My baby (OK, so he's not so small - 6' 2+" and not too young - an adult, actually) is coming home for the weekend and will be here in about an hour. I really didn't expect to see him until Christmas. He doesn't have a car at college and I didn't know if there was anyone from our area at his school.
Luckily, he met and made friends with another kid from our town and he even has a car.
We received a call earlier this week from our son asking if it would be OK if he came home this weekend. Are you kidding? YES!
I'm actually surprised as to how excited I am to see him. Hopefully we'll get a few hours with him since there are a few guys from high school still in town.
Either way, my baby is coming home this weekend and I am so excited.
Friday, September 20, 2013
Sunday, September 15, 2013
Darn those appliances
If you read the post below then you know we made it home after getting our dogs and a pizza. Who wants to cook after 5 hours driving home? Not me! Problem was, the oven wasn't heating up. Well, after 1 hour it finally reached temperature. I'm quick - I knew right then and there we had a problem.
I put the pizza in the oven and after the allotted time the top looked wonderful but the bottom was doughy. Yup, we had a burned out heating element. My very smart hubby suggested I finish cooking the pizza on the stove top. I cut the pizza in slices and fried each slice so the bottom cooked. Worked great!
The next day, Sunday, I called Sears to see about getting a new heating element. They were sorry but they don't sell those in the stores. What?? Monday I called and ordered our part. My worry was what should be a simple task rarely ever is. One of our family motto's is "nothing's easy". About 4 days later the part came. I read reviews about how to install. Again, sounded easy, but....
Luckily, it wasn't too bad. We were able to get that installed in about 20 minutes. Not to shabby for us.
Oven is working great.
On to the microwave. Ugh. About a week ago we tried to heat up some food and a loud pop was heard with sparks flying in the microwave. Umm, turn it off - FAST! Out comes the owners manual and looking up the warranty. Of course, we purchased that bugger 1 year and 18 days ago. The warranty was for 1 year. Have I said ugh yet?
I call the store we purchased it from. "Sorry, we can't do anything for you since you didn't purchase the extended warranty. You can come in and purchase a new one - we have 16 in stock." Thank you, I'll try GE directly. Why do appliances go out on the weekends? On Monday I called and they were very nice and sent out a repair guy the next day to look at it - at their cost. The hook that holds the tray inside burned and once that happens if you try to use the machine it will continue to spark. He took out the plastic part and ordered a new one. It works great now and thank you, GE, for taking care of my microwave 18 days after the warranty. All it cost me was a few minutes on the phone.
As of now everything seems to be in working order.
I put the pizza in the oven and after the allotted time the top looked wonderful but the bottom was doughy. Yup, we had a burned out heating element. My very smart hubby suggested I finish cooking the pizza on the stove top. I cut the pizza in slices and fried each slice so the bottom cooked. Worked great!
The next day, Sunday, I called Sears to see about getting a new heating element. They were sorry but they don't sell those in the stores. What?? Monday I called and ordered our part. My worry was what should be a simple task rarely ever is. One of our family motto's is "nothing's easy". About 4 days later the part came. I read reviews about how to install. Again, sounded easy, but....
Luckily, it wasn't too bad. We were able to get that installed in about 20 minutes. Not to shabby for us.
Oven is working great.
On to the microwave. Ugh. About a week ago we tried to heat up some food and a loud pop was heard with sparks flying in the microwave. Umm, turn it off - FAST! Out comes the owners manual and looking up the warranty. Of course, we purchased that bugger 1 year and 18 days ago. The warranty was for 1 year. Have I said ugh yet?
I call the store we purchased it from. "Sorry, we can't do anything for you since you didn't purchase the extended warranty. You can come in and purchase a new one - we have 16 in stock." Thank you, I'll try GE directly. Why do appliances go out on the weekends? On Monday I called and they were very nice and sent out a repair guy the next day to look at it - at their cost. The hook that holds the tray inside burned and once that happens if you try to use the machine it will continue to spark. He took out the plastic part and ordered a new one. It works great now and thank you, GE, for taking care of my microwave 18 days after the warranty. All it cost me was a few minutes on the phone.
As of now everything seems to be in working order.
Wednesday, August 28, 2013
And then there was one.
I now only have one child at home. We dropped one off at college and now it's just the three of us.
I did exceptionally well, I must say, controlling my tears. (I am a weeper! I carry this family in the emotional area of tears since I tend to be the only one equipped with them.)
I took a few days off from work, we loaded, and I mean LOADED, up the car and headed off to take my son to college and then look at a couple of other schools for my daughter. Dropping him off brought back so many memories of my college life. So many fun times. So many hard times, too. But all a part of the transition from the comforts of home to eventually being out on my own. I loved college and am excited for my kids to experience all college life has to offer. I met my best girlfriend at school and of course the best part was meeting my husband. We are about to hit our 24th wedding anniversary. At 25 years we will be empty nesters!
Back to current events. We got him unloaded, bed made, and off to the bookstore to pick up shirts and sweatshirts. We barely saw him after that. He got his books and took off. We made our purchases and walked the campus. Beautiful school with amazing views. Met up with him back in his room to say good-bye and we were off for a three hour drive to visit a school for my daughter.
No tears!
Next morning up and out to meet with the admissions counselor and walk the grounds of potential school #1. Another beautiful campus. I really liked the school and felt it was a perfect fit for my daughter but wanted to hear her thoughts. She was feeling the same.
Back in the car for a two hour drive to visit potential school #2. A much bigger university, 14,000 students versus 1,000 from the school we just came from. Very good school, another beautiful campus in a wonderful town. I didn't get the personal vibe like the first. My daughter liked it but felt it was quite large. If she pursues the major she is currently thinking she wants to do, then school #1 would be the best fit - and she thinks so too.
Back in the car for the last one hour drive back to the town my son is in.
Up the next morning to go to convocation for the freshmen and see him for the last time until, most likely, Christmas break. We said our good-byes and prayed over him. He told us he is looking forward to us leaving (brat :)) and my last "I love you" was a bit raspy from holding back a few tears as I got in the car. But that was all.
I am comforted knowing this is the school I believe God chose for him to attend. We drove the five hours home, picked up our dogs, ordered a pizza and began to settle in as a family of three.
I did exceptionally well, I must say, controlling my tears. (I am a weeper! I carry this family in the emotional area of tears since I tend to be the only one equipped with them.)
I took a few days off from work, we loaded, and I mean LOADED, up the car and headed off to take my son to college and then look at a couple of other schools for my daughter. Dropping him off brought back so many memories of my college life. So many fun times. So many hard times, too. But all a part of the transition from the comforts of home to eventually being out on my own. I loved college and am excited for my kids to experience all college life has to offer. I met my best girlfriend at school and of course the best part was meeting my husband. We are about to hit our 24th wedding anniversary. At 25 years we will be empty nesters!
Back to current events. We got him unloaded, bed made, and off to the bookstore to pick up shirts and sweatshirts. We barely saw him after that. He got his books and took off. We made our purchases and walked the campus. Beautiful school with amazing views. Met up with him back in his room to say good-bye and we were off for a three hour drive to visit a school for my daughter.
No tears!
Next morning up and out to meet with the admissions counselor and walk the grounds of potential school #1. Another beautiful campus. I really liked the school and felt it was a perfect fit for my daughter but wanted to hear her thoughts. She was feeling the same.
Back in the car for a two hour drive to visit potential school #2. A much bigger university, 14,000 students versus 1,000 from the school we just came from. Very good school, another beautiful campus in a wonderful town. I didn't get the personal vibe like the first. My daughter liked it but felt it was quite large. If she pursues the major she is currently thinking she wants to do, then school #1 would be the best fit - and she thinks so too.
Back in the car for the last one hour drive back to the town my son is in.
Up the next morning to go to convocation for the freshmen and see him for the last time until, most likely, Christmas break. We said our good-byes and prayed over him. He told us he is looking forward to us leaving (brat :)) and my last "I love you" was a bit raspy from holding back a few tears as I got in the car. But that was all.
I am comforted knowing this is the school I believe God chose for him to attend. We drove the five hours home, picked up our dogs, ordered a pizza and began to settle in as a family of three.
Saturday, August 24, 2013
Waiting for my mom
My mom is coming to visit soon. I can’t wait to see her since she lives a few states away. I’m not sure when I’ve seen her last, it’s been too long! She should be here in about a week. Yippee!
Also plan to paint my daughter’s room over Labor Day weekend.
This next week I will need to make sure my daughter has all her school supplies. I have some but will need to do a bit of shopping before the year begins.
I’ll be busy this next week.
Technorati Tags: Family
Friday, August 23, 2013
Minor breakdown
I feel quite foolish. I've been doing quite well, I think, with the realization that my first born is heading off to college. To be completely truthful, I am excited for him to head off and discover life on his own; so to speak. But....
The other day, just a few days before we were to take him to school I had a moment. Totally out of the blue - but isn't that when "moments" tend to happen? I am at the grocery store buying ingredients to make his favorite dinner, terriake chicken. I'm making his last home-made dinner before we take off. I'm OK with it. I gather all my items and about to head to the checkout. I end up taking the candy isle towards the registers and see his favorite candy on sale. Perfect. I'll grab some so he'll have some of his favorite in his dorm room. Good plan, bad execution. I almost lost it as I put the candy in my cart. Go figure chocolate would bring a mom to tears.
I gathered myself and made it to the registers. Second round of holding back the tears happened when I put that darn candy on the conveyor belt. Get it together, girl. I managed to purchase my items and get to the car before the tears began to flow. I sat in my car for a few minutes with tears streaming down my cheeks.
As excited as I am to have my baby move on, it doesn't mean it's easy to let him go. I am sure I will have a few more days of that, before and after he's gone. But that is what my role of a mom is and I WILL get through it. I'll look at it as practice for next year because I get to do it all over again when my daughter leaves next summer.
The other day, just a few days before we were to take him to school I had a moment. Totally out of the blue - but isn't that when "moments" tend to happen? I am at the grocery store buying ingredients to make his favorite dinner, terriake chicken. I'm making his last home-made dinner before we take off. I'm OK with it. I gather all my items and about to head to the checkout. I end up taking the candy isle towards the registers and see his favorite candy on sale. Perfect. I'll grab some so he'll have some of his favorite in his dorm room. Good plan, bad execution. I almost lost it as I put the candy in my cart. Go figure chocolate would bring a mom to tears.
I gathered myself and made it to the registers. Second round of holding back the tears happened when I put that darn candy on the conveyor belt. Get it together, girl. I managed to purchase my items and get to the car before the tears began to flow. I sat in my car for a few minutes with tears streaming down my cheeks.
As excited as I am to have my baby move on, it doesn't mean it's easy to let him go. I am sure I will have a few more days of that, before and after he's gone. But that is what my role of a mom is and I WILL get through it. I'll look at it as practice for next year because I get to do it all over again when my daughter leaves next summer.
Sunday, August 18, 2013
Yummy Marinade
I was searching my pile of recipes for a new dinner option and came across this one. The family liked it - bonus! Let me warn you, there is a lot of garlic and ginger, so adjust as needed for your personal taste.
The recipe was for kebabs, but I think just soaking cut up chicken and then stir-frying would be perfect. Then thicken with cornstarch and you should have a great dinner.
Garlic-Balsamic Chicken Kebab
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup white balsamic vinegar
1/4 cub dry white wine
1/2 teaspoon hot sauce
2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
4 cloves garlic
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon whole black peppercorns (I used a few shakes of ground pepper)
1 tablespoons grated fresh ginger (I used minced ginger)
1 1/4 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch chunks
1 large red onion, cut into bite-size chunks
In a blender, combine all but the chicken and onion. Puree until smooth. Reserve half of the marinade and refrigerate it. Pour the remaining marinade into a large bowl or zip lock bag. Add the chicken and onions, then stir to coat. Cover and refrigerate for about 1 1/2 hours.
Now you can either put the chicken and onions onto kebabs and grill or stir fry. If doing kebabs, put remaining marinade in a saucepan and boil to condense and thicken. If stir frying, add marinade after chicken is cooked. Add cornstarch diluted in water to thicken and serve with rice.
I hope you enjoy.
I found this recipe in our local paper a few years ago written by J. M. Hirsch.
The recipe was for kebabs, but I think just soaking cut up chicken and then stir-frying would be perfect. Then thicken with cornstarch and you should have a great dinner.
Garlic-Balsamic Chicken Kebab
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup white balsamic vinegar
1/4 cub dry white wine
1/2 teaspoon hot sauce
2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
4 cloves garlic
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon whole black peppercorns (I used a few shakes of ground pepper)
1 tablespoons grated fresh ginger (I used minced ginger)
1 1/4 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch chunks
1 large red onion, cut into bite-size chunks
In a blender, combine all but the chicken and onion. Puree until smooth. Reserve half of the marinade and refrigerate it. Pour the remaining marinade into a large bowl or zip lock bag. Add the chicken and onions, then stir to coat. Cover and refrigerate for about 1 1/2 hours.
Now you can either put the chicken and onions onto kebabs and grill or stir fry. If doing kebabs, put remaining marinade in a saucepan and boil to condense and thicken. If stir frying, add marinade after chicken is cooked. Add cornstarch diluted in water to thicken and serve with rice.
I hope you enjoy.
I found this recipe in our local paper a few years ago written by J. M. Hirsch.
Saturday, July 27, 2013
BUSY
How have you all been? It seems like we have been going non-stop but don't have much to show for it. Ever have one of those days....or weeks?
The last couple of weeks have kept us going. My hubby is working hours a day on painting the house. He's painting by hand and we have boards that have grooves in them, so he has to use the paint brush for the grooves and can roll the flat; which means double the time to paint. But it sure is looking great! It took over 20 samples of paint to find the color we settled on. Actually, it was one of the first we liked but needed to work through all the other colors to be sure. Even when we decided on the color it felt more like we were settling on it and that it was the best of the bunch. There was never a moment of, 'This is THE one!" feeling. Now that it's on, we are loving it! I am so happy with the color (it's a green with a bit of blue tint). The more the house gets painted the happier I am that we chose this one.
There has also been a lot of tending to household items and getting ready for our son to head off to college. We've been making many lists, one of the things I do which you can read more about here. Trying to be frugal, we are using as much from home as possible (like towels, pillow, blankets, etc.). We thought we were doing a great job by buying some sheet sets last fall for super cheap. Come to find out, beds in colleges are twin XL, who knew? I'm keeping those sheet sets for when my son moves into an apartment. Plus it's been so long since we purchased them I am sure the store won't take them back.
The gal that hit my husband and daughter finally had her day in court. That had been pushed back multiple times. We did not take her to court, the state did. She was under the influence of Meth and had other drugs in the car and was an unlicensed driver when she hit them. Plus she had been charged with a crime prior to our crash. She is in jail for a bit longer and I do hope she can stay out of trouble when released.
We finished our softball season - didn't end well, but that's OK. Just indicative of the way this year went. Had a very enjoyable barbecue party after though. That really is the highlight of the season. The one takeaway we had for this year is we discovered a great new pizza place. Hubby and I have gone back a few times and found a "keeper" for a go-to place for dinner.
No big plans for the weekend. My daughter is away at her friend's cabin and of course hubby is outside painting as I type. My only plan is to tackle the laundry, dishes and clean up this filthy home since it's been neglected for the last couple of weeks.
How about you? What are your plans for the weekend?
The last couple of weeks have kept us going. My hubby is working hours a day on painting the house. He's painting by hand and we have boards that have grooves in them, so he has to use the paint brush for the grooves and can roll the flat; which means double the time to paint. But it sure is looking great! It took over 20 samples of paint to find the color we settled on. Actually, it was one of the first we liked but needed to work through all the other colors to be sure. Even when we decided on the color it felt more like we were settling on it and that it was the best of the bunch. There was never a moment of, 'This is THE one!" feeling. Now that it's on, we are loving it! I am so happy with the color (it's a green with a bit of blue tint). The more the house gets painted the happier I am that we chose this one.
There has also been a lot of tending to household items and getting ready for our son to head off to college. We've been making many lists, one of the things I do which you can read more about here. Trying to be frugal, we are using as much from home as possible (like towels, pillow, blankets, etc.). We thought we were doing a great job by buying some sheet sets last fall for super cheap. Come to find out, beds in colleges are twin XL, who knew? I'm keeping those sheet sets for when my son moves into an apartment. Plus it's been so long since we purchased them I am sure the store won't take them back.
The gal that hit my husband and daughter finally had her day in court. That had been pushed back multiple times. We did not take her to court, the state did. She was under the influence of Meth and had other drugs in the car and was an unlicensed driver when she hit them. Plus she had been charged with a crime prior to our crash. She is in jail for a bit longer and I do hope she can stay out of trouble when released.
We finished our softball season - didn't end well, but that's OK. Just indicative of the way this year went. Had a very enjoyable barbecue party after though. That really is the highlight of the season. The one takeaway we had for this year is we discovered a great new pizza place. Hubby and I have gone back a few times and found a "keeper" for a go-to place for dinner.
No big plans for the weekend. My daughter is away at her friend's cabin and of course hubby is outside painting as I type. My only plan is to tackle the laundry, dishes and clean up this filthy home since it's been neglected for the last couple of weeks.
How about you? What are your plans for the weekend?
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