Pack a box or clean up doggie doo doo????

Oh how great it is to be me, I swear things happen that make me shake my head and wonder if the universe is just playing a cruel joke......this is just an example of how things usually go around here.

Today we have to dismantle both trampoline and swing set and I find myself coming up with all sorts of excuses to not do it.
Funny thing is that most of the time I don't even have to try and find something else to do, I just bring it upon myself.
Like this morning I went into the kitchen and started up the coffee machine.....if you know me at all you will understand the love I have for that thing. (hence why I'm taking it with me on the move, if a mover comes at me with a box for my coffeemaker, I will seriously hurt somebody!)

I get the coffee going and then look around the kitchen and remember "I need to finish packing that instant aid box". I walk over to it and notice that one of the dogs has pooped right next to the box, so I walk into the bathroom to get toilet paper and notice that the seat is up, before I set it down I decide to just go ahead and give the toilet a good clean, which I do. When I'm done I figure the whole bathroom might as well get a once over to match the sparkly clean toilet.....yeah you know where this is heading, I cleaned the bathroom.

When I was done I walked into the living room and sat at the computer chair to check my email, the dog poop and the "instant aid box" completely out of my mind. Then I realize that I haven't had my coffee so I got into the kitchen and pour myself a cup. Now I'm sitting there sipping the coffee and start looking around again trying to remind myself of what needs to be done, lo and behold I see the box again, which prompts me to walk towards it only THIS time I wasn't as lucky because I stepped RIGHT into that doggie doodoo.
Moral of the story??? ALWAYS WEAR SLIPPERS AROUND THE HOUSE!!!!

I am happy to report that the poop has been cleaned up, my feet washed, the box has had some more items added to it and I'm happily sipping on the now cold coffee, not sure why I'm so happy about that but I guess anything is better after you've literally stepped in it.

It's pretty much crunch time and from today until thursday morning we'll be busy and exhausted and overwhelmed and stressed. It's going to be a rollercoaster of emotions but I'm fully prepared for it, I even bought some kleenex in case I have a little meltdown LOL

Since we'll be staying at the house until we leave, we won't have anything but our clothes, a small tv, the kids video games, our computers and an air mattress to sleep on. Sound like fun???
See I thought that I would be freaking out but then I realize that this will be an adventure, when do you ever get to camp out in your living room and eat out of paper plates on the floor???
Other than the times mommy is too tired to use actual dishes for dinner and couldn't care less if they sprawl out in front of the tv, though in my defense that has only happened when I'm really sick or lately with all the packing.

Well Curt just woke up and we need to get things under way, can't wait until the whole house is echoing because that will mean everything is gone. Watch out Arizona, here comes trouble LOL

You all have a wonderful sunday, have a glass of iced tea for me will ya??? I'm going to be sweaty and cranky by the time the day is over. Oh the joys of moving!!!

Goodness it's friday already!!!

It's been a pretty fast week for us, I was hoping time would slow down and let me enjoy the last few days we have on this base, but I guess not. As the move gets closer I'm filled with such sadness, I can't believe that in a week or so we will be out of here forever, my home......it's sad!!!

So this weekend we have tons of things to do, here's our to-do list just to give you an idea:

1. Dismantle trampoline and get it ready for the move
2. Clean out Grill/Smoker for move
3. Mow front and back yards
4. Empty shed
5. Take swing set and other trash to the dump
6. Take down all shelves, pictures etc
7. Take apart kitchen table
8. Take apart bunkbeds and Nicholas car bed
9. Get rid of anything we don't want the movers packing
10. Weigh Truck and SUV
11. Replace tires on SUV
12. Finish packing whatever we're taking with us for the Partial Move.
13. Clean house for inspection

And that is just what I can remember off the top of my head, I have everything written down on a list and let me tell you, one look at it is enough to make me want to cry and run for the hills. Wish I could enlist the help of a whole team of people but I think I have the most important one on my side, God.
Yep, I hope He's ready for me, because I plan on whining my way through this LOL

I have to keep reminding myself that I can do all of this and that it's nothing so trivial or mundane that He won't be interested in. I'm sure He will help and I plan on being aware of what is going on so that I can relay to you exactly the instances where I noticed Him at work.

The kids are starting to ask questions, lots of questions, "but can we come back here when we're done moving?"......."I don't want to go, I'm gonna miss my house"....."but what if the movers loose my toys?"......."but I don't want to leave lola and bella behind".

It's tough on them they don't understand why we have to leave our home behind and explaining to them that we're going to a new home doesn't seem to make it any easier. Such is the life of a military family though, moving from place to place, you don't really have a HOME until the day you retire and buy yourself a house.

Moving on, I'm going to try to update my food blog today, it's been a few days since I've posted anything in there, guess due to the fact that I really haven't spent much time in the kitchen and the meals I prepare in the middle of this confusion are simple, quick and not blog worthy....BELIEVE YOU ME!!!
Unless you're interested in frozen pizza, grilled cheese sandwiches and spaghetti....which by the way, my family loves but I've got it coming out the wazoo right now. !!!!

I'm going to try and come by to say hi, if not this morning then later tonight after the kids are in bed.

Hope you're all having a great friday, enjoy the warm weather!!!

Show and Tell Friday!!!

The wonderful Kelli over at "There's no place like home" has started this friday feature, here's what she had to say:

Welcome to Show and Tell Friday!" Do you have a something special to share with us? It could be a trinket from grade school, a piece of jewelry, a new antique find, an old love letter. Use your imagination and dig through those old boxes in your closet if you have to! Feel free to share pictures and if there's a story behind your special something, that's even better!

If you would like to join in, all you have to do is post your "Show and Tell" on your blog, copy the post link, come over here and add it to Mr. Linky.

It's been two weeks since I've participated, life just got in the way as usual and between packing for a move next week, flying to my MIL's wedding and everything else in between, I didn't get a chance to do this, so I'm glad I have some time to join in today.

Again, this is another treasure I had shared a long time ago on my blog, but it's one that is so near and dear to my heart that it deserves to be shown again, if you've been one of my readers for a long time, you know how much I love and admire my greatgrandmother.

First let me tell you a bit about her. She was born in 1906 and when she was 4 years old her mother died of cancer. Her father then took on the sole responsibility of raising her and her older brother, until he remarried and then had another son. Within a few years, and when her older brother was 29, he was suddenly killed while out fishing. Apparently he was struck by lightning and fell into the ocean. Now my greatgrandma had been cooking and taking care of the house since she was a little girl, around 8 or 9. Her dad had to work so she would make sure he had his meals ready when he got home.
Unfortunately when she was 13 years old, she came home from school only to find her father had hung himself in the kitchen.

Such a tragic life she had and you would have thought it would be enough to keep her down, but it didn't, she was the strongest and most courageous woman I have EVER come across.
She married when she was 16 years old and her husband, my greatgrandpa, was 26. They had a wonderful life together, but he unfortunately also later passed away with cancer when she was just 40 something years old.

My bio was the family matriarch. She pretty much raised me and my brothers while our parents were out working, she cooked meals for sometimes 20 people, took care of the housework, the kids, anything and everything. One of the things I most treasure and remember was her nightly ritual. She would get ready for bed and then sit down, kiss the photo of her husband and pray, then go to sleep. This went on for years and years and years.
She got really sick when she was 94 years old, and I remember the day I left South Africa to come to the States. I kissed her goodbye and gave her a huge hug and told her I loved her, she just smiled back at me so sweetly and said "I love you sandra, you be a good wife and a good mother and I hope to see you someday soon".

That was September 1998!!!
March 24, 1999, I was laying in bed and the phone rang at 5am, it was one of my older brothers and I knew what he was going to say. She passed away a month before Jasmine was born.
My heart still aches for her and I miss her terribly, but I know she's watching over me and the kids.

I will forever be greatful for what she taught me, I am the woman I am today because of HER.
I have a few items that belonged to her, and I treasure them dearly.

This is my greatgrandfather. I have the original jewelry box which contains this pendant. It's so beautiful and I love looking it at it every chance I get. :)

This is an old old old pin that my greatgrandmother used to wear. She passed this on to my daughter Jasmine. I am keeping it for her until she's old enough to take care of it :)



This ring belonged to my greatgrandmother and was given to her by my greatgrandfather. I always loved looking at it, so when she passed away, it was one of the things that came to me. I try not to wear it too often for fear of loosing it. :)


And there you have it, and now I'm in tears again so I'll just skidaddle on out of here :)

Slow Cooking Thursday!!!

Welcome to my weekly Crockpot Recipes Exchange. It's such a great way to share your avorite dishes or to learn some new ones to make for your family.

What do you think??? Do You have some great recipes to share, or perhaps you're looking for some delicious ones to give you a reason to pull out the ol' crockpot???

Time to pull out those crockpots and put them to good use. If you want to join in, just grab the banner and add your name to Mr Linky :)

Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup with Chorizo

Copyright, 2006, Robin Miller, All rights reserved

1 pound green split peas
10 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth
1/2 pound diced chorizo or andouille sausage
1 1/2 cups diced carrot
1 cup diced shallot
1 cup diced celery
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 bay leaves
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Combine all ingredients in a slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours or on high for 4 to 5 hours. Remove bay leaves and season with salt and black pepper before serving.

Island Bread Pudding

Recipe courtesy Sandra Lee, 2007

1 pound Hawaiian Bread, cut into 1-inch cubes (recommended: King's)
1 cup pineapple chunks (recommended: Dole)
1 (7-ounce) bag dried tropical fruit trio (recommended: Sun Maid)
1 (12-ounce) can coconut milk (recommended: Thai Kitchen)
1/4 cup dark rum (recommended: Myers's)
1 cup pineapple-coconut nectar (recommended: Kern's)
1 cup brown sugar (recommended: C and H)
3 large eggs
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons butter, cut into small pieces
Spray the inside of a 4 or 5-quart slow cooker with butter-flavored cooking spray.

In a large bowl, combine bread cubes, pineapple, and dried tropical mix.

In a medium bowl, whisk together coconut milk, rum, nectar, sugar, eggs, cinnamon, and salt. Pour over bread mixture. Stir until well combined and bread is saturated.

Transfer to slow cooker. Dot with butter. Cover and cook on low setting for 3 to 4 hours.

You wanna make a memory????

Have you all heard the new Bon Jovi song, You want to make a memory???

Now I know if you're anything like me, I was and always have been a HUGE Bon Jovi fan and for some reason they just seem to get better and better as time goes by. Jon Bon Jovi is very easy on the eyes too and doesn't seem to have aged an ounce.....wonder what his secret is and if he would tell us??? LOL

We're having a really hot day today, it's 96 degrees and I'm melting on the spot....well not really, but it feels like it. Doesn't it make you want to laugh at me already, I mean I'm complaining about it being too hot in Idaho when in 2 weeks I'll be driving to Arizona LOL
We'll talk about the heat once I get there!!! LMAO

These next few days I'm going to be so busy, this weekend we have to dismantle the trampoline, make sure the smoker/grill is spotless, mow the yards and prepare for the Housing Inspection walk through. I don't know if I'm feeling lazy or maybe I'm just in denial that we'll be out of here so soon, but I really really don't want to do anything. Can I just snap my fingers or click my heels 3 times and have it all done???? No??? Didn't think so, oh well.


I have to ask, did anyone else see the Matt Lauer special with the Princes William and Harry?? Am I the only one who just loves these boys??? They're both so handsome and I loved their interview with Matt, they're down to earth and so sweet and the way they remembered their mom Princess Diana was just precious. They're planning a concert this year to commemorate the 10th year of her death.

I enjoyed hearing them talk about their lives and how they deal with being in the public eye all the time, their relationships with their girlfriends and family, what they think of their mother's death and what their plans are for the future. If you didn't catch the interview, try to next time it's just wonderful.


Anyway, I'm going through the stuff in the house, throwing out things we don't need and organizing what we do, and I just realized that we have way too much crap. Do we seriously need any of this??? I don't understand why people collect so much stuff, stuff that doesn't serve a purpose at all. Then it hit me, I'm emotionally attached to certain things.

You know like that piece of paper that I you can't bear to part with because you got it during a certain point in your life, or it brings back some sort of memory....and I tell myself, memories are in the heart and in our minds, we'll still have them, but I can't bear to throw it out. I swear it plays tricks on my mind.....I actually envision the paper slowly falling into the trash can, looking up at me with hurt in his eyes (or eye or does it even have any? lol) and saying "Noooooooooo, don't let me gooooooo". How's that for nutty??? LOL

I'm really going to have to think outside the box this time and force myself to part with that little flower stem that is in my purse, or that torn off piece of paper that reminds me of a few years back. *sigh* Wish me luck!!!

I'm sure you all noticed that I dropped by yesterday, I feel so out of the loop, like the whole world actually keeps moving when I'm not able to join in....that's so unfair isn't it? LOL
Shouldn't there be a rule against blogging when someone is not around??? You all just continued on with your lives and happenings and I showed up in the end waving balloons and acting like I know what I'm talking about LOL....it's a sad sad thing

Anyway, I need to get going, I have things waiting to get done and as much as I beg them, they just won't do it alone.

I would give anything for some rain right now, it's hot as ever here. See you all tomorrow, don't forget it's Slow Cooking Thursday and for once I would like to see TONS of participants, what do you say, will you give the girl a hand and get your bloggy friends to join in just this once???

God Bless,