Summer Obsession

McDonald's Frozen Strawberry Lemonade.

It is the perfect blend of sweet and tart refreshing frozen goodness!

I am not a habitual patron of McDonald's. They are usually pretty far down on my list of Fast Food Favorites. In fact, I will go to McD's and get the frozen strawberry lemonade and then drive thru somewhere else to get my food.

I am in no way being compensated for this endorsement. Darn!

But if you haven't tried it, go get one! It is just.that.good.

You're welcome!

Shopping with my Sister

Today I was shopping with my sister and I saw a little placque that read:

"I'm not bossy. I just have better ideas that everyone else."

I did not buy it.

But I am blogging about it...

Confucius Say

We went to Panda Express for lunch the other day.

My fortune read: "Be direct, usually one can accomplish more that way."

My husband rolled his eyes.

He doesn't think I need any encouragement.

I interupt this blogging break to bring you the following meme:

(Saw this on a couple of interesting blogs.)

1.Do you like bleu cheese? Yes.
2.Have you ever smoked? Well, I've been steamed a few times but I'm not sure I actually smoked.
3.Do you own a gun? Nope.
4.Favorite type of food? Chocolate. And tacos.
5.Favorite type of music? I like a lot of different types of music.
6.What do you think of hot dogs? I like hot dogs.
7.Favorite Christmas movie? It's a Wonderful Life. And Home Alone.
8.What do you prefer to drink in the morning? A green smoothie. And orange juice.
9.Can you do push-ups? I...uh...no.
10.What’s your favorite piece of jewelry? I'm not really a jewelry person.
11.Favorite hobby? Sewing. Quilting. Scrapbooking. Oh, was I supposed to pick one?
12.Do you have A. D. D.? No.
13.Do you wear glasses/contacts? Glasses.
14.Middle name? Nope.
15.Name three thoughts at this exact moment: My feet are cold, I have a lot to do, I need to get this posted!
16.Name three drinks you regularly drink: Water, orange juice, milk.
17.Current worry? The list is long.
18.Current hate right now? I don't hate anything.
19.Favorite place to be? At home.
20.How did you bring in the new year? Sleeping.
21.Someplace you’d like to go? New England.
22.Name three people who will complete this. I have no idea.
23.Do you own slippers? Yes. Several pairs.
24.What color shirt are you wearing? Light blue.
25.Do you like sleeping on satin sheets? I don't know.
26.Can you whistle? Yes.
27.Where are you now? At my desk.
28.Would you be a pirate? Probably not.
29.What songs do you sing in the shower? Depends on my mood.
30.Favorite Girl’s Name? I don't really have one.
31.Favorite boy’s name? David.
32.What is in your pocket right now? Nothing.
33.Last thing that made you laugh? My husband.
34.What vehicle do you drive? A minivan. Don't judge me.
35.Worst injury you’ve ever had? A cut on my leg.
36.Do you love where you live? Not really.
37.How many TVs do you have in your house? One.
38.How many computers do you have in your house? Two.
39.If you changed your job, what would it be? Something a little more people-oriented than where I work now.
40.If you were granted three wishes, what would they be? Good health, a happy life for my family, a house to call my own.

Five Thoughts on Friday

• My Christmas tree is still up, as are all of the rest of the Christmas decorations and accompanying paraphernalia. Putting it all away is my plan for the weekend. That and doing some basic house cleaning. I don't have time during the week to tackle a project of that magnatude. I spent this week trying to adjust back to the regular routine and get enough sleep. And get the leftovers used up in a responsible manner. And celebrate S's birthday.
• Yes, my dear hubby had a birthday this week. He had to work on his actual birthday so we celebrated the next day on his day off. Some friends unexpectedly joined us for his birthday dinner (at Pablo's Tacos--and they bought!) and movie. Then we came home and he opened his presents. No cake. K made him a cheesecake while she was home and he has cookies in the freezer and we still had pumpkin pie from New Year's Day.
• Earlier this week a friend called and asked if I was over the withdrawal from having K home for Christmas break. I thought that was the perfect analogy. It is like going thru a withdrawal. It made me feel better having that little bit of understanding. And friendship.
• So, now it is back to all of the regular routines and responsibilities. I need to gear up and get my church stuff organized and planned and decide how I can delegate and how I can get the girls to do some actual planning and organizing. And I volunteered to be in charge of birthdays, so I need to get that organized and running. And I need to buy fabric for a quilt.
• The ideas I have swirling around in my head for the quilt include the colors of pink and orange. Squares about 5 or 6 inches of solid pink, solid orange, and a pink and orange print. The other (soft) side would be a pink and orange stripe. How likely am I to find the print and stripe I need? There could be other colors, too. I see a dark color in the patterned fabrics of blue or purple. Hmmm. I am thinking a little outside the box on this one. I don't want it to be a typical baby quilt. It will be interesting to see what I can find to make my vision a reality.

The Let Down

Christmas break is gone. Passed by in a blur. Presents are open, cookies are eaten, fun was had.

Speaking of cookies, I always wonder if the goodie plates I give away are really appreciated or if they are something people could just as well do without. Well, two times this past week I had that question answered. Two different families told me how much they enjoyed the goodies we made and let me know in a way that really let me know that they were appreciated. So I felt good about that.

I'm feeling a bit melancholy having just returned from the airport. K is at her layover city now, waiting to board the second flight back to her beloved college town (1600 miles away from here), ready for the second semester of the year. She has tweaked and retweaked her schedule to something "pretty."

Yesterday, after spending New Year's Eve alone (S was working, K was with friends) and New Year's Day morning alone (both were sleeping), I cooked our Second Annual New Year's Day Big Turkey Dinner. Shortly thereafter, after much washing up and pumpkin pie, K and I drove to the city of the airport and checked into a hotel. We went to Applebee's for dinner, Cold Stone for dessert then back to the room to get ready for bed because the alarm was going to ring at 3:20 am. Yikes! It would have been 1:50 am or even 1:20 am if we wouldn't have driven down the night before. I was nervous about the weather, and I would much rather drive in the daylight than at night. So I did. Problem solved. I waited at the airport until her flight left then did a few things and came home.

Now comes the worst part of the year at work and the worst part of the year for weather. I guess I will just take it one step at a time and know that every day is a day closer to Spring and, hopefully, our trip out West and try to get as much done as possible.

Whew! I feel better!

New Year's Day Friday Five

1.What’s something that’s better when the newness has worn off?
Shoes.
2.What’s something you already own that could stand to be replaced by the newer version?
Our television.
3.What’s something that was better before someone made it “new and improved?”
Any of the many products that the amount has shrunk while the price has remained the same. The list is long.
4.Of geographic locations whose names begin with the word “new,” which seems like the most interesting place to visit?
New England.
5.On what date will 2010 no longer feel like the new year?
Some time in March, maybe?