Beach

On the drive home from Disneyland we passed through San Diego (of course we did, that place is like a magnet for me). And you can't skip the beach if you are only 10 min away. Especially if Tater has never been to the beach. So, as the sun was setting over the horizon, the Bell family kicked off  their shoes and ran to the waves. And I alternated between taking photos and closing my eyes and tilting my head back to feel the sun and ocean breeze on my face.

Some day, SD, you will be the place where I live. You are already my home. With a long commute.

The Weekly Capture

adults only lunch // tater teething // Starbucks window art // artist intensity // flowers

Last weekend was my first non-working weekend and I'm loving the new schedule. The girls went to visit my mom for 2 nights, and the boy is never home anymore thanks to a thriving social life, so we spent 2 days kid free. Saturday we went grocery shopping and had a "Homeland Season 2" marathon, along with this simple lunch. Tried some Irish cheddar. Tasted more like swiss cheese, but there is nothing wrong with swiss cheese in my book.

Sunday we had our first family meal. We invited all the family and had enchiladas/beans/rice and chips and salsa/watermelon margaritas under the lights in the back yard. The weather is incredible here and we're trying to remember to eat outdoors more. It was great seeing everyone for a non-holiday get together. Looking forward to doing this once a month in 2014.

Otherwise, there was coffee and a chocolate caramel muffin shared with my mom followed by quiche for dinner (adults liked this, but not the kids). School routine is back in full force. Katie continues to draw. Mark gave me "make-up" flowers. 

Basically, life happened.

And that's just the way I like it.

Linking up with Jeannette at Life Rearranged.

Disneyland (Day 3)

Day 3 of Disneyland. Not as many pics. But lots of memories, for sure.

Faves of this trip include snow that smelled like cinnamon and nutmeg sitting on our hair, Tater's absolute excitement when she saw that Ariel doll, valet parking at Downtown Disney, World of Color Frozen edition, and of course, having all my peeps gathered up and spending time with me......

It was a really, really good trip.

The End.

Currently

eating:  a new meal last night. Quiche with ham and cheddar and sourdough bread. Grown ups liked, but not the kids. I know, shocking. 

wanting:  to sign up for the One Little Word class.

loving:  my new work schedule. I'll be working less weekends and shorter shifts, but an extra shift. Moved to working 4 8-hr shifts rather than 2 11-hr and 1 10-hr shift. Waiting for my sleep habits to adjust to an earlier bedtime. Had my first weekend off and hosted my first family dinner. It was great seeing everyone for a non-birthday, non-holiday reason. It just felt so relaxed. Looking forward to hosting one every month.

working:  on purging craft supplies and finishing old projects. So far I've finished December daily for 2011 and 2012 along with 4 other mini-books. Almost done with the 2013 December daily. 

feeling:  relaxed. And like being a homebody. 

reading:  still working on The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. I just can't seem to get into it.  But to be fair, I haven't taken time to read other than during work breaks. I spend more time reading blogs and IG and FB and playing Jelly Splash. Hmmm, I think I may have to do something about that......

watching:  Finished Season 1 of House of Cards. It's as good as they say. Almost done with Season 2 of Homeland. Not as good as season 1. Saw the movie Nebraska. Slow at times, but overall a good story. Feel good ending. Wanting to go see Her on Friday.

weather:  59 at noon. High of 70 and low of 45 and partly cloudy for today.

needing:  to let go of the spending money issues. We got in a HUGE medical bill and so we're trying to slow down all the fun spending we do every month. Man, it's hard. So, so hard. But it's doable. And it's not worth fighting over (yes, that's been happening too).
 
planning:  a getaway weekend for Mark's birthday. Can't wait to spend time alone with my hubby!

photo of my view while doing dishes. taken nov. 2013 in my kitchen.

Disneyland (Day 2)

 

Day 2 was spent at California Adventure.

It was a good day.

The Weekly Capture

Moments from the week:

renewed love for candles this holiday season // first view of the morning

 

organizing // technical difficulties

 

projects completed // me

 

project life on the brain

 

 

Lots of craft supply purging going on here. I have that twitch to clean and simplify. Let's see how long it lasts and how much I get done before the feeling fades!

 

And I'm determined to work on unfinished projects. Last night I finished Dec. Daily 2011 and 2012, Fall Break 2011, and 2 other mini-books. By finished, I mean I added a few items and called it good enough.  A December Daily with only 10 pages filled in is better than no December Daily. I still have a drawer full of loose photos and a box full of kids school projects that I need to put in a binder, so I have plenty to work on. And there's that December Daily for 2013 that I have not even started....

 

My new work schedule started this week. I'm taking a hiatus from working every weekend. I will still have to work 2 Saturdays and maybe a Sunday every month, but super excited to have some weekends off!

 

That's it for the week. Have a fabulous weekend!

 

Linking up with Jeannette at Life Rearranged.

 



 

L

Zoo

Sharing some family photos from November.

An afternoon at the Phoenix Zoo.

It still doesn't seem real that my baby boy has a baby.

And that photo with my husband, my baby boy, and my tater tot. Kills me.

Kills. Me.