Happy Birthday, friend.

Today is the birthday of one of my favorite friends of all time.  

And the past year has been an extremely difficult year for her.  

She's been dealt more than should be fair for anyone.  

And still, she doesn't realize house amazingly strong she is.  

I'm thankful that God has blessed her with her husband, Paul. 

Together, they have made an incredible team.  

My wish for her is that she is blessed with peace and happiness in her life.  

More than she ever believed possible.  

May all your dreams come true, my friend.  

Happy birthday, Peggy.  

You really are one of my favorite friends of all time. 

MUAH.  

Lots of love.  

(Please join me in wishing her the happiest of birthdays.) 

It's my diet and I'll bake if I want to.

As I type, the smell of Monster Cookies is tickling my nose.  Well.  That, and the black beans in my crock pot.  Which might seem like a strange combination, but I actually made a healthy treat for Zane and I to partake of the other day.  And it was basically a cookie made with chickpeas.  And it was delicious.  Who knew? On the other hand, the chocolate avocado pudding needs some tweaking.  Anyway.  This whole healthy eating thing is a bit of a double edged sword for me.  I have a seemingly endless supply of energy.  Which always, without fail, sends me into the kitchen.  And then you know what happens after that.  

The inspiration for this latest batch of temptation? (I can come up with many reasons when I have boundless energy) Well, duh.  Take your kids to work day.  Obviously, I cannot send my kids to work with Z and not have them bring treats.  DUH.  I just hope they can make it out the door before I devour them.  I have to wait for Saturday for that.  

My favorite homemade cookie is pictured above.  Mrs. Kivisto, my kindergarten teacher, was the best teacher in the whole wide world.  She wore this long skirt with booties.  You know, the short boots that  are so popular these days?  We'd be all gathered around her, sitting indian-style on the floor.  She would be on a chair, with her leg crossed and her boot would peek out from her skirt, as she read to us.  I'd dream about the day that I looked just like that.  (Come to think of it, I have that outfit.  I should wear it.)  For our birthdays, she would make monster cookies.  Not just your run of the mill monster cookies.  No.  The cookies she gave us were huge.  About the size of a plate.  I waited all year for mine, making it that much sweeter when I got it.  It was the most amazing thing ever.  To this day, I think of her every time I make or eat those delectable treats.  I miss her.  She was a really amazing lady.  

And here I am again, waiting for my monster cookie.  I get it on Saturday, which is my birthday.  This year, I've been waiting and counting down the days like my kids do for their special day.  We've been trying to eat healthy, so this is going to be a splurge day.  I can't wait.  I'm eating pizza from the best little pizza joint.  And in place of cake?  Hot fudge brownie sundaes.  And my cookie.  My delectable birthday cookie.  Mmmmmmmmmmm.  Is it Saturday yet? 

I'm getting hungry.  I better go eat a carrot. ;)  

Objects in this blog are not as they appear.

I hope you know I was kidding in the last post.  I won't send you out with my GPS if you come to visit.  My GPS blows chunks.  It needs to be updated.  Plus, I'll probably want to spend time with you.  

Anyway.  What I was really wondering was this: all you bloggers, why do my pictures come out so pixelated when I upload them to blogger?  Some of my best pictures totally stink when I put them out there.  I hate that.  Help! 

To whom the weather may concern,

It's not snowing here.  Unless the blossoms being carried in the breeze counts.
My house is big.  And I'd love to have you.  Well.  If I know you somehow.  No random strangers, please. When we hit the heart of summer and the humidity is unbearable here, I might need you to return the favor.  Not to mention, this is the best time for sightseeing in this area.  From what I hear.
And I believe it.  We did DC mid-summer a couple years ago and it was far from ideal.
Even the shade offered no relief.  That being said, if you want to come mid-summer, my AC is up and running.  I'll welcome you.  I just might send you off alone on your sightseeing adventures.  You can use my GPS, though.

The gift of flying

These people (my neighbors) are like State Farm.  Get it?  State Farm? Good neighbor?  Oh, whatever.  I know I'm a geek.  You can pretend like I'm hilarious for once.

 For real, though. Those people up there, pictured with my kids?  The best thing about Virginia.  Hands down.  Well, 'cept for the girl in the middle with the striped shirt.  We don't know her.  She just joined us on the swing.  No biggie.  We hit it off with these neighbors.  Seriously.  I feel like I've known Lisa for years. She knows more about me than most (new) people will eek out of me in a few years.  I'm so thankful that we seized this opportunity, because I think I've made a lifelong friend with her.  We're very similar.  Although, I think she is my personality on speed.  So, I totally understand her.  And we married the same man.  Basically.  And she doesn't judge me for the number of kids I have.  Ever.  She gets it.  She came from a big family and is surrounded (relative-ly speaking) by big families.  It's an easy friendship.

That's not even what I was going to tell you about.  Sheesh.  I was going to tell you about this park and how it warmed my heart up, the way a cup of soup warms you from the inside out.  This guy donated money to build a park that all children could enjoy.  Children of all needs and abilities.   Remember the feeling of being a child, swinging on a swing?  Complete freedom.  Like you are flying.  And you are so sure that you will touch the sky.  Something so simple, yet so magical.  And a tickle belly?  Oooh, when you can get a tickle belly... I'm madly in love with swings.  Even to this day.  Anyway, my point is: they have swings here that every child can enjoy.  Even those that are wheelchair bound.  The whole chair attaches.  Isn't that amazing?  Imagine what a blessing for that child to be able to feel that for the first time in their life! And to be the parent and watch that?  It's something that most of us take for granted.  I was able to see a child in a wheelchair, swinging.  The sheer joy on her face was a sight so beautiful, I could never explain it in words.

What an amazing man to think of such a park.  I hope that all of us could have a little of that inside of us.

Showing Off.

When someone in Virginia recommends something, you best listen.  

They haven't let us down yet.  

One might even say they are connoisseurs of just about everything.

Sheesh.  

 Especially food.  It's amazing that I have been able to shed some of those 

ell-bee-ess things, while living here.  You need to come out and devour it. 

 The Cherry Blossoms are no different.  They smell as good as they look. 

It's a gorgeous sight to see.  And if there weren't any people around, it would

be a photographers dream.  

 Picnicking with this view is not horrible.  Ever.  

 I'm sorry you missed it. 

Mother Nature is such a show off.    

(Stole that line from Mother Peterson on FB. What? It was a good one. )

 I hope she has painted beautiful scenes around you.
Mother Nature.  Not Mother Peterson. 

 And that you are savoring it.  If not, then I guess it's time for a trip out east.  

I'm just sayin'. 

M-i-c-k-e-y M-o-u-s-e & Savannah.

Before April rolled around, I was able to scratch two items off my bucket list.  

 Disney World.  And Savannah, GA.  

 But, now that I have, I am not really sure why Disney was on the list in the first place.  

I put it on my list when I was a kid.  Maybe I built it up.  

This kids loved it.  However.  I expected an amusement park. 

It's a big variety of rides, shows, restaurants, character meet and greets, etc.  

 I could have saved a lot of money by going to Six Flags.  

Oh, well.  It's a check off the list and the kids will remember it forever. 

That, in itself, is a success. 

 If you are going, don't let me burst your bubble.  

I did actually enjoy Animal Kingdom & Hollywood Studios.  

I think your first day is basically going to be a doozy.  

Use it to get yourself oriented and figure out how the parks work.  

 I scoffed to myself at the people who told me you need to get there when the park opens and you need a plan.  My neighbor lady actually had a book on Disney and a whole folder full of info that she borrowed me.  I thought it was overkill.  Boy, was I wrong!  Planning is a must. 

 It's not like Valleyfair.  *grin* 

 And Savannah.  Beautiful, gorgeous Savannah.  I'm not done with it.  

 I actually put "Another trip to Savannah" on the list.  Sigh.  I'm in love.  

I hope however you spent your spring break, you enjoyed it!