A Saturday Morning Sleep IN

It is early Saturday morning and EVERYONE including cousin Eric are still tucked away, nestled snugly under layers of blankets sleeping IN this windy and chilly Saturday morning. I woke up to a 'lil puppy' licking my face! (Since when did she earn bed privileges?) Well, since cousin Eric babysat last weekend and decided she should snuggle instead of sleep in 'her shitter'. And so the first few nights back about 1:00 AM, Gracie decided to wake us up with screams and crys from 'the shitter'. Of course, Mr. Milo, with his soft heart, pottied her and in she came to snuggle up and sleep the rest of the night right by my pillow. She is a snuggler!

So her and I have been up, pottied and pooped (TMI) and now she is snuggled up on my lap catching some Saturday morning zzzzs..

Last night Kennedy debuted her Halloween costume of 2009 and FINALLY took first place at the party she attended. Did it help that Milo is best friends with the dad who hosted the party? Lets just say..hmmmm..no. pics later!

She was indeed a BEAUTIFUL fairy and there is NO complaining regarding the multiple angles mom can shoot during her photo shoot because that is the return required on the hours spent creating, sewing, and gluing.

FYI another reason we MAKE Halloween costumes for our beautiful young ladies...have you seen what is in the stores? Let me be frank, I would never put my daughter in something that is just a bit 'too grown up' for young girls. I even thought tights were necessary for her 'short' skirt, which by the way I added 2 additionally inches of fabric to!

As my mom would say, 'keep the bonnet on as long as you can'.

So I survived my first week in my new role at the BIG house, as a Family Service Counselor.

WHEW! Monday I attended a senior expo and helped work the booth all day, Tuesday through Friday spent most of the time processing all the leads generated from working the booth, plus observed some sales appointments and got my 'home away from home' all set up. Cute & Cozy are the words I would use to describe my 'space'. Although I am not to sure on the whole 8 - 5 gig? Honestly I feel like I live at that place and dare I say could probably even sleep there?

Next week, well I am BITING the bullet and going to try to workout BEFORE work! Seriously, what has happened to the Jill of long ago? Well, I said 'I was going to try it.'

So I am anticipating more freedom and flexibility once training commences and I can hit the concrete selling. I am chomping at the bit, however after this week realized there is MUCH to learn regarding systems and product knowledge. I am up for the challenge, but DEARLY miss my dear friend Wendy Wu, who I abandoned at the cremation society, my flexibility, and windshield time. All in due time, right? So in the mean time, my 'get out of jail free card' works for one hour every day, activates again at 5:00 PM and deactivates at 8:00 AM Monday through Friday! I am a fast learner, I am a fast learner, I am a fast learner.....

So what else happened this week at the Japenga household you ask?

Madison debuted her violin talents at a 5th through 12th orchestra concert Tuesday night. I must say, I very much enjoy listening to the blending of the violins and cellos. BEAUTIFUL! The closing number was 'Ode To Joy' played by grades 5th through 12th. WOW! It was moving.

Milo got an MRI of a bum knee he injured this summer during sand volley ball. Luckily, NO surgery, just rest, ice, and Advil. I was very surprised given his very limited mobility.

Well, I best get moving..much to do on the weekend to do list.

1. Groceries

2. Wash/Iron

3. Massage at 1:00 (compliments of my parents and siblings, 40th bday gift)

4. Halloween Dinner Prep

5. November Bill Pay

6. Send out November Customer Birthday Cards

7. Place Product Order check!

8. Start Christmas shopping list...I know OCD!

9. Send out overstock email sale to customers

10. Workout

11. Get boots for walking in the cemetery..heels don't quite fit the job description

12. Clean out bathroom closet (roll over from weekends past)

13. Clean out living room cabinets (a roll over)

14. Ask Kennedy about birthday plans for next weekend

15. Set up new blog for love letters

16. Blog entry....CHECK!

I think I better skedaddle! more later!

jill

Mr. Stonewood

We met Mr. Stonewood this weekend while visiting our FAVORITE B&B in the world. Not that we are world travelers by any means, but the Inn At Irish Hollow...well can simply be described as heaven on earth.

We discovered the Inn about 10 years ago while desperately looking for a weekend away to regroup, revitalize, and reconnect. When you add children, work, finances, and plain ole life you quickly grow farther and farther away from the love of your life. In recent years, Mr. Milo and I have learned the importance of 'getting away' a few times a year and making it a priority in our family budget. A happy, well balanced couple makes for a more well balanced home, better parents, and a better TEAM.

When we first arrived at the Inn 10 years ago, we drove up wondering what kind of 'dump' had be gotten ourselves into. Within minutes our worries were set aside as we were greeted by the kindest 'inn keeper' and shown to our room in the Inn. Little did we know that the food was literally 'to die for', the service impeccable, and by far the MOST romantic dinner we had ever experienced. Upon our second visit, we discovered the cottages nestled back in the woods behind the Inn. A couple from Chicago invited us to take a look at 'their digs'. I distinctly remember saying as we left their 'cottage' to venture back to our 'room'. 'Although the Inn is nice. We will ALWAYS stay at cottage from here on out!'

So for an early '40th birthday celebration' and a much needed respite for our wedded souls, I booked our 'cottage' 8 months in advance and this weekend...we met Mr. Stonewood.

Mr. Stonewood over sees 'all activity' at the Stonewood cottage. We decided that his motto is 'what happens at Stonewood, stays at Stonewood'. And from reading the multiple entries in the journal by other couples who had come before us, I think Mr. Stonewood could probably share a story or two.

Despite a rocky start on Thursday, leaving ailing children in the care of their cousin Richard which allowed for a heavy dose of 'mommy guilt', we set off for our weekend venture. Luckily by Friday morning, news was received that the girls were on the mend and headed back to school. I was able to shed any remaining guilty feelings and 'officially' start enjoying the weekend.

Although inclement weather prevented two of my planned surprise activities, scooter rentals and a hot air balloon ride, we still enjoyed a couples massage, hanging out at our favorite, local establishment for $2 beers and playing shuffle board on a 'vintage' table worth these days, close to $20,000. OK...so I only won 1 of our 9 matches. I still LOVE shuffle board! A stop at the local winery supplied us with our 'favorite' Grape concord for the weekend, plus some to take home. Even a few Christmas gifts were crossed off my list and I found the NEATEST needlework shop, limiting myself to only 15 minutes and wrapping things up as soon as I heard the first 'sigh' from the far corner of the store. Late afternoons were spent hiking the many trails that surround the Inn. A four course breakfast delivered every day around 10:00 to our cottage, plus a gourmet, out of your mind, romantic dinner served in the Inn on Friday evening by the Innkeeper, himself. It was a weekend to reconnect, laugh, and even shed a few tears.

My Thursday evening surprise after we collected our favorite wine, strawberries, cheese and crackers was to cozy up in our cottage next to a warm fire. I had brought all of the letters we had written during our courtship 20 years ago. Of course accompanying us in the background was Air Supply, Barry Manillow, and Lionel Richie.

The letter reading took us well into the night and even through the next morning. We laughed and cried remembering the all encompassing love that brought us together 20 years ago. We were reminded that we were each other's biggest cheerleaders, faithful confidants, and best friends. The past 20 years have brought children, careers, conflict, and the craziness of life. Before you realize what happens, suddenly everything comes before the one thing that brought you together in the first place, each other.

And so we have committed to once again writing love letters to each other. This week we are going to start a 'private' blog site and begin to enter all of these letters, cards, and pictures so that we can create a book. Our intention is one day when our daughters are married and consumed with LIFE. They too will begin to drift farther and farther away from the ONE person, whom they connect the most. Milo and I will wrap up our book, take the grand kids for the weekend, and send them away to 'the Inn'. The Inn, where they can find again the LOVE that gets smothered with LIFE. We hope that someday our love will serve as an example of faith, perseverance, and hope instilling that marriage is NOT easy, always fun and romantic. But anything worth living for is ALWAYS worth fighting for.

And according to Mr. Stonewood, he couldn't agree more.

Enjoy some pics of 'the Inn'.

View all

Get your own

Mother May I?

Chicken Noodle Soup, Chicken Parmesan, Cheesy Spaghetti, Cookies (no-bake), Chocolate Chip Cream Cheese Danish, Cheeseburger Roll-Up & NO I didn't plan it with all C's, it just happened. But don't you like it when things 'just happen'?

2 1/2 hours later my cooking extravaganza is complete, now 'mother may I please be excused to leave on Thursday for a 4 day weekend in the rolling, beautiful hills of Galena, IL to stay at my 'all time' favorite B&B with food only to DIE for? 4 days with no one else but my handsome Mr. Milo. Mother, may I PLEASE be excused? Food has been prepared in advance for the children, childcare is all lined up, transportation issues resolved, & activities covered. Mother, May I PLEASE be excused?

So to give my weary feet a rest, I thought I would pop in for a bit before I methodically plan out all my outfits and make-up for our upcoming 4 day weekend. Trust me, I take this stuff SERIOUSLY cause it only happens once, sometimes twice, and if I am REALLY lucky..three times a year. Trips away with only me and my man! Trips that I count down the minutes to, plan meticulously for (ok..may be I plan meticulously for some other things too), and wait with EAGER anticipation.

Do you think I am excited?

So this weekend, me and the girls laid low. Mr. Milo aka...dishwasher boy and garbage man left on Saturday AM for his annual Green Bay Packer weekend with the boys. I refer to him as dishwasher boy and garbage man because of all the things in the world for him to be psycho about, it would be those two things. Thankfully I have successfully accomplished both tasks not once, but even TWICE in his absence.

BTW...when your hairdresser speaks, ONE should always listen. On Friday, I needed a little tweaking on my most recent hair cut. It seemed that a few weeks ago, Beth (aka.. my hair dresser) didn't quite do enough texturizing and my football helmet was starting to show with still 3 weeks until my next cut AND a very important weekend coming up. So a quick 911 to the salon and imagine that, she had a cancellation on Friday morning, that I managed to squeeze into my schedule.

So I shared with her my 'secret mission' for the weekend - more later - and she thought that instead of just gathering all my supplies and waiting to put them all together on the day of, I should really put EVERYTHING together before hand! WHEW! Am I lucky, that I needed a quick tweak on my hair in order to grab that piece of wisdom. 7 hours later, my secret mission was complete, which by most standards encompassed MOST of my Saturday. more later..but I do have to say...'They ROCK'! I seriously think I should consider a career outside of caskets and cremations.

So one last thing before I head up to wardrobe central, last September I started this notebook and VOWED to do it for one ENTIRE year. Now trust me there where moments when I thought I simply could go no further. It was painstaking, but so worth all the time, energy, and thought. YES! I am talking about my 'meal planner notebook'. YES...laugh all you want, but one year later...is my life EASIER?

So for one entire year, I planned all our family meals one week at a time. Every time I tried a new recipe, the rule was EVERYONE had to give it a thumbs up, in order for it to stay in 'the' notebook. Now one year later, I simply flip to the designated week, make up my grocery list and DONE, well with the exception of thumbs DOWN recipes, those I replace with new ones. Little to no thinking, meals change with the seasons, it has provided a VARIETY of things for us to eat, and it has freed up one last task on my to do list every weekend. My goal is when all there is in the notebook is thumbs up meals & snacks, to make a cookbook to give to the girls, so they to will have one less thing on their weekend to do lists.

Well, that is about it...Mother May I please be excused now to comb through my closet to find the perfect combinations for my upcoming 4 day weekend? Did I mention I was just a BIT excited?

toodles..

A Week In Review

A twisted shot, ham and cheese cal zones, a secret crush, Coach Mo, the short straw, exhaustion, school conferences, a secret mission, no school, and a football game.

THAT sums up the week at the Japenga household.

So how does all that work together, you ask?

On Monday, Kennedy had her yearly sports physical, which of course ONLY MOM could take a young lady to her physical. In route, she asked if she would be getting any 'shots'. We laughed hard when she reminded me when she was 5, her and I were at the doctors office to receive her 'shots'. Right before the nurse gave her the second one, Kennedy 'twisted' her leg and up until just a few years ago, she seriously thought that she had been given a 'twisted shot'. O! how we tried to explain to her that the nurse did not give her a twisted shot. But rather because she twisted before receiving the shot was the real reason she felt she received a 'twisted shot'.

Monday night I arrived home from work to find Mr. Milo making ham and cheese cal zones for supper. I laughed hard when I found him with the tape measure, measuring out the exact 12X14 dough measurements so that our cal zones were 'just right'. AND they were JUST RIGHT!

Tuesday morning and evening brought thumbs up for school conferences times 2.

Then some sisterly advice was shared on 'what exactly does it mean when a guy flirts with you?', Madison was determined to find out if Zach, her desk mate was just an enamored with her as she was with him. Kennedy shared her advice on flirting to be 'any time a guy punched, kicked, or kidded around with you.' All in the playful text of course. That was a positive since Zach often times would kick Madison under the desk. So with her plan in place, ie..girlfriends set to ask his friends if there was any reciprocation of feelings, we all waited with anticipation for supper time on Tuesday. Thankfully, it was reported via Zach, through Mic and Jeff, then via Paxton and Meg and back to Madison that 'well may be he kind of liked her.' Whew...no hearts broken!

Only my heart on Tuesday night, when Coach Mo felt the need to fall on the sword for his teammate Tracy, who by all my accounts VERY much needs a ticket home!

Wednesday morning, I drew the short straw of course for crabby kids. Wednesday is my drop off at school day and of course, it seems that they save ALL the crying, complaining, and drama JUST for me! So Kennedy in all her tiredness, caught a few more zzzs, not only Wednesday but also on Thursday. We are hoping extra tiredness doesn't turn 'nothing' into 'something'. Those extra zzzs, however did bring a STRICT ban on sleep-overs for this 4 day weekend.

It seems that we will not have 'Mr. Calzone' around for the weekend, as he is headed out for his annual Green Bay Packer football game weekend with the guys.

I have a 'secret mission' on deck for this weekend or in other words..I must make hay, while the sun shines. No school Friday or Monday for 'fall break'. Me and the girls are laying low, outside of some household projects that need to be accomplished, ie. the 'this weekend to do list' that is currently staring me in the face.

5 days and counting until Galena and am hoping that the weather man is dead WRONG on his 10 day forecast. I would hate for a little rain and cold to spoil my 'birthday surprises'.

more later....

Our French Puppay

Is going to be a FRENCH MAID for Halloween

Sneak Peek!

sneak peek

Saturday Morning

While snuggled DEEP within the comforts of my cozy down comforter, a topped with an extra quilt for added warmth, I was awaken to the sound of my dear Madison, 'good morning' as she announced herself carrying a tray of heart shaped pancakes smothered in creamy peanut butter and syrup and paired with an ice cold glass of milk. Now THAT is a way to wake up!

So Mr. Milo and I enjoyed our cakes and milk this morning before jump starting our day.

An even EXTRA special surprise on Friday evening was coming home to a house cleaned from TOP to BOTTOM and just the way I like it! Mr. Milo PASSED Ms. Jill's cleaning class with FLYING colors. Then this morning, before we rolled out he said, 'I thought you were full of

'!@*X', about wiping down the mirrors and patio door with a paper towel verses a rag, that makes a HUGE difference in the amount of streaking. Now THAT is what I like to hear!

Goo Bear also some how managed to sleep the ENTIRE night in our bed. hmmmmm...someone 'fell asleep' before she was taken to the 'clink'. Luckily NO morning messes greeted us and I think she must have thought she died and went to heaven.

Goo Bear enjoyed a much needed bath last night and a special chew treat this morning.

Beside awakening to snow flurries, looks to be a great start to the weekend.

Off to clean bathroom cupboards and spend some time in my woman cave finishing up the last of the Halloween costumes for this year.

toodles....

I am ready!

Chewing on something other than everyones feet!

WHEW! That was exhausting!

Friday is here and I am just wrapping up the week. It was an uneventful one at that, so no complaining is in order.

Covered this week for Wendy Wu, my friend at the Cremation Society who decided to leave me alone in what I like to refer to as our island oasis. Completely separate from the funeral home, the building sits on the back grounds of Cedar Memorial. It is the building where the CREMATIONS take place. I fondly remember the first time I was introduced to the cremation society. During my 'tour' I was taken to 'the room' and promptly asked, 'Does this bother you?' Obviously it didn't because there I have sat all week just me and 'my friends'. O! I do occasionally get a visit from one of our first call directors coming down to check on things. I am always quick to ask my next probbing question related to embalming, cremation, and all the other things they do. Otherwise it is me, the computer, my radio, and an occasional phone call.

Wendy Wu decided to leave me this week to tour Washington DC and I am sure she will have many a tales to tell upon her return. So a successful week of coverage and it is always good when I can say, I didn't burn the place down.

I have been gravely disappointed in all reality TV this week. Other than Biggest Loser, I am just not feeling it this season. Guess that is a sign to redirect my attention elsewhere.

So what is on tap for the weekend you ask?

Of course my 'deep clean' fall list is slowly being checked off. All of my bathroom and kitchen cupboards are screaming for my attention. clean me, clean me, clean me. A fall/winter switch a rue needs to be had on the make-up drawer, brushes really need to be cleaned, and all that good stuff. Of course cleaning always means it is time to make room for new! Isn't the saying, out with the old and in with the new?

Sounds like a high of 40 degrees this weekend and possible, dare I say it...snow flurries! So obviously those disgusting, very dirty basement windows will wait yet another week.

Tonight is homecoming for Linn-Mar. After struggling for the past several years, they are boasting a 7-0 record this season. Mr. Milo went to the game a few weeks ago and after standing 4 deep on the side lines with not even a glimpse of the game, he left before 1/2 time. So with the cold, wind, and crowds we are opting for a night at home around the fire. By the way, what happened to homecomings like the 'old days'. Homecoming week was always a BIG deal with theme days and a huge pep rally all leading up to Friday night's game and dance. PJ day, Inside Out Day, Hat Day, Dress Up Day, Dress Like the Opposite Sex Day. As I was getting ready this morning, I thought to myself, 'homecoming week was always a blast.' And did I feel OLD this week when one of our funeral directors said she graduated from high school in 2004. whoaa..

So what else this weekend, well I need to finish hemming Kennedy's costume and spice up the fairy wings that I broke down and purchased at Halloween Express this week. After fighting with wire hangers and white nylons for nearly 2 hours last Sunday, in the trash they went and on the list for the week went 'stop at Halloween Express for fairy wings'. It was disgusting to pay $14 for something that honestly cost less than $5 to make. But me and hangers just don't mix.

That is about it to report for the week.

O! yeah...I did mention in my last entry that I am learning to be nicer to me! Most definitely a work in progress, but in the wisdom of my 40 years, I have realized that too many times I have not taken care of myself as I needed to. I have allowed others and too many commitments to come before making myself a priority. In my revelation, I am beginning to realize that taking care of me first allows me to give even MORE to others. light bulb moment!

stay warm...

jill

P.S. 12 days to Galena and COUNTING!

36 Days?

Hmmmm…well let’s see, it is October 6th, I believe my last entry was August 30th. That my dear reader is called a blogging break.

If I recall, my last entry was introducing the newest member of our family, Gracie Mae. 100% Shitz Tue and 100% PUPPY. May be that in its self warranted a 36 day blogging break?

I am happy to report that Gracie is STILL a member of our family. That comes despite at least 7 of the past 36 days posing the mere threat that THIS birthday present was going BACK! Can any one guess what happened? Approximately 2 weeks after the ‘FUN’ of having a puppy left, ME (aka. Mom) was left holding her ‘birthday present’ singing, ‘Happy Birthday to me, Happy Birthday to me..happy birthday to me….happy birthday to me!’ I like to refer to Gracie Mae as the gift that just keeps on GIVING!

I am still in wonderment given all of the recent changes in our household (more later), why o! why… my family would feel that mom needed to add another helping on her already over flowing plate of life? Did I not mention I also was longing for a new Nikon mega-zoom, optical lens, lithium ion camera? Do I not love trips to the spa, coffee out with friends and crafting in my woman cave? Who can ever go wrong with a treat at the movies, lingering scents from Bath & Body Works, and trips out for Mexican food? Obviously the ‘occasional’ mention of getting a Shitz Tue PUPPY was louder than any of the above listed ideas.

So after some stern reinforcement of what this GIFT all entailed, the family once again has risen to the challenge and picked up the slack of ‘puppy rearing’. That is not to say that they too may fall of the wagon any day. Thankfully my ‘strict’ puppy training regimen was reinforced just yesterday on Gracie’s first trip to the vet, where Mr. Milo heard it from the words of the vet, himself. “Gracie either needs to be outside, in the kennel, or being watched or held ALL THE TIME!’

Gracie, goo Bear, or ‘my French pap pay’ has yet to go 2 days consecutively without any accidents. However we are sleeping through the night after 3 LONG nights of crying. Did I mention, crying ALL night? Thank goodness, she is too stink in CUTE to be mad at for any length of time.

Riley is ‘adjusting’. The realization that this new addition is not going any where is sinking in. She is also starting to tolerate the endless nipping and biting at her feet, as we all do. If you can imagine the cartoon with the BIG dog, Spike and his little counterpart, running as fast as she can just to keep up, panting and crying out, ‘Hey, Spike what are we going to do today? What do you think Spike? Is it going to be a good day, Spike? WOW, aren’t you excited Spike?’ Yep, that pretty much sums up their relationship.

Max, the cat on the other hand is still wishing that this rodent thing that we dragged in would just leave!

So after stopping over at my ‘neighbor lady’s’ house the other night to see her newly published ‘blog book’, I deemed it necessary to get back on my blogging wagon. I couldn’t let ONE more day go bye without documenting the latest. After all you can’t leave a well documented account if you don’t document?

So what else has happened in the last 36 days you ask?

School is back in session and in full swing at our household. Back packs, schedules, violin & saxophone lessons, dance, an 8th grade football manager, confirmation, friends, and friends.

The summer décor has been packed away and replaced with my favorite décor of the year, FALL! Warm hues of yellows and oranges adorn my mantle, while pumpkins and mums the front step. Halloween costume creations are well under way. Of course we can’t unveil anything until THE day! But let’s just say, this year ROCKS to the tune to a tin ‘girl’ and a beautiful fairy!

Windows have been washed, at least on the main level and the patio furniture is holding out for at least a few more weeks in order to gather around some evening bon fires.

My reality TV spree has started with Dancing With The Stars (not crazy about the cast), The Biggest Loser (BEST cast to date), America’s Next Top Model, Survivor, and The Amazing Race. So a few nights a week I give myself permission to lay like broccoli, snuggle up in my favorite quilt, and stitch the night away watching ridiculously STUPID TV!

And in the mean time I will continue to long to be twirled and swirled on the dance floor, yelled at by Jillian Michaels. Wishing for once they would make a plus size, model show for 40+ year olds. Wondering how long I would last in the same underwear for days on end and looking for the PERFECT partner in a race around the world and an experience of a life time. I am still working on my pastor at church to be a part of the pastor & parishioner team. It would be SCANDALOUS!

If you are wondering, which I am sure you are, I am STILL working on that mammoth cross stitch project I started in June! May be by NEXT June it will be done? But it is EXACTLY what I look forward to every night curled up tight in my quilt.

Milo is plugging along with the start of his new business. Some days are good and some days not so much. I am praying that by January 1st and a year later, the hard hit of a job loss cloud will be lifted and new passions will be ignited. Time will only continue to direct us on new paths, new passions, and ventures in store.

Speaking of JOBS, God does have a way of making me laugh sometimes. You know that part-time gig at the funeral home that was suppose to be a little something to help us out during a transition time? THAT has taken on a life all its own. November 1st, I will begin as a full-time Family Service Counselor, assisting families and individuals with pre-planning needs as well as meeting with families who have just lost a loved one to assist in securing a burial location. Seriously most days I shake my head in wonderment, asking how did this just happen? How did I go from answering the phones for a few hours a day, to serving as an after-care counselor and helping to improve that program, to covering for a few vacations, to a Family Service Counselor? In retrospect it is amazing how things work out. This will provide a full plate of benefits for our family, the opportunity to use much of my past 12 years of sales experience in a new challenging environment, and a means to replace much that was lost last December. Thus alleviating much stress from my husband’s weary mind. AND after the past 12 years, I am completely enjoying NOT working in the evening and most every weekend. Work is at work and home is at home.

So essence we have encountered a ‘role reversal’. He has picked up all the child transportation, is in the beginning stages of reading new recipes, grocery shopping is the next to pass off, and house cleaning, well lets just say we are ‘working’ on that one.

20 years of embedded roles in our house are not easy to transition over night. That coupled with my years of household managerial experience, a bit of OCD, and some control issues?

Like I said….’we are working on it’.

So that about sums up that past 36 days.

And you ask what about the next 36 days? Hmmmmm…well I can’t divulge too much. I do know that is will consist of a much needed stress reliever weekend for Milo and the boys in Milwaukee for the annual Packer game. We can’t forget about a romantic, fun filled weekend in Galena for Milo and Jill to celebrate the milestone of turning 40, no puppies allowed! Did I mention that Milo turns 40 in November? We will have our traditional Halloween dinner and my 13 year old will be turning 14!

So there will be lots to share in the upcoming weeks, coupled with new things to learn with on the job training, more puppy rearing, some reality TV moments, window washing on the lower level, some dirty bathroom cupboards and closets that need to be cleaned, and of course making it through the crazy thing we call life.

I am B…A…C…K!

P.S. Did I mention, I am being nicer to myself? (more later)