❤

Happy Valentine's Day to all my awesome PEEPS!

❤ I love and adore you all ❤

Have a wonderful day giving and receiving love :)

❤

my Mouse's precious heart

 Happy Friday Friends! 

I share this priceless work of art every time Valentine's Day comes around.

Of all the endless possessions I have acquired in this life, 

a sweet little piece of paper if one of my most prized possessions.

Matthew made this sometime around kindergarten or first grade.

Not only is his little drawing so adorable (I love all the hearts),

the enthusiastic words of love he writes down come straight from his heart.

To look at this is to see right into my Mouse's precious heart.

So large, so tender, so childlike, so full of love.

Oh, my little Mouse, how I love you and your precious heart.

❤

Uganda + Dan = Ugandan

 I miss my Daniel. Here I am saying goodbye to him as he flies back to Uganda.

 THIS time however, there's a big, big difference... at least to me:

He agreed to take a camera! He occasionally sends photos now, and I. LOVE. IT.

Daniel has spent many months studying and doing research all over the world -

Ethiopia, London, Uganda, Amsterdam, and again in Uganda...

And before THAT, he spent 2 years as a missionary in Buenos Aires Argentina. 

But he hates taking photos, and out of all that time away, in all those countries,

we've seen a mere handful of photos in which we could try to share his experience.

To Daniel, that's just not a big deal... as a mom, it has nearly DONE. ME. IN.

So it has literally meant the WORLD to me to be able to enjoy seeing him! 

 A very c-c-c-cold day in New York, en route to Amsterdam, then Uganda.

Daniel at the Met, and a photo of wintery Central Park.

They finally arrive! Daniel and Megan(!), the other research assistant, in Uganda.

This is a favorite cafe of Daniel's - some pretty Ugandan hills in the background.

Megan in front of the house they're renting - they have the bottom floor.

I had no idea what a house in Uganda would even look like! 

This one actually has some Colonial details, though I'm sure homes vary.

Daniel in their front room - cool medallion on the ceiling!

Daniel's bedroom (and his Ninja Turtle beach towel - LOL!)

 This is their kitchen - he says it's an *amazing* kitchen for a Ugandan house.

 Here are some recent photos - driving from Kampala, the capitol, into the country.

These guys decided they didn't want to move yet... I would not have argued.

So now you know a little more about what Kampala, Uganda looks like :)

Davy says Uganda + Dan = UGANDAN

But I will admit... after having Daniel home for 3 weeks before he left,

which is the longest we've ever had him home for... I miss him!!! 

We had such a great time - I especially miss him goofing with his brothers.

 Famous taco salad night - with Liam visiting from school too! My 4 boys :)

 I miss Daniel's snappy dressing. I mean hey - ROSCOE'S baby! (oy vey)

 The never-ending meals from In-N-Out..... Dubskis or die!!!

I'm pretty sure Daniel's truck goes there on automatic pilot.

Some of what I miss most are little things, like "mysterious" math problems

that would just appear on the white board, taunting Daniel to solve them.

Daniel made my bed one day, just cuz he knows I love for it to be made.

Movies! I wish I had some pics of all the endless movies we watched!

And tennis - I wish I had taken some pics of the boys' tennis matches!

But there is always next time :) LOVE YOU, UGANDAN!!!!!!

gnomebody gnomes the gnomes that I've seen

I've never paid a great deal of attention to gnomes. 

I categorized them, at best, in the way far reaches of the back of my brain, 

as odd things old people hid about their lawns, like plastic deer and flamingos.

Scrunchy, dried-apple-like faces... supposedly cute but potentially frightening.

*one dang freaky-looking gnome*

~

I was, however, enamored by the gnome scene in the movie The Full Monty,

when dancing gnomes literally steal the show during a job interview.

*gnome apology*

~

I've since learned that people are very particular and protective of their gnomes.

And that there are all kinds of gnomes, and all kinds of gnome manufacturers,

that produce gnomes from the size of a thimble to the size of a large planter.

In short (no pun intended... okay, it was intended), gnomes are big business.

*Travelocity Roaming Gnome*

~

Then several years ago, the Travelocity Roaming Gnome came along.

A roly poly fellow with a pleasant, almost Santa-like face, and endearingly witty.

In one brilliant stroke of marketing genius, the Roaming Gnome  

became a much-needed poster child for gnomedge everywhere.

Figurines of the guy sell like bangers & mash and he has his own fan club.

Over the last few years, I hesitate saying, I've become a bit gnome-enamored.

As it turns out, I might actually like one hanging around. Here.

*Pierpont, Babette's gnome from "Gilmore Girls" (held by Luke)*

~

Enter Pierpont the gnome, next door neighbor to the Gilmore residence.

Not too freaky. Pretty cute, as gnomes go. And he gets actual screen time.

I think Pierpont was the turning point. I am ready.

The search has not been easy.

Most gnomes are either so ridiculous or so completely terrifying,

 the thought would never even occur to me to invite one to lurk in my yard.

Recently however, I've actually found a few possibilities!

*gnome possibilities*

~

These 3 are not completely hideous. I like all their detail and color and large size.

Though I do wish their faces were a bit more Roaming Gnome-like.

I will continue to search until my home has a gnome.

Want to know the most favorite gnome I've seen yet?

You can only see one side of him, but I love everything about him. 

I saw him on Stephanie Nielsen's blog (the Nie Nie Dialogues), in a family photo.

Sorry Nie - I stole your photo. I'm only using it for my own gnome purposes.

But if you'd like to tell me where you found him, or let him come live with me, 

or better yet find me one just like him... I would be most appreciative :)

*gnome envy*

~

Have a great day everyone!

And tell me about your gnomedge likes/dislikes/requirements if you have any!

weekend update

I hope everyone had a nice weekend! I laid low the entire time. AND. STILL. AM.

I watched Season 1 of Bones (verdict still not out - I'm on the fence), 

started Season 2 of Gilmore Girls (thanks Teresa!) which of course I lurve,

did a lot of quiet type photography stuff on and off per laying low status,

brushed Angel and Luna and fed them treats,

got to had to skip church due to coughing up a lung,

and pretty much survived on Dayquil and diet Coke the entire weekend.

I am not complaining. It was awesome. 

Okay, these two sunset shots from my back yard? Are from the SAME sunset!

How wild is that! I love how you can see the rope hanging from our tree :)

~

Below are a few examples of pics I took to add to my portfolio at Zagg.com

Not sure when they'll appear on the site though - keep checking!

I think this one needs to be my next cell phone skin :D

~

Happy Monday everyone, and let's have a great week!

Pink Friday

Look at the *ADORABLE* little pillow my dear friend Lauren made for me!

She sent it as a surprise in the mail, in an envelope we send back and forth.

She knows me so well (since we were 13) - she always knows what I will love.

She's an amazing seamstress - if fact I've mentioned her here before.

She made my boys hand-quilted quilts when they were born,

and she's made me other adorable pillows I keep on my bed at all times.

Her Etsy store is -----> HERE <----- if you'd like to visit her :)

Thank you Laur!!! I absolutely *LOVE * my heart pillow!

Let's get on with our Pink Friday!

Yes, more feet and toes. Just my freaky little thing.

And usually I'm all over outrageous colors and wild designs,

but sometimes a girl just needs a calming little dose of baby pink.

This week was definitely a rare baby pink week.

Hey, just keepin' it real folks... just keepin' it real :D

~

Have a fantastic weekend!

guerilla rendezvous

 They call them "Guerilla Shows". I don't ask why. They're like apache missions:

they sneak in quietly and quickly, and perform until they get kicked out.

They usually draw a great crowd too!

 Davy's band, A Basement Rendezvous, loves to just show up and perform.

They'll usually post something on Facebook right beforehand,

and then if you're a local fan you can go to where they are and listen...

until they get kicked out and have to turn up someplace else.

 These pics are from last weekend -

they had good luck in front of the theater complex

after being kicked out from the outdoor complex outside the mall.

Actually, they performed several songs AND received a radio spot invitation

before having to move along, so even the mall was still a success, heh :)

 From left: Davy, Henry, John, and Jimmy

Remember, you can friend "A Basement Rendezvous" on Facebook!

And Davy will also send you all their MP3 recordings 

if you message him with your e-mail address :)

"it's groundhog day..... again"

...as stated from one of my favorite Bill Murray movies, aptly named, "Groundhog Day".

That's right folks, today really IS groundhog day, 

and these are pics of the "real" Punxatawny Phil at Gobbler's Nob. 

Phil predicted...... "an early spring!"

This is good news to us all, but especially to all of you in the midwest 

and back east, who are being clobbered with snow, ice, and wind!

My friend Kim in Chicago has 6 ft. snow drifts covering her doors & windows, 

and is braving temperatures of -21 degrees with wind chills...... GAH!

Awww..... just look at that cute little face! Don't drive angry Phil!

So let's hope that Phil's famous prediction is correct this year -

I wish an early spring for us all (and as long as possible before I start to roast!)

I think Phil is ready to go back into his little house now.....

but I wanted you to see how HUGE the crowd was at Gobbler's Nob!

That's alotta people yo!

*photo credits Associated Press