Its Been Awhile

Where has the time gone. My son is graduating college in May; next he'll then be headed off to grad school. It seems like only yesterday he was in kindergarten. It amazes me that I really don't feel any different (as long as I don't look into a mirror). How could he have changed so much and me so little? This is a good thing, yes? Life has finally entered into a quiet period. Which I can honestly say I am enjoying. As one gets older the same old, same old is not such a bad thing.

Fruit Pizza

I've started baking again. Isn't it funny how when you're feeling kind of down how all of the things you usually enjoy doing all of a sudden seem to be too much of a bother. I started with my Fruit Pizza recipe. It's one of my favorites so I figured it was a good place to start. Boy am I glad I did. Yum! I'm not sure if it's the shortbread crust, the cream cheese layer or the fresh fruit, but whatever it is I can't get enough of it. YUM YUM YUM


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Another Birthday

Tomorrow I get to notch another birthday onto my belt. That will make my 55th notch. Geez, 55 years. Where did they all go? I've been thinking a lot about my present life and I can honestly say that I am not feeling overly excited about it. And the sad part is, I don't know what to do to get myself out of this rut. I need to make some changes but what and how? They are the big questions bouncing around my head 24/7. I'm open for suggestions.

Holiday Season is Officially Over

It's official, my son goes back to school tomorrow, so the holiday season is over. Today I put the last of the Christmas decorations in the attic; and boy does it feel good to put that last box up there and fold up the stairs. Tomorrow we drop my son and all of his belongings off at college. And you know what that means, Monday I can get back into a normal routine again. Sure I will miss my son. He's fun to talk to and always keeps me on my toes. But it will be nice not having to make three meals a day and cutting down on the loads laundry. Boy, am I getting lazy in my old age or what.
Yep, Monday is just a day away and I can't wait.

Need your help. Daisy's in a contest and needs your vote.

Hi
I've entered Daisy into the Bissell MVP contest and could really use your vote.
Here's the link to her page; and if it's not too much to ask could you please leave a comment too.

http://mvp.bissell.com/mvp_PetDetail.aspx?id=8589943300

Thank you for your vote!

Christmas in New York City is truly magical. Even the ornaments are bigger than life there.

I won

Guess what, I won the Kia Sorento Road Trip Contest. Wow, what a year this is turning out to be. I'm heading out to the local 7-11 for a lottery ticket.

Below is a the list of all the things I won, way cool, and now with the coffeemaker that I just won I can make a bunch of coffee to take along with us. What kind do you all like? I am in heaven. Oh yea, my sister called last night to tell me that my nephew (who got married in November) is going to be a dad. Oh yea, 2010 is going to be one sweet year. I think the tables have turned. Life is looking good.

OK, whose coming?

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ExxonMobil Gift Card ($100) Starbucks Gift Card ($50) Subway Gift Card ($100) Sony DVP-FX930/R 9-Inch Portable DVD Player, Red ($159.00) POWERCUP On-The-Go Power Supply Cup ($32.50) LeSportSac 7008 Travel Tote ($98) Kindle Wireless Reading Device ($259) Garmin nüvi 260W 4.3-Inch Widescreen Portable GPS Navigator ($134.99) 2 Star Kids Snack & Play Travel Tray (19.94 each) The Family Road Trip Box of Questions ($19.95)
Travel-tainer ($11.99)
Coleman Collapsible Pet Bowl (2-Quart) (7.69)

Won a Tassimo Coffeemaker-How Cool is that

I just found out that I won a Tassimo coffeemaker. I am so excited. I can't wait to get it and give it a spin around my coffee cup.

I won it from a blog called xiaolinmama. It's a great read so give it a try. I think you'll like it.

Happy New Year!

Made it Thru Another Holiday

Got through another holiday. Yea! I am always so excited when the Christmas season is approaching. I love all of the decorations and shopping for my family and friends. But then about a week before Christmas arrives I get so stressed out I don't enjoy it at all. Why do I do this to myself every year? Heck, it's just family and friends that I hangout with, and they don't care if everything is perfect or not. I really need to learn how to relax. Anybody have any ideas?

My Entry For the Kia Sorento Ultimate Road Trip Sweepstakes

OK, If you could take your family on a road trip anywhere, where would you go and why?

This is such an easy question to answer because it is something I've always dreamed of doing. In a heartbeat (if the opportunity arose) we would all take 3 months off from everyday life, load up the car and head out on the best road trip EVER. In the front seat would be an atlas to set us in the right direction and a good book on "the must see places in the USA". Each day would start with a final destination in mind (let's say Yellowstone National Park) and then while driving there we would stop anywhere along the way that seemed interesting. No definite plans, just seeing the USA in all its glory. So many people seem to vacation abroad or head to one of the Disney Theme Parks, but me, I'd rather see how our neighbors live and the wonders of our country, how cool would that be!

Life Again Changes

Well, my last post mentioned about the new life changes I'd be going through having my mother-in-law move in with us. Sadly, she passed away two days after I wrote that.
I don't think it has truly set in yet. We have had so many relatives die over the last 11 years that I honestly think I've become use to death. Is that a horrible thing to say? It sounds a bit uncaring but it's not meant to. After thinking it over and tossing it around I feel it must be a coping mechanism my brain and heart use so I don't break down totally. We've lost 15 family members in 11 years. That's insane.
I know a lot of them were older and no one lives forever but my brother-in-law was only 60, our cousins were 53 and 57. It's got to stop soon or there will be none of us left (Just a thought).

I'm done discussing it. It's time to decorate for Christmas. I'm going to put little sparkling white lights all throughout the house. It's going to turn our world into a winter wonderland. All bright and new. Yep, it's time to brighten things up.
Ready, set, glow!

Just When You thought It Was Safe...

Here I was just getting use to my son being away at college. I've gotten into a routine of walking the dog, going out regularly for breakfast or lunch with friends, and shopping to my hearts content. This weekend has put an abrupt stop to that. A new chapter in my life has just begun. My mother-in-law has moved in with us. We honestly don't know for how long or how it is going to work out but we're going to give it our best. The biggest problem is that she can't walk by herself. The other main problem, she is on oxygen when her levels get low. So, it's basically like having a large infant with health issue. Today is the first full day she and I will be alone. Please say a prayer for us.

So when does life get easy? Does anybody know?

Just the Start of baking for our Military

Yesterday was the first of many days that I will be baking cookies for our military. It took me awhile to decide exactly what to bake. They can't go stale in a day or two nor can they be too fragile due to they're traveling through the Post Office. So the two I decided on are Oatmeal Raisin Walnut and Star-shaped Butter Cookies with white icing and red and blue sprinkles. I still have to do the icing part but the baking is done.

Who would think that baking cookies could make one feel so good without even eating them.

Cookies for our Military

Hey, if you like to bake cookies I've got the perfect group for you to join, Operation Baking GALS. You just have to send out a box of homemade cookies once a month to one of our brave soldiers. Couldn't be easier, couldn't be for a better cause. Check them out at www.bakinggals.com.

Are Hollywood Moms Losing It

I just saw a of picture Suri Cruise (Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes daughter) wearing high heels. I'm talking 2-inch, sparkling silver high heels. Did I mention she is only 3 years old. Has Katie lost her mind? I don't get it. Usually they are carrying her around like a new born and when they finally let her walk they put her in high heels. I know I'm not the best parent in the world, and heaven knows I've made mistakes, but this is crazy. I pretty sure we won't be seeing them on the cover of Parenting Magazine anytime soon.

Here's the link if you're interested in seeing a picture. Crazy world.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/09/21/suri-cruise-wears-high-he_n_294241.htmlw a picture of Tom and Katie Cruise's 3 year-old daughter wearing silver high heels.

The Smell Of Christmas Is In The Air

OK, is it just me or is anyone else annoyed that the stores are putting Christmas stuff out and it's only the middle of September? I was in Kohl's today (a dept. store for those of you that don't shop) and they have their entire Christmas department set up, decorated trees and all. This is crazy. I haven't even gotten my Halloween things out yet ( I did see a few of my neighborhoods had their ghosts and such out already, personally, I think it's even a bit early for that, but at least it is the next holiday on the calendar).
Back to Kohl's. As you walk down one isle your eyes take in pumpkins, black cats, turkeys, a pilgrim or two, Santa, assorted nutcrackers, Nativities and reindeer. Does no one else find this an odd combination for the mind to digest? It's no wonder I'm always feeling stressed out. I can't deal with three major holidays at once. I can't handle them one at a time. A law should be passed. No holiday before its time law. When one holiday passes then and only then can you set up for the next one. I don't know about you but I don't want to see any kids pictures taken at the mall where they're sitting between the Easter Bunny and Santa on the same big chair.

Autumn Is On Its Way

I love when the seasons just begin to change, and Autumn is one of my favorites. The day time sky turns a deeper blue filled with big, white, billowy clouds. The mornings start with a chill in the air that burn off by early afternoon and then return again as the sun sets. Sweater weather at its finest. The trees are just beginning to change into their kaleidoscope of colors and the stores are stocking their shelves with pumpkins and Halloween candy. Ah, Autumn. I my favorite apple and pumpkin recipes to the front of my recipe box. All the pink and yellow summer flowers will be replaced with red and orange mums. My shorts will be packed away, being replaced with jeans and khaki's. But sadly it isn't all good. Soon it will be dark by dinner time and the days will be too cold to go outside. Snow shovels will replace the garden trowels. And as the rotted pumpkins are discarded the trees will take on their lifeless forms. The gray skies of Winter will cast their shadows over the land and we'll have to wait until Spring for the world to take on the feeling that all is bright and new again. But I do so enjoy Autumn while it's here; caramel apples, pumpkin pie,Halloween, sweaters, colorful trees, mums, cool days, flannel pajamas.....

I'm Back

Just when you thought it was safe to go back on the web....Yep. it's me and I'm back to writing on my blog again. About what I don't really know but I'll figure something will come to me. So, what's your favorite part of summer? Me, I love the long days of sunshine, watermelon (I feel like a kid again when the juice starts running down my chin and drips all over my shirt) and spending the night on the boardwalk. Nothing beats the smell of greasy food in the air, the sound of the waves crashing on the shore and the screams of people being thrown around on the various rides, Kohr's ice cream and Three Brothers pizza. Ah, summer in New Jersey. Ninety degree days and the humidity to match. Nothing says summer like sweaty clothes sticky to your body and sunscreen stinging your eyes. Ah, your jealous I know. I see it in your eyes. If you've never been to Jersey than you are really missing one great place. Me, I live in upper Southern Jersey. Just 15 minutes from Philadelphia, two hours from New York City and an hour and a half from the beach. Everything is a stones throw away. I've lived here all my life and can't image living anywhere else. Don't get me wrong though I would love to travel. If it was up to me I'd be traveling the world to see new things and meet new people. Some day (after I win the lottery-positive thinking here) I will be using New Jersey as a pit stop. A place to do my laundry, say hello to my family, then off again to my next destination. But for now my destination is bed. It's after 12 (midnight) and I'm getting up early and heading North (Jersey that is). Have fun and stay cool!

Another One of THOSE Days

Juts when you think your day is going well the bottom can fall right out of it. Monday was one of those fun filled days. It started at the vets office getting the stitches out of Daisy's neck. She somehow punctured her neck and had to have a drainage tube put in and then removed. This was followed by the funeral of a friend of mine whose mother passed away. Now these were actually the good part of my day (definitely not Daisy's or my friend's mom, but mine at this point was OK). I decided after the funeral to get my food shopping done since I knew Daisy was in good hands at home with my hubby. This too went well even though I spent the entire time drenched from head to toe from the monsoon that hit our area. Arriving home, with my arms loaded with bags, I made a quick dash from the car to my front door. As I reached the doors threshold my wet shoes hit the entry way floor and went into a skid. Luckily my head banging into the glass on our front door stopped my progress. As I worked my way into the kitchen I could feel the blood trickling down my face. I dropped the bags onto the kitchen table and made my way to the sink. Now you would think this would be an easy task, and for most it would be, but for me, no. My second step took on a very mushy feel. I was now standing in the dogs food dish that was filled with Fresh Fit cubes of chicken, rice and carrots. At this point I could do one of two things, cry (which is seldom one of my choices) or laugh. Being one of those demented people that can find humor at funerals, laughing was my only real option. MY head hurt like hell but really needed a laugh and I haven't laughed that hard in a long time. Now you can only image my husbands reaction to this whole scene, and knowing me as well as he does, he found it as funny as I did. Yea, I know we are weird, but hey who cares.
So, you think this is the end of my fun day? If you said yes you would be so wrong. While putting the food away I headed down our basement stairs to store the bargains I just got and guess what I found, water flowing across the floor. Like the laundry room flood on Saturday wasn't enough, here I go again. Wet vac in hand I set off to suck it dry. It was a good thing I hadn't changed my wet garb yet, at least I won't destroy two sets of clothes that day.
So the day ended with a 3/4 inch gash under my eyebrow surrounded by a black and blue circle. Quite a good look I must say. A sneaker with dog food stuck in its treads. And one very wet and dirty pair of dress slacks. Not bad for one day, huh?