September 365 2014

September has been a busy month. Lots of fun. Lots of memories. 

Love the Fall season, just not the cold that follows. 

Riley's Gotcha Day

I've learned to never say never the hard way. We always said we'd never get a dog. As the girls grew up, we realized getting a dog wouldn't be too bad. At first we used it as a way to keep the girls in check. Yep parenting at its best.

Eventually, I realized I wouldn't mind having company with me during the day. I  thought of all the pros that having a dog would bring, of course I also thought of the cons. 

Finally the day came when we went to visit a puppy named Riley. She was so playful and sweet. 

We got to bring her home for the day to get to know her better. 

It was instant love.

A year ago today, we made her official and got to bring her home for good. It was the best decision ever!

National Coffee Day

In honor of National Coffee Day

I plan on having another 3 or 4 cups!  I'm no quitter!

Apple Picking 2014

The Fall season means warm, fuzzy slippers, hot coffee, and pie...apple in particular.  Okay, pumpkins too, but today's focus was apples.

We drove out to an apple orchard about 40 minutes from us and found we were basically early for most varieties of apples.  Yep, we planned this well.  Determined to find apples, after already paying our admission fee, we took off to find the Yellow Delicious.

       

We had to do some hunting for trees not picked over but we managed to find some and got to work. 

Of course, we had to do some taste testing too.

                                

                    

The best part about this place is leaving.  Laugh all you want, but as you leave, you can buy freshly made, warm, apple cider donuts.  Mmmmmmmm!  So good!

                                

Tortured the girls by making them take pictures together.  Best part of being a mom!

A Magical Day

17 years ago today, Joe and I had just started our vacation at Disney. Tired from the trip, but still excited, we got our picture taken in front of the castle. Later on we had lunch at Tony's Townsquare, which I loved since it was themed after the movie Lady and the Tramp--so romantic! 

We had a delicious lunch, then (long-story-short) Joe proposed. I was stunned! We had talked about getting married so I knew it would happen but he lead me to believe we had a "plan", so I wasn't expecting it then. 

He did good!! The ring, the place, the magic! He did very good!! 

Now married 15 years, still happy, still in love, I'd still say yes! Love him to infinity and beyond!! (Another Disney reference!)

Spray Paint And A Vision

While sometimes waiting for my mojo to hit me, I look around my scrap room and find things that need attention.  I realized I had too many white owls in my collection and talked Joe into going to Home Depot together to find colors I'd like to spray paint them.  Well actually HE could paint them for me....I screwed up some frames a few years ago and he won't let me live it down.  He's the official spray painter in the house.  I narrowed it down to these colors, since the mint green I had envisioned, they didn't have (or make--not sure).  

Joe took the owls to work and in a few days brought them home.  They came out great!  I had told him to make two of them the blue color, not caring which owl got which color, and now I'm sorta wishing I had told him to double up on the aqua!  I'm happy either way really.  So much better than boring white, which I still have some but they have rhinestone eyes so I left them white.

This is how they look all lined up on the cabinets in my scrap room.  So pretty!  Just don't mind the messy counter top that needs my attention next!!

Fall Has Arrived

Around here, Fall has arrived, both outside and in the house.

Found these goodies while I did my food shopping.  Some (most) people go nuts this time of year for pumpkin flavored things.  Me?  I'm not a fan.  I had pumpkin pie once and it was ok, but it just didn't do it for me.  I'm all about apples.  Personally the cookie was good, but I liked the bread better, toasted with butter--YUM!!

  

I dug out the fall decorations, that I've neglected to put out much of since Hurricane Sandy.  This year, everything was new again (in a way).  This wreath is one of my favorites.  I made it from a kit a few years ago and keep it up from September to November.

Love this scarecrow Mickey.  He stays out until Thanksgiving too.  He's too cute to put back in the box any earlier!

I know this is out early but I love it and haven't put it out the last couple of years.

Part of me secretly wants to try this with real pumpkins.  Wonder if I can talk Joe into it....

While I dread the cold season ahead, I do like Fall.  The gorgeous leaf colors are so pretty.  The not so fun part is cleaning them up after the dogs bring them into the house. 

Don't Be Shy, Take A Selfie!

A friend on Instagram posted this awhile back, and I couldn't resist taking a screenshot of it. 

It spoke to me. 

As someone always behind the camera taking all the pictures, I'm hardly IN pictures. I want to look back and see myself enjoy life.  Enter-- the "Selfie"!

So you want to take a picture of yourself? GO AHEAD!! Just no duck lips-okay??

Getting Back In The Groove

Around here, school started. Olaf will be keeping me company a lot for drop offs and pick ups.  I may or may not talk to him while waiting for the girls to get out of school.

Getting back to walking with the puppies more. Trying to keep up with the 10,000 steps a day I was doing daily in Disney, but not succeeding at it as easily now. 

Trying to catch up on the vacation laundry. Thought I was doing pretty good but maybe not the putting it away part....

Happy to be drinking good coffee again from home.  (Not a fan of the Disney variety of coffee.) Cute mugs make it even better!

Looking forward to routines and schedules but not the homework that the girls bring home.  Waiting for that day when they realize complaining about it will not get it done.

Missing Summer already.  Not looking forward to coats, and cold weather.  Going to squeeze the most out of my flip flops while I can.

Back To School 2014

Today was a bittersweet sort of day.  The girls started back to school.  While I like having schedules and getting more done around here, I love having the girls home.  I love the slow paced days.  Yes I should be able to balance it all together but I'm not Super Woman.

Marissa started 8th grade today.  She is in her last year at middle school.  Next year starts high school--OMG!!!  Not ready for that!

Gianna started 5th grade today.  Her last year in elementary school.  Next year she'll start middle school.  

Next year will be a big transition for us all.  For now, I'm hoping for a wonderful year for them both.  Maybe with a little less homework! LOL!