A Hot Fudge Sundae

Yesterday, my youngest son wanted to go to McDonald's. Although I tried to convince him to pick any restaurant besides McDonald's, I knew it was a losing battle. His craving for chicken nuggets and french fries was far beyond any form of rational thinking.

As we sat in a big, comfy, bar-height booth, in actually a fairly nicely decorated fast food restaurant, my son snacked on a ten piece chicken nugget while peeling off the deep fried batter.

We talked about school and friends, and reminisced the times only he and I went to McDonald's when the other kids were in school. He tried my grilled chicken off my southwest salad, agreed it was slimy, and announced the overcooked chicken nuggets had too much batter.

As I watched him confidently walk up to the counter to order dessert for the two of us, I thought of the kindergartner I once brought to the same place, and we sat in the same booth. I remembered how he thought McDonald's chicken nuggets were the greatest food in the world. As my preteen walked back to the table, dessert tray in hand with a hot fudge sundae for me, and an Oreo McFlurry for himself, he was smiling.

He knows eating ice cream is a splurge for me and wondered aloud why I would pick a hot fudge McDonald's sundae to eat. I smiled, laughed, and said, because it makes me happy. He smiled back, pointed out he never had a McDonald's hot fudge sundae, and asked to try mine.

I shared my sundae with him.

Right before he went to sleep that night, he told me he had a good day, and the highlight was sharing the hot fudge sundae with me. I told him it was the best part of my day also.

Watching 'The Thomas Crown Affair' with the Scent of Michael Kors

First time in a long while where I haven't done my morning walk by 8 am. I woke up really early this morning, and since dawn had not even broke, I decided to watch a movie instead - The Thomas Crown Affair with Pierce Bronson (Thomas Crown) and Renee Russo (Catherine Banning.)

As much as I love early morning walks, it was nice to curl up on the couch with my warm blanket, and watch a movie. Even though the movie is twelve years old, I absolutely love the clothes Catherine wears in the movie - the tailoring is so classic - she was absolutely stunning in every scene. Curious to see who designed the clothes for Renee Russo's character, I laughed when I saw it was Michael Kors.

Last night, Madeline decided she wanted to take her brothers out to dinner at the restaurant where she works. Ben is up north on his annual salmon fishing trip, so I was faced with finding something to do. A safe haven for me is the bookstore. As I wandered in the aisles, unable to focus, I remembered I wanted to see if Ulta carried Michale Kor's perfume. I wanted to try something different, my favorite perfume is Estee Lauder Pleasures Bloom, but sure enough, I headed home with a bottle of Michael Kor's fragrance.

So as I was curled up on the couch this morning, anxiously waiting for the next Catherine outfit in the movie, I was conscious of my new perfume. I couldn't help but laugh when I realized I was not only admiring Michael Kor's design work, but his fragrance also! (And, yes, I do watch Project Runway.)

Few design disappointments in the movie - I was disappointed Catherine didn't buy the red dress she looked at when she was walking with Thomas in New York. I was disappointed there was never a scene with Catherine wearing the necklace Thomas gave her. Both were gorgeous!

Storyline was romantic, and incredibly passionate, with a happy ending.

It made me smile, and was worthy of postponing my walk to watch.

Warm....Like a Sweater

First day of Autumn. Hmmm...What does that mean to me?

Sweaters.

Nothing is as comfortable as a favorite sweater. It makes me feel...safe...warm....cozy...and I guess, loved. Just something about it makes me smile. My favorite sweater, thanks for being there. I needed you, I didn't want to be alone.

Angel in the Cemetery

As summer comes to an end, I reflect back over the year so far and the events the have brought me to where I am today.

My favorite high school teacher died, and I never made the time to say thank you.

I watched my daughter leave my side for a trip to Europe, and saw a glimpse of the woman she is becoming.

I cried, heart-broken, holding Carson tight, as the veterinarian struggled to find a vein to end my dog's life.

I made secret handshakes with my middle child, had the best Disney partner - ever!, and watched him confidently start high school.

I realized how thankful I am for my youngest child with all his charm, and his ability to make me laugh.

I watched my husband learn to find balance in work-life, and fulfill a dream by finding the boat.

I stood before a priest, confessing my sins.

I started walking many, many miles a day.

I stood in a cemetery, mesmerized by an angel statue.

Reconsidering Medium

In one form or another, I have been scrapbooking since I was a teenager. Probably even before that if you count all the paper and crayons I consumed as a child. Without a doubt, the need for me to create has always been a piece of the puzzle that makes me who I am.

This year, I started a journey to find.....me. I can never deny the creative part of me. To take it away would be taking away an integral part. The projects I have in my head will always be much more grandeur than anything I can create. But what I am learning, is I need to create for me in order to satisfy my creative spirit.

Throughout the years, I have expressed my creativity in many different forms. Scrapbooking. Sewing. Drawing. Writing. I think I have done it all. I have been successful enough with my scrapbooking endeavors to have been published in books and magazines. Creating objects and clothing out of a simple piece of fabric has brought me so much joy. Watching my children learn from my talents is the most satisfying feeling. Words have always brought me joy, either reading or writing. I tried my hand at writing a novel this year, but when my heart wasn't in it, I knew it was a creativity I wasn't ready to share, so it was best kept inside.

Since the kids are back in school, it is usually the time when I start scrapbooking again. Usually, September is the month where I walk in my studio, and the projects I have thought about over the summer months, get my attention again. This year is different. This is the year, I am realizing I need to create to satisfy my creative spirit, and I am finally confident enough to say I am reconsidering my medium.

I'll keep you posted.