Garage Sale-Thumbs up Thumbs Down

Hmmmmm, I did my first garage sale and the verdict is still out on do it again next year or never do it again. I can't give a firm thumbs down because I made some serious cash, but I did a lot of work for the cash so that is a thumbs down! It was crazy that the going items this year were my clothes and household items. I put a lot of baby things in and that was harder than I thought to let go. For example, I had trouble letting my breast pump go. It makes no sense, it was a machine that made me feel like a cow, get it out, but it was hard to watch it go. I think it just seals the end of a phase for me! Yet I love each new phase with the kids, every time we hit a new phase I think this is my favorite. Then we hit the next phase and it just keeps getting better and then I think no this is my favorite. I think all of it is my favorite, just learning that I have a lot of favorite things now! Just hard to let the little things go because I can't live in denial that they are actually growing up! I only have 13 years until Mason leaves our "clan". Seems like a lot of time, but in reality it will never be enough!

Happy Birthday Mandi

 We have wonderful neighbors that put this home made sign up for me! We eventually had to move it inside because I didn't want the wind to blow it away! Surprise it was a typical NE day-WINDY!!!!

The kids were thrilled to help sing me happy birthday so they could eat my cake. It appears Bryson got a taste while no one was watching. He also really enjoyed attempting to blow out the candles. Rob and the kids put a game show on for me to give me my presents. I got a new camera that isn't too fancy. It is just that, not fancy, just point and shoot. 

Children's Gala 2011

I didn't donate my time to the Gala this year, but I did donate some items! I was able to enjoy the night with Rob and his partners. The current Miss America, Teresa Scanlan, was at the big event and we couldn't resist asking her for a photo. I do enjoy watching beauty pageants! After taking a photo with her I wish I would have taken a bit more time to fluff and buff myself up for the night! Another highlight was Kenny Loggins performed. I am really not a fan, but who doesn't like to cut Footloose. I am embarrassed to say that if I wold have been asked on the street who sang that song I would have been speechless. I love Kenny Loggins for his lullaby's. I love Return to Pooh's Corner....Count all the bees in the hive, Chase all the clouds in the sky. Ohh the sweet smell of babies and rocking them late at night to that CD. Memories that will never leave me!

Baby Stuff

I am starting to get rid of baby stuff! It is great to start clearing some stuff out, but I am so sad to see some of the clothes go. I don't want to keep them, but looking at them brings back so many great memories! It also appears that old baby toys are favorites as well!
I am thinking garage sale in the spring. I have heard mixed reviews about doing it, but no matter what I choose it will be work on getting it all ready! Wish us luck, and hope I can control the tears. Sweet tears, but it brings back such sweet memories!

Private Island

Sandals had a private island that you had to take a boat ride to. The boat came every hour. It was a very relaxing romantic place. A vacation from the vacation. We went frequently due to the grouper wrap they served for lunch only on the island!

Bahama Mama

Happy 10 years to us! Rob took me to the Bahamas. I am a true Bahama Mama!

Happy 10th Anniversary

WOW, how fast 10 years has gone by and how blessed we are! Rob had beautiful flowers delivered to the house for me. He replicated the flowers like the ones he used to send while we were dating! A journey it has been and I look forward to the next 10!

Meet an author

After three years I have finally started to meet neighbors and make friends. A neighbor friend of mine asked me to go with her to a Junior League event. We had a ladies night out and I really enjoyed myself. I wasn't super excited to meet the author, maybe because I never got around to reading her book or books, but this author was fantastic. In my brief time spent with Emily Giffin I think I could really be her friend in another life. She is hysterical, down to earth, and a tell it like it is kind of gal! She literally shot the "poop" with us for 10-15 min before she started the book signing. She then gave a talk before we watched the showing of one of her books turned into a movie called Something Borrowed. She inspired me to read her books. Maybe I should go listen to more authors talk, but she was motivational and inspirational. http://www.juniorleagueomaha.org/Fundraisers/Talk_Chick_Lit/

Wine Festival Date Night

Rob and I went out on date night to a Riverfront Wine Festival. Well, since we have had all the flooding the party wasn't on the riverfront, but it was still in the name. We had a great time! Not only did I remember the camera, but I remembered to take a picture of us together!

Minx Nails

So I shallaced my nails a few weeks ago and have now minxed my toe nails. My friend Anne invited me out to a girls toe party. I was a bit nervous and creeped out about a toe party, but it was basically putting stickers on our toes. The stickers are supposed to last up to 6 weeks. To get them off the lady told us to take a blow dryer to them and peel them off? We will see if it is that easy? We have had crazy storms here, and I got home everyone was awake from the thunder and lightening. I took Ellery to the bathroom and she immediately noticed my flower toes and kept repeating how she wanted them. I learned that you can buy minx nail kits at the department store. I bought a flower kit and did Ellery's toes. She loves wearing open toed shoes so she can show you her pretty nails.

CWS

We got offered tickets to the CWS day game and decided since we are on staycation to get a sitter and go for it. We enjoyed walking around the new ballpark, ate ballpark food, and enjoyed watching the game. It wasn't date night, but day date!

We have date nights planned for Tues, Wed, and Thurs. With a family outing to watch fireworks Friday night!

A Great Blast From My Past

Rob answered the phone and I was outside working in the yard and he brought the phone to me. I gave him my usual look of "really, you can't take a message for me?" He looked at me and said I know you are busy, but you really want to take this call. He was correct, I was excited as can be to hear my old nursing professor Debbie K on the phone. It was just what I needed. She has always been very inspirational and motivating to me and I needed a large dose of it. I quickly got us a sitter so we could go enjoy a nice adult dinner, but not before she came and met my family.

Shellac

While I was back in KC, Kim and I took a moment to pamper ourselves. I needed to get a mani/pedi for the wedding. I decided to go ahead and get Shellaced! They advertise that it lasts for 2 weeks and this is day 5 and we are looking good! I am their newest fan!

Picture This One

Thank goodness I don't have a picture to share of this moment!

I have been carpooling with one of Mason's pre-K friends and today J was having troubles getting himself buckled into his seat. He would pull the seat belt out too far and then the auto lock would kick in and then he would either be stuck in his seat without actually buckling the seat belt. After he did this a few times I decided to quit talking him through how to fix it and fix it myself. I opened the back hatch so I could reach him easier rather than climbing into the back of the car. I had bought two huge bags of potting soil that I had stuffed in the back. Forgetting that if I opened it, it would probably shift and fall. I quickly closed the back hatch before it fell out and decided to crawl into the car. I was unaware that is closed back down, but didn't latch. We finally got everyone situated and safely buckled in and off we went. At the stop sign I looked into my mirror to say something to the kids and I noticed the back hatch is completely opened. I go back to close it and notice I am missing one bag of potting soil. I look back into the parking lot I left behind and see a lone bag in the middle of the parking lot. Thank goodness the lot is empty and everyone else is long gone and unable to witness my driving out of the parking lot with the hatch open dropping bags of potting soil.

Mason the Photographer

We let Mason take a picture of us. Funny how he doesn't know what the camera view finder is. He just points it and looks at the screen. Even looking at the screen he had a hard time centering us on the camera. He was able to center me for the most part, but having Rob on my side threw him off.

Happy Birthday To Me

I am not sure if I did something smart or foolish. I told Mason my real age. He has been repeating it to random and not so random people. I hope it is just a phase. We celebrated low key. The highlight of my day was a sweet card made my Mason. We have a game we play on saying I love you 110 and the next person says I love you 111. We also play I love to a specific destination and the next will say that specific destination and then another destination and possibly back. I need to take a picture of the card, very very sweet. Rob and I plan going out for my birthday later this week to celebrate adult style!

Hacking

For all of you who got emails from my yahoo account I am sorry for the junk email. My email account was hacked. We changed the password on my account, but the hackers were smart and learned all my answers to my secure questions, so they hacked me twice. I have now changed my password and all of my security questions. Rob looked up where they were hacking from and I never knew I had friends in South East Asia and Vietnam.

The funniest part of the whole thing is that my mother in law commented on the email I sent her on Canadian drug prices. After I explained I didn't send it and I was hacked she then commented on how she thought it was funny that I was sending her information on sex drugs. It gave me a good chuckle. I am amazed at how Ellen can find the good out of a sex drug email in it showing her how inexpensive the drugs can be in Canada!

Showers of Fun

The real reason I came back to KC was to attend KP's shower. It was fun catching up with a few of her friends and her mom. Although, we were all able to catch up the night before at the surprise party.

On one of our date nights Rob and I stopped at Williams Sonoma for her bridal shower gift. I was meandering around the store peeking at things I'd love to "register for" while Rob had her registry printed. Before I knew it he had already decided upon the gift. His interest was peeked with the word pop and maker on the list. They had registered for a Zoku Quick Pop Maker. Rob was enthralled, you could have a popsicle in 7 min with this gadget. I was against it at first and then decided what the heck, it is much more exciting than a platter. It was also quite the conversation piece at the shower as well! I think Rob is going to get one for Fathers Day from the kids!

KP's Bachelorette Partry

My dear old friend Kristin is getting married in May and we had a surprise bachelorette party for her in KC. I say old because we realized we have been friends for 20+ years! I don't think anyone wants to have a phallic symbol around, but it is a rite of passage. My favorite phallic gift were these pink maracas. Rob and I found them at the store and laughed. We both remember looking up at our wedding and seeing KP leading a congo line of dancers with a funny hat on her head while shaking maracas. We thought they were fitting for this event!

Mandi Vs Snow Bank

Mandi vs Snow Bank

Snow Bank 1

Mandi 0

I can hear my dads words now. Never reverse any further than you have to! Great words of wisdom, sure wish I would have listened. I can also hear Rob saying look at this fancy camera you have on your rear view mirror, I don't understand why you don't use it. All great advice that I will now be using! Along with the car sensors. All things I wish I would have done or used!

Another interesting car story happened in the parking lot of Ellery's new "school". I was squished in our car door by another car reversing out while I was buckling Ellery into her seat. Ouch. I am fine, but the other drivers car mirror hit our open door and scratched my car while closing me inside the door. I had to arch and try to crawl into the car so the squishing would stop! At first I held my ground thinking it was just a kid trying to wiggle through, until I look and see the mirror coming at me. I start screaming and then try to confront the driver once they are satisfied with their reversing efforts only to be met with hand gestures and a speedy departure. The parking lot became a bee hive of moms going crazy. Someone screams, get the license plate quick, while another questions if I am ok, while another one can't believe she just hit me and drove off. I go inside and ask the teacher who the mom was that I saw in the hallway and then to the front desk to get "Cami's moms" name. Ironically "Cami" is in Ellery's class and I can assure you she won't be coming over for a play date nor will I become friends with her anytime soon. The front desk attendant isn't sure what the rules are on giving out information, I reiterate...she just hit me and drove off. As the director is coming out to talk to me the phone rings and it just so happens to be "Cami's mom". I ask the secretary to make sure you ask her if it is ok to give out her information to the person she hit. Arrrhhhhh. Needless to say, it is just a car and "Cami's mom" did apologize. Doesn't make it right that she hit me and drove off, but we are over that now. The funny thing is when we park at "school" now I park way far away and Mason's quote was "Good choice mom, you shouldn't get squished here."