Got Nothin'

Seriously. Anyone read any good books lately? Let me know. I might need another book to read ;)

Home Again.

Hey all! We made it back safe & sound. It was great to have a change of scenery for a few days especially considering that included a change in weather. Bend had sunny blue skies & it was wonderfully warm -the temp was in the upper 50's (warmer than here). I drove thru snow to get home and that snow changed to pouring down, grey rain. No joke. Our gutters were overflowing when I got home. Made me wanna get right back in the car and drive back! I'm not in "blogging" mode yet so I'll just leave you with a picture. Happy Monday!

A Mini Vacay

Decided at 8pm last night that I was bored. REALLY BORED. Luke has been sick off/on for 6 weeks. Which translates to no play dates. No get togethers with friends. Ugh. So, we are leaving this morning for Eastern Oregon. The babies and I are loading up, headin' out and gonna have a great 3 hour drive for some new scenery. Oh! We will be going with my dad, step-mom and bro too. Should be fun! Although, I will be without internet for 3 days. So sad. I hope ya'll post some fun things to read so I have lots to catch up on when I get home & finishing unpacking. Have a great week!

Honest Scrap Award!

List 10 honest things about yourself - and make it interesting, even if you have to dig deep! (Thanks Em)!

1. I can't imagine my life without a relationship with Jesus Christ. Everything that has happened in my life both good & bad have pointed in one direction. There is a God. And He is real. Very real. If you need some proof . . . then let's chat and I'll share my stories with you.


2. That being said I have a hard time trusting people.



3. In my head I'm a cute, petite 5' 4-3/4", skinny, size 6 momma who gets up @ 5:30am on any given day to stay in shape, pray for my family and greet my babies with a happy smile each morning. REALITY - I'm workin' on it.



4. I like things that match, co-0rdinate and are uniformed.



5. I believe some things are worth waiting for.



6. I love school. I want to go back.



7. I like my car so much it scares me. It's my dream car. Well . . . it's my dream FAMILY car. Still holdin' out for my '67 cherry red mustang convertible.


8. I never thought I would enjoy being a stay at home mom as much as I do.


9. I've never really enjoyed exercise. I'm trying to teach myself to enjoy it.


10. I was co-captain of the cheerleading squad my senior year in high school. My junior year . . . I didn't make the "good" team. Senior year - we won second at the state competition. We missed first place by .8 or .08 of a point. We ROCKED!

America, Divorced?

I received the following in an email this last weekend. I thought it was rather comical with some truth to the whole mess. For your reading pleasure ~

DIVORCE AGREEMENT

Dear American liberals, leftists, social progressives, socialists, Marxists et al:
We have stuck together since the late 1950's, but the whole of this latest election process has made me realize that I want a divorce. I know we tolerated each other for many years for the sake of future generations, but sadly, this relationship has run its course. Our two ideological sides of America cannot and will not ever agree on what is right so let's just end it on friendly terms. We can smile and chalk it up to irreconcilable differences and go our own way.
Here is a model separation agreement:
Our two groups can equitably divide up the country by landmass each taking a portion. That will be the difficult part, but I am sure our two sides can come to a friendly agreement. After that, it should be relatively easy! Our respective representatives can effortlessly divide other assets since both sides have such distinct and disparate tastes.
We don't like redistributive taxes so you can keep them. You are welcome to the liberal judges and the ACLU. Since you hate guns and war, we'll take our firearms, the cops, the NRA and the military. You can keep Oprah, Michael Moore and Rosie O'Donnell (You are, however, responsible for finding a bio-diesel vehicle big enough to move all three of them).
We'll keep the capitalism, greedy corporations, pharmaceutical companies, Wal-Mart and Wall Street. You can have your beloved homeless, homeboys, hippies and illegal aliens. We'll keep the hot Alaskan hockey moms, greedy CEO's and rednecks. We'll keep the Bibles and give you NBC and Hollywood.
You can make nice with Iran and Palestine and we'll retain the right to invade and hammer places that threaten us. You can have the peaceniks and war protesters. When our allies or our way of life are under assault, we'll help provide them security.
We'll keep our Judeo-Christian values. You are welcome to Islam, Scientology, Humanism and Shirley McClain. You can also have the U.N. but we will no longer be paying the bill.
We'll keep the SUVs, pickup trucks and oversized luxury cars. You can take every Subaru station wagon you can find.
You can give everyone healthcare if you can find any practicing doctors. We'll continue to believe healthcare is a luxury and not a right. We'll keep The Battle Hymn of the Republic and the National Anthem. I'm sure you'll be happy to substitute Imagine, I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing, Kum Ba Ya or We Are the World.
We'll practice trickle down economics and you can give trickle up poverty your best shot. Since it often so offends you, we'll keep our history, our name and our flag.
Would you agree to this? If so, please pass it along to other like minded liberal and conservative patriots and if you do not agree, just hit delete. In the spirit of friendly parting, I'll bet you ANWAR which one of us will need whose help in 15 years.
Sincerely,
John J. Wall
Law Student and an American
P.S. Also, please take Barbara Streisand & Jane Fonda with you.

e-mealz update

K. I'm checkin' out my new menu for this next week. Just so you know, my mealplans run from Wednesday thru the following Tuesday - just like our grocery ads for Safeway & Albertsons here in the Pacific NW. That's why it's not Monday - Sunday. (Just head's up). Here's what I'm seein'.

1. Elegant Chicken & Pasta w/mandarin almond salad
2. Swedish meatballs w/Italian green beans & hot biscuits
3. Cheesey baked fish w/sauteed asparagus & sweet potatoes
4. Apple baked french toast w/bacon
5. Chicken & Rice taco fiesta
6. EZ open meatball subs w/chips
7. Bean & Ham soup w/cornbread & apple peanut coleslaw.

I will probably pick 4-5 of these meals to make. And substitute one of my own meals a night and plan on take out/going out one night. That and of course it's always fun to eat at your parents house should they invite you over for a meal! Hint. Hint. Not likin' the sound of #7. Makes me sick to read it. And we shall see how I feel about meatballs twice in one week (swedish meatballs/meatball subs). I'm likin the top 5. Those would be my pick. And since I let Baker pick out the meals last week then of course that would only be fair.

So, like I mentioned before. If this looks interesting to you and you decide to try it . . . would you click on the link to join so I can have your referral? Thanx bunches!

Mmmm . . . Yum!

I totally heart these Fiber One bars! I'm eating one right now. Oats and chocolate. The package says naturally flavored. I got some a while back for free or almost free with some grand coupons. If you haven't tried them they are super delicious only 140 cals and besides. They were on the Biggest Loser. Therefore they are "healthy" for you. Ha! Oh and they fill that giant crater size void within that screams for chocolate.

Bookclub. What?

Perhaps you've noticed the bookclub link on my sidebar. Maybe you even recall that I blogged about how excited I was join a bookclub and read some new books this year. MAYBE you've wondered where my updates are regarding this new venture. Ummmm. I got sidetracked. Not failing. Just sidetracked. I started reading The Millionaire Next Door. SO. GOOD. Take a looksee. It'll blow your socks off. And coming from someone who doesn't wear socks often . . . that's a big order to fill.

St. Patrick's Day

I was reading up on the history of St. Patrick's Day. Very interesting. We won't be doing much to celebrate seeing as how we have our Financial Peace University Class to attend this evening. Here's the condensed version posted here. Cool read. Check it out. If I remember to take a picture of girlie later, I'll post that. She's lookin' pretty cool in her green & white striped shirt & green hair bow ♥

Mealtime Quandaries

In the last 5 months since being introduced to the art of couponing and frugal living, one of the things I've heard again and again is to MAKE A MEALPLAN. And when I do, we end up having plenty of food, a dinner time plan (instead of . . . what should I make for dinner question) and WE SPEND LESS. However, I can clearly recall doing this ONCE. I have the best intentions. Sometimes I get an unexpected moment to run to the grocery store (baby free) and I'll jump on that chance. But, when that happens I usually don't have my meal plan just ready and sitting around. I love reading Making Dough. Emily makes the yummiest dinners. I also know Photos, Fingerprints, Crayons & Coffee written by Emily (my dear friend) makes delicious meals & is good @ meal planning too. Me. Not. So. Much. Honestly, I can cook. Hate it when it takes too long & requires all the dishes in my kitchen being used. Mostly though, I'm tired by 5pm and by 4pm naptime is over and both babies crave their cuddle/laptime with mommy. Laptime. That requires sitting & not in the kitchen. So, with some good excuses now of why I don't mealplan. Oh did I mention that I just plain run out of ideas?! I found this site (and can't remember how). Probably blog hopping. Thought about it for a couple days and thought I'd give it a try. I'll let you know how it goes. Promoted by Dave Ramsey (go figure! Seems to be the theme this year . . . ha!) this service only cost $1.25 a week/$15 every quarter.

PS - Okay, I did my food shopping last night for this week's meals & totally stayed within my food budget & stocked up on the juice sale at Safeway. I also had to purchase around $10 of meat that I normally wouldn't buy unless it was onsale. So, I will update you later on how good these meals are! Wish me luck.

EDIT - IF you were to join E-Mealz . . . would you please do so by linking thru the banner at the top? I will then receive the referral. Thanx!

Mountain Top View

This was the view from my room this morning. I had to take a picture it was gorgeous!

From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the LORD is to be praised. Psalm 113:3 (NIV)

Fun Giveaways!

K ladies. Go visit my SIL's site for 5 . . . that's right - FIVE! Giveaways. She loves to shop and had fun picking up a few fun items to celebrate her 200th post.

Overnight Breakfast Rolls

On Saturday's when we don't go out for breakfast I usually like to cook a yummy something. This is in no way wholesome or natural, but I don't have to throw out leftovers!

18 Rhodes frozen dinner rolls

1/2 cup melted butter

1/2 cup brown sugar

1 small package of butterscotch pudding (not instant)

raisins or nuts as desired

Grease bundt pan and layer with nuts and raisins as desired. Layer frozen dinner rolls. Add the butterscotch pudding powder and brown sugar. Top with melted butter. Cover and let rise overnight. In morning cook @ 325 degrees for 18-25 minutes. Be careful when turning onto plate as sauce may run. Enjoy!

6 Months

Look who turned six months already?

I WON! I WON!

A blogging award that is. My SIL awarded me with this . It's so pretty that I needed to change my background. Ha, ha!

Along with this award I'm suppose to share seven things that I ♥

Hmmmm . . . here goes:

1. Baker. He's my rock & my soft place to fall. He loves every part of me. Even the "curvy" ones. he he he.




2. My babies. They are so cute that they are complimented wherever we go. No joke. My little boy was June 2007 cutest baby of the month. They are my pride & joy.



3. Coffee! I've been a coffee junkie for 12 years and it's a hard habit to break. Although, I am developing a taste for tea. Most recently tea has sounded better than coffee - SHOCKING!


4. A new outfit from head to toe. Makes me feel pretty, no matter what shape or size! : )


5. Saturday morning breakfast out with my family.


6. Shopping at outlet malls.


7. A rainy day. I'm a true Oregonian. Born & raised. (I ALWAYS forget a coat & never carry an umbrella)!
   

A few tags but certainly not seven:

Jess and Jodie Bergers (I know you're out there Jodie),

Photos, Fingerprints, Crayons and Coffee - my friend Emily

Perspectives Of A Child - thanks for reading about my adventures Alexis!

SO. WRONG.

I was wrong. So wrong. There was no end to the tunnel. No light. Just more vomit. LOTS of vomit. And poop. More poop. My poor baby was standing in the shower at 2:30 am shaking as I cleaned him up from head to toe. Not kidding. It was in his hair. I just wanted to cry. This is either the nastiest flu bug ever or there's something wrong. Either way . . . I'm tired of it. So, he's on his first dose of prevacid (to treat the acid or ulcer). Prevacid may not be right for everyone and has a low occurrence of side effects in adults including diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea and constipation. Hmmmmm . . . what are the odds we don't see any change? A seven day supply for $30. EEK. That's with insurance. So he has his prevacid and I have wine. Cheers to a new day.

There's light at the end of the tunnel!

Finally! 48 hours without vomit! I am sooo excited!!! Yesterday I was so encouraged as Luke's appetite returned and he ate three solid meals and snacks. He enjoys his food and for him not to ask for food for 1-1/2 weeks was unusual. Baker & I were holding our breath and praying that the Lord would heal his stomach & give us wisdom in knowing what we needed to do for our guy. That said, I did know when feeding him that it could come back up. But, I took my chances and gave him as much non-processed foods as possible. Today he is still not 100% yet. This morning he had a massive blowout. When I say I'm cleaning up diarrhea it's up his shirt, down his pants and yes, I even pulled out my carpet cleaner to scrub up the mess in the carpet. I know you are all jealous of my life at this point. That you wish you were me. I know. I know. Not everyone can live a glamorous life like this. I hope you can all still love me even though I'm livin' the good life. He, he. I just wanna be moving on to a new blog topic. There's been enough dealing with poop around here for the next 10 years!

I've Lost Count

Seriously not sure what day this is. Nine? Ten? It's close to a week and a half of vomiting and diarrhea. I'm concerned. This isn't normal. So, I called the advice nurse. If Luke vomits again, we will be going to the doctors for the second time this week. Looking at a possible ulcer due to the only time that he vomits is early morning. Say a prayer. Or a bunch. Either will do.

♥ The Bachelor Controversy ♥

So, I didn't follow this show all the way through. However, I did watch it occasionally if I was bored and there was nothing better on tv. Last night was the season finale and Jason was "in love" with two ladies at the same time. He chose Melissa over Molly. Then he flip-flopped and chose Molly and broke up with Mellisa (whom he had already proposed too). OUCH. Can you imagine having your mistakes on television for the world to criticize? It's hard to know what is made for television and what is actually real especially in this case. However, I guess that's what happens when you sign up for a reality tv show. Tonight there's another After the Rose one hour special. What else?!

Today is Square Root Day

3/3/09. How exciting. Don't you feel like your life has been enriched?

Coffee Mommy!

We were driving to Luke's Dr. appointment today and stopped at a red light. To our right there was a little strip mall with a Starbucks on the corner. Luke spotted it from the left side of the car. "Mommy! Coffee! Mommy! Coffee!" They learn so fast. Ha, ha! He's such a smart boy. But hey! He must get it from his mommy who should apparently have her medical license. My diagnosis was correct. The flu. Although, if he is vomiting at 3-4am that could possibly be an acid vomit which basically means he has an ulcer. At two years old. If it runs in the family (and it does) there would be a higher probability of an ulcer. We will be praying he quits vomiting and there's no ulcer.

Day Seven

Today Luke reached the one week mark for the flu part II. He vomited (this time in the bathroom) this morning. Therefore we are headed to the doctors. Here's Dr. Baker's aka mommy's diagnosis. THE FLU. B.R.A.T. diet and clear fluids and let the virus run it's course. And please leave your $35 co-pay at the front desk. We shall see how close I am to attaining my medical degree. I've always wanted to be a doctor! LOL.

Day Six

Today marks day six of the flu round II. I thought maybe Luke was on the up and up. 48 hours without vomiting . . . so we would start re-introducing food. WRONG. We started the morning off with a cup of half soy half milk nice and warm . . . the way he likes it. And right away after finishing he touches his belly, squats down and says, "hurt." Oh no. And from there on out I changed 6 diapers of diarrhea today. Yay for mommy! On the plus side, he had a bath and a shower so the top half of him smelled yummy : ) Here's to a new day, a new week & new blog topics!

Who wouldda thunk?

Favorite quote from today's church service.

"Using Mastercard won't send 'ya to hell, it's just biblically stupid."

Dave Ramsey

Who would have ever thought you would hear those words in one sentence . . . and at church of all places?!