What was I thinking?

Facebook Buddies

2010-07-21T06:55:00.005-05:00

My husband and son make constant fun of my Facebook passion. Many of my friends don't understand either. But let me tell you what I like most about Facebook; the pictures. Pictures of family and friends, people on trips, at parties, weddings, children, grandchildren. That is what makes it special. The other day someone that I have known since the 8th grade asked to be my "facebook friend". I have to admit I am really happy about this connection. She was one of the first people that reached out to be my friend when my family moved here from Kansas City. We don't live close to one another any more, nor do we see each other. We exchange the annual Christmas letter--sometimes not even annually. But what I like about having her as my Facebook Buddy is knowing there is someone out there that remembers me as I was. As a silly teenager. At slumber parties, high school sporting events, choir, and even some college events. It's nice to have someone that remembers my family as we were before my dad passed away, I was only 20. Today I turned 61 and within a week I am going to be a first time grandma. I am elated with becoming a grandma, don't get me wrong, but still I am totally thrilled to have someone in my life that remembers me "when". So laugh yourselves silly boys, I don't care, I love my facebook buddies and I love sharing their lives as they share mine. It might not be all that we want it to be, but it's the best we have!

The Next 30 Days!

2010-06-25T10:12:00.006-05:00

Since finding out on 12/26/2009 that I was going to be a grandmother, my brain has been in a fog 80% of the time. The other 20% of the time I've been in a fog for other reasons! Grandma brain, as I refer to it, can occur at any time. You're driving along and you miss your turn, oops. In the middle of zumba class, you should be grapevining to the right and you are the only one in class grapevining to the left. During a 6th grade math class that you are substituting for, you feel an uncontrollable urge to yell, "Guess what? I'm going to be a grandma"! Of course half of the students don't really care and the other half think you are an old grandma already! I was so excited when I first learned our daughter was pregnant, I wanted to start blogging immediately. She had other ideas. She didn't want us to tell anyone until she made the announcement at work. I think she finally told them towards the end of February while we were still in Florida. When we returned home, the big reveal! Gadget and JC invited us over to celebrate March birthdays, we were the ones that were given gifts. Blue bibs that said, "I love Grandma and I love Grandpa". We were having a grandson! Believe me, not knowing the sex of the baby was the only thing that kept me under control when I walked into the baby section of each and every store I visited during those first 3 months. Once I learned we were having a baby boy I was off and running! First, of course, I had to return all the baby girl things I had bought (just in case, you know). I have to say, it is more difficult to control spending on little girl things then it is on little boy things. Your choices on baby boy clothes are much more limited. If you are having a girl, you have to choose between 80-100 newborn sleepers, for a little boy you have 8 - 10 choices. It is a very exciting time, and the past 36 weeks have gone very quickly. My daughter has been blessed with a very easy pregnancy and hopefully, that will continue with the birth of this beautiful, intelligent (I know this for a fact!) grandson of ours.

The Removal of Wallpaper, it's as easy as 1,2,3

2009-11-10T08:25:00.010-06:00

I loved the wallpaper in our small 1/2 bath located off of our kitchen with it's two different designs of black and white pattern and two borders with cows in the field. Yes, I loved this wallpaper 15 years ago when we put it up, now, not so much.

So on Sunday, after spending some time outside in the beautiful sunny, 70 degree November weather, I decided to stretch my day and add wallpaper removal to my list of things to do. I wasn't too concerned, it's a very small bathroom and the border was easily removed when I did a little tug. I decided I'd give it 3 hours and then call it a day. I rummaged through all of our home improvement tools and came up with a bottle of wallpaper remover, a scorer and in lieu of a wallpaper scraper I decided my metal spatula would be a good replacement tool.

I started with a small section and scored the area, then sprayed the area with the wallpaper remover. I then retired to my office for the said 15 - 20 mins, read e-mails, Facebook and then was ready to take on the "Wall". I grabbed the corner of the wallpaper and off it came--absolutely no problem, so easy. But wait, what was that still left on the wall??? It looked like another sheet of paper totally covering the wall. Actually, I guess it was the solid covering of paste or backing from the wallpaper that was left on the wall. Not a problem, I sprayed again, waited my 15 mins and started the removal. It was coming off in about 1/8" pieces. Four hours later, this is what I had accomplished...... What a mess!

So, next day, off to the home improvement store. I decided maybe the wallpaper spray remover that I was using was old and not doing it's job. I bought a package which included the spray, scorer, scraper and a DVD on "How to Remove Wallpaper, it's as easy as 1,2, 3". I watched the lady show the "Correct way to remove difficult wallpaper" --she scored, she sprayed, she waited the required 15 mins, and boom, the difficult wallpaper practically fell off the wall. With renewed inspiration, I went at it again with hope and love in my heart.......4 hours later, this is what I had...........

Let me assure you, it is not as easy as 1, 2, 3! I need HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's Been A Long time!

2009-08-28T12:04:00.009-05:00

It has been a long time since I have done any scrapbooking or cardmaking. So long that I can't remember the last time I tried to get my creativity flowing. I think it must have been last winter some time when I made a wedding gift scrapbook. My creativity was flowing then, made a book that had each month of the year so that at the end of their first year they could go back and take a look at everything that had gone on in their lives. Turned out great. Since then I haven't done anything. It didn't help that I was sidetracked by some health issues and helping my mom pack up her home of 40 years and moving, or that I was working quite a bit during the spring months as a substitute teacher. Then I got out of the "mood". Now my sister is moving. She is going to pack up her belongings and put them in storage for a while. I told her it was silly to put all of her stamps/materials in storage, I would bring them to my house. My sister was a consultant for a few years and she managed to collect a few items. Between the two of us, we have quite the collection. SOMEBODY has to get some use out of this stuff! I thought I would start slow and make cards for the church dinner "Country Store". I work much better when I have a "project", or goal. We'll see.

Yikes! How Did That Happen?

2009-07-10T11:22:00.035-05:00

Yep, that's me at the age of two. Happily living in South St. Louis, 4155 Burgen, off of Morganford and Bates, with my dad, mom, older and younger brothers. My sister wouldn't arrive for another 4 1/2 years! What was it like living in the Lou in the 50's? It was standing outside your friends home and "calling" them to come outside. It was making mud pies, and playing tag, swing the statue and hide and seek. It was playing house and taking care of your babies and pushing them down the sidewalk in their buggies or sometimes dressing the cat as a baby and trying to push him in the buggy (not a happy cat). It was sitting on the front porch with the older neighbors in the evening and then trying to catch lightning bugs. It was dance lessons, trampouline lessons, swim lessons, baton lessons, art lessons, softball, brownies and girl scouts. It was walking to and from school with my best friend. It was creating dance routines for the neighborhood kids and putting on "shows". At that point in my life I wanted to be a dance teacher. At the age of 11 we moved to Kansas City and that was the end of my dance career.

In my 20s, we were living in Wentzville, Mo. where we had moved to when I was in the eighth grade. A very small town with a junkyard smack dab in the middle and not much else to offer other than wonderful, friendly, caring people. I graduated from high school, and started college. My dad passed away. I bought my first car, a 1970 Ford Mustang. I started my career with the telephone company. I married my high school boyfriend, I divorced my high school boyfriend. My brothers and sister were married and I even got a couple of nieces and a nephew.

In my 30s, I met George, the sweetest man that ever walked this earth. We built a home. We had two wonderful children. I got the greatest mother-in-law in the world! Life is somewhat of a blur at this point, I just know that it involved a lot of --working, raising kids, family gatherings, t-ball, softball, acrobat lessons, brownies, birthday parties, sleepovers, homework, choir, Sunday School and Church. More nieces and nephews! Church picnics, sausage suppers, weight watchers. Additional college classes. Cermaics, stenciling, cooking and cleaning. Our first family vacation to Orange Lake Country Club in Florida. The Schmidt Christmas Bakery begins! Bridal showers, baby showers and weddings. Fun times with friends and family.

When I turned 40, my kids said, "But mom, you don't look like you're 40". (What did they know they were all of 8 and 4). But I do remember thinking, What is a 40 year old suppose to look like? I guess to an 8 and 4 year old, you look very, very old. So much went on during these years that once again it seems as though it went by in a blur.....baseball, softball, hockey, basketball, soccer, football, homecomings, proms, coronations. Gadget started driving and dating, confirmation, graduation and leaving home to go to college. JMan was confirmed, and started high school My mom and mother-in-law had serious health issues, I was diagnosed with colon cancer. Major changes at work, survived two mergers with the telephone company. Whew.....

Then came my 50s......Jman started driving, and of course we continued with proms, homecomings, lots of high school sports, and summer traveling baseball team, graduation and the start of college. Mom week-ends with Gadget at college. Gadget graduated from college, started working and moved into an apartment. Early retirement from the telephone company after 34 years. Mable passed away. The day after Mable passed away, my mom died on the operating table but was miraculously brought back to life. George has by-pass surgery and I have a knee replacement. I start volunteering at Daniel Boone Elementary and the Butterfly House. Scrapbooking and stamp 'em up has become my newest obsession. More family weddings! Now I have two Great Nieces and a great-great nephew. Justin graduated from college and is pursuing a teaching profession. The economy went into the toilet and history is made when Obama is elected President. My Space, Facebook and blogging take up some of my extra time when I'm not substitute teaching.

And now here comes the Yikes part. In a little over a week I turn 60. I'm not dealing with this very well. I've heard a million times, "It's better than the alternative", which I have to agree with but it doesn't make this age thing any easier. I'm just amazed by how quickly the years have gone by. Especially the last 30. I need to start working on my plans for the next 10 years, then when I turn 70, I can look back on my 60s and say, "Well, that wasn't so bad after all"..............

She Makes Me Macaroni & Cheese........

2009-05-09T08:52:00.008-05:00

We all have those wonderful Mother Day Memories, the wonderful letters that our kids wrote to us when they were in elementary school, "I Love My Mom Because......." Recently, while cleaning out boxes of "stuff", I came across some of those letters from the early years . One that Gadget wrote me at the age of 7,

"I love my mom because she's always there for me. My mom does funny dances when my friends are over. She plays in the snow with my brother and me. She makes snowmen with me. She spends time with me. My mom and I go shopping together. We go on walks together. My mom takes my brother and me to McDonalds"

When J-Man was 7 he wrote,
"I love my mom because she fixes me macaroni and cheese. She loves me and she lets me have a friend over. She lets me watch movies and she takes me places. She takes me shopping and I love her".

These days, I still get great cards, and hugs, special moments. I still do crazy dances with my daughter (currently we are doing Zumba), we still go on walks, I still take them shopping, and we still do movies from time to time. I have to admit though, I haven't built a snowman in a while and I haven't taken them to McDonalds.

A few weeks ago, I found a box of macaroni and cheese in my pantry. I was a little confused since I haven't bought Mac & Cheese for many, many years (not the healthiest you know). I asked the men in my family if they had a clue how this mac & cheese had made its way into our pantry? J-Man confessed, "I bought it, you haven't made Macaroni and Cheese for a long time and I was kind of wanting some". So, we had macaroni and cheese for supper that night. So many memories.

Happy Mother's Day to all the wonderful women in my life!

A Wild "Hare"

2009-04-13T11:10:00.013-05:00

Easter time and I have this wild "hare" (I know it's really spelled hair but in deference to Easter and the Easter Bunny, I'm using "hare" instead--work with me people) to do something time-consuming and creative in honor of all the past Easter holidays when I did not have time to do something time-consuming and creative. In prior years, I was busy decorating eggs, getting Easter outfits together, working, cleaning, cooking, shopping and all of the other motherly, wifely things I did back then. So, on Saturday I decided to make these really cute cupcakes with flowers "blooming" out of them and a worm poking it's head up out of the "grass". It was my first attempt at baking cookies on a stick. I wasn't quite sure how, or what I was doing but what the heck I have an adventurous soul so why not? I must admit, I learned a few things...like don't make the cookies so big and use longer sticks! They turned out kind of cute though. Don't you think they are kind of cute?

I baked large cupcakes, some chocolate and some yellow. Then iced the chocolate cupcakes with white icing and the yellow cupcakes with chocolate icing. I colored coconut with green food coloring for "grass" and dipped each cupcake in the coconut after icing. I cut the gummy worms in half so that I could have the tail on one end of the cupcake and the head on the other end so it looked as though the "middle" of the worm was "underground". I baked the cookies on popsicle sticks and let them bake a little longer than normal to make sure they were good and crispy. After cooling, I decorated each cookie then stuck each one into a cupcake. After all 18 cupcakes were done, I lightly covered them with saran wrap to keep them from drying out too much. I was happy and at peace with the world.

Then came Sunday (which is also the title of one of my family's favorite Easter hymn that is featured in our local Passion Play) and as we prepared to go to church, I hopped on out to the kitchen and this is what I found......

My "flowers" were so fresh, they wilted! Another lesson learned, don't cover with saran wrap! I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter.

Today I Choose

2009-04-06T06:42:00.011-05:00

We all have choices. We are 100% responsible for ourselves and our choices. Unfortunately, I don't always make good choices. Most of the time, but not every single time. Today I choose to share some of my choices with you.

Today I choose to smile at every 6th grader that walks into my class. In some cases I might be smiling even more when they walk out of my class.

Today I choose to keep smiling until the end of the day! I might have to draw it on with dry erase board markers, but it will be there at the end of the day.

Today I choose to let go of things for which I have no control. (this does not mean class is dismissed early however)!

Today I choose to laugh out loud at least twice while teaching. Hopefully not out of hysteria but out of pure joy.

Today I choose to understand that these are 6th graders and they will talk, and they will act silly and they will not want to sit in class and do their work. I will understand, but they will still have to be quiet, not act silly and do their work.

Today I choose to help make the day a little more pleasant for everyone I come in contact with.

Tomorrow I choose to look back on my choices for today and see if I made the right choice.

The Promised Recipe

2009-03-23T08:53:00.004-05:00

Here's the promised recipe for Chocolate Marble Gooey Butter Cake. Here's another promise, if you eat much of this and you don't work out like a crazy person, you will gain weight! My sister-in-law brought this cake for the March birthdays and was a big hit, I ate one bite and was scared to step on the scale the next day! She got the recipe from the book the Cake Doctor by Anne Bryn.

Crust

1 package (18.25 oz. ) plain yellow cake mix

8 tbsp (1 stick) butter, melted

1 large egg

Filling

1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, at room temperature

2 large eggs

1 teas vanilla extract

8 tbsp (1 stick) butter, melted

3 3/4 cups powdered sugar, sifted

1 package (6 oz; 1 cup) semisweet chocolate chips

1. Place rack in teh center of the oven and preheat to 350 F. Set aside an ungreased 13 x 9 inch baking pan.

2. For the crust, place the cake mix, melted butter, and egg in a large mixing bowl. Blend with an electric mixer on low speed for 2 mins. Scrape down the sides of the bowl. The batter should come together in a ball. With your fingertips, pat the batter evenly over the bottom of the pan, smoothing it out with your fingers until the top is smooth.

3. For the filling, place the cream cheese in the same mixing bowl that was used to make the crust, and twith the same beaters, blend with an electric mixer on low speed for 1 min. Stop the machine and add the eggs, vanilla and melted butter and beat on medium speed for 1 min. Gradually add powdered sugar. Beat on medium speed for 1 minute until the sugar is well incorporated. Scrape down bowl.

4. Place the chocolate chips in a small saucepan over low heat. cook, stirring until the chips are melted, 1 - 2 mins. Measure out 1 cup of the cream cheese filling and fold it into the chocolate mixture, stirring so the batter becomes well combined and all one color. Set aside.

5. Pour the remaining filling onto the crust and spread with spatula so the filling covers the entire surface and reaches the sides of the pan. Drop spoonfuls of the chocolate batter over the top of the filling, then swirl them with a dinner knife for a marbled effect. Be careful not to cut through the crust. Place pan in the oven.

6. Bake the cake until it is well browned, but the center still jiggles when you shake the pan, 45 to 47 minutes. Remove pan from oven and cool on a wire rack for 30 minutes.

7. Store covered in aluminum foil at room temperature for up to 4 days or in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Or freeze wrapped in foil for up to 6 months. Thaw frozen cake overnight in the refrigerator.

My suggestion, however, is to only make this cake when you are taking it some where for a large crowd so you have no leftovers.....It really is sinfully delicious!

Enjoy!!!

I Am Blessed

2009-03-18T08:26:00.009-05:00

As mentioned in my previous post, 28 years ago yesterday, I gave birth to my beautiful daughter. 24 years ago today, I gave birth to my amazing son. I am truly blessed. Since I had
some "problems" getting pregnant and was told I would never have children, we decided our daughter was our "miracle baby". Four years later, surprise! Another "miracle". During my second pregnancy, we were told we were going to have another girl. We called "her" Jessica during the pregnancy. What a surprise (pleasantly) when the doctor announced, "it's a boy"! Of course we had to come up with a boys name immediately.

He was a doll at 9 lbs with barely any hair. He looked so much like my dad that we decided his middle name should be Theodore in memory of my dad. Our daughter didn't understand that we were naming her little brother Theodore in memory of a grandpa she had never met. She told us she didn't want him named after one of the Chipmunks (of Simon, Theodore and Alvin fame) and wanted to name him Mickey Mouse instead. We tried to explain we weren't naming him after one of the Chipmunks but she just didn't understand. When anyone asked what her little brother's name was she would say, "Justin Theodore Mickey Mouse" She was
adamant that Mickey Mouse be part of his name. So adamant that when our minister announced that we had a new member of the family he told everyone in church that the baby's name was Justin Theodore Mickey Mouse. So, once again, Happy Birthday, Justin Theodore Mickey Mouse. We love you!

March 17, 1981

2009-03-17T08:24:00.007-05:00

Do you know exactly what you were doing on St. Patrick's Day 28 years ago? I do. I gave birth to my beautiful daughter at 4:36 a.m. after numerous hours
of labor. This was back in the day when "natural childbirth was a beautiful and
wondrous thing". That it was, but at 9 lbs 3 ozs, my "wondrous" was sometimes
"wandering" during the hours of 8 pm Sunday and 4:36 am Monday! I'm not
complaining though. A few years prior to this date, I was told that I would never have children. That was also in the day when there wasn't much talk and even less action on "fertility
drugs" or in vitro fertilization or any of the marvelous procedures that are now available to young couples interested in becoming parents. I didn't go through any of those procedures,
but through a series of events that changed my life, my first husband and I divorced.
I remarried a couple of years later, and I found myself pregnant. What a surprise.
What a blessing!!!!!!!! Four years later, we were blessed again but that's tomorrow's story.

Angie and I leaving the hospital on March 19, 1981.

Unintentional Weight Loss????????

2009-03-16T07:42:00.011-05:00

Whenever you read about the symptoms for any critical illness, it always lists unintentional weight loss. I told my husband I have something to be thankful for, I know for sure I don't have a serious illness because I havn't had ANY weight loss. Recently, I had to go through a series of testing for a possible health concern. Naturally one of the questions the doctor asked me was, "have you had an unintentional weight loss lately"? My reply, "Are you kidding, I haven't even had an intentional weight loss." He got a chuckle out of that one. I guess he didn't believe I was trying......... but I have, at least most of the time.

We all know every social event revolves around food. It's not suppose to be that way, gatherings are suppose to be centered around family and friends and being together. But, most of the time the one thing uppermost in our minds is, "What covered dish should I take"? Most of the time, I take something healthy. At least I start with good intentions. This next week we're going to
a Trivia Night. I e-mailed one of my friends this morning and teasingly asked if she had been studying. Her response, and I quote, "Heck no, the only thing I have been thinking about that night is what I'm going to bring to eat. That's the most important subject is it not"? Now she can say this and get away with it since she weights all of about 10 pounds and is 5 foot 100 inches.

Tomorrow, of course, is St. Patricks Day and we all know what that means! It's also my daughters birthday which lends itself to a certain amount of celebrating. The next day is weigh in day at Weight Watchers. Once I get through that it is lunch with my friend and then dinner that night for my sons birthday celebration. Thursday I'm having lunch with my sister-in-law and Friday I have another doctors appointment where I'm sure I will hear, "Have you had an unintentional weight loss lately"? Oh for Heaven's sake...........................................

I just realized the time. Have to go; Paula Deen is on and I'm sure she has a wonderful healthy, slimming recipe to show me!

Surfin USA

2009-03-11T16:26:00.015-05:00

If everybody had an ocean across the U.S.A.

Then everybody'd be surfin like Californi-a

You'd see em wearing their baggies Huarachi sandals too

A bushy bushy blonde hairdo

Surfin U.S.A.

You are cordially invited to celebrate our family March Birthdays on March 7, 2009 at 2 p.m. Plan on having a fun day at the "Beach"!

I got the crazy idea that each family "group" would have their own picnic basket to take with them on their "beach picnic". Now mind you, we live in the middle of the United States and there isn't much beach here. And the idea of being on a beach, if we had one, in 30 degree weather is not very appealing. Nonetheless, I washed nine picnic baskets and supplied each with plates, napkins, silverware, beach towels, and family names on each basket. The little members of the family got a sand bucket and shovel with goldfish, fun fruits, drink box, beach ball and stickers for their day at the "beach".

Tables were made to look "beachy" with beach towels, balls, shells, buckets and sand.

When passing through the food line with their picnic basket, each group could pick up pre-packaged containers of potato salad, slaw, baked beans, chips, bean salad, hot dogs, bar-b-que pulled pork on a bun, chicken fingers or grilled Cuban Chicken (used the pork recipe I shared in an earlier post). Bottled water, soda, tea were also provided and placed in their basket. Once they had the food in their basket, everyone picked their spot on the "beach" to enjoy their picnic. My family thought I had lost my mind (again) for going to so much extra work, but I really did enjoy getting the picnic ready. It's the cleaning and cooking that goes with it that I don't like! The unbelievable part was the weather. It was almost 70 degrees. It was overcast most of the day but we didn't mind and were able to sit outside for a while.

Our birthday boy and girls were given leis to wear and serenaded to with the sounds of Happy Birthday (I think that's what that awful wailing was, I'm just glad I didn't have that on video).
We celebrated with some great looking cupcakes and a great marbled gooey butter cake that my sister-in-law made (I'll have to get that recipe to share with you) and ice cream.

Everyone agreed that it was a crazy day but loads of fun! Gotta go, surfs up!

HELP, please........

2009-03-07T06:53:00.005-06:00

Just a few "ramblings"....It's hard to believe that Tuesday of this week the temperatures were in the teens. Yesterday, the high was 82! Today is suppose to be warm, but rainy. The perfect day (minus the sun and the beach) for a beach party. Also wanted to share a very easy, healthy tasty recipe that I tried this week.

Cuban Pork Chops

4 pork boneless loin or rib chops, about 1 inch thick. Make the Cuban rub. Cover and refrigerate for about 3 hours. (The original recipe didn't call for this but it's what I did and I think it enhances the flavors). Rub the pork evenly on both sides.

Cuban Rub

2 tbsp grated lime peel

1 tbsp cracked black pepper

1 tbsp cumin seed (I used powdered cumin)

2 tbsp olive oil

1/2 teas salt

1 clove garlic, finely chopped

(I added grated fresh ginger)

Mix all ingredients and rub on pork. Grill or broil 4 - 6 " from medium heat 8 - 10 mins, turning frequently. Since I used the cheap pork chops and they were pretty thin, it didn't take long to cook. They were very tasty. Today I'm going to do this with chicken. But right now I need help...I need to get off this computer and get ready for a party!

Have a good one!

It was 18 years ago? I thought it was just yesterday.

2009-03-05T14:34:00.031-06:00

This Saturday 27 people are coming to my house for "March Birthdays". With the long things to do list sitting here by my side, I shouldn't be plopped in front of the computer blogging. Yet, here I am. What I need is a plan to get everything done. Both of my children have March birthdays. When they were younger, I always went to great lengths to have individual friend parties on different week-ends as well as a "family party". One year was particularly exhausting and yet so much fun. Gadget (silly name I call my daughter) was turning ten and my son, J-man, (silly name I call my son) was turning six. A sleep 0ver was planned for the Gadget. Not just any sleep over but one that involved each of the girls creating their own rap song/dance routine, preforming and video taping, musical note decorations, which I had to draw and cut out by hand, as well as costumes.

They had a blast, so many laughs. I still have that video and recently we watched and laughed ourselves silly over those songs and dances. As I mentioned earlier, this was a sleepover. Not a lot of sleeping was going on, just lots of giggling and talking.

J-Man was very big in to the Turtles at the age of six so nothing would do but to have a "Turtle" party. I rented a "Turtle" to come to the party and do face-painting, and games.

I had an artist friend paint a picture of "Raphael" on poster board so we could "pin the mask on Raphael".

Of course we had to have a "Turtle" cake. I have to say that I was very proud of the outcome of my very first decorated "Turtle". Of course I did use every bowl in the house and it took four hours to decorate and I did have quite the mess to clean up afterwards. but it was well worth it.

Did I mention that I had 200 boxes of girl scout cookies sitting in the kitchen waiting to be delivered? No? Well, there was. You'll have to take my word for it because I don't have a picture of the stacks of cookies.

Looking at these pictures, it is hard to believe that the beautiful ten year old is going to be a beautiful twenty-eight year old (it hurts to even write that) and that fun, spirited six year old is going to be a fun, spirited (coach and teacher) 24 year old? My goodness, it goes by so fast.

Happy Birthday!

I Love You!

O.K., time to stop procastinating and start working on that list for this week-end. This year we're having a Beach Party theme.

Need Comfort? Meatloaf Pie.......

2009-03-03T10:16:00.009-06:00

I have to start by telling you that I have never been a lover of meatloaf. I don't know why but it was just not something that appealed to me in my younger day. I don't know if it was an aversion to the ketchup on top of the glob of hamburger, or if it was the glob of hamburger itself. Then along came Meatloaf Pie and my life was changed.

Many years ago in the 70s, before my husband, before my children, I visited my brother and his wife for a week-end of fun, conversation, and fabulous food. Even though my brother and his wife are skinny (I only hold this against them sometimes), they are fantastic and fattening cooks. One of the dishes my SIL fixed was meatloaf pie. I couldn't believe with all of the wonderful things she makes she chose meatloaf! When it was time to partake of said pie I knew I was going to have a problem enjoying this meal. I was hooked after the first bite. Maybe it was the mashed potatoes on top, or the cheese on top of the mashed potatoes that made me love it, but whatever it was, it became one of my favorites. This is not a Weight Watchers recipe or even the healthiest meal so I don't fix it very often but over the years it has also become one of my husbands and my kids favorite meal. It does not appeal to everyone as I experienced several years ago when one of my sons friends was over for dinner. I made our favorite meatloaf pie only to find out he promised never to eat at our house again if we had meatloaf pie. Of course he didn't like cherry pie either so what does he know?

Times are tough right now and we all need a little comfort. It is said that meatloaf is a comfort food. With the DOW dropping below 7000 yesterday, I decided it was time for MEATLOAF PIE. Warning, although it does taste good, it does not restore the DOW or your 401K or retirement fund.

Hamburger Pie

1 pound ground beef (lean)

Hungry Jack mashed potato flakes (enough for 8 servings/divided)

1 package onion soup mix

1/4 cup ketchup or catsup

1 egg

1 cup milk

1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Heat oven to 350. Mix meat, 1 1/3 cups (or equal to four servings) instant mashed potato flakes (dry),

onion soup, ketchup, egg and milk together. Spread in ungreased pie pan 9 x 1 1/2". Bake uncovered 35 - 40 mins. Drain if necessary. Mix instant mashed potato flakes as directed on package for four servings. Top baked meatloaf with potatoes. Sprinkle with cheese. Bake 3 - 4 additional minutes until cheese is melted.

Serves 4 - 5

NOTE: I always mix my instant mashed potatoes with all milk (skim) rather than using a mix of water and milk as directed on the package. After all I think skim milk is a mix of a little milk and lots of water.

Hope you enjoy!

Hot or Old?

2009-03-01T16:17:00.012-06:00

Hot or Old you say? Not Hot or cold? No, this is not a typing error, I truly meant to say, hot or old.

After working for a particular company for 34 years, an announcement was made in 2003 that the company needed to eliminate 5,000 employees. This was necessary to help increase the "bottom line" and give the shareholders more value for their investment in the company. This would be accomplished through a package deal the company was offering to all employees. Employees could be RIFd or, if they had the "magic numbers", they could retire. It didn't take long for 20,000 of us to raise our hands and walk out the door. That is how it came to be that I was retired at the age of 54.

Now what? The first year I did a lot of volunteer work. I did reading programs at the elementary school, I did horticulture for a park/butterfly house, I did numerous activities for the church. It got to the point that my volunteer work was filling up my week way more than I wanted. How could I avoid doing all of these volunteer programs without looking like a lazy, uncaring, callous, detached individual? Get a job. Not just any job but something I felt I would really enjoy. I always wanted to be a teacher. Maybe that's what I should do. I could become a substitute teacher. I could pick and choose the days of the week I wanted to work and I could pick and choose which jobs I wanted. That would allow my schedule to remain flexible enough to enjoy my "retirement" activities while eliminating the overabundance of volunteer jobs.

The very first job I took was with an early childhood facility. I knew I could handle those little kids. What I didn't know was that my assignment would have me teaching an autistic child. Just the two of us. No one else. Except of course his mother who was coming in to observe that day. He was a darling child and we did manage to get through the morning. I,however, did not feel qualified and promised to steer clear of any early childhood development classes in the future. From there I moved on to the elementary level. I knew I could handle K - 5th graders. (so many stories to tell) After graduating from elementary, I decided to try high school. Things were going very well and I decided I had finally found my "teaching niche". In high school the first three hours are pretty easy. The students are still asleep and don't have a lot of motivation to drive the substitute crazy. It's the after lunch crowd you have to watch out for. During 5th hour that day, I had a junior/senior history class. About half way through the class one of the students said pointing to another male student, "He just said you were hot". Now I know I'm not "hot" and definately not by a 16 year old boys standards so I said, "right". The young man that had been accused of making the statement piped up with, "I didn't say she was hot, I said she was old". I think he got that right. I know I should have sent the student to the office but quite honestly I had to laugh and say, "Now, that's more like it". The class laughed and we continued on with a great history lesson. Sometimes, the best method of handling a sticky situation is through humor and flexibility.

Did I mention that I'm substituting on a regular basis in the Middle School now? I've found 6th grade to be the grade for me. Last week one of my sixth graders, Ray, told me he wanted to give me a hug. Mel, another 6th grader standing near by made a "yuk" face. When Ray saw her he said, "I always give her hugs because she is my favorite sub". Just as I was about to bust because I was so proud he said, "She reminds me of my grandma". Ha!

great 1954 high school cafeteria picture by virgf78--thanks for letting me use in my story.

Far, Far Away Down Under

2009-02-26T19:32:00.022-06:00

I've always loved reading about Australia. When I was a teenager I read an entire series of books written by Lucy Walker. All of these books were set in Australia, usually in the outback. Many years after reading these books, my niece met and married a young man from that country. He lived in the USA for a while so we all got to know him and his Australian customs.

They married in a lovely ceremony in a very small church which is located at the Daniel Boone Home/Village . The guests rode in horse drawn carriages to the church and enjoyed the beauty of the day.

Twenty-five friends and family made the long trip here for the wedding. Actually, they were here for about four weeks. What a party that was! There was something going on all the time. They were here to enjoy, and enjoy they did.

It was a wonderful, fun-filled, happy wedding blanketed in sadness. The bride and groom would be moving back to Australia after their honeymoon. And we all know it is very far, far away down under .

One day, once the stimulus has stimulated, we will make that long trip to that very far, far, away down under place...

Today is Wednesday, somebody listened.

2009-02-25T19:52:00.009-06:00

What is so special about Wednesday? It is my mental health day. It is my throw my head back and laugh out loud day without worrying that I am embarrassing someone (even if I am). It is my say something stupid without being judged day. It is my day to share all of the shocking, offensive, contemptible things that have or have not happened to me during the week. It is my day to share my happiness and successes. It is my day to share my fears and concerns about health issues, my family, and my evaporating retirement fund. It is the day I know someone is listening to me (at least most of the time). It is my day to spend with my friend Tricia.

My family knows the week to be Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Tricia Day, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Every Wednesday my husband leaves with, "You and Tricia have a good day" and my son always asks, "You Trishing it today"? They know. Everyone needs a Tricia day, it makes the rest of the week so much better.

I think I got this poem thru the internet. You know the type of e-mail with the music and pictures that tug at your heart. I really like the words and feel this is a good time to share.

Friends

As we walk our path of life,
We meet people everyday.
Most are simply met by chance,
But some are sent our way.

These become special friends
Whose bond we can't explain;
The ones who understand us
And share our joy and pain.

Their love contains no boundaries
So even when we are apart,
Their presence enhances us
With a warmth felt in the heart.

This love becomes a passageway,
When even the miles disappear
And so, these friends God sends our way,
Remain forever near.

Anybody Paying Attention?

2009-02-24T21:06:00.000-06:00

What in the world am I doing? What makes me think I need something else to occupy my time? Do I really believe anyone is going to look at this blog? Or is this just my way of going on and on and on and making myself THINK someone is actually paying attention?

There, I believe, is the key....I need to know someone is paying attention, at least occasionally.

Do I feel this way because I live only with men? Two to be exact. Here's a typical conversation with my husband after no response to something I have said or asked "do you hear what I'm saying, are you paying attention"? "Yes", he says, "of course I am listening. Do I have to respond to everything you say"? I guess not but it sure makes conversation much easier when there is more than one person talking! Here's another, one of my favorites. We're sitting at the dinner table and I ask him a question. I wait for an answer, nothing. I ask, "did you hear what I said"? His response (I love it), "I'm thinking and I can't talk and think at the same time". Excuse me? What do you mean you can't think and talk at the same time? I know, I know, we all talk without thinking from time to time. Is this the reason I've taken up blogging?

Could it be the other male love of my life? My son. Mind you, my son is no longer a little boy. He is a grown man who will soon (I'm staying positive) be leaving home. We do have some conversations that don't always involve, "What's for dinner", "Can you iron this shirt for me" or is "Dad here". Of course to have these conversations, I have to time them during commercial breaks. Maybe this is the reason I've taken up blogging.

Could it be my current job? A substitute teacher in a middle school. Try it some time and you'll find out what I'm talking about when I say I wonder if anyone is listening or paying attention. Just today, I spent five minutes giving directions for a quiz that they were preparing to take. As the students turned in their seats talking to friends on either side and behind them, rustled papers, threw books on the floor, sharpened pencils and blew their noses into the furnished kleenex, I asked one major question, "Did anyone hear anything I said"? From the looks on the faces staring up at me, I could tell that I had wasted five minutes worth of instruction. Perhaps this is the reason I've taken up blogging.

What do you think? Can you help me out a little? Hello......anybody paying attention?