Tangerine (Project 365/2010)

You have no idea how excited I am to see these on my counter, rather than the old ones we've had since in 1998. I really think the Tangerine color is going to stand out. :)

Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY...March 30th

Outside my window...night has fallen.

I am thinking...what a busy day it was today.

I am thankful for...the wonderful shopping day we had today.

I am wearing...jeans and a T-shirt.

I am remembering...how Dylan tried on a pair of girl's shoes in Stride Rite. LOL

I am creating...nothing.

I am going...to veg the rest of the night.

I am reading...Dear John by Nicholas Sparks.

I am hoping...Peyton feels better soon.

On my mind...Easter!

Noticing that...I suck! Wish we would have been able to make it back to Angelique's for Annie's birthday, but life gets in the way.

Pondering these words...when it rains it pours.

From the kitchen...sandwiches for dinner, as it really was a LONG day.

Around the house...tiredness.

One of my favorite things...having a family outing like today.

A few plans for the rest of the week: last week of Spring Break.

From my picture journal...This will be me when I get to Heaven. tee hee

Stride Rite (Project 365/2010)

This morning we took a trip down to Victoria Gardens to buy some sandals for Peyton and Dylan. While I was paying (an arm and a leg for my wide width kids' shoes), I turned around to find Hubby putting Peyton's shoes back on her like this. ROFLMBO My Hubby is so talented. :)

Before & After (Project 365/2010)

One of the goodies we bought with our tax refund this year was a MUCH needed Hoover SteamVac. We put it to the test in the living room, where we have an area with a few stains. Here are the before and after shots (Hubby put the couch back before I could grab the same after shot). I got to say, well worth the purchase.

Earth Hour (Project 365/2010)

The kiddos were super disappointed that we missed Earth Hour last night, so I promised we would do it tonight. At 8:30 our lights went off, and candlelight was the only light in the house, well, with the occasional flash from my camera. Dylan and Peyton played Elefun, while Hubby, Cameron, and I played a couple games of Yahtzee.

Menu Plan Monday

This week is leftover and cleaning out the fridge/pantry week. Every meal will be something I can throw together, and use up what we have on hand.

The Grove (Project 365/2010)

I have wanted to drive down to The Grove since after Christmas, when I learned that American Girl Place was down there. This morning I got up and decided today was the day. Totally regret it this time tonight (nursing a migraine right now), but totally love the goodies I bought Peyton for her American Girl Bitty Baby, we affectionately named Molly. Peyton kept calling her Baby Dollie, so Molly seemed a suitable substitute. Anyhow, I hated the drive and the freeways, but LOVED seeing the Hollywood sign, and the beautiful houses we passed on the way. Peyton fit right in, Ms. Hollywood herself, in her sunglasses, and baby carrier with Molly. We ate at Maggiano's and the food was delicious, but for the price, would have been nice if they included a salad. Olive Garden has definitely spoiled me. After American Girl we stopped into Pottery Barn Kids...too cute! After salivating over the cuteness in Pottery Barn, I walked into Janie and Jack, but walked right back out as it was a small shop, with which I could have dropped some serious money in. he he he Finally off to the Apple store, where I got my hands on a MacBook Pro, and cried as I left it in the store. ;) FYI, Dylan SOOOO did NOT enjoy the stairs in Apple, and came down on his butt. HILARIOUS!

Kung Fu Panda (Project 365/2010)

Dylan has been on a Kung Fu Panda kick recently. This evening he showed his moves off. LMBO

The Last of It (Project 365/2010)

The last of my order came in today. Woo-Hoo! I received the griddle/grill pan, a glass roaster and serving bowl, a bubble and brown set, and ramekins. I am so excited and can't wait to entertain using all my new stuff. :) Whose coming to dinner first?

Trip to the ER (Project 365/2010)

Wasn't feeling the greatest last night. Decided to go in the bedroom and take my blood pressure, it was high. I took it a few more times, and decided I better make a trip to the ER. After a series of tests, the doctor found gallstones. Seriously doesn't shock me. My aunt was about my age when she had her gallbladder out. My grandmother and mother both had theirs out in the last 18 months. I guess it's my turn now. I'm going to try and hold off on the surgery until after school is out, but since I never want to feel like that again (it was TERRIBLE), if I have another flare up, I will be getting the gallbladder out ASAP! I finally got home from the ER around 4:30 am, and have been dozing off and on all day long. Thank God Hubby is on Spring Break right now.

Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY...March 23rd

Outside my window...Cameron needs to pooper scooper.

I am thinking...about how a little Windex and FlyLady's purple microfiber clothes (Rag in a Bag) FINALLY cleaned my slider with hardly any effort from me. A-MA-ZING!

I am thankful for...Spring Break!

I am wearing...sweat capris and t-shirt (same thing I was wearing last week).

I am remembering...Mandelyn.

I am creating...nothing of importance.

I am going...to try Peyton's new clothes on her this evening.

I am reading...Dearly Devoted Dexter by Jeff Lindsay.

I am hoping...to make enough money on ebay (and our yard sale) to get a professional bloggy makeover.

On my mind...Biggest Loser casting call next Saturday.

Noticing that...the toys in the playroom need a good decluttering.

Pondering these words...But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash. Matthew 7:26-27

From the kitchen...Apple Pie.

Around the house...nap time...and I'm going to read once I've finished this.

One of my favorite things...Cameron's scaredy catness like his Mama's. LMBO

A few plans for the rest of the week: beach, reading, cleaning, and get ready for a visit from out of state family.

From my picture journal...my van reached 50,000 miles last week, and it won't be 5 years old until July!

What's on Your Nightstand ~ March

This time next month all but one book will be gone from this pile. Woo-Hoo! Technically, there will be 2 books, as my Bible is always on my nightstand as well. :) The Busy Mom's Devotional is a year read, so you'll see it every month in a pile of books I'm currently reading. I'm looking forward to the other pile of books I have, waiting for me to crack them open. I better keep up if I'm going to get through my list for Spring Reading Thing 2010. Happy Reading!

Peyton Goes to the Dr (Project 365/2010)

Doesn't Peyton look like she's going places? She is so funny to me. She never leaves the house without her purse and gwasses, and she has quite a gwasses collection right now. :) This morning she and Dylan had Doctor appointments. Peyton never got her 2 year check-up because of craziness with Doctor leaving our medical group, switching medical groups, only to be told that "this, that, and the other" and change it to this medical group. You know, red tape crap. I deal enough with it because of Cameron, and don't get me sstarted on that, because all that hoopla we were going through, seriously messed Cameron's endo appointments up. Grrrrrr. Peyton weighed in at 35 3/4 pounds. Dylan...wait for it...weighed in at 36 1/4 pounds. ROFLMBO Dylan was having a recheck from his swollen glands last week, plus his Kindergarten paperwork had to be filled out. KINDERGARTEN. Oh how my babies grow up so fast. sniff sniff

More Packages (Project 365/2010)

Cameron came to tell me, "UPS is here again. You have more packages." I smiled and answered my door. I'm still missing a few more packages, but was SUPER excited to see my stainless steel pots and pans make it today. YEA!

Gwasses (Project 365/2010)

Peyton has quite a collection of gwasses. Tonight we were all wearing them with her. Upon seeing this picture she said, "Ahhhh...see Daddy with gwasses, so cute!" My baby is growing up too fast. sniff sniff

Menu Plan Monday

Sunday ~ Tacos (& Movie Night w/ Grandma - going to watch "Old Dogs")

Monday ~ Grilled Lobster, Wild Rice, Steamed Veggies, & Cheddar Bay Biscuits

Tuesday ~ Crunchy Parmesan Chicken Tenders, Sweet Potato Fries, & The Lady's Coleslaw

Wednesday ~ Marinated Grilled Flank Steak w/ BLT Smashed Potatoes and Corn on the Cob

Thursday ~ Spaghetti, Salad & Garlic Buns

Friday ~ Citrus-Garlic Roasted Chicken, Roasted Red Potatoes, & Steamed Veggies

Saturday ~ Schoolhouse Wrap using leftover Citrus-Garlic Chicken and Fruit Salad

New Moon (Project 365/2010)

I jumped right in the car this morning and headed over to Target to pick up my copy. tee hee Tonight's Family Fun Night is a showing of New Moon, where we'll also break out the new popcorn seasoning I purchased for such events. Even my boys are excited about watching it. Can't wait!

Spring Reading Thing 2010

It's that time again! As I sit here writing this post, I realize I have been on blogger for almost 2 years. AMAZING! Spring Reading Thing and my blogoversary come hand in hand, and when I see Katrina publish her first Spring Reading Thing post, I get giddy inside. However, this year I'm also riddled with guilt over not finishing Fall Into Reading 2009. I never even wrote my final post about it. Cameron had just begun his sneaking, his blood sugars were SUPER high, and I was worried about the possibility of him being hospitalized. I even cancelled Halloween (our favorite holiday) and Peyton's Halloween Birthday Party. :(

Fast forward now to Spring. I am torn about the weather getting warmer. I enjoy the beautiful, vibrant colors of Spring, although here in the desert, we go straight to Summer. In just a few short weeks we will be reaching the 90's and I'll be HATING life. What I look forward to most in the Spring are the longer daylight hours (THANK YOU Daylight Savings) and Katrina's, over at Callapidder Days, Spring Into Reading Thing. BLISS!

I have compiled a list of the books I would like to read before Summer hits, where I'll spend most of my days melting away, boiling my brain, unable to keep my eyes open to read.

Books I'll be finishing this Spring:
Faithfully Fit by Claire Cloninger and Laura Barr
PrayerWalk by Janet Holm McHenry
You: On a Diet by Mehmet C. Oz and Michael F. Roizen {Shamefully, I have started and stopped this book severeal times, at last, I'm almost there.}
The Best Life Guide to Managing Diabetes and Pre-Diabetes by Bob Greene
Dearly Devoted Dexter by Jeff Lindsay

Books on my TBR List/Nightstand (I'll begin to work through these this Spring):
The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas
Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen
Committed: A Skeptic Makes Peace with Marriage by Elizabeth Gilbert of Eat, Pray, Love fame
Mommywood by Tori Spelling
Crazy Love by Francis Chan
Forgotten God: Reversing Our Tragic Neglect of the Holy Spriit by Francis Chan and Danae Yankoski
Prayer by Philip Yancey
Life on Planet Mom: A Down-to-Earth Guide to Your Changing Relationships by Lisa T. Bergren (while keeping up with her The Busy Mom's Devotional: Ten Minutes a Week to a Life of Devotion
The Heroin Diaries: A Year in the Life of a Shattered Rock Star by Nikki Sixx (of Mötley Crüe)
I am Ozzy by Ozzy Osbourne and Chris Ayres
Think Like a Pancreas: A Practical Guide to Managing Diabetes with Insulin by Gary Scheiner M.S. and Barry Goldstein M.D.
The Everything Parent's Guide To Children With Juvenile Diabetes: Reassuring Advice for Managing Symptoms and Raising a Happy, Healthy Child (Everything: Parenting and Family) by Moira McCarthy and Jake Kushner
Type 1 Diabetes: A Guide for Children, Adolescents, Young Adults--and Their Caregivers by Ragnar Hanas M.D. and Stuart Brink Ph.D.
Blood Sugar 101: What They Don't Tell You About Diabetes by Jenny Ruhl

I hope to get a couple more of the Sookie Stackhouse books read as well.

Reading Goals:
I'll be happy if I get 10 books checked off my TBR List/Nightstand!
FORCE Dylan and Peyton to sit with Mama on the couch and read to each of them daily! ;)
Set up a daily reading time for the Word and Devotions.
nook? tee hee

Delivery Part Deux (Project 365/2010)

I texted Hubby with the picture I took yesterday of all the boxes on the front porch. His response, "LOL". It was like Christmas...opening up all the boxes and pulling out all the goodies. I realized there are still a few pieces missing, so I guess I'll have to share another picture when the rest arrive. Yes, I am a HUGE fan of Rachael Ray's and I think an orange kitchen is going to ROCK! :D And new silverware. Our, service of 8, have been tossed out, chewed up in the garbage disposal, and now I have a service of 12! PLUS 2 serving sets. Woot! Who will our first dinner guests be? Hmmmmm...

Delivery (Project365/2010)

My husband works VERY hard all year long (he is THE GREATEST provider for his family), and we were blessed with a sizable tax refund this year. Hubby then blessed me Monday night, telling me to use X amount of money to order new kitchen supplies (i.e. utensils, pots and pans, etc). I was ECSTATIC! I headed over to Amazon.com and promptly ordered up some of my wishlist items for the kitchen. I have had the same utensils since 2000, and some of them are broken. My pots and pans have taken a lickin' and my biggest skillet is a disaster (and a beast to clean).

Imagine my giddiness when I opened my front door just now. Cameron came up from behind and said, "MOM!" I told him to grab the camera. LMBO I LOVE to cook. If you had told me 8 years ago that one of my passions would be cooking, I would have fallen over laughing. And, I'm GREAT at it, not to break my arm patting myself on the back or anything. ;) I can't wait to open my boxes of goodies and start whipping up some feasts. Easter dinner is going to be AMAZING!

Wordless Wednesday: Music

Check out more Wordless Wednesday over at 5 Minutes for Mom.

Hello (Project 365/2010)

I've been a FlyLady lurker for a few weeks now. I knew the first Baby Step was to shine my sink. Shine my sink? Really? What will that accomplish? How does that change my ENTIRE day? Last night I'm loading the dishwasher, reached my hand into the sink to grab some silverware and came out with a spider on my hand. ACK! I was HORRIFIED! I finished loading the dishwasher and shined the heck out of my sink.

This morning ... I must admit, I woke up to a little hello from my kitchen. Today's step is to get dressed to your shoes, which is also the habit for March. I have been wearing my shoes for the last couple of weeks, and what a difference it has made in getting things done, and my feet aren't as achy at bedtime. I don't know how well I'll keep that habit in the summer. I DESPISE shoes during the hot months, but I'm going to try.

Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY...March 16th

Outside my window...weed killer needs spraying, weeds need pulling, grass needs mowing, roses need pruning, and bushes need clipping.

I am thinking...STUPID TIFFANY! Why are you not taking a nap?

I am thankful for...my wonderful Hubby who spoils me so.

I am wearing...sweat capris and t-shirt.

I am remembering...life before laptops, DVR's, and smart phones.

I am creating...sympathy cards for a couple of very special people in my life.

I am going...to shine my sink tonight.

I am reading...entirely too many books.

I am hoping...to list Peyton's (last year) Spring/Summer wardrobe on ebay this weekend.

On my mind...Spring Break.

Noticing that...I've been keeping up on washing laundry, now if only I could keep up with folding it too. I HATE laundry!

Pondering these words...The LORD abhors dishonest scales, but accurate weights are his delight. Proverbs 11:1

From the kitchen...things change, another leftover night.

Around the house...nap time...why am I awake?

One of my favorite things...the way Peyton and Dylan play together. There is something to be said about siblings closer in age, rather than siblings 5 years and 5 months apart like my boys. ;)

A few plans for the rest of the week: making cards, reading, clearing DVR, walking, and get ready for Spring Break.

From my picture journal...I LOVE this girl!

You're Turn (Project 365/2010)

Dylan is home from school today. He began running a fever after his nap yesterday. And if you read my previous post, you'll know I didn't have any Motrin to give him. By the time Hubby got home with it, Dylan's fever was 99.9. When he's sick, he LOOKS sick, wearing it on his face and in his eyes. However, NONE of my kids will rest when they don't feel good. This picture started out with Peyton pushing Dylan, but I couldn't grab my camera in time. By the time I had camera in hand, they had switched, and I took this super great shot! :)

New Lock (Project 365/2010)

I. Am. Scared. To. Death.

I've locked up the pantry. I've locked up the fridge. Now I'm locking up my bedroom. Last night, before bed, I was doing my nighttime routine (NetiPot, floss, brush, etc) when I noticed the brand new (Children's) Motrin bottle on my counter...EMPTY! The seal was still on, only enough of it was gone to open the cap, otherwise, it looked just as if I had taken it out of the box. I asked Hubby if he had given any to the kids. No. I caught Cameron in our room earlier in the day (Sunday) and told him, AGAIN, that he is NOT allowed in our room unsupervised (an issue we've been having recently). After finding the Motrin, I took an assessment of other medicines and found the children's Benadryl gone, a bottle of children's cough syrup (and NOT the diabetic kind) empty, as well as half a bottle of Excedrin Migraine missing. Did you hear that? ADULT STRENGTH Excedrin Migraine! My head was swimming.

Cameron is self medicating? Dumbfounded. Around the time I caught Cameron in our room, Hubby discovered PEYTON's toddler snacks missing. We had not kept her food in the pantry, but changed that last night. As if this wasn't enough, this morning I found one of my (3) brand new packs of gum opened and 6 sticks missing! I had just bought these, because I mistakenly thought I had misplaced the brand new pack I bought LAST week. Hubby doesn't chew it, and I only chew it at church Sunday mornings to avoid snacking at the Island. I am in utter shock at the levels Cameron is reaching and ... my heart is breaking. So today, I put a keyed entry lock on our bedroom door. It's like Fort Knox in the Johnson household. Hubby and I carry keys with us at all times. Freaking RIDICULOUS! I bawled my eyes out during nap time. Who is this kid? Is this ALL diabetes related? And if he's this way at 10 years old...what will he be like at 13? 15? 17? Will I see my firstborn graduate high school? Or will he have killed himself by then? I honestly don't know. I. Honestly. Don't. Know.



I'm considering buying this as a double protection against this happening again.

Menu Plan Monday

Sunday ~ Leftover Night (LOTS of leftovers from last week)

Monday ~ Slow Cooker Hearty Beef Stew

Tuesday ~ Rosemary Roasted Chicken w/ Potatoes & Asparagus

Well the first recipe was such a hit, I thought I'd try it again. I won't be using chicken thighs, rather chicken breast with bone.



Wednesday ~ Leftover Night (Hubby's last night at school! Woo-Hoo!)

Thursday ~ Pasta alla Formiana & Mixed Green Salad w/ Vinegarette

Friday ~ Crunchy Parmesan Chicken Tenders, Sweet Potato Fries, & The Lady's Coleslaw

Saturday ~ Soup & Sammies TBD

Peyton's First Movie (Project 365/2010)

After church today we decided to take the kiddos for a little treat. We drove on over to our dollar movies, and watched Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel. It was Peyton's first movie and she did MARVELOUS! We took her booster seat from home, plopped her on a chair, gave her some ritz crackers and a cup of milk, and she laughed, danced, and talked to the Chipmunks. All the way out the theater and in the parking lot she kept saying, "Bye Chipmunks. Have a good day." Too cute!

Cars Color Changers (Project 365/2010)

A couple of weeks prior to Dylan's birthday, he saw a commercial on TV for Disney/Pixar's Cars Color Changing Playset. That was ALL he talked about. Fortunately I was able to find it the night before his party. He sure loves squirting the ice cold water on the cars to make their color change. And then he dunks them in warm water to change them back. Needless to say, VERY messy, but it's ALL worth while to watch his face light up while playing.

Shrimp & Pasta Primavera (Project 365/2010)

Do you remember my Menu Plan Monday post, where I introduced you to McCormick's Recipe Inspirations spices w/ recipe card on the back? Well, well, well...I gotta tell you, FAN-freakin'-TASTIC! This recipe was DELISH! I used more than the 4 1/2 cups of veggies the recipe calls for. I used asparagus, broccoli, carrots, and red peppers. I have made pasta primavera in the past, and Hubby complained it was bland, but tonight, EVERYONE was raving.

Urkel (Project 365/2010)

Cameron isn't old enough to know who Steve Urkel is. I don't recall us sitting down to watch a repeat of Family Matters. However, tonight, he was definitely channeling Urkel.

My Little Artist (Project 365/2010)

Dylan LOVES to draw and I enjoy watching his creative juices flow.

Wordless Wednesday: Reading

Check out more Wordless Wednesday over at 5 Minutes for Mom.

Saddened

I had this poster up on my wall.

This one too.

One of my FAVORITE movies of all time!

I can STILL recite lines from this verbatim.

A couple weeks ago Hubby & I just stayed up until the wee hours to watch this one (Silver Bullet).

And I watched the only 2 seasons of this show religiously.

Now he's gone. And only half of The Corey's remain.