my life in 3 ounces or less

As many of you know- Mr. D. and I are Florida bound. We are going to interview with and hopefully hire the lady who will be helping us facilitate our adoption. Anyway, Today I had the challenge of finding all of the things I need in 3 ounces or less. Mr. D. and I will be carry on kind of people for this trip. I decided there should be a store called 3 ounces or less. If there were, I just know I could find spray on sunscreen there!! No such luck here! So, I have the old fashion slather it on and be all gooey kind. Oh well, either way, at least I will be protected from the sun.

On another note, I feel pretty crappy and have an appointment with the Dr. tomorrow afternoon. I really had wanted to go today, but I guess all of his other patients must be sick too, and they called before I did and took all of the appointments. Hopefully I can be cured by the weekend!! Ok- off to rest!

moth balls and a good night of sleep

After much internet research- we concocted a set up of moth balls to detour the frogs. I am not sure if they didn't come out because the temperature dropped- or because of the moth balls- but either way I got a good nights sleep- which I needed!

imagine if you will

2:43AM.... I had had enough with the frogs- even though it was pouring down rain- I was outside in my pj's and croc flip flops relocating NINE frogs.. I can't stand the noise and will be taking DRASTIC action today.

are you kidding me?

Tonight we went out with Meghan for sushi. It was so tasty! Meg-pie and I were feeling very adventurous and tried 2 new rolls - a spider roll and a bagel roll. We liked the spider roll OK, but didn't like the bagel roll. We agreed that the crunchy shrimp roll we ordered was still our favorite.


ANYWAY-- we come in and immediately I here the most annoying sound in the world. I wanted to make a video for you to hear it- but have no clue where the Flip is (sad!). So anyway, I went outside and there wasn't one TREE FROG-- But 7. S E V E N annoying little tree frogs. I am already annoyed and now overwhelmed. I wasn't prepared for this- I don't even know where my frog net is from last season! I can't even think of anything to use to transport so many frogs for operation relocation. ARRGGG!!

I just googled how to get rid of tree frogs. On some message board someone posted that frogs were the barometer of the earth and that frogs live where the earth is healthiest. OK Sherlock, then why would my Bermuda grass not grow in that area. W H A T E V E R!!!

oh boy!!

Tonight, I was cleaning out the candy stash and found a few Dum Dum suckers. I put a coconut one in my mouth and Brady was all intrigued. So I offered him his pick. He sniffed out and chose a sour apple Dum Dum. I snapped this with my camera phone...it's blurry because he wasn't being still.

He kept wanting to bite it, but I made him lick it instead. He was instantly hooked!!

Spring Break recap- day 9 -- the finale

*slept in to almost 10

* made French toast for Mr. D.
* plugged in two crock pots for a day of power cooking
* went to Old Time Pottery
*bought new storage dishes
*made my first attempt at pie crust
*made myself a mini tomato pie for lunch
*decided today was the day to give the neighbors back their dishes that were at my house.
*was embarrassed at how long I had been holding their dishes hostage (Julie's since December, Jill's since January)
*made lasagna is Julie's 8x8 pan
*made us a lasagna for dinner
*made Mr. D's Grandma Mary's chicken pot pie recipe for Jill's pie plate
*delivered the dishes back to their owners
*made myself a mini pot pie and put it in the freezer (Mr. D. doesn't eat pot pie)
*finished season 2 of LOST
*started season 3
*took a bath
*took a nap
*ran the dishwasher twice and the washer/dryer once
*packed my car for school tomorrow
*made a to do list for the week ahead

heaven on my plate

This plus this!

.. in typical Sandy fashion- yellow for green, no basil.

Spring Break recap- day 8

*woke up way to early for having gone to bed after midnight
*cleaned bedroom and bathroom, all while watching LOST
*drove to airport to get Mr. D. (yeah!!!)
*rode home
*got chick-fil-a drive through- I didn't hate is as much as I usually do, but I didn't love it either
*came home
*looked at Mr. D.'s pics and heard about his trip.
*watched How I Met Your Mother from this week
*spend the next few hours listening to Mr. D. snore from the couch while I watched more LOST
*enjoyed having my laptop back!
*went to Cozumel for dinner
*ate my favorite- the number 31. Vegetable quesadilla, guacamole tostada and a bean taco. (eaten in that order)
*went to Walmart for groceries
*cleaned kitchen, finished the Montessori laundry
*went to sleep!!

pictures to share

Sayid- my favorite fish. He started out blue and turned yellow. He is always coming up to the tank and looks like he is chatting with me. Love him!! Meet Canadian Bacon

Brady and his latest conquest

Another cute pic of Brady and his pal.

My washer repair operation

My mail organization system for all of the families I am collecting mail for.

Portable DVD that came to us in the mail from Directv- thanking Mr. D. for taking a survey!! Awesome!

Scenes from Henry's quilt

Meghan's Cadbury Creme Egg- which had rolled out of her purse and I stepped on in the middle of the night. OOOHHH! CREEEEPPPYYY!!

Emilee/Rylee's quilt.. turned out great!

Small little table top barn with animals- Target dollar bin. Great for the Noun lesson!! LOVE it!!

Peter Rabbit stickers I will be making a matching lesson for. Target- in the dollar bin.

Curious George stuff for my classroom (for when we study the author). Again, I just love Target's dollar bins.

print of my new swimsuit

my movie ticket

Tiffani showing off her fork- lucky girl

my meal at Mizu
another fun comforter I saw

Spring Break recap - day 7

* skipped breakfast in anticipation of a BIG lunch
* cleaned house a bit
* cleaned out the fish tank
* waited for Tiffani to get here
* took Lola (Mr. D's car) to get gas (not sure why, there was still .43 of a gallon left- thanks dude)
*realized my cell phone was dead- and Mr. D's cell phone charger in his car wasn't compatible. (so if you called me yesterday, I missed your call!)
* went to lunch with Tiffani at a new restaurant called Mizu
* encountered such fun things as a disco ball lighting up the whole room like a skating rink birthday celebration, and the Carpenters "we have only just begun" on pan flute.
* ate my entire Japanese meal with only chopsticks, Tiffani must have looked less dangerous- they let her have a fork.
* discussed new business venture with Tiffani
*went to see the new Nicholas Cage movie- Knowing.
*ate yummy popcorn with butter
*discussed installing a hot butter machine at home
*discussed the existance of contraception on the Starship Enterprise. Tiffani says no, I say yes. Any Treky's wanna weigh in?
*must have worn my hey-crazy-man-sit-by-me t-shirt. Even though there were plenty of open seats in the movie, a man say right beside me (with one chair in between) and talked to himself through the whole movie- actually discussing the movie with himself.
*giggled every time the man talked
*made Tiffani giggle because I was giggling
*left the movies and shopped at Ross Dress For Less, Belks, Bed Bath and Beyond, Old Navy, and Pier One. Bought NOTHING.
*drove to the other side of shopping center
*dropped Tiffani off at the Dress Barn
*went to PetSmart
*bought fish filters and the new fish Mr. D. has been wanting. (I named him Canadian Bacon, Meghan is calling him Adam)
*picked Tiffani up from Dress Barn
*went to my house where Meghan was waiting
*went to Margarita Grill for dinner with Tiffani and Meghan
*went to the grocery store with Meghan, Tiffani went home
*came home and worked in kitchen
*did not bake cookies-- or better yet, made no bake cookies
*something was wrong with the cookies (they didn't set up right)
*threw the first batch away and started again
*had wonderful cookies the second time
*started washing the Montessori laundry - back to school Monday after all
*had error on washing machine
*drained machine and tried to unclog drain filter- gave up when couldn't get the part to open
*went to bed- around 1:30am
*evicted Brady from my bedroom around 1:35- would not get off of the bed- so OUT!

Thursday 13: Thirteen things I learned about Ellen on our outing

Even though in Canada it is tomorrow already, I am getting this in just under the wire in my time zone. Here are the 13 things I learned about Ellen during our outing.

1) She has an awesome dog named Sadie that I think Brady would love to play with.
2) She is smitten kitten with her boyfriend.
3) He is currently working out of town and she misses him.
4) She is thinking of changing careers - since she is having trouble finding a new job.
5) She is smart enough to actually use her coupon book, where Mr. D. and I just drive our book around an always forget to check it for coupons.
6) She loves to plant flowers.
7) She owns a Kitchenaide stand mixer
8) She loves Fiesta dishes.
9) She has all of the colors, but red is her favorite!
10) Her car has air conditioning issues
11) She is the treasurer for our neighborhood.
12) She loves Shrimp.
13) She is super fun to hang out with.

Spring Break recap- day 6

*Last night, my Bed and Breakfast was double booked so I ended up sleeping on my couch.
*I woke up this morning to make sure my Mother heard her alarm.
*She went to work around 6 and I went back to sleep after she left.
*When I woke up again, I worked on Henry's quilt.
*I finished season one of LOST
*hung out with Meghan until she went home
*was Hap-Hap-Happy Meghan left me her laptop to use!! (our desktop has a virus!)
*went to get some lunch
*came home and ate lunch and took a 17 minute nap
*picked up Ellen
*went to see Confessions of a Shop-a-holic
*window shopped at the mall
*went to Cajun Steamers for dinner
*came home
*went back out to return movies
*showed my Mother some videos on the internet
*discussed Henry's quilt with her. (remember I am making it by looking at one of Parker's quilt)
*sorted all of the mail I collected today.. I am getting mail for 4 households
*started season 2 of LOST
*straightened living room

Spring Break recap- day 5

*This morning Brady and I watched the sunrise while we stopped at the cemetery on the way out of town.
*drove home
*stopped and got us sausage gravy biscuits on the way home- Brady LOVED his, I did too!
* spent some time on the computer.
*took a shower and got ready to go out
*cleaned living room
*cut fabric squares until Meghan got here.
*took Meghan to J. Alexanders with a gift card I had been saving since Christmas. It is my #1 favorite place to eat!
*went to Walmart
*went to Target where I bought a new swim suit and some things for my classroom.
*went to Bed Bath and Beyond
*went to Dairy Queen
*came back to my house and put our pajamas on at 4pm
*watched Nights in Rodanthe and The Secret Life of Bees
*worked on Emilee/Rylee's quilt.. and finished it.
*Made the chili con queso soup in the taco shell bowls for dinner

Spring Break recap day 4

*after a very restless night- woke up at 4:45 to take Mr. D. to the airport


*dropped him off


*listen to Brady cry for 15 miles because we left Mr. D. at the airport


*drove north to see my Mom


*got Brady settled and went to Cracker Barrel for breakfast


*went to Walmart and shopped until the Bank opened. My Mother bought me spring action scissors for my raq quilt making and a Martha Stewart Bone Folder that Kate and I have been wanting for months.


*went to the Bank. My Mother is working on getting the Grandfather Medicaid. She has a list of his bank statements we had to get.


*went to Cato and found nothing


*went to Hobby Lobby. I bought a few things there.


*went to JcPenney, my Mother bought herself 2 shirts.
*went to gas station Dairy Queen and got a milkshake to take to the Grandfather
*went to the nursing home to take the milkshake.
*realized how dependant I am on my Blackberry and how sad I was not to be getting a good signal!
* went back to my Mom's. Brady was out while we were bringing in the bags- and the next thing I knew- Brady was in my Mom's trunk.
*My Mom went through the mail and she had another letter from the Medicaid people wanting different bank statements.
*packed up packages for be mail- including one to Henry with the Bonus blanket and some things from my Mother. The other package... well... will have to just be a surprise to it's recipient.
*went back to town (15 minutes each way)
* went to the Post Office, and ran into my cousin's wife.
* went back to the bank and got the other info.
*went to Fed Ex.
*went to the Doctor with my Mom. 2 shots, 4 prescriptions- Bronchitis and a sinus infection. Ran into an old family friend at the doctor's office.
*went to Walmart to get prescriptions filled. Got fabric for Kim's baby's blanket (for either Emilee Grace or Rylee Grace)
*had to shop for an hour waiting on prescription, ran into my great Aunt.
*went for a pizza dinner.
*went back to Momma's house and left her there.
*went to the best place in town to get dessert- My Aunt Patsy's! She is the best cook I know.
*saw my Granny, Aunt Patsy, Uncle Kenny and Cousin Kim and her husband Jimmy.
*saw lots of cuteness, the family cradle, dresses from when my Aunt Patsy was a baby, sonogram pics, Kim's bedding and crib.
* ate peanut butter cake and LOVED every bite.
*went back to Momma's and cut out Emilee/Rylee's quilt squares.
*went to bed, exhausted!

Spring Break recap - Day 3

* watched disc 3 and 4 of LOST from season 1



* listened to Mr. D. being very fustrated because our computer had a virus.



* started sewing and finished Henry's bonus quilt. It is a rag quilt. I have never made one but always wanted to. It was so easy. It took in all about 5 hours to make. I think the next one I make will get even faster now that I am more skilled at it. It is going in the mail tomorrow!





* went to eat at Cozumel for dinner


* went to the store to buy Brady's dog food


* watched Mr. D. pack


* listened to Brady whine for an hour about Mr. D. packing


* cleaned out my car


* took a bubble bath


* cut out the paper pattern for Henry's quilt.


*blogged for the last time this week from my beloved laptop. Don't worry, I still have computer access and can keep you all posted. Tomorrow the laptop goes international. Viva la Canada!

Spring Break recap-- day 2

Day 2 of my Spring Break...

* watched episodes 1-8 of season 1 of LOST

* washed my raincoat. Do you know what I keep in my raincoat pocket? Things from my trip to London in April of 2007.

* Went to Home Depot for MORE paint swatches.
Goodbye Blues!
Hello Grays!
* picked up swatches for the kitchen. I hate all except one- and I don't love it.
* remembered why I hate painting so much.
* went shopping at JC Penney and Belks looking for Mr. D. some pants for Canada.
* went to Hancock fabrics and found NOTHING for sweet Henry's blanket.

* went to Target to get the lap top back pack the Mr. D. had picked out the day before. We ended up with a totally different one that the one we originally had picked out.

* went to Walmart where I not only found some great fabric for Henry's quilt, but also found the fabric for a quilt I didn't even know I was making. Mr. D. picked out some fabric for something he wanted made for Henry. From this point on, my quilt for Henry will be called Henry's quilt and Mr. D.'s quilt for Henry will be called Henry's bonus quilt.

* Hand cut all 96 square for Henry's bonus quilt. If I made more quilts, I would have to get a rotary cutter. It would go so much faster. I will probably have the bonus quilt finished by this afternoon. It is such an easy quilt! I think it is going to be very cute too! Meredith, do you want me to blog it, or do you want to be surprised?

* Made an amazing dinner. Simply simple and DE-licious! Here is the recipe.

Go to Target and buy this:





It calls for 4 cups of water. I made this soup and served it in this.
I added a little cheddar cheese and that was it. So good! We will definitly be having it again!

3719 minutes of my Spring Break...

...could very easily be spent watching LOST..... again.

Spring Break day 1 recap

* blogged 3 times (so far)

* shopped for 4 hours (Target, Best Buy, Pier One, Old Navy, Book-A-Million, Bed Bath and Beyond and Walmart) and purchased NOTHING!

*worked on bedroom makeover plan with Mr. D. right now this bedding is in the lead... but we aren't 100% sure. We do love the wall color though.
* had lunch at Full Moon with Mr. D.

*looked at cell phones for my Mother- she is thinking of getting a better phone with a keyboard because she is "into texting" even though I have NEVER gotten a text from her.

*updated my Twitter- since I now have followers

*secured sample quilt from the neighbors of the pattern that I am using for Henry

*played with Brady

* Went to the video store and rented Pineapple Express, Secret Life of Bees, and Nights in Rodanthe.

* went to Walmart again- to get soup, peanut butter and bread- and somehow spent $50 bucks

*downloaded new ringtones for Tiffani and Kate

* put my pjs on for dinner, internet surfing and movie watching.

Off to a Great Start!!

cuteness from my classroom

So yesterday I was doing a art study with one of my 5 year olds. I was showing him the famous painting of Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci. We talked about the many aspects of the painting and when I was finished we just looked at it. Then this conversation took place.

Me: You know, there are a lot of people who have different opinions on what they think Mona Lisa was smiling about.

Him: Some one probably just told her to say cheese

cool video

Check this video out. Meghan and I watched it on Oprah yesterday. The funny part is that I was being one of the 175 million people on Facebook and didn't see that it was 2 guys. You will see in the video how I may have mistaken the blonde for a lady. Anyway at dinner I was telling Mr. D. about the video and how the lion and the lady reminded me of Brady and me. Meghan was like- that was a man. It became hysterically funny. Sorry lady looking man- my bad!

attention Disney lovers

If you love Disney movies on VHS and are missing movies, please email me at the address to the right. I am making room for baby and cleaning out my collection. We don't even own a VCR! I will be happy to send them to anyone who wants them (if you will pay the shipping of course!). Otherwise my school's library will be the benefactor of the movies.

Thursday 13: Spring Break Edition

Tomorrow at 3pm I am officially on Spring Break. I am staying home and have lots of exciting plans- but none as exciting at this Thursday 13.


Thirteen girls I am taking with me

on my imaginary Spring Break trip to South Padre Island!!

Pack your pretend bags girls!!

Karen

MeghanNatalie

Meredith
Julie

Ellen

Erica
KateErika
Jill

Leah
Tiffani
Marissa

The Blue Class gets a visit

My Mom decided to surprise me and my class with a basket filled with treats and a visit. We didn't tell the kids who she was, but before long the smart little cookies figured it out. I had no clue she was coming- so it was just as exciting for me. The kids loved all of their treats... and the teachers did too!! Everything in the basket carried a blue theme. The "prize pack" as we are calling it included:

Items for the kids (in other words - 100% nut free)

1 box of thin mint cookies

7 packs of stickers

8 packages of Robin Eggs (my faves!!)

6 boxes of peeps

2 packages of blueberry whoppers

1 bag of Hershey's milk chocolate eggs

2 packages for blue jelly beans

1 pack of blue Hershey's kisses

For teachers (office supplies and nut contaminates)

a 5 pack of Blue pens

1 blue note book (which I have already made 2 list in)

4 (3 packs) of highlighters

1 box of Lemon Creme Girl Scout Cookies

20 lady bug push pins

20 pack of blue feet shaped paper clips

19 Snickers bars

1 Reese's Cup

1 Caramel Kit Kat

2 packages of mini Kit Kat

3 containers of blue cotton candy

1 large bag of plain M&M's

1 small pack of blue M&M's

1 packs of Cadbury mini eggs (blue)

THANKS MOMMA!!

a challenge

Tiffani

I am challenging you to a starter bake off. I'll see your "Amish who can use email" starter and battle you with my "Nuns" sour dough starter. If I am correct you will be ready to bake again on Thursday 3/19. My house. You in??

Sandy

Speaking of Tiffani- She is PUMPED about the new Spring catalog from the Pampered Chef. She can hardly wait to get her new products! I am excited to have my party too!

reason # 873... why Meghan is awesome

So imagine with you will on Saturday Meghan is visiting. I am in my red chair, Meghan is on the black love seat and Mr. D. is on his black couch. I made the following statement.
"we need to go and see about some Girl Scout cookies- because Brady and I are out"
We went back to our TV watching and about 20 minutes later the door bell rang- and it was 2 Girl Scouts with cookies for sale. Did I will them to come here?? We were all shocked! Some of you may have experienced my uncanny way of sometimes saying things and then they happen- It is so weird! Anyway, I got up to get some money and then I hear the words that still ring in my ears...
"we have everything except Do-si-dos".

Suddenly everything stopped and I heard Brady in a Scooby Doo type voice say "wut whoa".
So Mr. D. and Meghan bought the cookies they liked and Brady and I were out of luck. I did tell the girls that if they scored some Do-si-dos to come back. Today at school- Meghan presented me with a box of Do-di-dos. Brady and I have enjoyed them this evening!! Viva la Meghan!

scenes from the adventure

Today, I got up and wrote Mr. D. the following letter. I sealed it with wax and my stamp. Then I left it on my pillow in the new bed. It read:

Welcome to today! We are going on an adventure. You will need:

comfortable (but decent) clothes

comfortable shoes

your camera (with a fully charged battery)

open mind (mandatory)

Brady (optional)

We will depart as soon as you are ready- the earlier the better.

We went to the local state park and went hiking. Here are some pictures from our day. Brady had a blast- I only wish there wasn't a leash law. Of course I was glad for it when he almost tried to step off of a cliff!