Happy 5th Anniversary

Today Mr. Produce and I celebrate our 5year anniversary.

I can't believe it's been 5 years... and on the otherhand I can't imagine my life without him.

As the card says:

Each star in the sky,

each shell on the shore...

if you counted them all,

I'd still love you more.

Happy Anniversary to my wonderful husband...  here's to 25 more.

and don't ask me why the pictures I choose have us dressed like twins!

bloggville- get buttoned up

This is such a wonderful site -Buttoned up-  
all about organization and such things....  
Such a good site it's hard to break away and write this blog! 
There are a ton of catagories like: 
organized  life,  essentials, every day life, life events, find your guru  (what????)
great stuff:  and MORE  like
Tips of the day:

and Cool Finds.... like....   The Allowance Manager:

and of course with a wedding coming up, i am drawn to life events.....  and what a great article.......
"Life is hectic. But when you throw a major life event like a wedding in the mix, it can get downright nutty. The logical question for practical and busy people is: how can I plan for a memorable wedding without it becoming all consuming?"

so for those of you having a wedding in the future read this: (Kieri that means you)

#1. Start a Binder

Go out and get a binder, preferably with tabs, and start tracking what you have done and what still needs to be done. Divide it into two main parts: one-third for what is really important and the other two-thirds for what you would like to do if life gives you that time. Next, divide both sections into subheadings: the church, the reception, clothes, pre-wedding events, etc. This might seem like a lot of work but extra time spent preparing will mean a lot less time later trying to remember everything. That way the 20 percent that is essential gets handled in plenty of time and then you can do any of the extras if and when life allows.

#2. Dedicate a Calendar
There will be a lot of dates to track so make your life easy by setting a calendar strictly for this event. This way the dates will jump off the page at you: put the deposit down for the hall; go in for first, second and last fitting, pick up mom and dad at the airport etc. Write the important dates with a sharpie and the rest with a pen. You should also set aside a pocket-size calendar to carry with you so that you can cross off items while you are out or add new ones as they come up; just remember to add them to the home-base calendar.
#3. Keep It All in Perspective
Every so often, take time to stand back from all the planning and remind yourself that as long as you and your husband look into each other’s eyes and say “I do” everything else is small potatoes. This is one of the happiest moments in anyone’s life and the days or times that you spend thinking about it should be happy too.

yes I think I am hooked on this site! 
especially when I have an hour to kill.
hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha 
oh man is THAT a good one!!!!!

Wednesday Wisdom

One kind word can warm three winter months.

--Japanese Proverb

Name Calling

I was caught off guard the other day by a cashier at a store.  She called me sweetie.

What? ... am I living in the south?

Why is it that some people use these endearing names for you...and yet they don't even know you?
Now I may have grown up in California where personal etiquette is just a little more casual... but it's just a little too personal for a stranger to call me that.  
In the military you could always tell the ladies from they south, as they called people by Mr. or Mrs. and other endearing names:
Darling
Sweetheart
Sugar
Missy
Baby
little lady (gag) this term usually comes from a man.

Dude, did I mention I'm from California?

So does any one have any insight as to the endearing name calling to a stranger?  (I totally get the fun endearing name calling to friends and loved ones)   I use the word endearing because all this name calling is always positive. 
Is it supposed to make you feel loved? or warm and fuzzy? or young?
Do I feel young if someone calls me Missy, or girl?  (actually at my age, calling me girl is just a little like you are trying too hard!)  like saying that my daughter and I could be sisters, OH Come On!!!!

ok, so really, do you call others by an endearing name?  do ya dahling? 

So... where did Christmas go?

I finally feel better.  I had been sneezing-dripping-coughing-sleeping and still going to work for so long I forgot how nice it feels to have energy!!!
Here is the one and only picture of Christmas at our home.

So I'll just add that 2010 ended with a thunk and 2011 is shaping up to have quite a nice energy to it!
One of my favorite things to go with my blog is show my ideas-projects-creations... well  2011 won't have as many of the craft projects as I would like! 
Especially these first 3 months.  Remember me talking about taking a room a week to organize, clean, pack and get ready?   Why on earth I started with the garage is beyond me.  CERTAINLY it is not done... but here are a couple of before pics:

and now a ... so far picture:

Well last week was the laundry room.  THANK HEAVENS, because I had zero energy...it is the smallest room in the house...
so really this is the before and after pic (honest, I did go through the cabinets)  all that is left to do is repaint.  (ALL hahahaha)

yep, 2011 is going to be full of excitement, work, trouble, worry, wedding, packing, stress and change.

are you ready for all my moaning and groaning and whining and complaining????

... hope so, cuz I'm going to need a couple of friends!

Wednesday Wisdom

A good conscience is a continual Christmas.

-- Benjamin Franklin

The Meep Face Christmas

You know how you get when your feeling sad  and your face gets all sad, but you don't want to let on.  Your mouth gets in a funny frown position, your eyes bulge out trying to keep the tears in...
We call this the meep face.
Mostly when you watch a sad movie like Beaches, or Dan in real life, or Martian Child... or any Mandy Moore movie.

Well this was a Meep face Christmas.
We didn't have any kids around till late Christmas day when Craig the oldest showed up.
I had a miserable cold.  still do.sniff sniff cough cough
Lauren and Will had to put their dog down, the day before Christmas.  Will had had Ryker for 11 years.  He was a wolf.  This was a very sad day.
and Will was sick with some infection that he couldn't even hold Carson
and Carson was sick (I got to hear all about that by phone)
and well it was just a meep Christmas. Lots of feeling sad and you know, sadder
But now it's over and we are onto a new year full of possibilities!.. and LOTS of changes.

(now in a happier note) I wanted to show you pictures of what Will and Lauren go through every Sunday, for three hours.... (look at it like a slide show... rapid, fast..  for three hours.)  wiggle wiggle, squirm, squirm, arch the back and LET ME DOWN..

hahah this little guy is giving them a run for their money!!!
he's so cute ... I miss them all
meep meep meep