Blogging for 5 yrs!!

I have been blogging for 5 years! I looked back on past post and thought, "WOW!" We have lived in the same house this whole time. Ben was added to our family. We have bought 2 new cars. We have made some great friends. We have lost too many loved ones, Aunt Donna, Grandma Benji, Uncle Cheetah, Uncle Bill, Uncle Big Bill, Nana, and Grandma Rita. Katie is in 4th grade, Maddie 2nd grade and Ben in Pre-k 4. Live is always changing. Make the most of it is my thought. I am hoping to blog for a long time. I want to blog with more meaning. Happy Blogging!

Go figure!

I was hoping to post everyday for 2013, but that didn't happen. Why is it that I am unable to load a picture on my blog? I now need to load the pics thru Picasso. What a pain that is. I had to delete pics there to add new one. The worst part is that the pics come off of my blog. I have been blogging for almost 5 yrs. That is a lot of pics. I hope that I can straighten this out soon. Luckily all the pics are backed up else where. So if you look back at past post and see no pic now you know why.
Today was a cold and windy day here is Indy. Ben didn't want to go to the bus or out of the house. Smart kid, except that he needed to get on his bus. He went to school sooo bundled. Scarf wrapped three time around his neck, hat, gloves and fleece pants. I wanted to hide in the house myself.
I finished another book, Stephen King, Full Dark, No Stars. It was a great book. There were a couple of short reads. I loved them all. A MUST READ!!!

The weekend!

We have arrived at another weekend. Where did the week go? Ben has been addicted to playing Wipeout on the Wii. He also loves to play Star Wars Lego. I don't know if I can play anymore. I think a trip to the museum is in order. I am trying to put together my goals for 2013. I want to make a difference, make this year mean more. I am turning 40 this year. Should I try to make 40 goals? I am giving myself till the end of the month to decide. What did you do when you turned 40? What are you going to do when you turned 40. I love birthdays so I see it as another reason to celebrate life. Back to the weekend. I think our weekends need to be a little bit funny. We need to do something fun more often. Go somewhere, do something. Tomorrow is Chuck E. Cheese and Aldi. Next weekend maybe Wal-mart and Sam's Club. I know I need to find something else to do. You will have to wait and see what really happens. Have a great weekend!!

Flowers!

Did I buy Ben orange flower (his favorite color) or did I buy myself stargazers (my favorite flower)? You decide.

Ben's 4th Birthday Party!!

 Ben celebrated his 4th bday last weekend with his friends and my parents. There were a lot of little boys running around the house. All of which were soooo well behaved.The theme of the party was Jake and the Neverland Pirates.

Yummy Pretzels!

Today I made a yummy pretzel-jello dessert. It was a big hit at Mom's group. I love the salty/sweet. I didn't take a picture but I can post the recipe. Make sure to read the directions first. I fast chilled the jello which lessened the time by 2 hrs.

Pretzel/Strawberry Jello Dessert

Ingredients

       Crust

•  2 cups crushed pretzels
• 3/4 cup butter, melted
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• FILLING:
• 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 carton (8 ounces) frozen whipped topping, thawed
• TOPPING:
• 2 packages (3 ounces each) strawberry gelatin
• 2 cups boiling water
• 1/2 cup cold water

Directions

• In a large bowl, combine the pretzels, butter and sugar. Press into an ungreased 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish. Bake at 350° for 10 minutes. Cool completely.
• In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Stir in whipped topping. Spread over pretzel crust. Cover and refrigerate until chilled.
• For topping, in a small bowl, dissolve gelatin in boiling water. Add cold water; chill until partially set. Carefully pour over filling. Cover and refrigerate for 4-6 hours or until firm. Cut into squares. Yield: 12-16 servings.

Ben's Birthday Fun!

Ben had a  great day yesterday. We played the Wii for way too long. We also watched Scooby Doo and Tom and Jerry. For dinner we headed to Bob Evan's for breakfast food. The kids can't get enough pancakes. A sundae was our dessert with about 15 cherries. Thank you kind waitress! After dinner we headed home to open presents. Ben got Legos, Pirate stuff, a Scooby book, and character clothes. Maddie and Katie like the Legos too. Happy Birthday again, Little Man!!

Happy 4th Birthday Ben!!

 Today Ben turned 4. He has grown sooo much. His plans for today are play the Wii (Wipeout), watch TV and hang out. I am trying to get him to go out for his bday dinner. We will see. I have posted pics as Ben has grown. Look at all the faces he can make. Happy Birthday Ben Ben!!

Happy 38th Birthday Tony!!

Question!

I am wondering if anyone that reads my blog can tell me how to delete pics from picaso. I am unable to add new pics. This is driving me crazy. HELP!!!

Pictures from X-mas 2012

 Well I wanted to post pics from x-mas but for some reason the blog won't let me. Hopefully someone can help me.

 So here are some pics from years past.

Girl Scout Cookies for Sale!

It is that time of year again. Girl Scout cookies go on sale this Saturday. Place your orders here. Katie and Maddie are both selling. I sooo wish that the rewards for selling were better. I just think more stuff that we don't need or won't use. Gift cards or mag. sub. would be great. I know what a great attitutde:(" Hopefully the weather will be nice so we can do some door to door sales. I bet you can't wait for the phone call to your house. Remember that our cookies are $3.50 a box. Happy Eating!

Looking back at 2012

I was looking back at my goals from last year and thought boy am I behind. So instead of putting too much thought into the things I didn't do. I am going to think about the things we did do.
Here are some of the highlights from 2012:

1. The kids fished and had a great time at the camper.
2. We went to the museums, zoo and park often.
3. We flied kites at the park and the beach.
4. We had a lot of bonfires and marshmallows.
5. We adopted Bella.
6. We vacationed in Union Pier.
7. We vacationed at the lodge in Lake Geneva.
8. We vacationed at Bass Lake.
9. Tony painted all the hallways, the TV room and entry way.
10. We had a garden, it didn't do all that well.
11. We hung out with friends and family as much as we could.
12. Ben is potty trained.
13. Ben can talk so much now. He is at 65%.
14. Katie and Maddie are doing great in school.
15. Ben and I went to the Indiana Art Museum.
16. We all enjoyed the Indiana State Fair.
17. I have read at least 20 books.
18. I made 10 scarves for x-mas gifts this year.
19. We made some homemade gifts for teachers and family.
20. I am selling jewelry at the Thrifty Gypsy in Brownsburg.
21. I had two surgeries this year, so far so good.
22. We tried to go to the Sky deck but there was no visibility. Hopefully we can try again in the spring.
23. The kids and I did Girl Scout Camp this summer.
24. Katie and Maddie are taking riding lessons.
25. I went riding too.
26. We did some pottery.
27. My Gramma passed away at 96.
28. Tony's Uncle Bill passed away to young.
29. There is likely a lot more but I can't think of anymore right now.

I am going to put up goals for 2013 as soon as I have time to think about it some more. I have already finished two books. 2013 is looking good so far.

 

Happy 2013!!!

I am hoping that 2013 is a great year for everyone. I have some goals that I would like to make but where do you start? I know I reached very few of last years goals. So I really need to think about it. Maybe keeping it simple is the best way to go, like get up in the morning, eat three meals and get dressed. Or  maybe I should go big, like build a bridge, save the planet and find world peace. I hope to come up with a plan soon.
Have a great year, month, week and day!