Let's Celebrate!

January 11th 2011

2011-01-11T19:54:00.000-08:00

1-11-11

How cool is that??

How did you celebrate today??

In case you didn't know... today was "Cigarettes Are Hazardous To Your Health Day"

my lungs thank me for not smoking. Ever.

They didn't thank me, however, for spending time in the dusty basement helping hubby put up shelves.

*cough. hack. sneeze. repeat.*

Catching up...

January 8th was Bubble Bath Day and I wanted to share with you all my current favorite bubble bath...

Secret Wonderland, by Bath and Body Works. YUMMY!!

January 9th was Balloon Ascension Day and Positively Penguins Day. Does it count that my first grader is learning about penguins at school?? I had visions of going to get some balloons with helium in them and letting them go with my preschooler, and you know what? After some of this snow/ice clears up we may still do that! Better late than never!

January 10th was National Cut Your Energy Costs Day and National Clean Off Your Desk Day. Erm... I didn't do either. And believe you me, I've got a desk that needs cleaning off, but it's just so hard to do that when there's car hood sledding to participate in outside in the snow!

So...

*** HEAD'S UP!!! ***

I couldn't find anything to celebrate for tomorrow, the 12th, but...

January 13th is Public Radio Broadcasting Day and Rubber Ducky Day

January 14th is Caesarean Section Day, Organize Your Home Day, and Dress Up Your Pet Day

January 15th is Bald Eagle Appreciation Day, and Miss America

and that finishes us up for this week

How are YOU going to celebrate??

I'm Not Going To Take It Anymore Day

2011-01-07T20:26:00.000-08:00

I tried really hard to think of something today that I just wasn't going to take anymore...

... but it turns out I'm pretty content. I was really hoping some of you would leave hilarious comments of things that you just aren't going to take anymore... but alas, I'm stuck using my own imagination.

Oh wait... I did have one mini moment today. I mean... if we're being honest.

But how do I put this with some tact?? Aw heck. Lately my six year old boy has gotten into the habit of going to the bathroom without lifting up the seat... which then makes a mess, which OF COURSE he doesn't clean up. And today after being the next person in the bathroom after him and being the butt (no pun intended) of that mess...

I just wasn't going to take it anymore!!

For what I hope is the final time, I showed my six year old boy the correct way for a man to lift the seat to do his business.

So there... that's my story.

*** HEAD'S UP!!! ***

Tomorrow is Bubble Bath Day (this one I'll have no trouble with!!), National English Toffee Day, Fruitcake Toss Day, and Learn To Ski Day (I wish!)

I've got a bril idea! Eat your English Toffee while enjoying a bubble bath!

You can thank me later :)

Becky

January 6th, 2011

2011-01-06T20:53:00.000-08:00

Can you all believe it's 2011??

even more... can you believe I haven't blogged here in four months?? Shame on me! I'm really going to give it an honest effort to do this every day again.

That being said...

*** HEAD'S UP!!! ***

tomorrow is "I'm Not Going To Take It Anymore Day"

Have something that you just aren't going to take anymore?? Let go of it tomorrow!! Leave a comment and let me know what it is that you are not going to take anymore!! :)

Becky

Weird-o

2010-09-09T20:37:00.000-07:00

Well... no one posted any pics to the Flickr group.

Booooooo!!!!!!

I'm really gonna have to start getting people on board here!

So... I'll end Weirdo day with a picture I took today of Levi

*** HEAD'S UP!!!***

Tomorrow is Stand Up To Cancer Day and Swap Ideas Day

Always weird,
Becky

Wonderful Weirdoes Day

2010-09-09T12:44:00.000-07:00

Happy Weirdoes Day!

I hope you have all used today as a great excuse to be weird!

I want to see your Weird-o pictures!!

Submit your pics to our flickr group...http://www.flickr.com/groups/1351997@N20/ and I will get them on the blog tonight!!

Literacy Day

2010-09-08T20:47:00.000-07:00

Happy Literacy Day!

As promised... I have compiled a list of books that people have given me. Books that they loved. Books that they loved enough sometimes to read more than once. Books that they couldn't put down. Some of these, I'm gonna have to check out! Some were mentioned a couple of different times by a couple of different people. When that happens... you really know you gotta check it out. And if it was my mama that suggested it... well... It'll be in the mail to my house tomorrow. :) I trust that woman with a good book recommendation! Often, one of us will call the other up and the conversation will go like this: "Hey! I'm reading this great book! I can't put it down/can't stop bawling my eyes out/It really touches me/It's thought provoking/whatever... you HAVE to get it!"... Then a couple of weeks later there'll be another phone conversation that goes like this: "Hey! I got that book you mentioned. oh my word! I can't put it down/can't stop bawling my eyes out/It really touches me/It's thought provoking/whatever." and whoever's on the other end of the line will go "I TOLD YOU!!!!!"

I WAS going to list the books and have a link to a website where you could check it out and, if you wanted, purchase the book... buuuut I figure I'd leave it up to you guys as to where you want to buy the book from if it interests you... so I'll just list them.

Ok, in no specific order... these are the Adult books that you guys love:

Same Kind Of Different As Me by Ron Hall and Denver Moore (a friend had this on her list of must reads... and I agree! I read it and loved it and made Jason read it and he loved it so much that he also bought the follow up book What Difference Do It Make.)

Great Expectations by Charles Dickens (a classic!)

The Help by Kathryn Stockett (I've seen and heard several great reviews on this book and have had it on

reading list for a while. One of these days...)

The Shack by William P. Young (wow. This book is..... a must read. Suggested by several people. Jason

and I have both started this book but haven't been able to finish it. It's so heavy... for lack of a better word... that we feel that we have to put it down and walk away for a while and pick it back up later.)

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott (another classic)

Lafayette by Harlow G. Unger

Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte (another classic)

A Prayer For Owen Meany by John Irving

Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris

Pigs In Heaven by Barbara Kingsolver

In Cold Blood by Truman Capote

The Power of now by Eckhart Tolle

Blonde by Joyce Carol Oates

Atonement by Ian McEwan

The Hours Michael Cunningham

The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd (I haven't read this book but I really want to ever since I watched the movie with Dakota Fanning)

Ok... remember those have all been recommended by other people. If you get one of those books and hate it, don't blame me. There's some really good ones on that list though!

The Authors that were suggested are:
Mary Higgins Clark
P.D. James
nicholas Sparks
Francine Rivers
Philippa Gregory
David Sedaris
and
Barbara Kingsolver

The series that were suggested are:
The Hunger Game Series
The Anne of Green Gable Series
The Mark and the Lion Series
Harry Potter

And...

... the moment you've all been waiting for...

... my personal suggestions. These are some of my current and all time favorite books...

Crazy Love by Francis Chan (this book will challenge your Christianity. Awesome book!)

A Child Called It by Dave Pelzer (True story. Have the tissues handy)

The Phantom Tollbooth by norton Juster (Technically, this is a kid's book. But every adult should read it too!!)

Bud and Me (true story about two young brothers who rode their horses across America. Great book!!)

I have a ton of favorite books but those are the ones that immediately came to mind.

Usually, at any given time, I've got at least two or three books going at the same time. Currently, the books on my night stand (or in my purse) that I'm reading are:

Mennonite in a Little Black Dress by Rhoda Janzen

Auschwitz by Laurence Rees

Have a Little Faith by Mitch Albom

I hope maybe you've found a new book that you can't wait to get and read!

There were several children's books suggested too but I'm going to save those for a later post. Time for bed.

Oh... and I almost forgot...

tomorrow is "Wonderful Weirdoes Day" which means that tomorrow you have a legitimate excuse to be weird. Use it!!

Happy Reading!
Becky

Salami Day

2010-09-07T19:39:00.000-07:00

who celebrated Salami Day??

Sadly... not us. I couldn't bring myself to. I'm not a salami fan. :(

Tomorrow is International Literacy Day. now THERE's one I can get on board with!! :)

I want to know... what are some of your all time favorite books??

Post a comment letting me know and I will compile a list tomorrow on the blog of the books you guys think everybody should read... and I will have a list of my own too. Get to thinkin' about it cause I really do want to know!

Becky

September 7th

2010-09-06T19:39:00.000-07:00

We've been pretty lazy around here this weekend thanks to Levi's fever and sore throat. Yesterday was "Be late to something day"... but instead of being late to church, we just didn't go. Decided not to spread germs. You are welcome.

Tomorrow is Salami day. Hmmm...

Toy Test Day

2010-09-01T20:46:00.001-07:00

Today was fun.

You can't really beat noshing on peanut M&M's and testing out new toys.

first, we tested out Uno Stacko. General consensus? We LOVED it! Audrey and I played it while Levi was at school. The box says for ages 7+ but my four year old who regularly beats me at regular Uno handled it just fine.

So, the idea is... It's a mix of Uno and Jenga.

The player to go first chooses whichever block they want and carefully stacks it on top. The next player must then either pull a block of the same color or number... or one of the four wilds. There is still draw two's, reverses, and skips, but if you are just playing a two person game then all of those act as draw two's. So basically there's no skipping or reversing in a two player game.

uh oh... she's stumped. can she do it??

she did find one to remove successfully, but shortly after that play, it toppled.

It's getting late so I'll save the moon dough review for tomorrow (since I can't find a "day" for tomorrow)

There's mixed reviews out on the moon dough.

Love each other!
Becky

Happy Last Day of August

2010-08-31T18:38:00.000-07:00

A friend on facebook mentioned today that she saw on a website that August 31st is "Eat Outside Day".

I didn't get that message from her until AFTER we'd already eaten lunch inside... and we tried a new diner in Sedalia tonight before Jason had to go to work, so we didn't eat supper outside either. Boooo. I dunno that I would have lasted long outdoors today anyway... it was a scorcher!

So, let's talk about tomorrow! =)

Tomorrow is:

Bison-ten Yell Day
Emma M. Nutt Day
National No Rhyme Nor Reason Day
and
Toy Tips Executive Toy Test Day

First of all... I bought some peanut M&M's today for emma m. nutt day. First things first, right??

I also purchased two new toys for me and the kids to test!! How much fun is that??

I got this:

(red for Levi, purple for Audrey, and of course... orange for me... my favorite color.)

they claim:

(never dries out?? hey I'm all for that!)

and I got this:

So, tomorrow we will test them out and we will let you know what we think.

How are YOU going to celebrate?

Let me know, and I'll put it on the blog.

Becky

Toasted Marshmallow Day

2010-08-30T18:29:00.000-07:00

How did you celebrate Toasted Marshmallow Day?

I had this cute vision of having a little bonfire this evening after Levi got home from school. And then I remembered... a.) Levi had football practice tonight, and b.) Jason had to work tonight. So, that blew that out of the water.

We still celebrated though.

Here's what we did...

I put some fat marshmallows on a baking sheet

then I stuck them under the broiler on high

but you gotta watch them cause they heat up FAST!

YUM! Toasted Marshmallows!

A perfect S'More

doubly delicious if you've just spent the hour and a half before at football practice. Just ask Levi!

I couldn't take a picture of me eating mine... but I ate one too...

How did YOU celebrate??

my friend Jeni sent me this link to another way that you could celebrate Toasted Marshmallow Day, and it looks super yummy!!

http://asouthernfairytale.com/2010/08/30/smores-pie/

*** HEAD'S UP!!! ***

I couldn't find anything to celebrate for tomorrow. I guess if you missed toasted marshmallow day today you could always celebrate it tomorrow. But... Wednesday, September 1st is "Bison-ten Yell Day" (if anyone knows what this ACTUALLY means please enlighten me!) It's also "Emma M. nutt Day" (get it?), national no rhyme nor reason day, and Executive Toy Test Day

Have fun! And as always... if you celebrate, let me know and I'll post it on the blog!

Becky

Head's Up!

2010-08-29T20:47:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow is national Toasted Marshmallow Day!!

Yummy :)

Second-hand Wardrobe Day

2010-08-25T18:27:00.000-07:00

Happy second-hand wardrobe day!

here's my first grader wearing his second-hand shorts on his first day of school:

As I type this, I'm wearing a t-shirt that I picked up at a thrift store somewhere. It says "Country Music Saved My Soul." It's too big for me, so I love to wear it to bed.

Today was also Kiss and Make up Day. I didn't have anyone I needed to make up with... but... when you have this guy around... you don't need excuses to kiss. ;)

Tomorrow is national dog day. I don't even know what this means. hot dogs? puppy dogs?

you decide!

how will YOU celebrate?

Becky

First Grade

2010-08-24T20:59:00.000-07:00

I've had this blog brewing in my head for a few days.

My boy starts first grade tomorrow. This year, we are trying public school. I'm torn on this. I loooooove homeschooling, but living in such a small farm town, surrounded by other small farm towns, there's not much support for homeschoolers here without driving an hour and a half in any direction to a city. SO... at the end of last year, I took him in to the school here and had him tested and enrolled him. It was my first time meeting the elementary principal... and I bawled in her office.

*sigh*

This whole thing has had me reflecting on my first grade year. I don't remember much. I remember a little boy pooping in his pants, and that's about it.

but the important thing that I do remember... was my first grade teacher. My first grade teacher was by far my favorite teacher I ever had.

My first grade teacher...

... was my mom. :)

I went to a small Christian academy, and she was the ONLY first grade teacher. But... she still gets a kick out of me telling people that my favorite teacher was my first grade teacher.

love you, mom!

She did teach me some really important things in first grade... like: you can pick your friends, and you can pick your nose... but you can't pick your friends nose.

trust me... that one's important.

Tomorrow is also Audrey's first day of her last year of preschool... and she's staying home with me this year. So, I'll still get to do some homeschooling. We are excited. With that... we will resume our daily celebrating. Isn't that the whole point of this blog?? We took the summer off... and it all starts back up tomorrow... which is "Kiss and Make Up Day" and "national Second-hand Wardrobe Day"... which works well for us because the shorts Levi is wearing on his first day are second-hand. Mama ain't scurred to thrift!

I will post pics tomorrow.

how are YOU going to celebrate??

Becky

Bex In The Country

2010-05-14T21:37:00.001-07:00

It's no secret... I love my new country life! today I went with my farmer to go check on the cows and check water gaps after our recent thunder/lightning/rain/wind storms. and I took my {new} camera along with me to document it.

Things like this...

Cute, huh? LOOK CLOSER!!

That's my baby on there!! Does he look scared to be so close to a cow that could at any second decide to charge??

anyway... he lived.

In case you were wondering.

Then there was this...

Awwwww.

Got milk?

How cute is that?... all milk dripping off its chin and stuff. A-DOR-A-BLE

Here's my girl, riding in front of me on my four wheeler. This was right before she busted out singing Kumbaya.

Checking cows and water gaps... It's a spiritual experience.

May 9th 2010

2010-05-09T17:54:00.000-07:00

Did you guys celebrate last week?

I think I left off on Cinco De Mayo

We made tacos for supper that day... but we didn't participate in the Great American Grump Out.

Thursday, May 6th, was no Diet Day, no Homework Day, nurses Day, and national Day of Prayer. no Homework Day was easy... Kindergarteners don't have homework. Sadly... no Diet Day was easy too.

The coolest part though, was that a new friend of mine here in town picked up an extra book for me that they are doing at her church's bible study and she gave it to me thursday. The book is:

How appropriate!

Friday, May 7th, was no Pants Day... we didn't celebrate. You're welcome! :)

We didn't celebrate any of Saturday's stuff. Instead... we went to a classic car show.

Then there's today. Sunday, May 9th, Mother's Day. I hope all you moms got spoiled rotten. I did. :)

*** HEAD'S UP!!! ***

Monday, May 10th, is Windmill Day

Tuesday, May 11th, is Eat What You Want Day

Wednesday, May 12th, is Limerick Day, national nutty fudge day, national night shift worker day, and Donate a Days Wages to Charity Day

Thursday, May 13th, is Frog Jumping Day, and Root Canal Appreciation Day

Friday, May 14th, is national Chicken Dance Day, and The Stars and Stripes Forever Day

Saturday, May 15th, is national Pizza Party Day, Straw Hat Day, Armed Forces Day, nylon stockings day, national Chocolate Chip Day, and International Day of Families

Sunday, May 16th, is national Sea Monkey Day, and nascar Day.

May 3rd 2010

2010-05-03T18:40:00.000-07:00

Happy May to everyone!

May is:
Clean Air Month
Community Living Month (no thanks!)
Family Wellness Month
Ger Caught Reading Month
Gifts From The Garden Month
Motorcycle Safety Month
national Barbecue Month
national Bike Month
national Egg Month
national Foster Care Month
national Hamburger Month
national Military Appreciation Month
national Moving Month (no thanks!)
national Photo Month
national Salad Month
national Salsa Month
national Smile Month
Older Americans Month
Personal History Month
Revise Your Work Schedule Month
Sweet Vidalia Onions Month
Ultra-violet Awareness Month
and
national Family Month

So... There you have it. WHEW!

we left off at April 28th. Poem in Your Pocket Day

My friend Kim left a comment with this poem:

Love Sonnet XVII by Pablo Neruda

"I do not love you as if you were a salt rose, or topaz
or the arrow of carnations the fire shoots off.
I love you as certain dark things are to be loved,
in secret, between the shadow and the soul.

I love you as the plant that never blooms
but carries in itself the light of hidden flowers;
thanks to your love a certain solid fragrance,
risen from the earth, lives darkly in my body.

I love you without knowing how, or when, or from where.
I love you straightforwardly, without complexities or pride;
So I love you because I know no other way

than this: where I does not exist, nor you,
so close that your hand on my chest is my hand,
so close that your eyes close as I fall asleep."

I like it!

May 1st was national Scrapbooking Day, School Principal's Day, Stepmother's Day, Tuba Day, Free Comic Book Day, Lei Day, Loyalty Day, Mother Goose Day, Amtrak Day, The Kentucky Derby, May Day, national Homebrew Day, and Space Day

I was working our garage sale all day so I didn't actively celebrate any of those days, but let's see... I'm a scrapbooker, a school principal, a stepmother, I'm loyal, I love mother goose, and I married a man who makes his own wine. Does any of that count??

Right now we have peach wine and grape wine and hopefully soon we will make strawberry and apple. YUM! Who wants to come drink a glass of wine with me on the porch on the farm?

May 2nd was national Play Your Ukelele Day, and World Laughter Day

You aren't going to believe this... but I actually have a ukelele. My dad bought it for me for some gift giving occasion... with a book on learning to play the ukelele. Well, I never did learn to play it... but I also never got rid of it, and I know exactly where it is in the basement. Awwwww. Thanks, Dad.

Today, May 3rd was Garden Meditation Day, Lumpy Rug Day, and national Two Different Colored Shoes Day

I celebrated by getting out in our garden and putting in the cages that will support my tomato plants.

Hey... you like my garden row marker?

my corn is coming up... and tonight I noticed my green beans are coming up!! I'm SO excited!

Tomorrow is national Teacher's Day, Star Wars Day, and Respect For Chickens Day... Which I'm excited about, cause looksie what I got yesterday!!:

YAY!!!

*** HEAD'S UP!!! ***

Wednesday, May 5th, is Cinco de Mayo, Totally Chipotle Day, and Great American Grump Out

Thursday, May 6th, is no Diet Day, no Homework Day, nurses Day, and national Day of Prayer

Friday, May 7th, is no Pants Day, World Asthma Day, and Children's Mental Health Awareness Day

Saturday, May 8th, is no Socks Day, Military Spouse Appreciation Day, national Train Day, Birthmother's Day, Stay Up All night Day, and national Mini Golf Day

and

Sunday, May 9th, is Mother's Day

How will YOU celebrate this week?

April 28th 2010

2010-04-28T12:39:00.000-07:00

Where to start? Where to start?

I had this whole big blog typed out a few days ago... loaded with pictures... and there was an error while saving and I lost the whole thing. I literally walked away from the computer, SOOOO frustrated, and haven't gotten back on until today... so... we'll try this again.

I believe I left off at April 20th.

April 20th was national pot smoker's day. We didn't celebrate

moving right along.

April 21st was Kindergarten Day... which we celebrate EVERY day around here since I have a kindergartener... and I homeschool.

April 22nd was Earth Day and Jelly Bean Day

I had an orthodontist appointment that day so we didn't celebrate Jelly Bean Day... but we did celebrate Earth Day. We talked with the kids about what Earth Day was and asked them to brainstorm ways we could help our Earth. Levi's idea was to pick up trash. So, I told the kids that when we got home, we would pick up trash... and don't ya know... it was raining when we got home. We DO plan on picking up the trash around here though. Also, we have dedicated to start recycling as a family... which is harder in the country than you'd think. Unlike living in the city, out here we don't get supplied with recycling bins or bags, we don't have the option of having our recycleables picked up, and there's no recycle dumps near by. Recycling for us means making a conscious effort to bag up our own stuff and drive it half an hour away to the nearest recycling dump.

Also on Earth Day... my orthodontist's office was giving out free trees to plant. How cool is that? I came home with two willow oak trees and two white pine trees. I'm pretty excited about it.

a mature Willow Oak:

a mature White Pine:

April 23rd was Talk Like Shakespeare Day.

The closest I got to celebrating that day was sending Jason a text that said "Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou, Romeo?" I couldn't find him. It was legit. :)

April 24th was a bunch of stuff. Arbor Day, Astronomy Day, national Go Birding Day, Sense of Smell Day, national Rebuildind Day, Bulldogs are Beautiful Day, and Interstate Mullet Toss Day. And we didn't celebrate a one of 'em. Because, we had something better to celebrate!!!

It was Levi's birthday.

(but believe me... if I have a mullet... I would have tossed it on the interstate! that sounds like too much fun)

April 25th was Red Hat Society Day. I hope someone celebrated. It wasn't me though.

April 26th was Hug an Australian Day. I don't know any Australians... but believe you me... I would have hugged them if I did.

April 27th was Morse Code Day, and national Teach Your Children to Save Day. We DID have a talk with the kids about saving their money. It fell on deaf ears though... Audrey spent some of hers.

which brings us to today...

national Dance Day! I think we will celebrate later by playing Just Dance on the Wii.... aaaaaand... I bought a new battery for my camera... so no more having to take pics with my phone! I'm back in business. Check back tomorrow for those pics.

It's also Poem In Your Pocket Day

My dad is the smartest man I know, and one of my favorite quirky things about him is that sometimes he will just randomly declare a poetry reading night. Yeah... it sounds corny, but it's a great way to get us all to sit down together as a family... and I can't tell you how many times I've answered a Jeopardy question correctly because of a poem that Dad had us read. I'm not making this up. So today... the poem in my pocket is "Gunga Din" by Rudyard Kipling.

"You may talk o' gin and beer
When you're quartered safe out 'ere,
An' you're sent to penny-fights an' Aldershot it;
But when it comes to slaughter
You will do your work on water,
An' you'll lick the bloomin' boots of 'im that's got it.
Now in Injia's sunny clime,
Where I used to spend my time
A-servin' of 'Er Majesty the Queen,
Of all them blackfaced crew
The finest man I knew
Was our regimental bhisti, Gunga Din.
He was "Din! Din! Din!
You limpin' lump o' brick-dust, Gunga Din!
Hi! slippery hitherao!
Water, get it! Panee lao!
You squidgy-nosed old idol, Gunga Din."

The uniform 'e wore
Was nothin' much before,
An' rather less than 'arf o' that be'ind,
For a piece o' twisty rag
An' a goatskin water-bag
Was all the field-equipment 'e could find.
When the sweatin' troop-train lay
In a sidin' through the day,
Where the 'eat would make your bloomin' eyebrows crawl,
We shouted "Harry By!"
Till our throats were bricky-dry,
Then we wopped 'im 'cause 'e couldn't serve us all.
It was "Din! Din! Din!
You 'eathen, where the mischief 'ave you been?
You put some juldee in it
Or I'll marrow you this minute
If you don't fill up my helmet, Gunga Din!"

'E would dot an' carry one
Till the longest day was done;
An' 'e didn't seem to know the use o' fear.
If we charged or broke or cut,
You could bet your bloomin' nut,
'E'd be waitin' fifty paces right flank rear.
With 'is mussick on 'is back,
'E would skip with our attack,
An' watch us till the bugles made "Retire",
An' for all 'is dirty 'ide
'E was white, clear white, inside
When 'e went to tend the wounded under fire!
It was "Din! Din! Din!"
With the bullets kickin' dust-spots on the green.
When the cartridges ran out,
You could hear the front-files shout,
"Hi! ammunition-mules an' Gunga Din!"

I shan't forgit the night
When I dropped be'ind the fight
With a bullet where my belt-plate should 'a' been.
I was chokin' mad with thirst,
An' the man that spied me first
Was our good old grinnin', gruntin' Gunga Din.
'E lifted up my 'ead,
An' he plugged me where I bled,
An' 'e guv me 'arf-a-pint o' water-green:
It was crawlin' and it stunk,
But of all the drinks I've drunk,
I'm gratefullest to one from Gunga Din.
It was "Din! Din! Din!
'Ere's a beggar with a bullet through 'is spleen;
'E's chawin' up the ground,
An' 'e's kickin' all around:
For Gawd's sake git the water, Gunga Din!"

'E carried me away
To where a dooli lay,
An' a bullet come an' drilled the beggar clean.
'E put me safe inside,
An' just before 'e died,
"I 'ope you liked your drink", sez Gunga Din.
So I'll meet 'im later on
At the place where 'e is gone --
Where it's always double drill and no canteen;
'E'll be squattin' on the coals
Givin' drink to poor damned souls,
An' I'll get a swig in hell from Gunga Din!
Yes, Din! Din! Din!
You Lazarushian-leather Gunga Din!
Though I've belted you and flayed you,
By the livin' Gawd that made you,
You're a better man than I am, Gunga Din!"

*** HEAD'S UP!!! ***

Tomorrow I haven't found anything to celebrate... but Friday is national Hairball Awareness Day, Hairstylist Appreciation Day, national Honesty Day... and... Spank Out Day. I wonder what THAT is?

What's the poem in YOUR pocket?? Leave us a comment and let us know your favorite poem, or your favorite hairstylist. We will honor it/them on our blog tomorrow/Friday.

April 19th 2010

2010-04-19T20:02:00.000-07:00

So, I've got a lot to blog about! Hello!

April 14th...

was Audrey's 4th birthday!!

When she woke up, I made her her favorite breakfast... chocolate chip pancakes. She literally wore a birthday hat around ALL day! That afternoon, we sold some calves at a cattle auction, and the secretary there gave her a free cattle auction hat. When we got home, we had my in-laws over to have supper with us to celebrate. She requested her favorite meal of chicken and noodles. After supper, she opened her gifts and we all had ice cream.

chocolate chip pancakes:

Checking out the barn toy box that grandma and grandpa Schenewark made for her birthday:

April 15th was McDonald's Day, and Take a Wild Guess Day

we celebrated appropriately:

April 16th was High Five Day, and national Wear Your Pajamas to Work Day

we did give each other high fives (that I don't have pictures of). But I didn't stay in my pajamas all day. Does all morning count?

April 17th was Blah Blah Blah Day, Record Store Day, Ford Mustang Day, Teach Your Daughter to Volunteer Day... and Jason's favorite... Husband Appreciation Day.

we actually had Audrey's birthday party at Chuck E. Cheese in Columbia on that day and oh my word was Jason a big help!!!! I did let him know all day how much I appreciate him. Seriously... I don't know how I'd manage without all of the help that he gives me. For pete's sake... he makes me a cup of coffee EVERY morning... and most of the time brings it to me in bed (unless we have somewhere to go and then he makes it for me in a insulated to-go cup.) and... he's making me a chicken coop... I have wild hair brained ideas and he makes them come to life.

I love you, Jason!!

Jason would have killed me if I'd tried to celebrate Ford Mustang Day... he's a die hard chevy fan. The man has a chevrolet tattoo on his shoulder and a dog named Chevy for pete's sake. When we recently got our chocolate lab puppy... we named her Cami... short for camero. It's bad. Real bad

moving on...

April 18th I couldn't find any holidays to celebrate... but it was my mom's birthday! Happy Birthday Mom!! What did we do yesterday? I'm trying to remember. We went mushroom hunting and only found two morel mushrooms. They were good fried up today with lunch though. Yum!

Which brings us to today...

April 19th. Today was national Hanging Out Day, and today was the Boston Marathon. Guess what we did today....

we hung out! We didn't have a place in the world to be. It felt so nice to stay home. And... I decided what better day to get SERIOUS about the half marathon I want to run, then on the day of the Boston Marathon?? So, I laced up my sneakers before supper tonight and went for a run. I have no excuses anymore... I've GOT to lose this weight and train for this marathon!!

Whew. That was a lot of catching up.

I'm going to give you all the rest of the holidays through the end of this week... so you all can celebrate with us, even if I don't get online every day

Tomorrow, April 20th is national Pot Smokers Day (Hey... to each his own... but I won't be celebrating tomorrow by lighting up, I can tell you that. I cherish my lungs and brain cells too much)

April 21st is Kindergarten Day, Secretary's Day, and national Chocolate Covered Cashews Day

April 22nd is Earth Day, and national Jelly Bean Day

April 23rd is Talk Like Shakespeare Day

and

April 24th is Arbor Day, Astronomy Day, national Rebuilding Day, Bulldogs are Beautiful Day, Interstate Mullet Toss Day, national Go Birding Day, Sense of Smell Day...

... and my baby boy's 6th birthday!!!!!!!!!!!

6 seems so BIG!

How will YOU celebrate this week?

Email me pics! citymousecountryhouse@yahoo.com

April 13th 2010

2010-04-13T18:37:00.000-07:00

Did you celebrate "Louie Louie" Day or Barbershop Quartet Day??

The only time I've ever seen a barbershop quartet was at the hospital on valentines day. Someone had hired them to sing to a patient in the hospital. Isn't that sweet?!?

and I think my older brother used to be in a barbershop quartet. Really.

I DID sing my best rendition of Louie Louie though. SO... that counts.

I didn't record it though. so you'll just have to trust me. heehee. (or ask my mother in law... she witnessed it.)

Yesterday was Licorice Day

we definitely celebrated that!!!

Today was Thomas Jefferson Day, and International Moment of Laughter Day

One of our favorite things to do around here is laugh. In fact... the other day we were all sitting around the table eating Sunday dinner and Audrey piped up and said "Mom, after supper tonight, let's laugh about things."

What can I say? We love to laugh.

I couldn't find any official holidays for the 14th... but that's ok at our house cause we've got our own day to celebrate!!

Our three year old is turning FOUR tomorrow!!

*looks around*

Where have the last four years gone??

to re-cap:

April 14th, 2006:

April 14th, 2007:

April 14th, 2008:

April 14th, 2009:

*sniff sniff*

They grow up too fast.

Since today is Thomas Jefferson Day... I'm going to close this blog with some of my favorite Thomas Jefferson quotes. Enjoy!

"A government big enough to give you everything you want, is big enough to take away everything you have."

"I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them."

and my favorite...

"The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government."

Something to think about!!

April 10th 2010

2010-04-10T15:53:00.000-07:00

well lookie there... it's been another five days since I've blogged. Whaddya know about that. It must be this beautiful weather we are having. Yeah... that's what I'll blame it on. no excuses though. I said I'd try to blog every day... and I'm failing miserably.

FORGIVE ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So where did I leave off?

April 6th was Drowsy Driver Awareness Day, and Teflon Day... which I didn't celebrate, unless you count supper... which I'm pretty sure was cooked in Teflon. Yeah... we'll count that.

April 7th was no Housework Day. Unfortunately... I didn't celebrate that day either. There's too much housework to be done on the farm to overlook it.

April 8th was national D.A.R.E Day. How do you celebrate that? I didn't do any drugs ... does that count? :)

April 9th was national Cherish an Antique Day.

here's the antique I cherish...

bahahaha. He's five years older than me... I'm allowed to say that.

We went to a Royals baseball game last night. Does that count as cherishing an antique? How long have the Royals been around? Since the late 60's? I'd say they're antiques.

But for real... I LOVE antiques. Something my parents instilled in me.

Yesterday on the way to the game, we passed my all time favorite antique store. The Brass Armadillo, on I-70 near Blue Ridge.

[click here for link to the brass armadillo]

I want to know what your favorite antique is. Is there a story behind it? Leave a comment telling me about your favorite antique, and upload a picture of it to the flickr group, and I'll put your picture with it's story on the blog tomorrow.

Which brings us to today...

Today was national love our children day.

After not getting home from the game last night until two o'clock this morning... I had to wake up at seven to get Levi to his first spring soccer game of the season in Columbia. If that's not love, I don't know what is! Ha!

After the game and having lunch in the city... we drove back home and enjoyed this beautiful weather. First, I played a couple of rounds of the basketball game H-O-R-S-E with Jake. Then Jason and I got into a water fight. Then I played Soccer in the yard with Levi and Jake, Then I fixed chocolate chip pancakes for everyone, and after supper we all got on the four wheelers to go hunt for mushrooms.

Jason had one older kid and one younger kid on his four wheeler with him... and I had one older kid and one younger kid on my four wheeler with me.

It's been a fun day.

And speaking of loving our children...

*** HEAD'S UP!!! ***

Tomorrow is Barbershop Quartet Day and International "Louie Louie" Day

Hmmmmm.

I'll have to think on this one.

April 5th 2010

2010-04-05T13:18:00.000-07:00

BLOG!! I've missed you!!

April 1st I was with family all day and at my grandma's visitation that night. It was difficult to get online at the hotel aaaaand get four kids and hubby all ready for our early morning the next day for the funeral. Guess who got to iron ALL the clothes? *points to self*

I love being a mom and taking care of my family though.

Friday morning was the funeral and then we were on the road to Oklahoma City where we ate supper at Toby Keith's I Love This Bar and Grill

and then my sister, my 14 year old (step) daughter and myself went to the 10:55 p.m. showing of "The Last Song."

We didn't get back to the hotel until 1:30 in the morning... so... no blogging.

Saturday we were on the road all day with a stop to visit Levi's namesake...

... and didn't get home until midnight.

and Sunday was Easter

which brings me to today... the first day in April that I've been able to sit down and blog. Which stinks because April 2nd was International Children's Book Day and I would have really liked to have celebrated that one and blog about it. I want to know what your favorite children's book is!! Leave me a comment and let me know. Does it count that we went to Barnes and noble on the 2nd? I say it does. I DID buy two brain quest packs to do with my 11 year old (step) son.

So... to catch up:

April 1 was: April Fool's Day, national Fun Day, Sorry Charlie Day, St. Stupid Day, and Creative Mind Day

April 2 was: International Children's Book Day, and Reconciliation Day

April 3 was: Pony Express Day, and Tweed Day

April 4 was: Easter and World Rat Day

and today... April 5th, is: national Deep Dish Pizza Day

Did YOU celebrate?

We ate pizza hut buffet to celebrate

I got this picture from my sister...

... with a note that said: "hey city mouse. i celebrated today with schlotzsky's! :)"

CUTE!

it's not too late to celebrate! Run out and get a deep dish pizza for supper!!

*** HEAD'S UP!!! ***

Tomorrow is Drowsy Driver Awareness Day, and Teflon Day

Let us know if you celebrate and I'll get it on the blog!

March 31st 2010

2010-03-31T20:06:00.000-07:00

Happy last day of March!!

Woot Woot.

so today was what? I've lost track.

Oh yeah... Today was "She's Funny That Way" Day... and my three year old who usually has me in stitches wasn't really cracking me up today. I can't think of a single thing that's been funny that she's said today unless you count when we stopped at a rest stop just outside of Oklahoma City on our way to Texas and we went in to use the bathroom. She loudly announced that she'd thrown up in her mouth a little and swallowed it. nice.

*** HEAD'S UP!!! ***

Tomorrow is April Fool's Day!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I want to know... what's the best prank that you've ever pulled on someone... or the best prank that's ever been pulled on you??

Tomorrow is the visitation for my grandma's funeral on Friday. I don't imagine there'll be much joking around going on... but tomorrow I'll tell you the best April Fool's joke I've ever fallen for. But first I want to hear yours!

Leave a comment!!

March 30th 2010

2010-03-30T11:10:00.000-07:00

Is it only Tuesday?

Well... Happy Doctor's Day to you all! Or... if you'd rather... Happy Grass Is Always Browner On The Other Side Of The Fence Day. Or... Happy Pencil Day!

I've been hectic busy getting everything ready and packing to make the trip to Texas for my grandma's funeral. So... the blog has been lacking, and for that I apologize.

Yesterday was national Mom and Pop Business Owner's Day. I asked for you guys to let me know your favorite mom and pop business... and a few of you left me comments on my facebook.

from Amanda:

"Adam and I chose our favorite mom and pop buisness. Adam's best man in our wedding and his life mentor owns 2 drum and guitar shops that have that "family vibe". One in topeka and one in lawrence. What I love most about him is his "about" page on his website. He doesn't waste time to let others know whats most important in life. "Supersonic Music is steeped in honesty, honor and integrity."

[click on this link for Super Sonic Music]

from my Mom:

"Without a doubt......Carl's Ice Cream"

[click on this link for Carl's Ice Cream]

my Aunt Cassino said:

"Country Creek Peddlers"

but she didn't give me a website. Cassino... is that your shop?? (my aunt is a serious quilter and has a quilt shop)

and Andi said:

"An amazing little store in Cottageville, WV called Fernwood Hollow Candle Co. I'm not sure if they've survived the economic downturn, but they were my absolute favorite place to buy candles and primitives!"

they have a website... www.fernwoodcandlecompany.com, but it doesn't work.

We went yesterday and bought Jason a nice black suit shirt to wear to my grandma's funeral at a mom and pop store in Sedalia, MO. Weller's Men's Wear. We did our part to celebrate!

I'm not sure how we will celebrate today yet... but I'll post about it tomorrow.

*** HEAD'S UP!!! ***

Tomorrow is national "She's Funny That Way" Day. Have fun with that one! It's also the last day of March... and you know what that means! Thursday is April Fool's Day. I hope you're all thinking of your best April Fool.

March 28th 2010

2010-03-28T18:31:00.000-07:00

Well, yesterday was Quirky Country Music Song Titles Day, but noone left any comments here on the blog. Boooooo. Hissssss.

A few people left comments on my facebook though.

Here were a couple:

"Does Your Chewing Gum Lose Its Flavor on the Bedpost Overnight"

"I have tears in my ears from lyin on my pillow cryin over you."

"Let the bird of paradise fly up your nose." (Little Jimmy Dickens)

Then there's always these:

"If I Had a Nose Full of Nickels, I’d Sneeze Them All Atchoo!" (Lou Carter)

"Flushed from the Bathroom of Your Heart" (Johnny Cash)

"White Trash Wedding" (The Dixie Chicks)

"Get Your Tongue Out of My Mouth ‘Cause I’m Kissin’ You Goodbye" (John Denver)

and

"It’s Hard to Kiss the Lips At Night That Chew Your Ass Out All Day Long" (The Notorious Cherry Bombs)

Today was Palm Sunday and Weed Appreciation Day.

I was afraid that Weed Appreciation might refer to marijuana... but I found this link explaining it [click here]... however, April 20th is national Pot Smoker's Day. Oh Boy.

I didn't appreciate any weeds today.

but I DID see my first beefsteak tomato start to sprout! =)

*** HEAD'S UP!!! ***

Tomorrow is national Mom and Pop Business Owner's Day

I want to know what your favorite mom and pop business is. So leave a comment and let me know!

March 26th 2010

2010-03-26T19:38:00.000-07:00

Bittersweet

Today has been a whirlwind of emotions.

March 26th is "Make Up Your Own Holiday Day"

I had said that if Jason's scans came back clear today (which they did!!!!!!!), then today our holiday would be about that... Jason Day!!

But...

this morning while we were sitting in the doctor's office waiting to see the doctor, I got a call from my dad that my grandma (mom's mom) had passed away.

I don't want to take away from the great news we got today at the doc's...

but for the blog today, I want to celebrate my grandma.

79 years young, she has lived for the last few years in an assisted living facility, where she referred to everyone else there as "those old people." SHE was never old. One of the classiest women I knew... just last week she found a yellow bag that she just had to have and then needed shoes to match.

The last time I got to spend any time with her was a few years ago for Audrey's 1st birthday. Grandma ordered a cake from the grocery store there where she lived in Hurst, TX and the icing was SOOOO pink, that Audrey pooped pink for three days. It was such a fun visit... and the only pictures I have of my kids with their great grandma.

and the last picture I have taken of me with my grandma

This picture was taken in grandma's backyard in Texas before she sold her house:

Mom told me today that the last thing they talked about last night was Jason. I wish I could have called her today to tell her that his scans came back clear.

Grandma,
Jason beat the cancer!! I wish I could have called you today to tell you the good news. I know you would have been so relieved to hear it. But somehow... I think you still know.
I'm glad you're not sick anymore, and I hope you are having a great time up there with grandpa! But I will miss you every day. Tell grandpa I said hi.
I Love You!
Becky

*** HEAD'S UP!!! ***

Tomorrow is Education and Sharing Day, Quirky Country Music Song Titles Day, and Viagra Day (hey... to each their own)

If you celebrate Viagra Day... please don't tell me about it! =)

But... I would love for everyone to leave a comment with the Quirkiest Country Music Song Title you can think of.

March 24th 2010

2010-03-24T19:34:00.000-07:00

Happy Kick Butts Day!

I got this cute email today from Mindi... two picture were attached.

This one:

and This one:

with a note that said: "If I am disciplined enough...the weights will kick my butt today, but for now the cleaning is kicking my butt. :)"

She also sent me this link [click here]

apparantly "Kick Butts Day" is meant to encourage people to stop smoking. Get it? Butts? Clever!

But I don't smoke... so I'm going to have to kick something else's butt

and today... I choose cancer!!!

(I actually googled "kick cancer's butt" in google images, and found this:

So today I choose to kick cancer's butt... because tomorrow is Letting Go of Stuff Day.

Want to guess what we're letting go of?

Cancer!!!

Because Friday is "Make Up Your Own Holiday Day" and if (when) we hear from the doctor on friday at Jason's appointment that the scans all come back clear from tomorrow... then Friday will be the best made up holiday EVER!!

What are YOU letting go of tomorrow?? Leave us a comment and let us know... I'll put it on the blog.

Puppy Day!

2010-03-23T17:57:00.000-07:00

Puppy Day was SOOOO much fun!

I loved all of the pics I received to put on the blog!

Molly's "puppy" Sam (Sam is almost 4 years old and is actually suspected of being a goat since he will eat literally anything... a whole bag of cough drops, a whole package of ramen noodles, his BED...)

My Aunt Tanya's puppy, Sadie. HOW CUTE! I love the Santa suit.

Tricia's Boston Terrier puppy, Fenway. SO CUTE!!!

Heather's puppy, Jack. And if that puppy isn't cute enough (he is!)... Check out those handsome boys!!!

This is my parent's most recent dog, Blitzen when he was a puppy. I say most recent because they don't have him anymore. He ran away. =(

And this is a picture of Levi's first puppy. We had him in north carolina. His name was Duke. He was a worthless boxer... but I love this picture so I'm posting it. Ha!

But...

my most favorite part of Puppy Day is that my hubby woke me up telling me that he'd seen an ad for FREE Lab/Beagle mix puppies here in our small town. So we called and went out and saw them and we are getting one on Friday!! I picked out the chocolate female in the middle. I've always LOVED labs (it's basically all we had when I was growing up) and I LOOOOOVE Chocolate labs but my parents always got black ones.

She still doesn't have a name yet. We are taking suggestions. Audrey thinks we should name it Audrey. Ha!

*** HEAD'S UP!!! ***

Tomorrow is Kick Butt's Day and national Chocolate Covered Raisins Day

how will YOU celebrate?

March 22nd 2010

2010-03-22T18:57:00.000-07:00

Happy International Goof Off Day!

Today we went to the city (Springfield) to run some errands and eat lunch at our favorite restaurant to goof off...

Lambert's!

For those of you who don't live in Missouri... or who have never been to a Lambert's...

This restuarant literally hurls rolls at you. Well, nicely I mean. A guy goes around the restaurant with a cart of hot rolls, you stick your hand up in the air if you want one, and he'll toss is to you. So much fun! There's always a big basket of butters and a jar of honey on the table for the hot rolls. But that's not even the best part! Lambert's is all you can eat. So... literally... you can order a burger (which comes with a side), eat the whole thing... and then order another one... or another one! The servings are so huge though, that I always have trouble eating just half of one burger... and Jason's meal came out in a skillet!!!

This was my three year olds plate. The KIDS chicken and dumplings...

and the cups are as big as a thermos! (see Jason's skillet there on the left?)

PLUS... people walk around with "pass arounds" which is just more all you can eat food that automatically comes with your meal. Fried Okra, Fried Potatoes, Black Eyed Peas, Macaroni and Tomatoes, and sorghum molasses. YUM!! I'm telling you... the first chance you have to eat at a Lambert's... Run! Don't walk! But expect a long wait if you go on a weekend night. People show up there by the bus full and a hour wait (or longer) is typical!

so we stuffed outselves silly and goofed off too

*** HEAD'S UP!!!***

Tomorrow is Puppy Day...

and guess what!!...

Jason is letting me get a puppy!! Seriously I have the best husband ever! And he's so great to go along with celebrating every day with us... and take it seriously. =)

*CHEESE*

So anyway... I know you guys love your puppies! And I want to show them off!!! Let's celebrate them tomorrow. Update a picture of your puppy to the flickr group [click here]... or email it to me at citymousecountryhouse@yahoo.com, and I'll put them on the blog tomorrow to celebrate puppy day.

March 21st 2010

2010-03-21T15:16:00.000-07:00

Well... I skipped blogging yesterday. I had a good reason though. Our power went out because of the blizzard we had yesterday. Yes... you read that right. The day before, the kids got sunburns because the weather was so nice, and the very next day we got 8 inches of snow in a blizzard. Bizzare Missouri weather!

But... I DID celebrate yesterday. It was national Quilting Day!!!

So... I quilted all day. I mean... what else was there to do? We were snowed in!

Here is the progress I have made on my quilt so far:

Those pictures were all taken with my phone so they are dull and don't show the full color, but the colors are pretty vibrant. Lime green

I'm making it in honor of Lymphoma awareness... and I'm hand stitching the whole thing!

Today was national common courtesy day. I hope you were all extra nice to people today.

Tomorrow is international goof off day, and "As Young As You Feel Day"

so take pictures of yourself goofing off, email them to me of post them to the flickr group I've set up... and I'll get you up on the blog!

March 19th 2010

2010-03-19T17:40:00.001-07:00

Happy national Chocolate Caramel Day!!

How did you celebrate? (don't feel bad if you don't like chocolate paired with caramel... March 24th is national chocolate covered raisin's day)

We made chocolate caramel pretzel "truffles." I saw this idea in a magazine somewhere. I don't remember. Real Simple? Food network? Rachael Ray? Ugh. I'd love to give credit where credit is due... but I honestly can't remember where I saw it. But these are the easiest yummiest crowd pleasin' little bites!

And here with me to show you all how to make them is my 14 year old (step) daughter, Logan!

Say hi Logan.

ingredients you'll need:

I know! It's that easy! Three ingredients. Well, maybe four, but we'll talk about that later.

So first you want to unwrap your caramels (is that too obvious?)...

(We may or may not be painting over the wallpaper in the kitchen. Excuse the mess.)

Then... enlist the help of a five year old to help unwrap the rest of the caramels while you start to roll the already unwrapped caramels flat. This is no job for a wimp... the rolling out caramels.

See those red cheeks and nose? That is his first sunburn of the year!! It was gorgeous here today!

So now you have your caramels unwrapped and rolled out... and we're going to wrap them around pretzel bites and make little round balls.

You can get a cute three year old to help with this step if you want to.

After you've got all of your pretzels wrapped in caramels, you're going to melt your chocolate. If you are planning on making a ton of these like for a party... or to package up as Christmas gifts... then I've found it's easier to melt your chocolate in a crock pot, but if you are just gonna do a handful like we did tonight, then just melt some chocolate in a bowl, cause next we're gonna dunk the pretzel caramel bites in chocolate, completely covering them.

It helps if you have purple finger nails

After you have them all dunked, set them on wax paper and wait for them to harden. This is the hardest part for me. Harder than rolling those booger caramels out.

Ok... now remember that optional fourth ingredient we talked about? If you have some nuts taking up space in your pantry... get them out, crush them out, and roll the chocolate covered caramel covered pretzels in the crushed nuts.

Oh.

My.

Goodness.

To die for!

I LOVE these.

You know what else I love?

The freckles on Jason's upper lip. (click on the picture... it will enlarge and you can check out the freckles. adorable!)

*swoon*

Ok... got sidetracked there for a sec.

Oh hey! Remember a couple of nights ago when Jason rescued that kitty and I said if it could live through the night and stay around, we'd keep it??

Well guess what...

It's made itself very comfortable out here on the farm!!

Back off, cat! He's mine!

Yeah... I'm talking to you

You know exactly what you're doing, kitty!!

*sigh*

I'm a goner

*** HEAD'S UP!!! ***

Tomorrow is Corn Dog Day, Maple Syrup Day, national Quilting Day, Proposal Day, and Great American Meat Out Day

Hopefully you can celebrate one of those with us. If you do... email me pics! I'd love to feature YOU on our blog!

March 18th 2010

2010-03-18T18:52:00.000-07:00

Hi!

Do you have Absolutely Incredible Kids??

I hope you celebrated them today!

Today was Absolutely Incredible Kids Day, Awkward Moments Day, and Forgive Mom and Dad Day.

I had my orthodontic appointment this morning and we stayed in Sedalia most of the day getting other "stuff" knocked off of our list. new deep freeze? Check! now we will have room to put the meat when we get our butchered hog. Sooo exciting. (we don't get out much, can you tell??) Anyway... all that to say, Jason dropped me off at my appointment and took the kids with him so Audrey wasn't around to say anything awkward while I had a mouth full of instruments. Why couldn't Awkward Moments Day been yesterday... when Audrey LOUDLY asked me why we were singing about blood in the middle of church last night right as we got done with There Is Power In The Blood. Or the night before when she announced to her brother in the car (while we were driving with my in-laws to supper)... "Levi, I just let a toot quietly."

Since we were "in town" all day, Levi didn't have school. That's celebration enough, right? We took them to chinese buffet for lunch and when we went to The Wal Marts, I let them each buy a $1 chocolate bunny. We even went through the self check aisle so that they could each scan their own goods, feed the money into the machine, and get their own receipts and their own bag. They thought they were so big!

Then at the Dollar Tree (woo doggy we do it up big when we go to town, don't we??) Jason let them each pick out a plastic bat and set of wiffle balls to play with when we got home in this awesome weather. But... along with this awesome weather comes not so awesome things... like the ten+ ticks that I picked off of Levi when they were done playing outside. I guess that's what he gets for crawling under the front porch to retrieve a wiffle ball, huh? Gross.

As for forgiving my mom and dad...

well, I've got pretty great parents. I don't think there's anything I need to forgive them for. maybe my fair freckled skin? Ok, mom, I forgive you for my fair freckled skin. If I think of anything else I'll save it for March 25th... that's "Letting Go of Stuff Day."

=)

*** HEAD'S UP!!! ***

Tomorrow is national Chocolate Caramel Day.

YUMMY!!

As always... let us know if you celebrate and I'll put it on the blog.

March 17th 2010

2010-03-17T19:36:00.000-07:00

Today was St. Patrick's Day!

what did you all do to celebrate?

We had green eggs and homemade green buttermilk waffles.

(picture taken with phone... sorry for the poor quality)

and of course... wore green.

After church tonight one of the older ladies was standing outside of her car when Jason and I walked out of the building. Turned out... there was a kitten stuck underneath her car and she didn't want to drive off and kill it. It wasn't on the ground... it had made itself comfortable up under her car! So Jason got down on the ground and rescued the meowing kitty out from under the car. no one knew where it came from or wanted it... so we brought it home to the farm. If it stays around (and lives) until tomorrow, we are going to name it Pat since we found it on St. Patrick's day. =)

we needed a cat around here to catch mice.

Have I told you all about the time...

I'll save it for another time. It's a good story though!

*** HEAD'S UP!!! ***

tomorrow is Absolutely Incredible Kid Day, Awkward Moments Day, and Forgive Mom & Dad Day

I have an orthodontic appointment tomorrow to hopefully get started with invisalign... I'm sure there is bound to be an awkward moment. While we are in Sedalia I'll have to do something spontaneous and special for my absolutely incredible kids. And while I'm at it, I'm sure there's something I can forgive my parents for.

what about you??

Let us know how you celebrate tomorrow!

A Winner!

2010-03-16T19:38:00.000-07:00

I don't know any fancy way yet of embedding a random generator into the blog...

I used www.random.org, put in the numbers 1 through 9 since there were 9 comments and took a screen shot of the winner.

Comment #4 (Livingmydreams).

congrats!! =)

email me your mailing address at citymousecountryhouse@yahoo.com

*** HEAD'S UP ***

Tomorrow is St. Patrick's Day! My kids literally wore green to bed so that first thing in the morning they can't be pinched and accused of not wearing green. :)

and I know you guys celebrate St. Patrick's Day... so get involved!! Upload pics to flickr or email them to me and I'll put them on the blog.

March 16th 2010

2010-03-16T09:03:00.000-07:00

Happy Lips Appreciation Day!!

The kids watched the Veggie Tales movie Dave and the Giant Pickle today (a parody to the story of David and Goliath) and the silly song on that movie is "Love My Lips". Check it out...

Love some lips today!

Why not appreciate your own? See my last blog post... I'm having a give-away to give away an Elizabeth Arden Red Door Red lipstick... a $20 value... for FREE. You want to win this!

Contest closes at 8:00 p.m. CST tonight! I will post the winner tonight. Oh also... I changed the blog settings so you don't have to have an account to be able to leave comments.

I'd also like to post pics of how anyone else celebrated Lips Appreciation Day! So celebrate with us. and then post pics to the flickr group [celebrating every day] or email them to me at citymousecountryhouse@yahoo.com

A Give Away!

2010-03-15T11:31:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow is Lips Appreciation Day!

This morning I had a fabulous idea.

We were watching Rachael Ray and today she had Catherine Zeta Jones as her guest. Catherine Zeta Jones has been the "face" of Elizabeth Arden cosmetics for the last eight years and this is Elizabeth Arden's 100th anniversary.

To commemorate 100 years of beauty innovation, Elizabeth Arden introduced a Limited Edition 100th Anniversary Lipstick in Red Door Red, and 100% of the proceeds goes to Look Good...Feel Better®, a global charitable organization designed to help individuals with cancer look good, improve their self-esteem, and thereby manage their treatment and recovery with greater confidence.

What better way to celebrate Lips Appreciation Day than to have a give away here at City Mouse Celebrates??

So... tomorrow, I will be giving away one of the Elizabeth Arden 100th anniversay Red Door Red lipsticks.

It's a $20 value... so if you are interested in receiving one for yourself or someone you know who would love it... enter to win by leaving a comment in the comment section of this blog.

Contest closes at 8:00 p.m. CST March 16th. If no one has entered by then... I'll order one for myself. I really am pumped that 100% of the proceeds goes to a cause near and dear to my heart. And I'm excited that it goes so well with the day we are celebrating tomorrow.

Good Luck!

** here is the website if you'd like to go for yourself and get one for every woman you know and their dog. Or their neighbor's dog. It's for a good cause!
[http://shop.elizabetharden.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3993344&cp=2779912] **

March 15th 2010

2010-03-15T08:18:00.000-07:00

Well it looks like Napping Day will be easier to pull off today than I thought...

I was up at 4:00 this morning with Levi who was trying to get rid of the contents of his stomach all over his bedroom floor. I thought maybe it was a fluke... until he just did it again just a while ago.

So.... no school here today.

And I imagine there will be plenty of napping.

March 14th 2010

2010-03-14T15:01:00.000-07:00

Today was Daylight Savings Day, International Ask a Question Day, Potato Chip Day, and Pi Day.

Did you celebrate??

We celebrated potato chip day here at our house.

Did you know?...

~ The original [potato chip] was created in 1853 by George Crum in Saratoga Springs, New York.
~ They were originally called Saratoga Chips

The story is pretty neat. Click on the link to the wikipedia page above and read about it.

However they were invented... I'm sure glad they were! =)

We taste tested three types of potato chips here today.

Lay's Sour Cream & Onion

Ruffles Original Potato Chip

&

Lay's Wavy Hickory Barbecue

there was an obvious winner...

but that was before...

I introduced the kids to...

chocolate dipped potato chips!

yup, that's right.

I was in a candy store on the beach once and they sold chocolate covered potato chips. They changed my life. I couldn't keep the secret to myself. It just wouldn't be fair!

Today was also International Ask a Question Day.

I challenged you all to ask me whatever you wanted... and so far no one has. Hmph. You still have time though. I'll take questions until midnight. and it works out well because... tomorrow is True Confessions Day.

Levi's question was "do people ever have breakfast on an airplane?"

really? the things that are important to five year old boys. I told him he could ask me ANYTHING. But the answer to that is that yes, people can have breakfast on an airplane. In case you too wondered.

My question is... do you have anything you want to confess? Leave an anonymous comment and I'll include your confession in the blog tomorrow. This could get juicy!

*** HEAD'S UP!!! ***

Tomorrow is

Napping Day (yessss!!!!!) and True Confessions Day

if you celebrate, upload your pics to the flickr group [celebrating every day] or email them to me at citymousecountryhouse@yahoo.com

March 13th 2010

2010-03-13T18:58:00.000-08:00

So how did YOU celebrate today?

Today was Earmuffs Day, International Fanny Pack Day, and Genealogy Day

I was really hoping that someone would bust out their 1990's fanny pack and take a picture of themselves wearing it, because we don't have any fanny packs here.

we also don't have earmuffs. I know! right?

so we substituted...

We'd love to see how (if) you celebrated today!

post pics to the [celebrating every day] flickr group. Or email them to me!

*** HEAD'S UP! ***

tomorrow is...

International Ask a Question Day. Have a question you've been dying to ask? I will literally answer any question thrown at me tomorrow... just leave it in the comment section. City Mouse answers all!

tomorrow is also Pi Day. Get it? 3/14 (3.14)

and it's also...

Potato Chip Day!!

also, don't forget to "spring forward" tonight... because tomorrow is also Daylight Savings Day. I wouldn't want you to sleep in and show up late for church. That'd be embarassing. I mean... not that I've ever done it before...

March 12th 2010

2010-03-12T10:44:00.000-08:00

So who celebrated today with us? anyone? anyone? bueller?

Today was Girl Scout Day and Middle name Pride Day

Since Audrey's not old enough to be in girl scouts, we didn't celebrate that today here at our house. But my neice Jordan is in girl scouts and my sister-in-law Jana sent me this pic (thanks Jana!):

(Jordan is in 3rd grade brownies and will cross over to Juniors in May. Jana co-leads the group)

we DID celebrate middle name pride day here though!

you'll have to forgive the grease blot on Levi's. He was eating a piece of pizza while he celebrated. Boys! =)

Audrey actually comes from a long line of Elizabeth's.

My maternal grandma's middle name is Elizabeth. (mom, was her mom's middle name Elizabeth? I can't remember)

This is my beautiful grandma. One of the classiest women I know:

When she had my mom, she carried on the tradition of giving her daughter the middle name of Elizabeth.

This is my even more beautiful mom. The other classiest woman I know:

mom carried on the tradition with me.

Here's me:

...and I carried on the tradition with Audrey.

my beautiful baby girl:

I'm pretty proud of our middle name!

Wouldn't you be if you shared it with these ladies??

Then... after I married into the Schenewark family, I learned that my mother-in-law's middle name is Elizabeth... and so was her mom's.

How did YOU celebrate today?

*** HEAD'S UP!!!***

tomorrow is Earmuff's Day, International Fanny Pack Day (c'mon... bust 'em out... you know you want to!), and Genealogy Day

let us know how you celebrate!

March 11th 2010

2010-03-11T17:27:00.000-08:00

** You all are going to have to bear with me for a week or two until I can get a new battery for my digital rebel. Until then I'm taking pics with Jason's Kodak EasyShare. yuck.

Today was Johnny Appleseed Day & Nametag Day

As part of school today, we read about Johnny Appleseed. Then, the kids and I went to our local Wal Mart and bought one of every kind of apple they had... and by local I mean to the nearest town with a Wal Mart since our small town doesn't have one. The selection wasn't bad though. We ended up with seven different kinds of apples. Levi's job was to listen to me read the PLU number off of every apple and then write down what type it was... so we weren't confused when we got home.

I love kindergartener handwriting! (nevermind the grocery list part. I'm a list maker!)

then after supper we set to taste testing our apples. Complete with bowls of caramel and chocolate for dipping.

(starting in the back going clockwise: Gala, Granny Smith, Golden Delicious, Red Delicious, Fuji, Pink Lady, Braeburn)

The chocolate was a big hit. But then again... who doesn't like fruit dipped in chocolate?? Hello fondue! Pffft.

We did also wear name tags today. Some of us (ahem) took on characters of other people though.

***HEAD'S UP!!***

tomorrow is Girl Scout Day & Middle Name Pride Day.

We're Celebrating!

2010-03-11T15:20:00.000-08:00

You all remember the old Aesop fable about the town mouse and the country mouse? Well... I'm a city mouse... and I married my country mouse (only... he's not my cousin, like in the fable. ewww, gross.)

I'm a homeschooling mom of two and we've decided that even though we never need a reason to throw a party... that it would be neat to have a legitimate reason to celebrate EVERY day!!

Psalm 118:24 says "This is the day that the Lord hath made; let us rejoice and be glad in it."

So I've found some bizarre (yet real!) holidays for every day of 2010... and we are on a mission to celebrate at least one every day!!

And...

we want you to join us!!

So here's how it works...

Every day I will blog about that day's holiday to celebrate. I've also set up a flickr account. What I want you to do, is join the flickr group and upload pictures of how you celebrated that day, and who knows... it might make it onto the blog!

here's a link to the flickr account...

[celebrating every day]

What do you do if you don't have a flickr account, you ask? no problem! Just email me at citymousecountryhouse@yahoo.com

We are looking forward to celebrating (rejoicing!) every day!

p.s. - today was Johnny Appleseed Day and nametag day. I'll be updating later to show how we celebrated today.