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Showing posts from 2010

Reminder

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Christmas season is full upon us, and we wait with bated breath for the lovely day.  As for me, I don't seem to have enough hours in the day to get things accomplished!  I love my new job, and the extra $ it brings.  I'm feeling an extra spring in my step -- kind of like my eyes have been opened to new possibilities.  I've found that my days off (Thursday and Friday) are filled with all manner of catching up, grocery shopping, and squeezing in appts. and other paraphernalia.  I am loving it.   Belle flies home in frosty air tomorrow and will land at the Canton/Akron Airport at 6 pm.  Can't believe she's halfway through her sophomore year in college.  We realized that she no longer had a winter coat -- only her letterman's jacket, and who wants to wear that when you're out of high school?  On a Christmas trek last week, I picked her up a nice pea coat at Forever 21.  I love that store, and especially their prices.  Selena got her driving permit last week. 

People, let's celebrate Thanksgiving first!

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Am I the only one who gets annoyed at people who put up Christmas lights before Thanksgiving?  Selena and I have discussed it, and are ticked that everyone wants to bypass Thanksgiving!  We love Thanksgiving. Sigh.  We will never win.

Awesome night with the kids

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Sometimes in the hustle and bustle of life you don't take enough time to just spend together.  Well, last night my kids and I remedied that.  We took off about 6 pm to enjoy Boo in the 'Burg out in Millersburg!  We went to the Victorian Mansion first.  All decked out for Halloween, the atmosphere was just what we wanted.  We explored all three upper floors, then headed for the basement.  There was even a gypsy doing palm readings, which we declined to do.  As much as I love spooky stuff I drew the line at that.  Several dark characters waited around corners to give us a fright, one especially in the old hospital room upstairs.  I asked her if I could take a picture, and she replied, "I won't show up..."  Chill down my spine! The history entailed in the mansion is breathtaking.  The picture made up of saved hair wound around wires was a bit eerie.  Those Victorians didn't waste a thing.  Hunter was attempting to check out all areas and all doors that were

New job, Pumpkin Carving, and Halloween!

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What a week this has been.  I've been caught up in a whirlwind and tossed from two different extremes!  I started a new job this week as receptionist at Troyer Cheese in Berlin.  Not the retail store, but the distribution center that sits beside it.  I've always loved office work.  When I was 19 I worked as receptionist at Weaver Leather for a year, and I left there to go with George to Mexico .  Ahh, those were the days being young and free.  My first week went very well, but I think my mind was tired more than my body -- lots of learning and concentrating to do.  I will only be working Monday - Wednesday, so it's not a full time job.  When Thursday came around I was like a whirling dervish getting all sorts of stuff done at home!  I guess it took getting me out of the house to be able to get some stuff done.  It kind of woke me out of a stupor.  It's Halloween weekend!  It's not that we celebrate Halloween, but it's one of my favorite times of the year.  It

Friday Fragments -- my babies!

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I'm not sure when my babies got this old.  I remember them running around in the backyard, rolling on the floor fighting, and sitting there with their heads tilted watching every episode of the Rugrats. They are only 11 months apart.  Now they are old enough to get spiffed up and head off to Homecoming with dates.  Sigh, they are still my babies -- just more grown up looking.  Don't you think? 

on scary movies & tossing your cookies

Oh mylanta, it's almost the middle of October.  Honestly the days zip along and don't really give a rip whether they fly by or not. When October hits, my scary bone starts acting up.  I don't know where I got my love of all things creepy, but I can't remember a time when I didn't have it.  I would pick a horror movie any day over a sappy romance.  I've also paid the price for it.  When the movie "The Blair Witch" project started being advertised (it has to be over ten years ago now) I just had to see it.  George knows better than to argue with me about it, so off we went for a nice dinner and movie.  There we were all settled in with popcorn, a drink, and candy.  I like to get to the theater early (yes, I'm one of those) so we were sitting right in the middle about 3/4 of the way up.  The movie starts.  I realize that the camera is really jerking around, and I'm kinda getting a headache.  This was back when the whole "shaky-camera) thing w

The Unspeakable Sorrow

It's a little early, but the second part of George's story is up and posted on the Bargain Hunter website.  This one was hard to write, but what's coming next will be even harder -- pressing on! The Unspeakable Sorrow

excruciatingly honest post alert

DISCLAIMER :   Just a little warning about my post for today -- it comes from an unstable, unbathed woman who has only had one cup of coffee today.  Keep reading at your own risk! :) I feel like I've been sitting on the edge of my seat for a very long time.  Anxious , edgy , maybe even a bit snippety ?  I can't seem to hold still even when I sit down to write.  My hands fidget and brain is on overdrive.  I just can't pinpoint what's going on with me.  I feel as if I'm on a precipice with barely a thread holding me from plunging down into a black hole.  There have been days I want to go into a room and scream.  I seem to always want to be alone and when someone comes home I just want them to leave again.  Solitude is my angry friend right now.  The husband has noticed it and there have been more than enough heated discussions about it.  The kids are so busy that they barely notice it.  If I'm on hand to pick them up from wherever on earth they are at that moment

A few futbol pics

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Ahh, soccer season ... how I've missed you!  Hopefully tomorrow I'll get some of Hunter -- they've been off almost a week. Heading up to Hudson tomorrow for girls and boys games!

An Overview of George's Story

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September, you're such a creeper.  Where did you even come from?   I love fall -- it's my absolute favorite time of year.  The sweatshirts come out of hiding, although mine always need a tumble in the dryer to get rid of that unused smell.  I don't know what lurks on my closet shelves, but I wish there was a button to press to keep all your clothes smelling fresh.   My latest post on the Bargain Hunter website was the start of a new endeavor for me.  Once a month, I'm going to be writing a new installment on the life of my husband Antonio (a.k.a. George).  And yes, we'll eventually get to the story of why he's called George instead of the much sweeter Antonio!  When I met him, in spurts I got the whole incredible tale and how it unspooled.  From his dad's death, the stepfather from hell and the torturous abuse he suffered at his hands, to being lost on the streets from the ages of six to nine.  Let's not leave out living in Acapulco alone at ten yea

...time keeps on ticking...

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....Selena my high school sophomore...and Hunter my high school freshman (plus my nephew Zach an 8th grader!)....1st day of school 2010...where did the time go?

What do you guys think?

It's a beautiful Friday morning and it's been four days since Belle flew back to Florida.  Our house has settled back into normalcy after the rush of getting a college kid ready.  My high schoolers are ready to head back to classes next Tuesday.  Life for me will be a blur of soccer games, with my days filled with writing and new projects. I'm ready to hit the ground running with the free time that school in session gives me.   My most recent Bargain Hunter blog was one that was close to my heart.  It's about letting your kids go.  I'm posting it here today -- take a gander and let me know how you all feel about letting your kids go. Letting Go

Snapshot of my August

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"I bet deep down you still wish your mom would take you clothes shopping every August for the new school year."   ~Bridget Willard Seems like I just started waxing poetic on summer and all of a sudden it's back to school.  I've just learned to sink deeply in my front porch cushions and enjoy a good book while the kids sleep in.  The days are lazy and with not much direction.  It turns on a dime when the first of August rolls around.  Here is my August in a nutshell: -- Drive three times a day to Hiland to chauffeur said children to soccer conditioning -- Come back home and drink three more cups of coffee .... savor. -- Help my college sophomore choose which t-shirts out of 300 should go back with her to Florida. -- Remind her that extra baggage is extra money. -- Hide 100 of her t-shirts that she doesn't even remember that she has.  -- Make a sandwich for the hubby and chat with him when he comes home for lunch.  -- Go through high school sophomore and

Summer Days

Hot and humid is pressing on my window panes.  The air feels so heavy that it's as if I'm walking through jello.  College financial prep drug on forever this summer -- FOREVER!  The girl will be returning to Florida on or thereabouts August 16 which is quickly bearing down on us.  The separation this year won't be as hard.  I'll miss her, but am getting used to the stretching and separating that goes along with your kids growing up.  I'm looking forward to helping her get ready to go.  She'll be flying back this time as so many trips to Florida are hard on the pocketbook.  My younger two will be entering their Sophomore and Freshman years this year.  Growing up way too quickly.  I watch them, dark heads bent together, talking and laughing and realize that all too soon they will be gone from me too.  I look to that day with a little bit of apprehension and also little bit of excitement.  Maybe George and I will take off on our adventures then.  Who knows what the

These found photos speak to me

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My name is Missy, and I'm a Facebook-aholic

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Not sure if it's the slow down that summer brings or if I'm just lazy.  I simply haven't felt like updating my blog like a good little blogger!  Or maybe it's because there are more people in the house from day to day.  When I write, I need complete silence .  Anything, including the TV, and yes, the ever-pulsating iPod booming from upstairs distracts me.  Maybe I need a Facebook vacation.  I'll admit it right here and now -- I think I have a FB addiction.  I get on it in the morning when I check e-mail, I get on at noon, and just about anytime in-between.  My husband is threatening an intervention -- technology style!  I tell him, isn't your laundry done?  Don't you have a hot meal on the table? Then that insidious itch starts to scratch and I just have to know what everyone is up to, even though I don't talk to everyone everyday.  Mark Zuckerberg, founder of Facebook , is a genius who is also an evil mastermind underneath.  Facebook is the single mos

Luscious Summer

"How sweet I roamed from field to field, and tasted all the summer's pride."  ~William Blake   Summer is heavy upon us.  The days have become lazy and languid, and I'm taking it all in.  The mornings have been hazy and humid and my kids have taken the opportunity to sleep in some.  Not too late though, as we have been immersed in the soccer World Cup these past few weeks and the first games start at 9:30 am.  Their sleepy heads make their way down the steps to join me downstairs for a little futbol.  The vuvuzuelas (the horns they play at soccer games) have woken them up almost every morning.   It's been a time of bonding.  George snuck breaks in his busy work schedule to watch the Mexico and U.S. games.  I think I will go into futbol withdrawal when the final game is played July 11.  Selena will miss that game because she will be taking off to Chicago, IL for a missions trip with the MYF.  They will be working with the homeless, do street missions, work in soup

Life & Surprise Birthday Parties!

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Seems I haven't had time to blog much as of late.  Belle's boyfriend  left today after a two week stay.  We really enjoyed getting to know him.  Kind of sad to see him go. :(  We're immersed in the World Cup being held in South Africa right now.  Three games a day are on and we're taking in as many of them as we can.  Two garage sales are coming up.  One at my Aunt Fern's in Benton, and then one at Jonni's house.  In between running kids to open fields, and everything else, it's been a busy summer so far!  We threw Selena a surprise 15th birthday party on Saturday.  About 25 kids came and we scared her good!  Music, food, and fun was had by all. She so didn't want a party, but I think it's because she's so not about herself.  Sometimes I have to do it for her and make it ABOUT her.  Belle took her out to eat, then brought her back.  All the kids were hiding in the woods and everywhere.  We had a blast.  George turned 43 yesterday on top of everyt

Summer & Houseguests

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We have a new friend staying with us for a little while.  Belle's boyfriend from college, Jonathan Pullen, is taking a little road trip this summer and will end up in Copake, New York.  He will be working at a summer camp for kids coaching volleyball.  This is the first time we've met him, and we're all getting along swimmingly!  He grew up in Florida and is the son of Guatamalan missionaries.  He's got quite an interesting story.  For now we're just enjoying getting to know him.  It's made the summer interesting so far.  He seems to be just as crazy as we are, and that's a good thing! 

... a little romance ...

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We're celebrating our anniversary tonight -- 20 maddeningly lovely years .  It's not that I picked George out of a crowd, God led me to him.  I was supposed to do my VS assignment in Phoenix, AZ that winter of 1988.  At the last minute, they changed it to San Antonio, TX.   Where George lived.  God just knows. "By in love she meant the acuteness of the heart at the sudden sight of a particular person or the way over a couple of years of interested friendship one is suddenly stunned by the lungs' longing for more and more breath in the presence of that friend."  ~Grace Paley The wine is chilling, steaks and shrimp are marinating, and a variety of veggies to grill are cut and prepared.  French bread is waiting to be torn off as needed, and two lovely pink candles (a anniversary gift from a friend) are waiting to be burned.  We are setting this day aside for us -- because that's what we were first...us.

Not all those who wander are lost. ~J.R.R. Tolkien

You're not supposed to be so blind with patriotism that you can't face reality.  Wrong is wrong, no matter who says it.  ~Malcolm X I'm not a radical.  I grew up in a sleepy town that afforded me certain freedoms city folk just didn't have.  The days of summer were slow, languid and stretched out like a rippling curtain of promise.  Mornings spent eating cereal at a table with a vase of daffodils, packing a lunchbox with baloney sandwiches and hopping on my pink Huffy bike to ride off where the wind blew.  The back alley was a freedom highway for me.  This was before they widened it and built restaurants(The Farmstead), banks, and hotels.  Back then, riding up to Toothpick's house (our Amish neighbors up the road) was the biggest adventure I could have.  I was eventually allowed to go a little further and bike up to Boyd & Wurthmann's grocery store.  I can still see the dark, wide planks of wood that graced the floor of that old place.  Tiny aisles fill

Thanks, Boho Mom, for the awesome quote!

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Playing a little catch up

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Back from Miami all, and I'm peeling like a potato .  I don't think I have ever peeled this much in my life. The sun was so intense and lovely down there that you feel as if you could lay in the sun forever.  When you're cavorting in the waves you don't feel it at all.  We stayed in one of the old art deco hotels right on Ocean Drive.  I did alot of searching beforehand for the right hotel and price.  I found this place, for four nights, and paid a song.  The only thing we didn't expect was the valet parking.  They charge you up front for four days of storage.  It was worth it though, because we only took the car out once to cruise through downtown Miami.  The rest of the time we spent walking to the beach, down Ocean Dr., Collins Ave., and Espaniola Way .  After the first day the walking became habit.  My figure benefited from this and I unknowingly lost some weight!  I'm continuing this trend by walking out at our high school track three times a week -- might

Semi-Wordless Wednesday

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Next week I will be laying under this tree.  We're picking up the girl in FL and all I'm packing is some flip-flops.  Can't wait to see her and lay awhile in the sand....

Tomorrow I will have two 14 year olds!

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May 1, 1996 -- that was when my baby was born. It was my third c-section and the only one that was scheduled. :)  We didn't know if it was a boy or girl, so when they pulled him out George took one look at him and knew.  He finally had a boy!  He arrived calm as day, with the cutest little mole on his face.  Each one that arrives brings you more love than you ever think you'll have room for.  Esabelle and Selena loved him from the start.  I love my three children so much.  They bring such joy and heartache.   Tomorrow, we have Hunter's annual birthday bash planned.  Fifty or so kids are coming over to crash my door.  There is a chance of thunderstorms -- please Lord let us be in the "miss zone".  Since the kids have been little we've always done pinatas at their parties.  George being from Mexico, knows how to do 'em up right.  None of this hanging on a tree branch, and dividing all the candy up evenly.   We've witnessed pinatas in Mexico where they w

Semi-Wordless Wednesday

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We worry about what a child will become tomorrow, yet we forget that he is someone today.  ~Stacia Tauscher

Opportunity

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Moments have quick feet and and are fleeting.  Grabbing them might require quick reflexes and no hesitation.  I've been known to be hesitant, but I do have quick reflexes.  When I played volleyball in high school, I remember my coach showing the others my wrist snap.  When you spike or serve the ball, you need to have a good snap to make that ball go low.  I seem to have been blessed with a good snap.  Even now, if I drop something I'm sometimes able to catch it in mid-air.  Ya baby -- still haven't lost it.  This week two different opportunities came my way.  The first one made me stop and ponder.  There were heated discussions here at home about taking it.  George is a go-getter and knows a good chance when he sees one.  I, on the other hand, need time to process my emotions and everything this opportunity might entail.  After some good thought, we're passing this moment up.  It's just not for us.  The second one came last evening.  Really, it's not even some