My Week 60

November 14th was a normal sort of Monday. I forgot all about a potluck at work....which always makes me sad, but everyone else made some delicious stuff. I picked up Sugar Bear after school and we ran some errands. After we picked up our tickets for the Nutcracker, we played a little in some leaves on the sidewalk.

November 15th I had a meeting further south in the afternoon. I spent several hours in a cramped, hot little room with too many people. I did get a good start on a scarf while I listened to the speakers though. I always enjoy that. When I went to leave the building, this cute little guy was waiting for me on the sidewalk. I had a little fun laying on the ground to nab this shot of him. He was only about 2 inches long. Sadly....before I could say anything, a co-worker accidentally stepped on him a few minutes later. It was so awful. sigh.....

November 16th was a rainy, rainy day. There was school and a play date for Sugar Bear, and work for me. I took this shot on the way home. It has been so hard transitioning into driving home in the dark.

November 17th was a typical Thursday up until the evening. Then we had the great joy of attending Sugar Bear's Fall Festival at school. Both her grandmas and her papa on her dad's side were there as well. We watched her sing and dance. It was fun indeed. The Hubby left that day for a 7 day hunting trip that he had been planning for ages.

November 18th was a busy, busy day. I had some high hopes for it...but as you can see in the picture....I walked away from the day discouraged. sigh.....I keep hoping for some change....and it just isn't the right time, yet, I guess.

November 19th was a super fun Saturday. It was just me and my girl. We had date night together. We went to see a local production of The Nutcracker. Several of Sugar's little friends had small parts in it. So fun. We went out to dinner afterwards. I happened to wear some really old heels that decided to completely fall apart at dinner. It was hilarious. Sugar got a real kick out of "silly mommy" and her broken shoes. tee hee.....

November 20th was a day of this and that. Spent the morning with my girl, then packed her up for a trip to Grandma and Grandpa's farm. She had the entire Thanksgiving week off from school, so she spend Sunday through Wednesday night with them. I drove her half there, then headed home to an empty house. It was just me and the cat. I spent the first hour rearranging my freezer to try and fit this 1/2 of a steer that I purchased from my parents. WOW....I have a ton of meat.

I'm so Thankful For......

-My wonderful and supportive parents.

-Sugar Bear's friends. They are such a darling group of children.

-Pumpkin Butter Cake.

-The roof over my head.

-My husband. We've been together almost 22 years, and he still likes me. ♥

-A flexible job, so that I might put my family first.

-Co-working friends that make me laugh.

-A big Strong Beefy diesel truck that never fails to keep us safe on our daily commute.

-My health.

-The most amazing Daughter the world has ever seen. ♥ ♥ ♥

-New friends.

-Old friends.

-The library.....books are such a huge part of my life.

-The ability to try new things.

-Always having enough......enough of anything.

-My desire to always be present.

-Frozen Blueberries. :)

-People who put up with me, and all my weirdo-ness! (yes, that is a word.)

-My desire and ability to make people laugh.

-Clean, drinkable water every single day.

-My daughter's health!!!! Such a blessing.

-The Hubby's job that gives me a sense of purpose and gives us so many opportunities.

-Sugar Bear's school. She loves it.

-My kitty....my doggy....the bunnies!

-Living somewhere that I feel is safe.

-Everyone that makes me feel loved.

Happy Thanksgiving, Everyone! Life is Good!

52 Weeks of ME- Week Forty-seven

Last Saturday was "Girl's Date Night!" and boy oh boy was my date a dream. ♥

My Sugar Bear and I got all gussied up and headed off to see a local performance of the Nutcracker. We knew about 5-6 kiddos participating in the performance, so it was a real treat to see them in action. Sugar Bear didn't really know what to expect of the show, but I'm not sure it met her expectation. As we were driving away she said, "Mama, they should call that show 'dancing....dancing....dancing....and dancing some more'!" tee hee......she sort of wanted it to have some more acting, and less dancing, I think.

We headed out to dinner next, and had such a lovely time. The best part was when the shoes I was wearing completely and utterly fell apart. I hadn't worn them in 8 years, and apparently....the glue not longer wanted to hold. In the middle of the restaurant, the sole fell off one, and I had to rip the sole off the other, so that I wasn't completely lopsided. Sugar, and many of the patrons got a pretty good kick out of it. I took it in stride. If we can't laugh at ourselves.....life will be rough.

It couldn't have been a better evening. I'm so grateful for my wonderful daughter, and my blessed life.

52 Weeks of ME- Week Forty-six

Ack....I'm so behind on this project. I'm not even certain what number we are supposed to be on. I do know that I'm at least a week behind on posting. I've been taking the shots though, so that is good.

Here is one I took back on the 9th. Again I set the camera on my dashboard. I don't know why...but there is great lighting in my truck. Such great open shade, with the big windshield letting in the yummy light.

I keep saying that one of these days I'll put some makeup on for these shots. But gosh darn it......I'm lazy. tee hee

Week 59

November 7th was a good day to get used to the Daylight savings change. All went well, but by evening...it was dark....and we were sleepy. I took some time to just play with Sugar Bear that evening. Here we dressed up bear in her doll's Elmo Jammies. So cute. I haven't been the best about playing with Sugar these days.

November 8th was ick! A day of work....and stress.....buried under a pile of papers. sigh.

November 9th was a typical Wednesday, and I honestly can't remember a thing about it. I do remember having to wait, for some reason somewhere on our way home. We played a game of tic tac toe! ooooooooo wait....I remember now. The electricity was out at home, so I stopped and got Chinese food for dinner. We were waiting for it to be ready. :) It was yummy, and we enjoyed a fire in the fireplace, and some good family time playing with some metal puzzles my husband likes.

November 10th was spent driving down the coast....but not enough time to stop and enjoy the views. That is so frustrating for me. I did have good company with me, so that was a plus.

November 11th found me feeling obsessed with knitting. I don't know what bit me that day, but I just HAD to knit. Both Sugar Bear and I got the chance to stay home, due to Veteran's day. I started a scarf, in an effort to use up some yarn and ribbon that I purchase.....gulp....8 years ago. eeekkkk....

November 12th was a super great day! It felt like Sunday....but it was only Saturday....so it was all the more awesome. We attended a great Birthday party for a sweet boy in Sugar's class. It was such a fun party, with great friends in attendance. I love this shot of Sugar Bear and some of her girlfriends playing on the floor. ♥

November 13th brought another great opportunity. We were invited to a Fairy Club. One of Sugar's little girl friends from school and dance wanted to start a Fairy Club. We went to her house, and colored, figured out our fairy names, and when on a fairy trail hike. So very fun.

Thank you to anyone that is still following my blog. I know it has been a yawn fest for quite awhile now. I hope to get my act back together sometime soon.

Week 58

October 31st was Halloween. Just like it is every single year. It's funny like that. LOL (oh gosh, I'm in a weird mood.) It was wonderful. After school, we met up at a friend's house and had such a lovely time. Pizza, fruit, butternut squash soup, and lots and lots and lots of fun. I brought pumpkin cookies....cause Fall is my baking season. It couldn't have been a better Halloween.

November 1st was a boring old Tuesday. I'm pretty sure nothing remotely special happened. oh wait.....yes it did! I had a dental cleaning appointment, and a haircut.....and something that I hoped would lead to major change. It was an uplifting day, and I did marvel at the beauty that is my world though. I snapped this shot of a fluffy plant and the moon while waiting for Sugar Bear to get out of dance class.

November 2nd was a crisp Fall day. I had tons of responsibilities at work, and I found a need to find some peace in my truck before a car seat clinic I helped at started. So much to do....so little time.

November 3rd was a typical Thursday. I got off work a little early, and did some reading in my truck while waiting for Sugar Bear's dance Class to end. I nabbed this shot of the sky reflected in a huge mud puddle. There is beauty often where we don't take the time to look. I'm glad that no matter how monotonous my life gets....I don't forget to look.

November 4th found me traveling south for the day. It was work.....and quite nearly drove me nuts, but the actual drive was stunning, and I was happy to be near the ocean at sunset. It was foggy, but worth a stop for a few quick pics. Sugar Bear went to her grandparent's house for the weekend, so I had time to just get home slowly....enjoying the view.

November 5th I spent with The hubby......and cleaning, and editing pics.....and doing stuff I can't even recall, but I did a bit of sleeping....that I do know. I nearly forgot to pick up my camera that day, so I nabbed a quick shot of the pizza muffins I made, while they waited in the fridge for Sugar Bear's lunch box.

November 6th was a lovely, quiet Sunday. I baked some pumpkin cookies for work. I may have ate one or five too many. I'm a naughty girl like that.

52 Weeks of ME- Week 45

I snapped this shot of myself last Wednesday, the 2nd. I got a haircut the day before, and I was feeling pretty good about the healthy hair. It had been a year since my last haircut. I couldn't decide if I wanted to grow it out or not. I finally decided to chop it all off again. I needed some change. I NEEDED some change. I'm just not feeling like being ME, lately. I totally know I'm not depressed or anything, but MAN....if it were possible, I'd just stop being me for awhile. I'm not even sure I'm making any sense, but it's how I feel. I feel like a broken record this Fall. argh. whine...whine....whine! I just don't want to feel so overwhelmed, and disjointed anymore. I miss being PRESENT, and ENGAGED. I feel like running away. Far, far, far, away.

It's not alllllll bad. Sugar Bear is fabulous! My Hubby has been great. I'm a lucky, lucky lady. There is just so many things I'm feeling icky and sad about. I'm in the process of making change. It just isn't happening fast enough.

Wordless Wednesday~ Random Halloween Fun

Sugar Bear designed, outlined, and I cut it out. :)

52 Weeks of ME- Week 44

Yes, I'm still doing this project. I may get behind in things, but I rarely, if ever, quit something. I tend to stick with things that I commit to. I might take awhile.....or I might get sidetracked.....or quite possibly take a break, but I will always follow through.

I've been feeling pretty guilty about something that is taking me WAYYYYYYYYYYYYY too long to finish. I'm not sure what will motivate me to finish, but I'm hoping something happens to kick me in the tushy pants. I need it. (yes....this is called a tangent!)

This photo was taken on October 26th. I friend nabbed it of me while she was checking out my lens.....and I was yacking it up with her husband. I almost deleted this shot, but then I thought, "Corey.....this is such a true representation of you!" If you really know me, you know that I NEVER shut up! I talk and talk and talk and talk. So it makes sense to post a photo of me in action. This is something Sugar Bear will easily recognize for years to come. Her mama is a yacker. oh yes she is!

Week 57

October 24th was the beginning of an entire week of "early release" for Sugar Bear's school. It made for a bit of a hectic week for me, but it all worked out in the end. This day, I just picked her up off the bus and brought her back to my work. She hung out in my office and helped me with some recycling. We got home pretty early, and FINALLY got our our Halloween decorations.

October 25th was fairly normal for us, as the friend that usually picks Sugar up on Tuesdays and takes her to dance, just picked her up early and had her over to their house. So it all went like clockwork, so that was good. I snapped a quick shot of one of Sugar's favorite Halloween decorations. We have two of these light up jack o' lanterns. They are darling.

October 26th was a stunning morning. It seems like the sunrises have been amazing lately. It is so darn painful for me though. We do NOT have time to stop and grab some shots of the amazing sights or we'll be late for the bus. Ugh...it kills me. I nabbed this shot while driving.

October 27th was a rush around....drive myself nuts sort of day. While waiting for dinner, I let Sugar have some popcorn. In this photo she is enjoying it outside while she waits for me to feed all the animals. I really start to dislike all the chores that need to be done when I get home after work. It is dark and rainy. I was feeling a bit whiny about it. I need to get over it, clearly. It could be worse. We are so blessed.

October 28th my brother got the distinct honor of watching Sugar Bear after school. It was a bit of a hard day for me at work, so I enjoyed some quiet time taking in the view from his house when I arrived to pick up my Sugar. It helped to just sit down......and relax. I was sooooooooo ready for the weekend.

October 29th was a busy, yet super duper fun day. We carved jack o' lanterns, and went to a library Halloween costume magic show. :) it was good times all around. Here is a photo of my Jack o' lantern. It was cool, but didn't hold up well.

October 30th was a nice quiet day at home. We baked pumpkin chocochip cookies (can you say "YUMMO!"?) and made a fun Halloween keepsake. Our little feet ghost are adorable, and I know I'll cherish it for years to come.

Week 56

October 17th found us having a little early evening fun out in our yard that has been completely taken over by woolly bears. I mean seriously.....in the 15 years we have lived here, there have NEVER been so many of these suckers in our yard. In about 4 minutes Sugar Bear and I gathered up SIXTY of them. tee hee....good times.

October 18th was a normal Tuesday, but boy oh boy....what a beautiful evening. We are really trying to hold on to the nice weather, and beautiful skies.

October 19th was a popcorn sort of night. It's my "go to" food when I am still hungry after dinner. I've been fighting the urge to stress eat quite often this fall. If I'm gonna over eat....I'll do it with 98% fat free popcorn. I'm too lazy to air pop....but I'm working on it. I want to....I just need to do it.

October 20th was amazing. I got the fabulous opportunity to go to the pumpkin patch with Sugar Bear and her first grade class. What a fun day. The bus ride was noisy....and I got woooozy...but other than that.....awesome. What a fun bunch of kiddos. Sugar Bear got chosen line leader when it was time to follow Farmer Ryan over to the hay ride. She was pretty proud of that. ♥

October 21st found us sooooooooooooo happy it was Friday. This photo is of Sugar Bear enjoying the chance let the wind blow by our truck. I let her out of her car seat on our gravel road. Often she helps me drive, but this day she wanted to hang out in the passenger seat. Don't let her know that I told you, but she likes to watch herself in the mirror. tee hee.....

October 22nd was a day from heck. I just had so many bad things happen....but one good thing was my niece's birthday party. I love this shot of her smile while we sang to her. Can't believe she is NINE! eeekkkkkk

October 23rd was Sunday.....sweet Sunday. Sugar was so excited to try out our new pancake pen! it is fun. She had a blast making all sort of shaped pancakes. What a fun treat.