Tag, you're it!

You know how hard it is to get tagged and not feel the need to run and tag the kid sitting next to you?

No?  Well, take my word for it.

I've already done an 8-question-about-you-meme once, but when Melissa tagged me again, I just couldn't resist.  After all, her questions were different, and clearly very important things she wanted to know about me.  I couldn't disappoint :)

If you're reading, consider yourself tagged.  If nothing else, it will give you the opportunity to google search great songs from the 80's!

Here are my questions for you:

1. What is your favorite 80's song?

Who can hear this song and not sing along?  And yes, my hair was bigger than all of these guys in 1987!

"Pour Some Sugar On Me"

Step inside, walk this way
You and me babe, Hey, hey!

Love is like a bomb, baby, c'mon get it on
Livin' like a lover with a radar phone
Lookin' like a tramp, like a video vamp
Demolition woman, can I be your man?
Razzle 'n' a dazzle 'n' a flash a little light
Television lover, baby, go all night
Sometime, anytime, sugar me sweet
Little miss ah innocent sugar me, yeah

Hey!
C'mon, take a bottle, shake it up
Break the bubble, break it up 

2. Favorite Casserole?

No wavering on this one...

Hash brown casserole from the ole Cracker Barrel wins, hands down.

Butter, cheese, sour cream...oh my!

Southern Hash Brown Casserole Recipe

• 1 bag of frozen hash brown potatoes (2 lbs)
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• ½ cup melted butter
• 1 ½ tsp salt
• 1 small onion (chopped)
• 1 can 10 ¾ oz cream soup (cream of chicken or cream of mushroom work very well)
• 1 cup sour cream
• 2 cups crushed Corn Flakes
• ¼ cup melted butter

Directions:

1. As mentioned above, thaw hash browns (or use refrigerator style hash browns).
2. In a large bowl, mix together hash browns, cheddar cheese, ½ cup melted butter, salt, onion, soup, and sour cream. Stir until evenly mixed.
3. Spray a 9 x 11 or 9 x 13 inch pan or casserole dish with Pam or lightly grease the dish. This helps on clean up.
4. Pour mixture from bowl into pan and spread evenly with a spoon. Do not pack down tightly.
5. In a small bowl, mix together Corn Flakes and ¼ cup melted butter. Mix together and spread on top of casserole.
6. Bake at 350 degrees F for 45 minutes without a lid. The top should be lightly browned when done.

Read more at Suite101: Southern Hash Brown Casserole Recipe: Cracker Barrel was the Copycat - Here's the Original Home Casserole http://www.suite101.com/content/southern-hash-brown-casserole-recipe-a66599#ixzz10ue000RT

3. Cheesecake or Pie?

I like the occasional slice of cheesecake, but nothing hits the spot more than a pie made with fresh blackberries from the garden.  This was our first year of having a bumper crop of the little gems, and they were delicious!

4. If you could do one thing over, what would it be?

By the time I had Gabe, I realized the absolute truth of the saying "time flies".  I savored every moment of his baby years, not even minding the midnight feedings or the fussy times when he just wanted to be held.  I wish I could go back and truly appreciate those times with Elijah and Isabel, too, instead of constantly looking forward to the next new thing (new tooth, crawling, walking, talking...).  That time in my life is a blur, and I know I didn't understand how I would blink and Elijah would be in junior high.

5. Would you rather read the book or see the movie?

ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS read the book.  I go to the movies maybe twice a year, and one of those times this past couple of years has been to see Twilight, New Moon and Eclipse.  And I saw each of them multiple times.  However, I would choose to read the book over seeing the movie every single time.  You just can't top the power of imagination!

6. Are you a yeller or a talker with your children?

Do you really think I would need to yell at these precious things?

Um, yes; yes, I do.  But I do prefer to talk first, yell later.  Unless I'm operating on two hours of sleep after working a night shift and no one is listening to me when it's time to get ready for bed and I'm getting crankier by the second and just want to lie down myself...then I can get pretty darn loud.

7. Do you prefer to fly or drive?

I have flown only a handful of times, and I really don't mind it, but I truly prefer the adventure of a road trip.  Planning out the map, packing up the van and heading out with my family in tow...I have so many great memories of the "getting there" part of our vacations, which wouldn't be the same if we had "gotten there" in two hours instead of sixteen.

8. Would you rather go to New York City or California?

Funny you asked.  Joe and I were just talking about planning a trip to California someday.  I have a friend who is a travel nurse in Cali, and she was telling me about a great place just north of Napa Valley called Calistoga.  One of the highlights is a hot-air balloon ride over the vineyards...can you imagine?  Breathtaking!

Enough about me...what about you?

A new pet?

Isabel has been begging for a new dog.

She would love a German Shepherd.  I would love a Golden Retriever, and so would Gabe.

Unfortunately for the three of us, Joe says a resounding "NO" to our request.

So instead, we are thinking of a unique pet.  Maybe one that doesn't shed.

Halloween would be a perfect time of year to carry this guy around.  He's called an aye-aye.

Reminds me of a Gremlin...

And how could you resist the lure of a finger monkey, aka the pygmy marmoset?  They only cost about $1500 (which doesn't really jive with frugal year, does it?).  Seriously, admire the cuteness and deny that you want one:

(Click on photo for the link to more information.)

Yep, I've decided.

I'm putting "finger monkey" on my Christmas list!

http://www.greenopia.com/NY/news/15657/11-9-2009/7-Weirdest-Animals-on-the-Planet

Finally!

(Photo courtesy of Jenna's Fall Farm)

It's finally here!

60 degrees with an almost chilly breeze.  Trees losing their leaves and turning shades of red, orange, yellow and brown (I think that last one is due to the drought we've been having).

Now I'm in the mood to pull out my sweaters and sweatshirts, jeans and boots.  Bake some pumpkin bread and homemade soup (hmm, potato or chicken-rice or white-chicken-chili...hard choice).  Get a pumpkin spice latte from Starbucks.  Buy an Autumn Harvest candle from Yankee.

Take the kids to a haunted house and a pumpkin patch.  Get lost in a corn maze.  Open every single window in my house and let the cool autumn air get into every nook and corner.  (Give my poor a/c a break!).  Enjoy weather forecasts like this one:

The songwriters may think that Christmas is the "most wonderful time of the year", but I disagree.  THIS is the most wonderful time of the year, and I am going to enjoy every second of it!

Do you love autumn?  Any family traditions to help celebrate the most wonderful season of the year?  What's your favorite soup?

Junior high

Although he didn't have anxiety about starting 7th grade, I sure did (for his sake).  

Would he be able to find all his classes?  Would he have time to eat his lunch?  Who would he sit with?  Would he make new friends?  Would he be able to open his locker?

Sigh...

Looks like Elijah knew better than his old mom.

The transition to Junior high has been nothing but smooth.  He has been nominated for Student of the Week three times already (by his teachers), and his grades are between A and A+.  He has made a couple of new friends and reconnected with old ones (pictured here is his friend, Aaron, who has been part of our "family" since they were both three years old!).

Yes, we are starting into some hormonal times, with mood swings and pimples and sweaty boy smells.  He is sad that he is one of the shortest guys in his class, and can't wait til he has a growth spurt.  But he is playing baseball and basketball and is excellent in both, and he really likes changing classes every bell.  Joe picks him up after school every day, since it is on his way home from work; this father-son time together has been great for the both of them.

And I haven't had any more nightmares about not being able to find my class or locker, thank goodness!

Did I mention...

how much this boy really,

(yes, he taped all those boxes together himself!)

really,

really loves Legos?

(photo taken by Gabe)

Thanks to all the family and friends who contributed to his addiction for his birthday!

Part-time

I am currently on break from school.  Three weeks to recover from the citric acid cycle and the organic structure of glucose, before we move on to English composition.  I go back next Tuesday evening, to start a journey of writing a gazillion papers for three months.  I'll let you know how that one goes...

I am also in the middle of an 8-day stretch of not working.  I work two 12-hour night shifts a week, and with the kids being in school, I am trying to work mainly weekends.  I adore working part-time, although I admit to harboring a tiny seed of jealousy toward stay-at-home moms, especially when Gabe is crying and begging me not to go to the hospital again.  However, when I have a long stretch of days off, I can almost pretend that I am a stay-at-home mom, and I love the feeling.  I make a meal plan and stick to it.  I pack the kids' lunches (and sometimes Joe's, too).  I am able to drive Isabel to band in the mornings before school, and be the head coach of her Girls on the Run program.  I can volunteer at Gabe's school.  I can go to the grocery on Monday morning, instead of fighting the weekend crowds.  I can enjoy being home.  That being said, I also love the feeling of having a paycheck and a job where I get a yearly evaluation that tells me how I'm doing.  I could support my family if I had to, just by bumping up my hours every week.  I get to dress up and have conversation with adults, and have the opportunity to help sick patients in need.

Honestly, I feel blessed to be able to work part-time, though some days I feel pulled in one direction (work more, earn more money) or another (stay home more, be with the kids while they're little).

Do you work part-time outside the home?  Full-time?  Do you have trouble finding a balance?  Would you be a stay-at-home mom if you could, or always work?  I am wondering...

Smile

These people...

always know how to...

make me smile.

And when Momma's smiling, everybody's smiling, right?!

Friday Fodder

Being tagged by a bloggy friend (thanks, Julia!) = good blog fodder when you're rushed for time :)


My assignment was to (honestly, I presume) answer the next eight questions:


1. What is your favorite board game?  Life, the credit card version.  Bought it for New Year's Eve to play with the kids, and we love it.  Best part:  no money to count!


2. If someone gave you $100 that you had to spend on yourself, what would you do with it?  Are you kidding?  Run to Archivers or Hobby Lobby and splurge on scrapbooking supplies, with a pitstop at Starbucks for a Pumpkin Spice Latte!

3. What city in the US would you most like to visit?  That's a tough one...but the one that comes to mind first is Flagstaff, Arizona.  Never been, have heard it's beautiful, and already have a promise from a fellow blogger friend to show me around there (right, Stephanie?).

4. What are your top three favorite TV shows?  Glee, CSI (the original), and Lost (I'm in denial that it's over, okay?)

5. Do you speak a foreign language? If so, how well?  I took four years of Spanish in high school, so I can understand Dora pretty well...and I can order a mean margarita :)

6. What is your middle name?  Esmerelda.


Okay, not really.


It's Sue.  Yep, Heather Sue.  Go ahead, make fun, say it with a hillbilly accent (I hear it all the time).

7. Is there one thing you totally suck at?  Um, is this a PG-rated post?  Yes?  Okay, I really suck at painting.  Walls, decorations; you name it, I suck at it.  I'll just stick to scrapbooking...

8. What is the least favorite job you have ever had?  Babysitting for this hateful bee-yatch woman who was mean to her stepson and totally favored her own stinker son, and wanted me to do the same when I was in charge.  Um, no thanks.  That job didn't last long.



And the meme ends with me, 'cause I cannot think of eight questions and I hate tagging people.  But if you, too, are in need of blog fodder, take my questions and answer them yourself.  I love to learn more about my bloggy friends (and I want to know what your middle name is!).

Food Jags

All three of my kids have gone through a food jag or two, but Elijah is the King of the Food Jag.

For his entire year of kindergarten, he ate Eggo pancakes for breakfast every.single.morning.

Then in first grade, it was black forest ham (plain, no bread) for lunch every.single.day.

Once he got to fifth grade, he wanted to start buying lunch.  Progress, I thought!  When asked what he was buying, he answered "chicken sandwich" (you got it:  every.single.lunch).

I have always lived by the advice not to make my kids' diet an issue, as long as they are eating a variety of things in a week.  Elijah does eat a lot of fruits and some vegetables, so I don't worry too much.  But I'm telling you, if I have to make another pack of Pillsbury Cinnamon Rolls for breakfast (his current jag), I may just scream...

Do your kids go on food jags?  What's the oddest jag they've ever been on?  Do you like Pillsbury Cinnamon Rolls?

Yellow Springs

Joe and I love to hike.

We have passed that love on to our kids.

For now, most of our hikes take place within an hour's drive from our home, but someday, we'll venture further.

On Labor Day weekend, we went with a group of friends to Yellow Springs, OH, on a perfectly gorgeous day.  One of those days that make you yearn for caramel apples, hot chocolate and hayrides to the pumpkin patch.

We didn't satisfy those yearnings; instead, we found hairy caterpillars, huge catfish and took a detour to Young's Dairy Farm for some homemade ice cream.

The kids sighed when I pulled out my camera...

Except for Gabe, aka Storm Trooper, who is always willing to pose for Mom :)

This brother-sister pair (Sam and Emily) are the perfect complement to Elijah and Isabel; the four of them get along amazingly well, and have had a great summer hanging out together.  This is a pretty typical scene of them being silly...

Joe's demonstration:  "How to Skip a Rock"...clearly riveting to this audience.

We hiked about two miles down into the forest, exploring caves, (skipping rocks), and finding treasures.  On the hike out (and up), my little Storm Trooper gave up and asked to be carried.  Talk about a workout!  I must have a comfy shoulder, though...he was out cold for at least a mile!

Are you a hiking family?  Any good trails near your home?  Would a Storm Trooper make you feel safer in the woods?

Recent Gabe-isms...

(Don't even ask...secret agent, maybe?)

You all know this boy cracks me up on a daily basis, right?  Really, he keeps the whole family in stitches, except when he's getting into their stuff, but that's another post.

The past couple of days, Gabe has been struggling with a cold/allergies/lots-of-snot virus.  Yesterday, he told me we were "gonna need to cancel school" since he was "so sick".  (Didn't work; I made him go.)  Today, he balked a little at getting on the bus.  He looked at me and asked, "do I have to go to school FOREVER?  even in Heaven?!".  (I reassured him that Heaven school would be awesome, if there is one.)

Gabe loves to take pictures with my digital camera.  This morning he took one of me in scary-momma-form (you know, crazy hair/no-makeup/t-shirt-and-sweatpants).  When we were marveling over his awesome photography skills, we came to that picture.  I said, "oh my, that's a scary one", to which he replied, "I think you look beautiful, Mommy".  Melt.My.Heart.

Lately, he has been obsessed with the weather.  Watching Stormchasers on Netflix, reading books about tornadoes/thunderstorms/floods from the library; you name it.  At least every other day, he asks me, "Aren't you glad we don't live in Tornado Alley, Mom?  Aren't you?  Wonder what Tornado Alley looks like..."  (I know he is picturing a town where tornadoes are constantly swirling in the sky!).

Most of the time, Gabe loves his big brother.  But sometimes, when Elijah is aggravating the crap out of him, he will shout "Wijah, you're such a Woser!"  (He can't say his "L" sounds well...).  Then it really ticks him off when we laugh, but we just can't help it!

Honestly, I could go on and on, but I'll save some for a later post.  Gabe-posts always seem to bring a smile to everyone's faces :)

Confessions

I have a confession to make.

I am not the ultra-cool hip chick that you all think I am.

(Oh, you didn't think that?  Well, keep that to yourself then, would you?  Thanks.)

Although I do own some great push-up bras and hot cleavage-baring shirts, most of the time I'm in a plain shirt and a pair of comfy jeans (sometimes even yoga pants).

If given the choice to go out for a night on the town, or sit at home with a bowl of popcorn and a Mike's Hard Lemonade...I'll choose home nine times out of ten.

When deciding on my theme for the year of 2010 back in January, I chose "frugality".  (Note:  I will never choose this one again...frugality sucks; 2011 can't come soon enough).

During my two hours of daily free time, when all the kids are in school and I could do anything I want to do, I choose making cards in my scrap room over a pedicure or shopping trip every single time.  Sitting downstairs, creating cards for fall or Christmas, listening to some of my dad's favorite CD's that my mom just gave to me...this is MY happy place.

I got A's in both Organic Chemistry and Genetics, and made the Dean's List this quarter.  (Told you I was a geek.)

I rarely watch TV anymore, since Lost ended and Glee has not yet begun (anybody know when the season starts?).  The local librarians know me by name; I'd rather read a book than watch reality television any day of the week.

My ten-year-old daughter has better fashion sense than me.

There, now I've burst your bubble.  Can we still be friends?  Do you have any confessions to make, or are you Joe Cool personified?  Do you want to receive a handmade Christmas card from a confessed geek like me?

It's time!

We had so much fun last fall, we're doing it again this year.

These two great friends of mine, Diane and Monica, along with three other awesome women, are coaching another Girls on the Run group, this time composed of 15 fifth grade girls.

Isabel and her girlfriends are just as excited!  We'll be meeting two days a week for ten weeks, helping these 10 and 11 year old girls to learn self-confidence, healthy living, and the power of feeling good in your own skin.  Oh, and we'll also be doing a lot of this:

And I'm sure at the end of the race, I'll be doing this again...

Shedding tears of pride for my incredible daughter, who is becoming an amazing young woman right before my very eyes.

Here's to another great season of GOTR!  If you're interested, check out www.gotrcincinnati.org , especially the GOTR video on the sidebar.  Guaranteed to inspire!

A good husband is...

one who helps coach every single sport his children play...

one who loves to hang out with his wife's friends, and even make them his own...

one who isn't threatened by his wife's love of two other men (or even Armando, her beloved Acapulco-an waiter)...

one who is an amazing dad to his children...

one who still wants to go on getaway weekends with said wife, and knows how to have a good time while there ;)...

My husband is that husband and more.  He tolerates my bad moods and knows how to calm me when I'm stressed.  He is even-keeled and never fusses if the dishes are dirty or the house is a mess.  He knows how to cut down a tree with a rope and a chainsaw (smile if you read that Facebook status).  He cheers me on when I get A's in BOTH chemistry and genetics!  And he makes sure we never doubt his devotion to our family.  Not only is he a good husband, he is a great one!

Breathe.

Grades aren't yet posted, but class is over.  I survived organic chemistry and genetics (and so did my family).

I have to work one more shift, then I'm off 'til Sunday.  We have a huge pig roast that we're invited to on Saturday, the forecast says 77 degrees and sunny, and I am like a kid, counting down the days until I can have FUN without a big test or term paper hanging over my head!  My next class (English) doesn't start for three weeks, and I am going to enjoy every minute!

We had a great birthday party at our house this past Sunday, celebrating Gabe's 6th year.  White chicken chili, homemade corn-avocado salsa, chocolate cake and white cupcakes (with some margaritas and bahama mamas thrown in for the adults).  Lots of friends, family, and Lego sets...what more could a boy want?

Gabe started kindergarten on Monday.  He hopped on that school bus without even a glance back at me (which was a good thing, since I had a few tears streaming down my face...being honest here).  He did NOT get sent to the principal's office on the first day, or the second, though he did confess to me last night that school is "a little boring".  I told him it will get better...

Elijah is liking junior high, more than he expected.  He scored 100% on a spelling test and got his name written on the board, since he was one of four in the class of 400 kids to do that well.  He was a bit sheepish in telling me about it, but also a bit proud.  All that reading pays off, I told him.  (LOVE that my kids are readers!).

Isabel adores her new class and teachers this year.  We are picking up her flute tomorrow, and band starts next week (did you know I started playing the flute in 5th grade, too?).  I was so stressed and exhausted by the time I got home from school last night, and that sweet girl of mine laid in my bed, massaging my back and telling me all about her day.  We are both looking forward to the start of a new season of Girls on the Run, and training together for the big race in November.

We finally convinced my mom to make the move to Lebanon, after many years of trying.  We got her settled into a cute little apartment five minutes away, and she stops by for dinner or just to chat, and it's so nice to have her around.  Gabe especially loves having his two mamaws close by...he loves on them every time he sees them.

In a couple of weeks, our schedule will be hectic again.  Elijah has baseball and basketball, practices and games.  Isabel has band and running, and I will be coaching Girls on the Run, going to class and still working two nights a week.  Gabe hasn't chosen a sport/activity yet, and I'm relieved...maybe this winter we will give indoor soccer another try.

For the next couple of weeks, though, I am simply going to breathe.  Clip coupons, make some meal plans, read, help with homework, volunteer in Gabe's class, visit with my friends and family and enjoy this time that I have been given.  My kids are growing up right before my very eyes, and I want to savor every second of it.  And I am going to do just that.