Fist of all...Happy Veteran's Day and thank you to all who have ever served our country!
Secondly, I was so impressed by Reba's performance of "If I Were a Boy" at last night's CMAs, I thought we'd revisit Reba's past. I love that Reba is managing to stay current and updated, but all the while maintaining her country roots and being true to herself and her music. I have always idolized her, but my admiration for her continues to grow!
Okay...let's throwback:
What pipes! And I LOVE that Reba expresses emotion with every lyric and sometimes the slightest syllable! Rock on Reba!
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
I Heard It Through The Baby Monitor...
I hear a lot of things through the baby monitor. The sweet sounds of cooing, the babbling of da-da, the grunting sounds of wanting picked up, the wails of being hungry, the thumping of the crib against the wall, the sound of a pacifier falling to the floor followed by a sweet "uh-oh," the neighbors putting their kids to bed. Wait a minute...the neighbors putting their kids to bed?!
Yep. That is exactly what I heard this last Friday evening. You see, I had been doing some rearranging in the baby's room and had unplugged the baby monitor in order to move the bookcase it was sitting on and I had forgotten to plug it back in. When I went into my bedroom to put some laundry away, I heard voices coming out of the baby monitor--and it wasn't anyone in my family! It was the neighbors getting their kids ready for bed.
At first I was perplexed at how this tiny little device could pick up sounds from across the street. Then I became fascinated as I sat and listened to the neighbors, as if I were a spy on a secret mission. Not long after that, though I began to panic. If I can hear them, then that means they can hear me!
Now, first, let me tell you a little something about my neighbors. The parents are the same age as we are and have six children. The mother of the family stays home and home schools the kids. The father of the family is a pastor. Pretty much Mr. and Mrs. Perfect. Yep. The pastor and his wife, also have gentle ways of putting their children to bed, which does not compare to the chaos that ensues in my household every night. I realized that this God-loving family has quite possibly heard my yelling and screaming and who-knows what else all through the baby monitor! Are there any words to truly describe that feeling of realization?
I then started thinking back at the times I have "lost it." You know what I mean. Those moments when the baby is crying, has poop up his back, and is trying to wriggle off the changing table all while the 5-year-old is yelling from the bathroom that he too has pooped and is incapable of wiping himself, so he must throw a fit because you are already up to your eye balls in poo and can't come to his aid as his jealousy issues come into play, so you scream to release the stress? You know, those moments.
Let's just say, I had too many of those kind of moments to recall that my blood pressure began to rise. Then I began to reflect on the type of mother I am. All because of that ^*^&*^%^ baby monitor! As if I didn't have enough guilt and feelings of inadequacy! Want to know where the baby monitor is now? That sucker is is in the trash!
Yep. That is exactly what I heard this last Friday evening. You see, I had been doing some rearranging in the baby's room and had unplugged the baby monitor in order to move the bookcase it was sitting on and I had forgotten to plug it back in. When I went into my bedroom to put some laundry away, I heard voices coming out of the baby monitor--and it wasn't anyone in my family! It was the neighbors getting their kids ready for bed.
At first I was perplexed at how this tiny little device could pick up sounds from across the street. Then I became fascinated as I sat and listened to the neighbors, as if I were a spy on a secret mission. Not long after that, though I began to panic. If I can hear them, then that means they can hear me!
Now, first, let me tell you a little something about my neighbors. The parents are the same age as we are and have six children. The mother of the family stays home and home schools the kids. The father of the family is a pastor. Pretty much Mr. and Mrs. Perfect. Yep. The pastor and his wife, also have gentle ways of putting their children to bed, which does not compare to the chaos that ensues in my household every night. I realized that this God-loving family has quite possibly heard my yelling and screaming and who-knows what else all through the baby monitor! Are there any words to truly describe that feeling of realization?
I then started thinking back at the times I have "lost it." You know what I mean. Those moments when the baby is crying, has poop up his back, and is trying to wriggle off the changing table all while the 5-year-old is yelling from the bathroom that he too has pooped and is incapable of wiping himself, so he must throw a fit because you are already up to your eye balls in poo and can't come to his aid as his jealousy issues come into play, so you scream to release the stress? You know, those moments.
Let's just say, I had too many of those kind of moments to recall that my blood pressure began to rise. Then I began to reflect on the type of mother I am. All because of that ^*^&*^%^ baby monitor! As if I didn't have enough guilt and feelings of inadequacy! Want to know where the baby monitor is now? That sucker is is in the trash!
Monday, November 8, 2010
Leftover Turkey Recipe!
Pretty soon we'll all be head over heels in turkey, and if we are lucky, we'll have some left overs to whip up in to tasty new dishes! File this one for the day after Thanksgiving...it's one of my favorite turkey casserole recipes!
Broccoli Turkey Casserole
1/2 cup chopped carrot
1/2 cup bell pepper
1/4 cup green onions
1 TB butter or margarine
1 can condensed cream of chicken soup
1 1/2 cups chopped turkey
1 pk of frozen broccoli cuts
1 cup cooked wild or long grain rice (I used long grain)
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup milk
In a large skillet, cook carrot, bell pepper, and green onions in hot margarine until a crispy-tender. Remove from heat and stir in soup, broccoli, turkey rice, mozzarella cheese, and milk. Transfer to a a 2-quart baking dish and sprinkle with extra mozzarella cheese.
Bake, covered at 350 degrees for 20 minutes. Then uncover the dish and bake for another 20 minutes. Let it sit for 10 minutes before serving.
You could also use artichoke instead of broccoli to add a little more "sophistication" to this recipe. Yes I know, it is sad that I consider artichoke sophisticated. Hey, I'm a little hick with a family to feed, I'm lucky they eat broccoli! You could also use chicken instead of turkey...like a rotisserie chicken from the deli to give this recipe more mileage.
Friday, November 5, 2010
Linky-Dinky-Doo 11-05-10
Okay, as a new blogger, I have been scanning the blogosphere on how to do this whole blog thing. I have been finding some great blogs, ideas, and even making some bloggy friends! So, I thought I'd start a new feature that shares some of the things I have found fascinating for one reason or another. Let the inspiration begin!
This is a great inexpensive photo idea from Thrifty Decor Chick. She is also doing an awesome giveaway from Home Goods!
Homespun Living is after this country girl's heart with this biscuit recipe!
Have you ever heard of zucchini candy? I'll have to try this recipe from Country Life and all the Fixins next year!
This post on rain has given me a new outlook on rainy days on Dirt Road Heaven.
Creative Country Mom has reminded me that frost isn't so nasty, and can be quite beautiful.
With my whole "working out everyday in November" goal, I could use some workout-at-home ideas. Seems as if Paint Chips and Frying Pans is looking for some too!
This is a great inexpensive photo idea from Thrifty Decor Chick. She is also doing an awesome giveaway from Home Goods!
Homespun Living is after this country girl's heart with this biscuit recipe!
Have you ever heard of zucchini candy? I'll have to try this recipe from Country Life and all the Fixins next year!
This post on rain has given me a new outlook on rainy days on Dirt Road Heaven.
Creative Country Mom has reminded me that frost isn't so nasty, and can be quite beautiful.
With my whole "working out everyday in November" goal, I could use some workout-at-home ideas. Seems as if Paint Chips and Frying Pans is looking for some too!
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Throwback Thursday!
Who doesn't love the Oak Ridge Boys? The first concert I ever attended was an Oak Ridge Boys concert. It was the early 80s and Steve Wariner, an Indiana native, opened for them. The concert tickets were a Christmas gift for me and my sisters from our parents, and we were all ecstatic about going! I remember when they hit the stage, one of my sisters grabbed my father's leg so hard that he had to hold in a yelp. The Oaks continue to tour and I have been fortunate enough to see them in concert several more times and have had the privilege of meeting them as well. In fact, I bet a lot of people have met them! They are so gracious to their fans and make a point to greet them after every show! They are coming to South Bend for a Christmas show on December 20th, which I'm sure will be a great show! The Oak Ridge Boys are also avid Twitter users and Joe Bonsall is very good at tweeting back!
Here is a clip from when the Oak Ridge Boys appeared on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson in 1982...enjoy!
Here is a clip from when the Oak Ridge Boys appeared on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson in 1982...enjoy!
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
"If I Die Young" Is Confusing Me!
Okay. At first I thought this song was just a depressing song about a woman who lost a child. Since I really don't care for The Band Perry's sound, I have tried to ignore this song as much as possible. The thing about working in radio, however, is that I keep hearing the darn thing! It is wildly popular and continues to climb the chart, which I really don't understand. And I really don't understand what the heck the song is meant to tell me!
The Band Perry is a sibling trio and "If I Die Young" is somewhat of a narration from Kimberly Perry, although all of the band members had a hand in writing it. Kimberly has publicly stated that the lyrics are meant to reflect on what if everything they had going for them were to suddenly stop. And that they have accomplished a lot at their young ages.
Frankly, I don't buy that. I think the song has much deeper innuendos and has morbid lyrics. I almost wonder if Kimberly--or the narrator--was once suicidal, had an abortion, or has lost an infant at birth, because those are the thoughts that come out of my head as I listen to this song. And the more I listen to it, the more confused I become trying to figure it out. Maybe that's what The Band Perry had intended. Perhaps it was meant to be ambiguous so that it would appeal to more listeners?
This song is definitely about death, I'm just not sure who's death the narrator is talking about. But lyrics like "little cold finger," "the sharp knife of a short life," and "sink me in the river" creep me out!
Here are the rest of the lyrics. Maybe you can enlighten me.
If I Die Young by The Band Perry
If I die young bury me in satin
Lay me down on a bed of roses
Sink me in the river at dawn
Send me away with the words of a love song
oh oh oh oh
Lord make me a rainbow, I’ll shine down on my mother
She'll know I’m safe with you when she stands under my colors, oh and
Life ain't always what you think it ought to be, no
ain't even grey, but she buries her baby
The sharp knife of a short life, well
I’ve had just enough time
If I die young bury me in satin
Lay me down on a bed of roses
Sink me in the river at dawn
Send me away with the words of a love song
The sharp knife of a short life, well
I’ve had just enough time
And I’ll be wearing white when I come into your kingdom
I’m as green as the ring on my little cold finger
I’ve never known the lovin' of a man
But it sure felt nice when he was holding my hand
There’s a boy here in town says he’ll love me forever
Who would have thought forever could be severed by
The sharp knife of a short life, well
I’ve had just enough time
So put on your best boots and I’ll wear my pearls
What I never did is done
A penny for my thoughts, oh no I’ll sell them for a dollar
They're worth so much more after I’m a gonner
And maybe then you’ll hear the words I been singin’
Funny when you're dead how people start listenin’
If I die young bury me in satin
Lay me down on a bed of roses
Sink me in the river at dawn
Send me away with the words of a love song
oh oh
The ballad of a dove
Go with peace and love
Gather up your tears, keep ‘em in your pocket
Save them for a time when your really gonna need 'em oh
The sharp knife of a short life, well
I’ve had just enough time
So put on your best boots and I’ll wear my pearls
The Band Perry is a sibling trio and "If I Die Young" is somewhat of a narration from Kimberly Perry, although all of the band members had a hand in writing it. Kimberly has publicly stated that the lyrics are meant to reflect on what if everything they had going for them were to suddenly stop. And that they have accomplished a lot at their young ages.
Frankly, I don't buy that. I think the song has much deeper innuendos and has morbid lyrics. I almost wonder if Kimberly--or the narrator--was once suicidal, had an abortion, or has lost an infant at birth, because those are the thoughts that come out of my head as I listen to this song. And the more I listen to it, the more confused I become trying to figure it out. Maybe that's what The Band Perry had intended. Perhaps it was meant to be ambiguous so that it would appeal to more listeners?
This song is definitely about death, I'm just not sure who's death the narrator is talking about. But lyrics like "little cold finger," "the sharp knife of a short life," and "sink me in the river" creep me out!
Here are the rest of the lyrics. Maybe you can enlighten me.
If I Die Young by The Band Perry
If I die young bury me in satin
Lay me down on a bed of roses
Sink me in the river at dawn
Send me away with the words of a love song
oh oh oh oh
Lord make me a rainbow, I’ll shine down on my mother
She'll know I’m safe with you when she stands under my colors, oh and
Life ain't always what you think it ought to be, no
ain't even grey, but she buries her baby
The sharp knife of a short life, well
I’ve had just enough time
If I die young bury me in satin
Lay me down on a bed of roses
Sink me in the river at dawn
Send me away with the words of a love song
The sharp knife of a short life, well
I’ve had just enough time
And I’ll be wearing white when I come into your kingdom
I’m as green as the ring on my little cold finger
I’ve never known the lovin' of a man
But it sure felt nice when he was holding my hand
There’s a boy here in town says he’ll love me forever
Who would have thought forever could be severed by
The sharp knife of a short life, well
I’ve had just enough time
So put on your best boots and I’ll wear my pearls
What I never did is done
A penny for my thoughts, oh no I’ll sell them for a dollar
They're worth so much more after I’m a gonner
And maybe then you’ll hear the words I been singin’
Funny when you're dead how people start listenin’
If I die young bury me in satin
Lay me down on a bed of roses
Sink me in the river at dawn
Send me away with the words of a love song
oh oh
The ballad of a dove
Go with peace and love
Gather up your tears, keep ‘em in your pocket
Save them for a time when your really gonna need 'em oh
The sharp knife of a short life, well
I’ve had just enough time
So put on your best boots and I’ll wear my pearls
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
A Month Of Exercise
I must have lost my mind. I have decided to exercise every day during the month of November. You see, my birthday is fast approaching, Sunday in fact, and it has me wondering what has happened to me. I used to weigh nothing as a kid. My teenage years were the same, in fact, my nickname was Olive Oyl from Popeye. My thin frame continued into young adulthood, but it is long gone now! I know I'll never get my youth back, or the body I used to have before marriage and babies changed it, but I am tired of just wishing I was skinny again--it's time to get moving!
I have tried here and there to lose weight, but they have all been short lived. I have to admit, though, that we have been eating healthier as a family. It is the exercise, though, that has always kept me from losing more or from keeping off the few pounds I do manage to lose when I "diet." I just can't stand to exercise! So, the only way I thought I might actually do something is to challenge myself and then blog about it. Accountability, can be a huge motivator!
Now, I am not planning to knock myself out like a Hollywood starlet trying to keep her reality show gig, but rather trying to do something each day. For instance, yesterday I did a 10 minute Pilate's ab video from the "on demand" feature on my cable system. On Wednesday, however, I am taking a Zumba class with a co-worker. Again, accountability. I need someone to go with me or I'll just say I'm too tired to go and end up sitting on the couch with a bag of microwave popcorn. I figured that Zumba would be my main workout for the week, with brisk walks, yoga, Pilate's, and a little weight training thrown in on the other days.
I realize that the holidays are fast approaching, which is a horrible time to try and watch your weight, but that is exactly why I am doing this! I don't want to gain another 10 pounds during the holidays that I'll never get rid of! I am also aware that I might have to intensify my workouts if I want to actually lose, but for now, I'm starting slowly, so that I don't burn out. So, we'll see how it goes...wish me luck!
I have tried here and there to lose weight, but they have all been short lived. I have to admit, though, that we have been eating healthier as a family. It is the exercise, though, that has always kept me from losing more or from keeping off the few pounds I do manage to lose when I "diet." I just can't stand to exercise! So, the only way I thought I might actually do something is to challenge myself and then blog about it. Accountability, can be a huge motivator!
(From a Google search on exercise humor)
Now, I am not planning to knock myself out like a Hollywood starlet trying to keep her reality show gig, but rather trying to do something each day. For instance, yesterday I did a 10 minute Pilate's ab video from the "on demand" feature on my cable system. On Wednesday, however, I am taking a Zumba class with a co-worker. Again, accountability. I need someone to go with me or I'll just say I'm too tired to go and end up sitting on the couch with a bag of microwave popcorn. I figured that Zumba would be my main workout for the week, with brisk walks, yoga, Pilate's, and a little weight training thrown in on the other days.
I realize that the holidays are fast approaching, which is a horrible time to try and watch your weight, but that is exactly why I am doing this! I don't want to gain another 10 pounds during the holidays that I'll never get rid of! I am also aware that I might have to intensify my workouts if I want to actually lose, but for now, I'm starting slowly, so that I don't burn out. So, we'll see how it goes...wish me luck!
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