PSA

Clear the roads, the baby is driving!  Ok, so at 15 years, 10 months and 19 days, he's no longer a baby.  But that was my first thought when I saw him pull out of the driveway with the drivers ed instructor.  I don't think anyone has been as excited as Will to get their license.  He's counting down the days....and hours and minutes!

You have been warned!

A little piece of home...

You can take the boy out of the country but not the country out of the boy...isn't that the saying?  Well, with Hunter it's more the Christmas bug.  He may not be home, but his holiday spirit is with him no matter where he lays his head.  Since he can't look at his "big" Christmas tree at home every night this season, he took a little bit of home with him.  His personal Santa (a.k.a. Mom) delivered scarlet and grey ornaments and a star to top it off.  So today, I'm at home smiling know that Hunter's got a little piece home with him.  And look...the snack table is clean!

Hang on Sloopy

Oh crap, I forgot to take a picture! Mom and I were so busy keeping up with hunter and Shannon that we forgot to capture the moment. Thankfully, it will be captured in my head forever. I can't believe how mush college agrees with both of them. It's funny to think that just a few short months ago, they were true freshman - inexperienced and green. Now, they are just students. They are adults going on about their lives and making us all proud. What a great way to end a stressful day.

For Sale

I was once told....If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all.  Unfortunately, that's been running through my head for the last week or two.  So with that being said....I have a blog for sale.

Any takers?

Just kidding, but please bear with me as I search for the happy moments of the day!  And don't get me wrong, there have been a lot of them....I just haven't had time to take a picture of them :)

Upgraded

This is what happens when I let Jeff use the camera.  But what fun is a new camera if you can't share it with everyone?  Jeff talked me into an upgrade when my trusty Nikon started to fail and wow, that's all I can say.  This picture doesn't show it, but I'm a happy girl!

Leftovers.

My favorite meal of the year.  I know for most people that would be a big Thanksgiving day feast.  Or maybe it would be a sumptuous Christmas ham.  But for me, it's leftovers.  Ok, so not "actual" leftovers, but the best way to get rid of them that I know.  And it's always the same each year, the weekend after Thanksgiving.  So what am I thankful for?  The homemade mashed potatoes in my cottage pie.  Oh goodness, I'm full.

Gameday

Another year has passed and we've got another loss under our belts.  I know, two wins in a row was too much to ask for.  Did I get much sympathy here?  Not from Will.

The Biggest Elf.

In a last minute change of plans, Hunter and Will found themselves here for a few hours before it was time for Hunter to return to his dorm (for the big game!).  They got to watch movies, hang out and eat.  I wouldn't have wished anything different for them while we were away.  I made it back in just enough time to give Hunter one last goodbye in the high school parking lot as they headed out.  His last words to me....I left the light on in my room, can you please turn it off?

So a few hours later, this is what I found when I went to flip the switch.  My tallest elf had been busy all day...cleaning and decorating.  It was beautiful to find.  While lots may be changing, some things always stay the same.  It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas....

Turkey Day.

Thanksgiving Day.  Breakfast sandwiches, the Rockettes and enormous balloons.  Following the parade, there is football, too much food and way too much desert.  A food coma followed by sugar shock!   A kitchen table full of ads and a map plotting the Black Friday plan of attack.  Family and friends filter in and out throughout the day and you tell each of them how thankful you are.  That's a normal Thanksgiving Day.

  

This year, I've been reflecting on all of the Thanksgiving days that came before this one.  When we said how thankful we were to be all together.  When we cracked jokes, laughed carelessly and went to bed with a warm, fuzzy feeling that only a day like that would provide.  For forty years (ok, only thirty nine!),  my biggest worries of the day were whether I was going to eat my pie with or without whipped cream and what time I was going to head to bed in preparation of such an early shopping trip.    

Today was a little different but it's a day I'm thankful for none the less.  It was the exception to prove the rule.  While some things changed, the basics remain.  I'm thankful for my family, my kids and my friends.  I won't be shopping but I will be up early plotting out a new plan of attack.  

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you.  

Dear Stress....

I really just can't say it any better.

Sunset.

When a day ends like this, there is nothing more that needs to be said!

Sunrise

When the day starts like this, there is nothing else that needs to be said!

Sunday Night!

Enough said :)

Colleen

Strong.

How about a big hand for Jeff?  If there was ever a question of who was the funnier one in the family, that should now be resolved.  I'm alive, home for a short period and immensely thankful for the time with the guys.  And just so you know, sometimes a kiss from the puppies can make your heart smile...even if it's only for a minute.  Stay strong and Jeff will be back soon :)

Damage Control

Oh crap, Colleen might be home tomorrow. Time to assess damage and proceed with operation cleanup. Pizza boxes check, Empty soda cans check, dishes check. Now on to the rest. Here are my potential risk factors. Note, I am not actually directly responsible for all any of these items.

I know I have spoiled you with my stellar blogs and your thinking really, that's it, but seriously, I gotta go!

Prison Food

Jeff again. So, I'm now on day three of solitary confinement. I think the effects are starting to get to me. Hallucinations of dogs chasing cats, dogs chasing dogs, repeated phones ringing, dog toys flying through the air, I actually had a dream I was writing a blog, but nothing is worse than the prison food.

Day 1

Day one was not too bad. Kind of exciting actually. The rare treat of ordering pizza. The only thing better than someone bringing food to your table is someone bringing food to your house!

Day 2

Mac and cheese. Really??? I haven't had to survive on mac and cheese since my early 20's. This is cruel and unusual punishment.

Day 3

UGH!

I'm Back!!!!

Ha! I bet you thought that meant Colleen was back. Well, due to the over whelming popularity of last nights guest appearance by none other than me, I have been asked by the producers to blog again tonight. I really don't think this is a good sign for Colleen. Anyway, back to the task at hand. 

Last night was MEN night. Party time right? Colleen's away, just me, Will and the dogs. Whoo Hoo!

Tonight, it's just me :( .Last night we talked about cold hard reality. Tonight cold empty house.When I say cold house, I literally mean cold house. This time of year, our house is always cold. The heat doesn't run enough to feel warm and you feel every draft. 

Since Colleen is gone, I had to find a new way to stay warm and here she is:

 

I have always liked Redheads and you have to admit she's pretty HOT!

When the cat is away...

***************** SPOILER ALERT *******************

Pinch hitting tonight for Colleen Thomas...

The infamous Jeff Thomas.

Applause!

Ok, for my 1st attempt (aka the 1st time Colleen even considered letting me do this), I wanted to make sure that this was the best blog ever. After re-reading several of Colleens previous posts, I quickly realized that I may have set the bar a little high. So I started to ask myself, what does Colleen do to make the blog so good? Answer, she writes about the "hype" of real things that happened that day while adding her own behind the scenes reality. Colleen captures the warm and fuzzy, human interest side of the story in her blog. If you know me, mine will come more from the cold hard reality side. Good right? probably not, but here goes anyway.

The Hype

Colleen is away! everyone one knows what that means, Men Night! Order pizza, watch manly TV, stay up late, burp without saying excuse me, talk about girls ,etc. What could be more exciting than all of that rolled up in one action packed evening?

The Cold Hard Reality

Will: Great, another men night. AKA, I have to stay in and entertain Jeff. Why does he think ordering pizza is so cool? I would much rather go to Putters. Hope Mom comes home soon, so I can play my PS3.

Willow: wah wah wah, Mom's not home. I don't know what to do with myself. I always lay at Mom's feet. I guess I will lay at Will's feet. At least he shows me some compassion. Dad just yells at me to MOVE.

Zoey: This is sooooo boring. Taccoa is not doing anything. Willow is being her normal goody two shoes and Mom is not here to distract Dad while I eat firewood. This day couldn't be worse!

Taccoa: Seriously, Mom's gone again. Normally I run around like a chicken with my head cut-off and throw my toys at Mom (very, very funny). Dad apparently does not find this behavior to be funny at all and he actually throws things back at me. I mean really, I'm just a baby. I guess I will just lay on my toys and hope I don't end up having to go to bed early. This better only be one night.

Well there you have it. Life is no fun without MOM.

I expect this to go viral before bed!

The puppies.

Ah, the quiet that a new set of bones provides.  I guess that makes up for the muddy paws, tripping me and licking my new backdrop (my mistake for leaving it upstairs!).  I know not everyone understands my love for them, but it's something I can't explain.  All I can say is everyone can use a little unconditional love!

Archie

It's not often that you get to meet the richest man in America.  But when you're a member of the LC, you get a few more opportunities than the other students.  Hunter was thrilled when he called to tell me that he'd be having dinner with Warren Buffet.  Little did I know that he'd be over the moon for the next weeks speaker -  dinner with the two-time Heisman winner and NFL legend, Archie Griffin.  While I couldn't be there to take the picture, Hunters beaming smile makes me feel like I was.  Let me say what a great decision I think he made by choosing Ohio State.

What a beautiful day.

Is this what they call "Indian Summer"?  If so, it can stay all year long.

Wait for it.

Someone said the best gifts can't be bought.  So I've decided to test that theory.  Well, it's not exactly a gift but the studio clients will think it is.  I know you can't see it now, just wait for it.  Next week it will take an amazing picture.  In the mean time, it will take me until then to get it done.

A quickie.

Don't deny it.  You know what I'm talking about.  Mark and his date were joining us for Survivor Night and it's been a long week.  Jeff cleaned all weekend but clutter just seems to come out of nowhere in our home.  So after delivering all the pictures orders, placing new orders, invoicing and editing all day, I did the 10 minute clean it all up (or stuff it somewhere) dance.  First impressions are everything and I think ours was successful - as long as no one looked in the closet.

Determination.

I think I can.  I think I can.  I think I can.  

Determination.  It's one of those Thomas Family traits.  Apparently, even the dogs have picked it up.  Well, at least Toccoa has.   

Cookie Monster!

No, this isn't a blog dedicated to the Million Puppet March.  To be honest, I think we have a lot bigger problems than PBS.  These yummy snacks are a result of the Buskin Bakery cookie poll.  It's one of those little things that makes the election season a little more tolerable.  Not only do we get to vote, we get to snack on our vote.  Will's been waiting for 2 hours to dig into his cookie.  A little bit on the poll...a local artist is selected for each presidential election and tasks them with creating an image for each candidate.  They then transfer those images to cookies and sell a cookie equivalent to a vote.  Jeff surprised us with cookies for our election night party.  Aren't they cool?

And don't worry, we purchased three cookies so we didn't "throw" the count off.  Happy Election Night!  I'm off to watch the results pour in with Will and Jeff.

Need for Speed?

I do hereby swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.  I also swear not to take my new game and hide in the bonus room for the next month only coming in for meals and bathroom breaks.  Will's been saving for months for the fall release of his favorite games.  Who knew that he'd spend his hard earned money on a game that he and Hunter played for years...years ago.  They loved it and now it's coming racing back into our house at record speeds.  It made me smile.

Hang On Sloopy!

The longest day of the year.  Ok, so not technically, but who doesn't agree?  It's the one day of the year that I feel "ahead of schedule".  I'm not running late, I'm well rested, I'm johnny on the spot because I've fallen back and have an extra hour to catch up.

And what better way to spend it than with my very favorite group of teenagers!  An early morning breakfast on campus with Hunter, Will, Shannon and Heather was the perfect way to spend the morning.  While it reminds me of how much I miss having them all together, it also reminds me of how blessed I am to have such great kids.  I love them all!

Aunt Pam!

What a great day!  It was wonderful to see Pam and spend the afternoon catching up.  I know that Dad has thoroughly enjoyed her visit too.  Seventy seven to one....not an image that you get to capture very often.  I'm thrilled CJ was there to help us capture it.

My Favorite Night of the Year!

OMG, where do I start?

Let me tell you how proud I am of the boys that we have raised.  Nothing made this mom happier than sitting at Varsity Show, next to Hunter, watching Will come into his own.  He was AWESOME!  Everyone knows this event is my favorite of the year and tonight was no exception.  It was sad to see Logan's last performance, but it was just as exciting to see Will having the time of his life.  I will remember this one, always.

So I'll go to bed tonight, again able to sleep peacefully knowing that both of my boys are tucked in their beds, dreaming sweet dreams just a few feet away. All is right in the world!

Holiday Heaven!

It's November 1st.  The stores are filling with Christmas trees, ornaments and stockings.  It won't be long until we start doing the same at home.  Yesterday, if you would have told me that today would feel like Christmas, I'd have laughed at you.  It was Halloween and I could still see the glow of the last pumpkins.  But Christmas feelings started nonetheless   Why you ask?  Because November 1st begins the holiday season at Starbucks.  No, I'm not a coffee snob, just a coffee addict.  But if there one thing I love, it's Brulee Latte and it's only available for 90 days each year.  The perfect Christmas present.  So even though I was feeling crappy after yesterday, I managed a trip to visit my favorite baristas to savor the flavor of the season.  Merry Christmas to me!