D in DC

D and his cousin G are in Washington, DC at Glenn Beck's Restoring Honor rally.

I am super proud.

Watch live NOW on Facebook

God Bless America.

-h

This will be framed in my home...

"Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle."

How true.
-h

sick and twisted

What I am about to write is wrong it's just wrong.

Tasks that give me instant gratification:

1. Paying bills- What!? I know, I know... for me, it's like a ritualistic to-do list. I get the list of bills that need to be paid, grab my darling D/H return address labels (these just make me smile), the checkbook, my Vera Bradley pen, and stamps. Do I enjoy overpaying for basic services? Nope, but I feel a huge sense of accomplishment when the pile is gone and the mailbox is filled with neatly stacked envelopes. Like I said...sick and twisted.

2. Emptying the dishwasher- It takes 15 (tops) and then it's done-zo.

3. Taking the change jar to the bank- LOVE THIS!! My useless jar of castaway change becomes real money in the bank...(shorty what you think? ha ha ha)

4. Crafting on the cheap- I get so much joy out of turning something plain and cheap into something beautiful and expensive looking. My entire house is full of bargain projects that look expensive. I know it's prideful, but my heart swells when friends/family ask where I got something or assume it's name brand and expensive.

hmm...money going out/coming in and cleaning give me instant gratification...what does that say about me? : )

weekend recap

D and I had a long, fun-filled, and yet emotional weekend.

Friday evening we recieved news that D's brother...D3's best friend died in a swimming accident. Our hearts sunk. D3's best friend was truly considered a member of the family. He was welcomed and present for all holidays and celebrations. In fact, when we first watched the video of the our wedding recepetion we had to laugh because he is dancing all over the place! Our hearts go out to his family, my brother-in-law/family and his numerous friends. I pray that we can all find peace in this tragic situation.

After absorbing the sad news D and I attempted to lift our spirits by going to KF's house for a cookout. We enjoyed good food and company...and mosquitos!! My feet are once again polka dotted with bug bites.

Saturday morning brought, an always exciting, trip to the local landfill. D and I finally made some progress towards cleaning out our garage and getting rid of smelly garbage. : ) We spent the rest of the rainy day tidying up the house and preparing for company. Saturday night we had a BLAST with our friends.

Sunday we slept in. ahh! It was fabulous! After lunch we ventured out to find a new computer. Last week D spilled beer on the old computer and it wouldn't turn back on. We figured that we were about due for a new laptop as technology was changing and the old laptop was slowing down and not retaining a battery charge....at least that's what we told ourselves! We drove an hour to Perrysburg/Toledo where we shopped around and finally bought a new laptop, external hard drive, AN INSURANCE POLICY for the laptop, and software security.

After spending all the money we needed the Lord! ha ha

We found a parish in Toledo and attended Mass. Then went looking for dinner. I suggested that we try an Indian restuarant. Poor D, he always trys to appease me...we drove around for an hour before finding the resturant-which was delicious! Thankfully we have plenty of leftovers for lunch today. : )

-h

Christmas!!

Yesterday Santa Claus came to my house via UPS!!

After many years (2 to be exact) of lamenting over my lack of a KitchenAid Mixer I finally broke down and bought one. : ) A sunny "majestic yellow" one. And it makes me so so happy!

-h

wow

I stumbled upon this blog today and I HAVE to share it with all of you!

http://newdressaday.wordpress.com/

This women has committed to wearing a new outfit everyday for a year (365 days) on a budget of $365. She is shopping at thrift stores and flea markets for cheap finds, which she then takes home and alters to make the piece more modern/fit.

Super fun and creative.

-h

p.s. Mom this makes me think of you! ; )

I am wire-LESS

It's been 10 days since the, now infamous, phone in the toilet situation and I have yet to replace my cell phone.

Truth be told it's nice.

I feel like I'm "off duty" without the constant ring, vibrate, or alarm of my cell phone.

Those that need to urgently speak with me, find a way. I am finding that my conversations are more meaningful and relevant because I'm not just BSing or ranting/raving (like I do when I always have a cell phone available and in my hand).

In the coming days I'm planning to replace the cell phone...D likes to be able to get ahold of me AND I get lost easily. However, from now on I will be more cautious with the amount of time I spend on the phone, in addition to the amount of full time availability I grant to others via the cell phone.

the end.

Today is August 16th and I am so so ready for fall!

I hate to rush summer along..the fresh produce is nice..but this heat?! it's killing me.

I am done-zo.

I'm just not a big fan of summer to begin with. Who wants to show off their chubby arms and legs? NOT this girl! ha ha! I hate sweating, my AC has been out 3 times, and we have been so busy! D and I have literally been running around doing something, traveling somewhere since May. Seriously, on the rare Saturday mornings that I wake up in my own bed, I panic because I don't know where I am.

.....but fall? It's my season. pumpkins, crisp cool evenings, apples, carmel, carmel & apples, D and my annual pumpkin carving party (FYI it's Oct. 23 @ 4pm. and I've already ordered the most darling invitations!!!), chili, wreaths, sweaters, friends huttled around firepits, harvest themed decorations, trick or treaters, warm cider, I could go on and on.... I love fall.

kids who eat rocks and other fun adventures in preschool

Overheard in my classroom today:

3 yo. old: I have a new baby brother

Miss Halley: oh! How exciting!!! How do you like being a big brother?

3 yo. old: (With a shrug) It's good...but you have to be really careful because he has a cut off wee wee

Miss Halley: ......... well I hope he feels better soon ..........

8/9/10

Wanna know what I did yesterday??

Celebrated my 2nd anniversary with my dear husband. : )

Now let me brag on him for a minute. I came home yesterday to find our wedding champagne flutes setting out on the table...filled with champagne (love him!!), the wedding album on the coffee table, and roses.

Honestly the champagne won me over. He could have stopped there, but NOOO, we went to dinner at The Revolver. *swoon*

Halley loves.

We had a wonderful dinner filled with too much wine, good conversation, and amazing food.

In the past two years we've conquered salmonella, bought a house, lost a gallbladder, said goodbye to D's first car, and we're still kicking.

Going into year 3 I'm looking forward to overcoming new curve balls together, travelling (to Alaska! ha!), and settling into our home.

Happy Anniversary D! I adore you.
-h

In the past 48 hours...

My best friend moved to Alaska. K told me 6 weeks ago that she, P, and baby A were moving to Alaska. My heart broke. I see K and baby A just about every day. We go to lunch, shop at Costco, walk, run errands, or just visit together. I call K with my many daily antics and she listens! ha! She listens to my rants/raves...and still loves me. I'm sad to see her go. devastated. Fortunately with Skype, blogs, and cell phones we will be able to keep in touch. I won't miss any of Baby A's milestones and K still has the pleasure (ha ha!) of talking me down when I rant/rave. Love you!

I dropped my cell phone in the toilet. Speaking of keeping in touch..I'm now without a phone!! and phone numbers!!! I'm not even sure how the phone fell into the toilet, but it did.

My car has a flat tire.

and we got our high summer electric bill. To the tune of $271. boo.

Understanding all of this, I hope you'll forgive my lack of blogging lately.

But I'm back and I have plenty of time on my hands!

-h

p.s. Please e-mail me your cell phone numbers at h@thehalleydaily.com I feel lost without being able to contact my friend!