My little guy made the front page of the sports section a few weeks ago for his sheer enjoyment of soccer camp. It was his first official experience with soccer. But I doubt it will be his last! Look at his face!
What do you think? I see more soccer practices being added to my schedule in the near future…
It was fun to celebrate his “stardom” even though he hated all the fuss people made over his picture.
After drooling all over the pictures of my friend’s birthday peanut butter pie on Homesteader’s Heart, I had to ask for the recipe.
And then I had to make it.
And after I gave the boys each a teensy weensy piece, I dished myself up a rather large piece on the sly.
Later, I had to come back for more because—well—just because.
And when I got up at 2 in the morning for a drink of milk, I had to eat a piece of the pie that was sticking out funny.
Had to, mind you.
It seems I’m totally powerless to resist it.
Even now, the quarter of the pie that is left in the fridge is calling to me.
No one on face book can answer my question. So I’ll ask you.
Why can’t broccoli call to me instead?? Lol!
You should try this pie. Seriously. It is DE-licious!!!
Thanks, friend, for giving me five more reasons to go back to CURVES this fall! Jeesh.
O.K. With only three entries (TWO if you don’t count Mari—who was hosting her own giveaway!), random.org had it pretty easy! Lol! It must have been a slow week, or lots of friends must have been away from their computers. That’s all I can figure. Because how else can one explain how few people took advantage of the chance to win some great music?
Anyway, congratulations goes to Penny! I hope you and your family enjoy it as much as I have!
Robert Pierre is a talented 18 year old artist who’s third studio album I’m All In is set to be released on July 26.
I’m convinced his heartfelt lyrics and beautifully performed songs are going to have a positive impact for years to come!
You can listen to samples of his music here and see if you don’t agree.
The folks who provided my copy to preview have graciously set aside a copy for one of you, too! Simply leave a comment on this post. I will draw a winner from the comments on July 26, the day I’m All In is set to be released.
Now leave a comment and make sure you are entered to win! Any old comment! Lol!
If you win, I’m positive you or someone you know will enjoy the CD!
Then, if you really REALLY want to win, hop on over to My Little Corner Of The World where my friend, Mari, is hosting another giveaway for this same CD!! Two chances are better than one, right??
Fine Print:
I received a copy of I’m All In free of charge to review. However, when I agree to do a review, I give my honest opinions, whether good or bad, no matter the offer. Because I know you want the truth! :) I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
How can you go wrong with a card game all about an auto race when you are trying to entertain boys indoors out of the heat?
Mille Bornes (translated “thousand milestones”) was one of my favorite games growing up. It’s an imaginary cross-country race through France where you race your opponent to lay down 1000 miles in cards. 
The best part is being able to sabotage your opponents by playing a flat tire, out of gas, accident or stop light on their hand!
You should see my boys high-five each other when one of them puts me out of commission. It’s not right. Seriously not right.
Yesterday, they kept me to a measly 50 miles the whole stink’n time. Lol! You really have to have a sense of humor. :)
The game we have is extra special because it is one of the original games published in 1961. It belonged to my mom’s parents and has my grandfather’s shaky handwriting on the box.
He wrote notes on nearly everything he owned about who gave it to them, when, and for what. My mom’s sister gave them this game as a Christmas present in 1967.
It’s fun to look at the old score sheets on which they recorded notes from the last game they played. I love imagining them playing this game before I was even born!
You can still buy the game today. I did a quick search on Amazon and saw several versions listed.* If you have never played it, it’s a lot of fun. It only takes about ten minutes to learn and can provide hours of family fun!
I whole-heartedly recommend it!
*I’m not an Amazon affiliate or anything. I just thought I’d include a link to this fun game. You might be able to find a better deal elsewhere.
We recently discovered that McDonalds has a 49 cent ice cream cone! That means all five of my tribe can enjoy cones for just $2.45 plus tax! And believe me, we’re taking advantage of the cheap treat every chance we get! You are aware, aren’t you, that all roads lead past McDonalds? Lol! (Doesn’t this cone look like Junior Asparagus from Veggie Tales?)
Today the forecasted high will break 100 degrees. Even swimming at our neighbors’ pool can offer no relief. With the water no cooler than the air, we quickly decided yesterday to head back inside.
Not that we didn’t appreciate the invitation!
But jeepers!
It’s hot!
So, we are playing lots of games. Not video games, mind you—they add way too much heat to the area we are trying to keep cool. But mostly card games. I hope to do a post later and show you some of our favorites. Some of them came from my mom’s mom.
Speaking of my mom, I haven’t heard anything new today. However, last night, she was pretty frustrated with the lack of sleep she was getting in the hospital. You know how noisy it can be all through the night.
Anyway, she was to be transferred sometime today to the rehab center. And as luck would have it, AT&T has decided to disconnect our land line for some reason. Even they can’t tell us why. Though they promised to send someone out to check it next Tuesday. How can that be right?
Anyway, I need to make a trip down the road and find enough signal to call Dad on my cell.
Stay cool friends! And thank you so much for your prayers for mom! I’ll let you know when I know more.
Mom’s surgery took 82 minutes and went well yesterday. However, soon after her transfer to a room, it was discovered that her pain med pump was not working. She spent two hours in excruciating pain while the nurses traced the lines, worked with the pump and ultimately had to page the doctor and request he order something else from the pharmacy.
The whole time, unfortunately, she was also nauseous and vomiting.
I spoke with her briefly a little bit ago and she sounded understandably tired, but good. The physical therapist had been in to move her knee a little, but as far as I know, she has not been up on it yet.
Since my brother and his wife had just arrived, I kept the call brief and promised to call again later.
So from what I’ve gathered so far, the prayer requests are these:
Thank you all so much for your prayers and notes of encouragement! It is hard not to be so far away. But I know God has her in the palm of his hand. :)
As I type, my mom is in surgery getting a brand new knee. And I’m praying all goes well.
When she was a little girl, she and her sisters often rode the train into Philadelphia after school from their suburban home in Paoli, Pennsylvania. Her mother worked in the city, and her older sisters were in charge until she got off work.
Obviously, things were different back then. But it was still a busy city. And one day while trying to cross the road alone, she was hit by a car.
Her leg was badly injured and doctors didn’t have the kind of equipment they do today. They had no way of knowing how much damage was done to her knee. And even if they had, I’m not sure what they would have done.
In fact, no one knew until just a few years ago when she fell at work. The tests she underwent showed that several tendons were simply gone. She had favored that leg all those years for a very good reason!
There is never a good time to undergo knee surgery. My dad depends on her to help him with some of his most basic needs. However, the doctors finally told her, it is now or never. You need to decide.
As scared as she is, I’m so glad she chose to have the surgery. I know that her recovery will probably be much more difficult than it is for most. But I’m proud of her decision. And I know Dad will do just fine.
Pray for the doctors and their wisdom. And pray that Mom will do better than anyone could hope. I won’t know anything until this evening. But I’ll keep you posted.
Thanks, friends!
Usually I bring an idea to the computer. But this time I thought I’d type on the fly--because windows of quietness don’t wait for fully formed ideas, right?
I know, it’s probably reaching too far to write two posts in one week with three boys in the house. But at the moment, all three are occupied elsewhere in the house.
The squeak of my chair usually calls the boys to stare over my shoulder, and ask what I’m doing, and pull up a stool. Their goal? Either hijack my computer, or hang out until I give up.
I spoke too soon.
My little guy is heading my way. I’m sure he’s hoping to catch me looking up LEGO sets on Amazon for his birthday. Hah!
However, this screen doesn’t seem to discourage him.
He is now climbing up my back and wedging himself between my back and the chair while I type. And blocking the air from the fan. That air was feeling good, too.
My 13 year old just pulled up his stool to my right. Do I know my kids??? Lol!
Sigh. It’s not easy to type with a boy draped across your left shoulder.
“You are soft like a puppy, mom.” My little guy has his cheek mushed up against mine. His chin on my shoulder. I hear a chuckle from the peanut gallery on my right.
“Hmm. A puppy, huh?” :)
“You’re warm, too. Do you know that, Mom?
Sigh. I’m glad I didn’t have anything important to post about.
“…MOM! I said you’re warm.”
“No, actually, I’m hot, and sweaty.”
“Mom, click on that.” My oldest says, pointing to a slip of a window sticking out in the corner. “I want to see what that LEGO set looks like up closer.” It’s an attempted high-jacking in progress.
“Not right now.”
“What? You’re blogging? What are you writing about?” And here would come the staring over my right shoulder.
“It’s rude to read over my shoulder.” I remind him.
“Oh. Sorry. When you’re done, can you click on that picture?” He grins big. Like that will work.
“You have a lot of freckles.” My little guy is now running his finger up and down my arm. “In fact, I could point just about anywhere and be right. on. one.” You should hear the amazement in his voice.
All right. He’s examining my arm like it’s crawling with bugs and he’s cracking me up.
“Here.”
“Or here.”
“Or here.” He has now crawled around to my my lap and is pointing to my nose, his face inches from mine. Typing blindly is not something I like to make a habit of doing. Lol!
“Mom, can I have a fudge round?” That would be my 12 year old calling from the kitchen.
Umph! My little guy is sitting on my bladder full of diet coke. Yep. Not good.
“Mom, want to play a game of Mile Bornes?” My 13 year old is now pacing in boredom to my right. Obviously, waiting for me to get done.
This is my life, friends. :) Full of half thoughts, distractions and hijackings. And hardly a complete thought to be had.
I only have about one month left before the little guy in my lap heads off to school for first grade. He’ll be gone all day every day. Just like his big brothers. Sigh.
I think I’ll go play another game of something with the boys.
Blogging something deep can wait. :)
What’s filling your summer days??
Looking for something to do with your kids or grandkids to pass the hot summer days?? Try this homemade ice cream! It’s easy, mess-contained, and yummy!
What you’ll need:
Combine sugar, half and half and vanilla in a quart-sized bag and zip it up.
Fill a gallon sized ziplock half full of ice, add salt, and place the first little bag inside with the ice. Seal the big bag and shake for about 5 minutes! You will feel the ice cream begin to harden. :)
Enjoy the process and see who thinks to run for gloves first, Lol!
And when it’s done, you can remove the little bag, rinse it off and eat it right out of the bag!
Or you can squeeze it into a bowl and add your favorite topping!
Which for us, means fresh peaches! Yum!!!!!
A Tempt My Tummy Tuesday Link-up. :)
Last night we had a fun celebration with friends and neighbors.
There were tons of firecrackers. Lots of sparklers. A few big bangs and lots of laughs.
Note my little guy silhouetted with his floppy army hat in the foreground. While everyone else picked red, white and blue, he chose his army clothes.
(It made it a challenge to keep track of him, as you can imagine!)
But everyone had lots of fun!
There is so much in our country we take for granted. This is the perfect time to reflect on the many freedoms we enjoy. Thank you to everyone who serves and has served in our armed forces to ensure that we (and others) experience that freedom!
Have a fun and safe holiday, friends!
