Sunday, February 28, 2010

18 Years Ago...

18 years ago, about this time, I stood, 3 months pregnant with our 3rd son, holding hands with my 6 siblings, around our mothers bed. In the hospital. As she slipped away. We prayed. Her 3 month battle with cancer was over, and we, her 7 children were sad and relieved.

It's hard to see someone you love suffer. Be in pain. Lose their spirit as they lose weight, and themselves, each day.

You might think I'm sad tonight. I'm not. I haven't had my mom for 18 years. And through the loss of her, when it hurt so badly that I thought I couldn't breathe... God had a way to comfort my heart. He, was able to comfort my heart. Each day that went by, each month that passed, every year that added on to the one before... God would comfort my heart.

A daughter never stops missing her mum. I haven't. I can't. She was my mum. I still remember her laugh. I hear her voice. I smell her hair. I feel her hand next mine as we would till the earth around the stone, at the cemetery, every year to plant flowers for Memorial Day.

She's been gone 18 years. 18 years today. But I see her smile on my daughters 14 year old face. Katelyn has my mums mouth. My mum was private, and kept most things to herself. Katelyn, does the same.



There are days in the years my mum has been gone, that I miss her more then most. When my feelings are hurt. When Ben left for the Army. When Matthew ran away from home and was gone for months. When Blue Eyes and I had rough times in our marriage. When my Sweet Baby Girl, (Katelyn Mary, named after my mum), went to her first dance, on her first date. When our oldest brother died, two years ago, Her first born.
When I'm struggling with life and trying to figure out which way to go.

Those are the times I miss my mum. Really miss my mum.

But I have Katelyn, my sisters, my brothers, and memories. I am blessed to see my mum in Katelyns smile, my sisters gentle hands, the way I love and care for my family.

And the assurance that one day, I will be with my mum again.

God has a way of comforting a grieving heart.

Its all good, and I am grateful.

Hugs from Maine

Sunday, February 21, 2010

THIS IS ADORABLE, AND SO TRUE


The first is my favorite... I hope you all have at least one of these.
Hugs from Maine

SUNDAY AFTERNOONS ARE MADE FOR NAPS !!!







My choice...



It's Sunday... go take a nap.
Hugs from Maine

Saturday, February 20, 2010

THE LONG AND SHORT OF IT.


  1. whiten my teeth.
  2. get a short hair cut
  3. go to a rumba class
  4. eat more fruit
  5. hug my first born
  6. spend a whole day going to the movies
  7. drive a volvo xc
  8. walk my dog everyday
  9. open a shop
  10. drive around town in the summer months, bringing free books to kids in low income neighborhoods with Kate. And maybe even a cooler full of Popsicles
  11. try a different flavored ice cream everyday at Giffords until I've tried them all.
  12. travel around the country just me and Kate.
  13. have a huge block party with lots of food, music, dancing and the street blocked off at each end.
  14. live in an apartment
  15. swim naked more.
  16. lose weight. :)
  17. strengthen my body.
  18. read more.
  19. go for a long walk on an empty beach with Kate.
  20. kiss my husband until my lips fall off.
  21. hear all four of my peeps and their loves talking and laughing together from the other room.
  22. talk too and sit long enough to hear from God everyday.
  23. tell each of my sibling how very much I love them.

Just a list of random things I need to a do ...

Hugs from Maine

ITS THAT SIMPLE... REALLY.



Hugs from Maine

Friday, February 12, 2010

WHAT A BLESSED BIRTHDAY!

45 years ago today, I'm pretty sure I was wrapped tightly in a blanket, being fed by a nurse from a glass bottle, wearing cloth diapers, in the hospital nursery with a bunch of other crying newborns. I was the last of my parents 7 children. They were undoubtedly saying a big PHEW WWW... no more! They always said the last two were a surprise. SERIOUSLY!?


Today, 45 years later, was much different. Let me give you the run down of this wonderful day.

Lunch yesterday with 4 great friends at my favorite local restaurant. Sweet gifts, desert passed around the table, circle style. Smiles and laughter, smiles and laughter.

Today, oodles, and oodles, of birthday wishes from family and friends on yes, you guessed it, Face Book. Love it!!!

A phone call from our first born who is still in Germany, wishing his mom a great day. Really love this!

The sweetest letter from one of my peeps (I've been sworn not to give out any more info from said peep ), that blessed my heart beyond words. I will cherish this till the day I go to see Jesus. And then ask Him if He minds if I take it with me. (He just might say yes. He's good like that.)

Oh yeah, and did I mention, one of my brothers called me at 6 am to make sure he was the very first person to wish me a Happy Birthday!!! It was great actually! It reminded me of how close we really still, and always are, even if we get busy with life. He's always got my back. Big brothers are like that ya know. Especially mine.

My Florida sister called and Sewing Sister came by with her hubs to bring me presents from both. Sewing sister even made chocolate covered strawberries! I love those two ! Wow, my siblings rock huh!

A close friend took me to lunch today, (just the two of us. Yes thats two birthday lunches in two days), and then shopping for the most adorable purse this girl has ever had!!! And sunglasses to boot!!!

Then Sweet Baby Girl and I went to the movies to see Valentines Day. Just her and I. All close and mother/daughter like.

Yesterday I got to spend the afternoon with Stella. My mothers close friend. Someone I grew up with. Stella was my moms good friend. I saw her all the time. She knows me, and my mom well. Spending anytime with her is one of my biggest blessings. She isn't my mom, but she's as close as it gets.

Tomorrow, a good friend from 5th grade is taking me out to dinner. We will talk, eat, laugh... laugh some more. Um, yup. I'm a loved girl. So blessed and grateful.


Sweet Baby Girl is lying on the kitchen floor, dog by her side, pillows under her head, ipod in hand, earphones in her ear. Listening to music. Texting, facebooking... I really don't know. Complaining that she should be with her friends on a Friday night. Not home with her parents. But she's here with me, and I'm glad about it.

Blue Eyes is playing golf with Adulterer Tiger on Wii. Well thats what we call Tiger here anyway. Just saying.

I know Jesus loves me. But when He shows me so much of His love in such a short time, in such a real way with family and friends... Well, this girl can't believe how very blessed she is.

Hugs from Maine

Wednesday, February 10, 2010



HUGS FROM MAINE

Thursday, February 4, 2010

How Cute Are They !

Boy these two are so photogenic. And this girl has an eye.




Hugs from Maine

Peonie Love !













Hugs from Maine


Wednesday, February 3, 2010



One of my favorite blogs, Marley & Lockyer, has a wonderful post you don't want to miss.


Ina Garten, Now This Is a Barn...


I love Ina. She makes you feel as though your in her kitchen, sitting at her 18 foot island, sipping one of her cocktails, chatting while she makes one of her delicious meals for you and her to dine on in front of her beautiful fireplace. Jump over to Marley & Lockyer.

Hugs from Maine

Monday, February 1, 2010

INSPIRATION






Hugs from Maine

Thursday, January 28, 2010

BIG SIGH...


These are a few things I know...
  1. When I keep my life SIMPLE, I'm a happy girl.
  2. Saying "yes" to everything and everyone does not keep my life simple.
  3. Saying "no" is a VERY GOOD THING!
  4. I can stay in my pajamas all day if I need too. Blue Eyes doesn't mind.
  5. I need to remember how much I love to dance. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE !!!

  6. I love my blog ! It is an extension of me, and something I really enjoy.
  7. The more I'm home, the more I love it.
  8. Having all my peeps and their loves, in the kitchen, laughing, talking, (sometimes over each other), eating and just being home, blesses my mothers heart more then a million dollars ever could.
  9. Going for a walk at night with Sophie, after the snow falls when the ground is fresh with white is so very peaceful.
  10. I will continue to strive to "live in the moment" as much as possible. Because my peeps are growing up so fast, and time is precious.



    (none of these pictures are my own. Although a couple really do look like me!)
Hugs from Maine

I'M TRYING TO GET MOTIVATED !



Hugs from Maine

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

LETS MAKE A VISIT

One of my favorite blogs to visit is Just A Girl

...

She is sharing tips that have made her life easier and boy, you don't want to miss this...



This girls house is organized in a doable way. (hey, is that a real word?) Click on her link, and enjoy.

Just A Girl


Hugs from Maine

Sunday, January 24, 2010

SWEET BABY GIRL AND HER BF

Yesterday was Justins birthday. Katie had the best time.
They have been dating for a few months now, and all is well. I'm a happy mom. She's a happy teenager. (Wait, what did I just say?!). Well, shes a happy teenager, when she's with him, and I think thats just fine. (Code for, I'll take what I can get)




He is a wonderful young man, and they are blessed to have each other. They do nothing but smile when their together. And I'm good with that!
(Justins mom took this picture yesterday. I played with it on a site Katie showed me. I'm officially addicted to it! )

HUGS FROM MAINE

Saturday, January 23, 2010

WHEN YOUR PEEPS GET SICK, DO YOU JUST WANT TO CLEAN !


I don't know about you, but when my peeps get sick, I just want to clean EVERYTHING in sight. And I mean EVERYTHING !!! Windows are opened, out come the disinfecting wipes, bleach, paper towels, and away I go!

One peep was sick yesterday and is fine today so I didn't get all OCD at first. But once a second peep gets it, well, my OCD hits the fan and my house never smelled so clean. I don't really have, OCD. Although my friends are reading this with raised eyebrows right now.

Anyway, I hope all loved ones are well at your house this weekend. Nothing big here. And remember, I'm the mom. I don't get sick.

Hugs from Maine

ENOUGH SAID !



HUGS FROM MAINE

Friday, January 22, 2010

I'VE CHANGED MY NAME

When I was a child, I never liked my middle name.

Marie.

Boring. Common. Never liked it.  Now that I'm a mom, I understand so much more about my own mom who has been gone for 18 years this year. She had 7 children, and I was the youngest. Imagine how tired that poor woman was.

Anyway, I say all that to say that when I got married to the most wonderful man in the world, almost 26 years ago, I dropped my middle name, kept my maiden name, and added my married name. Following me?

Well as the first year of my blog came closer, I realized I wanted to change that name too. So I have gone from

Living My Life Outside The Box to, 9 Bartlett.

I still think and approach pretty much everything a little outside the box. I thank my mom for that. She really let me be as creative as my little self could be But now my new name just suits me better. Everyday, I am so glad and thankful to be living at 9 Bartlett. Its a wonderful, warm, house that has felt like home to me from the very first day we moved in.

So although my name has changed, my blog remains the same.
To quote a good friend of mine who has known me from 5th grade, "Your real. You connect to people. Thats what you use your blog for. "



Plus, its my blog, and I can pretty much do what I want with it. And I will.


Hugs to you from Maine

Monday, January 18, 2010

ARE YOU SURE?



Really?

Hugs from Maine

Friday, January 15, 2010

IT'S BLUE EYES BIRTHDAY TOMORROW !

Tomorrow is my husbands birthday... He will be 46!



Wait... Weren't we just 19 and 20 yesterday ?



I thought I would tell you the things I love about this guy on his 46th birthday.
  1. He is the hardest working man I've ever known. Know matter what the job is, this man works like two men. Really.
  2. He has the most incredible eyes. Bluer then blue.
  3. He loves me as much as he did 26 years ago.
  4. He has a wonderful sense of humor, and he often makes me laugh so hard.
  5. He is a great dad to our 4 peeps.
  6. I still feel so safe whenever he holds my hand.
  7. His kiss still takes my breath away.
  8. Being his wife is the second best decision I have ever made.
  9. Every year we have together, I am more and more grateful to be married to him.
  10. His kiss still takes my breath away. Oh yeah, I already said that. Worth repeating.
Happy Birthday Blue Eyes. Your still 20 in my heart !

HUGS FROM MAINE