I'm Back Home

The view from our car as we drove into Pennsylvania.

Towards the end of the summer, I took a little vacation from life. ( I'm kind of like a turtle who sticks it head out to explore and enjoy the world, but every so often has to go into it's shell. ) Then in September our family went to the Live and Learn Conference in North Carolina, which was followed by a road trip with stops in PA, NY, CT, VA, Washington, DC, and GA! As soon as I finish unpacking, catching up with all the lists and blogs I enjoy, and settling back into our routine, I'll post about our adventures.

Ooops, I'm a Little Ahead of Myself

I'm so looking forward to seeing my son's band again and I posted that I would see them tonight. It's actually next week. ;P Tonight they're performing too far away for us. Anyway, here's the flyer (which my son designed) for tonight's show.

Breakfast for Dinner - A Growing Trend

I guess the folks who write Family Fun and the New York Times must be reading my blog. (LOL!) The Family Fun recipe newsletter just featured a bunch of "breakfast for dinner" ideas, and in their monthly menu planner they feature breakfast for dinner once a week! Check it out! The New York times featured breakfast for dinner in a little more sophisticated way. ;) Any way you slice it, breakfast for dinner rocks!

Hmmmm.....

This is a really fun meme I first saw on Mary's blog. Then I saw it on two other blogs. Each one amazed me by how thought provoking apparently random things can be sometimes. I had to try it.

Here's how:

1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Random The title of the first article on the is the name of your band.

2. http://www.quotationspage.com/random.php3 The last four words of the last quote on the page is your album title.

3. http://www.flickr.com/explore/interesting/7days/ The third picture, no matter what it is, becomes your album cover.

Put it all together and, voila! You have your next album.

Here's mine:

What do you think?

Week in Review Meme

Madeline tagged me last Monday for this meme, but I've been a little busier than usual, so here's my review for this past week using the following questions.

1.What did you accomplish?

2. Did anything not go as expected?

3. What was the highlight of your week?

4. Did anything exciting happen you did not expect?

1. Well, this week was a pretty productive one for me (and atypical, for sure)! I finished all our Christmas shopping, finished decorating our home for the holidays, made a purse for my mom, made 6 book totes for my friends, went to see my daughter's performance, wrote and mailed all our Christmas cards, wrapped and mailed all the gifts that have to go elsewhere, and did some Christmas crafts with my kids. This was in addition to all the normal everyday stuff like laundry, food shopping, cooking, etc! ( I did get a little behind on washing dishes though. ;P )

2. I really didn't have any set expectations for this week. It was unexpected, and a pleasant surprise to get so many Christmas preparations completed.

3. The highlight of my week was my daughter's performance at a local theater with her improv acting class.

4. Well, it was pretty exciting to see my daughter on stage!

Pictures of My Life

As if my last post didn't have enough random photos, I thought this meme at Diana's blog looked fun, so here it is! All you have to do is Google images for your answers to the following questions.
1. Age at your next birthday: 43

2. Places I'd like to travel: the world!3. Favorite place: anywhere with my kids. :)

4. Favorite objects: craft supplies, or books, or my laptop. I can't pick! 5. Favorite food: isn't everyone's CHOCOLATE?!?!6. Favorite animal: another one I can't decide, dog or cat.

7. Favorite color(s): purple, green, and blue (fyi: you can purchase this lovely bag for a mere $300.00 at KateGroves.com)

8. My nickname(s): Dee and Mom

moar funny pictures

9. Town where I was born: Portland, Maine. Yes, I really am a maniac. ;P

10. A bad habit I have is: procrastination. Here's what I need:

Tag, you're it! Let's see your life in pictures. :)

For Those Few Who May Not Have Seen This Yet...

We Elves Are Getting Ready to Celebrate!

Check us out!

It's Called "Blifaloo"

It's a site meant to provide "temporary boredome relief" through various stimulating activities, including lots of games. I don't usually get bored, but I am good at using fun and games to procrastinate. This is the one that has me hooked lately. I also like their solitaire game. I can actually complete it.

When I was younger I was always intimidated by puzzles and brain teasers. I gave up so quickly that I think I may have deprived myself of essential challenges. So now, I'm making up for it by playing every day. ;)

Check it out. I'm sure you'll find something to amuse you!

It Should Be Sunday Already!

Okay, it's only 8:31pm (EST), but it feels like way past midnight. I guess that's what happens when you go to sleep at 2:00 am and then wake up at 4:15 am to catch a flight. I feel like I'm sleep walking, and I sure hope no one holds me accountable for anything I said or did today! Sleep deprivation is not a pretty thing when you're in your forties. How in the world I ever functioned in my twenties, pulling "all-nighters" for many reasons, is beyond my understanding now.

Anyway, we made it safely to CT where my daughter and youngest son where literally showered with gifts for their autumn birthdays. My in-laws feel that their grandchildren should have every thing they wish for, if at all possible. The following pictures show their basement, which is like a fantasyland. They may not be the best pictures, but I just had to share the 2-story playhouse, complete with garage for the electric car, and the 2-story pirate ship, that my father-in-law lovingly created for his grandkids. There are also other playhouses, a pool table, a foosball table, and a flatscreen TV. While we were down there this evening, Grandpop noted that, "We could really use a refrigerator down here." If they go much further, Grandma and Grandpop will just have to live in the basement if they want to see the grandkids at all! ;)

Look What the Cat Dragged In

Almost!

Our brave little cat, who we only recently started letting outside to explore, had the nerve to chase this bird that was at least 5 times his size. What's even more strange is the fact that we have lived in this neighborhood for 11 years, and never before have we seen a wild turkey anywhere near here. Is this a sign that we need to rethink our Thanksgiving menu?

The Colors of Fall

Yes, I know these are not the "typical" pictures of autumn that you're used to seeing, but in our area of Florida, these are the colors of fall. Thanks to an abundance of rain recently, everything is green and luscious and blooming. Butterflies are everywhere. Our kumquat tree is bursting with fruit, and we even had TWO tomatoes from our little plant pictured above.

Just wanted to share some of our "fall foliage" with y'all! Hope you're enjoying the view where you are too.

10, 20, 30 - My Life!

I first saw this on Jenny's blog, but then followed it backwards through many more.

Where were you 10, 20, 30 years ago?

Ten years ago, this day, I was probably still not fully unpacked from our move into our home. My hubby moved us into this house one year before that, all while I was in the hospital from delivering our second child. My mother was so impressed by the way my husband cleaned the house before our arrival home from the hospital, and "he even put shelf liners in the cabinets before putting the dishes away!" :) So 10 years ago, we were celebrating my daughter's first birthday, and one year of first home ownership.

Twenty years ago I was sharing an apartment in Edison, NJ with two other interns at Robert Wood Johnson Rehabilitation Center. It was my second of three different interships (Officially called "Affiliations") that I completed so that I could take the certification exam in occupational therapy.

Thirty years ago, hmmmm. I had to really think about this one. Oh yeah, I was probably in sixth grade at Von E. Mauger middle school. My best friend was Beth, and we liked to dress alike and went rollerskating almost every Saturday afternoon. I had a social studies teacher who often let me leave the school grounds to go to the local deli and get him a newspaper and coffee! Imagine the uproar that would cause today! ;P

SO, where were YOU 10......20.......30 years ago?

We're Not Broken, We're Human

Being convinced that there is something wrong with us is just too easy sometimes.

Being Heard Without Being Loud

This "tank dress" was made by piecing together thousands of knitted and crochet squtares sent in by people from Denmark, the UK, and the US, who opposed Denmark's involvement in the Iraq War. The artist, Marianne Joergensen said, "The possibility of “knitting your opinions” gives the project an aspect that I think is important. The common element in the project gives importance beyond words. [snip] Unsimilar to a war, knitting signals home, care, closeness and time for reflection. Ever since Denmark became invol ved in the war in Iraq I have made different variations of pink tanks, and I intend to keep doing that, until the war ends. For me, the tank is a symbol of stepping over other people’s borders. When it is covered in pink, it becomes completely unarmed and it loses it’s authority." You can see more pictures and a short documentary about the making of this pink tank here.

This is how I imagine the "Children should be seen and not heard," mandate of yesteryear could be re-interpreted as an adult who grew up with that message. You might not want to "hear" me, but you'll get the message anyway!!! I also think that speaks volumes (pun intended) about the ability of person to get their point across without being loud.

I, personally, have been accused of "letting others walk all over me," because I didn't immediately react with a verbal response that seemed appropriate to observers. While it may appear that way at times, I try to be selective about the words I use, about the message I want to convey, because I KNOW how much trouble words can cause. You know the saying, right? We have only one mouth and two ears so we can listen more and talk less. Well, I really work at that. I work at understanding where that other person is coming from. I take time to process their comments, then I formulate a response and wait for the appropriate moment to address the issue. IF there is something that needs to be addressed, I address it. Sometimes, it really is worth letting it go.

Sometimes, there really is nothing to say. No response at all helps some people to work through their issue on their own, just by letting them continue speaking without being interrupted or confronted. Sometimes silences say alot more than words ever can. They let the person know that you are not going to engage them in their "war", no matter how much they try. The visual image of your calm in the midst of their "storm" can really help.

Anyway, those are just my few thoughts about quiet protest. I have found success personally in living quietly, and I just felt compelled to say that not all activists are loud. :)

Here's Some Fun from My Son.....

Just in time for April Fool's Day! Enjoy! :)

Reality Check

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HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

"Change has a considerable psychological impact on the human mind. To the fearful it is threatening because it means that things may get worse. To the hopeful it is encouraging because things may get better. To the confident it is inspiring because the challenge exists to make things better. " King Whitney Jr.


I wish you all a happy, healthy new year filled with challenges that inspire you to make life better! :)

WORD CLOUD

Get yours here: http://www.snapshirts.com/

I hope your holidays are filled with the warmth of love, family, and friendship!

I'VE BEEN CALLED THIS BY ANOTHER NAME.....

You Are Surrealism

Dreamy and idealistic, you've created a world that is all your own. It's very likely that you've either dabbled in drugs or are naturally trippy. You are always trying to push beyond the boundaries of your culture and society. You believe that art, love, and freedom can change the world.

What Art Movement Are You?