Life unfolds ... some of it here. This blog began as a way to focus on the good things in the midst of a crisis and be a connection to friends and family when it seemed to take all of my time just to weather the storms. It seems to have transformed into a sanctuary of musing and inspiration. Feel free to join me!
Look who we found! I can't believe I didn't think to ask any cousins about who would be at the Christmas Parade ... but we found a few. Click on the album link below for all the photos (including some beautiful ones of "Miss B").
As I am going through piles of Girl Scout camp photos for a project at work, I can't resist blogging this. The mushrooms in Oklahoma are astounding! I have never seen mushrooms so huge in all my life ... they could practically be headgear!
When at Girl Scout Day Camp, some very important things may not be on your radar. This is one of them! Odd thing is, however, when I found this sign it was leaning against a picnic table. Somehow I do not think it was an invitation to find relief there!
I hear it will become cold in the next few days. Fortunately we live where our warm days tend to linger and we can be outside wearing ourselves out until it's cold enough to start a fire. I sat on a cement step taking photos in the evening twilight ... and as far as my backside was concerned, it WAS DEFINITELY cold enough and NEEDED a fire!
Look at my jock! I tried throwing the football with my teenage son this weekend, too, but I think I only lasted for a dozen passes. Who knew that an arm could get such a workout from an oblong ball? I have to admit I was very thankful to have a little time for family that included more than just me and the kids. It was my therapy this weekend, my chance to feel a little bit of "normal" in the midst of this sometimes crazy life.
As part of the Oklahoma Centennial, Tulsa created a gigantic time capsule and in addition to all kinds of contributions, a Harley-Davidson motorcycle was put into it to be opened in 50 years. Girl Scouts contributed a scrapbook (the pages of which can be seen online at www.mecgs.org) to the Oklahoma Centennial time capsule. The girls who created the scrapbook couldn't come to the event, so I brought my little one as a backup and she got to write "Girl Scouts Were Here" inside the capsule! It looks like a giant pill! Now if THIS wasn't an awesome opportunity, I don't know what is!
Oh the strangeness. I don't blame him for trying to stop the madness before my camera came out! If I had been just a few seconds earlier, you would have seen the mad moppist attempting to break the world record for mop shaking. Yes, it did start with a purpose. Chores. The mop was wet and I asked him to shake it out. Well ... he did! It was quite the performance! By the way ... can you believe it's NOVEMBER and the grass is still green?
And a darling "Minnesota Sunflower" she was. We tried something new on Halloween night: Wal-Mart! I hate to admit it, but it was rather convenient to know we could trick-or-treat and I could shop if I needed to! Sounds strange, but it was fun. The kids did go around to neighbors, at least.
He might be the Wannabe ... I could be the Hasbeen ...
It was a treat to see the Wannabe Hasbeens in so many ways! Chris hasn't changed much at all it seems, same goes for Lori. How they got kids who are practically grown is beyond me! It's great to see the same heart in someone who was so influential in my life so long ago. I have to admit, some of it brought some tears ... but mostly from regrets. Not in a professional sense, but more in a personal one. The greatest being that I didn't listen. I could have saved myself a lot of heartache if I had let some words he spoke sink in!
But enough about that ... the great part? I got to introduce my fiance' to everyone - and by everyone, I mean not just Chris and Lori but two more blasts from the past: Mark and Kelly. It was practically like old times except we're all grown up and have kids! LOL ... so, no, it wasn't old times but it sure was nice to see people I haven't seen for at least 10 years and haven't been able to hang out with for probably more like 17!
How cute ... cousins and friends gathered for a party at Build-A-Bear, and they each took two hearts (here they are rubbing them on their cheeks for lots of smiles) and put one inside the birthday girl's bear and one in their own. But what does Byrne have to do with it? He's in the picture! HA! Anyway, my little one got to spend the weekend with grandparents AND have a bear birthday. What could be better?
Cameras handy ... we kind of chased this guy down (he was going in our direction anyway). I'm trying to drive and coach my kids how to get a photo of the thing in the sky. It was interesting to see the response. Little M was excited and encouraging to J. J complained about everything saying he couldn't do it. And I finally grabbed the thing and stuck it through the roof to at least attempt to get a photo before he got away! Maybe I am a real photographer!
There's nothing like a birthday party at Chuck E. Cheese ... After gametime, treasures abound! The best part of the day was spending time with family. The adults were tired, the kids were wound up, but thankfully a pile of tokens gave us all something good!
... I'll have this photo of her first official dance class! Who knows what the future holds, but the teacher couldn't believe she had never taken a dance class before. She's evidently a natural (which doesn't surprise me). But more than anything, I just want her to really enjoy developing a talent. That isn't a problem. Dancing is something she loves to do already ... and I'm thrilled to find a good place for her to learn!
I have to admit, there's part of me that was so happy for this moment as a mother. It has been years since I had originally started to look into either gymnastics or dance for her - especially after a trainer noticed her while we were on vacation and said she was built for gymnastics and encouraged us to seriously pursue it. Life circumstances got in the way ... and it has always hurt my heart. So tonight was very special for me, too.
First home run of the game ... and I got it (on camera)! Then the 2nd ... 3rd ... 4th ... I couldn't believe it, I caught each Cubbie Homer! I do believe I have earned a place in the ranks of honorary Cub fans. I honestly can't claim full membership, but I had fun being at Wrigley today! My first time was last summer with my wonderful K and our friend S. Those who know me know that I am not a sports fanatic by a long shot. I'm quite oblivious and happy that way. K, however, is a jock and a Cubs fan. I have found that sporting events can be fun - especially if I bring my camera. Just wait 'til I post my clip of the Chicago Gay Mens Chorus singing the national anthem and the perfectly timed "fly by" or whatever they call it when the jets appear over the scoreboard! I felt like I was in a movie today and was totally surprised by the excitement that bubbled up in me. I came here to relax, and surprisingly this was just the thing!
A night at Tony & Tina's Wedding yielded some INTERESTING characters. What fun! My K was set up to dance with the bride and I thought about posting that photo from the weekend just to see what others might say - the bride had long dark hair like me. HEHEHE! I was snapping photos all along and the big-wig of the "event" toted me around to show others. We had quite a time.
We're pretty sure we found one of those characters at the ball game (see the girl above)!
My little helper was happy about being out at Girl Scout camp all weekend. Now that her mother has certain assignments that involve being out in nature, she feels pretty lucky to get in on special things ... but when you can find a REAL horseshoe? That seals it! You're a lucky girl!
Back to school ... and as exciting as it is for the kids, I think it's sometimes just as exciting for the parents! Suddenly I'm no longer worried that the days are melting into nothingness. At least there are learning opportunities everyday ... positive ones! This year we have the ultra-cool high schooler and the veteran elementary girl. Both are starting the year with a fashion statement ... cool shoes and t-shirts for one and jungle mania for the other!
Even my oldest has finally been able to get in on the camp action ... last week it was baseball camp up in Missouri! He was exhausted, but had a great time. He even won $50 from the coach that dared the campers to hit a home run off a 19 year old pitcher with some amazing curve balls. J did! He's pumped and ready for next year. I think I'll stay home, though! Evidently I become accident-prone in the presence of that much testosterone (see the "Not So Much Fun" blog entry)!
