Updates...

I'm not doing well at keeping this blog posted everyday, am I?  Well, with Dad's surgery, basketball games, church, and crazy busy at work it's been a week, I tell you.

First, Dad had a stent put in the back of his heart.  It was blocked 70 - 80%, but now he's good as new (so to speak).

Second, Daughter did not make the play.  She was told by the director that her and the choreographer fought for her because she had an excellent audition and was one of the best dancers there, but the musical director got the last word.  I think because she isn't in choir (for one thing) and the girl that got the part is in a grade older than her, is the reasons she didn't get in.  And they are not having a big cast.  It's West Side Story. They don't have a chorus, just the 20 characters or so.  Weird, I think.  Daughter was disappointed, but the drama director (who is also her English teacher) told her to try out next year and she would definitely get a part.  Big words, huh?

Work has been crazy busy this week.  this is good for the receptionist, me.  People are feeding me things to do.  I like that.

This weekend looks fairly quiet too.

Tomorrow, early, Son has a basketball game.  Then Daughter is babysitting.  I just have grocery shopping to do.
The rest of the weekend will be quiet (I hope).

Hope you have a great weekend!

A boring weekend, but possibilities loom

Well, I think I had the most boring weekend I could have.  It was kinda nice.  Friday night, we went out to eat, then we all went to Daughter's Boyfriend's soccer game.  It was free and fun.

Saturday, Son had a basketball game.  They lost  :(, but it was a pretty good game.  Then Daughter and I went to the library and to the grocery store.  I cleaned a bit and we stayed in.  I tried to watch a movie on Hallmark Channel, but fell asleep.  Thank goodness for DVR.

Yesterday we went to church, then went over to my parents for lunch and to watch the Bears/Greenbay game on their 47" tv.  We are still in the process of narrowing down what we want, so we have not purchased a new one yet.  I finally got Daughter to drive without another licensed driver in the car.  She took Son's friend home.  Son was with her, but I didn't have to go.  It was a 10 minute round trip, so it wasn't enough to freak me out. 

So today, there is the possibility that Daughter will try out for a dancing part in the chorus of the upcoming musical.  The musical is West Side Story, one of my all-time favorites!  She had several people text her to do go with them or that she should try out.  She doesn't know if she wants to, and I told her it was her decision, but I secretly hope she does.

Tomorrow is my dad's heart cath.  They think he may have blockages in the back of his heart.  He doesn't want to believe it, and I hope he is right, but we are all gathering at the hospital tomorrow around 12:30 ish, so keep him in your thoughts and prayers.

Have a great Monday!

What a goofy week

This has been such a goofy week.

Monday - All was fine.

Tuesday - We found out that Gpa may have some blockages in the back of his heart, so this coming Tuesday he is scheduled for Angioplasty.  Son's team won their game.  He had 4 points and 4 rebounds. 

Wednesday - With all going on, I totally forgot about the Band Boosters meeting.  I was up for election as Secretary.  And, guess what?  I am now the Band Booster Secretary.  Yay, me!

Thursday - The snow storm hit.  Kids didn't go to school.  Foxy and I went to work.  No real problems getting there and back.  But our tv went out  Foxy is excited at the prospects of a new HD/LED/XX, whatever they are now.

Friday (today) - It is bitterly cold and the ice froze on the highway in front of my work place.  It took me almost two hours to get to work (it usually takes me 30 minutes).  Crazy.

Luckily, not much is going on this really cold weekend.  Son is suppose to have a game tomorrow morning, so we will see about that.  I think it will happen.  And I think we will go over to my parents and watch the games on Sunday.  Who knows?

Teenagers

This was a strange weekend for me.  Friday night, we went to see my alma mater play Monroe.  They won, we lost. 

Son had a game on Saturday, against his best friend's team.  They beat us by four points.  Then Son's friend came to spend the night.  The boys had a great time playing Black Ops, watch Nightmare on Elm Street, and just being together.

Saturday evening, Daughter, her boyfriend and his best friend went to the movies.  I stayed home and made cookies, cleaned some and vegged, mostly.

Sunday, we went to church, took Best Friend home, and went to the grocery.  Then the kids (including boy friend), went to a lock-in last night.  They went bowling, stayed up all night, and went to Waffle House at 4 a.m.  Crazy kids!

So today, Son had practice (I'm sure he will be very tired).  Daughter came home and went right to bed.  They will be useless the rest of this day.

Ah, the life of teenagers!

Tasty Thursday

Do you know what this picture means?  My auto insurance just went up!  She did it!  Congrats to Daughter for passing!  That smile says it all.

So as it is Tasty Thursday, I have these western ribs in my freezer just waiting for me to do something with them.  So here's what we are going to do...

Yummy Slow Cooked Ribs

Spray crock with cooking spray.  

Take favorite spices and sprinkle on each rib.  I use Garlic, Chipotle Pepper, Rosemary and rub into the meat.

Put the meat into the crockpot, as a little apple juice or water and any veggies you want.  I like to put in onions, potatoes, and green peppers.  Set the crock pot on low and let it cook for six to seven hours.

It will be yummy!

What to do?

Today in the Ohio Valley it is blowing and snowing.    Daughter is suppose to take her maneuverability portion of her driving test today.  Do we do it or not?  That is the question of the day.  She's already had to reschedule once, so I guess will see. 

On top of that, Son's knee locked up on him again.  That hasn't happened since October, before basketball.  There is a big knot on the side of his leg where it tensed.  He is on crutches and is frustrated by the situation. 

I guess I'll pray and hope for the best with both of them.

PINT Tuesday - Snowy Edition

Weekend Update

Good Morning!  I hope all of you are not upset if you are getting snow.  I know that places in the deep south, like Louisiana and Alabama are getting snow.  My BIL & SIL live south of Mobile, so I'll have to see if they are getting anything fun.  We are expected to get three to five inches of the "white death" starting after midnight tonight into tomorrow night.

It was a relatively quiet weekend.  Daughter was sick on Friday, so her and I stayed home from the basketball game this weekend and watched two movies; Charlie St. Cloud and Easy A.  They both were surprises to me.  I figured Charlie St. Cloud, starring Zac Efron would be a tear-jerker, but it wasn't.  It was an okay move.  Not one of his best, but Zac did a good job in it.  The other, Easy A, starred Emma Stone.  I so enjoyed this movie.  It is definitely not for anyone under 13, in my opinion, but there was actually a storyline that was plausible.  I actually sat and watched it again with Daughter and her BF yesterday.

Saturday, Son had practice, Foxy put up a ceiling fan in Son's room and Daughter and I went to the grocery.  We then got an invite to BF's house to watch the Colts play the Jets.  That was fun.  The kids watch Dinner with Schmucks, which they didn't watch all of, so don't waste your money, made smoothies and played Just Dance on the Wii.  Foxy and I watched the game, ate some snacks, enjoying good company.

Yesterday, we went to church.  Then we came home, fixed lunch and I put away the Christmas deco, started laundry and made brownies.  I think we all took naps.  Son slept most of yesterday and is still home sick today.  Foxy and I watched the Eagles get beat : - [.  

Well, we are gearing up for more snow.  So have a great evening!

Look Back/Look Ahead

Friday is always a looking back, looking ahead day for me.

Monday - It was back to work and back to school after the holiday.  Things at work are a little slower, but not much.  That is good. 

Tuesday - Son played his best basketball game yet, and I missed it.  It was away and I had to take Daughter to dance.  But at least other family members and friends got to see.

Wednesday - Back to choir practice.  It is always a fun time and good music.  Foxy went back to work too.

Thursday - Last night I got to go to another basketball game and though Son didn't play as much, he did play and they did win!  so they are now 4-3. 

Friday - Daughter has complained all week of a sore throat and it seems each day it has gotten worse.  So today Foxy has taken her to the Dr.   I am waiting on a verdict for that.  I hope it is not strep.  I don't think it is.  I think she is just exhausted and having drainage. 

Tonight there is a varsity basketball game, but if Daughter is too sick, then Foxy and Son can go.  I'll stay home and take down the tree stuff.

Saturday - Son has basketball practice and I want to go to grocery story.  That is all.

Sunday - Just church and rest.

Sounds like a plan.

Tasty Thursday

Thursday has been my day to give you a good tried and true recipe.  I am a big fan of easy crockpot meals, so here is another one that we love.

Roast and Veggies

A crockpot is my usual, I don't have time to cook, so here is what you get.  I usually use it on Sunday's because everyone is so hungry when we get home from church.  This is what I had this past Sunday.

4 lb. Chuck Roast
1 package of Onion Soup Mix
5 potatoes, washed and cubed
3 Carrots, sliced
1 Onion, sliced
1 stalk of Celery, sliced
Water, enough to cover the bottom of the crock.

Spray the bottom and sides of the crockpot with cooking spray.  Put your vegetables in the bottom of the pot.  Place the roast on top of it.  Sprinkle the soup mix over everything.  Add the water.  Set the crockpot on high, for four to five hours, on low for longer.

You can make gravy out of the broth.

Add bread and coleslaw for a quick meal!

Book Review: Lee (The Generals)

Lee (The Generals)

Goodness in Action

By John Perry

When I first picked this book, I mostly picked it for my father, who loves history, especially American history.  I knew that once I was done with this book, he would pick it up and read it in a snap, which he did.  I did not figure on it being a book I would come to enjoy.  History books are usually boring, but this book, Lee (The Generals) is more than that.  It is several things.  It is a love story between Robert E. Lee and his wife, as well as a story about Robert and his call to duty as a military man, a man of God and a family man.   Lee’s sense of pride, honor and loyalty is astounding.  Here in the north, we do not think on the War Between the States as our southern counterparts do.  But we do think of them as the enemy and that is not really what the author, John Perry gives in this story. 

I thoroughly enjoyed delving into the life of the Lee’s and if you want a good read, I recommend this book.  The author does well spending time between General Lee’s family life and his military duties, giving an insight to the thoughts of the several family members and acquaintances.   I found the book to be a great help in understanding the General Lee's actions for the Confederate Army.

Why is it?

Why is it that when I am not able to go to see Son's basketball game, he gets to play a lot and looks really good playing?    I do feel good that his Aunt and Uncle, plus our Associate Minister and Wife, plus Gpa and Foxy got to see him play.  He had at least 7 rebounds and 5 points, but the team still lost.  They are 3 and 3 for the season with lost of time to go and lots of improvement to be had.  At least I'll get to see him tomorrow evening. I hope he gets to play more then.

Post It Note Tuesdays

Oh how I have missed this segment.  So I am going to go back to do it too!  Here is my submittal for this week!

New Year, New Beginning

Happy New Year!  I know I have been MIA since Thanksgiving, but it was my choice to be off of this blog and see I still wanted to do it.  Well, I'm back, so I think I do.  I hope you had a great December and spent a lot of time with family and friends.  We did, as well as get the flu, and spend way to much money.  So this month I am cutting back and out.  I need to get on track there. 

I also am making a vow to read more blogs.  I have let that go.  I guess that can be considered my resolution for the new year. 

Foxy has been off basically since the 23rd.  He goes back to work on Wednesday.  He's been working a lot on his 86 Ranger and having fun. 

Daughter has exams next week.  She also goes for her license.  Lots of pressure for her, but not from us.  I hope she does get her license, but it is not the end of the world if she doesn't. 

Son has been practicing basketball and now that we have come into the 21st century and put wifi in, we have not seen him.  He goes into his room, turns on his PS3 and plays with people from all over the world.  We are looking at saving for a laptop too.  Then Daughter will be happy.

Gpa has had some heart problems and is being monitored.  He passed out during his stress test.  We do think it may be medicine driven, but until it is settled, we are watching him closely.

Gma is watching Gpa like a hawk and learning the MP3 player that Gpa gave her.  She isn't sure about this new fangled electronics stuff.

As for me, I am trying to simplify, correct and enjoy.  I received some gift cards for Christmas and spent most of them.  I got a fleece sweater, grey mock turtleneck shirt, earrings, pj pants and that was just with two small gift cards.  This week, the goal is to get the holiday decorations back in the boxes.    What is your goal for this week?