I love my little space in the basement. My studio corner. When I can, I steal away and spend time here creating, working on the computer, playing with Photoshop, painting, scrapbooking -- whatever suits my mood at that moment. It's a lovely haven...
Tiny Ainsley has a cold. Bad enough she wanted to be quiet all day, but not so bad as to keep her totally miserable. She was happy to just rest most of the day, with a little bit of time playing games on Nick Jr.'s website. At the moment she is happily curled up in my bed with Sarah watching the new Diego special. Luckily she is sleeping well -- fingers crossed for tonight as well! Poor little sniffle-bug!!
Hey Michael Phelps -- Congrats from a few little swimmers here in New York! Way to go!!!!!
Check out my cannonball boys!
HA! I know these shots are a little blown out (it was a really sunny afternoon) but they make me sooo happy.
Just a little thought for today:
OK -- one more Olympic post. You already know I love watching the events. I tend to watch as much as possible during the day, and then am stuck to my seat during prime time -- especially during the swimming and gymnastic events.
But this year, I'm struggling. Not with the coverage per se, but with the times!! For instance, Bob (Mr. Boring) Costas just announced that the women's all-around event won't even start until 11 p.m. and that we should all go and get another cup of caffeine as "this will be a late one."
Sigh. I don't have insomnia this year. On the contrary, I have 5-year-old twin-induced narcolepsy. Leave me alone in one place for too long and chances are good you'll come back to (delicate and lady-like) snoring. Needless to say, these really late nights are hindering my full enjoyment.
Yes, yes, I know I can Tivo it. But it's the thrill of watching it live that I'm missing.
Oh -- speaking of live, one moment please while I watch Michael Phelps swim again...
* * *
Back again. Seriously, he is a swimming machine. It's just amazing to watch him win, and win, and win again.
All right. I'm done with my tiny bit of complaining. I'm off to tape tonight's events, as I just don't think I'll make it. And if you see me in the morning, please don't tell me who won! :)
There are certain times when the house grows quiet and you wonder where the children went or what quiet mischief they are up to. Tonight held one of these moments. When I went to investigate, I found the little ladies out on the back porch being angels, playing tea party.
Um. Well, there was the hat. . .
Very logical, as it turned out. Sarah noted that tea parties were fancy events, requiring the appropriate clothes. Which for this party, was a sparkly witch hat. Makes sense, no?
Pretty flowers in my birthday bouquet!
Thanks to Mom, Dad, Matt, Jack and Michele for the special flowery surprises yesterday. I love you all!
...it's my birthday too, yeah...
#39 -- It was a good one!!
It's blurry -- but I like it anyway. (you see, I refuse to let Todd use the flash when we're at a restaurant!) I like subtle!!
The ladies LOVED the fire... and our chef made Sarah a heart out of the egg for the fried rice and she was in love!
Yes, my cake is sliding off the plate. Apparently the box said some sliding could occur...
Tasted wonderful, too!!
My girls picked out my presents themselves. PINK jewelry --what else??? :)
Oh man, I love the Olympics. Always have.
I have lots of Olympic memories -- watching the events, cheering for the winners (and in my book, ANY medal is a winner), crying with the athletes who don't quite make it or who get hurt and see their competition dreams dashed, and really just learning about the countries hosting the events.
One vivid memory: the summer Olympics of 1996 in Atlanta. I had just moved to Gainesville, and was alone and nervous about starting my doctoral program just a few days later. I had insomnia -- not an uncommon thing for me when I get really stressed out -- and needed to keep myself busy. I had recently learned how to quilt, so I found a Joann's, bought a pattern and some fabric, hauled out my sewing machine and set to work. I worked day and night, for several weeks -- including the weeks of the '96 Olympics. I watched all the coverage, the competition, the before interviews, the after interviews, the "behind the scenes" stories. And slowly, my stress eased and I eventually was able to sleep at night again! I guess just watching all that drive and athleticism and focus helped remind me that we can achieve our dreams if we just put our minds to it.
Well, coverage has begun tonight, so I'm off to watch. Can't wait to see what happens tonight!
