Flu Season: Beware, Germs Abound

On Monday afternoon, as I sat watching two of my kids play basketball, I got thrown up on.

The kid behind me started coughing. About the time his mother said, "Are you okay?" I turned around to see his mouth overflowing.
I moved fast.
I grabbed my daughter off my lap.
I jumped up.
I pushed our coats that were stowed under the bleachers to the side.
Not that much got on me and only a few drops on our jackets.
This all happened in a matter of moments.

The mom was frantic.
Jamie, get something! Jamie, get something for your brother. Jamie!

Jamie (I really don't remember her name) was stunned,  maybe embarrassed, and not moving.

I bolted out of the gym. I ran to the bathroom, grabbed two large handfuls of paper towels, and returned to the bleachers.

My children sat unmoved, as did most of the other spectators, as I began to help clean up the mess.

Not long after, the mom took her son to the bathroom, mentioning before she left that she would tell the Athletics director that things needed to be cleaned.

I  resumed watching the game. Naturally, no one was sitting  in the area of the mishap.

When the game ended I brought the after-game snacks to middle court. The normal, post-game chaos ensued.

It wasn't until I was herding my 4 kids out of the gym (sort of like herding cats), that I realized that not only had the next game started, but the spectators were all enjoying germ ridden spots on the bleachers.

I still feel nauseous when I think about it.

Thursday Thanks Tank #176

When my mind is clouded with concern,
When I ache for those that are hurting,
When I wish I could erase the pain,
When I wish I could close the distance,
When I long for direction to intercede,
When I wait for closure that hasn't come,
When my heart hurts for those I love,

It is hard to focus on thankful thoughts.

Still,
I am thankful.

I am thankful for the life that continues, the strength of mind not to give up, and the love that we have.

More than anything I wish I could make a situation right but I can't.
So, I pray.
And, I am thankful for the one listening to my prayers.
The prayers go up quietly as the tears fall down.
It isn't pretty
...but it's all together beautiful.

I am thankful.
Despite it all.

I am thankful.
Loving all.

Friday Photos

We had such a fun week.

Working on valentines.

Glow Stick Valentines

These valentines were such a hit! For instructions, visit Stick Craft Creations and Kommunicated.

Valentine's Day Cutie.

He brought her flowers.

Delighted with the coupons from momma.

Homemade Valentines are best. Caption reads, "My heart's hunting you."

Snow, beautiful snow.

Snow, super fun snow.

Thursday Thanks Tank #175

Each Thursday I try to make a list of my thankful thoughts. Sometimes I jot it down on paper, sometimes I share that list here, and other times I just highlight one or two things that I am thankful for. This is my Thursday Thanks Tank.

I am thankful for:

Nature: I am thankful for the beauty of this earth. My corner of the earth got snow this week. It's just breathtaking looking at the rolling hills and mountains covered in snow.

Heartfelt Messages from My Kids: My kids each gave me handmade Valentine's. The valentine's are precious. I treasure them. I am touched by how much effort they put in their love notes/pictures.

Date Night: My husband and I went on a date last Saturday night. It was perfect. We went to a local restaurant that served amazing food in a cozy, romantic atmosphere.

Puzzles: My boys and I have been working on a puzzle all week. It's set up on a card table in the kitchen. Sometimes we gather around and work on it together. Other times one or two of us will stop by and fit a few pieces. It's a simple joy and ordinary togetherness but I love it.

My son's teacher: My peanut allergic son's teacher did not let the kids open their valentine's at school. I appreciate it. She also didn't allow him to have a cookie that a classmate brought in as a surprise. My son was not affected negatively by not getting a cookie. He barely mentioned it after I quizzed him on the day's Valentine activities. On the other hand, I am extremely thankful for everything his teacher does to keep him safe.

A warm fire and a good book: I started this list an hour or so ago. I walked away from the computer for a bit, only to get distracted by a book. I sat on the couch reading my book by the fire until I began to fall asleep.

Now I am going to go on to bed, thankful that I managed to make myself post this thankful list. Take time to be thankful. It will be time well-spent.

There is not a more pleasing exercise of the mind than gratitude. It is accompanied with such an inward satisfaction that the duty is sufficiently rewarded by the performance. ~Joseph Addison

Valentine's Day Food

I delighted in making Valentine's Day food for my family this year. Everything was tasty and fun to make.

Breakfast: Bullseye toast

Lunch:: Heart sandwiches (reserved bread from the breakfast toast, and heart rice krispies)

After school snack: Cupid's arrows

Dinner: Heart pizza (courtesy of Papa Murphy's)

Dessert: Snickerdoodles with pink sugar and chocolate covered strawberries

Thursday Thanks Tank #174

Each Thursday I try to make a list of my thankful thoughts. Sometimes I jot it down on paper, sometimes I share that list here, and other times I just highlight one or two things that I am thankful for. This is my Thursday Thanks Tank.

I am thankful for:

1. Sweet Tea - oh yum.
2. Endless.com - I spent a good part of a day last weekend with 2 of my boys looking for wide shoes. They are hard to find once your child outgrows Stride Rite. Endless.com has them! So thankful. Whereas we tried on shoes at 5 stores last Saturday without any success, the shoes that came today in the mail fit.
3. Kitchen time with my girl We've been cooking together lately. She's been delighting in "washing" dishes. She's four and precious.
4. Rock collections I love the enthusiasm and excitement of a boy with a newly found, very interesting rock. We have a nice rock pile growing on the back patio.
5. Achievements at school I am thankful for how well my boys are doing at school. I am very proud.
6. Sleep For the most part, I've been getting in bed earlier. It's been wonderful. I still have trouble getting out of bed in the morning (just not a morning gal), but I feel so much better throughout the day.
7. New friends

If you start being grateful for what you have, you will begin to see that you have more. That is how you increase abundance in your life, is by seeing what you already have.
-Oprah Winfrey

Overheard during the Superbowl

David Beckham commercial.

I said, "Well, that was fun to look at."

My husband, "Hmph."

Me, "Hey, his wife's hot."

Him, "No, she's not."

Me, "What... why?"

Him, "Women don't get hotter with..."

~moment of silence~

Me, quick turn of the head and stare

Him, ... "surgery?"

Saturday Smoothie

I made smoothies this morning. What a medley of flavors!
I don't even remember the last time I've had a smoothie.
My 6 year old thought it was an "uh-maze-ing" drink.

Saturday Smoothie

1 1/4 cups (calcium fortified) orange juice
1 banana
1 1/4 cups frozen berries (I used blueberries and strawberries)
1/2 cup low-fat plain yogurt
1 tablespoon sugar (optional)

Combine orange juice, banana, berries, yogurt and sugar, if using, in a blender; cover and blend until creamy. Serve immediately.

Source: Eating Well

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Thursday Thanks Tank #173

Each Thursday I try to make a list of my thankful thoughts. Sometimes I jot it down on paper, sometimes I share that list here, and other times I just highlight one or two things that I am thankful for. This is my Thursday Thanks Tank.

I am thankful for:

1. Nature. I keep filling up the bird bath for the birds. They are fun to watch.

2. Imagination. My daughter and I have been playing with Fisher Price Little People a lot this week. There's nothing quite like letting a four year old lead the imaginative play.

3. Making a good purchase on Craig's List.

4. Asking for Boxtops on Craig's List and having someone give us 60 Boxtops.

5. Chocolate milk. A delightful treat.

6. Children mend quickly. My 6 year old had stitches last week. They were taken out yesterday. He's a trooper.

7. Getting caught up on emails and phone calls. I'd been playing phone tag with two people for over a week and I finally connected with them both. I also made time to answer a few emails. It feels good to make time for important things.

8. Quality Kitchen Time. Hmph, couldn't figure out exactly how to label this one. The weekend nights were spent cooking with my husband. We love to cook together. I also tried out 4 new main dish recipes this week, plus homemade croutons.

I had more that I was going to write but I started this list much earlier in the day and then got interrupted. The rest of the day was full of little bits of normalcy -kitchen cleaning, kid refereeing, answering kid questions, helping with homework, hugs and kisses. It was a good day. I am thankful for the daily grind. And now, I am going to grab my book and read for a while - a great way to end a good day.

Sweet Bacon Chicken

I've set a goal for myself to try at least 2 new recipes a week. Some of the new meals are mouth-watering good and some are just solid. I'm expanding my recipe base and enjoying cooking new things. That works for me!

Last week, we tried out this recipe for bacon wrapped chicken and it did not disappoint us. Not only did its taste delight us, but the aroma that filled the kitchen was marvelous.

Sweet Bacon Chicken

1/2 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup orange juice
1 1/2 tablespoons finely chopped garlic
8 boneless, skinless chicken thighs (about 2 pounds)
8 slices of bacon, halved crosswise
1 cup packed light brown sugar

1. In a bowl, combine the soy sauce, orange juice, and garlic. Add the chicken to the bowl and toss to coat well with the marinade. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 hours.

2. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil and grease a wire cooling rack or coat with cooking spray. Place the wrack on the baking sheet.

3. Remove the chicken from the marinade, letting any excess drip off. Wrap a bacon slice around each piece of thigh. Secure the bacon with a toothpick.

4. Crumble the brown sugar into a bowl. Dip each bacon-wrapped thigh into the sugar, taking care to coat evenly. Place the chicken on the prepared rack. Bake, turning once, until the bacon is crisp and the chicken is cooked through - about 30 minutes.

I served this with creamy grits with sweet corn, homemade biscuits and sweet tea.

Recipe Source: Paula Deen