Pigtails and Errands

My little companion and I had a rather uneventful, but thought provoking morning. We ran errands.

First to church so I could practice the organ. L proceeded to reorganize all the choir hymnals and crawl across the seats. It may have been a little irreverent, but that what I've got to do if I want to practice. I learned that my daughter is the cutest thing in the world, trying to sneak under me to play the organ pedal, and that I really really love playing Christmas.

2nd was to the post office, which was quite uneventful, but the library (and therefore toddlertime) is right next door. We had a ball with the "little girls" bathroom in the library, L could have sat on the tiny toilet and flushed it all day, I'm hoping this will warm her up to potty training (that will start when Christmas). I learned little tushes are soooooo cute especially when they want to do it "all by myself", and who knew you could get so excited about a potty.

3rd was Old navy, where we tried to find a belt for this little girl. Unfortunately they don't sell them and she fell fast asleep with her pig tails in. What a good girl.

4th and completely selfish I learned chic-fil-a has the most incredible sandwiches, which actually look like chicken breast inside and not processed meat. I haven't had one in about 15 years, and I am definitely sold. Throw in a fresh bun and some good honey mustard, and the best part, thanks to Gary finding every internet deal in the world, it was free.

5th Gary got "promotional" box of Danish cookies with one his internet purchases, and I love them. I used to take them in my lunch for school when I was I was little. I don't think they will last long, and my waist will show where they went, but I don't care. In fact, I am eating them right now.

That's my day.

Thankful to be busy

Today I was grateful for the busy confusion of the day, including playing Thanksgiving songs on the organ, teaching my class about tithing, and a medical school pie party at my house. This week has been a little eye opening. Gary starts his first test tomorrow morning and to honest with the week mostly off from piano teaching, I have been a little lonely. Gary has been incognito with studying, and it made me realize just what I will be dealing with come January with clinics starting.

L and I did our best to keep busy, Wednesday I cooked like mad, Thursday morning I made rolls (and L made rolls with her play dough), we had a wonderful Thanksgiving feast at Leslie's, Friday we went to the zoo, then went shopping for sun glasses (L's request) and Christmas lights, and then got pizza. Saturday I snuck out and practiced the organ for a while then came home and decorated the house for Christmas. I wasn't going to do it until after L's birthday, but I don't think we will be doing a party this year, and I needed something to do.

This is the first Thanksgiving weekend (Wed-Saturday) without the bustle of family in the house, and it was a little lonely. I guess it makes me all that more thankful for good friends to share holidays with and time with my family when we can.


And I am thankful for Dec. 14th when Gary is mine for two whole weeks.

Favorite Things

Some of my favorite things this week:

1) L has begun to open doors, and although it has its down sides, when she peeks out of her bedroom in the morning with a big smile in the morning it is worth a whole lot to momma.
2) A husband that works really hard in school...
3) Salads with home grown tomatoes, candied almonds, and raspberry vinaigrette. I think I have had one everyday for a week.
4) Houston in November, not only do love walking to the park, I still have tons of tomatoes, beans, basil (this one is slightly a pest though), but my sugar snap peas and squash are emerging.
5) A Church within walking distance, hopefully we will be here for that.
6) A phone, my in-laws/husband decided I need a phone. I was a little resistant, but it is pretty cool, and RELIABLE.

L's favorite things:
1) Puppies (her stuffed animals)
2) Tacos- a new discovery
3) Lollipops

Relaxing Day

Today during Lily's nap I wen to the store by myself. I never realized, or maybe I just forgot, that shopping can be really fun. I hit three stores in 3 hours, and took my time the whole time, but I was on a mission. I have started a little coupon binder, and with all of Erika's good deals, like free Celery at Target, and stuff, I had to take advantage.

These are my deals of the day:

1) Free Celery
2) 2 big bag of holiday M&M's=$.50
3) Big bag of Cheetos=.$50
4) Stove Top $.29
5) A nice Sirloin steak for 2.50 (Orig. 4.99/lb, we just have to eat it tomorrow, which I will)
6) 1lb Butter= $1.25
7) Tabasco sauce= $.39
8) Phily Cream Cheese= $.22
9) Brown sugar $.60

I saved $20 in coupons. I was excited. Plus, I was able to try on a few clothes at Target, and get a new shirt and pants. I love the clearance rack, but its been a while (like a 8 months) since shopping was anything pleasant. I came home excited about my purchases and more excited about my savings. Yeah for coupons.

On a different note, we go pick up L's big girl bed (bunk beds) in about an hour. I am excited, even though we probably won't set it up for a while. Thanks to a friend it was wonderful deal I couldn't pass up. Probably will post about this when it looks girly and cute.

So I'm Back

After a month long Hiatus, I a back.

You may ask, why did I take a Hiatus? Well 3 reasons:

1) I was very involved a certain piano recital that took place last Saturday, which included lots of extra lessons (and my kids did great!!!!)
2) I went to see my sister in LA!!!
3) My family has been sick for A WHOLE MONTH!!!!

And this final reason is what really kept me away. Gary thinks we had this, but that sounds a little lethal. It started with Gary, and knocked him out for about a week, that is a week of no school! etc. I was so worried about L, so an over anxious trip to the doctor, showed nothing but a cough, but preventive antibiotics, just in case something hit while we were in LA. Then it hit me, the night before I left for LA, so unfortunately I was pretty sick the whole time I was there, luckily, my sister is the best sister in the world, and did a lot of pamper L and catering to my every food desire. Not to mention we still had a blast. Here are the highlights:

1) Trunk or Treat with L and A
2) Walking through beautiful Rose Bowl neighborhoods
3) Taking the train downtown
4) The zoo...
5) Elvira Street
6) Shabu-Shabu, a definate must in LA
7) WICKED!!!! And now I sing the entire CD by request. Only had one coughing attack during the performance, thank goodness.
8) The wonderful breakfast, lunch, and dinner fed to me everyday, and someone to watch L and paint her toenails while I took up to four naps.

And now back to real life, which isn't bad either, but LA was HEAVEN, even though I was sick.

So the last few weeks we have been recovering. L ended up getting a pretty substantial ear infection the day we got back(despite the fact she was on antibiotics), so she was pretty much out the next week with that (and we were out too because L can't sleep at night when she has ear infections...neither can I). And my energy still isn't back to par, but I can't complain, because I don't feel bad at least, and it gives me an excuse to go to bed early, which I'll take any day. So between L, my piano students, and keeping food on the table, and my house in some kind of order, I have been pooped.

But I'm back now...