A Post and Prayers

My intent this morning was to post pretty pictures and flowery dialogue, but I am unable to do so after the terrible devastation suffered by people touched in the aftermath of that deadly two-mile wide tornado that hit Oklahoma City, and most notably, Moore.  Having six grandchildren and two new babies born in our family this past month, I can’t get past the despair and grief being felt by those most affected. 

My thoughts and prayers go out to the residents of Oklahoma City, the police and fire departments,  paramedics, medical personnel, rescue teams and volunteers.  May you find comfort in this new day. 

Today . . .

. . . I am still working on WONDERFUL.  With K’s help, all bills with a May due date have been paid.  With A’s help, the house is staying neat.  She was at the house Thursday, and I have to tell you, coming home to a cleaned house is divine! 

I had a fabulous long weekend with my family (took Friday off so it was extended).  My Eldest bought a car and I now have mine back, sooooo, I picked up K and Baby E and we headed on over to the Waterfront for lunch and some creative shopping (Michael’s for scrappy stuff; Giant Eagle because K is making mole´).  Last week she made Panna Cotta from scratch for our Mother’s Day dessert.  It was delicious and I was extremely impressed.  

Friday night, we continued with our Family Movie Night tradition.  Joey’s girls were over and we popped corn and settled in to watch Mama.  I don't think there is anything my children (including the grands) like better than horror films, although we always follow up with a cartoon or comedy.  And sometimes we sleep with lights on.

I had bought my Eldest and his two girls season tickets to Kennywood Park (his chosen Christmas gift), and they, along with Kayla, spent Saturday riding.  Amanda went to a wedding and I kept the three boys.  Thankfully, Mom came over to help.  The weather was perfect and Brendan and Jake were able to play in the yard.  Mom and I (and Baby E) watched Jack Reacher – good thriller!  Especially good because it was filmed in Pittsburgh and we were able to identify with so many sights.

Most exciting was “discovering” this APP which I played with most of the weekend. It’s my newest obsession - just look at "Instagram" on the side bar.  Tee hee. 

Sunday was another gorgeous day.  My Eldest and his girls woke super early as Cammi was in a 3 mile race out at Hartwood Acres. She didn’t win, but she finished.  GO CAMMI!   Mom and K and I we went out for lunch.  Stopped at Target to look at shorts for K.  Back home we settled in on the front porch and my niece came over with her baby.  It was a lovely afternoon.  Heck! It was a lovely weekend!

Baby E

Day 2 to Wonderful

So, yesterday was GOOD.  Not GREAT, but GOOD in that I did accomplish a few things.  After work, I walked 2.3 miles – hooray!! Washed up one load of laundry (dried it, too).  Cleaned up the living room.  Gathered up all the trash (Fridays are trash pick-up days).  Watched the Glee finale – not too good.  Disappointed for Ryder, didn’t like too many of the songs.  I don’t know; is it time to move on to a “new” series??  Was in bed and asleep by 11. 

Today, I uploaded photos taken with my iphone.  There were many!! Yesterday, I mentioned two new additions to our family.  Here they are:

Elliot Hayden born April 17^th and Dylan Edward born April 25.  Elliot is my Great Grandson (I’m a very young Great Grandmama).  Dylan is my Great Nephew.  Elliot makes my Mom a Great Great Gram (picture taking on Sunday of the 5 generations).  With all these Greats around, how can we not be wonderful??!!!  

30 Days to Wonderful...?!

I need a kickstart. I  need more caffeine. I need more time off. I need energy.  I need SOMETHING.  Do you ever feel like you need to do something, anything, that there is something missing, amiss??  That's where I am right now and today I realized that my mini-trip is in exactly 30 days. That's 30 days starting today.  Sooooooooooo, because I need to be accountable to myself, this will be the start of my 30 days to Wonderful.  Wonderful being 30 days to a clean house, 30 days to lose 10 lbs., 30 days to walk everyday, 30 days to create, 30 days to save $$ ( for a new pair of sandals for said mini-trip).  Thirty days to find the USB cable to my camera so I can upload all the photos that I have taken since the beginning of this year. Thirty days to share those photos here - two new additions to our family this past month. Both boys, both healthy, both beautiful!!

One great thing I did do at the beginning of this month was to offer my Granddaughter, K, a paying job as my assistant - meaning once a week for up to an hour she goes through my mail, writes out checks for the utility bills, make note of due dates, lists of calls I need to return, appointments that need to be made, etc.  Our first stop was the $1 spot at Target for office supplies (and we found many, fabulous supplies, color-coordinated (teal)), which K put right to use.  This week, we will clean out the desk and she can set it up as it suits her.  Having K take care of the paperwork and my daughter wash and sweep floors, and clean the bathrooms twice a month (money well spent), we help each other in a good way.

Oooooh, my Grandgirls - K and Cam loved Keri Smith's: 

and while checking out what's new at B&N on-line, I came across this fantastic addition, JUST OUT this month!  

I ordered two.  Then I ordered, for me, this pretty little book, Moleskin Passions Travel.

I've put on my wish list, the numerous other Moleskin Passions Journals, i.e., Recipes Journal, Book Journal, Wine Journal, oh, heck, give me all of them!

Now, I've got work to do (real office work) and (my 1st day of 30 work).  

Carpe Diem!

Quickie Update

I can’t believe my last post was January 11^th.  Since then, I have hosted a birthday party for my son.  He chose Bruschetta for his special meal.  Helped* plan and attended a baby shower (J.O.* really did a great job), am planning and hosting another baby shower, another birthday party for a 6 year old, still crocheting that gift, still losing those pounds, still reading that book, seen “Mama” at the theater, am on the 4^th episode of Season 1 of House of Cards, just finished the 3^rd season of Downton Abbey and am in the middle of Walking Dead, am still decluttering, and still busing it to and from the office every week day.  Am still celebrating that special Mister, am feeling that 2% payroll hike (NOT a good feeling either!) and I still can’t believe we are moving towards the end of February!

This weekend I will be hosting Jade’s 6^th birthday.  All the kiddies will come over for cake and grilled cheese, games, maybe a sleepover.  They have such a good time together.  Snow and ice in the forecast, but we’ll be playing games and watching movies.  Staying snug and tenting in the living room.  Sunday, Mister and I will watch golf, maybe eat popcorn, nap. 

Hectic, but good.  That’s my life.

Let's Begin...Again.

So excited for this New Year.  I chose as my one little word – ACCOMPLISH.  I chose this word because I have so much I want to accomplish this year.  And I know that I will only be able to ACCOMPLISH these little goals one day at a time. One day at a time for 28 days makes it a habit, so it’s said.  The first is small and maybe silly to some but I am enjoying it – making my bed.  Today is DAY 4 of making my bed before I leave for the office.  Two things – my Mom used to say, “Make your bed, the whole room looks cleaner.”  I agree.  The other – there is nothing like climbing into a made bed.  I was gifted a bottle of grapefruit scented sheet spray – it’s light, heavenly. 

My main project for January is this little sack that was chosen by a Mommy-to-be.  There is no excuse that I cannot find thirty minutes a day to crochet at least four-six rows or more. 

Another thirty minutes is all I need to MOVE each day.  I choose walking and I love and have used (with much success) Leslie Sansone’s walking tapes. So, I know that even though its dark and cold by 6:00 p.m., I can still walk a mile in my living room.

That last little goal (to become habit) is to save money.  I am shooting for $100.00 this first month (that of course will depend on what breaks around here).  Our office moved in the middle of December to the middle of town – ON my bus line.  Last year, I weighed taking the bus vs. driving and parking and I felt that cutting the traveling time was more important.  However, I do not feel that I made valuable use of the time saved so it was a no win situation. This year, I have bought bus tickets, an overall savings of $60.00 plus gas over the wharf, and $20.00 plus gas (plus a 15 min. walk (but that’d be exercise) over Station Square.  I’ll gain the exercise bonus back when the days stay lighter longer by getting off 2 miles from my house and walking the rest of the way.

So, that’s it.  My four little changes which I hope to ACCOMPLISH and instill as routine habit.

What's the Word?

one little word

2013

ACCOMPLISH