Fraggin' Friday

Friday Fragments?

Read matt, liz, and madeline, this blog will hook you in. It's a bittersweet journal written by Matt, a now single-father of Madeline. Matt's wife Liz died from a pulmonary embolism just hours after Maddy's birth. Matt tells of his life now 5 months later with powerful words, amazing photography, and strong emotions.

If you're like me, you can't stop thinking, what if this was me, or my husband...and it just makes you look at life just a bit differently.

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Got our invites back for our Halloween party, on to the planning! I'm so excited, i've never co-thrown a costume party before.

Oh and yep, I made the invites, I like using Winkflash to print, they're so reasonable and speedy!

Now, how do I trick my hubby into wearing a costume. NO, a pocket protector is not a costume, it's part of your UNIFORM!

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Well just like a switch, Summer has shut off in my area of California. Heatwave last week in the 103's and the past few days have barely made it over 70.

Fall is definately in the air, the shortening hours of daylight approaching.

I'm still wearing shorts and flipflops, but man it feels nice to wear a cozy sweatshirt once in a while.

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6 days until my long weekend away with my best gangsta girls girlfriends! We're heading to Reno, Nevada. Not the most glorious locale, but Miss Bloom is our resident college instructor and lives nearby and needs to work. In order to maximize our time, we decided on close to home for her so she can just drive over after work and not waste a whole day of girl time!

Our trips have been Thursday-Monday for the past 5 years and inevitably someone has to cut the trip one day short, but we still have a blast.

There will be plenty of drinking done, lots of great catching up conversations, a spa-treatment or two, most-likely a tattoo inked, a wine walk, a trip to the CHOCOLATE BAR (which I may never leave)...and even some craft therapy...

Working on the 'schedule' for hubby for the weekend. He may be chaperoning 5th graders, gets to endure Picture Day (send help for DQ's hair), and some wonderful alone time with Tantrumia K. Good times for all.

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At DQ's last orthodontist appointment I was handing the office manager my monthly payment when she just made my day. She told me that DQ's account was paid in full! Really? "Well, did you get a bill this month?" I hadn't, but I was so used to going in each month for the past 22 paying my $163.39, I hadn't noticed.

I was so excited until I told hubby on the phone....

Hubby--Paid forever, or just Phase I?

Me--(the wind out of my sails)Oh yeah, this is only Phase I.

I don't know when Phase II starts, she's still losing teeth monthly, and only has 8 brackets. Luckily the palate expander is gone....the price for a gorgeous smile. She WILL appreciate it one day.

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See More Friday Fragments at Half-Past Kissin' Time!

43 supporters in group:

  1. Jill said...

    Matt, Liz, and Madeline is definitely one blog to read. I got sucked in awhile back... wow is all I can say.

    Have a great upcoming trip with your girlfriends. Sounds like you'll have a great time of bonding!

  2. ParentingPink said...

    Love the Halloween invitations! Very cool! I really want to have a Halloween party this year - maybe I can get myself together!

  3. A Christian Mom said...

    Man, that blog you posted about. Sucked me in big time. I can't even imagine.

    As for hubby & a costume, just pin some socks & wash clothes to his clothes & call him static cling. ;o)

    Your weekend away sounds like fun! Enjoy!

  4. Brittany said...

    I can't read the blog, I tried, I get too emotional.

    You invites are amazing though! I love them! What are you dressing up as!?!?!?!

  5. Tiffany said...

    *sob sob* I WISH I was going to a Halloween party. I swear that ONE DAY I will throw my own. You know what kind of Halloween freak I am. I guess I'll just have to be happy wearing my costume to work on Halloween and pissing my boss off. Oh well! LOL

  6. Anonymous said...

    CUTE invites! I love Halloween! Have your husband dress up as a character from his favorite TV shows, even if it's Dwight from The Office. At least it's something.

  7. DESJ and Company said...

    I pay 220 a month for the next 4 million years.

    I told my dh that I want my kids to become orthodontists.

  8. Tenakim said...

    Thanks for the link- I will share that- he's amazing! Good luck on your upcoming festivities (girl's weekend and costume party!)

  9. Unknown said...

    I have been to Matt's blog...it's beautiful to read.

    The invitations are cute...and I think it will be fun to have a costume party.

    Girls weekend sounds like a blast...

    Good luck with pictures...my DH never really seems to know what the kids look like when they leave the house...lol.

  10. Ali said...

    We are still paying medical bills from when Big pup broke his arm last October. I can't wait until it's paid off but I just know another bill will crop to take it's place.

  11. Unknown said...

    We are into the 2 phases of braces with our 8 y/o. Plus our 11 y/o has braces & did the expander too. We can pretty much count on making payments to the orthodontist for the rest of our natural born lives.
    ~Christy
    http://www.heavyonthecaffeine.com

  12. Unknown said...

    so, do we just ASSUME that ink will flow on me or are you getting one this year? I am soo excited! I am ALL ABOUT the wine walk and chocolate bar - who is the DD? I can probably drive under the influence of chocolate ;) as long as I stay away from the dark stuf!! hee hee!!

  13. Linda S said...

    I remember reading Matt's Blog in the beginning. It is gut wrenching and uplifting at the same time to see the love he has...

    I'm excited for your gal weekend...haven't done one of those in a while but it's hopefully in the works...everyone needs those!

  14. Allison said...

    My heart ached when I read the Matt, Liz, Madeline blog! I just kept reading and reading!

    Isn't Cali weather the strangest. I actually felt cold the other night while sleeping! That hasn't happened in a while!

  15. jill jill bo bill said...

    I am so jealous about your trip! Have a wonderful time!

    Oh, and can you swing by John Asuaga's Hotel for me? I left $300 there and I need it back.

  16. Barrie said...

    Thanks for the link to Matt, Liz and Madeleine. I think you'll probably throw the best costume party ever! And I so wish i were going on a girl gangsta trip. Even to Reno!

  17. Me said...

    i love matt & madeline--i read daily (or at least check in). he is such an inpsiration to be able to do what he does.

  18. Kathy said...

    I've been reading Matt's blog since late April. It's like crack in the bloggy world..not that I know what crack is like..well you know what I mean!

  19. Sue Wilkey said...

    The invites are adorable! Glad you took our advice on the date ;)

    I'm with ya on the sweatshirt thing - it's so hard to hide your fat in 90 degree weather.:P

  20. Anonymous said...

    Great invites, I am so with you and sweatshirt thing and I think I have to go check out that blog even though I know it will make me cry.

  21. ParentingPink said...

    Wanted you to know that I've given you an award! Yipee! Stop by my blog to pick up the new "BFF Gold Card!"

  22. Barbara said...

    Wow, such a busy lady! Sounds like a bunch of fun. Halloween invites are super cute and I'd take a trip to Reno any day, hoping to be able to make it up there this winter to play in the snow.

    I completely feel you on the weather... summer is sadly over in the Bay Area too =(, darn Cali weather!

  23. Unknown said...

    Those invites are adorable...hey he/you both could go as the 'black eyed P's' no not the band but you paint one eye black like a big circle around the eye then get a white or black tshirt and paint a HUGE P on it...this is always my go to costume

  24. Jamey said...

    Love the invites good job. Have fun in Reno!

  25. Tena said...

    I love reading Matt's blog! So touching!

    The invites to the party look great, you did a beautiful job!

    Have fun on your girls weekend, can't wait to hear all about it and see pictures!

  26. Mommy Meryl said...

    Thanks for the tip about that new blog - its really gripping. ..have a wonderful girls trip - that is exciting!! Love the Halloween invites - too cute!! I have done a VAlentine's Day party for Allie's girlfriends the past couple of years - that is one of my fave holidays to have a party for!!! I said the best thing about being in public school last year for Kinder. was that we finally got to celebrate Valentine's Day (Jewish schools don't celebrate it at school. . .even though we all celebrate it outside of school).

  27. Tami said...

    LOVE Matt, Liz and Madeline! You described it perfectly. And I love his robot!

    Super Cute invites :)

    So funny, you talked about the ortho payment...I had the opposite revelation today. Our dental insurance "reimburses" you but with orthodontics they spread their $1500 into payments. I pay the ortho every month and I receive a check from the insurance company every month (which is no where near my payment). Today I noticed the check we got last week was a different amount than usual........that would be because their done paying me :( .....hey insurance people, don't you know I still have 6 more months of payments?? Jerks!

  28. Merrie said...

    If you ever feel it needs to be the ToeTat6, I'd be up for that chocolate bar. Looks yummy! I'm sure you'll have a wonderful time, and please remember that you, Ranch Girl, Deb and I are doing a trip next spring. If we have to drug and kidnap Deb, it will be done.

    Also, looking forward to the Halloween party!!

  29. ComfyMom~Stacey said...

    I love the Halloween invitations! We start ortho payments in a couple of years, though I am tempted to just start now & build up a credit.

  30. Jenni said...

    Enjoy your trip! Aren't girlfriend getaways the BEST?

  31. Bad Momma said...

    I followed the link to Matt & Madeline (& Liz). You need to post a suggestion about having a box of tissues nearby. WOW!

  32. Mrs4444 said...

    We have a costume party every year; it's a blast. We have small prizes for a contest; Cutest, Sexiest, Scariest, Funniest, Best Couple, Best use of Stuff Around the House, and Most Disturbing. I have a great recipe for barbequed beef for a crowd...wait a minute! It's in the cookbook! Off to check out that blog... :)

  33. Tasha said...

    I will be in Santa B while you're in Reno! LOL!

  34. Texasholly said...

    Oh no! The phase I end should come with some sort of graduation ceremony and party...don't you think?

    Your other party invitations are precious.

    Have fun on the trip!

  35. Anonymous said...

    I will go and check out Matt's blog, the party invitations are the cutiest great job on them. I know what you mean about the ortho bill, just paid phaseI for Er off, getting ready to start paying for the next only to begin paying for Em.

  36. Ann Harrison said...

    Hey Jen,
    It's just so cool to see the days and hours so low until your "Girls Weekend". I don't remember how long we've been at this but I remember when those numbers were MUCH higher. :->
    You invites look terrific. What's the name of the program you used? (I need to go back and look).
    So much to learn!

  37. Ann(ie) said...

    wow. I've gotta check out that blog. I cannot imagine....must be surreal. =/

    I am SOOOOO envious about your girly trip...might I fit in your suitcase???? I can spoon the cosmo fixin's!

  38. Kristen Andrews said...

    I can't read that blog either, it makes me cry but Matt is am amazing Father.

  39. nw said...

    I've read Matt's blog, it is quite sad what happened to his wife. But I think he's doing great so far raising his daughter. Bless him.

    I nominated you for an award, too:

    http://www.itsjustmythoughts.com/i-got-an-award/

    Thanks. :)

  40. JenEverAfter said...

    Ha! I had a palette splitter too! Have noticed that my girl's jaw is crooked. Can't imagine what our orthodontist bills are going to be!

  41. Tonya Staab said...

    I'm an avid stalker of Matt, Liz & Madeline's blog.

    Cute halloween invites. I haven't done mine yet, crap, something else to add to the list.

    So jealous of your long weekend with your girlfriends. I need me one of those.

  42. Wendi said...

    Love your Friday Frags!
    * I have been known to stalk Matt, Liz, and Madeline's blog. He is amazing.

    *Love those invites.

    *Jealous of your cooler weather.
    I lit a pumpkin spice candle today and hung a fall wreath. It is just hard to get in the mood for fall when it is 95 degrees outside.

    *Hope your girls weekend is as fun as it sounds. I think I need one of those...soon!

    *Maybe the payments on Phase 2 will be less or they won't start billing until after Christmas. I have a 12 year old who will be in braces soon. I hope they will thank us one day.

    Have a great week!

  43. Insane Mama said...

    Halloween is my favorite party/theme/ holiday! Love the invites

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