Loving Memories

Last weekend my family lost my grandpa. "Pap" was an amazing man and loved his grandkids and great-grandkids terribly. He was one of my biggest cheerleaders as I pushed to finish college, my teaching credential, and masters degree. He made a point to tell me how proud he was every time I talked to him in person or on the phone. I don't know if he ever knew how important his words were to me.

The flood of memories in my mind is comforting as I get ready to go home to see all the family. I know stories will be told by all, after all, we learned story telling from him! He loved talking to my husband because he was relatively new to the family and hadn't heard all the stories before. I thought it was cute when they would be chatting away off in a corner somewhere.

My little sister and "Pap" when we were kids.
This is one of my favorite pictures ever!

We will miss him very much, but with his loss comes a reunion of all the cousins that are scattered around the country. I hate that we are coming together for such a sad occasion, but I am grateful we will all get to be together for a couple of days! A family coming together is always a finer thing!

Until next time,



This post is linked to Finer Things Friday.

Menu Plan for the Week 4-25-10

This weekend was not what I was expecting. Saturday we lost my grandfather. He had been battling many ailments over the last few years, so it is comforting (to a degree) that he is no longer in pain. His life was full and he was well loved and will be missed! I am taking comfort in his strong faith and in knowing he was a man well deserving of a spot in heaven!

We will be heading down south for a memorial in a couple of weeks and then my uncle will be taking his ashes to rest in Arlington National Cemetery. The Navy was my "pap's" life, so resting among America's finest meant a lot to him. My hubby can still hear him telling stories about his Navy days! I am so honored that I will have two grandfathers buried at Arlington.

I have a busy week to get to! My students begin their state testing tomorrow. I think I am more nervous than they are about the whole thing. I know I have taught them everything they need, but I still wonder if there was more I could do. I hate that these tests are so important now, but I am also curious to see how my kids perform! It is a crazy time to be a teacher for sure!

Here is what we have planned for this week:


Breakfasts: Cereal, Oatmeal, Biscuits, Muffins, Pancakes, French Toast, Waffles, Fruit


Lunches: Ham or PB & J Sandwiches, Leftovers, Fruit or Veggies, String Cheese, Hard Boiled Eggs, Granola Bars, Fruit Leather, Homemade Chewy Bars


Dinners:
Sunday- Homemade Chinese ~ Mongolian Beef, Lemon Chicken, Steamed Rice, Broccoli, and Purple Cauliflower

Monday- Kielbasa, Ranch Potatoes, Salad

Tuesday- Tacos, Spanish Rice, Refried Beans, Salad

Wednesday- Leftovers ~ YOYO

Thursday- Toasted Cheese and Soup

Friday- Homemade Pizza, Salad

Saturday- Salad Bar

Find more menu planning inspiration at Organizing Junkie.

Until next time,

Track and Field

Last weekend my little boys began their track and field mini season. Our community parks and recreation department offers a 4 week session to teach the kids all about the different events of track and field. It is put on by the local high school coaches and track team members. Seeing my kids being taught and encouraged by big kids is pretty cool in my book. These teenagers come out on a Saturday morning to teach little kids how to run, jump, and throw. I think I almost had as much fun watching the expressions on these teenagers' faces as I did watching my boys' faces!

L practicing proper sprinting techniques


N practicing the long jump

Having a community that values introducing kids to different sports in a noncompetitive environment is definitely a finer thing! Head on over to Amy's for Finer Things Friday to see what other great things are happening around blogland!

Until next time,

Laundry

This is not what any laundry OCD woman wants her washing machine to look like after she tells her hubby it won't turn on...

Fortunately instead of spending A LOT of money replacing the washing machine we were able to order the replacement part and get it "expidited" to us for only $100. (We both thought it would be a lot more expensive than that because the broken part is the control panel AKA "brain of the machine".) Anyone who has bought a front loader machine knows that is a whole lot less than buying a new one! I know I am hard on machines, I mean in out house we need to judge their age in something like dog years. My poor machine is only about 4 1/2 years old, but it has been used like it has been around for 20 years. Seriously folks, I wash a lot of dirty boy clothes in that machine!

So today I am grateful that my machine can be repaired, that my hubby is the handy one putting it back together, and that my laundry will hopefully be back under control by Wednesday. I did not want to have to hunt down a bargain for a new machine, it is not a fun process for me!

I have also learned in all of this chaos that my habit of doing a load or two of laundry everyday instead of waiting until the weekend is pretty smart!

Head on over to Laura's at Heavenly Homemakers for more Gratituesday!

Until next time,

Menu Plan for the Week 4-18-10

I think the weekends are getting shorter around here! We had a busy couple of days! Saturday was the first week of track and field for the little boys. I really like how our city puts on sports programs that really focus on fundamentals rather than scores. The sessions are put on by the local high school coaches and athletes, so the kids get to be taught by people who truly enjoy the events. I took lots of pictures so look for a post about that soon!

On a sad note my beloved washer died Saturday morning. I was not happy, but fortunately there is a replacement part available and it should be here Tuesday. I am anxious to get it fixed because I hate letting the laundry get piled up. I am so glad I am someone who does a load or two everyday instead of waiting until the weekend! It will be nice to have my machine put back together!

Here is what we have planned for this week:


Breakfasts: Cereal, Oatmeal, Biscuits, Muffins, Pancakes, French Toast, Waffles, Fruit


Lunches: Ham or PB & J Sandwiches, Leftovers, Fruit or Veggies, String Cheese, Hard Boiled Eggs, Granola Bars, Fruit Leather, Homemade Chewy Bars


Dinners:
Sunday- Fajitas, Spanish Rice

Monday- Deli Sandwiches ~ Ham, Turkey, Roast Beef, Sub rolls, Romaine Lettuce, Salad

Tuesday- Spaghetti, Italian Sausage, Buttered Bread, Salad

Wednesday- Toasted Cheese and Soup

Thursday- Hamburgers, Ranch Potatoes, Salad

Friday- Homemade Pizza, Salad

Saturday- Beef Stew, Rolls, Salad

Find more menu planning inspiration at Organizing Junkie.

Until next time,

Menu Plan for the Week 4-11-10

Another weekend is gone! This one went by quickly! We had a great yard sale on Saturday and did our Saturday chores on Sunday. We also got surprise visit from a very good friend and my goddaughter! I'm sorry their car broke down, but I am so glad I got to see them and feed them! We're starting another week, but I am wishing we had one more day off. Oh well, this week will fly and we'll be ready to relax again!

Here is what we have planned for this week:


Breakfasts: Cereal, Oatmeal, Biscuits, Muffins, Pancakes, French Toast, Waffles, Fruit


Lunches: Ham or PB & J Sandwiches, Leftovers, Fruit or Veggies, String Cheese, Hard Boiled Eggs, Granola Bars, Fruit Leather, Homemade Chewy Bars


Dinners:
Sunday- Homemade Chinese ~ Mongolian Beef, Lemon Chicken, Steamed Rice, Broccoli (carried over from last Saturday)

Monday- Tri Tip, Broccoli, Rice Pilaf

Tuesday- Hot Dogs, Creamy Mac and Cheese, Salad

Wednesday- Sloppy Joes, Corn, Salad

Thursday- Tacquitos, Refried Beans, Spanish Rice, Salad

Friday- Homemade Pizza, Salad

Saturday- PW's Chicken Pot Pie, Salad

Find more menu planning inspiration at Organizing Junkie.

Until next time,

I Heart Yard Sales!

I am so glad yard sale season is back!!! I got to do a little thrifting too since I have been on spring break. I found quite a few goodies this week.

First, I found these cute canisters for $3 at one of my favorite thrift stores. Since my hubby started making his own mochas I needed something to keep all his ingredients in out on my counter. These are almost exactly what I had pictured in my mind.

Next, well actually first, I found this cute lamp. It was also $3, but I didn't get it the day I saw it in the store. Fortunately for me it was still there when I went back. I was so excited! I love the patina. I was too impatient to wait to find a shade during my yard sale adventures, so I grabbed one at Target. I need to gussy it up, but it will do while I think about how I want to fix it up.

I also hit some yard sales on Saturday. I have been on the lookout for a cookbook holder and scored today! I picked up this blue beauty for $2. As my middle son said, "You got a bargain!"

It would have been great in my country kitchen many moons ago, but it got the ORB (oil-rubbed bronze) treatment as soon as I got it home! I used a tip that I read about on another blog and used a brown as a base coat so I didn't have to use as much as ORB paint. I think it turned out great, if I do say so myself!

At the same yard sale I was able to get 2 beautiful 11 x 14 frames for $1 each! I hurried and gave the husband my money before his wife found out what he was selling her stuff for.

I know exactly what pictures I want to put in these! I can't wait to get to Costco on Monday to get my prints.

I am a happy girl because I think I've found my yard sale groove again! It's been a long winter!! I missed my bargains!

I hope everyone else had great luck this weekend! Head on over to Rhoda's at Southern Hospitality for Thrifty Treasures to see some more great finds!

Until next time,

Happy Easter!

I hope you all have a wonderful day with family and friends!

Menu Plan for the Week 4-4-10

Well my spring break is coming to a close. I didn't get as much done as I wanted, but I rested so I guess that's what is most important! I know we're going to have a busy week getting back into our school routine, so having a plan will keep us all balanced. Well, I hope!

Here is what we have planned for this week:


Breakfasts: Cereal, Oatmeal, Biscuits, Muffins, Pancakes, French Toast, Waffles, Fruit

Lunches: Ham or PB & J Sandwiches, Leftovers, Fruit or Veggies, String Cheese, Hard Boiled Eggs, Granola Bars, Fruit Leather, Homemade Chewy Bars

Dinners:
Sunday- Easter Dinner~ Ham Roast, Mashed Potatoes, Broccoli, Rolls, Deviled Eggs, Mini Apple Pies

Monday-Leftovers

Tuesday- Spaghetti, Italian Sausage, Buttered Bread, Salad

Wednesday- Beef Keilbasa, Ranch Potatoes, Salad

Thursday- Tacos, Refried Beans, Spanish Rice, Salad

Friday- Homemade Pizza, Salad

Saturday- Homemade Chinese~ Mongolian Beef, Lemon Chicken, Steamed Rice, Broccoli

Find more menu planning inspiration at Organizing Junkie.

Until next time,