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Tuesday, June 29, 2010

30 day Blog Journal - Day 18

Today's topic is - my wedding.

My wedding was not a huge affair. Our original Date was selected for June 19th, 1999. After having a preemie at the end of 1998, and my husband changing jobs that would result in us getting insurance, you hastily moved the date to the Friday before, February 12, 1999.

We don't have many pictures of the event, as we did things very simply and last minute. In fact, I only told my dad about the nuptials 7 hours before we were to wed! Any young ladies reading this, I HIGHLY suggest you give your father more notice then that! (a few months, preferably!) And what photos i do have are currently in storage and needing to be scanned into the computer.

Given though what my husband and I have endured, the obstacles set before us, I don't think anyone (even ourselves) imagined that at 11 years and counting, we were still be here, together and strong. We've had ups and downs, I think ever marriage does. But, we were 20-somethings, with a child, and little else when we married. Surely accord to statistics we should be divorced by now, maybe even divorced from a 2nd marriage!

But here we are, and I like it that way.

30 day Blog Journal - Day 17

Sorry this is a day late - We have been busying ourselves for camping this upcoming weekend.

Today's topic is a piece of art. This is hard for me. I don't hate art, but music seems to be my preference as far as my artistic ability, and interest.

But, now and again a few things catch my eye, and this piece i saw online, did just that.

Escher's "Relativity" in LEGO®

And while I know "Relativity" is a piece of art of it's own accord, the scene kind of reminds me of a part near the end of the movie Labyrinth (which I LOVED as a youngster).

Our next topic is my wedding/future wedding... Guess I better get to it and catch back up!

Sunday, June 27, 2010

30 day Blog Journal - Day 16

So here we are, another day, another post. Almost makes you happy that after today, i only have 13 days left, doesn't it?

So today is a song that makes you cry (or nearly). And my choosing is the Moody Blues song I Know You're Out There Somewhere.



Those who know and are close to me in real life know that my dad died in August 2003. And my dad was a HUGE Moody Blues fan... HUGE I tell you! And while I know it's a continuation of the love song "Your Wildest Dreams", the chorus really spoke to me in my grief and in missing my dearest father.


I know you're out there somewhere
Somewhere, somewhere

I know you're out there somewhere

Somewhere you can hear my voice

I know I'll find you somehow

Somehow, somehow

I know I'll find you somehow

And somehow I'll return again to you



I do think I will see my dad again, I do believe in an after life. Every day I miss him, and i do cry when i hear this song (or really, almost anything Moody Blues, because that was such a "him" thing as was calling him Buddha). I love you dad

my dad holding a newborn me - circa 1978

Dad holding my first born - Nov 30 1998


Come on back tomorrow, where the day's topic is an Art piece.

Saturday, June 26, 2010

30 day Blog Journal - Day 15

Yeah! The half way point in this journey though a 30 day blog journal!

Today's topic: Your dream house.

like I haven't been thinking about a dream house for.. oh.. DECADES!

Now, when most people describe their dream home, it's huge. Ginormous even. My idea though, it a lot more down to earth. I don't believe bigger is always better, and homes are blew up since I was a child. Too large and impersonal. I want a small, cozy... home.

Anyone who has thought of a small home, may have heard of the The Tumbleweed Tiny House Company.


This is a company that specializes in tiny and small homes. Many of the homes are even built right on trailers! And while I wouldn't want a house THAT tiny with a family (100 sq feet or smaller), but small home is what I have in mind.

Lucky me - they make some "bigger" houses too! And I have had my eyes on their B-53 design for as long as I can remember now.


Their biggest stationary house to date, the B-53 is a 2 bedroom house, at 743 sq ft. There is the option for a 3rd bedroom, making the total 837 sq ft. But if you look at the plans, it does not seem lacking to me! The bedrooms are plenty big, especially the 2 upstairs (the add on one is slightly smaller), and while the kitchen seems small, for some, I grew up in a tiny kitchen with not much more space then the fridge, stove/oven unit, sink, and a couple of cupboards and zilch counter space. I love the built-in kitchen booth, and you could even expand the space if you decide to build this over a full basement, rather then a simple foundation.

What isn't there to love there? I already know that I would like the exterior to be some fake log looking siding, and as much real hard wood inside as humanly possible, maybe not full walls, but 1/2 wall, have drywall maybe. I'd like to paint a little too. Solar power/heating as much as possible... and then sit this on some acreage with plenty of trees, and land to garden.

Now if i could only win the lottery :-D

Come back tomorrow for... a song that makes me cry. oh joy *insert sarcasm here*

Friday, June 25, 2010

{this moment}



{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.


For more moments, take a swing over to Soulemama

30 day Blog Journal - Day 14

Apparently I'm playing blog catch up today.

Today (for actual today) is about a non-fiction book. And the last non-fiction book I actually finished is The Simple Rules for Christian Living by Jeanne Torrence Finley.


Three Simple Rules for Christian Living is a reflection of the three principles of Christian living as illuminated by John Wesley in the General Rules, and revisited in the book Three Simple Rules: A Wesleyan Way of Living by Rueben Job. Using the words of John Wesley, Ruben Job, and the Bible, the book reflects what those rules may have meant during Wesley's time, as well as what they can mean to us today. The book is presented as a six week study in which the three rules; Do No Harm, Do Good, and Stay in Love with God; are studies and presented in how to practice them in daily life. The study presents an early Wesleyan understandings of spiritual disciplines that can transform us and the world that we live in, and leas us to a more faithful way of living as a disciple of Jesus Christ.

I did this as a Lenten study via facebook with the church our family attends this year. And it was a real eye opener on many levels. If you ever have the chance to partake in reading or following a study using this, I highly suggest it.

Please come back tomorrow, where I will elaborate on my dream home.

30 day Blog Journal - Day 13

Today's Yesterday's topic - a fictional book.

I'm assuming that this is suppose to be about a fiction book I've recently read, as we've already covered all the "favorites" during the first few posts for this 30 day blog journal.

So that last fictional book I read was The Five People You Meet In Heaven by Mitch Albom.


Here is one summary from a review, as shown on Amazon.com

Wearing a work shirt with a patch on the chest that reads "Eddie" over "Maintenance," limping around with a cane thanks to an old war injury, Eddie was the kind of guy everybody, including Eddie himself, tended to write off as one of life's minor characters, a gruff bit of background color. He spent most of his life maintaining the rides at Ruby Pier, a seaside amusement park, greasing tracks and tightening bolts and listening for strange sounds, "keeping them safe." The children who visited the pier were drawn to Eddie "like cold hands to a fire." Yet Eddie believed that he lived a "nothing" life-gone nowhere he "wasn't shipped to with a rifle," doing work that "required no more brains than washing a dish." On his 83rd birthday, however, Eddie dies trying to save a little girl. He wakes up in heaven, where a succession of five people are waiting to show him the true meaning and value of his life. One by one, these mostly unexpected characters remind him that we all live in a vast web of interconnection with other lives; that all our stories overlap; that acts of sacrifice seemingly small or fruitless do affect others; and that loyalty and love matter to a degree we can never fathom.

I really enjoyed reading this book, and finished is in only about 3 hours, so it's not a very long read.

Be sure to come back, as our next topic is on a non-fiction book!

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

30 day Blog Journal - Day 12


Well, this is an easy topic, considering I have OCD! Mostly I am thankfully that it doesn't rule me to the point of needing medication to control myself (think excessive hand washing till having sores and bleeding, not leave w/o checking the stove 1,000,000,000 times, etc). Most of my OCD habits are space defined and food related.

So, to pick just one, I'll pick a easy one. I have to chew food equally on both sides of my mouth. If I take a bite with the left side, I then do so on the right side. If I pop 4 green M&Ms, in my mouth (because I could never pick up M&Ms randomly), I automatically chew 2 on each side... and don't get me started with Reece's pieces! I eat 3 on each side at a time, 1 of each color, for as long as I have enough to split them up so. And so on and so forth....

Yeah... weird right? And that is just 1 OCD trait I have.

So tomorrow I'll be back with a fictional book, I'll pick something I've read recently.

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

30 day Blog Journal - Day 11

Ok - again I admit that 99.2% of the time I'm the one behind the camera. But today's topic, a recent picture of myself, is gonna spoil that.



I'm the fluffy one holding the extremely cute birthday boy.

Come back tomorrow for a non-photo related post! I'm overjoyed with that prospect!

Monday, June 21, 2010

Menu Planning Monday - June 21st



Happy Solstice!

We are finally past the birthdays! Well, we have the birthday party this upcoming weekend., but there is no stress about the cake or presents, etc for that! Just praying for good weather!

Between the heat, and saving for our upcoming trip to my brother-in-laws in PA, we are having very simple fares for dinner. I am still going to try and have 1 new recipe a week, likely light salads and summer time soups.

Monday - sunny side up eggs and pancakes! (they look like big suns, right?)

Tuesday - Pasta

Wednesday - Meatballs and sauce (with rolls to make subs or pasta to spoon over)

Thursday - Taco Turkey Wraps

Friday - Finger Food Night

Saturday - Birthday Party! (menu below) Likely just eat leftovers when we get home

Sunday - Church picnic that afternoon... Still trying to decide what our dish to pass will be!
Dinner will likely be pizza from Wegmans!

Birthday Party:
mini sandwiches for a crowd
Fruit salsa and cinnamon tortilla chips
Veggie tray
Lemonade & water
and cake, of course


And make sure you head over to I'm an Organizing Junkie for more inspiration for your own menu!

30 day Blog Journal - Day 10

So, I'm trying to figure out why types of topics are lumped together.. like having 5 photo entries in a row.

So today is a pic of me, more then 10 years old.



Ok, I admit it. It's not the best looking scanned picture of me I have. I think this may have even been a picture of a picture. But hey, I was still a cute baby, no? :-D

Tomorrow I plan on torturing you all with a much more recent picture of myself (and thankfully i think that is the end of photo topics for this 30 days blog journal)

Sunday, June 20, 2010

30 day Blog Journal - Day 9

Another photo this post, and it's as simple as a photo I took. Easy, since 99.1% of the time, I'm on the backside of the camera...


J and EB, summer 2004

Here we have daddy cuddling with his lil girl. She had been in the blowup pool, and was cold after getting out. Daddy's used his shirt to cover (the question of if he had it on or standby, is up in the air), and together watched bib sister splashing away in the pool. Such a beautiful, precious moment....

Come back tomorrow for a photo of me *YIKES* that is 10+ years old!

Happy Birthday Elizabeth!


Today one of my precious daughter's is turning 7! Much like when she turned 1, today she is sharing her birthday with Father's day.

hello world!

Monkey see, monkey do


going home!






and here she is today!


Happy Birthday Elizabeth!
We love you!

Saturday, June 19, 2010

30 day Blog Journal - Day 8



Today's topic is a photo that makes you angry or sad. This picture is both to me.



This is a cropped picture of my dad, holding my 2nd born daughter at 10 days old. My dad died about 6 weeks later. This is the only picture I have of him holding her.

My daughter in the picture turns 7 years old tomorrow.
Tomorrow is also Father's Day.

*snipping - cause I was feeling vindictive at the time I wrote this*
I miss my father too much still, even nearly 7 years later.

Tomorrow, come back for a slightly more cheerful posting, where the topic is a photo I took.

Friday, June 18, 2010

30 day Blog Journal - Day 7

A Photo that makes me happy, my kids being the silly, goofy kids then (generally) are.





Tomorrow, a photo that makes me angry or sad

Thursday, June 17, 2010

30 day Blog Journal - Day 6

... these are a few of my favorite things.

Today's topic is 20 of my favorite things. So, here they are! In no particular order....

1. my kids
2. my husband
3. Church & the people at my church
4. Caramel frappes
5. Chai frappes
6. My friends
7. sleeping in
8. quiet time for crafting
9. my bed
10. sunny (but not hot and muggy) summer days
11. making music
12. baking
13. pictures and taking pictures
14. T.G.I Friday's
15. snuggling up under warm blankets with the kids during winter
16. swimming
17. the library
18. the local Farmer's market
19. musicals
20. alone time

Come back tomorrow for a photo that makes me happy!

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

30 day Blog Journal - Day 5



Today's post is... my favorite quote.

It's actually a bit of conversation between two characters in one of my favorite books, Harold and Maude. Originally written as a screen play by Colin Higgins, Harold and Maude went on to be adapted into a film, and then into book form (which is why I didn't add it to my favorite books list, it wasn't a book first :P )

The exchange happens in front of a field of daisies (which happens to also be my favorite flower), and my most favorite part of this exchange is the last bit, said by Maude. Hopefully you get the point of she makes, and you can see why I name this as my favorite quote.


Maude: "I should like to change into a sunflower most of all. They're so tall and simple. What flower would you like to be?"

Harold: "I don't know. One of these, maybe."

Maude: "Why do you say that?"

Harold: "Because they are all alike."

Maude: "Oooh, but they're not. Look. See, some are smaller, and some are fatter, some grow left, some to the right, some even have lost some petals. All kinds of observable differences. You see, Harold, I feel that much of the world's sorrow comes from people who are this, [she points to a single daisy] yet allow themselves to be treated as that [she gestures to a field of daisies]."


Come back tomorrow as I blog journal some more, and list 20 of my favorite things!

W.I.P Wednesday: The Prayer Shawl Update


Well, I don't have much of a good update on this. My "precious" (at the time) 3 yr old son decided that the knitting needle didn't need to stay in my wip, and being unable to re-insert the needle (the yarn is a bit fuzzy), I frogged the whole thing and re-caked the yarn.

*sigh*

So tonight I'm starting back at the beginning. I may decide to crochet this instead, as I'm much more proficient and speedy as a hooker then a knitter.

For something more inspiring then my picture-less non-existent wip this week - pop over to Musings From the Fishbowl for a list of blogs that partake in WIP Wednesday!

30 day Blog Journal - Day 4

Day 4, a day late. Forgive the tardiness, as we were quite busy celebrating a certain little someone's 4th birthday! I'll post day 5 later this evening...

But for now, Day 4, Favorite Book.

To be honest, I don't so much have favorite books, as I have favorite authors. So to stray from the normal of my max of 3 choices, today I bring you 4, being that 1 is a cookbook author.


Author: Hermann Hesse

Author: J.K. Rowling


Author: Isa Chandra Moskowitz


Author: Stephenie Meyers

Ok, know I know SOMEONE will question how I can be both a J.K. Rowling an Stephenie Meyers fan. It's easy - cause i don't even see them on the same playing field as far as their writing goes. J.K. is brilliant, of no doubt. But Stephenie's Twilight Saga just had the 1 tiny bit of something I thinks speaks to every young lady (or young lady at heart). Who wouldn't want a rich, handsome man pinning over your forever? It's romance w/o the risk of sex (for the first 3 books anyways), and since i have an 11 1/2 yr old who loves Edward, it's almost required reading for me anyways!

Isa Chandra Moskowitz's cookbooks ARE divine. I am not, at this time, a full practicing vegan, though I have been before my 2 youngest children were born. And I do try to keep a vegetarian, if not vegan, diet as much as I possibly can (cheese, I really need a good vegan cheese. My lactose intolerant self will thank whoever invents this!).

And the first one I posted, Hermann Hesse. For which I will ever be grateful to my High School Senior Yr English Teacher, Dennis Mahoney, for introducing me to...

Come back this evening as i play catch up and post about my favorite quote....

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Happy 4th Birthday Andrew!!!

Somewhere in the midst of the last 4 years, we went from this:


to experiencing all of this:



and today:



HAPPY 4th BIRTHDAY ANDREW! We love you!

Monday, June 14, 2010

30 day Blog Journal - Day 3

Favorite Television show.

I am so glad this one is much easier to do then favorite song or favorite movie. I'm not a huge TV fan to be honest, usually it's something we mostly have on for background noise, or cartoons for rainy days and such.

If this had been asked about 1 1/2 - 2 years ago, I would have said Gray's Anatomy... but then they killed George, and now I just can't do it.

So, for todays favorite show, i give you.... MYTHBUSTERS.


i apologize for any commercial that may show before this starts - damn advertisers

Check back in tomorrow... where I agonize over my favorite book!!

Menu Planning Monday - June 14th


So, I love the look of this new MPM button, with the fresh fruits, and a real picture of them, rather then clip art. It's so refreshing! It's helps remind me that we are now entering the time of year for lovely local fresh fruits and vegetables from our local farmers market!

I'm going to try and expand my very limited taste of what fruits and vegetables I like (SO glad my kids take after dad in this regard!), picking something new to try each time we go. This past week I picked up fresh strawberries, plum jam, and baby spinach.

And, we have birthdays! My lil' guy turns 4 Tuesday (where or where did the time go?) and Sunday will not only be Father's Day, but the middle kiddo turns 7 (YIKES!).

So, without further adieu...

Monday: Baked Teriyaki Chicken with rice and steamed broccoli (using breasts and not thighs this time)

Tuesday: Birthday Boy's choice! I have a feeling we'll be having McDonald's...

Wednesday: Pesto pasta

Thursday: BBQing

Friday: BLT Salad

Saturday: Lexi's end of year Girl Scout Picnic, time not set yet, so not sure what we'll have.

Sunday: Father's Day (dad's choice of lunch) AND Birthday Girl's dinner choice!



Breakfasts:
cereal
pancakes
muffins
breakfast puffs

Lunches:
"hot pockets"
PB &/or Jelly
mac and cheese
leftovers

Make sure you swing by I'm and Organizing Junkie for more info on MPM and inspiration from other bloggers!

Sharing another fabulous giveaway!

Today I bring you a giveaway from Wilton.

This is something I can sink my teeth into!! While I'm not as fabulous as some of my friends are at cake decorating, Wilton's products are great for both the novice and more experienced baker/decorator! And any help I can get in improving my techniques, be it skills, or having the right tools to do the job, can only help me improve! Now, who wouldn't want to win some of that?

This giveaway is for one of Wilton's 50 piece tool caddy decorating set. Man, does this set have a LOT of stuff! Not only does it include a great number of commonly used tips, it includes 4 colors, brushes, spatula, flower nail, practice board and a beginners guide. And if you ever considered signing up and taking one of Wilton's decorating classes, this kit has all the tools that you need for course 1.

If you would like to get in on the fabulous giveaway, pop over to Familylicious Reviews & Giveaways for more information on how you can have a shot at winning this kit!

Sunday, June 13, 2010

30 day Blog Journal - Day 2

Today's topic - your favorite movie.

Oh joy - this is almost as hard to narrow down as music!

Almost...

Again - I'm going to go with limiting myself to 3 choices. Really, one of my favorites is a series of 6 movies, and well, we cant have taking this all up... not when there is so many others out that to enjoy!! So, for "categories" we have favorite series, favorite comedy, and favorite drama!

Movie Series: The Star Wars Saga



Comedy: The Waterboy (but man, there were SO MANY choices here!)



Drama: Steel Magnolias (The Color Purple would make a close 2nd though)



Come back tomorrow, where the topic will be favorite television show!

Saturday, June 12, 2010

30 day Blog Journal - Day 1

So if you saw my last blog post, I'm going to do this 30 day "blog journal" thing. Basically, its a set of simple questions, that may not always be so simple!

Take today's topic... Your favorite song.

Well, as a self proclaimed music fiend, trying to narrow down the music I love to 1 song, is well, impossible! So, I decided to narrow my choices down to 3... 1 "modern", 1 musical, and 1 hymn.

Of course, finding the videos with good sound on You Tube just might have been harder then narrowing down the list!!


Modern: Pearl Jam - Just Breath (though really, any Peal Jam song would do)



Musical: Phantom of the Opera - All I Ask of You



Hymn: I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light



Feel free to check back in tomorrow for my favorite movie(s)!

30 day Blog Journal

I saw this idea on one of the blogs I follow, and thought it would be neat to do myself. Here is a list of the topic for each day of this "challenge".

Day 01 - your favorite song
Day 02 - your favorite movie
Day 03 - your favorite television program
Day 04 - your favorite book
Day 05 - your favorite quote
Day 06 - 20 of my favorite things
Day 07 - a photo that makes you happy
Day 08 - a photo that makes you angry/sad
Day 09 - a photo you took
Day 10 - a photo of taken of you over ten years ago
Day 11 - a photo of you taken recently
Day 12 - something your OCD about
Day 13 - a fictional book
Day 14 - a non-fictional book
Day 15 - your dream house
Day 16 - a song that makes you cry (or nearly)
Day 17 - an art piece (painting, drawing, sculpture, etc.)
Day 18 - my wedding/or future wedding
Day 19 - a talent of yours
Day 20 - a hobby of yours
Day 21 - a recipe
Day 22 - a website
Day 23 - a YouTube video
Day 24 - where I live
Day 25 - your day, in great detail
Day 26 - your week, in great detail
Day 27 - my worst habbit
Day 28 - whats in my handbag/purse
Day 29 - hopes, dreams and plans for the next 365 days
Day 30 - a dream for the future

I'll be back later to post day 1! As I post these, I'll return to this blog post with a link to the days that I have done.

Feeling up to it? Leave a link to your blog in my comments if you want to do this 30 day blog journal with me!

Friday, June 11, 2010

{this moment}



{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.



For more moments, take a swing over to Soulemama

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

W.I.P Wednesday - June 9th

I apologize for the lack of photos this week - the last few days have been overcast and rainy - meh.




It's June (yeah, it was last week too, I know), but we are heading into the home stretch of the only other time of year I craft as much in a short time as I do for the winter holidays...

Here they are, couldn't stay still long enough for mom to snap a pic! Taken Mother's day weekend

The "babies" birthdays!

My 2 youngest have very close birth dates, only 5 days difference! So it always seems like a mad dash to get myself out of the winter funk (I nose dive after the holiday madness. I don't craft for a good 3 months!!), and before the lure of summer activities limits craft to 5 minute chucks every other day, if I'm lucky.

The youngest of my two daughters, who's turning 7, is so easy to find things to make for. For her, her doll, for play, just cause it exists... while on the other hand, finding anything for my son (who is turning 4), has been slightly more challenging.

So, "baby" girl is getting a new outfit for her doll. I've shared the sweater with you, but dress and felt shoes are in the works as well. Her doll is 2 1/2 yrs old, and has never had any foot coverings! She'll be excited about this.

Now, my baby boy (he's the youngest - I can still call him baby, right? Shoot, my 80+ yr old grandmother called my dad her baby into his 50s!), totally clueless here. If I had woodworking tools and supplies - no problem. But since we're don't have those here with us, in our already cramped quarters, well... I'm stuck! But the plan is to try make something homemade for their birthday gift, and something store bought to give during their party at the end of the month. (got that covered - THANKS MARGARET!!) Too bad the boy's birthday is in 6 days, I still have over a week for the doll stuff!

Let's not forget getting 2 frozen butter cream transfer images done too sometime before the party - YIKES! In that case, I have the boy cake all sorted out what to do, it's the girl cake I'm clueless on! Figures...

Happy crafting - whatever it is you are working on today! And if you want more inspiration, hope over to Musings From the Fishbowl for a list of other WIPsters blog to check out!

Slight Meltdown

So I know I don't generally get to personal on here with the ins and outs of everyday life, but in my vain attempts to actually blog, but here it goes.

So the other night, those of you who are on my friends list in facebook basically saw me "lose it" over recently trying to get a birthday party organized for my 2 youngest, who's birthdays are this month.

Generally, birthday's don't go well for us.

For starters, my oldest birthday is the end of November, which means we either are really close to the Thanksgiving holiday, or everything and everyone is getting ready for Christmas, or even just the weather is crappy and travel is impossible.

The two youngest I thought would always have it easier, but alas, no. Even with a spring/summer birthdays, we have the end of the school year, start of vacation, father's day, graduations and graduation parties and weddings to contend with. I almost think its worse my oldest, there seems more to fight against.

Add in that the holidays and kids birthdays are just another stinging reminder that my parents are no longer here with us to share the joy of birthdays and holidays and such, and I'm nearly reduced to tears.

and this week, I'm more hormonal then usually (ladies, I think you know what I mean here - BRING ON THE CHOCOLATE!)

So - WHY am I sharing all this on my blog... honestly - I don't know.

But i do know that the next morning, with the sun shining (even though it was only mid-50s - burr), i got most everything figured out. I think.

I still changed the date of the kids birthday party by 1 day, and hope my MIL can make it (she normally works Saturdays - but not always). And she's being just a peach and going to the toy store that is nearly 1 hour away from me to look for gifts i was hoping to get the kids but were out of stock online. (Marg, if you are reading this - *MUAH*)

For the paternal in-law side - we are suppose to all be gathering at my Bother-in_laws for 4th of July weekend, my SIL suggested rather then stress out - just do cake/ice cream/etc while were are there visiting anyways. Ok, no biggie. It's still on the weekend that our friend "Big Daddy" has off from work, so they are attending, and i even got a place to host the party to free, at the local park with a playground right here in town.

Crisis diverted? Slightly... but I am still sad. And the only reason i can think of is is not only now am i stressing about making their cakes (which is not a huge stress yet - i have like 3 weeks), but that I still miss my parents. My mom and 1 daughter shared a birthday, which is also father's day this year. Just the same as the year after my dad died.

*sigh*

With both my parents birthdays being in the summer, and both having died in the summer... i really hate summer.

Can it' be Autumn yet?

Say The Things - Parody of 7 Things by Miley Cyrus

This is a awesome parody music video, and great for all us lonely bloggers out there


Monday, June 7, 2010

Menu Planning Monday - June 7th





Ahh, and another Monday. We are getting into more of a grove now with daddy back to work, and mama back at home. Trying to enjoy the last couple of weeks home alone with the boy, before big sisters are home for the summer (dear Lord help me). Still on a shoe string budget, here's our menu for the week.


Monday: Hot dogs off the BBQ and pasta salad

Tuesday: Elbow pasta (buttered for the youngest, with tomato sauce for the rest)

Wednesday: BLT's

Thursday: Tacos

Friday: Dad's Choice

Saturday: Pizza night (it seems to becoming a theme night for us here)

And since summer vacation is approaching, I'm going to have to start planning out breakfast and lunches better. So, here's my start!

Breakfasts:
Pancakes
PB toast and fruit
Strawberry muffins
cereal

Lunches:
grilled cheese
PB &/or Jelly
mac and cheese
turkey sandwich

As always - take a hop over to I'm and Organizing Junkie for more info on MPM!

Friday, June 4, 2010

ipad... for FREE?!?!?

Oh yeah... i want one, you know you want one too!

Hop over to Mom to Bed by 8 to learn how you can have a shot at winning a free ipad (and the blog owner getting one to review too!)

Hurry over before you forget - contest end July 2nd!

{this moment}

{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. 


For more moments, take a swing over to Soulemama

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

W.I.P Wednesday: The Prayer Shawl




I am sure of one thing, I will be working on this WIP along side other projects as I can.

"Shawls ... made for centuries universal and embracing, symbolic of an inclusive, unconditionally loving, God. They wrap, enfold, comfort, cover, give solace, mother, hug, shelter and beautify. Those who have received these shawls have been uplifted and affirmed, as if given wings to fly above their troubles..."
Written in 1998 by: Janet Bristow 


the elevated portion of my desk - usually 2 feet high in paperwork


At my church, there is a board in one of rooms right off the sanctuary, with a number of clip art pictures of shawls, which I assume is the number of shawls the church is trying to collect. The pattern in an envelope attached to the board called for some yarn I had a ton of, picking it up on deep clearance when our local walmart last year downsized their craft dept when they moved up to a supercenter, enough for 2 shawls.

So, I'm making it a goal of mine to get these shawls done this summer. One More Mile.

If you are so inclined, feel free to people over to Musings From the Fishbowl for links to other WIPsters blogs.