What I Have Learned This Week: Blog Friends Are People Too

Its Tuesday. 

That beautiful time of the week when I get to chatter all about what I have learned this week. 

Lucky you.

As you know, I fasted from social media last week. I learned a lot. In an attempt to take a very broad and detailed topic, and condense it, I give you bullet points...

• Taking a blogging break is hard when writing is your means of connection. Not only with others, but that place within my heart that cannot be tapped with spoken word. 

• Private journal writing will be ignored when the heart is disengaged, fed chocolate, and artificially pumped up with marathon re-runs of reality TV on the Oxygen channel. (It was a bit of difficult week emotionally {see this updated post}, made worse with hormones and a stash of Easter chocolate that I raided).

• Taking a weeks break made me understand the importance of relationships. Both those in-real-life, and those that are bonded through written word. The blogging community may seem intangible and "not real" to those who aren't in it. But when you really engage in the life of someone else, be it in-real-life or through the written world of a flesh-an-blood blogger, real community happens. For me, it has happened at just the right time, in just the right place. 
  

• With that said, I learned that often times we don't get to choose what our close knit friends look like, where they live, or how often we get to see them face to face...but I've been given an opportunity through blogging to know people that really desire community and are willing to take a risk and participate in community where they can get it. Blogging has served a great purpose in my life-- one that looks completely different than what I thought it would, but is fulfilling nonetheless. 

• This week I was surprised by, and learned from, loneliness. I missed the opportunities to encourage others in my online community...and the opportunity to be encouraged. 
  

• And finally, all those judgmental thoughts I had years ago about people who meet people online has come to bite me in the butt. There is a generous handful of amazing women that are my dear friends here in Bloggerville. Checking in on their blogs, and reading their comments when they come to mine, is like meeting with dear neighbors for a chat in the cul-de-sac. Its different than any of the relationships that I have had, but, its also been a blessing, at times a lifeline, in this stage of life. 
  

Bottom line? I learned that God has given me good friends in an uncommon place. A place I would have scoffed at four years ago when I started this blog. But a place that I am so grateful for today.

Check out what others are learning at Musing of A Housewife.

Hello!

Happy Easter Friends...

I hope you all had a fantastic Easter weekend and Resurrection Sunday.

We had a great weekend here in the La Vida House.

We had an Easter egg hunt in the front yard; went to church with our NC church family; came home and went for a very long walk in the cool spring air (and yellow pine pollen); grilled steak; sipped Merlot; played Clue; Skyped with our Arizona peeps; The Girl made beautiful ice cream sundae's (complete with whipped cream, cherries and sprinkles); and then we tucked ourselves into bed for an awesome nights sleep.

Such a beautiful day.

I am happy to be back to blogging again. Last week was amazingly hard! It was really tough not being able to read your blogs or post my own. Really tough.

I am so happy that this week we are on Spring Break, because I have over 300 blog posts that are ready to be read!

I am posting pictures of the kids from our last NC Easter, exactly three years ago. We had no idea that between that year and this our lives would include two cross country moves. The first to Arizona, and the second, moving back! The kids have grown!

Happy Monday friends!

Bringing My heart Back to Him

(I will be unplugging this week in observance of Holy Week. I look forward to seeing what everyone has been up to next week. This is my prayer for this week.)

Man a Nothing

O LORD,

I am a shell full of dust,

but animated with an invisible rational soul

and made anew by an unseen power of grace;

Yet I am no rare object of valuable price,

but one that has nothing and is nothing,

although chosen of thee from eternity,

given to Christ, and born again;

I am deeply convinced

of the evil and misery of a sinful state,

of the vanity of creatures,

but also of the sufficiency of Christ.

When thou wouldst guide me I control myself,

When thou wouldst be sovereign I rule myself.

When thou wouldst take care of me I suffice myself.

When I should depend on thy providings I supply myself,

When I should submit to thy providence I follow my will,

When I should study, love, honour, trust thee, I serve myself;

I fault and correct thy laws to suit myself,

Instead of thee I look to a man's approbation,

and am by nature an idolator.

Lord, it is my chief design to bring my heart back to thee.

Convince me that I cannot be 

my own God, or make myself happy,

nor my own Christ to restore my joy,

nor my own Spirit to teach, guide, rule me.

Help me to see that grace does this by providential affliction,

for when my credit is good thou dost cast me lower,

when riches are my idol thou dost wing them away,

when pleasure is my all thou dost turn it into bitterness.

Take away my roving eye, curious ear, 

greedy appetite, lustful heart;

show me that none of these things

can heal a wounded conscience,

or support a tottering frame

or uphold a departing spirit.

Then take me to the cross and leave me there. 

~From The Valley of Vision: A Collection of Puritan Prayers & Devotions

Its Down

The dead tree is officially down.  Here is the Before...a 62 foot hard wood tree. (in case it isn't obvious its the dead one in the center of photo)

And After: 
And now the hard work: Chopping it up and hauling it off.

And this last one just for good measure and because he's so darn handsome when he's doing things that make him happy.

Thursday Thirteen (Random Addition)

1. Its raining. Again. I am boycotting by getting back into my pajama's. I did shower and get my hair done, cause you never know when somebody will knock on your door. Even in the rain. Oh, and I also had to...

2. Take Sophie to veterinarians office this morning. She's staying for the day getting the Bob Barker Treatment. I will have to pick her up this evening. 

3. There is an upside to today's abundance of precipitation...no puppy training in the back yard under an umbrella, and then cleaning mud off paws that have no concept of getting the carpets muddy.

4. I plan on getting caught up today on the only television show I watch: Desperate Housewives. (If that sounds awful to you, pray for me.) I have missed the last three episodes. Thank goodness for online viewing!

5. I also plan to fold laundry while doing number 4. 

6. We finally got the house in Arizona rented! It only took eight months but its finally done!

7. The kids had a math test this morning. Now they are working on History. They were told to find a comfortable spot to read their assignments (since its raining today I doubled their reading so they can have tomorrow off to play outside). This is The Girls chosen spot:

(its hard to get a good picture when its so dark outside)

8. Went to Sam's club last night. It was supposed to be a family affair, but The Boy suddenly came down with a stomach issue right before we left. So we switched gears and The Girl and I went to go buy a months worth of groceries. We shopped for 45 minutes, pushing our over-loaded, flat bed, shopping cart to the check out where we waited for ten minutes in line. Just as it was our turn The Girls stomach started to turn. We then spent 15 minutes in the Sam's Club bathroom. She managed to feel good enough for me to stand in line (again) for 10 minutes. It was an eventful evening. 

9. Today everyone feels fine.

10. Oh! I have some links. Click over for some funny Starbucks etiquette lessons: Part One and Part Two. Cdub is my favorite barista. She is also the person who inspired me to blog. See started her blog The Biscuit way back in the day. She was cool before bloggers became cool. As a matter of fact, here is a little CoffeeGal Trivia...

11. My first blog was not La Vida Dulce. Almost 6 years ago I started a blog called My Blue Kitchen. But it wasn't the right time. I closed that up and a couple years later started La Vida Dulce...the rest is history. Been here almost four years!

12. Back to links....Are you a mom who feels discouraged? Are you a homeschooling mom who feels discouraged? Do you know a mom of young children who feels discouraged? Do you have a mom that feels discouraged? Go here...it will encourage.

13. Whew! If you are the praying sort you can pray for my nerves (and The Mister's safety) on Saturday morning. He has bought himself a power saw and is INTENT on taking down a dead tree in our yard. Its not as big as most of the Carolina pine that live on the lot, but its not a little sapling either. I don't plan to be here when he does it because I am supportive in that way. I don't doubt he can do it, but I don't doubt that its dangerous!

Happy Weekend! 

(I'll be unplugged tomorrow)

 

About Nothing Much

I am in the middle of cooking a very gourmet lunch: La Vida Dulce's Secret Recipe Chicken Noodle Soup.

The recipe is very fancy, and I don't like to share it because the process is top secret. Nobody has this recipe because its kept in the steel trap within my mind. 

So really, its all but inaccessible on any given day.

However, I am going to share it with you because I love to reward my La Vida Gals (and those two guys that read from time to time) with bits of information that you already thought of yourself.

Just keep it, you know, between you and me, and anybody with access to the world wide web. 

How did the Secret Recipe Chicken Noodle Soup recipe come to be? 

Well, I have two children who love soup. 

Wait! 

Back up the mini-van.

I have two children who love to eat noodles with chicken broth. 

There came a day, years ago, when I opened up a can of that red labeled soup we all grew up on, and it had those all familiar noodles, but it also had unidentifiable chunks floating in it that the kids refused to consume. 

I tried to convince them that those same bits of mystery meat were, in fact, the same ones they eat at McDonalds (sans the deep fried breading and order of fries, of course) but they would not believe me, no matter how much I persuaded.

Those smart people at Campbell's also make a double noodle soup that they claim is plain. Just chicken flavored broth (what is that anyway? Is it chicken broth or not?) and noodles. But my kids were hip on those microscopic bits of crushed up carrots hidden in midst. 

Have you ever tried to pick out carrot bits from a bowl full of noodles? It was like I was there all freaking day just picking, and picking!!!!!!

(deep breath)

Cleary, I take issue.  For heavens sake, I just want to fee my kids some lunch, and then kick them outside.

So this was how the Secret Recipe Chicken Noodle Soup recipe came to be born.

I hope you enjoy it.

The La Vida Dulce, Secret Recipe Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe

5 cups of water (you could go all Fiji or Evian if you want, and make it an international dish, but tap works for me)

4 tsp of Knorr Chicken Bouillon 

1.5 cups cubed chicken breast (In the past I used leftover grilled chicken, but recently on the advice of Mer I have started boiling a bunch of chicken breast once a month and chopping it up, and freezing it in recipe portions.)

Half a package of Spaghetti, broken into 2.75 inch pieces. (This is a very important part. Admittedly, it takes a little time to measure, but each noodle must be exactly two and three-quarters inches to let the flavor of the pasta out.

Just kidding! April Fools! 

Ok, bring water and bouillon to a boil, throw in chicken and spaghetti. If I am also eating soup I will ladle the kids bowls first, then throw in a handful of frozen veggies, because I don't like to eat my afternoon bon bon's until I've had my veggies first.

If you serve it to the kids with a pickle than you can check "served them veggies" off your list and take the next step in your day!

All right, my soup is ready, gotta go!

La Vida Dulce!

Say It Isn't So

I wasn't actually going to post today. 

We have been amazingly productive this morning, so I didn't want to break the groove. However, I think I am learning something today. So I might as well write about it.

Not to mention that I have 20 minutes before the rice I made for lunch will be ready.

(CPQ, you will be interested to know it is white rice. Shocking, I know.)

As you know, we live in the south, where it is supposed to be warm. 

I do not enjoy cold weather, with the exception of the permission it lends to drink myself into a hot java stupor. Which brings me to what I have learned...

I have had some major stomach issues for the last two weeks.  Waking up feeling fine, but around lunch time feeling not-so-hot; kind of bloaty in the mid-section with awful stomach cramps. 

Aren't ya glad you clicked over today?

I had decided my problem was oatmeal. 

In the winter months my breakfast of choice is quite often a large bowl of oatmeal (not instant) with walnuts and some kind of dried fruit (apricots or Craisens, but most definitely NOT raisins. Coffeegal doesn't do raisins), but get to the point already...

I might need to mention that I  also made a plethora of oatmeal-chocolate chip cookies two weeks in a row (I'm currently on a hunt for the perfect oatmeal cookie recipe), which I may or may not have eaten in copious quantities. I'll never tell.

Anyway, the short story is this (my twenty minutes is nearly up): 

I have had a stomach ache, and I thought it was the oats.

Oh, that I wish it was...

This morning I refrained from the oats, and opted for toast with peanut butter...and half a pot of coffee.

Felt good. Things were fine.

Around 11:00 I brewed up the second pot of coffee. 

Coffee was delicious.

But now? 

My stomach hurts and feels all bloaty.

What have I learned this week?

I might have to give up coffee learn to live with a stomach ache.

(To see what others are learning this week head on over to Jo-Lynne's Musing of a Housewife.)

Note To Self:

When going to the pet store to buy $60 of pet food and training treats, it best to look at which silver debit card you are tying to use.

It may just be your Sam's Club membership card.

They do look awfully alike.

I know that you were feeling a little flushed and embarrassed as you were trying for the third time to make that Sam's card work. 

However, exclaiming in a voice louder than usual, "I know there is money in this account, I just checked on-line before I got here!" was probably not the best way to react...nobody really believes that story anyway.

At least this is better than that time when you were at Costco and you had bought an entire, overflowing, cart of groceries, and realized that you had not transferred the grocery money over from the savings account (I do this in as effort to not spend on things I don't really need. It probably sounds crazy, but it works for me.) 

On that day you really did have insufficient funds. That really stunk. And it was no use trying to explain to everybody that you DID IN FACT have the money, it was just in another account.  

Sometimes the best course of action is to not say anything at all. 

Anyway, highly caffeinated Coffeegal, slow down a little. 

Relax. 

Not everything on the agenda will get done today. That's OK.

Think of the good things: You won't have to boil chicken and rice for the dogs' dinner tonight, and in all likelihood you won't try to pay for groceries with a membership card again.

Then again, knowing you...

Just be grateful for opportunities to laugh at yourself.  

Lovingly,

Kellie

Aack!!

Dear Bloggy buddies,

It has just occurred to me that I have been returning emails to many of you that you are not receiving.

Normally I do not respond to all comments by email, however, when you ask a specific question I desire to answer. However, I have been replying to No Reply Comments without realizing it. 

Which means I have sent you emails, to specific questions, and have been wondering why on earth I haven't heard back from you. All the while you are thinking I am a totally rude blogger!

There is a way to make sure that when you comment I can see you email address, but nobody else can...but I am not sure how you do it. Will one of my techie friends help a sister out (to quote the Carpoolqueen) and tell my good readers how to make it so I can talk back to them....because I never like to miss the chance to back talk.  

With much bloggy love,

LaVidaCoffeeGal

PS: Happy Friday! If you don't know anything about the problem above, that's OK. But please, tell me what your favorite rainy day activity is...I'm running out of ideas.

Meeting CPQ

I knew three things would be true about the Carpoolqueen without benefit of speaking to her face face:

• Although she writes with great humor and friendly sarcasm, I had a hunch she also had great depth.
  

• I knew we would laugh, and have ease of conversation.
  

• I knew she would be generous...I was certain she would bring a gift. 
  

I had anticipated this meeting all week and I was trying, with a great deal of effort, to play it cool. There is something about meeting somebody from the Internet, that say’s “be cool”. 

You never know what a blogger might have in her lovely, green, leather handbag.

As we dined on my favorite Asian cuisine (I always order the same thing, she never gets the same thing twice), we immediately set into rich conversation. We sort of by-passed the niceties and went for the gold. 

We talked about our kids and our husbands; Our churches, our friends, and of course our lives on the blogs.

We would flip from topic to topic without fully finishing each course; getting serious, lightening up.

Eventually we moved from the restaurant to the coffee house. 

The rain poured while we sipped our lattes. She sat leaned back in her chair with great ease. I fidgeted and sat at the edge of my seat, leaning in on the table. 

So different we are. And yet a lot alike.

I liked that. 

Two and a half hours later they were shutting us down.

What is there to tell you about CPQ?

She is adaptive and amenable.

I was a bit worried because I often have periods of time when I am burdened with thoughts that swirl in my head. By nature I am a deep thinker, never more so than when I have these contemplative times.

I’m on the tail end of one of those stages right now, and last night I was easily distracted. I left feeling like I wished I had talked less and listened more, especially when I would literally forget what I was saying in the middle of a sentence. CPQ in her calm, flexibility, seemed to take my flighty brain all in stride. She even remembered what I was talking about so I could finish a sentence.

She’s smart. Not just book smart, but life smart.

She loves the Lord, and desires to live authentically for Him. 

She is funny. I laughed with her as she teased me over brown rice and non-fat lattes. I love the camaraderie of friendly teasers. 

She is personable. We met an eclectic group of knitters having some girl time over yarn and coffee. CPQ immediately engaged them about octopus legs and meeting times, all with friendly ease.

She’s the real deal. Someone I am so grateful to have the chance to meet and to get to know better. Someone I am happy to call Amiga (she’s also bilingual).

And I am not just saying these things because she brought me a present: 

This is a cheesy picture of me and my new stash of Tim Horton’s Coffee. I drank a half a pot of this delicious draft and will say, I’m actually sorry she’s generous. Because now I am going to have to get me a secret Horton Hook-up, to supply my caffeine needs. 

There are a thousand other things I could say, like how we were giddy with excitement as Mer and Gretchen tweeted and emailed from the other side of the nation.  Or about the sweet college girls that helped us take really good pictures, in really bad lighting. And how they made us roll our eyes  laugh with their youthful lists of lingerie. Or about the lady who wore a hat with three-corners…but I need to wrap up this post because I am dying to know what CPQ wrote about this night. 

So, CPQ, it was so fun to meet you IRL. Can't wait to do it again soon.

La Vida Dulce!

Guiltlessy Taking a Break

I closed the school down for today and tomorrow in hopes of gaining some much needed control on my home. 

If you remember, The Girls answer to 'What makes me happy?', she answered, when the house is clean.

The Girl knows her Mama. 

I have had my coffee and a big ole' bowl of Kashi Go Lean;

I have my cleaning sweatshirt on (since it is foggy, cold and rainy!) and I hope to have the downstairs, and all the bathrooms CLEAN by lunch time. 

After lunch time I hope to get a jog in, and then start getting ready for my visit with the Carpoolqueen. 

I am really hoping to have good hair. Have I mentioned that my hair dryer broke right before church on Sunday morning and I have had a string of bad hair days since. There is nothing can get me down quicker than when my hair isn't fixed...I am truly the most vain woman on the planet. 

Anyway, I did some BIG preparation for my meeting with CPQ, last night.

I bought a hair dryer.

Thinking about meeting CPQ made me think about what I did to prepare for my first bloggy-friend encounter. You can read about my meeting Darcie, and about her meeting  me, here. 

Its amazing how this blogging thing can bring people together.

All right, I gotta go get cleaning or I may decide to read a book until its time to go. (This weather is killing my productivity.)

Happy Thursday!

Wednesday's Weird Ways

Things have been a little heavy around La Vida Dulce (or at least my heart has felt heavy), so let's lighten things up, shall we?

Let me tell you about something in my life that I don't often share with people, lest I be labeled a "granola-eating tree-hugger"... although to be honest I do eat plenty of granola and, there are worse things to be called...

Anyway, back in the day when I lived in North Texas, the juicing craze hit our area, and I got swept in. 

I was a young mom, with a busy life, and a few issues, and I was in need of energy. There was a Friendly Juicing Lady who swore that juicing could cure any ailment, from hiccups to heat-stroke, with a daily drink of freshly squeezed veggies. 

However, her big push was ALL! THE! ENERGY! you could gather by simply swallowing a swig of orange colored root cure. 

The Holy Grail of vegetables: The Carrot. 

A couple of my friends were already on the carrot juice bandwagon, I didn't want to be left out of the loop. 

(For as much as I am a leader, when it comes to following I've done my fair share.)

Next thing I knew, I was buying carrots by the 10 pound bags and was drinking juice like a bunny on steroids. 

My first and last purchase on ebay was this archaic looking appliance. 

I call him Champ, the Champion Juicer. He weighs about 15 pounds and has a mean edge. Not only does he churn out the best of fresh juices, but he also makes all sorts of "nut butters" and the best crushed ice around.

I no longer juice everyday, and I've graduated to veggies beyond carrots (dark greens are good for you!) but I still occasionally enjoy juicing.

Does it give me more energy? Honestly, I don't really notice, but I do know that there are a lot of good vitamins in drinking veggies. 

My drink of choice is carrots, kale, celery, apple and cucumber.  (The artichoke is for dinner tonight, but since I was washing veggies I photographed him too.)

It's scary to look at, and I have to drink it over ice, and with a straw. But it's really not that bad. Really.

So there you go...

A La Vida Dulce Wednesday Weird-Ways.

What I Have Learned This Week: Its Not About Me

I learned this week that opportunity isn't about a title, a job, or a pat on the back. 

It isn't knowing the right the person, or saying the right thing.  It isn't the right make-up, it isn't the right clothes. It isn't in the dollars in my bank account or the diamond on my finger. 

Opportunity isn't in what I look like, what I sound like, or what I may do. It isn't the size of my house, or the car I drive.

Opportunity isn't a contest. It isn't the number of friends on my side bar; it isn't the ability to reciprocate.

Opportunity comes from being who I am-- and being available to those who come along the path. 

Its not being ashamed to feel: to cry or throw my head back in joy. 

Its about sharing my life, and letting it loudly proclaim that I didn't do it alone. Nor will I walk in this day unattended.

I am learning that while I was busy plodding through mud and wondering how to make it look tidy, God has taken my ashes and turned it into a crown of beauty. 

In my heart and in my life. 

And while I was looking for opportunities to prove I am worthy of those things, God's opportunities have been laid before me...

In an email.

Over a cup a coffee.

On the phone.

In a store.

At my desk.

On a bike ride.

Opportunities that surprise and humble me; and make me want to rejoice and hide. I worry about failing when called.

Hearing a whisper of the One who says, "Kellie, seek Me first, and you'll be ready in season and out. "

That is opportunity.

Oh, that I might not miss those opportunities when they come...

And who knows but that you have come to (this place) for such a time as this?

Esther 4:14

To see what others have learned this week, head on over to Musings of a Housewife.

Monday Update

Sometimes I feel like I write about stuff on this blog with the intention of coming back and giving you an update. Then time marches on, or I get distracted by a bright shiny object, and I forget.

So here is an update, and a few random things I wanted to tell you:

• My mom made it through her surgery on Wednesday with flying colors. You could still pray for her if you think of it because now she will have to go through the process of trying to figure out how to live without her thyroid. People do it every day, but finding just the right amount of medication that she needs will be a process.  She is ready to feel better. 

• Her surgery day proved to be a very difficult day for me. I have often missed being home on a holiday or special day. But not being able to be there when she went in for surgery was tough. My mom and I have had a close mother/daughter relationship. There have been times, here and there, when we have had our moments, you know, back in that days before I had children and thought she didn’t really know much. Somehow, after I had children all the stupid things she did when I was a kid, suddenly seemed amazingly smart…Who knew! (obviously not me) What I am saying is that my mom and I talk on a daily basis. Having a 24 hour period in which I couldn’t communicate with her (whether it was to tell her that I found a cute pair of shoes, or that one of her precious grandchildren just brought a wild reptile in the house) made me remember that when God was passing out Mothers on the day I was born, He gave me a good one. 

• I forgot to tell you that The Girl was at a horse riding lesson two weeks ago and had a little mishap. The horse she was riding stepped into a hornets nest and proceeded to go wild as the hornets stung her (the horse's) face and rump. The Girl managed to hold on for dear life, but it was definitely a “learning experience.”

• Speaking of learning experiences, I have decided that I am going to paint my kitchen cabinets white. The Mister has also told me that I can purchase the sink and faucet I want (I am nothing if not s-p-o-i-l-e-d), so that project will be started the first day of summer vacation. Anyone wanna help?

• Why is it that when it isn’t convenient to me I can think of a hundred thing I want to post, but when I am here, sitting quietly in The Nest, my mind suddenly goes blank?

• I get to meet the Carpoolqueen this week! I am very excited and wondering what I should wear? This really is an important decision, because before we dive into a cup of coffee and talk about the perils of life beyond the computer, I want her to know I do actually wear things other than my pajama’s.

• Although wouldn’t it be funny if I met her in my PJ’s?

OK  I should wrap this up. 

Happy Monday!

Oh Goodness, the kids get to post

I must preface this by saying three things: First, this was hard for The Girl, she was very concerned with hurting my feelings. When I assured her that it was OK, and I wouldn't be hurt she let things be honestly known. The Boy did not feel such pressure. Second, I asked the kids these questions independantly, so as to not have them influence each other. Third, I want to, for the purposes of clarification, say that The Mister and I are a very playful couple. I thought about changing one answer in particular, but it's the truth; the unfiltered, playful truth.

With that said, here is the gut-wrenchingly honest look at Kellie the Coffeegal through the eyes of her children. The Girl's answers are in pink. The Boy's in blue.

1. What is something your mom always says to you?

Take a shower
To wake up in the morning.

2. What makes your mom happy?
When the house is clean 
Coffee

3. What makes your mom sad?
When her plants die when she tries to grow them.
When babies are sick.

4. How does your mom make you laugh?
When she laughs and I don't even know what she's laughing about.
When we are cooking and I grate cheese and she says to "Be careful, we don't want finger bits in the there" 

5. What was your mom like as a child?
Pretty
Probably responsible since she took care of her brothers a lot.

6. How old is your mom?
20
36

7. How tall is your mom?
5 feet
5 foot something

8. What is her favorite thing to do?
Hang out with me
Go to Starbucks

9. What does your mom do when you're not around?
Watches stuff and folds laundry
Probably do things that she can't do with us, like take a shower, or go to parties.

10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for?
A famous singer.

For playing guitar and singing.

11. What is your mom really good at?
Playing the guitar and singing, and loving me.
Taking care of us, being a mom

12. What is your mom not very good at?
I don't want to say cause it will make you sad. (I won't be sad, just say it) You don't go outside with us very much.

Staying awake while watching a movie

13. What does your mom do for a job?

Homeschool us.
Be a mom. 

14. What is your mom's favorite food?
Liver (no its not). Smoothies.
Coffee

15. What makes you proud of your mom?
That she loves us and cares for us.
That she's my mom.

16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be?

Kermit the Frog
The  Road Runner, you know the one that says,"Beep Beep"

17. What do you and your mom do together?
Have movie night and go out with each other on Fridays. And take care of Sophie.
Go shopping (sometimes for clothes)

18. How are you and your mom the same?
We both sing good and love each other and we do everything together.
We both hate it when Kona rolls in poop, and we're both funny and good at cooking.

19. How are you and your mom different?
She works out and I don't, and she LOVES every vegetable in the world, and I don't
My little toe is different than hers (she doesn't have pinky toe nails.)

20. How do you know your mom loves you?
Because she care for me and kisses me and hugs me when I am sad.
All sorts of different ways. She tucks me in at night, and today she let me eat four muffins. She also just tells me she loves me.

21. What does your mom like most about your dad?
He's handsome and cute and lovable. Not one of those stuck up guys. He's a nice guy.
That he spanks her. 

22. Where is your mom's favorite place to go?
Cracker Barrel
Hawaii

Top O' The Morning To Ya'll!

How did you like my southern/Irish accent this morning?

Happy St. Patrick's Day! Are you wearing green?

I am going to join in the St. Patty's Day fun by joining JanMary's carnival today. 

JanMary is perhaps my only international reader. And is a reminder to me of why I love blogging so much. I love getting to peek into her world which is so very far away, and yet just within the click of my mouse. She has a joyful spirit and has many talents!

Even if you aren't participating in the carnival I would encourage you to click over to her site. I learned a lot about how St. Patricks Day is a total different creature here in America.

For my part of the carnival I am going to share my little piece of Ireland today. Afterall, as they say in Dublin, "Everyone's Irish on St. Patrick's Day." I for one, couldn't be prouder! I am wearing my green and hope to make some sort of green cookie or cake to go with dinner tonight! 

Pictured below is my "Pure Irish Linen". Of course after reading JanMary's post today, it could be as "pure" as Lucky Charms Cereal, but I still believe!

I received this for my fifteenth birthday from my history teacher. (I have know idea why, but I have this uncanny ability to remember almost every giver of the gifts I have received. I can't remember to put gas in the car, but at least I can remember something!)

I keep my Pure Irish Linen in my box of things I treasure. I just love its simplicity, and back in those days of teenage-hood I was amazed that I had something from so far away. Still amazed, to be honest with you! 

Hope y'all have a great day!

***If you think about it, say a prayer for my Mom. She is having surgery tomorrow to remove her thyroid. I am certain she is going to do great, but a prayer for peace would be perfect. Both for her and my Dad (who isn't too keen on hospitals. At all!) 

****Here is a random picture that my kids wanted me to post for their Grannie. They wanted her (and now you) to see how cute Sophie looks, listening to Lewis and Clarks Expedition across America. That is where she has been perched lately as we read our history together. 

I did not really want to post this picture, seeing as this was the day I got up, worked out, showered and put my pj's back on. It had been raining for several days and I was protesting by not wearing make-up. Also, you can see how organized my desk is behind me. I can assure you that I know exactly where everything is as I sit at that desk each day. It is organized chaos. I swear.

La Vida Dulce!

Cupcake Profiling

I was in desperate need of something to fill space on the blog this morning. I was looking for some sort of meme, but there isn't a whole lot going around right now. 

I found this short survey on the net and thought I would give it try. I'm not sure about the personality review, but they got the flavor right. I LOVE Vanilla (although I don't think I've met a cupcake I didn't enjoy...well, actually, I am not a huge fan of carrot cake, especially if it has raisins...)

Anyway, if I was a cupcake I would be....

You Are a Vanilla Cupcake

You are very sweet and mellow. You are easy going and easy to like. You are drawn to those stronger personalities. You get along with powerful people. You are like a cupcake because you appeal to almost every type of person. You are friendly and accepting. You bring out other people's best qualities.

  

What cupcake are you?

Random Poll: Re-Occurring Dream

Its raining here. A cold, steady rain that is forcing me back and forth to the coffee pot. 

Its a burden. 

One I gladly bear.

This weather reminds me of the first time we moved here to NC. It was exactly 4 years ago, during the first weeks of March. It was raining and we were staying in a horrendous motel, waiting for the closing of our new home.

As I was reminiscing this morning about that time, I could almost feel the insecurity I felt back then.

We moved from Texas to North Carolina, right in the middle of The Boy's 1st grade year. I was leaving a group of friends that knew me well. I wasn't really thrilled with moving, but was doing so for The Mister's job. I was comfortable and happy. I had my niche and circle of influence. 

We get here, and we don't know a soul, and now I have to try to get in with "The Mom's" in a new school, in the middle of the year. This is not easy, as groups have formed, friendships are made. I was feeling insecure.

I never really knew how insecure I was feeling until I started having this re-occurring dream:

I'm driving the white mini-van to school. 

The kids are buckled in their seats. 

We approach the school and make a left into the driveway. 

I pull into the line of cars at the drop off curb. 

I bring the car to a stop to wait. 

I look down. 

I'm not wearing a shirt.

In my dream I start to panic: What will the teacher think? What if another mom sees me? How will I explain? They are going to think I'm weird! I'm boxed in by the carpool lane, how can I get out?

I always woke up before we reached our turn. Whew!

I haven't had that dream in awhile now, but it makes me laugh because I can still vividly remember my re-occurring dream as a little girl...I was walking to school, tin Holly Hobby lunch box in hand, cool desert air licking my face. I walk up to the enormous red brick wall outside the classroom to line up with the my classmates. I look down, and realize I have forgotten to put on my shirt. 

Its always the shirt. The rest of the clothes make it on, but I always forget the shirt.

What about you? What is your re-occurring dream?