I've never quit...

reading a book once I've started it. In the case of many books, it takes a little while to "get into" it and form bonds with the characters.

However,

I'm almost ready to quit.

I have been reading this book since I finished The Hour I First Believed by Wally Lamb. For those of you who have been following me for a while ~ ok, at least a month, I finished that one at the end of August. And this current book, it's not even very long! Only 258 pages.

Here it is,

This is my current read:





And like the title, I've ALMOST quit. More than once.

But here I am plodding through, sometimes only a page at a sitting.

Because, I am not a quitter.

Even while I have 4 books just sitting here willing me to pick them up and become immersed in their characters, tragedies, triumphs, and lessons. In their stories.

But there IS light at the end of the tunnel. The story has picked up and I am over halfway done. And with any luck, I'll be finished before Halloween!

Not so Good Sunday Football

Steelers VS. Bengels


We were ready! Our Spirit and Confidence was up! And it seemed Reed's confidence was back as he made good on a 19 yard Field goal to get the Steelers on the board.

Next stop....

The End Zone!

TOUCHDOWN!

Way to go Parker!

This Brings us to the Second Half ~ oh how we wish this game ended after the 2nd quarter!

UGH! Ben throws an interception!

Then...

COME ON SWEED! HOLD ONTO THE BALL! WE COULD HAVE HAD A TOUCHDOWN!

Ok Reed! You CAN do it! I know its for 52 yards, but YOU CAN DO IT!

Kick it right there...

right through the uprights!

NO...

COME ON GUYS!

~

TOUCHDOWN!

Way to bring it in BEN!

14 unanswered points by the Bengals and We are SO ready for this to be over!

~

FINAL:

Steelers 20

Bengals 23

Hopefully Next week is better!

~

Personally, I am VERY MUCH looking forward to Polomalu coming back ~ sooner than later!

Something to Think About Sundays

Be Healthy,

Treat others with Compassion

Have Confidence and

Act Respectfully......

Four (of the many) important things I want to instill in my daughters and my son.

We are not all perfect......

Looks can be decieving:

Be who you are.

Have goals and dreams.

Do your BEST.

And remember, you are perfect just the way you are!

1 Samuel 16:7

But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."

Fundraisers...

Well, school is in session for the kids. We are getting back into a regular routine with after school activities, homework and earlier bedtimes. Life is good.

However, Sassy burst through the door last week super excited. Talking a mile a minute. I could only imagine something fabulous happened to her that day at school.

What was that you are wondering? Ooh, an all school fundraiser pep rally (yes, your are correctly reading my sarcasm)! And boy was she excited. I mean really, if you sell 3 items you get a Rubik's cube eraser! 8 items you ask? A Magic worm ~ you can even go online and see a demonstration of this fabulous thing!

Come on, what parent WOULDN'T want at least one of these at their house?

And that's only if you sell 8 items! 15 ~ free cookie dough, 35 a limo ride, 60 items... a trip to the money machine where you get to grab money and keep whatever you grab!

WHO wouldn't be excited about all of this?

Umm, ME!

I dislike asking family and friends to purchase this stuff. I mean the cookie dough is pretty good and super simple. There is some cute gift wrap. But now that we have 2 kids vying for prizes and striving for the money machine how do you keep it even and fair, all while trying to explain to your children that it really isn't about the prizes. Its about supporting their school!

Well, it starts. And we will support the school in this first of MANY fundraisers throughout this school year. Hopefully they won't be too disappointed with their Rubik's cube erasers!

Blueberry Muffins with Cream Cheese Frosting

Well, since my kids are off to school ~ 2 out of 3 anyway, I though I would have a couple of girlfriends and their kiddos over for playing, chatting, coffee (although since I'm the only one NOT pregnant, I drank coffee for everyone), and of course something to eat....

Blueberry Muffins with Cream Cheese Frosting

I got this recipe from Rhiannon at Pink Sugar Desserts ~ this one isn't currently on her blog, but there are so many other tasty, beautiful treats there to enjoy! Check her out!

DELICIOUS!

Muffin Directions:

1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 1/2 cups cake flour (not self rising)
1 tbsp baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup unsalted butter, room temp
1 3/4 cups sugar
4 large eggs, room temp
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 1/4 cups milk, at room temp
2 cups fresh blueberries plus more for garnish

Preheat oven to 350

In a large bowl, whisk together flours, baking powder and salt.

In a separate bowl, cream together the butter and sugar. Then add the eggs one at a time. Next, beat in the vanilla.

Add flour mixture in three batches, alternating with the milk, to the butter mixture. Mix well after each addition.


Finally, fold in the blueberries.


Divide batter into muffin tins (I recommend using liners!) and bake for 25 minutes rotating the pan halfway through.

Let cool before frosting


The frosting:

1 8 oz pkg. cream cheese
1 cup icing sugar (also known as powdered sugar)
1 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla extract
3/4 tsp lemon extract
1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream

With electric mixer beat whipping cream until stiff peaks form, set aside.

Combine cream cheese, sugar, salt, vanilla, lemon extract, beat until smooth.

Fold in whipped cream.

Pipe onto cupcakes.

YUMMY!

Over the River and.....

Over the river and thru the woods,

To grandmother's house we go;

The horse knows the way

To carry the sleigh,

Thru the white and drifted snow, oh!

Over the river and thru the wood,

Oh, how the wind does blow!

It stings the toes,

And bites the nose,

As over the ground we go.

I mean....

Down the highway and across the boarder to our Grandparent's house we go.

The drive feels so slow only 3 more to go and then we can stretch out our toes.

Down the highway and across the boarder oh how my ears do hurt.

Smiley is yelling and the others are bellowing how much longer to we have to go.

Down the highway and across the boarder to have a first rate play. We're off on a tour and then to a store because its what we want to do.
Down the highway and across the boarder now it's time to go to the zoo. We're having so much fun we don't want to be done but the kids and grandpa do.

Down the highway and across the boarder this is my final verse!

We've had such a blast, we wish it would last, but it's time to say goodbye.

NOW IT'S

Up the highway and across the boarder back to our little home.

We thank you so much for letting us come we appreciate it a ton!

Lets Spin!

On Wednesdays, I like to go to a spin class at the health club we belong to. The instructor is amazing. She has great music and lots of energy. The class is typically 1 hour long although she likes to throw in some 1 1/2 hour and 2 hour classes just for punishment fun.

I love to watch my heart rate monitor of course to keep track of my heart rate but really, I love to see my caloric expenditure keep on ticking ~ up and up and up! Yesterday was 723 calories and I didn't finish the entire class because I was tired and ready to be done some little girl doesn't like to be in the daycare at the club without her siblings! LITTLE STINKER!

Anyway, Action knows how much I like spin class and so he devised a way to try it for himself. Creative little bugger I have here.

Check this out:

He takes his bike and props up the training wheels.

AND

Voila ~ there you have it, your very own spin bike. He actually asked me to take his spin class! I think I might just need a bigger bike though!

YOU LIKE ME!

This is what first popped into my head:

When Lisa from Smell the Coffee Lisa gave me this:

And now for my acceptance speech.....

First of all, I would like to thank you Lisa for loving me... umm I mean my blog. The hours I spend writing these thought provoking post have finally paid off, emotionally if not financially.

Um, one minute..

Kayne! No, Kayne! Who let you into my house? This is my award. I don't care if you don't like my blog! It's not about you! NO you can't use my computer for a second. Seriously, Kayne, get out of here! No, I don't know if Beyonce has a blog. Don't let the door hit you in the .........

Ah, Sorry about that guys! Anyway, I would like to pass this beauty on to a few blogs (I would love to give it to ALL of you!) that I love so... hint hint, go check them out!

Mama Kat at Mama's Losin It ~ Your posts are so "real", funny and down to earth ~ I can completely relate!

Jennifer Juniper at Hope Studios ~ I love your craft ideas, creative cooking ideas (you know hot dogs and spaghetti noodles :) ) And being a Steeler Fan doesn't hurt!

and to:

Happy Mom at Nothing Less Than a Miracle ~ You are a great friend and little guy is a miracle! Even if he does wear a packer shirt!

Thanks bloggers for putting yourselves out there and bringing a smile to my face!

AND ~

Thanks again Lisa! You made my day ~ even if Kayne tried to steal my spotlight!

Tutu cute!

I first posted about these here and I know promised you all I would tell you how to make them! Well, wait no longer! Here you go! And be sure to send me pictures of your finished products!

It seems that tutus for little girls are everywhere these days:

They are here at Nordstroms and here at Gymboree:

And here at Old Navy:

Some of them are expensive and some are not.

But why not save some money, and make your own?

BELIEVE ME,

THEY ARE EASY TO MAKE!

Supplies:

Tulle ~ whatever color/colors you want ~ about 3 yards (however, if making for an older child you may need/want more)

Elastic about 2" wide ~ length is determined by child's waist size.

Thread and needle or sewing machine

Directions:

Cut the Elastic the correct length (once again, determined by the waist of the child) and sew the ends together using your sewing machine, or thread and needle.

Cut the tulle into strips ~ 4-6" wide , The length of each strip will be determined by how tall the child is and how short long you want the tutu. Once you determine the length you want DOUBLE IT! For Smiley, I made my strips about 6x20.

Now the hard part ~ slip the elastic over your leg and begin to tie the tulle onto the elastic. Here's what I found to work best: Tie with a double knot, but don't make them too tight as you don't want to make the elastic bunch and fold. And make sure you place your knot at the base of the elastic, doing so will make the tulle lay nicer.

Voila ~ That's it! If you want to be fancy you can doll it up by hot gluing some flowers or bows to the front. I have flowers, but was too excited to put it on my little Smiley that I just skipped that part I'm not fancy so I didn't do that.



The Finished Product:

What Privacy?

For those of you with children in your house.....

Are you like me and long for the day when you can take a shower or use the bathroom without someone knocking or just walking in?

This morning for example, I was showering while Smiley crawled around the bathroom floor, playing on the scale, mad that I put the garbage can out of reach, and trying to climb into the shower with me; Action waltzed in to tell me his shorts didn't feel quite right (a little quirk of his). Upon my explaining that I could not, at that moment help him out he decided to stay and entertain his sister. VERY HELPFUL! Of course, Sassy soon appeared needing my brush for her hair. I tell you it was one big party!

The days of quiet showers are gone for now. And as much as I miss them, I suspect when they are back I will long for them to go away.

Enjoy your family today ~ even the moments that drive you crazy!

Happy Monday everyone!

Something to Think about Sunday

“A good deed is never lost: he who sows courtesy reaps friendship; and he who plants kindness gathers love.”

― St. Basil

A break from a Friday Funny

~ WE REMEMBER ~

I received this via e-mail in the days following 9/11:



"I understand that a 10 year old from Pennsylvania drew this picture. I've seen a lot of art but I must say this is the most awesome I have ever seen. What comfort it gives me!"

Please, stop and pray for all those whose lives were taken from them on 9/11 and for their families. And for all those who have bravely fought to protect our country!

God Bless the USA!

Day 1 and Day 2 down

**UPDATE**

Day 3 ~ this morning action came into my room at 6:25 with tears in his eyes....
He says to me, "Mom, can you call my teacher and tell her school is cancelled?" Thankfully with the help of Daddy, we got him all cheered up and excited once again for the day. Then on the way to the bus stop..... he stepped in dog poop. I mean really... on the sidewalk even! Come on people! So I ran home and cleaned up his shoe, and just as I was getting his shoe back on the bus pulled up and he took off with his sister. Whew! On a side note: This is another of the MANY reasons I don't allow shoes on in the house!

Original post:

Well.... Day 1 went down without a hitch. Sassy was excited to go to school and start 3rd grade. She was excited about her teacher and knew a few students in her class ~ there were lots of other classmates she recognized.

Action did not have regular class on Tuesday like his sister. He had family day. Action and I went to school together for 1 1/2 hours. There we met his teacher again, did a couple of projects and lucky me... I got to fill out the dreaded paperwork. I am thrilled with the teacher he has. Sassy had her too. She is such a sweet lady and actually brought in the outfit that she was going to wear the next day to school so the kindergartners would recognize her.

My hubby and I kept up conversation with Action about how he was feeling and about how he was/is brave and stressed that he would have fun at school. He just kept telling us he was nervous.

On to this morning (day 2)....

Action was up bright and early 6:15. Bubbly and goofy! He was giggly and seemed excited, but insisted he was only nervous. At 7:30 he was ready to go outside ~ mind you the bus doesn't pick up the kids until 8:35. So he scootered around and played a bit outside then came back in and played with his sisters until it was time to get some pictures of him and head down to the bus stop.

Here is a shot of all the kids in the neighborhood waiting for the bus

And then it came..... and off went my Sassy girl and my little big guy. Sassy was a great big sister and sat with him on the bus (said she would everyday until he doesn't want her to anymore), she led him in the right direction when the got to school and helped ease his nerves.

Once Sassy and Action were on their way, Smiley and I strolled back home. I looked at her and said, "Well little girl, its just you and mommy this morning."

Her response:

Oh, and if your wondering....

Action said he had a good 1st day in kindergarten. He said it was better than he thought it would be. And when he went to bed tonight.....

He asked, "How many more days until Saturday?"

You just have to love that kid!