Thursday, February 27, 2014

book bits

I really need to write up some short reviews for the books I have read in the last few weeks. Had some winners and a few losers, but that is to be expected. Sometimes the free downloads from B&N aren't always the best that is out there.

Right now I'm plowing my way through a YA or New Adult paranormal story. It has had its moments, but right now the plot is floundering along and I'm anxious to turn that final page.

Off into Thursday I go. Yesterday was a great celebration day, so I figure today will be super quiet.


Wednesday, February 26, 2014

when the first one leaves the teen years behind

Our first baby turns 20 today.

It was such a momentous event when she became a teen. It is one of those birthdays, sort of like the tenth birthday, that stands out. You enter 'double digits' then you become a teen. Those years last a long time it seems, but then suddenly you are 20.

When she was a home a few weeks ago we talked about this new decade she was about to enter. A lot can happen in your 20's. You can finish college, start grad school, marry, maybe have kids, buy that first house, and the list goes on and on.

I think if you would ask most people, the decade of their 20's was pretty action packed. A lot goes on in that ten year stretch. So many firsts...so many changes...so many wonderful events and opportunities are packed in that time frame.

We are so proud of the young lady she is and are so excited to see what the next decade brings for her. You don't get a do-over in life, but if you have children you do get to see life unfold for them and experience a bit of that excitement again.

So, here is to you, my wonderful "Boodle!" May you have the best birthday and as you start on this new decade, enjoy each and every opportunity life throws at you! Shine bright, sweet girl!!

Love you to the moon and back.
xoxo,

Mommy

Tuesday, February 25, 2014

a fun Monday

Mondays are usually sort of a bummer, but yesterday was okay! It was birthday time at the office and as my boss celebrated his birthday yesterday, we had donuts, lunch out and then the quarterly cupcake fest for all the birthdays since the first of the year.

The magazine is off to print. Thank goodness! Now it is time to work on all the other projects we have put aside. I worked on a cover for the next compensation survey report. I think today will be newsletter day for one of the affiliates. Fun stuff. I'm learning to love InDesign.

In other news, the box I sent to the oldest was delivered and she is now in Girl Scout cookie bliss.

Off into Tuesday I go! Enjoy.


Monday, February 24, 2014

the boys are back

The boys are back! They had a good time on their extra long weekend, but both seemed very happy to be home. The tournament was a good experience and they had a great visit on campus with the middle kid.

I was able to get some stuff done that I had been putting off, like cleaning my dresser and closet. I also watched a few movies, read two books, and had my fill of quiet time.

We have another birthday to celebrate this week! The oldest kid will exit the teen years on Wednesday. Unbelievable. I sent her a box of goodies as well as a card. I'm going to order some flowers to be delivered and we may make a surprise appearance over the weekend. We are talking a day trip. Have to see how the week goes.

Another Monday is here.

Thursday, February 20, 2014

spring storms

Looks like we might be in for some nasty weather. Spring storms are not fun and the tornado sirens are something that we hear a lot of during the warm months. As the temps have soared into the high 60s this week, it looks like those sirens may get a work out today.

I'm off to look at the radar. It smells like rain outside, but not the nice soaking rain we usually get. It smells stormy.

Yes, it does smell different. Not sure why, but it does.

Hey, I finished another book this week! I'm keeping on pace with my goal.

Happy Thursday.

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

chilling out

Even though yesterday was a Tuesday, the Monday attitude was around. Quiet day at work. Folks just don't talk much that first day of the work week.

The work on the magazine continues as we finished up what we could and sent it back to our graphic designer. She will finish placing the ads and check for any weirdness that may have been created on the pages as we combined all the files into one document. We are at 68 pages for this issues, which makes this our largest one yet.

I need to print a hard copy today. Time to do another round of proof reading and to share it with the executive director. By this time, we are pretty 'blind' to the whole thing and it is hard to find mistakes. I know they are there, but after you have read this thing through 10 times, it is easy to miss stuff.

I am also putting together a birthday package for the oldest. She will be 20 next week. Whoop! I have two boxes of girl scout cookies to send her and need to throw a few more fun things in to make sending the package worthwhile.

Think I will hit up Target on my lunch break, but I need to go with a list in hand so I don't wander the store for a half hour and buy nothing.

Happy Wednesday!

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

back at it

We are back at it after a very nice three day weekend. Spring is trying to get a foothold here in the midsouth and temps yesterday were in the mid 60s. Makes it hard to know how to dress for work. It is an icebox in the office most days, so it will be lots of layers for me as the temps start to turn. I would imagine we will still get a blast of winter before things really begin to become more seasonal.

Had a good weekend celebrating the boy's birthday. He had friends over Saturday night and they ate lots of pizza and cupcakes. He received two neat board games for gifts and we played one on Sunday. Since he had yesterday off as well, he wrote out his thank you notes after we had breakfast.

Watched a bit of the Olympics, read a bit, did some laundry, ran errands, cooked, cleaned, chatted on the phone....good stuff.

Off we go into Tuesday.

Thursday, February 13, 2014

15 years ago

Fifteen years ago I was in labor with my third baby.....our son! He wasn't born on Valentine's Day, but he stole our hearts that afternoon and has never let them go.

Happy Birthday to my boy!

As I type this he's enjoying waffles, bacon, and a big glass of milk right now...and reading the comics.

Happy Thursday.

Wednesday, February 12, 2014

sleet

Sleet here this morning. Yesterday it was a bit of the snowy stuff with some icy stuff mixed in. Makes the drive in so much fun!

Toss into that I woke up with a plugged ear. I don't know what is going on with that, but my left ear is plugged and I can't hear well out of it. No pain, no ache, so it doesn't seem like an infection. Funny thing is the oldest had the same thing last week!

It is Wednesday and after work today I have two pies to bake for the birthday boy. He will be 15 tomorrow.

Well, off I go.

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

shirley

She never failed to bring a smile to my face and tears to my eyes. As a little girl, I loved watching Shirley Temple movies. Whether she was dancing outside her father's jail cell during the Civil War film, The Littlest Rebel or chatting up Queen Victoria as she looked for her father in The Little Princess, I loved her movies.

Shirley Temple Black, age 85, passed away early this morning. Rather sad to wake up and see this first thing.

IMDB lists her in 61 films. Amazing work for a child.

Thank you, Shirley. You brought such joy to so many.

Monday, February 10, 2014

lovely suprise

The oldest came strolling into the house around 8:00 p.m. on Friday night. It was a lovely surprise to have her home for the weekend! We didn't do anything special, but just spent some great time together. Of course her being home made us miss her sister even more.

I did manage to read one book last week, Amy Garvey's YA thriller, Cold Kiss.  An untrained teenage witch raises her dead boyfriend (car accident victim) from the dead and hides him in a neighbors attic. It was pretty good  and it was a very quick read. I would be interested in reading more from Garvey.

Off into Monday we go!

Thursday, February 6, 2014

cold and gray

Blech.
Watching the weather last night was not an uplifting experience. Cold and gray yet again today.

On a bright note, the Olympics are about to begin. And it is Thursday. And the weekend is dead ahead.

And that is all I have for today. Go forth and enjoy, or at least fake it.


Wednesday, February 5, 2014

need sun

I swear I suffer from SAD. You know, seasonal affective disorder. We haven't seen the sun in almost 3 days now. It is starting to wear on me. I can deal with the cold, but I need that bright yellow/orange blob in the sky to be visible for several hours a day.

I do a "Fun Friday" post on my office's Facebook page. The post for Friday is of a beach. Sun, sand, surf...all those things that we are craving as we enter February.

Hoping that the clouds move on out of here and the sun makes an appearance at some point today. I need an attitude adjustment!

Tuesday, February 4, 2014

power cooking

Although I did finally make it to the grocery store on Saturday, I never got around to cooking any of the meals I had planned to prepare.

Yesterday after work I got busy and made 4 dinners. Three new recipes, pinned from Pinterest, and one beef roast made the usual way.

I've been looking for low carb stuff to help the hubby out. We try to eat at least 3 carb free or low carb dinners a week. This is a challenge as we do love our rice and pasta around here! Some of the paleo recipes that seem to be all the rage are actually quite good and easy to make.

So what did I make? Well, I made a Mongolian beef that is now in the freezer ready to go in the crockpot. I went ahead and cooked a cashew chicken filled with lots of broccoli. I made a sweet potato and chicken stew that was quite tasty. And, I roasted that big hunk of beef in a red wine and mushroom sauce.

Bam. Meals made for the week!

Off to read the paper and see what the world is up to today. Enjoy your Tuesday.

Monday, February 3, 2014

blech

So, the Broncos lost...got creamed....were embarrassed. The party we went to was fun! The weekend was enjoyable and relaxing. The boy's team came in second place at the tournament, but he didn't 'break.' He will have more tweaking to do on his speeches once he sees the judges' comments. I finished the 5th book of the new year. It was so-so.

Another wonderful actor died of a drug overdose. Rest in Peace, Philip Seymour Hoffman.

Winter is back in our region. It feels like Mother Nature is menopausal. She gives us a hot flash every so often then back into the freezer we go. I can relate.

A new week is here and at work we are hosting a big meeting with some muckety-muck veterinarians. We were advised to keep smiles on our faces and to dress appropriately. Darn, guess I have to leave my frown and my sweatpants at home. Ha!

Off I go.