Focus

Sometimes when the world around me is nutty and crazy, I find it helps to focus on the good, simple, light things... *remembering how much I love taking (and looking at) photos of my boys *the smell of lavender soap in my bathroom *open windows, breeze *hummus with extra virgin olive oil *teaching Cooper ebay *sleeping with little boys that wear no shirts (they are soooo soft next to me) *sounds of nature on my iPod (totally dorky but very relaxing) *the smile that I know is on a friends face when we talk on the phone *wearing skirts and flip flops *giving Duncan a haircut...his face is way too cute to have hair all over it *clean sheets *reading Star Wars EVERY night to my boys

Things I Love

1.) The Weather Channel 2.) Pillow spray 3.) Pictures of Duncan in the homemade tree swing 4.) Carmel popcorn - PoppyCock with Cashews is killer 5.) A man who can dance - my dad is a perfect example 6.) Sleeping on hot nights with NO AIR CONDITIONING - just the fan 7.) Lip gloss (it had to be said) 8.) The space between Cooper's front teeth 9.) Croissants 10.) Flying - I really should have been a pilot (or a weathergirl)

Boootchie

Ten things you might not know: 1.) This is my brother, Ira Nathan aka Butchie 2.) He turned 36 yesterday 3.) He is single...(and looking :-)) 4.) Cooper thinks he WALKS ON WATER 5.) He thinks Coop (and Dunc) are pretty darn cool too 6.) He builds kick ass stone walls 7.) He loves to talk (it's an Adelson trait) 8.) He made the bracelet I wear everyday 9.) If you are lucky enough to be his friend/family he will do almost anything for you 10.) He is an awesome advertisement for our father...is that a killer smile or what?! Happy birthday dear brother...I love you.

How well do you know me?

If you know that I have a little "problem" then you know me very very well. Count yourself among my closest friends/family. I don't share my addictions with just anyone.

Hello

At first there was fun teasing, then irritated annoyance, followed up by "I loved the mean bad butterflies 6 WEEKS AGO" and now threats to delete the blog's bookmark. I get it; I do. And I wish that I had some glorious explanation for my absence. But alas...I have none. I think most of all I lacked inspiration. Sometimes I had the thoughts in my head but I was lackluster when it came to photography, or I would take a lovely picture and for the life of me could not conjure up anything remotely interesting to say about it. And then, well, there is my ongoing complicated relationship with March... I've been walking around with writers/photographers block. I needed inspiration...I needed aaahhhh with a smile. I just had to wait for it to come, I had to be patient and trust that it would return. And last night I think it did... I was busy fixing dinner, probably had a gazillion things running through my head, when out of the corner of my eye I see this out my pantry door... I knew what they were doing. I knew it was for me. Aaaaahhhh. Aaaahhhh with a smile.

It's that simple act. That act which one can not tell who derives more pleasure from, the giver or the receiver.

I see you my sweet. I see you making your momma smile. I see.

I get it; I do.

Mean bad butterflies

They were all out of "mom" tattoos...

Here's to 10 more

Yes, so it has occurred to me that I so very rarely blog about my "other" life. You know...my WORK life. Which is odd really because it's where I spend most of my time and it's a job I love. My Comfort Keepers office will celebrate its 10 year anniversary this year. Wow. Double wow. And in that 10 years I have come a long way both professionally and personally. I have had the honor of working with some of the most kind, compassionate and remarkable people. My office has cared for over 500 individuals and families in the greater Williamsport area. I have employed hundreds of people and I finally it the 1,000,000.00 sales mark! When I look back at all the people who have helped me and encouraged me over the last ten years I am speechless (I know...surprising). I definitely had no idea when I joined this organization I would meet so many amazing people...there are so many Comfort Keepers owners that I truly consider dear dear friends. I feel so blessed to have made these connections and relationships. So to all of you...my friends and family who have supported me endlessly, to the astonishing women that I have had the honor of coming into the office each day and working with, to my extraordinary caregivers who give their time and care so passionately, to the fabulously crazy and wonderful fellow owners out there. I really do love you all. I love what we do each day and I am proud of what we have accomplished. Here's to 10 more!

Around here

Around here our taste buds must not know that Autumn is a distant memory because Honey Crisp apples still top our grocery list. Around here our minds are ready for spring, ready for going out without a coat and ready to hear birds chirping in the morning. Around here there lives a very very poor blogger or at least a blogger with very little time to blog lately. Around here there is a new home nearing completion. Around here there is a 5 year old who learned how to whistle. Around here there is lots of Mark Knopfler playing. Around here I have two boys who know more about Star Wars than George Lucas does (or at least they think they do). Around here my house never seems to stay clean or even picked up for that matter. Around here I seem to wake up at 3am and lie there thinking about everything that needs to be accomplished. Around here we still have our icicle lights up...and absolutely no plans to take them down anytime soon. Around here I am looking forward to a shopping trip with Bryn and baby Katie on Friday. Around here I'd love to go on but I have two little boys who need tubbies.

Happy Love Day

Ohhh a day full of love love love. Breakfast full of strawberries, raspberries, powdered sugar and whip cream. Personalized cookies. Hearts and pearls. Kisses and hugs. Oh how awesome love is!

SO Duncan...sigh

From time to time in our house, we have had "unfavorable behaviors" (I know, hard to believe). To try and remedy these unfavorable behaviors we usually do; "if you don't do_________ for 30 days you will get a reward" (usually a star wars toy under $10). Well...Cooper had just successfully completed a 30 day run and received his chosen toy. Duncan decided he wanted to try for a toy...his goal...no smacking Cooper for 30 days. Day 2: Cooper comes running and crying saying Duncan just hit him. I approach Duncan... Me: Duncan did you just hit Cooper? Duncan: silent Me: Duncan...DID YOU JUST HIT COOPER? Duncan, do you realize this puts you back at day 1? Duncan: MOM, I DIDN'T SMACK HIM...I PUNCHED HIM!! Me: Sigh...Duncan, your goal is to not; smack, hit, punch, kick, bite etc Cooper! Duncan: WHAT??? YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME?! MOM, THAT'S IMPOSSIBLE!!

The invasion continues

First my blender...now my bananas. Sigh.

Homework

I just love that he has discovered drawing "profiles" (check the faces). And the fingers are killing me! But my favorite part...has GOT to be my high heals. (click on picture if you need to enlarge).

"5"

Click on photo to enlarge and read text. He is 5. He is my sunshine. He loves Star Wars, Sponge Bob, stuffed animals, crafts and construction. He loves his brother and his family. He showers us with hugs and kisses. He is sweet and gentle...he still sucks his thumb with blue blankie. He loves everything lemon. He won't eat cheese or butter. He loves to snuggle. He loves swords, guns and light sabers. He weighs 38 pounds. He has a mother that is totally in love with him.

Living with boys

I found myself home with a sick kid today. So after vacuuming the entire house, mopping the kitchen floor, stripping all the sheets on the beds, washing them and remaking all the beds, doing 5 loads of laundry, making a batch of Rice Krispie treats, running to Blockbuster for more movies, stopping at Wegmans for supplies and the State Store for wine...I threw a pot roast in the oven and well...NEEDED SOMETHING MORE TO DO. Are you throwing things at me? It's understandable; I am sick, accept it. Anyway I decided to throw out the Tollhouse cookies I made Monday because they weren't quite perfect. Again; I'm sick, accept it. Anyway, I go to grab my Kitchen Aid mixer and what do I find? A Clone Trooper...who might I add was in quite a predicament in my blender. Sigh. I bathe with crocodiles, I sleep with Komodo Dragons, I apparently cook with Clone Troopers and well...I live with boys.

The second batch was MUCH better by the way.