P365 - 2015 - 2015 - Day 27 - made the best of it

P365 - 2015 - Day 27 - made the best of it

It was "The Blizzard that Wasn't" - exactly the kind of blizzard I can get on board with.  The kids' school called the day yesterday so we still had the day off.  My Wonderful Husband's school was closed yesterday and delayed today (and he has no classes on Tuesdays) so he was home too.  It was a jammie lounging, treat making, snow playin', surfing kind of day.  For the first time in so long I can't even remember, I stayed in my jammies all.day.long. and it was gooooooddddd.... :-)  I made the kids home made donuts for breakfast and chocolate chip cookies for when they came in from playing in the snow.  My Wonderful Husband got some surf time in before dinner and the kids and I took a trip down memory lane while we looked for baby pictures for The Bear and The Princess for their 6th grade yearbook.  So while I hate winter and snow days mean that summer gets cut short, we took advantage of this one and made the best of it.  The best part is that we didn't get two feet dumped on us, when the kids were done playing in the snow, I got everything put away, and hopefully this mess will all melt soon. :-)

P365 - 2015 - Day 26 - Snowflake Watch 2015

P365 - 2015 - Day 26 - Snowflake Watch 2015

Do you see that? That's a snowflake.  After a day of rain, the snowflakes finally started to fall.  The kids came home early today and school is already closed tomorrow...so Snowflake Watch 2015 is under way.  The reports keep going up and down....we'll just have to wait and see what we wake up to.  Will it just be a few inches or is will we wake up to a couple of feet?  Maybe there won't be too many more snowflakes that this first little guy......

P365 - 2015 - Day 25 - that time of year again

P365 - 2015 - Day 25 - that time of year again

It's that time of year again.  The time of year when I start trying to remember why I never moved to a tropical climate, somewhere where the outcome of this map would have no impact on my life.  That time of year when I start diagnosing myself with "seasonal affect disorder" and wonder if I should buy a sun lamp or a tanning bed.  The time of year when all I want is to stop layering my clothes in a futile attempt to not be cold.  The time of year that I start to irrationally think that we are stuck in a time loop reminiscent of  the movie "Ground Hog Day".  Dramatic? Perhaps.  But it's also the time of year that I become most dramatic, write the most mental memos to Mother Nature, and curse under my breath while watching the impending doom of a snow accumulation map.  I am not a winter person.  I am serious when I say I was not made for this and I am ill equipped to handle the temperatures, precipitation, and general uncertainty of the weather.  I was born in the heat of July for Heaven's sake and I believe that that has forever rendered me a Summer girl.  Made for sun, warm ocean breezes, bikinis, and beach chairs.  It's not my fault.  It's just who I am.  I know there are people who say they enjoy winter and while I don't understand them, I respect their opinion.  But my opinion is that winter is a cold, dreary, grey time when the sun is too far away.  In years past I have tried to embrace it, accept that it is winter and it will be cold and inevitably it will snow.  But this year I have decided to not embrace it in protest.  I am instead going to petition for a year with no winter because I feel like that is a fair request and even those people that say they like winter, deep down, would enjoy a year off from icy roads, freezing temperatures, and ridiculous snow storms that could dump two feet of snow.  So I am stating my formal protest here and now and welcome you to sign my petition.  If you need me I will be imagining my lamp is the sun and this stupid weather map is a cruel joke.  (In reality, if you need me, I will probably be shoveling us out from snow piles bigger than our dunes...)

P365 - 2015 - Day 24 - another artist...

P365 - 2015 - Day 24 - another artist....

The Boy used the rainy Saturday afternoon to get started on his book report project.  He started off by drawing a portrait of the main character, Harry Potter.  There might be another artist in the family.....

P365 - 2015 - Day 23 - strong

P365 - 2015 - Day 23 - strong

One of the things that I am committed to working on is getting stronger.   I have been taking circuit training classes and it feels so good to know that I am working my muscles and making myself strong and healthy.  I started this journey for me - I knew that I would only be as good to others as I was to myself and it was time to take care of me.  That is what I have been doing for the past 9 months.  But along the line, I realized how very important it is for my kids to see me take care of myself.  I have spent 12 years taking care of them and while I know that was and is a super important job, I want them to understand that it is just as important that I take care of myself.  In turn, I hope they learn how important it is that they take of themselves too someday. I am working on getting stronger....but not just by lifting weights and making muscles.  I am working on getting stronger in all aspects of life because I actually do know who I hope to inspire.

P365 - 2015 - Day 22 - a good day

P365 - 2015 - Day 22 - a good day

For the first time in more than 12 years, I was back in the classroom.  Last week was just an "observation day" - but today it was all me - just subbing mind you - but there I was back in the classroom.  Hey....I've been here before.  I remember that tree....  It really is kind of like riding a bike.  Especially since I was spared the task of operating the smart board.  I really enjoyed the kids and felt right at home back in front of class.  When I got home, My Wonderful Husband and I went for a 4 mile run before he took the kids to basketball practice - I call that a good day. :-)

P365 - 2015 - Day 21 - lunch

P365 - 2015 - Day 21 - lunch

I had a friend over for lunch today.  It was a nice chance to get together to chat and enjoy a yummy lunch.  I got a chance to try out a new Pinterest salad recipe and it was yum.my.

P365 - 2015 - Day 20 - officially

P365 - 2015 - Day 20 - officially

I am officially a substitute for Long Beach Island School District.  I got my sign in and password for the automated system.... another change since my days in the classroom and my long ago days as a substitute.  Now instead of waiting for a phone call, I can go online and check available jobs and with one click I know if I am working that day.  That is very cool.  I am scheduled for two days so far....

P365 - 2015 - Day 19 - Hangin'

P365 - 2015 - Day 19 - Hangin'

It was a day off of school and the day after their birthday.  Since our weekend was a bit busy and we didn't plan birthday parties yet, the kids asked if they could have friends over.  The Boy went over to his friend's house so these four could hang out.  They had a fun day hangin' with their friends. :-)

P365 - 2015 - Day 18 - this is 12!

P365 - 2015 - Day 18 - this is 12!

There you have it... this is 12!  I feel like they just arrived a minute ago... 5 pounds and 4 pounds, 6 weeks early, and thankfully healthy.  My Wonderful Husband and I are blessed beyond measure... it has been a pleasure to watch these two grow and blossom into the smart, kind, cool, athletic, funny, social, beautiful and handsome people they are today.  We had a scavenger hunt today with twelve clues that led them to their presents.  It was so much fun to watch them figure out the clues together, laugh at the silliness, and get excited at the adventure - I hope that in life you pay attention to all of the clues, work together to figure out the tough stuff, find excitement in all of the adventure, and laugh like you did as you were turning 12.  May this 12th year bring you adventure, laughter, health and happiness!  We wish you many many many happy birthdays with all of our love!! xoxo

P365 - 2015 - Day 17 - Cheers!

P365 - 2015 - Day 17 - Cheers!

After a day of basketball, soccer, and running, we had a delicious "last 11 year old supper" of meatball and sausage subs and pasta fagioli.  My Wonderful Husband and I poured two glasses of wine and toasted our twins on their last night of being 11.  I can not believe that we are about to enter the last year before their "teens".  Cheers!

P365 - 2015 - Day 16 - twelve years ago

P365 - 2015 - Day 16 - twelve years ago

Twelve years ago today I was pregnant with twins who were not due for another 6 weeks.  I was already on medical leave from work and spent the day sitting at home reading a book (well after taking my new van to the police station to have two infant car seats installed while getting yelled out by the officer for driving myself over there) I was not quite 34 weeks pregnant but looked like I was ready to go any day... and as it turned out.... later that night, my water broke sending us rushing to the hospital more than 6 weeks ahead of schedule.  This began the most wild ride of our lives...we just had to wait a few days to meet the stars of the show.  My doctor was determined to hold off my labor, at the very least get me to 34 weeks, pump me full of steroids for the babies' immature lungs, give me antibiotics since my water broke, and make us wait it out.  I can look back now and say we had no earthly idea what we were getting into. :-)  Sure we had tried to get pregnant for a long time, we had spent years planning even before these past 34 weeks, the room was ready, the clothes were bought, I had been showered with gifts (even though I was actually about to miss a shower my friends were throwing the next day...), and we even had names.  But at that very moment, we had no idea what life had in store starting with the next 48 hours.   It was exciting and scary and surreal.  Twelve years ago I was in a hospital waiting to meet two of the most important people in my life.
So in celebration of this day, My Wonderful Husband and I went out to lunch today and when I opened my fortune cookie, I thought this was an appropriate fortune for both today and the today of 12 years ago as well as every day in between.  Twelve years ago today our life was sitting on the edge of a big change and more than ever before that day, since then, I have been trying to take care of every moment.

P365 - 2015 - Day 15 - the next phase

P365 - 2015 - Day 15 - the next phase

Tonight was the first parent orientation for middle school.  In a few days, my twins turn 12 and in a few months they graduate from 6th grade and get ready to make the transition to middle school.  As they said tonight at the orientation, they are beginning the next phase of their lives, the next exciting 6 years.  I am going to be completely honest when  I say that I got more chocked up at this orientation than I did at their kindergarten orientation (which by the way was about 5 minutes ago...)  I really thought I was going to cry.  Where has the time gone?  My babies are growing up.  They are getting ready to leave elementary school behind and stick their toe into the bigger world...  They are more than halfway through their schooling (well not counting college).  It was just yesterday that I walked them both into their kindergarten classrooms and watched them find their cubbies and hang their backpacks.  Now they will be finding and opening a locker.  The guidance counselor assured us that they still need us (even if they roll their eyes and slam a door) and I hope they both know that even though they are growing up and starting this exciting new phase, their dad and I are still right where we have always been (and will always be) - in their corner, on their side, and behind them every step of the way.  We are so proud of all they accomplished so far in their almost 12 years and although my heart ached a bit tonight, we can not wait to see where they go.  I am sure they will set the world on fire.  But one step at a time... they'll have to learn how to open a locker first. ;-)

P365 - 2015 - Day 14 - Where were you...

P365 - 2015 - Day 14 - Where were you....

"Uh Hi, Human?  Where were you the past few days?  I kept waiting for you - you went "out" for a long time."
It was My Wonderful  Husband's first week back for the spring semester and when he got back, The Pooch was happy to see him but somewhat perplexed.  After being home for 7 weeks, this was a long "out" for sure...:-)  One week down though and only 15 more to go until Summer break!  But who's counting? :-)

P365 - 2015 - Day 13 - more than 12 years

P365 - 2015 - Day 13 - more than 12 years

For the first time in more than 12 years, I was picking our my clothes the night before for a day in the classroom... I am going back to subbing.

P365 - 2015 - Day 12 - The Blog book is here!

P365 - 2015 - Day 12 - The Blog book is here!

One of my most favorite days of the year is the day that the blog book arrives!  I love doing the picture a day project, I love writing the blog, but I really love that at the end of each project year we get a hard cover book!  Even more than that, I love that when the kids came home from school they all excitedly said "The Blog book is here!".  They couldn't wait to start looking through it and I loved hearing.. "Oh I remember that", "Look at us there!"  "I didn't even know you took that picture!"....  I do this project and write this blog for them... I want them to have this record of their lives that they can look back on for years to come.  So I'm glad they get as excited about it as I do. :-)

P365 - 2015 - Day 11 - the day has come...

P365 - 2015 - Day 11 -the day has come...

After an unexpected, but lovely 7 week break, the day has come for My Wonderful Husband to head back to work.  The accident with the saw happened on the first day he was home for his Thanksgiving break so he had to cut the semester short and go online from home, then it was winter break.  Ahhhhh 7 weeks of no traveling, albeit for a not so good reason at first.  But it sure was a nice break.  We didn't get the house stuff done that we planned to get done...because the best laid plans and all that... but we had time together, time with the kids, a trip to Disney, a lovely holiday, and even a few runs! But yesterday as the weather started looking more ominous for the Monday morning commute, we knew that our time might get short by a night.  My Wonderful Husband finally had to make the call on the side of caution to head down tonight instead of tomorrow due to the icy road warnings for the morning.  So after a day of delicious smells...homemade veggie soup and My Wonderful Husband's homemade pizza, we had just a few minutes to put our feet up together.... I will miss this guy this week...maybe more than most weeks.  But I look forward to putting our feet back up together when he gets back! xoxo

P365 - 2015 - Day 10 - this kid

P365 - 2015 - Day 10 - this kid

The Boy played today and it was his first game of the season that I got to go to since I was sick when we got back from Disney.  Unfortunately, his team - Petite Home Furnishings - lost by one basket... but The Boy scored a few baskets and played great.  I love watching this kid tear up the court.  :-)

P365 - 2015 - Day 9 - first game

P365 - 2015 - Day 9 - first game

Basketball season at St Francis is here.  The Bear and The Princess missed their first game while we were in Disney and had a buy week when we came back, so this was their first game of the season playing with their team this year - Jayson's Pancake House.  They didn't win unfortunately but both The Bear and The Princess had a few baskets each.  Looking forward to a fun season.

P365 - 2015 - Day 8 - Every day is an adventure

P365 - 2015 - Day 8 -  Every day is an adventure

In the early hours of morning, I woke up to the bathroom light on and My Wonderful Husband scrambling around... As it turned out, our pipes had frozen and we had no hot water and very little to no cold water in most faucets.  Rut Roh.  It was sill dark out so he grabbed a flashlight to check the pipes under the house and get the heater going while we opened all of the faucets to get a drip started.  We spent the day with water slowly dripping through the pipes and I am here to tell you that the sound of dripping water IS torture.  Especially when you know you can't even shower....  After several checks under the house during the day, he figured out the exact location of the frozen pipes, located in a spot under the house where it was difficult to get to after Hurricane Sandy... a small patch of drywall remained without insulation in that tight, tiny section.  It was also the spot where the out take valve is located leaving a sliver of opening - just enough for the winds off the bay to reach in and put a frozen hold on our pipes.  After blasting the heat in that spot and adding more insulation as best as possible, the pipe thawed, the water started running and turned hot and thankfully we could turn off the dripping water!!  Every day is an adventure.

P365 - 2015 - Day 7 - I am already over winter

P365 - 2015 - Day 7 - I am already over winter

I haven't heard the dreaded "polar vortex" being thrown around, but with temperatures in the near single digits and wind chills making it feel significantly colder and the wind coming off the bay like it's its job....I think it's safe to say it.is.cold.  I bundled up for a run because I am determined to not let the weather deter me from my routine, but I can't say that I enjoy wearing 15 layers of clothing to run.... My Wonderful Husband and I braved the cold for a trip to The Old Causeway for lunch and we went about our day for the most part.  But no matter what, I WASN'T MADE FOR WINTER!  I was made for sunshine and warm air, salt water, bikinis, and runs in shorts and tank tops.  I believe it may be time for the summer countdown, because I am already over winter.

P365 - 2015 - Day 6 - Who says you need fabric on a window?

P365 - 2015 - Day 6 - Who says you need fabric on a window?

I have been trying to figure out a window covering for my kitchen window for quite awhile.  I really like this window being "open" without blinds like I have on my other windows.  It isn't very big and since we sit higher than the house behind us and are on pilings, we have tree tops right outside the window.  I really wanted to use something "beachy" and organic to our island home.  I had theses star hooks from our old house - remember I painted them the other day to match our hutch and the accents in the kitchen.  Then yesterday I found this great piece of drfiftwood on the beach and it was a perfect fit!!  I love it! Who says you need fabric on a window?

P365 - 2015 - Day 5 - And all was right with the world

P365 - 2015 - Day 5 - And all was right with the world

I have been adding "pins" to my 2015 Pinterest board....you know that board of things I want to do, learn, or try, places to see, projects to work on... you name it.  Instead of a traditional list of resolutions, this is my new attempt at taking a new year to be a better me. :-)  One of the things on my "list" is to go up to the beach more often during the year.  I spend almost every day there once summer rolls around, but I tend to not get up there once the weather turns cold even though we are only two blocks away!  That needs to change.  Aside from the fact that I love the beach and it makes me happy, I am also on the search for driftwood, shells, and sea glass (although I never find any...that is going to change too ;-))  So today, before the kids got back from school, My Wonderful Husband, The Pooch and I went up to the beach for a short walk.  I found a ton of driftwood, The Pooch ran his heart out, and both My Wonderful Husband and I breathed in the salt air.  And all was right with the world.

P365 - 2015 - Day 4 - Dear Disney Human Resources

P365 - 2015 - Day 4 - Dear Disney Human Resources

Dear Disney Human Resources,

I am sure that you are buried in a veritable mountain of resumes from people seeking to work for your company as a Disney Imagineer.  I am sure that many of those potential candidates are very good, have years of schooling, and experience in the field.  That all sounds great, but I am contacting you in reference to my son (who on this blog I refer to as The Bear).  I am attaching this photo as an example of his artistic ability.  While he is only almost 12, doesn't have an advanced art degree, and his only experience comes in the way of drawing in his room, I think he has a lot of talent and potential.  He is unsure of his future path at this point in his life, because, as I mentioned, he is only almost 12.  But if the professional soccer player gig doesn't pan out, he is fascinated with the idea of being an Imagineer.  I just thought we could get a headstart on his resume... for the future... :-)  I know I'm his mom, but I really think these are pretty good.  :-)

Sincerely,
The Bear's Mom :-)

P365 - 2015 - Day 3 - stars and driftwood

P365 - 2015 - Day 3 - stars and driftwood

I am in full on redecorating, cleaning, and organizing mode.  It started with taking down the Christmas decoration and (ahem) snowballed..... ;-)  After getting all of the Christmas decorations put away, I cleaned and moved around some furniture and then began to decorate for winter.  I am in a constant quest to add "beach decor" to my already existing country decor... to create a beachy country look without breaking the bank.  I love to reuse and repurpose.  I think you can completely change the "look" of an object by moving it to a different location.  I think you can change the look of a room by shifting a few things around.  I love pops of beachy color, starfish, shells, and driftwood.  That all being said, after finally getting the storage area reorganized (that only took a year...) and picking out new prints for our frames that haven't been changed in far too long, I set my sights on a few spots in the house that I wanted to "redo".  Pinterest, as I have mentioned before, is my best friend in these endeavors.  I love to look through photos to get inspiration and I love to be able to replicate what I see with what I already have.  So after some time, I came up with a great vignette for my dining room hutch with country, beach, and winter elements all mixed together.  But this photo is the beginning of my next project... A project I have been percolating about for months.  My kitchen window has sat bare all this time because I just couldn't come up with "the right" window covering.  I like the fact that the windows on the main floor are "clean" with just plantation blinds and no valences.  I have wanted to find of way to cover the window without covering the window - if that makes sense.  I wanted to find a way to use natural objects to give it and the kitchen a beachy feel.... After a treasure find while organizing the storage and a "light bulb moment" I came up with an idea that I think is going to look great... once the pretty paint dries, these stars (that were once red) will live a new life along with a piece of driftwood to make the perfect kitchen window. I can't wait to see the finished product!  :-)

P365 - 2015 - Day 2 - movie and dinner

P365 - 2015 - Day 2 - movie and dinner

I spent the morning "un-decorating".  I got all of the Christmas decorations down, put away, and the house cleaned.  After I was done, we took the kids out for a movie and dinner.  We really enjoyed Into the Woods and then had a yummy dinner at ScoJos.  I can hardly believe that the break is coming to an end already.  My house might stay cleaner while these three are back at school...but I'll miss having them around all day.  It's been a good break. :-)

P365 - 2015 Day 1 - Welcome 2015!

P365 - 2015 - Day 1 - Welcome 2015!

This was the scene in the early moments of 2015...for the very first time ever, we ushered in the new year with all five of us awake! We had some neighbors over to help celebrate the new year but after everyone left we welcomed in 2015 just the five of us.  My mother used to say that whatever you were doing as the ball dropped you would be doing all year.... if that is true I can not think of anything better that I could do all year than spend time with my favorite people.  Happy New Year!  Welcome 2015!!