Two Lessons I Learned in 2009

While we all reflect of what 2009 has meant to us, good and bad, I'd like to throw my reflections into the mix. Because I know your 2009 would be incomplete without this.

Lesson #1
Learned to quit biting my nails. It's really easy when you can't afford the twice monthly manicures. Unfortunately it took me 41 years to learn this. Granted, my nails don't grow fast and are not very strong, but they're decent looking and are getting there. I can actually type faster without them. Who knew?

Lesson #2
Coloring your hair on your own is not as scary as I thought. Again, a budget thing. My hair grows ridiculously fast, and with my *ahem* gray problem having my roots done every 4-6 weeks at $100 a pop just wasn't gonna happen. A $10 box of color, though, does fit into the budget. I found a color that matches what my girl does, and she even said that I did ok. No, I'll have to have it done a couple of times a year still, but for the in-between root coverage, the box is best. It's actually much easier than I thought it would be, too!

So there you have it. Two lessons I learned in 2009. Now your life is complete.

What did you learn this year?

Just Checking In

Sorry I've been so absent around these parts. Quack, quack, Christmas, quack busy, quack, quack. (No I haven't checked my stats....it's kinda like the scale right now. I really don't want to know!) So, for the curious, a bullet list! Yay!

• My parents arrived on the 18th.
• We visited old friends on the 19th.
• I shopped with my mom on the 21st and 22nd.
• I shopped with my dad on the 23rd.
• I cooked dinner all three of those nights, too.
  
• Headless Dad worked a lot last week, including a little overtime.
  
• The kids played outside, thank goodness!
• On Christmas Eve we went to a movie. (Aside, great evening to see a movie. Not super crowded, little to no lines anywhere, close-in parking. It may become a tradition!)
• Santa brought a Wii. I didn't see my tv for 2 whole days...that is, until today when I took it back for football.
• We had 6 guests for Christmas dinner.
• HD cooked a prime rib and crab legs. (I'm now oddly craving turkey.)
• There were no trash cans burned down this year.
• We had 4 more guests on Saturday.

I don't have many plans for the next couple of days before my parents leave-just enjoy their company, and try to clear out the fridge of all of the left-overs! (Oh my heavens, the leftovers. If they weren't flying, I'd pack them a cooler! Good news is, no grocery shopping in the foreseeable future!)

I hope you all have had a beautiful Christmas celebrating the birth of our Savior, eating yummy food, and enjoying the company of family and friends! I'll be back later this week, I swear.

BFL-Christmas Edition

I've got to hurry on this one. It's Christmas Eve, you know. We're on our way to a movie...

My Picks:

Friday:
San Diego @ Tennessee

Sunday:
Buffalo @ Atlanta
Kansas City @ Cincinnati
Oakland @ Cleveland
Seattle @ Green Bay
Baltimore @ Pittsburgh
Houston @ Miami
Jacksonville @ New England
Tampa Bay @ New Orleans
Carolina @ NY Giants
Detroit @ San Fransisco
St. Louis @ Arizona
NY Jets @ Indianapolis
Denver @ Philadelphia
Dallas @ Washington

Monday:
Minnesota @ Chicago Score: 50

Carlos' Picks:

Friday:
San Diego @ Tennessee

Sunday:
Buffalo @ Atlanta
Kansas City @ Cincinnati
Oakland @ Cleveland
Seattle @ Green Bay
Baltimore @ Pittsburgh
Houston @ Miami
Jacksonville @ New England
Tampa bay @ New Orleans
Carolina @ NY Giants
Detroit @ San Fransisco
St. Louis @ Arizona
NY Jets @ Indianapolis
Denver @ Philadelphia
Dallas @ Washington

Monday:
Minnesota @ Chicago Score: 48

Head on over to Greis' place to see all of our picks or follow the spreadsheet here.

It's Crunch Time!

I’m sure I’m not alone in this. Every mom I know has ‘the look’ this time of year. Oh yes, we smile and say the right things but when you look close? The bags under the eyes give it away. [Read the rest over at Inland Empire Family...]

I am now writing for Inland Empire Family, a local magazine that has a great online presence. There are great bloggers over there, and lots to check out, especially if you are here in Southern California. I'm thrilled to be a part of the Churm Media online family. Come check us out!

BFL-Down to the Wire

We're in the home stretch folks. Less than a month to go before the regular season ends and I want another win. Granted, I'm doing way better with 2 wins on the season (compared to my one win in the last week of the season last year,) but I still want one more. Three would be nice, don't you think?

My picks:
Thursday:
Indianapolis @ Jacksonville
Saturday:
Dallas @ New Orleans
Sunday:
Atlanta @ NY Jets
San Fransisco @ Philadelphia
Houston @ St. Louis
New England @ Buffalo
Chicago @ Baltimore
Miami @ Tennessee
Cleveland @ Kansas City
Arizona @ Detroit
Oakland @ Denver
Cincinnati @ San Diego
Green Bay @ Pittsburgh
Tampa Bay @ Seattle
Minnesota @ Carolina
Monday:
NY Giants @ Washington Score-42

Carlos' picks:

Thursday:
Indianapolis @ Jacksonville
Saturday:
Dallas @ New Orleans
Sunday:
Atlanta @ NY Jets
San Fransisco @ Philadelphia
Houston @ St. Louis
New England @ Buffalo
Chicago @ Baltimore
Miami @ Tennessee
Cleveland @ Kansas City
Arizona @ Detroit
Oakland @ Denver
Cincinatti @ San Diego
Green Bay @ Pittsburgh
Tampa Bay @ Seattle
Minnesota @ Carolina
Monday:
NY Giants @ Washington Score-46

Wanna join us? Greis is our commissioner and you can follow us here!

Strawberry Bread

Sorry I don't have a picture of this one but trust me, it's good!

Strawberry Bread

3 cups flour
1 tablespoon baking soda
1 tablespoon salt
3 tablespoons cinnamon
1 1/4 cups vegetable oil
2 cups sugar
3 well beaten eggs
2-10 oz. packages frozen sliced strawberries, thawed
1 cup chopped nuts (optional, I didn't use any)

Mix all dry ingredients well. Add eggs and oil, mix until well moistened. Stir in strawberries. Pour into 2 greased and floured (or sugared) loaf pans. Bake at 350 for 1 hour. (I used one regular loaf pan and 4 mini loaf pans. Remove mini loaves after 40 minutes or when toothpick comes out clean.)

FYI-sometimes the middle of these loaves fall. Don't worry, it's still good. I actually give them as gifts anyway. Dollars to donuts it will be the only Strawberry Bread any of your recipients gets!

Christmas House Tour 2009

Welcome to our home! My red birds greet you every year.... a nod to my Granny.






















The newest member of my snowman collection. Isn't she smart in her fancy coat and matching purse? Thanks Mom!





















A few other snowmen hangin' out with my prayer books. The one in the center is named "Colleen Evergreen" and I fell in love with her because she reminds me of home.













This ornament was from the first Christmas we were married.


















There cannot be Christmas without a heart and hand ornament somewhere.
















And finally, another one of my Christmas only pillows.









Head on over to The Nester's place to check out more decorating. I'm seeing if I can find a few more ideas!

I have a new post up over at Draft Day Suit about Ingram winning the Heisman.

Go ahead and give us some page views. Kthxbi.

Banana Chocolate Bread

This is one of my holiday stand byes. When your bananas start to turn black toss them in the freezer and you'll always have some ready. Just pluck them from the freezer and let thaw on the counter for around 30 minutes. Once the peels soften slightly they peel very easily and are just right for mashing for this bread.

Banana Bread (recipe from Better Homes and Gardens New Cook Book, ed.1997, my changes will be in parenthesis)

1 3/4 cups flour
2/3 cup sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup mashed ripe banana
1/3 cup butter (room temp.)
2 tablespoons milk
2 eggs

Mix dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl, less 3/4 c. flour. Add banana, butter and milk. beat with a mixer on low until blended, then on high for 2 minutes. Add eggs and remaining flour. Beat until blended.

Optional: 1/4 cup chopped nuts, 1/2 to 1 cup of chopped bittersweet chocolate, like Ghiradelli's 60% Cacao chips, or other mix in. Stir into batter. (I just discovered the chocolate. Oh my, it's good!)

Pour into greased loaf pan, or 4 mini loaf pans (half full). Bake at 350 for 55 minutes, 40 for the mini loaves, until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool on wire rack, remove from pan after 10 minutes.

If you're giving these as gifts like I do, once they're cool, wrap tightly with plastic wrap. You can freeze them, too, if you need a few extra days. They're also nice to have on hand to throw together a small gift bag for an unexpected guest. I also like to try to get the small decorated plastic bags to put them in for a festive effect. (I'll have a photo later in the week of the whole shebang. I have to leave something for Deb to be surprised at, right?)

Paper Stockings, Twitter, and Mint Fudge

I was finally back on Twitter tonight. Oh how I missed you all! Facebook just isn't the same, you know. I'll get back to why twitter is important but you have to hear the lead in first...

Anyhow, I spent today like many of my holiday Fridays....at the school doing crafts with the kids. What? you don't remember the gingerbread house craziness of 2 years ago? Shame, shame. (I tend to get myself into these things. I don't know how to say no.) This year I was making 2 foot construction paper stockings. I brought the paper home on Wednesday so I could trace and cut and have everything ready by this morning. I went in at 9 and was finally done at 1pm. Pfhew. But not done yet.

When I got home, I had to do laundry. HAD is the operative word there. One of my sons was wearing his last pair of clean underwear today. Also, I needed to get my first round of baking done. I usually bake for presents for a bunch of friends, including my bowling pals, and since bowling is on Tuesday I've just got to get it done. Right? Right!

So, one batch of banana/chocolate bread. DONE!
One batch of Mint Fudge. DONE!
One batch of Candied Pecans. DONE!
One batch of Strawberry Bread. DONE!

So, back to Twitter. I tweeted that I had done all of that and Katie asked for recipes. Posting recipes is something I can get behind.

However, since I did all of that today I'm dead tired. You're not getting them all.

But I can't let Katie down. And I can't lie to you all.

My recipe for Mint Fudge is not mine. It's Kirsten's. Go get it for yourself. Add a cup or so of Andes' Mints. You'll thank me later.

Granted, your butt will want to kick mine in January, but still.

BFL-A Winner Again!

I did it again!!!!! Two weeks in a row is quite a record for me...especially since it's only the third time in two years that I've won. Any one want to hit the casinos with me? Headless Dad seems to think that I need to be putting my money where my mouth is. Not a bad idea, but my luck? I'd go back to picking a stellar 3 of 16 instead. *sigh* Onward and upward!

My picks?

Thursday:
Pittsburgh @ Cleveland

Sunday:
New Orleans @ Atlanta
Green Bay @ Chicago
NY Jets @ Tampa Bay
Miami @ Jacksonville
Detroit @ Baltimore
Seattle @ Houston
Denver @ Indianapolis
Buffalo @ Kansas City
Cincinnati @ Minnesota
Carolina @ New England
Washington @ Oakland
St. Louis @ Tennessee
San Diego @ Dallas
Philadelphia @ NY Giants

Monday:
Arizona @ San Fransisco Score: 46

Carlos' picks: (I don't have his picks yet...I'll edit when I do.)

Thursday:
Pittsburgh @ Cleveland (loss for late picks)

Sunday:
New Orleans @ Atlanta
Green Bay @ Chicago
NY Jets @ Tampa Bay
Miami @ Jacksonville
Detroit @ Baltimore
Seattle @ Houston
Denver @ Indianapolis
Buffalo @ Kansas City
Cincinnati @ Minnesota
Carolina @ New England
Washington @ Oakland
St. Louis @ Tennessee
San Diego @ Dallas
Philadelphia @ NY Giants

Monday:
Arizona @ San Fransisco Score: 44

Join us over at Greis' place to win you badge, or follow our spread sheet here.

Wordless Wednesday

Memories of Thanksgiving....

My Favorite Christmas Song

I have to post this at least once a year. Enjoy!

25 Things You Did Not Want To Know

I'm sure that you reeeely want to know all of this, but seeing as I've got an hour to wait for the onslaught of 10 year olds, I figured I'd go ahead and post. Ahem.

Liz did this and I'm stealing borrowing tagging myself. I'm still in post-NaBloPoMo haze. Maybe by Monday I'll have my mojo back.

1. Name someone with the same birthday as you. Carmen's daughter, Emma.

2. Where was your first kiss? On a school-sponsored camping trip for science class in the Shawnee Grasslands in Northeastern Colorado. We were in the 7th grade and both had braces.

3. Have you ever seriously vandalized someone else’s property? Not really. I did, however, put stolen (discarded) tires on the goal posts of our high school football field the night before graduation as a senior prank. The logistics of that were impressive.

4. Have you ever hit someone of the opposite sex? Yes, and the besterd deserved it! (Totally Liz's answer, but it totally fits.)

5. Have you ever sung in front of a large number of people? Yes. My first duet was in our 6th grade play. "There's a hole in the bucket," with John W. I also sang for many years with our church worship band.

6. What’s the first thing you notice about your preferred sex? Probably eyes. With Headless Dad, though, it was that he was an amazing father.

7. What really turns you off? People that are inconsiderate. Like when you inadvertently cut someone off while walking through a restaurant? You should really say sorry or excuse me. I could continue with the examples, but I think you get my gist.

8. What do you order at Starbucks? House Blend, with lots of room for cream.

9. What is your biggest mistake? Not buying a large chunk of property in Colorado. In my 20's I could have afforded it, and my husband and kids would love it now. And? It would be worth about 3 times what I would have paid for it.

10. Have you ever hurt yourself on purpose? No.

11. Say something totally random about yourself. I can wiggle my ears. So could my mother's father and as a child I thought it was sooooo cool.

12. Has anyone ever said you looked like a celebrity? As a child some people thought that I looked like Tatum O'Neal. As a college student some thought I looked like Demi Moore in St. Elmo's Fire. Since I got my glasses last November my husband thinks I resemble Sarah Palin. (Funny....those are just about the same answers as Liz. Hmmmmm.... )

13. Do you still watch kiddie movies or TV shows? I like Disney movies but the boys are not really into them. My favorite was Little Bill, though.

14. Did you have braces? Yes. And I had dental implants before they were common.

15. Are you comfortable with your height? Yes, but I've always wanted to be even taller. My dream was to be 6 feet tall. Um, didn't quite make it.

16. What is the most romantic thing someone of the preferred sex has done for you? My college boyfriend unwrapped Hershey's kisses and hand made new tags for them that had very personal love messages written for me, then wrapped up the kisses again. *sigh*

17. When do you know it’s love? When you can screw up royally, and there is still hugs and kisses and forgiveness.

18. Do you speak any other languages? Nope.

19. Have you ever been to tanning salon? Yes. In college I once bought a "30 dollars for 30 days" package before a sorority formal. Seriously tan for that one.

20. Have you ever ridden in a limo? Yes.

21. What’s something that really annoys you? California weather.

22. What’s something you really like? Rose bushes.

23. Can you dance? I suppose that I can but we haven't been dancing in years, largely due to my husband's back problems.

24. Have you ever been rushed by an ambulance into the emergency room? No.

25. Tag 5 people! Kelly, Steph, Deb, Jenn, and Busy Mom.

Winner Week!

Yea me!!!! I picked 13/16 last week to be the winner for Week 11 here on the BFL. Finally! Last year it took me until the last week of the regular season to win so I'm feeling lots better about myself. You know, my self worth is totally hinged on whether I can pick the most W-L for the week, right?

Anyway, here are my picks for this week:

Thurs:
NY Jets @ Buffalo

Sunday:
Philadelphia @ Atlanta
St Louis @ Chicago
Detroit @ Cincinnati
Oakland @ Pittsburgh
Tennessee @ Indianapolis
Denver @ Kansas City
New England @ Miami
New Orleans @ Washington
Tampa Bay @ Carolina
Houston @ Jacksonville
San Diego @ Cleveland
Dallas @ NY Giants
San Fransisco @ Seattle
Minnesota @ Arizona

Monday:
Baltimore @ Green Bay- Score-32

Carlos' picks:
Thurs:
NY Jets @ Buffalo

Sunday:
Philadelphia @ Atlanta
St Louis @ Chicago
Detroit @ Cincinnati
Oakland @ Pittsburgh
Tennessee @ Indianapolis
Denver @ Kansas City
New England @ Miami
New Orleans @ Washington
Tampa Bay @ Carolina
Houston @ Jacksonville
San Diego @ Cleveland
Dallas @ NY Giants
San Fransisco @ Seattle
Minnesota @ Arizona

Monday:
Baltimore @ Green Bay- Score-41

So, if you want to join us, go sign up here, or follow our progress here.

Good Luck! or not....I kinda want to win again.