Make a Smilebox scrapbook

I think it's time for another episode of "Look at all the wierd stuff you can buy on Craigslist this week!"

LARGE Buddah For-Sale Very Nice!! - - $300

Rare...3 D Picture of Jesus and Lambs - $20

Crazy snake skin/sequin pants size S - $3

100%HUMAN HAIR EASY CLIP-ON EXTENSSIONS - $140

The Lord of the Rings Cave Troll Hammer - $40

It's April....and it should be filled with thunderstorms, growing plants, warmer winds, kite flying, sidewalk chalk, track meets and other signs of spring. But what do we have? SNOW! AAAAAGH! Although it was only a few inches...it really ticked me off! The 30-some-degree temps better high-tail it outta here quickly because I NEED SPRING!!!

Easter is this weekend and I'd really like it if Lauren could wear her short-sleeved Easter dress without a turtle neck underneath! And how cute will Grant look in his matching duds? Bailey found a really cute outfit too...but I can't find a picture of it online.

This weekend my Grandma, Grandpa, Aunt & Uncle are visiting. And on Thursday we are going to pick up our new puppy! SO......that means this week I'm trying to clean, clean, clean! I still have to shop for groceries, Easter basket goodies and figure out what I am going to wear Easter Sunday. I also have to figure out what side dishes to serve up with our ham. I'm thinking THIS will be one of them. Mmmm... can't go wrong w/Paula Deen, right?

On a completely separate note...it looks like we have a drainage problem in our back yard. We had the grading/sod guy out tonight to look at it and he's going to "make it right," but I'm not sure what he can do...we'll see. In any case, I think we are going to be removing sod and dealing with mud before the problem is solved. And I had such high hopes for PLANTING and PLAYING out there this spring/summer! Oh well...baby steps, right?

Have a great Holy Week! Hope you remember what it's all REALLY about while you are coloring eggs and eating chocolate bunnies. =-)

Free REDBOX rental Wednesday! This week's code, good for a free night's rental* on Wednesday, April 1st: MMM401



Enjoy!

Free rental Wednesday! This week's code, good for a free night's rental* on Wednesday, April 1st: MMM401

Enjoy!

I'm so far behind! There's been so much going on and I haven't written about ANY of it. First of all....have I mentioned we are getting a puppy? Friends and family think we are insane. Don't they know I arrived at insanity months and months ago? This is not a new thing! We'll be picking up "Maggie" in less than two weeks. She's an apricot cockapoo...and she's CUTE! I plan to use the bell method - here's hoping it works well...and fast!

Here's a picture of Maggie:

Also less than two weeks to go before my Grandparents and aunt & uncle come to visit for Easter. This will be the first time they've been to our new home and that means I have A LOT to do. Last week I painted the dining room. I had a subtle gray/blue in mind...but it turned out a much brighter blue. I think I'm going to like it ok, but for many days it was a love/hate relationship. =-) Anyway - at least it is painted - done and done! But now the neutral builder paint in the formal living room looks very pink somehow...so I guess I'm going to have to paint that sooner than I thought too. ugh...so much to do. Here's how the dining room turned out: I had recently recovered my seat cushions in a darker sage green...and I REALLY don't want to have to recover them again, so i'm trying to find a way to pull in sage green in other places so it looks like the seats SHOULD be green. ha. i'm not sure i'm going to be able to pull it all off. i'd love to find a rug for under the table that has blues and greens in it...something maybe a little contemporary but not too wild?

Mark had minor surgery on tendons in his forearm on Friday and his birthday was Saturday. Lauren helped me bake and decorate a cake. She really loves helping out in the kitchen! I'll post pictures of the lame-o looking cake and of the b-day boy later.

BIG to-do list for tomorrow. i hope I can get to it all!!!

It's FREE movie Wednesday at Redbox! Your code for today is: GTL456

I put the kids down for a nap a few minutes ago and was just starting to relax myself for a minute when I heard a suspicious noise from upstairs. This is NEVER a good sign. So I went up to investigate. Noone in Bailey's room - shwew (former episodes involving hairspray, nail polish and makeup when her room has been tampered). Moving on to the laundry room (another former crime scene involving fabric softener) - nothing. Now on to my room...nothing at first glance. Dare I open the door to the master bath? I must. There I find one VERY naughty 3-yr-old smearing THIS and THIS all over her legs and hands.

I hope she lathered her back end up with some "firming cream" too....because she's going to need it! Future MK consultant? Or a naughty 3-yr-old.....you be the judge.

It's FREE Redbox WEDNESDAY!!! What? You didn't know you could get a free rental each and every Wednesday from Redbox? You can! All you need is the magic code...and here it is because you know how I like to share the news about freebies and good deals. Redbox code for Wednesday, March 11, 2009: Today's code for a free night's rental* is: JBG123

Now..this is only "free" if you return it by 9 p.m. tomorrow night. If you are like me, this "free" rental will cost you anywhere between $2 and $5.

So go get your free movie!

LAUREN!!!!!!!!!!

Me: Lauren, please keep taking everything away from your brother. He wants to play to - now let him play with something!

Lauren: Grant? You can play with my shoes if you want

Such a generous little girl.

I can't believe I haven't posted about Valentine's Day yet! It was just so surprising and so amazing that I'm afraid whatever I say about it just won't do it justice. (Which is also why I still haven't put together our wedding album). Ok...so for now I'm just going to reveal ONE of the Valentine's Day surprises I received and then tell you about our evening last night. Valentine's Day surprise #1: Bailey & I have FLOOR SEATS to THIS in June! Row 24 (I think). WOW! More on the crazy - I - absolutely-don't-deserve-this Valentine's Day later. Now...last night:

Mark & I were invited to a surprise 40th birthday party for one of his co-workers/friends. I have met this guy once before - but certainly didn't KNOW him. So I was sort of dreading the evening...a room full of people I didn't know - ugh. But I was very pleasantly surprised!

We gathered HERE where we were greeted with a glass of champagne. (See? Already a good night!) The evening was surprising and highly enjoyable. The chef gave us little lessons and a demonstration at each course (there were 4), educated us on each wine (a different wine with each course) and taught us how to make the dessert. So fun!

Here was the menu:


First Course:

Risotto alla Milanese
Saffron Risotta Garnished with Shaved Parmesan
Wine - Valley of the Moon Pinot Blanc


Second Course:
Seared Scallop atop a Cauliflower Puree with Carmelized Shallot Sauce and Chive Oil
Wine - Maison Faivelely Joseph Faively Bourgogne Rouge


Third Course:
Filet Mignon on Potato Gratin (the potato thing was out of this world!) with Truffle & Wild Mushroom Crepe, Garlic Sauteed Brocolini and a Red Wine Reduction
Wine - St. Mary's Bell's & Whistles, blend of Cabernet, Shiraz, Cab Franc and Merlot (This wine - Yuck, by the way)


Finale:
Banana Tarte Tatin with Frozen Hot Butter Rum Sauce
Wine - Scagliola Moscato d'Ast (YUMMMMMM!)


A fun experience with new friends. I really should get out more...I always DO enjoy it.

I don't know who "Craig" is...but I'm sure glad he has that list! I've gotten some amazing things for next to nothing on it and had a very enjoyable time looking through a lot of horrid things to find my treasures. I thought I'd post a few that made me laugh today. I'm posting the actual title or heading to the ad, followed by the picture. Accurate descriptions? You be the judge. LOL. My own comments are in parentheses.

Classy End Table (you know right off the bat this is going to be a good laugh. "Classy"...oooo..I can't wait to open this picture...)

V-Day Gift! Weight Watchers Cookbooks plus extras $20 (are they KIDDING? If Mark every bought me a WW anything for Valentine's Day I'd be so angry (AND hurt!))

Horse Touch Lamp (Sho-nuff!)

Shabby Sheik Sofa (No, I am NOT kidding...this is how they spelled it. The photo isn't too bad...but I was picturing something more like this:)

Oh there's so much more...but I'm going to stop....for tonight. =-)

A Little Springtime

Oh, MAN is the weather great this weekend! A little slice of temporary springtime to brighten moods and medicate sun-deprived hearts. Isn't it just amazing what a little sun and moderate temps will do for a person? And boy did we need a little pick-me-up around here. The kids have been sick since early January. I took them both for an ear re-check yesterday to learn that they still both have ear infections. Grant is on his third round of antibiotics. Doc said if this doesn't clear it up we'll be looking at a visit to an ENT. Great. Just great. In the meantime, it's more antibiotics for both kids and Grant gets two nebulizer treatments a day.

I hate winter.

Even though they haven't been feeling healthy, I let them go out and play today (ears covered though). Man are we loving our new neighborhood. It seems when the temperature hit 50 and above....everyone comes out of hiding and into the cul-du-sac. yea! Friday night I looked out and Bailey was playing catch with THREE other girls her age! Right in the middle of the cul-du-sac. Then Mark took Lauren out and she played with her new neighbor friend who is just a year older than Lauren. They had a ball zipping around in Madison's Barbie jeep. Mark had a good time chattin' it up with the other Dads while the girls played. Grant & I stayed inside Friday night and watched from the window. Oh it just brought tears to my eyes and joy to my heart to watch that stuff! This really is a dream come true...our new home...a neighborhood where the kids can play safely and we can enjoy our neighbors. sigh...we are truly blessed. It was a hard road to get here though. It seemed unattainable at times. And today we learned the difficult guy that we bought this house from.....fraud charges. It doesn't affect us...but a sad, sad story of what can happen when you let greed into your life.

Today I took all the kids out. Grant had fun trompin' around and riding trikes with HIS new neighbor friend, Zoe. I got to meet the neighbors again and hope to develop relationships with some or all of them later.

Mark is having fun (trust me...it's fun for him even if he complains) cleaning out the garage. He's mounting bikes on the wall, sorting, cleaning, hanging rakes and brooms...creating his man-zone.

Now I know there was significant snow melt and all, but our back yard seems to really have a swamp problem....do you think we'll have to call the sod guy back in the spring to regrade? Or is it just like this because the sod hasn't really "taken" yet? Anyone have any experience on this subject?

Ah....I wish it were really spring and not just a teaser....but I'll take it and enjoy it just the same.

We made the best of Super Bowl Sunday this year. Although I had hoped to have a party - or at least have a few friends over to watch the game with us (read: eat, drink, & watch commercials), we were still sick around here. Determined to not let the never-ending sicknesses stop us from having a good time, I made the best of it.

I picked up 3D glasses at our local grocery store, made chili and taco dip and did my very best to create a fun environment for us. Of course once the game started the kids started to melt down (what IS it about 5 o'clock until bedtime?!). A pair of 3D glasses was ripped in half before kick-off and the noisest toys we own became the favorites as we were trying to listent to the game. (sigh).

I wasn't THAT into the game, since MY TEAM wasn't in the Bowl this year, but I did have an interest in Kurt Warner. A seemingly good man (far too many of these around these days) with Iowa roots. I'll root for him. Of course that was probably a curse - sorry, Kurt.

Anyway, the game was getting good when I realized I hadn't bathed the kids in....well....not going to admit how long. So as not to miss anything, I threw them in the kitchen sink. (thank you open floor plan!) Not a horrible idea for Grant...but poor Lauren had her knees up to her ears in there. But hey - she was cleaned and I didn't miss a play. Good thing I didn't take them up to the tub because Grant would have missed this Cardinals touchdown!

In other news, I continue to struggle with what to do with our gazillion windows...all naked. I'm overwhelmed by their bareness and so I just don't make any decisions. I HAVE to get on that...soon.

I picked up a good bargain this week though for the family room. You KNOW how a good bargain excites me. How much do you love Craig's List? If you haven't bought or sold on there yet...get going! It's AWESOME! You have to weed through a bunch of junk...but the diamond is always in there somewhere. I got a really cute but not perfect side table for $10. PERFECT for next to the couch. And I'm currently waiting to hear back if my offer was accepted on this really faux wicker set that I'd like for my front porch.

This week is sort of back to normal around here (FINALLY), although filled with doctor appointments (ear re-checks, dentist, the dreaded annual exam for me, etc.). I'll be so glad when we don't have to administer meds, schlep everyone to the doctor, etc.

Speaking of medicine, Monday I took Lauren's antibiotic out of the fridge and it fell on the floor, breaking the cap. I stuck it back in the fridge on a high shelf. Later that morning I found a bib stuck behind something in the bathroom...it had bright pink stains on it. I questioned Lauren (always start w/Lauren) - asked her what the pink was. She admitted "medicine." I pulled her aside and asked her if she drank any. She said no. I told her it was very important to tell me the trutch...how dangerous it would be if she drank it, etc. She said it spilled. I ran to the fridge and sure 'nuff...there was a little pink sticky matter on the floor of the fridge and a small bit on the floor in front of the fridge. I scolded her about getting into things, being sneaky, the dangers of touching medicine, etc. THEN...a couple hours later..she starts vomiting....pink. She did this several times. I called the pediatrician who told me to call Poison Control. Based on the info we DID know (a lot of unknowns though), they determined she had consumed enough to warrant the ER...but since a couple hours had passed and since she had vomited...they instead said to call the pediatrician back and let them know they recommended kidney function tests.

I had my annual exam scheduled, and you know how long it takes to get in if you have to reschedule, so Mark took Lauren in for the blood draw. I'm happy to say that her blood work came back ok. (NOW I can wring her little neck for being sneaky, lying to me and taking yet another year or two off of my life). We do have to wait to restart antibiotics though...since they don't know for sure how much her system absorbed before vomiting. So right now we're praying the ear infections and urinary tract infection just goes away before they check her on Friday. If not, here we go with antibiotics again.

Enough drama for '09 already!

The book I'm almost finished reading:

The book I'm reading next:

This week I finally put my Christmas gift to use. There are over 245 recipes to choose from, many of them on the gourmet side of things. Since I'm more of a church cookbook kind of chef, I wasn't sure how this was going to go. After searching through the recipes, I settled on Souvlaki. Souvlaki is basically a Greek version of a fajita. It involves lamb meat, a cucumber/yougurt sauce, seasonings and pita bread. I purchased the ingredients and began meal prep. The program has a hands-free feature that recognizes your voice so when you complete a step you can just say "continue" or "next" and it takes you to the next step. Handy, since I had garlic, lamb, etc. all over my hands. You can either read the instructions on the screen or listen to the voice instruct you.

I soon realized that this feature is intended for a quiet cooking environment. If you are at all familiar with my life, you'll know I do NOT have a quiet anything in this house. Picking up the whining, crying, screaming, playing noises from the kids, the personal trainer chef kept saying "What's that?" "Come Again?" ha!

I enjoyed the instructional video on how to cut a clove of garlic, loved the photos that assured me I was doing things correctly and found great satisfaction in serving a meal I would have never otherwise prepared. The best part? Everyone over the age of 3 loved it! Now...what should I try this week?

Well, you can see how well I'm getting things done. I really should listen to my own advice! It has been over a week since I've posted. In that week we've had two sick kids, traveled to Illinois to see my aunts/uncles/grandparents/cousins/etc, found beyond AWESOME clearance sales at JC Penney, signed Lauren up for preschool next year, survived an arctic blast and too many days trapped inside the house. I have well over a hundred pictures to upload, sort and file - but first I need to move a bunch of older pictures to CD and archive them on Picasa.

This week involves mor Dr. appointments for the kids, lots of laundry, the beginning phase of planning my sister's bridal shower, a show choir competition, search for a babysitter for Friday night, meal planning, grocery shopping, tackling the unpacking/organization of the basement, book club, dance class and many more things I will either forget to do or won't have time or energy to accomplish. So it goes.

I received THIS for Christmas and hope to pick one recipe to make this week. It's a little more gourmet than we are used to, but I'm thinking one recipe every week or two should be a doable adventure. I think we're going to start with modified California Rolls. (yea - toddlers outta love that one - NOT).

Ok - have to get busy with the to-do list. Pictures and better posts coming soon!

The snow melted last week only to have Mother Nature dump about 6 more inches overnight Friday. It's beautiful if the only thing you have to do is sit by the fire and read a book. Bundling and loading up two small kids in this weather is the opposite of fun. However, today the sun was bright and the temps tolerable, so we made the best of it. After church, Lauren and I bundled up and played in the snow. We took advantage of life on the cul-de-sac and went sledding down the driveway and into the street.

She had so much fun! She climbed the "mountain" made by the snow plow, tasted snow (NOT my recommendation) and made several snow angels.
Even Bailey took a turn on the sled before enjoying an afternoon of R&R at Grandma & Grandpa's house.
Lauren enjoyed showing off her snow angel skills to Grandma & Grandpa and then finished up her snow fun with a nice mug of hot chocolate complete with marshmallows.

I'm glad I was able to enjoy the snow today with my girls. More snow on its way tomorrow and then the arctic freeze blows in. Bring on spring!

DONE is often better than perfect.

That's my new motto/resolution anyway. The desire for perfection keeps me from a lot of things. It has kept me from this blog for quite some time now. I had so much to say - but didn't have the time to say it the "right way" - or post the pictures in the right way, etc.....so what happened? It didn't get done.

I wanted to do the Project 365 thing this year - where you do something each day of the year? Well - I wanted to take a stab at a photo a day again. Like I ATTEMPTED in 2007 here (trendsetter and didn't even know it - ha!)...but I haven't, because I want to have the PERFECT layout - and I can't find it....so it isn't happening.

I have thousands of pictures to scrapbook and catalog....but I haven't...because - you guessed it.

So today I realized that DONE has GOT to be better than perfect. So here goes. I'm blogging a very imperfect post. I'm going to start my new "Phlog" (like that term? Part photos/part blog? I invented it....I love making up words, btw). I am going to make up for not taking the perfect pictures Jan 1 - 9 by taking a few extras next week. It isn't going to be perfect...but it is going to be done.