Good Medicine.

Today, as I entered hour 36 of my migraine, I thought:
this isn't working.

So...while doped up on migraine medication and ibuprofen and caffeine...
I made snickerdoodles.
With the kids.
(Actually, with two of my kids plus three of a friend's.)
They were all great.

And I think it helped.

So I don't really know if it was the medicine or the caffeine,
or this...

...but I can finally see that light at the end of that darned migraine tunnel.

I should have known that snickerdoodles had magical healing power.

Three days....

Isn't it funny how, one week ago, I was just saying how on top of things I'd been lately?

Ha ha ha...funny!
Here's the state of my dining room table.


Let's see...sewing machine and iron, fabric, buttons, RIBBON, Target purchases, and some 3D glasses. (?)
Now that is a mess.
On the table where we are supposed to eat.
My poor family.

I have felt a little 'blah' the last couple of days.
I haven't exercised.
I'm getting a migraine.
I have good reason to believe the chaos will rule until Friday.

{And the laundry is no longer under control.
Again...my poor family.}

I don't usually like to wish time away, but...
...three more days until Friday.

*sigh*
Sorry for the whining.
I need some Nutella.

A Collection of Random.

Brace yourself for a great, big, bunch of randomness.

I cannot get away from polka dots.
They are taking over my fabric stash.

I'm having a hard time coming up with reasons why I shouldn't make this in a big girl size.

I made this banner for a craft party that a friend had this weekend. (Thanks, Pat!)
I'm really getting into the Christmas mood, especially since the weather has finally turned into wool sock weather.

But I'm trying not to forget about Thanksgiving.
I love the message behind this holiday and being deliberate about thinking about what I'm thankful for.

These little salt & pepper shakers belonged to my grandma. She put them out every year, and I smile every time I see them and think of her.

Also making me happy are easy dinners.
My crock pot has been my friend lately.
But this is an easy one as well:

Ground turkey browned with garlic and onion, then add mashed kidney beans, diced green chilies, ground flax seed (don't tell the kids), a couple of teaspoons of chili powder, and 1/2 cup or so of tomato sauce and a little water. Simmer for 10 minutes or so.
Add to a tortilla with some salsa and fat-free sour cream.
Healthy.
But also tasty and easy.

And to round out the random...
I love this.
It may find itself in Avery's stocking....

Happy Monday!

Gephyrophobia.

A fear of bridges.
Do you have it?

I generally don't.
{Which is a good thing since we live near a lot of bridges.}

This morning Gary and I took advantage of our kids having spent the night with my parents last night (woo hoo!) and took a walk across the new bridge pedestrian walkway close to our house.

The bridge was l-o-u-d.
And I did find it a *little* scary that the divider between the walkway and the cars was seemingly very short.
{If a car blew a tire and lost control it could have totally jumped the divider! Creepy.}


But we had a great time.
Just the two of us.
Walking and talking and laughing.
{Plus we were hyped up on pumpkin spice lattes, which didn't hurt.}


Then when we walked back to our car in the parking lot some SICK, HORRIBLE person decided it would be funny to put this on a curb:


When I first saw it I didn't realize it was rubber.
I may, possibly, have screamed. Just a little.
Or a lot.

I don't have gephyrophobia, but I have a definitely have a huge case of ophidiophobia.
Rubber or otherwise.

Today.

Today...we were all in the backyard enjoying the cool sunshine.


I was playing with my camera and the ISO settings.


The boys were taking turns racing down the slide and arguing about who won.

Avery was on the swing and looking at bees on the flowers.


Then we went to the park and the kids dug in the sand and ran through the playground.

We had dinner as a family.

We commented on what a great November day it was.

And today...brave men and women are away from their families on this beautiful November day to ensure that we can have these privileges, and more.

And brave men and women have done the same for many years before them.

So today...to those brave men and women, and to their families who sacrifice with them...

...thank you.

The Formula.

I almost hate to say this out loud (for fear it will disrupt my mojo) but lately I have really been productive:
My laundry is under control, the bathrooms are acceptably clean, the floors are vacuumed, the furniture dusted...and I even mopped yesterday!
{I hate to mop. With a passion. I avoid it at all costs.}

I'm sure the house will be back to its usual state of chaos tomorrow, since the kids will be home from school.

But I've even managed to do a little sewing lately.
I really enjoy it so much.
Isn't it amazing how finding time to do a bit of something you love can really make doing things you don't love (m-o-p-p-i-n-g) a little more bearable.


Tooth fairy houses. Complete with a pocket to hold the tooth.
So cute, huh?
(Inspired by little bit funky - go check her out.)
Plus a few new clippies and t-shirts that I'll hopefully put in my shop soon.

So what is it *you* love to do?
What makes your chores a little less of a chore?

{And in the interest of full disclosure I should say that sewing + a Diet Coke is my magic formula. With maybe some chocolate. And my Dave Matthews station on Pandora. And my warm wool socks. OK, I'm done.}

Payoff.

It's no secret that soccer kicked my bee-hind just a bit this season.
Practice 4x a week since August, plus two games on Saturdays...it took over our life just a little.
{I should have bought this t-shirt.}

But it all came to an end on Saturday.
The boys had their last games and the end-of-year parties.

Gary took Riley to his team party, and I went to Colin's.
Seeing him get his trophy made all of the soccer craziness worth it.


It has his name on it and he is so proud.
It went everywhere with him yesterday, and he now has it displayed proudly on his bookshelf.

I love watching my guys play soccer, but am going to enjoy having Saturdays free.
You know, until basketball starts....