CrazyTown, USA

Southern Fried & Baby Cows

2011-10-04T07:54:00.000-05:00

About two weeks ago we had our annual Southern Fried Festival. I talked about it last year here.

So on Friday night I took the kids down while Philip was brewing beer. By far the kids favorite thing was the petting zoo.

Ashton especially liked the chicken.

On Saturday I wanted to go watch the cooking competition and Carley decided she wanted to come with me and afterwards she talked me into going back to the petting zoo. And they had something new, a baby cow.

OMG, that was the cutest and sweetest thing I've ever seen. I had to actually get in there to touch it and it was so soft and loving. I wanted one in that moment but I do realize they grow up into big cows.

Carley was so smitten with that cow. She sat there and petted and brushed it for a long time. And then the baby go up and Carley continued to follow it and brush it.

I think she would have taken it home if I'd have let her.

Look at that sweet face

(I mean the cow)

Good Times

2011-09-23T16:36:00.001-05:00

Last week was me and Philip's 10th wedding anniversary. We, meaning I, wanted to do more than just dinner and a movie so I made Philip make arrangements for a trip.

(timed snapshot of us in the hotel before going out)

We, meaning he, decided to spend the night in Nashville and do dinner and something else. Well that something else turned out to be something we've both wanted to do for a very long time. We got tickets to see one of our favorite comedians, Christopher Titus. This was my first time going to any comedy show and he definitely did not disappoint. We waited in line after the show, bought a video and got his signature and photo.

Then we waited an obscene amount of time for a cab that never came. We finally hitched a ride with another cab company that saw us waiting one too many times. We were late for our reservations at Melting Pot but they took us in anyway. Food was good as always. Afterwards we were tired and full and just wanted to go to bed (does that make us old?).

All in all it was a great anniversary and I guess I'm glad I married the guy. LOL. He's my lobster!

Miss My Babies!!

2011-06-09T15:56:00.000-05:00

I miss my babies. Two of them (the oldest deviants) are in Alabama with my Dad and stepmom. They are having a great time, swimming and playing, eating whatever they want and not missing me. Oh I ask if they miss me and of course they lie to me and tell me yes.

I will go down in a week or two to get them but in the mean time I am enjoying my one on one time with Hurrican Carley.

Don't mess with her!

Black Forest Torte

2011-04-23T21:21:00.000-05:00

Anyone remember the Duncan Hines Tiara pans from way back in the day?

Well I do. Me and my Mom loved this thing, especially the Black Forest Torte. Several months ago I found one of these pans at Goodwill. This past week I dug it out and decided to make this yummy dessert, with a few tweakes.

First I used a box mix, Duncan Hines Dark Chocolate Fudge. I mixed it up and poured about 3 cups into the tiara pan and baked at 335 until cooked all the way thru. I immediately inverted the pan onto a wire rack to cool. Once cooled, I whipped up some chocolate ganache with chocolate chips and heavy whipping cream and poured a layer into the well of the cake and spread it around and up the sides a little. Next came some yummy cool whip and then cherrie pie filling over that. Last I drizzled a little more chocolate ganache over the top. Now I forgot that it should chill in the fridge for an hour or two and we just ate it but I quickly remembered this step when all the filling started falling out. But it still tasted DIVINE!!!

Mother when you come visit me I will make this for you!!

Don't Blink

2011-04-15T13:29:00.000-05:00

How is this possible? I promise I barely blinked for a milasecond and look what happened:

This feels like yesterday (more like 3 years ago)

when actually this was just last week

Good heavens!!! This week has been rough. My baby turned 5 last month and I'm still reeling from that. Now my oldest baby will be 9 next week? It's not possible that I have a 9 year old. And I was reminded that in 9 more years she will be 18. I want to just curl up in a ball, cry and make a wish to a genie to make them my babies again.

PS: I do not purposely torture myself with these videos. Carley does! She loves to play on my phone and found that 2 year old video this morning. I have been in tears ever since.

Mule Day Parade

2011-04-13T08:46:00.000-05:00

In my neck of the woods, Columbia, Tennessee that is, the first weekend of April each year is dedicated to mules. The last 2 years my Girl Scout troop has participated in the parade. Last year we won 1st place for Club Float but people seriously stepped up their game this year (and so did we) but we didn't win anything this year. Regardless the girls had a great time and it was lots of fun. You really have no idea how many people come out for Mule Day until you ride that parade route. It is crazy!!

This year our float theme was Mule Day picnic and I was the mule. All the girls wore sun hats decorated with flowers and we set everything to look like a picnic table including Girl Scout cookies. I had a music player on board to keep the girls entertained. I was so proud of them, they waved without being reminded and several girls threw out "Happy Mule Day" periodically. They had lots of fun!!

If you want to know lots more about this annual event click here and you'll find out all you could image knowing about Mule Day.

Carley - 5 years old!!

2011-03-23T22:02:00.000-05:00

How is it possible that she is 5?

Seems like no time has passed since I did this post. But a full year has passed and my baby is growing up. She will start kindergarten in the fall. My last child will start school. I often think that having them all in school will make my life easier, cheaper on childcare at the very least. But now that the time is near I am sad. I like my children growing more independent but at the same time I miss my babies being babies. Ya know? Anyway, I could probably write way too long a post about this wishy-washy though process. Today is about my true baby, Carley. She is 5 today.

She work to snuggles and me singing happy birthday to her which made her giggle. I took her to daycare with the promise I'd be back later for her Dance Party party that afternoon with her daycare friends. IT WAS A BLAST!!! I'll do another post for that later but it was AWESOME!! She and all the kids had a great time. I even got my brother to make her a party intro. Click here - Carley's Party Intro/Super Clean Tik Tok. You'll have to download it but you won't be sorry, I promise.

Moving on...

We then went to dinner. Carley's choice was Legend's Steakhouse or as Carley says "Wegginds". LOL, so cute!! She got lots of presents.

She also has a horse riding party on Sunday with just a few of her school friends. She is very excited to ride Sugar again.

Here are a few of my favorite pics of her from this past year.

This is my baby!! I made her promise never to get older and never to leave me and I'm going to hold her to it!

Girl Scout - Mall Lock-In

2011-03-17T20:47:00.000-05:00

At the end of January our Girl Scout service unit held their annual lock-in at our local mall. We arrive at closing time and leave about 7am. The theme is different every year but most of the activities are the same.

This year however the girls earned their music pin. This pic is primarily Brownies & Juniors. They had a blast singing all kinds of songs.

We also got to shop at Claires and play Glow Golf.

And most girls become very silly staying up all night!!

And this is usually what happens about 6:30 when they get ready for parents to pick them up.

This is the fun part, getting them up once parents arrive. They are whiny and you wonder why you do it but they LOVE IT and that's what counts.

I love being a Girl Scout leader!

Carley's First Riding Lesson

2011-03-14T08:22:00.000-05:00

This past Saturday Carley had her first riding lesson. She has loved horses almost as long as Isabel has and like her big sister wanted to take lesson. Ms. Jan, the trainer, said that if Carley would stay on for at least 25 minutes then she could take lessons. Well Carley stayed on the full hour and never once asked to get off or complained. She is totally in lover with the horse she rode, who's name is Sugar.

Here's a little snippet of Carley's ride. This was towards then end when they were trotting a little. Isabel was also there getting a lesson as you will see her trot by too.

Philip is in big trouble having 2 horse crazy little girls.

Dino Ashton

2011-03-08T22:17:00.000-06:00

I went on a business trip last week as any SuperMom would do I brought gifts home for my kids.

This on is Ashton's, he was beside himself.

Last Friday at school they were celebrating Dr. Seuss' birthday and could wear their favorite hat. Guess what he chose?

Balance

2011-02-08T21:38:00.000-06:00

Balance...

It's what most women (or even people for that matter) yearn for. Balancing your home and work life, family and personal time, nutrition and exercise. On almost all levels we want balance.

I have been working since I was 16 years old, it was just the way it always was, I had to work. Even when each of my kids was born we couldn't afford for me not to work so they went to daycare. It never seemed that hard to work all day, pick up the kids, go home, cook dinner, put the kids to bed and even do some things for myself. Then 2+ years ago I quit working for a few months then got a part time from home job for the next year and a half. I went back full time, in the office, in August. WOW was that a shock to my world. I have no idea how I did all that I used to do before. I really, really took for granted all that time I had.

Maybe I do more than I used to. Well I actually know that to be true. I have 3 active children, 2 of which have homework on a daily basis. Spending time with all 3 so they feel special and important to me. Leading a Girl Scout troop. And really focusing on my health, nutrition and exercise. And last but not least, spending time with my wonderful husband to keep our marriage good and healthy. This doesn't even include maintaining female friendships and family relationships or social ones (including this blog).

Oh my, my brain is swimming thinking of all that. I enjoy my blog but it is neglected. I just wish I had more time to do all that I want and need to do. I desperately want balance!! I'm like a clown juggling all these balls and they won't stay up. I'm not giving up on doing it all, I just needed to vent about it. For those of you that read and follow me, thank you and I promise I'll post when I can more often when there's time.

One an exciting note, I won a box of chocolates in a giveaway!!!

DUDE!!!

2011-01-27T21:24:00.000-06:00

If you watch the show Southland then there is a spoiler below.

I ADORE Kevin Alejandro!!

I have loved him on Ugly Betty, Shark and a quick episode on Drop Dead Diva and recently on Southland. I find him down to earth and endearing in all the roles he has played. And he ain't bad to look at either. I was so glad to see him when the show Southland started last year. But Tuesday night as my husband and I watched the end of Southland I could not imagine that they would kill off his character Nate. OMG, I am so mad. I feel like I only get glimpses of him every now and then and only for a little while. Bring back my eye candy!!!

Ok, off my rant. It's been stewing for 2 days now I'm over it but I will keep my eye out for him and hope he gets his own show so I can look at him more.

Snow Fun!!

2011-01-20T18:09:00.000-06:00

Like most of the south almost 2 weeks ago we got a significant amount of snow that closed our schools for 5 days. As if I needed a vacation after the 2 week winter break they just had. Plus I was sick, working, and really didn't want to go outside so they were bouncing off the walls. However we did go out the first day, Monday, Jan. 10th. Here are a few pics of our frigid day.

Looks like a down blanket, too bad it's not warm I'd roll around in it.

Isabel & Ashton eating their snowman

(By the way, this pic is from the Hipstamatic photo app on my phone)

Start of the snow fort and the fire I spent most of my time around to stay warm.

Almost finished!!

Carley's snowman. She used lentils for the eyes, mouth and buttons. Then she ate the rest of them, raw.

Isabel hanging in the fort after it was complete.

This was the last pic I took and then went in to make chicken noodle soup and warm up. I can only enjoy this cold for so long. And my time outside was significantly increased by the presence of a fire.

Girl Scout Skating Party!!

2011-01-18T21:29:00.001-06:00

Oh the sweet nostalgia of a skating ring. On a Saturday in November our Girl Scout service unit had a skating party and I was so, so excited. I still have my roller skates I got back in oh, 7th or 8th grade. Yes, they still fit if not a little tight. Most of my childhood was spent inside Bob-a-Lu skating rink in Dothan, Alabama. It is now closed but that building hold so many memories of friendships, love and life lessons. So anytime I have the chance to lace up my skates I feel young and like I can move in ways my body really doesn't want to move anymore. Regardless, we all had a fun afternoon of games, limbo, and at the end (after we removed our skates) we all did the Cha Cha Slide and the Cupid Shuffle.

Isabel & Kylie doing the Limbo!!

Nae Nae, Kylie, & Isabel

My skates from circa 1990

Me & Isabel

Isabel, Jenie, Kylie & Allison

I did forget how rough children can be on your back when you are teaching them to skate. Quite a few of my girls had never skated before. I was sore for a few days after too. Probably from helping the girls. Yea, that's what I'm going with. It has nothing to do with the fact that I hadn't skated in over a year.

One thing I have come to realize I love about being a Girl Scout leader is that I get to do things I did and didn't do as a child. I never did Girl Scouts or camped or sold cookies so doing this has helped me relive part of my childhood.

The New Year

2011-01-03T11:59:00.000-06:00

Good gravy have I really been away for almost a month? Yikes!! I have thought of posting numerous times but there was always a party or travel or family gatherings. I am so glad it's all over though.

New Year's Eve I always make it special for the kids. I decorate and plan out a 3 course meal and let them stay up til midnight. I even go for Mom of the year by buying them noisemakers and letting them drive me almost insane with it. I also let Isabel invite her friend Morgan over to enjoy the festivities.

For our meal this year we had mozarella sticks, mini quiche, and cheese and crackers for our first course, homemade pizzas for 2nd, and our traditional chocolate fondue with Nutter Butter cookies, cream puffs and bananas for dippers. The kids love doing this.

Here is a short video of the kids at midnight.

So many make resolutions and in the past I have too but I am doing things differently this year. I really want to achieve all the things I have in my mind to do and I can make plans but if I don't stay consistent then they go out the window. My motto this year is "Do It Anyway", as in I don't want to do that but I should. We'll see how that works. I have been getting up earlier during the week which is a vast improvement to getting up after hitting the snooze multiple times. I am also forcing the exercise thing but it's hard and I'm whiny about it so I jumped back into ClubFYM to 1) get more support and encouragment and 2) they have a challenge starting Jan. 10th. I tend to do better during challenges so fingers crossed I'll make this a habit I don't mind doing.

Ok, I'm rambling now so gonna stop. What are your 2011 goals? How are you going to achieve them? Do you have a motto or affirmation?

Hiking in the Woods

2010-12-09T20:31:00.000-06:00

A few weekends ago we all went to Natchez Trace, well the part that runs in our area. And if you know me even a little you know that I'm not really an outdoor-sy kind of girl. I love the look of nature and in my mind it's fun but I am terrified of snakes and creepy crawlies and heaven forbid anything that could actually eat me. But the kids had enjoyed it several weeks prior when they went just with Daddy so I felt pretty safe and also figured Philip would kill anything that came near me.

Well luckily I didn't have to worry about that. All my worries were poured into my crazy son who has no fear or sense AT ALL. Several times he almost went sliding down a steep hill/cliff. I cried several times at the thought of losing a child or a husband.

Little did I know when I took this picture but at the top of this cliff Ash would almost fall. The rail stops at a certain point and Ash kept playing, not listening and almost went over the side. Thankfully he caught himself. I cried and had a heart attack.

This is the second time I cried. Philip went romping down this steep cliff, sliding a little along the way and my single parent life flashed before my eyes, it wasn't pretty y'all.

And this was pretty much the end of my worries cause I told Philip I'd kill him if he let anything happen to himself or any of the children so we were square after that and had a nice peaceful time, sort of. You'll see below the steep hills we had to climb to get down to some really beautiful areas, and then had to climb back up.

This is one of those steep areas I was talking about.

Isn't this just gorgeous!!!

They were just told we were going to get milkshakes!!

We were out there for about 4 hours, it was so much fun even though I sweated and huffed and puffed a lot. By the end I was so tired and sore. We all went to bed early and easily that night. We plan on going back again and again. Summer should be interesting.

Cookie or Candy Round 2

2010-12-06T20:00:00.001-06:00

Last night I attended a cookie exchange party with some great friends. I made these Lime Meltaway cookies that were divine, I promise to post very soon, but I haven't been able to get these cookie/candy thingys I made last year (numerous times) and Friday night. They keep calling my name. Below is the post I did last year on them and of course if they are calling my name you must make them yourself.

Originally posted 12/16/09
Last Christmas a friend gave me a goodie bag of yummy baked goodness and began my new favorite sweet...Saltine Supremes!! What you may ask is a Saltine Supreme and is it a cookie or candy? I don't really know, I suppose it's a little of both.

So what you do is line a cookie sheet with aluminum foil (shiny side up) and curl up foil around the edges. Place saltine crackers side by side, cutting if necessary, to cover the entire sheet. In saucepan melt 1 c. butter and 1 c. sugar and bring to boil until butter is no longer separated. Pour mixture over saltine crackers and spread out evenly. Use a spatula to separate each cracker. Do this to help the yumminess get under the cracker, trust me.

Bake in 400 oven for 5 minutes. Mixture will puff up and move crackers slightly, this is ok and you can move them back. Sprinkle chocolate chips over crackers. Once softened spread evenly over crackers. Sprinkle toffee bits over chocolate. Place in refrigerator (or in super cold room/garage) to cool completely and chocolate is firm. Once cool break apart and chow down!!

Saltine Supremes

1 c. butter
1c. sugar
Saltine Crackers (about 1 1/2 sleeves)
Bag of Semi-sweet chocolate chips
Bag of Heath toffee bits

I made these and several other cookies to take to my family, I hope they enjoy them!! Let me know if you make them and how you like'em.

Change is GOOD!!!

2010-12-01T22:36:00.000-06:00

There are some changes coming on my sweet little blog. I finally got my own domain name, http://www.crazytownusa.net/. Yes, .net, the step-child of .com. Who cares though, not me, if you care though please don't tell me cause I am happy!

Now all I need is a blog makeover. I'm going to take a stab at doing it myself but we'll see how that goes. I may have to enlist a professional or a better amateur to get the job done. Anyone want to do it for free? I would be happy to let someone else do it, really!!

Oh and blogger tells me that I everyone will still be able to find me. So comment to let me know you can still read me!! And to give me a big WOO HOO on getting my domain name.

Random Photo

2010-11-28T21:01:00.000-06:00

Just some random photos of my girls that I adore. They were trying on a pair of my sunglasses one day and this is what I got.

National Peanut Festival & Parade

2010-11-24T07:25:00.000-06:00

The first weekend in November we went to visit my family in Dothan, AL where for 10 days they have had their annual National Peanut Festival. Now I haven't been in about 10 years. We started off with the parade Saturday morning. I forgot how many beauty queens were in the parade and once upon a time long, long ago I was in this parade as Little Miss Newton.

Wasn't I adorable?

The kids had some hot chocolate to warm them up, it was a bit chilly.

The rush after the peanut truck spills the nuts.

Isabel being a sweet sister and holding Carley's ears as multiple police cars and fire trucks go by.

After the parade we got some lunch then headed over to the fairgrounds.

We got our armband, which is the only way to go, and set out for the rides.

After a few hours of rides and smelling midway treats we food a food break, we consumed corn dogs, fries and elephant ears. We then went to ride a few more rides before heading home which included the Ferris Wheel. Check out this view.

And lastly before we left I HAD to get some boiled peanuts. The ones below were Cajun spiced, mmmm!! So good and set my mouth on fire.

It was so great and I am hoping to be able to go back at least every other year. I know my kids loved it!!

No Fear Friday #5 (11/19/10)

2010-11-19T16:37:00.000-06:00

Well this week has really been a crapper of a week. I haven't worked out once (Bob and Jillian have been slacking) and I didn't weigh and measure. Please slap me. I have been feeling pretty crappy about my lack of anything. The only thing I did do was skating for an hour or so last Saturday at the Girl Scout Skating Party.

This was actually kind of a hard post to send cause I don't want y'all to be disappointed in me, me being disappointed in myself is a whole different thing. So to redeem myself I vow to workout both Saturday and Sunday this weekend and get back on track and schedule next week. I also promise I'll weigh and measure. And I'm thinking it's time for me to post a few measurements not just what I've lost, EEEK!!!!

See you next week!!!

It's that time again

2010-11-17T23:02:00.000-06:00

Well folks, it's that time of year again. The leaves begin to change, the temperature drops, hot cider and chocolate become a regular occurrence after being outdoors, turkey's are drooled over and Christmas cards are ordered. I am one of those people who since having children orders a photo card each year adorned with my little crazies. I used to try to pose them perfectly and soon learned that was a useless effort and then I embraced the candid and silly.

Well this year is going to be even better. I found a great deal at Shutterfly. They have some of the best designs I've seen in a while, plus they are offering 50 free cards to bloggers who participate. Find out here how.

I am actually really excited to choose from their selection but I will usually take the picture before choosing a card since different photos inspire different theme cards. Is that crazy? Should it be the opposite? It really doesn't matter since that is the way I've always done it.

Anyway, go visit the site and pick out some of your own to order. Here are a few of my favorites that I hope to chose from.

Shutterfly also has photo books and calendars and gifts too. Check those out for personal gifts for those you love. I know my Dad loves getting calendars for Christmas and I love giving them. We'll see if they make an appearance this year. Can't give anything away, family reads this blog.

Family and friends be on the look out for our cards this year and send good mojo my way for picture taking.

Oh on a side note I love that aqua is now a Christmas color. Aqua makes me feel happy. I keep wanting to paint the kids bathroom that color but it hasn't happened yet. Don't you think it makes you feel warm and beachy even in winter?

Boobies & Nickles

2010-11-15T20:35:00.000-06:00

Saturday morning I had taken the dog out to do her business when Carley comes out in only her pajama shorts, apparently the shirt makes her hot at night. I told her it was too cold outside for her not to have a shirt on plus people could see her boobies. I told her to cover them, as if the paparazzi is going to jump out and take pics of my 4 year old's chest. Anyway, she covers them and the following conversation ensues

Carley: I'm covering my boobies and my nickles.

Me: Really, your nickles. Don't you mean nipples?

Carley: That's what I said, nickles.

Me: Well they really are more like dimes but ok, let's go inside.

I am still cracking up over this!!

No Fear Friday #4 (11/12/10)

2010-11-12T15:22:00.000-06:00

Yeah, I'm really on time this week!!!

Friday (11/5) - We traveled to my hometown of Dothan, Alabama for the weekend. Tonight we celebrated Ashton's birthday (technically on Monday) at my Dad's new property. We had a bonfire, beef hot dogs and cake and ice cream, yummy!! I promise I only had one piece.

Saturday (11/6) - We headed off to the Peanut Festival Parade. OMG, I forgot how fun it was. My kids loved running into the street to pick up peanuts after the peanut truck came thru. Peanuts have protein!! Later in the afternoon we went to the Peanut Festival (fair) and I walked A TON!!! I also splurged on an Elephant Ear, kettle corn, and boiled peanuts (cajun and regular). It was bliss!!!! My girls ate more boiled peanuts than I did though. Dad cooked spaghetti for dinner and made me a yummy banana pudding for dessert. I did eat 2 servings, it was heaven!!!

Sunday (11/7) - It's a long drive home after a fun weekend with family.

Monday (11/8) - Well this mama got some kind of stomach bug and spent most of the wee morning hours in the bathroom. I stayed home and in bed all day, though I still managed to work 3 hours as we had a huge project at work. Needless to say I did not weigh and measure to day.

Tuesday (11/9) - Still recovering though feeling better. Philip's Dad and Neda came over for cake and ice cream for Ashton's birthday (technically yesterday) and brought presents.

Wednesday (11/10) - Feeling much better but still tired. Finally weighed and measured, down 2.2 lbs. and 3.25 inches. Went grocery shopping tonight and stocked up on some yummy and healthy foods. Btw, a project at work has destroyed my wrist. I have mild carpel tunnel and spending the last 2+ days on the computer constantly inputting into a spreadsheet has left it lifeless.

Thursday (11/11) - I had planned on working out tonight but my wrist is still too sore. I can barely pick up anything. I even made Isabel peel potatoes for dinner.

Friday (11/12) - Didn't re-weigh this morning, was in a hurry.

11/10/10 - 211 lbs
11/01/10 - 213.2 lbs
10/25/10 - 214.2 lbs.
10/22/10 - 214.8 lbs.
10/18/10 - 213 lbs.

No Fear Friday #3 (11/5)

2010-11-07T10:50:00.000-06:00

Yeah, I'm on time this week!!!

Friday (10/29) - So as I mentioned in the last post the kids had their Wildcat Walk at school today. I walked/ran 10 laps between the 2 kids which breaks down to 1.25 miles and I promise I ran more than I walked. It was fun. I even did it in costume. Then we had our Halloween party with our friends, Philip made Hunch Punch!!

Saturday (10/30) - After a night with hunch punch we relaxed Saturday morning but then Saturday night we took the kids to our Haunting in the District which is basically trick or treating downtown around our square. Again, lots of walking.

Sunday (10/31) - Happy Halloween. We dressed up at a family as the Scooby gang. I wore heels and walked at least a mile or more in them up and down hills. That definitely counts as a leg workout.

Monday (11/1) - Weigh in & measure day, weight is so close to being back at 213 and I am down 2.75 inches, mostly from my legs. My calves and shins are on fire today after all that walking last night.

Tuesday (11/2) - Aunt Flow came to visit over the weekend and I am in a funky mood and not in the George Clinton kind of way. Today should have been a workout day but I had to pick up Ashton from school (sick) and worked some from home but then after I got dinner on the stove I went into the office until after 8. I promise to make up the workout tomorrow night.

Wednesday (11/3) - So tonight I have dinner club but want to get a workout in. I enlisted Isabel, who rather easily became a mini-Jillian, to count reps and cheer me on. She did a great job!! I am gonna use her again. For one exercise I even used my 20 lb. kettlebell. Also, dinner club was great, I found a new yummy drink, Southern Punch. Mmm, lip smackin'.

Thursday (11/4) - Feeling a little sore today after yesterday's workout with the 20 lb. kettlebell. I think I'll feel it even more tomorrow. I wanted to get in my regular workout tonight but that didn't happen for reasons I can't say right now. But I will get some exercise tomorrow and Saturday so that's a plus.
Friday (11/5) -

11/01/10 - 213.2 lbs
10/25/10 - 214.2 lbs.
10/22/10 - 214.8 lbs.
10/18/10 - 213 lbs.

Halloween!!!

2010-11-04T22:46:00.000-05:00

So in October I shared this Halloween decor post. Here are a few pics of the last items I put out.

puppy

kitty

snake wreath

feather wreath

baby food jar painted as candle holders

painted wine bottles

Friday the kids had their Wildcat Walk and I dressed up as a Deviled Egg.

Saturday night we went to the Haunting in the District. But before that we went to dinner at Zaxby's. My kids sure do love sweet tea.

Sunday was Halloween. We dressed up as the Scooby gang.

It was a great year. I am told that I can't do a theme next year though. Booooo!!!

Lunch with Carley

2010-11-03T07:59:00.000-05:00

After the kids Wildcat Walk at school I went to Carley's daycare to have lunch with her. It was fun and it was cute to see her in her own environment and friends. I told her I wanted to take some pictures of us like I had with her brother and sister (which I showed her). On my iphone camera I can make it where we can see ourselves while we take the picture. Carley was fascinated and I got some really cute pictures of her.

That's my girl!!

Wildcat Walk 2010

2010-11-03T07:48:00.000-05:00

Wildcat Walk

October 29, 2010

We had lots of fun and got lots of exercise.

No Fear Friday #2 (10/29)

2010-11-02T21:50:00.000-05:00

So I'm a few days late, it was a super busy Friday and the weekend was about the same. And I constantly feel like I'm running behind. But I want to stick with this because mentally I am in a great place and getting better physically.

Friday (10/22) - Even though my weight was up I am floating on cloud 9 after a great week of hard work.

Saturday (10/23) - Girl Scout Field Day, we had 12 stations and each one was more fun than the last. I would have been exhausted if I had to do all that they did, though I have to say it would have been a great workout.

Sunday (10/24) - Grocery shopping day. Does visiting several stores and walking around for hours count as a workout?

Monday (10/25) - Workout with Philip. It felt slightly easier tonight. I did weight and measure today and while I'm not back to 213 I am down 3 inches. I measure lots of areas so I can get a good idea of where I am losings. For example today I was was down in my arms, bust, waist, mommy belly & hips.

Tuesday (10/26) - Thank heavens I am finally not so sore to the point I feel imobile. However I have found that if I sit too long at work I get stiff. I have taken to stretching several times during the day.

Wednesday (10/27) - Worked late tonight and was dead dog tired when I got home. I made an excuse and Philip didn't remember we were supposed to workout either.

Thursday (10/28) - Sadly today and tonight was way too busy. We have the kids Wildcat Walk, Fall parties & a Halloween party (at our house)

Friday (10/29) - Forgot to weigh in. The kids have their Wildcat Walk today and then we have an adult Halloween party tonight.

10/25/10 - 214.2 lbs.
10/22/10 - 214.8 lbs.
10/18/10 - 213 lbs.

Next week will be better!!!

Halloween Nostalgia

2010-10-28T12:45:00.000-05:00

I was reminiscing yesterday on past Halloween costumes and so I thought before this weekend's new costumes I would let you all see what we've done in the past.

Isabel, age 6 months, cutest little bunny I ever saw.

Isabel, age 18 months, Hawaiian princess

(we lived in FL so this was appropriate for Halloween)

Isabel & Ashton, ages 2 1/2 & 1, Butterfly & Pumpkin

(this was as good as the pictures got)

Halloween 2004 - I have no picture of them together but Ashton refused to dress up so we just put him in kacki pants & a polo shirt and gave him a cat teaser toy and he and Isabel were Lion & Lion Tamer

Halloween 2005 - This is sad, I don't have a picture of them on Halloween and I can't even remember what they were. Bad Mommy!!!

Halloween 2006 - Ashton, Carley & Isabel, Fireman, Convict (oh yes I did), and Policewoman

By far my favorite Halloween pic of all time!!! I totally didn't plan it either (I swear)!!!

Halloween 2008 - Batgirl, Catwoman & Batman

Halloween 2009 - Wizard of Oz

In case you can't tell I like to do themes and this year is no exception though my family has told me this is the last year. Why don't they just let me do what I want. It's fun and we're cute!!

Tune back in next week for pictures!!!

Wholesale Costume Club

2010-10-24T13:42:00.000-05:00

Bloggies I had to jump on today and tell you about a website I found. See this past weekend I went to get Carley's costume. 2 costume shops didn't have it but Target did until I realized it was $40 which I was no paying for it. I knew I could get it online cheaper including shipping. Don't ask why I didn't order before now. Anyway I got on this morning to order it and found Wholesale Costume Club. I'm telling you the costumes are half the price of anywhere else. And I should get my order by Wednesday and the shipping was only $3.99. So if you still haven't ordered a costume, go check it out. If everything goes smoothly, which I expect it to, I plan on using them again and again.

Here it is again

Wholesale Costume Club

Let me know if you use them and I'll let you know if I get my order on time.

Ring Farm

2010-10-23T10:57:00.000-05:00

Last Saturday we had a Girl Scout event. The girls and their families met at the Ring Farm in Columbia, TN. It is a great and fun place for all. They have a cotton maze, GI-NORMO corn maze, tractor rides, super fun slide and lot of other stuff to climb on and get into. We played, did the corn maze, rode the tractor ride, played some more then went back to the fire pit we reserved and roasted hotdogs, marshmallows and ate kettle corn! It was a great day and evening.

Isabel and her bff Morgan (you can also see me a little bit in the window)

Ashton making shadow somethings

Carley on the tire tower

Ash on the slide, backwards

Carley on the slide

Isabel & Philip (making Ashton smile faces)

Some of our girls in the Girl Scout Troop

My sweet Isabel

Um, Carley in all her attitude

Love this pic of my kids in the corn maze.

Resting for a minute and still loving my L.A. Gear toning shoes.

Some of the Girl Scouts on the tractor ride.

My boys

Cool parasailer

Telling ghost stories around the campfire.

We had so much fun, I can't wait to go back again next year.

No Fear Friday #1

2010-10-22T09:58:00.000-05:00

So today is my first installment of No Fear Friday. The plan I am following is one I've followed in the past that kicks butt and works, Fit Yummy Mummy. I have workouts and a nutrition plan that focuses on protein and produce at each meal and snack.

Here's how my week went:

Monday - My first workout with Philip & Christina (aka. Bob & Jillian). Christina did all the counting and not allowing excuses and Philip cheered me on telling me I could do it. I made it thru and even had an emotional breakthrough. I even cried like they do on Biggest Loser. Afterwards I did some light yoga stretching, showered and then crashed in bed.

Tuesday - Sore but not as bad as I thought I'd be. Mentally I feel a zillion times better. Not exactly sure what I let go of but I let go of something during last night's workout. Today was supposed to be a workout day again but I had a Tastefully Simple party to go to and didn't have time to shower beforehand and let's face it, everyone thanks me for that.

Wednesday - OMG am I sore!!! Day 2 after a workout is always worse for me. In the morning I was so stiff. I actually took a walk around downtown (which is where I work) for a few minutes to help loosen me up. Workout#2 was tonight with only Philip. It started out kind of slow with him counting and pushing me but by the end I got emotional again and wanted to scream at him. I did make it thru the workout and even intervals which I despise!!

Thursday: Today I wasn't too sore and my body feels good. I actually feel different. I have been working hard this week on staying positive and changing my thinking of myself. Meaning instead of staring in the mirror seeing all the flaws and flab I'm telling myself I am fit and healthy, happy, calm and relaxed. I think it's working. I am not nearly as tense this week and my family thanks me for that.

Friday: So I weighed in again this morning to see if there was a change from my weight on Monday, and there's not. Which I was actually expecting. I have been increasing my water intake and calories and this typically happens to me before I lose. Good news about today though I am finally over the major soreness which is a big WOO HOO!! I am scheduled to workout with Philip aka. Bob, again tonight and then tomorrow is Girl Scout Field Day and I'm sure I'll be doing lots of running around then.

I'm going to keep a running log of my weight.
Weight:
10/22/10 - 214.8 lbs.
10/18/10 - 213 lbs.

Mentally and physically I feel like I'm in a good place. I can tell a slight difference in the fit of my clothes which is awesome!! Weekends tend to be a challenge nutritionally but I when I'm working out I tend to make better food decisions cause I don't want all that sweat and hard work go to waste.

I'll be back next week with hopefully a weight loss and I am thinking I may include a few measurements so I can show how that may change when the weight doesn't.

Thanks for reading and letting me put it all out there!!!

Tell the Truth Thursday - Bedrooms

2010-10-21T19:26:00.000-05:00

Just like last week I'm participating in Tell the Truth Thursday brought to you by The Redheaded Riter. This week when I saw bedroom I got a little nervous until I saw it was how you'd want it to look, phew, glad I didn't have to get too personal.

How does your ideal bedroom look? What kind of furniture, window treatments, knick knacks, colors, etc. would you use?

I don't really have a mental image of what my ideal bedroom would be but the words I'd use to describe it are, open, simple, warm, cozy, soft, romantic, oasis, and functional. I love warm colors and soft linens and blankets. I would really love a canopy or drapery around the bed though realistically I think I'd get hot in there. For the windows I'd love sheers that would let glorious light in but heavy drapes too so that I could make it dark to snuggle up with my honey and watch a movie. I'd love a seating area and bookshelf all my own to curl up with a book or kindle.

I ADORE this room!!!

And let's not forget an amazing bathroom attached to that bedroom.

No Fear Friday!

2010-10-19T16:29:00.000-05:00

I am going to start something on Friday, No Fear Friday, that scares the bejezzus out of me. But before that let me tell you what's been happening.

Last Thursday night, my husband and I had some alone time (no, not THAT kind of alone time). He built a fire in our firepit and we listened to music and had a drink or two (the kids were in the house watching a movie). Anyway, we were talking and I opened up and asked him if he would workout with me/be my coach and he said yes. I was actually pretty relieved, I have known for a while I need someone, preferably in my house, to help me and push me and take no excuses. So over the weekend with the help of my bff Christina I made a workout plan thru the end of the year.

Hubs and bff are going to be my trainers!! I have a Bob and a Jillian!!! How wicked awesome is that!?! I may not be singing their praises by the end of this week but I'll sure be thankful later on.

So what is the No Fear Friday about? Well I'm going to post how my week has gone (exercise and mental status) as well as post my weight and possibly measurements. Again, this scares the crap out of me. I did the Blogger Fitness Challenge earlier this year and posted my weight but for some reason it scares me more now than it did then. I will keep a running total so I can look back and see how far I've come.

So tune back in on Friday to see how I'm doing and cheer me on!!

Tell the Truth Thursday - Bones

2010-10-14T08:30:00.000-05:00

I'm trying something new!! I like link ups and this one sounded interesting and fun. Tell the Truth Thursday is from The Redhead Riter that I found over at BlogFrog.

The question this week is :

Have you ever broken any bones? If so when, where and how. If not, I want to know how you have been so lucky!!!

Now I have broken 2 bones in my 32 years of life. The first was my collarbone when I was 6 (is that right Mom?) after falling off my bike. I don't remember a lot of that other than I had to wear this butterfly brace over my shoulders to keep them pulled back. I often think of making one to wear to help my posture cause it works.

Anyway, moving on. So here's my story about the other bone I broke.

My best friend in high school was Lindsay, I used to call her Linny. We spent all our time together from the moment we met in 9th grade homeroom. She sat right behind me cause my last name started with a G and her's started with a H. It was meant to be. Anyway, I think this was during Spring Break of Freshman year and we went to her parent's lake house. They even had a 4-wheeler. Lindsay drove most of the time but one day she let me. We were flying down those dirt roads having a great time until we went around a curve too fast, totally my fault and Lindsay will attest to that. Anyway we didn't tip the 4-wheeler which was a miracle but we jumped off the road and down a small hill into someone's yard. We started laughing case we were ok but then I looked up and WHAM!!! hit a tree. In all that adrenaline and laughter I didn't slow down or look where I was going. I wasn't even 15 and had my first wreck. Well, Lindsay flew off and hit her mouth, she had braces so that was no fun but I had held on for dear life. I honestly don't remember what happened after that, as in how we got back to her parents (probably the neighbor who's tree I slammed in to) or even going home because my wrist was hurting so bad. But I do know we went to the ER where they informed me my wrist was broken. There is a little cashew shaped bone down in there and that's what I broke. They put a cast on that went from the middle knuckle of my hand to middle of my bicep. That is a huge cast for such a small bone. Let me say that was a hard recovery. I was taking tying (a required course) that semester in school and it wasn't easy to type with that cast on but I still managed to type 60 wpm. I have NEVER driven a 4-wheeler, or 3-wheeler or anything like that since and may never. I was so paranoid when I started driving, especially around curves but I got thru that just fine. Lindsay forgave me to wrecking her 4-wheeler but her brother never did. Can't blame him though.

I am very thankful that I haven't broken any bones since then and I have no idea how I've been that lucky. Maybe I've just been careful and cautious.

I dread the day that any of my kids break bones. I'm actually surprised Ashton hasn't broken any with how crazy he gets. But we've been lucky so far.

Have a GREAT day!!!

I'm an athlete!

2010-10-13T08:30:00.000-05:00

I have been wanting a pair of the toning shoes for a while now but I didn't exactly like the way they looked on people's feet. I have seen a few women around town in them and they just looked weird. When we took the kids last weekend to get shoes I tried on the New Balance pair that don't look like the other toning shoes. And I LOVED them but they were $90 and I just could not spend that much.

So on Sunday when Isabel and I went shopping (when we found Betty) I tried on lots of shoes trying to find the right one. I mentioned to the sales girl I wanted a pair but they were too expensive and she suggested the L.A. Gear brand. I tried them on and they were perfect and at more than half the price of New Balance. As soon as I got to the car I put them on and wore them for the rest of our shopping trip. Since then I have worn them every day and still love them. They make my legs and my entire body feel engaged. Oh and last night I was laying in bed and stretched my leg out and really felt the muscle in my leg and was actually quite surprised. They really do work. What is it about sneakers that make you feel liek an athlete. Maybe it's the knowledge that I could break out and run at any moment if I wanted to but let's be honest I'm not going to. I do think they make me walk faster.

The ones I got are all grey.

No I wasn't paid for this review but if L.A. Gear wants to pay me or send me more shoes I won't say no. Or any shoe maker for that matter.

Meet Betty

2010-10-12T08:05:00.000-05:00

Yesterday was a grocery shopping day and Isabel came along with me. We even went shoe shopping for me since I didn't find any shoes the day before but I'll post about that later since I want to wear them a few more days before I review them.

Anyhow, we went to good ol' Wal-Mart and of course browed other items I want but can't buy yet. And we also looked in the Halloween section where Isabel found a black crow and convinced me to buy it. I've been wanting one to add to our Halloween decor so it wasn't that hard to convince me. Over the course of our shopping trip Isabel named her Betty, who knows where the name came from.

She is currently perched on my centerpiece. The kids love looking at her during mealtimes.

And because I know my family will ~~be forced~~ want to see my other Halloween decor here we go.

I love my centerpiece so much this year!!

I love having this dresser to put stuff on.

I want to put something else on this picture but haven't figured out what yet, maybe a big spider or a bat? What do you think?

I found 4 of these cups at a yard sale for $0.25 each. I put candles in them and they live on our mantel over the tv. I haven't added branches like last year, yet. We'll see how it goes. I'll post more pics closer to Halloween when I have it all done.

Aarg, It's a Pirate Party

2010-10-11T08:59:00.000-05:00

On Saturday we had a Pirate Birthday Party to go to for our friend Houston, who turned 3. It was perfect for the kids. They go to wear hats, eye patches, and tattoos. There was pirate music and even a treasure hunt. What more could a kid ask for.

Ashton looked a little more like a pilgrim than a pirate, LOL.

Stinker!!

Isabel didn't want me to take her picture.

My friend left me with her baby for a few minutes, guess that'll teach her.

Carley with the birthday boy, Houston.

Getting ready for the treasure hunt!!

Isabel & Carley searching for the loot!

Watching Houston open all his presents, and he got A LOT!!

Isabel loved playing with Lainey!

After the party we took the kids to get new shoes, and boy was that an event. I am still in shock that Isabel, who is 8, wears about the same size shoe as me. How is that possible? And Ashton wears a size 5. Seriously, am I raising mini-Big Foot's (or is that feets)? Even Carley had a big jump in shoe size, she's in a 12 now. Although now I can get younger looking shoes and share them with Isabel, I hope her feet don't grow anymore cause then I can reason why to buy more shoes, right?

Fire, Fire, Fire!!!

2010-10-05T10:18:00.000-05:00

This past weekend was busy as usual. Saturday morning Isabel and I had our Girl Scout meeting and then Saturday evening we went to the Sisk's house for a bonfire. Now in case you don't know my husband is a pyro and loves playing with fire. He is usually the one getting things started and manning the fire throughout the night. Well just before we got started the wind really picked up. Not to mention the fact that the fire pit was filled about 7-8 feet high with branches.

See how the fire started

And then once it really got going (let me also say that Philip wanted to do a more controlled burn but he was told to let it go)

It did settle down and we ended up with a good fire, if not super hot, to roast marshmallows on and make yummy s'mores.

Now let me go back to before the fire frenzy.

Philip and I spent part of the afternoon making caramel apples. They were tasty but they looked amazing and this is in large part to Philip and his "carnie" ways. Although they were extremely hard to get off the wax paper.

And both my girls spend a lot of time doing this

Then I was trying to get a cute little picture of Carley and this was all I got!

They played A LOT and ate A LOT!! Something they found at the end of the night that they were in love with was an old rocking horse.

All in all we had a great night. We all went to bed late and the kids slept in the next morning which was BLISS!!

Oh the Fall

2010-09-30T13:16:00.000-05:00

Well Fall has finally...umm...umm...fallen!! I LURVE this time of year so much!! I love the crisp air. It makes me want to throw open my windows and bake something, preferably with pumpkin or apples. I also love being outside in the fall. Kind of like Spring but without the allergies. Plus I make soups in the Fall and Winter. I even made a White Chicken Chili not too log ago that was AWESOME!! I'm even having some today from my freezer.

I have lots planned for you this Fall; a lot of yummy food, decorations and who knows what else, let me know if something interests you. I'm going to try some new recipes this year as well as a few I only tried once last year, like an Apple Caramel cake that was super yummy but never took pictures of.

Here are a few things I want to try.

Adorable Candy Corn Wreath from All Things Thrifty - I totally want to do this as well as a million other things she has done.

EVERTHING from The Crafting Chicks

14 layer Chocolate Cake - I grew up with a grandmother making this cake and have wanted to tackle quite a few times but never have. I am going to do it this year.

Make more of these for Halloween and other holidays.

Make my own Kettle Corn

I also am dying to drive up to Nashville to get me some Einstein's Pumpkin Bagels with Pumpkin Cream Cheese. Only if you are a pumpkin lovin' freak will you like these.

Ok, so now I'm hungry and need to go eat something that won't satisfy my craving for pumpkin.

Oh and what's your favorite thing about Fall?

Southern Fried Festival 2010

2010-09-29T08:28:00.000-05:00

(Isabel was at a birthday party and sleepover so she missed out)

This past weekend was the Southern Fried Festival in Columbia, TN. It is every dieter's nightmare and every adults and kids dream. Fried food, ice cream, snow cones, kettle corn, and probably things you wouldn't even dream up. I saw fried Snickers & Oreos, Fried pizza, and fresh roasted corn on cob. It smelled so good out there, let me tell ya.

We walked around for a few minutes then the kids were hungry. Who wouldn't be with all those smells. So they each got a corndog, fries and Sprite.

Then we headed down to the kids area. They had bounce houses and Home Depot Build-It's. They both had lots of fun. Ashton was very proud of himself.

Then of course they were hungry again. We got snow cones!!

Ashton then decided he didn't like it and got some homemade peach ice cream, which I helped him finish. It was delish!!!

Carley found a few of her friends from daycare and it was cute to see her interact with them. She is so giddy about it. I love it.

And before we left I bought a HUGE bag of kettle corn from Ace's Kettle Corn. Let me tell you, that bag didn't last the weekend and now I'm wanting more. I am actually inspired to try to make my own. Have you ever tried to make kettle corn? I'll let you know how it turns out.

We had a great day and both kids went to bed quickly that night cause they were so worn out.

Hide Ya Kids, Hide Ya Wife

2010-09-23T07:42:00.000-05:00

Ok, so if you have not seen this then I am doing you both a favor and getting a song stuck in your head. When I went to visit Jason in Pittsburgh he introduced me to this song and then proceeded to get me hooked on it each and every day that I was there. Ok so it's basically a news segment that some guys turned into a song. It's big on YouTube and it's even a song you can purchase on itunes, and yes I have purchased it. LOL!! Enjoy!!!

So here is the news footage first:

And now the addicting song:

Hope you don't hate me for putting this song in your head.

Fall Line Up

2010-09-22T20:20:00.000-05:00

I can't help it, I love tv. I wish I didn't and I wish I could cut back on the number of shows I watch but I just can't. It's one of the few things I really enjoy doing that allows me to be brainless and quiet.

This week it really starts for me. My FAVORITES are back and I can't wait to see what they have in store for me.

Glee - The one show Philip refuses to watch with me. Can't imagine why, LOL. But I love it all, the music, the drama, the comedy. Just a great, great show. Can't wait to hear all the new music this season!!

House - I have yet to get tired of this show even though we're starting season seven. Hugh Laurie is FANTASTIC as House. If you haven't watched before you should give it a try.

Bones - Yet another show that I never get tired of. Even in the sixth season David Boreanaz and Emily Deschanel's chemistry together is enchanting. Plus the squints are hilarious. One a side note I tried reading the books by Kathy Reichs however I didn't realize how loosly based the show was to the books and they were just too different and I love the show too much.

Fringe - Entering it's 3rd season it still keeps me on my toes. I have to say every episode has me just in awe at the situations that come up.

Lie to Me - Just an interesting show on how to read facial expressions and voice tone to tell if someone is lying. It is truely facinating!!

Grey's Anatomy - What can I say, still addicted after 6 seasons. Couldn't everyone stare at Patrick Dempsey all day long? And I am loving Ellen Pompeo more and more.

Private Practice - I just love Kate Walsh. Well and most of the characters. Anyone remember Tim Daly from Wings? And I could seriously eat Dell (Chris Lowell) with a spoon!!!

Biggest Loser - So inspiring yet still I'm overweight and for some reason watching people workout makes me hungry. Doesn't that sound backwards?

CougarTown - All I have to say is I love Courtney Cox and that's all that matters, I would watch anything she does. Plus the show is funny as heck.

Sons of Anarchy - I have to admit this wasn't a show I started out wanting to watch but I have gotten into it, mostly because of Katey Sagal, she is just an amazing actress.

Now I have to give props (can I still use that phrase?) to my other shows that aren't on in the fall but hit in summer and mid-season:

Eureka, Greek, Memphis Beat (LOVE IT!!), Drop Dead Diva, My Boys, Mad Men, Rescue Me, The Closer, Southland, Breaking Bad, In Plain Sight, Justified, Louie, Terriers

And let's not forget the reality shows. I am a total junkie. I really do not seek them out but heaven forbid a marathon or even multipe episodes cause then I'm hooked.

Dancing with the Stars, American Idol, Parking Wars, Ax Men, Black Gold, Tori & Dean (don't judge me), and most recently Ma's Roadhouse (that woman is a riot).

How do I remember them all you ask, well TiVo remembers it all for me!! He's such a good boyfriend. Never complains and always gives me what I want.

I do realize that there is a whole other set of shows I don't even have access to, like True Blood, Entourage and others than come on movie channels but I'm better off not having access cause you see how big my list is already!!

So what are some of your favorite shows?

White Chicken Chili

2010-09-21T20:41:00.000-05:00

Alright, as requested here is my recipe for White Chicken Chili. As usual I took a base recipe and only followed about half the directions so bear with me and I'll try to compile the total ingredients at the end.

I cooked up 1 lb. of dry Great Northern Beans as directed, meaning soaking all day then cooking for an hour or two this afternoon, I prefer this method so I can control the amount of sodium in my food. I realize not everyone has time for that so you can use canned beans if you want. And really can use any white bean for that matter. Ok so if you cook from dry beans when they are done, pour into strainer and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process and they will be firmer going into your chili. If you want a cook dry bean tutorial let me know and I can do one.

I also cooked 3 chicken breasts in chicken broth for about 45 minutes while the white beans cooked. I then removed the chicken and chopped up.

Ok so now we're ready to make up the chili.

Drizzle some olive oil in big ole pot. Add 1/2 cup onion & 1/2 cup green peppers (I used frozen cause it's easier). Add chopped chicken. Add seasonings; I threw in chili powder, cumin, garlic salt, onion salt, Mrs. Dash Chipolte seasoning, paprika, and 1/2 c. salsa. Now I hate when recipes say add to taste but it is very true in this dish. I would totally prefer spicy but my kids would not eat spicy so it really does depend on taste and spice preference. Start with dashes and add more if you want more. Add beans, I think mine came to about 6 c. I also added chicken broth from cooking the chicken and added about 4 more cups to it. The amount of chicken broth can vary based on your preference for thicker or thinner chili. Mine came out a little bit soupier than I would prefer but it was still good.

Ok so then let it sit on about medium heat til hot and steamy. Since mine was soupier I made biscuits to go with it but in the future when it's thicker I will serve with shredded cheese (montery jack), sour cream and corn muffins to really make it a chili night.

So now for trying to really condense this long post on White Chicken Chili

1 T. olive oil
1/2 c. onion
1/2 c. green pepper
3 chicken breasts
6 c. white beans
6 c. chicken broth (2 for cooking chicken, 4 for chili)
Seasonings: chili powder, cumin, onion salt, garlic salt, Mrs. Dash chipolte seasoning, paprika
1/2 c. salsa

Ok, I hope you all can follow this and I'll tell you it's SO GOOD!!!!! Like SLAP YO MAMA GOOD!! Sorry Mom but you never made me this before. But nothing can beat your spaghetti sauce. Love ya!!

So I plugged everything into a recipe calculator and a serving of about 2 c. is less than 300 calories and has about 25 g. protein. If you don't add cheese, and sour cream or eat biscuits or corn muffins with it, add a salad then you have an extremely healthy meal!!

Happy DJ

2010-09-15T07:27:00.000-05:00

I mentioned in my Pittsburgh posts that my brother, Jason is a dj. And since I'm on a YouTube kick I thought I'd share a video I made him do. First you have to see what brought it on.

Jason fell all over himself when he saw this video. So when he was dj'ing at Rugger's one night I made him immitate.

I wish that you could see him better cause he is a stinkin riot but you get the point. I wanted him to play a more upbeat song but it was close to closing time at the bar.

YouTube

2010-09-14T07:25:00.000-05:00

Having a husband who is a technology genuis has it's upsides and downsides. One of those downsides may be that my girls, who each have their own laptops, are obsessed with YouTube. They watch cat movies, as Carley calls them, all the time and have even taken to watching them on my iPhone. I realize I could say no but it's so cute and funny to laugh uncontrollable over the littlest things.

Here are a few of their favorite but I warn you DO NOT VIEW WITH CHILDREN AROUND or you will be watching non-stop and have these songs in your head.

And this is the one I can't get out of my head and neither can Carley.

I even got her on video singing it after her days of the week song.

Isn't she cute? And vain? As soon as she's done she wants to see herself. Oh and she looks at herself in the mirror all the time. LOL!!

So which video did you find the most ~~annoying~~ adorable?

A day to ourselves

2010-09-13T17:25:00.000-05:00

Me and Philip's 9 year wedding anniversary is on Wednesday, September 15th but as is typical it get's celebrated whenever you can get a sitter. For us it was this past Saturday. My mother-in-law took the kids to a Kids for Christ event ALL DAY!! How freakin' awesome is that? We NEVER EVER get that much time together. She picked them up at 8am and they didn't come home until 10:30pm. Woo Hoo!! Philip and I spent a little time at home just enjoying the quiet of the house then set out for Nashville. First we went to lunch at Joe's Crab Shack. I had never been and it was an experience. I loved it though. They really tapped into my mango obsession. I enjoyed a Beach Bum Tea that had mango rum in it. And then I had some tilapia and shrimp with a FANTASTIC fresh mango salsa. I even bought a mango at the grocery store today I'm still so into it. Philip had one of those steam pots which he throughly enjoyed. He even bibbed up.

We snapped a pic outside Joe's when we were done.

After that we walked around downtown which we haven't done together since we moved here in June 2005. And the time before that was the first time Philip brought me to Tennessee which was February 1998, LOL. It was great though. It would have been better if it wasn't so muggy out but we still had fun.

Then we headed to Cool Springs and walked around the mall for a bit until movie time. We watched Inception which was fan-freakin-tastic. I loved it and though I had been told it was hard to follow I had no problems and really enjoyed it.

After the movie we went to dinner at Chili's. We had originally planned on Japanese hibachi but we ate so much all day that we were too full. Anyway at Chili's I continued my mango obsession. I got a mango margarita and it was lip smacking. I will probably dream of it tonight, lol. By the end of dinner we were both dragging and couldn't wait to get home. But we did get some Chili's silly bands for the kids.

We got home about 7pm and I promptly got into my pj's. We snuggled in the bed while we waited for the kids to get home. As I said before they got home at 10:30pm and were ready for bed. All in all it was a great day for the entire Brickner family!!!

Pittsburgh - Part 2

2010-09-05T16:56:00.001-05:00

As I said in my Pittsburgh - Part 1 post on Friday, August 27th we went out into the city to explore. I took some great skyline pictures during the day and at night.

Steeler's Stadium

We also visited the Heinz Museum. There was a lot of Pittsburgh history from sports to Louis and Clark and everything in between. Here are a few of the highlights.

Ladies, this was a perm machine. They would attach the ends of your hair to this contraption and put a perm solution on your hair. Can you imagine the first woman to use this?

I have no idea what this is but it caught our attention.

Remember Charlie the tuna?

There were so many pictures I took at the museum that I can hardly chose a few to post. I have a great video though of me and Jason in the car when I first got to Pittsburgh as we came into the city from the airport. Please know that me and my brother are crazy silly when we get together and laugh a lot.

Pittsburgh - Part 1

2010-09-05T15:29:00.000-05:00

On August 26th my baby brother turned 30 and I went to go visit him in Pittsburgh. I was there for 4 days that were both fun and exhausting. I am doing this post in 2 parts so I can do my trip justice and not overload you with pictures.

I arrived just after lunchtime and was starved so we stopped at Cadillac Ranch for some lunch. It was so good!! He loved me taking this picture!!

He showed me around the city and then we went grocery shopping. I was a good sister and bought items to cook a few meals for him. Aww!

That night he took me out to some places he dj's at and got to meet some of his friends. The first place we went to was called 5ive Lounge. We had some wine, some yummy food and they had an AMAZING jazz group performing. I am was blown away by this group. I think they had just started up cause they didn't have a name yet. I told Jason he needs to keep me informed about them if they put out a cd, they were THAT good. Here's me and Jason at 5ive Lounge.

We went to several other places (Z Lounge, Ibiza Tapas & Wine Bar, Jimmy D's, and Elixir) to meet friends and since it was Jason's birthday there were lots of drinks/shots to be had. I did my first Irish Car Bomb, which was terrible at the beginning but tasty at the end. At Z Lounge, n award winning bartender made me the best Mango Martini I've ever tasted, seriously lip-smacking. I wish I had one right now, mmmm.

Friday we headed back out into the city to look around. I will have lots of pics from Friday in my Pittsburgh - Part 2 post.

Friday night Jason dj'd a 80's party at a Rugby club pub called Ruggers. That was oh so much fun. I had such a blast. I even found my new favorite shot, Batman bombs (what's with all the shots being called bombs now?). I am not totally sure what is in it but it's done like a Irish Car Bomb only made with rootbeer, and you drop in a shot glass of either irish whisky or vodka and irish cream. It was incredibly yummy. Umm, there are no pictures from that night, I was too busy dancing my booty off to sounds from the 80's.

Saturday there was a birthday bbq at Jason & Chad's (roommate) apartment. We had hamburgers and hotdogs and some other yummy sides like Buffalo Chicken Dip which was slap yo' mamma good. They put out a slip and slide, which was tons of fun to watch.

I even ordered a cake for Jason. In case you can't tell it's turntables. Someone mentioned they could be electronic boobies.

Jason had to work these turntables too.

The cake was so great I decided to smash one of the turntables into Jason's face.

Saturday night we went out to a club called Whim. We got bottle service and had a great time dancing the night away. Here is a picture of me and Jason from early in the night. Why couldn't he have given me a few inches, he clearly doesn't need all that height.

I came home on Sunday and was so exhausted. I had fun but I can not go out like that anymore. I had so much fun with my brother. I wish I could have just another week with him, only not going out every night.

Happy 30th Birthday baby brother!!!

Water Works

2010-09-04T16:20:00.004-05:00

The first weekend of August, after school had started, we went to visit my sister-in-law, Cathy, and her family in Knoxville. They have a ski boat and lots of fun toys to go along with it. It was our kids' first time on a boat and needless to say they have never ski'd or tubed.

We arrived on Friday night, had some supper and Raspberry Beer Cocktail, which was super yummy and I do not like beer. Saturday morning we got up, ate breakfast and headed off to Norris Lake for some sking, tubing and all around good time on the water.

Isn't this just gorgeous?

We loaded up in the boat, the kids were so excited they could hardly stand it.

Isabel rode in a tube first with her cousin Pete. They had a blast together. Pete kept ramming in to her tube and knocked her out a few times. It was hilarious and she loved every minute of it.

Next up was Ashton who lets just say looks like a bobble head tuber! He would sit in the tube and all you could see was his head and as it would bounce around on the water his head would bobble around, I only wish I had video that did it justice.

Carley of course would not be left out though she didn't want to ride on her own, though after the first time she could have cause she never let go. She rode first with Philip, then me, then Aunt Cathy and to me she looked like a rag doll flopping around with the water.

Both Pete and Ashley had turns either tubing or wake boarding and let me say they are GOOD!!! We finally got around to trying out sking. They have a beginner board where the kids just put their feet into rubber thingys (I have no idea what they are called) and hold on to a bar. A rope is tied to the front of the board and held by someone on the boat. Ashton tried but had a hard time and he gets frustrated easily so after about 6-8 tries he didn't want to do it anymore but Isabel was all for it.

It took her about 3 tries to get up but she finally did. I got it all on video, all 8+ minutes of it. I know it's long so you may only want to watch the beginning seeing her get up but I am so proud. Also, not sure if you can see but look at her arms, they were so muscular that she could have been a child weight lifter, LOL!!

We are definitely planning on going back a few times next year so they can really get better at all these water sports.

Back to School

2010-09-04T15:54:00.000-05:00

Yes I am really behind on blogging! But better late than never, right?

On August 2nd, all 3 kids went back to school: Isabel to 3rd grade, Ashton to 1st, and Carley to Preschool (aka. daycare). And Mommy went back to work!!

It has been an interesting transition. Carley started out good but after a week she began to have separation anxiety. She cried for 3 mornings straight and the teacher had to restrain her so either Philip or I could leave. On the 4th day she stated she wasn't going to cry even though her voice didn't sound so strong. She held her own and didn't cry and we've been good ever since.

Isabel has of course had no problems. Although I have to say that 3rd grade homework and getting letter grades is a whole new ballgame.

Ashton likes school and his teacher although we are struggling on all fronts. He is improving with his tutor and me at home, he's just not doing it at school. It is a constant and exhausting process.

These are my babies, growing up too fast!!!

Parking Lot Reality

2010-07-29T17:24:00.000-05:00

Something happened to me this afternoon that I feel led to share. Not for praise but to make people aware of things that may have never noticed before.

Today went not quite as expected. We had friends over for a play date this morning from 10-12 only my bff Christina stayed until 2 as we talk too much and 2 hours passed as if it were 10 minutes. Lunch had not been had and all were grumpy and in meltdown mode. I then had to run some work by my office and then we were off to get some food and purchase a few items from good ol' Wal-mart. I pulled into the parking lot and found a spot. I noticed an elderly lady, Mrs. H, looking for her car and not finding it. As the kids piled from the car Mrs. H said "have you ever forgot where you parked before?" I said "yes ma'm and it's no fun in this heat". She said she knew she had parked on that row but couldn't find it. I offered to drive around and look for it. I would have invited her in the car but she had lots of groceries and I figured she was one or two rows over anyway. I drove the entire, yes entire, parking lot only to find one other car like her's and it wasn't it either. As I returned to her another woman was with her, and she indicated to me that she thought Mrs. H had dementia. We ushered Mrs. H inside Wal-mart to 1) get her out of the heat (and us too) and 2) hopefully contact a family member to come help her.

Mrs. H had a wallet full of scraps of paper with various names and numbers of family members and friends. Me and the other woman (I never got her name) made several phone calls before we got someone. They said they were on their way. I then took the kids to McDonald's for milkshakes and fries and got Mrs. H a bottle of water. I told her we had to get a few items and we'd be back in a minute. We made our purchases and headed back to Mrs. H. Her daughter and son had arrived. They were very thankful and indicated that she was in the middle stages of Alzheimer's. The car she was right in front of was her's, only she was positive that she didn't have a steering wheel cover. She was sure someone had either stolen or moved her car.

If you have parents or grandparents whether they have Alzheimer's or dementia or not, should have a list of people to call in case of emergency in their wallets. I know some have cell phones but I'd do the list in their wallet too in case they leave the phone in the car or home but most almost always have their wallets.

This kind of thing has never happened to before where I felt so lead to help someone. It wasn't easy with 3 kids in tow (who were wild as ever) to help this woman I didn't know but I am so thankful I did. She needed help and it was an incredible lesson for both me and the kids. I wonder what would have happened if I hadn't helped her. Maybe someone else would have but maybe not. Hopefully she would have gone inside to ask for help but it likely would have been in the form of police for a stolen vehicle. I think this was really the first time this had happened to Mrs. H to this degree. I hope her family will take more precaution with her but I have to say that she was sure it wasn't her vehicle and that it was taken.

I hope this story just makes you more aware. I don't think I was aware until today.

Wow, is summer really over?

2010-07-27T22:07:00.000-05:00

Well bloggies it's been a busy summer, really busy. Hard to believe I haven't posted since June. I've worked and we've traveled and hit the pool hard. Now in less than a week the kids will all be in school. Isabel in 3rd grade, Ashton in 1st and Carley is going back to daycare and Mama is going back to work full time. There are very few tears as all of this is a good thing. This sumer has been very productive for me mentally and I am in a much better place than I was in early June. Thank Heavens!!!

So because you all have missed out on my summer I'm gonna give it to ya in one big post.

In early June we visited Holiday World in Santa Claus, Indiana. This is one of our favorite places to go and I wish it was closer than 3+ hours as we'd go every weekend, it is that much fun!!! This year Isabel's friend, Morgan went with us.

There aren't a lot of pictures, well because it's hard to take pictures on roller coasters, twirling rides and water rides, so this is what you get. Philip and Ashton were getting our locker keys and well the camera didn't make very many appearances.

I worked for 2 full weeks in June which was eye opening to say the least. Philip took the kids to the pool almost everyday and they got better at swimming and got great tans. I love little kids white butts when the rest of them is so tan, so adorable!!!

On June 29th we set out for Dothan, AL, my hometown, to visit my family for 8 days. We had fun on the 6 hour drive down and even stopped in Clanton, AL to snap a pic in front of the giant peach.

We made it in time for me to go to Bingo and win $20 but sadly that is all I won during the 2 nights I got to go, waaaa.

My Mom came over from Jacksonville to see us for a few days as well. We even went to Pizza Kastle for some game play and putt putt. A first for my kids and they loved it. Isabel did really well, Ashton hit the balls as hard as he could and Carley putted with the 1 inch end of her club, it was funny.

Then over the weekend we swam, visited with friends and partied for the 4th. Oh and ate lots of watermelon.

Then another day we went to Landmark Park, walked a little on the boardwalk to see the snakes and really enjoyed the planetarium. Carley was so funny, she kept asking if we were really in space. I kept telling her no but then she'd tell me she wanted to go back to earth. So cute!

Then we went over to their playground where Ashton really enjoyed the zipline and Carley kept climbing the wall. Isabel was all over and I didn't get a picture of her.

A few weekends ago we went to pick blueberries at the Buffalo Farm. It was so fun, the kids had a great time ~~eating~~ picking blueberries and blackberries. We picked 2 gallons of blueberries and they were gone in just over a week. We're going back this Friday and I hope to pick enough to enjoy and freeze.

They also had a beautiful fish pond where we went and fed the fish.

We also really enjoyed our patio and fire pit. Lots of fires were enjoyed as well!

It has been a fun filled summer though I have to say I'm happy for school to start back. Wednesday is registration day!!!

Back to Work

2010-06-15T07:56:00.000-05:00

So over a week ago we went to Holiday World and I have started a post on it but just have to put all the pictures up, excuses excuses. But now I'm working in the office (for my part time job) the next 2 weeks. I am the type that wants things to be as chronological as possible but if I do that it may be too many weeks between posts (like it isn't already).

So I started back yesterday and I learned a few things about myself since I"ve been out of the full time work mode for a few years.

1) It's exhausting being in an office all day. I needed a coffee pick me up by 2pm yesterday, I got it around 3pm but I really try not to drink caffine so this can not be a daily occurance.

2) When you are not busy it gets boring REAL FAST! While it was good to be slow the first day back there were times I wanted to put my head down on the desk to sleep.

3) Quiet is BLISS!! Since it was slow the phones didn't ring and there certainly weren't any wild and crazy loud children running around making me want to pull my hair out.

4) I am thrilled beyond imagine that my husband has to stay home with them the next 2 weeks, I hope he comes to understand what I go thru, although he took them to the pool yesterday and got them milkshakes so really he bribed them but that can only last so long.

5) I miss going into book stores alone and reading with no tv and kids around. During my lunch time I went to the discount book store to pick up a few books and then came back to the office to eat lunch and read.
Which I found a very interesting book called "If I'm So Smart, Why Do I Eat Like This?" . I am about 80 pages in and boy is it insightful. Once I'm done I'll give you a full review of it.

6) I miss having time to myself. I've been coming in early just to have that quiet time I've been missing.

7) My office is AMAZING. There is a treadmill, bands and weights here so I can workout early in the morning and/or during lunch or after work. I plan on doing that today!!

So it's about 7:50am and my workday is about to start so I need to go. I hope everyone is enjoying their summer!!

You ever just...?

2010-06-04T21:52:00.000-05:00

You ever just feel so desperate you can't breathe?

You ever just feel so frustrated you want to break something?

You ever just want to fall apart but are afraid you can't put yourself back together?

I'm kinda going thru some mental stuff and all of these are thoughts I am having regularly. I'm a people pleaser and just don't feel I can do anything but hold my head up and be strong. But that's not working lately. My husband says my head isn't on straight and he's right and it hasn't been for a long time. So what's wrong? I'm not even totally sure. As sad as it makes me I know part of it is I'm not cut out to be a stay at home mom. Maybe if I didn't work part time that would help but I know there would be a lot of other stresses if that little bit of money didn't come in every month, and it is only a little bit.

For several weeks I really have just been falling ever so slowly into a deep dark hole and yesterday I hit bottom. One main problem is I don't take enough time for me. I feel guilty like I'm supposed to be there for everyone at all times or else I'm not good enough. I realize this sounds ridiculous but it's what's in my head. I also have let myself go a little (well ok, a lot) on the weight loss front and had a major meltdown about a wedding we're going to tomorrow night. I did find a dress I like tonight which helps but I'm still miserable about my size but I'm the only one who can change that. Which is why I started back doing my workouts today. And tomorrow I have already made plans to go to the gym in the morning. I am going to force myself to make myself a priority. Why is that such a hard thing to do?

I'm trying to decide if I want to post details of my journey here or start a new blog or not even post at all, what do you think?

Isabel's 8th Birthday

2010-06-02T10:24:00.000-05:00

So it's a little late but better late than never.

My oldest Isabel turned 8 on April 21st and we had a birthday dinner for her but we held her birthday party on May 1st. She is totally in love with horses so that's what we did, we had a horse party. Our good friends David and Kim let us use their barn and the brought out 2 horses for the girls to ride. Plus there were several other horses and foals in the barn for them to look at and pet.

Isabel riding her favorite horse, Red.

Waiting their turn to ride.

They had to sing Happy Birthday really loud as it started to rain and it was LOUD in the barn.

Even Ashton and Carley had a great time!!

Friday Favorites - The End

2010-05-28T08:49:00.001-05:00

Sorry I've been on hiatus and didn't tell ya'll. I didn't know it myself. I bet you think I fell into a deep dark hole somewhere? No, just the time sucker that is the end of a school year. Yesterday was finally the end when I picked up the kids report cards at school (they passed, well sort of Ash has to have a tutor this summer for reading) and then hosting the Girl Scout End of the Year Party. Which was complete with a

jumbo inflatable obstacle course that was delivered at 10:30 that morning and my kids and a few friends played on it ALL DAY before the party, we got some much needed sun.

a big yummy cake

patches and gifts

I made them all bottle cap necklaces with their inital on it

and a stinkin Cotton Candy Machine!!!!

isn't this too cool!!

isn't this the hottest cotton candy man you've eva seen?

We had a dinner of hotdogs and hamburgers and each parent brought a side for it. My favorite was an Asian Cole Slaw which I have what little was left tucked away in my fridge for lunch today. I totally want that recipe, SO GOOD!! When I get the recipe I'll share with ya. All the girls had a lot, I mean A LOT of fun. I bet all the kids slept good last night.

After everyone left and we put away all the tables and chairs and food and they picked up the inflatable Philip built a fire and we sat around listening to music and I drank some wine which was very much needed after my long day.

What would have been your favorite part of my party?

This is part of The Other Mama's Friday Favorites!!!

Sock Hop

2010-05-06T11:46:00.000-05:00

This past Saturday was a busy one and I'll post more about Isabel's birthday party later but that night we had our annual Girl Scout Sock Hop. This year they added a country western twist to the sock hop.

Last week I sewed away and made 8 skirts including my own.

At the sock hop they gave out the cookie awards. I knew Isabel was getting one and so we waited ~~not so~~ patiently for them to call her name. See they only give out one award per girl and that award will be the highest possible. We went thru those that sold 250 or more boxes and then the top sellers in each age category. Isabel looked concerned at this point. Then they busted out the big time awards, the ones for the top 3 sellers in our service unit. Isabel was #3. She sold 605 boxes of cookies and got a big ole trophy. She was so excited, her eyes were shining bright and she had a big goofy toothy grin. This really was a big deal for her and her troop.

Here is one of the few pictures taken from that night cause I was too busy dancing to take very many or to pose. But here is me and my girls, minus one who couldn't get out in the storm.

Aren't they so cute. I realize you can't see my skirt but it was a deep plum color and I loved it!! I think someone took a picture of me by myself so I'll have to check around for it.

Nashville

2010-05-03T12:15:00.000-05:00

Some of you may have heard about or seen on the news the flooding in the Middle Tennessee area including Nashville. Well I live about 45 miles south of Nashville.

My family personally has been very very fortunate and had no problems. We were not without power and though our yard was a wading pool, we had no flooding in our home.

There are lots of others that were not so fortunate. There have been at least 15 deaths and thousands without a home. I know of several neighborhoods in Nashville and Franklin that were evacuated by boat.

Here is a link for a video of a building floating down I-24 which I believe is from Saturday.

I am just amazed at how quickly this can happen. So, so many people are in shelters now. Some roads have even washed away. Buildings and homes are now destroyed due to flood damage. Today I am very thankful for what I have.

I hope everyone will pray for those in the Middle Tennessee area.

Friday Favorite - Pioneer

2010-04-30T08:19:00.000-05:00

So we're back at the Friday Favorites blog carnival at The Other Mama. Today it's

The Pioneer Woman!!!

Now, I'm not a new new fan of her's but I've been making more and more of her recipes lately and my friend Kay let me borrow her copy of The Pioneer Woman Cooks to look at and OH MY!!!! If you have never heard of her you must go visit her site. If I could, I would love to run out to the store and buy everything I need to cook everything in her cookbook and website. I have no doubt that everything is YUMMY!! And sort of healthy, except for all the butter but doesn't butter make everything better?

Here are links to a few of my FaVORITES!!!!

Creamy Lemon Crumb Squares (swoon) - I actually have some of these in my fridge right now!! Jealous much?

Macaroni & Cheese - I realize this sounds simple and easy and who can't make it but contrair mo frair!! This is the best I've ever had/made and I would know since my family scarfs it down super fast!!!

French Breakfast Puffs - I'm making these bad boys this weekend for the Girl Scout sleepover breakfast. No it isn't at my house!! THANK HEAVENS!!!!!

That's all for today cause I'm getting hungry just looking at her site and I have lots and lots to do today!!!

What's your favorite Pioneer Woman recipe or any favorite recipe?

Really, 32?

2010-04-28T07:49:00.000-05:00

It's a little hard to believe I'm 32 today. There are times that I feel it was only yesterday when I was in my early 20's before marriage and children. I don't really think I want to go back before 19 unless one person is removed from it. I learned a life lesson there but I could do with out learning it more than once.

See I feel very different. I feel young and thin, why doesn't my body want to get with the program. Can't my metabolism revert back to high school where on any given day could eat (without gaining a pound) chocolate donuts, 3+ Snickers bars, french fries, Ramen noodles or a party pizza and still be hungry? Doesn't every woman wish for a super metabolism? I'm sure I'm not alone here.

But I don't have it and it's hard work and hard to live in this body. Motivation is not easy (especially if you are holding a 25lb. kettlebell over your head)!!

But that isn't what I want to focus on today, no no.

This morning I woke to a wonderful surprise, Carley didn't climb in bed with me. Now that may not sound that great to many of you but it's a great present for me as she does it about 80-90% of the time. I like being able to snuggle with my hubs in the morning and that doesn't happen when Carley is there. And the first words out of his mouth this morning were "Happy Birthday old lady"!! This means he loves me endlessly and he's older than me so doesn't that mean he's an old man. LOL!! All the kids paraded in my room to say Happy Birthday before making their way to the breakfast table and Carley again had a surprise for me, she told me she slept good and dreamed of kittens and puppies like I had told her too (this is too much to explain now) and then she told me Happy Birthday. Maybe dreaming of puppies and kitties will keep her out of my bed in the mornings, we'll see.

All I really know is if I reflect on my 32 years the only things that really matter aren't in things or in accomplishments, it's in Love and relationships. Today I am extremely thankful, thankful for my husband and children. Thankful for this last year and half to spend more time with them than ever before whenI worked outside the home (though I've complained A LOT). Thankful for my family, Daddy, Mommy, Keith, Angie, Lakin, and Jason. They are the ones who've love me the longest and keep me laughing til I pee myself. I can't imagine any of them not being in my life. Thankful to be in a town where we have family and wonderful friends. And I am also thankful for the online relationships I have recently acquired, I feel they bring out the best in me.

So now Philip and the kids are gone, Carley is coloring a picture for me, I'm blogging and putting off the stack of work I got last night (for my part time job). I don't know what the rest of the day has in store I just hope I don't have to cook my own dinner tonight. We are going to Baskin Robbins for their 31 Cent Night, can't that just be dinner?

I'm rambling now but I really wanted just to put down my thoughts today. I hope this post wasn't boring for anyone. But this was more for me than anything.

Ice Cream!!!

2010-04-27T09:15:00.000-05:00

I just wanted to share this with everyone in case you haven't seen this.

Baskin Robbins will have $0.31 Ice Cream Scoops on April 28, 2010. Participating locations will offer the $0.31 scoops from 5pm until 10 pm. Baskin Robbins will be donating $100,000 to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation and donations will be accepted at select locations.

Here is a linky to Baskin Robbins so you can go see if your local store is participating. My local friends, our's is!!

What is your favorite Baskin Robbins flavor? Mine is Lemon Custard or Jamocha!!

Anthropologie

2010-04-26T11:36:00.000-05:00

I don't know about anyone else but I love Anthropologie, even though I can't afford anything from there, until now. No I didn't win the lottery or anything but my brother does work for Urban Outfitters and the parent company also owns Anthropologie, and other stores, and he gets a discount as well as can give it to family.The discount is 40%. Needless to say I have been stalking the website ever since.

Here are a few of my favorite items:

planter

shower curtain

Apron

Gorgous Dress

Amazing Top

Hot Necklace

So I didn't say all the clothes suited my body type but I like them, they're pretty!!

And I have to explain why I love that shower curtain. I am planning on painting the kids bathroom this summer (light aqua) and that shower curtain would be PERFECT!! But I'm not spending $70 even with discount (or $118 actual) for it. Maybe it'll go on sale by the time I need a new shower curtain.

What's your favorite Anthropologie find? And are you jealous?

Big Week

2010-04-25T11:07:00.000-05:00

Gonna try something new this week. It's going to be fairly busy as I get ready for Isabel's birthday party on Saturday morning as well as make several sock hop skirts for Saturday night and prepare for our Girl Scout troop sleepover Saturday night, do you see a trend where everything is happening Saturday?!

So what I'm going to do is put my to do list out there for ya'll and then as I get done I'll post pictures.

This is in no way priority order since it all has to be done before Saturday:

1. Complete Birthday Banner (which was inspired by this post). I have already done all of the letter cutouts, but have to do my red circles and then do the ruffle edges

2. Clean horse shoes. I got a whole bucket full and I have to clean and scrub them, they will be place settings as well as party favors.

3. Make sock hop skirts, I think I am making 7 of them but am getting help from another troop leader who has a FANTASTIC sewing machine as well as emboridery machine to do the poodles/horses on the skirts.

Those are the biggies that are time consuming and will see actual results from. In between is all the little errands, like picking up bandanas and plates and all that. I'll do a post next week on the birthday party.

Ok, well I am going to work on fun housework so I can hopefully stay ahead of the game this week!!

Pour me some

2010-04-23T09:21:00.000-05:00

I'm a little flustered today and annoyed with my children. It has just reached a point where I'm done and need to get out of the house which I hope to do tonight but in the mean time what is one my mind, alcohol!! I just want to relax and just not think. So I thought it might be fun at 8 o'clock in the morning to list my top 10 favorite drinks, this isn't in favorite order cause my mood depends on what I want to drink:

1. Long Island Iced Tea - especially when made right and good. I could slurp down a few of these bad boys!!

2. Margaritas - if you were here you'd hear me roll it off my tongue, mmm, all that lime goodness

3. Red Wine - nuf said

4. Drunk Monkey - I first heard it under a much more vulgar name but it still tastes the same. It's banana schnapps, Bailey's & Kahula with equal parts milk, it's a shot or you can make it a big ole drink if you want.

5. Zombie - I recently had it at Legend's Steakhouse and OMG was it good. I found the recipe here.

6. Hunch Punch - This can be some crazy stuff, the hubs makes it and makes it good.

7. Mango Martini - they are lip smackin but not as strong as I'd like.

8. Kahula - Literally anything with this stuff in it!!

9. Peach Schnapps - same for this stuff!!

10. Jell-O shots - how can anyone not love these. My favorites are peach w/ peach schnapps and cherry w/ cherry brandy.

So what is your favorite cocktail and if you don't drink cocktails what is your favorite thing to drink?

8 Years Ago

2010-04-21T07:48:00.000-05:00

I was in a hospital room impatient, scared and tired of being in labor. You see I didn't have a good pregnancy. Oh it started out ok but gradually got worse and worse. I had almost everything you could imagine during my pregnancy and then was on bed rest for 3 weeks prior to birth and had a pregnancy rash all of those 3 weeks, NOT FUN!! I was miserable and they induced me from nothing. I wasn't dialated or anything, that baby wasn't coming out any time soon. But they had pity on me and I was borderline toxemic so...on a Saturday morning they started the labor process and as the day wore on I felt worse and no progression. Sunday morning at 6am I was only 1 cm. dialated, if that. Sunday was a long, long day. But by 7:30 we were ready to start pushing that baby out. I should have known then that our little girl was going to be hard work. She was born at 9:40 on Sunday, April 21, 2002 weighing 7lb 9oz and we named her Isabel Louise after women in my family.

We were nervous about being new parents as most are but we learned and all of us have survived so far. Now my little baby girl is turning 8 today and if her friend, drama doesn't leave she may not live to be 9. But I am trying to reflect on my sweet newborn baby today and not thing about the whining I am currently listening to or the constant attitude I get when I ask her to do anything. So, moving on...

She was so fun and adventurous, well she still is really. Have you ever noticed how the things you love most about your children are the things that drive you the craziest? For example, Isabel is extremely nurturing which is great except when she is mothering her brother and sister to death!! She is also very outgoing and outspoke, hence the attitude and drama!! You see where I'm going with this. But dispite it all I adore her, she is my first born and just like me in lots of ways, which may be another reason why she drives me nuts. But I also realize I need to enjoy this time with her and embrace her personality cause she's gonna be an amazing young woman one day and I'm gonna wonder where the time went. I just really hope drama leaves soon!!

Get ready cause ere are a few of my favorite pictures over the last 8 years. Lots of photos and I'll try not to comment on them too much.

Yes this is my old Barbie cadallic

Toe Socks!!!

She hasn't stopped talking since she learned how

First time on a horse!

When and where she found her first love, horses!

I love that my niece has with Isabel what I had with her when I was her age

First Day of Kindergarten

She is one tough cookie!!

Isabel is both girly and tough, her Daddy makes her that way. She is smart and thoughtful and wonderfully caring. She almost always thinks of others and wants everyone to be included in everything she does.

I am surprising her on her birthday with a horse riding party. It's what she asked for but I told her we couldn't afford to do it. She wanted her party details to be a surprise so it makes it all the better, it's not until May 1st and I am hoping no one spills the beans before then. We are taking her out for a birthday dinner (she wants steak) on Thursday night (dog is having surgery (spay) today and we didn't want to leave her even for a few hours). I'll post birthday pics after her party.

Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoyed all those pics. Doing this really helps me remember all my memories with them and let go better of the daily irriations. I want to love and enjoy my time with them cause I know it'll be gone sooner than I think. I just hope one day she understands all I did for her and how much I love her.

F2F Physical Challenge

2010-04-20T09:27:00.000-05:00

Last week in the Flab 2 Fab Challenge we had to complete a physical challenge, holding a 10 lb. dumbell overhead for 10 minutes. Check out the video and see how we all did.

Up In the Air Challenge

My arms were sore all weekend!!

Friday Favorite: PATIO!!!

2010-04-16T10:17:00.000-05:00

So this Friday's Favorite is a big one, as in 23x13 feet (I think). It's my new brick paver patio my hubs has been working on for several weeks. While it's not 100% complete it's amazing!!

Here's a before picture (actually taken when we bought the house, there are actually 4 maple trees planted in the backyard now.)

And here's when he has started pulling up the grass and had the sand down

And here it is after this past weekend's work

The Firepit!!

This will be the kids sandbox

And a brick paver step

I am forever amazed and proud of my husbands talents and abilies. Didn't he do an amazing job? Now I just need patio tables and chairs and I can have a party!!

Friday Favorite - Yo Mama!!

2010-04-09T10:03:00.000-05:00

This Friday Favorite linkup is special to me, it's for my Mama. See she is coming to visit today for a whole week. I love my Mom and spending time with her. Everytime we have an extended period together I always feel I learn something new about her and about being a mother.

Like:
*Be who you are no matter what
*Sometimes you have to make hard choices that no one will understand but you hope they will one day
*Love your children with your last breath
*Laugh, Dance, and Sing your heart out
*Do not curse your children to have children like them!!! (So not fair Mom)

And though she may kill me for some of these photos I don't care cause these photos are special to me.

I love this picture, dispite the 70's decor.

1996 with my brother, Jason

Easter 1999 or 2000 with my Grandma, Helen

At my house in Florida with sister, Angie

we were having fun in the hot tub!!

Though my parents aren't still married this is one of my favorite pictures of them together.

And the #1 reason my Mom is so special, she gave birth to me!!

Don't ya think I'm just adorable!!

I can't wait for her to get here, it'll be a little after lunch today and I plan on enjoying every minute with her.

Oh and this week's Friday Favorite has a GIVEAWAY!!! A Lisa Leonard necklace!! Go check it out!!

Giveaway!!

2010-04-08T12:10:00.000-05:00

My favorite blog designer (yes I'm sucking up) and fellow Flab to Fab contestant April is having a giveaway, a $50 Visa Card. Go see how you can enter to win, but I'm tellin' ya'll that I'm going to win!! I have lots of stuff on a wishlist plus my birthday's coming up so...

Also, if you aren't following the Flab to Fab Blogger Fitness Challenge then what's wrong with you. There are 8 unique and funny women (myself included) and we have been bonding over chats and smack talk. I highly recommend you follow each and everyone's personal journey as well as their individual blogs. Seriously these women almost make me pee my pants, ALMOST!

You can find our individual blogs by clicking on our pictures under the contestants tab. I could link them all up that would take a bit more time than I have at the moment. Don't forget to follow me though!!

Ok peeps I'll be back tomorrow for the Friday Favorites!!

Dress you up in my love!!

2010-04-03T11:27:00.001-05:00

So in a vlog a few weeks ago I mentioned finally finding a dresser. That weekend we sanded and primed it but then it rained and was cold and wet all week so it had to wait. Then I was gone that weekend (on a restless Girl Scout camping trip) but my wonderful (and handy) husband painted it for me and added the new hardware (not my 1st choice but I was told I couldn't spend $3 per knob - BOO!!).

So here are the before pics

And Now the finished product!!

Isn't she pretty!!!

(the pictures do not do the creamy color justice)

And here's the top and my 2nd ~~only option~~ choice knob.

So what my dear friends did this little bundle of joy and extra space cost?

Dresser = $30
Primer & Paint = $12 (color was Valspar Jekyll Club Veranda Ivory and got High Gloss)
Knobs = $9

Total = $51

I love her so much!! I have already filled about 1/2 her drawers and already have plans for the rest. I love storage space!!!

And for those of you who are curious about where she is, she sits behind my love seat facing the dining table.

LOVE IT!!

Cheap Sunglasses

2010-04-02T15:01:00.002-05:00

This Friday Favorite from The Other Mama is all about cheap sunglasses. So I did a little video for ya'll.

So did anyone else get this Graveyard Mall deal?

Which ones were your favorite?

Were you chair dancing with me?

Challenge

2010-03-30T20:56:00.000-05:00

Ok my bloggy friends I have something to share as well as let you know I need your support and encouragement. Last week I applied for the Flab to Fab Blogger Fitness Challenge. Well lo and behold I got picked. I am too excited. I really needed this push. I mean if I'm going to put all these really uncomfortable pictures along with my weight and measurements out there I'd better look amazing by the end to make up for how gross they are. It just started Monday and is 8 weeks long. In the end it comes down to votes. I REALLY want to win!! It's go big or go home, or is that go small? Either way, you get my point. So help me in any way you can, please.

You can follow the challenge and 7 other amazing contestants here and follow my personal journey in the challenge here.

If you have any suggestions or comment to help me in this I'm open so bring 'em on!!

Mexican Monday - Taco Cornbread Pizza

2010-03-29T09:44:00.000-05:00

So this will be the last Mexican Monday, at least for now, you see...I GOT INTO THE FLAB TO FAB CHALLENGE!!! I am very excited though this is a huge leap outside of my comfort zone but I committed myself to do this and do everything asked of me including making a fool of myself and taking pictures I'm ashamed of, like my before pictures but I know I'll be happy in the end that I have them. So root me on and follow my progress.

Now back to today's post.

Taco Cornbread Pizza!! This is so simple and easy my (almost) 8 year old could make it.

Here's what you need:

box of corn muffin mix (egg & milk needed according to box)
1 lb. ground beef cooked with taco seasoning
shredded cheese
sour cream
lettuce
salsa

Mix up the corn muffin mix according to directions and then spread out somewhat thinly over cookie sheet, like so

Bake in oven on 400 til light brown, you are going to bake again so you don't want it too brown. Top with taco meat & shredded cheese. Place back in oven until cheese is all yummy and melted.

Cut and serve topped with sour cream, salsa, lettuce, tomatoes, guacamole or whatever toppings your little heart desires.

At this point I would ususally show you a yummy pic of it all done up but we were so famished that night that I barely remembered when there were 2 small pieces left so that's what your are getting here.

One last thing, for us it doesn't taste as good reheated but we are finicky that way so...

Enjoy!!

Friday Favorite - Greek Yogurt

2010-03-26T14:38:00.002-05:00

One thing I love on a regular basis is greek yogurt. Specifically this brand

(pic from Google images)

It is so yummy. I don't like regualar yogurt since I first tried this stuff last year.

My favorite way to have it is

1 c. greek yogurt
1 c. red grapes
1/4 c. walnuts or pecans

Mix it all together and enjoy.

Here's what it looks like.

So yummy!! Initially I used to put a little agave nectar in it to sweeten it some but I no longer do that. I will say that not all greek yogurts are created equal. I've had a few different brands and by far this is the thickest and creamiest. I also substitute this for sour cream sometimes.

This blog brought to you by The Other Mama's Friday Favorites!!

4 Years

2010-03-23T11:10:00.002-05:00

4 years ago I was blessed with a clone of me. She was born on 03/23/2006 at about 2:19 and we named her Carley Ann. Isabel got to pick out her name (from our list of 6) and Ann is both our mother's middle name. She had the longest fingers I've ever seen. It's one of my favorite things about her, odd I know but I think they are beautiful.

I'm sure you've heard the phrase "In like a lion and out like a lamb", well Carley is the opposite of that term. She came in like a lamb and in the last two years has become a lioness. She is such a character and as I said a clone of me. She loves to sing whatever comes to her mind as I showed in this post. She love music too and even does pretty well on her harmonica.

For the last year and a half I have been able to stay home with her (I couldn't with the other two) and it's been both a joy and a challenge. I have bonded with all my children but Carley has been different, maybe because she is most like me but there is just a different connection we share. It's hard to describe.

We didn't plan any of our pregnancies but Carley was especially a surprise. We had just moved to Tennessee and within a few months we were pregnant, my Mom said we had too much time on our hands. We knew then that this would be the last one. I was convinced we were having a boy and had already named him Cooper James. Imagine my surprise when it was a girl. Isabel kept asking what happened to Cooper. Note to parents if you don't know the sex don't name it and tell your other children. So to help with it we narrowed it down to about 6 names then let Isabel pick. I was set on Amelia but Isabel had just gotten a new teacher at daycare that week named Carlye and that is what was on her mind. I kept saying to her, are you sure you don't want to name her Amelia. But Carley it was and it absolutely fits her. It's hard to imagine her as an Amelia.

She's always loved to snuggle

(Carley with Lakin in July 2006)

play with her sister

horse around with brother

help around the house

getting into trouble

Halloween 2007 (hasn't everyone dressed their child up as a convict?)

I promise she was laughing!!

try to fill Mommy's shoes

learn her style

become independent

be a superhero or villan

celebrate

enjoy good food

and find new adventures

It's hard to believe she is only 4!! She even had her two front teeth taken out several weeks ago.

This last photo is my favorite of Carley. I took it with my cell phone on a hay ride at a friend's farm in fall of 2008.

She is my baby and always will be no matter how old she gets. I couldn't imagine my life without her.

Mexican Monday - Tacos & Cheese Dip

2010-03-22T10:15:00.000-05:00

Today's Mexican Monday is a simple one: Tacos & Cheese Dip!!

My youngest Carley can eat her weight in cheese dip. We have tried several kinds but hands down the best is this one:

I get it at Wal-mart and they also have Jalapeno. I typically buy one of each and mix them so it has a kick but not too much for the kiddos.

For the tacos I just cook up the taco meat and load it up into soft or hard taco shells with cheese, sour cream, lettuce, salsa or whatever your heart desires. Philip lately has also put dipping cheese over it for that added something special.

As you'll see, my kids love tacos and cheese dip. Yea, I create super healthy meals.

Carley didn't want her picture taken this time.

Next week...Taco Cornbread Pizza.

Lovin me some Goodwill!!

2010-03-19T17:18:00.000-05:00

So this another edition for the Friday Favorites over at The Other Mama.

Today I decided to do a little vlog for you since I'm so excited about my purchases (both past and present) that I want to get started. The sun is out, it's not too windy, perfect for painting.

Ignore my messy kitchen.

I really am hoping to get some stuff accomplished this weekend cause I'll be gone on a Girl Scout western weekend trip next weekend.

Let me know if you have any ideas for my purchases. I've got a few but open to suggestions.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

2010-03-17T21:17:00.001-05:00

Last night Isabel told me that they could wear green collared shirts to school tomorrow (one of their uniform colors is not green) which is great but I didn't have one for Isabel and I wasn't about to get out to look for one so I decided to make her a pin to wear. In my scrapbooking supplies I found a Lucky Charms leprechaun cut out so I used that and then ruffled green streamer around the edges and here's what we got.

Isabel was really proud of it and loved wearing it to school today. What St. Patrick's Day creation did you make this year or in years past?

Ain't She A Beaut?

2010-03-17T08:26:00.000-05:00

Wow, I'm on a roll lately but why oh why can't I find the dresser I want/need. Regardless I did find a piece I wanted but thought it would come last. Before doing some grocery shopping last Saturday I stopped at an estate sale thinking I either wouldn't find anything or it would be priced too high. Not so. I found this beauty.

I got her for $10

The top needs a little work.

But overall she's very nice and I'm going to paint her anyway.

Stay tuned and hopefully by this weekend she'll be all done and in her new spot, in my bedroom.

What's Up?

2010-03-16T08:45:00.000-05:00

I realized that most of my posts have been about our household lately and not about us or the kids. So I thought I'd share some of what's going on with us plus a few pictures from this time last year:

~I usually work part time from home but this week, Monday thur Wednesday I am in the office all day. I have to say mornings are already difficult getting up and actually getting myself and 3 kids ready and all our lunches and snacks.

~Last night I signed up Carley for daycare in the fall. She will go to Kindergarten in Fall 2011 and we wanted her to have her year prior to in a preschool setting. Her teacher and classroom are adorable. She won't want to leave. It is a little hard for me though. She has been home with me for almost 2 years and we have really bonded (I didn't get to do this with the first 2) and if you know her, you know she is exactly like me (scary, isn't it). I am going to miss spending all my days with her, I already did after 1 day at work. I had to call to talk to her at lunch. Is it sad that my best friend is my 4 year old?

~Last night we went to the kids Family Night at school and got their report cards, here's how we stacked up.
~Ashton is progressing on blending the sounds in letters and words. He still struggles with focusing but he's
getting better. I love his imagination!! He is such and interesting little boy.

~Isabel is on the verge of reading at a 4th grade level, she's in 2nd grade. I am so thankful that she loves to
read and that she retains the information. I can only hope that my other 2 find that same love that she has.

~Philip is just so amazing, as always. I don't feel I praise him enough for all he does for us. He is just such a good husband, father and friend. You are lucky if you know him cause he would do anything for others.

I know I can often be grumpy and just want to get away from it all but I love my family and if they didn't make me crazy would my life be as interesting? I think not. I need to learn to embrace the madness instead of getting irritated with it.

Mexican Monday - Mexican Lasagna

2010-03-15T21:12:00.000-05:00

So I made this but it got eaten so quickly there is no picture but take my word for it, this is AWESOME!! This little dish of delight has been in our family's meal plan for about 8 years. I first found it at a church meal. It is easy to make this to feed lots of people.

Mexican Lasagna

flour tortillas (any size will work)
1 lb. ground beef
taco seasoning
can of refried beans
salsa
shredded cheese (cheddar or fiesta mix)

Brown ground beef, drain; add taco seasoning according to directions on back. Preheat oven to 350. Grease bottom of 9x13 pan. Layer flour tortillas, tearing if necessary. Mix refried beans and salsa (to taste) in bowl. Spread bean mixture over bottom layer; sprinkle a handful of cheese on top. Layer more flour tortillas, top with taco meat and sprinkle again with cheese. Create one more layer of flour tortillas and top again with lots of cheese. Bake until bubbly and cheese is melted. Serve it up and top with sour cream, guacamole, salsa, black olives and shredded lettuce or whatever sounds good to you.

This so easy to spice up or down according to you and your family's taste. You can also use the nacho cheese (you know, the kind in a jar, or jumbo can from Sam's) to make it even more gooey and cheesy!!

Newly Finished Ottoman!!

2010-03-13T15:44:00.001-06:00

Yesterday I gave a sneak peek of an ottoman I picked up at a local thrift shop for $10. Can you say ugly? But it has potential. In this pic I had already primed the legs (I'll eventually learn to take true before pics).

And after she got a once over with the help of an amazingly talented friend, Kay and some amazing fabric I've had in my closet for 2 years...

Wa-lah

Ignore the ugly rug cause it's gonna be a new color the next time you see it but swoon over the ottoman. I am so in love with it and can't believe it's in my living room and I had a hand in doing this. I truely could not have done it without Kay. I had no idea where to start or which way to stitch but she walked me thru it. I know the next time I decide to do something like this it will be tons easier. Thank you so much Kay!!

So what did this cost me?

Ottoman----------------$10
Fabric (2 yards)--------$2

Total for gorgous new ottoman $12

Let me know what you think!!

Glazed Please!!

2010-03-12T12:08:00.000-06:00

Hillary at The Other Mama is at it again on Friday as in Friday Favorites. I kind of like it, it's fun to do!! It gets me thinking.

So what's my favorite this week? Well, I'm pretty sure I've been bitten by the paint bug. See, I'm not one who gets creative with furniture and decorative pieces. I buy them and they go somewhere in the house, where they usually stay forever until I hate them and they get tossed or given away. But in the last week or so I've been enthralled with numerous blogs about re-inventing old furniture or well really anything. I've just about seen it all.

Well this post on yellow furniture got me thinking, I can do this!! So I got all the stuff and painted a lamp. I'm in LOVE!!! Not only that, I decided to play around with a picture frame and I am going to paint some actual furniture today.

So what's my favorite thing? The Glaze!!! I could glaze my entire house. I love what it does to whatever is painted. I think it also helps that the painting doesn't have to be perfect cause your gonna dirty antique it up.

Here's what I found an Lowe's to use and I love it. It's a little pricy for the size but you don't use a huge amount either. This pint cost about $12

One little thing though, I am super impatient when it comes to finding stuff I want to do. I don't want to wait so it's killing me that I haven't found the other pieces of furniture I want to put in the house. At least I have lots of other projects to do that I am dying over. I am going to take a few before pics of my living room today cause after this weekend there's going to be a transformation. I'll give you a little peek of one item I am drooling over.

Might that fabric cover the foot stool? You'll see it finished tomorrow. I'm already in love!!

Lamp Complete!!

2010-03-11T16:01:00.000-06:00

I was out today and stopped at Fred's to pick up a lamp shade. It's a beautiful cream color and looks perfect with my newly painted lamp.

So what did this cost me?

Lamp at Goodwill ----------$ 2.99
Shade at Fred's-------------$11.99
Primer/Paint/Glaze----------?? not sure cause I only used a portion but probably on $1 or $2.

So less than $20

Let me know what you think!!!!

Gettin My Craft On

2010-03-11T08:09:00.001-06:00

I have been on the hunt for a piece of furniture to paint and put in my house but have yet to find the perfect piece, well really an piece that is the right size, reasonably priced and doesn't need a huge amout of work to the drawers but it'll happen. So I went to Goodwill today to look for this piece and... nothing but I looked around at other stuff anyway and found a find, a lamp. I don't have any in the living room cause...well...I never liked any before but now that I have seen a few peeps blogs about painting lamps I thought I'd give it a shot. It is one of those clear glass deals with etching on it. Now I was so excited to get started I forgot to take a before picture but I did take a picture after I primed it. Let me also say that I am not one to do this kind of stuff. I'm too worried about things being perfect and often want to watch someone do it first or help me the first time but I just jumped right in today!! I make my Mom so proud, she is a goddess of spray paint!! Love ya Mom!!

Not too bad!! Then I painted it a gorgeous color I found in this post. In the words of Rachel Zoe, "I died" and it's "bananas".

But that's not all folks, no no, I did a bronze glaze too. Now this I was nervous and excited about. Why? Cause it seems like it'd be hard. But it so wasn't I had lots of fun with it. And even rubbed too much off at first and added some back on in a few places cause I wanted it a little darker. I LOVE how it turned out. Now I also got a lamp shade at Goodwill thinking I could recover it with fabric. I have lots of fabric. But once the lamp was done I didn't like any fabric with it and the shade is too dingy to use with is so I'll buy a new one from the store in a day or two. Who am I kidding, I'll be out getting it tomorrow, LOL. So here is the lamp after glazing and once I have a non dingy shade I'll take a total pic!!

I am so excited and am gonna get started on some real furniture now!! Look out!!

Mexican Monday

2010-03-09T15:58:00.000-06:00

So I meant to get to this last night after making our tasty Mexican Monday dish of Chicken Enchiladas. The recipe I referenced in this post.

Let me just say it was slap yo mama good, sorry Mom, no offense. I may have licked my plate clean, maybe, I'll never say for certain. This is definitely a recipe that will stay in my head. I only made it once (last night) and already know it by heart.

1/4 c. butter
1/4 c. flour
2 c. chicken broth
1 -2 cans chopped green chilies (add the 2nd can if you like more spice but hubby prefered just one can)
12 oz. sour cream
Rotisserie Chicken (pulled apart and chopped/shredded) - do this first
12 oz. Montery Jack cheese, shredded - do this second
6 large tortillas

After chopping chicken and shredding cheese, combine 10 oz. of shredded cheese to chicken in bowl and mix together, this is your filling.

In saucepan melt butter, add flour. Whisk until bubbling; add chicken broth; add sour cream.

Spoon filling into tortillas, tuck and roll up.

In 9x13 pan spoon about 1/3 of the sauce. Place filled tortillas in making sure you get sauce all around the sides. Once all tortillas are in pour rest of sauce over. Sprinkle remaining shredded cheese on top. Bake at 350 for 30-45 minutes until bubbly and golden.

I served with spanish rice and refried beans. I should have made a veggie too but I was already drooling over the sauce that I was too excited to eat and my brain didn't think about vegetables.

Here's what mine looked like.

But really, who cares what it looks like when it tastes so good. This is my new favorite dish!! Even the kids ate it up and it's not only because I made yummy double fudge brownies for dessert. No picture of that and they are practically gone now so just imagine what they look and tasted like.

Next week I am making Mexican Lasagna, one of Philip's favorites!!

Lovin me so Mexican food.

2010-03-07T21:35:00.000-06:00

So today I was working on meal planning for the next few weeks and I told my hubby that I wanted to go back to Mexican Monday's. I've gotten out of the habit, though I don't know why. I then mentioned I wanted to try a Chicken Enchilada recipe I had just seen on a blog (remember I've been deep into blog world lately). He was all for it so I professed my love of Mexican food and I wish I could eat it everyday. He professed the same so this week we're gonna have a full Mexican week!!! Hot Tamale!!!

But this isn't why I'm posting, I'm just sayin I'm going to do a post every Monday with our Mexican Monday meal so you can join in the cheesy festivities!!

Ready or Not...Here I Come

2010-03-05T10:15:00.002-06:00

So my friend Hillary at The Other Mama is hosting her very first Friday Favorites Blog Carnival. And since I have been deep in the blog world and not keeping up with my own this is a great opportunity to post about a favorite, SPRING, well and warmer weather.

So 2 weekends ago the sun as shining beautifully and it was warm out. I was so happy!! I could have been in my yard singing and twirling to the Sound of Music but I think I just imagined it. If not then my neighbors got a show. You'll just have to wonder about it or do drive by's on super warm days. Anyhoo, about a month prior to this I was a Big Lots (picking up Valentine's) and saw a wreath like one I've been wanting for about 2 years, I just didn't want to spend the money, it was like $65 but the one at Big Lots was only $18, woo hoo a bargain. So I swooped that thing up and it came home with me. I told myself I'd wait until March 1st to put it up but on that wonderfully warm day I broke and put it up. I couldn't wait any longer for Spring!!

But there's more. I've been ~~stalking~~ reading an adorable blog by Edie at Life In Grace for a few months and back in December she did a post with her Christmas Wreath and she did her last name inital, painted and tied up to her wreath and I knew I wanted to do this.

So after I got my spring-y wreath up I went to Hobby Lobby and purchased a plain wood "B", painted it green and tied it up to my wreath with green gingham ribbon, which I'm thinking of changing but that's beside the point.

So after that fun long story, here's my Spring Wreath in all it's simple glory but it makes me happy every time I look at it. I don't think the whole thing cost more than $20.

As I mentioned before I've been in blog world and have been inspired by lots to do more in my home. I have always shied away from getting crazy with stuff due to fear of messing up but I'm going to work on that so hopefully there will be new and interesting projects coming up.

Girl Scout Cookies!!

2010-02-23T19:10:00.000-06:00

We've been selling Girl Scout cookies since Dec. 24th. Yeesh that's a long time!! But now it's working it's way to a close so I thought I'd share a ~~the only~~ photo from a booth sale of a few of the girls that were there.

Not the greatest picture but at least I got one between sales. We've had 4 booth sales so far and have sold over 500 boxes. We have our last 2 this weekend and I'll be glad when it's all over. It has been fun and it has definitely been a ~~tortureously~~ memorable experience. Philip even asked if I was going to be a Girl Scout leader next year. He'll be glad for me to have that part of my brain back that has been in GS land since the fall, me too!!

What is your favorite Girl Scout cookie? Samoa, Thin Mints, Tagalongs, Do-si-do, Trefoil?
Mine are Samoas & Thin Mints. Mmmm. I love the Thin Mints out of the freezer and Samoas just out of the box!!

I am so thankful for...

2010-02-19T16:34:00.001-06:00

my amazing husband. He is so talented and handy at everything. We have never had to call a service technician to do anything on our house, including electrical stuff. He has always fixed our cars, the only time it would go to the shop would be for something such as putting on all new tires (we don't have a lift) or installing a new transmission (no lift or crane). He has painted all of our 2 homes and does countless things for friends and family that never ceases to amaze me. So what's happening now? We, well he is installing, are putting in new floors in our living/dining room. We have wanted to for a long time and now with the puppy and potty training going roughly (partially due to an UTI, we just found out Wednesday) we had planned on using tax money to replace the floor with a hardwood laminate. So the money came in today and Philip is pulling up carpet as we speak!!! I am so excited, he's not so thrilled because it's a job but he does it because he loves us. Plus this weekend we have 2 Girl Scout booth sales as well as I have a wine mixer Saturday night. So he is on Dad duty as well as handy man.

Ignore all the crap in the background, you know things get messy when you remodel anything. I'll post pictures when we're all done and things are back in order. I'll say though it's a great way to get everything clean.

No matter what you are thankful for your husband for, give him a big hug and a kiss today for just being himself.

Also, I found an AMAZING blog today that could be dangerous, it's Thrifty Decor Chick and she just has some amazing stuff on there. I spent over an hour on her site today just looking and already have an idea or two. I can't wait to go to Goodwill now and see what treasures I can find and what I can come up with. Hopefully I can get to one thing this week and I'll post pics.

Who Let the Dogs Out!

2010-02-18T12:15:00.000-06:00

One night Carley got the song "Who Let the Dogs Out" in her head and started walking around the kitchen sining it. It was just too funny not to get on video. She is definitely my little performer.

If you are wondering where she heard it, it's on a Disney Jams cd I had for the kids and it is a favorite of all my kids.

Emotions

2010-02-10T16:55:00.000-06:00

I don't know about anyone else but I'm an emotional person. I laugh and cry rather easily as well as often let my anger, anxiety and guilt get the best of me. I get frustrated that I can not control my emotions better and that is something that I am working on. I have been a part of a fitness club, Fit Yummy Mummy, for a little over a year and the other day I was watching a video by the creator and coach Holly Rigsby and she was talking about the things that prevent us from reaching our goals. Ultimately it is ourselves that keeps us from it but it's all the things within us that gets in the way. So I thought I'd share with you some ways that our emotions get the better of us and can prevent us from reaching our goals whether they be weight/fat loss or changing habits.

Anxiety and fears strips away courage and makes great performances impossible.

Doubt makes even the best decisions feel difficult and causes procrastination.

Anger rips away your focus from your goals.

Frustration can only serve to make you quit.

Guilt makes it impossible to enjoy any success that you achieve.

Jealousy and envy create dishonesty, hate and corruption.

I hope this helps someone who needs it. It did me as it made me think more about my emotions and are the affecting me reaching my goals.

Photo Shoot

2010-02-07T14:28:00.000-06:00

My sister works for a church in Dothan, AL where I grew up, and they remodeled their offices recently. This past week my sister asked me to send some pictures of the kids to her so she could put them up in her office for an open house on Sunday, today.

Here are the photos I took and sent to my sister.

And finally, we included our fast growing puppy, Cia.

Animal Antics

2010-02-01T13:10:00.000-06:00

Last week at Wal-Mart I found these pretty lilies, well I think their lilies, on sale for $2.50 and there didn't seem to be anything wrong with them. I love fresh flowers so I jumped on 'em. I got them home, cut 'em up and put them in a vase.

Well since then our cat, Mittens has knocked the thing over several times trying to drink the water out of it. She is the craziest thing. She loves to drink water out of the sink, cups, vases and even the toilet. She always has fresh water but I guess she finds these other souces to be flavorful.

Then last night we were sitting around watching Cake Boss and our puggle, Cia, was sitting on Philip's legs (on the floor) and she started growling. We determined that she was looking at her reflection in the back patio doors. She did this several times. Then Philip took her over to the glass door and she peed all over. Now we weren't happy to clean up the pee but it was kind of funny that she was so scared of her reflection she peed.

What are your funniest animal antics? Leave a comment about it.

The Great Snow of 2010

2010-01-31T12:20:00.000-06:00

Now I guess there could be another one to come this year but I'm going to take a chance and say there isn't going to be as much as this one.

Several weeks ago we had a forecast of snow and ice and they closed schools for 2 days, yes 2 DAYS and we had practically nothing.

I know, it's pitiful, right?

So this past week when it was forecasted, even though you could see the huge storm on the radar I wasn't too excited. Of course they closed schools on Friday due to the prediction on up to 10 inches of snow thru Friday night. Friday morning nothing had happened yet so I set out to the store to finish my grocery shopping from Thursday. I was gone from the house about an hour and 15 minutes and when we came out of the store there was already at least an inch on the ground and rising fast. It took us 30 minutes to get home, whereas it usually takes 10 minutes. We made it home and the kids were thrilled to run around and play in the soft fluffy snow while I unloaded the car. Isabel thought it was fun to throw snowballs at me while I took video and pictures. I was no happy!

But Cia had a fun time running around and licking up the snow.

Saturday came and boy was there a lot more on the ground. I'm not totally sure but we had at least 7 or more inches. As far as the eye could see was white. You can't even tell where our roof ends and the sky begins.

I made a brief appearance outside. I just do not like the cold and have no desire to get wet and cold.

But Philip grew up like this and loves it. He had fun playing with the kids in it and watching people try to drive around in it, especially our neighborhood.

The kids were elated to have lots of snow to play in and make numerous snow angels which is Carley's activity of choice.

We still have lots of snow and ice on the ground. They will probably cancel school tomorrow. I guess I need to find some fun stuff to do indoors for tomorrow since Philip will be back at work and I'm not prone to take them outside. Maybe we'll make a flat family inspired by my friend Hillary at The Other Mama.

What do you do when you can't or won't get outside? Leave a comment about it.

Not young enough for this

2010-01-31T11:56:00.000-06:00

I am Isabel's Girl Scout troop leader and January 22nd and 23rd we had a lock-in at our local mall. That's right and all-nighter. After the mall closed we stormed in and took over the joint, literally. A few stores stayed open late for us, Claire's being the main one open until 3am. And the cookie store stayed open all night. Just what you need 250+ girls all hyped up on sugar all night. Thankfully there was lots to keep them busy. We had Glow Golf, Claire's shopping, 2 bounce houses, karaoke, face painting, nail art, tattoo'ing (the temporary kind), and all kinds of older girl booths set up to educate on various projects they were working on.

When we got into the mall we decided to set up camp in front of this women's store. They had already closed but a guy and a women were still inside cleaning up. They guy thought it would be fun to pretend to be a live mannequin. It was funny and we all had a good laugh.

Here's our troop with the silly guy from the women's shop!! My Isabel has the red hat on that the guy let her wear.

Here's Isabel singing The Climb by Miley Cyrus with several older girls at the beginning of the night. I can't tell you how many times I hear The Climb that night, at least 100, no joke.

Playing some Glow Golf

Another troop put on a fashion show about 1am. Prior to the girls put down their names and information about themselves. Then the troop announcers called out the information as the girls strutted their stuff on the stage. It was super cute. Here's Isabel and her friend Morgan before their turn in the show and Isabel during.

All in all the girls had a fun night. They started falling asleep about 6am. And then it was breakfast time and time to pack up and none of them wanted to wake up. It was a little funny trying to wake this dead tired girls but there was no way I was carrying them to the car. I did stay up all night and managed to be rather lively. I don't have a great pic of me but I'm hoping one of the other mom's did and I'll post that later but I had put my hair up in pigtails and curled them up. All the girls thought it was funny and even made me go up on stage during our portion of the fashion show. I think the pigtails helped me stay away as I felt bouncy the whole time, well at least until we were packing up to leave then I got real tired.

Me and Isabel slept until about 3pm on Saturday, got up for a few hours and turned in early again. I think it took me 3-4 days to recover. I don't think I'm old but I'm definitely not young enough for all-nighters anymore.

Any of you stayed up all night of your own free will lately? Leave a comment and tell me about it.