My sissy...

Why would she not want me to kiss her in the middle of Disneyland? I don't get it. :)

Susan is one of the most awesome people I know. She is a fantastic mom, great teacher, excellent cook/baker, and, luckily for me, a really, really, really super great friend and sister.

I'm really glad we didn't kill each other when we were younger and didn't really feel the love like we do now.

Uh oh.

2009, where did you go? I cannot believe it is December 2nd, y'all. That whole thing about how time passes more quickly the older you get is true, I guess, huh? Remember when you were a kid, and "older" people couldn't remember how old they were? I thought that was RIDICULOUS. Now, I am that lady. Bra straps that slide off my shoulders, bifocals, chin hair, the whole shebang.

Sheesh.

In other news, I have made approximately 60 Christmas cards to send to my amazingly lovely friends and family. I make them every, single year, you know...and I never send them. This year, I'm going to actually buy stamps...and probably get them in the mail BEFORE Christmas.

Happy December!

Winter Formal

CDO's Winter Formal is themed Alice in Wonderland, so I'm going as the Mad Hatter. SO fun! Not all the chaperones are dressing in costume, but we'll have Alice, The Queen of Hearts, White Rabbit, and Mad Hatter. I'll post a pic of the whole crew later.

Thankful: Issue No. 2 - A photo story

5. The Hadleys are a pretty cool set of folks. Things are good there...

6. The Coven. Disneyland, 2007. Teaching with these gals at Indy was awesome. Going to D-land with them is even better. 7. Watched this guy play football on Saturday, the day after he turned 14. The kid can catch...as long as the ball is not being thrown directly TO him.

8. Bedroom doors that close. Yes, someone DOES live in there. She's 10, and, apparently, wants to live in the human approximation of a hamster cage.

Thankful: Issue No. 1 (long...gotta catch up!)

I KNOW I need to be conscious of the truly wonderful aspects of my life. I tend to look at what is wrong...what I do wrong far too often. Focusing on the positives and recording the thoughts attached to those events, people, things adds energy to our lives and serves as a reminder of what's really important--the big and little things. So, to that end, here begins my daily record of gratitude (in no particular order):
1. Scrapbooking - The "Soul Sisters" I have met through this hobby are the most amazing women. I admire their talent (OBVIOUSLY), but more than that, I really, really love being with them; I admire their devotion to their husbands and children, their wisdom about life, their ability to see the silver lining. Lori, Vickie, Jackie, Zefa, Janice, Sara, Angie, Em, Heidi...I'm thrilled that our crafty hearts found one another.

2. Diet Coke.

3. Close hiking trails - I'm so glad I can exercise close to home and get some outdoor time to clear my head...and my arteries! :) The cooler weather is setting in, and it feels so great to get out in the brisk morning air on the weekends.

4. Sushi - Splurge-worthy in the world of WW.

Caramel Pumpkin Pudding Cupcakes

These cupcake-y/muffin-y bits of love are d.lish. Seriously. They are only 2 WW points each if you're counting. Recipe is from The Hungry Girl cookbook.

***Edited to add the following: OMG! After being in the fridge all night, they taste like pumpkin pie.

2 cups moist--style yellow cake mix (1/2 a box)
1 c. canned pure pumpkin
1/3 c. fat-free liquid egg substitute
2 tbls. sugar-free maple syrup
2 tsp. cinnamon
2 tsp. Splenda
1/8 tsp. salt
Combine all ingredients in a mixing bowl with 1/3 cup water. Whip with whisk or fork for 2 minutes until blended. Line 12-cup muffin pan with paper baking cups. Evenly spoon batter into muffin cups. Cook for 14-15 minutes at 350 degrees until puffy and slightly gooey on top. Cool enough to handle and place close together on a plate. Melt 3 caramels and 2 tsp light vanilla soy milk in microwave for 70 seconds at 50% power. Stir mixture vigorously until smooth. Drizzle over cupcakes.

SO good. Even the kids liked them. I had to cut them off at 2.

Truer words have never been said, my friend...

This poster was hanging up at the Peace Conference at Harrelson Elementary School last week. Clearly, the 5th graders know where it's at...