the sun is shining…

and this winter, that is not to be taken for granted! before i go on, i want to say thank you to everyone who took the time to comment on friday’s post about morgan. your kind words and thoughts meant a lot to us. the grief is still hitting in waves and i’m sure that will continue. it has really been making me appreciate scooter and sophie. i know my days with them, especially sophie are limited, so i’m particularly aware of their presence in our home. i can’t imagine life without my little sidekicks.

this weekend, i rented 3 movies to watch as i worked on 6 assignments that were due today. i watched post grad (with alexis bledel of gilmore girls), love happens, and time traveler’s wife. i didn’t have high expectations of post grad, but i did enjoy it. i like alexis bledel and with carol burnett, jane lynch (from glee!) and michael keaton…how could you not enjoy it at least a little? love happens was a good rental and i’m not sad that i didn’t see it in the theatre. in my opinion, time traveler’s wife would seem really strange if you hadn’t read the book. i wasn’t as huge a fan of the book as many of my friends, but i liked it okay. i don’t know that i would have liked the movie at all without the knowledge i had from reading the book. so 3 movies equalled 6 projects all turned in! here’s a little peek at one of them-

my home project did not go so well. my brilliant idea was not so brilliant, it turns out. i am not particularly fond of the brick in our family room. i wanted to paint it, but tom is not at all for that idea. so i came up with the thought of covering an inset of corrugated board with wallpaper. my plan was to use spray adhesive and give it a shot. there were so many ways that this went wrong that i won’t even bore you with the details. although it won’t work as an inset for our fireplace and built-ins, i’m thinking with a little work, it could be a fun backdrop for photos.

i spent some time cooking over the weekend too. i used my le creuset to make classic roast beef (simplified beef bourguignon) and ina’s corn chowder. the chowder recipe makes a HUGE amount, so i took some to my parents and to a friend who wasn’t feeling well….plus tom and i ate it and we still have tons leftover. when it called for 10 cups of corn, i should have known. no regrets on my investment with the le creuset, it really does make a difference. as we were eating the roast, tom said, “why is this soooo good? is it really that pot?” yes, i think it does make that much difference.

one more thing. my butterflies are getting stronger, as wppi gets closer. i rarely EVER get nervous about traveling or attending events like this. no idea why i am having such a reaction. last night, i made a list of all the things i want to show tom and things that i want us to remember to check out. i have 12 places listed. as i was researching things, i noticed that the social house at treasure island seems to be non-existent. has anyone been there recently? that was one of our favorite places to eat when i went with the autumn leaves girls. i am going to be really sad if it’s gone. has anyone eaten at mix at mandolay bay? any other must-see or must try things you would suggest in vegas? i’d love to hear your ideas!  i’ll be busy, but we’ll have more downtime than i’ve ever had when i’ve been there. i can not wait!

i almost forgot something very important. my sweet payton turned 8 on saturday. this boy is so sensitive and at the same time funny, such an artist and yet such a boy. i just love him to pieces.

have a good monday and God bless!