Evans Family Columbus Day Adventure

Well, I had every intention of taking a family trip to Sleepy Hollow, but sadly, we were all Sleepy Heads and rolled out of bed too late. Onto Plan B! I corralled everyone into the car and we headed to Mystic.

 Mother-daughter love!

 Scorpion Kenners

A view of Mystic Seaport

Gorgeous Mystic

 Of course I popped into the cemetery while we were there. I have biked, walked, and rollerbladed through this cemetery a hundred times over the years and I never noticed this...

 ....an Evans family plot!

Elegant "E" Monogram

The Evans family

 Even though we lived less than a mile from the road that leads to Enders Island we had never driven out there.

 There were some gorgeous homes! I would be happy living in ANY house out there...

...I'm not picky...

 ...Maybe on the corner of Yacht Club Road and Huckleberry Lane....

...I would even be willing to live in this boat shack!

I have such a patient husband who puts up with my craziness. For example, he doesn't hesitate to pull off the highway so I can take a picture of the "Witch Meadow Road" exit sign . After all, there are only 16 days left until Halloween!

A Flowery Surprise

Look what greeted me when I came home from running errands!

My darling husband delivered it while I was out and about.

I love white flowers!

White roses,

white tulips,

white daisies,

lily-of-the valley...

...but I love white orchids the most because they last and do not fade away...just like the love I have for my best friend; my sweet, sweet husband!

New Love

Last week DK took Friday off from work and we went on an official date while the kiddos were at school. We went to lunch and discussed upcoming birthdays and Christmas gifts. We have a lot of birthdays in November and December, including mine and DK's.

There are two items that have appeared on my birthday/Christmas list for the past 3 years. Diamond earrings and an iPhone. Each year I decide no, not this year and I schlep through with my no-fuss basic phone.

Well, this year was different. There were countless times when I really NEEDED an iPhone. Not to mention EVERYONE has one! (Insert bratty teenage whine here) I would sit through countless meetings month in and month out with everyone in the room using their iPhone except me.

Sniff, sniff...boo hoo!

So guess what I got?

Yep. I finally got my iPhone and I am officially in love!!

2010-Week 24

Where did this past week go? Holy guacamole...it just flew by! Hubby has been in St. Louis at a conference. He gets home this morning. Sure do miss him when he's gone. There is so much running around after school with the girls that I don't always remember how nice it is for him to be on "pick-up duty". I drop off and he picks up. It's a nice system.

I had my last PTO meeting of the year last night. Had to bring my 3 kiddos along with me. Fortunately we have an amazing community group through our high school and they provide babysitting for our meetings. The kids had a great time but again, I take for granted how smoothly DK and I work as a team.

I am working with two new fellow officers this coming school year. My ultra-talented and amazing Treasurer is moving to a new town and my Vice-President stepped down due to working more hours and having less time to devote. Completely understandable! I have an enthusiastic new Vice-President and a new ready-to-learn Treasurer. I am grateful to continue on with my Secretary of two years. None of them have blogs so I can't link to them! Maybe one of their new duties should include starting a blog!

One more week until the end of the weight loss challenge I have going on with my sister. I am down another 3.8 pounds bringing me to a grand total of 11.2 pounds lost!! Hoping to drop two more this coming week but not so sure that will happen since I lost almost 4 this week....

Yesterday I started reading Seth Grahame-Smith's Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter...not so sure what I think. Of course I'm only on page 52. Got to get into it a bit more before I form an opinion. I've heard great things about the author's other books so I thought I'd give this one a try. I also have this to read. What's with all the blood and vampires?

Are you ready for Father's Day next week? I've had my dad's gifts for a few weeks now but have to wait until next week to pre-order DK's.

iPhone 4

One for him. One for me!

Marital Bliss

Then:

Now:

15 Years of Marital Bliss!!!

Not So Boring Life

"Boring!!!!"

That's JK's newest response to anything he doesn't like or doesn't want to do!

But truthfully life has been anything but boring lately!

The following is a snippet of things going on in our household. I just started typing as things came to mind. If you make it through this post you are definitely a saint!

We are enjoying fabulous weather!! We have been jumping on the trampoline, going on bike rides, taking walks and spending oodles of time at the playground. Subsequently we are all exhausted by the end of the evening.

And speaking of being exhausted, I cannot get enough sleep since last Sunday. I am not enjoying daylight savings at all this year!!! I am usually a leap out of bed kind of gal...but not so much right now!!

I signed Rand up for a Red Cross Babysitting course. I cannot believe she is old enough!! She's very excited and I am equally excited to start utilizing her soon-to-be-learned skills!

Kenners is adding tennis lessons to her already overflowing schedule.

To my own crazy schedule, I have added on our town's Historic District Commission. I am serving as an alternate member. I'm not sure what all it entails but I am looking forward to being involved in something new. And it looks like I will continue on as PTO President for another year. I think this is a good thing! I hope the other parents agree!!

I'm anxiously awaiting to hear if Rand was accepted into the magnet school we selected for her. Every time I think about it I awaken the butterflies in my stomach. I try not to think about it.

I am absolutely in love with Target's Liberty of London line. I have purchased the pillow and lamp for the living room. Such a crazy pop of color!!!

DK has been gone from home this week. It was quite unexpected and due to last week's Nor Easter that hit New England. There are still thousands without electricity here in our state and he was mobilized to help coordinate the lodging and food for the utility workers. He snuck home this evening for some clean clothes and a home cooked dinner. And of course hugs and kisses from all of us!

I bought a new nail polish today. Haute Chocolate by Sally Hansen. I've been wearing Pat on the Black exclusively for months now but thought I'd trade it in for something new. I love this new color!!!

Haute Chocolate

Pat on the Black

March is not only Madness due to basketball but also budget hearings!! DK has been gone 2-3 nights each week this month for town budget hearings in addition to his other Town Council meetings. Between the two of us meetings are a huge part of our lives. We don't mind. If we did, we would be in a heap of trouble!!!

I have been dealing with stress headaches, sinus issues and a possible brain tumor. Well, okay, I don't have a brain tumor but it sure feels like it some days!!! Today was a better day and my head didn't start pounding and swelling until this afternoon. It was nice to have a pain free morning!

Have I mentioned my father was diagnosed with bladder cancer? We found out on New Year's Eve...just about 3 months ago. I have quietly tried to deal with this development and have not told many people. Some things are just hard to talk about. Did I mention I've been having stress headaches?!

Well, my friends, it is now time for bed. This stressed out, overly tired mama is hitting the hay! Blessings to you if you finished reading this highly quirky and discombobulated post!! You are a true friend!

Catching Up

I have woefully been neglecting this little blog of mine!

Here are a few snapshots to fill in the past two weeks!

Sworn in:

Not the greatest picture but here is DK being sworn in as

Town Councilor

Birthday girl:

11 years old. How did that happen?

She is in that not-quite-a-kid but not-yet-a-teenager stage.
She wanted Nintendo DS games...
...and a Pandora bracelet for her birthday.

Took a little trip to the Butterfly Garden with good friends:

Inspecting a butterfly

Coaxing a butterfly onto JK's arm. We did not have much luck getting the butterflies to land on the kids. I had to find the ones with broken wings, etc who are more vulnerable and easier to catch for a photo op.

JK's not so sure about that butterfly on his shoulder...

Addicted to:

Edy's Slow Churned Peppermint

Celebrated Thanksgiving and DK's birthday:

My heart was full this Thanksgiving as I dwelt on all of my many blessings...this man being one of my dearest!

Went shopping on Black Friday at 4:30 AM with a wonderful friend. I didn't take any pictures of that. No makeup, yoga pants, etc. No need to scare anyone away! Had tons of fun, went to tons of stores, and am well on my way with my shopping!

Starting to decorate for Christmas:

Inspiration taken from Better Homes & Garden (I think...)

Kids go back to school tomorrow and I am going on a Christmas tree hunt this week. I really would like to buy a new tree. One of those "just cut" or "fresh feel" types. Each year we decorate our tree the 1st Monday of December so I only have this week to find the perfect tree. Wish me luck!

Councilman Evans

After months and months of campaigning, my husband has won a seat on our town's council.

I am so proud of him!

I Love This Man

I have not seen much of my hubby in the past few weeks. Either he's been away on business trips or he is busy campaigning ('tis the season!). I am an early riser and DK is a night owl. When he leaves for work in the morning I jokingly say, "See ya in the morning!" It's not a far stretch of the truth. Generally speaking, like tonight, I will be in bed fast asleep before he even gets home!

Yesterday was such a special treat. The girls and DK had the day off from school and work (Columbus Day for those of you who may not have realized) and we went for a drive to ooh and ahh at the beautiful fall foliage. During the drive DK leaned over, took my hand and said, "You have made such a happy life for us." I found this to be so touching and took it as a huge compliment. I strive each and every day to make our home, our little world, a happy and safe place. A refuge from the world. Some days are so crazy that I think I have not succeeded. It was such a nice affirmation to hear those words from my husband. I teasingly responded, "Thanks for financing our happy little world!"

This morning when DK was leaving for work I felt a deep sense of gratitude for all that he does for our family as well as for others. He is an honest and hard working man. I cannot imagine sharing my life with anyone else.

Tucson, AZ ~ Pinnacle Peak

Just One of the Crowd?

That's what I'm trying to decide. Bear with me as I attempt to answer this and other pressing questions...

Last week DK and I travelled to Phoenix/Mesa/Tucson, AZ for his nephew's wedding. We had a fabulous getaway without the children (though I kept crying at the oddest moments throughout the trip) and enjoyed spending time with DK's two sisters, his brother, and their spouses.

DK's sister and husband (the couple standing on the left) live in Shanghai and when they come back to visit they always bring all kinds of goodies including purses. Coach, Prada, Louis Vuitton, etc. You know, the FAKES they can pick up in China for dirt cheap! My brother-in-law was asking me what brand of purse is my favorite. I told him that I am a Coach girl. I have loved Coach for the past 15 years and have quite the collection. Another sister-in-law asked me why. Why do I love Coach? I really didn't have an answer at the time and I cannot recall what I mumbled to her. But for some reason this question has been nagging me for the past week.

So, okay, let's delve in, shall we? I love Coach. And UGG Boots. And North Face jackets and vests. And Tiffany's. And Pandora bracelets. And Ed Hardy. And other things like MAC lipsticks, and good face and hair product but let's not get too crazy here. Is liking all of these things a bad thing?

At our town fair yesterday I was looking around and noticing what other women were wearing. The top 3 brands I spotted? Coach, UGG Boots & North Face. These brands are wicked popular where I live. Pandora bracelets are pretty huge at the moment as well but when I asked my sisters-in-law about them neither had heard of them before. Obviously they are not as popular (if at all) where they live.

But I've become sidetracked; back to why do I love Coach? I think the bottom line is I have good memories associated with the brand. The same goes for all of the other things I have listed. Either I knew someone I really liked who wore/used the brand or I saw someone attractive or popular with the brand and then investigated it further. Is this shallow? Yep. It may be. But I'm okay with that. I'm okay with shelling out the bucks for certain things that I really like.

You may think designer jeans are where to spend the money. I don't. I am just fine with my Old Navy Jeans (The Dreamer) that look very much like the $160 jeans from Nordstrom's. I won't look down on you or think you're crazy for spending that much money just like I hope you won't think less of me for spending $300 on a purse. I don't buy expensive designer sunglasses because I always lose them. But if that's your thing then I say go for it! I don't mind buying my t-shirts at Target on sale for $8 then spending the savings on a $14 MAC lipstick.

But am I one of the crowd? Am I a complete follower? No. I don't think so. I like what I like and dislike many, many other things that other people think are ah-mazing. I am totally and completely happy in my skin...along with my overly expensive body lotion!