Testing 123, Testing 123

Please don’t mind me, I am just trying out Windows Live Writer. It is a way for me to write my blog posts without using Blogger. OOOEEEEE!!! It is definitely easier. But it is all new to me. Evidentially I can make my posts without being online and send later.
Hey, let’s try a picture.

Say Hi to Josh – here he is at the March for Life in Washington, DC this year. Hmm, I can’t figure out how to change the size of these words.  oh, wait this is one way ….this is heading #6. Not exactly what I was looking for but it does change it some.

Hey looky here, it is a map. Oh, sadly it is supposed to be an aerial pic of my house. Hmm, maybe when it posts? Nope that didn't work, you have to click on the black and it takes you to Bing Maps. And then you can see my house.

OK, enough fun. Oh, no wait I want to add a youtube video for fun let’s see how that works.

Oh that was cool  BTW this is a great inspirational video!

Oh look I can make a table	One that looks great
oops, I discovered the undo	and undid some stuff.

Technorati Tags: life

I learned about this from The Diaper Diaries WFMW  post here. She explains it better.

Another interesting thing I learned is I can still edit this from Blogger. I do have to go here to label this. 

Fun fun fun! Well at least it was for me!

Dinner with Dougie, and the Best Ribs Ever

Tonight we had "pig" ribs. They were fantastic - the only problem is I used Pepsi instead of Coke to cook them. Yes, pop is my secret ingredient and WHO KNEW that it wouldn't be fall off the bone scrumptious with the competition???? So, if you make these, believe me when I say COKE is what you need and NEVER EVER EVER NEVER USE DIET!!! (Recipe at the end)

My son lives 2 houses away and works for his dad - they see each other ALL the time. He however rarely just comes over. I don't blame him, when I moved out at his age I lived 4 miles from home and didn't come home for like 3 months. I loved my parents, my little brothers and sisters - there were no hard feelings, I just had too much going on. And I started dating my husband to be and we spent all our time together.

HOWEVER now that the shoe is on the other foot I feel desperately lonely and neglected. "Stop in -I'll make you whatever your heart desires for breakfast, for lunch, for dinner." Part of the problem is I am a "luck of the draw" kinda cook. The last time I cooked for him and his fiance I dang near gave them salmonella (I followed the instructions but still undercooked the chicken by a LOT) So, I don't think she is willing to eat here anymore. Sigh. It makes me sad - but I totally understand - I have chicken issues myself.

TONIGHT I made The Best Ribs Ever and called and invited them over. I am confident in my ribs turning out. Unfortunately She had class but Dougie came, brought my sweet grandbaby and his roommate....YEA! I love me a full table! I love feeding my grandbaby. I love having guests and I especially love having all my children in the same room!!! I know these opportunities will become fewer and farther between and I am so glad I was able to see the gift it was and is.

Here is the recipe that made it all happen!

Best Ribs Ever

1-2 slabs of pig ribs
Steak seasoning
2 litre of COKE
BBQ Sauce

Put the ribs in a foil lined pan (for ease of clean up)
Sprinkle liberally with steak seasoning or just use salt, pepper and garlic
Pour COKE over - cover tightly with foil.
Cook at 270 degrees for 2 hours and 50 minutes.
Fire up the grill, put cooked ribs on grill, baste in BBQ sauce and cook for about 15 minutes - until the sauce gets all yummy!
That's it! Easy Peasy Lemon Squeezy!

I linked this to Chatting at the Sky's Tuesday's Unwrapped and Balancing Beauty and Bedlam's Tasty Tuesday. and Heavenly Homemakers Gratituesday.

The Pope and Harry Potter

The Pope gives Harry Potter movie his blessing.

I am so glad. I have taken my kids to see the previous Harry Potter movies - and we enjoyed them all. Years ago when all the hoopla over the HP books began I read the first 4 books so I could decide for myself. What I didn't like about the books was that Harry kept getting away with things. And not being punished. "If you ride on a broomstick you will be kicked out - Harry is fabulous on the stick and so instead of being punished they put him on the Quiditch team -" stuff like that happened all the time. And I didn't like story where they had to kill a baby plant - that looked and screamed like a baby - in order to save someone. Abortion undertones it seemed like.

I have not read this book - don't really have the time. I am greatful that I don't need to.

Flies Flies Everywhere

Over at Frugality and Crunchiness with Christy I posted about making your own flystrips. Riveting reading if you ask me. You didn't? Well I promise it is worth a click if you want to get rid of all those pesky flies and don't want to buy the flystrips full of chemicals. I'm just saying!

Did You Know

A thought provoking video about the age we live in.

OK I am so bugged

This evening my 2 big kids - 19 and 17 went and bought a couple of dogs. They had only permission to buy 1. 1 for the son who is moving out in August. Not for the daughter who is severly allergic. Now I am the BAD GUY. I won't let them keep the 2nd dog because a. they didn't have permission, b. I am allergic, Cassie is allergic, Joe is allergic (they suggested I get shots so they can keep the dog - I DONT THINK SO!!) c. Sylvia loves loves loves dogs. She will get dog all over her and want to love on me thereby transferring said dog dander. d. did I mention they didn't have permission and were trying to pull one over on me. e. I am afraid of dogs.
gggrrrrr It might take awhile to get over this. I know they are very very angry with me. I wish they could see how they made this situation happen, I didn't. They both knew if they had asked I would have said no. So, they just didn't ask.

Graduation

Today was my oldest son's last day of high school. He could conceivably never ever take another class in his life. Sigh, it also means that I have a child out of school. Gasp, the horrors. Am I old enough? I don't feel it. Is he old enough - certainly. He is such a man. A wonderful man who is loving and caring, hard working, honest and an all around great kid --oops I mean man. I know he is itching to move out - we keep a pretty close eye and grip on our kids. He wants some freedom. I don't blame him, it is time. His mommy is just not ready to let go! I hope to get a picture to put here of him all cap and gowned. A milestone in both his and our (dh and I) lives. The time has gone so fast I can hardly believe it. Wasn't it just yesterday that I sat outside the preschool for an hour and listened to him cry when I left? No? Where oh where did the time go??
God Bless,
Christy

Wii, Wii, We got a Wii!!

We got a Wii! Yes, I caved in and bought the newest and coolest game system EVER! (just ask around). It really is a lot of fun. I think I might even improve my bowling and tennis game - couldn't hurt!

With the money we didn't spend on a vacation we bought this. I think it is a great trade.

God Bless,

Christy

Happy Birthday to .....Josh, Molly, Michael, Randy, Mitsie, Monica, Mimi, Sylvia, Mary Alice, Gigi and TJ

Happy Birthday to them! Happy Birthday to them! Happy Happy Birthday dear Josh, Molly, Michael, Randy, Mitsie, Monica, Mimi, Sylvia, Gigi, Mary Alice and TJ Happy Birthday to you!!

Yes this is the list of birthdays we celebrate in my immediate family in April - astounding isn't it??

Party On Garth!!


God Bless,
Christy

Lent

I want to recommend a great article about Lent here. An article by Theresa A. Thomas at Catholic Exchange. It talks about how to live simply during Lent following these five ideas:
First attain mastery over time.
Second, live more naturally - get up earlier, go to bed earlier.
Third recognise that less if often more.
Fourth decrease expenses.
Fifth embrace silence.

I feel the need to look at my lenten progress - which is minimal and see where and how I can implement these in my life. More so than just at lent, making them a more permanent life plan.

God Bless,
Christy

I am soooo bugged

My oldest son was featured on an interview at http://wane.com/ but I cannot figure out how to upload it to my blog. If you are interested, he is under sports videos, Woodlan Player Interviews. My son is the first boy who talks. I think he did a great job! Someday I am going to learn how to use this silly machine. Until then you will just have to hunt for my good stuff!

If his team wins Friday and the other team who they are tied with loses they will be ACAC conference champions - first time in 11 years! There is a chance for a total win, 2 way tie, 3 way tie and YES a 5 way tie. Don't ask me to explain - but it is crazy!

Go WARRIORS!!!!!!

Happy Anniversary ....to ME!

Just a quick post to say that on Oct. 1 My dear husband and I celebrated our 19th wedding anniversary. I am so incredibly blessed to be married to this man. He works harder than anyone I know to provide a fabulous life for myself and my 8 chiklets. Thank you God for the gift of this man.

Surprise Fog Day

What is a fog day you may ask? Well in the area where we live (New Haven IN) when the fog is so thick you cannot see your car in the drive or whether a car is coming on the road they cancel school. That is right - no school due to fog. But wait, didn't I say I homeschooled? Well, yes that is a true statement but I have older ps going children who got the day off. Well, we decided it was only fair to take the day off also.

I went garagesaling with ds2 and had a great time. Then went and played tennis. We ended the lovely day with Conquest Boys Club and K4J (apostolates of Regnum Christi) at our house and then Football at the highschool.

Speaking of football my ds1 had a great game - he caught the ball in the endzone and scored a touchdown -- yes the crowd went wild and his momma rang the cow bell loud and long.

Go WARRIORS!!!

Beautiful Daughter #4 First Holy Communion

What a beautiful day. The weather was beautiful. BD#4 looked like the princess she is, and mass was, well mass - awe inspiring and so spiritually uplifting. Someone said it lasted almost 2 hours. Fr. Steve was on a role! BD#4 has been so excited to finally receive Jesus in the Eucharist. We celebrated BD#5 2nd birthday also. She had a great day, however her mommy couldn't find the camera to document the day -gggrrrr!

Beautiful Daughter #1 gets her drivers liscence

liscence to drive!! Scary for mom but liberating for bd#1. She did awesome, only missing 1 question on the test. It would have been a quick in and out but the school had messed up and so we had to go all the way back to school and get a letter and transcript saying she had passed the driving part of drivers ed and take it back to the bmv. Then they wanted her to verify her SS# - thankfully her dad was home and could find it. That was a miracle - he is rarely home during the day. She was so thrilled to drive her dad's bmw to school. He wasn't thrilled however! I am excited to have another driver to help around here. She just might take over grocery shopping! Hurray!!