oh boredom

Ok, this picture has nothing to do with anything, it is just funny. We attended a karate tournament at a local college and this is what it looked like right inside. Everyone takes off shoes!

Well, does it ever seem like one day just runs into the other? I am feeling that a little right now. I guess melancholy is the word. It doesn't help that we were going through family videos tonight. It always makes me a little sad to see the kids then. I miss them at those young ages. Also, the sun hasn't come out here in over a week. Some days it just drizzles all day. With the humidity and the rain it feels like you are going to mildew. I am definately ready for some sun and outdoor activity. I think when the weather clears up we are going to take the kids out to the ocean early in the morning when the tide is low. It causes tidepools and here you can find all of this extremely cool ocean life. I have heard it is so cool so I can't wait.

Something to be excited about is John and I have finished setting my craft room up. We moved some things around in our closet and found some shelves that the neighbors were throwing out and put it together. I am not quite to the point where it is flawless, but I will need to work in there a little to see what I need. I made some cards just to get back in the swing of creating. John said he would have to take pics because he is proud of it. I love him for wanting to give me a space of my own. Whoever reads this- I could use all of the creative storage ideas you have. Thanks

Gotta go spend some time with the hubby. Good night.

I am thankful for:

Girl Scout Cookies (Lemonades)

My free shelves

people in my life willing to put up with me for any length of time!!

Sad Day

I am broken hearted! This is a sad sad day. My heart goes out to his family. I have to go watch A Knight's Tale now.

I hope all is well out there with everyone else. Love and kisses.

Has it really been a week? Man they fly by. My daughter is in gymnastics, cheer leading and taiko drumming (it's a pacific islander thing). My son is a karate and xbox fanatic. So, between all of this and the endless amount of homework I seem to lose track of time. I really do dream of doing projects that I want to do (not for school). I started setting up my scrappy room this week and can't wait until it is "perfect". lol You know that like everyone I will move things around everyday, but I am just ready to get started on the fun in there and for the work to be over. Hopefully this weekend.

Ok, for some Japan news. Tuesday was Mochi(mu-chi) day. For us Americans, that means rice candy. It is really gross. It is a tradition that on that day you make or buy these leaves with this goo inside of them and have them for dessert with green tea. Well, it is an experience. I have a good friend here that happens to be from Okinawa and we spent the day together. She took me shopping and to eat. We found a wonderful Italian place. It was just a thrill to have someone with me who spoke the language. I found some strawberries which I couldn't believe. They were beautiful and delicious. I went for it even though it was like Y498 for a tiny pack. I am going to soak up as much from her as possible. What a blessing. I know I need to take my camera on outings like this. What was I thinking?

Anyway, in keeping with the Amy thing. ( I do get most of my good ideas second hand.) Today I am grateful for:

1. Bedtime-not mine, but tucking in the kids. I love that both my 9 and 12 year old kids still love to be tucked in and play ear monster. We all have our little rituals that I know I will miss one day.

2. My family-Not the cliche'. Of course everyone knows that I love the husband and kids, but I mean my whole family. Aunts, uncles, cousins, in-laws, the works. I have some of the best times with them. We vacation together, spend holidays together, shop, eat, hang out, and they seem to always be there when I need them.

3. Vonage phones, cable tv, and the internet to keep me in touch with the states. Miss you all!!

Good night.

7 Random Things About Me

Well, my friend Amy tagged me to talk about me. I guess she knows how much I enjoy that. So here goes.

1. First and most importantly, I think ice cream should be its own food group. If anything ever happened to my husband he knows that I would be hunting down Ben or Jerry, whichever. My faves are Pistachio Pistachio, KaramelSutra, and Chunky Monkey.

2. Though I love the beach and live on and island, I am a snow girl. I didn't realize how much I loved it until we moved from our hometown in Louisiana to Illinois where it actually snows. (I am really missing that this winter.) My favorite picks of where I would like to live one day would be Alaska, Montana, or Italy. Ok, so Italy not so much for the snow, but it's just a fantasy of mine.

3. I dream of owning my own theater one day. For those of you who know it, the Lincoln Theater in Belleville is just exactly right. I like almost all movies ever made. My fave is Gone With the Wind. That ties into me being a history buff too.

4. In honor of the book by Mitch Albom, One More Day, if I could have one more day with anyone it would be my Mamaw. I would just sit and visit with her. She was so kind and funny and loving. When I was with her I felt like the most important person in the world. She appreciated the small things in life which is something I wish I could have inherited.

5. I love a good road trip. Reading maps, eating junk in the car, playing name that song and singer with my hubby, stopping at unexpected places. I just love it.

6. Three things I fear the most are failure, rejection, and decorating. I am serious. I can't decorate to save my skin. Wish I felt more confident in this.

7. Prompted by my last comment, fear of failure. Here goes, I have trouble starting and finishing things for fear that they won't be good enough. I avoid things like projects that I would love to tackle or like getting started on this blog, or getting back into my scrap booking. I have no idea where this comes from. I am actually a pretty smart person who is good at many things. This is just one of my issues. I would love to get over this because I feel that it makes me look lazy or that I drag my feet. Most of all, lately this has made me feel like I have a lack of passion for anything. I am so scared to fail that I just don't, no matter how much I want to or feel passionate about it. My new and latest therapy is to say "so what?" So what if it isn't perfect? I will just keep saying that until I actually believe it.

Well, I wasn't intending to, but this blogging makes you feel safe to spill your guts. Cathartic? Yes!

This is Monday's Post

Hello out there. Well, no pictures today, but if there were it would be of me jumping for joy!! The kids went back to school today. Then, there would be one of me stomping my foot because the %$^%# internet keeps going in and out . So, this is the second time I am typing Monday's blog. OK, deep breath.......

Did everyone have as great a holiday as me? I hope so. We had an awesome day. We played and stayed in our jammies and didn't have to eat turkey. I was scared that I would be very sad being away from family and all, but it was a pretty fabulous time. Besides, I didn't have to be the "uncooked roll girl" . (Meaning once I showed up late with the one thing I was assigned to bring to Christmas dinner at my dad's and to top it off they weren't even cooked. So I am forever that girl to them.)

Thank you to all of my Christmas card senders and callers. It is good to be loved and my friends always come through to show me that I am.