Category Archives: Bandwagons

Family matters, National Blog Posting Month

A growing appreciation for simple pleasures

A few weeks ago at dinner, Poppy asked if we could all share our favorite part of the day. We’ve continued doing it almost every night since then. I have a tendency to focus on the negative, so it’s been good for me, being “forced” to remember something nice that happened over the course of the day.

My favorite part of yesterday was our trip to the library. It takes us about 10 minutes to walk to the library from our house, and the walk over is almost always pleasant. There’s nothing, really, to distract us from one another. And the fire station is right next to the library, which means sometimes we get to see the fire trucks.

Our library is a small branch of the regional library, and it usually isn’t all that busy. It was yesterday, though; lots of people paying for computer print-outs, getting new library cards and having long discussions about reiki healing with the one librarian at the checkout desk. Pete and Poppy stayed in the children’s area while I waited in line. Pete browsed the DVDs and then worked on puzzles, and Poppy sat down, propped her feet up and read Berenstain Bears books until it was time to go. It was probably the most peaceful trip I’ve ever taken to the library with the two of them. I’m hoping it wasn’t an anomaly.

And then later Rockford came home. That’s always my favorite part of the day. And when Poppy and I sat down on the couch for some independent reading? Also my favorite part.

But I’m forgetting about when Pete came in early (early) in the morning for some cuddling. And when Marsha T. Cat climbed up to lay on my shoulder, just like when she was a kitten. And when Poppy was singing Somewhere Only We Know while she did her schoolwork.

I kinda like having so many Good Things to choose from.

menu plan Monday, National Blog Posting Month

This menu plan required very little planning

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We trekked over to the Poppins residence for the weekend, where we played several games of Settlers of Catan; helped my sister-in-law clean out her basement; went to Ikea; and ate at Steak-n-Shake. I hadn’t eaten at Steak-n-Shake since a bit before Pete was born, mostly because the last time I ate there did not end well (see: “before Pete was born”) but also because there isn’t one anywhere near us. I love Catan, Ikea and Steak-n-Shake. It was a nice weekend.

(I also love my sister-in-law and her family, so I took pictures of a few of them for that 25 Portraits thing on my Mighty List. I’ve only posted one of them so far, though.)

This week in dinner! We’re only eating two dinners at home this week, and they’re both from the Tupelo Honey Cafe cookbook. We tried the Tupelo Honey Chicken Sandwich last week, and it was phenomenal. I trust that everything we’re trying this week will be as well.

Monday: Chicken-apple meatloaf

Rockford will be getting home late tonight, but I’m going to make this and try to get the kids to eat it anyway. Cross your fingers for me.

Tuesday: Dinner with strangers

I’m still trying to get to know people at our church, so I asked around to find members who live on our side of town. And I found some! And then they invited us over for dinner. I’m a little nervous about it.

Wednesday: Root beer glazed pork tenderloin

This is another new one. The recipe looks super easy; I’m hoping it will be mind-bogglingly delicious.

Thursday: Breakfast for dinner

… and I’m not cooking it! It’s another dinner with friends. But these ones I already know, so there’s nothing to be nervous about.

Friday: Dinner with the in-laws

I don’t know what it’ll be, but I know it’ll be good.
National Blog Posting Month, Social Media

An interview with someone who makes killer cheesecakes

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My sister-in-law Carrie is lovely inside and out. I would like her even if she didn’t spoil my kids rotten. She does spoil them, though, which makes her even more lovable.

A few facts about Carrie:

  • She is a hardcore Spartan.
  • She spent several summers following the Dave Matthews Band. I don’t know how many of their shows she’s seen, but I’ll bet she’ll tell us in the comments if we ask her nicely.
  • I wouldn’t blog nearly as often if she didn’t ask me why I’m not blogging when it’s quiet here.
  • She’s an amazing bowler. Seriously. She bowled for Michigan State.

    • I think my brother would agree that one of his smartest moves ever was marrying Carrie. I always wanted a little sister, and he picked a great one for me.

    Who would star as you in the movie of your life? Who would play your significant other?

    Claire Forlani, because I’ve been told by lots of people she looks like me. This was before I hacked off all my hair. Jake Gyllenhaal for Perry Mason.

    What’s in your purse right now?

    Keys, Cell Phone, Wallet, Christmas Shopping List, Inhaler, “got2B Powder’ful Volumizing Powder”, sunglasses, tissues, lip gloss.
    What was your first job? How old were you, and how long did you work there? Did you like it?

    My first job was working at a Hallmark store. It would have been the summer before college, so 17. I worked there for the summer, and then again during Christmas break. I loved it, I loved setting up the displays and figuring out how they all went together. (And now I work for a company that MAKES those displays…odd.) I had fun with the visual merchandising, but my boss didn’t seem to like my work because it would always be torn down and redone the next time I came in. It made me so mad, b/c I was clearly better at it then her. =)
    What is the worst advice you’ve ever been given?

    That milk will help wash the peas down. I still blame my parents for the pea hating.
    What was the last book you read? Was it worth reading?

    “A Game of Thrones” by George R R Martin. It is fantastic, and I am currently reading the 2nd book. It took about 200 pages to really get into but if you can push through those you won’t put it down.