Hangin' tough {Listography 2011}.

                                      

Each Wednesday, Danielle, @ Elleinad Spir, Emily, @ Notorious MLE, and myself are working our way through the lists of Listography 2011.

Now I know that no one (including myself) has the slightest bit of interest in reading this week's list- "...who I hung out with in elementary and middle school."

Wouldn't it be more interesting if shared who I slept with??

...

Yes.  I am ashamed to admit.  I was that kind of girl.

{if you happen to have a post written on this topic, link it up below... especially if it includes a self-deprecating image :)} 

       

All work & [some] play.

I'm happy to report that we're all caught up on sleep and ready to take on the early mornings, proper bedtimes, and routines (we've never been good at these last two, but swear to change each year).  The mound of paperwork is cleared.  Supplies bought.  Laundry DONE.  Friday Night Lights... 3 seasons in and only 2 1/2 more to go.  Priorities straight.

Amidst cleaning, paperwork- and television, we celebrated a couple of birthdays... and played the funnest* games EVER.  I realize 'fun & games' are not at the top of everyone's mind bright & early on Monday morning, but seriously- keep these in mind if you need to buy a gift for a family, a teenager, or that relative in which you have no idea what to buy- or if you're ever looking for an activity that is both simple (unlike some of the other fun, but long & somewhat complicated group games out there), enjoyable, and laughter-inducing for both kids & adults... the savvy & not-so-savvy player.
                            

 {links to these 5-star rated games below...}

  Image via

Image via

    

Hope you leave room for some play in your week :).

*I am well aware that "funnest" is not actually a word.
                               

A peaceful transition.

  

As summer is the season for reflection, autumn is the season of anticipation.

My body's still lingering in summer, but my mind is settling into fall.  Where the attire becomes a little less casual, a little more contrived.  Less straps, more layers.  Sandals make their way out, while boots saunter on in.

And at this very time each year, I still find myself sorta giddy with anticipation over the season of 'back-to-school-clothes.'

a couple items I'm loving at the moment...

 

StyleMint t-shirts.

                           

{I ordered these two, and love both of them.  Soft, light, perfectly fitted, and just right for this time of year (in the evenings, in an overly air-conditioned building...), all the way into the cooler temperatures.  Love their concept, service, quality, price, & especially the idea of choosing one new top (or opting out) each month.  They're currently offering a 10% discount, with the code STYLE10!}

   

 

TOMS fall collection for kids.

                          

{Casual, yet not "too" casual.  Classic, comfortable, versatile, & so many to choose from.  I purchased these in the summer, but like the shirts above, they're just right for either occasion (or season, rather).}

Although it's been a fairly smooth week, I'm so very ready to transition out of school mode and into weekend mode.  Love being back on a routine and all, but I wasn't quite prepared for getting Jacob to school for zero-period (at 7:15am) each morning.  In other words- I NEED SLEEP... As do they (see that tired face above?)!!

Have a restful weekend, and see ya bright & early Monday mornin'.

 

Allure {Listography 2011}.

   

Each Wednesday, Emily, @ Notorious MLE, Danielle, @ Elleinad Spir, and myself are working our way through the lists of Listography 2011.

                                
 This week's list is so easy that it was equally challenging.  The truth is- I'm intrigued by people of all ages, from all walks of life.  In fact, I could simply open my reader and list the authors of 10 of my daily reads.  My list would, or could, be done in a flash.  I am fascinated by individuals with passion, with heart, with discipline, with talent, with flair, with depth, with character.  Here are just a few of those folks...  

List 10 people you find fascinating.

1. Henry David Thoreau... for his strength of character.
2. Sophie Dahl... for being so intriguing that I'm adding another cookbook (that I do not need) into my repertoire.
3. Jim Henson... for bringing happiness to my kids all summer long with puppets & wit & pure silliness.
4. Taylor Swift... for what her music does to my daughter's mood, spirit, & energy level (in a matter of seconds).
5. Michael Jackson... for sharing his awe-inspiring talent with the world.
6. June Carter Cash... for being the epitome of LOVE.
7. Frank Lloyd Wright... for his undying passion, his relentless confidence.
8. JK Rowling... for laughing in the face of adversity.
9. Kate Middleton... for giving us a glimpse of what it looks like in the world of princesses & fairy tales.
10. My husband... for showing our children what it means to be a man of honor, of love, of integrity.  

... & for being the kinda guy that builds planter boxes for your grandma.

                        

{Today is our 14 year anniversary by the way :).}

                              

Who do you find fascinating??  If you've written a post on anyone in particular- or a group of people, link it up at Emily's... or share with a comment.  I'd love to hear.
                                       

School days.

Let the homework begin.

    

The Savvy Mom's Guide to a Successful Middle School Registration...

 {the "middle schooler" & his little sister... Knotts Berry Farm 2011}

                     

1. Dress hip.
2. Don't use words like "hip."
3. Keep an appropriate distance (Read: NO touching within a 5 mile radius).
4. Don't ask the adult helpers too many questions.
5. Pretend like you DON'T EVEN NOTICE the extremely-flirty-short-shorts-long-bouncy-hair-make-up-wearing girls saying "Hi Jacob!!" & "Have a good day Jacob!!" & "I want to do inappropriate things with you Jacob!!"  [oh sorry, that last one might be a little exaggeration… but OH- you'd be amazed at some of the stories he's shared]
6. Keep your camera far, far away.
7. Buy the yearbook.  Join the PTA.  Jump off the cliff.  ANYTHING to make the process go smoother & eliminate future paperwork.
8. Have "How are you going to smile for the picture?" discussions in the privacy of your own home.  Beforehand.  [okay, in all seriousness, I learned very early on not to have these discussions at all… unless you want a nervous kid and a horrible picture!]
9. Meet up with other parents later that evening to drink your sorrows away.
10. Count your lucky stars that they're not in high school.  Yet.

                                                  

Employee of the month {Listography 2011}.

Each Wednesday, Danielle, @ Elleinad Spir, Emily, @ Notorious MLE, and myself are working our way through the lists of Listography 2011.

#34. List your best qualities in the work place.

Did You Get the Memo?
Office Space — MOVIECLIPS.com

1. reliability
2. communication
3. honesty
4. team player
5. coffee making/drinking

You?

 {post your list right here, or leave a comment below.}

And have a WONDERFUL day.

                                             

Better late than never.

I'm often late to the party- literally & figuratively.  But the long days of summer have allowed me to take a step back and play a little catch-up- in many areas, but here's a few "catches" from the weekend...

...the existence of yellow watermelon.
 

{via a watermelon tour}

...meals on wheels.

(been to a couple, but living in the midst of a food truck CRAZE- not nearly enough)
                                        

{via a food truck rally in my hometown}

...the long-lost coach show that I just can't seem to get enough of.
                                                                                                                           

{via the lovely Michelle, to whom I am forever grateful}

       

Many more to come on this topic, but I'm off to savor the final days of summer.      

xoxo

 

The [wine] country road {Listography 2011}.

                                             

Each Wednesday, Emily, @ Notorious MLE, Danielle, @ Elleinad Spir, and myself are working our way through the lists of Listography 2011.

                        

List #33.

List where your perfect road trip would take you.

Well, this list came at a perfect time.  I'm almost caught up, and ready to share some vacation pics with you... because this annual summer road trip truly is our perfect destination.

a place where...

...the scenery is so gorgeous, that we don't mind the early morning excursion to the farmer's market.
  

...where we can watch the kids play on our way out, and drive just a couple of miles to our favorite roadside burger joint.
                                  

...where we can have little adventures, such as trying oysters for the first time...

   

 ...or visiting an organic farm (with a neurotic shadow-chasing dog)...
  

 ... or even milking a cow!

  

...were we can enjoy our farm-fresh treats that very night, or the morning after.     

...where we don't need fancy amusement parks or the latest & greatest game system to keep us entertained. 

    

...just a couple of kites, and a light summer breeze...

   

...a few (or so) vineyards...

... and a pair of good air-mattresses.

            

Where would your perfect road trip lead you?

(link a past or current post up below or share with a comment)
 

Fear *does exist in this dojo {Listography 2011}.

                              

Each Wednesday, Danielle, @ Elleinad Spir, Emily, @ Notorious MLE, and myself are working our way through the lists of Listography 2011.

       

Image via 
   
   

This week's Listography topic:  List things that freak you out.

                            

Well, at the present moment, I'd have to say it's the 828 messages in my inbox... The 1,000+ posts in my reader... The 621 pictures in my camera...  The happy vacation feeling that can so easily slip away as we fill out middle school registration forms, pay bills, sort through health insurance forms and fall catalogs, and as we prepare to take Jacob in to get braces put on later this afternoon.  But I'm determined NOT to let any of this freak me out.  No siree.   There's pizza to be grilled & 'souvenir wine' to be had.  Not to mention- a summer list to finish tackling.

As I get to it, here are a few items that really do freak me out, irrational or otherwise...

 

1. Reaching the end of my life and feeling as if I did it all wrong.
2. Receiving that call (the one in which you discover something horrible occurred with or to a loved one).
3. Getting in my car late at night or early in the morning to discover that I'm not alone.
4. Insects (gardening & the weekly CSA box are both helping in this regard).
5. Deep sea creatures & other unwanted, unwavering, & unexpected rodents & pests.
6. Crazy traveling what-ifs (if the plane lost control during landing and spun around instead of sticking to the straight path... if the other car on a fast single lane highway swerved over to your lane...).
7. The dating years (with a teenager on board, I realize I need to get over this one. real quick).
8. The driving years (although related to #2, it deserves its own mention).
9. Betrayal.
10. Personal ailments.
    

Unfortunately, another list that could really go on... and on.  But in the effort of not-wanting-to-share-how-paranoid-and-trivial-and-vain-and-WEIRD-I-can-really-be, I'll leave it at this- and turn it over to you.  
                         
What freaks you out???  Head over to Emily's & share a current- or past- post, or just leave a comment right here.  I promise not to judge. 
                                       

Lost & found.

   
Remember those happy campers we were in search of?
                                             

We found them.

{as predicted, "somewhere on a vineyard"} 
 

...

   
Just checking in to say hello, &... I'm baaack!!  Lots to do.  Lots to reflect on.  Lots to catch up on.  Lots to share.  

Little by little.