Santa’s Visit, and a few other things…

Things have been a little crazy since Thanksgiving as I knew it would, but I love it.  I love Christmas, everything about it.  The presents, the decorations, the family time, even the clean up.  I do miss it once it is over because it seems to go so fast.  I wish we didn’t have to rush, and that we got to sit there and wallow in the paper on Christmas morning, while Gracie begged to open toy after toy.  It would be so much fun, but I also love family time, so off we go…

Anyway, Gracie has already gotten to see a few Santa’s, this Santa:

gave her a stocking filled with $10 worth of gold coins.  That was at Brian’s Christmas party, and we lost out on a cruise.  Brian had sunglasses, someone stole them, and they won the cruise!  Oh well, maybe next year!

Then this Santa came to the house, walked right in the door, and surprised Gracie:

He was there checking on her to make sure she was being good.  The last two weeks, she has been reminding everyone that Santa is coming and you need to be good to get toys. 

Thanksgiving

WOW!  What a day!  I got stuffed, like the turkey I am!   I think I filled my belly way to full!  I got to make green bean casserole and take it to Brian’s grandparent’s this year, which didn’t turn out half bad.  It was cold by the time we got to eat it, but you know, I should have put it back in the oven.  Gracie even tried a bite of a little green bean, and not of a big green bean, because according to her, those make her really crazy! 

After lunch we went to my mom’s house, and had dessert.  My Aunt Teresa and my mom were doing crafts, and apparently we didn’t get the supply list.  But we got to help and have a good laugh, and no one wanted the snowball after it was finished. 

I am so very thankful for all of my family and friends and that I got to spend the day with most of them yesterday.  Those of you that I didn’t see, you were truly missed and I love you!  

Now, onto Christmas, the busiest month of the whole year.  We have parties, parades, I am on call for a week, Brian works every other Saturday,  wrapping presents, shopping time with my husband, and best of all CHRISTMAS!!  I am so excited I can hardly stand it.  I have always loved Christmas, it is become more about family than anything, and watching Gracie open her presents.  I love see the look on her face after each present is opened. 

The only thing I despise, and I am sure each and every one of you will agree, is getting those little toys out of the packages.  You have to have a PhD in Nuclear Radiation, and Engineering to get those little suckers out of those boxes.  I mean wire cutters, scissors, blow torches, hammers, drills, I have seen it all.  Is the toy really worth that much??  I say, yes, yes it is!!  NOW, go buy it!  Love y’all!

We are family!

I know you love to watch Gracie dance just as much as I do, so here you go!

Well, It’s not a Secret…

The cat is out of the bag, my mom had cancer.  Yep, I said it.  Lung Cancer to be exact.  You noticed I said “HAD”  That is right, today is a day of celebration.  She went to the doctor today, and got an “All-clear” report.  She will only have to do a cat scan once a year from now on.  She found out in August, that she had a mass on her right lung, two months later, a doctor at Integris was taking out a lobe in her right lung and that was that, Cancer was gone!  How awesome is that?  Prayers have certainly been answered!!  She is doing wonderful, getting around so great, and bossing Ron around since she is home, Ha!  She will be off for a few more weeks, but otherwise, doing just wonderful!!

My family is doing great, Gracie is growing like a weed!  She is getting so smart and saying new things every day.  I took her to get her flu shot today, and she said after her shot:  That is it, no more shots for the year!  She also told a little boy at daycare that he was being an annoyance.  Where they come up with this stuff, who knows! 

Christmas is right around the corner, and I haven’t even begun to think about Christmas shopping.  Brian and I are celebrating our anniversary this weekend, and I plan on hitting it hard this weekend!  He loves to shop with me, because I am one of those shoppers that gets in and out, I know what I am going for!  Plus, I hit all the sales racks!  Or, at least, I think he likes to shop with me, maybe he just likes spending time with me :)

Gracie is turning 4!

Well, it is finally here.  Tomorrow is her big day!  I can’t believe it has already been 4 years since little Gracie Lou was born.  Remember she looked like a little monkey head when she was born??  Well, she has grown up so much and has such a little attitude, but I love that little stinker!

 

Chicken Quesadillas

I know you have waited on me to blog for almost a month, and you get a stinkin’ recipe.  Well this recipe is sooo good!

1 can (10 3/4 ounces) Campbell's® Condensed Cream of Chicken Soup (Regular or 98% Fat Free)

1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese (about 4 ounces)

1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and finely chopped (optional)

1 can (12.5 ounces) Swanson® Premium White Chunk Chicken Breast in Water, drained

10 flour tortillas (8-inch), warmed

Pace® Chunky Salsa

Sour cream

1. Heat the oven to 400°F.
2. Stir the soup, 1/2 cup cheese, jalapeño pepper, if desired, and chicken in a medium bowl.
3. Place the tortillas onto 2 baking sheets.  Spread 1/4 cup chicken mixture on half of each tortilla to within 1/2 inch of the edge.  Brush the edges of the tortillas with water.  Fold the tortillas over the filling and press to seal.
4. Bake for 5 minutes or until the filling is hot.  Sprinkle with the remaining cheese.  Serve with the salsa and sour cream.
Makes: 5 servings.

Enjoy!

Well, have you missed me?`

Things have been a little busy around here lately!  It seems like we have been going non-stop for the last few weeks.  We had Baby Cole’s Birthday party,which was fun!  Then, we had vacation bible school at Aunt Amie’s church, which Gracie loved!   She really liked the teachers!  Then, this past weekend, Gracie and I ventured out on our own to Ft.Worth, and went to Cindy’s wedding.  We had a great time!  The wedding was awesome, Cindy and James truly put on a great party for their family and friends.    Gracie and I stayed in a hotel by our self, and Gracie was in heaven.  She got to eat in bed, and lay all over me at night!  Of course, I didn’t get any sleep, but it was worth the trip! 

Does anyone else feel like this year is in fast forward, I mean Gracie’s birthday is right around the corner, then Halloween, then Christmas, O lord.  Do ya’ll remember the blizzard, it just seems like we were crawling out of it like a month ago.  And that stinkin’ ice storm, wow, no electricity for two weeks!  How can I forget that? 

Well, as some of you may already know, my brother and his family are moving to Mangum.  They have already placed their house in Duncan on the market, and will close on their new house in September.  I cannot wait to see it, I hear it is beautiful!  All I have to say, I better get my new webcam working on my pc, so Gracie can Skype with Addy, along with Bailey and Savana down in Texas!

Gracie is having a little bit of difficulty dealing with the fact that everyone is moving, and her best friend is going to school and she is not.  It is a great opportunity for Gracie to meet new friends and I know first chance she gets, she will, but right now, she doesn’t understand that.  I know kids are very flexible at this age, and adjust to change easily, I just think it will take time!  We have our daily talks about it, and we somehow adopted our secret handshake, that seems to make her feel better!  And of course, this morning, I promised her sonic for dinner :)  I am such a sucker!

Ranch Style Coleslaw with Bacon

I like coleslaw, when it is not out of the big bucket from Walmart, when someone actually takes the time to make it.  I like my sister’s version of coleslaw, it has lemon pepper in it.  Brian likes the real deal mayo type, the one that is really creamy.  He wouldn’t like the one below because he doesn’t like ranch, but maybe if I used Creamy Italian and who could go wrong with bacon, HA!

1 pkg. (16 oz.) coleslaw blend
4 slices  OSCAR MAYER Bacon, cooked, crumbled
1/2 cup KRAFT Ranch Dressing

Make It

COMBINE ingredients.

Kraft Kitchens Tips

Asian-Style Coleslaw
Prepare as directed, using KRAFT Asian Toasted Sesame Dressing and substituting 1/4 cup chopped PLANTERS COCKTAIL Peanuts for the bacon.
CATALINA Coleslaw
Prepare as directed, using KRAFT CATALINA Dressing and substituting 1 small chopped apple for the bacon.
Italian-Style Coleslaw
Prepare as directed, using KRAFT Tuscan House Italian Dressing and Marinade and substituting 1 small red pepper, cut into short thin strips, for the bacon.

All in a days work!

Have you ever had a day where you thought God was looking down on you and snickering the whole time while he watches the world unfold?  Well, I have had a week like that already.  Our dog threw up on the couch and pillows, Gracie painted herself with red paint, along with the carpet, and then she decided that she would play with the gum that was in her mouth and she smeared it all over her leg, hands and chin.  Yes, I know, at least it wasn’t her hair.  We were in the car at the time of that incident, so I made her ride home with her hands in the air, not touching anything.  Good thing, I could laugh about all of this later, because I thought, man I should have taken a picture of that paint, AND that gum, but I didn’t.  Both times, I was so worried about her getting it on other things, I had to get it cleaned up right then.  It is only Wednesday, and I can’t wait to see what else is in store for the rest of the week!

Oh yeah, and if anyone wants to get me a belated birthday gift, throw pillows would be nice :)

On a cute note, Gracie was so tired the other night, she passed out in like 5 minutes, and when Brian went in there to check on her, this is what he found.

Fancy Nancy Party

Gracie went to her Fancy Nancy Party at the Library yesterday.  She had a blast!  They had so much fun, making tiaras, and getting jewelry.  They even gave them little snacks.  Addy and Haylee were there with her, and even Brian showed up at the end to surprise her. 

It’s On!

I get this song stuck in my head every time it is on, and Gracie jumps up and starts dancing, well finally I caught her on video!

Post it Note Tuesday

Gracie Dancing

Gracie is getting so much more vocal these days, and loves to dance!  The other night, she told Brian, Peace Out Hoagie!  Here is a video I got of her dancing the other night, while we were waiting on the fireworks.

What would you do to save a dog?

Are you a pet lover?  What would you do to save a dog?  Would you spend your savings on your dog?  A dog that has only been in your family for 6 months?  A dog that your daughter has grown to love?  A dog that has slowly become part of your family?  Well, we had to yesterday?  Let’s just say we spent a lot of money on Princess Pinkalicious yesterday!  She had to have an emergency hysterectomy.  Now she is a baron old woman.  Darn Dog!  If it isn’t one thing, it is another!  She had an infection in her uterus, that could have killed her, and so we spared her life.  This dog better not die for at least the next 10 years or else!!  She needs to pay off her debt…

Skillet Garlic Chicken

I am always looking for FAST recipes, especially during the summer.  I don’t want to spend my evening in the kitchen, plus, I have about 45 minutes until Brian gets home from work, and WHEN (yes, when) I cook dinner, I want it to be ready when he gets home.  I cook more in the winter than in the summer, because I would rather be outside playing than inside cooking.  We make a lot of sandwiches in the summer.  Anyway, I found this recipe and it says it takes 20 minutes to cook, so it is right up my alley, and it looks delish, can’t wait to try it:

Skillet Garlic Chicken
from Campbell's Kitchen
Prep Time: 5 min.
Cook Time: 20 min.

1/4 teaspoon ground sage

1/4 teaspoon dried thyme leaves, crushed

4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves  (about 1 pound)

Vegetable cooking spray

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 can (10 3/4 ounces) Campbell's® Healthy Request® Condensed Cream of Chicken Soup

1/2 cup water

Parslied Rice

1. Stir the sage and thyme in a small bowl. Season the chicken with the sage mixture.
2. Spray a 12-inch nonstick skillet with the cooking spray and heat over medium heat for 1 minute. Add the chicken and cook for 15 minutes or until the chicken is well browned on both sides and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and keep warm.
3. Add the garlic to the skillet and cook and stir until lightly browned. Stir in the soup and water and cook until the mixture is hot and bubbling. Serve the sauce over the chicken with the Parslied Rice.
4. Parslied Rice: Toss 4 cups hot cooked long-grain white rice with 1 teaspoon chopped fresh parsley.
Makes: 4 servings.

Sliced onions and mushrooms make great additions to this sauce. Sauté them with the garlic until the mushrooms are soft and onions are caramelized, then proceed with the recipe.

News on Terry

First and Foremost, Brian’s stepdad Terry, is in Minnesota, like I said yesterday, he had surgery and things were looking up, that was yesterday.  Around 2:30 or so, Karmen was supposed to head to the airport and they noticed that Terry stomach had swollen, so the doctors did a scan on him and found that a staple from his previous surgery had come loose and poked a hole in his bile duct and bile had leaked out.  Not good.  So they rushed in into surgery to repair it.  As of this morning, he was in ICU, on a ventilator.  He had a 102 fever, and a blood pressure of 87 over 34.  Actually, his fever had come down, and his blood pressure had risen from what is was in the middle of the night, so he was already getting better.  The doctors are confident that he can fight off this infection, but it will be a long, hard fight.  Please keep him in your prayers, as he needs strength and a miracle right now, as does his whole family.  Karen and Karmen are sleep deprived and worn out.  They have been through the wringer and have been trying to be strong through this whole thing, but it is very trying on them both. 

On the home front, Craig and Brian can’t understand what is happening and they both want to be up there.  Craig actually left this morning to go up there.  Terry elected to have this surgery, he was tired of feeling sick all the time and being in pain.  He wanted all this to be over, and the doctors were confident that they could fix him.  He prayed about it, and this is where the Lord led him.   The Lord will take care of him now.

Second, Brian’s Great Uncle Armond, fell off of the ladder and is in ICU in California.  He is getting better daily, but he could use some prayers too! 

Also, Ron is having an MRI tomorrow to find out what is going on with his shoulder.  I hope it is nothing serious and can be fixed with a few simple massages.  Wouldn’t that be nice!

Well, I have been shuffling Gracie from one place to the other, and I think when Karmen comes back we might change a few things, i.e. nap time.  I kind of like it when Gracie goes to bed at 8, she is asleep at 8:15.  She has played so hard these past two weeks, and I thank each of you that has helped me out, I really appreciate it!!

I have not forgotten about you…

There is a lot going on right now, I am very busy at work, and I haven’t had a chance to even sit down and think about what all has happened in the last few days.  I promise I will update you all tomorrow. 

However, I do want to say a quick note, Terry had his surgery and is healing fine.  He has had a few setbacks, but that is to be expected.

Deep Dish Taco Squares

 

This recipe looked really good, and fast, think I will have to try this one.

Try this ground beef recipe made with Old El Paso® chopped green chiles from Betty Crocker.

Prep Time: 25 min
Total Time: 55 min
Makes: 6 servings

 

1/2 lb lean (at least 80%) ground beef

1/4 cup chopped onion (1 small)

2 tablespoons Old El Paso® taco seasoning mix (from 1-oz package)

1 cup Original Bisquick® mix

1/4 cup cold water

1/2 cup sour cream

1/3 cup mayonnaise or salad dressing

1/2 cup shredded sharp Cheddar cheese (2 oz)

1 medium tomato, chopped (3/4 cup)

1 can (4.5 oz) Old El Paso® chopped green chiles

1. Heat oven to 375°F. Spray 8-inch square (2-quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray. In 8-inch skillet, cook beef and onion over medium-high heat 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thoroughly cooked; drain. Stir in taco seasoning mix until blended.

2. In medium bowl, stir Bisquick mix and water until soft dough forms. Using fingers dipped in Bisquick mix, pat dough in bottom and 1/2 inch up sides of baking dish.

3. In same bowl, mix sour cream, mayonnaise and cheese until blended. Layer beef mixture, tomato and chiles over dough; spoon sour cream mixture over top.

4. Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until edges of dough are light golden brown.

Jeans for Sale!

Have you ever shopped at Crazy 8?  It is like Old Navy is to Gap, but this is compared to Gymboree.  Well, they have there jeans on sale for $6.99.  That is a great price for jeans especially for fall, and as the kids get older, they are going to get harder on the jeans.  So go to Crazy 8 and start shopping.

Garage sale

Garage sale went great, sold lots of great stuff, and got sunburned, of course.  I am so glad that it is over though.  We made a little over a $1000 and we had a lady who ran a mission come to pick up everything that we didn't want to keep.  I kept 4 bins of clothes of which I am donating to a children's closet.  Keeping nothing, this year!

 

Anyway, it went great, and thank you to everyone who helped out!

Coupon Inserts

There will be 3, TRES, TROIS count them THREE coupon inserts this weekend in the paper, baby!!  Go by yourself two of them, you deserve it!

What was happening and what will be happening.

Well, this past weekend was a great weekend!  It started off, by Gracie and I having a girl’s day in Lawton.  We went shopping and then had lunch.  Finished off the day by going swimming and went to listen to some live music at the Smyth house across the street from ours and eat some BBQ.  Which was GOOD!  We had ordered a pizza at Guiseppes, but decided to eat it for breakfast the next morning once we smelled the BBQ across the street.  Sunday, we all slept late, which was nice.  Karen and Terry swung by to say goodbye on their way to Minnesota, then we ended up doing yard work, and went swimming again.  Had some good burgers and went to bed.  Slept late AGAIN!  And again, we cleaned and did yard work, although we did not go swimming, but we did cook some good steaks!! 

We have been getting ready for a garage sale. Yes, that is right, it is garage sale time!  Every year, my family gets together for a giant garage, we through all of our crap together and then we all get to go through it and take whatever we want.  Whatever is left we sale.  It is so much fun, but ask me how much fun on Monday, after we sat in 104 degree weather all day!!

I bought bubbles, sprinklers, water guns, kool-aid jammers, scooby doo snacks,etc… for the kids to eat and play with while we are working our tales off.  I am sure we will all be crabby and hot by the time it is over!

Post it Note Tuesday

Fancy Party

Last night, my friend Angela's daughter wanted to have a "Fancy Party."  So, it was settled.  We all decided to get dressed up all fancy, and Angela, being the great party host that she is made all the arrangements.  She made sandwiches, Orange Fizzaroo, Raspberry Punch, Fruit Tray, Ice Cream Sundies with all the fixins' and Strawberry Shortcakes, that girl can cook.  The costumes that some of the ladies showed up in were hilarious and were absolutely Fancy!  Angela and Savana sure did outdo themselves.  Gracie and I had a blast!!  I am sure am going to miss that family when they move!

**Had a little issue with pictures so I had to link it to Snapfish, to view the pictures, click the link below.**

View Pictures

Coupons Inserts

It doesn't look like there will be any coupon inserts in this week's newspaper, so don't rush out to buy one over the holiday weekend!

Just a little note…

Tomorrow will mark 3 weeks since I have had any candy or Diet Coke.  Ok, I did order a Caffeine Free Diet Coke on vacation, but it tasted horrible, and I didn’t even drink it all.  But 3 weeks, can you believe it??  As much as I drank diet coke, I would have thought I would have had to gone to rehab to kick that habit!

I have been eating a few pieces of sugar free candy when the need hits me.  It is really not that bad and the only that that I miss in my gummy bears.  Thank goodness the gift shop is all out of them right now :)  I LOVE Haribo gummy bears!  They are at their best, if you open the bag and let them sit out in the open air for a few days to get hard.  OOH, I better quit talking about them, and go get a sugar free mint, booohoo

Anyway, have a great and safe weekend!  Peace out!

5 Question Friday

1. Is there something you've always wanted to try but just can't muster up the courage to actually do yet? Yes, I want to skydive.  I probably never will know that I have Gracie, but I have always wanted to, but I betcha I never will.

2. If you had $100 handed to you in cash without your significant other knowing about it, what would you spend it on?  Yesterday it would have been shoes, today probably given to my in-laws to make their way to Minnesota.

3. What was your favorite piece of playground equipment as a child? Probably the swings, because I could do a flip our of them.

4. Do you prefer a sweet or hearty breakfast? I love sausage, and I really love biscuits, and I really, really love biscuits, sausages AND Gravy!

5. Are you a Neat Freak or a Messy Bessy?  Used to be a neat freak, but hear lately, I am going down hill, and letting everything slide.  Yes, I am tired of the mess, and maybe after the garage sale it will be gone!  Who knows, but I am slowly becoming a hoarder :)

The Children’s Place $5 Memorial Day Sale

The Children’s Place $5 Memorial Day Sale: "

Head on over to The Children’s Place for the $5 Days Memorial Day sale event, which will last for 5 days. You can get knits, tees, tanks and shorts for just $5. Use this coupon code: E4A5A15% to save an additional 15% off. This makes items just $3.50 each and a flat rate on shipping of just $5.

Thanks, Mojo Savings!

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Need a little a help!

Really??  I am not even going to ask what else…  We need some prayers for a few people in our family.  You see, Brian’s dad, Mike called this morning, and in his true fashion, told me bluntly “I have Prostate Cancer. It is fine, they detected it early, and everything will be great, and that is that.”  That is they way he works.  I said, “Are you serious, Mike?”  Yes, Gretchen, I am serious.  Yes, he calls me Gretchen. 

Also, Ron, my dad,has two deteriorating  disks in his neck.  Short term fix was a cortisone injection, but they are talking surgery for a long term fix.  He is going for a second opinion. 

Terry, Brian’s stepdad, is leaving for Minnesota on Sunday morning, he will be having surgery on his pancreas on June 7th.  Hopefully this will fix his many of problems that he has been dealing with over the past few years.  Brian and Karmen will be flying up there on the 6th to be with Karen during this time. 

Cole, Kenna’s son, just got out of the hospital, he has had some serious problems breathing and needed to be under an oxygen tent.  He is much better now and is at home, but still needs prayers!

What is in my purse…

I find it funny that every morning when I get to work, I go digging around for my cell phone and I find something new in my purse every morning.  This morning, I find:

A plastic ping pong ball
A dum dum wrapper
A princess sticker
2 heart shaped rings
A dum dum sucker
An empty thing of trident gum
1 stick of gum left in a mushed up box of trident
4 bottles of pills
2 pens
1 pager
1 tube of sunscreen
And my keys

Betcha can’t guess what is mine and what is Gracie’s

Snapfish: Pick up 25 photo prints at Walmart for $1

I use Snapfish for all my prints and this is a great deal, it is just going to be fighting the Walmart traffic that will be hectic!

Snapfish: Pick up 25 photo prints at Walmart for $1: "

Through May 28, 2010, you can order 25 prints from Snapfish.com and choose to pick them up at Walmart and you’ll only pay $1. Here’s how:

::Sign up or log in to your account on Snapfish.com

::Upload 25 photos and add them to your cart.

::Go to checkout and choose “pick up my order” and find your nearest Walmart location.

::Enter coupon code WM25PICS and you’ll only pay $1.

Steakhouse Potato Salad Recipe

This looks delicious! I might have to try this for our Family Reunion coming up!

steakhouse potato salad recipe at kraftfoods.com

Groupon

If you are not signed up on Groupon, I suggest you go there now and sign up!  They will deliver great deals right to your inbox daily for local deals.  Our local deals would be in Oklahoma City, but who wouldn't drive an hour and a half for a massage that cost 1/2 the price at a great spa!!

Groupon features an unbeatable deal on the best stuff to do, see, eat, and buy in your city. By promising businesses a minimum number of customers, they get discounts you won't find anywhere else. It is a “coupon” made available by a group of people buying it – that is why it is called “Groupon!”  :)

How do you get today’s deal?  Just click "BUY" before the offer ends at midnight. If the minimum number of people sign up, we'll charge your card and send you a link to print your Groupon. If not enough people join, no one gets it (and you won't be charged), so invite your friends to make sure you get the deal!  You can even buy the certificares to use as a gift, unless the Fine Print specifically states otherwise.

It’s free to sign up, so sign up today to start viewing the deal of the day!

Post it Note Tuesday

Get the FREE samples of Crystal Light!

Taste for yourself how easy it is to turn good 'ole water into a naturally sweetened, low-calorie drink with FREE samples of Crystal light Pure Fitness flavor packets, exclusively from Vocalpoint. www.vocalpoint.com/purefitness

Photos of Branson

These are just a few of the pictures from Branson, I didn't take very many this trip, as I was having too much fun!! 

Branson

What can I say?  We had a great time!!  First and Foremost, thank you so very much to Mema and Papa Ron for everything!!  We appreciate it more than you will ever know!!  The car ride there, was short it seemed, although Gracie ran out of things to do within the first hour of the trip.  Oh well, she still did great in the car.  When we got to Branson, our room was awesome.  1400 square feet, 2 bedrooms, 4 beds, washer, dryer, dishwasher, whirlpool tub, this rooms had the works!!  And it wasn’t on the 32nd floor either, we got a great spot.  We got to go do all sorts of great things!  We went to a fish hatchery, and let Gracie feed the fish, we rode the Ducks, of which, Gracie drove.  That little toot, just walked right on up there and was the captain of our ship for a little bit.  We did a ton of shopping and of course, no trip would be complete without a trip to Wal-mart.  Brian needed a new bathing suit, and Mema wanted to buy Gracie some headphones for her DVD player for the car ride home.  HA!  We went swimming, we watched fountains at the Landing, had some great food, and Brian and Gracie enjoyed morning walks together around the hotel while everyone was getting ready.  All in all, it was a great trip!!  Not quite long enough break away from everything, but it will have to do!

I know you all want to see pictures, but I will have to send those out hopefully later tonight!

Well we made it to our destination! We are so excited to be here and Gracie did wonderful job in the car. We only had to stop three times!

Ok so we left the house at 830 this morning and Gracie has already ran out of activities to do. We are driving along and Gracie is having a wonderful time.

Just because I have done a lot of research on headaches lately…

Did you know that…

Compact fluorescent bulbs, the twisted looking replacement lights that use as little as one fourth the power of their common incandescent counterparts (and last much longer), are being adopted worldwide in an effort to reduce energy consumption. They are even becoming mandatory in some countries -- a little troubling according to the Daily Mail, which reports that health experts in the U.K. say the green bulbs can cause migraine headaches or other disconcerting symptoms in many people.
The bulbs work in the same way as the long, traditional fluorescent tube lights seen in many commercial establishments. This means that they can produce light that subtly flickers, unnoticeable by many, but a big problem for others, especially epileptics, who can suffer from seizures under fluorescent bulbs. According the U.K.'s Migraine Action Association and other health organizations, the lights also cause headaches, as well as nausea, dizziness, and even physical pain for those suffering with lupus, according to the study.

And yes, I know this as true, as my sister in law spent a ton of money replacing all of her bulbs in her house with the above bulbs only to find out later that these were causing her migraines.

Oh so Ready!!

I am so ready to head off to Branson with the family!  We leave tomorrow morning.  Gracie is so excited, she has had her bag packed for a month.  I am going to try to blog some while I am there, but if not, you know you will hear all about it when I get back.

In the meantime, get your helmets out folks, and honker down, could be a bumpy ride tonight with the weather.  Stay safe, peace out, as Gracie said last night!

Post it Note Tuesdays

The Last Lecture

Have you ever heard of Randy Pausch?  If you haven’t, I encourage you to go out and get his book.  I have listened to his lecture online a million times, ok, probably like 5, but it is well worth it.  I bought the book on Itunes last year, and still listen to it when I need a pick me up.  I hear different things each time I listen to it.  I am not going to spoil the book for you, but I am encouraging you to go get the book.  Here are a few quotes from the book:

You can’t get there alone. People have to help you and I do believe in karma. I believe in paybacks. You get people to help you by telling the truth. Being earnest.

Apologize when you screw up and focus on other people, not on yourself.

Somewhere along the way there’s got to be some aspect of what lets you get to achieve your dreams. First one is the role of parents, mentors, and students.

It’s very important to know when you’re in a pissing match. And it’s very important to get out of it as quickly as possible.

The brick walls are not there to keep us out. The brick walls are there to give us a chance to show how badly we want something. Because the brick walls are there to stop the people who don’t want it badly enough.

Head fake learning is absolutely important, and you should keep your eye out for them because they’re everywhere.

When you see yourself doing something badly and nobody’s bothering to tell you anymore, that’s a very bad place to be. Your critics are your ones telling you they still love you and care.

We cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand.

It’s not about how to achieve your dreams. It’s about how to lead your life. If you lead your life the right way, the karma will take care of itself. The dreams will come to you.

I forget sometimes what is important in life and sometimes how to appreciate it.  Sometimes it takes certain things to put all that into perspective and I have to have a little breakdown to come to grips with it all.

Saturdays

Today was suppose to be a day of traveling all over the place for me.  We were suppose to go to my cousins house this morning in the big city, but we canceled because we didn't want to be stuck in the house with two crazy three year olds, because we thought it would be raining.  Then, we were going to run back here to have dinner with my mom and family for her mother's day.  Well, that got canceled too.  So, instead, Miss Gracie and I stayed at home cleaning all morning, then we had slushies at Sonic for lunch, then naptime.  Oh, how I love nap time, especially since I had a headache.  Then we got ready, and took Daddy to get some new shoes for our vacation coming up.  Then we decided to have dinner with Mema and Papa, to plan our vacation.  Tomorrow is church, and yard work, if it doesn't rain.  I can't wait for my vacation, I need a break from every day life for sure!

5 Question Friday

1. Take your pick...date night, girls night out, or night out alone?  Right now, any night would do!  But seriously, I would love to have another date night with the hubby, maybe an overnight trip to OKC to watch a Redhawks game or something.  I don't know, something FUN though!
2. Can you touch your nose with your tongue? Actually, yes I can.

3. What is your favorite flower and why? Gerbera Daisy.  I have always liked them, I don't know why I started liking them, just always have thought they were pretty.

4. If you could go back in time, what advice would you give yourself?  Oh man, to much advice to list on here that is for sure!  One thing is for sure though, I would definitely listen to my parents when they told me not to hang out with certain people.

5. If you won the lottery, what is the very first thing you would do? Pay off debt, considering our house payment is going up $50.00 each month due to not enough in escrow, I would pay it off first.

Oh yeah, and just for the record, sugar free candy is not that bad at all!!  I needed something to satisfy my craving OK??  They just don't make that many choices of sugar free things.  I bought the Crystal Light Chewy Candy, yes that is what it is called, and it does taste like starburst.

For whatever reason I had a tough day today... I sure hope tomorrow is better. Things aren't always what they seem either.

Coupon Preview

Be sure to pick up a Sunday paper this weekend, their will be three coupon inserts in there.

6 Days People

6 Days since my last Diet Coke and I haven't had any candy since then either.  I am on a roll.  Bless those who live with me though...

A Newborn's Conversation with God

Not Sure I have ever read this before, but it certainly brought a little tear to my eye…
A baby asked God,
"They tell me you are sending me to earth tomorrow, but how am I going to live there being so small and helpless?"
God said, "Your angel will be waiting for you and will take care of you."
The child further inquired, "But tell me, here in heaven I don't have to do anything but sing and smile to be happy."
God said, "Your angel will sing for you and will also smile for you and you will feel your angel's love and be very happy."
Again the small child asked, "And how am I going to be able to understand when people talk to me if I don't know the language?"
God said, "Your angel will tell you the most beautiful and sweet words you will ever hear, and with much patience and care, your angel will teach you how to speak."
"And what am I going to do when I want to talk to you?"
God said, "Your angel will place your hands together and will teach you how to pray."
"Who will protect me?"
God said, "Your angel will defend you even if it means risking its life."
"But I will always be sad because I will not see you anymore."
God said, "Your angel will always talk to you about Me and will teach you the way to come back to Me, even though I will always be next to you."
At that moment there was much peace in Heaven, but voices from Earth could be heard and the child hurriedly asked,  "God, if I am to leave now, please  tell me my angel's name."
God said, "You will simply call her, " Mom ."

Buttering me up

My friend invited me over for lunch today, she said I will cook.  Which is awesome, because she is a great cook!  But she was trying to butter me up for sure!!  She wanted me to create her a blog.  You see, her family is packing up and heading out to West Texas, and falling off the face of this earth :)  I kid, I kid.  So, anyway, she needs a way to update all of her friends and family back here in the GREAT state of Oklahoma on her daily trials and tribulations with her twinadoes!! 

She said, I will make something from Pioneer Woman’s cookbook, which got me all excited, because everything in that cookbook, is awesome!!  So she made this:

Buttered Rosemary Rolls

AND THIS

Pasta Al la Betsy

Both were awesome!!  Not only that, she sent me home with the entire tub of leftovers!!  BONUS!!  No cooking for me tonight!!

If you want to read about her twinadoes, go here.  If she hasn’t posted anything yet, come back here and tell me, because I will hound her until she does!!

Fab Five Coupons

Sent to you by Gena via Google Reader:

Fab Five Coupons

via Fabulessly Frugal by Monica on 5/11/10

$3.00/2 Degree Men Invisible Solid & Deodorant

$2/1 Midol 20 ct or larger

$3.00/1 any Non-Drowsy Claritin

$1.50/1  Wheatables Nut Crisps or Crackers

$1.50/2 General Mills Cereal Thanks Sarah

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Ok, Here’s the deal…

So, you know I have been having headaches.  Well, last week, I went to see the doctor.  I was tired of taking all of this aspirin and it not working and me walking around in a daze all the time, because my head hurt so bad.  So, Dr. J said, first of all, that my nasal cavity was too small, and that was causing a lot of stuffiness, and not enough drainage.  So, he wanted me to take a shot every 3 months, and take an allergy pill daily.  He also said that I needed to be on a new headache control medicine, which I just started today.  The headache control medicine has a wonderful side effect, which is a decrease in appetite.  So, with this side effect, he wanted me off of diet coke, which I am addicted.  AND I am proud to say today is my 3rd day without any!  There are even some in the refrigerator at home, and I haven’t touched them.  Diet Cherry 7up is awesome!  He also wanted color on my plate, no carbs, or starches.  Which I FAILED at today, I had a huge baked potato for lunch, but it was covered in color :)  Anyway, let’s just pray that this medicine works, because I am tired of having headaches.

Oh yeah, and two funnies about Gracie:

1.  I caught her biting her toenails in church-EEWW!!

2.  She said she wanted a nose ring last night.  She said, I want a sparkly thing here in my nose, and I said, Like a button to hold your nose onto your face, and she said “No, like an earring in my nose, all sparkly and pretty.”  Her dad wasn’t haven’t, he proceeded to tell her, “As long as you live in this house, you will never have one of those.”

Yep, paying for my raising… 

Post It Note Tuesday

She has grown up so much!

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Came across this the other day! Too cute not to share…

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

For my Mom…

Since this weekend is Mother’s Day, I thought I would dedicate a post to my mom.  Wow, have we been through some rough patches in our 31 years together.  But, let me just tell you how so very thankful I am for you!  I have a best friend in you, one that I can call anytime just to talk, or show up on a Saturday and go shopping at short notice.  You have taught me right from wrong, taught me if you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all, and always be the bigger person!  You have taught me so many things in life, that I will be forever thankful!  I love you mom!


 
 

5 Question Friday

1. What is your worst memory of your siblings?  Honestly, I do not have one.  I have a ton of great memories though.  My sister was older than my brother and I by a few years, 7 older than me and 11 older than Zack.  So, she was gone a lot, but I still remember laying in her bed before her wedding day, talking about all kinds of things.  That was so great, that she took time out to talk with me!  Zack and I grew up together basically, we were always riding four wheelers, playing outside, or swimming.  We were definitely water rats!  Spent our whole summer in the pool, unless he had ball games, then we got in the pool afterwards!


2. What was YOUR naughtiest childhood memory? (Must be something YOU did, no pawning it off on someone else!)  Oh my, there are so many.  And I mean, when I was a teenager, I did so many bad things!  I used to live in an apartment behind our house when I was 14, it was like 5 feet from our house, but it had it’s own entrance.  Yes, my parents were crazy for letting me live out there, but I thought it was cool.  I would sneak out the back window, but to sneak out, you had to jump down about 8 feet or so, climb a fence, get on top of outhouse, climb that roof and jump down another fence.  It was hell getting back in.  Well, I snuck out one night, and ripped my shirt and pants.  I went and did my thing, keeping it clean folks!  I snuck back in the house, and after struggling for about 1 hour to get back in, I get in the window and I was like “yes, I made it finally”  No one has to know, I open the door to the bathroom, and there is my dad waiting on me.  Yep, he had been there the whole time, and didn’t even help me climb back in the window.  He sat there and laughed at me.  I was so mad, and embarrassed.   Needless to say, I was grounded and had to move back in the house.  Well, the big house only had two bedrooms, so yep, you guessed it, I had to sleep on my brother’s floor for the next 6 months.   


3. Where do you like to go to relax?  Well, when I do relax it is usually sitting on the crocheting or making hair bows.  But I sure do love to treat myself to a pedicure.  But don’t you just hate it when you go get one, and they sit you next to the lady that won’t shut up or is on her cell phone all the time. 


4. What was the last thing you won?  I won two free tickets to Elmo Live, and yes we enjoyed it very much!


5. If you could be on a game show, which would you choose?  1 vs. 100, I love that show, and they replay it on the Game Show network.  I am good a trivia, especially at Music trivia.