Ah, well. . . whatcha gonna do . . .

Well . . . yesterday, my beloved PG who I wrote so endearlingly about, was . . . mad at me.

I KNOW!!!

My mother-in-law warned me, though. She said, "You know, you wrote such a nice post about him on Monday that he is making up for it now." I told her that he doesn't even read my blog, so that can't be it. She said, "Doesn't matter. You put it out there in the universe, and now it backfired." I TOTALLY get that.

Augh.

I don't even understand why he got so frustrated with me.

Well . . . ok, maybe it had something to do with the fact that he decided to take yesterday off of work and get some rest at home, and I just happened to ask him to go and pick up my licensce plate vehicle sticker. Yes, I know . . . it expires TODAY, and yes, I know . . . .I waited to the very last minute. But when I got the notice in the mail, I put it on the clip on the SIDE of the fridge, and just completely FORGOT about it (should have put it on the FRONT of the fridge.) Maybe that has something to do with why he was angry with me.

Or . . . do you know that if your car needs an emissions test, they won't give you a vehicle sticker? I didn't know that, either!! You see, when I got that notice in the mail, I put it on with the same clip for the vehicle sticker (again, on the SIDE of the fridge!) Well, maybe his frustration had something to do with the fact that maybe when he went to the Currency Exchange he couldn't get the sticker because I needed an emissions test. So, they turned him away. Mind you, my sticker expires (gulp), today. So, my dear PG had to take my car for an emissions test.

Or . . . it has to do with the fact that before he was to leave for the emissions test, I kind of mentioned that I was about 350 miles OVER my oil change and that perhaps he should consider getting the oil changed BEFORE the emissions test. Yes, that might have something to do with why he was so mad.

Or . . . maybe it is because he had to do all of this with a non-cooperative toddler. Hey, I've been there. It's not fun. . . .

But, I don't get it. I mean . . . this is life, right? And it's not like I've been sitting eating bon bons every day, right? He's been out of town for work . . . and I work . . . and our children are ALIVE and HAPPY. I mean, not to toot my own horn - but I'm kind of in the mind set that if the kids are ALIVE - then that is pretty much all that really matters.

Hmmmmm . . .

So, he called me at my work, in the midst of this whole debacle - not too happy with the fact that I: 1) haven't gotten the oil changed, 2)haven't taken the car for the emissions and 3)waited so long to get the vehicle sticker.

Ah, well. I guess that proves that even Cinderella and her Prince have a bad day every once in a while.

On the flip side . . . I got my hair cut last week, and I have to tell you - I'm LOVING my new cut. It's fun and easy and edgy and ME. So, in the midst of all of his crankiness yesterday. . . I was having a GREAT HAIR DAY!!! I mean, come on! THIS is LIFE.

THIS is chaos . . . and happiness . . . and I'm LOVING it!!!!! Hmmmm . . .I wonder if any of my girls friends want to meet me for a glass of WINE tonight. Looks like I have to make some calls! ; )

Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man

My blog post for tonight comes fresh out of a brief conversation I had with a few good friends this evening. (Thanks Kath, Mar and Jor for the inspiration!) You see, tonight I had an opportunity to do what so many moms DREAM about doing when having those "Calgon, take me away!" weeks. Tonight I had an opportunity to leave the kids at home with the hubby, and enjoy some true girl time at my dear friend Kathleen's house, for wine, a lovely lasagna dinner, and great conversation.

But, I didn't do it.

I couldn't.

You see . . . I miss my man. Yes . . . .

This man. This PG. The one who still makes my heart flutter. And while PG was totally supportive of me accepting the invitation to Kath's for dinner with my friends, my heart told me that I really wanted to be with him and the girls. Even though I was burned out and starved for adult conversation after the past 2 weeks of his business trips, the thought of leaving him tonight made my heart a little . . . sad.

So, I kindly declined.

We had to stop at Kath's to pick up something . . . so I was able to fit in about 20 minutes of good girl talk (while PG entertained the kids and dog in the basement! What a guy!) It was during those 20 minutes that my friends rolled their eyes in total disbelief that I was actually turning down an evening with them - again, may I remind you . . . filled with WINE!!!! Rants of "Oooooo . . .you miss him!!! BLAH!!!!" and "You've got to be kidding me!!!" was exclaimed by each of them. But every sentiment was completed with a wink or a smile, to tell me what I know they felt in their hearts - which was, "You go, girl, and enjoy you Man." So, I did. We left Kath's and enjoyed some Cold Stone Creamery with the girls (a major treat for all of us!) and came home with two totally sugar-high kids. Totally worth every second.

And now as I sit here, writing my blog and thinking about my dear PG (who is reading the girls a bedtime story before drifting off himself), I realize, again, how blessed I am to have this life of mine. My PG is like a fine wine . . . he gets better with age. So, I guess I still have had my WINE tonight. Although mine didn't come in a glass. It comes in the smile of my husband . . . who, yes, 11 years later . . . still makes my heart flutter.

Yes, I can't help lovin' dat man of mine.

* sigh *

Happiness is . . . a return to Blogland!

HELLOOOOOOO Dear Friends!!!!! Oh, how I missed you so!

How are YOU?!?!?

I'm so glad to be posting again, after a much needed week of R&R (including Mom duty, of course!) I thought about my blog about 100 times this past week, with little moments here and there that I wanted to share with you all - however I really stuck with my commitment to get some much needed rest. I'm feeling loads better and am finally breathing better (probably because PG is HOME!!! . . . although, it may have to do with all the antibiotics I've been taking.) But whatever the case . . . the universe, once again, is in line.

Here are a few of the things we did in our house this week . . .

Lots of reading!

We made some really cool bracelets (although I got a little confused and put the letter beads on wrong . . . all of our names came out backwards. Must have been the cough medicine I was taking. Yeah, that's it. It was the cough medicine. It's ok. Katie said that she didn't mind. And I look at them and tell myself that they truly are one of a kind!)

And we played lots of games of Twister.

I discovered that I really don't care for this game. . . at least not in the current shape I am in. But the girls had a blast. I usually don't dress the girls alike (I want them to have their own identity, you know?), but this day they decided they wanted to match each other - and they looked so cute playing this game, I had to grab the camera.

In addition to these fun activites, we had doctor visits, work, dinners brought in from that Army of help I have around me, video calls with Daddy, homework, movie marathons and lots of snuggle time. It was a great week of Mommy and Girls.

While it was all pretty fun . . . our Daddy is home! (YEA!!!!!)

This afternoon we enjoyed a couple of hours at the park with Daddy. The sun was out in all its glory today, and we enjoyed much of it. I know that my snuggle time will be few and far between now that PG is home, and I'm ok with that. I had a really great week and now it's time for Daddy to feel some of that love. There's nothing like it, is there? The absolute unconditional love of a child. And I've feeling it in my heart today. That, truly, has been the best medicine for me this week.

See you tomorrow . . . with my "Celebrity Easter Egg" post!!! Can't wait to share it with you! And please leave me a comment and let me know how you are doing . . . I'd love to know!

I Talk to Strangers

I can usually tell when I'm about ready for Phil to return home from a business trip . . . because it is usually around the time that I start talking to Strangers. A lot of them. I don't know what happens - it's like I crave that adult conversation and will look for it from anyone I see passing in the street . . . . or in the grocery store (that tends to be where I get myself in the most trouble.)

I remember a particular shopping trip at Costco one day this past summer, when Phil was out-of-town for work. I was walking next to a woman who was pushing a cart full of beer, wine, soda, bottled water, chips, and salsa. I very obviously looked at her cart and said, "Ooooooo . . . . s o m e b o d y is having a party!!!" Well, you would think that if she was having a party, she might have been in a festive mood right? WRONG. This Party Pooper (that's what I call her now) kind of glanced at me and said, very hesitantly, "Umm . . . yes." And walked away rather briskly. Being the ever so pleasant person I am (wink), I just shrugged it off and thought maybe she doesn't have her house cleaned yet and is not really happy about the party, and continued shopping.


During that same shopping trip, I came upon a middle aged couple looking at the Apple Pie. They seemed to be having a hard time deciding if they should buy it. I ever so graciously (yeah, right) . . . put my 2 cents in . . . . and said to them, "Oooooo. . . . you really should buy that pie! It's absolutely DELICIOUS and such a deal! We just LOVE IT!!!" (Which is funny all on it's own because I said "WE", yet I was standing there all alone . . . so I guess they might have thought the "WE" I was referring to was the many "WE" voices - IN MY HEAD! Ah well.) Anyway, they looked at me and . . . . . actually . . . . didn't even say anything to me in return. Which then made me think that perhaps they were visiting from another country and didn't speak English. If they were visiting from another country - perhaps they were trying to figure out what this dessert was. Perhaps they didn't even know what APPLE PIE was. Hmmm . . . (See, I can justify ANYTHING!)

I think it was after this encounter with the Apple Pie People (that's what I call them now), that I realized that maybe I am a little "off" and really should stop talking to strangers. Maybe strangers don't find me as charming as I do. Hmmmmm . . .

So, I've really been trying to limit my random conversations with strangers. Today I stopped at Jewel, rather quickly, to pick up just a few things. The girls were not with me, so it was a great opportunity to run in and run out. I was looking at the Ziploc storage containers and really focusing on what was in front of me, when I heard, "You are a Mom, huh?" I turned my head to see a lady standing next to me. I had to look around to see if she was talking to me, or someone else, when I realized she was actually talking to me. "Yes, I am." I replied to her. "I can tell," she said, "because you are rocking your cart back and forth while you are standing here . . . yet there isn't a baby in the cart. I do the same thing." I couldn't BELIEVE IT . . . . could I have found another . . . . ME? A "Talking to Random Strangers" talker? HOLY COW! I was shocked. I didn't quite know what to do or what to say. I smiled at her and said something to compliment her observation, and off she went. And I have to tell you . . . it was SO NICE to have that Ziploc Lady (that's what I call her now) to talk to. I continued my shopping trip with a smile on my face.

When I went to check out, the lines were quite long, so I decided to do the Self Check-out. I was waiting for one of the lanes to open up, so I stood patiently for a woman to finish bagging her items. I could tell she was rushing, on my behalf, and truly did not want her to do that. So, I said, "Oh, please don't rush. I'm in no hurry." She smiled back and said, "Thank you." Then . . . it happened. . . . Ziploc Lady brought out the "Talker" in me. I looked at Self Check-out Lady (yes, that's what I call her now) and said, "Oooooooo . . . . That ice cream looks good. What flavor did you buy? Oh, you can leave that on the belt and I'll just pack that up and take it home with me. Ha Ha!!!!!" and there you have it. Self Check-out Lady smiled, politely, then quickly gathered the rest of her items into her cart, and walked away.

And I was left there . . . realizing that this Talking to Random Strangers Lady (that's what I call myself now) can't wait until her husband comes home on Sunday.

S T O P . . . in the name of Me

Every once in a while . . . I have to listen to my body . . . and stop. Gees, I hate when that happens. But the older I get, and as I am now at this ancient age of 38. . . ;), the more I am realizing that I am h u m a n. And with that, I must S L O W down.

This cold has got a hold on me. After a trip to my trusty doc yesterday (and, no, NOT Dr. WebMD!) I was reminded that last year I had pneumonia. With a slap on the wrist I was told if I don't STOP and take care of myself, I am heading in that direction.

So, I will do just that. Because I am a good girl. I listen to my doctor.

Well . . . sometimes . . .

But this time, I will. So, with PG out of town, I am logging off from Blog land until he returns (on the 28th.) Need to really just take care of my girls, and myself, this week. Will miss you all and I can't wait to read all your updates when I return (especially all of my recent new friends!)

Until then . . . I encourage YOU to take some time this week and STOP. Even if just for a minute. It will do your body, and your spirit, some good.

A Little Sunday Gratitude

Gotta love Chicken Soup.

Gotta love Chicken Soup more when you have a cold.

Gotta love Chicken Soup EVEN more than before, when you have a cold . . . AND you don't have to make it. Someone else makes it for you.

Gotta love Chicken Soup EVEN MORE than the EVEN MORE than before when you have a cold, someone else has made it for you, and they have given you enough for dinner the next night.

Gotta love Chicken Soup MOST OF ALL, when all of the above has taken place and PG, your partner in marriage-life-parenthood-and-house chores, is out of town.

And GOTTA LOVE your sister, REALLY MOST OF ALL, for saying those little words, "Why don't you bring the girls over for dinner?" and you get not only some absolutely delicious home made Chicken Soup (when you are feeling like garbage and could really use it), but also get someone to play with your kids and take the load off of you for a couple hours. So you can sit and have some peace.

Yes, once again I am reminded of my many blessings in this life of mine. Even though PG is out of town until the 28th. Even though the girls have been passing their germs back and forth for weeks. Even though they have been kind enough to pass some of those germs over to me. I am blessed.

Thanks, Laura, for the soup. You are the best!!

Easter Fun . . . already?

Looking at the calendar last night, I was in shock to see that Easter is just about 2 weeks away. 2 WEEKS! Seriously! So, it appeared time to change the whole blog look (again, sorry, I know!) and get ready for Easter! Wahooo!

I then took some time and looked through our digital pics of Easters past . . . or, Easter Egg Decorating, really. And I came to see that we kind of approach Easter Egg decorating like we do most things in this house . . . with a great deal of laughter and fun.

Decorating Eggs for us has turned into quite an ordeal. It's not just some Paaz coloring for our family. NOooooo!!!! We start with this . . .


And add some ribbons, googly eyes, feathers, and lots hysterical laughing, and you get something like this . . .

The "Like Groovy" egg, circa 2008


Mr. & Mrs. One Eye, circa 2009



Mr. Bunny Egg, circa 2008

And PG laughing hysterically at one of his creative eggs, circa 2008.

There is even more where these came from (if you can believe it!) Next week I'll share with you some of our "Celebrity Eggs"! They are quite creative! Why not mix it up a bit and used some non-traditional egg coloring materials in your own homes this year? I'm on the look-out for some new fun materials for us. Hmmmm . . . I wonder what we can come up with! Happy Easter Egg Creating to you and yours!

A Mom's Gotta Do what a Mom's Gotta Do!

So, let me tell you why this whole Leprechaun thing kind of caught me off guard. I guess, since Katie is now 6 1/2 and we have never done the whole Leprechaun contraption, that I never really thought (or prepared) for St. Patrick's Day. I mean, I've written about my wishes to BE Irish here, and I've shared our celebrations with you here, but the whole Leprechaun thing just kind of got lost in our house.

Until THIS year. As I've told you - on Tuesday evening at around 8:00PM, Katie announced that we HAD to put together a trap for the Leprechaun. Well, I jumped into action . . . because, why not? It sounded like a great idea. With an old box, some markers, a couple of gold dollars, and a wish . . . we had a pretty great trap. A short while later . . . the girls were in bed and I was sitting quietly on the couch looking at our design. Truly, a well thought-out approach to catching the Little Green Guy (aka the Leprechaun), I thought. Then . . .it hit me. Uh - oh. Shouldn't the Little Green Guy leave . . . something?

So, I did what any Mom who had two children sleeping and a husband out of town would do . . . as the panic started to set in, I ran to the trusty computer and logged onto Facebook to get some suggestions from those parents far more wiser (and more prepared, obviously) than I. Many offered some great advice, "Go to Walgreens or CVS and pick up a little pack of Chocolate Gold Coins!" Well . . . that would have been perfect. Except, let me remind you PG is out of town. So leaving the house at 9:30 pm with two girls in bed was not an option. I called PG and he recommended I call his Mom (Grandma Lill), who lives down the block. Although by this time it was 10 pm and something tells me a 911 call to Grandma Lill for a Walgreens Chocolate Coin run was NOT an acceptable.

So, I then went through the pantry (DARN that desire to eat healthier, which therefore led to a quick sweep and throw-out fest of all things chocolate and good for Leprechaun giving! Darn!!!)

Finally . . . after finding a lovely little poem about "Leprechaun Kisses" online, after discovering I had a box of GREEN cling wrap in the pantry left over from Christmas, and after realizing that I had a trusty pack of Nestle Tollhouse Morsels on the shelf . . . I give you . . . Mr. Leprechaun's Present.
Not bad. Not totally good. But not exactly bad. What really is best of all, though, is that Katie pretty much felt it was the BEST thing in the world! She even said, "Mom, these chocolate kisses taste MINTY!!!!" Gotta Love it! Ella just recognized them as CHOCOLATE, and she was all smiles from ear to ear! SO, my lesson learned this St. Patrick's Day . . . ALWAYS keep a little Chocolate Surprise in the pantry. You never know when you will need it!!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Ok, so at 8:00PM last night. . . this Non-Irish Mom was asked to build a leprechaun trap by her 6 year old Non-Irish Daughter. After a little searching through the house, we had it. Here it is, friends . . . what I think is pretty much the BEST Leprechaun Trap in town!!!!

What is the bait? Gold Dollars, of course!!!! Keep your fingers crossed that I have green food coloring . . . I think the toilets need a little green water!!!! (Yes, I just wrote that!)

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

"Words" & Friendship = the Perfect Motivator!

My blog friend, Leslie, has been in a funk the past few weeks (check her blog out: Words of Me Project). Leslie loves Words, and her blog is about living an inspired life . . . "One Story, One Quote, One WORD at a time" (isn't she clever???) Love that Les!

But, she's been in a funk. She knows it. She talks about. And her WORDS for the past few weeks prove it. Words like - Frustrating. Grouchy. Lazy.

That's Leslie. But not really. You see . . . what she doesn't realize, is that while she is going through her "frustrating" or "grouchy" or "lazy" weeks, and as she writes about how she is feeling, she somehow makes ME feel better. Because I, too, have been feeling frustrated, grouchy, and lazy. And knowing that my blog friend is feeling the same way I am somehow makes me feel better. What is that ol'saying, "Misery loves company"? Nah. . . we're not miserable. Just in a funk. That's all.

I think Leslie and I both started the new year off with a bang! My 2010 Ta Da List was so inspiring to me on January 1st. Now it is feeling like a heavy weight on my shoulders. That's not what it started out being. It was meant to be a small little list of things I want to accomplish, areas in my life I wanted to focus on, and goals I wanted to reach. But, I haven't gotten far with it. Bummer. (I think "bummer" would have to be my WORD of the week this week, Leslie!) Why is it that we put such pressure on ourselves? Hmmm. . .

My Word for 2010 was CREATE. I felt it. I wanted it. I was it.

But I haven't BEEN it or DONE it in a month. Seems like there aren't enough hours in the day to CREATE. And something tells me if I had a couple extra hours in each day, I would probably use them for sleep. Yes, my CREATIVE SPIRIT seems . . . lost. My blog writing has even suffered. I guess it is hard to come up with something inspiring to write when one is in a "bummer funk", huh? (How's that, Leslie? "Bummer Funk", huh? That's a good one.)

So, what's a girl to do?

Well . . . I'm going to listen to Leslie, who said she was creatively "thirsty", and "Fill Up My Pitcher!" (Leslie - that was BRILLIANT!!!) I am going to challenge myself. I'm going to give myself a deadline - not a GOAL - but an actual deadline, starting with # 4 from my Ta Da List. (#4 was to take a Big Picture Scrapbooking Class). I actually TOOK a class in January - the only problem is that I never finished my album. I just got behind, and didn't keep up. There is another BPS class coming up in April that I REALLY WANT to take on photography (click for link). And that class would help me with # 9 on my Ta Da List (#9 was to learn more about photography and take better pictures). However, I told myself I would not allow myself to sign up for ANOTHER BPS class until I finish the first (I hate having unfinished projects - they weigh on me!!!) So, my DEADLINE is to finish the first BPS class by March 31st. THAT'S IT! I'm FORCING MYSELF to CREATE!!! This could be really really good . . . or really really bad. Only time will tell.

Are you feeling like Leslie and I? Are you feeling . . . creatively empty? If so, let's see if we can all challenge ourselves the remainder of this month. Let's see if we can "fill up our pitchers" and do something to get rid of that state of "bummer!" I challenge YOU to join fill up your pitcher. Tell me about it. Write about it. Link us to your blog. Spring is in the air (almost) and I can use a little excitement (there is a twinkle in those eyes somewhere! There's creativity just waiting to come out!) How about you?

Oh, and Leslie . . . I thank you for the comfort and inspiration that your frustrating, grouchy and lazy words have given me the past few weeks! I bet you had no idea how much they helped me! Love ya!!

1 . . . 2 . . . 3 . . . SMILE!!

What do you get when you cross PG, Katie, Ella and I with a photo booth?

. . . tongues sticking out . . . crossed eyes . . . silliness . . . lots of dimples . . . laughter . . . a little pushing . . . some incredibly sweet moments caught by the camera . . . and some wonderful memories of the City of Chicago's 2010 St. Patrick's Day Parade, when we all wore our shamrock beads, enjoyed green cotton candy, and celebrated the day with some wonderful friends during a work event for PG's company.

I think photo booths are pretty much one of the best things ever invented, and seeing these pictures above make me want to stop at every photo booth I come across from now until forever.

What an idea - a tiny little booth that you cram inside of, close a curtain, and patiently wait (with great anticipation, and with a smile on your face) for the flash to go off and your photo to be taken. Then, after a few pictures are taken, you step outside and wait anxiously for the results (hoping that the camera caught you at your very best moment). You know, the first photo booth appeared in 1925 on Broadway in New York. Could you imagine that? 1925. Amazing. Spontaneous. Pure fun. And I love it.

Hope you had a weekend full of fun moments. What did you do? I'd love to know.

It's a Miracle!

Tonight I realized that my Katherine actually is listening to me. Well, sort of.

As part of my 2010 "TaDa" List, I've been trying to teach my girls more about our religion. Kate is enrolled in Religious Education at our church, and I've been talking more and more about my beliefs and how I see religion fit into place in my life. She asks few questions, and just listens to what I say. And sometimes I wonder if she gets it. Religion is hard to comprehend for her very logical mind. But, I'm trying.

Tonight we took the girls out for dinner . . . a pretty special thing to do, since we really don't go out to eat very often.

Katie was especially talkative during dinner. She tells stories like her Daddy (LONG stories) and just when you think she is finished and winding it down, she'll continue with an even longer chapter of story to tell you. She was on a roll tonight, talking about her day at school and this and that. Recess. Lunch. Art class. On and on.

All of a sudden, she said something about a particular teacher at school. She said, "Mom, you know how this teacher is sometimes . . . mean?" I nodded my head, as I remember her mentioning something to me about this particular substitute once before.


"Well, Mom . . . you wouldn't believe it. It was a miracle! Today, the mean teacher was gone, and our really really nice teacher was back!"


So there you have it. A miracle. All in the eyes of a six-year old.

Looks like I'm not the only one!

Ok, so I have to share an incredibly silly moment with you, because I actually found myself laughing hysterically at my kitchen table last night. All alone. But seriously . . . laughing out loud.

Let me set the scene for you . . .


With the DVR/Cable box down for the count (bummer!), and after Charlie Buckett won his chocolate (and the girls were tucked in their beds for the night), I found myself doing something I rarely do - sitting at the kitchen table (in a very quiet house) reading a magazine. It was a lovely moment. Peaceful. Pleasant. Chaos-less.


All of a sudden, something caught my eye. I looked up, and saw what brought instant laughter to me.

Now, do you remember my Poinsettia post from last week? (Click here to be reminded.) Well, it turns out I'm not the only one a little sick of the poinsettia. Looking up from my magazine, I found Ellie's favorite Easter Bunny (from last year) set up in a very interesting position towards the Poinsettia. Well . . let me just show you . . .

Let me also say that this picture was NOT posed. I imagine Ella just threw the bunny up on the table after dinner, and this was the position it fell into. But, considering my most recent admission about this plant, it really cracked me up to see Mr. Bunny this way. SO funny. Looks like Mr. Bunny is also READY for the poinsettia TO GO!!!

So last night I found myself laughing at this simple moment and grabbed the camera to share it with you. Tomorrow is garbage day in our neighborhood . . . hmmmmmm . . . is it time for the poinsettia to go? We shall see!!! (Thanks for humoring me . . . such a silly moment alone at my table . . . I must have way too much time on my hands!!!!)

Idol:Unplugged

I am bummmmmmed!!!! For REAL! (Ok, before I begin, let me tell you that in the reality of it . . . this post is NOT a big deal. I totally get that - For REAL! Allow me, if you will, to tell you anyway . . . that . . .)

I . . . AM . . . BUMMMMMMED!

Because just about 50 minutes ago, my DVR/HDTV CABLE BOX BROKE.

And American Idol started about 44 minutes ago.

And I can't watch it.

BUMMER!!!!!

Because, you see, I really enjoy Idol. I think I might secretly LOVE Idol. For REAL.

Because . . . somewhere deep inside I believe that if Idol was on about 20 years ago (yes . . . I actually said 20 years ago), if it was on 20 years ago . . . I think I would have auditioned for it. And I am confident (in my oh-so "not" confident way) that I would have been selected for the top 24. And then I would have made it to the top 20. Then the top 10. And I would have had extensions put in my hair and I would have had pretty nails and I would have sung something like, "Me and Bobby McGee" (because I really am a throw back from the hippy era) and I would have been a HUGE success. I may not have WON the competition, but I would have come darn close. For REAL.

Yes, I LOVE Idol.

But tonight . . . I am Idol-less.

And I am bummed.

*sigh*

But, come to think of it. . . . maybe it's ok. You see, if Idol WAS on 20 years ago, and if all of that above took place . . . then I wouldn't be here today.

I wouldn't be HERE . . . getting ready to change Ella's pull-up (yes, she's still wearing them), and fixing Katie a snack, and putting Charlie and the Chocolate Factory on the DVD and snuggling down on the couch with my two favorite girls. And you know what? All of THAT totally "trumps" Idol.

So I guess that's ok. Being Idol-less is just fine every once in a while.

Now THAT is for REAL.

Seriously?!?!??!!!!!

I wasn't planning on blogging today . . . however, when I quickly went into Comcast to check my email, the following header caught my eye that I just HAD to share with you . . .

SERIOUSLY?!?!?! DRINK MORE WINE, GAIN LESS WEIGHT? Is that the secret???? Well . . . that explains it!!! Sorry, friends, but a glass of Cabernet is CALLING MY NAME!!!! Talk to you tomorrow! ; )

"I think I can! I think I can!" said the Poinsettia

Have I ever told you about my Poinsettia? THE Poinsettia to END ALL Poinsettia's? That's MY Poinsettia. Well . . . allow me, if you will, to share the story about this plant. (Is it a flower? Is it a plant? I just looked up the definition and actually - it's a flowering plant. Duh! You probably already knew that.)

Anyway, my dear neighbor and friend, Christina, works in the floral section at the local Jewel store. Around the first of December she rang my doorbell and handed me the most beautiful Poinsettia to enjoy for the holidays. So sweet and so festive - it graced our table all Christmas season and was the centerpiece of our holiday. Here is a lovely photo of THE poinsettia taken the end of December. Still going strong . . . Well . . . let me tell you. I do love this plant/flower/flowering plant. I enjoyed it SO much and it was a beautiful addition to our house LAST year.

Eh-hem . . .

But, seriously. Isn't it time to . . . um . . . go?

Here is a picture of THE poinsettia taken this week:

Now, it has lost a few leaves here or there, but truthfully - this plant is in it for the long haul. I don't think it plans on going ANYWHERE. And honestly - while I LOVE it, I am SERIOUSLY ready for it go to . . . . shhhhhhh . . . . poinsettia heaven (I feel like I have to whisper that . . . I don't want to hurt it's feelings, but SERIOUSLY!! I am ready for tulips and daffodills, I am ready for a basket of fresh summer fruits and veggies on my table. I am READY to have a small but intimate good-bye to the lovely plant who has brought us such CHRISTMAS joy.)

Hmmmm . . .

The other day, my dear neighbor and friend and giver of the never ending Holiday Cheer, Christina, stopped by my house. "Is THAT the poinsettia I gave you?" she asked. "Ummm . . . yeah!" I said. "Holy Cow!" she said. Then she left. And I was left with the poinsettia. And I started thinking about Christina. You know her. I've talked about her before . . . when she ruined me with Sudoku (click here to be reminded.) I think Christina is doing it again . . . finding a way to "get" to me. During the summer - it was Sudoku. Now, it's my poinsettia. Hmmmm. . . I'll have to ponder that one a little bit longer.

Until then . . . I have to go. I have a poinsettia to water. ; )

Everything Comes back to the Sunflowers!

Well, Hello There!!Can you believe it? It has been almost 1 week since my last blog. No reason at all for the absence, other than I have been feeling really "BLOG-Challenged" and truthfully could not find any inspiring stories to share with you. Oh . . . I have STORIES for the week (which include, in no particular order: broken bones, eye infections, business trips, lots of work, Tastefully Simple Goodies, laughs, tears, and all of the above), but I couldn't bring myself to write of any of them as they were happening. So, 6 days No Blog. But . . . that's over! (Yeah!)

Today was a NEW day. Full of . . . HAPPINESS!! Oh, how I LOVE Mother Nature. Yes, my letter to the dear M.N. must have done us some good. For today, we were met with that lovely yellow glow outside that warmed my heart so! You remember that glow, don't you? It's called SUNSHINE!!! And while I enjoyed some of the time outside, I was reminded of my sunflowers. These sunflowers . . .

As the SUN fell down on me today, I thought of my little garden and felt . . . so happy. This evening, I sat at the computer for the first time in days and got all caught up on my dear blog friends lives (oh, how I love you ALL!) and I felt like I had to get back to the Sunshine! So, back to the Sunflowers on the blog title. And while searching for a new blog background . . . I found the sunflower background on http://www.hotbliggityblog.com/. It just called to me. Like this picture. . .I love how the sun is shining on these flowers. I love the fence behind them. And the out-of-focus garden of my neighbor Gus in the background. I remember the moment I took this photo like it was yesterday. And the memory makes me . . . again . . . . happy.

So I am wondering . . . what is making YOU Happy these days? What is warming your heart and bringing you joy? I'd love to know.

Please share it with me. . . and spread some of your joy to us all!

Top O' the Morning to ya!

Tis the season . . . for Being not IRISH!!!! Wahooo!!!! McDonald's Shamrock Shakes are BACK!!! (What is it about those shakes? Seriously, though - I haven't had one in about 10 years . . . and I have no intention OF having one this year. But as I was driving past a McDonald's this weekend, they had a sign up that said, "Shamrock Shakes are HERE!" and it made me laugh.) Yes, tis the season.

Yet . . . I am "not" Irish. Heck, I really should be. But . . . I'm not. Never have been . . . never will. However, one of my oldest and dearest friends is "my darling" Kathleen Mavourneen Touhy-Hughes . . . whose first, middle and last name each sound like a chip off the ol'Blarney stone. (By the way, Mavourneen is "my darling" in Irish, and Kath's Dad gave her that wonderful middle name. Kath's Dad was the most wonderful Irishman I have ever known. Just loved that man. God Bless you Mr. Touhy!) I remember way-back when, after sharing a few awesome St. Patty's Day parades with Kath and her family, thinking to myself, "Gees, I wish I was Irish!"

I spent alot of time hanging out at Kath's house when I was growning up. Meeting her in first grade, this Slovak (that would be me) was in awe that Kath could do the Irish jig and her curly black hair would jump for joy as her feet tapped away. My long straight hair was lifeless, but her irish curls were absolutely fluffy and fun. And her mom taught me some great lessons of life ("It's nice to be nice!" and "Give it Up to God" being at the very top!) during many afternoons I spent with them. The great thing about the Touhy's is that even if you are not Irish . . . you are one of the family. Their Irish Family. Even now - 30+ years later. Maybe instead of being not Irish, I can be "Honorary Irish". I'll have to talk to Mrs. Touhy about that!

While I am Not Irish, and while I may not purchase a Shamrock Shake this season, I will be celebrating the holiday as we always do - with corned beef and cabbage, irish soda bread (my slovak sister makes a MEAN Irish Soda bread, and I mean that in the nicest way possible!), and a visit to the City of Chicago's St. Patrick's Day Parade. We get all decked out in our best IRISH GREEN and PG, the girls and I will venture into the city for a day of fun and laughs. The company PG works for actually has a FLOAT in the parade, and we get to ride on it every year. So, we'll pretend . . . with all the other not Irish people, to BE Irish. We'll enjoy the day, say a prayer to St. Patrick, drink some Guinness . . . and oh, that's so fine with me!

For now - I have to run. Time to put "O'Danny Boy" on the IPod now! Happy 1st of March, everyone!! ; )