I Need To Empty My Head A Little

Mercy

2010-11-26T00:00:00.000-08:00

Today I am reviewing Susan Sims Moody's 2nd book titled Mercy.

First off, you can definitely tell Moody has come a long way with her writing! It seemed more like a real book...and there were a few mysteries in this one that worked better than in her first book. I also liked how there were flashback stories throughout to give us more insight to the characters.

This book could stand alone if you don't want to read the first in the series, Flatlands. Although, if you do read Flatlands you will "get" a few of the things Moody mentions in this book. (But I like how she doesn't go on and on into full detail about the events in the first book.)

In this book Jennifer Martin and her boyfriend travel to his hometown for the death of his grandfather. While they are there, a few interesting things happen. (can't say what...but we learn family secrets!)

I liked this book. It was a good read, so I wanted to pick it up often. The stories within the story were interesting.

'Tis The Season To Be Chappy

2010-11-21T19:38:00.000-08:00

A friend of mine gave me the best chapstick I have ever used!!!! It goes on so smooth, keeps your lips hydrated and it tastes great!

Wild Huckleberry Lip Balm:

Here is the link to order:

http://www.huckleberrypatch.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=24_29&products_id=295

Flatlands

2010-11-19T00:00:00.000-08:00

My friend Michelle asked if I would like to review her friend's new book The Devil Don't Knock. After looking up Susan Sims Moody books on amazon I thought they sounded interesting and it would be cool to review a book that hasn't been in stores yet. I saw that her two published books were only $2.99 (kindle edition) so I downloaded them and decided that I would read the trilogy and then post a review.

In this post I will talk about Moody's first book, Flatlands. I will review her second book, Mercy on November 26th and the newest book The Devil Don't Knock on December 10th.

In Flatlands, we meet Jennifer Martin. She is coming back to her hometown with a broken down car, no money, no job and no place to live. Suddenly she has everything she needs (and more) to be a thriving resident of Bedford, MS. Not in a glamorous way, in an everyone feels sorry for you and helps you out kinda way. That is how we meet the locals. They are colorful and true to the south.

The story is part of the Jennifer Martin Mysteries Series, although there is not much of a mystery in this book. I was thinking it would be an on-going stumper and then an a-ha moment at the end to bring it all together. Nope. Not sure what the mystery was, and not sure Jennifer solved anything. On purpose.

That being said, I did like the story. It was an easy read and I got a clear picture of the town in my head. It was just a good, short story. I liked it! Something just kept me reading.

Race For The Cure

2010-11-11T20:25:00.000-08:00

Last month I did the Race For The Cure with some friends. Jennie Vee, Amber and Tammy ran the three mile race and Tracy, Regina and I walked the one mile fun race. It was cold! (but fun and worth it!)

This picture is for the boy!

Kindle

2010-11-08T06:45:00.000-08:00

Last year around this time my dad wanted to get me a Kindle for Christmas. I told him no, I wasn't interested. I said I like the feel of holding a book in my hand, turning the pages, reading the back... I like sharing with my friends and selling the book at a local used book store when I am done and getting more. I was happy reading old school.

Dan got a Kindle recently.

One night we were laying in bed reading, Dan using the Kindle, me holding a 534 page book. My hands were getting tired of holding the big book. Dan just clicked for the next page. My reading light is dim and I have to keep adjusting it to light the page. Dan's Kindle light shines on the whole page with ease.

OK, I ordered a book on his Kindle...and I loved reading on the thing! I started with a short book...and finished in 2 days! Click, new page. Click, new page. Love it!

Never thought I would want a Kindle. I want one! Although, the thought of Dan and I reading in bed together with our Kindles makes me laugh. It's like a space-age scenario! Oh, technology!

Blog2Print

2010-11-07T19:05:00.000-08:00

For those of you who want a hard copy of your blog, you can do so by clicking on this link. I will get credit for it :)ail&utm_content=15731&utm_campaign=Blog2Print%2BReferral%2BProgram%2BInvitation-Blog2Print http://blog2print.com/?source_referer=sbly_nzloroyb(pbzpnfg)arg&sbt=d61c8a4cd6afbbb9b7f5ea490dd10b0723f3a7e9&utm_source=SharedBook&utm_medium=email&utm_content=15731&utm_campaign=Blog2Print%2BReferral%2BProgram%2BInvitation-Blog2Print og2print.com?source_http://blog2print.com/?source_referer=sbly_nzloroyb(pbzpnfg)arg&sbt=d61c8a4cd6afbbb9b7f5ea490dd10b0723f3a7e9&utm_source=SharedBook&utm_medium=email&utm_content=15731&utm_campaign=Blog2Print%2BReferral%2BProgram%2BInvitation-Blog2Print referer=sbly_nzloroyb(pbzpnfg)arg

Wow it has been a long time!

2010-11-07T18:08:00.000-08:00

Since my friends were bugging me for a good solid year to join facebook, I finally did. I have been emptying my head there. It feels good to get the little stuff out daily!

Well, this is longer than FB will allow, so I am blogging it!

Dan had to attend some advertising/marketing training the other week where they were discussing good commercials. It was presented that the "come on down and get a cheap car" commercials are not as effective b/c they don't get people emotionally involved. It's all about the cheap price, not the good feeling. Target was popular for the feel good commercials. People feel connected...they like seeing the trendy clothes, and know the prices are reasonable b/c it is Target. They don't need to see the price on the commercial.

All the people took turns telling what their favorite brand or store was. As Dan was telling the story I immediately thought of M&Ms as my favorite brand and let me tell you, I am definitely emotionally attached to them! They have been with me my whole life, through good times and bad, sickness and health...

M&Ms are my go-to comfort candy. I love to eat them when I travel, when I am stressed, when I am happy, when I want something sweet, AND when it is a new holiday!!!! Ms suck me right in every time...fall, Halloween, Christmas, Easter, Summer... THEN they make fun new Ms all the time! Coconut, pretzel, PB&J, Strawberry, Mint. As I blogged before, I will try any M!

I remember my one gram always had M&Ms at her house in a cupboard in a little dish. I always bugged for some. When I got them I would sort them by color and eat them in a certain order. Dark brown, (remember those????) light brown, red, orange, green and then yellow. No blue back then. And yes, I had M&M OCD! One day while eating Ms at my grams I must have been sad and missing my mom b/c I remember thinking that heaven would be: me sitting on a cloud across from my mom and I would be eating M&Ms. That is still my idea of heaven! (except Cole would be attached to my hip bugging to eat my M&Ms too. Wait, I said heaven right? Oh well, that's how it would be!)

Another M story:
I was flying back to PA with my gram and sis when I was 13ish. (Oh wait, a story within a story! We were flying from WA were my aunt, uncle and cousin lived. My cousin only ate GREEN M&MS, so my sister and I wanted to annoy her so we snuck down, spilled out the bag, ate all the greens and then put the rest back. Boy, was she pissed the next day!) Anywho, in preparation for our long flight, we made sure we had a big bag of plain M&Ms. We couldn't wait to get into them, so I was trying to rip the bag open so we could get started. I had my hands on the top of the bag, pulled down, and the whole bag ripped open and Ms were flying everywhere!!! (It's raining Ms, hallelujah, it's raining Ms!)

When I was in college, my roommate Jen always had peanut M&Ms. We would play cards and munch on Ms all night long. One night we got crazy: we bought every kind of M that was out at the time. (I think the newest M was the peanut butter.) We mixed them all together and had ourselves a chocolate-fest. Good times!

I am sure if I sit here and try to think of more M stories, I could, but my fingers are tired and if I keep talking about Ms I am going to want to go to the pantry and get a chocolate treat!!!!

So, yeah, I would definitely say I am emotionally connected to the brand M&Ms! :)
(Christmas Ms should be coming out soon!)

I Can't Pass This Up

2010-05-01T10:11:00.000-07:00

Ok, during the past two weeks I have received emails from Coldstone Creamery (telling about their Oreo ice cream sandwiches) and Dairy Queen (buy one Blizzard get one for 25 cents) and Baskin Robbins ( 31 cent scoop night) and I have passed them all up. BUT I got another email from Dairy Queen announcing their May Blizzard...and I HAVE TO GO GET ONE! It's a Buster Bar Blizzard! Buster. Bar. Blizzard. I haven't been this excited since the Girl Scout Thin Mint Blizzard came out! If anyone is interested in a DQ play date let me know!!!! :)

Another Book Review

2010-04-16T06:03:00.000-07:00

This was book was provided for review by WaterBrook Multnomah.

Link for more info and other books:

http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/catalog.php?isbn=9781601422057

Here is the write up from the back of the book:

Crossroads Crisis Center owner Benjamin Brandt was a content man—in his faith, his work, and his family. Then in a flash, everything he loved was snatched away. His wife and son were murdered, and grief-stricken Ben lost faith. Determination to find their killers keeps him going, but after three years of dead ends and torment, his hope is dying too. Why had he survived? He’d failed to protect his family. Now, a mysterious woman appears at Crossroads seeking answers and help—a victim who eerily resembles Ben’s deceased wife, Susan. A woman robbed of her identity, her life, of everything except her faith—and Susan’s necklace. The connections between the two women mount, exceeding coincidence, and to keep the truth hidden, someone is willing to kill. Finding out who and why turns Ben and the mystery woman’s situation from dangerous to deadly. Their only hope for survival is to work together, trust each other, and face whatever they discover head on, no matter how painful. But will that be enough to save their lives and heal their tattered hearts?

Here is my review:

Well, first of all, I finished it! Most of the time that is a good sign. (I have finished some books that I'm not sure why I kept going.)

Here is what I liked about the book: it had an interesting idea, I liked the interaction between the main characters...they were pretty likable and I rooted for them the whole book.
What I didn't care for: the whole NINA terrorist group idea...it was like the author was trying to write a book similar to the Da Vinci Code, but this group was confusing and not very interesting. I kinda zoned out when there was a section devoted to them. Then there were different guys trying to kill the main character and they confused me. Not sure who they were or who they were working for or why they did what they did. Again, I zoned on those parts. Although those people and the group are important to the story, I didn't get the full impact because I didn't like that part of the story.

I guess this book would be considered a thriller, but I never had an "Oh!" moment. It was an easy, fast read. It is a Christian fiction book, which I usually don't read, so that was a little odd to me.

Overall it was a decent book. I feel bad writing these reviews...I'm such a harsh critic!

Thirsty?

2010-04-15T17:42:00.000-07:00

Lately I have been obsessed with drinkware. (is that a word?) Anyway, Dan has a Tervis Tumbler (I just like to say Tervis Tumbler!) that he got at Bed Bath and Beyond that he uses for coffee and beer. The cup is big and holds a lot. (almost 2 beers Dan says) I load it up with ice and a can of pop and still have room at the top. I have been searching for one with flowers. I found this one...
Then when I was at Books A Million I saw these:

they are water bottles for Monday-Friday. They come with a base that they sit in...if you need to take them with you to work or wherever. I like the idea of drinking out of pretty bottles. I fill them all up and use them throughout the day and keep one by my bed at night. I find that I am drinking more water because of these pretty bottles! (they are PBA free)

~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~

I saw these in the Lakeside Collection catalog. I thought they would be perfect for when my friends come over for a playdate. My classy friends prefer to drink out of a glass with ice...which I like now too. Before I would just swig from the can...I guess everyone has some billy in them!

If You Like Pina Coladas, and Chewin' Gum In The Rain

2010-04-11T13:58:00.000-07:00

Then try this...it's my new favorite gum. It's like vacation in your mouth!

*************************************************************************

On an unrelated note to yumminess and Rupert Holmes...Girly Tomboy Extraordinaire is the winner of the Blog For Books book. Please leave a comment with your info and I will ship it out to you! Or leave your email and I will contact you...whatever you are more comfortable with. Hope they let you blog for books in Canada! :)

My First Blogging For Books Tour

2010-03-31T16:24:00.000-07:00

My friend Michelle told me about this program:

Blogging for Books

Do you love to read and review books?
Do you have an established personal blog on which to share your opinions?

If so, you may be eligible to join upcoming blog tours for WaterBrook Multnomah titles.

As an approved blog reviewer, you'll receive a free, advance copy of the featured book in each tour in which you choose to participate. To submit your blog for consideration, please fill out the form below. If your blog is chosen to participate, a WaterBrook Multnomah publicity representative will get in touch with you soon.

Here is the link...
http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/blogging-for-books/

This is the first book I said yes to. I am a very picky reader. I don't just read to read. AND I have this "100 page try" rule that goes like this...if after 100 pages I could care less what happens to any of the characters or how the story ends, I stop reading. My friend Angie dubbed me as the "Book Tease" years ago.

I received a complimentary book to read and one to give away! :) If you are interested in winning a copy, please leave a comment and I will write down all the names and have a random drawing. I will post the winner and send out the book after I get an address.

Here is the summary I got in the email:

Summary:

Inspired by the engaging stories told through her grandmother’s photographs taken at the turn of the century, award-winning author Jane Kirkpatrick provides a portrait of the tension between darkness and light in the soul of a young woman pursuing her professional dreams.

Despite growing in confidence as a photographer, eighteen-year-old Jessie Ann Gaebele’s personal life is still at a crossroads. Hoping she’s put an unfortunate romantic longing behind her as “water under the bridge,” she exiles herself to Milwaukee to operate photographic studios for those ill with mercury poisoning.

Jessie gains footing on her dream to one day own her own studio and soon finds herself in other Midwest towns, pursuing her profession. But even a job she loves can’t keep those painful memories from seeping into her heart, and the shadows of a forbidden love threaten to darken the portrait of her life.

Here is my review:

I didn't realize that this book was based on the author's grandmother. I guess that is why I felt it was a little boring and there were parts in it that didn't really need to be there. As I stated above, I am a picky reader, so after 100 pages I was ready to put it down. Not because it was a bad book, but because it just didn't seem all that interesting. But, because I agreed to review the book, I kept going. Then I got to 200 pages and just had to skip to the end to find out what happened. After reading the ending I was a little curious about how the characters got to that point, but not enough to actually finish the book. I know a lot of people would enjoy this book. Most of the gals in my book club would probably finish it and like it...I just look over beside my bed and see the growing pile of books I want to read and I just want to get to them. Another sign that I wasn't really into the book...whenever I got a chance to read it, I would find something else to do. I guess I just didn't really like the characters all that much. One thing I did like about the book was every so often there would be a picture taken by the main character and then a write-up about the picture. (the conversations that the subject and photographer had, why they chose the props they did, why the photo was being taken...) I want to state again that this isn't a bad book. It just wasn't a book for me. I'm like a kid who needs to be constantly entertained (oh, that's where Cole gets it from!) so if the book isn't giving off fireworks, then I will move on and look for the new M-80 book to blow me away.

To get a copy of this book or other books, visit:

http://www.randomhouse.com/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9781578569816

(This book was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.)

This is so weird!

2010-03-30T09:29:00.001-07:00

These taste like McDonald's cheeseburgers!

It was a good birthday

2010-03-11T06:43:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was my birthday. The weather was decent, I saw daffodils growing in the wild, I went shopping for clothes and scrapbook supplies and went out to dinner with my family...at IHOP. Everyone always laughs at my pick, but hey, I love IHOP! I was actually good. I got the whole grain pancakes without butter and used sugar free syrup. (I had a run in with the Girl Scouts this weekend and had to redeem myself after all those thin mints!)

When Cole and I were getting ready in the morning I said I was going to the gym even though it was my birthday. He said "You're not fat, Lady!" I never say anything about my weight and always tell him I am "medium" so I am not sure where that comment came from. He has seen the Biggest Loser...

So, I went to the gym and I walked 5 minutes and then planned on running for 10 and then run/walk the rest of the time. But after 10 minutes I still felt good so I thought I'd go for 15. 15 became 20 and then I thought I am only 5 more minutes away from completing week 6 of the Couch to 5K...so I did it! No guaranteeing I will ever run 25 minutes straight again in this lifetime, but I did it on my 38th b-day! (thanks to Hey, Soul Sister and Party In The USA)

Come to my backyard Jason Castro!

2010-03-09T16:26:00.000-08:00

Last night on the Bachelor wedding Jason Castro from American Idol played a few songs. I was so surprised... and excited to see him again. When he was on American Idol I would always say I wanted him to come play in my backyard while I had some drinks with friends. Well, if he is doing Bachelor gigs I just might have a chance at getting him here!
Come play in my backyard Jason Castro!

My New Thing

2010-03-04T16:34:00.000-08:00

My new thing (besides blogging a lot more!) is boiling chicken. I hate having chicken in the fridge thawing...so now I just take the frozen chicken right out of the freezer and put it into a big pot and boil it for an hour. When I take it out the chicken is soooo tender I can shred it with two forks.

Tonight I made a yummy chicken cheese steak salad. I boiled the chicken, shredded it and then put it into a pan with olive oil, light Italian dressing, onion powder and garlic powder. After letting it fry up a little I put slices of provolone cheese on top and let it melt. I put the chicken on a bed of shredded lettuce and added sunflower seeds. It was really good...like Lenny's Subs good! (That's my favorite place to get that salad.)

I know this is weird, but on that kind of salad I don't like dressing. It is just so good on it's own.

I am down 10 pounds! :)

Hooray!

2010-03-03T10:36:00.000-08:00

I told some of you before that every 6 months I order a blog book that contains my blog entries and pictures. (I do 6 months b/c each book can only hold so many pictures.) I love it because I have a hard copy which takes the place of journals and some scrapbook pages. My problem with scrapbooking is that I feel like I have to scrap everything that we do even if I only take a picture or two. Now I can just blog about it and have it in a hardbound book forever! Yay!

I made 2 blog books so far and wasn't really happy about the format...the captions I typed under the pictures in my blog didn't come out under my pictures in the blog book. I joined an advisory panel with blog2print and suggested they make the captions come up like in the blog...and now they do!!!! I just got an email saying you can chose your format...regular that will use less pages and combine photos and text together and snapshot that will print your captions under the picture! Yay!

The email also included a coupon for 15% off your blog book. Just enter this code: newb2p
It expires March 31, 2010.

Check out the website to see all the options available...
http://blog2print.sharedbook.com/blogworld/printmyblog/index.html

I've Got Regina Beat!

2010-03-01T16:49:00.000-08:00

My friend Regina (who is doing the South Beach Diet too) posted on her blog that her child tortured her b/c he came home from school with candy and spread it all over the counter and offered her some. Well Sister, just listen to MY morning!

Cole had a field trip. To Domino's. Pizza.

All the kids in his class made their own personal sized pizza, ate pizza, the placed smelled like pizza. Then the manager comes out and says the adults are welcome to make their own pizza. Non-South Beach Diet-Amy would have bolted to the dough! Instead, South Beach Diet-Amy wiped the drool off her face and patted her growling tummy reassuring it that soon it could have pizza again.

I am still stuck at 8 pounds. BUT, I got into some old jeans today without a struggle!

Thank You Arthur Agatston!

2010-02-28T09:04:00.000-08:00

The South Beach diet (created by Arthur A) is working for me! In one week's time I lost 8 pounds! Woo Hoo! I have stuck to the food lists...but since I am not a big veggie person I am hungry a lot. I go to bed starving and wake up starving. One more week to go until I can reintroduce fruits and whole grains into my diet.

I have been having a hard time with the running lately. For the past two weeks Cole has been sick, I had a hair appointment, then I was sick... I still haven't completed week 6. I just need to run for 25 mins. straight and then it's complete. Yeah, that's not happening! I have been to the gym a few times recently and did my own thing. Yesterday I walked 5 minutes, ran 10, walked 5 ran 10 walked 5. I was happy with that. I do better with the breaks...then I can jog more energized and with a better attitude instead of laboring just to get the minutes done. PLUS, the new book South Beach Diet Super Charged says to not just keep one pace throughout workouts. It suggests to walk at a moderate pace for a 2 minute warmup, 15 seconds of walking supercharged, walking 60 seconds at a moderate pace, repeat 8 times then 2 minute moderate pace for cool down. (this is a sample of week one workout) I don't want to just walk. I don't mind running for short periods of time. I want to burn more calories and get my heart rate up. So, I think I will pitch the Couch to 5K and just do what feels good that day. I will still get to the gym as much. My goal was never to run a 5K or be able to run for 30 minutes straight. I just want to lose weight and it seems like whenever someone loses enough weight for people to notice it is because they started running.

Thank yous go out to Regina and Amber too... they got me interested in doing these healthy acts.

I know that next week I won't lose as many pounds, but I am still pushing forward. I want to be able to wear cute sundresses this summer!

Recipes I promised and a bonus

2010-02-25T08:17:00.000-08:00

A few months ago I told some of you that I made a super delicious dinner that Dan said was the best I ever made. (That really isn't saying much! haha) When I made this dish the whole kitchen area smelled like an Italian restaurant...in a good way! :) I skipped the mushrooms and used canned spinach. (Yes, I actually ate the spinach b/c the whole thing was soooo good!) Here is the link...
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Chicken-Florentine-Casserole/Detail.aspx

Try this yummy dessert. It would be AWESOME in the fall...

Frosted Maple Apple Dessert
Filling
roll out pie crust dough (2, one for top and one for bottom)
12 cups thinly sliced and peeled apples
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
2 tbs flour
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp maple flavor (Mmmmm!)

Heat oven to 450 degrees.
Mix all above ingredients in a bowl.
Place one crust in baking dish. Spread filling on top. Then put the other crust on top of filling.
Bake 15 minutes.
Reduce temp to 400 degrees and bake for 20-30 minutes longer.

Frosting
1 cup powdered sugar
1/4 tsp maple flavor (again, Mmmm!)
1 1/2 to 2 tbs milk

Drizzle this on top when you pull the dessert out of the oven. Let sit for an hour...if you can wait!

Here is a chicken dinner I made last night. It was one of the best chicken dinners I ever had...and that includes eating out. (Maybe it is b/c I am doing the South Beach diet and am starving and anything would taste good at dinner time!) I used splenda and omitted the sesame oil.
http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/crockpot-slow-cooker-phase-i/182843-crockpot-chicken.html

I'll start with Lent, but who knows where I will end up!

2010-02-17T18:37:00.000-08:00

Today is the first day of Lent for Catholics. Most years I give up chocolate or all treats, but not this year. The year I really need to give that stuff up because my weight is out of control!!!!! But no, I'm not giving it up. Why? Because my in-laws are coming next month and my mother-in-law and I share a birthday and she wants us to have a cake for our birthdays. Think about it, in-laws here 24/7 for a week. I'm gonna need sweets! Plus, we are going to New Orleans and after seeing The Princess and The Frog, I just have to try some beignets! beignet (pronounced [bɛ.ɲɛ], which is the French word for fried dough), in American English, refers to a pastry made from deep-fried dough and sprinkled with confectioner's sugar, is a kind of French doughnut.

Oh yeah, just look at that thing!!!! Get in my belly!

So, in an attempt to shed many, many pounds I am going to start the South Beach diet on Sunday. My friend Regina and her husband are doing it and invited me to share in their grumpiness. I am also doing the couch to 5K program that my friend Amber is doing and invited friends to join in. (Do you think maybe my friends had an intervention without me and decided that every few weeks they would think up a new weight loss idea to expose me to?) Anywho, I am in week 6 of 9 weeks. Here is the link if you are interested...http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml It is a good way to ease into jogging. You jog and then walk and then jog some more. Until the end of week 5. Then you run for 20 minutes straight! As I was running for 20 minutes straight I thought, yeah, maybe I won't keep doing this. Not really into just straight running. I'm bored. Want to walk. Just want to be skinny without doing a thing. Blah, blah, blah. Then Dan gives me an Ipod Nano for Valentine's Day WITH an armband so I can use it while I am running. So I guess I will continue with the running.

In case you are wondering what I am doing for Lent: I am going to go to church every Sunday and read the Bible everyday. I found this program that gives you 100 important passages to read in the Bible over 100 days. It is called the E100 Challenge...http://www.ministryplanet.net/sites/e100/The_Program
These are two things that I feel I should do more often, so Lent is the only time I will make myself do it without giving in to laziness or excuses.

All kinds of changes going on!

Like the title says, I'll start with Lent, but who knows where I will end up...maybe 10 pounds lighter hauling ass through the streets of a 5K race before mass. ;)

Happy and Sad

2010-02-12T19:39:00.000-08:00

So happy that the Olympic games are here! I love most of the sports, watching the snow fall on TV and watching in non-stop marathon form! Yay ice skating! Yay Curling!

So sad about the luge accident that took the life of a 21 year old athlete. http://www.comcast.net/olympics/story.asp?i=20100212221580123890908&ref=rec&tm=&src=DOLY
Being the mom of a boy I immediately thought about that poor momma getting the call.

Yummy Potatoes

2010-02-11T07:57:00.000-08:00

For an easy side dish try this:

Cut up potatoes into slices.

Mix in a bowl: olive oil, a capful of Mrs. Dash and some garlic powder.

Toss potatoes in mixture.

Spread onto aluminum foil covered pan and bake at 400 degrees for 20 mins. Then turn the potatoes over and bake for another 15 minutes.

Then Enjoy!

Wine Club

2010-01-15T18:28:00.000-08:00

I got invited to join a wine club. I had no idea when I said yes that it would be full of skinny bitches! Well, none of them were bitchy...just barely 100 pounds! They just kept coming through the door, one skinnier than the last! I was like "Please send in a fatty!" No such luck. They are all nice gals. Some are married, some single. Some have kids, some don't. It was nice to socialize and drink different types of wines. I actually had a Chardonnay that I liked...it wasn't dry! :) I also liked LWC Loring Pinot Noir. The Layer Cake Red Zin wasn't bad. Here is a list of all the wines we tried:
Candoni Pinot Grigo
The Little Penguin Chardonnay
Provenance Savignon Blanc
LWC Loring Pinot Noir
Moobuzz Pinot Noir
Liberty School Cab
Layer Cake Red Zin
Matchbook Syrah
Here is the GNOW wine club. (GNOW stands for Girls Need Only Wine)

Friends

2010-01-07T17:05:00.000-08:00

Over the holidays my friend Regina had a brunch for the ladies in our playgroup. It was so much fun to get together in the middle of the day without kids and just catch up and eat and drink 'till we had to unbutton our pants. Although I am grateful for my wonderful friends here, I still miss all of you who are far away from me. I know I haven't kept in touch hardly at all. I am bad at calling and emailing. Just know I love you and miss you even though you don't hear from me. I am Cole's playmate all day and then when it's night I just want to veg out. Even when he is playing by himself he is constantly asking me questions, showing me stuff, and saying "mum". When Cole is at school I just want to stare at the walls in silence until I have to go get him. And when he is home and I get on the phone he is a terror! I was on the phone today (with my friend Jen who had news about another friend Angie...she just had a baby girl! Congrats and welcome to little Marin!) and he went in his playroom and DUMPED OUT all the bins of cars and legos and games...HUGE MESS!!!!! So, when people bug me about Facebook and texting...this is why I can't participate now. Maybe when Cole is in kindergarten I will come around. For now I remain in the fog. Dan even commented that I checked out for the past few months. We got a sitter and went out one day and went to a movie and dinner. Before dinner I went to Hobby Lobby and Dan went into another store. When he came in to get me I showed him some things that I thought would look good in the house. Over dinner he said it was good to see me looking for decorating stuff...like I used to before the boy. I just have to make it 'till August! Then I will be sad he is gone all day, but it will hopefully give me my sanity back. My hair is so thin and gray now! And I'm fat. The boy. I am blaming it all on the boy! :)
Anyway, the reason I started typing tonight was to post this picture from the brunch. Oh, we had a dirty Santa gift exchange and I got the best gift of all...slippers!

My World

2009-12-07T17:41:00.001-08:00

Well, it has been a long time since I sat down to write about my world. While in PA for a week this fall I didn't watch TV or talk on the phone or get on the computer...and it was really nice! When I got back I decided to keep it up. I deleted shows from my DVR, stopped taping some shows and started reading and scrapbooking more. It feels really good. I am doing things that I love and I don't really miss the TV. Don't get me wrong, there are still shows that I can't live without...Grey's Anatomy and The Office to name a few.

I have been caught up in Christmas. I decorated the first week in November and have been listening to Christmas music on the "Sounds of the Season" channel on TV and have been reading Christmas books. Fa la la la love Christmastime!

Speaking of Christmas music...who sings your favorite version of "Last Christmas"? For me it is definitely Wham! It is on the XM radio channel a lot...yay! Oh yeah, Christmas music in the car at all times too!

I have all the Christmas presents bought and wrapped.

The only Christmasy thing I haven't done yet is the cookies. I have to wait, b/c if I do them now Cole and I will eat them up. Gotta have some for Santa!

80's Day

2009-09-25T11:56:00.000-07:00

You take the good, you take the bad...and you have my day!

The good: while listening to XM radio I heard one of my all time favorite songs "All I Need" by Jack Wagner.

The bad: I tried out some new shampoo/conditioner and the smell is making me sick! I had to re-shower! It smelled like Dippity Do. Remember that stuff? Super-duty green gel that grandmas use in their hair before putting in curlers.

I'm on the porch and Cole just opened the door and there was a commercial playing the song "Maniac"...how appropriate for my 80's day!

Lesson Learned

2009-09-21T20:06:00.000-07:00

When Cole got hurt today (see explanation in my other blog) I didn't have his dentist's number with me. My friend Amber had all emergency numbers in her phone and was able to call her dentist and get info for me. I felt helpless. I now have all medical numbers in my phone. I hope I never need them, but if I do, they are there.

Here's What I Did Today...

2009-09-19T19:07:00.000-07:00

I put up decorative kitchen panels! I took about 2 hours. It was pretty easy...except when I had to cut around the outlets. I'd love to do the ceiling, but that would be hard b/c we have a bunch of lights up there that I would have to cut around...not to mention it would cost a ton to buy all the panels.

Ba, ba, ba, ba, ba... I'm Lovin' It!

2009-09-15T19:46:00.000-07:00

I found this recipe for sausage pie...and I tweaked it (meaning I took out the green onions, parsley, pimientos...) and mine tastes just like a McGriddle breakfast sandwich from McDonald's!

Here is the simple recipe:

2 packages of maple sausage
1 1/2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese
4 eggs beaten
2 cups of milk
1 cup of Bisquick
Pepper to taste

Cook sausage, crumble and drain well. Sprinkle sausage in bottom of 9 x 13 baking dish that has been sprayed with cooking spray. Top with shredded cheese. Mix eggs, milk, Bisquick and pepper for one minute. Pour over sausage and cheese. Bake 35-40 minutes at 400 degrees or until knife comes out clean.

Not only is this super yummy, but it makes your whole house smell great!

A HUGE step for me

2009-09-14T08:26:00.000-07:00

I used to be super grudgy. I learned that from my family. I would hold a grudge against someone and wouldn't care if I ever saw them or talked to them again. As I got older I have mellowed out a lot and don't seem to care about the things that used to stress me out. No more road rage for me! (Although living here I could get shot for getting pissed at other drivers. I already got "fake shot" a few months ago. A car pulled out in front of me and I laid on the horn for a minute solid...one of my old tricks that usually embarrasses the driver. Well, this person gets over in the other lane and her kid in the back leans over and makes her fingers into a gun and pulls the trigger. Needless to say people can pull out in front of me and drive slow in front of me all they want, there will be no more horn blowin')

Anywho, I don't stress out about being late to something or if something I make isn't perfect. Hey, I planned Cole's 5th birthday a few days in advance!

Well, here is the biggie. As you know, when I was 5 my mom died. My Dad's mom came to live with us. She was not the typical gram...she used to beat me, tell me I was a fat pig and that it was my fault my mom died, because I was so bad.

I remember after she would hit me (with hands, wooden spoons or anything she could get her hands on...one time she grabbed a shoe and whipped it at me and ended up braking the kitchen light fixture) I would run upstairs, grab the phone (to call the police) and wait for a bruise to appear. I never bruised, so I never called.

I was hurt by all her mental abuse. I was a chubby little girl, but her calling me names never stopped me from stuffing my face. Even though she would say to me that terrible thing about my mom, I never really believed it. I always thought it was my sister's fault. My mom had a heart condition and the pregnancy and birth was real hard on her and put a lot of stress on her heart. Even still, I always had the sting of those words.

My Gram has cancer among other things. She would be real sick, then make a comeback. For a long time now I knew I would have to decide if I was going to forgive her. I knew I should b/c that's what I am supposed to do, but I didn't want to say it if I didn't mean it.

Living in the South has opened my eyes to lots of things...religiously speaking. Lots of women go to bible studies and attend church more than once a week and they also talk about being Godly. I have always believe in God and wanted to be a good person. I want to abide by God's rules and go to heaven. (When I was little my idea of heaven was sitting on a cloud with my mom eating M&Ms!)

A friend gave me a bible last year and every now and then I read it...and it seems like it is always for a purpose that is revealed soon after.

When I talked to my dad (King of Grudginess) a few weeks ago he said my gram was not doing good at all. The doctor said one to two weeks. She is confined to a bed and only gets up to use the bathroom. I knew I had little time to decide what to do.

I would be OK with forgiving her in my heart and never telling her. She never said sorry about anything in my childhood. Does she even remember now?

I have felt the need to call and forgive her a few times and never did. I guess I though if I did, she might die soon after. She's 95, so it's not like she'd be leaving us prematurely.

This morning I just got a feeling that I should do it. I took a quick look at my life and thought, her words and actions don't affect me anymore. I am a confident adult who is not making the same mistakes with her child. I am OK.

Before I made the call I broke down and cried. My Gram is dying, I am afraid to make this call, I am nervous about taking this huge step.

After I regained my composure, I dialed. I spoke with my Aunt first to see how she and my Gram were doing. I told her I knew I didn't have much time left and there was something I had to tell her before she goes. My Aunt said my Gram probably wouldn't be able to hear me, but I said that was OK, I just need to say it to her.

I know she couldn't hear me, but I told her I loved her and I forgave her. I said it twice throughout the conversation.

I'm not sure if I feel much different now that I said it out loud. Maybe in time I will. Or maybe I have been OK with it for some time now and really forgave her a long time ago.

I am proud of myself for taking this step. Who knew that I would still be growing up at age 37?!

Book Club and Birthday Dinners

2009-09-11T19:02:00.001-07:00

I love book club! I love the reading, the reading of books I wouldn't normally pick, the getting together to discuss...even though it usually only ends up being 15 minutes of book discussion and then the rest of the time is talking about our kids and lack of sex drive.

Here we are at The Fox and Hound eating dinner before moving to Books A Million to discuss
The Help.

I love my birthday and I love to celebrate the day! So, when other people want to go out for their birthday I'm in! Here we are on a rainy night celebrating three September birthdays...

Third Grade Memory

2009-09-08T08:37:00.000-07:00

For some reason this memory popped into my head, so I thought I'd write about it to make more room up there.

When I was in third grade EVERYONE had a crush on Michael Gashgarian. (That crush went from grade 1 - 8 pretty much...he was hot!) But in third grade I had braces, glasses and a brain-sucker perm. No way I was gettin' the guy.

One day at recess we were all playing kickball and I got up and kicked a doozie and got a triple. Next thing I can remember is that we are both leaning up again the guard rail (get your mind out of the gutter, I did mention a few times that this is 3rd grade people!) and he has his arm around me. I was just frozen...is this really happening? to me? What is going on?

That was awesome! I was so smiley about that.

Nothing like that ever happened again...and nothing ever happened between Michael and I.

Why do I remember this craziness? And why didn't Mike slip me a note asking if I would go with him yes or no?

Yay!

2009-09-07T19:10:00.000-07:00

Yay! for two things

1. Two days in a row I have a post.
2. Jason Bateman is going to be in a ton of movies coming out this fall. (luv him!) I read that he is going to be the lead in one movie...and he hasn't been the lead since Teen Wolf Too. Yikes!

Daily Blogging

2009-09-05T20:18:00.000-07:00

I blog all the time...in my head. In quiet moments (brushing teeth, showering) I think about what I want to write about...I just never sit at the computer and let it out. I really want to, it just seems whenever I get a second to myself I do something else instead. I have been reading a lot.

Amy's Playdate Salad

2009-07-31T13:12:00.000-07:00

This is my favorite salad to make and chances are good that if you come to my house for a playdate and I say I'll make lunch, this is what you will get!

Amy's Playdate Salad

*shredded lettuce

*shredded cheese

*chicken

*sunflower seeds

*craisins

*apple pieces

*grapes

*strawberries

*Ken's Raspberry Walnut Vinaigrette

The finished project! Mmmm, enjoy!

Thankful

2009-07-30T21:41:00.000-07:00

This is the 2nd time this year that a tornado hit close to our house. The first time, maybe a month ago, one hit an exit down from us. Today one hit half a mile down the road. Some houses were destroyed, some badly damaged.

I am so thankful that we are safe and nothing happened.

Cole and I are getting used to playing in my closet...it's actually kinda cozy in there. I was thinking of writing the date on the wall every time we have to run in there!

New M&Ms!

2009-07-28T19:10:00.000-07:00

M&Ms are my comfort candy. My favorite are just the plain old plain ones. BUT when there is a new flavor (or holiday edition) I just HAVE to get them! So, when I saw these, they went in my basket.

Ok, here is my opinion...the coconut M&Ms are soooo yummy! They taste like vacation. I saw them and HAD to get them. When I saw the strawberried peanut butter ones I was skeptical. I just couldn't see myself lovin' these. And it was so. They were better than I thought, but I wouldn't crave them, or buy them again. (Cole thought they were really good!)

Christmas In July

2009-07-27T14:46:00.000-07:00

Ho! Ho! Ho! and Deck Them Halls, QVC had their annual Christmas in July this weekend. I was so excited. My friend Jen and I watch and order and compare purchases. We both love to decorate for fall and Christmas. After watching the show and ordering some stuff, I decided that I am going to decorate the inside of my house November 1st! The outside after Thanksgiving. I decorated inside before Thanksgiving last year and really liked not having to rush after Thanksgiving...plus we got to enjoy the cheeriness longer.

I am obsessed with Bethlehem Lights. They make a ton of greenery that is pre-lit, battery operated, and with a timer! Woo Hoo! I bought some of their stuff last year and liked those features. I wasn't super crazy about the light bulbs, but hey, all the rest was great! The picture at the top is one of things I got yesterday. Even the candles are battery operated and come on with the rest of the lights!

I think my lifetime goal is to have Christmas decorations for every room in the house. Each year I get closer and closer!

Addicted To Dip

2009-07-10T12:55:00.001-07:00

Fruit dip that is, not snuff!
My friend Tammy told me about this dip and I can't stop making it and eating it! I'm sure it is good that I am eating a lot of fruit...but not so sure about the tons of dip I am using!

I have made it full fat and low fat...both yummy!

Here is what you need...
a tub of Cool Whip
a package of cream cheese
a jar of marshmallow fluff

Mix them all together...
Enjoy!

Mmmmmmm!

I like it best with cantaloupe.

Spring Weather Makes Me Happy

2009-07-03T08:27:00.000-07:00

**As you can tell by the title, I wrote this awhile ago! I never finished, but don't know what else I had planned, so I am just going to post this! Although, I think I am going to spotlight trips/events from my past in the future...haha...my head is REALLY full and I NEED to blog more!**

The weather has been so nice lately. I love being outside when it is warm with a little breeze...especially in the evening. The other night after dinner we went out and I was watering my flowers...oh yeah, I did some planting. I was inspired after putting pictures of my old flower gardens on the weekly question. I went through all my old scrapbooks and realized how much I missed doing all that. Plus, I went over to my neighbor's backyard and it was like a resort back there! I came home and told Dan how great it looked and I guess he saw a spark of the old excitable flower loving Amy (and not Cole sucks the life out of me Amy) and decided to give me a great gift. He told me I could have a planting budget and go to town! And I did! I love my big backyard, but one thing that bugs me is that in the winter, the woods behind and beside our house all is bare. So, I planted some evergreen trees and bushes so I can see green come this fall/winter. I also planted some of my old favorites...fox glove, hibiscus, daisies, lilacs and got a solar powered birdbath. THEN I fixed up the back patio. I got some plants, a little fountain and rearranged the furniture and viola! a little bit of tranquility in my life. (yay!) I can sit on the patio and listen to birds and water trickling while reading. I still have more I want to plant...I need some more flowering bushes and colorful perennials. I really want a hollyhock, but it has proven to be the one purchase that sets a move in motion. I planted one at my first house...then we moved into our next house. then I finally started a little planting after Cole was born and then we moved here. So I have mixed feelings about the hollyhock. But if I see one, I gotta get it! (especially if it is yellow!)

We planted some different grass in the way back...the kind that grows in the shade. (fescu) Dan has had to cut it three times already. It is really green and is like Ohio grass. I just love the smell of freshly cut grass!

Ok, so where I was originally going with this was I got a good feeling the other night being outside. Like I said, it was after dinner (we cooked out on the grill so the lingering grill smell was in the air) and there was a light breeze and it was warm and it just made me think of the time I was at the Cape. We went with another couple and stayed a long weekend. We toured the Cape and saw the lighthouses, beaches, and went to Nantucket for a day. I loved Nantucket. Walking down the cobblestone streets, flags in everybody's yards, flower gardens in bloom, the smell of fresh sea air, the birds and breeze...That is what I felt the other night. An all-American night.

I definitely want to go back to the Cape someday.

Just read all the captions 'till you laugh

2009-05-24T18:26:00.000-07:00

You may need to click on the picture to enlarge...

I'm sorry, but did they REALLY need to put "children not included"?
Hey Step2, I just got my clubhouse but two parts were missing. Can you overnight the kids?

When your husband says...

2009-05-04T19:11:00.000-07:00

...make me a chicken pot pie bitch, all you have to do is:

get a can of mixed vegetables, a can of cream of chicken soup, a can of chicken and frozen pie shells.

2009-03-09T02:00:00.000-07:00

Since my birthday is tomorrow (yay!) I thought I'd ask:

Do you like your name? What does it mean?

Yes, I like my name. I always have. And the meaning makes it all the better.

Amy is a given name, a variant of "Aimee", which means beloved in French, from Old French amede, from Latin amāta, feminine singular past participle of amāre "to love". The name may also originate from French Ami, which means friend.

New Favorites and the SCAM-wow

Weekly Question

2009-01-05T00:01:00.000-08:00

If you could have any superpower what would it be?

I would pick: being able to stop time.

There are so many times during the day when I think of something I need to do but forget when I have a second later. I'm unloading the dishwasher when the dryer dings and Cole wants his vitamins...*snap*...I can go get the clothes, put the vitamins on the counter and finish unloading...*snap*...ahhh.

If I could stop time, I could blog, read, scrapbook, nap...all while Cole stands there in mid bug.

Why couldn't my dad be TimeStopperMan?

Losing and Helping

2009-01-02T19:22:00.000-08:00

Day One: the diet has just begun

2009-01-01T18:54:00.000-08:00

I feel good! I didn't snack, I didn't eat after 7, I drank water before meals and I did crunches and arm exercises.

As predicted, Dan wanted wings and pizza today. His wing place was closed. We got pizza from Pizza Hut...but the whole grain crust. It was good! We've had Papa John's whole (grain, wheat?) crust before and it was gross! I couldn't even eat it. I just ate the pepperoni and cheese off of pieces! Anyway, I didn't eat as much as usual today.

My goal is to be healthy. I want to fit into my clothes comfortably. I want to feel good about myself. My chart goes to 140 pounds. That would be nice.

I am doing the South Beach diet. It always works for me. I just haven't always kept it going after I lost a bunch of weight after the first two weeks.

Happy New Year & Holy Shit!

2008-12-31T10:12:00.000-08:00

Well, I weighed in today b/c tonight we are spending the night at a friend's house and I didn't want to use her scale...and I didn't want to weigh in after eating. Soooooo, here it is. Oh, it is bad. I don't want to tell. If I didn't screw myself by posting the entry saying I would do this, I totally wouldn't put my weight on the blog! Ok, I weigh...a weight that I haven't weighed since I was preggers. But, this is good for me. It shows I am serious. Here is more proof that I am serious...I made these charts to keep track of my weight loss and daily exercises.

Ok, I am stalling. Oooh, I also went through the fridge, freezer, pantry and cupboards and threw out all the tempting treats and snacks. I was putting the (super yummy) ice cream down the drain and Cole yells "WHAT ARE YOU DOING?????" (He really liked the ice cream!)

More stalling...Dan is going to do the diet too. BUT he informed me today that he wants to enjoy his last 5 days off so he isn't starting until Sunday or Monday. Great! I feel the sabotage already. I just know he will want to get wings and pizza. So, I am not expecting a good first week. But I am going to try my best. I have been fat for so long, if I don't lose a ton of weight right away it is fine. I have been squeezing into my size 10s for months upon months.

My friend Angie is in with the weight loss. (Are you going to post your weight????)
She said I should watch the Biggest Loser b/c it is inspiring. I am going to watch. I am going to not eat after 7. I am going to exercise. I am going to lose weight. I need to for my health and self esteem.

Alright...here it is...no more stalling...I am out of things to say on this subject...

I am Amy and I weigh 166.6 (holy shit!)
Happy New Year!

Already?

2008-12-28T09:06:00.000-08:00

I was at Walgreens yesterday and they had Easter Candy out!!!!!!!!!!!!!

New for 2009

2008-12-26T12:29:00.000-08:00

Well, we were out of town last weekend and then Cole has had a fever since Monday, so needless to say I am not going to finish my advent calendar. The doctor called in some antibiotics so this crazy sickness Cole has should go away now. (hopefully!)

I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas.

Now for the new part: I am going to do two things each week. One will be a weekly question on Mondays (answer ones you like whenever you feel like it) and the other will be a weekly weigh-in on Wednesdays. The first weigh in will actually be on Thursday, January 1st, then Wednesdays after that. (I am now soooo serious about losing weight. I am way bigger than ever and it is ridiculous! I think if I have to actually let you know my weight each week like Weight Watchers for this to actually work. DON'T TELL hubbies my crazy number...they will be disgusted. I know you all are my friends so you won't judge me.)

Happy New Year!

Advent Day 14

2008-12-14T17:25:00.000-08:00

December 14th...
I am thankful for the view from my couch...

Even if it is only on my tv!

Thanks Comcast on Demand!
(it is on channel 1 under tv entertainment...and then yule log and more. this scene is winter 1)

Advent calendar days 9 - 13

2008-12-13T13:12:00.001-08:00

December 9th...
I am thankful for book club. Even though we weren't able to meet as scheduled on the 9th, I am still happy knowing we will reschedule and continue to meet and read and discuss and eat and drink...

December 10th...
I am thankful for Flat Earth veggie chips and Gerber real fruit snacks. Sometimes that is the only way I get Cole to eat fruit and vegetables some days!

December 11th...
I am thankful for...
BEDTIME!!!!

December 12th...
I am thankful for compassion learned.
The other day Cole and I went to Wal*Mart and there was a guy ringing the bell for the Salvation Army. I explained that he was collecting money b/c the SA helps families who need food or clothes b/c they don't have a lot of money.
On the 12th we were at a different Wal*Mart (Cole and Dan are there now...three times in one week for the kid!!! Not a record, I'm sure.) and they had people collecting for the SA as well. Cole noticed right away and I said we would give money on the way out.
While in line I noticed they were collecting money in a plastic jug for a little boy who has leukemia. I showed it to Cole and explained that the little boy was sick and his parents needed money to pay for his hospital bills. I gave him money to put in the jug for the "sick boy".
On the way out we gave to the SA. I told Cole we did two goods things today and helped two people. I told him it is nice to help people whenever you can.
Later that night Cole was cutting something out. He said he was making something to hold money for sick kids. He was going to save money for them. He just doesn't like that there are sick kids.
My heart was so full of pride, happiness and love for that boy!
Of course he was a total disrespectful monster the rest of the night...so i am also thankful for...

Twisted River Riesling!

December 13th...
I am thankful for Dan and Cole letting me sleep in today.
I slept until 11:30!!!!!! AND I could have kept going!

My Mom

2008-12-08T19:17:00.000-08:00

31 years ago today my mom died.

So today I am thankful for the 5 years I got to spend with her and for all the memories I have of her. My mom was kind and never yelled. I only remember one time that she was mad. We were up the street at her friend's house and while we were walking home I saw a puddle and sat in it. (She probably told me not to and I did anyway.) She was so mad that she sent me to bed without dinner.

I remember trying to trick my mom every morning by saying I couldn't finish my oatmeal and then when she would come in the kitchen I would surprise her with an empty bowl.

I remember walking to kindergarten with her and other neighbors. All of us kids would run ahead and hide behind the building across the street from school and then jump out to surprise our mommies.

I remember my mom watched Sanford and Son and Days of Our Lives.

My mom always fixed my hair so cute...and different everyday.

I remember wearing a "C is for Cookie" Cookie Monster shirt and making flavored shaved icees at my gram's house with my mom.

I know some of you know the story and some of you want to know but were hesitant to ask. This is what I remember from the night she died: We all ate dinner at the kitchen table and when we were done my mom said she was tired and she was going to sit in the other room. My dad and I cleaned up the kitchen and did the dishes. When we went into the other room we thought my mom was sleeping in the chair. My dad realized she wasn't and put her on the ground and started doing CPR. He had me call the ambulance...but the number was busy. I kept dialing but it was always busy. (I probably wasn't dialing correctly.) My dad had me lay down on the floor with my hands above my head. My sister was just sitting in a nearby chair. She was 3 months old. The paramedics finally came. I remember watching a Christmas show on TV with either a neighbor lady or my gram. My mom never came home.

After that I don't really have a lot of memories. I know that my kindergarten teacher switched my part in the Christmas play to the Angel Gabriel.

I know that I was sad. I was also jealous of all the attention my sister got. Then and years after. People felt sorry for her b/c she never got to know my mom. But it was really hard on me b/c I had all that time with her.

I miss my mom. There were so many times when I needed her or wanted to share things with her. When I was a kid and I got a wish (on a birthday candle, shooting star, going through the yellow light...) I would always wish for her to come back. I guess I still wish that. I am so sad that she isn't here to be with Cole.

Here are two pictures of my mom.

This is my mom after she had me...you can see part of me on the bed!

This is my 3rd Christmas. (Those are the ornaments I was talking about!!!!!)

December 7th

2008-12-07T16:57:00.000-08:00

I am thankful for Fresh Market's Waldorf Chicken Salad. Mmmmmmm, it is so good! I would have included a picture but, well, um, Cole and I scarfed it down before I knew it would be my December 7th. It has walnuts, huge grapes, fresh chicken chunks, celery and a yummy sauce. There is nothing like it. It goes down as my all time fav chicken salad. Again, mmmmmmmmmm.

I'm In!

2008-12-06T18:24:00.001-08:00

A friend of mine started an advent/thankfulness type countdown to Christmas on her blog...photographing and talking about what she is thankful for each day. She invited everyone to do the same. Well, being the slacker I am I didn't see her blog until day 5 so.....I am a little behind. I am going to do days 1-6 today and other days when I can.

I am so thankful for many things on a daily basis, so to narrow it down to one a day will be easy. Of course I am thankful for my family's health (although not in the past month!!!), being able to stay at home with Cole, my friends, our financial situation...the big things. But I am also thankful for the little things. More so now that I am a mommy. And I am thankful for that!

OK, here we go...

December 1st
I am thankful for my boy. I love him more than words can say.

December 2nd
Christmas Ornaments. Most of you know my ornament gripe...Dan threw away all my childhood ornaments and ornaments we collected together. So, for the past 4 years I have been buying ornaments like crazy to fill up the tree. I love Hallmark ornaments, homemade ornaments, ornaments from friends, ornaments made at school...ornaments! Love ornaments! I just like to remember where we were when we got them or who gave them...it's all about the memories. Dan threw away my memories, but now I can focus on the new ones I will make. (Yes, it is really me typing this! I thought I should try to be positive b/c this is a thankfulness thing and all...I can't just bitch about Dan the whole time!)

December 3rd
See the ornament picture above? Not like yours is it? No, Nic, Nicole, Amber and Regina have these great shots of ornaments and close ups of stuff. (yes, i know the bitching is back, but i have a point...) I am thankful for Dan looking up DSL cameras all the time...trying to get a good deal on one for me. He feels bad that he got a whole new man room and I didn't get anything. I don't need anything...I have a scrapbook room that I am thankful for...but hey, if I happen to get a nice new camera out of the deal and I will be able to take crisp clear shots...I will be soooo happy!

December 4th
I am thankful for Christmas books. I love to read them during the holiday season. I read Holly...it was good and a little steamy which I wasn't expecting, but a nice surprise nonetheless! I haven't read the other two yet.

December 5th
I am thankful for voicemail that makes me smile. My friends from afar leave long detailed messages...like i actually answered and they are talking to me. (I do the same, so I hope it makes people smile too.) Well, I got a message from my friend Karen who I haven't talked with since, yikes, June? Anyway, she gets herself into a holiday tizzy every year making scrapbooks for the grandparents...and her message was just that. (It's a tizzy with a smile and a laugh though...she knows she is crazy to attempt it!) I found myself smiling at her message. I guess I was glad to hear happiness in her voice...she just lost her job (which she said with a laugh in her message) and her husband has been battling cancer. They have a 4 year old girl. It breaks my heart. Pray for him.

December 6th
I am thankful for pretty sunsets. As I was closing the blinds I saw a beautiful sight tonight...

Scrappin' for charity

2008-12-05T18:55:00.001-08:00

Awhile back I made a purchase on ebay through a store called cropstop.com. They added me to their email list and one day I got an email about a charity event they were sponsoring for ProLiteracy. It's an ABC book (A Book for Charity)

The first people to respond were sent a quickutz die of a letter in the mail to use on the page. Then you were to make an 8 x8 page using simple words to go along with your letter. After they get everyone's page back they will assemble it and auction it off on ebay.

I am really excited to be a part of this!

I got letter c!

I know you can't tell but...I used flocking on the cow die cut so he is fuzzy.
I used real yarn for the cat. (and crazy googly eyes!)
I made a flip up part...the top is one car and when you lift the tab there are two cars.

Loony Bin

2008-11-30T20:42:00.001-08:00

Ok, even my subconscious knows I need a break from the males in my house! Last week was so bad that I actually dreamed that I checked myself into a loony bin! It turned out to be more like a hotel. I unpacked in my room and then went shopping!

(Nicole, you were there! I take it your week was stressful too?)

I can't go into any details about what happened during my stay b/c what happens at the bin, stays at the bin. All I will say is that #5 on my hot guys list is now #1 (sorry Patrick Dempsey! make room for Lee Pace from Pushing Daisies!) and I don't think I can watch Pushing Daisies now without blushing.

That dream kinda turned my week around! ;)

Here is Lee...

Hibernation Season

2008-11-09T12:51:00.000-08:00

It gets dark out early...time to hibernate.
It is getting chilly out...time to hibernate.
The leaves are turning...time to hibernate.
Football is on and November sweeps is coming...time to hibernate.
It's almost turkey time and then Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree time...time to hibernate.

I guess what I am saying is: if you don't see me or hear from me it's b/c I am snuggled up under a blanket on the couch hibernating.

Two Firsts

2008-11-04T16:22:00.001-08:00

I experienced 2 firsts today...
1. I voted in MS for the first time.

2. I rode on a 4wheeler for the first time. I figured, I live in MS, why not?

What made me smile today...

2008-11-03T20:28:00.000-08:00

...the smell of my Bath and Body Works "Pumpkin Pie Paradise" body wash.

I'm having an Ohio day!

2008-10-27T20:19:00.000-07:00

First I get the mail today and see that my dad has sent me pictures of the trees and their beautiful colored leaves. Orange trees next to red trees next to yellow trees.
Then I am looking through the Country Living magazines that a friend gave to me and see an article about Shaker Woods/Christmas in the Woods...craft festivals (in the actual woods!) that I used to go to every year. They had the cutest country crafts and the yummiest dips/cheesecake mixes for sale.
I think we are going to plan a trip back next fall so we can do the fall activities we used to do. The Fall Whore needs her fall!

I miss mental health days!

2008-10-26T17:38:00.001-07:00

When I was teaching I would take a sick day, but it was really a mental health day. When the kids were really getting on my nerves and I needed a break I would take a day and just sleep in, watch TV all day, maybe nap and just be lazy all day. It was so refreshing.
I miss being alone all day in my house. There are so many things I need to do but can't get done b/c 1) I have a shadow who follows me around all day and 2) when I put the shadow to bed I am wiped out from the day and just want to watch mindless TV and if I can get on the laptop, blog. (I say if I can get on the laptop b/c the laptop was supposed to be for me...I sold a ton of Cole's baby stuff to pay for it...but Dan is always on it watching Pittsburgh sports and news and reading about Pittsburgh sports.)
To try and soothe my busy mind I have been putting on the "soundscapes" music channel on TV. It is relaxing and spa-like.
I know in a few years that Cole will be in kindergarten and I will be alone all day, five days a week and that will give me plenty of time to do all the stuff I want to, so I try not to stress about my list of things to do too much.
I guess what I am trying to say is that I would be calling in "sick" tomorrow and sleeping in!

Rock Bottom

2008-10-14T21:17:00.000-07:00

Well, I hit a new low. I was getting ready to go out to dinner recently and the jeans I wanted to wear were soooooooooo tight that there was NO WAY that I could drive, sit through a meal or breathe. I unzipped them and realized they stayed up just fine. I thought about doing the rubber band thingie to fasten my jeans but that still probably would have been too tight. (sad, I know) Then I had the great idea to just fold the top of the jeans in and into my underwear. I put on a long sweater and I don't think anyone could tell.

I refuse to buy bigger jeans b/c that just gives me the green light to eat more and get a bigger size next month. No, I will suffer with belly aches and the sight of muffin top like fat spilling over the top of my jeans for now. I have started exercising and toning. My arms, legs and butt are toning up but it's my BIG GUT that is the problem. I have been on the treadmill for the past two days, but then today as I was walking down the steps I had terrible pain in my calf (is that spelled right..like the baby animal?) Damn old age again! So I took the day off of the treadmill, but I did some crunches tonight.

I just looked up calf...and yep, it's right. It just looks weird doesn't it?

Anywho, the point is I'm fat and I'm working on it. I need to for my happiness and health. I have high cholesterol. And I have jeans a size (or two) too small.

A friend of mine said "You're going to diet now? It's fall! What about all the fall treats?!?!!" Well, I AM going to partake in the fall yummies. And Halloween candy. And Christmas cookies. I just have to try to control myself. And keep up the exercising.

I'll keep you posted as to when I can wear the "Rock Bottom Jeans" like a normal person!

I Need To Empty My Head A Little

Mercy

'Tis The Season To Be Chappy

Flatlands

Race For The Cure

Kindle

Blog2Print

Wow it has been a long time!

I Can't Pass This Up

Another Book Review

Thirsty?

If You Like Pina Coladas, and Chewin' Gum In The Rain

My First **Blogging For Books** Tour

Blogging for Books

This is so weird!

It was a good birthday

Come to my backyard Jason Castro!

My New Thing

Hooray!

I've Got Regina Beat!

Thank You Arthur Agatston!

Recipes I promised and a bonus

I'll start with Lent, but who knows where I will end up!

Happy and Sad

Yummy Potatoes

Wine Club

Friends

My World

80's Day

Lesson Learned

Here's What I Did Today...

Ba, ba, ba, ba, ba... I'm Lovin' It!

A HUGE step for me

Book Club and Birthday Dinners

Third Grade Memory

Yay!

Daily Blogging

Amy's Playdate Salad

Thankful

New M&Ms!

Christmas In July

Addicted To Dip

Spring Weather Makes Me Happy

Just read all the captions 'till you laugh

When your husband says...

My Heart Breaks, I Get A Slap In The Face, & Then Some Redemption

Happy Easter, now where's the candy?

Finale

Weekly Question

Oh Mii, oh my!

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Two More New Favorites

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Cheap pictures

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Free Movie Wednesday

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New Favorites and the SCAM-wow

My Wii Mii

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Twilight

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Right Now

FAT Tuesday

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Riddle Me This...

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A little funny

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Why?

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My First Blogging For Books Tour