A New Addition

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Remember my post “A Hairy Christmas?”

It could have been considered hairy for an entirely different reason.

We got a dog.

Now to be clear, I never wanted a dog.

Ever.

In my experience, they are stinky and their hair gets everywhere.

But this kid changed my mind.

My son has always loved animals and desperately wanted a pet.

When he was four we got him fish.

When he was four they died.

Not quite the pet he was looking for.

Before my husband and I went out looking for a dog I made a list of the type of dog I would welcome into my home.

1. Dark haired dog.

2. Short haired dog.

3. Medium sized dog.

Instead we came home with Sophie.

She’s got white fur.

She’s got long hair.

She’s 42 pounds as a puppy.

She only met one of my requirements.

She makes my son happy.


Thank You

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My husband and I are trying to raise our children to be well mannered, considerate, and respectable young people.

Emphasis on the trying.

They’re not walking around wearing white undershirts and smoking but some days I worry if we’re making any progress.

Thank you cards are big in our house.

I believe it’s important for kids to learn how to write them and send them each time they receive a gift.

So everyday for the past week, our kids have written a thank you card to someone who gave a present to them over the holidays.

I’m fairly sure my 6 year old’s thank you card proves we’re not succeeding in our goal.

 

Soapy Solution

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I hate the liquid soap bottle on my counter. I think it junks up the place.

Yep. It’s definitely junks up the place.

A few days ago I was cruising through the blog Simcoe Street when I saw the solution I had been searching for. Jenny used an olive oil cruet to store her dish soap. Bingo! I literally left the house three days later immediately and bought my own cruet with stopper at Walmart.

I put too much dish soap in  initially so I was skeptical as to whether this was really a brilliant solution. But now I think I have the perfect water to soap combo and love it.

Yes, it definitely gives the counter a cleaner look.

Anyone else rushing out to get their own cruet?

 

A Hairy Christmas

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Our family has a history of silly gifts on Christmas day, from my Dad’s t-shirts, to wrapping a present in multiple boxes, to the matching pants my sisters and I received (not an intentional gag gift but one which occurred since apparently JCrew’s sizes run waaaaaay small).

So I figured this Christmas it was my turn to be the ring leader.

Browsing through etsy in September I came across some crocheted beards and I knew this was it.

Laura was wonderful to work with and created 7 beards for me to give as gifts for the family.

Feast your eyes on this awesomeness!

Top row:
My brother the hairy beast (I’m sure this look will be a hit on the college scene)
My dad (gray to match his current stache)
My husband (just what he needs, more hair 🙂
My brother-in-law (Very stylish and practical for shoveling snow in Michigan)
Front row: My sons who are in heaven to be with the big guys

Yes, I said seven but there are only six beards in the picture.

Where’s the 7th beard you ask?

Introducing Princess Grizzly …..

Her hat and beard were created by Laura.

Outside playtime this winter will probably lead the neighbors to think we’ve adopted three middle aged munchkins.

Check out Laura’s site here and have your own hairy fun.

Goals plus a Printable!

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Last year my husband and I made financial resolutions which we stuck to until the beginning of March when I had my miscarriage. At that point, all concerns over our finances went out the window since I was eating my weight in brownies. Around August we got somewhat back on track but it never became the focus it was initially.

This year I’ve decided to tackle resolutions with a different approach, loosely basing it from Gretchen Rubin’s best seller  The Happiness Project.

During her year long project, Rubin focused on twelve different subject areas broken into categories to “work on” that month. Parenthood, energy, and money were just three of those monthly areas. Within each month were defined activities to help her achieve an increased level of happiness.

For example, January’s focus was, “Boost Energy,” while her activities were “go to sleep earlier, exercise better, toss – restore – organize, tackle a nagging task, and act more energetic.

While the larger focus didn’t appeal to me, the idea of smaller tasks did.

My plan is to write monthly goals. This is for two reasons really. First, I’m a list maker. I probably write out 3 lists a day. Second, I feel smaller, more tangible goals might be easier to complete and measure.  Nothing is better than crossing off accomplishments, however small they might be.

Now before I share my January goals I want to remind you  that I’m not going for anything earth shattering here. Solving world peace and the Afghanistan crisis are not my focus. My aim is to tackle tasks which will put a little hop in my step, put a smile on my face, or just make life more relaxing for my family.

Throughout the month I’ll keep you updates on my progress.

If you would like a blank copy of this January goal page just click here

Have you set any goals or resolutions for 2012?

Christmas Stress

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My kids are thrilled with the new addition to our neighbors’ Christmas display.

Me? Not so much.

Thanks to them, I’ve been stressed since the day after Thanksgiving.

Every time I drive by their house I am reminded of the six thousand tasks I still need to complete.

You can rest assured  I will NOT have a cup of sugar to lend her when she comes asking.

 

De-Lish Oreo Treats

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This week we made these Oreo Treats for our friends, neighbors, and teachers. Let me just tell you, they are delicious. The best part? They are simple to make.

Chocolate Covered Oreo Treats

Ingredients:
2 packages of Oreo Cookies
2 (8 oz) blocks of cream cheese, softened
4 packages of semi – sweet chocolate (8 blocks in each package)
Any toppings: crushed candy, mints, toffee
 
Directions:

1 – Crush the Oreos into fine crumbs using a food processor or rolling pin & cutting board

2 – Mix Oreo crumbs with cream cheese – best to just get in their with your hands and mix

3 – Roll into balls (1 inch or so) and place on a cookie sheet which is covered in wax paper.

4 – Refrigerate for two hours

5 – Melt chocolate in a double burner (I used use a smaller pot in a larger pot filled with water)

6 – Drop one or two Oreo balls into the melted chocolate, using forks to rotate them and cover them completely. Lift with fork and allow excess chocolate to drip back into pot.

7 – If you are putting a topping on them do so now.

8 – Place in refrigerator again and let them chill.

9 – Pour yourself a large glass of milk and enjoy! Bag them up for gifts!

Are there any sweet treats you are giving as gifts?

The Post Office Every Year

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Every December I stand in line at the post office and make the same vow:

Next year my husband will mail the packages for his family.

He will:

1 – Take all three children with him

2 – Fill out the customs paperwork

3 – Explain 17 times why the line doesn’t go any faster

4 – Hand out goldfish crackers

5 -Pick up and put down the two year old six times.

6 – Fill out different paperwork since the previous paperwork was for packages that weigh one ounce less than your package

7 – Tell the children 23 times to lower their voice.

8 – Wait while a woman trying to mail a package to Sweden doesn’t understand why her box needs to have an address or be closed.

9 – Sweep crushed goldfish under the counter and out of sight with foot.

10 – Listen to the post office worker explain the twelve thousand options for sending a package when all you want to do is scream, “JUST MAIL IT!”

Yes, I’m quite sure my husband will be the one mailing the packages next year.

 
Weekend Bloggy Reading

Meeting

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I’m not sure but I think I just attended a cult meeting.

There were adults in matching uniforms, teenagers in costume, a rustic bridge, the passage of young boys, and ceremonial rules which required silence during a ceremony.

I just attended my first Boy Scout meeting with my nine year old and frankly, I’m more than concerned.

As I sat there tonight I thought, “I actually encouraged this. I’m the one who suggested Alex be a scout.”

Scouting? Must be all about camping and derby car races, right?

No, there’s more, so much more.

The meeting tonight focused on the bridging ceremony of two weblo scouts going into an  older boy scout troop.

The ceremony started out with the den leader telling the audience that this was one of the few solemn ceremonies in boy scouts.

Super. My two year old is with me and it’s the one night of a quiet ceremony.

Three high school boys then begin the ceremony dressed in Indian gear. I mean, leather pants, freaky looking colorful shirt, and a full on headdress. Not to be out done, the fourth boy wore a wolf on his head.

Then they began speaking. It was like a second grade play. No one knew their lines. As if all of the”uhs” and “ums” weren’t enough, there were several painful humming interludes.

It was weird.

I mean what teenage boys do you know want to play dress up and hum into front of a hundred people?

We left about twenty minutes into the ceremony.

I took my daughter’s, “I poopy,” as a cue and ran out of there as quickly as possibly.

This was my first boy scout meeting and quite possibly my last.

After all, I’d still prefer to think of boy scouts as more camping and less Village People.

143 Acts – Part 3

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 143 Random Acts of Kindness is Continuing….Go here to read the why and Part 2

source

#8 – Donated money to friend riding bike ride to support MS research – Kelly

#9 – Donated bed

#10 – Gave coach paperwork from another team which would help him write up a handbook quicker

#11 – Donated money to my friend who is running a marathon to support cancer research. – Kelly

#12 – Gave $10 store credit coupon to woman in store

#13 – Donated clothes to Family Services Center

#14 – Left baby coupons in store directly by object

#15 – Donated clothes & house items – Jess

#16 – Paid for order behind me in Starbucks drive thru

#17 – Held door open for woman coming into donut shop

#18 – Gave money to family who has been without a job since October- Mom

#19 – Stopped for someone to cross road

#20 – Gave coupon to woman in store when I didn’t use it

#21 -Left magazines at the airport for another traveler

#22 – Gave coupon to woman in Gymboree

#23 – Stop and speak with check in desk at pool everyday

#24 -Stopped and spoke with a woman for 10 minutes who obviously wanted to talk. Normally would have said, “I need to go.”

#25 -Bought magazine subscription from a teen door to door salesman

#26 -Let mom go in front of me at grocery store when I was shopping alone

#27 -Gave encouraging words to store employee who was dealing with difficult customer

#28 -Stopped car so someone could cross

#29 -Left coupons near items at grocery store

#30 -Left comment on blog of a new blogger

#31 -Left coloring books in hospital waiting room

#32 -Left coupons in grocery store

#33 -Shared shade umbrella with someone at outdoor soccer practice

#34 – Served kids pizza and drinks at a friend’s party

#35 – Donated clothes and household supplies to Family Services Center

#36 -Gave woman in Old Navy a 30% entire purchase coupon

#37 -Donated blood

#38 – Donated Halloween costumes to the hospital

#39 -Gave woman coupon in Goodwill after someone gave it to me

#40 – Bought gifts for Salvation Army Angel #1 – 9 year old boy

#41 – Bought gifts for Salvation Army Angel #2 – 6 year old boy

#42 -Bought gifts for Salvation Army Angel #3 – 18 month old little boy

#43 – Sincerely complimented sales woman on outfit

 

100 Acts to Go!