Home....Where My Story Begins

Friday, January 30, 2009

It's freezing in here!



Would you believe I came home from work to a broken furnace!

My house is freezing! Luckily we have a gas fire place, seems to be at least heating the family room. Hopefully, we'll be able to make to Saturday morning, when the furnance repair man should be here! Wish me luck!











Thursday, January 29, 2009

The Beautiful Winters in Ohio


The ice was frightening, the snow was breathtaking. There's nothing like watching a snow fall and drinking hot chocolate. Especially, when you know you have no place to go except curled up with a blanket beside the fireplace.

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

We're Snowed In!



Janae at Cozy Coops, made a list of ten things they loved all starting with the same letter. I said I'd play along and Janae gave me the Letter L. If you'd like to play let me know:


1. Laughter - especially a baby's laugh
2. Loyalty - In a friend
3. Lip Gloss
4. Lake - I can't wait to get back to the camper for the summer season
5. Loving Husband Bob
6. Leaves in the fall, all the beautiful colors, taking rides through the back roads.
7. Life
8. Looking at a beautiful sunset at the Florida Keys
9. Laptop
10. Lunch - I love going to lunch and getting a break from work.



Super Bowl Mania!





Let me first say, that I am in no means a fan of the Steelers! I just like to watch the Super Bowl and the commercials that come with it.
It is a fun and spirited time...I will be watching, not rooting for anyone, but enjoying the event all the same.
This is a fun video for all you Steeler Fans: Enjoy

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Shaken Baby Syndrome

Today I attended a great training on Shaken Baby Syndrome: Please see the information below, and if you know a new mom or dad, please pass it on. It could save a child!




Tips for Coping & Understanding Infant Crying:

Remember the 2-2-2 theory. Babies can begin to cry as early as 2 weeks of age, crying peaks at 2 months, and a baby can cry up to 2 hours per day. Crying is a normal part of infant development.


Develop an action plan for how you will handle your baby’s crying. Develop strategies for soothing your child and yourself. Locate a safe place (e.g., baby’s crib or playpen) where the baby can lay down while you take a break.


Be proactive – develop a family support plan of how you and your family members will support one another during your baby’s peak crying periods. Also, talk with your child’s caregivers to develop a plan for communicating with one another, including relieving your child’s caregiver, if needed, during times of stress.


When feeling rattled, first, ensure that baby is in a safe place, then…

Take a break from the crying
Read a magazine or book
Take a deep breath
Call a friend or family
Take a warm bath
Exercise
And, finally, remember…no matter how frustrated you get, never shake a baby.

Monday, January 26, 2009

Valentines Day Decorating


I've been going through my stash of decorating ideas and I came across this Valentine Heart.
This would look great on my front door!

Sunday, January 25, 2009




I'm celebrating Rudolph Day - on January 25th. Girls Like Us is having a look back on the holidays forum and here are my responses.

What worked, what didn’t?

I enjoyed taking time off during the holidays. Next year I plan to take more days off before Christmas and between New Years.

Did you try any new thing that you loved enough to want to make in to a tradition?

This year I had stockings filled for everyone. This was kinda fun to do. I plan on picking up items throughout the year instead of waiting till right before the holidays.

This years we celebrated before Christmas, this turned out really good. I was just exhausted from getting everything ready that I pretty much slept Christmas Eve away. We had pouring rain that night. The disappointment was I didn't get to go see all the Christmas Lights, which I love to do with my mom.



Were you able to let old traditions go that just aren’t working any more?

A lot of traditions have been lost over the years. Leaving Cookies and Milk out for Santa.
Going to Christmas Eve Mass. Now, I go Christmas morning.

I know many of you cut back on the decorations you put out…how’d that feel??

I didn't decorate like I wanted to outside. I was pretty pathetic actually.

Next year: I plan to be more organized and get all my decorations out when it's warmer. I want to put out the trees in the dining room and kitchen again. Get all my projects done and put up.

What were some of your highlights?

Having Tyler and buying toys again. He made Christmas all worthwhile.

Thursday, January 22, 2009

This Poem Really Sums It Up!

Twas the month after Christmas, and all through the house
Nothing would fit me, not even a blouse.

The cookies I'd nibbled, the eggnog I'd taste
At the holiday parties had gone to my waist.

When I got on the scales there arose such a number!
When I walked to the store (less a walk than a lumber).

I'd remember the marvelous meals I'd prepared;
The gravies and sauces and beef nicely rared,
The wine and the rum balls, the bread and the cheese
And the way I'd never said, "No thank you, please."

As I dressed myself in my husband's old shirt
And prepared once again to do battle with dirt---

I said to myself, as I only can
"You can't spend a winter disguised as a man!"

So--away with the last of the sour cream dip,
Get rid of the fruit cake, every cracker and chip

Every last bit of food that I like must be banished
"Till all the additional ounces have vanished.

I won't have a cookie--not even a lick.
I'll want only to chew on a long celery stick.

I won't have hot biscuits, or corn bread, or pie,
I'll munch on a carrot and quietly cry.

I'm hungry, I'm lonesome, and life is a bore---
But isn't that what January is for?

Unable to giggle, no longer a riot.
Happy New Year to all and to all a good diet!
Unknown

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

I'm feeling a little sick today!

Monday, January 19, 2009

Making History!


Today, I watched the festivities in Washington, prior to the swearing in of President Obama! It was refreshing to see the all the excitement surrounding this event. We are so in need of hope and change. God Be With Them!

Enjoy the youtube video of The Changing Presidents: I found this on The Spice Cupboard blog.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYrZZ68zhSs

Sunday, January 18, 2009

Giveaway on Terri's Blog!

Terri, at Lakewood Manor, just revealed her 400 post! She's having a Valentine giveaway to celebrate. It's a fun site to visit and you'll come away with some great ideas.

Saturday, January 17, 2009

Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!

We woke up this morning to a -15 temperature!

Talk about cold....The front door to my house is frozen shut!


12:30 pm ~ Update
It's a Heat Wave - Temperature reading is 13 degrees!

Friday, January 16, 2009

Getting the Crafting Itch!

I'm getting that Crafting Itch....Which means...my checkbook is in for another shock!
Check out these two patterns I found on ebay ~ the designer is: Patti's Ratties and I love her patterns.

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Baby, It's Cold Outside!


Snow Day!


Deana, Jodi, Angie, Joe, Kellie, Tebreigh, and Kaylea

(This group is great to work with)

Yesterday afternoon the snow started and it just kept coming! All of us at Help Me Grow were ready to celebrate...anticipating a snow day tomorrow~ which of course means a day off work and sleeping in, relaxing and keeping up with my blogging!



Waking up to below zero temperatures ~ believe me when they say "Baby, It's Cold Out Side"

this is what they're referring to! Tomorrow, we are expected to get even lower temperatures.

Joel and Brownie spending time in the snow! Brownie refused to go romping in the snow, doesn't like to get his paws wet ya know!

Just notified: Snow Day on Friday!!!!!!! This is just to good to be true!

Monday, January 12, 2009

Welcome to the 2009 edition of getting to know your Friends.

The theory is that you will learn a lot of little things about your friends that you might not have known!

1. What time did you get up this morning?6:45 - got ready to go to work, then found out we had a snow day!

2. Diamonds or pearls? Diamonds

3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema? The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

4. What is your favoriteTV show?Oh, I have so many on different nights --House, Navy NCIS,

5. What do you usually have for breakfast? Ice Tea, now I'm eating Oatmeal.

6. What is your middle name? Lynn

7. What food do you dislike?nothing...that's why I look like I do.

8. What is your favorite CD at moment? Jimmy Buffett also like Bob Marley

9. What kind of car do you drive?Envoy

10. Favorite sandwich?Cheeseburger in Paradise

11. What characteristic do you despise? Phony nice

12. Favorite item of clothing? PJ's

13. Where would you go on vacationBeach -- not really picky where -- just the beach. BEACH anywhere

14. Favorite brand of clothing?none necessarily....just what I find that fits well and will wear well.

15. Where would you retire to?Anywhere there is a beach....

16. What was your most recent memorable birthday? 50th

17. Favorite sport to watch? Baseball

18. Furthest place you are sending this? Ohio only

19. Person you expect to send it back first? Erica

20. When is your birthday? Oct. 22

21. Are you a morning person or a night person? Mornings only

22. What is your shoe size?7 1/2

23. Pets? 3 yorkies: Tumbles, Scruffy and Brownie!

24. Any exciting news you'd like to share with us? Nothing really exciting at the moment

25. What did you want to be when you were little? A mom

26. How are you today?Rested

27. What is your favorite candy? Peanut M&M's, Reese Cups anything Chocolate

28. What is your favourite flower?

29. What is a day on the calendar you are looking forward to?.April 1st - the lake opens

30. What is you favorite pastime?crafting, napping, watching TV

31. What are you listening to right now?George Bush's Speech

32. What was the last thing you ate? Oatmeal

33. Do you wish on stars? I have

34. If you were a crayon, what colour would you be?Any shade of blue

35. How is the weather right now?Cold & snowing

36. The first person you spoke to on the phone today? Bob

37. Favorite soft drink? Ice Tea

38. Favourite restaurant?Cheeseburger in Paradise

39. Real hair color?Dark Brown,

40. What was your favorite toy as a child? Barbie

41. Summer or winter? Summer

42. Hugs or kisses? Hugs

43. Chocolate or Vanilla? Chocolate

44. Coffee or tea? Tea

45. Do you want your friends to email you back?Yes

46. When was the last time you cried? It's been a while

47. What is under your bed?Shoes

48. What did you do last night? Watched TV, played on the computer

49. What are you afraid of? Birds

50. Salty or sweet?Both

51. How many keys on your key ring? Don't know at the moment it's in the car.

52. How many years at your current job?10

53. Favorite day of the week? Sunday

54. How many towns have you lived in?5

55. Do you make friends easily? Never thought about it.

56. How many people will you send this to?a bunch

57. How many will respond? Unknown

Sunday, January 11, 2009

Joel's Move to a New City and New Job!

Saturday, January 10, 2009



I received this Maxine cartoon from my friend Vickie, who makes fun of me, 'cause I wash my dishes off before putting them in the dishwasher. Ok, anal, maybe! But, who wants to get a dish with dried food stuck on it!


Friday, January 9, 2009

Happy Birthday

Joel's 23 Today!
Tonight we had a family dinner to celebrate!
Lasagna, Seven Layer Salad, & Bread Sticks
Chocolate Cake & Ice Cream.
Erica and Tyler were supposed to drive down but Tyler saw the doctor today. He has an ear infection and bronchitis. We really missed them.
It was fun having grandma & grandpa come by and eat with us!

Thursday, January 8, 2009

Snow Day!

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Give-away Posted

$5.00 Dinners - is having a giveaway for a $25.00 Kroger Gift Card.

If you would, go over and check it out. Lots of good ideas for saving money there too!


Giveaway Details

1. Contest ends Wednesday, January 7th at 5 pm EST. Winner will be announced in Wednesday night's dinner post.

2. Entry #1: Fill out the form below.

3. Entry #2: Leave a comment telling me in what way you promoted this contest (i.e., posting it in a forum, posting about it on your blog, Twittering about it, and/or subscribe to my feed by email or in a reader). I will combine the comments with the form replies before selecting the winner.

4. Winner will be selected by Random.org.

5. Contest is open to US residents only.

Sunday, January 4, 2009

OH-IO Go Buckeyes!






Wanted to wish all my fellow Buckeyes Good Luck. I plan on watching the game with my 3 anti-Buckeye fans (Notre Dame and North Carolina). I'm the lone Buckeye fan in this household so you could say we're a mixed breed!

I wanted to share a recipe I found ofer at Sue's. I'm re-naming them Buckeye Cookies (Hope you don't mind). If you get a chance, check out her site. Lot's of great ideas!

I found this recipe on: Oodlekadoodle Primitives - They look perfect for a Buckeye Party!



Not my picture: Found on Oodlekadoodle Primitives:


Ingredients:•


1 (19.5 oz.) package Pillsbury® Classic Traditional Fudge Brownie•

1/4 cup butter or margarine, melted•

4 ounces cream cheese, softened•

1 large egg•

1 cup powdered sugar•

1 cup Jif® Creamy Peanut Butter•

1/2 can Pillsbury® Chocolate Fudge Frosting

Directions:

1. HEAT oven to 350°F. Beat brownie mix, melted butter, cream cheese and egg in medium bowl 50 strokes with spoon until well blended (dough will be sticky).

2. DROP dough by rounded tablespoonfuls 2 inches apart onto ungreased cookie sheets to make 24 cookies; smooth edge of each to form round cookie.

3. MIX powdered sugar and peanut butter in small bowl with spoon until mixture forms a ball. With hands, roll rounded teaspoonfuls peanut butter mixture into 24 balls. Lightly press 1 ball into center of each ball of dough.

4. BAKE 10 to 14 minutes or until edges are set. Cool on cookie sheets at least 30 minutes.

5. SPREAD thin layer of frosting over peanut butter portion of each cooled cookie.

A Year of Memories

Saturday, January 3, 2009

Christmas Swaps Received

During the Holidays I participated in a few swaps on Girls Like Us...A group I've belonged to 2004. As you can see I really hit the jackpot! These girls did an awesome job picking items out for me.





Deb, from GLU, sent me these items for a snowman swap.





I received these items from Mary LS, from GLU, in the stocking swap...A yearly tradition.


Love the primitive items!

Friday, January 2, 2009

RESOLUTIONS


It's that time of year again, making and breaking my resolutions!


This time I'm starting on the 5th instead of the 1st. I'm off until Monday and I probably have a better chance of succeeding if I wait.


The word I chose to live by this year is DECLUTTER.....


I'm a horder my nature...My goal is to throw away 31 years of unnecessary junk.