A Mother's Heart

Old stories # 2

My mom has been so full of neat stories lately that I decided to share them.  I will post them in numeral order as she tells me, unless they have to do with what is going on in life like this one. 

As you all know my best friend Janet was coming out and is out. I have had her daughter Mya (niece/daughter too) for almost a month.  Well, when Janet arrived here she brought Molly their little Yorkie who is 1 year old.   Janet took Kristi and Mya to Big Bear for a few days so we are Molly sitting (help us).   Shayna and I went out to lunch today.  Before we left we put Molly in her cloth kennel that Janet keeps her in at times.  When we got home from our nice mom and daughter lunch "The  dear sweet little Molly" was running around. She chewed her way out of her kennel!!  Best of all she was kind enough to leave us a  gift !!   Mom called just then and asked why I was laughing and yelling at the dog???  So I tell her, she laughs, thanks again mom. Don't you just love mom's at times.  I have one free to good home at times,   So mom tells me a story about their Yorkie when she was a teenager.................................

My mom was 16 or 17 years old and my grandma and Bubba (grandpa, her parents) send her to pick up their Yorkie from the groomer.  The dog was about 3 years old.   My mom said this dog was stuck on hyper mode!   So she get there and picks up the dog it is breathing funny when she puts it in the car.  As she walks to the other side to get in the car the dog just drops dead!!!   Mom is like okay what do I do?? She calls her dad my Bubba at  the friends house. The woman  who answered says your mom is right here, Mom goes NO my dad PLEASE!   So Bubba get on the line and asks what is wrong??  Dads they just know don't they.   So she tells him , he says call uncle Ted to go with her to the pound.  Mom call's uncle ted and he does not want to see or touch the dead dog (What a Manly Man).   He tells mom to put into a box and cover it up so he wont see it.  She gets ready to take the dead dog to the pound and Bubba calls back and says grandma she wants the collar.  

My threat to Janet was easier.  Molly keeps rolling her DANG red ball under the sofa and barks until you get it out.  I told Janet I am going to put Molly under the sofa with her DANG red ball!!!   .  Molly has red ball problems, she needs help.

Ready to hang the DANG red ball from the ceiling fan, Mj

My English-Speaking Sons

It is so wonderful having children that talk.

This morning our alarm went off, which is the radio turning on. After only two songs, silence. I told Jonathan I thought someone turned it off. After a moment, he realized Samuel had made himself a bed on the floor next to our bed.

"Daddy, did you want that on? I was trying to let you sleep."

Elijah wanted his taggy today, and I asked him if he found it and he said "No, no, no!"

I can't believe that Elijah is almost two. It just doesn't seem possible that I had him. Even though I've had another child since him! LOL

Anyway, it's lovely having children talk. Samuel is able to get pretty creative when it comes to helping us figure out what he's trying to say. We can say "We don't understand, we're so sorry!" and often he'll think of another way to say it or describe it.

I will make sure I let ya'll know, with pictures eventually, when we are living somewhere else .... :)

Ashley

Pay It Forward!!!!

I will make a handmade gift for the first 3 interested people who comment on this post. I have 365 days to do it in…What it will be and when it will arrive is a total surprise!The catch is that you must participate as well: you must have a blog and before you leave your comment here, write up a pay it forward post on your blog to keep the fun going.(just cut and paste this one if you like!, which I did.

Pay it Forwards are fun, go on, comment, you know you want too. :)

Life ... as in, mine!

We have looked at all kinds of properties since I last blogged. At the moment, we think we know what God has for us. But we shall see. Trying to follow God's leading is so interesting and challenging both at the same time - your heart says one thing, your brain says another and then you are trying to listen for a still, small voice.

Anyway, things are complicated right now. Exciting, but complicated. One of these days when things are all settled, I'll explain the twisting path God has led us down. In the meantime, it takes a lot of concentration to just walk that path.

Added to all of this, my younger brother Adam, has fractured his neck in three places. According to the doctor's, only 3% of those thus injured are able to manage in a neck brace instead of surgery. He has to wear the neck brace for three months at least ... his life has just taken a very interesting turn.

Life goes on, in my second parent's basement, pretty well. I certainly hope to be moving into my own home again soon! But in the meantime, this is pretty well.

~Ashley~

Father's Day = Cleaning Day! LOL

There are several rooms in the house I have been decluttering lately and our bedroom was next on the list.  Oh how I dreaded it.  Our bedroom is medium sized and has a bed, 2 dressers, 2 night stands, a computer desk, and my sewing table and crafty items in it.  It makes for a crowded bedroom for sure!! So when Matthew offered to help me declutter and reorganize, I jumped at the offer.  LOL  I hate doing big jobs like that by myself, and being able to do it with someone else to talk to makes things go faster, easier and it is more pleasant.

Our closet was crammed full and the bedroom was cluttered (I like to store items under the dressers, and the bed also, but not anymore!  There were all types of things under there I had stored and forgotten about!) so that was a huge job in itself!!  But the bedroom is mostly decluttered and after cleaning out my closet and storing some winter clothing items elsewhere, I was able to put all my crafting supplies, fabric, etc. in my closet on the shelves above the hanging clothes, and a large rubbermaid tote on the floor of the closet.  I feel like I have claimed by bedroom back from the crafty nightmare!  LOL

Matthew helped out by taking items upstairs for the sale, and donations to the Thrift shop to my car, etc.  He was in and out at times empyting the trash can for me, gathering cleaning supplies for me, as well as blowing up Noah's pool, filling it with water, and burning trash. 

I am proud to say most of it is done!!!  I had some items last night I wasn't sure what to do with, so they are on the dresser to put away today, as well as a few items such as my sewing box, and a few other miscellaneous crafty items on the sewing desk that need to be put away today.

Today's chores are to clean the living room and dining room, as well as finishing up the bedroom as I have mentioned and then dust, windex, and vacuum all three.  I also have one load of laundry to get done that I didn't have time to get caught up this weekend, and some dishes.  UGH!!!  DISHES!!!!!  Hubby is going to look at Lowe's today for a piece to fix my dishwasher.  I miss it terribly!!  I absolutely hate doing dishes by hand.  LMSO 

All in all, we had a good weekend and a wonderful Father's Day with dad at home!!!  In betweeen cleaning and decluttering, we still had time to eat pizza as a family, play outside in Noah's little pool, and have some cuddle and movie time watching Noah's favoritie movies this Sunday.  It was one of those times when you hate to see the weekend come to and end!!! 

Monday Menu Planner

Monday:  WHO KNOWS!!  LMSO

Tuesday:  Ham, Cheesy Potatoes, Peas

Wednesday:  Meatball Subs, Green Beans, Fruit

Thursday:  Crockpot Chicken Pot Pie

Friday:  Pork Chops, Mashed Potatoes and Gravy, Corn

Saturday:  Hamburgers, Baked Potatoes, Glazed Carrots

Sunday: Planned Leftovers

I have no idea what is for supper tonight.  LOL  Matthew wants me to make a pot of chilli.  IT IS BLAZING HOT HERE!!  What is he thinking???? He wants to take the leftovers in his lunch this week.   So I might just make some baked potatoes tonight and everyone can top them however they way.  Which means we will have some fresh chilli to top them with if anyone wants.  YUM!

The Weekend is Upon Us

Noah and I went to get our hair cuts on Friday.  We were both getting rather shaggy I must say.  LOL   My friend Angie who cuts our hair was suprised at how fast Noah's hair grows and how shaggy he was.  We haven't seen her in over a month! LOL  I feel so much better now with my hair shaped up and Noah looks so handsome with his hair short.  When we arrived home, his daddy was pleasantly suprised to see him looking like a little man with no curls at the ends again.  LOL 

Friday night, Matthew came home and took over child duties for the evening, so a friend and I could go out to eat!!  I haven't been out without one or both of the boys (hubby and Noah), for a very long time, and of course it was much appreciated.  We went to eat Chinese, then to Wal-Mart (where I had to pick up a few things like denim sewing needles and some new scissors for an upcoming sewing project), and then went to Payless as well.  We were both hoping Wal-Mart of Payless in our area would have some cute sandals, but we were very disappointed in the selection at each store!  But we enjoyed getting out of town, telling stories and giggling together.  We spoke over dinner how nice it was to hang up the wife and mother hat for a few hours and just me "me".  Of course we love the men in our lives, and our children....but sometimes you have to get away and be yourself!  It was so nice.

Today Matthew is working on an electrical job.  His client first told him he had till the end of the month to finish.  Now he changed it and told Matthew he needs it done by this Sunday.  So Matthew will be working late today and possibly into the evening working on it I am sure.  Tomorrow he is planning on going to church (separate cars) and then taking off to finish up while we come back home for Noah's afternoon nap.  I hate to see him working so hard, and yes we miss him when he is gone so much, but he is enjoying the work, bringing in some extra money and I am proud of him for building up this second job so that one day he can eventually quite his job and be self employeed.  We have been blessed this week to have him home several days during the week before supper though, and he and Noah had a blast playing together last night while I was gone.

Today while Matthew is working, I will be at home working.  Noah is really getting into a movie while I am typing this blog, and hopefully he can entertain himself for a while today either watching it, or playing, etc. because I have so much to do.  I havevn't already determinded I won't get it all done today, but I must make a huge effort to get a dint in it all.  I have laundry to get caught up this weekend, and of course.....the dreaded dishes (the dishwasher is broke...UGH!), lots of cooking to do,and I have been decluttering and boxing up items for our sale too.  That is a job all in itself honestly.  I am not looking forward to all the chores and I find myself dragging my feet a little this morning just thinking about it all.  But I am trudging forward and praying God will help me get it all done with a positive attitude and in a timely manner so I can enjoy my finally this evening.  I always have part of tomorrow to finish up.

cornmeal-fried onion rings

I made these on Memorial Day, and oh my gosh, they were SOOOO good!  There weren't any leftovers.  The recipe came from Barefoot Contessa at home by Ina Garten.

Cornmeal-Fried onion Rings

2 large Spanish onions (or 3 yellow onions)

2 cups buttermilk

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1/4 cup (medium) yellow cornmeal

1 quart vegetable oil

     Peel the onions, slice them 1/2- to 3/4-inch thick, and separate them into rings.  Combine the buttermilk, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper in a medium bowl.  Add the onion rings, toss well, and allow to marinate for at least 15 minutes.  (The onion rings can sit in the buttermilk for a few hours.)  In a separate bowl, combine the flour, cornmeal, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper.  Set aside.

     When you're ready to fry the onion rings, preheat the oven to 200 degrees.  Line a baking sheet with paper towels.

     Heat the oil to 350 degrees in a large pot or Dutch oven.  (A candy thermometer attached to the side of the pot will help you maintain the proper temperature.)  Working in batches, lift some onions out of the buttermilk and dredge them in the flour mixture.  Drop into the hot oil and fry for 2 minutes, until golden brown, turning them once with tongs.  Don't crowd them!  Place the finished onions on the baking sheet, sprinkle liberally with salt, and keep them warm in the oven while you fry the next batches.  Continue frying the onion rings and placing them in the warm oven until all the onions are fried.  They will remain crisp in the oven for up to 30 minutes.  Serve hot.

banana-sour cream loaf

I got this recipe from a Gooseberry patch cookbook called Made From Scratch.  It turned out pretty good...

Banana-Sour Cream Loaf

2/3 c. butter

1 1/3 c. sugar

2 eggs

1 1/2 c. bananas, mashed

2 1/4 c. all-purpose flour

1 t. baking powder

1 t. baking soda

1/2 t. salt

1/2 c. sour cream

1 c. chopped nuts

     Cream butter and sugar together; add eggs and bananas, beat until smooth.  In a separate bowl, sift flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt together.  Add dry mixture alternately with sour cream to banana mixt, blend well.  Fold in nuts and pour into a gread 9"x5" loaf pan; bake at 350 degrees for 55-65 minutes.  Makes 8 servings.

You Will Never Guess Where Little Man Found His Sippy Cup Today

Noah came to me today looking for his sippy cup.  He couldn't find it anywhere!  Matthew came home from work about the time we were looking for us and helped us find it. 

We found it.....in the potty chair!!!  We have been keeping the potty chair in the front room so Noah can potty in it during the day, and yes it was perfetly clean.  But when Matthew lifted the lid, there it was.  I instantly started laughing.  Matthew handed Noah his cup and they had to have a talk about how we ned to put our cup on the table and no where near the potty seat.  LOL  It was such a funny conversation between the boys, that I had to keep my head turned and my hand over my mouth so that Matthew and Noah couldn't see me giggling.  LOL

Ahhh the life of a 3 year old.  I wouldn't give it up for anything!!!