November 11, 2010

11-11

Today is 11-11, a big day. Veteran's Day. HAPPY VETERAN'S DAY to all that serve us. It's also sweet Madeline Spohr's birthday. The sweet baby pictured on the left in my side bar that left us too soon. And, it was also quite eventful 7 & 11 years ago which brings us to this post (yes, I post it every year. It's kind of like a birthday, so to speak).

Many of you know that my kids were due on the same day March 31st- but I had Gavin on March 24 and Grayce, March 26. Every event was about the same with both, just 4 years apart. Gavin's US at 20 weeks had been on Veteran's Day, I think because I worked at a bank then and it was closed, so it was a great day for the Dr. When it was time for Grayce's 20 week to find out her sex- the nurse just scheduled it at my previous appointment and handed me the card. AFTER we had Grayce's, it was only then I realized their ultrasounds had the same date on them, 4 years apart, within an hour of each other. And so, 11-11 is when we found out what both babies would be.



Happy 11-11, a very special day!
Here's to Veteran's, Maddie, babies!





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November 8, 2010

MckLinky Monday: Pumpkin Cookies

(Yes, it's a re-post. Sue me. I've been knee deep in blog design upkeep.)
Today the MckLinky Monday at theRHOK.com is about Thanksgiving food. This is my favorite FALL food. Don't just utilize their goodness on Turkey Day. They are worthy of much more attention.

I make these Pumpkin Cookies, and told people so. Then some Tweet friends wanted the recipe. Then, one of them said they were the BEST cookies she ever, ever made. Therefore I am sharing the recipe here, because it's really, really hard to type a recipe over and over in 140 characters on Twitter. So, Im posting it here for people to reference instead! Enjoy!


First, put 2 cups of raisins on to boil. After they've boiled and plumped, drain them.
-While that's going on, preheat the oven to 350*and....

Cream together:
1C crisco
1C sugar
1C brown sugar
2tsp vanilla

Then stir in 1 can of pumpkin, mix well.

Add to that
4C flour
2tsp baking powder
2tsp baking soda
2tsp cinnnamon
Mix well

Then, add 1C chopped pecans if you wish and mix in the raisins

Drop by tablespoon on baking sheet and pat the lump down just a little.
Bake at 350* for 10min

While all that's a baking- then make the icing:

1 Box 8oz, Powdered Sugar
1 stick of magarine
1.5 t maple flavoring (I use pure maple syrup bc I can never find maple flavor)
2 tsp milk

Melt the stick of margarine, then stir in the powdered sugar and maple over low heat. Then add the bit of milk to make the icing creamy.

Ice the cookies while still warm!

If you try them, let me know. We love 'em here!



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November 2, 2010

WW: Spooky Spectacular


The weekend review...

October 31, 2010

Mcklinky Monday: Family History

Today you'll have to follow me over to the RHOK, as I am hosting the MckLinky Monday this week & I'm talking genealogy and family history...what do you know about yours? Link up with us and share! See you there.

The RHOK


October 25, 2010

MckLinky Monday: Worst Job

This week the RHOK wants to know all about your worst job. I really have liked most of my jobs. Except one, where I worked for approximately 4 hours, then quit.

I went through several hours of training to work as an aid in a nursing home when I was 16. (What was I thinking?)  The training was fine, I passed, I went out on the floor.



One 1/2 shift later and I was done. Because, ewww. I can't handle the elderly. Sorry, but  it's true.

I will always remember what the woman over the position told me.  Some people can work with old people, some people can work with babies.

So, babies. I am all about babies.




October 15, 2010

Out to RHOK: Napkin Art #Fail!

In the spirit of our friend The Napkin Dad, I decided this week to draw a little napkin myself, for my girl's lunch.  I thought she'd be ok with it. I considered the 10 year old boy was going on a field trip that day and might be mortified, so I only put one her lunch. But before I go any further I have to give you some background info.....(to read the rest you'll have to join me over at www.therhok.com!)



October 12, 2010

WW: Week in Sports




Trapezing in the air...


and tackling in the air. 
(Thanks to Sasha for the shot here!)



October 4, 2010

MM: YouTube

(Disclaimer: I am not a rule follower.)   So, over at theRHOK.com today Mrs. Priss is asking us about our favorite You Tube video. I'll admit, I had to do some serious research, as I am not a regular youtuber, unless I am trying to figure something out. It was fun research, though. No way I could choose one. No way.

And so, here you go. My top five:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BgoOihBb78w

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2rZxCrb7iU
(esp at the 2:25 mark)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMH0bHeiRNg
Of course!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jdeBp8J0rqs
Pretty much the whole channel is awesome.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BudhFVnN2o0
Or, just watch this and it's a quick summary. Except for the striped sock girl. My apologies for her.

Don't forget to jump in over at the RHOK!


September 29, 2010

Wordless Wednesday: Football 2010





I love the football pics this season! Couldn't wait to share. Isn't he handsome? ;-)


September 21, 2010

WW: My Girl

I'm actually over at the RHOK today as well, where you can enter to win a local photo session with Serena! Check it out ;-).  Grayce added these 2 photo's to her pageant portfolio, which won this past weekend!





Click over to 5M4M for more WW! Thanks for coming!


September 14, 2010

Wordless Wednesday: Downtown

Taking a hint from Kellyology, (who didn't even mention by the way, she was going to go to Elote and Mod without me), last Friday night, we the Southern Southerners ventured to downtown.


And we indulged in Puffy Taco heaven (Which is not actually pictured.  The ballerina has nothing to do with the extremely heavenly Elote Puffy Taco.)

Then we found Mod.

And the boy had to be told to take it easy on the S'mores crepe. Yes, that is my husbands hand trying to contain him from choking and requesting he chew.  That was awesome, by the way. Even better than the Nutella.

Then, we went in search of this Center of the Universe the great Kellyology spoke of....


And we found it.  It was coooooool.



The way this picture turned out, makes me think that the universe shines brightly.
Visit the 5M4M link in the side bar for MORE!


September 13, 2010

MckLinky Monday: Favorites

This week we are doing a little meme called Favorites over at the RHOK. All you have to do is tell us your favorites just like the ones below. Easy Peasy...just like I like it.

Favorite Actor:  Man this is a toughy. Because, I've had favorites- and then they jumped on the crazy wagon. I'm going to split this one with TV and movies, though. Because, well, I can. This is my blog.


  




Favorite Actress:


Favorite Movie: There are only a handful of movies I will watch every time they are on:
PRETTY WOMAN
DIRTY DANCING
SOME KIND OF WONDERFUL
are 3 of them.

Favorite Band(s): Bon Jovi, Lady Antebellum. I am a diverse music lover.

Favorite Musical: I LOVE Broadway. It's too hard to narrow down. I love Grease, The Phantom, Wicked, Hairspray, Annie, Sound of Music. My mom was the only one that shared the love in the family. Luckily, my great friend Mary Anne loves them too, and now she lives just about 100 miles away, instead of 800.





Favorite Novel: Meh. I go through reading phases.  I've not been in a phase in awhile. Though, I did read Twilight & New Moon via Kindle. A long time favorite is To Kill a Mockingbird.

Favorite Cuisine: Italian. And someday I am going to Italy to eat it in real life.


Favorite Wine: Um, it was any Leaping Horse. But, if you follow me on Twitter or Facebook you might know I evidently have developed an allergy to WINE. Well, to sulfites, I guess. But I only hold a doctorate of Google and M.O.M. I have to get to the actual allergy doctor. 


Favorite Store: I'm with Dawn. I love bargain stores. I love TJ Maxx, Ross & Marshall's.


Favorite Vampire: I just recently discovered these new vampires, so I only know about the Cullens. I like Edward and Alice. But, of course if you go old school, I am a fan of all The Lost Boys.





Favorite Primetime TV Series: Parenthood, Modern Family, The Mentalist

Favorite Time Waster: Facebook, blogging and Words with Friends. Also, you can do all of these listening to my new fave the 5-0 police scanner app on iphone. 10-4, I'm 10-6 10-7b. 

Favorite Chore: There is NO such thing. 

Favorite Quote:  "There are certain shades of limelight, that can wreck a girl's complexion." -Audrey Hepburn



Favorite Smell: Newborn baby heads & vanilla. Also, most recently caramel vanilla marshmallows. The smell is heavenly. They don't taste as great as they smell. I mean they're good- but just not as good as the smell.





Favorite Vacation Spot: That I've been? Malibu or Cozumel. That I would like to go to? Italy, Greece and Monaco.

For those of you who may be new to MckLinky Monday, here are the rules:
1. Answer the question on your blog (or in the comments sections if you haven't a blog).
2. If you answer the question on your blog, add your name to MckLinky so that we all can discover the brilliance that is your mind.
3. Grab our button from the sidebar and post it either in your reply post or on your blog.
4. Enjoy and have some fun!

September 2, 2010

Truths

A lot of times I get asked what I did this week or today by various people. And/or I get asked how I am. I never answer with the truth. Do you? In my case, it would just take too long. I mean, do they really want to know anyway? Instead, I'm just going to write a post about it. It was kind of a regular week- not overly full. It's just kind of a general reference for the future. If you actually wonder what I do, here ya go.

Monday I caught up on some website work & emails, finished & edited the 456 school newsletter & sent off for approval, folded some laundry, prepared a football deposit, ran some errands. Was back home at 4 for the kids, then served snacks & got Gavin's game gear rounded up for team pictures. Then I printed out some extra picture order forms & found some envelopes in case people forgot. Then I loaded up the car for football, picked up a other player & went to the HS field. I collected money for pics & raffle tickets, then helped the boys fix hair & jerseys for pics. Sat through practice, then brought Gavin home and ate dinner. Got everyone settled in bed and then played WWF and bejewled & caught up on Facebook & Twitter. I also think I had to update the Kids for Christ site & all the countdown timers bc the start date was moved out one week. But that might have been Tuesday.

Tuesday I got up extra early to shower because I had a funeral to attend in Stroud, about 45min away- at 10am. Got everyone out the door in time for the bus and then realized immediately Gavin forgot his medicine. So, I rushed and got ready knowing I'd have to hit school before hitting the turnpike. Called school on the way & begged them to have Gav waiting on me in the office, which he was. Verified how many hard copies to make of the newsletter with the principal and headed out. Noticed I needed gas & stopped for that & a coffee. (Smitty's coffee=bleh, btw). Drove over for the funeral, making it at 9:54am. Just in time. Thankfully dad saved me a seat. After the funeral dad had to leave right away, and my other uncle wasn't feeling well, so the other one took him home because I said I'd stay and chauffeur Granny to the graveside service. (Side note: Sylvie- a long time family friend of my grandparents is who had passed away. She had been staying almost every night at Granny's house since moving back to Stroud about 7mo ago. She had her own house, but had never stayed alone at night ever- she was age 84!! Granny was happy to let her come sleep at her house. Her company will be missed: a great, kind lady.) The graveside didn't take too long and Granny & I finally made our way to the church- where she'd be helping serve the family meal. At some point during maneuvering my car is when I pinched the nerve in my neck- and I was not feeling so great. At the church, the family filled the entire place. I tell Granny I'm in the way and am just going to head out- but Granny has no part of that. So I stayed in the kitchen until they finally all got fed, then Granny made me fix a plate and eat lunch. Old lady home cooked food & dessert is the only perk of a funeral, ya know. I had fried chicken & fresh peach cobbler. Then, I make my way out because I give the "kids will be home soon" notice. I make my way back home and go to the store & pharmacy for refill of muscle relaxers for my neck. By this point it even hurts to yawn. I gather things we need grocery wise in CVS, while waiting on the scripts. I make it home in time for the bus arrival, barely. I clean up some stuff, take a relaxer, and then round up Gav for football. After loading up the car, I go get football friend & take them down to practice. Then, it is parent orientation night, so I rush back across the river, meet Joe at church, transfer Grayce to his car and then go into to school. I learn all I need to there, meet all the teachers & get informed, sign Joe up for Watch Dog Dad's & then head back to football fields. I stopped to get a drink at QT- then barely made it before the lightning rolled in and caused the fields to clear in record time. I collected a few more raffle tickets & money on the run back to the car. We got home a bit earlier than usual. I made dinner and got everyone settled to bed and all the appropriate notes & papers signed & filled out for the next day.

Wednesday, no alarm went off & I awoke at 8:15. The bus comes at 8:21 & I have a PTA meeting at 9a. We rush rush rush out the door. Kids not late, I'm there for meeting. Newsletter is approved. We decide we need a FB page and web page, which I will do. Meeting finally over & I missed 2 calls during. First, Grandma: she needs stamps and water when I come over to pay her rent. Coach K needs me to order pizza and send an email regarding Thursday, Friday, & Monday. On way to grandma's after PTA meeting I stop to make 15 copies of newsletter to take back to school later and get stamps at UPS store. I decide this to save time & paid $8 for newsletters myself rather than have to drive all the way to 61st & Mingo where the PTA account is for some reason. It was worth it bc by now it's raining. I also got a Starbucks bc I can. Then, I went to CVS again bc they have 24ct of water on sale for $2.77, which I noticed when in there the day before. Grandma will also be out of prevacid, so I pick up that too & use my $6 off coupon that I got Tuesday. I'm suppose to meet Dara at Hobby Lobby at 11:15. It's 11a. I make it to HL and browse around, then find Dara and pay for her shelf so she can use 2 coupons. While I'm in there I call Walgreens and figure out why Grandma's other RX isn't ready yet. After HL, I run in the rain to my car & then head to grandma's. I paid her rent, dispersed her meds for the next week & a half, gave her stamps and water & then headed out after talking to apt manager about her dog & the drawer pull cutting her leg. I pick up the other RX on the way back home. I remember i need some things and run to the store first instead. At home I return emails & then make a 456 PTA logo & facebook page, and make the new web page for them & twitter account. I ordered pizza for dinner. After dinner I composed the email for Grayce's class about jog a thon & to introduce myself as the homeroom mom, and tell who the co-mom's are. Made sure Grayce knew her spelling words & got everyone in bed. I took more muscle relaxers & laid down. I probably played my turns on WWF & scrabble first though.

That brings me to today when I was too tired to do much- but made the order for pizza for 24 boys & gathered plates and forks. I went to CVS again to buy more water for the boys & the ran home to get it on ice. I returned emails and updated the RHOK, since Monday is the day I host the question post. Good news, I can tilt my head a little & yawn without horrible pain! I called and double checked all the pizza would be ready & loaded the car with kids & water. Then I picked up the pizza and delivered it to the home of the Spartans for the game film watching party. I left them there, and ran Grayce home. I tore all the raffle tickets we collected into singles, to put in the drawing box & compiled all the monies in one bag to be counted tomorrow. Then, I drove back to football & cleaned up the pizza mess, waited for the boys to get done. After that I came back home & had dinner, now everyone's in bed.

Tomorrow the agenda is mostly clear. The kids don't have school! I'd planned to swim & lounge: wouldn't ya know that's not gonna happen? Of course, it storming now due to a cold front! But, that's mainly how a week goes for me. Next time anyone wants to know, I'll just have them reference this post.

Oh, and how am I? Really? I'm tired. I'm probably cranky. I'm usually at least pretending to be happy- but I'm usually not so much.
I'm have about 1,355 other things going thru my head. But...

How are you? {Fine & you?}

What you do this week? {Ah, not much, not much at all.}

The Southern Mama



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