Good Thursday morning!
I've organized a little. If you have ever been in the entryway of my house, you know it looks like giant Asian people live here. (Code for WE TAKE OUR GIANT SHOES OFF AT THE DOOR.) I'm tired of tripping over the giant shoes, so I neatened the area up a little. We'll see if it works.
RANDOMNESS #1 - Today I'm meeting a friend for lunch downtown. This may not seem like a big deal to you, but I am filled with trepidation (good word).
I love my Big Gold Van. I can find it in any parking lot. I can look eye-to-eye with most 18-wheeler truck drivers. When someone asks if they can have a ride, I can always say, "YES!"
However, the Big Gold Van is definitely a suburb vehicle and not a downtown vehicle... and that would be because of the parking situation. I cannot parallel park the Big Gold Van. Depending on the parking deck, I may or may not be able to get in... and I may or may not be able to get out. (Been there, had to have an attendant drive it out, done that!)
What is my plan? I'm leaving 50 minutes early and looking for a meter parking space on the END. Do you know how rare those are? I worked downtown for ten years. You could find a dinosaur bone easier than a meter parking space on the END!
Ahh. But there's more. I'm planning on parking eight blocks away (in the less desirable part of town) and hoofing it to the luncheon destination. See? I'm always thinking.
And I'm thinking about taking my Survivor knife with me... just in case!
RANDOMNESS #2 - Tonight is a big night for us. The Faulkner Five are having our church directory picture taken. It has been almost five years since the last directory picture, and while we've had plenty of family shots made, this one will be in a BOOK which will be seen by literally THOUSANDS of people. (Code for IT REALLY NEEDS TO BE A GOOD PICTURE.)
I've picked out a good color scheme, I think. Black, green and two different shades of blue. We're working around Roxie's new dress.
I'm also practicing the word "NO!"
"Ma'am. Would you like to purchase the Platinum Package for $1,500, or can I just sign you up for the Tin Package which will only cost you $1,499?"
"NO! Just give me my complimentary 8" x 10"! NO!" How does that sound? Pretty good, huh?
Do you remember me talking about our train trip vacation to New Orleans this summer? Do you? I'm pretty sure after tonight we'll be having a "stay-cation." But that will give us plenty of time to look at our pictures!
RANDOMNESS #3 - If you're wondering, the No-Bake Chewy Peanut Butter Bars didn't happen yesterday. Miss Brilliant misread the ingredients. In my head I thought it said "5 large marshmallows." In reality, it said "5 cups of large marshmallows." Don't worry. I'm buying marshmallows today after lunch... if I make it back alive.
Blog Linkage - I have old and new links for you to read today. I think you'll like them all.
1. Go to www.andersonfamilycrew.blogspot.com. This young family of six (Mom, Dad, three boys and a little girl) have been going through the adoption process. This week, their new addition arrived from Ethiopia... a beautiful little girl named Elsa. Scroll down to the video of Elsa's arrival in the airport. It is so sweet and beautiful. I cannot wait to follow this family's journey with FIVE small children. It should be very interesting.
2. Go to Nesting Place under My Blog List and scroll down to the post entitled "How to Yard Sale... For Buyers and Sellers." If you've never gone to yard sales, this post will be extremely helpful. And if you frequently go to yard sales, you still might pick up a few tips.
3. I think I'll be adding this blog to My Blog List in the very near future. Go to www.tidymom.net. There isn't a specific post I want you read. Read ALL of it. Tips, crafts, recipes, etc., etc. This chick has it all.
Enjoy!
Animal Lover Date
WARNING - This is a very specific date for our area only. Sorry!
This is a two-part date. If you have an animal-lovin' kid in your family, plan on a Birmingham Zoo AND movie ALL DAY DATE.
First, the new Trails of Africa exhibit featuring a bachelor elephant herd, red river hogs, giraffes, rhinos and antelopes (wildebeest, impala and kudu), along with zebras and ostriches, will be opening the weekend of April 22. Trails of Africa will also include ground and aerial observation opportunities providing education and entertainment to hundreds of thousands of visitors who will enjoy a one-of-a-kind experience.
Sounds wonderful, doesn't it? But wait! There's more!
There is a new IMAX movie coming to McWane Center. Born to be Wild is a documentary/movie about baby orangutans and baby elephants raised by humans to be released into the wild. I saw this trailer at Diary of a Wimpy Kid 2 and it looks wonderful. Although the release date for the movie is April 8, McWane Center has it listed as "Coming Soon."
How fun would it be to experience Trails of Africa in person, and then head to the IMAX later that day for the movie?
It will be a little pricey. I know I try to keep dates on the inexpensive side, but I'm giving you some time to save a little money for this one.
Believe me. Being a mom to an animal-lovin' kid, I KNOW he would have LOVED this date 14 or 15 years ago. (And in case you don't know which kid I'm talking about, The Boy was an animal-lovin' freak back in the day!)
I'll keep checking the IMAX showtimes, and I'll post as soon as they release the date of the movie. I'm almost positive the Trails of Africa exhibit and the movie will coincide. They just have to!
Have a tremendous Thursday. I hope all goes well for you today! Tomorrow is April Fool's Day, so I'll be sharing a couple of old April Fool pranks I've played on the Faulkner Five over the years, as well as Weekend Happenings.
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting Belinda
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Family Fun Run
Good Wednesday morning!
I exercised twice yesterday. I only mention that fact because I told you I was going to make the No-Bake Chewy Peanut Butter Bars last night. However, because I exercised twice yesterday, I barely made dinner. The Gallery Pic today is of the INGREDIENTS for the No-Bake Chewy Peanut Butter Bars... which I will be making shortly... because I'm only exercising once today.
RANDOMNESS #1 - Amy Adams has been chosen as the new Lois Lane. I am assuming this means there is going to be a new Superman movie. And since I usually support Amy Adams, I am also assuming I will have to see ANOTHER Superman movie. Personally, I thought I was finished watching movies about this particular super hero, but apparently NOT.
RANDOMNESS #2 - We have two new pups in our neighborhood. At the end of the street and around the corner lives Biscuit. Biscuit is a large basset hound with an even larger bark. He is precious. He escapes every now and again and comes to our fence to talk to Copper and Sparkle. I like him. I like him a lot.
The other new addition lives in the yard directly behind our house. He is a one year-old lab named Tank. (I know. Perfect name.) Tank is huge, but he's still growing, he's still a puppy and he is precious, too. He, Sparkle and Copper commune a couple of times a day in the back corner of the fence. They discuss politics, world events and what they had for breakfast that morning, I am sure.
If you read The Pioneer Woman (and I strongly suggest you do), you know she has a basset hound named Charlie. Charlie is hilarious, and I like him very much. She recently added a new basset hound to her menagerie of farm animals and pets, and she named him Walter.
As Sparkle and Copper approach the ripe old age of eight years-old (56 in dog years), I love them more and more, but I do miss the puppy stage. I was recently talking to Roxie about how much fun it would be to have a baby basset hound, and she totally agreed. "We could name him Booger," she said. And then she laughed and laughed.
Then she went over all the dog phrases to see if she still liked the name.
"He's such a sweet Booger."
"Here, Booger. That's a good Booger."
"Don't eat that, Booger!"
And on and on it went. If and when we ever get a basset hound, I assure you we will NOT name him Booger. I mean I have a reputation of sorts around here, and it would not be very dignified to have a dog with such a name.
I'm thinking "Earl."
Wednesday Wisdom - I've heard three Eleanor Roosevelt quotes recently, and I liked what I heard. Today, we honor a very interesting woman in history on A Simple Life.
A little simplification would be the first step toward rational living, I think. (I TOTALLY agree.)
A woman is like a tea bag. You can't tell how strong she is until you put her in hot water. (True. So, so true.)
Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people. (This is definitely something I need to think about.)
No one can make you feel inferior without your consent. (I love this quote because it was in Princess Diaries. Love the movie. Love the quote. Love the meaning.)
Family Fun Run
There are Fun Runs ALL over the place right now. Spring is obviously the time to run!
Last year, Roxie and I participated in our first ever Fun Run. It was the Pink Ribbon Run in Gardendale, and it was sponsored by my friend, Tonya Brown, who is a two-time breast cancer survivor. This particular Run is a fundraiser for the Susan G. Komen 3 Day for the Cure Walk.
When I finished my part (the 1 mile Run/Walk), Roxie and company started the 5K Walk. And they finished it. And they were proud. Proud to be part of something that helps others. Something bigger than themselves.
When we got into the car, Roxie and I decided we wanted to participate in a Run at least once a year. We wanted to make it a tradition.
This year, Tonya has once again organized the Pink Ribbon Run in our area. And once again, Roxie and I are participating Friday, April 29 beginning at 6:00 p.m. If you want to register, you can contact me, and I will put you in touch with Tonya, or I will make sure you receive a registration form. (The forms should be returned by April 17.)
It costs $15 for the 1 mile Fun Run (which includes a T-shirt and a drink), and $20 for the 5K Walk (which also includes a T-Shirt and a drink).
This is a wonderful, selfless tradition to pass down to your children and your grandchildren, and I know many people and families who do so year after year.
I can't think of a better way to spend a few hours on a beautiful spring night. Can you?
Have a fantastic Wednesday. Don't forget. It's Encouraging Wednesday. Make sure you contact someone today and lift their spirits. It only takes a second to do, but it can last much longer for the person receiving the encouragement.
I will have new websites for you to visit in Blog Linkage Thursday, as well as the most fun date ever. Check it out if you get a minute.
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting Belinda
I exercised twice yesterday. I only mention that fact because I told you I was going to make the No-Bake Chewy Peanut Butter Bars last night. However, because I exercised twice yesterday, I barely made dinner. The Gallery Pic today is of the INGREDIENTS for the No-Bake Chewy Peanut Butter Bars... which I will be making shortly... because I'm only exercising once today.
RANDOMNESS #1 - Amy Adams has been chosen as the new Lois Lane. I am assuming this means there is going to be a new Superman movie. And since I usually support Amy Adams, I am also assuming I will have to see ANOTHER Superman movie. Personally, I thought I was finished watching movies about this particular super hero, but apparently NOT.
RANDOMNESS #2 - We have two new pups in our neighborhood. At the end of the street and around the corner lives Biscuit. Biscuit is a large basset hound with an even larger bark. He is precious. He escapes every now and again and comes to our fence to talk to Copper and Sparkle. I like him. I like him a lot.
The other new addition lives in the yard directly behind our house. He is a one year-old lab named Tank. (I know. Perfect name.) Tank is huge, but he's still growing, he's still a puppy and he is precious, too. He, Sparkle and Copper commune a couple of times a day in the back corner of the fence. They discuss politics, world events and what they had for breakfast that morning, I am sure.
If you read The Pioneer Woman (and I strongly suggest you do), you know she has a basset hound named Charlie. Charlie is hilarious, and I like him very much. She recently added a new basset hound to her menagerie of farm animals and pets, and she named him Walter.
As Sparkle and Copper approach the ripe old age of eight years-old (56 in dog years), I love them more and more, but I do miss the puppy stage. I was recently talking to Roxie about how much fun it would be to have a baby basset hound, and she totally agreed. "We could name him Booger," she said. And then she laughed and laughed.
Then she went over all the dog phrases to see if she still liked the name.
"He's such a sweet Booger."
"Here, Booger. That's a good Booger."
"Don't eat that, Booger!"
And on and on it went. If and when we ever get a basset hound, I assure you we will NOT name him Booger. I mean I have a reputation of sorts around here, and it would not be very dignified to have a dog with such a name.
I'm thinking "Earl."
Wednesday Wisdom - I've heard three Eleanor Roosevelt quotes recently, and I liked what I heard. Today, we honor a very interesting woman in history on A Simple Life.
A little simplification would be the first step toward rational living, I think. (I TOTALLY agree.)
A woman is like a tea bag. You can't tell how strong she is until you put her in hot water. (True. So, so true.)
Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people. (This is definitely something I need to think about.)
No one can make you feel inferior without your consent. (I love this quote because it was in Princess Diaries. Love the movie. Love the quote. Love the meaning.)
Family Fun Run
There are Fun Runs ALL over the place right now. Spring is obviously the time to run!
Last year, Roxie and I participated in our first ever Fun Run. It was the Pink Ribbon Run in Gardendale, and it was sponsored by my friend, Tonya Brown, who is a two-time breast cancer survivor. This particular Run is a fundraiser for the Susan G. Komen 3 Day for the Cure Walk.
When I finished my part (the 1 mile Run/Walk), Roxie and company started the 5K Walk. And they finished it. And they were proud. Proud to be part of something that helps others. Something bigger than themselves.
When we got into the car, Roxie and I decided we wanted to participate in a Run at least once a year. We wanted to make it a tradition.
This year, Tonya has once again organized the Pink Ribbon Run in our area. And once again, Roxie and I are participating Friday, April 29 beginning at 6:00 p.m. If you want to register, you can contact me, and I will put you in touch with Tonya, or I will make sure you receive a registration form. (The forms should be returned by April 17.)
It costs $15 for the 1 mile Fun Run (which includes a T-shirt and a drink), and $20 for the 5K Walk (which also includes a T-Shirt and a drink).
This is a wonderful, selfless tradition to pass down to your children and your grandchildren, and I know many people and families who do so year after year.
I can't think of a better way to spend a few hours on a beautiful spring night. Can you?
Have a fantastic Wednesday. Don't forget. It's Encouraging Wednesday. Make sure you contact someone today and lift their spirits. It only takes a second to do, but it can last much longer for the person receiving the encouragement.
I will have new websites for you to visit in Blog Linkage Thursday, as well as the most fun date ever. Check it out if you get a minute.
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting Belinda
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
NO-BAKE Chewy Cookies and Cream Bars and NO-BAKE Chewy Nutter Butter Bars
Good Tuesday morning!
The Gallery Pics are from a little "adventure" Roxie and I had last night. Thanks to the blog eighteen25 under My Blog List, I "borrowed" an idea they posted a few weeks ago.
Here are the facts:
1. Roxie and Company LOVE to play Ding-Dong Ditch. (You know. The game where you go to someone's house late at night, ring the doorbell and run.)
2. The website above mentioned a cute idea when Ding-Dong Ditching someone. They suggested buying an actual box of Ding Dongs and leaving them with a note on the front porch. (No one is going to be mad at you for Ding-Dong Ditching them if you leave chocolate. NO ONE!)
3. Roxie's friends are trying out for the dance team today.
4. Last night (between 8:00 and 9:00 p.m.), we Ding-Dong Ditched several of her buddies wishing them good luck and leaving a delicious Ding Dong for a bedtime snack.
5. It was SO MUCH FUN!
Feel free to Ding-Dong Ditch me using this idea ANY TIME... night or day!
RANDOMNESS #1 - I think I'm going to try another new exercise class. No. I'm not quitting Body Pump or walking, but I am going to check the schedule and go to Body Flow this week or next. I've made up my mind.
My favorite part of Body Pump happens toward the end when we get to stretch. It feels SO good.
Well, guess what? Body Flow is a stretching/Pilates/yoga kind of class. I totally love to stretch.
I also heard the lights are kept low. I look good in "low lit" places. Really good.
And guess what else? At the end of the class, I heard the last stretch lasts about ten minutes and you can actually take a nap during this time if you so desire. (I would "so desire.")
I'll let you know how it goes.
RANDOMNESS #2 - If you've known me two minutes, you know I love zoos. Love them. That is why this story caught my attention this morning while watching The Today Show. The Bronx Zoo in New York City is missing a cobra. That's right! A cobra!
They can't find it anywhere... but they are still looking.
Personally, I think they need to evacuate the city. NOW! TODAY!
If the Birmingham Zoo lost a cobra, the Faulkner Five would be relocating to Tennessee or Georgia. Just saying.
Once again, if you've heard it before, don't whine. Just skip down to the recipes.
Pigeons From Heaven - Part Two
As I was walking to my car on Friday afternoon, I was berating myself for being such a "weenie." I was at my absolute lowest, and I still refused to do what God had told me to do. "What is it going to take?" I asked myself... and God answered.
I saw something dark go over my head out of the corner of my eye, but I didn't look up. I heard a tremendous crash directly above my head, but still didn't look up. I felt a large object land on my head, and I COULDN'T look up!
A huge pigeon had flown into a window of the (old) SouthTrust Building and had fallen, stunned, on the Most Stubborn Woman in the World. I dropped everything immediately because from my vantage point, I was unable to see what was on my head.
Then the flapping began and the huge pigeon began hitting my face with its wings. Of course, I still didn't know it was a pigeon. I was thinking along the lines of a vulture, condor or some other enormous man-eating predator. I grabbed the bird and tried to snatch it off my head. The claws were stuck in my new navy blue headband! (Remember, this was over 20 years ago. It was fashionably acceptable for me to wear a headband!) I twisted and pulled and screamed and finally wrestled the pigeon off my head, and in a complete and utter hysterical frenzy, I threw the bird into the plate-glass window of a loan officer's cubicle in SouthTrust Bank. (The horrified look of the young couple applying for a loan on the other side of his desk is burned into my mind forever.) I picked up my purse and ran directly into the street, leaving in my wake one very dead five-pound pigeon.
"Do you really think God dropped a five-pound pigeon on your head to get your attention?" you may ask.
Yes. Yes, I do.
On Monday morning, I turned in my notice. It was the right thing to do. It was part of God's plan for my life, and it was His love and patience that taught the Most Stubborn Woman in the World a very important lesson (again).
Sometimes I think it is so easy for us to take for granted the things we learn as children in Sunday School. The Lord's Prayer comes to mind in this situation. "Our Father, which art in Heaven, Hallowed be Thy Name. Thy kingdom come, THY WILL BE DONE, on earth as it is in Heaven." (I've checked all the translations -- it doesn't mention Belinda Faulkner's will even once!)
After much prayer, and the news that Austin would be joining our family, God's will for our lives became clear to us (without pigeons), and we prayerfully decided to live solely on Mike's salary. God has blessed us time and time again, and I must say, I thoroughly enjoy His plan and perfect will for my life much more than dinging cars or wrestling giant fowl out of my hair every day!
No-Bake Chewy Cookies and Cream Bars
I copied these two recipes from www.picky-palate.com. They look delicious, and I'm making the peanut butter recipe today... which means pictures tomorrow!
You will need the following:
Package (16 ounce) of Oreos
5 cups large marshmallows
4 tablespoons butter
1. Place Oreos in food processor and pulse until ground.
2. Melt marshmallows and butter in microwave until puffed (about 1 1/2 to 2 minutes).
3. Remove and pour in ground Oreos.
4. Stir to combine then transfer to a foil lined 8" x 8" baking pan. Set up for 10 minutes.
5. Remove bars out of pan with edges of foil and cut into squares.
But wait! There's more!
No-Bake Chewy Nutter Butter Bars
You will need the following:
Package (16 ounce) of Nutter Butters
5 cups large marshmallows
4 tablespoons butter
Follow instructions for No-Bake Chewy Cookies and Cream Bars.
Doesn't this sound good? I'll let you know how it goes in the morning!
Have a lovely Tuesday. I have lots and lots to post Wednesday, so come visit if you get a chance.
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting Belinda
The Gallery Pics are from a little "adventure" Roxie and I had last night. Thanks to the blog eighteen25 under My Blog List, I "borrowed" an idea they posted a few weeks ago.
Here are the facts:
1. Roxie and Company LOVE to play Ding-Dong Ditch. (You know. The game where you go to someone's house late at night, ring the doorbell and run.)
2. The website above mentioned a cute idea when Ding-Dong Ditching someone. They suggested buying an actual box of Ding Dongs and leaving them with a note on the front porch. (No one is going to be mad at you for Ding-Dong Ditching them if you leave chocolate. NO ONE!)
3. Roxie's friends are trying out for the dance team today.
4. Last night (between 8:00 and 9:00 p.m.), we Ding-Dong Ditched several of her buddies wishing them good luck and leaving a delicious Ding Dong for a bedtime snack.
5. It was SO MUCH FUN!
Feel free to Ding-Dong Ditch me using this idea ANY TIME... night or day!
RANDOMNESS #1 - I think I'm going to try another new exercise class. No. I'm not quitting Body Pump or walking, but I am going to check the schedule and go to Body Flow this week or next. I've made up my mind.
My favorite part of Body Pump happens toward the end when we get to stretch. It feels SO good.
Well, guess what? Body Flow is a stretching/Pilates/yoga kind of class. I totally love to stretch.
I also heard the lights are kept low. I look good in "low lit" places. Really good.
And guess what else? At the end of the class, I heard the last stretch lasts about ten minutes and you can actually take a nap during this time if you so desire. (I would "so desire.")
I'll let you know how it goes.
RANDOMNESS #2 - If you've known me two minutes, you know I love zoos. Love them. That is why this story caught my attention this morning while watching The Today Show. The Bronx Zoo in New York City is missing a cobra. That's right! A cobra!
They can't find it anywhere... but they are still looking.
Personally, I think they need to evacuate the city. NOW! TODAY!
If the Birmingham Zoo lost a cobra, the Faulkner Five would be relocating to Tennessee or Georgia. Just saying.
Once again, if you've heard it before, don't whine. Just skip down to the recipes.
Pigeons From Heaven - Part Two
As I was walking to my car on Friday afternoon, I was berating myself for being such a "weenie." I was at my absolute lowest, and I still refused to do what God had told me to do. "What is it going to take?" I asked myself... and God answered.
I saw something dark go over my head out of the corner of my eye, but I didn't look up. I heard a tremendous crash directly above my head, but still didn't look up. I felt a large object land on my head, and I COULDN'T look up!
A huge pigeon had flown into a window of the (old) SouthTrust Building and had fallen, stunned, on the Most Stubborn Woman in the World. I dropped everything immediately because from my vantage point, I was unable to see what was on my head.
Then the flapping began and the huge pigeon began hitting my face with its wings. Of course, I still didn't know it was a pigeon. I was thinking along the lines of a vulture, condor or some other enormous man-eating predator. I grabbed the bird and tried to snatch it off my head. The claws were stuck in my new navy blue headband! (Remember, this was over 20 years ago. It was fashionably acceptable for me to wear a headband!) I twisted and pulled and screamed and finally wrestled the pigeon off my head, and in a complete and utter hysterical frenzy, I threw the bird into the plate-glass window of a loan officer's cubicle in SouthTrust Bank. (The horrified look of the young couple applying for a loan on the other side of his desk is burned into my mind forever.) I picked up my purse and ran directly into the street, leaving in my wake one very dead five-pound pigeon.
"Do you really think God dropped a five-pound pigeon on your head to get your attention?" you may ask.
Yes. Yes, I do.
On Monday morning, I turned in my notice. It was the right thing to do. It was part of God's plan for my life, and it was His love and patience that taught the Most Stubborn Woman in the World a very important lesson (again).
Sometimes I think it is so easy for us to take for granted the things we learn as children in Sunday School. The Lord's Prayer comes to mind in this situation. "Our Father, which art in Heaven, Hallowed be Thy Name. Thy kingdom come, THY WILL BE DONE, on earth as it is in Heaven." (I've checked all the translations -- it doesn't mention Belinda Faulkner's will even once!)
After much prayer, and the news that Austin would be joining our family, God's will for our lives became clear to us (without pigeons), and we prayerfully decided to live solely on Mike's salary. God has blessed us time and time again, and I must say, I thoroughly enjoy His plan and perfect will for my life much more than dinging cars or wrestling giant fowl out of my hair every day!
No-Bake Chewy Cookies and Cream Bars
I copied these two recipes from www.picky-palate.com. They look delicious, and I'm making the peanut butter recipe today... which means pictures tomorrow!
You will need the following:
Package (16 ounce) of Oreos
5 cups large marshmallows
4 tablespoons butter
1. Place Oreos in food processor and pulse until ground.
2. Melt marshmallows and butter in microwave until puffed (about 1 1/2 to 2 minutes).
3. Remove and pour in ground Oreos.
4. Stir to combine then transfer to a foil lined 8" x 8" baking pan. Set up for 10 minutes.
5. Remove bars out of pan with edges of foil and cut into squares.
But wait! There's more!
No-Bake Chewy Nutter Butter Bars
You will need the following:
Package (16 ounce) of Nutter Butters
5 cups large marshmallows
4 tablespoons butter
Follow instructions for No-Bake Chewy Cookies and Cream Bars.
Doesn't this sound good? I'll let you know how it goes in the morning!
Have a lovely Tuesday. I have lots and lots to post Wednesday, so come visit if you get a chance.
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting Belinda
Monday, March 28, 2011
Mindless Monday
Good Monday morning!
ANNOUNCEMENT! ANNOUNCEMENT! ANNOUNCEMENT! - I did some thinking this weekend (always dangerous), and I decided to make A Simple Life MORE simple... if that is possible.
Beginning today, there will still be pictures every day on A Simple Life, BUT they will appear at the BOTTOM of each day's post. AT THE BOTTOM.
There will still be a giant "header" picture.
There will still be a weekly Showcase Pic.
But the first thing you will see each day (Monday through Friday) will be the words, and the pictures will follow.
I have heard through the "grapevine" new people have had some trouble figuring out WHERE the blog was because of the dozens of pictures. (Especially when they visit on Thursdays and Fridays.)
I hope this will make it easier for everyone!
It is Mindless Monday, so all of my weekend pics (which tell my weekend story) are BELOW this post!
As promised last week, I will be sharing my Pigeons From Heaven story today and tomorrow. If you've heard it before, don't be mad. Scroll down and look at the pictures. (See. I've given you a Plan B. Everyone feels better when they have a Plan B.)
Pigeons From Heaven - Part One
Just to show you that I can deal with subjects other than motherhood, the following story is about something I have a huge problem with... not only as a woman, but as a human being... knowing (and accepting) God's will for my life.
I had worked for an attorney in Birmingham for eight years when I married Mikie. I truly loved my job and planned on working there until Mike and I started our family. However, Mike had to move to Cullman for his job, and since we had only been married for eight months when he received this news, he said he would really enjoy it if I would move with him. I didn't pray about my job situation, and continued to work in Birmingham commuting over an hour each way every day.
Well, if I had asked the Lord what He wanted me to do, it is clear to me now (20 years after the fact) I was indeed supposed to move to Cullman and get a new job there. For 13 long months I made the miserable commute to Birmingham, and my job and relationships deteriorated daily because I was simply not doing what God wanted me to do. Week after week, I talked to Mike about giving my notice, and week after week, he supported my decision to do what I thought was best. And then I decided. I would turn in my notice. What relief! What happiness! What joy! A huge burden had been lifted off my shoulders because the Most Stubborn Woman in the World was finally going to do what God had wanted her to do for over a year. The following Monday, I would give my notice.
Well, Monday was a busy day, and I had a headache.
Tuesday we had a birthday party at the office, and I got to see some old clients I hadn't seen in quite a while. It seemed a shame to mess up such a nice day.
Wednesday my boss was out of town. I thought about telling him over the phone, but that seemed the coward's way out.
Thursday is my favorite day of the week, and I try to never spoil my favorite day.
Friday was the last day of the week, and we were going out to eat that night. I wouldn't be able to enjoy my dinner at all if I had just done something as upsetting as quitting my job.
Needless to say, it was a long weekend as it always is when you are not doing what God has told you to do. Things would be different next week, I promised myself. Little did I know how different they would be.
SPOILER AND DISCLAIMER: NONE OF THE "ACCIDENTS" DESCRIBED BELOW ARE ON "RECORD" AND NO POLICE WERE EVER CALLED TO THE SCENES. THUS, JUST LIKE TRAFFIC WARNINGS ARE NOT CONSIDERED TICKETS, I DO NOT CONSIDER THESE INCIDENTS "WRECKS." (If you disagree and wish to argue the point, I'll be happy to do so. As far as I'm concerned, if there isn't a paper trail, it isn't a wreck!) Also, when you see the word "ding," please know we were sitting in bumper-to-bumper, 5 miles per hour traffic jams. There... I feel better now. On with the story...
Monday... Halfway to Birmingham, I decided to wait until Tuesday. At Malfunction Junction, I hit a van in front of me (just a "ding"), and a large (450+ pound) man with tattoos all over his massive chest, arms and back got out of the vehicle. "How did you know he had tattoos all over his massive chest, arms and back?" you may ask. He wasn't wearing a shirt (and to be perfectly honest, he was barely wearing his pants). I felt sure I wasn't going to have to quit my job because an ax murderer was about to put an end to my suffering on this earth. Surprisingly, he just growled a couple of obscenities and got in the van and drove off.
Tuesday... I knew even though I had told Mikie, "This is the day," I had no intention of turning in my notice. At Malfunction Junction, I hit a white Toyota in front of me (just a "ding"), and a businessman in a nice suit came to my window and expressed his displeasure.
Wednesday... I made it to Birmingham without a "ding," but ran a yellow/red light and was pulled over. I didn't get a ticket, however, because by the time the police officer got to the window of my car, I was blubbering so badly even the prisoner in the back seat of the police car was feeling sorry for me.
Thursday... On my favorite day of the week, I hit a red truck in front of me (just a "ding"). This time the driver didn't even get out. He just waved me on. "What is wrong with me?" I thought to myself. I still didn't take care of the problem.
Friday... I made it to work without a traffic violation of any sort. I walked in and out of my employer's office a hundred times that day and never did the right thing.
The End of Part One!
Where's the bird? What has this got to do with anything? You promised us a Woodland Animal Story, and we read the whole thing and NOTHING!
There is a bird... a big bird, and it will be in Pigeons From Heaven - Part Two... tomorrow! For those Newbies out there, this is called a "Blog Teaser."
Have a terrific Monday! I have not one, BUT TWO, easy cookie recipes to share Tuesday. (One for the chocolate lover and one for the peanut butter lover. I aim to please.) I'll also finish Pigeons From Heaven - Part Two, and we'll move right into all the Randomness associated with A Simple Life bright and early Wednesday morning!
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting (and Sometimes Stubborn) Belinda
ANNOUNCEMENT! ANNOUNCEMENT! ANNOUNCEMENT! - I did some thinking this weekend (always dangerous), and I decided to make A Simple Life MORE simple... if that is possible.
Beginning today, there will still be pictures every day on A Simple Life, BUT they will appear at the BOTTOM of each day's post. AT THE BOTTOM.
There will still be a giant "header" picture.
There will still be a weekly Showcase Pic.
But the first thing you will see each day (Monday through Friday) will be the words, and the pictures will follow.
I have heard through the "grapevine" new people have had some trouble figuring out WHERE the blog was because of the dozens of pictures. (Especially when they visit on Thursdays and Fridays.)
I hope this will make it easier for everyone!
It is Mindless Monday, so all of my weekend pics (which tell my weekend story) are BELOW this post!
As promised last week, I will be sharing my Pigeons From Heaven story today and tomorrow. If you've heard it before, don't be mad. Scroll down and look at the pictures. (See. I've given you a Plan B. Everyone feels better when they have a Plan B.)
Pigeons From Heaven - Part One
Just to show you that I can deal with subjects other than motherhood, the following story is about something I have a huge problem with... not only as a woman, but as a human being... knowing (and accepting) God's will for my life.
I had worked for an attorney in Birmingham for eight years when I married Mikie. I truly loved my job and planned on working there until Mike and I started our family. However, Mike had to move to Cullman for his job, and since we had only been married for eight months when he received this news, he said he would really enjoy it if I would move with him. I didn't pray about my job situation, and continued to work in Birmingham commuting over an hour each way every day.
Well, if I had asked the Lord what He wanted me to do, it is clear to me now (20 years after the fact) I was indeed supposed to move to Cullman and get a new job there. For 13 long months I made the miserable commute to Birmingham, and my job and relationships deteriorated daily because I was simply not doing what God wanted me to do. Week after week, I talked to Mike about giving my notice, and week after week, he supported my decision to do what I thought was best. And then I decided. I would turn in my notice. What relief! What happiness! What joy! A huge burden had been lifted off my shoulders because the Most Stubborn Woman in the World was finally going to do what God had wanted her to do for over a year. The following Monday, I would give my notice.
Well, Monday was a busy day, and I had a headache.
Tuesday we had a birthday party at the office, and I got to see some old clients I hadn't seen in quite a while. It seemed a shame to mess up such a nice day.
Wednesday my boss was out of town. I thought about telling him over the phone, but that seemed the coward's way out.
Thursday is my favorite day of the week, and I try to never spoil my favorite day.
Friday was the last day of the week, and we were going out to eat that night. I wouldn't be able to enjoy my dinner at all if I had just done something as upsetting as quitting my job.
Needless to say, it was a long weekend as it always is when you are not doing what God has told you to do. Things would be different next week, I promised myself. Little did I know how different they would be.
SPOILER AND DISCLAIMER: NONE OF THE "ACCIDENTS" DESCRIBED BELOW ARE ON "RECORD" AND NO POLICE WERE EVER CALLED TO THE SCENES. THUS, JUST LIKE TRAFFIC WARNINGS ARE NOT CONSIDERED TICKETS, I DO NOT CONSIDER THESE INCIDENTS "WRECKS." (If you disagree and wish to argue the point, I'll be happy to do so. As far as I'm concerned, if there isn't a paper trail, it isn't a wreck!) Also, when you see the word "ding," please know we were sitting in bumper-to-bumper, 5 miles per hour traffic jams. There... I feel better now. On with the story...
Monday... Halfway to Birmingham, I decided to wait until Tuesday. At Malfunction Junction, I hit a van in front of me (just a "ding"), and a large (450+ pound) man with tattoos all over his massive chest, arms and back got out of the vehicle. "How did you know he had tattoos all over his massive chest, arms and back?" you may ask. He wasn't wearing a shirt (and to be perfectly honest, he was barely wearing his pants). I felt sure I wasn't going to have to quit my job because an ax murderer was about to put an end to my suffering on this earth. Surprisingly, he just growled a couple of obscenities and got in the van and drove off.
Tuesday... I knew even though I had told Mikie, "This is the day," I had no intention of turning in my notice. At Malfunction Junction, I hit a white Toyota in front of me (just a "ding"), and a businessman in a nice suit came to my window and expressed his displeasure.
Wednesday... I made it to Birmingham without a "ding," but ran a yellow/red light and was pulled over. I didn't get a ticket, however, because by the time the police officer got to the window of my car, I was blubbering so badly even the prisoner in the back seat of the police car was feeling sorry for me.
Thursday... On my favorite day of the week, I hit a red truck in front of me (just a "ding"). This time the driver didn't even get out. He just waved me on. "What is wrong with me?" I thought to myself. I still didn't take care of the problem.
Friday... I made it to work without a traffic violation of any sort. I walked in and out of my employer's office a hundred times that day and never did the right thing.
The End of Part One!
Where's the bird? What has this got to do with anything? You promised us a Woodland Animal Story, and we read the whole thing and NOTHING!
There is a bird... a big bird, and it will be in Pigeons From Heaven - Part Two... tomorrow! For those Newbies out there, this is called a "Blog Teaser."
Have a terrific Monday! I have not one, BUT TWO, easy cookie recipes to share Tuesday. (One for the chocolate lover and one for the peanut butter lover. I aim to please.) I'll also finish Pigeons From Heaven - Part Two, and we'll move right into all the Randomness associated with A Simple Life bright and early Wednesday morning!
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting (and Sometimes Stubborn) Belinda
Friday, March 25, 2011
Weekend Happenings
Good Friday morning!
The Gallery Pics are hodge-podge this morning. For the first time this week, there is no theme. Yea!
RANDOMNESS #1 - If today's post comes off a little negative, there is a very good reason. I'm hungry. And if there are more than a normal amount of typos or actual words missing in sentences... same reason. I'm hungry.
I'm going for a check-up at 10:00, and I'm fasting for my cholesterol blood test. The number one reason I HATE missing breakfast (other than the grumpy reason and the lack of focus reason I mentioned above) is the growling of the stomach reason.
My doctor's office has a waiting room which was once a semi-large closet. It is now a uber-small waiting room with six chairs. It's a good way to get to know people because your knees actually touch your neighbor's knees. (NOTE TO SELF - Shave legs before doctor appointment this morning in preparation of possible "knee" touching.)
I try to mask the growling of the stomach with coughing fits, purse dropping and other forms of socially acceptable noises, but in the end, everyone knows I am hungry... and I have a louder than normal stomach.
There are many things which no longer embarrass me at the age of 49.
1. Make-up on only one eye.
2. Wearing two different shoes.
3. Lipstick on my teeth.
4. Adjusting my bra strap and other articles of clothing WHEREVER I am at the moment it needs adjusting.
5. Roxie telling me I forgot to brush the BACK of my hair.
6. Walking to the campground bathhouse with my morning hair... in all of it's stick-up-straight-in-the-back-Kate-Gosselin glory.
7. Bouncing off a curb or two in the Big Gold Van.
8. Running into a place of business, gas station, etc. while loudly demanding, "Where is the bathroom? Where is the bathroom?"
Yes. I no longer care about many of the little things which at one time in my life caused me to blush.
But the stomach growl... For some reason, that is a whole different story. Heavy sigh.
RANDOMNESS #2 - I've spent much of my life having to be reminded by God (again and again and again) that His plans are so much better than my plans. Always have been... always will be.
This week I've been able to have some peace about the direction some of MY family plans have taken. In no uncertain terms, God has let me know we have to change course.
I don't like to change course. I like the well-traveled, thought out plan I made many, many years ago. I like the norm. I like the comfort.
Well, it is not happening with this particular situation, Folks. Nope. God has a different path for us to travel for a while. And, as always, as soon as I stopped fighting to stay on the old, comfortable, well-traveled path, I had peace.
I'll be sharing my classic "Pigeon Story" Monday. It is the perfect example of what I've been talking about... following my plan instead of God's perfect plan. If you've heard it a million times before (and most of you have), there will be other reasons to visit A Simple Life... I promise.
Weekend Happenings
Our weekend is about as empty as a weekend can possibly get. The ONLY thing on the calendar at the moment is a breakfast date with Mikie in the morning, AND a movie date with my nephew and one of his friends Sunday afternoon. (We're going to see Diary of a Wimpy Kid 2. It was part of his birthday present, and I'm so excited. I think it's going to be a very good movie. Loved the books. Loved the first movie.)
Everything else is wide open. Mikie is trying to plan a fishing trip with one or more of the kids Saturday evening, but weather will be the deciding factor.
This kind of weekend is almost always deceiving. This kind of weekend USUALLY turns into the busiest kind of weekend of all.
I'll let you know next week.
Have a fun-filled, memory-making weekend with family and friends. I'll be posting pics today, Saturday and Sunday on Belinda's Project Life. (Can you believe I'm on Day 212? It's flying by, I tell you.) Next week will be full of Spring goodness and fun.
Take care, and I'll talk to you Monday.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting Belinda
The Gallery Pics are hodge-podge this morning. For the first time this week, there is no theme. Yea!
RANDOMNESS #1 - If today's post comes off a little negative, there is a very good reason. I'm hungry. And if there are more than a normal amount of typos or actual words missing in sentences... same reason. I'm hungry.
I'm going for a check-up at 10:00, and I'm fasting for my cholesterol blood test. The number one reason I HATE missing breakfast (other than the grumpy reason and the lack of focus reason I mentioned above) is the growling of the stomach reason.
My doctor's office has a waiting room which was once a semi-large closet. It is now a uber-small waiting room with six chairs. It's a good way to get to know people because your knees actually touch your neighbor's knees. (NOTE TO SELF - Shave legs before doctor appointment this morning in preparation of possible "knee" touching.)
I try to mask the growling of the stomach with coughing fits, purse dropping and other forms of socially acceptable noises, but in the end, everyone knows I am hungry... and I have a louder than normal stomach.
There are many things which no longer embarrass me at the age of 49.
1. Make-up on only one eye.
2. Wearing two different shoes.
3. Lipstick on my teeth.
4. Adjusting my bra strap and other articles of clothing WHEREVER I am at the moment it needs adjusting.
5. Roxie telling me I forgot to brush the BACK of my hair.
6. Walking to the campground bathhouse with my morning hair... in all of it's stick-up-straight-in-the-back-Kate-Gosselin glory.
7. Bouncing off a curb or two in the Big Gold Van.
8. Running into a place of business, gas station, etc. while loudly demanding, "Where is the bathroom? Where is the bathroom?"
Yes. I no longer care about many of the little things which at one time in my life caused me to blush.
But the stomach growl... For some reason, that is a whole different story. Heavy sigh.
RANDOMNESS #2 - I've spent much of my life having to be reminded by God (again and again and again) that His plans are so much better than my plans. Always have been... always will be.
This week I've been able to have some peace about the direction some of MY family plans have taken. In no uncertain terms, God has let me know we have to change course.
I don't like to change course. I like the well-traveled, thought out plan I made many, many years ago. I like the norm. I like the comfort.
Well, it is not happening with this particular situation, Folks. Nope. God has a different path for us to travel for a while. And, as always, as soon as I stopped fighting to stay on the old, comfortable, well-traveled path, I had peace.
I'll be sharing my classic "Pigeon Story" Monday. It is the perfect example of what I've been talking about... following my plan instead of God's perfect plan. If you've heard it a million times before (and most of you have), there will be other reasons to visit A Simple Life... I promise.
Weekend Happenings
Our weekend is about as empty as a weekend can possibly get. The ONLY thing on the calendar at the moment is a breakfast date with Mikie in the morning, AND a movie date with my nephew and one of his friends Sunday afternoon. (We're going to see Diary of a Wimpy Kid 2. It was part of his birthday present, and I'm so excited. I think it's going to be a very good movie. Loved the books. Loved the first movie.)
Everything else is wide open. Mikie is trying to plan a fishing trip with one or more of the kids Saturday evening, but weather will be the deciding factor.
This kind of weekend is almost always deceiving. This kind of weekend USUALLY turns into the busiest kind of weekend of all.
I'll let you know next week.
Have a fun-filled, memory-making weekend with family and friends. I'll be posting pics today, Saturday and Sunday on Belinda's Project Life. (Can you believe I'm on Day 212? It's flying by, I tell you.) Next week will be full of Spring goodness and fun.
Take care, and I'll talk to you Monday.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting Belinda
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Sibling Dates
Good Thursday morning!
The Gallery has moved on to a different Spring Break event. Camping pictures are SO OVER! Brad's birthday party photos from Sunday take the spotlight today.
RANDOMNESS #1 - For anyone wondering how Roxie's doctor's appointment went yesterday, I am happy/sad to say there was no pin removal. I am happy, because I did NOT want to see any more pins removed from my baby. I am sad because she is sad. Instead of a six to eight week recovery, our doctor has told us we are looking at a ten to 12 week recovery.
Looking at the X-ray, the bone fragment is much, much closer to the desired destination, but there is still a tiny little crack where it should fit like a puzzle piece... in four to six more weeks.
Her pin removal is going to happen just days, perhaps hours, before volleyball/basketball tryouts. But she is running and starting to do her drills with her left hand, so she'll be ready in that regard. She's nervous and a little high-strung. (I don't know where she gets that from!)
RANDOMNESS #2 - Fun fact for you... They've started putting fiber in Fruit Loops. Is nothing sacred any more? I fully expect to see fish oil listed as one of the main ingredients in Captain Crunch with Crunch Berries in the very near future. It's a travesty, I tell you.
RANDOMNESS #3 - On the way to school this morning, Roxie asked me the "question of the day."
"If you could change one thing on your body, what would it be?"
Geez! What a way to start the day! I thought a minute or two, and then I mentioned one of my 32 problem areas. I then went on to give her a talk about not dwelling on the problems, accentuating the good stuff, being happy with the way God made you, being content in all areas of your life and taking care of what you've got.
Today is pretty much shot because I will now be totally focused on the "problem area" I mentioned... no matter how hard I try to think of other things. And I was all set to focus on my shoulders all day... because that's one of the things the Body Pump instructor keeps telling us will be marvelous very, very soon.
I didn't mention my pre-baby body because I didn't want to scare Roxie into deciding NOT to have children one day. One of the few things I'm living for these days is the hope and dream of nine grandchildren. (That's right. I said nine.)
RANDOMNESS #4 - I bought a 12-ounce Diet Coke. (I'm a Diet Dr. Pepper drinker, but I didn't want to deviate from the recipe by using a Pepper.) I have chicken and a cup of ketchup. I'm trying this week's recipe tonight. There will be a pictorial in the morning.
Blog Linkage - I have a few links for you to check this week.
1. If you want to try some exciting new recipes, click on eighteen25 under My Blog List. They've listed some of their favorite food blogs and recipes. Let me know if you try anything new.
2. Keep up with www.andersonfamilycrew.blogspot.com. Within the next few days, they will be adding a new child to their home... Elsa from Ethiopia. It could be any day now. This cute, young mom of four has three little boys and a little girl, and her blog is a lot of fun on any given day. However, this is going to be a pretty exciting event as this little girl meets her new family for the first time. I can't wait.
3. If you're old friends with Jeff and Sara Phillips, click on The Phillips Home under My Blog List to see what they've been up to recently in their new home in Canada. It's always fun to see Jeff, Sara and the kiddos in their new environment, and catch up with them and their ministry there.
Sibling Dates
This is one of the transition traditions I talk about from time to time. Mikie and I have diligently "dated" our three kids since they were two and three years-old. Now, at 20, 17 and 14, we continue to "date" them one-on-one as often as possible. We have seen definite benefits from the one-on-one time over the years even though it has not always been easy.
Sibling dates are for your older teens. As with most things in life, Austin never really thought about taking Roxie out one-on-one on his own. I had to "plant" the idea.
We started small. When Austin started driving, he would take Roxie out to shop for Josh's Christmas gift. He would then take Josh out to shop for Roxie's Christmas gift. I suggested adding a Starbucks coffee drink or milkshake to the outing.
From there, we went to the movies. Mike and I dropped out of the mix, and Austin drove Josh and Roxie to the movies where the three of them enjoyed that time together. (Roxie has said her favorite thing is to go to the movies and sit in between her big brothers. It is the MOST fun.)
Okay. Let's take it a little further. JSU is playing football at 1:00 p.m. Saturday afternoon. We drop Josh off at a mid-way point, and he spends the night with Austin in the dorm, hangs out with him and his friends AND stays up all night playing X-Box and watching movies with his brother. He LOVES it!
Once again, all of these things have been instigated by me or Mikie, and I was beginning to wonder if the siblings would ever suggest something on their own.
Wonder of wonders, it was Josh who began the instigating. He came in from school a couple of weeks ago, and without checking with me, went straight to Roxie and asked her if she wanted to grab a milkshake after dinner for their dessert. She happily agreed and off they went.
Josh also called and asked Austin to go to a concert with him last weekend. (Of course, he had asked several friends before he called Austin, and they all had other plans.) But Austin readily agreed, and the two of them had a great time.
I think if it is at all possible, sibling dates should be encouraged during this "older-teen" time of their lives. Everyone is going in different directions. You don't know where in the United States (or in another country) your brothers and sisters will end up as they graduate from college, get jobs, marry, etc.
In many ways, no one will ever know you better than your brother and sister. (This can be good or bad.) It's a special relationship.
DISCLAIMER - A sibling date can also go downhill VERY, VERY fast. Most siblings don't have a filter with each other. They can quickly and LOUDLY voice their opinion, and not really care they are in public.
I always tell them as they are walking out the door, "Be sweet to each other... even if it kills you."
And I always ask them upon their return if they behaved. Austin once answered this question by saying, "We were in Hoover... and we didn't see anyone we knew."
All I can say is I hope they didn't see anyone I KNEW!
Sibling dates... It can be a good thing!
Have a great Thursday. I will be posting Weekend Happenings first thing Friday morning, more pics and more RANDOMNESS.
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting Belinda
The Gallery has moved on to a different Spring Break event. Camping pictures are SO OVER! Brad's birthday party photos from Sunday take the spotlight today.
RANDOMNESS #1 - For anyone wondering how Roxie's doctor's appointment went yesterday, I am happy/sad to say there was no pin removal. I am happy, because I did NOT want to see any more pins removed from my baby. I am sad because she is sad. Instead of a six to eight week recovery, our doctor has told us we are looking at a ten to 12 week recovery.
Looking at the X-ray, the bone fragment is much, much closer to the desired destination, but there is still a tiny little crack where it should fit like a puzzle piece... in four to six more weeks.
Her pin removal is going to happen just days, perhaps hours, before volleyball/basketball tryouts. But she is running and starting to do her drills with her left hand, so she'll be ready in that regard. She's nervous and a little high-strung. (I don't know where she gets that from!)
RANDOMNESS #2 - Fun fact for you... They've started putting fiber in Fruit Loops. Is nothing sacred any more? I fully expect to see fish oil listed as one of the main ingredients in Captain Crunch with Crunch Berries in the very near future. It's a travesty, I tell you.
RANDOMNESS #3 - On the way to school this morning, Roxie asked me the "question of the day."
"If you could change one thing on your body, what would it be?"
Geez! What a way to start the day! I thought a minute or two, and then I mentioned one of my 32 problem areas. I then went on to give her a talk about not dwelling on the problems, accentuating the good stuff, being happy with the way God made you, being content in all areas of your life and taking care of what you've got.
Today is pretty much shot because I will now be totally focused on the "problem area" I mentioned... no matter how hard I try to think of other things. And I was all set to focus on my shoulders all day... because that's one of the things the Body Pump instructor keeps telling us will be marvelous very, very soon.
I didn't mention my pre-baby body because I didn't want to scare Roxie into deciding NOT to have children one day. One of the few things I'm living for these days is the hope and dream of nine grandchildren. (That's right. I said nine.)
RANDOMNESS #4 - I bought a 12-ounce Diet Coke. (I'm a Diet Dr. Pepper drinker, but I didn't want to deviate from the recipe by using a Pepper.) I have chicken and a cup of ketchup. I'm trying this week's recipe tonight. There will be a pictorial in the morning.
Blog Linkage - I have a few links for you to check this week.
1. If you want to try some exciting new recipes, click on eighteen25 under My Blog List. They've listed some of their favorite food blogs and recipes. Let me know if you try anything new.
2. Keep up with www.andersonfamilycrew.blogspot.com. Within the next few days, they will be adding a new child to their home... Elsa from Ethiopia. It could be any day now. This cute, young mom of four has three little boys and a little girl, and her blog is a lot of fun on any given day. However, this is going to be a pretty exciting event as this little girl meets her new family for the first time. I can't wait.
3. If you're old friends with Jeff and Sara Phillips, click on The Phillips Home under My Blog List to see what they've been up to recently in their new home in Canada. It's always fun to see Jeff, Sara and the kiddos in their new environment, and catch up with them and their ministry there.
Sibling Dates
This is one of the transition traditions I talk about from time to time. Mikie and I have diligently "dated" our three kids since they were two and three years-old. Now, at 20, 17 and 14, we continue to "date" them one-on-one as often as possible. We have seen definite benefits from the one-on-one time over the years even though it has not always been easy.
Sibling dates are for your older teens. As with most things in life, Austin never really thought about taking Roxie out one-on-one on his own. I had to "plant" the idea.
We started small. When Austin started driving, he would take Roxie out to shop for Josh's Christmas gift. He would then take Josh out to shop for Roxie's Christmas gift. I suggested adding a Starbucks coffee drink or milkshake to the outing.
From there, we went to the movies. Mike and I dropped out of the mix, and Austin drove Josh and Roxie to the movies where the three of them enjoyed that time together. (Roxie has said her favorite thing is to go to the movies and sit in between her big brothers. It is the MOST fun.)
Okay. Let's take it a little further. JSU is playing football at 1:00 p.m. Saturday afternoon. We drop Josh off at a mid-way point, and he spends the night with Austin in the dorm, hangs out with him and his friends AND stays up all night playing X-Box and watching movies with his brother. He LOVES it!
Once again, all of these things have been instigated by me or Mikie, and I was beginning to wonder if the siblings would ever suggest something on their own.
Wonder of wonders, it was Josh who began the instigating. He came in from school a couple of weeks ago, and without checking with me, went straight to Roxie and asked her if she wanted to grab a milkshake after dinner for their dessert. She happily agreed and off they went.
Josh also called and asked Austin to go to a concert with him last weekend. (Of course, he had asked several friends before he called Austin, and they all had other plans.) But Austin readily agreed, and the two of them had a great time.
I think if it is at all possible, sibling dates should be encouraged during this "older-teen" time of their lives. Everyone is going in different directions. You don't know where in the United States (or in another country) your brothers and sisters will end up as they graduate from college, get jobs, marry, etc.
In many ways, no one will ever know you better than your brother and sister. (This can be good or bad.) It's a special relationship.
DISCLAIMER - A sibling date can also go downhill VERY, VERY fast. Most siblings don't have a filter with each other. They can quickly and LOUDLY voice their opinion, and not really care they are in public.
I always tell them as they are walking out the door, "Be sweet to each other... even if it kills you."
And I always ask them upon their return if they behaved. Austin once answered this question by saying, "We were in Hoover... and we didn't see anyone we knew."
All I can say is I hope they didn't see anyone I KNEW!
Sibling dates... It can be a good thing!
Have a great Thursday. I will be posting Weekend Happenings first thing Friday morning, more pics and more RANDOMNESS.
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting Belinda
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Bonfire Party
Good Wednesday morning!
The Gallery Pics continue to tell our Spring Break story... slowly, but surely.
RANDOMNESS - Roxie and I are on our way to the "pin removal" doctor (also known as the surgeon). Mikie was supposed to take her this time in case the doctor decided to pull more METAL RODS out of her tiny body in my presence. Mikie's not going. Heavy sigh.
I'm not eating this morning, so at least I won't throw up on the "pin removal" doctor's shoes... again.
I know when he reaches for the eyebrow tweezers he's going to remove a pin, so he won't surprise me this time. I'll look away.
I'm pretty sure I'll still scream. Yep. That's a given.
And I will once again leave with a prescription for medication to calm my delicate, frazzled nerves.
All in all, it should be a pretty good day.
Wednesday Wisdom - Since it is Encouraging Wednesday here on A Simple Life (this week and every week), I wanted to share an Eleanor Roosevelt quote which should make at least some of you feel better about yourselves. (I know it helped me immensely!)
"The only advantage in not being too good a housekeeper is that your guests are so pleased to feel how very much better they are."
You're welcome!
Bonfire Party
I hosted this party recently for Roxie and company, and while I was nervous about the age of the kids (13 and 14), the number of attendees (15), the gender of the guests (boys AND girls) and the length of the party (3 1/2 hours), it turned out really, really well.
This age group wants to be left alone. Of course, you DON'T leave them alone, but if you have the right equipment, the kids will stay as far away from you (the adult) as they possibly can. (Code for THEY COME IN TO USE THE BATHROOM AND THEY RUN OUTSIDE AGAIN.)
Here are some ideas for having a successful Bonfire Party for your teenager's friends.
The Essentials:
1. A fire pit is great. You can still have a fire without the fire pit, but the pit contains the fire in one small area. Much safer.
2. Have as many camping chairs as guests around the fire.
3. Have a table set up with hotdogs, buns, chips and s'more fixings. We only had five "sticks" to use for roasting hotdogs and marshmallows. If all 15 kids have a hotdog roasting and marshmallows catching on fire at the same time, someone is going to get burned.
4. Have a huge cooler set up with plenty of water bottles and canned soft drinks. (If you have 15 guests, you need around 45 drinks.)
The Entertainment (Any or all of the following will work.):
1. Basketball goal. (This was the guys' favorite. At least two or three guys were constantly playing basketball. Usually more.)
2. Pool table.
3. Air hockey table.
4. Foosball table.
5. Trampoline.
6. Ping pong table.
7. Music is a must for the chicks in the group. (Radio, CD player, etc.)
Honestly, we didn't use the air hockey table, foosball table or the trampoline. We only used the basketball goal and the pool table. I'm pretty sure they would have been happy with JUST the basketball goal.
How to Chaperone:
Every parent will have good ideas for this one, but this worked for us.
1. The first 30 minutes is drop-off time. All the parents are talking and hanging around. No problem. (Our only injury happened during the drop-off time, and the young man wasn't doing anything wrong. He was playing basketball and landed the wrong way on his wrist.)
2. We divided the next 150 minutes (2 1/2 hours) into ten minute rotations. Mike went outside talked, checked drinks, checked the fire and came back inside. Exactly ten minutes later, Josh went outside, roasted a marshmallow, shot some baskets, talked and came back inside. Ten minutes after he returned, I made the same trip.
3. I also opened the windows on that side of the house so I could listen to what was going on, and our upstairs windows looked down on the party, so I could check on the fire, kids, etc. from that vantage point, too.
4. The last 30 minutes of the party is similar to the first 30 minutes. It is time to be picked up, so there are parents all over the place visiting for a few minutes before they take their teenager home.
All in all, it was an easy, fun party. It was not very expensive either. Most parents asked if they could bring anything, so if you want to throw this kind of party, feel free to ask them for drinks, buns, chips, etc. to offset the cost.
Will I do it again? In a heartbeat! (But not next weekend!)
Have a delightful Wednesday. Remember to encourage someone today... in person, by text, by telephone. Pick your form of communication and make someone's day! Visit A Simple Life in the morning for this week's date idea and some new Blog Linkage.
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting Belinda
The Gallery Pics continue to tell our Spring Break story... slowly, but surely.
RANDOMNESS - Roxie and I are on our way to the "pin removal" doctor (also known as the surgeon). Mikie was supposed to take her this time in case the doctor decided to pull more METAL RODS out of her tiny body in my presence. Mikie's not going. Heavy sigh.
I'm not eating this morning, so at least I won't throw up on the "pin removal" doctor's shoes... again.
I know when he reaches for the eyebrow tweezers he's going to remove a pin, so he won't surprise me this time. I'll look away.
I'm pretty sure I'll still scream. Yep. That's a given.
And I will once again leave with a prescription for medication to calm my delicate, frazzled nerves.
All in all, it should be a pretty good day.
Wednesday Wisdom - Since it is Encouraging Wednesday here on A Simple Life (this week and every week), I wanted to share an Eleanor Roosevelt quote which should make at least some of you feel better about yourselves. (I know it helped me immensely!)
"The only advantage in not being too good a housekeeper is that your guests are so pleased to feel how very much better they are."
You're welcome!
Bonfire Party
I hosted this party recently for Roxie and company, and while I was nervous about the age of the kids (13 and 14), the number of attendees (15), the gender of the guests (boys AND girls) and the length of the party (3 1/2 hours), it turned out really, really well.
This age group wants to be left alone. Of course, you DON'T leave them alone, but if you have the right equipment, the kids will stay as far away from you (the adult) as they possibly can. (Code for THEY COME IN TO USE THE BATHROOM AND THEY RUN OUTSIDE AGAIN.)
Here are some ideas for having a successful Bonfire Party for your teenager's friends.
The Essentials:
1. A fire pit is great. You can still have a fire without the fire pit, but the pit contains the fire in one small area. Much safer.
2. Have as many camping chairs as guests around the fire.
3. Have a table set up with hotdogs, buns, chips and s'more fixings. We only had five "sticks" to use for roasting hotdogs and marshmallows. If all 15 kids have a hotdog roasting and marshmallows catching on fire at the same time, someone is going to get burned.
4. Have a huge cooler set up with plenty of water bottles and canned soft drinks. (If you have 15 guests, you need around 45 drinks.)
The Entertainment (Any or all of the following will work.):
1. Basketball goal. (This was the guys' favorite. At least two or three guys were constantly playing basketball. Usually more.)
2. Pool table.
3. Air hockey table.
4. Foosball table.
5. Trampoline.
6. Ping pong table.
7. Music is a must for the chicks in the group. (Radio, CD player, etc.)
Honestly, we didn't use the air hockey table, foosball table or the trampoline. We only used the basketball goal and the pool table. I'm pretty sure they would have been happy with JUST the basketball goal.
How to Chaperone:
Every parent will have good ideas for this one, but this worked for us.
1. The first 30 minutes is drop-off time. All the parents are talking and hanging around. No problem. (Our only injury happened during the drop-off time, and the young man wasn't doing anything wrong. He was playing basketball and landed the wrong way on his wrist.)
2. We divided the next 150 minutes (2 1/2 hours) into ten minute rotations. Mike went outside talked, checked drinks, checked the fire and came back inside. Exactly ten minutes later, Josh went outside, roasted a marshmallow, shot some baskets, talked and came back inside. Ten minutes after he returned, I made the same trip.
3. I also opened the windows on that side of the house so I could listen to what was going on, and our upstairs windows looked down on the party, so I could check on the fire, kids, etc. from that vantage point, too.
4. The last 30 minutes of the party is similar to the first 30 minutes. It is time to be picked up, so there are parents all over the place visiting for a few minutes before they take their teenager home.
All in all, it was an easy, fun party. It was not very expensive either. Most parents asked if they could bring anything, so if you want to throw this kind of party, feel free to ask them for drinks, buns, chips, etc. to offset the cost.
Will I do it again? In a heartbeat! (But not next weekend!)
Have a delightful Wednesday. Remember to encourage someone today... in person, by text, by telephone. Pick your form of communication and make someone's day! Visit A Simple Life in the morning for this week's date idea and some new Blog Linkage.
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting Belinda
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Diet Coke Barbecue Chicken
Good Tuesday morning!
I've added a wildlife section to The Gallery today. Day two of our camping trip was almost zoo-worthy!
RANDOMNESS #1 - A Little Camping Anecdote - We like to catch up on movies when we go camping. We take Mikie's laptop and a few DVDs, and when we've eaten our share of s'mores, we crawl into the tent, get comfortable and watch.
Our first pick was Knight and Day starring Cameron Diaz and Tom Cruise. Everyone had seen it but me, and they all thought it was a great movie except for one word. (I didn't hear the word because everyone coughed and sneezed during that part of the movie to spare me.)
To be honest, I haven't watched a Tom Cruise movie since he jumped on Oprah's couch and called Matt Lauer "glib." Those two things bothered me... a lot. I thought my "Tom Cruise" days were over.
But I liked this movie. He was funny, charming and he reminded me of the Tom Cruise from way back when. The "Top Gun Tom Cruise" of my youth... or mid- to late-20s.
NOTE - This is NOT a kiddie/parent movie. It's a teenager/parent movie. I didn't want anyone to watch it with their five year-old this weekend because I recommended it.
RANDOMNESS #2 - The Pioneer Woman's new book (Black Heels to Tractor Wheels - A Love Story) is now available at bookstores near you. I'm asking for it as a Mother's Day gift, but I may not be able to wait that long.
RANDOMNESS #3 - This may throw A Simple Life into a PG-rating today, but I thought it was kind of funny. I stopped by the restroom before walking. (I know what you're thinking. Already too much information.) When I locked the door behind me, I read the little silver plate bolted to door holding the lock in place.
Do you know what restroom stall doors are called? Do you?
Hiny Hiders. I'll let that sink in a second.
I googled it. They don't spell it with an "e." If you learn nothing else today, remember that little fact. It might be a Jeopardy question one day!
Diet Coke Barbecue Chicken
My sister, Bev, shared this recipe with me Sunday. She and her family tried it AND liked it very much. It's on my list of things to try this week.
You will need the following:
4 skinless/boneless chicken breasts
1 12-ounce can of Diet Coke
1 cup ketchup
1. In a large non-stick skillet, bring chicken, Diet Coke and ketchup to a boil.
2. Cover and reduce heat.
3. Cook 45 minutes.
4. Uncover. Cook until sauce has the consistency of regular barbecue sauce. (It will just take a few more minutes, so don't walk away from the stove.)
That's it! Bev says it tastes better than regular barbecue chicken... and it has that easy-breezy thing working for it, too.
Have a lovely Tuesday. I'll be back in the morning with Wednesday Wisdom, a Seasonal Tradition, more camping pics and Randomness... always Randomness.
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting Belinda
I've added a wildlife section to The Gallery today. Day two of our camping trip was almost zoo-worthy!
RANDOMNESS #1 - A Little Camping Anecdote - We like to catch up on movies when we go camping. We take Mikie's laptop and a few DVDs, and when we've eaten our share of s'mores, we crawl into the tent, get comfortable and watch.
Our first pick was Knight and Day starring Cameron Diaz and Tom Cruise. Everyone had seen it but me, and they all thought it was a great movie except for one word. (I didn't hear the word because everyone coughed and sneezed during that part of the movie to spare me.)
To be honest, I haven't watched a Tom Cruise movie since he jumped on Oprah's couch and called Matt Lauer "glib." Those two things bothered me... a lot. I thought my "Tom Cruise" days were over.
But I liked this movie. He was funny, charming and he reminded me of the Tom Cruise from way back when. The "Top Gun Tom Cruise" of my youth... or mid- to late-20s.
NOTE - This is NOT a kiddie/parent movie. It's a teenager/parent movie. I didn't want anyone to watch it with their five year-old this weekend because I recommended it.
RANDOMNESS #2 - The Pioneer Woman's new book (Black Heels to Tractor Wheels - A Love Story) is now available at bookstores near you. I'm asking for it as a Mother's Day gift, but I may not be able to wait that long.
RANDOMNESS #3 - This may throw A Simple Life into a PG-rating today, but I thought it was kind of funny. I stopped by the restroom before walking. (I know what you're thinking. Already too much information.) When I locked the door behind me, I read the little silver plate bolted to door holding the lock in place.
Do you know what restroom stall doors are called? Do you?
Hiny Hiders. I'll let that sink in a second.
I googled it. They don't spell it with an "e." If you learn nothing else today, remember that little fact. It might be a Jeopardy question one day!
Diet Coke Barbecue Chicken
My sister, Bev, shared this recipe with me Sunday. She and her family tried it AND liked it very much. It's on my list of things to try this week.
You will need the following:
4 skinless/boneless chicken breasts
1 12-ounce can of Diet Coke
1 cup ketchup
1. In a large non-stick skillet, bring chicken, Diet Coke and ketchup to a boil.
2. Cover and reduce heat.
3. Cook 45 minutes.
4. Uncover. Cook until sauce has the consistency of regular barbecue sauce. (It will just take a few more minutes, so don't walk away from the stove.)
That's it! Bev says it tastes better than regular barbecue chicken... and it has that easy-breezy thing working for it, too.
Have a lovely Tuesday. I'll be back in the morning with Wednesday Wisdom, a Seasonal Tradition, more camping pics and Randomness... always Randomness.
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting Belinda
Monday, March 21, 2011
Mindless Monday
Good Monday morning!
The Gallery Pics will only begin to tell the story of our camping trip last week. There are too many photos to post in one day. I'm going to stretch it out a little.
RANDOMNESS #1 - Spring Break was great, but it was EXTREMELY difficult to get everyone out the door this morning... including The Enchanting Belinda. We had a little taste of summer, and I'm afraid the remaining 50 or so days left in the school year are going to drag a little.
RANDOMNESS #2 - I'm going to give you a little list of things I HIGHLY RECOMMEND.
1. Chick-Fil-A's Banana Pudding Milkshake. I can't drink a whole one, but it is so worth the effort to get in your car and go through the drive-thru. Banana heaven in a cup!
2. Leap Year starring Amy Adams. Of course, I may have mentioned once or 300 times how much I love Amy Adams' movies, but this one was really, really good. It was rated PG instead of PG-13, so the language was so much better than a lot of the romantic comedies out right now. Predictable story, but isn't that what chicks really want? Very, very good.
3. Original Pancake House located in the circle in Southside. This is my favorite breakfast date place. It was also featured on the show Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. You may have to wait a little, but the food is worth it.
4. The Easy Chicken and Dumpling recipe I posted three Tuesdays ago. I made it again yesterday for lunch, and it was just as easy and oh, so good! Try it... you'll like it!
As always, this is a short post with lots of pics on Mindless Monday. I'll be back first thing Tuesday morning with a really good recipe for you to try for dinner one night this week, Randomness and more and more pictures.
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting Belinda
The Gallery Pics will only begin to tell the story of our camping trip last week. There are too many photos to post in one day. I'm going to stretch it out a little.
RANDOMNESS #1 - Spring Break was great, but it was EXTREMELY difficult to get everyone out the door this morning... including The Enchanting Belinda. We had a little taste of summer, and I'm afraid the remaining 50 or so days left in the school year are going to drag a little.
RANDOMNESS #2 - I'm going to give you a little list of things I HIGHLY RECOMMEND.
1. Chick-Fil-A's Banana Pudding Milkshake. I can't drink a whole one, but it is so worth the effort to get in your car and go through the drive-thru. Banana heaven in a cup!
2. Leap Year starring Amy Adams. Of course, I may have mentioned once or 300 times how much I love Amy Adams' movies, but this one was really, really good. It was rated PG instead of PG-13, so the language was so much better than a lot of the romantic comedies out right now. Predictable story, but isn't that what chicks really want? Very, very good.
3. Original Pancake House located in the circle in Southside. This is my favorite breakfast date place. It was also featured on the show Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. You may have to wait a little, but the food is worth it.
4. The Easy Chicken and Dumpling recipe I posted three Tuesdays ago. I made it again yesterday for lunch, and it was just as easy and oh, so good! Try it... you'll like it!
As always, this is a short post with lots of pics on Mindless Monday. I'll be back first thing Tuesday morning with a really good recipe for you to try for dinner one night this week, Randomness and more and more pictures.
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting Belinda
Friday, March 18, 2011
Weekend Happenings
Good Friday afternoon!
The Gallery Pics are just a couple of photos from our camping trip this week. I'll be posting the rest on Mindless Monday... and I'll be giving you a play-by-play of our latest camping adventure.
ANNOUNCEMENT! ANNOUNCEMENT! ANNOUNCEMENT! - Everything is back on schedule. Belinda's Project Life is caught up through today. Monday through Friday of next week, I'll be posting more and more Spring ideas for you to try with your family. There will be pictures, Randomness and all of the other "stuff" you've become accustomed to on A Simple Life.
I enjoyed the break, but it is time to get back to work!
Weekend Happenings
Since we just walked back in the door from a three-day camping trip at Lake Guntersville, I think it is safe to say I will be doing laundry this weekend. ALL weekend.
However, in between the 40 loads, Mikie and I are going to sneak away for a pancake breakfast at the Original Pancake House tomorrow morning.
Austin and Josh are both working tomorrow.
Roxie is going to help with some (CODE for MASSIVE AMOUNTS OF) housework before spending a little time with friends.
Sunday, the Faulkner Five are heading over to my sister's house to celebrate Brad's 19th birthday.
And somewhere in between the laundry, working, visiting and celebrating, we're going to catch up on Survivor, Amazing Race and Celebrity Apprentice. Oh, and we're going to church. (I didn't want you to think we were too busy for that!)
Have a fun weekend. Make a million memories with family and friends. I look forward to everything getting back to normal next week on A Simple Life.
Take care, and I'll talk to you Monday morning.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting (and Smokey Smelling) Belinda
The Gallery Pics are just a couple of photos from our camping trip this week. I'll be posting the rest on Mindless Monday... and I'll be giving you a play-by-play of our latest camping adventure.
ANNOUNCEMENT! ANNOUNCEMENT! ANNOUNCEMENT! - Everything is back on schedule. Belinda's Project Life is caught up through today. Monday through Friday of next week, I'll be posting more and more Spring ideas for you to try with your family. There will be pictures, Randomness and all of the other "stuff" you've become accustomed to on A Simple Life.
I enjoyed the break, but it is time to get back to work!
Weekend Happenings
Since we just walked back in the door from a three-day camping trip at Lake Guntersville, I think it is safe to say I will be doing laundry this weekend. ALL weekend.
However, in between the 40 loads, Mikie and I are going to sneak away for a pancake breakfast at the Original Pancake House tomorrow morning.
Austin and Josh are both working tomorrow.
Roxie is going to help with some (CODE for MASSIVE AMOUNTS OF) housework before spending a little time with friends.
Sunday, the Faulkner Five are heading over to my sister's house to celebrate Brad's 19th birthday.
And somewhere in between the laundry, working, visiting and celebrating, we're going to catch up on Survivor, Amazing Race and Celebrity Apprentice. Oh, and we're going to church. (I didn't want you to think we were too busy for that!)
Have a fun weekend. Make a million memories with family and friends. I look forward to everything getting back to normal next week on A Simple Life.
Take care, and I'll talk to you Monday morning.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting (and Smokey Smelling) Belinda
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Caramel Rolls
Good Tuesday morning!
The Gallery Pics are from Roxie and Monica's little outing yesterday. Just good, clean "Spring" fun.
ANNOUNCEMENT! ANNOUNCEMENT! ANNOUNCEMENT! - I'm taking a couple of days off from A Simple Life beginning tomorrow. I need a little break from the norm, I think. I'll post again Friday afternoon.
I am also going to take a Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday break from posting my Picture of the Day on Belinda's Project Life. I'll play "catch up" Friday afternoon.
RANDOMNESS - My heart is so heavy for the people of Japan. It is such a huge reminder to live for Christ TODAY... not tomorrow or next week. One minute, Dad was at work, Mom was at home and the kids were in school. And literally, the next minute it was washed away. Total and complete devastation in a matter of a few seconds. I cannot begin to imagine.
And now the horror continues with the radiation leaks from the nuclear power plant.
I am a huge planner. I love planning things weeks, months and even years in advance. I enjoy it. If plans fall through the cracks, it isn't the end of the world, and I move on. However, I know I need to live in the moment MORE than the future. I don't need to miss the RIGHT NOW looking forward to the MAYBE FANTASTIC LATER.
I need this reminder all the time, and as the images continue to come across the computer and TV, I take a deep breath, say a prayer for those who are suffering AND attempt to live today as God would have me live.
"THIS is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24. Not tomorrow, Enchanting Belinda. Not next week or next month. THIS is the day!
Caramel Rolls
I haven't tried this one yet, but soon. (I'm thinking some time Saturday.)
You will need the following:
2 packages (8 ounces each) refrigerator biscuits
1/4 cup melted butter
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1. Mix sugar and cinnamon together in small bowl.
2. Dip individual biscuits into melted butter and then into cinnamon and sugar mixture.
3. Place each covered biscuit in greased 3 1/2 to 5-quart slow cooker.
4. Cook on high heat 2 1/2 to 3 hours, or until rolls are done.
5. You can check rolls in the center after 2 hours for "doneness."
You can probably guess I snatched this recipe out of my "101 Things To Do With a Slow Cooker" cookbook. It looks pretty good, doesn't it? I'm thinking (and hoping) it may taste a little like Monkey Bread.
Have a beautiful Tuesday. I think the weather is going to cooperate. I'll be back Friday afternoon with Weekend Happenings, photos and Randomness.
Take care, and I'll talk to you Friday.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting Belinda
The Gallery Pics are from Roxie and Monica's little outing yesterday. Just good, clean "Spring" fun.
ANNOUNCEMENT! ANNOUNCEMENT! ANNOUNCEMENT! - I'm taking a couple of days off from A Simple Life beginning tomorrow. I need a little break from the norm, I think. I'll post again Friday afternoon.
I am also going to take a Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday break from posting my Picture of the Day on Belinda's Project Life. I'll play "catch up" Friday afternoon.
RANDOMNESS - My heart is so heavy for the people of Japan. It is such a huge reminder to live for Christ TODAY... not tomorrow or next week. One minute, Dad was at work, Mom was at home and the kids were in school. And literally, the next minute it was washed away. Total and complete devastation in a matter of a few seconds. I cannot begin to imagine.
And now the horror continues with the radiation leaks from the nuclear power plant.
I am a huge planner. I love planning things weeks, months and even years in advance. I enjoy it. If plans fall through the cracks, it isn't the end of the world, and I move on. However, I know I need to live in the moment MORE than the future. I don't need to miss the RIGHT NOW looking forward to the MAYBE FANTASTIC LATER.
I need this reminder all the time, and as the images continue to come across the computer and TV, I take a deep breath, say a prayer for those who are suffering AND attempt to live today as God would have me live.
"THIS is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24. Not tomorrow, Enchanting Belinda. Not next week or next month. THIS is the day!
Caramel Rolls
I haven't tried this one yet, but soon. (I'm thinking some time Saturday.)
You will need the following:
2 packages (8 ounces each) refrigerator biscuits
1/4 cup melted butter
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1. Mix sugar and cinnamon together in small bowl.
2. Dip individual biscuits into melted butter and then into cinnamon and sugar mixture.
3. Place each covered biscuit in greased 3 1/2 to 5-quart slow cooker.
4. Cook on high heat 2 1/2 to 3 hours, or until rolls are done.
5. You can check rolls in the center after 2 hours for "doneness."
You can probably guess I snatched this recipe out of my "101 Things To Do With a Slow Cooker" cookbook. It looks pretty good, doesn't it? I'm thinking (and hoping) it may taste a little like Monkey Bread.
Have a beautiful Tuesday. I think the weather is going to cooperate. I'll be back Friday afternoon with Weekend Happenings, photos and Randomness.
Take care, and I'll talk to you Friday.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting Belinda
Monday, March 14, 2011
Mindless Monday
Good Monday morning!
It's Mindless Monday, but as the Gallery Pics indicate, our weekend didn't go as planned. Camping was postponed until the latter part of Spring Break and visiting with friends and family took it's place. As with all Mindless Mondays, the pics will tell the story and the post will be SO very, very brief!
RANDOMNESS #1 - I bought a new spring top last week. I wanted you to know because you have seen everything I own many, many, many times. Oh, and just to let you know I can step out of my comfort zone... the shirt is green.
"But every shirt you own is green, Enchanting Belinda." True. True. But this top isn't baby poo green. It's a nice mossy green and it actually has a little blue mixed in. You'll see it in a few days, I am sure.
See. I'm growing as a person.
RANDOMNESS #2 - I saw Beastly with Roxie and some friends yesterday. While we were waiting for the movie to begin, the previews played.
Fun fact for you... I LOVE previews.
Another fun fact for you... I really, really miss animated Disney movies. Some of the movies coming out this summer for the teen set leave a lot to be desired. I'm looking forward to Diary of a Wimpy Kid 2 with my nephew and his friend in a couple of weeks. Now that's a movie I can sink my teeth into!
Have a lovely Monday. I'll be back first thing in the morning with a Spring Break recipe, more photos and a little thing I like to call RANDOMNESS!
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting Belinda
It's Mindless Monday, but as the Gallery Pics indicate, our weekend didn't go as planned. Camping was postponed until the latter part of Spring Break and visiting with friends and family took it's place. As with all Mindless Mondays, the pics will tell the story and the post will be SO very, very brief!
RANDOMNESS #1 - I bought a new spring top last week. I wanted you to know because you have seen everything I own many, many, many times. Oh, and just to let you know I can step out of my comfort zone... the shirt is green.
"But every shirt you own is green, Enchanting Belinda." True. True. But this top isn't baby poo green. It's a nice mossy green and it actually has a little blue mixed in. You'll see it in a few days, I am sure.
See. I'm growing as a person.
RANDOMNESS #2 - I saw Beastly with Roxie and some friends yesterday. While we were waiting for the movie to begin, the previews played.
Fun fact for you... I LOVE previews.
Another fun fact for you... I really, really miss animated Disney movies. Some of the movies coming out this summer for the teen set leave a lot to be desired. I'm looking forward to Diary of a Wimpy Kid 2 with my nephew and his friend in a couple of weeks. Now that's a movie I can sink my teeth into!
Have a lovely Monday. I'll be back first thing in the morning with a Spring Break recipe, more photos and a little thing I like to call RANDOMNESS!
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting Belinda
Friday, March 11, 2011
Weekend Happenings
Good Friday morning!
The Gallery Pics are very hodge-podge this morning. We've been busy the last couple of days, but the camera has not been used a great deal. (It needed a little rest!)
RANDOMNESS - I've been glued to the television this morning watching and waiting to see if Hawaii and the West Coast will be hit by tsunamis.
I cannot even imagine the devastation and destruction the Japanese people are having to deal with while I sit comfortably in front of my computer. Since the earthquake hit mid-afternoon in Japan, my heart is breaking thinking about all of the families which are now separated because some were at work, some were at school and some were at home.
I will be praying for many people I have never met this morning and in the days to come.
And I will not take today for granted.
Our First Camping Trip Ever
We decided to bite the bullet and take our little family camping. Austin was five and Josh was three. Roxie was a toddling baby, so we decided to leave her at her grandparents' house. In my mind, if everything went well, she could start camping when she turned three. (Actually, I was hoping she was going to be a prissy little thing who didn't like camping, and on camping weekends while the guys were out and about, she and I would have manicures and shop and watch chick flicks, etc. That dream never came true... but that's another story.)
With another family who had boys our boys' ages, we planned our very first camping trip. Oak Mountain was our destination... only 35 short minutes from home. We planned a weekend in May (usually a mild month in Alabama). We borrowed the tent and gathered the rest of the equipment from different places.
We arrived at the campground mid-afternoon, picked out our spots and started for the first time ever to set up camp. The boys were thrilled. They had brought their box of dinosaurs (a camping must), other various toys and they had each other in the woods. They were happy. Near our campsite was a large branch which was semi-broken and hanging from a tree almost touching the ground. Our guys were just the right weight NOT to break the branch, and it was like having a tire swing in our back door. They had a ball playing on the almost broken tree branch.
While we were setting up camp, the three year-olds needed to go to use the bathroom and rather than walking all the way to the bathhouse, the dads told them to do what all little boys love to do... skip the bathhouse and find a tree. Life was good.
After camp was set up, we all walked down to the lake to let the boys wade. We hadn't planned on swimming, and we hadn't really packed a lot of extra clothes... plus, if your three year-old swims that means mom has to be ready to swim. We, as the moms, had definitely not packed our swimsuits.
We were very specific in our instructions "to wade" and "not swim." We even went so far as to explain, "Do not put your head in the water. Do not let the water get above your knees. Do you understand?" There was a lot of nodding going on.
And then, Joshua's partner in crime at the time, smiled the smile three year-old boys smile right before they... go completely under the water. Right in front of the parents who had just told him "Do not put your head in the water!" He came out the water, and flashed another smile.
We've all been there. You tell your child not to do something, and they decide to disobey you then and there... and smile at you. He was quickly punished, and we were on our way to the campsite. We had handed all the boys water bottles. "Drink it all. Do not pour it out. Do not waste the water." And then, Joshua's partner in crime at the time, smiled the smile three year-old boys smile right before they... pour the water out of the water bottle onto the street.
Sputtering, the dad of this particular three year-old uttered the punishment then and there.
"NO WATER OR DRINKS FOR YOU THE REST OF THE TRIP!"
Don't get self-righteous on me. We've all done the same thing before. I've told my kids they could never go outside again; never have ice cream again; never watch TV again; never... well, you get the picture. Parenting is hard on the best day... and three year-old boys... WHEW!
"What are we going to do?" I asked the other mom as we walked back to camp. "He'll be dehydrated if he doesn't get to drink until we leave tomorrow."
"I know. I know," she replied. I could see the wheels turning and she walked up to her husband and whispering began.
"We've figured it out," she said as she dropped back to walk beside me.
"What are you going to do?" I asked.
"We're going to give him mercy," she replied.
"Oh. Yeah, that will work," I said. Actually, I didn't know what in the world she was talking about.
When we got back to the campsite, Dad and mischievous three year-old boy went to a picnic table to sit down and talk. A few minutes later, hugs were exchanged and the the little boy came up to me. "May I have a drink, please?" he asked.
"Well, what did Mom and Dad say?"
"They said it was okay. I got mercy," he said simply... and I handed him a bottled water.
Mom and Dad had turned the whole incident into a devotion. Every day we do things we are not supposed to do, and this does not please God. But God has mercy on all of us, sinners that we are, and forgives us when we ask. This little guy had asked for forgiveness and, in return, had received mercy (a/k/a bottled water).
Of course, just like all of us (adults, too), mercy isn't given just once and that's it. We need it time and time again as we go through our daily lives. What a great lesson.
And by the way, the three year-olds ALMOST made it to bedtime before mercy had to be bestowed upon them yet again.
Our first camping trip was short, memorable and went well enough we were hooked. I hope your first camping trip will be just as pleasant and fun to get you over the fear of sleeping in the woods, using questionable bathhouses, and hearing noises you cannot identify in the middle of the night.
Weekend Happenings
Before the weekend even arrived, our plans changed. We were heading to Guntersville in the morning for a few days of camping fun with my sister and her family. Unfortunately, my nephew, Zac, has a flu-like illness, so our trip has been postponed to later in the week. We're not exactly sure when, but we're still planning on camping some time during Spring Break.
Actually, the weather is looking warmer toward the end of the week which will make boating MUCH more enjoyable.
Until then, the kids are spending time with friends AND family... which includes me and Mikie!
I KNOW we want to have at least one Faulkner Five movie night.
I KNOW we want to have at least one Faulkner Five game night.
I KNOW we want to eat lots and lots of meals together.
I KNOW Roxie and I want to go shopping.
And I KNOW we want to go camping.
Be sure to tune in next week to see what (if anything) gets crossed off this list! Mindless Monday will be here before you know it. Have a wonderful Friday and an even better weekend. Enjoy your Spring Break!
Take care, and I'll talk to you Monday.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting Belinda
The Gallery Pics are very hodge-podge this morning. We've been busy the last couple of days, but the camera has not been used a great deal. (It needed a little rest!)
RANDOMNESS - I've been glued to the television this morning watching and waiting to see if Hawaii and the West Coast will be hit by tsunamis.
I cannot even imagine the devastation and destruction the Japanese people are having to deal with while I sit comfortably in front of my computer. Since the earthquake hit mid-afternoon in Japan, my heart is breaking thinking about all of the families which are now separated because some were at work, some were at school and some were at home.
I will be praying for many people I have never met this morning and in the days to come.
And I will not take today for granted.
Our First Camping Trip Ever
We decided to bite the bullet and take our little family camping. Austin was five and Josh was three. Roxie was a toddling baby, so we decided to leave her at her grandparents' house. In my mind, if everything went well, she could start camping when she turned three. (Actually, I was hoping she was going to be a prissy little thing who didn't like camping, and on camping weekends while the guys were out and about, she and I would have manicures and shop and watch chick flicks, etc. That dream never came true... but that's another story.)
With another family who had boys our boys' ages, we planned our very first camping trip. Oak Mountain was our destination... only 35 short minutes from home. We planned a weekend in May (usually a mild month in Alabama). We borrowed the tent and gathered the rest of the equipment from different places.
We arrived at the campground mid-afternoon, picked out our spots and started for the first time ever to set up camp. The boys were thrilled. They had brought their box of dinosaurs (a camping must), other various toys and they had each other in the woods. They were happy. Near our campsite was a large branch which was semi-broken and hanging from a tree almost touching the ground. Our guys were just the right weight NOT to break the branch, and it was like having a tire swing in our back door. They had a ball playing on the almost broken tree branch.
While we were setting up camp, the three year-olds needed to go to use the bathroom and rather than walking all the way to the bathhouse, the dads told them to do what all little boys love to do... skip the bathhouse and find a tree. Life was good.
After camp was set up, we all walked down to the lake to let the boys wade. We hadn't planned on swimming, and we hadn't really packed a lot of extra clothes... plus, if your three year-old swims that means mom has to be ready to swim. We, as the moms, had definitely not packed our swimsuits.
We were very specific in our instructions "to wade" and "not swim." We even went so far as to explain, "Do not put your head in the water. Do not let the water get above your knees. Do you understand?" There was a lot of nodding going on.
And then, Joshua's partner in crime at the time, smiled the smile three year-old boys smile right before they... go completely under the water. Right in front of the parents who had just told him "Do not put your head in the water!" He came out the water, and flashed another smile.
We've all been there. You tell your child not to do something, and they decide to disobey you then and there... and smile at you. He was quickly punished, and we were on our way to the campsite. We had handed all the boys water bottles. "Drink it all. Do not pour it out. Do not waste the water." And then, Joshua's partner in crime at the time, smiled the smile three year-old boys smile right before they... pour the water out of the water bottle onto the street.
Sputtering, the dad of this particular three year-old uttered the punishment then and there.
"NO WATER OR DRINKS FOR YOU THE REST OF THE TRIP!"
Don't get self-righteous on me. We've all done the same thing before. I've told my kids they could never go outside again; never have ice cream again; never watch TV again; never... well, you get the picture. Parenting is hard on the best day... and three year-old boys... WHEW!
"What are we going to do?" I asked the other mom as we walked back to camp. "He'll be dehydrated if he doesn't get to drink until we leave tomorrow."
"I know. I know," she replied. I could see the wheels turning and she walked up to her husband and whispering began.
"We've figured it out," she said as she dropped back to walk beside me.
"What are you going to do?" I asked.
"We're going to give him mercy," she replied.
"Oh. Yeah, that will work," I said. Actually, I didn't know what in the world she was talking about.
When we got back to the campsite, Dad and mischievous three year-old boy went to a picnic table to sit down and talk. A few minutes later, hugs were exchanged and the the little boy came up to me. "May I have a drink, please?" he asked.
"Well, what did Mom and Dad say?"
"They said it was okay. I got mercy," he said simply... and I handed him a bottled water.
Mom and Dad had turned the whole incident into a devotion. Every day we do things we are not supposed to do, and this does not please God. But God has mercy on all of us, sinners that we are, and forgives us when we ask. This little guy had asked for forgiveness and, in return, had received mercy (a/k/a bottled water).
Of course, just like all of us (adults, too), mercy isn't given just once and that's it. We need it time and time again as we go through our daily lives. What a great lesson.
And by the way, the three year-olds ALMOST made it to bedtime before mercy had to be bestowed upon them yet again.
Our first camping trip was short, memorable and went well enough we were hooked. I hope your first camping trip will be just as pleasant and fun to get you over the fear of sleeping in the woods, using questionable bathhouses, and hearing noises you cannot identify in the middle of the night.
Weekend Happenings
Before the weekend even arrived, our plans changed. We were heading to Guntersville in the morning for a few days of camping fun with my sister and her family. Unfortunately, my nephew, Zac, has a flu-like illness, so our trip has been postponed to later in the week. We're not exactly sure when, but we're still planning on camping some time during Spring Break.
Actually, the weather is looking warmer toward the end of the week which will make boating MUCH more enjoyable.
Until then, the kids are spending time with friends AND family... which includes me and Mikie!
I KNOW we want to have at least one Faulkner Five movie night.
I KNOW we want to have at least one Faulkner Five game night.
I KNOW we want to eat lots and lots of meals together.
I KNOW Roxie and I want to go shopping.
And I KNOW we want to go camping.
Be sure to tune in next week to see what (if anything) gets crossed off this list! Mindless Monday will be here before you know it. Have a wonderful Friday and an even better weekend. Enjoy your Spring Break!
Take care, and I'll talk to you Monday.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting Belinda
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Nursery Date
Good Thursday morning!
The Gallery Pic this morning is of the "Spring Bud." I was going to try a day-to-day pictorial, but this is a very stubborn bud (as you can tell). It's been a week since the last picture was taken. I may have inadvertently picked a "Spring Bud" which is a dud... and if that is the case, I'm sorry I have wasted your time!
ANNOUNCEMENT! ANNOUNCEMENT! ANNOUNCEMENT! - Please support Roxanne Adams and her family by eating at the Gardendale Chick-Fil-A TODAY! Receipts from breakfast, lunch, after school and dinner will benefit Roxanne for her ongoing treatment of dysautonomia. (She will receive 20 percent of the receipts.) Be sure to turn in your receipt, and tell your cashier, "This is for Roxanne!" The store will be playing Spin the Wheel from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. for prizes! Tell all your friends!
RANDOMNESS - I have three kids. Three teenagers. No... two teenagers and a 20-something. Over the years, these three "people" have been taught to do any number of household chores. They can load a dishwasher, clean a toilet, do a load of laundry, make a bed you can bounce a quarter on, wash cars, dust, vacuum, etc., etc., etc. You get the general idea.
However, there is one thing all three of them do that drives me to the edge. When they transfer wet clothes from the washer and put them into the dryer, they do not turn the dryer on. They leave the wet clothes sitting in the dryer... and they do not push the button. ONE BUTTON!
What does this mean? Is it genetic? Are they afraid of the dryer? Are they trying to make me cry... out loud... a lot? I don't know. It's very perplexing. It's like washing a whole car... except the left rear tire.
Now, if you tell me your teenager does the same exact thing, I will feel better. Misery does indeed love company. But if you tell me this never happens in your household, I don't know what I will do.
Knowing my children will one day be in charge of everything in their lives (paying bills, holding down a job, raising a family, planning vacations, etc.) while wearing soaking wet clothes because they didn't push ONE BUTTON is very discouraging.
Until I can find a way to blame this on Mikie's side of the family, I'm going to start feeling like a failure. I just know I will!
The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia (a/k/a The Night Mom Tried to Pass Out in Georgia)
Yea! Another camping story! I have a million of them!
We had been to Stone Mountain many times, but never on a camping trip. We planned a trip with two other families and headed for the park which is only two and half hours away. When we arrived, we were very pleased with what we saw. Beautiful campsites, places for the kids to ride their bikes, the lake within viewing and walking distance... and a brand new bathhouse. We pitched our tent as close as possible to the brand new bathhouse.
Everything was going well. The kids were playing great. We had a good dinner. We sat around the fire and told stories and ate s'mores. Josh, age five, ate too many s'mores... way too many s'mores.
It was time for bed, so we brushed our teeth and climbed into our nice, warm sleeping bags on our nice, soft air mattresses smelling of campfire smoke and other outdoorsy smells. Everyone dozed off.
We were awakened by the unmistakable sound of a child being sick in the middle of the night. It's probably mean to say, but when you're in a tent, you can hear everyone and everything within ten campsites of your own tent... so in your heart of hearts you're kind of hoping it's a kid in someone else's tent. No such luck! "Which one is it? Which one is it?" Mike and I were already climbing out of sleeping bags to assess the damage... and damage there was.
It was Josh. "Please tell me he didn't get sick in our shoes?" I asked Mike feebly since he was already up and trying to find the lanterns.
"Nope. Just him, his sleeping bag and one coat." Minimal damage in camping terms.
Mike stripped Josh down, tossed him over to me for a change of PJs and illness assessment, and headed out the door with the bag, coat and Josh's clothes. (We decided to toss the PJs.) Mike spent an hour in the new bathhouse cleaning the nylon sleeping bag and the coat, and came back for the verdict.
"No fever. No stomachache. My professional opinion is too many s'mores."
"How many did he have?" Mike asked.
"I would have to say from the damage report... more than one or two." And then we slept. The next morning, Josh woke up happy and well, and we decided to count our blessings we did not have a stomach bug. (Not to mention, we gave him a s'more limit he was to abide by for the rest of his life... 1 or 2 per sitting. NO MORE!)
We spent the day hiking, exploring and playing with the other families. It was a good day. We were grilling hot dogs and hamburgers for our dinner, and I was setting the picnic table when I looked over at three year-old Grant. His flushed cheeks and droopy eyes could have been the result of playing hard all day, but there was something else... something I had seen before. "Grant, are you feeling... ," I started to ask... but never got to finish. Grant got sick all over the picnic table. I knew for a fact no s'mores had been eaten yet, so I feared this might be something more serious.
His mom came over to check him out and in our professional opinions, Grant had a stomach bug. As the dads cleaned the table, discussions were held as to what we should do. Grant's family decided to pack up and head to Alabama as quickly as possible so they could be home in the event other family members came down with the illness, also. One problem. It is not a five minute job to take down a tent and pack everything up, so it was decided Mike, Grant's mom and dad and all the boys available would help pack up... and I would hold and comfort sick little Grant.
I sat in a chair away from the commotion and held the feverish little boy for a little over an hour knowing the possibility of my catching his illness was going to be huge. (To this day, I can't hold a sick little boy and not kiss the top of his head, rub his back and whisper in his ear that everything is going to be okay.) So in my mind, I knew in just a few hours I, too, would be in the brand new bathhouse at Stone Mountain, Georgia throwing up. I just decided to "go with it."
We said good-bye to Grant and our friends about 10:30 that night, and once again headed to bed. No s'mores had been eaten. Everyone seemed to be feeling okay. I was feeling okay. Maybe, just maybe, we had dodged a bullet. We all dozed off.
We were awakened by the unmistakable sound of a child being sick in the middle of the night. I'm sorry to say, I again hoped it was some other kid in some other tent down the way. And unfortunately it was not. "Which one is it? Which one is it?" Mike and I were climbing out of our sleeping bags trying to assess damage. This time it was Austin. "Please tell me he didn't get sick in our shoes?" I asked.
"Nope. Sleeping bag, two coats and PJs." Mike was already gathering everything to head to the bathhouse (Mike is a GREAT dad and husband), and I held a shaking, feverish little boy in my arms. This wasn't a case of too many s'mores. This was the dreaded stomach bug.
Mike and I decided to nickname our tent the "Death Tent," because... well, to be honest, it had lost that woodsy smell two nights earlier and things were not getting any better. We stayed up with Austin most of the night, and the next day he and I stayed in the brand new bathhouse while Josh and Mikie took our campsite down.
There really isn't a moral to this story. It was a weekend of just trying to survive... trying to have a good time in a really bad situation... being a family looking for the blessings in a series of very unfortunate events and living to tell the tale. If it had been our first camping experience, no doubt about it, it would have been our last. But we had several great camping trips under our belt, and we considered this one a little bump in road. I guess if we sat down and tried to think of the good things that weekend we could come up with one or two.
Good Thing #1 - No one ever got sick in our shoes. That was a biggie for me.
Good Thing #2 - No one else in our family got the stomach bug, which was pretty much a miracle considering our close quarters.
Good Thing #3 - We discovered at an early age that Josh can't hold his s'mores (and this fact has helped during other camping trips).
Good Thing #4 - I'm sorry. I think I'm going to have to stop at #3. I can't seem to think of Good Thing #4. (It's taken me ten years to think of Good Things #1 through #3.)
If you're wondering about the title of this story (The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia), we found Georgia is incredibly dark in the middle of the night in a campground when you're wandering around trying to clean sleeping bags and such. And part two of the title (The Night Mom Tried to Black Out in Georgia) refers to my inability to pass out until all the bad stuff stops happening. I'm just one of those people who is going to be painfully aware (and fully awake) of any situation I'm in... good or bad. Not a very good trait as far as I'm concerned.
Blog Linkage - Okay. Here are three very different links for you to check out today. One for St. Patrick's Day... one to look at beautiful photos (no reading required)... and one comparing a two year-old to a junior high teenage girl (very, very funny).
1. Click on eighteen25 under My Blog List. Scroll down to the post entitled "Gotta See This" dated March 4. The girls have shared several good St. Patrick's Day ideas for parents of little ones.
2. Click on Confessions of a Pioneer Woman under My Blog List. Click on "Photography" at the top of the page. The Pioneer Woman had a photo contest entitled "Sisters" last week. Take your time and look at these beautiful, photos. (My favorite didn't even make the finals!)
3. Click on Big Mama under My Blog List. Read today's post entitled "Have Car, Will Travel." Feel free to laugh out loud!
Enjoy!
Nursery Date
My new friend, Kristel, left a comment in the Comment section last week talking about an idea she found in the Family Fun Magazine. She and her kiddos are going to plant grass seed in a plastic tray or glass baking dish, watch the grass grow, trim the grass and then let some of their favorite "tiny toys" play in the homegrown yard. (You can find this idea on page 66 of the March 2011 issue.)
That little comment made me think about my trip to Leaf & Petal Nursery behind the Summit (in Cahaba Heights) last week. Not only was it a nursery, but it had a very pretty store attached, too. You can call them at 205-871-3832 for specific directions.
Why not take one of your little ones on a date to pick out a special flower, bush or tree to plant in your yard this Spring. (Remember the lemon tree my friend bought? How cool would that be?)
A lemon or lime tree may be out of your price range for a date, but there are always smaller plants and flowers you could purchase. Spend a little time shopping for the perfect plant before heading to lunch. If you want to stick with the theme (nature, Spring, etc.), plan on taking your date to a restaurant which serves fruit, salads, etc. (Uh, that would be O'Carrs Restaurant only 30 seconds away from the Leaf & Petal Nursery in Cahaba Heights!)
But wait! There's more! Once you get home, it will be time to get your hands dirty. Make sure you and your child follow the instructions and plant your flower, bush or tree in a special place.
And by all means, have fun!
Have a blessed Thursday! Friday afternoon will mark the beginning of Spring Break. YEA! I'll have one more camping story, another pic of two and Weekend Happenings to share.
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting Belinda
The Gallery Pic this morning is of the "Spring Bud." I was going to try a day-to-day pictorial, but this is a very stubborn bud (as you can tell). It's been a week since the last picture was taken. I may have inadvertently picked a "Spring Bud" which is a dud... and if that is the case, I'm sorry I have wasted your time!
ANNOUNCEMENT! ANNOUNCEMENT! ANNOUNCEMENT! - Please support Roxanne Adams and her family by eating at the Gardendale Chick-Fil-A TODAY! Receipts from breakfast, lunch, after school and dinner will benefit Roxanne for her ongoing treatment of dysautonomia. (She will receive 20 percent of the receipts.) Be sure to turn in your receipt, and tell your cashier, "This is for Roxanne!" The store will be playing Spin the Wheel from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. for prizes! Tell all your friends!
RANDOMNESS - I have three kids. Three teenagers. No... two teenagers and a 20-something. Over the years, these three "people" have been taught to do any number of household chores. They can load a dishwasher, clean a toilet, do a load of laundry, make a bed you can bounce a quarter on, wash cars, dust, vacuum, etc., etc., etc. You get the general idea.
However, there is one thing all three of them do that drives me to the edge. When they transfer wet clothes from the washer and put them into the dryer, they do not turn the dryer on. They leave the wet clothes sitting in the dryer... and they do not push the button. ONE BUTTON!
What does this mean? Is it genetic? Are they afraid of the dryer? Are they trying to make me cry... out loud... a lot? I don't know. It's very perplexing. It's like washing a whole car... except the left rear tire.
Now, if you tell me your teenager does the same exact thing, I will feel better. Misery does indeed love company. But if you tell me this never happens in your household, I don't know what I will do.
Knowing my children will one day be in charge of everything in their lives (paying bills, holding down a job, raising a family, planning vacations, etc.) while wearing soaking wet clothes because they didn't push ONE BUTTON is very discouraging.
Until I can find a way to blame this on Mikie's side of the family, I'm going to start feeling like a failure. I just know I will!
The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia (a/k/a The Night Mom Tried to Pass Out in Georgia)
Yea! Another camping story! I have a million of them!
We had been to Stone Mountain many times, but never on a camping trip. We planned a trip with two other families and headed for the park which is only two and half hours away. When we arrived, we were very pleased with what we saw. Beautiful campsites, places for the kids to ride their bikes, the lake within viewing and walking distance... and a brand new bathhouse. We pitched our tent as close as possible to the brand new bathhouse.
Everything was going well. The kids were playing great. We had a good dinner. We sat around the fire and told stories and ate s'mores. Josh, age five, ate too many s'mores... way too many s'mores.
It was time for bed, so we brushed our teeth and climbed into our nice, warm sleeping bags on our nice, soft air mattresses smelling of campfire smoke and other outdoorsy smells. Everyone dozed off.
We were awakened by the unmistakable sound of a child being sick in the middle of the night. It's probably mean to say, but when you're in a tent, you can hear everyone and everything within ten campsites of your own tent... so in your heart of hearts you're kind of hoping it's a kid in someone else's tent. No such luck! "Which one is it? Which one is it?" Mike and I were already climbing out of sleeping bags to assess the damage... and damage there was.
It was Josh. "Please tell me he didn't get sick in our shoes?" I asked Mike feebly since he was already up and trying to find the lanterns.
"Nope. Just him, his sleeping bag and one coat." Minimal damage in camping terms.
Mike stripped Josh down, tossed him over to me for a change of PJs and illness assessment, and headed out the door with the bag, coat and Josh's clothes. (We decided to toss the PJs.) Mike spent an hour in the new bathhouse cleaning the nylon sleeping bag and the coat, and came back for the verdict.
"No fever. No stomachache. My professional opinion is too many s'mores."
"How many did he have?" Mike asked.
"I would have to say from the damage report... more than one or two." And then we slept. The next morning, Josh woke up happy and well, and we decided to count our blessings we did not have a stomach bug. (Not to mention, we gave him a s'more limit he was to abide by for the rest of his life... 1 or 2 per sitting. NO MORE!)
We spent the day hiking, exploring and playing with the other families. It was a good day. We were grilling hot dogs and hamburgers for our dinner, and I was setting the picnic table when I looked over at three year-old Grant. His flushed cheeks and droopy eyes could have been the result of playing hard all day, but there was something else... something I had seen before. "Grant, are you feeling... ," I started to ask... but never got to finish. Grant got sick all over the picnic table. I knew for a fact no s'mores had been eaten yet, so I feared this might be something more serious.
His mom came over to check him out and in our professional opinions, Grant had a stomach bug. As the dads cleaned the table, discussions were held as to what we should do. Grant's family decided to pack up and head to Alabama as quickly as possible so they could be home in the event other family members came down with the illness, also. One problem. It is not a five minute job to take down a tent and pack everything up, so it was decided Mike, Grant's mom and dad and all the boys available would help pack up... and I would hold and comfort sick little Grant.
I sat in a chair away from the commotion and held the feverish little boy for a little over an hour knowing the possibility of my catching his illness was going to be huge. (To this day, I can't hold a sick little boy and not kiss the top of his head, rub his back and whisper in his ear that everything is going to be okay.) So in my mind, I knew in just a few hours I, too, would be in the brand new bathhouse at Stone Mountain, Georgia throwing up. I just decided to "go with it."
We said good-bye to Grant and our friends about 10:30 that night, and once again headed to bed. No s'mores had been eaten. Everyone seemed to be feeling okay. I was feeling okay. Maybe, just maybe, we had dodged a bullet. We all dozed off.
We were awakened by the unmistakable sound of a child being sick in the middle of the night. I'm sorry to say, I again hoped it was some other kid in some other tent down the way. And unfortunately it was not. "Which one is it? Which one is it?" Mike and I were climbing out of our sleeping bags trying to assess damage. This time it was Austin. "Please tell me he didn't get sick in our shoes?" I asked.
"Nope. Sleeping bag, two coats and PJs." Mike was already gathering everything to head to the bathhouse (Mike is a GREAT dad and husband), and I held a shaking, feverish little boy in my arms. This wasn't a case of too many s'mores. This was the dreaded stomach bug.
Mike and I decided to nickname our tent the "Death Tent," because... well, to be honest, it had lost that woodsy smell two nights earlier and things were not getting any better. We stayed up with Austin most of the night, and the next day he and I stayed in the brand new bathhouse while Josh and Mikie took our campsite down.
There really isn't a moral to this story. It was a weekend of just trying to survive... trying to have a good time in a really bad situation... being a family looking for the blessings in a series of very unfortunate events and living to tell the tale. If it had been our first camping experience, no doubt about it, it would have been our last. But we had several great camping trips under our belt, and we considered this one a little bump in road. I guess if we sat down and tried to think of the good things that weekend we could come up with one or two.
Good Thing #1 - No one ever got sick in our shoes. That was a biggie for me.
Good Thing #2 - No one else in our family got the stomach bug, which was pretty much a miracle considering our close quarters.
Good Thing #3 - We discovered at an early age that Josh can't hold his s'mores (and this fact has helped during other camping trips).
Good Thing #4 - I'm sorry. I think I'm going to have to stop at #3. I can't seem to think of Good Thing #4. (It's taken me ten years to think of Good Things #1 through #3.)
If you're wondering about the title of this story (The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia), we found Georgia is incredibly dark in the middle of the night in a campground when you're wandering around trying to clean sleeping bags and such. And part two of the title (The Night Mom Tried to Black Out in Georgia) refers to my inability to pass out until all the bad stuff stops happening. I'm just one of those people who is going to be painfully aware (and fully awake) of any situation I'm in... good or bad. Not a very good trait as far as I'm concerned.
Blog Linkage - Okay. Here are three very different links for you to check out today. One for St. Patrick's Day... one to look at beautiful photos (no reading required)... and one comparing a two year-old to a junior high teenage girl (very, very funny).
1. Click on eighteen25 under My Blog List. Scroll down to the post entitled "Gotta See This" dated March 4. The girls have shared several good St. Patrick's Day ideas for parents of little ones.
2. Click on Confessions of a Pioneer Woman under My Blog List. Click on "Photography" at the top of the page. The Pioneer Woman had a photo contest entitled "Sisters" last week. Take your time and look at these beautiful, photos. (My favorite didn't even make the finals!)
3. Click on Big Mama under My Blog List. Read today's post entitled "Have Car, Will Travel." Feel free to laugh out loud!
Enjoy!
Nursery Date
My new friend, Kristel, left a comment in the Comment section last week talking about an idea she found in the Family Fun Magazine. She and her kiddos are going to plant grass seed in a plastic tray or glass baking dish, watch the grass grow, trim the grass and then let some of their favorite "tiny toys" play in the homegrown yard. (You can find this idea on page 66 of the March 2011 issue.)
That little comment made me think about my trip to Leaf & Petal Nursery behind the Summit (in Cahaba Heights) last week. Not only was it a nursery, but it had a very pretty store attached, too. You can call them at 205-871-3832 for specific directions.
Why not take one of your little ones on a date to pick out a special flower, bush or tree to plant in your yard this Spring. (Remember the lemon tree my friend bought? How cool would that be?)
A lemon or lime tree may be out of your price range for a date, but there are always smaller plants and flowers you could purchase. Spend a little time shopping for the perfect plant before heading to lunch. If you want to stick with the theme (nature, Spring, etc.), plan on taking your date to a restaurant which serves fruit, salads, etc. (Uh, that would be O'Carrs Restaurant only 30 seconds away from the Leaf & Petal Nursery in Cahaba Heights!)
But wait! There's more! Once you get home, it will be time to get your hands dirty. Make sure you and your child follow the instructions and plant your flower, bush or tree in a special place.
And by all means, have fun!
Have a blessed Thursday! Friday afternoon will mark the beginning of Spring Break. YEA! I'll have one more camping story, another pic of two and Weekend Happenings to share.
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting Belinda
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
15 Rainy Day Activities for Preschoolers
Good Wednesday morning!
The Gallery Pics are a few more BLAST photos left over from this past weekend. Believe it or not, I have about 40 more (very similar to what I have already shown you). Chicks LOVE having their picture taken!
As promised, I'm re-posting yet another camping story. Feel free to skip ahead if you've read it before. (I'll have a new story to share next week, I am sure!)
Where, Oh Where, Are All the Campers?
We eventually tried an out-of-state camping trip with the family we usually camped with. Roxie was three or four, so she was along for this one. We went to a campground in the beautiful state of Tennessee known for it's hiking trails, waterfalls and beautiful foliage. The pictures on the brochure were lovely, picturesque even, and we looked forward to spending a fall weekend in the great state of Tennessee.
When we arrived, we were surprised to see the "set-up" of the campground. There was a huge circle and campers set up tents and pop-ups under trees as you went around the circle. In the middle of the huge circle, across a grassy field, was the BATHHOUSE. There were no trees in between the tent and the BATHHOUSE, but it was still quite a little hike. However, the campsites were great. Picnic tables intact, fire pits ready to go, level spots to pitch the tents. We were excited.
As the guys got busy with unloading, Roxie, the other mom and I made our way to the BATHHOUSE to check it out. Oh, my! "Rustic" is a kind word to describe the facilities. Very kind.
"Well, maybe there's another bathhouse we can drive to and use," we reasoned. There was... and in comparison, it was a twin. Hmmm!
"Did you bring flip flops?" we both asked. We had, so once again, we decided to trade in the beautiful scenery and great weather for a less than perfect bathhouse. (MUCH less than perfect!)
The first night of our trip was peaceful and relaxing. The weather was great and after our trek to the Bathhouse in the Middle of Nowhere, we bedded down. We had planned on hiking to a waterfall the next day, so we knew we needed our rest.
The following day was gorgeous, and after breakfast we set out on our hike to the famous waterfall. On this hike, we had to go across a swinging bridge (always interesting), through creeks, and up the famous Tennessee mountains. When I say up, I mean up the entire way. We hiked forever... and then we hiked some more. Roxie and Grant (both three or four at the time) were troopers and thankfully, did not ask us to carry them. That would have been very difficult. Several hours later (or maybe just 90 minutes), we came upon the waterfall. Yes, it was beautiful. We looked at it for about five minutes.
Then we noticed how many people were with us looking at the waterfall. We hadn't hiked up the mountain with all these people. They weren't hot and sweaty. Some of the women even had on make-up and their hair was done. Some of them had the nerve to be wearing cute shoes, too! Who were these people? Where had they come from? Why were they looking at OUR waterfall?
So I asked, "Did you hike up here?"
"Uh, no. We drove," was the smug reply.
"What do you mean you drove?" I asked.
"There's a main road right over there." I turned around and there it was. A perfectly good paved road.
"Where did you come from?" I inquired.
"Oh, we're staying in a RV down at the campground," Miss Priss answered before she walked back to her BMW!
Before she could get back into her car, I yelled, "How long a drive is it from the campground?"
"About five minutes give or take a minute," she called over her shoulder, and then she was gone.
"I think I hate her," I mumbled to Mikie.
He assured me that 90 minutes up a mountain would translate into 30 minutes going down the mountain. That made sense. And at this point, hot, sticky and more than a little grumpy, what was 30 more minutes.
Down we went, and 60 minutes later (NOT 30), we were back at our campsite. We stayed in our little cluster of tents for the rest of the day hydrating ourselves.
On Sunday, we decided to just hang around our campsites and play which was fine with the six kids. But we started noticing something strange around the noon hour. It was like an exodus of some kind. Everyone was leaving.
"Well, just because Alabama has a three-day weekend doesn't mean Tennessee has a three-day weekend. Everyone has to go back to school and work tomorrow," Mikie reasoned.
That was fine, except by 2:00 p.m. we were IT. I mean NO ONE was left in the huge circular campsite. It was like we had been dropped off by a helicopter in the wilderness.
"Do we have a gun or a knife or a big stick or something in case there's a wild bear attack or a bunch of hillbillies descend upon us," I asked Mike.
"I have my pocket knife, and we have those plastic knives you bring to spread peanut butter," was my husband's reassuring answer.
"This could be a very long night."
And it was. Just the last walk to the bathhouse alone was unnerving because someone (one of the people leaving... probably Miss Priss) had turned all the bathhouse lights off before heading out, and we walked across a field in pitch blackness looking for the building. And, of course, when we found it, it hadn't changed a bit... still very gross.
We went to bed a little early, and I think the four adults slept with one eye open. (I was, again, unable to pass out and painfully aware of how vulnerable we were in the middle of nowhere with no communication or weaponry of any kind... unless you count throwing screaming children at whatever is attacking you as "weaponry.")
I have never been so happy to see the sun in all my life. We ate breakfast and packed up our campsite in record time to head home. Think, think, think of the Good Things from this trip.
Good Thing #1 - Roxie and Grant were WONDERFUL hikers. If they had been even a little less sturdy, it would have been the end of the adults as we took turns carrying them up to the top of the mountain.
Good Thing #2 - The waterfall was pretty... not Niagara, but pretty, just the same.
Good Thing #3 - We weren't bitten by any of the spiders in the bathhouse... and there were a lot of spiders in the bathhouse.
Good Thing #4 - We weren't attacked by any bears or hillbillies. I think this is huge.
Good Thing #5 - That's it. Once again, I did the best I could to come up with Good Things #1 through #4.
And for some reason or another, we have never even discussed camping in Tennessee again. I'm not sure, but I think it was the bathhouse. I may forget dates and events, but a bad bathhouse... that's burned on a woman's brain forever!
DISCLAIMER - If you are a hillbilly (or are related to a hillbilly), I meant no offense by the reference above. I'm just saying if a hillbilly had happened to come out of the woods in the dead of night in Tennessee in an abandoned campground, it would have been very, very frightening. (In all fairness, it would be frightening in Alabama and Georgia, too.) Again, no offense.
Wednesday Wisdom - Bobby Bowden was interviewed on the Rick and Bubba Show yesterday, and he was very entertaining. For some reason, I like "coach" quotes. They can be so inspiring, don't you think? And I love the way the quotes can often apply to life in general.
“He doesn't know the meaning of the word fear, but then again he doesn't know the meaning of most words." Bobby Bowden (I just thought this one was funny.)
"If somebody mistreats you, treat ’em good. That kills ’em." Bobby Bowden (See. A "life in general" quote.)
"The thing that I'm the most proud of is that we never stopped working. We were patient. We never saw anybody get rattled." Gene Chizik (It's too late for me, but this would be a nice way to be described by others, wouldn't it? The parts about patience and never getting rattled do not apply to the Enchanting Belinda!)
"Size is definitely overrated. Speed is the great equalizer." Gene Chizik (If this is applicable to "life in general," I'm in a lot of trouble.)
"There are two pains in life. There is the pain of discipline and the pain of disappointment. If you can handle the pain of discipline, then you'll never have to deal with the pain of disappointment." Nick Saban (I think this is a great football quote, but not necessarily a "life in general" quote.)
Can you tell I live in a house FULL of football fans?
15 Rainy Day Activities for Preschoolers
Ahhh. While I love gray, rainy, blustery days, I well remember the days with two or three preschoolers and toddlers playing inside. It can be a lot of fun... or it can be a disaster.
I'm going to share 15 FUN, EASY and AFFORDABLE indoor activities for your little ones on days just like today!
1. Fill a large plastic bin with different shaped dry pastas, dry beans and rice. Give them cups and "sand" toys and you have a rainy day alternative to the sandbox. NOTE - Spread a sheet under the bin. The spills can be gathered up in the sheet and poured back into the bin.
2. Have several books on tape from the library.
3. Make a book of favorite animals, trees, bugs, etc. You can use color sheets, stickers or cut pictures from old magazines. Use glue sticks to mat the pictures on pieces of construction paper to make a "Puppy Book," "Butterfly Book," "Beach Book," etc.
4. Set up an obstacle course in the living room or the basement using chairs with pillows over them (kids crawl under), different things to make circles they can step in with different feet, a jump rope and a mini-trampoline.
5. Have an indoor "snowball" fight. Divide into teams. Give each team a stack of newspapers. When you yell go, have them wad up the sheets of newspaper into "snowballs" and throw them at each other. Great fun! For clean-up, see who can gather the most balls into a trash bag!
6. Use large dry beans (limas, etc.) and school glue and let the kids glue beans onto heavy paper or old folders. You can dribble out a line of glue in the shape of something fun (car, snowman, house, etc.) and then let them press the beans onto the glue line.
7. Let the kids paint on large sheets of aluminum foil.
8. Make and send a card to someone who needs encouragement. Pray for that person before you mail the card.
9. Finger paint with chocolate pudding on a paper plate. Then lick the plate clean.
10. Bake cookies or a cake for Daddy's dessert.
11. If you have a fireplace, have a hotdog roast and make s'mores.
12. Have a picnic inside on the floor.
13. Give them a wide roll of masking tape and let them make "roads" for Matchbox cars.
14. Put some water in the tub or sink (plus a little blue food coloring), and let the kids play with their dinosaurs or plastic animals. (Or they can float boats.)
15. Let them wash dishes in the sink. Use warm, soapy water, some plastic bowls and cups and let them stand on a chair and play.
Have a wonderful Wednesday! I already have a date planned and Blog Linkage ready to post first thing Thursday morning. I'll also re-post another camping story since that is definitely where we're headed sometime next week!
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting Belinda
The Gallery Pics are a few more BLAST photos left over from this past weekend. Believe it or not, I have about 40 more (very similar to what I have already shown you). Chicks LOVE having their picture taken!
As promised, I'm re-posting yet another camping story. Feel free to skip ahead if you've read it before. (I'll have a new story to share next week, I am sure!)
Where, Oh Where, Are All the Campers?
We eventually tried an out-of-state camping trip with the family we usually camped with. Roxie was three or four, so she was along for this one. We went to a campground in the beautiful state of Tennessee known for it's hiking trails, waterfalls and beautiful foliage. The pictures on the brochure were lovely, picturesque even, and we looked forward to spending a fall weekend in the great state of Tennessee.
When we arrived, we were surprised to see the "set-up" of the campground. There was a huge circle and campers set up tents and pop-ups under trees as you went around the circle. In the middle of the huge circle, across a grassy field, was the BATHHOUSE. There were no trees in between the tent and the BATHHOUSE, but it was still quite a little hike. However, the campsites were great. Picnic tables intact, fire pits ready to go, level spots to pitch the tents. We were excited.
As the guys got busy with unloading, Roxie, the other mom and I made our way to the BATHHOUSE to check it out. Oh, my! "Rustic" is a kind word to describe the facilities. Very kind.
"Well, maybe there's another bathhouse we can drive to and use," we reasoned. There was... and in comparison, it was a twin. Hmmm!
"Did you bring flip flops?" we both asked. We had, so once again, we decided to trade in the beautiful scenery and great weather for a less than perfect bathhouse. (MUCH less than perfect!)
The first night of our trip was peaceful and relaxing. The weather was great and after our trek to the Bathhouse in the Middle of Nowhere, we bedded down. We had planned on hiking to a waterfall the next day, so we knew we needed our rest.
The following day was gorgeous, and after breakfast we set out on our hike to the famous waterfall. On this hike, we had to go across a swinging bridge (always interesting), through creeks, and up the famous Tennessee mountains. When I say up, I mean up the entire way. We hiked forever... and then we hiked some more. Roxie and Grant (both three or four at the time) were troopers and thankfully, did not ask us to carry them. That would have been very difficult. Several hours later (or maybe just 90 minutes), we came upon the waterfall. Yes, it was beautiful. We looked at it for about five minutes.
Then we noticed how many people were with us looking at the waterfall. We hadn't hiked up the mountain with all these people. They weren't hot and sweaty. Some of the women even had on make-up and their hair was done. Some of them had the nerve to be wearing cute shoes, too! Who were these people? Where had they come from? Why were they looking at OUR waterfall?
So I asked, "Did you hike up here?"
"Uh, no. We drove," was the smug reply.
"What do you mean you drove?" I asked.
"There's a main road right over there." I turned around and there it was. A perfectly good paved road.
"Where did you come from?" I inquired.
"Oh, we're staying in a RV down at the campground," Miss Priss answered before she walked back to her BMW!
Before she could get back into her car, I yelled, "How long a drive is it from the campground?"
"About five minutes give or take a minute," she called over her shoulder, and then she was gone.
"I think I hate her," I mumbled to Mikie.
He assured me that 90 minutes up a mountain would translate into 30 minutes going down the mountain. That made sense. And at this point, hot, sticky and more than a little grumpy, what was 30 more minutes.
Down we went, and 60 minutes later (NOT 30), we were back at our campsite. We stayed in our little cluster of tents for the rest of the day hydrating ourselves.
On Sunday, we decided to just hang around our campsites and play which was fine with the six kids. But we started noticing something strange around the noon hour. It was like an exodus of some kind. Everyone was leaving.
"Well, just because Alabama has a three-day weekend doesn't mean Tennessee has a three-day weekend. Everyone has to go back to school and work tomorrow," Mikie reasoned.
That was fine, except by 2:00 p.m. we were IT. I mean NO ONE was left in the huge circular campsite. It was like we had been dropped off by a helicopter in the wilderness.
"Do we have a gun or a knife or a big stick or something in case there's a wild bear attack or a bunch of hillbillies descend upon us," I asked Mike.
"I have my pocket knife, and we have those plastic knives you bring to spread peanut butter," was my husband's reassuring answer.
"This could be a very long night."
And it was. Just the last walk to the bathhouse alone was unnerving because someone (one of the people leaving... probably Miss Priss) had turned all the bathhouse lights off before heading out, and we walked across a field in pitch blackness looking for the building. And, of course, when we found it, it hadn't changed a bit... still very gross.
We went to bed a little early, and I think the four adults slept with one eye open. (I was, again, unable to pass out and painfully aware of how vulnerable we were in the middle of nowhere with no communication or weaponry of any kind... unless you count throwing screaming children at whatever is attacking you as "weaponry.")
I have never been so happy to see the sun in all my life. We ate breakfast and packed up our campsite in record time to head home. Think, think, think of the Good Things from this trip.
Good Thing #1 - Roxie and Grant were WONDERFUL hikers. If they had been even a little less sturdy, it would have been the end of the adults as we took turns carrying them up to the top of the mountain.
Good Thing #2 - The waterfall was pretty... not Niagara, but pretty, just the same.
Good Thing #3 - We weren't bitten by any of the spiders in the bathhouse... and there were a lot of spiders in the bathhouse.
Good Thing #4 - We weren't attacked by any bears or hillbillies. I think this is huge.
Good Thing #5 - That's it. Once again, I did the best I could to come up with Good Things #1 through #4.
And for some reason or another, we have never even discussed camping in Tennessee again. I'm not sure, but I think it was the bathhouse. I may forget dates and events, but a bad bathhouse... that's burned on a woman's brain forever!
DISCLAIMER - If you are a hillbilly (or are related to a hillbilly), I meant no offense by the reference above. I'm just saying if a hillbilly had happened to come out of the woods in the dead of night in Tennessee in an abandoned campground, it would have been very, very frightening. (In all fairness, it would be frightening in Alabama and Georgia, too.) Again, no offense.
Wednesday Wisdom - Bobby Bowden was interviewed on the Rick and Bubba Show yesterday, and he was very entertaining. For some reason, I like "coach" quotes. They can be so inspiring, don't you think? And I love the way the quotes can often apply to life in general.
“He doesn't know the meaning of the word fear, but then again he doesn't know the meaning of most words." Bobby Bowden (I just thought this one was funny.)
"If somebody mistreats you, treat ’em good. That kills ’em." Bobby Bowden (See. A "life in general" quote.)
"The thing that I'm the most proud of is that we never stopped working. We were patient. We never saw anybody get rattled." Gene Chizik (It's too late for me, but this would be a nice way to be described by others, wouldn't it? The parts about patience and never getting rattled do not apply to the Enchanting Belinda!)
"Size is definitely overrated. Speed is the great equalizer." Gene Chizik (If this is applicable to "life in general," I'm in a lot of trouble.)
"There are two pains in life. There is the pain of discipline and the pain of disappointment. If you can handle the pain of discipline, then you'll never have to deal with the pain of disappointment." Nick Saban (I think this is a great football quote, but not necessarily a "life in general" quote.)
Can you tell I live in a house FULL of football fans?
15 Rainy Day Activities for Preschoolers
Ahhh. While I love gray, rainy, blustery days, I well remember the days with two or three preschoolers and toddlers playing inside. It can be a lot of fun... or it can be a disaster.
I'm going to share 15 FUN, EASY and AFFORDABLE indoor activities for your little ones on days just like today!
1. Fill a large plastic bin with different shaped dry pastas, dry beans and rice. Give them cups and "sand" toys and you have a rainy day alternative to the sandbox. NOTE - Spread a sheet under the bin. The spills can be gathered up in the sheet and poured back into the bin.
2. Have several books on tape from the library.
3. Make a book of favorite animals, trees, bugs, etc. You can use color sheets, stickers or cut pictures from old magazines. Use glue sticks to mat the pictures on pieces of construction paper to make a "Puppy Book," "Butterfly Book," "Beach Book," etc.
4. Set up an obstacle course in the living room or the basement using chairs with pillows over them (kids crawl under), different things to make circles they can step in with different feet, a jump rope and a mini-trampoline.
5. Have an indoor "snowball" fight. Divide into teams. Give each team a stack of newspapers. When you yell go, have them wad up the sheets of newspaper into "snowballs" and throw them at each other. Great fun! For clean-up, see who can gather the most balls into a trash bag!
6. Use large dry beans (limas, etc.) and school glue and let the kids glue beans onto heavy paper or old folders. You can dribble out a line of glue in the shape of something fun (car, snowman, house, etc.) and then let them press the beans onto the glue line.
7. Let the kids paint on large sheets of aluminum foil.
8. Make and send a card to someone who needs encouragement. Pray for that person before you mail the card.
9. Finger paint with chocolate pudding on a paper plate. Then lick the plate clean.
10. Bake cookies or a cake for Daddy's dessert.
11. If you have a fireplace, have a hotdog roast and make s'mores.
12. Have a picnic inside on the floor.
13. Give them a wide roll of masking tape and let them make "roads" for Matchbox cars.
14. Put some water in the tub or sink (plus a little blue food coloring), and let the kids play with their dinosaurs or plastic animals. (Or they can float boats.)
15. Let them wash dishes in the sink. Use warm, soapy water, some plastic bowls and cups and let them stand on a chair and play.
Have a wonderful Wednesday! I already have a date planned and Blog Linkage ready to post first thing Thursday morning. I'll also re-post another camping story since that is definitely where we're headed sometime next week!
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting Belinda
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Chocolate-Covered Strawberry Cake
Good Fat Tuesday morning! (And I mean Fat Tuesday in the Mardi Gras sense of the phrase. Please don't be offended!)
The Gallery Pics are from my newest hobby/interest/obsession. Trying every new "gourmet" potato chip on the market. It's going to take a while. There are literally dozens of these new chips on the shelves.
Last week I had Pita Chips seasoned with sea salt. I LOVED those. However, they are very, very hard and a little thick, so if you have anything loose in your mouth (crown, filling, tooth, etc.), I would be careful eating these particular chips. Also, I am now a huge fan of sea salt. Very good.
As the pictures indicate, this week's chip of choice was the Sweet and Beet Chip. The bag is full of beautiful dark gold chips and a few purple ones. The dark gold chips are good (sweet potato), but not very salty at all. The purple chips are pretty (beets), but not very tasty OR salty. I do like sweet potato, so this purchase wasn't a waste. I will eat each and every sweet potato chip in the bag.
And I will try to feed the beagles the beet chips!
Next week... Parsnip Chips! You think I'm kidding, but I'm not!
RANDOMNESS #1 - My exercise buddy, Cam, and I continue to walk and Body Pump during the week. I was very excited yesterday afternoon because I decided I would take my new and improved Body Pump body to Cato for a new skirt/shirt ensemble for Easter. (They have the prettiest display windows.)
According to my instructor(s), everything on my being should be tight, tight, tight! Unfortunately, everything I PUT on my being was tight, tight, tight!
I'm going to give it another week... or ten!
RANDOMNESS #2 - Spring Break is almost upon us, and we're planning a Faulkner Five camping trip for a few days and nights. This is our 14th year of consecutive tent camping... and some years we have gone two or three times. (We're planning on two trips this year depending on weather.)
That's a lot of camping, and while I would like to make it to 15 years and call it a day, Mikie and the kids still really, really love it. (The kids do not know it's not my "thing," and I think it is a huge testament to ME and how I act when we are in the wilderness they haven't figured it out yet. That, or they just don't care what I think or feel.)
I'm going to share some old camping stories the rest of this week from our earlier experiences.
DISCLAIMER - While it is most definitely NOT my "thing," it is the best "thing" we've ever done as a family. Waking up together in very close quarters, playing cards, talking, sitting by the fire, making s'mores, talking, riding bikes, talking, playing basketball, fishing, talking, riding in the boat, drinking hot chocolate, etc., etc., etc. are definitely family bonding moments. I mean, you actually get to eat THREE meals a day together. That can be hard to do at home with work, school and extracurricular activities.
One Fish, Red Fish, Two Fish, Dead Fish
Ahh, Guntersville. Our favorite campground. Familiar, familiar, familiar. We even got in our regular Section... close enough to see the lake and enjoy the benefits thereof, but even closer to the bathhouse!
We had gone camping with other families from our church, and we were busy just watching kids on bikes, kids on scooters, kids playing ball, kids walking along the lake borders, kids getting really, really dirty... you get the picture. Kids having a ball!
As always, our attention was mainly on the now five year-olds as they went hither and yon. (Have you noticed the more familiar a child becomes with a place, the more courageous they are exploring said place? That's what we were having to really watch for. We had been to Guntersville several times now, and the familiarity was almost against us... almost like being in our own backyard, but not child-proof in any way, shape or form.)
We could see their little heads as they picked up rocks and threw them into the water. We were pleased they were obeying and no wading was taking place... but we knew not to take our eyes off them.
There they went. They were bending over. I wondered what on earth... Between the two friends they carried something large and cumbersome. They would bend over and put it down and then get a new grip on it before hoisting it up between them again. They were walking toward us, and we waited to see what they had discovered!
Into the campsite they marched, red-cheeked and breathless, holding onto their prize. It was a huge (and I mean bigger than the pigeon that landed on my head) fish. And the problem they had carrying it had nothing to do with the fact it was fighting them or wiggling or anything normal like that. It was a huge dead fish. Ugh!
"Look what we caught!" they excitedly said.
"Well, I don't know if 'caught' is the right word," I said.
"We did catch it," they claimed indignantly.
Uh-oh. I had offended them. "Well, that is certainly one big, dead fish," I said smiling.
"We want to cook it and eat it," they demanded.
"Uh, I don't think so. I think there's a rule about eating a fish that's dead when you catch it," I said, hoping they would buy that one.
"Oh," they replied looking at their catch.
One of the dads came up at that point and walked back to the side of the lake with them to dispose of the giant dead fish. (But not before I got a picture of the two boys with their "catch" of the day.)
"Well, that was pretty gross," the moms all agreed.
We settled back into our positions of watching the kids all around us, and special attention was given to the five year-olds once again walking along the lake. There they went. They were bending over. They held something huge between them and started walking toward us. I didn't have to wonder what it was.
If possible, this dead fish was bigger than the first. "Guys, what did we say about picking up dead fish?" I asked.
"We're pretty sure this one was alive when we picked it up. Can we cook it and eat it?" was the sly reply.
"I'm no expert, boys, but that fish has been dead for quite a while. No, we will not cook it and eat it! Take it back, wash your hands UP TO YOUR ELBOWS and stop picking up dead fish!"
Now I was getting worried as to why so many dead fish were showing up on the banks of Lake Guntersville. That couldn't be good. (One more picture to remember the "Year of the Dead Fish" and off they went.)
Again, we settled down. I was staring a hole into the back of the five year-olds' heads. Hands on hips, they were in deep discussion. Glances over their shoulders to see if we were indeed watching them. More discussion. And then I guess it was more than their five year-old little bodies could take.
There they were. They were bending over. This time they came up easily and started the walk toward the camp... each holding one small dead fish. For them to be so forthcoming about turning themselves in, I knew the discussions had brought forth what they thought was a reasonable explanation as to why they had disobeyed us for a third time.
They stopped in front of me. I went ahead and took the picture before they started talking, because when you punish a child, it kind of takes away from it if you start posing them right after you lower the boom.
"We just wanted to know what the difference is in catching the fish with our hands, and taking a fishing pole and catching them with that? The fish are going to die right after we get them out of the water anyway, right?"
Good one. "Yes. That's right. But for fish to be floating on top of the water at the edge of the lake means something is wrong with them. They could be sick or something, because a normal fish does not float on top of the water at the edge of the lake." Could I make myself more clear!
"So you're saying we can't eat these fish because they were sick before they died?" one of them asked.
"Yes! Yes! These are not healthy fish! This is not a healthy hobby! This is not like fishing with a pole from the dock! This is bad!" They were finally getting it.
They dropped the fish like they were poison. Since I thought the point had been made, I didn't want them to pick them back up and take them back to the lake. (I'd get Mikie to do that!) But I did tell them once again to wash their hands UP TO THEIR ELBOWS and never touch another dead fish again.
Communication is so important in parenting, isn't it? However, when I got the pictures back, I gave a set to each one. They were pretty proud of the giant fish they had "caught." I think they were much bigger than they remembered.
And after years and years of fishing, Josh has never "caught" one as big as the one he picked up with his buddy those many years ago. It's kind of sad really.
Maybe I should have had them mounted!
Chocolate-Covered Strawberry Cake
Back in August of 2009, I posted a Chocolate-Covered Cherry Cake on A Simple Life. It was the cake Austin chose for his birthday cake this year. Since it is hard to read all of the Archives in A Simple Life, I decided to try something a little different and re-post this recipe using strawberries instead of cherries. Mikie and Josh aren't cherry fans, but they do like strawberries.
You will need the following:
1 package Devil's Food cake mix
1 can strawberry pie filling (OR cherry)
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon almond extract
1 cup sugar
1/3 cup milk
5 tablespoons butter
1 cup semisweet chocolate morsels
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Beat first 4 ingredients at low speed for 20 seconds; increase speed to medium, and beat for 1 minute. Pour batter into a greased and floured 13" x 9" pan.
3. Bake for 27 to 30 minutes or until a wooden toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool cake.
4. Bring sugar, milk and butter to a boil in a heavy 2-quart saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally. Boil 1 minute.
5. Remove from heat. Stir in chocolate morsels until melted and smooth.
6. Pour over warm cake. Cool completely before serving.
This is good stuff! (Much better than a beet chip!)
Have a fun Fat Tuesday. Wednesday Wisdom, a Seasonal Tradition and so much more will be waiting for your return in the morning!
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting Belinda
The Gallery Pics are from my newest hobby/interest/obsession. Trying every new "gourmet" potato chip on the market. It's going to take a while. There are literally dozens of these new chips on the shelves.
Last week I had Pita Chips seasoned with sea salt. I LOVED those. However, they are very, very hard and a little thick, so if you have anything loose in your mouth (crown, filling, tooth, etc.), I would be careful eating these particular chips. Also, I am now a huge fan of sea salt. Very good.
As the pictures indicate, this week's chip of choice was the Sweet and Beet Chip. The bag is full of beautiful dark gold chips and a few purple ones. The dark gold chips are good (sweet potato), but not very salty at all. The purple chips are pretty (beets), but not very tasty OR salty. I do like sweet potato, so this purchase wasn't a waste. I will eat each and every sweet potato chip in the bag.
And I will try to feed the beagles the beet chips!
Next week... Parsnip Chips! You think I'm kidding, but I'm not!
RANDOMNESS #1 - My exercise buddy, Cam, and I continue to walk and Body Pump during the week. I was very excited yesterday afternoon because I decided I would take my new and improved Body Pump body to Cato for a new skirt/shirt ensemble for Easter. (They have the prettiest display windows.)
According to my instructor(s), everything on my being should be tight, tight, tight! Unfortunately, everything I PUT on my being was tight, tight, tight!
I'm going to give it another week... or ten!
RANDOMNESS #2 - Spring Break is almost upon us, and we're planning a Faulkner Five camping trip for a few days and nights. This is our 14th year of consecutive tent camping... and some years we have gone two or three times. (We're planning on two trips this year depending on weather.)
That's a lot of camping, and while I would like to make it to 15 years and call it a day, Mikie and the kids still really, really love it. (The kids do not know it's not my "thing," and I think it is a huge testament to ME and how I act when we are in the wilderness they haven't figured it out yet. That, or they just don't care what I think or feel.)
I'm going to share some old camping stories the rest of this week from our earlier experiences.
DISCLAIMER - While it is most definitely NOT my "thing," it is the best "thing" we've ever done as a family. Waking up together in very close quarters, playing cards, talking, sitting by the fire, making s'mores, talking, riding bikes, talking, playing basketball, fishing, talking, riding in the boat, drinking hot chocolate, etc., etc., etc. are definitely family bonding moments. I mean, you actually get to eat THREE meals a day together. That can be hard to do at home with work, school and extracurricular activities.
One Fish, Red Fish, Two Fish, Dead Fish
Ahh, Guntersville. Our favorite campground. Familiar, familiar, familiar. We even got in our regular Section... close enough to see the lake and enjoy the benefits thereof, but even closer to the bathhouse!
We had gone camping with other families from our church, and we were busy just watching kids on bikes, kids on scooters, kids playing ball, kids walking along the lake borders, kids getting really, really dirty... you get the picture. Kids having a ball!
As always, our attention was mainly on the now five year-olds as they went hither and yon. (Have you noticed the more familiar a child becomes with a place, the more courageous they are exploring said place? That's what we were having to really watch for. We had been to Guntersville several times now, and the familiarity was almost against us... almost like being in our own backyard, but not child-proof in any way, shape or form.)
We could see their little heads as they picked up rocks and threw them into the water. We were pleased they were obeying and no wading was taking place... but we knew not to take our eyes off them.
There they went. They were bending over. I wondered what on earth... Between the two friends they carried something large and cumbersome. They would bend over and put it down and then get a new grip on it before hoisting it up between them again. They were walking toward us, and we waited to see what they had discovered!
Into the campsite they marched, red-cheeked and breathless, holding onto their prize. It was a huge (and I mean bigger than the pigeon that landed on my head) fish. And the problem they had carrying it had nothing to do with the fact it was fighting them or wiggling or anything normal like that. It was a huge dead fish. Ugh!
"Look what we caught!" they excitedly said.
"Well, I don't know if 'caught' is the right word," I said.
"We did catch it," they claimed indignantly.
Uh-oh. I had offended them. "Well, that is certainly one big, dead fish," I said smiling.
"We want to cook it and eat it," they demanded.
"Uh, I don't think so. I think there's a rule about eating a fish that's dead when you catch it," I said, hoping they would buy that one.
"Oh," they replied looking at their catch.
One of the dads came up at that point and walked back to the side of the lake with them to dispose of the giant dead fish. (But not before I got a picture of the two boys with their "catch" of the day.)
"Well, that was pretty gross," the moms all agreed.
We settled back into our positions of watching the kids all around us, and special attention was given to the five year-olds once again walking along the lake. There they went. They were bending over. They held something huge between them and started walking toward us. I didn't have to wonder what it was.
If possible, this dead fish was bigger than the first. "Guys, what did we say about picking up dead fish?" I asked.
"We're pretty sure this one was alive when we picked it up. Can we cook it and eat it?" was the sly reply.
"I'm no expert, boys, but that fish has been dead for quite a while. No, we will not cook it and eat it! Take it back, wash your hands UP TO YOUR ELBOWS and stop picking up dead fish!"
Now I was getting worried as to why so many dead fish were showing up on the banks of Lake Guntersville. That couldn't be good. (One more picture to remember the "Year of the Dead Fish" and off they went.)
Again, we settled down. I was staring a hole into the back of the five year-olds' heads. Hands on hips, they were in deep discussion. Glances over their shoulders to see if we were indeed watching them. More discussion. And then I guess it was more than their five year-old little bodies could take.
There they were. They were bending over. This time they came up easily and started the walk toward the camp... each holding one small dead fish. For them to be so forthcoming about turning themselves in, I knew the discussions had brought forth what they thought was a reasonable explanation as to why they had disobeyed us for a third time.
They stopped in front of me. I went ahead and took the picture before they started talking, because when you punish a child, it kind of takes away from it if you start posing them right after you lower the boom.
"We just wanted to know what the difference is in catching the fish with our hands, and taking a fishing pole and catching them with that? The fish are going to die right after we get them out of the water anyway, right?"
Good one. "Yes. That's right. But for fish to be floating on top of the water at the edge of the lake means something is wrong with them. They could be sick or something, because a normal fish does not float on top of the water at the edge of the lake." Could I make myself more clear!
"So you're saying we can't eat these fish because they were sick before they died?" one of them asked.
"Yes! Yes! These are not healthy fish! This is not a healthy hobby! This is not like fishing with a pole from the dock! This is bad!" They were finally getting it.
They dropped the fish like they were poison. Since I thought the point had been made, I didn't want them to pick them back up and take them back to the lake. (I'd get Mikie to do that!) But I did tell them once again to wash their hands UP TO THEIR ELBOWS and never touch another dead fish again.
Communication is so important in parenting, isn't it? However, when I got the pictures back, I gave a set to each one. They were pretty proud of the giant fish they had "caught." I think they were much bigger than they remembered.
And after years and years of fishing, Josh has never "caught" one as big as the one he picked up with his buddy those many years ago. It's kind of sad really.
Maybe I should have had them mounted!
Chocolate-Covered Strawberry Cake
Back in August of 2009, I posted a Chocolate-Covered Cherry Cake on A Simple Life. It was the cake Austin chose for his birthday cake this year. Since it is hard to read all of the Archives in A Simple Life, I decided to try something a little different and re-post this recipe using strawberries instead of cherries. Mikie and Josh aren't cherry fans, but they do like strawberries.
You will need the following:
1 package Devil's Food cake mix
1 can strawberry pie filling (OR cherry)
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon almond extract
1 cup sugar
1/3 cup milk
5 tablespoons butter
1 cup semisweet chocolate morsels
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Beat first 4 ingredients at low speed for 20 seconds; increase speed to medium, and beat for 1 minute. Pour batter into a greased and floured 13" x 9" pan.
3. Bake for 27 to 30 minutes or until a wooden toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool cake.
4. Bring sugar, milk and butter to a boil in a heavy 2-quart saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally. Boil 1 minute.
5. Remove from heat. Stir in chocolate morsels until melted and smooth.
6. Pour over warm cake. Cool completely before serving.
This is good stuff! (Much better than a beet chip!)
Have a fun Fat Tuesday. Wednesday Wisdom, a Seasonal Tradition and so much more will be waiting for your return in the morning!
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting Belinda
Monday, March 7, 2011
Mindless Monday
Good Monday morning!
The Gallery is full of BLAST weekend pics. Roxie and Josh both had a great time (even though Josh missed most of Saturday because of work commitments). They are tired this morning, but I expect them to be fully recovered by Tuesday or Wednesday... of next week!
Enjoy the short post. I'm feeling very "wordy" this week, so Tuesday through Friday could be very, very LONG!
RANDOMNESS #1 - Josh's new job at the landscaping/nursery company is going very well. He's really enjoying the physical labor... and he's really looking forward to going to bed early tonight!
RANDOMNESS #2 - Mikie and I didn't get a date this rainy weekend, but we're looking forward to Spring Break. Camping, dating (spouse AND kids), movie nights, game nights, candlelight dinners on the deck... I hope some, if not all, of my big plans actually come to pass. Wouldn't that be great?
If you get a minute this week, let me hear about some of your Spring Break plans. Anything and everything... from trips to Europe (Anyone? Anyone?) to sleeping late EACH AND EVERY DAY. I would love to hear your ideas of the perfect Spring Break.
Have a restful Monday. I'm experimenting a little with Tuesday's recipe this afternoon. If everything goes well, you should have an easy and delicious dessert to try for the weekend. If not... Well, I'll be flipping through cookbooks later this evening!
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting Belinda
The Gallery is full of BLAST weekend pics. Roxie and Josh both had a great time (even though Josh missed most of Saturday because of work commitments). They are tired this morning, but I expect them to be fully recovered by Tuesday or Wednesday... of next week!
Enjoy the short post. I'm feeling very "wordy" this week, so Tuesday through Friday could be very, very LONG!
RANDOMNESS #1 - Josh's new job at the landscaping/nursery company is going very well. He's really enjoying the physical labor... and he's really looking forward to going to bed early tonight!
RANDOMNESS #2 - Mikie and I didn't get a date this rainy weekend, but we're looking forward to Spring Break. Camping, dating (spouse AND kids), movie nights, game nights, candlelight dinners on the deck... I hope some, if not all, of my big plans actually come to pass. Wouldn't that be great?
If you get a minute this week, let me hear about some of your Spring Break plans. Anything and everything... from trips to Europe (Anyone? Anyone?) to sleeping late EACH AND EVERY DAY. I would love to hear your ideas of the perfect Spring Break.
Have a restful Monday. I'm experimenting a little with Tuesday's recipe this afternoon. If everything goes well, you should have an easy and delicious dessert to try for the weekend. If not... Well, I'll be flipping through cookbooks later this evening!
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting Belinda
Friday, March 4, 2011
Weekened Happenings
Good Friday morning!
I'm a little disappointed in the Gallery pic this morning. I expected at least a little change in the bud from yesterday, but as you can see, there is nothing... nada. Maybe after our monsoon tonight and tomorrow there will be some notable difference.
RANDOMNESS #1 - My friend, Jennifer, left a few more days for us to celebrate during the month of March in the Comment section yesterday. I wanted to make sure you added them to your calendar.
1. March 2 - Dr. Seuss' Birthday (Celebrate with Green Eggs and Ham for dinner.)
2. March 8 - Mardi Gras (Prepare Cajun food for dinner. You can also pick up a King Cake at most Wal-Marts and bakeries now for dessert if you don't have time to bake your own.)
3. March 14 - Pi Day (No. I did not leave the "e" off the end of "Pi." This is Pi Day equals 3.1415926535. Since I'm not a math person, I would probably skip this one altogether, but Jennifer had a great idea. Bake pies with your kids for dessert that night. Excellent. She even gave me a website to share for mini pie recipes.)
http://www.ourbestbites.com/2009/07/star-studded-mini-pies.html.
RANDOMNESS #2 - Another friend, Kristel, also left an idea she found in Family Fun Magazine in the Comment section yesterday. I'm going to share it with you next Thursday in the Date segment. Let's just say, I have an idea... thanks to Kristel.
RANDOMNESS #3 - I went to Cahaba Heights with a new friend this past week, and she took me to many new and exciting places. Twenty-five years ago, Cahaba Heights was part of my "stomping grounds" because I had friends who lived there. I cannot remember the last time I visited this great little town, and I'm thankful Susan re-introduced me to this area.
First, she asked me if I had ever eaten at O'Carrs Restaurant. Well, of course I had. During my legal secretary days, I ate at O'Carrs Deli in Homewood weekly. Well, guess what? There is now an O'Carrs in Homewood, Cahaba Heights AND Downtown.
The Cahaba Heights O'Carrs is light, airy and the food is still delicious. The chicken salad is exactly how I like it... made with red grapes. Yum!
We also visited a store called Yucatan. They sell iron work, wonderful candles, urns, etc. It's a very eclectic place. I left with a Cranberry Spice candle. (I'm really into cranberries lately.) But, I have to admit, I was very tempted to buy the Butt Naked candle. I know. Compared to Cranberry Spice, how good could a candle named Butt Naked possibly smell?
Well let me tell you, it is quite possibly the best smelling candle I have yet to smell! Next time, I think. (Oh, yes. There will most definitely be a next time!)
Next, she took me to a beautiful nursery called the Leaf and Petal. Two words... LOVED IT! They had REAL lemon trees and bushes. AND they smelled wonderful. AND they had real lemons hanging off the branches! AND Susan bought one! She's going to make homemade lemonade for me very soon... I just know it! (They also had REAL lime trees, too. I was pretty impressed by the whole operation.)
My plan is to go back to Cahaba Heights in the very near future and purchase not one, but TWO, Butt Naked candles AND a lemon tree.
And if someone asks me what I want to be when I grow up, I'm pretty sure I will say a "candle namer." That would be a fun job.
Weekend Happenings
This weekend is going to be very different from last weekend. No birthday celebrations. No cake. No punch. No gifts to open. It sounds kind of sad, doesn't it? But wait! There's more!
This is BLAST weekend. Our church hosts this event for our middle and high schoolers every year. The kids stay in "host" homes in the area and go to Bible study at the church Friday, Saturday and Sunday morning. Each grade decorates/builds a derby "car" and there is a race on Saturday evening. (I'll have pics on Monday.)
Josh and Roxie are both attending. Mike and I are "transportation" to and from the 8th grade house to the church, and I'm baking goodies for the chicks and the guys this afternoon. (You can NEVER have too many goodies... especially in the boys' house. Am I right?)
Josh will have to miss some of the activities because of his NEW JOB! He started yesterday, and everything went very well. Even though he has put applications in everywhere, he really wanted something outside, so Classic Gardens is a great fit for him.
Austin is on his way home as I type this post. His weekend consists of a picnic with the lovely Melia, working at the Chick, and I'm not sure about Sunday. I know Josh and Roxie will probably be passed out for most of the afternoon, but Austin is a wild card right now. (I do know if he stays at the house he will have to be QUIET!)
That's it for the Faulkner Five. I'm hoping Mikie and I can squeeze in a little couple time here and there, but we have nothing on the calendar in ink.
I hope your weekend is wonderful. I'll be back next week with TONS of Spring Things to do with your family.
Take care, and I'll talk to you Monday.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting Belinda
I'm a little disappointed in the Gallery pic this morning. I expected at least a little change in the bud from yesterday, but as you can see, there is nothing... nada. Maybe after our monsoon tonight and tomorrow there will be some notable difference.
RANDOMNESS #1 - My friend, Jennifer, left a few more days for us to celebrate during the month of March in the Comment section yesterday. I wanted to make sure you added them to your calendar.
1. March 2 - Dr. Seuss' Birthday (Celebrate with Green Eggs and Ham for dinner.)
2. March 8 - Mardi Gras (Prepare Cajun food for dinner. You can also pick up a King Cake at most Wal-Marts and bakeries now for dessert if you don't have time to bake your own.)
3. March 14 - Pi Day (No. I did not leave the "e" off the end of "Pi." This is Pi Day equals 3.1415926535. Since I'm not a math person, I would probably skip this one altogether, but Jennifer had a great idea. Bake pies with your kids for dessert that night. Excellent. She even gave me a website to share for mini pie recipes.)
http://www.ourbestbites.com/2009/07/star-studded-mini-pies.html.
RANDOMNESS #2 - Another friend, Kristel, also left an idea she found in Family Fun Magazine in the Comment section yesterday. I'm going to share it with you next Thursday in the Date segment. Let's just say, I have an idea... thanks to Kristel.
RANDOMNESS #3 - I went to Cahaba Heights with a new friend this past week, and she took me to many new and exciting places. Twenty-five years ago, Cahaba Heights was part of my "stomping grounds" because I had friends who lived there. I cannot remember the last time I visited this great little town, and I'm thankful Susan re-introduced me to this area.
First, she asked me if I had ever eaten at O'Carrs Restaurant. Well, of course I had. During my legal secretary days, I ate at O'Carrs Deli in Homewood weekly. Well, guess what? There is now an O'Carrs in Homewood, Cahaba Heights AND Downtown.
The Cahaba Heights O'Carrs is light, airy and the food is still delicious. The chicken salad is exactly how I like it... made with red grapes. Yum!
We also visited a store called Yucatan. They sell iron work, wonderful candles, urns, etc. It's a very eclectic place. I left with a Cranberry Spice candle. (I'm really into cranberries lately.) But, I have to admit, I was very tempted to buy the Butt Naked candle. I know. Compared to Cranberry Spice, how good could a candle named Butt Naked possibly smell?
Well let me tell you, it is quite possibly the best smelling candle I have yet to smell! Next time, I think. (Oh, yes. There will most definitely be a next time!)
Next, she took me to a beautiful nursery called the Leaf and Petal. Two words... LOVED IT! They had REAL lemon trees and bushes. AND they smelled wonderful. AND they had real lemons hanging off the branches! AND Susan bought one! She's going to make homemade lemonade for me very soon... I just know it! (They also had REAL lime trees, too. I was pretty impressed by the whole operation.)
My plan is to go back to Cahaba Heights in the very near future and purchase not one, but TWO, Butt Naked candles AND a lemon tree.
And if someone asks me what I want to be when I grow up, I'm pretty sure I will say a "candle namer." That would be a fun job.
Weekend Happenings
This weekend is going to be very different from last weekend. No birthday celebrations. No cake. No punch. No gifts to open. It sounds kind of sad, doesn't it? But wait! There's more!
This is BLAST weekend. Our church hosts this event for our middle and high schoolers every year. The kids stay in "host" homes in the area and go to Bible study at the church Friday, Saturday and Sunday morning. Each grade decorates/builds a derby "car" and there is a race on Saturday evening. (I'll have pics on Monday.)
Josh and Roxie are both attending. Mike and I are "transportation" to and from the 8th grade house to the church, and I'm baking goodies for the chicks and the guys this afternoon. (You can NEVER have too many goodies... especially in the boys' house. Am I right?)
Josh will have to miss some of the activities because of his NEW JOB! He started yesterday, and everything went very well. Even though he has put applications in everywhere, he really wanted something outside, so Classic Gardens is a great fit for him.
Austin is on his way home as I type this post. His weekend consists of a picnic with the lovely Melia, working at the Chick, and I'm not sure about Sunday. I know Josh and Roxie will probably be passed out for most of the afternoon, but Austin is a wild card right now. (I do know if he stays at the house he will have to be QUIET!)
That's it for the Faulkner Five. I'm hoping Mikie and I can squeeze in a little couple time here and there, but we have nothing on the calendar in ink.
I hope your weekend is wonderful. I'll be back next week with TONS of Spring Things to do with your family.
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!