"Mom... What's for dinner?"

I stood in my kitchen last night barefoot and glassy eyed as I pondered how many times cumulatively that I would be asked this question within my lifetime. I think it would an interesting random fact to know. (Btw- I also wonder how many diapers I'll change as well... I know, Nerd.)

Dinner. Such a loaded question. Why? Because either:

A.) I don't know yet.
Which often times opens the door to a smiley and excited, full of life five year old willing to offer suggestions on what we should have. Which is usually prefaced with the sentence, ..."You know what we haven't had for a REALLY LONG time... and ends with a long list containing only processed and frozen foods. Or by golly yay!... he actually suggests something relatively healthy from the five food groups but darn, wouldn't you know it- I'm out of one or two ingredients and lack the time to run to the store to make his wish come true.

OR

B.) I tell you, but I'm pretty sure that there's a high probability that either:

1. You'll say that you don't like it.
2. You've never had it before, but before you even try it you already have it set in your mind that it's disgusting.
3. You think you're offered this EVERY night for dinner.

4. You like it but you're not hungry for it tonight.

And if it's any of the sub categories within option B it's a guaranteed ongoing conversation during the duration of my dinner prep and cooking which btw I usually start early...

Why? Because my children become banshees come the hour of 4:00. Not because they are really hungry but because they are bored and because when you can't have something... you apparently hurt, starve and die without it.

Why? Because Mom started a somewhat new rule at our home.

Snack all you want between the time school is over and 4:00. Fill your bellies with nutritional goodies (okay, it's not always nutritional... I'm not that rigid) but come 4:00, kitchen is closed.

Why? Because I got tired of cooking to the tune of I'm starving, when is dinner going to be ready, can we eat yet and then sitting down only to hear I'm full. No thanks. That's it. No more. The snack train stops here.

This dinnermony however does ends on a positive note. I came across a news story of a gal that lives in Texas who plans her dinner meals out a year in advance. Yes, I know! A year? Are you kidding me? No. She does. Really.

A smart and organized women named Laura. Who btw also swears that she's cut her food budget in half by doing so. (I'm inclined to believe her. Because choosing option A to appease a 5 year old son and my tummy with what sounds good and a quick run to the store often leads to impulse purchases.) Her annual dinner calendar also eliminates the question, Mom... What's for dinner?

To all of you organized mothers out there that may do this.. even on a smaller level, I applaud you. I am encouraged by your example and... I think I might even give it a try.

To those of you that fly by the seat of your dinner pants and need a quick dinner suggestion, you can catch Laura's story and her year long dinner plan ideas below.

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Parenting/mom-plans-meals-entire-year/story?id=9618348

But however we do it, may we all whistle while we work!

-Uh-Huh

It's well over due. It's time for a make-over. An overhaul. A face lift. And yes, I'm in need of one too... and a touch up color!.. But it's this space of me that I'm referring to.. and that will get it first.

My list of "want to's" always seem to be longer then my list of "done it's". And it's time to make a cross over. A revolution. A.... okay, it's time to quit thinking about the wants and actually take some action... I need to move some of those suckers onto the other side. The side where I breathe deep knowing that it's been checked off and that I don't have to waste anymore space thinking about it. That my friends and family is the theme of 2010 for me.

So this is one of them. This... the documenting, the journaling, the recording which counteracts all forgetfulness and protects the absence of memory cells which I've been extremely blessed to have (sarcasm). This in a nutshell will always help me to remember the good, the bad, the challenging and the fun so long as blogspot never goes under...

Which brings me to item number two on my "want to's".. I've always created scrapbook pages for other people but have never started them for my own children. It's time to do something with the hundreds of photos that I've taken and the memorabilia that I've hung on to and the stories and experiences that my children have put me through (not sarcastic). I decided several years ago that I would make a digital scrapbook for each of my children every year. An Encyclopedia volume if you will that will grace my tall white built ins one day. I'm almost six years in the hole w/ Caleb and 3 w/ Porter. Enough is enough.... This is the year to play catch up.

So a warning and a favor to anyone who reads this post.

First. I have absolutely nothing recorded on blogspot for 2009. Beware. I'll need that year in review to help me accomplish my digital scrapbooks so... just so you know...I'm not trying to bore you or make you run for the high hills. It's selfish. It's for me. And you can totally ignore that post when you come to it. Geezs.. feel free to ignore any of my posts for that matter. :)

Secondly. The favor. If anyone has created and published a digital scrapbook with a company or process that they enjoyed, would you pass that info onto me? I'd love to look into.

Love,

-I Need A Kick In The Pants

Alright, I'm dusting the cobwebs off of my blog. It needs a face lift, some attention, and a serious update. Good grief, Care! Just a little bit neglectful, huh? To be honest, I was worried I wouldn't remember how to log in.

Okay, Spring cleaning it is.

More to come soon...

-The Acoustic Movement

I'm on it. I don't know about you but I really enjoy listening to a great acoustic version of a song. And John Mayer is no exception... Have you heard this version of Free Falling?


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uNW8q-Ucz18

Sista

Another candle on your cake? Well, that's no cause to pout.
Be glad that you have strength enough to blow the darn thing out!



My beautiful sister has just turned another youthful year. I'm grateful to have her in my family and in my life. I love you, Leslie babe! Thanks for being such an amazing auntie and sister... here's to more to come.

Capiche?

Living proof that I am Porter's bff!... Language only a mother and lion could understand.

Snow Much Fun

Washington has experienced some unusually cold and snowy weather this past week. The Holmes children are estatic for the adventure. Damon thinks its great other then he's forced to get up close and personal with the stuff at work. And me... I'm grateful for a warm home to return to after we've had fun playing in it.

Thankfulness

I'm home recovering from a little surgery while my boys have spent the last week at their grandparents house. It's been a week since I've seen them and I'm missing them terribly. I'm grateful for parents and wonderful in-laws that have made this time of resting and recouping an easy one for me. And I'm thankful for grandparents that make their grandchildren's schedule seem seamless so that I don't have to worry about a thing. In fact they are a little too good.... because my kiddies haven't asked much for me.

High School Tag

A special thanks to my sister for forcing me to air out my dirty laundry! :P

1. Did you date someone from your school?
Yes.

2. What kind of car did you drive?
1983 white ford escort. "She was a beaut!"- Per Leslie. I think I'll steal her comment and you can only imagine how much more beautiful the escort was handed down a decade later.

3. Did you pass your drivers test on your first try?
Written test- I failed twice. Twice! I was a nervous wreck. Driving test- I failed parallel parking big time. However, now? I'm as conservative as they get. Did I mention I've never gotten a speeding ticket before?

4. Were you a party animal?
I thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of being social. And yet, I didn't enjoy being in the lime light or being the one doing all of the talking. Party- Yes. Animal- No.

5. Were you considered a flirt?
Flirt- No. Had lots of guy friends?- Yes.

6. Were you in band, orchestra or choir?
No. But I secretly wanted to be in choir. I've always wanted a good singing voice to which I was never blessed with.

7. Were you a nerd?
No. I was your full on Ms. Cool, flip your high hair over your shoulder, roll your eyes kind of girl.

8. Were you on any varsity teams?
Uh, what's Varsity mean? Does watching sports count?

9. Can you still sing the fight song?
Not at all. My memory is mush.

10. Who were your favorite teachers?
Mrs. Frink. Pottery. Fun & free spirited.

11. Where did you sit for lunch?
Ate lunch with friends off school grounds or in cafeteria.

12. What is you schools full name?
Federal Way High School

13. What is your schools mascot and colors?
Eagles...blue and white

14. Did you go to homecoming and with who?
Yes. Steve Oono- my best friend.

15. If you could go back and do it again would you?
No. I'm enjoying life as it is.

16. What did you remember most about graduation?
Friends, freedom, and a new adventure awaiting.

17. Where did you go for senior skip day?
Bowling Alley with a bunch of friends.

18. Were you in any clubs?
No. But if there were a social club I would have been.

19. Have you gained some weight since then?
Oh yeah.

20. Who was your prom date?
Steve Oono- best friend.

21. Are you planning on going to your 10 year reunion?
Haha. I'm such an old foggy. A few years away from my 20th. I'm looking forward to attending that one.

22. Did you have a job in high school?
Yes. Rightfully so since I wasn't involved in clubs or sports, I had the time. My life in high school was friends, work, and homework.. in that order.

I tag Jen, Nikki, Corrine, and Mandy! Dig deep girls, dig deep.

The Best of Two Loves

I'm a huge fan of David Archuleta. And Be Still My Soul is one of my favorite hymns. What an extraordinary voice singing such a beautiful song. Thanks for passing this one along, Mom.

Purse Purge

So, many of you know that I'm not a purse gal. I know weird, but it's true. I don't have to have a new purse for every season, outfit, or year for that matter. A friend of mine sells the cutest purses... and it doesn't do anything for me. Sometimes, I think I should have been a guy (okay, not really), but as for purses (and shopping in general for that matter), I have more testosterone in me.

Because I lack a purse fetish, I also don't take care of mine. It's a total dumping ground. My sister can attest... she's cleaned mine out several times... only to find it utterly unorganized the next time she peaks in. I dread it. I openly admit that I have a problem. I'm a purse stuff it, organize it later junkie.... But I've hit rock bottom. My moment happened a few days ago as I was checking out at the grocery store. I reached in and pulled out my wallet...and gobs of receipts came tumbling out with it and landed onto the store floor. I was a bit embarrassed. Way overdue for a purge. (and don't ask how long its been... it's been awhile.)



Here's just a handful of things that I found while purging:

Several hundred receipts- some of which were dated 2007... early 2007.
$3.54 cents in loose change.
$12.00 in bills- I'm rich!
A bottle of Tylenol infant drops.
A rock- I'm pretty sure that I didn't put that in there.
Double AA batteries.
Several old grocery shopping lists.
A zip lock baggy of old fishy crackers.
4 containers of chap stick.
An old Tim McGraw concert ticket- thanks again, Jen!
2 Library cards- one of which I don't know who the heck it belongs to... Dan Rythmath anyone?-I've got to return that back to the PCLS.
2 bottles of Purell hand sanitizer.
9 tampons- I guess you can never have too many.
A matchbox car- I'm pretty sure I didn't put that in there either.
A Tide-to-Go Stain pen.
22 pens- which is ironic because I could never seem to find one when I needed it.
A Customs Declaration Form from Jan. of this year.
and two blank thank you cards- because I guess you never know when you'll need an emergency thank you???????


If it's been awhile, purge your purses ladies. We carry enough stress and burden as it is... in fact, my purse feels 5 lbs lighter.
Kris & Jen- I'd tag you, but I know both of your purses would be ideally organized and not at all interesting!!!!!!!

So, I tag:

Rebecca, Mandy, Sommer (who has the cutest purses!), and Anna! Whatcha got in yours?

A Do It Yourself Haircut....

... at its finest.

A Natural High

There's just something about being outside. The fresh air, the scenery, the cool breeze against my cheeks that invigorates and always seems to rejuvenate me. I enjoy the long hours of light during the summer- this getting dark at 4:45 crud drives me up the wall. So we took an opportunity to get out of the house and indulge in some cool crisp fall weather and had a lovely time...

My Two B's

Big Head:



& Book Worm:

Party Like It's 197*.....

Friends, Food (and lots of it), and Fun describe the wonderful time that Damon and I had on Saturday night. The McCombs annual Halloween party never disappoints and this year was no exception. There were so many fabulous costumes. There were so many I didn't get a chance to capture- I wish I would have taken more pictures. My personal favorite? The Peter Pan team of four... which btw- Mim sewed everyone of them all by herself!

I feel awfully blessed to have so many wonderful friends.