Sunday, September 30, 2007

Full of Apple Fun!

We had so much fun at the Michigan Apple Festival in Charlotte last year, we decided we would go again this year! The kids had a great time tasting apples, drinking cider and eating doughnuts.




Monday, September 17, 2007

The Quick & Painless ENNEAGRAM Test

Seriously, this test was 2 questions! haha Take the test here.

Your Score: 9 - the Peacemaker




you chose BX - your Enneagram type is NINE (aka "The Mediator")


"I am at peace"



Peacemakers are receptive, good-natured, and supportive. They seek union with others and the world around them.


How to Get Along with Me



  • If you want me to do something, how you ask is important. I especially don't like expectations or pressure.
  • I like to listen and to be of service, but don't take advantage of this.
  • Listen until I finish speaking, even though I meander a bit.
  • Give me time to finish things and make decisions. It's OK to nudge me gently and nonjudgmentally.
  • Ask me questions to help me get clear.
  • Tell me when you like how I look. I'm not averse to flattery.
  • Hug me, show physical affection. It opens me up to my feelings.
  • I like a good discussion but not a confrontation.
  • Let me know you like what I've done or said.
  • Laugh with me and share in my enjoyment of life.

What I Like About Being a NINE



  • being nonjudgmental and accepting
  • caring for and being concerned about others
  • being able to relax and have a good time
  • knowing that most people enjoy my company; I'm easy to be around
  • my ability to see many different sides of an issue and to be a good mediator and facilitator
  • my heightened awareness of sensations, aesthetics, and the here and now
  • being able to go with the flow and feel one with the universe

What's Hard About Being a NINE



  • being judged and misunderstood for being placid and/or indecisive
  • being critical of myself for lacking initiative and discipline
  • being too sensitive to criticism; taking every raised eyebrow and twitch of the mouth personally
  • being confused about what I really want
  • caring too much about what others will think of me
  • not being listened to or taken seriously

NINEs as Children Often



  • feel ignored and that their wants, opinions, and feelings are unimportant
  • tune out a lot, especially when others argue
  • are "good" children: deny anger or keep it to themselves

NINEs as Parents



  • are supportive, kind, and warm
  • are sometimes overly permissive or nondirective

Renee Baron & Elizabeth Wagele

The Enneagram Made Easy
Discover the 9 Types of People
Harper SanFrancisco, 1994, 161 pages


Saturday, September 8, 2007

Lexi's new 'do'

Alexis finally decided she had had enough of me brushing her hair!! She wanted it cut SHORT and to donate her lovely hair to Locks of Love.




The finished product!!

Thursday, September 6, 2007

Cry on My shoulder-Overflow

this song has helped me a lot during these past few months, when I'm feeling alone, or like I can't do enough. You can hear the song here



You say you're falling apart, reached the end of the line. Just looking for your place in an ordinary life. No one calls you friend, no one even knows your name!

You just want to feel loved instead of all the pain. You no longer have to say "No one's listening anyway."

Come here and cry on my shoulder, I'll hold you 'til it's over. I'll rescue you tonight! Let My arms be your shelter, your hiding place forever. I'll love you more than life.

You're wearing a frown, given up on hope. My heart is reaching out more then you will ever know. Is your burden too much? Is it more then you can bear? I'll help carry the load if you're willing to share. You no longer have to say "No one's listening anyway."

Come here and cry on my shoulder, I'll hold you 'til it's over. I'll rescue you tonight! Let My arms be your shelter, your hiding place forever. I'll love you more than life.

You have had some hard times, had thorns placed in your side, I know about what you've been going through; tears of pain are falling down. It hurts so bad, you're crying out, your problems won't last forever. Let Me put you back together!

Come here and cry on my shoulder, I'll hold you 'til it's over. I'll rescue you tonight! Let My arms be your shelter, your hiding place forever. I'll love you!

Tuesday, September 4, 2007

school days!

The first day of school! Alexis poses for the obligitory "Morning of" picture

I had a few forms to fill out so I sat with Alexis while she had breakfast with the big kids

She walked off like it was no big deal to line up outside, without mom!! I'm so proud of my big girl!

The weekend

This was a rough weekend.

My friend Bud flew up from Tampa to collect the rest of his things from his roommates apartment and either store them or ship them to his NEW apartment there. We went out to Dennys on Friday night and did the crossword, like we had never stopped. Saturday the group was at Migs for a bbq, saturday night we hit plums for food, pool and spending time together. Sunday morning Bud flew back to florida and I pouted about it. I don't like it when people I'm close to go away.


Sunday was not too bad. We went to church and pretty much lazed around the rest of the day. Monday, the first birthday for Karen since she passed away. We went to Joe and Mona's for a birthday party for Frankie the dog. Catie got that idea since her mom wasn't there to celebrate, we should make September 3rd Frankie's birthday so we can have a party and not be sad.



I have never seen a dog actually get excited about new clothes but she was jumping all over!







Her tail started going nuts when Catie got that dress on her!






Catie and Cat made and decorated a rice krispies treat cake, complete with 21 candles.Frankie enjoyed every bite.






After Frankies party, we went down to Karens grave to visit.

Alexis and Catie set up candles in front of Karens headstone



Mona lit them up...

Alexis and Catie blew them out.
They gave all the plants a drink
I placed the yellow rose for Joe, since he was unable to join us.
I have been realizing that I haven't been dealing with my own grief at all, concentrating on making sure everyone else is ok. i've joined a support group at church that starts in october because I really don't have any coping skills. When my grandparents died it wasn't a big suprise and they were both in their 70's...you know it's going to happen. this...not so good. I don't want to be alone in silence, or just sit idle...i need to keep busy to stay ok, and i know that's not a healthy way to handle grief. we'll see how my new group goes :)

Monday, September 3, 2007

Remembering Karen

Alexis asked me for some pictures of Auntie Karen to put on her wall, so I made these:







Fun in the sun!





We love eating outside :)
Daniel loves getting water everywhere except his mouth haha

Later that night, at the Blue Gill Grill, Andrea was our own paparazzi




Bud racks up for some pool


Finally got Justin to sit still and (sorta) smile for the camera....This one suits him much better though haha

We all had a great time at Plums :)