A day in the life...

so first I stand and get my balance, all the while, looking VERY stylish.....
then I try hard to not laugh, dance, play Simon Says, and concentrate on moving my feet...
one should ALWAYS stretch before any exercise, so I will touch my toes a few times...

but really where I want to be is right here, in my Papa Don's arms. I just know that he will give me a horsey ride later.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY QUINNERS!!! I cannot believe that you have been around for a year, in our lives and in our hearts. Who knew that my heart would mimic the Grinch's and grew and grew and grew. I love you more and more each day.

Sometimes change IS good

Like when you change your hair (stuck in the 80's is not a fashion statement people), change your mind (chicken or fish??? hmmm), change your undies (car accident with dirty undies, not following your mom's rules), or simply change your blog template. Who knew that when I look at my OWN blog the pink is so sunny, spring-like and charming. No wonder Hayley is in love with the color. Makes one feel alive.

Sometimes change is not good either. Like when I have to rearrange the girls' room to make a dresser fit, or when my highlights come out uneven, or when Roger is working a different shift. I am really a creature of habit for those of you that do not know that. I border on obsessive compulsive in some of my habits. I have to shower every day, I have to fold all the laundry right way in, arms tucked in the center and so the fold is NOT down the middle, I have to read every night before I go to sleep (even after sex, I have to read one page - just one I promise...- sorry mom!!!), and I have to have all the cupboards closed in the kitchen at all times. I even scrapbooked the same for a long time before I could change that as well. Technology eludes me, I now have tried unsuccessfully to add my favorite other blogs to my links and only to get an empty page. My MP3 player holds a LOT of songs, but only 16 of them play. Cannot figure out how to stop and start a DVD without it going to the beginning again. HMMM, the list is big. One change I am very good at is throwing away my old clothes and starting fresh again. Holding on to nothing that I have not worn in one season, or jeans that I "one day might fit into", or the flashdance outfit that looked so good on in 1983. Not me. New clothes here - sometimes too many.

Something else I have not changed is my very good friend in Quesnel. We have weathered high school, peer pressure, numerous boyfriends (although we never had the same ones), marriage, babies, divorce, custody issues, second relationships, new babies, and blended families. We share a passion for good tea, great scrapbooking, and like nothing better than a well maintained home. (ha, you just read that we both have babies...). My long distance, kindred spirit, girl who makes me laugh, downhome, Starbucks free, lovable friend, Annamarie. Thinking of you today darling, and wish we were closer. Somethings never change eh?

Just some things on my mind. Not much mind you, as my house might be well maintained but my brain is not!!! One more sleep until my parent's arrive from Arizona for a visit. Can't wait.

QUINN TOOK TWO STEPS!

Hayley at her birthday party - mouth full of cake and having a blast with her friends!!
Quinn looking mischievious as always. She really has her own sense of humour!

Just wanted to let everyone know that QUINN TOOK TWO STEPS ON HER OWN ON FRIDAY!!! She has been standing and wiggling forever, and she did it, all on her own, pivoted and took two steps. Now ALL she wants to do is stand, but is less than keen to walk again. Which, let me get the record straight, I am not too sad about. STAY LITTLE, that is my mantra.

(Secret is out, I am VERY proud of her, before her first birthday and everything...) sniff sniff

Can someone say GROUCHY??

Ok, someone, somewhere, put something in my girls drinks today. They have rotated their heads all the way around, spewed out green pea soup and become absolute monsters. I literally almost lost it on them. But instead, I restrained myself, and put them both in the tub, filled it full of bubbles and let them have at it. Now it is 8pm and they are asleep. Well, that might be pushing it, they are BOTH in BED, NO NOISE and I am quite content with that. The dishwasher is running in my ear, so really, they could be making noise and I would be none the wiser. I don't think I am missing much. So I will vent here on what a hellish day it has been around here, await for the kettle to boil, make tea and veg out in front of the telly with Roger.

EEk, no one wants to hear me rant and rave, so I will sign off and make the world well again tomorrow. Do I have to do my things to be thankful for??? Ok, hmmmm, thankful that Roger's ring arrived in the mail today, after 10 days in customs, it is really honking huge and he loves it. I am thankful that both girls usually sleep through the night, and I am really thankful that my mom and dad are arriving Tuesday of next week and so I can have my mommy here to cry in her arms............Sucky as that sounds, makes me happy......

Scrapbooking kind of day

Big thunk in the mailbox only means one thing according to my friend Annamarie. Scrapbook magazines arriving!! Yahoo. I am also awaiting a HUGE lot of stuff from eBay, including a album kit to do Roger's baby album, 50 assorted papers and vellum, stickers, embellishments, and 4 idea books. All for the mere price of $40 including shipping. Yah, I am shopping in my jammy pants in my kitchen, drinking coffee and watching kids. This is the life. I am almost finished my first ever black and white album as well. I am pleasantly surprised at how much I love it. Black and white photos are so crisp and clean looking, nothing to distract you, just photos.

Boring to all you "not yet scrapbookers" that read my blog, but in my small world, VERY exciting. Now to find the time to do all I want to do to exercise my creative side and still plan a birthday party for little Quinners. Our baby will be turning one on the 30th. As my friend Liz' boys say "yah, she is only zero right now". How fitting.

Can't wait for Annamarie to get her computer up and running again. I miss reading about the queen in training and what is going on in Quesnel. Come on techies - fix it!!

Things to be thankful for - turning 35 was not as bad as I thought, my ring arrived from Roger and it is beautiful (aquamarine stone with 5 small diamonds all set in white gold), and both girls seem to have bypassed the cold that is running rampant around the schools. Yippy for small victories.

The best birthday EVER!!!

Officially the best birthday. Bar none. I woke up with my favorite 6 year old and snuggled in bed watching Scooby Doo, then to the musical sounds of Quinn's jibber jabbing in her crib, proceeded to get up and have a yummy coffee. Birthday cards on the table waiting for me!!! Mom not only made me a beautiful table runner and sent me grandma's ring, she also gave me some money for a new spring running jacket. It will be great for all the "running" I plan to do. Yah, like running back and forth to school, running in and out of the grocery store, running in and out of the skating rink. All the while in the comfort of my minivan. Oh well, the intention is there.

Spent the morning with my friend Jen and her three kids here. They play so well together, and Naomi and Quinn just wrestle for the toy of the day. I admire her, so much patience and love, and expecting #4 soon.

My friend Lisa gave me a hoard of relaxation stuff - for the bath, candles, mini CD, etc. Gonna use that fore sure! After picking up Roger we went into the mall, and unbeknownst to me, picked up my pressie from him. It is a beautiful aquamarine stone, with 4 diamonds, all set in on a white gold ring. Our family ring. I won't lie to you, shed a tear in the jewelry store!!! Then proceeded to hand it back to the saleswoman so it can be sized. Evidently I am a size 5.5!! Baby fingers. He took us out for dinner, had a yummy glass of red wine and a great steak and prawn dinner, then home. When we pulled up to the house there was presents for me on the porch!! Jen bought me a gift certificate to LaSenza and my friend Eden bought me a great summer beach bag, some scratch and wins, and a copy of the Jack Johnson "Curious George" soundtrack. I absolutely love Jack Johnson. Then.............The icing on the "cake" of a day came when my other friend Jen stopped by after her yoga class with her old video camera for Roger and I to use indefinitely!!! I know that I am going to have fun with that toy!! Watch out kids, mommy has got the movie fever now!!! I went to bed very happy and honored to have such great friends in my life. Blessed seems like an understatement.

Just some photos

Baby Goats and Shllamas to see

Spent the day at Beacon Hill Park with the girls, my friends Jen (both have the same name) and all the kids. It was so fun. The best part was when a goat jumped right over Quinn's head! She laughed and laughed! Hayley really wanted to see the llamas, but we could not find them, so we went to see the sheep instead. The looked really funny, long hair, beards and one was so fuzzy it looked like it had a hump. We called them shllamas (sheep-llamas). Then we started calling animals by funny names and one of the Jen's said that female peacocks are called peaginas! I thought I was going to pee my pants. Then I would have some explaining to do...............It was so fun, will definitely do it again. Especially to see the peaginas.

It is my last official day of being 34. I received a package from my mom today and in it was my grandma Tish's family ring that was willed to me. She actually passed away in December of 1990, and although I always knew that the ring was mine, it sat in my mom and dad's safety deposit box. I thought it a fitting gift to recieve again for my birthday. I also got a very beautiful table runner in an oriental pattern, very light and spring colors that she handmade. I love table runners, and with our "all wood decor" it really adds some color and warmth. I am feeling spoiled.

Drinking a chamomile tea and finishing this up. Then off to bed with the latest scrapbook magazine I received today. Me and my friend Annamarie definitely think alike as she also bought one today as well. Until next time my friends. Oh ya, Got snow on Friday, wore capri pants today. How is that for crazy west coast weather????? (for those of you that did not get the peaginas joke, think rhymes with Regina and would accompany pea-cock...)

Snow is in the forecast....But for HERE????

Well it is official....We got snow. Or as my friend Annamarie says, " we had a blizzard last night and not the kind you get at Dairy Queen". We are a white winter wonderland out here on the Island. I am not impressed.....

The kids however, are over the moon. Hayley has NEVER wanted to walk to school, and today, she asks. Quinn keeps crawling over to the window in the back door and looking outside. It does make for good photos!

Quinn did her first sign last night - she signed more! I almost cried, and then was unmercifully teased by Roger for being a softy. She has only said one word, mama (she knows!!!), and now signed one, so that actually means she DOUBLED her vocabulary! My little girl, almost one.

Hayley had Student Led Conference yesterday, and she did so well. I am so proud of her, she is really learning a lot in kindy. Her journal is funny. Her on the beach, me and her on the beach, building a sand castle on the beach, the ocean......Maybe we should spend more time there this summer. Then she skated on her new skates after that. She was a bit stiff, they just were sharpened and the picks are really close compared to her other ones. She did relax and have fun after the initial breaking in period though.

Just gonna curl up with Harry Potter (5th book) and drink tea today. I may even have to wear long pants and not capris today. Maybe.

Things to be thankful for......In Victoria you don't have to shovel it, it makes everything look clean, and it really is a freak of nature here. Might as well enjoy it while it is here....

The party is over, only cake crumbs left....

The party was a success. Now if all my endeavors in life were judged by 5 and 6 year olds I would be famous! We had a ton of fun, with everyone enjoying themselves. It was a bit frantic, with doing the constant head counts to ensure that I still had all the kids that somehow I was entrusted with. Ten kids and not one "incident". If you don't count the fact that Hayley and her dad were late, he did not pack her underwear ( party dress fiasco saved with tights I had in my diaper bag), and she had to rent a towel. Who in their right mind comes swimming with no towel? Leave it to her dad. Hayley sure has a great outlook on life, and I was so proud of how she incudes everyone. She did shove all her friends aside for about 10 minutes to play with Quinn, which always does my heart proud to see how in love she is with her sister. That will change when Quinn is into everything!!!

Speaking of Quinners - she HATED the pool. She cried if I was out of her sight for the first half an hour. In Roger's arms was obviously not good enough for her. She did, however, warm up to the idea, and once left to her own adventures did just fine. She looks so cute in a bathing suit. How come rolls and big tummys only look good on kids under one year of age?

I am exhausted though. We spent the morning buying a new receiver and speaker set as we finally sold our HUGE tower speakers. It is nice and has great sound. We will have to test them out with Top Gun, it is the movie that I can appreciate with surround sound and a subwoofer. Roger on the other hand......Some Star Wars thing I bet. Boring.

Hope everyone has a great weekend! As all of you can see, I will NOT be posting a photo of me in a bathing suit....hahaha for those of you that waited to see one. You are out of luck! Things I am thankful for : I have great friends who also donned a bathing suit today with me, the party was a success, and I now have the night to have a baileys and milk and spend it with Roger instead of working at Moxies. Night all.

I AM A MOM OF A SIX YEAR OLD!!

As my friend Jen would say....HOLY CARP! Hayley is six today! I cannot believe it, it seems like not very long ago that we brought her home from the hospital. Now it is official. She has lived longer with separated mom and dad than she did when her dad and I were together. Oh well, life could have worse repercussions.

She opened up my mom's gift this morning, first thing. The poor girl, everytime she saw inside my closet it was taunting her. It has been here since the end of January!! It turns out that my mom bought her a beautiful Aurora (Sleeping Beauty) music box. I have heard the damn song about 25 times already, I am good. It is a Bradford Exchange, numbered and everything. Everytime she wants to wind it up I get my "paranoid hat" on. That's all we need to do is break it after mom put all the time, effort and love into getting it from Quesnel to Victoria in one piece. It is very nice, and I will clear some room on her dresser for it. Maybe we should put it on a really high shelf, so no little hands will touch it....

Our present came in second, we bought her real figure skates (but for those of you that are not up to speed on the price of skates, these are "new to her" and actually 3rd hand), new glitter pink guards, the Harry Potter #3 (4th comes out on the 7th), and scooby doo stickers. Then she got to choose where to go for birthday dinner,,,,,,, and lo and behold she chose the Chinese Buffet just in the Thrifty Foods complex. All the restaurants and she chose that one. I think it is reputable....Although I do know for sure that I cannot eat anything there, so looks like I'll have soup before we go. It is her day, and she can do what she wants. Even cry.

Things to be thankful for (easy today) got to wear a skirt and no tights because it is sunny enough, my darling first born is six, healthy, and a joy to be around, and one birthday down - three more to go in March- in our family alone. Cheers friends!

Check out my little flower!

Look what happens when you take a little seed, add water and food and a lot of sunlight.....A flower grows! This is Quinn's towel that my sister gave to her at Christmas and she gets such a kick out of wearing it. I absolutely love her in it, but then again, I am biased. She is growing up so fast, in a month she will be a year old, and that seems so strange to me. So much has happened in the short span of a year, but in every way she has enriched my life! Thank you Quinn!!!

Well today is the last day of February, and that only means one thing, March arrives tomorrow. The month of March has ALL of our family's birthdays in it, beginning with Hayley on the 2nd. So, she will be 6, on the 14th I will be 35, on the 19 Roger will be 30 and on the 30th Quinn will be 1. We are also having my mom and dad come and visit after they get back from Arizona, and Spring Break. Roger's dad's birthday is the same day as mine, my friend Lisa's is right after, Roger's best friend is the day after his, and so on and so on. You get the picture. March is busy. Well, lots of parties, and cake and goodies to be had. Hayley is having her party on Saturday, at the rec center (a POOL party of all things), with 9 other kids. It should actually be fun, they swim for an hour, then into the party room for pizza, juice, games and cake. We get a "hostess" in the party room so she will co-ordinate everything. Thank God. It just means that I have to put on my bathing suit and get in the pool. I guess the good side is that 6 year olds don't care what I look like! Well I will keep you posted and put some photos of the party on the blog after Saturday.

Things to be thankful for: my daffodils are blooming already, my children are growing up healthy and happy, and I get to see my family at the end of the month. Until next time.....

My new glasses!!!!

HA HA!! Just joking!!! I actually had an eye appointment today, but my Celiac has made some complications with my eyes. It seems as though when you radically change your diet in any way your eyes cannot compensate. So I am having a tough time with production of my tears, and the side effect of this is constant watery eyes, extreme sensitivity to sunlight, and discharge in the corners. I probably need a prescription as well, but have to put the "fake tears" in my eyes for 3 weeks and then I need to go back and he will remeasure my eye.
What a load of crap, and $95 later, I walk out. Teary eyes like I am crying at the state of the bill, but I do get the money back on our extended health plan. I just am frustrated with this damn autoimmune DISEASE that seems to affect every aspect of my life. It is becoming more apparent that is much, much more than just changing your diet. My birth control pill had gluten in it as a binder and I was taking THAT every day! Toothpaste, Scope, and medications all have it. Pasta and whole wheat bread I can forfeit, it is all the hidden things that still trip me up. ARGH.
Gotta get back on track.

So I guess that I will be sitting here with cucumbers on my eyes, fake tears running down my cheeks as I eat a gluten free BLT before I am to drive to the skating rink. Did I mention that a loaf of my gluten free bread costs $6.99? Maybe the tears that I am crying are not fake at all.....

Ok, things to be thankful for: (tough today let me tell you...) I am not blind, I don't have to give myself a needle everyday, and I am part of the Celiac Association that I can call when I have days like this......let's hope that I don't get a busy signal....................

HAPPY DOUBLE EAR INFECTION DAY!

Did you not know? It is a holiday that we celebrate once a year, date on a fluctuation scale. Yippy - it is here, send out for streamers and balloons. Just no load horns, they may hurt the poor above mentioned ears. Yes, it is Hayley, and it one trait that I did not want her to inherit from me - the dreaded ear infections. She is a trouper though, she is watching "Sponge Bob the movie" and not whining. I think she knows that whining just makes mom lose it. It is kind of like those whistles that only dogs can hear and they all come running - that is whining for me. Instead of running TOWARDS the noise, I hightail it right out of there! I feel so bad though, when she needs to blow her nose (like every 5 minutes) I can physically hear her ears pop. Hopefully back to school tomorrow.

Yesterday was so fun! Hayley spent the day watching movies with her dad at his house, and Quinn, Trent (daycare boy) and I ventured off to Value Village. It was 50% off EVERYTHING day. Ya, you read correctly - I am a sale girl, nothing full price, nothing retail, only consignment stores, girlfriend's closets, and cast offs for me. I had a hayday, both girls got new swimsuits, summer dresses, Quinn got her first pair of shoes (hard soled), loads of dress up clothes, new pots for my garden, and a PONCHO! I bought myself the trendiest poncho ever! Now I just need to purchase some incense and brown flared cord pants and I can transform myself into the 60's. Not the most flattering time in the woman's movement if you ask me. The poncho, however, is quite nice, and will get a lot of use considering how Victoria is in the midst of some cold weather here.

Now, this next part, for all those that know us, are sworn to secrecy. Roger is debating leaving his position at Moxies' and go into an Electrical Apprenticeship. It is a big gamble for him, and a decision that he is still weighing, although I say GO FOR IT! For about 6 months we will be taking a drastic cut in pay, but after that initial time frame, we will be making more. In four years he has the potential of making more than double of what he is making now. I am the one that handles the finances here, and I know that I can make it work - and really, it is not that long. What are we actually going to give up? Weekends on the sailboat? Private lessons at tennis? The BMW parked out front? Come on now, we don't have a lot of money as it is, and we do just fine. I will phone BC Hydro and tell them that love will pay the bills from now on! Have I mentioned how much I am turned on by a tool belt? So much more sexy than a grimy ol' chef coat.......

Things I am grateful for: we live in housing that rent is dependent on our income, and can be lowered if our income drops, Hayley is on day two of antibiotics, and February is a "car payment free" month...

OMG IT"S OFFICIAL!!!

We here in sunny (emphasis on sunny) Victoria actually dropped below the freezing point last night! Yes, it is indeed -1 as we speak, very cold considering how with the bloody wind out there it is actually -10. I actually had to wear long pants and socks today, something I usually avoid at all costs. I am a warm weather girl, been climatized since leaving Quesnel, spent a year in beautiful Australia, and then proceeded to freeze my butt off in England and Scotland after that. I have come to the conclusion that I do much better in the warmth. So here I am, in a sweater and LONG pants, having a coffee and sitting near the heater. So much for the excuse that housing prices are outrageous here in Victoria because we only get nice weather. It is the pits today. The upside is, though, it is sunny still.

Pro-D day here. Another word for entertaining your kids all day long. Yah, like I am going to go swimming with these white legs, or to the library with 100 other kids, or maybe to the rink - my favorite thing is to lace skates up you know. Me thinks we will build a large fort, pretend we are on a deserted island somewhere in the Pacific and get a tan.

Scrapbooking is going well since I decided to get organized. Who knew that I had about 40 different sheets of Christmas paper? I can usually bang off one layout a day, if I am feeling creative. It is helping that I bought 8 magazines off ebay (don't read this line Annamarie) for under $20 and am getting some ideas from there.

Well, hungry kids are calling. Until next time......

Valentines Day has arrived....

Just for a change, and due to the day surrounding this post, I will write in red. I try not to do anything that requires a red pen, too many connotations about it; teachers marking tests, past due bills stamps, corrections on essays - all marked in red. Also, when you are "in the red" versus in the "black" and all the naughty lingerie that you can buy. Why is that red is racy and trimmed in maribou, all short and corset-like.....Oops I digress.

Today I woke up, came down and by the coffee pot was a gift and card from Roger (he starts work at 6am). This was the first of the surprises of the day. Hayley made me a card, so sweet in itself, but then later told me that, "Quinn would have made me one too, but she can't print yet, so this is from her too". Cue in the tears. Then Hayley and I proceeded to finish icing the cupcakes for school, and get ready to go. She looked so cute, dressed in her Old Navy beige skirt that has pink hearts on it, white tights, white turtleneck and black boots. Cute and grown up all wrapped into one.

I dropped off at school and then beelined for the nearest Future Shop, alas, Roger did not have a gift as of yet, although my theory is to celebrate the holidays the DAY AFTER, then all the chocolates are half price (not to mention all the Halloween costumes, but I would never live down sending my kids out trick-or-treating on November 1st, all to save a dollar). He is getting a case for his Ipod Video (romantic), and a card (not home made, as he HATES them). No overpriced flowers, chocolates or cinnamon hearts here. Until tomorrow that is.....

Here is the best part of my day...picking Hayley up from school she gives Roger and I a Valentine card that she made in school. On the back it says, (and I quote directly), "To mommy and Roger, happy valentines day, love hayley. I LOVE BOTH OF YOU". By the end of the card I am now a heap of tears. This is the FIRST time in the history of my relationship with Roger that Hayley has not only included him in a card, but said that she loved him!!! We are making progress here on the blended family....There is hope. She does my heart proud, in her own time, in her own way, she has allowed him into her life, accepted him and now loves him. Makes me love both of them more.

Tonight after dinner we are having a sitter come to the house so that Roger and I can go and have a drink in the neighbourhood pub. I am looking forward to getting him all to myself, even if it is surrounded by other lovy dovys all holding hands and staring into each other's eyes....Gross.

FIRST GIRLS NIGHT OUT!!!!

Last night was our first girls night. Over the course of the first week in January I decided that I do not see my girl friends enough, and so began the process of creating a night out once a month with them. Last night we went to Liz's house and the premise was to make homemade Valentine cards. There were five of us, Liz, Jan, Jen, Debby and me. There were 10 more invited, but due to other commitments, could not make it. We proceeded to make 4 cards (combined total - not each), ate a lot of good food, drank a wide variety of alcoholic bevies, and most importantly - talked, laughed and got reacquainted. It was so much fun, and was so good for my soul to see friends that I talk to on the phone, or see at playgroup, or PLAN to see, and last night I actually did. Now I cannot wait until the next one.

Then this morning came around - with a slight headache and the nagging reminder of the fact that I was scheduled at Moxies'. Sadly, I was scheduled as the bartender as well (is this called cruel irony? Maybe adding insult to injury? Or how about me getting my just rewards??). After partaking in an advil, having a huge glass of water and then having a coffee, I was beginning to feel like myself. The headache I can handle, as most days I have one, but it is the LACK OF SLEEP that does me in. Have I mentioned how much I like my bed??? In all honesty, the day went by just fine at work, very busy, and came home with a fatter wallet than that of which I left with. What can be wrong with that?

Things to be thankful for, Roger cleaned out the office and threw away an entire garbage bag of useless junk, my weekend at work is over, and most of all, I am exactly where I want to be - at home with my three favorite people in the world. Now if they would only learn to pick up after themselves.....

photos of the girls night

just updating you with some photos!

We spent our first sunny day in awhile in the park and both Quinn and Hayley had a good time. Hayley with playing with her friends and attempting the monkey bars - and Quinn, well, Quinn with eating the chip bark. She will put anything in her mouth!
Hayley must know that I scrapbook and take a hundred photos, as she is beginning to do the "pose" as soon as the camera comes out of the bag! She tilts her head, slants her eyes, and gives the fake smile. Wonder where she gets that from? Not her mother, that is for sure!

I am currently hooked on the HBO series "Six Feet Under" and have the entire first season on DVD to catch up on. I am really P.O.'ed that I did not clue in to how good it is and have to now play catch up. I brought Hayley to school, did my safe arrival volunteering, came home, fed Quinn a snack and layed her down then proceeded to curl up in my bed and watch an episode. It was pure heaven. I can honestly count how many times I have been able to do that on two hands, and since we put the tv and another dvd player in the bedroom I am addicted to my bed! I have no regrets, except that maybe I should have put my jammies back on for the full effect......

Well, I guess that I should do something with my day, maybe make an eye doctor appointment....I think I am really going blind. Scrapbooking gives me a headache and that is supposed to be my sanctuary! What is worse, thinking that glasses will make you look old, or getting to the point of having to hold the menu REALLY far away to read it? Does that make me look old? Things to be thankful for.....no car payment this month, sunny sunshine outside, and my spring bulbs have poked their way out of the ground! I think they were literally drowning in all the rain underground, but whatever the case, they are going to bloom soon!

Women over 30

My friend Jen sent me this email, and I got such a laugh out of it I thought I would share it. It is very poignant and very true. Somewhere in the core of my being, it is a little sad too. In less time that I care to imagine I will be recieving emails in regards to woman over 40. Truth be told, I feel as I age I am more and more comfortable in my skin. I am at peace with my body and all its curves, nodules, scars and moles. I know that I look good in certain items of clothing, and should stay FAR away from others. Hope that all of you can relate on some level to the following points made in the article.

This is for all you girls 30 years and over... And for those who are turning 30, and for those who are scared of moving into their 30's AND for guys who are scared of girls over 30!!!!...

This was a monologue by Andy Rooney from the CBS show, 60 Minutes. Andy Rooney said: "As I grow in age, I value women who are over 30 most of all. Here are just a few reasons why: "

* A woman over 30 will never wake you in the middle of the night to ask, "What are you thinking?" She doesn't care what you think.
* If a woman over 30 doesn't want to watch the game, she doesn't sit around whining about it. She does something she wants to do. And, it's usually something more interesting.
* A woman over 30 knows herself well enough to be assured in whom she is, what she is, what she wants and from whom. Few women past the age of 30 give a hoot what you might think about her or what she's doing.
* Women over 30 are dignified. They seldom have a screaming match with you at the opera or in the middle of an expensive restaurant. Of course, if you deserve it, they won't hesitate to shoot you, if they think they can get away with it.
* Older women are generous with praise, often undeserved. They know what it's like to be unappreciated.
* A woman over 30 has the self-assurance to introduce you to her women friends. A younger woman with a man will often ignore even her best friend because she doesn't trust the guy with other women.
*Women over 30 couldn't care less if you're attracted to her friends because she knows her friends won't betray her.
* Women get psychic as they age. You never have to confess your sins to a woman over 30. They always know.
* A woman over 30 looks good wearing bright red lipstick. This is not true of younger women.
* Once you get past a wrinkle or two, a woman over 30 is far sexier than her younger counterpart.
* Older women are forthright and honest. They'll tell you right off if you are a jerk if you are acting like one! You don't ever have to wonder where you stand with her.
* Yes, we praise women over 30 for a multitude of reasons. Unfortunately, it's not reciprocal. For every stunning, smart, well-coiffed hot woman of 30+, there is a bald, paunchy relic in yellow pants making a fool of himself with some 22-year-old waitress.
* Ladies, I apologize. For all those men who say, "Why buy the cow when you can get the milk for free". Here's an update for you. Nowadays 80% of women are against marriage, why? Because women realize it's not worth buying an entire pig, just to get a little sausage.

So here's to all of us over 30!! Maybe I will go today and buy some bright red lipstick........