2

Wishing you everything good!

Love you both!

I don't want to see this

So last night when I went upstairs and started up the laptop.  That's the routine, that's what I do each and most every night. Last night was no different.  Except for this message:

"Your computer was unable to start. 

Start-up repair is checking your system for problems."

Excuse me what did you say and why did you say that?  Well it goes through "its process" and for better or worse it started up without any more messages.

Computers they have a mind of their own.

The Draft

This is not a post or commentary about sports. Rather it is about my writing style. From the beginning of my time I have always started anything that had to do with writing on scratch paper; from a birthday card to a major school project, it didn't matter. No writing was too small for it to start as a draft. I can only surmise that this behavior stems from my desire to do good work; to have the end result perfect in my eyes. My children will attest to the fact that when they were in school and had a report to do I always told them to start with a draft and work the project from there. It only made sense to me………to do and re-do until you were satisfied with the results.  So today "do and re-do" goes something like this:

1. I get the idea (usually in the shower or on the road);
2. I put it on paper – that’s my first draft;
3. I call D1 and D2 with my idea;
4. They send me their draft;
5. Then we do and re-do;
6. At last perfection!

What would I do without D1 and D2?

Plague

Why oh why do I avoid this like the plague?

Everyday I think about it...

Every Morning....

Each and every Afternoon...

And all over again at Night...

But still I continue to avoid it.........like the plague!

My Plague

Nesting

I have been thinking a lot about that word "nesting" lately. I looked the word up in Wikipedia and found this definition:

“It is commonly characterized by a strong urge to clean and organize one's home, and is one reason why couples who are expecting a baby often reorganize, arrange, and clean the house and surroundings. This behavior is colloquially known as "straightening out", "clearing the road", or "clearing the coast", or "building a door".”

We are so exciting to be "nesting" in preparation for our month of grans! Let the countdown begin!

Out of Nowhere

Just prior to the "trip" I spotted this license plate as we drove down Tubbs Lane in Calistoga.

How crazy is that?

Birthday Shout Out

Happy Birthday to my Favorite Little Cowboy!

Parting is such sweet sorry

The anticipation is part of the fun;

The end is the hardest part when it is time to say good bye;

But what's in the middle keeps us coming back for more!

Enjoy!!

(And no I'm not getting a new car........but it doesn't hurt to test drive!)

Reality

We are back from a long weekend in New Mexico!

Time passes too quickly when spent with the grans

and this trip was no different!

Please stay tuned.....

More about our trip tomorrow........

Empty Nesters

We've been empty nesters now for almost nine years (had to stop and do some counting on that one). But our home is really not empty what with our lively life with the girls! But they have been away at "summer camp" now for over a week. It is crazy how empty our house is without them. Our home is very "girl" proof but now we can leave gates open and doors open with no worries. We can leave home without worry of being gone too long.......they don't like to left home alone. It is just sooooooo empty here.........I can't live like this! It is time to come home from camp ladies...............there is work to be done!

Keeping the gophers at bay!

Weeding the Garden

Movies

Mr. Man loves westerns especially John Wayne westerns........well anything John Wayne actually.  But this is the thing, no matter how many times he's seen them, no matter how corny they are (ok that's my review) he is glued to the t.v. watching them.  And it doesn't matter how late at night they are on or how tired he is, he is still glued to them...........never once does he doze or even blink it seems.  He just loves them.  But turn on any other type of movie and the man is snoring within 10 minutes.  I don't get it........sighhhhhhh......

Satisfaction

If you see it out of place,

Put it in its proper space!
And so I have

Lovely........lovely, lovely

(I love furlough Fridays)

This just in........

We interrupt this blog to bring you a fun give away.

Just follow this link and you are on your way!

If you like flowers you won't be disappointed!

So I've been thinking.....

.........which I know can be dangerous.  But only good thoughts here.  So.....I love the Thanksgiving holiday and I love it because it isn't rushed, it can just be enjoyed for the sheer goodness of it.  I love it because it is about giving thanks.  I love it because I have so much to be thankful for. 

Monday, I realized how much I love Memorial Day. I love it because it brings people together.  I love it because of the sacrifices so many have made on our behalf and we are given an opportunity to show our thanks on this day of remembering. 

Thanksgiving and Memorial Day

My Favorite Days!!

Where in the world are you.........

 D2 has a map on her blog and I love to see where people live who visit her blog.  It is like traveling without leaving home!  I decided I wanted that.  So last week I added a map to my blog.  It has been fun in just one short week to see where my lurker's live.  Now that I've discovered where in the world you are......maybe I'll get to hear from you too, but if no, thanks for stopping by.......the door's always open!