Good Tuesday morning!
The Gallery Pics are a hodge-podge of this and that... a little volleyball... a little Austin... a little family.
RANDOMNESS - Last week, my friend, Tonya, and her mother flew to Colorado. Friday, Saturday and Sunday, they walked 20 miles a day for three days. (That's a total of 60 miles, Guys.) They didn't do it because it was an athletic event (although it most definitely was). They didn't do it to spend time in beautiful Colorado. They did it because they are both cancer survivors.
The past few months while Tonya was preparing for the walk, she found ways to tell her story. She organized a Pink Ribbon Run/Walk in our town which was VERY well received! Before organizing the walk, she told her story to the City Council and they graciously and wonderfully supported her efforts. There was a reporter at the meeting. Tonya was able to tell her story to the reporter who in turn printed it in a major newspaper in our area.
And then there was the Walk itself, in which women told part of their story just by participating in the Three-Day Susan G. Komen Walk For the Cure held in Denver, Colorado.
What an amazing and brave thing to do! I cannot even imagine, and I am filled with admiration for Tonya and her mom, and ALL the women who chose to tell their story this way.
Once again, I've gone back into the Archives, and I wanted to share a little of that post with you today... one year later.
The topic for the week was "Everyone Has a Story."
In talking about stories, I just want to point out everyone has a story... and not just any old story, but a story worth sharing. Most people are like me... they just need someone who will listen. And that being said, I know I NEED to become a better listener. There is so much to gain from listening.
There is comfort in knowing you're not the only one going through a similar difficult time. There is joy in knowing there are people who think the same way you do. And there is a great, great release when the person you've been listening to stops to let you have a turn to share.
I was thinking about Steel Magnolias earlier this week. Dolly Parton's character (the town hairdresser) was talking to one of the other ladies about Annelle (Darryl Hannah's character). When Dolly was asked questions about Annelle's history she couldn't answer yet, she replied, "I don't know, but I think there's a story there."
There's a story in all of us. We just need to find the right friend to listen... and then return the favor by listening to their story as well.
"My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak... ." James 1:19.
Congratulations on a story well told, Tonya!
Hints for Special Guest - I didn't give you any hints yesterday, so today I will share FIVE! See if you can guess our September Special Guest today (especially since she'll be making her appearance tomorrow).
1. She is the wife of one and mother of three.
2. She is much younger than me, but definitely older than last month's Special Guest, Lauren, who was still a teenager!
3. When asked to use three adjectives to describe her, she picked the word "simple." Is it any wonder I like this girl?
4. She was a cheerleader back in the day.
5. She's the "fun" mom, and listening to loud music on the car radio with a bunch of teenage girls in the back doesn't phase her one bit.
Did I make it too easy for you? Guess away!
Lemon Garlic Chicken
I want to remind you (once again) of our theme for the week... Time Well Spent! This is also another well-deserved plug for Lana's Power Cooking Classes. The two go hand-in-hand. I'm going to share a delicious (we've already eaten this one), easy and economical recipe with you today. (This recipe came from Lana's class.)
You will need the following:
2 pounds boneless chicken breasts OR tenderloins
2 cloves chopped garlic
4 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoon chopped parsley
3 tablespoons lemon juice
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1. If you are preparing this meal for later, dump all the ingredients listed above in a 1-gallon freezer bag and freeze.
2. When you are ready to use, thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
3. Pour contents of bag into a 9" x 13" baking pan and bake for 40 minutes at 350 degrees for chicken breasts or 30 minutes for tenderloins.
It is tender and flavorful. Add a garden salad, noodles and dinner rolls and you have a great meal which takes NO time to make. That means you (Code for THE MOM) can sit down and enjoy your family AND dinnertime. See! Time very well spent!
NOTE - And while you are making one recipe, go ahead and double it. When a friend or family member needs a little help one week for whatever reason, you can give them a nice dinner. It's a win-win!
ANOTHER NOTE - If you are interested in one of Lana's classes, let me know, and I'll pass the info on to you when she schedules another one.
Have a terrific Tuesday. It is gray and drippy here... and I am happy. If it were 15 or 20 degrees cooler, I would be ecstatic!
Wednesday is going to be a big day! I have Wisdom, Traditions AND our September Special Guest will be revealed. Fun!
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting Belinda
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Monday, August 30, 2010
Dog Party
Good Monday morning!
The Showcase Pic is from my birthday lunch at Chuy's at The Summit yesterday. (The plants are so beautiful at The Summit. You almost feel like you're walking around The Botanical Gardens... with stores... and food... and traffic!)
RANDOMNESS #1 - This week's theme on A Simple Life is "Time Well Spent." That being said, the ideas shared this week will be ultra-simple, ultra-doable and ultra-fun so that your valuable, precious time can be spent with the people you love most!
RANDOMNESS #2 - Belinda's Project Life is up and running. I'll be adding the fifth picture this evening. Can you believe it? I'm already on Day Five! (Where has this year gone?)
Weekend Review - Friday night football took FOUR out of FIVE Faulkners out of the house. That was okay, because I had plenty of things to keep me busy before lunch with Mikie's parents the next day. Austin and Josh rode together and spent time with friends. Mikie and Roxie rode together and spent time with friends, too. Everyone came home happy and tired... which is how I like 'em!
Everyone got up VERY early Saturday morning and worked, worked, worked. Mikie washed the outside of the house. Austin and Josh cut two yards, I worked inside and we were ready for company by 11:00 a.m.
After Mike's parents left for home, Josh decided to fulfill his adventurous streak and left with a friend to go on a ten-mile hike. They actually hiked 11 miles, and decided in a couple of weeks they would like to go again... but only after trimming two or three miles off the total. He made it home just in time for Faulkner Family Movie Night. We watched Diary of a Wimpy Kid, and although it was a little "young," there were several places during the movie where we all chuckled out loud. All three of the kids decided it had some very accurate depictions of middle school... and boys!
After church Sunday morning, we all headed to The Summit to enjoy lunch at my new favorite Tex-Mex restaurant, Chuy's. Roxie and I had been a few weeks earlier, but we wanted the guys to try it out. They loved it.
Josh, having learned from his Father, made sure the waiter knew it was my birthday celebration and asked if there were any FREE food items they would like to share. They didn't disappoint. They brought me a huge wedge of cream cake. The cake is white cake soaked with three different kinds of cream and kept in the refrigerator. When a slice is served, they add strawberries to the top of this incredibly moist cake and surround it with homemade cream and caramel. (Roxie raked all the caramel off within two seconds.) My picture doesn't do it justice. It literally melts in your mouth... so good! And they wrote Spanish words around the outside of the plate with caramel, too. I don't know what it said, and I don't care. I loved it!
Oh, and get this. The kids bought me a giraffe print car plate for the Big Gold Van. And get this, too! My initials are written on the front in lime green! So if you haven't been able to recognize the Big Gold Van before, feel free to recognize me now!
The rest of our Sunday consisted of homework, laundry and a nap or two. It was a very good day!
Dog Party
In keeping with the "Time Well Spent" theme, I have a new website for you to visit when you need a fun, simple party for your kiddos. AND I'm going to share a portion of one of their parties with you today! This would be a great party for a birthday, for a friend gathering OR to have on the day you bring a new pet into the family.
Crafts - Decorate bowls. You will need plastic (human or dog) bowls. Wash bowls using them for snacks. Instruct kids to decorate only on the OUTSIDE OF THE BOWL... not in the portion where they put food! Bowls can be put aside and used later for dessert. You can serve ice cream/brownie sundaes or cake to be eaten doggie style. Look, Mom! No Hands!
Make collars and bracelets. Measure the length of elastic to fit around a stuffed dog each child has selected (see Party Favors below), and allow enough length to be able to tie the elastic. Tie a bead to one end of the string to allow for easy beading with little fingers. Do the same with elastic to make bracelets for guests. Cut and tie one bead to one end of the elastic. Put beads in several small bowls for easy reach for all guests.
To eliminate a "bead-flying-episode," you (or another adult) should tie the strings together for both the collar and the bracelets. Let the guests tie a ribbon to the collar for the leash.
Food - Use dog dishes (plastic and cheap from The Dollar Tree) for dog snacks. Set out dog-like treat snacks (Combos, Scooby Snacks, Cocoa Puffs, or Captain Crunch peanut butter flavored cereals).
Party Favors - You can be creative with what you choose. Small stuffed dogs can usually be found at The Dollar Tree or other inexpensive stores. Have a pile of stuffed dogs in a corner, and let each guest pick their own.
Once the selection of dogs has been completed, have the guests select dog names for their new (stuffed) pet. Fill out Certificates of Pet Ownership with dog name and owner name.
Games - Go on a Scavenger Bone Hunt. Use actual bone-shaped dog biscuits (medium or small size). Count out desired amount to hide and remember that number. Hide the bones inside and/or out.
Play Catch the Tail. Make sure everyone has a doggie tail tucked into their waist band or back pocket of pants. Tails should not be pinned for this activity.
Have the guests get into a line all front to back. Have them place their hands on or around the waist of the person immediately in front of them. The head person tries to catch and capture the tail of the last person. The people at the end are trying to keep the head from catching the tail. This is a fun and loud outside activity.
Play Pass the Bone. You will need a milk bone dog biscuit. Play a CD of dog music (Disney has a Dog Songs CD on Amazon, or Who Let the Dogs Out by Baha Men).
Have the guests sit in a circle on the floor. Pass the bone as quickly as possible around the circle to music. When the music stops, the person with the bone can sit in the middle for a round (or have them do their best dog trick or imitation), but have them continue to play.
You can have a Dog-Training Show. You will need Hula Hoops, a big beach ball and smaller ball (tennis or small beach ball). You will also need other items for obstacles. You can use chairs, jump ropes, tunnels, trapeze on swing set, etc.
Set up an Obstacle Course type of activity and have someone run through it ahead to work out the kinks.
Have the guests (one or two at a time) run through the course.
Have a Dog Barking Contest. Have each child perform their best dog imitation. Film it and play it back for the children while they wait for their parents to pick them up.
That is only a small sampling of the ideas on this website. Pick and choose what would work best with you and your child. Also, remember the more organized and "simple" the party is, the more YOU, THE MOTHER, will enjoy the party, too. Chaos causes stress, and stress is never enjoyable!
And that, my friends, is time well-spent... for you and your kiddos!
When you are stuck and can't think of anything for the party, or you need some help with games, etc., go to www.simplefunkidparties.com. Enjoy!
Have a lovely Monday. I hope the beginning of your week is absolutely wonderful. Be careful with your calendar and keep it simple. Tuesday's main course recipe will allow you to enjoy your dinner hour with your family because it is simple, delicious and can be prepared ahead of time. Again... time well spent!
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting Belinda
The Showcase Pic is from my birthday lunch at Chuy's at The Summit yesterday. (The plants are so beautiful at The Summit. You almost feel like you're walking around The Botanical Gardens... with stores... and food... and traffic!)
RANDOMNESS #1 - This week's theme on A Simple Life is "Time Well Spent." That being said, the ideas shared this week will be ultra-simple, ultra-doable and ultra-fun so that your valuable, precious time can be spent with the people you love most!
RANDOMNESS #2 - Belinda's Project Life is up and running. I'll be adding the fifth picture this evening. Can you believe it? I'm already on Day Five! (Where has this year gone?)
Weekend Review - Friday night football took FOUR out of FIVE Faulkners out of the house. That was okay, because I had plenty of things to keep me busy before lunch with Mikie's parents the next day. Austin and Josh rode together and spent time with friends. Mikie and Roxie rode together and spent time with friends, too. Everyone came home happy and tired... which is how I like 'em!
Everyone got up VERY early Saturday morning and worked, worked, worked. Mikie washed the outside of the house. Austin and Josh cut two yards, I worked inside and we were ready for company by 11:00 a.m.
After Mike's parents left for home, Josh decided to fulfill his adventurous streak and left with a friend to go on a ten-mile hike. They actually hiked 11 miles, and decided in a couple of weeks they would like to go again... but only after trimming two or three miles off the total. He made it home just in time for Faulkner Family Movie Night. We watched Diary of a Wimpy Kid, and although it was a little "young," there were several places during the movie where we all chuckled out loud. All three of the kids decided it had some very accurate depictions of middle school... and boys!
After church Sunday morning, we all headed to The Summit to enjoy lunch at my new favorite Tex-Mex restaurant, Chuy's. Roxie and I had been a few weeks earlier, but we wanted the guys to try it out. They loved it.
Josh, having learned from his Father, made sure the waiter knew it was my birthday celebration and asked if there were any FREE food items they would like to share. They didn't disappoint. They brought me a huge wedge of cream cake. The cake is white cake soaked with three different kinds of cream and kept in the refrigerator. When a slice is served, they add strawberries to the top of this incredibly moist cake and surround it with homemade cream and caramel. (Roxie raked all the caramel off within two seconds.) My picture doesn't do it justice. It literally melts in your mouth... so good! And they wrote Spanish words around the outside of the plate with caramel, too. I don't know what it said, and I don't care. I loved it!
Oh, and get this. The kids bought me a giraffe print car plate for the Big Gold Van. And get this, too! My initials are written on the front in lime green! So if you haven't been able to recognize the Big Gold Van before, feel free to recognize me now!
The rest of our Sunday consisted of homework, laundry and a nap or two. It was a very good day!
Dog Party
In keeping with the "Time Well Spent" theme, I have a new website for you to visit when you need a fun, simple party for your kiddos. AND I'm going to share a portion of one of their parties with you today! This would be a great party for a birthday, for a friend gathering OR to have on the day you bring a new pet into the family.
Crafts - Decorate bowls. You will need plastic (human or dog) bowls. Wash bowls using them for snacks. Instruct kids to decorate only on the OUTSIDE OF THE BOWL... not in the portion where they put food! Bowls can be put aside and used later for dessert. You can serve ice cream/brownie sundaes or cake to be eaten doggie style. Look, Mom! No Hands!
Make collars and bracelets. Measure the length of elastic to fit around a stuffed dog each child has selected (see Party Favors below), and allow enough length to be able to tie the elastic. Tie a bead to one end of the string to allow for easy beading with little fingers. Do the same with elastic to make bracelets for guests. Cut and tie one bead to one end of the elastic. Put beads in several small bowls for easy reach for all guests.
To eliminate a "bead-flying-episode," you (or another adult) should tie the strings together for both the collar and the bracelets. Let the guests tie a ribbon to the collar for the leash.
Food - Use dog dishes (plastic and cheap from The Dollar Tree) for dog snacks. Set out dog-like treat snacks (Combos, Scooby Snacks, Cocoa Puffs, or Captain Crunch peanut butter flavored cereals).
Party Favors - You can be creative with what you choose. Small stuffed dogs can usually be found at The Dollar Tree or other inexpensive stores. Have a pile of stuffed dogs in a corner, and let each guest pick their own.
Once the selection of dogs has been completed, have the guests select dog names for their new (stuffed) pet. Fill out Certificates of Pet Ownership with dog name and owner name.
Games - Go on a Scavenger Bone Hunt. Use actual bone-shaped dog biscuits (medium or small size). Count out desired amount to hide and remember that number. Hide the bones inside and/or out.
Play Catch the Tail. Make sure everyone has a doggie tail tucked into their waist band or back pocket of pants. Tails should not be pinned for this activity.
Have the guests get into a line all front to back. Have them place their hands on or around the waist of the person immediately in front of them. The head person tries to catch and capture the tail of the last person. The people at the end are trying to keep the head from catching the tail. This is a fun and loud outside activity.
Play Pass the Bone. You will need a milk bone dog biscuit. Play a CD of dog music (Disney has a Dog Songs CD on Amazon, or Who Let the Dogs Out by Baha Men).
Have the guests sit in a circle on the floor. Pass the bone as quickly as possible around the circle to music. When the music stops, the person with the bone can sit in the middle for a round (or have them do their best dog trick or imitation), but have them continue to play.
You can have a Dog-Training Show. You will need Hula Hoops, a big beach ball and smaller ball (tennis or small beach ball). You will also need other items for obstacles. You can use chairs, jump ropes, tunnels, trapeze on swing set, etc.
Set up an Obstacle Course type of activity and have someone run through it ahead to work out the kinks.
Have the guests (one or two at a time) run through the course.
Have a Dog Barking Contest. Have each child perform their best dog imitation. Film it and play it back for the children while they wait for their parents to pick them up.
That is only a small sampling of the ideas on this website. Pick and choose what would work best with you and your child. Also, remember the more organized and "simple" the party is, the more YOU, THE MOTHER, will enjoy the party, too. Chaos causes stress, and stress is never enjoyable!
And that, my friends, is time well-spent... for you and your kiddos!
When you are stuck and can't think of anything for the party, or you need some help with games, etc., go to www.simplefunkidparties.com. Enjoy!
Have a lovely Monday. I hope the beginning of your week is absolutely wonderful. Be careful with your calendar and keep it simple. Tuesday's main course recipe will allow you to enjoy your dinner hour with your family because it is simple, delicious and can be prepared ahead of time. Again... time well spent!
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting Belinda
Friday, August 27, 2010
Weekend Review
Good Friday morning!
The Gallery Pics are just a few birthday gifts I received. It was a lovely day from beginning to end, and after a birthday lunch Sunday afternoon with the Faulkner Five, I think I'll call an end to the festivities until next year!
REMINDER - I will be posting new pictures today, Saturday and Sunday in Belinda's Project Life. Project 365 is still up, but it is COMPLETE! New photos will not show up on that blog.
The Year in Review - I've decided to look back on my 48th year of life using the Top Ten method. (It's not easy to pack a whole year in ten segments, but here goes!)
1. I had my first pedicure EVER... and it was totally lovely! (I know this a little thing, but little things count, too!)
2. I survived my firstborn going away to college not once, but TWICE! I survived, and he thrived.
3. I mastered the art of making really good soup. (I know this seems small and inconsequential to most people, but it was a goal. This year's goal is to learn how to make an edible reduction sauce. See. I'm growing as a human being.)
4. For half of the year, my life revolved around football, volleyball, basketball and band. While it was extremely busy, it was also extremely fun.
5. I didn't travel to any far and distant lands, but we did visit the following places: the mountains of Tennessee, Wind Creek (camping), Amelia Island, Sandestin and Mentone. That's a pretty good little list, if I do say so myself.
6. I survived my first year with three teenage children. (Technically, Roxie has been acting like a teenager for three years, but if we go by the calendar year, it became official in 2009!)
7. Our family started the following NEW traditions: Birthday Bunco, Black Friday Shopping Trip with the cousins, cooking at least once a year for the Ronald McDonald House, fixing a 4th of July Troop Box and participating in a walk/run for cancer at least once a year.
8. Mikie's reunion concert with The Hope Quartet stands out as something extremely special that took place this year. I absolutely loved it!
9. I broadened my friend base (and strengthened some old friendships) by having three Mystery Bag Parties this past year... and I'm planning more.
10. Although Josh continues to have setbacks every two to three months (some major, some minor), his determination and ability to "bounce back" quickly has amazed me. Unfortunately, my determination and ability to "bounce back" (at all) still need a great deal of work. (A goal for the coming year, I think.)
It wasn't a perfect year, but there were some absolutely wonderful moments. And as for the moments which weren't so great, I made it through and even learned a few lessons along the way.
I have been blessed by God above and beyond anything I could imagine this past year.
Forty-eight... It was a very good year!
Weekend Happenings
High school football begins tonight, so at least one or two of the Faulkner Five will be attending the game. We haven't come up with an exact number yet. Between the high school, JSU, Auburn and the empty lot at the end of our street, I feel most weekends from now until mid-November will include some sort of football activity!
The only thing in INK on the calendar for Saturday is lunch with Mikie's parents. There are several lawns which need mowing... and a house which needs washing... and two dogs which need bathing... and some vehicles which need cleaning inside and out. I'm thinking at least part of Saturday will be labeled "Work Day."
Which brings us to Sunday... the "Day of Rest." And that is exactly what we intend to do. Mikie and the kids are taking me to an undisclosed location for a birthday lunch after church, and then we plan to go home and rest! I don't know about you, but I am looking forward to Sunday!
Have a magnificent weekend! September's Special Guest will be visiting A Simple Life Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. I'll have hints for you Monday and Tuesday of next week. (She answered ALL of the questions, and she didn't have to! I love that!)
Next week's "theme" is "Time Well Spent," so everything (parties, traditions, recipes, dates, etc.) will all be centered around ideas for spending time more wisely. It's going to be a idea-filled week on A Simple Life!
Take care, and I'll talk to you Monday.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting Belinda
The Gallery Pics are just a few birthday gifts I received. It was a lovely day from beginning to end, and after a birthday lunch Sunday afternoon with the Faulkner Five, I think I'll call an end to the festivities until next year!
REMINDER - I will be posting new pictures today, Saturday and Sunday in Belinda's Project Life. Project 365 is still up, but it is COMPLETE! New photos will not show up on that blog.
The Year in Review - I've decided to look back on my 48th year of life using the Top Ten method. (It's not easy to pack a whole year in ten segments, but here goes!)
1. I had my first pedicure EVER... and it was totally lovely! (I know this a little thing, but little things count, too!)
2. I survived my firstborn going away to college not once, but TWICE! I survived, and he thrived.
3. I mastered the art of making really good soup. (I know this seems small and inconsequential to most people, but it was a goal. This year's goal is to learn how to make an edible reduction sauce. See. I'm growing as a human being.)
4. For half of the year, my life revolved around football, volleyball, basketball and band. While it was extremely busy, it was also extremely fun.
5. I didn't travel to any far and distant lands, but we did visit the following places: the mountains of Tennessee, Wind Creek (camping), Amelia Island, Sandestin and Mentone. That's a pretty good little list, if I do say so myself.
6. I survived my first year with three teenage children. (Technically, Roxie has been acting like a teenager for three years, but if we go by the calendar year, it became official in 2009!)
7. Our family started the following NEW traditions: Birthday Bunco, Black Friday Shopping Trip with the cousins, cooking at least once a year for the Ronald McDonald House, fixing a 4th of July Troop Box and participating in a walk/run for cancer at least once a year.
8. Mikie's reunion concert with The Hope Quartet stands out as something extremely special that took place this year. I absolutely loved it!
9. I broadened my friend base (and strengthened some old friendships) by having three Mystery Bag Parties this past year... and I'm planning more.
10. Although Josh continues to have setbacks every two to three months (some major, some minor), his determination and ability to "bounce back" quickly has amazed me. Unfortunately, my determination and ability to "bounce back" (at all) still need a great deal of work. (A goal for the coming year, I think.)
It wasn't a perfect year, but there were some absolutely wonderful moments. And as for the moments which weren't so great, I made it through and even learned a few lessons along the way.
I have been blessed by God above and beyond anything I could imagine this past year.
Forty-eight... It was a very good year!
Weekend Happenings
High school football begins tonight, so at least one or two of the Faulkner Five will be attending the game. We haven't come up with an exact number yet. Between the high school, JSU, Auburn and the empty lot at the end of our street, I feel most weekends from now until mid-November will include some sort of football activity!
The only thing in INK on the calendar for Saturday is lunch with Mikie's parents. There are several lawns which need mowing... and a house which needs washing... and two dogs which need bathing... and some vehicles which need cleaning inside and out. I'm thinking at least part of Saturday will be labeled "Work Day."
Which brings us to Sunday... the "Day of Rest." And that is exactly what we intend to do. Mikie and the kids are taking me to an undisclosed location for a birthday lunch after church, and then we plan to go home and rest! I don't know about you, but I am looking forward to Sunday!
Have a magnificent weekend! September's Special Guest will be visiting A Simple Life Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. I'll have hints for you Monday and Tuesday of next week. (She answered ALL of the questions, and she didn't have to! I love that!)
Next week's "theme" is "Time Well Spent," so everything (parties, traditions, recipes, dates, etc.) will all be centered around ideas for spending time more wisely. It's going to be a idea-filled week on A Simple Life!
Take care, and I'll talk to you Monday.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting Belinda
Thursday, August 26, 2010
State Fair Date
Good Thursday morning!
The Gallery Pic is of a little gift I received last night! Did you know they make SINGING BALLOONS? Well, they do! I received a Facebook message from my friend, Janet, wanting to know if I had a mailbox. I replied I DID have a mailbox, but for some reason it was next to my neighbor's driveway. Odd, but that's how we roll around here!
Thirty minutes later, it hit me. Why would Janet want to know where my mailbox was? Hmmm. I walked out the front door, and I had three BUSH BALLOONS! And one of them sang to me! How fun is that?
CONTEST! CONTEST! CONTEST! - I know you are ready for the winner to be revealed. I appreciate everyone who entered the contest. I appreciate how much time and effort everyone spent trying to figure out which Project 365 pictures were my favorites. I appreciate your comments concerning some of the pictures.
Unfortunately, only two people guessed correctly. The first person who picked one of my favorites was LEANNA BROWN! LeAnna chose Day 88 as one of my favorite pictures, and she was so right. LeAnna, I need to talk to you today about your favorite restaurant. You pick... I pay!
A close second was Dawn Gorman. Since she had correct answers (Day 200 and Day 226), but she guessed AFTER LeAnna, she will receive a smaller (but fun) prize within the next two days!
Now, I will tell you my six favorite pictures from Project 365 (and some of my reasoning for picking said photos)...
Day 30 - I love this one because Roxie is not holding back. She is not worried about her hair being messed up by the giant sombrero. She is not concerned about the perfect smile while I'm taking the perfect picture. She is just having fun eating salsa and chips in a big old purple hat! It made me smile.
Day 88 - Austin looked so handsome in his JSU Marching Southerner's uniform. I picked this one because it was a milestone for both of us. The fact he was living his dream (and the fact I was letting him do so) was a pretty big feat for this helicopter mom. He was so happy. It made me smile.
Day 160 - I'm about to watch one of my favorite TV shows EVER, and I'm dressed up in 24 garb. I thought I was SO clever. It made me LOL.
Day 200 - We have camped for years and years and years, but this picture captured what I really like about camping. The tent. I love the kids waking up in a big tangled mess of legs and arms and sleeping bags all over the place. I love the Faulkner Five being enclosed in a fairly small area and not killing each other. And I love the view from the tent. Oh, to be able to wake up to that view every morning. It made me smile.
Day 226 - I didn't want to alarm anyone, but for the past year or so, I've been pretty convinced Sparkle wasn't going to be with us much longer. She is lethargic and gray-headed and slow moving... kind of like me on a good day. So when I captured her acting young and spry and puppy-like one day, I was ecstatic. There is still some life in the old girl... kind of like me on a good day. It made me smile.
Day 300 - After I made sure she hadn't passed out, I thought it would make a pretty funny picture. And it wasn't staged. Roxie, after helping Josh with mowing duties, stretched out on the cool tiles of the bathroom floor in front of an air conditioning vent. (She is SO like her mother.) It made me smile.
There were many other pictures I loved. I didn't pick any with Josh, Mikie or other family members, but that doesn't mean I don't love them or the photos I have of them. I didn't pick any photos of pumpkins, inflatables or magazines, and I love those, too.
I quickly ran through 362 photos, and when I started smiling, I knew I had a winner.
Thanks for playing... and feel free to enter the Project Life Contest which will be held in exactly 365 days!
PROJECT LIFE! PROJECT LIFE! PROJECT LIFE! - Okay. The new blog is up and running. It already has my picture for the day waiting for your perusal. You can get to Project Life by clicking on it under My Blog List. Or you can go directly there by using the web address... www.belindasprojectlife.blogspot.com. You choose, but it begins today, Baby!
Blog Linkage - I only have one link for you today, but it's a biggie. I've discovered a website called www.penelopeloveslists.com. She's an organizational guru, but she seems very likable and approachable and doable. I've been browsing through her website, and I thought I would share it as my Blog Linkage today. There is a lot of info there. Enjoy!
State Fair Date
I haven't been on this date myself, but I did grow up going to the State Fair every year. I loved it. I haven't been since they moved the venue to Pelham, but I thought it would be a very good one-on-one date with your guy or gal. Here's the pertinent information...
The Alabama State Fair is back at the Verizon Wireless Music Center in Pelham, August 27 through September 6. Come ride the rides, eat your favorite fair food, and see some fantastic shows. Kids can bottle feed baby farm animals, be part of the action with the interactive roaming circus, visit the exotic petting zoo, watch monkeys riding dogs, and much, much more. All the shows are included in the price of admission.
Admission is $8 for adults and $5 for kids (5-12). Children 4 and under are free.)
Wristbands for rides cannot be purchased in advance or at the gates. Wristbands may be purchased at wristband booths on the grounds. For $20, you can ride all day.
If anyone has been to the State Fair in recent years, leave me a comment about your experience. Would you still recommend the State Fair as a fun, family event? Let me know!
Have a terrific Thursday. I know I already have had a great beginning! Friday I'll share Weekend Happenings, my 48th Year in Review AND details from my Birthday Day!
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting and Getting Older by the Second Belinda
The Gallery Pic is of a little gift I received last night! Did you know they make SINGING BALLOONS? Well, they do! I received a Facebook message from my friend, Janet, wanting to know if I had a mailbox. I replied I DID have a mailbox, but for some reason it was next to my neighbor's driveway. Odd, but that's how we roll around here!
Thirty minutes later, it hit me. Why would Janet want to know where my mailbox was? Hmmm. I walked out the front door, and I had three BUSH BALLOONS! And one of them sang to me! How fun is that?
CONTEST! CONTEST! CONTEST! - I know you are ready for the winner to be revealed. I appreciate everyone who entered the contest. I appreciate how much time and effort everyone spent trying to figure out which Project 365 pictures were my favorites. I appreciate your comments concerning some of the pictures.
Unfortunately, only two people guessed correctly. The first person who picked one of my favorites was LEANNA BROWN! LeAnna chose Day 88 as one of my favorite pictures, and she was so right. LeAnna, I need to talk to you today about your favorite restaurant. You pick... I pay!
A close second was Dawn Gorman. Since she had correct answers (Day 200 and Day 226), but she guessed AFTER LeAnna, she will receive a smaller (but fun) prize within the next two days!
Now, I will tell you my six favorite pictures from Project 365 (and some of my reasoning for picking said photos)...
Day 30 - I love this one because Roxie is not holding back. She is not worried about her hair being messed up by the giant sombrero. She is not concerned about the perfect smile while I'm taking the perfect picture. She is just having fun eating salsa and chips in a big old purple hat! It made me smile.
Day 88 - Austin looked so handsome in his JSU Marching Southerner's uniform. I picked this one because it was a milestone for both of us. The fact he was living his dream (and the fact I was letting him do so) was a pretty big feat for this helicopter mom. He was so happy. It made me smile.
Day 160 - I'm about to watch one of my favorite TV shows EVER, and I'm dressed up in 24 garb. I thought I was SO clever. It made me LOL.
Day 200 - We have camped for years and years and years, but this picture captured what I really like about camping. The tent. I love the kids waking up in a big tangled mess of legs and arms and sleeping bags all over the place. I love the Faulkner Five being enclosed in a fairly small area and not killing each other. And I love the view from the tent. Oh, to be able to wake up to that view every morning. It made me smile.
Day 226 - I didn't want to alarm anyone, but for the past year or so, I've been pretty convinced Sparkle wasn't going to be with us much longer. She is lethargic and gray-headed and slow moving... kind of like me on a good day. So when I captured her acting young and spry and puppy-like one day, I was ecstatic. There is still some life in the old girl... kind of like me on a good day. It made me smile.
Day 300 - After I made sure she hadn't passed out, I thought it would make a pretty funny picture. And it wasn't staged. Roxie, after helping Josh with mowing duties, stretched out on the cool tiles of the bathroom floor in front of an air conditioning vent. (She is SO like her mother.) It made me smile.
There were many other pictures I loved. I didn't pick any with Josh, Mikie or other family members, but that doesn't mean I don't love them or the photos I have of them. I didn't pick any photos of pumpkins, inflatables or magazines, and I love those, too.
I quickly ran through 362 photos, and when I started smiling, I knew I had a winner.
Thanks for playing... and feel free to enter the Project Life Contest which will be held in exactly 365 days!
PROJECT LIFE! PROJECT LIFE! PROJECT LIFE! - Okay. The new blog is up and running. It already has my picture for the day waiting for your perusal. You can get to Project Life by clicking on it under My Blog List. Or you can go directly there by using the web address... www.belindasprojectlife.blogspot.com. You choose, but it begins today, Baby!
Blog Linkage - I only have one link for you today, but it's a biggie. I've discovered a website called www.penelopeloveslists.com. She's an organizational guru, but she seems very likable and approachable and doable. I've been browsing through her website, and I thought I would share it as my Blog Linkage today. There is a lot of info there. Enjoy!
State Fair Date
I haven't been on this date myself, but I did grow up going to the State Fair every year. I loved it. I haven't been since they moved the venue to Pelham, but I thought it would be a very good one-on-one date with your guy or gal. Here's the pertinent information...
The Alabama State Fair is back at the Verizon Wireless Music Center in Pelham, August 27 through September 6. Come ride the rides, eat your favorite fair food, and see some fantastic shows. Kids can bottle feed baby farm animals, be part of the action with the interactive roaming circus, visit the exotic petting zoo, watch monkeys riding dogs, and much, much more. All the shows are included in the price of admission.
Admission is $8 for adults and $5 for kids (5-12). Children 4 and under are free.)
Wristbands for rides cannot be purchased in advance or at the gates. Wristbands may be purchased at wristband booths on the grounds. For $20, you can ride all day.
If anyone has been to the State Fair in recent years, leave me a comment about your experience. Would you still recommend the State Fair as a fun, family event? Let me know!
Have a terrific Thursday. I know I already have had a great beginning! Friday I'll share Weekend Happenings, my 48th Year in Review AND details from my Birthday Day!
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting and Getting Older by the Second Belinda
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Labor Day Picnic
Good Wednesday morning!
The Gallery Pic is a leftover Volleyball photo from Monday night. I'll try to have something a little different tomorrow... but I won't promise!
RANDOMNESS - B-12, Baby - Part Two - Let's see. Where did I end my "B-12" story yesterday? Oh, yeah. I was floor parenting. The bus bringing Mikie home had broken down. My Golf Ball Strep was getting worse by the second.
The kids were in bed after being semi-fed (peanut butter and Pop-Tarts) and semi-cleaned (sitting in a tub of water playing for a few minutes while I leaned against a toilet)... and I was semi-dead!
Mikie arrived home at 9:00 p.m., and my sister arrived at 9:05 to sit with the kids. I was ready. I had spruced up enough to head to the Emergency Room. I needed a shot. I wanted a shot. I didn't care what kind of shot. Anything to put me out of my misery.
"Belinda. It is just a sore throat. I think you could probably wait until the doctor's office opens in the morning. Here. I brought you some throat lozenges. Oh, and look. Here's some Tylenol."
I was too weak to kill him then, but I promised myself if I survived, he would pay later.
When we arrived at the Emergency Room, my Dad was waiting. He and Mom had just returned from their vacation, and he came to wait with us. I sat down and put my head on his shoulder while Tylenol Mike filled out the paperwork.
"You are burning up," my Dad said feeling my forehead.
"I know. It's up to 101.6," I whined.
"Well, it's okay. We're not leaving until they give you something to fix this," and I leaned against his comforting shoulder again.
Believe it or not, Golf Ball Strep is not a high priority in the Emergency Room. In fact, they'll take broken bones AND/OR bullet wounds before they see someone with Golf Ball Strep. Go figure.
By the time they did call me back, they correctly diagnosed me (Golf Ball Strep), gave me a prescription of antibiotics and some Tylenol for my raging fever. Daddy kissed me on my hot, smelly forehead and sent me home to recuperate.
But recuperate I DID NOT! Two days later, I wasn't any better. I called my doctor, and INSISTED on something stronger than the pills they had prescribed in the Emergency Room. They told me to "come on down," and they would "squeeze me in." Ahh. Four hours in a doctor's waiting room with three small children. Good times... good times.
Mom was available to drive and watch the kids in the waiting room, so off we went. After only TWO hours of waiting, they called me to the back. Hallelujah! Now, if I could only make someone listen.
"I need a shot. Something strong. Something potent. Something you would give an extremely sick horse. I have to be better soon. Do... you... understand?"
The nurse said she would be back in a minute... and when she returned she was carrying a tray. On the tray was a large syringe filled with Golf Ball Strep fixin' medicine.
I wasn't prepared for the size of the needle. I can take long, but this thing was thick, too. "Wow. That really, really hurts."
I wasn't prepared for the length of time the needle would stay inserted in my hip. "Wow. It's taking forever, isn't it?"
I wasn't prepared for how much the medicine would burn as it was slowly pushed into my body. "Wow. This is very unpleasant!"
During the five or ten minutes it took to administer the shot, she told me it was a B-12 shot. It was thick and it had to be pushed in slowly. Also, that was why the needle wasn't skinny... because of the thick medicine.
"You should feel better soon," she said as I left. I wondered when "soon" would come.
I had my answer one hour and 42 minutes later. "I actually feel better," I told Mikie over the phone. By the time he came home that afternoon, I felt like a human being again. By the next morning, my throat was not hurting, my golf ball was getting smaller and my fever was gone. B-12 was a miracle drug, I tell you!
The next year when I woke up with my annual Golf Ball Strep, I immediately called the doctor's office to schedule a B-12 shot.
"We don't just give B-12 shots. We would prefer you have a Z-Pack," the nurse responded.
"That's okay. I'm a B-12 kind of gal. I'll just stop by for my shot, and I'll be feeling great tomorrow!"
A little more back and forth with the nurse and all I received was the Z-Pack... which takes forever and a day to work.
I've asked for B-12 shots many times since that first shot almost 12 years ago. I have never been given another one. It makes me wonder. What is B-12? Does it no longer exist? Did someone kill all the B-12 plants in the rainforest making it impossible for pharmaceutical companies to provide this miracle drug? Do only "special" people get B-12? How do I become a "special" person?
That may be the only B-12 shot I ever receive, but I will always remember it fondly... and I will never stop searching for B-12. And one day maybe, just maybe, I'll find it again.
CONTEST! CONTEST! CONTEST! - Since Project 365 is quickly coming to an end, I feel a contest is necessary in order to properly celebrate this HUGE milestone. Here are the rules.
1. I have looked at the first 362 pictures in Project 365. (Pictures 363, 364 and 365 will be taken AFTER the contest begins, so they do NOT count.) I have picked my SIX favorite photos.
2. You must guess at least ONE of my favorites to win a $15 gift certificate to your favorite restaurant!
3. But wait! That would be too difficult, wouldn't it? I mean, there are 362 PICTURES to choose from! That is why I am giving you TEN guesses! That's right! TEN!
4. Leave your TEN guesses in my Comment Section TODAY! (You can also e-mail or send me a message via Facebook.)
5. You will need to specify which photos you think are my favorites by putting the day OR date of the pic. (For example, "Day 161, Day 5, Day 43, Day 62, Day 322, etc., etc.")
6. In the event of multiple winners, the FIRST person who correctly guesses ONE of my favorite SIX pictures will win the $15 gift certificate. Any other correct "guessers" will receive a smaller (but fun) prize.
7. I will announce the winner bright and early Thursday morning, August 26, 2010!
Hurry up and enter! The winner could be YOU!
Wednesday Wisdom - The humidity is better, but it is still summertime! Here a few quotes I found about this extremely hot season!
"A perfect summer day is when the sun is shining, the breeze is blowing, the birds are singing, and the lawn mower is broken." James Dent
"Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass under trees on a summer's day, listening to the murmur of the water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is by no means a waste of time." John Lubbock (I love this one. Time well spent.)
"Winter is an etching, spring a watercolor, summer an oil painting and autumn a mosaic of them all." Stanley Horowitz (Beautiful!)
Labor Day Picnic
I love a good picnic. It's a wonderful way to officially end the summer season. I went "surfing" to get some ideas for menus, locations AND food. Start planning your Labor Day Picnic TODAY!
There are so many places to hold picnics. Your backyard or porch may be the perfect spot. But think about making it even easier on yourself and pick a spot away from home. Parks, lakeside, on a boat, a playground, or a pool are all wonderful locations. Choose the spot with your family's comfort in mind. Make sure there are tables and/or chairs if you aren't comfortable sitting on the ground. Always have a contingency plan just in case the weather is stormy on your picnic night. (A big blanket spread out in the den watching a favorite movie or TV show is always fun, too.)
Depending on the number of people at your picnic and the amount of space available, you can organize a game of croquet or kickball. Always take a Frisbee and/or football for tossing.
The alphabet game "Going On A Picnic" is a good way to calm down the kiddos after a bout of activity. ("I'm going on a picnic, and I'm taking Apples." "I'm going on a picnic, and I'm taking Apples and Bananas.")
Picnics are always fun, and can be so simple. Enjoying chicken fingers, fruit, cheese and crackers, homemade cookies and a cooler of favorite drinks with some of your favorite people in the world is a great tradition to celebrate the end of summer!
Have a fantastic Wednesday! Thursday I will be announcing the winner(s) of the Project 365 Contest (if there is one... or two... or three). I will also be introducing the NEW PROJECT LIFE website! And, of course, there will be Blog Linkage and Date information... as always. (Isn't it nice that some things NEVER change?)
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting Belinda
The Gallery Pic is a leftover Volleyball photo from Monday night. I'll try to have something a little different tomorrow... but I won't promise!
RANDOMNESS - B-12, Baby - Part Two - Let's see. Where did I end my "B-12" story yesterday? Oh, yeah. I was floor parenting. The bus bringing Mikie home had broken down. My Golf Ball Strep was getting worse by the second.
The kids were in bed after being semi-fed (peanut butter and Pop-Tarts) and semi-cleaned (sitting in a tub of water playing for a few minutes while I leaned against a toilet)... and I was semi-dead!
Mikie arrived home at 9:00 p.m., and my sister arrived at 9:05 to sit with the kids. I was ready. I had spruced up enough to head to the Emergency Room. I needed a shot. I wanted a shot. I didn't care what kind of shot. Anything to put me out of my misery.
"Belinda. It is just a sore throat. I think you could probably wait until the doctor's office opens in the morning. Here. I brought you some throat lozenges. Oh, and look. Here's some Tylenol."
I was too weak to kill him then, but I promised myself if I survived, he would pay later.
When we arrived at the Emergency Room, my Dad was waiting. He and Mom had just returned from their vacation, and he came to wait with us. I sat down and put my head on his shoulder while Tylenol Mike filled out the paperwork.
"You are burning up," my Dad said feeling my forehead.
"I know. It's up to 101.6," I whined.
"Well, it's okay. We're not leaving until they give you something to fix this," and I leaned against his comforting shoulder again.
Believe it or not, Golf Ball Strep is not a high priority in the Emergency Room. In fact, they'll take broken bones AND/OR bullet wounds before they see someone with Golf Ball Strep. Go figure.
By the time they did call me back, they correctly diagnosed me (Golf Ball Strep), gave me a prescription of antibiotics and some Tylenol for my raging fever. Daddy kissed me on my hot, smelly forehead and sent me home to recuperate.
But recuperate I DID NOT! Two days later, I wasn't any better. I called my doctor, and INSISTED on something stronger than the pills they had prescribed in the Emergency Room. They told me to "come on down," and they would "squeeze me in." Ahh. Four hours in a doctor's waiting room with three small children. Good times... good times.
Mom was available to drive and watch the kids in the waiting room, so off we went. After only TWO hours of waiting, they called me to the back. Hallelujah! Now, if I could only make someone listen.
"I need a shot. Something strong. Something potent. Something you would give an extremely sick horse. I have to be better soon. Do... you... understand?"
The nurse said she would be back in a minute... and when she returned she was carrying a tray. On the tray was a large syringe filled with Golf Ball Strep fixin' medicine.
I wasn't prepared for the size of the needle. I can take long, but this thing was thick, too. "Wow. That really, really hurts."
I wasn't prepared for the length of time the needle would stay inserted in my hip. "Wow. It's taking forever, isn't it?"
I wasn't prepared for how much the medicine would burn as it was slowly pushed into my body. "Wow. This is very unpleasant!"
During the five or ten minutes it took to administer the shot, she told me it was a B-12 shot. It was thick and it had to be pushed in slowly. Also, that was why the needle wasn't skinny... because of the thick medicine.
"You should feel better soon," she said as I left. I wondered when "soon" would come.
I had my answer one hour and 42 minutes later. "I actually feel better," I told Mikie over the phone. By the time he came home that afternoon, I felt like a human being again. By the next morning, my throat was not hurting, my golf ball was getting smaller and my fever was gone. B-12 was a miracle drug, I tell you!
The next year when I woke up with my annual Golf Ball Strep, I immediately called the doctor's office to schedule a B-12 shot.
"We don't just give B-12 shots. We would prefer you have a Z-Pack," the nurse responded.
"That's okay. I'm a B-12 kind of gal. I'll just stop by for my shot, and I'll be feeling great tomorrow!"
A little more back and forth with the nurse and all I received was the Z-Pack... which takes forever and a day to work.
I've asked for B-12 shots many times since that first shot almost 12 years ago. I have never been given another one. It makes me wonder. What is B-12? Does it no longer exist? Did someone kill all the B-12 plants in the rainforest making it impossible for pharmaceutical companies to provide this miracle drug? Do only "special" people get B-12? How do I become a "special" person?
That may be the only B-12 shot I ever receive, but I will always remember it fondly... and I will never stop searching for B-12. And one day maybe, just maybe, I'll find it again.
CONTEST! CONTEST! CONTEST! - Since Project 365 is quickly coming to an end, I feel a contest is necessary in order to properly celebrate this HUGE milestone. Here are the rules.
1. I have looked at the first 362 pictures in Project 365. (Pictures 363, 364 and 365 will be taken AFTER the contest begins, so they do NOT count.) I have picked my SIX favorite photos.
2. You must guess at least ONE of my favorites to win a $15 gift certificate to your favorite restaurant!
3. But wait! That would be too difficult, wouldn't it? I mean, there are 362 PICTURES to choose from! That is why I am giving you TEN guesses! That's right! TEN!
4. Leave your TEN guesses in my Comment Section TODAY! (You can also e-mail or send me a message via Facebook.)
5. You will need to specify which photos you think are my favorites by putting the day OR date of the pic. (For example, "Day 161, Day 5, Day 43, Day 62, Day 322, etc., etc.")
6. In the event of multiple winners, the FIRST person who correctly guesses ONE of my favorite SIX pictures will win the $15 gift certificate. Any other correct "guessers" will receive a smaller (but fun) prize.
7. I will announce the winner bright and early Thursday morning, August 26, 2010!
Hurry up and enter! The winner could be YOU!
Wednesday Wisdom - The humidity is better, but it is still summertime! Here a few quotes I found about this extremely hot season!
"A perfect summer day is when the sun is shining, the breeze is blowing, the birds are singing, and the lawn mower is broken." James Dent
"Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass under trees on a summer's day, listening to the murmur of the water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is by no means a waste of time." John Lubbock (I love this one. Time well spent.)
"Winter is an etching, spring a watercolor, summer an oil painting and autumn a mosaic of them all." Stanley Horowitz (Beautiful!)
Labor Day Picnic
I love a good picnic. It's a wonderful way to officially end the summer season. I went "surfing" to get some ideas for menus, locations AND food. Start planning your Labor Day Picnic TODAY!
There are so many places to hold picnics. Your backyard or porch may be the perfect spot. But think about making it even easier on yourself and pick a spot away from home. Parks, lakeside, on a boat, a playground, or a pool are all wonderful locations. Choose the spot with your family's comfort in mind. Make sure there are tables and/or chairs if you aren't comfortable sitting on the ground. Always have a contingency plan just in case the weather is stormy on your picnic night. (A big blanket spread out in the den watching a favorite movie or TV show is always fun, too.)
Depending on the number of people at your picnic and the amount of space available, you can organize a game of croquet or kickball. Always take a Frisbee and/or football for tossing.
The alphabet game "Going On A Picnic" is a good way to calm down the kiddos after a bout of activity. ("I'm going on a picnic, and I'm taking Apples." "I'm going on a picnic, and I'm taking Apples and Bananas.")
Picnics are always fun, and can be so simple. Enjoying chicken fingers, fruit, cheese and crackers, homemade cookies and a cooler of favorite drinks with some of your favorite people in the world is a great tradition to celebrate the end of summer!
Have a fantastic Wednesday! Thursday I will be announcing the winner(s) of the Project 365 Contest (if there is one... or two... or three). I will also be introducing the NEW PROJECT LIFE website! And, of course, there will be Blog Linkage and Date information... as always. (Isn't it nice that some things NEVER change?)
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting Belinda
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
French Dip Sandwiches
Good Tuesday morning!
The Gallery Pics are from last night's First Official Volleyball Games of the season. We played Bottenfield and Hueytown... and won both matches. It was a fun evening!
CONTEST! CONTEST! CONTEST! - Since Project 365 is quickly coming to an end, I feel a contest is necessary in order to properly celebrate this HUGE milestone. Here are the rules.
1. I have looked at the first 362 pictures in Project 365. (Pictures 363, 364 and 365 will be taken AFTER the contest begins, so they do NOT count.) I have picked my SIX favorite photos.
2. You must guess at least ONE of my favorites to win a $15 gift certificate to your favorite restaurant!
3. But wait! That would be too difficult, wouldn't it? I mean, there are 362 PICTURES to choose from! That is why I am giving you TEN guesses! That's right! TEN!
4. Leave your TEN guesses in my Comment Section Tuesday OR Wednesday of this week! (You can also e-mail or send me a message via Facebook.)
5. You will need to specify which photos you think are my favorites by putting the day OR date of the pic. (For example, "Day 161, Day 5, Day 43, Day 62, Day 322, etc., etc.")
6. In the event of multiple winners, the FIRST person who correctly guesses ONE of my favorite SIX pictures will win the $15 gift certificate. Any other correct "guessers" will receive a smaller (but fun) prize.
7. I will announce the winner bright and early Thursday morning, August 26, 2010!
Get busy, Girls!
RANDOMNESS - B-12, Baby - Part One - When the boys were little and Roxie was a baby, Mikie went out of town for a weekend men's conference. I had encouraged him to go and enjoy himself. He rarely took time off.
Everything was going fine. The boys were... well, they were boys. Roxie was a dream baby. We ate, played, napped, ran errands and ate some more. We were a well-oiled machine. That is not to say we didn't miss Mikie. Of course we did. But I was glad he was away having a good time.
And then it happened. Fun fact for you... I have a tendency to have strep throat every one to two years. When I have strep throat, I get a golf ball size lump on the right side of my throat. You can actually see it when you are standing directly in front of me.
As soon as the golf ball appears, I also have trouble swallowing because of pain and, well... the golf ball, you see.
Within a few hours after "receiving" the golf ball, I begin running a terribly high fever. (Once it got up to 101.6 degrees! If you haven't been able to tell prior to today's little story, I have ZERO pain tolerance!)
I woke up the morning after Mikie had left with a golf ball in my throat. What to do? What to do?
My parents had left town a week earlier for their fall vacation. My sister had three little ones of her own to take care of, and she certainly didn't need to be exposed to Golf Ball Strep. Naturally, the golf ball appeared on a Saturday, so my doctor's office was closed! It was going to be a long weekend.
As my illness progressed (and I felt worse and worse), I parented from the couch, and prayed for Mikie's bus to return home sooner than later.
The next day was much, much worse. I didn't even make it to the couch. I was in the floor all day. But it was going to be okay. Mikie was coming home early that very afternoon. We would survive.
And then I received "The Call." "Hi, Babe. We're going to be a few hours later than I had thought. The bus just broke down."
"What?" I croaked.
"The bus broke down. But they are sending another one to pick us up, and I'll be home around 8:00 or 9:00 tonight." Mike was a little in the dark about how sick I was. I hadn't told him I was "floor parenting," because I wanted him to have a good time and there really wasn't anything he could do about it since he didn't have his own transportation.
"I don't think I'm going to make it that long," I whispered.
"What are you talking about?" he asked.
"I didn't want to tell you until you got home, but I have 'Golf Ball Strep.' And it's bad. It's REAL bad!"
"Hang in there. I'll be home in a few more hours."
"Yeah. Well, I'm going to need to go to the Emergency Room when you get home."
"Belinda. It's a sore throat. I'll pick up some throat lozenges and Tylenol before I come home." Mike had grown accustomed to my over-dramatic illnesses... and it was obvious he had never suffered from Golf Ball Strep. A throat lozenge wasn't going to cut it!
"IF I am still alive when you get home, and IF I haven't already called an ambulance to take me to the hospital... I WILL NEED to go to the Emergency Room!" Then he said something about loving me, missing me and seeing me and the kids soon (blah, blah, blah)... and he was gone.
Since you all know I did survive, it isn't much of a cliff hanger, but because of the unbelievable length of this tiny story, I will finish Part Two tomorrow!
French Dip Sandwiches
I copied this simple, simple recipe from a fellow blogger, Becky Higgins. She has a great Recipe section, and I've been trying her recipes for over two years now. I haven't been disappointed. Of course, this caught my eye because it requires the use of my FAVORITE cooking apparatus... the crock pot!
In a crock pot, place the following:
Rump Roast
1 can beef consomme’
1 can beef broth
1 can French onion soup mix
Sandwich rolls (your favorite)
1. Cook the rump roast on high for several hours (until meat shreds with a fork).
2. Slice sandwich rolls in half lengthwise.
3. Place provolone cheese on the halves, and place the rolls “face up” on a baking sheet or baking stone. Broil on low for just a few minutes, until the cheese is melted. (Take them out before they get too brown around the edges).
4. Shred the meat in all the juices. Place the meat on the rolls and serve sandwiches with a small dipping bowl of the French dip juices.
Easy, delicious and depending on the size of your roast (and family), there will be plenty of leftovers for a busy night during the fall.
Have a terrific Tuesday. I'm going to be out and about buying rump roasts today! (And I guess you know what the picture for Project 365 will probably be.) Wednesday's Wisdom, Tradition and Randomness should NOT be missed. Come visit if you get the chance.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting Belinda
The Gallery Pics are from last night's First Official Volleyball Games of the season. We played Bottenfield and Hueytown... and won both matches. It was a fun evening!
CONTEST! CONTEST! CONTEST! - Since Project 365 is quickly coming to an end, I feel a contest is necessary in order to properly celebrate this HUGE milestone. Here are the rules.
1. I have looked at the first 362 pictures in Project 365. (Pictures 363, 364 and 365 will be taken AFTER the contest begins, so they do NOT count.) I have picked my SIX favorite photos.
2. You must guess at least ONE of my favorites to win a $15 gift certificate to your favorite restaurant!
3. But wait! That would be too difficult, wouldn't it? I mean, there are 362 PICTURES to choose from! That is why I am giving you TEN guesses! That's right! TEN!
4. Leave your TEN guesses in my Comment Section Tuesday OR Wednesday of this week! (You can also e-mail or send me a message via Facebook.)
5. You will need to specify which photos you think are my favorites by putting the day OR date of the pic. (For example, "Day 161, Day 5, Day 43, Day 62, Day 322, etc., etc.")
6. In the event of multiple winners, the FIRST person who correctly guesses ONE of my favorite SIX pictures will win the $15 gift certificate. Any other correct "guessers" will receive a smaller (but fun) prize.
7. I will announce the winner bright and early Thursday morning, August 26, 2010!
Get busy, Girls!
RANDOMNESS - B-12, Baby - Part One - When the boys were little and Roxie was a baby, Mikie went out of town for a weekend men's conference. I had encouraged him to go and enjoy himself. He rarely took time off.
Everything was going fine. The boys were... well, they were boys. Roxie was a dream baby. We ate, played, napped, ran errands and ate some more. We were a well-oiled machine. That is not to say we didn't miss Mikie. Of course we did. But I was glad he was away having a good time.
And then it happened. Fun fact for you... I have a tendency to have strep throat every one to two years. When I have strep throat, I get a golf ball size lump on the right side of my throat. You can actually see it when you are standing directly in front of me.
As soon as the golf ball appears, I also have trouble swallowing because of pain and, well... the golf ball, you see.
Within a few hours after "receiving" the golf ball, I begin running a terribly high fever. (Once it got up to 101.6 degrees! If you haven't been able to tell prior to today's little story, I have ZERO pain tolerance!)
I woke up the morning after Mikie had left with a golf ball in my throat. What to do? What to do?
My parents had left town a week earlier for their fall vacation. My sister had three little ones of her own to take care of, and she certainly didn't need to be exposed to Golf Ball Strep. Naturally, the golf ball appeared on a Saturday, so my doctor's office was closed! It was going to be a long weekend.
As my illness progressed (and I felt worse and worse), I parented from the couch, and prayed for Mikie's bus to return home sooner than later.
The next day was much, much worse. I didn't even make it to the couch. I was in the floor all day. But it was going to be okay. Mikie was coming home early that very afternoon. We would survive.
And then I received "The Call." "Hi, Babe. We're going to be a few hours later than I had thought. The bus just broke down."
"What?" I croaked.
"The bus broke down. But they are sending another one to pick us up, and I'll be home around 8:00 or 9:00 tonight." Mike was a little in the dark about how sick I was. I hadn't told him I was "floor parenting," because I wanted him to have a good time and there really wasn't anything he could do about it since he didn't have his own transportation.
"I don't think I'm going to make it that long," I whispered.
"What are you talking about?" he asked.
"I didn't want to tell you until you got home, but I have 'Golf Ball Strep.' And it's bad. It's REAL bad!"
"Hang in there. I'll be home in a few more hours."
"Yeah. Well, I'm going to need to go to the Emergency Room when you get home."
"Belinda. It's a sore throat. I'll pick up some throat lozenges and Tylenol before I come home." Mike had grown accustomed to my over-dramatic illnesses... and it was obvious he had never suffered from Golf Ball Strep. A throat lozenge wasn't going to cut it!
"IF I am still alive when you get home, and IF I haven't already called an ambulance to take me to the hospital... I WILL NEED to go to the Emergency Room!" Then he said something about loving me, missing me and seeing me and the kids soon (blah, blah, blah)... and he was gone.
Since you all know I did survive, it isn't much of a cliff hanger, but because of the unbelievable length of this tiny story, I will finish Part Two tomorrow!
French Dip Sandwiches
I copied this simple, simple recipe from a fellow blogger, Becky Higgins. She has a great Recipe section, and I've been trying her recipes for over two years now. I haven't been disappointed. Of course, this caught my eye because it requires the use of my FAVORITE cooking apparatus... the crock pot!
In a crock pot, place the following:
Rump Roast
1 can beef consomme’
1 can beef broth
1 can French onion soup mix
Sandwich rolls (your favorite)
1. Cook the rump roast on high for several hours (until meat shreds with a fork).
2. Slice sandwich rolls in half lengthwise.
3. Place provolone cheese on the halves, and place the rolls “face up” on a baking sheet or baking stone. Broil on low for just a few minutes, until the cheese is melted. (Take them out before they get too brown around the edges).
4. Shred the meat in all the juices. Place the meat on the rolls and serve sandwiches with a small dipping bowl of the French dip juices.
Easy, delicious and depending on the size of your roast (and family), there will be plenty of leftovers for a busy night during the fall.
Have a terrific Tuesday. I'm going to be out and about buying rump roasts today! (And I guess you know what the picture for Project 365 will probably be.) Wednesday's Wisdom, Tradition and Randomness should NOT be missed. Come visit if you get the chance.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting Belinda
Monday, August 23, 2010
Milestone Birthday Parties
Good Monday morning!
The Showcase Pic is from yesterday's family dinner. I know Roxie and I are both wearing different prints, but try to get past that little fact, please.
The Gallery Pics are from the Volleyball Tournament AND more family photos. As is my custom, when someone has a birthday dinner, I try to get at least one picture of the birthday girl/guy with EVERYONE in the family. Katie and Roxie love it, and the guys... not so much!
ANNOUNCEMENT! ANNOUNCEMENT! ANNOUNCEMENT! - After MANY sleepless nights and MUCH careful consideration, I have decided to create a new "picture-a-day" blog beginning Thursday, August 26, 2010. That's right. I'm doing it all again!
The new blog will be entitled Belinda's Project Life. (This is the brain child of one of my favorite scrapbookers in the world, Becky Higgins. Both Projects were her idea.) It will be the same format as Project 365, and hopefully will depict my 49th year of life accurately!
You will be able to click on Belinda's Project Life under My Blog List beginning Thursday morning, OR I will have the website address listed for your convenience!
It's going to be another exciting year... I can just feel it!
CONTEST! CONTEST! CONTEST! - Since Project 365 is quickly coming to an end, I feel a contest is necessary in order to properly celebrate this HUGE milestone. Here are the rules.
1. I have looked at all 362 pictures in Project 365. (Pictures 363, 364 and 365 have not been taken yet!) I have picked my SIX favorite photos.
2. You must guess at least ONE of my favorites to win a $15 gift certificate to your favorite restaurant!
3. But wait! That would be too difficult, wouldn't it? I mean, there are 362 PICTURES to choose from! That is why I am giving you TEN guesses! That's right! TEN!
4. Leave your TEN guesses in my Comment Section Monday, Tuesday OR Wednesday of this week! (You can also e-mail me or send me a message via Facebook.)
5. You will need to specify which photos you think are my favorites by putting the day OR date of the pic. (For example, "Day 161, Day 5, Day 43, Day 62, Day 322, etc., etc.")
6. In the event of multiple winners, the FIRST person who correctly guesses ONE of my favorite SIX pictures will win the $15 gift certificate. Any other correct "guessers" will receive a smaller (but fun) prize.
7. I will announce the winner bright and early Thursday morning, August 26, 2010!
LET THE CONTEST BEGIN!
Milestone Birthday Parties
Although my upcoming birthday is not a Milestone Birthday, it will be here before you know it! I looked at different websites and borrowed good ideas from several. The following is a hodge-podge of FUN!
All birthdays are special, but some are more significant than others. For adults, these are milestone birthdays. The ones that end in zero and make you feel the passage of time. When you think back to childhood birthdays, what do you remember most? It's the magical feeling you had... you were queen for the day. The next time someone special celebrates a big birthday, why not help her recapture that magic?
Invitations
Create a combination invitation and mask. Make color copies of a photo of the guest of honor's face. Cut the copies out and glue them to Popsicle sticks. Write the party information on the back of each mask, along with a note asking guests to bring the masks to greet the honoree.
Food
Let's face it. Adults like cupcakes as much as your average 10 year-old. At a party, they're much easier to serve. Real Simple suggests serving basic cupcakes in disguise. Start with boxed yellow and chocolate cake mix and add surprising flavors and fresh embellishments for a more grown-up version of a childhood favorite.
If serving ice cream, the night before the party, spoon ice cream into muffin tins lined with paper baking cups, then transfer the tins to the freezer. When it's time to serve the cake (or in this case, the cupcakes), you can simply remove the scoops from the baking cups and drop the ice cream onto waiting plates. (I think this is brilliant! It's a great idea for a kid party, too.)
Decorations
1. Cover the table with a white paper tablecloth. Use a paint pen or a colored marker to note historic or personal events from the honoree's lifetime. It can vary from the funniest, most important or oddest happenings over the course of the birthday person's life. Guests who are more artistic can also incorporate drawings representing the events.
2. Continue the theme of nostalgia with party favors that make guests feel like kids in a candy store. Fill goodie bags with nostalgic treats like Tootsie Rolls, Bit-O-Honey pieces and Candy Buttons you used to love biting off the paper. You can find "old-fashioned" candy at most Cracker Barrel stores.
Activities
1. Ask each guest to bring a picture of the honoree to the party (formal, funny or otherwise). Place a photo album, a stack of index cards, and a pen on a table near the entrance to the party and instruct each guest to write a clever caption on an index card relating to his or her photo. Slide the card and the photo into facing pages of the album. At the end of the night, the honoree will have a permanent and humorous memory to take home.
2. What will the honoree be up to on her next milestone? Have guests write down predictions and stick them in the photo album. Or invite guests to write their predictions on the paper tablecloth for the rest of the party to enjoy.
3. Why should just the birthday person get to blow out candles? Encourage guests to make wishes on their own cupcakes. Roll up paper napkins, tie with a ribbon, then slip in a candle and a match. Attach a sign that says “Make A Wish!” Supply a large box of matches to use as a communal striker.
Gifts
An inexpensive gift suggestion in keeping with the milestone theme is to ask each guest to bring a quantity of items equaling the birth age. For a 30 year-old party, you would ask each guest to bring 30 of a single item. It could be pennies, sticks of gum, balloons, hard candies, etc.
Have a fun Monday. Since I had such a long post today, I'll be sharing a recipe, the Weekend Review AND a new story called "B12, Baby!" first thing Tuesday morning!
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting Belinda
The Showcase Pic is from yesterday's family dinner. I know Roxie and I are both wearing different prints, but try to get past that little fact, please.
The Gallery Pics are from the Volleyball Tournament AND more family photos. As is my custom, when someone has a birthday dinner, I try to get at least one picture of the birthday girl/guy with EVERYONE in the family. Katie and Roxie love it, and the guys... not so much!
ANNOUNCEMENT! ANNOUNCEMENT! ANNOUNCEMENT! - After MANY sleepless nights and MUCH careful consideration, I have decided to create a new "picture-a-day" blog beginning Thursday, August 26, 2010. That's right. I'm doing it all again!
The new blog will be entitled Belinda's Project Life. (This is the brain child of one of my favorite scrapbookers in the world, Becky Higgins. Both Projects were her idea.) It will be the same format as Project 365, and hopefully will depict my 49th year of life accurately!
You will be able to click on Belinda's Project Life under My Blog List beginning Thursday morning, OR I will have the website address listed for your convenience!
It's going to be another exciting year... I can just feel it!
CONTEST! CONTEST! CONTEST! - Since Project 365 is quickly coming to an end, I feel a contest is necessary in order to properly celebrate this HUGE milestone. Here are the rules.
1. I have looked at all 362 pictures in Project 365. (Pictures 363, 364 and 365 have not been taken yet!) I have picked my SIX favorite photos.
2. You must guess at least ONE of my favorites to win a $15 gift certificate to your favorite restaurant!
3. But wait! That would be too difficult, wouldn't it? I mean, there are 362 PICTURES to choose from! That is why I am giving you TEN guesses! That's right! TEN!
4. Leave your TEN guesses in my Comment Section Monday, Tuesday OR Wednesday of this week! (You can also e-mail me or send me a message via Facebook.)
5. You will need to specify which photos you think are my favorites by putting the day OR date of the pic. (For example, "Day 161, Day 5, Day 43, Day 62, Day 322, etc., etc.")
6. In the event of multiple winners, the FIRST person who correctly guesses ONE of my favorite SIX pictures will win the $15 gift certificate. Any other correct "guessers" will receive a smaller (but fun) prize.
7. I will announce the winner bright and early Thursday morning, August 26, 2010!
LET THE CONTEST BEGIN!
Milestone Birthday Parties
Although my upcoming birthday is not a Milestone Birthday, it will be here before you know it! I looked at different websites and borrowed good ideas from several. The following is a hodge-podge of FUN!
All birthdays are special, but some are more significant than others. For adults, these are milestone birthdays. The ones that end in zero and make you feel the passage of time. When you think back to childhood birthdays, what do you remember most? It's the magical feeling you had... you were queen for the day. The next time someone special celebrates a big birthday, why not help her recapture that magic?
Invitations
Create a combination invitation and mask. Make color copies of a photo of the guest of honor's face. Cut the copies out and glue them to Popsicle sticks. Write the party information on the back of each mask, along with a note asking guests to bring the masks to greet the honoree.
Food
Let's face it. Adults like cupcakes as much as your average 10 year-old. At a party, they're much easier to serve. Real Simple suggests serving basic cupcakes in disguise. Start with boxed yellow and chocolate cake mix and add surprising flavors and fresh embellishments for a more grown-up version of a childhood favorite.
If serving ice cream, the night before the party, spoon ice cream into muffin tins lined with paper baking cups, then transfer the tins to the freezer. When it's time to serve the cake (or in this case, the cupcakes), you can simply remove the scoops from the baking cups and drop the ice cream onto waiting plates. (I think this is brilliant! It's a great idea for a kid party, too.)
Decorations
1. Cover the table with a white paper tablecloth. Use a paint pen or a colored marker to note historic or personal events from the honoree's lifetime. It can vary from the funniest, most important or oddest happenings over the course of the birthday person's life. Guests who are more artistic can also incorporate drawings representing the events.
2. Continue the theme of nostalgia with party favors that make guests feel like kids in a candy store. Fill goodie bags with nostalgic treats like Tootsie Rolls, Bit-O-Honey pieces and Candy Buttons you used to love biting off the paper. You can find "old-fashioned" candy at most Cracker Barrel stores.
Activities
1. Ask each guest to bring a picture of the honoree to the party (formal, funny or otherwise). Place a photo album, a stack of index cards, and a pen on a table near the entrance to the party and instruct each guest to write a clever caption on an index card relating to his or her photo. Slide the card and the photo into facing pages of the album. At the end of the night, the honoree will have a permanent and humorous memory to take home.
2. What will the honoree be up to on her next milestone? Have guests write down predictions and stick them in the photo album. Or invite guests to write their predictions on the paper tablecloth for the rest of the party to enjoy.
3. Why should just the birthday person get to blow out candles? Encourage guests to make wishes on their own cupcakes. Roll up paper napkins, tie with a ribbon, then slip in a candle and a match. Attach a sign that says “Make A Wish!” Supply a large box of matches to use as a communal striker.
Gifts
An inexpensive gift suggestion in keeping with the milestone theme is to ask each guest to bring a quantity of items equaling the birth age. For a 30 year-old party, you would ask each guest to bring 30 of a single item. It could be pennies, sticks of gum, balloons, hard candies, etc.
Have a fun Monday. Since I had such a long post today, I'll be sharing a recipe, the Weekend Review AND a new story called "B12, Baby!" first thing Tuesday morning!
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting Belinda
Friday, August 20, 2010
Weekend Happenings
Good Friday morning!
The Gallery Pic is just a preview of things to come the next few weeks on A Simple Life. Volleyball is here. This photo is from a practice tournament we attended two weeks ago. Today and tomorrow is the real thing, Baby!
BLOG TEASER! BLOG TEASER! - Monday I will reveal my plans for Belinda's Project 365. It will officially end next Wednesday, August 25. Unless something unforeseen happens this weekend, I will have taken a picture of my life each and every day for 365 days... in a row... without missing. Will I start a new picture blog? If so, will it have a new and exciting twist? Will I quietly sign off?
Check back Monday morning to find out!
RANDOMNESS #1 - You better sit down for this one. I didn't make the Sexiest People Alive list... again. I know. I know. I have a hard time wrapping my head around this one, too. But, as long as there is a contest, I will continue submitting my 1988 head shot... big hair, gigantic shoulder pads and blue eyeliner. It's only a matter of time.
RANDOMNESS #2 - I had a happy moment yesterday. I was flipping through a little catalog I had received in the mail, and guess what was staring me in the face on page 12... pumpkin toilet paper. Oh... my... word! And get this! It's only $4.99 plus shipping for two small one-ply rolls. By the time I pay shipping, it will cost a mere $19.99. The "Autumnal Nut" part of me is saying, "It is so worth it." The "I've Been Married to Mikie, the CPA, for 22 Years" is saying, "Don't you dare." I'm not sure who will win. (Come ask to use my bathroom in October and see!)
RANDOMNESS #3 - I received a call from The Boy at an unusually early hour last night (9:15 p.m.). It was a delightful surprise because we normally talk around 10:30 or 11:00 p.m. However, the last thing he said to me before signing off was, "I'm having some rookies over for pizza and X-Box. I need to throw on my pajama pants and pick up the pizzas." What?
"Hey! You're a grown man! Put on your big-boy pants before going out in public!" I couldn't help it. The mother in me would not keep her mouth shut. (That woman is even starting to get on my nerves!)
"Mom. It's college. It's not a big deal. It's the pair without any holes. I'll be fine."
"Are you going to at least wear a shirt?"
"I was planning on it. AND I'm going to wear shoes!"
"Okay. Okay. But be sure to tell them you have real "wear outside the dorm" clothes."
"Yes, ma'am. I'll tell the pizza guy with multiple piercings, tattoos up and down both arms and a ponytail I have more suitable clothing in the dorm."
The Boy has a point. I hate it when The Boy has a point.
Weekend Happenings - I can sum up much of our weekend in just one word... Volleyball.
Tonight, Roxie has two games. Tomorrow she has at least three, and depending on the outcome of those three, maybe one more. It is the first official tournament, and right now, we are very excited. Mikie and Josh will be joining me on the bleachers this evening.
Saturday, Mikie and I will resume our post as "Supportive Parental Units" on the bleachers while Josh and friends go hiking, and Austin continues to toot his horn in JSU... hopefully wearing big boy pants!
Sunday will find the Faulkner Five enjoying another service in our new sanctuary, AND having Sunday dinner with my side of the family.
I have a feeling Sunday evening will find all of us draped over a couch or chair of some sort desperately trying to rest, regroup and get ready for the week ahead.
Remember last weekend when I said we rolled over and went to sleep Saturday morning when we heard the rain? That has become a distant, but sweet, memory. I will treasure it in the weeks to come.
Have the best weekend! Be aware of moments you spend with family and friends you might normally take for granted. Be kind to the person handing you your Caramel Frappe through the drive-thru window... and anyone else you may meet.
Next week, A Simple Life will be hopping with really, really good ideas. As always, feel free to share your own traditions, recipes, party ideas, dates, etc. Shared ideas are always the best.
Take care, and I'll talk to you Monday.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting Belinda
The Gallery Pic is just a preview of things to come the next few weeks on A Simple Life. Volleyball is here. This photo is from a practice tournament we attended two weeks ago. Today and tomorrow is the real thing, Baby!
BLOG TEASER! BLOG TEASER! - Monday I will reveal my plans for Belinda's Project 365. It will officially end next Wednesday, August 25. Unless something unforeseen happens this weekend, I will have taken a picture of my life each and every day for 365 days... in a row... without missing. Will I start a new picture blog? If so, will it have a new and exciting twist? Will I quietly sign off?
Check back Monday morning to find out!
RANDOMNESS #1 - You better sit down for this one. I didn't make the Sexiest People Alive list... again. I know. I know. I have a hard time wrapping my head around this one, too. But, as long as there is a contest, I will continue submitting my 1988 head shot... big hair, gigantic shoulder pads and blue eyeliner. It's only a matter of time.
RANDOMNESS #2 - I had a happy moment yesterday. I was flipping through a little catalog I had received in the mail, and guess what was staring me in the face on page 12... pumpkin toilet paper. Oh... my... word! And get this! It's only $4.99 plus shipping for two small one-ply rolls. By the time I pay shipping, it will cost a mere $19.99. The "Autumnal Nut" part of me is saying, "It is so worth it." The "I've Been Married to Mikie, the CPA, for 22 Years" is saying, "Don't you dare." I'm not sure who will win. (Come ask to use my bathroom in October and see!)
RANDOMNESS #3 - I received a call from The Boy at an unusually early hour last night (9:15 p.m.). It was a delightful surprise because we normally talk around 10:30 or 11:00 p.m. However, the last thing he said to me before signing off was, "I'm having some rookies over for pizza and X-Box. I need to throw on my pajama pants and pick up the pizzas." What?
"Hey! You're a grown man! Put on your big-boy pants before going out in public!" I couldn't help it. The mother in me would not keep her mouth shut. (That woman is even starting to get on my nerves!)
"Mom. It's college. It's not a big deal. It's the pair without any holes. I'll be fine."
"Are you going to at least wear a shirt?"
"I was planning on it. AND I'm going to wear shoes!"
"Okay. Okay. But be sure to tell them you have real "wear outside the dorm" clothes."
"Yes, ma'am. I'll tell the pizza guy with multiple piercings, tattoos up and down both arms and a ponytail I have more suitable clothing in the dorm."
The Boy has a point. I hate it when The Boy has a point.
Weekend Happenings - I can sum up much of our weekend in just one word... Volleyball.
Tonight, Roxie has two games. Tomorrow she has at least three, and depending on the outcome of those three, maybe one more. It is the first official tournament, and right now, we are very excited. Mikie and Josh will be joining me on the bleachers this evening.
Saturday, Mikie and I will resume our post as "Supportive Parental Units" on the bleachers while Josh and friends go hiking, and Austin continues to toot his horn in JSU... hopefully wearing big boy pants!
Sunday will find the Faulkner Five enjoying another service in our new sanctuary, AND having Sunday dinner with my side of the family.
I have a feeling Sunday evening will find all of us draped over a couch or chair of some sort desperately trying to rest, regroup and get ready for the week ahead.
Remember last weekend when I said we rolled over and went to sleep Saturday morning when we heard the rain? That has become a distant, but sweet, memory. I will treasure it in the weeks to come.
Have the best weekend! Be aware of moments you spend with family and friends you might normally take for granted. Be kind to the person handing you your Caramel Frappe through the drive-thru window... and anyone else you may meet.
Next week, A Simple Life will be hopping with really, really good ideas. As always, feel free to share your own traditions, recipes, party ideas, dates, etc. Shared ideas are always the best.
Take care, and I'll talk to you Monday.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting Belinda
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Father/Son Dates for This Weekend
Good Thursday morning!
The Gallery Pics are just "one more." "One more" picture from Janet's Surprise Birthday Party. "One more" picture from the Power Cooking Class. And "one more" picture from the past. It's been a slow week for the camera around here. I think I need to plan a trip somewhere. Hmmm. Maybe Jacksonville!
RANDOMNESS - I have found the "positive" to parking in "JOY." David Dykes, a former pastor, brought the message last night during our Wednesday worship service. It was FANTASTIC! However, I was running a little late due to picking up Roxie at volleyball practice and running through a drive-thru for dinner. Our seats were saved, so I wasn't worried about that, but I knew I was going to have to park in the "JOY" section of our parking lot... and I really prefer parking in "GENTLENESS." I REALLY, REALLY DO!
Oh, well. Back to the positive. I stepped out of the Big Gold Van, adjusted my purse, shoes, undergarments and outer garments and started walking. (Is it just me, or do you miss the days you just jumped out of a car and went inside... with little or NO adjusting? Heavy sigh.)
Anyway, I was walking to the sanctuary when I noticed something large and white out of the corner of my eye. (My peripheral vision is still working fine at almost 49 years of age. I just thought I'd share another "positive" today.) I turned and looked over my shoulder to see a church shuttle (and shuttle driver) ever so slowly following me. I smiled, shook my head and motioned for them to help someone else. Perhaps a 50 year-old woman parked in "JOY."
Thirty seconds later, I recognize the sound of another large white shuttle. I turn around. Different driver, different shuttle... same response.
Thirty seconds later, I was now almost to the sidewalk which would take me directly into the building when I notice it yet again. I swung around (actually, I slowly turned because I had pulled something in my neck yesterday and it was killing) to see yet ANOTHER white shuttle and driver following me. I again declined.
I almost said "yes" to the third driver because technically there wasn't anywhere for him to drive me. This guy was going to have to pick me up and carry me into the sanctuary without the aid of a large white shuttle. It might have been comical... but I'm pretty sure it would have been painful for both of us. For him as he attempted to lift and carry me, and for me when he dropped me!
I've mentioned all of the above just to say there is no reason NOT to visit our church if you haven't already done so. You may have to park a few feet from the front door, but you certainly don't have to walk a great distance.
It is a beautiful place... inside and out. And I'm not just talking about the building!
Blog Linkage - Enjoy today's links. They only take a few minutes of your time, but I think it will be time well spent.
1. Click on Coal Creek Farm under My Blog List. Read "I have seen Hell and it looks a lot like my dentist office" dated August 17. This post will make you smile... or cringe.
2. Click on BooMama under My Blog List. Scroll to "Giveaways Aplenty" dated August 18. Begin signing up for FREE $100 and $200 VISA gift cards. This post will hopefully put something in your pocket.
3. Click on Nitty.Gritty. THIS AFTERNOON or TOMORROW MORNING. Jody is having a baby boy today! This post will make you think back.
Father/Son Dates for This Weekend
I had another date in mind for today, but Birmingham Bargain Mom mentioned TWO events taking place this weekend that had "date" written all over them.
1. If you have a little guy who loves animals, firetrucks and firemen, check this out...
If you are headed to The Birmingham Zoo Saturday, take a stuffed animal with you and send it through the Teddy Bear Clinic.
The Clinic is included with the price of admission and will have an inspection of the animals' "health" given by Birmingham Zoo volunteers.
Kids will get a certificate of good health for the animal at the end of the clinic.
The times are from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Also, in the parking lot, kids can check out Birmingham Fire Department firetrucks and meet firefighters.
It's a win-win-win!
2. If you have a little guy who is crazy about airplanes and such, read on...
The Southern Museum of Flight is offering FREE admission Thursday, Friday and Saturday in honor of National Aviation Week.
They will have special activities each day. Check with the museum to see what they have planned for the day you are visiting.
You can call for information and directions at (205)833-8226.
Okay. I've given you a "twofer" today. Don't waste it! Plan a fun day for you and your little guy. Both of these dates require a pretty big chunk of time... but it will be time well spent!
Have a great Thursday. Don't waste Thursday wishing for the weekend! Embrace MY favorite day of the week! On Friday, I'll be sharing Weekend Happenings and some Randomness. It will be an easy, breezy day on A Simple Life.
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting Belinda
The Gallery Pics are just "one more." "One more" picture from Janet's Surprise Birthday Party. "One more" picture from the Power Cooking Class. And "one more" picture from the past. It's been a slow week for the camera around here. I think I need to plan a trip somewhere. Hmmm. Maybe Jacksonville!
RANDOMNESS - I have found the "positive" to parking in "JOY." David Dykes, a former pastor, brought the message last night during our Wednesday worship service. It was FANTASTIC! However, I was running a little late due to picking up Roxie at volleyball practice and running through a drive-thru for dinner. Our seats were saved, so I wasn't worried about that, but I knew I was going to have to park in the "JOY" section of our parking lot... and I really prefer parking in "GENTLENESS." I REALLY, REALLY DO!
Oh, well. Back to the positive. I stepped out of the Big Gold Van, adjusted my purse, shoes, undergarments and outer garments and started walking. (Is it just me, or do you miss the days you just jumped out of a car and went inside... with little or NO adjusting? Heavy sigh.)
Anyway, I was walking to the sanctuary when I noticed something large and white out of the corner of my eye. (My peripheral vision is still working fine at almost 49 years of age. I just thought I'd share another "positive" today.) I turned and looked over my shoulder to see a church shuttle (and shuttle driver) ever so slowly following me. I smiled, shook my head and motioned for them to help someone else. Perhaps a 50 year-old woman parked in "JOY."
Thirty seconds later, I recognize the sound of another large white shuttle. I turn around. Different driver, different shuttle... same response.
Thirty seconds later, I was now almost to the sidewalk which would take me directly into the building when I notice it yet again. I swung around (actually, I slowly turned because I had pulled something in my neck yesterday and it was killing) to see yet ANOTHER white shuttle and driver following me. I again declined.
I almost said "yes" to the third driver because technically there wasn't anywhere for him to drive me. This guy was going to have to pick me up and carry me into the sanctuary without the aid of a large white shuttle. It might have been comical... but I'm pretty sure it would have been painful for both of us. For him as he attempted to lift and carry me, and for me when he dropped me!
I've mentioned all of the above just to say there is no reason NOT to visit our church if you haven't already done so. You may have to park a few feet from the front door, but you certainly don't have to walk a great distance.
It is a beautiful place... inside and out. And I'm not just talking about the building!
Blog Linkage - Enjoy today's links. They only take a few minutes of your time, but I think it will be time well spent.
1. Click on Coal Creek Farm under My Blog List. Read "I have seen Hell and it looks a lot like my dentist office" dated August 17. This post will make you smile... or cringe.
2. Click on BooMama under My Blog List. Scroll to "Giveaways Aplenty" dated August 18. Begin signing up for FREE $100 and $200 VISA gift cards. This post will hopefully put something in your pocket.
3. Click on Nitty.Gritty. THIS AFTERNOON or TOMORROW MORNING. Jody is having a baby boy today! This post will make you think back.
Father/Son Dates for This Weekend
I had another date in mind for today, but Birmingham Bargain Mom mentioned TWO events taking place this weekend that had "date" written all over them.
1. If you have a little guy who loves animals, firetrucks and firemen, check this out...
If you are headed to The Birmingham Zoo Saturday, take a stuffed animal with you and send it through the Teddy Bear Clinic.
The Clinic is included with the price of admission and will have an inspection of the animals' "health" given by Birmingham Zoo volunteers.
Kids will get a certificate of good health for the animal at the end of the clinic.
The times are from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Also, in the parking lot, kids can check out Birmingham Fire Department firetrucks and meet firefighters.
It's a win-win-win!
2. If you have a little guy who is crazy about airplanes and such, read on...
The Southern Museum of Flight is offering FREE admission Thursday, Friday and Saturday in honor of National Aviation Week.
They will have special activities each day. Check with the museum to see what they have planned for the day you are visiting.
You can call for information and directions at (205)833-8226.
Okay. I've given you a "twofer" today. Don't waste it! Plan a fun day for you and your little guy. Both of these dates require a pretty big chunk of time... but it will be time well spent!
Have a great Thursday. Don't waste Thursday wishing for the weekend! Embrace MY favorite day of the week! On Friday, I'll be sharing Weekend Happenings and some Randomness. It will be an easy, breezy day on A Simple Life.
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting Belinda
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Encouragement Wednesday
Good Wednesday morning!
The Gallery Pic is another old photo from an old beach trip of a not-so-old Roxie. Love the cheeks!
RANDOMNESS #1 - After I wrote about Austin's view from his dorm room window on Project 365 Monday night, I thought no more about it (as is my custom). I moved on to another day, other thoughts, etc. Last night at 10:30, Austin called to tell us a little about his day. After he talked with his Dad for a few minutes, Mikie handed me the phone.
"Hi, Babe. How is everything going?"
"Good. Good. I'm really excited about this fall," he responded. I already knew this. Austin loves football games, band, traveling to games, etc. He actually grieves when football/band season is over.
"I know. It's about to get really busy."
"No. I mean, yeah. But I was looking out my window today. Did you know you can see the mountains and the stadium and all the trees and buildings? It is going to be beautiful when the leaves change. And if it snows... Wow. It's going to really be something if it snows this year."
Hmmm. Was he making fun of me? Had he read Project 365? No. That wasn't possible. My kids never read my blogs. Was he being sincere? Had he actually looked out his window and noticed the beauty from his dorm room window?
Yes. Yes, he had!
"You're very lucky to have such a great room and view this year," I told him.
"I know. I am so excited."
And that sums up the beginning of Austin's sophomore year at college pretty well. He is excited. (And while I wasn't able to say this last year, I'm excited for him.) See, we're both growing up!
Wednesday Wisdom - Since my official theme for the week is "Simplicity," I have a few quotes about the subject.
"Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated." Confucius (So, so true.)
"Simplicity is making the journey of this life with just baggage enough." Author Unknown
"To find the universal elements enough; to find the air and the water exhilarating; to be refreshed by a morning walk or an evening saunter; to be thrilled by the stars at night; to be elated over a bird's nest or a wildflower in spring... these are some of the rewards of the simple life." John Burroughs (This is my favorite. It is a perfect reminder to slow down and enjoy what is all around you.)
"I believe that a simple and unassuming manner of life is best for everyone; best both for the body and the mind." Albert Einstein
"All the great things are simple, and many can be expressed in a single word: freedom, justice, honor, duty, mercy, hope." Winston Churchill
Encouragement Wednesday
I said I would share an easy, simple tradition with you, and that is exactly what I'm going to do. I had something else in mind, but on the way to school today, I looked at Roxie and told her, "Why don't you text your brother (The Boy) this morning?" She usually sends him messages on Facebook a couple of times a week to update him on her volleyball games and life in general, but she whipped out her phone and in five seconds flat (no exaggeration), she had texted him a "Have a good day" type message.
"Done," she said.
"Well, you have two brothers," I reminded her. I expected her to tell me she had just said good-bye to Josh seconds earlier, but instead she grinned, and sent another text.
"I bet your cousins would like a little text from you, too." In 30 seconds, she had sent three more texts to Brad, Katie and Zac.
"I better send one to Aunt Bev. I don't want her to get jealous."
In a matter of three or four minutes, she had sent six encouraging text messages to family members.
"We're going to call this 'Encouragement Wednesday,' and you can do this each and every Wednesday on the way to school. It will be fun." And we high-fived and knuckle-bumped to make it official.
And that's what we're going to do. It will be a good way for her to stay connected with her brothers and cousins over the next few years as they grow up and away... and you never know when someone needs an encouraging word!
Will I join her and text on Encouragement Wednesday? I think not. What took Roxie a few minutes to accomplish, would have me busy until well after lunch. But I might send an e-mail or two.
Fun fact for you... I was regional shorthand and typing champ in high school. Keyboards don't scare me. Texting (and my lack of speed) drives me crazy!
Join us on Encouragement Wednesday! Even if you send only one encouraging text, you never know what impact it might have on that person.
Have a "grand" Wednesday. (That's the word Roxie used in my Encouragement Text I received from her after I dropped her off at school today... before a teacher took her phone away from her! I would LOVE to have a grand day. I think I shall!) On Thursday, I have some funny Blog Linkage to share and another SIMPLE date for you and yours.
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting and Encouraging Belinda
The Gallery Pic is another old photo from an old beach trip of a not-so-old Roxie. Love the cheeks!
RANDOMNESS #1 - After I wrote about Austin's view from his dorm room window on Project 365 Monday night, I thought no more about it (as is my custom). I moved on to another day, other thoughts, etc. Last night at 10:30, Austin called to tell us a little about his day. After he talked with his Dad for a few minutes, Mikie handed me the phone.
"Hi, Babe. How is everything going?"
"Good. Good. I'm really excited about this fall," he responded. I already knew this. Austin loves football games, band, traveling to games, etc. He actually grieves when football/band season is over.
"I know. It's about to get really busy."
"No. I mean, yeah. But I was looking out my window today. Did you know you can see the mountains and the stadium and all the trees and buildings? It is going to be beautiful when the leaves change. And if it snows... Wow. It's going to really be something if it snows this year."
Hmmm. Was he making fun of me? Had he read Project 365? No. That wasn't possible. My kids never read my blogs. Was he being sincere? Had he actually looked out his window and noticed the beauty from his dorm room window?
Yes. Yes, he had!
"You're very lucky to have such a great room and view this year," I told him.
"I know. I am so excited."
And that sums up the beginning of Austin's sophomore year at college pretty well. He is excited. (And while I wasn't able to say this last year, I'm excited for him.) See, we're both growing up!
Wednesday Wisdom - Since my official theme for the week is "Simplicity," I have a few quotes about the subject.
"Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated." Confucius (So, so true.)
"Simplicity is making the journey of this life with just baggage enough." Author Unknown
"To find the universal elements enough; to find the air and the water exhilarating; to be refreshed by a morning walk or an evening saunter; to be thrilled by the stars at night; to be elated over a bird's nest or a wildflower in spring... these are some of the rewards of the simple life." John Burroughs (This is my favorite. It is a perfect reminder to slow down and enjoy what is all around you.)
"I believe that a simple and unassuming manner of life is best for everyone; best both for the body and the mind." Albert Einstein
"All the great things are simple, and many can be expressed in a single word: freedom, justice, honor, duty, mercy, hope." Winston Churchill
Encouragement Wednesday
I said I would share an easy, simple tradition with you, and that is exactly what I'm going to do. I had something else in mind, but on the way to school today, I looked at Roxie and told her, "Why don't you text your brother (The Boy) this morning?" She usually sends him messages on Facebook a couple of times a week to update him on her volleyball games and life in general, but she whipped out her phone and in five seconds flat (no exaggeration), she had texted him a "Have a good day" type message.
"Done," she said.
"Well, you have two brothers," I reminded her. I expected her to tell me she had just said good-bye to Josh seconds earlier, but instead she grinned, and sent another text.
"I bet your cousins would like a little text from you, too." In 30 seconds, she had sent three more texts to Brad, Katie and Zac.
"I better send one to Aunt Bev. I don't want her to get jealous."
In a matter of three or four minutes, she had sent six encouraging text messages to family members.
"We're going to call this 'Encouragement Wednesday,' and you can do this each and every Wednesday on the way to school. It will be fun." And we high-fived and knuckle-bumped to make it official.
And that's what we're going to do. It will be a good way for her to stay connected with her brothers and cousins over the next few years as they grow up and away... and you never know when someone needs an encouraging word!
Will I join her and text on Encouragement Wednesday? I think not. What took Roxie a few minutes to accomplish, would have me busy until well after lunch. But I might send an e-mail or two.
Fun fact for you... I was regional shorthand and typing champ in high school. Keyboards don't scare me. Texting (and my lack of speed) drives me crazy!
Join us on Encouragement Wednesday! Even if you send only one encouraging text, you never know what impact it might have on that person.
Have a "grand" Wednesday. (That's the word Roxie used in my Encouragement Text I received from her after I dropped her off at school today... before a teacher took her phone away from her! I would LOVE to have a grand day. I think I shall!) On Thursday, I have some funny Blog Linkage to share and another SIMPLE date for you and yours.
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting and Encouraging Belinda
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Peach Cobbler and Tropical Delite
Good Tuesday morning!
The Gallery Pics this morning are from Austin's JSU moving day. His dorm room was originally designed for TWO people, but has since been renovated for one. He still has two desks, two desk chairs, two sets of closets (plus a single shelved closet in the middle of the two), a private sink and a shared bathroom with his roommate from last year. His roommate has the same set-up on the other side of the bathroom. Talk about roomy! He's taking a recliner and a small entertainment center back this weekend. He'll be a happy camper!
And here's the really great part. On Friday nights before some of the home games, Josh and his cousin, Brad, can spend the night in the Big Ol' Dorm Room and meet us to tailgate before the game. There's plenty of room for two air mattresses. The guys are really looking forward to that... and so am I.
RANDOMNESS - I'm cheating today. I was wondering what I was thinking about a year ago, and when I went back to this date in the Archives (August, 2009) I found a little something I thought might be worth sharing again. You know... for Newbies!
Earlier this year, I suggested a book by Vicki Courtney called Your Boy. (She also wrote Your Girl.) She gave this book to her publisher a couple of weeks before her son became a senior in high school, and in Chapter 12 of her book (Passing Down the Formula for a Virtuous Wife), she wrote some VERY wise words. I would like to share some of these thoughts with the "boy moms" out there. And being also blessed to be in the "girl mom" club, too, she offers advice for girls, also. (Code for DON'T SKIP THIS SECTION BECAUSE YOU DON'T HAVE SONS!)
"Come graduation day, make sure your son is well versed in the passage (Proverbs 31) and doesn't leave home without it! I have included key questions for your son, should he be open to measuring potential brides against God's standards for a virtuous woman. (Also note, if you have daughter, this is a great chapter to go with them to ensure they are in the process of becoming virtuous women.)
"'A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.' Proverbs 31:10.
"Our sons should be made aware of how rare this type of woman is and should be encouraged to hold out for the best... God's best. If they find her, they have found a treasure. She is not like most other girls (including Christian girls) who have conformed themselves to the culture.
"Key questions for your son: Would this young lady be described by others with words like 'virtuous,' 'moral,' and 'noble'? Even if she has a past, would these words describe who she is today?"
Wow! She's good, isn't she? I have a little story of my own to add here, if you'll allow.
When I was still living at home, I dated a young Christian man. He had grown up in church, and he had a fine testimony. We had been going out for some time when things began to change. I remember one night he picked me up to go to a party. I had not asked a lot of questions regarding the party because I assumed it would be with other church friends (as it had always been before).
I was very surprised when we arrived at an apartment on Southside with lots and lots of cars parked all around. Loud music was pouring out of two of the apartments, and it was apparent this was not your typical Sunday School party. "What's going on?" I asked.
"It's a friend of mine from work. I told him we'd stop by. We'll stay for a minute or two and then we'll leave," he replied. I sat in the car while he walked around to open the door.
"What kind of party is this?" I naively asked.
"It sounds pretty fun, doesn't it?" he replied.
I slowly got out of the car and followed him up the stairs and into the first apartment which was packed shoulder-to-shoulder with people dancing and drinking. "Take me home!" I yelled over the music.
"Just a minute. Just let me say hi to my friend, and we'll be out of here," he yelled back. And then he disappeared into the crowd. I stayed outside for several minutes, and then I decided I had experienced enough fun.
Now remember, this was before cell phones. I walked into the party and began searching for a telephone. When I finally found one, thankfully it had a cord long enough to reach into the bathroom where I shooed three people out and locked the door. I started dialing, but didn't finish before someone starting banging on the bathroom door. It was my date... soon to be ex-date.
I opened the door a crack and held the phone up to my ear. "What are you doing?" he yelled over the noise.
"I'm calling my Dad, and when he gets here he is going to KILL you," I calmly replied as I shut and locked the bathroom door.
The phone was ringing... the door was being knocked on LOUDLY. "Wait a minute," my soon-to-be ex-date yelled again. Luckily for my soon-to-be ex-date, my Mom and Dad had gone to a friend's house, but I was quickly dialing that number when I cracked the door one more time.
"I told you we were only staying a minute," he yelled angrily.
"Oh. Are we going now?" I asked, still holding the phone.
"No. I just need five more minutes, and then we'll leave."
"No hurry," I replied... closed the door... and began dialing again.
"What are you doing?" he screamed through the door.
"I'm calling my Dad, and when he gets here he is going to KILL you," I reiterated once again, very calmly.
"Okay. Okay. Let's go," he said through the door. I hung up the phone on the second ring, walked out of the bathroom and out of the apartment without even looking back. I knew he was right behind me.
He had the nerve to be furious with me, and we drove back to my house in silence.
"Are you going to mention this to your parents?" he asked as I got out of the car.
"Oh, yeah. And if I were you, I'd start driving right now, because when I tell my Dad, he's going to come outside and KILL you for taking me to that kind of party." And then I turned around and walked into the house.
See... That young man wasn't worthy of a virtuous young woman. Not at that particular time of his life.
I've told that story to Roxie so she can know exactly what to do if she is ever in a similar situation. But I've also told the boys that story so they will know a Godly young man should NEVER put a young lady in that kind of situation either. And they should not be dating someone who would not object to that kind of party. It's a two-way street.
Peach Cobbler
I have a simple, but great, recipe to share with you today. As with many of my recipes, I borrowed it from my friend, Julie Tuggle.
You will need the following:
1/4 cup sugar
2 tablespoons corn starch
1/2 cup corn syrup
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
3 cups fresh ripe peaches
1 package sugar cookie dough
1. Mix and pour the first five ingredients in a baking dish.
2. Slice and place cookies over peaches.
3. Bake for 1 hour at 350 degrees.
4. Serve with ice cream.
If that isn't simple enough for you, I don't know what else to do. Oh, except give you the BONUS RECIPE from another blog which I promised to share today! That's TWO simple recipes in one day!
Tropical Delite
I found this recipe on The Pioneer Woman's blog under her Tasty Kitchen section. It came from www.smalltowngirl.com, and it sounds divine! I love making cakes that start with cake mixes. So easy!
You will need the following:
1 box butter cake mix
2/3 cups pineapple juice
3 whole eggs
1/2 cup butter
1 15-ounce can Cream of Coconut
1 8-ounce carton Cool Whip
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Mix cake mix, juice, eggs and butter together.
3. Spray Pam in a 9" x 13" cake pan and bake according to cake mix instructions. (Typically, this is 350 degrees for 30 minutes.)
4. When cake is done, allow it to cool for a few minutes. Poke holes all over cake using a large straw.
5. Pour the Cream of Coconut evenly over cake (into the holes). Let the cake cool a little longer (20 minutes or so). You want the cake to be completely cooled off before you begin the next step.
6. Spread Cool Whip on top and, if you are so inclined, sprinkle some coconut flakes over the Cool Whip. Keep refrigerated until serving.
Have a great Tuesday. I'll tell you now... the humidity is 110% in Alabama! I had flashbacks to Amelia Island when I was walking this morning. Wednesday's post is full, full, full of fantastic (and simple) Wisdom, Traditions and Randomness. Trust me... it's worth coming back to sneak a peek!
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting Belinda
The Gallery Pics this morning are from Austin's JSU moving day. His dorm room was originally designed for TWO people, but has since been renovated for one. He still has two desks, two desk chairs, two sets of closets (plus a single shelved closet in the middle of the two), a private sink and a shared bathroom with his roommate from last year. His roommate has the same set-up on the other side of the bathroom. Talk about roomy! He's taking a recliner and a small entertainment center back this weekend. He'll be a happy camper!
And here's the really great part. On Friday nights before some of the home games, Josh and his cousin, Brad, can spend the night in the Big Ol' Dorm Room and meet us to tailgate before the game. There's plenty of room for two air mattresses. The guys are really looking forward to that... and so am I.
RANDOMNESS - I'm cheating today. I was wondering what I was thinking about a year ago, and when I went back to this date in the Archives (August, 2009) I found a little something I thought might be worth sharing again. You know... for Newbies!
Earlier this year, I suggested a book by Vicki Courtney called Your Boy. (She also wrote Your Girl.) She gave this book to her publisher a couple of weeks before her son became a senior in high school, and in Chapter 12 of her book (Passing Down the Formula for a Virtuous Wife), she wrote some VERY wise words. I would like to share some of these thoughts with the "boy moms" out there. And being also blessed to be in the "girl mom" club, too, she offers advice for girls, also. (Code for DON'T SKIP THIS SECTION BECAUSE YOU DON'T HAVE SONS!)
"Come graduation day, make sure your son is well versed in the passage (Proverbs 31) and doesn't leave home without it! I have included key questions for your son, should he be open to measuring potential brides against God's standards for a virtuous woman. (Also note, if you have daughter, this is a great chapter to go with them to ensure they are in the process of becoming virtuous women.)
"'A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.' Proverbs 31:10.
"Our sons should be made aware of how rare this type of woman is and should be encouraged to hold out for the best... God's best. If they find her, they have found a treasure. She is not like most other girls (including Christian girls) who have conformed themselves to the culture.
"Key questions for your son: Would this young lady be described by others with words like 'virtuous,' 'moral,' and 'noble'? Even if she has a past, would these words describe who she is today?"
Wow! She's good, isn't she? I have a little story of my own to add here, if you'll allow.
When I was still living at home, I dated a young Christian man. He had grown up in church, and he had a fine testimony. We had been going out for some time when things began to change. I remember one night he picked me up to go to a party. I had not asked a lot of questions regarding the party because I assumed it would be with other church friends (as it had always been before).
I was very surprised when we arrived at an apartment on Southside with lots and lots of cars parked all around. Loud music was pouring out of two of the apartments, and it was apparent this was not your typical Sunday School party. "What's going on?" I asked.
"It's a friend of mine from work. I told him we'd stop by. We'll stay for a minute or two and then we'll leave," he replied. I sat in the car while he walked around to open the door.
"What kind of party is this?" I naively asked.
"It sounds pretty fun, doesn't it?" he replied.
I slowly got out of the car and followed him up the stairs and into the first apartment which was packed shoulder-to-shoulder with people dancing and drinking. "Take me home!" I yelled over the music.
"Just a minute. Just let me say hi to my friend, and we'll be out of here," he yelled back. And then he disappeared into the crowd. I stayed outside for several minutes, and then I decided I had experienced enough fun.
Now remember, this was before cell phones. I walked into the party and began searching for a telephone. When I finally found one, thankfully it had a cord long enough to reach into the bathroom where I shooed three people out and locked the door. I started dialing, but didn't finish before someone starting banging on the bathroom door. It was my date... soon to be ex-date.
I opened the door a crack and held the phone up to my ear. "What are you doing?" he yelled over the noise.
"I'm calling my Dad, and when he gets here he is going to KILL you," I calmly replied as I shut and locked the bathroom door.
The phone was ringing... the door was being knocked on LOUDLY. "Wait a minute," my soon-to-be ex-date yelled again. Luckily for my soon-to-be ex-date, my Mom and Dad had gone to a friend's house, but I was quickly dialing that number when I cracked the door one more time.
"I told you we were only staying a minute," he yelled angrily.
"Oh. Are we going now?" I asked, still holding the phone.
"No. I just need five more minutes, and then we'll leave."
"No hurry," I replied... closed the door... and began dialing again.
"What are you doing?" he screamed through the door.
"I'm calling my Dad, and when he gets here he is going to KILL you," I reiterated once again, very calmly.
"Okay. Okay. Let's go," he said through the door. I hung up the phone on the second ring, walked out of the bathroom and out of the apartment without even looking back. I knew he was right behind me.
He had the nerve to be furious with me, and we drove back to my house in silence.
"Are you going to mention this to your parents?" he asked as I got out of the car.
"Oh, yeah. And if I were you, I'd start driving right now, because when I tell my Dad, he's going to come outside and KILL you for taking me to that kind of party." And then I turned around and walked into the house.
See... That young man wasn't worthy of a virtuous young woman. Not at that particular time of his life.
I've told that story to Roxie so she can know exactly what to do if she is ever in a similar situation. But I've also told the boys that story so they will know a Godly young man should NEVER put a young lady in that kind of situation either. And they should not be dating someone who would not object to that kind of party. It's a two-way street.
Peach Cobbler
I have a simple, but great, recipe to share with you today. As with many of my recipes, I borrowed it from my friend, Julie Tuggle.
You will need the following:
1/4 cup sugar
2 tablespoons corn starch
1/2 cup corn syrup
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
3 cups fresh ripe peaches
1 package sugar cookie dough
1. Mix and pour the first five ingredients in a baking dish.
2. Slice and place cookies over peaches.
3. Bake for 1 hour at 350 degrees.
4. Serve with ice cream.
If that isn't simple enough for you, I don't know what else to do. Oh, except give you the BONUS RECIPE from another blog which I promised to share today! That's TWO simple recipes in one day!
Tropical Delite
I found this recipe on The Pioneer Woman's blog under her Tasty Kitchen section. It came from www.smalltowngirl.com, and it sounds divine! I love making cakes that start with cake mixes. So easy!
You will need the following:
1 box butter cake mix
2/3 cups pineapple juice
3 whole eggs
1/2 cup butter
1 15-ounce can Cream of Coconut
1 8-ounce carton Cool Whip
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Mix cake mix, juice, eggs and butter together.
3. Spray Pam in a 9" x 13" cake pan and bake according to cake mix instructions. (Typically, this is 350 degrees for 30 minutes.)
4. When cake is done, allow it to cool for a few minutes. Poke holes all over cake using a large straw.
5. Pour the Cream of Coconut evenly over cake (into the holes). Let the cake cool a little longer (20 minutes or so). You want the cake to be completely cooled off before you begin the next step.
6. Spread Cool Whip on top and, if you are so inclined, sprinkle some coconut flakes over the Cool Whip. Keep refrigerated until serving.
Have a great Tuesday. I'll tell you now... the humidity is 110% in Alabama! I had flashbacks to Amelia Island when I was walking this morning. Wednesday's post is full, full, full of fantastic (and simple) Wisdom, Traditions and Randomness. Trust me... it's worth coming back to sneak a peek!
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting Belinda
Monday, August 16, 2010
Monday Party
Good Monday morning!
The Showcase Pic this week is one more Blast From the Past. Roxie had uploaded several old beach pictures for her file last week, and I'm just borrowing those. This is Roxie and Josh walking on the beach looking for shells... which you never find this late in the day... but when you're little, you always hope!
The Gallery Pics are from the Power Cooking Class I attended Friday at Lana's house (my Pampered Chef buddy). Not only were we cooking up a storm (12 meals in three hours), but we looked good, too. I will not even say, "I highly recommend" this class again. Instead, I will say, "I INSIST you come to a Power Cooking Class the next time she offers one!" It is so worth the time.
Austin picked Lemon Garlic Chicken from the assortment of freezer meals Saturday night, and even though I was weary and worn by Sunday evening, we still had a delicious, EASY home-cooked meal! (To be honest, Sunday night is usually our "cereal" night. Don't shake your head! It's a tradition!)
RANDOMNESS #1 - Last night Roxie walked into my bedroom holding a small, round container of wrinkle cream she had received in her Clinique gift bag. (She bought new powder recently, and we NEVER buy Clinique until the gift bag full of cosmetics is offered at the same time.)
"Do you think Grandmother would want this wrinkle cream?" she asked.
"Well, I know she would, but I would be able to use it, too," I replied.
"Oh. I didn't know if you realized you had a few wrinkles."
"Roxie, I'm almost 49. I know I have wrinkles." Actually, I've counted, and I know exactly how many wrinkles I have, but I'll save that for another post.
"I didn't want to hurt your feelings," she said, grinning. She tossed the wrinkle cream to me, and even as old as I am I caught it in mid-air.
I waited until she left the room, and then I slathered it all over my entire body. I need a bigger container!
RANDOMNESS #2 - We made it! We arrived early enough to park in the parking lot marked Gentleness at church yesterday! It was a toss up between Gentleness and Kindness, but I didn't want to put any undue pressure on myself.
RANDOMNESS #3 - I LOVE going to our new sanctuary. I don't know if this is an indication of my Christian maturity (or immaturity), but I feel like I'm at the RAVE movie theater because the seats are made the same. And when the lights go down right before special music or prayer, and the screens light up, I get the same thrill as I do when I'm sitting beside Mikie on date night with a bucket of really buttered popcorn and a Diet Coke. (I hate Diet Coke, by the way.)
It would be wrong to eat popcorn in church, wouldn't it? I know. I know.
NOTE - There are 100 other reasons why I love going to our new sanctuary. Really, really good ones, too. I know the only ones I've mentioned are the parking lot names, the HUGE women's bathrooms and now the seats, but I promise I'll be listing the reasons with more substance in the very near future! (We had a great message and choir special yesterday!)
Weekend Review - I have so little to write, it is truly amazing.
Josh and Roxie were spending the night with cousins Friday night. Austin was due in very late. Mike and I decided to have a date. Before we left, we received a call from The Boy. Storms had settled over Jacksonville. Evening practice had been cancelled, and he was heading home. I was thrilled. Mikie and I headed to Cracker Barrel for a nice, leisurely dinner, and then home to await The Boy's return.
It was good to see him again. I think he's grown.
Saturday, we awoke to the sound of rain. Lovely, lovely rain. And we promptly rolled over and went to sleep for a little while longer. It was WONDERFUL! Josh and Roxie eventually returned home. Austin and Melia had an afternoon date and arrived back at our house about the same time. Basically, we just "hung out," ate dinner together, and "hung out" some more. Very low key. Very nice.
Sunday has already been discussed above, as well as Project 365, so I won't bore you with those details again.
Things are about to start hopping around here, so I was very thankful for an easy, breezy weekend. Very thankful, indeed!
Monday Party
As I mentioned Friday, this week's ideas all revolve around the theme "Simplicity." Today is no exception.
If you have young children, think about what excites them. What makes an ordinary event a "party" to the three to seven year-old set?
It really is as simple as can be!
Pick a weekday night. Any old night will do. Next, choose at least five out of the 12 suggestions below, and surprise your kids with a GREAT, yet simple, party.
1. Use colorful paper plates and napkins. They can have a theme or just be a bright color.
2. Make a sheet cake or cupcakes. Let the kids decorate them at the table letting them choose from a variety of sprinkles, M & Ms and/or other candies.
3. Eat dessert first.
4. Have background music playing. It can be a kids' CD OR one of your favorites.
5. Serve a favorite food (pizza, chicken fingers, grilled cheese sandwiches, etc.) as the main course.
6. Eat by candlelight.
7. Eat outside.
8. Eat in your pajamas.
9. After dinner, clear the table and play a favorite board game.
10. Wear party hats.
11. For your party craft, pull out the play dough and have everyone make their favorite animal. (Have them make one specific item so you will be able to have an "ending" time to this activity.)
12. Before everyone goes to bed, give them a goodie bag with a fun new toothbrush, a few character band aids, sugarless gum, travel toothpaste, etc.
Have a magnificent Monday. Tuesday promises to be a good day on A Simple Life. I have a great recipe to share, PLUS a bonus recipe from another blog. Don't you love a good bonus?
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting Belinda
The Showcase Pic this week is one more Blast From the Past. Roxie had uploaded several old beach pictures for her file last week, and I'm just borrowing those. This is Roxie and Josh walking on the beach looking for shells... which you never find this late in the day... but when you're little, you always hope!
The Gallery Pics are from the Power Cooking Class I attended Friday at Lana's house (my Pampered Chef buddy). Not only were we cooking up a storm (12 meals in three hours), but we looked good, too. I will not even say, "I highly recommend" this class again. Instead, I will say, "I INSIST you come to a Power Cooking Class the next time she offers one!" It is so worth the time.
Austin picked Lemon Garlic Chicken from the assortment of freezer meals Saturday night, and even though I was weary and worn by Sunday evening, we still had a delicious, EASY home-cooked meal! (To be honest, Sunday night is usually our "cereal" night. Don't shake your head! It's a tradition!)
RANDOMNESS #1 - Last night Roxie walked into my bedroom holding a small, round container of wrinkle cream she had received in her Clinique gift bag. (She bought new powder recently, and we NEVER buy Clinique until the gift bag full of cosmetics is offered at the same time.)
"Do you think Grandmother would want this wrinkle cream?" she asked.
"Well, I know she would, but I would be able to use it, too," I replied.
"Oh. I didn't know if you realized you had a few wrinkles."
"Roxie, I'm almost 49. I know I have wrinkles." Actually, I've counted, and I know exactly how many wrinkles I have, but I'll save that for another post.
"I didn't want to hurt your feelings," she said, grinning. She tossed the wrinkle cream to me, and even as old as I am I caught it in mid-air.
I waited until she left the room, and then I slathered it all over my entire body. I need a bigger container!
RANDOMNESS #2 - We made it! We arrived early enough to park in the parking lot marked Gentleness at church yesterday! It was a toss up between Gentleness and Kindness, but I didn't want to put any undue pressure on myself.
RANDOMNESS #3 - I LOVE going to our new sanctuary. I don't know if this is an indication of my Christian maturity (or immaturity), but I feel like I'm at the RAVE movie theater because the seats are made the same. And when the lights go down right before special music or prayer, and the screens light up, I get the same thrill as I do when I'm sitting beside Mikie on date night with a bucket of really buttered popcorn and a Diet Coke. (I hate Diet Coke, by the way.)
It would be wrong to eat popcorn in church, wouldn't it? I know. I know.
NOTE - There are 100 other reasons why I love going to our new sanctuary. Really, really good ones, too. I know the only ones I've mentioned are the parking lot names, the HUGE women's bathrooms and now the seats, but I promise I'll be listing the reasons with more substance in the very near future! (We had a great message and choir special yesterday!)
Weekend Review - I have so little to write, it is truly amazing.
Josh and Roxie were spending the night with cousins Friday night. Austin was due in very late. Mike and I decided to have a date. Before we left, we received a call from The Boy. Storms had settled over Jacksonville. Evening practice had been cancelled, and he was heading home. I was thrilled. Mikie and I headed to Cracker Barrel for a nice, leisurely dinner, and then home to await The Boy's return.
It was good to see him again. I think he's grown.
Saturday, we awoke to the sound of rain. Lovely, lovely rain. And we promptly rolled over and went to sleep for a little while longer. It was WONDERFUL! Josh and Roxie eventually returned home. Austin and Melia had an afternoon date and arrived back at our house about the same time. Basically, we just "hung out," ate dinner together, and "hung out" some more. Very low key. Very nice.
Sunday has already been discussed above, as well as Project 365, so I won't bore you with those details again.
Things are about to start hopping around here, so I was very thankful for an easy, breezy weekend. Very thankful, indeed!
Monday Party
As I mentioned Friday, this week's ideas all revolve around the theme "Simplicity." Today is no exception.
If you have young children, think about what excites them. What makes an ordinary event a "party" to the three to seven year-old set?
It really is as simple as can be!
Pick a weekday night. Any old night will do. Next, choose at least five out of the 12 suggestions below, and surprise your kids with a GREAT, yet simple, party.
1. Use colorful paper plates and napkins. They can have a theme or just be a bright color.
2. Make a sheet cake or cupcakes. Let the kids decorate them at the table letting them choose from a variety of sprinkles, M & Ms and/or other candies.
3. Eat dessert first.
4. Have background music playing. It can be a kids' CD OR one of your favorites.
5. Serve a favorite food (pizza, chicken fingers, grilled cheese sandwiches, etc.) as the main course.
6. Eat by candlelight.
7. Eat outside.
8. Eat in your pajamas.
9. After dinner, clear the table and play a favorite board game.
10. Wear party hats.
11. For your party craft, pull out the play dough and have everyone make their favorite animal. (Have them make one specific item so you will be able to have an "ending" time to this activity.)
12. Before everyone goes to bed, give them a goodie bag with a fun new toothbrush, a few character band aids, sugarless gum, travel toothpaste, etc.
Have a magnificent Monday. Tuesday promises to be a good day on A Simple Life. I have a great recipe to share, PLUS a bonus recipe from another blog. Don't you love a good bonus?
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting Belinda
Friday, August 13, 2010
Weekend Happenings
Good Friday morning!
The Gallery Pics this morning are from my friend's birthday celebration last night. Janet's daughters, Katie and Kristen, and her BFF, Patti, did a great job, and she was truly surprised. It was a milestone birthday... one which I will be trudging toward in the year to come. I hope I handle it as gracefully and lovely as Janet. (Knowing me, there will probably be a great deal of moaning, groaning and gnashing of teeth. Well, maybe just moaning and groaning. I don't "gnash" my teeth anymore since the "crown" debacle of 2009 and 2010. But I do have a feeling, it ain't going to be a pretty journey!)
RANDOMNESS - My friend, Melaney, sent me a forward the other day. I love this, so I wanted to share.
The Lord is my Shepherd... that's a Relationship!
I shall not want... that's Supply!
He makes me to lie down in green pastures... that's Rest!
He leads me beside the still waters... that's Refreshment!
He restores my soul... that's Healing!
He leads me in the paths of righteousness... that's Guidance!
For His name sake... that's Purpose!
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death... that's Testing!
I will fear no evil... that's Protection!
For You are with me... that's Faithfulness!
Your rod and staff comfort me... that's Discipline!
You prepare a table before me in the presence of mine enemies... that's Hope!
You anoint my head with oil... that's Consecration!
My cup runs over... that's Abundance!
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life... that's Blessing!
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord... that's Security!
Forever... that's Eternity!
This has all the ingredients a Christian needs to live a Christ-centered, balanced life here on this Earth. Talk about a recipe worth keeping handy!
Weekend Happenings
WOW! Have I got some Weekend Happenings to share with you! Pretty exciting stuff... not really. I mean, I'm excited about what's going to be happening in the Faulkner household, but I'm pretty sure most of you will be able to top our activities. I'm going to use the number system today because I'm feeling more "organized" since school started back... everything around here is numbered!
1. I'm POWER COOKING today. That's right. My Pampered Chef friend, Lana, is having a Power Cooking class, and I will prepare NINE meals with chicken in five hours. Some people freeze these and use them over a period of time. Not me, Baby! I've already warned my family we're celebrating The Nine Days of Poultry at our house... STARTING TONIGHT! (Not really. I will spread them out like a normal person.)
2. The Boy is coming home tonight... albeit VERY late tonight. I will be preparing the shrine in anticipation of his return.
3. Mikie and I are having a Date Night tonight because Roxie and Josh will be spending the night hither and yon. Mike asked me what I wanted to do, and so far all I've been able to come up with is sit on the living room couch, wait on The Boy and eat chicken. Hopefully, Mike will have an idea or two up his sleeve.
4. I hope we'll have some sort of Movie Night or Game Night Saturday evening... after we eat our chicken meal.
5. We're worshipping in our NEW SANCTUARY! Last week, we arrived at church "early for us," but "too late to get really good parking." We had to park in the "Joy" section of the parking lot. This week, I'm hoping to park in one of the "Fruits of the Spirit" sections closer to the sanctuary! Maybe "Gentleness." And I wouldn't mind parking in "Faith." I walked by "Faith" the other day and it was pretty close to the front door! (Did you get it? Walk by faith! I crack me up!)
6. After our Sunday chicken meal, we have no plans except to re-group and rest for the week ahead.
See. I told you it wasn't that exciting. But I'm pretty happy with the schedule thus far.
I hope you have a fantastic weekend. Next week's parties, recipes, traditions and dates all have one thing in common... simplicity. With busy fall schedules, we need more simple ways to stay connected with family and friends. As you may or may not know, I'm all about SIMPLE!
Take care, and I'll talk to you Monday.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting (and Anxiously Awaiting Mother of The Boy) Belinda
The Gallery Pics this morning are from my friend's birthday celebration last night. Janet's daughters, Katie and Kristen, and her BFF, Patti, did a great job, and she was truly surprised. It was a milestone birthday... one which I will be trudging toward in the year to come. I hope I handle it as gracefully and lovely as Janet. (Knowing me, there will probably be a great deal of moaning, groaning and gnashing of teeth. Well, maybe just moaning and groaning. I don't "gnash" my teeth anymore since the "crown" debacle of 2009 and 2010. But I do have a feeling, it ain't going to be a pretty journey!)
RANDOMNESS - My friend, Melaney, sent me a forward the other day. I love this, so I wanted to share.
The Lord is my Shepherd... that's a Relationship!
I shall not want... that's Supply!
He makes me to lie down in green pastures... that's Rest!
He leads me beside the still waters... that's Refreshment!
He restores my soul... that's Healing!
He leads me in the paths of righteousness... that's Guidance!
For His name sake... that's Purpose!
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death... that's Testing!
I will fear no evil... that's Protection!
For You are with me... that's Faithfulness!
Your rod and staff comfort me... that's Discipline!
You prepare a table before me in the presence of mine enemies... that's Hope!
You anoint my head with oil... that's Consecration!
My cup runs over... that's Abundance!
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life... that's Blessing!
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord... that's Security!
Forever... that's Eternity!
This has all the ingredients a Christian needs to live a Christ-centered, balanced life here on this Earth. Talk about a recipe worth keeping handy!
Weekend Happenings
WOW! Have I got some Weekend Happenings to share with you! Pretty exciting stuff... not really. I mean, I'm excited about what's going to be happening in the Faulkner household, but I'm pretty sure most of you will be able to top our activities. I'm going to use the number system today because I'm feeling more "organized" since school started back... everything around here is numbered!
1. I'm POWER COOKING today. That's right. My Pampered Chef friend, Lana, is having a Power Cooking class, and I will prepare NINE meals with chicken in five hours. Some people freeze these and use them over a period of time. Not me, Baby! I've already warned my family we're celebrating The Nine Days of Poultry at our house... STARTING TONIGHT! (Not really. I will spread them out like a normal person.)
2. The Boy is coming home tonight... albeit VERY late tonight. I will be preparing the shrine in anticipation of his return.
3. Mikie and I are having a Date Night tonight because Roxie and Josh will be spending the night hither and yon. Mike asked me what I wanted to do, and so far all I've been able to come up with is sit on the living room couch, wait on The Boy and eat chicken. Hopefully, Mike will have an idea or two up his sleeve.
4. I hope we'll have some sort of Movie Night or Game Night Saturday evening... after we eat our chicken meal.
5. We're worshipping in our NEW SANCTUARY! Last week, we arrived at church "early for us," but "too late to get really good parking." We had to park in the "Joy" section of the parking lot. This week, I'm hoping to park in one of the "Fruits of the Spirit" sections closer to the sanctuary! Maybe "Gentleness." And I wouldn't mind parking in "Faith." I walked by "Faith" the other day and it was pretty close to the front door! (Did you get it? Walk by faith! I crack me up!)
6. After our Sunday chicken meal, we have no plans except to re-group and rest for the week ahead.
See. I told you it wasn't that exciting. But I'm pretty happy with the schedule thus far.
I hope you have a fantastic weekend. Next week's parties, recipes, traditions and dates all have one thing in common... simplicity. With busy fall schedules, we need more simple ways to stay connected with family and friends. As you may or may not know, I'm all about SIMPLE!
Take care, and I'll talk to you Monday.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting (and Anxiously Awaiting Mother of The Boy) Belinda
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Switch Dates
Good Thursday morning!
The Gallery Pics are of the pups. It is too hot to move, so their main goal in life is to find a shady spot and "be still." I add ice to their water several times a day, and it melts before our very eyes. I've offered to let them come in, but they refuse. (This I do NOT understand!)
RANDOMNESS - As of today, I have written 464 posts on A Simple Life. That's a pretty big number, isn't it?
On August 26, 2010, I will have successfully completed my Belinda's Project 365 blog (hopefully). A whole year of my life documented with a picture a day. Another big number.
On October 19, 2010, I will have been blogging a total of two years. That's a pretty long time in "blog" years.
In the next few days, I'll be making some decisions about A Simple Life. I will also be thinking about the possibility of documenting my 49th year of life on yet another picture blog.
I've learned a lot the last two years. I've tried new recipes, new restaurants, new activities, new parties, new traditions, etc. from other blogs I've kept up with during that time.
I've made a few new friends. (Real people I have met, talked to and liked very much).
I've talked to quite a few people who have dealt with, or are dealing with, mental illness on a daily basis in their own lives or the lives of someone in their family.
I've read a lot about developing a new "normal" in your family when the old "normal" has disappeared because of illness or grief.
I have laughed, learned and sometimes even cried reading other stories and sharing some of my own.
It has been a relief to "talk" and "get things off my chest," and not feel as if I was boring or burdening someone... because people are free to read or not!
All in all, it has been an enjoyable, positive experience, and one I wouldn't have missed for the world.
As anniversary dates draw nigh, I'll be letting you in on decisions made, changes, etc. as "I figure things out." In fact, you'll be the first to know!
Blog Linkage - Okay. Here are two links for you to read today AFTER you finish A Simple Life. Priorities, girls. Priorities!
1. Click on Big Mama under My Blog List and scroll down today's post to Previous Entries. You'll need to do this twice to arrive at your "must read" post today... "Thin Mints and Nicotine" dated August 10. It gave me a chuckle, and I like to share things which give me a chuckle.
2. Click on Confessions of a Pioneer Woman under My Blog List. At the top of her page, click on "Cooking." Scroll past the Raspberry Crisp until you come to the post entitled "Super Sonic Breakfast Burrito" dated August 9. This looks like a fun, everyone-put-their-own-together dinner. All I have to do is place the ingredients on the table, and everyone gets to create their own burrito! Don't you love her cooking pictures?
Switch Dates
This one is pretty simple in theory. If you have a "Mom" date that is a favorite with you and one of your kids, let Dad take them on this date instead.
For me and Roxie, our "norm" date is shopping. She loves to shop, so we do this quite often together. If we're at the Galleria, we stop at Auntie Anne's Pretzels for a snack in the middle of our shopping excursion. It's predictable, but it is fun.
As you know, Mikie decided to solve the first-day-of-school outfit dilemma by taking Roxie to the Galleria for a shopping date. Five hours and 30 minutes later, they came home empty-handed except for two bangle bracelets. However, they did have fun. And what would have been a comfortable, ordinary date for me and Roxie was new and exciting for her and her Dad.
They even changed the snack destination. They went to Cindy's Cinnamon Rolls instead of Auntie Anne's. It's good to switch things up a bit.
I've been thinking, and if we did a total switch, I would go fishing with the guys. (That is Mikie's "predictable," but fun, date with them.) I'm sure it wouldn't be the same, but I do think it would be memorable.
It's in the works!
What is a regular date for you and one of your kids? Is it eating breakfast at a certain restaurant on Friday mornings before school? Is it going to a chick flick... or an action flick? Let the other parent take your place every now and again, and see how it turns out. It might be interesting!
Have a great Thursday. The week has flown by, hasn't it? On Friday, I'll share some Weekend Happenings and Randomness (as is my custom).
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting Belinda
The Gallery Pics are of the pups. It is too hot to move, so their main goal in life is to find a shady spot and "be still." I add ice to their water several times a day, and it melts before our very eyes. I've offered to let them come in, but they refuse. (This I do NOT understand!)
RANDOMNESS - As of today, I have written 464 posts on A Simple Life. That's a pretty big number, isn't it?
On August 26, 2010, I will have successfully completed my Belinda's Project 365 blog (hopefully). A whole year of my life documented with a picture a day. Another big number.
On October 19, 2010, I will have been blogging a total of two years. That's a pretty long time in "blog" years.
In the next few days, I'll be making some decisions about A Simple Life. I will also be thinking about the possibility of documenting my 49th year of life on yet another picture blog.
I've learned a lot the last two years. I've tried new recipes, new restaurants, new activities, new parties, new traditions, etc. from other blogs I've kept up with during that time.
I've made a few new friends. (Real people I have met, talked to and liked very much).
I've talked to quite a few people who have dealt with, or are dealing with, mental illness on a daily basis in their own lives or the lives of someone in their family.
I've read a lot about developing a new "normal" in your family when the old "normal" has disappeared because of illness or grief.
I have laughed, learned and sometimes even cried reading other stories and sharing some of my own.
It has been a relief to "talk" and "get things off my chest," and not feel as if I was boring or burdening someone... because people are free to read or not!
All in all, it has been an enjoyable, positive experience, and one I wouldn't have missed for the world.
As anniversary dates draw nigh, I'll be letting you in on decisions made, changes, etc. as "I figure things out." In fact, you'll be the first to know!
Blog Linkage - Okay. Here are two links for you to read today AFTER you finish A Simple Life. Priorities, girls. Priorities!
1. Click on Big Mama under My Blog List and scroll down today's post to Previous Entries. You'll need to do this twice to arrive at your "must read" post today... "Thin Mints and Nicotine" dated August 10. It gave me a chuckle, and I like to share things which give me a chuckle.
2. Click on Confessions of a Pioneer Woman under My Blog List. At the top of her page, click on "Cooking." Scroll past the Raspberry Crisp until you come to the post entitled "Super Sonic Breakfast Burrito" dated August 9. This looks like a fun, everyone-put-their-own-together dinner. All I have to do is place the ingredients on the table, and everyone gets to create their own burrito! Don't you love her cooking pictures?
Switch Dates
This one is pretty simple in theory. If you have a "Mom" date that is a favorite with you and one of your kids, let Dad take them on this date instead.
For me and Roxie, our "norm" date is shopping. She loves to shop, so we do this quite often together. If we're at the Galleria, we stop at Auntie Anne's Pretzels for a snack in the middle of our shopping excursion. It's predictable, but it is fun.
As you know, Mikie decided to solve the first-day-of-school outfit dilemma by taking Roxie to the Galleria for a shopping date. Five hours and 30 minutes later, they came home empty-handed except for two bangle bracelets. However, they did have fun. And what would have been a comfortable, ordinary date for me and Roxie was new and exciting for her and her Dad.
They even changed the snack destination. They went to Cindy's Cinnamon Rolls instead of Auntie Anne's. It's good to switch things up a bit.
I've been thinking, and if we did a total switch, I would go fishing with the guys. (That is Mikie's "predictable," but fun, date with them.) I'm sure it wouldn't be the same, but I do think it would be memorable.
It's in the works!
What is a regular date for you and one of your kids? Is it eating breakfast at a certain restaurant on Friday mornings before school? Is it going to a chick flick... or an action flick? Let the other parent take your place every now and again, and see how it turns out. It might be interesting!
Have a great Thursday. The week has flown by, hasn't it? On Friday, I'll share some Weekend Happenings and Randomness (as is my custom).
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting Belinda
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
School Prayer
Good Wednesday morning!
The Gallery Pics are from our FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL. Since we had our Back-to-School Dinner last Saturday night, today was very non-traditional for our family. Roxie wanted to meet some friends at the Chick. Josh needed an extra hour of sleep because he stayed up a little late finishing his last book and writing assignment. Mikie had a 7:00 a.m. meeting. If it had not been for our OFFICIAL Dinner, I would have been beside myself, but it worked out very well.
RANDOMNESS #1 - For those of you wondering, Roxie did not find the perfect First-Day-of-School Outfit. However, she came home with a lovely bracelet to wear with her Plan B outfit. She looked lovely.
RANDOMNESS #2 - I am always fascinated by calendars. Not just mine, but other people's calendars, too. Surprisingly, I do not like a full calendar. I love a calendar which has complete empty spaces during the week. If my own calendar is too full, I feel anxious, overwhelmed and a bit grumpy. Sometimes it cannot be avoided. School, sports and church obligations are added. Sometimes it is impossible to say no to an activity or event.
Yesterday, I received my September issue of Martha Stewart Living. The first page I turn to in her magazine is her Calendar Page. I love reading about her highly-organized month. Martha's calendar isn't horribly full, but it is terribly interesting. Let's take a moment and compare Martha's calendar with my own, shall we?
Martha - September 1
Take dogs to groomer
Vacuum and rotate all mattresses
Belinda - September 1
Complete chore "to-do" list by 1:00 p.m.
Floss
Feed volleyball team
Take volleyball team to Irondale for game
Watch volleyball team trounce Irondale
Bring volleyball team home
Martha - September 2
Refill bird feeders
Pick plums
Make a plum tart for dessert
Belinda - September 2
Complete chore "to-do" list by 1:00 p.m.
Eat four containers of yogurt before they expire
Using only a toothbrush, consider cleaning grout in shower
Re-consider grout cleaning
Fix delicious dinner
Find candles so family will not notice "iffy" presentation
Martha - September 3
Harvest honey
Store in jars
Belinda - September 3
Complete chore "to-do" list by 1:00 p.m.
Floss (AGAIN)
Walk around outside of house spraying poison on wasp nests
(Martha's honey harvesting reminded me of my non-honey producing wasps.)
Martha - September 4
Arrive in Stockholm
Visit Ostermalms Saluhall (Food Hall)
Belinda - September 4
Arrive at Mississippi State for first JSU game
Visit stadium bathrooms (just checking)
Dinner with The Boy after the game
The differences are pretty profound, aren't they? I think I'm going to try to schedule something a little "different" on my calendar each month. I may not go to Stockholm, but surely I can make it a little more... interesting!
Wednesday Wisdom - Yes. It is that time again. The FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL. Here are a few noteworthy words of wisdom regarding the subject.
"As long as there are tests, there will be prayer in schools." Author Unknown
"But there are advantages to being elected President. The day after I was elected, I had my high school grades classified Top Secret." Ronald Reagan
"Smartness runs in my family. When I went to school I was so smart my teacher was in my class for five years." Gracie Allen
"There are three good reasons to be a teacher - June, July, and August." Author Unknown
"What's another word for thesaurus?" Steven Wright.
"Schoolteachers are not fully appreciated by parents until it rains all day Saturday." E. C. McKenzie
Have a great first day back to school!
School Prayer
School Prayer is the most inexpensive, yet valuable, tradition you'll ever start in your home. When the kids were small, we prayed on the way to school.
We prayed for good grades on tests. We prayed for the mean little girl who made fun of our clothes. We prayed we would win the kickball game in P.E. We prayed the kitchen staff would fix crispitos even though the menu clearly said "Meat Surprise." We prayed kind words would flow out of our mouths that day. We prayed for our teachers who were sick. We prayed for our teachers who had been grumpy the day before. We prayed for our teachers... period.
And we still do.
Last year when Austin was in college and Josh was driving, Roxie, Josh and I would have school prayer in the foyer before we left for school. Austin would call and let us know if he had a test or a problem so we could add his specific needs to our School Prayer.
Sometimes I pray. Sometimes one of the kids lead the prayer. I love the last sentence of all of Josh's prayers. "And protect us from all harms." Since I'm a glass-half empty kind of gal, I assume there will be many "harms" during the day, and not just one "harm," so I like this extra protection. And Josh is one of those guys who likes to cover all the bases... and I think his prayer does just that.
Everyone may already do this, but in the event you don't, it is one of the best traditions our family has ever adopted. I highly recommend it!
Have a wonderful Wednesday. I already have a really, really good link for you to read AND a fun date to try with your guy or gal on Thursday's A Simple Life.
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting Belinda
The Gallery Pics are from our FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL. Since we had our Back-to-School Dinner last Saturday night, today was very non-traditional for our family. Roxie wanted to meet some friends at the Chick. Josh needed an extra hour of sleep because he stayed up a little late finishing his last book and writing assignment. Mikie had a 7:00 a.m. meeting. If it had not been for our OFFICIAL Dinner, I would have been beside myself, but it worked out very well.
RANDOMNESS #1 - For those of you wondering, Roxie did not find the perfect First-Day-of-School Outfit. However, she came home with a lovely bracelet to wear with her Plan B outfit. She looked lovely.
RANDOMNESS #2 - I am always fascinated by calendars. Not just mine, but other people's calendars, too. Surprisingly, I do not like a full calendar. I love a calendar which has complete empty spaces during the week. If my own calendar is too full, I feel anxious, overwhelmed and a bit grumpy. Sometimes it cannot be avoided. School, sports and church obligations are added. Sometimes it is impossible to say no to an activity or event.
Yesterday, I received my September issue of Martha Stewart Living. The first page I turn to in her magazine is her Calendar Page. I love reading about her highly-organized month. Martha's calendar isn't horribly full, but it is terribly interesting. Let's take a moment and compare Martha's calendar with my own, shall we?
Martha - September 1
Take dogs to groomer
Vacuum and rotate all mattresses
Belinda - September 1
Complete chore "to-do" list by 1:00 p.m.
Floss
Feed volleyball team
Take volleyball team to Irondale for game
Watch volleyball team trounce Irondale
Bring volleyball team home
Martha - September 2
Refill bird feeders
Pick plums
Make a plum tart for dessert
Belinda - September 2
Complete chore "to-do" list by 1:00 p.m.
Eat four containers of yogurt before they expire
Using only a toothbrush, consider cleaning grout in shower
Re-consider grout cleaning
Fix delicious dinner
Find candles so family will not notice "iffy" presentation
Martha - September 3
Harvest honey
Store in jars
Belinda - September 3
Complete chore "to-do" list by 1:00 p.m.
Floss (AGAIN)
Walk around outside of house spraying poison on wasp nests
(Martha's honey harvesting reminded me of my non-honey producing wasps.)
Martha - September 4
Arrive in Stockholm
Visit Ostermalms Saluhall (Food Hall)
Belinda - September 4
Arrive at Mississippi State for first JSU game
Visit stadium bathrooms (just checking)
Dinner with The Boy after the game
The differences are pretty profound, aren't they? I think I'm going to try to schedule something a little "different" on my calendar each month. I may not go to Stockholm, but surely I can make it a little more... interesting!
Wednesday Wisdom - Yes. It is that time again. The FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL. Here are a few noteworthy words of wisdom regarding the subject.
"As long as there are tests, there will be prayer in schools." Author Unknown
"But there are advantages to being elected President. The day after I was elected, I had my high school grades classified Top Secret." Ronald Reagan
"Smartness runs in my family. When I went to school I was so smart my teacher was in my class for five years." Gracie Allen
"There are three good reasons to be a teacher - June, July, and August." Author Unknown
"What's another word for thesaurus?" Steven Wright.
"Schoolteachers are not fully appreciated by parents until it rains all day Saturday." E. C. McKenzie
Have a great first day back to school!
School Prayer
School Prayer is the most inexpensive, yet valuable, tradition you'll ever start in your home. When the kids were small, we prayed on the way to school.
We prayed for good grades on tests. We prayed for the mean little girl who made fun of our clothes. We prayed we would win the kickball game in P.E. We prayed the kitchen staff would fix crispitos even though the menu clearly said "Meat Surprise." We prayed kind words would flow out of our mouths that day. We prayed for our teachers who were sick. We prayed for our teachers who had been grumpy the day before. We prayed for our teachers... period.
And we still do.
Last year when Austin was in college and Josh was driving, Roxie, Josh and I would have school prayer in the foyer before we left for school. Austin would call and let us know if he had a test or a problem so we could add his specific needs to our School Prayer.
Sometimes I pray. Sometimes one of the kids lead the prayer. I love the last sentence of all of Josh's prayers. "And protect us from all harms." Since I'm a glass-half empty kind of gal, I assume there will be many "harms" during the day, and not just one "harm," so I like this extra protection. And Josh is one of those guys who likes to cover all the bases... and I think his prayer does just that.
Everyone may already do this, but in the event you don't, it is one of the best traditions our family has ever adopted. I highly recommend it!
Have a wonderful Wednesday. I already have a really, really good link for you to read AND a fun date to try with your guy or gal on Thursday's A Simple Life.
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting Belinda
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Wonderful Sack Lunches
Good Tuesday morning!
The Gallery Pics are a few shots from our shopping trip yesterday at The Summit. I took a photo of a Mexican restaurant we visited called Chuy's. Can I just say... "Go there!" It was colorful, clean and fun. They even make their flour tortillas in the middle of the restaurant so if you have small kids (or ME), they will be entertained waiting for their food. Oh, and they have the best chips I've ever had. VERY light and crispy. They also have eight different sauces you can use for dipping the chips or with your meal. Can you tell I liked it?
RANDOMNESS - We have our second-day-of-school outfit ready. We have our fourth-day-of-school outfit ready. However, WE DO NOT... I repeat... WE DO NOT have our first-day-of-school outfit ready to go.
I know you think I've waited until the last minute. Not so! We have been to every mall and/or boutique in our area more than once. Every single one. It has now become a major source of stress and duress as you can imagine. The first-day-of-school outfit can set the tone for the WHOLE YEAR (which explains why some of my school years were less "wonderful" than I had hoped)!
Mikie doesn't get it. He doesn't understand how difficult it is to find the perfect shirt to go with the perfect pants to go with the perfect earrings (which, by the way, we have in our possession).
So when he said, "Why don't I take Roxie to the Galleria after volleyball practice and she can pick something out there?" part of me wanted to scream "Hallelujah," and the other part wanted to scream, "IT'S NOT THAT EASY! WE'VE BEEN THERE 22 TIMES ALREADY!"
But Roxie grinned and agreed.
What will rub me the wrong way will be the sight (forever burned into my brain) of Roxie and Mikie walking in with two perfect shirts (one for the first day and one for the fourth day) at 9:00 p.m. tonight. I am sure they will be sipping vanilla milkshakes, perfectly relaxed and content. Yeah! That's not going to be easy to accept.
On the other hand, if it is a bonding experience for the two of them, who am I to stand in their way!
Wonderful Sack Lunches
I found several websites with great sack lunch ideas. (Just Google "Fun Sack Lunch Ideas.") Here are three of my favorites!
Cracker/Stacker Lunch - This lunch is modeled from the popular snack packs you buy at your grocery store. Make sure all the foods are totally prepared. All your child has to do is assemble and eat. Cut the cheese and lunch meat into shapes the same size as the crackers, but pack them separately. The crackers will become soggy unless separated.
Ritz Crackers
Cheese Rounds
Lunch Meat
Baby Carrots
Ranch Dip
Vanilla Peach Pudding Cup (Make your own by mixing any fruit and any flavor of pudding in this simple recipe.)
Mini Bagel Sandwiches Lunch - This is one of my favorite sandwiches. You can get these at Momma Goldberg's Deli in Homewood. No matter what kind of sandwich you eat (even tuna), the bagel doesn't fall apart or get soggy.
Mini Bagel Sandwiches (Use little bagels to make any kind of sandwich you like. A favorite of mine is flavored cream cheese combined with sliced chicken breast and sliced tomatoes. )
Mandarin Orange Gelatin Salad (Before the gelatin sets, add the fruit and spoon the mixture into small resealable containers for easy packing into lunchboxes.)
Chocolate Chip Cookies
Wrap Sandwiches Lunch
Wrap Sandwiches (Bake chicken fingers. Add a chicken finger, mayo or ranch dressing, tomato and cheese, and wrap in a tortilla. For variety, look for flavored tortillas, including spinach and red pepper.)
Bottled orange juice
Super Easy Cupcakes (See recipe below.)
1 package any flavor cake mix
2 cups mascarpone cheese
2 eggs
1/3 cup any flavor fruit preserves
1/2 cup nuts, coconut, or chocolate chips
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Line muffin cups with paper liners and set aside.
3. In large bowl, mix all ingredients except preserves and nuts or chocolate chips. Stir well by hand until batter forms. Fill lined muffins cups 1/2 full with batter.
4. Place 1/2 teaspoon preserves in center of batter, then cover with remaining batter.
5. Sprinkle with nuts, coconut or chocolate chips.
6. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 to 30 minutes until cupcakes spring back when touched in center.
7. Store cupcakes in refrigerator.
Add a fun napkin (complete with a special note) and you have a great back-to-school lunch for your guy or gal.
Have a cool Tuesday (if that is possible). On Wednesday, I'll be sharing the norm... Wisdom, Traditions, Randomness, etc., etc.
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting Belinda
The Gallery Pics are a few shots from our shopping trip yesterday at The Summit. I took a photo of a Mexican restaurant we visited called Chuy's. Can I just say... "Go there!" It was colorful, clean and fun. They even make their flour tortillas in the middle of the restaurant so if you have small kids (or ME), they will be entertained waiting for their food. Oh, and they have the best chips I've ever had. VERY light and crispy. They also have eight different sauces you can use for dipping the chips or with your meal. Can you tell I liked it?
RANDOMNESS - We have our second-day-of-school outfit ready. We have our fourth-day-of-school outfit ready. However, WE DO NOT... I repeat... WE DO NOT have our first-day-of-school outfit ready to go.
I know you think I've waited until the last minute. Not so! We have been to every mall and/or boutique in our area more than once. Every single one. It has now become a major source of stress and duress as you can imagine. The first-day-of-school outfit can set the tone for the WHOLE YEAR (which explains why some of my school years were less "wonderful" than I had hoped)!
Mikie doesn't get it. He doesn't understand how difficult it is to find the perfect shirt to go with the perfect pants to go with the perfect earrings (which, by the way, we have in our possession).
So when he said, "Why don't I take Roxie to the Galleria after volleyball practice and she can pick something out there?" part of me wanted to scream "Hallelujah," and the other part wanted to scream, "IT'S NOT THAT EASY! WE'VE BEEN THERE 22 TIMES ALREADY!"
But Roxie grinned and agreed.
What will rub me the wrong way will be the sight (forever burned into my brain) of Roxie and Mikie walking in with two perfect shirts (one for the first day and one for the fourth day) at 9:00 p.m. tonight. I am sure they will be sipping vanilla milkshakes, perfectly relaxed and content. Yeah! That's not going to be easy to accept.
On the other hand, if it is a bonding experience for the two of them, who am I to stand in their way!
Wonderful Sack Lunches
I found several websites with great sack lunch ideas. (Just Google "Fun Sack Lunch Ideas.") Here are three of my favorites!
Cracker/Stacker Lunch - This lunch is modeled from the popular snack packs you buy at your grocery store. Make sure all the foods are totally prepared. All your child has to do is assemble and eat. Cut the cheese and lunch meat into shapes the same size as the crackers, but pack them separately. The crackers will become soggy unless separated.
Ritz Crackers
Cheese Rounds
Lunch Meat
Baby Carrots
Ranch Dip
Vanilla Peach Pudding Cup (Make your own by mixing any fruit and any flavor of pudding in this simple recipe.)
Mini Bagel Sandwiches Lunch - This is one of my favorite sandwiches. You can get these at Momma Goldberg's Deli in Homewood. No matter what kind of sandwich you eat (even tuna), the bagel doesn't fall apart or get soggy.
Mini Bagel Sandwiches (Use little bagels to make any kind of sandwich you like. A favorite of mine is flavored cream cheese combined with sliced chicken breast and sliced tomatoes. )
Mandarin Orange Gelatin Salad (Before the gelatin sets, add the fruit and spoon the mixture into small resealable containers for easy packing into lunchboxes.)
Chocolate Chip Cookies
Wrap Sandwiches Lunch
Wrap Sandwiches (Bake chicken fingers. Add a chicken finger, mayo or ranch dressing, tomato and cheese, and wrap in a tortilla. For variety, look for flavored tortillas, including spinach and red pepper.)
Bottled orange juice
Super Easy Cupcakes (See recipe below.)
1 package any flavor cake mix
2 cups mascarpone cheese
2 eggs
1/3 cup any flavor fruit preserves
1/2 cup nuts, coconut, or chocolate chips
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Line muffin cups with paper liners and set aside.
3. In large bowl, mix all ingredients except preserves and nuts or chocolate chips. Stir well by hand until batter forms. Fill lined muffins cups 1/2 full with batter.
4. Place 1/2 teaspoon preserves in center of batter, then cover with remaining batter.
5. Sprinkle with nuts, coconut or chocolate chips.
6. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 to 30 minutes until cupcakes spring back when touched in center.
7. Store cupcakes in refrigerator.
Add a fun napkin (complete with a special note) and you have a great back-to-school lunch for your guy or gal.
Have a cool Tuesday (if that is possible). On Wednesday, I'll be sharing the norm... Wisdom, Traditions, Randomness, etc., etc.
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting Belinda
Monday, August 9, 2010
Back-to-School Party
Good Monday morning!
The Showcase Pic is from a million years ago. It's just Josh and Roxie resting a minute after a day of sun and fun at the beach. I always feel very nostalgic when school starts, so don't be surprised if you see a few more "way back when" pictures in the Gallery this week.
The Gallery Pics are just a few shots I took before Austin left for JSU yesterday. Again, I'm feeling VERY nostalgic, so bear with me a few days.
REMINDER - If you are looking for holiday or special occasion ideas, etc., you can always go to my Archives and click on 2009. You then click on the month and all of the parties, recipes, traditions, dates, etc. for the month will magically appear! (Actually, you have to scroll down and read the headings.)
For example... If you are looking for Halloween ideas, click on 2009. Then click on October under the year 2009. It's all there, Baby!
Weekend Review
Mike and Sons headed to a Man Movie Friday night which was fine with the Faulkner Chicks. Roxie was exhausted from volleyball practice, and I was exhausted from... Well, it was past 2:00 p.m.
Saturday morning, Roxie I and were up at 6:00 a.m. to get ready for her "practice" volleyball tournament. We played five teams for 30 minutes apiece. The teams we played were made up of ALL 8th graders who had been playing together for two years. Although we didn't win, we held our own with several of our opponents. It was also great experience for our first game which will be here before we know it! I think we're going to have a really good year.
Saturday night, we had our first ever Back-to-School Dinner. Personally, I liked it better than the breakfast because we had so much more time. Mikie grilled steaks and Texas toast. Austin baked potatoes. Grandmother tossed a salad. I was in charge of the cream cheese pound cake, but we were very late getting home from the tournament. However, I had a BRILLIANT idea! Fresh, assorted-flavored Krispy Kreme doughnuts makes a FANTASTIC Back-to-School Dessert. (I highly recommend it in a pinch!)
Sunday was almost too exciting and overwhelming to remember. Austin was due at JSU by 1:00 for Band Camp check-in. Normally, we would probably have stayed home and had a relaxing morning with him. He would have left around 10:30, and we would have attended Sunday School. But this Sunday, August 8, 2010, was so special! We moved into our new sanctuary!
We were so blessed to be able to experience this amazing and exciting time in our church's history as a family. Not a "sitting together" family, but a family nonetheless.
Roxie and Josh said their good-byes before church. Mikie took Roxie and Josh drove. That left me and The Boy. We piled into his packed pick-up and headed to church. Thank goodness I had him drop me off while he parked. I was able to secure the last three seats together in the whole sanctuary. It was packed! Again... amazing!
I spotted Josh in the youth section, and Austin and I texted Mikie until he found us. Roxie and her friend, Ally, were having trouble finding a seat, so I went down to help them. I told Austin, "I don't care if a 99 year-old woman or a 10 month pregnant lady asks you if they can have this seat. You tell them 'NO!' Do you understand? I'm sitting next to you for the next 52 minutes. Got it?"
Of course I didn't really say that! How tacky would that have been? I can't even imagine. (In reality, I just had to look at Mikie and raise an eyebrow. He knew exactly what would happen if my seat was gone upon my return. We're close like that, you know. He can read me like a book... Which is good because I don't have to say horrible things in front of the kids.)
Upon returning to MY seat, we enjoyed a wonderful, sweet service together. And then it was over.
Mike, Austin and I left a few minutes early because we had to report to the Youth Department to "do our jobs." We were alone for a few seconds in the hallway overlooking the main floor. We hugged, kissed and said good-bye. And I felt very dissatisfied with our farewell. However, Austin seemed eager and a little sad at the same time. (Finally, The Boy has learned the proper way to leave home.)
We'll move him officially into his new dorm on the 16th. His living arrangements for Band Camp are temporary so there was no need for the family to "move him in" yesterday.
He just called. He's on his way to breakfast with his section, old and new friends. He's confident and excited. He couldn't believe some people opted to not come back to the band this year. (He cannot comprehend NOT loving the band.) His section is 14 members strong, and he is so looking forward to the next few months. And I'm happy for him. I really am.
But I will always miss him.
Back-to-School Party
I found a new website (www.amazingmoms.com) which had some great ideas for throwing a simple, inexpensive party for your children and their friends. This is definitely for the younger crowd!
The summer vacation is winding down and the excitement of a new school year begins. For some children this time brings joy, while others may experience a bit of anxiety. Hosting a back-to-school party filled with games and giggles, will ease worries and give excited children somewhere to place their energy.
Invitations - Make your own invitations with red apples cut from card stock paper. Or, hand deliver a real apple with a note tied to the stem.
Decorations - Fill the party area with real apples, stacks of books, pencils etc. You'll find a variety of back-to-school items at your local teacher store, The Dollar Tree or on-line.
Party Games and Activities - Here's a list of back-to-school game ideas for a variety of ages to help you get your own creative juices flowing.
Build a Lunch Relay Race
Fill a Back Pack Relay
Pencil Hunt - Hide pencils for the kids to find. (Attach treats to several of the pencils.
Pencil Box Game - Fill a pencil box with school items (scissors, pencil, crayon etc.). Show the children the filled box. Leave the room and remove one item. When you return have the children guess what is missing. Replace the missing item and play again. They can take turns removing the items for the game as well.
Show and Tell - Invite your guests to bring pictures (photos or magazine cut-outs) of their favorite summertime activities, a recent family vacation, etc. Set aside time for a two or three-minute per child “Show and Tell.” (Kids LOVE Show and Tell!)
Certificates of Summer - Before the party, create your own certificates or buy blank awards at a local craft or dollar store. (Make sure they have a space to write what the award is for, as well as an area to write the child’s name.) After everyone has had a chance to share their stories of summer, hold an anonymous vote for special awards (Who Had the Most Fun, Who Traveled the Farthest, Who Got the Best Tan, Who Grew the Most, Who Got the Best Hair Cut, Who Changed the Most (and Least), Who Had the Funniest Experience, etc.) Collect the votes, fill out the certificates, and have an awards ceremony!
Apple Prints - Cut apples in half from top to bottom. Pour red paint in a cookie sheet and press the apples onto paper.
Sack Lunch Treats - Of course, you'll need to serve a brown bag lunch for back to school! Pack an apple in each bag. You can also use school bus or alphabet cookie cutters to transform an ordinary peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Add cookies and juice. Serve in a brown bag with a colorful, fun napkin.
Party Favors - Each child can be given a box of crayons, pencils or stickers as a thank you gift.
Extra Activity - If your elementary school playground is accessible, take the party to the playground for 30 or 45 minutes of free play before the party ends. (You can ask a school official if this is permissible a couple of weeks before the date of the party.)
Have a productive Monday. We have two more days before school begins... and a lot to do! Tuesday's post will include some imaginative and creative ideas for school lunches, so you'll definitely want to check it out!
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting Belinda
The Showcase Pic is from a million years ago. It's just Josh and Roxie resting a minute after a day of sun and fun at the beach. I always feel very nostalgic when school starts, so don't be surprised if you see a few more "way back when" pictures in the Gallery this week.
The Gallery Pics are just a few shots I took before Austin left for JSU yesterday. Again, I'm feeling VERY nostalgic, so bear with me a few days.
REMINDER - If you are looking for holiday or special occasion ideas, etc., you can always go to my Archives and click on 2009. You then click on the month and all of the parties, recipes, traditions, dates, etc. for the month will magically appear! (Actually, you have to scroll down and read the headings.)
For example... If you are looking for Halloween ideas, click on 2009. Then click on October under the year 2009. It's all there, Baby!
Weekend Review
Mike and Sons headed to a Man Movie Friday night which was fine with the Faulkner Chicks. Roxie was exhausted from volleyball practice, and I was exhausted from... Well, it was past 2:00 p.m.
Saturday morning, Roxie I and were up at 6:00 a.m. to get ready for her "practice" volleyball tournament. We played five teams for 30 minutes apiece. The teams we played were made up of ALL 8th graders who had been playing together for two years. Although we didn't win, we held our own with several of our opponents. It was also great experience for our first game which will be here before we know it! I think we're going to have a really good year.
Saturday night, we had our first ever Back-to-School Dinner. Personally, I liked it better than the breakfast because we had so much more time. Mikie grilled steaks and Texas toast. Austin baked potatoes. Grandmother tossed a salad. I was in charge of the cream cheese pound cake, but we were very late getting home from the tournament. However, I had a BRILLIANT idea! Fresh, assorted-flavored Krispy Kreme doughnuts makes a FANTASTIC Back-to-School Dessert. (I highly recommend it in a pinch!)
Sunday was almost too exciting and overwhelming to remember. Austin was due at JSU by 1:00 for Band Camp check-in. Normally, we would probably have stayed home and had a relaxing morning with him. He would have left around 10:30, and we would have attended Sunday School. But this Sunday, August 8, 2010, was so special! We moved into our new sanctuary!
We were so blessed to be able to experience this amazing and exciting time in our church's history as a family. Not a "sitting together" family, but a family nonetheless.
Roxie and Josh said their good-byes before church. Mikie took Roxie and Josh drove. That left me and The Boy. We piled into his packed pick-up and headed to church. Thank goodness I had him drop me off while he parked. I was able to secure the last three seats together in the whole sanctuary. It was packed! Again... amazing!
I spotted Josh in the youth section, and Austin and I texted Mikie until he found us. Roxie and her friend, Ally, were having trouble finding a seat, so I went down to help them. I told Austin, "I don't care if a 99 year-old woman or a 10 month pregnant lady asks you if they can have this seat. You tell them 'NO!' Do you understand? I'm sitting next to you for the next 52 minutes. Got it?"
Of course I didn't really say that! How tacky would that have been? I can't even imagine. (In reality, I just had to look at Mikie and raise an eyebrow. He knew exactly what would happen if my seat was gone upon my return. We're close like that, you know. He can read me like a book... Which is good because I don't have to say horrible things in front of the kids.)
Upon returning to MY seat, we enjoyed a wonderful, sweet service together. And then it was over.
Mike, Austin and I left a few minutes early because we had to report to the Youth Department to "do our jobs." We were alone for a few seconds in the hallway overlooking the main floor. We hugged, kissed and said good-bye. And I felt very dissatisfied with our farewell. However, Austin seemed eager and a little sad at the same time. (Finally, The Boy has learned the proper way to leave home.)
We'll move him officially into his new dorm on the 16th. His living arrangements for Band Camp are temporary so there was no need for the family to "move him in" yesterday.
He just called. He's on his way to breakfast with his section, old and new friends. He's confident and excited. He couldn't believe some people opted to not come back to the band this year. (He cannot comprehend NOT loving the band.) His section is 14 members strong, and he is so looking forward to the next few months. And I'm happy for him. I really am.
But I will always miss him.
Back-to-School Party
I found a new website (www.amazingmoms.com) which had some great ideas for throwing a simple, inexpensive party for your children and their friends. This is definitely for the younger crowd!
The summer vacation is winding down and the excitement of a new school year begins. For some children this time brings joy, while others may experience a bit of anxiety. Hosting a back-to-school party filled with games and giggles, will ease worries and give excited children somewhere to place their energy.
Invitations - Make your own invitations with red apples cut from card stock paper. Or, hand deliver a real apple with a note tied to the stem.
Decorations - Fill the party area with real apples, stacks of books, pencils etc. You'll find a variety of back-to-school items at your local teacher store, The Dollar Tree or on-line.
Party Games and Activities - Here's a list of back-to-school game ideas for a variety of ages to help you get your own creative juices flowing.
Build a Lunch Relay Race
Fill a Back Pack Relay
Pencil Hunt - Hide pencils for the kids to find. (Attach treats to several of the pencils.
Pencil Box Game - Fill a pencil box with school items (scissors, pencil, crayon etc.). Show the children the filled box. Leave the room and remove one item. When you return have the children guess what is missing. Replace the missing item and play again. They can take turns removing the items for the game as well.
Show and Tell - Invite your guests to bring pictures (photos or magazine cut-outs) of their favorite summertime activities, a recent family vacation, etc. Set aside time for a two or three-minute per child “Show and Tell.” (Kids LOVE Show and Tell!)
Certificates of Summer - Before the party, create your own certificates or buy blank awards at a local craft or dollar store. (Make sure they have a space to write what the award is for, as well as an area to write the child’s name.) After everyone has had a chance to share their stories of summer, hold an anonymous vote for special awards (Who Had the Most Fun, Who Traveled the Farthest, Who Got the Best Tan, Who Grew the Most, Who Got the Best Hair Cut, Who Changed the Most (and Least), Who Had the Funniest Experience, etc.) Collect the votes, fill out the certificates, and have an awards ceremony!
Apple Prints - Cut apples in half from top to bottom. Pour red paint in a cookie sheet and press the apples onto paper.
Sack Lunch Treats - Of course, you'll need to serve a brown bag lunch for back to school! Pack an apple in each bag. You can also use school bus or alphabet cookie cutters to transform an ordinary peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Add cookies and juice. Serve in a brown bag with a colorful, fun napkin.
Party Favors - Each child can be given a box of crayons, pencils or stickers as a thank you gift.
Extra Activity - If your elementary school playground is accessible, take the party to the playground for 30 or 45 minutes of free play before the party ends. (You can ask a school official if this is permissible a couple of weeks before the date of the party.)
Have a productive Monday. We have two more days before school begins... and a lot to do! Tuesday's post will include some imaginative and creative ideas for school lunches, so you'll definitely want to check it out!
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting Belinda
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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!