CUPCAKE

She calls them Almond Joy.

I call them heaven. And I had one for breakfast.

My friend Kath is the cupcake queen. She is always coming up with something new and yummy and amazing. And I love that she comes over to bring me some of her lovely creations.

Yucky Monday!

I was in such a good mood when I went to bed last night.
I have no idea what happened.
First off I talked to a fellow mom from the boys' school this morning, and she informed me about some less than ideal changes that are going to be implemented this school year. It's a whole ugly long list of things with the stories to go along with it, so I shall save those for another post. Just one more thing on my list of issues I have to deal with this summer.....phone calls to make, emails to write.
Then I sat down to pay bills and realized that I had a bill from Macy's that was due on Friday. I NEVER (maybe once a year) charge something to my Macy's card, so it's not someting I think about....and usually if I do charge it, to get that extra discount, I pay it off right then and there so I don't have to think about it again, or get a bill that I have to pay at a later date. So more phone calls to beg to get them to remove any yucky charges if ther are any, which I'm sure there will be.
I just hate dealing with this sort of stuff. YUCK!
But the silver lining to starting a day off like this? It only gets better.
Have a beautiful day!

Food and Stuff

I have recently been cleaning out areas of the house, namely the garage and my stamping/craft room.

I have too much stuff. I have held onto way too many things for various reasons, which I have come to find out in the last few days are not the REAL reasons that I have held onto these things.

I believe that suffering a major loss (my father dying at the age of 2 1/2) has caused me to have a funky relationship with things. I have held onto things thinking that I may use them someday; that they are sentimental and need to be remembered; that someone I know (namely my children) will be able to use it someday.

All of these reasons are completely bogus.

I went through a boatload of stuff yesterday, and realized its just stuff. I can't take it with me. It doesn't make me happy....although some of the stuff from my childhood does give me a good laugh.

I have surrounded myself with stuff as a protective barrier. This barrier works in two different ways. It allows me to keep actual physical stuff between me and other people, so that I don't get too close to them. If I allow myself to get close to people, they will abandon me, leaving me broken and hurt. All this stuff has allowed me to focus on things rather than my relationships with my family and friends....with those I love. It also allows me to feel a sense of security (albeit false). Look at me! I have all this stuff! And stuff can't leave me.
Now I know you're thinking.....she wrote food in the title of this post.....where in the world does that come in?

Well, I have this same sort of crazy relationship with food. This is the best way I have to describe it with words: When there is food that I am eating, and I have had enough, and am full, but there is still food left, I feel like I have to eat that as well because if I don't it might be gone. It could just disappear. (My father did, after all, and he was a lot more substantial than a pulled pork taco!) Crazy, I know, but I never claimed that my brain works in a logical manner.
Its been a true eye opener for me to see these things in my life for what they truly are. And I'm hoping that slowly, I can be able to make peace with the things that have happened in my life, so that I can really be free from the craziness that I have allowed to have a hold over myself.

I don't know if any of this makes any sense to any of you. Mostly this post was for me. It has been very cathartic.
Have a beautiful day!

PINOCHLE

Last night we played pinochle with some good friends. It was a great night! Except for the fact that Kerry and I tanked in our card playing abilities. We got schooled! Badly! And to think that we were the ones who originally taught them how to play the game.

It's amazing the conversations that occur during a card game.
One of the conversations was about new podcasts that we were listening to. We thought it would be funny to create a podcast or blog about all the crazy topics that come up during a card game.
And there were some good ones last night.

I was so happy that the three older boys were able to go and spend the night with their grandparents, and that we were able to spend some good quality times with our friends. We didn't get home until 2 am......I felt like a college girl all over again!

I feel that having this new baby kinda got us out of our regular routine for a while.
It's feels good to be back!
Have a beautiful day!
Amanda

Back From The Beach

It's Monday Morning.....well it's a few minutes before noon, so technically we'll say it's still morning!!!

I'm not yet out of my pajamas, but I have managed to vacuum the house and get a jump on the laundry situation.

After having hot weather in the mid 90's last week, it was quite a relief to wake up to cooler weather and even a little rain! Sure makes housework more tolerable. It's going to be an inside day today! Kind of a good thing, since the kiddos ran themselves ragged at the beach house this past weekend!

I love the beach! There is no better place in the world. I can't quite pinpoint what it is exactly that is so soothing and calming. It's as if the waves wash away every care from the rest of my busy hectic life, and all I am left with is my thoughts of how incredible this world is, that we live in, and how much I really am at peace with life.

Not to say that things aren't crazy, but like I said there is something that comes over me, like the ocean has cast a magic spell on me.

Now, for those of you who are not familiar with the northern Oregon Coast, the weather can be really finicky. Sometimes in the summer you get these kind of low cloud, yet bright, days. I haven't experienced this type of weather anywhere else in the world. These are the kind of days that I associate with the Coast....I love them. I know, I'm crazy for not wanting super sunny hot days.....I do love those as well, but to me, the overcast days just feel like home to me.

I can just sit in the warm sand and relax. Not too hot or cold. Watch my children really enjoy life. That's what it's all about.

I am so grateful and blessed to be able to be so close (4 hours) from the beach and all it has to offer my soul. It's like I've been reloaded and I am so ready to take on the rest of the summer!

Have a beautiful day!

FOURTH OF JULY

Blessed is the Nation whose God is the LORD - Psalms 33:12


As I sit and reflect on this day, there are so many thoughts and emotions that run through me.

One of my favorite paintings in the one of George Washington kneeling in prayer beside his horse at the side of the river. I think of how important the Lord was to these founding fathers, and how they looked to HIM for strength and guidance.


I am so grateful and so blessed to live in this great country. I am so grateful for the founding fathers of our country who had the courage, bravery and guidance from God to establish a nation that has been able to withstand all that has been brought against it, and still flourish.


I am eternally grateful to these men who lived long before I, who had the insight and the direction to set up a country with it's Constitution that allows myself and all others who live here the greatest blessing which is available to man: the freedom of choice. I think that we so often take this for granted. Have you ever realized that you have freedoms that so many throughout the world cannot even comprehend?


I am thankful to those who are still willing to stand up for this country, and defend it and it's constitution. From everyday citizens who stand up for what they believe in, even if it is not the popular thing to do. For all those men and women and their families who have sacrificed so much, and even their own lives to preserve our way of life, by serving in all the factions of our military.


This country is not perfect. Nothing is. But I will stand by her an defend her to anyone who would disgrace her. There is nowhere on earth I would rather be.


God Bless America!