Bragging about my nephew

My oldest nephew started 4th grade on Monday. I can't believe that! He turned 10 this summer. Wow!


On Monday evening, I received this email from his mom:

Hi all,
You know how I love to share C’s accomplishments, well,
today was a great day for my little man as he started 4th grade. He came home with a couple of notes. The first one said that he has been moved to the accelerated math program because he tested ahead of where he should be. He’ll start 5th grade math. He also has completely tested out of spelling, so he’s starting a new spelling curriculum next week and apparently it’s pretty hard. His teacher called me today. I was so surprised. She said, “First of all, I know it’s only the first day, but I just adore C. He is such a great kid and so enjoyable to be around.” She was calling to tell me not to worry that his spelling homework (a good 1 ½ hours of total homework tonight…whew) was too easy, that she’d send home different words next week. I didn’t even think about it. LOL It was nice to speak to her and I’m looking forward to meeting her at Back-to-School night. She’s new to the district. C said,”She’s young. She’s only 27.” He had a good day. I’m so very very proud of him and how hard he works and that he is well-behaved at school. How proud Doug would be of his son, don’t ya think? I know that a lot of kids are good at school and are
responsible, etc., but this is my kid and he’s been through a lot. I am just so thankful to be his Mom and that we have each other. God is good!

I am proud of him, too!

I went to his bus stop to see him get on the bus Monday morning, but I ran into some traffic so I missed him by 6 minutes! The first year I've missed him getting on the bus the first day of school! Thankfully, Corie took some pictures! She hasn't uploaded them yet because she got a new computer and is having trouble with all the new programs. But here's a fairly recent picture of C:

Traveling Advice

If you decide to travel by airplane after having not traveled by airplane in five years, it's probably a good idea to read the airline's information that they provide, especially if you are not a news watcher. I'm just saying.

Otherwise, you will be held up by airport security for not having your liquids and gels in a zipped bag! And, in order to make it through airport security, you will end up throwing away the excess liquids and gels. The airport security guy got snippy with me, I guess because I look like a terr*rist? (yeah, right!) He was going to send me out the exit! And I was even being compliant and willing to throw away the stuff I really didn't need.

At least I learned my lesson because on the return trip, I packed my liquids and gels in my checked luggage and only kept my eye drops with me!!

P.S. I still haven't figured out how my side bar ended up at the end of my blog!

Harvest Time

My brother planted several gardens this year. It's a new passion for him! Here are some of the fruits vegetables of his labor:


Gorgeous tomatoes and some chili peppers


Cherry tomatoes. Just pop one in your mouth!


From this:


To this.


These are turnips.

The tomatoes and corn are delicious! Mom will be making some turnips and potatoes soon and I believe she and Tommy made tomato soup from all the tomatoes!

Saturday Scrappin'

Last Saturday, a few CM consultants (me included) hosted a Back from Showcase Crop. Several of us consultants had been to the CM Showcase in MN earlier that week. We had exciting things to share and new products to show! It was a fun day! I had 5 customers attend.









P.S. Anyone know how to get all my sidebar stuff back? It's blank on the right side and I have no idea how it all disappeared!

Show and Tell Friday

It's time once again for Show & Tell Friday, hosted by Kelli.

This week, I'm sharing the baby blanket (well, it's more like a sheet) that my mom made shortly after I was born. So it's 40+ years old! I have it in my hope chest when I'm not taking pictures of it! LOL

Here are three close-up pictures of the cute little animals:

I'm so glad to have this! Maybe I'll start sleeping with it! LOL

It has a few stains on the edges, but that makes it antique-y looking! Otherwise, it's in great condition. If I had a daughter or a niece, I'd pass it on; since I don't, I'm keeping it!

Trip to Minnesota

On Sunday, August 5th, I boarded a plane to Minneapolis for Creative Memories 20th Anniversary Showcase. I hate to fly! But I figured since CM only celebrates one 20th anniversary, I wasn't going to miss out on the celebrating!

I arrived in Minneapolis around 2:00 PM. I had contacted an online friend who lives in MN to see if he and his family wanted to MIRL. He and I had 'met' in an AOL 30 Something chatroom in 1997 or so, but had never MIRL. His wife and two boys weren't able to join us, but Jeff and I went to dinner and had a good, fun time. I had the best sesame crusted chicken ever! We did a lot of walking so I'm sure there were no calories!


Here's a statue of Mary Tyler Moore.


Jeff and me

Monday and Tuesday were filled with non-stop CM activities.

A card and pin at table setting for dinner.


The yummy dessert!


On the way home! I was so glad to be on the ground!!

It's hard to believe it's been more than a week since I returned!

Sleepover

On Friday, July 27th, Caleb, Andrew, and Austin slept over at my house.

We played Pictionary on Friday evening after we had pizza for dinner:

I made pancakes for breakfast and mac 'n cheese for lunch. The boys had fun wrestling and having several pillow fights in my living room.

My living room is normally very tidy. Not so when the boys are here!

I said, "Okay, boys, time to fold your sheets and blankets." As you can see, they are fast listeners. NOT! LOL

They had a fun time and Penni (my cat) even survived!

Here they are on a rock in my neighborhood:

Another post about food!

First off, I made shortcakes with Bisquick. YUMMY! Vickie and the boys came over for dinner on July 19th. This was our dessert. For dinner, we had pizzas on English muffins. I didn't take any pictures on the 17th, but I made them for myself on the 19th and remembered to take pictures. They're below the shortcakes and strawberries.


Here are the ingredients I used, along with English muffins...and the end result!


Anyone ever see bananas this small? I never had, so when I saw them at the grocery store, I bought a bunch. They taste like regular bananas. Who knew!

My brother planted several different types of gardens this year and the zucchinis are doing well! I sliced the zucchini, dipped the slices in olive oil, put them in a frying pan, then I sprinkled some Parmesan and mozzarella cheese. More yumminess!

Well, that's it. I do have some pictures to share of the boys when they stayed overnight last weekend. I will post them when I return mid next week!

Enjoy your weekend!