It Feels Like Fall, Finally!

     This morning I woke up to the sound of little boy laughter.  Sounds of them getting their own breakfasts and watching Saturday morning cartoons.  Doesn't that sound awesome?  In truth, if it weren't so LOUD and had I not heard the words, "Shut Up!" and "Move it, Jerk!" it really would have been.  On the other hand, I could hear that in fact all four of them were alive and after all, that's what all the really good mom's hope for!  

     That said, the sun was shining and I knew it as supposed to be slightly cooler weather, down into the mid 70's if luck was with us.  My husband came into the room and actually said, "Good morning, sunshine!"  Loosely interpreted, that means, "Um, will you please wake up and see what you can do with these guys?  They're really going nuts and I'm hoping by using sweet words, you'll open your eyes, smile at me, and take over."  I know that's a lot, but I've found men use as few words as possible!  So, I opened my eyes, smiled, and said, "Sure!"

     We ended up deciding to bask in the "Fall-iness" because that's a word, I'm sure of it! We went to the pumpkin patch, which in the sunny state of Florida is actually a bunch of pumpkins on the side of the road usually for sale by local organizations.  We chose the one our church does, because it is the best by far!!  We chose our pumpkins, took a few pictures, and tried not to sweat in our long sleeves.    You can tell below that my husband took them because they either make no sense at all, or someone's head (as always, mine!) is cut off!  

 This is me saying, "Don't get that dumpster in the picture.  I forgot to tell him not to get my backside, apparently!

Look ma! No head!
 










After the pumpkins were chosen, we ran to the Goodwill because I just couldn't bring myself to buy clothes for a scarecrow at Dillard's.  The boys picked out a green and red flannel shirt and a pair of really crazy women's overall's.  I found a black suede skirt that I have all intentions of cutting off and wearing with cute tights and boots! I have a bit more sewing to do for Halloween anyhow, so what the heck! For $5 I almost can't go wrong! 

What is your favorite part of fall?  What does your family like to do when the weather starts to turn cold?  

Friday Frenzy!

       Today I:

Went to the doctors to check on a lump.

Scheduled a mammogram.

Dropped off my sons prescription because his ingrown toenail has grown back.  
        *This is the stuff that goes with the yucky part of motherhood and let me tell you. . . .that toenail is GROSS!!!  He didn't even complain!  I had to accidentally see it and if my boys hadn't already put me through plenty of other disgusting events, I might have puked!  Gag!! But that's a blog for another day!

I did payroll, because my husbands employees like to get paid!  And so do I for that matter!

Paid a few bills. <Insert another Gag!>

Cleaned up my desk.

Forgot to send in payments for the boys school pictures!
        *Quick trip to school office before pick-up!

And grabbed a couple books from Books A Million on blogging and HTML.


       Friday is always a crazy day and I really have to be on top on things or it'll all go nutty on me.  I just feel like I've got to have it together or the weekend will kill me.  What do your Fridays feel like?  Great because it's the last day of work?  Great because it's the last day of your hubby's work and maybe, just  maybe you can sleep in?  Fill me in!

       Since I had to be in town today, I decided to "steal" some fashion looks from some those fabulous links to the right.  I love those girls!  They're much younger than me, but I've managed to add a little "old lady oomph" I hope!   FYI, no my tummy isn't showing.  It's an odd shadow from a fold in the shirt! ;)

       Oh, last but not least, I am having a terrible time getting this blog to look like I want it to.  Any tips?  How do I get that top picture center?  I'm not sure I love the layout and I really don't know how to reach people.  I'll be reading my books tonight, but I would love to hear from real people! Have a great Friday!! -  Much Love and Joy!!

 Breast Cancer Awareness Month is October!!!

The following is cut and pasted directly from  http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/About-Breast-Cancer/Myths.aspx

The Myth

Finding a lump in your breast means you have breast cancer.

The Truth

If you discover a persistent lump in your breast or any changes in breast tissue, it is very important that you see a physician immediately. However, 8 out of 10 breast lumps are benign, or not cancerous. Sometimes women stay away from medical care because they fear what they might find. Take charge of your health by performing routine breast self-exams, establishing ongoing communication with your doctor, and scheduling regular mammograms.


       On this bright and chilly morning, I'm writing a bit early  because I have an appointment today for a lump I have found.  While I'm relatively sure it's nothing to worry about, there certainly is no reason to ignore the pesky bugger or just hope it will go away.  As I mentioned in an earlier post, I am now 40 and my body is changing.  Actually, I found my first lump at the ripe old age of 24, just three months after my wedding.  That one turned out to be nothing, as did the second one I found when I was 33, about six months after having my last child.  My point is, just because I'm sure it's nothing and the past has been good to me, it would be in very poor judgement for me to just let it go.  I have my boys to think about and I plan to be here for a very long time.  If you haven't done so this month, remember to do your own breast exam.  The site above is a bevy of information. 

      What has been your experience with breast cancer?  I'd love to hear from you!
     

Good Morning Vietnam!

Oh my!  I have a confession to make, so let's get this started!  I did not, I repeat DID NOT clean my kitchen last night!  I get so frustrated with myself when I do that, but still it happens about once a week!  On those occasions,  I get a vision of a world war having taken place in my kitchen!  What was I thinking?

I must repeat my mantra. . . . "It is what is is" and move on.  I did it, now it's time to accept it and pay the price!

So, how about fashion this morning?  Don't I look amazing??  I have to laugh at myself since my first official day of blogging has me with a half destroyed home, freezing cold weather (which means below 50 for us Floridians!!), and not the most fashionable outfit.  I thought about it long and hard last night, for about three minutes, and ultimately decided this would be just the right outfit for today.  I'm dressed enough so that when the bug man gets here for our monthly treatment (let me mention Florida again - we are a buggy state!) I won't be embarassed, but not so dressed that a toilet will seem intimidating.

Here's my tip for the day, well let's make it two tips!

1. Clean your kitchen before you go to bed at night.  It makes for a happier mommy in the morning!

2. Be sure to get dressed each morning as if someone might ring the door.   Don't put so much pressure on yourself that you must be fabulous, but do put enough pride in yourself that you won't be humiliated if you're caught unaware. 

Today I chose a favorite pair of comfy jeans, a thin somewhat fitted button up top, and my favorite gray Tom's.  The denim jacket and charcoal scarf were for the chill while driving the kids to school.  The funny Target hat was to hide the bedhead and lack of makeup! 

Now it's your turn.  What is your favorite super casual day outfit?  AND  If you could give every mom in the world one nugget of advice about her house, what would it be?  If you've enjoyed my writing, please drop me a line, answer a question, and pass it on to a friend.  I'm excited to see how my first attempt at blogging goes!  

Hello World, Meet Joy!

Before reading any further, please be aware that I am a mother of four boys!  When I say that, what I'm really saying is...........I'm cluttered, I easily lose my train of thought, I am not found in the same location more than two minutes at a time, and although I do have my "spot" on the couch, I rarely get to use it!  Be that as it may, I have decided to start my own blog.  I recall a love for both writing and photography in my younger days, so why not give it a shot?  Let's see how I do!

I might as well give you the scoop.  I'm forty years old!  Egad!  How did that happen?  My oldest child is going to high school in a year, which may be even more shocking than the big 4-0!  I've got twins in the middle who celebrated their first double digit birthday this summer, the big 1-0!  There is one more and I can assure you he would never let anyone forget about him!  He's seven going on insane! He would like to think he's the boss and there are times I wouldn't mind handing him the job!  However, when problems arise and chaos ensues, it's on me and that's fine.  I thank God for my husband and boys daily and I thank him for my sense of humor, without which I would be lost!

I will close for tonight with the promise to see you all again in the morning!  Just as soon as I make it beyond breakfast!