The Other Side of Fifty

Baby Nolan Is Here!

2013-05-14T12:28:00.000-05:00

He took FOREVER (two weeks overdue) to get here, but as you can see, he is perfect! I have fallen in love all over again. And here is a photo of the happy family! Gavin's world has literally been turned upside down with the arrival of his baby brother, but is adjusting nicely and has even made up his very own lullaby to sing to Nolan. Seeing it in type just doesn't do it justice, but

Guess Who's Three!

2013-03-12T06:54:00.000-05:00

Soft Braided Bread

2013-02-26T11:16:00.000-06:00

Ok, I get it! Rumor has traveled back to me that some of you have actually checked the Indiana obituaries to see if I've passed on to the next life. Y'all can get back to reading the funny pages as I'm still among the living and will hopefully not be gracing the obitupages for a long, long time. I'm still alive, kicking and ornery as ever, but a recent osteoporosis diagnosis has forced me into

Hym (and Happy New Year!)

2012-12-31T21:44:00.001-06:00

Do you know what this is?Oh come on. It's really pretty obvious, I think. My son and daughter-in-law are having another baby and it's going to be a smurf. Remember? (Of course you do. You're older than dirt, just like me.)OK, you know I'm kidding. They're going to have a another baby boy and I'm going be be a grandma again! And since they can't decide on a name, I've decided to

Coach's Pumpkin Pie Oatmeal

2012-11-16T07:25:00.001-06:00

Hubby has officially put me in charge of his bowels. While this is not nearly as romantic as when I was responsible for his libido, it's a necessary evil I suppose, considering we're approaching dinosaur age. If this is too much info, I apologize and respectfully submit this recipe to you in reparation for any mental harm done. You'll thank me later for your regularity (and maybe some

Laughter, Still The Best Medicine

2012-11-04T09:43:00.000-06:00

I'll admit that I've been just a smidge more faithful in posting on Facebook than on my blog lately. It's much easier to jot a one-liner status and send it hurling off into cyberspace than it is to sit studiously for the length of time that it typically takes me to put my thoughts together in a sufficiently coherent manner as to call what I've written,"a blog post." If you happen to be a

To A Tough Mother From A Tough Mudder

2012-10-20T08:06:00.002-05:00

My son Kellen is participating in a Tough Mudder Contest this morning. I refrained from Googling exactly what is involved in this contest after he told me that he had to sign a "death waiver" to compete. Ignorance and a BIG bottle of wine is bliss. When I regain consciousness this afternoon, hubby can tell me if my son is still alive. I cried my eyes out when he sent me this photo. I'm

Sauerkraut, Sausage and Barley Soup

2012-09-27T14:51:00.000-05:00

Oh my gosh. I go on a blog sabbatical (professional term for "felt way lazy") and when I come back to say hi to you all and share a recipe, the entire Blogger interface has changed! How are creatures of habit like myself supposed to learn yet another new thing? This is what stops me from getting an iPhone or an iPad. I'm stuck back in the pioneer days of computing. As embarrassing as this is

FIFTY FOUR!

2012-07-10T12:39:00.004-05:00

Cooler Corn and Giveaway Winner!

2012-06-01T10:13:00.004-05:00

If you know me personally (and some of the rest of you may have even figured this out by reading my online ramblings,) you are no doubt already aware that I'm just. not. right. I mean, I'm harmless and never, ever malicious in thought, word or deed, but I'm just. not. right. I don't think or reason in the same way that most people consider "normal." Things happen in my head that don't happen

Fifty Shades of Disgust

2012-05-25T08:42:00.002-05:00

I haven't written a weekend whine for quite awhile and felt it was about time to not only up the quantity of whines, but get something off of my chest that has nothing to do with breast cancer. 'Bout time, eh? See that? Have you read it? Have you heard about it? Relax if you haven't read it and plan to, as I have no intention of spoiling your fun by giving away the plot. I'm merely posting my (

It's A (For)Giveaway!

2012-05-10T11:02:00.008-05:00

I know.... I KNOW! I haven't posted in like FOREVER! And now I waltz in here and expect you guys to just look at me!!... look at me!!! OK, first of all, I truly have missed you all. I even dream about you because I miss you so much. Oh relax... everyone always has their clothes on and nobody's missing any teeth. Secondly, I'm having a giveaway, so you'll all forgive me for my leave of senses

Who Are You??

2012-03-28T11:27:00.008-05:00

At some point over the past month visitor number 1,000,000 crossed over the threshold of this little blog of mine. Who are you??? I want to kiss you flat on the lips and thank you for making me feel so special.Had I bothered to check my stats more frequently, I might have been able to at least pinpoint the exact date if not the time of this monumental occasion. And if I'd known you were coming,

He's TWO!!

2012-03-20T09:49:00.004-05:00

I'm a little belated in this post, but here's a great big HAPPY 2nd BIRTHDAY TO GAVIN!I wonder if his parents have checked how much the monthly insurance premiums are going to be for a 2-year-old male driving a red sports car. (He can't even qualify for the good student discount yet!)He's definitely all about CARS. Every toy and clothing item was from the CARS movie and of course his birthday

Double Chocolate Oatmeal Banana Muffins

2012-03-16T18:11:00.007-05:00

Today I celebrated My-day Friday. For those of you who are not savvy to this little party of mine, fear not. It is new to me as well. I have been working so very diligently at losing weight that I promised myself if today was a good doctor's scale day, I'd get to eat any and all chocolate that I wanted to eat. Just for today. It's like Thirsty Thursday, except with chocolate instead of vodka.It

Happy Pi Day! (Peanut Butter Cream Cheese Pie)

2012-03-14T11:31:00.003-05:00

I can't believe that Hallmark hasn't yet capitalized on this memorable day. I'm guessing they'd sell at least 3.14 cards. And yes, I'd probably be one of the buyers.In honor of Pi Day, I'll leave you with my favorite pie recipe. (because Hallmark didn't care enough about you to send you the very best)Peanut Butter Cream Cheese Pie (from the Nestle website)2 cups (about 22) finely crushed

Laughcrying, New Aerobic Activity!

2012-03-08T13:18:00.003-06:00

I've recently discovered a new physical and emotional outlet that I previously did not know existed. It's called the "laughcry" and it's different than what I'm thinking you're thinking that I'm thinking. (Hang with me and I'll pull it all together for you, I promise.)I think I'm normal in that I cry when I'm sad; most people do. There are also times that I cry when I'm happy: weddings, newborn

I Can't Believe It! RIP Davy

2012-02-29T13:59:00.002-06:00

Banana Cinnamon Chip Muffins

2012-02-27T11:40:00.006-06:00

Hello strangers! Does it feel like forever since we've gotten caught up with what's going on in my life? Not that I think that you have a burning need and desire to know the mundane and miniscule of my day-to-day drudgery, but every once in a while I like to think that you might enjoy hearing from me.For those still keeping tabs (myself included, obviously) I am now 15 months smoke free. (YAY!) I

Be Mine

2012-02-13T14:36:00.006-06:00

Whose hand gets to hold my heart this Valentine's Day?Well, that one looks strong, familiar and I'm recognizing a ring that's 33 years old. (Kinda even looks like the love is cutting off the circulation in that finger.)However, this little cut out hand is screaming "I love you!" and must be addressed.Thankfully, I have a big heart (not nearly the size of my melon head, but close.) I think I'll

Wasabi Sesame Drizzling Oil (I know, it's weird)

2012-02-08T08:57:00.004-06:00

Mags here, doing a quick blog fly-by in between games of "Words With Friends" on Facebook. It has become my newest hobby (read addiction) and is quickly separating friends from friends and morphing into the new Hatfields(16 points) and McCoys(17 points) of online games. Substantiated rumor even has it that people are being tossed off of airplanes for refusing to power down their mobile devices in

Chewy Tri-Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies

2012-01-18T09:11:00.005-06:00

Do you want the good news or the bad news first?I like to start out in the depths of despair and then end up hanging the moon. So in the interest of breaking you down before miraculously building you back up again, I shall start with the less-than-perfect nutritional information for this recipe. These are NOT low fat, low calorie or low sugar cookies. Wait! STAY!!Quickly....before the shackles

Christmas 2011... This About Sums It Up

2011-12-27T22:22:00.000-06:00

A Post From Wes

2011-12-14T10:24:00.003-06:00

It's been a LONG year folks. I apologize once again for my lack of regular and consistent communication, but my heart just hasn't been into my blog. I want to thank all of you for your thoughts and prayers throughout this year and wish you all a very Merry Christmas!The main reason for this post was to make sure that this Facebook post of my son's didn't get lost forever in the depths of

I Hate Thanksgiving Clean-Up!! (and my go-to turkey recipe)

2011-11-22T14:19:00.005-06:00

Sheer brilliance, you say? Of course it is, unless you're one of those sticklers who sit there and count up the minutes (hours) it took me to wrap this rack and pan. But you know what? When you're scrubbing the caramelized crap off of your turkey rack and pan, I'll be three glasses of wine ahead of you.... in my lazy boy recliner. Hell yeah.(Edited post-Thanksgiving to remember how I made it