Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Test Post (photo)



Just checking out how to add photos to my posts.  What if I wanted the pic under my text? Not sure how to do that.  I'll figure it out! Just to let you know - the pic above is my scrap space in our basement.  That dark space at the back of the photo is an IKEA Expedit shelving unit with 16 cubbies.  I love this thing!  My only wish is that each cubby was about 2 inches larger, to fit my crop-in-style 12x12 paper holders.   The cabinetry at the right side of the photo is a kitchenette, complete with a sink, 2-burner cook top and a mini fridge.  I could hide down here for days! In fact, this past weekend I had 3 good friends from LM here to crop for a few days. We had a really great time! 

Monday, January 26, 2009

Menu Plan Monday (1/26)


Monday:  Mac&Cheese and Hot Dogs, strawberries
Tuesday: Sub sandwiches, chips, fruit salad
Wednesday:  Bow-tie Chicken (recipe from my friend Beverly), broccoli
Thursday:  Radiatorre Pasta, Turkey Italian Sausage, Marinara Sauce, salad
Friday: Pizza, salad
Saturday: Rotisserie Chicken, Mini Baked Potatoes (Market Day), salad
Sunday:  Super Bowl Celebration!  Chicken Bites (homemade), Sweet Potato Chips (homemade) Celery/Carrots &Dip, YUM!

Sunday, January 25, 2009

Place Holder

Just so you know, this isn't a real blog entry.  I'm super tired from a weekend of a lot of scrapbooking and not much sleeping, so I just can't put too many sentences together intelligently.
Tomorrow is Monday.  After I weigh in at WW and hit the gym, I promise to sound more intelligent and "WOW" my 3 blog readers with some riveting prose. See you then!

Thursday, January 22, 2009

THURSDAY THIRTEEN

There used to be a blog that dedicated itself to featuring the Thursday Thirteen.  Unfortunately, when I checked recently, it was no longer an active site.  Many other bloggers spend Thursday chatting about some list of thirteen things.  Seems like a fun way to spend a Thursday, so I'll try to keep up the cleverness on a weekly basis.   This week's topic:   SHOPPING! 

Here, in no particular order, are my thirteen favorite places to SHOP! 
1.  Target - just heading in to pick up a prescription at the pharmacy can result in a $100 tab for milk, t-shirts, tasteful kids' clothes, magazines, dish towels, Coke Zero...and lots of other fun must-have items!  Make sure to check out the "Dollar Spot" on every trip!
2. Amazon.com - free shipping with Amazon PRIME - need I say more??
3. itunes - since I got my Mac and my little ipod shuffle, this is the best place to grab a few new songs from the comfort of home.
4. Costco - planning my monthly Costco trip for right after my 5 mile run at the gym is great!  I sample my way through the store guilt-free!  
5. Borders Books - Borders Bucks, and percent-off coupons bring me back to the store at least every other week... I am book crazy! Historical Fiction, fitness, health, cooking, children's books...
6.  Ann Taylor Loft Outlet - for when I want to wear something a little nicer than my usual Gap and Old Navy wardrobe. 
7.  LifetimeMoments.com  best little scrapbook store on the web!  Jackie, Thad and the rest of the staff at LM provide the best customer service I've gotten ANYWHERE! 
8.  Wegman's - feed the kids lunch and then go shop - can't beat it! 
9.  LandsEnd.com - best product guarantee I've ever seen - they've taken back a broken backpack we had for a full year, shoes that were worn out, and a shirt that had a button ripped off.  Replaced everything free of charge! :)  
10. IKEA - gotta LOVE having an IKEA in town!  There are only a few in the US, and I am sure I'd never make the drive to one if it was an hour or 2 away, yet I meet people in our IKEA all the time who have driven that far to come to ours! WHEW!   Can't beat the affordable storage solutions, home decor and awesome bathroom rugs! Bonus:   yummy cinnamon rolls just past the checkout counters! :)
11.  Dick's Sporting Goods - since I started running, and since a new DSG opened in my town, I find myself stopping in more than I expected:  Good brands, helpful service, and a fun, new pink Under Armor running jacket! 
12.  Harris Teeter - excited is an understatement!  When this wonderful grocery store opened in July of 2007 within walking distance of the house we were thrilled!  Stopping in for one quick item is easy on the way home from anywhere. It isn't "out of the way" at all.  My favorite store feature is the self-check-out lanes! :)  I can breeze in and out in minutes! 
13.  Anyplace that sells Vera Bradley purses - Why did I let myself get sucked in to loving these bags? LOL!  I don't have too many (only 3 - so far), and thankfully I don't like every pattern that's out there. Good thing too, or I'd have about 100. 

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

What a day!

Excitement was in the air all morning!  The Inauguration of President Obama was pretty cool to watch, and share with the kids. They just don't get why this is so historical, though my older 2 have studied Colonial US History, and learned about slavery, and the Civil War, it still didn't really register with them. I hope it will someday.   I also hope that my blog posts get a little less-stiff over time! LOL!

Monday, January 19, 2009

Menu Plan Monday (1/19)

Menu Plan Monday  is a great way to keep on track with a budget and eating healthy. 
This week:
Monday: Chinese Take-out
Tuesday:  Subs and salad
Wednesday: chicken parmesan from Dream Dinners, steamed broccoli
Thursday:  Mini burgers, salad
Friday: homemade pizza, salad
Saturday:  leftovers
Sunday: rotisserie chicken, baby baked potatoes, steamed broccoli


I should note that this was difficult to type this early on a Monday - I haven't had breakfast yet! 

My Word For 2009

Ali Edwards (and many others) chooses a word - to be a focus and "theme" for the year.   The link goes to Ali's list of words that people sent to her blog as suggestions.  I looked through all of them, but finally settled on the word, TEN.  When someone asks me, "On a scale of one to ten, how was ______?"  I want to be able to say it was a TEN.   I hope to make the most of my family, my relationships, fitness, faith, work at the preschool, etc. I don't think this means that I expect perfection from myself or others, but that I always strive to be better, and improve in these areas.
Do you have a word for 2009? Share it with me! 

Sunday, January 18, 2009

First blog entry...

I am watching the most insanely stupid movie ever. DH rented "Step-Brothers".  What a train wreck!  Pretty sad excuse for a first blog post, but its all I've got.  Tomorrow is "Menu-Plan Monday",  I've got that going for me, which is nice.