An Experimental Mommy Life

Lovely Christmas!

2008-12-27T13:41:00.002-06:00

What a lovely Christmas we had! My parents-in-law and brother-in-law were here from Dec. 23 until this morning. We had a wonderful time with them!

I must talk about my stocking swap! Tara at The Well-Rounded Woman hosted this really fun swap where you prepare a stocking for a person only known online and another different person prepares one for you.

Unknown to me Becky at Scripture Mom was my secret Santa. She sent me such wonderful gifts! Which my husband kindly loaded in my stocking.... My two favorites are the butterfly bookplates and the magnetic measuring spoons- although I ate that whole Toblerone bar on Christmas day. The gifts also included an Eiffel tower key chain, spatula, lovely soap, candy cane, and bath beads!!! What fun! Thank you SO much Becky!

Soon I will post again with more Christmas details!

Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies

2008-12-21T20:21:00.001-06:00

IV's favorite Christmas cookie (I think) is pictured to the left. Fortunately, it's also an easy cookie to make- just like chocolate chip cookies with cocoa in the batter and chocolate mint chips.

Yum!

Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies
Ingredients:
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup cocoa
1 teaspoon baking soda
10 oz bag of chocolate mint chips (Andes Crème de Menthe)

Directions:
1. Heat oven to 375°F.
2. Beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, vanilla and salt in large bowl until creamy. Add eggs; beat well.
3. Stir together flour, cocoa and baking soda; gradually add to butter mixture, beating until well blended. Stir in 10 oz bag of mint chips. Drop by rounded half-teaspoons onto cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.
4. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until set. Cool slightly; remove from cookie sheet to wire rack. Cool completely. Makes about 7 dozen cookies.

Check out Our Creative Life for more cookies in the cookie exchange!

Mary, Did You Know?

2008-12-18T20:24:00.003-06:00

"Mary, Did You Know?" is one of my all-time favorite Christmas songs. I love the version recorded by Kenny Rogers and Wynonna Judd. You can hear it here.

In this advent season I can't help but think about what Mary must have been going through during her pregnancy, when she was waiting for the birth of Jesus.

Thank you Mary- for being open to the will of God in a way few of us are.

I pray that I can follow Mary's example.

DV's new apron

2008-12-17T20:39:00.005-06:00

DV has a new apron! I got it last week at World Market when I was shopping for stocking stuffers.

But, I couldn't wait until Christmas to give it to him! He needs it for all the baking we are doing!

The apron is actually made for doing arts and crafts and it is a really small size (the other kids aprons I have seen are really too long for DV.)

It is perfect, DV wears it every time we are going to cook or bake anything, just like his mommy.

Children's aprons work for me! Check out the other great tips on Shannon's site!

Gingerbread House

2008-12-10T21:11:00.000-06:00

Today DV and I decorated our Christmas gingerbread house. I got the house as a kit from Sams club. Then I assembled the house and let it dry while DV was napping.

After DV woke up (and after IV got home from work) we decided to decorate the house. You can see we really worked as a team- I used the icing and DV controlled the candy.

I think we really got great results this year- and DV's hand eye coordination has improved so much from last Christmas when we also did this! He was able to place the candies exactly where he wanted them on the lines of icing I piped.

This activity is SO much fun and I would recommend it for anyone, especially the kit we got this year which had pre-mixed icing (although if I had made it I think we could have used a little more.)

This is my Works for me Wednesday post, although I am too late to make it on Shannon's list you can check out more great ideas at Rocks in my Dryer.

DV and trains

2008-12-08T14:04:00.000-06:00

DV has a thing about trains. Remember how a train table is his only request for Santa? It's not too surprising considering the fact that he LOVES trains.

Here you can see him with two trains- his wooden train on the right and the new Christmas train on the left. The Christmas train was supposed to go in the Christmas tree- but after about 20 minutes of trying IV and I decided not in our tree...

So instead of our lovely tree skirt we now have a train. I already miss the tree skirt- it has a nativity on it and I LOVE nativities (now I only have 7 out decorating!)

Thank you Pop-pop for the Christmas train! It makes some great noises that DV loves too.

DV and Santa 2

2008-12-07T20:38:00.000-06:00

IV and I had been talking about taking DV to the mall to ride the carousel and see Santa. We just didn't know how well he was listening!

When DV woke up from his nap he decided he "needed" to get to the mall to see Santa and to ride the really cool carousel we have (I am a sucker for carousels!)

Since I was feeling spontaneous and IV was not, I decided to take DV to the mall- even though it is Sunday and everything should have been very crowded. We lucked out! There were only 4 people ahead of us in line to see Santa.

We parked, saw Santa, rode the carousel and got home in 45 minutes. That was a perfect mall trip!

It would have been even better if I could have gotten in some shopping.... but I have given up doing that kind of thing with DV.

DV and Santa!

2008-12-06T13:11:00.000-06:00

Today we went to a fort near our home where they were having a Christmas celebration. Lots of people in period costume- doing traditional things like blacksmithing and weaving and showing off their skills on a bugle. DV, IV and I really enjoyed touring the fort- it was the first time we paid admission to get in, we have only admired the outside previously.

DV had refused to get his picture taken with Santa since he was a baby- but amazingly he decided that the colonial Santa was cool! In fact, the Santa was so cool he got down on the ground to get his picture taken with DV and it didn't cost us a thing. DV says he wants to invite Santa to our house.

We have told him Santa is coming- and DV says the only thing he wants is a train table!

DV is growing up!

2008-12-04T11:06:00.002-06:00

DV is growing up! I know, they all do that- but sometimes it is really hard for me to be losing my "baby" and gaining a preschooler.

Yesterday we went to an open house at the school where DV will attend pre-K 4 next year. I can't believe it!

I am really quite sad about this, I love staying at home with DV and I don't think I'm quite ready for him to be a big independent boy.

He already is an independent boy. Just look at him hanging that ornament all on his own. He is potty trained, mostly dresses himself, and is working on his pre-reading skills. At least he still lets me carry him around, sometimes. I'm not giving that up until he says so.

Anyone have tips? How do you get over your babies growing up? What am I going to do next year when he's in school half the day? (Of course I'll still be working part time so I won't be bored, just sad.)

Easy Cinnamon Ornaments WFMW

2008-12-03T12:09:00.005-06:00

I have always wanted to make homemade ornaments with DV. You know, the kind that look like cookies but bugs, dogs, and kids don't like so they can actually hang on the tree for a season.

This year we did it! DV's magazine "Your Big Backyard" came with a recipe for Cinnamon ornaments. I figured that cinnamon would not be too attractive for eating and would be great for smelling so we gave it a try. I have only modified it slightly.

The only ingredients you need are cinnamon and applesauce. I recommend using inexpensive cinnamon (we get ours from Sam's). You will need about 4 oz of applesauce and 2 oz plus of ground cinnamon.

1. Mix the cinnamon and applesauce together in a small bowl. I used one of the snack size applesauce containers (4 oz) and then filled it half full with cinnamon for measurement. My applesauce was pretty wet so I ended up having to add quite a bit more cinnamon to get the right consistency dough. The dough should be like a sugar cookie dough.

2. Roll out the dough until it is 1/4" thick and cut shapes out using cookie cutters (We used the small 1" Christmas cutters that Wilton makes.) Place the cut shapes on a cookie sheet. Next time we do this I will use parchment paper on the cookie sheet. When you re-roll the dough you may have to add more cinnamon to keep the consistency.

3. Use a toothpick to make a hole in the top of each shape.

4. Bake at 200 degrees F for 20 minutes.

5. After the shapes cool thread an ornament through the hole and hang them wherever you need a cinnamon scent. It is great in combination with our fresh tree smell!

This recipe makes 30 1" ornaments.

Cinnamon ornaments work for me! For more great ideas visit Shannon's Rocks In My Dryer for her Works for Me Wednesday.

Best $170 we ever spent

2008-11-20T19:30:00.004-06:00

In an earlier post I said we were going to be installing our new dishwasher... without professional help. It didn't happen. Today we hired a plumber to come in and fix our broken hot water pipe and install the dishwasher. The best $170 we ever spent!

Our problems actually occurred when removing the old- as IV was pulling it out the hot water pipe (which was installed incorrectly using duct tape) the copper pipe snapped. That picture over there shows all that was left of the hot water pipe after it broke.

Of course, the hot water wasn't turned off because it came straight from the floor- not under the sink as we had thought (that valve is for the ice maker.)

So, we had a flood. Today we are washing every single towel in the house. And, we were forced to turn off the hot water. No shower last night and I had to go to work today with dirty hair. Ugh! It's been too cold for a cold shower.

And there was one other scary problem- we had turned off the breaker to the dishwasher, but what we didn't realize was that the previous owners had left live wires not on that circuit under the dishwasher. So when we were dealing with the flood there were also live wires hanging around.

I am just so glad IV and I didn't get electrocuted!!

Next time we mess with an appliance? We are going to hire a professional. And the new dishwasher? It's a thing of beauty!!!!

Flickr Mosaic (100th post!)

2008-11-17T15:06:00.002-06:00

1. Granma Jennie's Favorites, 2. (0395) Giza Plateau Egypt, 3. grimsby docks at night, 4. Pretty Monarch Butterfly 003, 5. brosnan, 6. You travel far to discover home., 7. Another another Rome..., 8. eye candy!, 9. Tender Love and Care, 10. It's breathtaking!, 11. Amazing Thailand, 12. Jen's Cheesecake

The idea for this fun post (my 100th!) came from Tara at The Well-Rounded Woman. It's a fun quiz that you use to create a mosaic that represents you.

First, answer these twelve questions:
1. What is your first name? (Jennie)
2. What is your favorite food? (Pizza)
3. What high school did you attend? (Satellite High School)
4. What is your favorite color? (Purple)
5. Who is your celebrity crush? (Pierce Brosnan)
6. Favorite drink? (Water)
7. Dream vacation? (Rome)
8. Favorite dessert? (Chocolate)
9. What do you want to be when you grow up? (Mom)
10. What do you love most in life? (Family)
11. One word to describe you (Happy)
12. Your Flickr name (Jen8rc)

Then build a mosaic! You use the mosaic maker at Big Huge Labs and get the photos by searching for your answers in flickr and selecting a photo for each question from the first page of hits.

Fun! Fun! And, something silly for my 100th post. Maybe I'll be serious on 101.

Thanks Tara for the instructions and you and I match on some of our answers!

Holiday Hints

2008-11-17T13:18:00.003-06:00

Jo-Lynne from Musings of a Housewife has just posted a GREAT holiday gift guide!

You can find the guide here or you can just click on that nifty button on my right sidebar. That's right, over there. ->

I have almost finished all my Christmas shopping- actually I just have to finish a project for my mom's gift and buy another small gift for IV. But, I know someone out there could use hints for what to buy me (that's right, IV I'm talking to you.)

Here's a start to your Christmas shopping and the great advantage is not having to leave the house! Your gifts will come to you!

Bye, bye dishwasher!

2008-11-16T20:25:00.002-06:00

Our dishwasher died on Thursday. I mean it just refused to function- we think the water pump broke (since no water was going in when it was supposed to be washing!) And it is quite rusty so we think it's old (it came with the house.)

So in addition to hand washing dishes (really it's not that bad for a family of three, except when we decide to make something elaborate like oysters) we have been shopping.

I want a GOOD dishwasher. The one we had (sadly passed away) was so great about getting the dishes clean. I read some online articles and decided the most important components for me are a food grinder, automatic water temperature control, and adjustable tines on the bottom. Not to mention, the more spray heads the better!

So we went shopping at three stores- Sears, Lowes, and Home Depot. I found a few dishwashers which were almost perfect at Lowes and Sears but we found our new dishwasher at Home Depot.

Home Depot has 10% off Maytag appliances right now, which is one of the reasons we selected a Maytag. But the main reason is it met all the requirements- and has three spray heads! It's also $100 less than its Sears competitor and seems more reliable from its reviews. If you're curious it's the Maytag Model MDBH955AWW.

Now we just have to be patient and wait for delivery. It will arrive on Wednesday- and we are planning to install it ourselves. (I'll let you know how that goes.)

I can't wait for my new dishwasher!!!!

A boy's dollhouse- WFMW

2008-11-05T13:45:00.004-06:00

DV has been very interested in imaginative play for at least a year (since he was 2) games where he plays with figures and imagines what they are doing. So I decided he needed a house for his people, and went looking for a "boy" type house since he doesn't have any sisters to share with.

We found one! Playmobil makes a great set which would be appropriate for any child (although it seems to be discontinued now) which includes a house and animal playmates plus veterinary equipment.

Playmobil actually has lots and lot of great playsets which would be appropriate for boys or girls and DV plays with his set every day and also uses toy which belong to other sets (little people, match box cars, etc.).

For other great toy ideas see Rocks in My Dryer, Shannon's Works for me Wednesday this week is toy recommendations.

Pumpkins and Seeds

2008-10-30T09:38:00.001-06:00

Yesterday evening we decided it was the perfect time to work on our pumpkins. Two days before Halloween- they won't have time to rot before the trick-or-treaters come.

DV was a great help getting the strings and seeds out of the pumpkin and I decided that with two pumpkins worth of seeds I should try something I hadn't done in years. Cook the seeds!

I must say, previously I haven't had much success with making edible pumpkin seeds, so I decided to go with a recipe that was definitely different. You boil the seeds first. It worked! The seeds are crunchy and delicious!!!

Here's the recipe:
First boil the pumpkin seeds- for every half cup of seeds add 2 cups of cold water. Add 1 tablespoon of salt for every cup of water (I used a little less than this.) Bring the water to a boil and simmer for 10 minutes.

Prepare your baking pan. Coat the bottom of the pan with 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
Drain the seeds and place them in one layer in the pan (I had to use 2 pans). Bake the seeds for 20 minutes or until the seeds are browned to your liking. I stirred the seeds half way through. Let the seeds cool completely in the pans before enjoying!!!!

Low sugar cookies- WFMW

2008-10-22T12:25:00.003-05:00

I am not very trusting of sugar substitutes- being a chemist I know what they are and I know what they're not (natural.) So I want to serve low sugar treats for DV as much as the next mom, but I don't want to use Splenda or other artificial sweeteners.

So I have been searching for a good recipe for cookies which just uses only a little sugar. I have found it in "Italian Frosted Cookies" (you have to leave the frosting off for the low sugar effect.) The recipe comes from DV's Kindermusic book with a few modifications:

Italian Frosted Cookies
¾ cup butter
1/3 cup sugar
3 eggs
1
tsp.
vanilla
2 tbsp. orange juice (or apple juice)
3 cups flour
1 tbsp.
baking powder

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. (325 convection)
Cream the butter and sugar; add eggs, vanilla, and juice. Combine flour and
baking powder in separate bowl and gradually add to creamed mixture. Knead
the
dough for about 5 minutes. Use tablespoons of dough, roll into lengths
and then
press ends together to form small rings. Let stand on ungreased
cookie sheet for
15 minutes at room temperature. Bake for 15 minutes or
until lightly golden.
Makes 4 dozen.

Note: The original recipe
called for a confectioner’s sugar and water glaze which the hot cookies would be
dipped in and then sprinkles added but these cookies are good plain.

This recipe works for me! The cookies taste a little like sweet croissants. Enjoy! For other Works for Me Wednesday ideas check out Rocks in My Dryer.

Christmas Shopping

2008-10-17T15:25:00.003-05:00

We like to start our Christmas shopping early around here- in fact we started very early!

I bought one of DV's gifts last spring- it's a really cute kid's cookbook but he wasn't ready for it yet. Now he cooks with me all the time. See the photo over there of us making chocolate cutout cookies last Saturday. You can see we were wearing our Texas orange- go Texas- #1!!

Anyway, back to Christmas shopping- I have been watching out for sales and there have been some pretty good ones. Lenox has a great clearance section online where I have bought teacher gifts already and also gifts for my mother-in-law and mom.

One of DV's large gifts was bought at a consignment sale- a used train table! I can't wait until my parents are here for Thanksgiving- that will be SO much fun- plus they are going to help me refinish it. So it will be perfect for DV!

I love Christmas shopping! I have so much fun buying gifts for my family and friends. It is one of my favorite things about this lovely season.

Easy Shortbread

2008-10-01T12:09:00.004-05:00

I haven't had as much time as usual for baking for IV and DV so I have been searching for quick, scratch recipes. This recipe is great because you can do everything in the food processor and the ingredients are ones I always have around. I found it in my local paper and modified slightly:

Brown Sugar Shortbread

1 cup butter, softened

1 cup brown sugar

1 tsp. vanilla

2 cups flour

1/4 tsp. salt

1 tbsp. sugar

pinch ground cinnamon

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Lightly butter a 9" springform pan. In the food processor (or mixer) process the butter until soft. Add brown sugar and vanilla, process. Add the flour and salt; do not over mix. The dough should look a bit crumbly (see photo.) Press into pan using fingers. Combine 1 tbsp sugar with cinnamon and sprinkle over top. Cut into wedges and pierce each several times with a fork. Bake until golden brown and firm at edges while still soft in center. 40-45 minutes. Cool in pan and recut wedges. Store in an airtight container.

This is my entry in the works for me Wednesday kitchen organization edition! It works for me!

Board Games for a 3-year old!

2008-09-24T14:04:00.003-05:00

We have been working lately to reduce our TV consumption. So I discovered the wonderful world of preschool board games! They don't require reading.

We started out with Hi Ho Cherry-O which is a great counting game that DV got as a gift. He loves it SO much we can play multiple times a day. The main point of the game is to spin and get all of your cherries from the tree into the basket- and it requires counting up to 4. Perfect!

Since we were so successful with one game I decided to branch out and we added Candy Land to our selection of board games. This game is a color matching game with some counting to 2- and DV loves it even more than Hi Ho Cherry-O I think because of all the candy!

Another great thing about these games is they are inexpensive (in fact Toys R Us is having a sale this week and they are only $5 a piece) so they are great for any occasion!

Board games work for me! If you need other tips please visit Works-for-me Wednesday at Rocks in My Dryer.

Chemistry and Monty Python

2008-09-17T12:40:00.003-05:00

I had to share this really funny video- it's advertising a new separation system- using thin layer chromatography- but the video is really great. And you can see how chemistry can be funny!

Saving Basil: Works for Me

2008-09-10T13:26:00.004-05:00

We have been growing basil this summer- but the season for good growing conditions has finally ended.

We needed to pull up the basil plant- about 3'x3'- to prepare our garden for fall planting.

I needed to save all that basil! So what to do? Pick all the leaves off the plant and wash them. I then put them out to dry overnight on my cooling racks on top of paper towels (see photo.)

The next morning the leaves were dry and I measured one cup of basil and placed it into a quart size labeled freezer bag (see photo), so that the leaves are laying flat. Then the bags go into the freezer and when we need the taste of fresh basil we can just pull some out! Frozen basil works perfectly in any cooked recipe.

It works for me. To see more works for me Wednesday posts go to Rocks In My Dryer.

Easy chocolate cake

2008-09-07T13:29:00.004-05:00

This recipe is actually called "Six-Minute" chocolate cake in the Moosewood cookbook. I have modified it a little (I think it works better) but it now takes closer to 10 minutes to get it into the oven. This is the chocolate cake I ALWAYS make now. It makes one thick 9" cake layer or 12 cupcakes, but the recipe can be doubled.

1.5 cups flour
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 cup cold water or brewed coffee
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 tablespoons vinegar

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Grease and flour a 9" cake pan or line a cupcake pan with 12 papers.

In a bowl whisk together the flour, cocoa, baking soda, salt and sugar. Add the vegetable oil, water (or coffee), and vanilla and mix until smooth. Add the vinegar to the batter and stir until just mixed (you will see pale streaks in the batter where the vinegar and baking soda are reacting.) Bake for 25 to 30 minutes.

There is also a delicious and easy glaze that goes with the cake.

8 oz bittersweet chocolate
3/4 cup hot water, milk or half-and-half
1/2 teaspoon vanilla

I make the glaze in the microwave, so first I heat the milk (or water or half-and half) for about 1.5 minutes until it's almost boiling. Then I melt the chocolate in the microwave (it takes about 1.5 minutes.) Then whisk the chocolate and milk together and add vanilla. Pour the glaze over the cake and refrigerate!!!

I make the cake a lot for DV and IV to enjoy and use buttercream icing, but if I am going to bring something to a group of women this cake with the glaze is perfect. Total chocolate heaven!!!

PS- This cake is also a pretty cool example of a common acid and base reaction (the vinegar and baking soda) that is used to leaven the cake. So I also like it as a chemist!

Gustav

2008-09-01T13:29:00.003-05:00

We live on the Gulf coast- so we are feeling the effects of hurricane Gustav.

Luckily, we didn't have to evacuate because we are on the edge of the storm bands- only feeling the tropical storm force winds and rain.

Obviously, we haven't lost power yet!

The main difficulty had been entertaining DV during the rain and wind- he has been acting like a hurricane in the living room. There are toys where I never thought toys could be.

Today I just feel thankful. Thank God the storm spared us and we are praying for those it didn't.

IV's favorite cookies!

2008-08-26T13:09:00.004-05:00

Today I made these cookies for IV and DV and they love them. They are very easy to make. It takes me about 1.5 hours including clean-up time.

Soft and Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies

2 1/4 cup flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 cup salted butter
1/2 cup white sugar
1 cup packed brown sugar
2 tsp vanilla
2 eggs
2 cups chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Whisk together flour and baking soda. Put butter and sugars in the mixer and mix on medium speed until pale and fluffy. Reduce mixer speed to low. Add vanilla and eggs, mix. Mix in flour mixture, and then stir in chocolate chips by hand.

Drop teaspoons of dough onto baking sheets line with parchment. Bake cookies for 8 minutes, or until edges are golden and centers are soft. Cool cookies on wire racks. Store cookies in airtight container between layers of parchment.

Back-to-school haiku

2008-08-25T13:39:00.002-05:00

Shannon at Rocks in My Dryer is having a contest today for a back-to-school haiku. I decided to enter:

Now that books are BACK,
No more free summer time TO
Play, instead busy SCHOOL.

Fun!!!

Where does the three-year-old sleep?

2008-08-21T09:50:00.004-05:00

When we moved DV from the crib to a bed we decided to splurge and buy him an expensive bed. Lucky kid!

Here's a picture of him enjoying it, even before I added the race car decals. He started out sleeping in it with his crib mattress and when we decided he had gotten too tall for the crib mattress we switched to a twin.

But where does he sleep now? He takes his blanket and bear and sleeps on the floor- right by the door. Every night.

So the cute, "kids dream," bed is empty and we can't even move him into it after he's asleep- because opening the door wakes him up!

I hope he'll go back to sleeping in the bed someday- the hardwood can't be that comfortable!

Nerves

2008-08-15T13:12:00.002-05:00

I have been taking off from my part-time job this summer. I have been really enjoying my free time with DV and little, visiting family vacations.

But ARGHHHHH! On August 19 I will be back to the grind- teaching Chemistry I labs. I adjunct part-time and stay home with DV the rest of the time.

I'm just not sure I'm ready to go back. I want more time off!

Truthfully? I am a little nervous. I always get this way before I start a new activity. Even one I have done before....

Bad Marshmallows!

2008-08-13T14:29:00.003-05:00

Jen at Absolutely Bananas gave us this nifty writing prompt- write about a cooking catastrophe!

I am here to tell you marshmallows cannot be added to just any recipe.

I had some marshmallows. I had some brownie mix. And, I needed a dish to take to my potluck.

Can you see where this is headed? I decided I couldn't just make the mix brownies- I had to try for something exciting. So I added a bag of mini marshmallows to the mix before baking it.

I should have figured there is a reason marshmallows are never added to something before baking.

Here is what happened: browned and caramelized marshmallows on top of undercooked brownies. Totally inedible! I had to buy something for the potluck.

Here's my recommendation- DO NOT BAKE MARSHMALLOWS!!!!!

What I have learned from my son

2008-08-06T21:14:00.003-05:00

What have I learned from DV? This is a really great question- as he has been around for just over 3 years now and I have learned A LOT.
1. Patience
2. Unconditional love
3. Enjoy the moment
4. Read, read, read
5. Always smell the flowers
6. Run don't walk
7. Chocolate is the perfect food
8. Prunes are the other perfect food
9. Daddy is a hero
10. Watch the garbage trucks (and other gross things)

Every day DV teaches me something absolutely vital. I don't know who I would be without him in my life. Thanks DV!

Family Portraits

2008-07-30T20:52:00.002-05:00

Every summer we get family portraits taken. This summer is no exception- we went to Portrait Innovations and had these great shots taken!

Don't you just love the one of DV leaning back in the chair? Well, I love them all!

And, we even got a pretty good deal on a ton of pictures- and if we could have limited ourselves to one pose we could have spent only $9.95.

They even include a free CD so you can e-mail your pictures, get reprints, and post them on your blog.

Easy Lasagna

2008-07-29T15:00:00.003-05:00

We are having guests for dinner tonight- they are our new neighbors and they have 2 children right about DV's age. I am SO excited!

I decided to trot out my recipe for easy lasagna. I think it is much better than the frozen kind you can buy- and for the 3 of us it actually makes 3 meals. (It makes 12 adult size servings and IV likes to eat 2!) The extra meals freeze and re-heat in the microwave really well so this is a real time saver- plus it's not much more work than spaghetti

16-20 oz ground turkey
1 large jar pasta sauce
15 oz ricotta cheese
2 cups mozzarella cheese
9 lasagna noodles
parmesan cheese for sprinkling

Cook the lasagna noodles as the package directs. While they are cooking cook the ground turkey and drain the fat. Then add enough pasta sauce to make a slightly soupy mixture and simmer while the noodles are cooking.

When the noodles are done cooking drain them and run cold water over them. Pour some pasta sauce (without meat) on the bottom of your lasagna pan. Place 3 noodles over sauce. Add half the meat sauce and spread. Then spread half of the ricotta cheese over the meat and sprinkle on half the mozzarella. Add 3 more lasagna noodles and make the second layer of meat and cheese as the first. Cover with 3 more lasagna noodles. Pour more pasta sauce (without meat) over the top and sprinkle with parmesan cheese.

At this point cover the lasagna with aluminum foil and you can refrigerate it to bake later or bake it now! Bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees F.

Enjoy!

Simple Fudge Search

2008-07-28T20:25:00.004-05:00

I am on the hunt for a simple (read as no candy thermometer) recipe for fudge. I am working on my project now so that by Christmas time I will be ready! Homemade fudge for DV's teachers with the lovely Christmas ornaments I ordered on discount from Lenox.

The first recipe I tried is called "Simple Chocolate Fudge" and I read it in Everyday Food. Of course I modified it a little bit..

4 tbs. butter
3 cups mini marshmallows
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup evaporated milk
1/2 tsp. vanilla
2 cups chocolate chips

The original recipe (and thus the photo) also includes 1 cup walnuts, and calls for heavy cream instead of evaporated milk.

The fudge tastes lovely but did not set-up as well as I would have liked. I had to put it in the freezer to get it to set- and then when moved to the refrigerator the fudge is a little soft. Probably too soft for gift giving but fine for eating. So I am still on the quest.

If anyone has a suggestion please share!

This is the kind of friend I want to be.

2008-07-24T14:30:00.003-05:00

I received this through my e-mail today.

"If one day you feel like crying...
Call me.
I don't promise you that...
I will make you laugh
But I can cry with you.

If one day you want to run away-
Don't be afraid to call me.
I don't promise to ask you to stop,
But I can run with you.

If one day you don't want to listen to
anybody;
Call me and...
I promise to be very quiet.

But...
If one day you call and there is no answer...
Come fast to see me...
Perhaps I need you..."

I want to be the kind of friend who is always there. I am blessed to have several friends who are always available for me. Thank God for friends!

Potty training

2008-07-23T14:13:00.004-05:00

DV and I have been working on the infamous potty training. He has been doing very well with pee- and staying dry- but we were getting nowhere fast on poop.

So, I tried an experiment- 3 prunes!- and now we have him doing his business quite regularly every evening when given the "prunies" in the morning. This definitely works for me.

For more works-for-me Wednesday links check out Shannon at Rocks in My Dryer.

3 Minute Retreat

2008-07-21T13:29:00.002-05:00

I was wandering around the blogosphere today and I found this wonderful 3 minute retreat. It is a daily, scripture guided, computer retreat- and it's just what I've been looking for to supplement my prayer life. I already have a daily reflection I read with scripture and prayer but I've been searching for something to add.

Today's scripture was from 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God, and that you are not you own? For you have been purchased at a price. Therefore, glorify God in your body."

I really needed to be reminded today that the spirit and body are united. Our moral choices need to be reflected in the actions of our bodies and the desires of our spirits. Our bodies are not ours- they belong to God. We must live in a way that reflects the dignity of our bodies and our souls. The last question today's retreat asks is, "How can I help others to see themselves in God's eyes?"

Sometimes I forget to see other people with God's eyes- see what is good about them. I don't know why but I really feel like this retreat was speaking to me. I am going to work on seeing the good in other people as Jesus does.

So, I actually came away with 2 resolutions from this one 3 minute reflection. 1) Remember that my body and all bodies belong to God and take care of them in an appropriate way 2) Remember that Jesus saw good where others did not and be like Him.

Reading Level

2008-07-17T20:21:00.004-05:00

I found this readability test online- and I thought it was pretty funny. I mean, who knows what it uses to gauge the reading level- sentence length, word length, etc....? But, I am gratified to know I can write at the high school level even though I have most conversations with my three-year-old.

Easy out cake layers

2008-07-16T20:43:00.003-05:00

Today I am posting a "works-for-me wednesday" idea of my own.

One of the problems frequently encountered by me while baking was a cake layer torn in half- because it stuck to the pan!

Now, it's a real pain to have to re-make a cake and hope that it doesn't happen for a second time.

My solution is waxed paper. And, this works every time!!!

1. Trace the bottom of your cake pan(s) on waxed paper
2. Cut out the pattern
3. Grease the pan
4. Place the waxed paper in the bottom over the grease
5. Grease the waxed paper
6. Sprinkle the whole inside of the pan with flour (which sticks to the grease)

Now, add your cake batter and bake as normal. When you remove your cake from the pan it won't stick- only the waxed paper will. Pull off the waxed paper and then lay it back on top until the cake cools (this keeps the layer from drying out too much.) I've never had a cake split since adopting this trick.

Works for me Wednesday is hosted by Shannon at Rocks in My Dryer .

My Miracle Baby

2008-07-14T20:30:00.001-05:00

Beth at "A Mom's Life" has inspired me to post about my big miracle.

I thank God every day for the presence of our son DV in our lives. He was born when I was only 27 weeks pregnant. I developed HELLP syndrome and ended up in the hospital. Eventually, they needed to perform an emergency C-section which had perfect timing because a placental abruption was also discovered.

DV was 2 lbs 4.5 oz when he was born and stayed in the NICU for 9 weeks. Today even the doctors say you can't tell he was a premature baby. We had so many people and prayer chains praying for us both before and after his birth- he is a miracle baby.

I thank God every day for the miracles in my life, the small everyday ones, and especially my miracle baby!

Look at him now!

DV's birthday!!!

2008-07-12T21:58:00.007-05:00

Today is DV's birthday 3rd birthday and we have had a wonderful day, although very busy!

For breakfast we enjoyed fresh Belgian waffles (made on our new waffle iron, which was an anniversary gift to ourselves.)

We drove to the Naval Air Station to visit the National Museum of Naval Aviation and then had lunch at a local restaurant which features a sand play area!

When we returned home DV opened his gifts- he really loves the play cabin and the new red wagon.

Finally, we had dinner and DV actually blew out the candle on the chocolate cupcake with red icing!

What a day!!

Oh, and to top it all off, we had a storm after dinner and lost power for 3 hours- the only bad part of a wonderful day!

Happy birthday DV!

Starting to blog again...

2008-07-11T13:56:00.002-05:00

Hello out there! Is anyone still reading my blog? If so, thanks and I'm so sorry I haven't written anything in almost a year. I have still been reading blogs and occasionally commenting, but mostly lurking.

It has been a busy year for me- with DV being almost 3 years old he is a small bundle of energy- and I also started teaching a class at the university. I have been off this summer but travelling around and DV is also off from his 2 mornings a week mother's day out so I have had my hands full.

I am starting to imagine that I am interesting enough to write about, though, so I am back!

World's Best Key-Lime Coconut Cake

2007-08-22T15:09:00.001-05:00

I've decided to post recipes here on my blog occasionally.

For IV's birthday I made a key-lime coconut cake- and the cake was the best- ever!

Cake Ingredients:
1 cup butter
2 cups sugar
1 cup coconut milk (unsweet)
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2.5 cups flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
6 egg whites
Filling/Icing Ingredients:
1 tablespoon freshly grated lime peel
1/3 cup key lime juice (I got it from a bottle)
3/4 cup sugar
3 eggs
1/2 cup butter
8 oz cream cheese
powdered sugar

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Butter and flour 3 cake pans.
Cream the butter and sugar until ight and fluffy. In another bowl mix coconut milk and vanilla- add half the mixture and blend. In another bowl sift flour, baking powder, and salt. Add sifted mixture then milk mixture and blend.

Using a mixer with clean, dry, grease free beaters and bowl beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form. Fold the beaten whites into the batter until no white remains. Pour into pans and bake until tip of knife inserted in center comes out clean. About 25 minutes. Cool on a rack.

While the cake is baking make the key lime filling. In the saucepan whisk together the lime peel, juice, sugar, and eggs. On medium heat cook the mixture whisking constantly until it thickens, about 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat. Whisk in the butter a little at a time. Refrigerate until well chilled, about 1 hour.

When the cake has cooled spread about half of the filling between both layers. Mix the remaining key lime filling with the 8 oz of cream cheese, add powdered sugar as needed to thicken the icing. Ice the top and sides of the cake with the cream cheese and filling mixture.

This recipe was inspired by the coconut lemon layer cake in Moosewood Restaurant Book of Desserts.

Fresh starts... how I miss you!

2007-08-20T15:02:00.001-05:00

Around here the universities are just starting for the fall semester- and the schools are just starting too.

I am having a nagging feeling of missing something.

What am I missing? I think it's the feeling of a fresh start.

That pleasant/scary feeling you get at the beginning of a new year? Or when you move to a new town? Or start a new job?

I kind of miss it.... I find myself looking with longing at university ads- remembering moving into the dorms.

Sigh... it's fall but I don't have anything new to start or anything to end- not anything big, anyway.

I guess that's all part of being an adult... life is one line instead of a series of more exciting bumps in the road.

Raising children = Building a Cathedral

2007-08-17T14:03:00.000-05:00

Every mom feels invisible sometimes. We can't help it- once we were single and stood on our own merits and now we are the support of others.

I hope to be building something great in my son, and in my family. Something that will go beyond me and into the future I cannot see.

Today, I got a really great e-mail that talks about the similarity between raising a child and building a cathedral (one of the great ones, in Europe that took generations to complete.)

The workers knew they wouldn't see the end result of their labors.

Here are four truths about cathedrals:

No one can say who built the great cathedrals-- we have no record of their names.
These builders gave their whole lives for a work they would never see finished.
They made great sacrifices and expected no credit.
The passion of their building was fueled by their faith that the eyes of God saw everything.

I like this story too:

A legendary story in the book told of a rich man who came to visit the cathedral while it was being built, and he saw a workman carving a tiny bird on the inside of a beam. He was puzzled and asked the man, "Why are you spending so much time carving that bird into a beam that will be covered by the roof? No one will ever see it." And the workman replied, "Because God sees."

Those small sacrifices we make every day for our children- our family- they are building something great.

We won't see the finished product, but as moms we know that the path is a worthy one.

I think this is something to think about as I am occupied with one more diaper to change, toys to pick up, laundry, all the things that take up my day.

I am building something greater than myself, and God sees.

Small things matter.

My future house!

2007-08-15T07:31:00.001-05:00

This is a picture of a house in Cincinnati, Ohio- designed by architect and design professor Terry Brown. I think he actually had his students do much of the construction.

It is called the "Mushroom House."

You can see more pictures here.

If we ever move to Cincinnati I am going to buy this house! It would certainly be an experience to live there!

Now IV will never want to move.....

Busy...

2007-08-12T15:37:00.000-05:00

Busy- I think that is one of the most commonly used words in a mom's vocabulary.

Somehow, I decided I wasn't busy enough- where this idea came from I'm still wondering- but I have taken on several new projects.

Next week, I start teaching an 8th grade CCD (Confraternity of Christian Doctrine,) it's Catholic Sunday school and this year is especially important because my students are also being prepared for Confirmation.

I've already started preparing- and there's lots more to do. Fortunately, IV is helping me- in fact, he is listed as the co-teacher. However, DV will be in class too, so there probably won't be a lot of co-teaching going on- more like taking turns.

I applied for an adjunct position at the university where IV is a professor- I'll either be teaching a lab or a lecture, probably starting the week after next.... maybe not starting until Spring (I am not sure which to hope for.)

Not to mention all of my other activities- running my jewelry business, secretary and board member of my neighborhood association, and of course most importantly being a wife and mother.

So, I am VERY busy. I probably don't even have time to be writing this....

IV's Birthday celebration!

2007-08-10T07:50:00.001-05:00

Here are some pictures from IV's birthday!

You can see DV LOVED the "airplane museum" SO much!

IV was nice enough to let DV help him blow out the candles on his cake.

I think 2 year olds believe every birthday belongs to them.

DV did say happy birthday Daddy quite a bit!

We had a very fun day! Even if I did end up driving about 4 hours... and IV drove some too!

Happy Birthday IV!!!

2007-08-08T07:06:00.001-05:00

Happy birthday Baby!

I am SO glad we are married!

Today we are going to the National Museum of Naval Aviation and then out to lunch at the beach.

IV has taken the day off! And, DV has been looking forward to going to the "airplane museum" all week.

Actually, he's been looking forward to going there again since IV took him one Saturday when I was working at home.

This is a picture from one of IV's birthdays before we got married.... isn't he handsome!

Visiting the mountains

2007-07-31T19:21:00.000-05:00

This week we are visiting my parents at their "summer place."

It's great- a 600 square foot cabin in the middle of the Pisgah National Forest.

There are a few complications staying in such small quarters with 3 of us, 2 dogs, 2 birds, and my folks but I do love it.

And, we have a DSL connection here- no TV but since we don't have cable at home I don't miss it too much.

Mystery Solved!

2007-07-27T08:54:00.001-05:00

Now that we are trying to start potty training, I know IV will want to use this explanation with DV.

Men are just environmentally conscious! Why didn't I think of that???

Next time I almost fall into the toilet in the middle of the night I'll be sure to think about doing my part for the environment....

I'm a Hufflepuff!

2007-07-26T13:47:00.000-05:00

Which Hogwarts house will you be sorted into?

I found this pretty cute sorting test, courtesy of Jennifer (thanks!) (click on the link above if you want to be cool too.)

So what does it mean??? Well, I guess loyal, dependable and hardworking are complimentary... but a little boring? I always wanted to be more like Harry!

Your in-depth results are:

Hufflepuff - 19
Ravenclaw - 14
Gryffindor - 8
Slytherin - 6

Guess I would never get sorted in with Harry- ah well.... maybe if I had more time to read the books.....

Thursday, 13 Signs that Summer is Ending

2007-07-26T07:07:00.000-05:00

13 Signs that Summer is Ending
(And, DV isn't even in school yet!!!)

1. IV just gave his final!!!
2. Vacation in North Carolina coming up
3. Uniform sales everywhere
4. Teachers crying (I understand, I used to be one!)
5. Teachers working 80 hour days
6. Kids trying to cram the last 1-2 weeks of summer with all the things they didn't do yet
7. The heat is starting to break (OK, this might be wishful thinking)
8. Preparations for Fall CCD classes have begun (oh yeah, now I am busy with that)
9. Sales on cheap, trendy decorating stuff (dorm life, anyone?)
10. Sales on school supplies, calendars, computers and printers (I am a sale shopper!)
11. IV is getting anxious for the start of that game... what's it called? with the little pointed brown ball....
12. Moms with school age kids have this look... like the finish line is near
13. Kindermusic will be starting again!!!

It's weird- even though I work from home and DV isn't in school yet I feel a little sad as summer ends. I think it's leftover from being a kid- or a teacher- or maybe it's our collective unconscious....

Wordless Wednesday

2007-07-25T13:42:00.000-05:00

Wordless Wednesday (The uncles and DV!!!)

Inflammatory Breast Cancer

2007-07-24T14:16:00.000-05:00

I stole this post from WhyMommy over at Toddler Planet- and it is REALLY important so please read! Direct any comments to WhyMommy.

We hear a lot about breast cancer these days. One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetimes, and there are millions living with it in the U.S. today alone. But did you know that there is more than one type of breast cancer?

I didn’t. I thought that breast cancer was all the same. I figured that if I did my monthly breast self-exams, and found no lump, I’d be fine.

Oops. It turns out that you don’t have to have a lump to have breast cancer. Six weeks ago, I went to my OB/GYN because my breast felt funny. It was red, hot, inflamed, and the skin looked…funny. But there was no lump, so I wasn’t worried. I should have been. After a round of antibiotics didn’t clear up the inflammation, my doctor sent me to a breast specialist and did a skin punch biopsy. That test showed that I have inflammatory breast cancer, a very aggressive cancer that can be deadly.

Inflammatory breast cancer is often misdiagnosed as mastitis because many doctors have never seen it before and consider it rare. “Rare” or not, there are over 100,000 women in the U.S. with this cancer right now; only half will survive five years. Please call your OB/GYN if you experience several of the following symptoms in your breast, or any unusual changes: redness, rapid increase in size of one breast, persistent itching of breast or nipple, thickening of breast tissue, stabbing pain, soreness, swelling under the arm, dimpling or ridging (for example, when you take your bra off, the bra marks stay – for a while), flattening or retracting of the nipple, or a texture that looks or feels like an orange (called peau d’orange). Ask if your GYN is familiar with inflammatory breast cancer, and tell her that you’re concerned and want to come in to rule it out.

There is more than one kind of breast cancer. Inflammatory breast cancer is the most aggressive form of breast cancer out there, and early detection is critical. It’s not usually detected by mammogram. It does not usually present with a lump. It may be overlooked with all of the changes that our breasts undergo during the years when we’re pregnant and/or nursing our little ones. It’s important not to miss this one.

Inflammatory breast cancer is detected by women and their doctors who notice a change in one of their breasts. If you notice a change, call your doctor today. Tell her about it. Tell her that you have a friend with this disease, and it’s trying to kill her. Now you know what I wish I had known before six weeks ago.

You don’t have to have a lump to have breast cancer.

P.S. Feel free to steal this post too. I’d be happy for anyone in the blogosphere to take it and put it on their site, no questions asked. Dress it up, dress it down, let it run around the place barefoot. I don’t care. But I want the word to get out. I don’t want another young mom — or old man — or anyone in between — to have to stare at this thing on their chest and wonder, is it mastitis? Is it a rash? Am I overreacting? This cancer moves FAST, and early detection and treatment is critical for survival.

Thank you.

Strengths Finder 2.0

2007-07-24T13:59:00.000-05:00

My parents gave me an interesting book as a gift when I had my wisdom teeth removed. I finally got around to taking the online test that goes with it-

Clifton StrengthsFinder measures the 34 themes of talent determined by The Gallup Organization as those that most consistently predict outstanding performance. The greater the presence of a theme of talent within a person, the more likely that person is to spontaneously exhibit those talents in day-to-day behaviors.

Focusing on natural talents helps people build them into strengths and enjoy personal, academic, and career success through consistent, near-perfect performance.

I think focusing on strengths instead of weaknesses is a great idea!

My 5 themes of talent are:
1) Developer
2) Input
3) Learner
4) Strategic
5) Belief

Developer
You see the potential in others. Very often, in fact, potential is all you see. In your view no individual is fully formed. On the contrary, each individual is a work in progress, alive with possibilities. And you are drawn toward people for this very reason. When you interact with others, your goal is to help them experience success. You look for ways to challenge them. You devise interesting experiences that can stretch them and help them grow. And all the while you are on the lookout for the signs of growth—a new behavior learned or modified, a slight improvement in a skill, a glimpse of excellence or of “flow” where previously there were only halting steps. For you these small increments—invisible to some—are clear signs of potential being realized. These signs of growth in others are your fuel. They bring you strength and satisfaction. Over time many will seek you out for help and encouragement because on some level they know that your helpfulness is both genuine and fulfilling to you.

Input
You are inquisitive. You collect things. You might collect information—words, facts, books, and quotations—or you might collect tangible objects such as butterflies, baseball cards, porcelain dolls, or sepia photographs. Whatever you collect, you collect it because it interests you. And yours is the kind of mind that finds so many things interesting. The world is exciting precisely because of its infinite variety and complexity. If you read a great deal, it is not necessarily to refine your theories but, rather, to add more information to your archives. If you like to travel, it is because each new location offers novel artifacts and facts. These can be acquired and then stored away. Why are they worth storing? At the time of storing it is often hard to say exactly when or why you might need them, but who knows when they might become useful? With all those possible uses in mind, you really don’t feel comfortable throwing anything away. So you keep acquiring and compiling and filing stuff away. It’s interesting. It keeps your mind fresh. And perhaps one day some of it will prove valuable.

Learner
You love to learn. The subject matter that interests you most will be determined by your other themes and experiences, but whatever the subject, you will always be drawn to the process of learning. The process, more than the content or the result, is especially exciting for you. You are energized by the steady and deliberate journey from ignorance to competence. The thrill of the first few facts, the early efforts to recite or practice what you have learned, the growing confidence of a skill mastered—this is the process that entices you. Your excitement leads you to engage in adult learning experiences—yoga or piano lessons or graduate classes. It enables you to thrive in dynamic work environments where you are asked to take on short project assignments and are expected to learn a lot about the new subject matter in a short period of time and then move on to the next one. This Learner theme does not necessarily mean that you seek to become the subject matter expert, or that you are striving for the respect that accompanies a professional or academic credential. The outcome of the learning is less significant than the “getting there.”

Strategic
The Strategic theme enables you to sort through the clutter and find the best route. It is not a skill that can be taught. It is a distinct way of thinking, a special perspective on the world at large. This perspective allows you to see patterns where others simply see complexity. Mindful of these patterns, you play out alternative scenarios, always asking, “What if this happened? Okay, well what if this happened?” This recurring question helps you see around the next corner. There you can evaluate accurately the potential obstacles. Guided by where you see each path leading, you start to make selections. You discard the paths that lead nowhere. You discard the paths that lead straight into resistance. You discard the paths that lead into a fog of confusion. You cull and make selections until you arrive at the chosen path—your strategy. Armed with your strategy, you strike forward. This is your Strategic theme at work: “What if?” Select. Strike.

Belief
If you possess a strong Belief theme, you have certain core values that are enduring. These values vary from one person to another, but ordinarily your Belief theme causes you to be family-oriented, altruistic, even spiritual, and to value responsibility and high ethics—both in yourself and others. These core values affect your behavior in many ways. They give your life meaning and satisfaction; in your view, success is more than money and prestige. They provide you with direction, guiding you through the temptations and distractions of life toward a consistent set of priorities. This consistency is the foundation for all your relationships. Your friends call you dependable. “I know where you stand,” they say. Your Belief makes you easy to trust. It also demands that you find work that meshes with your values. Your work must be meaningful; it must matter to you. And guided by your Belief theme it will matter only if it gives you a chance to live out your values.

As you can see, I thought this test was very interesting- I only wish it told me what to do with my life!!!

What should I be when I "grow up"?

I guess no test can tell us that...

If you're interested in your talents check out sf2.strengthsfinder.com. I don't know how much they charge, though, since it was a gift.

Ketchup, the perfect seasoning!

2007-07-23T13:54:00.000-05:00

DV's love of a certain flavor has inspired my post today.

The flavor is ketchup!!!

He won't eat his chicken? Ketchup! He won't eat his broccoli? Ketchup!

Ketchup is also the perfect accompaniment to burgers, meatballs, hot dogs, fried shrimp, fish, pretty much anything at all that we eat.

In fact, yesterday DV requested some ketchup on his chocolate brownie but IV and I aren't quite ready to go that far...

Is this a 2 year old thing? Will he always love the "red sauce" this much???

Thursday, 13 Girl's Names

2007-07-19T08:46:00.001-05:00

OK, here's another Thursday 13 entry- and I totally stole my inspiration from Toni. (She wrote on this exact topic- I copied!)

If we are ever blessed to have a daughter here are 13 names I love!

1. Rebecca

2. Elizabeth Anne
3. Miriam
4. Hope and Faith
5. Joanna
6. Maryanne
7. Regina
8. Adrienne
9. Pauline
10. Susan
11. Theresa
12. Vivianne
13. Rachel

We would love to have another child- and I would love to have a daughter. DV is wonderful so I'd be happy with another son too.

We are not planning to conceive again- but hopefully one day we will adopt and this list will come in handy!!!

I have been thinking a lot lately of how nice it would be to have a daughter to share all my womanly knowledge with :)

Erin, I'm so PROUD of you!!!

2007-07-18T15:23:00.000-05:00

One of my best friends (from high school, and we've kept up with each other since) just had twins!!!

The amazing thing about this is she carried them FULL TERM (past 37 weeks) and both were well over 6 pounds!!!

The MORE AMAZING thing is they were born at home.

The MOST AMAZING thing is it was an unassisted birth (meaning Erin and family only) and took place in Thailand! Erin and her family are missionaries. They also have 2 children already. Erin is also training to be a midwife.

Erin and Dayton are some of the most faithful people I know and they deserve all the blessings God can send their way.

Congratulations!!! I can't wait to see some pictures!!!!

If you want to read Erin's post here it is! The babies are named Shira Faith and Miriam Joy (isn't that beautiful?)

Now, if only I could figure out how to send some baby gifts to Thailand....

An award!!!

2007-07-17T13:46:00.001-05:00

Toni, of Special K Family, bestowed this LOVELY award on me!

Thanks Toni! I love reading your blog every day- and when I miss a post (due to me being too busy to turn on the computer.... or you being too busy) I am always so excited the next day!

I would like to share the love with:
Jennifer at Playgroups are No Place for Children
Heather at The Queen of Shake-Shake
Aldara at Catholic Mommyhood
Sara at Suburban Oblivion

These lovely ladies (almost all of whom I have met in person) inspired me to begin my blog and meet lots of new friends along the way.

I also think that Amanda of Play Clothes and Megan of Velveteen Mind NEED this award as I read their blogs daily and we frequently share conversations online. Amanda and her lovely children play with us too.

By the way, Amanda and Aldara I miss your formerly daily posts! Moms always understand about the kids using up all of your time, though.

DV's birthday

2007-07-17T07:01:00.000-05:00

Here are some pictures taken before and after DV's birthday.

DV and I opening his presents the day after, before going to Church!

The "Dead Worm" cake, as requested by DV. Photographed before the party- crumbs were left later!

We all had SO much fun!!!! Happy 2nd birthday DV!!!

It's been SO long!

2007-07-16T07:30:00.000-05:00

Last week was REALLY busy.

Our anniversary Tuesday, DV's birthday Thursday, a business party Friday evening, DV's party Saturday... and, oh yeah, my in-laws were in town too. From Texas, which was actually a big help because DV was distracted.

I haven't been posting, I haven't been reading, I haven't been on the computer... but I'm BACK!!!

See ya'll soon!

Anniversary Pie

2007-07-11T06:22:00.000-05:00

Yesterday was IV and my 3rd anniversary! We had a lovely day- of dropping DV at mom's day out- sharing the car- him working and me running errands....

But, I did have the opportunity to make IV my first "from scratch crust" cherry pie EVER. Actually, the crust came out quite well!

I used a recipe that is all butter (trying to avoid those trans-fats) and the food processor.

IV was so happy (or he acted well) that I made it for him (pie is his favorite) that I think I will do it again!

IV also gave me a LOVELY card and my china and we went out to dinner (with DV) at The Original Oyster House and DID NOT have a cocktail sauce in the lap experience!

Overall, it was a lovely day! But, someday I'd like to celebrate with just IV again....

My anniversary gift!

2007-07-07T08:23:00.001-05:00

IV and I are about to celebrate our 3rd wedding anniversary, five years from our first date, seven years that we've known each other. Our wedding anniversary falls on July 10th and DV's birthday is July 12. July 12 is also the anniversary of our first date.

I was in the hospital for our first anniversary due to IV's impending and early arrival.

For our second anniversary, we went to the Antiques Roadshow and IV bought me a fancy purse that I had been coveting for a whole year.

This year IV really won a lot of points!!!! I have been wanting the Butterfly Meadow pattern of china ever since some friends of ours registered for it- right when we started dating.

IV bought me some!!!!! A six place setting set which includes 6 dinner plats, 6 accent plates and 6 mugs. This morning I have been rearranging our cabinets in order to store it.

The only problem is, now I want everything you see in the photo above.... and even if we could afford it we don't have anywhere to keep it!!!

Thanks for being such a great friend, husband, and everything else IV! I love you!

Sympathy Cards

2007-07-06T13:14:00.000-05:00

One of my acquaintances lost her 6 month old daughter. It was a horrible accident.

I'll post about that later when I have my head around it more.

Today I went to buy her a sympathy card. In Hallmark.

There were THREE cards to choose from about losing a child. There were over 20 to choose from about losing a cat/dog/pet.

WHAT IS THAT??????

I am so mad I am about to call Hallmark. What kind of society do we have when there are more cards mourning the death of pets than children?

I wish it meant that parents never lost a child.

I think it's more of a comment about us- not knowing what to say. I don't know either, that's why I was trying to buy a card.

My Church group in makig a gift basket- for the parents and the siblings. I am thinking of giving some craft items for the children- and maybe a gift certificate.

But I really have no idea what to say.

Why NOT to let an almost-2-year-old choose his birthday theme...

2007-07-05T19:45:00.000-05:00

"Dead Worms"

That's the theme of DV's birthday BBQ.

Interesting, huh?

We went to visit my grandfather in Florida recently, and DV was captivated by the dead worms on the sidewalk.

You see, in Florida (at least where I grew up) the worms come out in heavy rain and then the sun comes out and bakes them.

I think it's pretty gross, but DV was captivated. He still talks about his dead worms. Every day.

So I guess that's how we came up with the theme- I asked him and he answered.

He remembers too.

At least I have an idea for cute cupcakes... I've already bought the gummy worms and Oreos!

Celebrate Our Freedom

2007-07-04T14:21:00.001-05:00

I was going to write an original post here, but then I came across the following at Some Gave All, and decided to just post this- it's more eloquent than whatever I might write.

We often hear this term: Freedom isn't Free. But, what does that really mean and if Freedom isn't Free, then what is the cost and who pays it?

The cost is watching someone you love go away for a long period of time where there is little contact as they endure the rigors and hardships of training.

The cost is watching someone you love serve for pay that doesn't always cover what it takes to live a standard of living most civilians enjoy and suffering a financial impact that can negatively alter a military family's prosperity for a lifetime.

The cost is deployment to combat and the hardships of a soldier far from home while in a hostile place.

The cost is a loved one leaving whole but coming home less than whole, physically, mentally or both.

The cost is a a loved one who never returns from a mission and is never found.

The cost is having to take another's life, even if they are the enemy, and living with that the rest of your life.

The cost is watching a close friend die, maybe even holding them in your arms, help less to save them and living a life of remembering that moment and feeling guilty that it wasn't you who died instead of the close friend.

The cost is a family waiting and watching 24 / 7, hoping and praying as they watch daily newscasts about our military personnel dying.

The cost is a knock at the door no family wants but is a special privilege of sacrifice and if not borne by some, then who would bear it?

The cost is family trees altered for all time to come.

The cost is a lifetime of love.

Freedom isn't Free and the cost is high.

The Fourth of July is a special time to celebrate the freedoms we have, hard fought and won at a great cost. Well we all should enjoy this day, and every day we have to live free, for to do less would be to waste the high price paid that we might.

Robert Stokely

proudly remembering my son, SGT Mike Stokely
KIA 16 Aug 05 near Yusufiyah in the Triangle of Death south of Baghdad
US Army E Troop 108 CAV 48th BCT GAARNG

Please think on this father's words as you celebrate your freedom this July 4th.

Thank you

2007-07-03T21:05:00.001-05:00

Both of my grandfathers served our country as members of the military.

One grandfather was a proud member of the Navy for 30 years. He worked on aircraft carriers and flew in the planes. He has a whole case full of medals- and after retirement he went on to get his PhD and have a second career.

One grandfather was drafted into the Army and served his required time with honor. He went on to be successful in many business endeavors. He retired early and enjoyed his golden years in sunny Florida.

On July 4th, I am reminded how proud I am to be American.

I am reminded how grateful I am to the members of the armed services who fought for our freedom.

I am reminded that I am grateful for the members of the military defending us today.

I am thankful for those who gave their lives for our freedom and protection. You are not forgotten.

On July 4th, take time to thank those who fought and who fight for our independence. When you see the fireworks or eat the hamburgers remember just what we celebrate on Independence Day.

Friday Four

2007-07-01T12:45:00.000-05:00

OK, I know it's not Friday but I have severe blogger's block and so....

Thanks Toni for the idea!

Four great things in the past week:

1) My first open house for the DITY Beads business was a smashing success! (I even got a congratulatory e-mail from one of the big bosses!)

2) My parents are here visiting and watching out for DV. (I love to have time to catch up with them!)

3) IV and I have had more time to hang out and catch up due to #2. (I love my husband!)

4) I have had more time to blog- watch movies- read- and generally veg out due to #2 and the forced rest imposed by my tooth removal. (But, that'll all be over soon!)

Thanks Mom and Dad and thanks IV for all of your support!

Please direct your prayers and sympathy to WHYMOMMY

2007-06-30T19:40:00.000-05:00

I recently discovered this new blog Toddler Planet.

WHYMOMMY has just been diagnosed with breast cancer- and she has to quit breastfeeding her baby to get treatment. Plus, all that other hard stuff that goes along.

She is looking for POSITIVE comments and prayers.

WHYMOMMY I am sending you both- and I am hoping my readers will hop on over there and do the same.

Toddler Planet

Egg Drop Soup and LOVE

2007-06-30T14:40:00.001-05:00

My parents are here for a little while, combining visiting with watching out for DV while I recuperate from having a tooth yanked out.

Today my mom made me a "soup of love."

I think we moms do this a lot- make something for our children which tangibly demonstrates our love for them. I know I try to do it for DV.

Here's the recipe: (I didn't actually watch so I'll have to have Mom check it out)

LOVE
1 can chicken soup (Mom recommends organic, MSG free)
2 eggs
1 clove garlic, chopped
ground ginger
fresh chives, chopped
olive oil
salt

Brown the garlic in olive oil and add with ginger to soup. Bring to a boil. Add eggs in strings to soup. Cook until eggs are not transparent. Remove from heat. Add chives and salt to taste.

How did it taste? Perfect!!!!

Don't forget the LOVE!!!

THANKS MOM!!!!

My mouth hurts and SO....

2007-06-29T06:09:00.000-05:00

I saw Megan of Velveteen Mind's fun post this morning and couldn't resist emulating her- since my mouth is aching and I am sitting here typing with one hand. (The other is holding an ice pack!)

See all my previous posts below- I was taking quizzes and finding that image of my favorite Dali painting.

Definitely more fun than TV!

2007-06-29T06:07:00.001-05:00

I had to post this too! My personal favorite Dali work.

My favorite!

2007-06-29T05:51:00.000-05:00

This one is my favorite of the quizzes (I like the result!)

You Are Best Described By...

Landscape With Butterflies
By Salvador Dali

What Famous Work of Art Are You?

I lived in Tampa while I was an undergrad. and I spent a lot of time in St. Petersburg at the Dali museum.

I love Dali! He has a lot of wonderful art beyond the famous melting clocks... in fact I have a copy of one of his paintings of the Last Supper here next to my computer.

It's called The Sacrament of the Last Supper and I saw the actual painting (twice!) in the National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC.

I am violet!

2007-06-29T05:47:00.000-05:00

Your Psyche is Violet

You are spiritual, intuitive, and serene.
People trust you to rescue them from bad situations, and you usually come through.
While you are quite enlightened, you find that your path can be very lonely.

When you are too violet: you can't connect to ordinary life or ordinary people

When you don't have enough violet: you lack wisdom and can't learn from the past

What Color Is Your Psyche?

I'm not so sure about this one- although purple IS my favorite color. I am almost never lonely... well, I do have a 2 year old!

Hmmmm.....

2007-06-29T05:39:00.000-05:00

I think the quiz they use to generate this could use some more questions!

You've Experienced 84% of Life

You have an amazing amount of life experience. In fact, you've seen and done more than most people.
So congratulate yourself on what you've done so far. The future is only going to be more of the same!

How Much Life Experience Do You Have?

I'd like to think there is more than 16% of life left to experience- because I sure do have a list of things I'd still like to do!

I better start using some different language...

2007-06-29T05:16:00.000-05:00

I guess as compared to Megan or Heather my blog is just plain boring.... but I could let my 2 year old read it!

Is that really an advantage?

PS- Heather, I checked yours and you're doing well maintaining that R!

Sympathy PLEASE!

2007-06-28T11:43:00.000-05:00

This morning I had a wisdom tooth removed (it was impacted) and also a small growth (scar tissue, I think) removed from my inner lip. Ugh!!!

To top it off, I only had Novocaine for the actual surgery and now I have Tylenol and ice! (I have A LOT of allergies.) I don't even get the good stuff! Unfair!

I'll probably have a purple face tomorrow.... at least my parents are here to watch out for DV while IV works- I think if I had to chase him I would just about fall over.... Thanks Mom and Dad!

Plus, since I am packing gauze in my lip I look to be chewing something attractive....

Wordless Wednesday (A retrospective)

2007-06-27T07:58:00.000-05:00

This was last year about this time- we had just moved into our house (notice the 1/2 finished paint job) and my parents were visiting with their dog (on the right.) And, DV still looks like a baby! He had just started crawling!!! Isn't IV a great daddy?

More later...

My open house! (Business)

2007-06-26T06:02:00.000-05:00

Saturday was my open house. It was a great success!

I spent all morning cleaning the house and getting everything ready- THANK YOU IV, IV took DV out for the whole day from about 8 am to 5pm!!!

Then, at 1:45 my first guest arrived- she stayed for 3 hours and designed quite a bit of jewelry- and my other customers/guests came in at different times (the last one at 4:45) but everyone had a great time and all but one purchased something!

It was a great success, I wanted to get the word out about my business and this is a great start!!!

Thank you all my blog buddies for your support- and Toni I wish I could have sent you some champagne and chocolate!

Avalanche Ranch!!!!

2007-06-20T06:48:00.001-05:00

This week I am volunteering at Vacation Bible School for my church every morning. Our theme this year is, "Avalanche Ranch." I signed up late-very late- because I didn't know how DV would take to being left in the nursery.

On the first day he really didn't appreciate it (he was in a FOUL mood anyway) so I carried him with me for half the morning. But, yesterday I left him there all morning.

I think he enjoys the teenage volunteers- I have peeked in to see them carrying him around the room on their hips. Yep, this is what he likes at home too. Plus, he is quite fond of girls anyway....

I am having a lot of fun doing something adult (even though it involves working with 100s of kids) while I know DV is well cared for.

Just yesterday the director asked me to consider religious education in the fall- how about 8th grade confirmation??

You know, I think I just might do it!!!

The importance of mothering

2007-06-19T06:41:00.000-05:00

I have been reading the book Holiness for Housewives (and other working women) by Dom Hubert Van Zeller.

I found this quote, "How can it be a career to tell other people's children about the Rule of Three, and a small career to tell one's own children about the universe? How can it be broad to be the same thing to everyone, and narrow to be everything to someone?"

And also, "A women's function is laborius; but because it is gigantic not because it is minute."

I really loved both of these quotes because they help me to remember how important my first job is.

There's only one person in the world who I get to mother- and I am the center of his universe right now. That doesn't last long.

I am reminded to appreciate the time with DV when he is small and value myself for what I am doing with him.

Mothers I appreciate you!!! Don't forget to appreciate yourselves!

Thank you Dad, from a Daddy's girl

2007-06-17T05:41:00.000-05:00

Thank you to my daddy

Thank you for singing me to sleep.

Thank you for raising Oscars in my room.

Thank you for teaching me to ride a bike.

Thank you for taking me to eat ice cream right on the beach.

Thank you for ALWAYS taking me on the carousel.

Thank you for teaching me statistics.

Thank you for spending countless hours working on science projects with me.

Thank you for helping me raise rats in the garage (for my science projects.)

Thank you for helping me move MANY times.

Thank you for taking care of me when I was sick.

Thank you for helping me countless other times in many ways, small and large.

Thank you for always supporting my dreams and aspirations.

Thank you for always listening with your heart.

Thanks for being my Daddy. I love you.

Southern boys...

2007-06-16T06:54:00.001-05:00

Some of my mommy friends have been discussing the southern habit of dressing little boys in somewhat- shall we say- girly clothes.

I think it's very appropriate! Yes, I am the dissenting opinion...

See the picture of DV and I to the left <-

Isn't he cute? He doesn't know the difference between wearing the little smocked long legged bubble and wearing.... well, anything with little dogs on it.

He's too young to have many style opinions (and I know it won't be long...)

So for now, I get to dress DV to MY taste. And, I want my little boy to have a bit of a kinder, gentler little boy life before reality comes crashing in.

Plus, I love the workmanship on those outfits and I don't have any girls.

By the way, we save them for special occasions and Church...

I say- with regards to this debate- embrace your taste when dressing your boys!!! You won't have long when your opinion counts...

If this was a book I'd buy it...

2007-06-14T15:03:00.000-05:00

Megan of Velveteen Mind posted something so poignant today.

I cried.

Every book that has ever made me cry has an honored place on my bookshelf- not too many of those.

Please read it for yourself, Victor Vito.

Thursday 13 Reasons to Start a Home-Based Business...

2007-06-14T14:18:00.000-05:00

Toni is my favorite Thursday 13 gal- although everyone I've read is funny! Check out Toni's HILARIOUS post about poor Paris Hilton.

I have been working on starting a home based business (ever wonder why I haven't been blogging as much lately?)

So, here's my Thursday 13!

13 Excellent Reasons to Start a Home-Based Business

1. You need extra cash (So true, but what I have produced so far is extra expenses....)
2. Ability to predict finances (I project we should be profitable in 2 months max!)
3. Extra time on your hands (hmmmm.... ok so I didn't have any, but see reason 1)
4. You would like to take-over a room of your small house (my office is now an office/store room)
5. It's summer time so I won't be too busy (why did I think that?????)

OK, out with the sarcasm....
6. I love meeting new people.
7. I love designing jewelry.
8. I was getting just a little bored with the whole house cleaning thing.
9. Parties!!!! Fun!
10. Extra income so I can continue to stay-at-home with IV.
11. Jewelry counts as a business expense!
12. New clothes are required to show off jewelry!
13. Shopping at Sams Club in the business hours (how did I ever stand it before?)

Overall, I am already so happy with being a self-employed gal! But I don't have any time for TV, or novel reading, or well, anything other than being a mommy and work. I am trying to make time for IV- we had to schedule a date this week!

If you'd like to know more about my new business venture see my website: www.ditybeads.com/jennie

Have a lovely Thursday!

PS- Local gals I am having an open house (read free food and alcohol) on Saturday, June 23 from 2-5pm

Fart post

2007-06-13T13:28:00.000-05:00

I laughed SO hard at Queen Heather's post about farting and other related activities I had to join in.

DV has taken up farting as a hobby. IV encourages it too.

Typical conversation (between IV and DV with DV on IV's lap)- IV, "Wow! That was a great one!" .... "Wow! That was a REALLY good one!" .... "WOW!!!! Practice that! You'll need it around the campfire when you're a boyscout!"

And then.... IV, "Are you pooping?" DV, "Grunt...grunt...smile"...

IV, "Honey! I think DV just pooped!"

Me.... sigh.... "Honey, I am working! Can you change him???"

IV, "Do I have to?????"

Usually, I do it because I am totally disrupted by this time anyway and what is another poopy butt to me???

Ah well, the joys of motherhood!

Adventures in Dieting...

2007-06-08T07:24:00.000-05:00

For about 2 months now I have been on a really strict diet.

The good thing is- I have lost 20 lbs! Which is great, because I never thought I would wear the size I wore in HIGH SCHOOL again!

The bad thing about that is- I have NO CLOTHES THAT FIT!!! I am not talking my clothes fit poorly... they actually fall off- I guess that's what happens when you go from a 14/16 to a 8/9... I finally had to go out and buy a pair of pants and shorts because I needed to make a professional contact.

It's not so bad when your shirts are loose- but pants rolled at the waist or super-low riders (crotch at the knees, anyone?) do not make the best first impression.

Our budget does not allow for new clothing purchases- and I got rid of the clothes I wore in high school a long time ago- so I guess I will be making it with a very limited wardrobe... I see lots of laundry in my future.

Oh, and my diet? I got diagnosed with diabetes/pre-diabetes 2 months ago and decided to be very aggressive about it. (My dad has been diabetic for ~20 years so I know the complications first hand.) I got the book Diabetes Solution and have been following Dr. Bernstein's recommendations religiously, plus I started on Avandamet which I think has been helping a lot.

And, I've been working out a lot- for the first month anyway- but I hurt my knee so I have been taking it easier lately and I have still been losing weight.

Now I am worried that I may gain the weight back.... and waste any smaller clothes that I buy...

Bad Tree!

2007-06-07T06:06:00.000-05:00

So yesterday was a busy day.... and there was this tree.... I swear it was in the middle of the driveway!!!

Sigh.... I bet you can guess what happened. I backed into a tree! And, not only did I bust the brake/tail light I also made a (small) dent in the side of our car.

The tree wasn't in my driveway, at least...

I had just taken DV to his kindergym class and had to run home for a picture for the local newspaper (my neighborhood association) so I parked in a neighbor's driveway. I think I should have observed the tree (actually just a little in the drive, a thin pine) while I was going into the long drive forward- but I was in a hurry.

Then, it took a long time for the photo to be taken- actually, I left before the interviewer did- and I was hurrying out to pick up IV at work. Well, the neighbor's driveway is long and sloped down but without a place to turn the car around.

I had my foot on the brake backing down and I was turned around- but obviously I missed something because all of a sudden.... CRUNCH!!!! I didn't even stop to take a look at the car but just glanced at the tree and continued on my merry way. Yes, it was that kind of day.

I get to IV's work to pick him up and go out to check the car- hoping that the crunch was all in my imagination- and I find a broken out light AND a dent... and bark.....

Sigh....... if only Explorers were made for people who are only ~5'3" (can I blame it on the car??)

Two and a half weeks!!!!

2007-06-06T19:54:00.000-05:00

OH MY GOSH! I can't believe I actually went 2.5 weeks without blogging! I was SO busy!

At least, I have a lot to write about saved up.... more than one day's worth!

The trip to California to visit my great-grandmother went very well- excluding flying with an almost 2 year old and changing planes (with a car seat!) And, also excluding staying in an ~700 square foot cabin with 5 people- and sharing a bed with my mom... and a room with DV... and a bed with DV in the middle of every night... and the associated bruises!

The stay in Florida with my parents was great, although MUCH too busy. I got to spend some quality time with my best friend (since 9th grade!) who has a 3 month old and I remembered how much fun she can be.

All in all, it was a great time but I would do something different about plane travel.... UGH!!!

Anyone have any wisdom???

Gone on vacation!

2007-05-20T20:40:00.000-05:00

DV and I are going on a big adventure!

Tomorrow morning IV is driving us to Florida, where my parents live, and then we are leaving for California on Wednesday morning. I believe we have to leave my parents' house at the ridiculous time of 2:30 am!!

We are going to visit my grandmother and aunt who live near Santa Cruz, California. We'll be there about a week and then we are staying in Florida for another week.

So it will be an adventure! It's the longest time DV and I have been away from IV since DV was in the NICU in Arizona and IV had to start work here in Alabama.

I'll try to do an occasional update... but expect me to be back to ~daily blogging after June 3!

Thursday 13 Needed Home Improvements

2007-05-17T15:38:00.000-05:00

I saw this meme on Toni's blog and it looked like fun- plus STILL having no voice seems to be dashing my creative powers, so I needed a topic.

Thirteen Needed Home Improvements
A List I hope IV reads, although I promise to do a lot of the work!

1. Screen in breeze way (to protect me from the evil summer mosquitoes and so maybe we can have a cat- a place to put the litter box!)
2. Replace rotting board over breeze way (yes, I think the roof may eventually fall down if we don't)
3. Paint unfinished wood on back porch (hmmm, it may not like the rain being unfinished after 1 year)
4. Power wash green crud growing on shady sides of the house
5. Replace DV's door (someday we might want to close it)
6. Paint baseboards, door frames in our room to match the rest of the room (not that anyone but family sees them.... but still beige and grey-navy are not such a good combo)
7. Replace light fixture in kitchen (ours hangs too low... how about a small fan?)
8. Paint kitchen in a lighter color- I am tired of the grey-navy
9. Cover evil tile in kitchen with linoleum (ugh, the grout is cracking and the tiles too!!!)
10. Do something about the guest bath (yes, we will probably have to hire someone for this! peeling old paint, peeling old fixture coating)
11. Paint dining room (I am still hoping for mint green!)
12. Plant a fruit tree (OK, we have to wait for the right season)
13. Put insulation on the exposed pipes (so we won't have to run water next winter, maybe)

Yes, we have an older home (built in 1952) and we just moved in about a year ago so there are lots of things we still haven't done! I am hoping the summer will give us more time to work on some projects- but IV still has to work so maybe not.

Science Education- The RIGHT Way!!!!

2007-05-15T20:34:00.000-05:00

Today DV and I went to our local science museum.

Let me tell you, I was so pleased! There were SO many classes taking field trips and having a ball it made me all sunny inside!

Formerly, I taught high school chemistry. The experience gave me an appreciation for what is lacking in early science education. No one teaches the kids that science is fun!!

Chemistry is SO cool (can be anyway)! I couldn't even get some kids interested in explosions or other really exciting demonstrations- shockingly some student even found making and eating homemade ice cream (to demonstrate the freeze-lowering properties of salt) boring.

It was an uphill battle all year to get my students to realize that science can be fun. However, I think the main problem lies with early science education or lack thereof. Most elementary teachers that I knew didn't have enough time/background to do much with science. And, what they did do came from handouts.

No wonder students think science is a chore!

So- I think science education, especially for elementary students should be like going to the science museum. Lots of variety- cool demonstrations- relevant concepts!!!!

OK- I'm off my soap box now.

I hope DV has good science teachers...

Funny meme for nearest book...

2007-05-14T20:58:00.000-05:00

I saw this meme on Catholic Mommyhood and I am too tired tonight to think of something original to blog about.

Here's the deal:
1. Grab the nearest book.
2. Open it to page 161.
3. Find the fifth full sentence.
4. Post the text of the sentence along with these instructions.Don't search around looking for the coolest book you can find. Do what's actually next to you.

I guess this is a good way to find out where in the house the computer is located.... or the interests of a fellow blogger!

So, I found The Out-of-Sync Child and on page 161 the fifth sentence is, "He can recognize a hammer, an "R," and a trapezoid, whether it is right side up or upside down."

What does that say about me? As a former educator I am always interested in educational topics- and DV was very sensitive to sensory stimuli when he was younger so the book was very helpful.

Hopefully, tomorrow I will feel more inspired!

Mother's Day

2007-05-13T20:39:00.000-05:00

What a WONDERFUL Mother's Day!

We started the day at 5am with waking up- then quick breakfast and open my GIFT from Little Jules (I'll work on posting a digital picture, it doesn't look like anything they have online, it's better!) a sterling silver necklace! I love it! And a card from both DV and IV, so I feel very special.

Then we drove to New Orleans- not bad at 6am on a Sunday- and we arrived in time to go to Cafe Du Monde for beignets (for DV and IV anyway) and lovely black coffee for me- I had to buy some to bring home too.

After a our breakfast we went to the Vatican Mosaic exhibit- and it was SO WONDERFUL!!! In fact, I'll have to do a post just about that, when I am running out of ideas. We let DV run around the gardens of the convent/museum at the end to get some energy out.

Then we walked around the French Quarter for about an hour- and settled on the Gumbo Shop for lunch- it wasn't crowded- yet- at 11:30 and mmmm.... I had catfish florentine it was SO great!!! DV enjoyed a grilled cheese and IV had the full meal (DV helped him with the ice cream at the end.)

After such a wonderful lunch DV fell fast asleep in his stroller- allowing IV and I to wander the Quarter and talk. Now that was a Mother's Day gift! We ended our time in New Orleans by playing in another park.... all in all we were there 6 hours and it was perfect! DV had such a great time he talked all the way home!

Of course, by the time we got home DV was so tired he slipped while running in the hall and busted his lip.... poor baby!

What a great Mother's Day! The only thing that could have improved it would have been sharing it with my Mom in far away Florida.

Now I am even more inspired to deserve such an awesome day next year!

The Lost Voice

2007-05-12T21:25:00.000-05:00

Today I have NO voice. But, I am feeling much better. In fact, I have been literally running around all day... or at least it seems like it since I spent most of the day in bed or resting Wednesday through Friday.

Poor IV- it is so hard on him that I really can't talk and if I do I sound very funny. He is always thinking I'm mad, which I'm not, but arrgh! Talking hurts so I don't want to do it very much- and if I am I hope you're listening. He's being pretty sweet and really hoping my voice will be back to normal tomorrow.

DV on the other hand has not been impacted my my voice at all. He wants me to talk just as much and read to him and name things and explain things.... Finally, I had to say, "Mommy can't!" when he kept bringing me books to read so now he has been bringing me a book and saying, "can't."

Ah well, tomorrow we're taking a day trip to New Orleans to see the Vatican Mosaic Exhibit so I shouldn't have to talk too much. IV is very happy listening to the radio in the car and DV too. Happy Mother's day all!

Posting delay...

2007-05-11T15:01:00.000-05:00

A delay in posting, ugh! I started to get a sore throat Tuesday night and it turned into laryngitis and an ear infection (at least something DV can't catch!) so I got some antibiotics yesterday. I should be feeling much better by tonight/tomorrow and hopefully my voice will be back soon.

DV and I have music class tomorrow morning... so I guess I won't be singing (ha, ha.)

Unfortunately, since I was doing nothing I can't think of much interesting to post about.

My lap... the target and an almost 2 year old eating cocktail sauce??

2007-05-08T21:13:00.000-05:00

Today has been a really fun (although tiring) day. My mother-in-law is visiting so today we went to the mall in the morning/early afternoon and to one of my FAVORITE restaurants for dinner.

Some of you locals may recognize- The Original Oyster House- mmmm- I just love it. It's fun even though there's almost always a wait (mainly because it has a great playground with a small preschool section for DV.) And, their seafood it SO fresh!

I always order the steamed shrimp (OK you have to remove the heads-ick- but they are SO good!) And the salad bar is really great too.

So we get our food- and the waitress comes back to check on us- and she seed DV reaching for the melted butter in a little cup (he has a LONG reach) she tries to grab it and it ends up in my lap. Staining my new pants... sigh butter never comes out... but she is really sweet about it. She brings us some soda water to dab it with and apologizes 10 times. Really, it's no big deal, my fault for wearing my nice pants around DV because he probably would have done the same thing anyway.

The funniest thing though is DV. He was watching IV eat his fried shrimp dipped in cocktail sauce and wanted some for himself. So I told IV to let him have some (assuming of course that a 22 month old wouldn't actually eat it!) But, he loved it! He proceeded to dip his popcorn shrimp in cocktail sauce himself and eat them- getting covered in red along the way (good thing he was wearing an old shirt.)

So we had a lot of fun- even though my nice new pants are probably destined for wear around the house rags... ok I'm sad about that- it's not too often that I can afford a nice pair of pants. But it was worth it! Good thing DV was so cute or I might be mad.

A GREAT Book!

2007-05-07T21:23:00.000-05:00

Something you should know about me before reading this post.... I love books- almost every book- especially fiction and most especially good fiction.

What do I mean by good fiction? A plot that really grabs you and brings you into the lives of the characters. A book that makes you laugh and cry. Something that seems like it could/should be real.

I found all this and more in the book The Girls by Lori Lansens. I don't want to spoil the story for any of you- so I'll just say it's about 2 conjoined sisters- and who they are- not their handicap. At points you totally forget that they are conjoined twins.

I got to the end of the book and turned the pages for more. It was that good. One twin is a writer and one is a history buff and they're as different as sisters can be.

Go read it already!!!!

It's a great book! It made me think!

I've been tagged!

2007-05-06T21:07:00.000-05:00

Jennifer at Playgroups are No Place for Children tagged me for a getting to know you meme. Fun!
I'll try to write.... 10 Little Known Facts About Jennie! and I'll tag 10 of my blogging buddies (hopefully I can think of 10 people who will respond) no tag backs!

1. I have been going to bed at 9pm to get up at 5am and go to the gym
2. I have had 10 different paying jobs in my life (just filled out a resume)
3. I don't know how old my sweet doggie is (I adopted her as an adult)
4. I love anything craft related (especially jewelry making, sewing, french beaded flowers, cake decorating)
5. I am a big fan of new fiction
6. Mosquitoes love me more than anyone else (even mid-day)
7. I use cloth diapers on DV
8. I cut my hair once a year
9. I've never worn contacts (only glasses)
10. I started out as a nursing major and became a chemist

Now, who will I tag? I think I'll decide later... it's my bedtime!
I hope everyone has had a nice weekend!

Beaded Dreaming....

2007-05-05T21:42:00.000-05:00

Lately, I have been thinking about how to start working while staying at home with DV. First, I started off by applying to adjunct at the university where IV works. Well, that's done for now- the application is submitted and I am just waiting to see if there is a position available for this fall.

Last week I came across an article in the newspaper about a work-at-home direct selling type of opportunity. It involves teaching people how to make jewelry in their homes at parties. I am thinking that this would be the perfect work for me!

I have always wanted to start a business (well, since my second year of graduate school when I learned to make beaded jewelry and realized I enjoyed it too much to afford it as a hobby.) I have been talking about starting an online store to market my beaded jewelry since that time.

Now, with this opportunity to teach people how to make jewelry AND make money I am dreaming again. (The best part is there is very little actual selling- mostly teaching AND the jewelery is actually a great value, I would buy it and I know about all the cheap internet sources!)

Now I am putting together a business plan where I would be teaching at jewelry parties and also making custom jewelry to sell on the internet. I will love it! Best of all, I would still be at home with DV and we would have a little more discretionary income.

So here's hoping it all comes together like I am planning... Beaded Dreaming!!!!