Gravy-son #2

Feliz Cumpleanos to the littlest of our bunch!! We are so tickled that you are entering the terrible two's, LOL! We know your disposition is too sweet to be a real stinker anyway. We wish you a great birthday and how about a bite of this yummy cake? Happy 2nd Birthday to Grayson Pierce! Love from Tia and "BaumgardnersFour"








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Vintage and Thankful

A girlfriend of mine blogged recently about her love for vintage postcards and the historical element they revealed. Since today is my wedding anniversary, I thought I'd scan a postcard that I found in an antique shop in St. Augustine where Sam and I honeymooned nine years ago. It says, "This is a hand coloured real photograph" and even though the back of it was not addressed to anyone, I told the lady in the shop that I had to have it because I thought it wasn't an accident that I found it. It also says "British Manufacture" and "Rotary Photo, West Drayton, Middlesex." The embossing on the edges is just exquisite; I hope the scan does it justice! (Don't forget, you can click on the image and see it full size.)


Also posting a photograph of my two little chickadees, who, unfortunately are getting way past the "little" stage. I love being able to share my life with living, breathing examples of all I'm thankful for. Damn, I am lucky! Happy Thanksgiving 2008, and may you also recognize and cherish the multiple blesssings you enjoy.

Musings on Thanksgiving Eve

• I'm thankful for Mrs. Florence Bowers' secret recipe for the Oyster Cracker Mix that I make every Thanksgiving.
• I'm thankful for my own private parking spot that I get 8 out of 10 times when I go to Publix.
• I'm thankful for my job, despite the fact that my bosses didn't let me off from work even one minute early ;0
• I'm thankful to hear old songs on the radio, and for the morning radio DJs who are like real life friends.
• I'm thankful for the nice lady in the drive-up window at Chick-Fil-A who is smart enough to put the exact same toy in the happy meals to prevent fussing.
• I'm thankful that I will get to sleep in on Thanksgiving Day 2008.

When I stop & remember all the little things, it only makes sense to be grateful for them, because all those little things sure add up, don't they?

Warm Sweatshirts

With the cold snap comes a need for sweatshirts. We have quite the collection of warm clothes for 4 and 6 year olds. Problem is, I have 6 and 8 year olds! :)

K-mart had a great special--two for $9.00. Woo-hoo!

I am Woman, hear me roar!

Today I alone with ultra feminine aplomb put together the cube shelf I've had since my birthday. Took longer than I expected, but I was happy when it was done. It looks black in the pictures, but, ahem, it's espresso - which is hoidy-toidy for dark brown. ;) Pictures show before, during, and after. I have some colored fabric cubes that I put in some of the squares, but I don't have pictures of those yet. This shelf is going to keep us organized by having a central place for everything we need to get out the front door fast: school papers, lunchboxes, backpacks, purses, keys, and cell phone.

Hell or High Water

Just felt like announcing that I am going to scrapbook this weekend come hell or high water. So there.

Dang, that felt good! :)

I will post what I make. Don't forget to check back!

Rudyard Kipling

"If you can keep your wits about you while all others are losing theirs, and blaming you. . . . The world will be yours and everything in it. . . . " ~Rudyard Kipling

Almost Gangsta

This was one of the goofy poses the kids did when they got tired of me taking their picture. Maybe I've seen one too many CSI promos, but they looked sorta "gangsta" - or at the very least, New Kids on the Block. ;-)

Harvest Fest

Today we went to Harvest Fest at the kids' school. The weather was just right and we all had a great time. There was so much to do, hear, and eat. Sensory overload! Getting the kids to stand still for pictures was a nice bonus. Towards the end of the festival, they announced they were giving away the last of the hot dogs. Caroline asked if she could go get one, and I told John Sam to go with her. "Stick together," I told them, which is what I always say. As they walked away, they put their arms around each other and walked all the way across the playground like that. My eyes welled up with love. They were too far away for me to take their picture, but it's okay--I'll always remember that.

Max Lucado

"Lower your expectations of earth. This isn't heaven, so don't expect it to be." -Max Lucado

New Amigas

At every office I've worked, I've been lucky enough to find a good friend--the kind you're friends with no matter where you go or what's going on in your lives. My new amiga and I have a lot in common, and it makes work a lot easier when I know there's someone who thinks like me and who goes out of her way to be sweet and supportive. I'm enjoying getting to know Waleska, and just take a look at these two foxy chiquitas celebrating with our kids on Halloween night.

Cosmo Comet Squared

Now we have TWO Cosmo Comets in the family! John Sam's teacher awarded him the Cosmo Comet award for his efforts in practicing self-control. Go John Sam!

On a different personal note, Happy Birthday to my "brother" Ann! I hope you had a wonderful birthday, and we'll always be brothers no matter what. Love ya!

Notes from 11/1 on 11/2/08

The kids and I all got haircuts on Saturday. Miss Roe even had a few extra minutes to put Caroline's hair in a cute up-do! Both seem to be losing the "toddler" face and looking like they've grown more than in the last picture I took. *sigh* After we got home, I ate lunch and filled out my absentee ballot, and took that baby to the post office. It feels good to devote attention to things that matter, and I enjoyed the satisfaction of knowing my vote has been tendered. I'm also having a blast putting all those campaign commercials on MUTE when they come on TV - again! Last, it's been several days since Miss Tokyo Jones got her new turquoise bandanna. She loves how she looks, I think. ;) She hasn't tried to take it off even one time. After seeing this picture, I've decided Tokyo's Indian name is Crazy Bat Ears. LMAO~