Friday, March 25, 2011

My New Favorite Movie

I blogged earlier in the week about my stress and stuff going on bugging me.  Tonight I was supposed to get together with my daughter, but she was really busy and my boys were camping with the boy scouts so I decided to take matter into my own hands and go to a movie.  I called my best friend (who plans everything on a calendar) at close to 6 o'clock to see if she wanted to go to a movie at 6:45.  I thought it was a long shot since she was having pizza night with her family but I was delighted when she said yes.  

I really wanted to see this movie for many reasons and one of them is that it is based in my hometown in North Carolina and also because Andie MacDowell is the leading role and she also lives in NC.  Those were the two superficial reasons, but really I wanted to see it because it is about organ donation and how lives can be saved by donating organs.  To my surprise the movie is also a great testimony of faith and how God's plan is so much more than we can imagine.  What an unexpected blessing!

I loved this movie as a mother, christian, and nurse, and I hope it will open dialogue between parents and their children about peer pressure and between all of us about person choices regarding organ donation.  I am not trying to talk anyone into it because it is a very personal choice, but I want my family to know (as I have told them many times) that I have spent my life helping others and nothing would make me happier than to know I could still do it even in my death. 

I hope this wonderful movie comes to a theater near you because it is my new favorite in addition to Facing the Giants, The Blind Side, Like Faith and Potatoes, Fireproof, Flywheel, etc.   If you go, don't forget the tissues.

http://the5thquartermovie.com/

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Meltdown week


Today started out as one of those hairy kind of days -- you know the type when every little thing that can happen will happen. It started with a sneezing fit after I just applied mascara - you know that was just lovely.  Then Bryan could not find his homework that I needed to sign so he started melting down.  I then choked on orange juice and coughed to the point of tears, but not before dripping jelly down the front of my shirt.  (Those new Shout wipes worked!)  After we were already late and too far to turn back Bryan realized he forgot his reading book.  Now as I type this it doesn't sound so bad, but when the clock was ticking this morning and he was stressed then I became stressed things just got "hairy."  As soon as I dropped him off I started praying and thankfully my day improved.  There have been a lot of changes in my life that have just caused me additional stress and today the little things just really got to me.  Two days ago I came home and started crying for no "current" reason because I just felt the weight of all the recent changes in my life and I reached my breaking point.  I think I will spend some much needed time to taking care of myself in the next few days because I deserve it~~

Sunday, March 20, 2011

Movie Review


The Grown Ups


I love a good laugh and I love comedies, but it takes a lot to actually hear me laugh at a movie. Sure I may find it really funny yet you still won't really see me laugh out loud - this movie was different. I was afraid it would be that kind of stupid funny that annoys me mores than it makes me laugh but it was not like that at all. Maybe because my husband and I could relate due to our ages, maybe we were just ready for a good laugh - I really don't know, but we laughed ourselves nearly to death!!! At one point I could not open my eyes because I was laughing so hard and could not stop! I hope you will enjoy it as much as we did.

Saturday, March 19, 2011

Productive Weekend




Things I accomplished this weekend in random order:

Planned meals for the week, laundry, cleaned house, sprayed for weeds, organized bills, cleaned out car, spot-cleaned carpet, returned carpet samples, exchanged jacket for another size and it was one sale so I SAVED money, browsed Bath and Body works (got new candle and soap for kitchen), painted nails, used new 1-minute manicure scrub (yum), sat and enjoyed sunshine, watched Bryan play basketball, donated stuff to Goodwill, yelled at husband because I am having PMS, laughed when he called me on it, purged Bryan's summer clothes, washed lots of dishes, laundry (bears repeating), cleaned out garage, re-purposed an old hoosier chest to a functionable (is that even a word) and cute potting bench, blogged, facebooked, read magazines, actually painted my fingernails, shaved my legs (hey it's been cold outside and finally worth mentioned, browsed consignment shop (left happy that I didn't buy anything), watched planes flying in sky, called bff, ate M&M's that I let warm on the hood of car while I cleaned garage (sneaky), bought a beautiful $5 scarf at Walgreens of all places when I stopped for hairspray, slept in, missed my favorite home tour in town- but got a whole heck of a lot of stuff done!!! And it is still daylight on Saturday so I have another WHOLE day left!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YIPPEY!!! I love sunshine and warm weather and the time change...really the end.

This Week's Meals

Since I have change schedules I have had a really hard time staying on top of my meal planning and have ended up frustrated and eating out more than I really want to admit. This week I am going to try to use my blog to help me. I am going to try to plan my meals here and it will also help me to look back and see what worked and what didn't. I have found having some ideas helps me shop and have things thawed, but trying to plan for each day does not because I still want flexibility. Anyway here goes....


Pioneer Woman's Sour Cream Bake
http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2011/03/sour-cream-noodle-bake/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+pwcooks+%28The+Pioneer+Woman+Cooks!%29


Chicken Pie


Meatloaf


I always serve meatloaf with mashed potatoes....ALWAYS!

Salmon Patties

My husband hates these so I will plan them for a night he is working :-)


I don't have a "recipe" for these, but basically I just take a can of salmon (Double Q is what I buy) and drain off the juice. I then mash all the contents of can with my fingers until a smooth consistency. Some people remove the little bones, but I was taught by the good old southern goods that those are the source of calcium and meant to be "smooshed." I then add just one egg and enough flour to make the mix thick enough to form into patties. Fry in canola oil until crispy on each side. I make a white gravy to put over these and the mashed potatoes that I usually serve with them. Yummy!

Chocolate Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting


Okay- it's from a box and I am not ashamed - it's that good!

One night my son has guitar practice so we usually go out for a casual meal. My grill is out of commission right now so I can't use it. I hope to get one for Mothers Day.

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Kitchen Tool




This is a handheld colander aka strainer by the Giada DeLaurentiis at Target for $14.99. I love it!!! I have used it numerous times already. Isn't it funny how some simple little thing can just make life easier.

I will try to post some recipes soon. Last week just knocked the wind out of us.

Saturday, March 12, 2011

Today


When cleaning today I realized Sam's bowls were still in the kitchen floor. They have been there so long I never even thought about them until doing my floors today. They still had food and water in them since he did not eat in his final days. I was just reflecting on the little ways that people and pets are woven into our daily lives. I love you S.A.M. (named after Scot, Anita and Meredith when we got him)

I hope you are playing and having a great day in heaven today. We love you.

Mom

P. S. Mom still has a lot to learn about enlarging photos for my blog.

Baked Rice Pudding with Raisins


This is an old fashioned dish that my grandmother made when I was a little girl. I am not a huge fan of raisins, but I use them and like them in this dish.

2 eggs
1/2 c. sugar
1 t. vanilla
1/4 t. salt
2 c. milk, scalded
1 1/4 c. cooked rice
1 c. raisins

Mix and bake at 325 for one hour.

Thursday, March 10, 2011

SAM


This has been a bad year for us when it comes to pets.  My daughter's dog Reece was a few months ago and a kitten we had was run over by a car a few months before that.  Today our beloved SAM had went to be with Jesus. SAM was my first birthday gift from my husband when we were dating in 1995.  His name is an acronym for Scot Anita and Meredith.  We have had him longer than my son who is now 12.  Forgive my photo because I am not technically inclined when it comes to uploading or even taking photos.  Sam has been a great dog!! As a sheltie he had some unique habits because they have such keen hearing.  He always barked when the oven door opened, aluminum foil was opened, doorbells, ironing board being set up and taken down, etc.   In his early years that was quite annoying, but it because him unique quality.  He was the most genuine loving dog and companion you could ever ask for.  He was healthy most of his life with three exceptions.  In our last house when he was young he was bitten by a snake when stepping on wet leaves and had to be hospitalized for a few days of antibiotics.  About five years ago he was just walking normally and suffered a torn ACL joint and had major surgery to repair it.  He healed well from that, but could not go up and down stairs and jump onto the couch or into the car, but still otherwise healthy.   In June of 2009 Sam developed medical problems that were totally new for him.  He started having seizures and developed lipomas (tumors) under his belly.  They gave him less than 6 months to live then.  Sam is a fighter and defied the odds.  His lifestyle changed and he became quieter and he spent more time resting like an elderly dog should, but he would still walk to the door when he needed to go out and bark one time when he was ready to come back in.  Walking became more and more difficult and my husband built him his own ramp for the two steps off our deck and SAM continued to be able to walk slowly when needed.   We knew the time was nearing the end this past week when he stopped eating and drinking and became much more lethargic.  My loving husband spent the last two nights sleeping on the floor with him so he would not be alone and he is now preparing his resting place.  It is hard to see your loved ones grieve.  Our wonderful dog Sam is now with Jesus running and barking like he used to and I know we will see him again.

On a side note, Bryan has been sick ALL week so hopefully he will be better soon too!

Friday, March 4, 2011

Exercise

This is my treadmill covered in my husband's clothes.

This is what I should be doing on the treadmill right now instead of blogging :)


Tonight I was checking blogs and when I read Sarah at www.memoriesoncloverlane.blogspot.com she really spoke to me (as she usually does).  She is watching movies while walking on the treadmill.  Why didn't I think of that.  No wonder I can't get motivated to get on that darn thing- I get bored would rather blog.  This eating and blogging thing has about gotten the best of my waistline.  I must get walking again - SOON!!  I have a fundraiser type walk coming up in several weeks and I really want to do a 5K this year if I can get my brain and body to both be on the same page for more time than it takes to write this post.  My problem is that I have great intentions, and then I get lazy and don't follow through like I did when I was young.  My body needs it now more that ever and I let it down day after day.  Hopefully writing this post will help.

Thursday, March 3, 2011

I'm ready.....

I love tulips...they are so beautiful.

Forsythia shrubs are a sure sign that winter is almost over.

My Bradford Pears (9 total) are pretty and different all 4 seasons.

I love daffodils.  The ultimate spring flower.
Of course this is necessary when I start seeing all my beautiful signs of spring until about mid May.  I will inevitably suffer a sinus infection no matter what I do, but I try to enjoy the season the rest of the time.

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Groceries


Do you ever have those times when you cabinets, fridge and freezer are full, but you are lacking ONE thing to make anything you can think of?????  That is my week!  I put off going to the store this weekend and this week my hodgepodge of ingredients are making it impossible for me to plan meals.  I knew better, but I let it happen anyway- lesson learned...again.

Make up

You may remember that I used the same mascara brand since I began wearing makeup because it was the BEST.  Of course it has been discontinued and now I can't seem to find one that doesn't disappoint.  My former mascara was smudgeproof, waterproof, everything proof- it did not budge EVER!!  Now every brand I try flakes and disappears (even waterproof) by the end of the day.  It is driving me crazy because I like to put on makeup and it last ALL day despite what the day may hold.  Currently my pencil eyeliner that is also supposed to be waterproof is also failing.  My face gets oily as the day goes on and the brands I find now just slide right off and I need you help.   Please share any brands you have had success with if you have a similar problem. Some people are lucky and never seem to have these issues, but not me.  Any help is appreciated.
 

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