12/12/12

Some of my 12 Days of Christmas ornaments in honor of today: 12/12/12!!!

~

Hi friends :) So from what I hear, today is the very last time - in our lifetime - 

that we will see a date such as this! Which I know is kind of quirky, but it's also pretty cool too.

YES! Am I aware - oh, sooooo aware! - that I owe you all a truckload of Chicago photos! 

AND! I'm in the middle of house renovations because I have genius ideas right before the holidays :/  

SO! I needed a gentle reminder from Gaylen (thank you!) to get back on here and be MERRY!

TRUE! The holidays and Christmas time is my absolute favorite time of the year and I need to post!

So here are some of my favorite photos from the past - some you've seen, some you haven't.

Please ENJOY them until I can git my tired and sore caboose in gear and post NEW ONES!

my Luna makes every day Christmas :)

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!!!!!!

in the pink

Okay, seriously? We all know how much I like pink. But even I was stunned after realizing how many pink flower photos I've been working on for my Zagg skins! Some pics I've used for note cards before but I'm redoing them. Some pics I've had but have never used. Some pics are new and I'm finally getting around to spiffing them up! And the funny thing is, I already have some pinky things on Zagg, and I actually have some more pink coming!

So yeah, I'm definitely in the pink :) 

here's a pink rose for Cindy ❀

M.I.A.

Hi all :) Sorry I've been Missing In Action lately. My random photos will give you some clues as to why I've been away and what I've been up to. First of all though, many thanks to all of you who made comments here, or through e-mail, or in person, or on Facebook... about the RED BED! It was awesome to have so much enthusiasm :) Thank you!

As you can see from the stack above, I had 125 Christmas cards to address. I really don't mind because I enjoy sending something handwritten in this day and age. But it is time consuming. Our assembly line to get the cards ready worked out great though - I folded the newsletter, my 17-year-old put the newsletter and greeting card into the envelopes, my husband sealed the envelopes, and the Mouse put the return stickers and stamps on. Now that's what I'm talkin bout! And the usual brawl didn't start until later when we were playing Uno...
Now, between the hot cocoa and oatmeal on a tray, and the cute little toes poking out from underneath a blanky, I bet you can guess what else has been going on... the Mouse has been sick with a sore throat and swollen glands - fun stuff. He missed 3 days of school, but I am happy to report he's feeling better, and is caught up on his homework. And went back to school today. After I shoved him out the door. 
If you look at the photo below, here's another fun update (and subliminal message): my iPhoto program went *kablooey* and nearly gave me a freaking heart attack. I had over 6,000 photos on it - most of them backed-up fortunately (Europe and everything!) - and I spent an entire evening at the Apple Store. After navigating 3 freeways to get there. And spending 4 hours walking in circles. At a crowded mall during the holidays. While they reloaded all 6,000 photos one by one. By one. That was a really fun evening. 
But here is a favorite reason I've been missing... I've finally started decorating for Christmas! My husband put up the outdoor lights while I decorated our front porch. In 90 degree weather. Sheesh. A few days later all of us trimmed our tree while we listened to Christmas music. Our "less is more" theme turned out lovely. I still need to get my nativity scenes out, and our stockings, but things are looking good. I have had this precious little angel (below) since I was very young. It's one of the only Christmas decorations I have of my parents' things. She's teeny tiny, and so sweet. I really, really cherish her :)
I've been busy doing the usual things too, but I refrained from taking photos of our dirty laundry, dirty dishes, and the Poo Garden, for obvious reasons.

And guess what! I finally finished making *Rochelle's double-dipped rice crispy treats* and have the pics to prove it! Oh my gosh - soooooo good! We are flipping out over here! And I'm also excited to introduce you to another wonderful, talented friend of mine. Maria. She's so awesome. So stay tuned - fun things are on their way!