The Peabody

You are never going to believe what the hubster did for me. Last night was date night. We had an afternoon of shopping. We tried on really expensive clothes just for fun. Then we went to PF Chang's and shared Fried Green Beans, Honey Chicken & a Great Wall of Chocolate. Then the plan was to go to Whole Foods and Barnes & Noble, then home for a movie...BUT, Shane had a gift in the trunk for me. After dinner he said I could open it. So, he opened the trunk and there were suitcases! We got to stay at the Peabody! The valet parked our car. We went to our room which was so much fun. It overlooked the city lights and the river.

This morning we watched the ducks do their Grand March into the fountain. They ride down the elevator and walk down the red carpet and jump into the fountain for a day of swimming. At 5pm each evening they go back to the terrace for the night.

We checked out and had a lunch at Chili's. Shane did some major planning. He packed all my make-up products and it takes a lot to paint this barn. I like my beauty products!

It was a ball!!! Thank you Neddie, Chaz, Nana, Papa, & Mamaw for watching all of our kids! And Shane, I am super sorry I snored really loudly for 10 hours! You are the best husband ever and I loved every second of our date!

What I've been reading.

The Dee Henderson series. Danger in the Shadows is the first book. It was great. I'm reading the Negotiator right now. Listen to this. I flew to Dallas last weekend. Had my book with me. Read it on the plane ride down while I sat next to Mr. I'm About To Hyperventilate And Am Putting Out A Very Awkward Vibe Man. On the way back I took a Dramamine and was somewhere over the rainbow that did not include book reading. I used my boarding pass as a bookmark on the way down.

I pick up my book today and continue reading where I left off. Boarding pass still being used as a bookmark. Well, in the book a PLANE BLOWS UP IN THE AIR. I'm just gonna tell you right now, it is a good thing I did not read that part while in the air. That would have been some tough times.

My friend Kelly has been talking about a series she's enjoying and the laundry that is being effected. I say there is nothing better than enjoying a good read and letting the house go to pot.

Speaking of pot, today at church I had the boys in the bathroom with me. There were some feminine products on the counter (not mine). My oldest boy said, "Oh look Mom, Diapers!"

Ode to Jesse

We are sorry for the incident today.

You know, when you fell into the toilet while one of the boys was taking care of business.

Woody was nowhere to be found so Mama had to rescue you. I'm pretty sure the evil Zurg was behind the events of the day.

After your bleach bath you are in working order again.

Electric Blanket Guilt

Do you remember where you were when you got your first Blanket with a Brain? You know, the electric blanket that keeps the temperature regulated from your head to your toes?

I was in college when my life changed. My friend Heather and I both got Electric Blankets one Christmas. It is fun to walk that new road with a friend. Long talks of what temperature you are enjoying. Strategies developed such as, turn the blanket on high while you wash your face and get ready for bed, then turn the dial to 3 for a perfect night's rest.

Then there is always the pre-mature putting up of the blanket each Spring. Temps soar to the 70's and you are certain the warm air is here to stay. You will put the blanket in the attic and inevitably you will be getting it down 6-8 days later cursing your Meteorology skill yet again.

It is with a sad heart that I am sharing the news that I sold my blanket at a yard sale last year because I was having Electric Blanket Guilt. When the kiddies can't have one I just couldn't enjoy having a warm bed when they couldn't.

Electric Blanket I missed you last night. My feet were really cold. Sniff. Sniff. I was forced to put my cold feet on Shane to warm-up. He hates me today.

Menu

• Chili, Fritos, Cheddar
• Potato Soup/Crackers, Salad
• BBQ Pork Tenderloin, Baked Potato, Steamed Veggies
• Orange Chicken, Fried Rice, Steamed Broccoli

S.O.S.

OK I need advice.

Jibbers is standing up in his crib and can't sit back down and is crying hysterically. I lay him down, he gets back up, etc, etc, etc, etc, etc, etc, etc, etc, etc, etc, infinity.

He's as stubborn as his daddy so he keeps getting back up. Smile. I may in fact actually be more stubborn than Shane.

But this therapy intervention is about the kid and not me.

Any ideas on getting through this?

Pulling up is all cute and everything, but not from 12-1am.

Tube Technology Review

For $8.89 the Loreal Tube Technology did not change my life as I hoped it would.

The removal of the mascara is rather freaky. The tubey things come off with warm water, something you can't really imagine until you try it for yourself. It was just a little too out there for me.

You know how I feel about my pink pj's, yellow lotion and black chapstick. When it's that time of night and the trifecta is calling my name, I just don't have time to deal with the Tube Technology.

I still say VOLUMINOUS is the most life changing eye product I have ever encountered.

Fair Weather Blogger

I've been a busy bee.

Actually I've just been super tired and not getting on the computer.

Well, actually, I've been on that floor plan website and driving around looking for land.

Tonight we loaded up the bus and excitedly drove over to get our $25 of free Clinique.

If you heard the news, don't bother unless you got a letter in the mail saying they owed you some free moisturizer.

With dashed and shattered dreams, we went to eat Mexican with no free Clinique in hand. Mamaw and I joked at least we got the right color and it will probably be the exact right formula.

Today I got some Loreal Tube Extension somethin' or other mascara. Strange. But I am excited and next time you see me my lashes will be 80% longer so you better watch out.

Have a good en'.

Heat Wave

Why is it exotically hot in my house?

That would be because my oldest son pushed the ottoman to the thermostat and turned it up to 79 degrees.

Honey, don't stroke, I turned it back down to 68. You thermostat Nazi you. Did I say that out loud? And yes, we all have on our shoes, socks and jackets.

Sunday before church I was reading my Bible. My son said, "Mom did God write those words with his finger?"

He wanted to know if God changed the colors of the words with his finger. I told him the red words are the one's Jesus spoke.

I asked him if he knows what eternal life means. He responded, "Yes, I think it means it's a turtle."

All my children slept through the ENTIRE night in their own beds. History is being made everywhere today.

I hate to sound so shallow that this would be the one comment I make, but Michelle Obama's dress is so pretty. I'll buy her coffee table fashion book when it comes out.

I'm going to go outside to cool off. Jeesh. It is hot.

House Plans

I've been drawing up some house plans. It's been a lot of fun. There are a couple details that I haven't been able to get just right.

That's when I found IT. My new time waster. http://www.familyhomeplans.com/

The fun thing about this site is all the extras you can type in. Cottage style, french doors, fireplace, YES. And you can save 60+ plans to your favorites list for easy reference.

So there you have it. That's where I've been. Using my kids Speed Racer pencil/notepad to draw plans.

Here are a few things I am incorporating into my dream house.

• open floor plan (living room flows into kitchen) ( you know how I feel about a dividing wall when I'm in the kitchen 21 times a week plus snacks)
• 4 bedroom/2-3 bath
• windows in the bathrooms
• island in the kitchen
• bar in the kitchen that will seat 3-4
• broom closet in the kitchen to hold, well, the broom
• walk-in pantry in the kitchen
• corner living room so windows can be on 2 walls instead of just one
• corner fireplace, woodburning
• tall ceilings in living room and kitchen
• double vanities in both bathrooms
• can lights in living room and kitchen
• french doors somewhere

I like a cottage style look. Cozy feel. Smaller square footage with the biggest space in my big living room and kitchen. Raised ceilings to make it appear bigger than it really is. Lots of windows. Charm & character, not the basic cracker cut floor plan. Well, the dino nuggets and tater tots are ready so I gotta run.

I'm worried.

There are 2 things that are H.U.G.E. in the fashion world right now. If you are needing to update your look you really need to incorporate one or both of these two things.

Bangs & Scarves.

Please do not get me wrong. I love my scarf and Robyn just cut me some bangs that I adore.

However, I cannot get the worry out of my fashion psyche that we are heading toward, well um, let's let the photos speak for themselves.

I don't know.

I just feel it is happening right before our eyes.

It starts with the bangs. It starts with a bold fabric accent like a scarf.

Purty soon we're going to be buying curling irons again.

And Big Combs.

Women over age 35 may purchase Aqua Net. Women under age 35 will stick to Big Sexy Hair Hairspray.

I just dunno.

The Fuzz

today we were driving around town and passed the popo. the fuzz. snake in the grass.

i said, "oh look boys, it's the fuzz!" i was so happy i was being a good, law abiding citizen going 30.

my oldest son said, "MOM, stop calling them the fuzz. say the popo or the police!!!"

my bad.

Prayer Cards

Yesterday at church we talked about praying more.

I started something a couple months ago that has been working so well I thought I'd share.

Prayer Journals have not worked for me because I forget to write in them, and/or forget to actually open them up.

I took 4 index cards. I labeled them Myself, Shane, The Boys & Our Home.

Each card has specific requests that are one word or so. It has been so simple and I just keep them in my Bible.

For Example, on Our Home here are some of the things I'm praying for:

• a safe place
• peaceful, sanctuary, refuge
• the Word of God spoken here
• laughter
• joy
• forgiving
• loving
• gentle tone

As I'm reading Scripture, if I see something else to pray over my family I add the one or two words to the appropriate card.

It is a very simple thing, but I have seen results from it which is so much fun. You can make a card for any person or situation you'd like to remember in prayer. Have fun!

Deep Thoughts

During the winter, how do yard salers spend their Saturday mornings? Just wandering.

I found these adorable green and white damask plates at Targe'. Oh I want 3-4 of those babies to hang on my kitchen wall.

I was thinking I can make them myself though. Sure, I could pay $21.00 for a set of 3 at Targe'. But wouldn't it be better if I found some similar white plates at a yard sale or thrift store for $3.00 instead? Lime Green Acrylic paint is only a couple of bucks. This is a mission I am on right now.

Pajamas

My four year old son loves to pick out my shoes & pajamas.

Last night he found my lingerie drawer. He brought me my pajamas and said, "OH MOM!!! These are so cute! I've never seen these before have I?"

No you haven't son. No you haven't.

Chicken Strips-Four Stars!

2 Thumbs Up! We loved these.

12 oz Chicken, cut into strips (yeah, I have NO IDEA how much that is, so, however much your family eats is good)

1 egg

1 TBS Honey

1 TBS Prepared Mustard

2 cups crushed Corn Flakes (I used 4 because I like crust) (today a friend told me you can use Cool Ranch Doritos, HELLO, that sounds even better!)

Pepper to taste.

Preheat oven to 450. In one bowl mix egg, honey and mustard. In another bowl put the crushed corn flakes and pepper.

Dip chicken in egg then cornflakes and place on a ungreased baking sheet. Bake for 12 min or until no longer pink. (I left mine in for 17 minutes just to be extra sure it was done.)

Side Dish: We used fresh veggies and dip and pretended it was french fries or chips. Polls are saying mid-February we'll be in the green to eat fries & stuff again.

My Red-Headed Superman Boy

Oh that boy is so cute I could eat him up.

This morning we were getting ready to go to Bible Study and he said, "What I'm gonna learn today at Bible Study Mama?"

Last night we were all tucked into bed. About 8 minutes into the quietness, I feel something at the foot of my bed.

Pooperman. They actually can say Superman now, but Pooperman is so much more fun.

So, he crawled up on the foot of the bed and laid there real quit, still, and incognito like for a few minutes.

Then in true superhero fashion inched up just a bit, really playing those cards right because he didn't know if we were asleep yet.

Seeing this might take all night (ha!), I decided to throw in a little fake snore action to speed it up a bit because it was obvious he was trying to be super still and quiet as he made his way into our bed.

We got so tickled when he finally jumped under the covers. And he had on his Superman Underoos from LAST Christmas that now look more like hot pants and a tube top. Purty. Those are one thing I just absolutly cannot Flylady.

Sorry to post a story that only my women kinfolk reader's will love, but I just couldn't resist.

I love that baby!

New Year's Resolution Update

I cannot walk thanks to Bob. Don't let his cute little face and motivational finger pointing fool you. He is mean.

It hit me like a ton of bricks around 2 this afternoon. Am I coming down with the flu I thought? My entire body was hurting. No. Not the flu. Bob.

Since I got up so early today I dang near fell asleep at dinner which was ready by 4:58pm.

Every stinkin' time I have to pee I want to cry because that means I have to use my legs and my thighs and butt muscles again.

And I'm going to the bathroom every 5 minutes thanks to all the frickin' water and/or fruit and veggies I've been pumpin' into my system.

I know why skinny folks stay skinny. Because they make stuff like this for dinner: EASY SALMON PASTA. It was real easy for me to put my fork down between bites and converse. And you can be for dang sure I didn't overeat or ask for seconds.

You can imagine what kind of mood I'm in. Between getting up to spend time with Jesus and Bob, eating grass for meals and frickin' nut mix for snacks, and switchin' over to Dark Chocolate instead of Milk (for my heart you know) things are just peachy around here. Just Peachy I tell ya.

Can someone remind me when it's socially acceptable to go back to my old ways?

Schedule Update #1

I am going to fall over and die if I do not lay down and take a nap.

I'm off to take an unscheduled nap.

Dear Lord, please be gracious and let the kids keep sleeping as they are scheduled to wake up in 28 minutes. And thank you for not laughing at me in my attempt to be scheduled. Amen.

Icy Leaves

There are icy raindrops on the leaves outside. And tiny icicles hanging from my roof.

Today is the start of a "scheduling experiment" at our house.

We are very relaxed in our daily schedule. I like freedom in the dailyness of life. We are pretty routined, but I put the pen to the paper and mapped out some specific times for us to do things. I'm giving it 2 weeks. We'll reevaluate then.

I've noticed people are usually very much in the scheduled camp or on the other end where anything goes.

In the dailyness of life I lean strongly toward the anything goes camp. I know I know, the kids will start school one day and need the structure, but today I like to enjoy and be flex. Again, because I can.

I'm wanting to begin some pre-school homeschooling with the boys, hence the more structured schedule experiment. God has given me lots of freedoms over the last couple of years in my parenting style. We are very flex all around. Laid back. Due to Shane and I's jobs we keep a different schedule than most 8-5er's.

Anyhoo, just an experiment and today is going OK with it. Jib's is crying in his crib. He needs a solid three days to adjust though.

I'll update because I know you will probably be dying to know how it turns out. Please try to rest until I update again. Ha.

(P.S. Spell check went crazy on me. Apparently I like to make up lot's of words that aren't really words. And I am all about an inappropriatly placed comma, I use those things like crazy. Comma good. Comma Friend.)

This Week's Menu

We got a fabulous new cookbook for Christmas. Here are some recipes we are trying over the next week or so. I will post the best recipes. All of them are 30 minutes or less, 7 ingredients or less.

• Chicken Nuggets (oven potatoes, fresh veggies & dip)
• Oven Fried Fish (steamed green beans, baked potatoes)
• Orange Chicken & Fried Rice (broccoli spears)
• Easy Salmon Pasta (Salad)
• Chicken & Snow Pea Pods (Rice)
• Minestrone Soup (Bread)

Our house has been eating healthier. We've been limiting chips, cokes, cookies, deserts. Water with meals vs. tea or juice.

REFRIGERATOR LIST: This is something I have been doing for some time. Keeping our favorite meal ideas on the fridge for easy ideas (just hand-written on 2 post-it notes). I have recently added Veggies We Like & Fruits We Like. This has been important to me to jog my memory for quick, healthy ideas for snacks or side dish items.

VEGGIES WE LIKE:

• Broccoli
• Green Beans
• Carrots
• Corn
• Salad
• Sugar Snap Peas
• Potatoes
• Sweet Potatoes
• Celery
• Tomato (trying to learn)
• Onion (trying to learn)
• Bell Pepper (trying to learn)

FRUITS WE LIKE:

• Mandarin Oranges (canned)
• Oranges
• Apples
• Grapes
• Bananas
• Strawberries
• Blackberries (frozen in winter)
• Peaches
• Raspberries (frozen in winter)
• Watermelon
• Pears