My (Current) Silly Obsession

When I was little, I collected pencils.  I loved pencils. Pencils with my name on it. Smelly pencils. Decorated pencils.  I didn't care as long as I could add them to the special box I had decorated just for my pencils. It is probably one of the reasons I have an affinity for school supplies.

As I got older, I moved from pencils to Sweet Valley High books.  I bought them all until publications exceeded my funds.  I had over 85 books in the series until I moved off to college. I so wanted to be Elizabeth Wakefield.

Now as a mom, I have tried to trim down on collections due to space and time and money. I prefer my collections to be my kids' drawings and art projects. 

Still, I have one thing that I cannot stop collecting for some reason: 

Food Network Magazine 50 Recipe Booklets

My mother-in-law subscribes to the magazine, and in each magazine there is a pull-out booklet. Each booklet has 50 recipes all with one theme. She graciously allows me to take out the booklet.  I LOVE these little booklets. They have all kinds of ingredients and recipes at all degrees of levels. Out of the 63 available booklets, I have 62.  I don't have the very first one: Toast Toppers. And in all honesty, I think I misplaced Holiday Cookies in our move, so if I don't find it soon, I will be on the lookout for that one, too.  To check out the pictures of the covers of each booklet, click here. Most titles are linked to the Food Network Magazine Recipe Index.

Toast Toppers** 

Thing to do with Pasta Sauce 

Summer Drinks 

Simple Salads 

Easy Soups 

Mashed Potatoes 

Holiday Cookies**

Game Day Dips 

Pizzas 

Egg Dishes 

Pancakes/Waffles 

Burgers 

Kebabs 

After-School Snacks 

Panini 

Stuffings 

Holiday Drinks 

Nachos 

Things to Make with Pesto 

Smoothies 

Tea Sandwiches 

Condiments 

Potato Salads 

Things to Make with Bacon 

Stuffed Potatoes 

Pies 

Edible Gifts 

Super Bowl Snacks 

Brownies 

Grilled Cheeses 

Tacos 

Things to Grill in Foil 

Milkshakes 

Breakfasts on the Fly 

Things to Make with Apples 

Easy Appetizers 

Muffins 

Wings 

Twists on Mac & Cheese 

Salad Dressings 

Salsas & Guacamoles 

Slaws 

Fresh Corn 

Chicken Dinners 

Things to do with Canned Pumpkin  

Vegetable Sides 

No-Bake Treats 

Flavored Popcorns 

Bacon Appetizers 

Deviled Eggs 

Party Punches 

Picnic Salads 

Grilled Steaks 

Pasta Dinners 

Quick Breads 

Things to Make with Cranberries 

Cheese Appetizers 

Party Subs 

Meatballs 

Toasts 

Cupcakes 

Homemade Sodas 

Things to Make with Zucchini 

These booklets are the best.  I even look up the media kit for the magazine so I know what is coming up for the whole year. I haven't tried all of them, of course.  In fact, I probably collect more than I try out the recipes.

I am willing to buy the two booklets needed: Toast Toppers and Holiday Cookies.  Contact me for more info: caroltyner@yahoo.com

Summer Schedule

We have 8 days left of school! I cannot believe how this year has flown by.  For the last two years, we have followed a summer schedule. You probably have seen a few on Pinterest.  I made a collaboration of the days I liked, and we have been using the following. We follow this schedule unless we are going somewhere with the church or on vacation.  A schedule like this does take some planning, but the kids are eager to help. I do cheat a little by putting in a "Stay-Home Saturday" so I do get to relax some throughout the summer.

Click on the picture to take you to a clickable pdf.

My son has already been asking what we are doing to Make-It Monday, and my older two kids are compiling their friend list for Friend Friday.

What do you do with the kids during summer break?

When to Save Printable

I love a sale. So after a few months of research, I compiled a list of all the products and when they are usually on sale.  Hope it helps.

Pantry List Printable

Do you have a list of all the necessary items to keep a well stocked pantry?  I didn't, so I made one. Feel free to print and use if you want.

Easy Lasagna

Since my dear hubby wanted lasagna this week, I added it to a the menu.  I didn't find a pin I liked, so I took a couple of recipes I had to made my own. Of course, I forgot to take a picture of the finished result, but it was yummy and looked oh so good.

First I gathered my ingredients:

• One box of Barilla Oven-Ready Lasagna Noodle (no boil). I truly only used about 6 because I used an 8x8 glass dish.  Use a 9x13 to make it a little "thinner".
• 15oz. Ricotta cheese
• 2 cups Mozzarella cheese
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 Tablespoons dried minced onion
• 1 jar of Spaghetti sauce- I used Ragu meat flavored because that was what was in my pantry. 
• 2 tsp Italian seasoning

First, I browned my meat with a little minced garlic.  Now, we use the jarred kind.  Yeah, yeah, I know it doesn't have the flavor, but that is what what we use. 

When that finished, I just ladled off the fat.  It was a very small amount due to the quality of the beef. (P.S. I got it at The Fresh Market on its Tuesday special; $2.99lb) 

Then I mixed the following together: Ricotta, Mozzarella, grated Parm, and dried onion.  I love onions; my family does not.  These minced onions are small enough that they don't notice them, but I get the flavor.   It looked very crumbly, but that is ok.

After that, I started assembling my lasagna.  Now, we are a family of five, but my two youngest as super picky, and my family almost refuses to eat leftovers, so I try to fix just enough. you can make it go further by adding a another jar of sauce.I added a little sauce to the bottom of the dish, then placed my two noodles,  If you used a 9x13, you would need three.  They expand during cooking so don't worry if they don't seem to fit.

Then I added my cheese mixture.

Followed by the ground beef

And some shredded cheese

I used some Kraft Italian cheese.  I was in the fridge.

I continued to layer into the top which was two layers of noodles, sauce and cheese.  I very top layer was the cheese mixture. I covered it in aluminum foil and cooked for about 30 minutes.

I fixed a little garlic bread to go with it, and hubby was very happy.

-Carol

What if I Don't Wanna Cherish Those Moments?

"Remember these days; they are only little once."

"Cherish these moments. You will never get them back."

"Hold on to these times. You'll miss them where they are gone."

It seems as though my Facebook page as been inundated when these types of articles and blog posts about cherishing those moments while your children are little. Well, frankly, I am about sick of them. You must understand. I  LOVE my children.  I would move the heavens and earth for them if it meant them never getting hurt or sick. And as much as I loved them during their baby stages, I do not- repeat- do NOT miss the days of cleaning up spit-up, crying through the night, sleepless nights, baby-proofing everything in bubblewrap, teething, potty-training.  I am glad it is in the past. Will I forget them? Probably not. Do I want to keep them little forever? No to that, too.

To me, and it is probably just my interpretation of these sentiments, there are too many people already living in the past:  "I miss their little toes."  "I miss their smell."  "Why can't they stay little forever?"  Couple that with all the imagining and pressure we put on the kids about the future, and we forget to celebrate who they are now.

Enjoy the NOW moments. I know I could hold my little girl in my arms and just hold her forever. But you know what, she can sit on my lap now with her arms around me, and we can have a conversation about her day. Her wants. Her fears. Her own visions for her life.

My son, now 7, just lost his first tooth.  A milestone.  Celebrate THAT.  He was the cutest baby ever, but he is growing into a handsome young man today. I know I can't get those little moments back, but I don't think they are any more important than the moments we are having now.

My littlest, finally officially potty-trained over six months now.  Hooray.  I want to celebrate what is to come.  How everyday, I can understand him a little more. He has a major speech articulation issue that requires speech therapy. I would trade those frustration tantrums of not being able to communicate his needs and wants.

I do get sentimental but only when I realize how far they have come, not because I miss how little they were.  I don't think it was any easier than now, or even easier now than then.  Parenting is hard no matter what stage you are in.  I just want to help my little ones celebrate today without regret of their past selves or and without fear of the future.  I want them to know I love them now.

- Carol

Free Academic School Year Printables

As the school year approaches (we start August 4!!), I am attempting to start off and stay organized.  This year instead of buying a calendar that never really fits my needs, I made my own.  I plan on keeping all of the following pages in a 3-ring binder.

I haven't created a cute front cover yet, but I may not because I like the design of the binder.

My first is my Monthly Calendar: 

August 2014-July 2015

Then I have my weekly calendar:

This is two pages with spaces for each family member

Next I have my Birthdays & Anniversaries

I use this instead of taking up space on the calendar

Follows is my To Do List

I can just "x" the task once I am done.

I am also including My Faith Page

I want to try to focus my thoughts on my blessings and to remember those who need prayer

Last, I have my Weight Loss Goals

This will hopefully encourage me to focus on overall health instead of just numbers.

Whatcha think?

My New Cleaning Schedule

I hate to clean. It's true. I would definitely characterize myself as a little on the lazy side.  I would much rather watch television, Netflix, or Hulu, than clean my house. However, I hate my house to be messy. It has become quite a problem.  I can't afford for anyone else to clean it, and I don't think anyone will do it for free. So I just have to hunker down and get it done.

I have discovered I love lists. I could lose all day making lists. I like making lists of the lists I am going to make. It's a problem. Nonetheless, I made a check-off list for cleaning.  I call it my Completely Possible Cleaning Schedule.  It has my daily chores and my weekly responsibilities. The best part is it shouldn't take very long to do it, so I can spend the rest of my time doing those things I enjoy: binge-watching, crafting, getting a pedicure, volunteering at my kids' school, grocery shopping (yup, I enjoy shopping for groceries).

Anyway, hope you enjoy the list. I put it in a plastic page protector and make off my squares with a dry-erase marker. Then, wipe it off at the end of the week, and start again.

Carol

Freebies for Good Report Cards: Macon Edition

Nearing the end of the year, as we anticipate report cards, be sure to celebrate those A's and B's.

Here are some Macon area places that reward good grades:

Chuck E. Cheese  - Take in your most recent report card and receive FREE tokens for good grades.

Krispy Kreme  – Take home a free original glazed donut for each A (up to 6 A’s). Simply show your report card and receive your warm, delicious doughnuts!. What could be better?

Hello There, Cupcake - Offers one free cupcake for all As for any report card, any grade level. Simply show your report card.

Now there are more nationwide programs that offer good grades, but I have not verified them in Macon. As I verify more, I will include them.

New Beginnings

What is it about January that makes people feel rejuvenated and inspired to make grand resolutions and  aspirations. I get the whole "It's a brand new year with no mistakes in it." But why do we only have this feeling in January? Are there mistakes in the latter part of the year?   By February or March, after we have broken most or all of our resolutions, we often feel defeated,  and our pumped up, eager, get-it-done attitude is no where to be found.

I can easily put myself in this category. I sometimes find things easier to begin, if I begin in January. I think it is the same concept as starting that diet on Monday. Why do January and Monday have that magic?

I hope this year, I can find excitement in every month like I do in January and set goals to reach every day like Monday. I want to remember that every day has no mistakes. Every day is an opportunity to change my life, my future, my health, my relationships and that mistake are only speed bumps not road blocks.

I hope to find the continued strength for each day. And I wish that for you, too. 

Just One or Two of Those Months

I know you have had a bad day, but have you ever had a bad two months?  I am so glad March & April  are over.  We have had sickness, and more sickness, ickiness, and just blah-ness.  The best thing is we did get to go to Disney World for a few days in March, but even that seemed rushed.  I absolutely wore out my kids which probably didn't help with the sickness.  Pollen  attacked with a vengeance, and we needed a Spring Break from our Spring Break. April just brought more pollen, but at least things calmed down before May and all the end-of-the-year festivities

I have been in such a funk.  I have been so self-absorbed lately.  Wallowing in my own self-pity about this, that, and the other.  I totally feel as though Murphy's law has taken residence at my house. The sad thing is, I just don't know if the upcoming months are going to be any better.

I am just so frustrated. My plan for my life and God's plan for my life are not on the same page right now.  I don't even think we are in the same book. It is really hard to release my control (or at least my idea of control since it is clear I have control over nothing) and have faith that God's plan is so much better than anything I could imagine. I am just having a hard time seeing the whole picture  Boy, oh boy, is my faith shaky.  I haven't lost it, but it is not on solid ground at the moment.

Then, I  start feeling guilty for even wavering or feeling sorry for myself, because I know I have it a lot better than some others out there. Still, my problems are still problems that I would like to see go away.

DO YOU SEE MY INNER CONFLICT? I feel like I am in a bitter battle between what I want, and what I need, and whether either of those two things are anywhere close to what God has planned.

Maybe I should pray for some clarity.

My Liebster Nominations (Part Three)

So Part Three of my little Liebster series is my 11 nominations for the Liebster Award.  It was really hard for me to find some blogs that haven't already been nominated.  I do apologize if I nominated someone who has already been nominated or if nominee has more than 200 followers.  I did my best to make sure I followed all guidelines.

I hereby nominate the following blogs in no particular order:

Growing as a Mommy

Espresso in  a Latte World

Meltdowns, Breakdowns, and Timeouts

Random Blog Drama

The Fruitful Home

The Proverbs 31 Sanctuary

The Kristen Project

Get Busy Living

Crayon Marks and Tiger Stripes

Confessions of a Busy Mama

Jolie Kirsten

My eleven questions are as follows:

1.  If you could have a super power, what would it be and why?

2.  Whom do you consider your hero?

3. What would you eat as a last meal?

4.  What is the hardest decision you have every made?

5.  Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

6.  What is your favorite book and why?

7. What literary character do you see yourself identifying with the most?

8.  Do you have any phobias? If yes, what?

9.  What  would be your ideal vacation?

10. What do you consider you biggest accomplishmnet?

11.  Why do you blog?

Don't forget to tag me back with the answers.

Congratulations!


Missed the first two parts?

Check out PART ONE here

Check out PART TWO here.

My Liebster Questions Answered

As I mentioned in a previous post, I was nominated for a Liebster Award, a sweet little award given by new bloggers to other new bloggers.  I was actually nominated twice, but never got around to fulfilling the duties of the first nomination. So I am trying to fulfill them now.  One rule is to answer the questions posed to you by your nominator.  Since I was nominated twice, I will actually answer both set of questions.

Sara's questions:

1. Did any blogs inspire you to start blogging? I can't think of any particular blog that sparked an interest in blogging, but I found more and more that encourage me to be a better blogger.

2. If you could travel anywhere, where would it be?  I would love to go to Ireland.

3. Imagine you have 1 million dollars that has to be given away to one person. Who would that be? That's tough. Can I say God?  

4. What is your favorite movie?  The Princess Bride

5. What is your dream job? My dream job is to be a published author.

6. What is your favorite holiday song?  "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" by BareNaked Ladies and Sarah McLachlan- this version

7. Have you ever had a celebrity crush? Yes, Jerry O'Connell.  He is such cutie.

8. Salty or Sweet? Sweet-hands down.

9. What is your favorite band/artist? MercyMe

10. What are you currently reading? Made to Crave by Lysa TerKeurst

11. How has writing a blog helped you personally?  It helps me vent, get my ideas out, express myself.

Vinma's questions:

1. How do you define yourself as a person? Emotional, a great listener, indecisive, a gal-you-love-to-be-around

2. Why do you blog? It is my outlet.  Sometimes as a mom I feel secluded, and this is a great way to express myself.

3. What is your greatest pet peeve? Oh, it pick only one... I guess it would be thoughtlessness.  Just not thinking about how your actions affect others.  That selfishness is just beyond my comprehension.

4. What do you treasure most in your life? Do you mean "thing" or that which I hold dear to my heart.  First thoughts are my faith, my children, my husband, my wedding ring. Does that work?

5. What is your short term and long term goal? In what aspect?  I have a weight loss goal of 5 pounds a months until I reach my long term weight loss goal of 70 pounds.

6. Who is your role model? I don't know.  Is that horrible to say? I like different qualities of different people, but no one role model comes to mind.

7. What is your favorite movie of all times and why? I have to say The Princess Bride.  It is funny, clever, romantic, and just a great movie all around. Not to mention that I LOVE the song during the end credits

8. With which color in the rainbow, you identify yourself with and why? Green,  It is natural, the color of life around me.  I think I am vibrant like the color green, and I am definitely all-natural.

9. Do you like to socialize a lot and be in a wider world or are you comfortable with few friends/ no friends and a small world? I have a lot of acquaintances, and I have my close friends.  I takes me a while to open up to people and I often envy others' ease of making friendships.  I am most comfortable in my small world though.

10. What is your religion?  I am a Christian.

11. Define ‘Love."  When I think of Love, I think of God.  His love for us includes sacrifice and forgiveness. I think that we cannot truly love others without those two things. 

Stay tuned for PART THREE: My Liebster Nominations 

Missed PART ONE: Check it out here.

And the Award Goes to ... ME (Part One)

That's right, readers. I was nominated for a Liebster Award.  Actually I have been nominated twice, but I guess I felt I didn't deserve it the first time. I was first nominated by Sara from Fake It Till You Make It and now by Vinma  at For the Love of Kids.

So the Liebster Award is an award given out to new bloggers by other new bloggers.  Basically, it is a way to showcase other up-and-coming bloggers and give them that virtual pat on the back.

Now, this isn't some willy-nilly random award that has no rules.  In fact, there are a lot of rules. First, you have to be a new blogger with less than 200 followers (not a problem there). Next you have to adhere to the following:

1. Each blogger must post 11 random facts about herself (yikes, can I think up another 11. I already posted 13 random facts earlier)

2. Answer the 11 questions the tagger has sent. (Love answering questions!!)

3. Pick 11 other bloggers (with less than 200 followers), link to them from the post, and ask them a new set of 11 questions. (No tag backs)

4. Be sure to let the new bloggers know of your nomination

Now, I have to admit I did not follow through with my first nomination.  I didn't know enough bloggers to nominate, so I felt the nominations wouldn't be sincere if I just randomly pick some Now, that I have been following a few, I think that I am able to fully give my nominations

First Things First:  11 NEW Random Things about me.

1.  I bite my nails.  I have forever and don't think I will ever break this habit.

2. I am a sucker for infomercials.  I don't actually but anything, but I will totally stop and watch them.  It is a good thing I don't have any money.\

3.  I coupon.  I am not an extreme couponer, and think the show is totally rigged, but I am proud of the fact that I save at least 40% or more per grocery bill.

4. I taught school for eight years before staying home with my kids.  Although my posts are often riddled with mistakes, I taught English. I absolutely LOVED it and hope to return to teaching one day.

5. If money were no object, I would love to open my own gift shop.  I would feature the arts and crafts and the life of local artists and crafts.

6. I was pulled over at least four times my senior year in high school.  Once for speeding, once for not using my turn signal, once for having a busted tail-light, and once for not signaling when changing lanes.  I didn't get a ticket for any of them, but I sure had to talk my way out of them.

7. I want to learn sign-language.

8. For some reason, the idea of other people not taking responsibility for their own actions just gripes me to the bone. Even for my kids, I don't care that you broke my (insert random item) just tell me you did it, so I can replace it, fix it, or throw it away.

9. My computer has crash 3 times since I started this post (GGRRR)

10. My favorite song in the whole wide world is "Time in a Bottle" by Jim Croce.  I first heard it on Muppet Treasures (a compilation of Muppet Show segments)...

11.  Speaking of Muppets,  I cry EVERYTIME I watch the end of Muppets Take Manhattan when Kermit and Piggy sing this song at their "wedding"  (yep I even cried while viewing the video)

Since this could turn into a rather lengthy post, I think I will separate it into three posts.

PART TWO:  My Liebster Questions Answered

PART THREE: My Liebster Nominees

3. 13 Things I MUST tell my daughter

When I found out I was pregnant for the first time, I quietly prayed for a boy. They just seemed "easier" (little did I know). The truth of the matter is having a girl scared the mess
out of me. The irony does not escape me- a woman scared of facing the daunting task of raising a girl.  But I am sure that this plagues most mothers. I just know I am not alone in this.

Since the day my daughter was born eight years ago, I have mentally rehearsed all kinds of conversations simply in preparation of "that day" when she asks about this, that, or the other.
There I was holding my newborn baby and all I could think about is how am I going to help her through so many things: crying over a boy, her first kiss, her first period, puberty, and so much more.

As much as I want to keep her locked away like Rapunzel (who ended up very well adjusted considering), I know none of these things can be avoided. She will continue to grow up, and while I cannot stop it, I can instill in her those values and beliefs that will allow her to grow in God. While there are so many things I want to tell my sweet baby girl, I think these are pretty high up there in term of importance.

1. God loves you.  Don't EVER forget this.

2. I love you.  Don't EVER forget this, either.

3. You are beautiful. No, I don't have to say this just because you are my daughter. You truly are a beauty.
4. I am so proud of you.  Little things you do each day just makes my heart beam with joy.
5. You will mistakes. Do not let them define you. Oh, the lessons you will learn. Tomorrow is always new and without mistake.
6. There is nothing you can or cannot do that will change the way I love you.  NOTHING! I may not always "like" what you do, but never will lessen my love for you.
7. You are enough.  Basically, this is about confidence.  You do not need another person do make you a better person.
8. Don't be in such a hurry to grow up. Enjoy your childhood. Miss it now and you will long for it later.
9. Don't ever be ashamed of your intelligence. Nothing is prettier than a girl with a smart mind.  No really.  I promise.
10. Never lose your love of reading. It can take you to worlds unknown.  Besides it is just fun.
11. If it ever comes down to following God's plan or making people happy, follow God. He will not steer you wrong.  You cannot fathom the wonders of God's blessings on your life.
12. Be yourself. Even though it may take you a while to truly understand what that means. Once you do learn, embrace it.  There is only one you; why try to be someone you are not.
13. Taking care of yourself is important. Being physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually healthy is vital. Once you know how to take care of yourself, you will be able to take care of others.

What would you add to the list?

Copy-Kids DVD Review and Giveaway

My first review and giveaway.  WooHoo!

I am excited about telling you about a great way to get your kids to eat more fruits and veggies.  I think I have the most finicky kids ever.  I have just about given up trying to get them to eat more veggies.  I have since found Copy-Kids - a DVD with young children modelling good eating habits.  The idea is simple but the concept speaks to kids' natural ability to mimic those around them.  To make it even better, the models looks just like them.

I watched this with my youngest child who is 2.  It is a good idea to have the foods you want to encourage in front of the kids.  We started with carrots and strawberries.  I have to admit that Tuck will occasionally eat a strawberry, but lately he won't touch them.  I was hoping to get him to eat more strawberries. 

The first thing I did was put out the bowls on the floor in front of the TV then I turned on the DVD and picked strawberries. There are 12 fruits and vegetables from which to choose, so the variety is great. Tucker grabbed the strawberries right away and began to munch along as soon as he saw the kids eat. 

The kids were cute, and even I began to be mesmerized at how easily these kids ate those foods. It was easy to tell the kids enjoyed the fruit that they were eating. After the strawberries, we tried the carrots.

I was a little nervous about the carrots, because Tucker does not eat them at all. Here was the true test. 

The first little girl was a little funny, and Tucker just watched the kids, but he didn't grab a carrot. He just laughed at the kids.  He liked watching the kids, but was not interested in the carrots. In fact, he took the bowl of carrots and dumped them onto the carpet. So I picked up the carrots and pointed to the tv screen to show him that it was something that he was supposed to eat. He took one and I thought yes! However, instead of eating them himself, he tried feeding them to me which showed me he at least understood the concept. 

When the DVD segment was finished (each one only lasts about five minutes) he wanted to watch it again so  we watched the carrot segment again hoping this time he would eat them. When the segment started,  I could hardly believe it Tucker actually picked up one of the carrots that he had been feeding me and begin to nibble on it!! It worked.  I got so excited! It wasn't because of my prodding, he simply wanted to join in on the fun the kids were having.

I wanted documentation, so I decided that I would take a picture. That was the wrong thing to do because he became more interested in looking at my camera phone at this point and stopped eating a carrot. After that he kinda lost interest and did not care to eat any more carrots. However, when the segment was over again he got really upset that we did not watch another. So I do think it is interesting how he wanted to keep watch the kids. 

I do think that I will continue to encourage these eating habits by watching Copy-Kids.  I may even try it with my older children. It is such a laid-back, stress-free approach to handling a situation that often causes parents much angst.

Copy-Kids is gracious enough to offer one lucky reader her (or his) very own copy of this DVD. If you need more convincing of how great this DVD is, be sure to check out these other reviews or check out the awards  Copy Kids has won.

Be sure to enter below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway 

*I am required to let you know that I received a copy of Copy-Kids DVD to review.  I was not required to provide a positive review. It just worked out that way. All opinions are my own, and I wrote what I wanted to write.*

A Much Needed Break

Contrary to what some people may believe, I don't really get that much of a break.

My life is pretty routine: 6:30AM wake up call, get the kids fed, dressed, and out the door (dear hubby drives them to school- he works there), eat something, maybe do a workout from Hulu, try to get in a little me time before Tucker wakes up.

Once Tucker wakes up it is trial and error in trying to figure out what the boy will eat because he won't talk. Then after I get him to eat a bowl of cereal, he spends every waking minute trying to get candy. He's sneaky, too.  He will get me distracted then he goes and finds a way to climb on top of the counter to reach the candy bowl. Moving it doesn't help, he just looks for it. And don't let him watch me throw it away, he has been known to knock over the trash can to dig one out to eat. You know the saying "one track mind"?  Well that it Tuck when it comes to candy. I must say NO a hundred times a day.

So Tuck is up and fed, now I get to do the dishes, wash about four loads of clothes (because my family changes clothes about three times a day except for the boys who stay half naked throughout the day), straighten the living room, clean the bathrooms, put up the four loads of clothes and I need to do all of this before 1:30. Somewhere in there in have to remember to eat and oh yeah, I have got to feed Tuck who still refuses to give up on his candy pursuit.

After 1:30, I then have to get ready to get the kids. Sometimes I have to drop off Tuck at the in-laws because Judson has gymnastics. Sometimes, DH gets to bring them home from school, too, but lately he goes to the gym. Other days Mel has piano, or soccer practice in the fall. On top of school activities, random subbing for teachers, room mom responsibilities, MOPS leadership responsibilities and actual MOPS meetings, going to church (usually one church on Sundays and another on Wednesday), we try to find time to eat together before bedtime.

This is also coupled with my older two children arguing and fussing and tattling and aggrevating and crying and whining and everything else 8 and 5 year-olds do.

So, when I had the chance to get away for a few days, I jumped at the chance. Now you have to understand, I cannot remember a time in the past two years that DH and I have been away together without the kids. He gets time away due to his band director duties, but I really can't think of a time when I haven't been at night with at least one of my children.

Proud to say I am in Savannah. I am getting to walk up and down the Spanish moss lined streets. 

I am sleeping in a bed that looks like this.

I am window shopping in every shop.

I am eating local cuisine.

And tonight when we came back to the hotel we had chocolates on our bed. (I ate one before I took the picture.)

This is such a needed break. I am enjoying every minute.

2. 13 Websites to Kill Time

Sometimes after I have cleaned the kitchen, washed the clothes, put the kids to bed, checked Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and other blogs, I just want to veg-out in front of the computer and waste time.  I don't want to have to think or make a decision, I just want to giggle a little. I have found 13 websites that are truly utterly useless.  They have no function except to make the minutes go by a little faster.  I guess they are not useless at all then.

Disclaimer: As much as I wish everything was Rated-G, some images or user-submitted entries may not be kid-friendly.  Please use mommy discretion when viewing for the first time until you determine whether or not it is ok.

In no particular order:

1.  Unnecessary Quotes - I am bit of a grammar nerd, so this appealed to me.

2. The Longest List - A index of the longest whatever. I said you did haven't to think; I didn't say anything about not learning something.

3. Wordle - I happen to LOVE Wordle.  You can make the neatest little word clouds.

4. Snopes - I like to go here to debunk every scam, chain letter, spam message I get.  Ok, this one is VERY useful.

5. The Drama Button -  This is so silly yet, so fun.  Try it once, and you will bookmark it forever.

6. Do Nothing for 2 Minutes - The title is self-explanatory.  A good way to just relax and take a break.

7. Dear Blank Please Blank - Funny and endearing, sometimes gut-wrenching letters submitted by readers.

8. Attack of the Cute - Enough cuteness to make you go into Awww overdose and an Adorable coma.

9. Cake Wrecks - I bake three cakes a year, one for each of my children's birthday.  I understand the hard work that goes into baking these special cakes.  These are just too funny.

10. Awkward Family Photos - Just makes you feel better about yourself.  Can't wait to see my pic up there one day.

11. Grouchy Rabbit- One-liners that make you go HA, UMM and EWW.

12. Craft Fail- When you need to remind yourself that everyone else is NOT Martha Stewart.

13. Free Rice - OK, my last choice and you do, in fact, have to think. I like vocabulary and feel like I am helping people.

So, there you have it.  A few websites to help you wind down after a productive day.

Are there any you would add to the list??

Stop it! My Brain Hurts

Here I am sitting in carpool, and I am so frustrated because I have so many ideas in my head I can't get them all out before I forget them. And some of them are really good ideas and topics. 

I don't know how fast a mind is supposed to run, but mine is going ninety-to-nothing. Blogging topics, craft ideas, (imaginary) business plans, not to mention designing woes for the MOPS newsletter I am supposed to be working on. This doesn't even include the things I am actually doing. Aren't we supposed to think about the things we are doing as we do them? I keep thinking about the things I want to do to my house like clean the table in the corner, sort the clutter, in my bedroom. I feel like I have To-Do lists on top of To-Do lists and the only thing I have accomplished is making a To-Do list.

Some can argue that it is just a matter of using my time wisely- an issue of organization. That may be true, but I would like to think that my awesome is just overflowing and hard to contain.

So I will try to get out as many ideas as I can and will focus on the ones that keep me up at night.

Sorry, I have to go now. I have some things I need to write down before I forget. 

1. 13 Random Things about Me

I thought I would try a new series.  In the spirit of 2013, I thought I would write about Thirteen 13s.  Thirteen lists about 13 "things."

The first "13" is 13 random things about me.

1. I love the smell of Vick's Vapor Rub, Turtle Wax and Lowe's.

2. I don't like The Cat in the Hat. It annoys the heck out of me. It is almost a requirement for English teachers to like it, but I don't. Other Dr. Seuss books don't bother me, just this one.

3. I love toe socks. I think they are very comfortable. I bought and wore a new pair for the birth of each of my three children.

4. I grind my teeth and talk in my sleep I have since I was a child. I have also been known to cry and to spit (yes, spit) during slumber. Gross, right?

5. I had two favorite dolls growing up and they were my very favorite dolls in the whole wide world.  One was just a plain doll, Missy, and the other was my Cabbage Patch Doll, Eleanor Nan. They are still at my parents' house.

6. When I was younger, I used to fantasize that Luke Perry somehow got lost on my dirt road and had to stop at my house for directions. What can I say:  I loved 90210, and Luke Perry was so much cuter than Jason Priestley.

7. My favorite snack, to this day, is a whole dill pickle dipped in mayonnaise eaten with BBQ corn chips. It sounds disgusting, but I LOVE it. And, No, I am not preggo.

8. I had the lead in the school play my junior year of high school. It was a silly little musical based on a cartoon called LuAnn. Everyone said I was made for the part because my life somehow tragically resembled the cartoon-it was about a girl who longed for the attention of a boy who didn't know she existed. Yup. That sounded about right.

9. About 7 months after I turned 18, my friend, Maria, and I drove to Valdosta and we both got a tattoo. It is a blue rose on my abdomen, so no one ever sees it.  My mom just found out about it this past summer, and I think that in-laws still don't know. It is the most rebellious thing I have ever done.
10. One of my "bucket list" items is to sing the National Anthem for a crowd somewhere. The only problem is I have a fear of singing solo. I can talk and act the fool (drama all the way) but singing- gives me the butterflies. Something fierce. Despite the fact that my voice isn't perfect.

11. One of my goals is to write a novel someday. I have several outlines and have even wrote a little, but I can't seem to work through it. 

12. I can't stand Mariah Carey. I don't like her voice, the way she looks, her songs. I am sure she is a nice person. I just don't have anything for her. It is entirely superficial

13. I picked my college (Mercer) because I heard about it from the best friend of my cousin. I had never heard of it until then, but I knew about Macon because we drove through it on the way to see my Grandma who lived in Roswell. I didn't even apply anywhere else. 

Any random things you would like to share with me??