Decorate Your Soul »

Flashback Friday: St. Patty’s Day Celebration

May 3, 2013 – 6:07 am

In March, the girls and I hosted a lickety split 1-hour St. Patrick’s Day celebration with some of our neighborhood girls. I’m always a little bit snickering at the 1-hour parties, but they are fun and we love to plan them!

With a quick visit to Dollar Tree, you come out armed with plenty of supplies- this time, we went crazy on the colorful balloons and made a (very small) balloon wall to take silly photos by.

We love to play the Solo-cup stack it game (I took it off a minute-to-win-it post somewhere in blog-land) anytime, anywhere. Give us a bag of Solo cups and get your timer ready! We did this game for one of our family nights in December, so it’s a quick game that everyone can do with some ease:

I swiped this cute rainbow craft idea off Pinterest (imitation is the best form of flattery, right?!) (I have zero creative juices since Pinterest joined my life)- it was pretty easy, but if you want to do it at home, make sure you use large brads:

What’s a Shamrock Day party without rainbow cupcakes?? Mm-hmm, that’s what I’m saying!

The girls and I had a great time making them earlier that morning. I think I took a picture of my cake batter and put it on my instagram. That was a fun sight, too.

Fun was had by all-and most importantly – by the planning committee I love my girls.

By Susie | Posted in Crafty, Flashbacks, Friends | 6 comments Hide Comments | add a comment

Carol -

Love it!!
rachel marquette -

so much fun! that was the best 1 hour party ever! love the rainbow ballon wall – might have to borrow that for an upcoming birthday party.;) what would we do without pinterest?!
Elizabeth -

Fun! : )
Jenn B -

How fun! i LOVE the cupcakes.
Jill -

Ah, next year… We’ve done Valentines and May Day, but there has been so much excitement with new babies and big news around St. Patrick’s day lately You are one creative mama!
Mary Jo -

How fun!!!

SMH Moments

April 26, 2013 – 12:06 pm

Do you ever have those moments when you find yourself in disbelief of a situation? I like to call them SMH Moments- or “Shaking my Head Moments.” Things that really happen in my life where I’m not necessarily annoyed, but I can’t really do anything about it either. You have to just go with it, I guess. Here’s 10 recent SMH Moments that I thought of while cooking dinner the other night (anyone else come up with blog topics while cooking dinner?):

1. Going for a hopeful 3-mile walk with my 6-year-old and at .26 miles (we are talking 3 minutes into the walk)- she trips and falls and scraped up her right hand. There was blood. SMH.

2. Buying a “just right” avocado to eat for lunch on the same day and forgetting about it once you get home. Don’t worry, I ate it three days later, by shaving off three brown speckled stuff. SMH.

3. Last fall, I was contacted by a raffle winner to book her daughter’s senior photos from a session I donated in 2007. 5+ years she held onto that thing! SMH.

4. Found in basement- the remainder of a BRAND NEW gift wrap roll undone and written on the back by a newly turned 8-year-old promoting a neighborhood party. I love her heart, BUT it was my gift wrap! SMH.

5. Oldy, but goody: My German teacher reminding me all too often that he had a dog named Susie. Really?! SMH.

6. The junk drawer. SMH.

(Andy is currently rolling his eyeballs out of his sockets on this one)

7. When you go out of your way to buy a box of new wide-mouthed Ball mason jars only to discover at home (in the basement, locked away for all eternity, I think), eight (8!), brand new ones that would have done the trick. SMH.

8. Clicking over to a super-cute sassy dress shown on Pinterest only to find out it costs- ready for this– $1,950.00! True story. SMH.

9. I’m still scraping frost off my truck window at 7:30 in the morning. SMH.

10. When your facebook ads really are tailored to what is being searched on your computer. In this case- lawnmowers. Andy is officially banned from using my desktop. SMH.

…

Do you have a few SMH moments from this week to share? Ready, go!

By Susie | Posted in SMH Moments | 3 comments Hide Comments | add a comment

Suzi -

So…..did you let her book the senior pictures??!! That one really had me SMH!!
Susie -

Suz- I had already moved THREE times before she contacted me, haha! I had to say no!
Jenee -

Sooooo funny!

Ten on Tuesday

April 23, 2013 – 11:25 am

1. Ooh, ooh. I love spring days in Ohio where it actually feels like spring- 60 degrees, sunshine and light blue skies. I even hear birds chirping! They like it, too!

2. The YMCA closed down by my house, it’s where I’ve been working out for the past 8 months. It’s all of 5 feet from my door, so I’m adjusting to the new norm- a 15 minute drive to workout. Boo.

3. The girls doing state testing this week, which means summer break is just AROUND THE CORNER. And I am so looking forward to lazy mornings. I think they are, too.

4. We have found the best brownie recipe, EVER. Run over here and copy Cook’s Illustrated Classic Brownie Recipe down. Then buy the list of ingredients and get yourself baking. YOU CAN THANK ME LATER. Oh, here’s the link again.

5. Andy has been busy chopping down the Magic Forrest which makes up about half of our backyard. I think he just likes to use the chainsaw really. Either way, he’s opening our yard up for more… grass.

6. I have quite a few posts from March and April I need to put up over here. One of them includes rainbow balloons!

7. These are my 2-year-old cats. They love each other so and between the hours of 1-2pm, they can usually be found napping on our glider.

(iPhone pic)

8. I have seen this running around Pinterest lately, decided to give it a go. The bloggers that have actually made suggested putting the dressing on the bottom, since it kind of makes everything soggy. So I decided to just leave it out and add it in when I throw my salad in a bowl to eat. They turned out so pretty

9. I have taken the last week and a half off from running. The ball of my foot was burning after a 6-miler last week and now the heel is just plain old achy when I stand up. 1. I don’t like running related injuries that sideline me. 2. I don’t like running related injuries. Arg.

10. I guess that’s all I have for right now… happy Tuesday, friends!

By Susie | Posted in Uncategorized | 3 comments Hide Comments | add a comment

nicki -

So good to find your blog! ^^^^ That is the address to my blog I did for a few years. Then I got my iPhone. . I know, bad. I am adding you to my blog list . Those salads look yummy!!!
Urban Wife -

Cook’s Illustrated always has the best recipes! Those brownies sound divine.

Sorry to hear about your foot! I hope it heals quickly.

And yay for spring!
rachel marquette -

yeah for a blog update! I have never met a brownie that I didn’t like. Your girls are so cute, can’t wait to see the full rainbow. Salad looks yummy – I love chickpeas & beets (i don’t see those in yours) in my salads.

Reflections from a Runner

April 16, 2013 – 5:28 am

The news yesterday of two bombs going off near the finish line at the Boston Marathon has truly upset me. This was a senseless act of evil- like TOO MANY in our recent American history. I just don’t understand it. I am seriously grieving for a community of people I do not know, yet do know. They are runners, more elite than me, but we share something important– similar goals and desires to cross that finish line.

I will tell you one thing about the finish line that too many folks were robbed of yesterday. The finish line does not represent one race. It represents many miles, many hours, and so many days of dedication to a sport that some do not understand. I have learned that running is about commitment, it is about determination and about becoming stronger, not just physically, but mentally. Running has become not only a journey in many peoples’ lives, but it becomes a way of life.

This morning I am pulling out my La Jolla Half-Marathon tee to wear, to celebrate the running community coming together to support the Boston Marthoners of yesterday. I ran my first half-marathon in 2008, encouraged by a couple of my San Diego friends who stepped out to do it as well. Not only did I spend four months training for that beast (at mile 6, runners are welcomed by the most daunting hill in San Diego), but I crossed that finish line with tears of joy. Because that feeling of accomplishment is personal. It’s personal for every. single. runner.

I can say that I am still signing up for half-marathons since that sunny day in April so many years ago. The community that surrounds runners is the same, a network of encouragement, of celebration, and of victory. We work hard to log those miles, to cross that finish line. Boston runners- my heart goes out to you and I support you and I am thinking of you and all those directly effected by this cowardice act. We are stronger together and I hope and pray that yesterday will not hold you back from future races, that you will not draw a line in your journey, but that this action prompts you to keep logging those miles, to become stronger and more valiant. I believe the recovery day signifies a day to come together as a running community and say, you will not knock us down, because we will get up and run on. Together.

By Susie | Posted in Runner's Heart | 4 comments Hide Comments | add a comment

Robin -

This was beautifully written and will touch and help many hearts. You open the eyes of the non runner as well and I hope it is viewed by all. Thank you.
Urban Wife -

Well written and thanks so much for sharing.
Marie -

I am heartbroken in a whole new way. I will keep running for them.
Krista Hunt -

I just love your heart.

Ten on Tuesday

February 26, 2013 – 6:48 am

1. Ah, Tuesday morning. It’s nice and quiet this morning with a day ripe full of possibility and a long to-do list.

2. We are at the beginning of our journey to paint every last wall, baseboard and ceiling in this house. I would like to think of it as the 10 week project. Talk to me in May, and I’ll let you know if we were successful…

3. Andy and I had a tough time choosing a new neutral for our walls– in fact, we bought 9 small samples, and he wound up mixing a darker greige with a lighter greige for the color we actually chose. Case in point:

3. I saw a really cool shot outside the other evening with the full moon so I ran out with my mom bag camera. But it had the wrong lens and the I found myself uninterested in going down to the basement for the right type to seek out the shot. This goes against the part of me that likes to promote keeping your camera at a convenient spot to grab when the shot is happening. I need to regain the practice what I preach.

4. Lauren made a short grocery list for me yesterday- I was busy washing dishes and she needed something to do (because that’s how off days sometimes work around here, she becomes my little shadow)… and she got to work as I called out items. I wish I could have the video portion of her sounding out these words, thinking about word families she already knows. She’s come a long way in just a short time, I’m so overjoyed by her hard work and interest in reading and writing! This is, I think, going to be on a wall in the near future (after I paint the kitchen):

(I also love that she sometimes plural nouns need an apostrophe…) (This melts my kindergarten-teaching- loving-heart)

5. I received a package of 9 yards of Riley Blake fabrics last week to start Lauren’s bedspread/quilt. All I have been able to do with it is take a picture and pet it. There are chevrons and polka dots int he bunch, I cannot even wait to get this project going. If you want some quick service and a great selection of charming printed fabrics, head over to Desiree’s shop at Whimsy Quilts

6. I think I mentioned earlier this year that I am learning how to swim the freestyle, or the front crawl. I have actually been somewhat successful at this, just in time to hear that the YMCA where we currently have a membership and is located around the corner from our house, will be closing its doors for the swim team to come in and take over. I am excited for the swim club to finally acquire a facility so we don’t drive all over God’s creation, but the selfish part of me was really enjoying swimming regularly. So boo.

7. I still have yet to receive any good groupon announcements in my email box. I am going to give them one more week and then, they are cut off if I don’t find anything remotely enticing.

8. We have zero houseplants. This is the house that plants come into to die. I just need to remember that when spring starts to perk up a bit more and I am drawn to the garden department in Home Depot. SOMEone, please, please keep me accountable to not walk over where the pretty flowers that will likely smile their pretty pinks and say, I want to come home with you. Nope. Not happening, honey.

9. Have you tried quinoa yet? If not, jump on the bandwagon- I found the easiest way to make it is add a cup of quinoa to your rice cooker, with two cups of water and turn that thing on. Then, find an easy recipe and mix it all together. Yum, yum, yum. Healthy! Filling! Tasty!

10. I better go get my run on to jumpstart this day. Happy Tuesday, friends!

By Susie | Posted in Ten on Tuesday | 4 comments Hide Comments | add a comment

Mary Jo -

I have found a few good local groupons, but then chicken out when I go to buy them
Love Lauren’s list.
Holly -

I don’t know…Andrew tells me THIS is the house in which plants come to die! I cannot keep them alive… The sad part is, I keep trying.
Anel -

I like to add a packet of Knorr Vegetable Mix to the Quinoa. I know I could go fresh but sometimes a packet requires no thinking or time chopping.
Gina -

Happy Belated Tuesday, Susie! Hello! just checking in

Valentine Party

February 21, 2013 – 7:01 am

The girls and I got to thinking while we were making Valentines that it would be fun to have a Valentine party for our neighbor friends. I checked out our calendar, and Saturdays happened to be very heavy with swim meets this month, and Sundays were equally as unforgiving, so we opted for a quick one hour party on a Monday afternoon. Perfect amount of time to get our hearts crafts on! Each of the girls made an invitation and placed them in our friends’ mailboxes. I love that part of it.

We made a list of things to do at our hour-long party: decorate cupcakes, have a balloon volley party, pin the arrow on Cupid, and decorate a wooden frame. All doable.

High on the priority list for me, was capturing a blowing hearts kiss idea that I swiped from pinterest (where has pinterest been all my life, I do not know, but I am better for it, I say! Imitation is the finest form of flattery!). Sarah worked on getting all the hearts cut up and I placed them on our wall with painter’s tape (I highly recommend painter’s tape for all temporary things going on the wall. Love that stuff). The result for each of our attendees was a sweet picture to put in their decorated frame:

Decorating on a budgest is super easy- cut a few plastic table cloths from the Dollar Tree and drape them from the ceiling. Magical. Cheap. And again, pinterest rocks.

(Just make sure you are certain to cut along the length of the table cloth before you chop that bad boy in half, like I did. At least there is packing tape to fix those errors. Hey, I’m human! It was ONLY an hour long party!

Cupcakes prepped and ready for decoration!

There was the pin-the-arrow-on-Cupid’s heart game:

And our favorite for ANY occasion- balloon volley! Even Tuesday nights when you have ten extra minutes

Oh! Hey look, I was there, too (pardon the dirty mirror, that’s how we roll sometimes):

It was a lovely hour had by all, I think we’re all looking forward to the Shamrock party now

By Susie | Posted in Ashleigh, Crafty, Friends, Lauren, Sarah | 4 comments Hide Comments | add a comment

Jill -

Love these ideas, Susie And, I agree… invites are the BEST part. Love your picture idea too. I think I will steal it for another time. I giggle though, that after our fun at Valentines, I think a Shamrock party would be really fun. With BALLOONS, which I neglected for Valentines. You rock. [Oh, and tell me you wore your red shoes...]
Tree -

FUN! How about a hour easter party? I’ll help!
Nicole RussellWillis -

SUCH fun!! I love all the photos!! That looks like a blast! I think you have inspired me to have a shamrock party!
Urban Wife -

That looked like such a fun party! I especially loved the blowing kisses wall. Pinterest wins again.

Ten on Tuesday

January 31, 2013 – 6:27 am

10.

By Susie | Posted in Ten on Tuesday | 2 comments Hide Comments | add a comment

Susie -

Ah, 10. Didn’t make it:

10. I was so saddened to hear on the news that Barnes and Noble is going to shut down more of their stores. We so enjoy going there for a hot drink and perusing the aisles of books, settling into a oversized chair and taking in a good read quietly with soft elevator-like music playing. The girls and I will often go and read a few stories in the children’s section, too on off days, too. But I must add, that by treating B&N more like a library than a store has perpetuated the problem of the company not making the money they need to to keep their stores afloat. So anyway, a bit of guilt and sadness was left resonating in me.
Sigh.
Urban Wife -

I have to try brussels sprouts with the orange flavor. Sounds amazing!

Sorry about your goose egg. :/ I know all to well about walking into inanimate objects and acquiring bruises.

Online presence…whew, that’s a good one and so tricky. For me, it’s baby steps. Example: put my phone in another room while my husband and I are watching a movie on the couch. It’s not easy but what did I do before having a smartphone? Exactly.

That Trip to Buffalo

January 25, 2013 – 8:44 am

Last weekend, the weather cooperated and I was able to drive to see my sweet friend Carol who was visiting her hometown of Buffalo. I put on my adventure hat (and Joan of Arctics!) and set out.

I *heart* New York, even if it’s just the state and not the “city.”

Besides hanging out, the only other request I had was to get authentic Buffalo Wings! Well, she took me to her favorite sports bar and we had chicken tenders (or something similar without bones, anyway, it’s really about the sauce on those “Buffalo wings,” right?) and cheered on the hometown team. Oh wait, they weren’t playing, but that’s okay! A sports bar crowd always finds someone to root for!

It was snowing, because besides Buffalo Wings and sports, Buffalo is also known for snow, didn’t you hear?

Oh that’s right, we were cheering for the Raven’s because New Yorkers don’t like New England (or something). Yea Ravens! Are you laughing at my part-time sports fan-ship?

Oh look! It’s me WITH my Carol! I told the gal taking our picture to hold her breath, the shutter was so SLOW! She did a good job! And I’m laughing at my head being so big. Always.

We had an adventure looking for Kahlua for Sarasota Night. An aside: Carol’s husband deployed for a couple of months last winter and we would get together once a week at Edwards and try new mixed drinks. We first tried the Sarasota- it is a mix of Moscato, raspberry lemonade concentrate and crushed raspberries, but we never had it again, but have since called our get together nights “Sarasota Night.” We even have bling bling shirts with our girlfriend Kenley. Kahlua was for a favorite-of-ours drink.

So back to searching for Kahlua. Apparently there is a law in New York about buying liquor in a bona fide liquor store. Bona fide liquor stores are not open at 7:45pm on Sunday evenings in Buffalo. We tried- three to be exact. But if you need beer or wine, then you can get some at the market. So, Wegman’s came through with a moscato/strawberry mix drink & chocolate… And home we went for the Buffalo version of Sarasota Night. With Gigi, Carol’s mama-in-law

And apparently, you cannot have a Sarasota night without me talking about how awesome my kitties are, for which a cat youtube video always makes an appearance and here is Gigi watching it. Just like old times.

I’m seriously a dork.

Sorry, Gigi for making you watch the video. But there was wine and chocolate

And plus, I’m adopting Gigi, she’s adorable.

My socks were cold in Buffalo, so I warmed them up using the floor vent.

Further proof of my weirdness.

Anywho, we got one full day together and Carol took me to the local spots for the best rolls on earth and sponge candy!

Here is Costanzo’s- when you walk in, wafts of fresh bread hit you and all you can do is succumb to eating one as soon as you get your hands on it. I’m dreaming in french rolls now.

Then Carol told me to kiss the baker. And not three seconds later, the lady behind the secret window came out and told me to “LIKE!” Costanzo’s on Facebook! We know you’re watching us Costanzo’s!

Did I mention there was snow in Buffalo? I thought it would be fun to make hearts on peoples’ car windows. Share the love

Our next stop was the candy shop for some sponge candy. Another friend at Edwards is from the upstate region and made a special request for this candy. We got a free sample while we were there and then, I had to bring a bag home. I cannot even tell you the last time I went into a candy shop. This was a cute one- ti’s called Wahl’s, and you can also “LIKE!” them on Facebook.

Apparently, that’s a big thing in Buffalo.

Did I mention there was snow? Of course, as I type this, Dayton is being hit with some more beautiful white stuff floating down from the heavens, but Buffalo was exactly as I had imagined she would be in January: blustery, cold and snowy. I’m so glad she didn’t disappoint.

And it didn’t really matter anyway, I just came to visit with my Carol friend. If you have a friend that you can pick up with like no time has passed, then you have yourself a gem. And friends, that’s what Carol is – a gem of a friend!

With doll-like feet

P.S. There IS such a thing as lake effect snow. I had to come home on Tuesday since Andy had to like, you know, go back to work, and I got to experience lake effect snow first hand on the Thruway back to Ohio. This is a shot I took going about 20mph where there was not a road to be seen but this blessed Loomis truck in front of me. I just kept following Loomis with his flashing hazard lights. Loomis may have very well been Jesus clothed in metal.

By Susie | Posted in Adventures | 4 comments Hide Comments | add a comment

Carol Boersma -

Best blog post EVER!! Love it!! I am so glad to have found my gem too! Thank you for coming all the way out here and hanging with me!! You are the best!! Miss you!
Urban Wife -

You make me laugh.

#1: I’m now craving buffalo sauce (just not chicken).
#2: And some of those Costanzo’s rolls on the side.
#3: I want your snow boots. Too bad I would never use them in Texas.

I’m so happy you had such a lovely time with your friend. Friends are hard to come by the older we get, just something I’ve noticed in my short life.
Nancy Day -

With that weather, I would follow someone too.
Tree -

Love this blog. your head is not big!.

Be Still.

January 18, 2013 – 7:43 am

Do you ever feel a shift is coming? A move in one direction or the other?

This is me this week. What is it? What will the next season bring, I keep thinking? I have had this restless feeling this past week, something is around the corner and I don’t know what it is.

I guess if I need to pinpoint it, I am feeling restless and unsettled. I am not certain what the future holds for us, and it’s kind of driving me batty this week. I can move in one direction to start applying for jobs, or wait until I hear about a possible summer move. Both leave me feeling restless because I want to move on with this, get our life in a perfect rhythm.

And this tiny voice keeps reminding me, “Be still.”

No, I’m not even lying when I say I keep hearing this and seeing the statement. Same one. Be still.

In that simple statement, God is reminding me of Psalm 46:10, “Be still and know that I am God.”

It is coming up in forms of tattoos on people.

In my morning devotion.

In a weekly memory verse.

In verses my mom shares via text.

In necklaces that are for sale.

No, I am not searching for them. They are popping up on my screen, I tell you.

I want to say, “Lord, I hear you!”

And then I move on to the next thing.

And the weighty issue of it all is that I am not doing.

Many years ago, I took Spanish in college. Trust me, it was not a glorious experience, but I lasted three quarters, if only to check that bad boy off my undergrad requirements. I am remembering though, this morning, the day that the instructor, bless his heart, tried to instill into us that “be” was not only an article in the sentence connecting thoughts of the noun, but also a verb. And what followed was a conversation of how “be” could be represented in numerous ways in sentences. I think I tuned out the rest of that hour, but Holy smokes Batman! I know what a verb is! Be is a verb!

That’s ACTION!

And yet being still is not what I necessitate as action. I think of still waters collecting and pooling in an area. Not an “action.”

I think of the calm serenity of fresh snow outside as being still and quiet. But no action.

But the action requested at the time has me not moving in any one direction. The pull and need for me to go forward is not one that is warranted. That is of me. That whole thought of wanting to find our perfect rhythm??

Um, no, Susie. That’s still of you.

The action of sitting and waiting and listening- and maybe even leaning in to hear from Him, that is the action requested.

Why is that so hard for me to do? It’s the simplest thing, right?

Be STILL.

BE still.

Be still and know that I am God.

Okay, Lord, I’m giving you the reins on this one. And I’m working on less action. Less of me. More of you.

By Susie | Posted in Uncategorized | 7 comments Hide Comments | add a comment

jill -

Right there with you… in a season of learning that sometimes stillness, much as I want to resist it, is the only place there is. And, learning that trusting that what unfolds will be the right thing. Someone said to me this week, “Whoa, that is big stuff, and you might feel like you’re in charge. But God is in charge. You might feel like the ball is in his court, but really, it’s in his.” I feel a little like the first grader who wants to steal the ball back sometimes
Lori -

Oh gosh! How well I understand that! We are living in limbo here and as content as I profess to be where I am, I can’t help but wish I knew what the future held!
Missy -

That’s the theme of my women’s bible study this winter. Being still:)
Lori -

ok, you just need some more coffee (with me!) Seriously, though, “be still” He is trying to tell you something, and I suppose it has nothing to do with coffee
Krista Nash -

Good for you for realizing He’s communicating and for trying to follow His instructions. Sounds like you already know you are acting when you are being still. Notice that the verse doesn’t say you’ll be happy about having to be still. Perhaps you can view it as God’s gift to you, the opportunity to be still. Embrace it. Enjoy it. Use the time not to worry, but to trust. By being still, it will allow you the proper tools to know where and how to move forward. As a mother, I know there’s enough going on in the day to day life that you can never truly be still. So focus your energies there and maybe you won’t feel so restless??? Good luck. My thoughts are with you and I am excited to learn what the direction will be.
Urban Wife -

One of my favorite verses! Praying for you, friend!

~Iradis
Heather Estridge -

thanks for this word! what i needed to hear today too!

Ten on Tuesday

January 16, 2013 – 5:48 am

1. Let’s kick this Ten on Tuesday post off with a recipe! Go to this link here and make these Triple Chocolate Chunk Muffins without delay. They are delicious and noone in the family knew they had applesauce or greek yogurt in them (snicker, snicker).

2. This after I hadn’t had any chocolate for over a week. What? Yes, true story, a week without my favorite things: Chocolate, Coffee, Oreos.

3. Why you ask? I joined a new women’s study on Sunday mornings. The group is reading through Jen Hatmaker’s book Titled, “7: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess.” The author basically challenges herself (and family (and friends) to evaluate areas of their own lives that have become excessive and scale down in a Christ-like manner. The first week we read about was food. The ladies in our group chose 7 foods we could eat, and in mine, coffee was not one of them. Or chocolate. Or oreos.

4. Apparently, I do know the real deal food groups when it comes to sustaining life.

5. After a beautiful weekend of spring-like weather, we are enjoying winter temps again. It’s so cold, I want to hide my nose in my coat when I put the garbage in the bin outside.

6. A few months ago, I joined this website that offers groupons. They faithfully send me emails and I faithfully delete them. Everyday! I have yet to find one that “fits” my liking.

7. So I totally dropped the ball on book club this month and had the wrong week in my head. So. I only just finished the book “The Birth House” by Ami McKay. Hey- two thumbs up for anyone looking for a good Winter read. I’m so afraid the gals are going to kick me out, that I’m already halfway through next month’s book (The Year of Fog by Michelle Richmond).

8. Noteworthy- This is the first book I am reading willingly on my new mini iPad. Guess what? I’m not dying. I just dimmed the brightness on the screen and am doing okay with it. I do find myself missing the act of smelling the center of the book from time-to-time. I know, I know. Weird Susie.

9. We had two visits to the medical center last week- one for the unexplainable hives on my neck and the other for the girls to have their flu shots (or spray as the case may be). I couldn’t believe there were at least 55 people in the waiting room for the former.

10. I have taken up swimming this year. Well, I should say, I’ve been in the pool 3 times in a week and I am learning the freestyle stroke from my friend Lindsay. I figured my knees and plantar fascia aren’t going to hold up forever so I better have some alternative exercise ready to go when those give out. Here’s to reaching new goals for 2013!

By Susie | Posted in Ten on Tuesday, Uncategorized | 3 comments Hide Comments | add a comment

Carol Boersma -

Love the 10! Glad to hear that swimming is coming along!! Woot!! So glad to hear you are reading on the ipad…just keep a regular book near by in case you need a moment..LOL! I love weird Susie <3
Marie -

Hiding your nose in your coat? WHY would you need to do that when you have a handy dandy nose warmer??
Urban Wife -

Hope the swimming is going well! If not, it will get better – trust me.

Thanks for the muffin link (pinned) and also “The Birth House” recommendation. After reading the summary, it sounds like the perfect read for me right now.

Decorate Your Soul

Welcome

Flashback Friday: St. Patty’s Day Celebration

SMH Moments

Ten on Tuesday

Reflections from a Runner

Ten on Tuesday

Valentine Party

Ten on Tuesday

That Trip to Buffalo

Be Still.

Ten on Tuesday

Search