Dear Great Grandma Jones

I know I just saw you for the first time the other day but there are some things that need to be said.

My parents have failed.

OK. So perhaps that is a bit harsh.
But their lack of preparedness is a little stunning.

It is cold here. Really cold.

And it has been snowing. They talk about a Winter Wonderland in songs and well Grandma, they had to be talking about Utah. I am sure of it.

Look at my Dad all bundled up in his snow gear.
That is called being prepared.

Sure, they are all set for them and my other three siblings to go out into the harsh weather.
But they had nothing to keep me warm.
Being the forth child I would consider this poor planning on their part.
You would think that at number four they could pull it together.
Think again.
And so, Grandma, I want to thank you.

For saving me from my parents vast oversight...even if you didn't know it,

and making it look like my parents really do love me and that they are not a bunch of clowns.

Even if it sometimes looks that way when we are getting out of our car.

Hugs.
-Penny

Good To Know

Laney: What are we having for dinner?
Me: Tacos.
Laney: With meat?
Me: Yep.
Laney: Good. I like meat because I like the color blue now.
Me: ..........
Laney: Meat isn't blue though, mom.

Tales of A Tree

The tree in our front yard is massive.
When we first moved into this house word on the street was that there was a tree killer in our neighborhood. A gentlemen had been going around poisoning trees so that he could get a better view. Lucky for our tree, he lived one street up from us.
Our tree is quite beautiful though.
During the spring and summer it is full of leaves. During the fall the color changes and it is still lovely. Albeit slightly messy.

Now granted, there were still a lot of leaves left on the tree when this picture was taken.

That should give you a general idea about what kind of undertaking clean up is.

We were primed and ready to go.
Operation "dead leaf" was go for launch.
This year we had a plan.
Our plan was kiboshed though.
Little did we know that a good strong wind and 10 inches of snow would rid us of our leaf problem.

The real question now is "How do we rid ourselves of all this snow?"

Tickle Me Intrigued

Blake was gone all last weekend. He left on Friday afternoon and didn't get back until Sunday night.

We survived.

While Blake is gone I tend to get bored at night and so I find myself on the Internet a lot waiting for Penny to go to sleep.

While looking at one of the many blogs I read I was interested in one in particular. She is doing a sweater refashion for every day of the month.

What was so interesting was that I have the sweater below.

Exact same one.

I have never worn it. But I can't seem to get rid of it.

It just sits in my closet.

I much prefer hers now.

I like the color better and the flower embellishments.

Although probably not as many.
Moderation.

In all things.

Sweaters too.

Which got me thinking.

If she can find these ugly sweaters from second hand stores and make them into something cute, well...why can't I?
Well, I will tell you why.
I don't know where to fit it into my day.
With my luck I would buy some ugly ill-fitting sweaters and then never get around to making them cute.
I have about 6 katrillion things I want to do/make/clean/fix...
Sometimes I have a hard time remembering what things I wanted to do but never got around too.
Eye-yey-yey.
Some days I feel like I am loosing my mind.
Other days I feel like it is already gone.
Then there are days that the heavens part,
and I can see a bit of myself coming back after the last 4 months of hibernation.
Hi friend.
I have missed you.
Stick around for a while.

Santa Baby

Here is a wish list:

(the word "wish" should be noted)

Cute sweater. Tried on. Love it.
(It should be pointed out that if this goes on sale, it is one of the exceptions to my 'no buy'.)

Good dress.
(another exception, if it goes on sale)

When Blake and I were first married he bought me a pair of shoes from Charlotte Russe.
They are black and white too and I love them.
I figure that these would be a good replacement for when the other ones die.

I have not gotten a pair of new tennis shoes in a long time. That, and I kinda love the colors.

Some might think these shoes are weird. Ugly even.
I can not stop thinking about them.
It would take Santa some stealthy maneuvers to get these...
but I am certain with the right amount of persistence Ebay would do the trick.

Ho Hum

Penny has had an off week. This in turn means that I have had an off week. I normally have dreams of grandeur and thoughts of all the things I will accomplish during the week. Lets just say when Sunday normally rolls around I look around and realize I have accomplished very little. This week I accomplished less than normal. I am in fact an over achievers worst nightmare and an under achievers prime specimen.



I have very fond memories as a kid of playing with play dough. I am sure that my Mom made most, if not all, of the play dough for us. I think at some point she even made edible play dough using peanut butter. I remember that we had cookie cutters that were shaped like the McDonald's characters, the old ones, like Grimus and the Fry Guys. I loved rolling out the dough and making pretend food. Pressing the play dough threw a baby food grinder, and making it come out looking like strands of hair. Good times. Oh, how times have changed. When ever my kids ask if they can play with play dough (which is a twice weekly occasion) I cringe. Then starts the internal conflict. The fun loving, fly by the seat of your pants, side of me cheers. Play dough, play dough, play dough...The anal retentive, ultra clean, side of me cries. Play dough, play dough, noooo.... Those little pieces of hardened dough get EVERYWHERE! On the bench, the chairs, smeared on the floor and on the table...is that some dough in Canon's ear? Most of the time the mean side wins out and the play dough stays in the bucket. On occasion the fun loving side wins out and then for about 20 minutes it is heaven for the kids as they play. Then it is my own personal crap town as I clean up the wreckage.



We just purchased a new Christmas tree from Costco. Our old one, after 5 years of use has finally had some of the lights burn out. So even though it is only the second week into November I am seriously considering setting up Christmas decorations.



I am officially on a 30 day shopping break. Fingers crossed. But to clarify...I will still be buying Christmas presents for the kids and Blake just nothing for yours truly. Sometimes I just like to show myself who is boss. Take that self.

500

This is our 500 post.
I can't believe you are all still reading.
We are a little crazy and yet you have stuck around.
That must make you crazy, or devoted.
Which ever.
I'll let you pick.

This Is How We Roll