TGIF!!

Oh I am so happy that the weekend is almost here! There is a lot going on, but I don't have to return to work until June 15th :) My hubby is on his way home from New York and I will pick him up in Dayton this evening...yay! I do need to find time to in between meetings, driving and so on to bake cookies for the farmer's market tomorrow. I have decided on soft lemonade cookies from the "Taste of Home's Complete Guide to Baking" cookbook and they are simply delicious. What makes them even better is the fact that they are super simple to make...a basic cookie recipe with frozen lemonade concentrate to pep them up! Mmmmmm making me hungry.
Other than cookie baking and picking up hubby, I've got a lot to do with the house. Since the weekend is going to be rain free and all of the painting downstairs is complete; I am going to work on the floors. The downstairs is all hardwood (minus kitchen and bathroom) and is in need of a shine. So if you like to work with orange glo cleaner, come on over! I would also like to get our upstairs bathroom painted, tile sealed and the bedroom completed. Whew...what a list! During all of this madness, I am going to take a day and travel to Indy for some shopping and lunch with friends. I want to have a little fun on my vacation.
Well it is time to get ready for work and prepare for my presentation today. Hope everyone is well and have a blessed day. God Bless!

Bring on the rain...

What happened to all of the gorgeous summer-like weather? Oh wait, I live in Indiana and the weather changes more rapidly than a car goes around the track at the Indy 500!! I'm sure my plants are enjoying the extra fluid, but my yard will be a foot tall before it is dry enough to mow. I learned my lesson the hard way by mowing my parent's lawn when it was slightly damp...lets just say the sidewalks were stained green for a day or two and my legs were too! The weatherman promotes a sun-filled weekend and I'm praying that the forcast is right.
I am eagerly awaiting a weeks long vacation and find myself counting down the days until it happens! 2.5 work days left and then I am free...but I still have a few work things to do during my down time, which will keep me motivated for my return. I had hoped to spend some lazy days in the pool, but Steven's Uncle is finishing up some block repair and it may not be warm enough to lounge in by next week. Since the kids are out of school for summer, I knew I would have some swimming buddies. Oh well, I can find plenty of other things to do to fill my time.
Well I must get myself back to work and finish up my Memory Walk corporate sponsorship...we're very close to our goal in each walk area. Yippee! Have a blessed day!

A Call to Action!

As I sit here working on all things Memory Walk, I feel the need to share with everyone the importance of this organization and the real threat of Alzheimer's Disease.

~ Every 70 seconds, someone develops Alzheimer's Disease.
~ 5.3 million Americans are currently living with this disease. With the first of the baby-boomer generation turning 65 (your chances increase at this age) in 2010, this number is expected to rapidly increase.
~ Out of those 5.3 million, over 100,000 live in the great state of Indiana.

I encourage you to participate or engage yourself to help fight this cruel disease. Sign up to be an advocate, participate in Memory Walk, check out our educational programs, etc. Be the voice for those that no longer have theirs. If you live in Indiana, go to www.alz.org/indiana to learn more about the Greater Indiana Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association. If you are in a different area, go to www.alz.org and enter your zipcode for more localized information.

Wow...it has been too long!

Wow, I did not realize that it had been nearly 2 months since I had posted anything! With work, house remodeling and general life...I honestly just let it slip my mind. Now I am back and ready to share all of my summer fun with you! I can't believe that June is just around the corner (aka MONDAY) and cookout, baseball and swimming season is coming at me full swing! Even though it can become hectic and full of outdoor adventure, I wouldn't trade it in for the world. The extra moments I get to spend with my family by the firepit or splashing around with the kids (that includes my big kid, Steven ha ha) in the pool brings about so many special memories...awwwww summer :)

Well our house is nearly complete and we are hoping to move-in within the month!!! My parents have been such a tremendous help to give of themselves and their free time to help us finish what needs to be done. Steven has been dealing with a nasty sinus infection that has kept him house bound for the last week, so he has only been able to stop-in and look at the progress every once in awhile; don't want him to relapse. If anyone has a chance, drive past the house and check out the HUGE hanging baskets that I purchased at Fountain Acres...they are gorgeous (if I do say so myself)!! Tracy has offered to assist with some landscaping while I finish up the inside work. Hmmmmmm she can soak up the sun and I can get soaked from tearing apart the kitchen sink ha ha! Be looking for updates on our last major projects for the season: finishing the stairway and hallway and remodeling the small downstairs bathroom. You won't want to miss it...Nicole learns construction from her Father and Husband as they explain to her the differences of different types of plywood.

I hope everyone is enjoying the lovely days we have been given and staying happy and healthy. God Bless!!!!

A nice day off!

I am forever thankful that I had the day off and was able to spend some time with my Mom! We started our venture with a trip to Maid Rites with Grandma and Popcorn...that dog loves Maid Rites! We then went to visit The Cashmere Cat and I bought the sweetest little basket lamp that will look perfect in my kitchen. I also found a large wooden storage bench that turns into a coffee table...I'll be picking it up tomorrow morning to use in front of our fireplace. We capped off the day with a visit to Trudie at Haines' and now we're relaxing and preparing for the busy weekend ahead. So that is just a little tidbit about my life at this moment. I hope everyone enjoys this beautiful Easter weekend and remember the true reason for this season! God Bless :)

Whew...what a week!

Hello my faithful readers! Sorry it has been a bit since I posted, but my week as been a whirl-wind in and of itself. I've been traveling quite a bit for work and my time on the computer has been extremely limited, which backs me up on everything! However, all of that traveling has lead to some great things for my job, so it has been worthwhile. Even though there have been some great moments this week, it has had its sadness as well. My dear friend Tracy's mother passed away on Tuesday evening and she was laid to rest this afternoon. She had been ill for some time, but it is still hard to lose such a blessed person. I was always "Tracy's little friend" or "the little girl from church"...I love any name that refers to me as little :) She also liked to tell stories about Tracy and gave us plenty to laugh about during our frequent outings. I had the distinct honor of singing "The Lord's Prayer" at her funeral today and had to keep on going when the cd player went on the blink. Every singers nightmare...run-away music! Oh well, the show must go on! Well now I am going to spend some time with my husband and watch a movie or I may try to convince him to rub my feet ha ha. I hope you are all having a splendid weekend! God Bless!

Rain drops on roses...

Oh my my, will the weather ever decide to make up its mind and stay cold or finish warming up? My wardrobe is in limbo ... I am ready to pull out the skirts and sandals, but Mother Nature thinks that I need to hold on to that sweater for one more day! I'm also ready to retire the ice scraper to the trunk :) Waking up 15 minutes earlier to scrape off the vehicles is not my favorite winter activity! However, I will miss the occasional snow days that allow me to lounge around all day in my comfy pj's!
With the warmer weather, I totally crave salads, other fresh dishes and grilled food! We cook outdoors year round, but the warmer weather gives us the opportunity to utilize it more. I love grilled peaches and pineapple with honey butter...now my mouth is watering. Since Steven and I have been looking for new dishes to try that are tasty and budget friendly, my food network viewing has increased a little bit. Last night, mom and I watched "30 Minute Meals" and can't wait to make the spinach artichoke mushroom caps. Yum-O! The caesar scampi salad looked amazing as well. So, I think I know what we will be having for dinner this weekend :) I have to help with a memorial service at the church, so a quick and easy meal will be best and I think this fits the bill.
With March nearly over (oh where did it go?), I need to start working on flowers for the cemetery. I make arrangements for family members on my Dad's side and assist my Grandma in making several for my Mom's family. I didn't know a lot of the family members that have passed, but I learn a lot about them as we work on the flowers. What an interesting way to absorb your family history! While I have the flowers out, I might as well work on my arrangement for 4-H open class. Oh yes, I still like to compete in 4-H, but now I am in the adult category.
Well I hope everyone has a chance to enjoy all of the sunshine and the last few breaths of winter. Ring-a-ling, I hear spring!!