Busy July!

I don't know about your calendar, but my July calender is filling up FAST! I'm not sure how it's all going to work out, but I'm sure it will be hectic and fun!

I spent last weekend with my brother, helping clean out my mother's attic. That was no task for the weak, let me tell you! But...it was fun and I had excellent quality time with my favorite little brother.

Tomorrow my oldest is having surgery. Obviously it will be a quiet weekend!

Jen and I have an advisory board meeting on the 8th.... and I'll be THE mad woman in the attic again that weekend....

Jonathan has a week of lacrosse camp at Dickinson College.....

Then Jenna and I will be spending 4 days at PSU for the Transition Conference!!!! Thank you PaTTAN for the scholarship!!!!! YOU ROCK!!!!! I am beyond excited and so looking forward to going. I'm hoping to leave with more knowledge of the transition program than I could ever use. And thus, I can help my girls achieve independence.

I may be quiet for a bit, while all of this is happening.....

Adorable Baby Clothes (and More!)

In looking through the attic at my Mother's, I was reminded that my family only bought the best for me, when I was little. I had designer baby clothes and nothing but the finest of toys. Some say I was spoiled, but my family liked to say I was well loved. At any rate, it sparked this interest in looking for designer baby clothes for Hope, and finer toys, as well.

I found LouLou's Corner and instantly fell in love. I closed my eyes and was instantly inside their boutique in NC., looking through the racks and peeking at the toys on display. Of course when I opened my eyes I was still in my messy living room with Hope screaming MaaaaMaaaaa in the background....but a Mama is allowed to dream once in a while, right?

I am especially fond of the Appaman clothing line. I am sure it's due, in part, to the story behind the name, as I am part Norwedgian. I can just see Hope in the adorable little clothes! I love the frilly skirts paired with tshirts, for my active little girl! She already knows how to twril around in pretty skirts and dresses and acts like the princess that she is. :-)

LouLou's also carries a brand named Barefoot Dreams I adore this product line because not only can you find fantastic children's gifts, but also some lovely grown up gear as well. Who wouldn't want to be lounging around in Barefoot Dreams silk pjs or a warm Barefoot Dreams Cozy Chic Throw? I know I'm adding these items to MY wish list!

Of course there are the adorableJelly Cat animals. Hope has taken a liking to a stuffed pig...I know she would just adore one of these Jelly Cat piggies!

I could go on and on, I am just in love with LouLou's Corner and I know you will be too. :-)

Dyson Giveaway!

Check this out! 5 Minutes for Mom is giving away dyson vacuums! These are my DREAM vacuums. I even make a point to fondle them when I am in the store. HA! Seriously. So I hope I win...but if I don't, maybe it will be one of you! So go enter and tell them Maggie sent ya. LOL!

An Interesting Freebie

I was surfing google tonight, looking for inexpensive ways to obtain my college degree....as I am not independently wealthy and I want to avoid more debt if at all possible. I do not absolutely need a degree, I may never use a degree but I want one. It's not like I must do this for advancement or anything. While I didn't find anything worth mentioning for myself, I did find something possibly interesting to active duty military. I read that you can earn your degree for free through Excelsior College by taking their tests. Here's some info I found:

Excelsior College Exams

Excelsior is New York State’s adult education and distance learning college. Most who register for these exams are also working toward a distance undergraduate degree with Excelsior, but other colleges also accept these exams. Choose from 51 exams in the arts and sciences, business, nursing and education.

The cost is higher for these exams than for most other types of challenge exams: $235 or more per exam. But, if you're active-duty military, you can take Excelsior College exams for free.

Contact: Excelsior College, 888-647-2388.

I hope this information is helpful to someone!

Random teen thoughts

Yesterday was a very drama-filled day for my daughter and her friends. I did get something positive from it all.....I was told the following by two of her teenage friends....

16 yr old girl while standing at my door crying: I didn't know where else to go. I knew I'd be safe here....

18 yr old boy: can I spend the night with you? After I asked why, was told "because I want to feel like a real family. You know, hang out, watch movies, just be with you, Mom.

If I learned anything, it's that I'm making a real difference with these children.

Then my daughter, distraught, after her best friend ran away, says, mom, I love you. I'm lucky to have you.......