3.02.2010
top ten tuesday
yesterday, i was in a great mood, even though i was dead tired. what could possible perk me up? no. not coffee (though it does do the trick).
i don't know if you noticed (for all you 216 residents), but it's been slightly warmer these past few days. and all that snow that fell last week is starting to look like slush. no. you might not notice these things, but i have a keen eye for picking up signs of spring since i've eagerly waited for them since the very first snow fall.
the warm spring and summer months are what get me through the miserable cleveland winters (if you've read some of my older posts, i've expresed my dissatisfaction in dealing with all this cold...brrrr!). so this week, i bring you some of the things i love about the warmer time of year.
top ten things i love about warm weather cleveland:
just writing this list gets me excited, but i'm trying to stay calm. since living here, i've learned not to do the happy, weather, spring is finally here dance until at least mid-april.
are you looking forward to the warm months as much as i am?
i don't know if you noticed (for all you 216 residents), but it's been slightly warmer these past few days. and all that snow that fell last week is starting to look like slush. no. you might not notice these things, but i have a keen eye for picking up signs of spring since i've eagerly waited for them since the very first snow fall.
the warm spring and summer months are what get me through the miserable cleveland winters (if you've read some of my older posts, i've expresed my dissatisfaction in dealing with all this cold...brrrr!). so this week, i bring you some of the things i love about the warmer time of year.
top ten things i love about warm weather cleveland:
1. no more driving in snow and taking 20 minutes just to get out the door because you have to make sure all your kids are bundled up (especially the baby).
2. the flowers and green foliage that bring color and cheer back to the outside world.
3. seeing everyone on our street coming out of hibernation.
4. summer nights sitting on the porch steps with my husband, chatting with each other or our neighbors, while staying cool sipping on a mint mojito or a cold one and only.
5. my feet are finally free from wool socks and boots! hellooooo flip flops.
6. outdoor farmers markets, our weekly city fresh pick up and LEAF nights. oh am i looking forward to this one. all that fresh, fresh produce is going to taste soooo good!
7. booked weekends because there is always something going on here in the 216 as soon as the weather warms up. some of my favorites: made in the 216, the streetwalk or walk+roll, kidfest, car kulture show, cross point picnics at the park, the bridge project, and there are just too many to list.
8. leaving my car in the driveway for a week if want to, because i can walk to everywhere i need to go (yes, this is also possible to do in the winter, but not really that practical with little ones).
9. warm, rainy nights and that after rain smell...so fresh and sweet.
10. parks, playgrounds, outdoor walks and the beach!
just writing this list gets me excited, but i'm trying to stay calm. since living here, i've learned not to do the happy, weather, spring is finally here dance until at least mid-april.
are you looking forward to the warm months as much as i am?
2.26.2010
leaving an inheritance
just thought i'd link this great post on the importance of leaving an inheritance for your children. i thought it was particularly interesting that the author did not put an excessive amount of focus on leaving inheritance money. instead, he emphasized that providing and teaching your kids a debt free lifestyle is the inheritance itself (at least that's what i gathered from the article).
helping your kids avoid being in debt during the first years of their adult life (whether it's paying for college, furnishing their own home, etc.) is an amazing gift that we as parents can give. i know that we wouldn't be in the financial position we are today if my parents did not take the burden of paying for my college education. we would definitely be in a way bigger hole.
and now, we would like to do the same for our kids. that's why we're doing this. that way, when they begin their own life as an adult, they can start "fresh." a clean slate. it is another way we can be better financial stewards of God's money. and beyond that, it is a way for us to begin to build our legacy. how are we managing our finances today so that our grandkids, and their kids, and their kids can be helped? and how can they help others around them with what we've left behind? where is our focus? are we living just for today or are we living for the future?
helping your kids avoid being in debt during the first years of their adult life (whether it's paying for college, furnishing their own home, etc.) is an amazing gift that we as parents can give. i know that we wouldn't be in the financial position we are today if my parents did not take the burden of paying for my college education. we would definitely be in a way bigger hole.
and now, we would like to do the same for our kids. that's why we're doing this. that way, when they begin their own life as an adult, they can start "fresh." a clean slate. it is another way we can be better financial stewards of God's money. and beyond that, it is a way for us to begin to build our legacy. how are we managing our finances today so that our grandkids, and their kids, and their kids can be helped? and how can they help others around them with what we've left behind? where is our focus? are we living just for today or are we living for the future?
2.25.2010
new artwork
as part of my husband's week long birthday celebration, he got a new tattoo. since we moved here, he gets all his work done by dave at voodoo monkey tattoo. dave always does a fabulous job, and turns my husband's ideas into something beyond his expectations. but dave is also a very busy guy, and is usually booked solid every week. fortunately for my husband, there was a cancelation earlier this week and dave was able to begin work on the new tattoo.
phase 1 is just the outline. phase 2, the color, will be done in about 2 weeks (which was the next available appointment he had. see...he is a busy guy!).
and since i didn't want to feel left out, i figured i should add to my own "collection."
mine was just done today by eric (who was great to work with and very personable), also at voodoo monkey. i had a couple of different ideas in mind, but decided to go with the heart since aaron has one with my name on it and he has been waiting for a few years to get mine done. i like how they both look similar but different at the same time.
so romantic, isn't it?
phase 1 is just the outline. phase 2, the color, will be done in about 2 weeks (which was the next available appointment he had. see...he is a busy guy!).
and since i didn't want to feel left out, i figured i should add to my own "collection."
mine was just done today by eric (who was great to work with and very personable), also at voodoo monkey. i had a couple of different ideas in mind, but decided to go with the heart since aaron has one with my name on it and he has been waiting for a few years to get mine done. i like how they both look similar but different at the same time.
so romantic, isn't it?
2.24.2010
wordless wednesday::a special holiday only for me
more from my husband's birthday week extravaganza.
[in case you're not in the "know," i am married to a man who takes a full week of vacation for his birthday. every. year. i love you, dear.]
thanks to everyone (from birthday wishes to birthday gifts) who helped make his birthday special!
more wordless wednesday here and here.
[in case you're not in the "know," i am married to a man who takes a full week of vacation for his birthday. every. year. i love you, dear.]
thanks to everyone (from birthday wishes to birthday gifts) who helped make his birthday special!
more wordless wednesday here and here.
2.23.2010
top ten tuesday
in celebration of my husband's birthday today, this week's top ten is just for him.
top 10 lovable things about you:
1. the little sleepy hat you use for bed time.
2. your special way of preparing your overly-sweetened coffee (and now you've got me hooked too!)...cream/milk in the cup first, then the sugar, then the coffee.
3. having special cups that others (even me) can't use. and if someone does use it by accident you'll make sure that they don't make the same mistake again.
4. taking a whole week off, every year, to celebrate your birthday.
5. falling asleep on the couch pretty much the minute you sit down.
6. a little bit OCD that manifests itself in your sock wearing.
7. terror in the kitchen! (exploding microwave door, paper towel catching on fire, breaking the french press carafe...)
8. always willing to give your time to your kids, even after a long day at work.
9. filling our home with music, and getting our kids excited about making music and creating their own, fun, little lyrics.
10. your genuine love and comittment to the Lord (thank you for the example you set for me and our children and for leading our family in the way of the Lord).
happy birthday, A!
now go play your vandals happy birthday to me song and enjoy your day...
the birthday boy
top 10 lovable things about you:
1. the little sleepy hat you use for bed time.
2. your special way of preparing your overly-sweetened coffee (and now you've got me hooked too!)...cream/milk in the cup first, then the sugar, then the coffee.
3. having special cups that others (even me) can't use. and if someone does use it by accident you'll make sure that they don't make the same mistake again.
4. taking a whole week off, every year, to celebrate your birthday.
excited about his birthday week extravaganza.
5. falling asleep on the couch pretty much the minute you sit down.
6. a little bit OCD that manifests itself in your sock wearing.
7. terror in the kitchen! (exploding microwave door, paper towel catching on fire, breaking the french press carafe...)
8. always willing to give your time to your kids, even after a long day at work.
9. filling our home with music, and getting our kids excited about making music and creating their own, fun, little lyrics.
10. your genuine love and comittment to the Lord (thank you for the example you set for me and our children and for leading our family in the way of the Lord).
enough with this paparazzi!
happy birthday, A!
now go play your vandals happy birthday to me song and enjoy your day...
2.22.2010
3/4
gibson:
i've decided that you are growing too quickly. the first 9 months have gone by much faster than i was prepared for. please, slow down a bit. just so that your mama can enjoy your chubby cuteness a little bit longer.
you are officially mobile, with your special way of getting around. it cracks me up to watch you get on your hands and knees, rock back and forth until you get enough momentum to propel yourself across the floor. and once you tire of that, you change it up and do a little bit of army crawling. either way, once you figure out you want to get at something, there's no more stopping you!
and just today, you were in the kitchen with me trying to pull up on the handle to the broiler (don't worry, it was turned off) and pulled open the whole door! i almost had a heart attack.
we saw the doctor today and you didn't even flinch when the nurse did the finger prick to check your iron count. there must have been some extra fat on your fingers to mask the pain. your height check put you in at 27 3/4 inches. your weigh in put you at 20 lbs. 2 oz., or another way to put it about 9 lbs. lighter than your 3.5 year old sister. hmmm...
i still love all of your chubbiness. those chunky cheeks and the little pot belly...i just want to eat it up. i love watching you eat, seeing those chipmunk cheeks move as you try to gum all your food or looking at the rolls on your forearm as you grab for the food morsels on your tray.
i especially love those moments when you reach for my face with your sweet, little, chubby arms and give me the best slobbery, open-mouth kisses. they make melt. your sweet smiles and giggles brighten all of our days. you can turn any frown upside down with that cute face. we all love you so much, bubba!
i've decided that you are growing too quickly. the first 9 months have gone by much faster than i was prepared for. please, slow down a bit. just so that your mama can enjoy your chubby cuteness a little bit longer.
you are officially mobile, with your special way of getting around. it cracks me up to watch you get on your hands and knees, rock back and forth until you get enough momentum to propel yourself across the floor. and once you tire of that, you change it up and do a little bit of army crawling. either way, once you figure out you want to get at something, there's no more stopping you!
and just today, you were in the kitchen with me trying to pull up on the handle to the broiler (don't worry, it was turned off) and pulled open the whole door! i almost had a heart attack.
we saw the doctor today and you didn't even flinch when the nurse did the finger prick to check your iron count. there must have been some extra fat on your fingers to mask the pain. your height check put you in at 27 3/4 inches. your weigh in put you at 20 lbs. 2 oz., or another way to put it about 9 lbs. lighter than your 3.5 year old sister. hmmm...
i still love all of your chubbiness. those chunky cheeks and the little pot belly...i just want to eat it up. i love watching you eat, seeing those chipmunk cheeks move as you try to gum all your food or looking at the rolls on your forearm as you grab for the food morsels on your tray.
i especially love those moments when you reach for my face with your sweet, little, chubby arms and give me the best slobbery, open-mouth kisses. they make melt. your sweet smiles and giggles brighten all of our days. you can turn any frown upside down with that cute face. we all love you so much, bubba!
2.20.2010
night out with my main man
dinner: luxe in gordon square arts district...
the menu: assorted breads with olive oil and balsamic vinaigrette, fried calamari with marinara and sour cream dip, mixed greens salad with apples, walnuts, red onions tossed in a champagne vinaigrette, t-bone steak with blue cheese risotto and a red wine reduction sauce, beignets with raspberry freezer jam, chocolate sauce and berries to dip...
night cap: irish coffee and a chocolate lovers martini (with homemade chocolate ganache sauce) just down the street at stone mad pub wonderfully prepared by aaron's cousin.
fantastic food with my favorite man always makes for a perfect evening.
the menu: assorted breads with olive oil and balsamic vinaigrette, fried calamari with marinara and sour cream dip, mixed greens salad with apples, walnuts, red onions tossed in a champagne vinaigrette, t-bone steak with blue cheese risotto and a red wine reduction sauce, beignets with raspberry freezer jam, chocolate sauce and berries to dip...
night cap: irish coffee and a chocolate lovers martini (with homemade chocolate ganache sauce) just down the street at stone mad pub wonderfully prepared by aaron's cousin.
fantastic food with my favorite man always makes for a perfect evening.
2.17.2010
wordless wednesday::the bacon slab
we usuall buy 1 lb. of the thick sliced bacon at our regular deli stand at the market. on our last visit, they had placed bacon slabs on the counter top which also happens to be at my husband's eye-level. need i say more?
more wordless wednesday here and here.
more wordless wednesday here and here.
