Thank You Thursdayish

1. I'm thankful I got out and about yesterday. It was tough getting around, but I needed it.

2. I'm thankful to be getting some rest. Some. Not as much as I'd like, but rest nonetheless.

3. I'm thankful the bad weather is holding off so I can collect on my Christmas gift from my sister today.

4. I'm thankful for a fun night of games last night with a few of the hockey players.  I'm not so happy that they consider exactly 33 to be old, but it was full of laughs regardless.

5. I'm thankful for spending time with Shawn and going to a hockey game tonight.... great way to end the year!

[friend]ly scrapbook

I put together this scrapbook with a friendship theme.  It's a great template to use for any occasion, with whatever paper you like.  This album leaves plenty of room to add pictures of various sizes, and the writing can be done directly in the book, or fashioned on with glue, tape, brads or a European stapler [www.mcmasterandstorm.com/peek/european-fastener].

{Cover}

{pagE oNe}

{pagEs tWo and tHree}

{pagEs foUr and fiVe}

{pagEs siX and seVen}

{pagEs eigHt and niNe}

{pagEs tEn and eleVen}

{pagEs tWelve and thiRteen}

{pagEs foUrteen and fifTeen}

{pagEs siXteen and seVenteeN}

page 17 features a torn built-in pocket w/ tag

{pagE eigHteeN}

remaining pages are fastened w/ ribbon to the back cover

Ten on Tuesday

1. There's no place like home.

2. There's nothing like a fresh hair cut. All three of us girls.... I love it!

3. Toy Story 3. Love this movie! Hate that this movie makes me cry every time!!

4. A broken toe has given me a new understanding.

5. "The low for tomorrow is only in the low twenties." Only in Minnesota!

6. This afternoon the girls and I made snow ice cream: www.feedingthelovelies.blogspot.com/2010/12/snow-ice-cream.html

7. Abby just found out I strongly dislike (I'm being kind here) Barack Obama.  She is perplexed and curious.  And still talking about it.

8. It bothers me that KARE11 didn't have a set full of poinsettias this year.

9. My dad has a host of great things to teach our kids, but lines like "You can pick your friends.  You can pick your nose.  But you can't eat your friends," is not one of them.  It sure does make them think though.

10. My Sconnie friend sent me a link to some very clever and classic pro-Wisconsin attire. Ever since, Sconnie.com has been showing up in ads all over the sites I'm on. Sorry Goggle. I'm not buying a t-shirt that says, "Ohio is the Worst State Ever," even if I think so. (Which, by the way, I don't. It's Virginia!)

Flashback Friday

In Honor of Their First Christmas

Oh how they've grown....

December 25, 2005

Abby's First Christmas

December 25, 2006

Lauren's First Christmas

Thank You Thursday

1. I'm thankful for the medical team that popped my broken toe back into place at the Xenia ER.  Even at 2 am we were laughing and cracking jokes, I'm thankful for a relatively easy visit--all things considered.

2. I'm thankful we made it to Minnesota without incident.  Big sigh of relief.

3. I'm thankful we are home at Christmas.  Geoff offered to stay in Ohio since I am virtually handicapped.  I said no thanks.

4. Thank you, Abby and Lauren for making me laugh.  Lauren told me today in the car she would wake me up before she go-goes.  Abby inquired why Daddy didn't park in the handicap spot since I am now handicapped.  So kind.

5. I'm thankful for leftover ice box cake.  My favorite!

Ten on Wednesday

Too burnt out to post on Tuesday....

1. Mommy guilt feeds the frustration that feeds the mommy guilt.... If I hadn't been so busy, then maybe I wouldn't be up so early and tired so early at night. I put Abby to bed last night with my fingers crossed she'd sleep through the coughing. She did, but eventually she threw up all over her bedding; all three loads worth! Guilt. Frustration and anger. It's a toss up which one rules.

2. RSVP: repondez s'il vous plait. It means "please reply". I'm guessing a lot of people don't because I've been hearing a lot about this lost art lately.

3. It's snowing. Funny, I was kind of hoping it wouldn't.

4. More guilt: every time I hear someone on the news utter the words, "Severe weather alert" my heart skips a beat and then I'm thankful they are talking about the floods in California and Arizona and NOT severe weather in the Midwest. If the snow can just hold off until Christmas!

5. I'm hoping 2011 brings me a new car. No, not a car, a larger vehicle. It is almost nine years Granny and I have been together. I thought it would be hard to let her go, but now I am ready. Please, Granny, get us to Minnesota and back safely this Christmas break!

6. Lauren woke up exceptionally adorable today. I truly don't know what I would do without that little gal. Now she's in the bathroom offering to read a book to her sister. No, ten books. What a great sister!

7. This morning while she was sitting in the tub washing all of the vomit off of herself, Abby said, "I'm sorry, Mom."  My heart smiled.  Okay, so she barfs all over the bed, the floor.... I must be doing at least something right.

8. As much as I enjoy shoveling, I was boiling inside when I shoveled the neighbors' sidewalk. I'd gladly do it for people who are unable to do it for themselves, but in a house with three capable adults it is inexcusable!  I didn't even do it to be nice, I did it because it is our path to the bus stop and I don't want my kids walking in the street.  It did help my frustration when we brought over their jar of Christmas goodies.  Something about doing something kind for them that takes away the anger.  However, I will not be bringing them treats after I shovel out the route proceeding the next snow fall.

9. Abby loves school. She learns so much. And then she spends any time she isn't fighting with her sister practicing her skills. Love that girl!

10. I take so much pleasure in watching Abby learn to read.

{Abby Flipping Through Her New Fancy Nancy Book}

O Christmas Tree

Today at school this is how Lauren decorated her Christmas tree....

{Lauren's Florida Tree}

I guess somebody misses Florida.  Either that or I should be worried about concealed weapons!