Bad Hair Day

Pic courtesy of JoePix

THE BAD NEWS

My CHI (hair straightener) died yesterday morning.  Halfway through my morning routine!

Well, my Sunday morning routine anyway.  (I just let these crazy curls go wild the rest of the week. LOL!!)

Ok, its NOT the end of the world. I admit.

BUT it still sucks.


I know your wondering why its such a crappy day, if I didn't even plan to use it today.  Well, its more like a bad budget day.  See I can't budget in a new flat iron until sometime around New Year's!  (Dang medical bills)  Soooo, I just have to make due  I guess.

Curls, Curls, Curls.......................................................................................................................Everyday til then.


THE GOOD NEWS

Atleast I now have an excuse to buy the new Joico ReconstRx Vapor Iron. :-)

(Always look for the silver lining.)
~Lynn

We Can Do Hard Things

Now that I seem to be recooped enough to be back on a regular schedule, I've been catching up on some of the blogs I like to follow.

One of those blogs is called Momastery by Glennon, a writer and "mother of three and wife to one" (as she describes herself). It is a fabulous blog that is open, honest and sincere. Her writing has a softness to it, and it oozes love. Love for her family, her friends, her readers, people she doesn't even know and even life. Its those qualities that draw me to it. While reading one of her posts that was written a few days ago, I had an "Ah Ha! Moment" (as Oprah liked to call them).

The post titled, Dear Chase (click hear to read it in its entirety), is a letter to her son as he starts the third grade.  In the letter she is trying to teach him about compassion. God's compassion and how we can and should show it to others.

I will quote the "Ah Ha!" part here:

"Compassion might lead you to tell a teaser to stop it and then ask the teased kid to play. You might invite a left-out kid to sit next to you at lunch. You might choose a kid for your team first who usually gets chosen last. These things will be hard to do, but you can do hard things."

These things will be hard to do, but you can do hard things.  Wow! It's like a light bulb went off in my head, and not necessarily just about compassion, but about everything.  If something is Right, then it may be hard, but we still have the strength to do the right thing. We Can Do Hard. Wow, what a revelation for me! God has given us this gift. This ability. And we all should use it everyday!

I've noticed that she (Glennon) uses this phrase alot in some of her posts and even has a sign hanging up in her house with the phrase on it. It's like a mantra.  And a dang good one, if I may say so. 

This one sentence puts into words an explanation to the group of comments/questions that irks me to no end. (partially because I haven't been able to think of an answer that doesn't personally degrade the commentor)  That question is the often off-hand remark  from others in regard to the relationship that I maintain with my ex, his wife and thier other two children.  "Your a d***m good woman" or "Your a better woman than I am, because I couldn't do it." or "How on earth do you do that?"

What I've always WANTED to say but have refrained from is, "Really? You COULDN'T do it? Or is it more like you WOULDN'T do it? Come on, get over yourself. If you loved your child/children enough you could. It's only matter of putting your children first and above your own selfish desire to be a B****! So don't look down your nose like I"M the one in the wrong, because you are! (snap, snap)"

Unfortunately, that response would be a very quick way to alienate people. People who probably only mean to give me a pat on the back to acknowledge my choice, and not the smack on the nose that I take it to be.

But Now! ........... BUT NOW!! I have a better answer.  One that I CAN say!............

"Often times the things that are RIGHT are hard to do. But, with God, I Can Do Hard Things." 

And you know what?  I feel great about that answer. It sums it up pretty well.  Don't you think?

I also find that motto to be very inspiring for future decisions. 

Maybe I need a sign in my house, too.

:-)

Jalapeno Chicken Dip

I have been invited to a Ladies Only Cookout this evening by one of the women's Sunday school classes at church. 

Recently, I have been trying to become thinking about becoming more involved in church and its extra-curriculars. Unfortunately, I haven't yet managed to make it to a Sunday school class.  Its been on the list, but I'm am so good at procrastination. Anyway, I was flattered that they thought to invite me.  At first, I politely declined after expressing my joy at receiving the invitation, because I felt that I had entirely too much to do with my upcoming move this week.  (Yes, only 2 more days!! YEAH!)

Yesterday evening, Mom and I were taking the legs off of my coffee and end tables, and I was telling (I'm sure she would say it sounded more like whining) her that I wished the cookout was next week, because I would really like to have gone. 

She just laughed and said "you'll not have time to go next week either, or the one after for that matter". 

And you know what?

She's so right.  So, I got up right then and went and made a phone call to confirm my attendance for the cookout this evening. 

I'm so excited!

So anyway, now for what this post is actually about!

It is a bring-your-fave-dish kinda thing, so I am taking Jalapeno Chicken Dip.  I thought I would share the recipe with you, just in case you have a last minute invite you need to go to. :-)

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Jalapeno Chicken Dip Recipe

2   8 oz.  Blocks of Cream Cheese
1   10 oz Can of Chicken Breast
1             Can of Cream of Chicken Soup
3   Tbl.    Chopped Jalapenos


Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.

Mix Cream Cheese, Chicken Breast, Cream of Chicken Soup and Jalapenos with electric mixer.  Blend all ingredients together well.  Pour mixture into a small casserole dish and back for approx. 20-25 minutes.

The top of the mixture will begin to bubble, then brown. (I always say its done when it gets that homemade cheese cake look. But it doesn't have to be 'done' all the way through like cheese cake.  Its a dip remember.) 

Serve warm with crackers.

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I hope you enjoy!

I've been thinking about sprinkling shredded cheddar cheese on top before baking. If someone gets around to trying it before I do, I'd love to hear about it!

No G'News is Good G'News....

Nothing exceptionally notable has floated to the top to blog about today, so I thought I would share this.

I am the kind of person who only forwards emails if it is EXTREMELY moving, or if it made me laugh so hard I puke. Well, it at least has to be different and interesting enough to share anyway. I loathe receiving oodles of forwards, especially the ones that Demand!! that you forward it on, or those that are filled with scare tactics.

I feel the same way about sharing stuff on here (especially when it is TOTALLY off blog topic, lol)
But rules are meant to be broken. Right? Right.

If, like me, you are awed by people with creative talents, you should definitely check this out.


FreddeGredde.com

Fredric Larrson is a twenty-something Swedish musician, who also appears to have some pretty good video editing talents too.

I was lured to his website by a link on my MSN homepage.

I'm glad I checked it out!! Maybe you will be too. If not, you'll survive.


P.S. YOU MUST FORWARD, TWEET, SHARE OR LIKE THIS within 3.3 seconds or you will have 33 years of bad luck!



JUST KIDDING!!!

Sesquicentennial Celebration

My hometown of Olive Hill, Ky is celebrating 150 years!

Last night they kicked of the Sesquicentennial Celebration with a flag raising ceremony and a very unique dining experience. It was called "Dining with the Past" and was initially supposed to be held outside in the cemetery, but the torrents of rain we were experiencing caused it to be moved inside the local elementary school.

The food was nothing extraordinary, it was good, just simple.  Pulled-pork BBQ sandwiches, potato salad, baked beans and cole slaw. Although, I do need to give some props to the fudge brownies. They were mighty delicious.

During the dinner, we were visited by "ghosts" from Olive Hill's past.  Several important figures were represented, such as Governor William Jason Fields (aka "Honest Bill from Olive Hill") who served as Governor of Kentucky from 1923 through 1927, and Matthew Sellers who, among his many aeronautical accomplishments was the first  to patent retractable landing gear and was also commissioned in 1915 to serve under Thomas Edison on the Naval Consulting Board (which is what later became known as NASA).

Other ghosts from our town's past passed through during our dinner. Some discussed the tragedy of the town's floods, the fire of 1917, closing of the local brickyard and the loss of the railroad, while others reminisced of of educational achievements, sports triumphs and the strength of the community as a whole.

It was an excellent experience and I am so thankful that I was able to attend. It helped to serve as a reminder that although Olive Hill may be a small town, we certainly have a rich history. My history.

I am so pumped over some of the other events we are having in town over the next few weeks.
** SOMEDAY - A Civil War Outdoor Drama
** Rusty Bird Concert
**5K Run (& 1 Mile Fun Walk for those who are less ambitious)
** Talent Contest
** Art Show
** Parade & Fireworks

And these are just a few of MY favorites!

After the two devastating floods this town experienced in 2010, I am so happy to see the community coming together to celebrate. We Need This. We need to be reminded of who we are and what we as a town has already overcome.

For more information on these or any of the other Olive Hill Sesquicentennial Celebration events you can visit the event's website at olivehill150years.com

Field Trip Day!!! Yeah!! ....... and a lil' somethin' else!

I just got back from Ty's first Field Trip.  It was nice. Although, it was only a few miles from home at a local state park that we visit quite frequently already; they had arranged for a "Stream Stomp" guided by a Park Ranger, and that was neat.  The "Stream Stomp" actually consisted of the kids trying to catch creek critters with a small net and a jar.  I think a few accomplished that with help, but mostly a bunch of kids got really wet.


I got a chance to visit with some of the other parents, some of whom I already knew and some I didn't.  Like I said, it was nice.

Enough about that though.....

I just read the funniest article on Today Moms a few minutes ago and I want to share it here:

(Just FYI, I am posting it in whole so I don't violate any copyright stuff. Everybody should get thier credit here.)

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When "Goodnight Moon" just isn't cutting it... one dad and novelist has written a bedtime story to warm the hearts of sleep-deprived parents everywhere: "Go the F@#k to Sleep."

By Kristin Kalning, TODAY Moms contributor

Most parents can recall a particularly dark and dreadful night when their little one just wouldn’t go to sleep. And most parents have uttered -- in their heads, or under their breath – a frustrated profanity about it. Novelist and dad Adam Mansbach did one better: He wrote a children’s book called "Go the F--- to Sleep."


Here’s a sample:
“The cats nestle close to their kittens.
The lambs have laid down with the sheep.
You're cozy and warm in your bed, my dear
Please go the f@#k to sleep.”

Now before you call Child Protective Services, let’s be clear: This book is written and illustrated in the tradition of a child’s bedtime book, but it’s not at all meant for kids.  (It says so on the back cover.) The book, which alternates lilting verse with, well, profane reality, is aimed squarely at parents.

“Hopefully, the book is very reflective of what we all feel putting our kids to bed,” Mansbach told TODAY Moms. “We all love our kids – it’s not like we stop loving our kids – but as the minutes tick by, we’ll do anything to get out of that room.”

Mansbach isn’t just another foul-mouthed, wannabe writer – he’s an acclaimed and accomplished author. He’s a visiting professor of fiction at Rutgers University.

But as any good fiction teacher will tell you, you’ve gotta write what you know. And last summer, Mansbach knew that it was taking for-freaking-ever to get his 2-year-old daughter, Vivien, to go the f@#ck to sleep. He posted an exasperated lament on Facebook, and his friends told him to write a book. So he did.

“Go the F@#k to Sleep” just went to print, so I got a personal, over-the-phone reading from the author. It’s laugh-out-loud funny, capturing perfectly the seemingly endless bedtime routine all parents have endured: the requests for one more story, a glass of water, another bathroom trip, a different teddy bear. It juxtaposes the sweet words we say to our kids on such a night with what we’re really thinking in our heads.

Mansbach hopes people will not only relate to the book, but get some relief from it, too. Despite the “tremendous culture of parenting,” there’s a lot that doesn’t get talked about, he said.

“Hopefully, the honesty of this book will open up the conversation. These are legitimate ways that we feel, and we should laugh about it, and be honest about these tribulations.”

These days, Mansbach’s daughter is a pretty darned good sleeper. “I would like to think that writing this book solved her sleep problems,” he said with a laugh.

“Go the F@#k to Sleep,” from Akashic Books, comes out on Oct. 11. It’s already in the top 300 on Amazon.
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I LOVE IT!  I swear I think I wrote this book in my head a hundred times, when Ty was younger. 

Unfortunately, I didn't think to cash in on it. lol  As usual.  

Anyway, I enjoyed a good laugh, and thought you all might too.  Even if it is at the expense of others, and just maybe with a sigh of relief that those days seem to be over in our house.

Knock on wood.

10 Reasons I Love My Small Town....

#10 The commute time is awesome. I reside smack dab between two small towns. The one where I work and the other where my son goes to school. It takes me approximately 35 minutes to travel from my house to town number one, drop my son, off, and then backtrack to town number two for work. (I lived and worked outside of D.C. for over two years, and that was hell.)

#9  I know the people.  I like knowing who is in contact with my son.  Out of the 24 children in his class, I know over half of the parents fairly well.  The class teacher's aide was a close friend to my Dad when they were in high school. The school secretary as well as one of the custodians, worked with my mother for years. The principal is an old family acquaintance. I have known his karate instructor since I was 14. His Sunday school teachers were my Sunday school teachers. etc, etc.

#8  It's cheaper. I order two x-large multi-topping pizzas for dinner one evening. Less than 16 Bucks. Delivered.

#7  People still help People.  I had a flat tire a few months ago and three different people stopped to see if I needed help. One was a woman.

#6  I can actually see the stars at night.

#5  Crime is negligible.   The cat burglar I thought I heard on the front porch was actually the horses loose again.

#4  I can be friendly.  Have you ever smiled at strangers while walking down a street in New England?  Bet you'll only do it once.

#3  You can't get lost.  With only 3 stoplights in town, directions are a cinch.

#2  Neighbors are Neighborly.   I'm sure my neighbors hate to see me coming.  They're thinking, "Geez, what can she possibly need now?" but for people who don't live near me and my ______ (fill in blank with dead battery, low tire, can I borrow your phone because I can't find mine) problems; they will gladly loan you a cup of sugar AND remember to ask how that pie turned out.

#1  Camp in my backyard.  If I really want to be away from it all I'll just drive 5 minutes to my uncle's farm.

All of these things. These beautiful, wonderful things. I will repeat over and over again. They will be my mantra.  As I drive 35 miles one way to restock Ty's school lunch supplies tonight. 

Small town grocery shopping sucks.