I'm Baa-aaaaaaaaaaaack!

It doesn't take much to sidetrack me. Take this blog, for instance. Somehow, back in June, I logged off. And forgot my password. So I just didn't log back on. For months.

It's kind of pitiful, really, especially when I think of all the amazing and wonderful things that have happened in the intervening months that I would have loved to have recorded in the moment.

Summer rituals. Our 18th wedding anniversary. Summer camp. The most amazing family vacation we've ever taken. Some really special weddings. A quick trip to Virginia Beach to see my in-laws. A quick trip to western Virginia to see my brother-in-law and meet my very first grand-nephew (wow that feels crazy to say!) Our oldest child turning 12. Deep Creek 2016.

And all the funny and weird things that happened that I won't ever remember because I didn't take the time to write them down.

So here I am, back at the blog. And I like it.

(Eating gelato in Italy in July. Why can't we make ice cream that tastes this good in the USA?? I guess we'll just have to go back.)

Daddy-Daughter-Mommy-Dates

The girls love it when we split up and Alan and I each take one of them on a special date. The last one we did was a few Sunday afternoons ago. Amelia and I went shopping to utilize one of her birthday gift cards. Shopping with her is really fun. (She bought pink polka-dotted high top tennis shoes.)

 

We dined at Subway, then went to a park we'd never been to before. That's where Amelia discovered the Panoramic setting on my iPhone camera.

 

This was the first one she took, and we almost didn't notice the weirdness until I said, "Wait a minute." Then, scrolling in on my face in the picture, "What's wrong with my nose?"

 

If you want to look like a movie star in a photo, do NOT use the panoramic setting. Unless you want to look like you are in a movie about aliens.

However, if you're going for the Picasso look, then by all means, knock yourself out on the "Pano" setting!

 

While we were enjoying this spectacular fun, Evelyn was playing laser tag and mini golf with Alan.

 

It was a great Daddy-Daughter-Mommy-Date day.

That time you...

...ate an organic, chocolate chip granola bar in the car on the way to the viewing of a very prestigious local businessman and, while doing so, must have missed the fact that one of the chocolate chips fell off the bar...and into your seat. On the first 90 degree day of the year, I might add.

And then you went to the incredibly well-attended viewing with a streak of chocolate on your butt.

At least you were completely unaware and able to be in your right mind as you shared your sincere condolences. With chocolate on your butt.

These Girls Still Live Here

The American Girls still have places of honor here.

And I'm glad.

No More Single Digits

Amelia turned TEN May 16th. How did THAT happen?? We got up early on the 15th to open her cards and gifts that had arrived by mail. (I'm so glad things still arrive by mail!)

 

 

Why did she open things a day early? 

 

This year, instead of a party, she wanted a shopping spree. And since her birthday was on a Monday, we decided to open her cards a day early so she could shop on Sunday.

 

She didn't mind opening her cards and gifts a day early. She's good that way.

 

She was very pleased to find some gift cards had come in the mail.

 

Grandma & Grandpa Blackman sponsored a shopping trip to JC Penney, and Aunt Courtney, Uncle Johnny and the cousins sponsored a shopping trip to Sears. (All favorite places for Amelia to shop.)

Grandma Bisset is sponsoring a shopping trip, too!

 

And Evelyn gathered some choice items to give to her sister.

 

And I'll take this one as a gift to me--one of my favorite current pictures of them!

 

Happy birthday, Amelia! You know what you want, you are determined and insightful, and you are an awful lot of JOY rolled into one ten year old person!

Healthy Discussion

For years I was baffled by angry debates. I grew up in a home where it was encouraged to discuss things from all different angles and to see all points of view. Nobody got heated. Dad and Mom would explain one side of an argument, then the other. This pertained to political topics (which I admit bored me to tears) as well as to spiritual, religious, and biblical subject matter (which held my interest a little more.)

Once out of my house, it didn't take long to realize that not everyone grew up this way. :)

The biggest down side to growing up this way, for me, is that I often have a hard time formulating my own opinion. :)

Things I Know and Things I Don't

Recently a colleague offered to get something out of my car for me. When she asked me what my license plate number was, I paused...and confessed I didn't know. 

However, I do know all sorts of other things. Like the middle names of all my aunts and uncles. Or all the towns Alan and I visited on our European trip in 2001 (in order!) Or all the teachers our girls have had since they started school (again, in order.) All the state capitols. All the books of the Bible. And at one point I even knew all the lyrics to the rap in the middle of the now-obscure-1990's-CCM-Michael W. Smith song, "Love Crusade,"

But don't ask me the license plate number of our other car.