Whoop whoop! It's my Friday! I'm home with the kiddos tomorrow and totally looking forward to it! Now let's get on with the random:
This week is going to be such fun, but I'm afraid it's going to go by so fast. Fun stuff always goes by too fast.
I'm all about turkey wrestling and brining tomorrow. Wrestling, because no matter how long I let the turkey thaw in the fridge, I still end up with ice in the middle and thta's where they stick the neck and giblets. Those have to come out so I wrestle. At least the result of the match is never in doubt, I always win.
I am also getting the boys hair cuts tomorrow. Bruiser asked for one and Turbo wants a trim. So we will get them haircuts. Make presentable kids out of them, mostly.
Loved this:
And this:
And in honor of doing the laundry this last weekend:
I really hope that everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving. Ours looks to be full of friends, good times and fun.
Have a great week people!
Random it up with Stacy.
Yeah, so this week is very short. Today is Monday, but also my Thursday since I'm taking off Wednesday through the rest of the week.
This weekend was fairly low key. I accomplished laundry and vacuuming. ANd then I went to our cousin's house and we made cinnamon rolls:
7 pans of cinnamon rolls. They look awesome and taste better. Breakfast for the masses--or the 14 people that will be hanging around for Thanksgiving.
On a slightly down note, we got Turbo's progress report for the last 12 weeks. He's not doing so great in Math and Language arts. Taught by the same teacher. There is some fault on Turbo's side. He takes the suggestion to redo things as just that a suggestion and that means he doesn't need to do it. However, he does need to do, so we are going to be far more proactive in communicating with his teacher and getting him to do his work and redo his work. No one said this kind of stuff would be so tough to navigate.
Bruiser on the other hand seems to be learning by leaps and bounds. It's an interesting contrast between the two of them. They do keep us on our toes.
And now on to MMMM. Freebie week but hey, it's Thanksgiving time and therefore I will try to keep a thanksgiving theme for my post today:
Darius Rucker with This:
Tim McGraw with Live Like You Were Dying:
And an oldie but still great: Bing Crosby with Count Your Blessings (Instead of Sheep)
Have a wonderful week! Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
Where exactly has November gone? I think I blinked and it practically Thanksgiving. That's it, no more blinking or I'll miss Christmas. Our thanksgiving prep starts this weekend with the baking of tons of cinnamon rolls. Looking forward to the fun and goodtimes.
Turbo has taken to the skiing and really enjoys it. Today, since the snow is a bit scarce here still, they will be doing yoga for practice. He's looking forward to trying yoga out.
Bruiser finished up swim lessons for the year. He is oh so very close to moving up a level--just a bit more practice on one maneuver and he will be moving up. Next session he'll have it.
Yesterday, Thullee decided that chewing up Bruiser's library book would be fun. We were far less impressed. We really don't want to put him back in the crate, so I guess he needs a bit more to do. It's hard when it's cold though. The dog has no thick fur and he gets cold fast. We aren't putting him in a coat for bathroom trips outside, so he just doesn't stay out long. I think he's gets bored. We are going to have to figure out something before we get a Christmas tree. We can't have the dog eating the tree again.
I really am glad that this weekend is my laundry weekend. Makes next weekend, when we have friends in town, a free weekend. However, I really need to be all domestic and clean not only the laundry, but the bathrooms, and vacuum, and all that jazz. It really is too bad that housework is never ending.
5 Pictures:
Yeah, not my photos, but good for a laugh! Have a great Thanksgiving!
This week the Spin Cycle is a freebie. So I wanted to take a moment and give thanks. I've already done a thanks post for the people in my life so now I want to give thanks for some of the other things that I have.
I am thankful for my job. I don't tend to talk about it much here, mostly to keep things separate. I work in a sort of public place. I am a research Scientist, geologist, and database specialist. The work is interesting and varied. I really love the flexible hours we have and the leeway they give both Nick and I to take care of the kiddos. Oh, yeah, did I mention Nick and I work at the same place? Just another perk of the job.
I am thankful that currently all the appliances in our house are working as they should. This year has been rough on us. New stove, new dish washer, new water heater. Everything else should continue to work, nothing is all that old in our house. So, again, thankful for working appliances.
I am thankful for the animals in our lives. Thullee is a bundle of energy and always, always greet us at the door with abundant enthusiasm. That is the best way to come home. It awesome to have someone so excited to see you. Even if you were only gone 5 minutes, or six hours, he's still over the moon excited to see us.
Guinness is the old man of the house. He's almost 14 and still chugging along. He tolerates Thullee, loves going for rides in the truck, and still barks at people he deems to close to the house. He is a grand old dog and we love him.
And then there's Piper. The princess. My cat. She is a cuddler and loves attention, but on her terms. She is 16 and still going strong. She rules the house and the dogs get out of her way. She can trap Thullee in the basement by sitting on the steps. She is enjoying the new furniture we got for the living room--it has lots of good napping spots. She really is the princess of the house. I love having her insist on being loved and it's nice to have her next to me when I'm reading.
We have so much to be thankful for. It is nice to stop and think about all we have instead of worrying about all we don't. I hope everyone has a wonderful thanksgiving!
1. What's something you take for granted, that when you stop and think about it you feel truly grateful for? Being healthy. Right now I have no major issues, and that is nice. You tend to not think about health until it goes bad, but being healthy is truly great.
2. The color brown-love it or no? What's your favorite shade of brown?
Most loved something in your home or closet in a shade of brown? I like brown. It's the color of chocolate and chocolate is wonderful. We have a really nice brown sectional in our basement--it's traditional looking and fits just right in the space. As for favorite shade of brown--the color of chocolate of course!
3. What's something you're looking forward to today? Going home time. I like work, but going home and being cozy and warm and relaxed after work is worth looking forward to. Also, I can read then...
4. The word 'feminism' is not new, but it has been generating all
kinds of headlines in recent days and months. What do you think/feel
when you hear the word? If you're a woman, do you want to be described
as a feminist? Why or why not? I think that the word feminism has been hijacked in a way. It has become to mean almost militantly standing for women being just like men without acknowledging that women can be equal to men but are definitely different from men. Equality is a good thing, but absolute equal treatment of everyone is not achievable. I want to be acknowledged for my abilities and achievements but I don't expect certain treatment nor blame certain treatment on my gender.
5. What's something you personally can't eat without making a mess? A Popsicle. my teeth are sensitive to cold and I can never eat a Popsicle without it melting all over me.
6. When did you last surprise someone with a little gift or when were you last surprised by someone with a little gift? What was it? My mother surprised me with a vegetable slicer mandolin thing just before Halloween. I need to learn how to use it, but I think I could really like it if I gave it a chance.
7. Share a favorite quote, saying, song lyric or scripture relating to gratitude.
8. Insert your own random thought here. Turbo has suddenly become busy. He started with the cross country ski team that the junior high has and is just finishing up swim lessons. this will most likely be his last run through swim lessons. Next year he will be able to go out for the junior high swim team. This spring he will try track. He growing up so fast. Quite literally. He's grown half an inch since August. I know this is only the start of it, but wow, it happens so fast.
We have had moments of tween attitude and frustration, but we've dealt with them fairly well so far. We are learning as much as he is. Parenting tweens is no picnic. As long as the result is a mature functioning adult like person, I will call it a success. I love that kid so much, he's fun, funky and smart.
Whelp, one day closer to Thanksgiving. I'm really looking forward to the holiday this year. But we still have to get through this week first. On with the random:
Winter came and hit us all at once. We will hit a whopping 42 degrees on Thursday. And then it gets cold again. I wouldn't mind more snow. Just not next Wednesday. People be traveling then and snow is not cool for travel.
Turbo had fun at his practice last night. If he makes ten practices, he can go to a meet. He's looking forward to that. I hope he continues to enjoy skiing. He certainly has the look: long hair, funky hat, colorful coat. He's all set.
This is so me:
Meet Silver Thorn the Watcher of the Future:
And just because it is thanks giving and not yet time to really think about Christmas:
May your week be awesome and trouble free and remember, Thanksgiving is coming, which reminds me I must get the turkey out of the freezer and into the fridge in the next couple days. Got to give the darn thing time to thaw so we can get it brined before smoking it for the big day.
Have a great week and random it up with Stacy.
So, those that are here for MMMM just head down and check out the music. THat part of the post will follow the Brevity Challenge rules. However, since I like to put a weekend recap with my MMMM, I'm not following the rules strictly.
Now for a quick recap of the weekend. Friday night was laid back and relaxed for us after a long week. We did have a meeting that ran long for work so it was late when we got home. Saturday was a run to the store in the snow, getting the stuff put away when we got home and then we tackled the attic.
We needed to get started on moving things around so we can finish it so Turbo can move up there this spring and then Bruiser gets Turbo's old room. It's a pretty major shift going on but in the end I get a space that I will be able to scrap book in and Bruiser gets a room with a window. Turbo gets a room in the attic he can escape to as teens like to do and there will still be a play space in the attic for boys to hang out in.
Saturday night we took the boys out for dinner to a local place that makes burgers and wings. The boys loved it and can't wait to go back.
Sunday was mostly a laze about the house day. I did make Pumpkin pie bread and that was the extent of my efforts. Nick cleaned his garage. He feels pretty good about what he accomplished.
Today Turbo starts the Ski team. They have their first practice tonight. Probably not skiing, not quite enough snow just yet. Turbo is excited, but a bit nervous, it is new for him.
Our weekend is looking snowy and cold. But maybe not as cold as the last couple days were. Those -15 F temps are little hard to deal with this early in the season. And yes I said early in the season, cause it's winter here no matter what the calendar says.
I'm thinking that comfort foods are on deck for this next week--chicken and dumplings, stew, and meatloaf. Although the boys are clamoring for fried rice and Nick desperately wants a stir fry. Dinners are never boring around our house.
Bruiser had his first school program last night. It was adorable. He was so proud and sang so well. Even if it was cold out the turnout for the program was impressive. Also impressive, the music teacher didn't try force holiday songs on us. The program was based on puppies. There were some very cute kids dressed as dogs.
On our way home from said program, I saw Christmas lights in a window. Ugh, rushing the season some there.
Two weeks to Thanksgiving. Where is November going? I get this weekend and then it's Thanksgiving prep with friends and on to the holiday. I'm looking forward to it, but at the same time, I wish it would all just slow down some.
5 Pictures:
Today I raided Nick's phone for pictures:
Tuesday was National Forget Me Not day. A day to remember those we have lost touch with, perhaps try and reconnect with them. The Spin Cycle is asking if there is someone you have fond memories of and have been thinking of recently. This one was a bit of a stumper for me. I have friends I have lost touch with and the reconnected with on the all mighty Facebook. I have other friends that have moved away (the downside to living in a college town) and just don't have a connection with.
Really, in this day and age of hyper connectedness, it's harder to lose touch with people. The Book of Face lets you have a peek into the lives of far flung friends daily. Honestly the one friends Nick and I think of most often is one from before the inter webs became the all encompassing thing they are now.
R was our neighbor across the hall in the first apartment building Nick and I lived in. He was quirky, but fun. A bit socially backwards and had the worst luck in women, but we all got along great and had some truly great times together. He moved to Alaska about 12 or 13 years ago and we lost touch with him as he then proceeded to move around the country with trips back to Alaska and out to Minnesota and such.
The last time we heard from R was about 3-4 years ago. He contacted Nick via email and they corresponded for a bit. He, at that time, thought he was moving to Denver but we haven't heard from him since. We aren't sure where he is right now. It would be good to see him again and find out what he has been up to.
He crosses my mind at odd times and almost always when we do an electrical project as he was an electrician. One of those sparky people is always good to know. I really hope life has been good to him.
1. We celebrate Veteran's Day in the US of A on November 11th. When did
you last interact with a member of the armed forces (either currently
serving or retired)? Have you ever written a letter to a soldier, bought
a meal or coffee for a solider, said an unprompted thank you to a
soldier you encountered out and about somewhere? If you're not in the
US, comment on a similar holiday in your own country. I don't have a lot of interaction with military personnel in my daily life--either currently serving or retired. This makes it difficult to do anything for them. I do think the sacrifices they make are integral to the life I lead though.
2. You can have fifty pounds of anything at all (except money)...what would you choose? Seafood. As long as I don't have to use it right away. I love seafood and the selection here in the middle of no where is limited and usually frozen. When the ocean is at least a 1000 miles away, fresh is subjective.
3. When did you last receive an invitation in the 'real' mail? What was
it for and did you attend? When it comes to RSVP-ing, are you an 'early
responder' or a 'last minute, barely-under-the-wire' kind of guest? We got a wedding invite for one of Nick's cousins. We did attend, but there was no RSVP included, the reception was more of a casual thing. I like to respond early, but things get in the way and we are sometimes more of a closer to last minute replier for birthday invites and such.
4. What's something you really don't like to waste? Time. If I have an extra minute, I like to spend it reading. That is totally not wasting time.
5. Cheers, Friends, MASH, Seinfeld...of the ones listed, your favorite long-running sitcom? It would have to be MASH. I ahve fond memories of watching it with my family, but I think it had hit it's first round of reruns when we were watching it in the mid 80s.
6. What decision are you glad you made? The first one the pops into my mind is to go on the first date with Nick. He has been my rock, my encourager, my motivator, and my best friend for going on 22 years now. Best decision I ever made to go on that first date with him.
7. In this month of 'Thanksgiving' what is one thing that's different today than it was a year ago that you're grateful for? We have a new water heater that doesn't have the possibility of flooding our basement. After having been through that twice in the last 4 years, I'm thankful we have the new one now.
8. Insert your own random thought here. Now for my thankful bit for the week. I am thankful for our house. It really is a home and I love it. It's not the biggest, most showy house, but it is filled with love and feels homey and cozy. Which is especially nice when it's -14 outside.
Nick and I split the vacuuming yesterday. I did upstairs and he did the basement. Even the stairs, which I hate vacuuming. So there is less dust bunnies and such floating around.
Found another spider in the bathroom this morning. Stupid thing was trying to get a peep show. It's now much flatter and residing in the garbage can. I didn't even scream. Did do a couple full body shivers though.
What I felt like doing...
It's very cold here. It was 7 degrees this morning. And snowing. Winter came and set up shop. I really wish that it wasn't quite so cold, but then it is that time of year.
Hard to believe that Thanksgiving is only two weeks away. Ours is going to be a wonderful weekend this year. Weather permitting, of course.
Sleep has been elusive recently. Once again. It's kind of like this:
Somehow, having winter come has really made it seem much more a holiday season. Still not ready for Christmas yet, but totally ready for Thanksgiving.
Yep, winter has arrived in our neck of the woods. Snow off and on for most of the week and below zero temps at night and barely making out of single digits during the day. Lucky us.
It started snowing this morning. Bruiser was excited, because he could wear his new snow boots to school. Priorities of the young. I think I'm OK with the snow. At least my allergies will decrease significantly.
We had another busy weekend. We got leaves raked on Saturday morning. Which caused a bit of friction from the tween in the house. Turbo was less than pleased to be roped into helping. Sparks flew between him and Nick and ultimately, Nick won and Turbo figured out the whole do a good job, do it quickly and things go easier on you. Dealing with a tween is going to kill us, or him...
Bruiser had a birthday party to go to at the local laser tag place. He had a major blast. Totally didn't want to go home, but I was done and needed to get home. Once there I changed laundry and then crashed for an hour nap. Then it was time to shuttle the boys to Grandma's for an over night. Once we had dropped them off, Nick and I got a date night. Not that we went out to eat. Oh, no we cooked bacon wrapped scallops and snow crab legs for our dinner and watched cheesy musicals snuggled on the couch. It was awesome.
Sunday was a day of folding laundry, reading and being mostly lazy. I didn't even vacuum. That's on the agenda for tonight. I did get the heavy winter comforter on our bed and Turbo's down comforter on his bed. With the temps headed our way, we're gonna need the extra warmth.
So all in all it was a great weekend. Now for MMMM. This week is a freebie week, but with veterans day tomorrow, let's do a patriotic song or two, shall we?
Toby Keith with American Soldier:
Trace Adkins with Arlington:
Tim McGraw with If You're Reading This:
Yeah, some tear inducing stuff this week, but there's nothing happy or exciting about war. I do appreciate those who sacrifice all so I can live the life I have.
And there you have it the first week of November gone. Two and half weeks to thanksgiving. Wow, looking at it that way, time is just zipping by. But let's not worrya bout that and get on to the 5 thoughts:
Nick and I get a date night. The boys are going to see grandma for an overnight. It's been a while since both boys were out of the house for an overnight. I must admit having an evening to ourselves is looking pretty good right now.
Turbo starts ski team in a little over a week. He's excited, they went and got him his skis last night. Now we just need to get ski pants and gloves, and maybe a hat...
We have snow in the forecast for next week. I hope we got some of it, but that Nick can still get to Denver for the trip he really wants to make.
The laundry mountain must be climbed this weekend. Not really looking forward to it, but it must be done.
I could totally use a nap. I have been sleeping better the last couple of nights, but still feel like I have a deficit in the enough sleep department. Butt hen I'm not sure, if I took the time, I could ever feel completely caught up on my sleep.
So this is a retrospective of Halloween, so pictures!
Halloween Cookies a friend helped Bruiser make.
Bruiser's pumpkin chain decoration.
Downtown trick or treat
1930s detective
Dracula
Batman for school.
Pumpkin Carving
The trick or treat gang.
Halloween was about three major events for us this year. Over a week, so not too crowded. Next year things will be busier as it all will happen in about two days. AND as usual the boys are already making noises about what they will be next year...
Go see Ginny Marie and link up your spin on Halloween!
