Saturday, September 17, 2011

Football Season

School football season is upon us again.  I love to watch football.  I really didn't know how I would do when it's my son out on the field.  Last year was his first year to play.  This year he is an upper class man and  year older and a bit more bulked up.  So he is ready for the hits.  I'm not for sure if I am ready for these hits.  With a new camera I can see all of them.

Here he is warming up.  I have a confession to make.  I almost walked right by him and didn't recognize him as my child.  He looks so grown up in his gear.  Good thing he said "hey mom"  Wow!!                              



                   He's in there doing the right thing.  Get the jump on the other guy before he gets you.


Get him get him!! Woohoo!!


                                This one kinda took my breath away and made my stomach flip. 


We lost this game 8-6.  Lots of practice for the next game is in order.  The Boy will get to change positions to center for the next game.  Coach is trying to see which position he will preform better in, or he could end up being a floater of a few different ones.                                                                                                   

Saturday, September 10, 2011

Life

Do you ever feel like life is passing by way to quickly?  I've told myself to slow down, your house doesn't have to be perfectly clean everyday, you can have dirty laundry in the hamper.  I made myself a promise to enjoy more time with my family.  So that is what I've been doing lately.  I also stated that I learned that life is more important that this little corner of the world.  That is why I haven't been on here for over two months.  I have some stories to share and some pictures to show. I'm not for sure if I will make it back more regular, working on it.    I got a new camera the other day. The Boy and I took it out today for a walk down the road.  Here's a little fellow we just happened to come across. 

Thursday, August 4, 2011

Good Reads

Have you read anything good books lately?  I read The Help awhile back.  Can't wait for a girls night to see the movie.

I just finished reading The Secret Life of Bees.  It's a really quick read. I finished it in two days.

I'm always looking for a good book, and since I recieved a few gift cards recently for my Nook. I'm needing some books.

Monday, July 25, 2011

Better Back

After going through therapy and seeing a pain specialist, I'm pleased to say I have a better back.

I found out it probably really wasn't my back that was the problem.  Even though I do have two bulging disc.  The Doctor believed it was a nerve inside my hip joint.  Good thing the pain went away by itself or I would have been hospitalized and had to endure shots.

My back still gets little twinges but nothing major.  I have recently started doing Pilates. For strengthening of my core which will keep my back in alignment, so hopefully no surgery in my future.

Thanks for your prayers and support.

Thursday, July 7, 2011

Baring Myself

I recently started physical therapy for my herniated disc, which is pushing on my sciatic nerve which is causing constant pain.

I went to the rehabilitation place and was interviewed by a very tiny young woman, which I thought was going to be my PT person.  Imagine my surprise when she came back with a very tall large man to say he was my PT person.

He went over the exercises I will be doing for the next 3 weeks no biggie, I think I can handle them.

Ok here is where the scary part starts::

I'm pretty much a modest person, of course I have worn the halter top, bikini,  low rider jeans. But pretty much now days and a few, okay alot of extra pounds later. I keep myself covered up.


My PT person told me "we have to make skin contact with the ultra sound machine", okay I really wanted to melt into the floor at this point.  I had to lay on my stomach on the examine bed with my pants pulled down and my shirt pulled up.  While my PT person rubbed nice warm ultra sound gel into my hip area and performed the ultra sound.

I'm thankful he was very professional and tried to put me at ease the entire time.  We told stories or our children and about growing up and living in the same town almost all of our lives.

I only have 3 times a week for the next 3 weeks.

Monday, July 4, 2011

United States of America Anthem (The Star-Spangled Banner)

I hope everyone has a Happy Fourth of July. I will be spending it with family and friends. Having more food than our bellies can possibly hold, swimming and the finale will be enjoying The Boy shoot off fireworks.

God Bless each and everyone of you


Monday, June 27, 2011

Sunday Water Fun


Yesterday was HOT in our area of the state I think they said it was 104.  The boy wanted to have a water gun fight.  Hubs told him okay. They went outside to have said water fight and of course one of the water guns wouldn't work so Hubs just used the hose.

The Boy was having a blast squirting Hubs.  Hubs said the water in the gun felt like bath water so he just stood there and let him go at it.

Look at that wet soaked face.  I'm thinking I was in trouble, of getting a blast of water from his wildness.





Thursday, June 23, 2011

Weepy

That's me weepy.  I've always been the person who can cry at just a thought.  It worked well when I wanted to get out of something.  Let me just say I cry at weddings, funerals, movies, books who doesn't?  I cry at the funeral possession of someone I don't know when I see one.  I'm weepy, sap, tender hearted, heart on my shirt sleeve whatever you wanna call it.  That's me.

Today I'm shedding a few of these free flowing tears for my friend Julie as she starts the next phase in her fight against breast cancer.

Please send up a few prayers for her and the awesome McD.  A few tears never hurt anyone, didn't do wonders for makeup.  But oh well.

Monday, June 13, 2011

Cabinet Update

We have an appointment this Saturday to finalize all the details, pick out the countertop and hardware.  I'm so excited.  Will post some before pics soon.

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Remodel Update

We are still discussing the dressing room (extra bedroom) becoming a huge walk in closet.  I haven't let Hubs forget that's what I want, its just been placed on a really back burner. 

Since Hubs has went back to work our great family vacation plans have had to change.  No cruise to Alaska this summer.

We have decided to add cabinets to our dining room.  We have no storage space.  Just the few cabinets that are in the kitchen.  We purchased a free standing cabinet back when The Boy was born for the extra items we would need to store.  It's not a very attractive cabinet and over the years has become weak.

We made an appointment with the local home improvement store personnel and designed our new cabinets.  The completed project will actually look like a built in buffet with hutch.  We received the final blueprints a few days ago.  It will be a whole new look for this room.  It will take a few weeks to have the cabinets made and then we will schedule a time to have them installed.

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Shoes

Let me start by saying I love shoes.  I really puffy heart shoes.  Shoes shoes shoes make my world go around.

Whew.  Now that I have told you how I feel about shoes.  Imagine going to see a foot specialist and he says "you will have to wear orthopedic shoes."  What?

No.  Those are the kind of shoes my Granny wears.  She has a black pair, brown pair and a white pair.  Yikes..

A little background.  I was diagnosed with plantar fasciitis the first part of this year.  I had totally torn all the ligaments in the bottom of my left foot.  I came home with a pretty boot I had to wear every night.  Was told not to go barefoot around the house, only to shower and go potty in the middle of the night.  One month of therapy and wear orthopedics in my shoes.

I faithfully did all these things.  I went back in a moth for my check up.  Wear the boot on occasions when I've had a stressful day on my feet.  No more therapy and I brought home my own personal tens unit.  It basically stimulates your nerves.

I was told no more flip flops.  Oh but I could purchase some special orthopedic ones from a prescribed website. 

Okay for starters I love shoes.  I can't be limited to orthopedic shoes.  Have you seen those things.  Uggh.

I actually did get on the website.  Ok they really don't look like I had pictured in my head.

I recently went to a shoe store in our town and bought some shoes.  These are not orthopedic, but they are really supportive of my high arch and keep my foot from sliding around.  I do cheat and wear some regular flip flops once or twice a week.  I can really tell the difference.

This is the black pair.


The bronze pair I went back two days later and bought.

Monday, June 6, 2011

NO WAY

I haven't posted anything in over a month.  NO WAY!!  I was going to be so good at this blog thing.  Guess I kinda pushed it aside for life.  So much has happened over the last month where do I begin. 

Hubs went back to work, after four years of being a house husband, this is a big change for all of us.  It is more than a full-time job, he works anywhere from 60 to 70 hours a week.  I have taken the house chores and cooking over, how do you working people keep up?  It's never ending.  Plus trying to figure out what to make for dinner.

My friend Sarah at Sprucehill passed away after fighting like a girl with her bout of cancer.  Sarah I miss you everyday. 

My bestie Julie over at Another Chance Ranch had a mastectomy of her left breast.  She came through the surgery like the fighter she is.  Please continue to keep her in your prayers.  The hard part is just going to start for her.

Me?  I'm still silly Stef.  I have a good post coming up on orthopedic shoes.  Doesn't that grab your attention?
Ha Ha!!!

Talk to you in a bit.

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Same Old Thing

I heard on a show the other day that people get in a rut and have the same old thing for breakfast, lunch and dinner.  In our house I find this to be true.  We have the same meal each week, with maybe a different side or cooked just a little different.  What a rut.  Since my Hubs has recently gone back to work, I now do the cooking and try to keep up with the laundry.  Last night I decided to try and make something Asian.  One of our favorite cuisines is Asian.  I had looked at some recipes.  I didn't have all the right ingredients so I just kinda made it up as I went along.


I thought it turned out rather well.  The Boy was very impressed, he wanted to know where I bought the meal.

I don't have a name for the meal, but here is my recipe.

1 pound cooked ground beef
2 packages of Ramen Noodles cooked accordingly discard seasoning packet
1 package of frozen Japanese vegetables steamed
1/2 Cup stir fry sauce
1/2 Cup cashews
2 scallions cut on a diagonal

Combine cooked ground beef, Ramen noddles and Japanese vegetable together.  Add stir fry sauce and mix well.  Add in cashews.  Mix again pour into serving bowl and top with a few more cashews and the scallions.

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

  Prayers are needed for my bestie.  Please join her in the fight, to knock out breast cancer.

Monday, May 2, 2011

Marching




This weekend was the Tri-State Music Festival in our town.  Local schools come to compete in marching, concert performance and solo or ensembles.  The Boys elementary band got a I in concert performance.  Two days later it was time to march in the parade.  This covers a six block square that is downtown.  He was nervous about this event, as were some of his friends I talked to.  Luckily there was no rain just a little cold and windy.  A good time was had by all the band members.



The band received II for their marching performance.  A very good job for 5th and 6th graders.


Monday, April 18, 2011

The Boy's Birthday




Today at 9:34am The Boy will officially be eleven years old.

He stared out life as a little four pound, two month early, tiny little bundle of joy.  He was really sick for the first year and half of life.  Really sick as in the hospital several times with RSV and pneumonia.  By looking at him today you would never guess this is the way he started out.  I'm so glad he has no problems from being born premature or from having been so sick. 



As we celebrated his birthday this weekend.  It was a time to reflect on all his accomplishments this last year.  He started playing sports, and band.  Both he insisted he could not do.  Ha. He made a liar out of himself.  He needs a big push in the self-esteem field and his band director gave him one when she asked him to be in honor band.  Tonight we will be eating at a restaurant of his choosing.

Monday, April 11, 2011

Vacation Plans

I've been thinking of vacation plans lately.  You see we haven't been on a family vacation for about 3 years. We have been on several weekend getaways.  But no real vacation.  I'm wanting to go on a cruise, never been on one.  Sounded good to me the middle of summer in OK and we go out in the ocean. 

Hubs said I needed to check in with the travel agent, so I called them up and gave them our list of cruise destinations.  Waiting to hear back.

A co-worker suggested we go to Mt. Vernon.  Hubs and The Boy are both total history buffs.  We are looking closer into this one.

Hmm.... So many choices.  Where are you going on summer vacation??

Thursday, April 7, 2011

Our Anniversary



Today Hubs and I have been married 11 years.  This is the song he would sing to me when we started getting serious. He still breaks out in it on occasion. I LOVE YOU HONEY!!

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Track Time

Today is The Boy's first track meet.  It's an all day event.  He was so excited this morning to get on the bus and go to school, just so they could get on another bus and get to the track meet.

He will be running the 100yard dash and throwing the discus.  Hubs will be attending this one alone.  I'm going to work and trying to get into the dentist.(another long story.)

Sending all kinds of good luck to The Boy.

Monday, March 28, 2011

Proud Momma

The Boy is in fifth grade this year at school.  Well its almost the end of school for the year.  It's been a year of new school activities for our little family. 

The Boy is in his first organized sports. We've done football, basketball, now onto track.
He is also in band.  He decided he wanted to play the trombone, when it came time to pick your instrument.  He was told he could pick any one he wanted. 

The band has had one performance this year, it was the Christmas program at school.

 He was recently picked for honor band.  He was so excited, so was Hubs and I.

Saturday was the first performance.  He had to meet at a local School in the town where I work.  He spent the morning learning 3 new songs and a meeting a bunch of band students from all the neighboring schools.  We picked him up for lunch and he was so happy, to tell us about the songs they were learning.

We seen him one more time before the big concert, he was all dressed up, and ready to go.

As we entered the auditorium the place was packed, we luckily got to set on the side of the stage The Boy was playing on.  They introduced the conductor and they concert was under way.  They played two songs, before he looked out into the audience, when his eyes met mine and he flashed me that smile.  My heart swelled up and I got tears in my eyes.  Yep that's MY BOY!! He's having a great time. They completed the concert.  I was amazed these were fifth and sixth grade band students.  The performance was great.  We have a few more weekend adventures in band coming up.  I'm a very proud band and sports momma right now.

Sunday, March 20, 2011

Sunday potluck

Today on Testify the blog the subject was:  

Please share your favorite potluck recipe. It could be a casserole, salad or even a dessert. You may not have taken it to a potluck event but think it would be a good recipe to take to one. Any recipe will do.


Our church has a potluck dinner every month, we honor the people who have had a birthday or an anniversary in that month. 

I love taking food to the potluck.  It is where I get to try all the new recipes I have seen on TV or on cooking sites.  I usually always bring a main dish and a dessert.  I like to do a crock pot dish that way I can dump it all in the crock pot early Sunday morning and it is ready by the time we eat at church.

Pulled Pork Sandwich

1 boneless pork shoulder (4-5 lb)
Salt and black pepper to taste
1/4 Tbsp Canola oil
1 cup apple cider vinegar
4 cups chicken broth (I use low sodium)
1/2 Tbsp liquid smoke

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat.   Cut the pork into 2 or 3 big pieces and season with salt and pepper.  add the oil to the pan and when hot sear the pieces of pork until browned on the outside.  Remove the pork and place in a slow cooker.

Add the vinegar to the hot pan and deglaze, scraping any bits of browned meat stuck on the bottom.  Pour the vinegar over the pork, then add the broth and liquid smoke.  Set the slow cooker to high and cook for 4 hours, until the pork falls apart with gentle pressure.  Remove the pork from the liquid and shred.

Serve on buns.  For potluck I like to buy a roll called a dollar roll.  It is smaller so the pork goes a longer way for more people. 

This recipe is supposed to serve 12.

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Closet Space

This is the one thing I need more of.  Our house was built before they knew what closet's were.  I think.  No actually in that era you had to pay taxes on each room and a closet was considered a room.  What??  Well my house has a few small closets.  The Boy uses an armorie and there is one in my dressing room, only because of when the upstairs were added.  Now we do have 2 upstairs but they are small and crammed pack full of decorations and whatnots.  But who wants to climb up and down stairs all the time to get something.

So I've been brain storming.  I want to make my dressing room a complete walk in closet.  How fantastic would that be??  I've been looking at ideas on the Internet.  Wow I did not realise how much these cost.

I'm thinking Hubs could probably do a better job and it would cost alot less.  But I hate the remodeling, it just seems to take forever.  Sorry Hubs, I know you are just one man.

I'll let you know what he says when I tell him what I want to do.

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Spring??

Does this mean Spring is around the corner??  I love Spring weather the warm days and cool nights.  Planning what flowers and vegetables we will plant.  The rainy nights.   I like to think Spring is coming soon when I seen my daffodils popping out of the ground in the flower bed.  These were planted by Hubs' grandmother.  Several years ago.

Oh my goodness.. These have buds on them.  Yippie I'm getting excited about Spring. Are you ready??

I'm almost positive this little guy is.  He likes to find sticks in the yard and chew them until night fall.

Monday, February 28, 2011

Wow an award

Oh my goodness look what Julie at Another Chance Ranch gave me.  I have been so busy lately I just set down to write a post and seen her comments.  I have to say. Wow!! Thanks Julie
Of course there has to be rules, so here they are:

- Thank the person who gave you the award.

- Pass the award on to 10 other versatile bloggers and let them know you did.

- And tell seven fun facts about yourself.


I would like to pass this award to some of the blogs I like to stalk read.

The Nuthouse Five
This Day
Eating Crow Pie
Feed-sack cooking
Social Climbers
Lipstick and Laundry
Random thoughts of a SUPERMOM
An Experiment in Poverty
Blue is Bleu
Terra Garden

Now the fun facts about myself.

1.  I don't know my real hair color

2.  I can't drive a stick shift

3.  I love to target practice.  I have a custom built rifle

4.  I love to cook and bake. Especially to give away.

5.  I love reese's peanut butter cups and pieces

6.  I have a license to do cosmetology

7.  I have over 100 pairs of shoes.

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Cupcakes

My wonderful daddy's almost birthday is this weekend. He is a leap year baby. So we celebrate on February 28th. He loves German chocolate cake, and spice cake. I have always made him a German chocolate cake. Well this year I'm making cupcakes. I found two great recipes one for each cake. I couldn't decide which one. So I'm making both. Starting tonight. We are having a family get together on Saturday.

Monday, February 21, 2011

Family

Do you have a close knit family? 

Well I can answer a strong no to this question.  I lost both sets of grandparents before I was 10.  So the memories I have of them are kind of sketchy, and vague.  I don't really have any blood aunts or uncles I do have some that have been my parents friends for life so they have always been aunts and uncles.

This weekend I went on a trip with my best friend Julie.  We went to see her Granny in a play.  I got to meet her parents and her uncle.  Wow.  They made me feel like I was a part of their family.  I was included in all the conversations it felt so good to feel like a real family. Grandparents down to grandchildren.

I've never experienced this, that I can remember.  What a feeling to be able to laugh and say remember this, and the whole family can recall memories of the subject.

Maybe this is why I cling to the few friends and family that I have.  I don't want to lose them way before their time.

Thanks for the new family Julie.  I love you all..

Friday, February 18, 2011

Foot Trouble

I've been having some foot trouble for a couple of months now.  I finally got fed up with the pain and went to a specialist in the big city.  I found out I have plantar faciitis, and have torn some of the ligaments.  No wonder I'm in pain.  I had my evaluation from physical therapy last night.  I have to go 3 times a week, and no walking on the elliptical for a couple of weeks.  I was just getting into the groove of getting on it and walking every night.  I have decided to do more of the physioball exercises.  I have also learned I can do Tai Chi Chih.  Since you keep you feet planted on the floor for most of the exercises.

I'll keep you updated on my progress.

Sunday, February 6, 2011

Berry Bread

It's Sunday. That means I will be taking a little snack for Sunday School.  I grew up in a church where we always had a snack in Sunday school.  So I have made it my duty to bring a snack every Sunday.

Today I decided to do a new recipe.

Berry Bread

4 eggs
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup white sugar
1 cup canola oil
1 tsp vanilla
1tsp almond extract
3 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp salt
2 1/2 cups mixed berries (I used frozen)

Mix all the wet ingredients together.  Sift all dry ingredients together.  Combine the two and fold in the berries.  Pour into loaf pans and bake at 350 degrees for 40-50 minutes.

This is a very easy recipe, mix it all up and put in the oven.  It can cook while you are getting ready for church.

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Snow Days


Did you love snow days as a child?  I did. It meant getting dressed in our snow suits and moon boots.  We would trek out in the cold and stomp around for a little while.  Come in the house mom would have hot mocha ready for us.  Now that I have grown up, never thought I would get another snow day.  Well the last two days we have had snow days.  Yesterday we were able to get out and about, not today we are stuck. 


Hubs spent two hours digging this section out on the driveway.  Alright we can get out and go to town.


Not a chance this is the road.  We are stuck inside until the neighbor gets his tractor out and does the road for us.


The worst part of this snow day, The Boy is sick.  We really were looking forward to getting his 4-wheeler and sled out and having a blast in these big drifts.

Thursday, January 20, 2011

One Year Ago

One year ago today. I went in for gallbladder surgery. I had gotten sick on Christmas Eve, with what I thought was indigestion. Oh how my stomach ached. I went to the emergency clinic the day after Christmas, the PA pushed on my abdomen. I almost came off the table, wow she said it's your gallbladder. I was sent home with pain killers and antacids. Two days later the hospital called with instructions telling me they were going to do an ultrasound. I went infor the ultrasound. It showed my gallbladder was full of polyps. It must come out. We meet with the surgeon, scheduled my out patient surgey. I went in for the surgery. Of course my luck was complications, I have to much scar tissue from having an emergency c-section. So the surgeon had to cut my side open. The result was one week in the hospital with a morphine pic. My bestie Julie came to see me everyday and Hubs never left my side. I went home with pain pills and gorgeous staples. The day I was scheduled to have the staples removed, there was a snow storm and my appointment was cancelled. I went back to work before I was released. I was so ready to get life back to normal. It was weeks before I could sleep in the bed. Months before I felt normal oh the heartburn. I feel back to normal now. Once in a while I have a twinge where my scar is. I'm hoping no more surgeries are in my future.

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Today was my second day using the ifit card on my elliptical. Jillian Michaels is the narrator on this card. It's a killer!!! Guess I really should listen to her when she tells you it only needs to be done three times a week. She does have great motivators on the card. I'm going to try to make it the four week challenge. That's my goal everyday for four weeks cardio training. Then it's on to weights.

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Getting healthy

I've been introduced to some new apps for my iphone. They are Dailyburn and Log your run.  I have been trying to eat better and do some exercising.  I have a friend who swears my Log your run.  She post her results every night on facebook.  So now I'm going to do the same.  I like the friendly competition, and it makes me get up a move.  Dailyburn you can upload everything you have eaten and also your exercising.  It tells you how many calories you have left for the day.  It also has great workouts you can do.

I'm not after the perfect body, or to get thin.  I just want to eat a little healthier.  I've been doing so well at work. I've been taking my  lunch, but don't fret I'm still going out to lunch some and having the occasional cheeseburger, fries, or pizza.

Thanks for all the confidence, and support that each one of you brings with you.

Monday, January 17, 2011

Funny Story

Here is a totally funny story.  I'm going to tell on myself.

I went to our local Wal-mart to do some quick shopping at lunch.  I was walking to the produce isle to get some tomatoes for our dinner.  I glanced over at one of the freezer doors and there was some new frozen dinners from Lean Cuisine.  They just happened to be Chinese food, which I love.  So I thought those would be good for lunch.  I reached in a grabbed a couple of boxes and before I could blink, the whole shelf of frozen dinners fell on the floor.  Oh how embarrassed I was.  Well if you know me I can laugh just as loud at myself as I can someone else.  So I just started laughing.  This worker came over to my rescue with a great comment about how he bet I only wanted one of those.  Yep it's true I said.  He got down on his knees and picked up everyone of the dinners. He told me ma'am I got this you can go finish your shopping. 

I'm so glad there are still some kind workers in this world.  I know a few who would have just stayed back and watch you do it all.  While laughing at you.

Well the dinner was not the best Chinese food I've eaten, but it was pretty good.  I will think of this story every time I enjoy a frozen dinner from now on.

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

New Year

I feel like it's been a whole year since I have posted.  Wow what a spinning merry go round this last week has been.  We had Christmas at my parents, we had a great time.  We had open house at their house.  We went back on Saturday to have Hoppin' John.  Oh how I love that dish. 

Did you make a New Years resolution?  Me? No way.  I have vowed not to make any more resolutions.  Why?  Because I do good for a few weeks, then the pressure just gets to me and I break.

I'm thinking I will start something in March.  I will let you in on it, when the time gets closer, and if it pans out.