sun, glorious sun

I used to think that only "old" people talked about the weather. It seemed to be all they talked about. How cold it is, how hot it is...how they have to water the plants, mow the grass, etc. etc.
Now I am officially putting myself into that category. I am super sick of cold weather, wet mushy roads and kids being cooped up. This weekend we got the best weather here in the Puget Sound and we surely took advantage of it!
Yesterday Mark and I took the girls up to the beach in Everett. It is easy to get to and the trail is paved, but every time we go we maybe run into a handful of people and sometimes none at all. When the tide is out the beach is excellent there. Plus Hayley can bring her bike if she wants to and ride with ease. We love it there and it will be a great place to hang out when the weather is nice this summer.
Today, we opened the windows and the slider and let the fresh air sweep through our home. I love those first days of nice weather when you can have the windows open. It makes everything in your bones feel like summer is on it's way! The girls and I took a walk and enjoyed the people driving by with their music blasting. We sat outside at Dairy Queen and ate Blizzards in the warm air. Then we walked back home and Hayley baked and decorated a cake all on her own. She is really getting quite handy in the kitchen and will make a wonderful chef some day!
Now the kids are in bed and Mark is on his way home from Wenatchee. I'd love to steal away with him tommorow for a motorcycle ride because the weather is supposed to be gorgeous again and the kids will be back in school. Hmmmm...we'll see (smile).

Chester French - She Loves Everybody

I can't get this song out of my head! The video is a bit crazy, but still like the song.

things that occupy my time

Really we are all still alive here. That is the beauty of blogging. You can do it whenever you want...but then if you take too long in between people start asking where you are (even if you write about nothing exciting!).

We have really been busy again. Spring break is in full swing...not weather-wise, but the kids have been out all week. The sun peeked out here for about 20 minutes, but alas it is raining again.

This week brought us some very good news...Mark is back to work for BNSF! We can now breathe a collective sigh of relief. At least for this week! We did learn that we can cut back, waaaaay back, and still survive. It is stressful, but Mark and I are a great team! Having said that, I enjoy having money way more than not ha ha.

I have also decided to take the plunge back into ebay again. I used to do it, and made a few extra dollars, but the key for me is to keep it simple so I don't get overwhelmed and fall behind.
So if you are an ebay person here is how to find me....littlebirdtoldme1997. I had to set up a new account because I can't figure out how to get into the old one and it was a million years ago and 3 email addresses ago so for me it was much easier to start with a clean slate! I am also cooking up some stuff for Etsy. My mom and I have found some really cool vintage stuff to list on there. That will probably happen next week though because right now I am planning a trip to Portland next Tuesday. Veerada is here from Alaska and I can't wait to see her! Two other dear friends live there (Sheila and Duncan) so I am happy to say that I will be spending time with them too! That is, if everything works out. Luckily, Veerada made it out between Mt. Redoubt spewing ash. It was looking a little "iffy" for a while for her!

It may be another long break, but we are still alive and plugging along. Oh, and we don't have to move after all! We got a really good deal to stay, so I have to finish getting everything unpacked again. OH THE INSANITY!

american crafts flair

See what my husband bought me today?

Don't you just love the "I love blogs" adhesive flair? I do. American crafts has a bunch of cute new stuff...including sewing machine rub ons!

Went to Vegas

We just returned from Las Vegas yesterday and I still feel like I am recovering.

We drank many many Lemon Drops, Pina Coladas... gambled a lot...walked a lot and most importantly went to see my beautiful friend Tiffany get married.

We ate dinner at this funny place called "Battista's hole in the wall". If you are ever in Vegas and want some good Italian, and lots of fun head there. It is just off the strip next to Bally's and Behind Gamblin Bills.

Vegas is forever changing, we were just there in September of 2007 and there are already new shops and new hotels going up. My mom and I walked about 4 miles total just to go the Paul Frank store to buy my daughter the cutest monkey, which has been named "buddy".

My most treasured memory of this trip is getting to see Tiffany after 20 years apart. She has wonderful, sweet kids and just married the nicest guy. I can't wait to take Mark and go out to Missouri to visit them, or we may wait until they move to New Mexico! Anyways, we won't let it go 20 years this time. We used to have so much fun together as kids...she was and is still like a sister to me!

not much time

Having a hard time winding down after this jam-packed day.
Tommorow my husband is having a birthday! But I will always be slightly older (and wiser ha ha...right Mark?) We are celebrating with some Hazelwood friends and a couple of other good friends over appetizers and drinks. It will be a much needed stress relief after all the garbage that goes on with being laid off from your main source of income! Plus we have been sick, sick some more, and guess what...still sick. You think you've gotten rid of the flu/cold/WHATEVER it is and then it is back. I think everyone we know has had it, and it does not help that we already have worn out immune systems from packing, running around, work, school stuff, laundry...you know the drill! I sure hope we get some nice weather soon, so we can be on the upswing to better attitudes and better health.
I am off to bed to dream of pomegranate mojitos and artichoke dip. That is hopefully what will fill my stomach tommorow night.
Have a great weekend everyone. I don't want to jinx it, but I think my niece is actually coming over for dinner on Saturday. This will be the first time since Christmas that we have seen her. Only time will tell.

Guitar Hero love

Our friend Bridget came by for a visit today. It has been ages since we've had a chance to talk (read: gossip) and it was fun. Her daughter, Jordynn, is staying over for a sleepover and right now she is trying her hardest to beat Mark at Guitar Hero. Hayley and Jordynn played for awhile, before Hayley decided to take a break. It will take a very long time for us to tire of Guitar Hero. And Mark bought us a new Wii game, Rock Band, for Valentines day.

Right now Jordynn is killing my ears with her not so great playing...gotta go get some ear plugs!