Monday, March 29, 2010

Day 85 ~ Pitching Clinic

My new thing for the day was a pitching clinic with my oldest daughter. I had as much fun as the kids did.

I use to love to pitch. I would pitch for hours against a wall outside our house. It has been years since I have pitched a softball and I didn't realized how much I missed it until I had a chance to play again.

My daughter and I both had a great time and I plan on the next sunshine day I will take my hubby outside and have him catch some pitches, not just my daughters pitches but mine!

Saturday, March 27, 2010

Day 84 ~ Dinner Party

Our new thing for the day was a Dinner Party. We had 2 couples over and their children and is was a blast.

I have to say I am so glad we have our new play room. The kids enjoyed playing upstairs with Lego's and things and then we were able to put a movie on later and they all crowed around to watch the show. All the adults were able to eat and visit and it was so nice enjoying the evening together. It made me wonder why we don't have these more often. We normally invite one couple, but was so glad we had more, and I loved sitting around laughing at the craziness of life.

Our new thing for the day was a smaller dinner party. Next attempt is a large BBQ this summer. I can't wait!!

Day 83 ~ Carmel Corn

My husband is the best popcorn maker in town. I don't mean the kind of popcorn you stick in the microwave, I mean the kind you put in a pan with oil cook, my friend comes over sometimes just for my hubby popcorn.

He really outdid himself this time, and we had something new. He made homemade Carmel corn. It was so good you couldn't stop eating it and my mouth waters thinking of it. Here is the recipe he followed but this is not for the weak stomach. I say this because it is impossible to eat less than a huge bowl full. It was DELICIOUS!!

Here is the link and the recipe:
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/My-Amish-Friends-Caramel-Corn/Detail.aspx

My Amish Friend's Caramel Corn
7 quarts plain popped popcorn
2 cups dry roasted peanuts (optional) We skipped the peanuts
2 cups brown sugar
1/2 cup light corn syrup We used dark
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup margarine We used good old fashion butter!
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions
Place the popped popcorn into two shallow greased baking pans. You may use roasting pans, jelly roll pans, or disposable roasting pans. Add the peanuts to the popped corn if using. Set aside.
Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F (120 degrees C). Combine the brown sugar, corn syrup, margarine and salt in a saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring enough to blend. Once the mixture begins to boil, boil for 5 minutes while stirring constantly.
Remove from the heat, and stir in the baking soda and vanilla. The mixture will be light and foamy. Immediately pour over the popcorn in the pans, and stir to coat. Don't worry too much at this point about getting all of the corn coated.

Bake for 1 hour, removing the pans, and giving them each a good stir every 15 minutes. Line the counter top with waxed paper. Dump the corn out onto the waxed paper and separate the pieces. Allow to cool completely, then store in airtight containers or resealable bags.

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Day 82 ~ Dessert First!

"Save room for cake!" How often have we all heard this? Our new thing for the day was having our cake to start off dinner.

It was a wonderful day. We spent a hour at the park and another two at a friends. She is one of the best cooks I know and she whipped us up some lemon cake while we sat and visited. It was 5:30and she asked the question, "Do you want me to wrap this up for you so you can have it after dinner or would you like to eat it now?" The mom in me thought we should save it for after dinner, but the fun me blurted out, "CAKE TIME!!!" My kids were so happy, and so was I. Who said cake should come last? I say bah hum bug to them.

Our new thing for the day was cake for dinner and it was AWESOME!

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Day 81 ~ My Mom

My mom is the greatest! I admire her so much for so many reason and she is one of the strongest and most compassionate people I know. Over the years my mom has become one of my very best friends and I hope to be half the woman she is someday. I have been writing poetry for years, since I was a child. I wrote something for my mother in college and I never shared it with her and thought I would post it so others could see what a wonderful woman she was and learn a little of her story. Unfortunately, after hours of searching for this poem, I came up empty and realized it must be in one of the boxes in the garage. What I did come across was something I wrote for my mom in Elementary school. It has different words but the same meaning.

My Mom is the Best

My mom is the best because she doesn't have a heartache when my cat breaks her plants. Also because when my dog threw up, she didn't make me clean it up. When I got sick and threw up on her she didn't get mad at me. She doesn't always make me do the dishes. I love my mom very much. She always cares for me and loves me.
By: Jenni

I wrote that some time in Elementary school and after all these years I can still say, My mom is the best.

My new thing for the day is recognizing one of the most important people in my life and letting her know that 35 years later, I still think she is the best.

Day 80 ~ Jewelry

I am so excited about my new thing for the day. I went and got new jewlery, for about next to nothing. I literally got each piece for 1 to 2 dollars on clearance and I love them. They are funky and fun and make me feel a little less out dated. They are different than anything I own but I like that, it makes it a little more fun to wear.
My new thing for the day is my new costume jewlery, and I love it!

Monday, March 22, 2010

Day 79 ~ Play Room

I got this wild idea to make the girls share a room and make the other room into a playroom.

I wondered to myself, after I was done, why haven't I done this before? I put the two youngest in a room together and put all the toys in the other room. I have to say, it is perfect. Once I did it, it was like I wanted to kick myself. Why haven't I done this before, I think I must love to torture myself. Sometimes a little change, works out to be the best move ever. The girls played in there and went to bed with ease. They are so happy to share a room, it was almost surprising.

My new thing for the day was a new play room!

Saturday, March 20, 2010

Day 78 ~ No more cribs

It is hard to believe but my baby girl is no longer in a crib but a big girl bed. The funniest part about it was my reaction to the whole thing, I swear it hurt my heart and didn't phase her one bit. I figured she would want me lay down by her for awhile, that it would take her time to get use to it, but it was the opposite. I asked her and she said no. I said "Are you sure?" and I swear she said "OK Mommy" for my sake alone. I laid down by her and within 5 seconds she looks at me and tells me "Go away now mommy". Within 5 minutes she was asleep and slept the night through. She woke up the next morning yelling for us to get her out of bed. I am not sure why, but I think she is so use to us getting her out of her crib, she has not realized yet that she can get out now by herself.

My new thing for the day was a life with no more cribs!

Friday, March 19, 2010

Day 77 ~ Coach

As I had mentioned in an earlier post I would be an assistant coach. There is now a change, I will the The Coach. I have always wanted to do this and although at first I wanted only the assisant position, when they couldn't find a head coach I decided to step up. I think it is going to be great and I am excited. This is definitely a new thing for the day!

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Day 76 ~ Corn Beef and Cabbage

In honor of St. Patricks day I made corn beef and cabbage tonight, and it was sooooooo good!

The kids were not all that thrilled but I love cabbage. I love anything with cabbage. I have been doing great on the clean eating but since I would not be celebrating St. Patty's day with green beer, I did the next best thing, corn beef and cabbage baby! Now, if only I can get the rest of the family to love it like I do, I could be a very happy girl. Oh well, more for me!(;

Day 75 ~ Assistant Coach

My new thing for the day was becoming an assistant coach to my daughter’s softball team. I have always loved softball and played it most of my younger years. My daughter is thrilled and I am thrilled. It is definitely a new thing for the year. Something I have always wanted but never volunteered for. I know it will be challenging but I am very happy about it and look forward to the season!

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Day 74 ~ Softball

My new thing for the day was watching my daughters first try outs for softball. It wasn't so much a try out as an assetment of what the girls could do. She did so great and I sat for 1 1/2 with a giant grin on my face. She was having so much fun and boy does that girl have an arm on her. I can't wait for the season to begin and see her make the same kind of memories I made playing ball so many years ago. You never want to force your favorite sport on your child, but what a joy it is to see them love it as much as you did.

Monday, March 15, 2010

Day 73 ~ Season 3 Sopranos

We did it! We finished season 3 of the Sopranos. I think I cried 3 times in the season finale. After a late night, I think all the energy we had was put into watching the remaining episodes.

Sunday, March 14, 2010

Day 72 ~ Limo Ride


Our new thing for the day was celebrating our friends 40th with a hummer limo ride down town. We had so much fun, dinner, martinis, and great company!! Just look at the smile on everyones face!!

Saturday, March 13, 2010

Day 71 ~ Helping Others

My new thing for the day was to focus on helping others. Everybody has talents and mine is my creativity so I used that to help a friend. I spent about 4 hours making gigantic flowers for her preschool room along with a rainbow and green vines. It is amazing how helping others really makes you feel. She was so happy when she saw the finished product. I think this is something I need to do more often.

Friday, March 12, 2010

Day 70 ~ Welcome to the 50s

I love aprons. I love how they look, the idea of them, what they represent, and how they make me feel.



My new thing for the day was this adorable apron I got on sale at Fred Meyers. I love it. I feel cute and sassy and it saves my clothes from being messy. I started an apron collection this last year and this is my latest addition. I chose the M for many reasons. My last name, my maiden name and the fact I am commonly know as Mom. I love all that they represent to me. Aprons remind me of a simpler time, my grandmother, my mother, and a sense of pride that comes with being a mother. I often wonder what my great grandmother felt when she wore hers to prepare dinner for her 12 daughters and husband. If only aprons could talk.

My new thing put a smile on my face and on my heart.

Thursday, March 11, 2010

Day 69 ~ Out Of My Comfort Zone

My new thing for the day was stepping out of my comfort zone, and getting something I wouldn't normally get.

This Saturday is going to be a VERY FUN night. We are going out with friends for a Birthday celebration. Over the past 7 years, I have seen my sense of style go out the window. Comfort has won over, and fashion has left me. I would like to find something that combines both words, comfortably fashionable into one but that doesn't always seem to work. I stepped outside my comfort zone and got a new pair of earrings for my outfit for this Saturday that are not like anything I own. I am comfortable with stones, I like a sparkly stones in my ear, but I know I am playing it safe so my earrings for Saturday are big, dangly and fun. My 2 year old loved them. She kept telling me pretty mommy, pretty! Lets see if anybody even notices the change! The sales woman even suggested skinny jeans with my sweater, but I don't own a pair and my question is, "Doesn't your butt and hips have to be skinny to fit in a pair of those?"

I stepped out my safety earring zone and I am kinda excited to see what my husband thinks.

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Day 68 ~ A Piece Of The Beach

I love the ocean, I love the beach. I think I took it for granted for so long, and now that it is so far away, I have tried to preserve a little piece of it.

My new thing for the day was the little piece of the beach in my bathroom. I bought three cylinder vases from the dollar store and filled them with turquoise marbles, seashells and rocks we collected from Santa Cruz and a candle on top. I put them behind the tub where my photos from Carmel will be going. I must say, it looks pretty nice. Isn't funny how little things can bring back memories, or a sense of peace, or a little smile.

I created something new today, a little piece of the beach.

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Day 67 ~ Attention all Shoppers

Have you ever wanted something but put off buying it? I have wanted a CD organizer for over a year and have put it off because of the inner battle in my head of need vs. want!

While shopping the isles of Target for some new school supplies for my daughter, I found an amazing CD organizer. I have been eyeing them over the past year but always felt like they were too much money. I need something that holds over 300 CDs, so I needed the biggest one they had. While walking through the photo areas they had these books on clearance. They look like nice photo albums from the outside but they actually hold CDs or DVDs. I grabbed one of them, like a kid after the pinata busts going in for candy. I started looking through it, and it was PERFECT, so I got two to fit all our CDs. The total was $12 dollars. I was so STOKED! Yes, STOKED!!! I came home and starting organizing the CDS and the funniest part of the whole thing was my husbands reaction. I kept all the booklets and placed them in there case but was getting rid of the plastic cases. My husband keeps everything he owns in perfect condition, so he was a little disturbed buy me throwing away the original case. I offered a suggestion. He could store them in the garage, but that bothered him more, since he hates clutter, so out they went and everyone is happy.

My new thing for the day was my new CD case, and boy I am a happy shopper!!

Monday, March 8, 2010

Day 66 ~ A Day With My Brother

My oldest brother does not live here but he flew out and spent the weekend with us.

We spent the day hanging out. I know it doesn't sound like a big deal, but it was. We don't get to see our extended family too much so having my brother here was a great treat. We watched movies, played outside, went and picked up some subs, and it was an awesome day. The girls just laughed and giggled the whole day and had a lot of fun. I watched my brother run around the yard playing dodge ball, and laughed at how they would all jump on him and he would smile from ear to ear. They often call him "The Spoiler" because he is known to spoil them rotten, and he often does. We were all sad to see him go.

My new thing for the day was a long over due day with my brother and I am so glad he came.

Sunday, March 7, 2010

Day 65 ~ A Date With My Hubby

My husband and I got to go on a date, and we had so much fun!


My husband and I went to dinner at Crazy Sushi and to see Avatar. Our dinner was amazing as usual. We tried a new roll called the Alaskan that was so yummy and so spicy it made my eyes water. We both love spicy food so watery eyes and watery noses are a good thing when it comes to food for us. We sat at the sushi bar this time and the chef would hand us different things to try. I loved watching them as they prepared the different meals, it looked as though they were creating a piece of art, everything so colorful and in a design that pleased the eyes and the taste buds.

After our meal we headed to the movies and finally saw the movie Avatar. I will say that is one of the best movies I have seen. I LOVED IT. I am hoping for an AVATAR II. The beauty of the scenery of the planet was so overwhelming you wished you could see it for yourself. I loved how everything would glow at night. I wondered if Disney one day would make a ride that took you on a tour of the land of Pandora, and if so I would be the first in line. This will be a movie that I buy when it comes out on DVD.

It was so nice to get out and have some alone time with my husband. To focus on each other with no distractions, laugh with each other, and just enjoy each others company. He is my best friend and everything seems more fun with him around.

Our new thing today was going on a date, something we rarely get to do.

Saturday, March 6, 2010

Day 64 ~ Evergreen Aviation Museum



We went to The Evergreen Aviation Museum for the first time and is was one of the best museums I have seen.

This place was nothing less than awesome. I have lived near it for 5 years and never have been inside, but tried something new and took a step into a time machine. It changed how I looked at things and put parts of history in a different perspective. They even had the Howard Hughes' Spruce Goose there, and I could not believe the size of the plane, it almost seemed unreal.

One of the things that I noticed, that made such an impression on me, was all the fighter planes. They had all types, from all time areas, and I was shocked at just how open and terrifying it must have been. Open glass areas with guns everywhere, or even planes with no glass, just open and guns. It kept running through my head what these guys must have been thinking, and how scary it must have been. It puts a new perspective on things, and although I have always thought war to be terrifying, it just made me realize the sacrifice so many make for my freedom. I just walked away feeling so blessed and really taking into account all that has been done for me and my children. It was pretty amazing.





The girls had such a great time and they even had a section of different things the girls could get into and sit or pretend to fly. They loved the hands on area and so did I.



They had all sorts of planes, helicopters, cars, tanks, and motorcycles and of all the things I saw, I decided I would love one of these. I can imagine myself in one and the fun my hubby and I could have. It is a dream, but a nice one!



They also have a space museum and that will be my next thing on my list. If you haven't been there I would highly recommend it and I know you will not be disappointed.

Friday, March 5, 2010

Day 63 ~ Planting

I love flowers, I love to see how things bloom in the spring.
My new thing for the day was planting 7 different plants!

There is something to be said about spring, and the way it makes people feel. To watch the yard come to life brings a sense of joy, happiness and excitement about the season coming. The color and smell of flowers puts a smile on my face. It is such a welcome interruption of the gray days and the gloominess of winter. I wanted to look out my kitchen window and see some green so I focused on some of my shady areas, and open spaces. I can not wait to see what they look like as they grow this spring and summer. It is almost like a present, waiting to be opened.

I planted 7 new plants and I think I will plant another 7 before the week is up. My backyard needs some landscaping!!

Thursday, March 4, 2010

Day 62 ~ A New Book

I started a new book called Shopaholic Takes Manhattan. It is the same writer as Confessions of a Shopaholic, and I loved the movie so I thought, "Why not?"

I do like to read but never do. I read the Twilight series and loved it, but that is the last time I really got into a book, and that was last year. Honestly, I haven't read many book since college. I think I burned myself out and now reading seems to take so much effort. The Twilight series was easy but is hard for me to find a book I can get into. I find myself reading and within a few minutes I get bored and my eyes hurt. #1 I think I need reading glasses, #2 I think I need a good story. My friend recommended the series written by Sophie Kinsella so I will let you know what I think when I am done. So far, so good.

I also started Season 3 of the Sopranos, I watched 3 episodes in one night. I love that show!

If you have any great suggestions for books, please let me know!

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Day 61 ~ Refried Beans

By now you must know I love to cook. This time I attempted to make homemade refried beans.

I love Mexican food. I mean I LOVE MEXICAN FOOD!! My goal is to find some recipes I love that are healthy and tasty. My first attempt at that was making homemade pinto beans. It started by soaking my beans over night. I had no idea they would take so long to cook the next day. I printed out 3 different recipes, and picked out the things I like about each and went to work. 2 1/2 hours later they were done. Thank God I soaked them over night because once they were done, I was done, and wanted nothing more to do with refried beans. I was literally angry at those beans until I heard my girl's reaction to them. They loved them! To find something every one of my kids love, and want more of, was awesome. Not to mention the fact, they were very healthy. Thankfully they made a large containers worth, and I will have some for the week.

Next time I think I will cook them in a crock pot.

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Day 60 ~ The Beginning of a New Chapter

It was the first day of work for my husband's new job. It began a new chapter in life.

I finally felt like I could exhale when he got home from work. The funny thing is, I never even realized I was holding my breath. We have had so many ups and downs the past three years, I guess I was a little nervous something would happen before his first day. When he came home, he said to me, "You can exhale now." I laughed. We were both smiling, I can honestly say I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. When things are rough, and something good comes along, it is hard to believe it is real. Could my husband really have found his career, could we really be OK now? We aren't going to lose the house, we all have insurance, retirement and life insurance, and we can pay the bills. Is this real? For so long, we took those things for granted, now it feels like a huge blessing in life. These past few years have been rough, but I know we have learned so much about us, our love, and hard work. We have also learned how to suck it up, and push through. What is new is a new chapter in our life. It will forever be marked as a new beginning. A new beginning with unlimited possibilities in life.