wrapping presents

I've been wrapping tons of presents today. I tried something new I saw on a friend's blog. She makes bows with the paper. It turned out okay, but a little messier than I like. Maybe it's the paper?

last weekend...

How was your Sunday? Saturday? Mine were incredibly uneventful. But, that’s a good thing. Saturday I didn’t leave the house one time. Not once! I shopped for groceries Friday and just didn’t have to get anything. I had french bread pizzas for lunch and ham sandwiches on the sourdough bread I bought Friday at Panera for dinner… had pork loin to put in the crockpot for dinner Sunday after church and let everyone hit the freezer for dinner.

We have a guest speaker this week at church… Sherlock Bally. Pretty interesting. He speaks about prophecy and is informative and entertaining at the same time. I really enjoyed the day.

I had a ton of good coupons to different stores that all expired yesterday… and a great one that was for today only. But I guess there is something to be said for not spending any money all weekend… even though I could have saved so much money by spending? Oh well, tomorrow brings a new day and more coupons! I remember the days of cutting out coupons for disposable diapers.

Good News! I got the kids pic for our Christmas cards and ordered them last night. I’m really please with the picture and can’t decide if I should post it or not… what do you think?

I plan to make chicken spaghetti tomorrow night. We’ll have salad and garlic toast.

I bought a huge bag of chicken breasts from Sams so we’ll probably have chicken a few times this week.

Maybe bbq chicken and baked potatoes Tuesday! Sounds good. I wish my family shared my love for bbq sauce and did you see that special on channel 13 about the taste test? Bull’s Eye won blind test after blind test so I bought some. It is good. Mom makes delicious homemade bbq sauce but hasn’t lately. Mom! Make some!

Wednesday we’ll have burgers and fries. health food.

Thursday french bread pizzas… and salad.

Friday I’m thinking about having carryout chinese food… or something like that.

They had this fudge at Sam’s Friday when I was shopping for food. They were passing out samples. It’s called fudgie wudgie. I accepted a sample and I have to tell you it was like having a little piece of heaven right in my mouth. I bought a pound. I ate it all. Well, not all… I shared it. But it’s gone and now all I can think about is going back to Sam’s and buying more. Sad but true. Tis the season.

my new boots

So I have mentioned at least twice, maybe even three times what I remembered to be the worst Christmas present I received (as a child). So on Black Friday mom and I were shopping. I saw and tried on a pair of boots greatly reduced for early bird special at JCP. Mom swooped in and paid for them happy to have a Christmas gift bought. I didn’t object. Until Sunday. I got dressed in a brown long skirt that I had in the spring/summer months and wore really cute brown sandals. It was like 40 degrees so those shoes were completely out of the question. Knowing what a nice person my mom is I called her (at 9 a.m. as I was rushing out to church) and said, “my outfit today would be perfect with those brown boots.” to which she replied, “do you want to wear them?” duh … “why, yes! I would love to wear them!.” She left them on the front porch on her way to church and I slipped them on and out I went.

I came home and put them back in the box, not saying goodbye… just til we meet again at Christmas. Mom asked later in the day how the boots were and I said that I really like them and had packed them up to return to her for wrapping. She said I could just keep them with one condition. That I never mention that gift again from my childhood. So… I won’t. It’s as if it never happened. Thanks mom. I heart you.

this and that

HappyThanksgivingEve! My day will be full and busy... more than usual. I have all the ingredients to make a triple batch of spinach dip, and some casseroles to take to Tulsa tomorrow. Bailey has a friend over (spent the night)... the kids are out of school until Monday. I am planning to get a picture for Christmas cards today! I got an email from Dayspring about Christmas photo cards you design yourself. The email also had a coupon to Save 25% on Your Order!
Using Promo Code studio25. I have mine all ready! Just need the perfect pic of the four kiddos.

So... more good news about Iz. She did standing with Camilla yesterday and did great. Camilla and Melanie commented that her head control has greatly improved since the Summer. She was dangling her legs while sitting on a table and kicked her legs when asked by Melanie. Doesn't sound like much but with the high tone in her legs for her to be able to relax and kick each leg is a big deal. We are just building towards the kid walk. I can't wait to see her in it.

My new cell phone came Monday! I was so excited. I've been dealing with that stupid phone that I dropped in my drink for weeks and the buttons wouldn't work so I couldn't call a number unless it was stored and couldn't text. My new phone is WONDERFUL! It has gps and a cool camera with a flash... and a full keyboard and a cool trackball and the buttons all work and it is great!Did you know you can buy cellphones on Amazon.com and use your upgrade (mine was ATT). This phone was .01 cents! That's using my upgrade. On the ATT website the upgrade for the same phone would be a LOT more! I am going to be using Amazon for all my future upgrades, it's a great deal! Not a refurbished phone or anything either. It came with all the cords and even a case. I need a memory upgrade.

I got some great ideas for new books to read. Gail and Susanne both mentioned "Uncharted," by Angela Hunt. I ran by the library yesterday and got that one to have for the weekend. I really hope to have some time to read it! Camilla mentioned a book called "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society." I am going to read that one next!

today

For Today…

Outside my window… it’s chilly and sunny!

I am thinking…Monday mornings are one of my favorite times of the week. Time for catching up and having a little quiet time…

I am thankful for…Great improvements in Izzy’s feet today. I am measuring each Monday as instructed by the orthotist. I wasn’t sure about my last measurement because I thought maybe I wasn’t getting it right, but after our visit last Monday we were right on track with what Gary measured so I felt confident today to measure and to tell you that I think we have made huge gains in her feet. I’m seeing 8 degrees at least just in this one week. That is HUGE!!! I know the difference has been her wearing them while sleeping. I am so thankful that she has been able to do that now for several nights and she seems less and less annoyed when she wakes up and realizes they are on her feet.

From the kitchen…I bought a big pack of lean ground beef and you know you can’t just throw it in the freezer or you have a brick… so I need to fix it today or it will be bad, gb just doesn’t keep long at all! I am going to cook it all and then make a big batch of chili. I may freeze half for later when turkey is getting old.

I am wearing…the t-shirt and pajama pants I slept in.

I am reading…nothing really… although considering re-reading the twilight series after seeing it Saturday. Any suggestions for a good read?

I am hoping…to get a lot done today!

I am creating…a picture of me and mom for a frame that has had the picture that came in it. I put a picture of me and mom that I printed in black & white from the family reunion with my grandfather. He is not doing well at all. Please keep him in your prayers.

menu

Monday… stew with cornbread

Tuesday… hopefully leftover stew for matt and kids… I’ll be at FLO! I have to take a dessert… maybe these:

FESTIVE CARAMEL BARS
32-36 Individually wrapped caramels
2/3 C. Evaporated milk
1 C. Flour
1 C. Oats
1 C. Nuts (I used chopped pecans)
1/2 C. Brown Sugar
1/2 tsp. Baking Soda
1/4 tsp. Salt
1/2 C. Melted Butter
1.5 C. M&Ms

1. Combine unwrapped caramels and milk in heavy saucepan.

Cook over low heat, stirring occasionally until caramels are melted.

2. Combine flour, oats, nuts, brown sugar, soda and salt in a bowl;

add melted butter, mixing until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

Reserve 1 C. of mixture and press remaining mixture into bottom of

a greased 9X13. Bake at 350 for 10 minutes.

3. Sprinkle 1 C. M&M’s on partially baked crust. Pour caramel mixture

over M&Ms. Sprinkle reserved crumb mix and remaining 1/2 C. M&Ms

on top. Continue baking for 20-25 minutes.

4. Cool slightly and chill for 30 minutes. Cut into bars.

Wednesday… tuna on wheat toast (matt’s request)

Thursday… Baked chicken and dressing… baked pot. … carrots

Friday… taco soup

Emelia came home from school early today. She called from school because she had a temperature. She ended up sleeping almost all day. I had a weird piercing sinus headache and Izzy didn’t seem like herself either.

Amanda is all signed up and scheduled to take her ACT in December. She was very sick the day she was supposed to take it. She has decided to apply to OU and is planning to room with her friend from school. I like this friend and they are both very studious so I think it’s a good plan. Senior year is crazy! Yearbook $80. Each ACT pop is over $50. Cap and Gown $200. Senior pics $100 so far. College Apps. $40 and up. It’s something every few days!

We had a meeting last night about our monthly “for ladies only” service. This month we’re giving away turkeys to single moms. So we discussed collecting and distrubuting the turkeys. We serve dinner to any ladies (and their kids) who attend the service. I look forward to it every month. Bailey is going to help collect turkeys and then carry them to cars for the ladies.

Here are the instructions:

1. Copy this list into your blog or journal, including these instructions.
2. Bold all the items you’ve eaten.
3. Put in red any items that you would never consider eating.
4. Optional extra: Post a comment here linking to your results.
The VGT Omnivore’s Hundred:

1. Venison
2. Nettle tea
3. Huevos rancheros
4. Steak tartare
5. Crocodile (I'm counting Alligator, which I've had several times!)
6. Black pudding
7. Cheese fondue
8. Carp
9. Borscht
10. Baba ghanoush
11. Calamari
12. Pho
13. PB&J sandwich
14. Aloo gobi
15. Hot dog from a street cart (Nothing like 'em!)
16. Epoisses
17. Black truffle
18. Fruit wine made from something other than grapes
19. Steamed pork buns
20. Pistachio ice cream
21. Heirloom tomatoes
22. Fresh wild berries
23. Foie gras
24. Rice and beans
25. Brawn, or head cheese (Ew!)
26. Raw Scotch Bonnet pepper
27. Dulce de leche (Oh yeah, baby!)
28. Oysters
29. Baklava
30. Bagna cauda
31. Wasabi peas
32. Clam chowder in a sourdough bowl
33. Salted lassi
34. Sauerkraut
35. Root beer float
36. Cognac with a fat cigar
37. Clotted cream tea
38. Vodka jelly/Jell-O (in college!)
39. Gumbo
40. Oxtail
41. Curried goat
42. Whole insects
43. Phaal
44. Goat’s milk
45. Malt whisky from a bottle worth £60/$120 or more
46. Fugu
47. Chicken tikka masala
48. Eel
49. Krispy Kreme original glazed doughnut
50. Sea urchin
51. Prickly pear
52. Umeboshi
53. Abalone
54. Paneer
55. McDonald’s Big Mac Meal
56. Spaetzle
57. Dirty gin martini
58. Beer above 8% ABV
59. Poutine
60. Carob chips
61. S’mores
62. Sweetbreads
63. Kaolin
64. Currywurst
65. Durian
66. Frogs’ legs
67. Beignets, churros, elephant ears or funnel cake
68. Haggis
69. Fried plantain
70. Chitterlings, or andouillette
71. Gazpacho
72. Caviar and blini
73. Louche absinthe
74. Gjetost, or brunost
75. Roadkill (Deer that's been accidentally run over)
76. Baijiu
77. Hostess Fruit Pie
78. Snail
79. Lapsang souchong
80. Bellini
81. Tom yum
82. Eggs Benedict
83. Pocky
84. Tasting menu at a three-Michelin-star restaurant.
85. Kobe beef
86. Hare
87. Goulash
88. Flowers
89. Horse
90. Criollo chocolate
91. Spam
92. Soft shell crab
93. Rose harissa
94. Catfish
95. Mole poblano
96. Bagel and lox (What's a Saturday morning without this?)
97. Lobster Thermidor
98. Polenta
99. Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee
100. Snake

Eeek, I've only eaten 24 of them.
And maybe on a VERY adventurous day, I'd try one or two of the others.
But in most cases ?
I'm strictly a meat and potatoes and junk food girl with an occasional fruit or veggie thrown in to pacify the food pyramid police :)

And YOU ?

recipe

I made the mexican lasagna last night.
It made so much!
I made two huge pans of it and hope everyone is up for leftovers. I may freeze one.

amazing race

You know what is aggravating?
I tivo'd amazing race last night, well Sunday night.
The news ran late and so only half is recorded!
UGH!

debate

So, the debate is tonight.
Palin and Biden are going head to head.
Who's your favorite?

dinner.

What's for dinner tonight?
I'm making burgers.
I am running out of creativity.

jambalaya

I used zattarains jambalaya mix in the rice section...
I started by cooking onions, green peppers and chicken in a little olive oil. I added a can of stewed tomatoes and some sausage, then the rice mix and chicken broth. It was so good!

today...

I am so sleepy today! I think I could sleep for a week given the chance! I have been reading a good book so I suppose I will do that and go to bed. Good night!

flo and stuff

We had flo tonight at church. It was really fun!
I made Sheryl's pasta salad tonight too! I think I like it, but not sure yet. I'm not hungry so I can't tell. Mom loved it.

tuesday

I am busy busy today.
I have to bathe izzy ... and wash my hair.
I think I have lunch plans... oops better check!

mm

1. What are you up to today? Be specific. We’ve talked about your morning routine before, now walk us through a typical Monday for you after breakfast is over. How do you feel about Mondays? A fresh start to your week? Or do you dread the drudge of getting back to the same old routine?

I usually eat something quickly while feeding Izzy her breakfast while checking email and blogs etc. The time I spend feeding izzy is true multi-tasking because I am stuck sitting and try to do all the sit down things I can like make phone calls etc. So when we get finished eating breakfast I pick things up and make the beds if I haven’t already. Then I start laying out clothes for school and getting things ready for her lunch. The mornings seem to be a big feed fest :)… I usually feed her a noon and watch the first part of 7th heaven. Then I get her dressed and me ready and take her to school. I look forward to Mondays. I like the start of a new week and it’s nice to have a quiet house after a hectic weekend.

2. Earworms - we all get them from time-to-time. What tune do you have stuck in your head at the moment? How important is music to your life? List some of your favorite songs - and I’m talking about songs that evoke a strong emotion in you; joy, anger, sadness, etc. Do you have one particular song that brings back a certain time period in your life? What is the song and what is the time period?

It’s a song we sang in church today. It goes something like, “waves of mercy waves of grace everytime I look I see your face your love has captured me… every step I take i take in you you make me move jesus every breath i take i breath in you…” I listen to music all day. All types. I have been listening to a few cd’s this past week. Mama Mia and Nathan Tasker. The song “Slip, Slide, and away,” takes me right back to 4-5th grade. The news station always played it while rolling the schools closing due to snow or ice. I loved that song. And more than that loved having a day out of school!

3. Who have you needed to say thank you to lately? Who is this person and what did he/she do to prompt a thank you?

Mom. She is always there for me and I take her for granted. There aren’t many people who love you totally unconditionally. She does. She comes down everyday to help with Izzy’s therapy.

4. How many candles will be on your birthday cake this next birthday? What do you think about the age you are now? Are you comfortable with what you’ve accomplished in life so far? Or do you wish you could have achieved more? You’re being granted one birthday wish - what is it?

A lot. It’s old :)… Nah, I just don’t feel as old as I am in years. I am almost enjoying it though, I feel like I am finished with the young petty stuff. I’m not really happy with what I have accomplished in some areas while in others I am. Izzy’s accident was definitely a setback… but the kids are all such good kids and I’m proud of them. Very proud. One birthday wish? What else? Izzy walking & talking!

chat

What is one thing you were convicted about when you were younger, but now being older and wiser you have changed your mind on that belief? Why? Or on the other side, what is one thing you may have not held a conviction on that you now do? Why?

I was raised in a very very conservative church. I was convicted at an early age that religion was primarily about the laws that were found in the bible. I always felt like I didn’t quite measure up and rarely felt the presence of God. I was in church a minimum of three time per week. Every week.

As I got a little older I questioned some of those rules or beliefs and was told why and accepted it. Until Izzy’s accident. I read the bible with new eyes and saw that there was much more to it than the laws. The laws are important and I feel like God wants me to be an obedient daughter… but God is with us. Here. Every day. He guides my life and helps me.

On a lighter note, as a child or even young adult I never felt convicted to make my bed… now I can’t stand to leave it unmade. Why? Probably because I grew up :)…

school days...

Summer went by too fast.
I guess it's technically not over yet.
It's hard to believe we are starting a new school year.

school

Today was izzy's first day of school.
She went to kindergarten.
I think she had a good day.

7th heaven

I love the show 7th Heaven.
I am enjoying watching all the reruns everyday.
I think the earlier shows are the funnest to watch.
I wish it hadn't been canceled.

dinner

I had the wonderful sticky coconut chicken again tonight.
It was delish!
I made rice and corn on the cob (grilled) on the side.
Enstroms toffee for dessert!

heat relief..

It's about to start raining.
After days and days of 100 degrees, I'm ready.
Ooops, better go get the clothes off the line!

bbq

I grilled pork chops for lunch today after church.
I marinated them in bbq sauce all night last night.
They were delicious... with rice and veggies.

dinner

I made the best chicken tonight.
It was on Kim's cooking blog.
Sticky coconut chicken.
I highly recommend it!

week

Izzy had a birthday.
I wrote my week in review.
Amanda posted Bailey's video.
Lots of fun this week.

next food network star

Are you watching?
I'm watching it now.
I tivo'd it last night.
It's making me hungry :).

big bro

Are you watching Big Brother 10?
I am trying to.
It's always hard to "get into" it each season.
I hope its a good one.

bean burritos...

I made another batch of black bean burritos tonight.
Even Lorenzo liked them!
They were pretty good, especially with guacamole!
I posted the recipe over at my blog (mylifeasannie.com).

horse

Did you hear about my new horse?
Still no name!
I think he may remain Buttercup.

bean burritos

I made the BEST black bean burritos monday night! They were very easy to make. I posted the recipe on my menu plan Monday!

corn

I am loving the delicious fresh corn dad's been bringing me!
He brought about a bushel two days ago, another yesterday.
Now I'm headed down to pick some more!
Thank goodness I have the chest freezer to put it in.
Yum.

cads

I'm sick of doing CAD's!
Not really, but I wish I were finished.
I only have done 7 of 15. I need to be finished by tomorrow... oh wait! it is tomorrow.

7th heaven

I started watching 7th Heaven recently.
It has been on the hallmark channel.
Today they played the very last episode.
I'm sad.

sfcc

We ate tonight at Sante Fe.
I had coconut shrimp, baked potato and mushrooms.
It was DEE-licious!

wii fit

I would highly recommend a wii fit for your family.
They are so much fun.
Exercise and fun together equals success!

tgif

1. On my laziest day I like to stay in my comfy t-shirt and pajama bottoms … and no make up!

2. Cleaning makes me feel like I’m being productive.

3. I love little milestones and big miracles.

4. This summer I want to get a lot of things done, inside and out.

5. Izzy made me start my blog.

6. Red sooners and orange cowboys.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to a trip to the mall, tomorrow my plans include Sarai’s graduation party and Sunday, I want to take a long nap after church!

ai

What'd you think about the winner of American Idol?
I thought the younger David would win.
The older David was a little annoying to me, but I'm sure he's very nice.
I seem to be the only one with this opinion.

sad

I was so sad to hear about the accidental death of Stephen Curtis Chapman's daughter yesterday evening. I am sad and praying for them and for their son. God can turn really bad situations around. I pray that He does.

GMA

Did you see GMA today?
I caught a little bit about nine year old girls getting waxed.
That's just weird.
I can't imagine taking Emelia to the spa to get a chemical peel.

school

I can't believe there are only three days left of school.
Next year Amanda will be a senior.
Bailey will be a freshman!
I think I am getting old.... not without a fight!

We had a snack night at church.
I bought those pinwheel sandwiches from Sams.
They were really good.
Someone made a chocolate cake and it had red pepper in it.
I wondered why the dessert was making my mouth burn?

politics...

Did you see that John Edwards is endorsing Obama?
Scary stuff.
I am at a loss for words... or a candidate to vote for.
It's sad when you can't get behind even one of the candidates running for office.

Izzy is cranky today.
I had to pick her up early.
She has been crying.