The Guernsey Literary and Potato Pie Society

I FINALLY was able to get through my super slow book so I could move on to this gem. Fortunate for me, I won this in a giveaway my dear friend had on her blog. (Thanks Jenna!) I am reading it now and although I am sure it could be a quick read - I am taking my time. I must admit that I really enjoy it. I will write my "review" of the book once I am finished and then let you know what other books I'll be sticking my nose in.

Ever wonder

Why in the world we even have weather forecasters? Yeah... me too. Especially today. Forecast: Sunny, high 80's or something. This afternoon arrives and clouds start coming in, definitely foreboding rainfall. Just dumped a bunch of rain and some thunder as well on this end of town. Was it in the forecast? No way. LOVE how weather is SO unpredictable. Not to mention those days it is supposed to be in the 60's and then hits close to 90. Last days, anyone?

Happy to Announce.....

Tada!! My hubby did it! Guess what came in the mail today!? Oh yes.... my registration sticker!!! Hoorah! I was so stinkin happy to see it lying there in my entryway this morning when I got home from running errands. It just made my day. I was going to start sweatin' bullets in a few days if nothing had come yet. That chapter in my life has now closed.... SO grateful.

Bone to Pick

**** Disclaimer... if you don't want to read complainin' don't read this*******

When you are personally handling a complaint/problem for someone, you call them. If I leave a message for you, you call back - you don't let ME get back to you. However, this is the problem with the government. THEY DON'T CARE. There is no "customer satisfaction guarantee" You got beef, they dish it back. They don't care how many people they help in a day... or even if they help ANYONE. Sad story is: members of the military give their LIVES to protecting freedom. In one form or another, if you make the military a career, you are giving your life for your country. A life without being at choir concerts, birthday parties, anniversaries, school graduations, church talks, missing potty training and first steps, teeth, etc. They miss a lot of it. Not every single one, but most. Instead of enjoying what most of us consider (and I guarantee you - the people who work at the government buildings (aka DMV) always get to participate in) LIFE, they are serving everyone. That is just as true of military families. They sacrifice just about everything to support their loved one in serving our country. You may think... poor soldier, sailor, etc. No.... poor families as well! To think my family is serving EVERYONE...including the ungrateful, going to treat you like crud because I don't care citizens (aka government employees). Basically, the government doesn't support itself! Only in America.

So, I have exactly 10 days to get my new registration in the mail. I have been working on this for OVER a month. 1) tried getting my registration renewal from the people who moved into our old place.... check 2) sent in the information after calling DMV about changing my address...check 3) got it sent back to me requesting more info (like the IKE stamp all over the paperwork wasn't enough proof he was military).... check 4)drive up to PA to redo my inspection, call them again - assured that indeed they do not need the additional info to process.... just send it in how it is... check 5) get it back AGAIN (this time with NO returned check) requesting more info..... check 6)Asked to fax information.... check 7) say they didn't receive information (after I called them TWICE to catch the lady in her office - she didn't return my previous call) 7) OVERNIGHT the crap (at $16)and after filling out two different envelopes with ALL three of my children in tow, of course with my mobile two causing a stir and virtually bringing me to tears.... check



BETTER GET MY STINKIN STICKER AND REGISTRATION CARD BEFORE THE END OF THE MONTH!!!!
YOU THINK I WANT A REFUND!?? STINK YEAH! (for a $36 registration, I have now paid over 50, plus stress and hassle) should be free as far as I'm concerned!
Again.... there are no "thanks" for the military - just more manure you have to drag them through to make YOU feel better. You really want to thank us? Give us a couple grand, because the government sure isn't!


Oh... and just you wait... you OBAMACARE lovers, you'll see just what I mean if this mess of a system is actually put into effect.

Trip to D.C.

We took a quest to try to visit the D.C. Zoo while visiting with family. Due to the high visitor volume, the day found us at Arlington Cemetery. We watched the changing of the guard for the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers as well. We even found some of my ancestors that were buried there.




The popcorn tree we found while we were there.....


The granddaughters and my beautiful sister.




My sister and her beautiful family


My family connecting with our roots... well, sort of.

Easter Egg Hunt

During our visit with family (our mini family reunion) we had an Easter Egg Hunt between General Conference sessions on Saturday at the church.

Perrydell

Occasionally when we visit my parents in the great state of Pennsylvania, we visit a family owned farm called Perrydell. They make their own ice cream and everything! We used to get milk from there for a time while we were growing up. We stopped by with all the kids in tow to get some ice cream and see the cows. Destructo-girl was so excited about the cows, but was deathly afraid to touch one. Little Momma loved petting the babies and wanted someone to pet her when she stuck her head through the cow cut out that they have their for pictures. My least favorite thing was the bees. Yikes! I really dislike flying bugs of all kinds.

Lovin' Life

As I was driving the worst roads in this country, I was thinking on the last leg of how much I really love my life.

I LOVE:

* the way 64 looks in the Spring (minus all the red lights)
* The trees, the flowers, the blue sky. It's absolutely wonderful!
* my children (most of the time)
* that my life is mostly simple
* my husband and really hope he's coming home soon
* that the next 3 years may be the best we will have so far
* to hear the birds in the morning
* that it stays light out later
* the feel of new beginnings and the feeling of hope that accompanies this season
* Rita's
* all the awesome fruit available at the stores - and I also love watching the prices go down this time of year

Despite all of my trials and the continual trial of being the "lonesome" parent, I genuinely feel happy. I pray that it continues to be that way.

SPRING!.....well, sort of

Lately, we have been having some really crazy weather. Most days this past week felt like summer. I got back from my early spring break trip to PA to find everything (yes... everything) coated with a layer of yellow pollen. SO my least favorite thing in the world to see in this state. THANK HEAVEN for the rain last night that finally washed away that film so I don't walk around outside, then when I enter my house, leave yellow footprints of pollen on my tile.

On the up side, I am loving the sunshine and the breeze. The trees have known for about a half month now that it is most definitely Spring. Now that it's finally here... you know what else is?? Project time! I hope to get a lot accomplished and made this spring and summer. Couldn't be happier that the weather has finally changed.

Rita's Tribute

Boy o boy, I am truly slacking these days. I didn't get to remind all you wonderful people (all of you pretty much knew already) about free Rita's! It was this past Saturday. Sorry for those of you who missed it. If you mosey on in to see them on 21st street and sign up for their email list - they will send you an email each day of their flavors (or tell you when your favorite flavor is there). It's kinda handy when you are craving something truly fabulous. I hope you enjoyed your freebie. I think I'll have to just sample the PEEPS flavor just to say that I have tried it! hmmm... is it friday yet?!!
image courtesy of their website

Cake decorating with YW

Earlier this month, the Beehives learned some cake decorating skills. They did pretty well, don't ya think?

 

Of course we can't go without a BIG thank you to Tara - the talent that inspired all of this fun.

THANKS TARA!!

Lastly, here is my creation. I was stinkin proud of myself - thanks for showing me how to do it Tara! (and reminding me how un-crafty I am!)



VOILA!!

COUNTDOWN!!

guess what i put on this morning??? after seeing the change on my scale since i was sick, i decided... let's go ahead and dust off those 10's. whaddya know? they fit!! EVERY SINGLE ONE!! I just took a picture of the first one though. hey... stop drooling!! heheh just kidding. might i also add that i am wearing a medium shirt as well?! bring on the medium size range - lovin it up!

March Madness

For anyone who knows us - they know that March is kinda a crazy month for birthdays around here. Thank heavens all the birthdays belong to adults (that would be NUTS for birthday cakes). Yesterday was Jeremiah's mom's birthday (53), today is my sister - Jamie's- birthday (23), Tuesday is Jeremiah's (big 2-9), and my Dad's is the last day of the month (big 5-0)!! Happy Birthday everyone and I'm grateful you are in my life. I hope this year ends up being GREAT for you all!

Bubby is 6 months yesterday!

Can't believe how time has flown! Let me tell you though - he is the sweetest little man I could have ever dreamed of! I just love him up. If I would have known boys could be this fun... I totally would have had them first! (like I had a choice) Here's a mug of this handsome child of mine:
I think he may have a bit of those killer eyes his biggest sister has been blessed/cursed with. Whaddya think?

Freebie

I love it when people think of my little family to give things to. Yesterday we were outside enjoying the sunshine and a neighbor comes over and offers us this:

for free! Thank you to all the nice people who have thought of us and handed us down some clothes and fun stuff. I know that you are blessed!

Thank YOU TARA!!

Totally love bug bombs now. We got them awhile ago in hopes to get rid of the "water bugs" that thrive in this area. (knock on wood) So far so good as far as continuing to work. As much as bugs aren't fun... I would much rather come across a dead one than a live one. I've even found some itty bitty spiders dead as well!! Here's to hoping my house stays bug free until the next bug bombing.

First for everything

Friday was the first day that I consumed all of the water that I was supposed to in a day's time. That's 80 oz of water! Man... did my bladder hate me for awhile. That is what my new goal for myself is - to drink that much water everyday. Other great news... I lost almost 3 lbs this month (bad weight loss... good last week!). However.... I will totally be losing more weight this month. Hooray! By the way: congratulations for winning the month Brooke!

Projects on the brain

Yes... I've got close to MILLIONS of projects on the brain, just no time or materials to execute them! Yikes! I am getting excited though - nice weather + projects on the brain = completed projects and so much fun! Trying to keep the "spirit" of living alive. I think a lot of times, the women of the deployed get depressed and in a funk - well, here's to hoping that funk stays away!! If any of you have stumbled across some fun projects I could do (and maybe even finish)- tell me about them please! I have a craft swap that I am in right now and could use the ideas!

some of my "brainstorms"
* aprons (me and the girls - for cooking)
* paint and stencil bookcases
* Make some things to hang in the girls/Hunter's room
* jumpers for the girls (with the fabric I've had for months)
* car "trash bag"
* baby legs (all of them are almost done)
* door hangings for all the upcoming holiday's/seasons
* quilts for spring/summer
* bookshelves from the pottery barn catalog (I want to recreate them)
* a diaper bag
* magnetic spice rack stuff
* etc.

Got my Physique 57 videos!

I tried the 30 minute express video and I was TOTALLY feeling the burn! Holy COW! I am lovin' them though. We'll see if those "inches" melt off like they say. If anyone wants to come try 'em... give me a holler. You all are more than welcome to do them along with me. (I won't be lending them out any time soon - sorry)

Day 3

In a pretty great week so far. Despite the icky weather we are experiencing. I have been able to enjoy my kids this week so far and look forward to a really rewarding/enjoyable week with them come Sunday.

Not to mention I finally sent Jeremiah a package (it will be his one and only this deployment I fear) that will hopefully get there by his birthday (23rd). I took the box to a different Post Office this time... and guess what?? MUCH BETTER SERVICE! hooray! I was probably the 4th or 5th person in line... but I didn't stand in line longer than about 5 minutes. It was FABULOUS! yeah, I guess that word is sticking to me these days.