You Capture/Joy

I have several captures for Joy this week. I went many different ways with it. First, we have my beautiful Katsura tree. I wait every year for it to bloom. It truly brings me joy. I just wish the blooms could last longer.

Next, I got to meet one of my very favorite blogging friends this past weekend. We walked the March for Babies together for Team James and Jake and we had a great time. Rhonda is just as wonderful as I thought she would be

I know this one is hard to read but, it says "Welcome Home Poppa" My hubby came home from a golf trip on Friday night and our daughter and granddaughter used sidewalk chalk to leave him a special message. I should have taken a picture of him so you could see the joy on his face.

Joy was what I felt when I took this picture of Beth and Racecar at the March for Babies. She was our fearless and terrific team leader. Could they possibly be any cuter? Lastly, this is my daughter Katie on her wedding day. She waited nine long years to marry Mark. I think the joy on her face says it all.

Now, head over to You Capture at Folding Laundry and check out the great job that everyone else did. I am amazed weekly at how talented everyone is.

Weigh In Wednesday

My first thought about todays weigh in was to not post. I was pretty sure it was going to be bad. I was right. I gained 1.2 pounds. I know all the reasons I gained too. Here they are...

1. I discovered fried pickles at a local bar and I had them four times in six days.

2. Each time I ate the pickles, I had at least one bacardi and diet, but never more than two.

3. I have some weird thing going on with my wrist. My friends at work have diagnosed it as carpal tunnel. What ever it is, I am having an awful time doing anything with my wrist. Typing this is taking forever because I am doing it with only my left hand.

4. Have you tried to shred without your right wrist? The push ups, the weights. Not good. I've been dealing with this for the last four days.

5. Because I walked six miles (although the paper said six and a half miles) on Sunday, I didn't do anything else that day.

Are you getting the picture of why I gained this week? I know exactly why I gained but, I was bummed. But...two things happened to give me back some incentive for next week.

First, I was emailing back and forth with Christy last night and she put it back in perspective for me. Tomorrow starts a new day and a new week for me. What happened this week is over and I can have a fresh start tomorrow. Everyone has bad weeks and this is my turn. I can do great next week if I really try and I am going to really try.

Second, one of my very favorite little guys at school made me smile so big today and gave me another incentive to start over. Some of you know Racecar. We were walking down the hall from the bathroom and he said I looked different. I just got a haircut so I said, "I think it's my hair.". He said "No, you are a different size. You're getting skinny". We stopped right then and there and I gave him a big hug and thanked him and told him he made my day. I have a sneaking suspision that his mommy Beth put him up to it, but I don't care. It was just what I needed.

So, to quote Scarlet O'Hara, "Tomorrow is another day". It's my day to get back on track. I have to figure out what I can do that won't involve my wrist too much, but I'll figure it out. Thank you so much Christy and Racecar!!! You have no idea how much you have helped me.

One last thing. One little question. Do I have to give back my five pound button?

What a Beautiful Perfect Day!

Yesterday was the big day for Team James and Jake. It was the March for Babies. Our team raised over $8000. for the March of Dimes. It was six long but wonderful miles. I met so many people that I only knew by their blogs. It was wonderful to put a face with the name. My favorite meeting was with Rhonda and her daughter Stephanie and Steph's daughter Ivy. Rhonda and I just clicked over the blog world. It was like I knew her forever. We had a great time and kept each other going. Aren't they sweet? I sure think so.

Rhonda and I made a new friend who lost her group. We had a fun time walking together and found we had lots in common. We exchanged emails and blog addresses. I hope it doesn't stop there. Here's Rhonda and Lori as we strolled through downtown Valpo.Although it was a long and hot walk, I loved every minute of it. I was so proud and honored to be part of Team James and Jake. Those two little boys have left an imprint on my heart and I am in awe of their mommy. She is the strongest, most amazing woman I know. I love Beth and her family and am so lucky to have them in my life.

You Capture/Letters

I wasn't sure what I was going to do with this one. I went to our classroom and started there

These letters are painted on the wall.

This is a letter from a rug on the floor.

Then, I came home and found a lot of letters that I really like.
This is on the wall in our bedroom.

And this is on the wall in the computer room.


I really have to work on my editing, but for right now, I'm enjoying the taking of the pictures. I guess the other stuff will come later. Make sure you check out all the other great captures at I Should Be Folding Laundry

Weigh In Wednesday

I was right. This was a much better week. I lost exactly two pounds. That takes me to an exact five pound weight loss so far. I think that means I can grab a five pound button. Cool. Here's how I lost the two pounds this week......

1. I shredded until I wanted to punch Jillian.

2. I went on the treadmill most days.

3. I started doing the Jillian Michaels Fitness Ultimatum on the Wii.

4. I drank lots and lots of water.

5. Even on the days that I was really busy and didn't exercise as much, I was still good about eating right.

6. I only cheated once with a bowl of ice cream this week. Boy, it sure tasted good.

7. I didn't get as much sleep as I should have. I guess that's a negative.

8. I was trying extra hard this week to get in shape for the March for Babies this weekend. It's a six mile walk. I haven't walked that far in quite awhile.

9. I cut down on my diet coke intake. That was hard. I love diet coke.

10. I worked on getting more fruit and vegetables in this week.

Well, that's how I did it. Hooray for me!

The Print Shop

My wonderful friend Beth has opened a shop at Etsy. You can buy the beautiful photos she has taken. She is selling ones that she has taken since losing her sweet twin boys. Until April 30, the profit from everything she sells will go to the March of Dimes. Your purchases will help Team James and Jake reach their goal for the March for Babies on April 26. Please go visit her shop at http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6493546 You won't be sorry you stopped by.

Jewelry Giveaway

If you love pretty jewelry, this giveaway is for you. There is a new shop at Etsy called A Work of Heart. They are givng away a piece of jewelry (your choice) valued up to $35.00. Sounds great, doesn't it? If you'd like a chance to win, visit Carebear and she has many ways to get lots of entries. Good luck to you!

The Teapot and The Cane

It sounds like a childrens book, doesn't it? It's not. Because of all of your You Capture comments this week, I decided to rescue the brass teapot and old cane from their seclusion in the basement.

Doesn't this remind you of the end of Miracle on 34th Street?

The teapot has a place of honor on top of the kitchen cabinets.

Cleaning and polishing these things this morning got me feeling a little nostalgic. Thinking about old times back in the old neighborhood when I was a kid. I lived in the best neighborhood ever. I swear every house had at least one kid, but most had more. In summer, we would be out of the house by nine and only came in for meals and finally bedtime. Do kids even get to do that anymore? Everyones mom and dad looked out for everybody else's kids. Parents never worried about their kids and we kids had a blast. Every single day of summer. I hope there are still neighborhoods like that around. I had the best childhood ever.

You Capture/Rustic

I confess right up front that I had a hard time with this one. I had a really busy week and didn't have much time to go out and look for things to photograph and when I did, the weather was rotten. So, I went hunting in my 1930's basement. I should have just taken a picture of the basement itself. Lord knows it's rustic. Here's what I found...


This is my husband's grandpa's cane. He died in 1973 at the age of 94, so it's really old, but really cool. I wish you could see the detail of it better.

This is an old oil lamp. I think it was a shower gift, but very rustic looking by spending the last umpteen years in the our creepy basement.

I have no idea where this old copper tea pot came from, but it was also in the basement.

Now, go over to You Capture at Folding Laundry

and see all the great captures that everyone else did. I'm sure they are much better than mine.

The Lucky Ones

If you want to read a post that will touch your heart, you need to go to my friend Beth's blog and read her post for today. You can find her at Folding Laundry

She talks about the lucky people who have no trouble getting pregnant and go on to have normal pregnancies and healthy babies. That doesn't happen for all of us. I had a miscarriage many years ago and there isn't a day that goes by that I don't think about that baby at some point in the day. Beth lost indentical twin boys at 19 weeks and had a miscarriage later that same year. I can't even imagine how hard that has been on her. But, she is an amazing woman. Her posts inspire and touch me on a daily basis.

Beth and her husband have formed Team James and Jake for the March for Babies on April 26. This is the second year for their team. I am very proud to be a member of this team. I have a personal goal to raise $500. for the team. I'm at $380. right now with 11 days to go. The March of Dimes is such a worthwhile organization. They do so much for so many people. I am honored to be able to do this to help them and to remember James and Jake. If any of you would like to help me reach my goal, please click on the March for Babies icon on my sidebar. That will take you to my webpage at the March for Babies.

If you are one of the lucky ones, give your kids an extra hug tonight. If you are not, you'll be in my prayers tonight. Thank you so much.

Happy Easter

A very blessed Easter to all of you and your families.

My plan was to be posting a picture of my beautiful granddaughters in their first matching dresses. Unfortunately, they are both sick and spent the day in their jammies. They are both being such troopers. We went over to see them and take them their Easter presents. The baby who is almost six months old has red, watery eyes and a runny nose. She just looked so sad, but she still had a smile for grammy and papa. Our big girl who will be three in May was excited to see us come with surprises. She perked up pretty quick. I hate that they had to miss all the fun at my mom's house. The good news is that we have a wedding in May for them to wear their dresses to.

I did something so embarrassing on Friday. It was a fiasco in the parking lot after school for dismissal. We weren't supposed to have school , but had to go to make up a snow day. Because we weren't supposed to be there, there was a blood drive in the gym and numerous church services throughout the day. My after school job is to direct traffic in the parking lot for car pick up. At our school, I swear almost everyone goes by car. Usually we have very few cars parked in the lot. Today there were a bunch parked all over. I was out there looking like a traffic cop directing them all here and there. As I was walking backward, I tripped on a manhole and fell over backward. I must have looked like a weeble. I was up as fast as I was down. I hit my head, but wasn't letting on to anyone watching that I did. At least it wasn't hard. But, oh crap!!!!! How embarrassing. You can all stop laughing now.

That's it for now. It's 9:00 and I still have to exercise before bed. Have a great week.

You Capture/Fun

My "fun" this week was going to one of "my girls" bridal shower. Keara is one of my best friend's daughters. Unfortunately for all of us, my friend died almost six years ago and isn't with us for this joyous occasion. She is very much missed.

This is our girl at three. Wasn't she a cutie?

This is her today. Still a cutie! The fun of opening the presents. These are my wonderful friends. I love them! My beautiful girls with the bride to be.

The "best buds" for 24 1/2 years!

I tried to find the picture of the three of them from a vacation in Minnesota when they were all three. Of course, I couldn't find it. They were all adorable with lots of curls and big smiles.

Now, head off to Beth's blog and see all the other great captures of fun.

Amazing Wednesday Weigh In

I got up at my usual 5:20 this morning. Hit the bathroom, put on my shoes and turned on the Shred. I was sore to say the least. It is all starting to catch up with me. I didn't know if I wanted to cry or die doing the chest flies. I thought my chest was going to split open, but I did them. After I got done, I got a glass of water and weighed myself. To my complete amazement, I lost 2.4 pounds. I know this for sure because I have a Weight Watchers digital scale. How exciting is that? I had a couple little cheats this week, so I was truly surprised. Nothing big, but cheating none the less. Could it possibly be three days of the Shred or one day of copious amounts of water? You know what, I don't really care. I'll take it, no matter how it happened. I have a feeling though by the way my body feels, a little hard work had something to do with it. I'm really proud of me! I'm proud of all of us.

It's a Springtime Giveaway

If you are like me and sick of the weather, head over to Becky's and check out her springtime giveaway. I think you'll enjoy it and her blog.

Potty Seat Adventure

If you would like a good laugh today, head over to my daughter's blog to read about the Great Potty Seat Mishap of 2009. You'll crack up at the pictures and see how stinkin cute my granddaughter is.

It Was Fun!

Can I just say---I loved Saturday school!! We had so much fun. We divided the kids up into four groups and rotated them through stations. When they were with me, they got to decorate cookies and listen to easter stories. From there they went to making decorated craft foam Easter eggs and coloring sheets. On to Easter bingo with jelly beans for markers they got to eat when they were done. Some kids chose to take their jelly beans home. From there they went to running and jumping games like duck, duck, goose, drop the carrot and parachute. They got to have snack then and eat the cookies they decorated and we finished with a super bunny hop through our entire building with guess who as the lead bunny. I hadn't bunny hopped since last year and I thought I was going to have a heart attack by the time we got done, but I did it. The kids had a great time and so did I. Now I'm off to a bridal shower with my girls. Talk to you later.

Great Giveaway

My new friends at the Sisterhood of the Shrinking Jeans are having a great giveaway. You can win an adorable workout shirt from One More Mile. They have great slogans on them. Check it out at the Sisterhood

Saturday School

I have to go to work tomorrow morning. We are having a make up snow day on Saturday. There are two ways to look at this. First, it sure beats having to come back to school the second week in June. Second, it sucks to have to go to school on Saturday. I work at a preschool that is part of a catholic school which means that we have school too. I'm pretty sure that none of the other preschools in town are making up any of the snow days. We are making up all of them. Our parents can't say they didn't get their monies worth. As much as it sounds like I'm bitching, I'm kind of looking forward to it. We have planned a really fun Easter themed morning for the kids. I'll let you know later if it was fun or I hated going to school on Saturday. I'm really anxious to see how many kids we actually have. We sent out a note with a response section. As of the end of school today, we were having 24 kids. I know Racecar is going to be there and I hear he is excited about it. I'm excited too. I think it is going to be a lot of fun. Oh, I forgot to tell you that the kids only have to come a half day. We have to stay for meetings. Lucky us!

You Capture/Spring

Because that was where I was last week, I captured spring in the Smokey Mountains. Maybe by posting these pictures, spring might actually find it's way to northwest Indiana. Be sure and stop by to see all the other captures at Folding Laundry