The rain is in my way!

It has been raining here all day. I am so sick of rain, thunderstorms, showers, light drizzle, golf ball sized hail...I could go on and on! This weather really sucks and if that's not bad enough, if you do get a day where it doesn't rain, it's cloudy and threatens to rain! You just can't win.
So why is this rain in my way you say? (Are you getting ready for the earth-shattering reason?) Because I need to go to the grocery store! There, I said it! I hate nothing more than having to go to the grocery store when it's raining. I can tolerate it in the snow, but the rain is a whole different story for me. Pushing the cart through the parking lot, getting my feet wet(I hate when my feet are wet), loading the trunk, unloading the trunk at home, all this while getting soaked makes for one miserable girl.
Yesterday, I sat down with all my recipe clippings. You know, the ones I've ripped from magazines and stock piled because I'm sure I'm going to make them "one day". (emphasis on the "one day") I decided with just a few weeks of summer vacation left and the weather less than desirable lately, "one day" has finally arrived. I'm going to cook and bake and bake and cook. I am armed with my lengthy list for the store but I will not trudge my way through the rain! I've got a mission here and the rain is in my way!
Well, maybe I'm being unreasonable. I don't know. Maybe it's just the darn rain that's ruining my spirit. Ugh!
Bright sunny skies to all of you!

Beijing Olympics

Did you watch the opening ceremonies for the Olympics last night? Wow! I mean, WOW! Some years I find that I'm more into the Olympics than other years, but last night's ceremonies were amazing! Truly amazing! I admit to being quite mesmerized by much of it. Even Bob Costas remarked about having to retire the award for opening ceremonies because nothing could top this. These are some of my favorite images so enjoy!

Home Alone

Well friends I am home alone today! My kiddos are at my brother & sister-in-law's house playing with my niece. John is playing in a golf tournament. This leaves me unattended to. My first thought was to run wild and shop 'til I dropped. However, being that I had a fun money-spending day on Friday, I figured I had better ignore the urge to shop today. On Friday, we drove out to Albany to The Pottery Place. It was the first time my kids experienced this (me too) and they absolutely LOVED it! I can't wait to see the finished pieces.


Anyway, (I know I've gone off topic) in lieu of shopping, I decided to stay home and do nothing! That's a novel idea if I've ever heard one. I've been scrapping my little heart out for most of the morning/early afternoon. As I type this, it's pouring rain outside. What is up with the weather anyway? It rains every day! (again, off topic) I have decided to continue this "Day of Nothing Fest" and move right onto the couch for some movie watching. (The rain has brought on this turn of events, so I guess my musing on the weather weren't completely off topic) Haven't decided what I'm going to watch yet,, but I hope you are having a happy, lazy, "Day of nothing fest " too.
TTFN!

Busy weekend

It has been such a busy weekend around here!
On Thursday, dh finally got some long overdue brass:

He was promoted to Sergeant on Thursday. We are all so proud of him! It was well deserved and like I said, so long overdue. (That pic is so blurry (as were many taken that day) but let's not even go there! Also, I'm sure he's going to be thrilled I shared this pic with the world considering he hates that hat!)
Well with Thursday night being his PBA golf league and his having a retirement party to go to in Rochester on Friday night, I was finally able to throw him a surprise party to celebrate his promotion last night. I made sure to have all his favorite foods catered by his favorite local restaurants and it really was a surprise. I thought we'd never be able to surprise him.
Then this morning, we hosted a breakfast in honor of the Boilermaker road race.
I just finished cleaning the house and I have to admit, I'm beat. I'm going to sit down and do absolutely nothing for a little while. That is, until I have to go to the grocery store!

A good day

Yesterday was a good day, a special day. You know, one of those days that make you wish that everyday could be like it. But then again, if everyday was like it, it wouldn't be special anymore. (Didya get that? LOL)
We started out the day by going to breakfast.
Then we did a little shopping.
Then we bought this:

A 2008 Mercury Milan. This car has all those features that make you talk to your car...like "call John on cell" and "play artist Alicia Keys"...stuff that is way advanced for me, yet really cool at the same time. Now at least when someone catches me talking to myself (which always happens) I can always lie and say I'm just talking to the car!
Then we hung out for awhile.
Then we went out to dinner.
Then we ended the day at my sister's house with all my family.
See? A good day!
I hope all of you had a good day too.

Thanks Melonie!

I just received this adorable painting from the ever-talented Melonie. How cute is this little octopus? Mel's etsy shop has some of the cutest paintings and such. Take a look here. I love everything and could seriously buy one of each. Mr. Octopus is now hanging in the kids' bathroom and he looks awesome! (Olivia was angry because she thought it was going to hang in her room!) Thanks again Melonie for sharing your talent with me! (and the extra goodies as well)

Three cheers for the red, white & blue!

Looks like we are in for one great day today! The weather is beautiful...pleasant. We're going to my sister's house for a huge cookout and then to see the fireworks later tonight. The above photo is just one of the desserts I made to bring to my sister. Who doesn't love a cupcake? Especially a huge, patriotic one! Our whole weekend is just jammed with parties, so I'm looking forward to that.
Hope you all have a fun and sun filled 4th (be safe too)!