I need to get on the ball

Ugh! How does this happen. I am going to post our Tennesee trip which we just got back from but I am so far behind it is not even funny. So the next posts after that I will be trying to play "catch up". Late nights, here I come!

Weighing In

I don't like to talk about my weight battles on such as public forum because I have failed at weight loss so many times. In fact, this is my 6th time joining weight watchers and haven't really advertised it because it is my 6th time and I've failed the other 5 times. I lost weight, but I've gained it back too. So, how do I succeed this time? I'm not sure but I've started bike riding and I am in my 5th week of weight watchers and am down 7.6lbs. However, I still have a long way to go and will not celebrate or be happy until I at least get down to where I was when I quit last time which is 24.2 lbs more to go. It's a long road but I can do it. I just need to keep it off.

The One That Made Me Cry

I'll admit, it doesn't always take much but usually I need a little more of a story line. The other night on "So You Think You Can Dance" I balled my eyes out during and after watching this dance. This is Melissa and Ade. The story is, she has cancer. Watch, it's beautiful.

Random Bad Pic

OK so we never post bad pictures of ourselves but I thought it looks pretty funny. I happened to go through pictures Brodie has taken on his camera. So what in the heck was I doing in this picture. I kinda remember the incident but I don't remember Brodie taking a picture. I think Alex was hurt and crying and i picked her up and hugged her. Other than that, I'm clueless. Hope you thought it's a funny face too!

Toby Keith

My friend Tracy won tickets on a radio station to see Toby Keith and invited me to come with her. It was a very good show. It was worth the trip to North Jersey. He really puts on a good show! Terry (Tracy's sister and Tracy)

Terry, husband Ed, husband Jerry, and Tracy

Tracy and Me

Tracy's huband Jerry making fun of how small the ponchos were. Yes it rained and we had lawn seats.

Tracy and Me keeping dry

Vacuuming With My Boy

We have had a kiddie vacuum ever since Alex was little. She liked it but nowhere near as much as Joey. Ever since he started walking, he has gotten out his little vacuum every time I got my vacuum out. He hasn't done it in a while. That's why we thought this time was so much fun. I jsut wish it really worked!

Scrapbooking with the Sister Missionaries

I enjoy scrapbooking. At this stage in my life, I do more single projects like the occasional card or a present for someone. I haven't made my own scrapbook in a long time. Who has the time. It is time consuming. I still enjoy every aspect of it though. I also like to have whatever I need to want at the time on hand. So, I have lots of stuff...and I don't mind sharing.

Ever since I joined the LDS church, my best friend Stephanie and I liked to feed the missionaries. Missionaries are young men (elders) and women (sisters) who are called to teach people about the church. Missionaries taught me when I was researching the LDS religion. So when I moved down to Cape May, Brodie didn't mind continuing that especially since our area is covered by sisters. Most Mormons are scrapbookers. This is how I learned the trait. When the sisters where over for dinner last week and they spoke of their photos, I offered for them to come over and scrapbook. It was fun.
Sister Tolefson and Sister Thorton and their projects. Sister Thorton decided to make some Miss You cards after being indecisive about what photos to use and what layout to choose for her project. I hope the girls are proud of themselves. I had fun.

I Have An Addiction

I must confess... I have an addiction. It is one that is very bothersome to me at times. I am completely and utterly consumed and helpless. I am an addict. I am addicted to Facebook. I had no idea what I was getting into when my good friend Denise sent me the invitation to join. I thought sure, I blog, I MySpace, I'll Facebook. I had no idea that I would not be able to sit at my computer without logging on. I didn't realize that I would need to log on as soon as I wake up in the morning, various times throughout the day, and once again before I go to bed. I had no idea that it would cause me to neglect the dishes, the laundry, the cleaning, WORKING, and even the children at times. I find myself saying, "Just one more second honey, I'm trying to do something real fast." I spend hours on Facebook and get NOTHING done. I love it and hate it all at the same time. I am; an addict.

RENT

For Christmas, we got my Mother-In-Law tickets to see "RENT". It was also my Christmas present. She and I both love theater. It was at the Acadamy of Music in Philadelphia. This place was beautiful. As usual, before the show, we went out to dinner. Then off to the show. It was EXCELLENT!! The company was too. We both absolutely loved the show. Anyway, here's a clip:

If you ever get the chance, it is worth the money.

Freedom at Last

Well, it only took 5 years but we finally did it. As most who know us, know that our children sleep in our bed. As much as I didn't want them to go, Brodie and I just were not sleeping well. There was always a head, foot, or hand in our backs and various other places. Joey is a mover and we have been completely uncomfortable for a good 6 months or so now. We were going to attempt the move when Alex started school but I just couldn't do it. My fears get the better of me. I worry myself to death about a fire or a break in in the middle of the night and feel they have a better chance of survival if they are with us. It HAD to be done.

Alex has been willing to move for a while now, as long as Joey came with her. Joey, on the other hand, was not the slightest bit willing. We bought him some Thomas stickers for the wall around his bed back in August. The deal was that if we put the stickers up, he had to sleep in his bed. We got them home and he was not having it. We asked a couple of times over the next month and he wanted no parts. He found the stickers a few days ago and was excited to put them up as well as willing to sleep in his bed. To be fair, we got Alex some stickers for around her bed too.
This is Joey, excited about sleeping in his bed with Thomas. Alex was not as excited but willing

I must say it went much easier than I ever expected. We read a story like we do every night, turned on the sound machine and turned out the light. I heard not another peep all night long. No one got out of their bed, much to my surprise. I thought Alex would be fine but would not have been surprised if she showed up in our bed but I really expected to see Joey in the middle of the night. How did I sleep you ask? TERRIBLE! I woke up what seemed like every 10 minutes. I kept hearing things like someone was in our house. I kept looking to see a kid walk in our room. It's gonna take some time but I'll get used to it.

Cookie Exchange and My Grandmother's Molasses Cakes

Two years ago, my friend Kris invited me to a cookie exchange at her house. For those who have never done one, Everyone invited chooses a cookie different from someone else's. You make however many dozen cookies that there are people exchanging plus one dozen for judging and sampling. The first year, my cookie was obviously nothing to brag about because I cannot remember it for the life of me nor could anyone else. Last year I won with a chocolate dipped peanut butter cookie. It was yummy and beautiful but very time consuming. This year, I decided to go with a molasses cookie. Now it's no prize winner but it is easy to make and I knew no one else would make it. Plus, I knew a few people never even had one before. It's the perfect addition to any cookie tray. For this reason, I've decided to include the recipe in this post. Brodie says they look like turds before you bake them and they don't look much better after either. Despite that, he is a big fan. This recipe is my Grandmother's recipe and my family has been making these for many Christmas and I intend to carry on the tradition. I hope some of you try them. Happy Baking!

GRANDMA'S OLD FASHIONED MOLASSES CAKES

1 3/4 c. molasses
1 1/2 c. sugar
1 1/2 c. shortening
1 1/2 c. hot water
7 1/2 c. flour
3 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
pinch of salt

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix molasses, sugar, shortening and water. Mix thoroughly. Blend in remaing ingredients. Drop by rouded teaspoons onto ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 10-15 minutes or until almost no imprint remains when touched with finger.

I personally use Grandma's old fashioned robust molasses but any kind can be used. Flavoring may slighly change. Also can reduce molasses to 1 1/2 c. if desired. I prefer the stronger molasses flavor.

ENJOY!

Poison Ivy

So Alex needed leaves for school last week. They were talking about changes that occur during the fall. So we go out looking for leaves that are turning colors. We found a few good specimens. A few days later, I develop a large rash on my forehead as well as some smaller patches other places on my face, my right arm, my belly, my right leg, and one other unmentionable place. Apparently, I must have scratched or at least touched these places after coming into contact with the poison ivy. I tried to get a good picture for this post but you can't really see it. It is visible to others though. I get funny looks and comments. Brodie says I look like the Elephant Man. Although it is rather uncomfortable at times, it is nowhere near as bad as the one other time I had it. Thank goodness the unmentionable spot, or any other spot for that matter, is not that bad. It mostly bothered me while sleeping. So now I take Benadryl before bed and I am all good until morning. The good thing is that the children did not get it. THANK GOODNESS. The sucky part is I have no idea how to prevent this happening in the future. I've seen photos of poison ivy and I did not notice any when we were picking leaves.