Tomorrow morning I leave for Puerto Vallarta. It's a girls week at Kathy's time share. I've got my kindle, my camera and a carry on suitcase filled with a few clothes, swimsuits and workout gear. My kindle has 7 new books on it, all of which I'm eager to read. I just picked up an Oprah magazine at the grocery store and pack of gum. I can't wait to get going. We all went in 2007 and said we'd make it an annual trip. 3 years later we are finally going again.
I will miss Jake and Kristin's 20th birthday. This will be the first time and it's feels strange. Granted, I wouldn't have seen Kristin anyway this year on her birthday because she's in college on the other side of the state. Jake has two finals on his birthday and then one the following day. Wednesday night Jim and Sarah have plans to spoil Jake. There are some presents on the dining table for him to open. I already mailed Kristin's presents. I will call both of them and tell them how Happy Birthday and how much I love them. I am really proud of them.
Sarah has an AP test on Thursday and the opening night of her play is on Friday. It runs 2 weekends though, so I will catch the closing night. She is such a go getter and I know she'll be the star of the play, even if she doesn't have the lead roll.
I will miss Jim too. He's really a good guy. I was having a bikini wax today and the wax lady (don't know what the technical term is) was talking about how bad the men in her life have been. It was weird because I just couldn't relate. I am lucky. Jim is a good guy and I love him.
I've finished packing, now it's time for bed. 4:45 is going to come awfully early.
Friday, April 30, 2010
Friday, April 9, 2010
My heart sings
My heart is full today and it's a wonderful feeling. I have so much love and pride for my family that sometimes I am reduced to tears of joy. Crazy, huh? As a new parent (many, many years ago) I was besotted with my children. Jim was too. We used to sit and watch them just breathe. It was amazing to think that we created these beautiful human beings. Watching them grow through years only intensified the feelings. My, our, love for them never waned. Yes, there are times when we didn't like them or the choices they made but our love for them is steadfast.
This morning Sarah gave me a huge hug and said "you are the best Mom ever and I love you so much." And she hugged me, a big bear hug where she was the last to let go. Wonder how full my heart can get without bursting with joy? I am going to really miss her day to day presence when she goes to college this fall!
Today starts off Mom's Weekend at WSU and I finally get to take part. I am so EXCITED! I have lived in Pullman since 1990 and this annual event has seen Mom's come to town year after year and spend time with their college age children. Now, it's my turn. Technically, I could have participated last year when Jake was a freshman but we were out of town on a trip planned long before I knew the dates. Not sure of our exact plans today, but tomorrow we are going to breakfast and the craft fair in the morning and then dinner and Jay Leno in the evening! His girlfriend Lauren, and her Mom, will be joining us in the evening. Jay Leno is quite funny and has been to Pullman several times for this event. We saw him back in the 90's and laughed the entire time. Even though Jay will be enjoyable, the BEST part of the weekend will be spending time with my son. I am so lucky to have him for a son as he calls periodically to just talk, he likes to hang out with us at home and be together as a family. He's a great kid and I'm proud of him.
I don't have the quality time with Kristin as I'd like. Mainly due to the fact that she is at college on the other side of the state and doesn't use email or skype with any regularity. I miss her.
At the time I didn't realize it would be our last family vacation, just the 5 of us, for who knows how long. But I hold the memories of our trip to Cabo last Christmas near and dear. Usually we are all together at Hayden Lake, but this year Kristin will not be joining us. She'll be back east with her government internship. It will be the first time in 20 years she will NOT be at the lake for our annual summer vacation.
When they grow up, things change and I know this is just the beginning of their lives as adults and more changes lie ahead. I am proud of all of them and I know they will do well as they make their mark in this world.
But for now, today, I smile and have a happy heart due in no small part to my wonderful children. And I can't wait to spend the weekend with Jake!
My heart sings.
This morning Sarah gave me a huge hug and said "you are the best Mom ever and I love you so much." And she hugged me, a big bear hug where she was the last to let go. Wonder how full my heart can get without bursting with joy? I am going to really miss her day to day presence when she goes to college this fall!
Today starts off Mom's Weekend at WSU and I finally get to take part. I am so EXCITED! I have lived in Pullman since 1990 and this annual event has seen Mom's come to town year after year and spend time with their college age children. Now, it's my turn. Technically, I could have participated last year when Jake was a freshman but we were out of town on a trip planned long before I knew the dates. Not sure of our exact plans today, but tomorrow we are going to breakfast and the craft fair in the morning and then dinner and Jay Leno in the evening! His girlfriend Lauren, and her Mom, will be joining us in the evening. Jay Leno is quite funny and has been to Pullman several times for this event. We saw him back in the 90's and laughed the entire time. Even though Jay will be enjoyable, the BEST part of the weekend will be spending time with my son. I am so lucky to have him for a son as he calls periodically to just talk, he likes to hang out with us at home and be together as a family. He's a great kid and I'm proud of him.
I don't have the quality time with Kristin as I'd like. Mainly due to the fact that she is at college on the other side of the state and doesn't use email or skype with any regularity. I miss her.
At the time I didn't realize it would be our last family vacation, just the 5 of us, for who knows how long. But I hold the memories of our trip to Cabo last Christmas near and dear. Usually we are all together at Hayden Lake, but this year Kristin will not be joining us. She'll be back east with her government internship. It will be the first time in 20 years she will NOT be at the lake for our annual summer vacation.
When they grow up, things change and I know this is just the beginning of their lives as adults and more changes lie ahead. I am proud of all of them and I know they will do well as they make their mark in this world.
But for now, today, I smile and have a happy heart due in no small part to my wonderful children. And I can't wait to spend the weekend with Jake!
My heart sings.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Bigger is better when it comes to balls - Cotton Balls that is
I have been using, for what seems like forever, small sized cotton balls. Normally I use the triple size cotton balls, which is about the size of a walnut (with shell) whereas the small sized ones are the size of a grape. Though that doesn't sound like much of a difference, let me assure you that it is. I did NOT purchase these small sized cotton balls as they drive me nuts. They are hard to use and to small to be practical for much of anything.
My college age daughter, obviously not knowing there was a difference, picked up a bag of the small sized balls at the local drug store. After using them once, she realized the errors in her ways. So she brings them home and me, being one not to waste things, decides that I will use them up. Heaven forbid I throw away a perfectly good (though admittedly not very useful) $1.29 bag of cotton balls.
I have a small clear container on my bathroom counter which holds cotton balls and q-tips. I refill the container roughly every week. You would think the cotton balls would be all gone after 2 months...but NO....the bag is still half full. I think they are multiplying in my linen closet, which is really pissing me off. I just want to be done with these ridiculously small sized cotton balls.
Seriously, they are worthless. It takes 2 or 3 for each eye when removing mascara. The balls are small, but when they get wet, they are even smaller. I might as well just crumple one measly square of toilet paper up in a ball for the same effect. When removing nail polish, it takes at least two per finger.
I've decided to say F#&? it and screw frugality. Next time I go to Rite Aid I am buying a bag of triple sized cotton balls. As for the remainder of the bag - maybe I'll dump the cotton balls in the yard for the birds to use as bedding for their nests. But oh wait, they are bleached cotton balls, and will most likely cause harm to the birds and the environment. Maybe I can give them to good will? But would anyone want them? I don't think so! They are heading for the garage.
RIP you absolutely worthless bag o' balls.
My college age daughter, obviously not knowing there was a difference, picked up a bag of the small sized balls at the local drug store. After using them once, she realized the errors in her ways. So she brings them home and me, being one not to waste things, decides that I will use them up. Heaven forbid I throw away a perfectly good (though admittedly not very useful) $1.29 bag of cotton balls.
I have a small clear container on my bathroom counter which holds cotton balls and q-tips. I refill the container roughly every week. You would think the cotton balls would be all gone after 2 months...but NO....the bag is still half full. I think they are multiplying in my linen closet, which is really pissing me off. I just want to be done with these ridiculously small sized cotton balls.
Seriously, they are worthless. It takes 2 or 3 for each eye when removing mascara. The balls are small, but when they get wet, they are even smaller. I might as well just crumple one measly square of toilet paper up in a ball for the same effect. When removing nail polish, it takes at least two per finger.
I've decided to say F#&? it and screw frugality. Next time I go to Rite Aid I am buying a bag of triple sized cotton balls. As for the remainder of the bag - maybe I'll dump the cotton balls in the yard for the birds to use as bedding for their nests. But oh wait, they are bleached cotton balls, and will most likely cause harm to the birds and the environment. Maybe I can give them to good will? But would anyone want them? I don't think so! They are heading for the garage.
RIP you absolutely worthless bag o' balls.
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Saturday morning breakfast
I made apple fritters this morning for the first time. They were surprisingly easy and absolutely delicious!
These scrumptious fritters along side some scrambled eggs made for a great Saturday morning breakfast.
Here they are frying in canola oil. Only took about 2 1/2 minutes per batch.
Below is the finished product after a powdered sugar glaze and dusting with more powdered sugar. YUM! (You can see on the right the edge of a giant fritter. That was my first attempt and they were just too big to cook evenly without burning. So, I stuck with the smaller 1T size for frying)
These scrumptious fritters along side some scrambled eggs made for a great Saturday morning breakfast.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
You Capture - Quiet
This weeks You Capture theme over at I Should Be Folding Laundry is "Quiet". To me books represent quiet. I grab my cup of coffee, cup of tea or glass of wine and sit down to get taken away to another place or time, learn something new and ultimately relax and unwind.
I am currently reading The Space Between Us and thoroughly enjoying it. A friend loaned me Plum Wine and I picked up The 19th Wife at a local used book store and I'm eager to start both. If time allowed I could read all day!
I am currently reading The Space Between Us and thoroughly enjoying it. A friend loaned me Plum Wine and I picked up The 19th Wife at a local used book store and I'm eager to start both. If time allowed I could read all day!
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
New Look
I am thrilled with my new blog look. If you were sitting next to me now, you would hear the excitement in my voice. I absolutely love it and I have Beth to thank at 2 Bird Designs for her creativity and hard work. I have played around with different blog theme templates available to the masses and none screamed ME. Until now.
Incorporating my love of scrabble into the design just makes me giddy. It's my favorite game and I love it as no two games are ever the same. If there was a way to make money playing professional scrabble I'd say sign me up!
I toyed with the idea of changing the name from Party of 5 to something more fitting. After much discussion with the family and penciling out ideas, nothing seemed MORE fitting than Party of 5. Though we don't all live under the same roof anymore, we will always be a family. Everyday living on this earth is a celebration of life and it's our PARTY to embrace, enjoy and celebrate. So Party of 5 it is.
I think the overall look is inviting, easy to read and most importantly fits me to a T. And no one else has this blog design. I'm unique in a sea of millions of bloggers, which I think is pretty darn exciting.
Curious, what do you think of the new look?
Incorporating my love of scrabble into the design just makes me giddy. It's my favorite game and I love it as no two games are ever the same. If there was a way to make money playing professional scrabble I'd say sign me up!
I toyed with the idea of changing the name from Party of 5 to something more fitting. After much discussion with the family and penciling out ideas, nothing seemed MORE fitting than Party of 5. Though we don't all live under the same roof anymore, we will always be a family. Everyday living on this earth is a celebration of life and it's our PARTY to embrace, enjoy and celebrate. So Party of 5 it is.
I think the overall look is inviting, easy to read and most importantly fits me to a T. And no one else has this blog design. I'm unique in a sea of millions of bloggers, which I think is pretty darn exciting.
Curious, what do you think of the new look?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)