Moments for Myself - 26 February

God is waiting for you. He looks over your shoulder waiting for you to get off the ohone, finish the business meeting, drive the carpool rounds, color your hair. Many mornings He is still there waiting for you after you stood Him up the day before. He'll always be there. Waiting. Stop for a moment and let Him know what that means to you.

- Moments for Myself, Daily Inspiration Calendar

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Thank you Lord, for waiting for me. For those days where I forget to say "Thank you" at the beginning AND at the end. For those days where I rush ahead with "grand ideas" and "big projects" before consulting you - and for Your patience when I come back to you, tail between my legs, wondering where I went wrong. Thank you for "mommy sandwich" mornings with my boys, for cuddle times at night and all the family times in-between. For the job that keeps me busy, and sometimes even engaged! For the spouse that keeps me on my toes and always wondering just what the heck he's going to do next! Thank you, most of all, for calling me by name and being there when I need you - even when I forget to say "Hi".

Handbag Hygiene

I got an email from my grandfather and thought this might be a good way to pass on the information to other women, mommies and concerned people. Apparently the original story came out awhile back from a news station in Utah but it's the first time I've seen this (email I got was pretty much the news story with some personal "additions" from various senders over time). Be sure to follow the link and read the story (or the rest of this won't make much sense)!

Please think of this not only for purses, but also for backpacks, gym bags, briefcases and laptop bags. Also, they never mention putting diaper bags on changing tables - that one always bugged me when the boys were babies!

And please, don't get me started on cell phones. I ran across a bunch of those stories as well and I just can't bear to think of it...

It's all really gross if you stop and think about it -- which I'm trying hard NOT to do! Please excuse me while I go find the Lysol wipes...
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Here's one way to keep it off the floor and the tables: Get a "Purse Hook". I'm thinking they'll make great Christmas presents for everyone I know this year (last year was Key Finders...)!
http://www.pursesitter.com/ (moderate selection, around $18 each)
http://www.hot-hang-ups.com/ (large selection, around $20 each)
http://www.purse-pal.com/ (moderate, higher "quality" selection, $30 - 75 each)
http://www.pursehook.net/ (small selection, $24 to 43 each)
...and other sites - just search for "purse hooks".

I'm still looking for a "suction cup" version for use in most restrooms without hooks - if you find one, let me know where! i know they won't work in ones where the doors are wooden, but in most malls, movie theatres, etc. the doors and or walls are metals or tile and suction cups should work!

Any thoughts on keeping things like this in our lives cleaner - and therefore ourselves and our loved ones as well - please feel free to share them in the comments!

Rice Krispies....treats?

Seriously...treats? Whoever named these things must have never actually MADE them! The boys' birthday is tomorrow and instead of cupcakes or a cake for school (which, since they have about 15 minutes for parties, aren't encouraged) I made these little buggers for their class party. What the #$%^ was I thinking?

They SOUND easy..but they always leave a big mess in my kitchen. And mine never quite harden like they're supposed to - either too much marshmallow or not enough. AARRGGHH.

Here's some tips I learned in my last few endeavors into treat hades:

1. This is NOT a kid-friendly activity. Although the commercials always show a happy mom and well-behaved little kids, it just isn't that way. You're working with something sweet, which kids will want to "dig into" - while they forget the marshmallow mix is HOT and STICKY. The STICKY part making the HOT part worse cuz you can't get it off your fingers while it's burning you. Also, I have noticed it's usually little GIRLS in the commercials. Little boys are not that much fun to cook with - they get overexcited and crazy! Especially something for their own birthday!
   Note for future reference: Make these AFTER bedtime.
   
2. Marshmallow creme or fluff is NOT the same as using marshmallows. I learned that you don't need near as much creme/fluff to make the same amount of melted 'mallows.
   Note for future reference: 10oz of marshmallows = (approx.) 7oz creme/fluff
   
3. Marshmallow creme is NOT easier to use. It might melt faster, but it's messier and it's harder to get out of the container. Therefore, you're not exactly sure HOW MUCH you're using. And you just end up with it on your arms, clothes, countertop, etc.
   Note for future reference: Go with the marshmallows. Try the colored ones for a change, too. See if you can get a rainbow effect?
   
4. Measure the cereal BEFORE you start. Seems like an easy thing, right? But, if you're making a double batch (like I usually have to d0) and your largest measuring cup is only 4 cups, you have to meaure at least 2 or 3 times. As i write this I realize i may have only put in 2/3 of the amount I was supposed to use for a double batch. Crap! Oh well..too late now!
   Note for future reference: Measure out the full amount, stick it in a big bowl and use that to pour it in.
   
5. Prepare the dish(es) before you start. Seriously, you could have a big gloppy mess and no where to put it. Ooops!
   Note for future reference: Baking spray is your best friend - use it FIRST.
   
6. Don't turn on the burner until the butter AND marshmallow (creme) is in the pot! I always forget this one - and end up with boiling butter and about half-browned creme. Since most things I but on the stove require heated up butter or oil or boiling water, I need to really work on this one.
   Note for future reference: Hands off that knob missy!
   
7. The refrigerator is your friend. I read a microwave version of the recipe tonight and it said to chill the treats after putting it in the pan. Duh! I did that tonight and an hour later I already see an improvement over the last time. However, if I really did miss the mark on the amount of cereal (see #4 above), it just may not matter anyway!
   Note for future reference: Place in fridge as soon as you're done!

So - those are my cooking tips if you desire to make these addictive, delicious, oh-so-frustrating, so-called "treats".

Happy Valentine's Day

My husband and I have a little "contest" to see who can get something up first for V-Day or who can out do the other. usually I win, since I stay up much later than him most nights and get decorations or gifts put up while he's sleeping. =)

He won this year - hands down. He went no holds barred against me and beat me at my own game. Many rooms of the house had gifts, treats and decorations in them this year - just like the first Valentine's Day we spent together. I was all giggles this morning and still floating. Enjoy the pictures here - shown in order through the house.

Bathroom = chocolates, Pepe, rose petals and jewelry.

Dining Room = Roses, chocolates and other candy

Any room that didn't have "real" gifts had these little hearts hanging from any surface imaginable.

Laundry Room = Hoops Bobble-head, Pop Rocks & Peep Hearts, and a hippo pencil.

The "Car" de grace = balloons and giant gorilla driving my van. His little boxer shorts say "hot stuff" and "red hot lovers" with hot peppers all over them. And yes, he has semi-red fur! Too cute!

I hope your Valentine's Day was as sweet and romantic as mine!

(and dont forget, you still have several hours to make up to your girl if you haven't gotten something yet!)

MeMe - Silly Little Love Songs

[The title of this entry is part of the meme (see the last step). ]

Directions:
1. Put your iTunes, Windows Media Player, iPod etc. on shuffle.
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
3. YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER HOW SILLY IT SOUNDS

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1. IF SOMEONE SAYS "IS THIS OKAY" YOU SAY?
Runaway / Bon Jovi

2. HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF?
Break On Through / The Doors

3. WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL?
Black Water / Doobie Brothers

4. HOW DO YOU FEEL TODAY?
Let 'Er Rip / Dixie Chicks

5. WHAT IS YOUR LIFE'S PURPOSE?
Lay Down My Pride / Jeremy Camp

6. WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO?
O Holy Night / Barlow Girl

7. WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?
Keep On / KidStuf song

8. WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?
She's Gonna Make It / Garth Brooks

9. WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN?
Smooth / Rob Thomas & Santana

10. WHAT IS 2 + 2?
Wide Open Spaces / Dixie Chicks

11. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR EX?
Does Anybody Hear Her / Casting Crowns

12. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
Restored / Jeremy Camp

13. WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?
Pick Me Up / KidStuf Song

14. WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
I Am Somebody / KidStuf song

15. WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
You Oughta Know / Alanis Morissette

16. WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?
With Arms Wide Open / Creed

17. WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST?
My Best Friend / KidStuf song

18. WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST FEAR?
Fire / Krystal Meyers

19. WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET?
All I Really Want / Alanis Morissette

20. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?
Fortunate Son / CCR

Now press "next" one more time and use it as your title. [silly little love songs / wings]

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I found this list posted on another blog and had to do it for myself. I thought a lot of my answers were oddly fitting! I added the singer/band because I have such an ecclectic mix on my iPod (seriously, how many people pair Jeremy Camp or Casting Crowns with Alanis Morissette??). Most of you won't know the KidStuf songs, but the titles usually give a pretty good clue as to the point of the song!

Feel free to leave a comment with your results or add a link to your own blog post with this list - I'd love to see what YOUR music says about YOU!