Tis the Season!

Overwhelmed isn't the word to describe how I feel right now, I feel buried under a mound of things that have yet-to-be-done, and it keeps on growing, but seemingly there isn't enough time to accomplish everything. Holiday's are usually hard for me, but the Christmas season this year has been really a good fantastic one. So this calls for a celebratory list of a smathering of great things from the past couple of weeks.

*Naps. I forgot how great a nap feels at your parents house. You know the kind of peace that you get from the fact that the kids are being entertained and you don't have a mile long list of things that you think that you should be cleaning, straightening, or organizing. Yep enjoyed that tremendously. everyday.

*Good health. Hubs back injury aside, we were all healthy. My future SIL had emergency surgery for an appendicitis on Christmas Eve (which ended up being a lot more serious than that... part of her intestine had to be removed), but is at home recovering... something that could have very well have killed her was taken care of.

*Mikey playing the part of boy Jesus. Too Cute.

*Watching whispered convo between my FIL and Mikey during church makes me realize how precious family is, and how we take people for granted. Relationships are so precious. I want my boy to grow up learning from his grandfather, but it hit me that this may not be the case.

*Mikey declaring that it is Jesus' birthday, and that He lives in our hearts. Some things are sinking in, building that foundation.

*Laughter. Family. Friends. Food.

I'm really crappy about actually hitting publish after I write anything great thought-provoking mediocre at it's best. Stomach bug is finally almost gone. Nope it's not the 9 month flu.

Things have been super busy as I feel like I've been working 25 hour days, and travelling all over the better half of Ohio. Vacation was supposed to start yesterday, but I find myself getting ready to leave for work right now. Luckily vaca will begin this afternoon and we're headed south to see my parents and celebrate Christmas early.

Our first Christmas program went great Sunday, and I'll have to download pics at some point. All of the kids did great, and my FIL's rocking chair didn't leave him in a pile on the floor.....it really almost did.

Hi ho hi ho, it's off to work I go!! See ya Sunday w/ my 99 tidbits too much about me in honor of reaching my 100th (actually published) post!

and it continues....

I'm still here, barely functioning, but I'm here. This stomach bug is kicking my heiny! I did manage to get the tree up and decorated last night, so score one for me!! I've never been one to put the tree up too early, but I've waited entirely too long this year, and mommy guilt was getting to me. The tree may just have to stay up until after the New Year :)

I got the strangest phone call last night from my dad... my dad doesn't normally just call for the fun of it. He's not a phone type of guy. It was actually very funny, b/c he was calling to find out if I really have a stomach bug or if I had a secret. He has one of his "feelings". The thing of it is, he's always been right on about his hunches in this area... even questioning my cousin before she even knew. So now I'm wondering, will I be watching 2 pink lines soon? and racking my brain to try to find out when I last started. Do I dare get my hopes up?

WFMW: I Don't Wanna Cook Tonight

*Edited* This was supposed to be posted last night, but since I ended up in the ER w/ my SIL until 5am this morning, and am now up at 7am to go to work, this is the best that it's gonna get!

I have these nights fairly often, and living on a shoe string budget makes this night much harder-considering most 'easy' conveniant foods cost more. My hubby and I fell in love with one of the easiest (and quickest) recipes I've ever stumbled upon (and use it weekly) !

Ang's Soup
2 cans of Progresso Chicken and Sausage Gumbo Soup
1 can Black Beans
1 Block of Cheese

Put in a pot and heat!

Now tell me that's not easy?!? If I have it in the house I'll make a pan of cornbread to go with it. Yummy!!

Is this thing on?

Yeah, so my name is Ang, and apparently I have a blog... which involves me actually sitting down and writing at some point and time! Let's just pretend that I get an A for effort. It's been a crazy week and a half 3 1/2 weeks around mi casa. I don't even know where to start, so to make me feel more in control, here's a list.

* Computer totally crashed and burned, not once but twice now! Not a happy girl. Lucky hubs is bored out of his mind and I found the system disks.

* Hubs back is still way out of wack. Let's do the math here ladies 8 percocets daily x 27 days= a whole heck of a lot of pain meds. Hubs doesn't do pain med well... but if he doesn't take it he can't move. Today the DR tells us that he's killing his stomach, liver, and kidney's (how the heck do you pluralize that?!?)....hello captain obvious, but yet your nurse basically yells at me when I let her know that he skips doses every now and then, just to see if he can 'handle the pain'.... let's quit putting a band-aid over the problem, and just fix it.

* Calling a lawyer tomarrow. BWC doesn't want to cover any treatment for herniated disc... they think it's a pre-existing condition. grrr. Also scheduling apt. w/ surgeon for consult.

* Finding "presents" of the liquid variety in odd places.

* Have unburied my house, atleast the 1st floor! Now, to tackle my bedroom before donation day Thursday. Only having one closet in the house stinks.

* Counting down days till vacation...14... which I didn't know that I had any coming to me. Suprise, Suprise, Suprise. Use 'em or Loose 'em. Aye Aye captian.

* It snowed today!!! Bring it on. Plus hot chocolate.

* Miracle of all miracles, I have sucessfully kept a balanced checkbook for 5 days. I've avoided shut-down mode.

* Have made paper chains, attended parades, saw Santa, practiced w/ our youth for their 1st play, drank countless cups of hot cocoa, read the Christmas story to Mikey many times, and watched countless Christmas cartoons.



When I feel overwhelmed, I go into shut-down mode, hence my dissapearing from la la land. Now that I've done my list I feel more in control, not so overwhelmed, and I can now comence w/ my blog w/o feeling like a total failure at it.

Black Friday

If a store is starting it's door-buster sales at midnight on Thanksgiving, it's going to be a mad house. As a matter of fact, the special $10 off coupons for the 1st 500 customers will be gone long before you hit that front door. I'm just saying. Not that I'd know or anything. Can I just say that I love my MIL?

WTC??!

Yesterday at work we came to a sad realization, radio stations have started to switch over to Christmas music. all.the.time. Hello? Can we make it through Thanksgiving first? (I love Christmas music, but by pete, wait till after Thursday!!) Sadly, this music has propelled me headlong into a funk. A big one. Please pray for me if you're the prayer type. Thanks.

Just lurking

It's been a crazy week here in the E household! Hubs back is still hurting, and unfortunately I was told today by the ortho neuro doc that since relief has been minimal w/ the pain meds and muscle relaxers that probably nothing would do any better, so hopefully workers comp will OK the epidural pain meds. Either that or he's going to go stir crazy in the meantime and take me w/ him.

I find myself discouraged at the fact that money is going to be tight w/ only one income, that I often forget about all of the blessings that we do have, and I'm really trying to focus on those things.

It seems like around the Holidays I get so stressed out about the whole visiting family issues that hubs and I have, so this year even though I'm sad that we can't travel for Thanksgiving, I am thankful that I have to slow down, relax, and enjoy the holiday.

Tonight things got too quiet in our house, after a struggle over a little boy wanting to eat chicken nuggets over what I cooked You know, the kind of silence that you actually get up to go investigate. First thing I notice is that the halloween candy bag is in the middle of the kitchen floor. So I sneak up the stairs amd find him eating suckers in his bed, because "i like em more than your food". Yep.

Heaven Help Us.

I always dread when my cell phone rings while I'm at work. It's hard wired into my mom brain somewhere I think. Wednesday I was fiddling w/ my new work cell on mine and the dr's way to the nursing facility about 45 minutes away when I realized that I had missed a call from an unknown number, since it wasn't attached to any name in my phonebook I didn't worry too much when I checked the voice mail that was left. I should have been. It was Shawn's boss letting me know that at that moment that he was being loaded up into an ambulance and that I should get to the hospital. He hates to even go to the dr at all, so I knew it was a bad sign that he was actually agreeing to go w/ a squad.

My hubby is a big guy. To see him in tears when I got to the ER Wednesday, spoke volumes to me. After a lot of pain med that really did no good, x-rays, and an MRI it's been determined that he has a herniated disc in his lower back. Not good. at. all. Right now they're trying to avoid surgery, but honestly I'm not sure that it's a good thing. His nerves are still being pinched as evidenced by some of the manifestations that is going on. They're talking about doing an epidural of steroids staight into the spinal column. He can't move very well at all, and can't do a lot of basic things like shower by himself, get dressed, or lift the toilet seat up. Please keep us in your prayers, for his quick healing!

WFMW: The Backwards Edition!

Shannon has flip flopped how we normally do "Works for Me Wednesday", and is encouraging us to ASK a question rather than GIVE a helpful little nugget of 'wisdom'.

Today, while sitting in the ER w/ hubs, I was thinking about this and picked something that I think that I need to hear from others, and also can be quite fun for us as well.

I've been in a spiritual rut lately. Even though I'm busy w/ my childrens ministry, I have found myself not being ministered to, and have rather neglected my relationship w/ my Abba. So, what I'm asking from you ladies today, is how do you refresh yourself when you find yourself in this position, and what is your favorite Bible verse that you find yourself going back to over and over again?

Shopping w/ Hubs

Give me super-mega Wally World w/ a 3 year old any most days, and I can handle it. The thought of going into the black hole w/ my hubby makes me hypervenilate just a little though. It's just not pretty. Not only am I subjected to the areas that I stay away from, but we end up coming out w/ things like an egg carrier for camping (wtc?!?). Which broke the first time we oppened it and haven't even used. So w/ reluctance I went w/ him to exchange photo paper and ink the other day. We decided to pick up candy for tonight, and while I'm doing the practical "most candy for the least price" thing, hubs throws a bag of Hershey candy bars in.... did I really need to tell him that this will not last through 2 days in my sight before Halloween, or that it'd take a small fortune to buy enough? But, by sweetness, he was actually doing it as a peace offering nice gesture for me! I'm happy to report that there's 3 2 candy bars left :)

Insta Make Over

Wednesday I was handed a horrid, horrid piece of torture. My official badge for work... including a great horrible picture. Im talking worse than a drivers license photo. My minimilistic beauty regiman was very apparent by my ghostly appearance and no lip gloss, plus way undermaintained eybrows, and a bad hair day on top of it and you have my picture. Not a pretty sight.

I've been determined to step up my beauty regime a little bit. I'm a fan of lipgloss but I actually went and bought lipSTICK the other day, which I haven't done in about 5 years (seriously). I love the CG 'TrueShine' line now! It makes picking a color almost goof proof, as long as you can decide rather you have light, medium, or dark skin tone.

Then I found some time yesterday after I got off of work early while noone was expecting me to pick up the boy or be at home and I went and got my brows waxed. I seriously love that feeling of the hot wax and the tingling of skin afterwards. I hate pain-I find tweezing to be a situation that I want to curl into a fetal position and weep, but I love me a good brow wax.

With my neat clean brows and some lip color and I'm feeling like a new gal! I wonder what I'd have to do to be able to take a new picture or atleast how long I should wait until I "lose" it?

Monday Morning Blues

I really, really don't want to go to work today!! Hubby's parents, 3 nieces/nephews, and us took off Friday for the beautiful foothills of the Appalacian Mountains in Eastern KY. It was a great weekend for camping, and there were a ton of things for the kiddos to do (they even trick or treated one night). An added bonus was getting to see a ton of friends that we had to leave behind when we moved north.

All parents have learned the hard way that kids will do anything in their little power to totally humiliate you. Mikey made me turn redder than I have before this weekend. He along w/ 2 little girls were playing on the playground in the camp ground, when all of a sudden I look up to see Mikey pull down his pants (up I jump, and try to sprint up the 'rock climbing' side of the equipment--the fastest/easiest way up). Needless to say, I was too late, and my dear son was on a mission w/ his hose.... to see what all he could hit! He definitly has range when it comes to this so that made it that much more hillarious apparent that he's had practice at this. What do you do in a situation like this? Luckily the other father on the playground handled the situation w/ his girls really well, and didn't get mad at us.

I'm Just Saying

If by some strange notion you decided to be nice and rub hubbies foot down w/ Ben-Gay, for the love of pete, DO NOT touch your face. Let alone, rub the sleepies out of your eye. Just don't. It's not pretty. Promise. I'm just saying.

I'm providing some good laughs for my co-workers, but I'm so glad that I work for an eye doctor!

Better Late than Never!!!

My mom, sister, niece, and I took off for annual pilgramage to Gatlinburg TN last weekend(well, technically 3 now), and absolutely had a blast. It was a nice break away from 'real life' for a few days, but I really wish that it could've lasted longer. My sister and I even *almost* got the tattoos that we've been talking about for some time.... so much as to checking out the prices. Common sense won out though, and we're totally going to get them done closer to home *just in case*. Ladies, I have not eaten that much in a loooong time (no wonder I was asked the other day if I was prego w/ my 1st or 2nd baby) Also, randomly my BFF from childhood spotted me on the street down there. How great is that. Her and her little prego belly were just about one of the highlights for me. (Also, what's up w/ every other lady being preggers in TN?? Seriously though, it was tough for me to see, and to realize that my hearts desire isn't happening.

I'm going to stop rambling now. See you tomarrow.

Vacations are Great!

I'm slowly getting back in the groove after my weekend getaway... will be back later today!

Mommy of the Year Award (NOT!!)

Ok, ladies :) I seriously need your oppinions and tried and true tips! I can barely get my 3 yr old to eat anything besides chicken nuggets or hot dogs!!! No fruits. No veggies. Nothing!!! (Well besides mac and cheese and fettucine alfredo) How do you get your kids to eat a variety? Try new things? Heck, I'll even go for how you trick them into eating something else, ya know, healthy?!?

Isn't she just a cutie?!?! These are actually her senior pics that her friend took for her. :) I can't believe that she graduates in December!!!

Do What?!?!

I love popcorn balls :) I have good memories of my BFF's grandma (so in essence she was my gramma, too) making us popcorn balls and putting them into our full sized brown bag (one for each of us!) that she filled up for us with all kinds of goodies on Halloween. Hey... we lived out in the boon docks, so trick or treat was a slow tedious process of getting in and out of cars between being scared to high heaven by teenage boys.

I hardly ever eat popcorn balls anymore, because frankly I hate eating them like I'm eating an apple. I just don't. Yesterday though, I found out that there is proper etiquette for eating a popcorn ball. Did you know this? I most certainly didn't.

You smash it, then you eat it piece by piece (Just don't forget to open the bag before you smoosh it. I'm just sayin'). Yeppers.

That's the way to do it!

Padded Room Anyone?!?

This week at work we've been instructed to rearrange our office space.... to not only accomadate a new 'marketing person', but to cram 4 of us into one tiny office. You've seen the cabnits that hold medical charts... yeah 3 of us gals decided to move those bad boys instead of waiting for someone to help because we're impatient super strong. You can see where this is headed right... straight for trouble! I ended up looking at my pinky wedged between the moveable shelf and the side of the cabinet.stuck. The only way to get it out was for my boss to yank my hand downward. To say I'm a wuss when it comes to pain, and queesy when it comes to blood is an understatement, and I proved it.

Then last night Mikey decided to drop a broken cinder block on his little foot and lob off a hunk of his toe. Have I mentioned that I'm a wuss when it comes to blood? No stitches ended up being involved, but he basically fileted his big toe. :( ouchee!

Yeah. We're just going to move into a padded room for a while.

Stupid Lights

I am such a airhead busy woman at times that I do a lot of dumb things. Once Twice I quit counting on how many times I've left my headlights on, while I went to do other things.

Often times I meet up w/ the dr that I will be working w/ at a pre-planned location and then I'll ride w/ him to our facility for the day. Not once now, but twice I've left my lights on at the drop off location, hence no loving co-workers to turn them off for me. Today though was my lucky day and I didn't have to go in search of jumpers while trying to contain my laughter (the dr did come back that day when he realized I wasn't leaving the parking lot)because I was working with super doc who had jumpers hidden under a panel in his car!!

oy vei

Time for a Change!

Forget the 90 degree weather today, it is officially Fall for me!! I've finally figured out how to put a photo up... mind you it's from last year, and we both look totally differant :) , but I love this photo taken on the balcony of our hotel in the Great Smokey Mountains.

So w/ the crispness that we experienced this past weekend tent camping w/o a sleeping bag because somebody forgot to pack it, but I'm not going to name names, just remember that I was in charge of food and clothing. Not tents, campstoves, air matresses, or SLEEPING BAGS!! Oh, sorry! Where was I? OH, Happy Fall!!!

I'm Baacck!

Fall is definitly in the air! We went camping w/ the boyscouts this weekend, and were actually wearing heavy jackets at points!I knew that it was cold especially when we pulled away from the campsite yesterday it was only 57 degrees, but then realized when I watched the news this am that it hadn't even hit 70 at all this weekend!

I often groan at the thought of spending a weekend w/ the boys, in the cold, w/ no showers and just a double seater privy, but I really enjoyed myself this weekend. We took the boys fishing Sat. and had a pretty good hike to get to the lake, and I really enjoyed it, but did not like the snake that we saw swimming through the sunshine covered water.

We came home to find our furnace had broken down, so luckily we had a savaged unit stored in our garage that fits our house perfectly, so hubs and my FIL replaced our furnace yesterday afternoon. It should actually be more efficient then the old one. Thankfully my FIL had the foresight to save that unit when he had installed a newer one for someone (he owns his own HVAC company), and I'm grateful that we were able to install it ourselves, b/c we definitly don't have the funds for that kind of expense right now.

Last night at church we started the 2nd year of Sunday night classes/activities. I'm so thankfull to have my little ones again. Mikey even told me our story (Jesus walking on water) on our way home from church!

So sorry if you read that last post. I read it this morning and you can definitly tell that the meds had stripped all ability to write coherently! I have a sinus infection, and I feel like poo on a stick when I'm not taking the meds.

Yesterday was a day of Dr's for us. Me for a follow-up of another issue (and a quick check of my sinuses) and Mikey had his 3 year check-up. Is it bad when the doc looks and is relieved when the patient isn't wearing cowboy boots? Last year he got upset w/ her, and much to my chargrin kicked the doc. Here's the thing, Mikey hasn't really been sick (and the few times he has, I've had to take him to the ER)-thank the Lord, but a 'speech problem' has been overlooked ('what the crap?!? I understand him just fine' was my gut reaction)

Maybe it's because I am mom, and I'm with him all of the time and the fact that he has an extensive vocabulary and a great ability to come up w/ complex sentences, but evidently she was concerned. He's tongue tied, but wouldn't stick his tongue out or unclamp the jaws of death so that the dr could look, so that may be an option, if she ever gets to take a look. I guess we've taught him too well that it's not nice to stick your tongue out!

His ped in KY, when he was born, had told me to keep the fact that he's tongue tied in the back of my mind when he learned to talk, and I totally spaced. So now it's wait and see.

Also, Shannon has started a great discussion dealing w/ modesty and it's place, or lack thereof, in todays society, so go check it out!! You'll be so glad that you did.

WFMW~ Brand Edition

I'm a very good bargin hunter, but I've found a couple of things that I really don't mind paying the extra price for.

One of my little pleasures is buying good fabric softener...I love me some extra good smelling clothes :) What I can't figure out though, is how even when I buy the exact same detergent and fabric softener, how come my clothes never smell as good as my moms (or my MIL)?

Also, I have to buy good conditioner for my hair, so usually it's Pantene. Shampoo can be anything, but the conditioner is a no budge for me!

Another thing is my travel coffee mug made by OXO. I absolutely love it! It was worth the $10 that I paid for it! I have dropped it, kicked it, shut it in a car door, carried it upside down, and shook it to mix my cream and sugar and it is truly LEAK-PROOF!! All new moms I know are going to get one of these puppies in with their gift. Have I told you how much I love it!!

So, these are the things that I absolutely love and works for me!! for more ideas, go visit Shannon :)

I <3 Me a Good Thrift Store

Here's what I got today during my monthly voyage to 1/2 price day at the thrift store:

*4 pairs of pants for hubs (1 is Levi's and 1 is Polo Jeans... brand new w/ tags)Mind you, hubs wears Big and Tall, so all 4 pairs together were less than one store bought pair.
*1 pair of Old Navy jeans for me... too bad they didn't fit when I got them home :(
*2 shirts for Mikey
*1 pair of tennis shoes for Mikey (good condition)
*1 pair Ambercrombie lounge pants for me
*2 sports bras (Nike)
*1 Victoria Secret bra still w/ tag attached
*1 Corduroy jacket for fall from St. John's Bay
*1 cheap bag of junk as bribary

Grand Total < $35

Rivetting I know...I just love finding good deals! I could really care less about the brands, but take it from someone who has never bought name brand tennis shoes, and typically shops thrift and Wally World... it's a thrill to find high quality for low prices :)

WFMW

There is nothing like seeing a little underweared tush running across the room! I've notice that at times it can make me choke up a bit b/c my lil boy is growing up, and I've caught myself telling hubby more than once, "look at how cute it is", while a spiderman toosh is up in the air.

Mikey doesn't have many accidents (I think the total is 2 in the past month!!!) but we seem to leave spare pairs EVERYWHERE... granny's, mammaw's, baby sitter, Aunt M's, church..... and find ourselves often running low at home. So last night I went to our mega thrift store and bought 12 pairs for $4!! I'm talking almost brand new here...of course I check for stains and such *eewww*

Of course if I had waited until today, they would have been 1/2 off(last Wed of every month everything is half off), but I knew by the time I'd get home from work today, the goods would have been gone... that's just my luck. But you better believe I'm going there before coming home tonight!!

For more great tips visit Shannon's place!

Oh Be Careful Little Eyes What You See...

I about lost it in church this morning when we sang this song for youth day.

Yesterday at the yardsale, we were wrapping up w/ a few of the last customers when one lady came up to me and asked if the adorable little boy running around was mine. Well, apparently he had walked up to her and patted her on the heiney. She turned around to ask him if 'he liked her heiney' (just in good natured fun) and he proudly replied 'yep!!'.

Hubs doesn't go around doing PDA's very often at all, but evidently Mikey caught him one time!!

15lbs later...

Part of Squashfest is the fact that my MIL lives on the main street of town and has an annual yardsale. I cleaned out the garage last night (well, a part of it at least) and added to the sale (I made some teens very happy when I way under priced a speaker of some sort... I sold it for $5 to hubs dismay). We always take this money and use it for the Squashfest, since ya know the prices are crazy and we eat way to much. Supper tonight consisted of a corndog, a blooming onion, and a fried snickers bar (on a stick). Add to that 2 games and a ride (M only wanted to ride one, he absolutely had no use for the rest of them, and it was going to be heck to pay if he didn't get to ride it)!

Tomarrow lunch may be grilled corn... and fried oreos.

CANDY!!

Every year we have a festival in our little community, just like every other town in Ohio. Ours is Squashfest. Everyone looks forward to this time every year there is a mini fair, a parade, and car show. Today during the parade Mikey and I found us a good spot---no other kids were right around us. Imagine my surprise when Mikey didn't want to jump out of his stroller to grab candy being thown in our direction, but oh you better believe that not one single piece of candy was left on that ground. OH yes ma'am I did! I made sure that every last piece was picked up. Ya know, I just couldn't imagine myself littering, because that's what it would be considered if I had just left it lie. I'm just saying. Did I mention that DQ hands out Dilly Bars on the parade route? They sure do, and boy are they good :) I know, because I had to eat 1 1/2 of them. Remember how M hates to have his hands dirty? Yeah, melting ice cream falls in that catagory. Let's just say, I love me a good parade.

Fish Kisses and Gorilla Hugs

Today was Mikey's first day w/ a new babysitter. Meaning, not family and w/ kids his similar age. It went pretty well, w/ only a few incidents of 'the lone child' selfish-ness, that let's face it, is completely normal. The thing of it is, I was pretty much OK with it :) Mrs. C is an awesome lady with tons of love that just seems to overflow out of her. One of our good friends has had her children w/ her since 3 and 7 months old, but *sniff* they have to part ways now due to kindergarten. Mikey's excited about going back tomarrow!!

Tonight, we made a family pilgramage to Wally-World to return a duplicate toy from the birthday bonanza. M picked out a really cute book to go w/ his new truck. It's too cute and has super shiny pages, but may have just added another 1/2 an hour or so to bedtime. I don't really mind though. I fondly recall my parents reading bed time stories to me each and every night, and I hope that M will remember these times as well. Story time and prayer time are such a special moment in our home.

:)

So glad to be home...

It's been a whirl wind week around here! I have so many jumbling thoughts going on right now, so I'm goin' to hit the high (well probably low as well)points from this week.

*I being the klutz that I am, fell down the stairs the other night (3am), catching my arm on some hidden nail in the carpet. When asked why I didn't go get the stitches that were obviously needed, I told a little white lie... yes, I wanted to go back to sleep, but in all actuality I'm a sissy when it comes to pain (and I saw how painful it was when my hubby got stitches... and he's a big guy w/ a huge threshold for pain)

*'It's my birfday' has been seared into Mikey's noggin... now everyday is his 'birfday'. My little man turned 3!!! Where'd the time go?

*Remember my 'favorite' camper Yeah, it's still a POC, now maybe hubs will think of the blown tire at 12:30am and stop to listen when I say, 'let's just stay w/ my parents instead of paying to camp!'

*Depression is rearing it's ugly head again in our family... I just can't fathom having children and trying to take your life multiple times, just don't get it. I know it's an illness, but honestly I want to shake her and say, 'quit being selfish!'

*Did you know that dogs may actually eat gravel, then puke it up at various points in a car trip, and you'll be examing the puke to find out what in tarnations is going on?

*A special couple came to Mikey's birthday party at my mom's... my great aunt and uncle!! I was so excited to see them,it's been 4 years since I saw them at my wedding. Uncle H is turning 91 next month, looks not a day over 70, and still goes out and cuts and bales hay. His wife is a breast cancer survivor,was always my cheerleader growing up, and truly one of my greatest inspirations.

So there you have it. Exciting week huh??!

Amen Brother Ben!

Yesterday I saw a differant side of my father in law, Mr. E.

Mr. E wears many hats. Husband, father, co-worker, elder, mentor, boyscout leader, teacher and friend. Above all else, he is a child of the King. He's also a guy that if you ever hear him yell, you take head because, well, he doesn't do it that often (so you know something big time is going on). He's the hardest working man I know, often working 16+ hours a day. You would never know that he's battled thyroid cancer, and had an industrial air conditioning unit's fan blade richochet off his chest causing him to have a heart attack. He's one of the few people that can calm my hubby down when he's upset, and he gently reminds me often to be a peacemaker when hubs and I are upset w/ each other. Thrifty is a virtue to him. He's my son's hero, as he is to his other grandkids (and to each of his own children).

One thing that I've rarely seen him do is tear up. Yesterday, he teared up, and had me boo hooing, along w/ half of our congregation. It happened when he was praying right before he served 3 (!!!)of his grandsons their first communion after he baptized them yesterday. To say that these 3 young men are rough around the edges is an understatement, but my father in law was the biggest arrow pointing the way to the cross, not by preaching at them, but simply by loving on them, and sharing as they've opened up to it.

So, it's celebration time in our family! I'm so happy for the boys, and I can tell that a change has already started to take place. I know that the road for them will be rough at times, but ya know I honestly know that they're ready for the ride that will take them through their own journey of faith. My prayer for them is that they embrace it, and drink HIM in, b/c ya know that's the bottom line... HIM. \o/

Amen!!

Fun Times!

Another fun contest!! I'm hoping that I'll win something ;)

WFMW:Portion Control and Ice Cream Goodness

My boy loves to snack. In all of his finnackyness though, he will not ever eat anything w/o a plate or bowl. Not even goldfish crackers. Yep. He has to have something. Of course I don't want to add to the dish load, and paper plates are too big (and there's no way I'm spending extra on the little paper plates that are more expense than the larger ones) so I've come up w/ the perfect solution. I use the little cupcake papers (ya know, the ones that you make cupcakes in) to hold his dry solid snacks. They also let me control his portion better, and he doesn't think that he's being short changed. Best of all they're really cheap! This really works for us.

******ALSO, my mom used them for a cook out they had recently to serve ice cream. The day of or before, she took and softened her ice cream and scooped some into the liners lined on a cookie sheet. She then set the sheet back into the freezer and she didn't have to mess w/ scooping the day of her event (ya know b/c it's either going to be rock solid or it's going to be a melty goopy mess if you do it when you're ready to eat.)She then took and prettied them up w/ drizzled chocolate and stuff. I know it doesn't sound like a lot of ice cream, but it was great w/ kids and those that wanted, 'just a little bit.'

For more great tips go visit Shannon!! Don't forget to join in!

Smells like Teen Spirit

oh, who am I kidding. Pride really does come before the fall. Here I've been so proud of Mikey and his potty training (and I still am), and have bragged about how I really haven't had to clean up too many messes (none of the solid variety), until tonight.

It started when I ran to Kroger and Mikey decided to see how much toilet paper could be put in the potty. Shawn knew something was amiss when all became too quiet, and took care of the situation before I got home.

Then, I was cooking supper and Mikey announced that he had to go. right. now. So, I told him to 'go'... yeah, he ran in, didn't turn on the light, flopped down on the potty and began to pooooo. ALL OVER THE TOILET SEAT! I really did have to stiffle a laugh. Mikey HATES to be dirty (remember this is the child who won't eat ketchup b/c it gets his hands dirty), so this accident was especially upsetting to him. So, maybe for a while we'll just have to make sure not to turn off the lights :)

It's 463 degrees outside today

and I decided that today would be the ideal day to run out of gas less than a mile from my house. I still say though, that if it hadn't have taken 13 minutes in the Sonic drive thru then I would have made it home. My fruit/berry slushie and I had a nice time waiting for my dad to come pick us up (he stayed here for a couple of days while on layover.) So then I got to hear the 'I spent how much money to send you to college' speech. Yeah dad, I know common sense isn't always my strong suit :) BUt to my credit the car hasn't been driven in a couple of months, so it wasn't like I've avoided filling the gas tank, I just didn't pay attention.

That was bad, but then aparently I decided that sitting in the heat wasn't good enough, that I'd actually like to walk in the heat too.

My dad and I decided to drive my car, which broke down on me Thursday (but then started perfectly fine Fri morning and I've boycotted driving since)to go get Mikey from grandma's not even a mile away. It quit again. Seriously frustrated I huff it 3 blocks home to get the now gased up car, and lo and behold when I get back to my dad he had coaxed my car to start stubbornly. He drove it home in 2nd gear, whatever that means.


Oy vey!

What a Weekend

Shawn, Mikey and I headed out Friday to go camping in our $500 fixer-upper (which hasn't been fully fixed up yet) pop up camper for the annual E Family camp-out. Let's just say this weekend will be retold many times in the future w/ the prologue, "when we were young and poor...."

Yeah, we lost a 'leg' to the camper, got pulled over, got lost, got given the wrong directions and got even more lost... all by midnight Friday!! We back tracked and found the leg though :) Let's just say that about midnight, I had already uttered the words, 'pull over or find a hotel...'about 3 differant times. No hotels exist in the country of NW Ohio.

Yesterday, Mikey discovered the joy of peeing outdoors. No big issue though (as long as he doesn't fullfill my FIL's prophecy of this happening at church)- I was raised in the country, and I've answered natures call many of time in some discreet location (heck I pondered it today when we stop to fix that stupid 'leg' again). Honestly I'm just glad he's out of diapers :) About dark o thirty this am Mikey wakes me up saying he has to go potty. right. now. Did I mention it's pouring the rain? So, me being wise, took Mikey outside, stood under the canopy and told M that he could just go right there. There was no way that he would do it, so off we go in the rain, to the potties way down yonder.

Have I mentioned that it's raining by now? By morning we have found out exactly where all the camper is leaking. Yeah for a mostly dry bed though (one that we could contort our bodies around the wet spots)!

Maybe it'll be fixed before we go camping next time :)

Bye Bye Hair Elastics...

You know it's time to change something when you realize that you're wearing a ponytail or some variation thereof...every.single.day.

Today, I decided to do something about it. I had intentions on having my hair straightened (almost 2 years ago I committed the ultimate hair tragedy... I got a perm and it was clinging on stubbornly), but the nice lady suggested to forget that and just cut my hair to avoid chemical radiation to my mostly healthy hair and to avoid the possibility that it could just revolt and fall out. So i took the plunge...gals, I cut my hair.

Atleast 6 inches. Maybe more. I went from hair to the middle of my back to right at my shoulders. I almost cried when I realized that it was shorter than what we had originally discussed. But, man, I feel like a new woman. sexier. more confident. Plus the cut is just too cute, and what I have left of my hair is healthy. No frizzies, poofies,or anything.

Now as long as the urge to keep cutting it shorter and shorter doesn't emerge. My friend Wendy and I proved this in college... you cut your hair short and suddenly it is not short enough, so you cut more, and then the cycle keeps repeating. It's true.

Mind you, I haven't cut cut my hair since Demon and I broke up...7 1/2 years ago. (Just a little background... Demon was the Russian I dated who turned out to be psycho possesive, and wouldn't let me do anything to my hair w/o his approval)When I broke off the engagement I went one day after classes and cut my hair to my chin as a rebellion, 'just because I can thing.'

So to say today hasn't been an emotional day would be a lie. When I saw my hubby and he proclaimed that he loves it though, made it very worthwhile!

Now, if I can only make it look this good on my own ;)

We Have a Winner!

Ok, so I never got that photo put up :( but thanks for leaving comments galore anyways!!!!

To pick the winner, I used the higly scientific method of the fatinator-determiner-I looked at the fat content on the label of what I was eating at the moment (bite size Hershey's Special Dark chocolate)and used that number to count backwards from the end of the comments! So the winner of the original bracelet is Kristi!!!! She's the mom of 2 awesome little guys and I'm having fun reading her blog!

It's Carnival Time!

As I mentioned earlier, I recently began a new hobby which would provide a great giveaway during the Dog Days of Summer Blog Giveaway, so I'm excited to announce that my new hobby is...drumroll please....jewelry making! So far, I'm only doing bracelets, so if you're looking to add a piece of jewlery to your collection, be sure to leave a comment! Just so that you know, the bracelets are beaded, and are very cute! I'll draw a random winner Friday after dinner!

(I'm actually very pleased w/ the bracelets that I've made, my batteries in my camera are dead at this moment, so a picture will come tomarrow!)

Stay Tuned!

A couple of weeks ago I decided that I needed a hobby, and set off on a mission to figure out what I could do that I could do well and didn't have to do w/ my role as wife or mommy. Let's just say that I'm fullfilling something that I've wanted/wished that I could do for a while ;) and I'm actually a little bit good at it! So stay tuned, because Monday I'm going to unveil my new hobby by participating in the 'Dog Days of Summer Bloggy Giveaway'! So, stop by Monday after 8am to find out what all of the excitement is about! Plus, don't forget to click on the super cute button on my sidebar to explore all of the fun!

TGIF! i think.

So I woke up this morning and I almost feel like a human being again. Then I remember, that I have a dr's appointment today. Not just any dr mind you, but the yuck doctor. If that wasn't bad enough, that means that I'll have to shave in my whole *3 minute* shower this morning. Hubby hit the bathroom first this morning, and he takes longer than any female that I know! So, by the time he gets out, I'll have approx. 3 minutes to finish my shower routine, allowing me a few minutes to get ready and head out the door to face traffic. I may just have to be a few minutes late today. :p

My father in law and I went to get our girls from camp yesterday. It was a beautiful drive, and we had some great conversation. I feel bad for the Amish guy riding the bicycle though... after we passed a few minutes later it started pouring. Oh, how much fun our girls had a camp! My favorite quote came from A who said, "i found a really cool page in the Bible"...yes!

Where'd the weekend go?!?

Shawn and I took our last group of kids to camp today, and something amazing happened on our way...

Every since we've moved to Ohio, I've been fascinated w/ the Amish, and have been wanting to visit Amish Country. After I woke from my typical Sunday afternoon nap (hey, I can nap anywhere! doesn't matter much too me as long as there's no bugs)I looked up and saw a horse and buggy! It's the small things in life folks! :)

Since it's 1am and I just now got home from the grocery and sat down to eat my dessert that hubby brought home to me I wanted to share some of the blessings from my busy day:

-Church this morning: We always do communion in Jr Church... One of our youth, A, was baptized last week, so she got to partake in her first one.
-After church we headed out w/ 2 of our girls for camp. Hearing them laugh was music to our ears for the trip
-Watching the girls run away (yep they ran) ready for the week to begin. Both are home bodies and are prone to homesickness, so let's hope they make it for the week.
-Excederin Migraine: 'nough said
-Round trip w/ no accidents 'cuz momma forgot the diaper bag
-Seeing my sister in law off of the vent tonight laughing and talking to us.
-Hubby cleaning the kitchen and doing laundry, just because.
-A God who loves us

My New Friend

I always love making new friends! I think that Maggie may just well be on her way to becoming my BFF :) Let me tell ya about her. I never knew that I needed a friend like Mags. She seems so out of my league, but luckily one of the docs and my office manager introduced us. Before I met her I always quized my hubby about why my need for a friend like her for?

Let me tell ya why.... my total ability to miss a very well marked interstate, and continue to travel for 30 more minutes before I want to admit that I'm in the wrong place, on the wrong interstate. Yep. Sure did. They don't call it the outter belt for nothin'.

Maggie has led us on all sorts of adventures, and has saved my heiny when I've gotten off the planned course. I think w/ her help I may find Cbus a less stressful place, and may just venture outside of my comfort zone.

If ya can't tell I love my new GPS system! It's awesome, cuz I'm getting her for way cheap (my office manager got it, then less than 2 months later they took a trip to Canada, and found that it doesn't have Canadian maps, so they have to re-invest)PLUS where I travel for work, I can count it as a business expense! Whoo hoo :)

Yay!!! Titles are back :) Works for Me Wednesday!

Since potty training is going so very well for Mikey, I've recently found something new that works for me! Every night right before bed we do our bedtime routine of bath, prayers, and potty time. Even though Mikey is mostly night trained as well we still use a pull-up at night (aka 'night underwear'). I've found that when he wakes up dry in the am, when we take off the pull-up, we don't throw it away... we save it for another wearing that night (usually we'll use the same one for 2-3 nights). Hey, those suckers are too expensive to throw away perfectly clean ones!

***BONUS TIP*** I found out through another WFMW post early in the summer, that those swim diapers can actually be reused too if no pottying took place! (We still use those right now... just in case!)Just ring it out if need be, turn it inside out and lay it out to dry! This is great for us since our in-laws have a pool, and we swim quite a bit!

For even more (and better) ideas head over to see Shannon for other great WFMW tips

Today was a nice leisurely day spent swimming, napping, and then shopping. I had planned on getting Mikey's hair cut but lo and behold they were already shut.... so on a whim we decided to walk down to the pet store (Mikey picked out a parakeet that he wants), then to Michaels (I found a kit to make 30 foam banners for Sunday school on sale for $5, but it rang up for .01!!!), then I realized that I needed to run into Wal-Mart. I made near-record time going through the grocery section and headed up to check out(only 1 person in front of me!!!) Here's when I almost lost it gals! We're checking out and Mikey is doing his usual, "wantta ride the firetruck mom. I been good" pleading when the cashier looks at me and said, "What did he say? I couldn't understand that Jap-talian language he was speaking." WHAT THE CRAP. I politely told her that that was a very rude thing to say.... that he was speaking English (ya know the same language we speak every day). Now, I'm at a loss for what I should do. I spoke w/ a very unconcerned manager, but I am still angry. Should I contact corporate? We're very much American (Mikey likes to scrunch up his face and his eyes do narrow), so it wasn't a direct attact against our nationality, but I'm still really angered by this.

Hiatus Be Gone!

My crazy-on-the-go-nonstop-week-from-h@ll has ended, so I can indeed return to bloggy land! (why oh why did that just turn into a link?!?!) Jess has tagged me for the 5 random things meme, so I'm mighty glad to oblige! The rules? Simple, she posed 5 random questions for 5 differant bloggers who then answer, come up w/ 5 random questions for 5 more lucky people....and so the cycle of the meme continues on and on! So, Jess, thanks for your creativity as always! :)

1. If you could return to a certain stage in your life, what would it be and why?
I would love to turn back the clock to just a few years ago at college. This is the one time
period that I have a lot of fond memories, and also a lot of regrets. BUT I must say that I
would want to do it all again w/ the knowledge that I have now. I think that I would have
taken my classes a little more seriously, and enjoyed friendships a lot more. I would have
spent more time eating ice cream w/ the gals, more nights under the stars out at sex rock (no
not having sex...), and more time listening to God, I would let Him use me more and help
refine my soul, I'd spend less time trying to be who others wanted me to be, and more time
being me. I'd break loose from unhealthy relationships, and cling harder to some of the most
awesome friends I could ever ask for.

2. What is the strangest thing you have ever eaten?
Do you really want me to answer that?!? I've eaten lots of interesting things, thanks to
mission trips and a dad that encouraged me to try lots of things. The strangest thing though
would be cow tongue. It's actually really good if it's cooked correctly.

3. What is the longest you have gone without sleep and why?
Yeah, I'm a girl that's gotta have sleep. I think that I've maybe stayed awake about 24
hours while on the way to Mexico.

4. What is one goal or dream you have that few people know about?
I've always been an anxious person and am socially phobic..... I'd love to be that confident gal
that you see and look up too.

5. If you could meet any fictional character who would it be and why?
I'd love to meet Raven on That's So Raven... I think it'd be fun to see snipets of the future.


So here's my 5 questions for Leslie, Linda, Ellen, Kim, and

1. You are given the chance to produce something that would help moms around the world... money and outlandishness not an issue... what would it be?
2. You can star in anything you want (stage, radio, tv, etc...) what would your dream role be?
3. What's a *secret* talent that you have that would make you the life of the party?
4. What was one of your biggest successes? failures?
5. Name something you despise doing, and what creative excuse/method do you use to get someone else to do the dreaded task,

Wild Woman!

Last night I spent the evening w/ a group of wonderful women that I worked with! kid.free. Ya'll I haven't done that since..... well, since.... I'm not sure. Boy did we laugh.and eat. A LOT. After a wild couple of stressful weeks at work we all needed it.

Potty training is going extremely well... a lot better than I thought that it would.... Diego undies are working wonders ;) I find myself tearing up when I see that little diego clad hiney running pass... where did my baby go?

Big Butter Jesus

Jess posted about the Big Butter Jesus earlier this week...I'm so glad she forwarned me. Unknown to me that I would be passing it, I seriously think that I would have had an accident if I hadn't have had a clue. Not to be irreverant or anything... the statue really looks like Jesus is made of butter! I laughed and laughed some more!

Potty training is going OK.... as long as our boy is butt n*ked. Even underwear is being treated like diapers, so slow goes it. Seriously though, Mikey is finally ready (thank goodness after hearing my MIL give me the 'all of my kids were potty trained by 2 1/2' speech. 3 days and only a handful of accidents :) Now if he's in underwear by the time he's in kindergarten!!

Happy Time!

I've been tagged by Jess for this fun meme! Oh, and this is the first time that I've been tagged, so I'm really happy right now. Time for a de-relaxer from my day!!

5 Snacks I enjoy
*my mom makes incredible and beautiful homemade candy which are utterly delicous.
*Reese's
*Cheez-Its... they're addictive... no joke there is no less than 4 boxes open of 'em in our office at
any given time!
*Salsa and cheese in a flour tortilla.
*Potato chips w/ ketchup on them (don't laugh, try it...)

5 songs that I know all the lyrics
*The theme song from Handy Manny
*Most praise songs
*The Spanish Alphabet (the ONLY song that would calm Mikey down when he was little...
don't know how I figured that one out)
*My Alma Mater
*A lot of songs from the Wiggles

5 Things I would do if I were a millionaire
*Share w/ my family
*Go on a huge vacation to somewhere warm and sunny
*Send my parents back to Alaska (OK, so I'd have to go too)
*Help a dear friend adopt her *little boy* from Mexico
*Fund my child's and someone else's college education

5Bad Habits
*Fiddle-ing when I'm nervous
*Popping zits
*Talking too fast/too much when I'm nervous
*Being so black/white on issues
*Clicking my ink pen

5 Things I would Never Wear Again
*Tapered Pants
*80's hair
*Tye-dye
*Spandex
*Bannana Clips

5 Things I Like to do
*Play w/ my son
*Laugh w/ my hubby
*Make others happy
*Walk bare footed
*Be w/ friends

5 People I Tag:
*Umm, since I'm not sure who reads on a regular basis, consider yourself tagged if you're
reading this... I double dog dare ya :) Don't forget to leave a comment!

I can't believe that I actually won something!! Katrina over at Callapidder Days has been hosting a Spring Reading Thing w/ over 120 book give-a-ways. I won an awesome book by MaryLu Tyndall. I love Katrina's blog, and am amazed at how great of a contest that she hosted.
Can't wait to read my new book :)
*Edited* I received my book in the mail today, and it was even autographed. I know, I'm a nerd! Go on and laugh, hubby is! I can't help it, I'm such a book lover at heart... it's gonna be awfully hard to go to bed tonight (cuz I'm gonna wanna read)!

WFMW- Always Have Money

I'd forget my head if it wasn't attached some days, seriously if you don't believe me you must not remember the shoe incident (or the lack there of). Seriously, it's that bad. If I take my purse into the house at night, I have to put my keys in it so that it actually heads out the door w/ me in the morning-- but honestly, I still forget silly things ALL. THE. TIME.

Darwin loves this though... the days I forget my purse are usually days that I forget my lunch too!! (And since I travel for work a lot, lunch is a neccesity for me! no food = Grumpy Angie w/ a migraine) So what I've done is I've stashed a couple of dollars away in my desk at work, so that I always have something w/ me...even if I'm travelling that day! That works for me!!

For more awesome tips and ideas go explore over at Shannon's.

Carnival Time!

Chilihead is having an awesome blogging carnival today. Take a break read through here and then head over to her site, and go exploring!! Have fun :)

* How did you start blogging?
Being recently out of college, I had the *mandated* xanga/myspace thing going on just to keep up with friends, but got really tired of it very quickly. It seemed all so contrived and I really got tired of hearing about school work, dorm life, love lives, etc... So when my first college roommate introduced her blog dontgivehimcrackers , I got snooping through links, subscriptions, and such and I absolutely fell in love w/ this new bloggittyville. I am loving that so many of us have so much in common, in the same phase of life and am learning, laughing, and growing more all of the time.

* Did you intend to be a blog w/a following?
Not really, but it would be nice. :) But right now though, I'm still learning how to do the really cool stuff (like adding pictures would be nice) and don't know how to do a lot, so I'm retreating to my little corner, but you're more than welcome to stick around... just don't expect too many jazzy extras. (Hey, I just figured out how to add links tonight!!)

* What do you hope to achieve or accomplish with your blog?
Not only do I hope that someday family may catch on to this whole thing so that they may feel a little more connected, but I want to preserve some of the stuff doesn't belong in a baby book that, maybe, someday my kids can look back on and laugh at or even *gasp* learn something from. Also, I have found comfort in others struggles... and have loved meeting such a diverse group of women.

* Has the focus of your blog changed since you started blogging? How? focus?!?! What's that?

* What do you know now that you wish you'd known when you started?
Not to be so uptight :) I've almost peed my pants laughing at some peoples blogs... and have learned so much in doing so :) Like not letting pull-ups end up on ceiling fans.

* Do you make money with your blog? That would be cool!

* Does your immediate or extended family know about your blog? I think my husband does, but that is about the only one that I know of (a lot of my family don't even have internet yet). I don't think my hubby reads it though.

* What two pieces of advice would you give to a new blogger?
#1 -- Write for yourself first and foremost, don't censure what you're thinking.
#2 -- Just because someone else's oppinion isn't your own, doesn't make them less than you, and it doesn't make it/them right or wrong...diversity makes the world go around. Just don't be mean about it if you disagree.

The Whole Family...

will be together tonight and tomarrow. I do mean the WHOLE family. Two of my brothers and my sister will be at my parents house tonight and tomarrow (I have 1 more brother, but I didn't grow up w/ him in the house... another story for another day). This will be the 1st time that all of us have been together since before Shawn and I met... so hmmm it's been since '99 or '00. When I first found this out (plans were made for all of us w/in 3 days), I really did tell my boss that 'hell would be freezing over this weekend!' This will be interesting to put it mildly :) BUT this means that I'm heading outta the big city tonight, and will be in KY for a good get-a-way!

WFMW: Mom I'm Bored Edition

Last summer my SIL informed me of a little secret(she's a mother of 5)....the local science center! Great for the days that either it's raining, the natives are wild and need a change, or humidity is at 300% (or mom needs an AC). Plus, you can go and not see everything, so everytime it's like something new. Not only by purchasing a membership to ours in Columbus, we can go to almost ANY science center anywhere because most facilities have reciprocal deals w/ other facilities(really good if you'll be travelling this summer, even if it is only to granmaws). Membership may be steep, but ask if they have any discounts(we got ours for $20 instead of $100). Really there's something for everyone from toddlers on up to adults. Hey it works for me!

God-Worshipping

By attending a Christian college, college was a great life phase for me. Don't get me wrong... Christian colleges aren't anywhere near perfect, and actually if it occurred at a secular college, it happened at our school-even if it was in a very small diluded amount. Many great things happened to me during that time... I developed wonderful friendships, grew and stretched spiritually, blossomed from child to young adult, met my husband, completed 5 very hard years accademically... the list could go on. Also, there were the trying times, the times that I hit a brick wall in front of me, causing me to learn to trust God more than I could ever even imagine. There were plenty of tears too, loosing my first "love"- the guy that I thought I was supposed to marry, a unpleasent diagnosis of an anxiety disorder and depression, failures, and what not.

I attended a church about 30 minutes away... lots of my classmates did too. It was a "college church" as I often called it. You could tell when school was in session, and when it wasn't... the attendence was a dead give away. I fell in love w/ the church, and eventually after my husband and I married we stayed at that church. The thing that I learned that first summer that Shawn and I were married is how in a "college church" a young married couple could fall in the cracks. There was no place for us... we couldn't fit easily into a Sunday school class yet because there was a gap... some was church made, some where made by our own thinking. Honestly though, our age group really did dissapear during the summer. Luckily later, I was able to reach out, make friends, and find our "place" in the church, we were no longer "seasonal attenders" but active members.

Before this acceptance though it was tough. Because of Shawn's jobs there were many Sunday's that first summer in which he couldn't attend worship with me. I remember plenty of Sundays with and without Shawn that we could enter and exit main doors of the church, and not be noticed. No smiles, no hellos, no nothing... if we missed a Sunday, noone questioned us, we were really that missable. There was one family though... one week it started w/ a smile, the next a hello, nothing major, but it meant everything to me at the time... someone actually cared. Could it be that this could be the beginning of a "church family" for us, while we were so far from our own family? That family was the Mark Angel family... honestly that one family helped me not to loose faith in the church... we were noticed, and honestly b/c of these small encounters I was able to start reaching out to others in the church to start developing relationships. The smiles, the hellos, the brief conversations helped me to break out of my shell. No our families were never super close, but they meant so much more to me than they could possibly every know. I watched Mark and his family, how they interacted w/ each other and others. Sadly, I heard the news late last night that while Mark was leading a mission trip to Mexico he drowned in the gulf of Mexico Sunday, caught by a rip tide. My heart is breaking for his wife and their 4 year old daughter, but I honestly believe that Mark is dancing in Heaven right now, after hearing the voice of the Almighty saying, "Good job my good and faithful servant!"

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O Happy Day

Hubby got the call today... he got his job!! Major high going on in our house! You see, we haven't been able to sit down and eat as a family in, oh, about 6 months (except on a few rare occasions where we met him for lunch and then headed to Subway on his lunch break). Also, he'll work 2 Saturday's in a roll (8a-Noon) and then he'll be off for 4 PLUS Sundays off PLUS a$3 pay increase. The in-laws aren't too happy because he just quit his old job, w/ my blessing I may add. He's been walked all over, screwed, and then hung out to dry too often w/ his old job... he was seriously unhappy (which spilled over into every area of his life), and combined w/ the fact that we never saw each other, yeah it was pretty lousy.

Tonight my SIL and I went to Wal-Mart, and while we were going through check out, I saw someone had laid down the new clinical-strenght deoderant. I realized that I forgot to get new deo (Dove just does not cut it in the summer), so I decided that I would try it out. It rang up and I literally had to pick my jaw up off of the floor....$7.00. Needless to say, I had the cashier remove it from my stash of stuff... and I still need to pick up deo when I head to Target tomarrow to get my Frebreeze Scent Stories thingamajigger for $12!

Happy 4 Year Anniversary

This past week has been a struggle to say the least, luckily it's ending better than it started.

The ending has been so nice I'll start there :) just because I can. Thursday was Shawn's and my 4th anniversary. Never has he been able to keep a secret, so I was pleasently suprised when he told me to go home and change out of my scrubs for dinner that night. We (Shawn, Mikey, and myself---yes we took the little guy... even though my mother in law had agreed to babysit) proceeded to go downtown to a fabulous Italian restaurant in the arena district. Bucca de something... I still can't get it right. Fabulous food, blew Olive Garden outta the water on the Italianess. Then we decided to go see Spiderman 3... good movie, but it druuugggg on way too long.

Friday, I worked a health fair, then came home and ate the goodness of left overs...always a good thing. That afternoon I went w/ hubby and the FIL to church to watch them and 2 other guys lug a baptistry up the stairs and into the sanctuary. Yeah, they're a lot bigger than they seem when they're installed. Later, another couple and myself went to eat Mexican. Ymmm. Entertainment was provided by a woman throwing a fit over not getting her salsa and a side of pico de galo costing .85, and her son banging on the window. Soon the entertainment ended when a cop showed up. (Oh, and Shawn had an interview that day... he has a second interview on Tuesday w/ them coming to him for a lunch meeting, since hubs only has an hour off that day. Good sign? I think so!)

Yesterday and today I haven't done too much... yet. I'm getting ready to clean the dining room really well, then steam clean the carpet. Fun. I know. can'tyoutelltheexcitement?


All this after a hummdinger of a week.

14 $25 non-sufficient funds penalties really hurts the checking account. My hubby authorized a gas payment to be electronically drafted from our account nearly 3 weeks, yeah it just got taken out on Tuesday, causing our bank account to go into a tailspin. Luckily the bank was merciful when we talked to them, and they reversed all of the fees that were incurred on $10 or less transactions. So that took it down about half way. It's no fun stressing about money, and how you're going to get what you need, stuff like food and gas... yeah, luckily that's all straightened out now. God is good though, and we didn't have to do w/o. :)

Too True!

I OWE MY MOTHER!!

1. My mother taught me TO APPRECIATE A JOB WELL DONE.
"If you're going to kill each other, do it outside. I just finished cleaning."

2. My mother taught me RELIGION.
"You better pray that will come out of the carpet."

3. My mother taught me about TIME TRAVEL.
"If you don't straighten up, I'm going to knock you into the middle of next week!"

4. My mother taught me LOGIC.
" Because I said so, that's why."

5. My mother taught me MORE LOGIC.
"If you fall out of that swing and break your neck, you're not going to the store with me."

6. My mother taught me FORESIGHT.
"Make sure you wear clean underwear, in case you're in an accident."

7. My mother taught me IRONY.
"Keep crying, and I'll give you something to cry about."

8. My mother taught me about the science of OSMOSIS.
"Shut your mouth and eat your supper."

9. My mother taught me about CONTORTIONISM.
"Will you look at that dirt on the back of your neck!"

10. My mother taught me about STAMINA.
"You'll sit there until all that spinach is gone."

11. My mother taught me about WEATHER.
"This room of yours looks as if a tornado went through it."

12. My mother taught me about HYPOCRISY.
"If I told you once, I've told you a million times. Don't exaggerate!"

13. My mother taught me the CIRCLE OF LIFE.
"I brought you into this world, and I can take you out."

14. My mother taught me about BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION.
"Stop acting like your father!"

15. My mother taught me about ENVY.
"There are millions of less fortunate children in this world who don't have wonderful parents like you do."

16. My mother taught me about ANTICIPATION.
"Just wait until we get home"

17. My mother taught me about RECEIVING
"You are going to get it when you get home!"

18. My mother taught me MEDICAL SCIENCE.
"If you don't stop crossing your eyes, they are going to freeze that way."

19. My mother taught me ESP.
"Put your sweater on; don't you think I know when you are cold?"

20. My mother taught me HUMOR.
"When that lawn mower cuts off your toes, don't come running to me."

21. My mother taught me HOW TO BECOME AN ADULT.
"If you don't eat your vegetables, you'll never grow up."

22. My mother taught me GENETICS.
"You're just like your father."

23. My mother taught me about my ROOTS.
"Shut that door behind you. Do you think you were born in a barn?"

24. My mother taught me WISDOM.
"When you get to be my age, you'll understand."

25. My mother taught me about JUSTICE.
"One day you'll have kids, and I hope they turn out just like you!"

Happy Mothers Day!

This has been a glorious weekend for me.

Yesterday, we celebrated the 80th birthday of Shawn's grandmother. It was a fun time, even though I felt strangly out of place amongst the crowd. I just didn't know very many people. By the time we left, everyone knew me as the 'mom of the cute kid in the dirt pile.' (They have just finished building a house, and why there was a 5 foot mound of dirt in the front yard peeking out from under plastic beat me, w/ a nice ring of dirt around it). I didn't sweat it too much, other kids took Mikey's lead, and boy did they have a good time... I don't think an expensive toy would've been that exciting. Shawn's uncle married a sweet girl from the Phillipines, and it was the first time I got to meet her. She was so much fun! Plus, she encouraged me to try some authentic food :) Yummy!! Plus, her friend had fried bananna's-it was really good, and I don't even like banannas!

Today, we actually got to be in 'adult church'---first time in MANY months!! (I love my kiddos, but I need spiritually fed too) They asked for all mothers to come up if you had a child under 3 years old for a special recognition. We go up w/ like 2 other families and are instructed to introduce our child and give their age. My turn came around, so I said "This is Mikey, and he'll be 3 in August" w/o missing a beat in the quietness of the moment, Mikey patted me on the head and said, "This is MY mommy!!!" and then he gave me one of his BIG kisses. Too cute folks, I was a puddle of tears :) Nothing could beat that moment for me.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

TGIF

This morning hubs and I woke up late. Yeah. I bathroom + 2 people needing to get ready= trouble. Luckily, I was scheduled to be in the office today, so I called my boss who graciously agreed to let me come in a little later so that ya know I could actually shower. Hubs left, I finished getting myself and Mikey ready, then proceeded to take Mikey next door to my SIL's house. Today was one of those morning when Mikey didn't want me to leave, so it took some extra time to get out of there... I proceded to drive on to work, no problems, traffic was actually halfway sane! I realized when I pulled in that I had forgotten my purse. No problem, I didn't really need anything in it, plus I was only going to work 1/2 day. Half way across the parking lot I realized something was amiss. I forgot to put on shoes people!! Yeah, I had on flip flops (I won't wear my work shoes in the grass)... not generally accepted in the medical field. HOw in the world do you forget to put on shoes?!?!?

WFMW: MESSY COFFEE BE GONE!

I travel a lot for my job... add to that hauling large wheeled contraptions full of delicate medical equipment. Yeah, fun to watch :P

Often times IF our coffee actually makes it to the vehicle (spilled or non-spilled) we often leave our coffee in the car while we go into a facility (yeah, I think more for the fact that the Dr's want us to look ya know, professional... not trying to juggle coffee or even worse spilling it).

Our office found the PERFECT solution- UNSPILLABLE, UNBREAKABLE travel mugs, that are cute! They are made by OXO and by far are the greatest invention that I can think of at the moment!! (Trust me... I knocked mine out of the back of the SUV, it bounced three times but no coffee spilled and there was no breakage!!)

Price is comprable to most coffee travel mugs at the stores ($10 for colored or $20 for stainless steel), and is a ton better. You can find these cups at Bed, Bath and Beyond for sure or you can check the website at www.oxo.com (search for mugs not mug).

I honestly pop the top on it, throw it in my scrub pocket, under my arm, or any nook and cranny that I could possibly conceive to carry it and I'm good to go. Pure happiness!

WFMW: The Birthday Edition

I always hate after receiving presents, not being absolutely certain of who gave which gift, therefore having to make a generalized thank you card. (Now w/ a toddler whom lots of people love to spoil, I can see that this will drive me mad in the future.) So, to help ease this stress for others whenever I give a child a gift, I put an address label on the back of the package. W/ a label parents will not have to rely on memory (or even seeing the card--as kids seem to fling these away promptly if nothing is inside) as to who gave the gift. Hey, IT WORKS FOR ME! :)

Hmmmm

It's been a crazy couple of weeks here in OH. We've travelled for the past 2 weekends to KY... one weekend to move the rest of the random "stuff" out of our first home (So bittersweet, how hard it was to see friends and those special people who adopted us as "newlyweds" so far from both of our families!) The house closes this upcoming week...in a way I'm glad, but I know for a fact that we will never return to that beautiful home. Then this past weekend we drove in to visit my family. So relaxing, and so much needed. It's so funny, my 'sissy' has turned into Mikey's Aunt Sexy.

Tonight I checked a blog of one of my college friends, and there popping out of the page where 2 pink lines. Don't get me wrong, I'm very happy for them, but my heart is heavy as well. Their first son is exactly 1 wk older than Mikey.... and now they get to add another. It's just not happening for us. I know that God is saying 'not right now', but dangit, I'm impatient. I know that He knows what's best for our family, and that it's not happening right now for a reason, but sometimes, I feel like it's my fault... maybe I'm not a good enough mom, maybe I'm too selfish, maybe I'm not a good enough house keeper....? If only there wheren't so many what if's....Am I the only one that feels this way?

I'm getting excited... there was no way that I could bring myself to spend a good chunk of change on The Women of Faith conference coming to town this coming weekend, instead, I'm going to volunteer for it :) I get to go to the conference now!!! My soul needs it!!

I'm in the middle of The Great Toy Ridance Spring event, so I need to go put a boy to bed so that I may continue w/o a little boy declaring that every toy that he has not even so much as looked at in a while is his favorite, and that he must keep it!! Good night my friends!

It's the small things in life.

Sunday I was so very proud of my family.... we made it to the Sunrise Service at our church, ON TIME. For the E family this is a feat that is hard to accomplish! I had to accept the fact that my husband has an automatic lateness factor embedded into his genes somewhere when we first got married (being late really irritates me, so we have often ended up driving 2 seperate vehicles to the same event), then after Mikey was born being about 5 minutes late for church has become a very real reality...no matter how much I plan. My sunday school class that I teach loves this 5 minute thing (they play carpetball for that time period).

Considering the fact that we haven't been upstairs during a worship service for nearly 9 months Mikey even did really well w/ sitting *still* (which is hard for any 2 1/2 year old) and was really quiet. At one point Mikey remembered the magical under the pew way to get to his grandma in the pew in front of us. So, I let him do it. He proceeded to play under the pew very quietly w/ his truck, so I really saw no use in making him get his heiny up into a seat, it was getting to the point that all children were getting squirmy. Yeah. All of a sudden we heard the rip of velcro, and Mikey popped up and yelled "SURPRISE" all the while holding an airfreshener that was stuck up underneith the pew. Yep, that's my boy. Good thing we attend a very small church :)

Work is going well. I am still caught off gaurd when the office manager gives me a compliment for something that I've done, or sayes that she appreciates me (or whoever... she likes to let us all know that). It seems strange to me that I'm working in a great office! God is really good. This job was straight from Him in how it fell into my lap, and really it's so much more.

In the conception of this mobile medical office, the doctors really felt like God was calling them to serve in the mission field by using their talents and credentals. . The elderly and/or mentally/physically challenged in nursing homes often go over looked. Yes, we provide a service, but it's so neat as we build relationships w/ patients and staff. I was forewarned about one patient the other day.... yep, she looked frail, but when she grabbed me for the hug that she loves to give, my insides were squashed in her embracing bear hug. How could that not make you smile? She makes it well known to the staff that she loves that we hug back, and that the doc tells her that he loves her. We work hard, but also we take time to care about our people.

My sil fainted and broke her arm yesterday, so I'm off to get ready to go visit her! Have a blessed day my friends :)

Since today picks up like a Hoover

Since I'm sick w/ a toddler super jazzed up on steroids, and because it's my birthday tomarrow....

The rules are:
1) Go to Wikipedia
2) In the search box, type your birth month and day but not the year.
3) List three events that happened on your birthday
4) List two important birthdays and one death
5) One holiday or observance (if any)
6) Tag


April 1st!
3 events:
~1826 - Samuel Morey patents the internal combustion engine.
~1891 - The Wrigley Company is founded in Chicago, Illinois.
~1970 - President Richard Nixon signs the Public Health Cigarette Smoking Act into law, requiring surgeon general's warnings on tobacco products and banning cigarette advertisements on television and radio in the United States starting on January 1, 1971.

2 Birthdays:
~1974 - Richard Christy, American drummer
~Bijou Phillips, American actress (same year as me)

1 Death:
~ Scott Joplin, American musician and composer

One holiday or observance:
~April 1 is known as April Fool's Day or All Fools' Day in many countries.
~Japan - The official start of school years in most universities and schools. Also, the official first day of work at companies and offices for new university graduates hires, marked by welcoming ceremonies and speeches.

3 Things Meme!!

3 Things Meme...I'm a sucker for these things!!
I found this at Lauren's (Baseballs and Bows) and swiped it borrowed it...looked like fun to me:-)

3 Things I am scared of:
1. Looking stupid
2. Fire
3. Being alone

3 Things that Make me Laugh:
1. My son
2. cartoons
3. my friends

3 Things I Love:
1. God
2. My family & friends
3. Chocolate

3 Things I Hate:
1. Housework
2. Running out of toilet paper
3. People who adjust their clothes while preparing my food at a restaurant

3 Things I Don’t Understand:
1. How to set the clock in my car
2. Why bad things happen to strong Christians
3. Survivor

3 Things On My Desk:
1. Papers
2. Birthday check!!!!!
3. Nativity scene (well part of it-don't ask)

3 Things I am Doing Right Now:
1. This meme
2. Trying to get my toddler to take a nap (steroids=energy)
3. Relaxin'

3 Things I Want To Do Before I Die:
1. Learn to play piano
2. Find a great church
3. Raise a happy healthy son (and more if that is in the future)

3 Things I Can Do:
1. Roof a house (and keep up w/ the guys)
2. Be supportive
3. Find some great bargains while shopping

3 Things I Can’t Do:
1. Sew on a sewing machine
2. Write everything down in my checkbook register
3. Sing

3 Things You Should Listen To:
1. The Word of God
2. Your mama
3. Your gut

3 Things You Should Never Listen To:
1. The devil
2. Meanies
3. Gossip

3 Things I’d Like To Learn:
1. How to play piano
2. How to organize well
3. Cook really well

3 Favorite Foods:
1. Mexican
2. Hand dipped milkshakes
3. My mom's cooking

3 Shows I Watched As A Kid:
1. Alf
2. Punky Brewster
3. Facts of Life


You go post yours, and then come back and leave me a comment

Oh boy!

CROUP. What a yucky sounding word. This lovely little ailment has shown up at my house..... poor Mikey had a horrible night, one that almost involved a trip in an 'ambuance' at 3am, luckily I kept my composure, we made it through everything. So today off we went to Dr. C's who was happy that he didn't wear his cowboy boots this time, and amazed at how his vocabulary and speech has blossomed since last visit (which she laughingly told me while Mikey was telling her "don't touch me").

Zany Day!!

May I just say that today was the most fantabulous 1st day that I've ever had at a new job? Seriously, It was. I left extra early and stopped at StarBucks on my way since I was soo early (hey, their regular coffee is the same price as gas station brew)!I showed up this morning to my office manager frantatically waving at me so that I could find the back way into the office so that I wouldn't look like an idiot. Things went extremely well... all day long. I accomplished more than what was expected of me, and learned how to use a hand held auto-refractor. Tomarrow is my first day travelling... I'm scared but excited at the same time. It should be a fun, albeit long, ride down toward the Cincinnati area :) Then, tonight was Boy Scouts. The troop met at my in laws old church, and I got to go see my hubby's Eagle Scout project.

Random Things:
*I seriously love the fact that I work in a Christian based environment.
*I can't start a new job, w/o new shoes.
*After the store bought pizza I got tonight... I will forever more make my own (which I usually do, but was too lazy to do tonight)
*I love watching my lil boy run with his cousins.
*Mikey caused me to have a coronary tonight, when I looked up and he's sitting ON TOP of the jungle gym.
*Little boys on grandpa's shoulders are just too comforting.

WFMW: Mornings

You have been warned....I am not a morning person (surpringly... i think that I may have been at one point and time. Hmmm... wonder what roommates thought? and when did it change?)!! I'm lucky to be able to have hubby get Mikey ready on most mornings since he goes to work later than I do, cuz honestly, somedays, I don't know how I get myself ready and out the door looking halfway decent, with everything that I need for the day, and on time.

Make-up and I don't get along in the mornings if you couldn't guess. I have absolutely no patience for foundation (and I'm always shaky on colorings....) so it used to be that most days I went w/o any makeup at all except maybe lip gloss. When I substituted, and actually got mistaken for a high schooler, I decided that I needed a little more help (not to mention some very nice hints from friends) and found the perfect solution: TINTED MOISTURIZER with SUNSCREEN!! It is now one of my must haves, and actually must use it 98% of the time before venturing out. You get moisturizer, sunscreen, and coverage all in one nice tube. Amazingly, it is almost goof proof and it helps even out my skin tone. CoverGirl makes a great one for around $5.oo and is totally worth it (It's in their CG Smoothers line). Then add some eye shadow and lip gloss and I'm good to go. Honestly my makeup time is down to under 5 minutes! (As a side bonus, I think my self confidence is a little bit better when I wear it, because I feel beautiful)

For more great tips go visit Shannon at http://www.rocksinmydryer.typepad.com

Is it Friday yet?

Drum roll please......

I got my job!!!! I received the call today, and start in 2 weeks! Not only is it better pay, scrubs are paid for (well mostly), and something that I can take pride in it's in a Christian office!! *insert happy dance here* I'll be helping expand the practice southward (we provide eye care for those in nursing homes and long term care facilities) . I am so stinkin' excited!!!! Now, I have the motivation to dust off the old self-confidence that's been sitting on the shelf since December.

In other news.... Mikey fell and hit his head pretty badly yesterday (think black goose egg right between the eyes, ouchies). After a frantic call to his pediatricians after hour service, I felt comfy enough not to run to the ER.... but spent the night waking him every 3 hours. Luckily he's acting fine :) He had a great day playing outside, and is now cat napping...

Journey- Part 1

I'm so glad that it is Friday!! My house desperately needs to be cleaned and decluttered... actually a good Spring Cleaning is needed. Hopefully the beautiful weather will stick around for a while... I'm so much more motivated during warmer weather.

I called the DR who passed on his cell number to me on Wednesday, and went in for an interview yesterday. Should be hearing something soon. I feel so good about this job, the mission that it is serving, I desperately want this job. Amazing thing happened when I met w/ the docor and office manager yesterday. I'm very high-anxiety at times, and the interview of course was no differant. The dr actually stopped at one point and said, "calm down, Ang. You're with a brother and sister in Christ...." Of course I already knew the doctor is a Christian, and likewise he knew of my background and also of the spiritual battle at my last job.

This whole interview process started me thinking of how far I've come in the past year. Last January we were starting to make friends, like our jobs, have a close bible study group, and be happy to be where we were. Hubby lost his job, and things were turned upside down. We decided to move to Columbus, and try to make better for ourselves (the economy in eastern KY is very bad). Hubby grew up here, so the move although difficult was easier for him in some ways. I litterally cried every time I thought of OH during the 2 weeks before moving. I knew nothing about Columbus... had never even driven on the interstates. Country girl turn city girl, didn't think that it could ever possibly happen. I felt lost and confined. I started a new job very soon after moving here... the standing joke was if I found my way to work w/o getting lost (which happened more than once). My job excited me, and challenged me, but it was not a good place to work. Spiritual warfare was heavy there.... I was not happy and I slipped back into a depression. Then a blessing in disguise happened, I lost my job right before Christmas. In the past few months I have taken an easy job just to regroup and refocus myself. Now, this job opportunity is before me and I am very happy and excited. Ohhh... and I now can pretty much go anywhere in the city w/ some good directions :) God has been good to me this past year.

to be continued.....

WFMW: Kitchen Edition

My family eats a lot of hamburger, but I hated to cook it because of the grease splatters....until someone taught me a trick. Before I begin the hamburger , I lightly sprinkle some salt into the skillet. This works for me, because we salt anyways... now I just do it for everyone ahead of time! Grease splatters now are mostly a thing of the past.

For more great ideas head on over to Shannons at http://www.rocksinmydryer.typepad.com

New Journey?!?

I've received some exciting news. Please pray for me tomarrow (Wed)... I'm calling a Doctor about a job. Now, this is BIG because he has asked me to personally call his cell... all because of word of mouth recomendations!! More tomarrow :)

Sad, Sad day

Last night while hubby and I were making our way through Wal-Mart, I pointed out some very cutesy undies... ones that I haven't had since Mikey was born (In my defense the white scrubs for the year kind of put a damper on cuteness). Sadly, hubby was more interested in new lightbulbs that are *supposed* to last for 5 years. Sad, but true. Hmmm.....
Ok... now to boyscouts, but more to come soon :)

Jazzy and MIL's

It's days like today that I remember why I was glad to live 3 hours from my mother-in-law. Shawn and I decided to use tax money to purchase a used car for me since mine is on her last leg. We purchased "Jazzy" from a friend. Now, hubby knows lots about cars, and has put a lot of work into Jazzy for T in the past... Jazzy's a great little car. Both sound engine wise and body wise. My MIL was upset because we purchased her, and made it very well known that we still owe them some money for a car loan for hubby a couple of years ago (hubby and FIL have a plan set up to repay it....) Jazzy is a '94 Plymoth Colt, periwinkle... oh so cute. She needs a good cleaning inside, so *gasp* I actually can't wait to clean her up when it stops raining!


My SIL today decided to give into M's wish to see the lovely little gumball come spiraling down from the huge cove of sugary goodness today at a restaurant... now I need to get gum out of hair (luckily it's just a very tiny little piece). Gotta laugh, because last week I had the same idea to show him said magic, but hubby stopped me just in time.

Too Funny

Ok, so I totally saw this somewhere else and *borrowed* it! Enjoy!

The 80's
You Know You Grew Up In the 80's if:
1. You've ever ended a sentence with the word SIKE.
2. You can sing the rap to the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and can do the Carlton
3. You know that "WOAH" comes from Joey on Blossom
4. If you ever watched "Fraggle Rock"
5. It was actually worth getting up early on a Saturday to watch cartoons.
6. You wore a ponytail on the side of your head.
7. You got super-excited when it was Oregon Trail day in computer class at school.
8. You made your mom buy one of those clips that would hold your shirt in a knot on the side.
9. You played the game "MASH"(Mansion, Apartment, Shelter, House)
10. You wore stonewashed Jordache jean jackets and were proud of it.
11. You know the profound meaning of "WAX ON, WAX OFF"
12. You wanted to be a Goonie.
13. You ever wore fluorescent clothing. (some of us...head-to-toe)
14. You can remember what Michael Jackson looked like before his nose fell off and his cheeks
shifted.
15. You have ever pondered why Smurfette was the only female smurf.
16. You took lunch boxes to school...and traded Garbage Pailkids in the schoolyard.
17. You remember the CRAZE, then the BANNING of slap bracelets.
18. You still get the urge to say "NOT" after every sentence.
19. You thought your childhood friends would never leave because you exchanged handmade
friendship bracelets.
20. You ever owned a pair of Jelly-Shoes.
21. After you saw Pee-Wee's Big Adventure you kept saying "I know you are, but what am I?"
22. You remember "I've fallen and I can't get up"
23. You remember going to the skating rink before there were inline skates. !
24. You have ever played with a Skip-It.
25. You remember boom boxes and walking around with one on your shoulder like you were all
that.
26. You remember watching both Gremlins movies.
27. You thought Doogie Howser/Samantha Micelli was hot.
28. You remember Alf, the l! il furry brown alien from Melmac.
29. You remember New Kids on the Block when they were cool...and don't even flinch when people refer to them as "NKOTB"
30. You knew all the characters names and their life stories on "Saved By The Bell," The
ORIGINAL class.
31. You know all the words to Bon Jovi - SHOT THROUGH THE HEART.
32. You just sang those words to yourself!
33. You still sing "We are the World"
34. You tight rolled your jeans.
35. You owned a bannana clip.
36. You remember "Where's the Beef?"
37. You used to (and probably still do) say "What you talkin' 'bout Willis?"
38. You're still singing "shot through the heart and your to blame" in your head, aren't you!

heavy heart

my heart is heavy tonight. i'm 'homesick' for a place that isn't my home anymore. i miss my family and it broke my heart tonight when during bedtime prayers when M was reciting off his list of people he was thankful for, i realized that it contained none of my family back home in kentucky. no sissy, or steph, or michael, and i wonder if mammaw and pappaw repeated a couple of times was for both sets of grandparents or if he just was carried away. i wanna pretend that it was for the former.

WFMW: Quick supper

I have a recipe that I love to fix on nights that a)I'm too lazy to actually cook a large supper, b) time and/or energy is running low or c)you have company coming! Plus kids love to help!!

Ingredients:
boneless, skinnless chicken breasts
1 cup butter melted
1 bag of sour cream and onion potato chips (Pringles work well or the cheapest brand you can find tastes better than more pricey chips)


Prep by crushing potato chips (either in their original bag or place in a zippy bag to crush) while melting butter in microwave. You then simply place chicken in butter a piece at a time to coat then roll it in the crunched up chips and set in an ungreased baking dish. Pour any left over butter and chips over top. Place in the oven on 375 for about 45 minutes.


the chips seriously taste like mashed potatoes.... fix a veggie and you're good to go!

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