Sad day

Many may know that we have been caring for my mother-in-law off and on since her pancreatic cancer diagnosis on Halloween of '07. It has been such a long road. Today she left this life to live forever in heaven. Mr. Pink got the call that it would be soon last Wednesday so he's been there the last 6 days. The minis and I went to visit over the weekend. It has been a difficult week and she really declined quickly when she returned home two weeks ago. We are thankful she was not in any pain and that she passed peacefully with Mr. Pink right beside her. I'll be taking a short blog break. I'm taking the kids and leaving tonight. Mr. Pink needs us. Keep our family in your prayers and I'll be back soon.

A little sunshine...

Check out this cute YELLOW patent leather Chinese Laundry bag I found at TJ Maxx last week. I'm seeing a lot of yellow out there for spring. I like it because it's a fun, cheerful color. I'm counting down to spring! Are you?

Five on Friday

Ok, this requires viewer participation, even if anonymously! I have questions. Not too difficult and I want answers. This is a girlie post. Be forewarned.

1- Do you like your appearance now or ten years ago? Me, since I worked on a few things mid last year I think I like myself better now. This is a hard question for me. I've got a few wrinkles, some dry January skin going on, but I'm ok right now. 10yrs ago I had a puffy face, was trying to get pregnant (took 2 1/2 yrs!)and was stuck in my 8-5 job rut with little exercise. I guess along life's road, you will always have self image ups and downs.

2- Do you wear makeup everyday? Me? I wear it more often than not. I feel a little naked without it; mainly eye makeup. Ah hmm. Self image again? I think I get the makeup thing from my mom. Afterall, when I called her after midnight years ago to say I was engaged, I believe the first thing out of her mouth was "Aren't you so glad you did your nails?" even though I had no clue it was going to happen and can't believe she remembered I had done my nails before I left their house.

3- Do you bikini wax or do it yourself some other method? I NEVER thought I would do this. Ever. Then I went and did it while living in Atlanta a few years ago and I couldn't believe it took me so long to do it. Yes, it's painful, but so is childbirth and we survived that didn't we?

4- If you had an extra $150 to spend on yourself, would you: go get a mani/pedi, spa day, buy a bag, buy some shoes, or save it for a rainy day? Me? I can shop and get a deal so I'm cheating. I'd probably get the mani/pedi and buy more shoes.

5- What is one thing you'll never do? I've got a lot of these. 1)I will never drive a mini van. 2) I will never have really short hair. 3) I will never sky dive.
4) I will never wear white after Labor Day. 5) I will never wear sweats or sweatshirt or any variation of workout attire shopping. It really kills me to see women that looked like they rolled out of bed to go shopping. I keep expecting Clinton and Stacy to rush up to them for an upcoming episode of "What Not to Wear".

Ok, I want to see your answers. Either post on your blog and let me know when you do or answer in my comments. Have a great weekend!

Snow Day!

We've been waiting for this day for over 2 years (when we moved back to NC)! This morning we awoke to falling snow and it did not stop until about 2:00 p.m.! We got about 6 inches so plenty to enjoy. There are a couple of lots yet to be built upon so all the kids converged upon the hills in the back of the lot and wore it out with sleds. By late afternoon there was no more snow there and the kids looked like they had taken mud baths. I got mine out just prior to looking mud caked. We then made hot chocolate and s'mores. Sugar overload.

At lunchtime we forced the minis to watch some of the inauguration even though one half of this household voted for the other fellow. I believe it's still important for kids to realize the importance of this day for our country.

I hope everyone had a great day. I'm off to wash snow clothes. Oh, and I just learned, their make up snow day is this Saturday! Oh my! Not fair!

What the...?

Last night after the minis were in bed Mr. Pink and I decided to rent a movie from Movies on Demand. We usually do Redbox, but it was so cold I didn't want to leave the house. We hadn't rented from cable in a while. Mr. Pink relented and let me choose the movie. I selected "Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day" with Frances McDormand and Amy Adams. It had that musical/broadway feel to it and we were enjoying it until at 1:08 of the 1:32 movie, it froze! Could not fast forward and, when you rewound, it stopped at the same exact spot as the picture above! I was ticked. It was after 11 and I was feeling warm and relaxed from a glass of pinot. So I was not about to get on the telephone and start ranting about this. Maybe later today 'cause I'm still miffed. I'm going to try to watch it again today. But, if anyone saw this movie, who does Delysia end up with and what happens to Miss Pettigrew? I need to know!!

Baby, it's cold outside!

Stay warm everyone. It's freezing here in the south today. Definitely sweater weather. What kind of sweater are you???

You Are a Turtleneck Sweater

You are sophisticated, streetwise, and even a little cynical. You are quite cultured, and you don't fall for gimmicks or trends easily. You are naturally chic. You have a urban, cosmopolitan style. And you know that the secret to looking good is not trying too hard!

What Kind of Sweater Are You?

Award

Thanks Belle (a real W.O.M.A.N.) for this award days and days ago. YOUR blog is fabulous and so are you! I am now to list 5 addictions. Is that all? Ha. Ok here goes.

1- I am such a sucker for pretty paper products. I buy all of these monogrammed cocktail napkins, plates, etc. for parties I intend to throw and then, because parties are so overwhelming, I let someone else have the party! Not entirely true. I do host play groups, book clubs and Bunco so I always use them then.

2- Facebook is probably a mild addiction. Since I've been home a lot lately, it's fun to check in on other people's lives. It is strange though at the same time. A "friend" may be someone I haven't spoken to in years yet I'm looking at their vacation or holiday pictures. Feels like I'm snooping!

3- Magazines. Although I'm trying to cut back on subscriptions. I just don't read
them like I used to. Now I'm just thankful to receive PEOPLE's daily email for updates on important star info I require to survive life.

4- I've mentioned this before. Reality TV. If I don't see "The Hills", "The City", "The Biggest Loser", "Intervention", "The Bachelor" I feel lost. Ok, I DVR a lot and don't get to a lot of those I DVR, but you can bet I've seen at least 2 of these shows a week. I also got a little excited when I read Celebrity Apprentice is coming back in March.

5- Reading. This isn't bad. I always have a book that I'm reading, whether it's for book club or not. I love to read. I think I'll keep track of how many books I read this year. I'm interested to know.

I'm not sure who has/hasn't done this. If you want to list your addictions. Go ahead!

I'm still here.

Sorry for the inconsistent posting last week. It's been a little hectic at my house. My mother-in-law, as you may or may not know, returned to our home on Monday, Dec. 29after a second lengthy hospital stay. She is so weak and literally sleeps most of the day. Pancreatic cancer is not a friend and, unfortunately, the doctors have now given her only 2-4 months to live. We're all struggling with this. What to do? How long to stay here before going somewhere else? She wanted to go home this weekend so after a lot of thought and effort, the car was loaded with oxygen tanks, medicines and her clothes so Mr. Pink could take her home to be with her mother and brother's family.

It may sound selfish, but I wanted to stay home so I did. Mainly because I knew the car would be so packed, but also because I need a mental break from all of it after 2long weeks. The minis went as well for the weekend, although MIL will stay for a week. MIL is divorced from Mr. Pink's dad and with all that was going on, FIL couldn't visit over Christmas so it was a good time for the minis to see him since they live in the same town as MIL.

So today starts another "me" day. I plan to go shopping and maybe even a movie. I'm skipping church today. Don't tell anyone. I already feel so much better personally even though the pain of seeing my MIL go through this is never away from my thoughts. I started this blog when her cancer began as a way to "escape". I still want to use it as my escape so I won't post about her or what we are going through if I can help it. I just wanted to offer an explanation since my posts may be more sporadic.

I hope everyone is having an enjoyable weekend with your family. Give your loved ones extra hugs today. Life is so precious.

Ahhhh.

The minis returned to school this morning! Unfortunately, they returned home this afternoon. Kidding. A bit. Here is what I won't miss this week now that we are (somewhat) returning to "normal" around here.

1- Hearing "Can me have something to drink?" every 30 mins of every hour.
2- Tripping over various rainbow-colored power rangers as I walk through the house.
3- Incessant begging to stay up late because "it's not a school night".
4- "The Bachelor" tonight because the minis will be in bed, lights out at 8:00 sharp.
5- The frequent wardrobe changes thus creating more laundry for me. I thought only girls went through the forever changing clothes stage!

But, I will tell you, I have missed seeing mini#2 fly out the front door (in socks) and race up the street to meet mini#1 as he gets off of the bus each day. It really is priceless to see them hug and full of love for one another for a whole 15-20 seconds. Then it's quickly back to normal as they fight over who sits in the "favorite" seat for snack. Some things never change!