Small Successes:You Go Mom!

1. Again found the courage the try a new recipe, resulting in a yummy stew (BTW my cooking insecurity is all me, C. has always been very supportive and encouraging).
2. Finished making a surprise tape for my nephew (now I just have to mail it.)
3. Am fighting the blues a bit right now, but trying to focus on the good and look for the positive around me (like in this post and all of you reading)

Today I am giving thanks for:

A loving husband who encourages me to try new things

The encouragement of friends

A warm, dry place to come in from the rain

The cuddily toddler who fills my world with light and love

That I am saved by love

Visit Faith & Family Live to read of others successses and share your own

Happy Anniversary Sesame Street!!

As my husband was part of the first generation to watch Sesame Street, and I the next (or third; still not sure how one counts generations culturally) it has been one of the few shows we will let Elisabeth watch. So it was with great pleasure that we together watched the 40th Anniversary episode yesterday; when the number of the day was 40 and Big Bird considered moving upon learning that many birds migrate only to realize that Sesame Street was the perfect habitat for him.

While the character she is most likely to recognize Elmo did not live on the street when I was first watching, much of the same excitement and pleasure exist as together we enjoy the adventures of Ernie & Bert, Super Grover and other constant friends of mine whom I am grateful are still around for Elisabeth to make their acquaintance.

Sunny days indeed!

Ten on Tuesday: November 10th

1. What gift are you most proud of giving?

Many, many years ago I found the perfect St Nicholas statue to give my mom. Then every year after I would give her another figurine for St Nicholas day. I only found out years later that for the first many years she had thought it was my dad and when she found out it was her (then) teen-age daughter surprising her she was really touched.

2. What’s the best gift you ever received?

For my twenty-first birthday I received a sapphire ring which originally belonged to my great-grandmother

3. In honor of my husband: What’s the worst injury you’ve ever had?

In a bad fall of the balance beam I tore all the lower arm ligaments connecting into my right wrists. The doctor later told me a broken bone would have healed easier (still had to wear a cast for seven weeks).

4. They say everyone gets 15 minutes of fame. Who’s 15 minutes has gone on far too long? (The Gosselins are not acceptable answers, be more creative.)

The Kardasian Girls

5. You have 20 minutes and $1000. What do you buy?

Plane tickets to Belgium (and/or Ireland)

6. Tell me three blogs that I need to read.

My Life in Transition

Sweetness in the Small Stuff

Momopoly

7. Would you rather go without pizza or ice cream for the rest of your life?

Pizza (am actually eating ice cream as I answer this)

8. Would you rather go to a beach or a snowy mountain?

HARD Decision: Beach wins by a hair

9. Are you a night owl or a morning person?

Was a morning person, grad school and marriage turned me into a night owl, parenthood is turning me back

10. What word do you always misspell?

Oppurtunity (how I usually spell it)

Thanks again to Chelsea of Roots and Rings for hosting.

Saturday Evening Post:November

It is time again for Saturday Evening Post hosted by Elizabeth Esther where we celebrate and revisit good posts from the past. For this month I selected the post acknowledging my hundredth post~a chance to look back and forward in gratitude for my wonderful readers.

Please visit and enjoy the rest of the Saturday Evening Posts!

Quick Takes vol #36

1. We had a very successful Halloween from the experience side; Elisabeth enjoyed her costume, we got a couple good pictures, and before it started raining she visited six or so houses on our street and gave a good try at say 'Treat or Trick'.
2. From a generousity viewpoint it was a bust, shortly into the evening it begun pouring so I have SO much candy left. Anyone know what to do with left-over candy?
3. I was tempted to name the seven foods I can on a daily basis convince my favorite toddler to eat, but I'm still in denial that she has become a picky eater. In my defense one of her favorite foods is avocado, so she is healthy if a little picky.
4. Aspects of school are showing up; She will now pound on something pretending to play the drums and then bow saying 'thank you, thank you'. I did not teach her that!
5. Very successful visit with Charlie's mom. She is an amazing cook and so I always find cooking for her intimating but I plucked up my courage and made the Chicken & Barley dish I have recently discovered...and she loved it.
6. While I was a little frustrated to hear Christmas carols playing in the store I was in on NOV 1st, it is a useful reminder to organize and make decisions about gifts I still need to get.
7. Plans for the weekend: Sleep in as late as my favorite toddler lets me :-)

Enjoy the rest of this Friday's round-up at Conversion Diary hosted by Jen

Small Successes:November 5th

1. With the help of Charlie's mom was able to get the leaves raked, grass cut and fall fertilizer down. Hopefully that should hold till the spring (aside from shoveling of course!).
2. Christmas cards designed and ordered
3. Was able to have Elisabeth seen for her 18 month visit, only two months late (pediatrician's office was closed for renovations) and her flu shot.

Today I am giving thanks for:

Nice visits from family

A giggly happy girl who can very nearly jump

A wonderful husband to A-frame with

Sunny crisp days to enjoy the last of the fall colors

God's love and forgiveness

Please visit Faith & Family Live to enjoy the rest of the Small Success round-up and share some of your own.

Ten on Tuesday: November 3rd

1. What animal should cease to exist? (Not including bugs. That’s too obvious.)

Rats: I appreciate the need for rodents (I guess) but find rats beyond the pail

2. What was your favorite thing about the beach?

Almost everything, I love the smells of the seawater, watching the waves roll in, jumping and swimming in the water, walking the shoreline, and time spent with family

3. If scientists found a way to

allow dogs to talk, do you think we should implement it? Or should we just keep them quiet?

Yes, I think it would be fascinating.

4. How do you order your Starbucks?

Politely (Just kidding): Usually Grande Mocha, in the summer Grande Ice Mocha no whip and currently

Grande Pumpkin Spice Latte

5. What’s worse? People who don’t know the difference between your and you’re OR people who don’t use smack their food?

Hard call, but I'm going to go with smacking

6. What CD can you listen to over and over?

Rich Mullins; Liturgy, Legacy and Ragmuffin Band

Amy Grant: Greatest Hit, and Songs from the Loft

Peter, Paul and Mary: Around the Campfire

7. What was the most surprising thing about college?

How much I learned about myself outside the classroom in friendships I formed

and the issues that became important to me

8. What’s the best deal you ever got? (Biggest sale item.)

Don't know if this is the best but most recently got a small Fisher Price Dollhouse for $7 at a yard sale

9. Who is your role model? Why?

My aunt who raise a family, had a satisfiing nursing career and now in

retirement travel the globe with her husband!

10. What movie would you like to see that is in theaters right now? Why?

??

Thanks to Chelsea for once again hosting!!