I have been tagged by QTPies7 for a 5 Random Questions Meme. The rules of this meme are to answer the 5 questions posed by QTPies and then make up 5 questions and tag 5 more people. So...here goes.
1. What was it about your spouse that made you decide he/she was the one? My husband's complete and total devotion and love towards me is what made me know he was the one I should marry. I had never experienced anyone who loved me in a romantic way as much as he loved me.
2. What was your favorite pet in your entire life? And why? I have had few pets in my life, but my favorite has to be Macy. She is a Sheltie and is now 15 years old, living with my parents. She is the most loyal and best dog! Even though she is blind and frail now I know she still knows who I am when I visit.
3. What one thing should you give up? (coke, cookies, computer?) I definitely need to give up regular Pepsi. It may be my demise.
4. What is your most embarrassing moment? Ok, at least name an embarrassing moment! I am not one to embarrass too easily. I have done a million embarrassing things. By now they all just roll right off me. One moment which was somewhat embarrassing which comes to mind happened in high school. I was eating lunch in the school cafeteria with a lot of my friends. A few more friends joined us late during lunch time as I was returning from taking my tray to the dish room. When I returned a friend of mine had taken my chair so I grabbed another chair and pulled it up the table. I sat down and the chair immediately broke and I fell through to the ground....in an entire cafeteria full of people...horrible for a 16 year old! :)
5. What is your favorite/most interesting/weirdest job you've ever held? One of my most trying jobs I have had I held the summer between my Freshman and Sophomore years of college. During this time I worked at a Christian camp. I was an assistant cook and the canteen manager. This was one of the most physically demanding and time consuming jobs I had. I worked from 6 a.m. most weeks until 10 p.m. at night with few breaks. As a canteen manager I was in charge of ensuring all the snack items were stocked including refilling the pop machines, emptying trash cans and even cleaning the large maggot infestation out of the trash cans, and then serving rice for dinner...G.R.O.S.S! One of my favorite job related stories happened at camp that summer.
As I said, I often had to start my days very early to ensure breakfast was ready for the 200 campers who were there most weeks. The main walk-in deep freezer was outside the kitchen due to space and we had to walk outside to get to the freezer. One morning I went outside to get the sausage links for breakfast. I opened the door and stepped in toward the back where the sausage links were, I took two steps and then realized that my sandals were stuck to the floor of the deep freezer and I could no longer take any steps (now imagine I am standing with both feet totally separated, as you would when you took two strides toward something). It had rained over night and when I walked outside to get to the deep freezer my sandals got wet and thus stuck to the floor of the freezer. I could not reach the sausage links from where I was standing and I was afraid to put my bare foot on the floor of the freezer for fear that I would stick to it and then be in more trouble so I turned around and jumped to the door of the freezer and went inside and sheepishly told the head cook what happened. First she scolded me for wearing sandals in the kitchen, then went out and removed my sandals from the floor of the freezer and got the sausage links for breakfast. Trust me, I never lived that down for the rest of the summer.
OK, here are the five random questions I have come up with:
1. If you could return to a certain stage in your life, what would it be and why?
2. What is the strangest thing you have ever eaten?
3. What is the longest you have gone without sleep and why?
4. What is one goal or dream you have that few people know about?
5. If you could meet any fictional character who would it be and why?
I tag Jessie at Seriously Though, Becca at The Hatfields, Awesome Mom, Ang at the Toy Box Blew Up, and Jessica at Itty Bitty Bits of Me (I owe ya one!)
Saturday, June 30, 2007
Parade fun!
With the 4th of July coming up there will be several parades around the U.S. celebrating our nation's birthday. We are planning on attending one here in our neck of the woods.
QTPies7 posted pictures this week of a parade in her town which occurred recently. Let me just say that it made me laugh a lot...so go, check it out....and be prepared to laugh!
QTPies7 posted pictures this week of a parade in her town which occurred recently. Let me just say that it made me laugh a lot...so go, check it out....and be prepared to laugh!
Friday, June 29, 2007
Rockin' and Rollin'
My little boy is growing up....and fast!
It was only a year ago that Jake could barely roll over and was still attending physical therapy for his neck torticollis. Now he is running a million miles an hour and never sits down...EVER...and that is no exaggeration!
This past Tuesday was Donnie's birthday and I told Jake we had to sing "Happy Birthday" to daddy. I began to sing the song and Jake immediately joined in. And he really sang, "Hap Birday to dad." That is exactly what it sounded like and he sang every verse...at least saying "Hap Birday." It was simply precious!
I thought it might have been just a fluke thing, but the next morning as he was eating breakfast the local news station played their birthday list for the day and Jake began to sing the song again, without prompting.
Singing is one of Jake's favorite activities. Later on Tuesday evening he was walking around the house moving his arms singing, "dee and why" for "Deep and Wide." He has serenaded me with "Twinkle, Twinkle" and he LOVES to sing, "Little Light of Mine," especially for hide it under a bushel....NO!
It is amazing how intuitive Jake is and how much he loves music. I know he gets that from his daddy because I'm no music connoisseur. However, Daddy can listen to three notes of a song and tell you who sang it, what year, album and some odd fact like, this was when so and so was the drummer and not so and so...all while I am trying to sing what I THINK the lyrics say and not what they actually say.
Maybe I am raising a future Rock Star! Or maybe a great musician. Whatever Jake may become one thing I know is that he'll always be my baby!
It was only a year ago that Jake could barely roll over and was still attending physical therapy for his neck torticollis. Now he is running a million miles an hour and never sits down...EVER...and that is no exaggeration!
This past Tuesday was Donnie's birthday and I told Jake we had to sing "Happy Birthday" to daddy. I began to sing the song and Jake immediately joined in. And he really sang, "Hap Birday to dad." That is exactly what it sounded like and he sang every verse...at least saying "Hap Birday." It was simply precious!
I thought it might have been just a fluke thing, but the next morning as he was eating breakfast the local news station played their birthday list for the day and Jake began to sing the song again, without prompting.
Singing is one of Jake's favorite activities. Later on Tuesday evening he was walking around the house moving his arms singing, "dee and why" for "Deep and Wide." He has serenaded me with "Twinkle, Twinkle" and he LOVES to sing, "Little Light of Mine," especially for hide it under a bushel....NO!
It is amazing how intuitive Jake is and how much he loves music. I know he gets that from his daddy because I'm no music connoisseur. However, Daddy can listen to three notes of a song and tell you who sang it, what year, album and some odd fact like, this was when so and so was the drummer and not so and so...all while I am trying to sing what I THINK the lyrics say and not what they actually say.
Maybe I am raising a future Rock Star! Or maybe a great musician. Whatever Jake may become one thing I know is that he'll always be my baby!
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Countdown to July 5th!
Alright, Alright...I am a reality TV addict. It all started with Survivor when I was in college and it never stopped.
One of my favorite shows to watch starts July 5th!
Big Brother.
I think I like this show so much because hubby is also a fan (he really does not like reality unless it's "Cops" and he makes lots of fun of me for watching "The Hills" or "Little People, Big World").
If you are a fellow Big Brother fan, go check out the I Love Big Brother website. If you don't want spoiler alerts, don't go to the website, but I love spoilers and check it religiously each summer! The site will have clips from the live feed cameras and will also tell you who won challenges, etc. before they air on TV.
If you want to know where I am on the evening July 5th I will be glued to the TV...hopefully it will be a good year!
One of my favorite shows to watch starts July 5th!
Big Brother.
I think I like this show so much because hubby is also a fan (he really does not like reality unless it's "Cops" and he makes lots of fun of me for watching "The Hills" or "Little People, Big World").
If you are a fellow Big Brother fan, go check out the I Love Big Brother website. If you don't want spoiler alerts, don't go to the website, but I love spoilers and check it religiously each summer! The site will have clips from the live feed cameras and will also tell you who won challenges, etc. before they air on TV.
If you want to know where I am on the evening July 5th I will be glued to the TV...hopefully it will be a good year!
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
WFMW -- Saving money at CVS Pharmacy
Keeping in step with my recent WFMW tips on ways to save money , here is one I have newly discovered. If you have a CVS Pharmacy store near you then immediately go sign up for their Extracare Card (you can sign up online for the card and it will come to you in the mail). Here is how I have saved recently at CVS using the Extracare card.
Each week I get the newspaper, clip my coupons and scan the ads. The CVS ad (which can also be found online at their website) will tell you how you can earn Extracare Bucks (ECB) when you purchase certain items. For example, they may show several Proctor and Gamble items and say if you purchase $20 in these items you can get a $10 ECB. The ECBs print out on your receipt after you meet the requirement of what to purchase. You need to keep the receipt to redeem your ECBs (although, I have heard, but have not proven, that you can print out your unused rewards at the website). Also, you can register your card once you get it in the mail on their website (so they can email you specials) and you will get a coupon for $4 off a $20 purchase.
I just started this myself 2 weeks ago. I first had to earn my ECB rewards so I planned out what I was going to purchase in order to earn ECBs. I was able to earn $11 ECB rewards and all for purchasing items I had typically use (I even got Crest toothpaste for free, it was on sale for $1.99, I earned a $1 ECB and I used my $1 off coupon).
The next week I had to go try to find a great deal. Last week CVS has the deal that if you purchased $20 or more in certain Proctor and Gamble items you could earn $10 in ECB points (I have to keep earning the points in order to continue to save money!)
Here is what I purchased last week at CVS:
* 2 - 9 roll packages of Charmin toilet paper on sale for 2/$10
* 2 packages of Duracell batteries on sale for 2/$6
* 5 boxes of Puffs tissues on sale for 5/$5
My total (before tax) was $21
I was able to use a coupon I had, $5 off any purchase $20 or more, plus the $11 in ECB rewards I had earned the week before. This brought the total to $5
I then used 2 Duracell battery coupons of 75 cents off each, bringing the total to $3.50 before taxes.
PLUS I earned $10 in ECBs, which I plan to use this week, so in return CVS really paid ME $6.50 to shop at their store and purchase their items.
Now if that is not a deal, I don't know what is!
Trust me, I have this week's shopping mapped out to get some good CVS deals and earn $9 in ECB dollars.
ECB works for me! (that rhymed!) For more WFMW tips visit Shannon at Rocks in My Dryer.
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Happy Birthday Hubs!
Today is my WONDERFUL hubby's 32nd birthday!
Even though we have had a very eventful few years together with lots of life changes I love growing old with him! :)
He's a fabulous father and he keeps me young at heart, at least as much as my uptight old age lets me!
I mean, how could I NOT love him when he does this?
Even though we have had a very eventful few years together with lots of life changes I love growing old with him! :)
He's a fabulous father and he keeps me young at heart, at least as much as my uptight old age lets me!
I mean, how could I NOT love him when he does this?
HAPPY BIRTHDAY D!
Monday, June 25, 2007
What is this "Go Baby" business?
Jake loves the Go Baby clips that air on Playhouse Disney in between episodes.
When Baby appears on the screen Jake acts like he has just seen his long lost best friend. He jumps up and down, laughs, claps his hands and grins from ear to ear while watching Baby at the farm or catching bubbles.
I will have to try to tape it one day and share it with you all. It is precious.
And annoying.
Annoying because I can not figure out Baby. I mean, he looks real, but also animated. So is Baby a real baby? Does he really laugh at everything? If so, he is the happiest baby I have ever seen!
I may never know the truth behind baby, but I love watching Jake enjoy Baby and his friends...thank goodness it's not an entire 30 minute show, I don't know if I could handle it.
When Baby appears on the screen Jake acts like he has just seen his long lost best friend. He jumps up and down, laughs, claps his hands and grins from ear to ear while watching Baby at the farm or catching bubbles.
I will have to try to tape it one day and share it with you all. It is precious.
And annoying.
Annoying because I can not figure out Baby. I mean, he looks real, but also animated. So is Baby a real baby? Does he really laugh at everything? If so, he is the happiest baby I have ever seen!
I may never know the truth behind baby, but I love watching Jake enjoy Baby and his friends...thank goodness it's not an entire 30 minute show, I don't know if I could handle it.
Saturday, June 23, 2007
Oh I love trash! Everything dirty and dingy and dusty!
What is it about a trash can that is so interesting to a child?
For some reason Little Man has been loving the trash can since we moved. At our last home the trash can was in the laundry room area just off the kitchen and he did not have access to the trash unless we forgot to close the door to the laundry room. Here our laundry room does not have the space needed to put the trash can so it has been sitting in the kitchen with easy access for a curious toddler.
Jake loves the way the lid swings back and forth on the trash can and is very interested in the fact that we put items inside this big contraption.
So much so he likes to find things to put in it himself.
This evening we were preparing to leave and I started looking for my shoes. I found one shoe, but the other was missing. I found it in the trash can. And not only did I find the shoe I knew was missing, but I also found a pair of my flip flops which he had thrown in there.
A few weeks ago when I went to throw something away I found a ball, Tyrone from the Backyardigans, and a book...I guess I am going to have to start surveying my trash before I take it outside to the dumpster.
*Sigh*
I guess I can just add "Dumpster Diving" to my mom resume.
For some reason Little Man has been loving the trash can since we moved. At our last home the trash can was in the laundry room area just off the kitchen and he did not have access to the trash unless we forgot to close the door to the laundry room. Here our laundry room does not have the space needed to put the trash can so it has been sitting in the kitchen with easy access for a curious toddler.
Jake loves the way the lid swings back and forth on the trash can and is very interested in the fact that we put items inside this big contraption.
So much so he likes to find things to put in it himself.
This evening we were preparing to leave and I started looking for my shoes. I found one shoe, but the other was missing. I found it in the trash can. And not only did I find the shoe I knew was missing, but I also found a pair of my flip flops which he had thrown in there.
A few weeks ago when I went to throw something away I found a ball, Tyrone from the Backyardigans, and a book...I guess I am going to have to start surveying my trash before I take it outside to the dumpster.
*Sigh*
I guess I can just add "Dumpster Diving" to my mom resume.
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
WFMW -- Sonic Rodent Away
If you are a regular reader here you know that I have had a small rodent problem in the past week. Saturday, after the official proof of a rodent, we went out and purchased an Ultrasonic Mouse Repeller (I linked to the manufacturer of our brand; however, the website is not working right now, so check back and see if interested and try later!). So far, so good. From what I have read these have mixed reviews; however, my review is that we have had no evidence or sounds of little rodent feet in our home since we put these high pitch sounds boxes! If you have small rodent pets (which if you do, please stay far away from my house with those!) this type of rodent repeller is not for you. Also, I've read that if you have typical indoor house pets (dogs, cat) some may hear this sound as well and if you believe you have sensitive hearing, these may not be good for you. We have not heard any sounds ourselves; however, I have read that some humans have been able to hear the sound the Ultrasonic Mouse Repeller emits.
However, if you are a big chicken when it comes to uninvited rodents (like we are) then this is a great solution. We purchased our's at Wal*Mart for $15.
The Ultrasonic Rodent Repeller works for me! For more Works for Me Wednesday tips visit Rocks in My Dryer.
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
What is that? The sound of my heart breaking...
Oh Bob, you break my heart. I don't think I could watch again! Oh the humanity!
Funny Song Linkage!
Donnie has made a few cds for Jake which mostly have kid's songs from TV shows. Sometimes he surprises us and puts some funny different song on the cds, usually by comedian Heywood Banks. Here are a couple of these which we have enjoyed!
Be prepared to laugh!
18 Wheels on a Big Rig
Yeah Toast!! Jake especially likes this one as he will sing "YEAH Toast!" at breakfast time.
Interstate 80 Iowa If I have been on Interstate 80 in Iowa I don't remember it and I think it is probably because I slept through it! :)
Big Butter Jesus This song is about this statue in southern Ohio
The Nascar Song (this song is by Tim Wilson)
Be prepared to laugh!
18 Wheels on a Big Rig
Yeah Toast!! Jake especially likes this one as he will sing "YEAH Toast!" at breakfast time.
Interstate 80 Iowa If I have been on Interstate 80 in Iowa I don't remember it and I think it is probably because I slept through it! :)
Big Butter Jesus This song is about this statue in southern Ohio
The Nascar Song (this song is by Tim Wilson)
Monday, June 18, 2007
MY VERY FIRST MEME!!!!!!
Oh my gosh!!!! I have been tagged for my very.first.meme!!!! At least I think it's my first tag...I haven't seen any others! Jessica at Itty Bitty Bits of Me tagged me for this 5 Things about me Meme. She was even so sweet to leave me a message that said she tagged me and hoped that would be okay. OKAY???? Oh my lands it made my day! So here goes! Oh, and I hope the 5 people I tag at the end won't mind either! :)
5 Snacks I enjoy
1) chocolate ice cream with reese's pieces...YUM!!!
2) Chips with melted cheese and salsa
3) Mikesells Honey BBQ chips
4) McDonald's hot fudge sundae (when their darn ice cream machine is working!)
5) DQ's ice cream cake
5 songs that I know all the lyrics to
1) Sponge Bob Squarepants Theme Song (I can't help if Jake LOVES that show, much to my chagrin)
2) Baby Got Back by Sir Mix Alot (don't ask!)
3) "Father Abraham" (it doesn't have many words!) and all the kid songs on Jake's Toddler Action Bible Songs cd
4) The Backyaaaaaardigaaaaannssss!!
5) Most praise songs
5 Things I would do if I were a Millionaire
1) Build my own home, in the beautiful bluegrass country area
2) Pay off ALL my bills and become debt free
3) Quit my job
4) Go back in time and be on The Price is Right
5) Drive across the country from east coast to west and back, in a convertible, on Route 66
5 Bad Habits
1) Twirling my hair around my fingers
2) Nagging (Donnie would say it's a habit!)
3) Procrastinating
4) Watching WAY too much TV
5) Doing things myself without teaching someone else how to do it (I'm awful about this at work...I could never be a teacher!)
5 Things I would Never Wear Again
1) Pegged jeans
2) Any tapered leg pants
3) Fake gold jewelry (not because I'm a snob, but because I'm allergic to it...literally, not "allergic")
4) One word...pleats
5) Skort
5 Things I Like to Do
1) Spend time with my entire family
2) Surf the bloggy world
3) Play with Jake (we just looked out the window for birds...he heard one outside and immediately ran to the couch and started to look out the window. We said "Here Birdies" but they wouldn't come to see us...maybe next time!)
4) Eat at Penn Station (It's SOOO YUMMY!)
5) Clip coupons and save money!
Five People I Tag:
1) Janelle at Everyday Stories
2) Ang at The Toy Box Blew Up!
3) Guinevere at Guinevere's Thoughts on Nothing in Particular
4) Lisa at Our Seven QT Pies
5) Last, but not least, my high school bud, Becca at The Hatfields, she needs something to jump start that blog!
5 Snacks I enjoy
1) chocolate ice cream with reese's pieces...YUM!!!
2) Chips with melted cheese and salsa
3) Mikesells Honey BBQ chips
4) McDonald's hot fudge sundae (when their darn ice cream machine is working!)
5) DQ's ice cream cake
5 songs that I know all the lyrics to
1) Sponge Bob Squarepants Theme Song (I can't help if Jake LOVES that show, much to my chagrin)
2) Baby Got Back by Sir Mix Alot (don't ask!)
3) "Father Abraham" (it doesn't have many words!) and all the kid songs on Jake's Toddler Action Bible Songs cd
4) The Backyaaaaaardigaaaaannssss!!
5) Most praise songs
5 Things I would do if I were a Millionaire
1) Build my own home, in the beautiful bluegrass country area
2) Pay off ALL my bills and become debt free
3) Quit my job
4) Go back in time and be on The Price is Right
5) Drive across the country from east coast to west and back, in a convertible, on Route 66
5 Bad Habits
1) Twirling my hair around my fingers
2) Nagging (Donnie would say it's a habit!)
3) Procrastinating
4) Watching WAY too much TV
5) Doing things myself without teaching someone else how to do it (I'm awful about this at work...I could never be a teacher!)
5 Things I would Never Wear Again
1) Pegged jeans
2) Any tapered leg pants
3) Fake gold jewelry (not because I'm a snob, but because I'm allergic to it...literally, not "allergic")
4) One word...pleats
5) Skort
5 Things I Like to Do
1) Spend time with my entire family
2) Surf the bloggy world
3) Play with Jake (we just looked out the window for birds...he heard one outside and immediately ran to the couch and started to look out the window. We said "Here Birdies" but they wouldn't come to see us...maybe next time!)
4) Eat at Penn Station (It's SOOO YUMMY!)
5) Clip coupons and save money!
Five People I Tag:
1) Janelle at Everyday Stories
2) Ang at The Toy Box Blew Up!
3) Guinevere at Guinevere's Thoughts on Nothing in Particular
4) Lisa at Our Seven QT Pies
5) Last, but not least, my high school bud, Becca at The Hatfields, she needs something to jump start that blog!
Sunday, June 17, 2007
Box it up!
I keep meaning to share these pictures of Jake when we were moving. He loved playing in the boxes. Too bad the camera flash makes him blink every time! :)
Happy Father's Day to everyone!
Saturday, June 16, 2007
Operation Rodent GO AWAY!!! is underway
It is official...we have a mouse among us! Well, I hope it is just a mouse.
As I mentioned earlier this week, we heard the rodent scratching noise, but we refused to enter the kitchen to check out the situation because we are chickens!
Last night the noise was heard again by the bigger of the two chickens (I'll let you determine who that is!). Of course the situation was not surveyed at that time, but this morning the lesser of the two chickens found this in the kitchen:
I guess rodents like chocolate too. No wonder they like my kitchen!
With our rodent theory confirmed, the family left the house this morning and went to Wally World to purchase something similar to this.
Here is our version.
These came two in a package and you better believe I plugged both of them in around the kitchen. Let's just hope this works. If not, Operation Rodent GO AWAY!! may become Operation Let's just RUN AWAY!
As I mentioned earlier this week, we heard the rodent scratching noise, but we refused to enter the kitchen to check out the situation because we are chickens!
Last night the noise was heard again by the bigger of the two chickens (I'll let you determine who that is!). Of course the situation was not surveyed at that time, but this morning the lesser of the two chickens found this in the kitchen:
I guess rodents like chocolate too. No wonder they like my kitchen!
With our rodent theory confirmed, the family left the house this morning and went to Wally World to purchase something similar to this.
Here is our version.
These came two in a package and you better believe I plugged both of them in around the kitchen. Let's just hope this works. If not, Operation Rodent GO AWAY!! may become Operation Let's just RUN AWAY!
Friday, June 15, 2007
Come On Down!
As I am sure most of you know, today was Bob Barker's last show on The Price is Right. Unfortunately, this era has ended without me being able to visit California and my favorite daytime gameshow.
I can't tell you how much jealousy and envy I had when Jessica at Itty Bitty Bit of Me got to go to see Bobby B himself a few weeks ago. Go here to read about her fun adventure!
Luckily CBS read my email about how I did not want to miss the final episode and decided to air it in primetime as well (okay, I didn't really email them, but I would have if I had thought of it!). Needless to say I watched the final episode of Price is Right with the one and only Bob Barker tonight.
I loved that it felt like any other episode of TPIR I have watched...and oh I have watched many an episode.
Like many people in the U.S., TPIR is a household tradition. Mine started as an elementary school child...possibly before. I remember spending my summers at my grandparents' home and watching the Big Wheel spinning as we ate lunch each day.
As I grew up the Showcase Showdown was not as much of an intrigate part of my lunch plans, but my desire to "Come On Down!" never ceased.
Unfortunately, I never got to the west coast and I have never been honored to play Plinko, Hole in One or Two, or Mountain Climber. I'm not sure of the future of TPIR, but one thing I do know...it just won't be the same without Bobby B!
Don't forget...
Help control the pet population, have your pets spayed or neutered!
Thursday, June 14, 2007
There may be a mouse in the house
Monday night as Donnie and I were sitting in the living room we heard odd scratching noises coming from the kitchen.
We both froze.
Since we have moved to our new home we are not used to hearing noises. At our apartment we would have just passed off an odd noise as a neighbor. We don't have that option now so all strange noises mean something is going on in our home.
We heard the scratching noise again.
And again.
And again.
Panic set in.
We discussed the possibility of a mouse being in our house. The possibility was terrifying. I hate rodents, especially wild ones which I do not want in my home. Donnie on the other hand does not just hate rodents, but would rather spend a week living with Martha Stewart than even think of the possibility of a rodent anywhere near him.
So, what did the two of us rodent fearing chickens do?
We made a mad dash up the stairs to the bedroom.
At least then we couldn't hear the scratching noise and could attempt to sleep in peace on a different floor than the potential rodent.
The next morning I examined the kitchen opening cabinet doors very slowly and carefully, hoping a rodent would not run out and cause me to jump and scream like a little girl.
I saw no sign of rodent activity, which caused only a small amount of relief.
There has been no further rodent sounds and never any evidence. This is a good sign, but don't doubt that I have this on my shopping list because if I can dissuade the rodents from visiting without actually having to see them I am all for it!
We both froze.
Since we have moved to our new home we are not used to hearing noises. At our apartment we would have just passed off an odd noise as a neighbor. We don't have that option now so all strange noises mean something is going on in our home.
We heard the scratching noise again.
And again.
And again.
Panic set in.
We discussed the possibility of a mouse being in our house. The possibility was terrifying. I hate rodents, especially wild ones which I do not want in my home. Donnie on the other hand does not just hate rodents, but would rather spend a week living with Martha Stewart than even think of the possibility of a rodent anywhere near him.
So, what did the two of us rodent fearing chickens do?
We made a mad dash up the stairs to the bedroom.
At least then we couldn't hear the scratching noise and could attempt to sleep in peace on a different floor than the potential rodent.
The next morning I examined the kitchen opening cabinet doors very slowly and carefully, hoping a rodent would not run out and cause me to jump and scream like a little girl.
I saw no sign of rodent activity, which caused only a small amount of relief.
There has been no further rodent sounds and never any evidence. This is a good sign, but don't doubt that I have this on my shopping list because if I can dissuade the rodents from visiting without actually having to see them I am all for it!
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Works for Me Wednesday -- Crib Aquarium, Target sale
I am going to admit, my child is spoiled when it comes to bed time. As an infant I loved to hold Jake and I would hold him for hours and let him sleep in my arms as I cuddled him. Prior to returning to work from maternity leave he was sleeping in his crib alone; however, it took nearly an hour of rocking and singing to get him to the crib without crying (from him, not me...most of the time). However, things changed and he began to sleep in bed with us. After nearly a year of this I decided I was tired of the foot in the face every morning and wanted my bed back without a child. We began the ferberizing technique and miraculously after only 2 days he was going to his bed alone and the crying stopped.
It was such a miracle that sometimes all I have to say is "It's time for night, night" and he will RUN (and I mean RUN!) to his bedroom and stand beside the crib. He does not always go immediately to sleep; however, lately his routine has been rather set. I will put him in the crib and he will grab his blanket, pull it up over himself and push the button on this crib aquarium (see, I really do have a WFMW tip!)
My mom purchased the aquarium for Jake when he was about a month old and I have to say that the crib aquarim is the BEST gift we received. We would always push the button to allow music to play when we were trying to get Jake to sleep in his crib and obviously he liked it. Now it is the most important part of bedtime. When we moved recently we had not properly attached the aquarium to the crib and it would not work...that is when I noticed just how big of a part of bedtime it is for Jake.
Not only is the aquarium great for going to sleep, now it is the way I can tell when Jake wakes up each morning. He will immediately sit up and turn on the aquarium...hopefully, it is not at 6 a.m. on a Saturday (and if it is the aquarium can typically give about 30 minutes of entertainment)!
Speaking of Saturday, I plan to go visit my local Target this Saturday. Why you ask? Well, once again Target is having a sale on Pampers diapers. 2 Jumbo packages for $16. Go here to read more about how you can get these diapers plus 2 packages of wipes for only $1.50. Yes, you read that right, $1.50!!! Hopefully you have been clipping your coupons, they will be necessary for this deal.
The crib aquarium and Target deals work for me...for more Works for Me Wednesday tips go visit Rocks in My Dryer.
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Ouch!
This (notice the forehead) is why we have not had professional pictures done for Jake since November.
Boys will be boys...and mine will be clumsy.
Boys will be boys...and mine will be clumsy.
Monday, June 11, 2007
How it all began! *UPDATED*
Update to answer the question I forgot to answer..."What do you know now that you wish you'd known when you started?"
Today Chilihead is having a bloggy festival about how we all began this addiction called blogging. Go check out everyone else's stories, but not until after you read my story! :-)
* How did you start blogging? The word "blog" was not even a part of my vocabulary until only a few months ago. I am sure my husband wishes it still was not a part of my vocabulary...he gets to hear me say daily, "oh, now that's something for the blog" or "oh, I read on a blog that..." or "I need to check my blog..." and on and on! But he can blame it all on Shannon! Last fall I stumbled upon Shannon's Rocks in My Dryer blog. I don't remember the exact date or even how I found it, but I did and I began to follow along with her every day. I soon began to check into everyone she linked to and I became addicted! I loved looking into the lives of other moms and learning from their wisdom. In January 2007, after reading blogs for about 3-4 months, I decided to start my own.
* Did you intend to be a blog w/a following? If so, how did you go about it? Well I would be lying if I said that I didn't have a deep down desire to be one of the famous Mom Bloggers, but that was not my intention from day one. My main intention when starting the blog was to just share about me, my family and my life.
* What do you hope to achieve or accomplish with your blog? Have you been successful? If not, do you have a plan to achieve those goals? My main goal was and is to make my blog an outlet for my long forgotten writing skills. When I was in high school I was an active part of our school's monthly newspaper and I loved to write. My dad is in the newspaper business so I had first hand knowledge of the inner workings of the business. I loved to "report" about things people did not know about. I left the journalism world behind upon graduating high school and those writing skills I once had were long forgotten. I thought Blogging would be a great way to let me write again.
* Has the focus of your blog changed since you started blogging? How? I don't think I started wtih a focus. I simply just share about my life. I have done that all along in the past 5 months so I guess my focus as stayed the same.
* What do you know now that you wish you'd known when you started?
Just how much fun blogging is...and how addictive! I never would have guessed that I would see things happen and file that memory in my brain under "Blog." Oh, but now I do...I watch for blog stories!
* Do you make money with your blog? Nope, not yet. I say not yet because I would like to make a little big of extra money...wouldn't we all? I have checked in to a few advertising companies for blogs, but most are at full capacity and are not accepting new bloggers. Plus I need more regular readers so I could qualify. Dang it, the whole popularity bug is following me even after high school!
* Does your immediate or extended family know about your blog? If so, do they read it? If not, why? I know that my dad does. I think my husband checks it out when he is on the computer at home, but he doesn't want to admit it! My mom and sister are aware of my blog, but I don't think they are regular readers...if they are they don't tell me. Otherwise I don't think any other family members are aware of my blog. I don't like to talk about my blog in person...it makes me a little uncomfortable. I kind of see it like a personal journal...only I share it with the entire world via the worldwide web. I will censor certain things and I know what I am comfortable typing about, but I still don't always want to TALK about it!
* What two pieces of advice would you give to a new blogger? #1 -- Don't expect to instantly become an overnight sensation. I'm not saying it couldn't happen to you, but there are such a large number of bloggers out there, it is often difficult to gain readership. #2 -- Don't feel obligated to blog every day. It can be difficult to find the time. Blog as it comes to you. Sometimes numerous things "come to me" on the same day...save some ideas for those days you can't think of anything.
Today Chilihead is having a bloggy festival about how we all began this addiction called blogging. Go check out everyone else's stories, but not until after you read my story! :-)
* How did you start blogging? The word "blog" was not even a part of my vocabulary until only a few months ago. I am sure my husband wishes it still was not a part of my vocabulary...he gets to hear me say daily, "oh, now that's something for the blog" or "oh, I read on a blog that..." or "I need to check my blog..." and on and on! But he can blame it all on Shannon! Last fall I stumbled upon Shannon's Rocks in My Dryer blog. I don't remember the exact date or even how I found it, but I did and I began to follow along with her every day. I soon began to check into everyone she linked to and I became addicted! I loved looking into the lives of other moms and learning from their wisdom. In January 2007, after reading blogs for about 3-4 months, I decided to start my own.
* Did you intend to be a blog w/a following? If so, how did you go about it? Well I would be lying if I said that I didn't have a deep down desire to be one of the famous Mom Bloggers, but that was not my intention from day one. My main intention when starting the blog was to just share about me, my family and my life.
* What do you hope to achieve or accomplish with your blog? Have you been successful? If not, do you have a plan to achieve those goals? My main goal was and is to make my blog an outlet for my long forgotten writing skills. When I was in high school I was an active part of our school's monthly newspaper and I loved to write. My dad is in the newspaper business so I had first hand knowledge of the inner workings of the business. I loved to "report" about things people did not know about. I left the journalism world behind upon graduating high school and those writing skills I once had were long forgotten. I thought Blogging would be a great way to let me write again.
* Has the focus of your blog changed since you started blogging? How? I don't think I started wtih a focus. I simply just share about my life. I have done that all along in the past 5 months so I guess my focus as stayed the same.
* What do you know now that you wish you'd known when you started?
Just how much fun blogging is...and how addictive! I never would have guessed that I would see things happen and file that memory in my brain under "Blog." Oh, but now I do...I watch for blog stories!
* Do you make money with your blog? Nope, not yet. I say not yet because I would like to make a little big of extra money...wouldn't we all? I have checked in to a few advertising companies for blogs, but most are at full capacity and are not accepting new bloggers. Plus I need more regular readers so I could qualify. Dang it, the whole popularity bug is following me even after high school!
* Does your immediate or extended family know about your blog? If so, do they read it? If not, why? I know that my dad does. I think my husband checks it out when he is on the computer at home, but he doesn't want to admit it! My mom and sister are aware of my blog, but I don't think they are regular readers...if they are they don't tell me. Otherwise I don't think any other family members are aware of my blog. I don't like to talk about my blog in person...it makes me a little uncomfortable. I kind of see it like a personal journal...only I share it with the entire world via the worldwide web. I will censor certain things and I know what I am comfortable typing about, but I still don't always want to TALK about it!
* What two pieces of advice would you give to a new blogger? #1 -- Don't expect to instantly become an overnight sensation. I'm not saying it couldn't happen to you, but there are such a large number of bloggers out there, it is often difficult to gain readership. #2 -- Don't feel obligated to blog every day. It can be difficult to find the time. Blog as it comes to you. Sometimes numerous things "come to me" on the same day...save some ideas for those days you can't think of anything.
Friday, June 8, 2007
The Fourth Living Room
I promised previously this week that I would share about the numerous living rooms in my grandmother's home. Well, with no further ado, here is the story!
My grandparent's home has been their home for nearly 40 years (with a few years in the middle when they moved to a different home, but moved back to this home when all the kids were out of the house). It is the home my mom and her brothers and sisters grew up in. It's the house I spent numerous hours playing in as a toddler.
And it's the house that continues to evolve.
The house was originally a double wide trailer that was put on a permanent foundation (I think that is the history I have heard). There is a small cellar under the original part of the home.
Throughout the years my grandparents have added additions to the home, including additional basement areas and most recent, what I like to call, "Living Room #4" because that is exactly what it is...the fourth living room in the house!
The first living room is the original living room. It was the area of the home which was, at one time, the only living room. This room has lovely wood paneling, which has knot holes in the wood. Family legend has it that as a toddler, I literally talked to the walls. I would talk to the knot holes. I guess I thought they were faces.
Living area #2 is off of the kitchen. This room originally was a porch, but was turned into a bedroom for my aunt in her teen years and then later the floor was raised and the room became a den type area just off of the kitchen.
These two living room areas were the only ones in the home for several years and the only ones I remember as a child. The main door to the home entered into living room #1 and the den was simply a den type area. Two living room areas is not odd, several homes have two such areas.
About 10 years ago my grandparents decided to add an addition to the house. This addition included a basement area and a 3rd living room above the basement. The room was added onto the original living room of the home; however, with the addition of the basement a full floor to ceiling wall had to be added, creating two separate rooms and thus creating living room #3.
Years went by and then just this month my grandparents added the fourth living room. This room was added on to the back of the house and was initially intended to be a sun room. This room is the largest room of the home and will be the place the family spends Christmas celebrations. Doors on either side of the room lead to two separate decks. Four windows line the side and back of the room allowing for lots of natural light to enter the room.
And that is how and I guess why my grandparents have four living rooms. There is still one question I have...how do two people in the 70s use four living rooms on a daily basis? Or do they?
My grandparent's home has been their home for nearly 40 years (with a few years in the middle when they moved to a different home, but moved back to this home when all the kids were out of the house). It is the home my mom and her brothers and sisters grew up in. It's the house I spent numerous hours playing in as a toddler.
And it's the house that continues to evolve.
The house was originally a double wide trailer that was put on a permanent foundation (I think that is the history I have heard). There is a small cellar under the original part of the home.
Throughout the years my grandparents have added additions to the home, including additional basement areas and most recent, what I like to call, "Living Room #4" because that is exactly what it is...the fourth living room in the house!
The first living room is the original living room. It was the area of the home which was, at one time, the only living room. This room has lovely wood paneling, which has knot holes in the wood. Family legend has it that as a toddler, I literally talked to the walls. I would talk to the knot holes. I guess I thought they were faces.
Living area #2 is off of the kitchen. This room originally was a porch, but was turned into a bedroom for my aunt in her teen years and then later the floor was raised and the room became a den type area just off of the kitchen.
These two living room areas were the only ones in the home for several years and the only ones I remember as a child. The main door to the home entered into living room #1 and the den was simply a den type area. Two living room areas is not odd, several homes have two such areas.
About 10 years ago my grandparents decided to add an addition to the house. This addition included a basement area and a 3rd living room above the basement. The room was added onto the original living room of the home; however, with the addition of the basement a full floor to ceiling wall had to be added, creating two separate rooms and thus creating living room #3.
Years went by and then just this month my grandparents added the fourth living room. This room was added on to the back of the house and was initially intended to be a sun room. This room is the largest room of the home and will be the place the family spends Christmas celebrations. Doors on either side of the room lead to two separate decks. Four windows line the side and back of the room allowing for lots of natural light to enter the room.
And that is how and I guess why my grandparents have four living rooms. There is still one question I have...how do two people in the 70s use four living rooms on a daily basis? Or do they?
Thursday, June 7, 2007
Aprons, Aprons Everywhere!
Apronpalooza is going on over here. There are numerous contests to WIN FREE APRONS!!
Now, I am not an apron wearer, but I certainly should be. I always end up with half of the ingredients in some fashion on my clothing. Some of these aprons may be nicer than my clothes! Ha! I would definitely wear a FREE apron!
Now, I am not an apron wearer, but I certainly should be. I always end up with half of the ingredients in some fashion on my clothing. Some of these aprons may be nicer than my clothes! Ha! I would definitely wear a FREE apron!
Wednesday, June 6, 2007
Works for Me Wednesday --- Curing Toddler Boredom
Today's Works for Me Wednesday has a theme -- How to cure kids' boredom. For more tips go check out other ideas (we all need them, especially in the summer!) at Rocks in My Dryer.
I have 2 quick tips.
First, is a book I purchased, The Everything Toddler Activities Book. This book has ideas to entertain your 18-40 month olds. It has games to play inside and out, crafts to make, songs to sing and great way to entertain your young ones. It helps me come up with ideas to do with Jacob...sometimes I get in the same rut of playing the same games, singing the same songs and reading the same books. This gives me new and fresh ideas!
Second, Regal Cinemas have free movies in the summer for kids of all ages! These are G or PG rated movies, but are not first run movies. If you have a Regal Cinema nearby go check out the website to see if your theater is holding the free movies. The times are not listed for my local theater, but I anticipate that these are held in the morning/afternoon hours. I am planning to take Jacob (it would be his first movie, I figure if he can't sit still we can leave, it was free after all) at the end of July when I have a week's vacation.
Don't forget to go see other ideas to cure the summer boredom of your kids!
Tuesday, June 5, 2007
When do the changes stop?
My brain is on overdrive. Today I was approached about a promotion at work. This is not a definite possiblity, but a highly likely option. I have such conflict in my brain...and heart for that matter.
As I mentioned, lightly, yesterday, I hate that I have to work outside the home. I wish I could spend more time with Jacob and not have to leave him to go to work. However, the life (and debt we accumulated prior to marriage) we have chose to live to this point currently requires that I work to help make ends meet, and to keep us from filing bankruptcy.
However, the promotion would bring in more money, which could help us to pay off more debt faster, which could allow me (if ever) to stay at home more and work less.
My ultimate desire is to stay at home and take care of my family. But this is not an option for us at this time. I wonder if this promotion is a way of God opening doors to allow me to get to my goal faster. Or is it what God wants at all...am I even supposed to be a SAHM?
The job position holds so much more responsibility than I currently have. I would be a supervisor, which I did in the past, and hated it. I would have to immediately hire my own replacement or else I would be completing two jobs, which I have done in the past when I was single and with a family would be horrible.
Then I wonder if I am just jumping to conclusions and worrying myself for no reason. There is nothing definite.
Trust me, my brain is on total overdrive.
Lord, please give me guidance on my future job opportunities and allow me to follow Your will and Your's alone. Give me peace about my decision with no regrets. I want to honor You and be the best wife and mother I can possibly be. Help me to make decisions that is Your will and will give me the ability to be the wife and mother I want to be. Amen.
As I mentioned, lightly, yesterday, I hate that I have to work outside the home. I wish I could spend more time with Jacob and not have to leave him to go to work. However, the life (and debt we accumulated prior to marriage) we have chose to live to this point currently requires that I work to help make ends meet, and to keep us from filing bankruptcy.
However, the promotion would bring in more money, which could help us to pay off more debt faster, which could allow me (if ever) to stay at home more and work less.
My ultimate desire is to stay at home and take care of my family. But this is not an option for us at this time. I wonder if this promotion is a way of God opening doors to allow me to get to my goal faster. Or is it what God wants at all...am I even supposed to be a SAHM?
The job position holds so much more responsibility than I currently have. I would be a supervisor, which I did in the past, and hated it. I would have to immediately hire my own replacement or else I would be completing two jobs, which I have done in the past when I was single and with a family would be horrible.
Then I wonder if I am just jumping to conclusions and worrying myself for no reason. There is nothing definite.
Trust me, my brain is on total overdrive.
Lord, please give me guidance on my future job opportunities and allow me to follow Your will and Your's alone. Give me peace about my decision with no regrets. I want to honor You and be the best wife and mother I can possibly be. Help me to make decisions that is Your will and will give me the ability to be the wife and mother I want to be. Amen.
Monday, June 4, 2007
No Bye Bye!
Children sure do know how to break a mother's heart don't they?
This morning Jacob was in a bit of a crabby mood. As I was preparing everything to leave for the day I told him it was time to go bye bye.
He began to say, repeatedly, "No Bye Bye!" "No Bye Bye!"
Oh, it broke my heart.
I wish I didn't have to go "Bye Bye."
I guess my prayers will only have to continue for God's guidance and providing so when Monday mornings roll around I will no longer have to go "Bye Bye!"
This morning Jacob was in a bit of a crabby mood. As I was preparing everything to leave for the day I told him it was time to go bye bye.
He began to say, repeatedly, "No Bye Bye!" "No Bye Bye!"
Oh, it broke my heart.
I wish I didn't have to go "Bye Bye."
I guess my prayers will only have to continue for God's guidance and providing so when Monday mornings roll around I will no longer have to go "Bye Bye!"
Sunday, June 3, 2007
Killing Me Softly
Whew, it has been an entire week since I have posted a real post. I am not sure I remember how to type an actual post, but here is my feeble attempt to do so!
Yesterday Jacob and I attended a baby shower for my cousin and his wife, who are expecting their first bundle of joy in a couple weeks. While I was in the area, I decided to stop in and visit with my grandparents at their home.
As we were sitting and talking, in the newest addition of their home, (living room #4, as I like to call it...stay tuned for a post on that soon!) 3p.m. came along and my grandmother's clock began to play. This was the first time I had ever encountered the clock.
It is a large oval shaped clock, which my grandmother has proudly displayed on the wall in "living room #4." It is made of beautiful dark wood and has lots of ornate gold embellishments decorating the face of the clock. When the top of the hour arrives the clock begins to play instrumental music and the face of the clock opens up to display the working pieces of the clock.
At 3 p.m. yesterday the chosen song was "Killing Me Softly." You know, this song. I nearly died. Laughing that is.
My grandmother is not a woman who is up to date, so to speak, in the modern day music genre. I highly doubt she was even aware what the beautiful instrumental music was, but I immediately began to sing, "Killing Me Softly with His Song...Killing me Softly, with his Song."
Assuming my grandmother would not like such music I asked her if someone gave her this clock as a gift. Much to my surprise, my grandmother has purchased this clock for herself. This led her to tell me the story of the clock.
Apparently last summer my grandparents took a bus tour to Indiana's Amish Country with my great aunt and uncle. While on the tour the group stopped at several small country stores. At one such stop the group entered an older feed store. The entire first floor of the store sold only feed, but there were old rickety steps which led up to a second floor, which held lots of general store type items. However, what caught the eye of my grandmother were the walls of the second floor which were covered in clocks. Beautiful clocks, like my grandmother's.
As the story goes, my grandmother was fascinated by one particular clock as was her brother-in-law. The two stood and stared at the clock as it played beautiful music and opened its face to show the inner workings of the clock. Needless to say, both my grandmother and her brother-in-law purchased the clock.
After my grandmother told me the story (and offered that her brother was so interested in the clocks that his wife ordered him one online for Christmas) I wondered if I was missing something about this clock. I personally am not interested in a clock that played "Killing Me Softly."
Now don't get me wrong, it's a beautiful song, but I do not want to hear it every 7 hours for the rest of my life or the other songs it plays for that matter (the clock plays several other songs including "If" by Bread, "My Way" by Ole Blue Eyes, "Bridge over Trouble Water" by Simon and Garfunkel, plus a few Christmas songs). But on a warm summer day in a feed store in rural Indiana, the beautiful compilation of this 1971 (and again 1996) song may have a different impact on me than it did on this June day in my grandmother's home.
There is something to be said for the acoustics of a feed store.
Yesterday Jacob and I attended a baby shower for my cousin and his wife, who are expecting their first bundle of joy in a couple weeks. While I was in the area, I decided to stop in and visit with my grandparents at their home.
As we were sitting and talking, in the newest addition of their home, (living room #4, as I like to call it...stay tuned for a post on that soon!) 3p.m. came along and my grandmother's clock began to play. This was the first time I had ever encountered the clock.
It is a large oval shaped clock, which my grandmother has proudly displayed on the wall in "living room #4." It is made of beautiful dark wood and has lots of ornate gold embellishments decorating the face of the clock. When the top of the hour arrives the clock begins to play instrumental music and the face of the clock opens up to display the working pieces of the clock.
At 3 p.m. yesterday the chosen song was "Killing Me Softly." You know, this song. I nearly died. Laughing that is.
My grandmother is not a woman who is up to date, so to speak, in the modern day music genre. I highly doubt she was even aware what the beautiful instrumental music was, but I immediately began to sing, "Killing Me Softly with His Song...Killing me Softly, with his Song."
Assuming my grandmother would not like such music I asked her if someone gave her this clock as a gift. Much to my surprise, my grandmother has purchased this clock for herself. This led her to tell me the story of the clock.
Apparently last summer my grandparents took a bus tour to Indiana's Amish Country with my great aunt and uncle. While on the tour the group stopped at several small country stores. At one such stop the group entered an older feed store. The entire first floor of the store sold only feed, but there were old rickety steps which led up to a second floor, which held lots of general store type items. However, what caught the eye of my grandmother were the walls of the second floor which were covered in clocks. Beautiful clocks, like my grandmother's.
As the story goes, my grandmother was fascinated by one particular clock as was her brother-in-law. The two stood and stared at the clock as it played beautiful music and opened its face to show the inner workings of the clock. Needless to say, both my grandmother and her brother-in-law purchased the clock.
After my grandmother told me the story (and offered that her brother was so interested in the clocks that his wife ordered him one online for Christmas) I wondered if I was missing something about this clock. I personally am not interested in a clock that played "Killing Me Softly."
Now don't get me wrong, it's a beautiful song, but I do not want to hear it every 7 hours for the rest of my life or the other songs it plays for that matter (the clock plays several other songs including "If" by Bread, "My Way" by Ole Blue Eyes, "Bridge over Trouble Water" by Simon and Garfunkel, plus a few Christmas songs). But on a warm summer day in a feed store in rural Indiana, the beautiful compilation of this 1971 (and again 1996) song may have a different impact on me than it did on this June day in my grandmother's home.
There is something to be said for the acoustics of a feed store.
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