Saturday, May 29, 2010

Saturday, I Deem Thee Award Day!

I got a sweet award from JUST BREATHE!  I totally appreciate awards!  I like this one too, I am just handing it out to a few of you that are new to See Foxes and that I totally admire.  It's always a hard choice, though.



Any blog with Coffee in the title has to be awesome, and on top of that, she is a GLEE fan!

2)  VTK
I love teachers!  She has a lot of good insight.

She always has something different!  I love visiting her.



gave me this award.  

since I have already had this award and given it away, I will just post it and say a big  THANK You to her. 

You are all wonderful people.  I hope to keep reading your blogs and you keep reading mine!

Friday, May 28, 2010

Five Question Friday

Today I am doing the Five Question Friday.  I hope you will play along!











Rules for Five Question Friday: Copy and paste the following questions to your blog post, answer them, then c'mon back to link up! If it floats your boat, you can even grab the blog hop code! I would love it if you'd link back to me, Mama M., but that's not a requirement! ;)

If you don't have a blog, but want to play along...feel free to answer the questions in the comments of my blog, or any blog along the way! And remember, the linky is always open til Sunday night...so any of you who are late to the game, can still play along! (Aren't I thoughtful?!!)

Questions for Friday, May 28th: (Special thanks to Lorilynne, Erin, Sandy, Kyrsten, andRenee for their question suggestions! If YOU wanna be linked in a future 5QF, c'mon over here, to my community and offer up your best question suggestions!)

1. Is there something you've always wanted to try but just can't muster up the courage to actually do yet?
I am not the type of person to speak my mind if someone in authority makes me feel bad.  Someday I would like to just say what I think.

2. If you had $100 handed to you in cash without your significant other knowing about it, what would you spend it on?
Books or clothes.  Nothing particular comes to mind.

3. What was your favorite piece of playground equipment as a child?  

I loved the merry-go-round!

4. Do you prefer a sweet or hearty breakfast? 

As long as I am not cooking it, both!  I hate to cook breakfast, though I have been known to do amazing chocolate chip pancakes.

5. Are you a Neat Freak or a Messy Bessy?
I am the messiest person.  I pile things up and finally get fed up and clean.  
 
Hope you join along!





Thursday, May 27, 2010

Girly Summer Swap!

I just started following this site and saw this Girly Summer Swap.  I thought it would be fun to do.  If you want, join in the fun.  Go to her site at the link below and leave her a comment!  Doesn't sound like fun?




To participate in the Girly Summer Swap @ dot...dot...dot... please leave a comment on this post with your email address and flip flop size (just in case your partner needs it). You do not need to have a blog to participate, just an email address to exchange information with the person you are paired up with.

Deadline to sign up will be Wednesday, June 2nd. I will match up partners and post the pairs here on Thursday, June 3rd.

I am loving the Girly Summer theme ... flip flops, accessories, books, martini/wine glasses, lotions and more! Anything cute and fabulous to enjoy in the sunshine!

The gift limit is $25 (not including shipping).
Packages are to be mailed no later than June 14th.
So join in!  It will be cool and you may meet someone new!

To Do List - First Update

TO DO LIST:
Updated 05/28/10



1.Keep to-do list updated.
2.  Go to baby shower.
3.  Watch the last episode of 24.
4.  Get food for friend's graduation party.
5.  Get charcoal for smokers.
6.  Buy new blender.
7.  Try and find time for Son to take lessons this summer.
8.  Go see Sex and the City 2 on opening night.
9.  Attend Memorial Day Service
10.  Go to Marching Band meeting.
11.  Help kids celebrate the end of the school year.
12.  Go to Foxy's boss' wedding.
13.  Prepare for VBS.
14.  Clean out hall closet
15.  Find Daughter a one-piece bathing suit for church camp.
16. Go to two Graduation parties on the same day as said wedding.
17.  Plant garden
18.  Start planning Daughter's Sweet 16.
19.  Get Father's Day gift.
20.  Shop for camp supplies for kids.
21.Lose 10 pounds
22.  Buy supplies for Fourth of July celebration
23. Pay for band camp
24. Read 10 blogs a day - and leave comments.
25.  Spend individual time with each child
26.  Send care package to Daughter in Navy
27. Clean off desk
28.  Plan weekend get-away for family
29.  Set up treadmill and actually walk on it four times a week.
30.  Clean out bedroom.
31.  Walk up the stairs to work at least twice a day.

So not bad for first seven days.  I'll accomplish more this weekend.  But for now, I will go read ten blogs and comment.  Have a great day!

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Wacky Wednesday



Welcome to all the new readers I have!  I hope you enjoy yourself while here.

I would make this a wordless Wednesday thing, but I think this may need some explaining.  So this is my Wacky Wednesday blog.  My family is wacky, so I like to write about them.

My daughter, is ending her freshman year.  When she was in fifth grade, she chose to play percussion, specifically the bells (aka the xylophone).  The class was standing in the hallway, waiting for the band teacher to come get them, so the SRO, Officer K, was standing with the kids, trying to guess what they played by the shape of their cases.  When he got to Daughter, she apparently had nothing in her hand.  He asked her what she played and she made motions like she was drumming.  He asked if she played the snare drum.  She shook her head.  Someone said she played the bells.  He was like, "Oh, the dingy thing."  The band teacher came up and said, "Yeah, that's our Dingy."  And a nickname was born. 

Now, Daughter loves her nickname.  Her BFF calls her Dingy most of the time.  Her friends call her Dingy.  She takes care of the guys in percussion during concert band.  She wants to have her license plate say this.  But for now, a friend gave her this to put on her car window.  She is so proud of it.  That's my girl!

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Goodbye...Hello!



Last night was my final two hours of being with Jack Bauer on a weekly basis.  I am saddened by this thought.  We have been together for eight years.  We have learned to love Chloe O'Brien, and many others.  I have laughed, cried, cheered and mostly rooted for you to do what is right.  Kiefer Sutherland, thank you for being Jack.


And now for another segment of Licenses Plates I see while driving.  Thanks to my family for helping me capture these:

  OK...Don't forget...

And the biggest anticipation for me this week?

Monday, May 24, 2010

Weekend Update May 21 - 23rd

Hi.  How was your weekend?  Good, good.  So was mine.

Friday:  It poured most of the evening.  Son had a friend spend the night.  I ran everyone to Taco Bell and then Daughter, BFF and I went to Babies R Us.  We needed a shower gift for the next day, so we shopped and shopped.  Daughter had never been there before and wanted to buy all the cute little outfits for her own, non-existing child.  We got the cutest little outfits, onesies, and crib sheets for our newest addition to the church family!

Then we ran to Wal-Mart and I got a new Blender.  My other one was leaking and it is hard to make milkshakes without it.

Saturday:  It was sun-shiny and warmer.  Son, Daughter and I ran some errands and then went to Costco.  The kids go there just for all the free samples.  We really liked the Grape-Blueberry juice.  Yummy!  I bought that stuff.

I need to get me a glass of it today before Son drinks all of it!    

Daughter and I attended the shower.  Lots of yummy food and gifts galore.  The women of our church put on a nice shower.  They also passed the baby around a lot.  It was fun.

After the shower, we picked up BFF and found out that another friend of Son's (who he only sees three times a year or so), wanted to come down and spend the night.  So we met them half way and picked him up.  It is a nice drive.   We then went and got Little Cesear's Pizza.  A large is only $5.  So we feasted on pizza.


The rest of the night was pretty laid back.  I made meatloaf, and actually made three of them.  I then popped them into the freezer for the next night.  That is a nice meal for a change.  It takes them about an hour or more to cook from frozen, but we like it like that.

I also watched August Rush.  What a wonderful movie.  Robin Williams was spectacular in it.

Sunday:  Me and the kids got up and went to church.  It was a good service.  Then we came home ate, took, Son's friend home, and watched Valentine's Day.  I loved that movie!  I wanted to see it in the theater, but didn't get to.  I need to watch it again.  There was so much going on in it, that just want to see it all again.

I cooked the meatloaf and made mashed potatoes for supper.  Yummy!  Then I sat like a bump on a log all evening.  I do feel guilty about that.  I am very tired and today, I just don't feel well.  I am sure, this too will pass, but for now I will just suffer through.


On the agenda for this week:
1.  Daughter has Auxillary Clinics Monday through Thursday with tryouts on Friday.
2.  Friday Night:  Going to see Sex and the City 2!  Who-hoo, I am excited about this!
3.  Daughter has to go to Graduation to play with the band on Saturday.
4.  Foxy is smoking meat on Saturday for a graduation party Sunday afternoon.

Friday, May 21, 2010

Band Concert and Season Finale





The Girl Creative

The Girl Creative is hosting this.  Hop over to her blog if you want to see what it is all about. 

Last night, the kids participated in a band concert.  It was for the Junior High and High School and Awards were given out too.  Son received a participation award for Pep Band.  Daughter received a Pep Band Award, second year Marching Band Award (her varsity letter), and a first year concert band award. 

The seniors also passed down awards for Marching band.  Daughter got a shoe.  It's kinda funny, but the tradition is to add to it every year you have it and pass it down your last year.  This is just a black, jazz shoe. 


So what can she do with this?  She wants to write the year she got it, and put some felt in it.  Maybe she can put new shoe laces in it.  But I know that she will make it fabulous! 

Here are a couple of pictures from last night.


The tall one in the center is Son.  Those are 7th graders.  He is pretty tall.  He is now telling us he does not want to march.  He wants to play in the drum pit.  This has upset Foxy, and I am not sure what to make of it.  I don't know if he is just being lazy or scared or what, but I am going to find the real reason.


Next to the Director (at the podium) is BFF (on the left of her).  Then Daughter is two from him.  They kids look forward to this all year, but it is bitter sweet because this is the seniors last performance as high school students. 

Did anyone watch Grey's Anatomy last night?  I had DVR'd it, but decided to start it at 10:21 pm last night.  OMG!  My body shook through the whole first hour of the show.  I was so hyped and scared.  I absolutely loved every second of it.  It was one of the best season finales ever.

I am hoping the 24 will be just the same, though it is the show ending.  

Have a great weekend.  I have nothing major on my weekend, so I hope to rest and clean (Yeah, right.).

Thursday, May 20, 2010

Monthly list...

I was reading Not Quite Susie and saw this post for doing 31 things in 31 day.  I thought it was a great idea, so I stole it & will be keeping it updated on here for the next month! Feel free to join in- and please leave me the link if you do so that I can visit yours!




1.Keep to-do list updated.
2.  Go to baby shower.
3.  Watch the last episode of 24.
4.  Get food for friend's graduation party.
5.  Get charcoal for smokers.
6.  Buy new blender.
7.  Try and find time for Son to take lessons this summer.
8.  Go see Sex and the City 2 on opening night.
9.  Attend Memorial Day Service
10.  Go to Marching Band meeting.
11.  Help kids celebrate the end of the school year.
12.  Go to Foxy's boss' wedding.
13.  Prepare for VBS.
14.  Clean out hall closet
15.  Find Daughter a one-piece bathing suit for church camp.
16. Go to two Graduation parties on the same day as said wedding.
17.  Plant garden
18.  Start planning Daughter's Sweet 16.
19.  Get Father's Day gift.
20.  Shop for camp supplies for kids.
21.Lose 10 pounds
22.  Buy supplies for Fourth of July celebration
23. Pay for band camp
24. Read 10 blogs a day - and leave comments.
25.  Spend individual time with each child
26.  Send care package to Daughter in Navy
27. Clean off desk
28.  Plan weekend get-away for family
29.  Set up treadmill and actually walk on it four times a week.
30.  Clean out bedroom.
31.  Walk up the stairs to work at least twice a day.

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Gleefully Wacky Wednesday

I think today I will tell on me.  Most every year, I get a little sunburn, it turns to a tan and I am set for the summer. 

I was at a track meet Saturday morning and it got warm very quickly.  I sat in the stands for around four hours, realizing it was hot, but not thinking about myself.  The rest of the family gets tan, and then tanner, and then they are very dark.  I have the fair skin of the bunch and mine turns into a lot of freckles as you can see.


This is after four days.  I am still really reddish-pink and very sore.  My shins are the same way.  If I brush up against something, I flinch, suck in air, and freeze for a few seconds because the pain is intense.  I could just be sitting and the nerve endings start tingling and I cringe in pain.  Every time I do, the kids look at me and ask "What?"  I have to tell them that it's okay, just something I have to live with because I was stupid. 

My shoulders, forearms and shins are the worst.  I had one lady come up and ask me if hurt and proceeded to poke me.  Uh, if I hadn't been on the phone with a customer, I would have probably screamed at her.  I slept on the couch the first night, and have not slept  a lot the past few nights.  I am very surprised that blisters have not formed.  Everyone asks me that.  So take advice from me.  Keep sunscreen in your car, in your purse, where ever you are.  Then you won't end up like me.  Stiff, pink and in pain.

On another note...Did you like GLEE last night?  I loved Neil Patrick Harris and Matthew Morrisey singing Dream On.  NPH is a favorite in our household.  Him singing is always a bonus.  What part of GLEE did you like last night?

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

All About Vehicles...well, sorta!



I have a lot to say Post-It Style today!

I drive a lot.  And now we have this awesome game of finding funny things during our drives.  Here are a few license plate that we have found.












Have a great Tuesday!

Monday, May 17, 2010

Weekend Update - May 14 - 16

What a crazy, busy weekend we had.  I have lots of pictures for you.

Let me just say...Go Reds!  My Cincinnati Reds took over first play in their division, beating the Cardinals! 

Friday:  After work, Son had another friend spend the night.  Daughter and  BFF went with me to search of new chairs to use out by the fire.  I wanted good chairs that would not break quickly.  I bought two that were very expensive, but wonderful.


I totally love these chairs!  We also found these at Lowe's....  That's Daughter sitting in one around our beautiful campfire.

Here's a better picture of the fire.    We roasted marshmallows, had s'mores, and enjoyed music and the trampoline and the warm air.  Then Daughter and BFF got bored, so we ran to the store where Daughter put this on...


Cute, huh?

Saturday:  Foxy, Daughter and I went to see the SWBL League Track Meet!  A lot of friends were there and it was hot!  I now officially look like a lobster and Rudolph, but you will not see a picture of that.  I usually burn once and then it turns tan.  This one covers both arms, and half my thighs and shins.  I am really hot and sore, but I deserve it.  I didn't realize it would get that hot, that quickly in the morning.

In the afternoon, we went to the grocery and in the evening, Foxy grilled steaks, I made pasta salad, and we watched Sweet Home Alabama.  Favorite scene in the movie:  When Billy Ray takes the bride and groom off the cake and puts on the Rock 'Em, Sock 'Em Robots!  I giggle at that.

Sunday:  We went to church, then out to eat with friends.  Our friends want us to help cater their daughter's Graduation party on Memorial Day Weekend.  Foxy makes killer pulled pork sandwiches.  We are also supplying beans, hot dogs, chips, dip and potato salad.

Then Daughter, BFF, and I went and got me a new outfit.  When I put it on, I will let you see that.  I am excited about wearing it.  We also are looking for black flats for Daughter.  She informs me yesterday that she needs a pair for the band concert Thursday evening and also for Graduation because the concert band is playing then too.  If it isn't one thing it is another I am shelling dough out for!
 
Well, it is Monday and all is well.  It is very rainy and grey outside, but I am just happy to be here.  Stiff, sore muscles and all.

Friday, May 14, 2010

The Marriage Ref and Adventures with Josie the Dog

Friday is upon us again.  Last night I was watching that new show, The Marriage Ref.  Have you seen it?  They bring three "stars" on as the panel and they have this guy, who is the host, and maybe even a therapist or something, though in reality he is just really funny.

Anyway, last night, Howie Mandel, Bette Midler, and some person I didn't know, Craig Robinson was on the panel. 

The format is that a couple will air their "problem" to the nation and these three talk about it.  Then the host makes "The Call" and tells the couple who is right, or who wins the argument.

I think this show is funny because you actually see the "stars" in rare form.  There have been some doozy's on...Gweneth Paltrow, Martin Short, Alec Baldwin, Tina Fey, some big names. 

Last night, there was a husband that was irritated that his wife was always on her Blackberry.  Instead of having a conversation with him at supper, she would answer text messages and emails. 

I see his point on this.  If you have kids with cell phones, you probably have had issues like this.  Sometimes I think I am like that.  If I am in a text conversation with a friend, and my husband is trying to talk to me, it is difficult to hold both conversations.  I try not to do it, but well, you know.  Anyway, if you make a date or are trying to be attentive to your mate or whoever you are with, then put the electronic device down.  That's all I am saying.  What is your opinion on this?

---------------------------------------------------------------------
My dog was acting weird last night.  She is a 7 year old chow-chow-german shepherd mix.  She has the body of the shepherd, the hair of the chow.  She is beautiful and playful.  She stays on the enclosed back porch during the day and we let her in at night...sometimes.  Last night, it was so humid in the house, that I figured she wouldn't want to be in.  So when I went to turn out lights, she was at the back door looking at me with those big brown eyes.  So I let her in. 

Josie Belle wanted to play.  She wanted to run around the house, and play with me.  I will bat at her with my hands and when I turn my back, she comes up and jumps up and hits me with her paws, like tag.  She is so funny.  So I played with her for a while like that. 

I finally got her to settle down and I decided I wanted to go to bed.  She wouldn't come to the bedroom.  I love Josie, but she is not going to wander our house freely.  She will get into the trash and whatever else she can find.  Nope, not going to do it.  So I walked down the hall to our room and I clicked my tongue at her.  Nothing.

I whispered, "Josie, let's go to bed."  Still nothing.

So I walked backed up the hallway and there she was sprawled out on her side, lounging on the floor.  She looked up at me like "What?" 

I nudged her with my foot, but she laid there like a lump.  I told her, "Well, it's either the bedroom or you go back outside.  Your choice."  She blinked.

So I sat down on the couch, turned the tv back on and laid there for a few minutes.  I woke up later and my husband came out of the bedroom to get a drink.  I turned off the tv and grumbled, "Stupid dog." 

I stumbled down the hall into my room, got my jammies on, put my earbuds in and turned on my Ipod.  I put the Ipod under my pillows and laid down and started to drift off, when all of a sudden...POUNCE!

There was Josie, up on the bed, walking over my legs to get to the outside part of the bed (the one next to the window), panting.  I scooted my legs over to make room for her and drifted off to sleep.

Now usually, sometime around 4 AM, Josie Belle wakes me up wanting to go outside.  It usually goes like this:  Josie gets up, walks up to the head of the bed, sits on my pillows and pants over the top of me.  Sometimes she paws me in the face to wake me.  That makes me get up. She will follow me down the hall to the back door.  I thought that would happen last night as hot as she was, but when I got up at 5:30 AM, she was laying at the foot of the bed, panting and restless. 

I started out to the shower and looked at her and said, "Let's go", and walked away.  I hear her jump off the bed and down the hall, she turns left and goes into the living room, I had turned right to walk toward the front door. 

I turn left and there she is, trotting toward the backdoor.  I slide the backdoor open and she takes off, sniffing the air.  As I close the door, she lets out a bark to wake up the neighborhood.  Dumb Dog!

Friday Follow

Friday Follow


Welcome to the May 14 Friday Follow celebration hosted by One 2 Try, Hearts Make Families and Midday Escapades! We invite you to join us every Friday to get more blog followers and to follow other interesting blogs. It is all about sharing and having fun.

I am daffy because I can't get the other link to work.  So please, if someone wiser than me can help, I'd appreciate it.  Just send me an email.  Thanks!

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Daily Enjoyment

Thursday is Joy Day!  What makes you joyful?  I have been in a bit of a mood this week.  I am not sure why, though.  Nothing major has gone on this week.  My husband has worked 12 hours shifts on Sunday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, plus 9 hours on Tuesday.  He is taking the weekend off, so that will be okay.  I haven't a lot going on this weekend, so that is a plus, too.

Saturday:  I enjoyed SNL on Saturday night.  Betty White was spectacular!

Sunday:  I enjoyed spending Mother's Day with my Mom at a high school musical.

Monday:  I enjoyed spending more time with my mom, dad, Fox, Daughter and Son at our new favorite place, Noodles & Co..  When we got home, Daughter found her bedroom light and fan would not work.  So Foxy checked it out and determined that the switch was bad.  So we called my Dad and he and Mom came over and the men fixed the switch (with Daughter helping) and we had Cheesecake for dessert, as we watched Dancing With the Stars.

Tuesday:  I enjoyed  going for a ride with Daughter, BFF, and Foxy in the Saturn.  We got a good drive in.

Wednesday:  I enjoyed choir practice last night.  We are mainly working on our Patriotic songs for July 4th, our Red, White, & Blue Sunday.  It's a lot of fun to sing all the songs in this book.

Plus, everyday I am enjoying reading comments and new Blogs to read.  I hope you all keep it up!  What are you enjoying this week?

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Wacky Wednesday

Welcome to all the new friends!  I hope you enjoy what I post.  Today is Wacky Wednesday, the day I devote to the wackiness of my family!

I love to cook/bake and try new recipes.  While growing up, my mom would try new recipes once in a while, but usually my dad would complain that she was trying to poison him or something.  Supper time was always about 5:30 pm every night.  We knew when it was suppertime because the theme to M*A*S*H would come on.  Or , the smoke alarm would come on.  That was a frequent offender in our house.  My dad joked a lot about my Mom's cooking.  Here are some of the things he said.

"I married a farmer's daughter because I know they can cook.  I didn't realize I married the one who learned to drive the tractor."

"One night after we all went to bed, the smoke alarm went off.  I went out to see what was going on and the kids were sitting around the table, thinking it was time for supper."

"If it wasn't for my mother-in-law the first two years of our marriage, I wouldn't have made it."  (My grandma was a great cook.) 

My mom is a good cook. She has a few wonderful recipes that we love. Son asks frequently for her Barbecue Meatballs and Chocolate Pie.  Daughter loves only her Potato Salad.  But some of her tries weren't as triumphant.  Like the spare ribs she put in the crockpot.  For some reasons that I forget (I was quite young), they cooked for like 3 days in the crockpot.  When she finally had the chance to serve them, they were black, but kinda edible (I think.) 

Right now I do not cook to often.  I have a Daughter, Son and Foxy make the meals.  I just pick them out, plan them, shop for missing ingredients, and make sure things are thawed.  Last night we had Garlic Beef Tamales and Mexican Rice.  It was really good.  Tomorrow, we are having Ham and Tortellini.  I can't wait.  What is on your menu this week?

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Posting It Randomly for a Tuesday!




Around town, I see the darnedest things.  And now, my kids are looking for some too!

Daughter saw the Cadillac with me.



This is becoming an issue with me...because the callers do not listen to my spiel when I answer the phone.  They just ask for the Service Department or Parts.
 



We are on the floor above the college, but the center of our lobby is open and we hear and smell everything they do down there.




And the most important sticky of all today!





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