Works-for-me Wednesday: Helping New Parents

Lately in our Sunday School class, many people have been having babies. Therefore, being our Sunday School class director (not sure how I got the title or the job), I organize the "meals list" for our class. Below you will see a meal that works-for-me when I am signed up to bring food.

Basicall, it consists of bringing meals to the new family for 7 days. One of my absolute favorite things to bring on my meal day is chicken spaghetti, salad, bread and chocolate no-bake cookies. I also like to throw in a can of cinnamon rolls or a package of muffin mix so that they have something for a 2nd meal as well. And the number one biggest thing I always remember to do is to put all the food in throw-away containers so that the new parents don't have to remember what Pyrex dish goes to which family after they are finished with the food.

Not a very interesting works-for-me tip, but one that I know certainly helped us back when D-Man was born.

For other great Works-for-me tips, go here!

Titles on Tuesday

For today's Titles on Tuesday selection, I've honestly got nothing.

Nothing.

As in nada.

I do, however, have a question for all of you out there. What types of books do you read? What authors would you suggest that I read? Any books that you would like me to review?

Give me your thoughts...I need some bloggy help!

On the move

D-Man has inherited one of my passions in life...he loves to run! He sometimes will tell me, "Mommy, I need to run." We'll then go outside and he'll just run. Pretty much everywhere we go, he wants to run.

And so, we run....and run...and run! And he is all the more happier when he can run.

Hope your week is a good one!

Happy Monday!

And the book goes too....

We have a winner! Thanks to everyone for entering my giveaway at the Bloggy Giveaways Carnival!

The winner of the book by Creston Mapes is Carrie! I will e-mail you to get your info and get the book to you!

Have a GREAT weekend!

It could make my hips a little bigger

Ok my bloggy friends, there is a serious problem in the D-Household.

No, no one is ill.

No, no one has passed.

No, no one has moved.

No, my bloggy friends, it is something more serious...it is Edy's Slow Churned Cookies 'N Dreamz Ice cream and it is causing mass consumption in our house.

Luckily, it is only available until May. Until then...the bowls are endless!

Happy Friday and if you haven't yet entered my giveaway, click here. You have until 5 pm cst today to do so (only one entry per person!)

Whisks and bowls and knives, oh my!

A few weeks ago, the Faithful Chick began her favs series with one on favorite things in the bathroom. Today she's back again hosting on favorite kitchen items. This is one of my favorite areas of the house and though some of my favs look rugged and worn, I'm going to show you anyway because I think all inquiring minds need to know.

One of my absolute favorite things in the kitchen are these bowls from Williams Sonoma. The Queen B introduced them to me a few years ago during a shopping trip to Dallas and let me just say that I heart them! They work for so many things, have their own pour spout and can be washed in the dishwasher.

Another of my favorite things are these Pyrex measuring cups. I really prefer the larger of the two because it holds more but I use them both about the same.

And my kitchen is not complete without a cast-iron skillet or two. My favorite is this smaller one. It makes enough cornbread for Husband, D-Man and I to go with a pot of beans.

And for baking, can I just say PAMPERED CHEF! Love, love, love the large, round baking stone. It is great for bread, cookies, quesadillas, just about everything. I also have the muffin pan and loaf pan, but don't use those as often.

Pampered Chef also makes this great little contraption called a Micro-Cooker. And this little baby saved my bacon, especially when I was pregnant, because you can cook frozen, ground meat in the microwave in this little contraption and you don't have to smell it or really look at it.

The Micro Cooker, it is my friend.

And finally, let me introduce you to my best friends.

Paper plate, plastic fork, paper napkin and plastic cup, please meet my bloggy friends. Bloggy friends, meet my throw-away tableware. With a small child and Husband who is on the go a lot, the disposable kitchenware makes this mama's life so much easier.

Well, hope you've learned something that might help being in your kitchen a little easier. To check out other great kitchen favs, check out the Faithful Chick's site!

Ordering that works for me and a giveaway to boot!

Today's Works-for-me Wednesday post is all about ordering online and how I've made it work for me. I frequently use Amazon.com for everything from books to electronics and stuff in between. My best friend, the Queen B, told me about the "Amazon Prime" membership that you can sign up for to have everything shipped 2 day shipping for free. The membership itself costs $79.00 a year and in just a few short months, I've already made back my membership money in shipping.

Imagine purchasing your Christmas gifts online and saving money on shipping (exactly what the Queen B has done)!!! So, if you are interested, click here for more details.

And in honor of Amazon.com and the Bloggy Giveaways Carnival, I'm giving away a copy of the book Nobody by Creston Mapes that I mentioned in my Titles on Tuesday post this week. Just leave a comment and let me know whether or not you subscribe to this Amazon membership. I'll close the comments at 5 pm cst on Friday and will announce a winner sometime on Saturday. You don't have to be a blogger to enter, simply leave a comment and a way for me to get a hold of you should you be the winner.

For other great Works-for-me Wednesday posts click here and to check out all the cool things happening at the Bloggy Giveaways Carnival, click here!

Titles on Tuesday

Today's Titles on Tuesday selection is called Nobody by Creston Mapes. It is the latest selection that my book club is reading. What I love about it is that it incorporates wonderful, mysterious writing with the quest we all have to live for Christ.

It centers around reporter Hudson Ambrose and his struggle with finding out who the homeless man he found dead really is. There are twists and turns in almost every chapter keeping you wanting and wanting to read on.

Great read and great message! I highly recommend!

I do and the trash too!

Husband and I have been married for almost 9 years. However, our time spent together is much longer than that...almost 14 years. We started dating during our 11th grade year. He made the first move by asking me to the Homecoming dance.

I accepted.

The rest, as they say, is history. We've never broken up or taken "time off" during all of those 14 years. Pretty amazing, huh?

Anyway, Husband and I had been dating for 3 1/2 years and were in our 2nd year of college. We had been talking about marriage for some time. The year was 1997 and Christmas was approaching. Husband, being the sly guy that he is told me that we would be in engaged by Christmas that year.

Now, in my 19-year-old-wanting-a-beautiful-round-solitaire-diamond-with-a-platinum-band mind, when someone tells me by Christmas, I'm thinking CHRISTMAS DAY!

Contrary to my thinking, though, Husband really just meant during Christmas vacation.

So, Christmas 1997 came and Christmas 1997 went and the present I had been pining over and wishing for didn't come. I moped. I mean, really moped for days. Husband knew he was in the dog house. But, I still moped, and the ring box never came.

New Year's Eve rolled around and we headed to meet up with some of our friends for a fun, friend-filled night of ringing in the new year. In my mind, though, all the ringing that I wanted to do was to ring my Husband's neck because I wasn't happily engaged to be married to him yet.

I went. We had fun. We rang in the new year. We left.

Husband drove ever so slowly down the dirt road that my parent's live on. He passed the driveway and I knew. I knew that the moment was now...oh what would I say? What would he say? Would he get down on one knee? Would fireworks explode in the background?

He stopped and asked me to get out of the truck. He led me by the hand to what I later remembered was the place where we had our first kiss (some 3 weeks after we had started dating thank.you.very.much). Forget the fact that the place that we had first kissed was right next to our family outside trash cans, this was romance, people.

And so he asked me and produced a beautiful round solitaire diamond set in platinum. I said yes and the rest...well...here we are 10 1/2 years later (we had a 1 1/2 year engagement) and our love grows for each other more and more everyday.

A wreath of fresh air

Have I told you lately that I love spring? Are you sick of me telling you that I love spring? Would you like me to quit talking about how much I love spring?

Well, for those who still are reading and don't mind if I talk about my love of the 4 seasons, let me show you some of my handy work.

I was in desperate need of something springy to grace my doorstep. I searched high and low for pre-made wreaths, but nothing tickled my fancy. I finally decided that in order to get something that I liked that didn't cost an arm and a leg, I was going to have to do the unthinkable...make it myself.

D-Man and I made a trip to Hobby Lobby when flowers were on 50% off. The total for everything to make this wreath (including wreath base, flowers, bird's nest and birds) was $16.98. And am I so very happy with the results.

It's whimsical, wispy and wreathy and I couldn't be more satisfied.

Here's an up-close look at the birds resting in their nest.

That's all I've got for today. Have a blessed weekend!

Gladness

As the spring days become more and more beautiful, I often look outside my windows and think of all the things that I am glad about.

The trees.

The flowers.

Rain (even when we get 8 bazillion inches in 1 hour).

Change.

Healthy Kids.

Sloppy Kisses (I know, Husband needs to learn not to slobber).

Family.

Friends.

Sunshine.

My Eternal Saviour!

What makes you glad today? Share it with someone!

If you could be anywhere, where would you be?

Today I'm asking a question of all of my bloggy friends out there. It is a very thought provoking, awe-inspiring type of question.

If you could be anywhere in the world right now, where would you be?

On the beach?

Touring the desert?

Sailing the high seas?

If I had my choice, I think I would be on the beach, preferably with Husband and D-Man. I would have a GREAT book, a cold lemonade and a great beach chair.

There would be no laundry, no leaves to rake, no dishes to wash and no toilets to clean. The floors would vacum themselves, and I could be completely content being, well me.

So, where would you be?

My yard man...hard at work

Spring is here.

I love it!

It makes me so happy to know that the temperatures are going to be warm and D-Man and I can get outside.

Husband and I really enjoy doing yard work. It's been a hobby of ours since we married. However, Husband has really crazy work hours and often times is not home during the week in time to help me with any outdoor projects.

Never fear, though, my handyman also does yards.

He really works to get to the "root" of the problem.

And he's not afraid to get his hands (or his shoes or his clothes or his face) dirty.

I'm so happy to know that I can call on him to get the job done.

Hmmmm....I wonder if he could do the laundry and fold it as well????

You probably don't want to know, but oh well!

I've been tagged. Not with a tattoo. Not with a new earring. I've been tagged by my friend, Queen B. And I've been asked to tell you 7 random things about me.

Seven random things...oh what shall I tell?

Well, let's see....

1) I don't do well returning from a trip if I can't almost immediately get things unpacked and laundry started. I love to travel and love seeing friends and family and new places, but when I return home, I need my home to be in order.

2) I don't wear regular socks when I run or exercise. I wear exercise "toe" socks. That's right, socks that fit each of my toes like a glove fits around fingers. It really helps keep my socks from rubbing and causing blisters on my feet.

3) I am very OCD about having my bed made and having it made correctly. Husband likes to be nice at times and make the bed, but he always forgets (or doesn't do it to drive me crazy) to pull the comforter taunt and tight so that the bed looks very put together. The pillows have to be a certain way and the comforter needs to be correctly positioned on the bed so it does not appear lopsided.

4) I love to send letters and cards by regular snail mail. I love fun card stock, neat paper and brightly colored pens so that I can make my words more "beautiful" and my receivers can enjoy their mail. I am a big thank you card sender and will cling to that southern tradition for as long as I can.

5) After all these years, I still watch The Young and the Restless everyday. I DVR each episode and watch it when D-Man is taking his afternoon nap. I'm not sure if I'll ever give it up, though I know I really need to.

6) We have moved 5 times in our 8 years of marriage. Yes, that's right, 5 times in 8 years. Only once have we moved with a child and I think that by far was the worst move because we had acquired so much more stuff. I'm not a good mover...it makes me cranky and I have told Husband I will only move once more as long as it is to the house we have built. I told him anymore moves than that will have to be made with his next wife (just kidding...about the wife that is because I'm serious about this not moving stuff).

7) Husband and I have known each other since Kindergarten. We were in the same Kindergarten and 1st grade classes as well as had the same 5th grade homeroom teacher. We started dating in November of 1994 and have never broken up since.

So, there you have it? Did you learn anything interesting? I hope that this prompted food for thought and if you have any additional things you'd like to know about me, let me know in the comments and I'll try to oblige.

Now, for the fun part. I get to tag some other people (supposed to be 7, I am only tagging 5) and tell them the rules of the game and ask them to join in the fun!

Stephanie, Kelly, Jennifer, Heather and Julie, I would love to know a little more about each of you. Here are the rules for playing! Please join in if you can and have the time!

The Rules:
1. Link your tagger and list these rules on your blog.
2. Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird.
3. Tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blogs.
4. Let them know they are tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

Happy Monday everyone!

And the one to be watching movies is...

Elaine A you are the lucky recipient of a $15 Blockbuster giftcard! I'll be e-mailing to get your info!

Thanks everyone for playing!

Yes, it's a party, yoga pants and all!

Welcome to my Fashion Fiesta! Thanks to Big Mama for hosting such a fun-filled event. I'm glad you wanted to take a peek into my closet, my only request is that you don't judge. There are things here that could have been here for awhile.

I've got a 2 1/2 year old...Need I say more?

So, sit back, grab a beverage and some refreshements and read on to find out those fashion pieces I can't live without and those that I so wish I had. I'm going to focus your attention towards those things that I wear in the spring and summer because in the winter I hibernate and eat and gain weight and wear sweats. Don't you?

First off, what's a good closet without some great, basic t's? I love the t-shirts from Gap. Here's an example.

I have this t-shirt in teal, magenta, lime green, white and black. They work for summer or winter. In the fall and winter, I pair them under a cute hoodie or put then on top of a long-sleeve shirt. In the summer, layer them together and I've got a look. Not sure what kind-of look, but a look nonetheless. It's a basic, mom-on-the-go look that works for me.

I love to pair t-shirts with basic, denim cropped pants in the summer and jeans in the winter. And here is where my problem comes in. I would love to have these jeans or these jeans. Forget the fact that my legs or stomach or backside will never look like those models, but work with me people.

Work.with.me.

Those would be jeans that I would get if my child didn't need to eat tomorrow, or his clothes lasted for decades or if I didn't need shelter and food myself. I can dream, right?

Instead, this girl has these jeans and these jeans. Yes, I admit, they are a bit cute and I wear the heck out of them, but would you really call me a fashionista in these jeans?

I also must have some yoga pants. My latest ones that I wear often are ones that I purchased in a two pack (black and blue) at Sam's Club for a really great price...something like $12 for both pairs. Big spender, aren't I?

And my wardrobe is not complete without a pair of these or these (especially when I'm trying to look hip and dress things up a bit). You know because nothing says dressy unless it flips and flops and goes between your toes.

I dress it up from time to time with a skirt or a dress, but most of my days during the spring and summer are spent dressed in clothes that are tough and are not afraid to get dirty. Having a 2 1/2 year (a 2 1/2 year old boy, that is) really makes the wardrobe a little basic. And boring. A boring, basic wardrobe is what I have.

You've probably been bored to death, but at least you can scratch me off your list of people to call for fashion advice. I try, people, really I do...remember, DON'T JUDGE!

To check out other great closets, visit Big Mama's Fashion Fiesta! And don't forget about my giveaway that ends tonight at 5 pm cst. Click here and check it out for a chance to win a cool gift card!

Could it be...Princess Leia?

This past Sunday, D-Man and I were getting ready for church as Husband was preparing to go in and make rounds at the hospital. D-Man was dressed, brushed and tucked-in and I was scrambling (as I do most Sunday mornings because I'm too concerned with how everyone else looks before I'm concerned about myself) to get myself ready in time to leave.

I had chosen a simple brown dress and decided to spruce it up a bit with a wide, brown belt. As I'm putting the belt own and positioning it just right, D-Man looks up at me and says, "You look like a princess, mommy!"

"Princess," I thought to myself. Interesting.

Husband adds, "Isn't it great that your son thinks that you look like a princess?"

To which I countered, "Yes, but what kind of princess wears a brown dress and wide brown belt?"

I pondered this question for several more minutes and even had to go as far as to twirl around in my "princess" attire for D-Man as I put him into the car.

As I'm re-telling these events to a friend of mine later that morning, she said without hesitation, "What kind of princess? Princess Leia?"

And there you have it...apparently D-Man thinks his mommy resembles Princess Leia...and he doesn't even know who she is.

Could have been worse, at least he didn't think I looked like SpongeBob.

A little of this, a pinch of that

Today, I've really got nothing.

I could tell you the romantic proposal my husband made to me when he professed his undying love and gave me the gorgeous diamond, but I don't have the energy.

I could tell you the labor story and how for 10 days I sat in a chair (contracting) at the Queen B's house praying my water would break so my misery would end, but that's another post for another time.

And I could tell you about the 5 moves that we've made in our 8 years of marriage, but really, do I have the time?

So instead, I'll entice you to read on. For in the coming weeks there will be good stories. Stories of love, pain, loss and arguments. Many arguments. And in the end, you'll know a little more about Amy...you'll know a little of this and a pinch of that.

Tune in....

And mom, Happy Birthday!

Titles on Tuesday

Today's Titles on Tuesday selection is a fun, easy read by Debbie Macomber. It is the third in her Blossom Street series called Back on Blossom Street. The Blossom Street series is also referred to as the "Knitting Series" because it centers around the shop on Blossom Street owned by Lydia Goetz called a Good Yarn.

The book is filled with several past characters such as Alix Townsend and Reece and Jacqueline Donovan and introduces us to two new characters, Collette and Christian. It is another inspiring book about friendship and how knitting brings these friendships to common ground. The book is an easy read and uplifting and I would recommend it!

Movie...What's That? Please tell for I have a giveaway!

OK, so here is the deal. In the last 2 1/2 years, Husband and I have been to the movie theatre 5 times.

FIVE TIMES, people.

And two of those were just recently when we took D-Man to his first two movies. So that means only 3 of the movies we have seen in the last 2 1/2 years have even had real people in them.

THREE MOVIES, people.

So, what does that mean? Well, it means that Husband and I aren't very up on what movies are out right now. We aren't very cinema-hip at this point in our lives.

We've tried Netflix and at this very moment have had one movie for about 4 weeks. Not really working for us...just throwing the $5 away every month watching a movie collect dust on top of the DVD player.

We DVR movies, but somehow never get around to watching them.

Therefore, I need you guys to recommend movies for us to either go watch at the theatre or movies to watch at home. And I need movies that are so worth watching and so worth me staying awake for and so worth me asking (bribing) the grandparents to watch D-Man while we go watch.

Is it me, or was that last sentence a bit strange? Oh well...

Oh yeah, in return for all the cinematic wisdom that you are bestowing upon a very grateful Husband and I, I've got a $15 Blockbuster gift card for one lucky winner. Your comment will enter you in the contest which will run through Friday (April 11) at 5 pm. Only one entry per person. I'll announce a winner sometime Sunday evening because I'll be out of town until then.
So, enter away and thanks in advance for all your suggestions. Tell your friends, because I could use their suggestions as well.

Who Knew I had so many Bathroom Favs?

The Faithful Chick has started a little series called "My Favorite Things." This weeks edition features favorite things found in the bathroom. I really didn't think I had many favorites until I started looking around my bathroom, so I thought, hey, I'll give it a whirl.

Ok, so I must admit that I used to think that I wasn't a shampoo or conditioner snob. I pretty much used whatever was available for not very much because to me my shoes were much more important than my shampoo. Yes people, as long as my hair was clean, I really didn't care. But, my feet on the other hand had to look cute and cuteness can't be hampered by price.

I digress, sorry.

Anywho, I said that I used to think I wasn't a hair snob, but recently I have decided that I might be after my sis, A-Girl introduced me to the fun, smell-good line from Bath & Body Works. I'm currently using the Coconut Lime Verbena volumizing shampoo and conditioner and boy am I happy. And my hair is happy. Who knew?


To keep my hands clean, I rely on Bath & Body Works Aromatherapy hand soap in Mandarin Lime. Oh my goodness gracious. If you haven't yet tried it...Run, Run, Run and get some. It smells great (there are also other great smells in the aromatherapy line, but this is my fav), keeps my hands oh-so-clean and the bottle looks great sitting on the counter.


My bathroom routine is not the same without a little Eucerin creme to calm my chapped, dry skin (especially in the winter). Husband recommends it to all his patients, so if it's good enough for him, I call it good enough for me. It makes my hands feel really smooth and doesn't leave an oily residue. It would be perfect for my mom because she says that she can't breath if her hands are dry. Interesting, huh? Mom, I love you, but always get a chuckle out of hearing you say that!


Another of my favs in the bathroom is the Aromatique bathroom line. I'm currently using Splendor in the Bath Body Blitz and love the way it smells and calms me before I fall into an interrupted slumber.


My face has to have these three products from Dermalogica. My sister-in-law is an aesthetician and got me started on the first 2 products several years ago. The third I just recently started because I decided that eyes probably needed a little fine-line-wrinkle assistance. Can anyone say 30?




Another product for my hair that I cannot live without is my Bed Head M*nipulator. It is a great product for creating pieced chunks of hair and helps make my birds nest a bit more manageable.


To hold the hair style in place, I love Freeze It! It's name speaks volumes...need I say more?


And to make me happy and smell good, I've recently started using Sunny Side by Gap Body for a refreshing summery pick-me-up each day. It is a body mist that comes in the cutest little bottle and keeps me focused on those sunny, vitamin D filled days to come.


That's all I've got. Check out Faithful Chick for more great bathroom favs!