PhotoHunt - Purple

This weeks PhotoHunt theme was a hard one for me. I did take quite a few pictures this week of the theme but once I reviewed them all this morning I ended up picking a photo from my archives. This is a cross stitch that I did of a Purple Halloween Hat.

After going on the nature walk/hike with Sam I realized how many pictures I had taken of purple flowers. So here are some more.

If you'd like to see more go to the home of PhotoHunt! Or better yet...submit your own! I'd love to see them!

Photo Contest

Write From Karen is holding her quarterly photo contest. I've decided to enter. This quarters theme is: SPRING / GREEN / FLOWER / FRESH / GROWTH / RAIN / EASTER. If you would like to enter you still have a few hours left to do so, just click on the banner above. Nothing like entering at the last minute! Voting begins today after 5:00 central time and don't worry...I'll be sure to remind you to go and vote for me!

The picture I chose was taken the day before Easter with Sam lying in a field of Bluebonnets. This was our first time ever going to do this and it is big tradition here in TX. I think we might just have to keep doing this. He's so photogenic and is a natural at it. I actually took this photo when he didn't realize I was. I think those are the best photos.

You Capture - Rustic

I know what you are all going to say, "Gee, Kim, another photo challenge? How many are you going to participate in?" My answer? "As many as I want to, so there!" I can't tell you how I got there or recognize the blog that pointed me there because I was just surfing blogs and came across this one. I Should Be Folding Laundry has a new photo meme called "You Capture" and it's to get you up and going with your camera. Go here to learn more about it. This weeks "assignment" is Rustic. Since I just found this weekly assignment and the fact that there are Thunderstorms outside I went to my archives because as soon as I read it I knew exactly the photos I wanted to use. I recently took them and haven't had the chance to share them here.

Next weeks assignment is "Letters". I see so many different ways to take this so check back next week to see what I come up with. Or better yet, join in!

Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince

Have you seen it yet? Have you? Have you? Well, have you? I tell you that I can't wait to see this one! Now to wait until July!

Movie Trailers - Movies Blog

Looking At The Sky On Friday

I was hurrying trying to get from one obligation to the next last night and was in a frazzled rush when I really looked at the sky (and yes the road) while I was driving and this is what I saw. I saw the beautiful sky with the sun setting behind the clouds. I saw a road with no other cars on it where there are usually quite a lot. Then I thought that it's okay to slow down and enjoy the moment that was put here in front of me. I reached over to my purse and grabbed my camera and took this photograph while I was driving so that I could not only share it with you but also be able to look back on it when life seems to be going by fast.

If you'd like to see more Looking At The Sky On Friday photos then click on the link!

Booking Through Thursday - Windfall

It's Thursday so it's time for Booking Through Thursday. Here is the question:

Yesterday, April 15th, was Tax Day here in the U.S., which means lots of lucky people will get refunds of over-paid taxes.

Whether you’re one of them or not, what would you spend an unexpected windfall on? Say … $50? How about $500?

(And, this is a reading meme, so by rights the answer should be book-related, but hey, feel free to go wild and splurge on anything you like.)

Answer:

Well if I stick to the reading meme then I guess I would purchase a whole bunch of books for the whole family. The ones that we have been waiting and waiting to get. Might even get myself a good book light as I have misplaced my last one. I would also like to purchase books for the library so that every one can enjoy them.

Now, if I wasn't sticking the the reading meme I would still probably purchase some books but I would also purchase some supplies for knitting, cross stitching and crafting in general! I would also purchase supplies for my business. I would definitely also purchase some much needed clothes for myself.

What would you buy? Click on the link or icon above and participate or just see what everyone else would buy!

I ♥ Faces - Easter/Spring

To me this photo screams Spring in Texas. We took Sam out to see the Bluebonnets for the first time since we moved here. We missed taking him last year so we made sure to take him this year. Be sure to check out the other entries at the official blog for I ♥ Faces!

Ten On Tuesday

This weeks Ten on Tuesday is 10 Signs That You're Getting Older and after yesterday I can soooo relate to this one. The really sad thing about this list is that it was very easy to come up with 10!

Here's my 10 Signs That You're Getting Older:

1) Days like yesterday (you can read about it here if you haven't already) make me wonder if being 41 and having a 9 year old and contemplating the idea of adopting a younger sibling makes me wonder if I can handle it. But I know that I can.
2) I can't stand going to the mall unless it's during the week while all the kids are at school.
3) I need reading glasses.
4) When my son asks to listen to the oldies station and I realize that these were the songs that I grew up with in high school.
5) More grey hairs.
6) I'm tired and ready to go to bed by 9:00 but still don't make it until 10:00 because my son is still awake.
7) It's much harder to lose weight.
8) You hear yourself sounding like your parents and you said you would never say that when you grew up. Well guess what...you do!
9) Your child looks at you crazy when you talk about times before the DVR, 100s of channels on the TV, cassette tapes, gas prices that weren't near a $1 and so on.
10) The aches and pains in my body and the fact that it takes longer to get over being sick.

I could probably keep going on with this list but it's Ten on Tuesday not One Hundred on Tuesday. So what are yours? Would you like to participate? Head on over to here.

Mood

Ever have one of those days where the littlest thing(s) can just ruin your day even if your day started off great? I'm in one of those days today.

I woke up around 1:15 a.m., 3:00 a.m., 4:17 a.m., 5:30 a.m., to let our Senior Citizen dog Leo outside or to direct him to his water dish. (All nights are not like this.) Andy's alarm went off around 6:30 I think and it woke me up yet again. Then after he left for work I started to drift back to sleep when I hear the cats and that wakes me back up. They just wanted some attention and loving. Okay fine. I give them attention as it seems to be calming me back down and then I realize that I'm awake.

Sam wasn't awake at this point so I decided to stay in bed and watch some morning news and then remember that I could also take this time to watch the rest of a show that I had recorded. Of course, as soon as I turned it on Sam walks in and wants to snuggle. Okay fine. Can't really resist that. Then I tell him it's time for us to get up an he gets really angry at me and everything around him. I tell him that he can go back to his room while he gets his emotions "in check". Peace in my room again.

Next the cats remind me, in that oh not so subtle way that they have, that it's time to feed them. Okay fine. Get the dogs outside and then feed the cats. Sam is now in a better mood and now wants breakfast but can't seem to make up his mind about what he wants. Meantime my stomach starts to rumble. When will I eat? Who knows! It amazed me that we were only at breakfast and not much later in the day as it seemed like it should be closer to dinner. I was already exhausted.

Since Sam had the day off from school I had looked the day before at the TV Guide to see if there were any movies on that we hadn't seen yet or just haven't seen in awhile. Yes! There were 3! Once I got dinner, no breakfast going for all of us I turned on one of those movies and then turned on my computer to check emails and a couple of sites. Found out that I had Internet service but no email service. Same provider for both so I checked into it. Called them and they said that they would get it fixed. Great!

Next up? Laundry. I started some more laundry as it seems lately it's very ongoing. I did have it to where I was just doing it once if not twice a week. (I really need to get back into doing that again.) Ended up only getting the load that was in the washer into the dryer because Sam started up with our younger dog, Max. When he does this he plays with him to where Max thinks it's okay to play rough. Max starts growling and Sam starts to get louder and then Max gets even louder and so on. Then it usually comes to a crying halt when Max bites down hard on Sam. Sam gets mad and starts to blame every one and every thing around him. I try, and I do stress the try, to calm him down and explain to him yet again that it's really him that causes all of this. Okay...take a deep breath. We're only to around 10:00 in the morning.

This is when I realize that I'm not having the best of days and that my mood isn't the greatest any more either. I looked outside and saw this:
It seemed to go with my mood quite well. There wasn't any rain in the forecast so it had to be my mood hanging over our neighborhood. Or at least at that moment in time it sure felt like it.

Time to check to see if my email is working yet. Nope. Another call into their lovely and oh so helpful call center. Yes, now I'm getting sarcastic. They said that the last person didn't get it done and that they would. Great!

By now Sam is hollering for a snack. It's then that I remembered that I had forgotten to give him his medicine. Oops. That might explain him bouncing off the walls this morning. Give him his medicine and a snack and then just sort of stand there in the kitchen wondering what I was planning on doing next. Oh yeah, let the barking dogs in because I had forgotten to feed them their breakfast. Couldn't blame them. Of course when I let them in I had forgotten that it had rained most of Saturday night into Sunday morning and they were wet and muddy. Not that my kitchen floor is currently clean but it was the fact that I had very wet muddy dogs tracking mud all over the floor. Quick! Grab a towel and get them dried and then wipe up the floor.

Let's jump ahead about an hour to lunch time. Sam asked around 11:30 or so if he could have lunch. "Sure!" I said, "What do you want?" Now if you know Sam you'll know that this can be a very loaded question. He hemmed and hawed about it for 15 minutes or so until he finally decided. Got it fixed and ready all the while realizing that I need to start loading the dishwasher because quite honestly I hadn't done much of that for the past few days. (I was a bit busy! LOL) So I unloaded what few dishes were left in the dishwasher and tried to start loading it back up. Note the "try" in the last sentence.

Nope....wait....another crisis! Sam and Max are at it again. I know I've left a few times out in here so far but this was a good one. Max this time left a mark on Sam's wrist. Sam said that it felt like his wrist was broken and that it was bleeding every where. Take a look. Nothing but a raised line on his wrist. No broken bones not even broken skin. I tell Sam again that it's because of the way that you're playing with him. I feel like I'm the one broken...a broken record that is.

What was I doing? Oh yeah...dishes. Wait! Spilled drink on aisle 9! As in my 9 year old boy!!!! Get it cleaned up. Have I had lunch yet? I really can't remember so I get a small snack.

While having my small snack I remembered that I hadn't checked the email yet. Crossing my
fingers that it's now up and running I'm met with disappointment yet again. Another phone call. All the while I'm keeping a very nice conversation going with them and I'm very happy with myself for not getting mad. They say that this time they will FOR SURE get it fixed. Great?

Back to the kitchen. No, wait, Sam's movie is over. Go to the living room and start another movie. Now, back to the kitchen. Why oh why did I let these dishes sit without at least rinsing them off? Start loading the dishwasher. Wow, I can't believe it...I'm actually getting something accomplished with out any interruptions! Wait...take that back. Sam and Max start up again. I throw the dog outside and send Sam to his room yet again. Peace in my house once more. What was I doing?

Oh no! I've got to get some ironing done for Andy so that he has something to wear for work the rest of this week. Go into my bedroom get the iron plugged in so that it can get started heating up. Sam comes into my room to apologize (yet again) for what he was doing wrong. Okay. Back to the living room with Sam and start his movie back up for him. Back to the ironing. I get one, count them, one pair of pants done before Sam is hollering for a snack and the dog is barking outside. Gee am I ever going to finish one task?

Jumping ahead just a little bit. Andy comes home and I'm in the kitchen trying to finish loading the dishwasher, Sam's watching a movie and I'm also trying to re-boot our cable (again). Sam and Max are starting up again and at this point I feel my blood starting to boil and I can't take it any more. I yell at the top of my lungs, "THAT'S ENOUGH!" Gee the house got quiet. "BOTH OF YOU" (Sam and Max) "STOP IT!" "I CAN'T TAKE IT ANY MORE!". I don't speak to them again. Just quietly go back to the dishwasher. I am going to get that thing loaded. Andy comes out of our bedroom and goes to his office. I go in there and apologize for my outburst and fill him in, briefly, on our day so far. Now you need to know that it's only mid-afternoon at this point in time. Oh yeah, the email still isn't up and running.

This time I call the tech desk. I get a great gentleman who not only helps me, fixes the problem with me still on the phone but also while I'm on the phone called the customer support team and tells them how it wasn't fixed right the first few times and that there was really no reason I had to go through what I went through. YEAH! One point for me! :)

Andy goes to lay down to take a small nap as he has more work to do that will take him out of the house until after 11:00 tonight. I pretty much threaten Sam to be quiet and tell him that daddy is going to take a nap and that I'll start his third movie for him. I sit down for a few moments and check my email, surf for just a bit on the Internet and then I finally finish the dishwasher and get it running.

It's about 3:30 now and I go and finally put my contacts in, get myself presentable to go out into public, get Sam presentable and off we go to his 4:30 Art Therapy Group session. I HAVE A WHOLE HOUR OF PEACE AND QUIET TO READ MY BOOK! This was probably the best hour all day long!

Back home after 6:15 or was it closer to 6:30? His appointments are in downtown Ft Worth and when you're trying to come home after 5:30 it's going to take a bit of time. Get dinner on the table after yet another breakdown from Sam over what's for dinner. Sam and I eat dinner and then I say, "Hey, want to go to the library?" His eyes lit up my mood immediately got better! He got the books that he wants to return and we get ready to leave. I look out my back door and this is what I see:

The sky and my mood are now back together again. We had a good time at the library and I wasn't the one to blame for when we had to leave. It was the librarian that flicked the lights on and off. I was preparing myself for "the argument" that I thought was coming but no, I was proved wrong! He got his books and headed up to the counter. He read part of one of his books to me on the way home. Once back home it was back to feeding the cats, get the dogs outside, get Sam ready for bed after some more reading and drawing time. So that was my "moody" day. I may have left out some bits and pieces here and there but I think you get the idea.

PhotoHunt - Triangle

While looking through my photos on my computer I realized that I really didn't have any "triangle" photos. So I went searching through the house. I didn't realize how hard it would be to find a triangle! It really was. I looked on my mantel and saw a star that Sam had made in one of his Sunday School classes. I then remembered that the earrings that I am wearing are also stars. But I only photographed one of them. If you'd like to see more go to the home of PhotoHunt! Or better yet...submit your own! I'd love to see them!

Looking At The Sky On Friday

When we lived in Louisiana there were a ton of trees in our neighborhood and I loved to watch the summer storm clouds rise above the trees into the blue sky.

Like to see more photos? Go to Looking At The Sky On Friday. Or better yet, submit your own!

Booking Through Thursday

It's Thursday and time for Booking Through Thursday. If you'd like to see more answers to this weeks question then head on over!

Here’s the question:

Some people read one book at a time. Some people have a number of them on the go at any given time, perhaps a reading in bed book, a breakfast table book, a bathroom book, and so on, which leads me to…

1) Are you currently reading more than one book?

Yes I am.

2) If so, how many books are you currently reading?

I am currently reading 2 books. I'm reading Eldest and I'm re-reading The Art of Prayer: A Simple Guide to Conversation with God for my Sunday School lessons.

3) Is this normal for you?

Generally it is but I really do prefer to read just one at a time.

4) Where do you keep your current reads?

My Sunday School book is generally kept in the living room as a reminder to get it read. I keep trying to read it before Saturday night but so far I'm not getting it done until right before bed on Saturday night.

Eldest is either on my night stand or in the living room where I read it while my son watches his TV shows. He likes for me to be in the room with him but I've seen his shows so many times that I just can't force myself to watch some of them again for the millionth time so I read.

How about you?

Spring Break - Silver Dollar City

I'm finally getting around to posting some more pictures from our trip to Springfield, MO, over Spring Break. We went to Silver Dollar City while we were there. It was on Friday which was the day after their opening day. It was chilly but we all kept warm and had a great time. My mom was able to get off of work which we were all very thankful for. Sam so enjoys going there and now he's starting to get into all of the history part of Silver Dollar City. If you'd like to learn more about Silver Dollar City go here and here. Now on to the photos:

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Knitting For Your Health

I now have a medical reason to knit! Woo Hoo! Check this out:


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Meet Logan

Since this is Holy Week I've been trying to think of something to write. Nothing was coming to mind until I received an email from a friend in our chancel choir at church. I will warn you...get tissues or just be prepared for the tears to come. What this little boy has to say is just what I wanted to say to you but just couldn't find the right words. The video is maybe 2 minutes long so it won't take much of your time.

Ten On Tuesday

This weeks '10' is: 10 Least Liked Foods. I have to tell you that I had a hard time coming up with 10 as I really do like food. I like trying new foods too. I really wish I could get my son to try more foods as he's pretty picky in what he'll try. Now if he's with some one else and I'm not around he'll more than likely eat what they put out in front of him with no questions asked. So at least I'm doing something right. :)

Here's my 10:

10 Least Liked Foods:

1) Anchovies
2) Lima Beans (By themselves I don't like them at all. If they are in a casserole I'm okay with them)
3) Anything that is so Hot (not temperature) that the flavor isn't there...just the hot.
4) Plain cooked oatmeal
5) Malt-O-Meal
6) Plain grits
7) Soy Milk
8) Liver
9) Any over cooked vegetables. Veggies weren't meant to be mush.
10) Okay...can't do 10. Can't think of anything else. Oh well I guess 9 will just have to do.

Want to see more? Visit the home of 10 On Tueseday !

PhotoHunt - Stripes

Yes, I'm running way behind in getting up my Photo Hunt photo this week (I guess that would actually be for last week.) The theme was 'Stripes' this time around and when I was up in Springfield MO, with Sam over Spring break I was looking for items that I could photograph that would fit the description of 'stripes'. While at the zoo my dad and I found quite a few but there is one that I really like. Mainly because it's out of the box so to speak.

This is a picture of a wooden bench at the Dickerson Park Zoo. I love the perspective and how you can see stripes in the fence in the background as well as the wooden walkway below. If you'd like to go visit more photos please visit the home of Photo Hunt.

Looking At The Sky On Friday

It's time for my second Looking at the Sky on Friday submission. I didn't get around to take a picture today but I actually have quite a bunch of sky photos to choose from. So here it is:
No, this picture is not upside-down. We were at Cedar Hill State Park one afternoon an I found a big flat rock to lean back on. I looked up and this is what I saw. I took quite a few pictures looking straight up from that rock but I think this is one of my favorites. If you'd like to see more sky photos follow the link above.

Spring Reading Thing 2009 & Booking Through Thursday

I am finally getting around to getting together the books I want to read for the Spring Reading Thing 2009. I also found a new (or at least new to me) meme today about books! How cool is that! So, I'm going to combine them both here today.

I'll start with the meme. It's called Booking Through Thursday. If you'd like to see more answers to this weeks question then head on over! This weeks question is actually a series or questions about the library.

How often do you use your public library and how do you use it?
I go at least once a month if not more often. We (our family) use it to check out books for general reading and movies to watch. Sometimes we even get books on tapes for long car rides.

Has the coffeehouse/bookstore replaced the library?
Sometimes I do but I don't think that they will completely take over the library. Especially right now with the economy. Not everyone can afford to go out and purchase that must read book when you can find it at your local library.

Did you go to the library as a child?
Yes! Loved going as a child.

Do you have any particular memories of the library?
My memories of the library go back to my childhood. There was one library that in my memory was very big but I'm sure that as an adult if I ever went back I would see that it really wasn't. Anyway, I loved going to the children's library. It was downstairs and there were so many books to choose from! I really don't remember any particular reading program but I do remember that they had them. The children's librarians were just wonderful. They would always help you if you needed help and they never talked down to you. They also knew where all the cool books were. All I know is that I loved that children's library.

Do you like sleek, modern, active libraries or the older, darker, quiet, cozy libraries?
As long as they have a great selection of books and are helpful I really don't care which one I'm in. I love both kinds.

Now on to the Spring Reading Thing 2009: Let's Read! Right now there are over 200 participants an I'm enjoying going to every single one of their lists and seeing what other books out there I want to add to mine. :) If you love reading and books in general join up or at least make yourself a list of books that you would like to finish reading by June 30th. I know that I will probably not finish my whole list but it sure is nice to have one. So here are my books in no particular order:

1. Shadow Dance by Julie Garwood
2. Inkheart by Cornelia Funke
3. Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson
4. Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe
5. The Art of Prayer by Timothy Jones - re-reading this one for our Sunday School class
6. Summerland by Michal Chabon
7. Twilight by Stephenie Meyer
8. Eldest by Christopher Paolini - currently reading

Spring Break - Zoo

Finally, as promised, here are some pictures from Spring Break. Yes, I know that it was two weeks ago but life has been going on here.

While we were in Springfield, MO, my dad took Sam and I to the Dickerson Park Zoo. We had a wonderful day and it was great that we got to take our time going through the zoo. Unlike if we had stayed home and gone to the Fort Worth Zoo. On Wednesday during Spring Break here it was half-price day. Two things that happen together that I will avoid if possible...half-price day and kids off from school during Spring Break. The Fort Worth Zoo reported that during that week of Spring Break they had a record setting week of 118,000 visitors. On Wednesday alone they had 25,139! So, yes, I am very happy that I got to spend the day at a great zoo that had a nice quiet day.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Ten On Tuesday

I've decided to participate in the meme Ten on Tuesday. If you'd like to see more responses to this weeks "10" just go to Ten on Tuesday.

This weeks "10" is: '10 Things on Your "To-Do" List'

1) Move some of the boxes that are still in our living room to the garage until I'm ready for them.
2) Fill/make sock orders. That's a good thing. Go here if you'd like to take a look.
3) Make my list of books for the Spring Reading Thing 2009.
4) Post my list and link to Spring Reading Thing 2009.
5) Read.
6) Read my Sunday School lesson for this week BEFORE Saturday night.
7) Sow our veggie seeds.
8) Iron.
9) Laundry in general...need to keep it going.
10) Make an eye Dr appointment.

Announcement

Well the Spring Break pictures are going to have to wait another day....but I do have my announcement that I said I would make.


I have started my own company! The name of my company is: Naked Footwear. I decorate socks for the young and the young at heart. I've have a site up and running for it and wold love for all of you to come on over and visit!

PhotoHunt - Hands

While at the Dickerson Park Zoo in Springfield MO, over Spring Break I took a picture of the hand of one of the monkeys hanging from a rope. If you would like to see more "hand" pictures go on over to the home of the Photo Hunt.

Upcoming...

Upcoming this weekend....Spring Break happenings and pictures along with an announcement! Stay tuned! You don't want to miss it.

Storm Clouds

UPDATED: I'm joining Trish over at Crazy Working Mom with her "Looking at the Sky on Friday" meme. I am however just using what I posted yesterday (below) for this weeks photo. Enjoy

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Building A Plane With Papa

During our time with my parents Sam was excited to learn that he was going to build a rubber band powered plane with Papa (my dad). Even though it will take more than just this one trip up there to complete it he still had a great time working on it. He can't wait to go back up to work on it some more! Here are a few pictures of them working on it together. You'll have to turn off my music to the left first.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

PhotoHunt

It's been about 8 months since I've participated in PhotoHunt but now I'm back! Today's theme is 'Yellow'. Can't wait to see what everyone else has done. If you'd like to see other participants just follow this: PhotoHunt

Spring Break....So Far...

Once we got out of the DFW (forgot two things and had our low tire light come on) area last Monday our trip was quite uneventful. Sam played his game boy, took a small break to read one of his books out loud to me, and then played his game boy some more. Made it to Springfield by 2:30 in the afternoon and have a good time ever since! I've visited with some friends and have had time to work on my socks (pictures coming soon), I've read some, knitted some, and have watched Sam play. It's been fairly relaxing.

Until...Remember that the the low tire light came on? I checked my tires on the road once the light came on and all the tires had the same pressure. Of course, the tires were hot and I knew it wasn't an accurate reading but since they all were the same and none of them looked the slightest bit low I went on. On Tuesday when I was getting ready to go and visit with a friend I remembered that I needed to recheck my tires. While checking the pressures I noticed oil spots all over the back of the van and there was a foil wrapped hose hanging down underneath the front of the engine. My dad and I looked at it and we think we put it back on in the correct spot. I drove it yesterday and didn't notice a sound, smell or feeling wrong with how it drove. When I turned on the A/C I noticed that it wasn't blowing cold air at all. So just to be sure my van is now at the mechanics this morning getting checked out. I DON'T NEED THIS NOW! I didn't sleep that well last night at all due to my worrying. I'm now sitting around waiting for them to call me. I don't wait well on the inside. On the outside I'm nice and calm.

Tonight I have dinner with the in-laws and we're looking forward to our visit with them. Tomorrow it's the zoo and then my niece's choir performance. Friday we'll head go to Silver Dollar City for the day and we'll travel back home on Saturday. Don't know yet when we'll leave but I know that we won't be in a hurry.

On a completely different subject...I just found out that Write From Karen has posted the dates and theme to her next photo contest. Guess what I'm going to be taking pictures of the rest of this week and till April 11th...you guessed it...entries for her photo contest. As some of you may or may not remember I won her contest last July. Since I hadn't blogged much since then I didn't get a chance to enter her past contests. So I'm back and ready!

First Lace Project

I've been meaning to share with everyone what I've been knitting lately. I've finally started a project that my sister-in-law suggested I try. It's a lace shawl that you can find here. I'm using Peach Pingouin “Andes” yarn which is composed of 40% wool, 30% alpaca, and 30% acrylic. The pictures don't show the color exactly but you'll get the idea. I'm really enjoying knitting this one. Except for when I sit down to watch an engaging show and then I find myself making a mistake. Unfortunately I don't notice the mistake until I'm about one to two rows away from it. So I have to backtrack and fix my mistake. But other than that I'm having fun with this one. I'd like to have it done by Easter but I'm not sure if I'll make it or not. I'm taking it with me to Springfield this next week. I'm taking Sam there for Spring Break. We're not going to do much which is just fine with me. Sam's bringing toys, I'm taking some projects and we're both bringing some books.

Forgot to add the fingerless gloves that I made. I found a decent and easy pattern for my first pair but I re-wrote it as I still didn't like it. I will make another pair as I need to re-do the thumb hole. Here's a picture of them!

Birthday Party

Sam has been 9 years old for a week now and I'm still wondering where those years have gone. He is such an amazing boy. Here are some photos of his birthday. Some are from here at home and then the others are from his birthday party at the park. He had 8 friends show up and they all had so much fun. They played with water guns, got tattoos, had cake, opened up presents and then went to play some more in the park and in the sand. There is so much happiness in his face. His smile is the best! We had great weather for the party too. Temperatures were in the upper 70s/lower 80s and it was overcast so it didn't feel that hot. Although I could have done without the 25+ mph wind. Couldn't have candles on his cake. But it didn't seem to phase him much.

(Before hitting play be sure to stop my music on this page.)

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9 Already????

Tomorrow is Sam's 9th birthday. Where has the time gone? It seems like only yesterday we were meeting him at his foster parents house. He was 3 months old and was the most beautiful baby boy I had ever met. I never knew I could love some another persons child as my own. But now I know that love knows no boundaries. He is my son through and through.

I've sent out an email to those that were invited to Sam's birthday party. This time I had a great excuse to do so. Some had called to RSVP but the messages were accidentally erased. So, gee, I had to email and tell them that I wasn't sure who had and hadn't RSVP'd. I know that 3 for sure are going to be there and 1 maybe so far. I sure do hope and pray that more will be able to come. I so want Sam to have a great party. He's kind of bummed that one of his friends can't come. Mainly because it's a true friend of his. He is probably Sam's one constant friend even though they really only see each other at church. I haven't had the heart to tell him that he's moving away from here. Of course I'm still dealing with my own feelings on that subject. But that's not what this post is all about.

I'm going shopping for present tomorrow along with getting some items for his party. One thing that I can't forget to get is a battery for my camera. I would hate to have one of his birthdays go by without having pictures.

I'm hoping that I will get pictures up this weekend not only of the party but some others as well that I have been wanting to put up on her.

Here's hoping that we have a great birthday weekend!

I'm Back!

When one takes a break from writing on their blog it is really hard to get back into the habit of writing on it again. The last time I wrote on here was last August! It's been 7 long months and I think it's about time I get back into this. But how? There is so much to catch every one up on. How do I choose what to tell you about and what to leave out?

Guess the choice is simple. Just start from now. As I am constantly telling my son, Sam, the past is past and we can't get it back, we can't change it, so we need to just leave it be. Guess my own medicine is a good one.

The most talked about upcoming event in our house is Sam's birthday. He's turning 9 on Friday. I can't believe it! He'll have his party on Saturday at a local park and he's really excited about it. I just wish I knew how many kids were coming. No one seems to RSVP any more. Would it be wrong of me to email all the parents (as he invited his den in cub scouts and his basketball team along with a few extras) and just do a simple "birthday invite" via email as a gentle reminder? I still have a few days to ponder that.

Now on to the main project of this week. What activities should I have at an outdoor birthday party with 8 to 9 year old boys? Any advice?

PhotoHunter - Dark

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This weeks theme for Photo Hunter is "Dark". We took Sam yesterday to see Wall-E. This is inside the theatre right before the movie started. Even though I took a picture of a light fixture you can see darkness all around.

8*8*08

It's finally here! This date won't happen again for another 100 years! And unless you have been living in a cave under a rock somewhere you know that today is the start of the Olympics. I love watching the Olympics (always have and always will) and can't wait for it to start this evening. I'll probably record most of it so that I can fast forward through commercials and other parts that I just don't want/care to watch.

Sam is also excited to watch as he is participating in several sports that are in these Olympic games.
He will watch:
Athletics
Cycling Track
Football
Swimming
These are his top 4 but I'm sure there will be more.

I love all the sports and will watch a lot of them. My question to you is...what is your favorite sport to watch during the Olympics. Please vote in my poll! It is located on the left hand column. You can even take this poll and put it on your site! Just click "get this poll" towards the bottom of the poll and it will pop up a code for you. How cool! I look forward to seeing what everyone likes.

You need to check out these photos! Especially number 22 & 31! Amazing!

Rachel's Birthday

I'm a little early but I wanted to wish a friend of mine and fellow blogger HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Happy Birthday Rachel!

Friday's 40 Photo Challenge Is Back!

Okay...Pensieve has the Friday 40 PC back up and running again. (Okay, I took a few weeks off from it too.) To start us all back up she has posted a creepy photo. Most of you know that I'm not that fond of spiders and pretty much try to stay away from them at all times. When I saw this photo that she took of a Daddy Long Leg I thought first of all the camping trips we used to take when I was growing up and finding Daddy Long Leg spiders all over the place. My second thought was of the movie Daddy Long Legs featuring Fred Astaire and then my third thought was how in the world am I going to come up with a poem about spiders. Much less write something, anything, about spiders! So...here it is:

Spider, spider, whatcha doin'?
Are you lookin' for some lunch?


Eight legs and creepy lookin'.
Bet you can catch a bunch.


But wait...you only have seven!
Hope someone else didn't go crunch.

I Actually Won!

First I want to thank everyone that voted for my picture! You are the ones that made my winning possible.

I WON! I WON! I WON! Woo Hoo! I entered my first photo contest a few days ago and I have now won my first photo contest.

The prize was a $25 gift certificate of my choice. I have chosen to receive a gift certificate from Target.

Also in celebration of winning I decided to give my blog a makeover. I think I'll stick with it for now. I like the look much better than the old one.

Vote For Me!

This note will stay at the top until voting is done. Please see below for more current entries.

It's that time! Please vote for my photo in the Photo Contest being hosted at Write From Karen! Before you go and vote you need to know that there is more than one Kim participating in this contest so please be sure that you vote on the one that says: Kim of The Misplaced Midwesterner. I will appreciate any and all votes that come my way! THANK YOU! To see more about this photo contest and another one that I have entered you can read my entry below or click here. Remember you can click on the photo to see it full size.

Last Week

For some reason last week was a long week and yet we really didn't do that much. Maybe it's because we were so go, go, go in the previous weeks that once we stopped it felt as though time stopped to.

We (Rachel, her kids and Sam and I) did get to the Fort Worth Water Gardens and part of the Historic Stockyards. We were going to do the Cattlepen Maze but when we got there neither Rachel or I had any cash and that's all they took. We went to an ATM across the street but it wasn't working. So we have postponed it for another day. We did get to see the Longhorns and I must say they are amazing animals. I've always wondered it they get headaches with those horns. Probably not, but it still makes me go...hmmmm. While there we had a great lunch at Riscky's BBQ. YUMMY! I'll go there again for sure. It was a hot (okay very hot) day but it was a lot of fun.

Rachel also gave me a CD full of pictures that she took of the final show of Music Man. Along with my few pictures and hers I'll share a few of them with you. Thank you Rachel for taking them!

Oh, another big thanks goes out to Rachel for promoting me and the photo contest on her blog! YEAH & THANK YOU!

Which reminds me...I've had an amazing jump in readership the past few days...now I just need all of you to vote for me. See the post at the top of the page.

Now for the pictures:

Music Man Photos:

Music Man Final Performance

Click on the photo to view more pictures.

Some of the pictures might be a bit blurry but I kept them in so it would give you more of an idea of the musical. Thanks again to Rachel for taking them for me.

Fort Worth Water Gardens and Stockyards:

Fort Worth Water Gardens and Longhorn Heard Click on photo to see more.

Photo Contests!

Angela over at Mommy Bytes mentioned not one but two different summer photo contests that I'm now entering! Thanks Angela! The photo that I'm entering is one of my son that I've had on here before of my son coming out of the pool. I just love how it captures the bliss and joy of being a kid during summer. He was trying to surprise me (which didn't work) but I think that I ended up surprising myself at the photo that I got.

The two contest can be found here at 5 Minute Moms and here at Write From Karen. If you would like to enter go on over!

Now my photo entry:

If you would like to see this photo bigger please go to this post and click on the picture there. For some reason I can't get blogger to work right on this one.

PhotoHunter - Clouds

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This weeks theme is "Clouds". Here is a picture that I took while sitting on our back patio while Sam was swimming in the pool. It was such a beautiful day.

I'm Melting!

It's not only hot but it's hotter than hot right now with not much relief in sight. According to the local news last night we have had 11 out of the last 12 days above 100! The next few days will be record setting. If you click on the picture you will see that by Monday we will have a high temperature of 106 degrees Fahrenheit! That's not even what the feels like is. Right now it's 98 degrees with a feels like of 104 degrees so you can only imagine what we will be feeling like on Monday. I think that we may be melting.