Thanksgiving 2011

I am thankful for the last few days.
Thankful for family.
Thankful for a home.
Thankful for food on the table.
Thankful for a sunny day.
Thankful for a quiet house.

My kids and all my nieces and nephews.  Pure love.

And I am so thankful for a day of rest tomorrow.

Blah

It's hard to think of things you are grateful for and/or where I may have been giving,  when I'm grumpy.

I'm grumpy and irritable and can't sleep.  That's all I have to say.

Night

Gratitude | Day 20

Gratitude | today I am thankful for the opportunity to sleep in.  10am.  Yes, you read it correctly.  Nearly lunch time.  I think it was due to 1) late nights and 2) fighting off some kind of sinus/throat yuck.  Either way, it felt good.

Giving | I gave my neighbor time...time to work on her Christmas gifts as her boys came over to hang out for about three hours.

This morning was beautiful, cold, crisp and sunny.  It had the glowing feel of winter as it lit up the house.  "Cold Play" played on Pandora as I made french toast at nearly noon.  JH was gone at R&A's so the house was a bit less dramatic on the kid front.  I'm not saying JH is dramatic, it's just that when one kid is taken out of the equation, things change.

Through today's lens....

hot cocoa and mini marshmallows, the best thing for a cold morning

I prefer Raisin Bran 

blooming Christmas cactus

Houston, we have a reader.

gather your memories....and make them too.

Gratitude | Day 18 & 19

Gratitude | it's Friday ranked up there yesterday in oh-hallelujah-I-am-thankful.  Only one soccer game today was the I am thankful pick.

Giving | support to a friend.  Time to myself.

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We left this morning at 10am, heading north.  Sofia had a game in Shoreline and I wanted to drop the boys and Lilia off at the padres.  No sense having kids freezing at a game.  It's bad enough that I have to sit there and freeze.  It was a great game.  They tied 1:1.  Both teams played well and played great offense and defense.  The game was at the Shoreline Community Center.  There was a working crew outside.  I noticed one guy who was taking a forklift full of pallets and dumping them in the garbage.  Yeah, I said it.  Dumping pallets.  I think that is a sin.  I have a love for pallets.  Something about the potential to be creative with free wood.  So I stopped David (his name) and sparked a conversation about my interest in his pallets.  He said I could have as many as I liked.  He would even make a nice pile for me and all I would need to do is pick them up by Monday.  I almost agreed.  But instead I shoved 6 in my car, my max for today.  Oh how I was excited.

From pallets to shelves.  Muy bueno.

via 

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Ms. Lilia is a Netflix masta.  She gets my phone and I find her hidden in my closet watching cartoons, giggling and nibbling on Halloween candy.

surrounded by Christmas gifts, she doesn't even know.

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Working on my December Daily, it's looking good.  I think I have an idea for my cover. I hope it translates well from my head to the product.

ribbons for DD.

Gratitude | Day 17

Gratitude  |  today I'm thankful for not getting a parking ticket since I ran out of coins and my time EXPIRED.

Giving | today I give support to those I love.

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Tiffany has been in my life since she was just a few months old.  Her family (mom, dad and big sister) moved across the street from mine.  I am 14 years her senior so she was one of my first "babies".  I would spend my summers watching her and Jenn all day long.  When she was 15 months old she had spinal meningitis, the result was loss of hearing.  She came home without the ability to hear, walk or even hold her head.  It took time for her to gain her strength again.  She did, with attitude.

At three she went to school.  I remember putting her on the little bus.  We all learned sign language, some better than others.  By the time she was four, she was glued to me.  I'd go home across the street and she'd cry at the window.  I hung out a lot at her house, and her mama trusted me enough to take her up north to visit the family in Lynden for the weekend.  As she got older, our family holidays and birthdays became somewhat intertwined, her family weaved into ours perfectly.

When I had my twins, she was there.  She was now a mini-mama to mine.

She met an amazing man James.  I connected with his family effortlessly.  She has three beautiful babies of her own now.  My dear Tiffany got married in August.  Soon after her wedding, she found out her FIL was terminally ill.  He passed away today.

Bill, know you are loved by many and will be missed.

Bill, Sara (James sister), James, Tiffany and mama K (copyright 35th Place Photography).

Gratitude | Day 16

Gratitude | today I'm grateful for Alex.  Alex is kind of like me, in the sense he loves to please.  He loves to make people happy.  If feels good.  He called me at work and said he was making baked macaroni and cheese (the real stuff, not out of a box) and baked papas.  Yes, a lot of starch.  But, if you knew Alex, you would know that's his primary food group.  I asked about protein.  He said the mac n cheese contained milk and cheese.  Duh, I guess.

I arrived home.  JH welcomed me with a kiss and a "I vacuumed upstairs and downstairs without being asked".  Alway needing to justify his allowance is well deserved.

The candles were lit, or turned on in this case.

The papas were done.

We sat and talked.  They always ask me about my day at work.  I said it was long, a lot of drama and smelled like bleach.

Sofia cleaned the kitchen.

Lilia proclaimed this morning that we would cozy up in my bed at 7pm and read until 8:30 and then go to sleep.  We were cozied up by 8pm, then read with Sofia.  Are bodies intertwined on the bed eventually fell asleep, as the words took longer to read and our voices became more relaxed.

I'm awake now, finishing a load of laundry and typing this in the dark.   My two girls in my bed, breathing softly.  It's not ideal, always.  But it feels good some of the time.

JH went to a play and got home late and went straight to his bed.

Alex knows when his body is ready for bed.  Gives me a kiss and heads downstairs.

I'm thankful for great kids and the stories we make each day.

Giving | I think I gave my fair share to Mrs. Magnuson's 5th grade class.  Mama's cookie bars, soda, chips, cups, plates, napkins and a small gift (word find book) were dropped off at 12:15 today at school.  Alex was so proud to share that all with his class.  And he was grateful that I helped out, as he was the only student that followed through with party goods.  It was so worth it.

He also made her a trophy out of pizza and cereal boxes and a roll of pink duct tape.  Dang that kid is pretty creative.  We raided the yellow room and found some goodies to make it shine. Mrs. Magnuson cried.

Life is good.

Gratitude | Day 14

Gratitude | I am thankful for Sofia.  I got home around 5:30pm, not really feeling well.  I was in bed by 8pm (obviously up now) and my sweet Sofia just takes on the role of mama.  She tends to her sister Lilia like the best mama bird....bath, jammies, teeth, hair, reading and bed....I am thankful for her.

Giving | even though I felt like crud, I welcomed my sister and hubby over for dinner.  What can I say, they were here when I got home.  Alex and JH made tortillas, I whipped up some side dishes.  We put the sleeves in the table and ate family style.  So much to share.

Gratitude| Let me count the days...9, 10, 11, 12 and 13

Gratitude | so I'm behind, I've been busy, give mama a break already.  I shall list some things I'm so grateful for ...

• flexible doctors, who will schedule you in at the last minute.
• health insurance, can I hear an amen.
• antibiotics.
• Veterans, not just because they gave me a three-day weekend.  My dad is a vet, I celebrate him daily!
• colleagues who care for my well-being.
• car ride sans kids.
• streets blanketed with fall leaves.
• wishes at 11:11 on 11/11/11.
• friends that make you feel good.
• time to be crafty.
• time with family.
• mashed papas.

Giving | time, money (to a good cause), Friday nights with friends, a homemade meal to my family.

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It's been a whirlwind the last five days.  I had meetings most of last week and got sick and better too.  I drove down Friday to Camas to attend Melody's first art show and auction.

a view from my room of downtown Camas

I met Melody at the Ignite retreat.  She is amazing, inspiring and so creatively artistic.  I'm now proud owner of three of her pieces.  They hang in my house most beautifully.

A trip home early Saturday to arrive just in time to attend Sofia's soccer game.  I felt so bad for her and her teammates, it was freezing.  She was a popsicle by the end of the game.  The best cure for cold soccer players is a hot shower followed by hot chocolate, with mini-marshmellows, that will make you feel all toasty inside.  Follow it up with a game of Monopoly to get the blood flowing and competition going.

Tonight I invited the padres, Slovidge and Donald Duck over for dinner.   Chicken, mashed papas, corn, salad, rolls....oh, heart be still.  And for dessert carrot cake and brownies too.  We visited, talked, laughed ate good food, read the comics and had the kitchen clean by 6pm.  Now that's good.  A great way to end the three day weekend.

Dipped chicken tenders in panko bread crumbs and seasonings, then baked.  Yum.

I know that's not the most attractive picture of my mom.  Walking, blurred, with arms swinging back, reminds me of Sasquatch.  Trust me, it's just my lovely mama.


I've started prepping the foundation of my December Daily 2011 album.  This will be my second year of documenting the first 25 days of December.  Ali Edwards again is my inspiration.   I started last night, siting in my yellow room by the light of the moon and my lamp.  Until midnight.  I'm so excited.

Gratitude | Day 8

Gratitude | I am thankful to Ohio's voters for defeating Issue #2.

Giving | still need to work on this.

Gratitude| Day 7

Gratitude | today I am thankful for KCLS and the patient staff that work with two teenagers who won't listen to their mom (for book suggestions).

Giving | I can't think where I gave today, how sad.  Must work on this.

Gratitude| Day 6

Gratitude | today I'm thankful that I got to spend another day with Brandon.  The sun was shining, Pandora "Pet Shop Boys" was on Pandora and I made a yummy breakfast of eggs, pancakes, bacon and sausage.  We headed out to Bothel around 11am, dropped Brandon off in Renton, watched Sofia's game, picked up Brandon in Renton, went to Ashli's for dinner.  Home at 8pm.  Note to self:  our family will not go to Ashli's house again....it's a zoo...2 cats and a dog makes for itchy, watery eyes times 6.  My kids (not Sofia) and their allergies don't do well with furry creatures.

Giving | time.  Time to be with family, time away from home, time for monopoly playing, time (and patience) for car games at nauseam.

Gratitude | Day 5

Gratitude | today I am grateful for my family.  Specifically my 17 year old nephew Brandon who decided he wanted to come hang out at my house and to spend the night.  My kids were ecstatic, as we only see Brandon a few times a year.  I can still hear him and Lilia talking in their fort they made in the loft.  We are blessed.

Giving | a gave my kids dinner out and me not having to cook dinner. Win win.  I know, it's a stretch.

occupy my loft

Gratitude| Day 4

Gratitude | I am so thankful it's Friday.  A busy week coming to an end makes a happy mama.

Giving | Today I sent two cards in the mail.  One was sent to my cousin Elizabeth.  She is about 15 years my junior.  I would spend my summers up in Bellingham watching her and her older brother Ben.  We were close years ago, very close.  She's grown now, a single mama living in Seattle.  She's supporting herself and her son, and headed back to college to get her degree.  Her birthday is coming up, I thought it would be nice to send her a card.

My ex-colleague and friend retired a few years ago.  She was recently diagnosed with cancer and had a double mastectomy about a week ago.  I sent her a card today.  Teri and I had a good friendship while we worked together.  When I was in my early 20's, her and I would workout every week.  We'd talk and critique people while on the treadmill and laugh at each other as we did aerobic classes.  We were also both in the women studies program at UW.  We thought it was weird how our conversations would go, considering I was a similar age of her daughter.   We'd talk about things that she'd never talk about with her daughter (so she said) and I'd have to suggest to her how she was being seen as a mother (from her daughter's view).   I miss her presence at work, she was always supportive and easy to talk to.  So today I sent her a card to feel better and to know she is missed.

We all have jammies on and teeth brushed.  I'm getting ready to read with Lilia, while the boys watch Gold Rush.  Sofia is at a sleepover.  Nice and mellow.

Gratitude | Day 3

I had a meeting in Olympia today.  It was a beautiful drive home.  The sun was shining on Mt. Rainier, and it was breath taking.  I got home at 5pm, and, guess what, I didn't have to drive to soccer, yet.  I actually was home in daylight and enjoyed the sun shining in my yellow room for an hour before I had to take off.   I was able to cut and assemble my WITL album. Just need to fill in some gaps.

Gratitude | today I'm thankful for the sun.

Giving | I spent 10 minutes on the phone with my parents.  They both were on the line and we talked.  I haven't seen them in a while, a couple of weeks, and I could hear in their voices that they miss me and were thankful for the conversation.

and what are you thankful for....

Gratitude | Day 2

Gratitude | Today I am thankful for long car rides without the "noise" of kids or radio.  My brain loves to wonder, thinking of the most lovely things.

Giving | I intentionally gave CHASE Bank my thoughts on Occupy Wall Street.  I checked my mail and they had sent me five credit card offers.  Even one with Disney points.  How thoughtful.  I wrote them a nice note and stuffed the contents of their offers into the return envelope to be mailed back to them.  This may be a stretch, but I'm counting it, and it felt good.

I have started receiving my supplies for my December Daily 2011.  I'm excited to get that prepped this month.  Ali Edwards is my inspiration again.  I can't wait.  And I'm finalizing my Week In the Life 2011.  I hope to get locked in my yellow room some this weekend.

Oh, how their feet have grown.

Gratitude and Giving

I am inspired tonight by my friend Melody Ross and a post by Andrea Scher and Andrea Jenkins.

November is going to be a busy month.

Melody has inspired me to share (via FB) something I am grateful for each day.

Andrea S has inspired me to be giving this month.  Tonight, instead of getting irritated at the two times I attempted to back out of the parking spot at soccer practice, only to put it in forward again as others kept doing the same.  I sat and waited patiently as I let everyone leave before me.  Does that count as giving?  Giving them a turn first?  I counted it as such.   I also gave out many compliments tonight...thanks for cleaning the kitchen.  Thanks for cleaning your bedroom.  Thanks for taking down the Halloween decor.  I don't acknowledge enough.  It felt good.

Andrea J let me know it's nablopomo, aka national blog posting month.  It's the idea to post something every day for the month of November.  11/1/11, check.

And what's a post without a picture.

I wish for snow....