Good Thursday morning!
The Gallery Pic is of Roxie's Birthday Card Door! Isn't it pretty? Isn't it festive? Isn't it a lovely reminder of a lovely day? It is so easy to do, and it puts a smile on your kiddo's face every morning for a week... and it costs nothing!
CONTEST! CONTEST! CONTEST! - In honor of my 500th post on A Simple Life, I am having a Contest for the last Mystery Bag Party. The first SIX WOMEN who comment in the Comment Section, via e-mail or Facebook beginning at 6:30 a.m. TOMORROW, Friday, OCTOBER 1, will be eligible to climb on board the Big Gold Van for the fourth and final Mystery Bag Party!
I'll announce winners as soon as the first six people have entered the Contest. Mark it on your calendars... Friday, October 1 beginning at 6:30 a.m.
I'll be checking the time of each and every entry on Facebook, e-mail, etc. to make sure everything is fair!
October Special Guest Hints - Here are three more little hints to keep you guessing. Our Special Guest will be here TOMORROW!
4. She loves MY kids (all three), and I love her kiddos right back (all three).
5. She's a little younger than me... but not so much it is annoying.
6. She looks like she would be at home in Italy... and a light summer breeze gives her an unbelievable dark, dark tan. (And I'm a little jealous about that one. Can you tell?)
Okay. Guess away. You'll know the answer tomorrow.
Roxie's Birth Day Story - Part Five
Well, the time finally arrived to schedule a C-Section. The table we called my stomach was now measuring around 50 weeks... and growing daily. Uncomfortable doesn't seem to be an adequate word to describe the way I felt. And trying not to be fearful was very, very difficult.
The day of the scheduled C-Section, September 25, 1996, we arrived at the hospital. Everything was in place. The plan had not changed. Mike and Mom were to stay with Roxie NO MATTER WHAT, and Daddy would stay with me.
At noon, we went to the operating room to get Roxie. In a matter of a few minutes, Mike and I heard crying. Crying with gusto, actually. And then we met Roxie. Fat, angry, red cheeks, a little auburn hair... she didn't look like her esophagus wasn't attached to her stomach.
The nurse cleaned her and right before they took her away for her tests, she gave her to me one more time to kiss. The nurse leaned down and whispered in my ear, "What did you name this baby?"
"Roxie," I replied.
"Perfect," the nurse said... and then after a quick kiss and an "I love you" from Mikie, they were gone.
I was later taken to a semi-dark room. No one was there. I looked at the clock on the wall. It had been an hour since I had went into the operating room. I picked up the phone, but it wasn't connected. Very, very strange.
Of all things, a workman came in to work on the thermostat. I asked him to turn on a light and to keep the door open. I then asked him if he could find a nurse. He kindly did so.
When the nurse arrived, she asked if I needed pain meds which I refused. Although I knew the epidural was wearing off, when I take pain meds I am out for the count. I didn't want to be unconscious if they had to take Roxie to Children's. I asked her if she had seen my Dad. She said no, but she would watch for him. Again, very, very strange.
.
The clock kept ticking. I had now been in the room over 30 minutes by myself. Where was Daddy? Something was wrong. The only reason for him to not be with me would be because something was not right with Roxie. About that time, I saw him walking past the door. I yelled for him, and he came and sat down beside me... his assigned post for the day. He said he had been looking for me for over 30 minutes, but no one knew where I was. He had been going into rooms (containing new mothers) for the last half hour just looking. It was a wonder he wasn't arrested!
We sat in a very comfortable silence, holding hands and waiting. He didn't know to ask about pain medication, and I didn't tell him what I was doing, but my epidural was wearing off pretty fast.
We received a couple of phone calls during the long day from my Mom and Mike giving us updates on the testing and we continued to wait.
My Aunt Connie and my mom's best friend, Mrs. Davis, came in to check on me. They knew pretty soon into the conversation I was not taking meds. If I remember correctly (and I probably don't), they really jumped Daddy about not taking care of that little issue. But again, being a man who had never given birth, he was totally oblivious.
Needless to say, the nurse and I had to come to an agreement on what I could take that would take the edge off the pain, but would allow me to stay awake enough to know what was going on with Miss Roxie. That taken care of, we waited some more.
When Mom came in several hours later, she gave us the news everything in Roxie was "connected." No surgery needed. They were going to move me to a room and then Mikie and Roxie were coming to see me. I held her again at 7:00 p.m. that night. Seven hours after she was born. And then I had the nurse bring me some really, really strong pain meds!
And that's Roxie's Birth Day Story. Again, not to compare or complain to other women who have been through so much more. It is simply her story... her beginning... our beginning as the Faulkner Five.
I wrote this in her baby book while I was in the hospital 13 years ago (on heavy, heavy pain meds), but it's still true today...
"September 25, 1996 - When Austin was born, I was amazed at how much I loved him. He was my total obsession. When Joshua was born, I was amazed I could love another child as much as my first. He was my heart. When Roxie was born, I was amazed God had blessed me yet again with this beautiful little girl. She was (and is) my heart's desire."
Blog Linkage - I found a new link in my Better Homes and Garden magazine. If you like "creative" (and I think we all do), go to www.creativethursday.typepad.com for inspiration and ideas. It looks like a great website.
Sick Day Date
Nothing can "mess up" a perfectly planned day like a child's unexpected illness. Once you've checked and there is a fever and school is out of the question, you can do one of two things... make the best of what could be a really long, whiny day or turn a really long, whiny day into something GREAT!
Here are a few ideas for a Sick Day Date...
1. After you have dropped the siblings off at their respective schools, put on your pajamas, too. Face it! You're not going anywhere.
2. Cuddle on the couch with some popcorn and a favorite movie. Enjoy!
3. When it comes time for a "bland" snack, add food coloring to vanilla pudding and let the child pudding paint before he/she eats.
4. For lunch, drive to the child's favorite fast-food restaurant and go through the drive-thru. Find a nice shady spot to park your car, crawl into the back seat and eat lunch while you read a book or two.
5. Take a nap together. Really enjoy!
6. Let the child pick his/her favorite board game and play it as many times as they want without any sibling interruption.
7. While you are cooking dinner, have your little one nearby coloring and talking.
8. Use your imagination!
Of course, I'm not talking about stomach viruses or high fever kind of illnesses. You could do these things on the last day the child stays home after having a virus for two or more days. They still aren't well enough for school, but they aren't really sick either.
It's hard to plan an eight-hour date, so when one happens to fall in your lap, ALWAYS take advantage of it!
Have a beautiful Thursday. It's the last day of September, so I'll remind you one more time to Spread the Love. It's not too late. Pick a person (family, friend, acquaintance), and take a little time today to lift them up with a kind word, a written note, etc. It takes so little effort on our part, but sometimes it makes a huge impact on another person. You never know if someone might be struggling, and words are powerful, powerful things.
Friday is an EXTREMELY busy day on A Simple Life. Our October Special Guest will be revealed! The winners of the fourth Mystery Bag Party will be announced. I'll be going over Weekend Happenings and there will be a little Randomness sprinkled in for good measure. It's going to be a good day!
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting Belinda
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Decorate a Fall Tree
Good Wednesday morning!
The Gallery Pics are of Copper and Sparkle enjoying the crisp, cool autumn air. They are finally moving again. I love to watch them play in the fall and spring.
CONTEST! CONTEST! CONTEST! - In honor of my 500th post on A Simple Life, I am having a contest for the last Mystery Bag Party. The first SIX WOMEN who comment in the Comment Section, via e-mail or Facebook beginning 6:30 a.m. Friday, OCTOBER 1, will be eligible to climb on board the Big Gold Van for the fourth and final Mystery Bag Party!
I'll announce winners as soon as the first six people have entered the contest. Mark it on your calendars... Friday, October 1 at 6:30 a.m.
October Special Guest Hints - In only two days, our October Special Guest will be making an appearance! Here are a few hints for your guessing pleasure...
1. She is the wife of one and mother of three.
2. She is the driving force in her family... literally.
3. She is ALWAYS on the ball.
I'll have a few more hints tomorrow. Commence guessing!
Roxie's Birth Day Story - Part Four
As the weeks slowly went by (as they so often do in the last trimester of pregnancy), my numbers went up. It took a long time, but three weeks before Roxie was due, I had reached the "borderline number." It wasn't my goal number, but the doctor was much more confident of a safe delivery at this point of the pregnancy.
However, as I stated before, we were about to hit Incident #4 of this pregnancy. I was now going to the doctor weekly. A sure sign you are going to have the baby sooner than later. I was huge. And I don't mean huge from eating powdered doughnuts and Sneaky Pete's hotdogs thrice daily (see Austin's Birth Day Story). I mean huge as in Kate Gosselin! However, we knew because of multiple ultrasounds, there was only one little baby in there. Hmmm.
"You're measuring over 44 weeks," the doctor told me.
"I thought when you measured 40 weeks, it was pretty much time for the baby," I said.
"That is correct. Let's do another ultrasound and try to figure out what's going on," he said.
Now, I'm okay with ultrasounds. Except for a little cold jelly on the belly, it isn't painful, and because it is basically taking pictures of the baby, it's right up my alley.
"The baby is a normal size for 37 weeks. However, there is a very large amount of fluid," he told me. Fluid. That didn't sound bad. I could set a two-piece place setting of china and a pot roast on top of my belly and still have room for the dessert tray, but as long as it was just fluid causing my enormity, I could deal with that.
"What causes extra fluid? Am I drinking too much?" I asked.
"No. There is a 50-50 chance that the baby's esophagus is not attached to the stomach. That means instead of the fluid going completely through the baby, it is backing up." He let that sink in a little.
"That doesn't sound good," I finally said. "How do we get the esophagus to attach to the stomach?"
He then went on to explain that after Roxie was born, she would be whisked away to NICU for testing. They would have to give her a dye and X-ray her to make sure it went through her entire digestive tract. It would show if the esophagus wasn't attached.
I thought about that information for a little while. "What if it isn't attached?"
"We transport her to Children's and she'll have surgery that day to correct the problem. It's a pretty basic surgery," he reassured me.
"Can I go with her?" I asked.
"No. We won't transport you, because unless you go into labor before we schedule this birth, you'll have to stay put and recover from your C-Section."
Okay. This man was getting on my last nerve. He was nothing but a big fat bad news bearer from beginning to end.
"That's not acceptable. If one of my kids is having surgery, I will need to be there," I said stubbornly.
"You're not understanding," he said just as stubbornly. "This will have to be taken care of quickly. As soon as we see a blockage, she'll be transported immediately."
After asking a few more questions, I waddled out to the waiting room where Mike was waiting to drive me home. Everything had happened so fast in the doctor's office, I hadn't even had time to call him back. We talked about this latest development on the drive home.
"Okay. Here's the deal. I want you to stay with Roxie from the minute she's born until we know what's going on. I want you to ride in the ambulance with her, and be outside the operating room waiting for her, and I don't want you to leave her side until you know she's okay. Mom will go with you, too. And Daddy will stay with me until we hear something."
"I'm not going to like leaving you after you have surgery, but that's what we'll have to do," he agreed.
With a plan in place, we prepared ourselves for the birth of our third (and final) child. We were to wait two weeks for the scheduled C-Section. (The ultrasound indicated she was a little small, and if she was to have surgery, they wanted her to be a little heavier.) Needless to say, it was going to be a long two weeks.
You'll be glad to know, Roxie will be born tomorrow as far as this story is concerned. Heavy sigh of relief!
You've gone this long, you might as well come back tomorrow and finish the story. You know you want to!
Wednesday Wisdom - In keeping with our "Fruits of the Spirit" theme, today's quotes will center around self-control. That is the fruit which does not come easily to me... at all!
"Remember not only to say the right thing in the right place, but far more difficult still, to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment.” Benjamin Franklin
“If a man will understand how intimately, yea, how inseparably, self-control and happiness are associated, he has but to look into his own heart, and upon the world around. Looking upon the lives of men and women, he will perceive how the hasty word, the bitter retort, the act of deception, the blind prejudice and foolish resentment bring wretchedness and even ruin in their train.” James Allen
"A silly idea is current that good people do not know what temptation means. This is an obvious lie. Only those who try to resist temptation know how strong it is. A man who gives in to temptation after five minutes simply does not know what it would have been like an hour later. That is why bad people, in one sense, know very little about badness. They have lived a sheltered life by always giving in." C. S. Lewis
"Nothing makes it easier to resist temptation than a proper bringing-up, a sound set of values... and witnesses." Franklin P. Jones (It's hard to find a humorous quote about self-control, but this one is very true AND it made me smile.)
Decorate a Fall Tree
I don't have a fall tree, but I am seeing more and more of them in homes and in stores. I now have two friends who decorate fall trees just like most people decorate Christmas trees. They have ribbons, garland, mini-scarecrows, lights, bows... everything and more. These trees have pumpkins, pinecones and gourds... oh, my!
Since this is a tradition I haven't started for my family (YET), I have no pictures. However, if you live near a Hobby Lobby store, they have a HUGE beautiful go-by as you walk through the front door.
Not only would this be a beautiful, fun addition to the fall season, but if you want to be practical and logical, when it comes time for decorating the Christmas tree, your tree would already be in place, shaped up and lit! That's a win-win, isn't it?
Have a great Wednesday. Remember, it's Encouraging Wednesday! Have you called, sent your texts, e-mailed, etc. someone today? It's not too late. Encourage at least ONE person today... more if you can! Thursday I will have more hints about our October Special Guest, linkage and a fun date for you to try. Oh, and I'll be mentioning the CONTEST one last time before my 500th post Friday morning! You'll definitely need to visit Thursday. Definitely!
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting Belinda
The Gallery Pics are of Copper and Sparkle enjoying the crisp, cool autumn air. They are finally moving again. I love to watch them play in the fall and spring.
CONTEST! CONTEST! CONTEST! - In honor of my 500th post on A Simple Life, I am having a contest for the last Mystery Bag Party. The first SIX WOMEN who comment in the Comment Section, via e-mail or Facebook beginning 6:30 a.m. Friday, OCTOBER 1, will be eligible to climb on board the Big Gold Van for the fourth and final Mystery Bag Party!
I'll announce winners as soon as the first six people have entered the contest. Mark it on your calendars... Friday, October 1 at 6:30 a.m.
October Special Guest Hints - In only two days, our October Special Guest will be making an appearance! Here are a few hints for your guessing pleasure...
1. She is the wife of one and mother of three.
2. She is the driving force in her family... literally.
3. She is ALWAYS on the ball.
I'll have a few more hints tomorrow. Commence guessing!
Roxie's Birth Day Story - Part Four
As the weeks slowly went by (as they so often do in the last trimester of pregnancy), my numbers went up. It took a long time, but three weeks before Roxie was due, I had reached the "borderline number." It wasn't my goal number, but the doctor was much more confident of a safe delivery at this point of the pregnancy.
However, as I stated before, we were about to hit Incident #4 of this pregnancy. I was now going to the doctor weekly. A sure sign you are going to have the baby sooner than later. I was huge. And I don't mean huge from eating powdered doughnuts and Sneaky Pete's hotdogs thrice daily (see Austin's Birth Day Story). I mean huge as in Kate Gosselin! However, we knew because of multiple ultrasounds, there was only one little baby in there. Hmmm.
"You're measuring over 44 weeks," the doctor told me.
"I thought when you measured 40 weeks, it was pretty much time for the baby," I said.
"That is correct. Let's do another ultrasound and try to figure out what's going on," he said.
Now, I'm okay with ultrasounds. Except for a little cold jelly on the belly, it isn't painful, and because it is basically taking pictures of the baby, it's right up my alley.
"The baby is a normal size for 37 weeks. However, there is a very large amount of fluid," he told me. Fluid. That didn't sound bad. I could set a two-piece place setting of china and a pot roast on top of my belly and still have room for the dessert tray, but as long as it was just fluid causing my enormity, I could deal with that.
"What causes extra fluid? Am I drinking too much?" I asked.
"No. There is a 50-50 chance that the baby's esophagus is not attached to the stomach. That means instead of the fluid going completely through the baby, it is backing up." He let that sink in a little.
"That doesn't sound good," I finally said. "How do we get the esophagus to attach to the stomach?"
He then went on to explain that after Roxie was born, she would be whisked away to NICU for testing. They would have to give her a dye and X-ray her to make sure it went through her entire digestive tract. It would show if the esophagus wasn't attached.
I thought about that information for a little while. "What if it isn't attached?"
"We transport her to Children's and she'll have surgery that day to correct the problem. It's a pretty basic surgery," he reassured me.
"Can I go with her?" I asked.
"No. We won't transport you, because unless you go into labor before we schedule this birth, you'll have to stay put and recover from your C-Section."
Okay. This man was getting on my last nerve. He was nothing but a big fat bad news bearer from beginning to end.
"That's not acceptable. If one of my kids is having surgery, I will need to be there," I said stubbornly.
"You're not understanding," he said just as stubbornly. "This will have to be taken care of quickly. As soon as we see a blockage, she'll be transported immediately."
After asking a few more questions, I waddled out to the waiting room where Mike was waiting to drive me home. Everything had happened so fast in the doctor's office, I hadn't even had time to call him back. We talked about this latest development on the drive home.
"Okay. Here's the deal. I want you to stay with Roxie from the minute she's born until we know what's going on. I want you to ride in the ambulance with her, and be outside the operating room waiting for her, and I don't want you to leave her side until you know she's okay. Mom will go with you, too. And Daddy will stay with me until we hear something."
"I'm not going to like leaving you after you have surgery, but that's what we'll have to do," he agreed.
With a plan in place, we prepared ourselves for the birth of our third (and final) child. We were to wait two weeks for the scheduled C-Section. (The ultrasound indicated she was a little small, and if she was to have surgery, they wanted her to be a little heavier.) Needless to say, it was going to be a long two weeks.
You'll be glad to know, Roxie will be born tomorrow as far as this story is concerned. Heavy sigh of relief!
You've gone this long, you might as well come back tomorrow and finish the story. You know you want to!
Wednesday Wisdom - In keeping with our "Fruits of the Spirit" theme, today's quotes will center around self-control. That is the fruit which does not come easily to me... at all!
"Remember not only to say the right thing in the right place, but far more difficult still, to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment.” Benjamin Franklin
“If a man will understand how intimately, yea, how inseparably, self-control and happiness are associated, he has but to look into his own heart, and upon the world around. Looking upon the lives of men and women, he will perceive how the hasty word, the bitter retort, the act of deception, the blind prejudice and foolish resentment bring wretchedness and even ruin in their train.” James Allen
"A silly idea is current that good people do not know what temptation means. This is an obvious lie. Only those who try to resist temptation know how strong it is. A man who gives in to temptation after five minutes simply does not know what it would have been like an hour later. That is why bad people, in one sense, know very little about badness. They have lived a sheltered life by always giving in." C. S. Lewis
"Nothing makes it easier to resist temptation than a proper bringing-up, a sound set of values... and witnesses." Franklin P. Jones (It's hard to find a humorous quote about self-control, but this one is very true AND it made me smile.)
Decorate a Fall Tree
I don't have a fall tree, but I am seeing more and more of them in homes and in stores. I now have two friends who decorate fall trees just like most people decorate Christmas trees. They have ribbons, garland, mini-scarecrows, lights, bows... everything and more. These trees have pumpkins, pinecones and gourds... oh, my!
Since this is a tradition I haven't started for my family (YET), I have no pictures. However, if you live near a Hobby Lobby store, they have a HUGE beautiful go-by as you walk through the front door.
Not only would this be a beautiful, fun addition to the fall season, but if you want to be practical and logical, when it comes time for decorating the Christmas tree, your tree would already be in place, shaped up and lit! That's a win-win, isn't it?
Have a great Wednesday. Remember, it's Encouraging Wednesday! Have you called, sent your texts, e-mailed, etc. someone today? It's not too late. Encourage at least ONE person today... more if you can! Thursday I will have more hints about our October Special Guest, linkage and a fun date for you to try. Oh, and I'll be mentioning the CONTEST one last time before my 500th post Friday morning! You'll definitely need to visit Thursday. Definitely!
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting Belinda
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Sour Cream Cornbread
Good Tuesday morning!
The Gallery Pics are from Roxie's family birthday celebration Sunday. They are pretty self-explanatory, I think. You might think her cake is a little odd color-wise, but Roxie is getting a new bedroom for her birthday... and her cake colors match the colors she has chosen for her room. Turquoise and white with black accessories. Very sophisticated. The completion date is October 15, so I'll have some "before" pictures in the Gallery prior to that date, I am sure!
NEWBIES! NEWBIES! NEWBIES! - We have some Newbies visiting the blog this week. If you have any questions, click on Newbie Information under the Labels tab on my sidebar. It should answer any and all questions you might have about A Simple Life.
Also, if you are a Newbie, please take a moment or two to read Josh's Journey... the reason I started A Simple Life in the first place.
Roxie's Birth Day Story - Part Three - Only two more parts to go AFTER TODAY! Feel free to skip directly to the recipe if you've heard it all before!
I told you it was a very loooong pregnancy. I also told you there were two more incidences before Roxie's arrival. The first two had to do with Roxie, but the third was all me.
In July, two months after our UAB appointment, I began to feel more tired than normal. Now this is tricky, because I am, and have been as long as I can remember, always very, very tired. It's who I am. I have NEVER had insomnia. I sleep as soon as my head hits the pillow. (Don't hate me because I'm well-rested. I would say, "Don't hate me because I'm beautiful," but the sheet marks embedded in my face 24/7 take away from my natural prettiness.)
This was different. I even talked to my doctor about my exhaustion. He said, "Well, you're three months away from delivering a new baby, and you're taking care of two very active little boys. Of course you're tired."
No kidding, Sherlock. "I'm telling you. This is different. This is 'If you walk out of the room to get a chart, when you come back I'll be zonked out on this comfortable table with the stirrups and the paper sheet-tired.' This is 'If Barry Manilow were to walk in your waiting room, I would have to wave weakly from where I was sitting because I don't have the energy to get up and go meet him-tired.' This is SO MUCH MORE than 'running after two little boys with a watermelon strapped around my waist-tired.'"
He looked at me. Then he looked at my chart. "Well, when we tested your iron last month it was close to being borderline. Let's check that again."
Thank you! Another blood test. Another day of waiting by the phone. (Well, actually I was asleep on the couch, but mentally, I was pacing the floor). Finally, a phone call. "You are EXTREMELY anemic. I'm talking 'blood transfusion' anemic. I'm talking we've got to get your levels up and soon!"
All right. An explanation. And now a solution. "You're going to bottom out before your levels begin to rise." To this day, this does not make sense to me, but recently I talked to someone who said the same thing happened to her. You have to get worse before you get better.
"Well, I'm pretty much wiped out 20 out of 24 hours a day now. What are we talking about here?" I asked.
"You don't need to drive for a week because you could pass out behind the wheel. And if you go to sleep, and no one is able to wake you up, you'll need to call the paramedics."
Hmmm. I didn't like the sound of that. Mikie had to get up at 6:00 and leave for work around 7:00, so he could make sure I got up from my night-time sleep, but it would be up to the boys to make sure I got up after their nap time. But in my heart of hearts, I am a teacher! It was time for a little lesson.
"Austin. Do you know what to do if there is an emergency?" I asked.
"Call 9-1-1!" he responded correctly.
"That's right," I said. "Now, what is an emergency?"
"FIRE!" both of the boys said in one voice, both smiling ear-to-ear.
Okay. That was a little disturbing. "Well, yes. That is definitely an emergency. But I'm going to talk to you about something else that is an emergency. Mommy has something called 'anemia.' Can you say 'anemia?'"
"A-men-ia," they said.
"Close enough," I said in my best teacher voice. "Anemia means Mommy might go to sleep, and it would be very hard to wake me up. I'm okay, but I need a little help to wake up. This is only going to last for one week. So, if you come into Mommy's room (or see Mommy on the floor), and I don't wake up from my nap, you will need to call 9-1-1. Okay?"
Big grins. "All right!" they shouted with gusto. Okay. I was a little disturbed again.
"But you have to try to wake Mommy up. Do not see me taking a nap and just assume I need help from the paramedics. You have to try first. Promise?" I had visions of waking up and having three paramedics standing over my bed. (Not a bad vision, but not how you want the local paramedics spending their precious time either.)
Needless to say, we spent several minutes practicing "waking" me up, and the boys did a very good job. I felt we had the anemia-thing under control.
And in fact, seven days later when I went for another blood test, I had indeed bottomed-out. I had no where else to go but up. But the doctor said I had to be at a certain number (there were those numbers I didn't understand again) before Roxie was born for it to be "safe delivery."
Now we were talking. A goal. And a specific "number" I was trying to reach in a certain number of days. You know. Like 75 Christmas cards this year. This I could do. In fact, I was born to do this.
Tomorrow, I'll tell you how Incident Number Three turned out, and we'll talk about our final complication before Roxie arrived. Sorry. This story is going to last all week. However, there is some good news. I don't start telling Josh's Birth Day Story until Monday, October 4, so there's a little break in there for the womb-weary!
Sour Cream Cornbread
If you're like me, when you take a bite of a slice of piping hot cornbread slathered with butter it just screams "AUTUMN!" (I know what you're thinking! "Great. Now Belinda thinks food is yelling at her!") Hopefully, you know what I mean!
This recipe appeared in the new October Southern Living Magazine, and I tried it last week. It was simple and delicious!
You will need the following:
1 1/2 cups self-rising white cornmeal mix
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 (14.75 ounce) can cream-style corn
1 (8 ounce) sour cream
3 large eggs, lightly beaten
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese (optional... NOT)
1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Heat a 10" cast-iron skillet in oven 5 minutes.
2. Stir together cornmeal mix and flour in a large bowl.
3. Add corn and next 3 ingredients, stirring just until blended.
4. Pour batter into hot lightly greased skillet.
5. Top with cheese, if desired. (Uh, yeah!)
6. Bake at 450 degrees for 22 to 24 minutes or until golden brown and cornbread pulls away from sides of skillet.
This is GOOD cornbread. It is great served with any and every soup... and CHILI!
Have an amazing Tuesday. On Wednesday, I'll be sharing Wednesday Wisdom, a new Seasonal Tradition, Part Four of Roxie's Birth Day Story, AND I'll have a few hints about our October Special Guest.
Don't forget about the Contest coming up this Friday, October 1. I'll re-post the details regarding the Contest tomorrow, also.
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting Belinda
The Gallery Pics are from Roxie's family birthday celebration Sunday. They are pretty self-explanatory, I think. You might think her cake is a little odd color-wise, but Roxie is getting a new bedroom for her birthday... and her cake colors match the colors she has chosen for her room. Turquoise and white with black accessories. Very sophisticated. The completion date is October 15, so I'll have some "before" pictures in the Gallery prior to that date, I am sure!
NEWBIES! NEWBIES! NEWBIES! - We have some Newbies visiting the blog this week. If you have any questions, click on Newbie Information under the Labels tab on my sidebar. It should answer any and all questions you might have about A Simple Life.
Also, if you are a Newbie, please take a moment or two to read Josh's Journey... the reason I started A Simple Life in the first place.
Roxie's Birth Day Story - Part Three - Only two more parts to go AFTER TODAY! Feel free to skip directly to the recipe if you've heard it all before!
I told you it was a very loooong pregnancy. I also told you there were two more incidences before Roxie's arrival. The first two had to do with Roxie, but the third was all me.
In July, two months after our UAB appointment, I began to feel more tired than normal. Now this is tricky, because I am, and have been as long as I can remember, always very, very tired. It's who I am. I have NEVER had insomnia. I sleep as soon as my head hits the pillow. (Don't hate me because I'm well-rested. I would say, "Don't hate me because I'm beautiful," but the sheet marks embedded in my face 24/7 take away from my natural prettiness.)
This was different. I even talked to my doctor about my exhaustion. He said, "Well, you're three months away from delivering a new baby, and you're taking care of two very active little boys. Of course you're tired."
No kidding, Sherlock. "I'm telling you. This is different. This is 'If you walk out of the room to get a chart, when you come back I'll be zonked out on this comfortable table with the stirrups and the paper sheet-tired.' This is 'If Barry Manilow were to walk in your waiting room, I would have to wave weakly from where I was sitting because I don't have the energy to get up and go meet him-tired.' This is SO MUCH MORE than 'running after two little boys with a watermelon strapped around my waist-tired.'"
He looked at me. Then he looked at my chart. "Well, when we tested your iron last month it was close to being borderline. Let's check that again."
Thank you! Another blood test. Another day of waiting by the phone. (Well, actually I was asleep on the couch, but mentally, I was pacing the floor). Finally, a phone call. "You are EXTREMELY anemic. I'm talking 'blood transfusion' anemic. I'm talking we've got to get your levels up and soon!"
All right. An explanation. And now a solution. "You're going to bottom out before your levels begin to rise." To this day, this does not make sense to me, but recently I talked to someone who said the same thing happened to her. You have to get worse before you get better.
"Well, I'm pretty much wiped out 20 out of 24 hours a day now. What are we talking about here?" I asked.
"You don't need to drive for a week because you could pass out behind the wheel. And if you go to sleep, and no one is able to wake you up, you'll need to call the paramedics."
Hmmm. I didn't like the sound of that. Mikie had to get up at 6:00 and leave for work around 7:00, so he could make sure I got up from my night-time sleep, but it would be up to the boys to make sure I got up after their nap time. But in my heart of hearts, I am a teacher! It was time for a little lesson.
"Austin. Do you know what to do if there is an emergency?" I asked.
"Call 9-1-1!" he responded correctly.
"That's right," I said. "Now, what is an emergency?"
"FIRE!" both of the boys said in one voice, both smiling ear-to-ear.
Okay. That was a little disturbing. "Well, yes. That is definitely an emergency. But I'm going to talk to you about something else that is an emergency. Mommy has something called 'anemia.' Can you say 'anemia?'"
"A-men-ia," they said.
"Close enough," I said in my best teacher voice. "Anemia means Mommy might go to sleep, and it would be very hard to wake me up. I'm okay, but I need a little help to wake up. This is only going to last for one week. So, if you come into Mommy's room (or see Mommy on the floor), and I don't wake up from my nap, you will need to call 9-1-1. Okay?"
Big grins. "All right!" they shouted with gusto. Okay. I was a little disturbed again.
"But you have to try to wake Mommy up. Do not see me taking a nap and just assume I need help from the paramedics. You have to try first. Promise?" I had visions of waking up and having three paramedics standing over my bed. (Not a bad vision, but not how you want the local paramedics spending their precious time either.)
Needless to say, we spent several minutes practicing "waking" me up, and the boys did a very good job. I felt we had the anemia-thing under control.
And in fact, seven days later when I went for another blood test, I had indeed bottomed-out. I had no where else to go but up. But the doctor said I had to be at a certain number (there were those numbers I didn't understand again) before Roxie was born for it to be "safe delivery."
Now we were talking. A goal. And a specific "number" I was trying to reach in a certain number of days. You know. Like 75 Christmas cards this year. This I could do. In fact, I was born to do this.
Tomorrow, I'll tell you how Incident Number Three turned out, and we'll talk about our final complication before Roxie arrived. Sorry. This story is going to last all week. However, there is some good news. I don't start telling Josh's Birth Day Story until Monday, October 4, so there's a little break in there for the womb-weary!
Sour Cream Cornbread
If you're like me, when you take a bite of a slice of piping hot cornbread slathered with butter it just screams "AUTUMN!" (I know what you're thinking! "Great. Now Belinda thinks food is yelling at her!") Hopefully, you know what I mean!
This recipe appeared in the new October Southern Living Magazine, and I tried it last week. It was simple and delicious!
You will need the following:
1 1/2 cups self-rising white cornmeal mix
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 (14.75 ounce) can cream-style corn
1 (8 ounce) sour cream
3 large eggs, lightly beaten
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese (optional... NOT)
1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Heat a 10" cast-iron skillet in oven 5 minutes.
2. Stir together cornmeal mix and flour in a large bowl.
3. Add corn and next 3 ingredients, stirring just until blended.
4. Pour batter into hot lightly greased skillet.
5. Top with cheese, if desired. (Uh, yeah!)
6. Bake at 450 degrees for 22 to 24 minutes or until golden brown and cornbread pulls away from sides of skillet.
This is GOOD cornbread. It is great served with any and every soup... and CHILI!
Have an amazing Tuesday. On Wednesday, I'll be sharing Wednesday Wisdom, a new Seasonal Tradition, Part Four of Roxie's Birth Day Story, AND I'll have a few hints about our October Special Guest.
Don't forget about the Contest coming up this Friday, October 1. I'll re-post the details regarding the Contest tomorrow, also.
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting Belinda
Monday, September 27, 2010
Decorate a Door
Good Monday morning!
The Showcase Pic is from Roxie’s family birthday celebration Sunday. The chick is now officially 14 years-old. Which means I am very, very old. But I tried to concentrate on her and her party, and not me and my “one foot in the grave” status. (It doesn’t help that Joshua will be 17 next week. It doesn’t help at all!)
The Gallery Pics are from the weekend volleyball tournament. Although we didn't bring the First Place trophy home, the girls were amazing. Simply, totally amazing. Class acts all the way! Trophy or not, I could not have been more proud of the team.
I love the quote, "Sports do not build character. Sports REVEAL character." That is so true. I am happy to report our little volleyball team has a great deal of character.
CONTEST! CONTEST! CONTEST! - In honor of my 500th post on A Simple Life, I am having a contest for the last Mystery Bag Party. The first SIX WOMEN who comment in the Comment Section, via e-mail or Facebook beginning 6:30 a.m. Friday, OCTOBER 1, will be eligible to climb on board the Big Gold Van for the fourth and final Mystery Bag Party!
I'll announce winners as soon as the first six people have entered the contest. Mark it on your calendars... Friday, October 1 at 6:30 a.m.
CHICKEN UPDATE! CHICKEN UPDATE! CHICKEN UPDATE! Yesterday I had three people come up to me and say they were bringing me a chicken this week! THREE! Can you believe it? Mikie is very upset... and while I am ever so thankful these people are considering delivering a live chicken to my door, they didn't mention the coop. So I'm hoping I don't walk out to the Big Gold Van this afternoon and find two or three chickens walking around the front yard.
(And I'm really hoping people do not drop them over the backyard fence. If I look out and see feathers on the deck... Well, let's just say, Sparkle and Copper have not be trained to live in harmony with other creatures.)
I may do a little "cute coop" research today!
Roxie’s Birth Day Story - Part Two - As promised, I will re-post Roxie's Birth Day Story the next few days. You will then have three days before I start re-posting Josh's Birth Day Story. (Enjoy the break!)
Now where did we leave off... Oh, yes. Mike and I were scheduled for testing at UAB. It was scheduled for May 1.
Bear with me just a moment while I share something that happened before the May 1 appointment. (It is relevant, I promise. God's hand at work.) Joshua was invited to a birthday party at the local park in town, and he and I ran/waddled (respectively) into the park gates. He ran to his friends and began playing, and I looked for a comfortable bench to rest my weary feet.
I found myself sitting next to a young woman named Laura, and we began a conversation. At the time, she was working with families with Downs' children, as well as other disabilities. I began asking her many, many questions, and she answered them all calmly and in a wonderful matter-of-fact tone. I told her about my test, and she reassured me... not necessarily that the test was probably wrong, but about how our family would be able to handle a special baby. I came to the party anxious, sad, unsure of my abilities as a mother, but thanks to Laura, I left with a peace and reassurance that the Faulkner Five (to be) would not only survive, but thrive. It was my first of many, many lessons in living one day at a time. (Regarding that lesson, I am such a SLOW learner.)
If you have read Josh's Journey, I would now like to mention the Laura I sat with on that park bench a little over 14 years ago is the same Laura I called when Josh was at his worst. The same Laura who told me she loved me, and then put me in touch with the doctor God had chosen to help us in our new journey. Coincidence... I think not! God's sure and steady hand in an unsure and unsteady world... I know so!
Okay. Back to May 1. Mikie and I dropped the boys off with Grandmother and headed to UAB for the special ultrasound which looks for ten signs of a Downs' baby. We sat for a few minutes holding hands before they called us back. We prayed, stood up and walked into the ultrasound room. A wonderful ultrasound tech named Michelle started the ultrasound. (I later met Michelle again at church... We have sons the same age, and I am proud to say she is a friend to me. She and her husband have lifted our family up in prayer these past almost five years, and they have never NOT stopped to talk to me or Mike to ask how Josh is doing. She's a very special person. Once again... Coincidence that a wonderful Christian woman was performing this stressful test for me and Mikie... I think not! God's sure and steady hand in an unsure and unsteady world... I know so!)
The test went quickly. One, two, three, four... Nothing was showing up on the ultrasound as being abnormal. Five, six, seven, eight... Still nothing. Nine and ten. Nothing. Nada. The things they look for on an ultrasound to determine if the baby has Downs' were not there. The blood test had been a false/positive. As far as they could tell, the baby did not have Downs'.
We were very calm. Then Michelle leaned down and said, "Did you want to know the sex of the baby today?"
Up until that time, if anyone had asked me what we wanted, I was honest. I consider myself a little boy mom, but I would have loved to have a little girl. When we were worried about the health of this baby, the boy/girl thing literally flew out the window. I answered, "It doesn't matter either way, but we have always found out."
"Well, it is definitely a little girl," she said.
"Are you 100% sure?" I asked.
"Pretty sure," Michelle responded.
"Wow," Mike and I said. But let it be known, we would have said "Wow" if it had been a precious little boy, too.
I didn't mention it before, but we had four "incidences" during Roxie's pregnancy. It was May 1, and we had already had two. We thought the rest of the pregnancy would be smooth sailing. However, we had two more obstacles to overcome before Roxie was considered "okay." I'll talk about those a little bit tomorrow!
DISCLAIMER - Once again, please know I am not comparing this pregnancy to other women who have been through so much more in terms of having difficulty conceiving, having special need babies, having extremely difficult labors, having babies in NICU and many, many other hardships. This is very simply Roxie's Birth Day Story. This is her beginning. She knows this story backward and forward, and I tell her this story every year because I want her to see God's hand in her life from the very, very beginning.
Remember, everyone has a story to tell, and that is all this is meant to be... Roxie's Story.
Weekend Review
Our weekend was very nice. Busy, but nice. How many of us can say, "Amen" to the busy part?
Friday and Saturday were spent at Roxie's volleyball tournament. While Josh attended the Friday night games, he is job hunting and still cutting lawns, so his Saturday was spent doing those productive-type things! Austin played in not one, BUT TWO, exhibitions Saturday. While we were watching the Auburn game Saturday evening, Josh and Mikie were texting the play-by-play directly to the bandstands (which I am sure is against the rules).
Austin headed home early Sunday morning for Sunday School and church, and we all met after church for Roxie's family birthday celebration with aunts, uncles, grandparents and cousins.
Since Cousin Brad had just acquired a new-to-him red convertible, instead of pony rides for Roxie's birthday, we took turns riding around our fair city in his car with the top down. I highly recommend this as birthday party entertainment for the teen crowd. (And the over-40 crowd, too, for that matter.) We had a great time.
We went to church Sunday night, and I have to say I'm proud of myself. I've attended two classes in a row! I'm enjoying the Vicki Courtney study (Your Girl), and I'm looking forward to getting into the subject areas which concern ME, ME, ME!
Maybe that is why I don't usually attend classes. Unless I'm totally interested or it's totally about me, it doesn't seem to hold my attention. (I'm reverting back to my two year-old "self." Can you tell?)
Decorate a Door
This isn't a party idea, but it is a simple way to make the memory of a birthday last a little longer. Take every card received by the birthday boy or girl and tape them all over their bedroom door or door frame.
Fill in any blank spots on the door with pieces of the different wrapping paper used on his/her gifts. Trim in shapes (squares, circles, triangles, etc.).
Leave this "decoration" up for at least an entire week after the actual birthday. It's fun to wake up every morning and immediately remember a happy event.
NOTE - This is fun to do with the kids' Valentine's Day cards, also.
Have a meaningful Monday! Tuesday’s recipe is perfect for this cooler weather we’re having right now. You might want to visit again!
Take care, and I’ll talk to you tomorrow.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting Belinda
The Showcase Pic is from Roxie’s family birthday celebration Sunday. The chick is now officially 14 years-old. Which means I am very, very old. But I tried to concentrate on her and her party, and not me and my “one foot in the grave” status. (It doesn’t help that Joshua will be 17 next week. It doesn’t help at all!)
The Gallery Pics are from the weekend volleyball tournament. Although we didn't bring the First Place trophy home, the girls were amazing. Simply, totally amazing. Class acts all the way! Trophy or not, I could not have been more proud of the team.
I love the quote, "Sports do not build character. Sports REVEAL character." That is so true. I am happy to report our little volleyball team has a great deal of character.
CONTEST! CONTEST! CONTEST! - In honor of my 500th post on A Simple Life, I am having a contest for the last Mystery Bag Party. The first SIX WOMEN who comment in the Comment Section, via e-mail or Facebook beginning 6:30 a.m. Friday, OCTOBER 1, will be eligible to climb on board the Big Gold Van for the fourth and final Mystery Bag Party!
I'll announce winners as soon as the first six people have entered the contest. Mark it on your calendars... Friday, October 1 at 6:30 a.m.
CHICKEN UPDATE! CHICKEN UPDATE! CHICKEN UPDATE! Yesterday I had three people come up to me and say they were bringing me a chicken this week! THREE! Can you believe it? Mikie is very upset... and while I am ever so thankful these people are considering delivering a live chicken to my door, they didn't mention the coop. So I'm hoping I don't walk out to the Big Gold Van this afternoon and find two or three chickens walking around the front yard.
(And I'm really hoping people do not drop them over the backyard fence. If I look out and see feathers on the deck... Well, let's just say, Sparkle and Copper have not be trained to live in harmony with other creatures.)
I may do a little "cute coop" research today!
Roxie’s Birth Day Story - Part Two - As promised, I will re-post Roxie's Birth Day Story the next few days. You will then have three days before I start re-posting Josh's Birth Day Story. (Enjoy the break!)
Now where did we leave off... Oh, yes. Mike and I were scheduled for testing at UAB. It was scheduled for May 1.
Bear with me just a moment while I share something that happened before the May 1 appointment. (It is relevant, I promise. God's hand at work.) Joshua was invited to a birthday party at the local park in town, and he and I ran/waddled (respectively) into the park gates. He ran to his friends and began playing, and I looked for a comfortable bench to rest my weary feet.
I found myself sitting next to a young woman named Laura, and we began a conversation. At the time, she was working with families with Downs' children, as well as other disabilities. I began asking her many, many questions, and she answered them all calmly and in a wonderful matter-of-fact tone. I told her about my test, and she reassured me... not necessarily that the test was probably wrong, but about how our family would be able to handle a special baby. I came to the party anxious, sad, unsure of my abilities as a mother, but thanks to Laura, I left with a peace and reassurance that the Faulkner Five (to be) would not only survive, but thrive. It was my first of many, many lessons in living one day at a time. (Regarding that lesson, I am such a SLOW learner.)
If you have read Josh's Journey, I would now like to mention the Laura I sat with on that park bench a little over 14 years ago is the same Laura I called when Josh was at his worst. The same Laura who told me she loved me, and then put me in touch with the doctor God had chosen to help us in our new journey. Coincidence... I think not! God's sure and steady hand in an unsure and unsteady world... I know so!
Okay. Back to May 1. Mikie and I dropped the boys off with Grandmother and headed to UAB for the special ultrasound which looks for ten signs of a Downs' baby. We sat for a few minutes holding hands before they called us back. We prayed, stood up and walked into the ultrasound room. A wonderful ultrasound tech named Michelle started the ultrasound. (I later met Michelle again at church... We have sons the same age, and I am proud to say she is a friend to me. She and her husband have lifted our family up in prayer these past almost five years, and they have never NOT stopped to talk to me or Mike to ask how Josh is doing. She's a very special person. Once again... Coincidence that a wonderful Christian woman was performing this stressful test for me and Mikie... I think not! God's sure and steady hand in an unsure and unsteady world... I know so!)
The test went quickly. One, two, three, four... Nothing was showing up on the ultrasound as being abnormal. Five, six, seven, eight... Still nothing. Nine and ten. Nothing. Nada. The things they look for on an ultrasound to determine if the baby has Downs' were not there. The blood test had been a false/positive. As far as they could tell, the baby did not have Downs'.
We were very calm. Then Michelle leaned down and said, "Did you want to know the sex of the baby today?"
Up until that time, if anyone had asked me what we wanted, I was honest. I consider myself a little boy mom, but I would have loved to have a little girl. When we were worried about the health of this baby, the boy/girl thing literally flew out the window. I answered, "It doesn't matter either way, but we have always found out."
"Well, it is definitely a little girl," she said.
"Are you 100% sure?" I asked.
"Pretty sure," Michelle responded.
"Wow," Mike and I said. But let it be known, we would have said "Wow" if it had been a precious little boy, too.
I didn't mention it before, but we had four "incidences" during Roxie's pregnancy. It was May 1, and we had already had two. We thought the rest of the pregnancy would be smooth sailing. However, we had two more obstacles to overcome before Roxie was considered "okay." I'll talk about those a little bit tomorrow!
DISCLAIMER - Once again, please know I am not comparing this pregnancy to other women who have been through so much more in terms of having difficulty conceiving, having special need babies, having extremely difficult labors, having babies in NICU and many, many other hardships. This is very simply Roxie's Birth Day Story. This is her beginning. She knows this story backward and forward, and I tell her this story every year because I want her to see God's hand in her life from the very, very beginning.
Remember, everyone has a story to tell, and that is all this is meant to be... Roxie's Story.
Weekend Review
Our weekend was very nice. Busy, but nice. How many of us can say, "Amen" to the busy part?
Friday and Saturday were spent at Roxie's volleyball tournament. While Josh attended the Friday night games, he is job hunting and still cutting lawns, so his Saturday was spent doing those productive-type things! Austin played in not one, BUT TWO, exhibitions Saturday. While we were watching the Auburn game Saturday evening, Josh and Mikie were texting the play-by-play directly to the bandstands (which I am sure is against the rules).
Austin headed home early Sunday morning for Sunday School and church, and we all met after church for Roxie's family birthday celebration with aunts, uncles, grandparents and cousins.
Since Cousin Brad had just acquired a new-to-him red convertible, instead of pony rides for Roxie's birthday, we took turns riding around our fair city in his car with the top down. I highly recommend this as birthday party entertainment for the teen crowd. (And the over-40 crowd, too, for that matter.) We had a great time.
We went to church Sunday night, and I have to say I'm proud of myself. I've attended two classes in a row! I'm enjoying the Vicki Courtney study (Your Girl), and I'm looking forward to getting into the subject areas which concern ME, ME, ME!
Maybe that is why I don't usually attend classes. Unless I'm totally interested or it's totally about me, it doesn't seem to hold my attention. (I'm reverting back to my two year-old "self." Can you tell?)
Decorate a Door
This isn't a party idea, but it is a simple way to make the memory of a birthday last a little longer. Take every card received by the birthday boy or girl and tape them all over their bedroom door or door frame.
Fill in any blank spots on the door with pieces of the different wrapping paper used on his/her gifts. Trim in shapes (squares, circles, triangles, etc.).
Leave this "decoration" up for at least an entire week after the actual birthday. It's fun to wake up every morning and immediately remember a happy event.
NOTE - This is fun to do with the kids' Valentine's Day cards, also.
Have a meaningful Monday! Tuesday’s recipe is perfect for this cooler weather we’re having right now. You might want to visit again!
Take care, and I’ll talk to you tomorrow.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting Belinda
Friday, September 24, 2010
Weekend Happenings
Good Friday morning!
The Gallery Pics are of MORE inanimate objects. I think I'm finished with my dining room centerpiece... although something isn't right. Being a rank amateur, I realize there are probably MANY things which aren't right, but I can't put my finger on what needs to be done. Perhaps some kind of feather... or a boa. Anyone? Anyone?
Also, in honor of Roxie's birthday this weekend, I have posted an old baby picture or two. Was she not precious? You don't have to answer. I'm just thinking aloud!
CONTEST! CONTEST! CONTEST! - In honor of my 500th post on A Simple Life, I am having a contest for the last Mystery Bag Party. The first SIX WOMEN who comment in the Comment Section, via e-mail or Facebook beginning 6:30 a.m. Friday, OCTOBER 1, will be eligible to climb on board the Big Gold Van for the fourth and final Mystery Bag Party!
I'll announce winners as soon as the first six people have entered the contest. Mark it on your calendars... Friday, October 1 at 6:30 a.m.
RANDOMNESS - I mentioned it on Facebook a couple of times, but I thought it was blog-worthy, too.
When JSU beat Ole Miss a few weeks ago, it was considered the national college upset of the week. Even I was aware it was a big deal because of the tears, tearing of clothes and gnashing of teeth as we left the stadium.
Well, The Boy received a call Tuesday after the game from a nationally-syndicated radio show located in Los Angeles, California... The Kevin James Show.
We immediately thought it was a joke because in this family Kevin James is Paul Blart, Mall Cop. However, after checking it out, it is indeed a legitimate sports talk show.
Mr. James told Austin each year they pick the school with the biggest upset (in this case, JSU), contact the school newspaper for the name of a sports writer or sports enthusiast, and then ask that student to participate in a ten-minute segment talking about the game, making predictions for the next week, etc., etc.
The paper gave Mr. James Austin's name... and thus, a semi-star was born. Because if you do a "good job," not only does Mr. James have you on his show the first week, but for each and every week until the season is finished! Austin taped his third segment last night.
The only time we can hear the segment on the radio is 3:45 a.m. Saturday morning, but thanks to the Internet, there are podcasts available.
It's a pretty exciting time for Austin. And since I live vicariously through my children, it's a pretty exciting time for me, too.
Weekend Happenings
It is finished almost as soon as it begins! Volleyball, that is. The County Tournament begins tonight and the season will end tomorrow by 3:00 or 3:30. We're going into the Tournament ranked second in the county, but all of that could change this weekend. We're going for FIRST PLACE, but we'll see what happens.
It is also Roxie's birthday weekend. She will be a 14 year-old chick tomorrow. Unbelievable. No, really. Totally unbelievable. In honor of her birthday, I have re-posted her "birth" story from last year below. It has FIVE PARTS, so I'll be posting Parts Two through Four next week. Feel free to skip it if you are on a tight schedule, or have a life or something like that!
I'm cooking dinner for the family, and we will watch the Auburn game as the Faulkner Four (plus one of Josh's friends) Saturday evening.
Austin is playing for TWO exhibitions Saturday, so he'll either be in late Saturday night or early Sunday morning for church and ROXIE'S FAMILY BIRTHDAY PARTY (and a Melia date, too)!
It's going to be a busy weekend, and hopefully, a really memorable, fun one, too!
Roxie's Birth Day Story - Part One
DISCLAIMER - In telling Roxie's Birth Day Story, please know I have no intention of offending any parent of a special needs' child... ever. God doesn't make mistakes and He is never surprised. I have had to learn that the hard way, I'm afraid. I am, and always have been, a "baby lover." All babies! Everyone has a story, and every story has a beginning. This is simply Roxie's beginning.
It was the day of our eighth anniversary. I was at Mom and Dad's dropping the boys off, and Mike and I were going out to eat and spend the night at Embassy Suites as was our tradition. I was visiting with Mom for a few minutes when her phone rang. It was Mikie. The doctor hadn't been able to reach me, and had called him. They needed to talk to me right away.
Hmmm. That didn't sound good. I had been to the doctor earlier in the week for my annual doctor's appointment. I hung up with Mike (who told me he was on the way to Mom's), and dialed the number. A nurse answered the phone, and when I told her who I was she immediately put me through to the doctor. Hmmm. That didn't sound good, either.
"Mrs. Faulkner?" the doctor verified.
"Yes," I responded a little louder than normal.
"Well, we have good news and bad news," she went on. That's it. She didn't ask me which one I wanted to hear first. She didn't ask me if I wanted to hear any of it at all. She just kept talking. (If you've known me for more than a minute, you know when given the choice, I will hear the good news and totally disregard the bad news. It's a defense mechanism, I am sure.)
"You are pregnant," she said. I was surprised because even though we were planning on trying for a third child, I hadn't thought I was actually pregnant. Before that could sink in and I could be thrilled, she gave me the bad news. "However, your numbers are not good, and you will probably miscarry this baby."
The only thing I heard was the "pregnant" part. I didn't understand the "numbers" part. I didn't comprehend the "miscarriage" part.
"Well, okay then. That's wonderful," I answered. She paused, then repeated the other stuff until she was sure I had grasped what she was saying.
"Call the office over the weekend if anything happens. Otherwise, I'll see you in my office next Wednesday for some more tests." And that's how the call ended. Mike arrived, and I told him what was going on. Anniversary plans were now very irrelevant compared to the news we had just received. However, two little boys had made plans to spend the night with Grandmother and Granddaddy, and that was NOT going to change.
Mike and I left with heavy hearts and made it through the weekend. We then made it through Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday morning. Wednesday afternoon found us at the doctor's office having more blood tests. Friday morning we received a telephone call saying we were not out of the woods, but the numbers were better. (To this day, I don't know what numbers they were talking about... nor did I ask.)
Two weeks later, we received an "all clear" on the baby. We were expecting baby number three. The numbers were good, and the due date was the first week of October. Mike and I were both very excited.
Everything went well (extremely well) until the middle of April when I received yet another call from the doctor. A blood test I had given permission for them to take indicated our baby was at high risk of being a Downs' baby. I knew which blood test they were talking about, and I knew I had NOT signed the permission slip. Several of my friends had false/positives from this same test, and I had not wanted it... EVER. I told them I had not signed the permission slip, but it didn't change the fact the test had indeed been given, and the results were not good. They wanted me to come in for another test, and if the results were better, they would disregard the first test. I agreed on that condition.
I went in for the test, and a few days later received a call from the doctor (again, a very bad sign). If anything, the results were worse. Much worse. While I tried to absorb this new information, they made an appointment for me and Mikie to come to UAB for a special ultrasound test which would help determine if the baby was Downs'. They also wanted to know if I wanted amniocentesis, but I immediately declined. If God was giving us a Downs' baby, we would absolutely welcome him/her into our family and love him/her and take care of him/her just as we had our boys. Nothing would change that... ever.
After all, we were talking about the baby which would one day make us the Faulkner Five. This baby was always going to be special... no matter what.
Tune in for Part Two Monday... Believe it or not, it just gets more and more complicated!
Have a simply fantastic weekend. Pretend it's fall! That's what I'm going to be doing. Next week will be a very busy week on A Simple Life. Not only do I have autumnal ideas galore to share, but there is a CONTEST and our October Special Guest will be introduced. (And hopefully, I'll have some people pictures!)
Take care, and I'll talk to you Monday.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting Belinda
The Gallery Pics are of MORE inanimate objects. I think I'm finished with my dining room centerpiece... although something isn't right. Being a rank amateur, I realize there are probably MANY things which aren't right, but I can't put my finger on what needs to be done. Perhaps some kind of feather... or a boa. Anyone? Anyone?
Also, in honor of Roxie's birthday this weekend, I have posted an old baby picture or two. Was she not precious? You don't have to answer. I'm just thinking aloud!
CONTEST! CONTEST! CONTEST! - In honor of my 500th post on A Simple Life, I am having a contest for the last Mystery Bag Party. The first SIX WOMEN who comment in the Comment Section, via e-mail or Facebook beginning 6:30 a.m. Friday, OCTOBER 1, will be eligible to climb on board the Big Gold Van for the fourth and final Mystery Bag Party!
I'll announce winners as soon as the first six people have entered the contest. Mark it on your calendars... Friday, October 1 at 6:30 a.m.
RANDOMNESS - I mentioned it on Facebook a couple of times, but I thought it was blog-worthy, too.
When JSU beat Ole Miss a few weeks ago, it was considered the national college upset of the week. Even I was aware it was a big deal because of the tears, tearing of clothes and gnashing of teeth as we left the stadium.
Well, The Boy received a call Tuesday after the game from a nationally-syndicated radio show located in Los Angeles, California... The Kevin James Show.
We immediately thought it was a joke because in this family Kevin James is Paul Blart, Mall Cop. However, after checking it out, it is indeed a legitimate sports talk show.
Mr. James told Austin each year they pick the school with the biggest upset (in this case, JSU), contact the school newspaper for the name of a sports writer or sports enthusiast, and then ask that student to participate in a ten-minute segment talking about the game, making predictions for the next week, etc., etc.
The paper gave Mr. James Austin's name... and thus, a semi-star was born. Because if you do a "good job," not only does Mr. James have you on his show the first week, but for each and every week until the season is finished! Austin taped his third segment last night.
The only time we can hear the segment on the radio is 3:45 a.m. Saturday morning, but thanks to the Internet, there are podcasts available.
It's a pretty exciting time for Austin. And since I live vicariously through my children, it's a pretty exciting time for me, too.
Weekend Happenings
It is finished almost as soon as it begins! Volleyball, that is. The County Tournament begins tonight and the season will end tomorrow by 3:00 or 3:30. We're going into the Tournament ranked second in the county, but all of that could change this weekend. We're going for FIRST PLACE, but we'll see what happens.
It is also Roxie's birthday weekend. She will be a 14 year-old chick tomorrow. Unbelievable. No, really. Totally unbelievable. In honor of her birthday, I have re-posted her "birth" story from last year below. It has FIVE PARTS, so I'll be posting Parts Two through Four next week. Feel free to skip it if you are on a tight schedule, or have a life or something like that!
I'm cooking dinner for the family, and we will watch the Auburn game as the Faulkner Four (plus one of Josh's friends) Saturday evening.
Austin is playing for TWO exhibitions Saturday, so he'll either be in late Saturday night or early Sunday morning for church and ROXIE'S FAMILY BIRTHDAY PARTY (and a Melia date, too)!
It's going to be a busy weekend, and hopefully, a really memorable, fun one, too!
Roxie's Birth Day Story - Part One
DISCLAIMER - In telling Roxie's Birth Day Story, please know I have no intention of offending any parent of a special needs' child... ever. God doesn't make mistakes and He is never surprised. I have had to learn that the hard way, I'm afraid. I am, and always have been, a "baby lover." All babies! Everyone has a story, and every story has a beginning. This is simply Roxie's beginning.
It was the day of our eighth anniversary. I was at Mom and Dad's dropping the boys off, and Mike and I were going out to eat and spend the night at Embassy Suites as was our tradition. I was visiting with Mom for a few minutes when her phone rang. It was Mikie. The doctor hadn't been able to reach me, and had called him. They needed to talk to me right away.
Hmmm. That didn't sound good. I had been to the doctor earlier in the week for my annual doctor's appointment. I hung up with Mike (who told me he was on the way to Mom's), and dialed the number. A nurse answered the phone, and when I told her who I was she immediately put me through to the doctor. Hmmm. That didn't sound good, either.
"Mrs. Faulkner?" the doctor verified.
"Yes," I responded a little louder than normal.
"Well, we have good news and bad news," she went on. That's it. She didn't ask me which one I wanted to hear first. She didn't ask me if I wanted to hear any of it at all. She just kept talking. (If you've known me for more than a minute, you know when given the choice, I will hear the good news and totally disregard the bad news. It's a defense mechanism, I am sure.)
"You are pregnant," she said. I was surprised because even though we were planning on trying for a third child, I hadn't thought I was actually pregnant. Before that could sink in and I could be thrilled, she gave me the bad news. "However, your numbers are not good, and you will probably miscarry this baby."
The only thing I heard was the "pregnant" part. I didn't understand the "numbers" part. I didn't comprehend the "miscarriage" part.
"Well, okay then. That's wonderful," I answered. She paused, then repeated the other stuff until she was sure I had grasped what she was saying.
"Call the office over the weekend if anything happens. Otherwise, I'll see you in my office next Wednesday for some more tests." And that's how the call ended. Mike arrived, and I told him what was going on. Anniversary plans were now very irrelevant compared to the news we had just received. However, two little boys had made plans to spend the night with Grandmother and Granddaddy, and that was NOT going to change.
Mike and I left with heavy hearts and made it through the weekend. We then made it through Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday morning. Wednesday afternoon found us at the doctor's office having more blood tests. Friday morning we received a telephone call saying we were not out of the woods, but the numbers were better. (To this day, I don't know what numbers they were talking about... nor did I ask.)
Two weeks later, we received an "all clear" on the baby. We were expecting baby number three. The numbers were good, and the due date was the first week of October. Mike and I were both very excited.
Everything went well (extremely well) until the middle of April when I received yet another call from the doctor. A blood test I had given permission for them to take indicated our baby was at high risk of being a Downs' baby. I knew which blood test they were talking about, and I knew I had NOT signed the permission slip. Several of my friends had false/positives from this same test, and I had not wanted it... EVER. I told them I had not signed the permission slip, but it didn't change the fact the test had indeed been given, and the results were not good. They wanted me to come in for another test, and if the results were better, they would disregard the first test. I agreed on that condition.
I went in for the test, and a few days later received a call from the doctor (again, a very bad sign). If anything, the results were worse. Much worse. While I tried to absorb this new information, they made an appointment for me and Mikie to come to UAB for a special ultrasound test which would help determine if the baby was Downs'. They also wanted to know if I wanted amniocentesis, but I immediately declined. If God was giving us a Downs' baby, we would absolutely welcome him/her into our family and love him/her and take care of him/her just as we had our boys. Nothing would change that... ever.
After all, we were talking about the baby which would one day make us the Faulkner Five. This baby was always going to be special... no matter what.
Tune in for Part Two Monday... Believe it or not, it just gets more and more complicated!
Have a simply fantastic weekend. Pretend it's fall! That's what I'm going to be doing. Next week will be a very busy week on A Simple Life. Not only do I have autumnal ideas galore to share, but there is a CONTEST and our October Special Guest will be introduced. (And hopefully, I'll have some people pictures!)
Take care, and I'll talk to you Monday.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting Belinda
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Train Date
Good Thursday morning!
The Gallery Pics are from my new fall arrangement... on the front steps. I have also added a picture of the new little pumpkins and gourds I purchased this morning. I will be working on my dining room centerpiece using these items.
I know what you're thinking. "Where are the pictures of people? These amateur fall arrangements are boring? Where are the Roxie, Josh, Mikie and the occasional Austin photos?"
In answer to your question, my family has run kicking and screaming away from me and my camera. I'm hoping it is a temporary breakdown of sorts, but until they come back around, pictures of inanimate objects will fill the Gallery. Get used to it!
RANDOMNESS #1 - The Chicken Saga continues with no end in sight. Mike is adamant. I still do not understand where this deep-seeded chicken resentment is coming from. It's starting to get on my nerves. I mean, I wore a plaid shirt AND overalls yesterday, and I got NOTHING for my effort. NADA!
The conversation went something like this...
"Hi, Mikie." (That's me talking, by the way.)
"Uh-oh. Why are you wearing your plaid shirt and overalls?"
"Because I want to ask you something, and I want you to keep an open mind."
"We are NEVER, EVER going to raise a chicken."
It was then I decided to pull the alpaca card. Oh, yeah. I meant business, Baby.
"Then I want an alpaca," I declared.
"A what? Do you mean one of those fuzzy, llama things? Absolutely not. It will spit and shed, and it will upset the beagles."
"Okay. Well, what about a little chicken?"
And so the conversation continued for well into the night. And just so you know, I really don't want an alpaca. Those things kind of give me the creeps. And as far as I know, they don't produce eggs or milk. Just saying.
RANDOMNESS #2 - I haven't posted an Austin Update in a while, so I wanted to share two little things with you regarding The Boy.
I asked The Boy to name ten things he remembered from his childhood. I was curious. I was intrigued. I wanted to know if the millions of hours (NO exaggeration) I had put into making his childhood unforgettable (in a good way) had been worth it. He sent me the following list.
1. Diving into the ten year-old birthday box. (For their tenth birthdays, I painted refrigerator boxes their favorite colors and put ten gifts inside the box. They had to crawl in and out to retrieve their gifts. That's ONE POINT for Mom!)
2. Watching Survivor as a family. (A simple, yet fun tradition we've practiced the past few years. That's TWO POINTS for Mom! And then it kind of stops here. Mom doesn't get any more points!)
3. Dad taking us to Auburn games. (ONE POINT for Mikie. That's okay. I'm pretty sure I planned the Auburn trips.)
4. Crashing on the bike ramp a neighborhood kid made (BY HIMSELF without adult supervision). (Bad, bad memory.)
5. Catching my first fish. (Not with Mom!)
6. Having The Talk for the first time. I was totally traumatized. (He wasn't the only one. I still have nightmares myself.)
7. Watching the Bourne movies for the first time with Dad. (Okay. This is getting ridiculous. ANOTHER POINT for Dad.)
8. Having ribs for the first time at Grandma’s.
9. Going to the hunting club with Granddaddy.
10. Eating biscuits for breakfast at Grandma's.
It's not the list I expected, but all in all, it isn't too bad. Except for the horrific bike crash and The Talk, the list consists of all good memories. At this point in my "motherhood" career, I'll accept this list. Eight out of ten is a B, isn't it? And I still have two more chances to get an A!
RANDOMNESS #3 - Austin went grocery shopping last night and bought a new shampoo/body wash. It was, of course, cheaper than what I usually buy, and it wasn't a name brand. He was proud about the "saving money" part, but he was also pretty excited because there was an added bonus.
"I smell like a cough drop after I get out of the shower," he told me.
"What are you talking about? What kind of cough drop?"
"You know. I smell like Vick's Mentholatum. So this shampoo/body wash is kind of a 'twofer.' It clears my sinuses and cleans everything at the same time. Plus, my head kind of tingles for a little while after I use it."
"Tingles... or burns?"
"It's hard to tell. It's still tingling though as we speak."
I'm going to Wal-Mart to buy a case of the good stuff today.
Blog Linkage - I only have one link to share today. I love hotels. One of my favorite shows on The Travel Channel was Samantha Brown's show touring different hotels all over the world. I would love to stay in as many of these wonderful rooms as possibly before I'm 90. It would be a dream come true. So in keeping with ALL things the Enchanting Belinda enjoys, check out the following...
Click on Confessions of a Pioneer Woman under My Blog List. At the top of her page, click on "Home and Garden." It will take you directly to a post she has written regarding a hotel room she visited recently. Within the post, you can click on a link which will take you to MANY hotel rooms she visited during her recent book tour. I LOVE these posts. It may not be your thing, but if it is, ENJOY!
Train Date
If your little guy or gal has a thing for trains, this is the date for you!
The Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum in Calera is hosting "Steam Days" September 25 and 26. I'll share an excerpt of the article describing the activities.
"Visitors will relive the golden age of railroading with a 6-mile excursion pulled by the famous Flagg Coal #75, an operating coal-fired 0-4-0 steam locomotive built in 1930.
"Train rides will depart at 10:00 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1:00 p.m., 2:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. Passengers may ride in the Open Air Car, air-conditioned Long Island Commuter Coach, Southern Caboose or in the #75 Locomotive! Other activities during Steam Days include an antique car display, arts and crafts and a yard sale on the railroad museum grounds. On September 25 and 26, rides will be available on antique railroad motor cars."
For more information OR tickets visit www.HODRRM.org or call 205-280-0820.
The information for this date came straight from the Birmingham Christian Family Magazine. (An excellent publication I highly recommend!)
Have a unbelievably good Thursday. I'll be sharing Weekend Happenings and one more segment of the Austin Update (1/3 of an Empty Nest). I'll also have a reminder regarding the CONTEST which is coming up next Friday, October 1.
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting Belinda
The Gallery Pics are from my new fall arrangement... on the front steps. I have also added a picture of the new little pumpkins and gourds I purchased this morning. I will be working on my dining room centerpiece using these items.
I know what you're thinking. "Where are the pictures of people? These amateur fall arrangements are boring? Where are the Roxie, Josh, Mikie and the occasional Austin photos?"
In answer to your question, my family has run kicking and screaming away from me and my camera. I'm hoping it is a temporary breakdown of sorts, but until they come back around, pictures of inanimate objects will fill the Gallery. Get used to it!
RANDOMNESS #1 - The Chicken Saga continues with no end in sight. Mike is adamant. I still do not understand where this deep-seeded chicken resentment is coming from. It's starting to get on my nerves. I mean, I wore a plaid shirt AND overalls yesterday, and I got NOTHING for my effort. NADA!
The conversation went something like this...
"Hi, Mikie." (That's me talking, by the way.)
"Uh-oh. Why are you wearing your plaid shirt and overalls?"
"Because I want to ask you something, and I want you to keep an open mind."
"We are NEVER, EVER going to raise a chicken."
It was then I decided to pull the alpaca card. Oh, yeah. I meant business, Baby.
"Then I want an alpaca," I declared.
"A what? Do you mean one of those fuzzy, llama things? Absolutely not. It will spit and shed, and it will upset the beagles."
"Okay. Well, what about a little chicken?"
And so the conversation continued for well into the night. And just so you know, I really don't want an alpaca. Those things kind of give me the creeps. And as far as I know, they don't produce eggs or milk. Just saying.
RANDOMNESS #2 - I haven't posted an Austin Update in a while, so I wanted to share two little things with you regarding The Boy.
I asked The Boy to name ten things he remembered from his childhood. I was curious. I was intrigued. I wanted to know if the millions of hours (NO exaggeration) I had put into making his childhood unforgettable (in a good way) had been worth it. He sent me the following list.
1. Diving into the ten year-old birthday box. (For their tenth birthdays, I painted refrigerator boxes their favorite colors and put ten gifts inside the box. They had to crawl in and out to retrieve their gifts. That's ONE POINT for Mom!)
2. Watching Survivor as a family. (A simple, yet fun tradition we've practiced the past few years. That's TWO POINTS for Mom! And then it kind of stops here. Mom doesn't get any more points!)
3. Dad taking us to Auburn games. (ONE POINT for Mikie. That's okay. I'm pretty sure I planned the Auburn trips.)
4. Crashing on the bike ramp a neighborhood kid made (BY HIMSELF without adult supervision). (Bad, bad memory.)
5. Catching my first fish. (Not with Mom!)
6. Having The Talk for the first time. I was totally traumatized. (He wasn't the only one. I still have nightmares myself.)
7. Watching the Bourne movies for the first time with Dad. (Okay. This is getting ridiculous. ANOTHER POINT for Dad.)
8. Having ribs for the first time at Grandma’s.
9. Going to the hunting club with Granddaddy.
10. Eating biscuits for breakfast at Grandma's.
It's not the list I expected, but all in all, it isn't too bad. Except for the horrific bike crash and The Talk, the list consists of all good memories. At this point in my "motherhood" career, I'll accept this list. Eight out of ten is a B, isn't it? And I still have two more chances to get an A!
RANDOMNESS #3 - Austin went grocery shopping last night and bought a new shampoo/body wash. It was, of course, cheaper than what I usually buy, and it wasn't a name brand. He was proud about the "saving money" part, but he was also pretty excited because there was an added bonus.
"I smell like a cough drop after I get out of the shower," he told me.
"What are you talking about? What kind of cough drop?"
"You know. I smell like Vick's Mentholatum. So this shampoo/body wash is kind of a 'twofer.' It clears my sinuses and cleans everything at the same time. Plus, my head kind of tingles for a little while after I use it."
"Tingles... or burns?"
"It's hard to tell. It's still tingling though as we speak."
I'm going to Wal-Mart to buy a case of the good stuff today.
Blog Linkage - I only have one link to share today. I love hotels. One of my favorite shows on The Travel Channel was Samantha Brown's show touring different hotels all over the world. I would love to stay in as many of these wonderful rooms as possibly before I'm 90. It would be a dream come true. So in keeping with ALL things the Enchanting Belinda enjoys, check out the following...
Click on Confessions of a Pioneer Woman under My Blog List. At the top of her page, click on "Home and Garden." It will take you directly to a post she has written regarding a hotel room she visited recently. Within the post, you can click on a link which will take you to MANY hotel rooms she visited during her recent book tour. I LOVE these posts. It may not be your thing, but if it is, ENJOY!
Train Date
If your little guy or gal has a thing for trains, this is the date for you!
The Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum in Calera is hosting "Steam Days" September 25 and 26. I'll share an excerpt of the article describing the activities.
"Visitors will relive the golden age of railroading with a 6-mile excursion pulled by the famous Flagg Coal #75, an operating coal-fired 0-4-0 steam locomotive built in 1930.
"Train rides will depart at 10:00 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1:00 p.m., 2:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. Passengers may ride in the Open Air Car, air-conditioned Long Island Commuter Coach, Southern Caboose or in the #75 Locomotive! Other activities during Steam Days include an antique car display, arts and crafts and a yard sale on the railroad museum grounds. On September 25 and 26, rides will be available on antique railroad motor cars."
For more information OR tickets visit www.HODRRM.org or call 205-280-0820.
The information for this date came straight from the Birmingham Christian Family Magazine. (An excellent publication I highly recommend!)
Have a unbelievably good Thursday. I'll be sharing Weekend Happenings and one more segment of the Austin Update (1/3 of an Empty Nest). I'll also have a reminder regarding the CONTEST which is coming up next Friday, October 1.
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting Belinda
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
This Is a Good Time To...
Good Wednesday morning!
The Gallery Pics this morning are NOT of the beautiful, professional-looking centerpiece I had hoped would be in the middle of my dining room table. Nope. Oh, what a mess I have made. I didn't stick with the plan. Instead I bought a Swan Gourd and a multi-colored pumpkin, and... Well, you can see for yourself.
Let's just say the first item on my To-Do list has been shifted a bit.
20 GOALS COMPLETED IN A YEAR UPDATE - I wanted everyone to know I have made an appointment at Sips N Strokes for October 14 to paint a fall masterpiece. Technically, I am NOT supposed to be working on my goals before October 19 (the day I first started my blog), but I didn't want to paint a Polka Dot Cross. I want to paint the beautiful Fall Landscape. If that's the only adjustment I make to the 20 Goals, I will be pretty happy with myself!
RANDOMNESS #1 - I have learned something new about Mikie these past couple of days. The man has a major problem with chickens. I don't know if he had an unpleasant encounter with a laying hen as a child. I don't know if building a coop is just too much of a stretch for him at this particular time in his life. I DO know he eats a lot of chicken... because I cook a lot of chicken, you see.
He left the house this morning hysterically screaming, "NO! NO! NO! No chickens!" However, I think I'm wearing him down. When he comes home tonight, I'm not going to be wearing anything but a plaid shirt and some overalls. That should turn him around!
RANDOMNESS #2 - My walking buddy, Cam, pointed out my Picture of the Day today. I'll be going out a little later to photograph this little gem. Check Belinda's Project Life this evening to see what Cam picked out!
RANDOMNESS #3 - If you have the time today, I need a few more ideas for a House Name. Joan did an excellent job yesterday, but I wouldn't mind a little more input.
Mikie had a bad day yesterday. He was totally against naming our house, too. I don't know what has gotten into him lately!
After I put on my plaid shirt and overalls, I'm planning on churning some homemade butter. Mikie's like Paula Deen... butter makes everything better!
Wednesday Wisdom - I think the next few Wednesdays will feature quotes about one of the Fruits of the Spirit. Last week, the word was "kindness." This week, I've chosen "gentleness" as the word for the day.
"I learned that it is the weak who are cruel, and that gentleness is to be expected only from the strong." Leo Rosten
"Nothing is so strong as gentleness and nothing is so gentle as real strength." Ralph W. Sockman
"When you encounter difficulties and contradictions, do not try to break them, but bend them with gentleness and time." Saint Francis de Sales
There were many more quotes, and it was surprising to me how often the word "gentleness" was paired with the word "strength." Hmmm. Just a little food for thought this particular Wednesday!
This Is a Good Time To...
Today's Seasonal Tradition is a reminder of three PAST Seasonal Traditions. Tis the season to remember and practice these three very small acts of kindness.
Pumpkin Delivery - Since we all know the pumpkins are here, pick out a nice, plump pumpkin with your child or children and deliver it to an elderly neighbor's house for an outside decoration. A little splash of autumnal color will brighten anyone's front porch and spirits.
Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Muffins - Bake a batch of Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Muffins, and deliver them to several of your neighbors. Put two to four in a ziplock bag and drop those into a brown paper bag. If you have little ones, let them decorate the paper bags with stickers, markers, etc. before delivering. (If you don't want to look up the recipe under my sidebar, I'll be reposting the Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Muffins recipe next Tuesday!)
Encouraging Wednesday - Today is Encouraging Wednesday. Pick a time each Wednesday to send a text, e-mail or call a relative, friend or acquaintance to offer a word of encouragement or compliment them in some small way.
These small acts of kindness are NOT time consuming. PICK ONE AND DO IT TODAY! You'll be glad you did! (And just so you know, I'll be doing at least one of these things today. I won't ask you to do anything I'm not willing to do myself!)
Have an unbelievably wonderful Wednesday. Linkage and dates are on the schedule for tomorrow. You will want to stop by if you have a chance.
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting Belinda
The Gallery Pics this morning are NOT of the beautiful, professional-looking centerpiece I had hoped would be in the middle of my dining room table. Nope. Oh, what a mess I have made. I didn't stick with the plan. Instead I bought a Swan Gourd and a multi-colored pumpkin, and... Well, you can see for yourself.
Let's just say the first item on my To-Do list has been shifted a bit.
20 GOALS COMPLETED IN A YEAR UPDATE - I wanted everyone to know I have made an appointment at Sips N Strokes for October 14 to paint a fall masterpiece. Technically, I am NOT supposed to be working on my goals before October 19 (the day I first started my blog), but I didn't want to paint a Polka Dot Cross. I want to paint the beautiful Fall Landscape. If that's the only adjustment I make to the 20 Goals, I will be pretty happy with myself!
RANDOMNESS #1 - I have learned something new about Mikie these past couple of days. The man has a major problem with chickens. I don't know if he had an unpleasant encounter with a laying hen as a child. I don't know if building a coop is just too much of a stretch for him at this particular time in his life. I DO know he eats a lot of chicken... because I cook a lot of chicken, you see.
He left the house this morning hysterically screaming, "NO! NO! NO! No chickens!" However, I think I'm wearing him down. When he comes home tonight, I'm not going to be wearing anything but a plaid shirt and some overalls. That should turn him around!
RANDOMNESS #2 - My walking buddy, Cam, pointed out my Picture of the Day today. I'll be going out a little later to photograph this little gem. Check Belinda's Project Life this evening to see what Cam picked out!
RANDOMNESS #3 - If you have the time today, I need a few more ideas for a House Name. Joan did an excellent job yesterday, but I wouldn't mind a little more input.
Mikie had a bad day yesterday. He was totally against naming our house, too. I don't know what has gotten into him lately!
After I put on my plaid shirt and overalls, I'm planning on churning some homemade butter. Mikie's like Paula Deen... butter makes everything better!
Wednesday Wisdom - I think the next few Wednesdays will feature quotes about one of the Fruits of the Spirit. Last week, the word was "kindness." This week, I've chosen "gentleness" as the word for the day.
"I learned that it is the weak who are cruel, and that gentleness is to be expected only from the strong." Leo Rosten
"Nothing is so strong as gentleness and nothing is so gentle as real strength." Ralph W. Sockman
"When you encounter difficulties and contradictions, do not try to break them, but bend them with gentleness and time." Saint Francis de Sales
There were many more quotes, and it was surprising to me how often the word "gentleness" was paired with the word "strength." Hmmm. Just a little food for thought this particular Wednesday!
This Is a Good Time To...
Today's Seasonal Tradition is a reminder of three PAST Seasonal Traditions. Tis the season to remember and practice these three very small acts of kindness.
Pumpkin Delivery - Since we all know the pumpkins are here, pick out a nice, plump pumpkin with your child or children and deliver it to an elderly neighbor's house for an outside decoration. A little splash of autumnal color will brighten anyone's front porch and spirits.
Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Muffins - Bake a batch of Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Muffins, and deliver them to several of your neighbors. Put two to four in a ziplock bag and drop those into a brown paper bag. If you have little ones, let them decorate the paper bags with stickers, markers, etc. before delivering. (If you don't want to look up the recipe under my sidebar, I'll be reposting the Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Muffins recipe next Tuesday!)
Encouraging Wednesday - Today is Encouraging Wednesday. Pick a time each Wednesday to send a text, e-mail or call a relative, friend or acquaintance to offer a word of encouragement or compliment them in some small way.
These small acts of kindness are NOT time consuming. PICK ONE AND DO IT TODAY! You'll be glad you did! (And just so you know, I'll be doing at least one of these things today. I won't ask you to do anything I'm not willing to do myself!)
Have an unbelievably wonderful Wednesday. Linkage and dates are on the schedule for tomorrow. You will want to stop by if you have a chance.
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting Belinda
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Bacon/Egg/Toast Muffin Breakfast
Good Tuesday morning!
The Gallery Pics are a little hodge-podge today. I will explain below!
RANDOMNESS #1 - I received the new Southern Living magazine in the mail yesterday. It is a feast for the eyes! Beautiful. ONE of my favorite articles is "6 Instant Pumpkin Displays." Basically, these are easy and doable ways to stack a group of pumpkins making all of your friends and neighbors think you are a professional Southern Living pumpkin stacker.
Three of the pictures above show the beginnings of a centerpiece I am working on for my dining room table. My first goal is to show the finished product tomorrow morning.
My second goal is to NOT make you laugh aloud when you click on A Simple Life tomorrow.
Wish me luck!
RANDOMNESS #2 - You'll notice a picture in the Gallery of the top of a home we saw on Smith Lake Saturday. It was a big, pretty blue house right on the lake. As you can see, a large, soft yellow Smiley Face sits atop this pretty blue house. I LOVE that!
I can just imagine this house is named "Happy Place" or "Our Happy Home." You know, something catchy like that.
Fun fact for you... I have always wanted a name for our house. You probably guessed this about me because I've cleverly named my vehicle The Big Gold Van. I've also named my family the Faulkner Five. It's been difficult. The past eight years I have wracked my brain trying to come up with the perfect moniker for our old, squeaky, rambling house which we call HOME!
The good names have all been take... Falcon Crest, The Ponderosa, The Kennedy Compound. But I will continue this eight-year quest to find the right name. I will! It's not like I'm doing anything else productive! (See attempted centerpiece above!)
One more fun fact for you... Our boat is secretly named The Enchanting Belinda. I haven't told the rest of the family yet because I'm pretty sure I'll receive some negative feedback.
Bacon/Egg/Toast Muffin Breakfast
As promised, this is the Martha Stewart breakfast recipe which was featured on The Today Show last week. The pictures are below the post if you need any proof they look edible!
You will need the following:
Bread slices
Melted butter
Cooked bacon
Eggs
Muffin tin
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Spray the muffin tin with vegetable oil.
3. Use a rolling pin to flatten each piece of bread.
4. Use a large, round cookie cutter to remove crust from flattened bread.
5. Cut flattened bread in half and press it into muffin tin. Brush melted butter over top of bread.
6. Add two pieces of bacon (criss-cross) on top of bread.
7. Crack an egg on top of bacon.
8. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes. (But check at 15 minutes. You may like your eggs to be softer.)
9. Salt and pepper to taste.
NOTE - I used fully cooked bacon (from the box). It made the recipe much quicker because you microwave the bacon slices you need for 45 seconds (crispy). You don't have to make a big "bacon mess" in order to prepare this delicious little recipe.
ANOTHER NOTE - Although the egg yolk looks "runny," it has the consistency of a hard-boiled egg.
That's it, Folks! You will need to eat it as soon as it comes out of the oven. The bread is a little soggy if you wait and reheat it. These little breakfast muffins are very good, and this is a recipe the kids will enjoy preparing, too.
Have a tremendous Tuesday. Tomorrow's Wisdom, Tradition and Randomness will be great... I hope!
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting Belinda
The Gallery Pics are a little hodge-podge today. I will explain below!
RANDOMNESS #1 - I received the new Southern Living magazine in the mail yesterday. It is a feast for the eyes! Beautiful. ONE of my favorite articles is "6 Instant Pumpkin Displays." Basically, these are easy and doable ways to stack a group of pumpkins making all of your friends and neighbors think you are a professional Southern Living pumpkin stacker.
Three of the pictures above show the beginnings of a centerpiece I am working on for my dining room table. My first goal is to show the finished product tomorrow morning.
My second goal is to NOT make you laugh aloud when you click on A Simple Life tomorrow.
Wish me luck!
RANDOMNESS #2 - You'll notice a picture in the Gallery of the top of a home we saw on Smith Lake Saturday. It was a big, pretty blue house right on the lake. As you can see, a large, soft yellow Smiley Face sits atop this pretty blue house. I LOVE that!
I can just imagine this house is named "Happy Place" or "Our Happy Home." You know, something catchy like that.
Fun fact for you... I have always wanted a name for our house. You probably guessed this about me because I've cleverly named my vehicle The Big Gold Van. I've also named my family the Faulkner Five. It's been difficult. The past eight years I have wracked my brain trying to come up with the perfect moniker for our old, squeaky, rambling house which we call HOME!
The good names have all been take... Falcon Crest, The Ponderosa, The Kennedy Compound. But I will continue this eight-year quest to find the right name. I will! It's not like I'm doing anything else productive! (See attempted centerpiece above!)
One more fun fact for you... Our boat is secretly named The Enchanting Belinda. I haven't told the rest of the family yet because I'm pretty sure I'll receive some negative feedback.
Bacon/Egg/Toast Muffin Breakfast
As promised, this is the Martha Stewart breakfast recipe which was featured on The Today Show last week. The pictures are below the post if you need any proof they look edible!
You will need the following:
Bread slices
Melted butter
Cooked bacon
Eggs
Muffin tin
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Spray the muffin tin with vegetable oil.
3. Use a rolling pin to flatten each piece of bread.
4. Use a large, round cookie cutter to remove crust from flattened bread.
5. Cut flattened bread in half and press it into muffin tin. Brush melted butter over top of bread.
6. Add two pieces of bacon (criss-cross) on top of bread.
7. Crack an egg on top of bacon.
8. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes. (But check at 15 minutes. You may like your eggs to be softer.)
9. Salt and pepper to taste.
NOTE - I used fully cooked bacon (from the box). It made the recipe much quicker because you microwave the bacon slices you need for 45 seconds (crispy). You don't have to make a big "bacon mess" in order to prepare this delicious little recipe.
ANOTHER NOTE - Although the egg yolk looks "runny," it has the consistency of a hard-boiled egg.
That's it, Folks! You will need to eat it as soon as it comes out of the oven. The bread is a little soggy if you wait and reheat it. These little breakfast muffins are very good, and this is a recipe the kids will enjoy preparing, too.
Have a tremendous Tuesday. Tomorrow's Wisdom, Tradition and Randomness will be great... I hope!
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting Belinda
Monday, September 20, 2010
Slumber Party Activities
Good Monday morning!
The Showcase Pic is of something that made me VERY, VERY happy this weekend. The picture kind of speaks for itself.
The Gallery Pics are from Saturday night's Auburn game (as seen from our den). Austin came in during the end of the third quarter after spending the day in Atlanta (where JSU celebrated another win). The Faulkner guys do not watch a ballgame quietly. Generally, I have to take an Excedrin Migraine after watching a ballgame with them in an enclosed area, so Roxie and I tend to crawl into my bed and watch a chick flick until the final minutes. However, Roxie hung in for the entire game. She made her Daddy proud.
I slipped in with my fourth child (MY BRAND NEW CAMERA), and watched the final minutes hoping, hoping, hoping I would get some "happy" shots. AND I DID!
RANDOMNESS - I started my "Connection" Class last night at church. I am participating in an eight-week study of Your Girl, Raising a Godly Daughter in an Ungodly World by Vicki Courtney. I think it is going to be so good. I read Your Boy, Raising a Godly Son in an Ungodly World several years ago, and I gained tons of insight. I'm expecting more of the same... Plus, I'm in the company of several women who have daughters in their upper teens and 20s. I'm there to learn, Baby!
I wanted to share a little excerpt of what we'll be studying the next few weeks...
"Over the next eight weeks, you will be confronted with six major issues teen girls face: conformity, self-esteem, modesty, purity, boys and girl politics. As you learn about how these issues impact your daughter, you will be challenged to evaluate how these issues impact your own life."
Uh-oh. Sounds like there's going to be a little homework, but that's okay. I think I have the self-esteem situation under control. At 49, I'm pretty much at peace with who I am.
As far as modesty goes, I'm a very well-covered individual. Having teenage boys in and out of the house for years kind of prepares you for the unexpected. When I step out of the bathroom, I am wearing more undergarments AND overgarments than most nuns.
The "boy" issue was taken care of 23 years ago for me. I have Mikie (and Austin and Josh). I do not have the time or the energy to deal with more boys on a daily basis.
The issues which I want to really delve into for myself AND Roxie are conformity and girl politics. These two subjects are the ones I feel the least comfortable with parenting-wise.
I am the WORLD'S WORST when it comes to completing a Bible Study, but this one seems like it NEEDS to be completed. Wish me luck! Oh, and if you're in the area, come join us at 6:00 p.m. on Sunday evenings at the North Campus (the new building). I'll save you a seat!
Weekend Review
We had a very good weekend, full of fun and sun. I helped a friend chaperon her daughter's slumber party... always exciting. Mike and I spent time slinging young ladies all over the lake in a tube. Very entertaining.
We arrived home in plenty of time to watch the Auburn game, and then Austin surprised us by coming home Saturday night instead of Sunday morning. (YEA!)
Roxie and I crashed Sunday afternoon, of course. Josh played football with friends. Austin visited with Melia. All in all, a very, very good weekend.
I just wished I hadn't worn my giant sunglasses with little or no sunscreen on my nose, forehead, cheeks and chin. I look like a giant red raccoon. Hopefully, this will get better as the week progresses. I'm keeping my fingers crossed!
Slumber Party Activities
Every girl wants to have a slumber party. Below I have compiled of list using several different websites with ideas to keep your guests happy and "under control," because as every mom knows, the best slumber party is the one that does NOT get "out of hand."
1. Have a Scavenger Hunt. I've given you several go-bys over the last two years of fun Scavenger Hunts. This is always a crowd pleaser.
2. Play "Let's Make a Deal." You will need three boxes and prizes of varying quality (really cool, okay and a booby prize). Each child has a chance to play so make sure you have enough "really cool" prizes to go around.
Place one prize of each type under the boxes without anyone seeing. The contestant chooses a box and the prize is revealed. The contestant can then keep that prize or be given the choice to choose another. Offer incentives (candy, money, etc.) to see if they will keep the first chosen. They may keep either the first prize and incentives or choose the other box. This is their final choice.
3. Play "Mummy." You will need rolls of toilet paper (one per person). You can form teams to see who is the fastest dressing their mummy (other person), or just let them have fun. This can be a very messy activity with the dust from the toilet paper and the paper fight afterwards.
4. Have a "Picky Marshmallow Relay." You will need toothpicks... one per child and one marshmallow per team. The marshmallow is placed on the end of the first person's toothpick. They hold the toothpick in their mouth and try to pass it to the next person in line using only the toothpicks in their mouths.
5. Play "Clothes Pin 7-Ups." Each person should have seven clothes pins. Clip clothes pins on the backs of all players and have them face each other in a circle. (Did I mention this was an outside game?) When you yell "GO," they each run around trying to get the clothes pins off the other players' backs. No grabbing or holding the other person is allowed.
6. Have a Talent Show or video the kids performing to music. Lip sync is always fun.
7. Have a night-time Easter Egg Hunt (even if it isn't Easter). Hide eggs and prizes outside. Everyone must bring a flashlight to the party. Hide items like fingernail polish, body mists, candy, etc.
8. Play "Piggly-Wiggly." Everyone lays out their sleeping bags. Choose someone to be "It." They must leave the room. Everyone else hides inside the sleeping bags (not their own). When they are ready, "It" comes back into the room. She sits on one of the sleeping bags and says, "Piggly-Wiggly." The person inside says "Oink, oink." "It" must guess who is inside the bag. If they are right, the person in the bag is "It," and the game continues.
9. For a fun snack, make Sweet Dreams. Use frosting to decorate a graham cracker that looks like your sleeping bag with you in it!
10. Make Puffy Pillows. Decorate plain white pillowcases with puffy paint. Let them dry overnight.
11. ALWAYS make smores. If you are indoors, give each girl a sheet of aluminum foil, two graham cracker halves, three squares of a Hershey bar and a marshmallow. After they stack their smore, have them wrap it tightly and write their name on the top with a Sharpie. Cook the smores on a cookie sheet at 200 degrees for 8 or 9 minutes.
12. Make your own sundae!
13. Think of unusual places to sleep: the attic, a tree house, the basement, a tent outside in your backyard, the back deck, etc.
14. Play "Burglar Alarm." Set a little timer and have everyone go out of the room. One person stays in and hides the timer. Then the other kids come back in and try to find the timer before it goes off. Whoever finds it can be given a little prize.
15. For breakfast, have everyone brush their teeth and their hair and head to Krispy Kreme for Hot and Now doughnuts... in their pajamas. (Let the moms know beforehand what your plans are so they will pack pajama pants and t-shirts appropriate for wearing in public.)
I'm sorry. If you can't have a fantastic slumber party using some of these ideas (which doesn't even include the basics... movies, manicures, pedicures and dance-offs)... Well, you're just not trying hard enough!
I sincerely hope you have a very good Monday. I will share Martha Stewart's Bacon/Toast/Egg Muffin Breakfast recipe in the morning. So good. So easy. I may have a theme for the week somewhere in the back of my brain. We'll see. We'll see.
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting Belinda
The Showcase Pic is of something that made me VERY, VERY happy this weekend. The picture kind of speaks for itself.
The Gallery Pics are from Saturday night's Auburn game (as seen from our den). Austin came in during the end of the third quarter after spending the day in Atlanta (where JSU celebrated another win). The Faulkner guys do not watch a ballgame quietly. Generally, I have to take an Excedrin Migraine after watching a ballgame with them in an enclosed area, so Roxie and I tend to crawl into my bed and watch a chick flick until the final minutes. However, Roxie hung in for the entire game. She made her Daddy proud.
I slipped in with my fourth child (MY BRAND NEW CAMERA), and watched the final minutes hoping, hoping, hoping I would get some "happy" shots. AND I DID!
RANDOMNESS - I started my "Connection" Class last night at church. I am participating in an eight-week study of Your Girl, Raising a Godly Daughter in an Ungodly World by Vicki Courtney. I think it is going to be so good. I read Your Boy, Raising a Godly Son in an Ungodly World several years ago, and I gained tons of insight. I'm expecting more of the same... Plus, I'm in the company of several women who have daughters in their upper teens and 20s. I'm there to learn, Baby!
I wanted to share a little excerpt of what we'll be studying the next few weeks...
"Over the next eight weeks, you will be confronted with six major issues teen girls face: conformity, self-esteem, modesty, purity, boys and girl politics. As you learn about how these issues impact your daughter, you will be challenged to evaluate how these issues impact your own life."
Uh-oh. Sounds like there's going to be a little homework, but that's okay. I think I have the self-esteem situation under control. At 49, I'm pretty much at peace with who I am.
As far as modesty goes, I'm a very well-covered individual. Having teenage boys in and out of the house for years kind of prepares you for the unexpected. When I step out of the bathroom, I am wearing more undergarments AND overgarments than most nuns.
The "boy" issue was taken care of 23 years ago for me. I have Mikie (and Austin and Josh). I do not have the time or the energy to deal with more boys on a daily basis.
The issues which I want to really delve into for myself AND Roxie are conformity and girl politics. These two subjects are the ones I feel the least comfortable with parenting-wise.
I am the WORLD'S WORST when it comes to completing a Bible Study, but this one seems like it NEEDS to be completed. Wish me luck! Oh, and if you're in the area, come join us at 6:00 p.m. on Sunday evenings at the North Campus (the new building). I'll save you a seat!
Weekend Review
We had a very good weekend, full of fun and sun. I helped a friend chaperon her daughter's slumber party... always exciting. Mike and I spent time slinging young ladies all over the lake in a tube. Very entertaining.
We arrived home in plenty of time to watch the Auburn game, and then Austin surprised us by coming home Saturday night instead of Sunday morning. (YEA!)
Roxie and I crashed Sunday afternoon, of course. Josh played football with friends. Austin visited with Melia. All in all, a very, very good weekend.
I just wished I hadn't worn my giant sunglasses with little or no sunscreen on my nose, forehead, cheeks and chin. I look like a giant red raccoon. Hopefully, this will get better as the week progresses. I'm keeping my fingers crossed!
Slumber Party Activities
Every girl wants to have a slumber party. Below I have compiled of list using several different websites with ideas to keep your guests happy and "under control," because as every mom knows, the best slumber party is the one that does NOT get "out of hand."
1. Have a Scavenger Hunt. I've given you several go-bys over the last two years of fun Scavenger Hunts. This is always a crowd pleaser.
2. Play "Let's Make a Deal." You will need three boxes and prizes of varying quality (really cool, okay and a booby prize). Each child has a chance to play so make sure you have enough "really cool" prizes to go around.
Place one prize of each type under the boxes without anyone seeing. The contestant chooses a box and the prize is revealed. The contestant can then keep that prize or be given the choice to choose another. Offer incentives (candy, money, etc.) to see if they will keep the first chosen. They may keep either the first prize and incentives or choose the other box. This is their final choice.
3. Play "Mummy." You will need rolls of toilet paper (one per person). You can form teams to see who is the fastest dressing their mummy (other person), or just let them have fun. This can be a very messy activity with the dust from the toilet paper and the paper fight afterwards.
4. Have a "Picky Marshmallow Relay." You will need toothpicks... one per child and one marshmallow per team. The marshmallow is placed on the end of the first person's toothpick. They hold the toothpick in their mouth and try to pass it to the next person in line using only the toothpicks in their mouths.
5. Play "Clothes Pin 7-Ups." Each person should have seven clothes pins. Clip clothes pins on the backs of all players and have them face each other in a circle. (Did I mention this was an outside game?) When you yell "GO," they each run around trying to get the clothes pins off the other players' backs. No grabbing or holding the other person is allowed.
6. Have a Talent Show or video the kids performing to music. Lip sync is always fun.
7. Have a night-time Easter Egg Hunt (even if it isn't Easter). Hide eggs and prizes outside. Everyone must bring a flashlight to the party. Hide items like fingernail polish, body mists, candy, etc.
8. Play "Piggly-Wiggly." Everyone lays out their sleeping bags. Choose someone to be "It." They must leave the room. Everyone else hides inside the sleeping bags (not their own). When they are ready, "It" comes back into the room. She sits on one of the sleeping bags and says, "Piggly-Wiggly." The person inside says "Oink, oink." "It" must guess who is inside the bag. If they are right, the person in the bag is "It," and the game continues.
9. For a fun snack, make Sweet Dreams. Use frosting to decorate a graham cracker that looks like your sleeping bag with you in it!
10. Make Puffy Pillows. Decorate plain white pillowcases with puffy paint. Let them dry overnight.
11. ALWAYS make smores. If you are indoors, give each girl a sheet of aluminum foil, two graham cracker halves, three squares of a Hershey bar and a marshmallow. After they stack their smore, have them wrap it tightly and write their name on the top with a Sharpie. Cook the smores on a cookie sheet at 200 degrees for 8 or 9 minutes.
12. Make your own sundae!
13. Think of unusual places to sleep: the attic, a tree house, the basement, a tent outside in your backyard, the back deck, etc.
14. Play "Burglar Alarm." Set a little timer and have everyone go out of the room. One person stays in and hides the timer. Then the other kids come back in and try to find the timer before it goes off. Whoever finds it can be given a little prize.
15. For breakfast, have everyone brush their teeth and their hair and head to Krispy Kreme for Hot and Now doughnuts... in their pajamas. (Let the moms know beforehand what your plans are so they will pack pajama pants and t-shirts appropriate for wearing in public.)
I'm sorry. If you can't have a fantastic slumber party using some of these ideas (which doesn't even include the basics... movies, manicures, pedicures and dance-offs)... Well, you're just not trying hard enough!
I sincerely hope you have a very good Monday. I will share Martha Stewart's Bacon/Toast/Egg Muffin Breakfast recipe in the morning. So good. So easy. I may have a theme for the week somewhere in the back of my brain. We'll see. We'll see.
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting Belinda
Friday, September 17, 2010
Weekend Happenings
Good Friday morning!
The Gallery Pics are from last night's dinner. I made Martha Stewart's Bacon/Egg/Toast Muffin. It was quick, easy and delicious. I'll be posting the entire recipe on Tuesday's post, but the pics will be posted today. A little blog teaser!
CONTEST! CONTEST! CONTEST! - In honor of my 500th post on A Simple Life, I am having a contest for the last Mystery Bag Party. The first SIX WOMEN who comment in the Comment Section, via e-mail or Facebook beginning 6:30 a.m. Friday, OCTOBER 1, will be eligible to climb on board the Big Gold Van for the fourth and final Mystery Bag Party!
I'll announce winners as soon as the first six people have entered the contest. Mark it on your calendars... Friday, October 1 at 6:30 a.m.
REMINDER #1 - Belinda's Project Life is up and running! So far, it is current! I'm having problems posting on Facebook, but unless something goes terribly, horribly wrong, it will always be posted by 10:00 p.m. each night. Tonight, Saturday and Sunday will be no exception!
REMINDER #2 - If you are a Newbie, click on Newbie Information on my right sidebar. It will give you all the information you need to become acquainted with A Simple Life.
RANDOMNESS #1 - I think I want a chicken. Just one. And I think I want a chicken that lays brown eggs. And I think I want to start cooking with my own fresh, brown eggs. But if I get a chicken, do I need a rooster? And if I get a rooster, will he be enough company for the chicken... or will she need another chicken/girlfriend to hang out with when she and the rooster are not getting along? (I hear roosters are very egotistical and not very good listeners.)
Don't mention this to Mikie yet. I don't what to "ruffle his feathers." Get it? I made a rooster joke.
I'm going to think about it a little more.
RANDOMNESS #2 - I had a horrible panic attack yesterday afternoon. It was one of the worst ones I've experienced in a long time. As soon as it passed and I was able to breathe again, I opened my Bible and read and read and read. And look what I came across...
"When we're feeling overwhelmed, frightened, uncertain of which way to turn (PANIC ATTACK... CAN'T BREATHE, CAN'T FOCUS, HEART RACING), God is in control of our journey. Even if there are hidden obstacles along the way, we need not stay paralyzed with fear (PANIC ATTACK... CAN'T BREATHE, CAN'T FOCUS, HEART RACING, LEGS NUMB, BREAKING INTO A COLD SWEAT). While we can see only the next step in front of us (PANIC ATTACK... I'M GOING TO DIE), God sees the whole path (NOT TODAY, BELINDA... AND NOT FROM A PANIC ATTACK). He knows what's up ahead, and He will be our faithful guide till the end of our days (Psalm 48:14). Just as He led the Israelites through the desert by pillars of both cloud and fire, in His compassion He will shine His light on the way we are to take (Nehemiah 9:19). We will never be abandoned in our times of desperate need (Psalm 142:6)."
"When my spirit grows faint within me, it is you who know my way." Psalm 142:3.
I share this only to let you know (again) things are not perfect over here. I try not to dwell on a lot of the negatives on A Simple Life because I want it to be a place you ENJOY visiting, and I'd much rather encourage you than "bring you down." But the reality is we all live in an imperfect world. There are people all around us hurting, searching, stuck in the depths of despair.
And it's our job to find them, pray for them, give them an encouraging word, a hand to hold, an ear to listen, a kind word to lighten their spirit... It's our responsibility. It isn't a choice. It's the right thing to do. And I have to remind myself to do those things each and every day. And too many days, I fail.
Weekend Happenings
The weekend begins a little scattered for the Faulkner Five. Austin will be traveling to Atlanta for the JSU game, but he'll be home Sunday morning for church, food, laundry and Melia (not necessarily in that order, I am sure).
SEMI-FUNNY STORY - When Austin left for school last year and was coming home on the weekend, someone told me, "You know he's not coming home to see you. He's only coming home to see Melia."
To which I very honestly replied, "I don't care! As long as I get to see him even five minutes on the weekends, I don't care!"
And that only made me love Melia more!
Okay. I digress. Back to Weekend Happenings... Josh is going to the high school football game with a friend Friday evening. I'm helping chaperon a birthday party for one of Roxie's friends, and Mikie is meeting Austin for dinner in Gadsden. See what I mean? Scattered.
Saturday will remain scattered with Josh attending an English "class" at UAB with fellow students (worth mega bonus points), and cutting a yard or two when he comes home that afternoon.
Four out of five Faulkners should be "back in the house" by 4:00 or 5:00 p.m. Saturday night... where we all plan to crash!
Sunday, the Faulkner Five will hopefully be attending church and having Sunday dinner together. Our church resumes classes Sunday night, so we'll be attending different Bible studies throughout the building. (I'll let you know which class I pick Monday!)
And that's it for us. As always, EVERYTHING is subject to change when you have three teenagers in the mix!
Have a great weekend. Plan a date (or two or three), eat dinner with the family, watch a movie or a football game together, TAKE A MUCH NEEDED NAP, attend your church and enjoy the fellowship and time spent there, reach out to someone in need, call someone who has been on your heart this week, and by all means, take a little time to notice the simple pleasures which are all around. Like roosters in someone's driveway!
Next week, I have many, many ideas to share, so come back to A Simple Life just to take a peek!
Take care, and I'll talk to you Monday.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting Belinda
The Gallery Pics are from last night's dinner. I made Martha Stewart's Bacon/Egg/Toast Muffin. It was quick, easy and delicious. I'll be posting the entire recipe on Tuesday's post, but the pics will be posted today. A little blog teaser!
CONTEST! CONTEST! CONTEST! - In honor of my 500th post on A Simple Life, I am having a contest for the last Mystery Bag Party. The first SIX WOMEN who comment in the Comment Section, via e-mail or Facebook beginning 6:30 a.m. Friday, OCTOBER 1, will be eligible to climb on board the Big Gold Van for the fourth and final Mystery Bag Party!
I'll announce winners as soon as the first six people have entered the contest. Mark it on your calendars... Friday, October 1 at 6:30 a.m.
REMINDER #1 - Belinda's Project Life is up and running! So far, it is current! I'm having problems posting on Facebook, but unless something goes terribly, horribly wrong, it will always be posted by 10:00 p.m. each night. Tonight, Saturday and Sunday will be no exception!
REMINDER #2 - If you are a Newbie, click on Newbie Information on my right sidebar. It will give you all the information you need to become acquainted with A Simple Life.
RANDOMNESS #1 - I think I want a chicken. Just one. And I think I want a chicken that lays brown eggs. And I think I want to start cooking with my own fresh, brown eggs. But if I get a chicken, do I need a rooster? And if I get a rooster, will he be enough company for the chicken... or will she need another chicken/girlfriend to hang out with when she and the rooster are not getting along? (I hear roosters are very egotistical and not very good listeners.)
Don't mention this to Mikie yet. I don't what to "ruffle his feathers." Get it? I made a rooster joke.
I'm going to think about it a little more.
RANDOMNESS #2 - I had a horrible panic attack yesterday afternoon. It was one of the worst ones I've experienced in a long time. As soon as it passed and I was able to breathe again, I opened my Bible and read and read and read. And look what I came across...
"When we're feeling overwhelmed, frightened, uncertain of which way to turn (PANIC ATTACK... CAN'T BREATHE, CAN'T FOCUS, HEART RACING), God is in control of our journey. Even if there are hidden obstacles along the way, we need not stay paralyzed with fear (PANIC ATTACK... CAN'T BREATHE, CAN'T FOCUS, HEART RACING, LEGS NUMB, BREAKING INTO A COLD SWEAT). While we can see only the next step in front of us (PANIC ATTACK... I'M GOING TO DIE), God sees the whole path (NOT TODAY, BELINDA... AND NOT FROM A PANIC ATTACK). He knows what's up ahead, and He will be our faithful guide till the end of our days (Psalm 48:14). Just as He led the Israelites through the desert by pillars of both cloud and fire, in His compassion He will shine His light on the way we are to take (Nehemiah 9:19). We will never be abandoned in our times of desperate need (Psalm 142:6)."
"When my spirit grows faint within me, it is you who know my way." Psalm 142:3.
I share this only to let you know (again) things are not perfect over here. I try not to dwell on a lot of the negatives on A Simple Life because I want it to be a place you ENJOY visiting, and I'd much rather encourage you than "bring you down." But the reality is we all live in an imperfect world. There are people all around us hurting, searching, stuck in the depths of despair.
And it's our job to find them, pray for them, give them an encouraging word, a hand to hold, an ear to listen, a kind word to lighten their spirit... It's our responsibility. It isn't a choice. It's the right thing to do. And I have to remind myself to do those things each and every day. And too many days, I fail.
Weekend Happenings
The weekend begins a little scattered for the Faulkner Five. Austin will be traveling to Atlanta for the JSU game, but he'll be home Sunday morning for church, food, laundry and Melia (not necessarily in that order, I am sure).
SEMI-FUNNY STORY - When Austin left for school last year and was coming home on the weekend, someone told me, "You know he's not coming home to see you. He's only coming home to see Melia."
To which I very honestly replied, "I don't care! As long as I get to see him even five minutes on the weekends, I don't care!"
And that only made me love Melia more!
Okay. I digress. Back to Weekend Happenings... Josh is going to the high school football game with a friend Friday evening. I'm helping chaperon a birthday party for one of Roxie's friends, and Mikie is meeting Austin for dinner in Gadsden. See what I mean? Scattered.
Saturday will remain scattered with Josh attending an English "class" at UAB with fellow students (worth mega bonus points), and cutting a yard or two when he comes home that afternoon.
Four out of five Faulkners should be "back in the house" by 4:00 or 5:00 p.m. Saturday night... where we all plan to crash!
Sunday, the Faulkner Five will hopefully be attending church and having Sunday dinner together. Our church resumes classes Sunday night, so we'll be attending different Bible studies throughout the building. (I'll let you know which class I pick Monday!)
And that's it for us. As always, EVERYTHING is subject to change when you have three teenagers in the mix!
Have a great weekend. Plan a date (or two or three), eat dinner with the family, watch a movie or a football game together, TAKE A MUCH NEEDED NAP, attend your church and enjoy the fellowship and time spent there, reach out to someone in need, call someone who has been on your heart this week, and by all means, take a little time to notice the simple pleasures which are all around. Like roosters in someone's driveway!
Next week, I have many, many ideas to share, so come back to A Simple Life just to take a peek!
Take care, and I'll talk to you Monday.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting Belinda
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Backyard Date
Good Thursday morning!
The Gallery Pic is a leftover from this crazy week of volleyball... but it isn't volleyball-related! This weekend, I'm planning on taking over 100 pictures of Austin and Joshua... even if they are just sitting in the recliner. I know what you're thinking... "I can't wait!"
RANDOMNESS #1 - I saw two yellow trees on the way home from taking Roxie to school this morning. I was excited until I took off my yellow-tinted sunglasses and saw they were really more brown than golden. I think they've just given up... and they are skipping fall. I hope these two trees are the exception and not the rule. I MUST have a fall after this unbearably hot and humid summer. I simply MUST!
RANDOMNESS #2 - I read an article this morning about the 14 most beautiful national parks in the fall. Of course, Yellowstone, the Great Smoky Mountains and Yosemite made the list. But one caught my eye... Guadalupe National Park. I LOVE that name. It's located in a little town in West Texas.
And then I thought to myself, that would be an interesting goal to have. How many national parks can you visit before you are 90 years-old? Hmmm. I'll have to think on that one. (No matter what... Guadalupe National Park is now on my "List.")
TOTAL RANDOMNESS #3 - Another national park listed was Shenandoah National Park in Virginia. Do you remember the 1965 Jimmy Stewart movie entitled Shenandoah? Do you remember the theme song? Do you? I love the movie, and I really LOVE the song. Fun fact for you... It's the first song I learned to play on my harmonica when I was 16. (See Belinda's Project Life dated September 15.)
This confirms what you've thought all along... I've ALWAYS needed to get out more! And I'm ordering Shenandoah on Netflix as soon as I finish this post!
RANDOMNESS #4 - Okay. Here are the last five goals for the upcoming third year of A Simple Life. After this, I have to get busy. I have a lot to do and only 12 short months to complete the list.
16. I want to parasail. But I want to parasail "tandem." I do not want to be a mile high in the sky with sharks swimming underneath and the captain of the little boat yelling instructions to me which I will not be able to hear. I want an able-bodied parasailing professional at my side to make my parasailing experience perfectly SAFE and totally ENJOYABLE! (And if his name is Sven, that would be great, too!)
17. I'm not sure what the item will be, but I want to bid on (and WIN) something exciting at the Silent Auction Mikie and I attend each year in the spring. This past year, there was a week in a beautiful cabin auctioned off... in CANADA... and I could have used my Amelia Island envelope money and won! I thought it would go for thousands, but it was definitely within range! I can't wait until next year's auction!
18. I want to visit a new zoo or aquarium in the coming months. So far I've visited seven different zoos and aquariums (aquariums in Baltimore, Florida, Tennessee and and Georgia and zoos in Alabama, Georgia and Florida).
19. I want to meet at least one "new" famous person. I met Ken Lass last week, but he doesn't fall into the time frame of October 19, 2010 to October 18, 2011. I missed it by five weeks!
20. I want to attend TWO Sips N Strokes classes and create paintings for my home MYSELF! I have no artistic talent WHATSOEVER, but I want to try (and hopefully succeed) in painting something I could be proud of! (If you find a wrapped canvas with a big red bow on your front doorstep, you'll know I tried, but it just didn't work out in my house. But I'm sure it will be lovely in your home!)
Blog Linkage - Technically, I have three links for you today, but two are on the same website. I'm trying to make life easier for you! That's what I do. I'm a giver!
1. Go to Confessions of a Pioneer Woman under My Blog List and read her post entitled "Crying My Eyes Out" dated September 15. One of her boys is turning eight in a few days, and she wrote a funny, bittersweet ode to her child (complete with photographs). Excellent.
2. While you're visiting the Pioneer Woman, click on the tab at the top of her page entitled "Photography," and enjoy all the pictures she collected last week entitled "Funny." There are some great, great shots. Expect to be smiling when you leave her page.
3. Next, go to Sherri's Blog under my Blog List. If you are concerned about where our political leaders and nation are headed, but you feel you are incapable of changing anything so HUGE, read Sherri's post entitled "Allied Women" dated August 12. It is very informative, and it totally answers the questions, "What can I do?" and "How can I be heard?"
Backyard Date
The weather is about to be perfect for this kind of date. If you have several children, arrange a sleepover at the grandparents' house OR a Daddy Date for the siblings while you and ONE of your kiddos enjoy an evening in your own backyard.
You can do a number of fun things right outside your door.
Plan the perfect picnic for you and your child eating only their favorite foods. Start with dessert first!
Play catch, Frisbee or jump on the trampoline together while there is still light outside.
Move the television or computer to the deck and enjoy a movie together under the stars.
Set up the tent and use air mattresses, eat popcorn and play cards before camping out together... just the two of you.
Around 9:30 or 10:00, slip out of the house or tent in your pajamas and make a milkshake run.
Take a late night walk around the neighborhood with flashlights.
AND if you have more than one child, make plans to have a similar date with each and every other child in your family... because they are going to hear about it and they are going to WANT THEIR TURN!
Have a terrific Thursday. Friday's post will consist of Weekend Happenings, several reminders and a little Randomness. Nothing major... which is how a Friday post should be, I think.
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting Belinda
The Gallery Pic is a leftover from this crazy week of volleyball... but it isn't volleyball-related! This weekend, I'm planning on taking over 100 pictures of Austin and Joshua... even if they are just sitting in the recliner. I know what you're thinking... "I can't wait!"
RANDOMNESS #1 - I saw two yellow trees on the way home from taking Roxie to school this morning. I was excited until I took off my yellow-tinted sunglasses and saw they were really more brown than golden. I think they've just given up... and they are skipping fall. I hope these two trees are the exception and not the rule. I MUST have a fall after this unbearably hot and humid summer. I simply MUST!
RANDOMNESS #2 - I read an article this morning about the 14 most beautiful national parks in the fall. Of course, Yellowstone, the Great Smoky Mountains and Yosemite made the list. But one caught my eye... Guadalupe National Park. I LOVE that name. It's located in a little town in West Texas.
And then I thought to myself, that would be an interesting goal to have. How many national parks can you visit before you are 90 years-old? Hmmm. I'll have to think on that one. (No matter what... Guadalupe National Park is now on my "List.")
TOTAL RANDOMNESS #3 - Another national park listed was Shenandoah National Park in Virginia. Do you remember the 1965 Jimmy Stewart movie entitled Shenandoah? Do you remember the theme song? Do you? I love the movie, and I really LOVE the song. Fun fact for you... It's the first song I learned to play on my harmonica when I was 16. (See Belinda's Project Life dated September 15.)
This confirms what you've thought all along... I've ALWAYS needed to get out more! And I'm ordering Shenandoah on Netflix as soon as I finish this post!
RANDOMNESS #4 - Okay. Here are the last five goals for the upcoming third year of A Simple Life. After this, I have to get busy. I have a lot to do and only 12 short months to complete the list.
16. I want to parasail. But I want to parasail "tandem." I do not want to be a mile high in the sky with sharks swimming underneath and the captain of the little boat yelling instructions to me which I will not be able to hear. I want an able-bodied parasailing professional at my side to make my parasailing experience perfectly SAFE and totally ENJOYABLE! (And if his name is Sven, that would be great, too!)
17. I'm not sure what the item will be, but I want to bid on (and WIN) something exciting at the Silent Auction Mikie and I attend each year in the spring. This past year, there was a week in a beautiful cabin auctioned off... in CANADA... and I could have used my Amelia Island envelope money and won! I thought it would go for thousands, but it was definitely within range! I can't wait until next year's auction!
18. I want to visit a new zoo or aquarium in the coming months. So far I've visited seven different zoos and aquariums (aquariums in Baltimore, Florida, Tennessee and and Georgia and zoos in Alabama, Georgia and Florida).
19. I want to meet at least one "new" famous person. I met Ken Lass last week, but he doesn't fall into the time frame of October 19, 2010 to October 18, 2011. I missed it by five weeks!
20. I want to attend TWO Sips N Strokes classes and create paintings for my home MYSELF! I have no artistic talent WHATSOEVER, but I want to try (and hopefully succeed) in painting something I could be proud of! (If you find a wrapped canvas with a big red bow on your front doorstep, you'll know I tried, but it just didn't work out in my house. But I'm sure it will be lovely in your home!)
Blog Linkage - Technically, I have three links for you today, but two are on the same website. I'm trying to make life easier for you! That's what I do. I'm a giver!
1. Go to Confessions of a Pioneer Woman under My Blog List and read her post entitled "Crying My Eyes Out" dated September 15. One of her boys is turning eight in a few days, and she wrote a funny, bittersweet ode to her child (complete with photographs). Excellent.
2. While you're visiting the Pioneer Woman, click on the tab at the top of her page entitled "Photography," and enjoy all the pictures she collected last week entitled "Funny." There are some great, great shots. Expect to be smiling when you leave her page.
3. Next, go to Sherri's Blog under my Blog List. If you are concerned about where our political leaders and nation are headed, but you feel you are incapable of changing anything so HUGE, read Sherri's post entitled "Allied Women" dated August 12. It is very informative, and it totally answers the questions, "What can I do?" and "How can I be heard?"
Backyard Date
The weather is about to be perfect for this kind of date. If you have several children, arrange a sleepover at the grandparents' house OR a Daddy Date for the siblings while you and ONE of your kiddos enjoy an evening in your own backyard.
You can do a number of fun things right outside your door.
Plan the perfect picnic for you and your child eating only their favorite foods. Start with dessert first!
Play catch, Frisbee or jump on the trampoline together while there is still light outside.
Move the television or computer to the deck and enjoy a movie together under the stars.
Set up the tent and use air mattresses, eat popcorn and play cards before camping out together... just the two of you.
Around 9:30 or 10:00, slip out of the house or tent in your pajamas and make a milkshake run.
Take a late night walk around the neighborhood with flashlights.
AND if you have more than one child, make plans to have a similar date with each and every other child in your family... because they are going to hear about it and they are going to WANT THEIR TURN!
Have a terrific Thursday. Friday's post will consist of Weekend Happenings, several reminders and a little Randomness. Nothing major... which is how a Friday post should be, I think.
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting Belinda
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Annual Family Portrait
Good Wednesday morning!
The Gallery Pics are from our Krispy Kreme visit Tuesday night after the McAdory volleyball game. It has become a tradition. If we play McAdory (at McAdory), we go to Krispy Kreme after the game. If we lose, we go to Krispy Kreme to lift our spirits. If we win, we go to Krispy Kreme to celebrate. On this particular evening, we were celebrating!
RANDOMNESS #1 - I received my Martha Stewart Living magazine yesterday, and, as is my custom, I went straight to Martha's Calendar. It's an amazing calendar. Although I did the same thing last month, I want to do a little comparison. Bear with me, please.
MARTHA - October 1
Morning workout
Plant garlic
Apply compost to vegetable gardens
BELINDA - October 1
Eat breakfast
Walk two miles
Eat second breakfast
Water dead fern
Pretend "brown" is the desired color of all outside plants
MARTHA - October 2
Schedule a mammogram
Remind female friends to do so, too
Take down outdoor clothesline
BELINDA - October 2
Take a moment to be thankful mammogram isn't until January
Wash three loads of clothes
If dryer is broken, throw wet clothes over neighbor's fence
MARTHA - October 3
Put away stable fans
Replenish supply of vitamins and fish oil
Set up humidifiers throughout house
BELINDA - October 3
MARTHA TAKES FISH OIL, TOO. COOL!
Host Josh's 17th birthday celebration
MARTHA - October 4
Morning workout
Have house boilers serviced
Horseback ride
BELINDA - October 4
Eat a piece of Josh's birthday cake
Walk two miles
Eat second piece of Josh's birthday cake
Find out what a "house boiler" is
See. We are so similar it is uncanny. (By the way, the October 2010 magazine is amazing!)
RANDOMNESS #2 - Below you will find goals 11 through 15 from my To Do List. I get nervous just looking at the growing list... but I have a plan... I think. No! I do! I do have a plan!
11. I would like to have a scrapbook page featured in a magazine. That would be SO cool! I have about 4,500 to choose from, so I'm going to start sending those in very soon.
12. I would like to start and/or participate in an OCD support group. I have quite a bit of research to do regarding this goal, but I think it is time. Of course, one of the BIG obstacles regarding OCD is the secrecy surrounding the illness. Meeting people who want to come out in the open and talk about it freely will not be an easy task.
13. I want to eat at two more restaurants featured on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives. I've eaten at six, and they've all be great. If there is a GIANT picture of Guy Fieri hanging above the cash register, you know you're going to have a great meal!
14. I DON'T want to take a digital photography class... but I NEED to. I want to go ahead and get this one over with this year. It is hanging over my head like a cloud. If you've known me two minutes, you know I do NOT like to attend meetings... and at this point in my life, a digital photography class sounds like and feels like a long, boring, technical meeting. Yuck! (But I will be happy if and when I accomplish this goal. I know I will!)
15. I want to spend an entire day and ride a tube down a real river with family and friends. My friend, Karman, suggested this a few weeks ago, and I am all over this one. It requires sitting... in a tube... in cool water... for several hours. I don't know about you, but this has "Olympic Sport for 49 Year-Old Women" written ALL over it!
I'll list the last five tomorrow, and then it will be time to get busy!
Wednesday Wisdom - "Kindness" is the word for the day. Below, I think you will see why!
"A kind and compassionate act is often its own reward." William John Bennett
"How far you go in life depends on you being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving and tolerant of the weak and the strong. Because someday in life, you will have been all of these." George Washington Carver
"Kindness is more than deeds. It is an attitude, an expression, a look, a touch. It is anything that lifts another person." C. Neil Strait
"Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see." Mark Twain
I hope we all will show someone kindness and compassion this Wednesday, September 15, 2010. We'll be the better for doing so.
Annual Family Portrait
While many of us are vigilant about taking annual family portraits when the kids are small, it is just as important as your children become teenagers. If possible, it would be a wonderful tradition to continue as the family gets older and grows with the addition of sons-in-law, daughters-in-law and grandchildren.
Now, it won't necessarily be easy. It isn't EASY when the kids are little! But with the holidays fast approaching, pick a time when everyone (or almost everyone) will be together. If Thanksgiving or Christmas is not the perfect time, it may be a family reunion, a different holiday, a grandparent's birthday, etc.
Whatever time you pick, try your best to ANNUALLY take the family portrait. It doesn't have to be a professional picture (although there are affordable professional photographers out there).
Everyone's clothes do not have to match (although just asking the participants to wear solid color shirts and jeans can help make a beautiful photo).
It is one of those traditions you will appreciate more and more and more as the years go by. If it has been a while since you've done this with your family, plan a time during this upcoming fall season and start a new tradition.
Have a spectacular Wednesday. It's going to be a hot one... again. But I can bear it because I know there's a cool breeze just around the corner. But not today. Thursday I'll be sharing Blog Linkage, Dates and the last of my 20 goals!
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting Belinda
The Gallery Pics are from our Krispy Kreme visit Tuesday night after the McAdory volleyball game. It has become a tradition. If we play McAdory (at McAdory), we go to Krispy Kreme after the game. If we lose, we go to Krispy Kreme to lift our spirits. If we win, we go to Krispy Kreme to celebrate. On this particular evening, we were celebrating!
RANDOMNESS #1 - I received my Martha Stewart Living magazine yesterday, and, as is my custom, I went straight to Martha's Calendar. It's an amazing calendar. Although I did the same thing last month, I want to do a little comparison. Bear with me, please.
MARTHA - October 1
Morning workout
Plant garlic
Apply compost to vegetable gardens
BELINDA - October 1
Eat breakfast
Walk two miles
Eat second breakfast
Water dead fern
Pretend "brown" is the desired color of all outside plants
MARTHA - October 2
Schedule a mammogram
Remind female friends to do so, too
Take down outdoor clothesline
BELINDA - October 2
Take a moment to be thankful mammogram isn't until January
Wash three loads of clothes
If dryer is broken, throw wet clothes over neighbor's fence
MARTHA - October 3
Put away stable fans
Replenish supply of vitamins and fish oil
Set up humidifiers throughout house
BELINDA - October 3
MARTHA TAKES FISH OIL, TOO. COOL!
Host Josh's 17th birthday celebration
MARTHA - October 4
Morning workout
Have house boilers serviced
Horseback ride
BELINDA - October 4
Eat a piece of Josh's birthday cake
Walk two miles
Eat second piece of Josh's birthday cake
Find out what a "house boiler" is
See. We are so similar it is uncanny. (By the way, the October 2010 magazine is amazing!)
RANDOMNESS #2 - Below you will find goals 11 through 15 from my To Do List. I get nervous just looking at the growing list... but I have a plan... I think. No! I do! I do have a plan!
11. I would like to have a scrapbook page featured in a magazine. That would be SO cool! I have about 4,500 to choose from, so I'm going to start sending those in very soon.
12. I would like to start and/or participate in an OCD support group. I have quite a bit of research to do regarding this goal, but I think it is time. Of course, one of the BIG obstacles regarding OCD is the secrecy surrounding the illness. Meeting people who want to come out in the open and talk about it freely will not be an easy task.
13. I want to eat at two more restaurants featured on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives. I've eaten at six, and they've all be great. If there is a GIANT picture of Guy Fieri hanging above the cash register, you know you're going to have a great meal!
14. I DON'T want to take a digital photography class... but I NEED to. I want to go ahead and get this one over with this year. It is hanging over my head like a cloud. If you've known me two minutes, you know I do NOT like to attend meetings... and at this point in my life, a digital photography class sounds like and feels like a long, boring, technical meeting. Yuck! (But I will be happy if and when I accomplish this goal. I know I will!)
15. I want to spend an entire day and ride a tube down a real river with family and friends. My friend, Karman, suggested this a few weeks ago, and I am all over this one. It requires sitting... in a tube... in cool water... for several hours. I don't know about you, but this has "Olympic Sport for 49 Year-Old Women" written ALL over it!
I'll list the last five tomorrow, and then it will be time to get busy!
Wednesday Wisdom - "Kindness" is the word for the day. Below, I think you will see why!
"A kind and compassionate act is often its own reward." William John Bennett
"How far you go in life depends on you being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving and tolerant of the weak and the strong. Because someday in life, you will have been all of these." George Washington Carver
"Kindness is more than deeds. It is an attitude, an expression, a look, a touch. It is anything that lifts another person." C. Neil Strait
"Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see." Mark Twain
I hope we all will show someone kindness and compassion this Wednesday, September 15, 2010. We'll be the better for doing so.
Annual Family Portrait
While many of us are vigilant about taking annual family portraits when the kids are small, it is just as important as your children become teenagers. If possible, it would be a wonderful tradition to continue as the family gets older and grows with the addition of sons-in-law, daughters-in-law and grandchildren.
Now, it won't necessarily be easy. It isn't EASY when the kids are little! But with the holidays fast approaching, pick a time when everyone (or almost everyone) will be together. If Thanksgiving or Christmas is not the perfect time, it may be a family reunion, a different holiday, a grandparent's birthday, etc.
Whatever time you pick, try your best to ANNUALLY take the family portrait. It doesn't have to be a professional picture (although there are affordable professional photographers out there).
Everyone's clothes do not have to match (although just asking the participants to wear solid color shirts and jeans can help make a beautiful photo).
It is one of those traditions you will appreciate more and more and more as the years go by. If it has been a while since you've done this with your family, plan a time during this upcoming fall season and start a new tradition.
Have a spectacular Wednesday. It's going to be a hot one... again. But I can bear it because I know there's a cool breeze just around the corner. But not today. Thursday I'll be sharing Blog Linkage, Dates and the last of my 20 goals!
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting Belinda
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Cranberry Chicken
Good Tuesday morning!
The Gallery Pics are, of course, volleyball-related. However, I would like to point out most of them are ACTION shots! That's right. With my BRAND NEW CAMERA, I can set the ISO to 3200 and take very clear running, jumping, spiking, serving ACTION shots. (Do NOT ask me what ISO means and why 1600 to 3200 are the numbers you use for ACTION shots. If you do, I will have to hit you on top of the head with my BRAND NEW CAMERA!)
CONTEST! CONTEST! CONTEST! - It feels like I JUST had a contest on A Simple Life... Hmmm. No. No. I remember now. I had a contest on Belinda's Project 365. This is a TOTALLY different contest.
On October 1, I will write my 500th post for A Simple Life. WOW! Some would say that's a "lot of nothing," but hopefully they would not say it to my face.
Beginning 6:30 a.m. Friday, October 1, the FIRST SIX women who leave a comment on the blog (via the Comment Section, e-mail or Facebook), will go on the fourth (and perhaps final) Mystery Bag Party in the Big Gold Van.
Anyone leaving a comment BEFORE 6:30 a.m. will not qualify. I will check the times of each comment, e-mail and Facebook post. The winners will be announced when I have received the first six comments!
I'm not sure how this method will work, but let's give it a try, shall we?
RANDOMNESS - Okay. Here are five more "things" from my To Do List. Five more things I will accomplish in ONE SHORT YEAR! (Yeah... right!)
6. I want to take a Glass Bottom Boat tour in the Gulf. My friend, Evelyn, did this a few years ago, and it sounded like so much fun. Plus, one of my favorite Doris Day movies when I was growing up was Glass Bottom Boat. I am singing it to myself as I type this post. "The glass bottom boat. The glass bottom boat. It's the greatest boat that was ever afloat... ." You get the idea. And before I go on the Glass Bottom Boat tour, I want to watch the movie with my family. It will seem corny and silly and the computer generated extras were non-existent at that time, but they will survive.
7. I want to ride bikes on the Callaway Gardens biking trails with my family... again. This will not be a first. It will be a "third," but I loved doing it when they were younger, and I want to do it again!
8. I want to eat at Planet Hollywood. I may be the only human alive who has not eaten there, and I fear I will not feel truly complete until I do. Roxie and I did use the restrooms at the restaurant once (the Downtown Disney location), and the bathrooms were divine! We still talk about them.
9. I want to visit at least one new state. Well, "new" to me. I doubt we'll be adding a new state in the next 12 months... but you never know! In my 49 years as an American citizen, I have only visited 15 states... and I'm not sure I can really count Arkansas. We were about to leave Memphis, and we saw a sign which said "Arkansas... 1 Mile," so we crossed the state line. We really didn't "experience" the state!
10. I want to finish reading the Bible completely through. I am very close, and this is most definitely a worthy goal!
Five more tomorrow. It's a pretty extensive list!
Cranberry Chicken
I have made this before in the oven, but this is the version from my new cookbook, 101 Things To Do With a Slow Cooker (from my friend, Melaney).
You will need the following:
3 to 4 pounds chicken tenderloins
1/4 cup dried minced onion
1 can (16 ounces) whole berry cranberry sauce
1 cup barbecue sauce
Salt and pepper, to taste
1. Combine all ingredients in greased 5-quart slow cooker.
2. Cover and cook on low heat 6 to 8 hours.
Ha! That's it. However, there are a few NOTES you need to read below.
NOTE #1 - I never cook with minced OR chopped onions in the slow cooker. I place a peeled whole onion in the corner of the slow cooker. It still gives the recipe the onion flavor, and the people who do like onions (Mikie and Austin) can easily have the sliced onion as a side dish.
NOTE #2 - Do NOT use jellied cranberry sauce. It adds too much liquid. You MUST use the whole berry cranberry sauce!
Enjoy!
Have a lovely Tuesday. I will be serving up Wednesday Wisdom, a Seasonal Tradition and five more goals first thing in the morning! I hope you'll visit again!
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting Belinda
The Gallery Pics are, of course, volleyball-related. However, I would like to point out most of them are ACTION shots! That's right. With my BRAND NEW CAMERA, I can set the ISO to 3200 and take very clear running, jumping, spiking, serving ACTION shots. (Do NOT ask me what ISO means and why 1600 to 3200 are the numbers you use for ACTION shots. If you do, I will have to hit you on top of the head with my BRAND NEW CAMERA!)
CONTEST! CONTEST! CONTEST! - It feels like I JUST had a contest on A Simple Life... Hmmm. No. No. I remember now. I had a contest on Belinda's Project 365. This is a TOTALLY different contest.
On October 1, I will write my 500th post for A Simple Life. WOW! Some would say that's a "lot of nothing," but hopefully they would not say it to my face.
Beginning 6:30 a.m. Friday, October 1, the FIRST SIX women who leave a comment on the blog (via the Comment Section, e-mail or Facebook), will go on the fourth (and perhaps final) Mystery Bag Party in the Big Gold Van.
Anyone leaving a comment BEFORE 6:30 a.m. will not qualify. I will check the times of each comment, e-mail and Facebook post. The winners will be announced when I have received the first six comments!
I'm not sure how this method will work, but let's give it a try, shall we?
RANDOMNESS - Okay. Here are five more "things" from my To Do List. Five more things I will accomplish in ONE SHORT YEAR! (Yeah... right!)
6. I want to take a Glass Bottom Boat tour in the Gulf. My friend, Evelyn, did this a few years ago, and it sounded like so much fun. Plus, one of my favorite Doris Day movies when I was growing up was Glass Bottom Boat. I am singing it to myself as I type this post. "The glass bottom boat. The glass bottom boat. It's the greatest boat that was ever afloat... ." You get the idea. And before I go on the Glass Bottom Boat tour, I want to watch the movie with my family. It will seem corny and silly and the computer generated extras were non-existent at that time, but they will survive.
7. I want to ride bikes on the Callaway Gardens biking trails with my family... again. This will not be a first. It will be a "third," but I loved doing it when they were younger, and I want to do it again!
8. I want to eat at Planet Hollywood. I may be the only human alive who has not eaten there, and I fear I will not feel truly complete until I do. Roxie and I did use the restrooms at the restaurant once (the Downtown Disney location), and the bathrooms were divine! We still talk about them.
9. I want to visit at least one new state. Well, "new" to me. I doubt we'll be adding a new state in the next 12 months... but you never know! In my 49 years as an American citizen, I have only visited 15 states... and I'm not sure I can really count Arkansas. We were about to leave Memphis, and we saw a sign which said "Arkansas... 1 Mile," so we crossed the state line. We really didn't "experience" the state!
10. I want to finish reading the Bible completely through. I am very close, and this is most definitely a worthy goal!
Five more tomorrow. It's a pretty extensive list!
Cranberry Chicken
I have made this before in the oven, but this is the version from my new cookbook, 101 Things To Do With a Slow Cooker (from my friend, Melaney).
You will need the following:
3 to 4 pounds chicken tenderloins
1/4 cup dried minced onion
1 can (16 ounces) whole berry cranberry sauce
1 cup barbecue sauce
Salt and pepper, to taste
1. Combine all ingredients in greased 5-quart slow cooker.
2. Cover and cook on low heat 6 to 8 hours.
Ha! That's it. However, there are a few NOTES you need to read below.
NOTE #1 - I never cook with minced OR chopped onions in the slow cooker. I place a peeled whole onion in the corner of the slow cooker. It still gives the recipe the onion flavor, and the people who do like onions (Mikie and Austin) can easily have the sliced onion as a side dish.
NOTE #2 - Do NOT use jellied cranberry sauce. It adds too much liquid. You MUST use the whole berry cranberry sauce!
Enjoy!
Have a lovely Tuesday. I will be serving up Wednesday Wisdom, a Seasonal Tradition and five more goals first thing in the morning! I hope you'll visit again!
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting Belinda
Monday, September 13, 2010
Teenage Devotion Movie Night
Good Monday morning!
The Showcase Pic this week is from Roxie’s photo shoot Sunday afternoon. One of the joys of having a 13 year-old daughter is her ability to "get on board" if and when I utter the words, "Do you feel like taking some pictures today?" I love that about Roxie!
The Gallery Pics are from Grandparent/Senior Day celebrated at my Mom’s church in Trussville. Ken Lass was the guest speaker, and he was excellent. If you ever need a speaker for a church event, I would recommend him in a heartbeat.
I also added a couple more pics of Roxie and friends.
RANDOMNESS - Okay. I’m going to give you my list of 20 things I want to accomplish during Year Three of A Simple Life… but I’m only going to share five goals per day.
1. I want to zip line. As I mentioned in Friday’s post, I’ve already started the researching process, and if I decide to go the Fort Payne route, I’ll be making an appointment (or whatever they call it) by the end of the week for a time late October or early November. (If I’m going to be zip lining from tree to tree, I want them to be covered in gold, red and orange leaves.) Once I make the “appointment,” I will keep it! That’s right. I will not change my mind… unless there is lightning or flooding or pestilence involved. I mean, it wouldn’t really be a fun experience if there was lightning or flooding or pestilence. Memorable, but not fun!
2. I want to learn to drive the boat. I imagine this one will not be too hard, and I’m also planning on learning this skill in October. (That way, if I wreck the boat, we have a whole year to either have it fixed, OR save to buy a new one.) But I’m not planning on wrecking the boat. Really… I’m not.
3. I want to attend a Cirque du Soleil performance. Mike has been to one or two, but I want to see one before I’m 90, so I think this is the year to go. I know the shows are pricey, so I may have to go alone! Money is going into my Cirque du Soleil "envelope" as this post is going to press! (I've always wanted to say that!)And guess what? They are performing in Atlanta beginning November 4. And guess what else? The show's theme is "insects." Hmmm. Probably not my first pick, but I'm sure I'll learn something while I'm there. And if you've known me two minutes, you know I'm extremely interested in learning about bugs! (Really... not so much.)
4. I want to go camping alone with Mikie. It may sound selfish, but no kids AND no beagles will be allowed. We will wear the same clothes for three days straight (clean underwear, but the same outer garments), and we will ride into town at least two mornings to eat breakfast at Hardee’s. (We’ll go into town the FIRST two mornings because if we’re going to wear the same clothes all weekend, we’ll probably be pretty smelly by morning three.)
5. I want to publish an idea OR an article in Family Fun Magazine. Even though I have sent dozens (nay, hundreds) of ideas and/or articles to the magazine over the years (and they have not published ANYTHING), I feel this might be my year.
There you have it! The first FIVE activities on my To Do List. I’ll list another five in the morning. Hopefully, sharing the list will hold me accountable, and help me work toward these VERY IMPORTANT goals... or not!
Weekend Review
We had a BUSY weekend, but fun. As I predicted on Friday, the volleyball tournament took up Friday night and most of the day Saturday for Mikie, Roxie and me. Josh went bowling with a friend Friday evening, cut grass Saturday morning and made plans to attend the JSU game Saturday night. Austin prepared for the game Friday and Saturday, too, in his own horn-tooting way!
As it turned out, Roxie's tournament ended a little after 3:00 p.m., so Mikie called Josh before he left and they drove to JSU together to meet up with Grandmother, Aunt Bev, Katie and Zac.
Roxie and I headed home for a much needed rest. Roxie was exhausted from playing game after game after game of volleyball all day, and I was exhausted after watching Roxie play game after game after game of volleyball all day.
Mikie and Josh were not disappointed in the JSU outcome. Although the team waited until the last 40 seconds of the game to win, a "win is a win is a win."
Austin had gotten permission from his RA, so Josh spent the night in the dorm with his brother after a quick, but filling, trip to Taco Bell. They both had a good time, so they're planning their next overnight JSU visit.
Sunday morning, Roxie and I headed to Southside Baptist in Trussville, my "home" church, for Grandparent/Senior Day. Austin and Josh made it to the service driving in from JSU with seconds to spare! And poor Mikie stayed put to perform all of our "director-y" duties for the High School and Middle School Department. He's a saint, I tell you.
Since I have the aforementioned "dead snail" metabolism, around 3:00 o'clock I was fading fast. However, I had promised Roxie and a couple of friends a photo shoot, so "photo shoot" we did!
It was quite the weekend, but thoroughly enjoyable. (And I hope your weekend was great, too!)
Teenage Devotion Movie Night
Since I love movies and Faulkner Family Movie Night, I thought we could incorporate something really, really significant every now and again.
I LOVE Louie Giglio and his DVDs. They are interesting, thought-provoking, interest-keeping, scripture-based WONDERFUL DVDs. There are also several titles to choose from... How Great is Our God, Fruitcake and Ice Cream, Hope When Life Hurts Most, Indescribable, etc.
So if you have teenagers (and friends of your teenagers) over for a movie night, pop in one Mr. Giglio's DVDs. It's a ready-made family devotion!
Again... time well spent!
Have a lovely Monday. It’s the beginning of a brand new week. Anything could happen! Tuesday’s recipe is very, very good. I’ll also have five more items to share from my To Do List, as well as a couple more random thoughts.
Take care, and I’ll talk to you tomorrow.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting Belinda
The Showcase Pic this week is from Roxie’s photo shoot Sunday afternoon. One of the joys of having a 13 year-old daughter is her ability to "get on board" if and when I utter the words, "Do you feel like taking some pictures today?" I love that about Roxie!
The Gallery Pics are from Grandparent/Senior Day celebrated at my Mom’s church in Trussville. Ken Lass was the guest speaker, and he was excellent. If you ever need a speaker for a church event, I would recommend him in a heartbeat.
I also added a couple more pics of Roxie and friends.
RANDOMNESS - Okay. I’m going to give you my list of 20 things I want to accomplish during Year Three of A Simple Life… but I’m only going to share five goals per day.
1. I want to zip line. As I mentioned in Friday’s post, I’ve already started the researching process, and if I decide to go the Fort Payne route, I’ll be making an appointment (or whatever they call it) by the end of the week for a time late October or early November. (If I’m going to be zip lining from tree to tree, I want them to be covered in gold, red and orange leaves.) Once I make the “appointment,” I will keep it! That’s right. I will not change my mind… unless there is lightning or flooding or pestilence involved. I mean, it wouldn’t really be a fun experience if there was lightning or flooding or pestilence. Memorable, but not fun!
2. I want to learn to drive the boat. I imagine this one will not be too hard, and I’m also planning on learning this skill in October. (That way, if I wreck the boat, we have a whole year to either have it fixed, OR save to buy a new one.) But I’m not planning on wrecking the boat. Really… I’m not.
3. I want to attend a Cirque du Soleil performance. Mike has been to one or two, but I want to see one before I’m 90, so I think this is the year to go. I know the shows are pricey, so I may have to go alone! Money is going into my Cirque du Soleil "envelope" as this post is going to press! (I've always wanted to say that!)And guess what? They are performing in Atlanta beginning November 4. And guess what else? The show's theme is "insects." Hmmm. Probably not my first pick, but I'm sure I'll learn something while I'm there. And if you've known me two minutes, you know I'm extremely interested in learning about bugs! (Really... not so much.)
4. I want to go camping alone with Mikie. It may sound selfish, but no kids AND no beagles will be allowed. We will wear the same clothes for three days straight (clean underwear, but the same outer garments), and we will ride into town at least two mornings to eat breakfast at Hardee’s. (We’ll go into town the FIRST two mornings because if we’re going to wear the same clothes all weekend, we’ll probably be pretty smelly by morning three.)
5. I want to publish an idea OR an article in Family Fun Magazine. Even though I have sent dozens (nay, hundreds) of ideas and/or articles to the magazine over the years (and they have not published ANYTHING), I feel this might be my year.
There you have it! The first FIVE activities on my To Do List. I’ll list another five in the morning. Hopefully, sharing the list will hold me accountable, and help me work toward these VERY IMPORTANT goals... or not!
Weekend Review
We had a BUSY weekend, but fun. As I predicted on Friday, the volleyball tournament took up Friday night and most of the day Saturday for Mikie, Roxie and me. Josh went bowling with a friend Friday evening, cut grass Saturday morning and made plans to attend the JSU game Saturday night. Austin prepared for the game Friday and Saturday, too, in his own horn-tooting way!
As it turned out, Roxie's tournament ended a little after 3:00 p.m., so Mikie called Josh before he left and they drove to JSU together to meet up with Grandmother, Aunt Bev, Katie and Zac.
Roxie and I headed home for a much needed rest. Roxie was exhausted from playing game after game after game of volleyball all day, and I was exhausted after watching Roxie play game after game after game of volleyball all day.
Mikie and Josh were not disappointed in the JSU outcome. Although the team waited until the last 40 seconds of the game to win, a "win is a win is a win."
Austin had gotten permission from his RA, so Josh spent the night in the dorm with his brother after a quick, but filling, trip to Taco Bell. They both had a good time, so they're planning their next overnight JSU visit.
Sunday morning, Roxie and I headed to Southside Baptist in Trussville, my "home" church, for Grandparent/Senior Day. Austin and Josh made it to the service driving in from JSU with seconds to spare! And poor Mikie stayed put to perform all of our "director-y" duties for the High School and Middle School Department. He's a saint, I tell you.
Since I have the aforementioned "dead snail" metabolism, around 3:00 o'clock I was fading fast. However, I had promised Roxie and a couple of friends a photo shoot, so "photo shoot" we did!
It was quite the weekend, but thoroughly enjoyable. (And I hope your weekend was great, too!)
Teenage Devotion Movie Night
Since I love movies and Faulkner Family Movie Night, I thought we could incorporate something really, really significant every now and again.
I LOVE Louie Giglio and his DVDs. They are interesting, thought-provoking, interest-keeping, scripture-based WONDERFUL DVDs. There are also several titles to choose from... How Great is Our God, Fruitcake and Ice Cream, Hope When Life Hurts Most, Indescribable, etc.
So if you have teenagers (and friends of your teenagers) over for a movie night, pop in one Mr. Giglio's DVDs. It's a ready-made family devotion!
Again... time well spent!
Have a lovely Monday. It’s the beginning of a brand new week. Anything could happen! Tuesday’s recipe is very, very good. I’ll also have five more items to share from my To Do List, as well as a couple more random thoughts.
Take care, and I’ll talk to you tomorrow.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting Belinda
Friday, September 10, 2010
Weekend Happenings
Good Friday morning!
The Gallery Pics are just a few shots I didn't share during the week... just in case!
RANDOMNESS - I've been re-evaluating A Simple Life and it's purpose the last few weeks. In only 15 posts, I will hit big ol' number 500! That's right! I will have written 500 posts. To me, that is a lot.
I will also celebrate my second year of blogging October 19... a few short days after my 500th post.
When I first began blogging, I had several specific purposes.
1. I wanted to share Josh's story. I wanted to help eliminate the stigma associated with any and all mental illnesses. To be honest, the stigma is so enormous and my little part of the world is so very small, I feel there is still much to accomplish... and so I will continue sharing this story with anyone who stands still long enough to listen.
2. I wanted to talk again. Because of the isolation the illness can cause (for the entire family), I needed to talk and talk and talk after over two years of not talking on a regular basis... but I did not want to feel like I was burdening anyone. A Simple Life is a perfect place for this. If you don't want to "listen," you can move on to the next paragraph. No pressure! I still feel the need to talk and talk and talk, and I like not burdening others... and so I will continue to do so.
3. I wanted to share my passions (family traditions, Christ-centered birthday party ideas, resources, etc.). I have been able to do that over and over again WITHOUT making people's eyes glaze over... and I will continue to share ideas (mostly borrowed) because it's one of my favorite things to do!
4. However, I want the third year of the blog to be a little different. I want it to be fun, but also productive and goal-oriented.
After much thought and consideration, beginning October 19, 2010 until October 19, 2011, I will be attempting to "tackle," "do," "experience" and/or "accomplish" 20 items on my "100 Things To Do Before I'm 90" List.
That's right! I'm absolutely, positively copying the movie Julie & Julia... but without the cooking! Please know these are not serious, life-changing, earth-moving activities. This portion of the blog for the next 12 months is intended to be fun!
And while I know there is so much sadness and heaviness and exhaustion and sickness and busyness in our lives today, I do want A Simple Life to be a place you can visit and "smile" from time to time. I really do.
First thing Monday morning, I will be revealing the 20 things I will be attempting to accomplish in a short 12-month period. I hope you'll be with me for each and every one!
And, yes... I'm going to zip-line sometime DURING THIS YEAR! I'm already doing the research. There is a place in Fort Payne which looks promising and six locations in Georgia. Basically, I'm asking about fatalities. (It's funny, but most zip line establishments don't like that word!)
Weekend Happenings
It's VOLLEYBALL all weekend, Baby! Roxie has a volleyball tournament beginning tonight and ending sometime tomorrow evening. If she finishes in time, Mike, Roxie and I will "scoot" over to Jacksonville to watch The Boy march. However, if our games run too long, Austin will have a fine cheering squad. Grandmother, Aunt Bev, Katie, Zac, Melia and her family are all planning to attend.
Josh is also going to the game and spending the night with Austin in the dorm. That should be fun/interesting!
Sunday, Roxie and I will be attending Grandmother's church for Senior Day. Austin and Josh will be coming straight from Jacksonville that morning to meet us at her church. (Mikie will be doing our church "job" Sunday morning, but he will make it in time for "dinner on the ground.")
After church and dinner, we'll head to the house... but I have absolutely no idea what we'll be doing. We'll just have to wait and see! (I'm kind of leaning toward the "nap" scenario. Yes. I'm definitely planning on that happening!)
Have a delightful September weekend. I hope all goes according to your plan. Don't forget it is Share the Love September! Don't stop encouraging, loving and lifting up the people around you! Next week I'll be sharing the 20 items from my "100 Things To Do Before I'm 90" List. I'll also have the contest details for the last Mystery Bag Party, and much, much more.
Take care, and I'll talk to you Monday.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting Belinda
The Gallery Pics are just a few shots I didn't share during the week... just in case!
RANDOMNESS - I've been re-evaluating A Simple Life and it's purpose the last few weeks. In only 15 posts, I will hit big ol' number 500! That's right! I will have written 500 posts. To me, that is a lot.
I will also celebrate my second year of blogging October 19... a few short days after my 500th post.
When I first began blogging, I had several specific purposes.
1. I wanted to share Josh's story. I wanted to help eliminate the stigma associated with any and all mental illnesses. To be honest, the stigma is so enormous and my little part of the world is so very small, I feel there is still much to accomplish... and so I will continue sharing this story with anyone who stands still long enough to listen.
2. I wanted to talk again. Because of the isolation the illness can cause (for the entire family), I needed to talk and talk and talk after over two years of not talking on a regular basis... but I did not want to feel like I was burdening anyone. A Simple Life is a perfect place for this. If you don't want to "listen," you can move on to the next paragraph. No pressure! I still feel the need to talk and talk and talk, and I like not burdening others... and so I will continue to do so.
3. I wanted to share my passions (family traditions, Christ-centered birthday party ideas, resources, etc.). I have been able to do that over and over again WITHOUT making people's eyes glaze over... and I will continue to share ideas (mostly borrowed) because it's one of my favorite things to do!
4. However, I want the third year of the blog to be a little different. I want it to be fun, but also productive and goal-oriented.
After much thought and consideration, beginning October 19, 2010 until October 19, 2011, I will be attempting to "tackle," "do," "experience" and/or "accomplish" 20 items on my "100 Things To Do Before I'm 90" List.
That's right! I'm absolutely, positively copying the movie Julie & Julia... but without the cooking! Please know these are not serious, life-changing, earth-moving activities. This portion of the blog for the next 12 months is intended to be fun!
And while I know there is so much sadness and heaviness and exhaustion and sickness and busyness in our lives today, I do want A Simple Life to be a place you can visit and "smile" from time to time. I really do.
First thing Monday morning, I will be revealing the 20 things I will be attempting to accomplish in a short 12-month period. I hope you'll be with me for each and every one!
And, yes... I'm going to zip-line sometime DURING THIS YEAR! I'm already doing the research. There is a place in Fort Payne which looks promising and six locations in Georgia. Basically, I'm asking about fatalities. (It's funny, but most zip line establishments don't like that word!)
Weekend Happenings
It's VOLLEYBALL all weekend, Baby! Roxie has a volleyball tournament beginning tonight and ending sometime tomorrow evening. If she finishes in time, Mike, Roxie and I will "scoot" over to Jacksonville to watch The Boy march. However, if our games run too long, Austin will have a fine cheering squad. Grandmother, Aunt Bev, Katie, Zac, Melia and her family are all planning to attend.
Josh is also going to the game and spending the night with Austin in the dorm. That should be fun/interesting!
Sunday, Roxie and I will be attending Grandmother's church for Senior Day. Austin and Josh will be coming straight from Jacksonville that morning to meet us at her church. (Mikie will be doing our church "job" Sunday morning, but he will make it in time for "dinner on the ground.")
After church and dinner, we'll head to the house... but I have absolutely no idea what we'll be doing. We'll just have to wait and see! (I'm kind of leaning toward the "nap" scenario. Yes. I'm definitely planning on that happening!)
Have a delightful September weekend. I hope all goes according to your plan. Don't forget it is Share the Love September! Don't stop encouraging, loving and lifting up the people around you! Next week I'll be sharing the 20 items from my "100 Things To Do Before I'm 90" List. I'll also have the contest details for the last Mystery Bag Party, and much, much more.
Take care, and I'll talk to you Monday.
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!