There were only six of them in the sale, so I grabbed two and called my sewing friend Lynn to see if she wanted the second one (Of course she did!). I can't wait to give it a try. I'm seeing perfectly pressed final blocks for my quilts, as well as an easier way to steam iron large yardage of fabric that I've prewashed.
Today is my daughter's 27th birthday -- HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MARY!!! She will be coming over this afternoon to celebrate with a family cookout, cake, and lots of love. Of course, she won't eat the cake -- as she has lost 91 lbs. -- from a size 26 down to a size 12!! I will make a big salad with tomatoes and cucumbers from the garden for her, and I think she'll eat a small piece of steak. She will never ever get the "awww...just eat ONE piece?" or "one piece won't hurt..." from me! I'm proud of her for this major accomplishment!
Today I'm running to the store to buy a new grill -- ours has been on it's last legs for a few weeks now, and I'd planned on buying a new one when they went on sale towards the end of the summer. I need to wrap Mary's present and make the salad, and then I'm done! The house is clean! Yay! Laundry is all caught up! Yay! OK, so the garden isn't 100% weeded, but it's not too bad. Half-a-Yay! Today will be the first day of just hanging around the house and enjoying having both my kids with me and NO HOUSEWORK. Yay!
Jul 27, 2008
The fruits of my labor
Son Jeff and DIL Lisa arrived on Thursday and it was SO wonderful to see them! I swear, there's nothing like a great big ol' bear hug from my son -- he does it with such enthusiasm! We saw them for a few hours, but they will be returning today to stay a few days with us. I think it was more difficult for them to split their time up between families than it is for us. Lisa's family lives just 20 miles away, and the first part of their trip has been spent with them (and JJ attending as many Cincinnati Reds baseball games in as humanly possible), and the latter part of their vacation with us.
Brayden got to meet his Uncle Jeff and Aunt Lisa, and they got along beautifully. JJ and Brayden played soccer in the back yard, then moved on to hitting golf balls. Brayden had a ball. Lisa spent time with him throwing rocks in the creek, which was another "hit" with Brayden. He'll be able to spend more time with them this evening and again tomorrow.
Jeff and I went to the annual Hammacher-Schlemmer warehouse sale yesterday and OH BOY did I find a bargain! A professional Steam Press! Normally $249, on sale for (drum roll here....) $24.99!!!
There were only six of them in the sale, so I grabbed two and called my sewing friend Lynn to see if she wanted the second one (Of course she did!). I can't wait to give it a try. I'm seeing perfectly pressed final blocks for my quilts, as well as an easier way to steam iron large yardage of fabric that I've prewashed.
Today is my daughter's 27th birthday -- HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MARY!!! She will be coming over this afternoon to celebrate with a family cookout, cake, and lots of love. Of course, she won't eat the cake -- as she has lost 91 lbs. -- from a size 26 down to a size 12!! I will make a big salad with tomatoes and cucumbers from the garden for her, and I think she'll eat a small piece of steak. She will never ever get the "awww...just eat ONE piece?" or "one piece won't hurt..." from me! I'm proud of her for this major accomplishment!
Today I'm running to the store to buy a new grill -- ours has been on it's last legs for a few weeks now, and I'd planned on buying a new one when they went on sale towards the end of the summer. I need to wrap Mary's present and make the salad, and then I'm done! The house is clean! Yay! Laundry is all caught up! Yay! OK, so the garden isn't 100% weeded, but it's not too bad. Half-a-Yay! Today will be the first day of just hanging around the house and enjoying having both my kids with me and NO HOUSEWORK. Yay!
There were only six of them in the sale, so I grabbed two and called my sewing friend Lynn to see if she wanted the second one (Of course she did!). I can't wait to give it a try. I'm seeing perfectly pressed final blocks for my quilts, as well as an easier way to steam iron large yardage of fabric that I've prewashed.
Today is my daughter's 27th birthday -- HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MARY!!! She will be coming over this afternoon to celebrate with a family cookout, cake, and lots of love. Of course, she won't eat the cake -- as she has lost 91 lbs. -- from a size 26 down to a size 12!! I will make a big salad with tomatoes and cucumbers from the garden for her, and I think she'll eat a small piece of steak. She will never ever get the "awww...just eat ONE piece?" or "one piece won't hurt..." from me! I'm proud of her for this major accomplishment!
Today I'm running to the store to buy a new grill -- ours has been on it's last legs for a few weeks now, and I'd planned on buying a new one when they went on sale towards the end of the summer. I need to wrap Mary's present and make the salad, and then I'm done! The house is clean! Yay! Laundry is all caught up! Yay! OK, so the garden isn't 100% weeded, but it's not too bad. Half-a-Yay! Today will be the first day of just hanging around the house and enjoying having both my kids with me and NO HOUSEWORK. Yay!
Jul 24, 2008
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!
Jul 22, 2008
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 of
f 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! :)
f 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! :)
Jul 21, 2008
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.
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