Memories of my past...

Did any of you ever have one of these as a kid? I did and I remember loving it. This summer while Ainsley was playing at a friends house, the girls got one out to play dress up. My friend had said that her grandmother had made it and that it had been hers and now if fits her little girl. Ainsley looked so cute in it. I don't knit so making one was out of the question, and I searched on-line and found a few but for a bit more than I wanted to spend or and I am a chicken about buying off etsy. Anyway, I happened to be in a local store and what do I see hangin on a rack but this sweet poncho. It was even on sale! My sassy girl loves it too.

Well today turning out to be a crazy day as usual. I am running a bit behind and being on here is not helping. Have to finish getting little people ready and get them off to school, go to bible study, pick Ainsley up from school, do the laundry shuffle, get Aidan from school, get everyone a snack and head over to flag football. Just typing it out makes me tired. Well, I am off! Later!

Butternut Squash Bread

As requested by a friend here is the recipe:

2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
2 cups whole wheat flour
2 cups white sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
2 teaspoons baking soda
4 eggs beaten
2 cups butternut squash puree, or pumpkin puree
2 teaspoons salt
1 cup butter softened


1. Grease 2 loaf pans. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Combine flours (white and wheat), sugar, baking powder, baking soda. Mix well.
3. In a separate bowl, combine squash, eggs, salt. Add to flour mixture and blend in softened butter.
4. Divide mixture between loaf pans. Bake until golden and cake tester comes out clean., about 1 hour in my oven. Cool.


I have really enjoyed this bread toasted with a little margerine for breakfast and I think it would be yummy with a Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner. Since the batter is so wet, I am going to try to reducing the amount of butter used and reduce the amount of sugar as well. It is not terribly sweet as is, but I since butternut squash is a bit sweet naturally I thought I could give it a try. My next harvest of squash won't be ready for a few more weeks so I will let you know how it turns out later. By the way,the kids think this is pumpkin bread and gobble it up! I don't know why, but pumpkin tastes better to them than squash. So for now I am going to let them think this is pumpkin.

So it is not as bad as all that...

turns out B did not officially sign me up as den master. Praise God! The kicker is that there are only 2 boys in their den currently so it is one set of parents or the other. We will see how things work out. I am good at the behind the scenes stuff, keeping things organized. I am not a leader, the secretary/treasurer position would work much better for me. Scouts means though that I will be hitting my friends up to buy popcorn when they do their fundraiser. Sorry Miss B as I know you will be selling too! Actually we bought some last year and it was really good! Unfortunately, it is not on my new diet plan unless it is really low fat, no cheese popcorn for me. More on that another time as I am still working out the details myself. Have a great weekend. Later tater tots.

How is it...

that my hubby takes Aidan to a boy scout informational meeting and comes home with me signed up to be Den Master? I am not nor have I ever been a boy scout and my girl scout activites were purely crafty nothing outdoorsy. What has he gotten me into?

To do list for today...

1. dishes

2. bathrooms

3. floors

4. me time (I don't want to spend my whole morning to myself cleaning you know).

5. clean up playroom (I usually have the kids do this, but being that this is football night and and informational meeting about boy scouts I think I am going to have to do it).

6. bible study (it is only Thursday and already getting behind on this weeks homework)

etc,etc


These are the must do's. Otherwise, I need to come up with a quick dinner to cook early so that we gat eat as soon as we get back from football so B can take Aidan to the scout thing. I don't know that this is such a good idea during flag football season, but we will see. Wow, busy day so I had better get off this computer and get going. Well let me pay some bills first...Later taters!

What I did yesterday...

I am not sure what possessed me to skip bible study yesterday to do this. Ainsley went on her first field trip yesterday to an apple orchard and I agreed to help chaperone. Fortunately the 2 teachers and several other parents went as well. Actually I can't complain. The trip was pretty fun. Most everyone listened surprisingly well. Only one little boy needed his attention diverted fairly regularly. At one point the child almost disturbed a beehive! A fun day was had by all I think and they sent each child home with a few apples and a honey stick so Miss A was pleased as punch.

Oh, and these are the flowers B sent me last week. Aren't they pretty? Did any of you guys get possessed to do anything overwhelming recently, or am I just a glutton for punishement? Later!

The holiday shopping season has begun...

already. In the past week we have received not only the American Girl catalogue, but also the My Twin Doll catalogue. Plus, Terry's village is sending me all the ads for Christmas decore. I am so not ready for the holiday mayhem to start. I am just getting into the swing of the school mayhem!

Who knew!

I went to the Dr on Thursday for a regular check up and to talk about my migraines. After talking for a bit she asked me to try something for 1-2 months to see how it worked for me. I am able to avoid most of my triggers fairly easily...red wine, too much chocolate and some cheeses. The other triggers, stress and hormones are more difficult, but I am learning to manage. Anyway, after talking it over she suggested trying allergy meds, nasal spray and tablets daily for a while and see if the migraines improve. So far so good! I know it has only been 2 days but the change is pretty impressive so far you just don't know how bad I have been feeling. She said it has been a terrible fall allergy season so far and since I do deal with seasonal allergies it could be something in the air that is setting me off. This would also explain why they have been so frequent since I got back from down south. I will keep you all posted about how I fare on this stuff. I do have a beta blocker on file with the pharmacy though so if I do find that the allergy meds aren't working then I can always just fill the prescription and see if those help me again. Either way, here is hoping I can avoid some of these headaches!

Miss C...

ETA: Chris is being released from the hospital today with a colonoscopy scheduled. No surgery at this point. Yay! After getting that e-mail this morning, it was so nice to finally get through to her at the hospital. She has had a series of friends coming in to keep her company so that makes me feel much better as well. It just stinks to be not feeling well in the hospital and be alone. Thank you all for thinking of her today and continue to keep her in your prayers for the next few weeks that she will be able to get this issues and pain resolved.






Please say some prayers for my dear friend Chris from home. I received an e-mail through my hubbys former co-workers that she has been admitted to the hospital with a bowel obstruction. She is scheduled to have surgery. Not sure when as I have called her room at the hospital at get no answer. She could be in surgery this morning for all I know. She has no family in the area just close friends so I don't know if anyone is with her. This is when I hate living far away from people! I have been one who has taken her to the doctor on numerous occasions because I am at home. I am worried sick as she is not in the best of health.

Rough week...

so far in this household. The kids are just being difficult and it is starting to drive me crazy. Defiance mostly on Ainsley's part. Aidan isn't being quite so bad, but I took him to a new friends house yesterday and he came home very upset that this little boy had some Star Wars toys that he didn't have. I was so put out I threatened that if his attitude happened again, I would take all the toys in his closet and give them to charity to for a child who would appreciate it. Yesterday I meant it, this morning I decided that if it happens again I will take them away but store them in the basement for a period of time until he learned to appreciate the things that he has. Ainsley, I just brought home screaming that she didn't want to go home. Another knife that child puts into my heart as when we are out and about she wants everyone but me and will listen to everyone but me. Mommy, I don't want you is something I have been hearing a lot lately. You may not want me, but you are going to mind little one. Hope today is better. The day before was so bad my hubby sent me flowers. I will have to take a picture as they are lovely. Well, it is time to get cleaned up after my morning walk/school run and head over to the Drs office. Why do I dread going there so much? Later!

Mall of America Pictures

Aidan and Ainsley on the Wonder Pets ride. It pulls the kids up then drops you down in a bouncing motion.

Me and Ainsley on the Backyard friends ride. Ainsley's favorite.

B and Aidan on the Log Chute. Aidan liked this one because he got splashed. As a photographer I realized how difficult it is to take pictures of the little one's on the rides. These don't do justice to show how much fun the peanuts had.

We happened to be there during a large scrapbook event! My scrapper friends would be jealous. Scrapfest08 hosted by a store in the mall it think, Archivers or somesuch. Lots and lots of vendors booths and people taking classes making projects it was mayhem! This picture I took doesn't even show you the half of it.

Wouldn't it be fun to have a girlfriends weekend here! Later taters!

We're Back!

And as soon as I recharge the battery on my camera, I will post some pictures. The Mall of America is a really cool place and right around the corner from our hotel. The kids had a blast at the Nickelodeon Amusement park. Even Ainsley, who did not want to ride any rides initally, got in on the action. I think her favorite was the "Backyard friends" swing ride, Backyardigans swings. Aidan claims his favorite was the log chute but really I think it was the Pepsi Orange Coaster. We had two ride that one twice because he wanted to ride with me. We will have to go back when my youngest daredevil is a little taller so she can ride more of the bigger rides. You really need 2 or 3 days at that mall if you want to do any shopping. You just could not see it all and do kids activities as well. The aquarium was pretty cool and Aidan even touched a sting ray even though I don't think he liked it much. He talked about doing that all afternoon because Megan T in his class did it so he had to do it too. They are very soft, something that I never realized. They also had some huge fresh water turtles and a huge sea turtle. I have never seen turtles that big. The kids enjoyed the aquarium so I am hoping to one day take them to the one in Atlanta. Eventually everyone got crabby and we headed back to the hotel to rest up a bit and then we took the kids to the hotel pool to swim. Heated indoor pool my tushy...that water was freezing cold. Aidan swam in it the most then we stopped in the hot tub to warm up. Aidan and B played a game of foose-ball (sp?) with another little boy who joined them then headed up to get kiddos ready for bed. Sunday we headed out for breakfast at this amazing pancake house and took B to the resort where he will be staying all week. I headed back a little earlier than I orginally planned because Aidan was feeling pretty puny and complaining about his ears bothering him. I was pretty surprised as we have been diligent about his ear plugs and he is not congested. He slept in the car most of the way back so I am hoping it was just that he was tired. Either way he had an appointment already scheduled for this afternoon to see the nurse at the ENT office so if there is a problem she will be able to tell us.



My family down south seems to have weathered the storm. My parents don't have power or phone service. My sister is without phone but has power. I have been able to get in touch by text message only. No major damage really to either one of their homes, just some damage to trees and shrubs and such. A friend of mine's father did not fare so well. He is fine, but some trees fell on to his house destorying it pretty much. Keep him an all the others who have suffered such losses in your prayers.

Headed to Minnesota...

today. I am so excited to take a trip not involving family. Don't get me wrong, I love my family dearly. It is just nice to get a chance to do something different for a change. Next time I am hoping to take the kids to one of the resorts at the Dells. I think they would have a blast and so would we. Muggy morning today and Ainsley seems so off. I have had to deal with 3 fits this morning already. Not like her. The first was the fact that Aidan was sitting in her spot on the couch this morning. Not a great way to start out the day, but we got Aidan off to school and she is watching a bit of Sesame Street so she seems to have settled down a bit. So, I am off to pack and get the house ready. We will be running the dog to the vet and headed to the library for a bit later this morning. What are you guys up to for the weekend? I know what my sister would answer here. Bracing for Ike. All you coastal southerners are in our prayers up here. Later!

Ike...

is headed toward the Houston/Galveston area. My sis is off on Friday so she has to batten down the hatches in her office before she leaves today, ie cover computer in plastic and store files. They should start getting some bad weather tomorrow evening. My Mom says it is bright and sunny out today and you would never think anything potentially bad is coming. She thinks it is going to be like Hurricane Alicia that came through in the early 80's not long after we moved to Texas. Currently they are not under mandatory evacuation as they are not in the low-lying areas of Harris county or the coastal region. Until further notice, they are going to ride it out at home. Prayers for the coastal parts of Texas please!

Flag Football

started yesterday. Let me say some of those second graders are huge! One kid on Aidan's team stands at least a head and shoulders taller. Now, mind you Aidan is not the tallest in the bunch, nor is he the smallest. He usually runs about average and is mid-range on growth charts as well, but when he saw some of those kids he was concerned. You can definitely tell who the first graders are on the team. He loved it so much last year. I just hope that he continues to love it in spite of the bigger kids. Next year he will be one of the bigger kids so we will see. The coach told them that they have to get mouthguards so at least there is some protection there. They did not require them last year and of course Aidan gets whacked in the mouth.

Please continue to pray for Aidan about school. He was very upset about not being able to put his backpack in his locker before school starts. Apparently someone told him he could not do this. So, this morning I dropped him off he took his backpak to the playground and I said if it really bothered him to ask his teacher what the rules were. I think it would come across better coming from her. I understood that if they arrived before 8 they had to go straight to the playground, but if they were there after 8 you could come in first. Anyway, we will see if Aidan asks the teacher today...and I am seriously hoping he remembered to pick up his backpack again and that it did not get left outside! B comes back today and Friday afternoon we are off to Minnesota. So excited! Later taters.

What my hubby did this weekend...

Now, he did not tell me who was in the Darth Vader mask. I know it is not his boss/buddy as he is much taller than B. At least they won the game. When I talked to him after he was hoarse but happy. Today is a busy one. Dropped both kids off at school and walked for 40 minutes in the process. Now, I am heading to bible study. I leave there to pick up Ainsley. This afternoon we pick up Aidan come home for a snack and head back to school for an hour for flag football. Busy day!

It has been a busy social morning...

I have been fielding the phone today and some of it has been so much fun. I got a chance to chat with my dear friend while she grocery shopped. I also had to spend some time on a conference call between the heating people and an electrician to see when they could schedule to come back to finish the job. We got everything sorted out for Wednesday so I am once again stuck at home that morning, but like I said before there could be worse things. So here is my to do list then for the day and some for the rest of the week!

1. Grocery--thankfully I was able to do this early.
2. Laundry--3 loads minimum as I don't know what the electrician will need to turn off on Wednesday.
3. Vaccuum--Alex is molting again so I really need to do this daily.
4. Get bags out to start packing for weekend trip.


Wow, this list seems like it should be longer, but I am sure I will be adding to it as we go. Well, at least dinner tonight is easy. The kids and I are heading out with a friend whose hubby is also away. At least mine will be back Wednesday morning. Oh, flag football starts tomorrow, so say some prayers for Aidan for an injury free season. At least if he gets a tooth knocked out now he won't go quite as long until the new ones grow in, but I would rather that he be injury free. He tells me this morning how he would love to play football when he grows up. If only he knew how much that stressed me out!

Tons going on..

around here, but I am trapped at home today so that is not a bad thing. We have the guys over that are installing our new heating system. I tell you, waking up to a cold house in the morning is no fun and that happened last spring when it wasn't horribly cold outside. I shudder to imagine how cold it would have been had our heat gone out in the worst of the winter. They had recommended that we replace the system soon, and here we are.


Last night was Aidan's open house. All went well. The children's pastors wife from our church is the music teacher so it was neat to get to chat with her. B was really impressed with the school's music program. I hope Aidan's interest in guitar continues until he is old enough to take lessons. B finally got the chance to see the inside of the school and meet Aidan's teacher. I think he was pretty impressed with her as well. She seems to be a really good fit to Aidan.


B spent the rest of the evening playing with his new toy for work. I can't imagine what he said to get his boss to pay for his new phone. He got the new Apple 3G iPhone. The turkey. I admit for my purposes such a thing is really useless, but it is really cool. The turkey is also headed to Cleveland this weekend. He is going to the Cowboys/Browns game on Sunday all paid for by a vendor. How sad is that! Anyway, that is it for now, as I am tired so I am going to watch some Wiggles with Ainsley. Later taters!

Truly My First Morning Alone...

I think that title says it all. I have a huge to do list of things that I would like to do this morning, but I must be reasonable as I only have 2 hours before I have to get Miss Ainsley. I have spent the morning running a quick errand and working on my pictures on this computer so as promised I am posting a picture of my little man on his first day of school. He is getting so big and I can not believe how independant he wants to be this year already. I walked him to his classroom almost every morning in kindergarten. Now, he his happy for me to take him near the front door and he will go in on his own. Yesterday he wanted to walk home by himself with his little friend, but I don't think he is ready for that yet. He doesn't do to well watching where he is going and his mother is still a bit paranoid. That is what city life does to you.

As far as plans for the morning, I need to start shifting out some of the summer things for fall items and take an inventory of what else the kids will need for fall and winter. I am also planning on clearing out the rest of Aidan's kindergarten papers as the first grade papers have started rolling in. Can I tell you that this child's penmanship has improved already! I don't know what this teacher said if anything, but I am pleased. Then I plan on spending some time with a cross-stitch project that I have gotten a bit behind on this summer. I had hoped to be further along as I don't want my daughter not to have her Christmas stocking completed this year. Well, I need to quit playing around with this computer as fun as that is for me. Later taters!

To do list:

My friend posted her to do list the other day. I quite enjoyed it as it made me feel not so much of a lunatic because mine is similar. Here is my to do list for today especially since I did not get anything other than dishes done yesterday.





1. Errands- grocery, post office, Starbucks


2. Laundry- 2 load minimum!


3. Mop kitchen floor- the dog peed again because someone who shall remain nameless forgot to let her out before he came to bed. I have already done a vinegar mop, but I need to get something more freshly scented on there. Yes, I use chemicals because they smell good.


4. Boy's haircuts tonight- so I am thinking we might go out to eat otherwise we will most likely have spagetti.


5. Chop tomatoes for storage.





What a silly post for the day, but I am trying to get myself back into the swing of school and the new schedule. Also, I don't want to spend my whole morning tomorrow cleaning. I would like to actually read something or do something else crafty as it has been ages. Been too tired and too much painting.





As promised a few days ago, finished bedroom pictures. I will get Aidan's first day on here tomorrow. Later!

Aidan's first day...

was his "best day ever." I am so pleased! I love his teacher and was hoping that he would too. A little neighbor boy is in his class so I will have to get with his Mom about the boys walking to school together. I will post a first day picture later. It is so hot in my house today (very humid) that I have not felt like doing anything. The kids at school went out about 4 times today since it was so hot inside. The school is by the lake so you get a super nice breeze outside. I am thinking Aidan and Ainsley both will have pretty good school years. What a relief to Mommy! Later taters.