happy birthday

to William! He's one today!!!

There's a new sheriff in town....

or did Rambo come to join us for Christmas morning? This was by far one of Matt's favorite presents.... a trunk full of army stuff!!!

Merry Christmas from Hannah Montana!

This was a highlight from Christmas morning. John opened a card with Hannah Montana on the front and inside she was singing Rocking Around the Christmas Tree. He loved it!

Hello!!!

So is anyone else in the "Christmas is over so now what do I do", kind of rut? I love all things Christmas. For the last month, I have had some sort of Christmas task to do each day. I am sure most of you know, as my blog material reflected this. Well the crafting is done, and I have baked myself into oblivion. As for shopping, I do not wish to visit another store. So what can my next obsession be? I am note quite sure. I do, however, welcome your suggestions!!! I'll have to get busy with something.

All joking aside. I had a wonderful Christmas. I just wish it didn't fly by so quickly. It's kind of like your wedding day. The excitement and anticipation builds, and then it's just over. I must say, I really enjoyed receiving so many ideas from other bloggers this year. It was really fun.

I hope everyone enjoyed the holidays and will continue to celebrate through the new year!

Merry Christmas!

Hope you have a very blessed Christmas and a happy and healthy New Year. Wishing you peace, love, joy and wonder at this time and through out the year.



note: my digital card kit is from Heatherann Designs

Stockings, John, reindeer & the Odd Lot

Just some random thoughts to mention today. Have I mentioned how insane my husband becomes at this time of year. He's definitely not a Scrooge. No way! In fact, it's the contrary. He is so into Christmas that he's been out more times shopping than me. I have no idea what he's buying. I actually think he just enjoys being out shopping. Maybe he's not even buying much. It's kind of good though because, he'll pick things up for me while he's out. For instance, I needed new stockings for the mantle this year because we can't find our old ones! Well I wanted them all to match and did not want to spend a small fortune on the department store ones or Pottery Barn. I just wanted plain red and white fluffy ones. I actually found the last two the other day at Stop and Shop. Then John scored another one at the S & S on the other side of town. It was the last one they had. Today he found the final one while shopping about twenty miles away. It figures, they had tons of them. So there you have it, we now have new stockings and they were only $3.99 each.

Now for the reindeer part.... Today John went to the Job Lot or "Odd Lot" as I refer to it. It's kind of like a bargain or surplus store. They have some good finds, but mostly junk. He called me from there to ask me if 400 count sheets were good. I said they can be good, but I actually just bought 600 counts sheets last week, as I had a very old credit to Linens and Thing. We needed sheets desperately (10 years of marriage and you start needing new everything whether you want it or not, things are wearing out!!!) My new ones are like heaven. I love them. Well getting back to the John, the Odd Lot and sheets. He called to tell me that they had really cool reindeer, 400 count sheets, and did I want a set!!!! Are you freakin kidding me, John?!?!? Perhaps they would feel the void for him as he had a non-hunting year season. Or does he just want to sleep with Bambi? In any event I said no I just bought new sheets. He then chimes, "can't we always use another set?" I said, "fine just get them!" So he did. I now have a brand new set of reindeer 400 count sheets. Isn't it just what you always wanted? Don't ask Santa for them just go to your nearest Odd Lot. If not, let me know and I am sure John can pick you up a set!!!

Too cute...

I just couldn't resist this shot of Thomas still asleep after John's Christmas concert last Thursday. I wish you could see the little deer antlers on his hat. They were also on his khaki pants.

A bit of this and that...

Well it was another snow day here. My husband worked and my boys were at their grandparents house for last night and today. Though I missed them all, it was a nice day. That is, it was nice after I finished shoveling heavy rain soaked snow and lots of it, for 2 and a half hours. Then a snow plow came by and knocked a lot of the snow back onto the sidewalk!!! UGH! Oh well, enough complaining for me!

I apologize for not posting my peanut butter ball recipe for those of you who requested it. I figured it was only fitting to post it since, I will be turning out a ton of them this week.

1lb. bag of milk chocolate
1 18oz. jar of peanut butter
2 & 1/2 cups of graham cracker crumbs
2 stick butter very soft but NOT melted
1 tsp. vanilla flavoring

Mix peanut butter, graham cracker crumbs, butter, and vanilla with mixer until completely blended. Form a big ball and wrap with plastic wrap. Chill for a couple of hours.
After the mixture has chilled scoop the mixture with a teaspoon or small baller and place on a cookie sheet lined with wax paper. Melt the chocolate and add some cooking oil to thin it out a bit. Dip the peanut butter balls until they are completely covered with chocolate and set them back on the wax paper. Chill in the refrigerator until hardened. I also like to put them into the freezer, as they are very good frozen too. I usually give them as gifts and put them in cellophane bags. Enjoy!

I am also going to make these for John's classmates.

How 'bout some not so frozen food?!?!?

I opened the freezer yesterday and Popsicle juice was just dripping everywhere. My first thought was that my refrigerator had bit the big one. Nope! I looked at the controls which are located inside the refrigerator. They were all messed up. The refrigerator one was turned down, and the freezer one was shut off.

I called Matt into the kitchen, because I suspected that was something he would do. Though, I know he wouldn't know what he was actually doing. Some times he just can't resist playing with buttons!!! My suspicions were confirmed when he told me he was playing with the controls a couple of days ago!!! Yikes!

Well since it's snowing like crazy, I won't be getting out until tomorrow to go grocery shopping. On the bright side, I guess this was one way to give my refrigerator and freezer a good cleaning!!! I know Matt will never do that again as he thinks I won't buy his favorite item in the world again..... Popsicles!!!

Hope it doesn't freeze....

Matt, my little fruit loop seeing if his tongue would freeze to John's face! Gotta to love it!

A favorite....

Snowboarding....

Having a ball......

literally. Matt was thrilled to have a snow day! He played outside all morning, and we all went sledding this afternoon. Here he's about to get hit by a snowball!!!

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Itchy, itchy, itchy...

Wow today knocked me through a loop, figuratively of course. I headed out this morning with my list of tasks. I am so not a list person so the fact that I had one was nothing short of a miracle. In fact my "normal" way of grocery shopping consists of me walking up and down the isles waiting for visual clues in order to create my mental list. Mental... that's right!!!
In any event, my plan of attack was foiled when my hairdresser and friend called me on my cell phone to confirm my 10:00 am cut and foil appointment. This morning, I exclaimed???? She replied "Yes!!!" Fortunately my mom was available to watch Thomas so I left the dollar store and bee-lined it to her house. Though having my hair down through a huge wrench in my plans, the thought of not having it done by Christmas frightened me!!! Please don't think I am vain!!!

Additionally, John was going to take the boys to the barber shop after school as they were in desperate need of cuts too. Little John's Christmas concert is tomorrow so I really wanted him to get it all cleaned up. Unfortunately John had to work really late so I took them after my sister came for Thomas. We made it to the barber shop before closing much to their dismay. For some unknown reason, my guys think of going to the barber shop as "men time". Adding me to the equation seems to spoil it for them. Do they actually think I enjoy it??? In any event, they got their nice clean cuts, and the mission was a success (at least in my book!!!).

On to the next task, which was shopping for my elderly friend. This venture was really not in the boys' plans. Once again, do they think I wanted to do it??? Some times you just have to suck it up, right? Well as we were shopping, Matthew starts whining, "mom will you pleeeeeeze give us baths tonight, I am sooooo sticky!!! (probably from the two lollipops he got at the b.s.) Halfway down the isle John chimes, "mom I am sooooo itchy." Then in unison they both start again, "can we pleeeeeze have baths tonight. Mom we are so itchy." I must have heard this a hundred times!!! Goodness gracious, you would seriously think I never gave them baths, yet they have one nightly (or almost!) Despite my reassurance that yes, they would have baths, they kept it up.... and up!!! One lady who had heard the whole exchange looked a little puzzled. I smiled and said they just had their hair cut! Well like my fellow blogger Zoe who affectionately calls her children terrorists, I could relate tonight (and on other occasions too.) They did not want to be in the grocery store at dinner time and they did everything to get me out of there. Smart little buggers, because it probably worked, as I was quick. Wouldn't you be under these circumstances?

Though Matt was the instigator of this whole thing, I swear his sixth sense knows what the word "itchy" does to me!!! to be continued.....

Kill him with kindness....

well no not really but here's what happened. Lately John hasn't quite been himself. Though a bit sensitive (mostly in a good way), he's a happy go lucky kid. He has a great sense of humor, and he genuinely loves life, as he should. Recently, something has been bothering him. Though I think this time of year can be difficult on children, especially with all the excitement and anticipation, I think it's a bit more for him.

I know one of his classmates sometimes gives him a hard time. Not exactly in the bullying sense but more like trying to be one step a head of him. Perhaps he's vying to be, as the kids put it, cooler? In any event, I know John's bothered when he never picks John for his kick ball team or when John asks him to be his partner, he chooses someone else. I know kids do the darnedest things but sometimes it breaks my heart. Though he isn't actually doing anything to John physically, kids don't like to be left out. They want to feel good about themselves (and it doesn't end as kids!)
Well every so often, John will make a comment about this boy and it's never in a mean way. For example, he'll just ask why we think he doesn't pick him for his team or why he won't talk to him? While trying to remain on the positive side, I'll just try to reassure John and tell him that thought sometimes people aren't always inclusive or nice, he (John) should still be.

After school today, John emptied out his back-pack, as he does every day. Mixed in with one of his papers was a hand-written note. A note he wrote to the previously mentioned boy.

To: XXXX
From: John
Hope you have a great day and Merry Christmas!

then written on the bottom was

To:John
From:XXX
Thanks!

Seriously I don't like to brag. I would never want to sound obnoxious. However, I feel incredibly blessed especially when at a mere 7 and half years old, this kids is really getting it. He's well on his way in this life. He knows how to treat people kindly, and I know he'll go far. I am not bragging, but I am proud.

Have a laugh on me....

it's all on me today. I don't hope you're having bad day today but if you are, you'll surely have a smile when you here this one. Here goes..... Well the weather today is less than desirable. You might say, it's icy as hell out there. Well maybe not... that sounds like an oxymoron to me. (trust me I am the moron today!!!) In any event, it's pretty darn icy hear today!!! There's lots of black ice. Having said that, I carefully loaded Thomas and Matthew in the truck this morning to take Matthew to preschool. I did them one by one, as I am very fearful of falling, especially with the baby. Thankfully, I got them in the car safely.

Now let me rewind. Before I went out, I was reaching for my boots in the closet and banged my head. The kind of bang that knocked me backwards and I sort of saw stars for about 30 seconds. Lisa and Mary, you can just keep laughing!!!! Well then with a headache, I proceeded to bundle the boys up. We were detoured a a few minutes, as Thomas had a bad diaper. I changed the diaper and we were off. Though, I still smelled the diaper, I figured it was just rather pungent. Afterwards, I took the diaper out to the trash and began loading them in the truck.

I am all caught up with this story. The boys are in the truck. The diaper is on the sidewalk with the trash because it's trash days. Yes, bringing all our trash out to the sidewalk was also a small feat on this icy day. In any event, we were all unscathed by the ice or should I say they were, and I almost was. While getting into the truck, I stepped on the running board. Alas, I fell backwards!!! Oh and it gets better. I get in the truck and Matt, proclaims.... "mom you have a huge bruise on your cheek, mommy!!!" I tell him I can't, because I didn't hit my cheek. He says, "oh yes you do!!!" I then look in the rear-view mirror. Oh my goodness, it's not a bruise, it's sh@#!!! Well there you have it, now I knew why I still smelled that damn diaper. Oh what a day!!!! By the way, I have had a splitting headache all day!!!

The Codners....

I had a lot of fun taking some pictures of Lisa's children a couple of days ago for her Christmas card. Luckily I got a good one of all three!!!

Thoughts for Thursdays

I have been a bit absent from the blog world for the last few days!!! I confess that I have been lurking a little! This being said, I am feeling like there just aren't enought hours in the day.

There are so many things that I want to be doing right now. I am enjoying my new camera. Trying to learn Photo Shop and trying to design my Christmas Cards. Additionally, I have a bunch of projects laid out around the house, particuliarly Christmas crafts. All of these things make me happy!!!

On the flip side like everyone, there's work to be done. My house looks like a tornado hit. All of my decorations are not out yet. I have shopping to finish and places to go over the weekend. Of course most importantly, I have a family who are at the top of my list, and I wouldn't have it any other way!!!

Well I know I am not the only busy person out there feeling like this, and I am by far not the busiest person. In addition, I am blessed in that I don't have real problems. I guess, if I could just ask for one thing from Santa, it would be more time. There are soooo many things I would love to do!!! Of course, the big guy just isn't going to package up some "time" with a nice fancy ribbon. Therefore, I ask you, how do you all find the time???? I would love to hear from you.

The T Man

Just couldn't resist sharing this picture.

Can you say character?

He was definitely a cool character. I just couldn't resist snapping this shot. He was nice enough to keep checking on us while we were "tree hunting". Finally, when we were done, he gave us a ride back with our tree. The whole experience would not be complete with out his tractor ride every year!

Thank god for kids...

I came across this song while downloading Christmas songs to take away with me this past weekend. Maybe you've all heard this before. I hadn't heard it in a while, and I just love it. I tried to put it on my player, below but it wasn't available. I found it on you tube with this video. Enjoy!

Attitude.....

Once again, I can't take credit for this. (it was forwarded to me without an author) However, I do think it's one worth sharing. Have a great day!

Attitude...

There once was a woman who woke up one morning, looked in the mirror, and noticed she had only three hairs on her head.

Well," she said, "I think I'll braid my hair today?"

So she did and she had a wonderful day.

The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror

and saw that she had only two hairs on her head.

"H-M-M," she said, "I think I'll part my hair down the middle today?"

So she did and she had a grand day.

The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and

noticed that she had only one hair on her head.

"Well," she said, "today I'm going to wear my hair in a pony tail."

So she did and she had a fun, fun day.

The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and

noticed that there wasn't a single hair on her head. "

YEA!" she exclaimed,

"I don't have to fix my hair today!"

Attitude is everything.

Be kinder than necessary,

for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.

Live simply, Love generously,

Care deeply, Speak kindly.......and
Remember:
Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass..
It's about learning to dance in the rain.

In search of an almost perfect....

Christmas tree for us! Though the outside temperature was a mere 11 degrees, John and I found our Christmas tree. Rest assure, it was no quick task. We dressed for the occasion, wearing, layers as well as our parkas and snow pants. The hand warmers which we slipped in our gloves, definitely aided our success. I wonder whose idea they were? We traipsed around Paines Christmas Tree Farm for about two hours, before we picked our winner. It was surely a team effort. Fortunately the tree farm encompassed many acres, therefore no one could have noticed how foolish we looked, checking out tree after tree!!! John takes a liking to the bigger trees. Do you think it's a guy thing? While I like a nicely shaped tree, but surely one that will fit in our living room without dwarfing it! We walked and walked but finally found "our" tree. Perhaps no tree was unturned, literally. The results, however were successful. Our efforts were all worth while, and we returned with a tree for which we are proud.

Our quest began on Saturday, when we headed to Vermont. We stayed at the Green Mountain Inn, in Stowe. Thank goodness we went tree hunting on Sunday as there was about a foot of snow on the ground when we woke this morning. We had a blast this weekend. We surely had a lot of laughs. Stowe Vermont is a special place for us. We had one of our first summer vacations there about a little over eight years ago. It's a place that I look forward to visiting every year.

Well it's just beginning to look like Christmas around here. Yes - Just beginning. In the next few days, we will hang the lights and decorate the tree. The boys LOVE doing all of this. After John and Matthew finish working their magic, our almost perfect Christmas tree will, in fact be perfect. (to us that is!)

A plus to our fantastic weekend was knowing that our boys were in good hands. Mary stayed with them at our house for the weekend, while my sister, Lisa and my mom helped out with the Monday dynamics. It was definitely a family effort, and I am very grateful.

The end....

of Nablopomo, that is!!! I don't' have much of anything new to put on here today. I can't take credit for the following thing, as it was forwarded to me today. I think it says a lot. Check it out, if you wish. Though we all need a day to unload, every so often, I guess you never want to seem like the "garbage truck".

The Law of The Garbage Truck. How often do you let other people's nonsense change your mood? Do you let a bad driver, rude waiter, curt boss, Or an insensitive employee ruin your day? Unless you're the Terminator, for an instant you're probably set back on your heels. However, the mark of a successful person is how quickly one can get back their focus on what's important. Sixteen years ago I learned this lesson. I learned it in the back of a New York City taxicab. Here's what happened:

I hopped in a taxi, and we took off for Grand Central Station. We were driving in the right lane when, all of a sudden, a black car jumped out of a parking space right in front of us.

My taxi driver slammed on his breaks, skidded, and missed the other car's back end by just inches! The driver of the other car, the guy who almost caused a big accident, whipped his head around and he started yelling bad words at us.

My taxi driver just smiled and waved at the guy. And I mean really friendly. So, I said, "Why did you just do that? This guy almost ruined your car and sent us to the hospital!" And this is when my taxi driver told me what I now call, "The Law of the Garbage Truck".

Many people are like garbage trucks. T hey run around full of garbage, full of frustration and full of disappointment. As their garbage piles up, they need a place to dump it. And if you let them, they'll dump it on you.

When someone wants to dump on you, don't take it personally. You just smile, wave, wish them well, and move on. You'll be happy you did.

So this was it: "The Law of the Garbage Truck".

I started thinking, how often do I let Garbage Trucks run right over me? And how often do I take their garbage and spread it to other people: At work, at home, on the streets?
It was that day I said, "I'm not going to do it anymore."

I began to see the garbage trucks. Like in the movie "The Sixth Sense," the little boy said, "I see Dead People." Well, now "I see Garbage Trucks."

I see the load they're carrying.

I see them coming to drop it off.

And like my Taxi Driver, I don't make it a personal thing; I just smile, wave, wish them well, and I move on.

One of my favorite football players of all time,Walter Payton, did this every day on the Football field. He would jump up as quickly as he hit the ground after being tackled. He never dwelled on a hit. Payton was ready to make the next play his best.

Good leaders know they have to be ready for their next meeting.
Good parents know that they need to welcome their children home with hugs and kisses. Leaders and parents know that they have to be fully present, and at their best for the people they care about.

The bottom line is that successful people do not let Garbage Trucks take over their day.

What about you?

What would happen in your life, starting today, If you let more garbage trucks pass you by?

Here's my bet. You'll be happier.

Life's too short to wake up in the morning with regrets, so..

Love the people who treat you right.

Forget about the ones who don't.

Believe that everything happens for a reason.

If you get a chance , TAKE IT!
If it changes your life , LET IT!
Nobody said it would be easy...they just promised it would be worth it.

Thoughts for Thursdays - That spark of inspiration

I am so excited for Christmas. I know I've mentioned it before, but I love the entire Christmas season. I love the shopping, the wrapping, the music, the baking, and I also love to do holiday crafts. Each year, my sisters and I usually obsess about making something different kinds of things for Christmas. Last year, it was all about the baking. I must have turned out over 500 chocolate covered pretzels in the couple of weeks before Christmas. Additionally, it was the season of those scrumptious peanut butter balls. Not only do I whole heartedly enjoy making these sorts of things, I love packaging them. For me it's all about the presentation. Now, I am not the most creative person in the world, though I would love to be more creative. Coloring is about as artistic as I get, but I would love to be able to paint and draw. (I am thrilled that my children seem to have a rather artistic and creative side.) However, I love finding new ways to package my treats. For me, this is my artistic expression.

I also like to make holiday crafts. Now, no matter how much I would love to "invent" a clever holiday craft, I just don't think it's in my genes. Although,I think and think about doing this at night (note - I think and think and think about a lot of things!!!) I am usually a copy cat of some sort. I rummage through magazines, blogs, and websites looking for new things to make. Today I spent two hours in Michaels shopping for crafting materials. Though I don't do this often, I truly get excited from buying these kind of items. Walking around that store is like therapy for me. It's also very addictive, because I want to do EVERYTHING!!! I only wish I had the time and money to enable me to do that.

This Christmas season seems to have come quicker for me than in past years, and I couldn't be happier about that. My shopping is by no where complete, and that's okay. I am so moved by the sense of creativity that surrounds me this year. Lately most of it has come from fellow bloggers, as well as my sisters (who are also my fellow bloggers!!!) For me, this holiday I want to be happy with the simple things. I want to soak it all up. I am inspired, and I am running with it!
Well I guess I need to take a rest tonight from blogging, I have crafts to make!!!!

Camouflage and the Civil War....

John and I picked up Matt and Charlie today from preschool. Afterwards, we went to Pizza Hut for lunch. We had a nice lunch and some great laughs with the three boys (Thomas too!) but when it was time to leave, we couldn't find the keys. John had mistakenly locked them in the truck. Thanks to the firefighters at the firehouse next to Pizza Hut, they were able to unlock the truck with a slim jim.

On the way home, John and I were listening the conversation between Charlie and Matt. They crack us up. with their talk. Today they were discussing how they would always stick up for each other. They would never let Brendan (Charlie's 5 year old neighbor) boss them around. A couple of weeks ago, Brendan was bullying Matt a bit.

You might be wondering why the title of this blog is Camouflage and the Civil War. After John got home from school, Charlie and Matt were playing. They were all dressed up in their cami's when John walked in the playroom. Charlie asked John if he wanted to play "Civil War" with them. I should note that my boys are obsessed with history. Well John is and by default, Matt latches on to things which John likes. Having said that, the boys were all set for their Civil War reenactment, or so they thought. Instead of John answering yes or no, he had to be a little smarty pants by telling them that they were wearing the wrong clothes. Apparently camouflage isn't part of the Civil War period. Hummm did you know that? (if so I bet ya don't really care!) Any way, Charlie responded by saying, "John if we want to do it wrong we will. And if you want to do it the right way, go ahead! We'll still do it our way!!!" I had to keep my laughter in and I felt like I was busting at the seems. (and I had my favorite stretchy jeans on so it wasn't that they were too tight!!!)

Now the common thread in this whole long story is that Charlie and Matt are growing to be very independent. Though John wasn't really intending to be tough or mean spirited, he was being a little smart ass. I am just tickled that Charlie put him in his place. Even though they are the best of friends, cousins, and brothers, there's always going to be some rivalry and power struggles. I just love that the little ones can hold their own. I guess today was just a mere test. For in the future, there will be other Brendan's out there, John was just a prop for the big world. Go get 'em Charlie and Matt. Hope you guys always stick together, you too, John!!!

Kick ball anyone?

Thank goodness John had a half day of school today as Matt was waiting for someone to play kickball with him. Though it's cold right now, today was actually a nice day with the temps in the 60's. According to Matt, it was a great day for kick ball!

Blue eyes, a bad hair day, and pretzels!!!

Well I think the title sums these pictures all up. Seriously have you ever seen eyes so blue? I just love them. I am having so much fun taking pictures these days. I don't know how much Thomas is enjoying it though. After wearing a hat out this morning, he had quite the hair! While I was making lunch, he enjoyed a pretzel and watched the boys through the slider, playing kick ball.

Family

I seldom ever get a picture of us all together. It's surely not the best picture but it captures the moment! I think I've posted enough pictures for a while. I'll try to get back to writing. Have a good Monday. I definitely need another cup of coffee!

oops!!!

I was just made aware by my sister Lisa that I didn't post a picture of Charlie. I had one uploaded but blogger can be a real pain in the behind. When I was deleting a bunch of extra spaces, I must have deleted Charlie. Sorry. Of course, I love him too!!! Here is Charlie....

It was sooo much easier to add his picture here than to edit the previous post. Blogger can be a real biatch when it comes to uploading pictures!!!

What a weekend....

It's not too often that I can really say that I am totally exhausted. Yes. I am spent, but in a good way. Today was the annual Christmas Parade and it topped off the weekend. It was a gorgeous day. Last night, I pulled out the warms clothes, boots, hats, and mittens, but we really never needed any of it. Maybe just the hats and jackets for part of the time. There's nothing the parade to put me in the Christmas spirit. We all claimed a good spot in the square, taking up quite a bit of the curb! Our teritory is surely growing, as is our family! John worked at the parade but was able to stand with us. It is no coincidence that we pick that spot, as he is stationed there every year. We brought lunch, snacks, and of course hot chocolate. It was a great day, however my kids are now junk! I have been counting down the minutes until bed-time.

He's really coming....

Here's Matt telling Abby that Santa is coming. I am not sure she belived him at first!

Full Moon....

I went for a run late this afternoon, along the beach. It was right before dusk and the moon was in the sky. I love, love, love, the views....

Oh what a day!

For the past 30 or so years, Santa has parachuted into our city. This year was no exception. The children waited with anticipation for him and his elves to arrive. The air was chilly, but the sun was strong. It was a wonderful day!