I LOVE SUNDAYS!!!

Ok, there is really nothing better to me than a great Sunday at home.  Why, you may ask?  Well, here are the reasons:

1) It is a cloudy, cool and slightly rainy Fall day here.  I LOVE these kind of days.  (And because of the rain, no yard work or outdoor chores to do!  Yippee!)

2) The aroma of my house is of the freshly baked Apple Crisp below.  Warm, appley, cinnamony.  Pure heaven.

3) CT is helping with the laundry (and that is always a good thing).

4) The BEARS are playing the PACKERS.  Kick-off is at 3:15 p.m.  So I have to watch an Indiana Jones movies until the game starts.  That's ok.  It makes CT happy, and THAT makes me happy.

5) Speaking of the Bears, I am wearing my birthday present that CT gave me last week.  CT found a lovely pair of earrings at the local jeweler. 

For you non-football fans, the "C" design in the earring is one of the logos for the Chicago Bears.  What a great gift! 

 So, those are just a few reason why I love Sundays.  What about you?  Feel free to share anything that you like about your Sundays.

Three Weeks

Hello bloggsters.  Hope all is well with you. 

It has been three weeks since my last post, and three weeks since I started my new job.  What a whirlwind it has been.  The first three weeks have been pretty darn good.  The job is going really well, and I really like the company, the people and the work.  I'm still on this learning curve (which I hate), but every day it gets just a little easier.  And there was even a three-day business trip to Washington D.C. thrown in during week #2.   (Thank goodness it was pre- East Coast earthquake and hurricane!)  Yes, I'm definitely back into the swing of working full-time again.

So last night I was thinking about the pros and cons of me working again.  I thought I'd share the list:

PROS:

1) THE "ON" BUTTON.  The "pause" button that has been on our life (CT and me, that is) has been turned off.  The "on" button is, well, back ON.  Without me working, we put a lot of things on "hold" because of the unknowns of our future.  So now that the "pause" is released, our dream of retiring early is back on!  We hope to retire early and find a nice little condo in Arizona where we can spend the winter months.  We will never leave Chicago permanently, but we will run like the devils before the harsh Chicago winters coming barreling in.

2) A PURPOSE.  I have that feeling back again that I have some purpose in my life (other than cooking, cleaning, errands, etc.)  I missed that feeling terribly.  It is really a good feeling.

3) A PAY CHECK.  Friday was my first pay day.  WAHOOOOO!!!!  I can't even begin to tell you how great it felt to have a pay check and contribute to our family finances.  I had a lot of guilt about not having a salary to help support our family.  Fortunately (or unfortunately) for me, CT is the kind of guy that doesn't worry a whole lot about money.  It just isn't too important to him.  When I was unemployed, I was always concerned about cash flow.  I was always reminding CT about "wants" vs. "needs".  If CT and I were out shopping and I saw something for myself (like a scrapbook item, a piece of jewelry or clothing item, or a decor for the house, CT would always say, "If you want it, just buy it."  And I would reply, "Nope.  Cash flow.  Maybe next month."  Or I would say, "Nope.  It is a want vs. a need.  And I don't need it."  So, now that I can make a financial contribution, that guilt is starting to leave me.  Heck, we were out yesterday, and I ALMOST bought myself a Kelly Rae Roberts piece of art.  I'm still pondering that purchase... it is definitely a "want" here, not a "need".  But I just might go make that purchase today!

3) THE PROJECTS.  CT and I are talking about some BIG projects we want to tackle -- like some additional landscaping in the backyard and finishing the basement.  Our basement is HUGE, and we will have enough room for his man cave (he's talking about a 70-inch flat screen TV, big time surround sound system, etc.) a separate bedroom, a separate storage room, a full bathroom, and of course, a specially designed room for the Scrapbook Cellar.  Maybe next year.

4) A NEW CAR.  Maybe... in the spring.

Now, the CONS:

1) WEEKEND CROWDS.  So, I got very used to do all my errands during the week.  Stores are so much less crowded.  Now, I cram in all those errands into Saturdays, and it sucks.  The stores were NUTS yesterday.  How I miss my quiet weekdays.

2) TIME.  I had so much time on my hands before.  Time to plan and prepare good, healthy dinners.  Time to watch TV (not that I was a big TV watcher before, but there are a couple of regular shows that I watched, and now, they are justing sitting in the DVR waiting to be viewed. About 12 different episodes of a variety of shows.)  Time to chat on the phone with friends.  Time to bake cookies.  Time to read and comment on blogs.  Time to workout 5 days a week.  Now, time is a premium for me. 

3)  KATIE AND ELLA.  This is, by FAR, the hardest part for me.  Bar none.

(Pardon the photo above -- it was taken late last night, and as you can see, we were all exhausted!)  I no longer have my Katie and Ella days during the week.  I got really used to seeing the girls at least a couple of times during the week, either with full days of babysitting or maybe just a few hours here or there.  Now that is gone.  When I told Katie I was going back to work, she said, "Well, Auntie, I am NOT happy about that!"  And Ellie, well I'm not sure she gets it yet.  We had such a good schedule when Ella was a school, and she knew that I picked her up at school once a week, and she would spend the rest of her day with me.  There were even a couple of times this past summer when I was leaving Leanne's house, Ellie would say to me, "Good-bye Auntie.  Pick me up on Tuesday!"  It will be interesting to see what happens this fall when Ellie goes back to school.

So, with all that said, I am so very happy, and SO VERY GRATEFUL to be back at work.  I hope the next three week, three months, three years, are as good as the last three. 

A New Day... A New Beginning

Tomorrow, August 8th, is a new day and a new beginning for me.

• New outfit (professional attire - blazer, top, slacks) purchased.  Check.
• New "work" bag/briefcase purchased.  Check.
• Accessories (earrings, necklace, watch) selected and on the dresser.  Check.
• Haircut.  Check.  Nails done.  Check.
• Additional work-related items (minor office supplies, office radio/CD player, old-fashioned hard copy dictionary and thesaurus, coffee cup, and candy jar with fresh new candy) packed.  Check.  (No personal photos yet -- too soon.)

Tomorrow is my first day back to work.  I have been looking for a job for so long that frankly, I've forgotten what it is like to NOT look for a job day in and day out.  But it finally happened.  After a lot of hard work and a LOT of interviews, I landed a great new job with a great company.  I do believe it is a great fit for me and for them.  Yes, tomorrow I am an official working gal.   I have been a little nervous all week about starting this new job, but today, I am so very excited.  Excited about this fresh new start and great opportunity.

Here's to new days and new beginnings!  Cheers!

It's Half Over

Hello everyone out there in Blogland.  I've been away way too long, and am slowing getting back into reading blogs, leaving comments, and actually writing a new post.  I've got a great topic for a new post. 

Like some of you are already aware, it is half over.  Summer.  Half over.  Yup.  Gone.  Faster than a blink of an eye.  Here are some of the reasons that validate (for me, anyway) why Summer is half over:

1) Fall colors are slowly appearing stores.  My favorite craft store, Michael's, has all their fall colors and products on display now.  As soon as you walk into the store, you are hit with a sea of yellows, reds, oranges, and browns.  Unbelievable.  I haven't even taken down my reds, whites and blues from 4th of July!   

2) CT cashed in his coins.  Yes, CT went to the bank this afternoon to cash in his coins.  Here are the "before" photos:

You are probably wondering why this is a sign that summer is half over.  Well, to refresh your memory, check out one of my previous posts.

So, CT had to cash in his coins today for a VERY important day tomorrow:  Hallmark's 2011 Holiday Ornament Premiere Weekend.  CT already placed his order with our local Hallmark store for SEVEN new Star Wars and Star Trek ornaments.  The ladies at Hallmark even called CT during the week to let him know that his ornament order is ready for pick-up tomorrow.  The Hallmark store opens at 8 a.m., and WE WILL BE THERE at exactly 8 a.m. to pick up said order (because, you never know if someone gets to the store at exactly 8 a.m. too, and picks up the wrong ornament order and gets CT's ornaments instead of their own.  Heavens no!!!!  The world will surely end if that happens!!!)  Anyway, the coin result: $195.21.  The amount need for this year's purchase:  $187.62.  Hot dog!  Maybe I need to talk CT into taking me out for breakfast FIRST since he has some money left over.

3) All summer clothes are now on sale.  Inventory is still pretty good and you can find some great deals out there.

4) Back-to-school sales are starting.  I do love a good back-to-school sale, even though we don't have any kids for which to buy school supplies.  There is something about "bouquets of sharpened pencils" (ok, name that movie if you know this quote) that I just love.  One of the things I miss when I was employed is that my former company used to have a school supply drive every year (run by none other than my good friend and former colleague, PK).  Employees donated bags and bags of newly purchased school supplies, to which we then donated to a needy and much less fortunate school.  I loved shopping for these supplies, finding great deals and buying in bulk, but more importantly, knowing that a new pencil, note book, folder, marker, crayon, etc, might put a smile on a student's face (who otherwise, would not have brand new supplies for the beginning of the school year.)  I think I need to look at donating supplies on my own now.

5) I'm getting really tired of watering my flowers.  A sure sign of that Summer is half over.  Now that very hot, humid weather is here (we're talking high 90's here in Chicago for the next week), I really do NOT enjoy going outside to water all my flowers and plants.  After an hour, I am wilted! 

So, there are just a few reasons why Summer is half over.  Feel free to share any of your reasons on why the Summer season is half over, but do it soon, because it will be Fall before we know it!

"Can I Tell You What?"

A famous question that is used quite often is, "Guess what?"  This question is really more of a rhetorical question, used when you have something you want to tell someone but really don't expect the person to actually make a GUESS as to what you want to say.  The usual reply to this question is, "What?" 

Well, Katie (my niece) has put a new twist on this question, and every time she says it, it makes me smile.  Her question is, "Can I tell you What?"  She then waits for my reply (which is always, "Yes, honey, tell me what,")  before she proceeds to share her latest thoughts, trials and tribulations, and overall funny things that happen in her life.  Isn't this really a better question to ask than, "Guess what?" 


Me and Katie at Disney


So, given the fact that I haven't written a post in almost a month, I thought I'd borrow Katie's question, "Can I tell you What?" and tell you a few of my WHATS.

• CT and I just returned from a really great trip to Disney World (with Leanne & Co.)   Ok, so we went to Disney last September.  But we REALLY REALLY REALLY needed this get-away, and given the fact that there was a "STAR WARS" weekend at Hollywood Studios, well heck, there was no way CT was going to miss that event.
• I've been slightly encouraged about my job prospectives over the last couple of months.  More responses to my resume AND actual interviews.  I haven't landed anything yet, but I still have interviews in the works.  I MUST REMAIN POSITIVE that something will happen.  Now, if I only didn't watch the news last night, and watch the markets tank this week as a result of some poor reports that were way below analysts' expectations.  Oh yeah, and the job market is going in the wrong direction (again).  Depressing.  BUT I MUST REMAIN POSITIVE. 
• I've been praying for two of my BFFs who have been battling some very serious health challenges (hey PK - do you like how I used the word "challenge" not "problem"?)  While they are both on the road to recovery from their most recent "challenge", prayers are still needed.  Prayers will always be needed...) 
• Summer seems to be in full swing here in Chicago.  Humid and muggy today.  I have no idea what happened to spring, but I was happy to return from Disney to the wonderful scent of my Lilac bushes in full-bloom.  Did you ever stop and just REALLY smell the flowers?  Lilacs are the best.  Truly.
• CT is on another backyard mission.  Apparently, bunny rabbits have been spotted frolicking to-and-fro in our backyard, and CT is afraid they are going to eat our flowers and landscaping.  This morning, I found one such bunny sitting beneath the patio table.  As I looked outside from our patio door, I yelled out to CT, "Hey, there's a bunny on the patio."  CT immediately ran out the patio door, in an attempt to chase the bunny away.  (Really.)  Both CT and the bunny ran to the left (and out of my view).  30 seconds later, along comes said Bunny, now running in the opposite direction.  10 seconds later, CT follows said Bunny.  It was priceless and I wish I had a video camera on hand.

Of course, I have a gazillion more WHATS, but I thought I'd share just a few.  Feel free to share any of your WHATS.  

  

 

 

 

 

"Auntie's Day?"

When I picked up Ella from school last Thursday, she came out holding a wrapped Mother's Day gift for Mommy (aka, Leanne).  Ella was most excited about the gift and said, "Oh Auntie, we have to open it!"  While Ella understood that the gift was for Mommy, for the life of her she couldn't remember the exact gift.

Ella then said, "Ok, here is the plan -- we can just open it to see, and then you can wrap it up again."  So, when we got home, we proceeded to very carefully open the gift, take a quick peak, to which Ella exclaimed, "Oh yeah!  I made that!"  (It was a small baby-food glass jar hand-painted by Ella, with small candle inside.)  As we sat at my kitchen table re-wrapping the gift, Ella and I had the most interesting conversation.  It went like this:

Ella:   So Auntie, this is for Mommy for Mother's Day.

Me:  Yes, honey.  Mommy will love it.

Ella:  And you know, there is a Father's Day too.

Me:  Yes, there is.

Ella:  So, when is Auntie's Day?

Me:  What?

Ella:  When is Auntie's Day?  There is Mother's Day and Father's Day.  When is Auntie's Day?

Me:  (Not quite sure how to answer this one, because I don't think there is a Hallmark Holiday for Auntie's.  So, I had to think quick.)  Well, Auntie's Day is on my birthday.  That is when we celebrate Auntie's Day.

Ella gave me a doubtful look that said she wasn't quite sure she was buying the answer I just gave her, but she then replied, "Ok."

 I was so touched that Ella, at age 4, would be thinking about an "Auntie's Day" for me.  I tell Leanne time and time again that both Ella and Katie have such good hearts, and that they ALWAYS think of others first.

Fast-forward to yesterday.  While at Leanne's celebrating Katie's First Holy Communion, we also had a mini-Mother's Day party.  I received a gift below, from Katie and Ella, with the greatest little note:

A Mother's Day Note from Katie & Ella: 
"Thank you for being our Mommy when Mommy can't be there!  We love you!"

It appears that Ella was right to doubt that "Auntie's Day" is celebrated on my birthday.  You see, in our family, "Auntie's Day" is also celebrated on Mother's Day.


Katie, Me, and Ella


So, to all the Mommies, Grandmas, AND Aunties everywhere -- HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!!

Spring Has Sprung!

Well, Spring is FINALLY here.  April was a very rainy month here in the Chicago area, but today we have sunny, blue skies and 65 degree temps.  In honor of spring, I thought I'd share some of our spring photos.

CT filling up his bird feeders for the first time this season.



A backyard project underway.



Phil Guy and CT putting together our new patio set.



Pretty purple flowers, but I forgot the name of this one!



CT still working on his bird feeders.

And a completed feeder!

Tulips.  Gotta love tulips.



Our Robin's nest.  We think the eggs have already hatched, but Momma Robin won't let us get close enough to check it out.


So, that is just a small sample of our spring.  Hope your spring has sprung too!

P.S.  Also in honor of spring, I have a new header for my blog, created by the world famous Leanne (my sister and author of From Chaos Comes Happiness.)  Now that you've seen the spring pictures, you can certainly appreciate the header.  Sis - you nailed this one completely!  It is SOOOOOOOO me and CT!  Thanks!

Sharing the Good

Did you ever come across a product that was so good you just had to share it with anyone who would listen (or in my case, anyone willing to read it)?  Well, I came across one tonight and while I am not receiving any kind of monetary reward from the company for endorsing this product, I just have to share it... it is a cooking product.

First, let me say that while I CAN cook, and at times, I can be a REALLY GOOD cook, I just prefer not to cook.  Unfortunately (in my case), I do cook, and I cook more often that I'd like too.  Why?  Because CT LOVES to take leftovers to work for lunch, and frankly, our dinner leftovers are much healthier and less expensive than any kind of lunch he would find in downtown Chicago.  I appreciate that one on both counts.

So, tonight was Salmon (it is Good Friday for us Cat'lics, after all).  There are a gazillion ways to prepare Salmon.  I do love Salmon on the grill with a little lemon and seasoning, but given the very cool temperatures with rain and thunderstorms all day today, grilling outside was not going to happen.  (Now that I think about it, we haven't even broken out the grill for the season!)  So, I turned to the next best thing:  McCormick's Recipe Inspirations. 

Have you seen these in the grocery store?  They are FABU!  These nifty little items provide you with the exact measurements of seasonings (for one dish), along with a few basic items you have a home, and turn a simple item (like Salmon) into a fancy restaurant-style dish just full of flavor.  More importantly, for me, a dish that is 'EASY-PEASY-LEMON-SQUEEZY" to make. (Ok, so I just used Ella's favorite quote to describe something that is easy.)  And, you don't have to spend a lot of money on full bottles of spices that you may only use once (particularly if you find out that you don't like the spice or the dish.) 

So, this particular McCormick's Recipe Inspiration kit called for 1/3 cup of honey and 2 tbls. of soy sauce (low sodium for us) along with the individual seasoning packets of sesame seeds, minced garlic, minced onion, ground ginger, and red pepper flake (which I only used 1/2 -- I don't care for a lot of spicy red pepper flake in my dishes.)  And Salmon, of course.  When mixed together, the result is a lovely glaze for the Salmon.  After baking at 375 for 20 minutes, well, the Salmon just melted like "buttah".  I threw together some frozen veggies and McCain's "Purely Potatoes" (which are nothing more than small golden potatoes - no seasoning, no extra fat - that come in a steamable/microwaveable bag), and voila - dinner was served!

I know that CT likes a dinner when he says, "Yep, this one is a keeper."  Tonight, I received such comment.  

McCormick's also makes a great Garlic Lime Chicken Fajitas kit and a Rosemary Roasted Chicken and Potato kit.  I love them both.  I haven't yet tried Apple & Sage Pork Chops or the Spanish Chicken Skillet, but those are next.

So, if you're looking for something easy to make for dinner, I recommend you try one of McCormick's Recipe Inspiration kits.  Bon Appetit!

 



Getting In Shape for Spring

This past week, we had one beautiful spring day here in the Chicago area.  I think temps were in the 60's, and there was a light breeze.  This presented a great opportunity to survey my landscaping, see what's starting to pop up and perhaps what might need some additional TLC this season (or even replacement).  While I walked around my property I decided that I might as well grab my garden gloves, my picker thingy, and my garden bucket and start the spring clean-up.  You know the kind --  the picking-up of remaining leaves, twigs, and branches from fall, and yes, even pulling those nasty new weeds that are sprouting up faster than my flowers.

After an hour or so, I called it quits.  Quite happy with my progress I made, I had two full buckets of clean-up to be tossed.  The next morning, I awoke with a happy surprise -- my legs were not sore!

I don't know about you, but in the past, anytime I've done extensive yard work, the next morning I could feel it in my legs.  You know the kind - sore muscles from the constant up and down of bending/crouching, etc.  But this time, no soreness.  I attribute this pain-free experience to my recently changed workout activity.  For those few of you who know me personally, you know that I've been I have really been trying to focus more on healthy eating and all the great stuff that goes along with that.  In addition, I've been "upping the ante" on my workout schedule and routine (longer workouts with increased resistance.) 
 

 
I am happy to say that the change in my workouts have paid off.  There's still much yard work to be done for spring, and then, of course, the ongoing yard work until the end of fall.  In the meantime, I'll continue my new workout plan.  Eventually, both me and my yard will be in great shape!






     

Am I an "Old F-A-R-T"?

As it has been a couple of weeks (again) since I have written my last post, I am sorry that my topic is probably more negative than it should be.  But there is something that just really bothers me and compells me to write about it.  Here it is.

Over the last three or four weeks, every time CT and I have gone grocery shopping to our local Jewel Food Store, we have been approached by various groups seeking donations.  These groups stand in front of the entrance doors to the grocery store with donation buckets in hand.  There is really no way to avoid them, because you have to practically walk THROUGH them to get in to the store.  The groups are comprised of school children with their parents, asking for "donations".  The donations are for their sporting teams.  Yes, extra-curricular activities that these kids and their parents volunteer to join and participate.  One week it was, "Would you like to donate to our hockey club?"  The next week it was, "Would you like to donate to our softball team?", etc. etc. etc.  Each time I politely reply, "No, thank you."  This has gone on for weeks on end, and quite frankly, it just frustrates me.

First, I understand that times are tough for EVERYONE.  I am still unemployed, and have been looking for a job for longer than I ever thought imaginable.  Second, while I pay taxes which support local schools (and I don't have children which receive the benefits of such taxes), I understand that the schools struggle just as much as the next person.  Third, I have nieces that I support through their various school fundraisers -- you know the kind, gift wraps and greeting cards, cookies or food items, general donations, etc.  When I get the call from Katie or Ella and they say, "Hey Auntie, we're doing this at school, can you help out?"  I always say "Yes!  Of course!"   Fourth, I'm the one who says to CT, as we're determining how much tip to leave the wait staff/waiter/waitress, at a restaurant, "Oh, honey, leave another dollar or two.  The service was good, and you know, the waiter is a struggling _______ (I insert the most appropriate phrase that I  image fits our wait person... single parent, college student, etc.)  And then CT leaves AT LEAST a 20% tip if not more.

But I have to draw the line when it comes to complete strangers who approach me as I'm trying to walk into my local grocery store, coupons in hand trying to figure out if I can save any money that week, asking me to support the extra curricular activies of their children who I do not know.

Is this wrong of me to feel this way?  Have I turned in to a crotchety old-fart?  (Heck, I'm only 47, so I don't consider myself to be a crotchety old fart yet!)  Or is it ok for me to expect to walk in peacefully to a grocery store to buy my groceries without being approached by kids and their parents asking me to pay for their kids sporting teams... for kids that I do not know, and sporting teams that I have no interest in watching as a spectator?

Please let me know -- am I an old fart or do I raise a good point?  Tell me what you think - I can handle it!

A Broken Heart

(Yes, I've been away from my blog for quite a while now... I find it hard to keep the blog going when I don't have a lot to say or, when I know that some of the things I'd like to say are better left unsaid!  Anyway, I'm back and I'll try to get caught up in my own blog and blog reading of my fellow bloggers.)

Last weekend, something very tragic happened.  Ok, well, maybe "tragic" is an overkill, but nonetheless, it has gotten me so upset that I can't stop talking about it (but it did give me an opportunity to write a post about it.)  So, here's the story.

Last Saturday, I was making chocolate chip cookies to bring over to my friend's house.  As I gathered all my ingredients and utensils, I opened the kitchen drawer to retrieve my favorite spatula (or as we call it, the "pancake-turner".)  I have a couple of kitchen drawers full of utensils, so I was not surprised that the pancake-turner was not located in the top drawer where I normally keep it.  (In CT's "helpfulness" to empty the dishwasher, he just puts things anywhere he can fit them, regardless of how the cabinets are organized.) 

When I could not find the pancake-turner in the first drawer, I immediately began searching for it in the next utensil drawer.  Then the next.  Nothing.  Slowly, panic started to set in.  I yelled out to CT, "Hey - I can't find my pancake turner!"  CT replied, "What do you mean, you can't find your pancake-turner?"  I shouted back, "I can't find it!  It's not in the drawers!"  CT proceeded to help me go through not only all the cabinet drawers, but also all the cabinets themselves.  Nothing.   After 15 minutes of searching, I proclaimed, "It's gone.  I can't believe it's gone.  It was my favorite, and now it's gone."  And my heart just broke.  (Ok, I'm being a little dramatic, I know.)

Why was it my favorite?  First of all, it was the pancake turner that I had in college when my roommate and I moved out of the dorm and into an actual apartment for our senior year.  I remember that my grandma, Josephine, helped me buy kitchen items that I needed for the apartment and since we were both on VERY limited budgets, the items we purchased were from dollar racks at discount stores.  I believe the pancake-turner was one of those items.   Second, my pancake-turner was old and run-down, but worked like a charm.  It slid beautifully under any item I was cooking or baking.  It could run circles around those fancy, $50-stainless steel spatulas.  My pancake-turner looked very similar to the photo below, except mine was brown, with a brown wooden handle.

Google image search found at spreadshirt.com

How could my favorite pancake-turner just disappear?  Do we have ghosts in this house?   Since it is only CT and me in this house, I know for a fact that CT wasn't using the pancake turner.  Katie and Ella?  Nope, they never play with my kitchen utensils.  The only explanation I can come up with is that I went on "automatic pilot" mode.   

Automatic pilot mode happens to me ever so often -- I just do something so automatic that I don't even have to think about it and then when I try to recall doing the task, I just can't remember doing it.  A perfect example is closing the garage door.  I pull the car out of the garage and stop to close the garage door and put on my seatbelt before driving away.  How many times have I gotten to the end of our subdivision only to ask myself, "Did I close the garage door?"  Then I circle around the block and back to my house only to find the garage door, of course, is closed.       

Have you ever done that?  Gone on automatic-pilot mode and not remember doing something?  Well, that is the only explanation I have for the missing pancake-turner.  That, and I was just completely absent-minded.  Perhaps, while cleaning the kitchen and dishes, I absent-mindedly threw the pancake-turner in the garbage can instead of placing it in the dishwasher.   CT even tried to go through the garbage bags to see if he could find it.  Nothing.  It is just gone.  Gone.  Forever.  CT said, "Hon, it's ok, just buy another one."  But it's not the same.  It never will be the same.  Some things can't be replaced.

Now, I realize in the overall scheme of things, this means nothing.  Small potatoes.  Absolutely nothing.  I mean, it is a fricken pancake-turner.  Still, I imagined that this pancake-turner would be with me forever.  Just like I imagine the people in my life will be with me forever.  But the pancake-turner is gone and eventually, so will the people in my life.  And when that happens, my heart will break again too.

Me & Ella

It's just me and Ella (my niece) on Thursdays.  Every Thursday, I pick up Ella from pre-school, and we head back to my house for some juice (Ella's beverage of choice), Tom & Jerry (Ellie's favorite cartoon), lunch, a few games and craft projects, etc.  Later then, we go back to her house to get sister Katie off the school bus before Mommy (aka, Leanne) gets home from work.

Last week, I had a interesting conversation with Ella on our way back to her house.  The conversation came completely out of the blue... here it is:

Ella:  Auntie, I have the best boyfriend in the whole world.

Me:  You do?  Who is your boyfriend?

Ella:  Michael.  But don't tell Katie.  He is the best boyfriend in the whole world.  (Side comment: Michael is a boy in Ella's pre-school class.)

Me:  Really?  Why is Michael the best boyfriend in the whole world?

Ella:  Because he looks at me all the time.

Me:   He does?

Ella:  Yes.  But he doesn't kiss me.

Me:  He doesn't kiss you?

Ella:  NOOOOO!  That would be gross!

Ella.  Age 4.  Gotta love it.

Lost... and Found?

I'm lost... so completely lost.  Or I'm losing it.  I think.

You see, yesterday we had another gathering of the Scrapbook Cellar Chicks.  (Check out this post for a refresher on Scrapbook Cellar Chicks.)  It was a great Saturday - we started early, finished late.  We laughed, cried a little, and did the "catch-up" on what's new in all our lives.  CT not only did a lunch run for us, but then later in the afternoon, Peggy begged CT for a Starbucks run, and since CT is such a GREAT GREAT GREAT guy, he went to Starbucks for the girls.

Anyway, I started with a clean table.  My intent was to start the album for our Disney trip we took last September.  I took out all the photos, the new album, and special Disney supplies I've purchased over the last couple of months.  Well, four hours later, I only managed to finish one very simple and quite pathetic looking page.  Here it is:

Meanwhile, Peggy, Leanne and Cindi worked diligently on all their projects.  Peggy even managed to finish 10 pages!!  Check out her blog for the results.   At one point yesterday, I just hopped on the computer and started reading out loud various posts from our blog buddies.  Well, at least we all got caught up with some of our mutually favorite blogs!

Then, something happened.  This morning, as CT helped me clean up the Scrapbook Cellar, I said to him, "Hey Hon, I need about 30 minutes down here."  CT, of course, said, "No problem.  I'll watch a little TV down here while you work on your scrapbook."

After only 30 minutes, I managed to crank out two pages for the Disney album.  Here they are:

So, yesterday, I thought I was lost.  I accomplish one page in 8 hours.  Today, I managed to create two pages in 30 minutes.  Yesterday, I was creatively lost... today, I'm not so sure.

Tomorrow, CT is off from work.  Before we go workout at the health club, I hope to get downstairs to the Cellar to see if I am still creatively lost, or if I am back on my way to some good, old fashioned, creative scrapbooking.  I'll let you know.  

In the meantime, I'm curious... have you ever been creatively (or otherwise) lost?  What do you do to find your way?

Our World of Beeps

Did you ever notice how our world is full of beeps?  "Beeps" as in beeping sounds.  I remember when we first moved into our house, CT and I had to get used to a lot of new beeping sounds.  While we expected some of the beeps, others came as a complete surpise and we would look at each other and yell, "What's that beeping?!?"   While there are some beeps that I am OK with, others I find so annoying.  Here are some of the recent beeps in my life...

Good beep - Our coffee pot.  I love the sound of the coffee pot beeping to tell me that my morning coffee has just finished brewing.  It's like it is softly saying to me, "Come and get me, I'm done."  

Bad beep - Cell phones.  Someone's cell phone beeping to let them know that they missed a call and/or have voicemail to be picked up.  Annoying - especially in a restaurant.

Good beep/Bad beep - The smoke detectors.  Yes, I appreciate the fact that the unit will beep when the back-up battery needs to be replaced (if we missed the semi-annual changing-of-the-batteries.)  But why oh why does it have to beep at 2 a.m.?  Then you have to walk around the house in the middle of the night trying to figure out which one is beeping.

Bad beep - The sump pump back-up battery in the basement.  Anytime this thing beeps, it isn't good and I cringed as I go downstairs to investigate the beep.  We got one of those bad beeps over the weekend, which resulted in an unplanned $150 expense (had to buy a new battery.)  Well, I guess buying a new battery is cheaper than having a flooded basement.

Good beep - The oven timer (when the oven is filled with chocolate chip cookies.)  CT tried to be very helpful this past weekend as I experimented with a "healthy" version of a mini chocolate chip cookie.  When the oven timer went off (signaling that the cookies were done,) CT said, "I'll get those out of the oven."  But then, the oven kept beeping... and beeping... and beeping.  I shouted out to him, "Turn off the timer!"  Beep.  Beep.  Beep.  Beep.  Beep.  Beep.  I don't think CT even knew how to turn off the oven timer.  Finally, the timer was silenced and the smell of fresh baked cookies just filled the kitchen.

Good beep/Bad beep - Trucks backing up.  Specifically, snow plow trucks.  I don't mind hearing the sound of the snow plow truck beeping, because I know that the truck is turning around to do another sweep of our street.  But wait a minute -- that means that our driveway, the one that took us more than 30 minutes clear, is now filled with snow again (well, at least the end of the driveway).  I guess I'd rather have a cleaned street, though.

So those were just a few beeps that I've come across in the last week or so.  All pretty normal based on today's standards, and I guess all pretty tolerable.  Feel free to share the beeps in your life.


Google image search found at crazeclub.com

A Katie Tradition

The holidays are full of family traditions and Katie and I have our very own tradition.  Every year, we go Christmas shopping for presents for Mommy (aka, Leanne), Daddy (aka, Phil Guy) and Sissy (aka, Ella).  Here's how it works:  we go to our local Target or Walmart and Katie makes ALL shopping decisions (of course with some financial boundaries.)  Then, we come back to my house while Katie wraps her gifts before returning to Katie's home to carefully place the wrapped presents under the Christmas Tree.

Katie and I started this tradition when she was three years old.  That first year, we walked around Target for more than an hour before Katie selected the PERFECT white ornament with long white feathers for Daddy (because, according to Katie, "It is SOOOOOO pretty and Daddy will love it!!").  For Mommy that year, Katie selected a really, really, really long pair of earrings that hung down past Leanne's shoulders.  Again, Katie thought they were the most beautiful pair of earrings that would be absolutely perfect for Mommy.  No gift for Ella that year because Ella had not yet joined us in this world.

This year, we upgraded our store to Kohl's and headed out for three perfect gifts.  As Katie gets older, she is more confident in her decisions and, within an hour, we were out of the store with six gifts in hand (two gifts per person), and back at my house wrapping. 

 
I love this tradition with Katie and the time that just the two of us spend together.  And I hope that we keep this tradition for years and year to come - even when she is older, has money of her own, and is driving ME to the store instead!     

An Education

In a recent conversation with a very good friend, we discussed our futures, our careers, and the lack of job prospects.  I contemplated with him whether I should return to school for a certification, not really sure whether that would increase my chances of landing a job.  Bill wisely said, "Education is never a bad thing."

So, I've been thinking a lot about that statement (and will probably write more about it later) and while I still haven't made any decisions yet about returning to school, I have begun a continuing education "course" if you will, from my personal instructor, CT.  Yes, CT is educating me on... wait for it.... here goes... using the SNOW BLOWER! 

What can I say, I am a wimp when it comes to machines (like the lawn mower, the leaf blower, the snow blower, etc.) that I know absolutely nothing about, nor do I care to know anything about them.  It's not like I don't have the intelligence to learn how to use these machines (I'm a college-educated woman after all!), it just that I do not have any INTEREST.  Heck, I figured that CT's job.  Since CT doesn't have any interest in learning how to turn on the stove (to cook), then I see no reason why I should learn how to operate the snow blower.  But then, the guilt sets in.  After all, CT works all day long and I am at home.  The least I can do is keep the driveway and sidewalk free from snow so CT doesn't have to do it when he comes home, right?

This morning was a perfect morning for another lesson (my second lesson) on using the snow blower.  About four inches of snow fell overnight, so the driveway had to be cleared.  First, CT shows me how it is done like a pro.  Here he is:

And here:

And here (trying to be funny by throwing snow at me on his already cleared part)

As I mentioned, today was my second lesson.  The first snow blowing lesson was not-so-good.  At the first lesson, I took hold of the two handle-thingies and pressed the grips down tightly (as CT showed me), and all of a sudden, the fricken machine had a mind of its own, and took off pulling me down the driveway!  I could barely stay on my feet as I shouted out "WHOA!!! WHOA!!!! " like I was riding a horse!  I thought for sure I was going to fall on my a _ _ and mess up my one good knee.  Needless to say, it was not a pretty sight. 

Today's lesson went much better.  Here I am, and you can see the look of joy on my face, because I was so thrilled to be using the snow blower (not really). 

So I made it down the driveway, just once, and then I hit the curb at the end of the driveway and yelled for CT to take over.  Yup, I was finished with my second lesson.  I think the third lesson plan will be to learn how to turn the snow blower around in order to come back UP the driveway after making it down to the end of the driveway.  The fourth lesson will be to learn how to START the machine (can't be too difficult, it has an electronic push button start, and I can push a button, right?)  Fifth lesson:  filling the machine with gasoline.  Then hopefully I will graduate from CT's Snow Blowing School.       

  

Well, even though I'm not particularly thrilled to be using the snow blower, I do believe that education is never a bad thing.  Now, about going back to school....

December Daily

While I can't say that I am a artsy/craftsy type person, I do enjoy scrapbooking.  And thanks to the Cellar Chicks, I've been encouraged to work on a December Daily album this year.  What exactly is a December Daily album, you ask?

Starting today, and then every day until Christmas Day, I will take photos of something for that particular day.  The photos can of anything - Christmas-related or not, something unusual or something routine that I am doing that particular day.  It doesn't matter.  Ultimately the photos, along with my written notes/stories of that day, will be placed in the album.  In the end, I will have documented my day-to-day life during the month of December, in the year of 2010.   Here is the start of my album.

It is only December 1st, and I am already finding this project challenging.  Here are the empty pages for December 1st and December 25 (with lots of empty pages in between) that I will eventually fill. 

I've got a list of things to do today, and frankly, they are all too boring and mundane to photograph and write about.  I mean, do I really want to capture my on-going job search as I sit at the computer applying for what few jobs are out there this week?  Not really.  Or should I photograph the cleaning of my closet, which I've been putting off for months now?  Nope.  Oh, how about the cleaning of the bathrooms?  Oh yeah, that's fun, but years from now, I don't want to look back at a bucket full of cleaning supplies sitting next to a toilet.  No way.  But then again, this is my life and my life for today, and this what the project is all about. 

In email exchanges this morning, PK had a good suggestion to try to incorporate Christmas in the photos, even in to the most boring or routine things of the day.  Then Leanne suggested I use my favorite Christmas coffee mug as I sit at the computer working on my job search.  That might work.  Better yet, how 'bout if I wear my Santa's hat while I scrub the toilets?  Now that photo will definitely make me chuckle years from now when I look back at this album.

So, December Daily, here I come.

  

Thanksgiving Week

Thanksgiving week.  Here we are. 

Lots to do this week, as CT and I prepare to host Thanksgiving Dinner for 12 of our immediate family members.  My thoughts of Christmas and all that goes along with that are on hold until Friday, as my focus is on Thanksgiving.  House needs to be cleaned, Thanksgiving linens washed and ironed (I hate the ironing part), tables set, last minute grocery shopping, food prepared, etc., etc., etc.  I've feel like I've turned in to a regular Martha Stewart.  Just yesterday I was surfing the internet finding different ways to fold dinner napkins!  Sheeeesh - HOW PATHETIC!  When did my life change from conference calls, and meetings, and projects, and deadlines, to how to fold a perfect dinner napkin?  Well, if I put any more time into thinking about this one, then I'll get really depressed.  So let's move on.

Without further ado, here is our Thanksgiving menu:

Roasted Turkey with Savory Herb Stuffing and Giblet Gravy
Cranberry Relish with Candied Lemon Zest
Butternut Squash Bisque with Candied Pecans
Mashed Potatoes with Condiment Bar of Sour Cream, Bacon Bits, and Butter
Sweet Potatoes
Green Beans
Baby Carrots in Dill Butter
Deviled Eggs
Potatoe and Whole Wheat Dinner Rolls
Pumpkin Cheesecake
Apple-Cranberry Cobbler
Pumpkin Pie
Chocolate Brownies
Wine (Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and a nice California Red)
Coffee - regular and decaf
Milk (for Katie & Ella)

So, that is our menu.  Very traditional but very yummy.  No Jell-O, though, and now I'm having second thoughts about Jell-O.  You see, we are a Jell-O family and we grew up on Jell-O.  We ALWAYS had some kind of Jell-O mold at every holiday meal or family party.  There is the ribbon jello with six or seven thin layers of different jellos, or the strawberry pretzel jello, or the lime jello with cottage cheese and pineapple (I think), or the ice cream jello.  And at Christmas, it is the white jello decorated with candied red and green cherries to look like pointsettias.  So, my mom called me last week and said, "Are you having a Jell-O?  Do you want me to make a Jell-O?"  My response was, "Nah, I really don't think we need a Jell-O."  So, no Jell-O this year. 

Anyway, we are looking forward to Thanksgiving, where we will gather and reflect and count all our blessings and be truly grateful and thankful for each other, the wonderful feast, and all that we have in this life.  Hope you have a Happy Thanksgiving!    

What Makes Me Smile

It's been a week since my last post.  I really haven't had much to say.   The week hasn't been the best for me...  I went through some unemployment blues and am frustrated about the continued poor job market.  Additionally, I am battling a bad knee and I can't get in to see my doc until Monday.  The knee has forced me to hobble around a bit, and I hate it when my mobility is limited.  I'm just used to being active and going and doing.  Still, I do have so much for which to be thankful and grateful, and I still think I'm one of the luckiest people around.  Yes, I remain really happy.  (Big sigh and deep breath....)  And today I had one thing that really made me smile.  Here it is:


Google Image Search found at thetoyreview.com


Yes, Play-Doh makes me smile.  Why?  Because playing with Play-Doh is one of Ella's favorite activities.  Yesterday, Ella and I broke out 12 new containers of Play-Doh, and because Uncle (aka, CT) was off from work yesterday, he joined us.  Here are my two Play-Doh colleagues:

There is nothing like new Play-Doh to brighten one's day.  Fresh, new, bright colors, and that new Play-Doh scent.  (We tossed out all the old "gray" Play-Doh that Ella has mixed together over the last six months.)  Together, Ella and I make all kinds of amazing things with our Play-Doh, but more importantly, we TALK.  Yesterday, we talked about about mommy, about Katie being in school, about Santa Claus, about daddy, about why Uncle should NOT put too much Play-Doh cheese on his Play-Doh pizza (because we all know what too much cheese does to Uncle), about Ellie's new friend Allison, about my knee hurting.  We talked about our trip to Disney and Ella asked CT, "Uncle, what was your favorite part?"  We sang all the latest songs Ella has learned in pre-school (the "Days Of The Week" song, "When You're Happy and You Know It", and of course, the macaroni song, a cute little song that my mom composed.

What started out to be a not-so-good week actually turned out pretty good, because it ended with a smile -- all because of a little Play-Doh.  Something so simple as Play-Doh... and Ella, of course.  Anyway, I hope you find smiles in some of the simplest things too.

  

Happy Anniversary!

Five years ago today, CT and I got married.

Neither one of us was looking to get married.  We were both young 40-somethings living pretty full, single, happy lives.  I had absolutely no interest in getting married, so I think it came as a complete shock to our families when we got engaged after four months of dating.  12 months later we were married.
 
CT and I had a typical Midwest wedding... church (Catholic), bridesmaids, groomsmen, reception with dinner/dance/drink.  CT looked sooooo handsome in his tux, and I loved my dress (although no veil - PLEEEEZE, I was 42 years old, and as I told my mom at the time, I was too old to be wearing a veil and I would look and feel absolutely STUPID.  My mom thought that all first-time brides should wear veils, including me.  Eventually, though, she came around and agreed with me.)

I don't have very many photos to share, because most of my wedding photos are from the wedding photographer, and I don't own a scanner to scan the photos.  (Now, a scanner would make a GREAT anniversary gift!  Oh Honey.....)  Anyway,  I did the next best thing and called Leanne this morning to see what photos she had from the wedding.  Again, most of what she had were professional photos and no scanner to scan the photos.  She managed to find two photos.  Here's what I got:

1) Our feet.  Actually, the feet belong to me, CT, Katie, Phil Guy and Leanne.  And yes, white gym shoes.  For the record, I did wear a lovely pair of high heels during the ceremony, but I wisely changed into brand new gym shoes after the ceremony.  We took this photo right after the ceremony as we were leaving the church.  It is a classic, classic photo.

2) Me and CT (others cropped out of the photo.)  Not the most flattering photo of me with my neck turned, so I took a picture of the cover of our wedding album... here it is

 
We've had the best five years together, and I've never been happier.  It's so very hard to remember my life pre-CT.  It seems like he's always been part of my life.  CT is truly a good man, with the best heart of anyone I know.  I'm one very lucky gal.  Everyone should have their own CT, and I hope you found yours.  

So, to my beloved CT... Happy Anniversary Honey, I love you!  I hope we have at least 50 more!  Now, about that scanner...