Goodbye Amber... We love you!!!

Today my parents had to put down the last of their little girls - Amber. She lived a healthy 15 wonderful years. Amber started out as my puppy when I moved out of my parents home back in 1994. However, because I moved into a condo, there really wasn't any yard for her to play in, so my parents kindly took her to live with them - and Little Megan!! They were the best of friends!!! You couldn't have asked for better girls! Both Amber & Megan were VERY well behaved. Last June, after my parents had to put Megan down, Amber seemed to sense that SHE now was the PRINCESS... and she took full advantage of that!! Such a sweet baby girl & our "little clown". She brought so much laughter with her playing and dancing... We are really going to miss you Amber Bella!!

Here are the two girls (above)... Megan (left), Amber (right)

Reflecting back... again

Gosh, for several years now I've looked back at a few pictures and wondered where the time went? I've been blessed with a small but very close, loving family... to include my Godparents and their girls!! There are a few pictures that I dug up last night that bring back the most memories for me today! I've decided to scan just a few to post here on my blog. Two right off the top were the day each of my parents turned 40!! And, here I am years later... right where they were, probably feeling exactly as they felt (or darn near close). I remember making and decorating a double layer chocolate butter-cream frosting cake for my dad on his 40th. Now, its just weird to look at this and think... I'm as old as he was.... GEEZ!!Here is a BEAUTIFUL picture of my mom on her 40th birthday... gosh, she looked GREAT!!! (and still does)


And then there is me... turning 30! (just 10 VERY short years ago) Two of my GREAT friends (Sharyn & Becky) took it upon themselves (with a little help from friends and family) to give me thee BEST surprise birthday EVER!! It was flawless I tell ya!! This is a picture of me and Sharyn (my sister-in-law)... gosh I miss our fun times together! I LOVE my brother dearly, but also wanted a sister to share "girl times" with... Here is a picture of the other friend responsible for this flawless birthday party! We met in 9th grade, and to this day remain the closest of friends... well, as close as we can since SHE decided to get MARRIED two years ago and MOVE far, far away... like to New Mexico!!! Excited for the day she tells me she's moving back!!And then there is my friend, Nicole, that I have know all HER life (since I am just 14 days short of being two years older than her - YES... I count). We literally grew up together... tormenting each other about stupid stuff that we talk and laugh about now. We would come up with the most devious plans on how to get our moms to let us have a sleep-overs, and then bring EVERY stuffed animal onto the bed with us because it was our "boat", and if they weren't on the "boat", they'd get eaten by sea monsters.... oh yes... the stories go on, and on, and on......A picture of me with my parents at my 30th birthday party...And the group shot that almost didn't happen. For some reason, my dad had the hardest time trying to get everyone together on the porch for this picture. I'm so happy that it finally happened.
For me, looking back through all these photos makes me smile today... the day I turn 40. I realize it's JUST ANOTHER DAY... but am reminded by several people that it's truly a "milestone birthday".

Reflections of the last 39 years.... (in a nutshell)

Well, tomorrow I turn the big 4-0! (and Lena turns the big 5!!!)

As I sit here tonight - the night BEFORE my birthday, I'm wondering why turning 40 somehow causes you to take a serious look back over your life and think about all the stuff you've accomplished... and the stuff you haven't, or just can't seem to get right?? (I don't recall feeling this way when I turned 30).

I've never been one to make a "check list" of all the things I wanted to do in my lifetime. For example: graduate from college :: check, get married in my 20's :: check, buy a house with a white picket fence :: check, go for a ride in a hot-air balloon :: check... you get the idea. Yes, I've had goals, but never anything specific! More now than ever, I feel that I haven't made the most out of every moment. I do feel I am older and much wiser!! So, I guess I intend on making the next chapter of my life even better (how... I have no idea). Right now I need to keep reminding myself that "age is just a number".

Huh.... I never knew.....

I never knew the "proper" way to peel a banana open until I saw this video. I usually struggle like this guy to get it started.... Velly Intellesting!!!!!!

Do you enjoy fresh squeezed lemonade??

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT!!

Hello friends! Do you enjoy the fresh squeezed taste of lemonade, but HATE having to deal with squeezing tons of lemons to get just a few drops? If your answer is YES... then let me tell you about this wonderful product available at your local Costco store. Italian Volcano Lemon Juice!! This Lemon Juice by Dream Foods International is:
- 100% juice
- No preservatives
- USDA Organic
- Single-origin juice made form Sicilian lemons
- Not-from-concentrate
- Kosher

A 1-liter bottle of Italian Volcano® Lemon Juice equals the juice of 40 fresh lemons!

So, if you enjoy fresh squeezed lemonade, but hate the fuss and muss of squeezing lemons, then get your hands on a bottle of this stuff!! You'll never have to squeeze lemons again!

You're welcome!!

(p.s. There are a few other citrus flavors available by Dream Foods International - I have only tried the Lemon Juice.)

ORGANIC LEMONADE

1 part organic sugar

1 part Volcano Lemon Juice®

5 parts spring water

Combine sugar and lemon juice. Stir until sugar is dissolved. Add water and stir again until well mixed. Enjoy!

Laura's 26 ABC's

I've seen this being done on other blogs, and I thought it would be a fun thing to do. If you want, cut and paste this into your blog, answer the questions, then leave me a comment letting me know you did it too.

A - Age: 39 (gulp)
B - Bed size: Queen
C - Chore you hate: Pulling Weeds
D - Dog's name: Lena
E - Essential start your day item: Shower
F - Favorite color: Purple

G - Gold or Silver: Silver

H - Height: 5'3"
I - Instruments you play: None
J - Job title: Accounting, Mom to my dog Lena & bird Caleb, daughter, sister and friend
K - Kid(s): None
L - Living arrangements: Home in Eastpointe, Michigan
M - Mom's name: Virginia (a.k.a. Ginny)
N - Nicknames: Lo, Lola, Flowie
O - Overnight hospital stay: Yes, several times growing up
P - Pet Peeve: Dirty House
Q - Quote from a movie: "You had me at hello" - Jerry McGuire

R - Right or left handed: Right Handed
S - Siblings: 1 brother
T - Time you wake up: 4:30 AM
U - Underwear: Yup
V - Vegetable you dislike: I love Veggies
W - Ways/Reasons you run late: I am never late
X - X-rays you've had: teeth and just about everywhere else at one time or another

Y - Yummy food you make: Szechuan Noodles with Pork
Z - Zoo animals you like: I just love ALL animals

Saturday afternoon with Mom

Today my mom and I got to spend some fun time together. It didn't end up being as we had originally planned... but was fun all the same.

We started out headed toward a watch repair store by my house, but found it to be closed on Saturdays... which consequently threw the entire plan off. My watch that I LOVE broke a few weeks back, and rather than try to find a replacement, I thought I would get it repaired. I've had this watch for eons and HATE thinking of having to find a new one. Originally, depending on how much it would cost to repair my watch, my mom and I were going to head out to the dreaded MALL (ugh!!) to look around for a new one. She picked three up during the week, and although I really liked them, she felt it best that I look around to make sure there wasn't one that I would like BETTER! Well, the problem is that my mom L O V E S to shop... I H A T E to shop... well, for anything other than housewares.

So, since the watch shop was closed, we drove through a sub division and found an "ESTATE SALE". We decided to go in and take a look. Found NOTHING of interest. Next stop... The Salvation Army!! YIPPEE!! I love shopping at thrift stores.... its like digging for treasures! There we found a few nice tee-shirts, athletic running pants, and four really cute, small bowls for who knows what?!?!? This Salvation Army was really one of the better ones... everything was so neat and organized. Funny thing is... my mom H A T E S stores like that... and I totally L O V E stores like that! That's so funny to me....

So... on to the next stop... DINNER! Since we both LOVE Mediterranean food, we went to a little diner close to my house. We went all out... Hommus with Chicken, Kibee Nahyee, salad, garlic butter, cucumber with yogurt.... we STUNK to high heaven when we left... but it tasted SOOOO good!!! Unfortunately, we still needed to make one more stop - and after eating the garlic butter... I was feeling bad for whoever came into close contact with us! :-) My mom needed to run into the Bulk Food store to get some type of "salt-free" diet thing... and she came out with that, PLUS a few small bags of candy.... I KNOW! Go figure! (love you mom).

Radio Shack was the last stop. We wanted to run in to get adapters for our iPods to play in our cars. That was a quick in-n-out. My mom was so excited because she was able to get one for their older mini van that doesn't have an "Aux" connector. She was able to get an adapter that works from a tape player... VERY COOL!!! They think of everything! On our way back to my house, we both (literally at the same time) thought it would be cool to share and Iced Latte Mocha from Dunkin' Donuts... MMMMmmmm!! So, since I don't have a DD close to my house... we drove to one by her house, shared one as we drove back to my house. She decided it would be fun to take a little detour down memory lane. We went past a few of the homes that she lived in growing up. It's a fun thing to do, but also kinda depressing to see how BAD they look now... and how people just let them get run down... they use to be BEAUTIFUL homes. FINALLY, we made it back to my house!! Right after unloading the car, my mom took off. It's funny, because she went home, got my dad, and went back out to the mall!! She's really something!! Actually, my parents were made for each other... they BOTH love to shop - especially with each other!!

I had a GREAT afternoon Mom!!! Thanks for the memories!!!

This had me smiling all the way through...

I've stood up in my fair share of weddings, and NEVER have we ever discussed entering like this (thank goodness... I don't think I could have done it). But seriously, how creative and cool!!

MacKenzie for the weekend

This past weekend, I had the PLEASURE of watching my niece, MacKenzie. What a good girl she is!! She helps my Lena guard the house while I sleep AND while I'm at work. MacKenzie is also the "Chief Yard Security Officer". Every morning and evening, she patrols the yard for critters of any sort. It's a tough job... but she doesn't seem to mind. All they ask for in return is BREAD!! They both LOVE their bread!!

I was able to snap a couple pictures of these two... what dolls!!

The Consequences of Feminism

"Then" by Brad Paisley

I fell in love with this song by Brad Paisley the first time I heard it.This is the live version of "Then" that was played at the CMA's. Ahhh... just listen to the words (and look at the cutie).... this would make a nice wedding song!!!

Silver (passed away June 28th, 2009)

It wasn't that long ago I had to post this about Harvey.

And then this about our little Megan.

Now, I have to post about our little Silver Boy. I found out today from the co-worker we gave Harvey & Silver to that Silver passed away yesterday afternoon. He lived to be about 18, which is a pretty good life for this type of bird. He was a sweet little bird, that enjoyed just sitting wherever you placed him. He learned to say a few words, but the best was when he called for his best buddy ~ Harvey. Silver was a special gift to my parents (mainly my mom) for their 25th wedding anniversary. Silver was a rare type of Cockatiel, who just happened to be super clumsy!! I don't think he EVER had a beautiful, full tail, and somehow he always seemed to have poop on him! Usually Harvey would sit on a top perch while Silver was at the bottom. His little feet never seemed to have much coordination or strength... but this little guy could scream with the best of them!! Although his last year wasn't spent with my family, we still feel the loss... just knowing we won't get any updates... or ever be able to hold him again... it's sad!!! :-(

Happy Birthday Dad!!

Just wishing you a wonderful birthday, Dad!! Hope you just sit back and enjoy the day!!You (and mom) are always so willing to do for others!! I love you very much!

Happy Father's Day Dad!!! xoxo

A Dad is a person
who is loving and kind,
And often he knows
what you have on your mind.
He's someone who listens,
suggests, and defends.
A dad can be one
of your very best friends!
He's proud of your triumphs,
but when things go wrong,
A dad can be patient
and helpful and strong.
In all that you do,
a dad's love plays a part.
There's always a place for him
deep in your heart.
And each year that passes,
you're even more glad,
more grateful and proud
just to call him your dad!
Thank you, Dad...
for listening and caring,
for giving and sharing,
but, especially, for just being you!
Happy Father's Day

June Celebrations!

My family has three major celebrations in June... all relatively close to each other. My brother Mark's b-day, Father's Day, and my dad's b-day. We usually decide one Saturday in June to celebrate all three. This was yesterday for us - and it was a beautiful day! I get to see my parents all the time, but Mark lives a bit further away, so it was WONDERFUL seeing him again. I enjoy his company and really miss not living closer to him!! He and I have always been close, and I believe help to keep each other "grounded".

I wish I thought to take a few more pictures than I did, but the ones I did take are like a little story. I couldn't seem to get one good picture where both my dad and brother were smiling at the same time, and then my camera was lagging... so, needless to say I took several in a row.... laughing so hard, tears were streaming down my face (which made taking a picture even harder). They were kind enough to let me snap one after the other... but even they became slap-happy! It was too funny... so, to best illustrate the moment, I created this little filmstrip of the pictures taken.
(if you click on the picture, it should open up full size - to better appreciate the facial expressions)

Pulling Weeds (part 1)

Let me start this post with the "END RESULT" picture. Maybe by doing this, you will better see all the hard work we put into cleaning the front yard of the office I work at.
Last Friday the girls in my accounting department at work were "hired" to pull weeds in the front yard of our office. Usually, they hire a crew to take care of all that, but to help save $$$, the company decided to ask us girls if we would be interested in that job for CA$H. We all agreed, and the four of us threw on our grubbies and headed out front. OH-MY-GOSH!!! I have NEVER seen (or pulled) so many weeds in my life. There were weeds taller than me - and I'm 5'2". I took some before and after shots to show off all the hard. It took the four of us from noon, till 3:30 to get it all cleaned out. We worked NON-STOP to get that job done... and I was BEAT by the time I got home. Thankfully, my knees didn't suffer any pains!! Here are the pictures.

This first one shows some of the weeds that had grown along the front brick wall. The wall actually has beautiful Day Lilies that line it (which you will see in the after pictures). Below this picture is showing how LONG that brick wall actually is....
These shots below were taken from standing right outside our front door. The weeds were so bad that you can't tell that we had Tulips growing.

Now, maybe the Day Lilies actually have a chance to grow and bloom!!! (you can actually SEE them now) These "after" shots were taken from inside my car... on my way HOME!!!Our tree actually looks like a tree now...

And we can actually see out of our kitchen window. We had to leave one of the bushes alone because there was a nest with tiny little baby birds. In a few weeks, when the nest has cleared, we plan on going back and trimming it like the others.All in a days work...
Stay tuned for more "Small Jobs for CA$H" posts in the future!! :-)

Tuesday Night Dinner and a Study

Tuesday night has become one of my favorite nights. Why you ask?? Well, two reasons, one is because I know I will be getting a GREAT home-cooked meal, and the other is because I open my home to a small bible study that provides the dinner (and dessert). We alternate weeks for cooking, and let me tell you... the menu has been out of this world good. We've all started to become a little (no scratch that) a LOT more health conscience, and try to find new recipes (or improve old ones) to bring to the table. Here is one from two weeks ago. I found the recipe in a Taste of Home magazine, and asked my parents if we could make it. Between both of us, we had all the ingredients... and it was a BIG HIT! The dinner was: Grilled Tilapia with Pineapple Salsa, Sweet Potato Fries, brown rice, green peas, and fresh out of the oven rolls.
For dessert, my mom made (from scratch) a Strawberry-Rhubarb pie, and it was to die for!! The Rhubarb was fresh from my friends yard, and we topped it with French Vanilla ice cream.

So, as you can see... Tuesday nights are filled with good food, good friends, and good conversations!

Chicken Tortilla Soup

A few weeks ago I decided to make one of my favorite soups... Chicken Tortilla Soup. I posted the recipe below the picture of ingredients.

Chicken Tortilla Soup

1 tsp Olive Oil
1 cup chopped onion
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 cups shredded cooked chicken breast (about 10 ounces)
1 cup whole kernel corn, frozen or canned
1/4 tsp Cayenne Pepper or 1 Tbls chopped seeded Jalapeno Pepper
1 tsp ground Cumin
1 tsp Worchestshire Sauce
1/2 tsp Chili Powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
2 (14 1/2 ounce) cans no sodium (or low sodium) chicken broth
1 (14 1/2 ounce) can crushed tomato
1 (10 3/4 ounce) can Healthy Request (or Progresso) Tomato Soup
1 pkg corn tortillas or tostada shells

Heat oil in Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic; saute 2 minutes or until tender. Stir in chicken and next 9 ingredients (chicken through tomato soup); bring to a boil. Cut or break 4 tortillas into pieces and add to soup. Reduce heat and simmer at least 1 hour. Ladle soup into bowls and top with additional tortilla pieces and a tablespoon of sour cream if desired.

Happy Birthday Mark!!!

Hope your day is EXTRA special!

I love you!!!

Broken Computer :-(

Ugh! Being without a computer is the worst!! Last weekend my computer decided to stop working - out of the clear blue, without any warning. At first I thought my monitor just went, but after buying a new one and hooking it up.... still nothing! I've contacted my friends "computer geek" nephew to check things out. We're thinking maybe my graphics card is shot... but not sure. I'm really hoping it's a simple fix. I've had my computer for 6 years, and never once have had any problems with it. Sure hope it didn't catch the SWINE FLU!!