bittersweet symphony

tuesday rant

(title inspired by cassie)

Dear Pinterest,

Thank you for showing me everything I never knew I wanted to make, paint, bake, scrapbook, eat, drink, dress like and read .  And maybe I should pin some ideas on how to clone myself so I can have time to create all of these lovely things.  However I have found the time to bake 2 desserts from my board, so maybe I just need to prioritize?

Thank you for making me believe I AM CRAFTY and can buy CUTE CLOTHES.

And thanking for making me annoyed when I arrive home and see all the little things in the house that need a PINTEREST make over. Yes I am talking to you half done picture wall, stack of unpainted frames in the corner, unshaded windows, gallons of paint in the basement that has yet to make it on my walls, unpainted, undistressed china cabinet, unorganized kid art, out of control necklaces and earrings, and to all the scrap wood in the basement that has yet to be made into fabulous storage solutions.

But I guess in the meantime, I will be making some yummy new superbowls snacks this weekend. So really, thanks for that.

Signed,

a pinning fool

****No meal plan yet this week, kinda going on the fly because mama has yet to make it to the grocery store this week...I think tonight will be the grocery store run.

****Will there be a new parenthood tonight? Please say yes.

 

 

10 on tuesday

1. happy march 1st! Spring arrives this month! yeah!

2. need a free gallon of milk? go to. www.coupons.comprint out the .55 cent off coupon of lucky charms & the .55 off coupon of cinnamon toast crunch. Print each twice. go to giant eagle. Buy 4 boxes - get a catalina (that coupon the prints out with your receipt) for a free gallon of milk! Giant Eagle on Norton road has cereal - 4 for $8.00 - even though it's advertised as 4 for $10.00.  Deal ends wednesday.  I might need to print some more (also available to print on www.smartsource.com and www.target.com) and go back. Can't beat .90 cents for a box of cereal and free milk.

3. Tuesdays are my favorite day of the week. I seem to accomplish a higher number of tasks on Tuesdays. At work and at home. Off my to do lists this is what I got done today so far:

1.  work - resolved lots of old items, planned a pizza party
2. renewed driver's license, got new tags for both Hondas
3. Stopped at giant eagle
4. Got Brady's haircut
5. Cleaned out the inside of the van while the boys ran around outside
6. cleaned out the refrigerator - leftovers & fruit for dinner
7. did a load of dishes
8. folded a pile of laundry
9. 2 more loads in the washer/dryer
10. baked cookies
11. bath night for the boys
12. blogging
13. cut out coupons

4. And catch up on some DVR'd shows tonight. Eddie is at Akron U with a group of band kids tonight - so I can watch my girlie shows.

5. Okay, boys are in bed now it's 8:38. We needed one more drink of water, train blankets and stuffed animals needed hugs too. Is it wrong that I put the boys in comfy play clothes after their bath? So in the morning - they are ready to go - no need to get dressed - just brush teeth and ready to go! I am always looking for ways to cut down on our morning mad dash out the the door.

6. I am running out of steam and i might now make it to 10 things tonight. Lame. Sorry

7. Bachelor: Chantal or Emily? I think he will pick Chantal. I think he just has a school girl crush on Emily and the kid scares him a little more than he is letting on. But I think Brad is the most genuine Bachelor ever.

8. Trying to book a beach vacation...hoping we can pull it off this year.

9. My taxes are not done yet- oops- my goal was to have them done by 2-28-11. Maybe I should work on 
them...next tuesday.

10. Received awesome news tonight: SGM Dennis Gerber returned home today after his year long deployment! So happy for the Gerber family as they get to be a family of four again. Prayers for all the service men and women still waiting to come home. Thank you Denny for your service & sacrifice. WELCOME HOME!

Random picture: I took some shots of this really old baseball for friends of ours that are going to sell it...look closely you might see Yogi Berra & Micky Mantle's signatures. it's a New York Yankee's World Series ball from the 1940's...I told them I would only charge 10% of the selling price for the pictures...

    

ohio = crazy weather

today: 5.5 earthquake in Ontario, Canada...it came across the lake.

Breaking News into the Fox 8 Newsroom, an earthquake shook Cleveland and surrounding suburbs just after 1:50 pm.

According to Michael Hanson of the Ohio Seismic Network, an earthquake took place but its size is not yet known.

Viewers are reporting their houses shaking and swaying from Hudson to Painesville to Canton.

-

Did you feel it? I did not. But some people down the hall from me swear their computer monitors were shaking.

Now we have severe thunderstorm warnings and tornado warnings until 3:15 today.

Only in ohio, in one day:

earthquake

severe thunderstorm warnings

tornado warnings

10 on what...?

oh Glee, how I love thee.

I forgot I had a blog. sorry for all the page views of the same old post. I have another chicken in the crockpot today. Dinner tonight will be easy.

With the new season of Glee starting last night, it forced me to realize we watch too much TV! There was a conflict with our DVR. We had to watch Glee in real time, gasp!

10 shows on our DVR.

1. glee

2. parenthood

3. survivor

4. grey's

5. private practice

6. the biggest loser

7. the soup

8. ghost whisperer

9. holmes on homes

10. american idol

and Army Wives just started again, so a new drop dead diva should be on soon!

what's on your DVR schedule?

manic monday

I barely made it out of the house this morning, it was just one of those mornings. Riley was upset about EVERYTHING, Brady was crying for cinnamon toast crunch, but everytime he saw the box, he would cry harder "I no like dat", we finally settled on a waffle.  Riley had a field trip today, I really couldn't miss work and neither could eddie. I asked Papa if he would like to go to the apple orchard. He was excited to take Riley. (I can not say how thankful and grateful I am for Grammie & Papa these last 2 years - even more so- with everything with my parents falling part, they have always been there to save the day and they love our boys oh so much) Back to this morning, we made it out the door and by the time we got to grammie & papa's - all tears were dried, including mine.  whew.  But my mama's  heart is still heavy. Wishing we could have stayed in bed this morning, snuggled, ate breakfast in our pj's and stayed home & made apple crisp.

On a much lighter note, I never got on the 365 POTD bandwagon, even though it's fun to look thru other 365 galleries, maybe next year, BUT I did start an OCT POTD. figured - why not since fall is my favorite season. Hopefully I can keep it up for 31 days in a row.

Halloween costumes have been picked out & purchased. While Daddy watched the Browns almost win, and Brady took a nap, Riley and I went to Target.  He really wanted to be Optimus Prime (but they didn't have his size) next best thing: Bumble Bee (he's the yellow caramo autobot in Transformer movie). Riley helped pick out Brady's outfit (no transformers, buzz lightyear, or woody in his size) so it was between candy corn and Batman. Riley picked batman. Brady does love "datman" and "spiderman" so I thought why not.

after we got home, eddie decided it was time to move the living room around. Okay I love to change things up a bit...but it makes me kinda grumpy in the process...because you see all the "stuff" that gets accumulated.  Plus I took down my extra scrap table - now everything is piled high in my corner. So I think once I get that back in order it will be okay and I will be less grumpy. Anybody need a barely played guitar hero, wicker & wrought iron sofa table,  or a sony rack stereo system with those huge *ss speakers? And I kinda freaked out when we unplugged the DVR - my unwatched shows! my timers! will it tape Army Wives & Drop Dead Diva. Umm it was all still there when plugged back in. (sheepishly grins) I must say this set up does provide more wall space for the picture gallery I have in my mind. Now just to execute it...

5 on friday

1. Oh GLEE, how I love thee.

2. Put up our fall decor last night.  And started the countdown to Halloween. So far Riley has said he wants to be: Zurg (from Toy Story), Batman or a Rhino.  Trying to steer him towards Buzz Lightyear so Brady can be Woody. Is that wrong?

3. I just want to find my scrap table. It's lost in remnants of projects and about 1,000 unorganized pictures.

4. I just bought a $15 crock pot from Target. Looking forward to menu planning that includes crock pot recipes. Have any favorites you want to share?

5. Taking the boys to the football game tonight to see the band (and daddy). Should be a great night for a game! looking forward to cool weather, hot cocoa and homemade cookies from the band moms and hearing the band play some Bon Jovi.

enjoy the weekend!

customer service

This is a public service announcement of sorts and a bit random.  But maybe someone will find this helpful :)

Customer service these days is a hit or miss. You can call or email. You might get a computer or might get a real live person. And they might speak English.

Examples of GOOD customer service:

1.Dominion East Ohio.

Call 800-362-7557.  did you know you can call for a lower gas cost per MCF (unit)? We were paying $11.99 per MCF, I called the 800#, waited on hold for about 3 minutes, got a rep, asked for a lower rate, got $7.75 locked in until Oct 2010.  We pay on budget, but when they balance out the account 3 times a year, we will see a lower bill.

2. Studio Calico   Awesome Kit Club. More pretty kits for me to hoard.  I really wanted their June kit - but it was sold out. So I emailed Scarlet & asked to be on the waiting list. She sent me a quick response back that she would be refilling kits and might have a few add ons and would let me know on Monday. and you know what? She emailed me on monday to let me know more kits were added and she had one add one if I wanted it. I emailed back and placed my order. Later that week - my kit arrived! Cute packaging and a coupon for dollars off my next order. 

3. ddeforest

I saw this etsy shop linked on another blog. I checked it out. Filled with cute little notions, ribbons and button sets.  But she didn't have any button sets listed. So I convod her - would she be listing any soon? So she convo'd me back - she was on vacation - but would be happy to do some custom sets for me  - what colors? Below is one of the pink and green sets she did for me. Look at the bling! (this is her picture not mine)

but wait - it gets better! when my order arrived (I also ordered a ribbon set, an inspo set along with 3 button sets) cute package, tied with lace, a handwritten thank you note, and bonus: 3 cute ribbons for free!

4. ScrapbookPictures

I order all of my prints from this site(unless I need something one hour) $2.00 shipping! Always great sales! Lots of size options! Check them out now for their August sales and they just added books.  Doug and crew will always get my business.

5. Giant Eagle

I purchased a steak for eddies birthday dinner. We went to cook it - it was GREEN on the bottom. It had been only 2 days since I bought it at the store. Even though I don't eat steak, I know it's not supposed to be GREEN on the bottom. I take it back to the store with my receipt. The cashier is grossed out as I am. She gives me DOUBLE my money back.

Bad Customer Service

6. Children's Place

I ordered matching Easter vests & socks for the boys back in March. They arrived, one too small and one kinda wonky. So I returned them by mail in April. Refunds will take 6-8 weeks to appear on your credit card. 8 weeks pass - no credit to my card. Try to find a phone number on the packing list. They only list: 1-877-PLACE USA. Seriously I have to spell it out on my phone. I wait 38 minutes due to high call volume. I get an operator, tell them I am looking for my refund, I am told returns take 6-8 weeks to process, thank you, click. yes. They hung up on me. After 38 minutes. I wait 2 more weeks. No credit. I call again as soon as lines open at 9:am. I am the 64 caller in line! I try to find an email link on their website. Send email - get a canned response - do not reply to this email, please call customer service at 877-PLACE USA.  This goes on for months. 3 more calls to customer service, 16, 29 & 45 minutes on hold. Finally received my refund on 8-24-09. 16 weeks after my return.

7. Bank of America (and all other credit card companies)

Please stop the harassing phone calls. 8 times a day their number appears on my caller ID.  Hang ups on my answering machine. I try to call the number back - the number can not be connected.  I have a card, but it's current.

8. City of CF Sheriff's Office

Calling for donations. They got me because they were like Hi Rachel! How are you? It's Dave from the sheriff's office. Calling for support for the families of fallen officers. How could I not give? Anything to help local heroes. Connect me to the donations office - please just give us your credit card number. What ? Yes you will be helping us with our operating budget and funding. Are you kidding me? You just pulled sad cop, bad cop on me. No money for you.

9. A school that shall remain nameless, downgrades the version of FInale (used to write,compose, print music) without telling the band director who has an upgraded version on his laptop.  Now he has to take our printer to school to print out music because the old & new program will not "talk" to each other or the school's printer. 

10. My hairdresser left me without notice. I am super happy for her, a teaching job in North Carolina, but man some notice from her or the salon would be great since I did have an appt on the books, would have been nice.  I kinda get attached to my stylist, trust them.  So do you know any good stylists out there?

I did have more pictures to go to this post -but Typepad is upgrading again and pictures won't load. So I started this post 5 days ago so I figured it's time to post it....moving on.

monday blahs

oh monday. Why do you mock me? It seems everything is just a bit more difficult on mondays. And that shopping cart incident at lunch didn't help either!

thank goodness for some great news about the economy. Go check out www.scrapbookpictures.com for your own stimulus package.  Another reason I love Doug and the guys.

out with the blonde, in with the red

 

new year, new color. I took like 20 pictures to get this one - and this is me laughing at brady who is screaming MAMA, MAMA, MAMA at the top of his lungs. Oh and I got bangs too. I gotta tell you I am kinda missing the blonde- but I like this color  -even if eddie said - hmm it's kinda purple. Riley said - mama if you don't like that color - you could make it black like Bailey's!

anyone having trouble posting pictures to typepad? I have been trying to create a snow fun 2009 album - and it has taken all day to download 3 pictures. Maybe it's time for some laptop maintance.

And you know you order a lot of pictures from scrapbookpictures.com when your pictures arrive in a Flat Rate box. 6 inches of prints. I would show you a pictures - but see above...

i voted today

Yes I voted today for the upcoming General Election in November.  I filled out my ballot ahead of time and mailed it in.  I knew I wouldn't have time to run around on election day-plus-there are more car accidents that day due to increased traffice since everyone is heading to the polls to vote.  But I am sad I won't get a sticker. But at least my vote will count.

Going to be a very random post while I try to get some things down that Riley has been saying and doing & catch up on life and photo shoots.

In the car on the way home from Wednesday Night Alive (our church's midweek program - dinner is included - tonight was shepard's pie with corn, rolls & butter with pie for dessert - comfort food at it's best) Riley said -mama want to hear a joke ? Sure buddy- what's your joke?  Riley: gooey yucky computer!!  Umm he doesn't quite know the art of joke telling yet - but it will come.

Last Monday night I had a senior photo shoot  (pics to come) and I said my goodbyes to my boys-hugs and kisses all around. I walk out into the garage about to get into the car - when the garage door opens and there is a distraught Riley: Mama! I didn't get to say I love you!   This made me weak in the knees and heart. I hope he keeps this sweetness as he grows up.  The other morning eddie left before riley woke up and when he figured out daddy had already left for school - he broke down in tears: But I didn't get to hug him! Oh my sweet boy. Your daddy and I love your tender heart.  and you are sweet with Brady (at moments)when you will say he just needs a hug and kiss mama to make him feel better!

Guess where we went this past Saturday?

   

(click on images to make them larger- this was my view most of the day)

 

it was a bit cold. But warm when the sun shined. We really got lost in the 3 acre corn maze. Eddie was having trouble with the map - but we eventually made our way out. We got a huge pumpkin and an acorn squash. I love acorn sqaush with cinnamon, brown sugar butter. But no one else in the house likes squash - so I think that will be my dinner thursday night while the boys have tacos or soup and grilled cheese.  I will post an album to the left from our day - lots of pictures to share.  After the farm -we went to lunch - Red Lobster! No waiting during lunch - we got seated right away. Yum.  Riley tried shrimp and real crab for the first time & brady ate a little shrimp for the first time. Although I don't think he noticed inbetween bites of ketchup and french fries. Saturday was also sweetest day - but I didn't think we celebrated this fake holiday in our house - but riley and eddie ran some "errands" saturday morning while brady and I took our morning nap. And they brought me back these:

 

And delivered flowers to Grammie, Meem and Mamaw. Such sweet boys.   So I made brownies with peanut butter frosting during Brady's afternoon nap.

Easy Peanut Butter Frosting

1 cup of creamy peanut butter (reeese's is the best)

1 stick of butter (softened)

1/4 cup heavy whipping cream

2 cups of powered sugar

so good and low fat too!

I love right now as i type this post up- eddie and I are sitting at the kitchen table with our laptops. He is cracking up right now trying to figure out a league name for his fantasy football  baseball basketball team. Whenever he laughs I laugh.  I can't post any of the names here because, well, I can tell you this - boy humor is a lot different than girl humor.  The league draft is tonight and they guys are instant messaging trash talk to each other. I love that he shares this banter with me - boys are funny!

Time to rotate laundry and post some new albums. Watch for more  pictures in the next post!

good night all!