The Matinee

I went to the movies today. By myself. It's personal growth for me.

I saw The Proposal. I really enjoyed it. Cute, cute movie. Love Sandra Bullock. How about Ryan Reynolds? So darling. Loved him in Definitely, Maybe too.

Go see this movie. It's a fun way to spend a couple of hours.

Dr Laura And The Wolf

I am currently reading The Proper Care and Feeding of Husbands by Dr. Laura Schlessinger. I am wanting to become a better person and wife. While I don't always enjoy Dr. Laura's directness, I do appreciate her values.

In chapter 3, titled "You're a nag!", she shares the following story which was shared by a listeners minister.

A grandfather was talking to his grandson. "Grandson," he said, "there are two wolves living in my heart and they are at war with each other. One is vicious and cruel, the other is wise and kind."

"Grandfather," said the alarmed grandson, "which one will win?"

"The one I feed," said the grandfather.

I loved this example. Sometimes it's too easy to look at the negative side of things. I admit, I tend to be one of these people. I've never really accepted responsibility for my negativity. I thought it was just a result of the many challenges I've faced. This story has reminded me I have the choice. Of course, I always knew the choice was mine, but this simple story has taught me the lesson in a way nothing else has.

Maybe it can help you too.

A Real Winner

I changed my blog background again. I was very happy with the one I put up Monday, but realized it might not be such a good idea to have my boys pictures displayed like that. Especially in uniform. That's why I changed it again so soon.

Have you visited The iLash Girls? I have a button on my blog. You should really go sometime.
It's a fun place to be. It's really all about friendship and sharing. The owners are Leigh Anne from yourhomebasedmom.com and Sherra from sherralifelesson.com.

One of the best things about iLash Girls is their giveaways. This week they are giving away summer fun products. They have a darling beach bag and some sidewalk paint. If you want to enter click here. But hurry. The deadline to enter is tomorrow at midnight!

A few weeks ago I was lucky enough to win. It was my first blog win and I was more than excited. Especially because the prize I won was the best one ever offered, in my humble opinion, of course. It is a print from the etsy shop Savoie Faire Photography.

I have been waiting for it to arrive so I could show it to you, and brag a little. But it occurred to me, as I was taking pictures of it, last night, I shouldn't show it. It's got personal information on it, and again I just want to protect my boys. So instead I'll show you the sample from the etsy shop where you can purchase these fabulous prints.

Aren't they beautiful? I am just thrilled to have mine. I really suggest you hurry over and order one for yourself. I promise they're even more lovely in person. There are several designs to choose from and Christine was so easy to work with. I can't tell you how great the whole experience was.

After you order your print, be sure to stop by the iLash Girls site. You won't be sorry.

Menu Plan Monday

This will be my first week of cooking only for two. There are so many changes in my life! I wonder if I'll be like my mom, and not be able to scale down recipes and instead cook like I have house full!

Monday:
Salmon Patties
Potato Cakes
Asparagus

Tuesday:
Pioneer Woman's Steak Bites
Baked Potatoes
Peas

Wednesday:
Broccoli Beef
White Rice
Egg Rolls

Thursday:
Chili Dogs
Potato Chips

Friday:
Tostados

Saturday:
Eat out!

Sunday:
Daddy-O cooks so he chooses

For more dinner ideas, be sure to visit Laura at I'm An Organizing Junkie!

Now What?

Did you miss me? It's been forever since I've taken a minute to attend to my blog. Life got crazy... and wonderful for me. But it's all over now.

Marine Boy came home. He was here for two glorious weeks. It was so nice to have him here. I know his little brother was glad he was home. The days went too quickly, but I was grateful for each and every one of them.

Gus graduated from High School, then nine days later left for boot camp. I hated to see him go, but he was ready. Unfortunately, the friend he signed up with had a few problems and won't be leaving for a couple more weeks. That was the hardest part of all of this...letting Gus go alone. I will be relieved to get a letter and know he's doing well.

I am no longer a mom. Daddy-O tells me I am still a mom, but since I'm not mothering on a full time basis any longer, I just don't feel like one. I plan to clean every inch of this house to keep me busy while I adjust to my new life. After the cleaning is finished, I have no clue what I am going to do with myself.

I suppose it's time to rename my oldest child. Since he's no longer the only Marine boy in our home, his name just doesn't work. From here on out, he will be known as Danny. Can you believe I have two boys in the Corps? It boggles my brain.

I am a bit ahead of myself. Gus isn't a Marine yet and won't be until late August. There is no doubt he will make it. You can count on him!

I watched the movie, Taking Chance, last night. It's the story of a volunteer escort for the body of a fallen Marine. It was touching and you know I cried through most of it. It's ironic Neflix sent this movie to me less than a week after Gus left, isn't it? If you get the chance, I'd really recommend it. Kevin Bacon stars as the escort. It doesn't get much better than that!

Here I Am!

Howdy Fellas. Let's bowl some bowls.

Any Grease 2 fans here? For some reason I cannot get that line out of my head. Forgive me. I am not getting enough sleep. Yeah, that's it. I'm tired.

I want to apologize for disappearing. Marine Boy is here and I've been enjoying every single second of my whole family being together. Gus leaves Saturday. I can feel the tears coming on. Then MB will leave Tuesday. I promise to come back and post with regularity then. Because nothing is better than being regular, you know.

I hope you'll still be here when I get back although I wouldn't blame you if you weren't.

Oh. How are you feeling about Leno leaving The Tonight Show? I'm so sad. I'm not a big Conan fan.

Mindless Chatter

It's too hot outside. My house is uncomfortable, yet I am trying to not think about it. I don't want to turn on the air conditioner yet. It's too early for those huge summer power bills. I don't know how long I can stand it though.

There is a cool breeze outside, but the way my house is built, the breeze is not coming through my windows. Too bad my house isn't built on a huge lazy susan, so I could turn it just a bit. Then I'd be fine.

I received some good news last night. Marine Boy is coming home tomorrow! Yea! I shouldn't get too excited as there is a 10% chance he won't get his leave approved. But I'm not worried. I can just feel he'll be here. I will have my whole, little family together. I don't know when it will happen again, so I will cherish every second. I think he'll be here until Gus leaves for boot camp. I dread that day. It's less than two weeks away now.

So, let's talk television. Isn't it the worst when all your favorite shows are over for the season? I hate it. I've mentioned before how I LOVE television. I really do. I don't know how I'll get through the summer without new episodes of Grey's Anatomy or America's Next Top Model. Though, I'm annoyed they fired Paulina Porizkova. I loved her. She said she got a little nasty when having to wait for hours for 'you know who' to show up for panel. Well, who can blame her? I'd be nasty too.

My DVR is filled with episodes of Brady Bunch, All In The Family and Leave It To Beaver. I feel it would be a waste of money to not have something recorded. If you have any suggestions for good summer time programing, please share.

You may or may not have noticed I changed the background on my blog. I was getting antsy after having the same look for so long. It was pink and now it's yellow. It's nice, but I am thinking I need a whole new look. You can be watching for that. I hope it doesn't annoy you.

I am dying for a candy bar or a cookie. I don't have any sweets in the house because I'm trying to develop good habits. I've been doing quite well at making more healthy choices when I snack. But today, I think I'm going to close the windows, turn on the air conditioning and bake cookies. Oh. They're not for me. They're for Daddy-O. Chocolate chip cookies are his favorite so I think I'll make some for him. You know what they say... the best way to a man's heart... I want to be in his heart today.

Pucker Up!

In Blogland, everywhere you look, you'll see posts raving about lemons. There are lemon recipes galore. You will see main dish recipes and dessert recipes all using wonderful, fragrant lemons.

I too, am a lemon freak. I made Marine Boy promise if he buys a house in California he will have a lemon tree in the back yard for his momma. While I would hate for him to live permanently that far away from me, it could be worth it for the free lemons! They are so expensive in the grocery stores here.

When I am lucky enough to find lemons on sale, I love to make lemon meringue pie or lemon bars. But my favorite lemon recipe is one I found in Taste of Home magazine for a layered lemon dessert. You can find that recipe here. It is summer in your mouth! It's a lot of work, but they payoff is huge.

When I'm not able to find good lemons at a good price, I still get my lemon fix with Lemonheads!

I love Lemonheads. I do. I love them! I bought a bulk box online two years ago. My boys and I have been eating our way through the hundreds of pieces of candy that came that day. I am down to this last bowl and it makes me sad. I don't know if I'll order them again as it will be just me at home who likes them.

Who am I kidding? Of course I'll buy them again! Life is not worth living without Lemonheads!

Thank You Swine Flu

My Marine Boy called me today. I talk to him often, but usually one or the other of us is tired, or there isn't anything new to say. But today was different. We had such a nice visit. I doubt he will remember Sunday is Mother's Day, so I'm counting our lovely chat as my gift from him. That's all a mom really wants, you know.

He was scheduled to leave for deployment the same day Gus left for boot camp. But it doesn't look like that's how it's going to be anymore. Marine Boy is assigned to a Navy Ship and will be deployed to do a Humanitarian mission. Love those. I don't have to worry SO much. A few of the sailors came down with swine flu earlier in the week so all the guys on board are taking medication. The ship has to be scoured so the deployment is delayed. Or canceled. No one knows yet.

I know my son is disappointed he isn't leaving so soon. He is really excited about going. He has always wanted to see the world. That's one of the main reasons he chose the military life. I am happy as he will probably be able to come home to see his little brother before he leaves. Thank you swine flu.

About a month ago, MB had training off base. We didn't get to talk to him for two weeks while he was gone. The time dragged on. I am a spoiled mom. I have been lucky enough to hear from my boy several times a week. I know other mom's aren't so lucky. I don't think I'll be so lucky with Gus either. He tells me he's never coming back home and he won't call either. He's grown up and ready to leave the nest. Yes dear. We'll see.

Anyhoo, when Marine Boy came back from his training he sent his dad this picture. Daddy-O was sweet enough to send it on to me. I wanted to share with you.

Those are his new friends. I could never say their names right much less type them out. They are Iraqi Americans. They train the Marines. Doesn't my boy look like he has had a bit much to eat? He assures me it's the lighting. I hope so.

I'm not going to mention how sad I am about being an empty nest mom. I know I say it too often. But I will say, my heart hurts. I'm not quite ready to find the joy in seeing them become men. I'll let you know when I'm there.