Cookbook Challenge

When Haley said "Fried chicken again?" I realized that I have fallen into a rut with dinners. I try to vary what we eat but with 3 kids, a husband who works weird hours about half the week, and everything else we have going on...well, I have used certain dinners as a crutch. I know my kids will eat spaghetti, fish sticks, meatloaf and breakfast for dinner is always a winner!

I hate that this has happened, especially when I have a bunch of cookbooks. So, I decided that I'm doing 30 different recipes in 30 days. I know there are some things that my fam (including me) just wont eat. And, if I'm going to be making "new" stuff, I need to keep some of the no-fails around to keep the boat from rocking too much. So I sat down last night and made my list of "need to try this" foods. I completed my list of 30 and realized that I only used one cookbook. Wasnt my intention to do that but it worked out. Every recipe came out of Grandma Mel's cookbook.

This cookbook came from Curtis' grandma. It is full of family recipes and has little stories that tie into some of them. Sadly, I only met Grandma Mel twice before she passed away. I have gotten to know her through stories told around the dinner table at my in-laws house, through bits and pieces of memories that belong to other people. I know we will hear many more stories when we are in Eureka next month and I know it will be hard on my husband. The last time he was there was 2 years ago for his grandpa's funeral (this being the second time I had met Grandma Mel). Sadly, he wasnt able to go back last year for her funeral as I was about ready to have Anda.

So, getting more off the beaten path (but it ties in, I swear), Laura and I were talking about our vacation the other day. She asked me if she would be able to meet Grandma Mel when we go to California. I knew something like this was going to happen and I was somewhat ready for it. I swallowed the lump in my throat and told my daughter that Grandma Mel lives in heaven now so we would not be able to see her on vacation. She seemed satisfied with this and turned to look out the window. After a minute, she looks back at me and tell me that Grandma Mel left her cookbook here so we can get to know her through the food.

And that is what I intend to do!! My list contains 30 recipes from the best cookbook to ever come into my house!! My list has chicken dishes, beef dishes, pies, cookies, cakes, casseroles and breads. And probably some other things that I forgot. I know as I make these dishes, I can change things to suit my family and our tastes. I know as I make these dishes, my list of 30 will grow ever longer. I will find recipes that I missed and add those to my list. Curtis will remember something from growing up and my list will get longer.

I'm sure as I cook my way through the book, I will update things on here. I have not had a "fail" come out of the cookbook yet and I'm hoping to keep it that way!!

Vacation Time!!!

So, I've had a few people ask why I am so excited to go on vacation next month. Well, the answers are abundant!!!

First and foremost, I have not been back to California since we moved almost two years ago. I miss the heat and the sun. Washington is beautiful and we have been able to see things that are not possible in CA, but I could never live here. Both hubby and I were born and raised in Cali so its in our blood.

#2~Anda is almost a year old and has hardly met any of the family. I'm so excited to be able to take her and let her meet everyone! She will be passed around like a hot potato, be squeezed and kissed from the moment we get there until we leave. I cant wait for her to feel all the love everyone has for her.

#3~We are lucky enough to be able to celebrate Anda's first birthday with everyone! Not only that, but she will be able to have her party her Gran's 70th birthday. What a special day it will be for both of them!

#4~By taking this trip, the girls and I will have the chance to (finally) get to meet so many people on Curtis' side of the fam. The girls have not met anyone and the one time I did, it was not under the best circumstances. This time, however, will be different. It will be a happy day!!!

#5~ I NEED to get out of Oak Harbor for a little bit. I need to somewhere that I can make a "quick trip" to Target. I need to see the sun for more than 1 day out of 7. I need to chance my girls around Momma's backyard. I need to get sunburned laying on the deck. Well, I dont need to do that but I know it will happen.

Ok, so I could go on forever but those are the most important reasons. I cant wait to go! Haley is excited to see/meet everyone. Laura wants to figure out how the whole "triplet" thing works. And Anda....well, as long as she's fed, she's good.

Laura has decided...

that she wants to be a boy. I have no clue where this have come from. But I cant say that I'm surprised. She has never been one to choose to wear a dress and actually throws a fit if I try to put her in one. Laura has always been a rough and tumble kid. She would rather be outside eating dirt than wearing anything pink. She'll tell that pink is for Haley, not Laura.

Now, she has been telling me for awhile that she wants to pick her clothes from the little boy section whenever we go shopping. For some reason, I wouldnt let her. Then I realized that it doesnt matter. Shorts are shorts. Who cares if the shorts are pink with ruffles or camo? Well, some people might but I dont!

So, it's Laura's turn to get some new clothes next month. And if she wants to go straight to the little boy section and get camo shorts, thats where we'll go! I have a feeling that the next time she needs shoes she's going to want little boy shoes. In the end, all that really matters is that Laura likes her clothes. Besides, she knows how to get undressed all by herself so I have a feeling that I put her in something she hates, she'll just take it off.

Its a GM thing..

and not very many people up here understand it. Being the we're stationed at an air station, there arent very many GM's up here. Curtis works with 3 others and the squadrons have a few floating around. But thats about it.

While we do have awesome friends up here, its hard not having another wife who truly understands what I deal with. Yeah, every Sailor comes home smelling like something but nothing compares to having your husband walk in the door smelling so strongly of CLP that you'd have sworn he bathed in it. And, yes, that has happened to me. Being married to a GM, you have to be able to handle sleeping with someone who smells like gunpowder, even after a shower. I swear, it just seeps into their skin during a gun shoot. And when they're on a ship...oh, they come home sleeping like hydraulic fluid on top of CLP on top of gun powder. Their uniforms have to be washed separate from everything else. Boots DO NOT come in the house!! Especially after range days. And then there are phone calls where all you hear is "blah blah new boots blah blah busted hydraulic line blah gun mount" and all you think is "well, there goes about $130". Yup, thats happened before too.

I do love my friends up here but part of me cant wait to get orders back to a ship. It just kinda sucks not having anyone who understands why I hold my breath when putting uniforms into the wash or know its a good sign when he walks through the door reeking of gun powder. Guess that part is a GM wife thing.....

Things...they are a-changing around here

So, we found out the other day that our good friends are moving soon. : ( It sucks but its part of life being in the military. I have decided that I'm not going to be sad until they drive away though. Right now, we're going to have as much fun with them as we can.

Next month, we actually get to celebrate the hubs b-day!! WooHoo! This will be his first b-day since joining the Navy that he'll be home. Well, last year doesnt count because he had to work. So, we're having a bunch friends over for a bbq and a good time. The boys are going to go shooting in the morning (I secretly want to tag along for that part) and I'm going to totally decorate the house. It WILL be a good time with NO DRAMA!!!

Speaking of the hubs, he was up for Sailor of the Quarter. Doesnt look like he made it up its still a bullet on his EVAL. It was his first time up for it and I'm sure it wont be his last. I know he likes his job and most of the people he works with, but I also know there is a part of him that cant wait to be back on board a ship. We still have about 2 years left on shore duty before we're back to dealing with a ship though. In all honesty, I miss sea duty. I miss taking him dinner on duty days. It was a schedule that really worked for us and we enjoyed it. Dont get me wrong, we dont enjoy the time apart but its his job and he loves his job.

Well, the little girls are up and hollering for me so I'll to post a Part II for this blog. I have tons of updates on the kids. My life is nuts between 3 kids, the hubs, school, girl scouts and who knows what else. So, hopefully I remember to post Part II.....

My blog, my rant

Why does anyone think they have the right to judge how I live my life? More specifically, who I am friends with? Yes, I am very selective about the people I let into my life. I have my reasons for that and I dont have to justify them to anyone!! Curtis and I are not anti-social by any means. We choose to surround ourselves (and our children) with people who have the same values as we do.

Also, these people understand what we deal with everyday raising a special needs child. These friends have got to be some of the best people on earth. I watch some of them deal with so much and they handle it so well. These are also people who truly understand me when I say, "its been a bad day with Haley." While I understand that Haley's issues could be a great deal worse, we struggle everyday with her. She turns 7 on Friday and while we celebrate her day and make sure she is happy as can be, part of me will be anxiously awaiting phone calls from 4 doctors to schedule appointments for her.

The other half of our friends are the guys Curtis works with and their families. While some have grown kids, no kids, or kids about the same age as ours, none of them completely get what we go through daily. However, they understand that we, as a family, deal with this every day. We have never hid Haley's issues from them, it wouldnt be fair. If I am going to invite you into my house, you need to be aware of what that entails.

So, before you decide to say that I think I'm too good for you, or that I have no life, think again. I do have a life and it revolves around my kids right now. And that will become more apparent when you hear me say, "I cant do that because Haley has an appointment in Seattle that day." And, before anyone points it out, Girl Scouts is a big part of our lives right now. It just so happens that our GS friends fall into one of the above groups.

Lastly, I love, love, love my friends!! If you have a problem with who I surround my self with, then say it directly to me, not to anyone else.

Letter to a Friend

Yeah, I know most people will send an email but this needs to put out there.

KS~This one's for you, my dear!!!!

I am so grateful for myspace (eventhough I dont get on there anymore)!! For without it, my world would have missed out on all the Southern charm you contain. Over the last 2 (yes, its been 2 years), I've seen you go from an expectant mom praying to make it to 37 weeks to a strong, independent mother. Not saying you were weak before but you know what I mean. After E was born, I would read your blog and I would see so much of what I went through with Haley in them. You have always done what is best for E and never apologized for it. You have spent the last 2 years weeding out the drama and bs so that you would be able to provide the best life for your daughter. I have truly enjoyed being able to watch E grow (even from 3k miles away). She is such a blessing but I dont need to tell you that.

Lastly, I cannot begin to tell you how happy I am that you have found M!! I love that you and E are able to spend this time with him. Your family is truly beautiful! Life with kids is a crazy, wild, non-stop ride and I'm so glad for you that you're not doing it alone anymore. Oh, one more tidbit for you to file away, remember not to stress about things that have NOT happened yet! Recognize that certain things will happen at some point and be prepared. But then leave it at that. Take things as they come. Everyone says God wont give you more than you can handle so deal with the problems on your plate, cherish the blessings and remember the buffet line, if something is good, you can always go back for more!!

Love ya, Yankee Doodle!!


P.S. if you havent checked out KS's blog, you should!!! I love her!!! Find her @ http://thekellisue.blogspot.com