Reminder



Tomorrow is 10 on 10...if you

want to participate!  It's easy- just take ten pictures

in ten hours on the tenth of the month!

You can join the link party here.

TGIF

I've had a super busy week.   I don't operate too well when my schedule is packed full...one thing right after another.   But, that's the way it is sometimes.     I try and take it one day at a time and check things off as I go.   


My siser-in-law had open heart surgery on Tuesday.  It's been a stressful few days.   She's coming around a little slower than the doctors had expected.  She's 39 years old.   I really wish we could have been there for her and my brother-in-law and the cousins.   They live about twelve hours from us.   It really stinks to live far from family...especially during times like this.   I have prayed for her all week...but I know I could have been a big help to them  if I were there.    Her mom and sister are there and my in-laws are there too. 


Brady asked if he could make Aunt Donna a card.  He insisted on putting a dollar in the card too.  We tried to tell him that  it wasn't really necessary...but he said Aunt Donna might need help paying for the hospital.   I wish I could see Donna's face when she opens her card and the dollar falls out!  She will laugh I'm sure!

(Okay...so he's not an artist!)

We had Brady's conference at school today.  We got an awesome report.   I love going to conferences!  I'll spare you the details and save that for my mom...since she's the only one that wants to hear all that bragging anyway!   Whenever we have teacher conferences, we (the PTO) have a meal for the teachers.  Another mom and myself worked 11 1/2 hours yesterday preparing the meal, getting it to the school, setting up, decorating, serving, and cleaning up.  We both stopped only long enough to get the kids off the bus and for our 15 minute conference.  There were lots of donations made for the food by other parents...but I think we could use a little help preparing the food next time.  I had a few requests for pumpkin parfaits that I made last year.  It was a little warm in the teacher's lounge and the carmel and whip cream kind of went flat...they were good, but not pretty!   We served ham balls, potato casserole, toss salad, rolls, fruit cocktail and several people brought in desserts.  The teachers stop in during their conferences to have dinner.  They are always so appreciative and go on and on about how wonderful everything is.  It totally makes it worth it to do this for them.

pumpkin parfaits

(pumpkin bread, pumpkin pudding, whip cream and caramel)







Brady has today off from school.    Once he is up, we are going to hang out with beach other!  We're both looking forward to it!   Laundry can wait until this weekend...and no computer for me today!  I'll catch up with everyone later!

Have a great weekend!

Playing Tag With Blog Friends







Jen over at Jen's Ink Pen is playing tag!

Anyone who wants to participate is welcome!

I love reading everyone's answers and getting to know everyone better!

I hope you'll play along if you want! 

----------------------------------------



1.   What was your favorite subject in school?

My favorite subject was Fuz Ed (as my son calls it!)    I took gym seven times in four years....instead of study hall or another elective, I always chose gym!

2. Do you prefer the ocean or the mountains?
Definately the ocean!  Although I do have wonderful memories spending time with my family at my in-laws cabin.  But, if I had my choice, they would have bought a condo by the ocean instead of a cabin in the woods!


3.  What is your birth order? 
I'm the way way older oldest of three girls.  I am ten years older than my one sister and twenty one years older than my youngest sister.  I have heard that if you are an only child for five years or more....you take on the characteristics of an only child.  I definately fit those characteristics of an only child!


4. What is your most productive time of day? 
I would have to say morning....and definately when I'm alone. 


5. Describe the perfect Saturday.
The perfect Saturday for me would be getting up and going out to breakfast with my two favorite guys.  Then, we would go to the beach.  We would have lunch on the beach, and then go swimming for a little, maybe have a pina colada at the pool bar, and then get ready to go out to dinner!  Oh wait...that's not the perfect Saturday...that's vacation!


6. Do you get the flu vacinne?
Nope, no vaccine for me...but my son gets it.


7.  Is there anything you really wish you could do?
I wish I could own a little gift shop/bakery/candy store.


8.  If you could be a contestant/participant on a reality show, which would it be?
I would be on the Biggest Loser...and hopefully workout with Bob (he's so cute!).
I couldn't be away from my family long....so maybe I could go for a three day weekend...
maybe lose 10lbs!

So, if you're reading this and want to join in....consider yourself tagged!

Here's my list of questions for you...or you can answer Jen' questions, whatever!

I look forward to reading your answers!

1.  What's something your parents used to say to you as a child that you promised yourself you'd never say...but now catch yourself saying it?

2.  What's your favorite room in your house?

3.  If you could change places with someone for a day...who would it be?

4.  How many hours do you spend on your computer each day?

5.  What's your dream job?

6.  What movie can you watch over and over?

7.  Do you save old greeting cards and letters, or throw them away?

8.  What's your favorite thing to cook?

Tag!  You're it!



 

A Lost Art Fallen By The Wayside



The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the grandest intention.

~ Oscar Wilde

(one of my favorite quotes ever!)

When was the last time you received a thank-you note in the mail?  You probably remember...because it was so out of the "ordinary".  What a shame.  There was a time when sending a handwritten thank you note was just common courtesy...good manners if you will.  Have we become so busy that we feel a quick email saying "thanks" will suffice?  I  have over 3,000 emails in my inbox ( I know, ridiculous!) so, does getting a quick thank you email have the same impact?  Don't get me wrong, getting an email thank you is better than not getting anything at all.  But, I think taking the time to write down a few lines and sending it in the mail, shows the person that you were truly appreciative of them.  Anyone can send a quick email, right?

I learned at a young age from my mom, the importance of sending a thank you card.  Oh how I dreaded doing this when I was little.  Having to sit down and write a thank you for Grandma's Christmas gifts, birthday presents I received from friends, or even a ride to school.  I didn't really understand the importance of it then, but over the years, I have come to realize that my mom was teaching me a wonderful life lesson.  Show.Your. Appreciation.  And, be thankful. 

I'd like to believe that I'm passing this lost art of handwritten thank you writing onto my son too.  He sometimes complains when I make him sit down and write thank you notes.  But, I know it's working.  A couple of weeks ago our neighbor brought over some tomatoes from her garden and after she left Brady said, "we should send her a thank you card".  He often writes me thank you notes for little things I do for him.  He is learning!

On Tuesday, my friend Kim came to my rescue.  She was there for me.  She dropped what she was doing, unexpectedly, and drove 25 minutes to come pick me up.  I was so thankful to her and wanted her to know it.   I sent her a thank you card (I didn't get it out until Thursday because I needed stamps, darn, but it did get sent!)  I also made her and her sons a little treat.  The gift of food is my favorite gift to give.   Here's the super easy recipe:











1 tube chocolate chip cookie dough

mini marshmallows

Reese's Pieces candy (or anything you want really!)

-----------------------

Bake cookie dough according to directions.

When cookie is done, top with marshmallows.

Bake for 2 minutes.

Let cool about 5 minutes.

Sprinkle with candy!

Send a handwritten thank you to someone today.
It only takes a few minutes...and the person on the
receiving end will really appreciate it.
And you will feel good too!

A Not So Guilty Pleasure!







My aunt who is lifetime Weight Watcher member gave me this recipe a few years ago.  One box of cake mix, (any flavor) and one small can of pumpkin.  Mix the two ingredients together and that's it. Bake at 350 for 10-15 minutes.   Makes 14 large muffins.  You do not taste the pumpkin at all in the muffin.   I have tried spice cake, yellow cake and chocolate cake.   These are low fat, low calorie, moist and yummy!  A little pleasure without the guilt!

Life Is Good





I'm sitting her enjoying a glass of champagne and reading blogs!  

Eric got me the champagne for our campfire last night...it doesn't get any more redneck than that, does it?!  Eric is watching football and Brady is playing a game on the computer.

Brady was hitting tennis balls against the garage...but it started raining out and that's why he's inside!



On Friday, I went shopping and out to lunch with a friend. 
We actually only went to two stores...and then ran out of time!
We spent more time talking in the stores than shopping! 
We had lunch at Chili's.
I don't get to spend much time with this friend ,but when I do get to see her,
 it always leaves me feeling more refreshed and energized to be a better mom and wife. 
I think good friends just do that to us!



On Friday evening we dropped Brady off at our rec center for Parents Night Out.
 He got to play with friends, have pizza and go swimming.

 Eric and I went to dinner and walked around Target.

 I'm so lucky that my husband likes to shop.  If we only had the funds...we would be really good shoppers! 

 I was excited to get these paper napkins and plates:



Eric woke up Saturday morning and insisted I NOT come into the kitchen.

He tried to make made me a "McGriddle" breakfast.

I often joke that if I had to pick my last meal...it would be a McDonald's McGriddle sandwich.

And a big bowl of gummy bears.

Breakfast was good...he put enough on my plate to feed at least four people!

He kept apologizing about the "presentation"...and said next time he has plan to make it look better.

I love him tons.



My mixer broke a couple of months ago.

It wasn't a fancy kitchen aid or anything.

I bought one this morning at Walmart for $6.98!

If I would have known I could get one for that price...I wouldn't have waited so long!

I'm sure the expensive ones are nice...but my little hand held serves me just fine.



Fall is my favorite time to cook.

I love everything pumpkin....and I have tons of fall recipes.

So, I decided to put them all together in one place.

I bought this photo book for $1.50 and made a little cover for it.

Now, I just have to fill it with all my pumpkin recipes!

A couple laughs from this weekend:



Brady turned the tv on last night and saw that the Phillies were playing.

He told Eric the Phillies were winning 2-Love.

Too funny!

I guess it's obvious Brady doesn't watch much baseball!



Brady said this afternoon after he got his haircut.........

"They should call it Good Clips (instead of Great Clips) because....

the lady that cut my hair wasn't so GREAT!





Look what I got in the mail!

I bet you can guess what I've been making!

I'll show you my finished projects soon!

So, it's been a great weekend.

Time with a friend.

A date with my husband.

Conversations w/ family by the campfire.

Lots of laughs.

And, a little crafting!

Life is Good.

Hope you're enjoying your weekend too!



 

Clicker Bag

 





I took a class the other day at our rec

center and learned to make these clicker bags.  It's actually about the size of a make up bag.  Its called a clicker bag because it clicks at the top when you open it.

                This is what makes it "Click"...

We cut two pieces of tape measure

and sewed it into the top of the bag.

I rounded the edges with scissors and

then wrapped the ends in duct tape so the

 sharp edges wouldn't eventually

poke through.  Yesterday I picked up more

fabric to try and make another one.

Hopefully I'll be able to follow the directions and figure it

 out on my own...we'll see about that!  If anyone wants

 the directions, leave me your email address and I will

send them to you!