NASCAR Day

On Sunday, Jeff and I took Brayden to NASCAR day at our local Krogers store. It was VERY hot and humid (as usual), so we only stayed for an hour or so, but had a great time. Brayden was quite amazed to see his Match Box-sized race cars "come to life". And his cuteness got him freebies that none of the rest of us got -- a Richard Petty bobble head doll, a Bobby LaBonte Matchbox car, and a Carl Edwards "Future Pit Crew" T-shirt! We had a great time!

30 years ago today...

Thirty years ago today, I woke up in a cabin on a tiny private cove on the coast of Maine. Unlike coastal Maine's weather most of the time, this day was hot and humid, and the little cabin had no air conditioning. There was also no shower, but lots of privacy in the front yard -- so I took buckets of water out to the yard and washed my hair and myself as best I could. I got dressed in a little blue sleeveless summer dress, sandals and a big floppy white hat -- the style of the 70's. After his "yard shower" Jeff dressed in his best suit and we headed off to Eastport, Maine. At the time, Eastport was known for it's fishing and fish processing. On a day as hot and humid as it was, you could smell the "fish processing" strongly. It definitely was not a GOOD smell! We looked for an address that I've long forgotten, and found a small white house sitting up on a hill. We drove up the driveway, talking a bit about how nervous we both were, but also how determined we both were. This was the right thing to do. Thirty years ago today, we stood in the dining room of a man we didn't know, attended by two of his friends who worked at the "fish factory" nearby. I remember hearing a clock tick, not understanding that it was sounding the count-down to the beginning of next phase of my life. Thirty years ago today, July 22, 1978, Jeff and I were married in Eastport, Maine before a Justice of the Peace, with two factory workers as our witnesses. I didn't understand what I understand now. That day was the best day of my life. That man standing next to me was the best thing to ever happen to me, and would go on to provide me with a comfortable, loving life, full of joy and laughter and a sense of "home" no matter where we live. I loved him on the day we married, but I love him so much more today. It's a love that has grown from daily living, from up's and down's and inbetween days. It's a love that to this day makes my heart go pitter-pat when he comes home from work. He is a patient, gentle, kind spirit and taught me what "unconditional love" is all about. He loves me on my good days, and my bad. He loves me when I'm laughing or when I'm crying. He loves me when I'm skinny and when I'm fat. He stands beside me, even when he knows I'm wrong, and just patiently waits until I discover what "right" is for myself. He is never judgmental. He never asks for anything from me, but accepts everything I have to offer with gratitude. There is no one I would rather travel with, sleep with, wake up to, watch TV with, cook for, or laugh with. And, ohmygosh, does that man make me laugh. Jeff -- I know you don't read my blog, but just in case. I love you. I love you so much I sometimes think my heart will burst. You are a wonderful husband, provider, father, friend and grandfather. Thank you for the best 30 years any woman could ask for. I hope I have given you even a small percentage of the happiness you have given me over these years. We both know we had one "down" period in our lives -- and I'm so grateful that you stuck with me through all that. You are my love, you are my heart. Yes indeedy - you're my sweetie! :)

Menu Planning Monday - Busy Week

Monday Stuffed boneless porkchops* Faux Rice Pilaf (Rice cooked in beef bouillion with little bits of leftover veggies,chopped onions and celery) Green beans (from garden!) Tuesday Hamburgers on grill Onions, sliced tomatoes Grilled garden vegetables Wednesday (Busy night) Frozen DiGiorno's pizza Green salad Thursday Baked ziti, meatballs Garlic bread Friday Leftover ziti, meatballs Green salad Saturday Roast chicken Mashed potatoes Tomato slices in Italian dressing Sunday My son is cooking dinner!

*Recipe: Stuffed boneless porkchops

4 Boneless pork chops 2 oz Cream cheese 2 tbsp bread crumbs or cracker crumbs Sm. can Black olives, chopped 1/2 tsp Garlic powder or chopped garlic in jar 1/4 tsp black pepper (or to taste) With a sharp knife, slice along one side of the pork chop and continue to slice into the body of the pork chop to make a "pocket" for stuffing. Mix cream cheese, black olives, crumbs and seasonings. Place one large spoonful of seasoned mixture in "pocket" of pork chop. Use one or two toothpicks to seal the pork chop closed. Bake at 375 for 45 minutes or until pork chops are browned and cooked thoroughly.

This and that

Haven't blogged much this week but have been busy, busy, busy! The vegetable garden is really coming along beautifully. Brayden picked our first cherry tomato, and he was so excited! He is also able to see "baby" cucumbers on the cucumber plants from the seeds he helped me plant. I have green beans ready to pick, zucchini about a week or so away, eggplant coming along nicely, and baby green peppers. We even have a baby watermelon, which is a first-time plant for me. Brayden and I go out to the garden and do 5 or 10 minutes of weeding every day he's here. Although it's been terribly hot (high 80's to mid 90's), we also had rain every few days. This morning was the first time I've had to water the garden. I've added mulch to the garden this year, and it's made a big difference. When I have mulched in the past, I've used straw, but this year I've been shredding newspaper and junk mail, collecting it in trash bags, then watering it down in the bag and letting it sit for a few days, then adding it as mulch. I don't use any paper with colored inks or any shiny texture to it. I have read that this will also increase worms in the garden, and with my Ohio heavy clay soil, that would be a great benefit. Obviously, the frugal side of me is loving it because I don't have to buy mulch or straw, and the recycler in me is loving it for putting junk mail to use! I'm almost done with my list of housework. Still have the family room and some window washing to go, but then I'm done. Everything looks nice again -- fresh, clean and dust and clutter-free. Ahhh. Feels so much better. I've ordered some new sheets for the guest bed and am crossing my fingers that they arrive before the guests! Today Jeff and I are picking up Brayden and heading to a NASCAR show here in town. We go every year, and think Brayden will really enjoy seeing the cars that we watch on TV. They usually give away freebies, like die cast cars, so he'll have fun with those too. It will be another busy week this week, with JJ and Lisa arriving for the afternoon on Thursday, then back for Sunday, Monday and Tuesday until they leave. I am so looking forward to visiting with them. JJ is insistent that he will be cooking dinner for us on Sunday night -- woo hoo! Any time anyone besides me cooks, I'm in heaven!