WARNING: I am grumpy...just a little

Just letting you know up front.....

Today has consisted of what most days consist of lately...CLEANING. Someone had the decency to give me 24 hours notice on seeing the house today at 1:00. ...so I I cleaned for 2 hours this morning...while chatting on the phone with my sister...which made it not so bad. Thank you Dora for those precious hours. Our call got lost and I noticed I had missed 2 calls. So...I check my messages...and ....OFCOURSE....
"Hi, I am so and so ..wondering if I could bring my client to see your house 5 minutes ago?..or maybe in 3 seconds..whatever works best for you....???
Whatever...she really said around 10:00. So, I run to the nearest clock...it reads 10:20. CRAP!!!
So, I quickly call her and say..I need at least a half hour more...I still needed to vacuum the whole house...sweep and take out trash. She agrees and I am like a mad woman running through the house trying to be ready to leave in 30 mins... Thank you Dora again, and the episode about Swiper's birthday party that my girls had never seen and were glued to the TV.
SEth is running behind at this point...and is still home working...but needing to leave. I tell him to shower now..or we will have to start charging for these walk throughs..:)
The girls and I jump in the car and head off to drop books off at the library and be back in 25 mins, so Seth can leave. Literally just down my street, my phone beeps that I have a message.
" Hi there, I spoke with you earlier...yah...we aren't going to be able to make it today...my client's husband's car broke down and she has to go meet him....sorry for making you clean , but I guess you had to clean anyway, since you have that 1:00 showing."
I am pissed. I repeated her message outloud as I fumed. Then Ella pipes up with:
"Mom...isn't that so sad?"
ME: Yes....I can't believe I rushed all around for NOTHING.!!!!!
Ella: That is just so sad..Mom....
me: I know!!! today sucks!
Ella: I am so sorry that that lady's car broke down...that never happens to us..we are lucky.
DING! DING! DING! I was shaken from my selfish, wo is me, poor attitude by my wise and wonderful 4 yr old. Thanks Ella!
but I am still a little grumpy..... we got out of the house at 1:00..Seth had the car so we were taking the 2 foot express with the double stroller...in 106 degree heat.... We only made it around the corner to Michele's house where she let us in and gave us water and let us hang till the kid's bus came at 2:00!!! Phew! thank goodness for friends!
Then...we walked home to find that THEY NEVER EVEN SHOWED UP!!!!!!
This is life right now...but thanks to Ella, I can realize it could be worse...and we are blessed, even when things seem crappy. I need to focus on the little bits of goodness here and there...
thank goodness i get some girl time tonight!! woohoo!!!...I think that will help!

We're back!

We made it! 4 states later...we are home. I must say, that after most vacations I am ready for home...ready for my bed and just ready for our regular routine. ( mostly I just like walking around in my underwear!) This time, I was sad to leave...and wasn't looking forward to coming home. I think alot of that may have to do with the fact that I was sick for a full week while there...like in bed all day sick. I wasn't looking forward to the constant cleaning and showing of the house either! ( 3 times so far today!)
I was really looking forward to having lots of time to see all my friends and family...with no big rush. That did not happen...I missed a few friends even!
It was great to see extended family and good friends that I miss so much.... love you guys!!!....and a big thank you to all that helped with my kids while I was sick.
So, here we are.....got back Sunday night....the kids started school Monday morning! Can't say we didn't make the most of our summer!
Back to showing the house,homework, piano, scouts, baseball, soccer...all the regular life things. As hectic as it has been so far....I realize that I love Arizona...and I really don't want to live anywhere else.
It feels like we have been gone longer than 3 weeks......we have a lot of catching up to do.

Feel free to stop by......but I may be in my underwear....:)

luke's race video

Check out Luke's backstroke............ in his speedo......so cute.

Luke & Hope Summer Swim Meet

Well, we have come a long way from holding onto the lane lines mid race and the realization that your first year on swim team may mean you will lose a few races..... We told our teary eyed kids after the first meet when they wanted to quit...that this season was about getting better and improving over the summer. We wanted them to work hard and see if they could improve their times over the course of the summer.
They spanked their old times!!!!
Luke improved 20 seconds in his 50yd free, 7 seconds in the backstroke and 9 seconds in his 50 breaststroke!!!!
Hope swam 33 seconds in the 25 butterfly ( her first time racing this one....finishing 2nd in her race) She went 3 second faster in her 25 breaststroke and she got 2nd place in her backstroke race!!!!

We are sooooo proud of them...for sticking with it and improving so much. Way to go Luke and Hope!!!!

Will they swim for Canada or the USA in the Olympics???? hmmm............

Check them out: Hope is in the pink bathing suit in lane 3.

Miss

Okay - twice already this week,( and it is only Tuesday.) random people have referred to me as Miss....
I flat out told the cutie at Fry's, that " I love that you just called me that!"
he said it again.....and one more time.

Today, I was driving away into the carwash ...and I had no reply.

What does that mean anyway, ..............Miss?
Seth thought it meant unmarried. I thought it meant young.... What do you think?
I think I am going to go with....

Miss ="You look naturally beautiful without any make up on today....and that no shower today look is working for you, baby!"

Happy Canada Day

It's is my country's birthday today....woo hoo!!!

Some very cool unknown person put a whole bunch of mini Canadian flags all around our front yard - so cool...that just made my day!

Ofcourse I wish I was home...to eat some good back home food....and hang with my peeps...but oh well. The kids and I sang "Oh Canada" and we will make out traditional maple leaf/marijuana shaped sugar cookies in a bit! ( the cookie cutter is getting warped!)

We should totally watch Strange Brew tonight too.

I have the best sister

She listens to all my crap
She knows me better than anyone
she loves me anyway :)
She used to hold my hand through my crib
she protected me

I know she has my back
no matter what
she is a good example
she is a generous soul

and to top it all off...she found the best herbal tea to make ice tea out of that tastes sorta like the real thing and gave it to me. (sorry people.....I miss it!!!!!...it could be worse, we could be brewing our own beer or something!)
I can't stop drinking it. really....

today I am grateful for my sister Michele

love ya sista!!! oxoxoxoxoxoxo