Friday Blessings

I posted a blessing once, and was lucky enough to be found by Blessed1. Every week, she posts a weekly blessing that she is thankful for and has challenged us to do the same.

I am thankful for such a well behaved dog, who I just bathed with no leash and only command to come and stay. I am thankful that we only have 10 days left of school. I am thankful that we were invited to a party this evening and even though my husband does not want to go, his response was - I'll go with you if you like.

I'm thankful for my mom to buy some socks for my "little bird", after she knew I spent $700's on Friday at a variety of stores.

I'm thankful for all the blogger "friends" I have and blogs to read, as they help me get through the day.

I'm thankful that my "sadness" from last week has passed over me today.

Checker Board Cake

The greatest feeling in the world, is when someone calls me on the day of a party and says I'm bringing XY or Z. It happened once to me and now I always do it when I am going to someone's house.

Tonight we are going to a "Thank You for Volunteering" for Scouts Party and even though I already offered to bring something when I was invited and was told NO; I called this morning and offered to bring my Checker Board Cake. (You can read my previous blog about it here.) The host (dad) was very greatful.

So the cake - this time yellow and chocolate, is baking in the oven. Now, for the frosting.. hummm....

Memorial Day - Happy or Not?

I saw a blog post on a blog I've recently started reading and it said "Happy Memorial Day" and a picture of a flag. This morning when I was getting ready for a flag ceremony parade, I was thinking what do you say for Memorial Day? What's proper? All day I wondered what I would say to someone - so I said nothing.

Is it really a "Happy" Memorial Day when we are at war, or someone is a Vetran of War?

Then I thought I would say Thank you for serving, enjoy Memorial Day.... Enjoy your day - but that didn't seem right, as we are remembering the dead and those that have been injured at war. I wasn't sure what to say.. is it really a celebration??

So - what do you say? Does anyone know the proper greeting?

Saturday Night Fires

We had our first fire last night, and I sayed in polishing my countertops. As I looked out my kitchen window, I saw my husband and son chatting away. It was a picture perfect moment, and without arranging the lights or trying to go outside to get a picture to get rid of the "screen view", I opted for the memory instead.

Seeing the two of them, with their backs to me, chatting away like best friends was so precious. I thought it was best to leave them alone and started polishing my countertops instead!

Charlie Bit Me

I'm ruthless

totally ruthless. I'm a sales persons worst nightmare - especially the ones that come to the door.

The doorbell rang, I answered it and smiled inside as I saw the binder (it sounded like a window company). I open the door - yes? The guy starts rattling and I mean rattling, (I so hate that) all their services. The sell sheet said roofing and gutters (ours is about 6 years old, gutters seamless), windows (ours are 5 years old), siding (our house is brick), sliding doors and a sun room.

When is was all done talking so fast, because everything is memorized. I asked him if he looked at my house. He said yes, sheepishly.. then asked if I considered a sun room.

Wordless Wednesday

OK, I've seen this on a couple of other blogs I read regularly and it seems like harmless fun.



I this is how it works. It's called Wordless Wednesday. I post a picture and you type the words for a caption... so "Have a GO at it" as the Irish say!

1 BUTT, 2 BUTTS, 3 BUTTS - NO MORE!

Our dog Seamus (the golden) looooveess to have his butt scratched. He comes by to say hello, then slowly, ever so slowly turns around having you scratch his side and then when you just get to his butt - he backs in to position for a nice butt scratch.

My neighbor and I notice how each of our dogs, picks up each others habits. So one day I was scratching Meg and all of a sudden, I realized she slowly turns and "backs into position". So now she does the same as Seamus and expects a butt scratch - at least hers is not as hairy.

THEN, one day last week, I was laying on the couch and the cat comes by for a pet. Next thing I realize he "back into position" and was enjoying a butt scratch too.

Let me tell you, I'm going to STOP when it comes to my husband or son.

The Ladies Lounge

My neighbor and I sit out regularly. The dogs will have their little "Cheweeze" treat and us ladies have our grown up little "smokey treat" tea and/or beer.

With the cold weather, my neighbor set up shop in her garage.. We have a table, chairs and have added some
lights for ambiance. We even found
a disco light.


She added a little blanket for her dog (aka the princess)




The other night, she gave me two roses,
left over from work - our little table
and evening was very quaint!




Too bad Seamus won't come in our cozy little Ladies Lounge - oh that's right -- no boys allowed in the "Ladies Lounge"!

Personality Test

I found this test from one of my favorite blogspots.

Your score on this personality test was 82%

Others see you as an exciting, highly volatile, rather impulsive personality; a natural lead, who's quick to make decisions, though not always the right ones. They see you as bold and adventuresome, someone who will try anything once; someone who takes chances and enjoys an adventure. They enjoy being in your company because of the excitement you radiate.

Personality Quiz
Take More Quizzes

How does your personality match up?

Kid's say the cutest things.....

I was just deleting the gazillion emails to my neighbor and found one I sent to her. (My son dog sits a couple times a week)

He said...

Mom, You know how Meg always spins her tail around like a plane propeller?
Well if she held it up higher, and she flew around like a helicopter - wouldn't that be funny?

Too funny!

One person's junk......

is anothers treasure!

Whenever we put "stuff" of value on the curbside, we take bets as to how long before it is gone. Today, biking with my son to a scout meeting, I passed a weber grill in extremely good condition.

Returning home, I mentioned it to my husband - as he and his co-workers grill out frequently for lunch. Their original grill, was stolen and a customer gave them a very used one as a replacement - but it works. My husband was "to proud" to get the grill off someone's curb. I walked up with Meg and Seamus and lugged and dragged it home - 1 block.

I had him come out to have a look at it. He agreed it was an excellent find.

Have you ever found any good curbside finds or are you to "proud" to grab something?

Good for Star...

Magazine that it. My neighbor frequently gives me magazine she and her friends read. We recycle them, I give mine to my neighbor - then she gives them to her daughter. It really is a nice little set up. 5 people read one magazine subscription.

This weekend, my neighbor gave me Star Magazine. First one I've ever read. I have to give them credit for pointing out some activities the "stars" let their children do - the title of the article was "They let them do WHAT?".

So in this one instance, I can repeat because I know it is true. Any one that likes reality TV and has seen Keeping Up with the Kardashians, can usually walk away shaking their heads. This particular episode, they were pointing out, shows the youngest 10 year old pole dancing in their parents bedroom - nonetheless. I am really.

Sometimes you have to wonder about parenting in this world. (shaking head)

The BEST cupcakes ever

I'm serious - you'll never go back to boxed and they are quite simple.







Ingredients:
1 stick Butter, room temperature
1 1/4 C. Sugar
2 Eggs, room temperature
3/4 C. Flour
1 t. Baking Powder
1/4 t. Salt
1/2 C. Unsweetened Cocoa Powder, best cocoa powder you can afford makes a huge difference
1/2 C. Whole Milk
1 t. Vanilla

Yield: 12-14 cupcakes


Method: Preheat oven to 375 degrees, then turn it down to 350 just prior to baking

1. Beat the butter with an electric mixer until it is soft, then add sugar. Beat about 3 minutes.
2. Add the eggs, one at a time beating until they are well combined.
3. In a separate bowl, combine the dry ingredients and whisk them to incorporate them.
4. Add 1/3 of the dry ingredients to the butter and sugar and beat it just to combine. Add 1/2 of the liquids (milk & vanilla), scrape down bowl and beat to combine. Continue adding the dry and wet ingredients alternately making sure you END WITH THE DRY.
5. Fill muffin tins 2/3's of the way and bake for about 20-22 minutes. Allow to cool, then frost.



For frosting I use one 8 oz container of Heavy Whipping Creme. 1 tablespoon of sugar and 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla.

Enjoy!

A Meme

"Getting to Know you Meme".

The Rules:
1. The rules of the game get posted at the beginning.
2. Each player answers the questions about themselves.
3. At the end of the post, the player then tags 5 or more people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know they've been tagged and asking them to read your blog.
4. Let the person who tagged you know when you've posted your answers.

1. What was I doing 10 years ago?
10 years ago I was 30 going on 31, I was a mother for 1 year and a couple of months.

2. What are 5 Things on my To-Do List for today:
Dishes, Work, bike ride, bake something and make dinner

3.Snacks I Enjoy:
I like Popcorn, Peanut Butter and Strawberry Jelly on Wonder Bread, Cheese and Crackers or Pretzels with Creme Cheese.

4. Things I would do if I were a Billionaire:
I would give some money to my family, I would service charitys that mean something to me and maybe start a foundation.

5. Three Of My Bad Habits:
I procrastinate (new one for me), I am very outspoken, I blog to much.

6. 5 Places I have Lived:
Whitefish Bay, Brookfield, and Waukesha, Wisconsin.
Woodlawn, The Bronx, New York, as well as Elmsford New York

7. Jobs I Have Had:
Jobs mainly in print administration and mother

8. 5 People I Want To Know More About: I Am Tagging:

Worn Out Woman, Sleepless in Wisc, Play in the City, Mommydoodles, and soccer mom.

My Little Bird

My son is growing up. Last week we lost our "last" baby tooth and the Tooth Fairy Came for the last time. (Little Stinker HID it and I never found the tooth. I think he was trying to "prove" that I am the Tooth Fairy since this, Santa, and The Easter Bunny is the only thing in his life I refuse to give a straight answer on.)

So my "little bird" is growing up to be a very nice young man. He is in 5th grade, and is "big" compared to the 2nd and 1st graders. They are the oldest class at the elementary level. It can be sad, looking at the younger ones and remembering those cute times and fond memories. First day of school, K5, T-ball, Tiger Cubs. Now, they are moving on into the middle school, and are definately growing up.


Saturday night, my little bird, received his Arrow Of Light Patch. It is the highest honor a "Cub Scout" can receive. I thought here is another "growing up phase". After he walked across the bridge from the Cub Scout side, to the Boy Scout side - He stood in line with all the Boy Scouts, no longer a Cub. WAIT - there was a glimpse of hope, he is back to little again! Standing there, I noticed he was the smallest one. I can hang on for atleast one more year.

All it takes is one time...

for Daddy to give Seamus some treats in the morning and now it is a daily ritual.

THEN

All it takes is one time for Seamus to sleep in and miss his morning treats, and remind Daddy when he gets home from work, that he forgot. Now it is a nightly ritual.


Now the cat thinks he has to get in on the action, so not only does he ask for treats at night......he asks for them in the morning now too!

Picture is the both double teaming Dad for nightly treats.

Mental Health Day

Have you ever needed a mental health day and taken one? It is a lot easier to do when you are an adult. Earlier this month, I let my son have a "Mental Health Day". He got to stay home, relax, watch TV, play games and just putter about.

My husband, who works very long hard hours, is rarely home. Usually on "sick days", I give him a call and ask the same question - am I making the right decision to keep him home. That day, I obviously didn't.

About 11:30, I hear the dog outside "crying" - which is a sign he knows someone. The back door opens and it's "da hubby". He comes down stairs and finds the both of us in our separate rooms doing our thing and wants to know why our son is home.

He is having a Mental Health Day and go back to what I was doing - which was more like ignoring him, as I knew we were busted.

A Mental Health Day - he says. What's that?

You know, a day where you just need a break. He needed a break (back to work)

I dodged a few more interrogating questions and then said. On the ONE day that I give him a break you have to come home. What are you home for? Well, that got rid of the questions pretty quick....and we had a good laugh and lunch together, before he left to go pick up a client.