Missing Him

26 years ago today my Dad passed away. I was only 9 at the time, but I still remember the day like it was yesterday.

One of my favorite pictures from my childhood. This was taken at the Grand Canyon at "my tree". Not sure how this became my tree, but every time we went we had to take a picture at this tree. Last time I was at the Grand Canyon was when we scattered my grandma's(my dad's mom) ashes.

Hope everyone has a blessed Sunday and give your loved ones an extra hug today!

Tuesday Tops

A friend posted this article on Facebook sometime last week and WOW!!! I think we all deal with some if not all of these at some time.

Last week there were 2 issues on the ballot for Columbia schools. One being a bond issue and the other a tax levy. Both passed!!! I am so happy they both passed.

I start my new job on Monday the 16th. I will still be doing all my Pink Owl stuff, but this opportunity was perfect.  I will be an administrative assistant in the Endocrinology Department at University Hospital. I'm excited, the hours are perfect and it's going to be a great thing!

Yesterday I got an email from THE STACY JULIAN informing me I won a giveaway on her blog! I'm so excited. I get a scanning package from ScanCafe.  I'm really excited. First I never win anything!! Second I have lots of pictures that are from my dad's childhood that I would love to be preserved better.

Speaking of pictures there is a great new(at least to me) site called 1000memories. You can upload pictures and then add other people so they can help you figure out the story behind the picture.

Menu Plan Monday

This appears to be a week of Pinterest Recipes. 4 of this week's are ones I've had pinned for a while and decided to try. This is my last week off so I'm spending it getting some things in order and getting organized, so having a plan is IMPORTANT!!

Monday-Crowd Pleasing Taco Salad -Following some of the comments I'm going to add black beans too.
Tuesday-Hot Dogs and Mac and Cheese- gymnastics night!
Wednesday-Parmesan Crusted Chicken  -Can always use new and easy ideas for chicken
Thursday- Ranch Pork Chops- These look yummy and easy. Going to make some potatoes my mom made over Easter weekend to go with it.
Friday-Pizza- for the family at least. I will be going out to celebrate my new job with some friends!!
Saturday-Mexican Dorito Casserole- another one that I've had pinned forever. Can't wait to try it.
Sunday-Roast- Roast has to be one of my favorite comfort foods. Going to fix it to celebrate the new job with my family!

I will let you know what we think of these recipes. I'm excited to try them!

Shopping for a 10 year old boy

Why are boys so hard to shop for???? Trying to come up with ideas for Dart for Easter has been horrible. He's not a lego kid, he doesn't play with toys anymore really(no action figures or Pokemon or any of those). He likes sports, video games and reading. Video games are so expensive so that knocks them out for Easter. He doesn't need anything for any sports right now(last year I did a baseball theme for him and he loved that, but he doesn't need anything). And as for books, usually he checks them out from the library. He has a few series he likes, but he's got all the books for those right now. So what does that leave?

I finally decided to get him a few packs of baseball and basketball cards. He does have a collection started and mentioned he'd like more. However, those are small. Audrey is getting colored bubbles, sidewalk chalk and a jump rope so I feel like I need a couple more things for Dart. I'm thinking a gift card to I-Tunes so he can download some music or apps. I need help people!! What do you get a 10 year old without breaking the bank, but also without it being junk just to get something?

Chicago Dog Salad

We have been eating this for several years now. Saw it on Rachael Ray's show 30 Minute Meals and decided to give it a shot. It's good, quick, and easy. Love meals like that. It doesn't look like it will fill you up, but it does and it's light so it makes for a great summer meal and you don't have to heat the house up with the stove for it!

Chicago Dog Salad

• 1/4 cup yellow mustard
• 2 tablespoons vinegar, eyeball it
• 1 rounded teaspoon sugar
• 4 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1/2 medium red onion, thinly sliced
• 1/2 of a 16-ounce sack shredded cabbage blend for slaw salads
• 1 romaine heart, shredded
• 2 vine ripe tomatoes, diced
• 3 large half sour or garlic pickles, chopped
• Salt and pepper
• 8 pork or beef hot dogs, cut into 1-inch-thick slices on an angle

Directions

In the bottom of a large bowl, combine mustard, vinegar, sugar, and about 3 tablespoons of vegetable oil. Add the onions, cabbage, romaine, tomatoes, and pickles and toss the salad. Season with salt and pepper, adjust seasonings, and reserve.

Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add in remaining 1 tablespoon vegetable oil (1 turn of the pan) then arrange the sliced dogs in a single layer. Sear them a couple of minutes on each side. Remove to paper towels to drain.
Mound up the salad on plates, top with seared dogs, and serve.

-We use whatever pickles we have on hand. We also cut our hot dogs into bite size pieces and just mix them in with it all and then serve.It is even good the next day if there is anything left. The dressing doesn't make the salad soggy which is nice!

Tuesday Tops

Changing from 10 on Tuesday as half the time it takes me all day to do and the other half I'm pretty sure I'm repeating myself from things I've said other times.

Tuesday tops will be a mix of things. Maybe things I've pinned, articles I've enjoyed, random stuff. Who knows!!

This image is a top for me: 

  Not so much because Kentucky won(although them being part of the SEC is nice since that is where Mizzou will be July 1), but because kansas LOST!

Although this one won't apply to very many of you, it is still a top for me today:

  There are 2 issues on our ballot this month for schools. One will add 25,000 square feet to Dart and Audrey's school. Although Dart will not be there once it's complete, Audrey still will be. The addition would mean the elimination of 12 trailers! 39% of our students are in trailers. That is just crazy!! It will also mean 2 new elementary schools which our district NEEDS!! Most of our schools are well over capacity.

I figured out a way I can do Project Life.  I have always loved the idea, but some of it just didn't feel like a fit to me. I thought the price for the page protectors which don't come with the core kit was more than I wanted to spend. It dawned on me one day that baseball card protectors would work better for me. I also love making my own journaling cards and things like that. I'm going to start with April. Still trying to figure out how I'm going to do my pictures because I don't print at home and I'm not a fan of Wal-Mart's prints. I may just mark sections with post it notes and then print the pictures through Shutterfly or Winkflash and add them at the end of the month.

Having ideas that come out the way you picture them in your head! I have a new grad banner I'm excited to get finished and a few mini books getting to the point of being finished. Also have a couple of orders to get finished.

What's tops on your list today?

Menu Plan Monday

There could be some changes this week to our house so I'm thinking a plan is going to be a huge help!!

Monday-Spaghetti Audrey is sick so this is quick and easy to deal with.
Tuesday-
Wednesday-
Thursday-
Friday-Sunday- Out of town We will be at my mom's for Easter so who knows what we will be having!

Because Audrey is sick and has been all day I have no plan as of yet. As soon as I get one I will update this post.

It was 95 degrees here today according to my car. 95 is way too hot for April 2nd. It is supposed to cool down this week. I can't believe yesterday I was saying "I hope it cools down some for Easter." Who says that? Usually it's I hope it isn't snowing on Easter or I hope it is a little warmer so the girls can wear their dresses without winter coats.