Just a bunch of nothin'

a healthier livin'....

2011-01-08T11:49:00.000-05:00

I'm 20# lighter and I feel LOTS better.
In just a few days, I start RUNNING.
I haven't really been running for fun since.....I can't remember when....) Running would set my asthma off something fierce and breathing is fairly important for any activity. I'll be anxious to see how my asthma changes with the weight loss.

How have I change my habits?

I stopped snacking. Well, not completely. But I am making better choices. This is one of my recent "snack addictions"...it satisfies that crunch that I need. And I can eat that whole stinkin' bag for 150 calories...of course, I don't eat the whole bag at once. But it's a good snack. I buy these at Wal-Mart for $2.00 per bag.

Another good option we're exploring is TURKEY BURGERS. We've had turkey burgers before, but they were bland and not appealing. But these are goooood. I grilled them (which makes ALL the difference) with a bit of cracked black pepper and basil, and finish them off with a bit of sea salt...YUM! And they're budget-friendly. At $6.79 for a package of 12, that is only about $0.57 per burger!

Although not on my diet plan, we made BRISKET......it was so yummy.....this is all Adam Richman's fault...we've watched a bazillion hours of Man Vs Food

(which is really hard to watch when you're changing how eating habits, I might add....)

If you have any GOOD healthy recipes that you'd like to share, I'd love ya forever.....

I feel new....

2011-01-04T17:41:00.000-05:00

For two days, I felt like a complete slug.
Because I didn't work out. I didn't even that was possible for me.
But time got away from me and I put myself last, at the end of the day, when the sun has gone down and so had my energy. I find it really challenging to put myself first. I'm like a lot of moms and wives in that way, I'm sure. But today, I got up and I knocked out my two miles. This is my last week of walking. Next week, I start RUNNING. It's pretty inspiring, as I'm walking in the BITTER cold, hearing a whole bunch of soldiers come up behind me, yelling out encouragement at me.

I also wanted to share this with you guys.
100 days link

If you're like many of us and made resolutions, You might want to check this entry out. I printed out the 100 days. I'm going to do it. I don't want to give up on myself. I'm just getting started. I'll be like those soldiers that I pass in the morning, I'll holler out encouragement for you if you're tackling a new habit :)

good things....

2011-01-02T22:40:00.000-05:00

Check this out. It's Jonathan at his job-training :)
He's gaining skills that will make him more independent and I LOVE IT! I had to beg him to stop working visit with me for just a few moments....it was sweet...

I collect few things. Plates is one of the things that I like to own. I like to look through plates at thrift stores and found this one the other day for $0.99....I love what it says :)

I also snagged TWO workout shirts, one Nike DriFit and the other is Under Armour. Both retail for $35.00 or more, which I think is insane to pay for a workout shirt...but I got these on $0.99 day. This is a HUGE savings from retail.... I love Goodwill's deals. I look for whatever tag is on sale that day and try to steer my purchases towards what's on sale.

These are just a few of the good things in my day....

in the New Year...

2011-01-01T12:32:00.000-05:00

In my New Year, I'm going to write more. These last 4-5 months have been LONG and arduous and I feel like I'm surfacing out of a black cloud (dramatic but that's how I feel....)

So I'm going to try to focus on helpful positive things.....I spent a few hours this morning, planning my Commissary trip for tomorrow, coupons at the ready. Deals to be had :) I love coupons! I mean, seriously, I LOVE coupons. I love that thrill of saving money on things my family NEEDS. I use a variety of sites to print off coupons. I go to these sites FREQUENTLY....Here's a small list of blogs that focus on saving money, they might help you, too.

http://budgethelpers.blogspot.com/
http://couponcravings.com/
http://savingslifestyle.com/
http://www.momsbyheart.net/
http://moneysavingmom.com/
http://www.moneywisemoms.com/

coupon printable sites:

http://coupons.smartsource.com/
http://print.coupons.com/couponweb/
http://www.redplum.com/
http://www.coupondad.net/

These sites are very helpful to my budget. Another resource I use is MyPoints. They have printable coupons, too. PLUS you get an additional MyPoints bonus if you use the coupons from their site, so it's like a double dip....I love MyPoints fiercely....I talleyed up my savings this past year. In 2010, I cashed in over $400 for gift cards FOR FREE.....MyPoints is super easy. You can get free gift cards and other free stuff for simply doing what you already do. By shopping, reading emails, filling out surveys and other daily chores you will rack up points which can be redeemed for free gift cards, gas cards, hotel discounts and much more.Seriously, it's FREE goodies....and I'll be your best friend forever if you allow me to refer you :) If you join with my link, I get 25 points and you get in on the action. So let me know if you want to start saving, I'll send you an email or a Facebook link.

When it comes right down to it, I'm not a rich woman. I look for saving money wherever I can. Are the same way, too?

WIP/guardianship

2010-12-30T18:27:00.000-05:00

By the way, I forgot to mention in the previous post....I'm working on the LONG post about Jonathan's journey, his commitment and our subsequent court dealings for his guardianship. I've had so many people ask about the assault, the guardianship, the commitment process, that I am writing it all out.

As you can imagine, it's emotional and somewhat cathartic....it's taking me a while to put it all down. But there are dozens of parents with fragile x/autism kids who are at that age where they might have to deal with this to. And if my experience can help someone, I'll be glad for that. I'll finish it during the New Year.....

blur

2010-12-30T18:15:00.000-05:00

This last month has been a blur. I kid you not.......if you sat me down and asked me, what's been going on, I'd have to say I'm so busy, I can hardly tell you :)

It's the End of 2010 tomorrow. I, for one, am glad. Lots of changes this year, some good, some not so good. But life cannot stand still. It would be boring if it did.

Just to re-cap these past 6 weeks, I'm a healthier Me. After Jonathan's departure from our home, I am considerably less stressed and have made my own health a focus. I've lost 20# and am aiming to lose 10#. I'm adding muscles now :) so watch out. I am not aiming for bikini season but for better overall health, and a reduction in asthma symptoms. I am even making a goal of running my first ever 5K in April. We'll see how that turns out....I'm actually a little nervous about that.....

The kids are still plugging away at school work. We've had some major adjustments to WAVA. Let's just leave it at that....

Jonathan is still in the hospital, awaiting a slot at a suitable group home. He is learning job skills and gaining independence. He's making friends.....I am so proud of him. And I'm relieved that he's safe and happy....

My resolutions for 2011....

To be kinder.
To be healthier.
To be more attentive.
To be more goal oriented.
To try new things more often....

All of these can be achieved, I have no doubt. I'm not doing the "I'm-going-to-lose-weight" goals, because I did that before Thanksgiving to give myself a head start :) I want to be healthier and more involved....2011 is my year. I can feel it.....

time warp...

2010-12-10T18:43:00.000-05:00

I have really been doing a poor job of keeping up with my blog.
And I had SUCH good intentions..but life has been pretty darn busy...

I'll give the brief updates:

Jonathan's doing well. He's still in the hospital and he will be for a while longer. He's settled into the routine, is making friends, he even has a JOB :) Seeing him happy is a great comfort when I miss him. I don't miss the meltdowns, the walking on eggshells, the physical altercations. But I do miss the fun & happy times with Jonathan.
The kids are still bumping along through their school year. We've had some challenges adjusting to an online school that has had some issues. But we're committed to schooling at home.
Greg's job is going well. He works with some good folks. It's nice to be in the regular ARMY Band field again. I missed listening to typical Band stuff. Plus my husband is appreciated in a whole different way here...
And me...? I've been busy. Adjusting to life with Jonathan in the house. Adjusting to life without the stress of being a 24-7 caregiver. Just adjusting....it feels odd at times....

last month was my birthday (I am now 42......Wooo hoo!) I got a Roomba for my birthday. I love that little robot vacuum... it really cuts down on the dust in the house which helps my asthma.
Since moving to the West Coast, my asthma has eased considerably , for which I am grateful. Reducing the stress and losing weight has helped even more....

Christmas is almost upon us...seems like it was just summer a few weeks ago. That's certainly a sign that I'm getting old, isn't it? Maybe I am. I'm trying to soak everything up and appreciate it more....

thankful

2010-11-25T15:05:00.000-05:00

It's Thanksgiving.
And I am so thankful.
My house is warm, filled with yummy food, and people are happy.
For this, I am thankful.

I'm working on a bunch of stuff for the blog. Things to share :)

I'll be back tomorrow. I will NOT be shopping. (I have no money to shop with PLUS I'm not crazy enough to get out in that madness.....) Besides, I have enough "stuff"...I'm aiming for memories this year.

I'm back.....

2010-11-16T17:18:00.000-05:00

It's been a while since I've written.
Life was, and still is, very busy....
I don't even know where to start, with updating the readers.....

1. We moved VA to WA State. This is just normal military life, but it was a big move for us. It was our first in 6 years. We'd sort of "settled" in VA and it made moving a bit more stressful. Especially for Jonathan.
2. Jonathan did not "move" well....halfway across the US, Jonathan pretty much melted down and never really recovered. Upon arrival in WA, his meltdowns just got worse. Skip ahead a few months of nothing but meltdowns, which brings us to...
3. In early October, Jonathan assaulted me. I was lucky this time, with only a mild concussion, two black eyes and a very sore neck...and a broken heart. This meant that Jonathan was no longer able to live at home with us. I was very blessed that the social workers and Jonathan's team at Madigan helped me navigate the mental system and have Jonathan involuntarily detained. In other words, "committed". It was very tough.....but it was a safety issue. For me, and for the children....
4. The days and weeks following Jonathan's departure left me with every emotion you could imagine: fear, guilt, horror, relief, emptiness.....usually all at once. But here we sit almost 7 weeks later, and everyone has settled into a different life....a life without meltdowns, a life where no one throws furniture. A life where I don't get punched, kicked and bitten.....and Jonathan? Well, he's living in a facility that is designed to handle his needs. In a way that I could not at home. He's so much happier, I'm safer and in the end, it all works out like it should.....I miss him, but I don't miss the drama....for those of you who would judge me, please don't. This was not an impulsive decision. It was agonizing...as I was sitting in the ER, going through the CT to make sure he had not broken my neck, one of the nurses told me she'd been through the same thing...I felt so alone until she said that. I just burst into tears...but I know I'm not.....

So now, you're all caught up on my drama.....

What else is new? I'm looking forward t the Holidays! I LOVE THANKSGIVING and CHRISTMAS....and I'm planning.....I've got my recipes all laid out :) I'm ready for some happiness and some new memories!!

it's been a while....

2010-10-16T12:58:00.000-05:00

I haven't yet decided to quit blogging...but life has taken a different turn and I just don't have it in me.
Not now, maybe not ever again....I don't want to go into all of the personal stuff (you know if you're on my Facebook acct)....but my life is very much changed.

I'll keep this blog up even if I don't continue writing because I have links for various recipes and coupon sources that I don't want to lose :)

Be well.....and take care of each other.

it's the weekend, baby....!

2010-08-21T11:26:00.001-05:00

Every Friday, Jonathan and I have the same conversation....Without fail. Because we are creatures of habit and because we're goofy like that. It's how we roll... It goes a little something like this:

Mom: "Jonathan, you know what day it is?"

Jonathan: "yes (smiling from ear to ear)."

Mom: "And you know what that means?"

Jonathan: "It's the weekend, baby! (in your very best Austin Powers voice)

So here it is, it's the weekend, baby....and we have oodles to do. We're starting off Saturday with muffins for breakfast then heading off to an 11am showing (on-post) of "Despicable Me". Just to give you some idea, off-post movies will run us about $60 for the family. And that's with only ONE popcorn shared amongst people. ON POST MOVIES: $10 for the whole family, and that's WITH POPCORN to share. Lemme give a big HOOAH to AAFES for having on-post movies for military and family members. We love love LOVE that benefit.

After the movie. we're off to the Commissary. Because apparently, I'm trying to starve people and they need more food. Go figure. Then we're going to hit up Trader Joe's. I'm hostessing a breakfast on Tuesday and need to stock up on their frozen croissants. LOVE those. They're so stinkin' easy and they make me feel fancy. Plus NO ONE has better organic bananas than TJ's. And plus my family has become addicted to their dark chocolate covered blueberries...And I need to load up on some produce for our smoothies..Yep, we still drink smoothies. Love 'em. They make me feel so good (when I type that, I hear disco music...very odd). Remember how when we first started the Smoothie Drinkin', how Adam thought I was trying to kill him with fruits and spinach? Well, feast your eyes on THIS? Now, he begs to fix them. Good things, man. Good things...(it would frighten you to see just how much spinach is in our smoothies...about 2 cups....we go through a huge bag of spinach every 2 days.) Last week, we drank cucumber-spinach-strawberry-kiwi-melon. It was Awesome!!)

Tonight, we're grilling and kicking back.
Why? Because it's the weekend, baby....!!

oh happiness....!

2010-08-18T10:07:00.000-05:00

hello, my name is Suzanne......and I'm a flour snob.
You guys KNOW I am a devotee of just about ANY product made by King Arthur Flour. They make high quality products without equal....
So naturally, after moving to Washington State, I've been searching for KAF Bread Flour.......
Well, my commissary carries every flour EXCEPT for the bread flour.....I'm going to work with them to order the bread flour but I was so eager for good bread that I looked outside of the military gates.

Well, the local Albertson's sells it for $5.50 per bag. And remember I had once claimed that I would pay $5 a bag if I had to..? Well, it would appear that I was going to have to actually do that......ugh!
I love KAF flour....but I'll admit it: I'm cheap. I'd be willing to pay that much, but I didn't want to....

So I kept looking....and lucky me! I found it at Wal-Mart for less!!

woooooo hooooo! My favorite flour for only $3.42.......I'll still be working with my commissary to order my bread flour but I'm grateful that Wal-Mart carries it :)

just filler.....

2010-08-16T19:33:00.000-05:00

1. Didn't know about the no A/C thing about life in WA before moving...It's been very warm these last few days. Am I whining? A bit.....but it'll pass....

2. I bought some of THE best Bing cherries at the local Albertson's. I had great plans to photograph, you know, to make all of you super jealous....because that's just how I am....hahaha....but in my haste, I ate 'em all. They were beyond sublime. That fruit can taste that good is truly a gift from God. It took all of my restraint not to go buy 5# more....maybe tomorrow.

3. Still working through the maze of paperwork for Jonathan. Also starting this week, the maze of homeschooling notification paperwork for the State of Washington. That's my life: paperwork.

4. Photography? I am finally going to start doing gigs. Freebies first, so I can get to know some families, which I am happy to do. Many of these families are just welcoming back husbands from year long deployments. So I'm overjoyed to do this :)

5. The kids? Jonathan is anxious for Special Olympics. Micaela just got her VERY OWN military ID.....And Adam...? He's always the same: unflappable, cool, living on Poptarts. He did make his very own smoothies the other day :) We'll ditch that poptart need as soon as the school year starts....

where did the time go....?

2010-08-12T12:18:00.000-05:00

It's almost mid-August......
MID August, people....
I'm still stuck in early June when we left Virginia.
I feel like I'm starting to catch my breath...

I've been sick for a few weeks...three weeks to be exact. 10# lost from not being able to eat. My whole relationship with food is changed now...I am still not able to eat without feeling really sick.....I am hopeful that this changes. Maybe 20# from now, but still....

Taking Micaela, who is now a super old 10......to get her very own military ID today. I can't believe my daughter is TEN...She's getting old....

Guess what else..? I'm writing this to from my desktop computer. Greg and I gave up on ever finding the cords so we relented and bought new ones. So NOW I can download photos from the trip....!! I could've done in on my laptop but I prefer editing on my desktop.

So perhaps tomorrow, I'll have actual photos for you guys....!!

Now, I have to go make some dinner rolls.....

busy times, folks!

2010-08-07T13:09:00.000-05:00

1. I know that you guys aren't sitting around, missing me....Life is BUSY around these parts....still settling into the house (will it ever end...?) Still haven't found those critical computer cords, darn it...I KNOW they packed 'em....hopefully they'll turn up soon..

2. My kitchen is completely usable now. Even though it's the size of a postage stamp, I still have to cook and create in there...which means I require a few things. Which means I did a little shopping on my beloved King Arthur Flour online this morning....I do love that site, but trying to narrow it down to what I "need" is sort of like taking me on a chocolate tour and only giving me one sample....but my wallet dictates what I can buy, so I'm only buying the super-duper important stuff. Like Pizza Dough Flavor - 4 oz (for homemade pizza crust, a real money saver in my house) and SAF instant yeast, which is WAY cheaper through KAF than through your local market.....and you know how I like to save money :)

It broke my heart a little looking at all of the beautiful cake pans. I don't have ANY storage space for the pans I already own so of course I can't buy any new ones...but still I like to look at 'em.... If I owned all of the cake pans I want, I'd have to have my kitchen in an airplane hangar...hehehehe.....

2. How's Jonathan...? No meltdowns for two whole days. It's a record I'd like to break....hoping for 3, then 4 and more. It's been tough on him. He misses his friends. He misses his whole life back in VA. But soon, he'll settle in here and we can all breathe....hopefully. If you have to pray for anyone, pray for Jonathan...

3. Greg's job......- It's a big change going back into the real ARMY Band world after being in Special Band arena...but he likes it. The Band members are good, hard workers. And I am glad to get to know some of the spouses. We lived so far from Greg's office before in DC that I didn't get to know many people and I regret that....but here, Greg's commute is only 1.7 miles :) MUCH better than 55 miles each way.

4. The kids......are making friends and begrudgingly prepping for the upcoming school year. Homeschooling with Jonathan AT HOME ALL DAY will be a new challenge.... I pray that God gives me what I need to do my job...I know He will.....

As soon as I get my desktop computer hooked up, I'll be doing posts more regularly. With actual photos.

what a long week....

2010-07-31T20:16:00.000-05:00

* it's been a long week....a few meltdowns, tumped over furniture. It gets harder and harder to deal with Jonathan....it's wearing me out....I'm strengthening my prayer muscles, that's for sure...

* The boxes...? There's still a few.....and in one of those last few boxes are the two CRITICAL cords to my desktop computer (of course)...thankfully, my wonderful gift from "L", my laptop, has been very handy.....

*Normal....? Life is still not normal. With Jonathan having no school schedule and no real opportunity to be IN the world, it's like walking on eggshells every day...We're working with some well-placed professionals to find the best services for Jonathan.....

* Kids.....they're sharing a room. And for the most part, it's going well....they do talk too late into the night for me, but they're as thick as thieves...

* It's good to be married to a HANDY man....even though he sold most of his large tools, he did keep lots of the hand tools. Which helped him complete the assembly of this: It's a wardrobe from Ikea...for $39.99....wardrobes are ridiculously expensive so we were very lucky to find this one on sale :)

for Micaela's colorful outlook on life, it's obviously too bland.....So for only $3.99 at the local Goodwill, we bought this polka-dotted top sheet, which Greg sewed into a curtain :)

Isn't it adorable....?

and it suits Micaela so well..

a month later....

2010-07-29T10:07:00.000-05:00

we're in the house, settling in. I still a few boxes lingering around. Contemplating just throwing them away :)Trying to find a sense of normalcy...it's been tough on Jonathan, which makes it very tough on me. But we're still here. More soon, I promise. With actual pictures...

our new digs

2010-06-30T10:46:00.000-05:00

I know that I haven't even written the super long post about the trip (I'm waiting to gather all the pictures)...
But I just had to share this GREAT news....

We got on-post housing.....!! Within one day of arrival. This is a MIRACLE. And we got just what we need for the kids". (mostly Jonathan)....I am so excited. We're going to stay in the on-post lodging until our household goods are delivered....This is very good news for our family.

Here's the front of our house. I will share the other rooms with you later. I have to go explore the post. It's HUGE....I am thankful that we're back on post. I have missed living on a military post....

It has plenty of room for our kids and we'll have a designated homeschool room!!

Woooo Hooo!

More details to follow...

from the road

2010-06-20T08:08:00.000-05:00

so much for writing from the road, eh? I've been SOOOOO busy that blogging was way down the list...

We left Virginia as planned and have been in several states....as I write this, we're preparing (sadly) to leave our 5 day stay in Iowa. We had so much fun hanging out with our Iowa Family.......we will miss 'em.

I'll have photos to share once we hit the ground in WA...(I didn't plan well, and the movers packed my camera cord...) But suffice it to say, we're having fun. Seeing the United States and all its interesting sites is a priceless memory that my kids will treasure. One of the cool benefits of military life....

More to follow.....

zooooom.....

2010-06-05T18:23:00.000-05:00

It's Saturday. Went to Greg's H&F.
It was blisteringly HOT. Not so much fun, but it had to be done....
That's just part of ARMY life....

All I can think about is THE TRIP. No room in my head for anything else but THE TRIP.
Can't wait until Tuesday when the movers show up and get to packin'......
I mean, let's be honest: no one's ever accused me of being super patient. I'm just READY.

Tomorrow will be a sad day. Our last Sunday at Good Shepherd.
I hope our next church is as filled with loving hearts.
After that, we'll be tripping up to Fort Myer/Arlington to watch the changing of the Tomb Guard one last time. And give me some time to walk through Arlington once more.

Come on, Tuesday.....
:-)

speeding down the hill....

2010-06-01T13:56:00.000-05:00

It's Tuesday.
I'm still at peace.
Why is this odd....? Because in 6 days, I'll have wall-to-wall movers in my house.
I've never been this calm before a PCS...Evah......I mean, I have LOTS to do, but I'm just bumping along...So not like me.....seriously. This peace is God given.

But I'm so excited about this move. When I say that, people automatically leap to "you don't like life in Virginia.." I do not dislike life here. I am just ready for the next place. Ready for new discoveries....That's the part of ARMY life that I like the very best....I mean, who wouldn't? It's exciting....

I'm so grateful to those at Joint Base Lewis-McChord that have provided information. It helps when we're prepping Jonathan for his first move in 6 years....Micaela and Adam were too young to really remember much of our last move so they're wide-eyed with anticipation. It doesn't hurt that we're taking a GIANT vacation all the way across the entire US. Of course, we're sticking to the Northern States...but it's going to be a fun trip!

Our planned journey goes from VA to OH, then onto WI for a few days, then onto IA for several days (catching up with family!!), after which we'll descend upon the Mall of American in MN (for the American Girl shop...)...Then we'll make our way to SD and see some of the great sites, then into beautiful MT. After then, we'll slowly make out way into ID and finally end up in WA.....two weeks of fun, camping, hotels and sites. I'm going to be blogging the whole way (thanks to my handy laptop....) I am so excited that our kids are at a fun, exploring age. And that they will sleep late some days...

Bring on the fun.....and the movers....

Memorial Day

2010-06-01T07:53:00.000-05:00

I didn't get to post this yesterday because I was busy with my family.

Greg and I did the Rolling Thunder tribute ride again this year (photos to follow--as soon as I find the small camera I took), our final one as we leave the East Coast...and it was fun. HOT but okay. I was sitting there in the parking lot, baking in the heat, thinking about our soldiers. The ones from wars in lands that most of us don't remember, and that's what it really hit me: it's not just those who are serving right now, but those many thousands who came before us. That this day is remember THEM. Those who fought, and died, for us long before we had these many freedoms that we enjoy today.

Along the route of Rolling Thunder, I saw men bent with age, holding their salutes with trembling hands.
Men who sat in wheelchairs, with tears on their faces, watching...no doubt thinking about their "brothers". (This was of course inspired by Greg playing the soundtrack from "Band of Brothers" during the ride...that music makes me cry every time....) It really REALLY hit me when I saw a Mom, who didn't look much older than me, holding a poster that read "Son KIA" while waving her American Flag. That made me just bawl....

I'm so grateful for the sacrifice of the generations that came before me. Those who willingly did so.
Those whose names I'll never know. Many of them buried in Arlington.....

Have you ever been to Arlington? If no, you should go at least once in your lifetime....It's so amazingly beautiful how they honor our Fallen.......Fields of lush green grass, often referred to as the Gardens of Stone. The many thousands of grave markers, each 42 inches long, 13 inches wide and 4 inches thick, spaced 10 feet apart. Each honors someone's son or daughter, who fought in service to our Country. Each one, remembered. And honored.

Shortly after we arrived here to DC, I made a scrapbook of Ft Myer for an incoming wife and this was the one page that I liked enough to scan for myself...I remember taking that photo. If you zoom in, you can see them flowers, left at a grave marker. I watched an elderly woman, walk with assistance, down the steep hill, and leave her flowers, gently touching the letters on the marker. I wondered who that was for her: a father she never knew? A husband...? I'll never know....but those flowers, and watching her, is something I'll not soon forget...

Along with the photo is of course the lyrics to the song, "Arlington" by Trace Adkins.

I'm blessed to be an American. And to be so fortunate to be the daughter of a Sailor, and the wife of a Soldier. I am grateful for the service, and often sacrifice, of our military. Let us never forget them...

stress....who, me??

2010-05-26T08:38:00.000-05:00

I think I've done a really good job, these last few days, with NOT stressin'....I feel good. I always feel better when I know what direction we're heading. And once we made some decisions about the house last week, I felt the weight on my shoulders lessen....

The moving guys showed up yesterday. Less than 2 weeks until they start packing up our stuff! I am so excited!

How do I deal with stress? I bake...Today, I'm thinking about making an Apple Kuchen. But the store has the widest variety apples is too far from the house. I'll get them when I'm in that area next....I'll just make do with making some brownies....

Now, must get school day finished. I have new editing software that I want to play with....fun fun fun.

stuff on a Tuesday

2010-05-25T06:28:00.000-05:00

We said goodbye to Jack Bauer last night.....although I liked how it ended, I think it should have been MORE dramatic. Like Jack gets kidnapped and we don't know if he lived or not.....you think they'll bring him back? Who knows....?

The move prep and purging continues still. We cleared out our storage facility. All the stuff we'd taken out for de-cluttering is back. But now it's organized in our garage. Stacked so nicely. Can I even call it clutter if it's neatly stacked. yes, probably so. I'll be going through each container and purging more and more. I want to arrive in WA with less stuff. Easier said than done.....I just gotta do it. And I'll be happier for it, I know.

Our house still hasn't sold. But this is truly in God's hands. We've done everything we could. And then some.
I keep praying though.....

Now this lil piggy is off to start a very busy day....more purging and donating to come!

cake pan addiction

2010-05-24T08:13:00.001-05:00

Hello.......My name is Suzanne.
And I'm a cake pan addict....
The King Arthur Flour catalog has a new cake pan that I am drooling over.....

Isn't it purty? I have visions of a dense chocolate cake, with fresh raspberries,
drizzled with thin ribbons of dark chocolate and chocolate caramel.
Or a straight up vanilla thick pound cake with sugared-lemons on top.
Oh the possibilities.....Hopefully they won't run out and I can order this when I get to WA.
A cake pan addiction is hard to deal with. I do what I can.....I'm flawed :)

favorite things

2010-05-23T18:00:00.000-05:00

I can't get that Sound of Music song out of my head....these are a few of my favorite things....la dee....you know how it goes....

So I started thinking, what ARE a few of my favorite things.....?

Of course there's chocolate, and footrubs, and Reese's peanut butter cups (but only the mini ones).
And the sound of my children's laughter.
And knowing that I've made a difference.
And accomplished something that I didn't think I could do.
And the smell of bacon.
And when my husband says "I love you" first.
And when Adam sings.
Or when Jonathan belly laughs.
Or a really really good piece of music.

Certain things are hypnotic. Like watching the ocean, or a campfire.
Or an American flag in the wind. I love our flag. It's one of my favorite things.
That's one thing about life in a small town: dozens, if not hundreds of homes have US flags, proudly flying. ALL year, not just on special patriotic holidays. I do love that.

I love our flag. Definitely one of my favorite things....

countdown

2010-05-23T09:48:00.000-05:00

We're into the TEENS. As in eighTEEN days until the movers show up. The anticipation is palpable. Someone said to me the other day, "Why are you anxious to get out of VA?" It's not Virginia that I am anxious to LEAVE, it's the adventure I'm ready to BEGIN. Bring it on, baby!! The kids are excited, too.

What has my weekend been like? Busy. Errands to run, loose ends to tie up. More stuff to purge. The more we purge here, the less I have to unpack and purge in WA. We're thinking ahead this time. And let me just say, as our longest stay on station (6 years) we have gathered LOTS of stuff. Luckily, our kids are no longer toddlers so we don't have the mountains of toys, play-yards, strollers and highchairs.

We did score this at the Habitat Re-Store....it's a leather couch (8' so Greg can actually lay all the way down...) with a matching comfy chair and ottoman (not pictured)..it's in a loved-in condition but it's for our (eventual) basement playroom so it's going to see a lot of action anyhow...I love shopping at the ReStore: it's for a great cause and you get GREAT deals.

The whole couch set was only $159.00...and it's REAL leather. No rips, no tears, and it's all mine :)
In my future, I see many naps in my basement playroom....

grab a hankie..or two....

2010-05-22T18:10:00.000-05:00

I loved this video. It's so heart-warming...

God Bless our military.
I'm so blessed to be a soldier's wife. Yeah, it's tough sometimes.
The hours are long, the pay's not going to make us rich,
but the whole military experience is an adventure like no other.
Since this is our last Memorial Day in DC, I'm planning on photographing some of my favorite memorials before we leave. I want to FINALLY print and frame them in our new quarters.....

gifts....

2010-05-22T09:28:00.000-05:00

Adam bought me a frog. Just to show me he loves me...
The frog is meaningful for reasons I cannot explain.
Even on a less than great day, we're all still blessed...
sometimes, you're blessed by a frog.....

God's got his hand on you...

2010-05-20T06:00:00.001-05:00

I was stressed the other day....gee, I wonder why.....
so I did one of my favorite things to relieve stress: I listened to some music. Loudly.
One of the songs on my CD is Sidewalk Prophets, "Words I Would Say"....
there's this one line that says, "God's got His hand on you, don't live life in fear..."

and then I looked up, and saw this:

just look at it...it's truly like God's hand, up in the sky. Right on me.
Like God has His hand on me.
Literally and figuratively.

It was a very good and timely reminder.
Which brings me to the point: In His time, not mine.

It's all good.

boys will be boys....

2010-05-19T10:47:00.000-05:00

It's no secret. I adore my husband.
Unabashedly.
He's my favorite person in the whole world...
so I couldn't resist just taking a few pictures of my two favorite guys while they were playing catch in the yard.
When I look at these pictures, which were rushed casual candid shots, I can't believe how much Adam and Greg look alike. Like peas in a pod.

Adam just got a new (used & broken in) glove for his birthday. He's LOVIN' it...I think he's as much the time with his daddy that he's enjoying...

Adam wouldn't give a genuine smile. Silly goose....(and that's NOT my coloring, when I used Photo Editor to re-size it turned them orange. I assure you: my husband is not orange....)

This one is one I will probably frame and put up in my studio in WA.....
I love these guys. They're special to me....

wowzer

2010-05-17T12:59:00.000-05:00

I'm blogging two days in a row. It's nothing short of a miracle. I'd better get back in the bait. I'll be blogging as we hit the road, sharing the adventure that *is* PCS'ing...that's permanent change of station for you non-military types.

We're in the 20's now. 26 days...23 until the movers show up, but 26 until this place, this house, these people are in my rear view mirror. I will miss a few things, and a few people from VA. I am determined to go photograph the things that are meaningful to me personally. It's things that won't matter to anyone else at all..Just things I'd like to remember. I'll miss some friends. I'll be staying in touch with them on Facebook :) I'll miss Sonic, and Chick-Fil-A....and Aldi. And the kitchen I designed for this house....

But mostly, I"m looking forward.....at what's ahead. I just want this house sale stuff over with and DONE....In a few weeks, I'll probably be swimming in unpacked boxes, in a frenzy because I can't find my things....I'm ready.....

a month later......

2010-05-16T14:41:00.000-05:00

It's a month since my last post....I don't think that's happened since I've HAD a blog. What can I say? I've been busy....Like busy on steroids type busy.

Right now, I'm at the desk, we're 26 days from leaving Virginia. WA can't come soon enough. I'm ready, ready, READY. In a "beam up Scotty" kind of way.....

Church was nice this morning. Even nicer, was the lunch I had with Greg, the kids and our realtor friend, Dee.

What's new? Well, our house STILL hasn't sold. We had some game-changing news so we did a 180 and are going in a different direction with the house. New realtor, new eyes, new action. And hope springs eternal. I am praying FERVENTLY for a buyer. As in, I think of little else.

What else? I haven't worked out in a week. Nothing gets done when the house stuff brings life to a screeching halt. This week, I WILL work out. Even if I have to forego sleep. Seriously. I am turning back into a marshmallow. I don't want to arrive in WA as the Marshmallow, you know?

Stuff....? My re-branding of my business is imminent. I am so terri8bly excited. It won't really show up or take effect until we're in WA, but I'm getting it ready now. I mean, I'm gonna have my hands FULL in WA for a while. Gladly though. I'll trade this stress for that stress...

In all of this, I'm faithful that God knows what's best. I am re-charging my batteries with some of THE best music and my spirit stays strong. I am focused on the calendar. And all that comes with it.

Today, I have a photo shoot with a body builder, which is a first for me. I'm a bit nervous, I want to do him justice, so I'm thrilled at adding something new to my expanding portfolio.

Tomorrow, a traditional Birthday photo shoot for Adam, who turns a big, whopping 8 years old. He still hugs me. I love that kid.

stuff on a Monday....

2010-04-19T17:30:00.003-05:00

My shoulder are heavy, with the weight of a personal issue....
I'm not handling it well. So I'm just going to give it to God. He's much better at this stuff...
-----
saw this on Drudge....
Poll: 4 out of 5 Americans don't trust Washington...
(http://apnews.myway.com/article/20100419/D9F64DD80.html)
Really? REALLY..........?
I wanna know who that ONE person is that DOES trust Washington.....
-----
I just realized that I get my ENTIRE daily recommended allowances of fruits and veggies with my ONE morning smoothie. Just to be sure though, I had one for afternoon snack. Who would've thought that I'd like spinach, banana and strawberries....
-----
Must go. Jonathan babbling. A lot.

he's not so vanilla.....

2010-04-18T19:52:00.007-05:00

My son, Adam, is very fond of vanilla ice cream.
In fact, it's the ONLY flavor he will eat...
This is frustrating to me when there are so many wonderful flavors to choose from. I've never been able to convince him to try any other flavors.

Until now.....

Did I mention that the killer macho blender also makes ICE CREAM.....?
It came with this recipe book full of recipes, most of which I didn't think Adam would ever agree to try.....

So we gathered the ingredients. And for the record, I think that it's too sweet. The recipe calls for 3/4 cup of sugar. I think 1/4 cup would be plenty....

It's a little softer than stuff you scoop from the freezer, but it's so tasty....
We used Wegman's store brand chocolate-style cookies...

Adam willingly tried this ice cream. No begging, pleading or threatening....at all.

He gave it an enthusiastic two-thumbs up....he now understands that there's more to life than vanilla....

smoothie central....

2010-04-18T10:04:00.008-05:00

I will admit it. I'm OBNOXIOUS about smoothies now.
It'll probably pass in a few weeks but for now, I'm ALL about smoothies....
I bought this book:

and let me say this:

I love love LOVE my BlendTec.....I am so thankful for this gift from my friend, "L". It's amazing...I've made smoothies every day since it came out of the box. (tonight we're making Cookies & Cream ice cream in it....)

is it hard to drink something that looks really gross...? I just add the blueberries to cover the green and it becomes more visually appealing...Micaela was not thrilled when it was JUST green. Purple helps...

It might be mind over matter, but pineapple is supposed to help with respiratory issues, and I kid you not: my asthma symptoms feel lighter. It's probably all in my head, but who cares? I'm breathing easier....

not everyone is super=psyched about smoothies. Adam is underweight and I'm trying to get him on a healthier path. He's not a fan of smoothies to begin with. When they're KNOWN TO BE HEALTHY, he's very much NOT thrilled.

and just to prove to you that I can talk about something else other than smoothies, look what I scored at the thrift store yesterday. I couldn't resist...I KNOW I'm purging and getting rid of stuff but this is professional grade bakeware: heavy gauge pans. I had 5 of them in my hands (at $1.00 each) when I overheard a lady talking about she was starting over and had almost NO kitchen ware. So I gave her 4 of the pans that I found....She was happy to take them. These sell for about $60 each...I love a bargain!!
(I'm going to make vegetable lasagna sauce for this pan...in my BlendTec...hehehehe)

long time, no blog....

2010-04-14T18:44:00.012-05:00

Hi all....
My life has been dominated by two things:
1) keeping the house "Realtor clean";
and 2) not losing my mind.
I'm succeeding on one of these. I'll leave you to wonder which...

Seriously, I don't have much time for the blog these days, and frankly, that's a good thing. I'm busying LIVING life instead of writing about it. And THAT is a good thing.

I've been a bit of traveling in these recent weeks. Let me tell ya about it..

1. I drove a bazillion hours (really only 7 each way) to meet up with my friend Linda. Linda and I have been ONLINE friends for a few years. Our husbands do the same job in the ARMY so we can safely complain to each other. We're both Sisters in Christ, and her friendship is a treasure beyond measure. She's the sister I never had...

Linda is ridiculously adorable: both in looks and in personality. She could charm anyone. It's EASY to be friends with her.

She and I met up in South Carolina, at the BILTMORE....

Just seeing a photo of The Biltmore does not convey the sheer enormity of this mansion. It's hard to remember that this was someone's RESIDENCE at one time. And man, they charge a fortune to get in. We were blessed with discount tickets through ITR. (love those mil bennies....)

they had THIS SIGN as you enter The Biltmore....yeah, whatever. I snapped photos throughout the tour, so thankful for auto-focus.

what can I conclude from the tour of The Biltmore...? They were all very short :) Those beds were tiny.
It was a great trip. Too short. We didn't scrap AT ALL. Just laughed, talked and giggle. I'd do it again in a heartbeat....

Next trip: I went to St Louis to meet up with another friend. This friend is a private person, so I'll just call her "L". She doesn't like it when I talk about her on my blog...so I'll (mostly) honor her wishes...

Anyhow, we went to St Louis, with the express desire to attend the CKC, which is a scrapbooking convention. Let me just say: scrapbooking on the whole has taken a HUGE hit with the economy. What's the first thing you give up when money's tight? Hobbies. The scrapbooking deal was a little lame (she agreed) so we spent 3.5 days shopping, eating, napping, exercising, and more shopping. I have not had THAT much fun (or been spoiled so much) in forever. Maybe not ever. My husband is lucky that I didn't run away from home.....

(These phones were snapped with my iPhone because I didn't feel like lugging my real cameras to STLO...)

My view of The Arch out of the window of the Hyatt, which I would totally recommend. It was nice....plus it has a Ruth's Chris in the lobby. YUM!

Remember I said all that eating: Well, there was a KOLACHE FACTORY. This might not seem like a big deal but I LOVE KOLACHES, and had not had them for 11 years, since my ARMY dude swept me outta Texas. I could've eaten a dozen. Seriously. They were wicked good....

Now, "L" is one of my dearest friends. We stayed up late talking, laughing, sharing and determined that she'll come visit me when Greg deploys. Maybe sooner. I love ya, "L". Like a sister only better.

Remember the spoiling I mentioned? She bought me TWO of the most incredible gifts:

The BlendTec blender....which if you knew me in real life, you'd know I fell in love with a few months ago. But it's price tag was too much for my budget. Well, "L" tricked me into thinking she'd bought this red beauty for herself. Only to sneak around and ship it to me. It arrived today. I AM SO EXCITED!! It's no ordinary blender. I won't go on and on (although I could), but it'll change how I eat. I am gonna be a Smoothie Queen. Don't be surprised when I start sharing (gross) green smoothie recipes with you guys. The Green Smoothie Girl is a blog I've been reading and that lady has two sons whose asthma was out of control and she's done amazing things for their health with green smoothies...So this blender will be getting a SERIOUS workout. I already went to Wegman's to load up on my fave fruits, berries and greens...

This one's BIG: she bought me a Laptop!! We talked about the new direction that I'll be taking my business with our move to the Pacific Northwest, and she believes in me so much that she bought me a LAPTOP to show her support. This is something that I couldn't afford on my own (at least not yet, I was saving points, but let's face it: it was taking me a LONG time...)
I'm speechless at her generosity. Her kindness. She's an amazing friend and I'm lucky to have her in my life. I'm not just saying this because she bought me cool stuff. She's a nice person. And I'm blessed by the gift of her friendship...

And because every rose bush has its thorns, I'll share the "less than fun" stuff, too. These past few weeks have been chaos for Jonathan. He's done as well as can be expected with all of the changes that we're talking about constantly: selling the house, keeping the house clean ALL the time, moving, new places, no more school, it just doesn't end. It's no wonder that moving ranks higher than divorce and death for stress....
Jonathan's moods affect our entire household. And we all try to roll with the punches. It's exhausting sometimes.

All in all, it's been busy. For every 1 thing, I mentioned here, there are 10 that I left out. But that's okay. I'm busy LIVING life. And keeping the house clean. Ugh...

Easter

2010-04-02T12:47:00.001-05:00

I won’t be posting again until after Easter.

While I know that I will still manage to find time to be on the computer, I also hope that I will also be finding more time for prayer and reflection, as we await the glory of Easter.

wow...take a deep breath...

2010-03-26T06:07:00.008-05:00

I have been way too busy lately....doing lots of nothing. You know how that is? Your day is so full, but then at the end of the day, you look back and say, "What all did I do?" Even though I feel like I'm spinning my wheels many days, I'm getting stuff done.

1. Our house is active on the market. This is the RE-listing. We did a trial run in the fall. This is the real deal. Sell it or else....We have less than 100 days left in Virginia. This both thrills me and unnerves me. But I am excited about the adventures to come...

2. Micaela is sleeping with the Official Washington State Travel book under her pillow. She's making a mental list of all the things she wants to do.

3. I am way sick of keeping the house SUPER realtor-clean. Can't someone just buy it already messy and lived in?

4. Less than 2 weeks and I'll be in St. Louis. I'm going to CKC with a scrappin' buddy. We're going to have SO much fun. I have only driven through St. Louis, so I'll be eagerly soaking up the sites. We're going to go off the beaten path, too.

5. Did I tell you that I recently fell in love.....? With a Blender? It's no ordinary blender....oh no, sirree....It's a BlendTec. It's also a $379 blender (gulp) so it will be an unrequited love. Someday....just maybe.

6. Kids' school is going well. I was so glad to be a homeschooling family yesterday. I had a wicked, knee-buckling migraine yesterday and I was able to put off the kids' school work for one day. That flexibility allowed me to deal with my pain. (it was BAD). So today, we double up. Adam was excitedly learning about invertebrates in relation to fish. He was bummed when I couldn't locate a WHOLE fish to dissect.

7. It would be unusual of me NOT to comment on the recent passing of the Health Reform Law.....Suffice it to say, I was horrified. Disappointed. But not at all surprised. A reckoning will come. November is not that far off and the lawmakers who voted for that nightmare will be dealt with. Obviously, I was NOT for this legislation. Neither were 62% of the American people....I happen to be married to a VERY positive guy. And he said to me, "Look at the bright side: more Americans are paying attention to what Washington is doing now...." So true. It's easy to forget those people are ELECTED, and they work for US. The will of the people will not be crushed. They may have won this one, but just you wait and see. ---I'm keeping it clean, so if you have comments on this matter, please keep them "family-friendly", one bit of profanity and I will not publish your comments.--

so it's March now....

2010-03-03T18:58:00.002-05:00

It's like a whole 'nother month.....
Life has been super busy.
Kids are rocking their homeschooling. We're going to school all the way through Spring Break, I think. We want to finish up BEFORE the end of the year....With the move coming up, everything is so uncertain.
I'll update the blog again soon....

....magic wand.....

2010-02-17T20:34:00.006-05:00

1. I need a magic wand...or a Target gift card :) I went through my closet tonight, de-cluttering. I got rid of stuff I cannot wear (due to sizes and style) and I have just about nothing left to wear. So I need a magic wand....and some style. I need a shopping helper, too....

2. I just booked my trip to see my good friend, "L". I don't talk about her on the blog, because she's super shy. She has no web presence (and she likes it that way) but she asked me NOT to talk about her. But I am THRILLED that she's taking me to CKC-St Louis....I just booked our hotel at the Hyatt right nextdoor to the Arch!! How cool is that!!

3. And how cool is that I will get to SCRAP....? I haven't scrapped in FOREVER....So long that I had to use my connection through My Points, and chose PhotoWorks to print up some prints for me ($0.10 per print AND I earn 500 points!). I'm printing them NOW so I don't forget....

4. I have worked out THREE days in a row. I'm slowing finding my groove that I was enjoying before The Blizzard of 2010. My muscles are slowly coming back online...

5. It's so startling to think that in 4 months, we'll be moving. I'm so ready for this next move. Bring on the adventure...!!

6. Now I'm off to see if I can rack up some SwagBucks for a Target gift card. I don't want to use too many SB's, because I'm saving them for a new TV....Oh, I have plans for those SwagBucks, oh yes....

love and other mushy stuff...

2010-02-13T16:13:00.004-05:00

1. It's almost Valentine's Day......and with it, comes the exhausting message that men must buy something extravagant for their wives, etc....Don't get me wrong: I like goodies as much as the next girl, but this year, I saw something deeper: that love is a man who worries about you when you're home alone in a blizzard. Love is a man who shovels 3-4 feet of snow for HOURS so you can get your car out of the driveway....Love is a man who stays awake late to talk to you.

2. That being said, he also bought me flowers. And not just ANY flowers: my favorite flowers. I love tulips. I.LOVE. THEM. When they were delivered, I just sat there looking at them in the vase (with tears in my eyes and Adam asked me if I was crying because I was allergic to them :)....and it wasn't only a few tulips, it was TWO DOZEN....

3. Life has been very busy lately. The winter storm impacted everything. Jonathan has missed about 9 days of school due to the weather....we're PRAYING that school is open this week. Jonathan has fired me numerous times. So far, my replacement has not shown up :)

4. The two younger kids have begrudgingly kept at their homeschooling. It's very hard to compete with the possibility of snow fort building, when I have hours of reading and multiplication tables.....

5. My washer broke last week....when Greg was out of town, of course.....he came home, literally stood near it, touched and by golly, it started working again. We don't call him The Fixer for nothin'.....

6. Purging---with the house going back on the market in about a month, I am once again purging. Stuffing HUGE bags full of outgrown clothes and toys that need new owners. Preparing for the eventual garage sale!! I love pre-PCS purging. I love when the movers come to take it all away and then we re-discover our stuff when we get to the next place. I am ready for June to get here....I'm so excited about Fort Lewis!

7. One of the things that I am VERY excited about is that while we're on the road from Washington DC to Washington State, we'll keep homeschooling. The portability of home-schooling is high on cool factor. We just take it with us. We did that while we went to Alaska in December.

8. It's hard to believe that this will be Jonathan's LAST year of school...he's very anxious about finding a job. It's ALL he can talk about. I hope that we're able to find him the proper program in WA....

9. President's Day is tomorrow!! We're studying great men who've shaped our country. (We're visiting The White House next week..our trip this past week was postponed due to Snowapalooza 2010...) If you're in need of a project, you can use these...

NotebookingPages.comAuthor:NotebookingPages.comRating:Pages:14Price:$1.95 $0.00[Click to preview]','infoBoxContents');" onmouseout="kill();" title="Presidents Day Notebooking Pages">Presidents Day Notebooking Pages

10. I'm THRILLED to be planning a trip to St. Louis in April. I'm going to a scrapbooking conference with a good friend. I'm looking forward to the slumber party type trip, we're going to scrap, shop, giggle and have fun!!

funny stuff

2010-02-12T09:52:00.000-05:00

I love that my husband has a sense of humor.....

snow photos

2010-02-08T17:41:00.005-05:00

With the closures of airports and cancellation of many flights, my husband is delayed and he has not seen our snow....so please excuse my blog post while I post a dozen or so photos for him to get some perspective of our snowfall.....We had about 30"......not including drifts....

these are very happy kids. They are LOVING the snow....!

these are the steps (that you cannot see) that lead to my porch......

the snow hit the mailboxes :)

a side-glance of our house....looks mild from a distance....

this is the fence-line and the snow almost crested it.......

I like this one best....and checked out the neighbors house, with drifts on top of the snow, it topped 6'.....

tunneling their way to the garage...where they were bringing the pop into the house...

part of our driveway....

the DURING shot of my car..

the AFTER shot of my car...
a long-range view of our street....

still here....

2010-02-07T09:23:00.002-05:00

1. My blog updates have been sporadic...I'd like to say I'm sorry, but I'm not :) I'm just busy with the kids. And taking care of Greg....

2. We're still in the house, Day 3 of Snowapalooza. The biggest blizzard in like a bazillion years. I have some neat pictures of the three FEET of snow in my front yard. But my desk is a mess and I can't find my camera cord. (I used the throw down, I'm not taking my uber-expensive cameras in this snow....)

3. Greg is stuck in FL. Since the airports closed due to the snow, I'm still Home Alone.....

4. Homeschooling is going fine. We took a lot of time off this week due to the weather (which means Jonathan was at home)..

5. There's really nothing going on here, except schooling, the never-ending house details, and counting the days until VA is my rear mirror. We're supposed to be leaving for WA State in June, and I'm READY!! Let the adventure begin...

6. Well, I'm off to play the Wii. I was VERY grateful for the Wii, during the long hours when the kids couldn't go outside..it helped pass the time. But no matter how much I practice, I still suck at Mario Kart....

BUSY

2010-01-20T08:16:00.001-05:00

life is busy.
I'll get to the blog soon.
Between working out, kids' school, Mt. Laundry and sleeping, the blog suffers :(
But it's good. I'm busy livin' life!!

my Friday

2010-01-15T16:31:00.005-05:00

1. Had lunch at Chick-Fil-A. I love CFA....The NoVA locations are participating with Freedom Alliance (The president of the organization is photo'ed, I cannot recall his name....) and doing an amazing promotion.
You stop by, get a Priority Mail large Flat Rate box, you fill it up for a soldier, address it and bring it in between January 15th-February 6th, and they will PAY THE POSTAGE TO SHIP IT TO IRAQ OR AFGHANISTAN!! As if that wasn't enough, they will give you a FREE Chicken Sandwich. That's a double awesome great deal......I already have a few soldiers in mind that I am making boxes for :)

2. Then we went to the Dulles Expo, for RV Show!! Greg has firmly made me into a camping sort of girl. Not that I would turn down room service....but there's truly nothing like camping. I never camped until I married him. Ever. (I can only imagine what he thought of me that first camping trip....)

Well, we got there and I promptly fell in love with the Rockwood Roo....Now I just need to win the Lottery.....
Shortly after falling for the Roo (which we won't buy, but I can dream, can't I??) I was attacked by the GEICO lizard......My fear of lizards is legendary, but this one seemed harmless. You can never be sure, even with inflatables....

3. Now, I'm getting Micaela and Adam ready for TKD and movie night. Tonight, we're watching

Miracle (2004), the true story of the 1980 US Hockey Team....

what are you guys up to this weekend? Do tell...

so glad it's Tuesday...

2010-01-12T13:36:00.006-05:00

1. I like Tuesday......it's probably my favorite weekday. I'm weird like that.

2. Today my car is making an AWFUL noise. So bad that my husband is coming home to look at it/fix it hopefully. I do take my car for granted and I'm so grateful that I have a HANDY MAN in my house. This, of course, has wrecked my day.......

3. But I used my time wisely. Since I am participating in the Pantry Challenge (trying to shop from my Pantry and NOT grocery shop, unless necessary), I've been pouring over my trusty Recipe Binder...picking out recipes based on what's in over-flowing pantry and freezer. I did this prayerfully, thanking God for the bounty that I have. That I lack for nothing. That I am so blessed. Everything I am, and everything that I have, is a gift from Him.

4. So today, I've fixed Black & Blue Cobbler. Actually, ADAM fixed it. During this morning's homeschooling, I clued him in on a BIG secret: if you can read, you can cook. He prepped the cobbler, measured out the ingredients and when we're oohing & aahing over tonight's dessert, he'll be so proud that he contributed.

5. I also made Rice Bread. It's SUPER easy and a great way to use up leftover rice.

I'll share the recipe with you. It really is a great bread. Slightly toasted with butter...Yummmm.

I used leftover brown rice from last night's dinner. Now don't you worry, the rice doesn't end up with brown flecks in it, the paddles in the machine break up the rice so that it blends in nicely....
Since this bread is such a great riser, it makes awesome French Toast!
I mean, LOOK AT THIS BREAD!! Bread like this will cost you a small fortune at somewhere like Panera or Great Harvest. But I figured out that it costs me about $0.47 per loaf. It's inexpensive, very tasty and a budget-friendly recipe. This assumes that you have basic bread making ingredients on hand. I use a Zo bread machine and I bake exclusively with King Arthur Flour (it costs more because it's worth more!). I usually just make the dough and bake mine in the oven but I was pressed for time. My bread machine is a workhorse. We're big fans of bread around here....

RICE BREAD RECIPE
(recipe assumes use of bread machine, not by hand)

1.25 cups of warm tap water
1 medium egg, slightly beaten
1 cup of cooked leftover rice (white OR brown)
1.5 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons instant dry milk
1 tablespoon sugar
1 tablespoon oil
4 cups of King Arthur Bread Flour or all-purpose flour (Your bread will rise MUCH higher if you use bread flour in this recipe)
1.5 teaspoons active dry yeast

Measure ingredients in bread machine pan, putting in wet ingredients first. Then stack everything else, adding flour then yeast last. Do not allow salt or sugar to come in contact with your yeast!
Use the Basic Cycle. Press start and let your machine work its magic. Remove cooked bread from pan shortly after baking so it doesn't stick. Allow it to cool before slicing....

This is a FLUFFY, high rising bread.. The kneading action will break up the rice so no one will even see it :) It's an excellent way to use up your leftovers.

Monday......

2010-01-11T08:44:00.003-05:00

1. Trying to NOT grocery shop this month as much as possible. Doing the Pantry Challenge, and finding it easier than I thought....I am glad that I stocked up so much in previous months. Makes this easier....Utilizing GREAT websites for recipe ideas helps....

2. You know what else helps? I put the hammer down on the kids' pickiness, that *I* was enabling. My days as a short-order cook are coming to end thankfully. After Week 1 of enforced "You Eat what the Grown-ups Eat", I'm happy to report that the whining isn't as bad or as long. And Adam who is SUPER SKINNY has gained 2#. And his appetite is a bit more predictable. And BOTH kids are sleeping better.....and......

3. *I* am less stressed, knowing that I am doing what's right for the kids in the long-run.

4. I'm also pleased as punch to report that I have not gained weight since coming home vacation (even after that HUGE lunch at Blue Ridge Grill, I love that place.....) I reluctantly weighed in this morning on my Wii Fit Plus, and I am down 1.5# from 9 days ago when I last weighed in AK...It's small and steady progress. And then there's the exercising.....

5. I only worked out ONCE last week....and here's the shocker, I missed it. I'm struggling to make time for my own health, as we have the kids' school day, dinner prep, house cleaning and of course, tae kwon do...I'm come to the conclusion that I may have to start getting up at 4am. This will sure eliminate any late night DVR-watching sessions :)

6. I've started looking at how I eat since I am so hyper-focused on the kids' eating habits. And I'm trying to look at my calories like money....am I spending them wisely? I am craving water, and bread. And I find myself thinking about steamed or grilled veggies...The Veggies I can do, but I am cutting back on bread. I can't give it up entirely. Not only would I miss life without baking bread, but denying myself an entire food group is shooting myself in the foot....

7. Weekly menu: I am planning my week's menu out, based on what I have. And I am way too excited about Black & Blue Cobbler tonight....in the crockpot. I love my crockpot....

.....hell yes....

2010-01-09T12:29:00.001-05:00

1. I did NOT vote for Obama.
2. I will work to get him out of office.

lunch hour

2010-01-08T13:08:00.001-05:00

it's my lunch hour and I'm watching this:

I think the men and women who work Border Patrol are among our bravest.

we're back....

2010-01-07T11:24:00.001-05:00

Back online.
Trying to find a groove....
I'll be back to the blog soon.

still here

2009-12-31T12:53:00.002-05:00

Life's busy as we enter these last few days in Alaska...
I don't wanna go home....
Well, I do, but not as much as I SHOULD want to....
I'll have lots of stories and photos to share soon :)

do you hear what I hear....?

2009-12-27T13:01:00.004-05:00

Have you ever heard God whispering to you....? trying gently to lead you in one direction, while you stubbornly pull in another....? Well, that's been me recently. God has tried to tell me to SLOW DOWN, cut it out and let Him handle stuff.....And for the past three weeks, I really have. This Alaska trip took me out of my element and removed a lot of typical stressors for me. We're in our last week here and it's back to reality.

My goal: to find a way to hold onto this PEACE, this togetherness and this closeness once we return back to life in VA.....I get all teary-eyed when I think of how much I have wasted, just chasing my tail. God was whispering to me the whole time....

So I listened these past 3 weeks.....I can hear it and see it clearly now. I'm ready and my heart is open in a whole new way.

Things I loved about this trip:

* my husband was with us the WHOLE TIME.

* we hung out as a family THE WHOLE TIME

* did I mention there was a maid?? hehehehe

* there were naps.....

* just getting away from the chaos and the stuff....

I think this trip was valuable for many reasons: it put back into the military community that I am distanced from, living so far away from post in DC, and as we prepare to return back to a more typical military life, this is a good thing.

I'm countin' my blessings and there are MANY.

I'm getting all teary eyed thinking that a brand new year is upon us.

I'm setting big goals. I'm ready.....

blessed day....

2009-12-25T17:41:00.002-05:00

The children fell asleep to my reading of "The Story of Christmas" after getting home from the on-post Chapel service. It was very moving. We sang some of my favorite carols. Adam declared, in a loud whisper that Santa had NOTHING to do with the birth of Jesus.....and he sang with me. I loved that!!

This morning, we awoke to squeals and whispers that there gifts waiting to be opened...

I got what I wanted: time as a family. Reconnecting. Soon reality will come a callin'....And life will be a busy chaotic rush, so for now, I am soaking this up. I am taking naps. I am appreciating the housekeepers :)

Christmas was full of blessings. I hope it was the same in your house.

finishing up....

2009-12-21T15:06:00.004-05:00

1. Today I will hopefully complete my minimal Christmas shopping....some people are HARD to buy for...

2. I discovered today that my asthma is highly reactive to Pine-Sol.....good to know...

3. We're surviving these weeks of extreme togetherness very well......having a 3 bdr apartment-hotel with a maid doesn't hurt.....

4. I am so proud of Jonathan and his adjustment to a VERY different routine. he's done VERY well....He surprises me....

5. With our busy schedule, we have not even sat down long enough to make Christmas cards....That Wii gets in the way....(I think I may be into Wii yoga....maybe after a few months, I'll be brave enough to try a REAL yoga class......I have such awful balance...)

6. One of the things that I'd wanted most this holiday season was LOTS of family photos. Every momma I know wants ALL of her kids in photos...Jonathan wasn't in this one, he was too cold and hung out in the van :)....and see my new hat that Greg bought me? I love it.

Sunday with the Family....

2009-12-20T22:46:00.003-05:00

Today included sleeping in, bowling and a sled dog ride...

Just another fun day in Alaska....

For the record, *I* did not ride the dog sled....someone had to take the photo :)

Tomorrow, it's back to school, working out and finishing up the last minute shopping....

....staying busy.......

2009-12-20T03:37:00.004-05:00

1. Family time reigns supreme....When we decided to spend a month in Alaska, it sounded pretty glamourous. It just rolls off your tongue..a MONTH....it's pretty sweet being back here in Alaska. But it's REALLY hard to get the kids' to do their schoolwork when they are a bit distracted by snowboarding and mountains of snow, and did I mention the snow....?

2. It's funny how we waited FIVE YEARS for snow in VA, we leave for a month's vacation, and what happens back in VA...a real life snowstorm....go figure. I don't think I would have like watching people freak out over the snow. I think the main reason DC is bad with snow is their total lack of preparedness.

3. Trying to explain the feeling of AK to people who've never been here is hard to do. We just feel more at home here than anywhere else...

4. I am almost done with the gift shopping. The kids said I am back on the Naughty List after I called a young lady "the B word" in the Mall today......(I'd been standing in like for 15-20 minutes at Arby's and she cut in front of me and about 15 other people...I tried to be nice, but that didn't last long.....) so I am on the Naughty List. But she had it coming...

5. Tomorrow, I am printing out lyrics for our Christmas Eve sing-along. I LOVE TO SING CHRISTMAS CAROLS......so do my kids, so we're going to spend some time on Christmas Eve just singing. I always cry listening to my kids sing. I started tearing up listening to Jonathan sing "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year" today in the car......

6. By the way, our rental car was upgraded two levels to a rockstar minivan. I have new respect for minivans. I will no longer diss them. I can see the charm now. I will now own one until Volvo makes one, but still....

7. Tomorrow is either bowling or Snowboarding and/or tubing.....

life is good. And busy.......and full of the joy of family and togetherness. I hope it's the same in your house.....

and as for the astonishing lack of photos on my blog? I turned over my camera to Adam, so I have a LOT of photos of his new stuffed animal, an Alaskan Husky named Blazer, and about 10 million blurry trees photographed through frost-covered van windows......you wanna see? I'll gladly share. he's very determined about his "art"....

let it snow, let it snow, LET IT SNOW......

2009-12-12T21:39:00.007-05:00

One of the things I miss while living in Virginia is SNOW.

It might dust a little, but I want SNOW....

So pardon me while I oohhh and aaahhh over the austere, almost desolate beauty of snow-covered everything....

Here's what I mean about austere....Everything is white, covered in snow. And it's a beauty all its own....(and for proper credit, Greg took this photo...)

All things considered, I probably won't take a million photos. I'm too busy being IN the moment...

...from the Far North......

2009-12-09T22:33:00.003-05:00

1. We are home....in Alaska....and so blissfully happy.

2. Can I just give a HUGE shout-out to the Air Force....? We are staying at Elmendorff, rather than Ft Richardson, in Anchorage, due to no room at the Inn. And man, did we luck out. The North Star Inn is cheaper, BIGGER, nicer, and a dream come true as we settle in to prepare to spend a month in Winter Wonderland..... $52.00 a night for a 3 bedroom apartment-style hotel room. It has two TV's, A KITCHEN, a W/D set up, and a MAID.....

3. We unveiled the Wii today. The kids were so psyched. They were actually speechless at first. We hid it for FIVE MONTHS...That's a personal record for me....

4. It's presently like 9 degrees......man, I miss REAL cold.

5. I will have photos to share lataer. But I must admit that my blog will be neglected severely as we hang out as Family and soak up this special time. We have school work, fitness goals, outdoor recreation (snowboarding, anyone??) and just general relaxing. So don't freak if two weeks pass and I am still silent :)

Oh Happy, happy Winter....

it's Sunday...

2009-12-06T09:50:00.004-05:00

have you noticed that any amount of clever wit I had has vanished? I can no longer come up with zippy post titles....Oh well...

My Life has been busy enough lately to keep two people hopping.....Prep for the holidays, Christmas shopping, tae kwon do, and more tae kwon do....I am not complaining. We literally signed up for this! Adam was allowed to test early for his next belt and I'm proud to report that Adam is now a GREEN BELT. And while we are away from VA, he'll be able to train at the sister school in Anchorage!

This weekend, we photographed his school's Masters. Adam has so much admiration for these individuals, as do I. The physical prowess of TKD is constantly amazing...And the further Adam goes, I can see him becoming more confident and proud of himself. Not boastful, but proud of what he's accomplishing....

And Micaela has joined in! She's working her way up from the beginning White Belt. It's so cute, watching her irrepressible bubbliness on the mat. They start playing the music and she automatically starts dancing! Too bad you can't get a belt status for dimples, eh?

(just for the record, my kids nor Master Huang are THAT orange....I am in a hurry and don't have time to go back to correct the over-colorized look :)

So we are definitely a Tae Kwon Do Family. When we move, I'll probably take it, too. Adam has already promised to teach me the forms....We estimate that Adam might have his Black Belt before Greg deploys if he keeps going strong...

Now, I must get to the laundry. Apparently, people want clean clothes to pack in their suitcases. Go figure.....

Two more days.....then I'll be reporting from Alaska. We'll be on vacation but still doing school. In between snowboarding, skiing and snowman building. And we've got a few "surprises" for the kids. It's gonna be good.....so if I don't post for a few days, at least you know I'm having fun!!

do some good...

2009-12-03T07:33:00.005-05:00

1. Life has been a blur this past week. I sometimes wish it had a pause button.....

2. Yesterday was Greg's birthday...How come he gets older but doesn't look older....?

3. Just a few more days then I'll be waking up in Alaska, baby! I am really looking forward to the downtime. It'll be our life in another place, not really downtime really, but it'll feel vacation-ey...

4. With this Christmas being somewhere other than home, we won't have a tree. We won't have a house decorated with our traditional Christmas stuff. It'll be a little bland. But I would like to focus on the MESSAGE and the MEANING of Christmas....which leads me to the "do some good" part.

5. My heart aches for those families whose loved ones are deployed, far from home, missing the Christmas routines....and I know that many of you have giving hearts. So please won't you consider giving to a military family...? Or a deployed service member?

Everyone always tells the waiting wife (or husband) "call me if there's anything you need.." Well, Spouses don't always ASK for help. They just carry on....so please consider doing a nice thing for a Military Spouse or service member. There's probably one in your church or on your street. I know of one ARMY wife, who a Facebook friend of mine, who was stunned by the generosity of someone in her church who knew her husband was deployed...The person gave her a Christmas card with a Papa John's gift card in it, saying to use it one night when she didn't feel like cooking! That one little thing made her day and meant the world.

If you'd rather give directly to the service member, please consider giving to the USO.

Help the USO & Support Our Troops

You can even give through MyPoints and get 5 points for every dollar you donate for Phone Cards! (that's what I chose, and also donating packaged good to the airport waiting lounges..)

My family will be using the USO lounges as we travel next week. Waiting between flights can be exhausting and trying on a Traveler's patience, so we hang out in the USO-Military Lounge and grab a drink or snack and let the kids unwind and watch TV. It's a Godsend. So if you want, go to the USO page and find a local airport with a lounge and donate some sodas, cookies, or needed items. There are several in the Washington DC area....The USO rocks, plain and simple...

There is something for all of us to do. Let's do some good...

contest giveaway

2009-12-02T13:59:00.002-05:00

Christmas Planner Giveaway!

if you win, you'll be blessed by this :)

......Christmas presents...

2009-12-01T10:53:00.004-05:00

My kids are making their Christmas lists right now, as I type this....
Won't they be shocked to find out that we've actually completed our shopping :)
It was a sneaky way to work in handwriting exercises.
They are MOTIVATED....
----------------------------------------
What's on YOUR Christmas list......?
My wants are many but my needs are few.
What I really want (and need) is that I want our house to sell in a timely fashion so that we can stay together as a family and move to WA together as a family. That's all I really want. But it'll happen in God's time, not mine.

That being said, I have a long list of "stuff" that I want.
But I am trying and praying to turn away from that. I don't want to WANT.
I don't want to suffer from the "gimmes"....

I want the warmth and fellowship of Family.
I want the memories.
I want photos of smiles and hugs.
I want to embrace the true meaning of Christmas.
--------------------------------------------------------------
So tell me, in the comments, what's the ONE THING that you'd really like to find under the tree this year? And don't say "world peace"...you know how hard that is to wrap?

If I could only have one gift that you could put in a box, I'd choose a photo safari in DC in the Spring. And a babysitter so Greg could go with me :)

freebie

2009-11-30T12:32:00.002-05:00

you know I love the freebies, and I love CurrClick....so I share this with you....
Night at The Museum MiniBook Unit

..this non-stop, action-packed life...

2009-11-29T08:29:00.004-05:00

1. Life has been very busy lately. So busy livin' life that the blog has not been updated much. I'm good with that!

2. Thanksgiving is over. I'm glad. Next year, we'll have Thanksgiving somewhere else, another house in a different state. I think part of me is already gone...

3. Only 9 days left until we leave for Alaska!! I am already packing mentally. The whole family is terribly excited about the trip. We went to L.L. Bean yesterday and got some winter stuff. I love LL Bean. Adam is looking forward to trying out snowboarding.

4. While at Tysons yesterday, which is our big Mall here (It's the 5th largest Mall in the Nation, big woop-de-doo) we visited a free-standing Wii kiosk. It's so clever to have one, to rope in the last people who don't own a Wii. My kids were SHRIEKING with delight.

Out of all of the games, Wii Fit Plus is the one that *I* wanted. Although I didn't try it out in the Mall with 50 bazillion people watching, the kids assure me that it's fun. Even Greg said it was fun....We'll see.... If you look carefully, it apparently makes Micaela levitate. After we get back from AK, I'm going to join GameFly (through MyPoints, earning 1,000 points!) and try out games before we actually BUY them. If you have a Must-Own Wii game recommendation, please let me know in the comments....

5. We'll still be homeschooling while on vacation. And Greg will be helping out with the teaching. *I* am looking forward to that! I love the portability of homeschooling.

thankful

2009-11-26T13:06:00.003-05:00

Today, I am thankful.
For lots of things in my life..
I am blessed. Blessed beyond measure.
We all are.

Thankful and Blessed.
by His grace alone.

my sweet kids....

2009-11-24T17:08:00.005-05:00

1. My kids were very sweet today...

2. They allowed me to take a nap.

3. So they could eat ALL of the homemade cookies that I'd left out for visiting Realtors.....

They are so sweet......

I have to share this photo I took of Adam the other day. I was walking around the house, taking photos for The House Blog and he flashed those amazing green eyes at me. He has eyes like his Daddy :)

Now, I must go to TKD... With both kids enrolled, I will be there 6 times a week.....Micaela is super jazzed and convinced her muscles are bigger now....

Hi, I'm Suzanne and I'm a tae kwon do Mom....

2009-11-22T17:01:00.004-05:00

It's official....We now have TWO kids in tae kwon do....
Micaela joined her brother at Dragon Yong-In.
If you're local, I can't say enough good things about this school: We really do feel like we're part of the TKD family with them. Adam loves it and Micaela is excited about it, too.

You know what I like about this picture?
In the foreground, we've got Micaela, on her first day, learning one of the forms.
And in the background is Adam, instructing other boys on the proper form. It was the first time that his Master allowed him to be a "kid" instructor. He was SO happy to be chosen.

Greg and I are looking forward to this TKD experience being good for Micaela. Like many girls with fragile x, she's a bit on the shy side. Social anxiety is always an issue. So are transitions....(On the morning of her 1st class, she was unglued with nervousness. She couldn't even get dressed. Once we got through that transition, she was fine...)

And TKD might empower her....We're hoping...

If not, she'll be able to kick some butt.....

update on a Friday

2009-11-20T15:50:00.003-05:00

1. Life has been busy. I am mostly busy keeping the house clean, show ready....So much fun..

2. File this under "Things I Don't Care About"- Oprah's show ending....don't care. I will admit that I DVR'ed her show with Sarah Palin but I have not had time to watch it....Oprah annoys me. I know I am in a minority here....'cause she's OPRAH....

3. Tonight's easy dinner: Ravioli Lasagna....Check this out....(not my idea, but a fellow TKD Mom)..

a. Pour some sauce in the pan (I doctored up some jar sauce), stack frozen ravioli $2.50 a bag at Wegman's.... (I chose Cheese filled because Greg is all about cheese)

b. Then pour some more sauce on top....

c. Then add layers of whatever cheese. For Greg's meal, I added Parmesan and mozzarella..

I am serving this with Homemade Foccacia Bread. Which is super simple to make...I should make it more often but I get stuck on other breads...if he likes this, I'll be fixing it frequently. It's super simple and pretty inexpensive. He's not a picky eater :)

4. Started working out again. My trainer is trying to kill me slowly. I didn't think a human could be this sore and still breathe. But apparently, it's possible....The key here is consistency. If I could just work out a little each day.....I wouldn't be so dang sore. But I feel guilty pushing the kids' school schedule to accommodate my health. Consequently, I don't feel at all guilty when the laundry has to wait.

5. Hoping to occupy a space on the couch and watch a movie tonight.

6. If you're a local Baker, Harris Teeter has my Beloved King Arthur Flour on sale for 2 for $5.00. I was jumping up and down as much as my sore legs would allow as I loaded my basket...It doesn't take much to please me. Cheap Flour does it....

7. I am compulsive and can't cut my list off if I am near #7....

the adventures of Mohawk Boy....

2009-11-18T08:00:00.005-05:00

For MONTHS, Adam has relentlessly nagged Greg and I for a mohawk....
(Greg cuts both boys' hair).....
I was against it because I don't want my sweet lil boy to look like a ruffian.

But he got one!

This past weekend, when I was headed out to the Ladies Retreat, Adam knew he'd be getting a haircut, so he asked once more if he could have a mohawk....so I said, "If you can convince your Daddy, then it's fine with me..." Apparently, I misjudged his ability to convince his Daddy,,,,

Skip ahead in the story a bit....I'm sitting at my Ladies Retreat, studying Proverbs 4:23 and checking my e-mail during a break...and what do I see...? These photos!

All of the ladies at my table got a kick out of it....I couldn't stop giggling....

At least his head will be covered mostly for the next month or two, while we go through winter. We did tell him that this is his ONLY mohawk, so he'd better enjoy it while it lasts. It is a bit disconcerting to walk through the stores and have people stare at me and at Adam, and the judgement on their faces is clear. It's ONLY HAIR, people.....

Thinking about getting him some pointy elf ears......I don't care, he still looks cute to me :)

my house has its own blog.....

2009-11-17T17:20:00.002-05:00

Because I am a wild compulsive blogger...
Because I get to tell the stories...
Because I read somewhere that a girl started a blog for her house and it was what sold it :)

http://lovelivesinmyhouse.blogspot.com/

Yep, my house has its own blog......We'll see how it works out from here...
We've already had a good deal of interest :)
I pray this house blesses someone in the way it has blessed our Family!

Wish List Meme

2009-11-16T08:10:00.007-05:00

TodaysMama and Provo Craft are giving away a sleighful of gifts this holiday season and to enter I’m sharing this meme with you.

1. What 5 items are on your holiday wish list this year?
a. an iTunes gift card
b. a Wal-Mart gift card
c. a Bose iPod docking type station-clock combo
d. a DC photo safari
e. a laptop
(with my budget, I prefer A. or B..... :)

2. What is your favorite handmade gift you have received?
a beautiful scarf....

3. What handmade gift have you always wanted to tackle?
handmade frames.

4. What was the best Christmas gift you received as a child?
I was REALLY spoiled as a child and rec'd soooo much. But the one gift that I remember losing hours with was my Simon toy.

5. What items are on your kid’s wish list this year?
Jonathan wants a trumpet and a girl (not necessarily in that order). Micaela was an iPod, and Adam wants a basketball hoop thingie. And they ALL want a Wii....

6. What is your favorite holiday food?
I cannot name just one. The list is LONG......but I love dressing and cranberry sauce. And Peanut Butter Oatmeal Fudge. And hot chocolate. And Coconut Cake.....and a million other things.

7. What will you be hand-crafting for the holidays?
I will be making cards for a Veteran's Home. I love making cards! And these sturdy men, who've served our country, are so grateful. It's very tender to watch them as they open a box of cards that they can then mail out.

8. What is your favorite holiday movie?
"It's a Wonderful Life." of course.....but I also love "Elf", "Polar Express" and "Love Actually"....

9. Favorite holiday song?
every single Christmas carol. I love love LOVE singing Christmas carols...just don't tell anyone :)

10. Favorite holiday pastime?
napping. No explanation needed!

Our “sleigh” is a Madsen Bike filled with gifts and goodies from Provo Craft to help you create those handmade projects including a Yudu screen-printing machine, a Cuttlebug, a Cricut Expression Machine, a Your Story thermal book binder, and a Knifty Knitter loom set. That’s not all - we’ve got treasures galore - a Dyson Blueprint, an Easy Walker Sky stroller from MamaBargains.com, two Sidekick baby carrier bags from Kemby and an Amber Alert GPS unit and a full year of service.

That’s over $3,800 in gifts!

So copy this meme (you know you wanna) and Send a link to your post via email with “Wish List Meme” in the subject line. You can even tag a few friends to participate in the meme.
How cool would it be to win?? I actually gasped when I saw the Dyson, I'll admit it....
Someone has to win, why not me?

ten more days.....

2009-11-16T07:53:00.005-05:00

Do you realize that Thanksgiving is only TEN DAYS away....?
I love Thanksgiving....
I have great memories of Thanksgiving from my childhood.
My mom was, and still is, an amazing cook. She could put Paula Deen to shame. :)
I love the whole deal: the turkey, the stuffing, a few pies, WAY too many dishes to wash, full tummies, napping on the couch.....and above all else, being grateful.
No matter what's going on in your life, you have a lot for which you should be grateful.
The list of blessings in my life is long. I am lucky. So are you.

Now.....I have to start planning and gathering recipes. I was just telling someone at the Retreat what a great frugal addition a turkey is to your menu...I can get about 20 different meals out of one turkey..but truth be told, I fix the same three recipes. Maybe this year, I'll make the full 20 to the delight of my husband :)

What are you most thankful for this year?

I am most thankful for perspective. It's constantly changing and shifting but I am changing with it. I am thankful that God is opening up my heart to be more welcoming to whatever changes He has in store for us. I am thankful for my beautiful family. So thankful.

Veteran's Day

2009-11-11T07:49:00.001-05:00

My favorite Veteran is of course my husband.
He, like countless others, has served -and is still serving- his country admirably.
So to my husband and all the others, thank you for your service.
We are the Home of the Free because of the Brave.

thank a Veteran.....

2009-11-10T15:07:00.004-05:00

Deals for our Vets.....(collected from a variety of resources....)

Home Depot is offering a 10% discount until November 11. (Lowe's gives the discount YEAR-ROUND)

Get a FREE Veteran’s Day MP3 List at Amazon.com.

FREE Bloomin’ Onion and Beverage at Outback.

Golden Corral is offering a FREE meal on November 16 from 5p-9p too! While it’s not a Veteran’s Day FREEbie, it is still related to showing appreciation for Veterans!

Need a cane? Sam's Club is giving away 25,000 free Hugo folding canes to Veterans on Wed., Nov. 11 and you don't have to be a Sam's Club member. However, you may need proof of military service. The Hugo folding canes retail for $29.99.

Applebee's Restaurant is offering a free meal, from a limited menu, for vets on November 11th. Their webpage lists the required documentation: a military ID, an LES, a membership card from a Veterans' organization, a photograph of you in uniform, actually wearing a uniform, a copy of your DD214, or a copy of a citation or commendation. It's nice that they list those so clearly. It appears that they are offering the free meal all day.

Pizzaria Uno is offering a free entree or individual pizza, with purchase of the same, to all veterans and active duty military members.

Free Doughnut at Krispy Kreme on Wednesday 11/11! mmm, doughnuts...

In the Midwest, Hy-Vee stores with in-store dining are offering a free breakfast from 7-11 on Wednesday.

(excuse the fonts...the entry is freaking out....)

back in the saddle...

2009-11-10T07:30:00.004-05:00

this post is all random stuff...because I am feelin' pretty random....

1. do you like Taste of Home? It's a GREAT magazine....you can access the digital edition of the October/November Taste of Home magazine here. It is LOADED with Thanksgiving recipes and photos of every single recipe. I bought my mom a two-year subscription for $4.00 and she LOVES it...

2. Our house is officially on the market....I now to get to keep it super clean of every minute of every day for the next however-many-months....which should be easier since we threw away 90% of the clutter.....(I say 90% because we are still working on the Garage, which in our house is Man Land, and I wouldn't even know what to touch and what not to touch....so I leave it alone...)

3. I am writing this to you from the comfort of my office chair. On which now rests a super fabulous oh-my-goodness HoMedics Shiatsu Heat Massaging Chair thingie.....It was my birthday gift :)....and I LOVE IT....

4. The aforementioned chair will be pretty handy, as I am about to FINALLY start working out again (yippee......) The house has taken all of our time and I abandoned the gym :(

5. Less than a month and I'll be waking up in Alaska.....I am all of a sudden soooo looking forward to the trip home. Real snow and all...

6. More later...........

we interrupt my break for this announcement....

2009-11-06T11:33:00.003-05:00

You know I <3 all things SwagBucks related.....which is why I need to ALERT you of a new rule....
For those of you who have been saving your Swagbucks to cash in for Christmas gift cards (like yours truly), it appears they have just implemented a new 5-rewards-per-month rule:

This new rule will only let me "earn" $25.00 each month. That's going to make getting that new LCD TV a little tougher :)----I am not getting an LCD TV...I am hoping the movers break ours next year so we can get a new one though :)

Now, back to cleaning on my "break".......can someone just come buy my house so I don't have to clean anymore?

gone...

2009-11-05T14:57:00.003-05:00

I have so much going on in my life right now that The Blog is falling to the wayside.
I am too busy actually livin' life........
So I am taking a break from The Blog :)
Might be a day, might be a week. Don't know...
One thing's for sure: I'm going to relax soon (hopefully)....

what are you....? an R or a C?

2009-11-04T18:23:00.003-05:00

I'm a "C".....

I was proud to see VA elect Bob McDonnell last night. He will serve VA well.
Was it a statement about Obama? Maybe....
Let's get back to basics, you know, that whole CONSTITUTION thing means something to some of us.
Obama is NOT my guy. Neither are many of the people with an "R" after their name.

I want CONSERVATIVE leaders.....And most of the time, we can find them more often in the Republican Party.

Let's get going, America.
Reclaim our country.
It's the best BECAUSE of Americans.
Don't just sit there, watching DTWS, get involved.
VOTE.
Call your elected officials.
Get into it.
It's YOUR country.
Act like it. (and yes, I know it's your right to do nothing, but your liberty is at stake....)

it is Wednesday......how's that for clever?

2009-11-04T07:05:00.004-05:00

1. I am tired. So tired that I have not even watch LAST WEEK'S "Biggest Loser".....or this week's...

2. I have de-cluttered, then purged, and then I de-cluttered some more :) I must say though, it looks and FEELS much better. I know I'll eventually revert back to my old stacking habits, but when we move, I really should reduce what we have IN THE HOUSE...It just FEELS better.

3. The house goes active tomorrow on the MLS listing thingie. I am not done. I'll be cleaning pretty much all day and night. But I know this will be worth it. Even if the house doesn't sell in November, it'll sure be cleaner!! It's all in God's hands. It'll go according to His plan, and I have to prayerfully accept that. When my anxiety about our beautiful little house selling creeps on in, it's my husband's voice I hear, saying "trust Him, honey."......

4. I do wish I could clone myself though. And one of Me could order the Other Me around, and then maybe another Me could do the Sock Basket (which truth be told, is fairly empty....) Be let's be honest: one of me in this world is truly enough :)

5. I am listening to my new fave song "Never Alone" by BarlowGirl. Too bad the kids are still sleeping, that's a great song to blast.

6. Today, on my many errands, I will actually be going to a post office. If you know me IRL, I have a thing about to PO. It irks me. I hate to go ship actual packages. Probably stems from the PO LOSING so much of my mail!!!!.....{breathe, Suzanne...} Hope springs sternal. They better not lose this box: it's coffee for my Mom :)

7. That's all the bloggin' for me today. I have kids to wake and motivate, as well as LOTS to do. I just didn't want my 4 loyal readers to think I'd fallen off the Earth....

can you believe it?

2009-11-02T17:16:00.002-05:00

I survived for 12 hours today with NO INTERNET ACCESS.
I amazed myself by doing 4 loads of laundry.
And some painting.
But now I have the 'net back and all I wanna do is sit some more.....
but my husband is bringing home more paint.
I swear, whoever buys our house better LOVE it.
It looks so darn good, I almost wanna stay.
(I said, ALMOST....nothing will not make me wanna move to WA!!)

stop....

2009-10-30T13:04:00.001-05:00

Instructions for today:

1. Stop talking.
2. Appreciate the small things.
3. Be thankful for them.

More instructions will follow for tomorrow :)

(Saw that flower while walking at a gig today.....it's just a small reminder...)

Wooo HOOOO!

2009-10-30T07:17:00.004-05:00

It's Friday.
That makes me happy :)
In addition to the fact that I have a date tonight with my sweetie, we've majorly de-cluttered the house and packed out some huge stuff (more to come!) and tonight we will (hopefully) enjoy 3 kid-free hours. That's a BIG deal!!
We're going to the movies, going to see "Law Abiding Citizen" with Gerard Butler.....
And maybe I'll take him to Cold Stone Creamery (I have a coupon that's burning a hole in my pocket!!) It's been a long week, I am ready to relax a bit and enjoy some time with my husband.

What do you guys have planned?

Supposed to be Wordless Wednesday

2009-10-28T12:29:00.003-05:00

Ha! Can't be Wordless....

The week is about to get a lot busier. We'll be moving major stuff OUT of the house so we can tackle grime and painting :) fun!
Thank God that Greg took leave this week. It has helped so much. Adam sure loves having his dad around. Today, they were pressure washing the house and driveway. Do you see that brick sidewalk behind them? It gets ZERO sun, ever. So it developed a lovely greenish gunk on it. It didn't stand a chance against the pressure washer! It's good to have handy men around!
Still praying that this whole process, the getting the house ready, the putting it on the market, the eventual sale of the house, will be blessed. I want our home to be the same blessing to a family as it has been to us. When our kids are grown, they will remember THIS HOUSE as their childhood home. I hope a nice family buys it! It's all in God's hands!

Now, I must go rent a storage place. The real fun is starting....isn't it?

the maid has the day off......

2009-10-27T14:43:00.003-05:00

I tell my kids that all the time when they forget to pick things up....ha ha ha....
So there's a contest.......you could WIN a maid....do I even need to tell you how fast I signed up for that? I also entered my Mom, so if she wins, boy will she be surprised!!

Enter to win FREE house cleaning!

What could you do with more free time? Murphy® Oil Soap invites you to find out!

One Grand Prize winner will receive a year of free house cleaning from Merry Maids® ($3,500 value).

Read sweepstakes rules here.

Monday

2009-10-26T12:36:00.004-05:00

Where I want to be:
but realistically, where I *am*:
But in 40-something days, I'll be here:
My sweet husband, will be here, by the week's end: (say a lil prayer for him)
Just going about what I need to do, prayerfully, trusting in God to know what's best for me. I mean, He *is* in charge after all...

WTF.....?

2009-10-24T14:33:00.003-05:00

WTF in this case means "where's the freedom".....or even "Where's the FOX"....

Who the hell does Barack Obama think he is?
I cannot believe how petty he is behaving, this is SOOOO schoolyard-ish.
What is he.....? 5 years old?
This is NOT the behavior of a LEADER...
He's banning FOX because they're onto him and not afraid to tell the truth about what he and his cronies are up to......

And God bless the other Network leaders for standing up. They knew that next round, it could be their heads on the chopping block......Sheesh.....

I need some zzzz's......

2009-10-23T16:14:00.003-05:00

It's Friday.
I am tired.
I am looking forward to sleeping late tomorrow....
The list of things that I need to do, and that Greg needs to do, is LONG.
So long that he's taken leave so we can tackle the list and get the house ready to sell.
I gulped really hard today when it occurred to me that we're moving in 7.5 months.
{{gulp}}
then I pray, and remind myself to trust God in His plans for our Family.
---but I'll be honest....then I gulp more :)

pumpkins

2009-10-22T12:48:00.005-05:00

The kids are nagging me to carve our pumpkins.....
So we will make the trip to the Pumpkin Farm.
Since this is our last year in VA, they wanna go out with a bang.
I don't know how that connects to a pumpkin, but I am not a kid :)

Every year, when we carve, we tell the story of how during our first Fall that we lived in Alaska, and we carve our pumpkin, we noticed that ALL of our neighbors had plastic pumpkins....so we carved ours, which was real, non-plastic . It was a work of art....

Which the moose promptly ate :)

also take note:

Pumpkin Carvers Beware!
Never put pumpkin pulp into drains, toilets or garbage disposals. The stringy and sticky gunk is ideal for clotting drains and doesn't grind thoroughly. Wrap the waste in newspaper and discard in a trash can or compost pile.

And I just had to share two pics of Adam from the pumpkins in AK and the pumpkins in VA..
My, how he's grown....

let them eat cake...

2009-10-22T12:33:00.004-05:00

It's no secret that I am not a fan of the Obama administration...
It irks me how Obama can find time to dance and party while our troops NEED a leader.
Apparently, I am not the only one to think this way.....
You won't hear about any of this on NBC, ABC or CBS...
The Obamathon LoveFest continues....

Read this article at American Thinker

Obama needs to make a decision about Afghanistan.
Fish or cut bait....
Fight hard or go home.
ENOUGH, MR. PRESIDENT!!!
Don't just sit at the White House, which lately has been Party Central, and say "Let them eat cake."
Our troops deserve more.

again??

2009-10-21T14:38:00.003-05:00

I just heard that FLOTUS Michelle Obama will be on Leno this Friday.....Can't these people stay OFF of the TV? I don't want my president to be a celebrity. Seriously.
---------------------------
Was a little irritated today when I discovered that "House" was mostly BASEBALL on my DVR....argh. I am not a fan of baseball. I mean, it's okay, but it's NOT "House"...
---------------------------
Went to the Blue Ridge Bible Church Exchange today. More (with pictures) on that later.
---------------------------
Gave myself a facial today. Pretty exciting stuff around these parts...
---------------------------
We're trying to decide if we will list our house in the Fall, or wait till Spring. We're in a holding pattern. As a person who is not typically patient, this is a tough spot for me to be in. I am ready to purge the house and get a move on!
---------------------------
More to follow..........

Military Bride freebie/contest

2009-10-19T18:20:00.002-05:00

If you are a military bride, or you know someone who is.....you'll want to check this out...

Bride’s Across America webpage.

From the Bride’s Across America web page:

Bridal salons are uniting across America to donate and give away wedding gowns to qualified military brides.

Each store will be preparing a select number of gowns to give away. Most of the gowns are samples and overstocks and are worth approximately $500 to $3000. Dresses range in sizes from 4-22 and will be given away on a first-come, first serve basis as long as you qualify.

Brides Across America is dedicated to make military brides dreams come true while, anxiously waiting the arrival of their loved one from overseas. You too can make a difference by sending in a donation to support Homes For Our Troops.

Go to the website for program details....please share this with someone you know :) HOOAH!!

free calendar

2009-10-19T16:33:00.002-05:00

Stop over HERE for details on this free God Is In The Details 2010 calendar. First one is free w/ free shipping, and each additional is $8. You will be added to the Back to the Bible mailing list.You also have an option to make a gift to their ministry :)

I find this exciting as a photographer and as a Christian.....God IS in the details.

pour the water...

2009-10-19T15:09:00.003-05:00

A few years ago, I attended the Ladies Retreat with our church. It's a weekend for The Sisters.
And we sang this song, and it made me bawl, like a baby...It was literally like pouring water onto my very soul. These very talented ladies do justice to the song......

oh.my.GARSH...funny!

2009-10-19T12:12:00.003-05:00

Funniest thing just happened......
Jonathan just got home from school (early dismissal, ugh) and Micaela was filling him in on the day's events (which included interviewing realtors).....

So Jonathan asks, "what did you do while I was gone?"
to which Micaela replies...." We did some work, then the "Real-turds" came over....

I literally spit on myself laughing so hard. For the record, the realtors we interviewed are REALLY nice and not at all turd-like.....

I couldn't make this stuff up, I swear....

I am fresh out of catchy titles....

2009-10-18T18:47:00.004-05:00

I have not slept well for two days.
Stress does that to me.
I've rec'd a few e-mails asking why I am stressed.

Here it is in a nutshell: We're an ARMY family, we move when the ARMY says to. While we are THRILLED to be heading to Ft. Lewis, Washington, we first have to sell our house. The prep to get it on the market is exhausting me. That is the whole of it....

So how am I handling it? I am purging...like crazy. That's one thing I have become accustomed to as an ARMY wife, is getting rid of stuff. You can't take it all with you the next duty station...because you never know how big your next set of quarters will be.

This stress has a great by-product. I am cleaning.....that's a good thing :)

stress

2009-10-17T04:07:00.003-05:00

I am a bit stressed...
Can't sleep.
Can't eat.
I woke up at 3am, made a batch of Holiday Popcorn and am now watching HULU.
I hope I am awake for respite today....those 5 hours are precious to me.

What do you do when you're stressed? I usually bake cookies but I can't be loud in the kitchen when everyone else is sleeping....

ETA: I decided to do something productive....so I made pancakes and sausage so that when the family wakes up, they'll have breakfast :)
Plus I pretended money was no object and added a bazillion items to my Amazon wishlist...they have a WishList Sweepstakes going on, so if my wishlist gets picked, iy'll be fully loaded....

fashion overhaul

2009-10-15T12:59:00.004-05:00

I came from a family with 4 daughters. I didn't get ANY of the fashion sense....
it's true...I am NOT Ms. Fashionista... I am not even into shoes that much, although I am developing a thing for boots.
Anyhoo.......I saw this article and I think every woman should read it.....

Could you wear the same dress for a month? One woman did, and it's ...

I found it very interesting as I am purging my closets and donating like a wild woman.
I just wish I had the fashion sense (and maybe a blank check..hehehehe....) to overhaul my wardrobe. I have been re-shaping it with various classic items here and there.....

There's this one lady at our church (if you attend GSLC, you'll know who I am talking about without even mentioning her name...) Her name is Heidi and I wish I had her style. She's so amazingly dressed. I think I'm going to beg her to go shopping with me...She has an innate and colorful sense of style. But she could look good in a paper sack, too.

Could you do it? Wear the same dress for a month? I could wear the same jeans, and the same orange fleece top and the same Harley boots. but a dress, I dunno if *I* could do it...You know who could? My daughter, she's into EVERYTHING about fashion and color and accessories....

survey says.....

2009-10-14T16:02:00.005-05:00

Well, in MY inbox, my survey says "MONEY"!!
I do a lot of surveys.
I like doing it, because it's quick and easy...
Which is why I share with info with you guys.

http://OpinionOutpost.com/join/7300477

that's my special code so you can join up with Opinion Outpost. I do probably 20 surveys a week, netting me about $40-60 each month....that doesn't sound like a HUGE amount, but believe me, it adds up! (Sometimes, they even send me products to "test-drive...which is always fun. I had FREE laundry detergent for THREE MONTHS from doing one survey!!!)

And if you use MY special code, I get $$ after you do your first survey.

If you get into surveying, you'll want to download the free Roboform filler. Saves you a TON of time....

Happy Surveying!!