In Case You Were Wondering...

... there is only 128 days until Christmas.

 

Have you started shopping yet?

Anyone else...

... thanking who ever they thank that it is Friday?

::sigh:: I know I am.

 

I'm so ready for this weekend, it isn't even funny.

Its been a rather long week at work... as well as in the Pickle Jar.  I've literally been running from work, to my parents to pick the kids up, then home, then straight to Ro's practice.

From practice, its home for dinner and then its getting the kids in the showers and bed.

I swear, at the end of the evening, I'm practically falling asleep on the couch... and truthfully, I've been slacking on my walking because of it.

Its hard, very hard, to walk in the heat (its been in the 100's this week) as well as it being very hard to get up at 445am to go walking before work.

I hope I can get back my motivation and get back on track this weekend... I've been feeling like POOP because of it.

 

Tonight I'm going to dinner with some friends... it will be nice to take a break from the havoc and enjoy some Me Time and Girl Time...

I think I might even have a drink or two... ::weee::

 

Then tomorrow, my mom, Rowan and I are going to do some shopping...

Gotta get Rowan and Zach some Fall (god, it can't get here soon enough!!) school clothes... gotta run a few more errands... but it will be "Girl Time" for Rowan.

She needs that every once in a while...

 

Saturday night will be spent hanging out at home.  I've got a bunch of knitting to do before next weekend - my friends baby shower, which I'm doing a blanket for - and I'm just wanting to spend time with my kiddos and hubby.

 

Sunday, we are celebrating my MIL's birthday at the local pizza place... But other than that, the days will be spent relaxing.

 

Sounds like a pretty good weekend, huh?

I'm sure there will be other things we accomplish and some things we won't... but I'm so ready for the weekend!!

 

Oh! Before I jet... everybody please keep Heather over at "This-n-That" in their thoughts...

Heather, I hope your recovery is quick and painless!  Big hugs, Girlie!

Today...

... is Rowan's first day of First Grade!

Here is a picture of her this morning... taken from my cell phone... I promise more pictures and an update later this evening!

       

Isn't she freaking adorable?

Sunday Sunday

Oh, its Sunday.

I wish it was Saturday... but I'll take Sunday.

 

This weekend has gone by too quickly. I'd love to have another day off to relax with my family and to do a few things around the house.

 

Yesterday was spent cleaning... and then of course a nap was taken.  You gotta love your Saturday afternoon naps, right?

 

Last night we had finger foods and some potato soup for dinner... god, I love the fact that my hubby cooks and LOVES to do it.  He made some awesome Copy Cat Tony Roma Potato soup... so very tasty.

 

I know is August and soup is more of a Fall/Winter food... but I was dying for some!

 

We also watched the UFC fights that were on TV.  Man, I love watching those guys go at it.  It takes so much skill and dedication to be a fighter like that.  It amazes me!

 

Today, my mom is taking Rowan out to lunch and then to see "Wizard of Oz"... its being put on by the local theater group.  She is so excited, let me tell you.

I'm not sure what D, Zach and I will be doing... but I'm sure what ever it is... it will be okay.

 

Is anyone catching the Olympics?  We are watching the heck out of them here... gotta love the Swimming, Water Polo and Gymnastics!  In fact, I think I'll get back to watching them!

I hope everyone has a great Sunday.

Death

We had a death today in the Pickle Jar...

 

Poor Miss Rowan lost her hamster to the Hamster God's.

 

She has had him for just over 2 years... and recently, he had been sounding pretty awful. Sneezing and some snorting, grunting type stuff.

 

This morning, I found him stuffed into the corner of his cage.

 

He didn't move when I blew on him.

Or when I knocked the cage.

Or even when I tipped the cage sideways.

 

Yeah. He was dead as a door nail.

::sigh::

 

When I first told her, I think she thought I was playing...

Until she saw for herself.

 

Then she was a bit sad... some tears and asking Why.

 

But once I got him out of the cage and into a box... and then into the trash can outside (LOL)... she seemed fine.

 

The next minute she asked... "Can I get a rabbit now?"

 

Haha... Guess she wasn't too upset after all!

The Stay-in Date Night

Tonight, Derek and I are having a Stay-in Date.

 

After I take Rowan to practice - where I will spend my time walking around the park/neighborhood - and after I shower - because I'll be STINKY!! - Derek and I are going to kick the kids to our bedroom so they can watch their shows (aka Disney channel) and he and I'll have our Date Night.

 

We are going to lounge on the couch and watch the Opening Ceremonies for the Olympics... maybe have a drink or two... lol

 

I think I'll also be doing some knitting... lol.  I'm working on a baby blanket for a friend's baby shower that is coming up at the end of the month... Hmm, guess I need to get my booty going!

Busy Busy Pickles

Life in the Pickle Jar has been quite busy the last few weeks...

We all have been doing this ~ n ~ that (hi Heather!) around town lately.

Derek has been working... with his new assignment, he can be called out at a moment's notice and be gone any where from 1 hour to 10! His new assignment is a rather fast paced one... and he is really enjoying it.  It fits him to a T.

I've been busy being "taxi"... lol But what mom isn't, right?

Rowan started Cheerleading on July 21st for our local Pop-Warner team.  She is too young to be an actual cheerleader, so she is a Mascot.  The Mascot's still learn and perform cheers... but they can't go out on the field and perform at half-time.

I was disappointed hearing this because I know how much my daughter loves to shake her booty - but I think she'll enjoy the cheerleading part well enough.

She did have a tough time this last Monday... See, she is the Mascot for their Varsity team.  There are close to 20 girls on the team - only 4 of them are new to the program.  Of course these girls all know the cheers and moves... so when it came time for Rowan to learn them, she got overwhelmed and very upset.

She is so like me.

The poor thing started crying... and it took everything in my body to stay in my seat and not walk down to the field to comfort her.

I have to say though, she has been doing much better the last few days... I'm so proud of how quickly she is learning the steps and cheers.  There are a few complicated ones that she is still struggling with... but I think she'll eventually get them down too.

Right now, she has practice Mon-Fri, from 6-730pm.  Yikes!  Thankfully, after the season starts, it will be only three days a week. 

I can't wait to see her out on the sidelines - cheering her little heart out.  As soon as I get some good pictures, I'll be sharing them :)

 

I'm also taking Rusty (the puppers - who is now 6months old and weighing 42lbs!!) to an obedience class on Wednesday night. I think it is doing really good things for him - not that he is a bad dog... but I think doing this now, while he is a puppy will keep him a good dog.

He is so mellow and rarely gets excited about too many things.  He is an odd little duck - dog, excuse me - he doesn't have the drive to chase a ball or play tug-a-war.

But he sure does love going on his walks with his Momma and sister (our Rottie Lola)... He is such a Momma's boy, it isn't even funny. I think Derek is a bit jealous... since he was meant to be more his dog. Haha.

 

Zachary doesn't really have much going on... just his gymnastics on Monday nights.  He hasn't been going much lately because of Rowan and her cheerleading.  He'll start back up next week - only if Derek is home to take him! lol

 

I'm hoping that even with our busy schedule, I'll be able to keep up with this journal... I'm glad I finally came back. 

Guess Who!?!

Guess who?!

 

I know some of you are probably falling out of your seats right now... seeing me appear out of no where like this.

 

I can't believe I haven't been here since April. Wow, where does the time go?

I have played with the idea of returning to blogging... I wasn't sure where I wanted to reappear.  Here in AOL or some where else.  I tried doing the blogger.  The wordpress.

And you know what? None of those places felt right. Like home.

 

I've been here since May of 2004.  Four years people... that is some good time...

I only figured it was right that I return to the blog world here... in AOL.

 

As you may see, I've changed the look and feel here in The Pickle Jar. I didn't want to change the name completely, so I kept the Pickle part.  It seemed only fitting. 

I don't know how much I'll be writing or what I'll be writing about... but I just wanted to write.  Here, in my Pickle Jar.

 

Life in the Pickle Jar has had its ups and downs - but what life doesn't now, with our economy and with all the gas and food prices rising?

We are happy and healthy - that is all we can ask for.

Who cares if we are broke, right? lol

 

The kids... oh my, the kids are great.

Most of you are friends on my Myspace, so you see pictures of them all the time...

But for those that don't, I'll share soon.

 

Rowan starts first grade come Tuesday, the 12th.  Yes, 1st grade.  When I started this blog, she was a mear 2 1/2 years old! God, its crazy.

Zachary... my little man... he is my angel and my devil wrapped up into one.  3 1/2 and he is already in preschool... such a joy to be around - especially when he flashes you his million dollar smile.

Derek, well, he's Derek - always working and enjoying his new position.  We get to see more of him and are truly enjoying that.

 

Not much else has changed in the last few months... but I have a renewed want to write here and share with everyone...

I'm glad I'm back... I hope you are too.