October's book club selection

We selected our book for October - Eat, Pray, Love. What can I say about this book......I LOVED IT! Now, I have to be honest and say I have not completely finished it.....I didn't go to book club this month because of company.....so I did not feel the pressure to finish the book for the meeting.

Back to the book......I am always putting in asides and I don't mean to, they just happen.....anyways, back to the book. I loved it. I thought that Ms. Gilbert has wonderfully honest in her quest for self-acceptance, self-respect and self-love. It was easy to relate to her struggles....though we are in very different roles and phases of our lives.....but her struggles and how she wrote about them made it easy for me to connect. She so easily conveyed angst, frustration, worry, obsession, fear, longing, acceptance and so many more human....and really womanly.....experiences and feelings. I wanted her to find happiness and all that life had to offer....I hope she does (remember, I still haven't finished the book). And, I give her many, many, many kudos for having the guts to write about her personal life at one of the most painful and gut wrenching times.....and then to have it published for all those to read....those that have been hurt in the process of her divorce. I admire her for putting it all out there....for others to read....and then comment on. It is a great book and one I recommend to anyone on a quest for self.

Flicker photos

Ok.....since it has been some time since my last post, I am taking the lazy way out and uploading several of my photos to the flicker. That is the little slide show ticker of flashing photos on the right side of my blog. If you want new pictures, watch the flicker.

Happy Halloween, 2007!

After much urging and persistent begging from SEVERAL people.....who will go unnamed......I have finally updated my blog! I know that many of you really just want picture after picture after picture of William and Paul.....and really, I do want to provide you with this joy....but sometimes at the end of the day I just want to escape to my bedroom and watch mindless tv. Really, is that too much to ask for?

Okay, okay, okay, so enough of my babble. Here are some pictures of the boys from Halloween. William was a scary skeleton and Paulie was a bear. A ferocious bear I might add. All the kids were scared to death of him. How could they not be when he is so darn cute....and scary.

Almost done

For those faithful friends and family members.....I know, that is everyone out there, I am almost done with the montage of Liser. Oh, again with the nickname....I can't help myself. She was too darn cute to just call Lisa. Anyway, back to the update, I have picked my photos and am uploading the old ones to the computer. Kevin has even gone and scoured his computer to look for some good ones of her. I have chosen my songs....or at least I have selected the ones I like for now. I am hoping to have it completed really soon. Keep checking back because THIS IS a priority for us!

It's that time again........

Yup, you guessed it....it is that time again....Fall Premier week on TV! And, I have to say that this is probably one of the first times that I have been looking forward to it. How, do you ask, could this happen? Children, young children, is the answer. When you have no social life because you live 17 miles from a main road that will take you to a town that is another 10 minute drive....you quickly learn that your children, husband and TV are your outlets. It is necessary.....and THANK GOD for DVR! Without it I would be one angry, annoyed, unhappy Mommy. No, that is not the Yummy Mommy that Jennie Garth was on Dancing with the Stars premier night! And, speaking of Dancing with the Stars, that is MY SHOW! I LOVE IT. Again, that is LOVE IT!!!!!!!!! I have been an avid watcher since the first season. I would love to dance, but I know the world, or even the local Arthur Murray Dance Studio, is not ready for my moves. So, I will keep them under raps....for now. But really, enough blogging from me....I must really get back to my TV watching. My children are asleep and this is the ONLY time I have for Dancing. Gotta go.

Nicknames

The past two days have been VERY difficult for our family. Lisa, our beloved Dalmatian, gently passed on. It has been very difficult on everyone. I am in the midst of creating a video montage of times and loves with Lisa. Please check back.

Anyway, what started this post are my crazy, random thoughts during this time of sadness, crying, reminiscing, and pure love for Lisa. These thoughts all started with my MANY nicknames for her and it got me wondering about nicknames. My name really does not translate into a nickname other than Trace....and at times, that is boring. I never thought I was one that used nicknames, but as time has moved on and I have become a mother....three times (Lisa is my FIRST baby), I noticed I use only nicknames when calling my babies. So here is a listing of Lisa's nicknames......very rarely did I just say "Lisa". That ONLY occurred when I was annoyed, angry, pissed, and a variety of other feelings associated with destruction and messes. At those times she was then called "LEESSA!" If I had to choose the sweetest, most loved nickname for my gal, (at the moment) I would have to go with "Lisa Marie". Anyway, enough of my babbling, here is my list.

Lisee
Lisee Bear
Liser
Lisa Marie
Bear
Bearser
Lis
Lisapooh
Lisagal
Old gal
Baby girl

Oh, and she answered to every single one of these names....especially if food was involved.

Not only has Lisa been given several nicknames, but so have my children....and they, like Lisa, answer to all of them. I mean why not, they probably don't know their given names.....rarely do I say those names!

William's many nicknames:
Wee
Wee-man
Wee-Yum
The Wee
The W

Paul's many nicknames:
P
The P
P-lay
The P-lay
Paulie Wallie
I forgot that Paul's real name is Paul. I mainly call him P-lay or Paulie Wallie. It is so bad, that if you ask William what his brother's name is he replies: "Paulie Wallie". I need to stop, I just don't know how to. It is even funnier when you hear me talking to others saying:

"Blah blah blah and the Wee, the P, and the Liser were there too".

How strange and funny are those names.....good things they are just nicknames, but really in my world they are more likely the name that you will be called. Oh, and if you are wondering No, I don't have ANY nicknames for Kevin. But he has plenty for me. I am sure you have even heard them. If not, I will refresh your memory:
Devil Woman
T-Rex
The Tracenator

We are still here!

We have been out of the loop for a few days. The boys and I traveled to Fort Wayne, Indiana to visit with my Uncle, Aunt, cousins, and Grandmother for the Labor Day weekend. My brothers, their wives, and little nieces also went. So, we had a Von Gunten/Faulkenberg reunion. It was GREAT to see everyone, hold the new babies, and spend some time together. We have not been together for MANY, MANY, MANY years. Needless to say though, it has taken me some time to get back in the grove of things.....like posting to the blog. I do have some great pictures and video from the weekend. I promise to try and get them uploaded soon. I think every night I will blog a bit....and then night comes.....I am tired.....and just crash. Which means I am watching mindless tv trying to decompress from the day. If I were Kevin, I would be watching mindless tv....football!