Hmmm.....It seems it is Monday and since I am out of blogtirement, maybe I should post? Anyway, guess the easiest thing to do is just to post my menu for the week.
Monday: Ham, mashed potatoes, broccoli
Tuesday: Leftover ham
Wed: leftover ham again. Or maybe ham and eggs
Th: thanksgiving!
Fri: black Friday so we go out to dinner
Saturday: Tuna noodle casserole?
Sunday: Turkey dinner again.
and on to more pressing matters....
Did you ever have a sweater or a shirt or a..I don't know...A tie.. that is a stain magnet? You know. That one piece on your wardrobe that you love but every single time you wear it, the damn thing attracts the stray glop of butter or spaghetti sauce? Yea, well I have one of those pieces and it is a sweater. A sweater from the GAP! yea. That's right. The GAP. WTH? I mean, this is not a sweater fro, Niemans or Nordstroms. It is from the freaking GAP and no matter what, if I wear it, something is spilled on it. And I love the damn thing. It is comfortable, has pockets, is neutral and has short sleaves. I mean really, what more could you ask for? Um, no butter stains? yea, that would be a good start. Yea. Anyway, said sweater is spending some quality time on top of the washer after being spot cleaned with Dawn dish detergent (that shit is the bomb). That is all I have.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Out of Blogtirement
So yea, it has been awhile. Without going into a lot of detail about why I haven't updated in a bazillion months, I will just say that I have been very busy and um, yea. That's about it. Plus like, there are only about two people who actually read this blog and I talk to you guys on a fairly regular basis so....I didn't see a huge or great reason to update. But.... I have decided to come back to you. Back to my fans and or, well friends and talk to you about something near and dear to my heart. What you ask? What is so important as to bring me out of blogtirement? Ok well in case you are not aware, Christmas is coming. And if you are not a Christian, no problem, you probably celebrate Hanukkah or something. Or maybe Kwanza. Or, I don't know. It really doesn't matter. It seems that this time of year we all tend to turn to family and friends and like to give gifts to those we care about. Well giving is what I want to talk to you about today.
There is this group called World Vision that gives the gift of life and hope to poor people in Africa and well, other parts of the world. Ok so here's the thing. You and I both know that you spend a lot of money at McDonalds, or Walmart, or Sam's Club, on a regular basis. We run in and run out and before you know it we have spent $100.00 or more. For what? That is the big question because honestly, I go shopping with a list and spend more money than I expected and a week later I couldn't tell you what I bought. But what if you could spend $25.00 and feed a family for a year...or more? Or 100.00 and not only feed them but give them the opportunity to make some money? Well This is what my family has decided to do for Christmas this year. Yea, we are still buying the legos, etc. for the kids. But some of our budget has been designated to purchase chickens and at least one goat. We are all excited about the prospect that our little gift will help at least two families. Will allow two families to be able to feed their children, to maybe sell some milk or eggs. To prosper, or just live. Something most of us can't even imagine. The fact that there are people in this world of ours who not only go to bed hungry but who's beloved children die of that hunger. How can we sit around the table on Thanksgiving or Christmas, or exchange gifts knowing that a very small gift of $25.00 could buy a family not one but two chickens? That $75.00 can buy another family a goat so they have milk and can make cheese? Or if you have a little more to spend you can buy a cow for a family. There are so many levels of gifts to choose from that I can't imagine why anyone reading this wouldn't open their check book up to help a family in need. Really. It is that easy. Please, please consider giving to a family in need this year. It could quite literally be the difference between life and death.
If you are interested in this program, I encourage you to go to the World Vision website. Read about what they are doing for families in need and then make the decision to help someone in need this year. It will be the best gift you give -and the life saving gift someone receives. What else is this holiday season about? Think about it. And please, just consider giving the gift of life to a needy family this year.
Friday, May 1, 2009
Caitey's Confirmation & Misc. stuff
So last weekend was Caitey's confirmation and we couldn't have asked for a more beautiful service or day. The weather was perfect and the mass was wonderful. We had a guest Bishop do the confirmation. He is from Uganda and was very funny and enjoyable. I was really happy that we got to enjoy such a heart warming service. Here are a couple pictures of her.
School is almost over for me. One more week of classes and then finals. I cannot wait for it to be over! I will try to post more when I have more time. Until then....I leave you with this. How cute is it? Thanks Leeann for sharing!
Monday, April 20, 2009
Menu Plan Monday
I figured I would go ahead and post my menu this week since I have been such a slacker lately. Well, at least here on the blog. In real life I am so busy with school and the kids activities I feel like my head is spinning. This week will be very busy as I have a big exam on Thursday and Caitlyn is making her confirmation on Saturday so we will be having a party for that. So I guess I will be spending the week studying for my exam on Thursday and then after it is done, I will be getting ready for the party. Oh well. You do what you have to do. Anyway, here is a nice, simple menu for the week. Shouldn't be too difficult to stick with it.
Monday: spaghetti, salad
Tuesday: grilled chicken, scalloped potatoes, salad
Wednesday: cheeseburgers, oven fries
Thursday: shrimp scampi, salad
Friday: leftovers
Saturday: Confirmation party-lots of different stuff.
Sunday: leftovers from Confirmation party
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Can you hear it?
My kids were downloading apps on the ipod and came across this one that says only teens can hear it, adults can not hear it at all. So I was intrigued. I think my hearing is pretty good so I was sure I would be able to hear the tone. But alas, I am an old lady and can not hear the sound that actually is driving my kids nuts.
Apparently it was discovered or invented by some British business owner who wanted some way to keep teens from hanging in front of his business. So he developed this high frequency tone and plays it to scare the kids away. And it works. And the adults don't even notice it.
I played it for my 10 and 13 year old's and they both slammed their hands to their ears and said Ow! I was both really surprised(cause I couldn't hear anything) and worried that it could damage their ears. But of course I had to try it a few more times because it is pretty interesting. I also played it for my 15 year old and he didn't hear a thing. Which of course has me worried because hello, that must mean his hearing is not that great at 15. Which does not come as a huge surprise because we are all the time yelling at him for playing the ipod so loud that we can hear it when it is plugged into his ears.
Anyway, listen to it and let me know if you or your kids can hear it.
Teen repellent
Apparently it was discovered or invented by some British business owner who wanted some way to keep teens from hanging in front of his business. So he developed this high frequency tone and plays it to scare the kids away. And it works. And the adults don't even notice it.
I played it for my 10 and 13 year old's and they both slammed their hands to their ears and said Ow! I was both really surprised(cause I couldn't hear anything) and worried that it could damage their ears. But of course I had to try it a few more times because it is pretty interesting. I also played it for my 15 year old and he didn't hear a thing. Which of course has me worried because hello, that must mean his hearing is not that great at 15. Which does not come as a huge surprise because we are all the time yelling at him for playing the ipod so loud that we can hear it when it is plugged into his ears.
Anyway, listen to it and let me know if you or your kids can hear it.
Teen repellent
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
It's been a long time..
This is a very hard post.
So it has been quite a while since my last post. Unfortunately, that is due to the fact that on March 13, my family lost someone very near and dear to our hearts. My father.
I got a call from the state police saying that he was being taken to the hospital. Of course we jumped in the car for the 1 hour trip to the hospital. When we got there, we were told that he had a massive heart attack and died instantly, despite my mothers valiant efforts to give him CPR. We are all devastated.
My dad was a great man. Oh sure, no one ever speaks ill of the dead but really, he was a wonderful man. He worked hard his entire life to take care of his family. Not just his wife and children but he was always there to help out other people as well. He was a giving person.
My parents would have been married 50 years this May. My mother of course is very sad. That is a long time to be married to someone, an oddity in this day and age. I can only hope and pray my marriage reaches that point.
My fondest memories growing up were our vacations to Chincoteague Va. Every single summer we would go there camping. We would load up in the truck pulling the pop-up camper. Us kids would get into the back of the truck. My parents would put mattresses in there and there was a cab on the back, but we would get so hot that the only thing we could do is go to sleep. But when we woke up, we would be crossing the bridge onto Chincoteague Island. And there we would go to the beach, go crabbing, swimming, fishing, run wild. It was great. It is something that me and my siblings now do with our own kids and my parents always join us. It will be very sad this summer without my dad, the grand kids pop-pop there to untangle the fishing lines, get the boat, steam the crabs, or a multitude of other tasks that he did. He did it without a complaint. He would just go and do what needed to be done. You know, there are not many men in this day and age who are like that any more. Men who will work more than one job just to support their families. Now they complain about too much work, too little money, & not enough time to play with friends. Not my dad though. He never complained. We will all truly miss him.
One thing that helped me immediately after his death was planning the funeral. My friend Laura sent me the funeral program she used for her dad and that was a huge help because I was able to use it as a guide. It was healing planning the scripture and music. It is amazing how having the viewings and going through those motions really do help the family get through that period.
It is amazing how much an email, phone call, cards, etc. helps you get through something like the death of a parent. Just the outpouring of support from friends and family who basically fed us for a week was amazing. We literally would not have had food for all of us at my moms because we were all there. My sibs, our spouses and kids. Mikes family was amazing. They made so much food. His one sister gave us a bag full of breakfast foods. Bagels, yogurt, coffee, etc. So thoughtful. Another sister prepared a huge platter of chicken tenders and broccoli/rice casserole. Seriously, without that food we would have probably been eating cereal.
I had friends from facebook come to the funeral parlor. That was shocking because we only recently reunited online and I haven't seen some of them since 1980! I am truly blessed with the number of friends and family that I have.
Another thing, a revelation of sorts I had. In the day or two after my dad died, we had to go to the store for clothes and food. I was walking around literally in shock. I noticed though that people were really nice to me. Strangers. You know how sometimes you go to the store and the cashiers are just rude? Well everyone we encountered was nice. I really appreciated that. I know they didn't know and were just doing their jobs but it made things so much easier. Anyway, I realized when I was going through that that we truly do need to always remember that we should treat people with compassion and treat them as we would want to be treated. That we need to really take care of each other. Even strangers. We don't know what kind of pain they may be in at any given moment. I am usually nice in public but I am going to make an effort to be nicer, more tolerant. I guess it just made me think we all need to be more compassionate all of the time, even to perfect strangers. Or maybe especially to strangers.
My father loved his grandchildren like you wouldn't believe. They truly were the light of his life. When we were growing up, he worked 2 and 3 jobs so that we could go to private schools and on vacation each year. We did not see him as much as my kids see their father. But with his grandchildren, he was very involved. One of the things I am saddest about is the loss of that relationship not only for the kids but for him as well because he was truly enjoying his life. I know this sounds hokey, but when i think of him in heaven, I picture him holding a chubby little baby, his grandchild, the baby I lost. It has truly brought a peace for me in relation to the miscarriage. I believe that we will be together again with our lost babies and it brings me peace that my baby is there with my dad. And also makes me happy because he still has one grandchild to be with until we are all together again.
Another thing, I lost some of my faith after my miscarriage. Well, Mikey and Caitey's bus driver wrote a long card to us about how glorious heaven is and how even though we miss him, he is 30 years old and healthy and happy again. I like to believe that she is correct. It has made me think more about the fact that we are all on a journey and the destination is heaven. Dad is there now with his parents, siblings and the baby. That makes me happy.
So there you have it.
My sad update. I will try to get on and post more. I want to put some pictures of the kids and my dad so look for them in the coming days. Until next time....
So it has been quite a while since my last post. Unfortunately, that is due to the fact that on March 13, my family lost someone very near and dear to our hearts. My father.
I got a call from the state police saying that he was being taken to the hospital. Of course we jumped in the car for the 1 hour trip to the hospital. When we got there, we were told that he had a massive heart attack and died instantly, despite my mothers valiant efforts to give him CPR. We are all devastated.
My dad was a great man. Oh sure, no one ever speaks ill of the dead but really, he was a wonderful man. He worked hard his entire life to take care of his family. Not just his wife and children but he was always there to help out other people as well. He was a giving person.
My parents would have been married 50 years this May. My mother of course is very sad. That is a long time to be married to someone, an oddity in this day and age. I can only hope and pray my marriage reaches that point.
My fondest memories growing up were our vacations to Chincoteague Va. Every single summer we would go there camping. We would load up in the truck pulling the pop-up camper. Us kids would get into the back of the truck. My parents would put mattresses in there and there was a cab on the back, but we would get so hot that the only thing we could do is go to sleep. But when we woke up, we would be crossing the bridge onto Chincoteague Island. And there we would go to the beach, go crabbing, swimming, fishing, run wild. It was great. It is something that me and my siblings now do with our own kids and my parents always join us. It will be very sad this summer without my dad, the grand kids pop-pop there to untangle the fishing lines, get the boat, steam the crabs, or a multitude of other tasks that he did. He did it without a complaint. He would just go and do what needed to be done. You know, there are not many men in this day and age who are like that any more. Men who will work more than one job just to support their families. Now they complain about too much work, too little money, & not enough time to play with friends. Not my dad though. He never complained. We will all truly miss him.
One thing that helped me immediately after his death was planning the funeral. My friend Laura sent me the funeral program she used for her dad and that was a huge help because I was able to use it as a guide. It was healing planning the scripture and music. It is amazing how having the viewings and going through those motions really do help the family get through that period.
It is amazing how much an email, phone call, cards, etc. helps you get through something like the death of a parent. Just the outpouring of support from friends and family who basically fed us for a week was amazing. We literally would not have had food for all of us at my moms because we were all there. My sibs, our spouses and kids. Mikes family was amazing. They made so much food. His one sister gave us a bag full of breakfast foods. Bagels, yogurt, coffee, etc. So thoughtful. Another sister prepared a huge platter of chicken tenders and broccoli/rice casserole. Seriously, without that food we would have probably been eating cereal.
I had friends from facebook come to the funeral parlor. That was shocking because we only recently reunited online and I haven't seen some of them since 1980! I am truly blessed with the number of friends and family that I have.
Another thing, a revelation of sorts I had. In the day or two after my dad died, we had to go to the store for clothes and food. I was walking around literally in shock. I noticed though that people were really nice to me. Strangers. You know how sometimes you go to the store and the cashiers are just rude? Well everyone we encountered was nice. I really appreciated that. I know they didn't know and were just doing their jobs but it made things so much easier. Anyway, I realized when I was going through that that we truly do need to always remember that we should treat people with compassion and treat them as we would want to be treated. That we need to really take care of each other. Even strangers. We don't know what kind of pain they may be in at any given moment. I am usually nice in public but I am going to make an effort to be nicer, more tolerant. I guess it just made me think we all need to be more compassionate all of the time, even to perfect strangers. Or maybe especially to strangers.
My father loved his grandchildren like you wouldn't believe. They truly were the light of his life. When we were growing up, he worked 2 and 3 jobs so that we could go to private schools and on vacation each year. We did not see him as much as my kids see their father. But with his grandchildren, he was very involved. One of the things I am saddest about is the loss of that relationship not only for the kids but for him as well because he was truly enjoying his life. I know this sounds hokey, but when i think of him in heaven, I picture him holding a chubby little baby, his grandchild, the baby I lost. It has truly brought a peace for me in relation to the miscarriage. I believe that we will be together again with our lost babies and it brings me peace that my baby is there with my dad. And also makes me happy because he still has one grandchild to be with until we are all together again.
Another thing, I lost some of my faith after my miscarriage. Well, Mikey and Caitey's bus driver wrote a long card to us about how glorious heaven is and how even though we miss him, he is 30 years old and healthy and happy again. I like to believe that she is correct. It has made me think more about the fact that we are all on a journey and the destination is heaven. Dad is there now with his parents, siblings and the baby. That makes me happy.
So there you have it.
My sad update. I will try to get on and post more. I want to put some pictures of the kids and my dad so look for them in the coming days. Until next time....
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