Baking Success

My husband L-O-V-E-D those cheese squares! Another cooking success under my belt! I remember why those things only come out once a year. Oh, they are super simple to make, but man are they irresistible. Today we had fun eating lunch together as a family, browsing in the local Army/Navy surplus store, and then I made a trip to Wal-Mart sans the men.

Confession - I used to be a shopaholic. No, not as bad as the lady from the movie, but, I used to have a hard time saying "no" to things at Wal-Mart. The little things always got me. Crazy, right? Well, tonight when I went, I only bought exactly the three items on my list plus the one item that my husband requested. I didn't buy any storage bins for my shoes (which I need to organize the master bedroom closet) because I remembered that we have some empty ones in the garage that I can take over. I didn't buy any new shoes because I do not need any. I did not buy any of the $5 movies because we don't need them. I did not buy that second drying rack for clothes that can't go in the dryer. It felt GREAT! There was a great sense of accomplishment and my husband was very proud.

My next task is go log on to my bank account and transfer the change from my purchases to my savings account. Bank of America does this, but, I am not a BOA member. I just started this today and plan to continue it into 2010. Well, I am off for tonight. I will post some new pictures tomorrow. Happy New Year!!!!!!!

buzzzzzzzzzzzzzzing around the bedroom,
the busy bee

In a baking sort of mood

Good New Year's Eve to you! I am in a baking kind of mood today. Homemade chocolate chip cookies and cheese squares are on the agenda. I have everything for the cookies except for the chips and a few of the ingredients needed for those yummy cheese squares. So, a Publix run is in order. I also have to unload the dishwasher and load it back up and put the laundry away. Fun times. With a little motivational music, it's all good.

If the weather holds out, my men want to go camping tonight. I love to see them smile. My husband's smile ignites my soul and my son's smile warms my mommy heart. Other than those few things, nothing too profound or exciting going on in the busy bee's household today.

Wow!

This is a photo that I took back in October of 2007. It is from the boat and I was just learning to use my Nikon camera. In fact, I believe that this is from the first "roll" of film that I used. No, it isn't a film camera, but I have the habit of calling them rolls.

My husband and I were out fishing and exploring that day. It is hard to believe that we have been married for three years. It seems as though we have always been together and I believe our souls truly have been. I am just feeling a little nostalgic. It's hard to comprehend everything that has happened or changed in the world in the last ten years.

Ten years ago, people were worrying about Y2K and if at the stroke of midnight, Jesus would return. I was very ill on New Year's Even of 1999. I don't remember much of it because I was so sick. At that time, I lived in Lakeland and was about to start my second semester as a junior at Southeastern College (now Southeastern University). My fever was extremely high, my parents were at their home in Riverview, and my ex-inlaws were visiting from Mississippi. I can remember just laying on the couch, slipping in and out of sleep.

Ten years ago, my husband was backpacking on the Appalachian trail and stopped for the night in a shelter along the trail. It was cold so he bundled up under his sleeping bag and was then bitten by a rattle snake. He was obviously extremely ill and he was alone. I have seen the picture that he took of himself just in case he passed away and someone could find the picture to use as identification. We were miles away from one another, states away from each other, and we were both sick. How amazing is that? He was dating other people and I was married to someone else, however, I believe that our souls were bound together in such a way that even then we felt what the other was feeling.

Over the past decade I have had many blessings and many hurdles to jump. Even when my faith wavered, I knew that I was not alone and that God was there the whole time. My husband was not really alone during that rattle snake bite. He protected his life and watched over him while no one else could. For that, I am eternally thankful.

I believe that the next ten years are going to be among the best of our lives.

Buzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz,
the busy bee

25 totally random facts about me

1. I can smell the rain before it comes and it smells wonderful. I can do the same with the fall.
   
2. I think thunderstorms are beautiful.
3. I am not afraid of hurricanes. They are nature's clean up crew.
4. I have never seen snow.
5. I once owned over 150 pairs of shoes but have cut it down to about 20.
6. I am petrified of heights...that is why I am only 5'3" tall. lol
7. I used to want to be a belly dancer at Busch Gardens when I was a little girl.
8. Writing is very therapeutic for me. I keep a handwritten journal and I blog daily.
   
9. Creativity is one of my greatest passions. When it is stifled, I feel like I can not breathe.
   
10. I firmly believe that people should be screened or have a parenting permit before they are allowed to have children.
11. I can not stand "fake" people. Be real. Be yourself.
12. The first time I went camping, I was twenty-eight years old.
13. I have never smoked anything. That is something that I am proud of. People that I love dearly have passed away from the effects of smoking.
14. Despite adamant objections, I learned to cook after I moved out of my parents house. Now, I love to cook.
    
15. There are times that I can not sleep because my mind will not "turn off".
16. I think "too much".
    
17. Teaching is the best job that I have ever had. I plan to do it until I retire.
18. My very first job was at a men's clothing store. I was hired to stand at the front of the store and attract customers. Glamorous, I know.
    
19. I love hair, make-up, manicures, pedicures, and jewelry.
    
20. My thirtieth birthday was my best birthday ever. A close second would be my trip to Atlanta to the Coca-Cola museum.
21. I collect Coach and Vera Bradley.
22. My iPod, cell phone, and iBook are my prized possessions.
23. As an only child, there are times that I get "people overload" and I just want to go somewhere and be alone.
24. I have social anxiety disorder and fear that no one really likes me.
25. When I read, it is like watching a movie in my head. Each character has a distinct voice and when I watch the movie of the book, I am almost always disappointed.
    

A tip for adding music to your iPod or MP3 player.

For those of you that know me well, you know that I absolutely love music. My whole life is one giant soundtrack. If I hear a song, I am immediately transported to a particular place in time. I can remember what was happening at the time, what the people around me were wearing, the scents in the air, and the different emotions I was feeling. Given the choice between music and television, I would choose music hands down.

My musical taste is very eclectic. Itunes is one of the best places on the internet (in my humble opinion), and if money were no object, I would spend thousands of dollars there without blinking an eye. In fact, I play my iPod at work on a daily basis and the kids love it. I have found that music soothes the children and gets them in a learning frame of mind. It is good for "transitions", background sound while they work in centers, or for just being silly and dancing around on "fun Fridays".

About a year and a half ago, I realized that I could go to the library and check out cds. These cds could be burned onto my computer and added to my iTunes library. What a great money saver! That is another little tip that I have shared with friends. Of course you can preview the music at the iTunes store, but, it is only about a thirty second clip. With a cd from the library, you can listen to the whole song and decide if it is iPod worthy or not. For those of you who may think that library cds are not current...wrong! They are! You can even request/put a hold on a certain cd that you are looking for. Sometimes they have music that the iTunes store does not carry.

Because I have so many albums on my iPod, the smartest thing for me to do is take the device with me and double check to make sure that I do not already "own" it. My husband is proud of the money that I save (that is such a good feeling as well) and I am proud of the music library that I am growing.

If you haven't tried it, put together a musical montage of your life. You just might be surprised at what comes out. Remember to make a joyful noise, and be proud of it!

Bragging on my man

I really need to brag on my husband. He is a wonderful man and he is so good to David and me. He truly has the patience of Job. If you don't know that story, look it up in your Bible. My eighth grade English teacher, Mrs. Conover, told me that my husband would have to have the patience of Job. She was so right. I will have to talk about her really soon. Anyway, not to get off track.....

Today I had an accident with my camera printer. One of my issues is that I like to pull a "Rachael Ray" and carry more than one thing at a time. I told you she was my girl. Well, the hall closet has been cleaned, organized, labeled, and turned into pristine condition. I wanted to print some pictures to add to a new photo album I received for Christmas, however, I also wanted to pick up a box of baggies so my husband could store some things. Anyway, I had both of them in hand and bashed my thumb. The photo printer hit the floor and is need of repair. My thumb and perfectly manicured fingernail are in tact (woot woot) for those who care.

Thank God my husband is a master craftsman and can fix just about anything. I swear that man is a genius! He really is! He is my IT man, my handy man, my best friend, and my lover. Instead of yelling or getting angry with me, my husband looked at me and asked as only a shrink can do, what I needed to learn from that experience. I learned to carry one thing at a time unless I am carrying in groceries, Wal-Mart bags, or various other non-important things. That is another one of his great qualities. Being married to a shrink isn't so bad after all. Live and learn. As long as you learn from your mistakes, it's all good.

OOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHH! Three contractor sized garbage bags thrown out and waiting for the trash man along with an extra coffee table that we do not need. If any of you know where we live, and want a free coffee table, come by after dark (if it lasts that long). That way no one sees you picking it up from the side of the road.

Bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzing off to the library,
The busy bee

Purging before the New Year!

My grandmother used to say that however the new year caught your house, that is how it would be for the rest of the new year. Is this true? I am not sure, however, last year I had laundry that needed to be put away and this year I struggled more than ever with putting the fresh laundry away. Coincidence? (Insert Twilight Zone theme song here)

This year, we have already been through one "purge" of our belongings. It felt good to rid ourselves of all of the excess "stuff" in our home. As I sit here looking around, it looks like another purge may be in order. How can three people accumulate so many things? Where does it all come from? Does it breed in the closets and drawers during the night?

The plan is to load up the contractor sized garbage bags and haul them to Good Will or leave it for the garbage man to collect tomorrow. Of course, this depends on the contents of the bags. Our family has so much to do with a limited amount of time to accomplish the task.

Next post, the results of the big purge.

Bzzzzzzzzzzzing around the house,
The busy bee