Where is super nanny when I need her?

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I recently joined a Comment Challenge through Blogelina.  It gave me an opportunity to network with other bloggers, and read some blogs that I probably would not have had access to otherwise.  This was an amazing experience.  It reminded me about what I loved about blogging in the first place the opportunity to be speak honestly and simply to get your truth out there.  I think it also gave me permission to share.  Now, they’ve done it!!

I am firmly in the middle of the terrible two’s.  I think most people get a break from the terrible two’s when their little ones go to sleep, but not me.  No matter where she starts out, she will undoubtedly end up in our bed.  Where she kicks me in the back, puts her cold hands and feet on me, and generally just disturbs my sleep.  Putting her back in her bed after she is asleep may or may not work, but either way.  My sleep is not restful.

Today, we went to Home Goods, because I was in dire need of some retail therapy.  I had prepped her for about an hour on where we were going, that she would sit in the cart, and be a big girl for Mommy.  She even seemed stoked to go.   Fast forward to getting to the store.  First, she wanted to sit in the front of the cart, and then the back of the cart, and then she wanted to walk and then she wanted to be picked up.  Mind you this is all taking place while  going down the first two aisles.  She pitched such a fit that I took her by the hand, walked out the store, and drove the twenty minutes back home.

I said all this to say…  HELP!!  My eight year old kind of skipped the terrible two’s and my son who is now 16 years old.  Well, his terrible two’s were a long time ago.  How did you manage the terrible two’s?  I see lots of time outs in this little one’s future.

 

 

 

 

Living In Between Stages

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I have never had any desire to be a stay at home.  Well, that is not entirely true, during the eight weeks that I stayed at home with my girls after they were born, I wished I had the option to stay home with them for a while longer.  But, for as long as I can remember, my M-F consisted of dropping the kids off and heading off to work.  I don’t think you realize just how much you miss (luckily or unluckily, when you work outside the home.

Nothing could have prepared me for the changes that were to lie ahead of me.  I think that adjusting to any kind of change can have its twists and turns.  I think at first, I believed that this was definitely a temporary thing, I expected to be back to work in a matter of days at the most weeks. I had read all the accounts about what a mess the economy was in and just how hard it was to find something.  Naturally, I didn’t think that this would be my predicament.
But, I didn’t realize how many things factor into finding a new job.  I had been with the same company for twelve years, and had managed to move up through the ranks.  First, there was location, distance from home, gas and salary requirements.  I learned I was making downtown pay, in a rural area.  So in order to make what I was making in a place where I would want to work, I would have to drive downtown battle Atlanta traffic and then not make it home to my kids before 7.
So after going on several interviews and being frustrated by either the pay or the distance.  I decided to take a break.  My daughter’s eighth birthday party was fast approaching and the holiday season kept me pretty busy.  We had an amazing “memory worthy” Christmas.  Just like the ones I used to dream of having time to create.  And, I was pleased.
But, on the other side of that just like after a wedding is the let down, as I packed up the Christmas decorations.  I guess I packed up 2012 and with 2013 came the need for a new plan.  It was time for me to go back to work.  So, as I spend my days sending out applications and resumes, and scouring every possible job search board I can find.  I also find myself feeling like maybe I need to find  a way to become acclimated to my role here at home.  I guess in a way I have felt like this is not my life, when in fact it is, whether it is for two more days or two more years.  ( I hope its not that long.)
Transitioning and Acceptance go hand in hand, but how do you manage to do both at the same time?
Note:  After reading this over, I felt like I should mention just how blessed I am to have a husband who can adequately provide for us, while I muddle my way through all of this.

Renewals… and New Beginnings!!

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I find that almost every year it takes me a while to jump right in with both feet.  I believe the reason for that is two fold.  One, I am normally still recovering from a very busy Holiday Season, and two I always feel the need to purge at the beginning of the year.

This year has been no different except that there seemed to be so many more areas of my life that needed purging.   This year, I didn’t really do any New Year’s Resolutions.  Instead, I tried to fine tune goals that I set out to accomplish last year (that are still a work in progress).

I finally completed an entire year of working out.  I can’t say that it was all strenuous working out, but I kept my body moving for the entire year, and I was able to keep off the 15 lbs I lost for the entire year.  Drinking water, became a part of my every day life.  I spent time with Lord and focused on my spiritual health.  I worked on being frugal through coupons and searching for deals on everything from hotels and airline tickets to socks!!  I stepped out the box and spent some time with hubby at the gun range, and liked it.  I even ventured into the pool in a bathing suit this past summer with the kids.

I moved closer to having the Three Dimensional Life that I put on my Vision Board for 2012.  And, even though 2012 took me through a lot of changes, it was a good year.

In 2013, I vow to not limit myself.  I will work on not forgetting that there really is nothing that is not within my reach with hard work and determination.  I hope that you all will join me on my journey, as all the pieces fall into place!!

Dreaming in Technicolor!!

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As I sat in front of the tree on Christmas Eve night, admiring our home, and thanking God for giving my husband and I the ability to be able to provide for our children and give them lifetime memories, I realized just how much I have to be grateful for.

I started to smile as I thought of how amazing it is to have a husband who also “dreams in technicolor”. It is a great feeling to be able to execute a plan for your home, and have someone else who is equally vested and shares your dream. Don’t get me wrong we DO NOT always agree when it comes to decor or furniture. But, this Christmas we put our heads together and we were both proud of the outcome. Everything was as perfect as things can be in a imperfect world!!

The food was great, we got good hostess gifts!! We played some games, and even the guests didn’t go home empty handed.

I love Christmas, it is my FAVORITE HOLIDAY, and always has been!! But, it ranks even higher, when I get to spend it with the ones I love!!

Wishing you the joy of the season.. Vision for the New Year and Motivation to Persevere towards all your goals and Dreams –

Stage Presents – A Blueprint to Better Living!!

It’s beginning to “Teal”, a lot like Christmas!!

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I have absolutely fallen in love with teal this year.  Check out some great inspiration pieces, I found on Pinterest..

In fact, I got my color scheme for one of my Christmas trees (still a work in progress), from these pics.

Here are the ornaments that I purchased for the tree, and my Table Centerpiece for Formal Dining Room.

A twist on Green Bean Casserole –

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Golden Green Bean Casserole
recipe image
Rated: rating
Submitted By: Campbell’s Kitchen
Prep Time: 10 Minutes
Cook Time: 30 Minutes
Ready In: 40 Minutes
Servings: 6
“Sometimes the comfort of long-time traditional side dishes is the perfect solution for a family meal. Enjoy this variation as well.”
INGREDIENTS:
1 (10.75 ounce) can Campbell’s®
Condensed Golden Mushroom Soup
1/2 cup milk
Dash ground black pepper
1/4 cup chopped red pepper
4 cups cooked cut green beans
1 1/3 cups French’s® French Fried
Onions
DIRECTIONS:
1. Stir the soup, milk, black pepper, red pepper, beans and 2/3 cup onions in a 1 1/2-quart casserole.
2. Bake at 350 degrees F. for 25 minutes or until the bean mixture is hot and bubbling. Stir the bean mixture. Sprinkle with the remaining onions.
3. Bake for 5 minutes or until the onions are golden brown. 

 

 

** I am always looking for a twist on the traditional, and this worked.  I made it for Thanksgiving this year.  Plan on reusing it for Christmas.Here are some of my pics.

A Glimpse into Thanksgiving Break!!

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“And if someday you’re lonely,
or someday you’re sad,
or you strike out at baseball,
or think you’ve been bad…

just lift up your face, feel the wind in your hair.
That’s me, my sweet baby, my love is right there.

In the green of the grass… in the smell of
the sea… in the clouds floating by…
at the top of a tree… in the sound
crickets make at the end of the day…

“You are loved. You are loved. You are
loved,” they all say.

Wherever you are my Love will Find You – Nancy Tillman

This is one of my favorite books and I bought it for the girl’s for Christmas last year.

Time honestly flies by way too quickly!!

My All Time Favorite Children’s Books for the Season

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More Christmas Magic!!

During the holidays, we always try to make time to read Christmas stories with the kids.  It’s something that we have all come to look forward too.  And, it’s always a great idea to teach our kiddies to LOVE reading!! Here are some of our favorites!!

The Polar Express

** You can add this DVD to your collection!! or Check it on Amazon Instant Video!!

The Sweet Smell of Christmas (A Scented Storybook) by J.P.Miller

Room for a Little One by Jason Cockcroft

Another Great After Thanksgiving Recipe – Turkey Dumpling Stew

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Turkey Dumpling Stew

Another After Thanksgiving Recipe - Turkey Dumpling Stew

Photo Source: Food Network Magazine

Recipe courtesy of Food Network Magazine

Prep Time:
50 min
Inactive Prep Time:
—
Cook Time:
4 hr 0 min
Level:
Intermediate
Serves:
6-8 servings
 Ingredients
  • 1 leftover roasted turkey carcass, plus 3 to 4 cups shredded turkey meat
  • 1 onion, quartered
  • 2 stalks celery, quartered crosswise (save the leaves for the dumplings)
  • 1 pound carrots (3 quartered crosswise; the rest thinly sliced)
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 3 sprigs parsley
  • 3 sprigs thyme
  • Dumpling dough (recipe linked below)
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 4 shallots, minced
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
  • 1 pound parsnips, peeled and thinly sliced Juice of 1/2 lemon
  • 1 pound green beans, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
  • Chopped fresh chives, for topping

Directions

Make the stock: Pull the turkey carcass apart into smaller pieces; set the meat aside. Put the bones in a large, deep pot and add cold water to cover, 4 to 5 quarts. Add the onion, celery, the 3 quartered carrots and the bay leaf. Tie the parsley and thyme together with twine and add to the pot, then cover and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Uncover, reduce the heat to medium low and cook 3 to 4 hours. Remove the bones and vegetables with a skimmer and discard, then strain the stock though a fine-mesh strainer. Return the stock to the pot and simmer over medium-high heat until reduced by half, 30 to 40 minutes (you’ll have about 8 cups stock).

About 45 minutes before serving, prepare the dumplings . Keep covered with plastic wrap while you make the stew.

Make the stew: Melt the butter in a large, wide pot over medium heat. Add the shallots and cook until soft, about 3 minutes. Add the flour and cook, stirring, 30 seconds. Gradually add the stock, stirring, and bring to a simmer. Season with salt and pepper. Add the sliced carrots and parsnips, cover and cook 5 minutes.

Stir in the turkey meat, lemon juice and green beans. Add the dumplings in a single layer (leave as squares or pat into rounds). Cover and simmer until the dumplings are cooked through, about 20 minutes. Ladle into bowls; top with chives.

Photograph by Con Poulos