MarytheKaytheBlog

My never-ending internal soundtrack

(Let me warn you.  This post is going to be deeeeep.)

Does anyone--besides me--have a soundtrack going on in your head ALL the time?  Just a little bit ago, I realized I was singing a sort of old-school cheer in my head...over and over again.  And right after I realized that, my brain, inadvertently, moved on to another wacky song from the 80's.

Please tell me I'm not alone.  Tell me that you all have similar songs from your life that play reflexively in your head all the time.

Yes?

I'm going to try to describe some of these songs as best I can--to see if you recognize any of them.  AND to see if any of you have a similar soundtrack going on.  It seems that most of my internal soundtrack consists of beat box songs.  I'm not sure if that's because I never know the words to the music, or if really, I am a beat box GENIUS just waiting to be discovered. 

I bet that's it...

Okay, here goes!  Here are some of the songs in my internal soundtrack selection.  Let me know if you recognize any of them:

1.)  Boom boom, lacka lacka lacka boom.  Boom boom, lacka lacka Boom! Boom!

2.)  Aw huh, yeah yeah.  Aw huh, yeah yeah.  (That is actually the South Arkansas version from my youth.  Probably the Missouri version would be:  "Uh huh, yeah yeah.  Uh huh, yeah yeah")

3.)  Dum bah-dee-dah, dum bah-dee-dah, dum ba-dee-dah bummmm...

4.)  Chicken in a basket, chicken in a basket, chicken in a basket, basket, basket...

5.)  Bom bom bom, bum de dum, bum de dummmm.  Bum bum bum, bom de dum, bom de dummmm.  Bump bump bump, bump, be dumpy dump, dee dee, dee dee dumpy dump, dump dee dump, dump dee dump.  (I'm sorry, but I am REALLY cracking myself up over here.  I PROMISE this is a real song.  And I PROMISE I sing it this way in my head.)

6.)  Chicka chicka boom, chicka boom boom boom.

7.)  I dedicate this one to my big brudder.  The fact that I even know the words is all his fault...  And, if only you could HEAR me sing this one, you'd be truly blessed...   "A big blabber mouth, that's what she is.  If she a talk show host, she BE A STAR!!!"

8.)  I used to hear this show coming from my parents' bedroom every single night as I was drifting off to sleep...  bumbumbumbumm, bumm bumm, bumbumbumbum, bumm.  Bumbumbumbum bumm bumm, bumbumbumbumbummm bummm.  (Hint: Big ocean wave.)

9.)  Oh, no, oh no, he's up to my toe, he's up to my toe.  Oh, gee, oh gee, he's up to my knee, he's up to my knee.  Oh fiddle, oh fiddle, he's up to my middle, he's up to my middle.  Oh, heck, oh heck, he's up to my...shhep gump.  (This song has a lovely percussive accompaniment made by the spit in the back of my mouth.)

10.)  This song is fun, because it has several variations that I have created.  Same line of the song, different sounds.  And the number of sounds possible?  Limitless entertainment possibilities...  Here 'tis:  La lala la la, la-la la la lala, la-la, la, lala la laaaa.   OR  Reh rehreh reh reh, re-reh, reh rereh, reh, rereh re rereh reh rehhhh.  OR  Dee deedee dee dee, dee-dee dee dee deedee, dee-dee, dee, deedee dee deeee. 

Want me to go on?  Okay, I'll stop.  No need for thank you letters at this time. 

So, what do you think?

Beat box PRODIGY, or CRAZY WOMAN on the loose???

What's on YOUR internal soundtrack?

image credit

My Feelings about Homeschool: Some Days I Love it, and Some Days I Want to Say: #%@$# !!!

At the Laura Ingalls Wilder Homestead school in De Smet, South Dakota

Last week I mentioned I was heading to the Denim Jumper Convention (Also known to some as the Homeschool Convention).  I must admit--the ladies in denim jumpers did not disappoint.  There were jumpers in a whole rainbow of colors and plaids.  There were also lots and lots of long denim skirts, and so many pregnant women and babies in wraps that I was a little afraid.  Not to worry, though.  I did NOT drink the water.

You do understand that I am saying all of this a little tongue in cheek, right?  Because,  although there WERE ladies dressed in denim jumpers, of course, there were also plenty of ladies dressed just like me--rolled up jeans, a 3/4 cardigan, and my Chacos.  (My Spring uniform).

Just like there were differently dressed ladies at the convention, so are there lots of different reasons families choose to homeschool.  Since I get asked all the time about our family's experience and reasons behind our school choices, I thought this would be a good opportunity to explain it a little.

If I had to sum up our family's experience in homeschooling in one sentence, this is what it would be:

I LOVE the RESULT of having homeschooled our daughters, but many times during the homeschool day, I want to yell, scream, nag, hug, cry, run away, drink a Coke, smoke a cigarette, drink whiskey, grin, giggle, jump up and down, or curl into a fetal position. 

In other words, homeschooling has been good for our family, but most days, in the process, I want to toss it out the window and put my daughters on the school bus driving past our house.  Sure, there are wonderful moments I would have otherwise missed out--when one of the girls "gets" a concept.  Those moments I want to jump up and down and squeal for joy.  Or, when I notice pretty handwriting on something and I think, "I DID THAT!!  I taught her how to write!!!"

I know I've mentioned this before, but I pretty much came into homeschooling kicking and screaming.  I went to college to become a high school English teacher--a public school teacher.  My husband went to college to become an elementary math and science teacher.  Both of our families had teachers before us--public school teachers.  My husband and I were both mostly public school taught.  So, why would we want to homeschool--with all of our public school background?

Well, my husband and I are both trained teachers.  Between the two of us, we have all major subjects covered.  Even though I LOVE the act of teaching, it was my husband who first felt strongly that we should homeschool for our daughters' beginning school years.  He felt like our giving them one-on-one instruction at home would give them a solid foundation--educationally and spiritually--for their later years. 

Even though I agreed with Dave's outlook, I had never pictured myself teaching my kids at home.  It took me a while (okay, a WHOLE LOT of ARGUMENTS), to begin exploring what homeschooling could look like for me.

At the end of our discussions (fights), I decided to compromise (give in), and homeschool our girls K-2nd grade.  I would give them 3 years of a solid foundation at home, and then send them off to school in town.

Emotionally, that was all I could handle thinking about.  I knew I could handle 3 years.  After that, we both agreed that if I wanted to continue homeschooling, it would be my decision.  Or, if I wanted to put them into school, it would also be my decision.  At that point, I could NOT have handled thinking that I would homeschool the girls all the way through school.  Dave would have had to put me in the loony bin if that had been the case.  I couldn't even have handled thinking I would homeschool for 7 years--which is what I've done for our oldest.

Dave giving me the reins to decide whether to continue homeschooling after 2nd grade was the best thing he could have done.  Knowing the decision was mine gave me complete freedom to explore what was best educationally and emotionally for the girls each school year--and also to make sure I was really up to the challenge.  If the decision had been partly Dave's at that point, I'm sure I would have felt defensive about any of the decisions, instead of realistic. 

 As Rebecca finished 2nd grade, I decided to keep her home for another year or two mainly because of one thing:  Her little sister.

Because our daughters ended up being much farther apart in years that we'd planned, I felt like keeping Rebecca home another year or two would help them become closer, despite their 4 1/2-year age difference.  When Rebecca was 8, and going into the 3rd grade, Sara Beth, at 3 1/2,  was just beginning to play the same things as her big sister.

In retrospect, having both girls home together has been one of the BEST things we've done in homeschooling.  Now, to be completely honest, having both girls home together has also nearly driven me to CRAZY TOWN.  Those girls fight, and bicker, and tattle, and get on each others' nerves on purpose, and on a daily basis.  However.  I have also gotten to watch Rebecca's nurturing side as she's helped Sara Beth with schoolwork.  I've watched Sara Beth encourage her big sister.  And through the years, I've watched a friendship and dependence on each other blossom, even in spite of all the daily bickering.

 Okay, I've probably lost most of you by now with all my homeschool chatting.  For those that ARE still reading, I'll continue these riveting thoughts another day.  I'd love to tell you some of the best things I've learned along the way, and maybe save you some trouble (or a Zoloft prescription) if ever you decide to embark on the homeschool journey.

Also, if you have any burning homeschool questions, I'd LOVE to answer them in the continuation!

The Denim Jumper Convention: VOTE on which denim jumper I should wear

Well, hello, dearest readers!  It's that time of year again... That time of year when I attend the Denim Jumper Convention--also known to some of the more serious (boring) crowd as "The Homeschool Convention."

But, why would I call it the Homeschool Convention, when Denim Jumper Convention is much more fun to say??

In anticipation of the Denim Jumper Convention this weekend, I was going to write a long post about why I homeschool...or some of the great things that have come out of homeschooling...or about how we homeschool...  But, as homeschooling life typically does to me--I have run out of time.  I've been busy reading Uncle Tom's Cabin to Rebecca (nearly put myself to sleep in Chapter 43!), and helping Sara Beth make a giant posterboard timeline of Moses' life.  Oh, and watching an episode of My Fair Wedding with the girls while we ate Chinese takeout for dinner.  (Because Mama was too tired to cook!)

In lieu of a very scholarly and highly entertaining (I'm sure) post about homeschooling in our family, I am offering you the chance to VOTE on WHICH DENIM JUMPER I should wear this weekend...you know--to the Denim Jumper Convention.  (How many times can I say those words...Denim Jumper Convention?  Ha!  Said 'em again!)

 

Here goes!  Please vote for only ONE choice.  I know these jumpers are VERY DIFFERENT in style...Just pick the one you like best:

Denim Jumper #1  (always a classic...especially when paired with my anklets and Keds.)

 

Denim Jumper #2  (a little racier, as it shows more leg)

Denim Jumper #3  (the embellishments just make it special, don't they?)

Denim Jumper #4  (a little more form-fitting--but don't worry--not too much!)

 

Okay, what do you think?  Which Denim Jumper is the snazziest and most stylish???  I want to be sure to STAND OUT this weekend at the convention.

And while I'm rubbing elbows with my fellow Jumpers, I do hope you fine readers have a wonderful weekend!  I'll be back here on Monday to tell you all about the convention!  Or, feel free to find me chatting about it on The Twitter.

Goodnight, good people.

(Okay, okay...In effort to remain honest...I must confess...I have not owned a denim jumper since 1992, when I sold my last one at a garage sale.  But...I secretly wish they would come back into fashion--they were SO comfortable!)

What exciting things are you doing this weekend?

Senior Prom Memories...Twenty (something) years ago!

Has your town had Senior Prom yet?  Ours is this coming weekend, but we've been seeing girls in pretty satin dresses, and uncomfortable-looking guys in tuxedos around town for a couple of weeks. 

Just this past weekend, on my girls' night out, we ran into a Prom couple--all decked out--and walking into a MOVIE.  Thankfully, I was with my friend Janna, who is not shy about talking to strangers, and she asked them if they'd just been to Prom.  The young couple grinned, and the fellow with the royal blue bowtie puffed up his chest, grinned a cheesy grin, and said, "Yeah, and I PROPOSED to her tonight!" 

My friends and I all looked in amazement at this young couple, this baby couple, who surely didn't seem old enough to be walking into that movie with the uncomfortably long you-know-what kind of scene...much less old enough to be going to the late movie after a Senior Prom!!  But, here they were, grinning and holding hands like young little love birds.  We asked the girl if she said "yes"--to which, she said, "Of course!" and patted her little rounded belly, "I'm due in October!"

All righty, then.  Prom is a little different these days, I guess.

But, back in the glorious 1980s, when I went to Prom, NO ONE was ever pregnant at Prom.  Or, maybe I was just naive.  Okay, probably so. 

But, seeing all the girls in their pretty Prom dresses, always just takes me back.  In honor of all the Prom nostalgia,  I thought I'd share my own Prom pictures.  But first--guess who STILL has her Prom dresses???  Oh, yes I do!!! 

Before I show you the truly retro 80's Prom pictures, I thought it would be fun to have a photo session with my girls.  When I asked if they wanted to try on my Prom dresses, they ran to my bedroom closet before I could even finish the sentence.

I bet their daddy will not like these pictures.  (Sorry, honey!)  I am sure these pictures will conjure up for him visions of shotguns and large redneck men threatening skinny adam's apple boys...already terrified of some certain girls' crazy-eyed daddy.

I hate to say it...but I think my husband will rather enjoy terrifying interested boys ringing our doorbell.  But, I guess daddies do need things to look forward to, don't they?

So, here are our precious darlings that caused their daddy to tell me way back when I was first pregnant with them...  "I sure hope I don't have to go to prison some day because of some boy."

First, I would like to introduce you to Sara Beth, who is modeling her mama's Junior Prom dress of a pastel pink moire taffeta.  This Mrs. Hanry couture dress has a sweetheart neckline with spaghetti straps, with a dropped waist cascading into a 2-tiered ruffled tea-length skirt.  The outstanding feature of the dress is the over-sized bow on the back of the dress that Mrs. Hanry herself designed.  This dress is a classic example of the preppy year 1987.

 

Our next model is Rebecca.  Rebecca is modeling a Senior Prom dress of black satin with a black lace overlay, fabrics specially selected from Hancock Fabrics for this very occasion.  This dress is also a Mrs. Hanry couture, featuring a strapless sweetheart neckline of the shiny black satin.  The fitted bodice gathers gently at the waist to fall into a full tea-length skirt with a lace overlay.  This dress also features the dramatic over-sized bow, once again a Mrs. Hanry original design. 

 
 

 
 And without further ado, I present to you...1987, in all of its glory!!!  Please welcome MarytheKay and her dear friend Stacey!  MarytheKay and Stacey met on the first day of junior high, and were the best of friends all the way through high school.  How fitting that we have prom pictures together.  *smile*  (I miss you, StayJack!!!)
Okay, do you see the pink high tops?  Yes, I was very proud of those shoes. Actually...I wore pink dyeable heels (of course), and took the high tops to change into.  Oh yeah--tha's a dancing girl you see there!!!  I am very sad to say that I can't find my Junior Prom picture with my date.  Junior Prom was actually my FAVORITE dance...with none other than John David.  (Little shout out to John David! I'd better shout loudly...I'm pretty sure he doesn't read this blog!)

 

Drum roll for the Senior Prom, folks...  Please help me usher in 1988, in all of its glory...

Sadly, no high tops for this dance.  I am sure you're not looking at my shoes, though.   You're looking at my hair--wondering how in the heck did I get it so tall?  I hate to confess...that is natural cowlick height, baby.  There is a little White Rain to smooth it, but that cowlick is doing all the manual labor.

(My fire engine red fingernails make me giggle a little.  Va Va Va VOOM.  Those nails remind me of my very first professional manicure, earlier that day.  Miss Sheila was so kind to me that morning.) 

Oh!  Forgive me for being so rude!  I would like to introduce you to John David.  By the time Senior Prom rolled around, John David was already an important college boy.  We went to this dance as just friends (note the yellow roses - for friendship).  The fact that he still drove down for the dance, and kept his promise to take me to Senior Prom meant a lot to me, and surely exemplified his integrity.  Now, the fact that he kept looking at his watch all evening did not mean so much...  (Oh, you know you did!!)  But, a girl can't have it all, now can she?

Before I close, I'd like to say that these Prom dances for me were wonderfully and innocently fun.  I know there is a lot of talk these days (and on t.v. shows) about the heightened pressures of Prom night.  That was not my experience at all.  My experience was all about dancing and laughing the night away with a group of good friends.  My prayer for our daughters is that they will be able to have the same innocent and memory-making kind of fun someday.

And, of course, if their dates have anything different in mind...they can consult the scary man in the back seat holding the shotgun.

(*Much of this content is re-posted from last year.)

Weekend Adventures: Mary Poppins, Kids' Musical, and Running!

 I know I'm a day late and a dollar short on my weekend post here...but my bed was calling my name last night, and I obeyed.  May I just say that a good night of rest can do AMAZING things to a girl's day.  I woke up feeling so rested, and so ready to tackle today!  Note to self:  I need to get good rest more often.

We had a full weekend of fun adventures.  However, it didn't feel rushed and busy--it was just the perfect amount of fun adventures, and laid back weekend time.  I wish all weekends were that way.

We started off with a very fun 5K run--Run Like a Kid--benefiting Kids Across America Kamps.  It was organized by a friend of mine, and she did SUCH a great job on this inaugural event.  I sure hope she makes it annual.  It was a small race this year--which was so fun because we all knew each other.  Little secret here:  (shh!  don't tell!)  Knowing so many people also made me RUN FASTER...'cause you know...don't want anyone thinking I'm a slacker.

No, I'm not going to tell you my time.  I will tell you that I shaved 10 MINUTES off my last (and first) 5K.  However, I'm still slow.  I may start running a few bursts now and then to increase my speed just a bit.  That way, I won't be at the BACK of all the runners.

Sara Beth wanted to run, and ran the first half of the 5k.  I was so proud of her!!  Rebecca and a couple of her friends were asked to sing and dance--and I was equally proud of her, too!

After the 5K, all the kids gathered for a 1-mile fun run.  I LOVE living in a small town, where my kids can join in activities like this, and know half the kids.

 

Saturday night my friend Janna sent out a couple of Evites to celebrate her 37 1/3 birthday with dinner and a movie.  Dang--I forgot to give her 1/3 of a birthday present...  We sure did laugh a lot!  I love these girls!!!

Yeah, evidently, I did not get the  memo to wear black and grey...

Sunday morning, our girls participated in our church choir's Amazing Grace Race musical.  It really was a darling performance.  Rebecca sang such a beautiful solo!  All the kids sang beautifully--even down to the youngest soloist, little Leah!  So darling!!  It's neat watching these kids grow up, and hearing their voices mature through the years.

 

Right after the choir performance, we hopped in my mom's car and headed to Fayetteville.  My mom had given us tickets at Christmas to see the Broadway musical Mary Poppins.

We all agreed--Mary Poppins was one of the BEST musicals any of us have ever seen!!!  I would compare the quality of it to The Lion King.   

I can't imagine trying to write a stage musical to rival Disney's movie version of Mary Poppins.  The movie is pure magic.  I mean, how do you top Dick Van Dyke and Julie Andrews?  However, the musical was smart to be a little different than the movie (maybe it's more true to the book??), because the whimsy and "magic" in the set design, and the dazzling choreography kept delighting the audience as each scene unfolded. 

I love that "Nana" took her granddaughters to the musical, just like her mom, my Grammy, took my sister and me to our very first Broadway musical--Peter Pan (with Sandy Duncan).   I hope our daughters tuck away special memories like this into their hearts, just like I did as a young girl...in my black patent shoes dangling from the red velvet theater seat...

 

Sunday night, I could barely keep my eyes open after all the weekend adventures.  I sure hope your weekend was full of adventure, too.

What's your favorite musical / or musical memory?

What I've been snacking on lately

Well, if that's not a riveting, life-changing title, I don't know what is.

However, if you were me, (and be THANKFUL that you're NOT) you would know that snacking IS a very important topic in my life.  I'm just being honest, people.  If you need to judge me for my snacking abilities, well then, you're probably also judging me for my toenail color, too.  And I always say--people who judge other peoples' toenails should not throw rocks.  Because throwing rocks is mean.  And dangerous.

And I am all about 3 things here on this blog:  Safety, Snacking, and Soda Pop.

What the heck was I talking about?  Oh yeah.  Snacks.

All right.  First of all, the whole motivation behind this post is I found a favorite new snack.  Well, new to me.  Probably old to Walmart  and Country Mart and probably Piggley Wiggley, too.

1.  Snyder's of Hanover Sourdough Hard Pretzels - (Not to be confused with the Snyder's of Scranton Pretzels)  These pretzels are gigantic in the world of pretzels.  Yeah, gigantic in taste and crunch, too.  Pretty much gigantic in every single way that a pretzel can be.  When you need a good crunchy snack--these just hit the spot! 

2.  Gala apples- Have ya'll eaten a Gala apple recently?  Mmm--mmm, they are delish.  Mid-afternoon, there is nothing better than a crispy apple.  Well, okay, tater tots might be better...and cheesy tots even better.  But, a Gala apple is a good substitute.

3.  Just so ya'll don't think I've gone all crazy on  ya, I'll just be honest.  I am kind of addicted to McDonald's $1 Coke in the styrofoam cup.  I have about 5 extra pounds that I can thank my friend Jenn, who first told me about these beautiful $1 Cokes.  I hate to admit it--but I like these Cokes better than a Sonic Coke.  I KNOW!!!!  Crazy.

4.  Okay, now I am going to tell you about a snack that I just CANNOT buy...because I CANNOT STOP EATING THEM.  Have ya'll tried Golden Oreos?  Oh. My. Goodness. Gracious.  They are very dear to me.  Now, I have to tell you, I am a real cookie snob.  I don't like most cookies in a bag.  But, the Golden Oreo?  Pure gold good.

5.  Okay, I am going to tell you about another snack that I should not buy...but I do anyway.  Because, what's a life of eating turkey sandwiches at home every stinking day if you cannot have some good chips on the side?  That would be a cruel life, I tell ya.  So, in order to keep my daily life from being cruel, I buy Lay's Kettle Cooked Mesquite BBQ chips.  If ever your life is feeling a little blah or bland--you just buy yourself a bag of these tasty chips, and you will not feel bland anymore.

All right, I'm done making you people hungry.  Now, it's YOUR turn to make ME hungry. 

What have you been snacking on lately? 

Hometown Pride, and Hometown People linky dinks

 I'm feeling a little bit nostalgic and homesick.  My hometown has been in the news a couple of times this week, and I just had to share about it!   Then, when my cousin posted a hilarious video of her husband, I just knew this would have to be a whole post dedicated to MY PEOPLE. 

Speaking of MY PEOPLE...I've recently gotten addicted to the show Friday Night Lights.  I've been hearing about it for ages, and when I saw that there were 5 (count 'em!) seasons on Netflix, I knew I'd get hooked.  One of the reasons I love the show is because the characters talk like my people, and the town of Dillon reminds me of my hometown just a little bit.  All in a very good--makes me miss my hometown--kind of way!

All right, good people, I give to you my hometown of El Dorado, Arkansas.  (Please hold you applause until the end...)

 

House eye candy alert!!  This story is about a house I grew up across the street from! For those in my hometown, this is the lovely old Breimo house.  How fun that a family friend, and amazing interior designer, now lives there!  I have seen first-hand some of the beautiful design of Andrea Brooks Interiors in my brother's house. 

 

Have you ever heard of a company that paid for an ENTIRE TOWN'S college tuitions? 

I've never been prouder of being from El Dorado, Arkansas, than in 2007, when Murphy Oil Corporation announced their $50 million scholarship program, which would pay for every El Dorado graduate's college tuition!  (Or apply the in-state tuition amount toward any private university of the student's choice).  A couple of days ago, President Clinton spoke to the 2012 Senior Class on their Academic Signing Day about The (AMAZING!!) El Dorado Promise.

Here's the story The Today Show produced about The El Dorado Promise:

 

 Can you IMAGINE what our country would look like if more companies invested like this in an entire generation of young people?

 

I thought I'd leave you all with a little giggle.  My FUNNY cousin videoed her husband coming out of anesthesia after kidney stone surgery.  She is my HERO for posting this.  However...after seeing this, my husband used his most serious voice and scrunched up eyebrows to tell me, "Don't EVER video me after surgery.  I mean it." 

But, honey, what if it's really REALLY funny????  Then, it's okay, right?

 

 My favorite parts:  Beef jerky for the first 80 hours...slushy water..."She sold me my stone"...the only-at-the-hospital cup and curtain...and thumping the IV at the very end.  Oh my word--just watch it--ALL of it is funny!!

 

Thanks for indulging me in my little nostalgic trip "back home" today. 

Happy weekend, everybody!  We've got BIG PLANS this weekend...which include running a 5K (WOO HOO!!!!), a kids' choir performance, and an off-the-charts Broadway musical on Sunday that I can HARDLY WAIT TO SEE!!!!  I'll tell you all about it on Monday.

What do you love about your own hometown?

Chicken Cashew Pasta Salad...Or as I like to call it: Pasta salad heaven!

Let me warn you, dearest readers:  This pasta salad recipe I am about to share with you may cause you to over-eat.  It may even cause you to be deceitful to your family, and tell them the pasta salad is all gone...when really you have saved a big bowl of it for yourself to eat when everyone's gone.

Now, I do not condone over-eating, and I do not condone deceit.  I do, however, condone THIS RECIPE.

My big sister (who is actually my sister-in-law, but we're from Arkansas--so it's all the same, anyway) made this pasta salad for us on vacation.  I am here to confess that I kind of made a spectacle of myself by the way I kept having 2nds...and 3rds, and calling it "that heavenly pasta salad."

But, my family already knows I'm a little crazy about beautiful food, and they pretty much ignored my spectacle.

All right, all right--I'll get on with the recipe.  Ya'll know I cannot say anything quickly.

Here are the ingredients:  (minus the chicken) 

Isn't that a beautiful bowl of deliciousness? 

Here's what you need to do:

4 cups cooked and chopped chicken

3 cups cooked pasta (I love the bowtie pasta for this!)

2 cans water chestnuts, chopped

1 1/2 cups green grapes, halved

1 1/2 cups red grapes, halved

2 cups celery, chopped

16 oz. coleslaw dressing

1 cup mayo (not Miracle Whip)

1 can broken cashews

2 pkgs. Craisins

Mix a few hours before serving and add the nuts and Craisins just before serving.  Even with the nuts and Craisins this refrigerates well for a couple of days.

Also, this makes a BIG amount.  This could easily serve 10-15 hungry people, and at least 2 dozen dainty women at an uppity brunch.

Enjoy!!

Sweet husband, good medicine

Tonight, when I realized I'd forgotten to stop by the pharmacy on my way home to pick up some cough medicine for myself, my sweet husband said he'd be glad to run out to pick it up for me.

I bet your Sunday nights are a lot like mine was tonight--hectic and stressful--making school lunches, making sure clothes are ready for children to wear, and just organizing things around the house and in the kitchen for the week ahead.  Plus, tonight, I just feel cruddy.  I have a bunch of congestion in my chest, and know that coughing will keep me awake tonight, as it did last night.

So, when my husband so readily volunteered to run out and pick up my cough medicine, I gave him a great big, thankful, full-of-relief smile.

Then, when he came home and said he'd take over the putting the kids to bed routine so I could go take my medicine, I very gratefully accepted.

This is the bag of medicine he handed me.

Is he the sweetest husband--or what???

Small gestures sure go a long way, don't they?

My husband couldn't have found a BETTER way to show me love tonight.

I hope that I remember this gesture...when in the days to come, I feel the need to fuss at him about something, or feel frustrated about something...I sure hope I remember this small gesture of love he showed me tonight. 

And I hope I am able to offer him kindness and love, as he did for me tonight.

And, now, if you'll excuse me...I need to go scoop up a little "medicine."

Has someone shown you a small gesture of love lately?  Please share!

The 10 Smart Phone Apps I Use Most

I could write a Broadway musical about how much I love my smart phone. 

Is that terrible? 

Should I even admit this shallow fact about myself? 

But, it's true.  I NEVER thought I'd like my DroidX phone as much as I do, and I NEVER KNEW just how helpful a little phone could be to my everyday life.

Part of my motivation in writing this post is to share the smart phone applications I find most helpful, but also to hear what apps YOU love most.  I'm sure there's so much more I could be doing with my beloved phone. 

And you know...I'm doing research for that award-winning musical...

The TOP 10 apps I use the most (on my DroidX phone):

1.  Alarm & Timer - My phone charger is on my bedside table, so I am able to use the alarm on my phone every single day.  I LOVE that I never have to worry about a power outage (not that uncommon in our neighborhood) messing with my morning alarm.  I hope I never have to go back to a traditional alarm clock.  This is one of my favorite features on my phone!

2.  Facebook and Twitter- I know those are 2 separate apps, but I use them pretty much the same on my phone.  I rarely look at Facebook or Twitter on my home computer anymore...I just don't have the time.  But, when I have a free moment in the carpool line, or waiting for an appointment, I am able to search all the latest goings-on in my social media apps. 

3.  Instagram- I JUST joined the Instagram ranks--since they just rolled out the Android version.  I'm still learning how I will use it, but so far I'm enjoying sharing photos.

4.  Gmail- I really drug my feet in making the switch from my old e-mail account to a web-based account like Gmail.  But, now, I cannot imagine switching from Gmail!  I LOVE being able to access my e-mail from anywhere--especially my phone.  My favorite feature is the ability to search old e-mails from ANY word or phrase inside the e-mail--or from the sender's name or e-mail.  I use the search feature all the time!

5.  Calendar - I am an old fashioned wall calendar hanging on the side of my fridge kind of girl, but I have recently started using my phone's Calendar app, and am feeling much more organized when I'm out-and-about.  Mostly, I use the Calendar app to schedule my family's appointments.  Standing at the receptionist's desk, I open the app and type in the next appointment as we're setting it.  Then, I always set a 24-hour-ahead reminder, so that I never forget about an appointment!

6.  Netflix- I must admit that my KIDS love this app most of all!  Since signing up with Netflix a couple of months ago, I found out there was an app--score!  I have a love-hate relationship with Netflix on my phone, though...because my kids want to "borrow my phone" ALL THE TIME.  Netflix comes in handy when we have a long wait at a restaurant, during long car travel, or when waiting on a long appointment (with the volume turned way down, of course!)

7.  TV.com- This app came pre-loaded on my Droid X, otherwise I might not have found it.  Sometimes, I will use this app to watch t.v. while I'm on the treadmill.  (I do use headphones, in order to hear better.)  This is a CBS-owned app, and it plays full episodes (as well as short previews) of some shows I would not normally have time to watch...like NCIS Los Angeles, Blue Bloods, 60 Minutes, 48 Hours Mystery, and Undercover Boss.  I don't use this app often, but when I do, I really appreciate how well it works!

8.  iHeartRadio - This is THE app I use for music when running.  I really love listening to the K-Love radio station; however, there are hundreds of other stations to choose from.

9.  Pandora- Okay, so sometimes when I'm in the mood for a particular style of music (like classical piano or Josh Groban-style ballads), Pandora is where I go. 

10.  Bible and Daily Bible - I love having a Bible with me at all times!  I use the Bible app for looking up a reference when I'm on-the-go.  The Daily Bible app sends a Bible verse or passage to my phone every single day.  I like that when I see the little Bible icon pop up (telling me there's a verse waiting to be read), I can wait until I have time to focus on that day's verse(s).  It's such a small way that I can help keep my day focused on important things.

Honorable Mentions:  I use these apps, but on a much-less consistent basis.

AccuWeather, Car Dock (for navigation), Where (for finding yummy FOOD on vacation!), Brightest Flashlight, Flixster, Shazam, and StumbleUpon (my favorite app for long road-trip "surfing")

What are your favorite smart phone apps?

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