Brain Dump

I stole my title from Jenn–but it fits !

I hadn’t planned to take a bloggy break, it just kind of happened. It was good for me though. And if Charmin’s friend really knew just how much I struggle with the whole “using the computer too much” issue, I think she’d be proud of me for staying away for so long. But mostly though,I haven’t posted anything because there just hasn’t been anything to post about. And there still isn’t. So this will be very random.
————————————————

I heard another great quote the other day about getting things done. “Once you’ve begun, the job is half done.” How very true that is! Usually (for me!) getting started is the hardest part. I’ve been getting some of those little “put-off” jobs done lately, and it’s a good feeling.
————————————————-

Had a really good time at the BT Orientation at the church on Saturday. (I’m sure sitting at a table with such fun people had something to do with it it, eh, Jenn!!) So often I get caught up in getting ready for, and getting to AWANA each Thursday, that I forget the real reason that I’m there. Saturday morning was a great reminder.
————————————————-

Travis has quite an “asthma-y” cough going on. If you’re familiar with that kind of cough, I’m sure you know exactly what I mean. The sound of it goes right through my heart. I never knew what that expression meant until I had kids. He’s needed his puffers a few times since yesterday. The first time in over a year. I was really hoping that he had out-grown it. Hopefully no trips to the ER, though.
————————————————-

I just found out that I’m able to get most of March Break week off from work. I wasn’t going to be able to, since I was off work all last year, and missed the deadline for sending the request in. But somehow some days came available. What do you think, Kelly, are we going to go to the city to the museums again this year??!!!! I know the boys all had fun last year, but I was completely exhausted at the end of the day! Lots of fun!!
————————————————-

I haven’t posted a book review in a few weeks, but I am still reading. Lately, when I sit down to write the review, I just go blank. I can’t put into words what I’ve learned. I’ll try again this week and hopefully write something readable.

————————————————-

If AWANA hadn’t been cancelled those two weeks in February, tomorrow would be my last night to do the Sparkie council time. Now, I still have two more weeks left after tomorrow. Oh well. I’m actually not minding it nearly as much as I thought I would!
————————————————-
I’m off to get some kids ready for bed, and then myself soon after. For some reason, I’ve been completely zonked the past few days. And poor hubby is still at work–long day for him, but this building closes tomorrow, and the last few days are always long.

Ta-Ta for now!!

Pretty Lady

Mackenzie decided to be a “pretty lady” (again!) today. I told her she looked like a clown and to go into the bathroom and get cleaned up.  “There”, she said when she came out, “I don’t look like a clown anymore.”  No sweetie, not at all. (The picture is actually after she wiped some off) I don’t know how well it shows up, but she also has blue shimmer eyeshadow all around her eyes.  Yup, pretty lady, alright!!

Just begin

I read this great quote a few days ago.

“If you want to get something done, the first step is to begin.”  (Or something like that!)  How simple, yet how thought-provoking for a procrastinator such as myself. 

How often do I get up in the morning with the best intentions for the day, make my lists and look forward to seeing everything checked off.  How often does it really happen like that?  Not nearly enough.  I love to make lists.  I have cleaning lists, grocery lists, people to call lists, projects lists, things that definitely need to be done lists,  event lists, and on and on.  My problem? I spend so much time on my lists, that I don’t accomplish what I had planned to.   But no matter how much I plan, if I don’t start, I’ll never get anything done. 

So today, instead of a great big list of all the things that I would like to get done, I just wrote down the 2 major things that I need to get done today.  And I still have a great big list of things that I would like to get done.  But my 2 major things are….done!!  Now, without those hanging over my head, I can do the other things.  And maybe even have time for the more enjoyable things–like sewing Mackenzie’s new Princess curtains. Yup, the key to getting things done is really quite simple–just begin!

And, since playing around on the computer is not a must-do on my list today, or any day for that matter, it’s time to shut it down. I have this friend, see.  I’m still convinced that she’s talking about me (she must have just gotten confused about all the things that don’t apply to me (the i-mac, grading the math papers….!)

Did you know…

……that when Mackenzie “is the Momma, and you’re the little sister, we’re not going to make rolls, I’m going to put in your carseat and we’re going to go to the store to buy rolls”.  This is what she told me this afternoon while we were (you guessed it!) making rolls.

She’s on this “when I’m the Momma and you’re the little sister” kick and I have to say that it is hilarious.  For some reason, she thinks that when she’s a Mom, I’ll be her little girl.  And she will:

-always put me in my “high seat” to have supper.

-play princesses with me.

-cut my supper for me.

-carry a lady purse, and I will have a princess bag.

-put me in my carseat and take me to Walmart with her to buy pull-ups for me.

-read me stories.

-get to do the dishes and I’ll play with the bubbles after.  (Now that sounds almost therapeutic!)

-sleep in the same room with the Daddy and I’ll have to sleep all alone.

Very hilarious!  And I’ve given up on trying to explain the whole “when you’re a Mom, I’ll be the grandma, not the little kid” to her.  Eventually she’ll get it, but for now….it’s just too funny!!

ABC’s of homemaking

Jenn just tagged me with this. Can I just say that I am sooooo excited to be tagged!!!

Aprons- Y/N? I have one apron, and it’s a Christmas one. So you could say that I’m festive all year-round! I am in the market foir a new one, though..

Baking- Favorite thing to bake? Chocolate Chip cookies. I love how excited the kids get when they come into the kitchen and see me making cookies. Which doesn’t happen nearly enough. Diabetic husband, you know. (Makes a good excuse, anyway!)

Clothesline- Y/N? Oh yeah! My dryer is actually still broken so I use my clothesline whenever possible. And when it’s not possible, I dry laundry over the woodstove. And you know what, it’s really not that inconvienent! And guess who’s power bill is going to be much lower this winter!

Donuts- Ever made them? Yup, but did they turn out? Nope. Anyone have a fool-proof recipe for donuts?

Everyday- One homemaking thing you do everyday? Dishes, sweep, pick up stuff, tidy up, oh, was it just one thing?!!

Freezer- Do you have a separate deep freezer? Yes, thank goodness. Even though it’s only a small one.

Garbage Disposal- Y/N? We recycle, compost, and garbage bag but we don’t have one of those automatic disposal units if that’s what you mean (Stealing your answer, Jenn, cause mine would be exactly the same!)

Handbook- Y/N? Huh? I automatically thought of an AWANA handbook (Stealing again, cause I really don’t know what that means!)

Ironing- Love it or hate it? Hate it. I’m a Sunday morning and special occasions only ironer.

Junk Drawer- Where is it? Kitchen.

Kitchen- Design and decorating? Old and soon to be re-modelled. Although if it’s anything like my living room…..

Love- What is your favorite part of homemaking? Knowing my family has a clean home, clean clothes to wear and food (hopefully yummy!) on the table. The satisfaction that comes form taking care of my family.

Mop- Y/N? Yes…when we stick to the floor (I just stole that line from Kelly–sorry!) Actually, I’m getting better at this one. I just mopped a few days ago, and it’s on my list for today.

Nylons- Wash them by hand or in the washer?- By hand, when I don’t ruin them the first time I wear them, that is!!

Oven- Do you use the window or open it to check? Both.

Pizza- What do you put on yours? Pepperoni and cheese for the kids, with onions peppers and mushrooms on mine and Ray’s.

Quiet- What do you do during the day when you get a quiet moment? Blog, do sudoku puzzles, or read

Recipe card box- Y/N? Oh yes! I love my recipe box. The recipes, I mean, but the box is pretty cute, too!

Style of house- Little bungalow. 2 bedrooms–yup and 3 kids. Let’s just say that I no longer have a dining room, and my boys share a room that’s right off the kitchen. Although we have big plans for the upstairs. And Jenn, I think Ray was talking to Mike about that last night!

Tablecloths and napkins- Y/N? Tablecloth, often, napkins, usually, but just the disposible kind.

Under the kitchen sink- Garbage can, potatoes, aquarium-cleaning stuff and for some reason a bag of baby food jars that I just never get around to getting rid of. How long has it been since I’ve used those?!!

Vacuum- How many times a week? 5 or 6–I’m obsessive. Once my new floors get down though…..

Wash- How many loads do you do a week? 6 or 7.

X’s- Do you keep a list of things to do and cross them off? Yes, I keep a list but I don’t always stick to it. Take today for example, I had great plans of what was going to get done and look what I’m doing instead! I’m having more fun, though!

Yard- Who does what? Ray mows, even though I love to use the ride-on. I guess he does, too, cause he never lets me!

ZZZ’s- What is your last homemaking task for the day? Usually putting away some laundry, and just general tidying up so I don’t get up to a disaster in the morning.

I’m tagging Kelly and Kinza, and my new blogging buds, Kim and GirlyMama, cause I don’t know them at all, and this seems like a good way to get to know them better! And anyone else who wants to do it. Just be sure to leave me a comment so I can come by and read your answers!

Crack me up!

I was in Walmart yesterday. And before I say anything else, let me just add that I only bought 2 more things than were on my list.  Okay, well actually 4, but the big bags of cinnamom hearts were on for 78 cents, and I couldn’t pass that up, now could I?  I love cinnamon hearts!  So I bought 2 bags but they shouldn’t really count, cause they were such a good buy.  So I got the three things on my list, the cinnamon hearts, and then I found a great sweater for only $9.00 and then a baby outfit for a friend for only  $7.00–a 3 piece set!  The point of this rabbit trail is that I usually spend way more than I plan at Walmart because I end up picking up lots of stuff that I didn’t plan to.  And this time I didn’t (well, not really!)

 Back to Walmart.  I’m happily pushing my cart through the store, when I hear over the loud speaker:

“Could Allen please report to the garbage bag aisle for customer service?”  To the garbage bag aisle for customer service??!!!  I wanted to boogie on over to that aisle to hear the conversation there!  “I’ve never used these before, what kind do you recommend?”  Or who knows what else! Too funny!  And of course, I’m by myself, trying not to laugh out loud, probably looking like a fool!  I may not have “driving perky” down yet, but yesterday, I sure had “pushing the shopping cart at Walmart perky” down pat!

Oh My Gross!!

I opened the door yesterday to let in the sweet, adorable new puppy.  He started to come in with something in his mouth.  I wouldn’t let him in until he dropped it, which he finally did.  It was–are you ready for this!–some sort of great big frozen rodent with it’s head missing!  I hate hate hate  rodents.  I’m the Mom who won’t let her kids have hamsters, gerbils or anything like that.  I avoid the little cages at the pet store at all costs.  Hate them!  And let me just say that if I had only seen the tail of it, I would have still completely freaked out, it was so long.  So what did I do?  What any calm, cool  and collected woman would do–I stood there and cried. And called my husband to make sure that he was on his way home to get rid of it. Which he did as soon as he got home.

I don’t think I want any animals here anymore!

But I am thankful and grateful to have a husband who doesn’t mind my crazy phobias! (Besides, I think it makes him feel all manly to be able to rescue his damsel in distress!)

Cinnamon Rolls

I told Shannon ages ago that I would post this recipe for her.  I know there was a story behind it, but I can’t remember it now.  (Shannon, maybe you can refresh my memory!)   I do remember we were talking at church about cinnamon buns, and she told me that she’d never made them before without yeast.  So here it is:

Oh, before I forget, I’m including the recipe for the glaze, but I have never made it.  The first time I made this recipe, they were gobbled up before I had a chance to glaze them.  I decided that since evidently everyone liked them just fine without it……..(and it’s just another bit of sugar that Ray doesn’t need).

Cinnamom Rolls:

2 Cups Flour
3 tsp baking powder
2 tsp white sugar
1/4 tsp salt
2/3 Cup shortening
1 egg, well beaten
1/2 Cup milk
1/4 Cup margarine
1 Cup sugar (more or less)
Cinnamon

Combine flour, baking powder, sugar and salt. Cut in shortening.  Add milk and knead lightly.  Roll into a rectangle, about 1/2 inch thick.  Spread with margarine.  Cover with brown sugar and sprinkle liberally with cinnamon.  Roll and cut in 1-inch pieces,  and place on greased cookie sheet.  Rolls shopuld touch each other.  Bake at 425 F for 8-10 minutes. Partially cool and spread with glaze.

Glaze:

2 Cups icing sugar
1 tsp vanilla
Milk, as needed to blend

Happy 3rd Birthday Mackenzie!

Mackenzie turned 3 on Friday!  Where has the time gone?  Seems like just yesterday she was just a tiny little thing coming home from the hospital.

On Saturday, we had a “Mommy and Me” tea, with Kelly and Sara.  What fun!  The girls were so cute–sipping (gulping/slurping!) tea, nibbling on (cramming them in their mouths!) sandwiches.  Surprisingly, nothing was spilled or broken!  We have a ways to go in training these little girls to be ladies, but they’re only three, so we still have some time yet!

All alone…..

Mackenzie was crying in her room last night after I put her to bed, so Ray went in to see what was wrong.  “Why”, she asked with her little lip quivering and her voice trembling, “do two people sleep in all the other rooms, but I sleep all alone in my room?”  I think she broke her Daddy’s heart.

Oh Mackenzie, just you wait.  When you kids are older, if the boys are still sharing a room, then you’ll be bugging them because you have your own room!