What I'm Up To

After a 2-month absence, here a little overview over the current state of affairs at our house (in parts totally stolen from Pinky!!)

I'm currently...

... reading:  Tons of Christopher Moore books, and some random reading material I've picked up at the give-away at my work's library

... trying: Not to whine too much. My mood swings are more than annoying, especially because I am painfully aware of them and can't get away from myself. I wouldn't know what to do without the the family's general understanding of my moodiness.

...  anticipating: The arrival of our baby boy, of course!

... buying: Last odds and ends for the baby, school supplies for Lily.

... lusting for: wine and vanilla cream pudding. Can't indulge in the one but totally going for the other!

... enjoying: Daytime naps and the occasional realization that we're home owners. Somehow, it hasn't quite sunk in yet, and if we're thinking about it, we feel so grown-up, which cannot be because after all, we're still just over-sized kids, right?

... cursing: Not being able to sleep at night, itching all over from a liver insufficiency. Can't wait for things to go back to normal!!

... listening to: Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Buena Vista Social Club, Amy McDonald, and the ever-present songs from Frozen.

... watching: Game of Thrones, Battlestar Galactica

... devouring: said vanilla cream pudding (can't beat 80% cream!!!)

... waking up: At the oddest times. When you can't sleep at night (meaning: impossible to fall asleep before 4 or 5 am), wake-up time is quite random at the moment.

... feeling: Thankful for all the good things in our lives; the fact that we're finally living in our new house; that we're going to have awesome neighbors; that our little lad is going to be here so soon; that Violet got to start her speech therapy and is already making progress; that Lily is looking forward to her long summer break and first day of elementary school; that hubby may have a serious prospect of starting his own business; for the translation work that's coming in; for the love and support all around me.  (you see, I missed way too many TToT-weekends!!)

Have a wonderful day, everyone!

Nice Things

Finally it's Friday again. Tomorrow, the painting on our house should be completed and Violet and I will spend the day shopping for furniture for the girls' rooms with my parents while Lily will attend a last minute birthday party.Today, after our doctor's appointment, we ran out really quick to buy a present; now I definitely won't feel bad any more calling a friend on Wednesday to invite her kids to a birthday party on Saturday any more  :-)

Friday also means that Janine and her co-hosts have come up with yet another Sentence to Finish, and this week it's a really good one!

The nicest thing someone has ever done to me is...

... giving life to me, raising me, providing me with some tough love but also giving in when needed. And still being there for us today! Thanks Mom and Dad!

... staying with me for over 8 years now. Dealing with my moods and antics without going completely crazy. I sometimes cannot believe that I am really that lucky, but here I am. You gave me three wonderful children, more back and foot rubs than I deserve and cook the most yummie meals for us most days of the week. Thank you so much, my love!!

... loving me unconditionally, even though I'm far from perfect. Loving me even if I'm impatient or unfair sometimes. Giving me back rubs and oiling my tummy every night. Bringing so much joy and awe into my life. I love you, my sweet little girls!!

... still being my best friend after 17 years. Having been encouraging, critical, and always honest. Having been the calming opposite to my sometimes crazy antics, but while allowing me to pull you along for some fun adventures. No matter how far we lived apart, nothing could change our friendship. Thank you so much for being my friend, Sonja!

... giving me a chance when you had no reason to do so. When my resume looked less then perfect, but you noticed something that made you decide to give me a chance. We owe you so much. Thank you, boss!!

... for all the random kindness in my life, from strangers, friends, acquaintances. For absolutely no reason. These are the moments that make my life so much richer. Thank you so much!


I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

Week In Review - Ten Things Of Thankful (30)

Half of my weekend is over already, time to wrap up this week of tons of things to be thankful for. This weeks top ten:

1. Hubby for cooking delicious veggy chili for me. He's taking so good care of me!

2. Tons of cuddles with the girls on the couch this afternoon.

3. Lily surprising me with her passport picture on Monday. We've had some sort of a situation when she refused to have them taken, claiming to be scared. After no promises (or threats) could change her mind and she announced that she'd rather never travel again, I had a heart on heart with her, firmly telling her that her antics were neither cute nor funny but rather annoying to us. I told her that I loved it so much that she was so understanding and reasonable, and that she didn't need to compete with Violet, who's much younger than her. She double-checked if she'd still get ice cream for dessert, which I confirmed, and Monday she went and got that picture taken. Love this girl  :-)

4. Violet bringing home an absolutely cute gift from kindergarten. So adorable!

5. Jammie pants.

6. Kids who get excited when there's baked salmon and cream spinach for dinner.

7. Home-made apple pie, and the smell that comes with it!

8. Having a boss who cares about my well-being at work. I had major issues with dry eyes before the holidays, to the point that even false tears didn't help any more and I bare could keep my eyes open by 3:30 p.m.  She contacted our corporate medical services to inquire about relief options and will also contact workplace security. Come Monday, we'll implement the first steps.

9. A lazy Saturday that is much more cherished after a busy work week.

10. A wonderful, wonderful friend!


Have a great weekend everyone!

Week In Review - Thankful

I've decided that Lizzi's Ten Things of Thankful (TToT) is the perfect way to recap the week. While there are things I am thankful for every single day (like my family, my friends, my work, general health, etc.), there are special things happening every week - big and small - that are worth being thankful for.

Here are this week's 10:

1. Being greeted with a beautiful home-made gift (a syrup and jelly) from my coworker on Monday morning. I felt like it was my birthday even though it wasn't. And seeing her reaction about me (and another colleague of mine who got the same gift) being so excited about it. She was so truly happy that we loved it so much, which, in return, made me happy. No better way to start into a new week!

2. Not having a management position at work. Seeing all the crap my poor boss had to go through this week, and all the overtime she had to put in while not being appreciated the least made me really happy to (a) have her as my boss because she always appreciates our work, and (b) not having her job.

3. The beautiful weather. It's been perfect, simply perfect all week!

4. Having the kids I have and not the neighbor's kids.

5. Being able to have a lovely Friday evening celebrating my neighbor's birthday (not the neighbor from no. 4) and playing D&D afterward.

6. The wedding we were invited to attend. It was so beautiful witnessing a couple dedicating themselves to each other. It was such a wonderful ceremony and celebration afterward, I cannot say enough how thankful I am having been invited.

7. Lily. She surprises me over and over again. She and Violet have been flower girls at the wedding; and while Lily has been unsure whether she liked doing it or not, she did so well. Watching her walking in in front of the bride and groom, next to Violet, carrying the rings, I nearly cried. She had the most solemn look on her face, full of concentration and tenderness, which I will never forget. (yes, I'm tearing up all over again now). I'm so proud of her, and of course of little Violet as well, who did a wonderful job!

8. The beautiful moon I got to watch on our way home from the wedding.

9. The nap on the picnic blanket I got on the playground today while Lily played.

10. Sitting on the porch with a glass of blush wine, writing this.


Thank you so much for hosting once again, Lizzi!

Thankful

Considerer came up with this wonderful link-up, reflecting on all our blessings we might forget in the course of daily life:

This week's Top 10:

I am thankful for:

1. Being lucky enough to have "first-world" problems. I am complaining a lot about the weather, not having anything to wear, and in recent months, about the issues we're having with the house. But after all is said and done, I have no problems. We have plenty of food to eat, we have health insurance. The girls can grow up as children are supposed to, with plenty of play, toys, books, etc. After all things considered, I don't have any problems.

2. Having a start date for building the house (more details later).

3. Perfect weather all weekend long.

4. Being able to listen to the hubby playing a wonderful concert.

5. My mom coming to listen to her son-in-law even though she's not a fan of classical music.

6. Getting caught up on cuddle time with Lily last night.

7. Having a husband who shows me his love every day by doing little things for me.

8. Adrenaline. Without it, running on a broken toe might not be that much fun.

9. Watermelon.

10. Aloe to cool my sunburn. I sure enjoyed the sun today!


Have a great new week, everyone!!