12 on 12 April

Top Row:Started following Betty White on Twitter(LOVE her!), catching up on Body of Proof episodes on Hulu, my report from blood work done for my new job, HAPPY mail from Stacy Julian(my prize I won on her blog).
Middle Row:Banners ready to go in the mail, taking the comforter and mattress cover to be washed, a trip to the bank, Walking School Bus in the morning.
Bottom Row:Price of gas, temperature, book I'm currently reading, to do list. The pictures on this row I've decided to do every month on the 12th. I didn't do them all in Jan or Feb I don't think, but I think now is as good a time as any. Excited to see them at the end of the year.
 

Tuesday Tops

This week is all about things I've read on the web recently(last month or so) that I've bookmarked to go back and read again!

For all my mom readers, this article is a great reminder that we are all trying our best.

15 Things You Should Give Up to Be Happy. Easier said than done on most of them, but a great place to start.

From "The Clear-Minded Creative" Spring-Clean Your Routine.

Getting + Staying in the Creative Flow. I have gone back and read this one several times already!

Working Through Creative Fear by Ali Edwards. Many of the creative articles I read are because of her.

From the Tiny Twig blog, "100 Golden No's".

Any great articles you've read recently I should know about?

Made it Monday

Haven't planned the menu for this week yet, but wanted to share this with you.

YUM!!! Easiest way to describe this dinner. I've had this pinned for a while and decided to add it to the menu this last week. It will go into the rotation. Super easy and SUPER Yummy! Found it on this blog.

Mexican Dorito Casserole
Serves 4-6

2 c. shredded cooked chicken
1 c. shredded cheese (or more if you are a cheese hound)
1 can cream of chicken soup
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup sour cream
1 can Ro-tel tomatoes (canned tomatoes with jalepenos-mild)
1/2 packet taco seasoning (or more- to taste)
Bag of doritos

1. Pre-heat oven to 350-f degrees.

2. In a mixing bowl, combine all ingredients except doritos.

3. In a greased 2 qt baking dish, put a layer of crushed doritos (about 2 cups), then a layer of the chicken mixture. Repeat once more, ending with a layer of chicken mixture. Top with more shredded cheese, cover, and bake for 30-35 minutes, till bubbling hot.

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?