Tuesday Chatter

Good Afternoon--I hope everyone who stops by is having a wonderful Tuesday. I had a checkup this morning and all is fine--my weight is perfect he said---I am so happy to hear this. My blood pressure is fine. I heard my baby's heart beat--148. I am almost 33 weeks--I am almost there--ohh, I am so excited. It was a little uncomfortable to sleep last night, I could not find a comfortable position for some reason--oh well, if that is the worst of my problems, I think I am okay:) He also said that he doesn't care how many people I want in the delivery room, as long as the anesthesiologist is okay with it--my doctor said, sometimes he gets an anesthesiologists that is picky about that--so we shall see---my husband will be in the room no matter what--but I was hoping my MIL could be in there in too to see her grand baby born.

It is a warm day here in California. I ended up grilling pork chops last night, so tonight will be a chicken dish. I am thinking Baked chicken and baked potatoes.

I just had a bowl of raisin bran with a banana for lunch ....(LOL) I just love raisin bran. On the back of the box there is a recipe for bran muffins, that I think I am going to try.

Well, I have been messing around all morning--I need to get busy and get some chores done. If I have not stopped by your blog yet today--I will be by before the day is out.

Congratulations to Kitty on the birth of her baby boy--YAY!!!!!

Happy Blogaversary to Mrs. B<----I just adore her blog!!!

You all have a glorious day!!!! xoxox

Monday's Chatter

I Hope everyone is well rested and had a very nice Sunday. I did not have a chance to post yesterday. How did everyone survive the time change? It did not bother me, I love it when it stays light and warm til late---(Winter time, I will say, I love the how it gets dark early and cold..LOL) I set my alarm just in case, I over slept this morning---but I actually woke up before it went off. I warned my son last night, that morning is going to come a lot quicker, so be prepared, he actually did fine. We took him out to the restaurant of his choice last night for his birthday dinner--he chose the Claim Jumper--which happens to be a family favorite of everyone. A bit pricey, but for a birthday dinner, it is worth it--and the servings are incredible.

I also ended up doing my grocery shopping--I am glad I did--because I have another plan for this week, that I will post about in just a minute. Yesterday it was 85 degrees and it is suppossed to be in the 80's all week--it is so pretty outside. So what did I do? I went back to Wal-Mart and picked up this pool for my daughter---it was $11.88. Kevin and I sat out side, while Alexis played in the water. Well, I got lots of sun---but now, how in the world am I suppossed to get the back of me tan? OOps, I didn't think about that when I was soaking up all the sun yesterday..LOL.

This is what it looks like outside right now--not a cloud in the sky. It is hard for me to believe it is snowing in some places, when it is so warm here--but it isn't icky hot---there is no humidity in California. I think the reason I want a tan so bad is last summer, I was not able to to sit out side, in Georgia, the mosquitos ate me up--no matter what kind of bug repellent I used:( There aren't any mosquitos here--I think it has something to do with the ocean.
I hope everyone has gotten there Corned Beef--All the stores have them right now, and at really great prices. This is the one I bought--->
I am going to make it with Cabbage and carrots and potatoes---and I am thinking for an appetizer some potato soup:) I bought the green koolaid mix--and I bought vanilla icing and I am going to add green food coloring to it to put on my chocolate cake.

Okay, so now, I want to explain something about me----I am an odd ball with my friends and family, A sweet oddball--but still an oddball all the same. There is nothing I enjoy more, then cleaning and cooking and making my home a lovely place for my family. So, I know I post a lot about cooking and cleaning--but that is what I really enjoy doing. I also think I am nesting a bit too, because I keep thinking how I want this clean and that clean before the baby, so I don't have to worry, etc. I have one girlfriend, that is the total opposite---her house is the last thing on her mind----but that is her, not me. I love to take advantage of when my children are at school and my honey is at work to do all this, so when they come home, I can do other things, like take them to the park, beach, play, help with homework, etc. Am I making any sense..??? Anyway, a lot of the blogs that attract me are the ones that have a lot of homemaking posts, cooking posts, cleaning and pictures. I adore every one's blog who comes and visits--it seems we all are interested in all the same things pretty much--Family, being a good person, our relationship with God and so on.

So that is why this morning, I opened all the windows in my home and did a search on the Internet on spring cleaning --and can you believe I found a list I like that I don't have in my notebook.

This is the part on the Kitchen, that I am going to do today, and if I don't finish, I will continue it another day:

Kitchen

*Pull out the refrigerator, clean behind it, and check your manual to see if there is maintenance to do on the coils or other parts of the appliance. (Kevin will have to help me pull it out)
*Clean the inside of your dishwasher. Add 1/2 Cup of Vinegar and run it though a cycle.
*Clean the drip pans under your stove burners.
*Empty the crumbs out of the bottom of your toaster.
*Clean the can opener, paying particular attention to the blade area.
*Clean tiles and grout.
*Sterilize all your phones. These are big breeders of germs- should be done often.

I was not able to make Dinner Rolls or bagels this weekend--and what do you think Alexis asked for this morning, she wanted a bagel--so I promised her I would make her some more bagels. So that is also on my list of things to do today.

Since it is so nice today, I am going to grill chicken tonight--with a wonderful green salad.

To all who visit me here--have a wonderful Monday ((HUGS))

Picture Post and Girl Talk

I hope everyone is having a wonderful Saturday. I got up bright and early this morning to go to Wal-Mart to buy my nephew a gift for his birthday party today. He is going to be eight and he likes the movie *Cars* so I bought him a few toys relating to the movie. My father and step mother adopted him--so even though he is my nephew (my step-mom's daughter's child that my father adopted) he can also be technically my brother<----Did I lose you there.

My father lives over the Ortega's, which is a big winding mountain that takes about an hour to go through--since I am soooo pregnant right now--my left leg goes numb if I am standing or sitting for a long period of time--so I stayed home--my husband and kids went, they will have lots of food and fun.

I found these neat little sea creatures at Wal-Mart for .88 cents, that expand 6 times there size--so I know Alexis will have fun with those in her bath.
Then I came across these organizing tubs for .50 cents--yay!!!
When I am out, I will pick up a few things here and there for baby boy--I found these cute little onesies for $2.88 and some newborn socks--you can never have enough socks:)
Then I bought these two tomato plants to plant--they will produce Grape tomatoes--YUMMY!!!!

This is the Shamrock I made for my door for St. Patrick's day---The dining room table will have a green table cloth. On St. Patrick's day--I will make Corn Beef and Cabbage and potatoes, green jello, green koolaid---Chocolate cake with green frosting (lol) and so on--I think you get the idea. This is the time to take advantage of the price of cabbage--we love cabbage here, so I usually buy a bunch of it--I make boiled cabbage, fried cabbage, coleslaw--I put it in my salad--it is all good. Plus you must wear something green on that day.
Also, on my plans for this weekend, is more laundry of course---I buy Sun, because it is the cheapest--this bottle says it does 40 loads--giggles--for me I get a lot more out of it--I usually use half of what they say to use--plus it only costs 1.97--woohoo. I will buy other brands on sale and with coupons if the price is right;) I also use a liquid fabric softener--I have Snuggle right now and bleach and oxyclean are in my laundry room along with fabric softener sheets.
Now, that I am getting a bit big around the middle--it is getting harder for me to get on my hands and knees and scrub the floors--so along with my Cotton Head Mop, I will also be putting my swiffer mop to more use--for quick jobs around the kitchen and bathrooms--until I can get back down on my hands and knees.
OHHH---I was so excited to see these----my girlfriend put on my flip flops and I never saw them again...(LOL) Well, I got these for 1.50--YAY!!!! Remember, I am a Cali girl--Flip flops are a must:)
Since my family is at my Father's I know they will all be eating really well, so I don't need to make dinner tonight--I may do my grocery shopping tonight if they get home early enough or just save it until tomorrow, we shall see.

I was looking on ebay for a breast pump---I like manuals better then electric---and I use them for when I get engorged the first week for some release and also I pump for some back ups for the freezer for emergencies----but with Alexis, we never ended up using what I pumped, and I nursed her for 2 1/2 years:) I found one that I like so I am just watching it right now--I will let you know if I win it. I am going to put a big 'ol pot of decaf on and get a big glass of juice and start in my housework and laundry while everyone is away at my dad's----You all have a glorious and wonderful safe and warm Saturday. xoxoxxo

It is Friday

My husband is on his way home. This weekend will consist of shopping, laundry, a birthday party, Tony's Choice of a restaurant on Sunday,---(That is the night he picked for his Birthday dinner--Works for us) and church.

I was not able to do my grocery shopping--Kevin usually tells me what my budget is and I go from there----or I pretend I know, and I go shopping anyway--but with being room mom today, and I still have to go pick up a gift for my nephew for his birthday tomorrow, I was thinking of just waiting until Monday--where I can take my time and not rush through it. I got all the sale papers, and I want certain things from each store. Don't forget to buy Corned beef for St. Patricks Day----

After school today, I did take Alexis to McDonald's to play in the play land--we had gone to the park all week so this was something different--I got a salad for 1.00 and she got a fish sandwich--fun, fun, fun:)

Well, I have some things to do--I will be back probably tomorrow with a more interesting post--but for now Have a wonderful Evening xoxoxox

Pictures and other Fun Stuff

Happy Thursday


First off, I want to say I so enjoyed all the comments in my last post--about buggies and carts, and pop and sodas--they were so much fun to read. I also want to say, it was so nice to see some new visiters here too--I am going to stop by all your blogs today, if I haven't already been there yet--I will:) I get so excited meeting new people, especially women who are likeminded like myself--YAY!!!

Second here is a a few pictures of my recipe notebook---I really need to get a second binder--unless I can find an even bigger three ring binder, that would work too. My recipe binder, needs a little attention--but for now it works-----this is the front cover--which also changes--->
Dividers-->
When I find a neat recipe in a magazine that I want to try I rip it out and put it in my binder in plastic--doesn't this dessert look wonderful for 4th of July?---> I also print out recipes that I see on the foodnetwork-->
This is my ranch Dressing recipe that I am always talkning about---> It was given to me on the Kitchen Frugality board years ago----> (click to enlarge)


Okay on to something else. Here in California, we have to have 3 trash cans---black is for trash, brown is for recyclables, green is for shrubbery, leaves, grass, etc...
Isn't this lovely? This is in between my house and the neighbors---my neighbor planted those flowers and I think they look so pretty-->
Flowers are blooming everywhere-->
Okay, I need some help here. My daughter went to a farm for a field trip and she planted some radishes in this container. As you can see, they are starting to grow---I have no idea what to do now--do I leave them in this container? Do I plant them outside? I have never planted radishes before. HELP!!!
These are my birdies---Sunshine and Sky. They sing all day---It is so funny to see Sunshine walk around the house---I then grab him and kiss, kiss his head...(LOL)

This is around my neighborhood--> It was overcast when I took this picture, but if you look you can kind of see the blue of the ocean in the back----Do you see it--I need to take a better picture, when it isn't so over cast-->

I am on my way somewhere in the car--->

Do you see that bird on the light pole--he is singing so loud (LOL)
I love these signs posted everwhere--->

Okay, well thanks for looking at all the pictures.

My list of to do's
My bathroom rugs are in the wash

a load of whites are in the dryer
All trash has been taken out of all the cans in all bathrooms

Floors need to be mopped
Today is clean out fridge and get it ready for my shopping day tomorrow:)
Make list of groceries
I took Chicken out of the freezer---I have not decided just yet what I am going to do with it----Chicken and Dumplings? Baked Chicken? Grilled--hmmm, I will figure it out.

Last night, I ended up making Hamburger Gravy with the ground beef, and I made rice---so you can put the Hamburger Gravy over the rice, Burnt brussel sprouts, salad-->Dinner was good.

I hope you all have a glorious and blessed day xoxoxo

Chatter

What do you call this thing?

I know what I call it----and since I am married to a southern man, and lived in Georgia, I have heard it called a few different things. When Kevin and I went to the grocery store for the very first time, he said "Let me get a Buggy" I thought to myself--what in the world is a buggy---a buggy to me is a stroller, you know the thing you put a baby in--oops. Then he brought over a CART--(LOL) I said "Kevin, those are Carts" --he still calls them buggy's and I still smile when he does:)

What do you call them?

And Pizza, I call a pizza, a pizza---Kevin has referred to a pizza as a pie--also--in California we *turn off the lights* in Georgia, we *Cut off the lights*.....

Okay, I just came here to post about I am getting ready to do a big shopping day, and I am going to take some pictures for a fun picture post. I love pictures in posts and I also love to look back at my entries and see pictures of what was going on at that time. Like my tummy pictures--I used to not like my tummy pics taken but now, I so enjoy looking at pictures when I was pg with Tony and Alexis and glad I have the pictures.

To answer Amy's question about living in Georgia--Last year I lived in Marietta, Cobb County. We lived in a really nice area, our home was surrounded by trees and more trees---

When we lived in Georgia in 2000, we lived in Canton--Cherokee county--we lived in the middle of no where, and I loved it!!!! You had to drive to your neighbors home (LOL) Here in Cali, I can look out my window into my neighbors house---oops:)

You all have a blessed Wednesday, I will be back soon. xoxox

Ground beef is thawing for dinner--I have not decided on what I am going to create for dinner--but I will post when I do

Feels Like Summer--

It has been about 80 degrees the last couple of days----So pretty. I am really itching for a sun tan----but I will wait until the baby is born. I was room mom today, and then after school, we had a playdate at the park above the school==we stayed until it was time to pick up Tony. I meant to bring my camera, but I forgot--oops---next time.

I have been asked some questions so I will try and answer them.

I have had a few questions about where I live:
First, I live in San Clemente, California--I have lived here most of my life---except for a few trips to Georgia. I lived in Georgia in 2000-2001 and then from 2005-2006--My husband had gotten a promotion all times for each move, but he has promised me this is where will stay. I have to say, I adore Georgia and was very sad to leave, but I did not realize how much of a Cali girl I really am until I came back. I learned how to surf when I was 25, it was on my list of things to do. San Clemente is a little beach town----It is an hour from LA and hour from San Diego--I am smack dab in the middle of those cities. I grew up going to the beach, and I absolutely love the beach. I do miss the Thunderstorms in Georgia--but there is nothing better then getting your shoulders kissed by the sun while on the pier watching the waves and the young surfers riding those waves. Watching young children make sand castles and there big eyes when a wave comes crashing to the shore------the sun on the water is so breathtaking--God is good:)

I have had a few questions about my age, and when I was first married and when I had my first baby----
I am 36 years old, I will be 37 in July---I was married very young at 19, I had Tony when I was 21.

I had Alexis when I was 30 just about to turn 31.

I bet you are so ready to meet your baby boy, too, isn't it exciting?! Have you picked out a name, yet?

We are leaning towards the name Connor--but we are stuck on the middle name.

Hi Julieann!!!Did you make your aprons?? Or purchase them?
All aprons I have shown pictures of, I bought--BUT I am determined to make one soon:)

And oh my, it was 86 degrees last Saturday where you live? Wow, how hot does it actually get in the summer then?
It gets pretty hot here in Southern California, but since I live near the beach it never gets unbearable---there is always a nice ocean breeze--you drive an hour away from here to my fathers and then you have the dry heat and it gets in the 100's--yucky.

What are Butter beans?
Butter beans are white beans, like northern beans, I think they are also called Lima beans--but I think Lima beans are Green where as these are white--and oh so good--like butter:)

Noodle and Garlic recipe? This is something I grew up on--very simple--I just make spaghetti noodles, drain them---then in a pan I heat just a few tablespoons of oil with some minced garlic---saute just a bit--tun off heat-- add the noodles to the oil and garlic, mix--add some parsley and Parmesan cheese---that is it. I am sorry I do not have any measurements---but it really is good:)

Okay, I hope I answered everyones questions about this and that--that was fun..(LOL)

For dinner tonight, I am going to grill some pork strips---leftover noodles--salad with my homemade ranch Dressing--homemade dinner rolls---

You all have a wonderful day xoxoxox

A Special Day:)

Happy Birthday Tony!!!

Wow, it is Monday--Yay---

It is my son's 15th birthday--I can not believe it:) I was almost 2 weeks overdue, I was in labor for 36 hours----after all that I had an emergency C-section--When I awoke I was handed the most sweetest little baby boy--almost 9 pounds and a head full of blond hair. Happy Birthday Tony!!! What a happy day that was--I can still remember it like it was yesterday. Since his birthday is today, we will be celebrating it over the coming weekend--I asked Tony what day and he said he would like it on Sunday. He wants to go to his favorite restaurant and we have a few gifts for him too:) He did not want a big party this year, just family.

When I was at church yesterday, the pastor said something that keeps swirling around in my head--he said that sin is short term pleasure with long term pain--I knew sin was bad, but I never thought of it in such a simple way----he also said that sin is usually something fun because if it wasn't, none of us would be tempted.

I have a full week of things I want to get accomplished--it seems that next month is coming really quick, and I want everything ready and organized before baby gets here---I can not believe I can say, next month (giggle)

I was doing some research on the Internet and found this site called, Heart4Home--and came across this on the site:

A B C's of Being a Help Meet
And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him. Genesis 2:18

Admit when you are wrong
Be positive
Cuddle
Do it his way
Encourage him
Fix his breakfast
Give back rubs
Hug often
"I love you" should be said many times daily
Joke around in a playful manner
Know his needs
Listen to him
Manage your home well
Never hold grudges
Open your eyes in the morning and smile
Pray for him
Quit nagging him
Reminisce about good times
Show respect and honor
Trust, and earn his trust
Understand his need for reverence
Vulnerability is a feminine trait; cultivate it
Wink at him!
X is for private times
Yearn to please him
Zealously guard him with your love

Let's do some ABC's With our husband today:) I don't think I have ever winked at him (LOL) Have you?

Tonight's Dinner Is what Tony has requested:

Homemade Buffalo Hot Wings (With Franks sauce only)
Celery and carrots
Salad
Noodles with oil and Garlic

Happy March and Tummy Picture

Happy MarchI was busy yesterday changing my calendars and updating important dates--and I got all my birthday cards out for that month. I was looking on the internet and found this site--it has the cutest free printable calendars too---> HERE

Here is my latest Tummy Picture--I can't believe I am getting even bigger then the last picture. I had a Doctor's appointment on Tuesday and my Doctor Guesstimated that the baby is about 4 pounds already--I know he is going to be the biggest out of the three. I passed my Glucose--YAY!! I can not wait--I am so excited.
Today is Pajama day at school, Alexis is very excited for this---When I was taking Tony to school--you could see all the older kids walking to school in pajamas--I am sure people who don't have children at this school, what they must think..(LOL)

Today To Do's
It is Friday, I am so happy
Make Homemade Rolls
Laundry
Detail master bedroom

Vacuum

Toilets
Sanitize entire Kitchen
Check out Prairie Homemaker---they always have a deep cleaning thread starting on Friday through the weekend--I love going through that thread and getting even more ideas.

Monday is my son's Birthday--he will be 15--I can not believe it--15. He did not want a big party, but he does want to go to a nice restaurant, so I am not sure if we will go Sunday or Monday.

Menus:
Wednesday
Honey-Mustard Baked Chicken
Steamed Rice
Butter beans

Salad with all the fixings and a side of avocado

Thursday:

Homemade Chicken Enchiladas
Salad

Friday:
Spaghetti and Meatballs
Rolls
Salad

P.S Thank you all for looking at my Notebook Part 1 and Part 2 post--I had a lot of fun making those posts:)

Notebook--PART 2

You have already seen the front--I just want to add, I think it is more fun to make your own cover then to print one out--I do print out covers sometimes, when something really strikes me, but i really like my homemade one too:) Inside front pocket--Cards, stickers, misc things
Front pouch--pens, highlighter, stamps, etc. Lined paper that behind that--that is a must in any notebook.
To be a Good Wife Paper
Proverbs 31
Divider for Addresses and Phone-->

Printable address list that I got form Organized Home.com
Calendar Divider-->
I have a calendar printed out for each month--I do them in pencil for easy correction--and plus, I like writing in pencil (lol)
Kitchen and Grocery Divider-->
I printed out this neat kitchen list from Large Family Logistics--> I love there site:)

Another kind of Grocery list
Everyday Bargain lists-->
Daily/ Weekly Cleaning Divider--->
Daily schedule---this is not a strict schedule---but I do like making lists.

Checklist reminders, courtesy of Fly Lady

I have daily/weekly/monthly printouts--->

Cleaning the kitchen list--> You never know what you might miss. I got this from a Virtuous Woman.
Cleaning Zones Dividers-->


These cleaning Zones are courtesy of Fly Lady--->

Fall/Spring Deep Cleaning Divider--->
The spring list I got from a Virtuous Woman
The Fall list I got from a Mom's Online website, that no longer exists though:(
Routine Examples--->


Routine Examples are courtesy of Fly Lady--->

Notebook Ideas Divider-->
Courtesy of Fly lady and several other interesting websites
Health divider-->
This is just a checklist of things to do to be healthy

A list for helping your metabolism---> I also have sheets on diet, and fats, healthy eating, etc.

Misc. Printout Divider-->An assortment of wonderful printoutsI use all of these things--I make several copies from my copier machine and have back ups behind them.Back notebook pocket--> Letter stickersBack cover----> Courtesy of my daughter:)




Okay, now I want to say--I couldn't take pictures of everything, but I think you can get a nice idea of my notebook. This is my notebook and it works for me--I am a list maker and love finding new and valuable printouts to add to my book. I am always updating and playing with it. I did realize my husband even paid attention to it, until one day I saw him writing down a new address for me in my address section<---Bless his heart:) If you are interested in starting one, just start simple and add what feels comfortable to you and what you like to do. If you have any questions about anything I have in my notebook, just ask, I will be happy to answer any questions or let you know where I got a certain printout.

The End: xoxox