Weekend...

Happy Friday! 

On this last day of August 

I'm happy to turn the calendar page to September

I love this time of year

My hubby is off today

I'm looking forward to enjoying the last weekend 

of a very long and hot summer together!

Have a wonderful weekend and Labor day! 

Wednesday Hodgepodge

Hosted by Joyce

@From this side of the Pond

1. Americans will celebrate Labor Day this coming weekend. Do you know what we're actually celebrating? (without consulting your friends Google or wikipedia, ahem) What's a project you're currently 'laboring' over?

I've always known it as my official end to summer, weekend of awesome sales, the last hurrah before school starts....historically I'd embarrassedly have to consult my friends at the internet. 

2. Labor Day also signals the unofficial end of summer for most of us...what summer food will you miss the most? If you're in the southern hemisphere feel free to substitute winter for summer.

Grilled corn

Watermelon

3. A well known proverb states, 'It's easier to seek forgiveness than ask permission.' Your thoughts?

My thoughts are those people don't like to hear the word "NO" ! 

4. Food critic, film critic, book critic, art critic....which hat would you most like to wear?

I'd be a good food critic and how fun would that be to wear that hat...

Not a good book critic because I find something good in all books....

Not a good film critic either like most movies also....

Now art is in the eye of the beholder...it's a matter of taste.

5. When you were a kid, who (besides your parents) was your favorite adult?

Probably a teacher...I really remember liking all my teachers back in the day! 

6. The astronaut, Neil Armstrong, passed away last week. He was regarded as a hero by many generations of people all around the world. Do we still have modern day heroes? What makes someone a hero?

I think so....what makes a hero....someone that gives selfishly to help others, changes the world, makes an impact. I like watching CNN heroes some amazing people out there!

7. I never get tired of __________________.

Seeing my daughter's smiling face!

8. Insert your own random thought here.

It's gives me such a piece of mind receiving a text or call or Skype from Katelyn. I feel really lucky with today's technology that staying in touch is so easy. Just seeing a post on Face Book or a picture is enough to but a mom at ease.

Just look at that smile

I'm not worrying today! 

Happy Wednesday! 

Hidden surprises ♥

Every couple days I've found a little hidden note from Katelyn

(image source)

Similar to this one....

Yesterday I found one in my workout drawer

and behind my bathrobe in my closet ....

on my cookbook....

Craig has also found some

and one for Sophie too...

They bring a smile to my face and a little chuckle too...

Love that girl! 

Miss that girl!

It doesn't take much to make someone's day....

Go make someone smile today...

Happy Tuesday! 

Embracing the empty nest

Well it's been just over a week since we became an empty nest

 or 239 hrs and 50 minutes, 20 seconds...not that I'm counting! 

It's been an adjustment....I'm gonna need some time to find a new normal!

Last week I stayed busy cleaning my house.

This week I'm going to start my exercise routine back up.

Next week I'm going to head to an antique fair in Massachusetts.

After that well I'm working on that...

Lots of phone calls from worried friends and family....

It's only been a week...

We are all adjusting and embracing.

It certainly helps knowing my child is happy and thriving in her new adventure.

Plus knowing parents weekend is five weeks and October break is a week after that.

And Thanksgiving is six weeks after that.

Then Christmas she will be home for almost six weeks...

Not that I'm counting...

I'm fine!

Happy Monday! 

It's Friday....

Hosted by Mrs. 4444's

@Half Past Kissin Time

Well it's been a week since we dropped off Katelyn, we have all survived! I have to say I miss her like crazy, but thanks to technology we text, call and Skype! She is making lots of friends and likes her classes and professors so far.  

Girls from her floor almost all are either PA majors or in Science field...so they are in a lot of the same classes. 

I haven't had a cupcake in two weeks, since Katelyn quit working at the shop....one would think the scale would reflect! Maybe cupcakes aren't responsible for the last 10lbs I gained! 

It's been an adjustment cooking for two and shopping for two. I had to pour a gallon of milk out that expired, apparently Katelyn was the only milk drinker in the family. We seem to be going through less milk and more wine...weird! 

Sophie started her anti anxiety medicine yesterday...her separation anxiety has gotten worse and worse. I've tried everything and really hate to resort to medicine. If it makes her feel better than it's worth a try....if it doesn't work I'll be taking her meds to deal with a violently shaking, crying pup! 

My hubby ask what do you want to do this weekend on our first weekend of empty nest? I answered, wash the windows! He just looked at me "really"! Please I have a list of "honey do's" a mile long...two years in the making! Not sure if the windows will happen but we are doin something!

Have a beautiful weekend! Happy Friday! 

Wednesday Hodgepodge

Hosted by Joyce

@From this side of the Pond

Stop by and join the fun! 

1. Aloha! On August 21, 1959 Hawaii officially became a US state. Have you ever been? Upon arrival would you prefer an orchid or a hibiscus to tuck behind your ear?

I've been once when I was 20, I hope to go back someday with my hubby and daughter. I think I would prefer a hibiscus behind my ear!

2. Since we're talking tropical...what's your favorite food or beverage made with pineapple?

I love pineapples but just alone not in anything.....wait maybe on a pizza or in a stir fry...Yum! 

3. Do you believe in soul mates? Explain.

I believe some people are meant to be together...how fate works in there favor. 

4. Share a memory about the house you grew up in.

I was just sharing this memory with Katelyn last week as we were carrying many things down the stairs...back in the day aka 70's I remember going down the carpeted stairs in a laundry basket....could you imagine today letting your kid do that? 

5. Are you comfortable with silence?

No 

6. You spot a giant spider on your bedroom wall...what's your next move? (all spiders are giant, right?)

Grab the vacuum and suck the thing up all the while screaming! 

7. My idea of fun does NOT include ______________.

Karaoke 

8. Insert your own random thought here

My only thoughts this week of coarse are of Katelyn...as a parent you know your child is ready for college but as a mother your wired to worry. I miss her so much but am so happy for her to have this opportunity and am excited for all that is ahead of her. I wish I could fast forward time a couple weeks and know all is good! 

Happy Wednesday! 

I say goodbye you say hello

all this is gone...

one pickup bed full

 room for a body in the back seat

5 am start in the pouring rain

4 hours later the rain stopped

 long enough for us to carry

 all this up to the fourth floor

I was told there would be Lacrosse players helping 

or maybe football players....

young strong men....

maybe at the other dorms

we had these two helpers 

or something like these two that pointed the way...

It was tiring 

It was muggy

It was stressful

Her room was twice as small as I remembered

The closest was no Narnia closet like Katelyn packed for...

She had plans to rearrange the furniture...

(insert laugh)

That wasn't happening

But we did get there before her roommate

  basically set up all the important stuff before heading to lunch

  giving them the space to set up her side of room.

Finished a few errands 

room not quite done but it's

time for parents to leave....

(insert tears)

It was a exhausting day for us all

after we were gone they kept the kids busy

every hour booked with activities

The next morning we made the drive up this beautiful drive to say a quick goodbye

(insert tears)

2 Days...

I know, I know 2 days ......yes I'm freaking to say the least! 

I just wanted to post this collage...

We finally got around to taking her senior picture 

It's what we now call her Freshman picture instead!

At first we were going to do Urban setting because she is more of an Urban girl

But we live rurally so rural is what we ended up with and I love them...

Gonna be hard to pick! 

Off to spend more time with my girl! 

My Daughter

My Daughter

I wish you

the strength to

face challenges with

confidence.....

along with the

wisdom to 

choose your

battles

carefully...

I wish you

adventure on 

your journey and 

may you always

stop to help

someone along 

the way...

Listen to 

your heart

and take risks

carefully....

Remember

how much

you are loved...

I am so proud

of  you!

I found this quote on Pinterest and I really couldn't have said it better....not sure who the author is but I'm sure she is a mom sending her baby off to college or the big world! I want to give her all this last minute advice and warnings...but now I just find myself hugging her and soaking every minute up. I know she will make good choices and try her hardest....I know she is a great kid and I shouldn't worry....but I will! 5 more days....off to enjoy them! 

Wednesday Hodgepodge

Hosted by Joyce

@From this side of the Pond

1. In an effort to combat obesity, the mayor of NYC has plans to ban the sale of large sugary drinks (anything over 16 oz.), initially in restaurants, movie theatres, and street carts. Corner stores would also be affected if they are defined as food service establishments. You can read more here . Your thoughts?

I think he needs to focus on bigger fish to fry....education in the schools on healthy eating options...people can still buy a 6 pack and drink them all in one shot. He is also trying to force breast feeding and make it more difficult for women to get formula. I think he is crossing the line and again their are bigger fish to fry...how about focus on unemployment, crime etc.....

2. Art festival, music festival, food festival...which would you most like to attend?

The art festivals in Utah and Germany had a little of everything...loved that. I'd pick food festival if I had to pick because surely there would be some music and perhaps some artsy people to watch! 

3. What are you irrational about?

 I wasn't convinced I was irrational about anything....until I read Joyce's answers and I found myself nodding my head in agreeing with her irrational but totally rational worries about the safety and wellbeing of your child. Until I hear she is safe and sound I worry and think the worst...

4. Do you feel confident you'll have a comfortable retirement?

I hope so, but we are still working towards that goal. 

5. What's been your favorite Olympic moment so far?

(Not ever, just in the 2012 Summer games)

Michael Phelps last swim for gold, Women's gymnastics win for Gold....there as been so many, I've enjoyed watching it and cheered so much...

6. What would you label as the messiest room in your house?

Right now our guest rooms, they are chuck full of college stuff. 

7. Do you follow your heart or your head?

My heart most of the time and depending on the situation my head will win. 

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Bare with me as I have a sappy next nine days before Katelyn leaves for college....I keep finding these quotes on Pinterest and seeing sappy commercials.....makes the tears come a little...
I love this one...

Happy Monday!

Sleepy start to our Monday here.....

Happy Monday!!

A different kind of August....

Today I'm borrowing my title from Ann @ On Sutton Place

When I saw her post title on my side bar I said to myself

Boy it sure is....

For Ann it's her one year Anniversary of her Etsy shop

Congrats Ann! 

I'm a big fan of supporting Etsy

But for ME my AUGUST

means the count down is getting closer....

15 days closer today! 

My AUGUST

has involved list and more lists

shopping.....last couple things left..

My AUGUST

is all about packing

and organizing

My AUGUST

is about spending every minute 

she allows us to have

together!

My AUGUST

is about cherishing 

giving last minute advice

teaching her to sort whites and darks

teaching her proper temperatures

teaching her to iron

It's a different kind of AUGUST 

I'm gonna miss her....

Wednesday Hodgepodge

Hosted by Joyce @

From this side of the Pond

1. I'm joining my daughter1 in the 101 in 1001 challenge. Essentially you create a list of 101 things you hope to do or accomplish in the next 1001 days. What's one thing you'd put on your list?


Exercise 5 days a week

2. How many remote controls do you have in your house? What's one item in your home you wish could be operated by remote control?

10 each TV has two...one for TV and one for the cable box 

3. What does having it all mean to you? Is it attainable?

Family, good health, roof over head...food in bellies, job....yes!

4. What's your favorite movie soundtrack?

Any 80's classic....The Breakfast Club, Pretty in Pink, Purple Rain...but also love Grease oh and Titanic...I could go on and on! 

5. Describe the best view you've seen from a rooftop.

Any panoramic view of a city or sunset is a view I could enjoy for hours. 

 

6. What's your least favorite thing about summer?

The mosquitos and horse flies.....my poor legs and feet are a mess! 

7. Our weekly Hodgepodge falls on the first day of August. In ten words or less sum up your July.

Fast

Hot

Dry

Fun

Sad

Busy 

Expensive

College

Togetherness

Family

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Today's random thought is a PSA- You see things all over the blogs, twitter, Pinterest etc..it's a vast source of info...I pin and save all sorts of tidbits of info...cause you just never know!  My blogger friend Lisa posted this awhile ago and I saved it in my info file....and finally decided to give it a try!

Holy cow does it ever work and so easy! I was a doubter but now I'm a believer! If you have this laundry woe give it a try...you will hear the laundry angels sing!! 

Happy Wednesday!