Rainy day blues

I hate these cold, dreary, rainy kind of days. The cold seems to get into my very core and I stay cold all day. Having a misty rain doesn't seem to help either. What makes it worse is that all I want to do is take a nap. It would be a great day for a nap but I have to go across town for my Wednesday class. On the bright side: I will be home by 6:30, dinner is in the crock pot and LOST is on tonight! Yippee! I suddenly feel all cheery and hopeful! Here is my list of 10 things that make me happy today (bear with me; trying to shake these rainy day blues)
1. LOST is on tonight. Best damn TV show on the air.
2. I got out of work at 12:45. Always a good day when I get out early!!! (I start at 6:15 AM)
3. I missed "company" at work. I dread when outsiders come in for the sole purpose of critiquing my classroom. I'd rather not be there.
4. I have 4 new volunteers on my FTG team at church!!! They are all so outgoing and crazy- love it!
5. Dinner is cooking in the crock pot. A no fuss meal!
6. I am not too crazy behind in homework, only a little. But this could change drastically if I don't do some by Thursday night!
7. I feel so blessed to have a warm house, a job, and medical insurance!
8. My front porch pansies are so beautiful and colorful! They brightened my day when I came home today.
9. I finally got my hairdresser to cut my hair in a simple bob. No more crazy layers that had a mind of their own.
10. IT IS HUMP DAY!!!! Only 2 more days to the weekend!!
I feel a bit better. Always look on the bright side of life. But uh-oh, I hear the "s" word on the weather: snow? Hush..... I 'll cross that bridge when and if it arrives.
HAVE A GREAT DAY!!

Elevation Band Rocks

WOW, It's been almost a year since I've had a thought to share

I can't believe it has been almost a year since I have had a thought to share. A lot has happened. I've been places, met people, experienced highs and lows, and through it all, I am still me.
Lets get caught up: still trudging through school at CPCC, passed Algebra (thanks Weezer), took on a Cadet Girl Scout Troop, joined a new church and jumped in as a volunteer and team leader before they knew a Clouser was in the house, FINALLY got a new car (may the Buick rest in peace), and still trying to lose weight!!! Being a classic procrastinator, I have decided I can make time to blog and balance all my plates. Let's see if I can pull it off.......

No Way, No How!

I have made a parental decision and since I have decided it, than it is to be.......I WILL NOT escort any of my daughters to any function on a Saturday at 5:45 AM!!!! No way, no how! I don't care if they are receiving an award from the President of the USA. Take a picture and show it to me at a more reasonable hour, thank you. Wheezer, god bless that poor girl's heart, is participating in Science Olympiads this Saturday and they are to meet at the school at 5:45 AM! HA- not this parent! The parents then need to car pool the kids to UNCC! Double HA! Oh wait, we can car pool.... oh, I see..... the other parents have gotten first dibs on not going! That leaves my child and 3 others without a ride.(we can never say NO to an academic endeavor)TRIPLE HA!!! The way I figured this one; since I am camping with same child, I get a free pass on this Saturday deal. Not too mention, I birthed her WITHOUT DRUGS and on the bathroom floor, breastfed her at all hours of the night, and I get all the teen angst thrown at me. That leaves me out, Big Guy in. Besides, we have a camcorder and camera, send me the photos, AFTER 10:00 AM, thank you.

HAPPY 13TH BIRTHDAY WHEEZER!

Jen's Chicken Loaf

As a nod to Kay and her recent posting of a recipe, here's mine. Chicken Loaf. My family loves it! I like the name-chicken loaf. It's a funny name actually. Anyway, here it is and it really is good. Divide it into 11 portions and it comes to 3.5 Weight Watcher points.
Chicken Loaf
1 lb. ground chicken 2 Tablespoons ketchup
1 c. crushed saltines (24 crackers) 1 Tablespoon Dijon mustard
1/2 c. minced onion 1 teaspoon prepared horseradish
2 Tablespoons minced green pepper 1/2 teas. paprika
1/4 teas. pepper
Heat oven to 350- in large bowl, combine all ingredients, mix well but don't overmix. Pack miture into a 8x4 loaf pan coated w/cooking spray. Bake 45 mins. Remove and let stand 5 mins or longer to set firmly.
Enjoy and say over and over... chicken loaf chicken loaf chicken loaf chicken loaf......

Time is Marching on.

I can't believe it is March already! And the year 2008! Seems like only yesterday I gave birth to my first daughter, Wheezer. She will be 13 this Tuesday and I am having a hard time with it. A teenager, for pete's sake, in my home! Me, a mom of a teenager! I miss her littleness. I miss her needing me, other than for new sneakers or a ride somewhere. I miss her wanting to help with dishes or dusting because any time she spent with me was important to her. I have great photos of her vacuuming for the first time and the joy on her face is priceless. I miss her wearing the craziest outfits with lots and lots of necklaces, bracelets, and hair do-dads AND going out in public because she thought she was, and she was, beautiful! I miss listening to the Talking Heads song "Stay Up Late" and being reminded of her. (I still am but it's different). I miss singing "Daisy, Daisy" and "You are my sunshine" and she getting thrilled as if it is the first time she's heard it not the millionth. I miss her announcing in second grade that "Itsy Bitsy Spider" was her favorite song because pop culture hadn't found her yet. I miss her, at age three still sleeping in her crib, or her cozy nest as she called it, and teaching her friends to climb into it and play Barbies with her. I miss her imaginary friend, Keisha, who lived with us from age 3 to age 6. There were times I swore Keisha really did exist! I miss, most of all, Wheezer thinking the sun rose and set on me and she wanted to be just like me when she grew up. I love her so much as she grows into a young women, but I mourn the child that is gone.