Stay-cation day 16: July 13, 2014

Stay-cation day 16: Officially this is no longer stay-cation as the B-Bunch is home again and I"m no longer house/pet sitting. However, it IS the last day off before returning to work. So I'm making the most of it. The family enjoyed a trip to R2R church this morning, followed by....wait for it....nothing. We went home, watched movies, I sorted school supplies and materials for the coming year, I piddled around in the kitchen, snoozed on the couch with Dan, chatted on the phone with my Sister-Girl Karen, hung out with extended family and enjoyed not having to be anywhere at any specific time. Glorious. 16 days in, and I think I may have finally remembered how to relax. LOL, took me long enough. Either I"m a slow learner or I'm just that high strung that it takes me 16 days to relax. I don't like either option. So, there will be some changes coming soon to the Man Crew House. Watch for updates to come. For now, I'm enjoying a leisurely afternoon with my family. Life is as it should be. Amen. It's about time.

Mustachioed Manly Men: aka: Fun with Cousins

Love is....Not Historical. Amen!

*I'm on vacay from work for the next 2 weeks while BossMan and the rest of the B-Bunch travel for school reunions, to visit family and to take a break from the hectic schedule they normally enjoy. I'll be taking care of the house and critters in their absence and intend to remember how to relax a bit along the way. Join me :)

Stay-cation day 15: July 12, 2014

 Stay-cation day 15: Saturday. I never relax on Saturday. It's impossible. Between working at the gym, carting kiddos around, trying to get the weekly grocery shopping done, and still making it to church Saturday evening, I don't relax on Saturday. I run. And that's ok. Today, I'm just getting things done, and looking forward to tomorrow. Church was great, the gym is always a hoot with the little kiddos, and while I do more of it than I care for, spending time in the car with teenagers is generally the best way to have a decent conversation with them, so I"m not unhappy about that. A few pics and I"m headed to tomorrow :)

Kitty #2 Anxiously awaits G's arrival home

Our recently ordered Liberty's Kids DVD set has arrived!

Moonlight Magic in the B-Bunch front courtyard. *sigh of contentment*

Who is tired, sunburned, as close to being relaxed as she can get on a Saturday and stinks at taking selfies? This girl.

*I'm on vacay from work for the next 2 weeks while BossMan and the rest of the B-Bunch travel for school reunions, to visit family and to take a break from the hectic schedule they normally enjoy. I'll be taking care of the house and critters in their absence and intend to remember how to relax a bit along the way. Join me :)

Stay-cation day 14: July 11, 2014

Stay-cation day 14: It's Friday. I can't remember a single thing I did. All. Day. Long. Must have been great :/ (getting old and forgetful is for the birds) At any rate, I apparently took no pictures, and did nothing memorable, so I'm going to assume that I drove the Mama Taxi, played with DT and read the day away, and then spent a fun evening with the Game Night Crowd. And that's close enough for this girl. Happy stay-cationing, my friends!

Even though we have an offer in on our wonderful, marvelous Gunsight house, we are still praying over this darling number, which isn't sure if it is ON or OFF the market. I could live my whole life on those porches. Pray with us please.

*I'm on vacay from work for the next 2 weeks while BossMan and the rest of the B-Bunch travel for school reunions, to visit family and to take a break from the hectic schedule they normally enjoy. I'll be taking care of the house and critters in their absence and intend to remember how to relax a bit along the way. Join me :)

Stay-cation day 13: July 10, 2014

Stay-cation day 13: GUESS WHAT? I may finally be getting the hang of this relaxing thing! I spent most of the day at the B-Bunch house, just reading, hanging out with DT, playing with the critters and trying to figure out why the BossMan's pool was SO  green. We decided to brave the waters one more time, and Jody Stolp and her sweethearts came and joined DT and myself in the pool. We had a ball! I took no pictures but we had a wonderful time splashing around with a pool FULL of kiddos. Derek hasn't had this much fun in ages :)
In other news, we signed papers to put an offer in on our beloved Gunsight house, in the hopes that we won't have to move after all, and in the belief that God has been holding this house for us all along.

PS. Happy birthday Kelly!
*I'm on vacay from work for the next 2 weeks while BossMan and the rest of the B-Bunch travel for school reunions, to visit family and to take a break from the hectic schedule they normally enjoy. I'll be taking care of the house and critters in their absence and intend to remember how to relax a bit along the way. Join me :)

Stay-cation day 12: July 9, 2014

Stay-cation day 12: It's Wednesday and while the B-Bunch are out of town, that doesn't even slow down my insanity on this middl-est of middle day of the week. Well, maybe a little. Between taking D to work, picking him back up, taking him back again, fussing over what/when/where in regards to dinner, washing windows at the gym, gathering the right kiddos at the right time in order to arrive at youth group in a timely fashion, trying to get dinner on the table for Hercules, pretending to have time to clean SOMETHING/ANYTHING at my house, and then heading back to pick up the BIGS after open gym at Zero Gravity, it's all I can do to summon the strength to crawl to bed. And since the B-Bunch is gone, I made 4 trips back and forth to their house to care for critters. And that's without them in town. I must rethink Wednesdays. I must. I think it's safe to say no relaxing was done today. LOL! I can't even remember if I took a picture today. Let me see...

Oh yes, Kelly sent me a photo to remind me of my childhood nickname of Snicklefritz, which apparently means troublemaker. Ahem, I have no idea what she is talking about. Ahem again.

*I'm on vacay from work for the next 2 weeks while BossMan and the rest of the B-Bunch travel for school reunions, to visit family and to take a break from the hectic schedule they normally enjoy. I'll be taking care of the house and critters in their absence and intend to remember how to relax a bit along the way. Join me :)

Stay-cation day 11: July 8, 2014

Stay-cation Day 11: I think it's become apparent that I don't relax very well. LOL! However, I did have time today to work on my project in the library, and I'm pretty content with the way it's coming together. I also did some cooking, some cleaning, spent some time in the Mama Taxi, and spent an enjoyable evening with my Sister-Girl Karen. I had time to start poring over my new Everyday with Rachael Ray magazine. I even managed to get to bed at a decent hour, only to be awakened by a text from the youth pastor about the departure time for the BIGS' water park adventure. LOL! Good times

— feeling blessed.

 

Much better than yesterday, that's for sure!

*I'm on vacay from work for the next 2 weeks while BossMan and the rest of the B-Bunch travel for school reunions, to visit family and to take a break from the hectic schedule they normally enjoy. I'll be taking care of the house and critters in their absence and intend to remember how to relax a bit along the way. Join me :) 

Stay-cation Day 9: July 6, 2014

Stay-cation Day 9: A mostly regular Sunday. Reel 2 Real Church, lunch, house/pet sitting, cleaning, relaxing and hanging out. Derek and I went out for ice cream and a car wash. Charles Bruno came over for a while, and we played Phase 10 and ate homemade guacamole. Good times! 

CAR WASH! DT was thrilled!

Sweet Flowers outside of Sweet CeCe's

*I'm on vacay from work for the next 2 weeks while BossMan and the rest of the B-Bunch travel for school reunions, to visit family and to take a break from the hectic schedule they normally enjoy. I'll be taking care of the house and critters in their absence and intend to remember how to relax a bit along the way. Join me :)

Stay-cation day 8: July 5, 2014

Stay-cation Day 8: Sweet, sweet Saturday! Worked at the gym, took the kiddos hither and yon, and then packed up for an evening of dirt track racing and fireworks at the Southern New Mexico Speedway. David spent his own money to take us to the track, since we all wanted to go so badly. Isn't he sweet?
As an aside, I've officially become a sentimental old sap. As the fireworks light up the sky and the music played in the background, I will admit to wiping away more than one patriotic inspired tear. *sigh* (Dan took most of the photos of fireworks with his phone. Once I get them from him, I will add some to this post)

— feeling even MORE Patriotic today

He falls alseep EVERY year. How does he do that?

Evidence of an evening well spent. ;)

This face. I love him!

*I'm on vacay from work for the next 2 weeks while BossMan and the rest of the B-Bunch travel for school reunions, to visit family and to take a break from the hectic schedule they normally enjoy. I'll be taking care of the house and critters in their absence and intend to remember how to relax a bit along the way. Join me :)

Stay-Cation: Day 7 July 4, 2015

Stay-cation Day 7: Today is INDEPENDENCE DAY for America! I took care of the B-Bunch critters, picked up some last minute items at the store, and then hosted a gathering at The Man Crew House. Good times. We did our own little fireworks, courtesy of David. Thanks to everyone who came and made our day so pleasant. To everyone who missed it, we missed you! — feeling patriotic 

Karen and Charlie share a laugh while the Man Crew tries desperately to get the fireworks started.

VICTORY!

DT is still a bit too young to shoot fireworks. He's not happy about that. He'll thank me later when he still has all his fingers. I hope.

Dan, David and Eric work furiously to get everything going.

These were fun, but a bit intimidating.

*I'm on vacay from work for the next 2 weeks while BossMan and the rest of the B-Bunch travel for school reunions, to visit family and to take a break from the hectic schedule they normally enjoy. I'll be taking care of the house and critters in their absence and intend to remember how to relax a bit along the way. Join me :)

Happy Independence Day America!

 I'll keep it short and sweet, people. Happy Independence Day, America! Be thankful for our many freedoms that were bought at a great cost. Be safe and appropriate in your activities, and enjoy yourselves :)
Here's a video to enjoy.

Stay-cation Day 6: July 3, 2014

Stay-cation day 6: I didn't do anything new or exciting. And that's ok. For me, vacations are more about slowing down, sleeping more and enjoying life instead of rushing about trying to squeeze in 72 new activities before collapsing again at home. SO, with that in mind, here are a few things I did for Day 6. — feeling calm.

Red White and Blue Stars for Independence Day decorations

Paper City gets tiny and goes to Paris

And it all fits in an Altoids tin. *squeal*

Life As Mom has a plan designed for me :) She's a life-saver!

*I'm on vacay from work for the next 2 weeks while BossMan and the rest of the B-Bunch travel for school reunions, to visit family and to take a break from the hectic schedule they normally enjoy. I'll be taking care of the house and critters in their absence and intend to remember how to relax a bit along the way. Join me :)

Stay-cation Day 5: July 2, 2014

 Stay-cation day 5: Just a super day! No flat tires, no fights with Hercules, no fussing-whining kids. I read books, played in the pool with DT, made some crafts, enjoyed nature's beauty, read for a long time, baked bread, decorated for summer (better late than never, right? RIGHT?!?) and helped Dan surprise the boys. *sigh* Now THIS is what vacation should feel like. I'm finally getting the hang of it.

*I'm on vacay from work for the next 2 weeks while BossMan and the rest of the B-Bunch travel for school reunions, to visit family and to take a break from the hectic schedule they normally enjoy. I'll be taking care of the house and critters in their absence and intend to remember how to relax a bit along the way. Join me :)

Stay-cation day 4: July 1, 2014

 Stay-cation day 4: House/critter sitting at the B-Bunch House, got the tire fixed, played games with DT, did the grocery shopping, another tasty crock pot meal was prepared, finished my crafty project from yesterday, picked up books from the library for our Independence Day Lap-books, and some for Mama K to read while relaxing, enjoyed a rain shower, cancelled Sister-Girl Night and made up with Dan. Hard to complain about a day like that.

Good reads

Learning about Liberty

HOT HOT HOT!!

Rain! My wipes shredded when I tried to use them. Surely this only happens in the desert. LOL!

Paper City is finished and ready to be enjoyed!

DT and his stuffed dog named Wool

*I'm on vacay from work for the next 2 weeks while BossMan and the rest of the B-Bunch travel for school reunions, to visit family and to take a break from the hectic schedule they normally enjoy. I'll be taking care of the house and critters in their absence and intend to remember how to relax a bit along the way. Join me :)