Finally Friday.

Don't you just love Friday afternoons? The gloomy clouds outside can't even get me down.
Tonight is all about:
*being without kids.
*Steaks for dinner
*A glass of wine (or two)
*A new People magazine

The dirty house can wait. Tomorrow is supposed to be beautiful!
Have a good weekend everyone.

Yum Yum Cookies.

This recipe is OH.SO.GOOD and I would be doing you a disservice if I didn't share it.
One of my dearest friends got it from her 3rd grade daughter, Macy.
Her teacher sent home a note that said Macy requested this recipe so she could make them at home. She said it was very simple so give her full control of the kitchen.
Her teacher was right and I owe my dear friend and her daughter a hug for introducing me to these cookies.

Ingredients:
1&1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1/2 cup flour
1 stick of butter
1 can condensed sweetened milk
2 cups chocolate chips
1 cup nuts
1 cup coconut

Mix flour and graham cracker crumbs in bowl.
Melt butter and mix with milk
Add butter/milk mixture to the graham cracker crumbs and flour.
Stir until mixed.
Fold in remaining ingredients

Bake at 350 for 15 minutes.

ENJOY!
Thank you Macy and MOM (AKA: Self Taught Stylist)

Let's Play Catch up.

The last few work weeks fall into the NOT SO GREAT category! I'm now feeling the effects in the left side of my neck and shoulder or maybe I'm just completely out of shape and the digging up of four shrubs has finally got the best of me. Whatever it is..I NEED RELIEF from these knots. UGH!

I'm going to release quite a bit of stress with an upcoming care free weekend. I have a project in mind and it involves playing TOOL WOMAN!
Way back in 2001 or 2002, before Brittany Spears lost her mind and shaved her head, I stopped in a great little junk store near Atoka, Texas and purchased a wooden trunk. The problem is I've never really known what to do with it or had any use for it, but I haven't been able to get rid of it.
So, I've decided to sand it, paint it, put a new latch on it, and turn it into what I hope will be a great toy box for the minis.
I love a project to take my mind off of daily stressors.

Speaking of taking my mind off of daily stressors..am I the only one still tuning into the "best rose ceremony yet"? I can't get enough drama from The Bachelor. Who do you think it's going to be? Emily? Ashley? or Chantal? OR will he freak out and not choose any of the above like last time? Will he have his therapist on the last episode to help him with his choice or will he know without a doubt? Don't spoil it if you know, but lets hear your thoughts. I think he'll choose Chantal and I'm predicting Emily will be the next bachelorette. Personally, I think all three of the girls can do better. He doesn't have a good track record with the ladies, ya know. While we're speculating I think US Weekly and People will be reporting on their break up in less than a year. It's part of the Bachelor process.

What do you think?

Laundry Day.

I guess you can tell by the picture that today's laundry day was special.
EVERYTHING is dirty and guess what, y'all. My washing machine door won't stay shut! The latch is broken. I think a certain 2 year old went swinging on it.
The Commander ordered a new part. It couldn't wait so I gathered up about six loads of laundry and headed to the PUBLIC laundry mat. After I got over how gross it was to be doing laundry in a public washing machine, I was impressed with how fast it took to finish it all.
I used the monster size machines and the ginormous dryers so we were out of there in an hour. Actually we weren't there the whole hour. I ignored the signs that read "we are not responsible for laundry left unattended". I left mine to go get the camera and lunch.
That's right, I made the Wild Thing eat his lunch in a laundry mat...and it was B-O-L-O-G-N-A. Gross. I know.

I don't know how clean the clothes really are, but I'm impressed that it's ALL done and put away. That.never.happens!
The Wild Thing was not impressed by any of it.

In fact, he was so tired that he had a full blown, two year old, melt down right there in the middle of the dryers. The other guests and employees were less than impressed with him so I finished drying the clothes at home.
What did I learn from all of this?
1)Don't take a two year old to the laundry mat. It's too hard to carry three laundry baskets and keep up with a busy body.
2)I totally want one of those metal rolling baskets with a hanging bar for my house.

Happy Valentine's Day

These three remain: faith, hope, and love.
But the greatest of these is love.
I Corinthians 13:13

Today I scooped up the Wild Thing and we attended the preschool Valentine party with Mini #1. Valentine parties are so fun! I remember making my shoe box and looking at all the Valentines after school.

The Wild Thing enjoyed a few pieces of candy and playing in the pretend kitchen area while Mrs. LuAnn read a book about a lamb called Valentine.

He was so sad to leave, but we headed to Target to pick up a few Valentine cards
before coming home. I'm ready to pick up Mini #1 after getting a glimpse of the goodies in his bag. YUM! Preschoolers know how to have a good party, but whew! I feel sorry for their teachers on these days. They were EXCITED!
At least the temps are in the 60s today so they can run off the energy. It's hard to believe that this was our yard less than a week ago.

Deal Alerts

There are only so many posts I can do on SNOW. It's pretty, but I'm over it so here's to warmer weather and clear roads.

Here's a good alert to Barnes and Noble. Go here to get $20 worth of toys and games, books and more for $10.


This will make a perfect gift for Valentine's Day or any upcoming birthdays. There are two days left on this offer and it can be used online.

Here's an excuse to get yourself out of the house.


I'm hoping to slide, skate, or sled on over to Old Navy this morning. Having a little reminder in the closet that Spring is just around the corner is good for the psyche.
Go here to print a 25% or 35% off coupon for any single item to Old Navy. Sale ends 2/17.

Winter Storm- Day 2

BRRRR. Thank you Mr. Phil for promising spring. I hope you are not playing with our emotions because we are ready!
Snow day 2:
We created works of art.

Played in the snow.

Played with the snow.

And finally made Paula Deen's snow ice cream! It was DELICIOUS! There was silence while we were eating it except for everyone saying MMMMMMMMM.... It was so good!
Eagle brand is definitely the way to go! I'll never use sugar again.


I know one thing. Snow days are bad for the waistline! The kitchen has been open for two full days. My work pants might be snug if I ever make it back in to work.

The View From here-Winter Storm Part I

Well, the meteorologists were right this time. We got the rain. We got the freezing rain. We got the sleet. We got the snow and now we've got the cabin fever.
My neighbor took the kids sledding so she's got my vote for mother of the year. It's too cold for me!
Although, by the looks of this picture they had to earn their sledding trip! ha

The Wild Thing and I enjoyed the view from the inside while the bigger kids enjoyed playing outside.

The temperatures are expected to remain bitterly cold throughout the rest of the week so we might be stuck indoors again tomorrow. Our weather has been described as "blizzard like" and we exhausted all of our sources of entertainment by 9:00 this morning so tomorrow might be a playdoh kind of day. Extreme times call for extreme measures.