tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-89404382371277677492024-03-14T01:35:16.738-06:00Fashionably DomesticMiss Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16210881886774263664noreply@blogger.comBlogger174125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940438237127767749.post-42277847070696181442019-02-18T11:15:00.003-06:002019-02-18T11:15:46.391-06:00Week In Review <br />
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It has been a heck of a week.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Sadly, on Monday, February 11, my Nana passed away. <o:p></o:p></div>
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This happened to be the first day of my brand-new job (did I
mention I got a job?). I hated having to tell my employer on my first day that
I would have to leave for three days to travel to Texas for the funeral, but they
were very understanding given the situation. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The trip was long. I got into my hometown on Tuesday evening
after traveling all day (2 flights and an hour drive from the airport). I was
lucky to be able to spend dinner with niece and nephew and a little time with
my sister in law that evening. Wednesday was the viewing and funeral. We got to
the funeral home around noon and I saw many family members I hadn’t seen in at
least 15 years. The funeral was more difficult than I could have imagined, and
I was in a place of support for my mother, so I didn’t allow myself the opportunity
to grieve in that moment.</div>
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For as quickly as the funeral was put together it was nice. There
were flowers and a Church of Christ pastor (just what she would have wanted)
and songs that she enjoyed. I thought she deserved a bigger crowd of people.
Her life touched so many to have so few show up to say goodbye. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I had hoped to take a moment to say goodbye but was pulled to
and from various people. When I finally had my chance to go back the casket was
already closed. Turning around and seeing the casket closed was incredibly
difficult. It felt final. I knew that meant I was never going to see her face
again or touch or hands. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I went to the gravesite later that evening and sat next to
her for a while, a chance to tell her how much I love her and to remember all
the good times and lessons learned. As I sat there, I wished I could be closer
to her. I realized that nothing would be close enough to feel the connection I
felt with her. There would be no more hugs. No more of her jabbing me with her
elbow when she made a joke. No more hand to hold. I stayed until the sun
started to go down and there was little light left. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I miss her.<o:p></o:p></div>
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That evening I took my mother to get her groceries,
toiletries and new shoes. She’s been struggling financially, and I couldn’t leave
her without knowing she was taken care of as much as I could in the time that I
had. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I left to head back home the next day, 3 hours of sleep,
leaving before the sun was even up. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
walked in the door around 6pm and was up and out the door the next morning back
to my new job. I want this job and I want to do well. I want them to see my
work ethic and desire to perform well. But its been hard to find the balance
between grieving and every day life with so much change. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Life moves on. A new week is here and a new chance to be a
better me, learn new things and step into this new role of working mom. I know
it won’t be the easiest change for my kids, but I think its worth it since they
are school age now. <o:p></o:p></div>
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So, there it is. A very brief overview of the last week. I’m
still tired from everything that was happening. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Miss Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16210881886774263664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940438237127767749.post-31351032660814595732019-02-09T13:17:00.004-06:002019-02-09T16:55:17.132-06:00Saying Goodbye - Looking Back <br />
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My grandmother is dying. <o:p></o:p></div>
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My Nana suffers from Alzheimer’s which has gotten progressively
worse over the years. On Thursday, I received a call from my family in Texas letting
me know that the nursing home she was at called in my mother to let her know
that her health was failing and that she needed to call in family to begin preparing.
On Friday, she was sent to the hospital and placed in ICU after she began vomiting
what appeared to be old blood. They found multiple blood clots, an ulcer in her
stomach and other health issues based around her age and lack of movement. Last night they took her off the ventilator and moved her to
a different floor of the hospital and called in palliative care to make her
comfortable. She is still breathing on her own. Her heart is strong. But she won’t
make it past this stage and the goal now is to make her comfortable until she passes
on.</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Nana meeting Snuggle Bug for the first time.</span></div>
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This woman is so much more than a grandmother to me. She has
been like a mother. I was brought home from the hospital to her home. My family
lived with her when I was a small child. She’d bake strawberry birthday cakes
for me. She took me with her to bingo at the local VFW hall. I’ll never forget
running to her car after school and going back to her house where she’d offer
me cookies and I’d watch cartoons. <o:p></o:p></div>
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She was an independent woman who did things on her own. She
raised her daughters on her own. She took care of her home and on her own. When
she decided she wanted to do something, she did it on her own. She never asked
for help because she never seemed to need it. She told you straight out what
she was thinking, and you didn’t have to like it but that didn’t matter because
she was honest. Maybe lacking in tact at moments but that was what made her so
amazing. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Thanksgiving</span></div>
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I remember her home. The smells, the feelings and the
memories. I remember her backyard. The large pecan tree that she’d send us out
to gather pecans for pie. The clothes line where I’d stand between the wet
sheets she’d hung and feel the breeze run through the fabric. The smell of the honeysuckle
that grew on the fence and the rose bush at the back of the yard. I remember
her kitchen where I stood on a step stool to hand wash dishes. The meals she
made in that room after she’d light the stove. The tiny flowers I would bring
to her that she’d put in a small vase on the windowsill. The smell of the Texas
summer breeze that would come through the windows. The evenings spent watching
Wheel of Fortune. The days spent jumping off the front porch, hanging from the
hand rail and looking for the best chalk rock to draw on the sidewalk with. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She brought food when we were hungry and had
nothing in the cabinets or refrigerator. She looked for me when I ran away from
home. She dealt with my teenage attitude and still loved me, supported me and
made sure I made it to the places I needed to go. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was the first person to support me when I brought
home the man who has been my husband for almost 14 years. When I called her as
a young wife, living alone while my husband was gone for work, she explained to
me how to start a lawn mower. She drove to my house in Kansas to meet Snuggle Bug
a few weeks after she was born. <o:p></o:p></div>
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She taught me to cook. She taught me to clean. She taught me
the value of making sure you always look presentable. She told me my tattoos
were pretty, even though the rest of my family hated them. She taught me to be
independent and to the freedom of a wild spirit that can’t be chained down.<o:p></o:p></div>
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She loves me. Even when the Alzheimer's had taken away her memory of me I'll never forget the last thing she said to me, "You're very pretty. The next time you come to visit me I'm going to buy you a sandwich." She liked me even when she no longer knew me. The gifts from having her in my life are more
than I could ever write in this blog. They will stay with me until the day I
die. I will forever be grateful for her.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Miss Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16210881886774263664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940438237127767749.post-56433247136675895152019-01-31T22:04:00.001-06:002019-01-31T22:05:03.557-06:00Whats Cookin' Good Lookin'?Its almost Friday! How has your week been? Mine has been surprisingly productive despite the cold temps outside. One of the biggest goals here in the Fashionably Domestic home has been to stay warm!<br />
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I made the family a yummy meal this evening, full of fresh vegetables. We go through so many fruits and vegetables in this house.<br />
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<b>Italian Sausage and Veggie Pasta</b></div>
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1 pkg. Italian Chicken Sausage </div>
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1 Red Bell Pepper</div>
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A few tablespoons minced garlic</div>
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Splash (or 4) of white wine</div>
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1 Summer Squash, chopped</div>
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1 Zucchini, chopped</div>
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2 Heirloom Tomatoes, quartered </div>
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1 can diced tomatoes, 15oz</div>
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Kale or Spinach(as preferred)</div>
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Italian Seasoning</div>
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Dried Minced Onion</div>
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Dried Fennel </div>
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Dash of Milk</div>
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Salt and Pepper</div>
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Organic or Gluten Free rotini pasta</div>
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Fill pot with water and bring to a boil for pasta.</div>
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Heat pan, add olive oil and saute sausage and red pepper until peppers are soft. Add garlic and a few splashes of white wine and saute for a minute or two. Add squash and zucchini and cook until soft. Add can of tomatoes and season to taste with the garlic, onion, Italian seasoning and fennel. </div>
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While that cooks, I sear the heirloom tomatoes in another pan then puree them in a food processor and add that to the pan of veggies and sausage. I also add a little water if it doesn't seem "saucy" enough for my taste. Add the greens, spinach or kale, dash of a milk and season as needed. Serve topped with red paper flakes and Parmesan cheese. </div>
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If you can't tell, I'm a pinch of this and dash of that type cook so its difficult to really write out a detailed recipes. I owe that skill to my grandmother, truly one of the best home cooks I've ever met.</div>
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In other news, Snuggle Bug is still on an obsessive carb binge. The positive thing is her doctor thinks it will help her gain weight, the down side is my bread machine is getting a workout and I just bought a waffle iron in hopes of saving money on her waffle habit. Fingers crossed it saves some money and who knows what new recipes I'll find on my new waffle making journey! </div>
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Miss Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16210881886774263664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940438237127767749.post-6144230411945342019-01-28T07:33:00.002-06:002019-01-28T07:33:31.370-06:00Remembering <br />
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Three years ago, today, I lost my best friend. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I will never forget the phone call I got in the middle of
the grocery store telling me she was dead. The entire world felt unreal, like a
dream. I left my cart where it was and walked out to my car, sat and had no
idea what to do next. I couldn’t cry. I couldn’t yell. My emotions were frozen.
<o:p></o:p></div>
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You see, this was my best friend for as long as I can remember.
My middle school confidant. Sleepovers; giggling about boys and gossiping about
school. The girl I went to when I ran away from home as a stupid kid. The one
who worried for my safety. The girl who cried with me when her prom date stood
her up while I offered to put on a dress and go with her myself. The woman whose
boyfriend fell asleep in a movie during a double date and we looked at each
other and laughed while he snored. The maid of honor at my wedding, the girl
who stood beside me and held my bouquet as I put a ring on my husband’s finger.
The woman who sat beside me at the baby shower for my first child. <o:p></o:p></div>
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She was dead. Suicide. The depression we had both talked
about in our teens, related to each other in that suffering, took her away. I didn’t
know how to grieve a loss so unexpected. A loss that could have been prevented.
I blamed myself for not seeing. She had slowly become reclusive. She had pulled
herself back from the people who cared about her. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I wish I hadn’t been so caught up in my own life. I wish we
would have taken the Vegas trip we had talked about. I wish I had made a bigger
effort to reach out to her as I moved around the country. The distance took its
toll. Her depression took its toll. My depression took its toll. <o:p></o:p></div>
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She wanted more than what we had growing up, two poor girls with
single moms who were doing their best to make ends meet. She wanted to travel.
She wanted to see Ireland. She wanted to get married. She wanted to have children.
She had hopes, dreams and goals. <o:p></o:p></div>
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It took a long time to get through the grief but three years
later I can look back at the memories and smile at all the joy she brought to
my life. The understanding. The importance of that friendship. I know she was
in my life for a reason and I know I will be forever grateful for the time I
had with her because, even though I was never able to tell her just how much,
she got me through many hard times in my life and knowing I had her gave me strength. Knowing I have her memory will continue to give me strength. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Miss Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16210881886774263664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940438237127767749.post-12478403363867930322019-01-27T14:05:00.001-06:002019-01-27T14:11:21.632-06:00Weekend Check In <br />
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Happy Sunday lovelies!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Its been a nice weekend here in land of domesticity. Friday
night was spent at the local community arts center seeing a production of Addams
Family: The Musical. It was an adorable production by local actors and, of
course, appealed to my creepy side as the Addams family always does. Plus, it
was a chance to wear my latest vintage inspired dress. It paired well with a
little belt and cardigan and I was so excited to get so many compliments. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-size: x-small;">This is the best picture I have of me all dressed nicely. The next time I wear it I'm getting a full sized picture so you can see the beautiful circle skirt in all its glory! </span></o:p></div>
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<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
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Saturday was a fun filled day with the family including our
first trip to a trampoline park!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Look how much fun these two are having together!</span></div>
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We spent over an hour bouncing, climbing and trying out the challenges and obstacles there and even then hubby joined in. It was a great way to get exercise and have some important family time doing something together. They are requesting Monster Mini golf next weekend. </div>
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Here we are on Sunday and the Fashionably Domestic home
smells of freshly cooked bread. I have been on a bread kick lately, much to the
joy of Snuggle Bug who is obsessed with fresh bread. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">The new loaf next to the first that didn't make it very long before being attacked by the family!</span></div>
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There is something so nice about the smell of something
yummy baking in the oven. It makes the entire house feel warm and cozy. <o:p></o:p></div>
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How has your weekend been? <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Miss Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16210881886774263664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940438237127767749.post-46019873391687353422019-01-20T22:12:00.002-06:002019-01-27T21:10:36.805-06:00Big News!<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
I have news. After years, YEARS of bouncing from school to
school, moving, losing and gaining credits, I have finally done it. I have finally
completed my bachelor’s degree.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xJhXpRery4s/XE5yIudS-JI/AAAAAAAABHo/FvGK0mdcH-gERd50tzvRZJ6Q5hM7XHDPgCLcBGAs/s1600/diploma.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xJhXpRery4s/XE5yIudS-JI/AAAAAAAABHo/FvGK0mdcH-gERd50tzvRZJ6Q5hM7XHDPgCLcBGAs/s320/diploma.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
There were so many times that I thought it was never going
to happen. So many moments where I was ready to give up. I cried when I left the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs with a semester to go because the Hubby had orders. I paused when I had my little man. I applied and got in to numerous universities only to find some road block that kept me from continuing on.<br />
<br />
But I kept moving,
kept studying and it is finally finished. The sense of relief and accomplishment
that I feel are immense. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Downside? I have been sending out resumes and applications
around town for about a month (and even prior to graduation) and I have been
turned down or heard nothing from every place I’ve applied. I was even turned
down by a grocery store and a dog walking company. But, no matter. I’m going to
keep this feeling of positivity going because I know everything is going to
work out well in the end. Until then I am going to enjoy this feeling of joy and
happiness and see if I can make 2019 a year full of positivity and joy.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Miss Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16210881886774263664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940438237127767749.post-59706204888747998052018-04-08T21:41:00.001-05:002019-01-27T14:12:08.731-06:00Years Later.....an intense update. Hello blog world! It's been so long.<br />
<br />
I never forgot about this blog, but it took a lot of effort to remember how the information to sign back into it. It has been a little over three years since I've posted anything here. I'm sure no one reads or even checks this now defunct blog, but I'm back and I hope that maybe I'll find the time to get it back up and running. I loved blogging so much and updating my followers with new recipes, crafts and new fun things happening in my life!<br />
<br />
So, here it is, my 3 year update. Buckle up because its a lot.<br />
<br />
Summer 2015 the Army moved the hubby to Maryland, so here we are. Its such an amazing place! After 3.5 years in the desert, fighting depression, anxiety, anger, sadness and isolation; I can't begin to explain the weight that was lifted off my shoulders when we drove away from that place. It has taken me time to get myself into a better emotional space and the last few years haven't been without their ups and downs.<br />
<br />
Late 2015, my brother was involved in a car accident. He drove drunk and killed a passenger in an oncoming vehicle. My brother was airlifted to a hospital with a blood alcohol level that should have killed him and ended up in ICU for weeks, a combination of the alcohol and injuries from the accident.<br />
<br />
My brother was always my rock. Through everything we endured in our childhood he was my protector and someone I knew I could always count on. When I found out what he had done my entire world was turned upside down. I was hurt, angry, brokenhearted for the family he hurt, confused because he was such a good person to make such an awful choice.<br />
<br />
Early 2016, I lost my best friend to suicide. I was crushed but never allowed myself to grieve. She was the maid of honor in my wedding, my best friend since we were in middle school. I was angry at myself for not knowing she had gotten so sad. I blamed myself for not being there to help her. A few months after that my dog of 13 years got very ill and, after 3 weeks of vet visits, medications, feeding her through an medicine dropper and lots of praying, the vet urged us to put her down so she would no longer suffer. She had lost 10lbs in a week and could barely walk. We knew it was time. She I was always loved running and being outside so in her final hours with us, I took her outside and sat with her on the patio and told her how much I loved her. It was crushing.<br />
<br />
A month after that my brother was finally arrested for manslaughter as a result of the accident. His mugshot was all over my small town, the 5 o'clock news, front page of the paper, online.....everywhere. A trial was scheduled but continued to be pushed back. As of now, his schedule is set to happen in a few months. Years after the accident occurred. I'm mentally prepping myself for the trip to my hometown and for a prison sentence. In between all these Baby Boy was in the hospital once a month for severe asthma while Snuggle Bug started behavioral therapy for anxiety.<br />
<br />
2016 was a year filled with sadness but I never allowed myself to feel it. I stuffed it down and let it fester until December 2016 I had a full meltdown. Everything that had been inside bubbled over. 2017 became my rebuilding year. It has taken a lot of time and effort to get myself emotionally strong. But I know that I am on the path to a better me.<br />
<br />
Phew! So, there is the overview of the big stuff.<br />
<br />
Snuggle Bug is now 10 years old, Baby Boy is 5, 4th grade and kindergarten. The hubby has been promoted, loving his job and getting closer and closer to retirement. I'm just about finished with my degree in Graphic Design. I'm still crafting, homemaking and cooking and I still take pride in what I do for my family to make their lives better. As you can see from above, its not the idyllic 1950s home, but I try and that is the best you can do sometimes.<br />
<br />
I started this blog when I was 22, I am now 32. Its interesting to see just how much I have (and haven't) changed in the last 10 years. I've gained weight, a kid, moved 3 times, lost friends, found friends, lost pets, gained pets......but I'm still here.<br />
<br />
Thanks for reading blog world!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Miss Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16210881886774263664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940438237127767749.post-59646486917006473242014-11-18T14:54:00.000-06:002014-11-18T14:54:37.290-06:00Life In the Desert<div class="MsoNormal">
My poor neglected blog. When I began this blog 5 year ago I
was desperate for something to keep me sane during the hubby’s deployment. Now
I’m back again desperate for something to keep me sane during our last 6 months
in the desert. This has been hard. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Things no one tells you about living in the middle of desert:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->1.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Driving 45 minutes to the nearest town doesn’t
sound bad until you’ve actually done it. Over and over and over again. Before
we moved here I thought, “3 hours from Las Vegas, 2 hours to LA and a little
less than an hour to another town? No problem. We’ll be in LA and Vegas all the
time!” Ha. There comes a moment when you decide it’s no longer fun to drive for
hours to get basic things. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-inIZCAUAiZY/VGuxTc5fq2I/AAAAAAAAA_4/RkC-riNZrIg/s1600/20141102_161054.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-inIZCAUAiZY/VGuxTc5fq2I/AAAAAAAAA_4/RkC-riNZrIg/s1600/20141102_161054.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a><o:p><br /></o:p></div>
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It is a long drive home.</div>
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<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->2.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->You miss green. Seriously. I miss green trees,
green grass, green shrubs….basically any sign of life.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->3.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Your tiny oasis can become a tiny hell. When you’re
stuck for years in the same very small place what was once I nice getaway from
the world becomes a prison. You see the same faces, go to the same handful of
places and do the same things daily. People can get catty and rude because they
feel as grumpy as you do about being stuck in the middle of the desert. We all
seem to take it out on each other and it’s not fun. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->4.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->The wildlife. There are tortoises. And wild
donkeys. And coyotes. And snakes. The
donkeys wander around the neighborhoods, the coyotes look like they’re all on
death’s doorstep and I still haven’t seen the tortoises.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->5.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->You find out quickly who your friends are. The people
who will drop anything to help you when there is a problem. I’ve only managed to
find a handful of those kinds of people but knowing that I’ve got them makes
all the difference.<o:p></o:p></div>
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It’s been a hell of an experience living the middle of the
desert and one I’m sure I’ll never forget. It’s been lonely, it’s been
depressing but it’s also been eye opening. I think I’m a better person for it as well. <o:p></o:p></div>
Miss Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16210881886774263664noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940438237127767749.post-75711493925421779512014-01-21T17:47:00.002-06:002014-01-21T17:47:49.456-06:00Keeping Sane and Being Thankful
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Round One. It started in the middle of the night with a
loud cry coming from the crib and I knew it was going to be a long night. There
I find my sweet Big Man looking up at me, half asleep, burning up, coughing and
very upset.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Baby Tylenol and rocking to
the rescue…..and a few hours later more crying and coughing and more rocking
This cycle continued on a for a while. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The morning comes and fever goes up and down……more
coughing……then queue the diarrhea. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And
of course there is still crying. I run to the grocery store because we’re out
of milk and then attempt to disinfect the house. Then it’s time to pick up Snuggle
Bug from school and out comes my sweet girl working on what sounds like coughing
up a lung. Round two, here we go. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">She’s still too young for cough medicine so, “Here’s a
spoon full of honey to help with you cough sweetheart.” Then I accidently drop
the contaminated spoon back into the honey. Crap.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Mommy …cough…I have my show tonight the teacher told ….cough….us
to remind our mommies and daddies.” Oh no. Daddy is working until 10pm so there’s
no back here. That’s his shift for a while and this is nothing new for us.
Army. Hooah. Yeah.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Now unless I plan on letting her cough her way through
five songs tonight while I attempt to keep the sick Big Man happy there is no
way I can let her go tonight.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Round 3. Lots and lots of crying. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is crying because he doesn’t feel well. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She is crying because she can’t go to her very
first Kindergarten performance so she can sing the songs she’s been practicing
so diligently for the last month. The dogs are crying because they want someone
to let them outside now. The whole house is crying……everyone but me. I suppose
I could cry in this moment of parental stress. I’m disappointed that we can’t
go to her performance because I was truly looking forward to watching my sweet
girl sing her heart out with her friends. I’m upset that my Big Man is sick
because no mother wants to watch their toddler in distress. I’m frustrated that
I don’t have a family member or close friend in my community to lend me a hand.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">But it’s okay. It’s okay because I’m happy to be a mommy.
I’m happy to be here to take care of my children through the ups and the downs.
I’m happy and proud that my husband is doing a job that he loves. This is just
a tiny blip in the sequence of my life and I know one day when I’m old and grey
I’ll look back on these times and think about rocking my baby boy while he falls
asleep after a long night and smile. I’ll think about cuddling my Snuggle Bug
in a quilt on the couch, popping in a movie and she looks up at me with her big
blue eyes and says, “thanks mommy.” That will bring me joy. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">What a day. What a previous night. Who am I kidding this
is going to be one of those weeks where I end everyday saying, “what a day.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But it’s just another day in the life of being
a mommy and I’m okay with that. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Miss Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16210881886774263664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940438237127767749.post-76213014498022499832013-12-17T16:52:00.001-06:002013-12-17T16:52:45.956-06:00Another Day in Paradise<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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Another day of getting back to where I began. I’ve been a
bad housewife lately.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I used to take so
much joy in cleaning, organizing and crafting but over the past year I’ve
fallen away from that. But, thankfully, I’m heading back, and it feels so good.
My mind is just overflowing with ideas and creativity! But it will all have to
wait for a bit while I get things ready for Christmas and for my brother’s arrival.
I’m so excited to have my family here for the holidays! So much to do!!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So…..what crafts are YOU working on? I’d love some
inspiration. </div>
Miss Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16210881886774263664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940438237127767749.post-483084733406559272013-12-16T20:08:00.003-06:002013-12-16T20:08:58.017-06:00Happy Holidays!!Happy Holidays everyone out there in blog land!! I hope you are all enjoying time with family, friends and lots of good and happy feelings.<br />
<br />
Here in my life things have been super busy. The hubby works a lot and Snuggle Bug is loving Kindergarten. Little man is growing like a weed and it seems like he'll be celebrating his 2nd birthday before we know it! There have been highs and lows for the year of 2013. The isolation of our current location has affected my depression and anxiety issues so I've been taking as much time as I can working on fixing those. During that time I feel away from my blog, running and most things that brought me joy. But I'm back on the healthy track, feeling better and ready to tackle whatever 2014 has for me!<br />
<br />
Don't worry.....I'm definitely going to be back!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8Mdn7b_S7f0/Uq-yEIqBjKI/AAAAAAAAA-I/3K5WA1V3LRk/s1600/beer53xmas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8Mdn7b_S7f0/Uq-yEIqBjKI/AAAAAAAAA-I/3K5WA1V3LRk/s320/beer53xmas.jpg" width="279" /></a></div>
<br />Miss Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16210881886774263664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940438237127767749.post-79876997590938062842013-02-01T10:23:00.003-06:002013-02-01T10:23:49.505-06:00Holiday Mash-Up
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This is my Valentine's Day Pumpkin! I bought this pumpkin
back in October planning on making a jack o lantern out of it but never got
around to it. Next thing I knew I was decorating it for Christmas thinking it would never last past December..... and now here
it is as a Valentine's day pumpkin.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YXFqqn05r4E/UQvr4B8t1BI/AAAAAAAAA5E/9_LE-DY4a6k/s1600/Valentine's+Pumpkin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YXFqqn05r4E/UQvr4B8t1BI/AAAAAAAAA5E/9_LE-DY4a6k/s320/Valentine's+Pumpkin.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Honestly, I don't know how long this thing will last. I'm
sure once summer hits and we're in triple digits here in the California desert it will finally bite the dust.
But until then I'm going to enjoy decorating my pumpkin for as many holidays as I can!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p>I wonder what other fun holiday mash-ups are out there......</o:p></span></div>
Miss Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16210881886774263664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940438237127767749.post-61493268588390134352012-11-05T18:35:00.003-06:002012-11-05T18:35:47.089-06:00Starting new.
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’m back. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As one can notice, it has been a long time since my last
post and I’ve done a poor job at keeping this blog updated over the last few
years. We got to California in March and just a few short months later we had
our amazing son, who I’ll call Big Guy….. it has been a huge adjustment. I’m
finding that the California desert has its up and downs<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I started this blog the night before my Snuggle Bug turned a
year old (she is no 4 ½). It was a way to pass the time while the hubby was
deployed. I was stuck in a very isolated and lonely place and it kept my
spirits up to blog and read others blogs. It seems that I’m back in that position
again. Though the hubby isn’t deployed his long work hours make it hard for him
to help much or even be around. I tried to keep up with this blog while we
lived in Colorado but between school, modeling, friends and other activities I
was so busy. But here I am again ready to put my creative energy back into my
blog. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Lets see what happens…….<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Miss Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16210881886774263664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940438237127767749.post-87494781415450003542012-04-02T10:14:00.003-05:002012-04-02T10:16:44.135-05:00Settling In<div>What a busy time it’s been!<br /></div><div>The move went well and we’re finally finishing up the unpacking. It went a little slower than usual because we all got sick a few days after getting here but we shook it off and are doing much better.<br /></div><div>Here is our lovely little house!<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N6KCf4IFGm0/T3nChOp9jnI/AAAAAAAAA1Q/oKXbeDSx0nA/s1600/House.jpg"><img style="width: 239px; height: 320px; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5726822277303864946" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N6KCf4IFGm0/T3nChOp9jnI/AAAAAAAAA1Q/oKXbeDSx0nA/s320/House.jpg" /></a><br /></div><div>Isn’t it nice?<br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iu2q-xuX8Ag/T3nCg9sfV_I/AAAAAAAAA1E/Na0ptjpe03w/s1600/House%2B2.jpg"><img style="width: 239px; height: 320px; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5726822272751065074" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iu2q-xuX8Ag/T3nCg9sfV_I/AAAAAAAAA1E/Na0ptjpe03w/s320/House%2B2.jpg" /></a><br /></div><div>It isn't any smaller than our last place but everything just feels a bit more narrow and there is much less storage so it has been a little tricky making everything fit the way I want it to.<br /></div><div>Mother in Law came out for our first weekend in town and it was very nice having some extra help with Snuggle Bug while we unpacked. This place is finally starting to feel like home but I’m sure I’ll be doing plenty of rearranging in the weeks and months to come before I get things just right.<br /></div><div>The hubby is back at work today and it’s nice to finally get onto a normal schedule again. Snuggle Bug is having breakfast, I’ve had my coffee and I’ve gotten the pot roast into the crock pot so things finally feel normal again. What should we do today? </div></div>Miss Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16210881886774263664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940438237127767749.post-3102758682515436392012-03-07T15:54:00.001-06:002012-03-09T14:44:36.259-06:00It&apos;s that time.Yes, it's finally that time. Time for the movers to spend the next two days packing up our stuff so it can be loaded onto a truck on friday and make its way to California. Hard to believe its already time to move again. It really feels like we just got here and now we are heading out again. This is probably one of the more boring days because all you can really do is sit around while they pack. I hate to leave Colorado but I am so ready to get to where we are going and get settled. It won't be too much longer that we have a brand new family member! <br />
<br />
<div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-z9y2EMnjQrk/T1fZAYiXqXI/AAAAAAAAAzM/xXdOhydl2Ss/s640/blogger-image-1772926782.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-z9y2EMnjQrk/T1fZAYiXqXI/AAAAAAAAAzM/xXdOhydl2Ss/s640/blogger-image-1772926782.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ciyVfZmoIl8/T1fY_bQiOrI/AAAAAAAAAzE/dyPtE1orNOU/s640/blogger-image--25058506.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ciyVfZmoIl8/T1fY_bQiOrI/AAAAAAAAAzE/dyPtE1orNOU/s640/blogger-image--25058506.jpg" /></a></div>Miss Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16210881886774263664noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940438237127767749.post-59971576326684153682012-03-02T09:39:00.007-06:002012-03-02T10:20:47.354-06:00Friday Blog Hop!<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vkAkwCXQ8GI/T1Dx-lOryaI/AAAAAAAAAyo/PSqm5Yg0TkA/s1600/hop%2Balong.png"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 125px; height: 125px; float: left; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5715333984581044642" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vkAkwCXQ8GI/T1Dx-lOryaI/AAAAAAAAAyo/PSqm5Yg0TkA/s320/hop%2Balong.png" /></a><br /><a href="http://theworldasiseeitbloganddesigns.com" target="_blank" border="0"><img src="http://theworldasiseeitbloganddesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/FFF-1.jpg" /> </a><img border="0" src="http://i331.photobucket.com/albums/l453/lydbruno/friends.jpg" current="badge125-1.jpg" view="" target="_blank" /><a href="http://www.homegrownfamilies.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j120/missie1413/bunnybloghop.jpg" /></a><br /><br /> I LOVE blog hops! I always find awesome blogs to read and follow and I'm always excited to gain a few new readers and followers in the process. What do you love most about blog hops?Miss Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16210881886774263664noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940438237127767749.post-6736898249471441112012-02-29T15:11:00.002-06:002012-03-02T10:22:46.000-06:00Blogging from your phone?<p align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CpdZJzYhNFE/T1DzyRLdu4I/AAAAAAAAAy0/Ziae3pdedEU/s1600/Iphone.jpg"><img style="width: 192px; height: 168px; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5715335972063656834" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CpdZJzYhNFE/T1DzyRLdu4I/AAAAAAAAAy0/Ziae3pdedEU/s320/Iphone.jpg" /></a></p><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CpdZJzYhNFE/T1DzyRLdu4I/AAAAAAAAAy0/Ziae3pdedEU/s1600/Iphone.jpg"><div align="left"> </div></a><p></p><br /><br />Who knew you could write a blog entry from your phone? I didn't! But here i am typing away. Man this blogger app is going to make our two day drive to California so much more interesting!Miss Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16210881886774263664noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940438237127767749.post-46199208261129659312012-02-27T21:01:00.002-06:002012-02-27T21:06:53.853-06:00Preparing to Move<div>Just two weeks left! I can’t believe how much we’ve done and how much there is to do.<br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O047iACRyX4/T0xD54bI27I/AAAAAAAAAx4/fK_06GgybbA/s1600/Moving%2B1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 299px; height: 400px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5714016688904133554" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O047iACRyX4/T0xD54bI27I/AAAAAAAAAx4/fK_06GgybbA/s400/Moving%2B1.jpg" /></a><br />The house is starting to look pretty messy at the moment. Stuff for the new baby is sitting in the corner (yay for craigslist deals!), the walls are bare and everything looks pretty disorganized at the moment. </div><div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Mo44fZ8o0XM/T0xD53T-7LI/AAAAAAAAAyA/ZUA-Sdyh4Y4/s1600/Moving%2B2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 299px; height: 400px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5714016688605686962" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Mo44fZ8o0XM/T0xD53T-7LI/AAAAAAAAAyA/ZUA-Sdyh4Y4/s400/Moving%2B2.jpg" /></a>We’re taking down pictures, cleaning walls, baseboards, cleaning out closets and doing all the fun stuff you do before the movers come.<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WY8CPK4KdiE/T0xD6Kjzz-I/AAAAAAAAAyQ/HQIJAf_QC5c/s1600/Moving%2B3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 299px; height: 400px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5714016693772341218" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WY8CPK4KdiE/T0xD6Kjzz-I/AAAAAAAAAyQ/HQIJAf_QC5c/s400/Moving%2B3.jpg" /></a><br />I’m not ready to leave…..but I know things will be great. Just need to get there and get settled because I am in MAJOR nesting mode. Of course I can't do anything until we get to California, get into the new house and start making that home. So much to do!</div></div></div>Miss Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16210881886774263664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940438237127767749.post-54185099851464079052012-02-15T10:09:00.001-06:002012-02-15T10:09:57.191-06:00Wordless Wednesday<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wQ-_3x6HCCU/TzvYtNmE5RI/AAAAAAAAAxo/1FGcRUFRF_o/s1600/boy.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 300px; height: 300px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5709395223877313810" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wQ-_3x6HCCU/TzvYtNmE5RI/AAAAAAAAAxo/1FGcRUFRF_o/s400/boy.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Okay, maybe not so wordless..........</div>Miss Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16210881886774263664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940438237127767749.post-20745563741844331322012-02-08T10:20:00.001-06:002012-02-08T10:21:19.654-06:00Check that off the list.So today the movers came and did our pre-moving inspection where they come and see how many boxes to bring and survey how much big furniture they have to move. Everything for this move seems to happening so fast and its only 5 weeks away! Tell time to slow down a bit please. I love it here in Colorado so much I want to be able to really enjoy the last little bit of time we have here before we head to California.<br /><br />Next on the list……anatomy ultrasound TOMORROW! I’m so ready to find out the sex of this baby I could just burst. I’ll be sure to update about that tomorrow.Miss Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16210881886774263664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940438237127767749.post-67747559402483389922012-01-24T14:25:00.000-06:002012-01-24T14:27:23.578-06:00Birthday Surprises!!Wow! This weekend shaped up to be one of the busiest most impromptu weekends I’ve had in ages!<br /><br />My mom turned 50 this Sunday and my brother and I had spent weeks trying to figure out the best possible gift to give our mom for this birthday because we wanted to make it really good. Mom has been under a lot of stress recently. She works a stressful job with long hours and my grandmother, who has been deteriorating mentally, recently got into a car accident. While she is physically fine her car it totaled and she doesn’t know how to handle not having a car.<br /><br />So Friday afternoon my brother and I were joking about how awesome it would be if I could just be there for her birthday and how we could put me in a big box on mom’s porch and I’d jump out and surprise her. That’s when my practical thinking sister in law says, “Well, why can’t you?” First thing Saturday morning I was on a plane to Texas!<br /><br />We did actually put me on the porch in a box, I popped out and my mom cried she was so surprised. We went and got a ton of decorations and decorated her apartment, got her a cake, took her out to dinner and played board games. It was so much fun but the trip was just too short! I was back home by Monday morning (thanks to my awesome brother and sister in law for driving me to the airport at 4am!) and was doing makeup for two different photo shoots at 12pm and 4pm.<br /><br />I’m so tired from the trip that I think it’s going to take me a while to get back my energy! Now off to clean this house and make some cupcakes for my wonderful family!Miss Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16210881886774263664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940438237127767749.post-82202152542899061402012-01-18T12:20:00.003-06:002012-01-18T12:21:24.115-06:00Wordless Wednesday<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wOBUMghPX-Y/TxcNmDUy2mI/AAAAAAAAAxQ/drx3Qw48TzU/s1600/censorship.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 306px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wOBUMghPX-Y/TxcNmDUy2mI/AAAAAAAAAxQ/drx3Qw48TzU/s320/censorship.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5699038800839367266" border="0" /></a>Miss Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16210881886774263664noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940438237127767749.post-25822064559996202252012-01-17T11:38:00.003-06:002012-01-17T11:56:30.052-06:00Post-It Note Tuesday and Blog Hop!<p align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P1yXaS9l2kg/TxWyQs9tU_I/AAAAAAAAAxE/t6Za-vaHtrc/s1600/post%2Bit%2Bnote.png"><img style="width: 223px; height: 212px; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698656903524865010" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P1yXaS9l2kg/TxWyQs9tU_I/AAAAAAAAAxE/t6Za-vaHtrc/s320/post%2Bit%2Bnote.png" /></a></p><p>Also, welcome to all those from the Totally Tuesday Blog Hop!! </p><p align="center"><img src="http://i1089.photobucket.com/albums/i353/esthervalencia/TotallyTuesdayBlogHop.jpg" /><div align="left"> </div><p></p>Miss Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16210881886774263664noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940438237127767749.post-81726378506875794392012-01-16T13:04:00.000-06:002012-01-16T13:05:13.288-06:00MovingIt feels like we just here to Colorado and it’s already time to leave. The hubby got orders to Fort Irwin, CA so that is where we’ll be heading in just 7 short weeks. The plus side is it’ll make trips to see his family much easier and the downside is we’ll be in the middle of the desert. <br /><br />I’ve been in hyper drive mode since we found out. There is so much to get done. March seems like it is so far away and yet right around the corner. I’ve got to get to the optometrist and get new glasses and contacts, get through Snuggle Bug’s birthday and get her an updated physical and TB test for the preschool there, get the dogs to the vet and we’re still waiting on the hubby to get his official orders so we can get on the housing list and schedule things with transportation. There is more to that list but I’m just not thinking clearly at the moment. <br /><br />Oh and I scheduled our “big” ultrasound…..February 9th and hopefully we’ll find out what we’re having! <br /><br />Honestly, I’m really sad we’re leaving. Our time in Colorado has been absolutely amazing. We’ve met some great people, had so much fun, Snuggle Bug loves her preschool, I love my university…..it’s hard to say goodbye. But such is the nature of the hubby’s job. I’m sure California will prove to be just as fun as Colorado if not more. It’s all about a positive attitude!Miss Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16210881886774263664noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940438237127767749.post-65360785831454880332012-01-15T19:21:00.012-06:002012-01-15T19:36:15.302-06:00Foray into slow cooking<div><div> I love to cook. I’m the kind of person that gets inspired and will spend hours in the kitchen creating meals. Usually my meals come out pretty good and my family is happy. But Pinterest has changed all that. Thanks to Pinterest and my foray into slow cooking, not very many good meals have been coming out of my kitchen lately.<br /><br />Pinterest has been my latest obsession. I joined after my friend told me about it and didn’t think I would love it as much as I do. </div><div> </div><p align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JupdWoktT-I/TxN9DaROtKI/AAAAAAAAAws/gSfTTnlH4Ng/s1600/Pin%2BEverything%2521.jpg"><img style="width: 320px; height: 240px; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698035451098477730" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JupdWoktT-I/TxN9DaROtKI/AAAAAAAAAws/gSfTTnlH4Ng/s320/Pin%2BEverything%2521.jpg" /></a></p><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JupdWoktT-I/TxN9DaROtKI/AAAAAAAAAws/gSfTTnlH4Ng/s1600/Pin%2BEverything%2521.jpg"><div align="left"> </div></a><p></p><div><br />So many recipes, craft ideas, home décor pictures and makeup tutorials to keep me busy for ages!<br /></div><div><br />I stumbled upon a popular pin with a link to a blog that talked all about make ahead crockpot meals. Meaning, I could put everything raw into a bag and then into my freezer and then into my crockpot and be done. So easy! Between school, an almost 4y/o Snuggle Bug and my 18 week pregnant belly, easy sounded good!<br /></div><div><br />So I went to the store and got everything needed to make six meals, three kinds. Beef stew, Italian Beef and BBQ Chicken. After lots of veggie cutting, meat cutting, seasoning and bagging I was ready to go…….six cheap meals in my deep freeze ready to go into the crock pot first thing in the morning.<br /></div><div><br />I should have thought about this a bit more as I was following the recipes. No blanching of any veggies? Potatoes going in with meat to cook the entire 8 hours? “They’ll be fine” I thought. Not so much. <br /><br />Night one, a few weeks ago, and I pull out my beef stew. Actually not bad. Soggy mushy potatoes and it needed a bit more meat and seasoning but overall decent. But still not as good as the one I can simmer on the stove that I’ve been making for years. We all ate it, the hubby actually seemed to enjoy it and only remarked that it needed a bit more beef. But it’s generally not hard to please his Army man palette after the years he’s spent eating MREs and DFAC cuisine.<br /></div><div><br />Night two, the next week, BBQ chicken. “Is this supposed to be a soup?” I thought to myself as I looked into the simmering crock pot. I supposed this wouldn’t be going on the buns as I had originally planned. Taste tests showed that I needed to add a few more things to this meal to give it some flavor and those zucchini’s I had put in the bag were nowhere to be found in the crock pot. </div><div> </div><div><br /><br />Then we make it to tonight, Italian Beef. Toss it in and add the beef broth. Once again I come back and ask myself, “Is this a soup?” Once again, serving over bread may not be an option. So, with the help of a can of tomato sauce, bell peppers, carrots, celery, fresh garlic and seasoning, I turn this base into what eventually became a decent mock ragu. But it was still lacking something. <br /></div><div><br /></div><p align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xlGDlnJv-Ac/TxN9UmoSe4I/AAAAAAAAAw4/r0Iafj7JLJs/s1600/Meal.jpg"><img style="width: 239px; height: 320px; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698035746474195842" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xlGDlnJv-Ac/TxN9UmoSe4I/AAAAAAAAAw4/r0Iafj7JLJs/s320/Meal.jpg" /></a></p><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xlGDlnJv-Ac/TxN9UmoSe4I/AAAAAAAAAw4/r0Iafj7JLJs/s1600/Meal.jpg"><div align="left"> </div></a><p></p><div><br /><br />I couldn’t even finish it. Snuggle Bug took a few bites and wanted no part of it but she did enjoy the crusty Italian bread I served with it. The hubby, well he ate it.<br /></div><div><br />I’m not sure what I’m doing wrong. Other reviewers raved about these meals and I was so looking forward to them being as good as people said. I don’t know what’s wrong but I’m thinking it may be time to give the slow cooker a rest for a while and pull out Mastering the Art of French Cooking again. Julia Child and I seem to be a better fit together than the crock pot and I.</div></div>Miss Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16210881886774263664noreply@blogger.com0