Verrrrry Interesting

Ok,this is in the news today so I thought I'd post about it.I found these very interesting.I can't say that I completely agree with the Womens list in the order they have,but that's just me.Obviously there were no married people in this poll either because in my opinion the reasons can change.One that did NOT suprise me was #10 on the mens list. I always knew that was at the bottom of the list!!!


Top Reasons for Having Sex

Top 10 Reasons for Sex - Men
1. I was attracted to the person
2. It feels good
3. To experience the physical pleasure
4. It's fun
5. To show my affection to the person
6. I was sexually aroused and wanted the release
7. I was "horny"
8. To express my love for the person
9. To achieve an orgasm
10. To please my partner

Top 10 Reasons for Sex - Women
1. I was attracted to the person
2. I wanted to experience the physical pleasure
3. It feels good
4. To show my affection to the person
5. To express my love for the person
6. I was sexually aroused and wanted the release
7. I was "horny"
8. It's fun
9. I realized I was in love
10. I was "in the heat of the moment"

Source: University of Texas at Austin

Hallelujah,Hallelujah!!!!!!!!!!

http://www.hp.com/united-states/consumer/digital_photography/tours/slimming/index_f.html?jumpid=ex_r602_go/sl

Knockout??

I have been less than knocked out by my "knockout" rose bushes this year.I don't know what has happened but the only thing I can seem to grow well this year is WEEDS!!! I'm so frustrated.I'm no gardener by any means but I try and I'm learning as I go along.
I've gotten a few pretty blooms so I took a couple pics.My good camera is "in the shop" so I used a very old and cheap one to take those.They still show the pretty shades of pink. Seriously,they smell much better than they look!

The "BIG 3"

My little buggy turned 3 yesterday. I can't believe it.
All he wanted was an ice cream cake and some Transformers and he was happy.
Happy Birthday my little sweetie.

Little Wonders

There seems to be a running theme in my life the last few months with...........I know it's odd...........but fireflies.
I swear the little creatures keep popping up everywhere.
I didn't really notice it till recently but they seem to be making themselves known to me in every way possible.
Here are the ones that I remember

1)One of my fave singers releases a new CD called "Fireflies",I think it actually might have been out last year but I just bought it in May
2)my FAVE song on the Cd is the title track"Fireflies",I listened to it in the car every day
3)I read an article in the paper about where all the fireflies are going,what's happened to them etc
4) a week or two later we witness THOUSANDS of them in our yard,we caught them,took pics,I even blogged about it back in June
5)I call to rent a cabin in Tenn for this October and the 1st one the lady on the phone reccomends is called "Firefly Lodge"
6)my son brings a book home from the store about yep...fireflies!
7)I'm reccomended a wonderful book by an online friend called "Chasing Fireflies"
8) I get an e-mail from an online catalog yesterday with the summer special.A "Fireflies in a jar" nightlight!!
9)I've been finding the little guys in the house in places you wouldn't think they would be

ok,as you can see this is a little curious.I've always been drawn to the little guys but this is weird.I'm thinking this all can't possibly be a coincidence so I went online to find the "meaning" or symbolism for fireflies.This is the 1st thing that I found............................

"The symbolic meaning of the firefly of course deals with light, illumination and the like. Although an important focus, the issue of light is not the high feature behind the symbolic meaning of the firefly. Rather, it is the messages this wonderous creature gives us while her light is off may be most profound to our growth.
Here is a summary list of symbolic meaning of the firefly"

Inspiration
Illumination
Patience
Attraction
Energy
Hope
Aspiration
Guidance
Efficiency
Creativity
New Ideas
Awakening

"When fireflies come into our lives they are there to guide us to ways of living that are more earth-friendly, and soul-friendly. Fireflies teach us the value of living simply, and relying on our own inner voices for illumination. Fireflies also come to us with a message of creativity, and remind us that our paths are made lighter by the beauty that we allow into our lives"


Wow,I really have no idea what it all means but I think that they really have come into my life for a reason,no doubt in my mind.

My new read

Well, while everyone else is engrossed in the new Harry Potter I'm reading something else.
It's called "Chasing Fireflies".I've wanted to read it for awhile because I've heard wonderful things about it.
I got it last week and so far I'm on chapter 2. That sounds pretty lame but I only get a few minutes here and there to read so I'm actually doing pretty good! I'm liking it so far.
You know I tried to read one of the Harry Potter books once,hubby even read one aloud to the oldest 2 kids every night before bed.It was about 5 years ago but they still talk about it,I think that time was special for them.
I've seen the movies and I do enjoy them but the book is sooooo long,and to tell you the truth it's kind of hard to follow,there is SO much going on I just got lost in it all! I kept having to read and re-read and never seemed to make any progress.(that's probably just a defect in my brain somewhere I'm sure).
I personally know people who've read every one over and over again and they seem genuinely enthralled and entertained.I guess I've just never been into fantasy as far as books go.I would like to be able to say I read the newest HP and I might still try to one day, but I'm pretty sure I'll be holding out for the movie.(of course when it comes to DVD)

What a beautiful world it would be if only it were PINK

My 4 yr old daughter was riding in the car with me last night and for some reason she was quite chatty.I spied her in my rear view mirror gazing out of her window.she must have really been thinking hard and all of a sudden she says"I wish the sky was pink" then it was "I wish your car was pink" they just kept coming............
she wished that all the houses were pink
all the horses were pink(with sprinkles)
the grass
daddys car
her walls
all of her clothes
etc etc etc
I must say,I think I agree.

Glimpse into the future

My oldest daughter was asking about my wedding dress this past weekend.I don't know where the thoughts came from or what sparked her curiosity. She's seen pictures but she wanted details. I finally told her that I had the dress in storage if she wanted to see it,of course she said she did.
I actually had 2 wedding dresses because we got married in 1994 and had a vow renewal ceremony on 2001.(the pic above is the actual church where we had the renewal)The 1st wedding was nice but we had no guests,no family,no cake,just us and the champagne.My dress for the 1st was not even a real wedding dress,I loved it just the same tho.
The dress for the 2nd was a different story,it was beautiful.Long and ivory with emboidered roses.I spent alot of time picking it out,even then that thought was in the back of my mind."Will one of my girls wear this someday?"
So,anyway.......the 2nd one was the dress she wanted to see. I retrieved it from it's special place it had been resting in since that day and handed it over to her.
To my utter suprise she asked if she could try it on.ummmmmmmmmmm,can I handle that?
Will I fall apart? umm,"ok"
She walked out and I just couldn't believe it.It fit her,the waist and chest area needed a tiny bit of taking in but it fit her.In reality if she grew much more in height it would be too short.
She kept it on for awhile,I don't know how long because I was kind of in a daze.The pictures of her walking down the aisle someday in that dress,envisioning my 1st born baby girl as a BRIDE.It was wonderful and completely terrifying all at once.I can't even quite express in words how I felt.The visions were unexpected and I wasn't ready for them.
As she looked in the mirror she said nothing,I told her that she didn't HAVE to wear that dress,she could have her own when the time came.
She said"No, I want it to be this one"

Change

The winds of change are blowing......................I guess I better hang on for dear life.
I used to like change,shaking things up never bothered me.I guess as I've gotten older I've become a little more reisitent to it,I've almost been fearful of changing anything major in our lives.I crave stability and security.I need to know what's here today will be there tomorrow,but we truly never really know that for sure do we?
Things do not stay the same forever,I should know that by now.The last few years have been nothing but change,good and bad.
I don't want to hang onto things and habits that I shouldn't.I want to make the right decisions for all of us,sometimes it's not clear what those are.
I've always been a tad bit of a control freak and I've had to learn alot about letting go and leaving it to god.It's hard and I struggle with it every single day,I feel that the path that we're on is for the best.
Gotta have faith.

Inspired

Wow,it is a beautiful day! The sun is shining,blue sky,no humidity,even a slight breeze.I wish I could take a picture of how pretty it is outside.These are the kind of days that I feel energized,renewed,even INSPIRED. All morning I've been getting my house in order,sprayed some Peony linen spray,lit some beautiful candles,put on a mellow CD,and I even opened some windows! I don't do that very often,I don't know why because I used to. It's really aired the house out and the breeze is so nice.
I was going to write about why on earth my hubby can't make coffee that doesn't taste and look like motor oil today,but I'm not going to. I'm just happy that he made (sort of )it for me.

My Recipe Blog

I started a recipe blog with all of my favorite recipes that I've collected over the years. These are all dishes that I've eaten and served many,many times and will continue to.
Some are mine,some are from relatives or friends,some are from my childhood and others are from various magazines or books that I've aquired.
These recipes are full of love and memories,and I'm sure they will see many more.
They're all family friendly,down homey kind of recipes but I've added some "lighter" alternatives on some for those of us watching the scale.
I have tons so I'm adding them when I can,so far I've got close to 30.

http://homesteadhash.blogspot.com/

Blew it

I totally blew my 5 days of staying on (or under) my WW points last night. I'm so down about this. Yesterday was a long day,kids were just either arguing,screaming,or crying all day long.It was a dreary stormy day and no one coule go outside.My oldest and I got into huge "thing" about his continuous smart aleck teen age mouth. I let alot slide before I finally said something,my mistake.I shouldn't have let it build up.
The kids need to get out and do something,too much togetherness at home in the last week or so I do believe.
Anyway,I was drained. I was upset and emotional and probably ended up going at least 10 pts over what I should.If anything this totally confirms to me that I do emotionally eat at times.
I feel bad for yelling at him and losing my temper,I need to get ahead of it next time.It was a rough day but today is a new day.
I'm feeling ok and it's still raining out but we're heading out later.I want to take the kids to do something.We all need to get out and get our minds occupied.
Ahhh,summer vacation is always a CHALLENGE!

The mountains are beckoning!

Oh boy I can feel it coming on. I absolutely love to go to the Smokey Mountains in Tenn.We usually go 3-4 times a year and during the months in between I start longing to be there,for the peace and the silence of it all,the complete escape.There is nothing like being high above those misty mountains,almost feeling the softness of the clouds.they feel like they're sitting right next to you if you go up high enough.It's pure tranquility,time almost seems to move slower.
I feel different when we're there,calm and full of wonder,optimistic even. There is something about it,I can even breathe better.(not to mention that mountain water does AMAZING things for my hair!)The food,and it even smells better.
I love the shops,I love watching my kids take in every scene and getting excited over all the things there for them to do,and screaming at the occasional sight of the bears.
It's a break,a break from our norm and sometimes everyone just NEEDS that.We need it to just get back to ourselves,to the heart of who we are.It's alot of work to get everyone packed and ready to go but as soon as I see that 1st glimpse of the mountain skyline I know it's going to be ok,it's so worth all the effort.
The people are just so friendly and warm,and it never fails that by the end of the trip at least one of us has picked up a Tennessee accent!
I'm pretty sure in some other time or place I must have been a southern lady on a big plantation drinking sweet tea and fanning myself under the giant weeping willow,well that's what I've dreamt of anyway.
I'm hoping to be able to go soon back sometime soon.I miss it.
Above are some pics I've take in the last year or so of the mountains.

"The Wooden Bowl"

I've seen this is several blogs,and other sites and it has always stuck in my head.
I'm sharing it again,the words ring true in my head and my heart.


The Wooden Bowl~~

I guarantee you will remember the tale of the Wooden Bowl tomorrow, a week from now, a month from now, a year from now

A frail old man went to live with his son, daughter-in-law, and four-year old grandson. The old man's hands trembled, his eyesight was blurred, and his step faltered. The family ate together at the table.But the elderly grandfather's shaky hands and failing sight made eating difficult. Peas rolled off his spoon onto the floor. When he grasped the glass, milk spilled on the tablecloth.The son and daughter-in-law became irritated with the mess. "We must do something about father," said the son. "I've had enough of his spilled milk, noisy eating, and food on the floor." So the husband and wife set a small table in the corner. There, Grandfather ate alone while the rest of the family enjoyed dinner. Since Grandfather had broken a dish or two, his food was served in a wooden bowl! When the family glanced in Grandfather's direction, sometimes he had a tear in his eye as he sat alone. Still, the only words the couple had for him were sharp admonitions when he dropped a fork or spilled food. The four-year-old watched it all in silence.
One evening before supper, the father noticed his son playing with wood scraps on the floor. He asked the child sweetly, "What are you making?"

Just as sweetly, the boy responded, "Oh, I am making a little bowl for you and Mama to eat your food in when I grow up." The four-year-old smiled and went back to work.The words so struck the parents so that they were speechless. Then tears started to stream down their cheeks. Though no word was spoken, both knew what must be done.
That evening the husband took Grandfather's hand and gently led him back to the family table. For the remainder of his days he ate every meal with the family. And for some reason, neither husband nor wife seemed to care any longer when a fork was dropped, milk spilled, or the tablecloth soiled.

On a positive note, I've learned that, no matter what happens, how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow.

I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles four things: a rainy day, the elderly, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights.

I've learned that, regardless of your relationship with your parents, you'll miss them when they're gone from your life.

I've learned that making a "living" is not the same thing as making a "life...”I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance.

I’ve learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands. You need to be able to throw something back.

I've learned that if you pursue happiness, it will elude you. But if you focus on your family, your friends, the needs of others, your work and doing the very best you can, happiness will find you.

I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision.

I’ve learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one.

I've learned that every day, you should reach out and touch someone. People love that human touch -- holding hands, a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back.

I've learned that I still have a lot to learn!

Ebay goodies

My mailman made me a happy girl today. A new book to read,(when I'm going to get to it I have no idea,but I'm going to try)a new Gooseberry Patch cookbook for Fall,and my set of Paula Deen spices! Wow,is this all it takes to get me excited? Anyway,I love Gooseberry Patch books,I've been collecting them for years and the recipes are good,down home family kind of stuff and Fall is my all time favorite season.I already have the 1st recipe picked out to try.
"Smokey Mountain Cabin Soup"
I'll have to throw in some of my Paula spices for good measure.

Amazing dissapearing food~part1

One guess,how long does it take 7 kids to go thru a loaf of King size bread???
Answer~ 12 hours!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I think this might be a new record,even for them.Where did it all go you ask?
last night~2 late evening P,B,and Js
this morning ~TOAST for all (probably 8-10 pieces)
lunch today~2 more P,B,and Js
1 random piece I found laying on the floor this morning
2 Turkey sandwiches
4 grilled cheeses

and that was all she wrote.

Yummy recipe

I made this for dinner last night and I ended up with little picky people asking for more! I used whole wheat pasta,2% milk,and light cream cheese.I also added a few spoons of pine nuts.It really was EXCELLENT! This one is going in the old Longaberger recipe basket for sure!!!!

Creamy Veggie Vermicelli
INGREDIENTS


2 cups fresh broccoli florets

2 cups cut fresh asparagus (1-inch pieces)

1/4 cup butter, cubed

8 ounces uncooked vermicelli

2 packages (3 ounces each) cream cheese, cubed

1 cup milk

3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

1 tablespoon grated lemon peel

DIRECTIONS



In a large skillet, saute the broccoli and asparagus in butter for 8-10 minutes or until crisp-tender. Meanwhile, cook vermicelli according to package directions.
In a large saucepan, cook and stir the cream cheese and milk over medium heat until smooth. Add Parmesan cheese, salt and pepper; cook 2 minutes longer or until blended. Remove from the heat.
Stir lemon peel into the vegetables. Drain vermicelli; place in a large serving bowl. Add vegetables and cheese sauce; toss to coat. Serve immediately. Yield: 4-6 servings.

So..............

The weekend had been pretty uneventful so far.Yesterday was spent mowing,weeding,cleaning,grocery shopping.I had to buy my oldest son some new jeans since he goes thru a pair about oh,every 6-8 weeks or so.(skateboarding is hard on the clothes and shoes!)I made spaghetti for dinner last night and spent the evening watching Paula Deens vacation special on the food network.I just love her and I think this one was the funniset I've seen. It's on again tonight and I'm planning on taping it so I can watch it when I need some cheering up.
I started full force back on Weight Watchers a few days ago.I've gone back and forth and really never comitted but I think I'm getting into the groove with it.I've been trying to eat healthier but I still think I'm just plain eating too much.Stess related I guess.I made it thru the 1st 2 days and it was easy so I'm hopeful.I have great support from a friend(she's really more like a sister,she used to be my sister in law but that's a long story and another post!)who has been on WW for awhile.She's been so helpful and inspiring. (I wish she didn't live so far away but thank goodness for e-mail)She's had HUGE success with it and looks FABULOUS.It's a challenge to stay on anything around here with all the food that comes in and out.Anyway, I'm hangin tough.

Oh Marilyn

I came across this quiz when I was blog-hopping,it's funny because I was OBSESSED with Marilyn when I was a kid.It staretd with a book I found at the library,it was a big beautiful book of nothing but gorgeous glossy photos of MM before she was famous and during her career.I remember checking that book out over and over again.I was mesmerized by her,the way she looked and dressed.I was sure there couldn't be a man on the planet that didn't love her.In reality it seems no one really did.
Of course I wanted to be her,did all the same poses in the mirror.How could anyone be more glamorous?(maybe this is where my 1st inklings to be a blonde emerged,hmmmmm) I thought she looked sad in so many of the photos.I couldn't believe someone so beautiful and perfect could be anything but happy.As I got older and learned more about her,it was easy to understand.
I definitely wouldn't want to be her anymore,but to me there is still no one like her.

Which vintage movie star are you most like?(For girls)

You are Marilyn Monroe. You're a sexy bombshell who knows how to get what she wants, but sometimes people underestimate you or misread you and you're seen for one thing instead of all that you are. You can actually be very shy and hard on yourself, and feel that sexiness is all you have to offer to people. You will have your success but be careful that you don't let anything consume you completely. Feel better about how smart you are.
Take this quiz!








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A day I'll remember

I've had a good day today.It rained all night last night but the sun came out before 11:00 am and it was just a beautiful day. I've learned to appreciate the days more and more lately,and everything around me.I seem to notice alot that I think I overlooked,even took for granted in the past.
At some point during the afternoon all 7 of my kids and myself ended up in the den together.We aren't usually ALL together in 1 room at the same time very often,especially during the day.Everyone is kind of off doing what they do,the little ones are running around,etc
We got to talking about my oldest son and how he was as a toddler,(W_I_L_D!!)then my girls were asking me to tell stories about them when they were little.I sat and told them what they liked to do,what they ate,crazy stuff they did,etc. I was suprised that my 40 yr old mind could recall as much as I did but I was able to come up with quite a few stories.They were shocked and suprised at some,embarrassed by others I think.My oldest son of course had no memory of trying to run a golf cart into a pond at age 3 or prodding another boy to join him in some head dunking in the toilet during a party when he was 4, ,my oldest daughter didn't recall screaming and having to be held pretty much the 1st 18 months of her life or that I made an ENTIRE Xmas dinner for 20 people with her strapped to my body so she wouldn't cry,(that sounds kind of unsafe now but really it wasn't and I'm sure I was extremely careful,also I was desperate!)my middle daughter had no idea that she was the most laid back,friendly baby that ever lived and she laughed every time she pooped,my middle son had no clue that he would only sleep 15 minutes at a time and had a binky till he was 3(sometimes 2 in his mouth at a time).I enlightened them.
I think they got as much of a kick out of the stroll down "humiliation lane" as I did.They were laughing,and I was trying my serious best not to cry recalling all the precious moments from the past.I didn't let them see that tho,I just laughed with them.

Aliens have taken over my children

I took these pics because I knew I would probably never witness this event 1st hand again.This is my oldest son,notice the apparatus in his hands.It's not a skateboard
or a gameboy,or even an XBOX controller.It's a vaccuum cleaner.
Either super helpful alien pod children came in and inhabited them while I was sick or they're gearing up to ask for something BIG.

Ahhhhhhhhh,sweet tea!

COBALT BLUE SWEET TEA GOBLET~~~~~~~~~~~





I found this article on AOL news this morning and it made me long for a big glass!
We go to Tennessee alot and this stuff is available on every fast food and restaraunt menu from Kentucky on down.Seriously at Mcdonalds it's called "McSweet Tea"!! It's soooo yummy and chocked full of sugar,now I'm not big on sugar and I don't eat it much at all but this is one thing I will indulge in when we're there.
I grew up on sweet tea,as far back as I can remember my mom had a glass of it on the counter at all times and sipped it all day long.(now that I think about it with all that sugar in her system it's no wonder she never sat down for longer than a minute!)It wasn't any ordinary glass either,for this she had a cobalt blue etched goblet.Fancy tea deserves a fancy glass.
I remember seeing her make it too,she would dump the sugar in,never measured just kept dumping.It was so sweet it would make your head shiver but oh it was pure pleasure.
A few years ago I asked her if I could have one of her cobalt blue goblets and she gave it to me.That's right.I drink my iced tea out of it.I use some splenda sparingly and maybe some lemon.My system can't handle sweet tea daily but I still think of her with every sip.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Southern Sweet Tea


AOL news MAIN July 12 2007

Sweet or unsweet?


"If you've spent any time south of the Mason-Dixon line, this query is as familiar to you as "paper or plastic?", but the rest of the USA doesn't have a cotton pickin' clue what you're talking about. See, we may get all schmancy, blending decaf Royal Tiger Spice Baby Assam with cran-kiwi nectar and individually wrapped cubes of Albanian raw beet sugar, but this Yankee is willing to admit that y'all got something special goin' on when comes to iced tea.


Sweet Tea is a staple of restaurants and homes across the Southeastern United States; so prevalent that a guest has to specifically request 'unsweet" in order to get a brew that won't instantly candy their molars, and enough of a cultural institution that several Representatives in Georgia presented House Bill 819 requiring all food service establishments to serve it. Sure, it was quickly revealed as an April Fools Day prank, but it bespoke the region's reverence for the "champagne of the South".


So, just what IS this magical elixir? Essentially, it's bagged or loose orange pekoe (that's a grade of black) tea, that's brewed and blended with sugar while it's still hot. A lot of sugar. If you're making this for the first time and you think you've swirled in enough sugar – you haven't. Keep pouring. Then pour more. If your stirring spoon is threatening to stand up on its own, you may still need to add more. Have a Southerner sample it if you're not sure. They'll tell you to add MORE.


If it's served in a Southern home, there's a good chance it'll be in a tall, slim glass filled with ice, and accompanied by a long-handled iced tea spoon with which one can stir in, bless their heart, even more sweetener if so desired. Milk is unheard of, and lemon or mint – well, that's just being fancy, but if it makes the Yanks feel at home, then so be it. That's just good ol' Southern hospitality."

Back to the land of the living

I've spent the last 3 days in a bathrobe,going between the couch and the bathroom,the bed and the bathroom,hopped up on Motrin and Gatorade,and feeling like I was surely on deaths door. Yes,I had a stomach virus. I've probably been the sickest that I've been in a long time.There was not a single part of my body that didn't ache. Well,today I'm finally feeling ok,not totally back to myself but close.
Normally when I'm sick for any period of time my house and everything in it goes to ...you know what,but this time I'm amazed at how well everyone kept it together.
Actually it was 1 person,my oldest daughter. She took control and took no prisoners.
She kept up the dishes,(which is a full time job in itself),helped the little ones,did laundry,vaccumed,cleaned windows,dusted,fed the cats,watered the flowers,organized,and in my sick fog I recall her running around the house with a sharpie labeling everything she could get her hands on.I'm bursting with "proud mom feelings",almost to tears.She's alweays been one of my most helpful and resposible kids but this time she went above and beyond.If it was left to hubby the kids would've come out of this alive but none of the other things would've been given too much thought.
She's not even 12 years old yet and the past few days she took on the role of mom and caregiver with ease and pride in herself and everything she did.I don't want her to feel like this is her role,I want her to be a kid,but it's sure nice to know that if I need her she can handle it.
Sometimes when you feel like you just aren't getting thru to your kids or teaching them anything that you want them to learn,one of them steps up and suprises you,makes me feel like I'm doing something right.(getting the Kleenex now)

UGH

Well,I've either eaten something posion or I have a stomach virus.Either way it's pretty awful.I feel like dying at the moment.Churning stomach,cramps,body aches,running to the bathroom every 15 minutes.ugh,this sucks.

Cool Slideshows!

It died

Well,I guess my camera must have just been dying a slow death cause now it's totally dead.Great.I hate not having my camera,I feel like a piece of me is missing,and it was PINK too!

Odd ocurrence with my camera

Ok, this is just downright freaky.I picked up my camera to snap a pic earlier today
and at 1st I thought I was losing it.My camera will only take pics upside down!!!!!!!!!!I mean when you hold the camera and look into the little window thingy on the back,everything is upside down! I even took a few pics with it and they all came out upside down!!!!!!!!!!!!!!What the ??!!!
I had hubby check it,I looked at the manual and there is no setting for this on the camera.
Somebody please tell me how this has happened. It's no secret to people in my life that I have weird off the wall experiences but this is a new one.
FREAKY-DEAKY

My great-grandparents

This a photo of them taken excatly 40 years ago this month.I keep it up in my living room and I look at it often.I don't remember him at all but I have one memory of her.I recall her taking me to the grocery store,I couldn't have been more than 3 or 4.She bought me this giant plastic ball and I even remember playing with it when we got home.If your'e only going to have one memory, it's a nice one to have.
I wonder what they were really like,what experiences they had,if they watch over us?
I think so, as a matter of fact I'm counting on it.

Good ol' boy

"Just a good ole boy,never meanin no harm,beats all you ever saw been in trouble with the law since the day he was born"
lol,love it.

follow up to Grateful post

Ok,I thought I was on a very productive roll with my "grateful" list so I gave me 2 oldest kids a pen and paper and told them to write down 5 things that they are grateful for.Well,after my son looked at me and declared"Too much Oprah"
this is what they came up with.
Amanda~
1.house
2.clothes
3.family
4.oxygen
5.food

Alex~
1.house
2.food
3.drinks
4.family
5.skateboard

Ok,not the most introspective answers but at least they put family on there.I guess all the times I've told them that there are kids all over the world with no homes or food has sunk in a bit.;o)I'm pretty happy with the lists,
What can I expect from a 13 and 11 year old?

Grateful

I have not had a great week at all. I was getting ready to write about all the gory details of my not-so-great week but instead I thought I would do this.
It made me feel better and I'm sure it's easier to listen to than my complaining.

What I'm grateful for this week~
1)My kids are healthy and happy
2)We were all together and had a great dinner on the 4th
3)baby hugs(and toddler hugs,and big kid hugs)
4)I have been slowly catching up on my organizing,1 room at a time
5)We've been eating better
6)I got to talk to my cousin (who lives out of state)for a long time,it was good.
7)hubby made me coffee this morning,even tho it was thick as syrup
8)I woke up alive this morning
9)I got to watch RS on GH
10)Paula Deen is on tonight!
11)my hubby and boys are having a "night out" tonight seeing "Transformers" ~happy about that
12)it's Friday!

I'm sure I have alot more but those are the biggies I can think of right now.

My little star~

Hmmmmmm

Ok,I'm diggin this new black background,makes all the pink POP!
I'm in the process of working with photoshop and learning HTML.I want to be able to make my own banners,auction and blog templates,etc.
Did I really say that? I used to hate computers.I resisited it for so long,now I'm a pathetic addict like everyone else.Geesh.
I still consider myself and old fashioned kinda girl tho,with a laptop.;o)

Fresh Salsa

Fresh Salsa
Originally uploaded by Crazy Pink House

I started making this last year when I was pregnant because I so CRAVED salsa the whole time. HAD to have it.I mean I seriously think I ate it every day.On chips,eggs,I might have even taken it straight a few times. It HAD to be the fresh kind,like from the deli,not from the jars!YUCK! I used to be fine with the jar salsa but after the pregnancy I can't eat it unless I have to.
Well,one night I had none left and figured I could make it myself. I had all the ingredients and this is what I came up with.I've tweaked it a little here and there since then.
I don't eat it that often now but I like to make it occasionally just to watch my kids wrinkle up the noses and say,"that is not real salsa!" LOL! No jar,it can't be real right?

1 can Hunts petite diced tomatoes (or 2-3 tomatoes.chopped.either way is fine)
3 TBSP chopped onion
1 tSP minced garlic
1-2 TBSP chopped jalepeno (I like spicy,but you could use less)
2 TSP chopped cilantro
1 tsp fresh lime juice
dash of salt and pepper
couple pinches of sugar,I've found this to be important.The lime and tomatoes have alot of acid,this will really even that out
Mix all up together and serve with whole grain chips,real tortilla chips,pita chip.really any old chip will do.
Now,I also think that it gets better if you put it in the fridge overnight,the flavors really get together and it's even tastier!.

My husband the caveman

caveman
Originally uploaded by Crazy Pink House

We grilled out yesterday and I took a pic of my husband.Please pay close attention to the eating utensil he's using.Yes,it's a giant MONGO grilling fork. It's not like we don't have real forks,so what would posess him? I told him I was going to take a pic and put it on my blog to shame him so here it is.
I really hoped that all I had done over the years to evolve him was working,oh well.