My Next Unfinished Project

So being a notorious DIYer....I've got more than my share of unfinished projects. I've noticed my new desire to do woodwork and all the tools it'd take to start this. Luckily, I'm avoiding this for now. Though, I think Spring will put a different urgency...but for now I'm planning in my head. Today, I came across this in the blogosphere...

I've wanted to paint the floor in the back room all along, but now more than just a checkered floor I've found my desired look. I'm not 100% sold on the pattern, maybe I'm still looking, but the plan is still a go...now to find the floor back there!

Fleeting sense of Adventure

So it is a rare thing for me to have an internal drive for adventure. This summer I wanted more than anything to do the zip lines in Puerto Rico and found the excursion that had rock climbing, rappelling and zip line on a tropical island. My desire to participate was SO strong that I insisted on doing it despite having no one to join me (and/or witness my adventure.)

I'm having a similar draw to snow skiing. It has absolutely NOTHING to do with the Olympics either. It does have something to do with the snow we've been lucky enough to get in the Eastern US. Since all the Eastern states have an abundant amount of snow, ski season has been extended until April 5th. Ironically, I looked on the internet around Christmas to see if I'd be able to go snow skiing during Spring break. It was too iffy for my $$. Now it seems that it is a go---but my $$ is what's iffy now!! You see I've never skied before. As it is now, I have no one to join me on this adventure and I'm just not sure I'm will to go it alone this time. Still I've spent time looking and may scurry up some plans if the price is right!

First time for Everything

Since there's a first time for everything....I guess that includes forgetting to take a picture. If today is the only hole in the 2010 snore fest of photos, then whoop-di-doo! So in honor of my forgetting, I'll post a pic I took on day 2 or 3 because it was just too dang funny!

Pert Plus for MEN: 3 in 1- Shampoo + Conditioner PLUS Body Wash!

For ME?

Ok, so for a single gal who doesn't do Valentine's I was shocked when Vickie gave me 3 pair of earring she made for me! So the whole story was that her husband thought I needed them to go with my new haircut! For people who know Vickie we're blessed by her life and servitude. For those who don't know Vickie, well you're missing a rare creation of God's grace!
I'm blessed to have her in my SS class and to have spent time with her in the past few years. She's silently battled breast cancer twice and is now battling a secondary cancer that has metastasized to one of her vertebrate. But that's not stopping her from going to work, coming to church, going to events, and I dare say it will ever stop her!
Let me just say how lucky I am to know her and even luckier that she not only thought about giving me a gift....but she worked hard to make this gift, which I'll treasure always!

More than Conquerors

The best event all year long is my Sunday school's Valentine party. This year was the 3rd year to play the Not-So-Newlywed game. The Portwoods won last year and the year before, but the Nolens were 2nd last year because he was scared to call her "sexy". It's a great running joke now, though!
Well this year they won.....and what great annual game doesn't need a hideous trophy to pass from winner to winner. I found the perfect trophy too!

We played Sweetheart's Family Feud too. It was WAY difficult to do all the slide permutation, but so worth it in the end. Everyone raved about how much fun they had at the party.

3 Cheers for Cheer

My favorite detergent is Cheer Powder detergent. Right now Wal-Mart isn't carrying it...ugh. Kroger has it but it's more expensive. I've not been to Sam's in forever and I tagged along with Mom & Dad today, so I stocked up on Cheer detergent. I wondered how long a box of detergent lasts me....now I'll have proof!

Let it Snow, Let it Sleet, Let it SNOW!

Friday as usual the weather rolled in early that morning, making them cancel school at 5 AM. Sonja had to be at work, so I got up and drove to her house. The weather was no-stop all day and there was no getting out in it. It took Sonja 1.5 hours to get home from work, a trip that usually take 25 minutes. The streets weren't being cleared and I had no plans to drive in it. E and I spent our snow day doing things that he never has time to do like his Envirobattery kit that he got at the Adventure Science Center this summer.

Playing in the snow was fun for him too. He went out twice.

Boy's Week

Since Sonja was gone to Tullahoma for training I was scheduled to stay with E at his house. Sonja's has always reminded E that he needs to put the seat down after using the bathroom. Well today I walked into the bathroom and the seat was up. I can't remember who said something first, but it was decided that this week would be "boy's" week. So, even though Sonja will kill him if he breaks the habit for a week.... I guess this is the problem with equality of the sexes!

Operation Kitty RESCUE

I was trapped at Sonja's since Friday at 6 a.m. and it didn't look like the snow/ice would be leaving anytime soon. I needed to get some clothes so I started to attempt my escape....once at home, I got stuck halfway into my driveway. A couple of passersby helped push me back into the road and parked on the street behind my house. Once I hiked through the neighbor's yard into my own, I loaded a suitcase and hauled it back to the car. Greyson was a bit excited to see me; she was obviously lonely and this was the first she'd been alone since Mia died. Again, unsure when the next time I'd brave the road, I made the decision to zip her in my coat and drive her to Sonja's house.

Well, the return trip is uphill before it's downhill. I made it to the uphill and began slipping and sliding and spinning tires....it crossed my mind that not only was I endangering my car, but now I had a cat who would likely jump out and run for the hills!!

She was much calmer than I and just sat in the seat.

FABULOUS Chicken Tacos

So I was searching for a recipe and came across this one for really great crock-pot chicken tacos! You should try it!

• 1 pkg of chicken taco seasoning
• 4 frozen chicken breasts
• 1 can rotel
• 1 sliced onion
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1/4 cup water
  

I made it with bell peppers, but probably won't again. Put the seasoning in the crock-pot, then place your frozen chicken breast side by side. Pour over the rotel, olive oil and water. Put in the onions and set on high for 4 hrs. After 4 hours, take out chicken, shred it with a fork and put it back in to cook for 30 minutes.
Cook and prepare accompanying taco items. EAT and enjoy!

AWANA Snow

So at AWANA every year, there is a snowman contest. Leaders are decked out for each club. 3rd and 4th grade boys did a great job!

Bright White

You can't really tell from the picture, but this is a bright white keyboard! When we first got our MacBooks we were disappointed at how dirty the keyboard gets. We try to use alcohol and/or a magic eraser to clean them, but it never looks new. Well due to the flaw the area near the track pad cracks, so they've started replacing the keyboard. I just had little sliver cracks at the edge, but was on the list to get a new keyboard. I got it today! Bright White again! It won't last long and this picture doesn't do it justice!

ENERGY PLEASE!

There's a strong possibility that my body isn't using energy correctly. Desperate for any resolve for my current lack of energy, I've decided a low carb change might be worth it.
It seems great until you realize that everything I eat either has lots of carbs...or require a carb partner!
Even grapes and pineapple are supposed to be avoided! Those are my favorite fruits and the only in the school cafeteria.

For ONLY 1 Cat

Litter for Multiple Cats has been a common "selling" feature for several years now. It's the big bag that I've bought for years. Just the other day I was changing the litter when it hit me that I no longer have "multiple" cats.
I never set out to be a "CRAZY CAT LADY" but still had my childhood cat
and one that was born in Mom & Dad's garage while I was in college. But a single woman with 2 cats does qualify as a crazy cat lady in most people's eyes....but at least I'm not dressing up a dog which seems crazier than owning cats!
Anyway life does require a little adjustment when you've lost a cat that lived to be almost 19 years old. I guess blogging about it just makes the case for crazy cat lady stronger!

AUTO-mation

I've gotten used to the automation my car offers!
Automatic headlights, Automatic Windshield Wipers, and Climate controlled Heat/AC along with heated seats!

Hands UP

At school we had students participate in the Hope International-Hands Up for Poverty. Students were to write a message of hope for Earthquake victims in Haiti. For every photo uploaded to Shutterfly $5 will be donated to Hope International.

I think the students did a great job!

Slower than Christmas!

So what's slower than Christmas....how about a returned Christmas gift being delivered by USPS media mail. LOST Seasons 1-5 are here just in time for me to do my own recap before the FINAL season!!
I got seasons 1-3 for Christmas, but I was able to return them and pay the say price for all 5 seasons. They finally arrived today!! I'm not sure there is enough time to watch all 5 seasons before next Tuesday (Feb 2) when the premiere comes on TV!

Chef Boy-r- E

So this weeks dinner plan included E making dinner on Wednesday, so Nana dropped him off after school and I quickly reminded him he was supposed to make fish sticks and fries. He obliged and made enough for me to eat with the intentions of making more for the rest of the family later. Later a phone call from Poppy suggesting Captain D's. E was torn between his importance of chef boy and wanting to eat at his favorite fish place. I think ultimately Captain D's was chosen after I went to church.

Frying Queen

Fried Chicken has become one of my specialties. I'm still a bit scared of popping grease, but my confidence and technique has improved. I think everyone in the family gave a "separate" complement about the chicken. Mom ooooo-ed and awww-ed while eating her portion, then Dad came in and as he was putting up the leftovers, gave his banter saying, "Good chicken", then Sonja emailed saying thanks, but there wasn't enough.
I'll keep on practicing! and enjoying the chicken!

Freezer Cooking

So I really would like to do MEGA cooking and freeze meals so that preparing dinner in the evenings isn't so time consuming. This is referred to as freezer cooking. There are people who cook for 2 weeks and some who cook for 30 days. I had every intention of cooking for at least two weeks today, but I enjoyed my day off instead. I did manage to get Taco Soup made and in the freezer. Tomorrow I'll make and freeze Chili and maybe one other dish. In the meantime, I'll dream of organizing more meals next time!

What that they say about cats and water?

I had to dip Greyson tonight. I'd tried flea shampoo a few weeks ago, but it didn't work. I tried to buy dip from the vet, but was told to use Advantage. It worked, but I was hoping to eliminate the fleas all together and they came back, so I dipped her and am hoping that will take car of them. I waited until the weather wasn't so cold, but she still was shivering. I wrapped her in a towel and tried to absorb all I could, but she was still shivering, so I thought--I've cause trauma already--GO all the way! YEP, I used the blow dryer. She didn't like the noise, but she liked the warmth. I couldn't hold her and fluff her to take full advantage of the blow dryer, so she was still damp and apparently upset with me since she didn't sleep in my bed, but instead went to sleep on the loveseat in the den. When I got up the next morning, I was worried she was dead since she still hadn't come back in the room. She was curled up on a blanket on the loveseat.

3rd Place Finish

E's pine wood derby was today. Cut, painted, & weighted only since Tuesday. The race was run without age parameters, but 6 races with best times, so there was no real sense of competition and many boys didn't win against the car being raced at the same time. It was crazy and sort of boring, but they don't need my opinion on how it could be run better!!! Ha!
So he placed 3rd in the cub scouts. Nothing disappointing about that, but I scouted out the thin wedge I'll attempt to build for AWANA Grand Prix.

Time for a Change! of Toilet Paper that is!

Did you know there's an online survey over or under? Over is the ONLY way it rolls in my house, but it seems to run out WAY too much!
TP is so expensive, but worth every dime! Just like my weather control ability, I have an uncanny ability to be the last to finish a roll an have to put a new roll on. Of course it happens in my house, since no one else is using my bathroom, but it happens at the office and at mom's house. When Kelly and I went to Puerto Rico we had to buy TP for our condo. We got a small pack, but the rolls were humorously small. We're all used to the "double" rolls. Which just seems like the appropriate amount of toilet paper for one roll. I'd hate to think how often I'd be changing the roll if "double" rolls weren't standard and/or it were more than just me around here!

What's the Plan?

Almost everyday we start the phone call circle and say, "What's the plan?" Not sure who started it, but that's the phrase that means, "What, Where and When are we eating dinner?" With mental anxiety and fear of decision making, I've been against living in limbo. I insisted we start doing a weekly menu. Originally I envisioned cooking on one day for the entire week. I'm not sure how this will work out, but this week Sonja agreed to cook the entire week. She even hosted dinner at her house every night. She's since decided that no matter who is cooking, she'd like to have everyone over there. This was our menu for the week. Good Eats! My turn next week!

Your Shape, Her Shape OR My Shape???

So I got a deal on Jenny McCarthy's Your Shape Wii game. I think I'm spending too much time on "savings" blogs and spending too much money too! Well I bought it thinking the best. I set it up on E's Wii and started a workout, which is plenty intense, but I noticed in one of the special programs that it wasn't really monitoring me. Since it was Wednesday and I need to eat before church I let it run, because I didn't know how to stop the game. I went to the kitchen, fixed my dinner, sat on the couch and watched as it continued. It continued to say, "Good Job", "Watch your arms", "Great Job!", "Looking good", etc. and I was disappointed YET again by a Wii game. I think it is made by the same company as Just Dance. Well even if it doesn't work well, it does work me out well. I guess it's a good deal to have $40 trainer!

Floor Experiments

So Mia did a number on my floors (God rest her little kitty soul). I've done some reading online and am experimenting with hydrogen peroxide to bleach out the dark spots. We'll see how I can get a shine back on my floor! I'm hoping to display a before and after pic soon!!

Bad Blood Twice Removed

I had blood work done today. When I got there the nurse said, "You're having a lot of test run. Look at all these we have to fill." It was about 8 or 9 viles. She examined my left arm and decided the vein wasn't good enough; she proceed to check my right and was satisfied enough to proceed. At the half way point she told me we were half way there, so I asked her something, sort of small talk, though now I can't seem to remember what I asked...hence the blood work for one of my symptoms of memory loss. Well at that point she says, "where did my vein go?" Then she was rooting around for the vein and she asked if I was o.k. and she proceeds to tell me that she'll have to stick me in the vein she didn't like that was in my left arm. So I got stuck in NOT 1 but both arms today.

I pray they find whatever connections these symptoms have. I'm going crazy not being able to spell, or remember what just happened or didn't happen.

On Frozen Pond

E kept saying it over and over. It's frozen solid, no really it is! So both ponds plus the "cement pond" are frozen. The big pond was solid throughout. E kept picking up rocks about 6" in diameter and tossing them on the ice. You'd hear this great noise and it'd slide across the ice, like curling!


It will be warming up this next week. I really enjoyed seeing all the frozen ponds on my drive to and from work. I wonder how long it will take them to thaw. I doubt I'll make it back to mom's to watch the ponds thaw. Mom said she noticed cat prints in the snow on top of the frozen pool water. She also said she hoped they didn't forget and try to walk on water!!

Even Larry Bird had to start somewhere!

E had his first church league basketball game today. He was pretty clueless about what to do, but he did play two full quarters of the game, which meant there were other boys just as clueless on his team.

They lost the game 55 to 4
(apparently no mercy rule in church league)! He enjoyed it, but I think we'll all be talking about how to play the game. The team only had their first practice on Tuesday and only played for 30 minutes, so all-in-all I guess it's a good start.

Happy Brrrrthday Elvis!

Ok, so usually there is major talk about Elvis week! He would be 75 year old today. Rick and Bubba are always wanting to define HOW LONG we'll continue to announce dead celebrity birthdays, saying, "Elvis would be one hundred nineteen today."
Old Man Winter is still here. Despite being out of school yesterday for a NO "snow day", today flurries still continued to fly through the air. Yesterday I left a glass of sweet tea from McDonald's thinking I'd enjoy the rest of it on my way to school this morning, but no luck since it was frozen solid. Though you may have a hard time seeing it in the picture.
I have a hard time imagining people standing at Graceland to honor the King of Rock 'n' Roll. I'm sure there is an Elvis song cliche to end with but none come to mind at this hour.

What ever happened to full service pumps???

Wouldn't you know it that after leaving Sonja's house at 8:40 p.m. this evening, I notice that I needed gasoline. It was 17º, with bitter wind chills. I won't speculate how cold it felt, but within moments, my ungloved hands were aching. Of course I had to get gas, but I wasn't crazy enough to stand and wait. I got back in my car while it pumped. My car has this "REST" button that will run the AC or heater on Residual heat or air. So I had to drive around before heading to the station until my heat was toasty, so I could run it while I filled up.
I think New Jersey is on to something. There you're not allowed to pump your own gas. I remember when Kelly and I went to NYC we pulled into a service station reasonably late and this man approached us. He was not wearing an obvious uniform and Kelly feeling uneasy told me to drive away(or maybe she was driving...I can't remember). We later realized that they won't let you do self service. Now you can't find a single service station that has full service. I wonder if it'll be the same way with self check out someday? I do like self check out, but will it make the cashier obsolete just the same way service station attendants are?
I think people would wait in line and pay plenty of $$ to not pump their own gasoline tonight! I sure would have.

Surface-itis!

I'm a 3rd generation hoarder! from both sides of the tree....so I'm s...l...o....w....ly trying to change.
These are two rooms I intend to change. Consider these "before" pictures. I'd like to say I'll be posting after pictures by the end of Spring Break, but I've got A LOT of work to do!
Shameful I know....but courageous!

Burrrr!!

Everyone is talking about how cold it is in TN! We're not used to it being cold and it is VERY cold, has been VERY cold for too long and looks like it will continue to be VERY cold. Today I got in my car, which was in my detached carport to read this on my dash.
I thought 18º was impressively cold, but as I backed out and traveled down the road a little bit I looked down and it said 14º. By the time I stopped to take a picture, it said 13º and at one point on my drive it said 12º. Burrr!They are predicting snow Wednesday night or early Thursday morning. It never makes it easy for school closing if it happens early. Last year we were half way to school before they finally called off school. I'm crossing my fingers for 5 p.m. snow that is obviously going to cancel school. But they are predicting this storm WAY too early. That's what makes me think it won't even come through the Mid South. We shall see!

39 and planning to HOLD from now on!

So my big sister turned 39 today!





I remember when my mom turned 40 and how we threw a party and my cousin brought black roses. Whoa--40 is the new 20. Crazy how much happens and how fast "grown up" has taken over my life. Though many people my age have "tween" children, I will bask in the lack of kids or even marriage for now. Anyway-- Sonja might think she's 39 and holding forever, but I'll keep reminding her how old she is (that is unless I can't remember how old she is. Just the other day I was confused about how old I was. After 30 I just quit advertising my age!)