Women Who Eat Chocolate

I tried three times to upload pictures from Christmas...and my computer is not being cooperative! Anyway....we had a super time with our first Christmas at Shelly's! It's the first time in my life...aside from Mexico...that we hadn't spent it at mom's house in Berlin. We had a blast, though, and even started a new tradition (we think!) .... a dance party in the basement! It's funny how you get stuck in a routine and never get out of it, but I think we started a few new things at Shelly's. I'm looking forward to 2009......time to start fresh, and try some new things. Here's to it.....

I have been a bad blogger lately....the will to update has entirely left my body! haha Or maybe I'm on Facebook way too much! It's been a crazy life around here this past month. Lots of things that have seemingly taken over our lives. Sometimes you want to lay down on the couch and never get up---or at least lay there a few hours! God is with us though. He hasn't left us....and has given us the will to push on! I'm hoping that this Christmas, even though there will be a few aspects of it that will not be fair, will be a joy-filled one. He wants us to be able to show the world His face through ours. My face--I have to admit--sometimes shows more anger and unbelief than anything. Especially with everything that's been going on in our lives. But, I'm going to try, through Him, to show the world what I'm made of. Even when you can't believe what people will do and say. They will see Jesus in our faces..... MERRY CHRISTMAS --- TO ALL WHO STRUGGLE...

God is in control.... He goes before us..... Lead us to wise choices....and level heads..... This I pray.....

Okay...maybe I'm weird, but there are just a few places in my house that are my favorites. I love my whole house, but some places always draw me back. The picture below is of my favorite leather chair I bought for $5 from Fern, which sits by my very favorite place---my bookshelf! Some people thought we were nuts for putting it in the corner of the kitchen, but I'm so glad we did. It houses my fiction collection, decorating books, and also cookbooks! I love to sit in this corner to read or think. This next picture is of my favorite little vignette that just happens to be ON my bookshelf. I have this habit of making little scenes with things that I love. This one includes a picture I found at a garage sale for $1...I keep thinking it looks like Frido Kahlo and want to get it appraised! If you don't know who Frido Kahlo is--she was a very famous painter from Mexico. Also included here is my little book collection. The red books are the 100 Most Famous Detective stori...

It's cold...and the leaves are whipping around my front porch like whirling dervishes. I just love this time of year. It's so crisp, and the sky can be so blue yet so gray at the same time. I've finally gotten motivated. I've been busy with my new project last week and this week and it's going well. Hopefully I can stay on track and not get lost in computer world---which is soooo easy to do. Tomorrow I'm going with Rhonda and mom up to Canton to peruse the Habitat ReStore for a few treasures. The house is getting done bit by bit...in fact most of the painting is done upstairs. When the the new room is done in the basement then the painting will start in full swing down there. It will be good when everyone is moved in there and settled. Tomorrow we hope to find a few things that they need for the house. George put in a whole week there last week. He focused on the ceilings which were cracked and in need of stucco repair. He filled cracks and smoothed ...

God is bigger than any election! I give praises this morning because I am not afraid. People are acting like they need to be afraid---don't give in to the enemy...this is what he wants! I love my country and my God!

Here's a few sayings about Halloween.... There's something about the chill that travels up your spine....that adrenaline rush that travels to the tips of your toes. I love to be scared... I don't love the evil things about Halloween--just give me a good thrill and bag full of chocolate and I'm set! I remember trick or treating in Berlin back when I was sooo little...like 4 or so. I remember stopping at a house and seeing someone in an owl mask. I was so scared I felt like I couldn't stop shivering. It's a distinct memory---maybe that's where my love for good ghost story or haunted ride through Panther Hollow come from....I may never know! A house is never still in darkness to those who listen intently; there is a whispering in distant chambers, an unearthly hand presses the snib of the window, the latch rises. Ghosts were created when the first man awoke in the night. ~J.M. Barrie Backward, turn backward, O Time, in your flight make me a child a...

This is how George really looks....enough of this handsomeness! Belle in an unscripted pose...for once. Selena took some scenic shots in the backyard...I loved this one! This is also included in the crazy pics.....really. (Adri did a nice job making the cake!) and what can I say....Hunter is def an original!

Seems the cold weather has decided to stay! Last night when we went to bed all the cold air was blowing in and it sounded like winter outside. I'm going to enjoy the last mottled leaf until it falls to the ground. George and I ran away for the day to Canton. We ended up seeing "Body of Lies" w/ Leo DeCaprio and Russell Crowe---excellent movie. Worth every dollar we paid for a matinee. Seems we end up running away from Mondays more and more! Oh well... I'm pushing pushing pushing myself to get the things done I know I'm supposed to be doing. I.E.: writing my book...or at least writing articles. Selling things on e-bay. After I quit my job I said I would get on that right away. My short vacation is done and it's time to get busy. I know, Tina...you don't have to tell me! You're doing what you're supposed to be doing now it's my turn!

40....fluffy...and fabulous? I think that's the new saying... Being 40 feels exactly the same as 39--it's just a number. Will I be saying that though when I go to renew my license today? Ugh! I hate taking those pictures. We made it through the weekend. Belle had a party for her 18th with tons of kids on Friday night. I cooked chicken enchiladas, chili con queso, and mexican rice. They ate like crazy! Then George surprised me with a 40th birthday party on Sunday. Lots of people...and a pig roast! It was an awesome surprise. As soon as my camera will cooperate and upload the pictures I'll post them. It's Tuesday and I'm still tired from the weekend...but all in all it was a good one. 40....fantastic.....and phenomenal? Keep 'em coming!

G--oofy E--entertaining O--h so annoying at times R--eally can surprise you G--regarious E--ndlessly changeable My husband has driven me nuts this week--made me cry--made me laugh--and surprised me to no end. His depth is boundless, and his ability to turn around a situation and make you look at it in another way is endless. I know him and then I don't. He makes me mad and then he doesn't. I want to be ticked off by him but then my love for him gets in the way. Does anyone else have this problem? H--andsome E--loquent when he wants to be R--oguish R--eally likes to get in your face E--mo at times R--ants A--lways mine This was probably the weirdest post I've ever done, but just how I'm feeling! Isn't life interesting?

I haven't had much of a breath for the last few weeks, much less time to sit down and blog. Between soccer games and life there's not much time left. Soccer is almost over though, so maybe I'll have more time to breathe. Here's a few things in my chaotic world: --Having 6 soccer games a week leaves you cold and wanting strong coffee! --The upside to the coldness is dragging out the sweatshirts and shoes with (gasp) socks! aahhh! --The drama in your kids lives can completely erase whatever is going on with yours. --Realizing the drama in your kids lives is only for a moment and that they'll be ok....maybe. --Slipping away in the middle of the day to see a romantic flick with your husband can do you a world of good. Go see "Nights in Rodanthe". It'll make you cry! --My daughter turns 18 this saturday.....does this officially make me old? --I turn 40 this saturday too.....now that really must make me old! --realizing that 40 is the beginni...

Here are some pix of Belle's last homecoming! Can't believe she's a senior..... Belle and her best friend Steph..... The whole group eating at Bravo's in Canton I love to see how these group photos change over the years----how they get older... Sarah, Steph, Ariel, Liz, Belle Belle showing off her bruise from soccer....she thought it went well with the dress! Here are some pix from the last garage sale ever at mom's.....we were all a little sad! Love the black windows! We all got rid of a bunch of Christmas stuff.....I just looked at my things and said I'm so sick of all it---so it went out the door! We had to take one last picture with all of us: Rhonda (holding Casey), me, Tammy, Mom, and Fern..... We sure had a good run with our beloved Junk Fling... We all decided there's something else that needs to be done now...we're just waiting for it to happen!

tired...tired...tired! but here's a few things i'll update on later... ---survived Hurricane Ike blowing through Ohio...no internet for a week! but we at least had electricity ---I quit my job....many reasons why...but I'm pretty excited... ---had our final garage sale at mom's this week because they're moving...sad but I have lots of good pics of the sale ---had six soccer games this week on top of the sale ---my kids and drama go hand in hand---romance...parties...boys...girls....love my life! I'm now dragging myself to bed with a good book in hand...even though I'll probably fall asleep right away....at least I know the book is in my hand...haha

Well last night did not go as planned. Esabelle was so excited for the soccer game last against West Holmes. If you're not from here---they are our mortal enemy! (j/k...that rival thing seems to hang on!) She had her strategy planned out. How many shots she was going to take...how many moves she was going to put on. There was a little bit of trash talk because she knew most of the girls on the other team. It went both ways. Then came time for the game and----bust! Our team seemed not even to be on the field. Not sure what happened but nobody seemed to come prepared to play. Belle was so mad at herself after the game...she just couldn't understand why in the most exciting game of the season she didn't do what she wanted to. Plain and simple---she psyched herself out. Tough lesson learned. This one burns a little bit more than most. So I let her cry it out....and she'll be okay. I have to say though even when you're an adult...it still gets you a little...

"Doing what you love is the cornerstone of having abundance in your life......" God knows how much time and breaths we have have left in this life..... I'm done wasting them.

Soccer games tonight: Hunter vs. Kingsway Christian 4:30 Belle vs. St. Thomas Aquinas 7:00 --one mom who is ready to yell.....! --Belle scored two goals on Saturday against Ridgewood! I'm so proud... --Selena scored too! --Hunter is also doing awesome! Things that will be blogged about soon: --I'm excited about Sarah Palin...John McCain needed her to shoot some excitement into his race --some up and coming projects that I'm to be involved in.... --stay tuned!

Things can really surprise you. You can be floating along on your little stream of life and then boom! I'm pretty happy with my insular life. We don't have a ton of friends that we have over all the time....and I've always been ok with that. I'm not the type that hangs on the phone and feels like I have to call someone incessantly with the latest news. George and I like to hang out and watch movies together or if I'm alone during the day after all my work is done I like to have a cup of coffee and read a book. Overall I like being alone---I'm very independent. That's why yesterday was so pleasant. I went along with George to do an estimate for our friends Pius and Manuela Felder. Their daughter Delia is in Belle's class. We've always been friendly with them and talk at soccer games. Well we went over there and ended up staying for three hours and fifteen minutes! We looked over what she wanted painted and stuccoed but then we sat down for coffee (swi...

I'm sure I've done a post about rainy days before...but I have to pontificate on them again! There's nothing better than being inside on a rainy day. The slow drizzle lulls you into to an almost hypnotic state. My grass is so dry outside that I think I can see it slowly turning green again. The blades are just reaching up to take a drink. Imagine being that thirsty? We would slowly wither away and die..... Poor grass---it's a shame my weeds don't wither up and blow away. They seem more healthy than ever! I'm ready for fall. It's turned a little cooler these past few days and I'm soaking it up. Fall is my ultimate season. There's nothing about it I don't like. The vivid colors.....the crisp air....sweatshirts pulled out and worn. I'm ready for that slow turn of the earth...that creaking of the seasons that comes seemingly out of nowhere!

First day of school..... Belle's first day as a senior (tear)...Hunter's first day at Hiland as a seventh grader...and Selena's first day as an eighth grader. Where did their little faces go who used to search for me as they got on the big yellow bus and wave goodbye through the window? Now they all drive away together. We've been hardcore Olympic-watchers these past two weeks. Here is Selena drooling over Michael Phelps. She was even taking pictures of the TV with her cell phone! haha ... I just had to capture that! And somehow...all of George and my pictures end up like this. George is either grimacing...laughing too hard...or half his head gets cut off! Somehow they are more refreshing because they are not posed! SOCCER SEASON IS ON! I've got three kids on three different soccer teams at Hiland. I'm super pumped for this whole season. There will be between the three of them some 50-60 games.... oh my. I couldn't be more excited. Tonight...

Last week I ran away for 24 hours to forget about the world......well, with a few other people. Mom, Fern, Tammy, and I went to Slippery Rock, PA to stay at a bed and breakfast. It only took a few hours to get out there. We ate at the coolest place called (if I remember right!) The North Country Brewing Co. Very loud and hip---and the dip was amazing! The town was a college town but was very small. You can blink and drive right through it. Very cool and hip though. The next day after ordering our breakfast from an 84 year old lady who's cooked there for 30 years...we headed over to the Grove City outlets for a little shopping. Then we headed on to the small hamlet of Volant...quaint shops and such. I have to say though, that living in Berlin we are definitely spoiled. We've seen all the cool shops and more! We did have a nice relaxing panini sitting on an outside deck by the river. I also made a record by buying three different chapsticks at three different shoppe...

Going away with my aunt, cousin, and mom for the weekend to Mercer Co, PA. Bed & Breakfast..... Breakfast made to order..... away from the world for a little while? PRICELESS..... Update later on.....

"the will of God will not take you.....where the grace of God cannot keep you".... this is a verse that I've had had written down for at least ten years and kept in my purse. it's come in handy more than once to remind me what i need to remember. a friend of mine just sent me an e-mail that had this exact verse on it. thanks tracie. sometimes i need to remember this verse and rest in it. when everything is too overwhelming to take in and process i need to remember to pull out this verse. somedays closing my eyes and leaning back into a soft pillow just isn't enough. the long stream of troubles that follow me just don't let me rest. i'm not complaining..... my life is good. i've got healthy kids, a handsome husband, (!) and a relatively great life. there's always things that plague us through this life. the devil never lets us alone so why should we ever let our guard down... i found that my guard has been down alot even when i think it...

All I can say is go see it. Awesome movie.... Super action.... Heath Ledger was amazing. He was the most demented Joker to ever play the Joker! Sorry Jack Nicholson. We laughed at him at one turn and the next were in shock at his violence. Now that's what I call a summer movie!

It's been so hot this week! It's almost unbearable. If I didn't have air I don't know what I'd do. Melt I guess. This morning driving up to work all I could see was a blue haze nestled in the dewy valleys. There was also an interesting sunset last night and the moon was kind of spooky then too. The sun set in just a blaze of hot pink...it was so beautiful. Then when I closed the curtains to go to bed the moon was big and yellow surrounded by dark puffy clouds. Kind of eerie but beautiful also. So often this past week I've been looking around our county and realizing how beautiful it really is. It's so green verdant and lush. We need to take the time to notice. It's easy to forget and just race about our day.

I'm not moving. At least in the direction I want to be going. There's so many things swishing and sloshing around inside my head and none of them are getting accomplished. Let's take writing for example. I have about 10 unfinished novels inside of my head, and at least one book on garage sales (LOL). Every morning I get up I say to myself that I'm going to get started on at least one of them. Then the kids get up, or George is at home and wants to talk....(which is fine!).....but they all throw me off track. I need to carve out a space of time for myself and just do it. I need to say to my kids, no standing over my shoulder waiting for their turn on the computer. It's very annoying having a face right beside you....then sitting on the steps staring at you.....or walking past me 10 times. I know exactly what they want so sometimes it's easier just to get off and let them have it. Why oh why don't they sleep in until 12:00 like I did? Just...

Happy July 4th all..... I'm working on this rainy 4th and the skies have been cloudy all day. Where is the hot weather and the smell of meat grilling under oppressive hot skies? It all took a hike this summer! God is good.....under cloudy skies or sun......good times or bad.....he's right where he said he would be....right beside us. Gotta go.....busy busy!

Well I guess it's the next day, but that's okay..... I just ran out of daylight yesterday! Things have been good. Summer is in full swing and we're enjoying it. I'm working 2-3 days a week, and Esabelle has started working up at the motel too as a gopher. She strips the rooms, takes out the trash, and does laundry. I tell her just to remember every dollar saved is one step closer to a car. I'm just glad she could find work this summer as it's been really hard to find any work around here for teens. Geez, maybe it's better she doesn't have a car right now because of gas being $4.09 a gallon...... HELP! Last week we had a garage sale at Benton at my Aunt Fern's house. I love garage sales. Nothing gets my juices flowing like the thought of putting junk out for people to peruse and buy. I really think I should start my own business of putting on garage sales for people. The thought came to my head the other day that I should write a book abo...

update coming later today....... I messed around too long getting a new layout and I have an appt.!

I can't quite believe I haven't posted on here for this long. I guess life takes over sometimes! Things are good. George and I celebrated our 18th wedding anniversary back on May 26th. We had our weekend away and did we ever have fun. We stayed at home and drank some really good wine on Friday night and watched movies then we headed down to Columbus to Easton Mall on Saturday morning. We got sidetracked in Apple Valley....there were having garage sales! But George had never been down to Easton and he just loved it. It's like you're walking around in London. Well maybe London is a stretch but I just love the way the shops line the streets. The fountains are so neat too. We had a blast and re-connected once again. I'll have to update later because I'm at work...

I'm still alive! I'll post soon on what's been up in my life. Anniversary.....birthdays.....relatively mundane information..... j/k.... Loving the heat of summer!

Rain rain come and stay please don't try to hurry away! I love the sun but I definitely love a good couple days of rain. My lawn is electric green and my hostas are getting full to bursting. The weeds are full to bursting too but that's another story. For now they blend in. Everyone seems to complain about the rain but I love it. For me it means a couple of things. One: I can enjoy my house....sometimes I just sit and stare at my house. I love it and everything that's in it. Do you really enjoy your house? Take the time to sit and stare at all you've collected and loved over the years? If not---then it's time. Too often we just race through our day and make our homes a place to just plop all our junk and pass out. Maybe I appreciate mine more right now because we didn't have it for so long due to the fire. But we still need to take the time to create a haven for ourselves and actually enjoy what's in it. Two: Rain outside means I can take a d...

There's nothing like getting up on a monday---drinking a cup of coffee--and deciding to take off to Canton for a day of leisure. George didn't have to start a new project until Wednesday so we decided to head up to a matinee. And what did we see? Only my new favorite book turned into a movie "The Other Boleyn Girl". I have to say it was pretty good but it didn't follow the book at all. It jumped around alot and didn't follow the storyline which can be pretty annoying. But I have to say it was good and George liked it too. How about that husband of mine that will go see a bodice-ripper with me? That's why I love him. Hmmm....maybe he saw it with me because he made me sit through "Alien vs. Predator: Requiem " the night before.....hmmmm.

I know you love my new cassette background....... I couldn't resist. It reminded me too much of all the mix tapes that I used to make. I'm at work tonight and can't think of anything profound to say. The kids had soccer scrimmages today at Millersburg and George and I watched them while sitting under the beautiful sun. It was a gorgeous today. Maybe I'll be a little more word-worthy tomorrow.....

here's a few pictures from Belle's prom last Saturday night.... it was her first! Her and her date Cody Troyer, and Jordan and his date Jana ate up at Peter Shear's in downtown Canton. Then came back for the dance and after prom. Belle and Cody at the Grand March at Hiland all the couples that met and took pictures Belle and Cody in his mom's BMW Jordan and Jana at Grand March Jordan, Jana, Belle, and Cody Jordan and Belle....weren't they just 2 years old and in diapers? Belle and Steph Mast.....BFF's :) Belle and Shelly.....I like this pic cuz you can see her whole hairstyle all the girls

We had such a blast having Rhonda's boys up here last weekend. We had four of them stay at our house: Robel, Chris, Eman, and Yonas. They were all so polite and well-behaved.....but I still heard them laughing and talking when they thought we couldn't hear them! It was definitely a whirlwind weekend. On Friday night when they got here we had a meal. Afterward, we split up into whoever wanted to play basketball or soccer. We took the soccer kids down to Killbuck to play. Scott and George played like they thought they were 18 again...needless to say they paid for it the next morning! On Sunday morning we all went to church out at Newpointe. We all had to say goodbye after that which was sad.....but our kids are bugging us to go down to Virginia now to visit. So...we'll see what we can do about that! the kids who stayed with us.....Zach and Hunter had already left w/Rhonda for church... after church in the sanctuary... Rhonda and I......I still look a little tan :)...

the beach and water were so incredibly clean and clear! it made up for the red tide that was there when Adri got married. the water was so turquoise. Hunter and Jefferson (Steph's brother) they played non-stop the whole vacation. George and Selena.....see how clear the water was? all tan and gussied up for supper... the crew...we pretty much were w/steph's family on the beach everyday...it just kind of happened that way...we had a blast! @ the Beach House restaurant... I thought the girls looked so pretty in this pic... George and I...and his racoon tan! he would never take those darn sunglasses off! George with his favorite....OYSTERS! :) We had a super time.... it was just what we needed after everything that happened this year. We just needed time as a family to be together again with nothing else to focus on except ourselves. Now....if only I could find the WARM sun here in Ohio!