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Thursday, May 14, 2009

I'm building an ark!

Wow! We have now officially had 20 days of rain here in good ol' Oklahoma. People are starting to complain that they have seasonal affective disorder from no sunshine. It is getting a little depressing. I have to agree.
Last night we had some really cool storms blow through our area. Luckily no tornado warnings but they had one about 20 minutes from us. Too close for comfort if you ask me.
I took some pics of the clouds as they were rolling in. They were the really puffy, bubble looking clouds. I took Meteorology in college and still can't tell you what the clouds are called. I got a C in that class too-it was so hard!








The boys have 5 days left of school. H-man actually went to the Intermediate school to take a tour with his class since he will be in the 3rd grade next year. Finally, I will have both boys in the same building again. T-man will be in the oldest grade in the building (5th) and H-man in the youngest (3rd). It's so old hat for T-man though. He thinks he will rule the roost next year as a big 5th grader. They have both done so well in school this past year. Nothing but A's and an occasional B. That makes me very proud of them. Even though they are totally different personalities. T-man will worry so much about getting his homework turned in and getting good grades and then H-man just goes with the flow. He doesn't whether he gets his homework turned in or not. I think T is a worrier like his Momma. H is more like my laid-back Dad. So funny to see how they react to different situations.
Speaking of reacting to situations, I had to be the bad Mom on the block for the first time a couple of nights ago. Apparently, we have a kid that has an anger management problem in our neighborhood. He's always acting out - throwing his PSP if he doesn't win a game, stuff like that. Well, I guess he got into a little argument with T about who could skateboard better or some major world dilemma like that and this boy punched or slapped T in the face. When T came in the house and told me, I freaked! I ran outside and told that boy to come over to me and I ripped him up one side and down the other. I was so mad I was shaking. Maybe not the best time to react to a situation but I wasn't going to let this bully pick on my boy! He answered Yes Maam to me everytime I said something. I told him never to come to my house EVER! And, the stupid thing is.....I felt bad the day after I got on to him. I think T should learn to solve his own problems but this kid had done other stuff that had infuriated me so I'd had it. Guess he won't bug my little guys anymore. I'm such a big, bad Momma. But, one thing I instantly felt the second my oldest was born was the instant feeling of being a Mother Lion. You don't mess with my Lion Cubs or you will regret it. I guess that's called being a Mother.
Other than my griping out kids in the 'hood, everything has been going really well. My Mom is going to watch the boys over the summer......do you know what that means???????
NO MORE DAYCARE!!! NO MORE $700 A MONTH TO SHELL OUT BETWEEN THE EX AND I!!!!
You do not understand how long I have waited to not pay daycare. I will pay my Mom but not as much as the daycare. Wow! What a relief.
Over the summer the boys are going to go to the library and check out books like at the daycare. I think reading is the most important thing in the world. If you teach a child to read, they can go anywhere in the world. They will never be bored or lonely either. In some of my darkest days after getting divorced, reading saved me. My hope is that my boys will love reading as much as I do. And.....I adore it!

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Kayleigh Freeman

For those of you that read about Kayleigh Freeman - a special premie that has fought so hard for eleven months only to experience a complication during surgery which left her brain dead, she has gone to Heaven. I am so sad for her parents, I can't even believe everything they have gone through only to have this ending.

Please say a special prayer for their family tonight.

Monday, May 4, 2009

Menu Planning Monday



Monday - Pork Tenderloin, green beans with new potatoes
Tuesday (soccer practice night) - Hot dogs with chili and cheese
Wednesday - Italian Pot Roast (recipe below), mashed potatoes, salad
Thursday - Pork chops, scalloped potatoes, steamed broccoli
Friday - Sandwiches (grilled cheese or turkey and cheese)- packing for trip

Italian Pot Roast (Crockpot)

3 or 4 lb. pot roast- whatever size you want to use-just needs to fit in the crockpot

1 can Coca-Cola

1 package Lawry's spaghetti seasoning

1 large can (14 oz. I think) of diced or crushed tomatoes
1 can of beef broth


Place the roast in crockpot, then pour and sprinkle all ingredients over roast. Cook for 6 to 8 hours on low. The roast will completely fall apart.

I serve it with mashed potatoes. The sauce is awesome.


~To help support the Pork Industry, which I have to say, has gotten a bad rap in the past couple of weeks, I'm serving pork this week. Our family loves pork and I think the media has scared the general public to death with this Swine Flu or H1N1 flu. I feel sorry for any pork producer in the country. This latest scare has got to be hurting their business.

It's been raining like crazy here again, I think we're on the 10th day straight. I'm counting on soccer practice being cancelled due to the soggy fields. That gives me more time to plan for our trip to North Carolina at the end of the week. This weekend is a long awaited, exciting trip for us. Mr. Hautemama is graduating from Gardner-Webb University in Boiling Springs, North Carolina with his Master's Degree in Accountancy. I'm so proud of him. He has spent many late nights studying for his Masters. I feel like our life has been on hold for the last two years, as we couldn't travel because Mr. H was worried that he wouldn't be able to access the internet on vacation. He took an online degree program which was actually very interesting. The class discussions were all online in a message board form. His professors would post the quizzes and tests online and then Mr. H would post his finished test back to the professor. Honestly, anyone with an accounting degree gets my respect. I'm an English and literature type of girl. Numbers scare the heck out of me. Heck, I even despise balancing my checkbook. And....to think that 5 short years ago I was a licensed Financial Advisor. Guess you know why I'm not one anymore. I hated numbers.

This will be one of the first times I've ever left the boys, except for business. My Mom is sweet enough to step in and take care of them while we're gone. Hopefully everything will go smoothly. I'm a list maker so I've spent the entire day listing out everything we need to remember to do before leaving.

Speaking of lists, I have the best site for downloading lists to help keep your home organized, as a matter of fact, that's what the site is called Organizedhome.com.

I keep a household notebook, which is basically just a 3 ring binder with clear tab dividers. The notebook is divided into the following sections:

Meals and Menus
Sections:
Freezer Inventory
Pantry Inventory-as shown on the enclosed photo, when you put something in the pantry, you put a mark through the box. When you use that item, you complete the X by putting another mark through the item. You then know it's been used and you need to replace it.
Menus - monthly
Shopping Lists
Pricing Form - to remember what an item is typically priced at a certain store



Sorry for the blurry pic. It's hard to take a pic of a page.




Money and Finance
Budget/spending record-very important in this economy
Bills to pay
Credit card list
Insurance Information-I put copies of my insurance policies in a clear page protector

Family and School
School schedule
Holiday list
Lunch menus
School information
Daycare information


Home Management
Household cleaning schedule
Seasonal chore schedule
Children's chore checklist
Home inventory
Home decorating ideas
Car maintenance schedule
Magazine subscriptions


Planning
Calendars
Schedules

To-do lists
Scrapbook ideas/page layouts


Phone list
Master phone directory
Emergency phone directory- doctors phone numbers-good to take out and post on the fridge when the kids are with a babysitter

Activities/School


My household notebook has been so much help. I now can tell when I have plenty of food in the pantry to menu plan. In past years, I've forgotten what was in the back of the freezer - now I don't.

This is how happy I feel after organizing my home!

Saturday, May 2, 2009

Little bit about me

I've been tagged by a sweet blogger that happens to live pretty near my little town, Julia from foreverinsweatpants. I love reading everyone's comments.



What's your current obsession? Decorating my son's surf room. I need to make some custom framed pictures - I'm trying to figure out cute ideas.


What's your weirdest obsession? The weather! I'm one of those nerds that actually watches the Weather Channel, even when other parts of the country are being highlighted. I also have a bad obsession with checking the KOTV radar. My friend, Tom is one of the meteorologists so I trust them the most.


What are you wearing today? Black long sleeve t-shirt from Gap, dark trouser jeans, black quilt design slides by Steve Madden, and a cute black and silver heart necklace. I had to try to be cute 'cause I was going to the mall.

Why is today special? I got to spend the day shopping with my Mom and boys. And getting my Mom out to the mall is a rarity!

What would you like to learn to do? Breakdance! I can bust a move when the music is bumpin', but I never mastered breakdancing - and yes, that was the thing to do when I was a kid. At the last office Christmas party, I didn't feel like dancing, which resulted in everyone chanting my name until I broke down and went out on the dancefloor. I would love to bust out in some dope breakdancin' at the next Christmas party. One of my sales guys at work would die! I threaten it every year! He says he's taking private lessons right now. It's a constant joke between us.

What's the last thing you bought? Some cute black shorts to exercise in and New Balance running shoes

What are you listening to right now? Revenge of the Nerds - Mr. Hautemama is watching it for the 80th time.

What's your favorite weather? Sunny, 70-78 (flip flop weather)

What's your most challenging goal right now? To lose weight (see post from about a week ago) - as Mr. H and I have been together longer, I've gotten fatter. UGH! I would love to get in the habit of running again like I did when I was in college.

What do you think about the person who tagged you? Julia has the coolest blog - she even puts Movie Quotes on her blog. I thought I knew a lot of lines from movies. I now know I don't.

What's your favorite guilty pleasure? A large Coke and corndog from Sonic.

Favorite vacation spot? Paradise Island, Bahamas - most beautiful place in the world


What would you like to have in your hands right now? A large Diet Coke with strawberries, lime and vanilla from Sonic! And.....chocolate mousse - can you tell I'm dieting???

What would you like to get rid of? The mom guilt that I constantly carry with me throughout every workday.

If you could go anywhere in the world for the next hour, where would you go? If it was anywhere period, my answer would be Heaven so I could hug and kiss my Daddy one more time and tell him how much I love and constantly miss him and tell him how great his grandsons have turned out.

What language do you want to learn? I actually have a minor in Spanish and took Spanish classes from 2nd grade all the way until I graduated college. Sadly, if you don't use it, you lose it. Man....I need to start practicing again.

What super power would you like to possess? The ability to predict or control the future. I just want to make sure my kids have a great life.


What your favorite thing about the city you live in? I seriously never in a million years thought I'd say this...but...I like the small-town feel with the nearby big-city advantages. (I totally copied Julia on that one - hey...she does live in the next town, ya know.)
I grew up in south Tulsa with the mall and every restaurant within a couple of miles. It completely spoiled me. But, I have to say, living in a small little suburb of a big town has its advantages. It's quiet where we live but only 30 minutes to any entertainment or restaurant.
I feel safe in a small town where people know you and your children. In a small town, people tend to watch out for each other more. And.....Mr. H was a really good football player in this little town. Someone told me he still holds the high school rushing record. Everywhere we go, people know Mr. H. In other words, I'm here for life. He'll never leave his family and this little town. *sigh*

What's your favorite piece of clothing in your closet? My dark trouser jeans. They are light and comfortable and pretty darn flattering. Best jeans I've had in a long while.


What's your dream job? Food Network Chef. I would love to be like Giada or Ina.


If you had $150 now what would you spend it on? I would actually go to one of the corners where the Shriner's are sitting selling Vidalia onions and give it to them. My child is a Shriner's kid and I could never repay them for the medical advice and help they have given us. (Told ya the compassion bloggers have gotten to me.)

Do you admire anyone's style? I'm copying Julia again - Reese Witherspoon. Eva Mendes or Eva Longoria- they always seem to look pretty tailored which is how I like to look.


Describe your personal style. I'm a tailored type of person. Ann Taylor or White House/Black Market, even Talbots. I live in flip-flops in the warmer months. I adore ballet flats or slingbacks.

Who's fashion show would you want tickets to? Vera Wang. I've a weak spot for wedding dresses. ME TOO!

Who's closet would you like to raid? Reese Witherspoon or Bethenny off of the Real Housewives of New York City! Really, most of the Housewives.

What are you most proud of? My two little boys - they have become two of the most caring, kind, sociable and smart little guys. I'm proud of the job I've done so far....and I've been a single Mom raising them from the time they were 36 months and 8 months old, until Mr. H came along when they were 5 and 3. Pretty good job, if I do say so. I'm also proud of Mr. H - he had the guts and kindness to fall in love with a woman that had 2 very small children. He took those boys into his heart and has raised them as his own for the past 5 years. It takes a special man to do that. And....Mr. H graduates with his Masters Degree in Accountancy next weekend in North Carolina - that makes me super proud too!

If you could choose one person who had passed to have lunch with who would it be and why? My Daddy - he was the kindest and sweetest man that ever lived. He loved me so much and I just know that he would never have wanted to leave so suddenly and tragically (car accident).

Stormy Saturday

For the past 4 days, it has done nothing but rain and storm like crazy. The problem with thunder and lightning is.....it scares the dickens out of my Beagle Baylee. She usually sleeps on the foot of our bed on her own special quilt. Well, the second it thunders, she'll army crawl up towards my head and sleep on my head. I mean really sleep with her body laying somewhat across my head. I guess she feels more secure up at my head rather than at my feet. She also barks and whines too. It makes for such a fun night. We did learn a trick......Benadryl. Liquid Benadryl is a miracle worker for dogs that get nervous and anxious during storms. Living in Oklahoma, it's a must. Baylee actually thinks it's a treat and will lick up the entire dose from her little "treat" plate. She just lays next to me and relaxes after her treat. Works wonders!

The other problem with bad weather is trying to get the dogs to go out and go to the bathroom. They won't get near the door when it's bad outside. I actually have to walk outside with them and stand there while they go potty. Amazingly spoiled puppies if you ask me. But, I'm sure it's my fault for spoiling them.

Today, I took the boys and my Mom to the mall to look for a dress that my Mom can wear to my nephews wedding (her oldest grandson). We found the cutest suit dress at Dillards and matching shoes at Macy's. I love it when you find some cute things at the mall. We looked at all of the super cute Spring clothes. There were so many things that I could have bought, but with the economy in the dumps, I feel like I shouldn't spend the extra money. And, in all honesty, I've been reading about the Compassion bloggers on Bring The Rain. The way they describe the horribly sparse conditions in India, it makes me really appreciate everything I have and not want to take for granted that our family is very blessed. So far, we haven't really felt the effects of the economy, but you never know when things could turn. This is the time to really tighten the belt and put money back for any slim times that may come up.

It was my little H-man's 8th birthday last Sunday. He's growing up so fast. I remember when he was just my little chunky baby. We had our family dinner at IHOP because when we asked H where he wanted to go, he said he wanted a huge stack of pancakes. What can I say, the boy is easy to please!
This year he told everyone that he wanted cash for his birthday so he can save upenough for a skateboard. He had also been putting back money for a good while to buy something special. Well, with the birthday money, he had enough to buy an Element skateboard that he'd been eyeing at Zumiez. So, that was our stop after dress shopping. It actually worked out pretty good. I told the boys we wouldn't go to Zumiez if they complained one time while shopping with Nana. They were perfect the entire shopping trip. I'm using the bribe technique everytime!
I've been fighting the skateboarding thing for a long time now but I'm starting to realize that it's really a mainstream thing for kids these days. I always think about the kids that skateboarded when I was in high school. They were the kids that sat across from the high school in the morning smoking cigarettes, looking like goth weirdos. That is my GREATEST fear. No goth, drug doing, freaks in my house. EVER. But I am letting them skateboard because my thought is.....at least they're outside and not sitting in front of the computer all day long. But no skinny jeans or dying their hair black. UGH!
Another storm is starting up here and the lightning is getting really close. The thunder is the kind that makes you jump and sounds like all the plates are rattling in the kitchen. I'm going to bed so I can try to sleep through the storm!