New Years Resolutions- 2012

1. SIGHT Treat my eyes to a classic movie once a month.
2. HEARING. Treat my ears to at least one new CD per month.
3. TASTE. Make one new Indian recipe per month.
4. SMELL. Purchase one new bottle of perfume each month: some expensive, some cheap, some new, and some retro.
5. TOUCH. Be crafty- clean off my craft table and make something special.
6. MIND- Read one "classic" that I should have read {but never did} every month.
7. BODY- Get my body moving
8. SPIRIT- Pray more and read the Bible (just ordered The Bible in One Year for the Kindle)

For January 2012 I plan.....

1. What Ever Happened to Baby Jane- Joan Crawford and Bette Davis

2. MP3- Best of David Bowie

3. Chicken Korma--- http://allrecipes.com/recipe/chicken-korma-ii/

4. Since it is time for the Yellow sale at B&BW, I will be picking up a scent from there, lol

5. OK- clearing off the table will take some effort, lol. Goal is to have functioning craft area by Jan. 15

6. Classic- Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte (this one is FREE on kindle)

7. Planning to join gym, but until then, will do yoga at home to get stretches in.

8. Purchased Bible in One Year for Kindle. This will give 4 readings daily- Old and New testament, Proverbs and Psalms.

Sorry

It has been a long time since I have posted. I just needed to take a break. Life has been crazy and I have had too many fires to attend.

But, things will slow down (a bit) now that football/field hockey/softball are winding down. Of course, wrestling and basketball will take their place at the end of November, but what can I do?

Now that you have my excuses, I need to write about other things going on. I feel like awful and am tired of feeling awful. I know it is because of what I eat. When I pay attention and plan ahead and eat well, I feel good. When I eat crap, I feel like crap. You are what you eat (I SO need to eat a skinny person, lol). A change in eating will only benefit my family- it is just so hard to change. I did it when Helen was diagnosed with a dairy allergy. I can do it again, right? I still think that gluten free is the direction I need to go. And I think it is worth a try for Helen as well. And I still think dairy is no good for any of us. Cheese is such a hard thing to live without...........

But how do you get stubborn people to do what you want them to do? They are not going to go willingly............

13!

1. This time of year kicks my butt.

2. School has begun, homework has started to flow into the house, we are busy.

3. Plus, I have an all new group of kids at school.

4. Some of them have never been in any kind of structured routine. Ever.

5. Some cry. Others scream.

6. They tell me "no".

7. Many do not even recognize their name. Or know how to hold a pencil.

8. They will learn so much this year.

9. And then I will start all over with another bunch of fours.

10. Meanwhile, my own kids continue to wear me out/amaze me.

11. I think it is going to be a good year for Helen. I hope so; she is past due for a great year.

12. And hopefully, by Halloween, PreK boot camp will end and the real learning will begin.

13. And maybe I won't need a nap after school.....

In my dream world......

you all know that I wear a tiara and am Queen. But I also have a dream kitchen, with the following......

baking station with marble top for rolling dough

a walk in butler pantry with tons of storage

a jillion cookie cutters

no dog fur

a place for a lap top computer

shelving for ALL of my cookbooks

a cork board for all the things I misplace

I could go on and on, but this is a start.......

memory monday

nags head 2005

h was trying to catch the waves in her bucket

z copied everything his big did, but he was afraid of the surf......

13! for Thursday

1. It is back to school time in my house.

2. I went back this week, kids come next week.

3. No matter how much I have done, I always feel unprepared.

4. There are so many things I wanted to do over the summer that didn't happen.

5. Next year we are going to use a giant piece of paper to make a bucket list.

6. I think being able to see it will help tremendously.

7. Uniforms are hanging in closets; socks and underwear are in drawers; school supplies wait to be packed......

8. Possum needs a new belt; Jelly bean needs new bras (!).

9. Why do we moms never feel finished?

10. I guess because as soon as we finish one task, we hear the next one calling our name.....

11. This time of year is always bittersweet.

12. I am the kind of person who always looks forward to the next thing.....

13. But part of me is not ready to give up carefree days of summer (as if anything about my life is ever carefree, lol)......

Memory Monday

first day of school- 2010

(notice helen is already missing socks..... must be in her pocket)

(and the shoes are NEVER tied)

13! (for friday)

Things I have learned on this trip

1. Folks in Covington have started driving golf carts.

2. I catch a second wind when walking- at about 1 mile I feel like I will die- 1 1/2- I feel like I can go forever (which is actually more like another mile).

3. I really NEED for my children to have a normal bedtime. For my sanity. I cannot parent after 9:30 pm.

4. My mother is crazy.

5. I usually miss David more than I expect to. This time I missed him before I crossed the Georgia state line.

6. I never get everything I want to do in one trip.

7. So too many things did not get crossed off the list.....

8. and too much time was wasted hearing old stories that do not matter.....

9. I always return home feeling very tired.

10. But I also feel very focused on the things I need to get done.

11. I need to put my marriage first- David is the person who keeps me sane, and he is the person who will still be there when the kids are gone.

12. I need to put myself as a priority- my health really is riding on it.

13. And I know who my real friends are.

And that is how it is.......

I have crossed paths with old friends over the past couple of years. One person became someone I talked to and chatted with on a regular basis. When I went home to visit in February, I saw this person. Then everything changed. We stopped talking and emailing. I have no idea why, really. So I am left with theories, none of which are good for my self esteem. I guess I am too old, too fat, too unfun- something. All I can say is it has made me sad and I feel dumped for a second time.

Another old friend just got plain weird...... he and his stalker wife had to be blocked. I do not have time for wives of old friends being jealous and creeping on me..... especially one that I know is heavily armed!

THURSDAY/13

1. I am leaving this morning!

2. I found my camera.

3. The drive always seems so tedious.

4. But I think the stop on the way down is so much a part of the trip.

5. We always stop about 4 or 5.

6. We eat at Cracker Barrel.

7. We go swimming.

8. We sleep (or I try to).

9. In the morning, we have whatever the hotel offers (usually waffles).

10. We get ice for the cooler and gas for the tank.

11. And count the hours til we are in Georgia.

12. This year, Helen will be sitting in the front seat.

13. I will let you know if this reduces car fights.......

Memory Monday

once upon a time, hjs used a swim vest...... summer 2004

13 13 13 13 13 13 13

1. Getting ready for the big GA trip.

2. I still have lots to do.

3. Like find my digital camera- starting to think I have lost it.

4. I need a haircut.

5. And a pedicure.

6. I need to do lots of laundry and clean the house.

7. Even though cleaning seems kinda silly when David will be here for 13 days to mess it all up.

8. Pack! I will have to pack!! I hate packing.

9. Get kids' portraits done because I haven't yet and am running out of time.

10. Buy school uniforms- there will be no time after if Helen's skirts need to be ordered. Ditto on the shoes.

11. Buy paint for Zachary's room and the closet stuff for Helen- David needs something to do while I am gone.

12. Download music to MP3 players; books for the Kindle.

13. Get an oil change, fill washer fluid, vacuum and wash car......

I could add about 13 more to this!

13!

Thirteen things I plan to during Georgia trip

1. Stop at South of the Border

2. Eat at Waffle House, Cracker Barrel and Krystals

3. Visit with family and friends, especially my Aunt Sybil and **** (if he will see me :P )

4. Go to Yellow River Game Ranch

5. Visit Downtown Covington

6. Buy a new Troll bead at Spire's

7. Would love to visit Lake Rutledge with Rider, Harper, Jude and Bailee....

8. Visit my Dad's grave

9. See my Grandmother's house

10. RELAX!

11. Read...... (as if I have not already read a lot this summer)

12. Visit Breanu.

13. And (hopefully) get some sleep.....

THURSDAY/13

1. I am not enjoying this summer.

2. I think I might get a job next year and send the kids to camp.

3. Not enough money to do anything and tired of hearing kids complain.

4. First I get mad because they are complaining.

5. Then I feel bad because I feel like I am not giving them good memories.

6. I don't want to be rich, just comfortable.

7. I know- many folks are worse off than me and I should feel grateful for what I have.

8. But, I am human and am tired of sacrifice and struggle.

9. The one thing that I loved, my job, is now fraught with anxiety and uncertainty.

10. I feel like I can trust no one.

11. I hope that this fall brings answers, at least on the work front.

12. Until then, I will go to the pool every day and listen to my children fight and complain.

13. *sigh*

Iced Coffee & Snow Ball Syrup Update

Tried my coffee this morning. I swear the only thing bad about iced coffee is that I always want another one. This was no exception. I followed a recipe posted by Pioneer Woman, but since I live in a much smaller place with no fancy glass coffee dispenser in my fridge, I made about 1/4 the recipe. Now that I know I like it, I will make a half batch next time. It is very easy to do. I put 1/4 pound of ground coffee 2 quarts of water and let it sit about 8 hours. Then I strained it in cheesecloth and put the pitcher in the fridge. This morning I used one Splenda, way more that a serving of Natural Bliss Coffee Creamer (Sweet Cream) and a bunch of ice....yum!

As for the snowball syrup..... I followed this recipe. I bought those plastic ketchup and mustard bottles (does anyone really use those) to put our syrup in. But, when I made the syrup, I was doubling it and (since someone had to come in and ask me 55 questions) I did the ratio 1:1, not 2:1.... not enough sugar. I went with it any way, boiling the syrup for a bit longer to reduce it. It actually worked very well- I think 2:1 would have been WAYYYY to sweet.

I promise I will try to locate my digital camera so I can add some ohotos soon :p

Memory Monday..... followed by a belated 13!

hjs @ field hockey opening tourney (date correct, time wrong)

*she is actually asking to play this year- think she has finally realized

she is better at sports than she thought*

1. Worry sucks.

2. It is also pointless.

3. Humans are the only creatures that worry.

4. "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?" Matthew 6:25-27

5. So why do I worry.........

6. It so hard not to, but I need to stop and trust.

7. I have two children- one a worrier, one not...

8. Their personalities are so different.

9. Bet you cannot guess which one is happier.

10. I have had way too much to worry about lately.

11. Some of it effects me directly, other issues really do not.

12. I need to say a prayer and send it up to God.

13. He will show me the right path......

Summer stuff

I always try a bunch of things during the summer that I might not ordinarily consider. Today I made Snowball syrup and cold brewed coffee. Since I am now addicted to iced coffee, I thought I's find something a little cheaper than Starbucks or my beloved K-cups. I will review and post the recipes after I have actually tried them out, lol. I am quite unsure of the Snowball Syrup........

Memory Monday

z & h- brenau fountain

gainesville, ga

summer 2009

(i was waiting for her to push him, but she didn't)

Wow.....

this is the first night we don't have anywhere to be in quite some time......... and I am single mom to boot. What to do, what to do........ Sounds like a good night for a movie! YAY, movie night!!!!

13! for Thursday

13 Unwritten Rules of Spitzer Haus

1. If the trash can is full, keep shoving more trash on top until Mom empties the can. It doesn't matter if things fall off the top- she'll pick that up, too/

2. If you spill, it will evaporate. Or Mom will clean it up. Either way.....

3. Do not write important numbers on someone else's wipe off board.

4. Do not move or throw away any jibbles of paper. It will be the very thing that Dad looking for.

5. Go ahead and pile your socks next to the basement door. Oh, there is a laundry bag hanging on the back of that very same door? That's ok, Mom doesn't mind picking up all the socks and putting them in the bag herself.

6. The TV stand makes a great table and Mom really doesn't mind having to take all your cups and plates to the kitchen or wiping your food off the TV..... really.

7. Mom needs to vacuum and you are playing X Box------ that is ok- just pick up one foot when she gets close and turn the volume WAAAYYYYY up so you can still hear.

8. Dogs are pacing back and forth and barking to go outside but Mom is still asleep? Don't worry, they will wake her up soon enough- no need to get off the couch and stop watching "Good Luck Charlie".

9. Mom likes chiseling dried on cereal out of bowls and scraping toothpaste from the sink.

10. If Mom says it is a rule, go ahead and argue. She might change her mind. Even though she hasn't in 10 years, there is always a chance.....

11. Don't ever drink from Mom or Dad's cup after 5 pm....... you might not like the surprise.

12. Pile everything on the table in the foyer. Mom enjoys having to put everything away and then having to find it again......

13. Pull all the shoes from the shoe basket to find your flip flop and leave the rest all over the floor- Mom LOVES to trip over all the shoes at the bottom of the stairs!