Look Alike

My lovely mother...

 The late Princess Diana...

Happy Birthday!

I had a great 30th birthday!  It was just a regular day at home with the kids.  Blake took us out to eat in town at one of the Mexican restaurants.  I was a little aggravated that we weren't going somewhere nicer.  (I might have pouted a little!)  But I thought Mom had made my requested ding dong cake so we stayed in town and planned to go the their house for cake and swimming.  Soon after we arrived at my parents' house, people started showing up.  Blake totally surprised me by inviting family and friends for cake at the pool house!  I thought things were a little funny all day...especially when he slept later than usual this morning for work.  But I believed everything he said.  Silly me!  It was a wonderful party!  I got a new camera (I knew about that) that I am very excited about using.  He even had a cake made that was huge and delicious! 
What a sweet husband!  Thank you B for giving me a wonderful birthday surprise!

On This Day 30 Years Ago...

Prince Charles married Lady Diana at St. Paul's Cathedral.  Over 700 million people in 74 countries tuned in to watch the fairytale wedding. 

I was born!! 

That's pretty much it.  With me coming into the world on this day, I can't believe that the royal wedding was so captivating.  However, as long as it took me to get here, it's a good thing the parents and grandparents had something good to watch on the telly. 

Happy birthday to me!  Have a great day!


Entrepreneurs and their small enterprises are responsible for almost all the economic growth in the United States.  ~Ronald Reagan

Abortion is advocated only by persons who have themselves been born.  ~Ronald Reagan

Freedon is never more than one generation away from extinction.  We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream.  It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children's children what it was once like in the United States where men were free.  ~Ronald Reagan

Cameras for Children

J loves to take pictures.  He uses my camera all of the time to take pictures of us, his toys, the movie he is watching, and anything else that strikes his interest.  Some of his pictures are actually pretty good too!  But I am worried that he is going to push the wrong buttons and empty my memory card or break my camera so B and I are thinking of getting him one for his 4th birthday in September. 
I know I want to get him a Polaroid type camera that shoots out the pictures so that we can use it for scavenger hunts and book making but I also want him to have a digital camera.  He likes to look at the pictures on the screen.  We don't want to spend a lot of money so we don't have to worry about it getting broken or dirty.  Got any suggestions?  I know they make them for kids but do any of you have one that your kids like?  Share any information you have...please!  On either type of camera I mentioned.  I need feedback. 
Check back tomorrow for more fun birthday trivia!  30 years people!  Woo Hoo!!!!!


Freedom is one of the deepest and noblest aspirations of the human spirit.  ~Ronald Reagan

Fun Facts 1981

Sports

• L.A. Dodgers win World Series
• Oakland wins Super Bowl
• Boston wins NBA Championship
• John McEnroe wins Wimbledon mens'

Entertainment

• Hill Street Blues wins Emmy for Outstanding Drama Series
• Taxi wins Emmy for Outstanding Comedy Series
• Life is a Circus, Charlie Brown wins Emmy for Outstanding Animated Program
• Chariots of Fire wins Oscar for Best Picture
• Henry Fonda in On Golden Pond is Best Actor in Leading Role
• Katharine Hepburn in On Golden Pond is Best Actress in Leading Role
• Warren Beaty wins Oscar for Best Director for Reds
• Grammy for Record of the Year goes to "Sailing" by Christopher Cross
• Miss Oklahoma Susan Powell is crowned Miss America
• Raiders of the Lost Ark was the number one movie at the box office
• Other movies from this year include Porky's, My Bloody Valentine, Legend of the Lone Ranger, Clash of the Titans, Fox and the Hound, and pretty much every sequal to all of the famous scary movies!
• Dallas, The Dukes of Hazzard, The Jeffersons, and Three's Company were some of the top television shows.

Top 10 Billboard Hits (There were quite a few good songs from this year!)

• Bette Davis Eyes, Kim Carnes
• Endless Love, Diana Ross and Lionel Ritchie
• Lady, Kenny Rogers (Boy...has he changed!)
• (Just Like) Starting Over, John Lennon
• Jessie's Girl, Rick Springfield
• Celebration, Kool and the Gang
• Kiss on my List, Hall and Oates
• I Love a Rainy Night, Eddie Rabbitt
• 9 to 5, Dolly Parton
• Keep on Loving You, REO Speedwagon

Birthdays

• Eli Manning, January 3rd
• Elijah Wood, January 28th
• Justin Timberlake, January 31st
• Paris Hilton, February 17th
• Josh Groban, February 28th
• Julia Stiles, March 28th
• Josh Hamilton, May 21st
• Anna Kournikova, June 7th
• Natalie Portman, June 9th
• Chad Michael Murry, August 24th
• Beyonce Knowles, September 4th
• Jonathan Taylor Thomas, September 8th
• Ivanka Trump, October 30th
• Britney Spears, December 2nd

All great change in America begins at the dinner table.  ~Ronald Reagan

I have left orders to be awakened at any time in case of a national emergency, even if I'm in a cabinet meeting.  ~Ronald Reagan

1981 The Year I Was Born

How much did things cost?

• Yearly Inflation Rate USA 10.35%
• Year End Close Dow Jones Industrial Average 875
• Interest Rates Year End Federal Reserve 15.75%
• Average Cost of new house $78,200.00
• Average Income per year $21,050.00
• Average Monthly Rent $315.00
• Cost of a gallon of Gas $1.25   Cost of a first class stamp $0.15 ($0.18 as of 3/22/81; $0.20 as of 11/1/81)
• Cost of a dozen eggs $0.90
• Cost of a gallon of milk $2.22
• 19 inch Color TV $399.95

Important Events

• Ronald Reagan becomes president!
• Titanic wreckage was found.
• Muhammad Ali retires with career record 55 wins and 5 defeats.
• The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that states could require parental notification when teenage girls seek abortion.
• Sandra Day O'Connor is the first female nominated to the U. S. Supreme Court.
• The first American test tube baby is born.
• First Frequent Flyer Miles is introduced by American Airlines.
• Scientists identify the AIDS virus.
• First flight of U. S. Space Shuttle Columbia.
• IBM in U.S. launches its first PC.
• "Internet" first mentioned.
• Post It notes launched by 3M Corp.
• Artificially Produced Insulin becomes the worlds first genetically engineered protein to treat diabetes.
• MS-DOS released by Microsoft.
• MTV is launched on August 1st.
• Aspartame approved by the FDA.
• Supreme Court rules to allow cameras in the court room.

Things have changed a lot in the last 30 years.  We will be looking at some more fun facts from 1981 and from the day of my birthday as well.  I think it's fun (and a little sad) to look back at how different some things were.  And since Ronald Reagan was wonderful and has so many great quotes, I will be quoting him all week!


To sit back hoping that someday, someway, someone will make things right is to go on feeding the crocodile, hoping he will eat you last--but eat you he will.  ~Ronald Reagan

The ultimate determinant in the struggle now going on for the world will not be bombs and rockets but a test of wills and ideas-a trial of spiritual resolve: the values we hold, the beliefs we cherish and the ideals to which we are dedicated.  ~Ronald Reagan

Birthday Party and Boys' Night Out

Tonight I got to celebrate my birthday with some of my closest friends.  One of them hosted and cooked dinner.  Another made a red velvet cake.  Two of us were celebrating so we both got to blow out the candles.  It was so much fun to spend a few hours with them talking, eating, talking and eating.  We all have kids the same age so most of the time we do things with them so it's nice to get together without the kids every once in a while.  (Although I still had K with me.  She goes with me everywhere!)   I am so glad that my friends have kids that will be in school and at church with my children.  I love that they will get to grow up together!
Since I was going to be out tonight, the boys decided to eat at the local pizza place and play in the arcade.  J never gets to play all of the games because I don't know how and it's too crazy to try and teach him.  His daddy let him play all of the games and even let him spend his tickets.  I just act excited he has tickets and we take them home.  Now he knows what they are for!  Oh no!  He had so much fun!  He beat his daddy twice at air hockey but he drove his race car very crazy and ran over lots of trees.  That's how I drive in the race car games!  I am SO happy B is home to spend time with us and can do fun things with J.  He took a few pictures with his phone so they are little blurry but I want to post them anyway.

My father used to play with my brother and me in the yard. Mother would come out and say, "You're tearing up the grass." "We're not raising grass," Dad would reply. "We're raising boys." ~Harmon Killebrew

Cousins

We spent most of Friday with Blake's parents, sister and niece.  J loves to go visit and is especially thrilled when his cousin R is going to be there.  They have so much fun playing together.  I am so glad he enjoys being with her. 

Cousins are those childhood playmates who grow up to be forever friends.
Anonymous

Woo Hoo!!

I finished scrapbooking J's first year of life!  I know he is turning FOUR in a couple of months and it took me almost four years to scrap up to his first birthday but I am pretty excited about it.  I love to scrapbook but I don't always have time or I get burned out because I do it too much all at once.  I like all of the buttons, brads, stamps, and details that take so much time.  It's a fun hobby! 
It took five books to get J's first year all finished.  And I have three photo albums of extra pictures. 
Wow!  I hope he appreciates this one day. 

I already have the pictures from his first to his second birthdays in order and dated.  Over 1000 pictures...think I can have it finished by the time he is 8!?!?


"Scarlett:  "Dreams, dreams always dreams with you, never common sense."

Fab Five Friday: Movie Edition

This month's fabulous five is all about movies.  This one was almost as hard as the books but I'm keeping it to five.  Only movies though.  I'll have to do musicals some other time. 

1.  Anne of Green Gables...Just about every life situation can be related to this movie.  I have seen it so many times that sometimes I put it in while I'm doing other things just to listen to it.  I can see the pictures in my head.  At least once a week something will happen and a quote from Anne will pop into my head.  I love it!  It's quirky and smart.  It's one of the best family films ever.  If you haven't seen it, your life isn't complete!

2.  Gone with the Wind...I've seen it a million times.  I can quote it.  If my head isn't throwing around quotes from Anne Shirley, it's giving my "I'll think about that tomorrow."  It's a classic!  Everyone must see it at least once.

3.  Little Women...The one with Winona Ryder not Katharine Hepburn.  (It is most like the book.)  This movie has the all time best marriage proposal ever!  Not to mention that Christian Bale is lovely and I will name my next son Lawrence after this movie because he will be just as beautiful as Christian and will be able to pull it off.  Am I vain?  Yes!  And, no, I'm NOT expecting that next son now, I'm just planning ahead.

4.  Love Actually...Hugh Grant, Colin Firth, Emma Thompson, Keira Knightley, Liam Neeson, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Laura Linney, Thomas Sangster, Alan Rickman...Need I say more!?!?  The first two had me at hello. 

5.  Harry Potter series...I know it's a series but I love them all and you can't have one without the other.  I read all of the books and the movies got better and better.  I've seen every one in the theater and plan on seeing the last one (boo hoo) in July for a belated anniversary date with Blake.  But I will say that if you've only seen the movies and haven't read the books, you are missing out. 

Marmee: Feminine weaknesses and fainting spells are the direct result of our confining young girls to the house, bent over their needlework, and restrictive corsets.

Sharing

We are learning how to share at our house now that K is moving around so much.  She would much rather play with her brother's toys than her own!  J doesn't mind most of the time but sometimes he takes things away from her.  He is having to learn what she can have and what she can't have and watch her closely so she doesn't put little things in her mouth.  He is doing pretty good!  I am very proud of him!
They were playing with the farm today.  K had the fence. 

 J was working on one of the barns.

K spied the bucket of farm things and tried to get it.

 J will have none of that.  He moves the bucket out of the way.

 But fails to notice Cowboy John Wayne and the gorilla (why he belongs on the farm, I'm not sure). 

Everybody is happy again!  I love watching them interact with each other.  It is so much fun!

Sometimes being a brother is even better than being a superhero. ~Marc Brown

Sad

A former co-worker of mine and her family need your prayers.  Two of her nieces, ages 16 and 15, were in a four wheeler accident Saturday night.  Hope, 15, sustained some injuries but was released from the hospital later that night.  Whittany, 16, died last night in the hospital.  These girls were first cousins.
Please pray for their families and for my friend, Michelle.  This is going to be very difficult for them all. 

Death leaves a heartache
No one can heal;
Love leaves a memory
No one can steal

Irish Tombstone

Figs

The figs are ripe at our house and I have missed them the last two years because we were traveling.  This year I decided to make strawberry fig preserves.  I made one recipe of it Saturday but I plan on making more.  I have two fig trees and Mom has one so I may make more than I really want to but I hate to let the figs go to waste. 
I got this recipe from my friend, Brandie.  I believe it is her husband's grandmother's recipe.  Granny used to make it and her recipe is similar but not as specific.  If you need figs to make your own, my backyard is open!

First rinse the figs in water.  I don't like to drench them.  We don't spray ours so there aren't any chemicals to wash away. 

Then cut off the stems. 

Next, use a food processor or a potato masher (or your hands) to mash the figs.  You will need 6 cups of mashed figs.  I used the food processor and I left a few chunks in them.  I like figs so I like to get a bite of fruit in my preserves. 

Put the mashed figs in a large pot and add 4 3 ounce boxes of strawberry jello.

Then add 6 cups of granulated sugar.

You will also need 1/2 cup of lemon juice.

Stir all of the ingredients together.

Bring to a boil on the stove and let it boil for 5 minutes.

While the preserves are heating, put your jar lids in a small saucepan and cover with water.  Bring them to a simmer and keep warm.  This will make the sealing process much easier.

After the preserves have boiled, pour it into jars.  I used half pint jelly jars but you could use pints if you wanted.

Once the preserves are in the jars, clean the rims with a damp towel.  (Try not to look at the mess I made!) 

Add the warm lids and twist on the rings.  The jars will be hot so you might want to have a couple of towels or hot pads handy. 

Set the jars in a safe place to cool.  I like to cover the jars with a towel or two.  This is what my grandmothers and mom do, so I do it too.  I think it's so the jars don't get too cool too fast and they seal properly but I'm not really sure. 

After a few hours, you can check to make sure the jars have sealed.  Don't press down the seal on your own though.  If you have jars that don't seal just put them in the fridge and enjoy!

This recipe made 12 half pints and one tiny jar.  These make great gifts! 

"Train up a fig tree in the way it should go, and when you are old sit under the shade of it." 

~Charles Dickens

Dresses

Here are the latest of K's dresses made by Mamaw.  You have probably seen them on her in previous posts. 

French Handsewn Dress...She wore this to Caleb and Brooke's wedding.

Fabric Yoyos...She wore this one to Lydia and Brad's wedding.  She has a yoyo for her hair as well!

This one is just cute!  She looks so stylish when she wears it.

I still haven't managed to take a picture of all of the felt flowers and hair accessories.  They are so cute but I can never remember to get them all together when the children are awake! 

Thank you Mamaw!!!

"If evolution really works, how come mothers only have two hands?"  ~Milton Berle

Thankful

I am so thankful for my hometown and neighbors.  An accident happened near our house tonight and I was amazed at the number of people who turned up to help.  It makes me swell with pride that there are so many willing people in this little place.  Living in a small town, it's easy to get annoyed with the way news travels but in situations like tonight it is a time to give thanks to God that we have neighbors in the know. 
I am also thankful that the boy involved in the accident is going to be okay and that all of the neighbors were home and answering their phones.

Tooting My Own Horn

I am so proud of myself!  I sewed a little over the weekend.  I made K two more pairs of leggings out of women's knee socks.  They turned out better than the first pair I made.  I even added a little ribbon flower to one pair.  Now that our little one is on the floor so much, I am trying to keep her knees covered so they don't get too scratched or cold on our hard floor. 

I also made J a crayon carrier for his quiet book.  I made the quiet book a while back but carrying the box of crayons was getting to be a pain.  It ended up being a little to big for the notebook but it works.

They are dry erase crayons so I added a pocket for the eraser as well. 

I have put the sewing machine up again for now but maybe next time I will try a little embroidery!