Timing is Everything or When Left Alone- because both fit

One White iPhone 4                                                            $399.00

Goofy Glasses left over from someones Xmas stocking      $4.95

Laughter with oneself on a sleepless night                           Priceless 

Sometimes the only one who will play is my sweet Meggie (and only then its because I am holding the duck jerky in one hand while balancing my finger on the camera button with the other).

The New Guy at Work

There is a new co-worker here at work. His name is Archie and he is a bit young and has a slight medical condition that requires him to wear a neck collar that can, at times impede his goals. 

But his determination is strong and of course he is on track for employee of the month- Those new guys are always showing off, so I didn’t feel bad at all when I caught this little video of him recently having some issues on a recent lunch break we had together and he dropped a bit of his tasty treat

...of course he got me back later in the day when I had to pick up after him out in the yard.

A Tiger Earns His Wings

Just yesterday he was a Tiger Cub, putting on his little orange T-shirt with the iron on paws and gold belt buckle that always clanked in the dryer when it was washed because inevitably he would forget to take the belt out of the loops and off the pants...

Today he stood surrounded by his family and peers, a boy turned man in the blink of an eye. He has given to his community, his family, this land. 

My son is an Eagle Scout. He stands proud and I stand beside him, even prouder.

(Yep that's me beside him on his shoulder there in the picture, always thought I acted like I had a higher than thou like complex? Well there's the proof right there people. So we agree, now carry on and get me my slippers my toes are cold.)

Skiing the Golden Gate Bridge

This year for the holidays Erik and I had the brilliant plan to not get the kids anything. 














To not get them anything because well, they already have everything they need and most everything they could possibly want. So, THIS year we would get them non tangible gifts and give them a super cool trip instead (ooh aah). A ski trip to be exact in wonderful Lake Tahoe. While the boys exhausted themselves with overstimulated ski 24/7 Kates and I would take time out to hit the spa and unwind, shop, enjoy, and you know, wave at the slopes.

So while I went around town and watched friends and strangers frantically looking for gifts and crossing off names on lists that were pages long, I made quick stops at the local sporting goods store getting gloves, scarves, and warming packets for our pockets. Picked up cocoa at the grocery store while also picking up dinner for that day. Little things that would fill stockings and fit under the tree but nothing major or stressful to burden my mind. I was soooo sure THIS was the year I had it all figured out.

Then on December 21st a friend of mine who lives in Reno sent me this...

...and I panicked. Really what is Tahoe without snow? It’s kinda like Wally World being closed for repairs. Not only that but everything else under our holiday tree was specifically purchased to go with the big snow trip AND it was dangerously close to Christmas day (see bold font above for emphasis). 

Cut to me frantically getting on my phone backing out of rentals and bouncing around town returning things (yeah I’m THAT person) holding up lines and bringing sales people to the breaking point who are already six espressos deep after three straight shifts of “Countdown to Santa Days”.

With our money in hand and a day to get things done Erik and I bought the only thing we could agree upon and each had a margarita rocks no salt. Then we had another. Yeah, it was pretty much a crap shoot from there on out.

The next day it was Kindle fires all around (Amazon Prime rocks it yet again) which was a great choice since we would be driving to San Francisco and, as you can see, we had a terrible time. 

                                                                                It was the best not a ski trip ever.

Happy Birthday Babe- Now lets wear mustaches, act normal, and go out on a school night!

For 23,652,000 minutes...

For 540 months...

For 4 1/2 decades...

However you decide to label it, it’s your day- Happy birthday babe.

Not only did we have fun in our disguises, but the kids also got into the act posing with the Beatles (who also brought their ‘staches to the party). 

It was a great night, for a great guy.

Here’s to the next 45. 

                                                                    xoxo

Operation Eleanor

One of my guilty, yet simple, pleasures is reading wonderful blogs that inspire, encourage, make me laugh, and help me see life through amazingly different perspectives. One such blog, Undomestic Diva has started  Operation Eleanor a thirty day challenge inspired by Eleanor Roosevelt's famous quote to do one thing everyday that scares you.

So read up, jump in and join in on the challenge. It's not like you have to bungee off of cliffs or sky dive out of planes- just try each day in the month of November to do one thing different from what you would normally do in your life. One step out of your normal routine, one little reach beyond your comfort zone into the unknown.

I love the concept, and cannot wait to discover what is out there for me to uncover.

How about you?!

Homecoming Dances, Bringing Bow Ties Back, and the Most Awesome Review Ever on Amazon

Okay so we covered the Homecoming game here. (Awesome!!). That meant that the next day, Saturday, was the Homecoming dance. My son, John and his group of buddies always willing to push the fashion boundaries (don't believe me? just ask him about the satchel incident of spring 2011) decided to wear bow ties to the dance both to jazz things up as well as to make their senior statements since it was their last High School Homecoming dance.


Looking on Amazon we found this:

Which was great right? your average everyday bow tie. But wait! there is sooooo much more- read this Most amazing funny and greatest review ever- (click if you need to see it bigger)

Had us rolling on the floor. We even ordered two, one white and one black. The result? one hot 17 year old ready to rock the dance floor looking just like my 12th grade science teacher.