Honey Dos and An Addition

My honey has done a few things recently.

A while ago, we purchased a new under the cabinet microwave. With much pulling and prodding, Michael was able to remove the old microwave and install the new one. Now, all my kitchen appliances match.

Yesterday, Michael installed under the counter lighting in the kitchen. We purchased the lights a few months ago and Michael decided to attempt the task yesterday. He was successful. I really did not want to install under counter lighting that plugged into the wall, where the plugs could be seen. He drilled and screwed and stapled....and now we have under counter lighting with no cords showing!

Also, he hung a knife rack for me. I purchased the knife rack along with the lighting but when I got home I wasn't sure if I was going to like the knifes hanging on the wall. So, I hung it on the dryer in the garage and there it stayed until yesterday. Eric hung Melissa's right away and I decided I liked the way it looked in her kitchen, minus the can opener (laughing out loud right now, Melissa), so I had Michael hang mine. My kitchen looks bigger with the elimination of the knife block and with the new lighting!

Thank you Michael for checking things off your Honey Do List. Don't worry, I'll find other things to add!

Also, the kids convinced us to bring home one of the Botley kittens. We brought home Betsie. She is a very sweet kitty and even Tigger agrees. He wasn't too sure of her the first few days, but now not only tolerates her but plays with her, too. The other day Hannah caught Tigger grooming her - what a sweet big brother.

It was an adventure bringing her home, however. When we brought Tigger home, we just let him have the run of the van. He basically just sat with the kids in the back. We decided that it worked for Tigger, then it should work for Betsie. She did great, she walked around the van, climbing on luggage, the kids and the seats. We stopped for dinner and gave her some kitty food and water and she was happy. We got back on the interstate and Michael felt her crawl across his right foot....he was driving at the time. Well, long story short, she was missing for a while and then we heard little meows coming from the a/c vents. We pulled over on the side of the interstate and Michael tried to find her, to no avail. We drove a little further to the rest area and Michael pulled the glove box, drink holder and storage compartment out. It was getting dark, so it was very hard to see her. Finally, by the light of Michael's cellphone, he caught a glimpse of her and coaxed her down. Needless to say, Jacob had a firm grip on her the rest of the way home!

My Memories

While on vacation last week I learned that my father passed away, unexpectedly.

My parents separated when I was only 2 years old. When I was 5 years old my mom remarried a wonderful man and we moved to the other end of the country. However, my mother made sure that I visited my father every year. I would spend weeks in New England with my dad, step-mother and brother. While it was not the perfect father/daughter relationship, it was what it was and I’m grateful for the time I was able to spend with him.

I remember playing Yahtzee until late at night…playing just one more game so that we could beat the other in the next game. I remember him and I sitting on the porch swing, on his deck, telling him how my life was going to turn out….graduate high school by this date, graduate college by this date, marry by this age and have kids so many years later. He listened and agreed it sounded like a good plan, never indicating I was naïve to think all things work out as we plan. I remember not feeling well at my Aunt Holly’s wedding, so he and Glenda took me back to my grandparent’s house and he played cards with me. When I graduated high school he was there and was able to see my home and where I grew up. I remember the fresh Maine ‘lobstas’ he would bring home during my summer visits and that he always kissed me goodnight before heading off to bed each night.

He had a great laugh and a wonderful smile, dimple and all. Everyone always says I look like my mom, especially when we are standing side by side, but my mom has always thought that I look like my dad. Whenever I visited him, I would look for features of my own that matched his. I decided I have his eyes, his lips, his nose and toes. I wear them all proudly. He also was a talented artist. He could draw and paint and take beautiful photographs. I like to think that I inherited those qualities, too.


I am reminded that my heavenly Father chose Lawrence E. Faulkner as my earthly father. And while it would be very easy to focus on what I missed out on, to focus on the negative, I choose to remember the good, the fun, the laughter and the smiles we shared together. If for no other reason, my father taught me that the decisions and choices we make in our lives affect not only us, but those around us. I am reminded of this now more in his passing than I ever was while he was alive.


We went to hear a friend’s band one summer in Gloucester and they played this song. We danced by the light of the tungsten lights…oh well, close enough. This one’s for you, dad. I love you and will miss you.

Suction + Fridge = Organization

Remember the lazy susan for the fridge? I love it and probably could use another one. I was flipping through an organizing magazine last week and found another great item for inside the fridge.

What do you do with random packets of condiments? I've used zip-loc bags that ultimately get shoved behind the butter in the butter container. I've put them in deli lunch meat containers that constantly get spilled and I find ketchup and soy sauce packets are all over the fridge. So, when I saw this idea I knew it was perfect for my fridge.

I'm certain there are other things I could put in the suction cup, can you think of any ideas?

Cupcakes

Do you love cupcakes? I do....here's why:

1. They are the perfect size piece of cake.
2. No plate or fork needed.
3. Easily decorated.
4. Quick and easy to make/bake.
5. Easy cleanup.

Today was a co-worker's birthday. While in a waiting room yesterday, I was flipping through a magazine and came across an article about cupcakes. I know they are the craze now....as far as decorating them. So, I convinced my family to stop at the mall, after a scout meeting, to pick up some jelly bellies. I found a short video on Martha's website. Cute, aren't they? Next, I'm going to try sunflower cupcakes.

Warning: this is an expensive decoration....jelly bellies aren't cheap.

Memorial Day

Today we spent the afternoon at Papa and DeeDee's. Papa grilled hamburgers and hotdogs. I made potato salad, cucumber salad and cookies and we had baked beans. Yummy......

The kids and DeeDee played in the pool and I sat poolside and watched and documented the day digitally.

Tonight, Jacob had a baseball game. He played great....a double and a triple, including a scoring run. Thought I'd include a picture of his triple at bat....missed being a homerun by about a foot.

I made cookies using a dry cake mix and a can of pumpkin....minus the eggs and oil. I added about 1/2 cup of chocolate chips and baked for 17 minutes. Very, very yummy....couldn't believe no eggs, no oil. Check out Hungry Girl for more ideas.

Herb Garden

I've been wanting to plant a garden ever since we moved into our home. Truth be told, I don't like to sweat or get dirty or dig....you get the picture. I love the idea of a garden and someday, I really do want to plant one. However, for now I'm settling on a potted herb garden. I have dill, spearmint, chocolate spearmint, parsley and rue (I added it purely for aesthetics...and it attracts butterflies).

I really wanted to put it in a metal washtub, but didn't want to spend lots of money on one. I found one, while shopping with Hannah and my friend, Yolanda, at Wal-Mart. The only catch, it says 'Cold Beer' on one side. I figured I'd just put side against the house.


I enjoyed picking out the plants and planting them at Yolanda's house. Hopefully, I enjoy the actual herbs just as much.

Trying to rekindle an old passion.....

Are you curious?

Well, it isn't anything clandestine.....it's just scrapbooking. I was, at one time, very passionate about scrapbooking and more importantly, journaling. Well, I haven't scrapbooked in probably a year. I barely even get my photos printed. Urg......

Tonight, I was talking to a friend about various other things and she posed the question, "Are you going to try and scrapbook this summer?" I have soooo many excuses for not doing something I really enjoy. Why, you ask? Good question. I don't really have a good answer. Basically all my procrastination boils down to romanticized ideals and perfectionism. (I'll save that for another post.....however, I probably will never get around to it....)

Anyway, back to rekindling my passion for scrapbooking.......

Short story even shorter.....I've decided to put a desk in my bedroom - just for scrapbooking. That way, I can leave all my things out and can work for a while and then leave it out. My friend challenged me to have it done before school gets out later this month...she even put it on her calendar.

Do you need to rekindle an old passion?

Adoption

My good friend, Kimberly, and her husband are in the process of adopting a little girl from Colombia. Whatever the unfortunate circumstances that surround their new daughter's current situation, she is going to be SOOOOOOOO blessed to have Todd and Kimberly as parents. They just started their blog, but I'd love for you to click over and read their first posts.

Hungry Girl

While blog surfing this evening, I came across this website and had to share. Are you a Hungry Girl? I am.....but not always just for food. I sometimes get hungry for a new purse, a trip to the mall, a vacation, time reading a good book, a nap....just to name a few.

That got me thinking....what do I want to hunger for?
Of course, I can come up with the 'Sunday School answer', but at this point in my life, I'm over that....or at least in the confines of my living room, seated in my chair in front of the computer, I'm over that.

After a few minutes of pondering....really, I should take more than a few minutes, oh well....I've decided that I truly want to hunger for the things of God. I think that pretty much sums it up. I guess 'the Sunday School answer' is my answer. Under the umbrella of 'things of God' falls many things. The only thing that stands in my way of my hunger is ME.

Now, to find a recipe to use pumpkin instead of oil and eggs......(see Hungry Girl for more info)

Happy Birthday Melissa

A couple weeks ago, Hannah and I had a girl's weekend in St. Augustine. Melissa met us at the Outlet Mall and for dinner. We shopped until we dropped....it was a lot of fun.

I am very thankful for our 20+ years of friendship.

Happy Birthday!

I'm sorry I didn't get a chance to call you!