My Pictoral Wish List (A girl can dream)

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2.

3.

4.

5.

Anyone care to predict which of these wishes will come true?

Hint: The first 3 are pipe dreams ~~ the 4th one is located in New York ~~ and the last one is old out everywhere!

I'm not TOO hard to please, am I...

Check out my Slide Show!

RAINY DAY TO DO LIST

Okay, I have no excuse NOT to tackle a few projects today. It's raining so NO beach or vegging allowed. My lists hold me accountable (but only b/c I imagine you ALL are reading and coming back to see what I've crossed off LOL). So here goes - my list for today:

1. Photograph 10 items, edit photos and upload to Photobucket for Fall Ebay. DONE


2. Clean and organize shipping area in basement. Lots of extra boxes, bubble plastic etc. DONE


3. Fold all clean laundry and put away (this never ends does it?) DONE


4. Hang prints in master bath - they're hanging now, but with the tags and packaging still intact until I decided to keep them or not -- I am! DONE


5. Start new Garage Sale bin for next year (Got rid of 9 bins of stuff this year - YAY ME!) DONE


6. Put a fresh top coat on my toenails (laugh if you will, but I want my $$$ pedicure to last) DONE


7. Clean out pantry closet and throw away excess bags of old snacks, expired meds etc. DONE


8. Recycle away stored boxes in master closet (the kind from purchased items you save until you know you're keeping the item) I hate this type of clutter. DONE


9. Clean basement (this will mostly be the kids reorganizing their craft area and putting toys away), vaccuum and wipe down surfaces. MOSTLY DONE


10. Buy vanilla ice cream and make banana shakes for kids as a treat. They have a kids' cookbook and have selected this as a treat to make. This will be their cleaning reward today for a job well done! DONE

Check back later to see how much I've accomplished!

**UPDATE 10PM** okay, not so bad - The unfinished business will carry over for tomorrow as we're expecting rain again. So stay tuned for Rainy Day, Part Deux!

De-Sanding Protocol

• Rinse all sand toys, put into bag and place carefully on chair so as not to get more sand on it;
• carefully shake out beach towels so you don't re-deposit sand on everything you just rinsed;
• fold towels and stuff into bag (funny how they all fit on the way TO the beach);
• rinse feet and carefully (this is tricky) step into shorts without getting sand on them;
• take folded towels back out of bag when you realize car keys are at the bottom;
• grab cooler, beach bags, loose towels, empty bottles and shlepp in a juggling fashion, much to the entertainment of passersby;
• walk like this all the way to the opposite side of the beach from where you parked b/c there is no shower on that side (don't ask why);
• rinse shoes first, place on floor, rinse feet and carefully place into shoe without touching dirty floor first;
• re-schlepp all the way to the parking side of the beach and out to the minivan where it's parked in the next zip code;
• dump everything into the back hatch of the minivan and drive home where you:
• warn everyone within an inch of their lives to put their shoes directly into the laundry tub for scrubbing and give instructions on showering order;
• try to muster up a somewhat healthy dinner (or ask the kids if they want cereal to which I know they'll reply yes!);
• clean the kitchen
• despite all the de-sanding efforts, vaccuum out the sand from the minivan;
• start all over again tomorrow! (note font is in a pretty shade of SAND)

The Mom!

This is my favorite You Tube classic!

With summer here, I thought it would be fun to have a refresher course on all the little pearls of wisdom we're passing along to future generations. Click play!

And! For those who would like a karaoke sing-along? The lyrics are printed beneath the video.

Get up now;
get up now
get up out of bed!
Wash your face;
brush your teeth;
comb your sleepyhead!
Here’s your clothes;
and your shoes;
hear the words I said?
Get up now! Get up and make your bed!
Are you hot?
Are you cold?
Are you wearing that?
Where’s your books;
and your lunch;
and your homework at?
Grab your coat;
and your gloves;
and your scarf and hat!
Don’t forget! --
you gotta feed the cat!
Eat your breakfast;
the experts tell us it’s the most important meal of all
Take your vitamins so you will grow up one day to be big and tall!
Please remember the orthodontist will be seeing you at 3 today.
Don’t forget your piano lesson is this afternoon so U must play!
Don’t shovel;
Chew slowly;
But hurry;
The bus is here
Be careful
Come back here
Did you wash behind your ears?
Play outside;
Don’t play rough;
Will you just play fair?
Be polite;
Make a friend;
Don’t forget to share.
Work it out;
Wait your turn;
Never take a dare.
Get along!
Don’t make me come down there!!
Clean your room;
fold your clothes;
put your stuff away!
Make your bed;
do it now!
do we have all day?
Were you born in a barn?
Would you like some hay?
Can you even hear a word I say?
Answer the phone!
Get off the phone!
Don’t sit so close;
Turn it down;
No texting at the table!
No more computer time tonight!
Your iPod’s – MY iPod
If you don’t listen up!
Where are you going and with whom;
and what time do you think you’re coming home?
Saying thank you, please, excuse me;
makes you welcome everywhere you roam!
You’ll appreciate my wisdom;
someday when you’re older and you’re grown.
Can’t wait til you have a couple little children of your own!
You’ll thank me;
for the counsel;
I gave you so willingly.
But right now;
I thank you;
not roll your eyes at me!
Close your mouth when you chew;
we’d appreciate.
Take a bite, maybe two;
of the stuff you hate.
Use your fork;
do not burp;
or I’ll set you straight!
Eat the food I put upon your plate!
Get an A;
Get the door;
Don’t get smart with me!
Get a grip;
Get in here;
or I’ll count to three!
Get a job;
Get a life;
Get a PhD!
Get a dose of --.
I don’t care who started it!
You’re grounded until you’re 36!
Get your story straight and tell the truth for once for heaven’s sake!
And -- if all your friends – jumped off a cliff – would you jump too?
If I’ve said it once, I’ve said at least a thousand times before.
That you’re – too old to act this way!
It must be – your father’s DNA!
Look at me when I am talking;
Stand up straighter when you walk;
A place – for everything;
and everything must be in place!
Stop crying or I’ll give you something REAL to cry about!
Oh!!
Brush your teeth!
Wash your face!
Put your PJ’s on!
Get in Bed!
Get a hug!
Say a prayer with mom!
Don’t forget;
I love you.
And – tomorrow we will do this all again;
because a mom’s work never ends!
You don’t need a reason why!
Because! Because! Because! Because!
I said so! I said so! I said so! I said so!
I’m the mom – the mom – the mom – the mom – the mom!!
Ta da!!

and for those dads who were feeling left out...

S-P-L-A-S-H Into Summer!!!

Using a water balloon to cool off

(as demonstrated by N2's friend)

N3 proving the theory

If at first you don't succeed...

TRY.....TRY....AGAIN!

SUCCESS!!

Of course Sis has to try too

Such a girlie reaction!

A Graduate's Prayer

Dear Father, I come before You as this ceremony begins.
Be with me as I march into a new life,
and bid bittersweet farewell to teachers and friends.

Adorned with this cap and flowing gown that I now wear,
I pray that wherever my future takes me,
I will always find You there.

I step into the aisle as I hear them call out my name.
Escort me to the podium that looms before me, Lord,
so that I may receive my diploma, for which I came.

Before an audience my tassel is turned.
I hear the music of clapping and cheers,
and I am thankful for this honor that I have earned.

I glance over at my classmates as we stand in line.
We will soon be going our separate ways,
but I will not be leaving my Guidance Counselor behind.

The graduating class gathers one final time.
As our caps soar through the air,
our voices tease the skies with a victory chime.

Thank You, God, for bringing me this far.
I pray that You will continue to lead my way,
as I venture out in search of my own star.
Amen.

Cake Trifecta

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