Today I will...

“A smile is the light in your window that tells others that there is a caring, sharing person inside. ”

Dennis Waitley

Today I will make my coffee at home. Maybe. This isn't set in stone. :)
Today I will sit in the quiet and write in my journal. Loving True Stories!
Today I will put chicken in the crock pot so I don't have to worry about dinner after being gone all day.
Today I will spend the day at Stampadoodle with my best friend/cousin creating whatever we decide.

Today I will share a tuna melt (ala Avenue Bread) with said cousin. Tuna melt which will be brought to us by a dear friend who joins us for a "Stampadoodle lunch" every Thursday.
Today I will listen and laugh with my people.

Today I will head to the doctor for a little consult.
Today I will accompany my sister to Halloween City to make a final decision on her costume. I'm voting for Little Red Riding Hood..."Little Red Riding Hood. You sure are looking good. You're everything a big bad wolf could want..."

Today I will share "Li'l Red Riding Hood" by Sam the Sham and the Pharohs with my sister. I'm sure this will convince her on her costume choice.
Today I will smile at a stranger. Yup I will. People need more smiles.
Today I will watch t.v. with the boy. We tend to only do this on Big Bang Theory nights.
Today I will go to book club and hopefully eat some bread pudding. 
Today I will be thankful for my life, my family, my friends, my sandwich...

I am very much enjoying True Stories (as I've stated above). So many great ladies. Loving their blogs. So many great ideas...such as starting every sentence the same (I did that did you notice...haha).

 

Have a great day my friends!

Fall is in the air.

Even though temperatures are hitting the 70s (what the heck Washington?) autumn still reigns. Foggy mornings, beautiful autumn colors, chili on the stove...Yesterday I picked up a big pot filled with beautiful mums. I love opening my door and being greeted by a smile of flowers "Welcome to fall" they seem to shout!

 

“Don't be afraid to be amazing.”

—Andy Offutt Irwin

This school year my lovely cousin and I have started a tradition of going to Stampadoodle on Thursdays for a few hours to visit and create. It gives us a chance to catch up, decompress and is our true "day off" in the week. Moms don't always get days off so it is wonderful to spend a few hours, mid-week, to just stop and spend time on ourselves. 

“The time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time.”

—Bertrand Russell

“Nobody made a greater mistake than he who did nothing because he could only do a little.” - Edmund Burke

As I sit here thinking about facing this Monday I am ready. Ready to tackle my week. Ready to check things off my to do list. Ready to encourage. I'm ready. One of my roles this fall/winter/spring is as a sponsor for someone in a small (support) group. I've done this before and I take this role very seriously. I've been thinking about encouraging things I can do and I'm ready! So, if you feel so inclined, please feel free to pray for me and my friend as we set out on this journey together.

Have a great Monday. Are you ready?

“Every tomorrow has two handles. We can take hold of it with the handle of anxiety or the handle of faith. ”- Henry Ward Beecher

Monday Monday! I'm trying this thing where I start Monday with a smile. I'm trying to be positive and uplifting (well...if you're one of the few that talk to me before seven a.m. you may be lifting your eyebrows in surprise). I figure it's a good way to start the week. Positive. Uplifting. It's gotta help bring the rest of the week on with a little more happy. Right?

So how did I do? I'd say I had a good start (after eight this morning at least). Greeted my people and situations with a positive nod. Had a nice conversation with a friend. Went to the shoe store and brought Kelly a coffee and subsequently worked for her for the remainder of the day. (That is what happens when you take her coffee so if you don't want to work you better not be nice to her...). Signed my boy up for driver's ed. What? Yep you read that right. Had a little bad parenting moment right around dinner time. But for the most part starting the day with a smile worked.

back to normal?

So I'm home. Today I woke up in my own bed, got the boy off to school, napped out of sheer exhaustion, played catch-up with cemetery work, ran errands, had lunch with my husband, ran more errands, cleaned and did laundry...you know all the regular everyday stuff of life.

I had *fun* with Miss Kelly from Sole Obsession as her borrowed feet for a weekend of shoes, shoes and more shoes. And while the shoe show was fun it was also exhausting. So much work. Kelly has her work cut out for her. We made sure to keep some fun alive...

 Kelly made a new friend.

 

I have issues? How rude.

(I loved this sign for some reason)

 

Simple sneakers for Spring. I love love love Simple sneakers!

hmmmm....

After a long hard day of shoes shoes and more shoes we went to Anthropologie. I think I could live there and wear their clothes. And I kinda want to make this nook in the back yard and take up painting just because...

"If you realized how powerful your thoughts are you would never think a negative thought." - Peace Pilgrim

Yesterday Cheryl and I had our annual day of mom on the kid's first day of school. Lucky moms! Shopping, lunch, education. Good times.

So, I am pretty sure that our little town may be being closed off from the rest of the world. The two main routes in and out of our fair town are under major construction. So, on the way into town, with Cheryl driving, I documented our trip in signs.

Detours, detours, detours.

My awesome shoe! (not a sign, but very cool nonetheless).

Keep following the detour signs and you may find your way to the BIG city.


Go to far on the detour and this could happen. Don't worry take a left and you can get home!
While the detours and construction are annoying at times I have to say I kinda enjoy them. The detours take you off your regular route opening up new things to see. And the construction a block away from my house? It keeps the traffic down. Positive thoughts, positive thoughts.

"Set out each day believing in your dreams.
Know without a doubt you were made for amazing things." - Josh Hinds

As Archer set out on his first day of high school I thought of this quote that appeared in my in box awhile ago. Of course I told it to him and he rolled his eyes, but I hope, as I share these thoughts with him, that somehow they will sink in and he will go out there and continue to be the best Archer he can be.

And, because mom was more nervous about his "big" first day than the child, I treated myself to a few cups of love. Pumpkin Spice Latte and Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffin - ah, YUM! (coffee cup, muffin cup...therefore cups...yes?)

On the cup it says, "We don't just want to make your drink. We want to make your day." Well Starbucks you have (helped)! Thank you!

Happy Wednesday friends!

"A word of encouragement during failure is worth more than an hour of praise after success." - Unknown

So. I have a plan.

1. Wait for the weather to change. (Jerrie says, "Cool down please weather!" that is part of my plan)

2. Blog more.

3. Check YOUR blogs more.

Seems doable. Right?

I really don't know where I've been. This summer hasn't been busier than usually. I think I just needed a little hiatus. I've been doing a little "Jerrie searching" and enjoying time with my friends and family. Life is good.

Thanks to my bloggy friends (Tami in particular) who missed me enough to ask if I was ever going to blog again...I am. I PROMISE.

I suppose I should add something else to the list

4. Take more pictures.

My camera has been on a break too...I went away for days with my lovely cousin, left the camera at home...took cell phone pics only. Poor Archer turned 14 with only one cell phone picture at Starbucks to show for it. Ok. Camera is going in the purse again.

Here I go...

See you soon.

"Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful." - Albert Schweitzer
(cats know this!)

On Sunday I introduced you to Tik. He has been with us for five days now and is quite ingrained into our family. He definitely has his own personality and is full of kitten curiosity. So far Ellie May tolerates him (he LOVES her) and Jazz is scared as can be - spend most of her days and nights outside at this time...she's warming up a bit...I think.

Tik's favorite things (so far):
being held
meowing in the kitchen (thanks to Ellie May he thinks that is what you are suppose to do there)
meowing to be held
sitting on your lap at the computer
exploring
sleeping
sleeping on Troy's pillow
sleeping on Troy's head
climbing the screen door
exploring more
running around
exploring some more.
So much fun (and so much work) to have a kitten in the house. Loving him!

“Do not wait; the time will never be 'just right'. Start where you stand, and work with whatever tools you may have at your command, and better tools will be found as you go along.” - Napoleon Hill

This quote made it's way into my in-box today and spoke to me in that motivational way that resonates in your heart, but aren't sure where it will take you. Hope you enjoy it as well.

The picture is from a year ago today. I have to say that Archer no longer mows the lawn like this. Well, at least he hasn't for awhile. Last year I think he just tried to entertain himself during what he thought was a long chore, which in reality only takes about 20 - 30 minutes.

I had thoughts in my head for several posts over the past week, but none came. Hmmm...I'm feeling a bit unmotivated. I had a nice little piece written, in my head of course, for Mother's Day, however then Friday came and I was hit with a horrible Spring cold. Horrible. I spent the whole weekend (mostly) in bed.

So, I just want to say Thank You to my guys who took care of me this weekend. They cleaned the house, did yard work, made their own food, brought me Starbucks and flowers and most of all let me rest. I am on the mend, still not a 100 percent, but getting there.

Happy Monday friends. Remember, the time will never be "just right," - just DO! :)

oh another note? what the heck happened with my fonts today? aaaahhhhhhhh!!!

“To dream anything that you want to dream. That's the beauty of the human mind. To do anything that you want to do. That is the strength of the human will. To trust yourself to test your limits. That is the courage to succeed.” —Bernard Edmonds

Tuesday. After a full day of work at school on Monday, I am ready for a little home time on Tuesday. I've been working dutifully to "spring clean" the house and today I shall continue.

I'm also meeting with my friend Crystal today to help plan a 20-hour crop. First of all, let me say, I am not really one to go to crops. Me and Lorinda in my kitchen are about my speed, however Crystal asked and I said yes. I am pretty excited for her. She had lap-band a year ago and is training for the Seattle Rock & Roll marathon...How could I NOT say yes.
*We're meeting for coffee which makes me very happy too!

Hopefully I will find a little free time to read (I will) and watch FlashPoint (which has been on my DVR since Friday).

Have a glorious Tuesday friends.

I KNEW IT!

I knew the birds couldn't eat as much food as I was giving them. I saw a few birds eat from the feeder then this guy comes...Not a cute little gray squirrel, one of these big old black (non-native) squirrels! And it's not that I am mean or anything, but this guy is greedy. He just hung upside down and shook the feeder right into his mouth.

Nice that he would stop to pose for this picture though, huh?

Just feeding away.

My poor birdies. Luckily they have another feeder and I have plans for this one as well...Hopefully squirrel proof ones.

Happy Monday all!

"If you are cold, tea will warm you. If you are too heated, it will cool you. If you are depressed, it will cheer you. If you are excited, it will calm you." ~Gladstone, 1865

I love mornings like today...where I wake up earlier than the rest of the family, I'm not overly tired (although I anticipate a nap later), where I can sit on the couch with a cup of tea and enjoy the morning. I like a little time to adjust to a new day, most of the time I have to wake Archer after I've been up for ten minutes, so vacation days are heavenly for me.

This morning I made myself a cup of tea (contrary to popular thought I drink tea first thing in the morning - the coffee, oh-the-blessed coffee, comes later), I sat on the couch in the quiet with my book. Delightful.
I love Yogi green tea. Not only does it taste divine, I love the little bits of wisdom with each cup of tea. What a nice way to start the morning.
Things are getting back to normal around here. Not sure what normal is, but I guess we'll find out. Troy is off to work today. I will begin the un-decking of the halls. While I absolutely love Christmas decorations it is time to get the house back...I will keep up some winter things - snowmen and a few glittery do-dads that make me happy - to give us cheer during the after Christmas lull. Archer will continue to enjoy his Christmas break - no doubt with some friends over, video games, Monopoly if he can find some sucker to play with.

Have a great Monday. May your day be filled with kindness!

conversation

My cousin, Lorinda (you know the cousin of which I speak, right?), and I make Christmas cards every year. Every year I try to take a sabbatical like my friend Tami does sometimes. Lorinda, however, doesn't let me. Let me tell you right now that NO cards have been made to date. Uh, what day is it? Whatever let's not think about it. So, Lorinda and I have a date for tomorrow while the kids are at school and we WILL be making cards.

Today, I thought I would share our email exchange this morning, which so defines who we are as cousins and friends.

Here goes:

From: Jerrie
To: Lorinda
Sent: Thursday, December 11, 2008 6:50 AM
Subject: tomorrow


Hey girl. Are we still making cards tomorrow? I have started receiving some...Uh OH!!!!

Let me know. I am up for it. My house is seriously a disaster...I know I say that all the time, but seriously just finding the counter right now is a feat in engineering.

I am working all day (teaching...GASP). Email me back or text me. Between 9:45 and 10:45 I am free to text!!!!


Love ya.

j

(should we invite your sister?)

From: Lorinda
To: Jerrie
Sent: Thursday, December 11, 2008 6:59:27 AM
Subject: re: tomorrow

Hey!

If we don't make shit loads of cards tomorrow, I am not going to get them done in time. Work is crazy. School, appointments.................My only real chance will be at your house. I am coming out!

We should invite her that would be nice.

You want me to bring food? I cant wait to see you!!!!!!!!!!!

Love you!
l


From: Jerrie
To: Lorinda
Sent: Thursday, December 11, 2008 7:52:42 AM
Subject: tomorrow

Oh...ya shit loads tomorrow. No time for lack of inspiration. Even if I am sending complete crap I am getting them finished!!!!

Um...YES bring food. Archer & I went to Starbucks this morning for breakfast. NOT (only) because we love it, but because we have NO food, no bread, no muffins, no cereal, no no no nothing. It is so sad. And I have to work a full day today so no shopping!!!! I DO have coffee, cocoa, tea...no lack of beverages! I even have the gingerbread syrup from Starbucks. YES I DO!!!

Do you want to ask your sister or should I? Let me know. I don't think I have her number, will you send it my way?

I will clear off the table and counter (which means load all the SHIT into a basket and put it in the laundry room) and we will be set. Then you can come back another day and see the clean, merry house.

So, it sounds like your week is spiraling out of control with mine. Does it seem like it is either all or nothing? Really there are days/weeks/maybe even a month (haha) where there is NOTHING then WHAM BAM it hits like a (insert bad word/s here)...

See you tomorrow. 9:30ish. I will make sure Troy doesn't come walking out all naked! hehe

LOVE YA.

blessings.

I have a fabulous friend named Aimee. She is actually my cousin Lorinda's best friend since Kindergarten, so I have known Aimee forever. She is funny and sweet. She always (well almost always) has a smile on her face and a kind word for anyone she sees. She has the best laugh and is so kind. She is the type of person you want to be around.

Almost three years ago Aimee and her husband Keith were blessed with triplets. They brought home three absolutely adorable babies, Lauren, Lindee, and Luke. Those sweet babies are now three months shy of three years old. AND let me tell you they are pros at being toddlers. They probably deserve an award, like best toddler(s) or outstanding performance in a toddler life. Especially after a day after today.

The first few pictures were taken by Aimee's friend over the summer (I stole the pics off Aimee's facebook - I am sure she doesn't mind. right Aim?).Aimee and sweet Lind.

the trips. Lauren, Luke, Lindee

The next few pics were taken today. I will let the pictures and captions speak for themselves. Just know that a lot can happen with three almost three year olds in a very short amount of time. All I have to say is God Bless Aimee...(these pics were all taken on cell phones which would explain the quality/size...sorry).

Luke not sure what is going on. (FYI they did have clothes on at some point, next thing you know babies in diapers...)

Lindee after her first (and hopefully only) self-haircut with a little whiteout and green marker for effect.

Lauren. Yes, that is marker. Lots and lots of marker.

Another look at Lindee's haircut. I think it is important to note that Lindee is almost three and this hair is all she has grown in her whole life. Needless to say her hair grows very slowly...and Aimee was a bit sad to see this.

Love you Aimee!

monday monday...

I love a rainy Monday in autumn! LOVE IT! After a nice, relaxing trip to Gig Harbor this weekend I am ready to be back and tackle this week. I have laundry to do (surprise, surprise) and some general cleaning/tidying to do. Normally I would dread having to do the "cleaning thing" but on a rainy Monday I am ready. Ready.

So, after a cup (or two) of coffee and a little blog cruising I will be immersing (well...immersing my be a strong word...but it sure sounds good) myself in home stuff (and, quite possibly, I may also find an hour to sit on the couch with a fuzzy blanket and a book!).

My major goals for today are: laundry, making a big pot (a week's worth) of pumpkin oatmeal (YUM), and making some nut cakes for the fridge so Archer can enjoy some this week before school. If I get these three things accomplished I will feel awesome...and if I do more - yay me!

Happy Monday!

feeling productive.

That's right. You read it here. I am feeling productive this Monday!

I completed the documentation process for the "week in MY life" project (yesterday). Today I uploaded and ordered pictures. I did minimal editing to the photos which is different for me - especially when I am going to have them developed. I have a "look" I'm going for for this album. Hopefully I can achieve said look. I loved the whole documentation process. It was a lot of fun. Really gave me a glimpse into my life. Sounds weird, but I think most will understand. So, this week while waiting for the pictures to arrive in my mailbox I am going to gather, in one place, the supplies I want to use for the project. I have a LOT of supplies so I want to narrow down my choices to what I think will capture the look and feel I am going for.

On another note. This weekend was way fun! (said in my most teen-ager-y, valley-girl voice). Yesterday I spent time in Bellingham with Lorinda. We went "out" for "an hour" (which may have ended up being three...maybe!) and browsed scrap stores, JoAnns, Office Max, Taco Bell! Fun Times. And on Saturday in honor of World Card Making Day we had a little girly get-together at my house and we ate, made cards, ate, made cards. It was fun.

Our star card-maker was the divine Miss Callie (she made by far the most cards! Way to go Callie). I like to call her cutie-Callie. She is always blinged out and ready for some creative action. Before she left we had to have a picture of her new earrings and ring. I edited one on my camera (for fun).






and a close up of the bejeweled girl at work...

Thanks friends for coming over to play.

And have a great week!

friday.

This "week in my life" project is really fun. Even when I don't take the pictures I mean to take just slowing down and really thinking about the little things has been such a blessing this week.

Today was all about home. I put on my iTunes play list (an eclectic assortment of music) and cleaned away...with the aid of coffee of course. I'm getting the house in order. Cleaning. Purging. Organizing. Enjoying. Troy and I seem to do our "spring cleaning" in the fall/winter months - saves the spring for enjoying the rain and sunshine...My first cup of coffee for the day. Checking emails, facebook, twittering, and cruising blogs before the real work starts.
There has been a lot of change in my daily life this (school) year. I'm not teaching this year. I am doing academic testing for special education referrals and a little subbing along with my cemetery work and volunteering at the museum. The thing is I don't have a set daily schedule and I like that, however on days that I'm not "working" I can get a little restless. And then on the days I do work I can feel a little out of control. One of the tools I implement, mostly for myself, is a week calendar. I love it. I write down my jobs then fill in "to-dos" on other days. I used this kind of calendar for the family when I was working/going to school - it helped with knowing who was where and when. Anyway I am adjusting to my new "schedule" fairly well and enjoying the flexibility.

Another cup of coffee. Look at the pretty cream swirls. One of the main reasons I like cream. No, just kidding...I like just a tad bit of flavor. Loving right now: Coffee-Mate Italian Sweet Cream - not too sweet.

Our sweet Spazzy Jazzy all cuddled up. She is such a relaxed cat. We love her because we can scoop her up and cuddle her, carry her around, do all those things that little kids like to do with cats but usually can't. She would be a perfect little kid cat. Since we are like little kids in this house she is perfect for us. She loves to be "tucked in" when she is sleeping and usually doesn't mind if we wake her from a sound sleep to play a little. Such a good sport.
Really, tell me that isn't adorable. She woke up to play a bit with Troy, stretched out long enough for several pictures then curled back up and cuddled back in.

two-sday.

Today was day two in the week in my life project. I didn't take quite as many photos (about half of yesterday), however I still got quite a few. I just kept forgetting...Hmmm...there is always tomorrow.

What I have liked about this project is the thought involved. The focusing on the little things, on real life. This is truly a "regular" week in our "regular" lives and I think it will be fantastic to have a record of it. I am planning some other little slice of life and at a glance pages for my book. I am pretty excited about it all.

Here are a few pictures to enjoy.

Chores. Frisbee golfing with Alex (I call this the "I have a really big hand" OR "Take my picture and I will shove that camera up your ...." picture), my Trader Joe's loot, Emily working hard at Dave's! (edited to note: Emily is not Emily's given name. Emily is Travis aka Travis Emily. We call him Emily or Nurse Emily and have since I've known him...Long story. Sorry about the confusion. His parents don't hate him. We do. No...just kidding. I love Emily!)

***On another note...my phone chimed with a new text message tonight. While that isn't an unusual occurrence the new message was...I was thrilled to get a photo from Renee of my sweet nephew Nicholas. Oh I miss him. I saw him a month ago, but I know that he is growing and changing day by day and I wish I could see more of it. Anyway I will take what I can get. Isn't he adorable?

perfect day.

I would classify today as one of those perfect days.

• Slept in (aaaahhhh fabulous!)
• Ran a few errands with Troy (emptied some *junk* from the garage)
• Put up a few Autumn decorations (Yay!)
• Made a huge pot of Taco Soup (for lunch and dinner - linner or dunch - I like dunch better!)
• Watched movies with my guys (Love Guru and Baby Mama - both funny!)
• Quiet, lazy Saturday...Love it! Love it!