FALL, I LOVE IT!!!!

The windows are wide open. The air is crisp, cool and clean. What could be better? Well there are a few things that I can come up with that would make it slightly better.

Things that I miss from upstate NY are:

• The the plentiful apple orchards
• The winding vineyards
• the pumpkin patches
• the rolling vibrant, colorful hillsides
• above all the apple cider donuts.

Things that I like about NC are:

• Being able to plant pansies for the winter season to sit along side the mums.
• The lack of the need of snow shovels
• The use of rainboots instead of snow boots

Clutter, Clutter, and More Clutter

Ugh!!! I can not believe how much clutter a family can have. That's it, I have had enough. I have begun the downsizing of my families possessions by tackling "my" closet first. I am definitely a pack rat, I have battled the first part of the disease of which I accuse my parents of having. I admit it!! I struggle with parting with things.

I can't wait until the neighborhood yard sale to remove these unneeded things from my home. Goodwill will be seeing a lot of me this week. How do us American's allow this to happen? I never would of thought that I would become so materialistic. I really didn't think we were in comparison to the "Jones's." (As in... "keeping up with the Jones's.")

How many white blouses can one person have? Ok, but yes, the 3 that were hanging in my closet have a stain somewhere on them.

Tag Your It!!!

It is a rainy day here in North Carolina. We are officially out of the drought. My husband can go back to his weekend hobby of washing the cars on the weekend. Yes, it is one of his things that he actually enjoys doing. Anyway, Here is a fun tag that Pam included me in. I hope those that I tag will choose to play along.

1. What were you doing ten years ago:

Back in 1998, we were living in Clifton Park, NY. I was working full-time at CompUSA as a Scheduling Coordinator of Computer classes. I was juggling daycare and school for Jared, then 3, and Jillian, then 6, along with Arianna, our niece, who was 7 at the time. She came to live with us for a few years while her mother was stationed with the Air Force in Italy. Jill and Arianna were both busy with dance and girl scouts of which I was an assistant leader for.

2. Five things on my to do list for today:

1. Work at the dance studio this morning.

2. Hopefully have lunch with my friend Deanna, who I feel like I haven't seen in ages. (She lives around the corner.)

3. Catch up on some laundry and other household chores.

4. Chauffeur my kids from school to dance, guitar lessons, and Railhawk practice.

5. Pay some bills after I dole out extra money for math tutor, Key Club dues and field trip.

3. What is your favorite snack?

I love to snack on tortilla chips and salsa/guacamole. To wash it down with either an UNSWEETENED Iced tea or a Margarita if it is after 5. (Yes, it is 5 o'clock some where, right!!!)Yummm!!

4. If I were a millionaire I would:

1. Pay off my mortgage along with the mortgages of a few family members as well.

2. Put enough money aside to completely pay for my kids college tuitions along with my nieces and nephews if they continue to show they deserve it.

3. Give some to my parents and in-laws to allow them to do a little more in their retirement years.

4. Travel, travel, travel!!

5. Establish scholarship funds in the fine arts for aspiring dancers/singers/actresses who were hardworking and dedicated to their craft.

5. Places I have lived:

1. Marion, NY

2. Hamburg, NY

3. Oswego, NY

4. Rochester, NY

5. Watervliet, NY

6. Clifton Park, NY

7. Highland, NY

8. Holly, Springs, NC

6. Five people I'm tagging:

1. Jen at http://cheaperthantherapyjen.blogspot.com/

2. Wilma at http://ncherrera.blogspot.com/

3. Heidi at http://happymoosefamily.blogspot.com/

4. Tracy at http://twhitney.blogspot.com/

5. Marla at http://pakletadventures.blogspot.com/

Happy Wednesday!!