Once Upon a Day: November 2010

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

November......

November came and went in a blink of an eye........Mom turned 65 but still looks like and acts like she is in her early fifties - I would say younger but since she has two children now in their 40s and one in his mid-30s - people would think she had me when she was 10.... We had our annual raking/jumping in of the leaves (55 bags this year....love it, not) and my brother participated in the 2010 Ruckus which is a military-like obstacle course - he was a trooper and completed it in 45 minutes (not bad considering he only trained for a few days...I thought he was going to need to go to the hospital.) A sort of spur of the moment (okay, really I just had a lot of thinking to do for this one) trip to Lake Tahoe for Thanksgiving to visit John's extended family, the Ardens and Uncle B which brought November to a close... I have to say I am truly blessed to be part of a family who works towards and cares about having a positive and nurturing environment for everyone. The trip was fun and Tahoe blew in 5+ feet of snow for us to enjoy - too bad my board was back in MA!

Nana and Samantha

The Ruckus

Scott looking all happy

then sparkle girl ran with him and it all went down hill...he was dying here but trying to save face...

he finished......looks a little dirty from the obstacles through the mud

this was my favorite line "I'm not 25 anymore....." I thought we were heading to the hospital.

Sam tried out the children's course.....

NEVADA trip

The plane ride was a breeze.......

First snowfall of the year.......they expected 5+ feet in the mountains - Reno/Sparks ended up with a dusting.....

On the way to Tahoe City we pulled over to go sledding...... Sarah borrowed a sled since we didn't think to bring one....

climbing up the hill

it was pretty steep

At the Lake it was a bit cold

Hanging with the Ardens - Daniel, Emily and Maggie (Tyler was suspiciously missing from the photo shoot)

and cousins Anna and Kevin (who just turned 13!)

my new friend Milo....I wanted to take him home with me but I didn't think Keith and Tracy would let me...

Samantha took this photo..

Sassy Samantha

I bought Samantha's Halloween costume yesterday - you would probably guess it would be her normal princess "something" but nope we've moved it up a notch this year...Cleopatra.....I told her she was QUEEN of Egypt and she said "well that's more than being a princess!" oh my........
I guess good help is "good help"
Mom, It's your job, in this life, to help me with things like this.
I was lost trying to find a street name. Directions read drive .08 miles. I'm on the phone trying to get help from Ro and Sam goes "just drive the .08 miles mom and see what's there."
Mom, why are you so confused today?
Nana, you look bald (too short of a hair cut, I guess)
Mom, there's something I would like to discuss with you.
Mom, I have something I want to tell you...
"Mom, Here's the deal..."
"Mmmm, looks really cold outside, can I watch a video instead?"
"Mom, that was ingenious!"
You're the Bestest Mama Ever!
Can officially write her own name (12/1/08)
I will sit down, if you tell me in Spanish
Mom, I think it's time for me to get my hair cut. It falls in the toilet at school...
I would like to be called Samantha, not Sam, please.
Upon seeing Hoodsie cups at her party she yells at the hostess "Hey, I'm allergic! I can't have those!"
Mommy, I just crack myself up!
Mom, since it takes so long for you to get dinner ready, do you think I could have a popsicle?
Mom, we are not lost... we are in the woods. See all the trees.
Mom, just take a deep breath - don't panic!
Does everyone have blood in their bodies?
Mommy, I'm pregnant and I'm going to have a baby on Tuesday!
Commenting on my saying I was hungry... Mom, how about going to McDonalds or something?
I would wear those shoes, but they simply don't go with that dress
Mama, I love you in my heart.
Mom, can I just have three minutes, okay how about four minutes, fine then FIVE MINUTES!
Mom, are you happy we didn't have a naked party today?
Mom, I'm sorry I had a naked party with Sean and Allison...

Poems

NEW YEAR'S DAY

We will open the book.
Its pages are blank.
We are going to put words on them ourselves.
The book is called "Opportunity"
and its first chapter is New Year's Day.

BE THANKFUL

Be thankful that you don't already have everything you desire.
If you did, what would there be to look forward to?

Be thankful when you don't know something,
for it gives you the opportunity to learn.

Be thankful for the difficult times.
During those times you grow.

Be thankful for your limitations,
because they give you opportunities for improvement.

Be thankful for each new challenge,
because it will build your strength and character.

Be thankful for your mistakes.
They will teach you valuable lessons.

Be thankful when you're tired and weary,
because it means you've made a difference.

It's easy to be thankful for the good things.
A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who are also thankful for the setbacks.

Gratitude can turn a negative into a positive.
Find a way to be thankful for your troubles,
and they can become your blessings.

~~Author Unknown.~~

Quotes

A jug fills drop by drop
In the midst of movement and chaos, keep stillness inside of you.
Sometimes courage does not roar;sometimes courage is that little voice at the end of the day that says "I'll try again tomorrow"
There is always one moment in childhood when the door opens and lets the future in.
A lifestyle is what you pay for; a life is what pays you - Anonymous
Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, martini in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming "WOO HOO what a ride!"
Tough Times Never Last, Tough People Do - Robert Schuller