Leavin...on a Jet Plane!

Well friends...I'm off. I leave tomorrow for Atlanta, GA to see some of my favorite people...Tanysha, Anita, Tara, and Melanie (if she can make it). We all went to elementary (Melanie), middle school (Melanie, Anita and Tara), and High School (Melanie, Anita, Tara and Tanysha) together and have been close friends ever since.

The last time we got together was 4 years ago in DC, where Anita lives. Anita organized this trip and we decided on Atlanta, where Tanysha lives. While this will be a short trip (Friday-Sunday), it will be such a good time, catching up, laughing and seeing the sights of the city.

I'll report on the trip early next week. Have a great weekend!

The Graduation...A Story in Pictures

It's official...he's a High School graduate, graduating from Gilmour Academy.

Here is Evan as we head out to his baccalaureate. That event was painful I must say. It wasn't as long as I thought it would be but it was very boring. Luckily I had my cousin Britney and her Iphone to keep me company...sad thing is that now I want and Iphone. Oh and check out the fence behind Evan...he stained it himself!

Here's Evan and cousins Britney and Brandon. Britney lives in California and is getting her Masters in Social Work at UCLA. Brandon graduates on Monday and is attending Ohio University in the Fall. I was so inspired by these young adults this weekend!

Twins...14 1/2 years apart. Evan and I are alike in so many ways it's scary at times. Note: I have on a dress...I never wear dresses so Evan must be special for me to put on a dress for his event.

My dad and Evan. Evan is about an inch taller than my dad! Note: I don't know why everything looks pink...ugh, I need a new camera.

Renee and Evan...her baby. She only cried a few times over the weekend. I hope that I have as close of a relationship with my kids as Evan and Renee have, their bond is special.

Brit (who is now the ex-girlfriend, but the are still friends) and Evan

Evan and his best friends...Brandon and Mo (Mordecai). Evan told me this weekend that these two are always there for him no matter what. Mo will be attending Yale in the Fall...wow!

Proud parents at the graduation. The graduation was held in the school's ice rink...brrr. It was a beautiful set up though. Everything was really nice...except for the valedictorian speech. Not only did she use big words, she used big scientific words. She lost us all.

Three generations...Grandpa, Evan and my dad. It was hard not having my grandmother there, but I know she was watching from above, smiling.

The siblings.

I love these pictures above of Evan interacting with Jamison. She loves her uncle and he feels the same about her. This is after the graduation at Evan's cookout. There were about 150 people there! Daddy and Renee were smart and catered the food. It was a beautiful day and everyone had a great time.

Me and my California girl, Britney. I love this girl and it was so fun to catch up with her. I met her when she was 3 and I was 12, when Daddy and Renee got married (her mom is Renee's sister, who I also love a great deal). Now she's a grown woman, as she says. Time flies.

Here he is...Mount Union bound. I'm so proud of the person that he's become.

Take a Tour Tuesday

My blog friend Shawn over at Seriously started a new carnival for us to share our spaces. Today we are to share our kids' rooms.

I posted about Jamison's room here and Caleb's room here. So, go, and then come back.

OK, good, you're back. Nothing has changed much in Jamison's room at all. She loves her art center and it really works out well because everything has a place. I still need to do tags for her containers...work in progress.

Caleb's room I've cleaned up a bit. I have not done the life verse yet, but plan on it soon. We're going to get him a toddler bed even sooner...if only I believed that he would stay in it.

So, that's where my kids live. How about yours?

The Simple Woman's Day(night)book - May 25, 2009

For today...

Outside my window...it's dark. I didn't think I would be able to blog today but I found some time. There's a nice cool breeze. It was a beautiful day.

I am thinking...that I can't believe I'm up after 10. I'm usually in bed by now, but I'm up...must have been the late nap I took today.

I am thankful for...my little brother. I love that kid and it was an honor to be able to be there for his graduation. He's just a genuine person and even though we're 14 1/2 years apart we still have a bond. Congrats Evan!

From the kitchen...We cooked out today, just me, my mom and Rondell. We had steak, brats, burgers, mac and cheese, baked beans, deviled eggs, and strawberry pretzel dessert (have you ever had this...it's so good). Later this week I'm going to make stuffed shells!

I am wearing...capris and a blue t-shirt. Comfy.

I am reading...UGH!!! Nothing. I asked my aunt to get a book for me from the library and I asked for the wrong one. I was all snuggled last week, ready to dive into a James Patterson, when I realized that I have already read 6th Target. So, back to the library to get 7th Heaven. The good thing...I'm not as far behind in his books as I though.

I am hoping...it's not to hard to get out of bed in the morning!

I am creating...a beautiful backyard...or I am trying at least. My honey helped me put some more mulch down and we also put down some pavers. I'll show you pictures in the next day or so.

I am praying...to continue to improve my prayer life. And that I will stay focused in the Word this summer.

Around the house...same old stuff, cleaning out. We will probably get a lot done this week because Rondell doesn't have to work at Best Buy. We need to clean our carpets badly!

One of my favorite things...seeing family and friends. I saw so many people that I love this weekend and it was wonderful.

A few plans for the rest of the week...Yard work, housework, and packing...I leave for Atlanta on Friday (more on that later!).

What's in your book?

Friend Makin Monday (Night)

The kids are asleep, Ron's watching the game...so I'm bloggin!

Look at Kasey's new button for FMM. Isn't it the cutest thing ever?!?! Today's question:

How did you and your significant other meet?

Good question! Rondell and I met my freshman year, his sophomore year, at The Ohio State University . He was (follow me) a friend of my RA's best friend. I remember the very first day I met him...I was in the room of the friend of my RA and Rondell knocked on the door. My first thought, "man, he's tall."

We were friends my freshman year but it wasn't until the end of the year that I got that tingly feeling for Mr. Davis. He had no clue (and knowing what I know now about him, that doesn't surprise me).

The moment when I knew I really liked him was when I was in his room and we were sitting talking and listening to music...well, he reached towards me and I thought he was going to kiss me, but he was just reaching to change the CD. How embarrassing! We laugh about that, even now.

The summer after my freshman year Rondell went to South Carolina to sell books or something. He told me he would write me and I waited and waited. On the first day of my job at Sea World (which I hated), my mom picked me up from the shuttle station and with her she had a letter...from Rondell. Ahhh, the days before email!

When he got back to Columbus we would talk on the phone off and on. One day we talked about him coming to visit me in Cleveland (that's where I lived at the time...I grew up outside of Cleveland) and my mom said it was OK (even though she didn't know him, but trusted me). He traveled on the Greyhound to come and see me...now that's love. He stayed for a few days, we watched movies, hung out, and that's about it. We took him back to Columbus because we were going to visit family that weekend.

Even after the visit I was not sure if he liked me (and knowing what I know now about Ron...of course he liked me, he's just really quiet).

When we returned to school we would hang out but no talk about "us." On Sweetest Day I was set up on a terrible blind date not knowing that Rondell had planned on giving me a card and roses (and expressing his undying love for me...I like to add that!). I must have known he had something planned but I think it was after I already agreed to go on the date. I remember having my friend, who worked at the front desk of my dorm, page me (ahhh before texting) while I was on my date using codes we created to let me know what it was. We still try and always celebrate Sweetest Day together to kind of make up for the one we missed. It's kind of our day.

We made our relationship official on November 26, 1996...and the rest is history!

We Interrupt this Regularly Scheduled Blogging...

Hi Friends and Happy Memorial Day. We got back late last night from my brother's graduation (post to come soon) and today we're relaxin ! So, I'll be back tomorrow with my Daybook, FMM and hopefully the graduation post...we had a great time.

I hope you all are having a great weekend and holiday!

Thanking God on Friday!

I am SO happy it's Friday. This has been a long and busy week and doesn't look to be slowing down just yet...good things, just busy. So, today I'm thankful:

- Thankful that my fall down the stairs was not worse. I fell down my basement stairs...my wooden basement stairs. I could have broken something or hit my head, but I just have some bumps and bruises...I'm thankful for that.

- Thankful for my mom. She has helped me tremendously with my yard. I've said before that I have a brown thumb (and not just because I'm brown) and she is teaching me all kinds of new things. She's also doing a TON of work with me...I'm thankful for that.

- Thankful for my love of crafts. I found a Stampin Up representative in my area and she's going to do a workshop for me. I met with her yesterday and she has the nicest craft area in her basement. I'm excited to be able to get together with some friends and do some crafting...I'm thankful for that.

- Thankful for MOPS. Yesterday I went to my first MOPS meeting/activity. I've read about MOPS on various blogs and thought I'd check it out. The ladies I met yesterday were so nice and it seems like it will be a lot of fun. We made scrapbook template pages for a camp for foster children. Yesterday was the last meeting of the year and then it will start back up in the Fall...I'm thankful for that.

- Thankful for my little brother. Evan graduates from High School on Sunday, so we'll be traveling to Cleveland for the big moment and some partying to celebrate. I remember the day he was born, waiting in the waiting room to hear if he was a boy or a girl. I fell in love the moment I saw him, and I was only 14. He has grown up into a wonderful, caring, intelligent, young man. He was only 4 when I left for college, so we didn't grow up together. Over the years we've become closer...I'm thankful for that.

- Thankful that the pool opens Monday (are you tired of hearing me talk about it yet?...don't answer that!). We probably won't go on Monday because it's supposed to be cool but we will soon. I can't wait to put my feet in and feel the sun (and get a little more color)...I'm thankful for that.

- Thankful for blog friends. I've said this before that sometimes it feels weird to say "friend" about people you don't know in real life, but I have "met" some great people through this blog...I'm thankful for that.

Why are you thankful today?

Me?? No!!

Note: I did something and it greyed out all the links...if you see a name, click on it. Sorry!

Well, yes it is me...I won an award from an amazing person. Carrie, one of my newest and sweetest blog friends, gave me this lovely award. Isn't it cute? I'm honored because I think her blog is so lovely and to think that she thinks of me that way...well, it makes me smile. You must stop by her blog and check her out and you'll see what I mean.

So, here are the rules:

1. Accept the award, post it on your blog together with the name of the person who has granted the award, and his or her blog link.

2. Pass the award to 15 other blogs that you've newly discovered. Remember to contact the bloggers to let them know they have been chosen for this award.

Here they are (I decided to give you a brief {because there are so many reasons} description of why I think they are lovely. Sometimes I wonder if it's strange to talk about these ladies, most that I don't know in real life, but they have become friends.

Jodie - She is one of my real-life friends that I pulled into blogging (I didn't have to pull too hard!). She is one of the sweetest people I know and would give you the shirt off of her back. She's crafty and man, can she bake!

Laura - Another real-life friend. She has taught me quite a few things over the years and I will treasure them. She is very witty on her blog and I love it!

Kelli - Another sweetie. Kelli is almost due with her 3rd child and she's also homeschooling her preschooler. She's very organized and has the cutest ideas on how to teach her children. I've learned a lot from her as well...which reminds me to start working on my family binder (she has great tips!).

Joanna - THE designer of my blog! Talk about talent. She also has great decorating skills and she's started a new carnival to share recipes...just what I like.

Jennifer - This lady makes me laugh. She also loves Y&R (Um, I still need you to update me).

Jen - Another talented lady all-around, fashion, crafts, decorating...it's all there. She is SO nice too and sent me a lovely CD (that my husband is hogging!).

Laurel - She has 3 adorable little ones is also has some great tips for us moms with little ones. She also shares home decor tips.

Summer - This newlywed knows how to write. I love reading her stories and all about how she is adapting to being a housewife...and doing a great job. A real sweetheart.

Sarah - Sarah's blog is filled with all kinds of things too. She has crafts, recipes, great information...you name it. Her girls are cute too!

Heidi - When I look up crafty in the dictionary I see Heidi. This lady is amazingly crafty and very organized. I use her blog as a tool often.

Vivienne - Talk about making me laugh. I have tears when I read this blog. Feeling like the need for a laugh...this is a must blog.

Amy - She is an amazing mom, all this I can tell just by reading her blog. She recently did a post about her son's birthday and it was so sweet. She's trying to survive a remodel so stop by and give her some positive vibes!

Meredith - When I need some spiritual inspiration this is where I go. This lady truly hits home for me often and makes me think. She has 5 beautiful children and is doing an amazing job with them.

Tanya - Another inspiration. And I'm learning all about my Crockpot with her Crockpot Tuesdays!

Shawn - Another really funny, witty lady. I love to read her stories about her daughters because it gives me some insight to what Jamison will be like in a few years.

And last, but not least...Carrie!! This lady is funny, caring, has two sweet kids, and is an inspiration. She truly stops to capture the moment (with her new camera) and savor life. You must stop by the Manor.

Do You Ever Feel Like a Bad Mom?

I did yesterday. Yesterday my mom came over to help me in my yard (yes, again...she's the best!). I couldn't help that much because I'm still a little uncomfortable from the fall and I think that might have put me in a crabby mood.

While we were working, the kids were playing. Now, let me say that Jamison calls my name 1000 times a day. Her dad could be right next to her and I could be in another room and she calls ME (of course, in the big picture this is a blessing to me because it shows how she relies on me). Anyways, I'm trying to help my mom the best I can, hoping the kids can entertain themselves for just a bit, but every other minute "MOM!" Over and over she calls my name, to tell me this or that...nothing Earth shattering. So, finally I call her over because I'm about to explode and I ask her why she feels the need to call me all the time. She says..."because I love you." Feeling SO bad, all I could say was "well then I'll be happy to keep answering you."

Am I the only one who has had a moment like this?

The Simple Woman's Daybook (Tuesday edition) - May 19, 2009

For today...

Outside my window...beautiful blue skies, the sun is shining and it's going to be warmer.

I am thinking..."man it hurts to be sitting here." I still pretty sore from my fall.

I am thankful for...the fact that my fall wasn't worse. It could have been SO much worse, but overall I'm OK.

From the kitchen...Tonight I think we're having burgers on the grill. This time of year we have burgers on the grill a lot.

I am wearing...one of my favorite shirts. It's grey, but comfy and cute.

I am reading...nothing right now. Now that my studies are over I'm getting ready to put a reading list together. If you have any suggestions, feel free to pass them along.

I am hoping...to feel better in order to get my plants planted.

I am creating...not much going on in this department. My friend Abby loved her clipboard that I made. Another friend Allison used her Cricut and made sticker letters for me to be able to spell out the word JOY because that's Abby's favorite word. It really did make it complete.

I am praying...to improve my prayer life.

Around the house...the sun is shining and the motivation is there to get little things done. I have the Kidney Foundation coming next week so it's time to gather some stuff for donation.

One of my favorite things...beautiful weather. Sunshine and 80 is right up my alley!

A few plans for the week...yard work (as long as I'm not too sore), Jamison has a friend coming over for a playdate on Thursday and we're going to try Papa Murphy's take home pizza, I have a MOPS group to go to on Thursday (my first one!), I'm going to a Happy Feet Mary Kay party on Friday, leave for Cleveland Saturday for my brother's graduation and cooking out on Monday.

How is your week going?

Friend Makin' Monday

I'm a little late today...I fell down the stairs this morning. Yes, me, a grown woman, falling down the stairs. I banged myself up pretty badly, so I missed work and have been resting today.

With that...here's what Kasey has for today's activity:

Today's task: Copy and paste these questions to your blog and give them your own answers.

You wouldn't be caught dead where?: At one of those places where they harvest bees.

Do you have any hidden talents?: No

Name two things you consider yourself to be very good at: Being thoughtful and handwriting.

Name two things you consider yourself to be very bad at: Keeping my house clean all the time (this is a dream of mine) and good grammar.

Have you ever won a trophy?: No

Name one thing not many people know about you: I'm scared to fly...I do it, but it scares me.

Name your earliest memory: Being outside while my dad cut the grass and hearing his music playing from inside the house.

What was your favorite musical group in jr. high?: New Edition

What was something the worst roommate you ever had did?: I didn't have any bad roommates. One roommate my sophomore year decided to move out and live with her boyfriend and I was sad to see her go, especially since I thought the guy was a jerk. I wonder what happened to her?

When you were a kid what did you want to be when you grew up?: A marine biologist.

What was your worst dating experience?: I went on a blind date on Sweetest Day my sophomore year of college and he was just not my type and then come to find out Rondell had these really sweet plans for me (we hadn't officially started dating and I was unsure if he really liked me), roses and a card. Missed it. Good thing he forgave me!

Who is the most important person in your life?: God!

If your house was on fire what 3 things would you grab on your way out?: My family, my picture frame of my grandmother and probably the picture that Rondell made for me for our first anniversary.

The Early Bird Gets the...Pot

This past Saturday my mom and I decided to get up early and get our flowers. We were up and out of the house by 9:30!

We went to our usual flower place, The Anderson's. They have a pretty good plant and flower selection. We walked around for while and found what we needed...and some things I didn't need, like two new pots. I've said before that I'm not doing a lot of planting flowers because I want to concentrate on cleaning up our yard (especially the back), so my focus is just to do pots. I found two that I really liked and they weren't that expensive.

This pot I bought a few years ago and I love it. It's pretty big but it has a nice home on the corner of the garage. You see a lot of green right now because the flowers haven't fully bloomed.

Here's my model (we have to work on her looking at the camera). She wanted to get in the picture.

Here's one of my new pots. I love the colors in it. I planted flowers that I ordered through my friend Amber. I love the colors of the blooms.

Here's my other new pot. I love the shape of this one.

Lastly, this is what my mom came over and did this morning! She came over while we were at church and planted some flowers and divided one of my hosta and replanted it. We need to put some edging around this bed to keep the dirt in...see it spilling over?

This week we'll be working on the back. I'll have more pictures because I need to document the before and after. Right now it's a mess but soon it will be lovely. Mommy and I also bought some hosta for the back and I saw these lovely plants called Mexican Heather that we'll plant behind the deck. You'll see...

Tryin to be Crafty!

So, I told you how I wanted to create a clipboard for my BSF discussion leader. She is always carrying her lesson on a clipboard so when I saw these in the blog world I decided it would be a nice thing to make for her as a "thank you" for the year. I'm pretty sure she doesn't read my blog so I don't mind posting about it. Our last BSF is Monday so I'm going to give it to her then.

I have seen a few tutorials for these, like this one. If you want a good tutorial you can go to the linked blog and it will walk you step by step. One day I'll be so crafty I'll be the one doing tutorials...ah, the dreams I have!

Here's the finished product. Abby loves purple so I went with purple paper for her clipboard. Now, there are a few blemishes but I hope she likes it.

I put ribbon at the top were I didn't cover it with paper. This is still something I have to tweak, being able to cover the entire board.

I put a ribbon along the line where the two pieces of paper meet and then glued a heart button for a little accent.

So, there you have it...me tryin to be crafty. I love this kind of stuff so I hope to be able to keep the groove going!

Chicken Club Wrap

Rondell and I really enjoyed watching 3 hours of Lost last night. I have SO many questions, but that is not the point of this post...so, I'll move on.

We decided to have an appetizer while watching and so I made chicken club wrap. The first time I had this is when my friend Erin would make it and I was immediately hooked (and mine still never tastes like hers...oh well). The recipe comes from Pampered Chef, but I don't follow the recipe to a T as you will see below.

Chicken Club Wrap

2 cans of crescent rolls

3 cups coarsely chopped cooked chicken (I usually boil mine for about 15 - 20 minutes and then shred)

4 slices of bacon, crisply cooked, drained and chopped (I cheated and used Oscar Mayer's real bacon bits)

1 cup shredded Swiss cheese

1/3 cup mayonnaise

1 tsp Dijon mustard

2 tablespoons snipped fresh parsley (OK, I've never used this...didn't realize till now that it was in the recipe)

1 garlic clove, pressed (I use Tastefully Simple's Garlic, Garlic season)

2 plum tomatoes, sliced (I don't use this because we're not big tomato fans)

1 egg white, lightly beaten (OK...so I stray a little...I don't use this either, but I'm sure it makes it pretty. I just always think "well, what will I do with the yolk?"...anyways.)

In a bowl, combine chicken, mayo, mustard, cheese (saving a little for the top if you'd like), parsley, and garlic.

Take the crescent rolls and make a ring (shown above). Looks kind of like a sunflower!

Spoon mixture on top of dough. This is when you'd add the tomatoes on top if you wish to have them. My wrap is tomato free!

Wrap the ends (points) around the mixture and tuck under middle of ring (I'm kind of at a loss of how to explain this, so I hope I make sense). This is when you'd brush with egg white and sprinkle with more Swiss cheese if you'd like to do that.

Bake at 375 for about 20-25 minutes (depending on your oven). You can slice it and leave it in the ring or plate the pieces. Ron and I just sliced and ate...yum.

Enjoy!

Bittersweet

Tonight is the season finale of LOST. I'm very excited and sad at the same time. Lost is our favorite show right now (Friends is still an all-time favorite though!) and we watch each week without fail. So, tonight we are going to have one of our favorite appetizers...chicken club wrap (I'll have to post the recipe tomorrow). And for dessert, oatmeal raisin cookies (the break and bake kind so no recipe!).

Lost is one of those shows you either like it or you don't and we love it. We didn't start watching until the second season and we had so much fun renting the first season and catching up (I wanna say we did that while we were off after Caleb was born).

This is sad because now we'll have to wait until next year to wrap it all up...next year is that last season. I've never been so happy at the same time for a show to end because then finally I should have all the answers to all of my questions...and trust me there are a lot of questions.

So, don't call me after 8 because I will not answer...I wonder if I can get the kids to be in bed at 7:30????

Do you watch Lost?

Wordless Wednesday - Pool Pass Here We Come!

Check it Out - Updated

You have to check out this blog that I found. She has some really cute crafts and great tips on saving!

Also, if you love my blog layout (I know I do), then head over to Joanna's because she's having a half off sale!

The Simple Woman's Daybook - May 11, 2009

For today...

Outside my window...partly sunny and cool. It's supposed to be a pretty nice week.

I am thinking...about too much, so I need to write it all down. Calls I need to make, signing Jamison up for camp...these are when my lists come in real handy.

I am thankful for...my mom. She was sick yesterday, but stayed at my house anyways to spend time with me. She even pattied the hamburgers (because she knows my hate for touching raw meat!).

From the kitchen...food on the grill! Yesterday we had such a great meal...baked beans, pasta salad, deviled eggs, brats, hamburgers, steak and short ribs. I think we all ate too much but it was worth it. Tonight we will be having leftovers.

I am wearing...red! And tennis shoes because in the mad rush of the morning I could not find my black shoes. Shh...don't tell.

I am reading...my BSF notes. I've been going through my notes from this year and writing key points in my Bible. This way when I look at the passages again I'll have the notes right there. I got this tip from my discussion leader and I love it.

I am hoping...to get my brain organized this week.

I am creating...the clipboards still. I went to Michaels and got some additional items to use and I plan on finishing them this week (I've found some great tutorials) and I'll show you the finish products.

I am praying...that my mom is feeling better today.

Around the house...finish the front flower beds. My mother-in-law helped me put mulch down yesterday and I need to finish this week. I am going to do my pots on Wednesday. I also need to get back into a groove. I was doing really well with doing little projects when Rondell worked in the evening and after the kids went down, but I've slacked off. So, I need to get back into doing that, organizing a drawer, doing a craft, working on this problem (still needing some help)...

One of my favorite things...Strawberry ice cream from Graeter's. That's what I had last night and it was so yummy.

A few plans for the rest of the week...LOTS! Tonight is my last discussion and lecture for BSF for the year (sniff), tomorrow I'm going to my friend Lyndsey's to work on a little project, Wednesday sign up for our pool pass, take Jamison to the eye doctor and yard work, Thursday is our last Crown group (sniff), Friday...NOTHING!, and this weekend yard work.

And you?

I Love Being Their Mom...

These two are the reason that I get to celebrate today. I love both of them so much and thank God that He blessed me to be responsible for them. I love:

- their kisses

- their hugs

- the snuggles I get while reading

- playing together

- the "I love you's"

- their innocence

- their energy (I just want a fraction)

I wish all of you a WONDERFUL Mother's Day!

I Have a Problem...Just Keepin it Real!

My desk...my desk is an issue. There are so many things wrong with this area:

1. It's in my room! If I had a finished basement (ahh, the dream) it would be there, but it's not...so it's in my room.
2. It's surface space is small. It's OK if I only want to use it for the computer, but if I wanted to sit at my desk and write a list or update my planner or do a craft, I can forget it...there's just not enough room. Do you see the printer sitting at the top...it's hanging on for dear life!
3. Look at the chair. It's the chair from my very first table set from my very first apartment. Not comfortable, not cute, doesn't match...
4. See the plastic drawer thing next to the desk...yeah, not working for me. There are all kinds of things in those drawers and I just can't figure out what I want its purpose to be. Does it hold important papers, pictures, bills? Again, not cute, doesn't match and needs a purpose.
5. Lastly, there's stuff all on it. Now granted I took this picture in the middle of cleaning it off but if it was an organized area then the things would already be in their places and not on top of the desk taking of what little space I have!!!!

How is a person who loves to be organized supposed to live like this? It's true I love to be organized, I love organizing...it's just coming UP with the system that stumps me. I'm coming up blank for ideas. I need something for a bill system, I need a place for all of my little things, like pens, calculator, envelopes, I need to figure out if I toss the plastic drawer thing or am I not seeing its true potential?

So, this is where you come in...have you had a space like this, tackled it and now it's the best space EVER? What are your secrets, who are your resources? Help a sista out...comment, email me, whatever! I know each person's space is different according to her needs but I need all the help I can get...all ideas welcome, nothing turned away...get your creative juices working.

Later, I'll tell you all the tips I learned and show you all what I finally do with this lovely (gag!) space.

I Want...

these bowls:

A Summer Giveaway by Another Kelli

Kelli (now I blog with three of them...how cool), is having a cool summer giveaway. Stop over her blog and check it out. She's up to 100 posts!

Did You Know...

that at Trader Joe's they have a kit for you to make your own chocolate filled croissants? For Small Group yesterday my friend Tonya brought croissants and when I asked her where she got them she told me that she made them...that she got the kit from Trader Joe's.

They were warm and yummy. So, if you have a Trader Joe's near you and you love chocolate, you must run there, right now and buy some!

A New Friend...and She Comes with an Award!

WOW! Three posts in one day...I sure am busy this Monday, so don't forget to scroll down.

I met a new blog friend...don't you just love that. Her name is Carrie and she has two of the most adorable children. I have had fun chatting with her and getting to know her better. You have to stop over her blog and check her out!

Well my new friend gave me this award because she thinks I'm Awe-summm:

Check out that crown! It's so sparkly and pretty. Here are the rules:

I am to list 7 things that make me Awe-Summm and then pass the award on to 7 bloggers I love. Make sure to tag the recipients and let them know they have won! Also link back to the Queen that tagged me.

1. I love being a wife and mom. Both can be difficult at times, but I wouldn't trade either for anything. They are my rock and my joy.

2. I love organization. Now my home has a bit of a ways to go, but I love organizing and once it's all done it will make our lives much more smooth.

3. I am a great friend. You need someone to talk to in the middle of the night, I'm there...you need to get away and go to dinner, I'm right with you...need a sitter, I'm you girl...got a secret or need some prayer, I deliver! Us girlfriends have to take care of one another.

4. I'm a growing Christian. This makes me awe-summ because I know my faults and I still have a desire to grow with Christ. I try to remember that ultimately it's God who is in control and I am His humble servant.

5. I make a mean lasagna. I got the recipe from my mom and have tweeked it just a bit. It's a real treat in our house.

6. I try and always have a smile, even if I'm a little down. There's just something cheery about a smile.

7. I keep Target in business. Seriously, if it weren't for my weekly trips there I think they would have to fold. I'm sure they think I'm pretty awe-summm too!

Now for my 7 awe-summm friends:

Jodie

Meredith

Amy

Joanna

Amy

Jennifer

Kelli

The Simple Woman's Daybook - May 4, 2009

For today...

Outside my window...overcast. I think it's going to be a pretty gloomy week. Good week to get more cleaning done.

I am thinking...a few things: I'm annoyed that people don't follow directions, I'm cold (and I'm never cold), I hope Aunt Roni was able to deliver the water that I signed up to bring to Jamison's school for teacher appreciation week...

I am thankful for...Aunt Roni being able to do little errands for me since I don't stay at home (like dropping the water off at Jamison's school).

From the kitchen...Last night the kids and I made homemade pizzas. It was so much fun. I used Pillsbury dough...one day I'm going to make the crust from scratch. But, I have no meal plan for the rest of the week...I'm not doing so well with that.

I am reading...the end of Deuteronomy...Moses is going to die soon, sniff.

I am hoping...For a productive week. I got some little things done this weekend, but looking over my master list I still have quite a few things to do. I have to go back to my MOVE movement.

I am creating...a banner for my brother's graduation. I'm thinking of some ideas and I'm really excited about it. I'm also buying some Modge Podge today to make clipboards for Jamison's teacher and my discussion leader for BSF. Wish me luck (and feel free to give me any tips that you have!).

Around the house...I'm still working on my master To Do list. My room is the big place that I need to tackle! Pray for me.

One of my favorite things...catching up on DVR shows with Rondell.

A few plans for the week...visit a friend tomorrow, buy mulch for the yard, make the clipboards, clean...

What are you thinking?