what is the shelf life on this thing?

Last week Dan and I observed 11 years of marriage. I say observed, because we are yet to really celebrate the event. Maybe this is what happens when you have a newborn in the house not to mention sharing a room with you. Last year was the big one, this year is markedly different, but in a wonderfully, precious way.
As I was putting laundry away I noticed a few things. Many of the items we received as wedding gifts may be nearing the end of their life expectancy. Towels are tattered, thin and stained. Our mattress has a dip in the middle that I find myself rolling into.
Best of all, I still have some of the same socks and underwear!!!!

I remember hearing at many of my Bridal showers that women should be given a shower every 10 years or so to update all the things that need to be replaced. I continued to think about the cost involved in replacing what needs to be fresh and new again. How long do you hold on to towels, pillows, dish rags, vacuums, sheets, etc.? I hate to be wasteful, I really hate throwing away things like clothes, toys, random socks, broken kitchenware. Right now I have a pile 8 tall of jeans/pants that my kids have burned knee holes in. They just sit there because I can't just toss 'em.

Where is this post going anyway?
I am trying to draw a parallel between the shelf life of our wedding gifts and the shelf life of our marriage. I just can't seem to pull it together though. It seems like a great idea for a blog post, but I lack the creative energy to type anything but the obvious.

We outlasted our wedding loot. We beat the statistical odds. We have 4 kids and (so far) are living to tell about it. I don't say these things to boast. It is all about God and His goodness. He has blessed in ways we certainly don't deserve. I need to acknowledge this.
Let there be no expiration date on this union, even when it looks a little moldy. ;)

Happy Anniversary Dan! and also to the many of you celebrating the same this time of year.

get your 80s music fix.

click here for the best 80s mix

you won't be disappointed.

Thanks be to Carl.

days of old

Last week some girlfriends of mine gathered for a little coffee time.

We welcomed more new babies into the group and as the night went on we began to reminisce as we often do, about high school. One of the ladies there is a counselor at a local high school and told us stories about the Prom 2008 that she recently attended as a staff member. Whoa, how things have changed. Since this is a family blog, I won't get into details of what she saw at her prom, but I will post some photos of our "prom" back in 1990s. Our school called it the Junior/Senior Banquet. A title like that lends itself to a much more refined and sophisticated event...or not.

Enjoy the photos dedicated to "the girls"
Notice the bad 90s fashion as well.

In 1992 it was all about bright satin and curls.While in 1993, you had to wear Umbro shorts.
Not a single one of us ever played a lick of soccer.
Also, T-shirt must be tucked in the front, and hanging out in the back.
On to 1994.
Notice the giant Doilys on Dana's gown.
Notice too, my severely unnatural tan.Michelles. At the Mall, sporting oversized Men's shirts.
Now that is a trend I can get on board with again.

Loved (almost) every minute of it.

listen to the music.

if you are hearing music, scroll down this blog to the end of this blog to see phase 1 of My Playlist. Click on a song if you would like to hear it,  or
you can create your own for free at:

PLAYLIST.com

Four Weeks Old!

Is that a Hopkins nose I see?



Pretty in Pink

thank you Geo. Dubya!

Say what you will about him ( and that would be quite a lot I'm sure),
but the much anticipated economic stimulus check has hit our bank account, and I am grateful.

Does paying hospital bills count as economic stimulus?

What I wish I could do with the $$$?
Buy this

What will you do with your $$$ ???

Now go and stimulate!