Happy 40th Anniversary

Today is the day that 40 years ago my parents said "I do."

In a world where many people can't stay together, I am privileged and blessed to have parents that continue to love each other and stick together above all else.

Congratulations Mom and Dad! You all have provided a wonderful example of marriage. I hope to live long enough to see this anniversary myself!

Happy 1st Birthday CottonTail!!

Birthday cake is YUMMMMY!!

Adventures in Domesticity

We've all been there and we've all done that... it's adventures in the life of a Domestic Wife!! Ha! This week was full of cooking fun around our house and others.

I successfully made the bestest pork loin ever!! In the crock-pot no less, and I made my first batch of Friendship Bread as well as mastered the "oh crap I forgot that ingredient" filler on my hash brown casserole. I also had a hard time reading recipes this week too. Here's a short tale of my adventures.

Friendship Bread: Never made it before because I knew it was one of those things you have to Baby-sit and I'm high maintenance enough with out my food being high maintenance too! But, without checking the recipe - eh hum - who has vanilla pudding on hand, wait I DO! (Thanks Rob for refusing to eat the pudding I so lovingly bought for you when they removed your wisdom teeth!) Turned out super yummy. Gave my starters out and well let's just say one friends' loaf pans may never be the same. Still giggling over that!!

Salad: I made a tasty Spinach Apple Salad and the dressing too. The dressing called for 1/4 tsp of Celery Salad and Garlic, but I made it with 1 tsp of each... can't have too much Celery Salt and Garlic.... oops. Turned out amazing anyway!!

Different note all together, got a call this week from a friend at church that could easily be my mother! Love her! She called because I had given a recipe to her for fruit salsa and needed to know what Zesting meant and how to do it, because the recipe called for orange zest! Hahahaha!

What are some of your experiences in the kitchen?

Doggie Door Deaths

Yesterday I was watching Good Morning America. They reported on a story about the hazards of Doggie Doors. They ask "us" (the viewers) to spread the word:

DO NOT LEAVE CHILDREN UNSUPERVISED: CHILDREN CAN (and probably will)EXIT YOUR HOME THROUGH THE DOGGIE DOOR!

I'm not a mother, but the thought crossed my mind that if a door designed to allow a 150 lbs. dog go in and out as he/she pleases that of course your 3 year old child who may weigh 40 lbs. could fit through there too. Kids are into everything especially if it's at their eye level. Keep a close watch on your children and go the extra mile and buy the dog door that opens with a special sensor you place on the dog's collar. Furthermore, I urge parents with pools to set up gates around the pool not just the back yard. Yes, I grew up riding my bike around the pool, but that was back before we knew any better!

I'm not criticizing, we have all lost track of a child and most have been fortunate that no serious harm was done. I was the best at getting loose and into trouble! But, please use common sense people, it is a DOOR to the outside. Take the same precautions as you would when covering electrical sockets or installing those things that don't allow (me umm..) children to open cabinets, doors, toilet lids, etc.

Mother's Day

Rob and I did not visit our mother's on Mother's Day, and all day I felt terrible about that. But, I guess seeing neither mom is better than choosing one mom.

In honor of my Mom, I wanted to post some of my favorite memories.

When I was little some of my most vivd memories are of her playing with the playdoh. Helping me scuplt baskets by piping the doh and wraping it around until it formed a basket or bowl. As a pre-teen, I remember mom trying to be on my side when dad said I was too young for makeup. She'd buy me clear mascera and very pale lip gloss. Of course, at the time, I wanted to wear hideous colors like bright red lipsitck and bluest of blue eye shadow. But, at least she tried to help my Dad and I meet in the middle.

During my teen years, now they were pretty rough. I can remember thinking that I was so different from my mother. I want so many different things for my life. I want a career - and to live in a big city as a single - just me against the world. Versus, my mom who took a career late in life and seemed so satisfied to stay in a small town just being a wife and a mom.

Funny thing is, now I'm in my 20's. I understand my mom in a way I never did until now. My priorities have changed. I aspire to be the wife my Mom has been. She's been supportive and patient. I know that in the future I'll be more in tune to all she has done for me, and it is my hope for Mother's Day that each day I make her a little more proud of the woman I have become. What better gift to give that the since of knowing all those years of work produced a productive, caring, honest, and Godly woman.

Of course there are other memories... way too many... but I think my favorites are the simple times. The everyday stuff that we did.

Thanks Mom, for EVERYTHING... what are some of your fondest memories?

Stages of Life

When I started this blog, I thought this could be a place for my witty side to come out. Sadly I'm scared to put myself out there - on the Web for cryin out loud! But, since no one really reads this, I'm thinking I'll try to be more myself. I'll jot down all those zingers from throughout the day. I think my biggest oposition to it is that I talk alot. My feelings are heard, so I don't always feel the need to express them here.

But, I'm facing the music on the fact that this blog has gone sorely downhill from my expectations. From now on, I'm going to keep a written journal of my thoughts so that I can post them here.

For instance... we are somewhere between the "getting married" phase and the "having a baby" phase or as I like to call it, BROKE. Every time I turn around I'm buying a gift for someone because I barely know you and you're reaching some milestone in your life.

I do this because yes, I too got married, and one day may I too will have a child, but sheesh. In your 20's you can barely afford yourself, not to mention some fine piece of crystal for a person you work with or the top-of-the line baby accessory for the girl at church who you never speak to and only comes one Sunday morning a month. So take a guess what I'm doing this week. Shopping for two wedding gifts for two different brides neither of which I know all too well because I'm so likeable or just enough likeable to invite to the shower.

Oh the joy of spending my hard earned money on others! I think that is the gift that just keeps giving.

Reviewing Resolutions

So now that we're nearing the end of April, thought I would look back on the resolutions I made at the beginning of the year.

1. Loose weight... um... not yet!
2. Teach the Dog something... um... not sure how!
3. Pray... DONE!
4. Look for meaningful work... hello economy you can pick up now!!

Don't remember if there were more. I'm sure I would have done 5 but let's just assume that what ever I'm forgeting... I haven't done. Sigh. I'm guessing I'm not alone here, but makes me what to renew those resolutions! So, scheduled a meeting with my superviors... started buying better foods at the store... and well teaching Winston anything is like banging your head on the wall.

What are you doing to renew yourself?

This is the Blog About NOTHING

Yes, we're alive. Barely making it into Spring!! My favorite time of year. I've got lot's of things to blog about however none come to mind right now. Could blog about the economy... but who wants to read a bunch of griping? Could blog about the classes I've been teaching at Church, but it's hard to be insightful about your own lessons. Could blog about Winston... but really he's a dog and doesn't do a whole lot. I've been working alot so no crafts or books to talk about.

Hum... what to blog about. I guess this is the blog about nothing. It's been a long COLD winter and Spring has finally Sprung! Rob and I are going on and on about loosing winter weight, but have yet to do anything about it.

My vow is to find something interesting to talk about once a week... ya know... to keep this blog thing rolling!

Facebook

It's been a while since I've posted anything to this blog because I have been exploring this phenomenon called FACEBOOK. Yes, for many years I have avoided the dreaded "stalker," but I am now enjoying all the fun of Facebook.

I have enjoyed reconnecting with old friends. I find that as a married girl living hundreds of miles away from home and many friends it is very hard to keep in touch. The last thing I have time for is to sit on the phone calling friends after 9 hours of work and cooking dinner etc. etc. I find that this is the perfect way to simply keep in touch.

Now the one thing I find hillarious is the number of people that have hundreds of thousands of "friends." Seriously, THOUSANDS! I know a lot of people, in fact I probably know thousands of people, but do I honestly consider them all friends? Sadly no! I'm kind of picky about my friends. You can rest assured if you're on my friend list that I truly want to know about your life. And that I do consider you a friend.

Facebook is fun... give it a chance!

Snow

It's been a long COLD winter, but Winston sure does love snow. He likes to run and jump and play. Even when it's -5 out! I usually just shut the door and let him play for a while... not too long, but long enough he's tire when he comes back in!

My favorite part is when the snow has just fallen and it's a perfect white blanket. We get about an inch a week that keeps his tracks kinda covered!

Bush Is Out, Obama Is In, All Is Well

That about sums it up! Here's to the change in command. Thank you Mr. President Bush for your service, and thank you Mr. President Obama for your willingness to serve. Days like today make everyone stand a little taller and take note of the reason this country is so great.

In my mind, while today is historic because of the racial barriers that have been crossed, every inauguration is historic. It's a time that we as Americans see what our liberties can do. We as a country vote and make decisions that affect the whole country, and no other time is it more evident than on the day our change in command takes place.

This is truly a great day to be an American; no matter whom you voted for this is our new beginning!

Going Out of Business

You know how this Christmas everyone warned you to be careful when buying giftcards. And, to those who recieve giftcards, spend them quickly! Well, I did get plenty of giftcards for birthday and Christmas. I've spent most of them already, but I learned Saturday that Goody's Family Clothing is going out of business. And, wouldn't you know I got a Goody's giftcard. We only have one where we live so I am anxious to go. Found out last night... THEY'RE CLOSED!

Not exactly sure what I would have bought, but that's a real bummer. Rob also got some pants from there that we were waiting on the reciept to return. Guess we'll send the pants, reciept, and the giftcards back to his mom!

Word to the wise... USE YOUR GIFTCARDS NOW PEOPLE!

Another Christmas Picture

Thanks mom! Here's proof we were at my family's Christmas. Rob and I got new camping chairs which is amazing becuase our other chairs are broken. We spent the last few weekends of the summer standing my the campfire instead of sitting.

Welcome to 2009

Here it is 2009. I'm a few days behind on posting. After being away from our home for so long, Rob and I took the opportunity to ring in the new year from our comfy living room. After dinner with friends, and a trip to Walmart, we settled in to watch the ball drop for '09. Only problem, I didn't make it that long, but Rob woke me up in time to watch it fall. Thanks Honey!!

Want to know how to have fun on January 1 of 2009? I have a great idea, let's put together my new buffet cabinet. It only takes four hours and a few choice four letter words to make me super happy. Rob spent the better half of the day putting together the new buffet cabinet for the dining room. But, I love it and I love him for it!

Nice isn't it!!

And finally, the new year resolutions:


1. Loose the weight I put on this year plus 10 more pounds... total 30 lbs.


2. Spend more time enjoying my life and not just living it.


3. Teach Winston to do something useful, like let him self O-U-T in the morning.


4. Take extra time to pray each day.


5. Advance myself in a job that I enjoy doing.





While I'm not big on "resolutions," I am big on setting goals. Without goals you have nothing to reach toward. I think of these more as goals for 2009. BTW, the goals are in no particular order.

Melissa's Birthday

While we were home for Christmas, we celebrated the day of my birth! We went out to eat with my entire family plus Rob's mom and dad. We went to a local Mexican joint for dinner where on your birthday they put pie in your face. That was definitely the highlight of the day for my brother's two girls. I knew it was coming and I'm always up for making a fool out of myself on my birthday!

Then when we returned home on New Year's Eve, we celebrated some more with friends. Happy Birthday to Me and Chelsie!

Fa, la, la, la, la

I guess it's time to post our Christmas memories. We traveled to TN for the week and while it's always nice to be with family, being in the car and living out of a suit case gets old quick!!

It was a long trip mainly due to weather. We nearly were in a huge accident, but thanks to Rob's super driving skills we avoided any tragedies. Minus some heavy rain now and again the weather in TN was amazing except that I packed wool sweaters... for the 60 degree temps.

Many apologies to my family. We failed to make any pictures during Christmas.

At Rob's family, LB really got in to the Christmas spirit this year. It's hard to believe that last year she spent the whole day in a bouncy seat, and this year she had the time of her life.

LB opening her gift from us with some help from dad.

LB loved her rocking horse that Santa brought to Grammy and Poppa's house.

The gift that made Grammy cry and won me the "Best Daughter-in-law of the Year Award" the family photo we made during a quick visit from LB and the gang!

Winston on the car ride home... he was pooped and so were we!