Here are the recipes for my Marathon Meals.
Taco Soup
2 pounds lean ground beef, cooked and drained
2 cans corn or Mexican Fiesta Corn
1 can Rotel
2 (15 ounce) cans canned tomatoes
2 cans pinto beans
2 cans kidney beans
Taco Seasoning to taste (This simple recipe is AMAZING!)
1 package Ranch dressing mix
Combine all ingredients, simmer 45 minutes, serve.
Wendy's Chili
Trust me, just make this chili, found here. And use an 8 quart stock pot like she says. Otherwise, it ends up on the floor (not that I would know or anything.)
Chicken Casserole
2 pounds of chicken ~ You can use whatever you prefer ~ I use whatever is on sale. This week it was chicken thighs.
2 cans cream of chicken soup
1/2 small onion (or to taste), diced
1 bag stuffing (your choice, I use Herb Stuffing by Pepperidge Farms)
1 cup melted butter
1 can of chicken broth, or 4-6 cubes of homemade chicken stock
Boil chicken until done. In the meantime, combine stuffing and butter. Place 2/3 of stuffing on bottom of plan. Once chicken is done, cut it up and place on top of stuffing. Top with chopped onion, then both cans of cream of chicken soup. Top with remaining stuffing, and pour chicken stock/broth on top of entire casserole. Bake at 350 for 35-45 minutes.
Beef Enchilada Casserole
Beef Enchilada Casserole is basically beef enchiladas, just not rolled up into enchilada form. We have a large family and can fit much more into a pan this way.
1-2 pounds lean ground beef, cooked and drained
Taco seasoning, to taste
6 large flour tortillas
1 large can enchilada sauce
2 cups mexican cheese (or whatever cheese you choose)
Season cooked ground beef with taco seasoning to taste. Place 2 tortillas in bottom of large baking dish (9x13, 8 1/2x11, etc). Place 1/2 of ground beef mixture on top, then cover with 1/3 of cheese. Repeat once more. Finish off with 2 tortillas on top, followed by enchilada sauce and cheese. Bake at 350 for 35-45 minutes, or until cheese is melted and casserole is golden brown.
I serve this with lettuce, tomatoes, and light sour cream.
Breakfast Burritos
These are a favorite at our house! This recipe is for serving 6.
3/4-1 pound breakfast sausage
12 eggs
1 cup mild cheddar cheese
6-8 tortillas
salsa
Cook breakfast sausage until done; add eggs. Scramble well, cook until desired consistency. Add cheese. Fill tortillas, and top with salsa before serving. If making these for freezer meal breakfasts, do not add salsa until served.
Hope these meals serve you as well as they have served my family!
Saturday, August 4, 2012
Friday, August 3, 2012
Marathon Meals
I have the best intentions for creating healthy, well balanced meals for my family every night. Lean meat with healthy portions of fresh vegetables. Food prepared by me, for my family.
As the saying goes, "The road to hell is paved with the best intentions"
Some days, time gets away from me. And to be honest, some days I just do not want to cook. Unhealthy options have become limitless. Dollar Menus, Value Menus, $.99 Menus, BOGO pizza... Can you tell we frequent these places too often? I know who has the best deal on food most days of the week.
However, I have seen what I consider a "new craze" (yes, I know my hipster talk has your attention) on Pinterest. I haven't seen a name for it yet, but I'm calling it Marathon Meals.
If your heart just fell, take note: these meals have nothing to do with running 26.2 miles, or preparing to run 26.2 miles.
The basic idea is this: You dedicate a block of time to prepare a large number of meals, then freeze them. On days where cooking is out, eating well doesn't have to be.
I read the recipes that some use to do this, but ultimately thought about my own favorite recipes that would probably freeze well. I tried to stick with things that were similar, because that seems like it makes the prep that much easier.
Here is what I came up with. (Most bloggers would insert some photos here, but I honestly just didn't think about it when I was cooking. Next time!)
Taco Soup
Chili
Chicken Casserole
Beef Enchilada Casserole
Breakfast Burritos
Click here for a link to the recipes.
The biggest bulk of the recipes is ground beef. Ground beef is easy to work with and we love it. I always buy the leanest I can find, never going below 93% lean. Ask your local meat department when they mark their meat down, and buy it on sale. When I do that, the meat is even cheaper than the regular priced 70% lean (that just sounds wrong ~ 70% lean?!)
I cooked the ground beef (about 9 pounds total) all together, then divided it up between the recipes that called for it. While I was cooking the ground beef, I also had chicken cooking for the chicken casserole. This way, basically all that is left for the first four meals is assembly. Cooking the meat portion took all of about 20 minutes.
Then I broke out the stock pots and disposable aluminum pans. In one stock pot, all the ingredients for Taco Soup. In the other, Chili. Two aluminum pans got Chicken Casserole, and two others got Beef Enchilada Casserole. I covered them with aluminum foil, labeled what they were and the date, and they went into the freezer.
While the soup and chili simmered, I reserved the chicken broth ~ from the chicken prepared for the casserole ~ into an ice tray.The next day I put the frozen cubes into a freezer bag. Voila! Perfect chicken stock, and I know exactly what is in it. Be prepared to never use that tray for anything other than preparing chicken stock, however. No matter how much you wash it, the smell is never going away.
Then I started on the Breakfast Burritos. Those took about 30 minutes, tops. I placed the filling inside the tortillas, rolled them up, and placed them in freezer bags.
All that was left was the Taco Soup and Chili. I filled up gallon size Ziploc bags, 2 with Taco Soup, and 3 with Chili., laid them flat in the freezer (so they take up less space once frozen solid), and cleaned the stock pots.
In less than 2 hours, I had 9 dinners for a family of 6 and 20 breakfast burritos made, as well as a clean kitchen. Now on those days where I don't feel like cooking, I can just pull out one of our "Marathon Meal" dinners!
As the saying goes, "The road to hell is paved with the best intentions"
Some days, time gets away from me. And to be honest, some days I just do not want to cook. Unhealthy options have become limitless. Dollar Menus, Value Menus, $.99 Menus, BOGO pizza... Can you tell we frequent these places too often? I know who has the best deal on food most days of the week.
However, I have seen what I consider a "new craze" (yes, I know my hipster talk has your attention) on Pinterest. I haven't seen a name for it yet, but I'm calling it Marathon Meals.
If your heart just fell, take note: these meals have nothing to do with running 26.2 miles, or preparing to run 26.2 miles.
The basic idea is this: You dedicate a block of time to prepare a large number of meals, then freeze them. On days where cooking is out, eating well doesn't have to be.
I read the recipes that some use to do this, but ultimately thought about my own favorite recipes that would probably freeze well. I tried to stick with things that were similar, because that seems like it makes the prep that much easier.
Here is what I came up with. (Most bloggers would insert some photos here, but I honestly just didn't think about it when I was cooking. Next time!)
Taco Soup
Chili
Chicken Casserole
Beef Enchilada Casserole
Breakfast Burritos
Click here for a link to the recipes.
The biggest bulk of the recipes is ground beef. Ground beef is easy to work with and we love it. I always buy the leanest I can find, never going below 93% lean. Ask your local meat department when they mark their meat down, and buy it on sale. When I do that, the meat is even cheaper than the regular priced 70% lean (that just sounds wrong ~ 70% lean?!)
I cooked the ground beef (about 9 pounds total) all together, then divided it up between the recipes that called for it. While I was cooking the ground beef, I also had chicken cooking for the chicken casserole. This way, basically all that is left for the first four meals is assembly. Cooking the meat portion took all of about 20 minutes.
Then I broke out the stock pots and disposable aluminum pans. In one stock pot, all the ingredients for Taco Soup. In the other, Chili. Two aluminum pans got Chicken Casserole, and two others got Beef Enchilada Casserole. I covered them with aluminum foil, labeled what they were and the date, and they went into the freezer.
While the soup and chili simmered, I reserved the chicken broth ~ from the chicken prepared for the casserole ~ into an ice tray.The next day I put the frozen cubes into a freezer bag. Voila! Perfect chicken stock, and I know exactly what is in it. Be prepared to never use that tray for anything other than preparing chicken stock, however. No matter how much you wash it, the smell is never going away.
Then I started on the Breakfast Burritos. Those took about 30 minutes, tops. I placed the filling inside the tortillas, rolled them up, and placed them in freezer bags.
All that was left was the Taco Soup and Chili. I filled up gallon size Ziploc bags, 2 with Taco Soup, and 3 with Chili., laid them flat in the freezer (so they take up less space once frozen solid), and cleaned the stock pots.
In less than 2 hours, I had 9 dinners for a family of 6 and 20 breakfast burritos made, as well as a clean kitchen. Now on those days where I don't feel like cooking, I can just pull out one of our "Marathon Meal" dinners!
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Not Prude, Just Private
Have you ever gone into a store kicking and screaming, because you absolutely did not want to be seen in that store? I mean, what is the off chance you may or may not see someone ~ who you may or may not know ~ and you may or may not ever see that person again, right? Why chance the awkward embarrassment that will inevitably follow when, if you have my luck, you see them there and then again at your child's school program?
I like to remain anonymous. Better to just order stuff online.
Unless you wait until the last minute. Which is exactly what I did.
I pulled into our local "Adult Fun Time" store and parked right in front of the sign that says, "Monitored by Electronic Surveillance 24/7."
So much for remaining anonymous. However, I realize that unless something goes down while I'm there, chances are the tapes will not be reviewed. I take a deep breath, get out of the car and head inside.
I stepped inside and looked around, immediately assessing who is in the store. And by who, I mean I am checking to see how many men are in the store and where they are located. Because shopping for "Adult Fun Time" items without dying from embarrassment requires there be only women around. I would prefer no one, but I can get through it without need of a paper bag for hyperventilation so long as only women are present.
At the cash register is a man and woman, checking out. My first thought is, "Good, at least they will be gone soon, and probably won't even notice I'm here."
Wrong.
Happy Employee #1 spots me and says in her loudest voice, "Hey! Welcome to Adult Fun Time!"
Mortified. Yes, that about sums up my feelings at that moment. I wanted to yell back at her, "This is NOT Moe's! I do NOT need you to greet me from across the store and draw attention to me!" However, I smile politely back and avoid eye contact with anyone.
That lasts about 90 seconds. Then I am approached by Happy Employee #2, who asks me if I need help finding anything. Ha! As if I would ever tell anyone (except for my husband) what I am here for. I use the reliable, super-cool, "No, I'm just looking," line.
I'm sure these Happy Employees must have had a class on how to not laugh at the customer while they are around. Perhaps my picture was on the slideshow during the presentation.
I peruse the aisles, waiting patiently for the man and woman at the cash register to leave, because what if they have the entire store memorized and they know what section I am in?
By this point I feel like I should have worn a sign that says "Super-Prude."
About 5 minutes later, I realize the man and woman still have not left. Seriously, how long does it take to check out? Then I hear the conversation the woman is having with Happy Employee #1.
"Yeah, he doesn't pull out. I haven't seen his sperm in years."
Oh. My. Sweet. God. I want to plug my ears and sing a happy song, but I realize that will make me seem even more "off" than I already seem. I try desperately not to hear any more, but with the woman talking loudly, it is pretty difficult not to hear what she has to say about her husband. To the complete stranger that is the cashier. With her husband standing right there.
I'm pretty sure I was in The Twilight Zone.
And then I wonder, did this cashier know she was also going to be a sex therapist when she signed on to work for Adult Fun Time for minimum wage?
At this point, I have to choose my items and get out of there before I have an anxiety attack. I pick up my purchases and head to the cash register, where the man and woman are still standing. By now, I would pay them to leave.
As I walk up to stand behind them in line, they leave. Finally. Then I realize Happy Employee #1 may ask me personal questions and expect me to talk to her like the previous customers did. Panic!!!
However, she remembers seeing my picture on the slideshow and doesn't press the issue. Whew, crisis averted.
This, my friends, is why I do not shop in certain stores and order online instead. And I will never procrastinate again. At least when it concerns Adult Fun Time.
I like to remain anonymous. Better to just order stuff online.
Unless you wait until the last minute. Which is exactly what I did.
I pulled into our local "Adult Fun Time" store and parked right in front of the sign that says, "Monitored by Electronic Surveillance 24/7."
So much for remaining anonymous. However, I realize that unless something goes down while I'm there, chances are the tapes will not be reviewed. I take a deep breath, get out of the car and head inside.
I stepped inside and looked around, immediately assessing who is in the store. And by who, I mean I am checking to see how many men are in the store and where they are located. Because shopping for "Adult Fun Time" items without dying from embarrassment requires there be only women around. I would prefer no one, but I can get through it without need of a paper bag for hyperventilation so long as only women are present.
At the cash register is a man and woman, checking out. My first thought is, "Good, at least they will be gone soon, and probably won't even notice I'm here."
Wrong.
Happy Employee #1 spots me and says in her loudest voice, "Hey! Welcome to Adult Fun Time!"
Mortified. Yes, that about sums up my feelings at that moment. I wanted to yell back at her, "This is NOT Moe's! I do NOT need you to greet me from across the store and draw attention to me!" However, I smile politely back and avoid eye contact with anyone.
That lasts about 90 seconds. Then I am approached by Happy Employee #2, who asks me if I need help finding anything. Ha! As if I would ever tell anyone (except for my husband) what I am here for. I use the reliable, super-cool, "No, I'm just looking," line.
I'm sure these Happy Employees must have had a class on how to not laugh at the customer while they are around. Perhaps my picture was on the slideshow during the presentation.
I peruse the aisles, waiting patiently for the man and woman at the cash register to leave, because what if they have the entire store memorized and they know what section I am in?
By this point I feel like I should have worn a sign that says "Super-Prude."
About 5 minutes later, I realize the man and woman still have not left. Seriously, how long does it take to check out? Then I hear the conversation the woman is having with Happy Employee #1.
"Yeah, he doesn't pull out. I haven't seen his sperm in years."
Oh. My. Sweet. God. I want to plug my ears and sing a happy song, but I realize that will make me seem even more "off" than I already seem. I try desperately not to hear any more, but with the woman talking loudly, it is pretty difficult not to hear what she has to say about her husband. To the complete stranger that is the cashier. With her husband standing right there.
I'm pretty sure I was in The Twilight Zone.
And then I wonder, did this cashier know she was also going to be a sex therapist when she signed on to work for Adult Fun Time for minimum wage?
At this point, I have to choose my items and get out of there before I have an anxiety attack. I pick up my purchases and head to the cash register, where the man and woman are still standing. By now, I would pay them to leave.
As I walk up to stand behind them in line, they leave. Finally. Then I realize Happy Employee #1 may ask me personal questions and expect me to talk to her like the previous customers did. Panic!!!
However, she remembers seeing my picture on the slideshow and doesn't press the issue. Whew, crisis averted.
This, my friends, is why I do not shop in certain stores and order online instead. And I will never procrastinate again. At least when it concerns Adult Fun Time.
Sunday, July 24, 2011
After a small hiatus (about 18 months), I'm blogging again. I was reading through some of my older posts yesterday and the memories made me smile, so I thought I'd add some more.
In the past 18 months, we've survived 3 deployments, 1 job change, and 1 tornado; those were the big things. The smaller, everyday, seemingly insignificant things that almost drove me insane include Bieber Fever, WWE, and All Things Johnny Depp (thank you, Madi.)
This weekend Daniel had a friend over, and they were hanging out in his room. Two 11 year old boys, playing Xbox, and all they wanted was to be left alone. Apparently his friend forgot the fact that Daniel has 2 little sisters that do not understand the term "Leave me alone." I'm certain they do not understand it because no matter how loudly he tells them "leave me alone," they do not leave him alone.
So, Daniel and his friend wanted the little girls to stop coming in Daniel's room. His friend says to the girls, "If you don't stop coming in here, I'm gonna...OH MAN, there's no lock on this door!!! Arrggghh! If you don't stop coming in here, I'm gonna make you smell my armpits!"
Resourceful. There's a word to describe tweenage boys. And it worked.
Fast forward a few hours, and we decided to go to WalMart and the Commiscary. And yes, I realize it is properly spelled Commissary, but seriously, if you've ever been to the Commissary I go to, you would realize it should be called the Commiscary.
We were sitting in the turning lane to WalMart, and everyone except Ashlyn realized we were in the turning lane to WalMart. When Madi tells her just to listen for the turn signal in order to know whether we are turning or not, Ashlyn confesses that up until recently she thought that sound was my fingers tapping on the steering wheel as we waited to turn.
I know I should drive for Nascar, but really, am I that bad???
When we got to WalMart, I donned a Captain America mask and shield (minus the 6 pack abs, they will be along shortly, I'm sure), Daniel became Thor, complete with mask and weapon, and Madi stood in as SpiderMan. We saved the world on the toy aisle of WalMart while the little girls looked at Barbies.
You are welcome.
As we returned home, I started looking at the porch decor in my neighborhood. I noticed recently that someone has elephants out on their steps... I've seen lions and gnomes... so I was just observing, when I saw a pair of wings on a small statue on the front steps of a house. I came to a dead stop and told Madi to look at the gargoyle.
Only it was an angel.
My bad.
But after those elephants, you just never know what you may see...
Friday, January 23, 2009
Happy Happy Birthday From All of us to You, We Wish it was Our Birthday, so We could Party too!
Tonight as I write this, there are 5 twelve year old girls upstairs celebrating the birthday of my first born.
I'm sure you can imagine the sounds: laughter, squeals, whispers, and an occasional thud thud thud as they run down the stairs to get more soda and chocolate.
As I think back over the last 12 years, I am astounded. This little bundle who forced me to grow up so much has flourished into a beautiful young lady. She shines from the inside out. She loves life, and all the twists and turns it takes. She adapts like no one I have ever seen before. She has become accustomed to having two phases of friendship: the active, present phase, which occurs when we live somewhere, and the keeping up with friends far away phase, which occurs when we or they move away, which invariably always happens, living the military lifestyle. She cries, like every girl is entitled to do, but picks herself up and keeps going.
Madi is our little smarty pants. She is a grade ahead in school (apparently the entire 7th grade had a party today to celebrate the fact that there is no one who is 11 years old anymore in their grade level) and is at the top of her class. She strives to do her best work, and will go out of her way to make sure she has good grades. She is very hard on herself and as long as we can keep that in check, I believe this trait will serve her well in life.
Madi is a lover of learning. She still realizes she doesn't know all there is to know, and is ready to listen to advice from her parents, whether the topic is friends, boys, health, school, or work. She has learned a valuable lesson that I did not learn until I was in my 20's, and we have strived to help her learn humility. I believe a great deal has gotten through, and for that I am truly thankful.
Madi is a true friend. She is loyal to the end, and is an excellent judge of character. I do not hear horror stories as some do about their daughter's friends trashing their reputation, or getting into petty fights. I think the life experience the Army has brought to Madi is that life is too short to spend it bickering and being petty, and that we are all basically the same, and just want love and acceptance from others. And that is what Madi brings to her relationships. The freedom to be yourself without fear of judgment or condemnation.
Madi has also begun working daily as a pet sitter. We live in an ideal community for her to be able to do this after school, and she gets paid! It gives her life lessons a-plenty: responsibility (being available daily), money management, and very introductory business skills as she deals with the pet owners.
I worried so many of Madi's early years if we would be able to give this precious girl all she deserved in life, all we wanted to give her. Namely, a relationship with Jesus, loving married parents, a great education (both scholarly and worldly), a safe, loving, beautiful home...I was afraid we would not see some of these things until she was in high school or beyond, and yet here we are. Wise beyond her years, sweet as sugar, with a laugh that is infectious.
Happy 12th Birthday, Little One. I love you and am thankful you are in my life to love as much as I do, to the moon, stars, and back again.
I'm sure you can imagine the sounds: laughter, squeals, whispers, and an occasional thud thud thud as they run down the stairs to get more soda and chocolate.
As I think back over the last 12 years, I am astounded. This little bundle who forced me to grow up so much has flourished into a beautiful young lady. She shines from the inside out. She loves life, and all the twists and turns it takes. She adapts like no one I have ever seen before. She has become accustomed to having two phases of friendship: the active, present phase, which occurs when we live somewhere, and the keeping up with friends far away phase, which occurs when we or they move away, which invariably always happens, living the military lifestyle. She cries, like every girl is entitled to do, but picks herself up and keeps going.
Madi is our little smarty pants. She is a grade ahead in school (apparently the entire 7th grade had a party today to celebrate the fact that there is no one who is 11 years old anymore in their grade level) and is at the top of her class. She strives to do her best work, and will go out of her way to make sure she has good grades. She is very hard on herself and as long as we can keep that in check, I believe this trait will serve her well in life.
Madi is a lover of learning. She still realizes she doesn't know all there is to know, and is ready to listen to advice from her parents, whether the topic is friends, boys, health, school, or work. She has learned a valuable lesson that I did not learn until I was in my 20's, and we have strived to help her learn humility. I believe a great deal has gotten through, and for that I am truly thankful.
Madi is a true friend. She is loyal to the end, and is an excellent judge of character. I do not hear horror stories as some do about their daughter's friends trashing their reputation, or getting into petty fights. I think the life experience the Army has brought to Madi is that life is too short to spend it bickering and being petty, and that we are all basically the same, and just want love and acceptance from others. And that is what Madi brings to her relationships. The freedom to be yourself without fear of judgment or condemnation.
Madi has also begun working daily as a pet sitter. We live in an ideal community for her to be able to do this after school, and she gets paid! It gives her life lessons a-plenty: responsibility (being available daily), money management, and very introductory business skills as she deals with the pet owners.
I worried so many of Madi's early years if we would be able to give this precious girl all she deserved in life, all we wanted to give her. Namely, a relationship with Jesus, loving married parents, a great education (both scholarly and worldly), a safe, loving, beautiful home...I was afraid we would not see some of these things until she was in high school or beyond, and yet here we are. Wise beyond her years, sweet as sugar, with a laugh that is infectious.
Happy 12th Birthday, Little One. I love you and am thankful you are in my life to love as much as I do, to the moon, stars, and back again.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
The Story of Hermit Crab
I am a hermit by nature. I prefer to call myself a homebody, but after talking to many others, I think someone who only goes out of the house other than for work, food, and religious activities could possibly be classified as a hermit. Or when someone refers to going to the store (any store) as "going in to town" like Laura Ingalls did in Little House on the Prairie. That would be me.
So here is the scenario: Saturday, outing to the commissary (military grocery store) with ALL kids in tow, at 3 pm (peak time). After growing weary (such polite wording) of their disobedience, I threaten to swat my kids in the store so someone will call social services on me. Then we'll see who you end up living with! That bought me time to get through the last couple of aisles as the kids were thinking about their future (more like "How long til we can wear her down again?"). Pay for food. Do not pass GO, go straight home.
Sunday: Church, home. The end.
Monday: No school as it is MLK holiday. I planned ahead of time to take the kids to the movies, specifically High School Musical 3. Why not double up on sacrificing for my kids if I can? Leaving the house to do something fun (for them): check. HSM 3, yeah, I am pretty sure that equals sacrifice and I have a big parenting reward waiting in heaven for putting my kids' wants above my own.
Not only are we going to the movies, we are going to the mall. Did I mention there are 4 kids and 1 of me?
We do all it takes to get 5 people out of the house on time, drive 30 minutes to the mall, get out, and Sarah puked all over the ground. Thank heaven for small miracles as there is no puke in the truck. Go into JCPenney, get barf bag, return to truck, drive 30 minutes back home.
Tuesday: 6" of snow. No school, thus no work. Homebound, yea!!!
Wednesday: No school again! Take kids to Walmart for, you guessed it, a few groceries. Did not even look at other stuff. Home again, home again, jiggity jig.
Thursday: No school. So today, I made the ultimate sacrifice that was supposed to take place Monday, but got pushed off because of the puke. We went to see HSM 3, then to a dr's appt. We walked through the front door of our house 4 hours after we walked out of it. Not bad for doctor and a movie. Which is a good thing, because Ashlyn said her tummy hurt. Then at bedtime came the puke.
Nobody pukes when all we do is the mundane. But throw something WILD in there like shopping, movies, bowling, and somebody is bound to puke.
Depending on how tonight goes, Ashlyn and I may be hunkered down at home again tomorrow!
So here is the scenario: Saturday, outing to the commissary (military grocery store) with ALL kids in tow, at 3 pm (peak time). After growing weary (such polite wording) of their disobedience, I threaten to swat my kids in the store so someone will call social services on me. Then we'll see who you end up living with! That bought me time to get through the last couple of aisles as the kids were thinking about their future (more like "How long til we can wear her down again?"). Pay for food. Do not pass GO, go straight home.
Sunday: Church, home. The end.
Monday: No school as it is MLK holiday. I planned ahead of time to take the kids to the movies, specifically High School Musical 3. Why not double up on sacrificing for my kids if I can? Leaving the house to do something fun (for them): check. HSM 3, yeah, I am pretty sure that equals sacrifice and I have a big parenting reward waiting in heaven for putting my kids' wants above my own.
Not only are we going to the movies, we are going to the mall. Did I mention there are 4 kids and 1 of me?
We do all it takes to get 5 people out of the house on time, drive 30 minutes to the mall, get out, and Sarah puked all over the ground. Thank heaven for small miracles as there is no puke in the truck. Go into JCPenney, get barf bag, return to truck, drive 30 minutes back home.
Tuesday: 6" of snow. No school, thus no work. Homebound, yea!!!
Wednesday: No school again! Take kids to Walmart for, you guessed it, a few groceries. Did not even look at other stuff. Home again, home again, jiggity jig.
Thursday: No school. So today, I made the ultimate sacrifice that was supposed to take place Monday, but got pushed off because of the puke. We went to see HSM 3, then to a dr's appt. We walked through the front door of our house 4 hours after we walked out of it. Not bad for doctor and a movie. Which is a good thing, because Ashlyn said her tummy hurt. Then at bedtime came the puke.
Nobody pukes when all we do is the mundane. But throw something WILD in there like shopping, movies, bowling, and somebody is bound to puke.
Depending on how tonight goes, Ashlyn and I may be hunkered down at home again tomorrow!
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Christmas Blurp
I was just reading through some of my older posts and came across one where Sarah got money for her birthday and wanted to buy chocolate with her $20.
Well, she received money for Christmas, too. Forty dollars, to be exact.
As the children were each talking about what their plans were for their money, Sarah's was SO Sarah...
Forty dollars worth of Dr. Pepper and gum.
Nothing says love to a five year old like sugar and caffeine.
Well, she received money for Christmas, too. Forty dollars, to be exact.
As the children were each talking about what their plans were for their money, Sarah's was SO Sarah...
Forty dollars worth of Dr. Pepper and gum.
Nothing says love to a five year old like sugar and caffeine.
It's Like Self Torture on a Nightly Basis
It has been over 3 months since my last post, but I finally have time due to a freak snow storm! School (well, work for me!) has been cancelled for two days, as well as the MLK holiday off, end of grading period...It has been great to be home and catch up on things!
So D is on a trip for a few more weeks, and I am watching shows I would otherwise not be watching. This evening I came across women having unassisted births. I knew women do home births with midwives and doulas, but this is with NO assistance from any medical staff.
I am just in shock. I am a worry wart and would give myself a coronary just thinking about all the things that could go wrong. I mean, I almost had one just watching them do it!
Not to mention my pain tolerance is about as low as the economy right now.
I also discovered a show called "Hopkins" on WE TV. The title caught my eye since that is where my Daniel went in the summer of 2007 when he almost died from his bike accident. I am hooked.
Which is weird since...
I hate blood.
I have disdain for hospitals in general (except when they are saving our lives!).
What is my obsession with these shows where women are birthing their babies alone (not the cleanest scenario) and hospitals where people's brains/hearts/lungs are on parade?
Why can't I just watch the HSN or sports like normal people? Or HGTV, like I used to, for crying out loud?
I wish I had a web cam. I would love to see my facial expressions as I am watching...er, grimacing at, these shows I TURNED TO!
So D is on a trip for a few more weeks, and I am watching shows I would otherwise not be watching. This evening I came across women having unassisted births. I knew women do home births with midwives and doulas, but this is with NO assistance from any medical staff.
I am just in shock. I am a worry wart and would give myself a coronary just thinking about all the things that could go wrong. I mean, I almost had one just watching them do it!
Not to mention my pain tolerance is about as low as the economy right now.
I also discovered a show called "Hopkins" on WE TV. The title caught my eye since that is where my Daniel went in the summer of 2007 when he almost died from his bike accident. I am hooked.
Which is weird since...
I hate blood.
I have disdain for hospitals in general (except when they are saving our lives!).
What is my obsession with these shows where women are birthing their babies alone (not the cleanest scenario) and hospitals where people's brains/hearts/lungs are on parade?
Why can't I just watch the HSN or sports like normal people? Or HGTV, like I used to, for crying out loud?
I wish I had a web cam. I would love to see my facial expressions as I am watching...er, grimacing at, these shows I TURNED TO!
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Monday, October 6, 2008
Crazy Fall...or is that Crazy FOR Fall?
I cannot believe it has really been two months since I have posted! I am such a slacker when it comes to these things, especially when new adjustments come.
Like working full time.
And becoming a "football mom". To Daniel, of course.
We are home less and less these days, but I know the end, it is a comin'. Daniel's last game is Nov. 1, and I am both excited at the thought of being home those 4 days a week and also saddened by the end of a new era in our lives. Until next fall, anyway.
Work is fine. It keeps me busy, and provides us with extra income, which is always helpful! As far as fulfilling, I would give it a 5 on a 10 scale. Not my ideal, but I know God is using me and my attitude of friendliness as I allow Him to. And I have no idea what would score a 10 on my scale.
We are going to the mountains this weekend. I am SO EXCITED!!! The leaves are in full color, the temps are perfection, and we will see family for a brief time. Heaven. We are taking our kids to a famous mountain and to see some amazing caverns, which they have never seen before and do not even really know what to expect. It is like opening a gift and watching the reaction; priceless.
Maybe I will be able to post before two more months!
Like working full time.
And becoming a "football mom". To Daniel, of course.
We are home less and less these days, but I know the end, it is a comin'. Daniel's last game is Nov. 1, and I am both excited at the thought of being home those 4 days a week and also saddened by the end of a new era in our lives. Until next fall, anyway.
Work is fine. It keeps me busy, and provides us with extra income, which is always helpful! As far as fulfilling, I would give it a 5 on a 10 scale. Not my ideal, but I know God is using me and my attitude of friendliness as I allow Him to. And I have no idea what would score a 10 on my scale.
We are going to the mountains this weekend. I am SO EXCITED!!! The leaves are in full color, the temps are perfection, and we will see family for a brief time. Heaven. We are taking our kids to a famous mountain and to see some amazing caverns, which they have never seen before and do not even really know what to expect. It is like opening a gift and watching the reaction; priceless.
Maybe I will be able to post before two more months!
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Lessons
I am so thankful D is home.
I have seen over the last 11 years why God put two people together to raise a family. As independent and self-suffucient as I can be, it is definitely not desirable. I need him, and he needs me. I like that.
I have read posts today of people hurting. Women, in particular, hurting. Their pain is tangible. And it breaks my heart.
For whatever reason, since having my kids and especially since D went to war for over 2 years, when others are in pain, REAL pain, not the whiny stuff (like my last post!), I hurt for them and just want their life to be better.
We were at a Weekend to Remember conference in February and the speaker told a story of a couple who lost 2 children in an accident. I cried so much another couple sitting by us thought we must have had some similar situation. Thankfully we have not. I just cannot imagine their pain.
So as I was reading these blogs, I cried so much D stopped and asked if I was ok. Note: I am hormonal, and I DO cry at the drop of a hat during PMS. But the tears would have come regardless.
I am trying to figure out what God wants me to do with this tenderness I have for other people's pain, their struggles. In my new job, there is not a lot of room and/or tolerance from my co-workers for having concern for other people. It is a fine line, I agree, that many people just want your pity. And I am pretty discerning when it comes to that.
But there are other people who truly have a difficult life. That's just the way it is. Should I go out of my way to help them? I feel a pull to do just that. But how will my co-workers view me? We are a tight office, and I am the newby. How do I give in to God and maintain close relationships with those around me? I will have to trust God to maintain those relationships as I am faithful to Him.
For the past 12 years, I have been able to choose who I spend time with. And now, I am forced into relationships that are uncomfortable. Some people bring out the worst in me. Others encourage me. But overall, I feel like I am just in "learning" mode. Learning how to deal with people I would probably never have chosen in the past to spend time with.
Satan spends a great deal of time telling me how pathetic I am at this. I am a type A, perfectionist, organized, well-spoken. I do not tend to take on a task unless I know I can complete it well. Just to finish is not enough for me. I have to leave a mark. To be in a new job, with new people, where I feel like I am dropping the ball once a day is daunting to me. I feel like a complete failure and am sure my job is in jeopardy. But when I speak to my office confidant (also a believer, worked in this environment for several years, mature) she assures me that it is just the enemy and everyone drops the ball sometimes. At one point or another, everyone feels like they are just blowing it with those around them.
I know if I let Him, God will teach me. Sometimes I feel like I have so much going on at work, how will I ever be able to listen and learn?
So this is where I am this Sunday afternoon. Just mulling it over.
I have seen over the last 11 years why God put two people together to raise a family. As independent and self-suffucient as I can be, it is definitely not desirable. I need him, and he needs me. I like that.
I have read posts today of people hurting. Women, in particular, hurting. Their pain is tangible. And it breaks my heart.
For whatever reason, since having my kids and especially since D went to war for over 2 years, when others are in pain, REAL pain, not the whiny stuff (like my last post!), I hurt for them and just want their life to be better.
We were at a Weekend to Remember conference in February and the speaker told a story of a couple who lost 2 children in an accident. I cried so much another couple sitting by us thought we must have had some similar situation. Thankfully we have not. I just cannot imagine their pain.
So as I was reading these blogs, I cried so much D stopped and asked if I was ok. Note: I am hormonal, and I DO cry at the drop of a hat during PMS. But the tears would have come regardless.
I am trying to figure out what God wants me to do with this tenderness I have for other people's pain, their struggles. In my new job, there is not a lot of room and/or tolerance from my co-workers for having concern for other people. It is a fine line, I agree, that many people just want your pity. And I am pretty discerning when it comes to that.
But there are other people who truly have a difficult life. That's just the way it is. Should I go out of my way to help them? I feel a pull to do just that. But how will my co-workers view me? We are a tight office, and I am the newby. How do I give in to God and maintain close relationships with those around me? I will have to trust God to maintain those relationships as I am faithful to Him.
For the past 12 years, I have been able to choose who I spend time with. And now, I am forced into relationships that are uncomfortable. Some people bring out the worst in me. Others encourage me. But overall, I feel like I am just in "learning" mode. Learning how to deal with people I would probably never have chosen in the past to spend time with.
Satan spends a great deal of time telling me how pathetic I am at this. I am a type A, perfectionist, organized, well-spoken. I do not tend to take on a task unless I know I can complete it well. Just to finish is not enough for me. I have to leave a mark. To be in a new job, with new people, where I feel like I am dropping the ball once a day is daunting to me. I feel like a complete failure and am sure my job is in jeopardy. But when I speak to my office confidant (also a believer, worked in this environment for several years, mature) she assures me that it is just the enemy and everyone drops the ball sometimes. At one point or another, everyone feels like they are just blowing it with those around them.
I know if I let Him, God will teach me. Sometimes I feel like I have so much going on at work, how will I ever be able to listen and learn?
So this is where I am this Sunday afternoon. Just mulling it over.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
When It Rains, It Pours...
Bear with me here. Because I am pretty certain sometime last year I promised not to complain anymore.
Apparently I have trouble keeping my promises.
Since lists are easy, I will list my complaints.
1. I have a slight medical issue which requires me to eat certain foods at certain times. This morning I forgot to eat. Which turned out badly, as I started feeling ill at work. On my 2nd week.
2. I cannot stand for people to make a big deal over me. Which is exactly what happened when I did not feel weel. It makes me feel like "baggage" instead of "part of the team." And yes, that's how bad it was. I could not hide the fact that I was not well.
3. I took Ash and Sarah to their first dance class today immediately after work. Where Sarah proceeded to cry for half an hour because "it is my first time and I'm scared". Let me spell that for you, in case you are not aware: F-U-N.
4. After dinner, Mad informed me I should look up at the ceiling. Where there is a HUGE water stain that was not there yesterday. After inspecting the second floor, I am no closer to discovering the origin of said stain.
5. Ginger had no dog food. No choice but to go to store, which adds to my ever so empty day. Just glad I had one more thing to do.
6. Call husband who is out of town on the way to buy dog food. We agree there is a stain on the ceiling and neither of us knows what it is. Then he has to go eat dinner, because who can think on an empty stomach?
7. After returning from store, call home owner warranty people to get someone to look at ceiling and stop whatever is causing it. That was over an hour ago.
8. For the next 3 days, I have 12 hour days. I am COMPLETELY exhausted after 8 hours, so I have no idea how I'm going to get through 12. Not to mention, how I am going to get ceiling/leak repaired when I am not home.
9. I am ready to scream.
10. AAAARRRRGGGGGGHHHHHH!!!!!
Apparently I have trouble keeping my promises.
Since lists are easy, I will list my complaints.
1. I have a slight medical issue which requires me to eat certain foods at certain times. This morning I forgot to eat. Which turned out badly, as I started feeling ill at work. On my 2nd week.
2. I cannot stand for people to make a big deal over me. Which is exactly what happened when I did not feel weel. It makes me feel like "baggage" instead of "part of the team." And yes, that's how bad it was. I could not hide the fact that I was not well.
3. I took Ash and Sarah to their first dance class today immediately after work. Where Sarah proceeded to cry for half an hour because "it is my first time and I'm scared". Let me spell that for you, in case you are not aware: F-U-N.
4. After dinner, Mad informed me I should look up at the ceiling. Where there is a HUGE water stain that was not there yesterday. After inspecting the second floor, I am no closer to discovering the origin of said stain.
5. Ginger had no dog food. No choice but to go to store, which adds to my ever so empty day. Just glad I had one more thing to do.
6. Call husband who is out of town on the way to buy dog food. We agree there is a stain on the ceiling and neither of us knows what it is. Then he has to go eat dinner, because who can think on an empty stomach?
7. After returning from store, call home owner warranty people to get someone to look at ceiling and stop whatever is causing it. That was over an hour ago.
8. For the next 3 days, I have 12 hour days. I am COMPLETELY exhausted after 8 hours, so I have no idea how I'm going to get through 12. Not to mention, how I am going to get ceiling/leak repaired when I am not home.
9. I am ready to scream.
10. AAAARRRRGGGGGGHHHHHH!!!!!
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Working on Things
It has been a week since my last post, and with good reason. I started work!
I absolutely love my job and the people I get to work with. It is such a nice change of pace to have an outlet besides my blog!
My kids have one more week until school and they simply cannot wait. They are so social, much like me. I think God just makes it where we need other people.
Right now, D is on a business trip, and he will be back next week. We are discussing some generational sins we have been made aware of and ways to break the cycle. We know it is imperitive for the healthy spiritual life of our children, as well as just improving our quality of life in general.
One of my co-workers told me something wonderful she did when her kids were at home (one is in college and the other just graduated). She prayed that God would stop any sins she was commiting against her children from becoming generational sins. I beleive God honors our efforts as parents to bring up our children in the way they should go, and this prayer covers all of the things I don't even realize I am screwing up. I am not trying to minimalize my need to realize what I am doing wrong, I just know myself well enough to know sometimes I miss things that are right in front of my face, for a little while anyway!
I am loving this new season of life, and will be posting less often, I'm certain. But things seem to be coming around to feel like normal. Which is nice.
I absolutely love my job and the people I get to work with. It is such a nice change of pace to have an outlet besides my blog!
My kids have one more week until school and they simply cannot wait. They are so social, much like me. I think God just makes it where we need other people.
Right now, D is on a business trip, and he will be back next week. We are discussing some generational sins we have been made aware of and ways to break the cycle. We know it is imperitive for the healthy spiritual life of our children, as well as just improving our quality of life in general.
One of my co-workers told me something wonderful she did when her kids were at home (one is in college and the other just graduated). She prayed that God would stop any sins she was commiting against her children from becoming generational sins. I beleive God honors our efforts as parents to bring up our children in the way they should go, and this prayer covers all of the things I don't even realize I am screwing up. I am not trying to minimalize my need to realize what I am doing wrong, I just know myself well enough to know sometimes I miss things that are right in front of my face, for a little while anyway!
I am loving this new season of life, and will be posting less often, I'm certain. But things seem to be coming around to feel like normal. Which is nice.
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Hanging Out with Model-T
Yesterday I had a moment of temporary insanity.
I offered my truck-loving husband an opportunity for just the two of us to go look at trucks.
I think "look" means something different to men than to women.
Needless to say he was like a kid in a candy store.
We were doing fine at the dealership until we got too close to the building. There was an area of orange cones separating the customer parking from the vehicles that are for sale. We started out on the opposite end, so we were heading right for the cones. My husband spotted a salesman coming our way and said, "You are getting too close to the cones! They saw us!"
Crap.
Before I knew it, and no matter how hard I tried to ignore him, Carlos was introducing himself. He asked for my name, and I believe my exact words were "We are not buying a truck today. My husband is over there. Go talk to him."
Nothing like being up front about your expectations in your relationships.
My husband actually told Carlos his real name and started talking to him about trucks.
Crap again.
Since I handle most of the haggling in our household ( I believe the other term is called Mother) and am quite comfortable doing so, I usually handle the haggling outside the home as well.
So as Carlos is telling us all the incentives, I keep repeating we are NOT buying a truck until next year.
Let me just mention here that Carlos is seriously the coolest car salesman we have ever met.
Like when I asked him to pay off our credit card debt so we could buy a truck from him now, he was all like, ok. Sure thing. Do you take a check?
Then I asked him what the incentives were next year, knowing full well Ford only updates incentives every month. I was just testing him, see, because he is new. As a matter of fact, he has worked there for only two weeks and sold several F-150s last month.
Impressive.
Carlos answered my question about next year's incentives (after he realized I was on my insanity kick and totally played along) by telling us that next year, Ford is giving away F-150s.
You heard it here first, folks.
And D and I get first pick because Carlos is going to call us right away when this occurs.
So, apparently we were laughing too much and Carlos' boss came over to get us focused.
D and I really dislike focus when it is just the two of us with no kids. We prefer fits of laughter as if you are complete idiots, especially in public places. We don't get to experience that often...um, I mean EVER.
So it is safe to say D and I were elated when Bossman left.
Since we were NOT buying a truck, I felt I should make good use of our time and get to know Carlos.
We agreed to let Carlos take us to another part of the car lot and show us MORE trucks.
On our road trip, we learned he is from a family of 6 also, and has twin sisters. He thought growing up in a big family was cool, but they about drove his mom crazy. He is originally from New York, but likes the south for the cost of living and the weather. Oh, and he used to be in the Army too.
We felt sorry for Carlos having to work for Bossman,and we were afraid he was going to get in trouble if we didn't at least go in and sit down to let him "run some numbers".
Plus, as D said, "These are some great deals."
Did I mention "crap?"
So Carlos ran the numbers. As we were sitting there, a woman came on the intercom and called Chris to the shower.
Say What?
Oh, Chris to the Tower.
Much better.
Once Carlos took "The Numbers" to the Boss, we did not see him again.
For hours.
We were re-directed to Zoe, who has 6 names and it was super cool when she said them in her native Spanish. It was like a constant rolling "rrrrrrrr".
We liked Zoe too. She has 3 houses, a brother-in-law who breaks her tools, and was a carpenter in the Army. I told her all I knew about real estate (which is basically nothing) and told her she should get to know Donald Trump. And Zoe works as a car salesperson because she did not have anything better to do. She was bored.
We later saw Carlos again and told him playfully that we were angry that he ditched us. He told us that he wasn't allowed to talk to us.
WHAT?
It seems that because we were having a good time, and we were being nice to Carlos, his Boss people felt he was not the right salesman for us.
D and I were pretty ticked. Mainly because Carlos was being punished for being The Best Car Salesman Ever.
I mean, we liked Zoe, but we started with Carlos. It just seemed unfair.
But we did tell Carlos that D is running for President of the United States when he retires, and he could be the campaign manager if he wanted to.
I think by then Carlos will be the President of the Ford Motor Company, so he probably won't take us up on it.
As Zoe got the truck cleaned up for us, the one we picked out, drove, haggled and signed for, all I could think was "How did this happen?"
My only explanation is I had a moment of temporary insanity.
Oh, and just as a side note, I made it through 7 hours, two salespeople (Carlos and Zoe), two Bosspeople, and the finance guy without telling anyone my name.
Because I have lofty aspirations like that. It's all about setting goals and meeting them.
I offered my truck-loving husband an opportunity for just the two of us to go look at trucks.
I think "look" means something different to men than to women.
Needless to say he was like a kid in a candy store.
We were doing fine at the dealership until we got too close to the building. There was an area of orange cones separating the customer parking from the vehicles that are for sale. We started out on the opposite end, so we were heading right for the cones. My husband spotted a salesman coming our way and said, "You are getting too close to the cones! They saw us!"
Crap.
Before I knew it, and no matter how hard I tried to ignore him, Carlos was introducing himself. He asked for my name, and I believe my exact words were "We are not buying a truck today. My husband is over there. Go talk to him."
Nothing like being up front about your expectations in your relationships.
My husband actually told Carlos his real name and started talking to him about trucks.
Crap again.
Since I handle most of the haggling in our household ( I believe the other term is called Mother) and am quite comfortable doing so, I usually handle the haggling outside the home as well.
So as Carlos is telling us all the incentives, I keep repeating we are NOT buying a truck until next year.
Let me just mention here that Carlos is seriously the coolest car salesman we have ever met.
Like when I asked him to pay off our credit card debt so we could buy a truck from him now, he was all like, ok. Sure thing. Do you take a check?
Then I asked him what the incentives were next year, knowing full well Ford only updates incentives every month. I was just testing him, see, because he is new. As a matter of fact, he has worked there for only two weeks and sold several F-150s last month.
Impressive.
Carlos answered my question about next year's incentives (after he realized I was on my insanity kick and totally played along) by telling us that next year, Ford is giving away F-150s.
You heard it here first, folks.
And D and I get first pick because Carlos is going to call us right away when this occurs.
So, apparently we were laughing too much and Carlos' boss came over to get us focused.
D and I really dislike focus when it is just the two of us with no kids. We prefer fits of laughter as if you are complete idiots, especially in public places. We don't get to experience that often...um, I mean EVER.
So it is safe to say D and I were elated when Bossman left.
Since we were NOT buying a truck, I felt I should make good use of our time and get to know Carlos.
We agreed to let Carlos take us to another part of the car lot and show us MORE trucks.
On our road trip, we learned he is from a family of 6 also, and has twin sisters. He thought growing up in a big family was cool, but they about drove his mom crazy. He is originally from New York, but likes the south for the cost of living and the weather. Oh, and he used to be in the Army too.
We felt sorry for Carlos having to work for Bossman,and we were afraid he was going to get in trouble if we didn't at least go in and sit down to let him "run some numbers".
Plus, as D said, "These are some great deals."
Did I mention "crap?"
So Carlos ran the numbers. As we were sitting there, a woman came on the intercom and called Chris to the shower.
Say What?
Oh, Chris to the Tower.
Much better.
Once Carlos took "The Numbers" to the Boss, we did not see him again.
For hours.
We were re-directed to Zoe, who has 6 names and it was super cool when she said them in her native Spanish. It was like a constant rolling "rrrrrrrr".
We liked Zoe too. She has 3 houses, a brother-in-law who breaks her tools, and was a carpenter in the Army. I told her all I knew about real estate (which is basically nothing) and told her she should get to know Donald Trump. And Zoe works as a car salesperson because she did not have anything better to do. She was bored.
We later saw Carlos again and told him playfully that we were angry that he ditched us. He told us that he wasn't allowed to talk to us.
WHAT?
It seems that because we were having a good time, and we were being nice to Carlos, his Boss people felt he was not the right salesman for us.
D and I were pretty ticked. Mainly because Carlos was being punished for being The Best Car Salesman Ever.
I mean, we liked Zoe, but we started with Carlos. It just seemed unfair.
But we did tell Carlos that D is running for President of the United States when he retires, and he could be the campaign manager if he wanted to.
I think by then Carlos will be the President of the Ford Motor Company, so he probably won't take us up on it.
As Zoe got the truck cleaned up for us, the one we picked out, drove, haggled and signed for, all I could think was "How did this happen?"
My only explanation is I had a moment of temporary insanity.
Oh, and just as a side note, I made it through 7 hours, two salespeople (Carlos and Zoe), two Bosspeople, and the finance guy without telling anyone my name.
Because I have lofty aspirations like that. It's all about setting goals and meeting them.
Friday, August 8, 2008
The Country Mouse and The City Mouse
When you spend the night with people, you learn alot about them.
We had a friend and her kids over this weekend. She has spent the summer traveling, making the best use of her time as her husband is in Iraq.
Our families hail from the same state.
Her family owned some sort of mansion downtown in the town we live in currently, and apparently owned most of the street lined with mansions.
My family owns some farm land in town where we grew up, and a few have houses as opposed to double-wide trailers.
My friend has a "family name" that she shares with her female ancestors, and has passed it on to her daughter. It is their middle name, and a college in our state was named after this family name when her family founded it.
Our son is named after his grandpa. I was named after an old song by the Allman Brothers' Band. And as far as founding anything, I think maybe my family founded a Lynyrd Skynyrd fan club.
I just found it interesting that our geographical upbringing could be so similar, but our social upbringing was like living on Mars and Venus.
My friend is completely down to earth and real, but she has manners I didn't even know existed.
What is even more interesting to me is how her upbringing has played into her adult life. With her husband's position in the Army, she is in situations where she needs to draw from her meticulous upbringing, and she never misses a beat.
Where I, on the other hand, fumble through and learn as I go, which is pretty much how I do everything in life, and figure it will all turn out okay in the end.
It's funny, I am not in the least jealous of my friend, I am just in awe and amazed at how different our lives are, yet we have enough common ground to be able to be very close.
I learn so much about dealing with people, situations, and life in general from watching her in action. I cannot imagine what the benefits are for her hanging out with the likes of me.
Maybe I can get her some discounted tickets to a Skynyrd concert...
We had a friend and her kids over this weekend. She has spent the summer traveling, making the best use of her time as her husband is in Iraq.
Our families hail from the same state.
Her family owned some sort of mansion downtown in the town we live in currently, and apparently owned most of the street lined with mansions.
My family owns some farm land in town where we grew up, and a few have houses as opposed to double-wide trailers.
My friend has a "family name" that she shares with her female ancestors, and has passed it on to her daughter. It is their middle name, and a college in our state was named after this family name when her family founded it.
Our son is named after his grandpa. I was named after an old song by the Allman Brothers' Band. And as far as founding anything, I think maybe my family founded a Lynyrd Skynyrd fan club.
I just found it interesting that our geographical upbringing could be so similar, but our social upbringing was like living on Mars and Venus.
My friend is completely down to earth and real, but she has manners I didn't even know existed.
What is even more interesting to me is how her upbringing has played into her adult life. With her husband's position in the Army, she is in situations where she needs to draw from her meticulous upbringing, and she never misses a beat.
Where I, on the other hand, fumble through and learn as I go, which is pretty much how I do everything in life, and figure it will all turn out okay in the end.
It's funny, I am not in the least jealous of my friend, I am just in awe and amazed at how different our lives are, yet we have enough common ground to be able to be very close.
I learn so much about dealing with people, situations, and life in general from watching her in action. I cannot imagine what the benefits are for her hanging out with the likes of me.
Maybe I can get her some discounted tickets to a Skynyrd concert...
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Shhhh!
Yesterday I took the kids shopping for school supplies. I had each child's list in hand, had prepared myself mentally for their excited actions while in the store, and thought I was well prepared.
The kids were unbelievably well behaved. I was thrilled. No one was crying. There was no arguing. They were even quiet because they know how I need quiet to think.
However, no one gave the memo of how I need quiet to think to a family of five that happened to be shopping for school supplies at the exact same time we were.
Nice.
At first, I only spotted Mom and three daughters. She was a novice back-to-school shopper. How could I tell? Mom was as excited as the girls.
Now don't get me wrong. I'm all excited about the kids going back to school, goodness knows. But the actual shopping part? With kids in tow? Not so much.
So, little Patty is running around like a soon-to-be-kindergartener, choosing her own school supplies, weaving in and out of an overly crowded aisle, while Mom just stands at the end, smiling. Yep, she does not have a clue, is what I'm thinking.
Meanwhile, I am pushing my buggy, trying not to run over little Patty who keeps running in front of me as she darts in and out of buggy traffic, AND I'm making sure my kids don't get any wild ideas from sweet little Patty, mainly by giving them the look.
Sarah may be the same age as little Patty, but by golly, she knows the look.
So, as I'm combing over my three lists (Maddie did hers on her own, thank goodness) of school supplies to make sure I am getting everything we need, Dad shows up.
Or should I say, sounds up. Meaning he was LOUD.
He stood at the opposite end of the aisle from Mom and held a conversation that could be heard from the other side of the SuperCenter, I'm certain.
"How much are those crayons? Because these are cheap, and I'm all about the cheap!"
He looks at me, smiling and laughing, as if he is waiting for me to laugh with him.
No such luck today, buddy. I try in vain to ignore him and focus as he continues to hold the aisle long conversation.
Oh, did I mention his wife did not speak back to him? I do not know if she was hoping people did not realize they were together or if she was just ignoring his ignorance. Which is how you stay married to someone like that, in my opinion.
I realize hind sight is 20/20. I should have offered to help this family with their list FOR ONE so I could get on with my list for three.
I told Madison in a hushed tone to hurry up and get what she needed so we could get off of this aisle. We both just started tossing things in that might possibly be on our list, not really caring if they were, and decided to go elsewhere in the store to sort through and make sure we had everything.
Only here's the thing: Little Patty's family ended up where we went FOR QUIET.
I thought I might scream. Perhaps I did. It was such an odd experience I'm not sure I can be held accountable for my actions.
Dad starts complaining about how specific the list is, and why do the ziploc bags have to be ths kind with sliders instead of the ones that are impossible to close, and Mom just stands there in silence focusing on the kids.
I could not take it anymore. If she is not going to put this stupidity to rest and give the rest of us a break, then I will.
So I look directly at him and say, "It makes the teacher's life easier."
To which he had no response.
Finally. Quiet.
The kids were unbelievably well behaved. I was thrilled. No one was crying. There was no arguing. They were even quiet because they know how I need quiet to think.
However, no one gave the memo of how I need quiet to think to a family of five that happened to be shopping for school supplies at the exact same time we were.
Nice.
At first, I only spotted Mom and three daughters. She was a novice back-to-school shopper. How could I tell? Mom was as excited as the girls.
Now don't get me wrong. I'm all excited about the kids going back to school, goodness knows. But the actual shopping part? With kids in tow? Not so much.
So, little Patty is running around like a soon-to-be-kindergartener, choosing her own school supplies, weaving in and out of an overly crowded aisle, while Mom just stands at the end, smiling. Yep, she does not have a clue, is what I'm thinking.
Meanwhile, I am pushing my buggy, trying not to run over little Patty who keeps running in front of me as she darts in and out of buggy traffic, AND I'm making sure my kids don't get any wild ideas from sweet little Patty, mainly by giving them the look.
Sarah may be the same age as little Patty, but by golly, she knows the look.
So, as I'm combing over my three lists (Maddie did hers on her own, thank goodness) of school supplies to make sure I am getting everything we need, Dad shows up.
Or should I say, sounds up. Meaning he was LOUD.
He stood at the opposite end of the aisle from Mom and held a conversation that could be heard from the other side of the SuperCenter, I'm certain.
"How much are those crayons? Because these are cheap, and I'm all about the cheap!"
He looks at me, smiling and laughing, as if he is waiting for me to laugh with him.
No such luck today, buddy. I try in vain to ignore him and focus as he continues to hold the aisle long conversation.
Oh, did I mention his wife did not speak back to him? I do not know if she was hoping people did not realize they were together or if she was just ignoring his ignorance. Which is how you stay married to someone like that, in my opinion.
I realize hind sight is 20/20. I should have offered to help this family with their list FOR ONE so I could get on with my list for three.
I told Madison in a hushed tone to hurry up and get what she needed so we could get off of this aisle. We both just started tossing things in that might possibly be on our list, not really caring if they were, and decided to go elsewhere in the store to sort through and make sure we had everything.
Only here's the thing: Little Patty's family ended up where we went FOR QUIET.
I thought I might scream. Perhaps I did. It was such an odd experience I'm not sure I can be held accountable for my actions.
Dad starts complaining about how specific the list is, and why do the ziploc bags have to be ths kind with sliders instead of the ones that are impossible to close, and Mom just stands there in silence focusing on the kids.
I could not take it anymore. If she is not going to put this stupidity to rest and give the rest of us a break, then I will.
So I look directly at him and say, "It makes the teacher's life easier."
To which he had no response.
Finally. Quiet.
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Love
Last night, D and I enjoyed our anniversary with a date. We went to a new restaurant (for us) and it was perfection. It has been deemed our new favorite.
D and I had some great, deep conversation going on as we drove to the restaurant. There was a running theme about our thankfulness that God has brought us this far, with far being an all-encompassing term (in love, spiritually, financially, emotionally, etc.).
I was rambling on, and talking about something in the medical world that is new to me, called Asperger's.
We were sitting at a stop light, and D whipped his head around, as in disbelief, and said, "What?!"
"Asperger's. It's a condition..."
Here is where D starts laughing so hard he can hardly drive.
So I say, "What is so funny?"
"Say it again."
"Asperger's."
Oh. Maybe it is my pronunciation of the word, so I try it differently, so maybe it doesn't sound so profane.
The reaction: more roars of laughter.
Then D asks, "Where do you think they got that name?"
So I respond, " It's usually the name of the person who discovered it."
To which D replies, "Wouldn't you have hated to grow up with that name? Hi, I'm Joe Asperger. Or, even better, Sergeant Asperger, reporting for duty. You know the guy could never be a preacher. Reverend Asperger."
So for the entire night, D would look at me over our romantic dinner and ever so often whisper, "Asperger."
Love is patient, love is kind...
Love is making each other laugh.
D and I had some great, deep conversation going on as we drove to the restaurant. There was a running theme about our thankfulness that God has brought us this far, with far being an all-encompassing term (in love, spiritually, financially, emotionally, etc.).
I was rambling on, and talking about something in the medical world that is new to me, called Asperger's.
We were sitting at a stop light, and D whipped his head around, as in disbelief, and said, "What?!"
"Asperger's. It's a condition..."
Here is where D starts laughing so hard he can hardly drive.
So I say, "What is so funny?"
"Say it again."
"Asperger's."
Oh. Maybe it is my pronunciation of the word, so I try it differently, so maybe it doesn't sound so profane.
The reaction: more roars of laughter.
Then D asks, "Where do you think they got that name?"
So I respond, " It's usually the name of the person who discovered it."
To which D replies, "Wouldn't you have hated to grow up with that name? Hi, I'm Joe Asperger. Or, even better, Sergeant Asperger, reporting for duty. You know the guy could never be a preacher. Reverend Asperger."
So for the entire night, D would look at me over our romantic dinner and ever so often whisper, "Asperger."
Love is patient, love is kind...
Love is making each other laugh.
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
My Fantasies Exposed
Today D and I celebrate 13 years of marriage!
We are curious by nature, and over the years we have been testing theories about marriage.
You could say we are the Myth Busters: Marriage Edition.
Fact or Myth: Marriage will ultimately fulfill me, making all of my princess dreams of happily ever after come true.
Answer: Myth. We are humans with the built-in ability to disappoint one another on a somewhat regular basis.
Fact or Myth: After a number of happily married years, we have this "marriage stuff" pinned down.
Answer: Myth. We are humans with the built-in ability to disappoint one another on a somewhat regular basis.
Fact or Myth: We are the perfect married couple. No problems, only smiles.
Answer: Duh...should I even write myth? We are humans with the built-in ability...you get the picture.
Fact or Myth: Marriage requires a lot of effort, willingness to change, and even more commitment.
Answer: Fact. Thankfully, God gives our sorry human abilities Super-Human powers (also called the Holy Spirit) and helps us to grow and be able to put forth the needed effort, change and stay firm in our commitment to one another.
Fact or Myth: I feel blessed to be celebrating our 13th anniversary knowing we love one another and are committed to our marriage for the long haul, even when times are tough.
Answer: Fact. We could be a statistic for divorce rates for some Army survey. Or a statistic for people living in loveless marriages. It has not always been easy; in fact, many times it has been extremely challenging, painful, and difficult. But it has been good, and most definitely worth the effort.
While we de-bunked a lot of the preconcieved ideas we had going into marriage, we have gained something priceless:
The Truth.
Marriage is meant to be life-long, and we are to help one another in our struggles along the way. Usually we only hear of divorce, or a couple celebrating 50 years of marriage, or of a couple "having some problems."
No one tells you what the other side of "real marriage" looks like.
Like when you discover something about the other person that you feel like you can't live with, yet here you are, a Believer, knowing God already knew this would happen before you ever got married.
Or when circumstances are so ugly and dark you can't even imagine the light, the good times, coming back again, much less being a part of your daily life.
No one talks about real, personal issues, especially regarding marriage, until AFTER the divorce. But then it's too late.
If more people talked about what is really going on with them, without degrading, dishonoring, and disrespecting their spouse in the process, I honestly believe we would find something interesting:
We are not all that different.
There are different levels of the same issues, but pretty much, they are at the core the same issues.
Why is knowing that helpful?
Because then you know there is not something "wrong" with your marriage. It is normal. And we are all just working through our stuff, trying to come out on the other side with our marriage, with love and respect for one another still in-tact.
So while I may not have the glass slipper approach anymore, I definitely am living proof that happy does exist on the other side of the darkness, that God does restore and bring light and life back.
All He asks of us is to keep going and trust Him with the result.
We are curious by nature, and over the years we have been testing theories about marriage.
You could say we are the Myth Busters: Marriage Edition.
Fact or Myth: Marriage will ultimately fulfill me, making all of my princess dreams of happily ever after come true.
Answer: Myth. We are humans with the built-in ability to disappoint one another on a somewhat regular basis.
Fact or Myth: After a number of happily married years, we have this "marriage stuff" pinned down.
Answer: Myth. We are humans with the built-in ability to disappoint one another on a somewhat regular basis.
Fact or Myth: We are the perfect married couple. No problems, only smiles.
Answer: Duh...should I even write myth? We are humans with the built-in ability...you get the picture.
Fact or Myth: Marriage requires a lot of effort, willingness to change, and even more commitment.
Answer: Fact. Thankfully, God gives our sorry human abilities Super-Human powers (also called the Holy Spirit) and helps us to grow and be able to put forth the needed effort, change and stay firm in our commitment to one another.
Fact or Myth: I feel blessed to be celebrating our 13th anniversary knowing we love one another and are committed to our marriage for the long haul, even when times are tough.
Answer: Fact. We could be a statistic for divorce rates for some Army survey. Or a statistic for people living in loveless marriages. It has not always been easy; in fact, many times it has been extremely challenging, painful, and difficult. But it has been good, and most definitely worth the effort.
While we de-bunked a lot of the preconcieved ideas we had going into marriage, we have gained something priceless:
The Truth.
Marriage is meant to be life-long, and we are to help one another in our struggles along the way. Usually we only hear of divorce, or a couple celebrating 50 years of marriage, or of a couple "having some problems."
No one tells you what the other side of "real marriage" looks like.
Like when you discover something about the other person that you feel like you can't live with, yet here you are, a Believer, knowing God already knew this would happen before you ever got married.
Or when circumstances are so ugly and dark you can't even imagine the light, the good times, coming back again, much less being a part of your daily life.
No one talks about real, personal issues, especially regarding marriage, until AFTER the divorce. But then it's too late.
If more people talked about what is really going on with them, without degrading, dishonoring, and disrespecting their spouse in the process, I honestly believe we would find something interesting:
We are not all that different.
There are different levels of the same issues, but pretty much, they are at the core the same issues.
Why is knowing that helpful?
Because then you know there is not something "wrong" with your marriage. It is normal. And we are all just working through our stuff, trying to come out on the other side with our marriage, with love and respect for one another still in-tact.
So while I may not have the glass slipper approach anymore, I definitely am living proof that happy does exist on the other side of the darkness, that God does restore and bring light and life back.
All He asks of us is to keep going and trust Him with the result.
Monday, August 4, 2008
Musings of a Burned Out Hostess
It is official. I am exhausted.
We have had company or been someone else's company for the last 5 weeks.
I love people. I consider myself a people person.
But as of right now, I am wearing headphones, listening to my itunes, and just trying to entertain myself. I have no one else's interests at heart at this very minute.
I do not care what we eat, what we do, what we look like, or pretty much anything outside of safety issues at this moment.
Quite self-centered. Also, quite necessary.
I have no funny stories. I have no deep thoughts, except for something you might see on Saturday Night Live.
Please tell me you have seen SNL's Deep Thoughts. Seriously people, what is life without Deep Thoughts?
I gotta have more cowbell. From the Church Lady.
I wish it was Saturday.
Maybe I can find some re-runs on TV. Then I would be willing to part with my oh-so-beloved itunes.
For a little while anyway.
Thank you, creator of SNL whose name I cannot recall just now. And also to the comedians who write and star in their skits purely for comedic satisfaction.
I am thankful we share the same warped sense of funny.
We have had company or been someone else's company for the last 5 weeks.
I love people. I consider myself a people person.
But as of right now, I am wearing headphones, listening to my itunes, and just trying to entertain myself. I have no one else's interests at heart at this very minute.
I do not care what we eat, what we do, what we look like, or pretty much anything outside of safety issues at this moment.
Quite self-centered. Also, quite necessary.
I have no funny stories. I have no deep thoughts, except for something you might see on Saturday Night Live.
Please tell me you have seen SNL's Deep Thoughts. Seriously people, what is life without Deep Thoughts?
I gotta have more cowbell. From the Church Lady.
I wish it was Saturday.
Maybe I can find some re-runs on TV. Then I would be willing to part with my oh-so-beloved itunes.
For a little while anyway.
Thank you, creator of SNL whose name I cannot recall just now. And also to the comedians who write and star in their skits purely for comedic satisfaction.
I am thankful we share the same warped sense of funny.
Friday, August 1, 2008
Homes and Horses
I am on a roll! Finally, two months after moving in, I am getting a feel for how to get this house to feel like home.
It is amazing how "stuff" stops the creative flow in my brain. Within a single day of realizing and dealing with my issues (last post), I was able to get the dining room completely done (except paint, have not been to the store yet).
My entire family came in one by one throughout the day to let me know how great it looks and feels in there. Like we are home.
Yesterday I was able to get our entry done, and today I have plans for our eat-in-kitchen area. It is such a great feeling to make my family comfortable and my guests feel at home here.
I will post some pics once I get new batteries for the camera.
At least I am hoping that is the problem. Sarah dropped it the other day, said "Oops! Oh, It's ok. It's not broken." Translated that means there were no pieces detached. If only electronics were that simple!
In other news, D has been taking an equestrian course this week for work. He comes home and tells of his adventures every evening, smelling (yum) and looking (yum for real) like a cowboy.
Yesterday we had storms again, torrential downpours. He had to make it from the barn to his vehicle, which according to him was fine, as he was already soaked.
While I was waiting for him to come home, I lit candles and had only accent lights on in the house, because that is what I do on rainy evenings. I am a romantic and I feel like I am living in medieval times when I have lots of candles lit. It makes me feel calm and makes my house feel homey.
Not like like homey-G, like homey comfortable. Not like my crib, but like my castle.
You get the picture. Homey.
So my cowboy man walks through our front door, swaggering like a man who has been riding a horse all day does, soaked to the bone, into our newly cozy, candle-lit home.
It was like something out of a movie.
I would name one, but I do not watch westerns, unless Blazin' Saddles counts, and that just does not evoke the swept-off-my-feet picture I am trying to create.
Sadly, today is his last day of equestrian training.
Our family is going to a dinner this evening with all the cowboys in training and their families to celebrate the end of class.
I wonder if I could convince him to take the class again...
It is amazing how "stuff" stops the creative flow in my brain. Within a single day of realizing and dealing with my issues (last post), I was able to get the dining room completely done (except paint, have not been to the store yet).
My entire family came in one by one throughout the day to let me know how great it looks and feels in there. Like we are home.
Yesterday I was able to get our entry done, and today I have plans for our eat-in-kitchen area. It is such a great feeling to make my family comfortable and my guests feel at home here.
I will post some pics once I get new batteries for the camera.
At least I am hoping that is the problem. Sarah dropped it the other day, said "Oops! Oh, It's ok. It's not broken." Translated that means there were no pieces detached. If only electronics were that simple!
In other news, D has been taking an equestrian course this week for work. He comes home and tells of his adventures every evening, smelling (yum) and looking (yum for real) like a cowboy.
Yesterday we had storms again, torrential downpours. He had to make it from the barn to his vehicle, which according to him was fine, as he was already soaked.
While I was waiting for him to come home, I lit candles and had only accent lights on in the house, because that is what I do on rainy evenings. I am a romantic and I feel like I am living in medieval times when I have lots of candles lit. It makes me feel calm and makes my house feel homey.
Not like like homey-G, like homey comfortable. Not like my crib, but like my castle.
You get the picture. Homey.
So my cowboy man walks through our front door, swaggering like a man who has been riding a horse all day does, soaked to the bone, into our newly cozy, candle-lit home.
It was like something out of a movie.
I would name one, but I do not watch westerns, unless Blazin' Saddles counts, and that just does not evoke the swept-off-my-feet picture I am trying to create.
Sadly, today is his last day of equestrian training.
Our family is going to a dinner this evening with all the cowboys in training and their families to celebrate the end of class.
I wonder if I could convince him to take the class again...
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