lazy summer afternoon

Do you ever have a day where you wake up ready to get a lot accomplished only to find yourself still in your jamas at 2:30p? I did do a few things...maybe I should list them to make myself feel better......

1. brushed my teeth


2. dead-headed my sad looking hydrangeas


3. cut up a watermelon


4. made lunch


5. checked the blogs

Okay, even after typing it, I still don't feel better. Maybe I'll go take a nap and then I'll feel better! These two look like they aren't too concerned that they haven't accomplished much today.

Addiction

Are you addicted to anything? Admittedly, I'm addicted to lots of things, but lately I addicted to ideas. I surf the blogs and the web for ideas, while in the check-out line, I look at magazines for ideas, at the bookstore I look at books and more magazines for ideas. I have look for storage and organizational ideas, decorating ideas, craft ideas, ideas for new meals, party ideas, weight loss ideas, fashion ideas....do you get the idea?

I have folders on my desktop full of ideas. I have paper folders on my desk full of ideas. I have stacks of magazines that I'm saving because ideas are in them.

I - imagining
D - decorating
E - everything
A - around

If you have time and want to waste some time.....check out some of the ideas I am saving.

Rainbow Jello
Illustrated Placemats
To Do Jar
Printed Napkins
Wordle
Fabric Camera Strap
Platter Chalkboards
Rubber Stamps from Erasers
Shoulder Bag
Watercolor in Altoid Box
Bagsket
Car Organizer
Photo Idea

That is probably enough for now......

Do you have any addictions?

Did the curosity kill the cat?

Or are you still interested?

No, Ty and his crew will not be making an appearance at my house, at least not that I know of....

Here's my story of last Wednesday!

We woke up @ 5am to catch a 7:30am flight. After a layover in Atlanta, including a small 2nd degree burn on Jacob’s foot, from a lady spilling hot coffee on him, we safely arrived in Cincinnati. We went straight to Jason’s Aunt Elaine’s to have lunch, then to Mame’s to drop our belongings off and quickly change. We then were off to West Chester, to see the Extreme Makeover home. We decided to pop over on Wednesday, instead of “Move That Bus” Thursday, to avoid the 2,000+ people and the 90º heat. We were told where to park (thanks Aunt Holly). Boy, Extreme Makeover runs a smooth operation. It is no wonder they can get a home built in a week. We arrived to find ROTC guys and gals directing traffic. Before boarding the bus, we were told to grab some ice cold bottles of water. After a short ride, we exited the bus and were greeted by a woman handing out bags with info about the family and the builder. Security was tight, no walk-ins were allowed. Even the neighborhood residents had to show ID just to get into the neighborhood.

We stood across the street, in the front yard of a neighbor, right up against the barricade and saw Michael in the garage, digging through boxes to find what we think were picture frames.

There were women there that came every day and had great stories to share. It was hot, but we had our water and were enjoying listening to the stories when we noticed the garage door lower. Vehicles started to move out of the driveway and the assistant director came from the back yard with a film crew. We looked down the street just as the crowd started to cheer, clap and wave. Ed was in the back of a truck with what looked like a pergola. The truck stopped, he put his cap on and they started filming. He waved and winked to the crowd before unloading the pergola.

He went around to the back and was not seen again. With hopes to see Ty, we decided to stick it out. We were talking to a friendly woman and then looked as a Gold Star employee with a Coney case was handing out free Coney dogs…Yummy. In the end we didn’t see Ty, but did she the film crew film the walk up to the front door.

The assistant director came out and was talking to some of the spectators and told them that he sent everyone home, except Ed. That was our cue to leave, since we already saw Ed. Hannah really wanted to go back for the reveal, but that would have required us to be across town at 5:30am the following day and stand in the heat for 6+ hours for a chance to see Ty and the reveal. We decided against it.

Our main reason for going up north was to see family. We were able to see Aunt Elaine, Aunt Julie, Alex, Uncle Mark, Grandpa Gene, Aunt Holly and Uncle Mick. We even were able to squeeze an extra day in, because flights were oversold on Saturday.

We had a great time. I’m so glad I was able to crash the annual trip to Cincinnati this year….Jacob did tell me that I wasn’t going next year, I guess I rained on his parade!

A little tease.....

Independence Day

A friend at work is having a grilled pizza party today. It sounded like fun, so I decided to try it also. Michael isn't fond of things that are out of the ordinary, so he is a little hesitant and wants to have a back-up plan. I'll let you know how it turns out.....

Grilled Pizza Update:

Turned out GREAT!!!!! I found a fast, easy and yummy pizza dough recipe and an equally easy and yummy pizza sauce recipe for our grilled pizzas. We brushed the dough with olive oil so that it would not stick to the grill. Michael grilled the pizzas on one side for about 3 minutes and then we loaded them with toppings and then put them back on the grill for another 3 minutes. We were only able to grill 2 pizzas at a time, so not everyone ate at the same time, but it was a blast.

After dinner, we hopped in the van and quickly drove to a local church to watch fireworks. We parked, laid our blankets out and sat down in enough time to hear the national anthem and watch the fireworks show. We then came back home for our own fireworks show! Michael had a stockpile of fireworks.

It was a great Independence Day, other than my mom getting hit with a frisbee....

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.