Tales From the Eurovan

Sometime

2010-02-16T10:58:00.000-08:00

I talk about a whole host of things on my blog (when I'm blogging which may not be too regular!) ranging in topic from my husband to my kids to trips and where we live. I talk about being a Christian and that I love God. I just want it to be clear, in case it hasn't been, about what I believe and I wanted to commit it to paper.

I believe in God and that He created the world.
I believe He sent His son Jesus, born from the virgin Mary, into the world to save us.
I believe Jesus lived and breathed and walked this earth and led a perfect life. I believe He died on a cross and then rose again 3 days later. I believe He is the savior of the world, not just a good or great man. I believe He is the only way to receive Salvation.
I believe in Heaven and Hell.
I believe that Salvation is the act of repenting and believing and accepting God's son.
I believe the Bible is God's holy word. And I believe it to be truth.
I believe that Jesus will return some day, sometime and gather those to Him who have believed in Him.
I believe that the Holy Spirit lives in believers even though I don't understand exactly how that works, or how the trinity works for that matter. But it doesn't make me believe any less.
I believe I am forgiven.
I believe I am to tell others.

I don't know what you believe or where you are in your life. I don't know what you think will happen to you when you die. But I want you to know as simply as possible that there is a God and He loves you. Your life is worth living.

Take care,
Julie

There's something so very terribly wrong about this picture

2010-01-11T00:10:00.000-08:00

We came upon this rest area somewhere on our recent trip to Iowa. I'm not exactly sure where we were...Oklahoma? Kansas? Missouri? It really doesn't matter, the point is these were the only available toilets to use at this rest stop! Are they serious?! Do you see the snow?! Who in their right mind would want to do their business while outside in the freezing weather?! Oh my word! Needless to say, I skipped this stop. But my husband? He didn't care. A little old thing like a port a potty didn't stop him from doing what he needed to do. :)

Take care and Happy Monday!
Julie

Math student of the day

2010-01-08T00:01:00.000-08:00

On Tuesday I spent the day observing in each of my kids classes. This is something the school requires each semester but even if they didn't I would sit in their room anyway. Observing your kid in class gives you such an insiders view into how they spend the majority of their day. I've learned a lot when I've sat in their classes.

I got to Ellie's class in time for Math. Since I was there, Ellie was chosen to be the Math student of the day. (this means they get to lead the class in various math related activities like the calendar, weather, time, counting, etc.) I immediately got my camera out to start snapping pictures of her shining in Math. After I took this picture of her she gave me "the look" and mouthed "No!" to me! :) I had to laugh since it's classic Ellie, not wanting any attention drawn to her no matter what.

Have a happy weekend!

Take care,
Julie

You know that cold I was talking about?

2010-01-07T10:58:00.001-08:00

When we left Iowa Saturday morning this was the temperature outside...-22! By the time we got home to Texas on Sunday it was 58 out and it felt like a heatwave!

What's the weather like where you live?

Happy 2010! (Better late than never)

2010-01-07T10:47:00.000-08:00

Hey there! Happy New Year!
Last week we were in Iowa with John's family bringing in the New Year. Can you believe all the snow? And don't get me started on the cold! The kids, however, could care less. They had a blast playing with grandma and grandpa and their cousin who's closest to their age.

Hope that 2010 is all you would want it to be. May you find peace, love and joy in all you do throughout the year.

Take care,
Julie

Merry Christmas!

2009-12-25T00:32:00.000-08:00

From our family (including Rosie) to yours, a very Merry Christmas!
Enjoy!
Julie

Luke 2:11: "Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord."

Scenes from Christmas Eve

2009-12-24T18:24:00.000-08:00

Take care,
Julie

Family Night

2009-12-18T00:44:00.000-08:00

Last Friday was the first time in a long time that all of us were home together. We let loose and jammed for about 90 minutes! Jack brought down his amp and microphone and everyone took turns doing karaoke and picking out songs. We listened to Taj Mahal, Johnny Cash, U2, Audio Adrenaline, Super Chick, Black Eyed Peas, Herbie Hancock, Carl Douglas, Cornershop and Dave Boyer. The kids were sweaty from the frenzy they worked themselves into playing air guitar and jumping off the couch. It was what we needed for bonding as a family. The kids have already asked when we can do it again.

I know that weekly family night is a healthly, relationship building event. Whether it's game night, or movie night or open mic, spending time together, everyone, as a family is great. I highly recommend it!

Have a great weekend! We are officially on Christmas break! No school till 2010!
Take care,
Julie

Happy Birthday John!

2009-12-17T00:39:00.000-08:00

Today is my sweet husband's birthday. In honor of him I'd like to take a moment and wish him a very happy birthday. The kids and I are so fortunate to have such a wonderful father and husband who lovingly provides and takes care of us so well. He's my best friend and I would be lost without him.

Happy birthday babe! I love you lots!
Take care,
Julie

The Mud of Japan

2009-12-16T00:33:00.000-08:00

Last spring Pete's Mom's Day Out class held a program. As it was getting closer to the day of the program I would often hear Pete singing some of the songs as he would go about his day. One day I listened carefully and started cracking up once I realized what he was saying. The song he was supposed to be singing went like this:
"There is power, power, wonder working power in the blood of the lamb." He changed it to: "There is power, power, wonder working power in the mud of Japan!" I think I could use some of the mud of Japan! How funny!

The other day the kids sang the song "O come let us adore Him" in their school Christmas program. On Sunday in the car on the way to church Pete sang it like this: "Do not let us annoy Him!" and another time he sang it like: "Do not let us ignore him!"

Love it!
Take care,
Julie

Christmas Recipe

2009-12-15T01:06:00.000-08:00

I don't know about you, but I love to bake desserts and candy, especially during the holidays, if time permits. A few weeks (maybe a month?) ago I bought Martha Stewart's "Holiday Sweets" magazine containing "100 recipes for the season". There is some great stuff in those pages! Cookies, cakes, pies and candy. If you haven't bought a copy and you love desserts (what woman doesn't?) go out and buy a copy. I'm sure you can find some if not all of the recipes online as well at www.marthastewart.com . Here's one recipe I can't wait to try:

Pecan-Sour Cream Pralines:
(page 79)
2 tbl unsalted butter
1/2 cup plus 2 tbl granulated sugar
1/2 cup plus 2 tbl packed dark-brown sugar
1/2 tsp coarse salt
1/4 cup plus 2 tbl sour cream
1 tbl bourbon
1 1/2 tsps pure vanilla extract
1 1/3 cups pecans (about 5 ounces), toasted

1. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Melt butter in medium saucepan over low heat. Stir in both sugars, salt, and sour cream. Raise heat to medium-low, and cook, whisking frequently, until sugar has dissolved. Raise heat to medium-high. Cook, stirring frequently and scraping sides of pan with a heatproof flexible spatula, until mixture reaches 240 degrees (soft-ball stage) on a candy thermometer, 10 to 15 minutes.

2. Remove from heat. Carefully stir in bourbon and vanilla (mixture will spatter). Let cool, without stirring, 2 minutes. Add pecans, and beat vigorously with a spoon until slightly opaque but still creamy, about 2 minutes.

3. Drop spoonfuls onto prepared sheet. (If mixture in pan begins to harden, stir in 1 tsp hot water, as often as needed; if it becomes runny, stir until firm.) Let stand until set, about 30 minutes. Pralines can be stored up to 3 days, between layers of parchment, at room temperature in airtight containers.

Enjoy!
Julie

Dad of the day, Christmas program and the ballet

2009-12-14T12:51:00.001-08:00

Hey there!
Lots going on around our home, although I'm sure it is like that everywhere. (on a side note...I accidentally wrote "lost" instead of lots a minute ago and that reminds me...I saw my first preview for "LOST" last night. You know the one with Willie Nelson singing "Amazing Grace"? Is it technically a preview if they don't pre view any of the upcoming season? It really doesn't matter to me. I'm just excited to know when it will be on!)

Last week found us at school for the kids Christmas program. Pete was a cute thief. Ellie was an adorable Christmas tree and Jack was a great looking present. The show was fun and the kids did a good job. The school was also hosting an auction for a fundraiser. Jack won the chance to follow his P.E. teacher around for the day. Nothing could have made him happier!

Friday found Ellie and I at the "Nutcracker" ballet. I must add that thankfully it was a condensed version of the ballet. Did any of you think of soup when you saw the word condensed? I did. Maybe I'm just getting hungry. Anyway, the ballet was fun and the kids were very well behaved.

Friday also found John at school in Ellie's class as the dad of the day. He came in and talked to the kids about being an ER doctor. The kids were hilarious with their comments. Somehow the phrase, "an apple a day keeps the doctor away" came up and the kids thought it would be funny to change it to things like "1,000 apples a day keeps the doctor away 1000 days" and stuff like that. You would have thought it was the funniest thing ever. John gave each of the kids a tongue depressor so they could pretend to be a doctor and check each other's throats. Fortunately no one threw up their lunch from sticking a tongue depressor too far down their throat!

That's all for now! More to come!
Take care,
Julie

2 Christmas Traditions

2009-12-09T09:07:00.000-08:00

The holidays are a great time to introduce family traditions. One tradition we started at our house involves Christmas books. At the end of the season when I'm packing up all our Christmas stuff, I find all our Christmas books. I wrap them in left over Christmas paper and pack them away in a box. At Christmas time the next year I pull out the box and put all the wrapped books around the Christmas tree. Each day for the month of December the kids each take a turn picking a book for the day. They open the book and then we read it together or the older kids who can read will read it to us. It's so much fun when we're getting out the Christmas decorations to see a whole box of wrapped books! We have no idea which books are where (a year is a great thing when it comes to forgetting!) and it's exciting for the kids to open up a book. I might get a new book through the season and wrap it as well. This is an inexpensive way to fill your tree with gifts you already have and provide specific reading time at night!

Another tradition at our house involves the Advent Calendar. (On a side note... has anyone else noticed these are getting harder and harder to find each year? Please tell me stores aren't doing away with the calendars!) I probably have almost 10 advent calendars from the past 10 years. We save them and use them each year. The kids enjoy each picking their own calendar for the month. Each morning before school (if there's time) they'll open up their day and read it to us. If it's too chaotic in the morning, and it frequently is, we'll read it at night.

I know we have lots more traditions than just those two...decorating the tree, making and decorating cookies, gift for their classmates that we make, watching certain Christmas specials, etc. but these are two I really enjoy.

Take care,
Julie

It's Christmas! I've got a lot of catching up to do!

2009-12-08T07:34:00.000-08:00

I knew there had to be something to pull me out of my blogging absence. Don't get me wrong, I love blogs. I love to read blogs and I do , daily. It's just that I've had trouble keeping up with my blog. I guess I just haven't figured out the balance of 3 kids, husband, house, school stuff, activities and how to blog consistently. So I haven't. That's me...all or nothing. But Christmas? That's something different entirely. I love Christmas. Love the decorating, love the shopping, love the wrapping of gifts, love the music and I love all the TV specials I get to sit back and watch with the kids. Ultimatly, that's what did it. I want to write about the season and our lives and that is what I plan to do. I guess I'm not sure how to capture the last 7 months into words, so I won't. I'll just pick up where we are today.

It's a List:

1. We got our tree on Thanksgiving day. I would have gotten it sooner, but it's south Texas and we do a real tree so that means waiting til there out. I don't want to brag but I think this is our best.tree.ever. Why? It's huge and fresh and from Oregon. What more could you ask for? The man who sold us this tree was the owner of the tree farm in Oregon. It took him 21 days to travel from Oregon to Texas and get settled and set up for the season. He was so kind and even though he technically wasn't opening until Black Friday he met our pleas of "Can we buy our tree today?" with a gentle smile.

2. Thursday night our kids have their Christmas program at school. I need to go out and finish getting the items needed for their costumes. Pete's preschool class is dressing up as theives. (I know...what kind of Xmas program involves theives? Ours I guess) He has to dress up in all black with a bandana across his face with holes cut out for eyes. Should be amusing. Ellie's class is Xmas trees. They're wearing green t's all decorated. Jack's class is presents and they're wearing big bags to look like presents.

3. I was in a craft store the other day, unfortunately, trying to find items I need for ornaments the kids want to make to give to their classes. (I'm sure I looked completely overwhelmed because I was...the bright lights, shelves overflowing with "stuff", etc!) I happened to see some stuff for scrapbooking and the thought that came to me was...if you take the s away from scrapbooking you're left with crapbooking and I started to giggle and it's all I could think about for the rest of the day! No offense intended for those of you who love to scrapbook. I don't.

4. I was at Target the other day and they have the cutest Christmas pillows. One pillow is red with the word "joy" across it and the other one was light green with mittens. They were even on sale. I love Target. Speaking of which, they are the only store I know that sells the seasonal collection of fresh vanilla trashbags by GLAD. Have you seen these? I picked up 4 boxes and may go get more. They smell so good. Check them out.

5. Strange things happen whenever I go away and leave the kids with John. A couple of weeks ago I went to San Antonio with a friend. We went shopping, got massages, ate great food and spent the night at La Cantera Resort. It was perfect, except for the fact that lightning, yes, lightning struck our yard and knocked out our power. What are the odds of that?

6. Next week I'm getting braces. I don't have a lot to say about it except that not very many 38year old women have braces. I'm ok with it though. I'll have them on for about 12-14 months. Maybe I'll post pictures next week. I'm using it as an excuse to revert back to jr. high behavior. Hence, my fascination with...

7. The Twilight Series. Yes, I am and I'm admitting it. I've read the first three books and saw the movie "Twilight" (I rented it on DVD) and I've seen "New Moon". Oh my word..."Eclipse" was great. I read it like a crazy woman just to see what would happen. I have "Breaking Dawn" and I can't wait to read it either. It's fun though. See, my older sister is into them as well so I'm sending her the books when I'm done and then we read and talk about them! Hopefully we'll be in Ohio when the movie comes out so we can go see it together just like all the other teenage girls!

8. On Sunday our pastor preached an incredible message from Isaiah 11:6-9 about Jesus our Prince of peace. His main points were that Christ brings peace to all creation, peace from the ancient curse and peace on earth. It was such a timely message and reminded me that even though terrible things may be going on around us, all is not lost. We have hope. And today? Jesus is my peace from my past...my words and actions that I regret but have been forgiven from. He's my peace in the present when I'm surrounded by crises and disturbances and He will be my peace for the unforseen future. It's a comfort I can't afford to be without.

That's it for now. I want to post about Christmas traditions, recipes and music later on! It feels great to be back writing!

Take care,

Julie

My Spring Break Break

2009-03-18T10:33:00.001-07:00

Hey there!

So I noticed it's been two weeks since I last posted. My oh my time flies when you're living life and tired at night and having a hard time fitting in any writing. I will be back at some point here once spring break is over and my husband is back from the Dominican Republic.

Take care,
Julie

LOST

2009-03-04T19:07:00.000-08:00

Spoiler Alert: If you haven't watched Wednesday's episode of LOST, don't read any further.

Is three years long enough to forget someone?
Absolutely NOT!

Just curious, hypothetically speaking, if someone watches LOST with a notebook and pen and takes lots of notes furiously does that mean they are a bit obsessed or just trying to stay on track and not get any more confused than necessary?!

All this three years earlier and three years later has my head hurting.

Here's what we can conclude. When Locke time traveled off the island he caused Sawyer, Juliette, Jin, Miles and Daniel to stop time traveling leaving them stuck in the 70's. We find out that they end up being able to stay on the island and become a part of the Dharma initiative since Sawyer saved one of the Dharma's, named Amy, from the Others.

We also learn that in the 70's women can have babies. Oh yeah, and by the way, Juliette and Sawyer have hooked up.

Oh my.

Sawyer, Sawyer, Sawyer. He had some of the best lines tonight.
"Zip it"
"Until Dan checks in"
"Thanks anyway Plato"
"Jins a nice guy and all but he's not a hell of a great conversationalist"
And now apparently Sawyer has stepped up into the leader role we all knew he was very capable of doing.

What an ending to tonights episode, no matter how predictible it was. We now have Jack, Hurley and Kate reuniting with the group and by the looks of next week's episode it looks like Sayid and Sun are soon on their way to catch up with everyone. Speaking of looks, how about Sawyer's long look at Kate?

Questions:
Amy's baby...a boy...hmm...what does that mean?
We've seen Horace before. How does he die?
Now we can make sense of the episode where we saw Daniel working in the Dharma initiative. How do they (Jin, Juliette, Daniel, Sawyer and Miles) end up being able to stay on the island with the Dharma group?

I can't wait for the next episode in two weeks! Any one know why we aren't getting a new episode next week?

Take care,
Julie

The Perm

2009-03-03T19:20:00.000-08:00

One day in 7th grade I told my mom I wanted to get a perm. I had thought about it a lot and decided what my short, naturally wavy hair needed was the work of a perm. I envisioned the perm giving me perfect ringlets of curls surrounding my head. The kind of curls that would bounce when I walked. My mom said ok to the idea and a plan was set in motion. Around my house getting a perm meant two things:

1. The perm would be purchased over the counter at the grocery.

2. My grandma would be the designated perm giver. She owned the rollers necessary for a perm and she had a tall, sit under hair dryer. Pinkish, if I remember correctly and I loved drying my hair under that dryer. I would sit on my knees in a chair until my head was completely encased in the dryer, inches away from the heat that would blow through.

Will you humor me here for just a moment before I finish the story? I need to get something off my chest. Please hear me out. Are there any parents out there? Any parents of a girl or girls out there? Any parents of a girl or girls who think it's unnecessary to spend "large" sums of money on hair cuts, perms and salon stuff? Listen to me carefully...for the sake of all things good and noble in parenting take your daughter(s) to a professional every time she needs or wants something done to her hair. Just because her bangs only need a trim and "it's only bangs" is no excuse to tape her bangs to her forehead and trim them leaving one side inches shorter than the other because your daughter has a widow's peak and you are not a professional. Don't take your daughter to a barber, yes you read that right, a barber, to get her hair cut even if it's cheap and the barber is a girl. Just don't do it. And don't think that saving money by doing a perm yourself is a good idea. Ever. Trust me, it isn't and it never will be. I don't care if you are a follower of Dave Ramsey and he suggests that this is an area you can save money in. He's a guy and I believe he's bald. Just start saving your money now. Your daughter will thank you someday! :)

Moving on now...the designated perm Saturday arrived and I found myself at grandma's house with a head full of rollers and a nose full of toxic chemicals, eagerly anticipating a head full of curls. Soon enough it was time to take out the rollers and rinse my hair in the sink. I remember seeing a fair amount of hair in the sink but I figured it must be normal.

It wasn't until my hair was dried and combed (and majorly frizzy) that I realized to my horror that on the top of my head I was missing rows of hair! Every other roller of hair on the top of my head was GONE!

Just let that sink in for a minute: 12 1/2 year old 7th grade girl and bald patches on head.

It was not a pretty sight. I cried and cried and begged my parents to let me stay home from school forever. Needless to say my grandma felt horrible. Apparently the rollers on the top of my head were rolled too tight and the chemicals just killed my hair causing the hair to fall out.

I'd love to show you a picture of me and my stubbly hair. Actually, I take that back. I don't want to show you a picture of me and my stubbly hair. Truth be told, I'm not sure any picture of me and my stubbly hair exists. They may or may not have been destroyed.

I somehow survived. I think I managed to tease and stretch the hair I did have over the stubble on my head making it less visible to everyone. Whoever said, "That which doesn't break us makes us stronger." obviously never had a perm.

Take care,
Julie

It's Story Time

2009-03-01T19:44:00.000-08:00

I've decided to spend some time here on the blog telling stories from my life. Stories that have been floating in my head for awhile. They seem to me like the kind of stories you tell when you're out with your friends. Maybe new friends, the ones who haven't heard every detail of your life. They casually mention some random comment and instantly a memory comes flooding to your mind and next thing you know you're telling them the story about your first crush or when you stopped believing in Santa or how angry you were at your best friend when you were six and she scuffed up your brand new white tennis shoes. Those kinds of stories. I hope you enjoy them or that they give you something to think about.

In 9th grade my best friend at the time, Jackie, talked me into trying out for the gymnastic team. This was quite the accomplishment on her part considering I get dizzy doing a somersault and can't even begin to do a cartwheel. Nevertheless, youthful optimism prevailed and off we went to the tryouts.

Once there we were met by the girls who were already on the team. I guess these were the girls who were on the last years team and therefore were already through and didn't need tryouts. We spent a few minutes doing stretches and then it was time to get down to the serious part- the actual tryouts. Our first tryout task was to run down the lane as fast as we could, jump on the springboard and flip over the vault. Why that didn't have me running for the door? I'll never know. It didn't even cross my mind at that moment that I would have any difficulty completing the task. For whatever reason I stayed, completely unfazed by the reality of the situation...I was doomed. One by one I watched the girls who were already on the team demonstrate how to do this task. I remember being in absolute awe as they seemed to literally float in the air over the vault.

Then it was time for those of us trying out. It wasn't until it was my turn that I became even slightly concerned that this might be difficult for me. I remember in my mind somehow realizing there was no way I could accomplish this, yet my heart kept believing in the impossible.

So I went for it. I took off running down the lane and as I approached the springboard I remember throwing up a last ditch prayer to God. Something like, "Lord, let me fly!" I don't know what exactly I was hoping would happen at that moment. Maybe I figured the hand of God could reach through the roof and float me over the vault or at the very least loan me a pair of wings so I could fly over. Whatever I was hoping for, it didn't happen.

I reached the spring board and froze. By that point it was too late, my body could not stop. Apparently my body hit the vault and fell over in a painful slow motion kind of maneuver. I say "apparently" because I have no recollection of that moment. I remember finding myself flat on my back on the other side of the vault, unaware what had just occured. I knew pretty quickly it was not pretty because all the girls were around me and no one was laughing. Everyone seemed very concerned as to whether or not I was ok. I stood up, hobbled over to the side of the room insisting I was fine. Needless to say, I didn't make the team.

I think back on that story now and I just have to laugh at it. What was I thinking? Chalk it up to youthful optimism or ignorance, either way it's funny.

Take care,
Julie

One of Those Days

2009-02-24T00:55:00.000-08:00

I'm writing this at 1pm on Monday afternoon and I just got showered and dressed. I spent the entire morning in my pj's and it was great. Pete, my youngest, and I spent the morning playing a Spongebob game, watching TV and hanging out together. I did get 5 loads of laundry folded, made a couple of phone calls, wrote a grocery list and fixed our dinner for tonight, which is quite a lot for a "hanging out" day. Isn't it funny that as moms we can do 10 things in a few hours and consider it a chilling out day?

What about you? Do you ever stay in your pj's all morning? (or all day) What do you consider a relaxing yet productive day?

Take care,
Julie

You Win Some, You Lose Some

2009-02-23T10:49:00.000-08:00

I guess I ended up be right about 50% last night with my Oscar predictions.
1. Best picture: Slumdog Millionaire
2. Best actor: Sean Penn (I thought Mickey Rourke would win)
3. Best actress: Kate Winslet
4. Best supporting actor: Heath Ledger (Anyone else choke back tears when his family accepted his award?)
5. Best supporting actress: Penelope Cruz (I wished I had paid better attention in Spanish class in High school. Maybe I could have understood what she was saying)
6. Best Director: I forget his name, but it was the director for "Slumdog Millionaire" and he jumped up and down like tigger in honor of his kids

Did you watch the Oscar's last night? What did you think? I enjoyed the evening. I felt like it went quickly, which is saying something considering it was 3 1/2 hours long. The stage was beautiful, the music and dance great and Hugh Jackman was perfect as the host.

Take care,
Julie

My Oscar Predictions

2009-02-22T15:52:00.000-08:00

I thought I would check in today and post my predictions for a few of the categories for the Oscar's. Yeah, I'm going down hill, first all the LOST posts and a post of quotes from Sandra Bullock in InStyle magazine and now a post about the Oscar's. If I start to blog about fashion, someone please stop me! :) It's just that I love movies and I love the previews so I know if there's a movie I want to see. Time is precious and time away to go on a date to a movie is priceless. I don't want to waste it on a movie that's bad!

Here goes:

1. Best Picture: "Slumdog Millionaire" (Have you seen this? Oh my word! It is incredible)
2. Best actor: Mickey Rourke in the "Wrestler" (Another good one, although my husband owes me several chick flicks! )
3. Best actress: (do they say actress now or is it actor?!) I'm going with Kate Winslet. I haven't seen "The Reader" though or for that matter I haven't seen any of the movies for the best actress category.
4. Best supporting actor: Heath Ledger in "the Dark Knight". I think this is a no-brainer.
5. Best supporting actress: Marisa Tomei in "The Wrestler".
6. Best Animated Movie: "Kung Fu Panda" I could watch this with the kids over and over. Wait, I have watched it over and over! :)

I think best director will go to the "Slumdog Millionaire". I think the make up is a toss up between "Dark Knight" and "The curious case of Benjamin Button". After that, I don't have any predictions.

What about you? Any guesses?
Take care,
Julie

Off the Charts episode of LOST

2009-02-18T19:37:00.000-08:00

I am so in awe of tonight's episode of LOST that I hardly know where to begin! This was by far the best episode of LOST this season and quite possibly ever. What do you think? Best episode ever? If not, which episodes do you think top this?

Spoiler Alert: Don't read if you haven't watched Wednesday's episode of LOST!

Tonight's episode started out showing Jack in an repeat from episode 1, waking up in the jungle. He hears calls for help, runs through the woods, spots someone in water and does this potential neck breaking dive off a cliff and saves Hurley. What a man! I knew I liked him for a reason and he just reconfirmed my like all over! We quickly see that Kate is in fact on the island and then the screen flashes "46 hours earlier" and suddenly we are back in L.A. with Eloise Hawking and Ben, Jack, Desmond and Sun.

Eloise enlightened us with the concept that there were "pockets of magnetic energy" that enabled the island to be found to begin with and then she proceeds to tell us how the previous Dharma folks found the island once they shifted their thinking and began looking for where the island was going to be, not where it was. We learned that Jack was wasting his time in season 3 when he spent all that time flying Oceanic Air trying to crash.(season 3 season finale when we see our first flash forward with Jack and Kate and he tells he how he spends his weekends flying and hoping to crash on the island) What he needed was Eloise and her pendelum so she could help him and the others find their "window of opportunity" that would provide a route back to the island. Who knew it was so simple?!

After Desmond gives his great "You say the islands not done with me? Well I'm done with it!" speech, we find out that Jack and the others have 36 hours to get on a flight from L.A. to Guam if they want to have any chance of getting back to the island.

Can I just summarize here a bit? We find that to make this work the rescued Oceanic Six need to recreate as much of the original flight details as possible. We find out that Locke committed suicide. His death was a substitute for Jack's dad. Jack is to give Locke something of his dad's. We meet Jack's grandpa. He has a pair of Jack's dad's shoes. Jack takes them and ends up putting them on Lockes dead feet in the casket after Ben was beat up by "someone" and asked Jack to pick up Lockes body at the butcher shop.

Speaking of the shoes, when Jack stopped by his house before leaving and he heard a noise and went to check it out I was thinking the whole time, "Grab one of the shoes it will make a good weapon if you need to hurt someone!" Turns out it was Kate who doesn't want to talk about Aaron EVER AGAIN but she does want to make out with Jack and then some. (I'm printing it here tonight...my sister thinks that Kate killed Aaron and I think she's on to something)

Fast forward to the airplane and low and behold it's a reunion of sorts...THEY ARE ALL GOING BACK! Did anyone else feel a little giddy at how it all came together? I mean we knew it would all come together, we just didn't know how.

Favorite quotes from tonight?
1. On the plane Jack says to Ben,"How can you read?" Ben says, "My mother taught me."
2. Jack, "What is going to happen?"
Ben, "Why don't you tell me. You're then one that got to stay after school with Eloise Hawking"

What about Locke's letter: "Jack I wish you had believed me. JL " Any thoughts?
Then, flashing light and presto Jack, Hurley and Kate are on the island!

Who shows up but Jin, in the Dharma van in a Dharma outfit and points his gun at them. What is up with that?

How did Sayied end up in hand cuffs and how did he end up on the plane? What about Hurley? How did he decide to get on the plane?

Let me know your thoughts!
Take care,
Julie

Parenting Moment #100

2009-02-16T00:21:00.000-08:00

The other day Pete and I ran into the grocery to pick up a couple of things he needed for school. As we were going into the store an older man with a rather large belly was coming out. My son looked at the man, looked at me and then said in a loud voice as he pointed at the man with the large belly, "Mommy, does that man have a baby in his belly? Can boys have babies?"

I said a quick prayer for the ground to swallow me whole and when that didn't happen I pushed Pete in the shopping cart away from the big bellied man as fast as possible. I told Pete that "No, he doesn't have a baby in his belly. Boys don't have babies, just girls. That's how God made it. " Then I thought of the story of the girl who had a change to become a boy but kept her girl parts and just had a baby. (Do you all know the story I'm talking about?) But that's another conversation entirely. One that I don't plan on having for a very long time.

Happy Monday!

Take care,
Julie

PS Today marks my 100th post! Wow! Can you believe it? I didn't realize it until now. Sorry I don't have anything special planned or a give away! You're just stuck with me and my writing! :)

Couple of Quotes

2009-02-13T00:16:00.000-08:00

I was reading the March 2009 issue of InStyle magazine on Thursday and I came upon a couple of quotes from Sandra Bullock that I really liked. I could probably go off on a couple of tangents here before the quotes and talk about InStyle magazine (which I do enjoy to read) or Sandra Bullock (who happens to be one of my favorite actresses. "Hope Floats" anyone? or "Miss Congeniality" or how about "While you were sleeping"? Love them.), but it's late and I am tired so here are the quotes. Maybe someday I'll come back and talk about them more. Maybe, but more than likely I won't. Just being honest!

"My challenge is letting love in, because when someone loves you the right way, it's big."

and

"I don't want to have self-doubt. Gnawing things: 'If I were just...' 'Shut up! Stop complaining and look at what you have.'" (InStyle, March 2009 edition pages 302 and 305)

Good stuff to think about. Happy Friday.
Take care,
Julie

LOST

2009-02-11T19:17:00.000-08:00

Spoiler Alert: If you haven't watched tonight's episode, do not read the following! Go watch LOST then please come back and post any comments you have.

Alrighty then...is it just me or do you slightly get the sense of some resolution going on? I do. It feels ever so slightly that we are beginning to get more answers to our questions. Things are slowly starting to come together.

Let me just get the gross out of the way.
1. Charlotte's death. Maybe it's just me but I thought it was down right creepy. However, it did answer what we all suspected, and that's that Charlotte had been on the island before. Any guesses if her mom and or dad will be revealed? Or if their identity is important?

2. The french guy losing his arm to the smoke monster. Yuck! I had to take a close look to be sure that yes, that really was his ARM that was pulled off! Now though, we know how Danielle ended up alone on the island. Anyone hoping we get a flash back showing how Ben kidnapped Alex from Danielle? I am.

3. Locke's broken leg. Ewwww! The bone was popping out! Oh my! Now we know how he exited the island. What's Jack's dads connection to this? Why was he there? My sister's theory is that Jack's dad could be Jacob. I think she may be on to something. Any thoughts?

Other Information Revealed tonight:
Surprise surprise! Eloise Hawking IS Daniel Faraday's mom. I'm happy to say I floated that theory before tonight! (only after I read other people's thoughts that Ellie could be Eloise and then I put two and two together! :)

Questions:
1. What did you make of Charlotte saying when she grew up on the island as a kid that there was a "crazy man" who she was afraid of and that he told her to never come back to the island or she would die and the kicker was she thought the crazy man was Daniel? Thoughts anyone?

2. What is Jack's dads connection to this all?

3. Will Desmond go back to the island?

How about next week's preview! Man it looks good! Could they really be coming together to go back as soon as next week?! That's all I have for now. Let me know any thoughts, comments or questions you have, I love reading them!

Take care,
Julie

Thank You God

2009-02-08T18:55:00.000-08:00

Do you ever have moments or times in your life when you feel overwhelmed and overworked and worn out and in desperate need of a break and you start to question who you are and what life is about only to have God step in and reveal himself in some way that is undeniable?

I have. It happened tonight.

Background: January was a rough month. John worked a lot, was gone a lot and a lot of the parenting responsibility fell on me. Add to that all my normal demands and it started to wear me out. I needed breaks, more breaks, but our babysitting situation has been dismal. We have one babysitter the kids love, but she doesn't drive and she lives in town. So I would drive in 30min to pick her up, drive back 30 minutes to our house to drop her off, drive back into town for our date, drive back out to the island to pick up our babysitter, drive back into town to take her home and then drive back home.

How fun is that? Talk about exhausting. I'm worn out just writing about it. But I haven't had anyone I know who could babysit that lives nearby.

Until tonight.

Our next door neighbors are several college kids. One of the guys has a girlfriend who spends time out here. She literally knocked on my door tonight wondering if my husband and I ever needed a babysitter. She said she's thought about it for a while but just never got around to coming over to ask.

I could have hugged her on the spot and started sobbing.

Yes, yes we could use a babysitter. One that drives. One that is next door. One that is an education major.

We talked for awhile. I got her number and school schedule and her work schedule. Times are tough now, for college kids too. She's going to school full time and working to make ends meet.

She is an answer to prayer and God knew that tonight at this very time I needed him to show up in a real and tangible way. So he sent a babysitter to my door.

Thank you God.

I need to go. I'm going to go check my calendar now for available date nights! :)

Take care,
Julie

Oh my goodness, what an episode of LOST!

2009-02-04T19:14:00.000-08:00

Spoiler Alert: If you haven't watched Wednesday's episode of LOST, go watch it and then come back and leave your comments!

I just have one thing to say about tonight's episode: JIN'S ALIVE!!!!! So somehow he lived through the freighter explosion, floated out in the ocean far enough to get caught in the time travel zone and he is alive and time traveling like the rest! Talk about giving Sun a reason to get back to the island! Did you catch the preview for next week with Ben telling Sun that Jin is alive and he can prove it? Wow!

I guess I do have more than one thing to say about tonight's episode, it's just that Jin was the one I just had to write about first! :)

Favorite quotes of the night? Sawyers,
1. "Time travels a b#t$h!"
2. "Thank you Lord!" when they time travel right at the time they are being shot at
3. "I take it back!" after they time travel and end up in the pouring rain.

Speaking of Sawyer...did you see the googly eyes he and Juliet are starting to make at each other? I'm betting there's a hook up between those two sometime in the near future, emphasis on near not future!

Who's the creepy lawyer representing Claire's mom and Ben?

I loved Hurley's phone call to Jack telling him he followed Sayied's advice and is safe and sound locked up in jail.

Other favorite quotes:
1. Kate's "I've always been with you" spoken to Jack on the boat after they were rescued
2. Juliet's "Really bad jet lag doesn't make you hemorrage" after Charlotte is unconscious on the beach.
3. Locke's foreshadowing with "I have to make them come back even if it kills me" Ooooh, gives me chills! :)

I believe Daniel's comments to Miles about the nosebleeds occuring on those who have been on the island the longest points to the fact that Miles has been on the island previously and I still believe Miles dad is the guy in the Dharma video.

Finally, what's with Sayied and tranquilizer darts?

What did you think of tonights episode? Let me know.
Take care,
Julie

Sleep, sleep why are you eluding me?

2009-02-03T00:01:00.000-08:00

On Monday I could barely stay awake while I watched an episode of "Wow Wow Wubbzy" with my four year old. For the past 6 nights in a row I have been startled awake from a deep sleep by:
a. my daughter who was scared because it was too windy outside
b. our dog who for some unknown reason started barking hysterically in the middle of the night
c. my husband getting home late from work
d. my youngest son who was scared because it was too dark in his room
e. habit...I've been awake in the middle of the night for enough nights now that my body is getting used to it.

I think it is killing me. Sunday morning I found myself watching the Australian Open live at 4am because I was so mad at being woken up that I couldn't begin to fall asleep.

What is going on in my house? Is everyone conspiring to wake me up in the night just so I can fall off the deep end?! :) I don't know about you, but not only do I want 8 hours of sleep each night, I NEED 8 hours of sleep at night so I can function. Not just function, but be productive and not snap at everyone around me or threaten to take the dog away to some nice farm far, far away. (Do you know how scarey it is to be startled out of a deep slumber by a barking dog?) Sleep for me is not a luxury, it's a necessity.

The way I figure it I've missed about three hours of sleep for the past 6 nights which means that in order for me to make up the lost sleep, I would need to stay in bed an extra 18 hours.

We all know that's not going to happen.

It feels like when my kids were babies and I'd go to bed wondering what the night would be like and just praying I could get 4 hours of sleep before getting up.

I know that "this too shall pass". I just hope I don't pass out before all is said and done.
Take care,
Julie

Who Needs the Superbowl when you can watch the Puppybowl?

2009-02-02T00:42:00.000-08:00

Our kids love "Animal Planet". Let me rephrase that, our daughter loves "Animal Planet" and her brothers have no choice but to watch all manner of animal shows when it's her turn to control the remote. Last week she saw an commercial for the "Puppybowl" telling how it would be airing on the "Animal Planet" all afternoon the day of the Superbowl and during the Superbowl.

She's been reminding us for days that it's coming up.

Guess what we had on our TV Sunday evening?

"Puppybowl".

Hours and hours of it. We watched the kittens play, all sorts of puppies and highlights from past Puppybowls.

The kids loved it.

Yes, we do have another TV, but we were watching a replay of the amazing, incredible Australian Open between Federer and Nadal on that TV.

We did manage to catch a bit of the halftime show and my husband watched the end of the game after the kids went to bed.

Just so you know, we did eat chips and queso like all good Texans while watching the "Puppybowl", if that counts for anything.

Friday's Favorites: Cupcakes

2009-01-30T00:43:00.000-08:00

I love desserts. You name it, I like it. Cakes, pies, cookies, bars, ice cream and anything chocolate. I grew up learning how to make all sorts of delicious desserts my mom, aunt and grandma would make. I could probably make chocolate chip cookies from memory by the age of 12. One of my favorite memories as a child involved the ritual of making cupcakes for my birthday. Each year I would request cupcakes, chocolate mostly, to take in to school for birthday treats. I would help my mom mix up the batter and I can still remember her pouring some of the batter into a cupcake liner for me to eat. The other day I was at Barnes and Noble and saw the February edition of Martha Stewart Living and it caught my eye because there on the front cover in the shape of a heart were the most delicious looking cupcakes.

I bought the magazine immediately.

I have been reading through it and have been amazed at some of the recipes it contains. Things like peanut butter cupcakes with peanut butter frosting and jelly. Have you ever heard of that? It sounds incredible! or Brownie heart cupcakes...brownie batter baked in cupcake liners that look like cupcakes with cut out brownie hearts on top of a buttercream icing. Wow!

So, I thought that for today's Friday's favorites I would share two of my favorite recipes I found in the magazine. In case you already have the February 2009 copy, you can find the recipes on page 148. If you don't own this copy, you may just want to run out and get yourself a copy!

YELLOW BUTTER CUPCAKES
(makes 36)
3 cups cake flour (not self-rising), sifted
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons coarse salt
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
9 ounces unsalted butter, softened
2 1/4 cups sugar
5 large eggs plus 3 large yolks, room temperature
2 cups buttermilk, room temperature
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line standard muffin tins with paper liners. Whisk dry ingredients in a large bowl. Cream butter and sugar with a mixer until light and fluffy. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating after each addition.
2. Reduce speed to low. Mix any remaining wet ingredients in a bowl if needed. Add dry ingredients to butter mixture in 3 additions, alternating with wet ingredients and ending with dry. Scrape sides of bowl. Divide batter among muffin cups, filling each 2/3 full.
3. Bake cupcakes until testers inserted into centers come out clean, about 20 minutes. Let cool in tins on wire racks. Cupcakes will keep, covered, for up to 3 days, unless otherwise noted.

ONE-BOWL CHOCOLATE CUPCAKES
(makes 18)
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs
3/4 cup warm water
3/4 cup buttermilk
3 tablespoons safflower oil
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line standard muffin tins with paper liners. Sift cocoa powder, flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt into a large bowl. Add eggs, warm water, buttermilk, oil, and vanilla, and mix until smooth.
2. Divide batter among muffin cups, filling each 2/3 full. Bake until tops spring back when touched, about 20 minutes. Transfer cupcakes to wire racks, and let cool. Cupcakes will keep, covered, for up to 3 days.

BASIC BUTTERCREAM
(makes about 4 cups)
12 ounces (3 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
1 pound confectioners' sugar, sifted
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Beat butter with a mixer on medium-high speed until pale and creamy, about 2 minutes. Reduce speed to medium. Add sugar, 1/2 cup at a time, beating after each addition, about 5 minutes. (after every 2 additions, increase speed to high, and beat for 10 seconds, then reduce speed to medium-high). Add vanilla, and beat until buttercream is smooth. Use immediately, or cover and refrigerate for up to 3 days. (bring to room temperature, and beat on low speed until smooth before using.)

Happy cupcake eating! Have a great Friday! See you all on Monday!
Take care,
Julie

Lost recap

2009-01-29T00:23:00.000-08:00

If you didn't get to watch Lost last night, look away! But please come back and share your thoughts once you have, ok?

I must say I'm having a hard time coming up with coherent sentences because I can't get over how dashingly handsome Desmond looked tonight! The jacket! The scarf! The sunglasses! Oh my! And how sweet was it that Desmond and Penny named their little guy Charlie?!

So, Whidmore was an Other back in the 50's....hmmm...so many questions...how did he get off the island, why did he leave the island, why does he want to control the island? Which leads me to Faraday:

Why did Whidmore fund his research for 10 years? What's the connection between Whidmore and Faraday's mother? Could Penny and Faraday have the same mother? Who is Teresa and how did she end up in a vegetative state?

Great episode. I think I need some more time to process it. I'll watch it again next week and hopefully it will be a pop up version. I've actually grown to like the pop up version. They were a bit annoying at first, now I find they are quite helpful.

Can't wait for next week. What about you? Favorite moment or line or question or thoughts?
Take care,
Julie

Just a Friendly Reminder

2009-01-28T00:24:00.000-08:00

Just wanted to remind you that LOST is on tonight at 9/8pm central. Not that you would forget or anything..... and yes, you can expect a recap post on Thursday!

Take care,
Julie

Too Much

2009-01-27T02:46:00.000-08:00

Sometimes I get so overwhelmed by the love God has for me that I just can't stand it. It's too much and too good. Like I just want to push away from it because sometimes I just don't know how to handle it. And I'm not sure you ever do, know how to handle it that is. I think God's love is supposed to come in and just bowl me over and leave me feeling overwhelmed, a bit scared by the hugeness of it and grateful. At least that's the way I felt today.

Take care,
Julie

Halitosis

2009-01-26T00:32:00.000-08:00

I was cleaning out one of my purses this weekend and came across a slip of paper where I had written a "poem". I use the word poem loosely since I'm not sure that this technically applies. I wrote it over the summer during a church service and I remember I had to stifle my giggles since I thought it was hilarious! (I know what you're thinking, "Why was she writing poems during church?"...my mind just kind of wanders at times, all times, and sometimes I just have to get my thoughts down on paper, regardless of where I am or what it is I am writing!)
Let me know what you think!

"Halitosis"
"Dude, your breath is killing me!" she spoke sharply
as he whispered softly the words, "I love you"
in her ear.

Happy Monday!
Take care,
Julie

Friday's Favorites: Silence

2009-01-23T00:55:00.000-08:00

I know, I know, I wrote "Friday's Favorites" yet only named one thing in the title. I just wanted to be consistent with the title I've been using in the past and I figured it would be okay since this weeks favorite is truly worthy of its own title! (if you are new to my Friday's Favorites posts you can read about it here)

Yesterday was one of those rare days where I had the entire house to myself. All the kids were at school (my youngest goes two days a week), my husband was gone and lo and behold I wasn't signed up to do anything at the school like lunch duty or help with a bulletin board.

These days are rare and I love them. When they do occur I usually choose to spend the entire day at home, which I know may sound rather odd considering I am a stay-at-home mom and by definition means part of what I do is spend time at home. The difference, however, between the two is huge.

It's called silence.

I can be at home alone and get completely lost in my thoughts or blog or read the newspaper or take a nap without any interruptions or noise. I'm not barraged with demands for food or games or missing shoes or lost toys or any of the other millions of requests the kids make when they are at home.

Days like this give me the sanity boost I need to make it through the other days of endless noise. We all know you can't put a price tag on that. What about you? Any favorite things you like to do when you have some time alone? Let me know. I'd love to read about them.
Take care,
Julie

It's all LOST

2009-01-22T08:11:00.000-08:00

Spoiler Alert: Alright people this post is all LOST, so if you are one of those who were unable to watch last night, consider yourselves warned!

Where do I even begin?

Let's talk about Hurley since he had me rolling with laughter!
1. How about his yellow "I heart shih tzu's" t-shirt? Too funny.
2. Favorite quote of his to Sayid: "Maybe if you ate more comfort food you wouldn't have to go around killing people!"
3. Loved the coversation between Hurley and his dad about Sayid:
Hurley, "he was shot with a dart."
His dad, "Where were you, the zoo?"

Let's talk about Jack and Ben:
1. Since when does Ben care enough about Jack to help get him sober by flushing his pills down the toilet? Loved Jack's response, "Yeah, I was just going to to that."

Questions:
1. Who was Jill (from the barber shop)?
2. Is Miles dad the guy in the Dharma initiative videos?
3. What's up with Charlotte? Is she pregnant? Or is she going to die just like the guy on the boat who we saw when Desmond met him on the freighter? Remember him? He went crazy and then died.
4. Is Daniel Faraday's mom the lady with the white hair we saw Ben talking to?
5. What is the significance of the 70 hours Ben has to get everyone to the island?
6. When we saw Daniel Faraday down in the orchid station, when was that? Was it during his two hours he was gone getting his backpack or was it some other time entirely?
7. Are the people left on the island representing some sort of hell? And, will Locke be their "Messiah" since he was told he would have to die in order to save the island and get Jack and the others to come back?

Let me just say, I am so happy to have LOST back. I can't wait to see how this will all play out. I read somewhere that last night was the last time we will see Jack's yucky beard! I also read that next week's show I believe does not include any of the oceanic 6.

What about you? Favorite moments or quotes or thoughts? I'd love to hear them!
Take care,
Julie

Not that I am excited or anything

2009-01-21T01:36:00.000-08:00

It's finally here. After 8 long, agonizing months the day is here. I have been counting down for awhile.

To say I am excited would be slightly understating things.

LOST premieres tonight 7pm CST!

I just might have to update and countdown throughout the day as it gets closer! Anyone else eagerly awaiting tonight like me? My husband said to me the other day as I was talking about LOST, "You sound a little addicted to the show!"

Spoken like a true non-LOST fan.
Somethings just can't be understood by another!

Take care,
Julie

School Lunches

2009-01-20T01:13:00.000-08:00

I mentioned the other day that I am reading Anne Lamott's "Bird by bird: Some instructions on writing and life". (In case you have never read it, I will say it again, this is a great book...go read it if you have not!) In the book she talks about her writing classes. She tells how inevitably after she's given a writing assignment to her class they come to her in a panic-unable to write. She tells them to take a minute, switch gears and start writing about the school lunches they ate as kids. She goes more in depth about what that exercise uncovers, things like where you went to school, when you were in school and what you ate. The point was that after the students took a break and started writing about lunches,(something so universal) it removed much of the stress and made it easier to go back to the writing assignment. But it made me think about school lunches when I was a kid.

When I think about school lunches, the first thing I remember is a girl in my second grade class, named Edie. One day during lunch she threw up on the table and the vomit ended up looking exactly like a pyramid. Why that's the first memory I have about school lunches after 30 years is beyond me. I am sure it probably has some sort of significance. Either that, or I am just weird. More than likely, it is the latter.

I loved school lunches. Macaroni and cheese and the Friday pizza with its mystery gray meat I am assuming was supposed to be sausage were my favorites. Oh yeah, and don't let us forget the chocolate milk, nothing quite like it.

Fast forward 20 years to my first year teaching 6th grade here in Texas. (we lived here for one year back in the late 90's then moved away and came back to Texas 3 years ago) Thursday was enchilida day at my school and it was just a known fact that our school had the best enchilidas. I kid you not, I looked forward each week to Enchilida Thursday partly because it was one day out of the week I didn't have to pack a lunch, but mostly because I couldn't wait to eat the school lunch. $1.35- can not be beat.

My favorite packed lunch used to be a scrambled egg sandwich with ketchup on white bread wrapped in foil so it would still be mildly warm at lunch. Wonder what that lunch says about me?! :)

What about you? Any memories of school lunch? What kind of lunch box did you carry? What did you pack in your lunch? I would love to hear.

Take care,
Julie

This is Where I Blame the Treadmill

2009-01-18T06:50:00.000-08:00

Well, uh...hello?
Anyone out there?
I am here.
In case you haven't noticed, I seem to be suffering from a lack of posting this year. Believe me I have had good, no great intentions. Heck, I even wrote in my last post about resolutions and how much I love them (still do), and then I went and disappeared for a while.

I blame it on the treadmill.

On most evenings after getting the kids to bed I would do one of two things; write or watch TV and sometimes I would write and watch TV. Every now and then I might get a burst of energy and do something crazy like pay the bills or pack the kids lunches, you know, wild stuff. But mostly I sat on my rear flipping through the stations and getting caught up on things like "Dog the Bounty Hunter". Important, life changing stuff.

But, then I got this great idea I pitched to my husband at Christmas time. I said, "Love, what do you think about getting a treadmill? I mean think of all the calories I could burn while watching TV. Because, let's get real at this pace we're already acting like old folks and is this the future we want to have for the next 50 years?"

Apparently I am pretty persuasive. My husband agreed and so we bought a treadmill. One I can hook my ipod to and then to top it all off the snowball affect kicked in and we decided that since we were putting the treadmill in the toy room where we had no TV that we should get a TV and if we're going to the trouble of creating a "work out" area then we need a good TV and Hey, why not get a flat screen TV? So, there you have it. We are now the proud owners of a treadmill with a flat screen TV to boot. Now my evenings are spent watching mindless TV while working out on the treadmill. But, let me clarify...not all TV is mindless considering LOST is premiering in 82 hours as I am writing. Can you imagine how many calories I can burn while walking on the treadmill during the 3 hours LOST is on this week? I just may evaporate into thin air at the end of the season.

But all this walking has cut into my writing time. I wish I was coordinated enough to walk and type at the same time, but unfortunately that is just not the case. So, now I am left to resort to writing when I can and so far I am not disciplined enough to get up earlier to write. I could probably try but my posts would more than likely end up consisting of phrases like, "I am sooo tired." and "What do you think we should have for breakfast?" Not very creative.

I will not give up though. I will eventually find my writing groove and get going. I am ever the optimist you know. I have been reading an amazing book, though. One I have had on my "must read" list for a while. It's Anne Lamott's "Bird by bird: Some instructions on writing and life" Have you read it? My, oh my. She's been one of my favorite authors for awhile but now, I like her even more. Her wisdom and wit are it.

The other night I watched the movie, "Lars and the real girl". Anyone out there see it? I loved it and thought it was hilarious. It's along the lines of Juno or Little Miss Sunshine or Napoleon Dynamite, three of my favorites as well.

I am doing the scripture memory challenge from the Living Proof blog. Anyone else? Basically you post a verse you are memorizing on their post on the 1st and 15th of the month. Write your verse down on a spiral and then next year you'll have 24 verses memorized and ready to use. I am excited to do this. I don't know about you but scripture memory and prayer are two areas I tend to always say I am working on. I like this challenge.

Take care,
Julie

Welcome!

2009-01-05T06:55:00.000-08:00

The kids are back at school today, the decorations are almost all put away and I am settling into the new year. I love January! Really I love all the months for different reasons but I am a sucker for the new year and new year's resolutions. I go for it each year. I may not write a list of resolutions, but I have them in my head. My husband on the other hand, doesn't go for the whole resolutions thing. His philosophy is "be consistent throughout the year so drastic measures aren't needed come January." I see the value and truth in that, but it has never stopped me from making a list. More than anything what I like about new year's resolutions is that they give me a chance each year to make a do-over, make some changes...do something different, try something new or make self improvements. I like that. I need that. I don't have to be stuck in a rut or a role forever. I guess more importantly new years resolutions give me hope...I CAN change. So even if I don't lose 20 pounds or learn to speak spanish fluently or travel to Europe in 2009, I can do something...dream. You know what? Surprisingly, little by little those new years resolutions from years past DO get accomplished, maybe just not in the time frame of a year.

What about you? Any new year's resolutions? I would love to hear about them.
Happy New Year!
Take care,
Julie

Happy New Year!

2009-01-01T19:05:00.001-08:00

Hey there!

Just checking in to say "Happy New Year!" I pray that this year will be full of love and hope. May God's blessings be on you and yours this next year. We were gone in Iowa for ten days and just settling back in. I am going to take the weekend and then get going again with blogging. Lots of good stories and pictures to tell and show.

Take care,

Julie

Fudge and a Disclaimer

2008-12-18T00:14:00.000-08:00

On Wednesday afternoon I made fudge for the first time, which considering I grew up in a family of sweet toothes seems almost unbelievable. My aunt had (has) the claim of making the best fudge. I remember going over to her house as a kid and staying up watching late night TV and eating fudge. Really, it doesn't get much better than late night TV and an incredible sugar rush. I'd watch her in the kitchen mixing up all sorts of things and then wait for it to boil, hoping for a taste from the mixing spoon before the fudge was ready. I found a recipe on the back of a container of marshmallow creme recently and used it today and I have burnt lips as proof that some things you never quite outgrow, like licking a spoon of hot fudge from the pan as it comes off the stove. And yes, it was good. Here's the recipe, if you are interested:

Fantastic Fudge: (that's the name the marshmallow creme gave, not me, although it IS fantastic)
2/3 cup margarine
3 cups sugar
2/3 cup evaporated milk
12 oz. semi-sweet chocolate chips
7oz. marshmallow creme
1 tsp. vanilla

Lightly grease a 9x13 pan. In a heavy 3 quart pan, combine margarine, sugar and evaporated milk. Bring mixture to a full boil on medium heat, stirring constantly. continue boiling over medium heat for five minutes of until candy thermometer reaches 234 degrees F, stirring constantly to prevent scorching. Remove from heat and stir in chocolate chips until melted; add remaining ingredients and mix well. Spread into prepared pan and cool at room temperature; cut into squares.
(taken from the back of Hill Country Fare marshmallow creme)

Enjoy making this, it really is simple and tastes great.

Now, as for that disclaimer.....it appears I have been spreading false or inaccurate information on my blog! I know, I know, it seems very difficult to believe and I must say, in my defense, it was done innocently. My mother would like for you to know that, contrary to what I have written, we DID INDEED have a REAL christmas tree for several years until my dad got tired of finding Christmas needles in the carpet in April each year and they went with a fake tree. My older sister also corroborates this story as she definately remembers a real tree and can describe with clarity the green tree holder we used. I stand corrected. This is further proof that not all childhood memories (or lack thereof) can be fully trusted. So, sorry mom, I retract all statements discrediting us having a real christmas tree. Although, I am waiting to see the supposed "pictures" of said real christmas tree...

Have a "fantastic" day.
Take care,
Julie

Happy Birthday Love!

2008-12-17T07:16:00.000-08:00

Today is my sweet husband's birthday. Rather than post today about holiday woes or episodes at the Old Navy parking lot (see previous post if curious) I thought I'd take a moment and send out a special message for my hubby.

If you knew my husband (and some of you do) one of the things you'd pick up on pretty quick is how patient and kind he is, completely even keeled. (definately qualities that come in handy when you are an EM doctor). I've told people many times that if they were a fly on the wall observing our family, they'd see my husband exactly the same in private as he is in public. Me? Not always so. John works hard, plays hard and always makes the kids and I his number one priority. He loves God and genuinely likes others and always tries to do the right thing.
I am a blessed woman to have such an amazing husband and father. I thank God daily for him and don't take what we have for granted.

Happy Birthday Love! You are amazing! I love you.

Take care,
Julie

This will go down as the December I lost it in the Old Navy parking lot

2008-12-15T19:18:00.000-08:00

Let me just preface this story with two bits of background info I feel are relevant to the story:

1. One of my pet peeves involves people who do not place their shopping carts back into the stalls in the parking lots at stores.

2. I live in Corpus Christi. It is a very windy city.

On Sunday I took the kids to Old Navy after church to find a pair of pj's for my daughter since today was "Pajama Day" and she has outgrown all of her pj's. Shopping at the store was fine. The lines were not too terribly long. We were in and out in very little time. We left the store and walked to our car. Since our van was side swiped at the movie theater parking lot over Thanksgiving break I have been parking as far away from the stores and cars as possible. (As a side note: the side swiping story has a very happy ending involving a kind older gentleman who took responsibility for hitting our car and whose insurance is paying to repair our van. It's a long story and maybe I'll post about it another time.)

When I got in our car the closest vehicle to mine was a blue SUV 4 or 5 spaces to my right. There were two younger women who were with the vehicle. The driver got in the car and then the other girl emptied their cart into the back of the SUV and then LEFT HER CART in the empty parking space on the drivers side. I proceeded to begin to back up and as I was their empty cart started rolling directly toward my passenger side of the van, in what felt like slow motion. The empty cart hit my car and I stopped mid backing up. Let me say that at that moment I just jumped out of the car and two things were going through my mind:

1. These ladies are going to get out and apologize for the cart and will put the cart away.

2. The cart has to be moved so I can drive away.

I jumped out of the car, got the cart and headed to the SUV. As I got to the SUV (which was beginning to back up since they SAW THE ENTIRE INCIDENT) I said "Your cart, you need to get your cart, it hit my car." They looked at each other and I have no idea exactly what they said to each other, but the jist of it was...Let's get the heck out of here! They continue to back up and by this time I am standing inches away from the passenger window and I am becoming more and more angry as I realize that they have no intentions of taking responsibility for their actions and are in fact going to leave. So I continue on, this time I am poking at the window while saying, "YOUR CART! YOUR CART HIT MY CAR!!" as I then point from them to my car. The girl in the passenger seat will not even look at me. She just stares straight ahead. I say it again louder, "YOUR CART!! YOUR CART HIT MY CAR!!" The driver then looks at me, gives me a half smirk/half grin and then drives away. I stood there in utter disbelief at such blatant disregard for another human being. I wanted to jump in front of their SUV and put my hands on their hood to stop it or jump on their bumper to try and stop them. I just could not believe it.

Here's my thinking: If you are able to push a cart around a store then surely you are able to take one extra minute and put it away in a cart stall. Down here in Corpus it is so windy that any cart left alone is bound to blow away and more than likely it will blow into someone else's car.

I guess that thing that upset me most was the blatant disregard for someone else's property and the complete lack of accepting responsibility for ones actions.

Now I am left in a quandry: Where exactly is the safest place to park in a parking lot? Any suggestions? Any personal experiences of your own?

After I told my husband about the incident he told me, "Julie, that's how people get killed in parking lots." I guess I never gave it much thought what danger I could have placed myself and my kids in when I got out of the van. I was completely expecting the people to do the right thing, like I would. I have learned my lesson. Next time I will just grab my camera, take pictures of the vehicle as they are leaving and write down their license plate. Hopefully though, there won't be a next time.

I think I am also going to avoid stores on the weekends during the month of December! Hope all is well with you! I will post more "happier" stories later.
Take care,
Julie

Just Checking In

2008-12-08T20:13:00.001-08:00

Hey there! Just wanted to say "Hi!" and apologize for no new post today. These next two weeks have enough activities going on to fill a month! I am working on a couple of new posts and plan to have them up later this week when I am not at a Christmas program, class party or field trip to the Nutcracker, just to name a few of the activities for the week!

Take care,
Julie

"The Best Night Ever!"

2008-12-07T19:25:00.000-08:00

This weekend has been pretty relaxing and just what we needed. Friday night the kids had their best friends come over after school. The girls got busy making Christmas cut out cookies and quickly got covered in flour. The boys, meanwhile, alternated between Wii Mario Super Sluggers and baseball in the backyard. I had book club Friday night and had a great evening. This months book was, "A dog named Christmas". Cute story.

Saturday I woke up with a head cold so the kids and I stayed home all day while John worked. After a week of school the kids love to just hang out at home and it ended up being extremely necessary and fun. We were originally supposed to go to a birthday party, but so much for that.

Sunday we stayed home as well. John had to work and Pete woke up with a cold. After John got home in the afternoon we piled into the car and drove the one mile from our house to the beach. It was so much fun. The sky was a beautiful blue, the waves were crashing and the temperature felt like a spring evening. The kids ran around climbing up and down the sand dunes. Then we drove over five miles down the beach towards the National Seashore in an attempt to get a view of a raging fire that's been burning the past several days in the grassy area. We couldn't get too close but could see the smoke billowing in the sky. Last night we watched from our deck the orange flames in the distance. On our drive back we found these sand dunes back away that were 20-30 feet high. The kids kept running up and down the dunes and rolling down them. Once after Pete came down he yelled, "This is totally awesome!" Jack and Ellie both said it was, "The best night EVER!" I have to agree. We had so much fun yelling and laughing and running in the sand. We finally drove home when it was dark out and we were completely covered in sand. After baths and dinner we spent the rest of the evening playing board games: Guess Who, Candyland and Jr. Monopoly. Who could ask for more? I feel blessed and grateful and don't take for granted for one minute fun family evenings.

Take care,
Julie

Friday's Favorites

2008-12-04T19:34:00.001-08:00

Yes, I am back with Friday's Favorites! If you are new to this you can read about it here.

Last week my husband and I went on a date, a real date that included dinner and live music. Jon McLaughlin was in town and I jumped at the chance to listen to him live. He's on tour to promote his recently released second album. (If you've never heard of him you can check him out at www.myspace.com/jonmclaughlin. Some people know him b/c one of his songs was featured in the movie "Enchanted" and he performed it in the movie as well) His first album, "Indiana" has been on almost constant rotation on my ipod this past year. He is an amazing piano player, but not only that, he managed to make the concert rock while playing the piano along with the rest of the band. He ended the concert with "Industry" and for his encore did "Human" and "Beautiful Disaster" which are all off his first album and were by far my favorite songs, along with "Beating my Heart". He played at a place here in town called Brewster Street which has a restaurant and an outside open patio with picnic tables and a stage. Thinking about this concert made me think of other concerts I have been to, so today's Friday Favorites is a list of some of my all time favorite concerts, in no particular order:

1. Over the Rhine: This was the first date and concert my husband and I went to. Over the Rhine was playing in Cincinnati, Ohio (which is where they are from) at a place called "Sudsy Malone's". Sudsy's was a bar/laundromat and if you brought in a load of laundry to do they would waive the cover charge. I remember the concert was so good and I was in heaven just being there with John, great, great memories.

2. John Prine: I saw John Prine with my husband in Des Moines, Iowa probably 10+ years ago. I remember Todd Snider opened up for him. John Prine is such an amazing story teller through his songs. I remember yelling out "Lake Marie" (which is one of my top 10 songs of all time) after every song and yes, he did do the song and it was just amazing.

3. Nanci Griffith: John and I saw Nanci in Ohio a long ago. I remember this concert as just being fun. I love her voice, love her music and the crowd was into it as well. It was a bit of a smaller venue and it just felt pretty intimate.

4. Counting Crows: I saw them at Polaris in Columbus, Ohio. Polaris is an outdoor place. It was a beautiful night and my sister came with John and I. We were on the grassy area where you just sit down on blankets. I remember two things about this concert, Adam Duritz, the lead singer was just mesmerizing...he did this probably 10 minute version of "Round Here" that was incredible. The second thing I remember is that this couple came around and asked if they could sit on our blanket with us. We said sure, so they sat for awhile and right away it became apparent that they were completely drunk. After a few minutes the girl just leaned over and puked all over the corner of our blanket! They both apologized and then got up to leave. My husband pulled out his swiss army knife, cut off the stinky puke part, threw it away and Voila! we continued to enjoy the rest of the concert!

5. Jars of Clay: This group is one of my favorite bands. I saw them in Iowa last summer. It was an outside concert and it was fun. I saw them last December when they were on their Christmas tour with Third Day. My friend Yvonne and I waited in line to meet them. They were a group of guys that I could picture my husband and I hanging out with and having over to dinner.

Other great concerts...

REM: Saw them in Ames, Iowa and I remember Michael Stipe stood with his back to the audience. I say it was almost the entire concert, my husband says it was not that long. Any way, the concert was good.

Chris Rice: Saw him at a fair and he performed outside. It was a perfect summer night and it was lots of fun!

Chris Tomlin, Jeremy Camp, etc. Lots of great times

Well, that's it for now. What about you? Do you like going to concerts? Any favorites or good memories? Tell me about it, I'd love to hear!

Take care,

Julie

P.S. I asked my husband his favorites and he seconded the Over the Rhine, REM, Jars of Clay and added: Lenny Kravitz, The Rolling Stones, Bare Naked Ladies and the Ichthus festival.

Update

2008-12-04T01:26:00.000-08:00

Just wanted to let you know we are now down to 49 days until the premiere of LOST. Not that I am counting or anything. You can do a google search of "LOST season 5 trailers" and watch several of the new trailers for the upcoming season. Did you read the article last week about which dead LOST characters are coming back this season? Could it be Claire or Charlie or Jack's dad? I don't know and I can't wait to find out. Is there anyone you would like to see come back? Personally, I wouldn't mind to have Charlie back.

Just to let you know....I will be back with Friday's Favorites beginning tomorrow. Hope you can stop by.

Take care,
Julie

December Advent

2008-12-03T00:20:00.000-08:00

Kristin at http://www.wearethatfamily.com/ posted recently about a family advent calendar for December she created full of meaningful and fun activities her family will do during this month. It's a great idea and you can read about it here.

I have adapted it for our family and it has been a lot of fun in the few days we've participated. What about you? Do you have any kind of advent calendar or some other way to count down until Christmas? I would love to hear about it.

Take care,

Julie

My Dilemma

2008-12-02T00:09:00.000-08:00

Around this time of year my husband and I have what can be classified as one of our biggest "discussions" of the year. It's not about money or santa or where to spend the holidays but rather it concerns a somewhat "family tradition".

The Christmas family newsletter.

Do we write it this year or skip? If we've moved during the year or had a baby then yes, which for a while was an every year occurence since we moved and had a new child pretty often. If we are going to do a letter, who is going to write it? My husband says I use too many exclamation marks in my letters! And that I make our letters sound sooooo dramatic! Imagine that!! I say that my husbands version makes us sound dull like we could be a page out of one of his medical journals. (DISCLAIMER: Not all medical journals are dull. Some are in fact rather interesting and gross with their pictures, just ask my kids and myself)

What to do what to do? I don't mind writing the letter, I just don't want to address all the envelopes. Also, since I blog I don't feel the need to condense our last year into a letter. If you want to know about our lives this past year, just read my blog. We may skip the family newsletter this year. I will keep you informed concerning our newsletter dilemma. What about you? Do you write a letter, send cards, email a letter, do nothing or call people? Let me know.
Take care,
Julie

Getting a Christmas Tree, South Texas Style

2008-11-30T20:04:00.000-08:00

When I was a kid my family never had a real Christmas tree. For whatever reason we always had a fake tree. Do not get me wrong, it was still a big deal, to get it out and decorate it, make the paper chains and put on a popcorn and cranberry chain.

When I got married however, I insisted on getting a real Christmas tree, which was fine with my husband since that is what he grew up doing. There is just something about the smell of a real Christmas tree. (I won't bore you with the details of how I ruined our first vacuum cleaner by assuming the needles could easily be swept up. Let's just say I was wrong.)

In Iowa where we lived after we were first married, we went to a Christmas tree farm and cut down our own tree.

In the Bronx we bought a tree from one of the corner lots selling them. Another year we lived in the Bronx, we brought a tree home from Vermont after we had gone skiing. I can't help but rabbit trail for a minute as I remember that trip and tree because of a speeding ticket my husband got in Vermont. It was absolutely crazy. We were driving a Subaru wagon loaded down with skies on top, suitcases inside, our son who was 5 months old at the time and a huge Christmas tree tied to the top of the Subaru. We were not a vision of speed. Yet we were pulled over. I am still convinced it was because of our NY license plates, but that is another story.

When we moved to Ohio we began again the tradition of chopping down our tree at a nearby Christmas farm. It always seemed like it was the coldest day of the year on whatever day we went to get our tree, which is partly why I don't have too many pictures documenting our tree excursions. That and the fact that up until this past summer I have been horrible about taking pictures. It just was not a habit of mine. It would be difficult to get the kids in the same picture or I'd forget our camera completely. It's not just me, my husband is just as bad as I am. My dear friend Yvonne had to take pictures of our son's 7th birthday party last year with her phone and email them to me because we did not bring any kind of camera to the party.

Anyway, moving to Texas has been a big adjustment, particularly around the holidays. For us it means buying a real tree from a corner lot in town, while we are wearing shorts, unless of course we wanted to drive 14 hours to New Mexico. My mind still can't reconcile hearing songs like, "White Christmas" and "The Christmas Song" with the fact that it will be warm and no snow. In fact, on Friday night when we got our tree it was 77 degrees out.

I am looking forward to experiencing some winter weather when we head to Iowa for Christmas. Until then the only cold or snow I am going to experience is in my dreams, or maybe at HEB grocery since I think their thermostat must be set at 42 degrees.

What about you? Real or fake or no Christmas tree? Let me know!

Take care,

Julie

Happy Thanksgiving! Gobble, Gobble!

2008-11-27T06:56:00.000-08:00

I have two jokes for your amusement today, brought to you by our 8 year old son Jack:

1. "What did the bird say when it found a good bargain?"
Cheap! Cheap!

2. "What does the Pasta family say when they go away?"
Pasta la vista!

I think our son has a future in writing jokes, don't you think?!

Moving on in our Thanksgiving entertainment...let me give you some quotes from my husband, as published on the front page of our local paper, concerning potential medical emergencies you might face on this dangerous holiday:*
"Minor burns from cooking the turkey. More serious burns can result from cooking on the stove...." ( Would you care for a side of blisters with your turkey?)
"Abdominal pain, often from overeating, which can mimic symptoms of a heart attack" (Help! I think Uncle Joe ate too much turkey and his gut is going to explode!)
"Football injuries such as sprained ankles..." (Just let the professionals play football, ok?)
"Car accidents injuries..." (Don't eat turkey and drive)

*Everything in "( )" are my quotes, not the newspaper or my husband, just so we are clear!

I think they left out a few things like all the domestic cases that come in from loved ones who never see each other and decide to get together on this day of thanks and let by gones be by gones until someone drinks too much and starts saying ugly things and the fists start swinging!

On a more serious note, I do have many things to be grateful for today and everyday, my faith in God and salvation which gives me hope, my husband and kids who love me faithfully, friends to laugh and spend time with, a place to live, good health and the freedoms we enjoy thanks to those who diligently serve in the military and place their lives in danger on a daily basis so I can go about my daily life with out fear. I am grateful.

Have a great day, just don't eat too much and end up in the emergency room!

Take care,
Julie

Hard to Imagine

2008-11-26T00:44:00.000-08:00

Recently I read a review for the movie "Call + Respond". (you can read the review here)In a nutshell, this movie is a documentary created to highlight the plight of slavery around the world. I was shocked to learn that there are more slaves in the world today than ever before. Check out the review and check out the link to the movie. The preview is pretty disturbing. One of the quotes from the movie that caught my attention was, "Justice is what love looks like in public." Think on that for a while.

This reminds me of a story I read in our local paper recently about a 13 year old girl being stoned to death in Somalia. I looked the story up on Amnesty International. You can read the story here. I am always shocked at the Barbaric ways we decide to execute people, our own country included. What got to me though, was the part about the spectators. 1,000 people watched this poor, helpless child meet her death by means of stoning. The article said that someone who ran to her aid was shot dead. It also stated that nurses were on hand to check her and the first time they checked on her she was still alive so she was placed in a hole in the ground and the stoning continued. This is just heartbreaking.

I am not writing these stories to depress us. It's just that somtimes, often times, I get so caught up in my life that I am unaware of what is happening around the world. Then, when I become aware of all the pain and suffering that is taking place, I feel overwhelmed to know what to do or how. What difference can one person make, right? Wrong. One person can make a difference. How? Start slow. One thing you can do is sponser a child through Compassion International. (http://www.compassion.com/) Compassion International is a christian organization that seeks to provide the basics like health care, education, clothing and food for impoverished children around the world through monthly sponsers like you and me. For $32 a month you and your family can make a difference and give a child hope. Recently a group of bloggers for Compassion took a trip to the Dominican Republic. They were able to see first hand what a difference sponserships are having in the lives of these kids. You can read about their amazing stories here. I may never conquor the world, but I can make a difference, no matter how small it may seem.

Take care,

Julie

I am a DORK!

2008-11-25T00:35:00.000-08:00

A while ago I was talking to my husband about something I read concerning the International Justice Mission and the work they do. In all seriousness my husband said to me, "Do they ever join up with the International Justice League?"

This comment went straight over my head. I looked at him and repeated what he said, only as a question, "The International Justice League?" trying to place who the International Justice League was and what work they do.

"Yeah," he said, "you know Batman, Superman, Wonderwoman...the International Justice League!"

We both started cracking up. It was quite funny.

Yeah, I can be a bit slow like that!

Take care,
Julie

Little bit of this, a little bit of that and some thoughts on Thanksgiving

2008-11-24T08:03:00.000-08:00

Hello there!

Could you give me just a second while I wipe the dust off the keyboard?
Good!
I guess it has been a little while since I last posted. My typing and my brain both feel a bit rusty.
What is new with you? Can you believe Thanksgiving is Thursday?

Here is a random list of things from the last couple of weeks:
1. I was in an accident. I am ok, the other person is ok. The cars? Not quite ok. I backed into someones door while they were in the drive through line at Chick-Fil-A. Did not see them at all. Thankfully it was an incredibly kind and gracious military woman. She was in her uniform and everything. Turns out she grew up about 20 minutes from me. I apologized profusely and made a general fool out of myself about the whole situation. I am thankful no one was hurt and our insurance will take care of it all!

2. I cooked and participated in two of the kids Thanksgiving feasts. Which reminds me...I have always loved Chick-Fil-A, nothing beats their sweet tea and sandwiches. Their coleslaw is tasty too in my opinion. But now I love them even more after they generously donated 200 nuggets for my daughters kindergarten feast. I don't know the exact dollar value of 200 nuggets, but I am pretty sure it is not cheap! Way to go Chick-fil-A.

3. We bought Kung Fu Panda and have watched it approximately 20 times. We also bought Charlie Brown's Christmas and Thanksgiving DVD's too and have watched them about 20 times as well!

4. My younger sister in Ohio gave birth to a little girl on the 10th. My daughter now has a girl cousin to play with and help her fend off all the boys in the family!

5. This week the kids have no school! Yeah! No packing lunches, homework and the kids can stay up later and sleep in later! My in-laws are here which means my husband and I may even get to go out on a date! In fact, tomorrow my husband and I are going to go on a date and out to a Jon McLaughlin concert! Should be fun!

Thoughts on Thanksgiving:
On Sunday our pastor spoke from Psalms 107. He talked about the tough times most have been experiencing lately; economy downturn, devastating affects from hurricane Ike, illnesses in the church family and deaths. He talked about how it came make one want to say "Forget it!" when it comes to Thanksgiving. He posed the questions I am sure lots have been asking lately, Why should I celebrate Thanksgiving and What can I be thankful for? His answer? God's unfailing love. Not matter what has happened and is happening, God's love for us never wavers and if it is all we can be thankful for, it is enough.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Psalms 107:31: "Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men." (NIV)

Take care,
Julie

January 21st, 2009

2008-11-11T00:01:00.000-08:00

Do any of you know the enormous significance of the date, January 21st, 2009? Just in case you have not heard, it is in fact the premiere date for the new season of LOST! Have you put it on your calendar? If not, go do it now. Do not delay. It is that important. We have been anxiously awaiting the news of LOST's return. Rumors of a premiere date floating across the internet can now be put to rest. After waiting and waiting since the end of the season last May, the end is in sight. 73 days to be exact. Not that I am counting or anything, I'm just saying, fans need to be informed.

Oh yeah, did you hear how long the premiere is? THREE hours. Yes, that is correct. 3 hours. One hour to catch everyone up followed by a two hour premiere.

Needless to say I am giddy with excitement. All we have to do is get through Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's. No problem, right?!

Take care,
Julie

You May Want to Do this

2008-11-09T11:31:00.000-08:00

Kate from The Accidental Tourist is hosting The Great Ornament Exchange over at her blog. You have until the 14th of November to register in order to participate. I do not know about you, but I love Christmas and I love ornaments! This is a fun way to interact with other bloggers during the holidays! Once you sign up Kate will email you all the information you need. While you are there, check out her blog. She is a great writer and has one cute little guy, if I do say so myself.

I will hopefully post more this week. Even if I write two posts this week it will be more than I have done the past couple of weeks!

Last week I subbed in my the kindergarten and I am headed there tomorrow also. Thursday night I came home from subbing and promptly went to bed at 9pm. I was so exhausted! My hat is off to working moms who did this every day and take care of their families and keep the home running. You go moms! You deserve a vacation.

Last night my son was invited to a birthday party at the home of one of the boys in his class at school. I have never seen anything quite like it. They had three blow up bouncy toys in the back yard, a snow cone machine, a cotton candy machine, popcorn machine, hot dogs and a full buffet for the parents. They also did a money booth. The kids would go one at a time into this booth full of dollar bills. Someone would turn on a blower and each child would have 10 seconds to grab as many dollars as possible. Jack grabbed $11 and Pete grabbed $8. Who knew we could go to a party and come home with more money than before? Needless to say, the kids had a blast and were very sorry to see the party come to an end.

Hope you have a great week!
Take care,
Julie

More Phenomenons

2008-11-03T09:50:00.000-08:00

A while ago I posted several parenting phenomenons and you all gave me some of your best parenting phenomenons. They were great. Well, the other day I was in the grocery with my youngest when I ran into my fitness instructor. He happens to own the gym as well. Let me give you some background. He's the one who kicked my butt for 4 months while I did his 5am boot camp two to three times a week in getting prepared for the 39 mile Avon walk for breast cancer I did back in April. He also led the evening boot camp I attended in May and the beach boot camp I did in June and July. Then August came and school started and I went on a trip to NYC and blah, blah, blah. The short of it is, I haven't been to any boot camps since July and I have not even stepped a foot into the gym since the end of July. To top it all off, the day I ran into him at the grocery I had not even showered yet, my hair was thrown into a pony tail and my four year old son was eating that dreaded food all personal trainers loathe...a chocolate iced doughnut. I wanted the ground to open up and swallow my entire pathetic self right then and there. He was kind and get a load of this, told me that since I had been such a faithful attendee for all those months I could do November's boot camp for free! I didn't know whether I should hug him or cry. But I am going to take advantage of the generous offer and drag my rear back to boot camp. Forget my pride, I will crawl back in for the free class. All that to lead me to my "phenomenons of life":

1. Why does it always seem like I run into somebody I know on the days when I haven't showered, my hair is a mess and my clothing choices are less than flattering?

2. Why do my best hair days occur when I am at home all day where no one but the dog sees me?

3. It never fails that on the days I get up early, shower and get dressed, the kids will sleep in later than ever.

4. How is it that I can come up with some of the most clever and witty writing when I have no pen, paper or computer around? For example, when I am in the shower and by the time I get out of the shower, poof, the thought is gone.

5. Why do men lose weight so much faster than women? All they practically have to do to lose weight is just decide to lose weight. It is so unfair.

6. Why do tele marketers use a local number when calling to leave some crazy pre recorded message, as if they know I will answer the phone if I see a local number on the caller ID?

Trick or Treating Texas Style

2008-11-01T19:10:00.000-07:00

Here are a few pics from our Halloween here in Texas.

Yes, that is a pony my daughter is on. No, we didn't go door to door for candy on ponies. Instead we went to a festival at a local church in town. It was fun.

(The funny teeth and glasses came home from kindergarten in my daughter's goody bag. They crack us up!)

Where we live there are very few kids and mostly "winter Texans" or retired folks. Which translated means- lots of walking for very little candy!

So, we joined friends and had a great time playing games, eating junk food and the kids getting plenty of candy as well as pony rides. There was one game the kids did that reminded me that all is well in our world when we live somewhere that still participates in a time honored Halloween tradition...bobbing for apples. Honestly, I was surprised to see it. All I could think of was all the germs getting into the water from the hundreds of kids who bobbed for apples and got their spit in their too! But hey, we all need to live a little and risk contracting the flu, right?! My oldest did the bobbing game twice and even said it was his favorite of the night.

Did you all ever play the game as a kid where you tied either an apple or marshmallow to a string, hung it from the ceiling, put your hands behind your back and tried to grab the apple or marshmallow with your teeth? Ahh...good memories.

Hope you all had a great day.

Take care,

Julie

Yikes! That was depressing!

2008-10-29T18:57:00.000-07:00

I know I have been overwhelmed and busy lately. I know I have felt tired lately from everything. I just didn't realize how incredibly depressing I sounded until I read my last post! So sorry about the melancholy writing. Next time, feel free to tell me to get a grip! Hopefully I didn't depress you all away from my blog!

So, here's what's on my mind lately. The last three movies I have seen in the last month are...
1. Beverly Hills Chihuahua
2. High School Musical 3
3. The Secret Life of Bees

I believe they all have something in common. What, you might ask, does a movie about a dog, a musical about teenagers and a coming of age movie have in common?

They all speak to our deepest need in life which is to be loved. Have you seen these movies? And let me just clarify...I have kids. I didn't pick the first two movies. (Although if truth be told I did not mind at all going to see HSM3 and in fact will probably take the kids to see it again) I also found the Beverly Hills Chihuahua surprisingly tolerable. But as I was watching all the movies I couldn't help but think about the message and how it comes across to us. Doesn't everyone want to be loved? And don't we all on some level, whether we admit it or not, want to experience some amazing relationship here on the earth? To be loved completely and accepted unconditionally. To know and be known. To matter to someone. OK, maybe I am being a little dramatic, I think you get the point.

Take Lilly from The Secret Life of Bees. She's a 14 year old girl who through some traumatic circumstances finds herself growing up without her mom and being raised by a drunk and abusive father. They live in the South, it's the early 60's and Lilly runs away with her housekeeper. They end up at a home where the sisters who live there sell honey and Lilly thinks somehow they are connected to her mom. Early on she makes the comment how, she would give anything to be loved. At one point she talks about the void left in her heart by her mom. Basically, she just wants to be loved and feel accepted. (I'm not going to review the movie here, but let me say, I loved it. I'd like to see it again.)

Then there's Troy and Gabriella in HSM3. In love and in high school. Trying to figure out what the future holds. Remember back to your days in HS. It was pretty much the same...sports, good grades, wanting to be in love, wishing for the future, etc.

I guess what I am saying is this, everyone has the need to be loved and the only one who can love us completely is God. Anyone else and anything else just doesn't cut it and never will. It's not supposed to. And if you are anything like me, I am learning this ever so slowly. I find in my own life I usually surrender to God's all enveloping love as a last resort thinking it can not be enough, there must be more or something else.

It is enough, though.

Here's the bottom line. People fail. They disappoint. They hurt us and even wound us deeply. But the truth is they were only meant to be a guide for us. Granted, some have done a much better job at guiding us towards the only one who can completely satisfy than others, but people were never intended to be our all in all. More like the icing on the cake. The extra, the over the top after we are already satisfied. And after the dust settles, at some point we have to take others "off the hook" of unrealistic expectations, unmet needs, etc and see others for who they are...broken individuals like us on the same road to redemption, who are in our lives to teach us lessons about God's love, not to replace the love that only God can give. Once we release others from this impossible task, we are free. Free to see others for who they are and what they have to show us.

Am I saying the movies are wrong? Absolutely not. They're entertainment. They tell stories. They teach life lessons. I just want to keep in my mind that the solutions they offer may not be the right answer and more than likely will never offer me the only thing that can completely satisfy, and that's God. What about you? Do you think this is true? Do you find yourself, like me, searching at times for that next thing that may somehow complete you? Have you found anything that satisfies like Jesus? Do you think He is enough? I would love to discuss this more and hope I am not the only one who struggles with this!

Take care,
Julie

PS...have any of you seen the preview for LOST?! I am so excited and cannot wait for January to come! Yippee!

PSS...Thanks for coming by my blog and always leaving such kind comments for me. It really means alot. :)

"I AM"

2008-10-22T19:18:00.000-07:00

Hey there!

It has been awhile. Somehow life just got a hold of me for the past week and would not let go. I am sure it is no coincidence I have been overwhelmed with "life" lately now that I am working on being intentional.

Anyone else feeling challenged by life lately?

I am so there. Worn out physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.

Sick kids, birthday parties, field trips, friends who have recently lost jobs, illness in the church, friends who have lost a parent, troubled economy, Texans recovering from hurricane Ike, upcoming election. I could go on and on. Heavy issues that drain.

It is tough times for everyone.

This is what I know though and I am placing my hope in this truth.

God is still God. He is on His throne and He is unchanging and unmoveable.

He is "I AM". I will sleep at night clinging to that truth.

Listen to this song by Nichole Nordeman. It is beautiful and I have been listening to it quite a bit recently. It's called, "I Am". Hope you enjoy it.

Let me know how you are doing lately.

Take care,

Julie

Friday's Favorites

2008-10-17T00:32:00.000-07:00

The other day I was ~~praying~~ whining to God about the weather. (Anyone else care to admit, like me, that sometimes your prayers are more like whining than a conversation with God?) I grew up in the Midwest. The Midwest has 4 seasons. All different. I have now lived in South Texas for almost 3 years. The South has pretty much the exact same weather, give or take 20-25 degrees. My mind can not wrap itself around the fact that although the calendar says October, which in my mind equals cool weather, leaves changing, sweaters, fires, etc. the weather here equals summer, as in 92 degree summer weather. In the middle of October. This just doesn't seem right. I was talking to God about this. How I could really use a break from this hot weather. Something, anything a bit cooler. I was starting to get depressed about it. Guess what came through last night? Yes, a Texas kind of cool front. Guess what the high temperature was today? 71 degrees! TWENTY degrees cooler! Noticeably cooler. So much so that as I am writing this I have all the windows open, I'm wearing a fleece and I am playing Christmas music! That's Texas weather for you!

Thank you Lord for loving me enough to listen to my pathetic whining and graciously lavishing South Texas with a break in the weather. You are so kind.

Anyway, for Friday's Favorites I thought I would talk about favorite things about fall. Please feel free to add any you can think of. Thanks for stopping by. Hope you have a wonderful weekend.

1. sweaters
2. fire in the fireplace
3. opening up the windows and airing out the house
4. pumpkins
5. cool temperatures
6. leaves changing
7. hay rides
8. wearing jeans and not roasting
9. reading a book while covered in a blanket
10.flannel pj's

What are your favorite fall thing? Let me know.

Take care,
Julie

He Always Keeps His Promises

2008-10-15T08:35:00.001-07:00

Today as I was pulling into the parking lot at my kids school I was greeted with the rainbow you see in the pictures above.

Isn't it amazing?

What a reminder to me that God always keeps His promises, all of them and because of that I can trust Him 100%. His thoughts are not my thoughts. His timing is not my timing, but "God is not slow in keeping His promises, as some understand slowness.He is patient with you, not wanting any to perish, but everyone to come to repentance."(2 Peter 3:9 NIV)

Sometimes He speaks to me in a still small voice. Other times He shouts out His love for me in big, bold ways. Maybe today, you like me, need to be reminded of Him in an unmistakeable way.

"The Lord is faithful to all His promises and loving toward all He has made." (Psalm 145:13b)

Take care,

Julie

We've Taken This To an Entirely New Level

2008-10-14T00:09:00.000-07:00

Not too long ago my oldest son (he is 8) said to me at the dinner table, "Mom, guess what kind of hat I want."
I replied with the obvious answer (obvious in our house), "An Aggie's hat."
To my surprise he said, "No."
To which I replied, "What kind of hat do you want?"
His answer, "A Longhorn's hat."
Me, in a shocked voice, " A Longhorn's hat?"
"Yes" he replied, "a hat with the Longhorn's upside down and sawed off."

Oh my, oh my! Yes, we have taken this to an entirely new level!

This will not win me the "Mother of the Year" award

2008-10-12T18:54:00.000-07:00

I am embarrassed to write about this story. It shows a side of me which is very real and flawed as a mom, the side you don't want others to see. I mean, don't we all want others to think that somehow we have it all together? We never mess up. We always respond appropriately. You know the part. But it's not reality. The reality is I am flawed and human and mess up and blow it, sometimes more often than not. However, God is so good and He is continually teaching me, albeit through humbling circumstances, what it takes to become more and more like Him which in turn makes me more and more like the mom I am supposed to be. So, there you have it.

On Friday my four year old son Petey and I left home to run a couple of errands before picking up the other kids at school. (Jack and Ellie) He asked if he could bring a DVD to watch in the van and if he could load the DVD himself. I said yes he could, BUT you have to WAIT until mommy turns on the van AND says it's ok (those two points will become critical to the story)

Here's a couple of things you need to know before I proceed with the rest of the story:
1. We ended up buying a new van on Monday. (the van that is talked about up above). A 2005 Nissan Quest which we bought for a great deal. It has very low miles, very well taken care of and it came with a DVD player, which we never had in our VW Eurovan. Having a DVD in the van was like a God send since my family lives in Ohio and my husbands family lives in Iowa. Considering the price of airplane tickets for a family of 5, suffice to say, we drive almost everywhere. "How great that the kids can watch movies on long road trips!" and "This is so awesome!" were two of the most repeated phrases in our house this past week between my husband and I and the kids.

2. Our Volkswagen van, the one for which this post was named after, was still in the shop being repaired. 5 and 1/2 weeks after we dropped it off.

In a nutshell...new (to us) van and new DVD player.

So, I am getting in the van to turn it on, after I clearly told Petey to wait for me and as I am turning on the van I turn around to look at him and I hear him say proudly, "I did it! I put the DVD in!" I look at the DVD player and its saying "No disc" and then it hits me HE PUT THE DVD IN UPSIDE DOWN!! This is the part of the story that gets embarrassing for me to write about because to put it simply, I started going down hill from that point on.

I immediately start pushing the eject button in an attempt to see if the dvd will somehow come out. All the while I begin muttering under my breath, "I cannot believe this is happening! I cannot believe this is happening!" After several futile attempts to remove the dvd, the sad truth sinks in...the van that we've owned for four days now has a dvd stuck in the player rendering it completely useless.

Four days-broken-no dvd player.

I was upset. Mainly, two reasons come to mind.
1. My son disobeyed me
2. We now owned a van with a broken dvd player.
I started saying things to Petey like, "I can't believe you didn't wait for mommy like I told you to" and "Our dvd player is broken now because you didn't obey mommy" and " I am very angry at you now" and "Do you feel bad that our dvd is broken?"

Oh my goodness...I am so embarrassed as I am writing this. How I wish I could take back my words. But I can't and I didn't and I kept up the phrases above for several minutes.

Then, I called my husband because what says "Hey! I'm angry! Let me ruin your day at work honey so you can be mad too!" like a call from your upset wife? I spent a few minutes with him rehashing what had happened making sure I was talking loud enough for my son to hear me just in case he missed the part that I was mad at him. My husband listened for a couple of minutes and then responded with, "Well, so much for that. Got to go. More patients to see. Bye" (he's an EM doctor)

By this time I was at the mail store on the island. It's a cute little coffee shop, gift shop and mailing store all in one. I stopped to mail a package and honestly I was still in a huff. Telling Petey to "Come on!" and "Hurry up!" We got into the store, stood in line and it was right there that the Holy Spirit started doing a much needed number on my angry little upset heart. "So, I take it this is how you want me to start treating you the next time you sin? Going on and on, letting everyone know how upset you are and beating you over the head with your sin repeatedly?"

Gulp.

In my mind I started thinking "No, no that's not how I want to be treated with my sin. I want to be forgiven and shown some grace." but then I went on "Isn't it ok to be upset? I mean it was brand new?"

"So let me get this straight...what you're saying is you value stuff over people so much so that you're willing to break their spirit to make your point?"

Ouch.

The conviction fell hard.

"Is that what I've done?''
And, yeah, basically I had. Did Petey need reprimanded for disobeying? Yes. Is it good to be responsible and good stewards of our belongings? Yes. But never at the expense of hurting someones spirit and valuing stuff over relationships. I had gone overboard and I needed to make it right with my son and I wanted to. The Holy Spirit had done his job in effectively convicting me and causing me to repent.

I mailed my package and Petey and I headed out the door. I said to him, "Petey, I am so sorry I yelled at you so much about the dvd player. I love you so much more than any silly old dvd player." He looked at me and softly replied, "If a child says they hate their mommy two times will they have to go in their high chair for a time out?"

I just wanted to cry. (side note about the high chair... the high chair is where Pete goes if he gets in trouble and needs a time out. It's a basic, plain plastic IKEA high chair and could probably hold all our kids)

I stopped in my tracks, got down and looked him in the eye and said, "Oh Petey, is that what you feel right now?" He said, "A little." I picked him up and squeezed him tight and said, "I am so sorry Petey. Mommy loves you and I am sorry I used such angry words with you. Will you forgive me?" He put his arms tight around my neck and said, "Yes. I didn't really hate you either!" I said, " I know, sweetie, you were sad and had hurt feelings." By this time we were to the van and I sat him in his car seat. As I was hooking him in he grabbed me by the neck and pulled me close and said, " I'm never going to let you go!" I hugged him back and said, "Good!"

Ahh, isn't forgiveness a wonderful thing? The freedom that comes from admitting what a mess up you've been and the restoration that follows. It is absolutely worth the humbling and pain. Aren't you glad, like I am, that God doesn't treat us and our sins the way we treat others? He forgives and He brings it up no more. When He convicts us and chastises us it is completely out of love not anger or condemnation. Oh that I would be more and more like him each day. As I am sitting here writing this I can hear my oldest singing the chorus, "His grace is enough. His grace is enough. His grace is enough for me." Yes, it is indeed.

Lord, may I be more of a grace giver than I have been known to do in the past.

We all could use a little more grace in our lives, don't you think?

Oh yeah...here's the amazing follow up to this whole saga. On Saturday my husband went out to the van to see if he could get the dvd out and guess what? Petey had missed the slot altogether and my husband found the dvd wedged on top of the dvd player under the seat. It was never broken!

Take care,
Julie

Friday's Favorite...it's a dump

2008-10-10T00:02:00.000-07:00

*Updated to add: I originally had this written for last week but opted to post something else that was on my heart. Hope you enjoy it one week later.

Hey there!

Did I get your attention with the title for today? Let me do a little explaining. Oh yeah, in case you are new to Friday's Favorites you can read all about it here.

This week's favorite is a recipe for a dump cake. Why, one might ask, would you post a recipe for a dump cake as a favorite?

One simple answer...it saved me this week. Not saved me as in I was dying, but came to my rescue in a time of need.

Let me backtrack a bit. Friday is the end of the first 6 weeks at my kid's school. One of the kindergarten room mothers thought it would be a great thing to do some kind of teacher appreciation event for all the teachers in the school. (thankfully it's not a huge school) It was decided that the Pre-K and Kindergarten wing of the school would provide for a teacher appreciation dessert on Friday. Since I am room mom for my daughter's kindergarten class, the responsibility to find eager parents who wouldn't mind adding one more thing to their already busy plate, fell on me. I sent out an email talking about the dessert and how our class was asked to provide two fruit desserts and paper plates.

You all know where I am going to go with this one. Within minutes I got a response back from a parent wanting to bring the paper plates. I knew it was coming. Who has not been on the other side where a sign up sheet is going around and you think to yourself, "Man, I hope there's something easy I can sign up for like paper products!"? After the sign up for paper plates I had no takers on the fruit desserts. I resigned myself to the fact that I would bring in a dessert. So I sent out a second email later in the week asking for a fruit bowl. I thought that maybe someone would rather run into the HEB grocery and pick up a pre-made fruit bowl instead of whipping up a fruit dessert and that I might get someone's attention.

I was wrong. As I am writing this, I still have no takers which more than likely means I will run to the grocery and pick up one of those convenient pre-made fruit bowls I promoted earlier.

Just to keep things really interesting, I have had a sick child for the past few days which has confined me to the house and left me with a child who fluctuates between being clingy and wanting to play CandyLand after the medicine he's taking kicks in and he feels good.

So, earlier in the week when it became apparent that I would be making a fruit dessert, but before I had a sick child, I had the clever idea of doing a fruit pizza. Sounds good, right? In theory, yes, but with a sick child, a husband working long hours at the hospital and being stuck at home without any of the ingredients and no time to slice a bunch of fruit for a pizza, let's just say, "It's not going to happen!" Plan B then...a dump cake. It fits all the categories I need...it contains fruit, it's easy and I can take sick child to the grocery and buy the ingredients in no time flat.

However, before I went out and bought the ingredients to make a dump cake I needed to check with my good friend, Yvonne, who is the room mom for her daughter's kindergarten class at our school. See, Yvonne's class was assigned to bring a cake for the dessert and I figured since great minds like ours think alike, I should probably check in with her and make sure she wasn't planning on bringing the same thing. Plus, I wanted to get a little go ahead for coming up with such a brilliantly easy solution to the dessert dilemma. After talking to her and finding out that she also had taken creative liberties with her "cake" assignment , deciding to instead bring a cinnamon struessel bread, I got the thumbs up and "dump away" from her.

That, in a nutshell, is why today's Friday's Favorite is a dump cake. It has 4 ingredients, one of which is 2 sticks of butter and I figure what says "Teachers we love and appreciate you and are not trying to clog your arteries and cause you to have a heart attack" like a cake with two sticks of butter.

There you have it, Dump Cake. Here's the very easy recipe.
Enjoy.

Dump Cake:
1 20oz. can of crushed pineapple (do not drain)
1 21oz. can of prepared more fruit cherry-pie filling
1 box of yellow cake mix
2 sticks of butter

1. Dump the fruit in a bowl and stir.
2. Pour into a greased 9x13 pan.
3. Sprinkle the cake mix over the fruit
4. Melt the two sticks of butter.
5. Drizzle butter over the cake mix.
6. Bake at 350 for 45 min. to an hour (May take more or less depending on your oven)

Take care,
Julie

9 on the 9th

2008-10-09T00:49:00.000-07:00

My friend at All That Naz has a monthly meme called "9 on the 9th". I have not always done the best job with this. One time I did, "almost 9 on the 9th" and another time I could not come up with 9 of anything.

Anyway, I am back and participating 100%. Since October is Breast Awareness Month I thought I would come up with 9 things you can do to help find a cure.

1. Get a mammogram. If you have a family history of breast cancer, go get one earlier than is recommended.

2. Do something to raise money for the cure. I did the Avon Walk but there are plenty of others, including Susan G Komen's race for the cure races. (http://www.komen.org/)

3. Give to a charitable cause that supports finding a cure. Susan G Komen's organization has raised millions for research as has the Breast Cancer Research Foundation .

4. Do a monthly self-exam. All the experts agree that early detection is very important.

5. Buy products that support the cure. These days the pink labels are everywhere.

6. Listen to a survivor tell their story.

7. Offer to help someone with breast cancer. Bring a meal, run an errand, clean their house, etc.

8. Wear a pink bracelet to show your support.

9. Talk to your health care provider about your questions, concerns and family history.

What about you all? Any others to add?

I got something in the mail just this week about World Pink and Estee Lauder's involvement in a breast cancer awareness campaign. You can find out about companies that support the cure by going to http://www.elcompanies.com/. Some companies listed on the brochure include: Aveda, Clinique, Estee Lauder, Origins and Prescriptives just to name a few.

If you get a chance, go check out my friend's blog Bubba's Sis click on her pink ribbon link.

Have a great day! You can go find more 9 on the 9th at: All That Naz.

Take care,

Julie

Elizabeth Jane

2008-10-08T00:36:00.000-07:00

I am going to be honest with you all, I always knew I wanted to have a girl, even if I only admitted it to myself.

Why? I am not exactly sure. Maybe it was because I grew up in a family of all girls. Maybe it was that I figured I would stand a better chance of having success in parenting a girl, since I am one and all. Maybe it was so I could buy great girl clothes for her. Or maybe it was because there weren't any girls of either side of our families. Whatever the reason(s), I wanted a girl.

We had an ultrasound early on to confirm the pregnancy. I knew as soon as it would be possible, I wanted to know whether we were having a girl. Partly so I could "plan" but mostly because I was too curious to wait.

When I was far enough for the ultrasound to confirm what we were having, I had the ultrasound done.

"You're having a girl." I was told. I remember asking (more than once) "Are you sure?"

Elizabeth Jane.

Her name was chosen before, long before her. She would be named after my older sister, Elizabeth and my grandma, Mary Jane.

Ellie is what she would be called.

I ended up being induced a few days earlier than my due date. My OB doctor said my fluid looked low and and suggested induction. I felt as if I was ready to burst so it didn't take much to convince me.

She was born right after midnight, a beautiful, peaceful, laid back baby...qualities which haven't changed over the last 6 years.

After she was born the doctor noticed something unusual with my umbilical cord. She had what is called a "true knot" which is a complete knot in her umbilical cord. No one knew how long it had been there, only to say that had she had been born later, her ability to get nutrition through the umbilical cord would have been cut off with potentially fatal results.

Thank you Jesus for bringing our little girl safely into this world. I am grateful.

I love this little girl who is growing up right before my eyes...our animal loving, no training wheels biking, great swimming in the pool, always sharing little girl.

I love you Elizabeth Jane.
Love,
Mommy

Take care,
Julie

And the Winner is...but first a story

2008-10-07T19:47:00.001-07:00

When I was a kid growing up my mom would have my sisters and I draw a number to help determine what order we had to follow for certain chores. For example: When it would be time for us to take a bath we all would say we didn't want to go first or we all would say we wanted to go first and then things like, "Beth got to go first last time" ,or "no, Melissa went first last time!" and on and on and on. So we'd pick a number. Whoever picked number one would go first and so on. Since I don't have a random winner picker gadget, I used my mom's old-fashioned method and my husband picked a number and the winner is...

D at http://www.usogirl.blogspot.com/! Way to go girl! Just email me your address and I will put in the mail the book "Breathe"!

Thanks everyone for your comments! I love reading them all and appreciate everyones kindness and ideas. Blogging is great because of friends like you all!

Wednesday is my daughter's 6th birthday...watch for the post coming up soon!

Take care,

Julie

PS Today is Bubba's Sis's birthday at www.bubbassis.blogspot.com. Go wish her a Happy Birthday if you get a chance! Happy Birthday Bubba's Sis!

Being Intentional

2008-10-06T00:21:00.000-07:00

Intentional: "a plan of action, an aim that guides action, deliberate"
Deliberate: "careful and thorough in deciding or determining"
(Webster's II New Riverside University Dictionary)

My husband has been re-reading Rick Warren's "Purpose Driven Life" and sharing some of the highlights with me. One of the ideas from the book that hit home to me is the principle of doing less in life by focusing on what matters most.

I have found myself thinking about that concept continually over the past few days. What does matter to me and just as important, do my actions reflect what I say is most important. All of this has caused me to think about the idea of being intentional in what I say, do and persue.

I remember when I was back in college and I first met my husband. I wanted him to notice me. I knew his class schedule and worked very hard to coordinate where I was so I could appear to just "happen" to bump into him in between classes. I was intentional in my efforts to see him, get to know him and be around him. This took time and energy.

Last April I participated in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer in Houston (http://www.avonwalk.org/) The walk covered 39 miles in two days in an effort to raise money for breast cancer research and awareness. For three months prior to the walk I got up at 4:30am two days a week and forced my tired body to go to the gym for a boot camp class to help get my body ready for the walk. I was intentional.

But that's just two areas of my life. What about all the other areas? Am I being intentional in my marriage or am I just taking it for granted? What about raising my kids? Am I being intentional in seeing that I am training them in the way they should go? What about my relationship with God? Am I putting the time and energy into deepening my faith and love for God? How about my friendships? Do I prioritize spending time with Godly friends who know me and can help me become a better person?

If I am not being intentional then life just happens and I get caught up in whatever comes along. I need to take the time and give all areas of my life a good long look and ask myself "Is this (whatever the "this" may be) something that is going to help develope my life in some positive way? Is this activity going to further the kingdom of God? Lastly, does this activity bring joy to my life? If there are activities in my life that don't meet these requirements, I need to seriously consider how much time I should invest into that particular activity.

I feel the need to add a disclaimer here...there are activities I do every day that do not meet the criteria above yet I still participate in them because they are a part of what I need to do. For example, I don't always enjoy doing laundry or cleaning the house or packing lunches, yet I do them because I love my family and I want them to be taken care of and feel loved. I guess what I am really thinking about is what or how I choose to spend any free moments I have or activities I feel committed to participating in.

All this leads me to the concept of creating a mission statement for my life. I have never done this before, surprisingly. I guess I have sort of thought of mission statements as something of a glorified New Year's Resolutions list...too lofty and not completely or easily attainable which leads to another area in my life to potentially fail miserably in. I am a dreamer not a planner. I love the idea of being spontaneous versus rigid and scheduled. Yet, being a mother of three kids calls for a certain level of planning and scheduling just so we can function. Maybe that's why I have avoided a mission statement for my life...fear it would just seem so canned, not real. But, as I am getting older I am beginning to see the wisdom and value in them. Having purpose and a clear plan of who I want to be will enable me to sift through the myriad of things that come my way more clearly and help me to make better decisions about how to spend my time.

I love the verses in Jeremiah 17:7-8 that say,
"Blessed are those who trust in the Lord...
They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green and they go right on producing delicious fruit." (NLT)

That's the kind of woman, wife, mom and friend I want to be...one with deep roots.

The more I think about it the more I think I could benefit not only from a personal mission statement, but a family mission statement and a marriage mission statement. I will keep you posted on what I come up with, if anyone is interested. Let me know if you have your own mission statement for yourself or family or marriage. I would love to hear about it.

Also, on that note...I have been reading a good book that is helping me focus on all of this. I like it enough that I bought a copy to give to one of you. It is called "Breathe" by Keri Wyatt Kent. It's about, "creating space for God in a Hectic Life". Good stuff, right?! Just leave a comment for me about anything you do to take time for yourself. I will leave the comments open until Tuesday, October 7th at 9pm (cst) I will randomly pick a winner and post the winner on the 8th. Have fun commenting!

By the way...just a few updates
Yes, the kids are feeling better and headed back to school.
Friday night was girls book club out here on the island. A dozen women sitting around outside on a wonderful evening talking about, "The Shack". Does it get any better? (in case you are new to this blog, let's just say I love the book!) Also, my daughters birthday is coming up on Wednesday so be watching for that! Finally, I should be back to another installment of "Friday's Favorites" on Friday! Have a great week!

Take care,
Julie

I can't think of a title, which goes along nicely with the theme of this post

2008-10-02T16:14:00.000-07:00

Somewhere down this road called mothering I have been walking down for the past eight years, I feel like I have lost something.

Mainly, my mind.

I know it seems funny, but I remember back in college when I used to sit around with others and carry on in-depth conversations about life, faith, the future...basically anything and nothing for hours on end. Convictions were challenged, friendships were solidified and time seemed to never end.

I feel like I have now been reduced to a bunch of short, simple phrases like, "Put your shoes away." or "Do you want fries with that?" or "No." or "Remember your backpack."

How did I end up here so quickly?

Most of the time I am so busy caught up in the busyness of raising three kids that I don't even realize I have spent most of the day on auto.

And then I will catch a glimpse...

Reading a great blog, watching a movie that makes me think or a random conversation with a complete stranger and it comes back, albeit slowly, that part of me that needs to be filled apart from my mothering role.

I try to jump in...adding a comment on a blog I like, joining a book club - good attempts, but going back for a second glance my attempts seem almost humorous. Something I wrote that seemed witty to me at the time seems so embarrassingly lacking or conversations about my opinions seem weak or disappointing, they just don't convey me adequately in that moment. Give me a day to respond or write a comment and maybe I can come up with something better.

Do you ever wish you could get a second chance for people to glance at who you are or that at any moment you could accurately convey your heart, even in the midst of chaos? I know it takes time and being intentional, two things I seem to be lacking at this stage of my life with three young kids, but I need to start, at least somewhere.

And I wonder, how do other moms do it? Or dads for that matter. Moms (or dads) whose writing and thoughts are examples of where I want to be or can articulate what is in my head so much clearer than I can. How do I get there in the midst of raising kids and sometimes just getting by?

Do you ever wonder how people see you? I think about my blog stuff and it seems to be such a tiny fraction of what I really am about. If someone glances at my blog they will see quite quickly I am an mom and that I am a Christian or that I live in Texas; I write about my kids and my day to day life, but it is just a part.

I am not even completely sure what I am trying to get at except that I want to work on my writing so it will better reflect more of me or the direction I am trying to head to, apart from being home room mom, or the trips I have taken or birthday parties at Chuck E Cheeses.

So, if you're new to this blog or you're just stopping by and see me writing about the things I have mentioned above, don't just write me off. Come back again sometime and maybe you will catch a glimpse of something that is deeper than what it may appear to be.

Take care,
Julie

Just Checking In

2008-10-01T00:05:00.000-07:00

Hey there!

No, I have not gone away or quit blogging. Life has just been a little crazier than normal and somehow, unfortunately, my blogging got left behind.

Let's see...what have I been doing lately?

We celebrated my son's 4th birthday at Chuck E Cheese's this weekend and I am happy to report, everyone survived. It was our son's first official party where he invited friends. Let's just say, he is now a fan of birthday parties and the gifts that come along with it. We had a great time. I must say though, I am amazed at how many kids do not want a big stuffed mouse coming towards them unaware. Not that I blame them. Lots of running, yells and tears when Chuck E Cheese came out to do the whole "Happy Birthday" routine complete with dancing and singing. Maybe the restaurant could just get rid of the mouse and keep everything else. Sounds like a good plan to me.

On Monday I had another chance to substitute in my daughter's kindergarten class. I am happy to report that the second time is definately easier than the first. Experience gave me the upper hand this time. I could remain firm when faced with the dilemma, "What do we do if one of the door holder/flag holders is absent?" or how to respond to the question of "Teacher may we put our nap mats by each other during rest time?" I was so naive the first time, but not this time. I had a great day and love those little kids.

The birthday boy must have worn himself out as he's been sick the past couple of days with a fever, cough and congestion. He must feel sort of okay because we still managed to get in five games of CandyLand on Wednesday, of which I only won one. I didn't even rig the game.

My oldest has been enjoying the Karate kids class he takes after school once a week. (Sister takes the class too, but I get the impression she's in it more for the social aspect of it...her best friend from her kindergarten class is in karate too) The oldest has been showing us the moves they learn. Jackie Chan better watch out.

Hope all is well for you all. Drop by when you get a chance, I'd love to hear from you.
Take care,
Julie

Mary Jane

2008-09-27T19:18:00.000-07:00

Three years ago today marks the day my sweet grandma, one of the most influential people in my life, lost her battle with breast cancer and went home to heaven. She lived to see my mom and cousin turn a year older on the 25th. She lived to see my son Pete turn one on the 26th. Then she went home to live with Jesus forever on the 27th.

To say I am emotional about it, even three years later is an understatement.

I am so grateful we were living in Ohio for the last three years of her life. In fact, we lived just a few miles away. We talked on the phone almost daily and even though she was battling cancer and I had three kids ages 4, 2 and a newborn, we still managed to get together for dinner or lunch almost every week for the last year she was alive.

I remember the day she died clearly.
Early morning phone call from my mom.
Crying.
The flock of birds above my house.

That last one I need to explain. I hesitated to even include this part of the story for fear ya'll will think I am crazy, but it happened and it is part of it all. After I got off the phone with my mom telling me that grandma had died, one of the first things I heard through my tears was birds. I know that may not strike you as odd, lots of people hear birds outside their windows each day, but, we were living in my hometown in Ohio at the time and the neighborhood we lived in was a very new subdivision. Not a lot of trees around and the trees that were there were skinny and small. Seeing a bird, not unusual, hearing a flock of birds as they flew south, not unusual. Hearing a flock of birds flying just above my house without them flying away, unusual. All morning long in my grief I heard those crazy birds flying above my house until it finally hit me, "Oh, this must be a God thing!"

I believe in my whole heart that God sent those birds to fly above my house, maybe even designed a detour as they were heading south for the winter, for as long as it took for me to get the message...Grandma was flying free. (OK, I have to stop myself from yelling, "Free bird!" right now as it might, just might interrupt the mood of this all) The message was clear... no more pain, no more suffering. My grandma was complete and whole the minute she stopped breathing as only someone in Christ can be. She was as free as those birds.

And this girl in Ohio needed to know that. I needed to be reminded that because grandma was ok, I was going to be ok too.

Even though at that moment I could not imagine it.

Could not imagine the holidays coming up without her there. Could not imagine moving to Texas in a few months without here being there to see us go. Could not imagine a lot of things without her.

But I knew I was going to be okay.

I noticed those crazy birds flying above our house for the next several mornings. In fact, the first day I noticed the birds were gone was the morning after her burial.

Pretty appropriate, I think.

There are so many things I could write about her, but I decided to honor her by posting one of my favorite recipes of grandma's. It is a recipe for a homemade chocolate cake with homemade caramel icing. I used to request it for my birthday or special dinners. Boy could she cook and bake. I will probably never make homemade noodles quite like her or this caramel sauce as perfect and creamy as hers. But I will keep trying. In fact, one of my most favorite things I have of grandma's (along with a chocolate cardigan she wore and one of her nightgowns) is a copy, in her own writing, of all her recipes.

Pretty priceless, I would say.

Hope you enjoy the recipe. It's one she had written out for someone. I am going to include it just the way I have it with her comments and everything.

Take care,
Julie

Easy Chocolate Cake
2 cups sugar
3 cups flour Sift these together
6 TAB. cocoa
1 tea. salt
2 tea. soda

Add 1 cup oil (I use canola)
2 tea. vanila
2 Tab. vinegar
2 cups cold water

*Use a fork and stir till smooth. Bake in 9x13 pan at 350 for 30 minutes

Caramel Icing
2 cups brown sugar (packed down)
1/2 cup milk
about 1/2 to 3/4 stick of margarine or butter

*Stir up good and cook one minute after coming to a complete boil. Beat till it begins to get a little sugary look. I take a fork and punch holes all over top of cake and spread some of the icing over cake and let it run down in the cake. Just use a thin layer of the icing. Keep beating it with a spoon till it gets the sugary look. Then spread the rest of it on the cake. You have to watch as it can go to sugar fast. The main thing is not to cook it over the 1 minute. I usually cook it 1 min.+ 15 seconds.
Good luck , (grandma had a smiley face here :)
Mary Jane

You can always add powdered sugar to icing if it just won't go to sugar for you.

Happy Birthday Baby!

2008-09-26T00:11:00.000-07:00

My baby turns 4 today. Four. I can't believe it. We've been talking about this day for a long time and counting down the days until it arrived, but it still seems to catch me by surprise.

My little guy is growing up.

In all honesty though, "little" is not a good word to describe him. He's been big since the get go. He weighed ten pounds and two ounces at birth.

Yes, you read that right. 10lb. 2 oz. Born naturally and he never even got to wear newborn diapers. That just doesn't seem right.

Big. Big in his size, big in personality, big heart, all boy and full of life.

The other day he got a birthday package from my older sister in Ohio. I kid you not, his hands were shaking with pure excitement as he tried to open the gifts. With each gift he opened he stood up and shouted, "It's exactly what I wanted!" Kind of makes you want to give a kid like that the world.

Lately he has been into playing Candyland. We probably play about 4-6 times a day. Whenever he wins (which happens almost every time and I swear I do not rig the cards) he wants me to shout, "Give it up for Pete!" and then start clapping wildly. He thinks it's absolutely hilarious. It really gets him going if I pretend I can't stop clapping, as in "Oh no! Pete, I can't stop clapping! AAHH!!" Lots of laughs. (By the way, here's how you can tell if someone is a dear friend or not. Remember the other day when I taught in my daughter's Kindergarten class? Pete when over to my dear friend Yvonne's house for the day. She knows all about his love for Candyland and while he was there they played several games of CandyLand. Pete had her doing the whole "Give it up for Pete!" and clapping wildly for him. I'd say that's a good friend!)

He is confident and happy. Loves school and doesn't even look back when I drop him off. I have to find him to give him a kiss good-bye.

When he was a baby I used to sing him the chorus from one of my favorite artists, Chris Rice. It was on his Amusing cd. The chorus went something like, "and to our dreams we'll gladly go and see you in the morning. You are the light you are the proof the Lord looks down and warms my roof. You are the light you are the sign that I am loved and life is mine." I can't think of that song without remembering my baby.

So, let's, "Give it up for Pete!" today.

Happy birthday baby. Mommy loves you.

Take care,

Julie

Some Random Thoughts

2008-09-25T00:39:00.000-07:00

Hey there!

Just wanted to say "Hi!" Hope you all are doing well. I'm taking a break from Friday's Favorites tomorrow because a special someone in my family has a birthday. It's not me, but you'll have to come back on Friday and see!

By the way, Mom, if you are reading this today, "Happy Birthday!" I'll be calling you soon!

Have a great day and I'll talk to you all tomorrow.

Take care,
Julie

"Just the good 'ol boys..."

2008-09-24T00:55:00.000-07:00

Earlier in the summer at lunch one day my oldest child asked me if we could super glue our Volkswagen van's doors shut and start climbing in the windows like the Dukes of Hazzard. The other kids quickly chimed in, "Please,mom, please!"

I paused a while before answering them so I could choose just one of the many reasons floating through my mind as to why that would not work for us.

I said,"Do you see how high up the windows are on our van? You would need a step ladder just to even reach the windows and that would seriously take away from the Dukes of Hazzard effect you are wanting to create. I mean, did you ever see Bo or Luke Duke climb up on a step ladder to get into the General Lee?"

They thought about that for a while.

Finally my oldest said, "No, I guess not."

"Besides" I added, "the Dukes of Hazzards car was closer to the ground, that's why they could just hop on in."

Then one of them came up with the idea that maybe they could ride in their grandma's convertible next time we were in Iowa.

There we go, problem solved I thought until my daughter told me she liked the girl from the Dukes of Hazzard.

"You mean Daisy Duke?" I asked her.

"Yes." She replied.

Now we have a completely different problem to deal with.

Parenting Phenomenons

2008-09-23T00:35:00.000-07:00

Ever since I became a mom I have noticed certain things that occur repeatedly in our household. I refer to them as "phenomenons". I want to share them with you. See if any of these ring true in your home.

1. Why is it that my kids are always starving after I tell them it is time to go to bed?

2. I have noticed the number of shampoo bottles we go through is definately not in proportion to the number of kids we have. I am not sure how a child can manage to use half a bottle of shampoo while washing ones hair.

3. When I am talking on the phone it is like a honing device has gone off in their head saying, "Find mom. Bug mom. No matter what, DO NOT STOP!!!"

4. Why do my kids announce every toot (or for that matter any bodily function) like it is a national event? Is this really necessary?

5. For the life of me I can not understand the commercial choices on some of the kids TV channels. Things like, shampoo for women, miracle plant waterer and mighty putty which can, in my daughters words, "pull a huge, huge, huge, huge truck and can hold anything." I don't need my kids coming up to me asking me if I want beautiful, silky hair like the woman on TV.

6. I have noticed my youngest child has an uncanny ability to put his clothes on backwards about 99% of the time, even his underwear.

7. My kids sudden inability to walk or use their arms when it is time to pick up the house at night, or go upstairs to bed. Very uncanny I would say.

What about you? Any parenting phenomenons around your house? I would love to hear them.
Take care,
Julie

Have you seen the movie, "The Diving Bell and the Butterfly"?

2008-09-21T16:05:00.000-07:00

Saturday night I finally got around to watching a movie I have wanted to see for a while, "The Diving Bell and the Butterfly".

Have you seen it?

It is a film based on the memoir, "Le Scaphandre et le papillon" by Jean-Dominique Bauby. The author was the editor of Elle who suffered a stroke, went into a coma for 20 days and when he came out of the coma was unable to move, talk or do anything except blink one eye. His mind, sight and hearing were intact. He was diagnosed with what is called "Locked-in Syndrome". The therapist who worked with him came up with a code where Jean-Do (what his friends called him) would blink at the letter he wanted when the therapist went through the alphabet. He was able to communicate this way and eventually wrote the book I mentioned above, which is translated, "The Diving Bell and the Butterfly: A memoir of Life in Death".

The movie is based on this book, although not without controversy. His closest friends say that the movie is not entirely accurate. Some issues are minor...he had two kids in real life, the movie shows him having three, but some issues are bigger. I do not want to give away any of the story line, so let's just say you can read about the controversy here.

I loved the film. It was beautiful to watch and I walked away from it re-affirming life. How can I complain about my life when here is someone who can only blink one eye, yet he's publishing a book?! I have no excuse to not be productive with my life. On those days when I feel down or discouraged about my life I want to choose to be grateful and thankful for all that God has blessed me with, and focus on the good instead of all the negative.

I'm planning on checking out the book this week and reading it. It reminded me of another life-inspiring story...Dick and Rick Hoyt, the father and son team who have completed Iron Man Triathalons together. The son, Rick, has cerebral palsy so the dad pulls a boat with his son on it for the swim, pedals for him during the bike ride and pushes him in a wheel chair for the run. You can watch a video about them on You Tube but I do not know how to include it in a post. (If you do know, please enlighten me and open up new worlds for me to explore in the world of blog posting!)

Hope you have a great week. Go live a great life and do good things.
Take care,
Julie

Friday's Favorites #5

2008-09-19T00:27:00.000-07:00

Lately I have seen a lot of blogs posting their fall reading list or their favorite books from the summer. Now that it is a comfortable 80 out as I am writing, I thought I would go with that theme for this week's Friday's Favorites. If you are new to this blog you can read all about Friday's Favorites here.

I picked four of my favorite books to highlight. Some have been a favorite for years, others have become a favorite recently. I have to say, some of the books have things I don't agree with, one of the books disturbed me, but they all made me think and in that respect earned a spot as a favorite.

My first book is a recent favorite, "The Shack". In fact, it was the topic of my last Friday's Favorite. I won't spend a lot of time re-saying the same things. You can read what I wrote about it here.

One of my favorite authors is Donald Miller. His most popular book he's written thus far is "Blue Like Jazz." I liked the book, but the book he wrote that I want to mention is "Searching For God Knows What". It is just great. Here's a quote from the book, (on page ix) ...

"Sometimes I feel as though I were born in a circus, come out of my mother's womb like a man from a cannon, pitched toward the ceiling of the tent, all the doctors and nurses clapping in delight from the grandstands, the band going great guns in trombones and drums. I unfold and find flight hundreds of feet above the center ring, the smell of popcorn in the air, the clowns gather below, amazed at my grace, and all the people chanting my name as my arms come out like wings and I move swan-like toward the apex, where I draw my arms in, collapse my torso to my legs, roll over in perfection, then slowly give in to gravity. My body falls back toward earth, the ground coming up quick, the center ring growing enormous beneath my falling weight.

And this is precisely when it occurs to me that there is no net. And I wonder, 'what is the use of a circus?' and 'why should a man bother to be shot out of a cannon?' and 'why is the crowd's applause so fleeting? amd...'who is going to rescue me?' "

Next on my favorite's list is a book called, "A Severe Mercy" by Sheldon VanAuken. It's a love story but it also is the story of the author's conversion to Christianity through his friendship with C.S. Lewis. It's beautifully written and it's been my favorite book since I first read it in college.

Two other books I like are "Jesus Land" by Julia Scheeres. This is the pretty disturbing one, although its written well and riveting. The author grew up in a Christian family in Indiana with two adopted african american brothers, a cold and abusive physician father and an even more distant mother. It's heartbreaking.

The other book I read through as quickly as possible was, "Into Thin Air" by Jon Krakauer. This is the author's version of what happened on that fateful Mt. Everest expedition the author was on in 1996 that took the lives of many. Jon Krakauer has written other great books like, "Into the Wild". I saw a book of his the other day that I thought I'd like to read. I can't remember the title but it involves a cult.

A couple of other books I would like to read this fall are:
"What's so amazing about grace?" by Philip Yancey
"A long way gone" by Ishmael Beah
"Persuasion" by Jane Austen

What about you? Any book you hope to read this fall? Let me know.
Take care,
Julie

This is going to be one heck of a ramble!

2008-09-18T09:27:00.000-07:00

Right now I am at home while all the kids are at school. I have ABBA's number one hits CD going as loud as it can.

This is going to be a good post, if I can get it written because of all the breaks I'm taking so I can stop and sing along. Tell me, is it possible to stand or sit still while ABBA is on? I don't think so.

Pardon me for a second, "Mamma Mia" is on.

Ok, I am back.

Let me just re-introduce myself, it's been a few days. I'm Julie, I have a blog, "Tales from the Eurovan". Here's the problem though, our van is still in the shop. TWO weeks later. I'm not going to complain about it, I know life is a lot worse for folks reeling from Ike. Plus, the VW place loaned a Passat to us while the van is being worked on. We just may not give it back!

"Dancing Queen" is on right now. I never knew the line was..."Dig in the dancing queen." Now I know.

Last week we rented a Dodge Stow and Go van for our little hurricane evacuation trip to San Antonio. The kids loved it, lots of room, automatic doors, all good stuff. If we ever decide to get one I guess I'll have to change the name of the blog to , "Tales from the Dodge Stow and Go".

All of us in South Texas are loving the fall like temperatures we are experiencing. Let me explain though, fall temperatures to someone is south Texas is a comfortable 72 degrees, not low sixties like in the mid-west where I am from. Yesterday I started putting out "Fall" decorations. I never did that the first couple of years we lived here. Somehow putting out fall pumpkins and leaves when it's 80 out just didn't seem right.

The other day my daughter's kindergarten teacher asked me to sub again on the 29th of September. I am excited. This time I will be prepared. I know how to handle who rests by who, which kids can go to the bathroom together and not be gone 15 minutes and I will ask ahead who the line leader is supposed to be. (Apparently this is a BIG deal and threats of unfairness ring out if the same child gets too many turns.)

I talked to my family in Ohio today. Apparently they were hit pretty hard on Sunday with strong winds from Ike (gusts of up to 75 mph). Lots of trees down, power out for a couple of days. It's so odd that we were a couple of hours from the storm and we were fine and here they are over 1,000 miles away and they were out of power for several days.

I believe I am completely out of ramblings for now. I'm going to go and focus all my energy into folding about six loads of laundry.

Take care,
Julie

Teaching and Vomit on my Black Suede Shoes

2008-09-16T00:09:00.000-07:00

On Monday I had the chance to substitute teach in my daughter's kindergarten class.

Her all day kindergarten class.

Her all day kindergarten (that didn't have 45 minutes of music in the morning because the music teacher didn't make it back after evacuating for hurricane ike and I had the kids without a break from 8:15-1pm when they went to PE) class.

I loved it! (Although a morning break would have been useful for little things like going to the bathroom)

I believe every parent should be required to substitute teach in their child's class at least once a year so they can gain perspective and understand what teachers do day in and day out without a lot of fanfare.

Let me just say that while I loved it and hope to do it again, I was exhausted and my feet hurt.

Teachers wear sensible shoes for a reason.

I should know.

I used to teach.

One time when I was teaching 6th grade I had a kid throw up all over my black suede shoes.

Let me repeat that: "BLACK, SUEDE SHOES"

To adapt the lyrics from one of my favorite songs of all time,"Lake Marie" by John Prine, "Do
you know what vomit looks like on a pair of black, suede shoes? Disgusting! D-I-S-G-U-S-T-I-N-G!!"

Anyway, it smelled, my shoes were ruined, and I began wearing more practical, vomit proof shoes to school.

All this to say, it was a fun day. I loved getting to see my daughter in her element. She was so happy to have me as her teacher and thought it was just the coolest thing, ever. I want to capitalize on that because all too quickly she will grow up and suddenly it will be embarrassing to have your mom teach your class.

Take care,
Julie

Let's Chalk This Up As A Learning Experience

2008-09-14T18:08:00.000-07:00

Wednesday night I decided I would evacuate. At that point the forecasters were not exactly sure where Ike would hit. Corpus was still listed as a likely hit.

Have I mentioned I've never been through a hurricane before?
Have I also mentioned my husband is not able to evacuate with us due to his job?
Have I talked about my need to feel safe and secure?

Basically, I have no desire to be a hero and tough it out on my own at home.

All of those reasons combined with the fact that I didn't want to be stuck in thirteen hours of traffic headed to San Antonio, caused me to stay up late packing on Wednesday night and get up very early on Thursday morning and head out to San Antonio.

I'm glad I did.

I would do it all over again and not change anything.

By the time Thursday rolled on it was pretty clear that Ike was not going to hit us directly. We still didn't know what kind of conditions might affect our city so the kids and I stayed in San Antonio until Saturday.

Those pictures above were taken on Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning. I'm amazed at the damage done to our area from the storm surge considering we were on the good side of the storm.

My thoughts and prayers are with those whose lives and homes were completely devastated from Ike. I can't imagine what they are experiencing right now. Or those who are without power. Let me just say, it is hot here in Texas. I'm sure they're feeling it. I know I feel like I've been on an emotional roller coaster just going through this week and we ended up being spared in Corpus. Those affected have got to be not only physically exhausted, but emotionally exhausted as well.

I have learned a few things, though, from this experience.
1. Apparently I am skilled at removing the plastic covers off the outside parts where the hurricane shutters will go.
2. Next time I will enforce the "one stuffed animal per child" rule considering my oldest child packed 15 stuffed animals for the trip.
3. We may have to leave the hurricane shutters up since it allows me to convince my kids it's really time for bed, even if it's only 7pm because it is so dark with them on.
4. We have enough bottled water to probably last the month and enough canned goods for just as long.

On a positive note, on Monday I am subbing in my daughters kindergarten class for the day. She is so excited! I am as excited and a bit nervous since I haven't been in a classroom to teach since I taught 4th grade in the Bronx back in 2000. I have a feeling though, that these 5 year olds might not be so rough!

Take care,
Julie

Hurricane Ike, go take a hike!

2008-09-10T00:16:00.000-07:00

Pretty creative title, huh?

Right now I am in high gear getting ready to possibly evacuate due to hurricane Ike.

Thinking there's a possibility your house could be completely leveled is scarey. Going through your possessions and deciding what is most important to bring with you should you not be able to return to your home is overwhelming. The fact that my husband has to stay behind doesn't help either.

I will probably spend the better part of the evening trying to get organized. If you think about it could you please say a prayer for our family as well as all the families who could potentially be affected by Ike.

Right now the plan is to head to San Antonio and then possibly on to Waco or Dallas, depending on where Ike decides to go.

This is a whole new world for us.

Take care,
Julie

Her bite really is worse than her bark

2008-09-09T00:35:00.000-07:00

I want to introduce you to our dog, Rosebud.

She is a real killer.

Literally.

On Friday my oldest son ran in from the backyard yelling, "Mom! I think Rosebud KILLED something!"

I said, "What do you mean she killed something?"

He replied, "There's BLOOD mom, BLOOD!" (This got the attention of his sister and younger brother as well as myself)

We all went outside and sure enough, there it was...a small pocket gopher, covered in blood and still alive (barely). My first thought was, "Oh, how gross! I think I'm going to get sick!" followed by empathy for the poor thing struggling to breathe. I looked over at my almost 6 year old daughter to see how she was doing. She is THE official animal lover in the family along with my husband, who unfortunately was at work. I said to my daughter, "How you doing sweetie?" She said she was sad and felt bad for the pocket gopher.

Poor, innocent, pocket gopher holding on to his life by a thin thread.

This is where I have to interject that my husband disagrees with me completely on this point. He argues that the pocket gopher got what was coming to it and that Rosebud was only doing what she was designed to do, which is hunt and dig and chase down these creatures. My husband is quick to point out that the "poor, innocent pocket gopher" has torn up our yard on multiple occasions, done considerable damage to our grass and are generally a big nuisance. Let me also say that my husband has tried for the better part of TWO years to kill the pocket gopher problem in our yard with no luck.

He's tried: flushing them out with the hose (futile because they have miles of tunnels under the ground), smoking them out (did not phase them a bit) and poisoning them (nothing happened and it probably tasted like candy to them). My husband even threatened to borrow a gun and "blast them away!"

NOTHING WORKED.

Until our 4 pound miniature yorkie got a hold of one.

To say my husband was proud of her would be a huge understatement.

So, we let the pocket gopher die in peace. At least that is what I am telling myself. Truth be told I really was not up for putting the gopher out of its misery.

I must say I do feel a bit safer with a killer dog at our house. Plus, I have not seen a pocket gopher since.

The Eurovan Saga Continues

2008-09-07T20:41:00.000-07:00

I feel so tired right now! I just watched Serena win the US Open . Great tennis. I'm hoping Federer wins tomorrow. I am disappointed Nadal lost. Once Andy Roddick lost I was hoping for a Nadal/ Federer match, however, now I'm hoping for Federer win over Murray.

Just a quick van update....it's not fixed.

After I got home Friday from picking up the kids, dropping off the rental car and getting a ride home, I get a call from the dealer telling me that although they had the van fixed (I believe he used the words, "It was purring like a kitten"), the fuel pipe broke. It's not their fault, he tells me, but since he feels bad it happened he is not going to charge us for the labor to have the pipe fixed.

Bottom line? More money and no van until Tuesday afternoon.

It's a volkswagen.

Take care,
Julie

PS Can I just say I don't care for the TV commercial (I just saw it) that uses the baby talking like an adult to promote its product. (I think it's selling stocks) The baby just spit up everywhere. I think it's a gross and an odd commercial. Am I just missing something? Do you all know what I'm talking about? Does anyone like it? Let me know.

Friday's Favorite #4

2008-09-05T00:38:00.000-07:00

Welcome back to Friday's Favorite. If you are new here to this blog you can read about Friday's favorite here . Last week I took a break since I was in NYC doing lots of stuff, but mostly watching tennis.

This week I have picked a book for Friday's Favorite. It's one I started reading on the plane last week. It's called "The Shack" and it is written by William P. Young. I first heard about this book over at the Burnside Writers Blog. The review caught my attention, but I wasn't planning on reading it, for whatever reason I had at the time. Then, I read another story on The Big Mama Blog referencing to the book. Her story got my attention also, but I was holding strong in my conviction not to read the book. Then I left for NYC. I got to my hometown airport and it took all of ten minutes to get checked in and go through security. I had some (lots) of time to pass before my flight left and I thought I'd go buy a book. In my mind "The Shack" came up and I said something to God along the lines of "If this really is a book I'm supposed to read then I will buy it if I see it in the giftshop." Completely thinking there's no way our tiny airport giftshop is going to have it.

I don't have to tell you what the first book was that I laid eyes on.

That's right, "The Shack". Right there in plain sight.

Do not try to tell me God doesn't have a sense of humor or that He does not use different people or means to get His message across to us. For me, it was this book. I knew that the minute I started deciding how God does or does not get His message across to people that at some point I would read this book and that it had something important just for me.

"The Shack" is the story of a father, Mack, who has an unspeakable tragedy happen to one of his kids. He's angry, blames God and has what he calls "The Great Sadness" come over him. One day he receives a letter in the mail from God asking him to meet God at the shack. Mack goes and the rest of the book focuses on this encounter between Mack and God. (By the way the book is fiction)

What I walked away with after reading this book is that I don't really know the heart of God as much as I thought I did. There's a section in the book where Mack comes face to face with what is in his heart. God says to him, "The real underlying flaw in your life, Mackenzie, is that you don't think that I am good. If you knew I was good and that everything- the means, the ends, and all the processes of individual lives-is all covered by my goodness, then while you might not always understand what I am doing, you would trust me. But you don't." (pg. 126)

Pretty convicting.

This book covers a lot of questions I'm sure we've all asked at some time. Things like God's love and bad things in the world. Sin and pain and suffering. Basically this book caused me to re think my relationship with God in a very moving and powerful way.

If you get a chance, check it out and let me know what you think. Also, any favorite book you've read lately? Let me know.

How do you spell "frustration"?

2008-09-04T00:02:00.000-07:00

We drive a volkswagen van. (pictured at top) It's a vehicle we love. It's where I got the name for this blog. When you have little kids in car seats, it's perfect. There's only one problem.

Volkswagens can have problems and when they do it is expensive to fix them.

Recently we noticed our van was beginning to leak oil. Then the air conditioner went out a day after that. Since we live in south Texas where the temperature has been an amazing 100 degrees lately, going without air conditioning is not an option. My husband took our van to our local mechanic which is very close to our house. They took one look and said NO WAY, leaving us with the only option of taking it to the dealer. I guess we could do nothing and drive it until it catches fire or we pass out while driving from the heat, neither of which is going to work.

Wednesday we dropped off the van at the dealer here in town. Waited all day to find out what was wrong only to have them say they got backed up and wouldn't be able to look at our car until Thursday. On Thursday my husband called me around lunchtime to say he had some news about our car.

Not the good news we were hoping to get.

Apparently both fans of the air conditioner are broken as well as some pipe which is causing the oil to leak. All to the tune of over $2,000. That's right two thousand dollars. Do you know what we could buy, where we could go, what we could do with two thousand dollars? Painful best describes it.

However, we are not naive. We knew Volkswagens have expensive parts. We knew it, but were hopeful we would not have to deal with problems.

We were wrong.

All this to say, it's going to take several days to get our van fixed which is the reason for the second picture, our rental car.

Have I mentioned I have three kids? One in a booster and one in a car seat? That's my eight year old son standing beside the car. Did you see how he's almost as tall as the car? Have I mentioned I drive the kids 25 minutes to school and then repeat coming home?

I think we are going to have some very close bonding moments in the next couple of days due to our close quarters.

Isn't life great?

What about you? How do you spell frustrating in your life?
I just have to say it feels good to be back home and get back to the blog!

Take care,
Julie

Thank you for the memories

2008-09-02T20:09:00.000-07:00

Well, I made it home and survived the New York City Trip.

Exhausted? Yes.

Thrilled? Yes.

After I got on the last flight all I could think about was seeing those three sweet faces of my kids which make me do what I do and need a break from what I do.

Parenting sure is complicated.

Not a lot going on here right now. Watching some tennis (Go Andy!), tearing out Math pages for my daughters kindergarten teacher (Yeah, I'm a room mother!) and packing lunches for tomorrow.

Yes, it's back to reality.

I will post more tomorrow, I'm tired and needing some sleep.

Thanks for all your prayers while I was gone.
Take care,
Julie

Let's Talk Tennis, Shall We?

2008-08-28T21:44:00.000-07:00

This is where we spent the past 13 hours, in Queens at the US Open.

What a day, what a day, what a really great day!

We arrived at 10:30am, hung out at the practice courts and then headed into Arthur Ashe stadium to watch a lot of matches.

We saw Venus roll right through.

James Blake won after his opponent withdrew in the third set.

We saw Ana Ivanovic lose to an unseeded player in a stunning 3 set upset.

After that we saw Serena crush her opponent in one hour.

The last match of the day was Nadal against an American qualifier Ryler.

Great tennis, great commentating, great day. They have these American Express radios for American Express cardholders. They're small and hook on your ear and enable you to hear all the commentators. I'm not an American Express cardholder but the nice guy at the booth generously gave me one anyway. It was too funny. Nothing beats John McEnroe commentating.

I would try to write some witty stuff about our day and all the tennis, but its 1 am and I'm beat. Plus, we're headed back to the Open in a few hours for tomorrows match.

Take care,

Julie

Oh yeah, today the sponser was Evian water. They gave everyone this cool misting bottle designed by James Blake. Very handy.

Where do I even begin?

2008-08-27T21:53:00.000-07:00

Whew! Where do I even begin? It is 1am and we got back to our hotel room about 15 minutes ago. We have been up and about since 9is this morning.

Here's the day in a recap and pictures

Breakfast of bagels and a little cafe. This was a must. When I lived in the Bronx for three years, I would eat a bagel almost every day. My oldest was born in Manhattan and he grew up on bagels. This one was for you son!

After breakfast my sister wanted to go by the Today show. Fun times there. And let me just say, I take back what I wrote about celebrity sightings because today we saw Tina Fey walk right past us as they were filming 3o Rock. I was so excited about it until I called up my husband to tell him and his response was, "Who's Tina Fey?"

We went shopping in Anthropologie and honestly this in and of itself deserves and entire post, but time is of the essence, so here's the bare essentials....Two, huge stories full of amazing things AND if that wasn't enough, a HUGE, HUGE room of sale items! Heaven I tell you, heaven!

On to Central Park and lunch at Tavern on the Green. Aren't those lanterns beautiful? We ate outside and the lanterns completely filled every branch.

As you can tell from the pictures we went to see Mamma Mia today, too. Three words...3rd row seats! Unbelievable! I laughed and sang and had a ball. By the time they did the encore we were dancing in the aisles. Tell me, can anyone sit through a live version of Dancing Queen? I didn't think so. By the way, the last picture is me sitting in my 3rd row seat wearing a new shirt I purchased at Anthropologie.

Moving on, as if all the stuff mentioned above wasn't enough, we spent the entire evening at the US open watching Lindsay Davenport win her match and then Andy Roddick completely destroyed his opponent.

What a day and what a night!

That's all for now. I have got to get to sleep. More tennis all day tomorrow.

Take care,

Julie

P.S. Can I just say Times Square is a bit more, how shall I put this, risque than I remember it being 6 years ago!

We're Here!

2008-08-26T20:12:00.000-07:00

Here's a quiz question for you:
1. You know you are in New York City when:

A. You don't understand a word the taxi driver says but you understand the finger he is giving someone else.

B. You walk outside your hotel room and immediately are hit up for money by a panhandler.

C. You can buy two hot dogs and a drink at Gray's Papayas for $3.50

D. You can buy a slice of cheesecake at Cafe Lalo's for $8.00.

E. All of the above

Yes, that pretty well sums up our first evening in the big apple. My sister and I met up a little bit later than planned (thank you FAA for the computer glitch across the nation, however, I am just grateful for the safe flight)

Yes, our taxi driver managed to irritate another driver to which our driver responded with an ugly finger gesture. Imagine that.

Yes, we walked 30 blocks one way to get a piece of cheesecake from Cafe Lalo's. You know, Cafe Lalo's from You've Got Mail. The place where Meg Ryan goes to met her internet love only to have Tom Hanks show up and he realizes his internet friend is his enemy. And let me just say a couple of things about Cafe Lalo's:
1. That's me in the picture
2. The cheese cake is totally worth the 60 blocks round trip and two blisters on my feet.

Can I just interject here with a statement that the blisters on my feet from walking tonight prove that fashion and function are mutually exclusive terms when it comes to foot wear. Ok, I will proceed.

Yes, we had hot dogs and cheese cake in the same night. What can I say? It's vacation. That's my sister in the picture with the hot dog.

I love being back in New York City, so many memories here. That's all for now. I will write more tomorrow.
Take care,
Julie

P.S. I know what you mean mom about the comments feeling like an eye quiz. I can't tell you how many times I put in the wrong letters!

Start Spreading the News...

2008-08-26T00:23:00.000-07:00

I'm leaving today.

That's right. NYC here I come.

By the time you read this I should be on my way to the airport to fly to NYC where I'll meet up with my older sister who is flying in from Ohio.

Why, might you ask, am I headed to the Big Apple?

This past spring my older sister celebrated a big birthday. (I won't tell you what that big birthday was, but let's just say it rhymes with "shorty") My sister is also a huge tennis fan and has wanted to go to the US Open tennis tournament for some time. We lived in the Bronx for 3 years and my husband and I have each gone to the US Open, but never my sister. So, I had the idea, "Let's go to NYC and celebrate your birthday and go see some tennis!" She agreed immediately, and thus the trip was born.

We are also going to go see Mamma Mia and do a few of the touristy things. Hopefully we will not get mugged or stuck on the subway. (yes, it did cross my mind. I will also make sure we stand away from the subway platform. One can never be too careful about those things, you know)

My husband and I lived in the Bronx from 1999-2002. I haven't been back since we left. I have all sorts of thoughts about seeing the city.

In short, I am excited!

I will try to blog as much as possible and include as many pictures as I can. I'm not counting on seeing any celebrities. The only celebrity I ever saw the entire three years we lived there was Sigourney Weaver.

Here's hoping Andy Roddick wins the Open. (Yes, I will be fine if Nadal wins, but it's the US Open, I want an American to win) And I'm rooting for one of the Williams sisters as well.

Pray for my family while I'm gone. I know they will be fine. Pray for my flight to be smooth as well, if you think about it.

Take care,
Julie

Back to School!

2008-08-25T00:34:00.000-07:00

Today is the first day back to school.

I thought this day would NEVER come!

I know, I know. I sound horrible to say I'm excited. But in my defense, it's been a long summer and they are ready to go to school.

My oldest son begins 2nd grade and my middle child, a girl, starts kindergarten. The youngest boy starts Mom's Day Out next week. I hope he enjoys his last week of freedom. We met their teachers last week, dropped off supplies, found out more supplies we needed, picked out outfits for the first day of school (to coordinate with their best friends) got hair cuts, the whole nine yards. The only thing left for me to do is make lunches and pray we don't all oversleep in the morning.

It could happen.

We haven't had to set an alarm since the end of the school year.

I'm praying for them both to have a wonderful year. I'm asking God to give them great memories and good experiences, friendships to last, and good choices to be made.

What about you? Anyone in your house starting school this week? If so, are you excited, nervous, dreading it?

Take care,

Julie

And the Winner is.....

2008-08-23T05:40:00.000-07:00

The winner from my first official giveaway is...

Emily at www.mumblingsfromtroyohio.blogpost.com !

Way to go!

Emily, if you can email me your address, I will mail the Real Simple Family issue to you on Monday! (I may have your address, if you guys are in an old Troy phonebook, I'm not sure though)

Thanks for playing and I promise to do more giveaways in the future!
Take care and have a great weekend,
Julie

Friday's Favorite #3 and a Giveaway!

2008-08-22T00:04:00.000-07:00

Let's start with the really good stuff, a giveaway! Not just ANY giveaway, my very first blogging giveaway! YEAH! Last week forFriday's Favorite I talked about my favorite magazine, Real Simple. (In case you are new to Friday's favorite you can read about it here ) When I went to our HEB grocery later that day, I noticed a Real Simple Family issue in the checkout aisle. I picked it up and bought it. However, this week in the mail I received another copy of the same magazine with my September issue of Real Simple.

I do not need two identical magazines. Maybe shoes, but that's another story.

So, I want to give one away! Just leave a comment and you will be entered. I will leave the contest open until this Saturday, August 23rd at 7:30am (Central time). I will then have my husband randomly select a comment number and we will have our winner. I will post the winner then! Unfortunately I don't have a random integer so my husband will have to do for now. Have fun! You may comment as many times as you wish!

Alright, now that the technical stuff is out of the way, let's move on to todays Friday Favorite.
My favorite today is a radio show from Chicago Public Radio called This American Life.

Where do I even begin in describing this programs greatness? How about with the shows host, Ira Glass? He's witty, an incredible storyteller and interviewer and he and his staff always manage to put together an hour of some of the most engaging, thought provoking stories on the radio.

I first heard This American Life back in 1997. I was listening to a story called Fiasco! . It's the story about a small town attempting to put on a "progressive" version of Peter Pan at a local theater when everything imaginable goes wrong. I was laughing so hard I had to pull my car over and stop so I wouldn't crash. If you go to http://www.thisamericanlife.org/ the Fiasco episode is listed in their archives section as one of their 12 early classics. Check it out. You can also sign up for their free weekly podcast as well as download past episodes and listen to a current episode. Look up http://www.npr.org/ to see if your local National Public Radio station carries This American Life's weekly show. You can also check out the TV show of This American Life on Showtime.

Here are a few of my favorite stories they told, in no particular order...
1. Pray
2. This one has two unbelievable stories. The first is about a place called the "Rubber Room". It's a room in NYC where public teachers are sent while awaiting reassignment or release. The second story is about a place called Chimp Haven, which is a retirement home for chimpanzees. I could not make this up if I tried. The story is calledHuman Resources .
3. The Ghost of Bobby Dunbar.

What about you? Do you have a favorite radio program you can't wait to hear? Maybe it's Prairie Home Companion? Or Car Talk? or Fresh Air? Let me know.
Take care,
Julie

I did not see this one coming

2008-08-20T01:12:00.000-07:00

The other day I was doing some grocery shopping at HEB.

As I rounded the corner of the aisle I saw something that caught my attention.
At first I thought I was seeing an unusually tall, hairy woman with a sundress on until I got closer and realized it was a MAN with sunglasses, long blonde hair (it very well could have been a wig, I didn't stop long enough to get a good look), pink lipstick and a dress on.

Not what I was expecting to see in the pasta, rice and beans aisle.

(Just to clarify, the sundress was more among the lines of a sleeveless cotton nightgown like the kind my 80 year old grandma used to wear.)

What about you all? What is the most unusual sight you've seen while out and about? These ought to be good.
Take care,
Julie

What's a Girl to do?

2008-08-19T01:48:00.000-07:00

The other day I went to my favorite salon to get my hair cut. It ended up being one of the best haircuts I have had in a while. Long layers. Thinned out. All equals less frizz for me here in South Texas and that is a very good thing.

Anyway, I was faced with the same dilemma I encounter each time I go to have my hair cut...

What do I do with my purse when I am taken back to have my hair washed?

It is quite the problem.

Do I....

A. Leave my purse at my stylist's station hoping nothing happens to it.

B. Take it back with me while I get my hair washed and risk appearing a bit paranoid.

C. Leave my purse at home and just bring a debit card and my drivers license.

D. None of the above.

What do I do?

I can tell you what I won't do. Leave my purse at home. I only leave my purse at home when I am going for a jog, otherwise it is attached to my arm.

So I wrestled with the issue internally while I was waiting to have my hair washed.

Then I made my decision.

I left the purse at the station.

I just hope my mom is not reading this. She just may pass out from the stress caused from thinking about all that could have happened to my purse while it was left alone out in the open for everyone to see.

What about you all? How do you deal with the purse issue while at the stylist? Let me know. I'm curious how others handle this whole situation.

Take care,

Julie

Go Speedy Go!

2008-08-18T03:52:00.000-07:00

The kids have been begging us all summer long to drive go-karts at a track nearby. We planned to go earlier in the summer, but the day we were going to go just didn't work out.

So we waited until August to go when it's nice and toasty outside.

Because nothing says I love you better than taking three kids to a hot asphalt go-kart track in South Texas when it's 100 degrees, in the shade!

That's what I thought.

As we were heading out the door, I noticed my husband was wearing closed toe shoes, which is odd for him considering he lives in flip flops when he's not working. I asked him about the shoes and he said, "Serious go-karting calls for serious footwear."

I replied with, "But I'm wearing flip flops."

His response? "I guess you'll be coming in 2nd place on the go-kart track."

Since when did go-karting become serious competition with place awards being given? Apparently when the boys in the family are involved and they are sitting behind any kind of steering wheel.

I went back and changed my shoes.

At the race track we took turns driving on the Family Track where the adult drives and a child (of almost any age or size) sits next to the adult and uses a pretend steering wheel.

My husband was prepared for 1st place, at any cost. Which child was in on it with him? Our daughter, of course. She is so much like her daddy. When she was asked how she wanted to drive, she replied, "Fast." Not so with the boys. The oldest is like me, cautious, analytical. (At the bowling alley the other day he, out of the blue, asked me if he should be concerned about getting foot fungus from the shoes. Poor kid, I can relate.) The boys did not want to go as fast as possible.

The first picture is of my husband and daughter. What's that you say? It looks blurry? That's because they were speeding past everyone on their quest for "1st Place". Let me mention just a couple of things that were taking place during that blurry picture.

1. They were passing a sweet but startled mother and her 18 month old child.

2. There were only 5 cars on the entire track that time, most were mothers with children under the age of 2

What can I say? He's my husband and I love him.

We managed to stay outside for about 30 minutes until everyone collectively melted down from the heat.

Then we went inside to the air-conditioned game room and spent a small fortune on video games. Take care, Julie

One more thing: The second picture is just a testament to proper go-karting foot apparel.

Friday's Favorites #2

2008-08-15T00:01:00.000-07:00

This week for Friday's Favorites I have picked a magazine. In case you are new to Friday's Favorites, you can read about it here .

There is one magazine I look forward to receiving in the mail more than anything else.

More than a Boden catalog,
More than an Anthropologie catalog,
More than a J. Crew catalog and even more than Dwell magazine, which is saying a lot because I really do love the above mentioned items. However, none of them compare to the joy I feel when I look in my mailbox and see the newest edition of Real Simple magazine.

This magazine if full of helpful hints, product reviews (think best black pants or best moisturizers), and great writing. I usually read it cover to cover in one sitting.

This month's August edition is no exception.

For example, one of this month's articles features a month's worth of meals that can be ready in 20 minutes.(pg. 152) Did you catch that? Twenty minutes. What's not to love about that?

There's another interesting article full of organizing tips for each room of your house.(pg. 168) Good reading, especially if you are a mother of small children.

If you have not done your back to school supply shopping yet, you will want to check out the article on page 122 containing ways to save money when you do buy back to school supplies.

Finally, you can go online to http://www.realsimple.com/ for different stories, recipes, blogs and more. I especially like the adventures in chaos blog.

How about you? Do you have any favorite magazines you can not wait to read? What about a great summer recipe that can be ready in a flash? Please share! I can't wait to read your comments.

Long LOST Voice

2008-08-14T03:26:00.000-07:00

My kids were watching PBS cartoons on TV yesterday. One of the shows they were watching featured an Irish goat that sounded just like Desmond from LOST.

To say I can't wait for LOST to return is such an understatement. LOST is the only show I watch religiously. I avoid all contact with anyone during that hour. The kids go to bed nice and early on that night. (Thank you ABC for moving LOST to the 9pm hour last spring. Please keep it there. Whether you move it to Wednesday or Thursday does not matter...I will follow LOST to the ends of the TV week)

Anyone else out there eagerly waiting the return of LOST? I'll probably start watching all of season 4 again in about September, thanks to http://www.abc.com/