The McClain Clan

Week Two Weigh In

2012-01-12T07:31:00.000-08:00

I have had a busy week. Last Saturday was Abbey's birthday. For a special treat her daddy and I took her out to eat at a place of her choice. She chose Japanese food. Then we went to a movie at the movie theater. We had a great time. After church on Sunday, which was a special day of celebration for the new families in our congregation, we went out for Mexican with the family. I didn't eat but half of each of these meals. Back in the old days I would have woofed down every bite. It does make for some tasty leftovers. So, for three days I ate out basically. Not the best food for my new lifestyle. To add to it, I have been busy planning Abbey's birthday party which is coming up this weekend. I'm throwing it all together in a week. I orginially had the party planned for the end of the month, but my cousin will be in town this weekend. She always comes for Abbey's parties and assumed it would be this weekend because that is normally around the time I have them. Anyway, we have had McDonald's and some quick home cooked meals this week because Mommie has been planning and shopping for the party.

With all of that said, I did gain this week, but only .5 pounds. Even with all the chaos and bad food I stayed within my points (I used all my daily points and all my flexible weekly points). I expected it to be much worse, so I'm actually happy that I only gain a little.

Next week I plan to be back on track with my normal life and my normal eating habits. There is good food and exercise ahead. Have a wonderful weekend!

Week 1 Weigh In

2012-01-06T06:19:00.000-08:00

Here we go again! I'm back on Weight Watchers and it is going well so far. I haven't had any problems getting back into the smaller portions and tracking everything I eat. I did weigh in yesterday and as I often do, I lost a large amount for my first week. I lost 4.5 pounds so I've already dropped to 202. That really makes my first goal of weighing less than 200 by the end of January look possible. Anyway, the family is eating well with me and Clark has even asked about the men's version of Weight Watchers that Charles Barkley has been promoting on TV. All in all it has been a great first week. I haven't been able to exercise yet because the ceiling guys have been fixing our playroom ceiling from a water leak back in the fall. Plus Clark has been very tired when he has gotten home this week, and has gone to bed early so he wasn't able to watch Abbey for me. His body is still trying to get used to being on day shift again. Maybe next week I will be able to fit in a few walks around the neighborhood. Until then have a wonderful weekend!!!!!

Happy New Year!

2012-01-01T12:14:00.000-08:00

As promised, I'm back! It is a bright new year and I'm looking forward to getting back to the grind of weight loss and healthy living. Over the holidays I had one visit to the emergency room and one visit to the doctor, both for the same thing that was easily fixable. Due to my old doctor taking a new position at the hospital, I had to face a new doctor who was very willing to let me know that I am not a healthy person. Something I already knew, but just haven't really faced lately. I told her that I had a plan in mind and was looking to start after the new year. It is the new year and I'm back on weight watchers. I also have an exercise plan in mind and my hubby is on board as well. He will be working the day shift for a while so it should be much easier to cook healthy meals and fit in some exercise.

I have done pretty good over the holidays. Although I did eat what I wanted, I also spent some time not eating due to sickness. Not a weight loss plan that I recommend. However, overall I only gained a few pounds.

I'm starting the new year at 206.5 pounds and my first goal is to get down to 200 by the end of January. I have discovered that small goals are a great motivation for me. I have large goals, but I try not to think about those too much because it always ends in failure. I can't wait to get back in the kitchen and cook up some healthy food. I love food! I love to cook!!! I have to get my southern roots around some fresh vegetables, fresh fruits and lean cuts of meat. As always, local is best although it is hard to find this time of year. I am already dreaming of my summer garden. In the meantime, I'll do the best I can with my grocery store.

I hope to report each week as I did before and I have a new camera (thank you hubby for a sweet Christmas present) and so I want to take more pictures to document my healthy adventure. Lastly, I'm looking forward to some 5K's in the spring so training for that will be a key to my healthy lifestyle. I have been so inactive this past year and it shows...on my waistline, on my face lines, on my inside with difficult breathing and health issues. I want to have a total body and life makeover to help my body be everything it can be so my life can be as productive as it can be.

Here is looking at a wonderful 2012!!!!!!!

Taking a Break

2011-11-28T18:45:00.000-08:00

So, I haven't posted in a few weeks. You might be wondering about my weight loss goals each week. I have stopped my diet for the holiday season with two things in mind.

First, it is a terrible time to try to lose weight, so instead of keeping tight records I'm just trying not to over do my eating. The holiday season is upon us, but also my job has become terribly demanding since we have become short staffed and they haven't hired a new person. This all comes during our busiest time of year. Now I'm doing twice the amount of work in the same amount of time. I was finding it hard to keep my journal for Weight Watchers.

The second thing is the adjustments that will be going on with the Weight Watchers program. I received an email that there will be some 2012 adjustments for the Points Plus program. I want to start the new program fresh after the holidays with the new information. I also want to have an exercise program in place. My husband will be back on the day shift soon and has shown interest in exercising with me. The new year is always a popular time to start a new healthy program, so I'm taking the holidays to get my information together and have it in place before the new year gets here. I don't like fad programs so I want to really search what I might like to use this year.

So, that is my confession. I hope you will stay with me over the holidays and I know that I look forward to getting back on track and I hope to have a new set of starter pictures for my new plan.

Happy Holidays to all!!!!!

Weigh In Week 8

2011-10-30T10:18:00.000-07:00

This week looked a little better. I'm still not tracking my food like I'm suppose to, but I did track it some this week. My weight went down 2 pounds this week so I'm at 203.5 and I really want to break that 200 line in the next two weeks, so I'm going to start an exercise plan as soon as I can shake this head cold. I have to say that exercising with a head cold is never a good thing for me because my balance is off and that can prove disasterous. Other than that, I have been getting some inspiration from bodybuilding.com, not that I'm going to become some big body builder but they have a set of articles called female transformation that can really give you ideas on nutrition and exercise. My biggest question is about supplements. For those of you on a regular supplement regimen, what do you take and why? So far, I've only taken a series of vitamins that were suggested for endometriosis- a multivitamin, vitamin C, B complex, and E, flaxseed oil, and calcium because I don't eat a lot of dairy. Do you eat protein bars or drink whey shakes? What do you do?

That's all for this week. Happy Halloween!!!!!

Weigh in Week 7

2011-10-20T13:20:00.000-07:00

Much like week three, I feel awful, haven't been tracking my food, and haven't been very active. Well, it all showed on the scale this morning when I came in at 205.5 a gain of 3.5 pounds. So, I'm going back to the basics and finding that track again. Not much else to report this week, so I'll hopefully feel better next week. Wish me luck! Have great weekend!

Weigh In Week 6

2011-10-14T06:22:00.000-07:00

I'm glad to say that it is much of the same, although I'm not sure it was done right this week. I weighed in at 202 for a weekly loss of 2.5 pounds and a total of 14 pounds. I didn't think I would lose any this week because I didn't feel as if I had been eating right. Well, your body will tell you if something is wrong and mine has for the past few days. I've had stomach problems all week, which might have lead to the actual weight loss. I've already started to remedy that by making a great and filling WW broccoli and cheese soup for dinner last night, with leftovers for lunch today. I'm also sticking to water because I have felt very dehydrated this week. So, overall there was a loss this week, but I would like for it to not be due to tummy trouble.

Have a happy weekend everyone! I'm headed on a little overnight trip with the hubby over the weekend with dinner at a fancy place. I'll watch what I eat, don't worry!!!!

What is Meat?

2011-10-07T07:26:00.000-07:00

Conversation this morning while getting dressed.

Abbey: Mommy, I don't like meat.

Me: Abbey, you eat meat all the time.

Abbey: No, I mean I don't eat cooked meat. Just bologna and ham.

Me: You eat chicken nuggets.

Abbey: But that is bought meat. I like that.

(I think it is time to give up McDonald's for good)

HAPPY FRIDAY, EVERYONE!!!!!!!

Weigh In Week 5

2011-10-06T08:45:00.000-07:00

I don't have much time to blog this week. Unforunately, one of my co-workers left the office (not on her terms) and the work has been pushed off to the rest of us. It has been a very long, difficult and stressful week. However, among all of that I was still able to stick to my WW lifestyle and here are the results.

I weighed in this morning at 204.5 so I lost another 2.5 pounds this week, which makes my total weight loss 11.5 pounds. It also means that I reached a weight loss goal of 5% and I got another star. My new weight loss goal is 10%, so that will get me down to 194.4 pounds. I hope I can manage that goal by Thanksgiving if not before.

I'm still working on activity level and intake of veggies and water. With the fast pace and stress of the week and the weeks to come throughout October, I think it will be an ongoing struggle, but maybe by November things will settle a little and I can start planning healthy meals for the holidays.

I would like to take just a small moment to congratulate my dear friend, Renee, on an accomplishment that I could only dream of. Last weekend she along with some of her friends ran a 50 K (that's 31 miles, people) and survived. Not only survived, but did well for their first time. I'm very proud of her. Way to go Renee, Julie and all the girls.

Happy weekend everyone!

Weigh In Week 4

2011-09-29T07:58:00.000-07:00

Well, I'm back on track for the time being. I weighed in at 207 this week which means I have lost 2.5 this week and 9 overall for the month. Not too bad, especially since I had such a bad week last week. I still have a lot to work on. I was a little surprised that I had lost. I'm still not getting enough water and veggies, and I have got to get a workout routine going. However, I did put out my fall garden last weekend and that gained me some much needed activity points.

I also paid closer attention to what I ate and even included some chocolatey treats, but they were homemade and used the least amount of points I could get. It is hard to cut points out of an OREO milk shake, but I did and portion size was a big key. It was very rich so I could only handle a cup size portion, and by using Nutella instead of regular peanut butter, low fat milk, and no sugar added ice cream it only came to 8 points a cup. The whole family enjoy it too.

That is all I have for this week. I topped it off with a trip to the beauty shop for a new color and cut. Maybe by the end of this month (October) I will need to go shopping for some new fall clothes, in a different size.

Happy rest of the week to you all!!!!!!

Weigh In Week 3

2011-09-22T06:23:00.000-07:00

It is time for dreaded week three. The reason I call it a dread is because for some reason on week three of every weigh lose plan I have ever tried, my body and mind get off track. This week was no exception. I actually gained weight this week by about 3.5 pounds. I weighed in this morning at 209.5 which to most people might be discouraging, but as I mentioned I always seem to have this problem. I think I get too comfortable with the plan and think I can slack a little and still be alright. Here are the problems I have found this week:

I ate out three times this week, instead of only once as in previous weeks.
I didn't drink my water like I was suppose to (I have to track it and I didn't meet my water goal one single day this week).
I didn't meet my veggie goal either (I track it also and didn't meet it one single day.)
I have found this week that I didn't measure things exactly, instead I thought I could eyeball servings and clearly my eyes need to be checked.
I didn't take my vitamins each day (I think I only remembered them two days this week).
I did add some activity such as painting Abbey's room and cleaning house, but I wasn't very regular about it. I just had a burst of energy on Saturday and Sunday.
I didn't eat much for breakfast, but I had heavy dinners, so heavy in fact that I used up over half of my extra weekly points. I believe I need to be more balanced for the plan to work its magic.
I'm bloated from stress, not enough water, heavy meals, and "monthly" responsibilites, which makes me very fatigued.

These are the things I have to work on this week to get back on track. Next week, if I get with the program, I should lose the three pounds I gained and possibly more. Here's hoping!!!!!

Weigh-In Week Two

2011-09-15T06:49:00.000-07:00

Things are going very well in the world of Weight Watchers. I love the new commercials with Jennifer Hudson. I just think she looks great and it is rated the number one weight loss program by USA Today. That is fantastic! So, now that I've plugged my program, I bet you are wondering about my progress. Alright, I won't keep you waiting any longer. I weighed in this morning at 206, which means I have lost three pounds this week. YEAH!!! Because I lost a good amount last week, my points count went down. Now I can have 32 points a day and 42 extra weekly points to use if I go over. Four out of seven days I was able to stay within my daily points range. The other three days that I went over, wasn't by too much. By the end of the week I still had 36 of my 42 weekly points that I didn't use. I have earned both my star for losing my first 5 pounds and my star for 5 additional pounds. My next star will be for losing 5% of my body weight. I am only 2 pounds from that goal, so I hope to have that one next week. :)

This weeks personal goal is to add some activity into my daily routine. I will probably start slow: maybe a brisk walk a couple of times during the week, spend a little extra time cleaning or climbing the stairs at home. Every little bit can be tracked and traded for food points during the day. The more activity you do, the more points you can trade for. This week I just want to add a little, then over the next few weeks I would like to get into a regular exercise routine.

Finally, I'm sad that because I am behind in starting all this and because my husband has been working so much, I am not in any shape to walk/run the 5K for my daughter's school on Saturday. I was really looking forward to participating in that but I just don't feel that I would do well at all since I haven't been so much as walking lately. Maybe next year!

So it has been another successful week and I have my next goals set.
Have a wonderful weekend!!!!!!

Weigh In Week 1

2011-09-08T06:23:00.000-07:00

Today is my first weigh in for Weight Watchers and it was a great one. I have lost 7 pounds, which means I am down to 209 pounds already. This is not really the norm for the week, but it is normal for my first week to be big. I have lost my water weight which is common for the first week, and this time I had some bloating from my monthly friend that seemed to take a hike. I really feel better. I'm sure next week will be a different story. I am happy to say that for my first week I did pretty good with the points. I used all my daily points as you are suppose to do and 33 of my 49 extra weekly points. This too is normal for me because it takes me a week or two to use up the food already in the house and get used to scaling down, but I was very happy that I didn't go over my extra weekly points. They are there for special occations and I try not to use them when the plan really gets going. I am taking my vitamins and drinking my water and I can tell.

This week I will continue to work on scaling down my extra points used and on portion control. I have a meal plan worked out that includes more fruits and veggies and some WW recipes that are favorites of Jennifer Hudson (I just think she looks fabulous). I'm going to really work on the eating this week and then next week, when Clark is back on day shift, I will begin to add exercise and activities to boost myself. I'm off to a great start!

The Unthinkable

2011-09-05T14:30:00.000-07:00

I have decided to do the unthinkable. I'm going to post my weight loss success on my blog. I would have never in a million years done this before, but since I refer to my blog often to remind me of my past few years, I have decided that it will be a reminder of my progress as well. When we first decided to try to get pregnant, I had read that lossing weight could help, so I joined weight watchers in 2004 and lost 25 pounds in about 4 or 5 months. It is the only plan that I have ever tried (and I've tried a lot) that worked for me. It is a lifestyle change that works. I have tried just eating healthy, fad diets, quick fixes and nothing seems to work as well as WW. It forces you to make wise choices and think about what you eat, but most of all how much you eat. After some stress issues and noticing that lately I just feel bad and bloaty, I have made the choice to go back on WW and get back to simple healthy eating, but not having to give up some of my favorite things. I love that about WW, you just have to decide if that piece of cake is worth it now, because you will have to eat salad later. This is a picture of me and my sweet baby girl last year at her cousin's wedding. Since I am often the one taking pictures of my family there aren't very many full length ones of me, really showing my shape. So, although this one is a year old, it is the best example. (Please excuse my white legs, I didn't get out in the sun much last year) I weigh and look the same today as in this picture. Well, here goes nothing. I hope you enjoy this journey in pictures as much as I hope to in life!

216 pounds

September 1, 2011

Depleting the Disney Fund (already)

2011-08-24T08:00:00.000-07:00

You might notice from my Disney Fund sidebar that we went from $400 to $40. I said that money would not be touched because we are saving for a vacation (of some sort, hopefully Disney in 2012), but we made a decision that was meaningful to our family. We decided that since I was able to save so much so quickly, we would put it to better use for us, for right now. I withdrew the money from my hidden envelope and PAID OFF a loan. Now, our debt is a little lighter and I'm happy with starting over on my Disney fund. Sometimes, you have to think about the long term. With fewer bills, I should be able to make up the funds I spent later on. It is what is best for us right now, and when I pulled out that money, my husband was surprised and thrilled at what I had been able to save this summer while he was out of town for work. Now, he knows that I am determined to have a vacation soon, and we can work toward that goal together. I am happy with our decision, but I still can't wait to see Mickey!!!!!!

A goodnight prayer

2011-08-24T07:57:00.000-07:00

Abbey:

God is great
God is good
Let us thank him for our food
And all our people
And all our things
And the nursery of our bodies
Pray in Christ name
Amen

I did it just like Poppie!

(Poppie prays before eating for the food to be a nourishment to our bodies.)

I'm sooooo over Summer

2011-08-10T12:06:00.001-07:00

Well, it always seems to happen about this time of the year. I get so very tired of summer, the heat, the food, the gardening, the skinny people going to the beach. I'm just over it. I'm ready for my favorite time of year...FALL. The leaves turning, the crisp air, the sunny yet cool days, the football, the food. I just love Fall. It appeals to me in every way. There is a rebirth of the year it seems. No matter what type of year you are having so far, it can begin again, fresh and new as if it were January 1 all over again. I love that about fall. The kids are back in school, the summer vacations are over and it is time for business.

I am trying my best to get organized for this time of year, because I know we will be involved in so much more that we were in the spring and summer, and even last school year. I only have one daughter who is three and a half and you may say, "Well, how busy can you be with just a three year old." As simple as it should be, our lives are not simple. Abbey is in Day Care three days and pre-school two days a week. I work full time, have a little side business, and serve on a town authority board. My husband also works full time. Right now he has crazy hours with shift changes and overtime and he has already spent much of his summer in another state for work(boy am I glad that is over). So we have busy lives. This year we will add dance classes to that and hopefully more involvement in the church where she attends pre-school (that is another ballgame altogether). So, I have to stay on top of my game in order to pull this off.

Many years ago, when I was trying to get organized with housework, I made a daily cleaning list. The concept was to clean a room of the house each day, so that it would always be in some type of order. Each day had a checklist of what should be accomplished in that room. Along with the "a room a day" idea, I had a list of simple daily chores such as pick up toys, clear table, make up beds, that were daily jobs overall. My job was to set aside time each day to work on this list. I haven't worked on that list in a very, very long time, but I do believe it is time to reinstate the list.

Also, a task to save time in the past was freezer cooking (or once a month cooking). I always seem to love to cook and put away food in the fall. I like to actually bake fresh bread and use up the last of the garden and farmer's market finds. I have a very extensive list of foods that freeze well and in order to help save me time in the evenings when I need to be cleaning or spending value time with my family, I will only have to cook minimally due to the prep work and menu planning for each month. There will more on this in future posts, because I would like to keep up with my progress on my blog.

Finally, Sunday afternoon. It is a wonderful time for rest and since my daughter loves her Sunday afternoon naps, I intend on taking advantage and prepping for each upcoming week. My idea is to already have the laundry fixed so that I have each family members clothes laid out for the week (and yes Clark will pick his own clothes, I'm not that obsessed with this). I also will have lunches planned for the week (this will be part of the menu plan and freezer foods). All the bills for the week will be signed, sealed and ready for the mail the next day, and any school work that needs to be planned, signed, and/or sent to school will be looked over and ready in Abbey's backpack.

I know this seems very detailed for the normal, everyday life, and there will be kinks in the road, but having it written will hopefully set it in stone for me. I pray that you will make me accountable for my plan and that I can blog more regularly with my results. Now, that my computer is in operating order, I really hope to make that happen.

Now, tell me, what do you have planned for the Fall????????

Conversations with Abbey

2011-06-23T11:52:00.001-07:00

#1 - While driving to work earlier in the week.

Abbey: I have two boyfriends, mommy.
Me: You do?
Abbey: Yea, Isaac (a little blonde boy from day care) is my number 1 boyfriend.
Me: Oh, well, who is boyfriend number two.
Abbey: Zac Brown Band, but I haven't seen him in a while.

#2 - While stopping at Linda's Market, a local convenent store, for a biscuit for breakfast before work.

Abbey: What is the place called that we get our biscuits.
Me: Linda's Market.
Abbey: Yea, Linda in my best friend.

#3 - And some of you might have seen this one on facebook.

Me: Who is that singing, Abbey?
Abbey: Thompson Block.
Me: No, it's Thompson Square. What is the name of the song?
Abbey: If your gonna kiss me then what.

We have just had so many memorable conversations this week.

Farmers Market

2011-06-04T09:17:00.000-07:00

I've been in a fix lately, trying to save money by couponing and stock piling instead of buying local fresh food.

My name is Carrie and I have failed to buy local.

Coupons are great, especially for things like cleaning supplies, makeup, and things that you can't get locally. But when this time of year provides you with the best the ground has to offer, you should take advantage, and I haven't.

Hubby got home from two weeks in Michigan and mentioned that he was living off IHOP and Burger King. I knew he would love to have some real food while he was home, so I went to the Farmer's Market, one of my favorite places, to re-energize my love for local. I'm glad to say that it worked. I came home with broccoli, english peas, cabbage, lettuce, onions, squash, cucumbers, and the desire to make an incredible meal.

Tonight's meal:

Steak (as requested by hubby)
Steamed Broccoli
Fried Cabbage
Squash Casserole
Pea Salad
Garden Salad

I almost went back to buy extra peas to freeze, but didn't know if I would have time to shell them today. I have heard that you should shell and preserve them as quickly as possible. I just hope there are some available next week, so I can start adding to my freezer for the winter. Well, I know this hasn't been a very exciting blog, but I was just happy to enjoy food again and needed to share. Here is the pea salad recipe that I have fixed. It isn't really healthy, but there are ways to make it so.

Peas Salad

16 oz. Fresh or Frozen Peas
1/3 cup onion
1/2 cup cheddar cheese
4 slices bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled
1/2 Ranch dressing

Blanch the peas for one to two minutes in boiling water. Drain. Mix all other ingredients together. Fold in peas. Chill for at least a half hour before serving.

** To make this healthier use turkey bacon, low fat cheese, and make this dressing

Let me draw your attention...

2011-05-23T14:16:00.000-07:00

...to the right side of my blog. I have decided to keep up with my preserving this year, by putting a gadget on the right side of my blog and listing the summer and fall foods that I put up for the winter. This will help me know how much I store of each item to make a reference for next year, in case I need to add or subtract the amount. It can also let you all in blog land know what I'm up to these days, give you a chance to ask questions, and see my progress throughout the season. I will try my best to have pictures for you as well (if I can get my home computer working again). Also, I am proud to say that I have added to my Disney fund. So, please take a look at what is added to the side bar and let me know if you preserve your seasonal goods as well. I believe there are more and more of us doing so each year.

How does the cow go?

2011-05-05T18:47:00.000-07:00

Bones

2011-05-04T06:37:00.001-07:00

On the drive into work, Abbey and I have some of the most interesting conversations.
This morning was no exception.

Abbey: Hey, mommy!

Me: Yes, honey?

Abbey: (serious) I have a bone in my arm.

Me: (Slightly giggling) You do?

Abbey: Yes, feel my bone mommy!

(I reach back into the back seat and feel her arm.)

Me: You do have a bone in your arm.

Abbey: (sounding surprised) There is a bone in this arm too. Feel it.

(I feel the other arm).

Me: Yes, there is a bone in there too.

Abbey: (giggling) I have bones in my arms.

All I can say is discovery is FUN and FUNNY!!!!!

Easter Pics

2011-04-28T19:23:00.001-07:00

All Eastered out

2011-04-25T07:33:00.000-07:00

We have had a whirlwind of a weekend. Abbey had Easter parties at school and day care, then we had our second annual Easter party and hunt at church (a huge success) and then our actual Easter day yesterday where her Poppie insisted that she needed to hunt eggs one more time. It was a fun filled, exhausting, wonderful weekend. I hope you all enjoyed your Easter weekend as much as we did. I will post pictures as soon as I can get them off the camera.

PS. I saved $10 in coupons on Saturday, so that has gone into my Disney fund. I have a new total. YEAH!!!!!

Conversation of the day:

Abbey: Look mommy, they are going to say surprise for Minnie's birthday.

Me: I see.

Abbey: That is ridiculous!

(I just laugh!)

Walt Disney World

2011-04-11T10:15:00.000-07:00

I love Disney. I have always loved Disney and I am so excited that my sweet baby girl loves Disney too. Her favorite show has always been Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, she will go for anything if it has a Disney princess on it, and Tangled is her favorite movie. The ultimate vacation for this Disney loving momma and baby girl - Walt Disney World, of course. I have never been to WDW. My parents weren't very interested in taking me as a child so I just never went. As an adult, I haven't really had the money to go myself. Now, I'm making it a priority to take Abbey. It just so happens that Clark has never been either, and although he doesn't think he will like it very much, I'm out to prove him wrong.

To help with this goal, and on the advice of my friend Laura T. who has taken her boys to WDW a few times, I have been stalking the Couponing to Disney website to find great deals to help along the way. Basically she posts the best deals on the market and with her savings on things like groceries, gifts, and more she pays her way to Disney every year. When she uses a coupon, gets a rebate, or reward bucks on something, instead of just saying "Oh, I saved $$ on this." She takes that money that was saved and puts it in a fund. At the end of a year, she has enough money in the fund to pay for her family of four to go to WDW. The idea to me is a great way of using the savings you get by researching and being prepared.

I started my fund last year and used it recently to go on a last minute trip to Gatlinburg with the ladies of my family. It wasn't very big, but it did give me a little extra spending money. Now, I have to start over, but this time I am going to have a tally in the right column of my blog so I can be accountable to my friends on my blog and know just how much I am saving. I don't know that we will get to Walt Disney World next year, but we need a vacation badly and I want to be able to pay cash when we go. I think we should be able to save enough in the next three years to pay for WDW in cash and be able to really enjoy the experience of Disney.

If any of you are searching for the deals to save money, be frugel or fund a vacation, go check out www.couponingtodisney.com. Kristin is great!!!!!

A little girl's prayer

2011-03-28T14:17:00.000-07:00

Abbey:

God is great, God is good
Let us thank him for our food
And for mommy and daddy
And all our people
And our friends
And Meme and Poppie
And Granny and Grandpa
And pink blanket
Jesus name
Amen

Abbey at a baptism.

2011-03-02T13:53:00.000-08:00

We are so joyous that my sweet cousin, Kayla, was baptizied last Sunday. She has been thinking about it for a while, talked to my dad, and talked to our preacher, then made the wise choice to become a Christian. It was a glorious day and a new experience for Abbey Claire. Keep in mind we are a very small congregation and a baptism doesn't happen very often. After her confession, my mom and I got up to help Kayla and her mom get ready. I told Abbey to stay with her daddy. My dad went to help the preacher get ready. Afterward, my husband told me about his conversation with Abbey.

Abbey: Where are they going daddy?

Clark: To help Kayla and Brother Dan get ready?

Abbey: But where are they going?

Clark: Into that little room right there.

Abbey: I think we need to go too.

Clark: No, we need to stay here.

Abbey: But we need to go in there.

Clark: No, let's stay here.

After they were in the water.

Abbey: Why is Kayla in there? Is she taking a bath?

Clark: No, just watch.

After church was over. Abbey says to Kayla.

Abbey: KayKay, I liked your bath.

Our family is so proud of Kayla's beautiful choice to "take a bath".

Let's Catch Up

2011-03-02T07:12:00.001-08:00

I thought I would post a few pictures to help catch you up on the things that have happened since I stopped posting. These are just some of the big events that happened back in the fall with Abbey. She is amazing! We are always so surprised at what she has learned, at what she does, and how much she has grown.

Grandpa took Abbey on her first fishing trip in the middle of the summer. She loved being on the lake, she just wouldn't touch the fish.

Abbey started pre-school this year. She just walked into class like it was nothing on the first day of school and has loved it every since.

In September she was asked to be a flower girl in Clark's cousins wedding. My wonderful niece, Bonnie, was one of the photographers and got some great shots.

That will get us through the fall. I'll post about winter next time. :)

I'm back...

2011-02-14T10:56:00.001-08:00

I have taken a lot of time off, but I have decided that I am ready to get back in the blogging game. For my dear friends, I have not forgotten you. Although I have not written in some time, I have been reading your blogs over these long months. It's just that I got so wrapped up in the quick and easy status reports on Facebook and didn't feel like writing a lengthy message on a blog. I have discovered that I have missed out on documenting my daughter. This is a great place to put things I might want to look back on later because it is dated and has the comments of loved ones and dear friends, so I am going to get back into this blogging game full force. The summer is coming up and it is my favorite time of year to share fun family outings, info about good eating and gardening, and just the everyday fun of my favorite time of year. So, watch out world...I'm back.

Snack Ideas

2010-07-23T06:47:00.000-07:00

I have a husband who loves to snack and because our baby girl watches her daddy's every move, she loves to snack too. Hubby often complains about me not buying enough snacks and that everything has to be cooked. It is true that I go to the store with a list for our next weeks dinners, but I just hate to buy a bunch of processed snacks that have no nutritional value whatsoever. Today I was looking at all of the wonderful blogs that I have bookmarked that I check daily and saw my friend Carrie B. had actually addressed this subject. I love cucumbers, but never really thought of them as just a peel and eat snack. I want Abbey to have good healthy snacks and her daddy really needs that in his diabetic diet too. For all of you wonderful healthy mothers out there, please give me some ideas on what you give your family to snack on (as many ideas as you are willing to share). Thank you!!!!

PS. Abbeyism - Last night after her bath Abbey went downstairs to give her daddy nite kisses. She walks into the kitchen where he is sitting at the table on the computer. He has his shorts on but no shirt because it is really hot in our house right now.

Abbey: Daddy, I give you nite suggies!

Daddy: Is it time to go to bed? OK then.

(They give each other nite kisses, then Abbey backs up)

Abbey: I see your belly.

Daddy: Yeah?

Abbey: It's purdy.

So, I have a husband with a pretty belly, who knew?

New Abbeyisms

2010-07-19T01:56:00.000-07:00

I love when Abbey learns new things especially new phrases. I just wanted to share a few new things she amazed us with this weekend. She is so entertaining right now!

We were at Kroger Saturday and as we were checking out a couple of little boys in line in front of us had balloons. One of them gave his balloon to Abbey (and they say chivelry is dead). When we got home she played and played with it.

Abbey: I love my balloon, mommy.

Me: I know you do sweetheart. It was nice of the little boy to give you his balloon.

Abbey: This is just the best balloon I have EVER had!

Me: (laughing) It is?

Abbey: Yes, it is mommy!

When she woke up on Sunday morning and the balloon was flat she told her daddy, "I need to get another balloon from a little boy, daddy!" Daddy did not take that too well from his little princess. He is not ready to think about her and little boys.

Yesterday, Clark was having some friends over to play music and wanted to clean up the music room so they would have space. It still holds leftover yard sale boxes and some furniture projects for Abbey's playroom. He did make some room and as I was up stairs in the bathroom Abbey decided to go down and see what daddy was doing. All of a sudden my husband comes up stairs and asks, "Did you tell her to say that". The conversation went something like this:

Abbey: Daddy, you are cleaning up the music room a little.

Daddy: Yes, baby!

Abbey: That is a big first for you daddy.

I wish I had put that in her head, but I just can't take credit. She came up with that one on her own.

As we were leaving church last night, buckled into her seat, all the sugar given and good-byes waved, Abbey gazed out the window and says:

"Goodbye church, we will see you on Wednesday."

Pulling around the front, she points up at the steeple and says:

"That's a castle church, mommy!"

She knows her kingdom!

I love my Aunt J!!

2010-07-14T07:24:00.000-07:00

I'm so excited, Abbey spent the night at Aunt J's house (Clark's sister) and did very well. She didn't cry at all and didn't ask for me or Clark very much. She has stayed with Aunt J numerous times on days that Meme can't keep her, but never overnight. This week was VBS at Aunt J's small country church so they were really trying to encourage members to bring kids. Since many from my family go there too, I wanted her to attend, and Aunt J has been asking for her to spend the night. It just seemed like good timing. Aunt J was teaching a class so my Aunt Jo went in to class with Abbey, to help out and to put her at ease. She loved Bible school there. I'm really glad that it all went so well. Now she has another place to spend the night if mom and dad have to go somewhere, especially over a long time. It will help Meme out too. What can I say, she loves her Aunt J!!

Slow down summer!

2010-07-06T09:11:00.000-07:00

Boy, have I slowed down on this blog thing. The summer is just non-stop and I can't keep up. As if that is anything new. My big project is turning the spare bedroom (which was suppose to be my craft room) into Abbey's playroom. I decided that I'm just never going to be able to have my own space and I don't really have crafting time anyway, so I'm giving up the space I longed for to let my little girl have her own playroom. It has been very difficult to keep a clean living room when she uses it as her playground, so now we will not have any toys downstairs, plus we are going to give her the TV from our bedroom so she can watch videos. I don't want a TV in her room just yet, but in the playroom where she and others can watch will satisfy me. I know it seems silly, but that was the compromise for me and her dad. Anyway, with this new arrangement comes some decorating choices and "new" refurbished furniture. I will have pictures of that soon. Once I get in the mood to redecorate, it usually carries on into other rooms. So, I may have a lot of pictures for you. That is all I have to report for now, but I hope it temps you to return to my blog.

Food Follow up

2010-06-14T06:08:00.000-07:00

Did I mention I love fresh food. Last night we tried a new but simple recipe and it was fantastic. I'm not a big fish eater, but as part of my new diet I need to eat more fish and this recipe was so simple, even Shanna could do it. (Just kidding my sweet cousin!) I thought I would share and also I wanted to have it written down somewhere so I can refer back to it because we decided it was a keeper.

Lemon Butter Tilapia

4 Fresh Tilapia fillets
Salt and Pepper
1 Lemon (Buy organic if you can since you will be using the zest of the lemon)
2 Tablespoon butter

Lay the tipapia on a piece of aluminum foil. Salt and pepper both sides. Zest a lemon (if you have a zester like mine you might need to chop it some to make it a fine zest) and split among each piece. Cut the lemon and squeeze the juice of the lemon over fish. Add half a tablespoon of butter to the top of each piece and roll the foil into a packet. Place the packets on a cookie sheet and bake at 375 for about 18-20 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fish.

Clark made some brown rice that he added a little salt and butter to and I served the fish over the rice. We added a side salad with homemade ranch dressing (my new alternative book says to lay off store bought salad dressing). It was a wonderful meal.

Tonight we will be having veggie patch pizza with zucchini and onion from the market and fresh spinich and mushrooms from the store. I can't wait.

Farmers Market

2010-06-12T20:06:00.000-07:00

I finally made it to the farmer's market for the first time this season and I couldn't be happier. The selection is already building up as local farmer's have some wonderful things coming in. Today I managed to find some fresh greenleaf lettuce, cucumber, cabbage, zucchini, yellow squash, green beans, peaches, and farm fresh local eggs. It's so exciting to work on a menu for the week with these wonderful finds. Tonight, I already had chicken tenders thawed in the frig. so what better than a blackened chicken salad. Clark had made a request for some sweet potato fried so I just added those as a side dish for the salad. We ate our fill and had a little left over to pick at for lunch tomorrow. The salad was incredible. There is so much more flavor in fresh local food. You could actually get a little sweet and a little bitter from the lettuce and we sat and picked the cucumber slices out when we were done with dinner until we almost made ourselves sick. It just doesn't have the bland watered down taste that supermarket cucumbers have. Anyway, I just had to share my joy for the season and let you know that we are officially "Eating healthy, eating local" once again!

Preventative and Alternative Medicine

2010-06-07T06:22:00.001-07:00

I really believe that there is something to preventative medicine. If you will take the time to be proactive to keep from getting sick then the less you have to deal with doctors and so on. Even with Abbey, I have tried to do what I can to prevent her from getting colds, ear infections, etc. instead of just letting her catch things then going and getting medicine all the time. I do also believe that drugs can help people, so I'm not against them. The thought, though, is that if you take a preventative approach then the less chemical drugs you may require later in life. I also believe that a healthy diet and the right vitamins can improve your basic way of life when modern medicine can't prescribe anything for it. Now, this might seem like a little rant that I'm on, but hear me out and you can decide if I've lost my mind.

I suffer from severe endometriosis. My doctor, who is the head of OB/GYN at a large city hospital said it was one of the top three worst cases he had ever seen. After three surgeries and with a lot of fertility treatment, we were able to have our sweet little Abbey. During and for about two years after her birth, I didn't have any problems with the pain of the endometriosis, but the past few months and it has come back. I have found myself living in pain, carrying a bottle of ibuprophen everywhere I go. My doctor says that he will not do another surgery for it because it is just too bad. My next surgery will end my childbearing life and I'm not sure I'm ready for that. So that is what I have to suffer with.

Clark, being diabetic and mildly narcoleptic, is always looking for ways to improve his way of life. Recently, he has really been struggling with getting up on time in the morning and feeling rested. The boss man is tearing into him about being late and it really isn't his fault, but something has to be changed. With much internet research about his narcolepsy he has realized the difference between the way he sleeps and the way a normal person sleeps. The only medical remedy for this is with strong drugs that he is not willing to try, so he found a book this weekend called "Alternative Cures" that gives a lot of information about using diet, vitamins and minerals to help medical conditions. I'm not saying that it can cure them, it may not even help very much, but it is natural and worth giving it a try.

Here is where the two stories colide. The book was just laying on the couch Saturday night after the baby was in bed and while Clark was on the computer, so I thought I would pick it up and glance through it. I looked up endometriosis, not really expecting to find much, but there it was in black and white, an explanation of my symptoms and a solution to help with the symptoms. It wasn't a cure because the only cure I think there could possibly be is to physically remove the disease, but there was a plan that made sense. Eating a healthy diet that does not contain processed foods and limits your intake of sugar, caffiene, white flour, red meat, and dairy, all things that are believed to break down your natural immune system. Also it suggested taking a multi vitamin as the base and add Vitamins C,E, and B complex for immunity building and Flaxseed oil for the Omega-3 and -6 fatty acids that are a natural way to fight the pain. Endometriosis is the type of disease where basically the cells are fighting against themselves. This information was in the book and the explanation given to me by my doctor, so in building up your natural immune system you help the good healthy cells fight back harder. It made sense.

So, that is my new approach to becoming healthy. The diet is really something we should have been doing anyway (more strictly than we have been). It is very similar to the diet Clark should be on for his diabetes, but in addition, I am taking an array of vitamins and minerals to help build what is naturally in my body. Although I already suffer with this particular disease, and Clark with his, I believe that this healthy approach will help our current situation and prevent future issues from arising. Also, we hope that this lifestyle change can help with our weight problems and energy levels. I'm really looking forward to giving this a try. If you have any experience with alternative or preventative medicine, please leave me a comment. I would love to hear your stories. Also, if you have any recipes that you love that fits into my criteria for the new diet, please leave those as well. I have some low carb, diabetic and healthy eating cookbooks, but I love to hear your favorite tried-and-true recipes that are perfect for a healthy lifestyle.

I'm sorry this has been a long post, but hopefully it will be something to keep you updated on in the future.

At the park!

2010-05-27T06:37:00.000-07:00

I feel like I am missing out because I haven't found time to take Abbey to the park, but everyone else has taken her. Her Aunt J and cousin, Bonnie, took her two weeks ago and got some wonderful pictures. Then Clark took her last week while I had an airport meeting and she showed him the ins and outs, because she is getting to be a pro. Of course, he never thinks to take a camera anywhere. Maybe with it being a long weekend, we can get to the park, or take her swimming, or something fun outdoors. We haven't made any plans for Memorial Day, just so we can spend some much needed family time together. I can't wait. In the meantime, here are the sweet pictures that Bonnie took at the park. Bonnie is such a good photographer. I love her!!!!!!!

Bonnie has loved photography and become serious about it since her wedding, and she has taken wonderful pictures of Abbey. Abbey has even learned to pose so Bonnie can get the picture she wants. But Bonnie has another reason to carry her camera everywhere she goes now. His name is Daniel and he has got to be one of the sweetest little boys you will ever know. Bonnie is a proud momma and has already started putting him on film. I thought I would share an adorable picture taken by Bonnie of her precious Daniel, my great-nephew.

Hope for the best!

2010-05-25T06:11:00.000-07:00

As many of you know, I love a garden in the summer, but each year is a different adventure. This year is no different. You plant things and hope for the best, but some times it just doesn't work out. That's when you go back to the drawing board and plant something else. Here is the list I started off with and the results so far.

Cabbage - 6 (One didn't make it so we are down to 5)
Broccoli - 4 (One didn't make it so we are down to 3)
Sweet Banana Pepper - 1 (Looking good)
Bell Pepper - 5 (One broke in two so I was afraid it would die, but it is making a come back)
Zucchini - 1 (Something ate all the leaves and left stumps, so I dug it back up)

I sowed seeds for:

Yellow Squash - (same as zucchini, as soon as they began to come up something ate them, so replaced all squash with tomatoes. You can get squash easily at the farmer's market anyway)

Okra - (Coming up and looking good. I need to replant a couple of seeds)
Green beans - Roma and Blue Lake (Romas didn't come up at all, so I replaced them with tomato plants. Blue lake came up in most of the row, but I'm going to get some more seed and replant the rest of the row)
Onions - Sweet, Red, and Bunching (Bunching didn't come up, but the rest look good)
Radishes - (First to come up, I need to thin them out, they are growing great)
Lettuce - Bibb and Salad Bowl (I've had a few of the salad bowl variety come up, but not much so I might plant something else in it's place soon)
Cucumber - Straight Eight and Pickling (Straight eight came up, pickling didn't)
Pumpkin - (Clark accidently tilled over the tiny little pumpkin leaf that popped up, he doesn't like pumpkin anyway so I'll just buy one at the farmer's market to put up what little I need)
Watermelon - (Looking good)
Cantelope - (Didn't come up, so I replaced it with a tomato plant)

If you are wondering why everything is getting replaced with tomatoes, I bought 14 tomato plants thinking that I would share some with my dad and Clark's dad, who usually grow them in larger flower pots. Neither of them want to grow them this year, so I was left with all my tomato plants. The second issue was the fact that Clark said he would extend my garden to have a section devoted to tomatoes. This never happened and I really needed to get them in the ground before they all died, so once I saw what was coming up and what wasn't from planting seeds, I started to go in and replace what didn't come up with tomato plants. Luckily the areas that needed replacing were in corners of the garden so my tomatoes are easy to get to.

Well, that is my garden update. How is your garden doing?

I did it again!

2010-05-17T07:00:00.001-07:00

I walked my second 5K this weekend and shaved two minutes off my time. I was still at the end of the pack, but I did start out at a jog and then walked the rest of the way. I finished and did it in less time than my first 5K, which was my personal goal. This track was similar to the last one, but was a little harder. It seemed to have a few more hills, and I wasn't the only one who thought so. I'm really getting into these little 5K's. I can do these, not well, but that will come in time. I have my eye on another one in June and have already heard about two in the fall. My nephew's wife ran Saturday and it was her first 5K. I was so proud of her. Her time was right around 30 minutes and for her first one with only a few weeks of training, I thought that was great. She is one that really loves to challenge herself, which is an inspiration to me. She just finished the P90X program last month, so 5K's are her new addiction. I just want to be able to see her at the start line and then maybe again at the finish because I don't think I'll ever be able to keep up with her. Anyway, Clark and I slacked on the P90X this whole month and sat and complained about how we need to give it another shot, so tonight we start again with Chest and Abs. Let's see how far we can take it this time. :) I hope everyone has a wonderful week and don't forget those Strawberries. They will be out of season very soon, so stock up your freezer.

Recipe of the week:

Berry, Walnut, and Avocado Spring Salad
(Originally a Weight Watchers recipe, but I have changed a few things)

Ingredients
· 6 oz. spring mix salad
· 3/4 cup fresh strawberries, quartered
· 1/3 cup walnuts
· 1/3 cup golden raisins
· 1 large avocado, sliced
· 1/4 cup Bleu cheese crumbles
· 1/4 cup Raspberry Vinaigrette

Instructions
· In a medium bowl toss together the spring mix, strawberries, walnuts and golden raisins. Top with avocado and bleu cheese crumbles. Drizzle lightly with dressing just prior to serving and pass dressing with salad.

· Yields 6 servings.

This is a great light lunch salad or as part of a meal with marinated grilled chicken and veggies.

Need a good side dish?

2010-04-28T07:01:00.001-07:00

I was looking back at my posts so far this year and saw that I had started out posting recipes that used fresh ingredients. Well, with the upcoming gardens, CSA's and farmer's markets, now is the time to really start thinking about "Eating healthy, eating local" again. So, I'm going to pull this one back out and I am going to start posting recipes again! Please let me know if you try them, like them, change them or have any other ideas about these recipes as we go along. I love reading your comments and it encourages me to comment more on other's blogs. Anyway, here is the recipe for today, a wonderful summer time side dish that is great to make ahead of time and take to family reunions, church gatherings, or days in the park.

Asian Slaw

2 packages cabbage slaw mix (or grate your own fresh from the garden or farmer's market)
2 packets beef ramen noodles
Green onions (garden or farmer's market)
1 cup sunflower seeds
1 cup slivered almonds
3/4 cup Oil
1/4 cup Vinegar (I used White wine because I was out of regular and have used it every since)
1/2 cup Sugar

Crush noodles in the bottom of the bowl. Set aside flavor packets. Pour in slaw mix and green onions. In another bowl, mix oil, vinegar, sugar and flavor packets. Pour over slaw. Top with seeds and almonds. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and put in frig. over night. Toss everything together before serving to mix flavors. Serve.

Catch up

2010-04-23T06:19:00.000-07:00

OK Let's play a quick game of catch up for this week. I have not been doing my P90X like I was supposed to, but I do have a little bit of an excuse, and the good intentions of getting back on the program next week. Last Saturday I walked a 5K with my girlfriends. I have never done this before and although I came in last in my age group, I had a lot of fun. I also have a time on my fitness level and I number to beat in the next 5K. We had planned to walk the Dogwood festival 5K, but found out that they are not going to have it this spring, instead they want to wait until the fall. We are looking into walking during the Relay for Life for cancer awareness. It is an over night relay walk, but you can just come and go too so we might go and walk the distance that would be 5K and see how we do, plus it would be for a wonderful cause.

That pretty much wore me out for the weekend, but at the beginning of this week instead of exercise I put out my garden. We have around a 250 sq. ft. area and Clark was so sweet to get it tilled up for me last weekend. I have set out the following plants:

Cabbage - 6
Broccoli - 4
Sweet Banana Pepper - 1
Bell Pepper - 5
Zucchini - 1

I sowed seeds for:

Yellow Squash
Okra
Green beans - Roma and Blue Lake
Onions - Sweet, Red, and Bunching
Radishes
Lettuce - Bibb and Salad Bowl
Cucumber - Straight Eight and Pickling
Pumpkin
Watermelon
Cantelope

We did it a little different this year. Last year I put down lawn fabric to help keep the weeds out. That has benefits and it has draw backs. This year we have decided to devote more time to working in the garden and do our best to keep it weeded like we should, so we didn't put the fabric down this time. We will see at the end of this season which works best for us.

I did have my regular Thursday weigh in (just to be curious since I didn't actually workout this week) and I have lost two pounds this week. So the moral of the story is, if you can't workout or don't have the desire, as long as you keep your body moving in some way and eat well you can take a little time off if you need it. Well, we will be out of town this weekend, but back on track next week and I'll report back on this subject then. Have a wonderful weekend, everybody!!!

Oh, it hurts...

2010-04-16T07:11:00.000-07:00

That was said quite a bit last night as Clark and I struggled to get those last push ups done. We started our P90X workout and it was great. My arms and chest are a little sore today, but so far so good. Although Clark came home saying that he was too tired to workout, when the time came he pushed the chair aside in the living room and joined in. It was great to workout with someone. The first day was the chest and back routine. It felt more like the arms workout because we are both so out of shape that we couldn't do our push ups very deep to get the workout we were suppose to on our chests. And we didn't have a pull up bar to do all the moves that work your back. We have decided to invest in a pull up bar though for next week. Also, we cheated a little because it was getting late and we needed to get to bed so we skipped the Ab Ripper X which was suppose to be done after the chest and back workout. I just did some ab work on my own Wednesday night and you shouldn't work your abs everyday according the Tony, so I didn't feel too bad about skipping it. We will pick it back up tomorrow night like we are suppose to. I think we are really going to enjoy this series. Clark likes that there are a lot of military style moves and of course the Army was when he was in the best shape. I like that you have water and rest breaks like you would have in a real gym setting, he shows you three different ways of doing an exercise, and you set your own goals. I have to print out the worksheets so we can track our progress. Well, I guess that is all for now. We are taking our "fat" pictures tonight so we can visually see our progress. I don't know if I will have the guts to post those, but I am concidering it. And no, I'm not going to pose in a bikini for the pictures. No one wants to see that. I'm going to try my best to post a few times a week just to keep you informed on our P90X progress and so I will have to be accountable. I think it helps when you know there are others out there waiting to see your progress, so feel free to comment (good or bad) as I go along on this new journey. My ultimate goal is to lose 30 pounds by August 9th (we leave for Florida on the 10th) and to look lean for our second wedding pictures. I just have to look better at my second wedding to Clark than I did at my first wedding to him. He wants a similar goal. We were both at our heaviest at our wedding 10 years ago (216 for me, 245 for him). Check out those double chins.

Well, here is to a new start, to being healthy, happy, (and hopefully skinny). :)

What is she saying?

2010-04-13T10:29:00.000-07:00

My mom just called me at work and it went something like this:

Meme: Abbey is trying to tell me what she wants for lunch, but I don't understand what she is saying? Listen to her and see if you can tell what she wants.

(she puts Abbey on the phone)

Me: Abbey, honey, what are you trying to tell Meme?

Abbey: Mmmm!

(Meme gets back on the phone)

Meme: Well, she won't say it now. I'll ask her again and put the phone close. See if you can hear her well enough to tell me what she is saying. Abbey, what is it you want for lunch.

Abbey: Abbey want a peee peeeeek.

Meme: So...

Me: No, she can not have "Pink Peeps" for lunch.

Meme: I thought she was saying something like that, and I don't have any.

Me: No, Meme, no peeps for lunch. Even if you do have any.

Meme: Well, we'll see what else we can find. We'll talk to you later!

CSA

2010-04-08T07:18:00.000-07:00

I'm so happy. I have found a CSA that delievers to our town. YEAH!!!!!! And it comes from my favorite strawberry grower (that also has farm fresh veggies). It is only for ten weeks, but that is a great start for us. I can fill in with our own garden. Then I can go to the Farmer's Market to buy in bulk for canning. I can't wait. I'll keep you posted on my new adventure and I'll try to post pictures during the growing season.

It's almost time.

2010-04-01T06:47:00.000-07:00

I couldn't be more excited about the upcoming growing season. If you take a look back at my blogs from the first of the year, you will notice my new philosophy "Eat Healthy, Eat Local!". Well, it is almost time for that to really kick into gear. Talk about gardens, seeds, plants and veggies have begun both on my favorite blogs and just generally around town, so I'm starting to feel the urge to plant something. Although my seeds did not grow in many cases (It is time to buy new seeds and throw the old ones out), I do have a few broccoli plants to start with and I'll just buy plants from local growers as I need to plant them. I do need to purchase some fresh seeds for things that are planted directly in the ground and I was so happy to have found onions sets for sweet onions this year, so I went ahead and bought those. Now, I just need to get the hubby out there to till up the garden spot so I can get started.

In other news, strawberries are starting to pop up. You can already find the unripe ones in the grocery stores (Yuck!), but there is nothing like holding out for the local ones. I have two sources in Florida that are picking ripe ones already, so they should be picking in our area in a few weeks. I can't wait. Look for those little red stands in town with local fresh picked strawberries and stock up. At this point, knowing that the fresh season is upon us, we begin to really use up what is in the freezer to make room for the summer foods. That will be my challenge over the next few weeks, make meals from the freezer. Then when the season begins, starting with the strawberries, there will be room in the freezer to store the harvest. For strawberries I love to make a little sugar free strawberry freezer jam and then I freeze the rest of the berries whole. Simply cut off the tops and give them a nice cool bath in cold water, dip them out and pat them dry, then I lay them out on a cookie sheet and place them in the freezer for a couple of hours until they are frozen firm. This way when you take them off the cookie sheet and place them in the freezer bags the berries will not stick together and they will keep their shape. No crushed berries. With this process you can also use a Food Saver if you prefer, then you can vaccum seal them without crushing the life out of them.

Well, those are my little tips for today to get you geared up for fresh food season. Please check back with me for more tips, recipes, and updates during one of my favorite times of year.

Can you tell...

2010-03-30T07:37:00.000-07:00

... it has been another rough week? It was so crazy that I decided to stay home from work today to rest and get some things done around the house. I didn't have anything going on at work that couldn't wait until tomorrow. Besides, I'm almost at my breaking point and I have another batch of work, programs, family get togethers, girls nights, airport meetings, and Avon orders coming up in the next two weeks. Top it off with the news that my dear cousin, Shanna, and her family are moving to Tupelo, MS. There is nothing in Tupelo!!! Well, except an airport and a chance for her husband to advance his career. I wish he could just leave her and her sweet baby boy here though. I think she wishes he could too. She doesn't really want to go so that doesn't help, but she knows it is what is best for his career and hopefully he can return to TN in a few years with knowledge under his belt. Then as a consultant, they can live wherever they want. Anyway, I'm going to miss her a lot. She is my go to person whenever I want to go shopping, or out to eat, or take the kids to see something, I just call her. Well, anyway, I'm going to cry if I type anymore about that. Nothing else has been going on, just trying to keep my head above water. It has been so bad that my little plants for my garden are suffering. I keep forgetting to water them. I might have something to plant in a few weeks, and I might be going to the landscape store to buy what I need. It looks like it might be the second choice. I hope you all are starting to think about your gardens. Trees and flowers are starting to bloom and I think we only have blackberry winter and dogwood winter to make it through before the frost is totally over. So, if you haven't already, start drawing up those plans for planting and I suggest to start buying up canning jars and freezer bags a little each week so you have a great supply when it comes time to put up the food. Have a great rest of the week!!!

I've been busy...

2010-03-17T07:19:00.001-07:00

...so I haven't posted this week. I'm sorry. This week is getting to me. I have decided, through the inspiration of friends and family, to really kick into high gear on losing weight. I'm trying to keep up with Weight Watchers to help with nutrition and I'm working out to my old Slim in 6 video to prep me for my new P90X video series. I've done good on the WW this week so far, but I've been a little slack on the exercising. I still don't have myself quite organized enough to fit in the regular workouts, so I've just done the Ab routine and the stretch routine so far this week. On top of all of that, I have a full time job, an Avon order going out this week, the consignment sale starting this weekend (and I'm just now getting my things priced), and I have to work the sale this weekend. Next week I will add a gospel meeting at church, an airport board meeting to listen to presentations by consulting firms and more consignment shopping, selling and working. Throw in an Easter egg hunt and planning my summer vacation for the whole family and I'm beat. I'm not really complaining, although it might sound a little like complaining. I don't know if I could function very well if I didn't stay busy, but I could use a minute to breath after this week. I doubt I will find the time though. I would like to start posting on a daily basis about my workouts, nutrition, and weight loss. My goal is 30 pounds by August. Some of you may know that this year will be my 10th anniversary and Clark and I have decided to plan a big family vacation to the beach and renew our vows. It will be small, fun, and I want lots of fabulous pictures. Other than being pregnant, my wedding day was actually the largest I have been in my whole life and I don't want that to be the case for my renewal ceremony. I want to be skinny in these pictures, so I now have a big goal and that should help me stay focused. I think making it public will help me be accountable for those goals. I'll have more about that in my next post. So, hang in there and don't forget to come visit my blog on a regular basis. I might go so far as to post pictures. MAYBE! Have a wonderful rest of the week!!!!!!

Finally...

2010-03-10T07:07:00.000-08:00

I got my seeds into the potting soil. I'm about two to three weeks behind my normal schedule for planting my vegetable seeds indoors, but I think it will be alright this year since we have had such a cold winter. I'm so excited that I finally got them planted yesterday and got the trays under the lamps (I'll post pictures when they sprout). I always plant more seeds than I need in the garden to be sure that I have good strong plants. Once I have planted the ones I want outdoors, I give the extras to friends and family. I'm trying some new things this year, broccoli spinach, and lettuce, and I'm going to try cabbage from seed instead of just buying the plants. I have two types of large tomatoes, a roma tomato and then I planted some left over seeds from a packet I bought a couple of years ago. The packet is a variety pack of cherry tomatoes. I love variety packs because you don't know what type of tomato plant it is until you actually see the tomatoes. It adds a little fun to gardening. Well, here is what I have planted so far:

Broccoli
Lettuce (Bibb and Green Leaf)
Tomatoes (Brandywine, Better Boy, Roma and Cherries (Sweet 100, Sungold or Yellow Pear))
Cabbage
Sweet Bell Pepper (California Wonder)
Spinach
Marigolds (These are great to plant around your tomatoes to help ward off bugs naturally)
Sweet Basil
Oregano
Parsley
Chives

What do you have planted so far?

Story time with Daddy

2010-03-03T06:33:00.000-08:00

Abbey has been very full of herself this week it seems, or we have just been paying closer attention to some of the things she says. Anyway, I had a meeting last night so Clark had to put her to bed. He is very good about following the same routine with her that I do, so last night he was reading her a story, "Farm Animals". With many of these types of books the pages have a picture and one or two words to discribe the picture. Abbey likes for you to ask her what the picture is. Doing it this way has really helped her learn items, colors, and how to correctly pronounce the words. So, in that fashion, the farm animals book has pictures of animals and she will say, "What's that Daddy?" to which Clark answers, "what IS that Abbey?" and she says "It's a cow".

Now, keep that in mind as we are going through the farm animals book. First page is a pig, then a cow, then a horse, and so on. Then Clark and Abbey got to the page with a momma chicken and baby chicks on it.

Abbey: What is that, Daddy?

Daddy: What is that, Abbey?

Abbey: It's a chicken.

Daddy: That's right. And what are those?

Abbey: Uhh, chicken nuggets!

I love the way she thinks. :)

Food Revolution

2010-03-02T07:43:00.000-08:00

If you haven't seen the trailer for this then check it out on the internet. Simply google Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution. This is something that Jamie has been promoting for some time, but he will have a show on ABC starting March 26th and I can't wait to see it. I love him as a chef and can't wait to see the show.

It's snow fakes, mommy!

2010-03-02T06:56:00.001-08:00

I just love it when Abbey is truely excited about something. This morning she came downstairs and into the kitchen, and even though I had told her it was snowing, she took one look at the window and ran to see the "snow fakes". I had to bundle her up good because she wanted to make snow balls as soon as we got to Meme's house. Of course, we pulled into the drive at Meme and Poppie's and I tried my best to put together a couple of snow balls for her (the snow had just started falling so there was hardly enough). She threw them on the ground and just laughed. After we went inside she had to tell Meme and Poppie all about it snowing, her snow balls and throwing them. I just stood back and smiled at how animated she was telling her story. When I left she had Poppie by the hand standing at the kitchen door telling him how "pruddy" the snow is. Not being a big fan of snow myself, I'm suddenly a lot more tolerant of something that my daughter seems to love so much.

Easy Recipe

2010-02-24T06:17:00.000-08:00

Here is a quick and easy recipe that I tried last night and it turned out to be a big hit. Try using local honey and locally raised chickens. Some areas even have locally made butter.

Honey Glazed Chicken

1/2 c. Honey
1/4 c. Butter, Melted
1/8 c. Soy Sauce
Skinless, Boneless Chicken Breasts (I only had 3 pieces, but you could use 4 or 5 and have enough glaze)

Place chicken in a ziplock bag. Mix together glaze and pour over chicken, then let it sit in the refrigerator. I put this together yesterday morning and let it sit all day, or you could mix it up the night before. Preheat your oven to 350. Place chicken in baking dish and bake for 25-30 minutes or until juices run clear.

This was actually a freezer recipe, so you can mix the glaze and pour over chicken then place the bag in the freezer. When you are ready to make it just let it thaw completely and bake it.

I served this with broccoli and cheese and rolls and the family loved it, so give it a try. Let me know what you think.

I've waited so long to share

2010-02-23T06:28:00.001-08:00

Abbey has been able to talk for almost a year and she speaks very clearly for the most part. We are starting to have regular conversations with her so that she feels included and can learn to communicate better with others like her teachers at school. So, I'm so excited to be able to share our conversation on the ride the school.

I was driving along and Abbey hadn't said very much, just looking out the window enjoying the ride. When all of the sudden...

Abbey: Is that singin', mommy?

Me: What baby?

Abbey: Is that singin?

Me: That's Keith Urban singing on the radio.

Abbey: Is Feff Urba singin' on the rayio.

Me: Do you like this song?

Abbey: Yeah!

She sticks a thumb in her mouth and with the other hand starts tapping the beat on her knee and bouncing in her car seat. I just laughed.

Slackin'

2010-02-19T06:43:00.000-08:00

Well, work has been rather demanding lately. I even had to work last weekend, so although I did buy healthier food, we didn't go by my Pyramid meal plan. So, tonight I'm cleaning out the frig and cabinets and tomorrow I'm going shopping for "good" food. The meal plan will have to be adjusted just a little for Clark since the pyramid still contains too many starches and sugars for him, but he is just going to take my plan and tweek it a little. For the most part it will work for both of us. We had a slight arguement last night about the meal plan, mainly because I just don't think he will want to stick to it and will stop off and buy chips and cookies on his way home from work. It is so frustrating when you are trying to help someone for them not to be on board. It happens with health, with money, with house work, with kids and it is hard to deal with someone working against you all the time. But after our little spat I think we have arrived at the same page on the new eating lifestyle and I hope we will stick to it at least for a while. With summer coming up and so much fresh garden veggies, it should at least last through the summer. Anyway, if anyone has any additional ideas to get us started please share and I will continue to post our progress. I can say that just trying to eat better and exercising a little (not much) has helped me lose 5 pounds since the start of the year. I have an overnight trip in April and I already have the dress, but it would look so much better if I lost 8 pounds in the next two months. And my big goal is for my 10 year anniversary in August. We are going to the beach and I want to be at least 30 pounds lighter. One day at a time and I feel like I will get there. Enjoy your weekend and I will hopefully get back to posting more often since some of my larger work projects are past.

Big Girl Bed

2010-02-07T20:26:00.000-08:00

A couple of weeks ago we took down Abbey's crib and put in her "Big girl bed" with her new Tinkerbell bedding. I took one last picture when she woke up that morning of my baby in her baby bed.

Then at the end of the day I took pictures of her new room with her new bed. She cried a little the first night, unsure of her new room, but after about thirty minutes and reassurance that it was still her same room, she went right to sleep. She has slept great in her big girl bed every since.

Birthday pictures

2010-02-03T20:26:00.000-08:00

Abbey had an Elmo's World party this year!

Catching up

2010-01-29T11:54:00.001-08:00

I thought I would play a little catch up on this snowy afternoon. Here are some pictures of Abbey on Christmas. Enjoy!!

The pity party is over...

2010-01-28T09:47:00.000-08:00

... and I'm back to my old self. I think the problem I am having is a time issue. It is difficult as a working mom to find time to organize, clean and cook. It is hard to stay one step ahead or stay on top of things and it doesn't help to have a someone going behind you messing things back up (and having a two year old around the house doesn't help either :) ). Well, I'm trying to get back in the saddle and back on track. The one thing that my husband has mentioned is that he really needs to eat better and is willing to help with the baby so I can focus on cooking healthy. So, I'm taking him up on that offer. I have spent a great deal of time this week putting together a meal plan according to the government pyramid guidelines using the most fresh fruits, veggies, and whole wheat/grains that I can. For my first plan, I think I did pretty good. It will require a lot of prep work on my part and organization since I do work, but I'm willing to give it a shot. I'll let you know how it works for my family next week. As for exercise, I have fit in a couple of workouts this week and hope to add more next week, but I'm taking it slow and hoping it will stick better. The same with some of my other goals. In the mean time, here is another great recipe for this week from Ellie Krieger from Food Network. I love the flavor in these potatoes, and in season you can use fresh dug potatoes and fresh snipped chives. You can also use new red potatoes (they have less starch) and home made chicken broth. (Surely this one is simple enough, Shanna!)

Smashed Potatoes with Chives and Sour Cream

Ingredients
1 1/4 pounds Yukon gold potatoes (4 medium) unpeeled, cut into 1-inch pieces
1/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth, warmed
1/4 cup reduced fat sour cream
1 1/2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
Salt
Freshly ground black pepper

Directions
Place potatoes in a steamer basket fitted over a large pot of boiling water. Cover and steam for about 15 minutes, or until potatoes are tender.
Transfer potatoes to a large bowl. Add the broth, and coarsely mash the potatoes. Stir in the sour cream and chives. Season with salt and pepper, to taste, and serve.

Old Habits

2010-01-25T13:37:00.000-08:00

Is there anyone else out there in blog land that feels their old habits creeping up behind them, ready to attack? I have had this feeling for the past couple of weeks. I made very clear goals for the new year and when I looked at my list to see if I had made any progress with them, it looked pretty bad. Maybe I was a little over excited at New Year's and I was unrealistic. Maybe it is just hard to break old habits. And maybe some habits can't be broken at this very moment. I wanted to eat healthier and try to lose some weight. I have posted some great recipes on here so far, but finding the time to cook and the budget to eat better is really hard for me right now. I'm finding it difficult to try to do it on a regular basis. I believe for now I will try one truely healthy meal a week, then move my way up. As for exercise, I started a video series this morning that has three videos. Each video is a little harder than the one before so I'm going to take my time and work on my fitness level instead of being so concerned about numbers. In the mean time, I'm going to try to incorporate Renee's workout ideas into the mix each week so I don't get bored with a video. I guess in the long run, instead of breaking New Year's resolutions, it is alright to adjust 2010 goals. On the down side, you may be disappointed in me when I start posting some not so healthy recipes from time to time, except for Shanna who has asked me to please post anything simple, good or bad, healthy or unhealthy. :)

Fresh Salads

2010-01-18T06:50:00.000-08:00

There are many ways to make a salad and I would like to share a few great ideas, but I'm going to begin with a basic one. Salads are a wonderful way to get fresh veggies in your diet, but all the "additives" can add up and what about the dressing. Nothing beats a good ranch dressing on a basic lettuce and veggie salad. Well, with this recipe you will be screaming for more. Ellie Krieger from Food Network has a lighter, fresh way of making your own Ranch dressing at home and it truely beats the store bought stuff. My hubby even prefers this over any store bought dressing and it is simple to make. Remember, all the veggies can be fresh from the garden and local in the summer, organic or bought from a local merchant in winter so experiment with different veggies. Just remember to go light on things like cheese, boiled eggs and meats in a salad.

Fresh Garden Salad with Ranch Dressing

Combine your favorite fresh veggies such as:
Lettuce (Dark lettuces like green leaf and romaine have more nutrition), Spinich,
Tomatos, cucumber, onions, carrots, peppers, broccoli, cauliflower, squash, zucchini, etc.

For the dressing

Ingredients
1/2 cup nonfat plain yogurt, or 1/3 cup nonfat Greek style yogurt
1/3 cup lowfat buttermilk
3 tablespoons mayonnaise
1 1/2 teaspoons lemon juice (fresh is best, but sometimes I just don't have lemons, so I have used the bottled stuff)
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh chives (You can grow these in a pot at home in the summer)
salt

Directions

If using plain yogurt, place it in a strainer lined with a paper towel and place the strainer over a bowl. Let the yogurt drain and thicken for 20 minutes.
In a medium bowl, combine the strained or Greek-style yogurt and the rest of the ingredients. Add salt, to taste.

Give it a try and let me know what you think.

So far, so good!

2010-01-12T18:35:00.001-08:00

Well, I now have some people on board to do this healthy, local eating and I couldn't be more excited. I've already been asked to post more recipes. I have gathered a list of our favorite family recipes, and my idea is to try to make them healthier and use as many local ingredients as I can without sacrificing the taste. Since I haven't had the time to work on any recipes myself, I'm going to steal another one from a friend. Carrie B. has shared this on her blog and I have tried it so although it was not originally my recipe, I can certainly say that it is a good one. Give it a try!

BLACK BEAN BURGERS

Soak 1/2 cup black beans in water for 6-8 hours. Drain. Cover beans with water and 1/4 tsp. salt. Bring to a boil, and then simmer for 1 hr. or until tender. Drain all but 2 Tbsp. of the water. (Or you may also substitute 1 cup canned black beans. It's much easier) Mash beans with a fork, leaving a few of them whole.

Prepare brown rice for one person according to the package directions. Use 1.2 cup of the cooked rice for your patties. Very finely chop 1/2 onion, 1/4 red pepper, and 1 stalk celery.

Grate 1 carrot and 1 slice of frozen whole grain bread. Combine all of the above ingredients.

Add 1 1/2 Tbsp of freshly ground flaxseed and 1Tbsp of Worcestershire Sauce.

Mix well. Form 8 patties and place on a cookies sheet that has been sprayed with olive oil. Bake for 10 minutes in a 350 degree oven. Remove, turn patties over, bake 10 more minutes. Prepare as you would a regular burger!

Notes from Carrie B.: I don't usually use the flaxseed but it does really help them stick together. You could also try oats to help stick together. Recipe makes 8, but I usually make 6 big ones. Cheese is always good on these, because it helps it stick together a bit better. They also freeze great with a little parchment paper between the burgers!)

Notes from me: These have great flavor and of course you are using a lot of fresh veggies (that you can get at the farmer's market or the garden in the summer time). Serve them on whole wheat hamburger buns and try them with some sweet potato fries. Slice sweet potatoes lengthwise, tose them with a little olive oil, salt and pepper then spread on a cookie sheet and bake in the oven at 375 degrees for about 35 minutes or until they are soft in the middle.

Eating Healthy, Eating Local!

2010-01-08T09:58:00.000-08:00

My friend, Renee, mentioned in her blog that one of her goals for 2010 was to eat more local food, which in turn helps you to eat healthier in many cases, I believe. I started thinking about that and quickly sent an email to some girlfriends to issue a challenge for the new year. Many of them mentioned that they would like to eat healthier, so I challenged them to find more local foods to help meet that goal. Back when I was pregnant and even up to the time Abbey started eating table food, I shopped at more local places including the farmer's market. Although I always had good intentions to can my own garden goodies and those purchased at the farmer's market, I never made the time. One of my goals this year, like Renee, is to eat healthier and shop locally for what I can. Also I would like to can the extras for the Winter, so I'm counting on this challenge to help me with my goals as well. I'm starting off with a simple soup recipe with tons of veggies and I'm going to borrow Renee's corn muffin recipe (hope you don't mind Renee)because they go great with the soup and is made with honey instead of refined (white) sugar. The recipes are great basic recipes with ingredients you could buy at the regular grocery store, but you will notice that to the side I have added how you can make them more local and fresh. Always remember that veggies bought frozen hold more nutrients than those that are bought in cans, but freezing and canning fresh at home is always the best way to go. I hope you will check back with me because I would love for this challenge to help you in your goals as well. I will do my best to pass along recipes that can be made with local ingredients, give tips for gardening and buying local and pass along any other information I can to boost your interest in getting your family healthy, helping our environment and helping the local economy (farmer).

Veggie Soup

2 cans beef broth (Or you can make your own)
1 can tomato sauce (Canned fresh in the summer)
1 can diced tomatoes (Canned fresh in the summer, or cut fresh from the garden)
1 can whole kernel corn or half bag of frozen (canned fresh in the summer, or cut fresh from the garden)
2 cans mixed veggies or 1 bag frozen (can be frozen in the summer, or cut fresh from the garden)
1 teaspoon basil (dry herbs are best for soups)
1 teaspoon parsley
Salt and Pepper to taste
Ground Beef (Optional)

If you like meat in your soup, as my hubby does, brown a ½ pound – 1 pound of ground beef and drain.
Add the other ingredients and simmer for about 20 minutes. Serve with corn muffins.
It is also a very forgiving soup so if you don’t happen to have something or like more of one veggie than another, you can almost put anything in it and it will turn out good.

To make it a little healthier with the meat choice, you can add cooked chicken instead of the beef. Just change the beef broth to chicken broth to match the flavors.

Honey Corn Muffins

Makes: 12

1/2 stick, unsalted butter
1 1/4 c flour (check out the local mills, we even have a bakery that sells a local mill's flour)
3/4 c cornmeal (same for cornmeal, even some farm CSA's carry it in there boxes)
1 1/2 t baking powder
1 t salt1/2 t baking soda
2 large eggs (Fresh eggs from local farmers are wonderful)
1 c buttermilk
1/3 c honey (Local bee harvesters have different flavors of honey depending on the flowers the bees use to make it, so try some local favorites)

Heat oven to 375. Grease muffin tin.In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cornmeal, baking powder, salt and baking soda. In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, buttermilk, honey and butter. Add the flour mixture and stir.Divide into muffin cups and bake until golden brown and an inserted toothpick comes out clean, 30-35 minutes.

Happy Birthday!

2010-01-07T07:42:00.001-08:00

To my sweet baby girl. We love you!!!!!

(Boy, she slept a lot when she was a baby, didn't she?)

New Year

2010-01-05T06:54:00.000-08:00

It's my first post of the new year and it is going to be short. Just wanted to let you know that I'm still here. Here are a couple of pictures from the past month of Abbey. She is getting so big.

First Day of School

2009-11-17T06:36:00.000-08:00

Abbey did great on her first day of school. She was a little nervous when we first arrived, but when I went to pick her up she was swinging and talking to everyone. I called and checked on her half way through the day and she had played well outside and took a two hour nap in the afternoon. They give you a daily "report" of the child's activities and at the bottom of the report "Miss Michelle" wrote that she was very sweet and had a great first day! I'm so pleased with our decision and with the way Abbey did. She was worn out last night and asked to go to bed at 7:00, so I think this is going to be a great routine to have her in. I hope she does this good tomorrow on her second day!

School

2009-11-10T09:29:00.001-08:00

Well, I've avoided it for as long as I can, but Abbey will start day care next Monday. I'm actually excited about it. My SIL has become very unpredictable about keeping Abbey and mom is still limited to what she can do so we started looking into the University Child Care Center here on campus. It is amazing! They run it like a pre-school and the kids are in a good routine. They have to bring healthy meals from home for snacks and lunch (so I have to research that a little to make sure she is getting what she needs) and they go outside twice a day, have story time, self chosen activites and planned activites plus a two hour rest (nap) time in the afternoon. The best thing is that Abbey will be in class with her cousin Aila and other little boys and girls. I think she was getting bored playing by her self or with only adults at home. I really think it is a good time in her little life to be around other kids. She loves her Sunday school classes and Wednesday night classes at church and knows the other children by name, so I think it will help her. Plus they really learn at the center since it is run like a pre-school. I have a good feeling about it. I don't think it will be like just leaving her at a day care. Everyone I have talked to that has a child there or has ever had a child there is positive about the experience and since me staying home is just not a possibility right now, I think this is the next best thing. We are really trying to make it a big deal for Abbey. We have plans to go shopping this weekend for a lunch box, school socks and other things that she will need to get started. Please keep us in your thoughts as we make this transition and I'll let you know how things go next week.

Songwriting

2009-10-20T13:42:00.001-07:00

Some of you may know how much I love music. I have taken piano lessons, although I didn't practice and now I'm not very good, and I sang in choir in junior high. Since high school graduation I have sang in a few bands including a couple with my husband and I have written tons of songs, even got a Christmas song recorded when I was in college. But over the past few years, both Clark and I have focused more on family. Once Abbey was born Clark quit his band, Two Dogs Rose, and just plays at home with friends and records. I haven't done much of anything. Although I listen to music all the time, I just haven't taken the time to be creative like I once was. I'm so glad to say that I have found that love for music again and it is making me so happy. I think if Clark would go, I would move to Nashville tomorrow to work on my songwriting career, but in the mean time I'm just enjoying writing again. I have a different view on life and things around me and I can really see it in the songs. I've also had a greater hand in the melody and production of my songs. Always before I would refer to myself as a lyricist and not a songwriter, because I wrote words and seldom came up with the melody. That's what co-writers are for, right? But this time it is all about pushing my limits and trying to get the most from my music. Clark and I are even playing some with his sister who writes and sings bluegrass. Not really my favorite genre, but it gives another twist to my writing style. I've been very down the past few years, feeling as if I were in a rut, stuck in my life with no where to go, and very limited to what I can accomplish with the years just slipping away (I am already 33 yrs. old after all). I'm very excited that I have found a hole to slip through and freedom is in the music on the other side. I just had to share and hopefully by the spring I will have my first album of songs to share with the world. If you have a dream, no matter what it is and no matter how much it looks like it will just slip away over the years, back up and give it another shot. You might be surprised. And I'll let you know when Reba, Tim or Keith decides to cut one of my songs. :)

Granddaddy's Farm

2009-10-03T18:47:00.000-07:00

We had a wonderful family day at Granddaddy's farm. Clark, Abbey and I went to this wonderful Fall haven of bliss with my cousin Shanna and her family, Josh and Maeson, and my dear friend Jana and her sons, Gavin and Justin. We had a blast! There were farm animals to view and pet, a box full of corn to jump in, rubber duck races, swing sets to play on , wooden vehicles to "play" drive, a haybail maze for the kids and a hill slide. It was a beautiful day and a great chance for our families to spend some time together. If you are in the Franklin County (Winchester) area, I highly recommend going for a visit. If not, see if there is a farm/pumpkin patch in your area. We didn't even go on the hayride or go through the corn maze, there was just too much to do. And yes, we had to bring a "punkin" home for Abbey. This is my favorite time of year!!!!!

Slump...

2009-09-30T07:47:00.000-07:00

Well, if there is anyone out there still checking my blog from time to time you have noticed that I have been in a blogging slump. It seems a lot of my friends have been lately. Either we have gotten busy with everyday life or maybe we are more interested in Facebook, but whatever the case may be there has been much less blogging among my friends (with the exception of Mindy who blogs almost everyday). I still check all my friend's blogs every morning to see if anything new is on there, but just like me many don't change. What is wrong with me? I love blogs. I just don't feel like I have much to say I guess, but I want that to change. I have looked at some of the blogs that truely interest me and what about them that keeps me coming back, to hopefully inspire me in my writing. Other than my true friends blogs that keep my informed of the happenings in their live, I love home blogs, the ones about cooking, organizing, homemaking, family, etc. and I look for them in other friends blogs as links. I'm not good with Mr. Linky or any of that yet, but why not make my friends and others on the web want to visit my blog everyday like I visit other bloggers. That's it...I just need daily routines or topics to blog about and I need to dust off that beautiful camera that Clark gave me for Christmas and remember how to use it on a daily (or almost daily) basis. This could be something big, or another promised disaster. Just wait and see...

The Nashville Zoo

2009-08-15T02:13:00.000-07:00

We had a wonderful time with the Stokes at the Nashville Zoo last week while we were on our way to Memphis (Memphis photos will come soon).

It was a beautiful day and we got to see some great animals.

I think everyones favorite parts were the play gym at the end and Abbey seeing the "feesh".

2009-07-22T06:32:00.000-07:00

This has been such a busy summer. I can't seem to keep up. We have had a wonderful harvest from our garden this year and I'm so glad that I have been able to work in it a little more this year. I still need to make more time to garden to get the most out fo it, but I have been pleased. I finally got my first cucumber and I have a watermelon the size of a softball growing. I have had more okra than I can pick and the tomatoes are really starting to come in. I will be making my first batch of sauce in the next day or two. Other than that, we have a trip planned to Memphis in August to visit with Clark's family and then a small get away to Nashville at the end of the month, just the two of us (oh, and all the wonderful people at the airport conference). :) So, it is a business trip, but it will be fun and Clark gets to come too. Nothing else going on here lately, just the normal work, eat, sleep routine. Abbey is growing like a little weed and she is saying so many words that we can't keep up. She is at the stage now that you can ask her to say something and she will give it a try. She can count to five, if you count with her, start her off by saying "one", and if you are alright with the number six or nine coming after two. We are working on it. She can say her ABC's up to the letter "D" because those are the letters on her barn toy, so we have been working on that one too. She is really getting independant which in turn makes her fussy at times. She wants what she wants, but what kid doesn't. Well, that will get everyone caught up for now and here are a couple of pictures to tide you over until our next event.

This morning's bounty

2009-06-26T04:36:00.000-07:00

Just had to share a little from my garden. This is what I picked this morning and the other pictures are from last weekend. As you can tell, Abbey had a ball playing in the sprinkler. Please ignore the weeds. Clark mowed, but didn't trim and I hadn't weeded the garden when we took these pictures.

Update...

2009-06-25T06:31:00.000-07:00

Well, I haven't posted anything in a bit, but it is because I've been so busy lately. I'm sure you understand. Between work, home, baby and best of all the garden, I've had no time for me. Enough with the excuses, I'll just give you a quick update. Home life is pretty normal, we go to work, we come home. I have enjoyed the fruits (or rather veggies) of my labor. We have had great success with our zucchini and green beans in our garden. The squash is coming along, but I've only picked a couple of them. We also have numerous green tomatoes that I'm just waiting to turn red. The pumpkin vine has grown out of the garden into the yard about five feet and I have to stay on Abbey not to walk on it. We have a three foot watermelon vine and very small cucumber vines (I planted the cucumber late). I cooked a large batch of the green beans last night and couldn't be happier with the results. Finally, I have some one inch okra starting to come out on the plant and my sunflowers are about 5-6 feet tall, no flowers yet. Abbey got her first watering experience last weekend. I put her in her swimsuit and turned the sprinkler on to water the garden. She had a ball. We have pictures and maybe I'll get those on here by this weekend. Otherwise, we are just doing the normal stuff. For those of you who get the Herald Chronicle, I should have another artcle coming out in Friday's paper so look for that. I was very excited that my last article made the front page, but I doubt it will happen again. This is a follow up article to the first one so I'm sure it will be buried in there somewhere, but look for it. We have a family reunion this weekend and then the July 4th weekend. I'm very interested to see how Abbey will do with the fireworks this year. Well, until next time.

Summertime

2009-06-15T06:59:00.000-07:00

Well, Abbey is enjoying her first real summer. She was only 5-7 months old last year so she didn't really get to do much, but now she is mobile and she wants to go out everyday when we get home. I came home from work a couple of weeks back and after going through the house looking for them, I found Daddy and Abbey outside. I don't have a picture, but she loves to pull on the branches of the weeping willow trees in the yard.

She loves to play music

2009-05-25T05:04:00.000-07:00

But then again I guess I should have expected that. Look at who here parents are. Thought you might like this video of Abbey and Daddy playing music. This has become a regular thing. The most used entrance in and out of our house is through our music room, so now I have to make sure we are ready in plenty of time if we are going somewhere because Abbey can't go pass the instruments without playing something.

I guess we need to watch what we say...

2009-05-15T07:48:00.000-07:00

Abbey is learning so many new words, and fast. She can tell you about her "toes", "knee" and the "stick" she likes to drag around the back yard. She knows where her "nose" is and asks for either her "Meme" or aunt "Nina" every morning when she wakes up. The one that we might have done differently came to bite me back a couple of weekends ago. On Saturday mornings I get Abbey up, bring her into our room and put her in bed with Daddy to watch Mickey Mouse for a few minutes. This particular Saturday morning she noticed Daddy didn't have his shirt on and she pointed at his tummy and said "What's 'at?" I told her it was Daddy's "gut". She repeated "gut" and we laughed. It was so cute the way she said "gut". The next day we went to my mom and dad's on Sunday afternoon after church so she could play with her Papa and Meme. While Papa was sitting at the table in the kitchen, Abbey came over and pointed to his tummy and said, "What's 'at?" Papa told her it was his tummy. She looked straight at him and said "gut" and walked off. I couldn't help but snicker because it was funny, but I was a little embarrassed too. I don't think it bothered my dad, he was just surprised that she called it a gut. (My mom laughed too, by the way) We should have taught her to call it a tummy I guess. It is a much cuter term. Last night she was in the kitchen watching me cook dinner and we were talking, going over animals sounds and body parts, and we got to her tummy. She pointed so I asked what it was and again she said it was her "gut". I guess from now on we need to be careful what we call things. Although it is correct (especially for those of us that have a true gut and could stand to lose a few pounds), I don't want her offending anyone. I think coming out of the mouth of a one year old, she can get by with it but it just makes me realize how much she is learning and paying attention to what we do and say. Clark and I have to think before we speak now.

First Haircut

2009-05-09T12:42:00.000-07:00

I decided at the last minute that Abbey needed a haircut before Easter Sunday, Trisha was nice enough to let us drop by on Saturday at 2:00 pm for her first haircut. She did so well. I put her in the chair and she didn't move an inch. She never cried and thought she looked so pretty when it was over. I was so excited that she acted so good that I paid Trisha and left without getting any of her cut hair for my scrapbook. Thankfully, Trisha is a very good hairdresser and put her hair in an envelope and gave it to my dad the next week when he went in for a hair cut. So, here are the pictures I got of Abbey's first haircut.

The Hot Dog Song

2009-04-29T18:20:00.000-07:00

I wanted to try posting a video so here is a sweet one from February. Abbey has always danced to music, every since she was born, but she fell in love with the Hot Dog song from Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. Check this out!

Abbey's First Birthday

2009-04-29T18:11:00.000-07:00

Well, since I have a good start on this I thought I would share some pictures of her first birthday as well. She had a great turn out at her Mickey Mouse Clubhouse party (and yes we did still have the Christmas tree up on her birthday).

Abbey's First Christmas

2009-04-29T17:57:00.001-07:00

As promised, here are some pictures from Abbey's first Christmas.

I've been busy.

2009-04-29T07:59:00.000-07:00

I have extended my garden this year to a 30x18 spot and boy has it been fun filling it up with seeds and plants. Last year we did fairly well with the tomatoes, but not so good with the other veggies (mostly due to the fact that I could seem to keep the weeds out). Well, this is a brand new year. Clark worked up a wonderful spot for me this year and I laid down garden fabric to help keep the weeds under control. So far I have planted 4 Brandywine tomato plants, 1 Cherokee Purple and I have one Sweet 100 to set out and some tomato trees that my father in law is giving me (I have no idea what they are, but the plants and the barrels to grow them in are free). I have also planted 12 cabbage plants and 4 pepper plants. From seeds I have planted one giant pumpkin, one baby pumpkin, one watermelon, two rows of sunflowers, four rows of bush beans, two rows of carrots, two rows of okra, 2 crook neck squash, one patty pan squash and one zucchini. I actually still have to plant my cucumbers and have room for one or two more rows. I think I will throw some lettuce out and see if I can get a late harvest of lettuce. I'm so excited to be growing so much of my own food this year and Clark has really pitched in to help. I've even bought Abbey her own trowel and hand rake so she can help too. This will be a big project for me this year so I will try my best to post pictures as things progress. If you can think of anything that I have missed that might work well in the spot I have left, let me know. We like to try all types of food and I especially like to try to grow things that other farmers around here don't. I can always go to the farmer's market to buy the normal stuff. Until next time, happy gardening!!!!!

Back on the Blogging trail...

2009-04-27T06:30:00.000-07:00

I have figured out how to download my camera (pictures and videos). I've only had the camera since before Christmas and it has been full since February. I've missed some great Abbey moments, but I have it fixed now so expect some catch up blogs with tons of pics and video soon. :)

(Now, if I could just figure out how to work the video camera we bought before Abbey was born.)

Happy Birthday!

2009-03-24T08:54:00.000-07:00

Today is my birthday, da da, Happy Birthday to me, da da!

Happy Birthday to me

Happy Birthday dear me

Happy Birthday to me.

I hope the hubby remembers this year. Maybe he will surprise me with a vacation. I doubt it, but a girl can dream on her birthday, right!

Blog Block...

2009-02-18T07:41:00.000-08:00

OK I realize that I have fallen way behind on my blog. I hate that it has happened, but one of my biggest problems is my new camera. My life in itself is rather boring, but I always have great pictures and stories of Abbey. However, Clark got me a new camera for Christmas, which I love, and I haven't learned to download pictures and videos from it yet. Now it is full and I can't even get them off to take new ones (keep in mind the video camera is in the same pitiful state, full and I don't know how to download it). So, my project this week is to learn to download my new camera. I have pictures from before Christmas on there. Anyway, I check all of your blogs on a daily basis so I am still in the loop, but I ask that you be patient with me for just a little while longer and please don't give up and stop checking my blog. I will have new things on here soon, I promise.

Happy Birthday, Abbey Girl!!!!

2009-01-07T06:58:00.000-08:00

Today is Abbey's first birthday and we are so excited. Clark and I relived her arrival in our heads last night, how I couldn't sleep that night, I finally got out of bed and went in to her room and rocked in the rocking chair to soothe her and myself, how I came back to bed and just as I sat down on the edge of the bed my water broke at 4:15 on a Monday morning. Clark chimed in with how it scared him when I woke him up to tell him and then once he noticed I was calm, he was calm too. Then after a one hour drive, and a stop at the Conoco for breakfast, we made it to the hospital where I just walked in and told them I was in labor. I felt good and walked upstairs to the check in while he parked the car and they had me change clothes, checked me and I was already at 5 cm. I hit 10 cm by noon and Abbey Claire made her arrival at 2:13 pm. We were so happy. I can't believe it has been a year. Happy birthday our beautiful Abbey girl! You are the light in our lives and our love forever!

Abbey at Christmas

2008-12-23T06:24:00.000-08:00

I know that I'm way behind on this blogging stuff, but we have had computer problems at home and I have moved offices at work so things have been packed up including my work computer. Anyway, I'm back on track in both places (although still behind for the holidays). I still do not have a tree up because I don't want to risk the chance that Abbey will pull it down. Tonight Clark should have the prelit tree up when I get home and all I'm going to do is stick a tree skirt around the bottom and put a couple of bows on it for color. I decided not to put my ornaments on this year, again for Abbey's sake. Next year we can decorate like normal. She does have a stocking and I will wait until Christmas to put the presents under the tree. We should end up with good pictures and little fuss for this year. So here are a few pictures that Bonnie took for me of Abbey in her reindeer outfit. Have a wonderful holiday season, Merry Christmas to all!

Our sweet little pumpkin

2008-11-01T04:34:00.001-07:00

Abbey's faces

2008-10-26T12:11:00.000-07:00

MeMe has taught Abbey to make this new face and I've been trying so hard to get it on film. Everyone wants a shot of it and today at lunch she made this grinning face and I got it with the camera. Here are the many faces of Abbey Claire...

(the last one is the new "grin" face)

Sunday picture

2008-10-26T12:09:00.000-07:00

I was so excited about being ready in time to make Sunday pictures today that I downloaded them as soon as I got back from church. Only one turn out clear, but it is a great one.

It's been a while.

2008-09-29T19:18:00.000-07:00

It's been a while since I have put anything on the blog. I've been very busy with work and our little Abbey, but thought I would send a few pictures so you can see how we have been. Don't worry, I still keep up with my friends blogs, even if I don't say anything myself. I really admire those of you who write on a regular basis. Enjoy the pictures and I'll try to do better at leaving messages.

I have to brag (just a little)

2008-08-24T19:49:00.000-07:00

I've been decorating cakes for about four years now. Nothing too difficult , but I have made them for money and have helped out at my friend's bakery when she gets too over booked with cakes. I think I have a creative mind for it. Anyway, I have to brag just a little on this cake. About a month ago, a lady I work with mentioned the big party that her family has every year to send her nephew off to training camp. He has played for the Steelers, the Vikings and is playing this year for the Tennessee Titans. I decided to make one of my cakes for his party and I just wanted to show you know how it turned out. I was very proud of it.

Sunday pics...

2008-08-24T19:47:00.000-07:00

My camera has not been working very good and it makes it even harder when Abbey doesn't want to stay still, but here is a pic from a few weeks ago on a Sunday morning that I just got off the camera. Don't you just love the hat?

Sunday Pictures (Thanks for the idea, Mindy!)

2008-08-11T19:08:00.000-07:00

Well, I haven't had much to say lately so I haven't blogged in a while. But I was talking with my aunt recently and she mentioned how she hates that she doesn't get to see Abbey on Sunday with all her cute outfits (apparently word has spread, via the little old ladies, that Abbey always has something cute on for church on Sunday). Well, I decided to take a page from my friend of a friend, Mindy's blog and start putting Sunday pictures of Abbey on here so family can see her in her Sunday best. I have taken pictures the past few weeks and these are what I have so far. Both dresses were gifts from Meme. The last one is just a picture of me and Abbey after we changed out of our Sunday clothes.

It won't be long...

2008-07-16T09:14:00.000-07:00

Till it's football time in Tennessee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Around this time of year I start getting tired of the heat and I'm ready for the cool crisp air of fall, but most of all I'm ready for some football. I love football, it is truely a passion. I love to have tailgate food, friends over and I get so wrapped up in a game that it is almost silly. I think I love football more than my husband does, although he gets pretty wrapped up in it too. I have reserved season tickets to the local high school games, I print out all of the schedules for our favorite college and pro teams, I plan get togethers, vacations or any necessary trips around the football schedules and my house turns orange and two shades of blue for football (funny how all our favorite teams have these colors in common). I love it. This year we will have to work around the baby, but I don't think that will be a problem. She needs to learn from a young age what is important in life, FOOTBALL. We have already started teaching her to say "Go Vols!". For those of you who might be as crazy as I am, and have started to look at the fall line ups, here is a great link to remind you of last year and get you excited about the future.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sVF4CSgWiTc

Let's hear it, REBS! Go Vols! How about those Titans! And charge on Broncos! Let's get ready for a great season!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

P.S. Look for local boy, Eric Taylor, on the LP Field this year for the Titan's defense. We are really proud of him.

Salsa!

2008-07-11T07:08:00.000-07:00

Well, I canned my first batch last night and we chose Salsa. I cheated a little and got a seasoning mix to use, but we ended up with a good salsa. Clark really liked the flavor and it had just enough punch. Since most of my tomatoes are still green and they are larger tomatoes, not best for salsa or tomato paste, we bought 8 lbs. of Roma tomatoes from a farmer friend that Clark works with. It made 5 pints of salsa and all the lids were sealed good by this morning. So far, so good. Now tonight we will work on pickles. We also bought 15lbs. of pickling cucumbers and again I bought a cheat packet of dill pickle seasoning for the brine. I can't wait to work on it tonight. I enjoy seeing fresh food preserved. It brings back a lot of memories of how my family would pull together and put up food from our garden when I was young and it has become something that Clark and I enjoy doing together. I think my parents and grandmothers are impressed with us too.

I have tomatoes...

2008-06-30T08:04:00.000-07:00

Well, I thought I would give you a garden update. Weeds have taken over and the garden is growing slow. I figured this would happen because I just love the thought of a garden more than I love the work, but Clark is off from work this week and promised that he would till down the rows for me. I have kept the weeds out from around the plants so they are growing, just not too fast. I was really dissapointed in myself when my neighbors came over a couple of nights ago with a bag full of squash, peppers, cucumber and a head of cabbage and said there was plenty more so go pick out of their garden whenever we want. We tilled our gardens the same weekend, but they are much more into it than I have been and the results are obvious. I went out yesterday to take a look and was very happy to see one of my tomatoes is turning red, I have four dime size patty pan squash growing and a zucchini that is about four inches long already. Maybe my garden is doing better than I thought. I'll see if I can get some pictures soon. After we clean the weeds out. :)

PS. The two tomato plants that survived from the seeds I planted in February have started to grow tomatoes and they are Roma style, long and slender, so I guess I have either Sweet Tangerine Mamas or Golden Mamas. Maybe it will be one of each.

MaMa...

2008-06-25T06:32:00.000-07:00

Abbey said her first word and it was MaMa...although no one else has heard her say it and frankly no one believes me when I tell them that I heard it. But that was what she said last night, I promise. I have noticed in the past couple of days that she is working very hard at forming her mouth and not just making sounds. Well, last night she was in her Jumparoo and she started getting tired and wining, then she would cry out "Mama" and rub her eyes. I would think that it was just her making noise, but she did it three or four more times and it was very clear. Still no one believes me, but hopefully tonight she will do it again while Clark is around. I'm sorry that it will break his heart that her first word is mama instead of dada, but that's the way it goes. :)

Learning new things

2008-06-10T06:48:00.000-07:00

Seems like Abbey learns something new everyday, but there are some things that are bigger accomplishments than others. Last week she learned to roll over by herself and she even scoots a little (not quite crawling, but she tries really hard). Here are a few pictures of her rolling over. We have also found that she likes to watch TV (SpongeBob and HGTV are her favorites) but she really loves her playtime before bed each night. The play time wears her out, which is the part I like. Enjoy the pictures!

Fresh Canning

2008-05-27T07:03:00.000-07:00

I'm so excited. Clark bought me some freezer jam jars, a water bath canner and a pressure canner this weekend. I have long talked about canning and having fresh food for us all winter long, but never seemed to get it done (plus pressure canners scared me after hearing the horror stories my mom and grandmother would tell) but this year I'm going to get it done. Since we have a small garden this year and it is doing well and the price of food it going up all of the time, I want to make a greater effort to can and freeze as much food possible. I'm starting with freezer jam which I have done successfully before. I have found a great recipe for freezer jam that use Splenda as the sweetner so Clark can have as much as he wants. Also Ball now makes a No Sugar Added pectin for canning so that will help with any jams and jellies that I decide to can for the winter. I also have experience with the water bath canner and canning tomato sauces, but I normally just use my stock pot so I can't seal very many jars at one time. With my new canner I can seal seven quarts or ten pints at once. Much better! The pressure canner will be my new experience so I plan to read the directions very well and talk to people who can on a regular basis to get any advice possible. So if you have any to throw my way, go ahead. It will be greatly appreciated. For the things that just do not can well, I still have my chest freezer to store things in. I plan to put food up from my garden, trade things from my garden for things from my friends gardens and of course buy from the farmers market. I can't wait until harvest time. We have a few things at the farmers market now, but it will really pick up by the end of June. This gives Clark a project to work on as well. I need somewhere to store all of this wonderful food, so it is Clark's job to build some shelves in our downstairs office closet. It is coolest room in the house and I really don't store anything in that closet so it will be shelves and Ball jars from floor to ceiling. Wish me luck and of course I will post updates!

Sweet Pictures!

2008-05-07T08:27:00.000-07:00

I just love it when you get a good candid photo that you know will mean so much later when you look back on it. This is my new favorite picture of my daughter. I was changing out my closets the other night, switching the winter clothes to the guest room and bringing in the summer clothes to the closet in our room. Clark offered to take care of Abbey for me and so they just played on the bed and watched TV in our room so we could all be together and I looked up and saw this so I ran and got the camera as quickly as I could to have it as a reminder of the two people I love the most in this world. Just wanted to share!