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Weekends and bon-bons

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Hoping all the Mamas had a fabulous Mother’s day!!!

My weekend was a curiosity of lots of downtime and productivity.  I was without a car most of the day on Saturday at home so I was able to get lots of stuff done around the house (after I grocery shopped nice and early) and had a ridiculous amount of time to read and chill and THEN go to our supper club in the evening.  Nice.  But weird.  It’s hard to slow down, isn’t it???  I mean we are used to going all out, all the time and then when its not…..it’s hard to switch gears.

Mother’s Day was lovely.  Mass.  Sweet kids.  Helpful kids.  Free breakfast at church after Mass. Dinner was made for me by my guys AND cleaned up.   When I think about what a tough day it is for a lot of women, I know that I’ve got it good with no legitimate complaints.

On the flip side of the coin, I bought NO Mother’s Day cards this year.  My favorite Hallmark store closed and well….it’s just not the same.  So, my sister was in charge of flowers for Mom this year (she did a GREAT job!) and I hand delivered flowers to my Mother-in-law (since my Hubby had to work) and my grandmother and called my dad’s wife and my other grandmother…..which I am sure they appreciated more that a card, right?

Today, it’s back to reality…..Monday morning blues…..and looking forward to a 4 day work week because I TOOK FRIDAY OFF FOR MY BIRTHDAY!!!  AND SO DID MY HUBS.  AND THE KIDS ARE STILL IN SCHOOL!!!!!

Enough yelling.  Have a great day!!

Freaky Fast Friday

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Did you feel that???  It was the week whizzing by…and I’m not complaining because FRIDAY!!!  But man.  Fast.

Joining in with Jen, the author and her 7 Quick Takes for Friday….and the fact it’s another day of my month-long blog fest here…so be sure to swing by and peruse the breakdown of the week!

  1. My current read is Something other than God, #SOTG, and it’s fascinating.  I’m always intrigued by conversion stories and how and why people convert.  I always learn something, find new books and excitement for my faith.  Plus I’m inwardly cheering, “Yes, read more, learn, go, go, go!!!”
  2. The weather has been fantastico here.  Pretty much been eating outside every night, enjoying the breeze and the new outside table.  Soaking it in.AIUJWApHFIfASxdqihpuScrCA3NzuaY9qs69bENd_as
  3. Still laptop-less here.  Hubs has offered to let me borrow his, but so far I’ve just been using the desktop.  It’s not terrible, but it’s not super conducive to my early morning coffee, daily readings and chill time.  I’ll live.  First world problems and all.
  4. Swimming is going…well, swimmingly.  2 weeks in a row here.  I’ve been doing about 500 yards(?) on my lunch hour twice a week.  Super awesome way to spend the hour during the sunny afternoon and a fabulous bonus to get outside.  I’ve been working on my technique, breathing and just loving it.  The only downside….I only have an hour.  Hoping to get a day in on the weekend where I’m not working the clock but, yes!!!  Loving it!10175304_284124428413604_1528616231_n
  5. We have supper club this coming weekend.  We used to do this in our old city and it was a great time.  Getting older just really makes it harder to make friends.  So many obligations and responsibilities tugging at us that there is precious little time to foster new friendships.  AND..sometimes when we have time to spend together as a couple, I just want to be a couple and catch up.  Tricky.  So, we started this supper club as a way to build new friendships and this is month 2.  Slowly adding more couples, but it was a nice night out and I am looking forward to it.  Takes time.  Takes time.
  6. Speaking of couple time…we are renewing our wedding vows next month.  Our church does it during Mass.  We have a giant church.  So, I am working on getting over my anxiety of getting up in front of a bajillion people (the number grows in my head) and not crying or busting out in my nervous giggle that I do when I’m really nervous or stressed.  (think funerals or getting in trouble….any inappropriate time…)  We’ve invited friends and family and hoping a few will show, but mainly it is for us and celebrating these 20 years, because oh my.  WOW.  Nothing I could have ever imagined and can’t wait to see what the next 20+ bring.  OH, and I’m getting a new dress for the occasion.  totally.
  7. Mother’s day is nigh…..wishing my mom an awesome day…Tammi is in charge of your gift this year, mom…LOL!!!  And my sister and all moms out there….it’s a crazy tough job and the best ever!  Where else can you lose your marbles daily and turn to mush all in the same 10 seconds?  No where.  that’s where!!kBvgSaBDdY7oezmEHuJnw0OA04QGq1v6WIlvZxZo20U

Blessings to you all and have a great weekend!!

Friday and feeling fine

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Linking it up with Jen and the QT crew this fine Friday for a weekly recap of what’s going down in our neck of the woods.

  1. I pre-ordered Jen’s book and in the meantime needed another book to read and remembered Simcha Fisher’s book, The Sinner’s guide to Natural Family Planning, and so I’ve been reading it this week and holy, moley.  That’s some FUNNY stuff.  If you want a “keepin’ in real” look at NFP…this is it.  Don’t expect it to walk you through the how-tos, but it will help you make it through the tougher spots in the reality of NFP and an honest, hilarious look  at NFP as a whole.  Completely enjoying it!!
  2. I ran out of my eye makeup remover and had to use some other stuff….awful….forgot JUST how awful until my regular stuff arrived yesterday.  Oh,Arbonne….I love you.  AND a new lipcolor….which I love!!  So winning, winning, winning!!!!  (if you need and Arbonne hook up, I’ll set you up with myBFF)….

    note to self: do NOT run out of this again!!

    note to self: do NOT run out of this again!!

  3. We have some home improvements going on:  new toilets…..wahoo.  This was our “facility” reality last night for a brief time.  Ugh.  It was, blessedly, short-lived and this morning we have the plumber coming to put in trickier toilet and then we shall be back up to full speed with TWO working toilets!!  Life is good, people.nf12T5Ixc39UJIm93XBNaX5DP387FgCKlrCDDzWRRCA
  4. A few domestic projects as well:  I made a pillow from some fabric a neighbor was pawning off and the girls and I have been toying with embroidery.  I started off with something ridiculously hard and will likely put aside, but the girls are just winging it and playing with stitches and getting used to the needle and thread.  Fun.

    Gotta love this!

    Gotta love this!

  5. We met friends for pizza the other night while they were in town.  They have 3 littles and man, how you forget the energy level….it was fun though and the pizza—–delicious and HUGE!!!!
    Holding two little boys at bay had the big boy laughing!

    Holding two little boys at bay had the big boy laughing!

    Having two littles as foot weights had the big girl giggling.

    Having two littles as foot weights had the big girl giggling.

  6. Spring is here and I snapped this lovely, first orange blossom of the season the other day….HALLELUJAH!!

    Ah, spring and the smell of orange blossoms in the air!!

    Ah, spring and the smell of orange blossoms in the air!!

  7. Don’t forget you can still link up your “Day in the life, in photos” with me HERE.  (I’m excited I was able to actually figure out how to do a link….long a curiosity of mine…..a few people actually joined….and I think I set it up for a month or something, so yay!).

Happy Weekeend to you all!!

 

 

 

TGIF!!!! Linking it!!

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Bringing it to the 7 QTs with Jennifer Fulweiler and crew….Must be FRIDAY!!!

  1. This week the kids went back to school after Spring Break….can I get a WAHOOOOOO!!⁄?!?!??!?!????  Fine, I’ll give myself one…WAHOO!!!!!  Actually, I’m glad for them to get a little break in the schedule, but I didn’t take any time off so it was a little boring for them, the weather wasn’t all that fantastic, so I’m happy we are all back on schedule and the weather is FINALLY springing up.  Longest winter ever, right?  Even here in Central Florida…gray skies for months.  Boo hoo…I’m certain several people have just clicked away after that comment.  You can always come visit and escape the snow….come on!!
  2. Speaking of people escaping the cold….my mom is here!  She lives in Pennsylvania and has been enjoying the fantastic weather all week!  Of course, she had a rocky start with bad weather  through the southeast mid-trip and was delayed a night in Charlotte, however, she’s been running to and fro catching up with my grandparents, us, and a lot of her friends all week.  We’ve loved visiting and I know she has, too….but man, oh man….it gets exhausting running around visiting, doesn’t it???  Today she and I get lunch together and I am looking forward to our one-on-one!!
  3. I made it back to the gym AT LUNCH this week and I am still sore.  It WAS great to get in a good workout and not be up at the crack of dawn.  This weekend I may have the Hubs get in the pool with me and give me some pointers and add some swimming in on lunch, because it IS getting lovely out!  Although I don’t think I can give up my 5 a.m. spin class which is TORTURE getting up for….but oh, so worth it!!!
  4. This week saw several Paleo-based meals at our dinner table and with the weather changing, I feel I may be emerging from winter time hibernation and almooooooooooost ready to plan and cook ahead our healthy meals and snacks for the week.  The planning and prepping ahead is THE hardest thing for me to consistently stick with and it is also the thing that makes the biggest difference in sticking to a healthy routine or not.  Taking it all one day at a time, and remembering daily that summer’s coming and my bathing suit is waiting.  Motivation?  Um, yes.
  5. Our Yukon needed an oil change this week and it only cost us $465.  Occasionally, when your truck has almost 200,000 miles on its 12-year-old self, service is required.  Painful?  Always.  Grateful for a solid and well-maintained vehicle?  Yup.
  6. Some interesting opportunities are turning up for me in the work arena.  BIG changes and I have been crazy conflicted and praying up a storm.  Must be working because so far, I’m OK with whatever happens.  Of course, I’m not actually at a point where I am making a choice yet; interesting how things present themselves sometimes though.  “Jesus, I trust in You”…..my prayer and my mantra.
  7. Wrapping it up as I bring the first shortie to school #1 and get ready to own this Friday.  Y’all have a great weekend and don’t forget to check back Monday for the Photo Link Up…if all goes well, I’ll have it figured out by then.  How hard can it be, right?  famous last words!!

Lent, life, loss, hope

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Once upon a time, there was a couple who had been married a long time.  Blessed with 4 children who were happy, healthy and going through the usual ups and downs of childhood.  No complaints, just normal life.  This couple was open to life.  Even though they are both approaching mid 40s, they were healthy and open to God’s plan in regards to their family.  Lo, and behold one day it happened.  The woman suddenly and without warning re-gained her sense of smell during Mass whilst seated next to a woman who clearly hit the garlic rolls the night before,(heavy emphasis on garlic).  Confused with this return of olfactory sensation and accompanying nausea, a quick count on the PeriodTrackerApp prompted a visit to the local CVS.

Confirmation post peeing on a stick.  Twice.  And the world began to spin.

Fast forward through the week of sudden shock and awe at this life turn of events as the couple quietly processes the news with prayers, trepidation, joy, laughter, wonder and trust.  Clearly God has a plan here; who were they to question.

Then.

Just as the reality settled itself and planning stages were to begin:  when to tell the kids, the family, friend, etc., doctor’s appointment, bedroom rearranging, financial rearrangement, etc, etc, etc..  The woman began to bleed.

And cramp.

And reality readjusted.  And plans were undone.  Tears were cried.  A mental day was taken.  And with Lent upon them, they clung to the promise that God’s plan is infinitely better than their own.  Despite the temporary confusion and fog, He has great things in store.  In addition to His promise of hope and plans and future, He has given this family, this couple a special soul to intercede on their behalf.

Thanks be to God.

imgres Jeremiah 29:11

For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.