Sunday Stealing (on a Monday...shhh)

The Have You Ever Meme 

1) Have you ever gotten lost in a maze?  No, I have a really good sense of direction and have a really good memory.  

2) Have you ever been attacked by a wild animal?  Do mosquitos count?  haha  Just the lorakeets at the zoo.  They sense my fear of birds and prey on it.

3) Have you ever ridden a camel? No, but I have an elephant.

4) Have you ever pet a rat? No

5) Have you ever been a member of a gym? Yes, I am currently...I guess I should go.

6) Have you ever been in a helicopter? Not that I recall. 

7) Have you ever cheated at a test? Probably when I was younger.  But, I am pretty sure the statute of limitations have ran out.  ha!

8) Have you ever ridden a tractor? Absolutely!  I learned to drive on a tractor.  

9) Have you ever passed wind/gas in an embarrassing situation? Probably, but I really don't remember.

10) Have you ever played the bongos? I wouldn't consider it "playing" as much as I would consider it just banging.

11) Have you ever handled a snake? Yes

12) Have you ever assembled furniture by yourself? I love to assemble furniture by myself.  That way there aren't too many cooks in the kitchen.

13) Have you ever been scuba diving? No

14) Have you ever had a disastrous interview? No

15) Have you ever sold your services? Yes, both as a photographer and a baker.

16) Have you ever raised money for charity?  Yes, March of Dimes.

17) Have you ever won a giant sized cuddly toy from a fair? No, I did break a mirror once.

18) Have you ever milked a cow? Yes

19) Have you ever used the phrase "back in my time" to someone younger than you? haha... I have recently started saying it to Elexis.

20) Have you ever invented a fairly unique meal or drink?  As long as we use the term fairly unique and not "holy crap what were you thinking".  

Two weeks until Christmas...

So I bought my Christmas gift for someone other than Elexis last night.  Yeah, it's two weeks before Christmas and I haven't bought anything except for my child.  I have really taken the ostrich approach to Christmas this year.  I don't know if it is because I feel behind because we went on vacation for Thanksgiving or what.  P.S. - I am totally all for going on vacation for Thanksgiving - no family drama!  So I guess I will be marathon Christmas shopping for everyone else.  Thanks to ebates and amazon, I did buy my nephews' gifts and had them mailed directly to them (they live in South Carolina and New York).  My mom is both easy and hard this year.  Easy because she still needs so much after losing her house, but hard because I don't really know what to get her.  I know I am making her a frame and putting one of our cruise pictures in it, and I bought a potato masher last night for her (the first gift).  I am just happy this is the first year that my kid has been super easy to buy for.  She is in to so many things right now.

I don't think that my family is into Christmas mode either.  Every year, I put up the tree and put the garland on.  Then, my husband and daughter decorate the tree with the ornaments.  I might put a few on, but it is mainly them.  This year, I put up the tree, garland and decorated that sucker by myself.  I saved my daughter's special ornaments to hang on the tree herself, and she still hasn't done it.  The angel doesn't go on until all the ornaments are on....the angel still sits beside the tree.  Maybe I will motivate my family to do this tonight.  I know that my mom is not much into the Christmas spirit this year.  I don't blame her.  My mother in law gave her her big Christmas tree because she likes to have a small tree.  On Sunday we took the tree to my mom and set it up for her.  It still sits naked and undecorated.  I think my mom is going to the lake this weekend, so my daughter and I will go over and decorate the tree for her.  So I guess none of my family is feeling Christmas yet.  I will take pictures of the ornaments that I have made and (hopefully) finish my wreath and take pictures of it.  I also made my tree skirt this year.  I still need to embroider it with Mickey and Minnie though.

Alright, enough procrastinating.  The stores await.

Sunday Stealing

I haven't done one of these in a good long while, so I am very much overdue.

1) Are you psychic in any way? I do believe I have had deja vu dreams

2) Are you a good dancer?  I wouldn't call myself good, but I can at least step to a beat

3) Are you a good singer?  In my shower or in my car I am Whitney Houston

4) Are you a good cook?  I would consider myself a good cook.

5) Are you a good artist?  At drawing, no...at creating, I would think so

6) Are you a good listener?  YES!  I am an excellent listener.  

7) Are you a good public speaker?  Yes, Public speaking doesn't scare me. 

8) Are you a good babysitter? Yes, and coincidentally so is my daughter who has no siblings.

9) Are you a good mechanic?  Haha!  I can jump a battery and change a tire...

10) Are you a good diplomat? I really don't know.

11) Are you a good employee?  Yes, I have always had high praises from my bosses. 

12) Are you a good dresser?  My wardrobe is jeans (or capris) and some sort of tshirt or hoodie (usually Disney themed)

13) Are you a good swimmer? Yes, been doing it all my life.

14) Are you a good skier?  NO!  I am good at falling down a mountain with skis on my feet.

15) Are you a good gift giver?  Yes, for the most part.  Some people are just hard to buy for.

16) Are you a good musician?  No, that would be my cello and piano playing daughter.  

17) Are you a good comedian?  I am good at making people laugh.

18) Are you a good cleaner?  When I am in the mood.  

19) Are you a good actor?  Yes

20) Are you a good writer? Mmm.  I am not sure.  I probably could be. 

I may be back

So, I lost it.  I lost all mojo for those things I found joy in.  My year has been trying, but I know so many other people's have too.  I got to where I didn't want to do anything.  I stopped reading blogs; I definitely stopped writing my blog.  I didn't have to passion for crafting, baking, creating, taking pictures, pretty much anything.  I believe I had fell into some sort of depression, but I wasn't depressed (if that makes any sense).  Instead of writing about it, I did what I do best and pulled away. For Thanksgiving this year, we went on a cruise.  Anyone who knows me knows that I have never wanted to take a cruise.  I have a very real fear of being trapped and I had convinced myself that I was going to be trapped on this boat.  The only way my family was going to convince me to get on a ship was if it was a Disney cruise.  And, the stipulation was added on that I got to go to Disney World before or after the cruise.  Disney World was awesome as always.  We also did the new Diagon Alley Harry Potter at Universal Studios.  Then we boarded the ship.  I can honestly say I had the best time on the cruise.  It was so much fun and I believe, because of Disney magic, I got my mojo back.  This week all I have wanted to do is craft, sew, bake, and create.  I have so many ideas that I want to see happen.  This morning I woke up and it hit me...I wanted to blog again.  I am so excited to get back to reading about my favorite friends' lives, and writing about my own.  I am still busy as ever, but I am going to commit to at least four times a week.

Strong Woman

I took a blog hiatus because my life got flipped upside down.  Things are now settling down and I feel I can talk about them.  I blogged about my dad passing away on March 1.  April is always a busy month for me anyway because of Elexis' birthday, being a test monitor, Easter and such.  On April 24, my mom got another shock.  She got a call from her neighbor while she was at work.  Her neighbor told her that her house was on fire and the fire department had been called.  My mom lived out in the country.  It's not exactly down the street from the nearest fire department.  By the time my mom got home, her entire back deck was gone (where the fire started) and her kitchen was gone.  Half the living room was close to being gone.  The fireman asked her what the most important thing she wanted out of there and she said she wanted my dad (he had been cremated).  My mom broke down when the fireman brought him and his hat and glasses he always wore to her.  Her house was a total loss.  What didn't get destroyed by the fire, was destroyed by the smoke and water and fireman having to find the hotspots.  She lost both of her cats in the fire.  Luckily, her dog was outside and was spared.  Had my dad still been alive, he probably would have died in the fire.  His spot was on fire.  He was on full time oxygen and the tanks had just gotten picked up the week before the fire.

I tell you this because my definition of a strong woman has been redefined.  I have always known my mom was a strong person, but God really has put her to the test.  First her husband, then their house they had moved into the second year of their marriage.  My mom has continued putting one foot in front of the other.  I am very proud of the person she is.  She came to stay with me after the fire.  Together we had to inventory (from memory) all the contents of her house.  We have dealt with the insurance company (which was awesome, very quick to respond and issue checks).  We have made decisions on what she should do whether it be rebuild out there or move closer to the city.  She ultimately made the decision to move closer to the city (we planned on getting her house and land ready to sell by October anyway).  We have looked at houses and ultimately buy one.  She now lives a mile from me.  I know my mom needs me and I am very happy to be there for her.  She is now making a new normal.

My mom and dad had an annual party.  Sometimes it was in July (for my anniversary on July 4th) and sometimes in August for my dad's birthday.  Yesterday, three weeks after she moved into her house, we held her annual party.  Her new house had an ice cream bar in half of the garage so that played a huge part in the party.  I am very happy to see her enjoy something.  We celebrated her new house, my dad's memorial, and my nephew's birthday (my brother is down from New York).  We had about 40 people over to the house and had an awesome time.

My mom is going to be okay.  She is going to have bad days, good days and days she doesn't even want to get out of bed.  But, she will because she is a strong woman and I am proud to be her daughter.

On a side note: Another very strong woman I know, Paula, is being put to the test right now.  I just want her to know I am thinking about her and praying for and all her family.

My mom and her sisters, brother and sister in law

My best friend of 25 years, my mom and me.

The ice cream bar.  

It's been a month

It's been a month since my dad passed away.  It is still really hard for me to wrap my brain around.  I often pick up the phone and think "I haven't talked to dad in a while" or "Oh, I need to tell dad something".  And then the sadness sets in.  Yesterday, I was by his work (before he retired in January), and I said to myself "Ooh, I could stop in and surprise dad at work".  Except, I couldn't.  I really miss him a lot.  I miss hearing him say "Are y'all going to come out?" or "What's my baby girl doing?"  But really what I miss most is his laugh.  I really wish I could hear it out loud again.  I can close my eyes and still hear him laughing or saying these things.  My mom still has three voice messages from him saved on her phone.  All three of them coincidentally involve being at Walmart.  When we went to pick up his ashes, my siblings and I all got a tiny urn that has part of him in it.  I claimed the smile.  We knew my mom got his heart.  He sits on my mantle next to my father in law.  I know that they are together in Heaven discussing motorcycles and other guys stuff.  I know that I will one day get to see him again, but right now it is just really hard.  

I talk to my mom everyday.  I worry about her.  Right now she is still in "I have to get all of the paperwork side of things done".  I am afraid of what is going to happen when she doesn't have that distraction anymore.  I told her that I would like to go to a grief support group sometime soon.  I think it would be good for both of us.  I am going to try to upload his memorial video to Youtube so I can share it with those who want to see what a full life my dad led.  

A little background of my dad:  He was born in 1951 at 6 months premature.  He weighed a pound and 12 oz.  He was tiny.  The doctors thought he was dead so they didn't suction anything.  Because of that he was blind in one eye and deaf in one ear.  He was a miracle from the beginning.

Sunday Stealing

The 20Q Meme

1. When you buy a greetings card are the words or the picture more important to you? I like the words
2. What's your favorite kind of cake? I don't like to eat cake; but I like to bake swirl cakes best.
3. Do you ever make gifts for people, if so what, or do you buy them?  I do both.  When I make it is usually a baked good.  
4. You are chosen to have lunch with the President. The condition is you only get to ask one question. What do you ask? What's your favorite cereal.
5. Which do you dislike most: pop-up ads or spam email? I have both disabled; but spam email sometimes filters through.
6. What was the best party you've ever been to? I went to an awesome halloween party once.  I won 3rd place in my Princess Fiona costume.  I got beat out by a pregnant Betty (from the Flintstones)
7. Which is worse, being in a place that is too loud, or too quiet? Too loud (I have sensitive hearing)
8. You are offered an envelope that you know contains $50. You are then told that you may either keep it or exchange it for another envelope that may contain $500 or may be empty. Do you keep the first envelope, or do you take your chances with the second? I take the chance.  
9. Do you wish cellphone etiquette was a required class upon purchasing one? Absolutely!
10. What's the most messed up food combination that you've had that was actually good? Pepper on my apples
11. What's one of your most random pet peeves (something that annoys you)? scraping a fork across a plate...eek!
12. When is the last time you had home cooking? Today.  I love to cook.  I very rarely eat out.
13. If you could be a fictional character from a book who would you choose? Ramona from the Ramona Quimby series. 
14. If you could be in a television sit-com, which would you choose? Friends
15. If you could be any animal or creature for one day, what would it be? Sloth...they don't do anything
16. What's your favorite girl's name? Currently, if I had a little girl I would name her Brittyn Rae after mine and my husband's dad's middle names.
17. What's your favorite boy's name? Dakota
18. What's your supermarket of choice? Crest (a local chain) and Walmart Neighborhood Market
19. If you were to attend a costume party tonight, what or whom would you go as? no brainer...Minnie Mouse
20. What is your concession stand must-have at the movies? I am so boring.  I don't get anything from the concession.  

Sunday Stealing

1. Have you ever pretended to read a book to impress someone? I don't think so.

2. Have you ever pretended not to read a book in order to avoid embarrassment? Maybe romance novels when I was in high school

3. What’s your worst reading habit? Sometimes reading the ending because the suspense is killing me.

4. What book are you most proud of having read? War and Peace...hahaha just kidding.  Probably Great Expectations because I made it all the way through it.

5. Do you buy most of your books new, second-hand, electronically or borrow via the library? Yes, all of the above

6. Have you ever pretended to watch a film to impress someone? Nope

7. Have you ever pretended not to have watched a film in order to avoid embarrassment? Let's pretend that I don't own the Britany Spears movie Crossroads

8. What movie have you watched the most? Probably either The Breakfast Club or Grease

9. What film do you tell people is your favorite ever? Beauty and the Beast

10. What film is actually your favorite ever? Beauty and the Beast

11. What time do you usually wake up and get up in the mornings? 6:30

12. Do you wake naturally or does something/someone wake you up? A little bit of both.  I usually wake up before the alarm, but I drift in and out until the alarm goes off.

13. How many snooze alarms do you need? I think it is 2 or 3 before my daughter comes in.

14. What’s your routine on a workday/work at home morning? wake up, fix breakfast, get dressed, take Elexis to school

15. What’s your routine on a non-workday morning? wake up, get on the computer, family wakes up, fix breakfast

Catching up ...

I wanted to join the challenge that Kwizgiver put out.  I am having to play a little bit of catch up due to unforeseen circumstances.  So here goes.

1.  What funny happened today?  Sadly, this is the day my dad passed away.  We did get to swap some good memories of him that made us laugh.

2.  Who did you talk to today? A lot of family and friends.  Including my brother who hasn't spoken to me in 3 years.  

3.  Describe your outfit today.  Jeans, long sleeve t-shirt, light jacket, heavy jacket

4.  What time do you normally go to bed? Here lately it has been 3-4 a.m.  I've had a hard time sleeping. 

5.  Link to a current song you like.

6.  Six lies you tell yourself.
1.  You will go to the gym tomorrow. (here lately)
2.  You will go to bed early tonight.
3.  He's not really gone.
4.  My daughter NEEDS a new jacket. (what about the 15 she already has...)
5.  I am not going to buy any blue-rays this month. (Catching Fire is out)
6.  I am not addicted to Strawberry Fields tic-tacs.

7.  What movie do you want to watch next? Frozen (I could watch this video again and again)





Phew...all caught up.

Sunday Stealing (on Friday)

Let's go!!!

This one's an oldie but goodie from the archives!  

1) Candle scents this month: Blueberry Cheesecake
2) What I read this month: Divergent, Insurgent, in the middle of Alligiant
3) Top three songs I was drawn to: Happy by Pharell, Counting Stars by One Republic, Pompeii by Bastille
4) Movies I saw: Ride Along, About Last Night, Frozen, Lego Movie
5) Favorite tv moments of the month: Closing ceremonies of the Olympics
6) Something yummy I made: Sesame Chicken, Oreo red velvet brownies
7) Restaurants where I ate: Took my daughter to Subway does that count?
8) Five things I am loving this month: That it is almost Spring, electric blanket, remote start on my car, my nephews, my family
9) A goal I had for this month: to run 2 miles
10) This month I looked forward to: Spring
11) Something I want to remember about this month: My daughter's orchestra concert
12) A photo I took this month: 

Hard Week

Last Saturday my dad for 27 years passed away.  It was kind of sudden and totally unexpected.  We are still in shock and getting everything planned.  I will get back to regular blogging in a bit.

Blog award...that is very late being posted.

I got myself one of them there awards (said in my best Southern accent).

"The rules are, you must nominate another 11 blogs who have less than 200 followers, and let them know you've nominated them. You are given 11 questions by the blogger who nominated you, which you must answer. You must give the blogs you nominate 11 question for them to answer. Finally you must link back to the person who nominated you." 

The one and only wonderful Lizzy nominated me for this award.  I live vicariously through her and all her wonderful polish knowledge and beautiful manicures.  


Now for the questions she asked:
1. Where would you like to go on vacation?  NYC or Disney World.  I love them both.
2. What is your favorite winter Olympic sport? I kind of like the bobsledding
3. Do you watch cartoons?  haha...yes.  
4. What would your zombie apocalypse survival skill be?  I could maybe make them some cupcakes so they don't want to eat my brain.  
5. With no restrictions (ie: job) what color would you dye your hair? Purple
6. If safety weren't an issue would you still prefer shoes or go barefoot? I love being barefooted.
7. Ever hugged a tree?  My favorite tree from childhood, yes. 
8. For how much money would you shave your head? Maybe a good five grand or for a good cause.
9. Could you sew an outfit for yourself if you had/wanted to? Yes, and I have made many a costume.
10. Do you get seasick or motion sickness? No.
11. Do you take naps if you have time or find something to do? Definitely a nap taker. 

Now I have to come up with 11 questions.  This is harder than most people think.
1.  What is your favorite car?
2.  What do you do when you get upset?
3.  If you had a $5000 shopping spree and you had to spend all of it; where would you go and what would you buy?
4.  What is your favorite dessert?
5.  Would you consider yourself an animal person?  If so, what kind?
6.  What color is your front door?
7.  What do you have on your bed?  A bedspread, comforter, duvet or maybe just a blanket?
8.  What was your favorite childhood toy?
9.  What is your favorite thing about Tuesdays?  
10. Do you have a favorite cup/glass?  What is on it?
11. Favorite scent of candle?

Very random questions.  I tag anyone who reads this to answer either on your own blog or in my comments.  I love finding out more about my friends.  
  

Menu Planning

I am back on the Menu Planning track.  Our schedule was so hectic there for a few weeks (my husband was working a butt load of overtime at work).  Now that we have some normalcy back, I am back to planning and organizing.  

The first thing I did this time is I wrote down a master list of stuff that my family loves (or would at least try).  That helped tremendously.  I still need to take everything out of my "pantry" (it's really a deep dark dungeon of a long cabinet) and see what all I have.  I also need to do the same for my fridge (hello yogurt that has been in there since Christmas).  But, I have our menu for this week.

Monday

Copycat Chick-fil-a chicken - baked not fried.  

Hubby went to help a friend with his resume.  Kiddo loved this one and she is hugely picky.  

Next time I will totally spray the wire rack before putting the chicken on it.

I tweaked this recipe from here.  

Tuesday

Leftovers for Elexis/ Summer Sausage Stir Fry 

Wednesday

Child has church with friends so we usually grab something out.  I am thinking Subway.

Thursday

Slow Cooker Beef and Broccoli

They will like broccoli, they will like broccoli, they will like broccoli...

If I say it enough, will it come true?? haha

Friday

Hot dogs

We have a musical and need something easy

Saturday

I am going to batch make meatballs so I we will definitely have some type of meatball dish.

I am thinking Meatball sub on a stick. 

My family loves food on a stick

Sunday

Roasted Maple Glazed Pork Tenderloin 

or some other pork variation.

 

I am trying to get to monthly planning, so I can do a big shopping trip for essentials and just make small ones for fresh stuff.  My goal next month is to do two weeks of planning at a time.  Crossing my fingers.  

Last Week:

Okay...I am back.  Last Week was just as busy as the previous week.  

On Monday: Everyone was home because of the holiday.  My husband's aunt came in from VA to help take care of Granny after her surgery.  We both took Granny to her pre-op stuff.  I also cleaned and tried to get caught up on laundry.  When schedules get out of whack, my house usually pays the consequences.  

Tuesday: I went and played Bingo with Wilma at the Senior Center.  Granny wasn't there because her other daughter was here.  I told Wilma I would still come even though Granny wouldn't be there for three weeks.  I got stopped every few feet from everyone asking how Granny was doing and to say they were all glad that I got there so quickly.  I have really really become fond of these elder people.  So many of them gave me hugs and they kissed my cheeks.  It's like having 40 grandparents.  I love it.  After the center, I went and got my oil changed (and had to unexpectedly buy a new tire).

Wednesday:  Granny had surgery.  I was up there with hubby's family.  Everything went well.  She had a bladder sling put in (not the mesh).  Took Elexis and her best friend (my other daughter) to church.  I went back to the hospital after I dropped them off.  

Thursday:  Finally got to visit with my sister after she got finished across the street.  We got to talk for over an hour and I am glad that we will be making these a weekly thing.  

Friday: I went to visit my really good friend who was also my daughter's 5th grade teacher at school.  I had an awesome visit with her (while her kids were in Music). 

Saturday: Birthday party for one of my other really good friend's daughter.  We also stayed longer than the party because we were having such a good time visiting).  My daughter and I also spent a good portion of the day in our PJ's watching movies (one was The Sandlot...one of my favorites).  

Today:  We went to church.  Came home had lunch and then packed up the cello for my daughter's guest conductor workshop and concert.  After we dropped her off, hubby and I spent some good quality time together while waiting to go back for the concert.  We went to Michael's and the bookstore.  

I have also done a lot of reading (because of a lot of the waiting I have done).  I finished reading Divergent and Insurgent and started Alligiant.  My family can't wait until the Divergent movie comes out next month.  Definitely going to see it.  

Okay; you are all pretty much caught up on life up to this point.  This week is also shaping up to be a busy week.  Hopefully it won't be too bad.  Next post I do will be about some of the changes that have been happening.  

A little time to breathe

I have had the craziest two weeks.  It involved a lot of time at the hospital (none of which was for me).  It has also involved a lot of positive change (my word of the year) for me personally.  I hope to get back to blogging more regularly.  I have missed this.  

As you all know, I go to the Senior Citizen Center on Monday's to play dominos with my husband's grandma and a 91 year old lady named Wilma.  I really look forward to Monday's because I love going to the center and seeing my elderly friends.  Thursday before last I was sweeping my floor, preparing for my sister to come over (the one that lives 20 minutes away that I hadn't seen in 2 years until Christmas...turns out one of her clients is one of my neighbors (she is an OT)).  I got a phone call where I didn't recognize the number.  Normally I don't take these calls, but this time I decided to. I am glad I did.  It was the Senior Center and my husband's granny had collapsed and was barely breathing.  Talk about a freak out moment.  Lucky for me, we live 2 minutes away from the center.  I dropped my broom where it was and headed over.  I got there just as the First Response (who shares the same parking lot as the Center) got there.  She had regained consciousness by the time we both got there (thats good), but she couldn't comprehend that she had blacked out.  She kept saying she didn't.   The director of the center told me that they saw her slumped over and the guy sitting next to her was trying to save her from falling out of her chair.  She wasn't breathing but making a gurgling sound.  When Granny first started going there, my mother in law and I decided to put me down as the emergency contact because I could get to her first.  It's a good thing to, because it took me a solid 30 minutes (and a tearful conversation for my husband) to get a hold of my mother in law.  We all decided she needed to go to the ER just to get checked out and find out what happened.  My MIL, my husband, and his uncle (Granny's son) all met me at the ER.  I went to go pick my daughter up from school, I called my mom to tell her about the experience.  While I was talking to her, my dad beeped in on her end and she said she would call me back.  She called me right back and told me that my dad was on his way to the emergency room because his lung doctor thought he had double pneumonia and needed to go to the ER to get his breathing under control.  So I had two people who I am very close to go to the ER within 3 hours of each other.  They were at two different hospitals (they couldn't make it convenient on me...haha) and both were in Room 18 (weird).  They kept Granny until Saturday and ran all kinds of tests (including CAT scans and MRI).  On a side note: Granny was scheduled to have surgery the following Wednesday (this past Wednesday) and her twin sister died a year ago on Monday from a brain aneurism.  They kept my dad until Monday and because they had him so pumped up with steroids, he developed medicinal diabetes (luckily after he got out of the hospital, his blood sugar level went back down to normal).  Last weekend was pretty much a blur of hospitals.  Luckily my daughter was out of school on Friday and Monday.  

Friday: I went to Elexis' parent teacher conference.  She is doing very well.  Her lowest grade was a 94 (which she has now brought up to a 99).  I got the recommendations from her teachers on what classes she should take next year when she is a FRESHMAN...wahhh.  We got all her classes picked out and she is now enrolled.  When did I get old enough to have a Freshman?? 

Saturday: Daughter went to her cousin's house to stay the night, so hubby and I went to the movies for a date night.  We saw About Last Night.  It was really funny, but really sexual.  

Sunday: Church and together time for me and hubs.  We rode the motorcycle to visit my dad in the hospital and then picked up the kiddo.  

I think I will end there and continue this in a separate post.  

Sunday Stealing

Fifteen Meme

from Liv Rants  

What was your first job like? I worked at a valet car wash.  I vacuumed and dried cars.  It lasted three weeks.
It’s a typical Sunday, how are you spending it? church, family, internet
What was the happiest day of your life? The night my daughter was born.  
What was the best decision you ever made? Marrying my husband
Tell your go-to “pretend” game as a child (who was your alter-ego?) private investigator with my cousins.  I went by my real name.
What email service do you use? gmail
What fandoms would you consider yourself a part of? not sure, I think I leave that to my daughter.
Do you use anything on your lips? (eg. Chapstick, gloss, balm, lipstick) Chapstick religiously and lipstick when I wear makeup.
How many devices do you own which can access the internet? Myself - 3  Household - 9
Last strong smell you can remember smelling? A building that burned yesterday; it still smelled horrible today
If you had to move your birthday to another date, which one would you choose and why? May 1.  Before school lets out but far away from Christmas.
Inspiration behind your blog title? My life around the musical theatre stage
If you could spend a rainy day with anyone in the world, who would you choose and why? My family, because I love spending time with them playing games or watching movies
Is there a foreign culture that you love? Possibly Greek or Italian
Do you have a favorite soft drink? Diet A&W Root Beer.  

Sunday Stealing

Books Meme

from Be Your Own Hero  

Book Survey!

• 1:Favorite children's book The Little Engine that Could or Skippy Jon Jones
• 2:The last book you've read Divergent
• 3:Books on your "to read" list Allegiant
• 4:Top 5 authors JK Rowling, Suzanne Collins, Janet Evanovich, Dr. Suess, Laura Ingalls Wilder
• 5:Favorite genres Mysteries, Chick Lit, Utopian/Dystopian, 
• 6:A book that has made you extremely mad Middle of the series books for being cliffhangers
• 7:A book that you've cried over Marley and Me
• 8:A book that made you laugh out loud Pretty much any book I have read. 
• 9:Fiction or nonfiction? Fiction
• 10:First book you've read by your favorite author Little House on the Prairie
• 11:Best book-to-movie adaption So far Catching Fire
• 12:Do you read comics/manga? no
• 13:Hardcovers or Paperbacks? For collecting; Hardcover.  For reading: Paperback
• 14:Do you buy books as soon as they come out or wait a while? It depends
• 15:Do you buy books spontaneously without any prior knowledge of what happens in it? All the time
• 16:Have you ever bought a book based on the cover alone? Again, all the time
• 17:Where do you usually buy your books? Barnes and Noble or electronically
• 18:Book that had a strong impact on you Where the Red Fern Grows
• 19:Historical or science fiction? Sometimes.  My daughter has been getting me more and more into it.
• 20:Dystopian or Utopian? Absolutely
• 21:Worst book-to-move adaption? The Cat in the Hat
• 22:Book that should have a movie adaption? I tend to like books to stay books
• 23:The first book you've fallen in love with Where the Red Fern Grows
• 24:Humor or angst? Humor
• 25:How many books do you own? At least 4 bookcases full.  We are huge readers in our family
• 26:Do you go the library? All the time
• 27:How many books do you read a year? Lately not enough, but I am getting back in to it.
• 28:Favorite "required reading" book? To Kill a Mockingbird and A Time to Kill
• 29:Favorite quote? "A brave man acknowledges the strength of others." - Divergent
• 30:A book you absolutely hate Water For Elephants - Ugh

Sunday Social

I have seen this around and always wanted to participate.  Now is as good as of a time as any.

1. What is your favorite thing to watch on a girls night? If by girls night you mean me and my daughter...pretty much anything Disney or animated.  I think we are going to begin a Harry Potter marathon though.  

2. What is your favorite thing to watch on your day off?  I am a full time domestic engineer.  Therefore everyday is my day off, now if I could just get to relax on those days off...because oh wait, I don't have days off...but I like to watch HGTV in the evenings.
3. What is your favorite thing to watch when you’re sick?  I haven't been sick in years, so I couldn't tell you.  But, I would guess I would want to watch the inside of my eyelids.  
4. What is the last movie you saw in the theater?  Yesterday we saw The Lego Movie before that; Frozen sing-a-long

source

5. What are your top three favorite movies or tv shows?  Movies: 1. Beauty and the Beast, 2. Fast and Furious series 3. Grease  TV Shows:  1. Hart of Dixie, 2. Mike and Molly 3. How I Met Your Mother or Big Bang Theory.  I chose my non-HGTV favorites.  

Sunday Stealing

Cupid's Questions Meme

from Kodelaine  

1.)Do you like Valentine's Day?  Not really.  I find it to be a very commercialized holiday.  I do semi celebrate for Elexis, but my husband and I do not exchange gifts, cards, flowers or go out to dinner.  
2.)Are you going to celebrate it? We get Elexis a small gift, but otherwise...no
3.)Celebrate Valentine's Day with Friends or someone Special?  I prefer friends and family
4.)Pink or red? Pink
5.)Candy Hearts OR cards? I like to photograph candy hearts so I choose those
6.)A short kiss or a big hug?  "Hi, my name is Olaf and I like warm hugs"
7.)What are your plans for V-day?  Parent teacher conferences and I am going to break out the beach wear.  It supposed to be 58*...haha
8.)What would be the best gift to receive? A trip
9.)Would get back with any of your ex's for V-day?  Heck no...they are ex's for a reason
10.)Is there a food or beverage you associate with V-day?  chocolate covered strawberries
11.) What are your thoughts on "Love at first sight"? Become friends first
12.)Do you think people who have dated can stay friends?  sometimes...depends on how long and level of friendship before dating
13.) If you could go back in time and give yourself one piece of advice about dating or relationships what would it be? live a little.  

Harry Potter

Yes, I am fifteen years late on the whole Harry Potter train (Hogwarts Express..haha).  I had not read any of the books nor seen any of the movies.  I have now done one of those things.  I finished reading the series last night.  I cried.  Over the past couple of months I have grown to really love these characters.  I now get all the hype around them.  J.K. has such a way with words that I actually felt these people were real.  I laughed and cried a lot while reading them.  Certain deaths affected me more than others.  I almost didn't read the 7th book after someone dies at the end of the 6th book.  But, I picked it up and read all 759 pages in about 4 days.  I couldn't put it down.  I am really excited to see the movies now.  I am one of those that wait until I have read the book before I see the movie.  

The next series I have started is the Divergent series.  The first movie comes out in March and I have already started the book.  My daughter has read all of them a couple of times (same thing with the HP's and Hunger Games series).  She is the one who gets us excited to read them.  Her poor Language Arts teacher is constantly trying to find Elexis new books to read.  She doesn't really like Teen Romance/everyday life type books.  She is more into the dytopian society and science fiction type books.  I am just happy she reads a lot.  But...she gets that from both her mom and her dad.  We are both huge readers.  My child would rather get new books than make up or nail polish (sorry Lizzy).  

If you have read the Harry Potters or seen the movies, which one is your favorite? 

February Goals

Okay so it's already the fifth and I haven't made my goal post yet.  So here goes...

Lets begin with January's goals:

1. Post regularly - starting right now, lets forget the past week, even though I am going to catch up on Stealing Sunday, I like doing those.  Ehh, I did okay.  I still would like to post more often than I do.  But I did lose a little bit of mojo.  It's coming back.

2.  Create and stick with a menu plan all month - so far so good this month, lets keep it up.  I have so far stayed good with this.  Sometimes I have to take it day by day because of our ever evolving schedule, but I have cooked most nights.  

3. Reconnect spiritually - Downloaded YouVersion on my computer and I am doing a few Bible studies  Every day I do this.  

4.  Get back to the gym - Now that Elexis is back in school, this should be easier Yes!  And not only that, I am up to running 1.8 miles on the treadmill without walking.  Furthest I have ever ran.  

5.  Declutter at least one room - I have already kind of reorganized my kitchen. Ehh, not so much.  No motivation because all I want to do is hibernate.  

6. Take more pictures.  - I haven't picked up my camera for about a week. I took pictures last week that I have edited, but I haven't posted.  It's too cold to go outside.  

7. Get school stuff worked out - start with figuring out what I want to do...haha.  I think I have it figured out.  Now I need to wait for Fall enrollment and figure out which school I want to go to.  

Ok, not bad.  A little more green than red.  I can handle that.  Now let's get on to February.

1.  Keep up with my blogs more regularly.  - I have a few things I want to talk about but kind of afraid of "laying it all out there".  I love the friendships I have made through all this and I want to continue to nurture.

2.  Keep the menu plan - It makes grocery shopping easier.  And knowing what we are eating is a big bonus.

3.  My gym goal this month is to be up to running for 27 minutes on the treadmill.  I don't know distance yet.  Right now I am running 22 minutes and I get 1.8.  I am trying to gradually increase it.  I only run every other day though.

4.  Get motivated to clean my house - I need to get back on a cleaning schedule.  It worked very well.

5.  Still want to declutter - maybe the bathroom first??  It's little...

6.  Complete a house project - I have a giant list.  I need to start tackling it.

7.  Get creative with my camera - I guess it's time to start doing food pictures again.  I can do those inside.

8. Get creative in general - Valentine's Day should help with that.  Elexis and I will make valentine goodies for her friends.  I personally don't like V-Day, but I do get into the spirit for Elexis.

9. Stick to my budget - I did extremely well with this in January.  Now hopefully that will carry over into this month.