Day 64 ~ Evergreen Aviation Museum

We went to The Evergreen Aviation Museum for the first time and is was one of the best museums I have seen.

This place was nothing less than awesome. I have lived near it for 5 years and never have been inside, but tried something new and took a step into a time machine. It changed how I looked at things and put parts of history in a different perspective. They even had the Howard Hughes' Spruce Goose there, and I could not believe the size of the plane, it almost seemed unreal.

One of the things that I noticed, that made such an impression on me, was all the fighter planes. They had all types, from all time areas, and I was shocked at just how open and terrifying it must have been. Open glass areas with guns everywhere, or even planes with no glass, just open and guns. It kept running through my head what these guys must have been thinking, and how scary it must have been. It puts a new perspective on things, and although I have always thought war to be terrifying, it just made me realize the sacrifice so many make for my freedom. I just walked away feeling so blessed and really taking into account all that has been done for me and my children. It was pretty amazing.





The girls had such a great time and they even had a section of different things the girls could get into and sit or pretend to fly. They loved the hands on area and so did I.



They had all sorts of planes, helicopters, cars, tanks, and motorcycles and of all the things I saw, I decided I would love one of these. I can imagine myself in one and the fun my hubby and I could have. It is a dream, but a nice one!



They also have a space museum and that will be my next thing on my list. If you haven't been there I would highly recommend it and I know you will not be disappointed.

Day 63 ~ Planting

I love flowers, I love to see how things bloom in the spring.
My new thing for the day was planting 7 different plants!

There is something to be said about spring, and the way it makes people feel. To watch the yard come to life brings a sense of joy, happiness and excitement about the season coming. The color and smell of flowers puts a smile on my face. It is such a welcome interruption of the gray days and the gloominess of winter. I wanted to look out my kitchen window and see some green so I focused on some of my shady areas, and open spaces. I can not wait to see what they look like as they grow this spring and summer. It is almost like a present, waiting to be opened.

I planted 7 new plants and I think I will plant another 7 before the week is up. My backyard needs some landscaping!!

Day 62 ~ A New Book

I started a new book called Shopaholic Takes Manhattan. It is the same writer as Confessions of a Shopaholic, and I loved the movie so I thought, "Why not?"

I do like to read but never do. I read the Twilight series and loved it, but that is the last time I really got into a book, and that was last year. Honestly, I haven't read many book since college. I think I burned myself out and now reading seems to take so much effort. The Twilight series was easy but is hard for me to find a book I can get into. I find myself reading and within a few minutes I get bored and my eyes hurt. #1 I think I need reading glasses, #2 I think I need a good story. My friend recommended the series written by Sophie Kinsella so I will let you know what I think when I am done. So far, so good.

I also started Season 3 of the Sopranos, I watched 3 episodes in one night. I love that show!

If you have any great suggestions for books, please let me know!

Day 61 ~ Refried Beans

By now you must know I love to cook. This time I attempted to make homemade refried beans.

I love Mexican food. I mean I LOVE MEXICAN FOOD!! My goal is to find some recipes I love that are healthy and tasty. My first attempt at that was making homemade pinto beans. It started by soaking my beans over night. I had no idea they would take so long to cook the next day. I printed out 3 different recipes, and picked out the things I like about each and went to work. 2 1/2 hours later they were done. Thank God I soaked them over night because once they were done, I was done, and wanted nothing more to do with refried beans. I was literally angry at those beans until I heard my girl's reaction to them. They loved them! To find something every one of my kids love, and want more of, was awesome. Not to mention the fact, they were very healthy. Thankfully they made a large containers worth, and I will have some for the week.

Next time I think I will cook them in a crock pot.

Day 60 ~ The Beginning of a New Chapter

It was the first day of work for my husband's new job. It began a new chapter in life.

I finally felt like I could exhale when he got home from work. The funny thing is, I never even realized I was holding my breath. We have had so many ups and downs the past three years, I guess I was a little nervous something would happen before his first day. When he came home, he said to me, "You can exhale now." I laughed. We were both smiling, I can honestly say I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. When things are rough, and something good comes along, it is hard to believe it is real. Could my husband really have found his career, could we really be OK now? We aren't going to lose the house, we all have insurance, retirement and life insurance, and we can pay the bills. Is this real? For so long, we took those things for granted, now it feels like a huge blessing in life. These past few years have been rough, but I know we have learned so much about us, our love, and hard work. We have also learned how to suck it up, and push through. What is new is a new chapter in our life. It will forever be marked as a new beginning. A new beginning with unlimited possibilities in life.

Day 59 ~ A New Chair

I have been searching on craigslist for 2 new chairs to go with my kitchen table. It has been a pain in the butt, but it finally paid off.

My new thing today was my 2 new chairs. As you can see in the photo, they are not a perfect match but they match well enough for me. They are a little smaller than the chairs I have but the best part about it was they were free! That is right. I had written the seller about the chairs and they offered them to me free, they just wanted them gone. I never go to get anything from craigslist alone so my husband drove over after work and picked them up. They were a nice couple and he said thank you and left. Can you believe it? Talk about my lucky day! It is nice that there are people like that out there!

Day 58 ~ Pump it Up and The Invention of Lying

All three girls went to a Birthday party at Pump it up and it was the first time for my youngest daughter. She was climbing, jumping and sliding with the big kids and as I watched I felt my heart squeeze, my baby is not a baby anymore.

Pump it Up is "The Inflatable Party Zone" with huge bounce houses, tall blown up slides, and large blown up obstacle courses. I was climbing and jumping in with my youngest and was laughing and giggling like I was one of the birthday kids. I kept thinking how great it would be with a few adult friends, to just go and spend an hour. Guaranteed everyone would have as much fun as the kids did, and it would bring out that inner child. There aren't too many things today that really bring out the kid inside us and allow us to do a face plant and still laugh it off! By the end of the party the kids were whipped and so was I, it was a good time. Side note... button up shirts aren't ideal for the obstacle course, unless your plan is to become the entertainment, if you know what I mean! NEVER AGAIN!

Another new thing for the day was the movie The Invention of Lying. Anything Ricky Gervais is in I can almost be guaranteed a good laugh. I admit the first scene threw me off, and I wasn't sure how much I would like it, but by the end of the movie I had laughed and cried and I loved it! It is definitely an adult movie, the humor can be a little crude at times, but if you need a good laugh, you are sure to have a few with this one!