You Know You Want To Give It A Try!

Lucky you!

The first five people to respond to this post will get something made by me! My choice. For you.
This offer does have some restrictions and limitations:
1. I make no guarantees that you will like what I make!
2. What I create will be just for you.
3. It'll be done this year. {might be a little while}
4. You have no clue what it's going to be.
It may be a story. It may be poetry or an article on properly cleaning your face before a masque. I may draw or paint something. I may bake you something and mail it to you. Who knows? Not you, that's for sure!
5. I reserve the right to do something extremely strange.
The catch? Oh, the catch is that you must repost this on your blog and offer the same to the first 5 people who do the same on your blog. The first 5 people to do so and leave a comment telling me they did win a FAB-U-LOUS homemade gift by me!
*Oh, and be sure to post a picture of what you win when you get it!*

I'm All Good!

Just wanted to let everyone know that my skin biopsies all came back normal. Well, all safe anyways. One of the spots WAS atypical, but he wasn't worried about it. He said to just keep an eye on it. They went ahead and biopsied one more spot. He said that if I didn't hear anything than all was fine. They would call me if there were any problems with it, but for the most part No News Is Good News! So what a relief. I have really been stressing about this. So, I am so glad all is well. Thanks for the prayers.

It is SO white outside here. We have gotten anywhere from 5-7 inches of snow. It really is beautiful. I think Layla and I are going to play some games and do puzzles. It is too cold to go outside and play in it, so when Jillian goes down for a nap, it is PLAY time!

Thanks again everyone for the prayers,
Love,
Theresa

25 Things About Me!

Taken From my Facebook Page

1. I know the book "Good Night Moon" by heart
2. I LOVE to cook and bake. I wish that I could make all the things I want to, but I would weigh 400 pounds!
3. I really enjoy lifting weights and wish I could find time to do it more.
4. I love to knit and sew and really enjoy making very "girlie" things for my 2 daughters even though I'm a big tomboy.
5. I've never really given up on the dream of being a writer, it has just gone from being a song writer to a fiction writer.
6. I have owned 2 Ipods and have not paid for either one, The first was a gift from one of the teenagers I worked with (she had won 10 free ones) and the second Rian gave me (Thanks Rian).
7. I had NO desire to be in a sorority and was so angry at my friend Stacey when she joined Phi Beta Chi. She made me go meet the girls and they turned into my closest friends. So glad I joined!
8. When I had Jillian, I gave birth to 2 kidney stones too...Eric called them Mick and Keith, the Rolling Stones!
9. I have had close to 300 stitches: 3 in the head, 6 in the back, 2 in the chest, 10 "after baby" ones, and around 250-275 in the knee after 2 knee surgeries.
10. I have started the "Couch To 5K" Program about 5 or 6 times...this time I am sticking with it.
11. My all time favorite movie is "The Princess Bride". I can recite the entire movie. Eric HATES watching it with me. Runner ups are "The Fugitive" and "Jurassic Park".
12. I love music so much it is difficult to pick a favorite song, but I think that it is "One Bourbon, One Scotch, and One Beer" by George Thorogood or "White Rabbit" by Jefferson Airplane. Admit it, you thought I would have said a Garth Brooks song, didn't you?
13. Garth Brooks is my favorite singer...I used to want to marry him. If he ever tours again, I WILL go see him, I don't care how far I have to fly or how much I have to pay for tickets.
14. I love to color and play with play dough and I get excited when Layla wants to do either!
15. I bleed black and gold and had ALWAYS wanted to be a Purdue Boilermaker, but I NEVER thought I would stay here and live.
16. We own 3.5 acres that we are waiting to build on...let's pray this market gets better!
17. One of my favorite things to do is to just sit and watch the girls play. After 10 months, Layla is FINALLY starting to play with Jillian and it is too darn cute!
18. My grandmother wanted so badly for me to be a nurse, but I can't stand the sight of blood or the sight or smell of puke...don't think it would have been the best choice of career for me.
19. I make the BEST brownies. Sorry, no modesty here...is anyone going to argue me on this? If so, you've never had my brownies!
20. I love to read, I can never get enough of books...I go to the library at least once a week and love it there so much, that I hope I can find a job there once the girls go to school.
21. I'm a little scared of horses. My mom has 2 and she wants to put Layla on them. She knows she isn't allowed to without a helmet, but I am still terrified. Oh, and she has NO idea I feel this way.
22. I LOVE to pile blankets on when I sleep...the more layers the better.
23. My new favorite drink is Smirnoff Mojitos...they are very yummy and it is all in one bottle!
24. A part of me missed going out almost every night and getting plastered, but then I wise up and realize I really hated puking so much!
25. My secret dream is to sing on a grand piano while wearing a red dress with a slit up the leg, silly I know, but what can I say?!?! Crap, guess it isn't so secret anymore huh?!?!

Yummy Recipies Monday!

Yeah, Yeah, I know it is Tuesday, but I didn't get this done yesterday. Each Monday, I will post some recipies. I have tried many, some I want to try, some just look good. All will be easy! So, here is this weeks installment, just a day late!

Chicken & Rice
4 Chicken Breasts
2 cans Cream of Chicken Soup
1 can Cream of Celery Soup
1 can Cream of Mushroom Soup
1 Box Instant Rice (we use brown, but white is fine)
Milk
Seasonings (I usually do salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder).

Mix 1 1/2 can of the cream of chicken soups with the other soups. Stir in seasonings. Add Rice. Add milk so it is creamy, but not runny. Spray 9x13 dish. Put rice in dish. Place chicken on top. Spread remaining cream of chicken soup on top of chicken. Bake at 350 until chicken is done, usually about 45 minutes depending on size of chicken breasts.

Pudding Pie
1 Graham Cracker Crust
1 Pkg Chocolate Pudding Mix (or flavor of choice)
Milk
Whipped Topping

Mix pudding according to Pie Directions on the box. Pour into crust. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Top with Whipped Topping before Serving.

Happy Birthday Eric!

Happy Birthday my Love! I hope your day is filled with wonderfulness! I love you!

A New President

Today is the day. Today, the United States of America makes history by electing its first black president in Barack Obama. I currently have the Inauguration coverage on right now and am planning on watching it. I brought Layla in and want her to watch it with me, but she would rather watch Mickey Mouse, but come on, she is 3...can't say I blame her. I admit fully that I did not vote for Obama, I didn't trust him. I don't know that I trust him now. But, he has been elected, so he will have my support. I pray that God will guide him in his position as the most powerful man in the world (at least in the United States). I will say that I think it is fantastic that our country has progressed so much that the people have voted in a black man as president. It is time, it is. I worry about his connections though, but like I said, I am going to trust in our country's decision to have him lead. So, I will end this post with a prayer.

Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for allowing me to live in this wonderful country filled with freedom. I ask that you please be with our new President Barack Obama. Please help him keep you in his heart and please help him keep our country and its people in his best interests. Please allow him to lead with great humbleness and respect. I thank you again Lord and ask these things in your name. Amen.

Love,
Theresa

Nothing exciting!

Nothing really too exciting going on here. Life has just kept us busy. We were at my parents all last week, even an extra day due to the extreme cold weather here. No one wanted me to drive with the girlies when it was like -10 degrees outside (at least!). No biggie.

The only thing going on is that I am knitting a sweater for Jilly, reading Pride and Prejudice, and I started back at the gym on Sunday. I am also waiting on the results of some skin biopsies. Please keep good thoughts for me in your prayers! I should find out by the 27th.

I think that is all for now! Take care all!
Love,
THeresa

First Book Review!

So, I am going to attempt a book review here. This will NOT be about imagery or anything, but just what I thought about the book. I will do this with all of the books I read this year so you can check out my progress in the reading department! Here goes:

Book: Death By Cashmere
Author: Sally Goldenbaum
Click HERE for a description of this book.

I enjoyed this book for a rather quick read. I didn't have to think to hard about it. The mystery had a lot of different plot lines going on at the same time which is always interesting. The characters are pretty well written too. I liked Izzy and Nell, but I think my favorite character was Birdie. She sounds like a tough ol' bird (no pun intended). The "bad guy" was pretty predictable though. The reason behind the murder was a twist I hadn't expected though, my mind was taking a completely different route I guess. The thing that always gets me with knitting mysteries is the description of the yarn shops. Now, don't get me wrong, I like my LYS but it is nothing like what I have read about in these books. In the books someone is ALWAYS in the shop knitting and there are people everywhere. There is always coffee going and just warm and friendly and everyone likes and know everyone. Now, the yarn shops I have been in, well, they are warm, but come on when you are surrounded by all that wool, would it be anything but? I've never seen anyone knitting in the yarn store. Is that weird? I think so. I long to just sit in the back room and knit, but with the girls I have never had a chance. Anyway, I did enjoy the book, and I suggest it if you like mysteries, easy reads, and knitting books.

In other news, we had a great night out last night. The girls went to Eric's parents and we went to his work holiday party. It was pretty fun then had some awesome food! After that we went with some of the younger one's to Nine Irish Brothers for a couple of drinks (well, Eric drank, I had cheesecake!). It was great! So relaxing to not have to worry too much about the girls! Thanks Mike and Mary!

Loss

Four years ago today, we were forced to say good-bye to my cousin Greg. I miss him so much. He was such a great and funny guy. He was one of the big brothers I never had. Being an only child, I was VERY close to all my cousins, but especially Jennifer, Greg, and Michael. They were the brothers and sister that I always wanted. We played together pretty much every day and I basically lived at their house. We had a wonderful dynamic together. It is really funny. If you look at pictures of the four of us when we were little, we all look the same. The same white blonde hair and sunburns fading into tans because we were outside pretty much 90% of the time. It was so cute.

A couple of weeks ago, Layla fell after jumping on the couch and she hit her head on the coffee table. She was bleeding all over the place and had to go to the doctor to get 3 stitches. As worried as I was about her, I couldn't help but think of when we were little. Jennifer hit me in the head with a baseball bat and I was bleeding everywhere too. On the walk back to the house, Greg came running up and wanted to see my head. God love him, he passed out. Luckily, I faired better than that when I was getting Layla around, but pretty much only because I couldn't help but think about him and was determined to remain conscious.

I have so many other memories of Greg. Many of them make me laugh, some make me cry, and all of them just make me miss him. I get really sad when I realize that the girls will never know him. I know that I talk to Layla about him and will do the same thing with Jillian, but it isn't the same. They will never get to hear his great sense of humor or see what a handsome guy he was. They won't know him like I did and that makes me sad. But, I guess that is what Loss is isn't it? I feel it some everyday; some days are worse than others, some days a lot better, but I feel it every day. Little things make me think of him. I know that it gets better as time goes by, but this day is always hard and I know it always will be. I, of course, remember the day that I lost other loved ones, like my Grandma and Grandpa and my Aunt Edith. And I feel those losses too, but it isn't the same. I think that since we knew those were coming it is different. They were all old and had lived great lives. Greg was so young and his death was so abrupt, that I think we feel it differently. I don't know. I wish I had an easy answer for dealing with death. I don't. I guess all I can do is keep him in my heart, remember the good times, and go on with my life. I will, but I will always keep today to remember him.

Greg, I love you, always will. You weren't just my cousin, but a brother. I will always miss you and will remember you everyday. You were a wonderful man and I am proud to have known you. God Bless you Greg, I love you.

The Mom's Fault

I know that parenting is a joint thing. At least it is in this house, I know not every family consists of 2 parents, but for my purposes it does. I am not demeaning single parents, they are awesome and do both Eric and my jobs. God bless them. Anyways, in OUR house, it is a joint thing. People watch our girls and we hear "oh they are so cute" or "They are SO well behaved" and along with that "You two have done such a great job with them." I love those comments. Don't get me wrong, I do. I'm glad that other people think our children our well behaved. Today however, I wish I had a video camera and could have filmed them for proof for my mom and dad who never believe me on this. Neither one was behaved...AT ALL! Now, I get to my title...why is this the MOM'S fault. I feel like people assume that since I am at home with the girls all day that it is MY fault if they do not behaved. But if they are angels, then WE are credited. I am not at all trying to lessen Eric's hand in their raising and I am sure that that is how this is coming out. He is a wonderful daddy, but it just gets frustrating. I guess I just wish that someone would say, "Hey Theresa, you are doing a great job. Your girls behave when they should. They are little girls, you know? You are a great mom!" Is that too much to ask? Is it awful that I want that? It probably is, but I guess sometimes I get tired of the thanklessness of this job and sometimes want some credit. OK, done feeling sorry for myself.

I went to the library yesterday and got several books. I got one knitting mystery (I love them, guilty pleasure), 2 Chick Lit books, and Pride & Prejudice and The Joy Luck Club. So, I will get started on my wanting to expand my reading. The cool thing is that at the library, they had a list of the Library Journal's Top 150 20Th Century Fiction Titles. I think I am going to attempt to read as many as I can instead of picking random classics. This at least gives me a list to go by. I won't necessarily get them all read this year, but as many as I can get. I have read some of them. If they have an * by the title, I plan to read them again because it has been awhile since I last read them; if not, I have read them in the past 5 years or so. Let's see To Kill a Mockingbird*, Lord of the Rings, Gone With the Wind, 1984*, Animal Farm*, Charlotte's Web*, The Great Gatsby*, Native Son*, A Farewell to Arms*, All Quiet On The Western Front*, The Sun Also Rises*, The Sound and the Fury*, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, The Lion The Witch and the Wardrobe, The Call of the Wild*, The Wind in the Willows*, and The Yearling*. Huh, I just realized that there are only 149 because they have A Farewell to Arms twice. Guess the library needs to do a better job proofing their pamphlets!

Well, I hope that you have all had a great first Saturday of 2009. God Bless.
Love,
Theresa

The Year Of Accomplishments!

Happy 2009! I can hardly believe that it is 2009. As I watched the Rose Bowl yesterday, I couldn't help but reminisce about my trip there in 2000/2001 to watch Purdue play. That was such a great time. With the exception of Eric and the girls, probably one of my most memorable events (Eric wanted to know how he was an event when I told him this, but y'all know what I mean!). Walking down Hollywood Blvd, almost getting shot on Sunset Blvd., seeing places like Whiskey A Go Go and the Viper Room, spending NYE at Hollywood Park and Casino in the Brown Sugar Club, just AWESOME experiences, things I will never forget!

But, it is a new year, time for new things and to think about in which direction I want my life to head. Of course that usually means RESOLUTIONS, (AAUUGGHH!!). I have decided instead to make OPPORTUNITIES for the year 2009. Not just short term goals, but ideas that will better my life for the long run. I turn 30 this year and I want my life to have more direction than just wife and mother. As much as I love being a wife and mother, I want more, so here goes:

1) I want to get fit again. I would like to be the fittest I can possibly be by the time my birthday hits in August. I've been saying that I want to be the fittest I have ever been, but considering I was in really great shape in high school, that was over 10 years ago, and I have had 2 children since then, that may be reaching to do in 8 months. So, I want to be as fit as possible. I plan on working out A LOT and eating right. I am not going to set a number that I want to weigh, I think that is my downfall. I get to obsessing about that and forget to just enjoy life. So, no numbers, just fitness. I figure if I work out right and eat right, the numbers will follow. :)

2) I want to knit a sweater for myself. I know that doesn't probably sound like a big deal to you non-knitters, but it is. A sweater is quite the undertaking, especially your FIRST sweater. I have the yarn and it will be more of a cardigan than a sweater with cap sleeves so I can wear it over other shirts throughout the year, but it will be a sweater non the less.

3) Finish my book. A couple years ago, I started writing a book. I think that I have a great idea and started out great. Then life got in the way and I haven't gotten very far since. So, this year I want to finish it. Of course, after that I would love to get it published, but we will cross that bridge when it gets here. For right now, let's just work on getting it finished!

4) I would like to read more classic novels and reread the books I read when I was younger. I LOVE to read, but often read a lot of junk. Yeah, it makes me happy to read Chic Lit, but it probably doesn't do much to expand my brain, so I plan on reading some more classic things like Of Men and Mice and Wuthering Heights (did I spell that right?). I also read a lot when I was younger and would LOVE to revisit those books, like A Wrinkle In Time or The Yearling. Finally I want to reread books that I read in high school and college that I didn't really appreciate, but read because I had to, like To Kill A Mockingbird and A Farewell To Arms. If you have any other suggestions, please pass them on, I'd love to hear them!

Well, I think those are great opportunities for me. Not only to expand my mind, but help my body and make me a better person. Wish me luck in my pursuit of them and stay tuned as I will update you as I go along!

I also hope to blog a lot more about what is going on in my life. Often it is just diapers and grossness, but sometimes things get interesting.
Until then, God Bless,
Love,
Theresa