On the road again....

We are outta here! Right now we are somewhere on I-75 heading to a cabin in Tennessee for a week of easy living. Well, if you call it easy living when the kids outnumber the adults. If you don't hear from me, please send help!

I am addicted to my computer so I will be checking in from the road.......our cabin has dial-up! Woohoo! Don't be jealous.

From Cheaper Than Therapy:

Diva In Training

Doesn't the title say it all?

Needless to say, I have created. A. Monster.

This week's Tidbit Tuesday is about my 2nd born child.

1. This is Jordan. She would not say much to you after I introduced her, she would just look at you and smile. But only at first.

2. She is a social butterfly. The girl can make friends anywhere. In a matter of minutes. No lie.

3. Her favorite foods are steak and shrimp. Haha! This should ward off future dates until at least after college.

4. She will "write you off" (quote from her 3rd grade teacher) if you've done her wrong. She needs time to get over it and then she's fine. Her teacher didn't like this. I just smiled.

5. She wants to be a pediatrician when she grows up. So she can afford to eat steak and shrimp everyday. And shop at Tiffany's.

Bounce House Giveaway!!

This Bounce House (16ft x 13ft, $350 value) could be yours!

Here's what you need to do:

Head on over to The Secret is in the Sauce, grab their button and mention yours truly when you roll call. It's that easy! For you newbies, read this to learn all about this fantastic blogging network.

Thanks to Tiffany and Heather for SITS and this great giveaway!!

Yummy!

I thought I'd share an easy and delicious recipe we had at book club a few months back. Enjoy!

Asian Slaw

2 pkgs beef Ramen noodles16oz pkg. cole slaw mix
1 c. sliced almonds (toasted on cookie sheet for 5 m. @ 350)
1 c. sunflower kernels
1 c. chopped green onion
1/2 c. sugar
3/4 c. veg. oil
1/3 c. balsamic vinegar

Crush noodles and place in large bowl. Top with cole slaw mix. Sprinkle with almonds, sunflower kernels and onion.

Whisk sugar, oil, vinegar and beef flavor packets together and pour over cole slaw.

Cover and chill overnight. Mix before serving.

15 Years Meme

Bahama Shores Mama tagged me for this meme. This is my first time being tagged. In Bahama Mama's words, I'm a virgin meme~er.

Here's the deal. Think back on the last 15 years of your life. What would you tell someone that you hadn't seen or talked to for 15 years? How would you sum up your life? You get 10 bullet points. A list of 10 things to summarize you. At the end of your list, tag 5 more people and send on the love.

15 Years Ago = June 1993

I finished my junior year of high school in June of '93.

I got my first job in August, working as a cashier at Publix. Moved on to NationsBank (now Bank of America) in April of '96. That would be the last time I held a "real job".

I graduated from high school in June of '94.

I married my hubby, Dustin, on September 28th, 1996.

I have 3 children. One boy, two girls. Christian, Jordan & Ashlyn.

We moved to Kansas (thanks to the Army) in May of '97.

I hated Kansas.

I moved back to Florida in Dec. of '99. Dustin finished his enlistment in April of 2000. We rented a house a half a block away from my parents.

We bought our house in November of 2003.

I started a blog and have become a blogging addict. But I'm okay with it.

I'm going to tag:

Happy Meals & Happy Hour

Mindless Junque

Oh Me, Oh My, My Wonderful Men

Life is Short. Partake in Happy Hour

and my bro, Fitness Jay.

Gnome-napper on the Loose!!

What is wrong with people??

We had 2 gnomes in our front yard and someone stole them! Are you kidding me? Why?

They were here last night when we got home around 10:30 and when my hubby came back home this morning he noticed they were gone. I am sooooo mad! And now, I'm also mad that I don't have a picture of them! ERRR!!

Listen here gnome-napper, I will hunt you down and hurt you. You've been warned!

The Gnome Story

Once upon a time there were 2 little gnomes. For years, they had the best life. These gnomes were loved by my husband's grandparents. They lived next door to my hubby growing up (the gnomes and the grandparents). Until a few years ago. When they moved (the grandparents). The gnomes were left behind. They were very sad. Every time we saw them in the yard, they just cried pathetically and begged to come be with their family. One day, one of the brave little gnomes made his escape. He climbed over the fence, right into my hubby's arms. He was so happy. The gnome. Well, my hubby, too.

But, the other gnome, he was not as brave. He just stood in the middle of the yard, crying and whining to my mama-in-law every time he saw her. "Please, please rescue me," he would yell, "I miss my family!" wahwahaaahahwah "No, gnome. You have to stay with your new family," my mama-in-law would say, "unless your brave enough to run away." For over 3 years, he just stood there and cried but could never muster up the courage to escape.

Then, finally his day came. He had been abandoned by his new family. Mama-in-law noticed this and rushed over to rescue the gnome. He was so happy. Mama-in-law told him that she was gonna take him some place special and that he would be reunited with his other gnome friend. She brought him to my hubby and he was so happy.

My hubby placed his beloved gnomes in the front yard to live happily ever after. Until last night. When some moron stole them.

Shake What Your Mama Gave Ya...

....cuz he sure didn't get it from his Daddy.

My boy has rhythm.

Which, he totally got from me!

I'm just sayin'!

Anyhoo, on to more important matters. This week's installment of Tidbit Tuesday features my first born.

1. This is Christian. (yup, I finally decided!) I'm sure he would display his perfect manners with a "nice to meet you Mom's bloggy friends."

2. He is a great drummer. Think Drumline. His drumline in middle school was better than most high schools'. He opted not to take band in high school. He's been torn between his love of the drums and his dislike of the band teacher. He may *try* this coming year.

3. His "all time" best friend is my other brother, Joey. I know he has other best friends (sorry to break that to you, Joe) but Joey is #1.

4. His is always mostly sweet to and protective of his two little sisters.

5. He's very competitive. You have been warned. Play games with him at your own risk. I have no idea where he gets that from.

Fitness Jay

My brother, Jason, finally listened! (Those words may never be heard again and I'm not kidding!!!) He started a blog, Fitness Jay.

You remember my brother, the etch-a-sketch artist. Well, as it turns out, he actually is a productive member of society. He is a NASM certified Personal Trainer. Don't ask me what that means, I'm just passing on the information. He wants to help US get in shape. Go, check out his blog, learn something or ask questions........he's here to help! Unless, your his sister, then he is too busy and only stops by to eat visit randomly. What's up with that, Jay???

I WIN, Again!!

I stumbled across a great new blog that all you bloggers must check out ~ The Secret is in the Sauce! (props to Cheaper Than Therapy, that's where I saw the button!)

Here's their Secret: The recipe for success is support. We are better together and by adopting the button below, you are pledging to support your fellow SITS bloggers. Monday thru Friday, come check out our featured blogger and leave her a comment. In fact, anytime you see this button, leave a comment. That's what SITS girls do.

Everyday, I get addicted to a new blog check out the featured blogger, leave comments and "roll call" on the SITS blog. At the end of the week, they picked 2 "roll call" winners and I was one of them! I won a "Comment Junkie" t-shirt! Happy dance!!

A HUGE thank you to Heather and Tiffany for creating SITS - I love it!!

Thank you to all of those who stopped by to congratulate me!! I will be making my way to your blogs to show some SITS love!

Now, go, check out the post that started it all, Welcome to SITS, grab their button and become a part of an awesome blogging network!!

Thank you for being a great husband and father. We love you!!

Help?!?

I need your help.

Ever since, I started this blog, I've been trying to decide if I would use our RL names or not. I've talked it over with Bahama Shores Mama and the Keeper of All Things but I still can't decide. They both have nicknames for their children that they've decided to use, but I don't. I'm not big on nicknames. I love their "given" names. I've read about those who have "made up" names to use on their blog but I think it would be confusing (to me). Plus, how would I pick something that "fit" them.

HELP! PLEASE!

What are your thoughts? Did you go through this, too? How did you decide? Please leave a comment and share your story..... pretty please??

Tidbit Tuesday

1. I despise, loathe, detest grape jelly.

2. I LOVE the color pink! I know. You're shocked.

3. I do not eat the edges. I want the middle piece of lasagna, the middle piece of cake and the middle of the brownies.....and I will fight you for them (Kelly)!!

4. I do not do well with bad smells. I gag, gag, gag and have actually thrown up on a few occasions but that's another story.

5. I LOVE my hubby more than he will ever know!!

Blah

I'm at a loss for words. (Hush, all you RL friends! It does happen!) I've been having several "blah" days mixed in with some PMS which makes me a ball of fun. So, until I can get my bloggy flow going again, I thought I'd share a dinner recipe that my kids love. Enjoy!

Brooklyn Girl's Penne Arrabiata (from allrecipes.com)

INGREDIENTS

1/2 cup olive oil, divided
6 T minced garlic
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes ( or to taste )
1 (14 oz.) can diced tomatoes (Italian style)
2 (15 oz.) cans tomato sauce
basil, to taste
oregano, to taste
1 (12 ounce) package dried penne pasta
2 eggs
2 cups Italian style bread crumbs
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon garlic salt
1 teaspoon pepper
1 1/2 pounds thin chicken breast cutlets

DIRECTIONS

1. Heat 1/4 cup of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic, and saute for a few minutes. Sprinkle in the red pepper flakes, and saute for another minute. Pour in the diced tomatoes and tomato sauce, and add the basil and oregano. Simmer for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

2. Meanwhile, bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add penne pasta, and cook according to package. Drain.

3. In a small bowl, whisk eggs with a fork. Place bread crumbs in a separate bowl. Stir the garlic salt, parmesan cheese and pepper into the bread crumbs. Dip chicken cutlets into the egg, then press into the bread crumbs until completely coated.

4. Heat remaining olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Fry chicken for about 5 minutes per side, or until the coating is a nice dark brown color. Remove chicken, and cut into slices. Toss the chicken slices into the sauce, and simmer for about 10 minutes. Stir in the cooked penne, simmer for a few more minutes to soak up the flavor, then serve. (Serves 6.)

This recipe is very easy and the kids love it! This is my adapted version of the recipe. Click here for the original. (Mine is more saucy than Brooklyn Girls and she uses more tomatoes.) Now, go make it and let me know if your kiddos like it, too!

High School Flashback

Time for some humiliation fun!

Where should I begin..........the giant irridescent bow, the perfectly dyed to match shoes, the bright pink nails, that poof on my head or those sleeves?? Let's pause a moment to take it all in. Now, please, stop laughing I have more entertainment pics for you!

Don't ya just love the background on all of these? It's all so breath taking. Now to dissect some more.

What exact shade of white would you say I am? Good thing I live in Florida or else I'd be really white. And for whatever reason, the photographer would not let my hand be on top....didn't he know I had beautiful pink nails to show off. Really, he wouldn't let me. I moved my hand after he posed us and he came back and changed it. Chauvinist pig!!

Look! I got a tan while walking from station 1 to station 2. I love Florida! This picture was in one of those plastic key chains. You remember them, go ahead admit it! Finally, you can see my beautiful nails. Don't you love how we're not looking directly at the camera.....it makes it seem like such a candid picture - not posed!! Let's move on.......

Senior Prom! The theme: "Moonlight & Roses". What? You didn't get that from the background? What do I love about this one? The natural pose, of course. I always stand by my man like that! Again, I'm a little white and I still couldn't get away from that shade of pink nail polish. At least my hair poof is a little smaller. And I only have partial bangs - love it!!

The funniest thing in this picture is the story of my man's vest. He went and picked it out All. By. Himself. And then he told his Mom and I that he picked out a vest with "silver spermy things" on it. I was sooooo dreading what I would see when he picked me up. Apparently, "silver spermy things" is man code for paisley!!

Well, that's enough humiliation fun for today!

Tidbit Tuesday

1. Today is the last day of school for the kiddos! YIPPEEEEEE!

2. Friday night we went to Taste of Pinellas. It's a fundraiser for All Children's Hospital. We were even V.I.P. - thanks to The Keeper of All Thing's hubby. It was soooo glamorous.........well, sorta............well, there was free beer. And, don't be jealous now, Rick Springfield was in concert. Oh, I hear the envy!

3. I went to see Sex and the City Saturday afternoon. All. By. Myself. I LOVED IT!

4. Saturday night we went to the Rays game. Again. Stop with the envy. Of course, I was only there because Trace Atkins was performing after the game. I heart Trace! His voice is soooooooooooo sexy!

5. Sunday we BBQ'd and swam (well, not me, but everyone else) at Bahama Shores Mama's house.


Trust me, my weekend isn't usually this action packed. Not unless it involves some sort of little league! So, what did everyone do this weekend??