Have my cookies and cake too!

I got cookies and cake yesterday! And bars too! Yummy chocolate cookies, and some bars that look really good, but which I didn't sample yet. And a nicely wrapped bread of some sort that looks really good, but I didn't get to taste either.

Sucked being home for exactly 15 minutes last night, until I got home again at 10:20. But I have my priorities! Instead of getting dinner ready, I opened my package!

The card said it was a secret, but I think I know who they came from, and I give big THANK YOU hugs and smooshes!

Tickling the Ivorys again!

You may not have noticed, as I posted it on the Black Friday thresd over there, but we bought a piano this weekend! A PartyLite friend of mine was selling hers, for a fair price. We paid professional movers to move it for us, and it was delivered on Friday! We left a short while later to go visit Don's dad up north, but from the time we got back on Saturday and all day yesterday, Marisa was playing away. It was so nice to hear it. The piano is a bit out of tune, and needs a few pad reshaped, but we will have that done shortly, and in the meantime, it works just fine. I even sat down and played a few Christmas Carols to try to get me in the holiday spirit.
It is a 1950 or 1957 Cable Nelson spinet.

These pics were taken at my friends house, not mine.

On an unrelated note, I baked some Christmas cookies this weekend, and got most of my Secret Santa gift ready. I'm so proud of myself! It's only November! Next thing I know I'll have my cards mailed before Dec 23!

Update

So we had our big semi annual meet this past weekend, and it has taken me until now to recover from it. It was a busy 3 days.

Devon did fantastic. He swam 6 individual events and 2 relays. He qualified for finals in 5 of the 6. The last one he was disqualified for a false start. His knee wobbled right before the gun. He was really dissappointed, as it was the 100 yard Freestyle, one of his best and favorite events. But regardless, he finished in 13th place overall! We figured he would have finished around 8-9th if he hadn't been dq'd. He wasn't happy with all of his swims, but he has another big meet Dec 7-9, where he will be swimming the exact same races, and will try even harder.

Marisa did well too! She also swam 6 individual and 2 relays. While she didn't qualify for any finals, as there are sooooooo man girls, and her times are not that fast, she did get 4 personal best times, which is great!

I worked my butt off all weekend, and then on Monday night I spent 3 1/2 hours helping to distribute wreaths from our team fundraiser.

I'm really looking forward to a nice long weekend. Hopefully Don doesn't screw it up for us. He has been sober this time for about 8-9 days, so hoping he continues. Seems weekends at home without a lot to do cause him issues.

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you!

Why did I say yes?

So Marisa and her 2 BFF have been conniving a way to make some money, because they want to go shopping. So what do us 3 moms do? We talk and decide to offer the girls a Moms/Daughters shopping day. December 1. No specific details just yet, but we are planning to go shopping and out to lunch. Maybe to Gurnee Mills or some other big mall.

Friday night on the way home from swim practice, Marisa asks me if the 3 moms will agree to stand outside of any stores the 3 girls decide to go in, and not participate in any clothing purchase decisions. Um, yeah, right. As if.

I very calmly explained that we were doing this to spend some time together, AS MOMS AND DAUGHTERS, not chauffeurs. Also that while I would not stand OUTSIDE of any stores, I would not go into the dressing room with her. She seemed to accept that compromise, at least for now.

*sigh* Only 19 days to go. Maybe I should update my will.

My new fav

Why this song is listed under Timbaland, I'm not sure. I do see him in the video making little "uh, uh" noises, but the band is One Republic.

I'm trying to decide if the lead singer could be a new crush for me too.

Last night when I asked Devon who sang this song, and sang him the chorus, he said, "Oh yeah, I love that song, but I don't know who sings it, I have to download it." Scary.

I remembered seeing this band on "So You Think You Can Dance", but had forgotten about it until I heard it on the radio earlier this week.

BTW, you can see the video if you scroll down a bit on the site.

RIP Jessica

A good friend of mine's daughter was diagnosed with leukemia on her 21st birthday in April 2006. They have been battling it ever since, almost getting a bone marrow transplant twice, trying new treatments, having strong faith and dogged perseverence.

Jessica lost her battle on Saturday night, and in her mom's words, is now singing and dancing with Jesus and the angels, in no more pain.

Both Linda (my friend) and Jessica have been such and inspiration to many of us. It helped to remind me to keep strong in my own faith, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges and obstacles.

I'm proud to have known Jessica in her health and during the past 19 months. I'm not at all sad for her victory over death, just sad for her family that is left behind, for now.

RIP Jess.