6 month hiatus is over

Well, nothin' like a 6 month vacation from writing to really put things into perspective.  I have missed posting things, especially when I think of how great I could communicate to you my viewpoint.  Funny how life seems to get in the way of virtually every post I have wanted to write since June 21st [oh, and the fact that I am usually driving in the car or just about to drift off to sleep when the ideas come].  Here are some that I will probably revisit in the coming months: cruising and why I probably will never do it again; my fight to get much needed funds from our county government for schools; home is where the Coast Guard sends us; Shlomi's indie flick; volunteerism in America. .  . the list could go on forever.  But today, I have to share a cathartic moment.  Tomorrow, I will just give you a couple of tidbits from the last 6 months so maybe you will keep reading and visiting my blog!

Welcome Summer, Farewell Mr. Shingler, & Happy Anniversary, My Love

Good day to you! The summer solstice is today and in just over an hour from now, we will officially be starting summer! In the past, springtime has been my favorite season. But as Ella and Brennan age into school children, the summer is becoming more and more appealing. (I guess the fact that my allergies have become almost debilitating might also have something to do with this change in attitude.) Last night, we acquired a great swing from a good friend who is moving, and this is what my kids did as soon as it was up:

I promise you in all honesty, I did NOT stage this picture--Brennan laid down like that!  I kid you not, they broke into this made up song of "Ah, summer nights...".  Today, I think we are headed to the pool and then, well, I'm not sure.  The Outlook schedule looks pretty open and I'm loving that we don't have a schedule.  School will start sooner than I think, and "crazy busy" will describe our life again.  So, I am relishing the openness of summer!
On a more somber note, I am sad to say that my friend, Mary Margaret Shingler Hyatt, lost her wonderful father, Ed Shingler, on Friday.  While Mary and I were in college, I got to know her family really well.  Her parents always treated me as if I were one of their own children, and I really care about them a great deal.  My heart aches for Mary and her family.  I wanted to be there this evening for the visitation but am unable to get down to South Carolina.  If you are of the praying kind (prayer can move mountains, I truly believe), please pray for the Shingler and Hyatt families as they say goodbye to a caring and loving father, husband, grandfather, and brother.

Finally, I have to shout out to my own wonderful husband whom I met 16 years ago today for the second time.  This is the day when my life changed forever in the best, most amazing way.  I know that it was the first time I actually accepted God's plan for my life, and once I did, He has guided us to great things ever since.  Happy anniversary, Dan. Words cannot express my love for you and my gratitude for giving me our children and our life together.  I am so proud of you!  Thanks to Brandon for making a date for us to hang out--it was the best change of plans I ever had! 
Thanks for reading.  Be sure to tune in periodically. . . I have thrown out the idea of a schedule.  It's the summer!

Rainy Saturday

Wow, April is FLYING right under my nose. . . ha, ha.  I had to put that in since it's been all about my nose for the last several weeks.  I had one minor setback with an ear infection this week, but we are on the mend and breathing wonderfully.  By the way, LOVE the sinus rinses (some call them neti pots?).  I HIGHLY recommend doing that if you are congested. 

So enough about nasal passages. . ..  I have a new charge, and her name is Adella,"Addie" for short!

Samantha Stephens would be miserable...

I survived surgery.  But I can't even wiggle my nose without pain.  Imagine trying to do magic without you nose?  Impossible.

Update

Thanks for checking back in.
I went to Mary Washington Hospital this morning for the second mammogram and ultrasound, which both indicated that I am A-OK!  I saw the area that they were concerned about and it DID look like something out of the ordinary (Aside: The technology is AMAZING!  Digital imaging just astounds me!).  But after several painful smooshings, the spot showed itself to be nothing more than overlapping tissue.  I just have to go back in a year for a follow up.  So, everyone, go do your self-exams (even the guys, 'cause if you watch Nip/Tuck, you know that guys get it too.)!
Now onto the next hurdle of sinus and septum surgery on Friday morning.  I don't think it will be a walk in the park, but hopefully this will rid me of the cause of all this crazy illness stuff that has plagued me for the past couple of years.  Here's to praying!
Thanks for reading!

Baking, Babies, and Boobies (family friendly post!)

I love Mondays! Well, as a general rule, they aren’t my favorite day of the week, but now that I am doing my Favorite Things on Mondays, I'm having fun! Today, I am combining 3 of my Favorite Things on one post because I am just bursting to tell you all about them!

Off to buy some Efferdent…

I’m back in the saddle, baby, and ready to enlighten you with my opinion! Ha! That just sounds so ludicrous. But if you are checking out my blog, then you know it’s Monday. And, that means it’s “Anne’s Favorite Things” Day! Boy, do I have a doozy for YOU!

Say a prayer and check back tomorrow. . .

Although I may not always come through, I really do try to be a woman of my word (except when I say that I will call you—I may like to talk, but just not on the phone). And since I told you that I would do a post on Monday, and it IS still Monday on the East Coast (albeit for 11 more minutes), here it is.

Happy DAY!

Oh, my gosh!  I am just the happiest person right now!!!  The sun is shining here in Virginia, the snow is melting, it's over 40 degrees and my kids are playing happily with friends.  All is right with the world!!  I feel so bad, though, because my wonderful friend, Elise, who lives in New Jersey, said that they got another 18-20 inches of snow yesterday.  I stopped whining when she told me that.

Yesterday was vomit day--Ella woke me up by almost making it to the bathroom to throw up after she told me that she didn't feel good.

Anne's Favorite Things: Post #1--Seed Designs by Diane Schroeder

Good day to you and thank you for checking back for my first "Anne's Favorite Things" post!  I have many companies, websites, gifts, and products that I would like to feature in this weekly post, but I am always open to ideas.  So if you have something that you would like for me to check out, please send me a message along with your email address, and I will respond in kind.

I have been wanting to tell people about seed by Diane for a really long time, and this forum is the perfect opportunity.

Birthday and Deathday, 2010

Happy Saturday morning to you!
Nothing like a snowy day, and an important day at that, to make me get back into writing my blog again.  Sorry for the hiatus, but I was getting my life into some semblance of order.