Wordless Wednesday

We are all content around here... Here comes the sun dut n dut n!

My Spring Break

Hey all. My spring break is right around the corner and I am over the moon. Well, not as over the moon as I would be if I was going on some spectacular vacation, but non the less over the moon. I've been toying around with some possibilities of what I will dig my hands into over the break. So, this post is dedicated to the stream of consciousness that is spinning around my head at this moment.

• paint the bathroom (same color but not stupid builders paint)
• my vegetable garden
• help grandma in her garden
• visit Ash (best friend who works and goes to school too much)
• hiking with Hillary (my sweet lil' sis who is back in KY for a while)
• antiquing- (Cait my work buddy told me about a new place I want to try).
• A must-already scheduled hair cut and highlights
• maybe a pedicure/massage/or manicure
• lots of cooking
• staining the deck
• read
• prep for whatever grade I will end up in
• celebrate Easter with the fam
• visit G-town
• catch up on my DVRed shows

T minus 3 days till spring break. Stay tuned for lots of updates!

Nothing Personal

I really am not a deep, serious person. But I am going to attempt here. I'm sure this may offend some people- that isn't my intention though. I am not a political person either. I don't claim to understand everything that goes on in Washington. Actually, I don't understand a lot of it. I try hard. I listen to NPR in the mornings, and read up on all the current events I can. Everybody says something different or sees things a different way. I really want to have an opinion on some of the hot topics. Specifically- the health care bill. I know it has people fired up. I am wondering how are you fired up? Where are you getting your information? All the information I find is biased one way or the other. And the actual bill is what- thousands of pages long, so I'm sure you didn't read it. So, my question is this- you do hate it because you are a republican- do you like it just because you are a democrat? I don't vote by party and I think that the dummies in DC are fighting like a bunch of elementary school kids who don't get their own way. So, I have to ask why are you so passionate? Do you have all the facts, or are you joining in on the "He hit me first" fight? I am all about being passionate about things in life- as long as you are truly passionate and not just joining the masses. Seems to me we could get a lot more positive things accomplished if everyone just grew up and got their heads out of their butts!

Deep Breath...

And here we go. What a week ahead. This will be a super important week for me. I have worked really hard to relax, give it up to God, and practice when I close my eyes to picture this place.

I'm not gonna lie though- it is a battle for me to do this at times. This week I go back to the doctor to see how things are going from my surgery in December and determine our next steps. I will also find out what grade I am teaching next year- something of which I have no input in. I'm really looking forward to both of these things, but I am also a wee bit nervous because both play a huge role in the future. I am a self admitted control freak and God is always teaching me to let Him be in control and rely on Him. This week I am getting that message loud and clear. Deep breathing and lots of prayers are on the lineup for the week! Here we go, let's see what is in store!

Saturday Antiquing

What a wonderful Saturday. My mom and dad came down and we went to my most favorite antique store- The Crazy Daisy. I had been thinking an Adirondack chair would be nice on the patio, so on a long shot I thought they might have one. Well, we ended up having great luck. I found not one,but two chairs.

If you know anything about antiquing you know there are days where you have great luck and days when you find nothing at all. The chairs are sturdy and definitely worth the $50 a piece they were asking for. As soon as I saw them I knew exactly what I would do with them. I had a vision. They had potential. A little sanding, some blue paint and a couple of outdoor pillows and they would be perfect. Think that Kenny Chesney song "My Old Blue Chair".

We loaded them up as well as a couple other finds (which I'll share later) and went to get the paint. After an hour or so of painting here is the finished project. Not bad for $100. And I would never tell my husband he is right- in fact I outright denied that they have a beach like quality.

Show me your cleaning tips

I think this might have been made for me over at Kelly's Korner . Y'all know how I love my cleaning. And i have lots of tricks and tips. I think I will give you my top 5:



1. Try to spread the cleaning out. If you have 5 free minutes don't just sit there polish something. The other day I was waiting on my friend to pick me up. She is a new mom and I have learned that being a new mom means you may not always be on time (at least she has an excuse- I have none). Anyway she was about 10 minutes late so I was able to start a load of laundry and run the vacuum on the 1st floor- not bad.

2. Candles- candles always make the house feel clean and fresh- I have summer scents, fall scents, and winter scents.

3. Open the windows and let the air in- it makes a huge difference.

4. I've decided that vinegar cures everything- smells, mildew, shower ick- you name it- vinegar cures it.

5. Clean from top to bottom- not bottom to top.

The other side of 10PM

Update: It is Thursday night at 11:32. I am still awake. I haven't seen this side of 10pm since... I can't remember when. That's what happens when you get up on the early side of 5:30am. Why- you might ask am I still up? Well, because I am a Kentucky girl born and raised and my CATS tipped off at 10:05. Our blood bleeds blue here. I swear. I will stay up till the end because I love the blue and white and because I already bought a Starbucks grande skinny soy latte with an extra shot of espresso for tomorrow. I promise I will be a good teacher tomorrow. But for tonight I am a Wildcat fan.

When is the last time you skipped?

I watched a little girl today. She came out of the lunch room and skipped into the bathroom. I stopped and thought to myself: when is the last time you skipped somewhere? She looks so carefree. I want that carefree feeling. So, I promised myself to make an effort to enjoy the simplicity in life. I played hopscotch with my girls. I had to take off my heels to do it right. Barefoot hopscotch- haven't done that in a while. I jumped- not stepped out of my car when I pulled into the garage. And at some point tonight I am going to skip. Not in front of anyone. I'm not that bold. But I bet that single act of skipping will bring me that carefree feeling. And if nothing else- it is a good leg workout. So, when is the last time you skipped. Give it a try. You may like the results.

Wordless Wednesday

I'm ready for fun...


in the sun... on a beautiful spring day.

Ms Mary Tyler's Peach Cobbler

It is almost Farmer's Market season. Love it! I still haven't found a Farmer's Market up here- and I just love the one at home so much. There is a wonderful older lady there who my parents have come to know well. She always puts back some of her best produce for them and when they stop by her booth they visit for awhile. Her name is Ms. Mary Tyler. She is one of the sweetest, most lively laddies I have met- plus she has some amazing produce. Especially her peaches.Oh how I love the peaches! I had some peaches frozen from last summer and decided to break them out this weekend and make Ms. Mary Tyler's peach cobbler recipe. Enjoy it warmed up with a bit of vanilla ice cream.

Part one completed

The framing is finished! After 2 Sundays of loud rock music, lots of tools (of which I have not much clue as to what they are), and a group of boys the framing on our basement is complete. All it took from me was mocha brownies, chocolate chip cookies, and sandwiches. Not a bad deal! Not sure when part 2 will begin (electrical) but I'm happy!

The aftermath... I'm thinking the pieces that are cut could make for some great craft projects!

I went shopping

I never do this but I went shopping 3 times in the past 2 weeks. I typically hate shopping. I bought good clothes for this spring/summer. I have plenty of cheaper shirts and such but they just don't hold up (shrink, stretch, or get holes). I went to Martain & Osa and The Loft. I am pleased! And I won't be going shopping again for a while. I never do this, so it was well worth it. Love my hubby- he encouraged it and when I freaked about the money I spent he said it was no big deal. Yay!

Chicken Recipe Number 2

Rosemary Alfredo Chicken

2 chicken breasts
1- 1 1/2 cup Alfredo sauce
1 1/2 teaspoon rosemary
1/2 teaspoon pepper

In a skillet add water to cover the bottom (healthier than butter or oil). Put chicken breasts in and add the remaining of the ingredients. Cook on medium heat until chicken breasts are done. Yummy and healthy.

Modeling for my students

As a teacher sometimes you have to model certain things for your kids. I had to model a personal narrative. Since I spent part of my Sunday afternoon writing this I thought I would share it with you. It is about the Polar Bear Plunge I did last year. As you are reading please know I have to play things up for the kids. Enjoy-it's a bit long

What was I thinking, this is ridiculous, I thought to myself. I was on the edge of a very shaky wooden boat dock, peering down into the murky, brown Ohio River. For the past hour and a half I had been waiting in line, freezing my tushy off for this moment. Now that I was at the long awaited moment, on that icy February, wearing nothing but a wet life vest, bathing suit, and swimming shoes I was starting to wish the moment would just pass me by.
The Polar Bear Plunge, have you ever heard of it? I knew about it for a while but nothing more than to point and laugh at all the crazy people who went plowing into the ice cold water in the middle of winter. In 2009 I had determined that I wanted to do something different, something nobody would ever expect me to do. I looked more into the Polar Bear Plunge and decided to give it a whirl. I was going to become one of those crazy people I had laughed at. After all, it was for a good cause. You see, people donated money to the Special Olympics if you jumped into that frigid water. So, I could kill 2 birds with one stone. I would do something unpredictable and I could raise money for a good cause. A couple months back my friend, Alisha and I pulled a team together and began to raise money. She had named us the “Toe Dippin Darlings”, which seemed appropriate to me since that is what I do even on the hottest summer days. There were 5 of us all together. We had arrived down at the Louisville waterfront early and checked in. Then we waited. As we waited a few snowflakes drifted form the sky. We stood in a huddle, trying to stay warm and keep our mind off of what was ahead of us. The line we were in seemed to move slowly, and I wondered if it would ever be our turn. There were tons of people in the line and all around the waterfront. Our husbands were there and a few friends from work. They had decided to come out and point and laugh, as well as offer some encouragement in our big endeavor.
Finally, we were at the front of the line. We had shed all our warm clothes and were standing shivering in our swim suits. Alisha and I looked at each other. That look said it all, we couldn’t go back now. We inched down the long pier slowly, like women about to meet their death. I wonder if I could ease myself into the water, then it wouldn’t be that bad AND I can keep my hair dry, I thought to myself. Two men who were working the event pushed that thought from my head when they stopped us and buckled us into the already dripping wet life vests. Ugh gross I thought as the damp fabric stuck to me. What warmth I had left was now gone. Goose bumps appeared on my entire body. Now, I was cold, or so I thought.
The two men who had put our vest on ushered us down the boat slip. Alisha and I were on the end, farthest away from the stairs out of the water. The rest of our group had lined up to our left. The man with the microphone shouted “3, 2,1, JUMP”. No one from our group jumped. Seriously I don’t like these people anymore. Not only had they taken the best spots nearest the exit from the water, but now they were not going to jump. Alisha and I looked at each other. I knew there would be no easing into the water now. We grabbed hands and jumped together. I remember hearing other splashes after I had hit the water and quickly thinking to myself, good the big chickens finally jumped. That thought vanished quickly as the impact of what I had done reached my brain. My head popped out of the water. Thank goodness for that cold life vest. My whole body began to tingle. It felt like little pins were poking me everywhere. It didn’t hurt, it actually made my body feel really awake. I later described this awake feeling as rejuvenating. I spit out nasty river water and began to swim as quickly as possible to the ladder. The tingles became more intense and it became a bit harder for my limbs to move in a fluid motion. My brain was screaming at my body to MOVE. Get out now! My legs and arms fought in an awkward motion. It had only been a minute but it felt like an eternity. Others around me were doing the same thing. Water was being splashed everywhere and cold sprays hit my face from time to time. A volunteer lowered a pole for Alisha to grab onto and pull out of. I waited, on the verge of pushing all the girls in front of me out of the way. The ladder was too crowded with all the chickens that wouldn’t jump the first time. I was about to lose my mind, I understood why people fought to get on the lifeboats at the Titanic. Giving up on the ladder I used my strength and pulled up on the boat dock instead. I was finally out.
Alisha had waited for me and we ran quickly together to the nearest mildly warm hot tub (it may have been warm earlier, but by the time we reached it most of the warmth was gone). Anything was better than the water we had just escaped. We laughed and talked about the bone chilling experience. We were so proud of ourselves. When I first started talking about the Polar Plunge no one thought I was serious. Those closest to me said “you wont do it”, or “I was crazy”, or “do you know how dirty that water is” and even “you don’t like to get your hair wet”. All of that was true, all except that I wouldn’t do it. I did do it. I did what no one expected me to do, and it felt good. Now, each year I have a goal to do something that no one would expect me to do, just because I know that I can. This year I’m thinking white water rafting.

One of the best views in the state

As I was driving to my parents this weekend I noticed it was one of my favorite times of year again. It is one of the hints of spring. The foals out in the field with their mommas. These aren't my pictures (I was driving and couldn't take any). I'll post my own sometime soon, but there is something about this scene that rejuvenates the soul!

My Cast Iron Skilelt

I bought the Pioneer Woman's cookbook the other day. I have tried her Mocha brownies twice now with rave reviews. I now want to try her buttered rosemary rolls . If they are anything like her brownies my mouth is already watering. The problem is I don't have an iron skillet. I was with my parents this weekend and saw some iron skillets at an antique show. I had mentioned to my dad that I needed one and would get one before we left. Unbeknownst to me my parents had my grandmother's iron skillets and weren't using them. So now I am the proud owner of my grandma's iron skillet (makes me feel closer to her). I didn't know what to do with it, so I had to call Anthony's mammaw (now my mammaw because I love her so much) to find out what it meant to season a skillet. Love her heart, of course she knew! In case you would like to try these yummy rolls or the pineapple upside down cake (which is in the Pioneer Woman's cookbook) and you are like me, you have no iron skillet and then you have no idea what to do with it, here is how you season an iron skillet- according to mammaw.

1. get a small amount of bacon grease (I like to make her proud and keep some in a mason jar in my fridge- i don't eat bacon- but the hubby does and I'm convinced I need to keep the extra grease in a jar- it is gross but it has finally come in handy)
2. rub it into the skillet using a paper towel
3. put the skillet on the stove on low or in the oven at a very low temperature for a few minutes
4. take it out of the oven and rub the extra grease from the pan (don't wash it out)
5. repeat this a few times
6. they should be washed briefly with a little soapy water and then rinsed and thoroughly dried
7.Never put cold liquid into a very hot cast iron pan or oven. They will crack

Big news at school

So, I've known for a while but now I can finally announce that I have no clue what grade I will be teaching next year. My school is going to be doing things a bit different next year. There will be straight grades, so instead of me teaching 3rd and 4th I will be teaching just one grade. We will also be using a couple of new programs. A math program called Everyday Math (which I have been a fan of for the past 2 years) and Core Knowledge (which seems super exciting). I am looking forward to all these changes, however I am a bit of a control freak. I know, I'm working on it. Anyway, I don't have a lot of input on what grade I will be teaching. It will be up to my principal. My kiddos however feel that they should pick where I teach. One of my sweet little girls raised her hand when we were discussing the new changes at morning meeting.
"I know why you shouldn't teach kindergarten" she said excitedly.
Why, I responded, anticipating some rational answer.
"Because you would be like this (moving her hands back and forth and raising her voice) "STOP MESSING UP MY CLASSROOM" .
I had to laugh and so did everyone else because she was right. I like a tidy room and those itty bitty kindergartners are like mini tornadoes. The rest of the day the kids were coming up with reasons why I shouldn't teach kindergarten (they wouldn't get my jokes, they can't tie their shoes, they have germs). Aww how I love my students, thy amuse me on a regular basis.

In My Free Time Painting

In My Free Time Painting
Specializing in child growth charts, and artwork
All artwork is customized, per your request.
Prices range from $25.00 - $50.00
graciejess@msn.com

*This is a flyer I put together for what I have said I would do forever, begin my painting as a buisness- for people besides my friends. Fingers crossed. I'm experimenting with a different type of growth chart too. Ill post when I finish.

Spring decorating

I have been working on some spring decorating.

This wreath was a must have TJ Maxx steal. It sums up some of my fave things!

Our chairs and table are a bit worn after years. I bought these pillows from Home Depot (and saved $40!). They add a perfect punch of color.

Our new project

These are the before pics of our unfinished basement. Looking at these it actually looks kind of creepy. Last weekend my sweet hubby and our sweet friends started the framing. They will finish the framing this weekend and then eventually we will move to he next phase. I'm thrilled to have a finished basement. It will be a place for all of Anthony's old college football memorabilia and our collection of UK gear. Our goal is before next Christmas, but we are hoping sooner. You know I can't wait to decorate.

Show me your fav charities

It is another "Show Us Your Life" over at Kelly's Korner. Today she is focusing on "your favorite charities". Well if I could I would donate to them all but I will pick one to highlight. It is called The Linus Project. Each year at my class Christmas party the students make fleece blankets for this organization. I love it because this charity works with other organizations and gets blankets to a variety of different children in need (children in hospitals, children who have parents in Iraq, children who have lost their belongings in fires, etc.). The other great thing is anyone can make these blankets (we make the fleece ones, but there are patterns for quilters and crocheters too) and it is a wonderful bonding experience in the mean time. Here is the mission statement form the website:

First, it is our mission to provide love, a sense of security, warmth and comfort to children who are seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise in need through the gifts of new, handmade blankets and afghans, lovingly created by volunteer “blanketeers.”

My first award

Yea! So exciting. Last week (yes I am just now getting time to write this) my sweet friend Caitlyn gave me my very first blog award. I'm super pumped about this.

Here are the stipulations:

1. List 6 things you are a master in.

2. Pass it on to 6 bloggers you think are masters in friendship, and make blogging so awesome.

6 things I am a master at: let me say that a master is in the eye of the beholder.
1. Snuggling. I love to snuggle at the end of a long day.
2. Baking- baking is what relaxes me. When I'm feeling stressed at the end of a long day I will bake my stress away and then share it with everyone else so I don't increase my pants size.
3. Organization and cleaning give me a basket or a binder and I'm in heaven. again very sad but true. I can't resist the smell of a newly polished house and vacuum marks to boot.
4. Creating a classroom community- I have tons to learn about teaching but my kids are all kind and respectful to each other and I have good connections with them.
5. Decorating- I may not be the best decorator but I am great at decorating on a budget and love to try new things out.
6. Loving my beagle- I will say I am a master at this. I know when she wants to walk, when she wants her ear scratched or when she wants to play. I am a great mommy of a beagle

And I'm passing it on to: (I just need another day or two to email these lovely ladies)

1. Bethany at http://www.jonathanandbethanymeacham.blogspot.com/ (a sorority sister and new mommy)


2. Alisha at http://arcau2123.blogspot.com/ (real life friend and walking buddy)


3. Page at http://mycrazyjoy.blogspot.com/ (work friend)


4. Kelly at http://www.kellyskornerblog.com/ (not sure we are blog friends but I do completely stalk her blog and love it- she has way too many followers to know who I am)


5. Abby at http://www.babblingabby.blogspot.com/ (another amazing blog I stalk)


6. and I really want to send it back to Caitlyn at http://cait-theblessedlife.blogspot.com/ (work friend)

Wordless Wednesday

As much as I hate recess in the cold weather I love recess and any other excuse to get outside when the sun is shining. Teaching outside is a must this time of year.

Dear Bachelor Watchers

Dear Bachelor Watchers,
Can we talk? I confess I was once a Bachelor Watcher. I have learned my lesson. I am wondering why you haven't. Have you not learned that he (or she) always goes for the idiot anymore? They never pick the one you want them to. This continues to happen. And every time it happens you are shocked and complain? You are getting SUCKED in. I want to help you. I have been in your shoes. I had to quit cold turkey. It's not easy. But I don't miss it all all now. Let's break it down. As much as you want him/or her to pick the "perfect one" they will not. If you need me to tell you this again, as you begin to get drawn into the next season I will be happy to do that for you. If you decide you can just not stop watching please don't be surprised when he picks the bad girl. It will happen.. let's not talk about it or Facebook it because I have done my part to warn you.
Thanks for Listening,
Jessie

Book review: Return to Sullivans Island

Just finished my latest book. Return to Sullivan's Island by Dorothea Benton Frank. Actually started it towards the end of the summer by the pool, but that pesky school had to start back, and suck up all my time. I have been committed to donating some of my time to reading again because I love it so much. I stayed awake way past my bedtime (11:00- pretty impressive for me) but it was worth it. I have read all of her books and this is her most recent one. Loved it as much as her others. Here's a summary of the book from Amazon. I'd write one myself but I'm sleepy from staying up too late last night and a jam packed schedule of parent conferences last night :

"Frank (Sullivan's Island) creates a world in which aspiring writer Beth Hayes, whose chirpy internal monologues and quiet uncertainties make her easily endearing, is as much a character as the house she lives in. After graduating from college in Boston, Beth returns to the South to spend a year house-sitting her family's home, Island Gamble, while her mother, Susan, visits Paris. Frank's portrayal of a large and complicated family is humorous and precise: there's Susan, adoring and kind; Aunt Maggie, a stickler for manners; twin aunts Sophie and Allison, who run an exercise-and-vitamin empire; and uncles Timmy and Henry, the latter of whom has ties to Beth's trust fund. Frank's lovable characters occasionally stymie her pace; there's almost no room left for Beth's friends or her love affairs with sleazy Max Mitchell and cherubic Woody Morrison, though these become important later on. Frank is frequently funny, and she weaves in a dark undercurrent that incites some surprising late-book developments. Tight storytelling, winsomely oddball characters and touches of Southern magic make this a winner."

Show me your typical day

It is another "Show Us Your Life" over at Kelly's Korner. Today she is focusing on "What is your typical day like". So... here we go...I might get a bit detailed...my typical school day...

• 5-5:30 wake up and get ready for work (short workout if I'm lucky, read the Bible)


• 7:30 school starts


• 7:30-2:30 Teach. Teach. Teach. Hear my name Mrs.__________ a thousand times. Laugh. Remind myself to breathe... and eat. Pray to God that I make it through the day. Hope that I am getting through to their sweet little heads. Smile. Thank God when I see a kid growing from what I have taught them. Hugs. High fives. Another deep breath as I send them back home. Prepare to start all over again tomorrow.


• 2:30-5:30 Meetings, tutoring, or prep for tomorrow


• 4:00-6:00 Home. Yea. walk the dog (if I'm lucky), dinner, workout (if I'm lucky), make dinner. Wednesdays Bible Study. Snuggle with my hubby


• 9:00-10:00 time for bed. I'm getting old.

My classroom where I spend most of my time August-May.

*Special note: I love my life, and my job, but I am also grateful for the summers (and weekends)- when my schedule is nothing like this and the pool is an almost daily event.

Life isn't a race

Have ya'll noticed there are times in your life that you seem to be in a race. Like all the time. A race to graduate high school, and college. Then a race to get married, and have a baby. Later, maybe you are racing to retire. And if you go back farther there was the race to your first boyfriend or the chance to drive. You may not have experienced all of these but maybe a couple. I have. I am amazed when I hear myself say "I wish I were back in college" or "life was easier in elementary school". We can spend our lives waiting and racing to the "next thing". 2 years ago we began to race for the next step of having a baby. Two years later I realize that life is not a race. No, we haven't had our baby but we will on God's time. And it will be indescribable. That is when all the best things happen, on God's time. And in the mean time I'm having a great time just being married and enjoying the time with my husband. So, what are you racing to? Stop and think about the good rewarding things in your current stage of life. Enjoy it. There is no need to rush it... It goes by fast enough.

Chicken Recipe Number 1

At our house my hubby is a "red meat and potato" type of guy and I am a "no red meat or pork" kind of girl. I could eat fish, fruits, veggies every night of the week. Because of this we have to compromise most nights or else I would be fixing 2 separate meals every night. I have to say there are nights when I do this too because it makes me happy that he likes my cooking. to my point. We can only have chicken so many different ways, so lately I have tried to get creative. I thought I would start to post some of the recipes as I go along. Who knows what this will turn into. I'll start to take pictures too. I didn't think of posting it on here until the chicken was already devoured.

I call this one: Herb Crusted Chicken (like that? I just came up with it)
2 chicken breast (boneless, skinless)
1 garlic clove
1 teaspoon basil
1-2 teaspoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese
sprinkle salt and pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Dice the garlic clove into several pieces and place the pieces on the side of the chicken that is up. Add 1/2 a teaspoon of basil, 1/2 the lemon juice, 1 tablespoon of Parmesan and salt and pepper. Cook for 15 minutes. Flip and add the remaining ingredients to the other side of the chicken. Take the garlic and add it to the other side as well as salt and pepper. Put the chicken back in the oven and bake for 15 more minutes. Eat and enjoy.

Wordless Wednesday

Summer vacay is booked (thanks to mom and dad). We are beach bound this summer!We will be staying at a new beach for us (Tybee Island, GA). It is super close to Savannah, which is a favorite of mine. Woohoo! Sun and sand here I come.

Yumm

I have to start this post by pointing out that this is my 201st post. When I started this blog I never thought that I would actually keep up with it. Today I have to be honest. I am more than ready for spring, but since this snow keeps on appearing I am finding other ways to bring a bit of spring into my life. I am over the moon that the grocery store is starting to get in fresh summer fruit. Three of my favorites (that are taking up my refrigerator) are strawberries, blueberries, and clementines. How can you not feel the onset of spring with yummy fruits like that? I am literally eating 4 clementines a day (literally I have 2 bags in my fruit bin), plus strawberries or blueberries for a dessert. Ahhh... I can almost feel the spring sunshine. And with the sunshine brings even more yummy fruits for me to devour.

Our Weekend ramblings

I don't have anything specific to tell you about and I may ramble a bit because I am currently watching the NFL combine, which I find interesting. We had a busy weekend. Saturday was the usual cleaning, and then I indulged myself in reading a "for fun" book (I only have another 200 or so pages- I'll share it with you when I'm finished- it's a good one). Of course I hate to mention it but we also watched the UK game and it ended up being our second loss of the season- nonetheless we still love the CATS. After the game we went to Matthew's 1st birthday party. He is John and Mandy's youngest, and the most laid back, sweetest thing! The party was at the cabin and the whole theme was too cute, I especially love the shirts (Camp Schmidt- they had their names on the back with 1.0 (John's dad "The Duke"), 2.0 (John "The Sequel") , and 3.0 (Matthew "The Boy").

After the party, since my hubby camped out with the boys in the crazy cold weather I went to hang out with a couple of the girls for a much needed girl's night. Thank you Rosmond and Mandy! Sunday was helping out at church and then making the growth charts I have been promising to make for Jenny's boys for almost forever.

In the afternoon we ran to the mall- I was out of my favorite, must have Clinque peony blush, and then went to visit the newest baby addition to our clan of friends. Angela and Jay welcomed Kendall Grace into the world 2 weeks ago. She is precious- especially precious when Anthony was holding her and she farted all over him the entire time. Love it!

Phew, long weekend... can it just be one more day? Next weekend begins a BIG house project. Stay tuned for pictures.