Our Thanksgiving

We had such a great Thanksgiving.  I was so organized.  I put all my food together except the turkey, dressing and mashed potatoes together on Wednesday.  Everything was ready and waiting in the fridge for the oven.  I actually had room for all of it and my kitchen stayed clean all day.  In an old house with a small kitchen which also is the door everyone uses to come in my house it is an art form to cook a big meal and have the kitchen tidy but I did it.

The highlight of my day was spending time with my 7 year old nephew and my 4 year old niece.  My niece isn't really sure about me, but my nephew is starting to remember previous Thanksgivings and my food, lol.  Which warms my heart.  I don't see them very often even though they live near my mom.  It makes me sad but sometimes you just have to accept the way things are.  We loaded in our van after dinner and took them to a park.  Brittany followed them around and played with them as my mom and I walked around the perimeter of the park for exercise.  My brother and Dennis through the football around.  It was nearly 60 degrees and beautiful and it felt so good to be out.

After our fun day Brittany and I decided that we would stay awake and try Black Friday shopping at midnight.  We went to Kohls.  We ran into one our studio families...which was fun.  I picked up a couple of things for myself and Brit did the same.  Then we made our way to the end of the line.  Yea...I am embarrassed to say that we waited close to 2 hours in line.  Our friends, went to the jewelry counter...where there was no line.  Who knew?  We aren't professional shoppers.  I would have gladly dropped everything but Brittany was holding tightly to a couple of sale items.  She did get a great deal on a jacket that she has been eying for weeks.  So I did what all moms do...I had patience and waited with her.

Friday...we rested most of the day just hanging around getting ready for the Santa Parade in our small city.  We heard rumors that the balmy temperatures that we had been having for over a week were about to end.  And so they did the morning of the parade.  We awoke to flurries and and near freezing weather.  Most of the kids did great with smiles.  The younger kids cried, some throughout the entire parade.  You just have to keep smiling and encouraging.  Brittany fell on her backside during practice.  I couldn't believe my eyes.  It was like something you see on television.  She was okay other than a swollen ankle the rest of the day.  But our dancers looked beautiful and we finished a second. 

This week, I am getting ready to head to the great state of TEXAS with my husband.  His company is having a Christmas party at the JW Marriott in San Antonio.  We are heading out there Saturday morning.  He took a vacation week and we are extending our stay through Tuesday.  I am not even sure what we are going to do with our free time but we'll nose around and just enjoy a few days together.  I CAN"T WAIT!!!

Until tomorrow,
Have a blessed night!

Thanksgiving Break

I am so happy.  It is another mild, bright, sunny day.  I do not take this for granted and this weather is welcome to stay as long as it wants.

I had been trying to get to the grocery store for a couple of days and they were long, busy days that left me so tired by night that I didn't have any energy to traipse through the isles of a grocery store.  Last night, however I did and I am so glad.  I went late and other than having to wait for a very slow check out girl, I was able to get everything that I needed.

On the menu,

Turkey and Stuffing
Green Bean Casserole
Baked Beans
Mashed Poatoes
Sweet Potato Casserole
Cranberries
And Rolls

For desert I took advantage of our studio fundraiser and ordered 2 delicious pies. One pumpkin and One Caramel Apple Walnut Pie.

I am waiting for Brittany to come home from the gym and then we will work together to get everything ready to go in the oven tomorrow.  I am thrilled she wants to take part in the prep work this year.  Usually I feel like I am missing out when I spend all day in the kitchen.

Tomorrow will be a quiet, relaxing day with my mom, brother and nephew and niece and of course us.  I have been looking forward to a few days break for weeks and I plan to enjoy very single minute.

Wishing you and yours a very Happy Thanksgiving!

Thankful Tuesday

This morning I had the pleasure of going to a 3rd grade Talent Show along with my Brittany.  She was invited by one of her Performance Team dancers.  It was one of the cutest things I have ever seen.  I just know that this little girl will remember for all time her dance teacher coming to watch her dance in her show.   This little girl had  taught her friend what she has been learning this year.

I am thankful for many things but especially the fact that I get to be around so many young girls each and every day of my life.  I enjoy the energy these kids bring to my life.  I love laughing with them, their hugs, encouraging them.  It's fun and even though it can be so very tiring day after day keeping this freight train on track I wouldn't be anywhere else.

Tonight we have parade practice followed by milk and chocolate chip cookies for all the kids.  I'm sure that it is going to be an action packed evening.  Then, we have a 3 day break.  I am looking forward to spending some family time.  Brittany wants to help me in the kitchen this year, which makes me thrilled.  We'll get things done quick working together which will allow more time to just rest and relax.

Do you go out shopping on Black Friday?  I have never done this before but some of the moms at our studio make a whole day of it.  I think Brittany and I will dip our toes in the water of Black Friday shopping and hit Kohls at midnight.  It might be fun, of course it could be crazy too but we are both game.  Then we'll come home and head for bed.  I'm not really looking to shop for anyone...maybe we'll each buy ourselves a little something just so we can say we did.

That's about all.  I'm just thankful, pure and simple for all that The Lord has blessed me with.  Life isn't always easy but I wouldn't miss it for anything.

Saying Yes A Little More

This is the way I started my Saturday.  My sweet husband offered to make me a big breakfast and I decided...yes.  I have just recently realized something about myself.  I am so quick to jump and serve, to to to take care of everyone's needs that seldom do I allow someone to take care of mine.  I resist.  It's not that I'm stubborn, it's just how I'm wired.  Someone offers to make me something, I jump up and say "I'll do it".  I think sometimes I cause frustration to those who love me because it almost comes out defensive and that is not my intent at all.  I am going to try really hard as the days go on to allow others to serve me too.  

I guess I am just a take charge kind of wife and mom, always putting their needs above my own.  I think it made him happy to make me this yummy breakfast.  I've never thought about it like that before...so here is to saying yes just a little more.  I enjoyed my breakfast very much, he did a fantastic job!

My weekend is going to be full of getting ready for Thanksgiving, baking Chocolate Chip cookies for our happy dancers at parade practice and hair bow making (for the parade).  

Outside the sun is shining and it's a lovely day. 

Wishing you a great weekend!

Half Way Point!

I woke up this morning to a beautiful day, the sun is shining and I am happy to say that I  survived turning 50.  I went to bed at 12:06 last night, just in case an asteroid would fall from space and take me out, I wanted to be fully awake for it.  I'm laughing at myself today, what was I thinking.  It's just a number after all.  I am still the same me for Heavens sake.

I'm going to look at this birthday as sort of a mulligan, a do over.  The way I see it, I have about fifty more years or so to continue to praise The Lord, guide my Brittany, live on happily with the love of my life.  Lord willing that is.

I am pumped though, I'm excited.  I am going to get more in tune with myself.  Focus on fitness, eat better and drop some unwanted pounds leftover from my forties.  Yes, this is a brand new year for me full of possibilities!

Brittany woke up this morning shoving her gifts at me, she has wanted me to have them for the past 2 days and I keep telling that I would wait.  She was having no more of that.  My girl bought me two lovely pair of earrings, a beautiful purse it is burgandy with a bow on it, and two gorgeous sweaters.  I told her it was too much but she reminded me that I am her only mom.  Seems to me I have said those same exact words  to my sweet mom a time or two myself.   I took the tonight off and instead of working around my house I am going to go have dinner with my husband and then I am going to let him buy me something.  I think I have been driving him crazy all week.  He keeps asking me what I want and I keep telling him either, "I don't know.", "I don't need anything. " or "you don't have to buy me a thing."

I guess if he were saying it to me then I would feel the same way.

I found something online that is really cool.  Since today is day one of the rest of my life I went to www.sparkpeople.com.  They have all types of trackers on there and best of all it is free although I did buy an app for my iPad for only 3.99.  But I have been nosing around on their website too and it is much cheaper than WW being free  so I'm excited.

Ok, I'm done with rambling for today.  I'm off to get myself presentable for my date tonight!

Hump Day

It is just a typical Wednesday here.  Dreary, cold and busy.  Yesterday, I was forcing myself to be thankful, of course I am thankful for so many things.  I was not my self.  I am starting to feel the crunch of life come upon me and instead of panicking...I decided to just be thankful.

We are in the midst of needing a day off so badly.  At least I do.  I started the year off so organized and now I feel things piling up. Last night Brittany and I stayed at the studio until midnight making tutus for the parade.  Only one more to go and then we do the hair bows wrap large packages for the luggage rack of our van and except for washing the van we'll be ready for the parade.  Parade practice is next Tuesday, we also offer cookies after the practice.  I am thinking just simple, gooey, yummy chocolate chip will make my life easy.  I am even wondering if SAMs Club has cookie dough that I can just stick on a baking sheet.  I need to get it all done because I need to clean my house for thanksgiving and start to plan and get ready for our feast.  If you can tell I am a tad bit stressed.  After so many years of just being homemaker and mom it is hard to be working even though it does bring joy to my life.

I have also been out of sorts since the election and to top it off my birthday is tomorrow.  Normally it doesn't bother me at all but this one is a biggie and last week in the mail I got an AARP CARD!  I threw it in the trash, I guess you can call it denial.  They say 50 is the new 30.  I wish that I felt convinced of this, again, denial.  But, tomorrow, I will wake up to a brand new day and will begin a new journey.  I will say goodbye to my forties.  I loved my forties, my plan, to find even more joy in my fifties...ugh, there I said the dreadful number after all.  A half a century!  Ugh!

Being Thankful

Today I thought I should really focus on my blessings.  I think when our hearts feel heavy focusing on what God does for us, we'll, it makes us better.

Today I am thankful for our new church. 

 I'm thankful for our new pastor and all of the new opportunities that are in front of us.

I am thankful that our weather is still mild and it is almost the middle of November.

I am thankful that my family is healthy.

I am thankful that my husband has a job.

I am thankful for friends.

I am thankful for sunshine.

I am thankful that my mom and brother and family are spending Thanksgiving with us.

I am thankful that I get to make all the tutu's for the Santa Parade.

I am thankful for a warm house.

I am thankful for clean laundry.

I am thankful for even the little things.

And whatever you do in word or deed,do all in the name of The Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.  Colossians 3:17

Today, I am thankfuk.  

Reflecting

I sit today while Brittany has a dentist appointment.  My mind goes back to a day when she was newly 8.  Our school year had just begun, it was warm outside all of our windows were open so it must have been late August or September.  Brittany's chores before school were to feed, water and take the dogs outside every morning.  She did this everyday since kindergarten.   On this particular day she was out with our lab who at the time was young and rambunctious as they can be.  Brittany walked her around on a chain.  In our back yard we have a slope.  While coming down the slope Lacy our Lab pulled hard and by doing this she pulled Brittany's legs right out from under her and she fell hard on her back which is what she thought.  I was in the bathroom all the way upstairs and I heard her call me.  By the time I made it down stairs she had attempted to make her way to me and passed out landing face first with her little head wedged between the bottom step of our porch and the cement below it.  I, of course couldn't believe my eyes.  I made it to the bottom of the steps, turned her over and her left front tooth, broken in half fell out of her little mouth.  She came to and I did what any parent did...I called her dad.  Hours later after and emergency room visit, a closed head injury (she had hit her head and that is why she passed out) and a dentist appointment she was patched up and we were relieved.

We knew from the trauma that tooth suffered that the nerve would probably die and it did several months later.  For 12 years she has had a white filling making up the bulk of her front tooth.  They told us way back when that when she was about 20 and her mouth was done growing and shifting that she could have a permanent crown put on there.  Today was that day.  At least the prep work was done today.  She is now sporting a temporary cap.  She'll get the real thing in December just in time for Christmas.

For Dennis and I it feels good that we are able to give our beautiful girl her smile back.  Yesterday, when we left church, she mentioned that it was kind of sad.  Her dentist told her it was going to be a drastic change for her because she has grown up looking at that filling.  I kinda felt sad too.  But I told her how she rocked that filling.  It saw her through many days, many dance competitions, stage performances.  She never hid her smile.  She did rock it well.  Now, this future tooth will look as close to the one God gave her as possible.  Lord willing it will give her a beautiful smile for of course her daily life but also for wedding pictures, the first smile her baby ever sees.  Lots of beautiful smiles ahead for this youg woman who has the patience of a saint.

I still have her original tooth...my momento.  I think I'll take her out and celebrate with a new tube of lipstick...and I am sure in a few weeks the very first picture.

Thanks for taking this little journey back in time with me today.

Stats and Other Thoughts

The election stats are starting to come out from Tuesdays Election.  Normally I would not give them more than just a head shake but I am awakened with a reality.  I have tried to spread the word about what was going on in this country to the best of my ability with people whom I know.  I feel such a sense of urgency I am not really sure what to do with it.  My fear?  Our country HAS been fundamentaly transformed in the last 4 years.  What happened to the gains we began to see in 2010?  I'm not just talking about Republicans here.  I am a registered Republican...because my values rest more on that side of things but that isn't a shoe in for me.  I will not vote for a pro choice candidate...EVER!  How simple life would be if we just lived as the Bible calls us to, but too many beaurocrats have messed that up haven't they?  Now, half of our country doesn't believe in God.  They denied him three times, at the democtatic convention, how biblical is that?  What is worse is that many do not even believe He exists.  How do we even begin to fix this?  I am not a protester, I am not going to march anywhere with a sign I think it is pointless, but I care so deeply.  Where do we go from here?

More stats I found very interesting:

3 million registered "white" voters did NOT vote.  (Romney lost by 2 million) Do the math!
49% of voters between the ages of 18 and 29 prefer Socialism
43% of the same age category choose Capitalism

Obama got 60% of the vote of the 18-29 age group.

Is this a surprise?  No, but my friends if we don't start making a bigger impact we have for sure lost our country and our grandchildren will not know the America we have known.

Oh, and did you hear about all of the business closings and layoffs announced within the first 48 hours of the election?  They aren't going to be able to fudge the numbers much longer are they?

I lift my eyes unto the hill...

Where does my help come from?  I love that verse, I love the Casting Crowns song.  This song has been pounding it's way through my head for the last three days.  I am so very sad for our country.  I'm  sad for our children who will not know the America that we have known.  I'm sorry for our military who have to serve under a boss who I believe does not honor or respect them.  I find it completely and utterly unbelievable that he was re-elected.  I, cannot even stand the sound of his voice.  He has ushered in so much damage to our nation...who knows what four more years is going to bring.  Those who are for him frustrate me to no end.  Their decision is based on what?  Freebies from the government?  I heard Rush Limbaugh saybyesterday...you cannot compete with Santa Claus.  How true!

We are a nation that more and more is turning it's back on God...if you know anything about the Old Testament at all...you can see that history does repeat itself and my friends...we are right in the middle of epic times whether we want them or not.  My gift is not evangelism.  I'm out of my comfort zone there...but this world needs Jesus and I have come to the realization...that until people are truly hurting...some of them will never "get it".  We all have spiritual gifts...maybe it is time for us to put them on...sharpen our tools and really get out there and try to change hearts.  Being on Facebook has taught me a lot about people here in Ohio.  There was major voter exhaustion...we, being probably the most important swing state in the nation were so bombarded with ads and fliers and phone calls that I really think it had the opposite effect.  How much money was wasted, too much.

The man we have as President can use words very effectively...I have never seen anything like it...think about it...hope, change, forward.  His last campaign was a duplicate of his first campaign...same exact words.  EXACT!  Just like he was never in office.

I deal with a lot of young families through our dance studio...we are feeling the down turn in the economy.  We lost a lot of dancers last year...some due to moving.  We also gained a lot of new kids but we are still short bt 10 kids and we aren't getting phone calls.  People are feeling that economy stinks. I get sick every time I put gas in the van.  We have two vans but for the most part we share the same van everywhere we go...filling up two is ridiculous and if we don't need to why do it.  Food prices?  Is this really the new normal?  Really?  Or was it more about free birth control, abortions an health care?  I have no idea.  The one thing I do know.  There are consequences to elections and we are right here stuck suffering the same consequences because of irresponsible voters.  What substance is he offering us?

I know the answer to where I look...I look to the maker of heaven and earth for all things.  I think the ONLY way out is to change hearts.  It's a more daunting task than ever before.  So much has been ushered in.  We have to remain strong and firm in our faith knowing that he will work all things out for good.

Don't get me wrong, I am livid.  I don't even want to hear the sound of his voice.  I strongly dislike everything he stands for.  For these are the times that try men's souls.

With Liberty and Justice for All

Month 2...done!

We finished up October with a week of cute kids wearing costumes and parent observation week.  The last week of every month for us...Brittany fills out a small progress report on how each dancer is in class...and she invites the parents to come in and watch their children dance...at this time they can snap a couple of pics or shoot a quick video.  Her preteen classes have really filled up this year.  In her that ballet class she has 18 well behaved little ballerinas.  I snuck in to watch the class because you know, as a mom I just had to.  There she was at the front of the class with her assistant leading a floor combination to a classical version of some halloween song.  It was magical to watch...it took me back to a time when she was about 10.  Summer break had just started and her dance season had just ended and being that she was and always has been all things dance she went into our basement, cleared a little area for herself and held a ballet class for who knows how many invisible students.  I remember, listening to her from the kitchen...how serious she was being. Now, she has classes full of real student, yea I'm having one of those proud mom moments...can't help it, it still takes my breath away.

One of the cutest things I have ever seen this week actually many times over, I'll explain.  One of the little girls, she is 8 decided that she was going to dress up and be Miss Brittany.  So she came to dance with her hair in a bum, flowers tucked around it a frilly black top and skirt...which is what Brittany mainly wears over her Leo and tights.  Brittany said she had jewelry on and rings which is funny because she usually only wears earrings to dance...she was wondering how she came up with all the rings.  It hit me, in this little girls eyes, Miss Brittany is glamorous...it was so adorable.  On Friday night, 3 more girls dressed up like Miss Brittany.  I just never imagined that little girls would do that with my daughter...when she was little she had two ballerina Barbie dolls.  She named both of them after her two teachers.  All in all it was a fun week at dance.  I get to spend some time with my hubby today and we are going to try and see the new James Bond movie tonight as a family...tomorrow he ships off to London, Ontario...Brittany and I will have tons of girl time this coming week.

Wishing you Joyful weekend!

A non emergency, emergency room visit

About a week ago Brittany started to get a crack on the bottom of her foot...actually where her fourth toe attaches to the bottom of her foot.  One night after dance she asked me to look at it.  We put peroxide on it and I wrapped it with gauze.  Everyday since, the cut has grown so we began using anti bacterial cream and every time she does anything it would break open and further tear.  In her line of work it is necessary for her to be on her feet constantly.  Tuesday she wore tennis shoes and it felt better.  Last night she was back in dance shoes with younger kids and it was worse.  She didn't even want to walk on it.  Not far from the studio is a walk in emergency room...it was just built and so I thought...maybe we could be seen quickly.  My one thing was I didn't want her to get a staph infection or an infection of any kind.  We walked into this beautiful new building last night around 9 and we were home before 10.  She was the only patient.  We felt a little silly being there for just a little toe.  We kept joking with the staff...she saw 6 different people for this little toe.  I told her we are going to pay the salaries for this visit lol.  Anyway, the doctor took it serious and like me he said she was guaranteed infection so he didn't want to stitch her up...he felt that would cause infection instead she has to let it heal from the inside out and to do this she has to go easy on that foot...no running or dancing until it is healed...we have to keep it clean and she is now sporting a fancy surgical boot which will keep her foot from bending.  I kind of joked that we need to add some sparkle to the boot after all blinging things out is our specialty.  As we left the emergency room she found herself funny as she will now be hobbling around on this boot and it took 6 people and an emergency room visit for a half inch laceration.

It's good to laugh after all laughter is the best medicine!

The weird thing for me...she is now the legal one that signs all the papers.  How hard to still be a mom and realize that you are no longer responsible to take care of your child.  It's odd and silly...but even for her it was weird.  Change can be so hard.  But I am so blessed to have my daughter still around and that we can laugh at the silly things that com our way.