When a strike is a good thing

I have been bowling 3 times in my life, tonight being the third. So I was completely shocked to hit a strike on my very first throw this afternoon. Bob had invited us to go bowling with him, and with none of us being very experienced we didn't expect much. But, I did much better then I thought I would. Dane also hit 3 strikes and a spare and Madeleine hit a strike as well. Brent was the real surprise...he hit a spare almost every throw! I had no idea he was such a pro. :) Way to go Brenty!

I'll take my do-over now

Oh the magical do-over. Remember as kids how all you had to do was utter that phrase and all was ok and you got a second chance. Don't you wish real life worked that way? A quick rewind back in time to make it all better. But it doesn't, does it?

A New Day, A New Year, A New Decade

Wow, 2010! It sounds so weird to say. Will people say "two thousand, ten" or "twenty ten"....hmmm? I think I'll go for "two thousand, ten".

The first thing I did this year...kiss my kids.

The last decade for me...moved about 5 times within a 20 mile radius, started a very successful wedding planning business...then retired, just started a new company...hoping it will be successful, traveled a lot...didn't make it to Europe though...maybe this decade, lost a grandpa and a brother, gained some nieces and nephews...as well as two great-nieces and a great-nephew.

This decade for me??? I don't know. Maybe I'll finally make it back to Cali, maybe not. I do know that my kids will graduate and head for college by the end of this decade. Crazy! So I guess I'll just hang on and see where this life is going to take me. Ready or not, here we go!

Check out my new website...HERE.

Dane on astronomy

Dane, "Hey, I can see the big dipper!"

Madeleine, "Where?"

Dane, with as much disdain as he can muster, "In the sky, duh!"

Snow Day!

So Monday brought the first snow day of the year. We just had a light dusting, but the roads were icy enough for them to delay school by 2 hours. The kids were hoping for the whole day off of course, but no such luck. By afternoon it had warmed up and the rain came back. Although I wasn't a fan of that crazy cold weather we were having, I'm now missing the sun. As I write it is gray and gloomy with a light drizzle...typical Washington for you.

Hey baby, it's cold outside!

Brrr! It has been unusually cold for these parts. The other morning I woke up and my thermometer said 10 degrees! 10? Really? Wow! Despite the frigid weather, we have managed to keep ourselves very busy. Dane has started private trumpet lessons with the director of music at Tacoma Community College and is doing very well. He still plays with the Stahl Junior High band as well. He is also continuing with piano along with Madeleine. They are both amazing at piano! I guess they get it from Brent, as I have no musical talent what so ever! ;) Madeleine is also going strong with her guitar lessons. They are both becoming very talented musicians!

We have made it to a few shows lately. We saw Little Women at Kentridge High with my niece. Next we took in a live performance of Guys and Dolls at Tacoma Musical Playhouse. Then we enjoyed a classical concert performed by the Tacoma Community College orchestra, directed by Dane's trumpet teacher. To round it all out, we went to a Jazz concert last night featuring saxophone, and of course, trumpet!

Madeleine is taking Lyrical and Jazz in dance and is working hard toward her upcoming recital. She is not thrilled with her jazz costume, but her lyrical one is very pretty. We weren't able to get enough tickets for everyone to come to the recital, so we will have a DVD for those who want to see it.

We are hoping to get up to the snow over winter break. The kids are both wanting to try their hand at snowboarding, so we have been looking into lessons. We are undecided as to which mountain we want to go with however. There are a lot of pros and cons for each. So we're working on that.

That's it for now. ~ Try to stay warm out there!