January 31, 2011

i got nothin'

I really tried to find a "simple thing" this week, but my life wasn't having it. I guess my simple thing is enjoying a few of the moments others were able to capture! Check them out...

January 29, 2011

Driver on the way!

Yesterday was my middle daughter's half birthday - let me clarify that - it was her 15-1/2 birthday. In Wisconsin that means learner's permit. You have to have your learner's permit for six months before you can take your driver's test, so if you want to get your license on your 16 birthday, and who doesn't, then you have to get your learner's permit on your half birthday. Or you die.

On the way home from the Department of Motor Vehicles, with temps in hand, I turned into a cemetery. Middle daughter asked, "Wait why are we going here?" "You wanna drive today, right?" "Yeah...." "Well, you can't kill dead people," I said. So we drove around until she had a feel for things.

As we were switching places to go home she said, "If I have bad luck driving it's your fault." "I don't understand," I said. "You're supposed to hold your breath when you drive past a cemetery and you had me driving in it. You're only safe if you're here for ... cemetarian things," she said.

Whew. Glad it wasn't me violating the superstition rules....

January 24, 2011

A word of advice...

Ok, moms out there. I am not a fashionista, but shape-ups, leggings as pants, and a fur-lined apple-bottom jacket are not a good outfit to accompany your child to a college visit. I'm just sayin'....

January 21, 2011

I thought she would outgrow it eventually.

After the kids went upstairs for the night I went to say goodnight. My middle daughter has always been the child who slept. Fell asleep first, took the longest nap, and slept in the longest. Once when she was little - you know that stage where parents understand them but everyone else needs a translator - she said, "I am ti-yahd," climbed in her crib and went to bed for the night. Another time we told her to go to sleep, and she replied, "I can't fall asleep just like...." Out.

So at 11pm, when she fell asleep in her pre-calc it was no surprise. While I was taking this picture she opened her eyes, looked at me, started to get out of bed, and whined, "Argh. I barely slept at all."

"Sweetie," I said, "it's not even midnight. You have six hours to sleep still." She smiled closed her eyes and fell back to sleep.

The best part? A few days later I was showing her friends the pics and middle kid says, "Wait is that me? When was that?"

January 18, 2011

These boots are made for....

So I was looking for a way to stretch my winter work wardrobe. I avoided buying a pair of dress boots even though I really wanted a pair, because I didn't want to spend money on something so seasonal. But as I was walking through Wal-mart, I came across a pair on clearance.

I am so happy I bought them. I have several winter skirts that I rarely wear because dress shoes don't work well or look very smart in the snow. I feel like I have a whole new closet!

January 15, 2011

winter morning light



















My oldest and I attended an event on Saturday, and I loved the way the winter sunlight looked over the lake - blue and muted. Simple, beautiful.

January 14, 2011

Tell me again why we have pets....

Today while we were at work and school one of the dogs got locked in my oldest daughter's bedroom. She was sleeping all snuggled up on the bed when we left and somehow must have closed the door, and found herself trapped. She pulled the carpet back, shredded the pad, and separated the carpet and backing. She also ate everything in the room - books, gift bags, baskets - and chewed up the bottom of the door.

We were able to fit most of the pieces of the pad-puzzle back together and fold the carpet back. There is a one inch gap where it meets the hallway, and about a 10 inch tear down the middle being held together with packing tape right now.

I would be furious about it except she's a rescue dog who came to us in bad condition. Who knows what she went through before we got her, thanks to my other sister (who will be helping us replace the carpet later this year).

January 11, 2011

It's just a little snow....

Today at 2:00 in the afternoon the school district sent an automated message that said, "No activities have been canceled for this afternoon/evening. Please drive carefully." Now we send messages that school has NOT been canceled due to weather? People, we live in Wisconsin. It snows here. Sheeesh.

January 9, 2011

Breakfast of champions

This first week back to school and work was a long one. Thank goodness for the weekend. Sometimes it IS about the simple things like sprinkle donuts.









January 3, 2011

Let me explain...

I was talking with my sister this morning and she said, "Sorry Dee, I just don't get the blog thing. I mean I read yours to stay in touch with what's happening, but I don't get the point."

I tried to explain. Some of the blogs I subscribe to have beautiful photos of how I'd like my home to look, some have inspiring thoughts about living, and others have a variety of recipes, crafts, and organizing tips. They are like an online magazine and I get to pick only the content I want. 

For me, blogs are like one giant sociology lesson. It's interesting to see how other people live, and know that my home is not the only crazy one.

January 1, 2011

The middle of the lasts....

As we wrap up 2010 and start the new year, we also come to the half-way point of the school year. My oldest daughter is a senior, so this year there have been a lot of "lasts". The last first day of school, the last football game, the last homecoming dance.

She has worked hard and as a result has some incredible opportunities in front of her to choose from. Some may keep her close to home, others could be life-changing - for all of us. As I packed away the Christmas stuff this year, I put a few ornaments aside to send her, wherever she may be next year.

We both know that in a few short months there will be just as many "firsts", but the "lasts" are still hard.