Birthday Musings

Thank you for all your sweet birthday wishes -- you have blessed me mightily!

It was 47 years ago that a sweet childless couple, in their 40's, took in a pregnant teenager and then adopted that baby girl (lil' ole me). Dad loved to tell the story of how I ended up being born early and messing up his Memorial Day fishing trip ....

Thinking of Mom and Dad today, and really missing their unconditional love and support. Thanks for being my parents, making me a baby from your hearts even if not of your blood. And a big shout out to adoptive parents everywhere. You ARE "real' parents. =)

 

Menu Plan Monday - Week 3

We are only into week three of the new year, but next week is SUPER BUSY for me. I have a commitment every night, Monday through Thursday. So, a menu is ESSENTIAL or we'd be wasting time, money, and calories doing the drive-thru boogie.

Monday (T's puppet ministry night) - Turkey Pot Pie using leftover turkey
Tuesday (Girl Scouts cookie meeting AND PTA) - Sloppy Joe Casserole with zucchini
Wednesday (Womens Retreat Planning) - Crockpot Sweet/Sour Meatballs over brown rice
Thursday (Girl Scout lock-in planning mtg) - Lasagna with green salad
Friday (at HOME!) - Homemade Pizza, half pepperoni/half Hawaiian
Saturday - Crockpot Asian Peanut Butter Pork Tenderloin
Sunday - simple supper Sunday

I'm thankful to have tomorrow off of work for MLK day, so will prep all the meals for Monday through Thursday night so I just have to take one from the refrigerator/freezer every night and bake or pop in the crockpot in the morning before work. The prep won't take me very long and will be such a HUGE help.

So, if you think menu planning might help YOU, head on over to OrgJunkie.com for more menu ideas!


PS - TODAY (1/17) would have been my mommy's 87th birthday. Happy Birthday, Mom - I love you!!

PPS - Has anyone ever planned refreshments for a retreat? We'll be going to a retreat center in early March that provides meals but I think snacks, etc. will be my responsibility. I'll know more on Wed night but would LOVE to hear your suggestions and experiences.

Happy Birthday to Me!

I'm really alive! I have just been resisting blogging here because I CANNOT FIND MY CAMERA CORD!!! I find posts without pictures to be a little boring, and I have some great pictures I want to post, too. My hubby's gonna let me use his computer to load up my pictures via the memory card but he keeps leaving it at work. SOON! In the meantime, here a few images from the web.

In the meantime, give yourself a gift on my birthday and do a little exercise -- walk, ride your bike, swim, whatever. Then, sew an apron for someone who needs a lift, won't ya? I exercised for an hour this morning with hand weights, with Leslie Sansone's Punch Up Your Walk for 4 miles. Then, after I take my little one to a tennis clinic, I'm going to be sewing for some buddies.
I'm still working on the Spring Fitness Challenge. It ends Monday, and I'm not the money winner but I'm definitely a winner anyway. This little dare got me to get off my bottom and start taking care of myself. I've got a long way to go before I'm "normal" (as if!) but I'm feeling better about myself than I have in a long time.

Hugs to all!!
Shawnee

I feel like a Rock Star!

Friday the 13th was a lucky day for me!!

I was so surprised to find out that my interview with Lucy was published on SwapDex. Lucy and I both regularly host apron swaps and we teamed up earlier this year and hosted a swap together. Thank you JENNA, for posting a sweet interview. And it was her birthday too -- please stop by her blog and wish Jenna a Happy Birthday!!!

Plus, my supper swapping group, the Chill MAMAs, was highlighted on the local ABC-affiliate news, KATU, during a Problem Solvers special report. I am sad to say I couldn't watch the interview myself because DISH Network and KATU are in a dispute (GRRRRRR) but I will post a link to the video as soon as it is posted.

AND, one more -- Bakerella visited the Pioneer Woman last week and demo'd cupcake pops & bites. Well, I have several posts linked on that topic so my traffic is up. Check out the ones I made for family and friends HERE and HERE.

Happy Birthday Tara

hToday is my red-headed baby girl's 23rd birthday. She turned into a great young woman who knows what she wants out of life and is willing to work for it. She's very excited to be headed to Africa this summer and has been working all year fundraising with a team from Western Oregon. She's looking into graduate schools so she can fulfill her dream of becoming a Physician's Assistant. I know that's a tough career to complete but she'll do it. I love ya, darling!

Mommy

My Baby is 10!!

I cannot believe it. My sweet little surprise baby, the one I couldn't imagine how in the world we'd fit into our already bulging household, is ten years old today. She's been the light of my life and a precious gift when our first three kids graduated and went off to college. I love how she's always so happy, and we will hear her singing to herself almost every day ... in the shower, while doing homework, getting dressed, whenever. She is at the age where she still loves her mommy and daddy, and loves to be with us. I treasure this time in her young life. Thank you, God, for our little Tatum. Here she is with her most awaited Christmas present, young Molly the Bocker (Beagle-Cocker Spaniel mix), all snuggled up in bed.