Seasonsmom

2012 is almost here! Just ordered the greeting cards and am looking forward to address them to family and friends

2011-12-05T22:16:00.000-08:00

Well, here is the best shot of our family this year. So glad to have this checked off my list. Labels and personal notes I'll get help from the kids when the cards come in. I so hope they make it in earlier than ETA. Regina, our exchange student from Russia plans on sending a Christmas package home by the end of this week. I was hoping to give her a few to share with friends and family. But I might have to mail them separately. Curious how long it will take the package to arrive to her family. If you are a friend or a family member who'd like one in the mail, please, send me a message with your addy if I don't have one yet!
Blessings in this year and the coming 2012 too! I can't promise I'll blog again this year :)

Photo Card

View the entire collection of cards.

Look who's 12!!!

2011-10-07T12:27:00.000-07:00

Our middle blessing turned 12 in the middle of the week so we had a small party. Now she is officially 2 years older than her younger sister, well, for another 8 months or so :)
I planned a small sleep over for her BF in her class. She rode the bus home with her (first surprise) and didn't tell her about the sleepover till way late into the evening!!! I love surprising my kids.

So, brownies had to do instead of a decorated cake. Gifts and fun abounded!

Hey, Labor day-fall is officially here now?

2011-09-05T12:45:00.000-07:00

Please, forgive me for a very long break from blogging. I do try to apologize every time for my posts become more rare, but unfortunately, it doesn't fix the problem. No matter how hard I try to squeeze in some happenings in our life, they end up on the bottom of my "to do" list.
Today is the last day of a really nice and long Labor day weekend and I thought I'd get done a lot more than I actually got done. With only one child at home (hubby took 2 of ours plus our exchange student, more on Regina below, one gone with the youth group to Branson, MS) I should have had plenty of time to get a huge chunck of my behindness crossed off my to do list. But, unfortunately, with the change of weather and barometric pressure a huge headache hung out with me for the last couple of days. I don't deal well with pain, so I'm just beat. I still have time to get new biz cards ordered (the ones I so diligently designed with the help of a friend can only be ordered via one website and I can't afford it at this point in my real estate career) and work on my website. I had a buyer I've worked this Labor day weekend and I pray we can find this family the home they need.
The weather has cooled off considerably and I am openly hopeful the hot days are behind! It's been overcast the entire Labor day weekend, maybe because of the tropical storm hitting Louisiana. All we got though was a tiny sprinkle.
As promised above about Regina, our foreign exchange high school student.
On August 8 a new member of our family joined us from Sterlimatak, Russia. Regina is a senior at the local High School and will live with us till the end of the school year-May 2012. Now we have a sophomore and a senior!!! The junior high and the elementary kiddos are doing great enjoying staying in the same school this year, with their best friends in the same class, the request was honored. Here are a few pics. The last two were on the first day of school with our oldest daughter, who shares gracefully her bedroom with Regina (glad we got a new bunk bed just a couple of moths ago).
Hope y'all had a relaxing Labor day. I sure did! Just a few more hours and my entire family will be back home. Backpacks and dirty clothes will come out of the vehicles. School stuff to get ready for tomorrow. School lunches to pack, dentist and ortho appointments to keep track of, soccer and football practices, art clubs and photo clubs etc. Life goes on :)

Tripp, a sweet baby boy with EB

2011-07-27T14:00:00.000-07:00

It's been hectic getting on my blog lately. My head swirls at all the topics I want to write about.
Today I was introduced to a blogger whose son has EB
http://randycourtneytripproth.blogspot.com
I can't even begin to explain what it is. Pictures are graphic. Please, pray for this sweetie, his mom and his family! I added her button on the right side column on my blog. If you have one, please, consider adding one too. Let us all join in prayer for his healing. Blessings, Natalie

The new kid on the block

2011-06-22T18:38:00.000-07:00

I was feeling really blue when I started with a small local Real Estate Company back in April when I got my real estate license. I felt really lonely. Not that I didn't feel welcome. It was just that I didn't fit there somehow, someway. I was just it-the new kid on the block. So, I wrote an article in my blue mood to the editor of the local paper for the community section. I figured, who knows, someone might just befriend us here, give me a call maybe even, list or ask for help to buy something. But I never submitted it. Weeks later I quit and transferred my license to Keller Williams, a much larger company.

Now I am wondering if that new kid on the block letter will even get considered for being published in the big city paper. I was rambling on a lot of different tangents in it, feeling so blue being new and attempting to welcome our new exchange student from Russia in just 2 short months. Boy, if it'd get published I can get some exposure and hopefully stop being the new kid on the block, well, eventually, that is if we stay here a while longer. I have a really bad headache and I don't know if I am even making sense. Check out my thumbtack widget on the right hand side. You can read my answers to many questions there. I had fun creating it.

Mother's day sale 15% on any regular priced women's fragrances and Discontinued fragrances still available

2011-05-03T13:02:00.000-07:00

There is a 15% off any regular priced women's fragrance thru May 9 on my web site www.natsscents.com (or use the button on the right hand side of my blog, if you copy and paste my button and put it on your blog, please, let me know, so I can give you a credit for your purchase as a thank you for spreading the word) and they ship very quickly. UPS takes 2 days. I am sorry I am posting this couple of days later. After the accidents my brains hasn't been totally together.SO, if you've been wanting to stock up on a couple of fragrances now would be the perfect time to do it since combining regular priced items with a 15% discount with the discontinued ones, which are disappearing fast (My fav one #44, similar to CK into 2) was gone before I realized it was being discontinued.
I use a kit with almost 300 samples that I am not able to offer you, my reader. But if you are serious about purchasing I'd be glad to ship you one of my kits (I have 2) for a couple of days. You can take your time, invite your girlfriends for some tea and sample as many as you want. Don't forget to have some coffee beans available to clear your nose when it feels like the fragrances got all mixed up. Tea bags work fine too.

If you know the fragrance your wife or your mother (or your girlfriend) really likes but can't navigate the website (there are a lot of fragrances, believe me and without trying them from my sample kit it's really hard to figure it all out), em me and I will help you find the number. I cannot post the list of the entire equivalents but I will add the discontinued fragrance list equivalents. Please, don't forget! There fragrances are manufactured by FM group and are advertised as equivalents to name brand fragrances. There is a number on the bottom corner of the bottle, not a mane brand. So, what are the prices for the discontinued ones?
I will show you using my personal collection how a classic (men and women), luxury and fruit ladies perfume bottle look like the ones in the picture below and attempt to explain you the difference in pricing.

The most expensive perfume FM group makes is #297 $60 (now $51 for Mother's days sale) equivalent to “Orange Woman - Hugo Boss” (or worth 70 points, so 2 of these will give you free shipping), the classic ones run regular $24 (now $20.40), $29 regular for ones with pheromones now 24.50, luxury 30 ml $40 regular , now $34. The list goes on for different fragrances, but it is basically as I listed before.
There are also hand and nail cream, mini sets, purse size (15 ml regularly$12), youth girls and boys fragrance and gift sets. All gift sets include fragrance, body lotion, shower gel. Soon makep up is coming to America!!!

the classic's price is $13 (the bottles on the left, 30 ml 20% concentration) plus s/h and tax and the ONLY fruit fragrance left that is also being discontinued (50ml 20% concentration) is Lychee and it's also $13, see bottles on the right (vanilla (in the picture second from the right) is not discontinued (regular price $17 , #201) and my daughters love it!!!! If I knew about the mother's day sale I'd have waited to buy it for them, I just placed an order a month ago). If you place an $ 160 product order or reach a certain number of points (usually that's less than $160) s/h is free. So, team up with a friend, or let me know and I might be able to include you in a group order. But do it asap to take advantage of the Mother's day sale prices if you are interested in any of the regular priced fragrances.

The Luxury fragrances have a bit fancier bottle and contain 30 and 50 ml.depending on the fragrance.

On the far left is a men's fragrance #194 equivalent to Escada Moon sparkle 100ml /3.3 fl oz discontinued item, still available for 19.50, regular price for this fragrance is (for men, I have the women's one and LOVE it). Then comes one of my favs #289 equivalent to Magnifique bt Estee Lauder, then #193 S-Escada and the last one on the right #143 equivalent to Gucci by Gucci.
Even though the bottles in the same family (classic or luxury) they do come in a variety of colors. The boxes tend to stay the same. That is one way FM group can offer lower prices on their fragrances.
So, here is the discontinued fragrances list and the availability is going to depend day by day. you will know when you get to your cart if there are 2 or 1 of the fragrances available.

DISCONTINUED FRAGRANCE EQUIVALENTS CHANGES DAILY AS SUPPLIES ARE SOLD AND DISCONTINUED TO MAKE ROOM FOR NEW FRAGRANCES! The 15% applies ONLY to regular priced items. But ordering discounted items with the regular prices saves you in s/h because the points add up for the discounted items as if they are regular priced ones. Does it make sense? I crossed out the ones that aren't available any more as of today. I am sorry if you see one of your fav fragrance crossed out. Email me and let me help you find one that might be similar.
F, B og G next to the name mean availability as F for pheromone, B for body lotion and G shower gel

Women 30ml/1.0fl.oz. Classic & Inspiration Collection

eau de parfum, 20% concentrate

182 Aigner TOO FEMININE
130 Aramis ALWAYS FOR HER
~~121 g Britney Spears CURIOUS~~
187 Cacharel AMOR AMOR SUNSHINE
11 Cacharel NOA
128 f Cacharel NOA PERLE
~~44 Calvin Klein CK in2U~~
~~84 Calvin Klein CK ONE~~
~~171f b,g Calvin Klein EUPHORIA~~
178 Calvin Klein TRUTH
40 Cartier DELICES
109 Celine Dion BELONG
59 Celine Dion SPRING IN PARIS
48 Cerruti 1881 LUMIERES D'ETE
~~2 Chopard WISH~~
172 Christian Dior DUNE
186 Diesel FUEL FOR LIFE FEMME
175 Elizabeth Arden 5TH AVENUE
129 g Escada INTO THE BLUE
~~4 Escada SIGNATURE~~
126 Giorgio Armani EMPORIO ARMANI REMIX FOR HER
124 Guerlain INSOLENCE
179 Guerlain L'INSTANT MAGIC
123 Hugo Boss BOSS FEMME
127 b,f,g Jennifer Lopez GLOW AFTER DARK
176 Lacoste TOUCH OF PINK
58 Lanvin ECLAT D'ARPEGE
53 Max Mara SILK TOUCH
184 Thierry Mugler INNOCENT ILLISION

Women 50ml/1.7fl.oz. Luxury CollectionA

perfume, 20% concentrate

150 Cacharel EDEN
144 Chanel ALLURE SENSUELLE
193 Escada ESCADA S
143 b,g Gucci EAU DE PARFUM II
164 Guerlain COLORS OF LOVE
161 Jean Paul Gaultier CLASSIQUE
282 Jennifer Lopez DESEO
148 Lancome MIRACLE FOREVER
165 Lolita Lempicka LOLITA LEMPICKA
145 Salvador Dali DALIMIX
163 Yves Saint Laurent YOUNG SEXY LOVELY

Women 50ml/1.7fl.oz Fruits Collection eau de toilette

203 Fruit Collection LYCHEE
~~204 Fruit Collection MANGO~~

Women 50ml/1.7fl.oz. Floral Collection

perfume, 20% concentrate

216 Flower Collection JASMINE
214 Flower Collection LOTUS
215 Flower Collection TUBEROSE
212 Flower Collection VIOLET

Men 50ml/1.7fl.oz. Classic & Inspiration Collection

eau de parfum, 16% concentrate

70 Ambre BALDESSARINI
136 Azzaro SILVER BLACK
87 Calvin Klein CK IN2U
~~84 Calvin Klein CK ONE~~
137 Calvin Klein CRAVE
92 f Davidoff ECHO
~~107 g Davidoff COOL WATER GAME~~
91 Dunhill DUNHILL PURSUIT
78 Ermenegildo Zegna ZEGNA INTENSO
191 Estee Lauder INTUITION
76 Giorgio Armani EMPORIO RED WHITE FOR HIM
138 Hugo Boss SOUL MAN
82 Joop! JOOP! GO
85 Kenzo KENZO AIR
86 Lalique ENCRE NOIR LALIQUE
139 Tommy Hilfiger TRUE STAR MEN

Men 100ml/3.3fl.oz. Luxury Collection

eau de parfum, 16% concentrate

196 Azzaro CHROME LEGEND
~~154 Calvin Klein EUPHORIA MEN~~
153 Christian Lacroix TUMUTLE POUR HOMME
170 DKNY BE DELICIOUS
166 Escada MAGNETISIM
194 Escada MOON SPARKLE
167 Gucci GUCCI POUR HOMME II
157 Laura Biagiotti DUE UOMO

Happy shopping for the special woman in your life.
*Before ordering please check if those items are still available, go to Products on Sale

June afternoons fundraiser for a great cause

2011-04-25T12:12:00.000-07:00

http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/index.jsphttp://homeschoolblogger.com/kentuckymommy/My real life blogger friend Kentucky mommy had a few minutes to share a new blogger (who also has an Etsy shop) and I had to share with my friends too. She has a great fundraiser going on for a great cause. I just finished making a button for my perfume website so I am all into button and html. Please, find June afternoon's html code and button and spread the word. If you do it today you will be entered in a $50 giveaway to Anthropologie
This is what she says in her latest post:
" June Afternoons is an Etsy shop that, until May 31, 2011, will be donating all of the proceeds from the sale of each print, gallery wrap or book to the March for Babies, March of Dimes in honor our sons, James and Jake. Right now, we are halfway to our team goal of $5,000!
When you place your order, I will personally have it professionally printed from my favorite printer and ship it from my home to yours. (I’ll probably kiss the package before sending it off, but don’t let that scare you, I just can’t help myself.)"
Sweet, gal, isn't she? SO, what are you waiting for? Know how to put someone else's button on your blog to share the word? Then, go for it! While you are at it, please, consider including mine too. While I haven't made it for a cause yet, I am wondering how to go about doing it too. I haven't had a home party since we moved. But with my new kitchen table I feel more confident about inviting people over.
Have a blessed day

Back to humanity, back to life, back to my family, back to potos!

2011-04-20T17:37:00.000-07:00

So good to be back to earth. No, I haven't traveled to the moon, but it sure felt like I've been in a space bubble. Last month I spent 3 weekends in a real estate class. Upon completion I spent 2 weeks waiting for the permission to take the test. The other 2 I spent taking the test, then after failing one part of the test, rescheduling and retaking that part. Today it is over. I handed the test scores to the broker, with whom I hope to have a good relationship and now it's a matter of who knows how many more weeks before I can get my pocket card and be a full blown real estate salesperson!!!! Whew! I even watched a movie with my family today. If felt good to relax and not worry about studying!
I didn't even get to the pics of my oldest daughter getting baptized the weekend before!!! I wanted to edit them a bit and got carried away with studying, sick puppy, a busted eardrum of one of the kids, etc. I so miss all my photo bloggers, editing, digi scrapbooking and everything to do with pics. I missed my local photoclub meeting last month and another one is tomorrow. I would love to go but it's another 1 hr away and gas is so high these days! :(
One new blogger I've just discovered is holding a super de duper giveaway that I just had to share, not just for extra entries. Her work is truly amazing and I'd love, love, love to win the workshop. Check out all the details for extra entries on her blog http://cravemyphotography.com/blog/world-wide-giveaway/. I already had MCP and Florabla liked on FB prior to learning about this awesome photo blogger. So, if you liked all 7 of them on FB you get an extra entry. FB and including the link to your wall is another one, so is twittering. SO, what are you waiting for?
Go enter every way you can! You might be a winner! I'm going to bed early so I can get some photo time tomorrow before our furniture arrives. All (well, all for now) of it in one day! I pray I don't have to help the fed ex man unload it in the rain. It's been pouring cats and dogs the last 2 evenings! Yesterday we had tornado warning and sirens going off. Today it's pouring with lots of lightning and I can't even go out to check on my freshly planted garden. I hope my tomatoes, cucs, watermelons, cantaloupes and peppers aren't all dead :( How are your gardens doing?

My busy season with life, gardening andToby Mac(not the singer, our new baby)

2011-04-05T13:36:00.000-07:00

As if I am not busy enough life has to throw another curve at me (at least this time it's a cute curve). All you who used to follow my blog and used to sub to it, please, come back. I promise I'll be better. I really like blogging and have a lot to write about. It's just that I don't have my priorities straight most of the time.
For those of you who followed our life, the move from KY to AL last year in August, then the move from AL to AR in December, then the move from the RV to a real house January 31st had a really strong impact on my sanity. No, I'm not on Lexipro ;)
Then my husband suggests I try real estate (I guess he thinks I am bored silly at home now that I don't homeschool 4 kids) and I plunge into a 3 weekend long classes with an exam finally scheduled for Tuesday, next week. In the midst of the whole whirl wind he decides it's time for us to have a a new baby. No, we didn't plan on a baby. It just sort of happened. You know, you can't really don't have control when it comes to having a baby. I couldn't protest because I really like babies. But now, in the middle of it all?

He is the cutest little stinker, who just couldn't get named because 6 members of the family couldn't agree on one name. He now has a middle name too. Oh, we tried Flash, Gibbs (the guy with the attitude in NCIS), Jelly bean, Clusoe, Bear (he looks like a polar bear now). I think we all like Toby Mac! If you haven't guessed yet our baby is a DOG. An American Border Collie. Cute as a button. ALmost potty trained at 7 weeks and as mischevious as a baby can be!!! I babysat the stinker all week before the kids get home. He slept a lot but when he was awake he did a lot too! So, I didn't get much studying done. In the midst of all of the above I am reading books on gardening. I want to plant trees, strawberries, berry bushes (raspberries, blackberries) and veggies. I feel like I might be biting a bit more that I should the first year in our new home but I can't wait to see fruits and berries on our property, that we, Lord willing, will live longer than 6 months at a time :)

Our home for 5 months (5th wheel) and Ford truck with hitch for sale now

2011-03-08T18:08:00.000-08:00

It's been a long time since I've blogged. Life in the RV wasn't anything exciting to blog about. Then, moving to a real house, unpacking, getting the kids in school, getting myself in school amidst tons of boxes, laundry, meals, you get the picture. Blogging hasn't been a priority. So, now that we have a real home (and I do so hope to get some decent furniture to take pics and give a cyber tour) we are hoping to sell the RV and the truck. Please, comment if you are interested. Include an em addy I can em you privately with information about its location and pricing.
Thanks for looking!

Iheartfaces B&W scenic photo challenge better later than never

2010-12-01T09:04:00.000-08:00

I love entering IHF's weekly photo contests. This week took me by surprise like many other weeks do :) I traveled Monday from my in-laws in LA (with 4 kids and rainy weather most of the way) and was very busy Tuesday. By the time I got to the computer it was past 9pm, deadline for entering. But, that didn't deter me from posting and practicing my photo skills. Since my laptop has been shipped to Dell I had to really look for scenery pics on my external HD and it was fun! I didn't know I had so many scenery pics! Not many had faces in it though. The one I really remember being a good one I couldn't find it. It is in one of my SHutterly books (posted on line) but nowhere in my files. So, I chose three and thought I'd post it in a Collage I made using Picasa, but when I uploaded it directly from Picasa it included the pics themselves as well. Oh well. The particular pics are much better in their color, but BandW has to go. All three pics were taken in the country Panama.The one of the waterfall has a face way up top. I was up there, hanging too, with a camcorder and as soon as I get my hands on that video I made from up there I'll post it. Ben says he knows where it is. It's the most hilarious, shortest video EVER! It was freaking scary to hang up there for a few seconds, that felt like eternity. I have a lot more scenery pics from Panama I should make into a slideshow and share, but for now here is an entry to IHF, not in the contest though. Head on to IHF for great entries that made it in time for judging. Amazing shots. It's hard to make scenery black and white with a face in it imho.

Thanksgiving update-right on time!

2010-11-24T22:11:00.000-08:00

Yeah, I made it! I am posting this minutes after midnight!
Unbelievable! It's been so long since my last post. What have I been doing? What have I been SO busy doing? I can't recall really the months I've been MIA, (maybe because of years of Ambien use or maybe because I chose to forget some...). I guess blogging is just not my forte...
As I spent a generous amount of time compiling lists of (20 per list, mind you, FB, something is wrong with this picture, unless I don't know something , please, someone make my time more productive and enlighten me) my almost 300 friends on FB, I really counted my blessings and gave many thanks! I added that leaded coffee in my Thank you, Jesus, too!
I was floored at the Birthday wishes that kept pouring last week as I was attempting not to bemoan that my husband wasn't with us to make it so much more special.
I considered writing a Year in review type letter couple of my sweet friends faithfully send every year. But I already mailed my Thanksgiving cards to at least 20, without any review. So, that wouldn't be too fair, huh?
Since that coffee is still pumping I better refresh those of you who still sub to my blog and want news. There will be more news, more pics and more updates! Pinky promise.
Lord willing our RV living with 4 kids will be over around Christmas time! Our final offer on the house we chose seemed to have gone through finally and inspection should be done after the Thanksgiving holidays. Lord willing, there will be no problems with the house or the in ground pool (kids are very excited).
For those who aren't understanding the RV part: we've been living in a fifth wheel since September waiting for Ben to get a permanent (for us it's longer than 6 months job) job and the Lord provided one in Arkansas.
I think my father in law can't sleep knowing that I am awake. He came out and did some Sudoku puzzles and I am hearing him again. He might be letting me know I need to take a sleeping pill :)

I don't know how to share the greeting card I've ordered but I can share the family photo on it, My sweet friend Amy blessed us with a photo shoot. More pics after Christmas, I hope. She stays so busy. I am going to miss her and all my AL friends. Ok, Paw, Paw, I am shutting it down...

Week 41 – I Heart Beef Photo Challenge & $250 Giveaway!

2010-10-12T18:59:00.000-07:00

Well, I'd be it! The IHF extended the entry time for their weekly contest. I had such a hard time yesterday with my computer when attempting to load the "beef" pic. We had to eat our "beef" in a huge hurry and run to soccer and softball practices. I knew I'd have just 30 minutes before the deadline when I got home and sure thing! My computer has decided to really get me grumpy. I went to sleep without telling anyone good nite. Yes, that's how very grumpy I was Because I really love beef and I love IHF and the combo of missing such a great op just was unbearable. SO, you can imagine my surprise when I saw an extension today! . SInce I have a couple of RSS email subscribers I knew I needed to edit my hustled post regardless. The extension gave me a really great reminder. Thanks so much, IHF. Head to Iheartfaces to see more great entries and blog your own "beef" entry. EVERYONE who enters a photo into this week’s challenge and uses the button below in their post is entered to win a $250 gift certificate for Nolan Ryan’s beef!!! So, here it is. My edited post and weekly entry! Edible flower arrangement by my very talented 12 year old. Hmm, I can't find her blog's URL anywhere. She must not have blogged in a long time!!! She has made quite a few fun edible arrangements. I'll ask her to post them on her blog and give me the URL so I can link her up here. I hope she gladly complies...

Since I really didn't have time for a really good pic (blame early soccer, softball) my daughter helped me with a beef/green beans/peppers arrangement (I didn't have a chance to take a pic of the steaks that I used to make our fajitas, so leftovers had to do, yes, not many leftovers after a family of 6 digs in)

Week 38 • Smirk Photo Challenge

2010-09-21T12:33:00.000-07:00

I had a hard time choosing pictures for this challenge for I have plenty of real SMIRKs in my household with a teen and a preteen, unstaged ones, mind you. This one was sort of staged before I even got the email about this IHF challenge. My sweet mother in law can raise one of her eyebrows like I've never seen anyone do so. I've tried numerous times and failed miserably. My husband said when she did that all his siblings knew it meant serious business :) So, my oldest daughter, the copy cat of anything, can easily duplicate her grandma's raised eyebrow. I caught her playing around at a wedding we attended this weekend and as I was editing the pics I realized this is my favorite of all smirks.Please, click on the picture for a larger view.
For more great Smirk entries visit IHF blog.

Week 37 Vroom Photo Challenge

2010-09-14T18:53:00.000-07:00

I couldn't find my external hard drive for the original size pics so I dug it out from my Picasa gallery and am in a hurry to post it. It's one of my favs. I took it at the Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, KY. My oldest girl is such is a cutie! Those are all little pics of cars that make up the huge car!
Please, check out Iheartfaces for more cool entries!

From Corvette

Week 34 • Beach Fun Photo Challenge!

2010-08-24T08:30:00.000-07:00

I should be packing our RV and cleaning out the house but instead I am entering contests and cooking. Hmm!!! Doesn't look like I've got my priorities straight. I had to enter this one though for our sweet friends opened their temporary beach home to us this summer and I'd kick myself for not thanking thanking them properly (I still haven't sent a thank you card yet :( But this is a good start, right? Thanks so much Greg and Amy for letting welcoming us!
They have lots of girls too and our girls had a lot of fun! It was too hot for me to be in the scorching FL son while taking mega doses of vit D and being very sensitive, so my pic selection from the beach this summer was so very limited. But one stood out! They had a wonderful time together! .Please, double click the picture to enlarge. I don't know how to make my pictures display wider in this template, yet.

Zapekanka-yummy treat of an ethnic origin

2010-08-22T17:18:00.000-07:00

When I pack to leave the house for any amount of time I try to use up any food that will go bad while we are gone. My husband thinks I become OCD totally. I think it's a hangover from my birth country-no throwing food away. Use every bit that is possible. Well, we are really gonna be gone a long time this time. We are finally moving out of our "base" home that's been a returning point for the last 11 years. So, I had some cottage cheese I've made last week (or maybe even a week before that) and I knew it was going bad finally. So, i googled for a recipe my mom used to make called zapekanka! Oh, this one was soooo good! Even my American husband liked it. I commented on the blogger's recipe thanking her for such a great recipe! I substituted apples for the pears in her recipe. Cottage cheese is also easy to make if you have a gallon or even half of old milk and some buttermilk and cheesecloth!I didn't make the cream. Just gobbled it up plain. I so miss my ethnic foods. American food is so bland. The other nite I ate out with my sweet homeschool mom friends at a local Mexican restaurant and had a quesadilla that my 10 yo can fix with much more flavor. Maybe America influences even ethnic cuisines?! I don't know. But it was so bland and flavorless :(
I think my car's bumper sticker should read "I'd rather be cooking than packing" because that's what I do when it's time to pack-I cook. I also made a fabulous mushroom and cheese pie (blue ribbon winner from an ad in RR's magazine) because my over was already pre-heated to the same temp zapekanka needed to be baked at and I already had all the mushrooms and ingredients necessary. I'll have to share the recipe later since I am running out of daylight for a quick walk up our hills. But it was delish! It'd be perfect for a baby or bridal shower brunch table. Keeper. So, please, don't ask how much laundry or packing I got done for I got those done too! I am grateful my neighbor delivered 2 more dozen eggs so kids can have bfast tomorrow!!! I used the last dozen today! Be blessed and happy cooking!

Armless Pianist in China's Got Talent 2010-08-08

2010-08-18T13:42:00.000-07:00

My kids have blogged more often than me lately. I know I've been really lousy. Not entering any IHF contests, nor updating on our job/moving situation. I am sorry, my friends. It's because I really don't know what to say some days. It's been humbling lately and I decided to lay low. I do have a lot of material backed up, pictures I haven't edited (LR2 has been crashing too much on me lately) from my trip home in March. Yes, that's how far backed up I am.

I feel really yucky today and wonders of wonders I find myself lying on the couch with my photo editing program crashing on me :(. So, no excuse to not update my long ignored blog.

My husband and son are on the way back home with a fifth wheel. I hope to feel better by the time they get here so I can be all chipper about an RV we'll be spending an X amount of time in for the who knows how many days, months or , hopefully and Lord willingly, not years in. Tomorrow we'll start seriously packing and we'll have to be out of the house by the end of August. We plan on heading South to a town we lived almost 2 1/2 years and live in one of the RV parks waiting for my husband to get a job.

I saw a friend post this video on Facebook and couldn't help sharing. I am a huge fan of Nick Vujicic and this Chinese young man reminded me of how blessed I am. I loved the song he played with his feet and it made my day!

Achile's update

2010-07-03T13:34:00.000-07:00

I love reading Shaun's Groves blog. His heart is so much for helping. I was so glad to find out today on his blog that Achile, a boy who needed heart surgery, got more than enough funds to cover the cost of the surgery. I will be taking his widget on the right hand side of my bar off in a couple of days. God is so great! Seeing this little boy smile (I am sure he is still hurting judging by the scar on his chest, but the smile is so bright and speaks of how grateful he is) made my day. I stand amazed at the miracle! May everyone who gave be super blessed!

Week 25 • “Celebrating Teens” Photo Challenge

2010-06-22T14:40:00.000-07:00

We have a teenager all right and another one of the way so no way was I going to miss this challenge! To choose one pic for the spirit of our oldest was a tough job though! I went thru tons of pics looking for that perfect one that would reflect him and his passions. Our son loves music. He loves his guitars a lot. He loves his mp3 player a ton. We'd love to see him love God with all his heart and glorify Him through his music. May Jesus use his talents for His GLORY. Please, visit IHF for more Celebrating teen photo challenge entries.

Off the hook :)

2010-06-22T14:27:00.000-07:00

This post was written last week and never got posted. That was the end of my free time and I had to drive through rush hour traffic, after which it took me forevah to recuperate!. But, imho, better later than never. A fresh post coming up in just a little bit.

Blogging doesn't seem to be my thing lately since my posts have been so few. But when I am totally by myself it's a shame to pass this op. I hate regretting that I did or didn't do something A LOT. So, here it is. It's been on my to do list for a very long time. No excuse for me now.
As I sit in a cute, fully air conditioned and quiet (very important since my AC at home is deafening) hotel suite sans kids and hubs I can't stop but count my blessings. Too bad I only have couple more hours to count them before I pick my family up since I really am so immensely enjoying my quiet. But with so many things vying for my attention what do I prioritize? Catching up on my ems, making my moves in chesshere, attempt to beat Ben in our never ending scrabble games on FB, making those dreaded insurance calls, etc, etc?
Prioritizing is not easy for me. I get easily overwhelmed, though I used to multi-task perfectly before kid #2 I think, it might have been #3. I don't know, it was a long time ago and I lost track of when it really happened. But counting my blessings has been really impressed on me today on my priority list today and I did:

cherished the Bible study time (the way of Agape) with a friend over the phone while my husband sweated away at Six Flags with all the kids. She called me as I dropped the crew off and was headed to the quiet of the hotel!
I didn't have to pretend to be brave and totally unafraid of the challenge of heights (Goliath at Six Flags is my most dreaded ride) and walk off a ride as if it was so fun and exciting and LIE about the knot in my stomach.
I didn't have to drag sunblock, waterbottles and whatever 4 kids entangle in an amusement park, don't let me bore you here.
Nor did I have to watch those roller coaster sweep past me with my precious cargo at a speed and height that makes my heart drop just watching them (yes, I am so boring). I think whoever came up with the saying "Out of sight out of mind" knew what they were saying. Though I still sent couple of prayers for their safety today.
I could go shopping at any mall or ethnic store if I wanted to or had the money. I chose to save my money and the drool too :). Though a bowl of borscht, stuffed peppers and some buckwheat would have satisfied the craving for the food I so enjoyed eating growing up.
Determined to appreciate my AC unit at home (so loud you can't hear yourself think) after talking with a friend on Skype. She didn't turn on her video yesterday because she was sweaty (no AC at all) and didn't have hot water heated to wash herself off to look decent. I wish I could have given her my loud AC unit, but with Ben not having a prospect of a job on the horizon decided I'd start counting the darn thing as a blessing instead.
Grateful for my husband who understands the need for Mom time and who knows my secret fears but won't tell the kids, I hope :)

i heart faces: "yellow" challenge

2010-05-25T18:56:00.000-07:00

Since yellow is least of my favorite colors and I couldn't find anything worth entering with yellow I had to get out and do some hands on stuff. It's been a while since I've used my camera or edited pics. So, without much further ado (I only have 9 mins before the deadline) may I present you my only lonely yellow pic. I had couple of more but my laptop's monitor refuses to calibrate and I don't have a desktop worth editing pics on :( So, the colors might be very off on your screens.
My youngest was tired of coming up with creative yellow shots (after a couple of bananagrams (yellow bag) shots) and just sat there looking dejected and ready to get on playing on the slide (the only yellow thing that was obviously yellow in our yard, besides the cliched daisy all over our 17 acres we just sold). So, this is what I got! Please, visit Iheartfaces for more yellow pics! I think I like yellow now.

Some good ole reading from the heart of Kentucky

2010-04-06T21:12:00.000-07:00

I feel like our days in KY are dwindling slowly. I don't know why it took me so long to find a great author who lived just miles away from my house. I picked up one of her books "The believers" a couple of years ago and don't remember why I didn't finish it. It was really good, but last I remember reading it was on a long trip with 4 kids, the rest is history. So, since it was checked out for me to finish it off, I read another one of her classics 40 acres and no mule 40 Acres and No Mule. Oh, my! I enjoyed it so much and wished that I'd read it years ago upon coming to a foreign land, not just USA, but the land of KY. I think every newcomer needs to be required to read 40 acres before even attempting to understand the culture and the people around here. I think I am finally adapting. Now, I am reading Tara's healing and am having an extreme time putting the book down when the clock strikes midnite. :( A review follows. I can't wait to get back to reading. Please, forgive my formatting of the books; links. This is my first time using my amazon associates' linking and I have no idea how the positioning works yet. I wanted to move the believers up higher where it belongs, but have no idea how and why the way I think it should work doesn't. SO, please, be patient with me. I'll get it eventually. Back to my reading, oh, how I wish I could write like that!
<br><br>MM

Gratituesday

2010-04-06T17:04:00.000-07:00

I love reading posts like Not me Monday or Gratituesday on my friends' blogs, but never take time to participate myself. Maybe because by the time I've read a couple of posts my time on the computer ran out.
But one of my NY's resolutions was to try out new things and blogging more often was one of them.
So, today I have a lot to be grateful for.

I am so grateful for a mess up with my appointment with a hard to get in doctor. You think mess up in appointment? How can that be a blessing after an hour drive plus an hour ahead time difference just to get to it? Well, mess ups can truly be a blessing, sometimes. So, today is a very gratituesday day for me. I finally called this doctor (who has been in this area for over 20 years (and I just found out :( ) knew I'd have to see the nurse practitioner in his group since the closest appointment with him was for August. So, NP wasn't a biggie to schedule. 4 days later. Sure, thanks! Bye. First surprise: the doc's practice is in my old OB's office. Memories of the two youngest prenatals, sweet memories. Second, when I get to the window, incredulous that it is indeed the right place, I am told that I am scheduled to see the doctor since the NP is out of the office. Is God good or what? I was very impressed with his expertise and knowledge of both natural remedies and conventional medicine. I walked out of there with a script for a very low dose med and 2 natural supplements. WOW! Best of both worlds!
More I am grateful for is CHOCOLATE, a whole bar I don't have to share with my girls, since I didn't get the one they like :)
I am grateful that my son is coming home in a couple of days (after 3 weeks away) and my husband will be returning home in a month, Lord willing. My FAMILY will be together again. I am very grateful!
Head on to Heavenly HOmemaker to add your gratituesday to Mr. Linky. Share with us what you are grateful for. Be blessed!

My trip home Part 3

2010-04-01T15:33:00.000-07:00

Out of all the days I had time to finish up my recent trip's story. When my husband's cousin called a couple of hours ago announcing their approach I totally forgot about the special day that it was today. But it wasn't a prank. For a visit they did come. It is a hoot to see family members grow old and mature. There is just something about seeing other people's kids get older (clear throat here and themselves too, of course). It just reminds me how young I still am and that independent kids with driver's licenses and separate living quarters are still couple of years ahead of me :)
So, while my company was sleeping and I thoroughly hoola hooped myself in the hot first day of April sun I decided it's today or just about lose all my anxious bloggie friends.
So, in Moldova it is customary to remember the dead. The 3rd, 7th, 9th an whatever year after the person has passed away are supposed to be celebrate a little more festive. So, this year was 7th year since my Mom went to be with her maker. Dad didn't really expect me to make it this year, as I haven't made it home in the last 5 years so he didn't really prepare for the crowd I was hoping to invite. SO, it was really low key. The day before I met with my classmates and stayed up till 4 am and was useless till about noon, which is close to the time we had to have guests. So, I tried to help my cousin, Oxana prepare the food ahead of time. I helped her get the veggies cut up for the salads (beet salad and a mayo based salad Olivie are staples at any table) and get the sarmale (stuffed cabbage leaves, fresh and/or pickled) started. I had to leave around 7pm so she was left to finish wrapping the sarmale herself. The next day my relatives showed up and we sat around remembering mom and visiting. One of my cousins didn't show up and I was a bit disappointed since we changed the meeting because of him for Sunday instead of Saturday. I was really hoping to take dad to a fellowship :( Dad bought enough braided breads, candy, towels and small gifts to give to people who come. It is a custom I don't really care for but that it is how it is done there. Dad went to the Orthodox church to do something called Ridicare (raising up) which doesn't make sense to me at all (I will blog about it separately). Dad was not too happy about going by himself but I graciously got out of it since I did get in at 4 am after visiting with my classmate and I really didn't care to mess with the Orthodox custom I didn't agree with either.
But God is in charge, I have to trust Him. I wish more family and friends were invited but dad has become very private since mom passed away and didn't want many people. My company is stirring. So, I better get the slideshow posted. Hopefully, the comments will explain a bit more of what is what. More to come: my school and my teacher coming up in Part 4. Stay tuned. Subscribe by em so you don't have to guess when I post :)