tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2986554634550865376Fri, 01 Nov 2024 10:34:37 +0000LifedeathBest Mom EverFunfamily funFriendshipcooking partyloveparentingBrunoHappy New YearShare the Lovea week entitled crazycleaningmomssicknessAwardIPLRelationshipaddictionagingback to schoolbubonicchildreneconomyhydrangeajokeslife in the midwest as of latephoto rejuvinationquizsickness that never endsstresswarmthwhatever2 crazy dogs50 in 52 Journey5yr oldsA Few Good WomenAbout MeBBQBeerBest Teacher EverBeware of the DoghouseBook reviewCoffe Shop TalkConcealing PetalsCondimentsCrazy TurkeysCreative Road SignsDow JonesEtiquette 101FlowersFreekin' coldGleeHey Big GuyHigh SchoolI feel like crapI got nothingI'm so clumsyIntimatesIt's going to be a long school yearKudosLaundry dayLeprechaunLeprechaun TrapList making machineLittle Man exhaustedMILMaya AngelouMeatless MondayMenMerlotMerry ChristmasMessagesMidwestern Snow StormsMondayMother's DayNew MeNew YearPSARHOWIRemembranceRules for Teachers 1872SITSSNLSaltSangriaShe's backSt. Patrick's DaySteven ColbertSunday SightingsTGIFTagThanksgiving WishThe EndThirty OneTrinketsWTF?WalkingWelcomeWininga whole lotta snotall about meballingbaseballbeardsbeet juicebest doctor everbest doormatbig citybirthdaybloggingbroken footbumps and wierd stuffcapillariescaregiverschangechemicalsclothescode of conduct for teachers 1915coffeecommunitycountry folkcouponscrapdamn it's colddaughtersdirty laundrydonationdonationseducationfabulousfallfightfireflower quizfoodgarden whalegardeninggermsgive thanksgoldfishhealthy choiceshelphot chocolatehousekeepinghusbandskeyboardkitty litterlife insurancelife is cakelife lessonslosslumpsmarriagemememy glorious week so farnamesnestingoopsorganizationsparenting 101petsphonesphrasespissed offpity partypolitical laughterpoolrelationshipsrice crispy squaressavings tipsscented candlesscholastic booksself worthsenior momentsickness from hellskinspontaneousspringstocksstop slamming the damned doorsummersun spotstabletstechnologytime to flyveinsweekend to do listwhat thewhat were we thinkingwinewinterworkhttp://theoccasionaldiary.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (Connie)Blogger153125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2986554634550865376.post-1852413248648563371Thu, 27 Dec 2012 22:16:00 +00002012-12-27T16:16:05.123-06:00I have been lost amongst the pile of what is everyday life and have forgotten what its like to take time for myself. I have a lot to say, just not the time in which to day it or so it seems. How are you handling all you juggle? I must be doing something wrong. http://theoccasionaldiary.blogspot.com/2012/12/review-what-am-i-doing-wrong.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Connie)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2986554634550865376.post-6906449794138029951Mon, 09 Apr 2012 21:13:00 +00002012-04-09T16:13:20.859-05:00Step 1 - Review the list of blogs you haven't been reading. Wow! Over 100 posts for the majority of my reading list. Awesome. Make note to visit my reading list more often. <15 minutes> Step 2 - Begin scrolling through each bloggers 100 or so posts and reading what catches your eye. Oh! ~ look at all the new changes, linking, pinning! Make note to read up on all the new things ~ there http://theoccasionaldiary.blogspot.com/2012/04/how-to-waste-afternoon.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Connie)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2986554634550865376.post-2075844726536820890Thu, 01 Mar 2012 01:48:00 +00002012-02-29T19:48:51.313-06:00Much like leep day blog posts seem to happen every 4 years or so around here. Truth be told, the need to write more than one sentance at a time to get my thoughts across (facebook & twitter) has been nagging at me lately. Seems I might have some stuff to share ~ the good, bad & ugly. Hope you don't mind me bending your ear again. :-) http://theoccasionaldiary.blogspot.com/2012/02/much-like-leep-day-blog-posts-seem-to.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Connie)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2986554634550865376.post-2770728578487695639Fri, 30 Dec 2011 22:38:00 +00002011-12-30T16:38:43.157-06:00FriendshipHappy New YearLifeloveShare the Love2011 was a busy year for family, personal restoration and business. I have done so much yet feel as if I have done nothing. I hope you can relate. In 2012 many of us will make New Year's resolutions. I, however; will not. All I can do in 2012 is to remind myself to do my best. Some days my best will compare to the sun's brilliance, other days my best may look suspiciously close to a pile of http://theoccasionaldiary.blogspot.com/2011/12/my-new-years-wish-to-you.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Connie)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2986554634550865376.post-7948306364568269529Tue, 09 Aug 2011 19:30:00 +00002011-08-09T14:33:42.831-05:00To say I took a break from blogging this summer would be an understatement; it's really been longer but let's not dwell on it shall we. Long story short besdies family vacation, work, home improvement projects, gardening, spending hours in the gym for my daughter's gymnastics classes, child play dates and starting the back to school countdown not much has been happening. There ~ now your all http://theoccasionaldiary.blogspot.com/2011/08/1st-day-of-school-countdown.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Connie)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2986554634550865376.post-1877284435717192310Fri, 06 May 2011 12:09:00 +00002011-05-06T07:09:38.487-05:00Lifeparenting 101relationshipsI am enjoying my first cup of steaming fresh coffee with you this morning and can't help but to reflect. It's been a challenging couple of months, of which came to a boiling point yesterday. You never know how warm the tea pot is until you hear the little whistle in your head and feel the bubbling steam rise to release out of the spout. Yesterday was the day the steam escaped from the tea pot http://theoccasionaldiary.blogspot.com/2011/05/for-all-little-pretty-tea-pots-out.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Connie)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2986554634550865376.post-3144179429530040265Sun, 17 Apr 2011 20:58:00 +00002011-04-17T16:03:09.578-05:00weekend to do listIt's been pretty mellow here the past couple of weeks. We (and by we, I mean hubby) are pretty busy working on the master closet and other projects around the house with a healthy dose of work mixed in. I arrived home Friday night to a closet with cabinetry. After weeks of our clothing either stacked or hung throughout the house it felt like the light at the end of the tunnel. The news http://theoccasionaldiary.blogspot.com/2011/04/where-does-time-go.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Connie)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2986554634550865376.post-3280635492985895263Tue, 05 Apr 2011 16:50:00 +00002011-08-09T14:05:20.471-05:00Thirty OneWiningOn Wednesday my friendly postal carrier dropped a box off on my porch. I had a sneaking suspicion I knew what it was. I wasn't sure until I looked at the return address. John Deere Mom had a contest to give away two Thirty-One bags on her site and I was the lucky winner! The first bag has wonderful compartments on the side and a wide bottom making it ideal for perhaps the beach or http://theoccasionaldiary.blogspot.com/2011/04/wining.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Connie)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2986554634550865376.post-7280619821773321672Sun, 03 Apr 2011 15:32:00 +00002011-04-03T10:32:00.362-05:00phonestabletstechnologyI've been walking around with the same phone for two years. I've been texting on this incredibly small phone for two years. I'm pretty sure this small phone had something to do with my eyes requiring telescoping arms as of late. I finally had enough and visited my local cell phone carrier last Wednesday. It's amazing all the fantastic new options out there! We geek-ed out over the new http://theoccasionaldiary.blogspot.com/2011/04/new-technology.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Connie)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2986554634550865376.post-1359259894724192792Wed, 23 Mar 2011 21:42:00 +00002011-03-23T16:42:49.492-05:00cooking partyFriendshipMonday night my house was filled with 15 people all willing to belly up to the bar and cook under the guidance of the professional chef. For 3 hours everyone (even the men in the crowd) chopped, mixed and seasoned while enjoying not only each other's company but Skinny Girl Margaritas. Never forget the liquid encouragement. If you ever wanted to throw a cooking party but wonder if it would http://theoccasionaldiary.blogspot.com/2011/03/good-times-good-times.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Connie)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2986554634550865376.post-5658929100976062594Mon, 21 Mar 2011 19:38:00 +00002011-03-21T14:38:14.395-05:00cooking partyFriendship... was a bust. It's been rainy and overcast here so the much anticipated Super Moon sighting on Saturday was blocked by cloudy, rainy skies. What's not a bust is my yearly cooking party tonight! I'm looking forward to having 15 guests here to help cook chicken fajitas and pineapple salsa while washing down Skinny Girl Margaritas. Should be a great time! We've rescheduled Meatless Monday in http://theoccasionaldiary.blogspot.com/2011/03/super-moon.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Connie)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2986554634550865376.post-4718371688182723951Fri, 18 Mar 2011 20:13:00 +00002011-03-18T15:14:52.120-05:00springwarmthThe weather has really been heating up round the Midwest. Mild temperatures have summoned me outside to begin assessing what winter clean-up is required before spring planting can begin. Loads of broken branches, roadside raking from snow plow digs and trash pick-up from winter litter bugs. In this day and age it still amazes me how much litter can be found roadside out here in the middle ofhttp://theoccasionaldiary.blogspot.com/2011/03/spring-sightings.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Connie)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2986554634550865376.post-6828893481300431483Thu, 10 Mar 2011 20:24:00 +00002011-03-10T14:24:06.167-06:00life in the midwest as of lateparentingI needing to remind myself to 'focus' all day today. A result of what's happening in my state today. I need to remind myself to 'focus' today. I'm not sure what to 'focus' on first. Where do you find your focus?http://theoccasionaldiary.blogspot.com/2011/03/focus.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Connie)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2986554634550865376.post-7820260900851624159Tue, 08 Mar 2011 17:11:00 +00002011-03-09T16:40:59.202-06:00educationorganizationsparentingI've been reading quite a few blogs lately and it's clear we are all ready for sunny warm weather minus the snow. It's comforting to know so many of us are feeling the same and have the same concerns, a connection of sorts. I've been trying to keep my head down around here lately. It all started when we moved into the school district a few years back. Many parents seen us as the outsiders, http://theoccasionaldiary.blogspot.com/2011/03/march-madness.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Connie)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2986554634550865376.post-8308692781137410825Sat, 05 Mar 2011 21:01:00 +00002011-03-05T15:01:09.669-06:00Little Man exhaustedThis is what my Little Man looks like 30 minutes into the 3rd store shopping for Dearest Daughter's shoes. I like to call it "I've lost my patience and abandoned all hope" that husbands evolve into. Yup, we train 'em well 'round these parts. What title would you give this photo?http://theoccasionaldiary.blogspot.com/2011/03/training-day.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Connie)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2986554634550865376.post-3775206736742460267Mon, 28 Feb 2011 18:01:00 +00002011-02-28T12:01:00.170-06:00bubonichealthy choicesMeatless MondayI can officially report the 'bubonic' began to subside on Sunday morning. I'm still taking a dose of Mucinex to get through the day but I'm no longer in danger of overdosing on the stuff. A big relief for both my sinuses and my pocket book. A while back our family was catching up on our "O" dvr series and viewed the vegetarian episode with Michael Pollen and a plethora of other vegan http://theoccasionaldiary.blogspot.com/2011/02/how-bubonic-can-change-ones-eating.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Connie)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2986554634550865376.post-2930116710050534876Fri, 25 Feb 2011 20:49:00 +00002011-02-25T14:49:27.772-06:00bubonicsicknesssickness that never endsI have the 'bubonic'. Kids are germy. They sneeze a lot. I mean 'A Lot'. They have friends. Their friends have germs. Their friends sneeze a lot. I mean 'A Lot'. I have the 'bubonic'.http://theoccasionaldiary.blogspot.com/2011/02/why.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Connie)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2986554634550865376.post-5434119600724783Sun, 20 Feb 2011 21:52:00 +00002011-02-20T15:52:15.324-06:00RHOWIAs if a week of the shenanigans going on in our state capitol headlining on national news wasn't enough, Mother Nature has decided to dump on us in the form of 9"-13" of heavy snow, sleet and whatever else she can find. All I have to say is she had better lay reeeeeaaaaaal low for the next few days if you know what I mean.  If you've been following the news some of our http://theoccasionaldiary.blogspot.com/2011/02/mother-nature-can-suck-it.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Connie)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2986554634550865376.post-2848902321990187401Thu, 17 Feb 2011 16:46:00 +00002011-02-17T10:46:40.323-06:00life in the midwest as of latelife lessonsparentingIt's happened again ~ I've got people around me on the left side and some on the right side of the debate but I'm looking at things from the middle. I seem to find myself in the middle more often than not. It's a blessing and a curse all in one really. Why is that? How is it that some always find the courage to look past the rhetoric and find the true source of the issue instead of jumpinghttp://theoccasionaldiary.blogspot.com/2011/02/life-in-middle.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Connie)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2986554634550865376.post-4484568980400119709Wed, 16 Feb 2011 13:53:00 +00002011-02-16T07:53:00.405-06:00It's been some time since I last updated you on the results of my procedure. As with any over 40 body that's been stretched to the ends of the earth to have children, my skin just doesn't have that ole bounce she used too. I continue to loose weight, down 12 pounds as of last week, but the lower belly skin still hasn't naturally gone back into position. My doctor would like to see better results http://theoccasionaldiary.blogspot.com/2011/02/confessions-iii.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Connie)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2986554634550865376.post-7936982717418439473Sun, 06 Feb 2011 21:27:00 +00002011-02-06T15:49:53.970-06:00New MeNew YearAs promised, New Year ~ New Me! I'm still tweaking, moving, and creating of course but I have put a big ole 'check!' in my blog redesign / re-invention goal. As you'll notice things are quite different around here right down to how my life has changed since I began blogging. This is most reflected in the new blog title. Truth be told it's a nod to how life can be http://theoccasionaldiary.blogspot.com/2011/02/new-year-new-me.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Connie)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2986554634550865376.post-5484140065814877545Tue, 11 Jan 2011 19:14:00 +00002011-01-25T15:43:14.279-06:00The EndOkay, here's the deal. I have some thoughts pestering me lately. The strong thoughts revolve around this website. Like all humans should, I've evolved. Before you get all offended by that statement consider my take on evolution. Personal evolution should be a part of life, period. I know a portion of society believes everyone is perfect as the way we were born ... yada yada yada. Admit it, we allhttp://theoccasionaldiary.blogspot.com/2011/01/new-year-new-thoughts.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Connie)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2986554634550865376.post-4238191343838337383Sun, 05 Dec 2010 19:11:00 +00002011-01-28T13:06:31.134-06:00Thursday was the big day and I'm happy to report things are going well in recovery mode. I am sore (think 1,000 sit ups) but I am able to manage the aches with Tylenol instead of heavy duty pain meds today. I'm sure many of you will have questions and I'll do my best to answer them for you but let me take you through some of the procedure. When I arrived in the office the first thing were the http://theoccasionaldiary.blogspot.com/2010/12/recovery.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Connie)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2986554634550865376.post-1356573583665053541Tue, 30 Nov 2010 16:06:00 +00002011-01-25T17:05:38.610-06:00I have to admit, I was skeptical about putting my elective surgery out there for everyone to read (judge). While I know it's the right thing for me it doesn't mean others will agree or even be supportive. But oh how I was wrong! The emails I've received have been wonderfully supportive and understanding. I thank you deeply. Many have noted wanting to loose more weight before they would consider http://theoccasionaldiary.blogspot.com/2010/11/confessions-ii.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Connie)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2986554634550865376.post-6612447786978710430Mon, 29 Nov 2010 02:07:00 +00002011-01-25T17:42:41.511-06:00It's been a while since I blogged about anything important. Don't worry, by the outlook of things the trend will continue I'm sure. It's been one heck of a month really. Yup, jam packed with drama but unfortunately it's none of the kind you can blog about least the subject of the drama finds your blog. I suppose I could always write a 'based on real life events' novel whereby I change the nameshttp://theoccasionaldiary.blogspot.com/2010/11/confessions.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Connie)3