Monthly Archives: January 2010

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Susie’s Top 5 Favorite Movies

January 29, 2010 – 10:35 pm

I don’t know if I have ever listed these here, but it’s worth mentioning, I think, in case my kids ever wanted to know or if Andy and I are every playing some couples’ game and it comes down to this. So here we go:

5. Tombstone: Some of the best one-liners I’ve ever seen in one movie. And then there’s the young version of Val Kilmer. Oh wait, that’s Top Gun. Why isn’t that on my list?

4. Cutting Edge: Toooooooe Pick

3. Good Will Hunting: Good dialogue between the characters; Matt Damon & Ben Affleck, I mean c’mon!

2. You’ve Got Mail: I could watch Meg Ryan and her cutie pie skirts & ballet flats over think and develop an interesting friendship with her archnemisis any day of the week

1. Beaches: Bette and Barbara were amazing as lifetime friends. It’s a tear jerker, but it gets me every time.

By Susie | Posted in Uncategorized | Comments (10)

Ten on Tuesday

January 26, 2010 – 7:25 pm

1. Every time I wear the combination grey, red and black, I feel romantic. Is romance a style of fashion design?

2. My SanDisk is giving me a headache. It’s going a little bit fritzy on me and I’m about to battle it out with my hammer.

3.  We’re getting closer and closer to one of my favorite Hallmark holidays- I can’t wait for February to decorate. Why do I make holiday decorating rules anyway?

4. Lolo and Sarah got an early start today while we had some paper out for Ashleigh’s shoebox project. Here’s Sarah’s creation that Lauren is holding up:

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5. Then it made me think that I could bend the rules… so I am updating my blog banners to reflect winter & Valentine’s Day. I hope I will remember to change them again when the March lions show up.

6. I haven’t been feeling 100% lately and after piano lessons for Sarah today, I just wanted SOMEthing warm to drink. I was really wishing for a drive-thru Starbucks, but, it’s 16 miles away. So I decided to give McDie’s mochas a second try. And guess what? I quite enjoyed it (GASP!).

Untitled-87. I have been finding myself putting “Safe” by Phil Wickham on repeat lately. I just read today that his song made it to #10 in the USA Today Christian Chart. Go check it out!

8. Andy applied to an internship program in DC right after graduation and this past Sunday, we found out out that he was accepted. Go Andy! With that of information,  we won’t be moving until the summer cycle. Mixed emotions from me, but the girls are over the moon excited  because they get to stay and finish off their school year and be part of the dance recital in June.

9. While I was at Target last week, I picked up the worst-ever designed dish soap bottle. The pink and grapefruit drew me in, but the bottle is awkwardly shaped making it difficult to hold and squeeze together. Be forewarned.

10. Here is a little sneak peak for my 5 card workshop on Friday evening. I have two more spots, so if you’re local and want to join in- e-mail me :)

_MG_4076-EditHave a blessed week!

By Susie | Posted in Ten on Tuesday | Comments (18)

Afternoon Piano Practice

January 26, 2010 – 5:58 pm

Sarah began learning how to play piano this past fall. She goes just once a week for a 1/2 hour one-on-one lesson and spends about 15 minutes each day here at home playing the notes from her song books. I regret that I didn’t take any video while she was practicing today, but it’s kind of cool to follow and document her concentration as she grows in this area.

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This is one of those things that impresses me- how musicians read music and PLAY it at the same time. I’m so proud of this girl- she’s doing it!

_MG_4047_MG_4053I’m especially thankful for the internet so when Sarah asks for help (read: I need a little help) finding where a key is (or a grand staff, a clef, etc. –foreign vocabulary for sure!), I can GOOGLE it and voilà- like magic, I can find a key on the piano.

Untitled-6Hard work will pay off for this little one- I’m sure of it. Sarah impresses us with how well she picks up  a variety of activities so quickly. I didn’t realize how happy she would be to finish the exercise- she kind of caught me off guard here- she must have known I was going to show you.

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By Susie | Posted in Uncategorized | Comments (7)

2 of 10 free things I love to do: Snuggle Bugs

January 22, 2010 – 10:23 pm

_MG_3921-EditOne of my favorite things to do with the girls doesn’t cost a dime- just my time. When a sweet request for “snuggle bugs” exits from a sweet little  girl around here, it’s hard not to resist.

“Mama, can we snuggle bug?”  says, Lolo, Ashleigh or Sarah.

Our favorite time to catch some snuggles together is in the morning after the bus picks up Sarah- so Ash and Lauren and I usually spend 5-15 minutes hanging out on the sofa watching Matt and Meredith. If you catch us later in the day, we might be under a blanket reading a story, but still snuggle bugging. Sometimes on the weekend, they crawl into bed and ask for snuggle bugs before we have to crawl out.

My heart melts. I love, love it. I love them.

Whatever you call it, it’s a special exchange that can only occur if you pause and take time to give and receive it.

By Susie | Posted in 10 Free Things I love | Comments (6)

Ten on Tuesday

January 19, 2010 – 9:33 pm

1. Are you praying for the nation of Haiti and survivors this week? Every news story results in two things around here: tears and prayer. I can’t speak for Andy, but I’m doing a lot of both.

2. There are many things that one can do, but if you are in a place and have the means, I encourage you to think about applying to host a child from Haiti coming to the US for medical attention. Thank you to Tina for this link: Angels Mission Haiti.

3. I was looking at a map that I have of the US today (it’s on a file folder) and then looked south and it pictures Cuba, but not as far south as Haiti. Then I thought, they should be pictured, they are apart of our country now-apart of our hearts.

4. One last thing about Haiti for tonight: We may not all be united here on views and policies and what nots, but you cannot deny that our country is 100% lucky to have the resources, aid, and amazing ability to reach out to neighboring countries. I don’t think I can remember another time in my life (aside from 9/11) that I was more proud to be an American. More thankful for this blessed nation.

5. Onto less important things- while I lay in bed last night, I heard (what sounded like) a child being smothered. And then freaked out and flew into the girls room only to find a zhu zhu pet got set off by my 6-year-old that had rolled over. New rule tonight: No zhu zhu pets in bed.

6. Ashleigh has become a big fan of The Princess Bride. I tried with all my might, but I still couldn’t get into it.

7. Sarah’s class was learning about penguins last week and she came home with a host of facts about real life Emperor Penguins. It’s been awhile since I did that much non-fiction learning so my knowledge kind of stunk on the subject and she pressed me and asked if she was smarter than an adult (me) because she knew everything about Emperor Penguins. Hmm. Maybe so, I thought.

8. The girls like to ditch their socks at every opportunity they get. The result is that friends and neighbors are collecting scattered socks around the city and Ashleigh has five pairs of socks. Total.

9. Last year we had zero calendars. This year, Andy bought me one (that he tracked down from Chicago, nice honey!), my sister designed a personalized one and Andy’s grandma sent us a wine themed one. We have three! When it rains, it pours!

10. The older girls have been escaping down to the basement to practice their roller skating moves- so much so that Andy took them to the local rink this past weekend. He said Ashleigh did really well, but does it surprise you? I mean, c’mon, her mama wanted to be a roller skating snowflake at Disneyland way back when.

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By Susie | Posted in Ten on Tuesday | Comments (14)

1 of 10 free things I love to do: Talking to Strangers

January 18, 2010 – 11:14 pm

(a meme from Carin that I will split into ten posts) (thank you Carin)

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I walk into Starbucks, order my favorite drink and think to myself- I wonder how the barista’s day is going?

So. I ask.

A typical start-up conversation might go something like this (feel free to replace barista with cashier, Apple store tech or postal carrier):

Me: Are you having a good day?

Barista: Well, yes I am!

Me: Good! Have you guys been very busy?
(this question might vary depending on how long the line is and my observations and the closeness of proximity the person behind me in line is)

Barista: Not too bad, getting a lot of organizing/cleaning/ stocking and what not done.

And then comes the life story.

In a two minute conversation with new friend Barista, I learn the place he grew up in, the team he competes for at the local college, and his ambitions for the next five – ten years (keep your eye out for a diver from Indiana in two years!)

I walk away learning more about some stranger than I would have had I not asked two questions to this face in front of me.

My mom has always said, “You can talk to anyone that wants to be talked to,” and I wholeheartedly believe that. I have had many conversations that have touched me because I opened my mouth with a smile and one question.

It’s the face of a wide-eyed dreamer moving to NYC to realize her dream. Twenty-two and more adventures than I can count ahead of her in her new apartment in the financial district.

It’s the work-at-home-mom taking the afternoon off to play at the mall that gives me insight to not freaking out about every. little. thing. And good news for my bathroom, she’s a shower cleaning expert.

It’s the UPS delivery guy that not only predicts weather and wears shorts through December, but also has let me know that he IS NOT, WILL NOT, and REFUSES to be Internet savvy. Still a nice guy, though.

It’s the beautiful pastor’s widow at Smashburger that splashed the town in green 9topped with a 1920’s style hat) and blessed me beyond words with her lease on life at 90-years-old.

I don’t always inquire about peoples’ days. Sometimes I’m too frantic to get onto my next place or corral the girls off to dance! piano! Awana!, but I always feel like my life is richer for having taken the time to learn about someone else. And  I take those conversations and opportunity to pray for those individuals that have passed through my life because I may never know them again, but I may meet them in Heaven. And wouldn’t it be some kind of cool if those faces that I got to share a smile with here were smiling back at me there?

See, talking to strangers isn’t so dangerous. Just use some discernment and step out of your box :)

By Susie | Posted in 10 Free Things I love | Comments (22)

Accessory or Necessary?

January 13, 2010 – 1:02 pm

In a recent post below, my friend Shannon pointed out that one of the great advantages of winter living is all the fun gear one gets to adorn during old months! This includes, but is not limited to: hats, gloves, coats, boots, earmuffs and scarves! I have collected quite a few of the latter since our stay here in Ohio- so many that it appears they won’t fit on one hanger anymore. I was teasing my sister last month when she put ’scarves’ on her Christmas wish list because from my own experience, scarves are an accessory in Southern California and now this colorful collection has become somewhat necessary! And bonus, they’re cute! If you wrap one around your neck just right, you can bend your neck and place your face into it as you walk in the cold. This enables me to keep my face warm from the cold air (which is awesome since wearing a nose warmer is kind of ridiculous by most people’s standards).

_MG_3796-EditEnd plug for necessary scarf wearing.

By Susie | Posted in Uncategorized | Comments (13)

Ten on Tuesday

January 12, 2010 – 10:22 pm

1.  To kick off this post,I thought I would post a picture of one reality of living where the snow is: It would be nice to have a mud room. Just keeepin’ it real.

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2. I love to sit here and work and listen to Taylor Swift on Pandora. She and Colbie Caillat are topping my list of replays lately. But. Commercials?!

3. By the way, I know someone wants to throw popcorn at the screen when I say this, (whispering) but I’m not that big of a fan of Will Ferrell. I really feel like I gave him a fair try, but I just can’t get into his movies.

4. My first children’s book that I bought during my credential year for my classroom is called Animalia by Graeme Base. The combination of exquisite alliteration, vocabulary and illustrations… It continues to be one of our favorite books to pour over.

5. Lauren was heading down to the basement this afternoon and before she opened the door to where her sisters were, she knocked, paused and pressed the pretend doorbell. And said “Dingbell!” It was awesomely cute.

6. New favorite pop it in treat: chocolate covered cranberries. Who knew anything other than raisins covered by delicious, melt in your mouth chocoalte would be good? Although, cranberries and raisins are kind of like the same but different colors, right?

7. Do you have a favorite color? I have always thought lavender was it for me. Then I found myself greatly attracted to red. And lately, I’m a little bit of an orange addict. But not to wear. Just to admire from afar.

8.  A special thanks to The Trifecta because I recently learned that my favorite girl’s book series is being rereleased. Just in time, too, since Sarah is reading them like they are going out of style (which is ironic, because they have been out of print and already went out of style).

9. Andy bought himself a remote control helicopter last week. So what I’m saying is, he’s procrastinating his thesis. And I’m no longer getting pelted with Nerf  gun darts.

10. I declare this my photo for the week… my dear friend Susy and I at last week’s barn (she and her family had their winter pictures taken, aren’t they cute?). This girl is a giver. She makes me want to be a more thoughtful and caring friend. Thank you, Jesus, that you bring amazing friends into my life wherever I move.

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By Susie | Posted in Ten on Tuesday | Comments (7)

That Magical Thing called Winter

January 11, 2010 – 10:06 pm

If you caught me trudging the girls into preschool last Wednesday (hi Tracy), you would have seen my bad attitude rearing its ugly head about this little thing called winter. I had mentally began listing all the things I didn’t like about winter so I could step on my soapbox (my blog) and shout out to all the people I know (that mostly live in California ) (where the sun doesn’t stop shining and temps don’t drop below 72 degrees) about how miserable I really was.

But a little something stopped me. It was the thing that I  had intended to pair with my “bad things winter list”– the “good things winter list.” And what started to happen (in my mental list capacity, remember) was that my good things winter list outgrew my bad things winter list. And I had to eat crow, change my attidtude, start swallowing the right vitamin (it’s “D,” thank you , Jill) and embrace this season of peace.

Calmness. Serentity. Beauty.

Because after all, snow makes winter look and feel magical.

They certainly think so- I love my family taking a first look outside together. I always peek in between my blinds before I come downstairs- something about looking out to see if the clouds left us a ground covering of white powder:

_MG_3514It did- three days worth! I even saw the sunshine coming out yesterday and quick crossed the road to show off this winter beauty, because it’s very rare that we see her these days.

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Can you believe the houses across the street back up to this amazing field? With just a dusting of snow and an early morning frost, it was a really amazing sight.

And so was this- another favorite old barn around the corner on Hanes. It’s on a two-way street so I had to enlist Andy for some help with this. He  dropped me off and picked me up. I was a little bit of a trespasser, but no one came running out with a shotgun, so I guess I’m okay this week.

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After this shot, I felt just about at peace with this thing called winter. Life, after all, has so many seasons and if I wish this one away, I will miss the beauty and blessings hidden in it.

By Susie | Posted in Barns | Comments (7)

Meet Wendy

January 9, 2010 – 8:34 pm

_MG_3521The snow made an appearance over the past few days. It’ s been quite beautiful to view and surely helps fend off the frustration of the winter months’ cold. We have all been venturing out- busy shoveling, sledding and snow-shoeing around (I made the last part up, we’re lucky we have boots that fit). I grabbed a few items to make a snow girl with my girls. But, as it turns out, I’m a little bit of a control freak when it comes to trying to build a snow girl- especially since no one told me there’s a learning curve with what snow type to use. We didn’t have a variety of wet and packed or dry and fluffy, so I made do and we dressed her. Let’s pretend that we spilled some snow on it and had to take it off for the picture.

Lauren named her Wendy- I’m not sure where that came from, but it made me smile :)

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By Susie | Posted in Family | Comments (15)