Yoga-ssage and stadim moths

So after tying myself in knots for 4 hours of yoga, I got another massage. Just an hour this time, but I just still felt all whacked out from all of the house stress. This week should start the remodel so oy on wheels.

When I picked Zoe up from the "Funhouse" she noticed a pretty green leaf outside the door. Or what she thought was a leaf until it moved and then she wouldn't go near it! I don't know what they are actually called, we always called them stadium moths because that's the only place I've ever seen them. I took a picture - she wanted to show Daddy the butterfly leaf - and she wouldn't even get close enough to point to it!

As big as they are, they are really pretty.

If I could find a way to afford it, a massage every Saturday after 4 hours of yoga would not be a bad thing.

Some leaves MOVE! You have to watch out for that.

Just a quick thought at the end of the day

The missing sneaks up on you. Finishing my 8th (or was it 9th) load of laundry, I realized that I'd washed Jason's last long sleeved washed khaki blouse. With his SWO pin and his railroad tracks still attached. They sure sparkle. But I was remembering the day I got to pin his last promotion on him, and I'm sorry that I had to miss this one. That's all.

Oh, well, and to add. Jason is pretty high up on his year group's promotion list this time, AND he sent a copy of the commendation medal he got when he left the Churchill. He is doing such great things and I am so proud and happy that his hard work is recognized!

Huge storms and care packages

Last night's storm was quite a surprise (for me, I never pay attention to the weather unless a hurricane's coming). From what I can see we didn't have any damage but I haven't checked the backyard yet. I'm sure we're fine, though.

Excited, found a new batch of goodies to send to Jason. I think they will be right up his alley. I get so giddy putting care packages together for him, I really do. It's fun to think of him opening them and smiling. I hope he gets as much a kick out of the things I send as I do picking them out!

Not much on the agenda today. Just MORE laundry and cleaning to do. Then some grocery shopping and going to price a dresser for Zoe just in case. She had her bumble bee dress on yesterday and was just the cutest little thing ever!

And here I sit, beginning to jot down a note for myself, using a green Holiday Inn pen. And I think of Jason. Like I always do when I see these pens, we used to have about 300 of them and I think I'm on the last one from that race he coordinated eons ago.

So finally an answer, it takes about 10 years to use 300 pens.

Wow! I didn't know rain could blow sideways!

It's all coming along

Saturday was a nice quiet anniversary day for me. I did get to talk to Jason for longer than normal, and Zoe got to talk as well, so that made the day. It was nice to get up, go to yoga, and then splurge on a 90 minute massage with a new therapist I'm in love with. If THIS one quits on me, I will hunt her down. She has magic in her hands.

The bathroom downstairs needs another coat of paint. After the first coat went on, I could see ALL the dings and not so great sanding jobs from the past that I hadn't noticed...as well as mine. So I had to sand again, spackle again, and now I need to put another coat of paint on. The project is dragging out and tonight when Zoe goes to bed I need to just do it and get it over with.

The tear out is now done completely, and my house is a total wreck of almost epic proportions considering how little space was actually compromised! They had to come back and remove 2 of the doorframes that got soaked and moldy on top of all they removed yesterday. But at least getting it put back together and painted will be fun. I am excited about it, when I get to see it all come together. I still need to go pick out tile and a final paint color for the guest bath but no biggie I have time.

We are off to get Zoe a bang trim, girl is forever pushing hair out of her eyes! Hopefully we'll get a chance next week to visit with Angee up past Richmond...and maybe even see Stacy and Amy as well! I really look forward to that.

Yoga's going well. My firefly is getting much better, though I still need blocks to get it done. I actually got into one armed swan yesterday which amazed me. Things that used to boggle my mind to even consider I can actually kind of do now. Like a lot of the one side X one side Y poses (like one arm pendulum, one arm crow) and I never thought I'd say that!

I LOVE it when you find the right therapist for you!

The cab, I definitely like sitting in the cab the best out of all the haircut "chairs". And you have to watch Mom with a side zipper...that woman will PINCH you.

Not much, just a day

Finished painting the mirror for the downstairs bathroom. Now I just have to find another light fixture. I'm still bummed the one I liked just wouldn't fit. Still no word from the demo group so I'm guessing they haven't heard from insurance yet either. I am not looking forward to the house being torn up...but I am dreading it dragging on forever and I hope to hear from them today with GOOD news.

So, off to get a light fixture and then the pool after Zoe's nap. Tomorrow is 6 years since Jas and I got married. He's in the Middle East and I'm here in my own warzone of house nightmares.

Oh well, despite all the annoyances, God is good to us. And that's what matters.

Homeowner's insurance sure would be easier minus about a ton of red tape.

Somehow, I no longer have a room. Not like it's closed, just that it's no longer there. And suddenly there's a plastic wall?

Mail pick up

Well, after picking up our held mail, we got a package from Jason! I laughed my head off when I opened it. Background. The Churchill has a stuffed cat on board that is a replica of one of Churchill's (apparently he liked to have them stuffed...and I originally thought it actually WAS his cat...eww). Zoe LOVES the thing, always asks to see the kitty when we visit him at work.

So I open the package, and there is kitty. I had a brief moment of "Oh my God! Jason stole the cat!" before realizing that it was a copy of a copy (the pamphlet helped clue me in too). Zoe was thrilled to get it. See video.

And then yesterday, we got a video/DVD in the mail of Jason reading books to Zoe. She was really excited to see him, but then ran to the door. It took some explaining that he wasn't coming home just yet. He's still "at work, work" as she says.

We mailed off another package to him today, so hopefully it won't take forever to get there. I know he needs the pick me up.


**and an aside here, SERIOUSLY we could have used this darn rain while I was gone so my garden wouldn't have died! The rain stops for the 2 weeks I'm gone and then returns with a vengence. Sheesh.


I already really knew this, but Jason wouldn't steal. There had to be another explanation. And fake cats shed. Who knew?

Kitties are AWESOME! Especially ones who stay put while you pet them.

Cruddy welcome home

This will be a separate post from all the other things going on, because it's just not fun at all.

Arrived home to this...

What a wonderful way to come home, huh? The plumber guy is in the attic now checking it out to tell me what the cause was. Then I get to call USAA for a homeowner's claim which will be HUGE I'm sure considering all the water damage.

Ugh. Some days, I miss being a renter! **^^%$^(*&(()()*!!!!!

Wondering why Mommy's so mad...

Finishing up my visit South

Now that it's winding down, I'm kind of sad to be headed home. I had a ball with Kake, Nate, Ezra, and Kalynn on my impromptu visit to Auburn. The kids played more and enjoyed each other a lot. I brought the bug pan and Ezra, Zoe, and I made bug mini-cakes and then decorated them a night later. They were more interested in eating the frosting than in decorating but we got a few done.

Zoe went to preschool with Ezra one day and had a blast, they played and sang, and learned about butterflies and letters. She made a butterfly with googly eyes (which I'm sure was a good dose of help from the daycare provider) and I asked her if she wanted to show it to Daddy. She said yes and I put it in the box to mail after I asked her if she wanted me to mail it to Daddy. So he will get a googly eyed butterfly in his next care package.


Baking on the floor is FUN!

Preschool with Ezra is FUN!!!

Family weekend

Visiting with Kake, Nate, Ezra, and "Teensy"(Kalynn) this weekend. Fun, lots of fun. Always a blast to get the kiddos together. We visited with other friends, got to see Uncle Goose, and rode the Polaris AND picked blueberries. No one ever believes me how huge this blueberry...not bush, not shrub...HEDGE is. Never seen the like. And the berries are SO sweet.

Bought a lot of clothing for Zoe's next few stages of dressing which, by the weights, could very well take her into her 4th year if she stays at this rate. I will say we are getting our money's worth out of clothing, that's for sure! Kalynn growing like a weed, developing quickly just because that's who she is (and she has to keep up with a big brother! I've done that, it ain't easy). She may end up handing things down to Zoe!

Lots of laughing, and I may head to Auburn Monday night or Tuesday morning. Just to do it. Headed to Augusta on Wed and leaving for home on Friday. A whirlwind but I'm loving it for sure!

The shopping. Dear God, the shopping. Someone stop me.

Amazing, even when it seems Mommy can't fit one more thing in our car...she does!

Charleston and the Fourth of July

AWESOME trip. You wonder sometimes when you build something up if it could ever compare...in this case it totally did. Loved finally getting to see some of my girls, and let our little ones play together like we often talk about! Charleston was amazing.

We got there way later than intended, but couldn't check Nelson into his doggie hotel until 3pm. So once Zoe slept in enough to be in the "meeting" window, we just kept on sleepin'. We dropped Nelson off at Charleston Dog House and he settled right in. I HIGHLY recommend this place. It doesn't look like much but they will care for your little buddy, and post pictures online to prove it! It was nice to get to see Nelson's little happy face and know he was doing well.

HUGE hug from my dear Brooke, a warm well it's about time welcome from all. So nice to finally face to face meet Brooke, Kelly, Laura, Dee, and Jackie and all the families. We have always talked about getting together...for the last 7 or so years...and it's so nice that we're all doing it now. I'm even more jealous not to have made it to the inagural OMB. Cade and Colton I swear were separated at birth...if little Miss Sugarbug's smile and eyelashes get any bigger girl is going to tip over! Kyle is just all personality and energy and you can see that cute boy mischeif right behind those eyes. No hiding it. And sweet little Cole. Ahhh, what a snugglebug.

And I have to give Joey his own paragraph. He is THE most patient boxer, or hell dog in general, in the universe having all of us all in his house going crazy! Poor guy he was probably so happy to get rid of us but he was so well behaved and loving with all the kiddos.

And the men, oh the men. They just got along famously...I think I laughed more, DEFINITELY watched more Tour de France than ever, and saw some really funny things on YOUTube that I have to forward to Jason. I'm sorry I missed out on the beginnings of the Wii tournament but the roundup I caught was pretty darn funny!

I did get to visit Matt and finally meet his wife Julie and two bursting-with-personality boys. The twins are so...so...EVERYTHING. They were loving on Zoe like mad...or Hero as they started calling her. Playing with all the toys they could find and then pretending to sleep until one of them would crack an eyelid...then they'd all jump up laughing and hugging and start the game all over. And Julie. Sometimes you just meet the people your friends are with that you've missed out on meeting for whatever reason. And you finally get to know them a bit and it just DAWNS on you that ok THIS is the person they are supposed to share a life with. It's great to see anytime you catch it...but always special with a dear friend. Hopefully it won't be 8 or so years between visits this time.

As the weekend wore down and everyone retreated either to family homes or back where they started, the few of us left went to Fort Sumter (that looks misspelled) for the Fourth of July. The kids loved the ferry ride over and had a ball running and looking as far into the cannons as they could. A fun day, for sure. We headed home in the heat and decided against going out for fireworks and opted for a "clean the fridge" dinner which secretly is one of my favorite things. And Dee...Dear wonderful Dee...opened our eyes to the glory that is hot dogs cooked in the toaster oven. I'm really wondering why she kept this little gem to herself because holy cow they tasted SO good! And as luck would have it, the neighbors shot off some fireworks so we planted a blanket in the front yard and let the little ones decide when enough was enough. Zoe had never been that close to fireworks before and seemed to love the whole process, the bugs she could do without so inside for a bath we went.

Heartfelt thanks to Brook and DJ for letting us all take over their house, and thanks and love to all who made this holiday weekend so special and unforgettable.

I SO needed that! I love it when things turn out even better than you'd thought.

When Mommy's friends have kids, that's the BEST!

Heading out again

Ok, we are headed out again tomorrow WHEW. It's all for fun and I'm loving it but I will be happy to be done with the travel portion just to not have to schlep Nelson all over and kennel him. Poor guy.

The junipers are officially OUT of my yard!! I am SO happy about this I could scream. When I get back I will plant some hydrangeas but that's about all I'm planning to do right now.

We will hit Charleston, SC first for a get together with "the girls"...I am so beyond crazy excited! I get to meet some of the people who have gotten me through the last years dealing with the military and life in general...and we finally get to get some of the kiddos together for one monster play date! Thanks to Brooke for offering up her home for this adventure!

Then it's off to Augusta and Conyers...and maybe Auburn depending on Kake's schedule.