Wednesday Hodgepodge

Joining Joyce 

@From this side of the Pond

1.  In the USA this coming Sunday millions will be watching as the Baltimore Ravens take on the San Francisco 49's in the Superbowl.  What was the last event you attended that could be described as super?

My daughter's HS graduation this last June was pretty super!

2.  Share something you're a fan of these days?

Beer...Just kidding! No but really!! Actually I'm such a fan of crock pot cooking! I can't imagine life without it! 

3. How do you feel about wings?  In case anyone is confused, I'm talking the edible appetizer kind.  What's your preferred seasoning on a wing-hot, mild, teryiaki, sweet and sour, other?  Do you make your own or is there a favorite place you like to go for wings?   

OMG! Living in Buffalo it's everything wings, everywhere you go wing this and wings that! I've had them twice in two and half years and I'm pretty sure I've committed some kind of Buffalo sin! My hubby ruined eating wings for me....how you ask? He told me the calorie count! If you knew you'd say no to wings! 

4.  As long as we're talking sports today...have you followed the Lance Armstrong story?  Did you watch his interview with Oprah and if so what was your reaction to his confession and subsequent remarks?  

He is an Ahole  oops did I say that out loud! I've been a fan forever I can't tell you the hours I spent watching Tour after Tour cheering him on! I watched the interview,  he is cocky, arrogant and a liar. 

5.  What's a question you hate to be asked?  

What did you do all day?

6. The coaches in this Sunday's big game happen to be real life brothers.  Jim Harbaugh coaches the 49er's and his older brother John Harbaugh coaches the Baltimore Ravens.  Were you and your sibling(s) competitive?  In what way? Are you still?  If you're an only child how did you handle competition growing up?  

I come from a family of five girls and I'd have to say no we were not competitive....at least I wasn't ! 

I think maybe a little now with our child and their success. 

7.  What's your favorite game involving a ball and when did you last play?    

I love tennis and it's been years....I miss it! Hopefully after I lose weight and earn some coin I can get back into the sport. 

8.  Insert your own random thought here. 

I've been on the job now for a week! I really like it, I'm learning a lot and it's getting easier each day. But I have to say I'm thrashed when I come home! I want to lay on the couch and not move the rest of the night. I really hope in a couple weeks I will not feel this way and have some energy to possible say hi to the treadmill! Sophie....well Sophie need some more time too! She isn't as happy as me. 

Happy Wednesday! 

Sunday in my City-Niagara Falls Ontario Canada

Today we took a drive over the Peace Bridge into Ontario Canada. It's about an hour drive from our house. I like going this way to Niagara Falls, the houses along the river are amazing. We stopped along the way and took pictures of swans, geese, ducks. Lots of ice in the river....pictures really don't do justice...it was gorgeous! If you are ever in Buffalo in the winter make a trip over the boarder...the view is better!

Stop by Unknown Mami for my SIMC

Happy SUNDAY

Next is here....

Next is here...

On Monday afternoon I received a job offer for a job I applied for back in November...

It's working the front desk at a small dentist office.

She wanted me to start Tuesday, so I did....

I accepted the job at 6 pm Monday night and started work at 8 am Tuesday morning! 

Omg

I'm tired 

This working gig is hard when you've been out of the game for awhile...

I really like it...

BUT I thought I'd have time to prepare for re-entry back into the work force!

You know...give my house a good cleaning

tell Anderson Cooper and Ellen I won't be there to watch everyday

figure out when I can blog, tweet and FB, Instagram and play my various computer games!

and than there is SOPHIE

Poor Sophie is not happy!

cooking dinner.....

laundry...

cleaning....

grocery shopping....

maybe workout .....

Now I need to remember how I found balance in my life

how I was a good wife, mother, friend and worked ....

Okay that's where I've been all week 

Hope you all had a great week and an even better weekend! 

Monday.....

It's Monday my head feels cloudy, my eyes hurt, lots of pressure. Oh I hope I'm not getting sick! I've been obsessed with the fact I didn't get a flu shot. I'm afraid I'm going to get the flu, but I didn't want to go to my doctors office, where all the sick people are to get it... in fear of being exposed to too many illnesses. I was going to get it last week at CVS but was afraid I'd get a version of the flu from the shot and had an interview plus Katelyn's last week home so I opted out. Now I'm convinced this Monday feeling is the start of something much more! Yikes!


What a week I had....I did interview prep for the good part of last weekend and early last week. My interview was on Wednesday. It was for a receptionist/administrative assistant. The interview was over four hours long....four hours yes you heard me right. Yes for a receptionist/admin position. I know a bit extreme right. I found out last minute it was a interview style I'm not familiar with but what everyone is using today, it's called Target Section Interview. I had a panel of two women in two separate interviews basically asking the same questions but they sound slightly different and my answers must be totally different. It was the toughest interview I've ever been on. I was exhausted for two days after....! I will be surprised if I get the job.


We took Katelyn back to school yesterday! She has been home for six weeks....kind of a long break. I loved every minute of it but I think it will be nice for everyone to be back on a routine. She brought back 11 bags. Okay two were her ski stuff for a few ski outings she has planned. 1 bag was food, health and beauty care products and valentine decorations. 1 bag was all her bedding, towels and coats.
1 bag was her school books, computer and such. 1 bag was all her shoes and another bag her TV.....okay so it really was 3 bags of clothes but still it will be the last time this kinda crazy goes down on my watch again. But the good news is I brought back three huge bags of clothes and accessories.
Next year we are getting REAL! But with that said my happy girl is back with her friends and happy as a clam. I miss her!

Happy Monday 

Happy MLK day! 

January

January so far has brought sunshine on a usual gray month

My amaryllis finally bloomed, I planted it in early November

This weekend we will see temperatures up to 50!

Time to open a window or two and let the fresh air in

We have had amazing Sunsets and Sunrises

January you're not so bad after all.....

Wednesday Hodgepodge

Joining Joyce @

From This Side of the Pond

1. What is ONE thing or area in your home or life you hope to report is completely organized when 2013 draws to a close?  Do you  have a plan to make it happen? 


My photo's- I only have from 2004 on Disc, everything prior to getting a digital camera is in boxes or in scrap books. I'd like to scan the best. Trash the random out of focus....not sure who, what and where ones! I'd also like to make several picture book type albums. 

2. What's the worst uniform you've ever had to wear for a job?


When I was a teen I worked at the grocery store we wore red cotton poly elastic pants and a red smock! It was a whole lot of red! 

3. What was your last kitchen 'mishap'?  This question comes to you courtesy of Bettywho blogs over at A Glimpse Into Midlife...everyone go say hi to Betty!


A couple weeks ago I slammed open my oven door and it broke! It doesn't shut all the way, I can still use it but it's on it's last leg! 

4. How do you protect yourself from other people's negativity?


Avoidance ! I just choose to not be around or a part of those people's unhappy lives.

5. Who in your family do you most resemble (physically)? If you have children, who do people say they favor? Do you agree? 
I don't think I look like anyone in my family. All five of us girls look different. We have features of our parents but we are such a mix. My daughter has my round face, my Mom's button nose, her Dad's eyes. 

I don't know you tell me?? Who do I look like? And do we all look alike?

6. January 8th is National Bubble Bath Day...will you be celebrating?


Oops missed that celebration!

7.  Some of the 'world's best winter festivals' are - Mardi Gras (New Orleans),Quebec Winter Festival (Canada), Sundance Film Festival (Park City, Utah),  Rio Carnivale (Brazil), Sapporo Snow Festival (Japan), VeniceCarnival (Italy) and the Harbin Ice Festival (Northern China).  Of those listed (and if cost were not a factor) which would you most like to attend and why?


I've been to Sundance  in Park City many times, while we lived in Salt Lake City. It's a great time. I would love to go to Mardi Gras I've heard it's amazing! Though I'm a picky eater not sure I'd love the food down south or not! Rio Carnival would be next on the list. Because what's not to love about Rio! 

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

Today seconds after leaving my Pilates class as I was dreaming of a bagel and than I see red flashing lights behind me....oh crap! First time encounter with NY police in my village....haven't been pulled over in many many many years! My workout place is right in the middle of a very long school zone and I was not going school zone appropriate speed. I had no clue the school zones go from 7am to 7 pm in my village! Seriously the kids are in school I had just pulled out into the street and bam! Thankfully he gave me a warning! But you can guarantee I'll be cruising 20 from 7 to 7 in the village! 

Happy Wednesday! 

Chalk board marker fail

I have been wanting a fancy chalk board for awhile...

You know the kind you hang and write quotes or holiday greetings on!

I found a old picture at a consignment store and loved the frame...

I want black so with a little work it went from ugly to exactly what I wanted....

Thanks hubby! 

At first we used basic chalk...It was messy

Plus I'm a lefty and I'd smear as I wrote!

I did some research and found chalk board markers!

Yay! I was so excited!

Grabbed my coupon for 40% and headed to JoAnn Fabric! 

I bought the Marvy Bistro Chalk Marker set

source

This what it looks like....

I forgot to take a before picture!

The instructions say remove with damp lint free cloth

This is what it looked like after I tried to remove my Christmas greeting!

I used Dawn dish soap, still nothing!

I finally used a Mr. Clean Magic eraser and it's better

It did take off some of the paint

I will probably repaint in the near future!

I've since done some more research and supposedly these markers work great 

on vinyl chalk boards or high gloss boards! 

I'm bummed because I also painted the inside of my pantry so I can post my weekly menu

So I'm back to messy chalk!

Sunday in my city-Holiday Valley Resort

Happy Sunday!

I'm having a peaceful one today!

These two crazies are skiing!

The last two winters Katelyn has taught skiing at a local resort 

but now she's the cupcake barista !

So the family finally tired a bigger resort about 45 minutes from our home.

They loved it

It's a bigger resort 

It's no Alta or Snowbird in Utah 

But it will do for Western NY! 

 Happiest when skiing!

Holiday Valley Resort in Ellicotville, NY

Off to enjoy my peace and quiet

While they have a daddy daughter day! 

Happy Sunday!

Stop by Unknown Mami for more SIMC

Happy Friday-Fragments

Stop by Half past kissin time for more! 

Happy Friday! 

Anybody else all screwed up on what day of the week it is? My hubby finally went back to work on Wednesday after being off since the 21st. It was so nice having him home although we didn't complete any of the house projects I was hoping to, it was still nice to see him relax. But with that said I'm all about routine and structure. 

Last winter we were lucky and had very little snow. The year before was our first Buffalo winter and boy was that a shock. Coming from Utah I was use to snow but this was so different. I often said it was like living in a snow globe everyday someone shook Buffalo and it snowed just enough to keep me home. Well this winter is looking like that kind of winter.....a blistery one! 

You see until I find a job and can afford a good snow driving car I'm driving what people around here call a summer car. My hubby thinks it does fine in the snow....he hasn't been in it when I can't get up our street or start sliding coming down all the different hills to get to our house. Once Katelyn goes back to school I will use her truck and not be so confined. I love these homemade snow globes found all over Pinterest. I really want to make one or two. 

One of my goals this year is to take more pictures. The blog Fat Mum Slim does such a great job posting every month a picture a day ideas. I really wanted to start with this....I might be a few days off but that's okay no rules here. 

I have a phone interview next week, I'm excited but frustrated just the same. I never thought it would be this hard to find a job. There is so much competition out there even for the starter jobs. I really hope I get this one....I could really use a break! 

Katelyn is home for two more weeks....I think she is ready to go back. She misses her college friends. She misses being able to sleep in. She has had a lot of early morning shifts. Who would of thought people eat cupcakes for breakfast! Today she is at her old high school doing a talk about her college experience to the senior class. She has had an amazing experience and is excited to share. Not many of her classmates went out of state so she really wants to encourage and share what it's like. 

I'm really proud of her, she had a great first semester. She made a lot of amazing friends, loved her classes and professors. She made the Dean's list. It's hard to believe how much has change in such a short time. I swear I just dropped her off at kindergarten....

Have a wonderful weekend! 

Wednesday Hodgepodge-2013

Joining Joyce @

From This Side of the Pond

1.  How did you ring in the new year?

Just the two of us with a nice dinner, a movie and some wine! I loved it!

2.  What is one thing you are looking forward to in 2013?

Finding a job

3.  Steven Spielberg is quoted as saying, "All of us every single year, we're a different person.  I don't think we're the same person all our lives."  What say you?

I agree...life experiences change us....I'm not the same person I was four years ago and I hope to grow and be a better version of me this year! 

4. The Pantone color of the year for 2013 is emerald green. Like or dislike? Do you already own something this color?  Will you add something in this shade to your home or wardrobe in 2013? 

I love green...it was my wedding colors. I have a nice necklace and earrings in Emerald a gift for my 20th anniversary back so many years ago. I will probably add a scarf or sweater in green. Why not! 

5.  Speaking of emerald...what's your favorite gemstone?

I like emeralds, my birthstone is opal and I do like turquoise also....ruby is not to bad either! 

6. Share a favorite book or movie from 2012.

Through the Lens by K.M. Jackson 

Follow blogger and author

Kwana Writes

As for movie I never went to the theater once...watched a bunch from the comfort of my family room couch....probably The Hunger games to name one. 

7.  What is something you want to tell yourself at the start of this brand new year?

To live each day without regrets!

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

I'm still kinda of in disbelief that it is 2013....I remember the big hoopla for 2000 Y2K and every year after that and all it's milestones.
I spent the day getting all the Christmas stuff put away...the countless trips of totes up and down the stairs! So glad it's put away, all except for the outside and that is for another day! 

I'm ready for a clean start to a beautiful new year! Happy Wednesday! 

Happy 2013

Happy New Year

2013!!

Do you make resolutions? 

I've made the usual...

lose weight

get more organized

find a job

blah blah blah....

I'm still in a haze from staying up so late last night

might be a several cup coffee kind of day

I want to thank Sophie for letting me sleep until eight!