I apologize if any of this is incoherent, I haven't had a decent night of sleep since the Clinton administration.
That may be slightly exaggerated...but I feel like the walking dead nonetheless.
It's the baby's fault really. He's in there laughing while I'm staring at the ceiling at 2 am thinking about nominal clauses, my grocery list, and oh yeah I'M HAVING A BABY IN 7 WEEKS OR LESS.
Due to my inability to stay asleep, I decided to consult a professional. By professional, I mean my friend Lianne who has recently birthed her third child and is an expert on many topics. You won't get a more professional evaluation than that of a Mother of 3 through text messaging. Here's how it went down (We are both English Majors so yes, we punctuate our text messages):
Rachel: Did you ever have any horrendous, pregnancy insomnia?
Lianne: YES!! About the last 2-3 months of it because I could not get/stay comfortable.
Rachel: It's killing me! I have NEVER had problems sleeping (at night) before!
Lianne: Just nap whenever you can. I couldn't sleep at night, but I could saw some logs after lunch every day.
Wait....what?
Did she just say "saw some logs"?
Not to overuse a cliche' acronym...but I quite literally LOLed!. I laughed right out loud at that message.
I laughed again when I recanted the story to Jason. I laughed again when I used it in my facebook status, and I laughed again when I thought about it in the shower.
I got some funny responses when my facebook status said, "I'm about to go saw all these logs that piled up on me last night."
Translation: "I'm about to take a nap to make up for the sleep I DIDN'T get last night."
Some thought it was sexual innuendo, some thought it had to do with bodily excrement...my own husband didn't even believe such a phrase could have such a meaning.
He just knew Lianne and I had made that up. That had to be something that only folks from counties such as Marion or Escambia would say.
He was very disappointed to have the validity of "sawing logs" verified by his North Carolina coworker who also introduced me to "calling hogs."
Maybe it's pregnancy related delirium, maybe because it reminds me of my PawPaw, or maybe it's the Tylenol PM I plan to have as a snack, but tonight, I have a feeling I'm going to be sawing a good many logs.
Or having nightmares of Leatherface....
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Chicken Parmesan
Could there possibly be a better way to end a hiatus than with an easy and non-cellulite-creating recipe for Chicken Parmesan.
Maybe....but today, you get the chicken.
Other than keeping me from gaining laughable amounts of weight, my favorite thing about this recipe is that I made it using only things I already had in my house. I hate surprise trips to the store. I was even able to use up a rock-hard loaf of bread I was going to have to throw out to make the bread crumbs!
Here's what you will need:
-Boneless, skinless Chicken breasts.
-1 jar of Spaghetti sauce (I normally make my own but Publix has been having great deals on the jars)
-Pasta (Spaghetti or Fettuccine)
-Bread Crumbs (Italian seasoned if you want a short cut)
(If all you have are plain, just add some garlic powder and Italian seasoning)
-Just a little bit of butter (I probably used less than 1/4 of a cup)
- About 1/3 cupParmesan Cheese (Pretend you see it in the photo, I used the stuff in the green can)
-Some other white cheese (I would recommend mozzarella since this is an Italian dish, but all I had was jack so I completely jumped continents!)
1. Heat oven to 375*
2. Pour the jar of spaghetti sauce into a 9x13 pan or larger, depending on how many chicken breasts you use.
3. Mix about 2 cups of seasoned bread crumbs with about 1/3 cup of Parmesan cheese.
*Note- I don't keep seasoned bread crumbs on hand but I did have the aforementioned loaf of stale bread. I tore/chisled it into pieces and pulsed it in the food processor until I got fine crumbs. Once I had enough pulsed, I added the parmesan, garlic powder and Italian seasoning and pulsed it some more to get it well blended.
*Note you also want to make sure you use dry bread crumbs. If your bread is fresh, toast it in the oven to remove moisture.
4. Split the chicken breasts. I did this for 2 reasons: 1. They will cook much faster 2. I can stretch 3 chicken breasts to feed 3 people dinner 2 nights in a row. (That's the most math I'll do all year!)
5. Melt the butter in a microwave safe bowl (30 seconds should do it).
6. Dip each chicken breast in the melted butter and then coat with your bread crumb mixture. You'll want to really press as much of the bread crumb mixture on the chicken breasts as you can. Be warned, this will result in the picking of breadcrumbs from under the fingernails for a few minutes.
7. Lay the coated chicken breasts on top of the spaghetti sauce. I had to get a second pan so it would all fit. Keep in mind, this is only 3 chicken breasts that have been split. This recipe will go a long way!
8. Bake at 375 for 30 minutes. (While the chicken is baking, boil your pasta according to package directions. If you need a step by step on how to boil pasta, please call your Mama and tell her you need help, there's nothing more I can do).
9. Remove from oven, put some shredded cheese on top. Return to oven and bake for 5 more minutes.
10. Yum.
Use a big spoon to scoop out each breast and as much sauce as you can.
11. Serve over pasta and wait for your husband to cry tears of appreciation.
Okay, so he didn't really cry, but all 3 of us agreed that this was one of the best things I've made....ever! Let me know how you like it!
Maybe....but today, you get the chicken.
Other than keeping me from gaining laughable amounts of weight, my favorite thing about this recipe is that I made it using only things I already had in my house. I hate surprise trips to the store. I was even able to use up a rock-hard loaf of bread I was going to have to throw out to make the bread crumbs!
Here's what you will need:
-Boneless, skinless Chicken breasts.
-1 jar of Spaghetti sauce (I normally make my own but Publix has been having great deals on the jars)
-Pasta (Spaghetti or Fettuccine)
-Bread Crumbs (Italian seasoned if you want a short cut)
(If all you have are plain, just add some garlic powder and Italian seasoning)
-Just a little bit of butter (I probably used less than 1/4 of a cup)
- About 1/3 cupParmesan Cheese (Pretend you see it in the photo, I used the stuff in the green can)
-Some other white cheese (I would recommend mozzarella since this is an Italian dish, but all I had was jack so I completely jumped continents!)
1. Heat oven to 375*
2. Pour the jar of spaghetti sauce into a 9x13 pan or larger, depending on how many chicken breasts you use.
3. Mix about 2 cups of seasoned bread crumbs with about 1/3 cup of Parmesan cheese.
*Note- I don't keep seasoned bread crumbs on hand but I did have the aforementioned loaf of stale bread. I tore/chisled it into pieces and pulsed it in the food processor until I got fine crumbs. Once I had enough pulsed, I added the parmesan, garlic powder and Italian seasoning and pulsed it some more to get it well blended.
*Note you also want to make sure you use dry bread crumbs. If your bread is fresh, toast it in the oven to remove moisture.
4. Split the chicken breasts. I did this for 2 reasons: 1. They will cook much faster 2. I can stretch 3 chicken breasts to feed 3 people dinner 2 nights in a row. (That's the most math I'll do all year!)
5. Melt the butter in a microwave safe bowl (30 seconds should do it).
6. Dip each chicken breast in the melted butter and then coat with your bread crumb mixture. You'll want to really press as much of the bread crumb mixture on the chicken breasts as you can. Be warned, this will result in the picking of breadcrumbs from under the fingernails for a few minutes.
7. Lay the coated chicken breasts on top of the spaghetti sauce. I had to get a second pan so it would all fit. Keep in mind, this is only 3 chicken breasts that have been split. This recipe will go a long way!
8. Bake at 375 for 30 minutes. (While the chicken is baking, boil your pasta according to package directions. If you need a step by step on how to boil pasta, please call your Mama and tell her you need help, there's nothing more I can do).
9. Remove from oven, put some shredded cheese on top. Return to oven and bake for 5 more minutes.
10. Yum.
Use a big spoon to scoop out each breast and as much sauce as you can.
11. Serve over pasta and wait for your husband to cry tears of appreciation.
Okay, so he didn't really cry, but all 3 of us agreed that this was one of the best things I've made....ever! Let me know how you like it!
Monday, May 10, 2010
93% Savings? Yes Please!
Here is what I got today:
So it's probably evident that I don't have a lot of hobbies! I've taken up extreme shopping as a new hobby and it's working out pretty well. As a result of some strategic planning, coupon cutting and using stores rewards programs, I spent $5.92 on all this stuff today. The total cost of all of this would have been $80.59! So, um.....if you trust the math of the English major, I saved 93%! As much as I would love to have you over, give you a glass of tea, and explain to you in painstaking detail how I did all of this, I can see you cringing from here, so I'll spare you the details unless y'all just reeeeally want them.
To put things in perspective, take that pack of Huggies diapers for example. The regular price for those is $11.00 (not that I have EVER paid full price for diapers). Basically, I spent about half the cost of ONE pack of diapers and got ALL this stuff!
Go me!
So it's probably evident that I don't have a lot of hobbies! I've taken up extreme shopping as a new hobby and it's working out pretty well. As a result of some strategic planning, coupon cutting and using stores rewards programs, I spent $5.92 on all this stuff today. The total cost of all of this would have been $80.59! So, um.....if you trust the math of the English major, I saved 93%! As much as I would love to have you over, give you a glass of tea, and explain to you in painstaking detail how I did all of this, I can see you cringing from here, so I'll spare you the details unless y'all just reeeeally want them.
To put things in perspective, take that pack of Huggies diapers for example. The regular price for those is $11.00 (not that I have EVER paid full price for diapers). Basically, I spent about half the cost of ONE pack of diapers and got ALL this stuff!
Go me!
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Happy Mother's Day!
Dear Mama,
First of all, you were right. About what? About pretty much everything!
Second, I'm sorry! For what? For being dramatic, for being a slob, for only cleaning the entire kitchen ONCE, for that time I made you cry at the Sizzler for being so darn bad and ungrateful.
Also, Thank you! For what? For forcing me to make friends, for getting me little surprises, for cooking a good meal for me every day and making restaurant trips (even fast food) a treat, for coming to my many thousand sporting events, for not letting me wear too much makeup, for making me bring home decent grades, for teaching me to save money, for letting me learn some things the hard way, for letting me talk about nothing on the phone and for loving all the people that love me.
Love you Mama!
First of all, you were right. About what? About pretty much everything!
Second, I'm sorry! For what? For being dramatic, for being a slob, for only cleaning the entire kitchen ONCE, for that time I made you cry at the Sizzler for being so darn bad and ungrateful.
Also, Thank you! For what? For forcing me to make friends, for getting me little surprises, for cooking a good meal for me every day and making restaurant trips (even fast food) a treat, for coming to my many thousand sporting events, for not letting me wear too much makeup, for making me bring home decent grades, for teaching me to save money, for letting me learn some things the hard way, for letting me talk about nothing on the phone and for loving all the people that love me.
Love you Mama!
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
My Goings On
It's been a long time since I've posted and boy, we've had a LOT going on. I'm still pregnant and feeling more so every day! Right now, I'm 21 weeks!
Some days I feel huge but this picture doesn't look like it for some reason.
In case you didn't know.......
The blue blanket means we're having (another) BOY!
Jason and I have narrowed our choices down to 3 names. He won't give me free reign so I told him to choose between the 3. He's really, really procrastinating. Right now, his name is Mister Baby Robinson but if his DADDY hasn't made a decision in a few days, he's going to become Cletus the Fetus.
He may not have a name...
But he has a diaper bag!
Also, we color coordinated for Easter :)
My sweet Joe gets better looking every day! I just don't know what I'm going to do with him!
Today, on the way to school, Joe and I saw the most gigantor turtle I have ever seen:
My Dad thinks he was a gopher tortoise, about 12-15 years old and not even full grown!
I wanted to put my shoe in the picture for perspective but I was afraid he would bite my foot off (turns out they're gentle). From my estimate, he was about 2 feet long from his nose to his tail. His shell was like a serving platter!
Last, but certainly not least, the bittersweet news.
My dear, sweet Grandma passed away March 30th. She was just a wonderful person. She was well loved and well taken care of. I already miss her so much, but I know, thanks to my Savior Jesus Christ, I will see her again! She is no longer sick, she is no longer missing her husband, and she is rocking her only baby boy.
Thank y'all for reading and I'll see you again soon!
Some days I feel huge but this picture doesn't look like it for some reason.
In case you didn't know.......
The blue blanket means we're having (another) BOY!
Jason and I have narrowed our choices down to 3 names. He won't give me free reign so I told him to choose between the 3. He's really, really procrastinating. Right now, his name is Mister Baby Robinson but if his DADDY hasn't made a decision in a few days, he's going to become Cletus the Fetus.
He may not have a name...
But he has a diaper bag!
Also, we color coordinated for Easter :)
My sweet Joe gets better looking every day! I just don't know what I'm going to do with him!
Today, on the way to school, Joe and I saw the most gigantor turtle I have ever seen:
My Dad thinks he was a gopher tortoise, about 12-15 years old and not even full grown!
I wanted to put my shoe in the picture for perspective but I was afraid he would bite my foot off (turns out they're gentle). From my estimate, he was about 2 feet long from his nose to his tail. His shell was like a serving platter!
Last, but certainly not least, the bittersweet news.
My dear, sweet Grandma passed away March 30th. She was just a wonderful person. She was well loved and well taken care of. I already miss her so much, but I know, thanks to my Savior Jesus Christ, I will see her again! She is no longer sick, she is no longer missing her husband, and she is rocking her only baby boy.
Thank y'all for reading and I'll see you again soon!
Thursday, March 25, 2010
God Sent Me to Big Lots Yesterday.
Okay, that may be a bit of an exaggeration. God has blessed me immeasurably, but I'm not sure he has a vested interest in me saving 70% on a dining room suit. Ask and ye shall receive, right?
A little bit of background on the subject of my dining room. You can read more about my chronic lack of dining room furniture here. We have a beautiful formal dining room that up until yesterday, held an old couch.
Jason and I had decided to spend some of our income tax refund money on a table at least. For the past 3 months we have been "looking" at furniture. Jason's looking includes just that, looking. No action. We picked out something we liked at a local furniture market and considering the price, figured we could have it made into coffins when we die because it would be the LAST table we ever bought. We didn't even entertain the idea of buying the gorgeous china cabinet because we hope to send our children to college one day.
Fast forward to yesterday. No table...still waiting. Here's where the story gets tricky. Completely unrelated to everything you just read: Jason's office chair has scratched the hardwoods under his desk until he is one tiny scratch away from working in a bean bag. He finally got sick of me curling up into a ball and crying in the corner about it and suggested that I go to Staples and get him a floor mat.
For some crazy reason, (I didn't even fuss) I said okay and planned on going all the way across town to Staples to purchase said floor mat and then continue my day with grocery shopping. As I was leaving Staples, I decided to go in Big Lots because my Mom saw in their sale paper that they had Crocs for $10. (I hate crocs, they were for Joe)
Please note that in the 2.5 years I have lived here, I had been in Big Lots only once.
So I walked over there.
And the most amazing thing happened.
The dining room suit I fell in love with but had resigned myself to the fact that we would never get....
WAS SITTING IN THE BACK CORNER OF BIG LOTS FOR 70% OFF OF RETAIL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
BROYHILL people!!!
I may or may not have shed a tear or eleven.
We were able to get the table, 8 chairs, and the amazingly gorgeous china cabinet for less than I would have expected to pay for the table and chairs. AND we may still be able to afford coffins one day!
It weighs about a million pounds and is completely disassembled, but maybe by Thanksgiving we can have it put together!!
I capped off the day by spending $71 and saving $85 at Publix. I'd call yesterday a success!
A little bit of background on the subject of my dining room. You can read more about my chronic lack of dining room furniture here. We have a beautiful formal dining room that up until yesterday, held an old couch.
Jason and I had decided to spend some of our income tax refund money on a table at least. For the past 3 months we have been "looking" at furniture. Jason's looking includes just that, looking. No action. We picked out something we liked at a local furniture market and considering the price, figured we could have it made into coffins when we die because it would be the LAST table we ever bought. We didn't even entertain the idea of buying the gorgeous china cabinet because we hope to send our children to college one day.
Fast forward to yesterday. No table...still waiting. Here's where the story gets tricky. Completely unrelated to everything you just read: Jason's office chair has scratched the hardwoods under his desk until he is one tiny scratch away from working in a bean bag. He finally got sick of me curling up into a ball and crying in the corner about it and suggested that I go to Staples and get him a floor mat.
For some crazy reason, (I didn't even fuss) I said okay and planned on going all the way across town to Staples to purchase said floor mat and then continue my day with grocery shopping. As I was leaving Staples, I decided to go in Big Lots because my Mom saw in their sale paper that they had Crocs for $10. (I hate crocs, they were for Joe)
Please note that in the 2.5 years I have lived here, I had been in Big Lots only once.
So I walked over there.
And the most amazing thing happened.
The dining room suit I fell in love with but had resigned myself to the fact that we would never get....
WAS SITTING IN THE BACK CORNER OF BIG LOTS FOR 70% OFF OF RETAIL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
BROYHILL people!!!
I may or may not have shed a tear or eleven.
We were able to get the table, 8 chairs, and the amazingly gorgeous china cabinet for less than I would have expected to pay for the table and chairs. AND we may still be able to afford coffins one day!
It weighs about a million pounds and is completely disassembled, but maybe by Thanksgiving we can have it put together!!
I capped off the day by spending $71 and saving $85 at Publix. I'd call yesterday a success!
Monday, March 15, 2010
Things I Will Never Understand
1. Gigantor hairbows on little girls
2. Gigantor hairbows on grown women
3. Why THESE types of outfits (for boys) are available in sizes up to 5!
4. Hair that's both black and blonde at the same time (on purpose)
5. Twilight....There I said it!
There are many things in the world I don't understand, but these are just a few that have been troubling me lately.
In other news, I am 15 weeks pregnant, the baby is the size of an avocado, and I'm tired as poo!
2. Gigantor hairbows on grown women
3. Why THESE types of outfits (for boys) are available in sizes up to 5!
4. Hair that's both black and blonde at the same time (on purpose)
5. Twilight....There I said it!
There are many things in the world I don't understand, but these are just a few that have been troubling me lately.
In other news, I am 15 weeks pregnant, the baby is the size of an avocado, and I'm tired as poo!
Thursday, March 11, 2010
13 Weeks
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How Far along? 13 weeks
How big is Baby? About the size of a lemon (3 inches)
How big is Baby? About the size of a lemon (3 inches)
Total weight gain/loss: a grand total of 1 and a half pounds.
Maternity clothes? Yep. There's no way around it with the jeans!
Stretch marks? I hope it's not possible for me to get anymore!
Sleep: What the heck is that?
Best moment this week: Visiting the Doctor and finding out that everything is just fine.
Movement: He/she is dancing around but I can't feel it yet.
Food cravings: Lemons, anything bland because every time I eat if feels like I swallowed a giant flaming soccer ball for at least an hour afterwards.
Gender: We find out April 12th.
Labor Signs: none, thank goodness!
Belly Button in or out?It's in for now.
What I miss: Sleeping on my back, sleeping on my stomach, sleeping.....
What I am looking forward to: Finding out the baby's gender in a few weeks :)
Milestones: reaching the 2nd trimester
In other news, guess what Joe sings in the morning when he wakes up...(when he's not whistling)
The Canadian national anthem.
Let that sink in.....
I HAVE to delete the NBA all star game off the DVR...like, NOW!
Sleep: What the heck is that?
Best moment this week: Visiting the Doctor and finding out that everything is just fine.
Movement: He/she is dancing around but I can't feel it yet.
Food cravings: Lemons, anything bland because every time I eat if feels like I swallowed a giant flaming soccer ball for at least an hour afterwards.
Gender: We find out April 12th.
Labor Signs: none, thank goodness!
Belly Button in or out?It's in for now.
What I miss: Sleeping on my back, sleeping on my stomach, sleeping.....
What I am looking forward to: Finding out the baby's gender in a few weeks :)
Milestones: reaching the 2nd trimester
In other news, guess what Joe sings in the morning when he wakes up...(when he's not whistling)
The Canadian national anthem.
Let that sink in.....
I HAVE to delete the NBA all star game off the DVR...like, NOW!
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
12 Weeks
This week, Baby Robinson is about the size of a peach. So, why is my abdomen the size of a peach pie?
Hmmm.......
I think this picture captured the least flattering angle possible. I also think the outfit had something to do with it.
I am outraged. No. Not really :)
Instead of wondering how I grew so dramatically, lets talk about my hair.
This hairdo happened completely by accident but I love it. I am going to try it again to see if it was just a fluke. This was the most effortless thing I have ever done to my poor hair. It was the result of 1. not drying my hair before bed, and 2. messing around too long to straighten it in the morning.
In addition to having a very good hair day, I came across the jewel of the Nile today. There is a resale shop in Pelham called Encore. I thought they only sold furniture and stuff but it turns out they have a very good sized selection of clothes.
There was a small maternity rack that I thumbed through and found a pair of jeans and some Old Navy bermuda shorts. I though I had done pretty well since maternity consignment almost always yields early 90s pastels and shoulder pads. So I get up to the register and one of the employees says they have just received a bunch of maternity clothes but haven't had the chance to price them or put them out but that I could come in the back and look.
Sure, I say.
My lands, this was one fashionable pregnant woman who consigned these beauties!
Not a shoulder pad or tent like empire waist in sight! I may go back and get a few more things. So in all, I got 1 pair of jeans, 1 pair of shorts, 1 skirt and 4 shirts for 43 dollars!
Nothing makes my day quite like reaping the benefits of my cheapness!
Hmmm.......
I think this picture captured the least flattering angle possible. I also think the outfit had something to do with it.
I am outraged. No. Not really :)
Instead of wondering how I grew so dramatically, lets talk about my hair.
This hairdo happened completely by accident but I love it. I am going to try it again to see if it was just a fluke. This was the most effortless thing I have ever done to my poor hair. It was the result of 1. not drying my hair before bed, and 2. messing around too long to straighten it in the morning.
In addition to having a very good hair day, I came across the jewel of the Nile today. There is a resale shop in Pelham called Encore. I thought they only sold furniture and stuff but it turns out they have a very good sized selection of clothes.
There was a small maternity rack that I thumbed through and found a pair of jeans and some Old Navy bermuda shorts. I though I had done pretty well since maternity consignment almost always yields early 90s pastels and shoulder pads. So I get up to the register and one of the employees says they have just received a bunch of maternity clothes but haven't had the chance to price them or put them out but that I could come in the back and look.
Sure, I say.
My lands, this was one fashionable pregnant woman who consigned these beauties!
Not a shoulder pad or tent like empire waist in sight! I may go back and get a few more things. So in all, I got 1 pair of jeans, 1 pair of shorts, 1 skirt and 4 shirts for 43 dollars!
Nothing makes my day quite like reaping the benefits of my cheapness!
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Actin' Up
I have two totally unrelated things to discuss today.
1. This is me and my large plum sized baby at 11.5 weeks:
Now, you're probably saying, "Wow, she's huge...I wasn't showing until blah blah blah..." Put a sock in it.
I was very skinny when I got pregnant with Joe and didn't show for probably 5 months. As you know....not so skinny this time. I KNOW some of it is pre-existing flab, but dadgum, my belly is actually firm. I don't think I've gained any weight so I'm calling it baby belly. So there.
Okay, topic number 2.
There are many 'southernisms' that I adore. Some of them are overdone (just go in any cracker barrel gift shop and you'll see the t-shirts). But some of them, I do declare, are more subtle and you might not realize you're saying them.
Everyone knows we say y'all.
Everyone knows we say fixin' to.
Everyone knows we say Bless your heart.
But did you know we say 'actin up?'
It's one thing for your kid to be actin up in the grocery store or church, but I (like many of you I'm sure) have applied that term to even the most inanimate of objects without realizing it.
This goes beyond your car or your arthritis actin up (which you know it does).
Do you know why I wanted WalMart gift cards for Christmas?
So I could get a new quilt that I'd been eying.
Do you know why I needed a new quilt?
Because my duvet had been ACTIN UP and it wouldn't lay flat inside its cover!
I said that exact phrase to Jason and he didn't even flinch!
Now, I've been very conscious of that delicious little phrase.
Has anything been actin up for you lately?
1. This is me and my large plum sized baby at 11.5 weeks:
Now, you're probably saying, "Wow, she's huge...I wasn't showing until blah blah blah..." Put a sock in it.
I was very skinny when I got pregnant with Joe and didn't show for probably 5 months. As you know....not so skinny this time. I KNOW some of it is pre-existing flab, but dadgum, my belly is actually firm. I don't think I've gained any weight so I'm calling it baby belly. So there.
Okay, topic number 2.
There are many 'southernisms' that I adore. Some of them are overdone (just go in any cracker barrel gift shop and you'll see the t-shirts). But some of them, I do declare, are more subtle and you might not realize you're saying them.
Everyone knows we say y'all.
Everyone knows we say fixin' to.
Everyone knows we say Bless your heart.
But did you know we say 'actin up?'
It's one thing for your kid to be actin up in the grocery store or church, but I (like many of you I'm sure) have applied that term to even the most inanimate of objects without realizing it.
This goes beyond your car or your arthritis actin up (which you know it does).
Do you know why I wanted WalMart gift cards for Christmas?
So I could get a new quilt that I'd been eying.
Do you know why I needed a new quilt?
Because my duvet had been ACTIN UP and it wouldn't lay flat inside its cover!
I said that exact phrase to Jason and he didn't even flinch!
Now, I've been very conscious of that delicious little phrase.
Has anything been actin up for you lately?
Monday, February 22, 2010
IMPORTANT!!!
I have had some really weird searches on my blog lately according to Google Analytics and I want my friends/normal readers to still be able to access my blog.
It's the pervs I want to keep away so I am going to make my blog private.
Please please please message me or comment on this post if you would like to continue to view my blog.
Even if I do not know you personally, if you are a faithful reader/commenter (Jenn, Jamie, I'm talking to you) I will add you. My main concern is the people who are searching for weird things and finding me.
It's the pervs I want to keep away so I am going to make my blog private.
Please please please message me or comment on this post if you would like to continue to view my blog.
Even if I do not know you personally, if you are a faithful reader/commenter (Jenn, Jamie, I'm talking to you) I will add you. My main concern is the people who are searching for weird things and finding me.
Friday, February 19, 2010
It's That Time of Year Again!
AMERICAN IDOL!!!
Yep, I said it. I LOVE American Idol. I don't love the auditions though. I really only like watching the good musicians compete, not the horrible exploitations of the really terrible and delusional people.
I have watched every season of American Idol except the first one, which turns out to be fine since I can't STAND Kelly Clarkson. She just seems so arrogant. Also, she should really fire her stylist. I'm okay with her not being skinny (even though if I had her money I certainly would be) but the problem lies in the fact that NOTHING she ever wears is flattering to her body type. She always looks like a stuffed sausage! Believe me, with my lack of maternity leggings, I know what a sausage looks like!
I'm sure I'll get some hate for that one, but I'm pregnant so I get to say what I want right?
Nope.
Anyway, I think this season of AI has some great and really diverse talent. So far, my favorites are:
Mike Lynch (Big Mike)- I think he's immensely talented and he totally dwarfs his guitar! It almost looks like he's playing a ukulele.
Casey Something...Johnson maybe? Anyway- Hanson hair + Cowboy boots + awesome talent is pretty much the trifecta of good gracious for me :)
Crystal Bowersox- She has some of the best raw talent I have ever seen. At first I thought she was your typical bar singer. But when she sang "Natural Woman" I knew she was much more than that.
It's kind of sad, but I always hope my favorites don't win. Unless they fit just right into that American Idol box, their talent is manipulated in such a way that they can no longer be "themselves."
I can't vouch for this, but I'm pretty sure the first CD for the winner of the show has already been written and is just waiting for a face to go on the cover. The only exception I've seen to this is Carrie Underwood. They sort of let her do her own thing (country) and look at what she has become. I like Carrie (so does my Husband but that's beside the point...) but I don't like ALL of her songs.
Man, I'm really rambling....
Oh well, get used to it because I LOVE to talk about American Idol!
See y'all soon!
Yep, I said it. I LOVE American Idol. I don't love the auditions though. I really only like watching the good musicians compete, not the horrible exploitations of the really terrible and delusional people.
I have watched every season of American Idol except the first one, which turns out to be fine since I can't STAND Kelly Clarkson. She just seems so arrogant. Also, she should really fire her stylist. I'm okay with her not being skinny (even though if I had her money I certainly would be) but the problem lies in the fact that NOTHING she ever wears is flattering to her body type. She always looks like a stuffed sausage! Believe me, with my lack of maternity leggings, I know what a sausage looks like!
I'm sure I'll get some hate for that one, but I'm pregnant so I get to say what I want right?
Nope.
Anyway, I think this season of AI has some great and really diverse talent. So far, my favorites are:
Mike Lynch (Big Mike)- I think he's immensely talented and he totally dwarfs his guitar! It almost looks like he's playing a ukulele.
Casey Something...Johnson maybe? Anyway- Hanson hair + Cowboy boots + awesome talent is pretty much the trifecta of good gracious for me :)
Crystal Bowersox- She has some of the best raw talent I have ever seen. At first I thought she was your typical bar singer. But when she sang "Natural Woman" I knew she was much more than that.
It's kind of sad, but I always hope my favorites don't win. Unless they fit just right into that American Idol box, their talent is manipulated in such a way that they can no longer be "themselves."
I can't vouch for this, but I'm pretty sure the first CD for the winner of the show has already been written and is just waiting for a face to go on the cover. The only exception I've seen to this is Carrie Underwood. They sort of let her do her own thing (country) and look at what she has become. I like Carrie (so does my Husband but that's beside the point...) but I don't like ALL of her songs.
Man, I'm really rambling....
Oh well, get used to it because I LOVE to talk about American Idol!
See y'all soon!
Monday, February 15, 2010
In Case You Were Wondering.....
I've been MIA lately because I've been keeping the world's toughest secret!
I've been busy growing THIS:
This precious little teddy graham will make his/her appearance in September and we couldn't be happier!
I am 10 weeks and he/she is the size of a lime!
Joe is just ecstatic as are Jason and I!
I've been busy growing THIS:
This precious little teddy graham will make his/her appearance in September and we couldn't be happier!
I am 10 weeks and he/she is the size of a lime!
Joe is just ecstatic as are Jason and I!
Friday, January 29, 2010
My Little Burrito
Every night before I go to bed, I sneak into Joe's room and give him a kiss goodnight (even though he has long been asleep). Sometimes I find some very interesting things going on in his room. Sometimes he will be completely out of the covers, sometimes there will be Hot Wheels in the bed, sometimes he will be reaching above his head and holding onto the bats, sometimes all the lights will be on....you get the picture. He's a quirky kid.
One night last week I went into his room and what I found surprised me. The initial surprise came from me thinking "OH gosh, he's jumped out the window!" I turned on the light to assess the situation closer and this is what I found:
He was rolled up like a burrito with his head almost hanging off the bed.
Please don't ask me how this happened because I can offer no explanation.
He is who he is.
One night last week I went into his room and what I found surprised me. The initial surprise came from me thinking "OH gosh, he's jumped out the window!" I turned on the light to assess the situation closer and this is what I found:
He was rolled up like a burrito with his head almost hanging off the bed.
Please don't ask me how this happened because I can offer no explanation.
He is who he is.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Basketball; White men can jump (kind of)
I wanted to share some photos from Joe's basketball game Saturday. My dear, sweet neighbors Lauren and Josh took these for me since I couldn't be there for the game. I actually won't get to see a game until February due to my class schedule. I think you'll agree, my neighbors really have an eye for photography.
Note: You will definitely want to click on these pictures so you can see the enlarged versions.
For example:
Just look at the emotion captured on Jason's face. You can definitely appreciate his talent for coaching Church league youth sports.
They were also able to perfectly capture Joe getting whacked in the back of the head and a walking zombie in the background.
Notice that Joe is squatting and still taller than his defender.
My goodness, look at that face!
And that impeccable form!
This is, perhaps, my favorite shot from the game. Conveniently, no one can tell me what the heck was going on or what he was doing, but this picture screams artistic genius.
When there were no more action shots to be had, my wonderful neighbors captured the spirit of the Saturday morning kid quite well.
Thank you Lauren and Josh for being awesome! Love Y'all!
Note: You will definitely want to click on these pictures so you can see the enlarged versions.
For example:
Just look at the emotion captured on Jason's face. You can definitely appreciate his talent for coaching Church league youth sports.
They were also able to perfectly capture Joe getting whacked in the back of the head and a walking zombie in the background.
Notice that Joe is squatting and still taller than his defender.
My goodness, look at that face!
And that impeccable form!
This is, perhaps, my favorite shot from the game. Conveniently, no one can tell me what the heck was going on or what he was doing, but this picture screams artistic genius.
When there were no more action shots to be had, my wonderful neighbors captured the spirit of the Saturday morning kid quite well.
Thank you Lauren and Josh for being awesome! Love Y'all!
Friday, January 8, 2010
Playing Catch-Up
Alternately titled: A really long post with all the news and pictures I've been neglecting.
I really am going to revive my blog. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but I'm here and I haven't forgotten about it.
Given my lack of posts since Thanksgiving, I should probably catch all 3 of you up on our business.
We survived another semester and *hopefully* have gotten to the bottom of Joe's behavior problems. Undiagnosed severe ADHD can lead a Mother to crazytown. WE are all MUCH better now though.
I made the President's list with my 4.0 for the fall semester. This one however, I'm hoping just to survive! 19 hours....geez!
We had a wonderful, amazing Christmas:
These are my favorite types of family photos!
Joe got a Terrance Cody jersey from Aunt Micki and he was SO happy! He is wearing it at school as we speak. He also slept in it last night!
We got him this big Cody photo which he freaked out over!
These are all the cousins/grandchildren on my Mama's side of the family. When we were taking the picture, they said "tall ones in the back." We just looked at each other and laughed!
This might be the only photo of all 3 of us from Christmas day.
All of us but my Dad who had to work. Mom, thanks for making me look pale! Tall, but pale.
Which is quite the opposite of my friends Rachel Red and Allie:
Who make me look rather tan, but short!
Now let me tell you what my dear, sweet husband has been up to:
Oh, not much, just killing the first deer of his life! 9 point buck, 178 lbs! We will be eating deer meat for at least a year and I couldn't be more excited!
Jason and Adam were in the shooting house together when he got it. He used Adam's gun because the scope is better. Adam has also killed a doe this year!
Jason has also been flooring our attic:
Callie tried to help!
Also, there was this little thing called ALABAMA GOING UNDEFEATED AND WINNING THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP!!!!!!! ROLL TIDE!!!!!!!!!!!!
Well folks, I promise to do better. If you're still reading this and still care about our lives, I'll keep it going. Maybe 2010 will be more interesting!
I really am going to revive my blog. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but I'm here and I haven't forgotten about it.
Given my lack of posts since Thanksgiving, I should probably catch all 3 of you up on our business.
We survived another semester and *hopefully* have gotten to the bottom of Joe's behavior problems. Undiagnosed severe ADHD can lead a Mother to crazytown. WE are all MUCH better now though.
I made the President's list with my 4.0 for the fall semester. This one however, I'm hoping just to survive! 19 hours....geez!
We had a wonderful, amazing Christmas:
These are my favorite types of family photos!
Joe got a Terrance Cody jersey from Aunt Micki and he was SO happy! He is wearing it at school as we speak. He also slept in it last night!
We got him this big Cody photo which he freaked out over!
These are all the cousins/grandchildren on my Mama's side of the family. When we were taking the picture, they said "tall ones in the back." We just looked at each other and laughed!
This might be the only photo of all 3 of us from Christmas day.
All of us but my Dad who had to work. Mom, thanks for making me look pale! Tall, but pale.
Which is quite the opposite of my friends Rachel Red and Allie:
Who make me look rather tan, but short!
Now let me tell you what my dear, sweet husband has been up to:
Oh, not much, just killing the first deer of his life! 9 point buck, 178 lbs! We will be eating deer meat for at least a year and I couldn't be more excited!
Jason and Adam were in the shooting house together when he got it. He used Adam's gun because the scope is better. Adam has also killed a doe this year!
Jason has also been flooring our attic:
Callie tried to help!
Also, there was this little thing called ALABAMA GOING UNDEFEATED AND WINNING THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP!!!!!!! ROLL TIDE!!!!!!!!!!!!
Well folks, I promise to do better. If you're still reading this and still care about our lives, I'll keep it going. Maybe 2010 will be more interesting!
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