Got my grumpy pants on....

Horses on the beach at the Samoa Dunes

Oh my goodness....I have my grumpy pants on, nice and tight. I cannot explain why...there is no rhyme or reason to it. My dad probably thinks I have fallen off the face of the earth, because I have not called in a few days. I don't know what it is....a bad case of moodiness, I guess.

What else is going on.....it has been a quiet week so far. I was on the computer today and Mace and I "chatted" for almost 2 hours....it was nice. Lee is almost done with all of the end of the fiscal year stuff at work...then it will be on to a new task. Elliott has grades that are making me happy...he even had a sort of date over the weekend. I learned from Mason and Arrielle, and I try my hardest not to pry...they are "just friends", says Elliott. We may have some company coming soon...a friend Lee met in Bahrain. I am excited to meet this buddy Lee calls "Frenchie".

We have been getting foggy mornings, that lead to sunny afternoons. I am ready for Fall to show its true colors...rain and wind!! Actually, I am ready to drag out the Halloween decorations!! We did not get to use them last year and when I peeked into the Halloween tubs, I was excited to see all the stuff I had forgotten we had.

I think I will make my way downstairs and have a few chocolate kisses....got to bust my way out of these grumpy pants!!

More Whole Truth....

We had some rain last weekend....and now we have tiny frogs taking advantage of the bugs around the front door light. They are about the size of nickels!!

Here are some more answers to Whole Truth questions...I like these, they make me think and they are a interesting blog piece all in one!

The most scared I have ever been...actually, and exactly 4 years ago today.....the moment my mom told me she had lung cancer, the doctor said she had three to six months. In reality, she had 80 days.

No one knows I....if I told then there would be nothing that no one knew...where is the mystery in that??

Personal philosophy...I am guessing we are not talking about my favorite body wash here?? Actually, "Karma is a Bitch" is my favorite.

What keeps me up at night...just about anything...I am not a very good sleeper as it is.

I define downtime as...sitting on the couch, flipping through the channels, guilt free....meaning all the chores and demands of life are complete!

Favorite moment of the day...as silly as it may be...when Lee gets home from work.

I wish I had more time for...scrapbooking and stitching, I hardly do them anymore.

I always make time for...torturing Elliott...everyday, by torturing, I mean going into his room and talking to him until he gives me the look that says "you can go anytime now". Also, Mason's texts and phone calls.

More later....it is a beautiful day and the Vette needs gas!!!

Wow!! Getting older isn't so bad..

Lilies, a big surprise from my dad, Mike, the kids and Brett!

Roses, I bought with my b-day money from my dad, a generous card from Christine and my Maine themed goodies from Amanda!

I really think that turning 44, was probably one of my favorite birthdays. I was spoiled by my guys...a new Ipod (replacing the hand me down one I had from Lee and Mason), some boots for winter (my old ones let in more rain, than they keep out) and an obscene amount of M&M's and chocolate kisses. Lots of cards and surprises came in the mail. My Dad and Mike pulled one over on me and totally surprised me with a beautiful bouquet of lilies. It was a nice and relaxing day, including a quiche lunch with Cirrus and her cuties, and a wonderful home made birthday dinner... London broil and baked potatoes, I told Lee that was what I wanted for my b-day dinner over a month ago...and it was worth the wait..so yummy!! The evening was capped off with a quick visit from Susan...with a pretty hanging lavender geranium, which I can see when I wash the dishes. It was a great day, I really enjoyed it.

Thank you so much, everyone who took a moment to help me celebrate my birthday...I am truly touched by the generosity of those around me, and those so far away.

Much love.

More Back to school...and a save the date!!!

Arrielle and Mason at the Blackberry Festival

I have more back to school news.....for the first time all 4 (5 including Arrielle) Temple's will be in some sort of course or school. Elliott, like I said before, is in his senior year...and doing well so far! Mason and Arrielle begin classes again on Monday, at the junior college. Lee starts his next class on October 4th. He did pretty good on his first business class...it was a little hard to get into the routine of online classes, but he did it! I am so proud of him! His next class is an algebra class.....thank goodness we have Elliott to utilize as a tutor!

The last person is me!! I am taking advantage of a program called Military 2 Medicine. It is a program that gives spouses, and veterans a new job skill. I am taking courses online to learn how to be a front office medical assistant. It is a totally different field for me...I am looking forward to the challenge. My first assessments start on Monday.

I mentioned in the title to save the date.....Mason and Arrielle have chosen a wedding date. They will marry on Sunday, July 31st, 2011. Arrielle has planned this day for years....I used to roll my eyes at the thought of them getting married. I have changed my view. They have lived together for a year now, they are very responsible and I could not be more proud of the two of them. Arrielle texts me or calls me with all her plans and ideas. Even from far away, I feel really involved. It will be a small ceremony, but from the plans I have been privy to...it will be the perfect day and very Mason and Arrielle. Thank goodness, I have a lot of time to find a dress...I hate dress shopping!

The rain has come back to Humboldt...I admit I love it, the sound, the smell. The rain can be as refreshing as a sunny day.

My Trusty Steed....

I pulled into the driveway the other day and looked at the odometer on the truck....also known as my "Baby", but Lee calls her "Trigger".....she was at 165,000 miles. At first I got that feeling of doom.....but quickly remembered how much I love this silly truck. We got her a little bit over 7 years ago....getting her is a funny story. I had taken my Nissan Xterra in for an oil change....Lee and I walked around the lot while waiting, and saw the Suburban...of course a salesman came flying out and we chatted for a minute, and he said "well, we might as well take her for a ride, since I have been standing here a while and I can see my boss watching"...to which I replied..ok. I love cars, and love the chance to drive something different. Driving the Suburban was like driving a tank at first....felt like it took a city mile to stop the thing. We had just taken a road trip to see Lee and Judy, and with the boys getting bigger, our dog in the back, and not to mention all of the stuff we cart around...the Xterra was getting to small. We traded her in for the Suburban.....I was so broken hearted I cried, and tried to break the deal the next day. Lee knew I was sad to have left the Xterra behind, and spent a chunk of change making the Suburban something I could love.....nice wheels, a better stereo (with my satellite radio) and new exhaust....so she would sound a little menacing! I grew to love the truck, like a fat kid loves cake. I cannot imagine not having her!! I look at new Suburban's and feel no need for a new one. Lee has laughed at me countless times, when after he has washed her...and spent days waxing her...I will embrace my truck as if to hug her.

She has her moments, when she shows her age....but she is a kick ass truck when you are on a road trip. You can fill her to the brim with crap when you move...or go to Costco. I hope she knows how much I love her and I really hope she gives me a few more years of loving her!!

I love my USCGSUB...(my license plate)!!

Hmmmmm......

Sunset, from our back yard this week.

I had a friend visit this week, and we went out to dinner. We were talking and I brought up my blog. She said she quit reading it, when I wrote about being so stressed out last fall/winter. I thought to myself...hmmmm....I wonder if others feel that way. I have been a journal keeper since I was a kid, and I love this blog. It is a way to get out my thoughts, even when they are stressful, sometimes really shitty, and when they are all sunshine and lollipops. Christine...who has been my friend since high school....will totally tell you that Jeanine will not usually spit out her problems until they are too big for her to hold in. Well, Christine loves this blog and my dad loves the blog, so if they end up being the only readers I have...I am good with that.

Back to some sunshine and lollipops.....this week has been beautiful. I think summer finally caught up with us! The sun feels so good..and does wonders for the spirit. Lee is already asking what I want for my birthday. Lee always wants to get me something amazing....but the budget is pretty slim. Sometimes the best gifts are the simplest ones, in my opinion....he does good in this department too...he always remembers that I love flowers on the table, See's candy is still may favorite, and he has never forgotten to get me a card.

Well....I need another cup of coffee...from last years birthday gift!!!

Happy Labor Day weekend...enjoy!!!

Happy New Year!

For most mom's, the year really starts on that special day.....the day school starts. I watched the mom's walk their kids to school on the first day...a nice pace, with their excited kindergartner or their fourth grader that did not want summer vacation to end.....but on the way back home, they were all dancing a jig!!! I just sighed a lot.....it is Elliott's last day of regular school. It amazes me that he has grown so fast, both of the boys have. The time goes by in the blink of an eye.

So, here is my senior.....also known as my baby boy, Elliott!