Good Friday morning!
Before we get started, I want to encourage anyone reading today's post to click on Nitty Gritty under My Blog List. Read Jody's July 29 and July 30 posts about losing her four year-old daughter, Teagan, eight years ago. The posts will make you appreciate your children, your husband, your family and the moments you have with them so much more. She is simply amazing, and time and time again after reading her blog it helps me focus on the "now." Please take a few minutes to read this today.
Also, if you are into coupons and getting the most out of your buck, click on I'm Just Telling My Story. Monique is finding AMAZING bargains everywhere, and she's sharing how to do it as she goes along. I've tried several of her suggestions, and it's a lot of fun.
The final pics in the gallery are of another Faulkner Family tradition... Peach Park. We are not alone in celebrating this "on the way to the beach" and "on the way back from the beach" tradition. I know many other families who enjoy homemade peach ice cream and other treats at this wonderful little spot on the globe in Clanton, Alabama. The question is never asked, "Are you stopping at Peach Park?" Instead, "How much longer before we see the giant peach?" It's a given!
Weekend Happenings - The weekend is a little random, but fun. Mikie and I have a date tonight because all the grandkids are going to Top of the River to eat with Grandmother. I think we're just staying at home and eating Hawaiian chicken on the deck with all the tiki torches lit. Doesn't that sound fun? Can someone bring over some really good Hawaiian chicken around 6:00? And some rice to go with that, please?
Saturday will be spent finalizing computer/camera/X-Box shopping for Austin's move to JSU next week. If you've known me for less than a second, you know my eyes have now rolled all the way into the back of my head at the thought of having to spend ANY time computer/camera/X-Box shopping... so this will be special time spent between Austin and Mikie.
Sunday evening, the Faulkner Five are planning on going to the Dollar Movie to enjoy Night at the Museum 2. Only the women in our family saw this movie when it came out, but I know the guys will enjoy it, too.
That's it in a nutshell. I'm always interested to see how many things change from Friday evening to Monday morning. (I'm almost POSITIVE the Techno Shopping Trip will stay "as is." I AM NOT going to rob Mikie and Austin of that memory!)
Slightly Boring Beach Tale #4 - Typically, the day we leave is souvenir day. We don't want to waste what little time we have on the beach during a mini vacation shopping at Alvin's... but since we were leaving anyway, it was the perfect opportunity to stop and shop before we hit the road.
Roxie had decided beforehand on an airbrush t-shirt... with a beach look... with a volleyball emblazoned across the back. Yeah. They'll have tons of those. In actuality, they did have a "template" for a volleyball with a flame coming out from the side... but "beachy" it was not. After much deliberation of colors, etc., it did indeed become more "beachy" and definitely more "feminine." It was fun watching the guy turn an ordinary white t-shirt into a unique "thing of beauty."
While we were waiting, Austin bought a couple of t-shirts and Josh bought a muscle shirt. I remember the days when Austin's favorite souvenir, no matter where we were, was a jar of "slime." In any shape or form, if there was "slime" in the souvenir shop, Austin paid good money for it. We've had "slime" from at least seven different states... from at least 12 different trips. You can't imagine my delight the year he finally picked up a cap... to go with his "slime" purchase. But, things have certainly changed.
Other than the "teenage boys driving in traffic" scenario I spoke of earlier in the week, the trip home was very uneventful. We made good time (for us), and we reached Peach Park before it closed. Again, four out of five Faulkners were able to enjoy the wonderful ice cream at Peach Park. And once again, the only sugar-free flavors offered were vanilla and butter pecan! (I GIVE UP! Does anyone even eat butter pecan? Yuck!)
The trip was short, but declared a success by the Faulkner Five. For the most part, we are "mountain" people. However, we always enjoy a couple of days at the beach whenever possible. You can get great fudge in the mountains, but I have yet to have a good plate of fried crab claws there!
Book
I guess this week's book is no surprise. Austin was given A Young Man After God's Own Heart by Jim George as a graduation gift, and he has thoroughly enjoyed reading it this summer.
I love the description on the back cover. "Pursuing God really is an adventure -- one that can sometimes get extreme. Becoming a young man after God's own heart is a lot like climbing a mountain. You'll find all kinds of challenges on the way up! But the awesome view at the top is well worth the trip. As you go higher and higher, you'll experience the thrill of knowing real success in life -- the kind that counts with God. And it all starts by learning God's priorities for you."
After sitting through several college orientation speeches about "letting your son become a man," and hearing the words "experimenting" and "questioning" several times that day, it was wonderful to know the man God wants Austin to become is so much more than the world's definition of a "real man." And what young man doesn't want "adventure" in his life? And not just a worldly adventure, but an exciting Godly adventure! Yes!
The books talks about building your faith, choosing the right kinds of friends, getting along at home, making wise choices about the future and fighting the battle against temptation. I couldn't have picked a better book for Austin to read and enjoy before beginning this new chapter of his life.
Have a great weekend, folks! Summer is slip-sliding away, so make the most of each and every day. August will have started over the weekend, so we'll be doing a lot of back-to-school "stuff" next week. Also, since Austin will be moving next Friday, I'll be on much heavier medication in the coming days, so it might make for some entertaining reading... or not. You just never know!
Take care, and I'll talk to you Monday.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
DeSoto Caverns Date
Good Thursday morning!
NOTE TO ROBIN - Yes. Joseph is not the first young man who has coveted the big gold van. I have had many (MANY) teenage boys and girls ask if they could one day buy the big gold van and turn it into who knows what. (I have to say, I'm not loving the Man Cave on Wheels idea... although it already has a gaming system... and a twin bed.) I always tell them, in no uncertain terms, I am driving the big gold van until it dies. It is now 13 years old, and I love it as much as my beagles. I cannot bear to think of the day when I am no longer driving the big gold van. It is just too painful.
Also, while I appreciate the bond we share watching teenage sons drive on the busy interstate, I have to say I disagree with hiding my fear. I have always believed a healthy dose of fear is a plus when it comes to parenting.
For example... Your five year-old starts packing his suitcase to run away to greener pastures because Mommy and Daddy are mean and won't buy him a puppy... I tell him fine, but the neighbors saw three grizzly bears in our driveway the night before. "Fear" is a wonderful parenting tool! (Which is probably why I haven't been asked to speak at any parenting conferences lately!)
Thank you for my Alaska goodies. I LOVE them!
NOTE TO CAM - What can I say? I miss you! I can't wait until we can walk together again when school starts. Seven to ten miles a day, folks. (You may have figured out I think "exaggerating" is a great parenting tool, also. Some people would call it a lie, but they would be wrong.)
I've added a couple more gallery pics of our trip. These are from our second full day at the very crowded beach... 200,000,001 on Sunday as opposed to only 200,000,000 on Saturday. Explanations are below.
Weekend Family Fun
Dollar Movie - The Dollar Movie in Hoover has some new flicks to choose from this week. Night at the Museum 2, Imagine That, Monsters and Aliens to name a few. Check times on their website (www.carmike.com), and take the entire family for just a few bucks!
LifeWay Christian Bookstore - Mark your calendars. August 1 is sure to be a great day for VeggieTales fans. Why? Because there is a free event at LifeWay Christian Bookstore at the Village at Lee Branch shopping center.
The store is celebrating the DVD release of VeggieTales: Minnesota Cuke and the Search for Noah's Umbrella. The Kids Day Adventure program will feature free activities, giveaways and refreshments.
There will be an in-store scavenger hunt and children can make VeggieTales "merit" badges.
Here's what you need to know:
It begins at 11:00 a.m. and ends at 1:00 p.m. The store's address is 220 Doug Baker Boulevard, Birmingham, Alabama 35242. For more information call the store at 205-408-0536.
Flea Market - Briarwood Presbyterian Church will open its doors this Friday at noon for a spectacular first annual flea market. The Briarwood Flea Market sponsored by the Women's Ministry is Friday from noon to 6:00 p.m. and Saturday from 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Remember it is CASH ONLY.
Here's what you need to know:
The sale is open to the public. It will be an indoor/outdoor market, with more than 70 vendors. Booths will be in the church gym, lunchroom and surrounding outside areas.
Less Than Semi-Entertaining Beach Tale #3 - Day two at the beach started out much the same as day one... sleeping in, eating in and making our way to the now REALLY crowded beach area. The water was still clear and there were WAVES. We love waves. The bigger, the better.
We put the Frisbee away after a few minor mishaps (Code for BONKING NON-FAMILY MEMBERS IN THE HEAD... AGAIN), and just concentrated on body surfing. We love to body surf. Of course, it is more fun when you have a boogie board, but I'm a firm believer in taking as little to the beach as possible and still squeezing as much fun out of the beach as we can. Case in point... one Frisbee, five towels, and a cooler with five drinks. That's it. Of course, during this trip, there wasn't room for miles around for anything else.
You've probably guessed there will not be a picture of me in a bathing suit using the tips for the perfect bathing suit picture (no matter what your age or body type). Two things very necessary for these pictures to be a success is SPACE and LARGE CRASHING WAVES. (Plenty of space to set up the shot was mentioned in the booklet. Large crashing waves was my idea.) We had neither. Thus, the missing picture I know you've all been waiting for. Maybe next year...
After a couple of hours of playing in the surf and sand, we headed back to the pool for another repeat of the day before. Everyone had a good time and before we knew it, it was time to for dinner. We decided to try a restaurant in a place called Baytowne Wharf about two minutes from our hotel. It is a beautiful community built around a quaint village of restaurants, shops, etc. and it is definitely a place where the moderately to extremely wealthy stay. (We were just visiting.)
We ate at Acme Oyster House and the food was very good. After walking around a little, Roxie decided to Bungee Jump on trampolines. We bought her ticket and waited in line for her turn. She was very good, turning flip after flip after flip and going higher and higher. It was definitely her kind of "thing to do."
We also noticed a little zip line in the village. (Remember? I want to zip line before I'm 90.) It was a short zip line that went over a man-made lake and then back again. It cost $18 plus tax. I watched and thought long and hard about knocking the zip line off my list. But in my mind's eye, I'm always zip lining over the rainforest in South America... not over the heads of moderately to extremely wealthy people looking up and seeing me wearing a harness. (One of the most unattractive pieces of safety equipment ever invented, I might add.) Nope. That was not the ultimate zip lining experience I had dreamed of, and I refuse to settle for anything less.
Our evening ended at a wonderful ice cream/candy shop in the village with everyone getting exactly what their sweet tooth desired... except for me. (Why is it the great ice cream shops only have sugar-free flavors in vanilla and butter pecan? Shoot me now! What's wrong with sugar-free chocolate mint, or sugar-free chocolate peanut butter, or just sugar-free CHOCOLATE?) I found a pretzel stick dipped ever-so-lightly in white chocolate and tried to pretend it was really something very, very good. In reality, there's only so much you can do to a pretzel stick, white chocolate or not!
Day two ended just like day one... everyone going in different directions until the hotel shut down at 11:00, and then finding an appropriate movie to watch until the wee morning hours. We Faulkners like to get into a routine as quickly as possible when we go on vacation. We are, and have always been, creatures of habit.
Don't miss tomorrow's less than stimulating last day of our mini vacation. Well, at least come back for the Book of the Week if nothing else!
DeSoto Caverns Date
Located only an hour away off Highway 280 in Childersburg, you will find DeSoto Caverns. Although they host an event called Septemberfest every year, you can also take one of your kids on a very fun-filled date during a different month. The following are some of the things you and your date could enjoy:
1. Gem stone panning
2. Lost trail maze
3. Bow and arrow shoot
4. Cave wall climb
5. Happy's Hoop (basketball)
6. Cave crawl box (200 feet of tunnel for kids to crawl through)
7. Squirt gun maze
8. Water balloon battles
9. Wacky water dodge
10. Happy's Hopping Cave (moonwalk)
11. Crystal find (digging for crystals in a giant sandbox)
There are a total of 27 different attractions. Each attraction costs $5.99, so you would need to pick and choose one or two things that would interest you and your date. The Cavern tour is $17.99 for an adult ticket and $15.99 for a child ticket (ages 3 to 11). Since this is not a "cheap" date, it will take some planning and saving on your part, but it would definitely be memorable time spent with your child.
The Caverns are open Monday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Sundays from 1:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
For more information, call 256-378-7252 or go to their website at www.desotocavernspark.com. Oh... and have a great time!
Have a safe Thursday, full of family, friends and fun. Make some plans for the weekend (big or small), because if you don't you will wake up Monday morning and it will have just slipped away. I know. Been there... done that.
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
NOTE TO ROBIN - Yes. Joseph is not the first young man who has coveted the big gold van. I have had many (MANY) teenage boys and girls ask if they could one day buy the big gold van and turn it into who knows what. (I have to say, I'm not loving the Man Cave on Wheels idea... although it already has a gaming system... and a twin bed.) I always tell them, in no uncertain terms, I am driving the big gold van until it dies. It is now 13 years old, and I love it as much as my beagles. I cannot bear to think of the day when I am no longer driving the big gold van. It is just too painful.
Also, while I appreciate the bond we share watching teenage sons drive on the busy interstate, I have to say I disagree with hiding my fear. I have always believed a healthy dose of fear is a plus when it comes to parenting.
For example... Your five year-old starts packing his suitcase to run away to greener pastures because Mommy and Daddy are mean and won't buy him a puppy... I tell him fine, but the neighbors saw three grizzly bears in our driveway the night before. "Fear" is a wonderful parenting tool! (Which is probably why I haven't been asked to speak at any parenting conferences lately!)
Thank you for my Alaska goodies. I LOVE them!
NOTE TO CAM - What can I say? I miss you! I can't wait until we can walk together again when school starts. Seven to ten miles a day, folks. (You may have figured out I think "exaggerating" is a great parenting tool, also. Some people would call it a lie, but they would be wrong.)
I've added a couple more gallery pics of our trip. These are from our second full day at the very crowded beach... 200,000,001 on Sunday as opposed to only 200,000,000 on Saturday. Explanations are below.
Weekend Family Fun
Dollar Movie - The Dollar Movie in Hoover has some new flicks to choose from this week. Night at the Museum 2, Imagine That, Monsters and Aliens to name a few. Check times on their website (www.carmike.com), and take the entire family for just a few bucks!
LifeWay Christian Bookstore - Mark your calendars. August 1 is sure to be a great day for VeggieTales fans. Why? Because there is a free event at LifeWay Christian Bookstore at the Village at Lee Branch shopping center.
The store is celebrating the DVD release of VeggieTales: Minnesota Cuke and the Search for Noah's Umbrella. The Kids Day Adventure program will feature free activities, giveaways and refreshments.
There will be an in-store scavenger hunt and children can make VeggieTales "merit" badges.
Here's what you need to know:
It begins at 11:00 a.m. and ends at 1:00 p.m. The store's address is 220 Doug Baker Boulevard, Birmingham, Alabama 35242. For more information call the store at 205-408-0536.
Flea Market - Briarwood Presbyterian Church will open its doors this Friday at noon for a spectacular first annual flea market. The Briarwood Flea Market sponsored by the Women's Ministry is Friday from noon to 6:00 p.m. and Saturday from 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Remember it is CASH ONLY.
Here's what you need to know:
The sale is open to the public. It will be an indoor/outdoor market, with more than 70 vendors. Booths will be in the church gym, lunchroom and surrounding outside areas.
Less Than Semi-Entertaining Beach Tale #3 - Day two at the beach started out much the same as day one... sleeping in, eating in and making our way to the now REALLY crowded beach area. The water was still clear and there were WAVES. We love waves. The bigger, the better.
We put the Frisbee away after a few minor mishaps (Code for BONKING NON-FAMILY MEMBERS IN THE HEAD... AGAIN), and just concentrated on body surfing. We love to body surf. Of course, it is more fun when you have a boogie board, but I'm a firm believer in taking as little to the beach as possible and still squeezing as much fun out of the beach as we can. Case in point... one Frisbee, five towels, and a cooler with five drinks. That's it. Of course, during this trip, there wasn't room for miles around for anything else.
You've probably guessed there will not be a picture of me in a bathing suit using the tips for the perfect bathing suit picture (no matter what your age or body type). Two things very necessary for these pictures to be a success is SPACE and LARGE CRASHING WAVES. (Plenty of space to set up the shot was mentioned in the booklet. Large crashing waves was my idea.) We had neither. Thus, the missing picture I know you've all been waiting for. Maybe next year...
After a couple of hours of playing in the surf and sand, we headed back to the pool for another repeat of the day before. Everyone had a good time and before we knew it, it was time to for dinner. We decided to try a restaurant in a place called Baytowne Wharf about two minutes from our hotel. It is a beautiful community built around a quaint village of restaurants, shops, etc. and it is definitely a place where the moderately to extremely wealthy stay. (We were just visiting.)
We ate at Acme Oyster House and the food was very good. After walking around a little, Roxie decided to Bungee Jump on trampolines. We bought her ticket and waited in line for her turn. She was very good, turning flip after flip after flip and going higher and higher. It was definitely her kind of "thing to do."
We also noticed a little zip line in the village. (Remember? I want to zip line before I'm 90.) It was a short zip line that went over a man-made lake and then back again. It cost $18 plus tax. I watched and thought long and hard about knocking the zip line off my list. But in my mind's eye, I'm always zip lining over the rainforest in South America... not over the heads of moderately to extremely wealthy people looking up and seeing me wearing a harness. (One of the most unattractive pieces of safety equipment ever invented, I might add.) Nope. That was not the ultimate zip lining experience I had dreamed of, and I refuse to settle for anything less.
Our evening ended at a wonderful ice cream/candy shop in the village with everyone getting exactly what their sweet tooth desired... except for me. (Why is it the great ice cream shops only have sugar-free flavors in vanilla and butter pecan? Shoot me now! What's wrong with sugar-free chocolate mint, or sugar-free chocolate peanut butter, or just sugar-free CHOCOLATE?) I found a pretzel stick dipped ever-so-lightly in white chocolate and tried to pretend it was really something very, very good. In reality, there's only so much you can do to a pretzel stick, white chocolate or not!
Day two ended just like day one... everyone going in different directions until the hotel shut down at 11:00, and then finding an appropriate movie to watch until the wee morning hours. We Faulkners like to get into a routine as quickly as possible when we go on vacation. We are, and have always been, creatures of habit.
Don't miss tomorrow's less than stimulating last day of our mini vacation. Well, at least come back for the Book of the Week if nothing else!
DeSoto Caverns Date
Located only an hour away off Highway 280 in Childersburg, you will find DeSoto Caverns. Although they host an event called Septemberfest every year, you can also take one of your kids on a very fun-filled date during a different month. The following are some of the things you and your date could enjoy:
1. Gem stone panning
2. Lost trail maze
3. Bow and arrow shoot
4. Cave wall climb
5. Happy's Hoop (basketball)
6. Cave crawl box (200 feet of tunnel for kids to crawl through)
7. Squirt gun maze
8. Water balloon battles
9. Wacky water dodge
10. Happy's Hopping Cave (moonwalk)
11. Crystal find (digging for crystals in a giant sandbox)
There are a total of 27 different attractions. Each attraction costs $5.99, so you would need to pick and choose one or two things that would interest you and your date. The Cavern tour is $17.99 for an adult ticket and $15.99 for a child ticket (ages 3 to 11). Since this is not a "cheap" date, it will take some planning and saving on your part, but it would definitely be memorable time spent with your child.
The Caverns are open Monday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Sundays from 1:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
For more information, call 256-378-7252 or go to their website at www.desotocavernspark.com. Oh... and have a great time!
Have a safe Thursday, full of family, friends and fun. Make some plans for the weekend (big or small), because if you don't you will wake up Monday morning and it will have just slipped away. I know. Been there... done that.
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Premiere Party/Grandparent Luncheon
Good Wednesday morning!
NOTE TO LEANNA - I know. I know. Digital is better than film. However, I made a vow to use my good camera TEN years, and my TEN years will be over August, 2010. Until then... I will be using a combo of FILM and DIGITAL. Heavy sigh. The good news is they never have trouble finding my picture envelope at Wal-Mart. It's all alone in it's very own special old-fashioned "film only" drawer.
I've added a pic of Roxie and her friend, Ragan, to the Gallery today. We spent the day shopping for our First Day of School Outfit, and we had a good time. We were tired (Code for I WAS UTTERLY EXHAUSTED), but we accomplished our task, and the girls were a lot of fun to hang out with.
There is also a picture of Roxie in her "BAM! I have arrived!" First Day of School Outfit. (That's exactly what she calls it, too.) All that is missing is her "BAM! I have arrived!" First Day of School Hairdo. The hairdo is currently in the planning stage. NOTE - If you read the blog and you have a daughter who goes to school with Roxie, DO NOT let her see this picture. It has to be a surprise, or she will just die! (And I'm pretty sure I'll be in trouble, too.)
Semi-Entertaining Beach Tale #2 - This isn't so much an entertaining beach tale as it is a summary of our first full day at the beach. Sorry. I'll try to throw in a "shark story" or a "parasail hitting a hotel story" or a "Belinda swimming with a family of dolphins story" in there somewhere. Keep in mind it will be a COMPLETE and UTTER fabrication (Code for LIE).
We slept in until around 9:30 and had a quick breakfast in our room before we headed to the water. It was very overcast, and really quite comfortable for a July day. The water was crystal clear and although the waves weren't very big (and we like big waves), we had a lot of fun playing Ultimate Frisbee in the ocean for THREE hours! (And when I say Ultimate Frisbee, I use the term loosely. I know I hit four people in the head who were NOT playing with us.)
Three hours in the ocean and then it was back to the hotel for lunch by the pool. And then everyone went their separate ways. (That's what is so strange about vacationing with teenagers. One goes to the weight room. One goes upstairs to play computer. One stays at the pool. One comes downstairs to the pool, while the one in the pool goes upstairs to start getting her hair ready for dinner. The one in the weight room goes to the hot tub. For a couple of hours, we're just passing each other in the halls.)
But then we came together for a great late night dinner before we went back to the hotel to start the weight room/hot tub/pool/computer hop-around until 11:00 when everything shut down. (Another strange thing about vacationing with teenagers... When everything in the hotel shuts down at 11:00 p.m., it is then time to watch a movie until 1:00. Luckily, there were several good movies to choose from even at that late hour.)
At this time, I would love to direct your attention to the top of the page for my "How to Look Great in a Bathing Suit (No Matter What Your Age or Body Type)" picture, but... I am sorry. I cannot. It wasn't because I chickened out. It wasn't because I wasn't prepared with three different cameras and the little booklet that told exactly how to take such a picture. It was because there were over 200 million people on the beach this past weekend. (I am NOT exaggerating.) I have never seen it so crowded. Elbow to elbow. Towel to towel. It went on forever. Just a sea of people. It was even crowded in the ocean. That's why I kept bonking people in the head with a Frisbee. (That, and the fact I'm not a very good Frisbee thrower.)
The up-side to a crowded beach and ocean is the shark to people ratio is much better. I'm always telling myself, "I don't have to be the fastest swimmer... just faster than the 200 millionth person in the ocean today!" I try to put a positive spin on things whenever possible.
Back to the photograph. I didn't give up though. I had every intention of taking the photograph on the second full day of our trip. You'll have to check back tomorrow to see if I succeeded... or not!
Random Thought on Travel #2 - Is there anything in the whole world worse than driving home from the beach with your 18 year-old son driving... and following your husband and your 15 year-old son who are in another vehicle... and the 15 year-old is driving... in heavy traffic... and you have to watch from behind? You don't have to wonder about the answer to that question. It is quite simply NO!
Premiere Party
This party is simple, simple, simple and fun, fun, fun.
For the past few years, Disney has come out with a summer blockbuster TV movie (Cheetah Girls, High School Musical, High School Musical 2, Camp Rock to name a few). If you have a girl who enjoys these movies, plan a Premiere Party for her and her friends.
I've thrown two of these parties, and one was dress-up and one was pajama. For both, I used a long strip of red satin (the red carpet) for the girls to walk down as they came in the door with music from the movie soundtrack playing in the background. Sunglasses and feather boas were supplied for the walk and pictures.
The table was set with a red (plastic) tablecloth, black plates and napkins and plastic stemware. Finger foods and mini desserts (muffins, cookies, etc.) were the food for the evening and sparkling cider was served in the elegant stemware.
Timing is everything for this kind of party. The girls should arrive about one hour prior to the beginning of the movie to have time for the pictures, dancing on the red carpet and dinner.
Five minutes before the movie, begin the countdown. I usually tell them to gather the pillows, and the girls run from room to room grabbing every available pillow and blanket they can find to make themselves totally comfortable for this gala event.
Halfway through the movie, popcorn is served. This is also a great party because you know exactly when the movie is going to be over, so parents can show up ten minutes before the final credits roll to be ready to take their little diva home.
The biggest mess is putting away the pillows and blankets and rolling up the tablecloth and putting it in the trash can with all the other paper products.
The girls LOVE watching these movies with their friends. You can't find an easier party to throw, or one the girls would enjoy more!
Grandparent Luncheon
Before school starts back each year, honor your grandparents with a luncheon that is planned, prepared and served by the grandchildren. Have the kids make the celebration bubbly (7-Up and cranberry juice), false teeth (apple slices with peanut butter and marshmallows for teeth), clown kids (pear faces with raisin eyes, carrot hair and cherry noses), and twinkle sandwiches (tuna fish sandwiches cut into stars). Have the kids act as waiters and waitresses, making sure the grandparents have everything they need during the meal. Have soft music playing in the background, also, to set the mood.
This idea appeared in Family Fun Magazine, September 1999, and it was an idea from Lisa Schraffenberger in West Chester, Ohio.
You could make this idea your own by preparing a menu according to your own grandparents' likes and dislikes, and also by letting the kids decorate the table using a special theme. For example, if Grandpa likes to garden, decorate in yellow and green (the colors of John Deere tractors), and have food from the garden. If Grandma likes to bake, use her favorite colors in the decorations, and use some of her best recipes for the dishes you prepare. Use your imagination and make it as simple or elaborate as you and your kids would like.
It will be time well spent with some of the people your kids love most before the busy school days start again.
Have a wonderful Wednesday! Tomorrow we are totally back on track! A fun date for the summer AND Weekend Family Fun. Don't forget to check back... And as always, feel free to leave any of your ideas in the comment section or e-mail me. I'm always looking for something different and fun to do with the family.
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
NOTE TO LEANNA - I know. I know. Digital is better than film. However, I made a vow to use my good camera TEN years, and my TEN years will be over August, 2010. Until then... I will be using a combo of FILM and DIGITAL. Heavy sigh. The good news is they never have trouble finding my picture envelope at Wal-Mart. It's all alone in it's very own special old-fashioned "film only" drawer.
I've added a pic of Roxie and her friend, Ragan, to the Gallery today. We spent the day shopping for our First Day of School Outfit, and we had a good time. We were tired (Code for I WAS UTTERLY EXHAUSTED), but we accomplished our task, and the girls were a lot of fun to hang out with.
There is also a picture of Roxie in her "BAM! I have arrived!" First Day of School Outfit. (That's exactly what she calls it, too.) All that is missing is her "BAM! I have arrived!" First Day of School Hairdo. The hairdo is currently in the planning stage. NOTE - If you read the blog and you have a daughter who goes to school with Roxie, DO NOT let her see this picture. It has to be a surprise, or she will just die! (And I'm pretty sure I'll be in trouble, too.)
Semi-Entertaining Beach Tale #2 - This isn't so much an entertaining beach tale as it is a summary of our first full day at the beach. Sorry. I'll try to throw in a "shark story" or a "parasail hitting a hotel story" or a "Belinda swimming with a family of dolphins story" in there somewhere. Keep in mind it will be a COMPLETE and UTTER fabrication (Code for LIE).
We slept in until around 9:30 and had a quick breakfast in our room before we headed to the water. It was very overcast, and really quite comfortable for a July day. The water was crystal clear and although the waves weren't very big (and we like big waves), we had a lot of fun playing Ultimate Frisbee in the ocean for THREE hours! (And when I say Ultimate Frisbee, I use the term loosely. I know I hit four people in the head who were NOT playing with us.)
Three hours in the ocean and then it was back to the hotel for lunch by the pool. And then everyone went their separate ways. (That's what is so strange about vacationing with teenagers. One goes to the weight room. One goes upstairs to play computer. One stays at the pool. One comes downstairs to the pool, while the one in the pool goes upstairs to start getting her hair ready for dinner. The one in the weight room goes to the hot tub. For a couple of hours, we're just passing each other in the halls.)
But then we came together for a great late night dinner before we went back to the hotel to start the weight room/hot tub/pool/computer hop-around until 11:00 when everything shut down. (Another strange thing about vacationing with teenagers... When everything in the hotel shuts down at 11:00 p.m., it is then time to watch a movie until 1:00. Luckily, there were several good movies to choose from even at that late hour.)
At this time, I would love to direct your attention to the top of the page for my "How to Look Great in a Bathing Suit (No Matter What Your Age or Body Type)" picture, but... I am sorry. I cannot. It wasn't because I chickened out. It wasn't because I wasn't prepared with three different cameras and the little booklet that told exactly how to take such a picture. It was because there were over 200 million people on the beach this past weekend. (I am NOT exaggerating.) I have never seen it so crowded. Elbow to elbow. Towel to towel. It went on forever. Just a sea of people. It was even crowded in the ocean. That's why I kept bonking people in the head with a Frisbee. (That, and the fact I'm not a very good Frisbee thrower.)
The up-side to a crowded beach and ocean is the shark to people ratio is much better. I'm always telling myself, "I don't have to be the fastest swimmer... just faster than the 200 millionth person in the ocean today!" I try to put a positive spin on things whenever possible.
Back to the photograph. I didn't give up though. I had every intention of taking the photograph on the second full day of our trip. You'll have to check back tomorrow to see if I succeeded... or not!
Random Thought on Travel #2 - Is there anything in the whole world worse than driving home from the beach with your 18 year-old son driving... and following your husband and your 15 year-old son who are in another vehicle... and the 15 year-old is driving... in heavy traffic... and you have to watch from behind? You don't have to wonder about the answer to that question. It is quite simply NO!
Premiere Party
This party is simple, simple, simple and fun, fun, fun.
For the past few years, Disney has come out with a summer blockbuster TV movie (Cheetah Girls, High School Musical, High School Musical 2, Camp Rock to name a few). If you have a girl who enjoys these movies, plan a Premiere Party for her and her friends.
I've thrown two of these parties, and one was dress-up and one was pajama. For both, I used a long strip of red satin (the red carpet) for the girls to walk down as they came in the door with music from the movie soundtrack playing in the background. Sunglasses and feather boas were supplied for the walk and pictures.
The table was set with a red (plastic) tablecloth, black plates and napkins and plastic stemware. Finger foods and mini desserts (muffins, cookies, etc.) were the food for the evening and sparkling cider was served in the elegant stemware.
Timing is everything for this kind of party. The girls should arrive about one hour prior to the beginning of the movie to have time for the pictures, dancing on the red carpet and dinner.
Five minutes before the movie, begin the countdown. I usually tell them to gather the pillows, and the girls run from room to room grabbing every available pillow and blanket they can find to make themselves totally comfortable for this gala event.
Halfway through the movie, popcorn is served. This is also a great party because you know exactly when the movie is going to be over, so parents can show up ten minutes before the final credits roll to be ready to take their little diva home.
The biggest mess is putting away the pillows and blankets and rolling up the tablecloth and putting it in the trash can with all the other paper products.
The girls LOVE watching these movies with their friends. You can't find an easier party to throw, or one the girls would enjoy more!
Grandparent Luncheon
Before school starts back each year, honor your grandparents with a luncheon that is planned, prepared and served by the grandchildren. Have the kids make the celebration bubbly (7-Up and cranberry juice), false teeth (apple slices with peanut butter and marshmallows for teeth), clown kids (pear faces with raisin eyes, carrot hair and cherry noses), and twinkle sandwiches (tuna fish sandwiches cut into stars). Have the kids act as waiters and waitresses, making sure the grandparents have everything they need during the meal. Have soft music playing in the background, also, to set the mood.
This idea appeared in Family Fun Magazine, September 1999, and it was an idea from Lisa Schraffenberger in West Chester, Ohio.
You could make this idea your own by preparing a menu according to your own grandparents' likes and dislikes, and also by letting the kids decorate the table using a special theme. For example, if Grandpa likes to garden, decorate in yellow and green (the colors of John Deere tractors), and have food from the garden. If Grandma likes to bake, use her favorite colors in the decorations, and use some of her best recipes for the dishes you prepare. Use your imagination and make it as simple or elaborate as you and your kids would like.
It will be time well spent with some of the people your kids love most before the busy school days start again.
Have a wonderful Wednesday! Tomorrow we are totally back on track! A fun date for the summer AND Weekend Family Fun. Don't forget to check back... And as always, feel free to leave any of your ideas in the comment section or e-mail me. I'm always looking for something different and fun to do with the family.
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Monday, July 27, 2009
Blueberry-Sour Cream Cake
Good Tuesday morning!
AND THE WINNER IS... DAWN!!!! And to make sure it was PERFECTLY fair, Dawn's name was entered 10 times... the same amount as the people who put me on their blogs. (Some of the blogs out there have several hundred readers, also. Just like Facebook.) Dawn, I know you're on vacation, but if you're keeping up with the contest, let me know which gift certificate you would like, and it will be ready and waiting for you when you come home. CONGRATULATIONS!
The next contest will be my One Year Anniversary Contest held October 16.
So much to talk about, and so little time... because I'm so tired, you see. However, I'll do the best I can. The Showcase Pic is of me and Roxie on the beach at sunset. We ate at Captain Dave's (a Destin tradition... our Gulf Shores tradition is Sea & Suds), and ran down to the beach while we were waiting on our food for just a few minutes. I think we hit it just right... maybe a little too much light, but I still like the photos. (I have another ten pictures on film in the good camera, so I'm hoping one of those is frame-worthy.)
The Gallery Pics are just a few of the beach pictures we took... stories to follow below. I'll be adding a few pics here and there all week long. You know, just to stretch everything out a bit.
Austin's Countdown... 10 More Days - Even though I am a huge "number" person, I have intentionally avoided counting down the days until Austin's departure. Unfortunately, one of the kids said something about this being the last mini beach trip we would ever take before Austin left to begin his new life at college. Seeing that I was visibly shaken, the kids jumped on the opportunity to torture me, and now they are ALL counting down the days until Austin departs. Today is number TEN... or as Josh puts it, "The last day before the countdown is in the single digits."
I'm staying strong (and in denial) until the very last minute... ten days from now. I believe that is the best way for me to handle this particular "transition." That's what all the books call it... a "transition." In actuality, it is an enormous cataclysmic (very good word) event in the mother/child journey. "Transition" doesn't even begin to describe the upheaval that is about to take place in the Faulkner household in TEN DAYS and counting. Well, more on that topic later. (Much, much more!)
Entertaining Beach Tale #1 - I guess the picture at the top of the page gives away the "story" for the most part. However, allow me to add a few adjectives here and there...
We were headed to the beach to meet Mikie in the big gold van when I spied what I now believe was a steel cable in the middle of the road. When I first saw the cable, it looked more like a harmless shiny jump rope. I centered it with the van, and we all heard and felt the impact of metal on metal. I asked Roxie to watch out the back window to make sure I hadn't punctured something beneath the van and some kind of useful "van" liquid wasn't pouring out. No liquid. Everything seemed okay. We drove for another 15 to 20 minutes to the Greenville Exit. (Time for a potty break, you know.)
Once on the exit ramp, I sat at a red light for a few seconds and then turned left to drive to the McDonald's across the bridge. It took all of two seconds for me to realize we had a very flat tire. I slowed to one mile per hour and pulled into a gas station (whose name I didn't recognize). We found the flat tire in question. This led me to believe the steel cable in the middle of the road had made contact with more than just the bottom of the big gold van. I called Mikie and Austin began to get the jack and accessories out of our Big Gold Van Tire Changing Bag. While he started the tire changing process, Mikie told me to see if there was anyone (meaning "tire changing company") who would change it for me since we have insurance. Austin would probably have been able to change it, but it was different from anything he had worked on before. (I'm going to have to start calling it the Big OLD Gold Van. Because of it's advanced age, everything about it is a "little" different from other vehicles... including tire changing paraphernalia.)
I left the kids working on the van and went inside to ask for some phone numbers. Lisa, the girl behind the counter, was very helpful and after six calls found an actual person willing to help me. She handed me the phone. After I explained the situation, the woman on the other end said, "Well, we'll see what we can do," and I could tell as far as she was concerned it was the end of the conversation.
"Whoa, whoa! What does that mean exactly?" I asked. (I wasn't being rude when I yelled "Whoa, whoa!" I was just trying to stop her before she hung up.)
"It means someone will be there within 20 minutes," she huffed.
"Huff away, Lady," I thought to myself. "We'll see what we can do" and "Someone will be there within 20 minutes" are definitely two VERY DIFFERENT THINGS!
It was at the end of the phone conversation I looked out the window of the gas station to see not two, but all three of my children engaged in a loud argument. Now usually, I don't talk about such things... because talking about such things would mean they really happen... and that would mean that my children aren't perfect... and that would mean I wasn't the perfect mother. But there were many witnesses, so I feel I must confess... my children aren't perfect... so it isn't my fault I'm not a perfect mother. I've had to work with what the good Lord gave me.
I couldn't hear what they were saying, but the body language was definitely there. Roxie had both hands on her hips, and she was leaning forward, and her pony-tail was flipping so hard it looked like it had a life of it's own. Austin and Josh stood "discussing" the best way to proceed, but each was holding a large metal crowbar-type tire-changing tool, and I knew one bonk on the head or poke in the chest with one of those things would cause us an even longer delay as an emergency room visit would probably be required.
So I did what any perfect mother of imperfect children would do in the same situation... I went outside, gave Austin my debit card and told all of them to walk to the McDonald's and get whatever they wanted. (REMINDER: My kids are 18, 15 and 12. I would not have settled this problem in the same manner if they had been 10, 7 and 4. Just wanted to make sure new readers didn't think I had totally lost my mind. Old readers know I have. New readers might still be under the impression I have a mind to lose!)
Long story short, the kids made it across two major highways to McDonald's and the man came to fix my tire within ten minutes... not 20. And he was a great guy. Very professional and fast. His name was Derrick. And when I asked him if the spare was safe to travel on, he answered the question exactly how I wanted him to answer. "The tire is very safe. I would have no problem with my wife driving to the beach on that tire." Of course, I'm assuming Derrick had a good relationship with his wife, but that would be another story!
I drove to McDonald's and picked up my now-happy non-fighting children and off to the beach we went... again. (More trip tales tomorrow!)
Random Thought on Travel #1 - Why does the "road sign guy" put signs out that read, "LAST EXIT FOR 27 MILES" on the bottom of the Official Exit Sign? There's no time to whip into the exit lane as you read that vital little tidbit of info going 70 miles per hour. And then you automatically HAVE to go to the restroom even though you took a potty break five miles back. There's just something about knowing the next exit is 27 MILES AWAY that makes that tiny sip of water I always take right before I start a long road trip kick in! I just LOVE that "road sign guy," don't you?
Blueberry-Sour Creme Cake
Because of my extreme fatigue, the Recipe will be posted today (as usual), and the Party/Event will be posted tomorrow along with the Seasonal Tradition.
I copied this recipe out of the Sandra Lee Semi-Homemade magazine (July/August 2009). You will need the following:
1 (22.2 ounce) package Twice the Blueberries Muffin and Quick Bread Mix (Betty Crocker)
1/3 cup sour cream
1/4 cup whole milk
2 large eggs
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1/4 cup sugar
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Spray a 7-cup fluted pan with nonstick baking spray with flour.
2. In a medium bowl, combine muffin mix, sour cream, milk, eggs, oil and 1 can blueberries from muffin mix. Beat at medium speed with an electric mixer until smooth. Spoon mixture into prepared pan. Bake for 30 minutes, or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Let cool in pan for 15 minutes. Remove from pan, and cool completely on a wire rack.
3. In a small saucepan, combine sugar and remaining 1 can blueberries from muffin mix. Cook over medium heat until thickened, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat. Spoon glaze over cooled cake.
Doesn't that sound good? I've got to get busy. I've got a lemon creme pie AND a blueberry-sour cream cake to bake this week. Lot's to do... lot's to do.
Have a glorious Tuesday. Tomorrow we're back on schedule with a Party/Event, a Seasonal Tradition, Part 2 of our Mini Beach Trip and just a little bit more.
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
AND THE WINNER IS... DAWN!!!! And to make sure it was PERFECTLY fair, Dawn's name was entered 10 times... the same amount as the people who put me on their blogs. (Some of the blogs out there have several hundred readers, also. Just like Facebook.) Dawn, I know you're on vacation, but if you're keeping up with the contest, let me know which gift certificate you would like, and it will be ready and waiting for you when you come home. CONGRATULATIONS!
The next contest will be my One Year Anniversary Contest held October 16.
So much to talk about, and so little time... because I'm so tired, you see. However, I'll do the best I can. The Showcase Pic is of me and Roxie on the beach at sunset. We ate at Captain Dave's (a Destin tradition... our Gulf Shores tradition is Sea & Suds), and ran down to the beach while we were waiting on our food for just a few minutes. I think we hit it just right... maybe a little too much light, but I still like the photos. (I have another ten pictures on film in the good camera, so I'm hoping one of those is frame-worthy.)
The Gallery Pics are just a few of the beach pictures we took... stories to follow below. I'll be adding a few pics here and there all week long. You know, just to stretch everything out a bit.
Austin's Countdown... 10 More Days - Even though I am a huge "number" person, I have intentionally avoided counting down the days until Austin's departure. Unfortunately, one of the kids said something about this being the last mini beach trip we would ever take before Austin left to begin his new life at college. Seeing that I was visibly shaken, the kids jumped on the opportunity to torture me, and now they are ALL counting down the days until Austin departs. Today is number TEN... or as Josh puts it, "The last day before the countdown is in the single digits."
I'm staying strong (and in denial) until the very last minute... ten days from now. I believe that is the best way for me to handle this particular "transition." That's what all the books call it... a "transition." In actuality, it is an enormous cataclysmic (very good word) event in the mother/child journey. "Transition" doesn't even begin to describe the upheaval that is about to take place in the Faulkner household in TEN DAYS and counting. Well, more on that topic later. (Much, much more!)
Entertaining Beach Tale #1 - I guess the picture at the top of the page gives away the "story" for the most part. However, allow me to add a few adjectives here and there...
We were headed to the beach to meet Mikie in the big gold van when I spied what I now believe was a steel cable in the middle of the road. When I first saw the cable, it looked more like a harmless shiny jump rope. I centered it with the van, and we all heard and felt the impact of metal on metal. I asked Roxie to watch out the back window to make sure I hadn't punctured something beneath the van and some kind of useful "van" liquid wasn't pouring out. No liquid. Everything seemed okay. We drove for another 15 to 20 minutes to the Greenville Exit. (Time for a potty break, you know.)
Once on the exit ramp, I sat at a red light for a few seconds and then turned left to drive to the McDonald's across the bridge. It took all of two seconds for me to realize we had a very flat tire. I slowed to one mile per hour and pulled into a gas station (whose name I didn't recognize). We found the flat tire in question. This led me to believe the steel cable in the middle of the road had made contact with more than just the bottom of the big gold van. I called Mikie and Austin began to get the jack and accessories out of our Big Gold Van Tire Changing Bag. While he started the tire changing process, Mikie told me to see if there was anyone (meaning "tire changing company") who would change it for me since we have insurance. Austin would probably have been able to change it, but it was different from anything he had worked on before. (I'm going to have to start calling it the Big OLD Gold Van. Because of it's advanced age, everything about it is a "little" different from other vehicles... including tire changing paraphernalia.)
I left the kids working on the van and went inside to ask for some phone numbers. Lisa, the girl behind the counter, was very helpful and after six calls found an actual person willing to help me. She handed me the phone. After I explained the situation, the woman on the other end said, "Well, we'll see what we can do," and I could tell as far as she was concerned it was the end of the conversation.
"Whoa, whoa! What does that mean exactly?" I asked. (I wasn't being rude when I yelled "Whoa, whoa!" I was just trying to stop her before she hung up.)
"It means someone will be there within 20 minutes," she huffed.
"Huff away, Lady," I thought to myself. "We'll see what we can do" and "Someone will be there within 20 minutes" are definitely two VERY DIFFERENT THINGS!
It was at the end of the phone conversation I looked out the window of the gas station to see not two, but all three of my children engaged in a loud argument. Now usually, I don't talk about such things... because talking about such things would mean they really happen... and that would mean that my children aren't perfect... and that would mean I wasn't the perfect mother. But there were many witnesses, so I feel I must confess... my children aren't perfect... so it isn't my fault I'm not a perfect mother. I've had to work with what the good Lord gave me.
I couldn't hear what they were saying, but the body language was definitely there. Roxie had both hands on her hips, and she was leaning forward, and her pony-tail was flipping so hard it looked like it had a life of it's own. Austin and Josh stood "discussing" the best way to proceed, but each was holding a large metal crowbar-type tire-changing tool, and I knew one bonk on the head or poke in the chest with one of those things would cause us an even longer delay as an emergency room visit would probably be required.
So I did what any perfect mother of imperfect children would do in the same situation... I went outside, gave Austin my debit card and told all of them to walk to the McDonald's and get whatever they wanted. (REMINDER: My kids are 18, 15 and 12. I would not have settled this problem in the same manner if they had been 10, 7 and 4. Just wanted to make sure new readers didn't think I had totally lost my mind. Old readers know I have. New readers might still be under the impression I have a mind to lose!)
Long story short, the kids made it across two major highways to McDonald's and the man came to fix my tire within ten minutes... not 20. And he was a great guy. Very professional and fast. His name was Derrick. And when I asked him if the spare was safe to travel on, he answered the question exactly how I wanted him to answer. "The tire is very safe. I would have no problem with my wife driving to the beach on that tire." Of course, I'm assuming Derrick had a good relationship with his wife, but that would be another story!
I drove to McDonald's and picked up my now-happy non-fighting children and off to the beach we went... again. (More trip tales tomorrow!)
Random Thought on Travel #1 - Why does the "road sign guy" put signs out that read, "LAST EXIT FOR 27 MILES" on the bottom of the Official Exit Sign? There's no time to whip into the exit lane as you read that vital little tidbit of info going 70 miles per hour. And then you automatically HAVE to go to the restroom even though you took a potty break five miles back. There's just something about knowing the next exit is 27 MILES AWAY that makes that tiny sip of water I always take right before I start a long road trip kick in! I just LOVE that "road sign guy," don't you?
Blueberry-Sour Creme Cake
Because of my extreme fatigue, the Recipe will be posted today (as usual), and the Party/Event will be posted tomorrow along with the Seasonal Tradition.
I copied this recipe out of the Sandra Lee Semi-Homemade magazine (July/August 2009). You will need the following:
1 (22.2 ounce) package Twice the Blueberries Muffin and Quick Bread Mix (Betty Crocker)
1/3 cup sour cream
1/4 cup whole milk
2 large eggs
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1/4 cup sugar
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Spray a 7-cup fluted pan with nonstick baking spray with flour.
2. In a medium bowl, combine muffin mix, sour cream, milk, eggs, oil and 1 can blueberries from muffin mix. Beat at medium speed with an electric mixer until smooth. Spoon mixture into prepared pan. Bake for 30 minutes, or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Let cool in pan for 15 minutes. Remove from pan, and cool completely on a wire rack.
3. In a small saucepan, combine sugar and remaining 1 can blueberries from muffin mix. Cook over medium heat until thickened, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat. Spoon glaze over cooled cake.
Doesn't that sound good? I've got to get busy. I've got a lemon creme pie AND a blueberry-sour cream cake to bake this week. Lot's to do... lot's to do.
Have a glorious Tuesday. Tomorrow we're back on schedule with a Party/Event, a Seasonal Tradition, Part 2 of our Mini Beach Trip and just a little bit more.
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Weekend Happenings
Good Friday morning!
NOTE TO LEANNA - Thank you, LeAnna. I hope you weren't under any undue pressure to enter. HA! I love you, too, LeAnna. Have a great weekend. (By the way... Where is Tonya?)
NOTE TO TONYA - Tonya, have you entered the contest? Where are you? Again, just like your sister-in-law, no pressure intended. (I expect a comment from you by the time I get back Monday. Don't make me get Mitchell and the boys involved!)
Weekend Happenings
Well, this weekend is actually somewhat exciting for the Faulkner Five. We're going to the BEACH! That's right. Mikie has a conference. Normally, we would have left together Wednesday morning, but because of Josh's football obligations, Mike left Wednesday and the remaining Faulkner Four are leaving today around 11:30. Mike's meetings will be over around noon, so we have all day Saturday and Sunday to enjoy the surf, sand and sun (not to mention crab claws).
No surprise here, but next week's pics will probably be a bunch of beach photos.
Because we won't be coming in until late Monday afternoon, there will be NO new post this coming Monday. But don't worry, Tuesday's post will have a Party/Event, AND a Recipe, AND the contest winner, AND wonderfully entertaining stories from our weekend at the beach (I am certain).
I read a few tips on how to have a picture taken at the beach in your bathing suit that is actually "flattering" for all ages and body types. I'm going to try a couple of the tips, and if they work you may see a bathing suit pic of me next week... or not. (They're really going to have to be good pics... and the timing is going to have to be perfect... with the waves crashing down around me in all the appropriate "problem areas." We'll see. We'll see.)
Tongue Update
Hundreds of you have been asking about my tongue. (Well, actually just two, but I appreciate the concern.) I received my "results" yesterday over the phone, and they told me I had a (PUT A HUGE WORD HERE). "Say what?" I asked.
"It's a little discoloration from being pricked from one of the instruments from your last dental cleaning. It's nothing."
I was happy with that answer. You can never be too careful with overly cheerful nurses who call about Sharpie marks on the bottom of your tongue that require MAJOR SURGERY to remove... Oh, and don't forget the stitch!
Mandatory Meetings
I actually made myself go to the MANDATORY football meeting last night, and as far as MANDATORY meetings go, it wasn't half bad. I think the biggest reason was because I whispered to my friend, Joan, throughout one-third of the festivities about things of interest to ME. (She's going to the beach today, too, so I was getting her itinerary and sharing ours.) With my luck, I was glad one of the coaches didn't rebuke me in front of the children and other parents, but they chose to overlook me instead. (In all honesty, I was half hoping they would rebuke me AND ban me from any other MANDATORY meetings. Didn't happen.)
The Gallery Pic for today is my handsome Josh in some of his football garb in front of the house. The boy is really looking forward to playing football. Even if it's just sideline standing this year, he is excited. I hope and pray it's everything he's always dreamed it would be.
Oh, and just for the record, there's a meeting every Tuesday between now and the beginning of school. However, I didn't hear the word "MANDATORY," (but I was humming to myself at the time). Anyway, I think Mikie may have to attend those solo. (That's the plan, and I'm sticking to it!)
200th Post Contest
I know you are ready for this to be over, but I'm posting the 200th Post Contest rules ONE MORE TIME! You have until midnight Monday, July 27, and I'll reveal the winner at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday morning, July 28.
1. For every person you share my blog address with (www.belindafaulkner.blogspot.com), your name will be put in a bowl one time. (If you tell ten people about A Simple Life, your name will be put in the drawing bowl TEN times.) It's that easy.
2. If you have a blog of your own, and you mention A Simple Life in your blog, your name automatically goes in the drawing bowl TEN times.
3. If you don't tell anyone about the blog, you can still have your name put in the drawing bowl by leaving me an e-mail OR comment with the word "contest" somewhere in the text. (It doesn't even have to be in a sentence.)
4. You need to let me know how many people you have shared the info with by midnight, Monday, July 27. The drawing will be held at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, July 28.
5. I hope it goes without saying you need to share the website with people who actually use a computer. (Two year-olds and great-grandmothers who have never heard the term "blog" do not count!)
The prize is a $15 gift certificate to Wal-Mart OR Chick-Fil-A OR the scrapbook store of your choice. FREE, FREE, FREE!
Book
This week I have a Guest Book Reviewer. Taylor Grubbs (one of Roxie's buddies) was very excited about a new devotion book she's been reading, and when I called to ask her to comment on the book she was more than willing. Here are some of her thoughts on A Young Woman After God's Own Heart by Elizabeth George.
"I like this book because it is very easy to read, and it connects you to your Bible. It shows you how to become a better person in God. It gives you examples in the Bible to relate to whatever the subject is (you are learning about). After the main thought, it gives you ideas on how to improve your walk with God and learn more.
"This book has many great ideas and quotes. 'Good, better best. Never let it rest, until your good is better, and better is best.' That's one of my favorite quotes. That really stuck out to me.
"Even though I haven't finished the book yet, I believe every girl 12 to 16 should read it."
Isn't that an excellent review? Doesn't it make you want to buy this book for your daughter... TODAY! Thank you very much, Taylor. I may have to call on you again in the future.
Have the best weekend EVER! (As you can tell, I'm in CAPITALIZATION MODE again!) I've noticed I'm using a lot of exclamation points, too! I'm not shouting! I'm just excited about our mini-vacation! Make the most of every day you have with your family! Make wonderful memories! And while you're making memories, take tons of pictures! (You'll enjoy them when you're old and gray... or 47 years-old!)
Take care, and I'll talk to you TUESDAY!
NOTE TO LEANNA - Thank you, LeAnna. I hope you weren't under any undue pressure to enter. HA! I love you, too, LeAnna. Have a great weekend. (By the way... Where is Tonya?)
NOTE TO TONYA - Tonya, have you entered the contest? Where are you? Again, just like your sister-in-law, no pressure intended. (I expect a comment from you by the time I get back Monday. Don't make me get Mitchell and the boys involved!)
Weekend Happenings
Well, this weekend is actually somewhat exciting for the Faulkner Five. We're going to the BEACH! That's right. Mikie has a conference. Normally, we would have left together Wednesday morning, but because of Josh's football obligations, Mike left Wednesday and the remaining Faulkner Four are leaving today around 11:30. Mike's meetings will be over around noon, so we have all day Saturday and Sunday to enjoy the surf, sand and sun (not to mention crab claws).
No surprise here, but next week's pics will probably be a bunch of beach photos.
Because we won't be coming in until late Monday afternoon, there will be NO new post this coming Monday. But don't worry, Tuesday's post will have a Party/Event, AND a Recipe, AND the contest winner, AND wonderfully entertaining stories from our weekend at the beach (I am certain).
I read a few tips on how to have a picture taken at the beach in your bathing suit that is actually "flattering" for all ages and body types. I'm going to try a couple of the tips, and if they work you may see a bathing suit pic of me next week... or not. (They're really going to have to be good pics... and the timing is going to have to be perfect... with the waves crashing down around me in all the appropriate "problem areas." We'll see. We'll see.)
Tongue Update
Hundreds of you have been asking about my tongue. (Well, actually just two, but I appreciate the concern.) I received my "results" yesterday over the phone, and they told me I had a (PUT A HUGE WORD HERE). "Say what?" I asked.
"It's a little discoloration from being pricked from one of the instruments from your last dental cleaning. It's nothing."
I was happy with that answer. You can never be too careful with overly cheerful nurses who call about Sharpie marks on the bottom of your tongue that require MAJOR SURGERY to remove... Oh, and don't forget the stitch!
Mandatory Meetings
I actually made myself go to the MANDATORY football meeting last night, and as far as MANDATORY meetings go, it wasn't half bad. I think the biggest reason was because I whispered to my friend, Joan, throughout one-third of the festivities about things of interest to ME. (She's going to the beach today, too, so I was getting her itinerary and sharing ours.) With my luck, I was glad one of the coaches didn't rebuke me in front of the children and other parents, but they chose to overlook me instead. (In all honesty, I was half hoping they would rebuke me AND ban me from any other MANDATORY meetings. Didn't happen.)
The Gallery Pic for today is my handsome Josh in some of his football garb in front of the house. The boy is really looking forward to playing football. Even if it's just sideline standing this year, he is excited. I hope and pray it's everything he's always dreamed it would be.
Oh, and just for the record, there's a meeting every Tuesday between now and the beginning of school. However, I didn't hear the word "MANDATORY," (but I was humming to myself at the time). Anyway, I think Mikie may have to attend those solo. (That's the plan, and I'm sticking to it!)
200th Post Contest
I know you are ready for this to be over, but I'm posting the 200th Post Contest rules ONE MORE TIME! You have until midnight Monday, July 27, and I'll reveal the winner at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday morning, July 28.
1. For every person you share my blog address with (www.belindafaulkner.blogspot.com), your name will be put in a bowl one time. (If you tell ten people about A Simple Life, your name will be put in the drawing bowl TEN times.) It's that easy.
2. If you have a blog of your own, and you mention A Simple Life in your blog, your name automatically goes in the drawing bowl TEN times.
3. If you don't tell anyone about the blog, you can still have your name put in the drawing bowl by leaving me an e-mail OR comment with the word "contest" somewhere in the text. (It doesn't even have to be in a sentence.)
4. You need to let me know how many people you have shared the info with by midnight, Monday, July 27. The drawing will be held at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, July 28.
5. I hope it goes without saying you need to share the website with people who actually use a computer. (Two year-olds and great-grandmothers who have never heard the term "blog" do not count!)
The prize is a $15 gift certificate to Wal-Mart OR Chick-Fil-A OR the scrapbook store of your choice. FREE, FREE, FREE!
Book
This week I have a Guest Book Reviewer. Taylor Grubbs (one of Roxie's buddies) was very excited about a new devotion book she's been reading, and when I called to ask her to comment on the book she was more than willing. Here are some of her thoughts on A Young Woman After God's Own Heart by Elizabeth George.
"I like this book because it is very easy to read, and it connects you to your Bible. It shows you how to become a better person in God. It gives you examples in the Bible to relate to whatever the subject is (you are learning about). After the main thought, it gives you ideas on how to improve your walk with God and learn more.
"This book has many great ideas and quotes. 'Good, better best. Never let it rest, until your good is better, and better is best.' That's one of my favorite quotes. That really stuck out to me.
"Even though I haven't finished the book yet, I believe every girl 12 to 16 should read it."
Isn't that an excellent review? Doesn't it make you want to buy this book for your daughter... TODAY! Thank you very much, Taylor. I may have to call on you again in the future.
Have the best weekend EVER! (As you can tell, I'm in CAPITALIZATION MODE again!) I've noticed I'm using a lot of exclamation points, too! I'm not shouting! I'm just excited about our mini-vacation! Make the most of every day you have with your family! Make wonderful memories! And while you're making memories, take tons of pictures! (You'll enjoy them when you're old and gray... or 47 years-old!)
Take care, and I'll talk to you TUESDAY!
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Cook's Natural Science Museum
Good Thursday morning!
NOTE TO LEANNA - I EXPECT you to enter the contest, too. Everyone has a chance... some more than others, but I EXPECT my next comment from you to have the word "contest" somewhere in the text. (And by the way... no pressure!)
The new Gallery Pic is of the July/August issue of the Sandra Lee Semi-Homemade magazine I LOVE! Next week's recipe is coming out of this issue (and it's for all of you people who actually picked blueberries when I told you to a couple of weeks ago... LANA). It's a great book with tons of recipes AND ideas, so when you pick up a copy of Southern Lady, grab one of these off the newsstand, too. If you want. Again, no pressure!
It's Not An Option
I know I talk a good bit about calling people when they come to your mind, or encouraging others, or complimenting people when they cross your path. I really, really believe it's one of the "little" things we could/should do as Christians to try to live a Christ-centered life. (I really, really do.) You just never know what pain someone might be going through and a kind word or thoughtful comment would mean the world.
That being said, I will be the first to admit I fail miserably time and time again. It's not an automatic or necessarily easy thing to do sometimes. There's always the thought in the back of my mind, "What if I say the wrong thing?" In that sentence alone lies the problem. The word "I." When that thought goes through my head, it means I'm thinking more of me than the person I'm supposed to speak with. I've decided you can never go wrong with the following... "I love you." "I'm praying for you." "I'm so sorry." There is no way any of those three statements could be taken the wrong way. No way at all.
I met a two year-old little boy a couple of weeks ago. He was everything a two year-old boy should be... sturdy legs, big eyes, ready smile. I'm a sucker for two year-old little boys. "Now what is your name?" I asked as I bent down to smile at this beautiful little guy.
Before his mom could tell me his name, he looked me in the eyes, ran up to me and wrapped his two fat little arms around my knees. "I love you," he said.
To which I honestly replied, "I love you, too."
Several of the things "on my mind" that Sunday morning melted away, and I walked to my Sunday School Department smiling to myself. I doubt if my words have the same effect on people when I speak them, but you never know, do you?
I think one of the reasons this "topic" is ALWAYS in the back of my mind is because it isn't really an option. It's an obligation. An obligation that being too busy or too self-conscious or too "anything" doesn't really apply. If we truly believe that "life is but a vapor," and all we have is this one precious day because our future is unknown, what are we waiting for? What am I waiting for?
Call someone today... and then if we are given the precious gift of tomorrow, I think we should probably call someone then, too. It's that important!
Weekend Family Fun
The Birmingham Zoo - August 1 from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., The Birmingham Zoo is having a special Wake Up With The Animals. Throughout the zoo, get ready to rise and shine with the animals! Every animal wakes up differently. Some stretch, some snack, and some ROAR! Learn how the animals get ready for each day at the zoo, eat breakfast, and then it’s off to see the rest of the other zoo animals wake up, too. Be an early bird this summer with Wake Up with the Animals!
This isn't a free activity, but if you have a special fund for "special fun things" this might be something you will want to try with your child or family. The cost is as follows:
Members: $9 adult, $6.50 child
Non-Members: $15 adult, $12 child
Registration required. Please call (205) 879-0409.
Also at The Birmingham Zoo, every Friday at 10:00 a.m. on Grandma's Back Porch you can enjoy a special storytime. This program is called Wild About Books. This year, in conjunction with the Books-A-Million “Wild About Books” program and the BAM Bookfair, BAM is offering zoo guests coupons for 10% off their entire purchase at the Brookwood Mall location. The coupon will expire on Saturday, August 15. Pick up your coupon at the zoo's front entrance.
Again, this isn't a free event, but if you are planning on going to the zoo anytime soon, plan it on a Friday morning to enjoy the storytime (and the 10% off coupon) as well as all the other things the zoo has to offer.
Lowe's Build & Grow Clinic - The clinic is Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. This weekend's project is a helicopter. All Lowe's participate in this program. And don't forget... The clinic is completely FREE.
Also, the first 50 kids to register and be present at the store at 10:00 a.m. will receive a kit, apron and goggles.
This is suited for children in 1st through 5th grades.
Argo Drive-In - Okay. The message on the Argo Drive-In machine said they were only opened Friday, Saturday and Sunday now instead of all week. This week, they will have a double feature Friday and Saturday. The first movie is G-Force and the second move is The Proposal (PG-13). G-Force is definitely family fare, but you need to read the review for The Proposal at the following website to see if you want your pre-teens or teens to watch this one (www.family.org). Sunday night they will only be showing G-Force. As always, it is $10 a carload. The movies are starting around 8:00 now. Don't forget to call first to make sure they haven't changed anything before you pack to go (467-3434).
Cook's Natural Science Museum
Located at 412 13th Street in Decatur, the Cook's Natural Science Museum is a perfect date for a parent and bug-lovin' child. It takes about an hour to go through the museum's exhibits of insects, butterflies, mounted animals, etc. If there is a group of 10 to 12 people present, animal films will be shown so you may want to call to see if there is a large group scheduled for the week you want to go and you could join them for the movies.
The museum is open 9:00 a.m. to noon and 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday. They are open from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Sundays.
The museum is only a few streets over from many fast food restaurants, so you can end your date with lunch or dinner before heading back to Gardendale. For more information, you can call (256) 350-9347.
Oh, and did I mention it was FREE! Yes, it is a fairly short date (1 hour more or less), but with the drive and the meal, it would be several hours well spent with your child talking, listening and enjoying each other.
Have a wonderful Thursday. Tomorrow I'll have the rules for the 200th Post Contest ONE MORE TIME, as well as Weekend Happenings and our Book of the Week.
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
NOTE TO LEANNA - I EXPECT you to enter the contest, too. Everyone has a chance... some more than others, but I EXPECT my next comment from you to have the word "contest" somewhere in the text. (And by the way... no pressure!)
The new Gallery Pic is of the July/August issue of the Sandra Lee Semi-Homemade magazine I LOVE! Next week's recipe is coming out of this issue (and it's for all of you people who actually picked blueberries when I told you to a couple of weeks ago... LANA). It's a great book with tons of recipes AND ideas, so when you pick up a copy of Southern Lady, grab one of these off the newsstand, too. If you want. Again, no pressure!
It's Not An Option
I know I talk a good bit about calling people when they come to your mind, or encouraging others, or complimenting people when they cross your path. I really, really believe it's one of the "little" things we could/should do as Christians to try to live a Christ-centered life. (I really, really do.) You just never know what pain someone might be going through and a kind word or thoughtful comment would mean the world.
That being said, I will be the first to admit I fail miserably time and time again. It's not an automatic or necessarily easy thing to do sometimes. There's always the thought in the back of my mind, "What if I say the wrong thing?" In that sentence alone lies the problem. The word "I." When that thought goes through my head, it means I'm thinking more of me than the person I'm supposed to speak with. I've decided you can never go wrong with the following... "I love you." "I'm praying for you." "I'm so sorry." There is no way any of those three statements could be taken the wrong way. No way at all.
I met a two year-old little boy a couple of weeks ago. He was everything a two year-old boy should be... sturdy legs, big eyes, ready smile. I'm a sucker for two year-old little boys. "Now what is your name?" I asked as I bent down to smile at this beautiful little guy.
Before his mom could tell me his name, he looked me in the eyes, ran up to me and wrapped his two fat little arms around my knees. "I love you," he said.
To which I honestly replied, "I love you, too."
Several of the things "on my mind" that Sunday morning melted away, and I walked to my Sunday School Department smiling to myself. I doubt if my words have the same effect on people when I speak them, but you never know, do you?
I think one of the reasons this "topic" is ALWAYS in the back of my mind is because it isn't really an option. It's an obligation. An obligation that being too busy or too self-conscious or too "anything" doesn't really apply. If we truly believe that "life is but a vapor," and all we have is this one precious day because our future is unknown, what are we waiting for? What am I waiting for?
Call someone today... and then if we are given the precious gift of tomorrow, I think we should probably call someone then, too. It's that important!
Weekend Family Fun
The Birmingham Zoo - August 1 from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., The Birmingham Zoo is having a special Wake Up With The Animals. Throughout the zoo, get ready to rise and shine with the animals! Every animal wakes up differently. Some stretch, some snack, and some ROAR! Learn how the animals get ready for each day at the zoo, eat breakfast, and then it’s off to see the rest of the other zoo animals wake up, too. Be an early bird this summer with Wake Up with the Animals!
This isn't a free activity, but if you have a special fund for "special fun things" this might be something you will want to try with your child or family. The cost is as follows:
Members: $9 adult, $6.50 child
Non-Members: $15 adult, $12 child
Registration required. Please call (205) 879-0409.
Also at The Birmingham Zoo, every Friday at 10:00 a.m. on Grandma's Back Porch you can enjoy a special storytime. This program is called Wild About Books. This year, in conjunction with the Books-A-Million “Wild About Books” program and the BAM Bookfair, BAM is offering zoo guests coupons for 10% off their entire purchase at the Brookwood Mall location. The coupon will expire on Saturday, August 15. Pick up your coupon at the zoo's front entrance.
Again, this isn't a free event, but if you are planning on going to the zoo anytime soon, plan it on a Friday morning to enjoy the storytime (and the 10% off coupon) as well as all the other things the zoo has to offer.
Lowe's Build & Grow Clinic - The clinic is Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. This weekend's project is a helicopter. All Lowe's participate in this program. And don't forget... The clinic is completely FREE.
Also, the first 50 kids to register and be present at the store at 10:00 a.m. will receive a kit, apron and goggles.
This is suited for children in 1st through 5th grades.
Argo Drive-In - Okay. The message on the Argo Drive-In machine said they were only opened Friday, Saturday and Sunday now instead of all week. This week, they will have a double feature Friday and Saturday. The first movie is G-Force and the second move is The Proposal (PG-13). G-Force is definitely family fare, but you need to read the review for The Proposal at the following website to see if you want your pre-teens or teens to watch this one (www.family.org). Sunday night they will only be showing G-Force. As always, it is $10 a carload. The movies are starting around 8:00 now. Don't forget to call first to make sure they haven't changed anything before you pack to go (467-3434).
Cook's Natural Science Museum
Located at 412 13th Street in Decatur, the Cook's Natural Science Museum is a perfect date for a parent and bug-lovin' child. It takes about an hour to go through the museum's exhibits of insects, butterflies, mounted animals, etc. If there is a group of 10 to 12 people present, animal films will be shown so you may want to call to see if there is a large group scheduled for the week you want to go and you could join them for the movies.
The museum is open 9:00 a.m. to noon and 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday. They are open from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Sundays.
The museum is only a few streets over from many fast food restaurants, so you can end your date with lunch or dinner before heading back to Gardendale. For more information, you can call (256) 350-9347.
Oh, and did I mention it was FREE! Yes, it is a fairly short date (1 hour more or less), but with the drive and the meal, it would be several hours well spent with your child talking, listening and enjoying each other.
Have a wonderful Thursday. Tomorrow I'll have the rules for the 200th Post Contest ONE MORE TIME, as well as Weekend Happenings and our Book of the Week.
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Back to School Breakfast
Good Wednesday morning!
NOTE TO ROBIN - You ARE still in the contest, Robin. Just because you won once before does not eliminate you from trying again!
I've added a Gallery Pic of Roxie and friends bowling for FREE today... again. (We're really taking advantage of the www.kidsbowlfree.com website this summer.) Great, great program! The only thing better than bowling for free on a Tuesday afternoon is bowling for free on a Wednesday morning, and then going to lunch for a FREE Arby's Roast Burger afterward. DON'T FORGET!
200th Post Contest
As promised, I'm running the set of rules again today and Friday. Remember, you have until midnight next Monday... Plenty of time to enter!
1. For every person you share my blog address with (www.belindafaulkner.blogspot.com), your name will be put in a bowl one time. (If you tell ten people about A Simple Life, your name will be put in the drawing bowl TEN times.) It's that easy.
2. If you have a blog of your own, and you mention A Simple Life in your blog, your name automatically goes in the drawing bowl TEN times.
3. If you don't tell anyone about the blog, you can still have your name put in the drawing bowl by leaving me an e-mail OR comment with the word "contest" somewhere in the text. (It doesn't even have to be in a sentence.)
4. You need to let me know how many people you have shared the info with by midnight, Monday, July 27. The drawing will be held at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, July 28.
5. I hope it goes without saying you need to share the website with people who actually use a computer. (Two year-olds and great-grandmothers who have never heard the term "blog" do not count!)
The prize is a $15 gift certificate to Wal-Mart OR Chick-Fil-A OR the scrapbook store of your choice. FREE, FREE, FREE!
Part Two - "Having Something Removed"
Right before I was put under, the doctor said something that I probably should have questioned, but did not. (I'm notorious for not asking questions... always hoping it will just go away.) He said, "This could be a little tricky. It's very close to a salivary gland."
If I had been a question-asker, which we've already determined I am not, I guess I would have asked, "Does that mean I'll either be a 'spitter' or a 'dry mouth' if the tricky thing doesn't work out well?" Read on for the final result.
I awoke with Mikie beside me and my tongue feeling four sizes bigger than when the procedure had started. My first blurry thought was I was having a reaction to the anesthesia, and I tried to tell someone but I was impossible to understand. "This is worse than I imagined," I thought.
"I can't understand you, Belinda. You have a lot of gauze in your mouth," Mike said. Well, that mystery was solved. So I sat quietly with my mouthful of gauze and listened to the post-operative instructions.
I heard words and phrases as I continued to go in and out of consciousness... or maybe I was just bored... or maybe it was too much like a meeting and I just totally zoned out. "Loritab." "Suture." "Don't brush teeth for 24 hours." (Yuck! I'm going to pretend I didn't hear that one.) "Loritab." "Don't chew." "Don't spit." (Eating doesn't sound like it's going to be part of my day!) "Loritab."
Hmmm. Maybe it was just me, but the word that kept coming up again and again seemed to be "Loritab." Which also meant, if taken correctly, I wouldn't necessarily care if I ate or brushed my teeth for 24 hours.
We made it home, removed my gauze and I had a nice warm bowl of... oatmeal. I hadn't necessarily heard that, but obviously oatmeal was going to be the food for the day. When I awoke from a much needed nap an hour later, Mikie checked my vitals... Well, actually he kind of patted me on top of my head and left Austin, Josh and Roxie in charge of their invalid mother. Josh quickly brought me another bowl of oatmeal.
I wondered when I would be needing my first Loritab. A little later, and the answer to the question was made known to me. Another nap. Another bowl of oatmeal. I think you can see how the rest of my day went.
At one point, Roxie came in and asked to see under my tongue. "Hmmm. It looks like only one stitch," she observed.
"Well, it is just one stitch, but it was obviously a very, very deep incision."
"I wonder why they thought you even needed just one little stitch there. It seems like a waste," she again observed.
Okay. That was enough of Miss Roxie until time for another Loritab.
Four more bowls of oatmeal and one Loritab later, and I was ready for bed. One more "Mikie-check" of my vitals (Code for ONE MORE PAT ON THE HEAD), and I was out for the count.
I awoke the next morning refreshed... and oh, so ready to brush my teeth. Simple pleasures, folks. Simple pleasures. And for those of you wondering, as of today, I am not a "dry mouth" OR a "spitter." My doctor obviously did well with the "tricky part."
I am supposed to have my one and only stitch removed this coming Thursday, but after careful investigation yesterday afternoon, I discovered my one and only stitch had removed itself. I'm going to see if my doctor will consider a "telephone appointment."
If not, I will drive to and from downtown Birmingham, cheerfully (NOT) pay a $30 co-pay and a $5 parking deck fee for a face-to-face consultation which I imagine will result in the doctor warning, "Next time, be sure the cap is on the end of the Sharpie before you put it in your mouth." (I can hardly wait!)
Back to School Breakfast
On the first day of school each year, take the kids out to eat for a back to school prayer breakfast. Our family has tried several places, but we've found the breakfast buffet at Shoney's to be our best option. It is close to the school, we don't have to wait to be served, and even if it is crowded, we do not have a problem eating and getting to school a little early on that first day.
Be sure to have your "school" prayer before the kids begin their new year. You can also use Philippians 4:13, "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me," as their encouragement verse. "I can make new friends." "I can do well on tests I have prepared for." "I can make better grades in math." At the end of each statement, add the phrase, "through Him who strengthens me."
For the child or teenager who is anxious about starting a new grade, read Philippians 4:6, "Be anxious for NOTHING, but in everything, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
We are never too young (or old) to be reminded that God doesn't want us to worry about anything; even the first day back to school!
Have a great Wednesday! Take time to enjoy family and friends. Call someone who is hurting today. Even if they aren't at home when you call, leave them a message of encouragement and love. I'll be back with a date tomorrow, so don't miss out on that!
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
NOTE TO ROBIN - You ARE still in the contest, Robin. Just because you won once before does not eliminate you from trying again!
I've added a Gallery Pic of Roxie and friends bowling for FREE today... again. (We're really taking advantage of the www.kidsbowlfree.com website this summer.) Great, great program! The only thing better than bowling for free on a Tuesday afternoon is bowling for free on a Wednesday morning, and then going to lunch for a FREE Arby's Roast Burger afterward. DON'T FORGET!
200th Post Contest
As promised, I'm running the set of rules again today and Friday. Remember, you have until midnight next Monday... Plenty of time to enter!
1. For every person you share my blog address with (www.belindafaulkner.blogspot.com), your name will be put in a bowl one time. (If you tell ten people about A Simple Life, your name will be put in the drawing bowl TEN times.) It's that easy.
2. If you have a blog of your own, and you mention A Simple Life in your blog, your name automatically goes in the drawing bowl TEN times.
3. If you don't tell anyone about the blog, you can still have your name put in the drawing bowl by leaving me an e-mail OR comment with the word "contest" somewhere in the text. (It doesn't even have to be in a sentence.)
4. You need to let me know how many people you have shared the info with by midnight, Monday, July 27. The drawing will be held at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, July 28.
5. I hope it goes without saying you need to share the website with people who actually use a computer. (Two year-olds and great-grandmothers who have never heard the term "blog" do not count!)
The prize is a $15 gift certificate to Wal-Mart OR Chick-Fil-A OR the scrapbook store of your choice. FREE, FREE, FREE!
Part Two - "Having Something Removed"
Right before I was put under, the doctor said something that I probably should have questioned, but did not. (I'm notorious for not asking questions... always hoping it will just go away.) He said, "This could be a little tricky. It's very close to a salivary gland."
If I had been a question-asker, which we've already determined I am not, I guess I would have asked, "Does that mean I'll either be a 'spitter' or a 'dry mouth' if the tricky thing doesn't work out well?" Read on for the final result.
I awoke with Mikie beside me and my tongue feeling four sizes bigger than when the procedure had started. My first blurry thought was I was having a reaction to the anesthesia, and I tried to tell someone but I was impossible to understand. "This is worse than I imagined," I thought.
"I can't understand you, Belinda. You have a lot of gauze in your mouth," Mike said. Well, that mystery was solved. So I sat quietly with my mouthful of gauze and listened to the post-operative instructions.
I heard words and phrases as I continued to go in and out of consciousness... or maybe I was just bored... or maybe it was too much like a meeting and I just totally zoned out. "Loritab." "Suture." "Don't brush teeth for 24 hours." (Yuck! I'm going to pretend I didn't hear that one.) "Loritab." "Don't chew." "Don't spit." (Eating doesn't sound like it's going to be part of my day!) "Loritab."
Hmmm. Maybe it was just me, but the word that kept coming up again and again seemed to be "Loritab." Which also meant, if taken correctly, I wouldn't necessarily care if I ate or brushed my teeth for 24 hours.
We made it home, removed my gauze and I had a nice warm bowl of... oatmeal. I hadn't necessarily heard that, but obviously oatmeal was going to be the food for the day. When I awoke from a much needed nap an hour later, Mikie checked my vitals... Well, actually he kind of patted me on top of my head and left Austin, Josh and Roxie in charge of their invalid mother. Josh quickly brought me another bowl of oatmeal.
I wondered when I would be needing my first Loritab. A little later, and the answer to the question was made known to me. Another nap. Another bowl of oatmeal. I think you can see how the rest of my day went.
At one point, Roxie came in and asked to see under my tongue. "Hmmm. It looks like only one stitch," she observed.
"Well, it is just one stitch, but it was obviously a very, very deep incision."
"I wonder why they thought you even needed just one little stitch there. It seems like a waste," she again observed.
Okay. That was enough of Miss Roxie until time for another Loritab.
Four more bowls of oatmeal and one Loritab later, and I was ready for bed. One more "Mikie-check" of my vitals (Code for ONE MORE PAT ON THE HEAD), and I was out for the count.
I awoke the next morning refreshed... and oh, so ready to brush my teeth. Simple pleasures, folks. Simple pleasures. And for those of you wondering, as of today, I am not a "dry mouth" OR a "spitter." My doctor obviously did well with the "tricky part."
I am supposed to have my one and only stitch removed this coming Thursday, but after careful investigation yesterday afternoon, I discovered my one and only stitch had removed itself. I'm going to see if my doctor will consider a "telephone appointment."
If not, I will drive to and from downtown Birmingham, cheerfully (NOT) pay a $30 co-pay and a $5 parking deck fee for a face-to-face consultation which I imagine will result in the doctor warning, "Next time, be sure the cap is on the end of the Sharpie before you put it in your mouth." (I can hardly wait!)
Back to School Breakfast
On the first day of school each year, take the kids out to eat for a back to school prayer breakfast. Our family has tried several places, but we've found the breakfast buffet at Shoney's to be our best option. It is close to the school, we don't have to wait to be served, and even if it is crowded, we do not have a problem eating and getting to school a little early on that first day.
Be sure to have your "school" prayer before the kids begin their new year. You can also use Philippians 4:13, "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me," as their encouragement verse. "I can make new friends." "I can do well on tests I have prepared for." "I can make better grades in math." At the end of each statement, add the phrase, "through Him who strengthens me."
For the child or teenager who is anxious about starting a new grade, read Philippians 4:6, "Be anxious for NOTHING, but in everything, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
We are never too young (or old) to be reminded that God doesn't want us to worry about anything; even the first day back to school!
Have a great Wednesday! Take time to enjoy family and friends. Call someone who is hurting today. Even if they aren't at home when you call, leave them a message of encouragement and love. I'll be back with a date tomorrow, so don't miss out on that!
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Monday, July 20, 2009
Lemon Creme Pie
Good Tuesday morning!
NOTE TO DAWN - Have I told you I love you a little more than Robin? Shhh. Don't tell her. I don't want to hurt her feelings. (Dawn has 301 friends on Facebook... where she left my website address... for the contest.)
NOTE TO JILL - Hi, girl. Yes. I told your story, and you can find it in my April 12, 2009 post. I didn't mention your name because I wanted to try to get a picture of you to go with it. The night of the dance recital (when I planned on taking the pic) you were leaving when I was coming in and everything was super hectic. If it's okay, I'll set up a time with you for a "Barry Manilow Groupie with a Professional Barry Manilow Back-Up Singer" picture in the near future and reveal all.
As you might have guessed, all the new Gallery Pics are from a Girls' Night Out Roxie and I attended at Amy's house (my cousin). We were JUST going to have a nice dinner and play Pictionary with all of our daughters (five moms and five girls), but it turned into so much more. Just a lot of "simple pleasures."
First the girls swam in the pool while the moms lounged around on the back patio on a cool July evening. (What's up with that? Usually in July and August, we are sweltering even up to 8:00 or 9:00 o'clock at night. It was an incredibly comfortable evening.) Then the golf carts came out and the girls rode through trails cut in the woods behind Amy and Stephanie's homes. (Stephanie is another cousin. Her daughter is Abbie. She lives next door to Amy.)
And to top off the evening, before we even began the official festivities, nine precious puppies, three kittens and a potbelly pig (named Pork Chop) were everywhere getting all the love and attention they so richly deserved. Roxie and I practiced all the way to Amy's... "Roxie, don't you want to take a sweet little puppy home with you tonight?"
"No! No! You can't make me!" she was to scream. In reality, I had to pry a wriggling little ball of fur out of her clenched arms before we could get into the van to come home, but that was probably the only low point in an otherwise fun evening.
Oh, and I have to mention the food. Stephanie loves to cook so she prepared the meal. Sweet and sour pork, bean dip, buffalo dip, tiny rolled ham sandwiches, fresh cucumber strips from Amy and Stephanie's garden, etc. And the desserts... chocolate cake and chocolate pie to name two. She used the new cookbook Cook Yourself Thin. The chocolate cake had beets in it. That's right! Beets! And it was good! It was very good, in fact. I looked through the cookbook, and I'll go ahead and recommend it today... We won't wait until Friday for Book Day. It's in paperback and it has tons of great recipes. Everything we had last night was delicious. (And I can honestly say it was the first time I ate beets willingly and THOROUGHLY enjoyed doing so.)
I also want to mention the Hot Mamas annihilated the Crazy Drivers. (The girls derived their name from the way they drove the golf carts. Scary stuff!) The Crazy Drivers were not gracious losers... but I would have to admit the Hot Mamas weren't the most gracious winners either. Oh, well. Maybe next year, girls!
A Little Story About "Having Things Removed"
Last week, Mikie took me downtown to have a little "pigmentation" removed from under my tongue. It looked like someone had lifted my tongue and drawn a little line with a Sharpie. "Hmmm. That's a little odd-looking, isn't it?" That's what my dentist said. That's also what the oral surgeon said one week later. Not what you really want to hear, is it?
"Oh, I've seen a million of those... and it's called a __________... and when you have one it usually makes you smarter!" That's what you want to hear.
But since I wasn't getting the correct responses, I decided to have it removed. "You'll need to have someone here to drive you home because we have to put you to sleep." Ahh, man. Anesthesia... really?
"I have to have major surgery," I told Mike as I left the doctor's office that day.
"You mean they have to put you to sleep for a few seconds while they remove your Sharpie mark?" he calmly responded.
"I have to have an IV and EVERYTHING... AND they called it an ODD PIGMENTATION! That's how I'd like for it to be referred to from now on, please." I responded a little bitterly.
"Be honest. They asked you if you had put an open Sharpie in your mouth recently, didn't they?"
"No," I lied.
Last Thursday, Mikie drove me to the doctor's office for my "major surgical procedure," and they took me back immediately. NOTE: I have to give a shout-out to a nurse whose name I don't remember for the best IV stick I've ever received IN MY WHOLE LIFE. She was amazing and I didn't feel a thing!
My nurse kept asking me questions, and for the most part I answered her honestly. Then my anesthesiologist came in. This is the guy you have to be careful with.
"Hello, Mrs. Faulkner. How are you today?" he asked.
"Fine," I answered as I braced myself for another onslaught of questions.
"Well, before we start your IV drip, Mrs. Faulkner, may I ask how much you weigh?"
I gave him my normal anesthesiologist answer. "I weigh 250 pounds."
Now this is a tricky one. Your main goal is to make sure you have enough anesthesia in your system to NOT wake up in the middle of the procedure. However, you do not want him to nod immediately and go to the next question taking your answer as the gospel truth.
"Really?" he said, glancing at me. "And how tall are you?"
"I'm about 6'5"... more or less," I responded with gusto.
"Really?" he said, again. Moving closer, he leaned down and said, "Mrs. Faulkner. It is evident you are NOT 6'5" OR 250 pounds. Now, do you want me to get your weight and height off your driver's license or do you want to start talking?"
Well, I DEFINITELY didn't want him to get my weight off my driver's license. There was no way he'd give me enough anesthesia to knock me out if he thought I was 5'3" and 130 pounds. (I always put my "enchanting" weight and height on my driver's license.)
In the end, he had the "correct" information and the procedure began. (Oh, did I mention this was a Two Parter? Sorry. I slipped a "blog teaser" in there, didn't I? You'll have to tune in tomorrow for the rest of the story.)
I guess we'll just have to move on to the recipe for the day!
Lemon Creme Pie
Now, this isn't your easy, four-ingredient pie, but it sure does look worth the effort! You'll need:
2 cups sugar
1/2 cup cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups cold water
8 egg yolks, lightly beaten
2 tablespoons lemon zest
2/3 cup fresh lemon juice
6 tablespoons butter
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 9" pie crust
2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
3/4 cup confectioners' sugar, divided
2 cups heavy whipping cream
1. In a large saucepan, combine sugar, cornstarch and salt. Gradually whisk in water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Cook for 1 minute, whisking constantly. Remove from heat.
2. In a separate bowl, gradually add 1 cup hot mixture to egg yolks, whisking to combine. Add egg mixture into remaining hot mixture in saucepan. Return to medium heat, and cook for 1 to 2 minutes, whisking constantly, until mixture is thickened. Add lemon zest, lemon juice, butter and vanilla. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes, whisking constantly, until mixture is smooth and thickened. Remove from heat. Reserve 3/4 cup lemon filling and set aside.
3. Spoon remaining lemon filling into pie crust. Chill for 30 minutes.
4. In a medium bowl, combine cream cheese, reserved lemon filling and 1/4 cup confectioners' sugar. Beat at medium speed with an electric mixer until smooth. Carefully spread cream cheese mixture on top of lemon filling in crust.
5. In a medium bowl, beat whipping cream at high speed with an electric mixture until soft peaks form. Add remaining 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar; beat until stiff peaks form. Spread whipped cream on top of cream cheese mixture.
6. Refrigerate until read to serve.
This recipe was taken from the July/August 2009 issue of Southern Lady. Remember? The magazine you were supposed to buy this past weekend. Did you? Did you buy it? If so, look on page 70 for pictures of this delicious pie.
Now, I have to be honest. I decided NOT to make this for the guys at the X-Box party Sunday evening. I fed them (and I fed them well), but since this recipe calls for a little effort on the cook's part, I didn't want it inhaled without any savoring or chewing involved from the recipients.
Don't get me wrong... I love feeding the boys and their friends. It's an amazing thing to watch... the speed and dexterity in which they can make platter after platter of food disappear. But this recipe just screams, "I want to sit in your mouth for just a few seconds while you enjoy every single forkful of deliciousness before you swallow."
And so, that is what it shall be! Mikie loves lemon pie and Mikie shall have a lemon pie in the not-so-far-away future. There. I have declared it! And you know what happens when I declare something!
Have a terrific Tuesday. Tomorrow's Seasonal Tradition will be one you will want to add to your list (I hope).
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
NOTE TO DAWN - Have I told you I love you a little more than Robin? Shhh. Don't tell her. I don't want to hurt her feelings. (Dawn has 301 friends on Facebook... where she left my website address... for the contest.)
NOTE TO JILL - Hi, girl. Yes. I told your story, and you can find it in my April 12, 2009 post. I didn't mention your name because I wanted to try to get a picture of you to go with it. The night of the dance recital (when I planned on taking the pic) you were leaving when I was coming in and everything was super hectic. If it's okay, I'll set up a time with you for a "Barry Manilow Groupie with a Professional Barry Manilow Back-Up Singer" picture in the near future and reveal all.
As you might have guessed, all the new Gallery Pics are from a Girls' Night Out Roxie and I attended at Amy's house (my cousin). We were JUST going to have a nice dinner and play Pictionary with all of our daughters (five moms and five girls), but it turned into so much more. Just a lot of "simple pleasures."
First the girls swam in the pool while the moms lounged around on the back patio on a cool July evening. (What's up with that? Usually in July and August, we are sweltering even up to 8:00 or 9:00 o'clock at night. It was an incredibly comfortable evening.) Then the golf carts came out and the girls rode through trails cut in the woods behind Amy and Stephanie's homes. (Stephanie is another cousin. Her daughter is Abbie. She lives next door to Amy.)
And to top off the evening, before we even began the official festivities, nine precious puppies, three kittens and a potbelly pig (named Pork Chop) were everywhere getting all the love and attention they so richly deserved. Roxie and I practiced all the way to Amy's... "Roxie, don't you want to take a sweet little puppy home with you tonight?"
"No! No! You can't make me!" she was to scream. In reality, I had to pry a wriggling little ball of fur out of her clenched arms before we could get into the van to come home, but that was probably the only low point in an otherwise fun evening.
Oh, and I have to mention the food. Stephanie loves to cook so she prepared the meal. Sweet and sour pork, bean dip, buffalo dip, tiny rolled ham sandwiches, fresh cucumber strips from Amy and Stephanie's garden, etc. And the desserts... chocolate cake and chocolate pie to name two. She used the new cookbook Cook Yourself Thin. The chocolate cake had beets in it. That's right! Beets! And it was good! It was very good, in fact. I looked through the cookbook, and I'll go ahead and recommend it today... We won't wait until Friday for Book Day. It's in paperback and it has tons of great recipes. Everything we had last night was delicious. (And I can honestly say it was the first time I ate beets willingly and THOROUGHLY enjoyed doing so.)
I also want to mention the Hot Mamas annihilated the Crazy Drivers. (The girls derived their name from the way they drove the golf carts. Scary stuff!) The Crazy Drivers were not gracious losers... but I would have to admit the Hot Mamas weren't the most gracious winners either. Oh, well. Maybe next year, girls!
A Little Story About "Having Things Removed"
Last week, Mikie took me downtown to have a little "pigmentation" removed from under my tongue. It looked like someone had lifted my tongue and drawn a little line with a Sharpie. "Hmmm. That's a little odd-looking, isn't it?" That's what my dentist said. That's also what the oral surgeon said one week later. Not what you really want to hear, is it?
"Oh, I've seen a million of those... and it's called a __________... and when you have one it usually makes you smarter!" That's what you want to hear.
But since I wasn't getting the correct responses, I decided to have it removed. "You'll need to have someone here to drive you home because we have to put you to sleep." Ahh, man. Anesthesia... really?
"I have to have major surgery," I told Mike as I left the doctor's office that day.
"You mean they have to put you to sleep for a few seconds while they remove your Sharpie mark?" he calmly responded.
"I have to have an IV and EVERYTHING... AND they called it an ODD PIGMENTATION! That's how I'd like for it to be referred to from now on, please." I responded a little bitterly.
"Be honest. They asked you if you had put an open Sharpie in your mouth recently, didn't they?"
"No," I lied.
Last Thursday, Mikie drove me to the doctor's office for my "major surgical procedure," and they took me back immediately. NOTE: I have to give a shout-out to a nurse whose name I don't remember for the best IV stick I've ever received IN MY WHOLE LIFE. She was amazing and I didn't feel a thing!
My nurse kept asking me questions, and for the most part I answered her honestly. Then my anesthesiologist came in. This is the guy you have to be careful with.
"Hello, Mrs. Faulkner. How are you today?" he asked.
"Fine," I answered as I braced myself for another onslaught of questions.
"Well, before we start your IV drip, Mrs. Faulkner, may I ask how much you weigh?"
I gave him my normal anesthesiologist answer. "I weigh 250 pounds."
Now this is a tricky one. Your main goal is to make sure you have enough anesthesia in your system to NOT wake up in the middle of the procedure. However, you do not want him to nod immediately and go to the next question taking your answer as the gospel truth.
"Really?" he said, glancing at me. "And how tall are you?"
"I'm about 6'5"... more or less," I responded with gusto.
"Really?" he said, again. Moving closer, he leaned down and said, "Mrs. Faulkner. It is evident you are NOT 6'5" OR 250 pounds. Now, do you want me to get your weight and height off your driver's license or do you want to start talking?"
Well, I DEFINITELY didn't want him to get my weight off my driver's license. There was no way he'd give me enough anesthesia to knock me out if he thought I was 5'3" and 130 pounds. (I always put my "enchanting" weight and height on my driver's license.)
In the end, he had the "correct" information and the procedure began. (Oh, did I mention this was a Two Parter? Sorry. I slipped a "blog teaser" in there, didn't I? You'll have to tune in tomorrow for the rest of the story.)
I guess we'll just have to move on to the recipe for the day!
Lemon Creme Pie
Now, this isn't your easy, four-ingredient pie, but it sure does look worth the effort! You'll need:
2 cups sugar
1/2 cup cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups cold water
8 egg yolks, lightly beaten
2 tablespoons lemon zest
2/3 cup fresh lemon juice
6 tablespoons butter
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 9" pie crust
2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
3/4 cup confectioners' sugar, divided
2 cups heavy whipping cream
1. In a large saucepan, combine sugar, cornstarch and salt. Gradually whisk in water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Cook for 1 minute, whisking constantly. Remove from heat.
2. In a separate bowl, gradually add 1 cup hot mixture to egg yolks, whisking to combine. Add egg mixture into remaining hot mixture in saucepan. Return to medium heat, and cook for 1 to 2 minutes, whisking constantly, until mixture is thickened. Add lemon zest, lemon juice, butter and vanilla. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes, whisking constantly, until mixture is smooth and thickened. Remove from heat. Reserve 3/4 cup lemon filling and set aside.
3. Spoon remaining lemon filling into pie crust. Chill for 30 minutes.
4. In a medium bowl, combine cream cheese, reserved lemon filling and 1/4 cup confectioners' sugar. Beat at medium speed with an electric mixer until smooth. Carefully spread cream cheese mixture on top of lemon filling in crust.
5. In a medium bowl, beat whipping cream at high speed with an electric mixture until soft peaks form. Add remaining 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar; beat until stiff peaks form. Spread whipped cream on top of cream cheese mixture.
6. Refrigerate until read to serve.
This recipe was taken from the July/August 2009 issue of Southern Lady. Remember? The magazine you were supposed to buy this past weekend. Did you? Did you buy it? If so, look on page 70 for pictures of this delicious pie.
Now, I have to be honest. I decided NOT to make this for the guys at the X-Box party Sunday evening. I fed them (and I fed them well), but since this recipe calls for a little effort on the cook's part, I didn't want it inhaled without any savoring or chewing involved from the recipients.
Don't get me wrong... I love feeding the boys and their friends. It's an amazing thing to watch... the speed and dexterity in which they can make platter after platter of food disappear. But this recipe just screams, "I want to sit in your mouth for just a few seconds while you enjoy every single forkful of deliciousness before you swallow."
And so, that is what it shall be! Mikie loves lemon pie and Mikie shall have a lemon pie in the not-so-far-away future. There. I have declared it! And you know what happens when I declare something!
Have a terrific Tuesday. Tomorrow's Seasonal Tradition will be one you will want to add to your list (I hope).
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Girls' Night Out - Cookbook Party
Good Monday morning!
NOTE TO ROBIN - Have I told you lately that I love you? I want to hear about Alaska. I'll be calling you this week.
The Showcase Pic is of the lake where Mike takes the kids fishing. He loves this lake. He has many, many wonderful memories of this place, and he loves sharing them with the kids. Roxie caught three fish to Mikie's one on their little trip, and one of hers was fairly large. I've told her if she catches a big one, we'll mount it on a hot pink and lime green plaque with the date, weight, etc. and hang it in her room.
The Gallery Pics are more fishing pics. It was a good weekend, but not a big picture taking weekend. I could have taken pictures of Austin, Josh and friends playing their X-Box tournament, but you have to respect 18 year-olds. Basically, they want to eat and play. Posing for pics is low on their "to-do" list. Now, because I did feed them, I'm sure they would have posed if I had asked, but because I don't want to lose my "Coolest Teenage Mom in the World" status, I hated to ask. It was quite the conundrum (good word). (Mike would insert here that I'm the only one who thinks I have this status, but he's not here right now so his opinion is moot. Moot is an attorney word. It's not necessarily a "good word," but it is kind of funny. It means "not relevant." Forgive me if you already knew that.)
We did enjoy a Saturday lunch at Full Moon Barbecue as The Faulkner Five, but Roxie and I did not make it to see Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. I hated to miss, but she was fighting a cold and was tired, so we made Saturday an "easy" day. It paid off. She felt much better yesterday. (And I didn't feel too bad because Austin and Melia went to the play Thursday night, so the Faulkners did support the arts this weekend.)
200th Post Contest
Once again... the rules. I'll run them today, Wednesday and Friday for a reminder. The bowl is filling up quickly, so please get your name in!
1. For every person you share my blog address with (www.belindafaulkner.blogspot.com), your name will be put in a bowl one time. (If you tell ten people about A Simple Life, your name will be put in the drawing bowl TEN times.) It's that easy.
2. If you have a blog of your own, and you mention A Simple Life in your blog, your name automatically goes in the drawing bowl TEN times.
3. If you don't tell anyone about the blog, you can still have your name put in the drawing bowl by leaving me an e-mail OR comment with the word "contest" somewhere in the text. (It doesn't even have to be in a sentence.)
4. You need to let me know how many people you have shared the info with by midnight, Monday, July 27. The drawing will be held at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, July 28.
5. I hope it goes without saying you need to share the website with people who actually use a computer. (Two year-olds and great-grandmothers who have never heard the term "blog" do not count!)
The prize is a $15 gift certificate to Wal-Mart OR Chick-Fil-A OR the scrapbook store of your choice. Easy, easy contest.
Miscellaneous
1. Last week when I wrote about the Winter Season of life, I mentioned I would sometimes pick someone out of that age group to emulate. Well, I met another Winter friend the other night at the funeral home. She had bright white hair and even brighter blue eyes. She wore a vivid coral top with matching lipstick AND matching earrings. She was, in a word, delightful. She was energetic and joyful, and I found myself thinking, "When I'm her age, I want to be just like her." And I wasn't the only one drawn to her. She knew everyone who happened by us in line, and several people made a special effort to seek her out.
I knew it wasn't "just me" who felt this way about her when a man several years younger than me came up, gave her a hug and said, "You are just so cute." Yeah. I wouldn't mind "cute" one bit when I'm in my 80s. (To be honest, I wouldn't mind it in my late 40s either.)
2. At one of our teas a couple of years ago, I asked everyone who attended to write an adjective on a sheet of paper they WISHED described them. It's an interesting question, don't you think? My adjective came from my favorite movie (You've Got Mail with Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan). The grandfather in the movie called Meg Ryan's mother in the movie "enchanting." I loved that. Except for Disney princesses, who do I know who could be described as "enchanting?" In my mind, I'm too tall to be enchanting. I imagine really enchanting people are petite. I also do not have ringlets. For some reason, I think that might be a prerequisite for being declared enchanting, also. Just thinking out loud.
I wonder though... what would some of your adjectives be? Remember, it must be an adjective you WISHED described you. And not something simple like "thin" or something similar. You don't have to answer if you don't want to. It's just something to ponder on a Monday.
3. You'll love this one. Remember last week when I said I didn't care for meetings... of any kind or nature... EVER. I've received two e-mails this weekend requesting my presence at two MANDATORY meetings. The only thing worse than a meeting is a MANDATORY meeting. What does that mean exactly? What will they do to me, a 47 year-old meeting-hating woman, if I don't attend. Will my name go on a list? Will they take me off the list to advise me of all future meetings? (That wouldn't be so bad.) Will I be talked about in an uncomplimentary way (by name) during the meeting? Will I be put on a committee no one else wants to serve on because I'm not there to decline? Will two large men come to my house and drag me kicking and screaming to the MANDATORY meeting (and, by the way, I would indeed be kicking and screaming)? I don't know. I don't know if I'm strong enough to skip both of them and find out what horrendous fate would befall me.
NOTE: If there isn't a post on Friday, you'll know I didn't attend the two meetings and something very bad happened to me. Call Mikie and alert him!
Girls' Night Out - Cookbook Party
I haven't hosted this one yet, but I'm putting it in writing and planning on doing so before the end of 2009. To be honest, girls rarely need a "theme" for a Girls' Night Out. However, sometimes it is fun to plan something a little different.
For this little party, you will need to ask each girl to bring a new copy of one of their favorite paperback cookbooks OR cooking magazines. (Set a limit of $5 to $10.)
The only other requirement for this occasion would be for each person to prepare a recipe from the cookbook or magazine. (This, of course, will be the food for the evening.) If you ask six people, I would make sure two people make a main dish, two people make side dishes or salads, and two people make desserts. For example, you don't want five desserts and one meatloaf... or maybe you do.
Each cookbook or magazine should be wrapped in gift wrap and put in the middle of the table. After you have eaten, put every one's name in a bowl and draw out one name at a time. As each name is drawn, that girl gets to pick one of the wrapped cookbooks. This isn't like Dirty Santa... what you pick is what you get unless you already own the cookbook. In that case, you would need to ask for a trade. Hopefully, there would be several offers for said trade. (To avoid a problem with people NOT trading, only ask nice girls to your Cookbook Party!)
Finish the night with coffee and lots and lots of girl talk. Go ahead and plan a Girls' Night Out very, very soon. Don't put it off. You need it just as much as the other women you'll be inviting!
Tomorrow's recipe is the Lemon Creme Pie I mentioned last week. Also, please pick up the new Sandra Lee magazine. It is so pretty and blue and crisp and clean. I'm trying several new things out of that magazine, also.
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
NOTE TO ROBIN - Have I told you lately that I love you? I want to hear about Alaska. I'll be calling you this week.
The Showcase Pic is of the lake where Mike takes the kids fishing. He loves this lake. He has many, many wonderful memories of this place, and he loves sharing them with the kids. Roxie caught three fish to Mikie's one on their little trip, and one of hers was fairly large. I've told her if she catches a big one, we'll mount it on a hot pink and lime green plaque with the date, weight, etc. and hang it in her room.
The Gallery Pics are more fishing pics. It was a good weekend, but not a big picture taking weekend. I could have taken pictures of Austin, Josh and friends playing their X-Box tournament, but you have to respect 18 year-olds. Basically, they want to eat and play. Posing for pics is low on their "to-do" list. Now, because I did feed them, I'm sure they would have posed if I had asked, but because I don't want to lose my "Coolest Teenage Mom in the World" status, I hated to ask. It was quite the conundrum (good word). (Mike would insert here that I'm the only one who thinks I have this status, but he's not here right now so his opinion is moot. Moot is an attorney word. It's not necessarily a "good word," but it is kind of funny. It means "not relevant." Forgive me if you already knew that.)
We did enjoy a Saturday lunch at Full Moon Barbecue as The Faulkner Five, but Roxie and I did not make it to see Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. I hated to miss, but she was fighting a cold and was tired, so we made Saturday an "easy" day. It paid off. She felt much better yesterday. (And I didn't feel too bad because Austin and Melia went to the play Thursday night, so the Faulkners did support the arts this weekend.)
200th Post Contest
Once again... the rules. I'll run them today, Wednesday and Friday for a reminder. The bowl is filling up quickly, so please get your name in!
1. For every person you share my blog address with (www.belindafaulkner.blogspot.com), your name will be put in a bowl one time. (If you tell ten people about A Simple Life, your name will be put in the drawing bowl TEN times.) It's that easy.
2. If you have a blog of your own, and you mention A Simple Life in your blog, your name automatically goes in the drawing bowl TEN times.
3. If you don't tell anyone about the blog, you can still have your name put in the drawing bowl by leaving me an e-mail OR comment with the word "contest" somewhere in the text. (It doesn't even have to be in a sentence.)
4. You need to let me know how many people you have shared the info with by midnight, Monday, July 27. The drawing will be held at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, July 28.
5. I hope it goes without saying you need to share the website with people who actually use a computer. (Two year-olds and great-grandmothers who have never heard the term "blog" do not count!)
The prize is a $15 gift certificate to Wal-Mart OR Chick-Fil-A OR the scrapbook store of your choice. Easy, easy contest.
Miscellaneous
1. Last week when I wrote about the Winter Season of life, I mentioned I would sometimes pick someone out of that age group to emulate. Well, I met another Winter friend the other night at the funeral home. She had bright white hair and even brighter blue eyes. She wore a vivid coral top with matching lipstick AND matching earrings. She was, in a word, delightful. She was energetic and joyful, and I found myself thinking, "When I'm her age, I want to be just like her." And I wasn't the only one drawn to her. She knew everyone who happened by us in line, and several people made a special effort to seek her out.
I knew it wasn't "just me" who felt this way about her when a man several years younger than me came up, gave her a hug and said, "You are just so cute." Yeah. I wouldn't mind "cute" one bit when I'm in my 80s. (To be honest, I wouldn't mind it in my late 40s either.)
2. At one of our teas a couple of years ago, I asked everyone who attended to write an adjective on a sheet of paper they WISHED described them. It's an interesting question, don't you think? My adjective came from my favorite movie (You've Got Mail with Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan). The grandfather in the movie called Meg Ryan's mother in the movie "enchanting." I loved that. Except for Disney princesses, who do I know who could be described as "enchanting?" In my mind, I'm too tall to be enchanting. I imagine really enchanting people are petite. I also do not have ringlets. For some reason, I think that might be a prerequisite for being declared enchanting, also. Just thinking out loud.
I wonder though... what would some of your adjectives be? Remember, it must be an adjective you WISHED described you. And not something simple like "thin" or something similar. You don't have to answer if you don't want to. It's just something to ponder on a Monday.
3. You'll love this one. Remember last week when I said I didn't care for meetings... of any kind or nature... EVER. I've received two e-mails this weekend requesting my presence at two MANDATORY meetings. The only thing worse than a meeting is a MANDATORY meeting. What does that mean exactly? What will they do to me, a 47 year-old meeting-hating woman, if I don't attend. Will my name go on a list? Will they take me off the list to advise me of all future meetings? (That wouldn't be so bad.) Will I be talked about in an uncomplimentary way (by name) during the meeting? Will I be put on a committee no one else wants to serve on because I'm not there to decline? Will two large men come to my house and drag me kicking and screaming to the MANDATORY meeting (and, by the way, I would indeed be kicking and screaming)? I don't know. I don't know if I'm strong enough to skip both of them and find out what horrendous fate would befall me.
NOTE: If there isn't a post on Friday, you'll know I didn't attend the two meetings and something very bad happened to me. Call Mikie and alert him!
Girls' Night Out - Cookbook Party
I haven't hosted this one yet, but I'm putting it in writing and planning on doing so before the end of 2009. To be honest, girls rarely need a "theme" for a Girls' Night Out. However, sometimes it is fun to plan something a little different.
For this little party, you will need to ask each girl to bring a new copy of one of their favorite paperback cookbooks OR cooking magazines. (Set a limit of $5 to $10.)
The only other requirement for this occasion would be for each person to prepare a recipe from the cookbook or magazine. (This, of course, will be the food for the evening.) If you ask six people, I would make sure two people make a main dish, two people make side dishes or salads, and two people make desserts. For example, you don't want five desserts and one meatloaf... or maybe you do.
Each cookbook or magazine should be wrapped in gift wrap and put in the middle of the table. After you have eaten, put every one's name in a bowl and draw out one name at a time. As each name is drawn, that girl gets to pick one of the wrapped cookbooks. This isn't like Dirty Santa... what you pick is what you get unless you already own the cookbook. In that case, you would need to ask for a trade. Hopefully, there would be several offers for said trade. (To avoid a problem with people NOT trading, only ask nice girls to your Cookbook Party!)
Finish the night with coffee and lots and lots of girl talk. Go ahead and plan a Girls' Night Out very, very soon. Don't put it off. You need it just as much as the other women you'll be inviting!
Tomorrow's recipe is the Lemon Creme Pie I mentioned last week. Also, please pick up the new Sandra Lee magazine. It is so pretty and blue and crisp and clean. I'm trying several new things out of that magazine, also.
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Weekend Happenings
Good Friday morning!
I think you'll find today's post surprisingly short... which will make Mikie happy. He is legally obligated to listen to me talk about any and everything, so a lot of the blog is old news to him. But to his credit, he does try to read it every day. And when he gets behind, he actually reads until he gets caught up. I think it's sweet, and I totally believe him when he says he does this. Mainly because I have a list of questions for him to answer every day when he gets home from work regarding the post for that day. If he makes below a 90/100, he's in trouble!
I just spoke with my sister and family and they haven't spotted any alligators in the campground... yet. I don't know about you, but if I'm vacationing and trying to relax, keeping an eye out for the occasional stray alligator might make me re-think my campground choice. On the other hand, it would be an adventure of sorts... and with my penchant (good word) for slightly exaggerating the truth to make my life appear more interesting, it could have the makings of a pretty good story. Hmmm. The Faulkner Five may have to visit that campsite one day.
Weekend Happenings
Quiet, quiet weekend plans. Austin's working Friday AND Saturday nights. We're going out to lunch as The Faulkner Five Saturday afternoon. (I have got to get some shirts for us to wear when we go out together, don't you think?) And Roxie and I are attending Gardendale Community Theater's production of Seven Brides for Seven Brothers Saturday evening.
And Sunday... Well, Sunday will be church and then a bunch of cooking. Austin and Josh are having friends over for an X-Box party (I can't remember which game they're playing at the moment), and I will be supplying an array of culinary delights. (Code for TONS AND TONS OF MEAT, CHIPS, COOKIES AND ASSORTED BEVERAGES.) I think Roxie is planning on a fishing trip with her Dad Sunday evening which will be a good date for the two of them.
That's it. It looks good on paper. We'll see how it all comes together.
200th Post Contest
Skip this section if you've already entered the contest. Otherwise, read on.
1. For every person you share my blog address with (www.belindafaulkner.blogspot.com), your name will be put in a bowl one time. (If you tell ten people about A Simple Life, your name will be put in the drawing bowl TEN times.) It's that easy.
2. If you have a blog of your own, and you mention A Simple Life in your blog, your name automatically goes in the drawing bowl TEN times.
3. If you don't tell anyone about the blog, you can still have your name put in the drawing bowl by leaving me an e-mail OR comment with the word "contest" somewhere in the text. (It doesn't even have to be in a sentence.)
4. You need to let me know how many people you have shared the info with by midnight, Monday, July 27. The drawing will be held at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, July 28.
5. I hope it goes without saying you need to share the website with people who actually use a computer. (Two year-olds and great-grandmothers who have never heard the term "blog" do not count!)
The prize is a $15 gift certificate to Wal-Mart OR Chick-Fil-A OR the scrapbook store of your choice. Easy, easy contest.
Seasons
I felt confident about discussing my feelings regarding Spring and Summer since I've experienced those two Seasons fully. I didn't feel out of line talking about Autumn as I'm preparing to enter that Season (in two years, one month and ten days). But Winter... That's something I cannot write about with any personal knowledge since I haven't been there yet.
I know people in their Winter Season. I've also picked people out in the 75 to 100 year-old range I would like to emulate if and when Winter arrives for me. Feisty little women who dress in bright colors and wear bright red lipstick. Elegant, dignified women who walk a little slower, but have stories to tell if only we'll listen. And women who haven't let age steal their sense of humor or their joyfulness.
However, whenever I pick these women out in a crowd and say to myself, "I hope I'm like her when I'm her age," the answer comes back to me immediately. I will be an older version of what I am right this minute. If I wasn't feisty or elegant or joyful in the Spring, Summer and Autumn Seasons of my life, I won't acquire those attributes when I enter the Winter Season.
Yes. I've learned things. And I'm learning still, so I believe I will be somewhat wiser. But for the most part, I am what I am.
I will not enjoy talking or listening for long periods of time about home or car repairs. (My friends know this about me, so I'm not hurting any one's feelings here.) I will love the mountains in the fall.
I will not like to go to meetings (of any type), and I will not like black and white movies (I don't know why). I will love babies, and will automatically cross a room to meet a new little person at every opportunity.
I will not be a world traveler unless one or more of my children moves to a different part of the world and forces my hand. In that case, I will be a world traveler, but not a happy one.
And I think I will always be passionate about my family. I think that will follow me into the Winter months. I hope so.
Roxie always says, "You're not old until you're 100." Her goal for everyone in our family is for Willard Scott to wish them a Happy 100th Birthday on the Today Show. It's a sweet wish... if not a practical one.
"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven. A time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away. A time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak. A time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace." Ecclesiastes 3:1, 6-8.
Book
As the picture in the Gallery above indicates, the Book of the Week is actually a magazine. Southern Lady is one of my favorite "new" magazines these last couple of years. It is beautiful through and through, has great recipes, and captures the spirit of all things "Southern" and lovely.
It is published bi-monthly and costs $4.99 (which isn't bad for six issues a year). The recipe I'll be sharing with you next week comes out of this issue. It is the Lemon Cream Pie shown on the cover. Of course, if I recommend the recipe, it is very doable. (I think I'll use Austin and Josh's friends as guinea pigs Sunday night. We'll see how they rate the pie!)
Pick up a copy this weekend if you've never browsed through one before. (I know Books-A-Million and other book stores carry them. I think Wal-Mart has them, also, but I'll need to double check before I put it in writing.) I don't think you'll be disappointed.
Have a great weekend. Come back next week for a lot of new, fun ideas, as well as a few other surprises.
Take care, and I'll talk to you Monday.
I think you'll find today's post surprisingly short... which will make Mikie happy. He is legally obligated to listen to me talk about any and everything, so a lot of the blog is old news to him. But to his credit, he does try to read it every day. And when he gets behind, he actually reads until he gets caught up. I think it's sweet, and I totally believe him when he says he does this. Mainly because I have a list of questions for him to answer every day when he gets home from work regarding the post for that day. If he makes below a 90/100, he's in trouble!
I just spoke with my sister and family and they haven't spotted any alligators in the campground... yet. I don't know about you, but if I'm vacationing and trying to relax, keeping an eye out for the occasional stray alligator might make me re-think my campground choice. On the other hand, it would be an adventure of sorts... and with my penchant (good word) for slightly exaggerating the truth to make my life appear more interesting, it could have the makings of a pretty good story. Hmmm. The Faulkner Five may have to visit that campsite one day.
Weekend Happenings
Quiet, quiet weekend plans. Austin's working Friday AND Saturday nights. We're going out to lunch as The Faulkner Five Saturday afternoon. (I have got to get some shirts for us to wear when we go out together, don't you think?) And Roxie and I are attending Gardendale Community Theater's production of Seven Brides for Seven Brothers Saturday evening.
And Sunday... Well, Sunday will be church and then a bunch of cooking. Austin and Josh are having friends over for an X-Box party (I can't remember which game they're playing at the moment), and I will be supplying an array of culinary delights. (Code for TONS AND TONS OF MEAT, CHIPS, COOKIES AND ASSORTED BEVERAGES.) I think Roxie is planning on a fishing trip with her Dad Sunday evening which will be a good date for the two of them.
That's it. It looks good on paper. We'll see how it all comes together.
200th Post Contest
Skip this section if you've already entered the contest. Otherwise, read on.
1. For every person you share my blog address with (www.belindafaulkner.blogspot.com), your name will be put in a bowl one time. (If you tell ten people about A Simple Life, your name will be put in the drawing bowl TEN times.) It's that easy.
2. If you have a blog of your own, and you mention A Simple Life in your blog, your name automatically goes in the drawing bowl TEN times.
3. If you don't tell anyone about the blog, you can still have your name put in the drawing bowl by leaving me an e-mail OR comment with the word "contest" somewhere in the text. (It doesn't even have to be in a sentence.)
4. You need to let me know how many people you have shared the info with by midnight, Monday, July 27. The drawing will be held at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, July 28.
5. I hope it goes without saying you need to share the website with people who actually use a computer. (Two year-olds and great-grandmothers who have never heard the term "blog" do not count!)
The prize is a $15 gift certificate to Wal-Mart OR Chick-Fil-A OR the scrapbook store of your choice. Easy, easy contest.
Seasons
I felt confident about discussing my feelings regarding Spring and Summer since I've experienced those two Seasons fully. I didn't feel out of line talking about Autumn as I'm preparing to enter that Season (in two years, one month and ten days). But Winter... That's something I cannot write about with any personal knowledge since I haven't been there yet.
I know people in their Winter Season. I've also picked people out in the 75 to 100 year-old range I would like to emulate if and when Winter arrives for me. Feisty little women who dress in bright colors and wear bright red lipstick. Elegant, dignified women who walk a little slower, but have stories to tell if only we'll listen. And women who haven't let age steal their sense of humor or their joyfulness.
However, whenever I pick these women out in a crowd and say to myself, "I hope I'm like her when I'm her age," the answer comes back to me immediately. I will be an older version of what I am right this minute. If I wasn't feisty or elegant or joyful in the Spring, Summer and Autumn Seasons of my life, I won't acquire those attributes when I enter the Winter Season.
Yes. I've learned things. And I'm learning still, so I believe I will be somewhat wiser. But for the most part, I am what I am.
I will not enjoy talking or listening for long periods of time about home or car repairs. (My friends know this about me, so I'm not hurting any one's feelings here.) I will love the mountains in the fall.
I will not like to go to meetings (of any type), and I will not like black and white movies (I don't know why). I will love babies, and will automatically cross a room to meet a new little person at every opportunity.
I will not be a world traveler unless one or more of my children moves to a different part of the world and forces my hand. In that case, I will be a world traveler, but not a happy one.
And I think I will always be passionate about my family. I think that will follow me into the Winter months. I hope so.
Roxie always says, "You're not old until you're 100." Her goal for everyone in our family is for Willard Scott to wish them a Happy 100th Birthday on the Today Show. It's a sweet wish... if not a practical one.
"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven. A time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away. A time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak. A time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace." Ecclesiastes 3:1, 6-8.
Book
As the picture in the Gallery above indicates, the Book of the Week is actually a magazine. Southern Lady is one of my favorite "new" magazines these last couple of years. It is beautiful through and through, has great recipes, and captures the spirit of all things "Southern" and lovely.
It is published bi-monthly and costs $4.99 (which isn't bad for six issues a year). The recipe I'll be sharing with you next week comes out of this issue. It is the Lemon Cream Pie shown on the cover. Of course, if I recommend the recipe, it is very doable. (I think I'll use Austin and Josh's friends as guinea pigs Sunday night. We'll see how they rate the pie!)
Pick up a copy this weekend if you've never browsed through one before. (I know Books-A-Million and other book stores carry them. I think Wal-Mart has them, also, but I'll need to double check before I put it in writing.) I don't think you'll be disappointed.
Have a great weekend. Come back next week for a lot of new, fun ideas, as well as a few other surprises.
Take care, and I'll talk to you Monday.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
School Supply Date
Good Thursday morning!
I added a picture of a crepe myrtle to the Gallery today. Gardendale is beautiful with these blooming trees (bushes ?) everywhere. I think they make July such a pretty month to live in the south, so I just wanted to share... especially if you live in another part of the country.
NOTE TO BEV - I would love a picture of a campground alligator... from afar... without my nephews or niece in the general vicinity. I hope you are all having a good time. I'll talk to you tonight.
200th Post Contest
1. For every person you share my blog address with (www.belindafaulkner.blogspot.com), your name will be put in a bowl one time. (If you tell ten people about A Simple Life, your name will be put in the drawing bowl TEN times.) It's that easy.
2. If you have a blog of your own, and you mention A Simple Life in your blog, your name automatically goes in the drawing bowl TEN times.
3. If you don't tell anyone about the blog, you can still have your name put in the drawing bowl by leaving me an e-mail OR comment with the word "contest" somewhere in the text. (It doesn't even have to be in a sentence.)
4. You need to let me know how many people you have shared the info with by midnight, Monday, July 27. The drawing will be held at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, July 28.
5. I hope it goes without saying you need to share the website with people who actually use a computer. (Two year-olds and great-grandmothers who have never heard the term "blog" do not count!)
The prize is a $15 gift certificate to Wal-Mart OR Chick-Fil-A OR the scrapbook store of your choice. Not $1,000, but FREE nonetheless.
Seasons
What are my thoughts about soon entering the Autumn Season of my life? Well, I know I'll be further away from re-obtaining my Spring body than ever before. (That's a negative.)
I know all of my children will be beginning their own independent lives... if I've done my job correctly. (That's a negative. I know, I know. It's really a positive.)
I know my laundry pile will one day be small again. (Definitely a positive!)
I know Mike and I will have more and more time to spend as a couple. (A wonderful positive, and something I'm very much looking forward to.)
I know EVENTS will once again be on the horizon. (That's a positive for me. Some people do not like showers, weddings and births, but I've always thought of it as an excellent reason for a new outfit and a manicure.)
I hope and pray some of those EVENTS will personally involve my children. (Code for SOMETIME IN THE AUTUMN SEASON OF MY LIFE I WOULD LOVE TO OFFICIALLY BECOME "BELINDA, THE GREAT" OR "GRANDMOTHER SUPREME." I heard that one the other day, and I thought it was kind of catchy.)
I'm also aware that as short as the Summer Season of my life has been, Autumn will be shorter still. I will need to make the moments count more. I will need to be kinder, more patient and have more of a servant's heart. (If you don't mind, while you're reading this, could you hum Trace Adkins "You're Going to Miss This." I don't know how to put a playlist on the blog, but if I did, that song would go right here!)
I will not enter this Season kicking and screaming, but with a mixture of tears and excitement. Tears for what once was (do I need to say it... Spring body), and excitement for what is around the corner for some of the most important people in my life today. It will be a bittersweet Season, I think.
I can't even begin to imagine everything the Autumn Season will hold for me and my family. And to be honest, I won't try. Wondering too much about the future takes too much time away from today... and today is what I have in my hand right this very minute.
Will I age gracefully and with dignity from 50 to 75? Hmmm. That, too, remains one of life's little mysteries. All I know for certain is I will try to take the life lessons I've learned from my Spring and Summer Seasons of life and apply them to the next Season.
I will try to find some joy in each and every day. I will try to not be too judgmental about others without having walked in their shoes. I will try to continue to see things through the eyes of a child. I will attempt each and every day to let others see Christ living through me. I will try to be aware of others who have a need and fulfill that need if at all possible.
The above are things I should have been doing all Spring and Summer long. And to be honest, sometimes I was successful. But in the Autumn Season of my life, I hope to do a much, much better job.
"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven. A time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain. A time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away." Ecclesiastes 3:1, 5-6.
Weekend Family Fun
Argo Drive-In - The Drive-In is still showing Ice Age 3 at 8:20. Friday and Saturday they will have the same double feature (Ice Age 3 and Night at the Museum 2). As always, it is $10 a carload. Call first at 467-3434.
Seven Brides for Seven Brothers - The Gardendale Community Theater is putting on the play tonight, Friday and Saturday. Tickets are $10 each, and if you have never been to one of their productions, you are missing something fun. Roxie, Katie and I go every year. (This year, Katie is camping in Florida fighting off alligators as we speak. Heavy sigh.) You can pick up your tickets at the Gardendale Civic Center.
School Supply Date
Before school begins, plan a date with one of your elementary age children for a Wal-Mart (or Target) run. Buy whatever supplies you may need for school, taking your time and not rushing. Let your child pick out the colors of the notebooks, etc. (If you already have a supply pack waiting for you at your school, you can pick up one or two fun items and a lunch box.) Sneaker shopping is also something you could add to this date. Girls AND boys like to shop for a new pair of sneakers.
After paying for your items, finish the evening with a snack at whatever fast food restaurant is located in the store. (In our case, it would be McDonald's at Wal-Mart, and Pizza Hut or Star Bucks at Target.) Take a little time and talk to your child about the coming year. Are they excited? Are they nervous? Are they ready? Is there any way you can help them transition into a new grade or school easier?
Drive home enjoying a summer evening with your child. Before you go into the house, be sure to pray for your child's school, teacher and his/her first day in class.
Have a stupendous Thursday. (What other kind of Thursday could you possibly have?) Remember to enter the contest. The bowl is quickly filling up! I'll have a magazine suggestion tomorrow instead of the usual Book of the Week. You may all be subscribers, but in the off-chance you haven't picked one up yet, I'll give you the info.
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
I added a picture of a crepe myrtle to the Gallery today. Gardendale is beautiful with these blooming trees (bushes ?) everywhere. I think they make July such a pretty month to live in the south, so I just wanted to share... especially if you live in another part of the country.
NOTE TO BEV - I would love a picture of a campground alligator... from afar... without my nephews or niece in the general vicinity. I hope you are all having a good time. I'll talk to you tonight.
200th Post Contest
1. For every person you share my blog address with (www.belindafaulkner.blogspot.com), your name will be put in a bowl one time. (If you tell ten people about A Simple Life, your name will be put in the drawing bowl TEN times.) It's that easy.
2. If you have a blog of your own, and you mention A Simple Life in your blog, your name automatically goes in the drawing bowl TEN times.
3. If you don't tell anyone about the blog, you can still have your name put in the drawing bowl by leaving me an e-mail OR comment with the word "contest" somewhere in the text. (It doesn't even have to be in a sentence.)
4. You need to let me know how many people you have shared the info with by midnight, Monday, July 27. The drawing will be held at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, July 28.
5. I hope it goes without saying you need to share the website with people who actually use a computer. (Two year-olds and great-grandmothers who have never heard the term "blog" do not count!)
The prize is a $15 gift certificate to Wal-Mart OR Chick-Fil-A OR the scrapbook store of your choice. Not $1,000, but FREE nonetheless.
Seasons
What are my thoughts about soon entering the Autumn Season of my life? Well, I know I'll be further away from re-obtaining my Spring body than ever before. (That's a negative.)
I know all of my children will be beginning their own independent lives... if I've done my job correctly. (That's a negative. I know, I know. It's really a positive.)
I know my laundry pile will one day be small again. (Definitely a positive!)
I know Mike and I will have more and more time to spend as a couple. (A wonderful positive, and something I'm very much looking forward to.)
I know EVENTS will once again be on the horizon. (That's a positive for me. Some people do not like showers, weddings and births, but I've always thought of it as an excellent reason for a new outfit and a manicure.)
I hope and pray some of those EVENTS will personally involve my children. (Code for SOMETIME IN THE AUTUMN SEASON OF MY LIFE I WOULD LOVE TO OFFICIALLY BECOME "BELINDA, THE GREAT" OR "GRANDMOTHER SUPREME." I heard that one the other day, and I thought it was kind of catchy.)
I'm also aware that as short as the Summer Season of my life has been, Autumn will be shorter still. I will need to make the moments count more. I will need to be kinder, more patient and have more of a servant's heart. (If you don't mind, while you're reading this, could you hum Trace Adkins "You're Going to Miss This." I don't know how to put a playlist on the blog, but if I did, that song would go right here!)
I will not enter this Season kicking and screaming, but with a mixture of tears and excitement. Tears for what once was (do I need to say it... Spring body), and excitement for what is around the corner for some of the most important people in my life today. It will be a bittersweet Season, I think.
I can't even begin to imagine everything the Autumn Season will hold for me and my family. And to be honest, I won't try. Wondering too much about the future takes too much time away from today... and today is what I have in my hand right this very minute.
Will I age gracefully and with dignity from 50 to 75? Hmmm. That, too, remains one of life's little mysteries. All I know for certain is I will try to take the life lessons I've learned from my Spring and Summer Seasons of life and apply them to the next Season.
I will try to find some joy in each and every day. I will try to not be too judgmental about others without having walked in their shoes. I will try to continue to see things through the eyes of a child. I will attempt each and every day to let others see Christ living through me. I will try to be aware of others who have a need and fulfill that need if at all possible.
The above are things I should have been doing all Spring and Summer long. And to be honest, sometimes I was successful. But in the Autumn Season of my life, I hope to do a much, much better job.
"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven. A time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain. A time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away." Ecclesiastes 3:1, 5-6.
Weekend Family Fun
Argo Drive-In - The Drive-In is still showing Ice Age 3 at 8:20. Friday and Saturday they will have the same double feature (Ice Age 3 and Night at the Museum 2). As always, it is $10 a carload. Call first at 467-3434.
Seven Brides for Seven Brothers - The Gardendale Community Theater is putting on the play tonight, Friday and Saturday. Tickets are $10 each, and if you have never been to one of their productions, you are missing something fun. Roxie, Katie and I go every year. (This year, Katie is camping in Florida fighting off alligators as we speak. Heavy sigh.) You can pick up your tickets at the Gardendale Civic Center.
School Supply Date
Before school begins, plan a date with one of your elementary age children for a Wal-Mart (or Target) run. Buy whatever supplies you may need for school, taking your time and not rushing. Let your child pick out the colors of the notebooks, etc. (If you already have a supply pack waiting for you at your school, you can pick up one or two fun items and a lunch box.) Sneaker shopping is also something you could add to this date. Girls AND boys like to shop for a new pair of sneakers.
After paying for your items, finish the evening with a snack at whatever fast food restaurant is located in the store. (In our case, it would be McDonald's at Wal-Mart, and Pizza Hut or Star Bucks at Target.) Take a little time and talk to your child about the coming year. Are they excited? Are they nervous? Are they ready? Is there any way you can help them transition into a new grade or school easier?
Drive home enjoying a summer evening with your child. Before you go into the house, be sure to pray for your child's school, teacher and his/her first day in class.
Have a stupendous Thursday. (What other kind of Thursday could you possibly have?) Remember to enter the contest. The bowl is quickly filling up! I'll have a magazine suggestion tomorrow instead of the usual Book of the Week. You may all be subscribers, but in the off-chance you haven't picked one up yet, I'll give you the info.
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Ice Cream Drive
Good Wednesday morning!
DON'T FORGET - Go by and get your FREE Arby's Roast Beef Sandwich today (with purchase of a soft drink).
ALSO, DON'T FORGET - Register for the 200th Post Contest. The rules are in Monday's post. Get your name in the drawing bowl before midnight, July 27!
I've added a couple of pics of Roxie and her friend, Laura, and their very successful Lemonade/Fruit Punch/Homemade Cookie Stand. They made a whopping $14 apiece... and they only had to sit in the hot sun from noon until 5:00 p.m. to do so. Not easy money, but money nonetheless. Roxie is saving for clothes, shoes, purses, cute pajamas, jewelry, sundresses, etc. If it has something to do with fashion, she's all about it. And while we provide all of her clothing needs, the extras are her responsibility. Thus, the highly lucrative Lemonade/Fruit Punch/Homemade Cookie Stand.
I'm registering her for her 7th grade classes today. She's anxious to see which friends she has classes with for the coming year. I was always like that, too. And if for some reason you had several classes with your best buddy... oh, life was good. We're keeping our fingers crossed.
Josh is in the midst of what we think may be his "big" growth spurt. We're not sure, but he looks taller every morning. I want to measure him each day, but Mike is more patient and so we will wait until the end of the month. He's definitely taller than Mike. He's definitely taller than me. He's definitely NOT taller than Austin... yet. We'll see. We'll see.
As far as we can tell, he is okay medicine-wise. He's not showing any intolerance for the old dosage at all. I mean, his head itches all the time, but his head has always itched. That's normal for him, even without the hives. We are very thankful we don't have to "start over" in that respect. It would have literally taken months, and, of course, we don't want to give his illness any more "time" than it has already taken. (Again, I love it when God answers prayers with a "Yes.")
Seasons
Well, we skipped through Spring, and now we find ourselves in the throes of Summer. Summer is my Season of Life at the moment. It has been an incredible season. I married Mikie at 26 and had the kids at 29, 33 and 35. Starting my family at the beginning of Summer was definitely exciting and wonderful. However, as everyone knows, your Summer energy level is definitely not the same as your Spring energy level. At least it wasn't for me. By the time Roxie arrived, I could tell a HUGE difference in how I kept up with two little boys and a baby girl, and how someone ten years my junior did the exact same thing. (Code for THEY WEREN'T COUNTING DOWN THE HOURS, MINUTES AND SECONDS FOR NAP TIME EVERY DAY!)
As much as I love Autumn, I know in my heart of hearts Summer will always be the Season of Life I cherish and remember the most fondly. It's the season in which I was able to do what I think I was meant to do... be a wife and a mom (with much smaller kids, of course).
My Summer has been exciting, exhausting, exhilarating and so much more fulfilling than my Spring. Now, if I could have gone through my Summer and kept my Spring body... that would have definitely been a plus. But, that's not how it works, is it? Well, not for me, anyway. (Add a note of bitterness to that last sentence.)
When my Summer season ends (in two years, one month and 11 days), if all goes according to plan (and we know how that works, don't we?), Austin will be entrenched in the middle of his college years, Josh will be a Senior in high school and Roxie will be a Freshman at the same high school. Wow! It's mind boggling to see it in writing. (I'm never writing it again!)
One more thing, and then we'll move on. I have noticed how quickly Summer flew by. You hear it every day during a regular summer season. "Summer is so short." "Summer doesn't last as long as it should." "I didn't get everything done I wanted to this Summer." It's just another reminder why "moments matter," and why time spent with the people you love is the MOST important time of all... no matter what Season of Life you are currently going through.
"There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven. A time to kill, and a time to heal; A time to tear down, and a time to build up. A time to weep, and a time to laugh; A time to mourn, and a time to dance." Ecclesiastes 3:1, 3-4.
Road Trip Ideas
These are the ideas I talked to you about yesterday donated by my blog friend, Jonella.
Keeping Kids Happy on Long Car Rides: Tips and Tricks
by Sharlene Rollins, PassPorter Guest Contributor
Let's get the obvious distraction tactics out of the way so we can get into the really good stuff. A portable DVD player, along with some classic favorites or some new, never-before-seen stuff, can be a lifesaver. You can bring along favorite upbeat tunes for you and the kids, always a good idea. Allowing iPods and MP3 players is also an option but you may want to set limits on them. Be sure to discuss these limits with the kids beforehand. I think the same applies to hand-held games like Nintendo DS. Set up any limitations or turn-taking guidelines you'd like to have beforehand in order to avoid disagreements later.
Now let's get started!
About a month before your trip, grab a laundry basket and go through the house with two thoughts in mind: 1. What toys/activities are their favorites? 2. Which of these can be used in the car? For the younger kids, you may not want to let them know you're doing this, and for the older ones they might be able to do this themselves.
Great! Now that you have your pile of stuff, pick out the best and keep it hidden until the trip. This way you will be armed with toys that have a "like new" appeal, but are also bankable favorites for your trip! Some ideas include card games, favorite stuffed animals, action figures, Polly Pockets and Transformers, etc. Many times I'll pack each kid a little bag of their own, but as our family has grown, I have found it easier to keep one fun bag at the ready rather than deal with too much stuff underfoot in the van.
Next, make a trip to the nearest dollar store and purchase new items like sticky stretchy toys, activity and coloring books, blank and lined notebooks, noisemakers (it's better to hear a harmonica than a screaming toddler), small puzzles that can be done on a book on a lap, magnetic play boards, sticker activities, chewing gum (in case you need to drive through any higher altitudes it will help ears to "pop"), and my personal favorite, glow-in-the-dark necklaces, bracelets, etc. for when it's too dark to do anything else. Be sure to buy the non-toxic ones, as many children tend to put them in their mouth at some point! We even placed them around the hotel room as night lights for the kids to navigate their way around a strange room at night.
Consider making your own games. Older kids can help with this! Car Bingo is a classic in my family. Simply take squares of paper, and then with a thick black marker and a ruler draw five lines down, and the same across. Then after a trip to the dollar store, put stickers of farm animals, cars, trucks, road signs, wildlife, dogs, birds, cats (whatever you manage to find) in each square. Make one card for each player and simply have the kids mark them as they spot the things on their cards. A line is a bingo! Then the cards get passed along and a new game begins. The best way to mark them is to get them laminated and then use a dry-erase marker, since you'll just need a facial tissue to rub off and start fresh.
Other games include looking for neat license plates, red barns, counting horses (or other items), or the classic "punch buggy" game minus the hitting. We slap the seat in our car!
Another classic with my family involves a deck of cue cards with a thing to find on each one. Road signs, railroad crossings, emergency vehicles, churches, speed limits, pylons, animal crossings, gas stations, favorite restaurants, etc. We make up the cards beforehand and to play we deal out three at a time. When you spot one of your items, you put the card in your lap, score a point, and draw another card. First to five wins! Variations can involve each item having different point values, or event cards like "steal a point card from another player," "choose one card and place it in your points pile," "lose (or gain) one point," "trade hands with another player," etc. Be creative and inventive. Maybe you can add landmarks or rules specific to your route of travel!
One final thought... Consider stopping along the way at fun, free, or cheap places. It adds time but makes for a memorable journey. When our family was faced with a 21-hour drive, we opted to spread it out over three days and stopped at little museums, aquariums, a cave tour, a mall with a huge old merry-go-round inside, a state park, and other neat places along the way.
Before your trip, make a list of the cities you will be driving through and then Google the area to see if there are any places to stop that might be a perfect side trip for your kids. Taking these moments whenever possible can relieve a lot of the stress and tedium of a long drive with the kids.
Pretty good advice, huh? As always, I gave credit where credit was due at the beginning of the section. Thanks for sharing, Jonella. I always want to pass along helpful "family tips."
Ice Cream Drive
This idea was copied from Family Fun Magazine (August, 2000). A lady named Tawni Ballinger in Germantown, Tennessee wrote:
For the past several summers, my children and I have had the joy of turning our van into an ice cream truck, an idea my twin daughters came up with. We decorate our van with drawings of ice-cream cones and such, load up a cooler with frozen treats, and head out to the homes of friends and neighbors. A few phone calls ahead of time and a cowbell help announce our arrival.
The twist to the Ballinger Famly Ice Cream Truck, however, is that rather than take money for the frozen treats, we instead collect canned goods from our patrons. The following day, we drive to the food bank to deliver the supplies we've gathered. Not only is it a fun way to spend a sunny summer day, but we get to help others as well.
That's a pretty good Seasonal Tradition, isn't it? For years, the Faulkner Five have saved "charity" money and used it in November to buy something out of the Samaritan's Purse Magazine (Franklin Graham's charity). We like to buy chickens or a goat or part of a donkey for a family or village. (And Josh and Austin like to add a soccer ball or two with the "order.") Last year we used the money for a local charity. However, this is something a family could do in addition to saving "charity money" for a specific purpose. And it's something to do during the summer months for others... not just around the holiday season. I like it. I like it a lot.
Have a little fun today. July is half over. Amazing! Tomorrow we'll have our Weekend Family Fun, thoughts on the Autumn Season of Life which is right around the corner for me, and a fun little date for two.
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
DON'T FORGET - Go by and get your FREE Arby's Roast Beef Sandwich today (with purchase of a soft drink).
ALSO, DON'T FORGET - Register for the 200th Post Contest. The rules are in Monday's post. Get your name in the drawing bowl before midnight, July 27!
I've added a couple of pics of Roxie and her friend, Laura, and their very successful Lemonade/Fruit Punch/Homemade Cookie Stand. They made a whopping $14 apiece... and they only had to sit in the hot sun from noon until 5:00 p.m. to do so. Not easy money, but money nonetheless. Roxie is saving for clothes, shoes, purses, cute pajamas, jewelry, sundresses, etc. If it has something to do with fashion, she's all about it. And while we provide all of her clothing needs, the extras are her responsibility. Thus, the highly lucrative Lemonade/Fruit Punch/Homemade Cookie Stand.
I'm registering her for her 7th grade classes today. She's anxious to see which friends she has classes with for the coming year. I was always like that, too. And if for some reason you had several classes with your best buddy... oh, life was good. We're keeping our fingers crossed.
Josh is in the midst of what we think may be his "big" growth spurt. We're not sure, but he looks taller every morning. I want to measure him each day, but Mike is more patient and so we will wait until the end of the month. He's definitely taller than Mike. He's definitely taller than me. He's definitely NOT taller than Austin... yet. We'll see. We'll see.
As far as we can tell, he is okay medicine-wise. He's not showing any intolerance for the old dosage at all. I mean, his head itches all the time, but his head has always itched. That's normal for him, even without the hives. We are very thankful we don't have to "start over" in that respect. It would have literally taken months, and, of course, we don't want to give his illness any more "time" than it has already taken. (Again, I love it when God answers prayers with a "Yes.")
Seasons
Well, we skipped through Spring, and now we find ourselves in the throes of Summer. Summer is my Season of Life at the moment. It has been an incredible season. I married Mikie at 26 and had the kids at 29, 33 and 35. Starting my family at the beginning of Summer was definitely exciting and wonderful. However, as everyone knows, your Summer energy level is definitely not the same as your Spring energy level. At least it wasn't for me. By the time Roxie arrived, I could tell a HUGE difference in how I kept up with two little boys and a baby girl, and how someone ten years my junior did the exact same thing. (Code for THEY WEREN'T COUNTING DOWN THE HOURS, MINUTES AND SECONDS FOR NAP TIME EVERY DAY!)
As much as I love Autumn, I know in my heart of hearts Summer will always be the Season of Life I cherish and remember the most fondly. It's the season in which I was able to do what I think I was meant to do... be a wife and a mom (with much smaller kids, of course).
My Summer has been exciting, exhausting, exhilarating and so much more fulfilling than my Spring. Now, if I could have gone through my Summer and kept my Spring body... that would have definitely been a plus. But, that's not how it works, is it? Well, not for me, anyway. (Add a note of bitterness to that last sentence.)
When my Summer season ends (in two years, one month and 11 days), if all goes according to plan (and we know how that works, don't we?), Austin will be entrenched in the middle of his college years, Josh will be a Senior in high school and Roxie will be a Freshman at the same high school. Wow! It's mind boggling to see it in writing. (I'm never writing it again!)
One more thing, and then we'll move on. I have noticed how quickly Summer flew by. You hear it every day during a regular summer season. "Summer is so short." "Summer doesn't last as long as it should." "I didn't get everything done I wanted to this Summer." It's just another reminder why "moments matter," and why time spent with the people you love is the MOST important time of all... no matter what Season of Life you are currently going through.
"There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven. A time to kill, and a time to heal; A time to tear down, and a time to build up. A time to weep, and a time to laugh; A time to mourn, and a time to dance." Ecclesiastes 3:1, 3-4.
Road Trip Ideas
These are the ideas I talked to you about yesterday donated by my blog friend, Jonella.
Keeping Kids Happy on Long Car Rides: Tips and Tricks
by Sharlene Rollins, PassPorter Guest Contributor
Let's get the obvious distraction tactics out of the way so we can get into the really good stuff. A portable DVD player, along with some classic favorites or some new, never-before-seen stuff, can be a lifesaver. You can bring along favorite upbeat tunes for you and the kids, always a good idea. Allowing iPods and MP3 players is also an option but you may want to set limits on them. Be sure to discuss these limits with the kids beforehand. I think the same applies to hand-held games like Nintendo DS. Set up any limitations or turn-taking guidelines you'd like to have beforehand in order to avoid disagreements later.
Now let's get started!
About a month before your trip, grab a laundry basket and go through the house with two thoughts in mind: 1. What toys/activities are their favorites? 2. Which of these can be used in the car? For the younger kids, you may not want to let them know you're doing this, and for the older ones they might be able to do this themselves.
Great! Now that you have your pile of stuff, pick out the best and keep it hidden until the trip. This way you will be armed with toys that have a "like new" appeal, but are also bankable favorites for your trip! Some ideas include card games, favorite stuffed animals, action figures, Polly Pockets and Transformers, etc. Many times I'll pack each kid a little bag of their own, but as our family has grown, I have found it easier to keep one fun bag at the ready rather than deal with too much stuff underfoot in the van.
Next, make a trip to the nearest dollar store and purchase new items like sticky stretchy toys, activity and coloring books, blank and lined notebooks, noisemakers (it's better to hear a harmonica than a screaming toddler), small puzzles that can be done on a book on a lap, magnetic play boards, sticker activities, chewing gum (in case you need to drive through any higher altitudes it will help ears to "pop"), and my personal favorite, glow-in-the-dark necklaces, bracelets, etc. for when it's too dark to do anything else. Be sure to buy the non-toxic ones, as many children tend to put them in their mouth at some point! We even placed them around the hotel room as night lights for the kids to navigate their way around a strange room at night.
Consider making your own games. Older kids can help with this! Car Bingo is a classic in my family. Simply take squares of paper, and then with a thick black marker and a ruler draw five lines down, and the same across. Then after a trip to the dollar store, put stickers of farm animals, cars, trucks, road signs, wildlife, dogs, birds, cats (whatever you manage to find) in each square. Make one card for each player and simply have the kids mark them as they spot the things on their cards. A line is a bingo! Then the cards get passed along and a new game begins. The best way to mark them is to get them laminated and then use a dry-erase marker, since you'll just need a facial tissue to rub off and start fresh.
Other games include looking for neat license plates, red barns, counting horses (or other items), or the classic "punch buggy" game minus the hitting. We slap the seat in our car!
Another classic with my family involves a deck of cue cards with a thing to find on each one. Road signs, railroad crossings, emergency vehicles, churches, speed limits, pylons, animal crossings, gas stations, favorite restaurants, etc. We make up the cards beforehand and to play we deal out three at a time. When you spot one of your items, you put the card in your lap, score a point, and draw another card. First to five wins! Variations can involve each item having different point values, or event cards like "steal a point card from another player," "choose one card and place it in your points pile," "lose (or gain) one point," "trade hands with another player," etc. Be creative and inventive. Maybe you can add landmarks or rules specific to your route of travel!
One final thought... Consider stopping along the way at fun, free, or cheap places. It adds time but makes for a memorable journey. When our family was faced with a 21-hour drive, we opted to spread it out over three days and stopped at little museums, aquariums, a cave tour, a mall with a huge old merry-go-round inside, a state park, and other neat places along the way.
Before your trip, make a list of the cities you will be driving through and then Google the area to see if there are any places to stop that might be a perfect side trip for your kids. Taking these moments whenever possible can relieve a lot of the stress and tedium of a long drive with the kids.
Pretty good advice, huh? As always, I gave credit where credit was due at the beginning of the section. Thanks for sharing, Jonella. I always want to pass along helpful "family tips."
Ice Cream Drive
This idea was copied from Family Fun Magazine (August, 2000). A lady named Tawni Ballinger in Germantown, Tennessee wrote:
For the past several summers, my children and I have had the joy of turning our van into an ice cream truck, an idea my twin daughters came up with. We decorate our van with drawings of ice-cream cones and such, load up a cooler with frozen treats, and head out to the homes of friends and neighbors. A few phone calls ahead of time and a cowbell help announce our arrival.
The twist to the Ballinger Famly Ice Cream Truck, however, is that rather than take money for the frozen treats, we instead collect canned goods from our patrons. The following day, we drive to the food bank to deliver the supplies we've gathered. Not only is it a fun way to spend a sunny summer day, but we get to help others as well.
That's a pretty good Seasonal Tradition, isn't it? For years, the Faulkner Five have saved "charity" money and used it in November to buy something out of the Samaritan's Purse Magazine (Franklin Graham's charity). We like to buy chickens or a goat or part of a donkey for a family or village. (And Josh and Austin like to add a soccer ball or two with the "order.") Last year we used the money for a local charity. However, this is something a family could do in addition to saving "charity money" for a specific purpose. And it's something to do during the summer months for others... not just around the holiday season. I like it. I like it a lot.
Have a little fun today. July is half over. Amazing! Tomorrow we'll have our Weekend Family Fun, thoughts on the Autumn Season of Life which is right around the corner for me, and a fun little date for two.
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Banana Chocolate Drops, Apple Pillows and Rockin' Roll Ups
Good Tuesday morning!
Well, I've added the last Washington picture to the blog. I know you're glad the trip is finally over, aren't you? Now, I just have to take the card to Wal-Mart and print the 452 out of 689 good pictures for his scrapbook. No biggie. It will just take all of THREE HOURS! I'll try to go during an "un-busy" time... and hopefully that will alleviate people making heavy breathing sounds behind me. (I always want to tell them the impatient sounds just make me go slower. Added pressure has the opposite effect on me. I don't slow down on purpose. I kind of "shut down.")
"Why don't you choose the pictures from your computer at home and SEND the info to Wal-Mart for printing?" you ask. It's really very simple. Other than the blog (which took me DAYS AND DAYS to figure out), I am totally and hopelessly computer illiterate. I think that is the reason I am so opposed to Facebook. It intimidates me. So until my Photo Helper Guy from Wal-Mart makes a house call and shows me step-by-step (multiple times) HOW to send the info directly to him at the store, I'll be tying up machines. Heavy breathing and all.
NOTE TO LEANNA: Hi, girl! Did you notice Roxie's tankini matches her life jacket? Are we styling, or what? As far as Mikie is concerned, his life jacket matches nothing, but looks like a khaki parka! And while normally he would have peeled off a layer or two, we found that Thunder Tubing in the rain is really quite cold... even in July... even in Alabama. When Roxie wasn't tubing, she was wrapped up in THREE of the five dry beach towels I brought. Unfortunately, the rest of us didn't realize it until we got back to the pier two hours later in the cold, July rain, and all but two towels were wet... and one of the dry towels was MINE! (I hated it for the guys. I really did... But as their mother, it is up to me to teach them chivalry, isn't it?)
New Contest Rule - I knew I left something out! If you still want to enter the contest, but you don't share the website with anyone, all you have to do is comment OR e-mail me using the word "contest." It doesn't even have to make sense or be in a sentence. Your name will be put in the bowl sitting beside the computer. Sorry I left that one out!
Seasons
Yep. That's the topic for the rest of the week. Four days... four seasons. It's a perfect fit.
I know what you're thinking. I've already told you I love Fall, enjoy Winter, tolerate Spring and sweat a great deal during the Summer. So why am I going to post a season a day for the rest of the week? Good question.
I've been thinking about the Season of Life I'm in at the moment. Let's say I live to be 100 years old (and that is a possibility). The women in my family live well into their 90s and several have made it into their 100s. In my mind, I have divided each season neatly into 25 years. Which means I am NOT in the Autumn of my life as some people would assume, but the Dog Days of Summer... literally.
But today is not about Summer. Today is about Spring.
Spring is hard to watch. I see Spring women at the pool ALL the time with their little ones wearing swimmies and jumping up and down, up and down the entire time. Spring can be exhausting. However, I didn't start my family until the beginning of Summer (again... tomorrow), so my own personal Spring was a little different than what I observe in other women (the birth to 25 years group).
Do you remember being a kid? Time moved soooo slowly. You couldn't wait until your birthday. Christmas was an eternity away... even the day before. You finally made it to middle school, and then you couldn't wait until high school. You graduated high school and were so anxious to get out into the world. Birthdays were inconsequential. I, for one, definitely took Spring for granted, and didn't fully appreciate the Season... until now.
It's that way in nature, too. One day everything is gray and stark, and if you are really paying attention, you might notice a few buds on some trees or bushes. Then one morning you wake up and everything has "grown" overnight. It doesn't take months... it's more like minutes! Spring is impatient. It wants to grow, grow, grow and it doesn't want anyone telling it to slow down and enjoy the moment. There's too much to do.
One more observation about Spring before we get to the recipes for the day. Spring is beautiful. It is young, colorful, energetic and vibrant. But again, I didn't realize it was so short-lived until it was gone. Saying all that, I have heard many people say, and I agree, they wouldn't want to go back to Spring again. The uncertainties, the self-consciousness, the unanswered questions about what life would one day become. I like knowing the answers (good and bad) to some of the Spring questions in my late-Summer life.
Now there are many questions about Autumn and Winter lurking in the back of my mind, but with all that living in the Summer Season of my life entails, they are definitely in the back of what is left of my once sharp mind... where they belong. I would like to think one of the benefits of living through the Summer Season is not being so impatient for things to happen FASTER, as much as wanting things to stop and stay the same for a while. At least, that's how I'm feeling right now.
"There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven. A time to give birth, and a time to die; A time to plant, and a time to uproot what is planted." Ecclesiastes 3:1-2.
More musings tomorrow, but today we COOK!
Banana Chocolate Drops
1 package (12 ounces) semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 cup chopped peanuts
2 bananas, cut into 1" pieces
1. In a small saucepan, bring 1 cup of water to a boil. Place the chocolate chips in a stainless steel bowl and set it on top of the saucepan.
2. Turn the burner off and allow the chocolate to melt over the steaming water.
3. While the chocolate is melting, select a baking sheet or large plate that fits into your freezer. Line it with wax paper or aluminum foil.
4. Place the peanuts in a small mixing bowl or on a plate. Set aside.
5. Stir the chocolate with a wooden spoon until it is smooth and completely melted.
6. Skewer each piece of banana with a toothpick and dip into the chocolate. (You can also use popsicle sticks instead of toothpicks.)
7. Roll the banana in the chocolate until completely coated.
8. Using the toothpick as a handle, roll the banana in the peanuts.
9. Place the coated banana on the baking sheet or plate.
10. Freeze bananas for 1 hour before serving.
Apple Pillows
1 package (8 ounce) refrigerated crescent rolls
1 small apple, peeled and finely chopped
1/2 cup raisins
1/4 cup chopped pecans
1 tablespoon light brown sugar
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
Milk for brushing
Cinnamon for sprinkling
Granulated sugar for sprinkling
Cooking spray
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Separate crescent rolls into individual triangles, and arrange on a lightly greased baking sheet.
3. In a medium mixing bowl, mix together the apple, raisins, pecans, brown sugar and cinnamon.
4. Place teaspoon-size portions of the apple mixture onto the center of each triangle.
5. Roll into a crescent shape.
6. Lightly brush the tops of the crescents with milk and sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar.
7. Bake on the middle rack of the oven for 25 minutes or until golden brown.
Rockin' Roll-Ups
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese (softened)
1 tablespoon honey Dijon mustard
2 sticks butter
8 slices of white bread
3/4 pound thinly sliced ham
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Cooking spray
1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees.
2. In a small mixing bowl, combine the cream cheese with honey Dijon mustard and set aside.
3. Melt the butter in the microwave and transfer to a small mixing bowl.
4. Slice crust off the bread.
5. Using a rolling pin, roll each piece of bread very thin.
6. Evenly spread cream cheese mixture on each slice of bread.
7. Place a thin slice of ham on each piece of bread and roll up lengthwise.
8. Dip the roll into melted butter.
9. Sprinkle the roll with Parmesan cheese.
10. Place rolls 1" apart on a lightly sprayed baking sheet.
11. Bake on the middle rack of the oven for 10 to 15 minutes or until lightly golden.
Not too shabby, is it? Now to be honest, I've only made the Apple Pillows, and I've eaten the Banana Chocolate Drops, but I haven't made the Rockin' Roll-Ups... yet. I'm planning on it this weekend for some friends Austin is having over.
All three of these recipes were taken from The Sleepover Cookbook by Hallie Warshaw. It's the book I told you about last week which I bought at a yard sale for $1, so I'm not sure if it is still in print or not. If you come across it though, it has a lot more to offer in the "cooking with kids" department, and I would recommend picking up a copy (even if it costs a little more than $1).
I hope you have a fun Tuesday. I'll have a Seasonal Tradition tomorrow (SURPRISE!), and we'll talk about the Summer Season of life. (That's the one I'm quickly being kicked out of!) I will also share some Road Trip ideas from a blog friend just for a bonus. If you have small kids (especially), there are some really good ideas for making the trip more enjoyable.
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Well, I've added the last Washington picture to the blog. I know you're glad the trip is finally over, aren't you? Now, I just have to take the card to Wal-Mart and print the 452 out of 689 good pictures for his scrapbook. No biggie. It will just take all of THREE HOURS! I'll try to go during an "un-busy" time... and hopefully that will alleviate people making heavy breathing sounds behind me. (I always want to tell them the impatient sounds just make me go slower. Added pressure has the opposite effect on me. I don't slow down on purpose. I kind of "shut down.")
"Why don't you choose the pictures from your computer at home and SEND the info to Wal-Mart for printing?" you ask. It's really very simple. Other than the blog (which took me DAYS AND DAYS to figure out), I am totally and hopelessly computer illiterate. I think that is the reason I am so opposed to Facebook. It intimidates me. So until my Photo Helper Guy from Wal-Mart makes a house call and shows me step-by-step (multiple times) HOW to send the info directly to him at the store, I'll be tying up machines. Heavy breathing and all.
NOTE TO LEANNA: Hi, girl! Did you notice Roxie's tankini matches her life jacket? Are we styling, or what? As far as Mikie is concerned, his life jacket matches nothing, but looks like a khaki parka! And while normally he would have peeled off a layer or two, we found that Thunder Tubing in the rain is really quite cold... even in July... even in Alabama. When Roxie wasn't tubing, she was wrapped up in THREE of the five dry beach towels I brought. Unfortunately, the rest of us didn't realize it until we got back to the pier two hours later in the cold, July rain, and all but two towels were wet... and one of the dry towels was MINE! (I hated it for the guys. I really did... But as their mother, it is up to me to teach them chivalry, isn't it?)
New Contest Rule - I knew I left something out! If you still want to enter the contest, but you don't share the website with anyone, all you have to do is comment OR e-mail me using the word "contest." It doesn't even have to make sense or be in a sentence. Your name will be put in the bowl sitting beside the computer. Sorry I left that one out!
Seasons
Yep. That's the topic for the rest of the week. Four days... four seasons. It's a perfect fit.
I know what you're thinking. I've already told you I love Fall, enjoy Winter, tolerate Spring and sweat a great deal during the Summer. So why am I going to post a season a day for the rest of the week? Good question.
I've been thinking about the Season of Life I'm in at the moment. Let's say I live to be 100 years old (and that is a possibility). The women in my family live well into their 90s and several have made it into their 100s. In my mind, I have divided each season neatly into 25 years. Which means I am NOT in the Autumn of my life as some people would assume, but the Dog Days of Summer... literally.
But today is not about Summer. Today is about Spring.
Spring is hard to watch. I see Spring women at the pool ALL the time with their little ones wearing swimmies and jumping up and down, up and down the entire time. Spring can be exhausting. However, I didn't start my family until the beginning of Summer (again... tomorrow), so my own personal Spring was a little different than what I observe in other women (the birth to 25 years group).
Do you remember being a kid? Time moved soooo slowly. You couldn't wait until your birthday. Christmas was an eternity away... even the day before. You finally made it to middle school, and then you couldn't wait until high school. You graduated high school and were so anxious to get out into the world. Birthdays were inconsequential. I, for one, definitely took Spring for granted, and didn't fully appreciate the Season... until now.
It's that way in nature, too. One day everything is gray and stark, and if you are really paying attention, you might notice a few buds on some trees or bushes. Then one morning you wake up and everything has "grown" overnight. It doesn't take months... it's more like minutes! Spring is impatient. It wants to grow, grow, grow and it doesn't want anyone telling it to slow down and enjoy the moment. There's too much to do.
One more observation about Spring before we get to the recipes for the day. Spring is beautiful. It is young, colorful, energetic and vibrant. But again, I didn't realize it was so short-lived until it was gone. Saying all that, I have heard many people say, and I agree, they wouldn't want to go back to Spring again. The uncertainties, the self-consciousness, the unanswered questions about what life would one day become. I like knowing the answers (good and bad) to some of the Spring questions in my late-Summer life.
Now there are many questions about Autumn and Winter lurking in the back of my mind, but with all that living in the Summer Season of my life entails, they are definitely in the back of what is left of my once sharp mind... where they belong. I would like to think one of the benefits of living through the Summer Season is not being so impatient for things to happen FASTER, as much as wanting things to stop and stay the same for a while. At least, that's how I'm feeling right now.
"There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven. A time to give birth, and a time to die; A time to plant, and a time to uproot what is planted." Ecclesiastes 3:1-2.
More musings tomorrow, but today we COOK!
Banana Chocolate Drops
1 package (12 ounces) semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 cup chopped peanuts
2 bananas, cut into 1" pieces
1. In a small saucepan, bring 1 cup of water to a boil. Place the chocolate chips in a stainless steel bowl and set it on top of the saucepan.
2. Turn the burner off and allow the chocolate to melt over the steaming water.
3. While the chocolate is melting, select a baking sheet or large plate that fits into your freezer. Line it with wax paper or aluminum foil.
4. Place the peanuts in a small mixing bowl or on a plate. Set aside.
5. Stir the chocolate with a wooden spoon until it is smooth and completely melted.
6. Skewer each piece of banana with a toothpick and dip into the chocolate. (You can also use popsicle sticks instead of toothpicks.)
7. Roll the banana in the chocolate until completely coated.
8. Using the toothpick as a handle, roll the banana in the peanuts.
9. Place the coated banana on the baking sheet or plate.
10. Freeze bananas for 1 hour before serving.
Apple Pillows
1 package (8 ounce) refrigerated crescent rolls
1 small apple, peeled and finely chopped
1/2 cup raisins
1/4 cup chopped pecans
1 tablespoon light brown sugar
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
Milk for brushing
Cinnamon for sprinkling
Granulated sugar for sprinkling
Cooking spray
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Separate crescent rolls into individual triangles, and arrange on a lightly greased baking sheet.
3. In a medium mixing bowl, mix together the apple, raisins, pecans, brown sugar and cinnamon.
4. Place teaspoon-size portions of the apple mixture onto the center of each triangle.
5. Roll into a crescent shape.
6. Lightly brush the tops of the crescents with milk and sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar.
7. Bake on the middle rack of the oven for 25 minutes or until golden brown.
Rockin' Roll-Ups
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese (softened)
1 tablespoon honey Dijon mustard
2 sticks butter
8 slices of white bread
3/4 pound thinly sliced ham
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Cooking spray
1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees.
2. In a small mixing bowl, combine the cream cheese with honey Dijon mustard and set aside.
3. Melt the butter in the microwave and transfer to a small mixing bowl.
4. Slice crust off the bread.
5. Using a rolling pin, roll each piece of bread very thin.
6. Evenly spread cream cheese mixture on each slice of bread.
7. Place a thin slice of ham on each piece of bread and roll up lengthwise.
8. Dip the roll into melted butter.
9. Sprinkle the roll with Parmesan cheese.
10. Place rolls 1" apart on a lightly sprayed baking sheet.
11. Bake on the middle rack of the oven for 10 to 15 minutes or until lightly golden.
Not too shabby, is it? Now to be honest, I've only made the Apple Pillows, and I've eaten the Banana Chocolate Drops, but I haven't made the Rockin' Roll-Ups... yet. I'm planning on it this weekend for some friends Austin is having over.
All three of these recipes were taken from The Sleepover Cookbook by Hallie Warshaw. It's the book I told you about last week which I bought at a yard sale for $1, so I'm not sure if it is still in print or not. If you come across it though, it has a lot more to offer in the "cooking with kids" department, and I would recommend picking up a copy (even if it costs a little more than $1).
I hope you have a fun Tuesday. I'll have a Seasonal Tradition tomorrow (SURPRISE!), and we'll talk about the Summer Season of life. (That's the one I'm quickly being kicked out of!) I will also share some Road Trip ideas from a blog friend just for a bonus. If you have small kids (especially), there are some really good ideas for making the trip more enjoyable.
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
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Friday...
Finally, some new basketball action shots.
The JV team had two 40-minute games Friday, so I thought I would just go ahead and start filming now!
And here's the obligatory Bryant Tuggle pic. He's a HUGE supporter of our baskeball team. Always has been... always will be. Well, until he gets his own driver's license!
Saturday...
We spent the day with the cousins Saturday. Monica, Amy, Roxie and I shopped at Brookwood, ate at Yolo's and went to the movies (Pirates 4). It was a great day, but the best part was our celebrity sighting...
That's right! Will Ferrell! (Please feel free to use your imagination. I know we did!)
Sunday...
Mikie's 50th Family Birthday Celebration! Everyone knows 50 year-old men LOVE the Green Lantern...and their wives really like Ryan Reynolds! (How cool would it be to have your picture on a birthday party plate package? Another goal, perhaps?)
What do you give a 50 year-old guys for his birthday? Cards... filled with money, Ricky Skaggs' concert tickets, a True Grit DVD and a Red Devil's Food Cake with Divinity Icing (from his Mom). It was a very good day!
Lovely Melia gave him the True Grit DVD. (I LOVE that movie!)
And it wouldn't be a birthday without a hug from Roxie!