Thursday, December 31, 2009

Here's to 2010!

OK, so I fell apart on blogging this year. Many apologies. I will try to do better next year. Will I resolve to do better? Um, no.

I did ask the girls today what their wishes and hopes are for the next year. Kelsey, my ever serious and thoughtful kiddo said she wanted the economy to improve because she knows some people are still hurting. Kaitlyn on the other hand wants more snow and a lot more ice cream.

Hope you have a prosperous and sweet New Year!

Friday, December 11, 2009

Too Busy!

A major work project has been kicking my butt - apologies for no posts.

This post is no different. I am testing something for that project.

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

A New Recipe

I made these for dinner tonight and they were really good: http://www.mommyskitchen.net/2009/11/pioneer-womans-potato-bundles-and-ree-i.html. I am not sure if they are company-worthy but they sure were tasty!

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Help with a Costume Idea?

Help, faithful readers! I am going to an adult costume party for Halloween this year. It has been 7 years or so since I have attended such an event. We dress up here at work every year. I have included those pictures (we have had some good times!) I have also included some pictures from the girls' school. But I need some new ideas. Do you have any? Thanks in advance for your help!


Scooby Doo Gang


80's Prom


Sarah Palin


Medieval Woman


Biker Chicks

Monday, September 14, 2009

Trying to blog from the Berry. Successful?

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

What Would You Do?

I know that I am super behind on blogging again - I need to finish posting about our Ozarks vacation, I need to talk about our STL trip (my 3rd favorite weekend of the whole year), the end of summer, the start of school ... I know that. I just realized that I can do blogging from my Berry so that might make things easier when I am outside with the dog in the middle of the night.

Instead of writing about all of those things, I am going to answer a question I saw on another post: what would you do if you had an hour all to yourself? You are not supposed to think deeply about your answers, but write what immediately comes to mind. Here we go:

  1. Read a magazine in the tub.
  2. Drink a cold drink on the deck with the dog while rocking on the glider.
  3. Swing at the park with the girls.
  4. Go to the library and browse.
  5. Sit in the sun and do nothing.

What would you do if you had an hour to yourself?

Sunday, July 26, 2009

Vacation, Day 3

I am almost too tired to write tonight! We met for a family breakfast again this morning. It's a nice little ritual we have! We then split up to get suited up and then spent the rest of the day going between the indoor water park and the outdoor pool. I haven't downloaded my pics yet, but I will then add them back in. We had happy hour for quite awhile out on the patio before Oma and Grandpa had their date (and even got all dressed up for it!) The 8 of us went out for dinner and then to the arcade. Kelsey loves Skeeball! We split up again and my family went to the pier and we fed the carp. Gross but cool all at once!

Our plans have changed a bit for tomorrow so I still don't know what all it will entail. It will be a surprise for all of us!

Saturday, July 25, 2009

Vacation, Day 2

I am sunburned and tired. But had a great day :) We all met for breakfast this morning around 8:45. Then, the kids and the dads went and played Putt Putt. We moms went and explored the resort. We had a nice big lunch before we headed out on a boat for the afternoon. We tubed and swam and gawked at the great real estate. Dave got seasick and had to be brought back to shore. We went on without him! We split up for the rest of the night and did our own thing. We had dinner on our patio and then went swimming. I think we are all waterlogged! Some of us are sunburned too. Luckily it's only the grown-ups! Tomorrow we are going to an indoor waterpark. It looks awesome! Kelsey and I checked it out tonight. Oma and Grandpa are having a date night tomorrow night so we will do a cousins' night.

Friday, July 24, 2009

Vacation, Day 1

Whew - we made it and I am glad! We had a super smooth trip down here to the Lake of the Ozarks. We are staying at TanTarA. For the past few years, my mother-in-law has taken us all on a trip as part of our Christmas present. There are 10 of us here - my family of 4, my in-laws, my brother-in-law, his wife and their 2 kids. We were also lucky enough to see some friends from Colorado who are also vacationing at the lake. Unfortunately, they are leaving in the morning but we spent all afternoon and part of tonight with them.

I haven't downloaded my camera pics yet, but I did post a pic of our view on Facebook.
Tomorrow, weather permitting, we are boating.

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Blogging Anniversary

I sure did miss my own blogging anniversary. Insert "Wah-wah" here. I really thought it was this week as we are leaving on vacation tomorrow and that is the reason I started blogging in the first place. Well, regardless, I have learned a lot about blogging in the past year. I know that I need to make more time to site down and write - I always have ideas in my head! And I am still not at the coveted 100 posts which means I need to blog more.

We leave on vacation tomorrow morning. We are going back to the Ozarks. No houseboat this year - we will be staying at a resort. Stay tuned!

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Cross Linking

I don't have time to write on my own blog, but I had to blog for work. So, I'll link to it here: http://ncteinbox.blogspot.com/2009/07/my-reading-record.html.

Thursday, July 9, 2009

Saturday, July 4, 2009

Where did June go?

1. Ballpark almost every night (and I love it!)
2. The end of school.
3. First weekend in June = trip to Dallas
4. Basketball camp
5. Volleyball camp
6. Trip to DC - work for me, touring for Dave
7. Tolono Fun Days

I have lots more details I could add but not enough time. Maybe I will add some pictures at some point. I have lots of other blog ideas in my head - maybe they will make it to the screen at some point ...

Happy Fourth of July!

Thursday, May 28, 2009

Field Trips with the Girls

I am super lucky with the job I have that I can do school things with my girls. Here are some pics from our field trips in the last few weeks.




Love them :)

Thursday, May 21, 2009

Apologies to ...

those of you who have listened to me cough and hack and sneeze and blow for the past few weeks. It annoys me so I know how the rest of you must feel. Kaitlyn's ENT gave me a referral yesterday to go and see an allergist. Yay! However ...

In order for them to do all of the tests they need to do, I have to go off of all meds for 2 weeks prior to my appointment so they can see what I am truly allergic to. So, if I think I am a mess now, I can't even imagine what I will be like then.

Stay tuned ...

Monday, May 11, 2009

I love being a mom!

I really wanted to post something yesterday on Mother's Day but decided to spend the day with family instead of the computer :)

My girls, Kelsey Margaret and Kaitlyn Dolores, are absolutely the lights of my life. I pray every day that they will grow up healthy, happy and strong.

Although this picture is almost 2 years old now, it is my favorite picture ever.

Love you, Girls! Thanks for letting me be your mom.

Thursday, April 30, 2009

A Fink Girls Book Club

I read a blog post this week which challenged readers to think about reading what has really touched their lives. It was very thought-provoking but I didn't have anything fantastic to repost. As we know, I tend to read magazines more than books or other texts. That may be changing! Kelsey proposed the other night that she and I start our own book club.

Here's how it started: When shuffling through the mail the other night, I noticed my yearly newsletter from an author who is dear to my heart, Elizabeth Berg. I was introduced to her years by my mentor (I need to write about her some day!) I own several of Elizabeth's books and have one that she signed a few years ago when she was in town. Elizabeth sends out a yearly newsletter, usually around the same time as the publication of a new book. She talks about the new book, shares a new recipe and tells an anecdote about her family. I sat right down to read the newsletter and Kelsey asked what I was reading. I told her all about it and she asked about the book. It is about the relationship between a mother and a daughter. (I ordered it today and will let you know more about it!) SO, Kelsey said, "We are a mother and a daughter. We should read books together!" What a great idea! When I get back from my work trip, we are going to chose a book to read together. She suggested we read 5 chapters at a time and then chat about what we read. I hope I can keep up! I found out recently that she goes to the school library every day to check out new books. I love that girl :)

Any title suggestions for our mother-daughter book club?

Monday, April 27, 2009

Busy Week for Kelsey!

Kelsey had a busy week this week! She started the week off with her Spring Music Concert:She had softball practice in the middle of the week. No pictures yet - plenty to come later!

Finally, her basketball season ended on Saturday. They had a great season and fantastic coaches again this year. Next year, she will play in the fall and will be on an all-girls team. Way to go, Kelsaroo!

My Little Prodigy

I think it's safe to say that I like to take self-portraits. Well, I don't know if I like them but if I am ever going to get into a picture, I feel like I need to take them myself. Here are a few from the weekend.


My little Muffin has decided that she also likes to take self-portraits. Here are a few of her works of art :)

Monday, April 20, 2009

Backwards Day?

The girls have spring pictures at school today. These are more casual pictures and you can bring props. Well, it must be backwards day too because Kelsey chose to wear a dress and Kaitlyn is wearing jeans and a T-shirt! For those of you who know my girls, that is the complete opposite of who they are! I can't wait to see these ...

Thursday, April 16, 2009

Kaitlyn's Thoughts on Her Mom

I have been spending tons of time with Kaitlyn since her surgery. So today, she took a quiz about me. Here are her answers:

1. What is something mom always says to you?
“I love you”

2. What makes mom happy?
“When I eat my dinner all gone.”

3. What makes mom sad?
“When I tell her I do not love her”

4. How does your mom make you laugh?
“She tickles me!”

5. What was your mom like as a child?
“She had long hair.”

6. How old is your mom?
“33”

7. How tall is your mom?
“5 8”

8. What is her favorite thing to do?
“Cooking”

9. What does your mom do when you're not around?
“Watch TV”

10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for?
“Cooking”

11. What is your mom really good at?
“Cooking”

12. What is your mom not very good at?
“Whistling”

13. What does your mom do for her job?
“Teaches teachers”

14. What is your mom's favorite food?
“Pizza?”

15. What makes you proud of your mom?
“She loves me.”

16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be?
“Super mom”

17. What do you and your mom do together?
“Stay home.”

18. How are you and your mom the same?
“We love us.”

19. How are you and your mom different?
“We are not the same size.”

20. How do you know your mom loves you?
“She loves me, I just know!”

21. Where is your mom's favorite place to go?
“Tanning place”

Saturday, April 11, 2009

The Week in Review

I have had several blog posts in my head all week and this is the first time I had sat down to type them. So we will have one big mess of a post.

Sunday, they girls and I went to the NKOTB concert. I won tickets on the radio and it was Kaitlyn's turn to go since I took Kelsey to REO in the fall. Wellm two days before the concert, my friend Annie called and said she had an extra set of tickets - she was already going. Annie said her mom was going to use one of the tickets and said Kelsey could use the other. So we all got to go see. NKOTB. I wasn't a fan back in the day, but I have to say, it was a great concert!Tuesday, Kaitlyn got her tonsils and adenoids out. She has had strep nonstop since January. In fact, her tonsils were infected when they took them out. Kaitlyn did a great job! She hated the IV and asked the nurse what she had to do to get it out. Once that happened, she wanted to go home and asked again what she needed to do to go home. When she found out she was discharged, she got out of that hospital gown so fast! She is doing well and I have learned to stay on top of her meds. The hospital had a stuffed animal on her gurney when we got there. It was super cute :)

Before we knew Kaitlyn was going to have surgery, Dave and I planned a trip to Memphis. We were going to take the girls to his mom's Thursday night and leave for Memphis super early Friday morning. We were going to stay right on Beale Street at the Peabody and be back in timie for Easter dinner. Well, that trip was cancelled :( I think now instead Dave is coming with my to DC in June. All of these trips can now be possible because my mother-in-law retired last week. Her party was a week ago Friday. We had a great time! Slim Skinny and the Bunkhouse Bunkaroo played.Tonight, the girls and I colored Easter eggs. Most years, we host a BBQ and egg coloring party the day before Easter. We have a lot of friends come, we eat drink and dye. Kaitlyn was disappointed that it was only going to be the 3 of us tonight. I will add pics once they are uploaded.

Tomorrow, the in-laws are coming for Easter. We typically go up there but I'm not ready to put Kaitlyn in a car for a 65 minute drive yet.

I am sure there was more I wanted to say for this week. But that's all I've got.

Sunday, March 29, 2009

A Word from Kelsey

These questions were asked of Kelsey (10 years old) about her mom.

Here are her answers:

1. What is something mom always says to you?
“Kelsey, stop crying!” is what she always says to me at stores when we hear someone else crying. It’s annoying.”

2. What makes mom happy?
“Good grades”

3. What makes mom sad?
“When I do or say something bad”

4. How does your mom make you laugh?
“???????????????? I have no idea!”

5. What was your mom like as a child?
“Red head”

6. How old is your mom?
“33”

7. How tall is your mom?
“5’ 8” I asked”

8. What is her favorite thing to do?
“Go on dates , drink, party”

9. What does your mom do when you're not around?
“???????????????????????????? I’m not here!”

10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for?
“Cook or teacher”

11. What is your mom really good at?
“Cooking”

12. What is your mom not very good at?
“Art”

13. What does your mom do for her job?
“Teaches teachers”

14. What is your mom's favorite food?
“She told my sister nachos earlier today.”

15. What makes you proud of your mom?
“All the kids in my class love her.”

16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be?
“Courtney off Total Drama Island – she follows all the rules and goofs off at the right time.”

17. What do you and your mom do together?
“School work”

18. How are you and your mom the same?
“We look alike”

19. How are you and your mom different?
“She loves to shop – I hate it.”

20. How do you know your mom loves you?
“She tells me”

21. Where is your mom's favorite place to go?
“Saloon”

Thursday, March 26, 2009

An Interview with Myself

My friend, illini_girl posts interviews with herself every now and then. I have always thought that would be fun but never knew the right time. Guess what, Readers - tonight is the night! Here we go ...

Lisa, how are you?
I am OK, but tired. Excited too - Kaitlyn lost her front top tooth!

Why are you tired?
I am on a work trip right now. I dropped the girls off at school on Tuesday morning and headed to the airport. I flew to NYC for some meetings.

Yeah, and?
Well, after meetings in NYC and doing NYC, I took the high-speed train to DC for meetings.

Wow, aren't you just a teacher?

A teacher who got a cool job! So, I left for the train station at 6:15 this morning and it took 3 hours to get to DC. I sat in meetings all day, but with super smart people that I enjoy.

Right. Why are you still so tired?
We had a really good dinner and I chose to stay after to talk with a colleague. We talked about kiddos and special ed and professional development. As I said, I like being with these super smart people.

So, dinner and small talk ended.
Yep. There is a hotel that my work has an agreement with that I have to stay in when I am in DC. It's fine. Kind of art deco. Except, I am not staying there tonight.

Are you staying with your colleagues at the Capitol Hilton?
Um, no. I ended up in Georgetown.

Come again?
I got to my approved hotel around 10:15. The manager met me at the door and walked me to the desk. He welcomed me back (I have been there before). Then he told me that there was no room for me there tonight. The agreement is a suite upgrade, not no room! Apparently, there was a flood at the hotel, so they called around to find me a place to stay. It's the Cherry Blossom Festival this weekend so rooms are hard to come by. Therefore, I am in Georgetown.

You got in a cab and went to an unknown hotel?

A bit different than that. The bellhop from the first hotel took me in his own car. I was so in shock by all of this that I couldn't even stop to think about any of this. My luggage went in the backseat with his 2 kids car seats. So, here I sit in Georgetown.

What is your room like?

I guess you could call it a suite. But it's not. It's kind of like an apartment. With a kitchenette. I have photos.

Where are they?
I'm tired, remember? Look for them this weekend.

That's quite a story!
I know! I am glad I could share with you. I wish someone was with me to see all of this too!

I hope you all have a good night. Stay tuned for the rest of the story.

Monday, March 23, 2009

Clever Song Titles

Using only song names from ONE ARTIST, cleverly answer these questions. Try not to repeat a song title.

My artist: John Mayer

Are you male or female: Daughters
Describe yourself: Slow Dancing In a Burning Room
How do you feel about yourself: I Don't Trust Myself (With Loving You)
Describe where you currently live: In Your Atmosphere
If you could go anywhere, where would you go: Out of My Mind
Your best friends are: The Heart of Life
Your favorite color is: Bold As Love
What's the weather like: In Repair
If your life were a TV show, what would it be called? Dreaming With a Broken Heart
What is life to you: Free Fallin'
What is the best advice you have to give: Your Body Is a Wonderland
If you could change your name, what would it be: My Stupid Mouth
Your favorite food is: No Such Thing

Friday, March 20, 2009

Test

I am testing the posting options. Stay tuned!

Sunday, March 8, 2009

Dear Readers

Dear Readers -

I was in a meeting for work the other day and we were talking about blogs, their use, and some "rules" associated with blogs. Come to find out - I break all sorts of rules! So, this post is an apology to you. First of all, we were told that blog posts should come almost daily so readers don't get bored or leave. Well, I have so many unwritten blog posts, it's unbelievable! Also, it was mentioned that I should personally respond to all comments on the blog so readers feel welcomed and they want to comment more. I think I am guilty of not doing that either.

Well, I know the rules now and I promise to do better!

Thanks, Loyal Readers.

Monday, February 16, 2009

Our New Puppy


When we were all home together, we decided on a name: Charley :)

Sunday, February 15, 2009

A Busy Weekend!

Whew - it has been a busy weekend! First of all, Kaitlyn left at 6 am Friday morning on her trip to Texas with her Oma. A trip is a special something that my mother-in-law does with all of the grandkids when they turn 7. They went to Dallas to visit the cousins, Mason and Lauren.

Friday was Kelsey's class Valentine Party. I was able to go and volunteer with my 4th grade friends. From school I took Kelsey and her two best friends for Kelsey's birthday party. We went uptown to a hotel to stay all night.

The hotel has a limo that you can use. So we did :) We went to the movies to see Pink Panther 2.

We stayed all night, swam, ate pizza. It was fun!

Kelsey's actual birthday is today, Sunday. The biggest surprise of all is that we got a puppy today! It caps off a week-long puppy search. On Monday, someone sent me an email with a link to local Humane Society and an adorable puppy. I sent it to Dave and he suggested that we call about it. I did and ended up going to visit after work that night. I went back two more times. There were some fantastic dogs there and they run a great facility. We decided that we wanted to get a dog where we knew the background so we asked my mom for help. She is a vet tech and knows many families and their animals. I called her on Thursday and by Saturday, yesterday, she has a lead on two. One was a Golden Retriever and one was a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. That was the same dog as our Copper. We looked on their website and we were pleased with what we saw. So Dave called them last night. They called back around 9:30 last night and answered many of our questions. They told us that they were going to be around until noon today if we wanted to come look. So Dave left around 7 this morning and made the almost 4 hour drive north to see him. Dave called while we were at church to let me know he was on his way home with the puppy. They got home around 2:30 and we surprised Kelsey with him. We are waiting to name him until Kaitlyn gets home. I have some ideas but we will wait and see!

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

A Few Words from Dolly Parton

I am a huge fan of magazines. I should really count how many subscriptions we have at our house. We all get a pile of magazines. Anyway, there are some I read right away - US Weekly or People and Time. Others, I save for special occasions. I will only read Glamour or Cosmo in the tub or on the plane. My cooking mags are easy to skim and read over and over again. I have a pile of some others in my bedroom and I am trying to whittle it down - some are fairly old. I just read a Ladies Home Journal from March 2008 over the weekend. I am glad I did! 1) I found a recipe for a dessert I made for a meeting tomorrow. 2) I found an amazing quote from Dolly Parton on friends. Seems strange, I know but it really spoke to me:

"I think there is nothing in the world like girlfriends. I have five sisters and every single one I could tell anyone on earth - just like they can with me. For me, (the perfect night) is to be with friends where you can be your perfect self. Or your imperfect self. Whether you eat too much, drink too much, talk too much and get pissed off. Where you can feel like any emotion you have is okay. To cook, to laugh, to eat. To gossip, try to solve problems. Just being able to vent can be the best healing and therapy."

Love it!

Sunday, February 8, 2009

In a Bad Mood

So, I'm in a bad mood. It's one of those things where I know exactly why I am in a bad mood but I can't say it out loud. However, if I verbalize why I am angry and pissed off, I am sure someone will tell me to shut the hell up. So, I sit here and simmer.

Monday, February 2, 2009

Hilarious Answer to a Quiz

So, I was cleaning out my Facebook tonight - what a mess! A friend sent me a link to a quiz on your mommy style. I am sharing my result below. Thoughts?

Soccer Mom
Your kids are busier than a CEO of a Fortune 500 company - BUT they love it!! You have several activities planned during the week and on the weekends. It takes two assistants to manage your family calendar! Due to your busy schedules, you have to pass on the housecleaning, cooking and work at times - but you are never home so no worries :)

Thursday, January 29, 2009

Another Email Survey

It feels like people are going crazy right now with email surveys and Facebook notes. I got this one today from a former colleague. It seemed more fun than some of the others. Here it is:

42 ODD Things about you!

1. Do you like blue cheese? Yes and I talked about it at work today

2. Have you ever smoked? Yes

3. Do you own a gun? Is my name on one? No

4. What flavor Kool-Aid was your favorite? Cherry Red

5. Do you get nervous before doctor appointments? Sometimes and it gets worse the later they are

6. What do you think of hot dogs? I like them at the ballpark.

7. Favorite Christmas movie? Christmas Story

8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning? Wild Cherry Pepsi Fountain Drink

9. Can you do pushups? Can I? Yes. Do I? No.

10. What's your favorite piece of jewelry? The ring I inherited from my Gram.

11. Favorite hobby? I have been told I would be happier if I had more hobbies. I guess I would have to say collecting recipes.

12. Do you have A.D.D.? No, but I am always multitasking.

13. What's one trait you hate about yourself? I gravitate towards negative as my first reaction.

14. Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment: I need to finish Kaitlyn's room, what am I going to wear tomorrow, and what am I forgetting to do?

15. Name 3 drinks you regularly drink? Wild Cherry Pepsi Fountain Drink, water, Blood Mary

16. Current worry? The economy

17. Current hate right now? How busy I seem to be. I was too busy to attend a time management workshop at work today!

18. Favorite place to be? With my girls

19. How did you bring in the New Year? Vomiting

20. Where would you like to go? This is a conversation we have at my house. Hubby wants to go to Europe but there are too many places in the US we haven't been yet. I would love to drink wine in Napa and see the life in the Hamptons.

21. Name three people who will complete this? Since it's on my blog, I bet I will get comments but probably not other completions.

22. Do you own slippers? They are somewhere ...

23. What shirt are you wearing? A Marshall sweatshirt. I have no idea where it is from. It came home with me from Melissa's wedding weekend.

24. Do you like sleeping on satin sheets? I don't think I ever have! I used to like flannel sheets.

25. Can you whistle? Not well

26. Favorite color? Red

27. Would you be a pirate for Halloween ? Why not? I love to dress up!

28. What songs do you sing in the shower? I like to listen to the radio in the shower. If I sing along, it's usually to what's on.

29. Favorite Girl's Name? Margaret

30. Favorite boy's name? Glen

31. What's in your pocket right now? I don't have pockets!

32. Last thing that made you laugh? Kaitlyn's bedtime stalling tactics

33. What vehicle do you drive? Chevy HHR

34. Worst injury you've ever had? Hurting my back my senior year of high school

35. Do you love where you live? Sure

36. How many TVs do you have in your house? A lot!

37. Who is your loudest friend? Umm, I am really loud myself. I don't know who trumps that.

38. Do you have any pets? Since we lost Copper, we have 2 guinea pigs.

39. Does someone have a crush on you? That would be awesome!

40. Your favorite book? I love children's literature.

41. Do you collect anything? Recipes and cookbooks

42. Favorite Sports Team? Whatever my kids are playing


Enjoy and play along!

Monday, January 26, 2009

The Green Movement

I think recycling and paying attention to what we do to and for the environment is important. I also know that we should do more at our house about this. However, there are times when this movement goes a little too far. When I was at the pharmacy yesterday (for the 3rd time that weekend!) I saw a woman with a purse made out of obviously recycled materials. What, you ask? A dog food bag. Her purse, which now holds a wallet and key, used to hold kibble. There has to be a happy medium ...

Saturday, January 24, 2009

Pear Cake

I made this yummy new recipe for a meeting at work on Friday. Too bad I didn't get to go (sick Kaitlyn again) I guess that means I get to keep all the cake for myself :)

Check it out: http://www.recipezaar.com/Apple-or-Pear-Cake-98869

Friday, January 23, 2009

A Great Article to Share

My husband passed an article on to me today from one of his favorite writers at ESPN. It wasn't about sports at all - it was about his dog. I will warn you - it made me bawl like a baby.

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons/090122

The article was so well-written and it made me miss our Copper even more. It makes you remember that you need to appreciate every day with the ones you love - no matter how many legs they walk on.

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

The Inauguration

The inauguration was fantastic yesterday. I am so glad to be an American right now. I watched/listened to as much as I could yesterday. Several of my colleagues from DC were there and I have truly enjoyed looking and their pictures and living vicariously through them.

My older daughter got to watch all of it on TV yesterday. I was glad for that. She was in the voting booth with me when we elected our president. It was interesting to get an almost 10 year old's take on the events of the day.
  • She and her friends were glad that Obama was not shot yesterday. With the inauguration following the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. celebration, assassination was on their minds.
  • They didn't like the poem that was read by Elizabeth Alexander. I have to say that I am on the fence about it myself, although I did think of a lesson plan idea based upon it.
  • They liked the Benediction. They thought he was a funny speaker and they liked that he rhymed even if the poem before him didn't!
  • They paid attention to the clothes that everyone was wearing. I wish she could have watched the balls with me later.
  • In her Time Magazine for Kids, she really enjoyed the new photo of the living presidents. Obama is sandwiched between George HW and George W.
She didn't mention it yesterday but she has commented several times lately - she doesn't think Michelle Obama is completely happy. The cover of the Sunday magazine insert featured a family picture of the Obama's. Maybe I agree with her in that case, but I thought Michelle looked beautiful, happy and proud yesterday.

What were your thoughts about the inauguration?

BTW - this is my 50th post. Who knew?

Monday, January 19, 2009

More on Recipes

Tonight, the girls and I updated my notebook. I seemed to have mainly appetizers and desserts, which makes sense. Those are my favorite things to make. I also had a number of chicken recipes. I know they are all things I would like, but I am not sure about the rest of the members of my family. We'll see. There were a number of recipes that I had printed or cut out that I wondered why I had done that. Some I saved, loosely in the back of the notebook. Others, I threw away. One I am on the fence about - a recipe for a Bloody Mary using pasta sauce. It came from an insert "50 Things to Do with Pasta Sauce". I am a huge fan of Bloody Mary's and don't know if I could do that. Maybe if someone else made it for me ...

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Change of focus?

Sometimes I think I should change this blog to one about cooking and recipes. Those are things I make time for every day. However, I read other food blogs every day, and I know I couldn't compete with them. Instead today, I will share with you the best new recipe I have tried lately. It is from Paula Deen and it is Apple Butter Pumpkin Pie: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paula-deen/apple-butter-pumpkin-pie-recipe/index.html. Oh, it was so good! I made it during the holidays when my folks were here. I was lucky enough to have homemade apple butter from someone at my church. Mmmmm.

Thursday, January 8, 2009

Reflections on NYE

Since we have been in 2009, it's about time that I write about New Year's. Out of all of the holidays, it has never ranked up there for me. One of our family friends has always called it "Amateur Night". I think I agree! When I was a kiddo, even through my early teen years, I spent NYE with my Gram. She was my favorite person in the whole world. She was the Margaret in Kelsey Margaret :) We had crackers and cheese and hot chocolate and watched Dick Clark. I have no idea if we ever made it until midnight, but we created some of my best childhood. As a teenager before boyfriends, I went to friend's houses for sleepover parties. Although we had fun, to me, they felt like just another sleepover. One year, I think we had a co-ed sleepover too. Since then, I have done almost everything to celebrate - house parties, progressive parties, hotel parties, club parties, etc. Still, I have never felt like NYE was any big deal. I told myself that this year, I would go into NYE optimistic and have a great time. We went to our friends' for a party - I think this was the third or fourth year. They recently remodeled their basement (it looks fantastic!) so a majority of the people were down there. I decided to hang out upstairs, near the food of course. Long story short - I am no longer in practice to hang with the big boys. However, I had more fun at this party than I have had at any NYE party in a long time. Thanks B Family!

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Update on our Adventure

I finally have my pictures uploaded from Christmas and beyond so I can finally update my blog (thank you for being patient) On December 30, Dave and I made it to Lovell's restaurant.
It was really cool inside with all sorts of space memorabilia:

Dave had a $16 burger, I had a $17 chicken salad sandwich. We also had some yummy drinks with space names. Dave had an Apollo 13 and I had a Heat Shield.
At one point, Dave was excited to see Jim Lovell's son who is the executive chef. He came out of the kitchen to talk to the hostess about the dinner specials. Towards the end of our meal, we saw him - Jim Lovell! There was a little boy eating lunch at the restaurant for his birthday and Jim Lovell came over to talk to him. The little boy lit up! Then, Jim invited the boy to come and take some photos. I told Dave that we should hover and swoop in when the boy was done so Dave could have his picture taken too. Dave wouldn't do it. I did get to talk to Jim's handler though when she pointed out where more artifacts were for us to look at. I told her it was awfully nice that Mr. Lovell was talking with that little boy. She did not make the offer for us to talk to him though :)