SOMEONE IS AT MY HOUSE...

...SO I AM A LITTLE BEHIND...

...WITH MY BLOGGING.

I have a lot to share, just finding time to do it.

"BARE" with me!!!

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY

To our dad's...

Pete and I were so blessed to have such great dads.

They taught us so much and raised us to be who we are today.

We love you both!!!

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY

My best friend, father of our 3 beautiful children

and Gpa to our little Layla.

Hope you had a great father's day even if you had to work.

Thanks for being such a great husband and daddy.

I am so blessed to have you in my life...

you make life worth living.

DISNEYLAND...

...HERE WE COME!!!

We are on our way...hopefully the weather will be nice.

I haven't been to Disneyland in so long.

So excited to see it through the eyes of Layla.

MILITARY MONDAY

BUCKET FILLER

What soap is to the body, laughter is to the soul.

~Yiddish Proverb

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY

On the 11th,

Happenings at the Robbin's nest

celebrated our 1 year anniversary.

It has been a fun ride and I hope to keep it going.

THIS LITTLE NUGGET....

...IS COMING TO MY HOUSE TODAY.

We are going to have so much fun...

we are going to the Happiest Place on Earth.

DISNEYLAND

here we come!!!

I'VE LEARNED...

I've learned

..... That the best classroom in the world is at the feet of an elderly person

I've learned

.... That when you're in love, it shows.

I've learned

.... That just one person saying to me, 'You've made my day!' makes my day.

I've learned

.... That having a child fall asleep in your arms is one of the most peaceful feelings in the world.

I've learned

.... That being kind is more important than being right.

I've learned

..... That you should never say no to a gift from a child.

I've learned

.... That I can always pray for someone when I don't have the strength to help him in some other way.

I've learned

.....That no matter how serious your life requires you to be, everyone needs a friend to act goofy with.

I've learned

.... That sometimes all a person needs is a hand to hold and a heart to understand.

I've learned

..... That life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer it gets to the end, the faster it goes.

I've learned

.... That we should be glad God doesn't give us everything we ask for.

I've learned

.... That money doesn't buy class.

I've learned

..... That it's those small daily happenings that make life so spectacular.

I've learned

... That under everyone's hard shell is someone who wants to be appreciated and loved.

I've learned

.... That to ignore the facts does not change the facts.

I've learned

.... That when you plan to get even with someone, you are only letting that person continue to hurt you.

I've learned

.... That the easiest way for me to grow as a person is to surround myself with people smarter than I am.

I've learned

.... That everyone you meet deserves to be greeted with a smile.

I've learned

.... That no one is perfect until you fall in love with them.

I've learned

... That life is tough, but I'm tougher.

I've learned

.... That opportunities are never lost; someone will take the ones you miss.

I've learned

.... That when you harbor bitterness, happiness will dock elsewhere.

I've learned

.... That I wish I could have told my Mom that I love her one more time before she passed away.

I've learned

.... That one should keep his words both soft and tender, because tomorrow he may have to eat them.

I've learned

..... That a smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks.

I've learned

.... That when your newly born child holds your little finger in their little fist, that you're hooked for life.

I've learned

.... That everyone wants to live on top of the mountain, but all the happiness and growth occurs while you're climbing it.

I've learned

.... That the less time I have to work with, the more things I get done.

ME JUST THINKING...

DON'T EVER,

EVER

APPOLIGIZE

FOR WHO

YOU ARE...

DON'T EVER LET

SOMEONE

MAKE YOU FEEL

LESS THAN YOU KNOW

YOU ARE!!!

FRIDAY FUNNIES

BETTER LATE THAN NEVER....

I have had a busy couple of days and have not been able to get on the computer to update my blog...I have so much to be thankful for I wanted to make sure I keep this going even if it is a couple of days late.

I am thankful for:

Answered Prayers: Period!!!!

That I am employed: A year and a half being unemployed was awful. I hope with all the stuff going on we don't have lay offs! I also hope that I will not make any little mistakes like I did today...then my trainer makes me feel stupid, hopefully there is a reason behind that and it is not to make him feel better about himself. Dang, I wish I would not be so nervous or intimidated and just do it!!

AUTOGRAPH...

When Pete retires one of his old golf hats, he autographs it and give it to me. This has been a tradition for many years and I hope it continues for a long time. Another reason why I love him and how he makes me laugh.

LAYLA BUG

New videos of this little nugget on my "Layla Links" on my sidebar.

Layla peek a boo and Layla laughing.

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

HAPPY 26th ANNIVERSARY

It seems like just yesterday that we were getting married, but then again it seems like we have been together 4ever. I married my best friend, we not only love each other we like each other. We have had quite a ride, but it is a ride I would take all over again. 

PJ thanks for all you are and all I am because of you. You always bring out the best in me. You challenge me to do things I never thought I could do. You tell me no matter what happens we are always a team and we can get through anything. Thanks for having faith in me. You are my best friend always, forever and no matter what. I am so proud to call you husband.

Here's to many more great years together.

READING

My sister Debby mailed this book with my birthday present, telling me I had to read it. So I finally had some time to start reading it....finished it!! So good. I have always liked Anita Stansfield but was getting tired of her. I seem to switch up what I like to read, of course after reading the Twilight series nothing ever seems good enough. Anyway, I liked this one alot...

...so I ordered the next 3, now I can't wait until they get here.


I was still in the reading mood so while waiting for these to get here I just started reading 

"The Shack" by Wm. Paul Young

MILITARY MONDAY

YEAH....

...I made it through another week of training. 

I am trying so hard.

 I am so dang nervous though...

I don't want to mess up. 

There is so much to learn. 

My brain feels like it is going to pop,

 it can't comprehend anymore, it is full!!!!!

I have one more week in training and they are going to put me by myself.

YIKES!!!

My training officer said he was going to get me some of this.

Maybe I should try some...

CHILDHOOD MEMORIES

Alka Seltzer...My mom always used this stuff and I thought it was disgusting.

The good old green stamps. My mom saved a bunch of these so she could buy me a ukulele for 3rd grade, I had Miss Wells and she taught us all how to play. I still have the ukulele, I wish I would have kept the file folder of music that went with it.

Outhouses...(Don't have a picture of ours but still have the memories. I will have to ask the aunts if they have a picture)

Drive in: (Mom used to be a car hop at this one. Always the place to eat when we go home. Although the original owner does not own it anymore. Still has the nostalgia.)
45 rpm spindles. (When my kids were young I pulled out the record player and records to show them, we played them and danced. Matt looked up at me and said " Gee mom, you guys had big CD's...ouch!!!)
Metal ice cube trays. (We bought our new fridge about 4 years ago and the saleslady could not believe we did not have an automatic ice maker.)
roller skate key. 
Drive in movies...the best of times. I have a lot of great memories, Mom used to put our hair up in those darn pink rollers on Saturday night, then we would go to the drive in. We usually fell asleep but is was so fun to be outside and enjoy a movie. I also went there alot as a teenager on dates and with friends. If Toot is reading this....you know what I am talking about, and just in case you don't here is a reminder...the roof!!!!
The old washtub ringer. Both my grandmas had one of these and it was so fun to watch them do laundry.

Penny candy. When at my Grandma Starich's house, she used to take me to this house and they had a store in their basement that just sold candy...She used to let us pick out one thing and it was a BIG decision. (That kind of sounds creepy now, that this man had a candy store in his basement. Thank goodness grandma was always with us)
We thought we hit it big time when we got jiffy pop instead of making popcorn in the old wire popcorn basket we used to use over the stove or fire. 
snail mail...
I loved these but never learned how to make them. 
Flash bulbs...I remember mom always having to buy flash bulbs for her camera. In fact my first camera had the square flash bulbs, it would turn automatically when you took the picture, then after four pictures you needed a new flashbulb. I love my digital camera!!!!!
Old Yeller...*tear tear
Fire escape tubes.
Lassie...everyone wanted a dog like Lassie
Ding Dong...Avon calling

Aluminum Christmas Trees...My grandparents had one of these. Grandma gave it to me a few years before she passed away. This is also the kind of tree Pete had when he was a little boy.

If you can remember most or all of these, then you have lived!!!

BUCKET FILLER

Can an eraser and a rubber band be considered a romantic gift? If they're given with the right message, you bet. In fact, giving your partner something from the heart can be as simple as giving a few items you probably have in your desk drawer right now. Just attach a note to each item signifying it's importance, and even a toothpick becomes a romantic token of your affection.

The best part about using everyday items is they are easy to find, typically small enough to fit inside a crafted box, and can easily be mailed to a long distance love. Group a few together and you've got an instant Love Survival Kit as well. Here are some ideas:

Toothpick: Because I "picked out" the best fish in the sea.

Flower: In the garden of life, friendships are the flowers.

Lifesavers: Because sometimes we all need a little extra help.

Cotton Pad/Ball: To cushion rough roads we may be traveling.

Rubber Band: To remind us to be flexible.

Safety Pin: To bind us together.

Sweet & Sour Candy: To appreciate the yin & yang of our personalities.

Candle: Because you light up my life.

Hugs & Kisses Candy: Everyone could use a little hug and kiss.

Happy Face Sticker: Catch my smile, it's contagious!

Band-Aid: To help sooth hurt feelings.

Eraser: So we start every day with a clean slate.

Tissue: To dry any tears you may have.

Jewel: You are more valuable than a precious stone.

String: I'll be there for you when you're at the end of your rope.

Bubble Gum: Together we can stick through anything.

Lemon Drop: When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.

Mirror: So you can see my most favorite thing in the world.

Popcorn: Because thoughts of you keep popping into my head.

Jolly Rancher: For all the times you make me laugh.

Sweet Escapes: For all the romantic times we spend together.

Nestle Treasures: I treasure you more than anything in the world.

Puzzle Piece: You complete me.

Sugar Packet: Because you are so sweet to me.

Permanent Marker: Because you've left a lasting impression.

Clay: We can mold our relationship to our own perfect ideals.

Match: Because we're the perfect match.

Silk Rose: I'll love you till this rose dies.

Pom Pom: Because you give me the warm fuzzies inside.

Balloon: Because together we can reach for the sky.

Measuring Tape: Because no one can measure the love I have for you.

Tell someone you love them today!

THE STORM

They were together in the house, just the two of them

It was a cold, dark, stormy night

The storm had come quickly and each time the thunder boomed, 

he watched her jump

She looked across the room and admired his strong appearance

and wished that he would take her in his arms,

comfort her and protect her from the storm

Suddenly with a pop, the power went out...

she screamed....

He raced to the sofa where she was cowering

He didn't hesitate to pull her into his arms

He knew this was a forbidden union 

and expected her to pull back

He was surprised when she didn't resist 

but instead clung to him

The storm raged on.....

They knew it was wrong...

Their families would never understand...

So consumed were they in their fear that they didn't hear the door open...

just a faint click of a camera.....

HAIR CUT...FINALLY

Matty was due for a haircut and I finally had time to give him one.

*this picture is not Matty

All the curls laying on the floor

TA DA...he is back playing on his computer.

I love his hair like this...and he did not want me to take the picture,

BUT too bad...I am the mom...I WIN!!!

LOVE YOU MATTY!!!