Grrrrr.....
I want a new blog template. It seems there could be more choices. I may have to have one designed for me. Just having 20 different shades of color is not enough creativity for me. I don't want to even design it anyway. I just want one done for me. A pretty one, but not too much pink froo-froo.
Moving on.... I am going to have to shut the door on Oprah's face. House is back to being a mess. We're both home tonight and it's back to business..... I shall go veg out on our big bed and love every minute of it. At least I am hearing the dishwasher run in the background. My sweet husband is good about loading the dishwasher, which I am thankful. Before I race to my bed I will set my coffee pot tonight. That is a treat in the am! I'm wrestling with putting a coffee pot in our room to wake up to hearing it turn on and smell it brewing. I like cream in my coffee so that wouldn't work. I still would have to go downstairs, unless we put a mini-fridge in our closet. We actually had a special refrigeration socket (that is not the right word, but you get my drift) put in our closet when we built our house. I had this grandiose idea that if I could store my breast milk at night in our mini dorm fridge, my dear husband would get up and feed the babe. Somehow, the fridge never made it to our closet, the sleepless nights wore on and somehow we are instead, currently storing a microwave in our closet . Now, that I think about it, we were going to have both the fridge and the microwave to store the milk and then heat the milk up. That's what happens when you have children, you have these great ideas that will make life easy and then it all goes to pot when you are up for a gazillion nights in a row. Now, that the boys sleep pretty well, I have got to get this "in room" coffee pot idea fleshed out before we have another babe.(no not any time soon, I'm just saying....)
Off to set a pot of brew!
PS: My friend Kari gave me the "in room" coffee pot idea. Ode to the Office.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
I open the door and it is Oprah......
Exciting huh, ? No, she really didn't come. However, if she gave me a surprise visit, I am pleased with how my house looks. Sometimes, I think about her shows where she pops in on people and that in itself gives me motivation to clean on a regular basis. 85 % of the time I would be mortified if anyone gave me a surprise visit!
Pete is at his basketball game so I gave into cleaning and organizing. (My organizing just means I actually folded all the laundry and put it away, but it counts.)
Usually, once we put the kids to bed, I don't lift another finger do to housework. I know this should be the time to get the most accomplished. But, when 7:30pm rolls around, it is my maxing and relaxing time. Believe me, I take full advantage.
However, tonight, Pete is playing in a late basketball game and he won't be home until 10:45. So, I decided to give myself over to the 4 loads of laundry that were on our guest bed, empty the dishwasher and straighten until I felt like if my friend Oprah decided to pop in to give me a room makeover,(with cutie pie Nate Burkas ), I would let them in.
All that said, please don't think I am on my high horse of feeling better than thou, having my house clean for a night, remember the mouse incident? Enough said.
I feel like I have to keep the house in tip top shape so we won't have any more uninvited visitors. As I look back, since Mickey's death, our family seems to be benefiting from that little buggard; spotless floors, laundry's put away, straightened living room. Now that I think about it, maybe, just maybe, Pete invited Mickey in for a reason....
Exciting huh, ? No, she really didn't come. However, if she gave me a surprise visit, I am pleased with how my house looks. Sometimes, I think about her shows where she pops in on people and that in itself gives me motivation to clean on a regular basis. 85 % of the time I would be mortified if anyone gave me a surprise visit!
Pete is at his basketball game so I gave into cleaning and organizing. (My organizing just means I actually folded all the laundry and put it away, but it counts.)
Usually, once we put the kids to bed, I don't lift another finger do to housework. I know this should be the time to get the most accomplished. But, when 7:30pm rolls around, it is my maxing and relaxing time. Believe me, I take full advantage.
However, tonight, Pete is playing in a late basketball game and he won't be home until 10:45. So, I decided to give myself over to the 4 loads of laundry that were on our guest bed, empty the dishwasher and straighten until I felt like if my friend Oprah decided to pop in to give me a room makeover,(with cutie pie Nate Burkas ), I would let them in.
All that said, please don't think I am on my high horse of feeling better than thou, having my house clean for a night, remember the mouse incident? Enough said.
I feel like I have to keep the house in tip top shape so we won't have any more uninvited visitors. As I look back, since Mickey's death, our family seems to be benefiting from that little buggard; spotless floors, laundry's put away, straightened living room. Now that I think about it, maybe, just maybe, Pete invited Mickey in for a reason....
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Inspired by the toile....I love reading the blog by , The Nester.
I was very inspired by her red toile. I am not a good visionary when it comes to home design. I see something I like and copy it to by best ability. I saw her sofa in a beautiful cranberry toile. I decided I had to find that material for my dining room window treatments. I found exactly what I wanted on ebay, 7 yards of material and including shipping it was $20.00. I felt like it was a good deal. I don't have an artistic bone in my body, a glue gun scares me. I end up always gluing my fingers together when trying to work on a project. So, I had my panels sown, due to my lack of inability with a glue gun. I have no patience either. I get a rush of anxiety to make something and I usually have to start over or throw it away, whatever I am working on. I am super impressed with the Nester's way of winging her decorating and it turning out perfect.
The reason I NEEDED my cranberry toile is because of my cranberry chair you can see in our living room from our dining room. (Some background info, before I was married, I fell in love an oversized chair. It was really the only piece of "real" furniture I owned. Pete calls it the orange chair. It is not orange. It is cranberry. Who one would buy an orange chair?)
I have had a blank dining room since we moved into our house 3 years ago. I put a random valance up that I really didn't like and that was about it. I don't have any before shots but just imagine a nice table in a vacant beige room with a dark beige valance. (That would be the before shot.)
My ebay material arrived, loved it, ran to the seamstress to have the panels made. I picked a light gold paint color, it doesn't really show up in the pictures below but it is same color background as my widow treatments.
I just read the Nester's blog today and she had plaid window treatments with her toile sofa! I did not know this before I picked my toile for my window treatments! I feel like I made a good decision based on her taste that I really like. So thanks Nester for your inspiration of cranberry toile!
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
January 22, 1999
9 years is not a huge numerical mile stone, I know. However, every year at this time, it is sentimental for me.
I had returned from a long term mission trip that previous spring. I was trying to find a job associated with my degree. I remember, I was working for my parents business, living with my parents in an apartment while they built their new house, and I was going to church with them on Sundays. I was waiting to move out until I had a good job that I knew I wanted. I had several friends in the area that I would go out with. I was determined not to go out on random dates. I hated just dating around, I never did it that much anyway. It was excruciating for me. I would get way to nervous and just did not enjoy it. I am not sure how I thought I was ever going to meet anyone!
Since, I was going to church with my parents, I also attended a weekly Bible study with my mom. As I look back, I kind of laugh that I spent that much time with my parents and enjoyed it. Sure, I would get discouraged at times. As I look back, I think the Lord was solidifying my heart's desire to be married and what kind of husband I wanted. The deeper things in a husband, not just for him to be attractive and tall. I wanted him to have a strong desire for God's will in his life, a strong leader with a gentle sensitivity. I was learning to be content and satisfied with who the Lord created in me, His daughter. I knew I had to relinquish control and quit demanding Him to bring me someone, in order for me to be "content" in the present.
(Back to the Bible study) Every week there was a women, who I had known through out the years of growing up at this church, she would say"I really think you need to meet my nephew". I would say, "I really don't do blind dates". (Little did she know I didn't even like going on actual dates period!) I thought, she is nuts if she thinks I am going to say "yes" to this. I could see it now, her nephew showing up and being 5'6". The only thing wrong with a short man, is if he shows up to the door being opened by a girl who is 5'10". Enough said.
Yes, height has always been an issue for me. I did not like Tom Cruise way before everyone else got on that band wagon of disliking him. I like heels, I like trying to stand up straight etc. Wow, I have digressed...
Phyllis Price was faithful to check in with me every so often seeing if I would be open to meeting her nephew. A few months later at church on a Sunday, someone pointed out to me way across the sanctuary that it was Phyllis Price's nephew. I thought, well I can't really see him real well but I could tell he was tall enough. I couldn't quite tell how tall but his head was a lot taller than most of the other men. At some point, I gave Phyllis the go ahead, if she wanted to introduce me to her nephew it was okay by me. A few months later, on Sunday, January 17th, 1999 I received a call from Peter Uber. He had to remind me that his aunt was Phyllis Price.
While on the phone I had all the normal butterflies, especially knowing I was going to say "yes" to go out with him. He had just called a girl that he had no clue about... that in itself intrigued me.
We chit-chatted for a while and set a date for that Friday, January 22nd. He was to pick me up and we were going to go see STOMP. (Stomp is a funky dance team that uses trash cans to make music) I thought, what an excellent idea, trash cans and music, who couldn't make conversation about that? I was so extremely nervous, I about canceled. I am not joking. I talked to one of my friends about an hour before he was to come pick me up. I had a glass of wine, careful not to have too much, because that would not be good!
I was by myself at home, so there would be no awkward introductions with the fam. That night is so fresh in my mind. I had on a burgundy cardigan set with black pants and boots. I was praying the boots would not be too tall. The knock came and I remember I was about to jump out of my skin. I still remember thinking right before I opened the door, "Am I about to meet my future husband"? (not to put any pressure on this night, huh?) I calmly opened the door, there he was.... all 6'4" of him. I let out a deep breath. Honestly, I don't remember much of the rest of the evening except knowing I had a good time and it was easy. (I liked easy and I still like easy.)
I am so thankful 9 years later. I am thankful, for my life that I get to lead with Pete and my precious boys. I am thankful that the Lord solidified both of our hearts to each other and to Him that drew us together.
January 22nd, 1999, I met my life long love. It seems every January is a new year of being able to grow deeper together as we grow as one.
9 years is not a huge numerical mile stone, I know. However, every year at this time, it is sentimental for me.
I had returned from a long term mission trip that previous spring. I was trying to find a job associated with my degree. I remember, I was working for my parents business, living with my parents in an apartment while they built their new house, and I was going to church with them on Sundays. I was waiting to move out until I had a good job that I knew I wanted. I had several friends in the area that I would go out with. I was determined not to go out on random dates. I hated just dating around, I never did it that much anyway. It was excruciating for me. I would get way to nervous and just did not enjoy it. I am not sure how I thought I was ever going to meet anyone!
Since, I was going to church with my parents, I also attended a weekly Bible study with my mom. As I look back, I kind of laugh that I spent that much time with my parents and enjoyed it. Sure, I would get discouraged at times. As I look back, I think the Lord was solidifying my heart's desire to be married and what kind of husband I wanted. The deeper things in a husband, not just for him to be attractive and tall. I wanted him to have a strong desire for God's will in his life, a strong leader with a gentle sensitivity. I was learning to be content and satisfied with who the Lord created in me, His daughter. I knew I had to relinquish control and quit demanding Him to bring me someone, in order for me to be "content" in the present.
(Back to the Bible study) Every week there was a women, who I had known through out the years of growing up at this church, she would say"I really think you need to meet my nephew". I would say, "I really don't do blind dates". (Little did she know I didn't even like going on actual dates period!) I thought, she is nuts if she thinks I am going to say "yes" to this. I could see it now, her nephew showing up and being 5'6". The only thing wrong with a short man, is if he shows up to the door being opened by a girl who is 5'10". Enough said.
Yes, height has always been an issue for me. I did not like Tom Cruise way before everyone else got on that band wagon of disliking him. I like heels, I like trying to stand up straight etc. Wow, I have digressed...
Phyllis Price was faithful to check in with me every so often seeing if I would be open to meeting her nephew. A few months later at church on a Sunday, someone pointed out to me way across the sanctuary that it was Phyllis Price's nephew. I thought, well I can't really see him real well but I could tell he was tall enough. I couldn't quite tell how tall but his head was a lot taller than most of the other men. At some point, I gave Phyllis the go ahead, if she wanted to introduce me to her nephew it was okay by me. A few months later, on Sunday, January 17th, 1999 I received a call from Peter Uber. He had to remind me that his aunt was Phyllis Price.
While on the phone I had all the normal butterflies, especially knowing I was going to say "yes" to go out with him. He had just called a girl that he had no clue about... that in itself intrigued me.
We chit-chatted for a while and set a date for that Friday, January 22nd. He was to pick me up and we were going to go see STOMP. (Stomp is a funky dance team that uses trash cans to make music) I thought, what an excellent idea, trash cans and music, who couldn't make conversation about that? I was so extremely nervous, I about canceled. I am not joking. I talked to one of my friends about an hour before he was to come pick me up. I had a glass of wine, careful not to have too much, because that would not be good!
I was by myself at home, so there would be no awkward introductions with the fam. That night is so fresh in my mind. I had on a burgundy cardigan set with black pants and boots. I was praying the boots would not be too tall. The knock came and I remember I was about to jump out of my skin. I still remember thinking right before I opened the door, "Am I about to meet my future husband"? (not to put any pressure on this night, huh?) I calmly opened the door, there he was.... all 6'4" of him. I let out a deep breath. Honestly, I don't remember much of the rest of the evening except knowing I had a good time and it was easy. (I liked easy and I still like easy.)
I am so thankful 9 years later. I am thankful, for my life that I get to lead with Pete and my precious boys. I am thankful that the Lord solidified both of our hearts to each other and to Him that drew us together.
January 22nd, 1999, I met my life long love. It seems every January is a new year of being able to grow deeper together as we grow as one.
Friday, January 18, 2008
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
A filler post
I couldn't leave that mouse picture up for too much longer.
I thought I would share that my sweet husband organized with his brother to get me DANCING WITH THE STARS tickets!!! Yes, I am excited.
Pete's brother works for Harley Davidson as their IT guy and they provide coliseum event tickets for different shows. Jon got us 4 free box seat tickets. Thank you Jon!
2 months ago I almost decided that's what I wanted as my b-day present but it was going to be $150.00 or so for Pete and I to go. I figured he really didn't want to go that much and that was a lot of money. I let it go and we went to our fancy hotel night instead. (At least it lasted for 2 days instead of 3 hours.)
Anyway, I was way surprised and cannot wait until next Saturday. I love the show and actually do some of my own waltzing during the program, that's how into it I am.
Pete said if they asked me to go up there for audience participation... please say no.
Let's hope they don't ask, because I would loved to be lifted and dipped ;)
I couldn't leave that mouse picture up for too much longer.
I thought I would share that my sweet husband organized with his brother to get me DANCING WITH THE STARS tickets!!! Yes, I am excited.
Pete's brother works for Harley Davidson as their IT guy and they provide coliseum event tickets for different shows. Jon got us 4 free box seat tickets. Thank you Jon!
2 months ago I almost decided that's what I wanted as my b-day present but it was going to be $150.00 or so for Pete and I to go. I figured he really didn't want to go that much and that was a lot of money. I let it go and we went to our fancy hotel night instead. (At least it lasted for 2 days instead of 3 hours.)
Anyway, I was way surprised and cannot wait until next Saturday. I love the show and actually do some of my own waltzing during the program, that's how into it I am.
Pete said if they asked me to go up there for audience participation... please say no.
Let's hope they don't ask, because I would loved to be lifted and dipped ;)
Monday, January 14, 2008
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Hummm, I guess I have no shame.....
Let me set the scene. My two best friends from college were over on Thursday night. Pete was out at his basketball game. All the kids were in bed. We had a great time catching up, the three of us rarely all are able get together. I had clued them in on the mouse situation, the one we still have not caught! The one that steals the cheese right off the traps we have set.
I had clued Kristen and Ashley in on the mouse situation earlier in the evening. I should be embarrassed but these are friends that you have for life and all they did was laugh. I still am not laughing.
Before Kristen left she decided to look one more time behind the sofa where we had 4 traps, (we are not messing around, we're are out for mickey's death). Here is how the conversation went....
Kristen... "Meredith, didn't you have 4 traps behind the sofa?"
Me....."I think Pete moved some around to some other places" (I go look over the sofa with her), "But we did have TWO of the gluey sticky traps there with the other two regular traps!!!! One of the traps is missing!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Kristen...."Oh my gosh, there he is"! (as he runs cross the floor underneath the sofa.)
NOTE: At this point, Ashley jumped up on the coffee table, Kristen is on the bar stool and I am on another bar stool across the room. We are standing 10 feet tall in our chairs and we are dying laughing and almost crying.
We stand there for probably a good 15 minutes trying to figure out what to do. Pete wasn't due home for at least another hour. They decided to help me barricade the steps. Ashley, who was spending the night, was afraid the mouse would climb the 15 stairs and go into her room. It looked like a burglar had come in and turned over chairs and a table.
Kristen leaves, Ashley and I bolt up to my bedroom to watch TV until Pete comes home. Pete arrives to find the mouse had drug the sticky trap underneath the sofa and got away!!!
We have bought 2 more kinds of traps.
There will be a post that he has been caught, I will assure you of that.
I don't know when, but it better be soon.
I'm going to celebrate my birthday tonight with Pete at the Proximity Hotel. My poor sister and brother-in-law are stuck in Mickey Mouse club house until tomorrow when we return!
Let me set the scene. My two best friends from college were over on Thursday night. Pete was out at his basketball game. All the kids were in bed. We had a great time catching up, the three of us rarely all are able get together. I had clued them in on the mouse situation, the one we still have not caught! The one that steals the cheese right off the traps we have set.
I had clued Kristen and Ashley in on the mouse situation earlier in the evening. I should be embarrassed but these are friends that you have for life and all they did was laugh. I still am not laughing.
Before Kristen left she decided to look one more time behind the sofa where we had 4 traps, (we are not messing around, we're are out for mickey's death). Here is how the conversation went....
Kristen... "Meredith, didn't you have 4 traps behind the sofa?"
Me....."I think Pete moved some around to some other places" (I go look over the sofa with her), "But we did have TWO of the gluey sticky traps there with the other two regular traps!!!! One of the traps is missing!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Kristen...."Oh my gosh, there he is"! (as he runs cross the floor underneath the sofa.)
NOTE: At this point, Ashley jumped up on the coffee table, Kristen is on the bar stool and I am on another bar stool across the room. We are standing 10 feet tall in our chairs and we are dying laughing and almost crying.
We stand there for probably a good 15 minutes trying to figure out what to do. Pete wasn't due home for at least another hour. They decided to help me barricade the steps. Ashley, who was spending the night, was afraid the mouse would climb the 15 stairs and go into her room. It looked like a burglar had come in and turned over chairs and a table.
Kristen leaves, Ashley and I bolt up to my bedroom to watch TV until Pete comes home. Pete arrives to find the mouse had drug the sticky trap underneath the sofa and got away!!!
We have bought 2 more kinds of traps.
There will be a post that he has been caught, I will assure you of that.
I don't know when, but it better be soon.
I'm going to celebrate my birthday tonight with Pete at the Proximity Hotel. My poor sister and brother-in-law are stuck in Mickey Mouse club house until tomorrow when we return!
Tuesday, January 08, 2008
Do I dare share?
I saw Mickey Mouse last night.....I'm not talking about Minnie's companion.
First off, I am a very clean and somewhat organized person. We live in a house that is only 3 years old. It is on a slab foundation. My pantry is organized, there is no food on the floor. My drawers have stuff in them but are not dirty. Tell me how this happened? I don't know. This is my story and if you ask me about in public, I'll be sure to deny it.
Last night, trauma hit my world at around 9:30pm. I was coming down stairs to get some ice cream for us. I thought I saw something out of the corner of my eye scatter under our sofa. Yes, our sofa in our living room. I really thought it may have been a moth or some bug!? I ran up and got Pete. Thankfully, he takes me seriously, for the most part. He lifted our sofa and moved it around. Sure enough a mouse ran under the ottoman. (Not nice words were coming from my mouth.) If we were on live TV or a reality show, there definitely needed to be a 7 second delay or some beeps. Seems like there were some crumbs of goldfish, crackers, cookies etc. that Mickey found. Next question, did we catch him? NO!!!! The only thing we can figure out; there was a hole in the underneath part of the ottoman and we think he got up in there. Needless to say the ottoman is in the garage probably with the rest of his family. I don't care if we never have another ottoman. Pete said he would take apart the ottoman to make sure it was clean and no other burrows. I thought that's fine, we now have seat for the garage and it can stay in the garage! He is coming home for lunch today with traps and to figure out where Mickey found a way into the "Promise Land". I was tempted not to post this... but this is my life, uncensored ;) Pete got a good look at him and said he was very small. Is that suppose to make me feel better?! I think not. That's it, we have a mouse, we think we got him back outside. Who knows for sure? I slept great last night wondering if even a little mouse could make it upstairs. I decided there was no way and we will leave it at that, (unless he knows we have leftover dishes of ice cream on our nightstands).
I saw Mickey Mouse last night.....I'm not talking about Minnie's companion.
First off, I am a very clean and somewhat organized person. We live in a house that is only 3 years old. It is on a slab foundation. My pantry is organized, there is no food on the floor. My drawers have stuff in them but are not dirty. Tell me how this happened? I don't know. This is my story and if you ask me about in public, I'll be sure to deny it.
Last night, trauma hit my world at around 9:30pm. I was coming down stairs to get some ice cream for us. I thought I saw something out of the corner of my eye scatter under our sofa. Yes, our sofa in our living room. I really thought it may have been a moth or some bug!? I ran up and got Pete. Thankfully, he takes me seriously, for the most part. He lifted our sofa and moved it around. Sure enough a mouse ran under the ottoman. (Not nice words were coming from my mouth.) If we were on live TV or a reality show, there definitely needed to be a 7 second delay or some beeps. Seems like there were some crumbs of goldfish, crackers, cookies etc. that Mickey found. Next question, did we catch him? NO!!!! The only thing we can figure out; there was a hole in the underneath part of the ottoman and we think he got up in there. Needless to say the ottoman is in the garage probably with the rest of his family. I don't care if we never have another ottoman. Pete said he would take apart the ottoman to make sure it was clean and no other burrows. I thought that's fine, we now have seat for the garage and it can stay in the garage! He is coming home for lunch today with traps and to figure out where Mickey found a way into the "Promise Land". I was tempted not to post this... but this is my life, uncensored ;) Pete got a good look at him and said he was very small. Is that suppose to make me feel better?! I think not. That's it, we have a mouse, we think we got him back outside. Who knows for sure? I slept great last night wondering if even a little mouse could make it upstairs. I decided there was no way and we will leave it at that, (unless he knows we have leftover dishes of ice cream on our nightstands).
Sunday, January 06, 2008
Food TV
One of my favorite things to do by myself is to watch Food TV. Even if I can just sit for a partial segment. I have always enjoyed watching people make food. When I was little, I remember watching Julia Child and the New Orleans cajun guy on PBS. I would stand in our kitchen stirring canned corn and adding spices to my masterpiece. I would talk out loud and describe in detail what I was making, as if I were being taped for TV. (I'm not kidding).
Some 20 years later, I find myself actually trying to make a Barefoot Contessa dish. Her dishes seem to be elegant yet simple. When one begins the recipe, one seems to find themselves over their heads, namely "Me". I made filet of beef bourguignon. ( I'm not even sure how to pronounce that last word). It looked good and we are beef lovers at our house!
I will say it turned out perfect... at 8:45pm last night. I was hoping to have this romantic dinner for two at 7:30 or so. AGGH. Thankfully, it was just the two of us. I kept thinking if I was serving this for guests I would have died.
My carrots WOULD NOT cook, I kept having to add more of the liquids to create more sauce. I think I used almost a whole bottle of wine for my reduction sauce! To finish cooking my carrots, I did a few short cuts that I will not share because "Contessa" would not approve . The dish turned out perfect in the long run. I googled this recipe to include in this post and look what came up! Someone else having a hard time with their carrots. I wasn't loosing my mind. I thought how can you mess up carrots! I agree with all of his other suggestions too, like the bigger pan. Thankfully, that's the only size I had, so it worked out fine. By the way, I found a really good deal on the filets of beef. I spent only $10.00 for two and sliced those to have a total of 4 pieces.
By the time we sat down to eat, I was done. I was so sick of the sauce and tasting to see if my carrots were cooked. However, Pete seemed to really like it. I will try this again and will fine tune it for the future.
PS Microwaves work wonders
One of my favorite things to do by myself is to watch Food TV. Even if I can just sit for a partial segment. I have always enjoyed watching people make food. When I was little, I remember watching Julia Child and the New Orleans cajun guy on PBS. I would stand in our kitchen stirring canned corn and adding spices to my masterpiece. I would talk out loud and describe in detail what I was making, as if I were being taped for TV. (I'm not kidding).
Some 20 years later, I find myself actually trying to make a Barefoot Contessa dish. Her dishes seem to be elegant yet simple. When one begins the recipe, one seems to find themselves over their heads, namely "Me". I made filet of beef bourguignon. ( I'm not even sure how to pronounce that last word). It looked good and we are beef lovers at our house!
I will say it turned out perfect... at 8:45pm last night. I was hoping to have this romantic dinner for two at 7:30 or so. AGGH. Thankfully, it was just the two of us. I kept thinking if I was serving this for guests I would have died.
My carrots WOULD NOT cook, I kept having to add more of the liquids to create more sauce. I think I used almost a whole bottle of wine for my reduction sauce! To finish cooking my carrots, I did a few short cuts that I will not share because "Contessa" would not approve . The dish turned out perfect in the long run. I googled this recipe to include in this post and look what came up! Someone else having a hard time with their carrots. I wasn't loosing my mind. I thought how can you mess up carrots! I agree with all of his other suggestions too, like the bigger pan. Thankfully, that's the only size I had, so it worked out fine. By the way, I found a really good deal on the filets of beef. I spent only $10.00 for two and sliced those to have a total of 4 pieces.
By the time we sat down to eat, I was done. I was so sick of the sauce and tasting to see if my carrots were cooked. However, Pete seemed to really like it. I will try this again and will fine tune it for the future.
PS Microwaves work wonders
Wednesday, January 02, 2008
Christmas Decorations
I absolutely hate taking them down. I wanted to throw out our tree with the lights on. I figured we have 4 strands of lights that maybe cost $3.00 each. $12.00 not to sweat, get irritated and bring down all of the dead pine needles.... sounds like a deal to me.
I should be more positive about my day. However, I can't think of anything. I could tell about Garrett's throwing up session in McDonalds.
A guy that was sitting right next to me ran and got me napkins. He has done his good deed for the year!
Pete was meeting me at McDonalds and I had gotten there a little early. I kinda had on a cute outfit and I was putting my lipstick on to see my husband mid-day.... to only end up catching mounds of throw up in my hands by my two-year old.
I think the throw-up overshadowed my outfit and my lipstick.
Gotta love it!
PS Garrett is not sick, if he coughs the wrong way he gags himself into throwing up.
I absolutely hate taking them down. I wanted to throw out our tree with the lights on. I figured we have 4 strands of lights that maybe cost $3.00 each. $12.00 not to sweat, get irritated and bring down all of the dead pine needles.... sounds like a deal to me.
I should be more positive about my day. However, I can't think of anything. I could tell about Garrett's throwing up session in McDonalds.
A guy that was sitting right next to me ran and got me napkins. He has done his good deed for the year!
Pete was meeting me at McDonalds and I had gotten there a little early. I kinda had on a cute outfit and I was putting my lipstick on to see my husband mid-day.... to only end up catching mounds of throw up in my hands by my two-year old.
I think the throw-up overshadowed my outfit and my lipstick.
Gotta love it!
PS Garrett is not sick, if he coughs the wrong way he gags himself into throwing up.
Monday, December 17, 2007
Peek a boo shoes
I love peek a boo shoes. I actually have a cute pair I rarely get to wear. Pete and I went to a Christmas party last night. At the last minute, I decided to go for it and wear my cute little shoes (well, little is relative, since I wear a size 10). I find nothing more fun than getting ready for a nice evening. I love the long shower, being able to put my make-up on slowly, doing my nails etc. However, things got a little rushed as they always seem to do with kids running around..... I call it my winter pedicure. Don't let your eyes deceive you, I had no time to do the other toes, just enough time to paint the first two. At the time, I thought "how efficient, I got the job done, no one is the wiser". Today, as I look down and see my three little bare piggies... how sad, I need to have a reality check!
I love peek a boo shoes. I actually have a cute pair I rarely get to wear. Pete and I went to a Christmas party last night. At the last minute, I decided to go for it and wear my cute little shoes (well, little is relative, since I wear a size 10). I find nothing more fun than getting ready for a nice evening. I love the long shower, being able to put my make-up on slowly, doing my nails etc. However, things got a little rushed as they always seem to do with kids running around..... I call it my winter pedicure. Don't let your eyes deceive you, I had no time to do the other toes, just enough time to paint the first two. At the time, I thought "how efficient, I got the job done, no one is the wiser". Today, as I look down and see my three little bare piggies... how sad, I need to have a reality check!
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Peace be with me
I have been thinking a lot about peace and what that means in my life.
I get worked up too quickly, angry too quickly, frustrated too quickly, need I go on.....
I just finished reading Beth Moore's blog, she and her daughters blog together. Her oldest daughter recently gave great perspective on the desire for peace in her own life that I resonated with.
I personally, love simplicity. I don't like clutter. I don't like unresolved conflict. I like routine. I get anxious if we have too much going on in one week. I am the first to say no and the last to sign up. I try to control my peace and when the "unknown" circumvents my peace.... here comes my sins of many. I really am not trying to be cynical.
I have just been getting more frustrated over being frustrated in the first place. I tell Pete that I get on my own nerves sometimes! I'm not the most eloquent in explaining myself but you get the gist.
For the last few months or so I have been thinking about my lack of compassion for people in general and my anger in the little things that life arouses. However, my desire is to be content in all situations. I've realized as I been reading in the scripture that the peace of God is so easily talked about. It is usually said at the end of chapters in the New Testament. Now, I am not glossing over the words of peace so freely talked about. I yearn for it. My question is how do I find that peace? I am not able to muster it up.... And there is my problem, again trying to control my peace. I am unable to attain true peace by myself. I need God's peace, there is the true rest that I try to seek elsewhere in the routine of my days.
I'm not known for knowing a lot of scripture or where to find certain verses. But my goal since last week is to truly submerge my thoughts into the following verse..... Phil. 4:8 , this is Paul's writing.
"Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do and the God of peace will be with you". That's how I am going to attain peace.
I can't get all riled up in my Wal-mart excursions or angry that one of the kids spilled ice cream in the car right after I told him not to spill it, or that the kids knocked the whole 8 foot Christmas tree over or that.....I gotta stop before I go down the road I don't want to be on.
Whatever is lovely, noble, just, pure, praiseworthy... that is a pretty picture, huh?!
I have been thinking a lot about peace and what that means in my life.
I get worked up too quickly, angry too quickly, frustrated too quickly, need I go on.....
I just finished reading Beth Moore's blog, she and her daughters blog together. Her oldest daughter recently gave great perspective on the desire for peace in her own life that I resonated with.
I personally, love simplicity. I don't like clutter. I don't like unresolved conflict. I like routine. I get anxious if we have too much going on in one week. I am the first to say no and the last to sign up. I try to control my peace and when the "unknown" circumvents my peace.... here comes my sins of many. I really am not trying to be cynical.
I have just been getting more frustrated over being frustrated in the first place. I tell Pete that I get on my own nerves sometimes! I'm not the most eloquent in explaining myself but you get the gist.
For the last few months or so I have been thinking about my lack of compassion for people in general and my anger in the little things that life arouses. However, my desire is to be content in all situations. I've realized as I been reading in the scripture that the peace of God is so easily talked about. It is usually said at the end of chapters in the New Testament. Now, I am not glossing over the words of peace so freely talked about. I yearn for it. My question is how do I find that peace? I am not able to muster it up.... And there is my problem, again trying to control my peace. I am unable to attain true peace by myself. I need God's peace, there is the true rest that I try to seek elsewhere in the routine of my days.
I'm not known for knowing a lot of scripture or where to find certain verses. But my goal since last week is to truly submerge my thoughts into the following verse..... Phil. 4:8 , this is Paul's writing.
"Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do and the God of peace will be with you". That's how I am going to attain peace.
I can't get all riled up in my Wal-mart excursions or angry that one of the kids spilled ice cream in the car right after I told him not to spill it, or that the kids knocked the whole 8 foot Christmas tree over or that.....I gotta stop before I go down the road I don't want to be on.
Whatever is lovely, noble, just, pure, praiseworthy... that is a pretty picture, huh?!
Monday, December 10, 2007
You can't lose your salvation but.....
If you could, I would lose mine in Wal-mart. First off, I am very thankful to have money to go grocery shopping, so please don't get me wrong.
However, I do not like being a slave to the big box grocery store. I cannot not go. (is that southern or just bad grammar?)I save money, they have everything I need in one store and it is less than 1 mile from my house.
Today, I was dreading going shopping like the plague. I worked this am, rushed to get our oil changed, Garrett needed a nap, so I had to get to the store before we went home. I have been watering down the apple juice not because of the sugar, but because I was running out, if this gives you any idea how desolate our fridge was becoming.
The kids were doing great. Toward the middle of our shopping trip, Marschall tells me he needs to go to the bathroom, he ALWAYS has to go to the bathroom in Wal-mart. I have no idea what brings it on, but his bowels were in full force (too much info?).
I decide to park my cart in one of the aisles and be right back. I could get to the bathroom faster if I just scooped up Garrett and ran with Marsch. We finally return to our cart about 10 minutes later......no cart..... no groceries....nothing. I feel my blood pressure start to boil. If you know Wal-mart, it can take 30 minutes to go through the check out line. These cashiers are not known for their speed. I'm wondering how did someone realize there was an empty cart sitting alone for a few minutes. I nicely ask a lady stocking the shelves, "have you seen a cart with groceries"? She said, "Yes, a lady just took it, there she is right now!" She begins to ask the other employee where my cart is. I'm actually relieved just thinking my cart is around the corner. But no, she had put 85% of my food back! I'm thinking, I would have really liked to seen how fast this women was because she needed to take the place of my cashier who took 20 minutes to check me out. I think some little Wal-mart ferries came and all went to work to put my food back!
I had strayed from my list as usual and couldn't exactly remember what I still needed. So who knows what my recipes will consist of this week.
Again, thankful for groceries not so much for the big box grocery stores. I may have to take a break and shop somewhere else for a while to get some perspective. Oh by the way, Marschall informed me the next time we are shopping we shouldn't leave our cart, we need to take to take it with us wherever we go. Ahhh good times.......
If you could, I would lose mine in Wal-mart. First off, I am very thankful to have money to go grocery shopping, so please don't get me wrong.
However, I do not like being a slave to the big box grocery store. I cannot not go. (is that southern or just bad grammar?)I save money, they have everything I need in one store and it is less than 1 mile from my house.
Today, I was dreading going shopping like the plague. I worked this am, rushed to get our oil changed, Garrett needed a nap, so I had to get to the store before we went home. I have been watering down the apple juice not because of the sugar, but because I was running out, if this gives you any idea how desolate our fridge was becoming.
The kids were doing great. Toward the middle of our shopping trip, Marschall tells me he needs to go to the bathroom, he ALWAYS has to go to the bathroom in Wal-mart. I have no idea what brings it on, but his bowels were in full force (too much info?).
I decide to park my cart in one of the aisles and be right back. I could get to the bathroom faster if I just scooped up Garrett and ran with Marsch. We finally return to our cart about 10 minutes later......no cart..... no groceries....nothing. I feel my blood pressure start to boil. If you know Wal-mart, it can take 30 minutes to go through the check out line. These cashiers are not known for their speed. I'm wondering how did someone realize there was an empty cart sitting alone for a few minutes. I nicely ask a lady stocking the shelves, "have you seen a cart with groceries"? She said, "Yes, a lady just took it, there she is right now!" She begins to ask the other employee where my cart is. I'm actually relieved just thinking my cart is around the corner. But no, she had put 85% of my food back! I'm thinking, I would have really liked to seen how fast this women was because she needed to take the place of my cashier who took 20 minutes to check me out. I think some little Wal-mart ferries came and all went to work to put my food back!
I had strayed from my list as usual and couldn't exactly remember what I still needed. So who knows what my recipes will consist of this week.
Again, thankful for groceries not so much for the big box grocery stores. I may have to take a break and shop somewhere else for a while to get some perspective. Oh by the way, Marschall informed me the next time we are shopping we shouldn't leave our cart, we need to take to take it with us wherever we go. Ahhh good times.......
Wednesday, December 05, 2007
You can't make this stuff up.....
Marschall has been curious about family dynamics; whose mother is also grandmother to someone else, etc. He gets a kick out of it if he sees Pete and I kiss, and knows he is my husband and I'm his wife. We had a brief conversation about it at the dinner table the other night......
Me "Marschall do you want to have a wife someday"?
Marschall "Yes , but I want to live with you guys still."
Me "What will your wife look like?" (thinking he's going to describe a friend of his)
Marschall "She will have skin like you, green eyes like you, straight hair like you, earrings like you....(pause).... she will be a mommy robot."
I took that as the best compliment ever :)!
Marschall has been curious about family dynamics; whose mother is also grandmother to someone else, etc. He gets a kick out of it if he sees Pete and I kiss, and knows he is my husband and I'm his wife. We had a brief conversation about it at the dinner table the other night......
Me "Marschall do you want to have a wife someday"?
Marschall "Yes , but I want to live with you guys still."
Me "What will your wife look like?" (thinking he's going to describe a friend of his)
Marschall "She will have skin like you, green eyes like you, straight hair like you, earrings like you....(pause).... she will be a mommy robot."
I took that as the best compliment ever :)!
Monday, November 26, 2007
And so it begins.....
We did something super spontaneous on Saturday. We were planning to get our Christmas tree at a nearby tree lot on Saturday. We've gone to this lot before, they have hayrides for the kids etc. It was almost lunch time. Pete was coming back from playing ball and I had come home from the gym with the boys. I called him and said "how about going to Boone to get our tree today"? It was time for Garrett's nap and I knew my other narcoleptic son would fall asleep in the car too. All I could think of was a nice quiet ride with Pete and to see my ole stomping grounds again.
We had a lot of fun. As we rolled back into our driveway that evening, Pete said " That was fun, I don't know if I would want to do that every year but it was fun". What he should have said was, "what were we thinking taking a 4 year old and a 2 year old up a mountain to cut down a tree!" But it will be a fond memory!
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
I'm Back.....
I don't have any pictures......I don't even take pictures of my children very often, it's terrible I know. If I did scrap booking, I would have to have some pretty darn good looking stickers, because there would just be a lack of pictures on my part.
My trip was wonderful, so relaxing. I went with my best friend from college, one of my bridesmaids in my wedding and another friend from the camp I worked at back in college. (Basically, my best friend introduced me to the other girls back in college.)It was great to be around people you don't have to worry about what to say or not say. I can say things around these girls and they just roll their eyes and say, "only Meredith would say that" and I am more than okay with that!
We had a huge pasta dinner at the beach condo on Friday night, drank some wine, laughed and caught up a million miles a second. Saturday is our big day of shopping at the outlets. I got at least half of my Christmas shopping done. Saturday night we went to Bonefish Grill. We told the waitress ahead of time that we did not want to be rushed. Between 4 of us girls we have 10 children. A nice quiet meal was all we wanted. We probably stayed there for over 2 hours!
Sunday we slept in until about 7:30, that's all we could do, ridiculous I know! We headed back to our appropriate cities after lunch. It was so great, I keep thanking Pete. I came home to a house that was still standing, boys that ran to me and to a husband that looked more than grateful!
I don't have any pictures......I don't even take pictures of my children very often, it's terrible I know. If I did scrap booking, I would have to have some pretty darn good looking stickers, because there would just be a lack of pictures on my part.
My trip was wonderful, so relaxing. I went with my best friend from college, one of my bridesmaids in my wedding and another friend from the camp I worked at back in college. (Basically, my best friend introduced me to the other girls back in college.)It was great to be around people you don't have to worry about what to say or not say. I can say things around these girls and they just roll their eyes and say, "only Meredith would say that" and I am more than okay with that!
We had a huge pasta dinner at the beach condo on Friday night, drank some wine, laughed and caught up a million miles a second. Saturday is our big day of shopping at the outlets. I got at least half of my Christmas shopping done. Saturday night we went to Bonefish Grill. We told the waitress ahead of time that we did not want to be rushed. Between 4 of us girls we have 10 children. A nice quiet meal was all we wanted. We probably stayed there for over 2 hours!
Sunday we slept in until about 7:30, that's all we could do, ridiculous I know! We headed back to our appropriate cities after lunch. It was so great, I keep thanking Pete. I came home to a house that was still standing, boys that ran to me and to a husband that looked more than grateful!
Friday, November 16, 2007
Ready, Set, I'm gone
The clothes are set aside in order of days; nightime, Saturday, church
The clean sippies cups are laid out
The food has been bought
The diaper bag is full of any disaster that may occur
I'm on my way out........
My girl's beach weekend is about to start; shopping, sleeping, eating!! Who could ask for more??!
The clothes are set aside in order of days; nightime, Saturday, church
The clean sippies cups are laid out
The food has been bought
The diaper bag is full of any disaster that may occur
I'm on my way out........
My girl's beach weekend is about to start; shopping, sleeping, eating!! Who could ask for more??!
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Resting under his leadership
There is no dancing around the subject of submission between wives to their husbands. God calls wives to submit to their husbands and for husbands to dwell with them(their wives) with understanding, giving honor to the wife. (1 Peter 3:7) We rarely hear the later part of this verse used in our current culture.
Our culture does not promote the husband being the leader of the household. The very word "submit" in our culture gives the picture of not being heard, not being able to share in thought or to give advice within a marriage relationship. I don't believe this was God's idea for submission.
Marriage is a wonderful gift. It can be hard. I think the hard times bring you closer together for the next battle that comes.
With all this said.......I've had a hard week. We found out about some criminal activity we have had going on behind our neighborhood. My first inclination was we gotta move, flee, run and I'm done; meaning I don't want to even fight. These circumstances have brought up a lot of fear, dissatisfaction and has tainted my view of our back yard.
I am a doer, motivated, "get it done right now" type of person. I have a plan and I have a back up plan for my original plan, if this gives you any idea how I can be.
My husband is patient, slow to respond and thoughtful with his words and actions. Great combination for us, huh?!
First thing Pete said, we going to do was to trust God and His protection of us. I told him very honestly, "I can trust God; I am not sure I can trust you through this". I wasn't sure I could trust him with the decision of leading our family through these circumstances. It was out of my mouth before I realized it. At first, I wanted to apologize but then again, it was the honest truth. I have a hard time holding anything back verbally, especially with my husband and those closest around me. I know it hurt him to some degree. He asked to carry this burden with me and he would help me take it to the cross. He never said I must submit(our current cultural view of submitting) to listen to him or anything of that nature. He did honor me and say very clearly that he will lead us through this and that God has placed himself in our family to do so. He told me not to stop telling him my concerns, fears and even my own desires.
I was praying yesterday telling the Lord( I am even bossy with God sometimes) that I wanted Him to speak to my husband's heart. I wanted the Lord to tell Pete, to do what I wanted. After some prayer, I felt clearly that the Lord had already spoken to him.
I need to rest in my husband's leadership over our family. After all, who placed Pete in my life from the beginning? To finish off with the verse from 1 Peter 3:7, "Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered. I am still not comfortable with my surroundings. This week, I am thankful I am in a place of surrendering this burden to the Lord. I feel like I am being honored through this time by my husband yet also being led by him. The Word promises by doing so my prayers will not be hindered. If I truly rely on God's care for me; I must trust the man that He placed in my life to care for me.
There is no dancing around the subject of submission between wives to their husbands. God calls wives to submit to their husbands and for husbands to dwell with them(their wives) with understanding, giving honor to the wife. (1 Peter 3:7) We rarely hear the later part of this verse used in our current culture.
Our culture does not promote the husband being the leader of the household. The very word "submit" in our culture gives the picture of not being heard, not being able to share in thought or to give advice within a marriage relationship. I don't believe this was God's idea for submission.
Marriage is a wonderful gift. It can be hard. I think the hard times bring you closer together for the next battle that comes.
With all this said.......I've had a hard week. We found out about some criminal activity we have had going on behind our neighborhood. My first inclination was we gotta move, flee, run and I'm done; meaning I don't want to even fight. These circumstances have brought up a lot of fear, dissatisfaction and has tainted my view of our back yard.
I am a doer, motivated, "get it done right now" type of person. I have a plan and I have a back up plan for my original plan, if this gives you any idea how I can be.
My husband is patient, slow to respond and thoughtful with his words and actions. Great combination for us, huh?!
First thing Pete said, we going to do was to trust God and His protection of us. I told him very honestly, "I can trust God; I am not sure I can trust you through this". I wasn't sure I could trust him with the decision of leading our family through these circumstances. It was out of my mouth before I realized it. At first, I wanted to apologize but then again, it was the honest truth. I have a hard time holding anything back verbally, especially with my husband and those closest around me. I know it hurt him to some degree. He asked to carry this burden with me and he would help me take it to the cross. He never said I must submit(our current cultural view of submitting) to listen to him or anything of that nature. He did honor me and say very clearly that he will lead us through this and that God has placed himself in our family to do so. He told me not to stop telling him my concerns, fears and even my own desires.
I was praying yesterday telling the Lord( I am even bossy with God sometimes) that I wanted Him to speak to my husband's heart. I wanted the Lord to tell Pete, to do what I wanted. After some prayer, I felt clearly that the Lord had already spoken to him.
I need to rest in my husband's leadership over our family. After all, who placed Pete in my life from the beginning? To finish off with the verse from 1 Peter 3:7, "Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered. I am still not comfortable with my surroundings. This week, I am thankful I am in a place of surrendering this burden to the Lord. I feel like I am being honored through this time by my husband yet also being led by him. The Word promises by doing so my prayers will not be hindered. If I truly rely on God's care for me; I must trust the man that He placed in my life to care for me.
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