Momma's Thoughts

AMANDA TURNS 21 TODAY!

2009-02-14T06:01:00.005-05:00

From this....

To this!
Happy 21st Birthday, Amanda. We love you lots!

GRACIE'S SONG

2009-02-08T16:20:00.002-05:00

GRACIE'S SONG

"Hold You In My Arms Forever"

Never thought I’d see a day like this day.
Never thought your life could end so soon.
Looking down into your pretty little face,
My heart fills with joy and sadness,
And all that I can say.

I want to hold you in my arms forever.
I want to kiss away the tears you never cried.
I want to be the one to keep you safe and sheltered
‘Til the morning when we never say goodbye.

Sometimes life can be so full of heartache,
Our greatest joy is crushed beneath our feet.
But in the midst of pain too great to explain,
The Blessed Hope of life eternal
Thrills me when I say.

I want to hold you in my arms forever.
I want to kiss away the tears you never cried.
I want to be the one to keep you safe and sheltered
‘Til the morning when we never say goodbye.
________
By Tim D.
Inspired by line from Melissa C. - "I just wanted to pick her
up and hold her forever’
In Memory of Grace Lee M. - Lived and Died January 19, 2009
Parents - Emily and Richard M.
Grandparents - Gene and Melissa C.
Great Grandparents - Joseph and Barbara D.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GENE!

2009-01-15T08:15:00.008-05:00

This is the only baby picture I have of Gene! His mother thinks he is 1 year old here. He was number five of 7 children so don't think he got a whole lot of attention! I like to tease him about this picture and call him "poor little Gene!"

Joining the Navy! A long way from the Dairy farm he grew up on in Preston Hollow, NY!

Gene with his beloved Harley!

Lookin cool!

Doing what he loves best! Riding his Harley!
You've come a long way, baby! And the best is yet to come! You're gonna be a Grandpa in just a few short weeks!
Happy Birthday Honey! Have a wonderful day! I love you!

WELCOME TO OUR WORLD!

2008-12-13T22:39:00.001-05:00

One of my "newer" favorite Christmas songs! Enjoy!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, EMILY AND RICHARD!

2008-12-07T07:53:00.005-05:00

Happy Birthday to Emily and Richard who share the same Birthday today! Is that too cool or what...husband and wife having the same birthday! Hope you have lots of fun today! Love you and miss you lots! Wish we could be with you today!

Catching up!

2008-12-04T20:49:00.005-05:00

Well, this is a fine howdy-doody! For some strange reason, the pictures did not post in the order I wanted, and when I go to add my words, all I see is a bunch of words! Where oh where are the girls when I need them?!?!?!
Anyways, we had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend. Emily, Richard and Amanda were all home for 5 days. We had a delicious Thanksgiving dinner. As well as all of us, we also had Grandma and Grandpa, Ralph, Lydia and Madison. Emily had made Turkey Favors for each plate and they turned out so cute! Later in the evening, Gene started a fire in the Chiminea at Madison's request and we had the makings for Smores. It was a beautiful cool, almost cold, evening. So unusual for this time of year.
Friday morning, bright and early at 5am, Grandma, Lydia, Amanda and I headed out for our Black Friday shopping expedition. Emily, unfortunately had a horrible cold, so opted to stay home. We found some good buys and made good time, accomplishing a lot in our day. Gene and Richard went Harley riding for the day. Richard had a 24hr Harley rental so they made good use of their day getting lots of riding in. We did all meet up at Chili's for lunch. We made it home about 3pm and then the whole clan met up again that evening to eat up leftovers. Friday also happened to be our 27th wedding anniversary, so on Saturday we took the girls and Richard to the River House in North Palm Beach. Went shopping at Babies R Us after eating.
Emily, Richard and Amanda all left on Monday morning. I have had this week off for vacation time. I have enjoyed just being home and putting up the Christmas decorations. The week has flown by and soon it will be time to go back to work:(

Yes, Amanda, I admit I pirated some of your pictures. I dropped my camera and broke it today:(

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO US!

2008-11-29T13:09:00.003-05:00

Yesterday, November 28th, was our 27th wedding anniversary.
We celebrated separately! I went Black Friday shopping with Mom, Lydia and Amanda. We left home at 5am and got back home around 3pm. Gene and Richard went Harley riding for the day. We did all meet up for lunch at Chili's! Today we are celebrating by going to the River House in North Palm Beach. We are taking Emily, Richard and Amanda. Gene and I love going to the River House so are looking forward to taking the girls as they have never been.
Happy Anniversary, Honey, I love you!

2008-11-11T20:26:00.003-05:00

Well, not a whole lot going on around here. The dog is walked and sleeping beside me on the floor. Gene is entertaining himself by singing tunes sung to Christmas carols that are in this month's Readers Digest. They must be really funny as he is singing and laughing! Amanda came home this weekend and made cupcakes to take back to her suite mates in the dorm so thought I would post a picture of them. Had to work today (Veterans Day) but had a nice change of pace as I got to be the secretary instead of nurse today. Not a bad day at all! And now the cupcakes!
And as usual, the pictures posted above my text and I don't know how to move them. Also posted a picture of the Apple Maple Cake Amanda made another weekend she was home.

Can't Forget Our Jacksonville Weekend!

2008-11-06T21:04:00.007-05:00

Amanda, Ella and I left home at 6:30 am Friday morning to head to Jax. We had planned on leaving Thursday evening after getting home from work and school, but rain and wind was in the forecast and I was tired and didn't want to drive in the rain at night. Of course, it didn't rain at all Thursday night but rained all day Friday. At least it was just a steady drizzle so I didn't mind driving in that. We only ran into one downpour that lasted 30 minutes or so. After a couple of short stops for Ella to get out and walk around we arrived at Emily and Richard's around 11am. The top pic is of the animals all getting reacquainted! They all love each other!

Emily had a 1:30 appt for her ultrasound, so shortly after arriving we all headed out for lunch at Chili's and then on to the ultrasound. Emily did a good job of driving us there!

Amanda is anxious to get there. She could hardly wait to find out if she is having a niece or a nephew!

In the ultrasound room, Richard is anxious to get started!

Amanda anxiously waiting to get started. She chose a comfortable seat on the leather couch facing the big screen on the wall!

Leaving Discovery Ultrasound. Everyone is so excited! It's a girl!! Just what everyone wanted!

OK, so just who is pregnant here? Amanda trying on the magic belly in Motherhood Maternity. Friday evening Richard had to work so the girls and I headed down to St. Augustine to the outlet malls where we shopped for a while until we got tired and then headed back to Jacksonville stopping for dinner at a Mexican restaurant that we all decided was not worth going to again!

Gene arriving on his Harley on Saturday morning.

Gene was starving when he arrived so we all went out to Olive Garden for lunch. I think Richard was tired of me trying to get a picture of him! And, he will probably kill me for this!

Gene tired and sleeping after the long drive up and a good lunch.

Finally caught Richard in a good pose in his favorite place. Playing games on the computer!

Saturday after lunch the girls and I went shopping in Jacksonville. There are so many places to shop there. This picture was taken at Babies R Us. It just opened and is huge! They have so much stuff! Of course I had to buy an outfit or two for our little grandaughter!

The guys met up with us on Saturday night for a while. Richard is relaxing in the recliner

After a delicious Roast Beef dinner on Sunday, Emily made this scrumptious Paula Deen Pound Cake. We sat around and talked for quite a while Sunday afternoon and then we all left around 4:30 pm. Gene left about half an hour ahead of us but we caught up with him eventually! Of course he says it's cause he sat and waited on us!

We had a great time and are looking forward to Emily and Richard coming down here for Thanksgiving.

A FEW BARGAINS!

2008-11-04T16:02:00.005-05:00

I was in the mood to go out shopping today and was glad I did. I actually found a few bargains and a few Christmas presents to boot!
Thought I would show you a few of the bargains I found.

I thought this little black and white jacket was adorable, and it was on the clearance rack at Target! Guess who it's for?!

Fall flags were on clearance at Michael's. I couldn't pass this one up as it is by Mary Englebreit. I love her pictures! Not a good picture as the sun was shining directly at me.

Macy's had their clearance purses with 50% off the clearance price. I also had several coupons that I had gotten in the mail, so when I checked out the clerk used 3 coupons including one $20.00 off, so I got these purses for next to nothing! The girls can fight over these when they come home for Thanksgiving...if they don't want them I guess I will keep all three:)

I finally remembered to go to Joanne's and pick up 2 zippers so I can mend you know who's skirts! Now if I can just remember to mend them! hehe

I found the salt and pepper shakers that match my dishes I bought a year or so ago. They were marked way down. Not sure yet if I like them, though. I think they look like milk jugs!

Some Wilton sprinkles for our Christmas baking.

And now the other 2 purses from Macy's. I can never get the pictures in the order I want. These are Fossil purses.

OK, Amanda, I traded in Ella's antlers for a pair that actually light up. They were the last pair, too.

And a new bowl for Ella from Dollar Tree.

Woops, another flag picture. Couldn't get if off of here.

Girl's Weekend

2008-10-24T06:11:00.002-04:00

We're leaving for a "girls" weekend away in Jacksonville. Well, mostly girls:) Gene is coming up on his Harley Friday night or Saturday morning weather depending. And Richard will be there! But we girls plan to get some shopping in. And we get to see baby's ultrasound Friday afternoon! Yea! Hopefully will have pictures to post when we get back.

BORED?

2008-10-07T08:19:00.003-04:00

I've been busy, errr, bad this morning!
I unstuffed one of my toys!

I've been chasing John and Tigger, trying to get them to play with me!

I'm still hungry! I've had my breakfast already! Amanda told Grandma I had to go on a diet cause I've gained 17 lbs since I came to live with them! I keep going in and looking at my empty bowl! I think Grandma is gonna give me something else to eat!

It's Beginning To Look Like Fall!

2008-10-02T20:24:00.006-04:00

The weather outside certainly doesn't feel like fall, so since I am a Harley Widow on Thursday nights, I decided to put some fall accessories out and take pictures! This is the family room coffee table. I love the leaf vase I found in Tennessee a couple of years ago.

The breakfast nook table with my Starbucks pumpkin coffee mugs hanging in the background. Amanda gave them to me last year.

A closer shot of the pumpkin mugs.

The leaf bowl Emily gave me last year. I think I need to learn how to take better pics!

Have to bring my own fall smell into the house with a Yankee Harvest Candle with the turkey topper sitting beside. I love this candle!

A close up of the pumpkin topiaries I found this year at Homegoods.

The fall wreath hanging from the mirror in the living room.

Ella wanted to be included too! She followed me around the house as I was taking the pics! Of course she always turned her head just as I would snap the picture!

Flowers in a pumpkin and the wheat candle holders on the table in the foyer.

My illuminated scarecrow. I also have one of these in my office at work.

This pic was supposed to be #1. Gene heading off to join his boss and a few other guys for a ride to Ft. Pierce to bike night. This has become a Thursday night tradition. I'm glad he is able to go out and ride his bike with other responsible guys.

Heading off!

Wreath on the front door.

Arrangement on the buffet in the dining room.

The dining room table. I had 2 of these turkeys and I broke one carrying it down the stairs. I was so upset! This is my attempt at bringing fall to South Florida. Now, if the weather would cool down just a bit, I would be very happy.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!

2008-10-01T06:30:00.002-04:00

Happy 4th Anniversary to Richard and Emily!

Have a wonderful day!

We love you and miss you!

Photos of Gene I thought I would share!

2008-09-28T22:22:00.004-04:00

I found these pictures of Gene today and I thought they were just too good not to share them! The first one is from 1984.

This picture is from 1990! I don't know where I was at, but I totally missed these stages of his life!
Sorry, Honey!

Exciting News!

2008-09-24T21:16:00.003-04:00

We are anxiously awaiting the exciting news that will be forthcoming tomorrow morning around 9:30 AM! And, we may be changing our tickers!

A TASTE OF FALL

2008-09-14T14:38:00.002-04:00

I am so anxious for fall to arrive that when I opened my latest Taste of Home magazine this week and saw this recipe for Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Cake, I just had to make it! It is really good and nice and moist, but I don't like the way it calls for the nuts to be put into the pan before the batter and then the rest on top of the batter. I think if I make it again, I will incorporate the nuts into the batter! But, it satisfied my cravings for a taste of fall!

A Few Pics

2008-09-09T19:13:00.006-04:00

Well, I wanted to put these pictures in a certain order but since I am home alone I cannot figure out how to get them there so they will be as they are! We traveled to Jacksonville Labor Day weekend and spent the weekend with Emily and Richard. This is Phoenix and Ella enjoying their Busy Bones! with Gene lounging in the background! Phoenix and Ella love each other and each has to do whatever the other is doing!

We took a ferry boat ride on the St. Johns River. A view of Jacksonville Landing from the ferry boat with Emily's ever present Icee on the side!

The Birthday Boy!

Justin celebrated his 14th birthday this past Sunday with a party at his house.

Kim and Vicki...sister-in-law and Mother of Justin! They put on the spread that kept us all happy!

Taylor and Aryiah and another little girl who was at the party. Lounging on the bed! I think they were watching a movie.

Richard and Emily on the ferry boat on the St. Johns River in Jax.

Amanda on the ferry with Richard in the background.

Another pic of The Three Musketeers

Emily and Richard comparing pregnant bellies in Dunkin Donuts with Amanda being greatly amused!

For some strange reason there were 7 or 8 chickens/roosters running around the Dunkin Donuts parking lot. Richard was greatly amused by them and went outside to feed them his Flatbread sandwich. Apparently he was not impressed with the Sandwich. The chickens seemed to love it however. I thought I had a picture of Richard with the chicks but did not. There was also a pig outside, at least thats what the Dunkin Donuts iced coffee maker told me! We didn't see it, but neither did we look for it!

My handsome hubby sitting on the seawall on the St. Johns River with downtown Jacksonville in the background.

Emily and Richard with Jax in the background.

Amanda shooting pics hoping to become a part of the paparazzi in the future! Friendship Fountain in the background.

Downtown Jacksonville.

And yet another view of downtown Jax. We saw dolphins jumping in the water. An enjoyable time was had by all. We girls also did quite a bit of shopping, but no pictures!

A few thoughts while home alone!

2008-08-28T20:54:00.006-04:00

I see I haven't posted anything in a while, so since I am home alone tonight thought I should post something. My dear Hubby left me home alone to go Harley riding with his boss and some other guys! He called me just a few minutes ago to tell me they are in downtown Ft. Pierce at Bike Night! Hmm! So, it's just me and the Dog and the Cats. I've already taken the Dog for her walk around the block, read the newspaper, made Rice Pudding (one of my favorite comfort foods), ate some rice pudding, washed the dishes and fed the animals. So now it's my turn to sit down and relax. I still have to pay a few bills then I am going to call it a night!

I had to go to my Doctor yesterday for followup from having my blood drawn. That really got me to thinking about what it's like getting older and health care and insurance and or lack of insurance. I've learned to keep my mouth quiet and not complain when I'm there or it's another test to endure or another Doctor to visit. She wants to see me every 3 months to follow my dreaded diagnosis of diabetes. Seems a bit often to me, so I went a year!!! without seeing her and now I am making up for it. She made me return to see her in a month to discuss labs, now she wants to see me in another month because she changed my medication. Then down the list she goes...pap smear, what do you mean it's been over a year, off to the gynecologist. Opthamologist...again, over a year. Off to see him! "Have you seen the Podiatrist yet?" Why, my feet are Ok! "No, you have to see the Podiatrist every year!" Maybe going to the Podiatrist will make me want to have my horribly ugly toes fixed! Cardiologist...talked her out of that one. Learned my lesson after having a stress test and cardiac cath! And then its a yearly mammogram. Then off to see a specialist because the mammogram was abnormal. But, it's really OK. Oh, and a bone density test every 2 years. "Have you had your colonoscopy yet?" No, you know you are over 50 now. You have to have a colonoscopy! Gene just had his done. Think I'll see how long I can keep away from that one! On and on it goes it seems. Thank goodness we have insurance, even though we have deductibles and copay's. I feel very bad for the people who have no insurance, It's fine when you are young and healthy, but time has a way of bringing ailments on. The Docs just don't seem to have a care about what these tests and visits are costing their customers. As much as I hated HMO's I loved not having to pay a cent for our health care. The girls and I all had surgeries and we never had to pay one red cent! Those are a thing of the past now and we are back to paying a percentage of the cost and it really gets one to asking if this test is really needed and questioning the Doc why it is being ordered. OK. enough on that. I'm off to pay the bills now.

Oh, and guess what! In case you didn't know, I am going to be a Grandma! Did you notice my ticker?

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!

2008-08-14T19:14:00.004-04:00

Happy 59th Anniversary to Mom and Dad!

8/14/49 My handsome father married his Sweetheart, who was barely 16! Must have been right cause 59 years later they are still together!

Here she is celebrating her 75th Birthday, just 5 days before her wedding anniversary! We all celebrated by taking her and Dad to Outback steakhouse for dinner. Then on to our house for Too Jays Banana Dream Cake and home made Blackberry Cobbler and vanilla ice cream.

And in other news, Mr. Madison celebrated his 11th birthday smack dab between Mom's Birthday and Mom and Dad's Anniversary. We had yummy appetizers and ice cream cake at his house. Here is Madison, Taylor and Justin ready for some action!

WHAT A RIDE!

2008-08-04T17:51:00.003-04:00

Where to begin? First of all, our flight leaving WPB for DC left 2 hours late. We were to have a connecting flight in DC to Albany, NY. Just about 30 minutes into our flight, the pilot came on saying the airport in DC was closed to incoming and outgoing traffic due to severe weather. He said we would continue on and see what developed. A couple of hours later we notice that we seem to be flying in big circles, first the sun is on one side of the plane and then the other side. The pilot then comes on and says the DC airport is still closed and we are in a holding pattern over the Raleigh-
Durham, NC area and that we will continue this for the next 40 minutes or so. An hour or so later, he comes back on and says DC is still closed and they must make a decision soon as to what to do as fuel is running low! Nice! He comes back on shortly and says we will land at Charlotte,NC. Says there is severe weather to the East of us and severe weather coming at us from the West but that he will try to "beat it" to Charlotte! The plane turned and we headed right into black clouds and lightning. The plane dipped and rose and dipped and rose! Felt like we were on a roller coaster and I hate roller coasters! Thought I was going to have a panic attack! I have never had one before, but sure thought I was going to! I had been praying for God to put his arms around the plane and keep us safe. I pictured God with his arms wrapped around the plane..His hair flying in the wind and His robe flapping in the wind....yelling out "Wow, what a ride!" That is what kept me sane! The plane finally landed in Charlotte and the passengers all burst into applause! We were told to pick up our luggage and that their would be agents to assist us in rescheduling our flights. Instead we were handed a piece of paper and a business card as we arrived in the airport. There was a number to call to reschedule the flight and a number to call for a "discounted" hotel room. By this time it was 10pm. 47 minutes later of being on the cell phone with US Air, our flight was rescheduled for the next day with 3 connecting flights! Not what we wanted at all but was told it was this or a refund which amounted to 57 dollars per ticket! In the meantime, Amanda had called for a hotel room with a shuttle bus only to be told they had no rooms with a shuttle available. We would have to pay for a taxi. I guess if you are from a big city getting a taxi is not a problem, but for us small town people, we had no idea how to even go about getting a taxi! Finally found one and all we knew was that we were going to a Comfort Inn 6 miles from the airport. Thankfully our taxi driver knew where it was, but it sure seemed a lot further than 6 miles. Got to the hotel around midnight and had to get up at 5am to leave for the airport at 6am. Didn't get much sleep but at least was able to shower and lay down. Got a taxi back to the airport at 6am and was met with bedlam there! Thankfully they had lots of agents working! Left Charlotte around 8am for Washington,DC. Of course we each had a middle seat and we were scattered around the plane. It was to have been a 1 hour flight. We flew and flew and flew. I was getting antsy, thinking this is the longest hour of my life. I found out why when we landed, we had changed to Central time so it became a 2 hour flight. When we landed in DC, the passengers all stood ready to get off and we waited and waited and waited some more. Finally someone came on and announced to be patient as they were having trouble getting the door open! After about 10 minutes it opened and we were able to get off. There we switched to United Airlines for another flight to Chicago, Illinois. We had to take a shuttle bus to the United terminal. When we checked in to get our boarding passes, found out that Amanda and I had been given seats in first class. The agent was not happy about it at all and said in no uncertain terms that we were not keeping those seats as US Air was only paying them for economy seats! Shucks! Had just enough time to get to the gate and board. Didn't have time to make a restroom stop. Again we each had a middle seat in different rows, but this time in an exit row so had lots of leg room. We were entertained on board by a 70ish little old lady doing her exercises. She walked up from the back of the plane and proceeded to do her "over the head" arm stretching and her squats and bends. We made it to Chicago and had a 2 1/2 hour layover so took advantage of that and had lunch at Wolfgang Puck's and some Starbucks! Finally boarded for our final flight on to Albany, NY. It was an uneventful flight and we landed in Albany around 5pm. Picked up our rental car where a gentleman struck up a conversation with me and found out he had left Jax around the same time we left WPB the day before and he was also just arriving! So even though it seemed like it at least we weren't the only ones who were given the run around! After a stop for dinner at Panera Bread in Albany, we made it on to Gene's parents around 8pm. Our supposed to be 3 hour flight turned into a 9 hour flight and an almost 30 hour trip!
The weather was beautiful in NY and it was nice visiting with all of Gene's relatives. On Saturday Amanda and I left Gene with his brothers and we drove 90 miles down the NY thruway to an outlet mall that had over 220 stores. It had a lot of the upper end stores that most outlet malls don't have. We arrived about the time it opened and left around 4pm. We were pooped and still hadn't been through the whole area. And it was packed!

After an uneventful flight back to WPB, arriving at midnight, we could not find our car in the long term parking garage! 40 minutes later Gene found it and we headed home, stopping to pick up Miss Ella along the way.

Amanda has now flown back to Philadelphia, Pa where she is visiting with one of her suite mates from PBA for a week. Gene and I are babysitting Miss Ella, who gave us quite a scare on Saturday. She decided to take a stroll while my back was turned and we could not find her! She eventually came home, filthy face and all!

I tried to post some pictures but Blogger would not upload them!

LEAVIN ON A JET PLANE

2008-07-23T16:41:00.002-04:00

We hope! Right now we are sitting in the Palm Beach airport waiting on our flight to leave. We were scheduled to leave at 3:40pm, but due to THE WEATHER in Washington, DC, we are STILL WAITING on our flight to leave. It is now 4:45 and we are supposed to get an update at 5:30 as to when our flight will leave. We have a connecting flight in DC to Albany, so who know if we will make it or not. We have a rental car and a hotel room waiting in Albany. Hope to make it sometime tonight.

I'LL NEVER RUN OUT OF TOILET PAPER AGAIN!

2008-07-20T18:16:00.002-04:00

We recently ran out of toilet paper in our home! I don't know how, we have never ever run out of TP before! Gene was practically beside himself! You would think that a boy who grew up on a farm would know how to manage without TP! But, I guess he forgot. Anyway, this was my punishment for running out. The biggest pack Publix sells...an 18 double roll pack! And he wanted me to buy two of them. I did not obey him and only bought one! Amanda was with me too, she was humiliated...she said "mom, people will think we have a problem!)

REMEMBER WHEN?

2008-07-14T21:44:00.004-04:00

I thought it would be neat to post an older picture from time to time.
Time to reminisce a bit! I love this picture of the four of us in our Eygptian dress that was given to us by Nagy! And I also love the girls expressions! Emily looking a bit embarrassed and Amanda looking like she thinks she is somebody!

MAKING PROGRESS!

2008-07-12T15:43:00.002-04:00

Gene's close to the half way mark! Notice his scaffolding he is standing on!

STRAWBERRY JAM!

2008-07-06T20:46:00.003-04:00

I wanted to make another batch of Strawberry Jam before the strawberries dwindled away and finally made it this past week. We love our homemade Strawberry Jam. Just no comparison to store bought jelly!

Hapyy Birthday Mel!

2008-07-03T16:56:00.003-04:00

Happy Birthday to you!
Happy Birthday to you!
Happy Birthday Dear Mellieeeeeee!
Happy Birthday to youuuu!!!!!

Happy Independence Day Birthday to our Little Miss Australian Mel!

MY HARD WORKING MAN!

2008-06-29T14:20:00.003-04:00

We're finally getting a new porch ceiling! Our roof leaked during the hurricanes of 2004 and the drywall has been slowly falling down ever since! Our roof was replaced 2 years ago, but Gene just never found the time to tackle the ceiling....until now! We went to Home Depot Friday night and ordered the wood he is going to put up. That was another reason it has taken so long, he could never decide what he wanted to put up. He knew he didn't want drywall up again, and finally decided on tongue and groove cedar. We are planning on a working vacation in July, so he decided to go ahead and get a head start on it!

Getting started. Cutting through the drywall to tear it down.

It's coming down!

He's smiling! I think he's happy it's coming down too!

It's all down. What a mess! Now we have to get rid of all these drywall pieces! My job was picking up the pieces and carrying them to one end of the porch and holding the dust pan!

Now, if we can just keep going at it, we might not have to have a working vacation after all!

The Perfect Antidote for a Rainy Afternoon!

2008-06-22T20:29:00.003-04:00

What better way to spend a rainy afternoon than baking a batch of Double Chocolate Chip Cookies and brewing a pot of French Vanilla Coffee!

Annie's Fruit Salsa and Cinnamon Chips

2008-06-18T14:10:00.003-04:00

This is the recipe that Lydia requested. Of course, I forgot to take a picture of it until it was half gone!

Annie's Fruit Salsa and Cinnamon Chips

2 kiwis, peeled and diced

2 Golden Delicious apples, peeled, cored and diced

8 ounces raspberries, halved

16 ounces, strawberries, diced

2 tbsp white sugar

1 tbsp brown sugar

3 tbsp fruit preserves, any flavor (orange would be best)

In a large bowl thoroughly mix kiwis, apples, raspberries, strawberries, sugars and fruit preserves. Cover and chill in the refrigerator at least 15 minutes.

10 (10 inch) flour tortillas

1/2 stick butter or margarine, melted

1 1/2-2 cups sugar mixed with 2 tsp cinnamon

Spread melted butter onto tortilla with pastry brush and sprinkle with desired amount of cinnamon sugar. Lay next tortilla on top of the one you just topped with butter and sugar and repeat. When all tortillas are covered cut the stack into wedges. I make 8 wedges. Bake in a preheated oven at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes. Serve with chilled fruit mixture.

HAPPY FATHERS DAY!

2008-06-15T17:27:00.003-04:00

We had Fathers Day dinner at our house today. The menu was Chicken Fajita's, Chicken Enchilladas, Yellow Rice, a delicious salad that Vicki made, Fruit Salad made by Grandma and Fruit Salsa and home made Cinnamon Chips.

This is the Fathers that were there. Mr. G and Joey holding Taylor are sitting down. Standing is Dad, Josh, Ralph with Madison, and Gene

Gene with the Banana Pudding that I made.

Joey with the Key Lime Pie that Kim brought.

And Ralph getting ready to attack the Peanut Butter Chocolate Cake that Lydia made. Very, very delicious!! This is my new favorite chocolate cake.

We all had way too much to eat, and I think a good time was had by all!

A perfect way to honor the Dad's in our lives!

New Recipe

2008-06-12T20:31:00.003-04:00

Angela had asked me to post some good recipes from my new chicken cookbook. This recipe isn't from that book, it's from the Kraft Food and Family Magazine, but we thought it was a good one. Amanda made it for dinner tonight and it was delicious! I never thought to take a picture of it before we ate it! Here is the recipe.

Parmesan Crusted Chicken in Cream Sauce

2 cups Minute Brown Rice, uncooked (or use white rice)

1 can (14oz) fat free chicken broth (or make your own using bullion)

6 Ritz Crackers, finely crushed

2 tbsp. 100% Grated Parmesan Cheese

4 small boneless skinless chicken breast halves (1lb)

2 tsp. vegetable oil

1/3 cup Philadelphia Chive & Onion Light Cream Cheese Spread

3/4 lb (1 bunch) steamed asparagus spears

Cook rice as directed on package, using 1 1/4 cups of the broth and 1/2 cup water. (or use white rice.)

Meanwhile, mix cracker crumbs and Parmesan cheese on plate. Rinse chicken with cold water, shake off excess water. Dip chicken in cracker mixture, turning to coat.

Heat oil in lare nonstick skillet on medium heat. Add chicken, cook 5-6 minutes on each side or until chicken is golden brown and cooked throught. Place chicken on serving plate. Set aside, keep warm. Add remaining 1/2 cup broth and cream cheese spread to same skillet.. Cook on medium heat until mixture just comes to boil, stirring constantly. Simmer 3 minutes or until sauce thickens. Spoon sauce over chicken. Serve rice and asparagus with chicken.

Makes 4 servings.

420 calories per serving

Quick and very yummy!

A Little Shopping Trip

2008-06-10T21:39:00.004-04:00

There's not much of anything going on around here so thought I would show you some of my little bargains I found this past weekend. I don't get to go shopping very often, so look forward to it when I do get to go.
The pictures got out of order when I downloaded them.
Found these sandals for Emily.

Bath and Body Works was having a sale on their soaps so I stocked up on them. And, if you spent $20, I had a coupon for $10 off, so I couldn't pass that up. The soaps were $20, and,

these are the things I got with the $10 coupon, so got them for free!

Found a sideways rosebush for $6 so decided to try growning roses again. I had 25 bushes at one time, but lost them all! So if this one doesn't make it, its no big loss!

A cookbook on the clearance rack I couldn't pass up. Especially since we eat a lot of chicken.

Couldn't pass this up either. Had never seen a cookbook for Splenda. And its all desserts!

A pair of Sketcher work shoes for Amanda.

I loved this recipe book, also on the clearance rack. Now I have to sit down and copy my favorite recipes into this book. It is made by Dayspring, and is really neat!

Woops, I think Emily's sandals showed up twice! Sorry, Emily, there is only one pair!

New Blog Layout!

2008-06-08T21:37:00.002-04:00

OK, Emily, you inspired me to change my blog! I picked out a picture and Amanda made the header for me. She also changed my background color, but it was a bit lighter than I wanted so I finally was able to figure out how to change the colors and fonts myself! I think Amanda did a good job! She just would rather do it herself than show me how as it must take too long to teach an old dog!

The Dog Days of Summer are Here!

2008-06-04T21:37:00.002-04:00

Looks like Summer is here to stay! This is what greeted me as I came home from work and looked out the kitchen window! Don't you just love the Farmer's Tan?

I will probably get killed when he sees this!

BEFORE AND AFTER!

2008-05-29T20:34:00.004-04:00

LOOKS LIKE BANANA BREAD TO ME!

THE FINISHED PRODUCT.....SO YUMMY!

CHOCOLATE CHIP-COCONUT-BANANA BREAD!

FUNNY HAT DAY!

2008-05-29T08:35:00.003-04:00

FUNNY HAT DAY....WHAT THE GIRLS ALWAYS GOT TO DO ONCE A YEAR WHEN THEY WERE IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. I THINK THEY WERE TRYING TO RELIVE MEMORIES!

ACTUALLY WE WERE IN SEARS IN JACKSONVILLE. WE WERE TAKING SO MANY PICTURES AND LAUGHING SO HARD I THOUGHT WE WERE GOING TO GET THROWN OUT OF THE STORE!

Soon!

2008-05-21T22:25:00.002-04:00

I am going to figure this thing out and have a post soon!

2008-03-16T15:23:00.000-04:00

Fellow Bloggers Unite!
Hrmp...Hrmp!!
Seems like I remember several other people saying they wanted to blog!! Where are you at? Come on out of hiding, now. You know who you are!
Come on now, get those fingers moving! We faithful bloggers want to hear from you!
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Friday April 20, 2007 - 10:28pm (EDT) Edit Delete Permanent Link 3 Comments
On Cars
Well, needless to say I wasn't able to get Amanda's car window fixed. I couldn't get an appointment for it until next week. So I am driving the purple machine (I think that's what she calls it) until it gets fixed. I keep forgetting the window won't go down, I couldn't even go through the drive thru at Dunkin Donuts to get my usual Iced Vanilla Decaf with Creme before work! And on top of that I was late for work because I couldn't figure out how to turn the headlights on! The lights on my car come on automaticaly when you start the engine, so I figured these would too! Not! I pushed and pulled every knob and button I could find and finally gave up and went in the house and brought a flashlight out so I could find the headlights! (I leave for work at 5:30 am and it is still pitch dark out) then there was dew all over the windows and I couldn't find the buttons to roll the windows down to clean them off so I just drove cold! If anybody had not had their lights on or bikes on the road I guess I would just have pulled out in front of them cause I sure couldn't see out any of the side windows! Then, as I was driving to the hospital for a meeting I was stopped at a red light when suddenly someone knocked on my window! I did not see anyone approach so it scared the tar out of me! I frantically tried to find the auto door lock to lock the doors (my door locks stay locked when one is driving) but could not find it! The man was motioning for me to roll my window down, I am shrugging my shoulders yelling that it will not roll down! He looked harmless enough so I decided to open the door to see what he wanted, and he proceeds to tell me that my hubcap is about to fall off. The light turns green so off I go, but I am remembering an incident where I hit a hubcap and had a blowout so I decide I don't need to run over this hubcap and have a blowout, so I pull into a bank and get out to check it out. I discover that the hubcap is only bent but still very firmly attached to the wheel and no where ready to fall off. So off I go. When I tell Gene about it, he yells at me for opening the car door to a stranger! Doesn't he think I know how to scope people out? I certainly would not have opened the door if I felt the man was a threat! Oh well. And, Gene tells me that the hubcap has been this way for a long time. So, Amanda, what happened to the hubcap?
In other news, Amanda tells me that my little HHR has been dubbed "Steve" by the girls at PBA and that they piled 6 girls into it and went to Smokey Bones in Wellington. I want to go to Smokey Bones!
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Friday April 20, 2007 - 08:53am (EDT) Edit Delete Permanent Link 3 Comments
Unexpected Dinner Company
Amanda called me at work yesterday to say that she was bringing her car home for her Dad to look at as the drivers side electric window will no longer roll up. She asked if it was Ok to bring some of her friends home for dinner. As I was working and would not be home until 7pm I told her it was fine but dinner would be on her! I also was a bit upset at myself as I had gone off to work leaving the house a bit messy, telling myself no one would be home all day and I could pick it up when I got home! Guess that will teach me to leave a messy house! Anyway, by the time I got home Amanda had dinner fixed and ready to eat. Grilled marinated chicken with grilled pineapple, cream cheese mashed potatoes, creamed corn and broccoli. She had also made choc chip cookies and experimented with a new recipe for Molten Choc Cupcakes. Dinner was delicious but the cupcakes flopped--as it called for self rising flour and she used regular flour! The girls and I all had a good laugh over them! Amanda brought her friends Amanda and Jamie, her room mate Kimmy had a class and couldn't come. We enjoy having her friends come with her, even though they are a bit hyeractive!! make that a LOT!! even Amanda. They all stayed to watch American Idol and then headed back to the dorm taking my car and leaving Amanda's Honda here. Guess Gene was not successful in fixing the window! Maybe one of these days I will figure out how to post pictures!
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Wednesday April 18, 2007 - 08:31am (EDT) Edit Delete Permanent Link 2 Comments
On Cats and Dreams
Does anyone else have crazy dreams? Or am I the only one? I dream vivid, colorful dreams. I can remember dreams I had years ago and still describe them in detail. Saturday nights dream made sense. I had just finished the taxes that night and so I dreamed of doing the income taxes all night, but I could never get them right. I kept forgetting to put something in, then when I would try to add it I would have already filed it online! I did that all night and was so worn out from trying to finish them that I couldn't get out of bed Saturday morning! Last night was just a crazy dream that didn;t make sense. In my dream I knew that I had to get my sleep so I could get up early to go to work but a Turtle was on my bed, a really huge Box Turtle, and it kept waking me up wanting to eat. So I finally decided to get up and get it something to eat. I got a bag of lettuce out of the fridge and put some pieces out on the floor for it to eat, and lo and behold, the bag of salad jumped out of my hand and dumped lettuce and sliced tomatoes all over the carpet. I frantically tried to pick the tomatoes up so it would not make a mess but the turtle kept biting me. Don;t know where that dream came from other than the fact that kitty kat Tigger delights in waking me between 4-5 every morning pawing on me. She just takes one paw and bats at me until I wake up. And I thought life was going to be easier after the kids grew up! The cats wake me up more than the kids ever did!
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Monday April 16, 2007 - 09:40pm (EDT) Edit Delete Permanent Link 3 Comments
Home Alone
Reading Emily's comment on Angela's blog about being home alone for the first time reminded me of what I believe was her first time home alone. We were living in a rental house in Manatee Creek while our house was being built. I needed to go to the gas station to get gas for the lawn mower so I could mow the lawn. Gene was at work, Amanda was about 2 years old. Emily would have been about 7-8 years. She did not want to go with me to get the gas and asked if she could stay home by herself. I asked her if she would be scared and she said "no". So, since the gas station was only a couple of miles away I consented for her to stay alone, instructing her that she was not to go outside for any reason and not to open the door for anyone or any reason unless it was a relative. She assured me she would not and off I went taking Amanda with me, after making sure that all the doors were locked. We were gone only about 15 minutes. Pulling into the drive upon returning home there was Emily, curtain pulled aside and peering out the window! She assured me that she was not scared and had enjoyed staying home alone! Now I find out the real truth! Ha!
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Friday April 13, 2007 - 10:41pm (EDT) Edit Delete Permanent Link 8 Comments

2008-03-16T15:20:00.001-04:00

It's Monday!
Well, it's Monday after Easter and Amanda and I are having a lazy day today. We deserve it after a busy weekend. But it was fun. Emily and Richard headed back to Jacksonville at 6am. I got up and fixed them Egg McMuffins before they left. Emily called at 10:30 to say they had arrived home. I'm always sad after they leave. Amanda will go back to the dorm sometime tonight. Then I have to get started on our Taxes! Now if I could just figure out how to post pictures!
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Monday April 9, 2007 - 01:22pm (EDT) Edit Delete
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Comments(7 total) Post a Comment

Linda
Offline IM
Hey, you are up and running. I always feel sad when my girls have been here and then leave. We did have a nice time at your place. I guess we just have to much fun when we get together. Thanks for the great meal. You are the cook
Monday April 9, 2007 - 04:58pm (EDT) Remove Comment

Mrs M
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Good gravy you've got this figured out better than I do! How'd you get a calendar??
Wednesday April 11, 2007 - 01:34pm (EDT) Remove Comment

Melissa
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I don't know, the calendar just appeared! You don't have one?
Wednesday April 11, 2007 - 09:18pm (EDT) Remove Comment

Angela
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Calendar just appeared for me also!Need more blogs from you Melissa!!
Friday April 13, 2007 - 10:33pm (EST) Remove Comment

Melissa
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I'm trying! Just changing my blast every day seems like a chore!
Friday April 13, 2007 - 10:29pm (EDT) Remove Comment

Mrs M
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I found my calendar...it appeared!!
Friday April 13, 2007 - 10:51pm (EDT) Remove Comment

Melissa
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Yea!
Saturday April 14, 2007 - 06:38am (EDT) Remove Comment

2008-03-16T15:15:00.001-04:00

Hi, and welcome to my new blog!