tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25322029117881759932024-02-02T01:55:35.361-05:00[ Life with the Lovelies ]Life with these two is never dull.
This blog is dedicated to the stories that make life with my lovelies, Abby & Lauren, a thrill to live.brookiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04412174003867289195noreply@blogger.comBlogger572125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2532202911788175993.post-2858214870911762442014-08-26T16:25:00.000-04:002014-08-26T16:25:13.964-04:00Ten on Tuesday<span style="font-size: large;">1. Despite popular belief, interviewing does not get easier with age. In some respects it may, but certainly not on my nerves. First teaching interview since I've been back in Minnesota and I'm just as much of a hot mess as I was when I graduated college. Less emphasis on 'hot' & more on 'mess'. But at least I've got experience in my back pocket, so that should make it a tad bit easier, right?!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">2. Big puppy news! We've been accident-free in the house for a month now and last night we took a major step & a leap of faith.... Amelia made it out of the laundry room & slept upstairs with us. Like any baby she neglected to sleep through the night. But I give props to the little gal for waking up the girls instead of us when she was ready to play!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">3. It finally feels like this house is our home. Why did I not think it would take so long?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">4. I still miss our house in Ohio. And our neighborhood. And our friends. And my job. Is this feeling ever going to go away?!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">5. I did not expect my oldest child to erupt in tears at the prospect of spending her last two weeks of summer vacation without me in the house. Love that she still needs me, but man does she pull on my heart strings!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">6. I am anxiously awaiting the night when we finally make use of our fire ring. Finally it is getting cool enough to actually sit outside by a fire.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">7. I have stopped myself three times now from putting my Fall decorations out by the front door. Is it September yet?!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">8. I still have to get the girls' shelves up on their walls. I've come across just about every reason possible to delay this. Who knew it was such a commitment?!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">9. I might be having just as much fun doing the behind-the-scenes design work for Geoff's new company as he is being the front man. If only I could put my inappropriate slogans to work. I guess I'll just have to keep on giggling to myself. Some things never change.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">10. I could not be more grateful that the girls have met some really great friends in our neighborhood. There were moments I questioned this, but the kids they've been spending their time with as of recent are on the approval list. Yay for that hurdle!</span>brookiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04412174003867289195noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2532202911788175993.post-13094879658290442392014-08-24T13:01:00.002-04:002014-08-24T13:02:00.339-04:00Little Snacker<span style="font-size: large;">If you've noticed my notable absence from blogging over the last year plus, it isn't out of pure laziness {okay, maybe a little!} but more a combination of a host of things, including a roller coaster ride of exciting ups & defeating downs. I don't want to be that person who parades their reach of personal happiness to the world as if I've championed my life. I also don't want to be the person who swims in the moat of defeat in her pinnacle of paradise. So I've laid low, lived my life, and honored my promise to unfold the stories that bring smiles & laughter on a plate of straight-up reality.</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Enter our new puppy, Amelia. Amelia is a rescue pup and clocks in at seven and a half months old. But don't be fooled, this little gal has already refined a collection of habits & tastes. And that is where our story begins.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">After a series of recent bathroom break-ins, it became clear that our new dog's favorite time of the month is that time of the month. If snacking on used feminine hygiene products was a crime, this pup would be on doggie death row. We wrapped up our investigation several days ago and implemented a fool proof plan to keep our canine criminal's fetish at bay. Little did we know she was holding onto evidence.... In her bowels!</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">If there is a director in Hollywood who could perfectly recreate the scene that played out in my living room this morning of a grown man shivering and shaking like a dog in need of relief, an Academy Award would be sure to follow. I'll spare you the details of my husband's hand grab between the 14th & 15th holes yesterday afternoon. But of course this could not happen in someone's yard, it has to happen right along the cart path just down the road. And in his words, "It's a good thing I grabbed a big bag!"</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">The bottom line: this dog is keeping us on our toes!</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">So to my friend Teri, who couldn't wait to hear about our adventures in Minnesota.... I told you I doubted they would be good, because after all Minnesotans weren't nearly as interesting as people in Ohio; I know because I am one of them. I amend that statement.... because after all, I guess I am one of them!</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
brookiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04412174003867289195noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2532202911788175993.post-87088583854319368572013-07-30T21:23:00.001-04:002013-08-05T13:15:45.888-04:00Ten on Tuesday<span style="font-size: large;">1. Duluth! Outside magazine's 2013 <a href="http://www.outsideonline.com/adventure-travel/travel-awards/Best-Adventure-Hub-Runner-Up-Duluth-Minnesota.html">Best Adventure Hub runner-up</a>. Love that town!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">2. Both lovelies are actively eating apples off Dad's trees. The apples are still green. I'm willing to wager their digestive track will also be actively eating at them before the night is through.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">3. I love the word, espionage. Maybe it's the way it rolls off the tongue, or the sophistication it implies. But no worries, you didn't uncover my secret password to anything.... I'd never remember how to spell it!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">4. Confession Alert! When the Sarah McLachlan commercials come on TV I either leave the room, hit mute, or turn the channel. But I'm a sucker for the <a href="http://values.com/">Values.com</a> ads.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">5. On another note, I'm also a huge fan of the <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=colonoscopy+ads,+mn&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=Y2L4UcP7IsK6yAHbvYGgBw&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAQ&biw=1366&bih=768#facrc=_&imgrc=Y0suNueMa9LAIM%3A%3BcZTv1m_30AEgtM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fassets.nydailynews.com%252Fpolopoly_fs%252F1.1296782!%252Fimg%252FhttpImage%252Fimage.jpg_gen%252Fderivatives%252Flandscape_635%252Fbutt23n-4-web.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.nydailynews.com%252Flife-style%252Fhealth%252Fminnesota-takes-aim-colon-cancer-cheeky-new-ad-campaign-article-1.1296786%3B635%3B359">colonoscopy billboard</a> campaign decorating Minnesota's highways. Cracks me up!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">6. The girls have mastered the art of checkers. I pity the fool in school who takes them on.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">7. This summer is all about ice cream for Abby. If she could eat it with every meal, she would. And still, not an inch of fat on your body. Lucky girl!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">8. I realized today when we attempted to do school shopping how much I don't like school shopping. We left the Medford Outlet with one sweatshirt for each of the girls. Shoes & jeans go on sale next week. It was a great excuse to ditch the shopping in lieu of ice cream!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">9. Something tells me when the dust settles there is another dog in our future. I suspect I will be the last hold out. I love the life & energy a dog brings into our home.... I hate the hair, the responsibility. Anyone want to take bets on how long it takes?!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">10. Th</span><span style="font-size: large;">is might finally be the time for me to try coconut oil! Hmmmm.... now what to do with it?!</span>brookiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04412174003867289195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2532202911788175993.post-85749120591791065912013-07-27T17:42:00.000-04:002013-07-27T17:47:03.445-04:00Image Splattered Shirts<span style="font-size: large;">I'm always looking for fun, relatively easy projects to do with the girls. This project proved not only to be a fun project, but it doubles as a fun & creative gift. Thank you, Reanna Manthe, for the idea!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Supplies:</span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Shirt</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Computer & Printer</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Card Stock</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Freezer Paper</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Pencil & Scissors</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Double-Sided Tape or Iron</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Squirt Bottle</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Bleach & Water</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Cardboard</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Step 1: Buy your <strong>shirts</strong>.... I picked ours up at Wal-Mart for under $4/each. I'm a big fan of the girls fitted V-neck shirts and the bright colors are super fun!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Step 2: Pick your <strong>image</strong>.... I collected ours from the images on Microsoft Word and Google Images. Profile images turn out best on the finished product.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Step 3: Print your image on <strong>cardstock</strong>.... You're going to have to decide what size works best for your shirt. We made child sized shirts, and I found that printing two images per page made the images the appropriate size. When your picture is how you want it, but it out carefully. *You do not have to print out your images! You can draw the image freehand, or trace an existing image. However, to make the next step easier, I recommend having your image on card stock.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Step 4: Trace your image on <strong>freezer paper</strong>.... Once your image is traced, carefully cut it out.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Step 5: Carefully place <strong>double-sided tape</strong> on the shiny side of the freezer paper, paying special attention to narrow spots.... Freezer paper can be <strong>iron</strong>ed directly onto the shirt {shiny side down}. However, through the experience of others I learned that this does not guarantee your spray solution will not seep under the image.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Step 6: Stick or iron your image to the shirt shiny side down.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Step 7: Place a piece of <strong>cardboard</strong> inside the shirt so the bleach solution does not seep through....{I used an empty Swiffer Duster refills box. Bonus: it had a plastic coating on the inside of the box, which made it easy to reuse for all my shirt!}</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Step 8: <strong>Spray</strong> image with <strong>bleach solution</strong>.... In a spray bottle, make a solution 70% bleach, 30% water. The trick to getting a splatter affect {see the pink elephant shirt below} is use the mist setting, pressing the trigger gently and moving your hand quickly from side-to-side. *If the kids are doing the spraying, I highly recommend having them practice using colored water on a piece of paper. Only one of the six shirts we tried did not turn out, and I believe it is because I used the full-blast setting on the spray bottle and it over powered the image and leaked under the paper. Less is more when you're spraying the shirt. You want to get enough around the image so when you remove the freezer paper the image will show through, but not too much so that they spatters don't show. I highly recommend spraying in the shirts laying in the grass.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Step 9: Remove image.... After spraying I waited about a minute, then gently blotted the freezer paper with a paper towel {so it didn't drip when I removed it} and carefully pulled it off.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">And that's it! Allow shirts to dry, wash and enjoy.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: large;">Before....</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSoZlcaiwhsaDMddVxtwe7GpIRPBk621Vcg49loJ3eBGDy78XOGz7eqc6muqOBTj_8znY9V2E3UBKRCQtBbR8UYdKoeQU2MGKBPl6tOc_P9Wn9NoEX8ROLbMv-mRwhmDQAAzC8tdIsiI0/s1600/DSC04818.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSoZlcaiwhsaDMddVxtwe7GpIRPBk621Vcg49loJ3eBGDy78XOGz7eqc6muqOBTj_8znY9V2E3UBKRCQtBbR8UYdKoeQU2MGKBPl6tOc_P9Wn9NoEX8ROLbMv-mRwhmDQAAzC8tdIsiI0/s400/DSC04818.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">....After</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9tpWDRfnB-wBk3RR5IO4Ja7lFDFfFN1QlonQ02RV-4duK04WVXnZtSEf7DgxDaRIJ2HBT7zrKB7f7fbNphHc5RwUUEyE-Krj6-o-Te3c8YGdJjmPYiSOHRQ2cTaB9T-7PPAICrzvSzKY/s1600/DSC04841.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9tpWDRfnB-wBk3RR5IO4Ja7lFDFfFN1QlonQ02RV-4duK04WVXnZtSEf7DgxDaRIJ2HBT7zrKB7f7fbNphHc5RwUUEyE-Krj6-o-Te3c8YGdJjmPYiSOHRQ2cTaB9T-7PPAICrzvSzKY/s400/DSC04841.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span id="goog_1836008420"></span><span id="goog_1836008421"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />brookiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04412174003867289195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2532202911788175993.post-35337860288772641752013-07-02T09:22:00.000-04:002013-07-02T10:14:41.566-04:00Ten on Tuesday<span style="font-size: large;">1. Vacation never felt so good. If only we knew with certainty what our next chapter holds. I love a good surprise, but this holding pattern is taking forevah! Thank heavens for the distraction of VACATION!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">2. Why is it the longer I go without posting, the harder it is to find anything meaningful to write?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">3. I love my Toms; far more than I thought I would. Or maybe more than I wanted to. Benefit of the Toms: less emphasis on having beautifully painted toe nails. Downfall: my new foot tan lines are cramping my flip flop style.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">4. Perhaps the reason everyone in Minnesota thinks the mosquitoes aren't so bad this year is because my girls are acting as decoys. This summer I'm trying something new. That's right, I'm giving my little mosquito magnets garlic supplements. With any luck they'll be much less appetizing to those pesky insects. It's the hungry Italians we'll have to watch out for now!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">5. If it is possible to overdose on watermelon then I think this summer will be that summer. Cannot get enough!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">6. That said, I'm patiently waiting for sweet corn.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">7. Moving around the country has not only offered me the chance to get to know so many different people, but best of all it's made me realize how genuinely fantastic & humble people are in Minnesota.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">8. Finally, finally, I think I've adjusted to Windows 8. If only I could get all of the apps to work. Sigh.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">9. Recipe I've always wanted to try: <a href="http://www.oprah.com/food/Frrrozen-Hot-Chocolate">Serendipity's Frozen Hot Chocolate</a>.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">10. Confession Alert: I refuse to repin or repost anything with a grammatical or spelling error. Fingernails on a chalkboard....</span>brookiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04412174003867289195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2532202911788175993.post-74500213283305473492013-04-16T18:53:00.001-04:002013-04-16T18:53:46.616-04:00Ten on Tuesday<span style="font-size: large;">1. I have a favorite screwdriver. I wonder if real handymen are partial to their tools. I suspect they are, which by virtue means I am one of them. I am, right?!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">2. I cannot hear the phrase, "Jump to conclusions" without adding the word 'mat' in my head. Thank you, <em>Office Space</em>.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">3. OMG! I love Worcestershire sauce! I can't spell it, but I can eat it on roast beef like a rock star.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">4. Also, I heart ketchup & A-1.... both of which I can spell.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">5. This morning's workout I really feeling the burn from Sunday's yard work. Old. I. Am. Old.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">6. I have dropped just about everything I touched today. Except children. Thank goodness for that one.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">7. Thanks to Bon Jovi I am constantly reminded that the roads are slippery when wet.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">8. In spite of the horror that struck Boston yesterday, the best of America shined in Massachusetts. From brave men & women who rushed in to rescue victims, to the runners who went right to the medic tent to donate blood after finishing 26.2 miles, and the locals who offered their own homes for the night. God blessed America!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">9. Abby & Lauren are really into their new worm friends. Maybe I should be worried, but the fact that Lauren's does tricks makes me giggle.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">10. I'm not ashamed to admit that one of my favorite activities is going to bed early. Like 8pm early. Darn you Daylight Savings Time for still light outside and making me feel guilty for my sinful pleasure.</span>brookiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04412174003867289195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2532202911788175993.post-1205274214177137342013-03-12T21:36:00.000-04:002013-03-12T21:40:57.343-04:00Ten on Tuesday<span style="font-size: large;">1. In light of recent speculation on upcoming changes at The View, I'm waiting for the announcement that Elizabeth Hasslebeck will be making the move to FOX News.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">2. Am I the only person who finds it ironic that Daylight Savings Time actually lasts longer than standard time?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">3. "Hey, Mom. I saved a fart for half an hour."~Abby.... Just one of many random quotes you'd hear if you were a little mouse in my house at bath time.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">4. I often wonder what song Selena Gomez is referring to when she keeps hitting <span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: large;">re-peat-peat-peat-peat-peat-peat.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">5. Loved the way the wizard's back story was laid out in, "Oz The Great and Powerful". But I'm left wondering one thing.... Was Glinda the Good Witch of the North or the South?<br />
<br />
6. More irony. It's funny that the same children I eagerly tuck in bed at night are the same children I can't wait to smother with kisses in the morning until their eyes open.<br />
<br />
7. PC Gone Wild.... How long will it be before little boys named Hunter will be banned from schools because their names is not only violent, but also threatening?<br />
<br />
8. I can eat pickles, but cucumbers make me sick. Odd, huh? And unfortunate.<br />
<br />
9. News by the Numbers. <strong>5</strong>:<strong> </strong>The number of loose teeth currently residing in Lauren's mouth. <strong>8</strong>: The number of teeth Abby has lost thus far. <strong>100</strong>: The number of cents the girls get for each surrendered tooth. <strong>1</strong>: The number of coins the girls find in their Tooth Fairy Pouch. You do the math, with <a href="http://www.onehundreddollarsamonth.com/2013/03/red-alert-tooth-fairy-rates-on-the-rise/">the average going rate of Tooth Fairy at <strong>$2.42</strong></a>, my girls are getting the glittery shaft. Shhhhh!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">10. Melt My Heart Quote-of-the-Night: "Mom I love you untell The Sun stoPs."~Lauren</span>brookiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04412174003867289195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2532202911788175993.post-56167823233809307532013-01-20T11:23:00.002-05:002013-01-20T11:29:33.543-05:00Vinegar Top Ten<span style="font-size: large;">I'm sure this subject line has you at the edge of your seat. But I have to say, vinegar is one of my very favorite things and it seems everyday I am discovering another valuable use for the pungent liquid. Here is a list of ten of my favorite....</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Brooke's Vinegar Top Ten</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">10. Let's start where I did, in food. I love it in Bean Soup, which seams to be an upper Midwest thing, so I won't fault you for not appreciating it; I use the apple cider vinegar on the bean soup if possible. But the handy thing about vinegar is that it can be used to make buttermilk.... simply place a Tbsp of white vinegar {or lemon juice, but I never seem to have that on hand} in a liquid measuring cup, add enough milk to bring the liquid up to the one-cup line. Let stand for five minute. Then, use as much as your recipe calls for. Voilà! I also like vinegar in salad dressings. A lot. Red wine vinegar & a good olive oil.... Yumm!<br />
<br />
9. Those pesky little bugs & ants that sneak in are no match for an open dish of vinegar. We have a couple of areas in our house {near the fireplace & by a lamp in our kitchen} that seem to attract the pests, so I fill up a little jar of vinegar and they are deterred by the smell. Adiós, insects!<br />
<br />
8. We have a lot of minerals in our water, it's just the nature of the beast here in Ohio. The downside to this is the rapid buildup in such places as our shower head. A quick fix: remove shower head & immerse in a vinegar bath. I usually use 100% vinegar, but you can dilute it with water if you like. I like to do this for several hours. Simply return to its station in the shower and run water through it before bathing.<br />
<br />
7. Need to remove mold & mildew from caulking in the bathroom? Saturate a paper towel with vinegar & lay over the infected caulk. Allow to sit for as long as possible, then remove. Presto. Bub-bye yuck.<br />
<br />
6. Fabric softener fix. Fact: Liquid fabric softeners clog up your agitator and they also make your towels less absorbent. Not only will vinegar in lieu of fabric softener soften your garments, it also helps to remove detergent build-up in your. Seriously, softest towels EVER!<br />
<br />
5. Streak-free window & mirror cleaner magic! I actually keep a couple of bottles of this around the house. Just a regular old squirt bottle {I'm a big fan of the ones they sell at Fleet Farm} filled with about half water & half vinegar. I use this weekly to clean my mirrors, and whenever I need to clean my windows. It is seriously like magic!<br />
<br />
4. Not only is the 50/50 solution great for windows & mirrors, it makes a great multi-purpose cleaner. It comes in quite handy where there is a sticky spill on the floor. And while I haven't used it to scrub my floors {yet!} a lot of people use vinegar in lieu of Pine-Sol for their scrubbing needs.<br />
<br />
3. Yet again, another use for the 50/50.... I use it for my weekly cleaning on my shower walls. Spritzing it on the walls, then wiping it down with a dry cloth is all it takes.<br />
<br />
2. Smurf Vomit! From time to time the build up of soap & minerals in the shower needs some extra cleaning power. That is when I turn to what I affectionately call Smurf Vomit: 1 cup of vinegar, boiling hot, mixed with one cup of blue Dawn liquid dish soap. Add to a spray bottle, spray on shower walls & doors and let sit for at least two hours. Wipe down with water, and smile at the clean. It may take a couple of doses to really take care of business, depending on the severity of the build-up.<br />
<br />
1. Fruit cleaner. I know, I know, who wants to eat fruit that tastes like vinegar? I was a skeptic, too. But the nurse who taught my communicable disease class had me convinced enough to try it and I'm hooked. For one, vinegar is a natural germ-killer. Awesome. For another, it adds life to your fruit. Double awesome. I use it primarily for my berries, and here's what you do: Soak fruit in a bowl filled with water & vinegar. Drain, rinse & eat. I also use baking soda, sometimes instead of vinegar, sometimes in addition to it. Either way, I feel much better about feeding clean fruit to my kids knowing this kills off all of the pests & pesticides that get stuck in those hard-to-reach places. And I kid you not, your strawberries are so fragrant when you're done drowning them in vinegar, they're hard to resist!<br />
<br />
<br />
There are a million other uses for vinegar that didn't make my list. My grandma told me her mother used it to rinse my grandmother's hair when she was little, as it worked as a conditioner. Some people use it to kill weeds, though I admit I haven't tried that one yet. Many add essential oils, or soak orange or lemon rinds in the vinegar to add a delicious scent to their cleaning. Others swear by using hot vinegar with baking soda to clean drains. I'm the first to tell you it isn't the most pleasant smell on the planet, but it certainly is a handy & inexpensive secret weapon!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Happy Vinegaring!</span>brookiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04412174003867289195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2532202911788175993.post-61745721075282791262013-01-17T21:34:00.004-05:002013-01-17T21:34:48.628-05:00Thank You Thursday<span style="font-size: large;">1. I'm thankful we are getting traffic on our house. I truly did not expect to have any interest this month, so I am pleasantly surprised. I'll be even more thankful if the right buyer comes around at just the right time.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">2. That said, at the end of the day, I'm still thankful I have a house to come home to. I don't enjoy the hurry & scurry of getting the house staged and finding something to do for an hour plus. I also don't enjoy saving some of my chores until later in the night, but the fact that I'm still in my home and not a small, cramped living space is something to be especially grateful for right now.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">3. I'm thankful for my girls. There are millions great kids out there, but I'm grateful for mine. I just love 'em.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">4. I'm so, so thankful for Geoff. We both work hard to do right by our family. It makes my heart full knowing I'm in this with a great partner.... Thank you for all you do, Geoff!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">5. I'm thankful for my co-teacher, Robin. If I could pick my perfect work partner, it would be her. What a great feeling to arrive to that every working day!</span>brookiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04412174003867289195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2532202911788175993.post-22810328119214347482013-01-15T17:09:00.003-05:002013-01-15T17:11:01.532-05:00Ten on Tuesday<span style="font-size: large;">1. The only way to describe Uma Thurman last night on <strong>Late Night with Jimmy Fallon</strong> was like watching someone pole dance in a chair. She kept looking at him with creepy sex eyes. So uncomfortable.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">2. Taylor Swift's song "I Knew You Were Trouble" has some throw-back qualities. I know this because every time I hear the chorus it reminds me of shopping at Deb's, and it's been A LONG time since I've fit into anything in that store.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">3. I'm officially a fan of Italian Blood Orange Soda. Yummmmm!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">4. Karaoke Machine: solid investment. The girls spend a fair amount of time rockin' out on that thing. Belching and sometimes being inappropriate, too, but mostly singing. Not always great singing, but singing nonetheless.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">5. Strange dream last night. Lauren was driving one of my dad's old trucks, and I was driving my Grand Am. It got weirder, but I'm still stuck on the significance of the old vehicles. And what was I thinking letting my six-year-old drive a stick?!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">6. Confession Alert: I love finding the girls' random drawings around the house. Lauren's are especially cute with her rockets and words of love.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">7. I have zero regrets about the girls having their tonsils & adenoids out this summer. We've only used the nebulizer twice this winter, and we've had zero middle-of-the-night coughing fits. Thank. You. God.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">8. After weeks of slacking on my workout routine, I'm finally back in the groove. The worst part is actually getting out of bed. Second worst part, that funky feeling right before I take a shower. The payoff.... I feel great the rest of the day!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">9. These days once I'm on Pinterest it's like pulling teeth to get me off. My latest crack up is this <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/249879479296770800/">Dorothy & Toto pic</a>. Gotta love people with the same sense of humor.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">10. I'm anxiously waiting to try my latest crockpot creation: <a href="http://www.favfamilyrecipes.com/2012/08/olive-garden-pasta-e-fagioli-soup.html">Crockpot Olive Garden Pasta Soup</a>. I even bought a little crockpot so I could half recipes and not have so much left over when I'm cooking for just me & the girls. It's almost time to dig in. Wish me luck!</span>brookiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04412174003867289195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2532202911788175993.post-46771472683016550552013-01-14T20:51:00.002-05:002013-01-14T21:08:47.096-05:00Not-So-Generic Top Ten<span style="font-size: large;">My new favorite blog topic.... My list of Top Tens for any random, given subject. Today's subject, ten things I won't go generic on.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Brooke's Not-So-Generic Top Ten</span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">10. Toothpaste: I won't even use other brand names. I have one, and only one brand of toothpaste that I trust on my pearly whites. I absolutely refuse to even entertain the idea of anything else. To be fair, I've tried.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">9. Q-Tips: Here's one where Q-Tip will forever have my loyalty. Tightly bound cotton, a firm stick. Those cheap, plastic guys bend at first swipe. I'm a Q-Tipper for life.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">8. Soap: Hand soap, bar of soap, it doesn't matter. This girl likes a good soap. Also, I'm a little sensitive to smell, so anything heavy in perfumes is out. All too often, generics tend to leave a lingering funk. No thank you.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">7. Coffee: One word.... </span><span style="font-size: large;">Dirt.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">6. Make-Up: Again, I've tried. Maybe not so much generic as much as cheap drug store types. You know their names. Clumpy mascaras.... Honestly, you're better off not wearing anything.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">5. Shampoo: Maybe it's my fine, fly-away hair. Or maybe it's the fact that I've actually used quality products, so when I use the cheapies my hair is a hot mess. W</span><span style="font-size: large;">hatever the reason, I like my salon shampoo & conditioning products and I'm stickin' to it.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">4. Hairspray: Ahhhh, the days when poofing the perfect set of bangs was in. And then you walked out into the rain and immediately the smell of Aqua Net or that purple can of Aussie hits the crowd and that deflated mass slaps your forehead silly; you know only a good shampooing can conquer that mess. While my current hairspray does not hold up to the rain, it certainly isn't cause to throw in the towel.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">3. Tampons: Seems like a great money-saver, BUT I can say from experience, it is like giving a ride to a square peg in a round hole. Enough said.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">2. Scotch Tape: Nothing, and I mean nothing, tops 3M's sticky adhesive. I don't even like the way generics roll off the dispenser. Straight-up frustrating!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">1. Ziploc Bags: I tried. But the bottom line is that nothing, and I do mean NOTHING beats a Ziploc bag. Now if I can just get my husband to learn how to properly close them.... I think I smell another top ten. Stay tuned.</span></div>
brookiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04412174003867289195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2532202911788175993.post-58922934733038055782013-01-12T12:38:00.001-05:002013-01-12T20:32:11.288-05:00Waffle House Top Ten<span style="font-size: large;">Before I got married I had no idea there was a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waffle_House">Waffle House</a>. But as this northern girl reluctantly ventured into the bottom half of the good ol' US of A it would quickly win its way into my heart, my thighs & my life.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">This morning as I Instagramed a picture of my homemade waffle masterpiece, the delicious memories of Waffle House visits came flooding back, inspiring this Top Ten....</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Brooke's Top Ten Waffle House Visits</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">10. Palm Bay, Florida: Brooke takes her sister-in-law, Heidi, out for a little Adult Girl Time while Geoff stays home with the baby. On the wall behind Heidi is a trail of ants. This is no surprise to Brooke. However, it probably would be to Heidi. Brooke does not want to end her sanity break, so she says nothing. Not Brooke's proudest moment, but classic Waffle House.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">9. Melbourne, Florida: Brooke takes Mom, Dad, Aunt Karen & Uncle Mark to Waffle House before her guests catch their flight back to Minneapolis. This is also Abby's first trip to the WH, but she won't get to enjoy it, as she is only 5 months old. The other patrons on the flight bound for MSP did get a taste of that meal, however. Going to a Waffle House before a flying commercial is NOT recommended for anyone with digestive issues.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">8. Melbourne, Florida: Shawn & Kimmy come to visit their new little cousins. It is now official Waffle House edict: All future WH visits must be made in pajamas regardless of the time of day.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">7. Fairborn, Ohio: Brooke, Abby & Lauren wake up just before noon after their 12 hour drive back from Minnesota. Geoff has nothing to eat in the house; clearly a WH visit is in order. All three girls wear, what else, their jammies.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">6. Somewhere just north of the Everglades, Florida: a very pregnant Brooke, Geoff and one-year-old Abigail stop at WH on their way back from a UMD hockey game in Ft. Myers. They didn't know it yet, but their next stop would be a roadside alligator show shack. Strange combination of some of their favorite things.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">5. Palm Bay, Florida: Word is out to the Iowa neighbors that Brooke likes the Waffle House. So does Gary. Brooke & Gary go on a Waffle House date. Barb gets off the hook making Gary his favorite waffles with pecans and offers to watch the girls. Everybody wins.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">4. Somewhere in Alabama: Brooke takes Dad to the Waffle House for the very first time. Waitress is missing some of her blue Lee Press-On nails. Classic Waffle House.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">3. Roanoke, Virginia: Dad's first WH encounter is unleashed in the hotel room as Brooke stands outside the bathroom door brushing her teeth. Brooke & Geoff's relocation to Massachusetts ensures she will have plenty of time to get this experience out of her system before reuniting with her favorite hillbilly breakfast.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">2. Norman, Oklahoma: After much discussion on their honeymoon road trip, Geoff & Shawn have Brooke curious and they stop for her first exposure to the WH. Brooke also tries grits for the first & last time. Waffle House employees, and now close personal friends, think it is weird that three people are honeymooning together. Brooke, Geoff & Shawn think it is like the pot calling the kettle black.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">1. Fairborn, Ohio: Brooke, Geoff, Alex & Mindi are hungry, but the children have already eaten. Because the WH is packed, they set the children up in the van with a movie right outside the window of their booth. This is the first & last time they have ever done such a thing, but they are pretty sure this is common protocol for WH regulars, especially in the early morning hours after partying. Mindi asks waitress if they have waffles with strawberries. Waitress replies, "Yes, but they are not real strawberries. This is only a one star restaurant." Classic Waffle House.</span>brookiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04412174003867289195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2532202911788175993.post-77193241536907134022013-01-08T21:26:00.000-05:002013-01-08T21:41:56.187-05:00Ten on Tuesday<span style="font-size: large;">1. Remember that moment when the concept of how they actually get money into checks perplexed you? I seriously do.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">2. Experts claim without question that oatmeal is the best breakfast for a vast array of reasons. Now, if only they could get it to taste worthy of making it into my daily menu. Up to this point I've yet to taste an oatmeal I can stomach for more than four consecutive days. Your move, oatmeal.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">3. Am I the only person who has a beef with where stationary soap dishes are cemented in showers? The fiberglass showers place them in just the right place to be knocked off by your elbow. The tile showers place them perfectly in the line of fire to be quickly broken down by the blast of the water. Don't even get me started on the showers that don't have a place for me to place my foot when I shave my legs....</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">4. I actually find it a thrill to decipher which store brand products are superior to both other store brands and their brand name counterparts. I have to say, my favorite store brand vanilla ice cream is Target's. I have the girls' tonsillectomy to thank for that discovery.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">5. Shepard Smith, anchor at FOX News. I'm torn here. He easily engages me in the programs he anchors. But then there is his arrogance. I've overlooked his daily shout-out to Oxford, Mississippi. But twice now he's capped stories about the NHL lockout with snarky comments about how no one cares. I care. What I don't care about is Mississippi or your beloved Alabama "Roll Tide" (whatever that means) football team. As a person I think he's a douche.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">6. It's funny how kangaroos are cute and angelic looking, and yet I'm pretty sure they could kick or box the crap out of a grown man. Me for sure. Frankly, they scare me.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">7. Random Family Fun Fact: Lauren is the only one of my parents' grandchildren that does not also share a name with one of my mother's brothers' dogs. Follow-Up Fact: All of the dogs were named before the children were born. Does this mean that subconsciously my sister & I have issues?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">8. Growing up I was never a fan of radio talk shows. I listened to KROC or KDWB when I got ready for school, but there was enough music to keep me engaged and the talk was light & entertaining. Now I'd take a talk show any day.... Elvis Duran, Neal Boortz, Andy Dean, I could listen to my faves all day.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">9. While I was home for Christmas I noticed my favorite column in the Owatonna People's Press was MIA. That's right, they dropped Dear Abby. So I'm posting the link for future reference, this way next time I'm home and without a paper version I've got this baby online: <a href="http://www.uexpress.com/dearabby/">http://www.uexpress.com/dearabby/</a>. Thanks, Mrs. Best for passing this on!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">10. My Christmas vacation this year was crappy, and that's being kind. There were many sweet spots, but overall the trip ranks as one of my least favorite visits home. This is honest to God, the best part of my entire time in Minnesota this Christmas: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XG_iODz6e7E&sns=fb">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XG_iODz6e7E&sns=fb</a>. I could watch it a million times and not get tired of it.... maybe it's Jerry's endearing Minnesota accent. Maybe it's his spirit. But when it comes down to it, I just like the way looking at The Tree makes me feel.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Happy 2013!</span>brookiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04412174003867289195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2532202911788175993.post-8574139562959494982012-12-09T14:34:00.000-05:002012-12-09T14:43:03.130-05:00We're Having a Tea Party<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSInqes46Kj4r6To7XIs_8L5lC6bm4bs3Y290dlHmft-_Z74JUx3lz8mJeD34RVu_7g4jvJWEmL6trKSx_wjor8N5To5dz_-CJh_Cz8cfcQB7yUkzhg0nGTF5F_T5ukGPAQ8MWVmqn1Rk/s1600/DSC00831.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSInqes46Kj4r6To7XIs_8L5lC6bm4bs3Y290dlHmft-_Z74JUx3lz8mJeD34RVu_7g4jvJWEmL6trKSx_wjor8N5To5dz_-CJh_Cz8cfcQB7yUkzhg0nGTF5F_T5ukGPAQ8MWVmqn1Rk/s400/DSC00831.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">When life throws you a tea bag, you steep it in hot water and point your pinky.... We're Having a Tea Party!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">That's right,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><span style="font-size: x-large;">We're moving to Boston!!!</span></strong></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">When the possibility of moving back to Bean Town reared its unexpected head, Geoff & I approached it with heavy hearts. We've spent so long waiting for the day when the right job in Minneapolis came our way. But there is only one place that even comes close to how we feel about Minnesota. You got it, Boston!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">To be honest we've been perfectly happy to be back in the Midwest. Yes, Ohio isn't exactly paradise and Buckeye fans are hands down the most annoying collection of sports nuts on the planet, but the people we've met here have won our hearts. We have surrounded ourselves with some pretty great people, and all-in-all we're content in our humble, quiet life.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">However, someone else seems to have something else on tap for us because a company in Boston gave Geoff an offer he couldn't refuse. So when the school year is finished (at least right now that is the plan) we're packing our bags, putting on our Red Sox caps & heading back to New England.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">A lot of changes are in store for our family in the coming year. And we have a lot to look forward to.... a new house, some of the best food EVER, riding the T, walks through Boston Commons, and of course a wicked awesome tea party.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">So to all of our friends and family who have yet to experience Boston for yourselves, there's no excuse now. We know where to grab the best clam chowder, the best whoopie pies, the best scones, the best pasta, and the best pizza in the city. And I look forward to all of the new bests we'll discover. Boston, it's been too long, my friend. Woohoo! 2013!!!</span>brookiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04412174003867289195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2532202911788175993.post-70391902130412226992012-12-04T16:51:00.001-05:002013-01-08T21:40:55.886-05:00Ten on Tuesday<span style="font-size: large;">1. Today Abby mentioned someone living in the Fawn Ridge neighborhood. Lauren thought she said Clown Stage. I don't know why that strikes me so funny.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">2. Abby amps up the naughty during the holiday season. Any special event really. Grrrrrrr. It makes this time of year that much less sweet.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">3. I finally decide to suck it up and get my flu shot in the wake of recent reports about this season's flu being particularly bad and this season's shot being spot on; low and behold.... Target is out. Grrrrrrrr again.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">4. When the temperature started to drop today I wanted to jump in the air and kick my heels. I can't actually do that, but it my head it was a perfect ten.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">5. Rudolph is on tonight. You have no idea how excited I am for one of my favorite nights of the year!!!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">6. Sometimes I wonder what it would be like to be married to Jimmy Fallon. I'm not wishing, or even day dreaming. But the guy is well-versed in the talent department.... I wonder if he's as fun at home as he is on TV.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">7. Absolute favorite job, hands down is the one I'm currently in. Love the kids. LOVE the staff.... how am I ever going to find another job I enjoy going to half as much as this one. Boston, you have big shoes to fill!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">8. Did I mention we're moving to Boston?! Oh so bittersweet.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">9. It's funny how the thought of doing laundry can be such a weight on your shoulders. And then you don't have access to your washing machine for a few days and it's return makes you want to jump in the air and do that heel kick thing again.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">10. I didn't realize how much I missed Lizzie until a dog came up to me yesterday for some attention. And then Lauren picked out a story about a puppy nuzzling its owner for attention. I sure do miss that Lizzie Girl.</span>brookiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04412174003867289195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2532202911788175993.post-85870286696996745062012-11-21T08:17:00.002-05:002012-11-21T08:24:49.810-05:00Ten on Tuesdayish<span style="font-size: large;">1. Whenever I see another Acadia on the road I give them a slight nod & grin. And then I think, 'Yep, there goes another person equally as cool as me.' I wonder what I'd be thinking if I was rockin' a minivan?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">2. Key Lime Pie. I offered to bring a pie to church for a gathering after tonight's service. I'm certain no one else will show up with this tropical treat. Although I won't really know for sure since I'll be home with my sick children. Sigh.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">3. It's now Abby's turn to be lounging in her PJs. I'm thankful for Thanksgiving break so my babes can be home, rest, and get back to the business of being healthy!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">4. I'm convinced Ohio is killing me. Okay, maybe not literally killing me. But I'm not myself here.... my face is swollen, my body is sore and lethargic. I've spent a lot of time adjusting my sleep, my workout, my habits & my diet. But the bottom line is I never feel worse than when I'm here. Maybe it's time for a permanent something different?!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">5. Fact: I love basil. If I was a food we would be married. If we weren't then I would have a hard time not cheating on my other half. I can't get enough of the leafy treat. Confession: Sometimes I put grilled pizza on our menu just so I have an excuse to pair it with fresh mozzarella and gobble it up.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">6. This month's Book Club featured a visit by our current author, Vanessa Gray Bartal. I left that night so inspired and uplifted by this seemingly common mom who quite honestly is a lot like me. If everyone who hits a personal wall in life could be as inspired and productive as Vanessa, our world would be a much better place.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">7. Lauren brought home her Christmas tree yesterday. Each year at the girls' school first graders bring home a giant green paper Christmas tree to decorate and bring back to school to festive up the halls. While I'm not thrilled with the collection of glitter all over the little table & the floor, her tree is decorated to her standard of perfection. For that reason alone, I LoVe It!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">8. My heart swelled with pride when I walked into Lauren's classroom yesterday afternoon. The room was filled with the smell of Thanksgiving and children dressed in Indian head dress & Pilgrim hats. I know the PC police will slander me for that statement, but the truth of it is, those children were learning about their American history. Frankly, schools are so caught up with teaching about acceptance and other cultures that an appreciation for our own is often lost.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">9. If I could, I would add another hour--maybe two--to every day. And I would make myself do all of the projects and crafty things I seem to have lost time for.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">10. It pains me to see our nightly routine of story time slipping away.... often it is for a lack of time, which is a horrible excuse. Priority number one: Bring back story time with full force!</span>brookiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04412174003867289195noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2532202911788175993.post-85297394386845679162012-11-15T15:38:00.001-05:002012-11-15T19:56:38.501-05:00Thank You Thursday<span style="font-size: large;">1. I am thankful for Halloween candy. Those bite-size little bittys are just the right amount of chocolaty goodness. Today's nod goes to Baby Ruth. Yumm!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">2. I'm thankful for sick days. Sad as it is, yes, I am thankful for the rare days we take a break from life to stay home and recoup. Not that I did any recouping on this day that Lauren was off school, but my house is polished top to bottom. Love that conquest!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">3. I'm thankful for Geoff. You're my best friend, father to my children, and provider for our family. Your hard work is paying off in big ways and it doesn't go unappreciated. Thank you!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">4. I'm thankful for wine. Because after I get Abby off the bus and take my shower for the day (I know, ishy!) I'll be sitting down addressing my Christmas cards & sipping on a glass of my favorite Iowa wine. With any luck, I'll also be thankful for the ease in my cramped shoulder.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">5. Last but not least, I'm thankful for unexpected inspiration. I look forward to the great things that are around the corner for our family and hope that those inspirations can rear their little heads when they're needed most.</span>brookiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04412174003867289195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2532202911788175993.post-81794806883684809712012-11-13T16:51:00.001-05:002012-11-15T09:32:13.279-05:00Ten on Tuesday<span style="font-size: large;">1. In my book Candy Corn is not irrelevant until after Thanksgiving.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">2. Tic Tacs.... I always eat them in pairs.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">3. If the 80s had a flavor, it would be orange Tic Tacs.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">4. Never underestimate the power of well manicured eyebrows!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">5. Gray Hairs: Why do they always crop up on the part in your hair? Maybe it's just me. Either way, I go after them with a good pair of tweezers every time.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">6. I'm pretty sure my BFF & I coined the best period code word when we were in school. Shopping. Boys automatically tune out when you start talking about that!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">7. Tickle Attacks.... Lauren LOVES them! Here is her list of the reasons why:</span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">I love it when you tickle me.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">I love it that we can be together.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">When we kiss each other.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">I love my giggle.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">I love it when you smooch on me.</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-size: large;">Yeap, that pretty much covers it.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">8. Back to periods & my BFF. I can still see her walking around the junior high when she was graced with her inaugural period. She carried around a brown paper bag packed with provisions the entire day "just in case". I was certain it was a dead giveaway, but she was adamant that people would believe it was her lunch. BFF, I won't out your identity, you know who you are. Thank you for the smile all these years later!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">9. Why didn't anyone raise an eyebrow when TV show characters had such inappropriate names & nicknames in the 80s & 90s.... like Boner & Scrote. Ahhhh, when being PC wasn't so PC.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">10. For the life of me I cannot get Michael Jackson's PYT out of my head. There could be worse songs, I know. Don't suggest any; I'm perfectly happy with that MJ track. For now.</span>brookiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04412174003867289195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2532202911788175993.post-8245285909399033562012-11-07T17:08:00.000-05:002012-11-07T19:29:27.808-05:00Election Blue<span style="font-size: large;">Disappointed. Disgusted. Distraught. Defeated. As we watched the polls close and the election results come in my mood turned blue with the map. To say I woke up this morning in a funk would be an understatement. It isn't because my team didn't win, it's because my faith in the convictions of my fellow Americans came into question last night.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">So this morning as I dressed for work I put on my Christmas socks, wore a smile on my face, and I dove into the kids at school today head first. They don't have a clue what happened on the TV last night. All that really matters to them is that their basic needs are met and that laughter makes them feel good. So we ate, pottied & played. And we laughed. A lot. And we sang & danced, and for a precious few consecutive minutes this morning my focus was on the Now.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">My Now is all I can really control. I can raise my children how my husband and I see fit, and if we're going to build a better America, we're going to start in our home.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I believe in Honesty.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Showing Respect.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Hard Work.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Not Expecting Handouts.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Love.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Giving From Your Heart.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Being Educated.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Being Well-Rounded.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Healing.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Forgiveness.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Loyalty.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Compassion.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Integrity.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Drive.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Ambition.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Two-Parent Families.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Commitment.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Morality.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">God.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Karma.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Determination.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I believe in fostering all of these things in our children and making our world a better place.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">And I will take a deep breath, do a lot of praying, and live in the now. Starting right.... Now!</span>brookiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04412174003867289195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2532202911788175993.post-76423917810518916902012-10-15T21:17:00.002-04:002012-10-15T21:17:56.337-04:00Letting Go<span style="font-size: large;">They love you unconditionally.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">They keep your secrets.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">They clean the food off your floors.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">They smile with their hearts.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">They forgive you your faults.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">They are loyal.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">They are faithful.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">They warn you of danger.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">They protect you at no cost.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">They ask for little in return.... food, water & love. Everything else is just icing on the cake.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Seven months after we got married, we started our family & opened our hearts to a dog. She's logged hundreds of thousands of miles in our backseat. Lived with us in five different states. Chased more animals than we could ever count. And we've chased after her more times than we care to count. She was the only one to greet us when we brought both of our babies home from the hospital. The only dog we've shared as a family.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">They teach you about love.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">They teach you about letting go.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Today we had to put our beloved dog, our loyal friend to sleep. It was the hardest decision we've ever had to make. After all she's done for us, this we did for her. Huddled together on the floor, we held her as she finally found peace and took in her last breath. We shed many tears, more than we can count.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">What they say must be true, all dogs really do go to Heaven. I know this because she's already sent us signs. We see them Lizzie. And we see life in a unique way because of you. If you know Lizzie, you know the tales.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">So enjoy chasing squirrels, rabbits & cats. Enjoy your naps in the sun. And know that we'll go on enjoying our lives, too. Until we meet up with you in Heaven, it's like we tell the girls.... you're always in our hearts.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">RIP Lizzie Girl.</span>brookiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04412174003867289195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2532202911788175993.post-82370497854096636162012-09-18T21:13:00.002-04:002012-09-18T21:13:52.538-04:00Ten on Tuesday<span style="font-size: large;">1. I can't help it. Whenever I see U.S. Representative Allen West I can't see him as a congressman or a leutenant colonal, I see a character on the Peanuts. Speaking of which, it's that time of year again.... The Charlie Brown Specials!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">2. <a href="http://www.familyhandyman.com/">Family Handyman Dot Com</a>.... You had me at the adorable Dollar-Savvy Shed.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">3. <a href="http://2016themovie.com/">Obama's America 2016</a>.... How do all American's not know about this film? Without a doubt the most important movie you'll ever see at the theater. An eye-opener to say the least.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">4. Could life be any better? Okay, yes. But at the end of the day, I've got it all. I'll keep my apple cart just the way it is.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">5. Tonight on the menu: french toast with Panera bread, bacon & orange juice. According to Lauren, "It was the best breakfast supper EVER!"</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">6. In clumps. That's how Abby's hair has been coming out of her head. She will have no hair left in her head by Christmas if she keeps this up. Sigh. Her eczema has stepped it up all of the sudden. I'm nervous. I think it's time to seek a second opinion.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">7. One of the best wines I've tasted came from Wide River Winery.... Can't wait to get back to Iowa for Girls' Weekend with the family and get my hands on a few more bottles of that tasty drink.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">8. The very best chocolate cake I've ever laid my lips on. Yeah, I made it last week. <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/249879479295957437/">The Most Amazing Chocolate Buttermilk Cake Ever.</a> There it is. Be warned. Once you've make it for people, it won't be the last.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">9. To my sister-in-law.... Tonight I sat down at the computer with a glass of wine. Now I'm on my second. That much wine tastes much better on the deck in Wenatchee. Ahhhh, the days.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">10. I like it much better when people walk into my life than out of it. Lots of footsteps walked back in my door today. {smile}</span>brookiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04412174003867289195noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2532202911788175993.post-38255604651749840332012-09-04T17:18:00.003-04:002012-09-04T17:18:56.486-04:00Ten on Tuesday<span style="font-size: large;">1. It absolutely drives me crazy when toothpaste gets on the cap. I hate to be so fanatical about something so absolutely insignificant, but I truly despise it.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">2. I'm fond of the girls learning from others. Sometimes I believe the impact others make with a single action is ten times as powerful as any single action I can make. On the other hand, it's hard to see them learning the What-Not-to-Dos from people they look up to. They're too little to see the faults in their role models.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">3. Good morning hugs & kisses from my girls NEVER get old.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">4. Reevaluating.... it's not as fun as it sounds.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">5. After a weekend with good friends in Michigan Geoff has fallen in love with releasing lanterns. I've become fond of Moonshine. I think we're evolving backwards.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">6. My new favorite author just might be John Green. I was a big fan of <em><a href="http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,2105454,00.html">The Fault in Our Stars</a></em>. The story, the writing, the way it touches the reader. Fantastic!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">7. If I wanted to wake up to 180% humidity (okay, I'm exaggerating a little) in September I would still be living in Florida. This weather is zapping every ounce of energy I have. Yuck!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">8. Thank you to the girls' teachers. I was beginning to lose faith in teachers' diligence on correcting children's homework. Thank you for proving me right that doing your school work right does matter.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">9. Tired. Hot. And sooooo tired. Please cool off soon. I'm too young to feel this damn old.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">10. One of my favorite things: Lauren creeping into the kitchen in the morning while I'm making lunches and just wanting to hang out. Love that kid!</span>brookiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04412174003867289195noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2532202911788175993.post-85280353247777619752012-08-22T21:26:00.000-04:002012-08-22T22:03:17.497-04:00Growing Up Abby<span style="font-size: large;">On Monday night, the girls and I ventured to school for Open House, where the girls were on a mission to finally meet their new teachers. Abby was basking in the glory of being the big sister, when finally, for their first time in their educational career, they would be at the same school.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">It was great to have Abby has our personal guide. In and out of halls, she led us to our destinations effortlessly. It was a stress-free meeting of both the girls' teachers, and both Abby & Lauren left their new meetings even more excited to begin the new school year.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">But there was one more stop to make before we left for the evening.... greeting Abby's first grade teacher for the first time as a second grader. Mrs. Barr was just as happy to see Abby as Abby was to see her. She treated Lauren to a welcoming smile, then we exchanged that look that parents & teachers give one another when they are saddened not to have your child their room, and likewise. Last but not least, Mrs. Barr noticed how much Abby had grown up. The earrings, bracelets, necklace & headband. She was accessorizing to the max. Second grade style.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Mrs. Barr was right. Abby is increasingly self-aware of how she looks. What she will wear for her second grade pictures is always on her mind, not to mention her adamantity (is that even a word?!) for having a gray, not blue background for her school pic. Then there is the conversation of having her own bedroom. And the one about not using her pink booster seat in the car. Sometimes I can't keep up.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Today, on her first day of second grade, she went to school with a smile and an argument with her sister already under her belt. And that is just how she came home.... with a smile, and another argument that sent her to her room. And like magic, the storm of anger & tears was amplified to what I can only describe as a second grade scene. It isn't easy, but I know this is normal, even healthy. But it's hard. For all of us.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">And then there was tonight. Traditional story time means each of us choosing two stories, and once we're all in our jammies and ready for bed, we gather on my bed with our collection of literature as I take turns reading our selections. But in the presence of a second grader our night time routine is changing. Abby now intentionally chooses books she can read. And not just read, but read with ease and inflection. My heart swells with pride.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I know it isn't easy growing up for our Abby. It isn't easy being around growing up Abby. But it is a beautiful view watching Abby grow up. I love that I can still see the face of that newborn in in her. I love just as much that she loves the little lady she is growing into.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I still love her more.</span>brookiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04412174003867289195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2532202911788175993.post-88481446067535945442012-08-15T11:12:00.000-04:002012-08-15T13:54:59.907-04:00Ten on Tuesdayish<span style="font-size: large;">1. First day back to work is in the books. Sort of. Yesterday was our meeting of the minds to gear up for the upcoming school year, then our open house last night. It was refreshing to meet new faces and a delight to see students & parents from years past. I'm reminded again how grateful I am to work with such an incredible staff and looking forward to this upcoming year. What a blessing to love my job sooooo much!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">2. Sometimes it takes hitting rock bottom to ground you. In our case, shape up these little rugrats of ours. Too much TV, too much leniency equals too much of two monsters. Today we're turning over a new leaf. I pray they get the message.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">3. I miss Bunco. Once a month, great food, great friends, maybe some drinks & interesting conversation always prove to be an event worth looking forward to. Too bad it's so hard to find enough people to get on board & commit. :(</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">4. I'm so pleased with the amount of back-logged organizing I've been able to get done. I've still got a considerable amount to tackle, but I'm on a roll. Look out house!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">5. While it's nice to have the down time around our house to get stuff done, I am beyond happy that we go home for the summer. Not only do the girls have a chance to listen to people speak proper English for two plus months, but it gives us something to do. We'd be bored out of our minds here no doubt.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">6. Have I ever mentioned how much I dislike when people put a 'Ms.' in front of my first name? Two months of being called Brooke or Mrs. Zahn.... Ahhhhh. It makes me hate it more everytime I come back to it. Grrrrrrrr.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">7. I'm not entirely hating on Ohio, but for sure there are things that get under my skin and the fouled up linguistics is top on the list. I am, however, looking forward to my very favorite thing about Ohio: Autumn. Bright, bold colors canvassing the landscape; crisp morning air. Heaven. Well, next to being Up North it's heaven.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">8. While everyone at home is posting about all of their great eats at Minnesota's largest county fair, I'm stuck with savoring them by memory. I've been reminding myself that my daily workouts will benefit more from mental endulgance. So eat up friends. And thanks for thinking of me as you eat your way through the event of the summer. Okay, let's be honest, I'd still rather be there eating with them!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">9. Oh my brother-in-law.... Bacon jam. What they don't think of. And if I knew how to can, I'd probably have to try it by virtue of curiosity. How I wish I lived closer to my brother-from-another-mother. Truly one of my favorite people. I miss ya, Kevin.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">10. A week from today the girls head back to school. Eeeeeek! One week and we're back into the bump and grind. I'm not sure if I'm ready for this. I've rather enjoyed sleeping in in the mornings. Sigh.</span>brookiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04412174003867289195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2532202911788175993.post-38017648546259410742012-08-12T14:04:00.000-04:002012-08-12T14:04:19.850-04:00Love Letters<span style="font-size: large;">On June 9th, just after the girls & I got to Minnesota to kick off our summer adventures, I found letters the girls penned to their babies scattered upstairs next to their resting beloveds. Their thoughtful and loving words were so enduring that I secretly hijacked the notes. With all the sassy language that boldly comes spewing out of their mouths, it's nice to know their hearts are filled with so much love....</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">by Abby</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">from Lizzie</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I Love you very</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">much and I Love</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">you more than everysing</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Love mom</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">by Lauren</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">rockit big</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I Love you very much</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">You are the best I Love</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">You to the moon and</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">back You are a very</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">good boy Love to</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">You and me gave</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">me a kiss and</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">a hug Love mom</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">rockit medam</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I Love you Like I</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">do right now I will</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Love you the Rest of</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">my Life all the time</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I Love You to the moon</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Love mom</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">rockit Little</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">You are the Littleist</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">boy and are family</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">all the time and</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">You are a kind</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">boy and nice boy</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Love mom</span>brookiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04412174003867289195noreply@blogger.com0