Flat Stanley

Have any of you ever heard of Flat Stanley? 

Well, if not, let me be the first to introduce you.  

Flat Stanley gets around.  A "Renaissance Man", if you will.  He is a world traveler, fairly independent and super low maintenance.  The only negative about Flat Stanley is that he expects everyone else to fund his travels and doesn't do anything to raise his own money.  He relies on the hospitality of others to get him from one place to the next.  Amazingly, it's worked for him.

The guy's got style.

So, friends, without further ado,

FLAT STANLEY.

P.S. If he comes your way be sure to tell him I said "hi!".

Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da

"Desmond has a barrow in the marketplace
Molly is a singer in a band..."

Yes, dear bloggers, above is the opening line to one of my most favorite Beatles songs.  My oldest daughter and I would sing it together when she was little, scream it actually, at the top of our lungs.  Even to this day,  I hear the first few notes and just feel awashed with...happiness.

I think that's why I love this song.  It's just pure, unadulterated happiness. 

"Desmond says to Molly 'Girl, I like your face'
And Molly says this as she takes him by the hand:

Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da
Life goes oooooooooon, la la la la Life goes on"

How true is that?  In most situations, life really does go on.  Even when it may feel like your entire world is crumbling around you, the reality is that you will get through this.  Eventually.  Maybe one should just do like John and Paul did and make up some non-sensical word that just feels good.  Then, put that feeling to words and music.

And what could be better than a love story with a happy ending?  Desmond and Molly have a bunch of kids, and live happily ever after.  It's just a warm fuzzy, don'tcha think?

Happy Thursday everyone!

Family Traditions

Growing up, we didn't have many family traditions.  Actually, now that I am writing, none come to mind. Except one:  New Years Eve, my mom would let my sister and I go out on the back porch, banging spoons and pans at midnight to ring in the new year.  I bet our neighbors LOVED us.  Other than that...drawing a blank.

Maybe that's why it is so important for my that my girls know tradition.  Some activity that we do as a family year after year, no matter the weather, our moods, our schedule.  Life will not get in the way of our traditions, dammit!   With my girls so far apart in age, and me having matured greatly (okay, at least a smidgen) between the first and the second, I feel that it is super important to establish traditions.

With the holidays quickly approaching, our traditions are out in front.  The big neon sign that tells me fall is here?  Picking out our pumpkins from a pumpkin patch.  We've gone to the same one three years in a row.  And somehow, it still takes us FOREVER to find our way through the corn maze. What is that all about?  Maybe it's psychological and has some underlying meaning of which I am unaware.  Maybe it's just that I am directionally challenged.  Who knows?

Tradition.

I don't think it should take over an hour to complete the "easy" maze.  If so, how long does it take to wind your way through the "hard" maze?  Do you have to pack c-rations and a sleeping bag?  Sheeesh...

Tradition.

Both girls pick a pumpkin.  Generally, my little one wants a small pumpkin and my big one just wants to get the hell out of there.  As quickly as possible.  With the hope that no one she knows will see her.

For the last few years, we've gotten lucky with the weather.  In Seattle that is no small feat.  Not this year.  The torrential downpours of yesterday caused quite the mudslides in the cornmaze.  Good thing I wore layers.  Oh wait - I was so busy getting everyone else's stuff together, I forgot my own jacket.

Tradition.

Whatever...

I am amazed at how long it takes for the weekend to actually arrive and then how quickly it seems to fly past me.  Granted, this weekend was a little more hectic than normal. My oldest had her first homecoming dance and my youngest was my shadow all weekend - and no I am NOT exaggerating.

Throw into the mix two extra teenagers and another 4 year old for a few hours.

Oh, and did I mention that my husband was out of town for the weekend?  On my suggestion.

And now a Monday morning looms in my near future, the cycle of the week right back at the beginning.

I had great plans for the weekend. I was going to be supermom. "Sure, send your kids over. The more the merrier."   I would make sure that the older girls got dressed in time, shaved their legs, had their hair done and brows waxed. I wouldn't let them wear too much makeup and would make sure to get them where they needed to be.  Of course, my girls were all in their dresses at 2:00.  For a 5:30 photography time. Whatever...

I was going to make a Costco run. Perhaps clean up the house a bit and do some laundry. I was even thinking I'd have time to work on the thank-you cards from my youngest's birthday...three weeks ago. Because I just cannot bring myself to send store bought cards. Not when I have it all right there at my fingertips and actually enjoy the feeling of giving something homemade. I just can't.

Whatever...

I actually got the layout designed. Which was a big step. And simplicity is winning out.  But they will appreciate the fact that I took the time not only to say thanks but to do it with cards straight from the heart.  Right?

My bestie needed me to watch her dd while they ran an important errand.  "Sure, bring her over.  She can keep my youngest company and maybe the three older ones will watch them for an hour or so." She was the easier of the two.  Mine grew horns and a tail.  For the entire weekend.  I am not so sure they have disappeared either.  Seriously.

Now that I think about, Monday morning might not be so bad.

Whatever.

 

My Tragic Flaw

Have you ever noticed how hard it is to actually say the word "NO" to someone?  Especially if it's someone for whom you have a tender spot?  My best and worst trait is that I always want to help. Always. It doesn't matter if I have a deadline at work, dinner to cook, homework to check, lunches to pack...I will still somehow get myself stuck in the middle of a party or a birthday. And it's usually for someone that I barely know.  As soon as I hear one of the trigger words (and believe me, there are too many too list ) it's like I go into a trance-like state and start spewing out ideas and volunteering myself to implement them.  And then I shake it off and realize what I've done. The worst part...I've gotten better over the last few years. My husband just shakes his head. What else can he do?  It's like I need Parties Anonymous...lolol

A little note to say hi

This was actually scraplifted from my favorite website, Two Peas in a Bucket, from their Year in Cards lesson #5.  How cute is that frog?

Welcome to the 22nd Century!!

Yes, I know we're still in the 21st century. But come on...let me have my moment. It's usually my DH that geeks out over technology. Not me. And I figured out how to do this all on my own. Like a big girl!
It's my hope that this will become a family blog, at least with those that are old enough to write. I'm pretty sure my DH will write about...soccer and....soccer. My oldest DD - boys and bands (not necessarily in that order). School might fall in there somewhere, who knows. Me? I'm a talker - anyone who knows me will tell you that. I can talk about anything, but my loves are my family and my crafting. Oh and music. Did you get the title of the blog - clue #1 to me: I'm a HUGE Beatles fanatic. Just wait until I get the Beatles Rock Band for xmas...lolol

Here's to the start of a fun and hopefully entertaining acquaintance with you all!!