Thursday Thirteen…

 

Today’s letter is “E”!

1. Eskimo: I’d love to meet one in real life, wouldn’t you? I mean to live in such extreme cold… I couldn’t do it!

2. Elephant: So big but in their own way yet, so elegant. Don’t you think? I got the chance to ride on one once at the fair. I would like to go visit some in Africa.

3. Eggplant: One vegetable I have tried, but just can’t seem to like. I think it really has an acquired taste. What about you do, you like eggplant?

4. Europe: I have always wanted to visit Europe. I never got to go when the school went cause I was always a year early or a year late arriving. (I went to 3 different High Schools) I hope to make it there some day before I die.. I think it would be an amazing trip.

5. Explorer: Don’t you think it would be a cool job to be an explorer. I mean going from country to country, place to place, to see incredible sites. I’ve always found I have a big part of me that is an explorer.

6. E-bay: You can truly find some amazing deals on there, if you are patient. I like to go in and look every once and awhile, to see what I can find. Never really bought a lot off it, cause I’m never around when they are ending.

7. Embden: A very small town in Maine. Most people have never heard of. I lived there for various parts of my life, one of the last being right before I moved here. I miss it a lot some days, but deep down I can’t deny I’m a city girl.

8. Encouragement: This is a splendid word, cause it is not used much anymore… in my opinion. I believe there is not enough of this in America's youth anymore. I encourage my children every chance I get. I let them know they can do anything they put their mind too. Can never be under used!

9. Eight: Can you believe that my son is only 1 yr and 2 months away from being 8! Where does that time go? Why does it not slow down any?? He seems so big now, he has loss his baby look. I’m sad to see him grow up so fast. :(

10. Emotional: This is something I don’t think I have ever really been, until the last couple years. I don’t know why. Hunter has always been emotional. He is starting to come out of it a bit. I keep telling him it is a good quality to show your emotions, he just needs to get them under control.

11. Education: Wow, this has become something so over looked. It seems like schools are more eager to push them through, and get them out, then make sure they are well educated. Sad, it is. Parents really need to make a stand, and pay attention. So far, so good for Hunter, we will see how next year goes with Rach.

12. Economy: My hope is that the new President knows what he is doing, and it will be on the rise again soon. I’m scared to see what so many will do if they are forced to go into a true recession. Are any of us really prepared for this? So let us all hope for our country to turn around!

13. Earache: Oh, don’t I hate earaches. I used to have them as a child, and I would cry all night long. I don’t have them anymore, now that I am older, unless I’m severely stuffed up. My poor little man gets them often though. I’m hoping he soon outgrows. KNOCK ON WOOD…. he has not had a problem in almost a year!!!!!

There you have the "E’s” ……. Stay tuned next week for the letter “F”!

Wednesday Weigh-in

Another week has passed, and the results are in. I didn't budge, one way or the other. Which isn't bad, but not what I was hoping for either. I should be happy, but its that expectation when you get on the scale. You prayer, hope, and beg for a smaller number.

This week wasn't a horrible week, but it wasn't one of my better weeks either. Exercise was a bust this week, it was to chilly, so the kids didn't want to walk without whining. Which anyone with kids knows, that is more hassle than worth. I need to get more consistent with excuses. I'm working on this. I'd love to have a treadmill, so I could walk anytime of the day, without leaving the house, while helping my son with homework, or reading the girls a book. Oh the convenience would be tremendous! One day hopeful! I've been using a pedometer everyday, just kinda of a reference to me. Or a reminder to get up and move! I average about 6000 a day. I just need to find a way to add in that other 40oo....

I'm rather proud of me in the eating department. My snacking has diminished by half, which is a big relief. We took the girls out to Mc Donald's for lunch yesterday, and I order a salad instead of a grease dripping burger!!! Of course, I love salad anyway. It doesn't come with a drink, so I shared half a soda with my husband. Just think of the calories I cut! GO ME! (sorry, gotta toot your own horn once in a while right) I'm drinking a Slim Fast in the morning for breakfast most days, cause otherwise I don't eat until 1ish, and that isn't great for you either! The steps are there, I just have to concentrate on the one in front of me, instead of the whole set! There ya have it, hope your all sticking with your plan/diet/lifestyle change. Good Luck! Keep up the good work.... see you next week. :)

What do a mouse and soup have in common?

You might remember me talking about The Tale of Despereaux by Kate Di Camillo last month, as Hunter and I were reading it. Hunter is in first grade, so his reading level was not up there yet to read it on his own, but we enjoyed reading it together. This book had us on the edge of our seats begging for more at all times. We LOVED it! I enjoyed how the story was being told to you in the "Dear Reader" style, and they would even ask you questions at the end of each chapter to keep you involved. Hunter enjoyed that feature as well, since he would usually answer them!

This book is at a reading level for ages 9-12 , with 272 wonderful pages. You might remember the author from Newbery Honor book .... Because of Winn-Dixie.



Its an inspiring story about a mouse named Despereaux Tilling, a rat named Chiaroscuro, a princess named Pea, some soup, and a spool of thread. I know you have to be asking yourself how can soup play a major role in a book? Well, go pick yourself up a copy of this wonderful book and find out!

The simple women’s daybook:

 

For Today January 26, 2009

Outside my window.... Bit chilly but nice

I am thinking....  Wow my baby turns 4 in two weeks, and one day!

From my imagination....  Not much these days.

I am thankful for....  my mom, she is a great strength to me, even when we are not close!

From the kitchen.... a cake its my MIL’s birthday tomorrow.

I am wearing..... Jeans, t-shirt, and bare feet!

I am reading.... I just got a new book from the book store called……   Love walked in by Marisa De Los Santos

I am hoping..... Hunter enjoys baseball again this year, as it will be taking a lot of time, and nights out. I love watching him play though!

I am creating... a new cookbook

I am hearing....  people move about, the girls chatter, and dishes being put away.

One of my favorite things.... hugs from my babies, they are so precious and heart warming.

A few plans for the rest of the week..... Cub scouts, Library, crafts, games, walks, cooking, picture taking, reading, laughing, playing, a baseball draft, and having fun!

A picture I am Sharing.... a tag made for me.

 

Monday Morning:

1. When was the last time you vacuumed out your car?  I haven’t vacuumed my car since i got it from the dealership at the end of November. However, being in Florida, it is not something I have to do as often, plus I don’t allow the kids to eat in the car anymore… (yes, they don’t like me for that) I do need to go do it soon though.. (thanks for reminding me)

How often do you wash your car? Not as often as I probably should. I need to do that soon as well.

Do you wash it, or do you run it through a car wash service? I’m guilty I usually go to a car wash to do it. Put I did that more so in Maine, cause they had the special undercarriage thing so salt wouldn’t ruin the underneath of your car in winter. I should probably do it more myself now, no excuses. :(

How much money do you generally spend to wash your car? In Maine it cost me 11 dollars each time I did the undercarriage, otherwise only 6. I’m not sure what they charge here, I haven’t looked.

2. What kind of car do you drive?  I drive a Kia Sedona Mini Van

What color is it?  It is a Forrest Green

Do you like your car?  I do, its the first Kia I have owned, but so far so good. I love the features, I got a good deal on it, and it drives nicely.

How long have you had it? Is it reliable? I’ve had it now since Nov 29th. Yes, it is very reliable compared to the one I got rid of. I almost had to pay the dealership to take that one!!!

Would you recommend it to a friend? I would… they are a bit more costly in gas money, cause they are a heavier car. However, they are rated the safest in crash testing. Which makes me feel safer with my kids being in this vehicle.

If money were no object, what car would you buy for your family? Hmmm… if money was no object. Probably an Suv, just not sure which kind cause I have never really done all the research, as I can’t afford to buy one. But with all the extra’s, and 3 rd seating.

Now, which car would you buy for yourself?  For myself it is a toss up, I’d love to have a Ford Mustang, and I would also love to have an old Volkswagen Bug.

Do you have an opinion about people who drive expensive cars? (Jealous? Disgusted? Curious?) Curious…. sometimes you have to wonder how they afford to have such nice vehicles, with another two sitting at home, when they have 4 kids. But hey who am I to judge!

3. What’s the biggest thing on your mind right this moment? How to get Hunter to Maine for the summer. He is very eager to go spend the summer with my mom, and I think it would be good for him.

Why is this issue so important to you at this time? Cause I don’t like to let my children down.

4. Have you ever cried when hearing about the death of a celebrity? Not that I recall… but I do feel sorry for their families.

If so, who? And if so, why? Who was the last celebrity you remember feeling sorry for? John Travolta….

Why? Cause I think it is sad for any parent to lose a child at such a young age, whether they are sick or not.

Pick one celebrity you would miss if he/she were to die. Why this person? Don’t really know, as I don’t know any of them personally. I think it is sad anybody dies.

Want to join in for Monday Morning Meme? Head on over to Write From Karen and join in the fun!

Manic Monday

What's the most embarrassing song on your iPod (or music collection)? I don’t own an iPod yet, however I would like to get one. I’m not really sure…. embarrassing…hmm..
How much time do you spend each day in your commute? (Or if you don't work outside the house, how much time do you spend in your car or other preferred mode of transportation?) I don’t work outside the home, but I spend on average an hour or two a day, depending on the day. Tuesday being the day we spend the most time in the car, cause we have library, and cub scouts.
What's your favorite wardrobe item and why? I love my new brown pants, that are cotton stretchy pants. They are so comfy, they are nice to lounge around the house in, or go for a walk in. I’m all about comfort.

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Ever get stuck?

 

Do you ever have a blogger moment where your mind just goes completely blank, and your not sure what to blog about? Well look no further. Here is a place with Meme’s for every day of the week. Use one, or a few…. Just have fun!