Happy Birthday Dad ❤

Today is my Dad's Birthday....

Hopefully he is golfing today, it's his favorite thing to do. I wish we could be there to celebrate with him. His favorite cake is Boston Cream Pie (which really isn't a cake but I'm not gonna argue with him about that. ) My Dad loves many things most of all his wife, his girls and families, his red wine, books and movies and his weather! I love him with all my heart and hope his day is as special as he is.

Love you and Happy Birthday! 

♫♬It's Friday Friday♬♫

♫♪It's Friday Friday so Happy it's the Weekend♪♫

Happy Memorial Day ....thank you to all the Veteran's, Men and Women currently serving our country.

My Hubby took off today I have a long list of "Honey do's" mostly outside to be done....it's freaking raining again. The weather man sucks, Mother Nature she sucks too! I'm never going to get him off the couch and the TV will be stuck on History Channel or worse yet the Science Channel. Damn you rain!!

Good News I received no eye rolling, attitude or crap for forgetting teenagers lunch yesterday!! Might still win Mother of the Year! Woot Woot!!

I'm a little sad all my shows are over for the summer....I feel lost! I even agreed to go to Home Depot last night with my Hubby. It's only been one day and I'm already cruising big box stores at night what's next board games!! 

Official start to summer in my mind is this weekend....kick off with the INDY 500! Do you watch? I'm not into NASCAR or anything like that but for some reason this to me means summer. We lived in Carmel Indiana in my last half of 8th grade. We went to the race that year it was pretty exciting, something I will never forget. 

Hope you all have a wonderful, safe weekend!!! Joining Mrs. 4444's at Half past kissin time today for Friday Fragments Party.

Leaving you with this video and you too can have this song stuck in your brain today!!!

Today I totally forgot to pack my daughters lunch.....yes I know she is 17 but it's what I do! First time in eleven years I forgot! She makes her lunch most days or helps but I always put it in her bag with a drink and off she goes. Today I came home from Bootcamp opened the refrigerator and saw it, I was stunned, like how could this have happen. This is not me I'm not forgetful , my next thought was holy sh@t she is going to be pissed. No child likes to be called down to the office and no child wants to be called down for that.

I hopped in the car and drove like a maniac to school ran in to the office and started confessing my sins...
like this is the first time omg...I can't believe it yada yada yada like the office girl cared! Until I looked to my left and saw a counter full of sack lunches other forgetful mothers had already delivered and a sense of thank god I'm not alone other mother's are on their teens sh@t list too. It's true misery does love company!

Good News is Mother of the Year is still up for grabs!!

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. What is something about living in this country that you value? 'This country' is whatever country you call home.

So many things...education is available to all, opportunities and freedom.....choices!

2. What is a favorite something you own that is red, white, and/or blue?

I'm a theme girl so after 9/11 I have a whole Americana room which is our bonus room in this house. Lots of  red,white and blue decor and I love them all.

3. Do you fly a flag at your house on patriotic holidays?
I need to get one, I just have little flags I will put in my flower boxes. I love seeing a flag flying.

4. What ingredients do you think should be included in a great picnic basket?

cheese and crackers....wine of coarse or bread and cheese and wine....chocolate too!

5. What is one interesting piece of trivia you know? Interesting is of course a relative term.

Omg....it's early my brain is asleep still! I got nothing!

6. Wednesday, May 24th is National Escargot day...have you ever tried them? Eww or ooh?

No and No way I totally dislike slimy things!

7. What is one thing you know for sure?

My family loves me...and that I'm blessed!

8. Insert your own random thought here.
I think Americans have such patriotism and fly flags all the time. When we lived in Germany the only time I saw a flag flown at someone's house was during World Cup soccer. My Canadian neighbor had to beg his wife to fly the German flag ...she said it just isn't done! But it was amazing to see during  a Soccer Tournament the pride ,flags on cars and houses it was unreal!

Have a wonderful Wednesday!! Please stop by Joyce at From this side of the Pond and join the Hodgepodge today! 

Today.....

I hope your TODAY is....

CHERRY!

Joining the ladies of Communal Global 

TODAY

Feel like traveling the world TODAY stop by!

Sunday in My City

Happy Sunday!

I'm happy yesterday we had one day of sun...just one day in this week of rain. It took awhile to get here, in the morning we were fogged in, strangest thing to me for living in Western New York. But soon ol Mr Sunshine was here in all his glory! We worked in the yard all day and made many trips to home center for plants and bark along with hundreds of others desperate to take advantage of the one day we were given!

The fruits of our labor

Three rhododendron bushes, two azaleas, four hydrangeas and new dirt to replace the clay and lots of mulch and bark mixed in some sweat and a few bites of unknown bugs there you have it that was my Saturday! 

Why is it my Sunday in the city...well it was this because today the rain is returning and lasting all week. So pictures of me on the couch with a heat pad on sore back and neck watching HGTV or Justin Bieber's Never Say Never is what's happening in this city today! Pretty pictures of flowers is so much better don't ya think! 

Have a wonderful Sunday!

Stop by Unknown Mami and see her beautiful city and her friends too!

Barn Sale

I hit three Barn Sales yesterday....

Found lots at the first one...which happen to be a house we looked at a year or so ago. I found everything at this first sale and the other two were a bust. It was so funny it was far more than just a barn sale everything in the house was for sale. It was weird to go room to room and everything had a price tag on it. I found a lot that I wanted and only wished I was there when it open. I over heard this old lady say to her friend, have your ever seen so much crap!! I laughed and pushed her out of the way...I wanted some of this crap!

Here are few of my finds...

I love this jug!

This lamp is very Vera Bradleyish. I'm trying to add a splash of yellow here and there to compliment my blue and white stuff. 

I also bought a stool and two planters that need cleaning up and painting. My new rainy day projects..I'll post later cause the sun is due out today so they will have to wait.

Happy Saturday!!

Friday Fragments...

I'm really happy it's Friday...mostly because it was suppose to be the first day in a week without rain...I'm watching rain fall from the gray skies right now! Enough is enough Mother freaking nature!


My hubby jumped out of bed at O'crack 30 this morning thinking he felt a spider crawling on his back...being waken by a naked man 6'4" jumping around might be someones fantasy but at 4 am and no spider to be found it's just annoying. So yes I was itchy and felt like I too had a imaginary spider in bed with me for an hour of flipping and flopping myself back to Zzzz land.

Tonight my daughter and I are going to see WICKED we are both so excited. I have wanted to see this for years. Have you seen it? Did you love it?

Any fun weekend plans? Saturday we will be in our yard from sun up to sun set attacking the weeds and possibly planting some pretty flowers. Maybe doing some power washing and deck sanding big plans for one day....Sunday's forecast more rain!!

Have a wonderful weekend!!

Joining Mrs. 4444's Friday Fragment today stop by and visit!

Red White and Blue

I ♥ Reds, Blues and Whites.....some of my favorites are....

And the thoughts of summer...

instead of rain...

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. What reveals more about a woman-her refrigerator or her purse?
I say you would learn more about me in my refrigerator than my purse.
Like my love affair with Chobani.

2. When was the last time you went to the zoo? Where? What's your favorite zoo animal?

Probably 10 years ago....In SLC, Utah ....love the Giraffes! 

3. What social issue fires you up?

Bullying

4. Are you a coupon clipper? If so, are you extreme?

Yes but not extreme, just Sunday paper

5. What is one of your favorite souvenirs brought back from your travels?

I have a lot of favorites hard to pick just one so...Nesting Dolls, Plates, coffee mugs, Christmas ornaments...I love everything right down to the post cards. 

Bremen Town Musicians 

6. Lemon meringue or key lime?

Key Lime

7. What is the most beautiful word you know in any language?

Love...Amour,Liebe,Amore

Beautiful....Belle, Schone,Bello

When we lived in Germany my Starbucks Barista guy always called the women Bella...I loved hearing that. 

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I hate to be Debbie downer...but rain rain go away...enough already! My house is clean, my laundry is done...the weeds are winning! 

Stop By and join the fun....hosted by Joyce over at From This Side Of The Pond

What the Kale?

Do you eat Kale?
Until today I never had Kale!
I almost had to ask the produce boy for help...I was clueless what Kale looked like other than being green.
In my attempt to eat healthier and add more greens to my diet....I was told about Baked Kale Chips from a fellow Boot Camper.
Baked Kale Chips that taste like Potato Chips but counts as veggie serving...
sign me up!

Omg...I'm in love! 

Tossed Kale with 1 tbs. olive oil seasoned with sea salt. Place on baking sheet with parchment paper baked at 350 degrees for 10-15 minutes.

Seriously good!!

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. How many times in your life have you moved house?
Seattle to NJ,NJ to Indiana, Indiana to Michigan, Michigan to West Chester, PA, WC. PA to Altoona, PA. Altoona, PA to Utah. Home with M&D to Married house, house to duplex, duplex to condo, condo to lil house, lil house to Holiday, Utah. Utah to Germany, Germany to WNY.  That is 13 times! Yikes!

2. What subject would you study if you had a year to devote to it?
Photography 

3. What in this world breaks your heart?
Cancer among many things

4. What is one item that symbolizes the times in which we live? Why?

Is Facebook an item? Seems like everything evolves around FB. So maybe the item is our IPhones or Ipads connection to all info. 

5. Share a favorite bumper sticker or t-shirt slogan.

Considering my pet peeve of tailgaters here in WNY one comes to mind....If you can read this you are following too close, get off my ass! 

6. How do you like your spaghetti?

Meat sauce and wheat pasta....fresh parmesan cheese!

7. What is one piece of advice you would give a recent, or soon to berecent, graduate?

Find a job you love doing not a job you have to do. Be flexible!

8. Insert your own random thought here.
I'm sticking to the theme of moving. I think the hardest part of moving is moving to an area you know no one. People that have never moved haven't a clue how hard it is and how long it takes to get adjusted. Not only do you have to figure out your new surroundings, meet people, find new doctors, hair dressers, grocery stores etc.. it doesn't happen over night. I think it's especially hard when you move into a small rural area where people never leave so they have no idea what it's like to be the new person. I could go on and on about this subject so I'll stop now!


Stop by Joyce's From  this side of the pond and join today's Hodgepodge!http://joyce-fromthissideofthepond.blogspot.com/

TJ Maxx

This week while cruising my local TJ Maxx...I found this plate for $2.99

I collect Blue and White plates and Rooster stuff. Though I have said I'm done with Rooster's! I decided the hunt is on! I want these salad plates....on Replacements LTD .com the salad plate goes for $23.99!!
So what am I doing today or maybe tomorrow....you bet hitting every TJ Maxx in my area!

Stop by Communal Global today and travel the world with my friends

What to do?

Do you watch HGTV? I do I love all the different shows. One thing I noticed on every remodel show is they take out the brass light fixtures. So that tells me brass is out, so yesterday, dated......! Okay in my old house in Utah we had chrome or brushed nickel, but this new house is loaded with BRASS! It's about 14 years old and I think 14 years ago BRASS was IN, all the rage, what's going on! What to do...there is a lot of freaking BRASS!!

20 closets and doors ( and Hinges too)

13 light fixtures

6 Faucets and Bath Fixtures

Even if I replaced one a month, by the time I finish...Brass might be the it thing again! Could that ever happen? Maybe, after all who thought NEON anything would be popular again or ponchos! 

Sunday in my City-Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day to my Mom, I hope you have a wonderful relaxing day. I wish I could be there to enjoy the day together. Just know you are loved very much and thank you for being the best Mom.  

Happy Mother's Day to all! 

Stop by Unknown Mami and wish her and many other's a Happy Mother's Day too!

It's that time of year....

I think Western New York is the capital of garage sales, yard sales, barn sales....call it what you want but my favorite is Crap you may need! I love the thrill of the hunt. Never before living in Germany did I go to garage sales, flea markets or anything like that. I fell in love with the thrill of the hunt and the treasures I found. Now I'm hooked and once the weather turns nice here it's game on!

Happy Saturday!

Happy Cinco de Mayo

Cheers!!

Wednesday Hodgepodge

Today I'm participating in Wednesday Hodgepodge hosted by Joyce over at FROM THIS SIDE OF THE POND
Every Tuesday she posts the random question for the next day's hodgepodge. Joyce is now a Jersey girl but not like Snooki no way she is an expat that lived in England. She has travelled the world and has two beautiful daughters and cute dog and sweet hubby too!  I don't remember how I found her blog but I'm glad I did. Stop by and say hi and join the weekly hodgepodge too!

1. Have you ever been served breakfast in bed? Do you enjoy that? If someone were serving you breakfast in bed this coming weekend what would you hope to see on the tray?


Years ago when Katelyn was younger they would bring breakfast on a tray and the Sunday paper on Mother's Day. And while I sat in bed I would hear all the laughter and fun going on in the other room.....well that was the last. Now we enjoy a beautiful made breakfast together. Plus crumbs in bed drive me nuts!

2. What is one piece of advice you would give a new mother?


Forget about laundry and a clean house....play with your kids, allow play doh and finger paints and bubbles they are only children for a short time. Love them, tell them and show them...and don't yell over spilled milk .....it's only milk! 

3. When was the last time you wanted to scream? Explain.


Two days ago 

4. Can you hula hoop?


I haven't in years, but I bet I could whip it around a few times like I was five again!

5. What is something people do in traffic that really bothers you?


Texting or riding my tail ask butt we are in traffic buddy you're going no where!

6. What do you do when people don't admit they're wrong?


I do nothing but it bother's me and probably think a little less of them. I have more respect for those that can admit their faults after all we are all human.

7. What is the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word 'fun'?


Shoe Shopping

8. Insert your own random thought here.


Advice to all men when it comes to Mother's Day never and I mean never utter the words out loud in the presence of your wife....but your not my mother! 

Happy Wednesday! 

Rain rain go away please come back another day...

I really love pictures taken in the rain with umbrella's but I'm tired of the rain.....and the future forecast looks like it's here to stay :(

So I guess I will be hiding under mine TODAY!

Joining the ladies at Communal Global today stop by.

Today.....

It's a rainy day and I'm heading to the movies....

I loved the book

I hope I love the movie

Have you seen it?

Did you love it?
Okay back from movie....absolutely loved it and it's cast. If you haven't seen it, read the book first then run and see it! 

Sundays in my City-May Day

May is here...so happy to turn my calendar over to MAY! Anyone else just as happy! It's been an amazing weekend so far. I loved watching the Royal Wedding on Friday and in honor of the Royal weekend we finally watched The King's Speech. Loved it and Colin Firth even more. I don't know about you but I have been thinking with a British accent since Friday and maybe dreaming in British too. I might have to watch an episode of Jersey Shore or Real House wives to get back to my American ways!

We had a gorgeous end of April here yesterday, Hubby and I spent the day out in the yard or as the British say Garden. Getting our hands dirty again was such a welcome treat after such a long cold winter and a wet Spring thus far. Having the sun beat down on us felt so good. We tore out bushes and bought Rhododendron bushes to replace. I loved them when we lived in Germany. Living in Utah before it's just to hot there for them to survive. So with any luck perhaps next May Day I will be enjoying a site like this outside my kitchen window.

These pictures are all from last May in Rhododendron Park in Bremen, Germany. It was an amazing sight to see such beautiful flowers of all kinds blooming in different stages and seasons. Other than Winter there was always color to be found.

Happy May Day and SUNDAY! Stop by Unknown Mami and travel the world with her this Sunday.