What I'm Lovin'

Fresh produce. 

We live in an area where fresh produce is bountiful most of the time.

When I can't get to the local farmers market, then I head to Growers Outlet not too far from my house.  And they never disappoint.

I stock up on fruits and veggies at a fraction of the cost of the local supermarket AND they are fresh from the local fields.  Not shipped cross country, sitting in truck or warehouse days on end, packed in boxes, covered in wax, etc.  When not from the local area farms, they clearly show where they are from and again, typically not very far away.  I stopped in this past week on my way home from work and bought all my fruits/veggies for the week for $14.51!  I would have spent at least twice that much I am certain at the regular store.  If you are local, you should try them out!


Healthy Snacks.

Heard of Naturebox?  I signed on with them about 6 months ago.  Each month for $19.95 I receive a box of 5 different snacks.  Delicious and healthier snacks delivered to my door.  At this point, I have tried the bulk of their snacks and must say that I have not found a snack that I have not liked yet.  What a great way to start the New Year.  Healthier snacks, healthier you!


The New Year.


Out with the old, in the with the new.  This year has been tough for our family to say the least.  I will be glad when it is over.  If you have been following my blog you know that I changed jobs in February (after 17 years at my old company so this was no easy transition), Grandma passed away in May and then Uncle Mike passed away in November.  And more recent my mothers apartment back east burnt down.  She was able to get herself out and her dogs but had a few burns that she is being treated for.  She lost all of her possessions but I am thankful that she is alright.  She is staying with my brother and his family back east until she gets back on her feet. Talk about ending the year with a bang right.  I know there are a few days left so perhaps I should not tempt fate.

What are you lovin'?  

Full Disclosure:  Link to Naturebox provides me a credit towards my next purchase of a Naturebox should you sign up for the service.  Thank you.

Top 10

I see a lot of Top 10 lists these past couple days with the upcoming New Year and all.

Top 10 blog posts of 2013.

Top 10 movies of 2013.

Top 10 songs of 2013.

Top 10 television series of 2013.

Top 10 Miley moments of  2013 (not kidding).

Top 10 you name it, they have one. (seriously Google it)

I also recently read an article about the Top 10 things in a women's purse and what it says about her.  Not even sure where I read it (tried finding it)  but it got me thinking about what I carry around in my purse.  Which if I am going to be brutally honest isn't really a purse at all.  It is actually my lunch bag.  I know, laugh now.  It started out as my lunch bag and then slowly evolved into an all purpose lunch bag/purse; with that being said, what does that say about me?

Low maintenance? 
No frills, kinda gal?  
Yup, NAILED it! 

My oldest daughter is besides herself every time she sees me with my lunch bag, stuffed with my wallet and whatever else I feel I need at the moment but it is most likely not your normal run of the mill purse items.

If I carried a "real" purse and was a bit higher maintenance here is what "My Top 10" items in my purse would probably be:

1.  Tweezers because you never know when your brows will need a little clean up or that one hair on your chin will pop back out.  (This is what I would bring as my luxury item if I was ever cast on Survivor; that's a whole other blog post).

2.  Gum or mints.  Ran out the door at the very last minute and forgot to brush your teeth.  No worries.

3.  Brush.  See above.  Forgot to brush your hair, too.  Never fear.

4.  Chap stick.  Forget the lip stick.  It won't stay on past the gulps of coffee you swig as you are running to get the elevator.  Plus lip stick would require you to color coordinate something (I'm lucky if my stockings match).

5.  Loose change.  For the run to the vending machine for extra coffee or heck breakfast.

6.  Receipts and tons of them (ok, so this is really in my wallet that really is in my lunch bag/purse right now).  You never know when you will need that receipt from last year.

7.  Nail file.  So many uses.  Namely those ungodly hang nails that are oh so irritating.  If not filed immediately, I will chew off my nail and then some (this is another item that I do currently have in my lunch bag/purse).

8.  My cell phone.  Unless it is lost.  Right now, it mostly stays in my jacket pocket so not to get lost or slimmed on by a half eaten banana (see #10).

9. Pull up.  For my littlest.  Never know when you will need one and not have one so good to keep one handy. 

And last but not least, a surprise every time:

10.   An array of miscellaneous toys that the kids slip into my purse. Kinda exciting to see what awaits me. A plastic spider, bouncy ball, half eaten banana (I had one of those in my pocket a few days ago; right now this is where these land  rather than my lunch bag/purse).

What's in your wallet (or purse)?



 

Enjoy The Silence.

Silence is bliss yet fleeting in my home these days.

Always a door bell ringing, an ipod blaring, a bathroom fan whirling, a child hollaring.

I need silence.  I crave silence.

Without some silence in a day, I succumb to being overwhelmed, easily.

"Be still and know that I am God" (Plasm 46:10). One of my favorite versus. 

I get up early, I go to bed late to be able to enjoy the silence.  To hear myself think (or not); just be.

To be still.

To listen.

Listen to him. 

It rejuvenates me down to the core.

Silence.

Helps direct me for what lies ahead. 



What do you do to help you make it through the day?

Confessions Of A Non Superwoman #27

Where do I even begin....

So many mom fails, wife fails, etc these past couple months it is hard to pick out a few since I don't want to list them all and overwhelm anyone.

I guess I will start with the mom fails that are the most recent since that is so fresh in my mind still.

1.  Menu Planning.  Ha.  That's funny.  I am flying by the seat of my pants when it comes to dinner these past couple months.  I had EVERY intention of getting back on the bus but it left without me; every week.  Good intentions don't write the list or do the grocery shopping.  Tonight.  We had hot dogs. 

2.  This is an old one but sticks out in my mind.  Halloween.  Kaylyn was a princess and we had the most perfect sparkly pink glittery shoes that matched with her dress.  I saw them a few days before Halloween.  You think I would put them up somewhere so they are easily accessible.  Nope, not me.  Come Halloween, they are no where to be found.  I mean nowhere.  I tore our house up looking for those darn shoes.  She ended up wearing her black and pink slip on shoes, that were old and ratty.  Nice, huh.  And then to top if off, when we did find the shoes, they were in the backyard (that is not where I had seen them previously and I have no idea how they got out there but they did).

3.  I bribed my two younger kids with a promise of a piece of candy the other day.  And I didn't even have any candy to give them.  They fell for it.  It was important that I get at least one of them to do the task that I needed done.  I bet you are wondering what it was?  No?  Hmm, well this might be a little TMI but I found myself going to the bathroom with no toilet paper.  I asked nicely several times for them to get a roll of toilet paper out of the other bathroom.  They refused.  I was desperate.  The promise of candy worked. All ended well.  (They forgot about the candy a few minutes later when I turned on Sponge Bob Squarepants to distract them.)

4.  We went and got our Christmas tree yesterday.  We bought it from a corner tree lot.  No cutting it down on a tree farm for us.  It was so cold yesterday.  Sorry, I like to be able to feel my hands and toes.  And even looking at the tress and finding one that we could all agree on at the corner lot, it still took us 10-15 minutes.  My hands and toes thanked me when I got into the warm car. And when we got home, we decorated it but nothing else.  If you didn't see the tree tucked away in the corner you wouldn't know it was Christmas at our house.  (In my defense, I do plan on getting a few more decorations out, but only a few.)

5.  I had a flat tire about a year ago.  Ok, I am exaggerating a bit. I had a flat tire about two weeks ago.  I am still driving on the spare.  I really need to take my other tire in to get fixed and put my original tire back on.  Every time I have a chance, I would much rather do something else then go and sit at the tire shop for an hour.  And now with the bad weather, everyone is heading there to get snow tires on, so I would probably wait several hours.  No thank you.

Alright, I think this has been enough fun for one post.

Do you have any confessions?  Mom fails?  Wife fails?  Care to share.  I am feeling kinda lonely.   And remember, we will not laugh at you but rather with you.



 

Source

I am not in this world to live up to other people's expectations, nor do I feel that the world must live up to mine. ~Fritz Perls

What I'm (NOT) Lovin'

Yes, there are a few things that I'm NOT lovin' these days.


The cold, cold weather.  Although, I know it could be worse, it is Cold with a capital C where we live right now.  It is 9 degrees with the wind chill.  That is brrrrr freezing.  It even snowed here on Friday, not a whole lot.   But you would think we had a blizzard based on the traffic jams and media who of course blows (pun intended) it wayyyy out of proportion.  I am sure there are many other cities that just laugh at us slippin and slidin around the roads when it was barely a dusting of snow.


While on the subject of snow.  Did you happen to see this floating around a couple weeks ago.  I'm not much of a Star Wars fan (actually not a fan at all.  Can we still be friends?) but these Star Wars snowflakes are pretty freakin awesome. 

Even though not a fan at all. This one is my favorite.

 

Source

 

 

I'm also NOT lovin' the holiday season much this year (so far anyways).  Not to be Scrooge or anything but in light of two family members passing away in the past 6 months, it is hard to get into the spirit.  I have a hard time normally around the holidays being away from so much of my family but this year I feel like it is going to be even more challenging. 

 

We went and got our Christmas tree today. We decorated the tree but that is far as it got.  Didn't do much other decorating at this point.  Not sure I will.   But I am going to try for my children's sake to shake it off (the Scrooge attitude), like I normally do, but it is hard feeling like you are living a facade sometimes, you know? Do you ever feel like that?  I find myself whistling the song "Put On A Happy Face" as I am putting on that fake, plastic looking grin. It has to be noticeable, right?

 

 

I'm NOT lovin' dry skin.  Another winter malady.  Fun.  My skin is so dry.  I have to put lotion on my skin all the time.  And I have used so many different types of lotions over the years and it doesn't seem it is ever the right one.  Any suggestions of what you use and helps make the dry, flaky, cracked skin go away?

 

 

 

This is what my skin looks like most of the time.

Since this has been just a dreadful post, I will add something that I am lovin'...my son, Tyler, went this Winter Formal last night.  Isn't he handsome? I thought so too!

Until next time....

Six Word Saturday

Is it Saturday, feels like it should already be

Monday since we have been off for a few days

due to the Thanksgiving Day holiday.

 

 

Speaking of that....

 

 

Carved that turkey like a boss!

 

That is my 6 words for today.

 

I am still carving!  No waste of a good bird in our house.

 

Do you use your turkey for left overs other than

sandwiches layered with stuffing and cranberry?

 

(That's how my husband makes them. 

I just like the bread, turkey and mayonnaise and I'm good.)

 

I made Turkey Chili yesterday.

 

I am making Turkey Enchiladas today.

 

And then probably a Turkey Casserole of some sort tomorrow.

 

Here is a link to a post I wrote a couple years ago

that has a few more ideas and the links to the recipes.

 

For those of you in the US that celebrate Thanksgiving

I hope you had a blessed holiday with your family.

 

Although we had a couple empty chairs this year,

we still remembered those we love and lost.

We had a wonderful day filled with

lots of family, food and laughter.

 

 

Have a wonderful rest of the weekend!

 

I am linking this post to Cate at Show My Face.

Want to join?

 

Post in 6 words what is happening in your life at the moment.

 

 

You can elborate or not, it is up to you.

 

Have fun!

Surreal

That is a good adjective to describe life this past month and a half.

Can I wake up now and go back to the regularly scheduled program?

Wouldn't that be nice if we could rewind time and start over.  Would you want to?

In most cases in life, I would not. I am where I am at because of all life has thrown at me but in the case of probably the last six or so months (since grandma passed away in May), it would be nice for a do over. 

Who would have thought that a mere six months after grandma passed that we would be letting go of yet another family member. I know he is no longer in pain, suffering and I know he didn't want the life that he was going to be left with (chemo every 3 weeks, dialysis every other day, etc) but, for my own selfish reasons, I really wanted him to pull through.  I wanted him at the Thanksgiving table this Thursday with his thunderous voice, hooting and hollering over the football game.  I will miss the summer barbecues that we would have at the house, talking, reminiscing about the years past.  I thought he was going to pull through there for a while. We all did.  We were all rallying around him, praying for him.  But in the end, I guess it wasn't meant to be.  I miss him tremendously.


He got his wings and he is hopefully holding hands with his wife, grinning ear to ear, winking at his mother and arguing with his sister.  LOL. 

Today is his memorial.



Rest In Peace

Michael G Ary

Beloved husband, father, brother,uncle, cousin and friend to many (including several furry friends over the years).

After a short battle with cancer, he passed away peacefully on Monday November 11, 2013 in Portland, Oregon.

Born February 25th, 1948 in St Louis MO, the first of three children to Eugene and Leola Ary.

He grew up in Southern California. Graduating from high school in Huntington Beach, California and entering the U.S. Navy in 1967. He married his one and only love Noreen Ary. Noreen preceded him in death as did his sister Linda, father and mother. They had two boys Jason in 1973 and Thad in 1976. After the passing of Noreen, both boys became their dads most trusting confidantes and friends.

They moved to Portland and the surrounding areas in 1978 and never looked back. He loved exploring the many mountains, forests trails, waterfalls, beaches that Oregon had to offer. Many times he would pack up the family and head out yonder for a long drive to who knows where.

He worked for BPA in several capacities over the years retiring in 2005.

Michael had a big personality and even bigger heart. He was a gentle giant. Over the past several years he picked up new hobbies of bowling, swimming at the local community center and taking in several rescue dogs. He loved those dogs. Several have passed over the years and with each one he would write a euglogy for each and send it out to friends and family. He was a great writer. He loved putting words to paper. If you hadn't known who "Corky" was you would have thought it was his child based on the eulogy he wrote. He also loved music. He could listen to many types of music, jamming out, cocking his head back and forth. For many years, a typical Friday night consisted of him heading to the nearest Tower Records to peruse the newest releases. And then the Saturday mornings, he would put the lastest record or cd on for us all to listen to. "Man, this great!" you would hear him say as he played the air drums to the beat.

Big Poppa, we will miss your big smile and "stoic" attitude. Gone in spirit but never forgotten. We hope you are celebrating with other loved ones who have passed before.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to your nearest animal shelter in memory of him.

 



Six Word Saturday

Can I just say, CANCER sucks!

 

Yup, that is it in a nut shell.

 

Been pretty quiet around here.

 

These past couple weeks have been pretty difficult.

 

We found out that not one but two people in our lives have this dreaded disease.

 

One, my uncle, who has been more like a father to me for years.

 

I lived with his wife and him for many years growing up. 

She passed in 2005.  May she rest in peace.

 

Grew up with their boys.  More like my brothers.

 

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

 

He has Lymphoma.

 

Although, treatable it has invaded most of his lymph nodes

and has caused lots of complications with other organs.

 

We are taking things day by day.

 

He has been in ICU since October 15th

and not sure when he will be getting out.

 

He had his first full round of chemo

and will have another tail end of next week.

 

It has been rough.

 

But I have to keep things in perspective.

 

I can come home to my immediate family.

 

I am not stuck in ICU fighting for my life

or putting poison in my body to fight poison.

 

It is even more rough for him. 

I know he is struggling.

But he is a fighter.

 

"Have faith", he tells me the other day.

 

He obviously could sense I was feeling a bit hopeless.

He is the one that is sick but yet is comforting me.

That is who he is.

Now it is time to let us take care of and comfort you.

 

 I do have faith and will continue to have faith.

 

I believe he is going to kick cancers butt. 

They don't know what an ornery, stubborn man they are dealing with.

 

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

 

As I believe my dear friend who was diagnosed

with breast cancer a few weeks ago will kick it too.

YOU GOT THIS!

 

She started chemo this past week.

What a dear sweet friend she is.

She loves God, her family & friends.

She has three children and a loving husband

who adore her and she them. 

 

 

 

 

I pray for them daily.

For their healing.

For strength to keep fighting.

For comfort for them and their loved ones.

To give the doctors who are caring for them the wisdom to treat them.

For them to not lose the faith when it is so easy to do.

 

 

Will you pray for them too?

 

 

 

 

 

 

I am linking this up to 6WS meme over at Cates.

 

 

 

Menu Plan Monday 10/14

I am sure you were just waiting for this.....Ha!

Again, I haven't participated in MPM for quite sometime but feel like I need to get back in the game....


I am going to switch it up a bit to show what I will be making this week but I have decided that I am not going to match it to a day.  Sometimes I find what I have planned, just not feeling it....I am including a few links to the recipes.



So in no particular order here is what we are having for our dinners this week:


BBQ Flank Steak
Baked Potato
Caesar Salad


Hot Dogs (from home)
DQ French Fries (special treat)

Faux Chicken N' Dumplings
Applesauce

Mini Pizzas
Pear Slices

Chicken Stir Fry
Brown Rice

Cheesy Tuna Casserole
Peas
Orange Slices

Pork Tenderloin
Butter Noodles (Linguine Noodles with light butter sauce)
Salad

I am linking this up to I'm An Organizing Junkie Menu Plan Monday. 

What are your dinner plans this week?



Catching On, Catching Up

It's been a bit of time since I last posted so I thought I would take a minute (or 10) to play a little catch up for you all that are still out there reading my blog ever so occasionally.  Time just gets away and it has been too precious of late to spend on the computer blogging.  As I come upon my 3 year blogoversary I am going to switch things up a bit and try and write more on the weekends with the post timed to publish throughout the week so my blog can stay fresh rather than stale like it has been.  I did that early on in my blogging days and it seemed to work but then not sure where I veered off course.  Oh well, I know it happens to the best of us. 

Another thing that I finally have caught on to is that, this mom needs some me time.  I am finding when I have some alone/me time just to veg out, do whatever I so choose then that makes for much better days with family.  I have been getting a bit overwhelmed lately with all the activities, work, school, etc that at times I feel like I have been  possessed. No seriously ask my husband.  So right this very second, here I sit blogging, while my family is at church.  Yes, I skipped church to have some alone/ me time.  I don't like doing that but for today I did.  What do you do when you get overwhelmed with life?

So catching up....Fall is in full swing in our neck of the woods and the wind and the rain are clear proof.  Another piece of proof that I love about fall in our area is the changing colors everywhere.  Fall foliage rocks!  And the Columbia Gorge area is one of the best areas in the country to venture out into for changing colors.  And I am not just saying that because I live here...It is a known fact...even Huffington Post included us in an article a couple years back. (And you know if it is in Huffington Post, that it must be true).  What is your favorite part of fall?

We had a couple more firsts this past week.  Hayden started playing organized basketball.  His first game was Saturday.  It is so funny to watch the kids at this age.  Comic relief that is for sure.  The only rule, is there are no rules.  I guess technically when the ball goes out of bounds then the whistle blows so that is one they stick to but other than that...game on.  He did real well for his first game.  He even got the ball a few times and attempted to make a couple baskets.

Tyler had his first homecoming bonfire.  Homecoming football game (he was part of the freshman homecoming float that took second place).  And homecoming dance, however they will be getting a second chance for this first since about an hour into the dance, they were put in lock down.  Yup, some person in a neighborhood near the school was seen with a gun so police blocked off the area and put the school in lock down.  Instead of dancing the night away to thumping music, they got to sit in the dark in the back of the school in silence until all was clear.  Now don't get me wrong, it is a serious matter and I am glad everyone is ok.  It ended up being a false alarm but these days it is better to be safe than sorry, I know.  It just makes me sad that our kids can't even go to a school dance and be safe or feel safe for that matter. School officials allowed parents to pick up their kids around 1030pm and said it will be rescheduled.

And did I mention we celebrated a birthday this week!  Tyler turned 15!  Hard to believe my second born is already 15.  He is chomping to get his drivers permit now.  Watch out.

 



Kaylyn has a princess tea birthday party that she was invited to this next week.  I found a frilly pink princess dress at Goodwill ($4.99) the other day that fits her perfectly.  She is so excited!  It is all she has talked about since we received the invite.  I found a tiara, some fake jewelry and a wand at Dollar Tree ($3.00).  No all I need is to get her some tights.   She is going to look so purdy.  I will be sure to post some pictures.  Do you dress your kids up for Halloween? What are they going to be?


I also found a cute fall centerpiece at Goodwill for $1.99!  Now my kitchen table looks purdy.

Check back tomorrow for my Menu Plan Monday post.  Yup, I am writing it right now. 

Until next time!  Have a blessed day!

You're My Hope And Stay

Lord, I Need You by Matt Maher.


Lord I come, I confess
Bowing here I find my rest
Without You I fall apart
You're the one that guides my heart


Lord, I need You, oh I need You
Every hour I need You
My one defense, my righteousness
Oh God, how I need You


Where sin runs deep, Your grace is more
Where grace is found is where You are
And where You are Lord I am free
Holiness is Christ in me
Yes where You are Lord I am free
Holiness is Christ in me


So teach my song to rise to You
When temptation comes my way
And when I cannot stand I'll fall on You
Jesus You're my hope and stay
And when I cannot stand I'll fall on You
Jesus You're my hope and stay

Walking Dead

Alternately titled...Autopilot.

Alternately titled....Brain dead.

Alternately titled....I'm exhausted.

So no, I am not talking about the show.  Heard of it.  Never had the "pleasure" to watch it, not that I would anyways, not to offend Walking Dead fans by any means, just not into the whole zombie thing (even though not too long ago I did see World War Z; grant it I didn't really know it was about zombies in my defense).  Sorry, if I just ruined it for you...if you hadn't seen that movie.

Moving on....what I am talking about is....school started, routines back in play but yet....I feel I just can't get a grip on it all.  As I type this I am still dealing with major mom guilt because I spaced back to school night at Hayden's school Thursday night...he reminded me about it, an hour to late.  I remembered it at the beginning of the week.  It was even on the calendar in our "command center" but yet...I.F.O.R.G.O.T.  In all my excitement of "thinking" that it was a stay at home night. Anticipating the joy of being able to actually make dinner more leisurely since we didn't have to run out the door for the next event.  I could help Hayden with his homework at a slower pace. Give kids a bath and let them splash around in the water for a bit.  Tuck them into bed at the normal bed time hour and maybe just maybe sit down for a second myself to regroup. Ha!  Well not so much ha, because that was what I did but again I FORGOT back to school night. Did I mention that!

These past couple weeks have just been a blur.  I have literally been on autopilot day in and day out.  Not sure what I am running on these days.  Pure adrenaline is all I can guess since I don't drink coffee.  Which I am rethinking because Lord knows I need a little more pep in my step. 

It was completely apparent last night that we all needed some more rest.  After a long crazy week at work, did I mention we have a skeleton crew these days due to people moving on and vacations, literally a couple of people doing the work of like 10.....I came home and vegged out as much as I possibly could with two small children running around; take out pizza it was for dinner.  By about 8pm we were all ready to head to bed. I barely heard a peep out of the littles before they were sawing logs.  But per usual I was up super duper early this morning....had to do a little work that I brought home since so far behind but I am however at a local Starbucks and I am done which is how I can write this post.  A little bit of my own time, even in small increments, work wonders.

Now onto the next.  I have to head out shortly to do the weekly grocery shopping and then back home to figure out what the plans are for the day.  Probably not a whole lot since we are now officially into the fall weather...Raining!  It is actually supposed to storm quite a bit here this weekend so it might be a cartoon marathon, play games, anything in doors type of weekend.  I can already tell this is going to be a long fall/winter.  I already miss the warm weather.


When life is on overdrive for you/your family what do you do to recharge?



I Think I Am In Love



It has been awhile since I have felt this way.

I have been searching high and low for that warm and fuzzy feeling.  That pure bliss of happiness.

But by golly I think I found it yesterday.

My heart was fluttering as I exited my car. 

It was not planned.

 It was so spontaneous.

Exactly how it was supposed to be.

It was perfect. And just like that. I knew.

I found an angel.  At last.  I am honestly not sure how I have made it this long without you. 

 It was literally within my grasp. 

I was nervous, thinking of all the what if's.

I had to let that all go quickly and just let it happen naturally.
.
.
.
.


I walked up to the lady.

How much I asked.  "$5.00," she replies.

Does it work?  Can I test it?

I plugged it in.  It did.

The skys opened up and the sun started shining, like a spotlight on the star on a stage.

I paid the lady and shuffled to my car with a grin from ear to ear.
.
.
.
.
.


I found a Eureka Quick Up at my local garage sale for $5.00!  Brand new normally around $40.00. I have been wanting one of these.  Light weight.  Can vacuum bare floor and low pile carpet.  It is exactly everything I need and want.

It has already made my life easier.  No more lugging the heavy vacuum up the stairs, nor vacuuming the stairs with the heavy vacuum, which is no easy feat.  No more sweeping the kitchen/dining area 45 times a day.  Now plug it in and off I go. 

 Eureka Quick Up where have you been all my life?

I am in love.



First Firsts

We had a lot of FIRSTS this past week as many families can probably relate to with back to school being in full swing.

Hayden had his FIRST day of FIRST grade at his new school.

Tyler, who was not even slightly amused that I wanted to take his picture, had his FIRST day of his FRESHMAN year at his new HIGH SCHOOL.

 



And then if those TWO FIRSTS were not enough, Hayden lost his FIRST tooth last night!

 

 



It was a little itty bitty tooth so you can barely see the hole in his smile but it is there.  And he has the loot to show for it.  The tooth fairy left him TWO crisp ONE dollar bills for his FIRST lost tooth.

Did you and your family have any firsts recently?

Do This, Not That.

::::Do This....

Put the dirty dish in the sink or even better rinse it off and put it in the dishwasher

:::::Not That....

 Putting the dirty dish next to the sink

:::::Do This....

If you use the last of the toilet paper, once you have completed your task, reach under the sink and put a new roll of toilet paper ON THE HOLDER for the next person. (Not on top of the empty roller, not next to the empty roller, nor on the back of the toilet or on the ground next to the toilet)

:::::Not That....


Wait for someone else to put toilet paper on the roll


::::Do This....

Your dirty laundry.  Pick them up and put them in those wonderful plastic baskets that are strategically placed right near the washing machine for DIRTY CLOTHES (imagine that).

:::::Not That....

Leave your dirty clothes on the floor all through the house for someone else to pick up i.e. mom.


::::Do This....

Finish drinking the last sip and then put the container where it belongs, in recycle, in trash, or pitcher in sink, etc.

::::Not That....

Drinking everything but the last sip of the milk, orange juice, //insert any other drinkable item here// and putting the almost empty item back into the refrigerator.



These are all real simple concepts and it would make momma so much more happy at home, not having to do these same tasks over and over and over again; cleaning up after you all.  And you know what they say, if momma is happy then everyone is happy.  Don't you want to be happy?

 



 



What do you have on your Do This, Not That list?

This post brought to you by one disgruntled and tired momma who just needed to vent.







'

Six Word Saturday

 

 

Phew. Is it that time already?

 

 

Time flies when you're having fun.

 

 

You know what I'm talking about.

 

 

Yup, the lazy days of summer

 

are now merely just a dream.

 

 

Heck, they were always a dream to me.

 

It seems like summer was more busy then the school year

and we really didn't do a whole lot.

 

 

Funny how that works.

 

Did you have a nice summer?

 

Kids back in school now?

 

 

 

 

 

I am linking my post up with Cate

over at showmyface.com for

her 6WS blog hop.

You can too.

 

What is going on in your

 life right now in 6 words?

 

 

 

 

 



What's All The Fuss About?

Ha!

Made you look.

All the fuss, you know what I am talking about right?  I am probably the last one to jump on the VMA Miley Cyrus twerking scandal.  Dun.Dun.Dun.  Scandal?  Says who?  VMA performers have always been WAY over the top.  Miley is nothing new.  This is how they get ratings.  Most people tune in just to see who is going to push the envelope, make the censors go nuts, right?  It is hardly about music any longer (just like MTV in general). I haven't actually watched the VMAs in ages, this year was no different but I could not escape the scandal no matter how hard I tried.  It is all over the news!  Every media outlet is talking about it.  But the first rule of publicity is:  negative publicity is better than no publicity and well, Miley Cyrus was not making much in the line of news of late if I recall (unless you call her on again/off again engagement newsworthy), but she is NOW.  We see and hear you loud and clear, much more than many of us probably want. 

I get that she is no longer Hannah Montana.  I get it is hard to break out of that role but you were Hannah Montana for many years and it will take many years probably to break out of that role.  Another thing to keep in mind while you WERE Hannah Montana, you had a huge following of young girls, who have grown up with you and now also as young adults probably still look to you as a role model which is too bad.  Because you are definitely not a role model at this point that I would want my daughter to look up to. 

Stop degrading yourself.  You have talent (more so than you obviously think). You can sing.  You can act.  You can dance.  And I am not talking the bumping and grinding twerking.  That is not dancing; that is more for the bedroom not for the dance floor or stage for everyone to witness.  There is no need to parade around half naked gyrating your itty bitty booty to make your point.  And that poor foam finger; hopefully it is in a trash can somewhere never to see where the sun doesn't shine EVER. AGAIN. 

And let's not forget Robin Thicke.  I actually liked him before he went mainstream and well now in light of this, not so much.  Although,  I bet he didn't really know what he was getting himself into and I am sure Miley failed to rehearse the vulgar parts with him during the earlier rehearsals.  I mean honestly isn't Robin Thicke almost old enough to be her father?  (I think he is 36 so yes technically if he had a child when he was 16 then he is old enough to be her father)  And I wonder what his beautiful wife Paula Patton thought of all this?  I know it is all part of the "act" and what they signed up for so it doesn't sound like she thought a whole lot about it from what I have read so far. Now his mother on the other hand.  Her interview was funny. Maybe when they have a daughter it will hit home a bit more about what all the fuss is about.

In closing, Miley use your talent for good not for shock value.  Don't you see that many of the young artists that have gone down this path are not very successful long term?   I know you are still immature and have a lot of growing up to do but really put some clothes on and your tongue back in your mouth.  You look much better that way.

 

 



 

 

 Source

A Little Tongue In Cheek

Ok, I have a confession....

It is a doozy.

And I do really feel bad about it.

My poor son.

I don't even know where to begin.


.
.
.
.
.
.
So I will start from the beginning.
.
.
.
.
.
My son is going into 1st grade this year.  Therefore, he was in kindergarten last year.  We don't homeschool, in case you are new and hadn't gathered that yet.

He was half day so he didn't eat lunch at school on most days.  But there were days when he would, when they would go full days, I think it was twice a month if memory serves me.  And even on those twice a month days....man, this is harder than I thought.

He ate hot lunch from the cafeteria!  Ahhhh, there I said it.  Man, it looks worse in print.


 My poor son ate SCHOOL.CAFETERIA.FOOD.
.
.
.
.
Wow.  It feels good to get that off my chest.
.
.
.
.
So this year as much as I have the intent to pack his lunch often.  If I am to be honest and realistic, I  know I probably will not be able to keep up every.single.day.  so on that first day of school, you will see this mom, walking to the nice cafeteria lady and depositing money into his lunch account on the off chance, I am to tired, didn't get to the grocery store to gather lunch provisions, simply forgot, etc and therefore didn't pack his lunch.

.
.
.
.
.
I don't mean to offend anyone if you do pack your children's lunch every day.  That is wonderful. I think overall it is better health wise, you know exactly what your child is eating (providing they are eating it rather than trading it for other things or throwing it away).   I just don't want to set myself up for failure.  I have good intentions and will make it a point to do so but sometimes life gets in the way.  As long as he gets lunch and hopefully a decent lunch (which there are definite concerns at times about what is being served/offered)  but it is food none the less.  I have the menu and will scrutinize it to the best of my ability but I can't feel bad should he eat cafeteria food more often than not.  Many of us did growing up and we survived, right?

In closing, in my quest to try and be a better mom and pack my sons school lunches, I have done some research on some awesome lunch box ideas and thought I would share some of the links with you.

• My friend Laura formerly of Housewife in Town now writing over at Pete & Buzz did a whole series last year on healthy lunches.  Check them out here.
• Parents.com has a whole list of ideas.  Visit it here.
• Spoonful.com also has compiled a list.  Go here.
• And last but not least....Housewife How To's has another great list. 

I know some of the ideas are redundant but at least it gives me a running start.  (I am also certain that pinterest will have lots of ideas too but if I go there, I will never get out....too many good things to look at, drool over, dream of making, etc).

Do you pack your children's lunch?  What do you pack often? 




Day 4

Good day!

How have you all been?

It has been a while.  I've missed you!

Time has been fleeting.

Trying to get back into a routine with the kiddos, getting ready for school to start.   I have *most* of the school clothes shopping done.  Most of the school supplies.  Registration done for both the boys.  This week we are focusing on getting them back on schedule with bed time routine, morning routine, etc...But it is only day 2 technically.   It is a work in progress that is for sure. 

So I bet then you are wondering what the heck Day 4 is referencing?

Day 4 of my staycation!

Yup, I am on a staycation.  I know that term gets old but it is what it is.  I had planned to take this week off for ages, as did my husband.  We originally had planned on doing something, vacation wise, but in the end we are just using it to get organized, back into routine and try and relax.  Which is kinda funny.  Relaxing is not very conducive with a couple small children under toe.  But o'well.  Trying to make the best of things.

Today the hubby took the littlest boy (Hayden 6) to a new Disc Golf park about an hour away along with a few of the husbands friends.  They are making it a day.  Which means the littlest one and I have most of the day to ourselves.  My plan is, to not have a plan and just go with the flow today.

Heck, I might even take a nap today.  Hopefully little miss is amenable to this.  That would be so nice.  A nap on Tuesday.  I can't tell you the last time I took a nap on a Tuesday. 

The older son has football practice this afternoon which he gets himself to and fro since we live almost right across the street from the school so I don't have to worry about that. I do however have to get dressed at some point today because have a meeting with the booster group this evening. Man, I was really hoping I didn't have to brush my hair today...lol...

It's all good as long as I get a nap!

Are you ready for the school year to begin?  Done your shopping? 





Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes

As David Bowie so eagerly sang back in the day.


"I still don't know what I was waiting for
And my time was running wild
A million dead-end streets
Every time I thought I'd got it made
It seemed the taste was not so sweet...."


Changes.  Seem like every time I turn around.  One thing or another.   Just when we think we got the sails just right, they change the direction of the wind.  I guess that is what working in a corporate world is all about. New people, new policies, new processes. I'm not used to it having worked for a small company for so many years.  Now don't get me wrong, I am very grateful that I am no longer in that position however when you are in the corporate world, you are just a cog in the wheel more often than not so not having a voice has been a bit stifling.

We had an announcement at work this past Monday.  Our company is reorganizing and creating 3 Center of Excellence locations for the job functions that I do.  Thank goodness I am already in one of those centers.  Dodged a bullet.  However some of the other offices where there are similar job functions not so lucky AND even within our offices, there were several people that were realigned and/or layed off.  I have been praying for those impacted.  I don't know all that are impacted, only heard about a few here and there....not like they make a major announcement of who is realigned or layed off, you just learn when faces change, emails no longer work, etc.

And then if that wasn't enough....the next day, no coincidence to this corporate announcement, but my manager, notified our team that she gave her notice last week and her last day is next Friday.  WOW!  So didn't see that coming.  She has worked here for awhile and it sounds like where she is going is a growth opportunity in every aspect so I am happy for her...however that leaves our team in limbo.  We have a really great lead and our director, however he is out of state.  I am hoping that our current lead just moves over into the managerial position.  She is great to work with, very helpful, knowledgeable, etc... I guess time will tell.  This is about to get interesting.  Ha!

On a funny note since the above is so bone dry serious....today I was talking with a fellow colleague via internal messaging and intended to ask that he take a peek at an order but instead of saying take a peek I said, "Can you take a pee"....LOL.  We all got a kick out of that...I literally was laughing so hard I was crying. 

Any major life changes coming your way?

 

 



Menu Plan Monday 8/12

It is summer.  It has been sweltering hot in our area many days these past couple weeks which make it very hard to cook on the stove or oven....Just heats up the house even more. 

And if I am to be honest our routine has been lacking thus I have not done a proper MPM in quite some time.

But I am this week.  I am tired of not staying on budget and eating not so good.  It is not healthy for me or the kiddos (or the pocketbook).

Sunday

BBQ Pork Chops
Scalloped Potatoes
Apple Sauce

Monday

Spaghetti w/Zucchini
Garlic Bread

Tuesday

Chicken Stir Fry
Rice

Wednesday

Goulash
Corn

Thursday

3 Bean Chili
Corn Bread

Friday

Left overs

Saturday

Date Night


What is your go to meal when it is too hot outside to cook inside (besides BBQ ideas)?

 

 

 

I am linking my post up with I'm An Organizing Junkie.

 

Check it out for lots of ideas on weekly menu plans plus tons of other stuff too.

 

Confessions Of A Non Superwoman #26

Wow.  I just looked up my last "Confessions Of A Non Superwoman" post and it was back in Feb?  Whatttt? 

Yeah, that is what I am saying.  I know I have had lots of confessions but apparently I didn't want to blog about them...Who knows. 

So here goes it.


1.  I made banana nut bread tonight. That was my dinner.  Ohh and I went to put chocolate chips in them and alas there were none.  Where did they go?  I made some banana nut bread over the weekend and used some and well....in between making the batches, a handful in the mouth here, a handful in a mouth there...All gone.

2.  We moved almost 2 months ago and I still have 3 boxes sitting in my living room....waiting patiently.  (Don't even get me started on what still remains in boxes in the garage...that is a whole 'nother post).

3.  My check engine light came on, then went off.  Then came back on.  Not sure if I should be concerned.  I keep driving the car.  I should probably get it checked before I break down on the side of the road.  Right?

4.  I wrote a real heavy post a couple weeks ago about my depression and I must admit it felt good to get off my chest but it doesn't feel like much has changed yet.  Always a WORK.IN.PROGRESS.  (Aren't we all?)

5.  I just realized that my last Confession post in February, the previous one to that was in November.  And I started out the post with a similar opening.  My bad.  I need to get more original, huh?

6.  I have hard wood floors now...they are nice but I just can't keep up.  I sit in the living room and can see the dust, cat hair, etc all over when the sun shines in the back door.  And I just can't relax until I get up and sweep for the billionth time.  A little obsessive probably but what about you, is there any chore that you regularly do and HAVE to do otherwise you can not relax?

7.  I was suppose to go to my companies new building for a BBQ after work tomorrow.  I forgot to RSVP.  Guess, I am not going. 

8.  I really need to find quality after school care for Hayden now that he will be going to a different school for 1st grade.  I am not doing a very good job at it and only have a couple more weeks.  I called a few places. Super duper expensive!  (I only need care for 1 1/2 hrs by the time he gets out of school vs when I get home and most places want to charge for min of 4 hours which is considered part time). 

9.  I bought a short cheap hose for our back yard a couple weeks ago and the spout that connects to the spicket already broken.  Nice, huh.  I guess that is what I get for buying a cheap one?  My own fault I guess.  You get what you pay for.

10.  School clothes shopping is coming up this month and I have been so bad, I haven't even looked at our budget and added those extra expenses into the equation....Uggghhh....

I think that is it for now.  I'm good.

How are you?  Do you have anything you want to get off your chest.  Anything eating at you?  Doesn't have to be anything life altering...can be funny, serious, whatever.  We are all in this together.

Talk to you soon.

 



Ok, so this picture has nothing to do with this post but I thought it was funny...and this is the kind of mood I am in at the moment....A little mischievous.  LOL.

VBS. Over & Out

Last week was our church's VBS.

The theme was Kingdom Rock.

This is the first year of several that I did not volunteer.  If you read this post, you know why.

It was nice to get a couple hour reprieve each nigh.  I dropped Hayden off at VBS and then to only have the little to hang out with. It was like a mini vacation.  I hope that doesn't sound terrible.  It is not meant to.  It is nice though to have some one on one time with Miss K.  And I knew Hayden was in good hands and would have a great time, which he did.

I did however go back to the church each night to hang out the last half hour or so, when they are in the sanctuary reviewing what they learned that night, sing a few songs and dance.  I just couldn't stay away.  And it is awesome to see all the kids praising GOD and "Stay Strong".  That was part of the Kingdom Rock theme....to Stay Strong, no matter what life throws your way, when you live by the word and trust in him, he will help you through it along with your friends and family.  Such a great message and easy concept for even the youngest.

As part of the tithing this week the kids brought money to help buy Compassion Water for Life kits.  My friend Jill did an amazing job (of course) every night presenting this.  And in the end, the kids brought enough money for 5 kits!  5 kits!  How amazing is that?  Jill had only hoped for 2 but the kids rallied up!  If you want to read more about each day of her presentations, make sure to visit her blogs posts. 

VBS Day 1
VBS Day 2
VBS Day 3
VBS Day 4
VBS Day 5

VBS.  Over & Out.  Until next year.

Do your children attend VBS?  What was your theme this year? 

Kids Say The Darndest Things

Isn't that the understatement of the year?

I have been compiling some funnies from the last couple weeks and thought I would share.

On the 4th of July after a full long day of sun and fireworks, we were on our way home around 11pm that night....kids all tuckered out, fell fast asleep within minutes of getting on the highway...

But alas....Hayden must of have been either faking or sleep talking because about 10 minutes in he pops up and says, "Are polar bears mean?"

I started busting up laughing, looked puzzled at my husband, because remember 2 seconds ago he was sound asleep.  And that was that.  Back to sleep he went.


Then the other night we were snuggling in bed reading books and you know that book I Love You Forever?  (One of my all time favorite books to read to the kids)...Anyways, after we were finished I was telling the kids how much I loved them and I had said that I loved them to the moon, across the ocean and back.... to which Hayden replies, "I love you more than your fat belly".  DOH!  So wasn't the nicest but was still funny none the less.  Of course, I had to chuckle because it was obviously with no ill intent, just a kid being a kid, saying the first thing that comes to mind. (Hey, if you can't laugh at yourself....)  (BTW, I am still working on losing weight, it is still a work in progress just like pretty much everything else these days).

And last but not least, I am my youngest daughters best friend.  Only me.  Nobody else and she will make sure you and anyone else knows at any given time.  Almost daily and multiple times a day she tells me I am her best friend.  MELTS.MY.HEART.  I know one day that probably won't be the case so I am going to cherish it while it lasts.

(2 of the 4, anyways)

Hope you have a fantabulous end to the week.  Happy Friday (a day early since I am posting this right now, tonight, Thursday; in case there was any confusion)!

Ok, really night!

A Whole Lotta Randomness

• The other night when I went to program my ex husbands name into my "newish" phone, the spell check alternate to his name was "chaos".  How fitting.  Thought that was HILARIOUS.  Ok, maybe not so much.  Is that mean spirited?
• Am I the only one that notices we need toilet paper?  And of course it is always when "I" need it.  Go figure.
• I made Stir Fry tonight for dinner and used a new marinade.  It was ahhhsome.  Have you ever tried World Harbor Maui Mountain Teriyaki?
• Our churchs' VBS is next week.  I haven't registered the littles yet.  My bad.  And I didn't volunteer this year; first year in several years.  Just need a break.
• I slept on the couch last night and actually got a great nights sleep.  It was so hot upstairs. 
• I swear I sweep my floors 10 billion times a day.  I really need to invest in a power sweeper or whatever they are called.
• I finally called to get our cable installed tomorrow.  Not very excited about that.  I really don't think we need it.  We have done without it now for over a month.  But the boys want it for the sports channels, you know how that goes.  And I guess if I am to be honest, it is nice late in the evening when the littles are winding down, to turn on Sprout or something. 
• I have a million squashes. That looks funny.  I did however look it up really quick to make sure it was correct for plural.  I was going to use squashes'.  From the garden.  Unfortunately, not from my garden but from grandma and grandpas garden.  I am going to take some into work tomorrow and I am sure they will find homes quickly. 
• We went to the park tonight and some kids, they are just mean.  Mean, I tell you.  I thought about saying something but since they weren't being mean to my children I figured I should probably not.  Although, I do wonder where the parents are.  There were a couple kids that were about the same age of Hayden, who is 6, just hanging out with some other kids not much older than them.

Alright that's it for now...I purged my thoughts enough and I am getting kinda sleepy.  Shower and then to bed.  530am comes too early.  Have a great night!



{Real Life} Authentic

When I say authentic, what do you think? 

People that speak the truth?  No hiding behind a vail of perfectness or autonomous?

People that are transparent? Putting it all out there, the good, the bad, the ugly?

People who say what they mean and mean what they say?

Here is the dictionary.com definition of authentic.

au·then·tic

/ɔˈθɛntɪk/ Show Spelled [aw-then-tik]   

adjective

not false or copied; genuine; real: an authentic antique.

Genuine.  I forgot Genuine.

I wrote a blog post the other day about the depression that I suffer with and it was as authentic as they come.  Although, it is not something that I have hidden as I have written about it before, it is not something that I write about all the time; I have not let it consume me or this blog. 

Does that make me not authentic? 

The reason why I ask is because I try to keep it real on this here blog sharing a lot of the good, the bad, the ugly (hence many of my confessional posts) but there are things that again although I share at times, I don't dwell on them in this medium.  I don't even share them with everyone in my real life circle.  I don't however want people to think I am not authentic because I am not always sharing that part of me NOR do I write about it (battling depression) for sympathy either.  I know I am not the only one.  I write it so people can gain that connection with me; see that I am just like many of you out there and if I help someone, support someone or someone supports me along the way; win-win. 

My life is not perfect.  No ones is.  We all have our demons.  Some of us battle with physical illness, mental illness, money issues, relationship issues, self esteem issues, body image, addiction in one form or another...you name it.    Even those who we see with the most glamorous life.  We only see what they want us to see (RIP Cory Monteith).  I can go on and on but won't. I think you get the picture.

We, you and me, we are similar.  We are not SUPERWOMAN.  I know I have said that a million times before on this blog over the past couple years, kind of the premise of the blog....to shatter the stereotypes, that although we think we can have it all and do it all, that is OUR expectations (not necessarily that of others as so clearly pointed out a couple days ago by a dear friend), but when it comes right down to it, most of us can't or don't...something is going to suffer and we have to accept that.  The way I see it is as long as the important things are taken care of i.e. your faith in GOD, your family, your health, that is what really matters.  That is what I am trying to do.  Everything else aside. 



Need some support?  What do you suffer from?  If you don't feel comfortable leaving a comment; private email me at iamnotsuperwoman at yahoo.com.


P.S. I truly am sorry about all the heavy {Real Life} posts lately....they have been weighing me down.  Wait no, I'm not...it is what it is.  Read it, digest it, think about it, comment on it or not.  It is up to you.

{Real Life} The "D" Word

It sneeks up on me, like a cat ready to pounce.  I don't see it coming and before you know it is is there.  It is back with a vengence.  I'm just going along minding my own business and it decides to rear its ugly head, uninvited.  All was going swimmingly well, so I thought...then I get in a rut, a funk if you will.  Living like a hermit.  Doing what I need to do, just to get by.  Nothing more.  Invites come, turned down, don't feel all that much like socializing. 

So unmotivated. Tired. Even lethargic at times. Crabby. Anxiety ridden and so easily overwhelmed by normal day to day tasks.  All hope sometimes seems lost.  Alarm goes off and all I want to do is just pull the covers back over my head and sleep the day away.  I so would if I could sometimes.  But I don't.  I roll out of bed, trudge through the day; 7 days a week.  Pretending. 

Go to work, do my job.  Put on a happy face.  Come home, run errands, work some more, take care of the kids, cook dinner, clean up, fall into bed if I am lucky around 10 or so.  Exhausted.  Weekends roll around, more housework, hours of it...no time to rest.  Still exhausted.  Repeat.

Time for medication again.  I was hoping I was over that hump but no such luck.  I thought I had it under control. I think I was just ignoring it, masking it. Pretending.  I was getting pretty good at that.

Depression.  Disgusting. 



Date On A Dime

My husband and I, we don't get much alone time these days.  Between opposite work schedules, 3 kids to attend to, normal day to day stuff..Yeah, like two ships passing in the wind. 


No real recent date nights that I can recall anyways (obviously they were not very memorable or something...lol)....and well, we need to bring Sexy Back, no Suit & Tie needed because we only have "20 dollars in my pocket" ...So what is a girl to do?



 Date On A Dime (At Home).

Sunday night my husband did bath/bedtime duty while I ran to the grocery store and Redbox.

I bought a bottle of wine (Flip Flop Moscato), some strawberries, brie cheese, and crackers.  I rented Side Effects with Channing Tatum & Jude Law (good eye candy).  Kind of a weird movie though. 

Here is what it cost.

Flip Flop Moscato Wine $5.49
Strawberries $2.99 pint
Brie Cheese $4.00
Crackers $1.66
Redbox Movie Free (Had promo code)

$14.14

Not too shabby, huh?  Way less than dinner/drinks/movie out.  Heck that wouldn't even get us both into a matinee movie.  And no need for a baby sitter either!  Score! (Not that we really ever have to pay a sitter when going out on weekends, thanks to a nearby wonderful grandma).

I think I may have to date my husband at home more!  We would save lots of money, that is for sure.

Cheers to keeping it cheap & simple!



Do you date your spouse?  What are some frugal date ideas that you do?

This post brought to you by JT and Makelmore.  LOL.