Sunday, November 23, 2008
The Future of MY Blogosphere
Anyway. I didn't come to write about my dishes. I came to write about my blog. Hmm... blogging about my blog. Is that redundant?
A long time ago, I started a Live Journal account. I enjoyed writing on there, because that's really what I did. I wrote about my life and my feelings. When I started on there, you couldn't post pictures. I wanted to, but it was probably a good thing that I couldn't. It made me really write about what was going on. The other thing I liked about Live Journal was that you could lock certain posts. You could either make them so that only the people on your friends list could read them, or only you could read them. I liked the idea of having privacy to vent my worst thoughts. I was able to get them out without having to worry about someone reading them. ***SIDENOTE: I got distracted. I just spent the last half hour reading all my old posts on Live Journal. It's a good thing I'm not typing this post in real time!***
The last time I posted on my Live Journal was sometime in 2006. My first post on Blogger was in March of 2006. ***OOPS! Getting distracted reading old Blogger posts too!*** I started this blog thinking that I would share pictures and life updates, but also that I would continue really writing about things that were important to me or about random thoughts that were running through my head. And I did that for a while.
I shared weird thoughts like The Preschooler's Theme Song, The REAL reality TV, and The Big Purple Dinosaur. I shared deep and meaningful things like Motivation vs. Motivated, Too Many Hats, and The Little Green Cup. I wrote, just for the sheer joy of writing.
I know there are only about four people who read my blog on a regular basis. And that is okay. I don't want to be one of the mega-blogs that averages 357 comments a day. I do, however, have dreams of having 10 or so regular readers. I want to know that what I have to say is interesting to people.
But, really, what am I giving you all to read? Pictures of my kids, recipes, and To Do lists? Those things aren't bad, in and of themselves. But when that's all there is? It makes for kind of a boring blog.
I have a long list of blogs that I read (you can see my list in my sidebar). I try to check them out at least every few days. I love seeing my sisters' blogs. It is a great way to keep up with them and to see what is going on in their lives. But the ones I love to read? Cultivating Home, The Queen B, Small Town Blessings, Beachy Mimi, Nobody Called Today. These are the blogs where I keep clicking "Older Posts." I love reading what these women are writing. I like reading about their lives. I like hearing their thoughts. I like laughing at their humor. I like learning from their wisdom. These blogs are what I aspire to. The frequency of the posts, the tone of blogs, the humor and wit and wisdom contained throughout.
I'm not sure what all this means for the future of my blog. One of the reasons I don't post very much is time. The un-kid-filled hours of my days are usually filled with housework (or naps...). And my nighttime hours are filled with my list of TV shows. It all comes down to priorities. Obviously, hearth and home take precedence. But I guess I need to decide if TV or blogging is more important. Or how to fit both into my evenings without being up past midnight.
So what do you think, my four faithful blog readers? What would you like to see more or less of on my blog? Leave me a comment and let me know. And if there are more than four of you out there? Feel free to de-lurk and leave a comment as well.
Friday, November 21, 2008
Thursday, November 20, 2008
To Do on Thursday
*Chop and freeze bell peppers
*Process pumpkin
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*Clean sink/counter in kids' bathroom
*Clean tub/shower in our bathroom
*Watch Bones online
*Watch The Office online
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*Sweep
-Kitchen
-Kids' bathroom
-Our bathroom
*Mop
-Kitchen
-Kids' bathroom
-Our bathroom
*Vacuum
-Living room
-Our bedroom
-Sierra' bedroom
-Boys' bedroom
*Dishes
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*Laundry
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-Darks
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Well, that's it for now. I will be back later on to cross stuff off and to add more if I need to.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Tuesdays are for Napping
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*Chop up green bell peppers
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*Kids' bathroom (sink/counter) I just need to make Sierra do this.
*Our bathroom (tub/shower)
*Watch Bones online
*Watch The Office online
*Floors (tomorrow....)
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Well, that's it for today. A lot of it will probably get moved to tomorrow's list.
I really did take a nap all morning. From about 9:30 until 11:30. Zeke has decided he needs to wake up at about 5:00 every morning, and I don't get much sleep after that. I was so tired that I was really cranky and barely able to keep my eyes open. I feel much better now, although I could use some caffeine. Hopefully I will be able to sleep tonight.
I will be back tomorrow with a list that's a little more crossed off. Hopefully...
Monday, November 17, 2008
A NEW RECIPE BLOG
So....I decided to steal my sister's idea and post all my recipes on a separate blog.
'Cause the recipes take up too much room on this blog. And I need more room to post my To Do lists and cute pictures of my kids.
So, GO CHECK IT OUT! I hope you enjoy what I have to share.
http://the-beth-recipes.blogspot.com/
To Do for To Day
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*Chop up and freeze bell peppers
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*Fold towels
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*Dishes
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*Clean sink/counter in kids' bathroom
*Clean tub/shower in our bathroom
*Watch Bones online
*Watch The Office online
*Check online for soap nuts and diaper covers
Menu Plan Monday - week of 11/17/08 - UPDATED
--Stovetop Meatloaf, Scalloped Potatoes, Salad, Rolls (This didn't get made last week. My mother-in-law is coming to dinner tonight, so we are having it tonight.)
--Sweet and Sour Chicken, Brown Rice, Salad, Rolls
--Hawaiian-style Pizza, Salad
--Rice Lasagna, Green Beans, Breadsticks
--Pork Chops, Stuffing, Mixed Veggies
**ADDED: A couple of you asked me to let you know how the rice lasagna turns out. So, I thought I'd just tell you now. I have made it before. I actually cut the recipe in half and made an 8x8-inch pan for the four of us. It is really good. Sierra says it tastes just like spaghetti. Might that be because of the spaghetti sauce? Anyway. It was really good, and I highly recommend it.**
For more meal and menu ideas, check out Menu Plan Monday on OrgJunkie.com.
Sunday, November 16, 2008
He's got some big shoes to fill...
Random Pictures 1132
He likes to try and climb on the dishwasher door now. He thought he was SO BIG!
Our Weekend
Friday night our hot water heater went kaput.
I used a lot of hot water that day stripping my diapers, but several hours after I did the last load, there was still no hot water for Jason's shower. He flipped the breaker switch, thinking maybe I had overloaded it, then went next door and took a shower.
After dinner, we checked again, and there was still no hot water. We emptied out the closet and he pulled the cover off the space where the hot water heater is. While there, we discovered that it was only a 30-gallon heater, which would explain why we could never take more than one shower in 12 hour period.
He uncovered it all, and pushed the reset button. After about an hour, he checked the water, and it was hot.
Jay went to put the insulation and the cover back on the heater. When he put the insulation against the heater, one of the wires sparked. Well, that kind of freaked us out. He checked the water again, and it was REALLY hot. Hotter than normal.
We decided, because of the sparking wires and all, that we better just turn the power off to the heater.
We called his grandparents, and they called their plumber friend, who told us to turn off the power to it, and he would come out first thing in the morning.
By this time, it was 9:30. But, since we already had the closet half-empty, we just kept cleaning. This was one of the things on my To Do list for Friday anyway. We cleaned out our totally over-full closet, throwing some stuff away, putting some stuff in the garage for next summer's Valley Wide Yard Sale, and putting some stuff out there for storage. By the time we were done, it was close to 11:00.
So, Bill the Plumber shows up at about 8:30 the next morning. He goes into our newly-cleaned closet, takes one look at our hot water heater, and tells us we need a new one.
He said the thermostat was wide open (whatever that means), and that normally when something like this happens, it will start a fire. So, PRAISE THE LORD that nothing like that happened. And hey, I'm not complaining that we need to get a new (bigger) heater.
Jay called around and found a 55-gallon heater at the Lumber Yard in Fort Jones. He and Grandma went down to pick it up. When they got back, he and Bill started installing it.
They turned the water off, so I was forced to find things to do all day that didn't involve water. I paid bills and did some other desk work. Wonder why I didn't post yesterday?!?!
They finished up the install around 1:00, and then we all ate lunch.
Now, did I mention that while all this water heater business was going on, Papa, Denton, and Steve were working on an overhang for our front steps? Our cement steps get pretty wet and snowy and icy in the winter months, so they are building a little roof over them. I am taking pictures as they go, and I will post them later.
So after lunch, Jason went outside to help them, and the kids laid down for naps. I had nothing to do (except a sink full of dishes!), so I decided to rearrange our room (also on Friday's list). I made so much extra space with the way we decided to arrange everything that I was able to bring this out of the garage:
Look familiar? I thought so! I'm so excited to have a comfy chair in our room. I'm hoping to get up early and read my Bible in the mornings. And if I can sit in my room and do it, there is less chance of the kids waking up before I'm done.
So, after that, everybody woke up from naps, and we had dinner over and Grandma & Papa's house with Denton & Dora and Steve & Chris (tri-tip, roasted potatoes, beans, and salad). Jay went to a friends house to watch the UFC fight, and the kids and I came home and hung out. Zeke got a bath. The boys were in bed by 7:30; Sierra by 8:30.
Today has been a simple day. We got up, took showers, went to church, then came home and ate lunch. Zeke laid down for his nap, and Jay and Sierra are sleeping too. Sierra actually took a nap yesterday (her first in over a month, I think), but she had a temperature of 101* after church, and she was really tired, so she laid down with Daddy.
Not sure what we are doing for dinner. Probably just leftovers next door
Anyway. I hope you all had a good weekend. And I hope you have an even better week!
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Thursdays are for Baking
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*Bible verses....still
*Clean kids' bathroom (sink/counter and
*Do more in our bathroom (tub/shower)
*Bake something for Bible Study
*Do something with the pomegranate
*Watch Biggest Loser
*Watch Bones online
*Check out preschool "curriculum" on A Beka, Sonlight and elsewhere
*Print out WalMart master shopping list
*Edit Grocery master shopping list
*Find muffin ideas (blueberry gets boring really fast)
*Take stuff out to garage
*Fold diapers
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I know there is more I have to do, but that's all I could think of right now. I'm sure I will be back later.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
And so it begins.
If crying babies irritate you, I probably wouldn't watch this. But if you like REALLY CUTE crying babies.....
This is what happens when Zeke is cranky and tired, and the milk cup is empty. I'm having flashbacks of Tyner fits.
It's kind of long (two minutes), but that's okay. Hey wait a minute. I just realized it cut off the last 30 seconds of the video. It was supposed to be 2:32 long. Grrr. Darn free video services. Maybe if I actually paid for it......
Anyway. Enjoy!
Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books
Not much of Anything happens on Wednesday
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*Post pictures and
*Put bible verses up around house. (I'm not very spiritual, neglecting these bible verses, am I?)
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Today is a nothing day. No heavy cleaning like the last few days. It's a nice break.
But tomorrow! Tomorrow we bake bread. And Tyner is going to help me. Fun, fun, fun!
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Tuesday we Do Floors
As the title implies, my big job for today is to thoroughly clean my floors. That means vacuuming carpets and sweeping and mopping floors.
We are going to a friend's house this afternoon, so I need to try to get most (if not all) of my housework done in the morning. Both kids are home today, so maybe I can get them to help me. I plan on putting dinner in the crockpot so that it will be ready to go even if I'm not home early.
So anyway. Here is my To Do list for Tuesday:
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*Deposit check at bank (BANKS ARE CLOSED TODAY! DUH!!!)
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*Post pictures/video (another left over from yesterday)
*Put bible verses up around house (also left over)
Well, that's it for now. I'm sure I will add some more as the day goes on.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Menu Plan Monday - week of 11/10/08
Monday is Wash Day
Monday has kind of become my laundry day, so that is my biggest job for the day. As always, a load is crossed off the list when it is washed, dried, and laid out on the bed. I fold Zeke's and my clothes, Jason folds his and Tyner's, and Sierra folds her own clothes. Everything else will kind of happen while loads are running.
So, here is my list:
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*Laundry
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-Gentle cycle
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*Call doctor about Zeke's ear?
*Put bible verses up around house
*Post pictures and video
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Well, I think that's about it for my To Do list for today. I will add more if I think of something else. And I will try to come back and cross off as I get stuff done.
I better get on this list. I've already used up 45 minutes of Zeke's morning nap time on here. Bye!
Saturday, November 08, 2008
Pumpkin Sheet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
Pumpkin Sheet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
Yield: 20-24 servings
Ingredients:
Cake Ingredients:
16 ounces (2 cups) canned solid-pack pumpkin
2 cups sugar
1 cup vegetable oil
4 eggs, lightly beaten
2 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
Cream Cheese Frosting Ingredients:
4 ounces cream cheese, softened
5 tablespoons melted butter
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
1 3/4 cups powdered confectioner's sugar
2-4 teaspoons milk
chopped nuts, for topping
Instructions:
1. Beat pumpkin, sugar, and oil. Add eggs, mixing well.
2. In another bowl, combine dry cake ingredients and stir to mix. Add to pumpkin mixture and beat well.
3. Pour batter into greased 15 x 10 x 1-inch jelly roll pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes or until cake tests done with a toothpick. Cool on a wire rack (in the pan); cover with a towel after about 15 minutes of cooling.
4. To make frosting, beat cream cheese, butter, and vanilla in a mixing bowl until smooth. Gradually add sugar, mixing well. Add milk until frosting reaches desired thickness. Frost cooled cake and sprinkle with chopped nuts if desired.
ENJOY!!!
Thursday, November 06, 2008
The Bathroom Project
Area #1: The Toilet area. This includes the window behind the toilet, the toilet itself (tank, base, bowl, rim, lid, diaper sprayer), the floor around the toilet, and the stuff on the floor (garbage can, plastic box, toilet brush). DONE.
Area #2: The Sink/Counter area. This includes the mirror, sink, fixtures, counter around sink (clean and declutter), large counter next to sink (clean and declutter). DONE.
Area #3: Cabinet areas. Declutter under the sink, declutter under large counter.
Area #4: Tub/Shower area. Tub, walls, shower curtain, fixtures.
Area #5: Floor. Sweep, scrub, baseboards, wash rugs. DONE.
Area #6: Walls. Wash down any spots on walls and door. Door handles. Light switches. DONE.
Well, I think that's it for the bathroom. I will come back and edit as I finish cleaning these areas. Thanks for letting me post my dirty work. :)
Confessions of a Lazy Housewife
I have a confession to make. I hate housework. Shocking, I know.
I love being in the kitchen. I love baking and cooking and creating. I don't mind tidying up, doing dishes, or laundry.
But when it comes to cleaning, really cleaning...I mean deep down, hands and knees, spray bottle of all-purpose cleaner, rubber gloves, sponges, rags...*shudder*. My eyes glaze over and I just want to stick my fingers in my ears and go "lalalalalala." You know, pretend none of it exists.
I've gotten so good at over-looking things, ignoring them, pretending they're not there. Screaming kids, toys on the floor, full laundry baskets, dirty bathrooms. I feel so horrible when I finally notice that the window sill in our master bathroom is covered in a layer of dust so thick you could build a snowman out of it.
And it's really not fair to my husband, who appreciates a clean home. He occasionally reminds me that our bathroom is filthy, or that the floors need cleaning. And that it's my job to keep it clean. Uh....oh yeah. Cleaning falls under the heading of Housewife's Duties, huh? Whoops. More often than not, my wonderful husband will grab a broom and sweep up, or throw a load of laundry in.
That's when I feel like a lazy failure. Where was I? Why didn't I do that? Yes, I'm busy with the kids, and the kitchen, and surface cleaning/tidying. More often than not, though, I'm on the computer. I don't watch TV during the day, so my major time-waster is definitely the computer. Ummmm....like I am right now.
So, I'm going to get off the computer. I'm going to take my bathroom 15 minutes at a time. I'm going to set my timer for 15 minutes and pick something to clean. The toilet, the counter, the sink, the tub/walls, the floor. I'm thinking if I make it into lots of small jobs, it won't seem so overwhelming. And maybe it will bless my husband in the process.
So, I'm off to do my first 15 minutes of bathroom cleaning. Wish me luck.
I'll let you know how it goes.
Wednesday, November 05, 2008
Birthday, Accomplishments, and Making a Comeback
Here is opening the present:
Zeke found his 0-3 month camo hat in a box today and was trying to put it on. He thought it was so funny when I finally put it on him, that he walked around the house smiling and laughing. He looked so goofy with the tiny hat on that I had to get a picture.
I made six packages of Rice-A-Roni type stuff. I got the recipe from Hillbilly Housewife. These are really tasty (although I haven't tried the taco), and they are super easy to throw together even if you don't have them premade. Two Beef, two Chicken, and two Taco. Grandma let me borrow their FoodSaver to re-package meat that I bought on my big Medford trip, so I packaged these up and vacuum-sealed them. They are now waiting in my pantry for me to use when I need a quick side dish.
And here he is, ready for bed, in a larger size velcro cover that the same friend lent me. I know this probably looks huge and bulky, but there is an extra microfiber liner in there to make sure it absorbs everything overnight. Well, he's not really ready for bed, since he doesn't have his jammies on yet.
So, there are a few pictures from the last few days. I really need to try to be better about posting everyday, or at least every other day, so I don't have these posts that are four topics long. Anyway. Hope you enjoyed the pictures.