Random Thoughts and Observations.....

The boys are love sleeping upstairs in Uncle Adam's old bedroom....they share a futon and they dig it because there is a tv in there and they can watch tv when they go to bed for a little while. We may or may not have to make several trips upstairs to check on them when we hear strange sounds....just saying.....and when Brody uses the upstairs bathroom this is what he sees and how I place things....

This is what it looks like after Brody uses the bathroom and what I see.....(his mommy used to do the same thing with my seashells in the living room)

This weekend we had Cosby and Benson over while Addie and Shannie headed to Phx....I love the perch of Cosby (like a vulture) and Benson's begging while the boys eat breakfast.....Dylan loves bacon and eggs, Brody likes blueberries, bananas, strawberries and dry Cheerios....

Dylan loves these dogs and these dogs love him....

Decided to get a few things ready for Valentines Day decorating...which officially cannot start until after Adams birthday 1/17..... I am nothing if not structured...these birds were begging to be painted pink and covered in modge podge.....

who am I to deprive God's creatures?????

I found this Melissa and Doug play mailbox at a yard sale for 50 cents.....it needed a little love so I did some gluing and patching....while entertaining company watching that amazing Denver vs. Steelers ball game (I am not one to sit and watch a football game)....

Then I sprayed it a shiny red apple....

Found some really cute wooden embellishments...

customized this one to be personal from Gigi, Gramps and Rocky to Dylan and Brody....picture is a little blurry....

Then glued them all on....I love the way it turned out.....

This very loved baby (Mickey) needed another rinoplasy job (3rd) so while Brody munched on more fruit I did a little surgery.....

and more lovin in his future......

What random things happened to you this week?

The Addies Time Capsule Revealed

My precious Addie has decided to move back to AZ and as much as I am going to miss him and my heart aches of not being able to see him on our Sunday Family Dinners, I am proud of him and Shannie and know that this is a great step in their marriage and for their future. Adam has always loved AZ and he tolerated our move to LA and SD, but his heart is in AZ and he wants his future there. So although the move is not scheduled yet, I knew that our garage was packed full of his toys and memorabilia that I have saved for years. I wanted him to go through it to see if he wanted anything.....he is such a minimalist that he only chose a few small things, but it was so fun to see him go through his time capsule......

We put up 3 tables to sort mostly GI Joe, Star Wars and Transformers.....so many little pieces and parts and for the most part he remembered the configuration, but his trusty sister was there with the iPad on research to assist.....just like 'Beaker' (his nickname for her) used to assist the Professor (Adam)....

His beloved Superman cape I made him when he was so little....I think I have a picture I will have to dig up and scan and update the post....

His boots, little pistol, and cowboy belt with his name on the back.....since he did not want that I had to bring that in the house.....

Putting together the GI Joe Compound.....

Star Wars gun.....

R2D2 and hundreds of original Star Wars characters and toys.....

more Star Wars toys....

GI Joe amphibian hydroplane.....

Mickey Mouse Choo Choo he got for his 1st birthday (1-17-78)

So it was a fun trip down memory lane in his time capsule and not only is my garage empty but so is my heart.....

2012 ~ New Year ~ New Thoughts.....

I talking to this girl in the mirror.....I'm asking her to change her ways......

I am asking her to live this sign, not just look at it......
I am asking her to add more photos to the travel wall this year......

I am asking her to re-purpose more instead of buying new.....

I am asking her to not spend so much time of paperwork and taxes.....

I am asking her to take him on longer walks and hold him in her lap more.....

I am asking her to get back involved with the 'Save the Lighthouse' campaign that once meant so much to her...

I am asking her to continue to grow spiritually and study more about the Saints like she used to, to forgive her trespasses and those that trespass against her....

I am asking her to spend more quality time with her husband of almost 25 years.....

I am asking her to increase her 'Random Acts of Kindness' that she does

I am asking her to get the bird out of the cage....

....and spread her wings more and learn to soar.....

I am asking her to keep her focus on generations that have passed and those that are growing up....also the importance of moderation.....

I am asking her to get involved with Military support groups she has always wanted to and enjoy Military play more with the little boys in her life....

I am asking her to be more wise.....to think through choices and decisions....its ok not to jump into things....

I am asking her to be content with her home and quit thinking about changing it all the time...and to part with more than she brings home....

I am asking her to be more grateful that she lives in a sunny beautiful city and has loads of friends....

I am asking her to cherish her family - all of them - more each day.....

.....I'll let you know how she does~

New Years Eve 2011 - The Grim Reaper takes one more....

2011 was a lot of things....but most of all a year of loss for our family....we lost 3 aunts, one uncle, several friends, my dad and on NY Eve, Steve's dad.....that *&%!# grim reaper just had to score one more against us in 2011.....


Prior to the sad news, we all got together as we usually do on NY Eve for family game night.....I had a few hats for decoration and Dylan just could not understand why I did not have hats for everyone!!! So cute.....

We had light appetizers - chips and guacamole, cheese and meat tray and yummy jalapeno salsa dip....

I made a big pitcher of sangria and we also had champagne to drink or float over the sangria....

Steve made a huge pot of his famous chicken chili....it was delish....I also got some home made tamales that we put in the bowl and poured the chili over....
Beautiful Shannie made individual pineapple upside down cakes - she got the cutest mold from Williams Sonoma and they are shaped like pineapples - they were delicious!!!!

Our game selection for the evening......

First up - kids games - we played Operation and Scrabble.....they boys were so cute and focused

Loved the concentration - complete with tongue - just like his mommy....

Brody was soooo focused and did not give up....even tho the game would buzz non stop when he hit the sides with the tweezers he did not let that deter him from getting the bone! He would clap and yell when he would achieve his goal!

After the boys wore out, we played the grown up games....favorites: 'Truth be Told' and 'What's yours like' - lots of laughter....

Love to see the smiles on these faces.....before the call.....

Hope you had a wonderful NY Eve - I for one will not miss 2011 - good riddance.