It's Been Forever

Yes, yes, I know that I kind of disappeared. Life just got away from me for a while. James had surgery on his shoulder a couple months back and things just kind of went sideways for a little while. I kept meaning to pull this up and write for a bit, but then I never seemed to get around to it.

Thankfully things are finally back on track and we're starting to find a normal rhythm again now that he's back to work. I have a decent job, but living off my paycheck alone just wasn't cutting it.

The kids are also finally back to school which makes a whole world of difference as well. Lena is enjoying 5th grade for the most part. However she's not enjoying the increased homework that comes with advancing grades. Anne is not so thrilled with her new school. Her mom pulled her out of the private school she'd been in for the last few years and put her into public. She really misses her friends and her teachers that she had there, but I'm certain that she will adjust. Paige graduated last May and has been working. Personally, I wish she would have gone to college this semester, but she's chosen to work instead. Since I'm not technically her mother, I don't really get a say. James and I have left an open invitation for her to come live with us and we'll pay for school, but it's just not something she's motivated to do at the moment.

I'm currently looking for an extra part-time job that I can do from home, since we're saving up to buy a house next summer. I'm looking into becoming a Scentsy consultant, but I fear I may end up spending whatever I earn on their products. I absolutely love their line and have a couple burners in my home. The lady at the flee-market is the one that gave me the idea. She has an amazing booth there that I simply can't get enough of.


Well, I hope everyone on here is doing good and I promise to try and get back on track with posting.

Lighting Is Everything

This week at Lena's school has a theme for each day to help raise money for Riley's Children's Hospital. They do this every year, which I think is wonderful! I love that they're getting the kids involved and teaching them the importance of helping others. However, it would have been nice if the school had actually sent a note home letting us know about these themes ahead of time.

The last couple mornings around my house have been a mad scramble trying to assemble the appropriate outfit for Lena. Yesterday was sports day so we had to locate her Bears jersey that she got for Christmas. Sorry to say, but the kid ended up going in it unwashed, because she didn't bother to let me know the night before so I could toss it in the laundry. I quickly did a smell and spot check, dressed her up, and sent her on her way. Oops!

This morning she informs me that it's going to Wacky Wednesday. I don't keep a whole lot of insane outfit combinations just laying around (though I suppose she could have worn her Hermione Granger costume if all else failed) but we ended up deciding on a beach theme.

It made perfect sense to both of us that the concept of wearing beach gear in January was about as wacky as you could get right about now. We grabbed her cover up out of the closet and threw on a tank top (figured a bathing suit might grab in all the uncomfortable places if worn too long) and a pair of jeans to keep her little legs warm. I also sprayed her with my Bath & Body Works Passport Tahiti so that she would smell of coconut for good measure.

As an after thought, we recently acquired a massive set of pixie dust glitter that my sister Holly had brought to do art the weekend she spent with us. They had a lovely gold in there that we thought could pass as sun dust in her hair.

I shared the photo below on FB this morning and should have either a) put a disclaimer on it or b) taken a different photo with more light.

Evidently my family thought I was posting some sort of public service announcement, because their comments were asking if Lena had lice! I guess when you're just looking at a thumbnail photo and don't bother to read the caption about putting sun in her hair I could see where you would get this idea. I'll have to make sure to shine a flash light on her head the next time we add glitter.