A Day in the Life

Windy!

2008-08-22T10:18:00.000-07:00

Its really windy today..not as bad as last night..

Fay won't go away

2008-08-21T10:24:00.000-07:00

She's still hanging around on the east coast causing flooding, and a ton of rain here in Marion county..its worse today than its been all week.. You can't really see how hard its raining in the pictures, but its a steady rain..

Fay is still hanging around

2008-08-20T08:41:00.000-07:00

The weather is much worse today..not hurricane worse, but definitely don't want to be out in bad. The wind is picking up, and its still dark and dreary outside.

Pictures before Fay

2008-08-19T09:10:00.000-07:00

Just thought I'd post some pictures before the part of Fay we're expected to get (not much) arrives. Its actually kind of nice out right now, a little windy, and drizzly off and on though.

Its hard to believe

2008-08-14T07:00:00.000-07:00

That I took this picture only about 10 minutes ago..You can't even tell is daytime in this picture.Its going to be a nasty, dreary day. There will be no washing the car, or cleaning the patch of yard out for the compost heap today. This looks like an all day event. Oh well, at least I'll get some more laundry done. Today is my last day of vacation, I go back to work tomorrow (yay! I start getting paid again!), so I have plenty of things to do indoors to get ready for the school year. I've got all the shopping done..I may need some new shoes..I just bought a pair of skechers, and they are a little pinchy..but, maybe they'll loosen up. I am so ready to start working again, I've missed it.

I'm pretty happy

2008-08-11T13:36:00.000-07:00

I just got a call from a friend at work..My son has exactly who I wanted for his 4th grade rotation class. He has a male homeroom teacher, and my friend for Math and science. I'm so happy for him..and he is so relieved!

On another note, I made an awesome lemon cake the other day..want the recipe?

Of course you do!

2 boxes Duncan Hines lemon supreme cake mix, make according to 2 layer cake directions

(you need 4 layers)

3 boxes of lemon jello pudding (Make according to directions for pie filling, cut milk by 1/2 cup per pkg)

1 stick margarine/butter

1 8 oz cream cheese

lemon extract (1-2 capfuls)

vanilla extract (1 capful)

lemon zest

confectioners sugar

Make the cakes, let cool completely. When assembling the cake, put pudding between layers. Frost the cake, carefully. Do not try to cut tiny small pieces of this cake, it will fall apart.

Make icing..very easy, cream butter and cream cheese, add lemon and vanilla, and lemon zest, and confectioners sugar..blend until its the desired consistency.. I used one bag of confectioners sugar..about 2 lbs..I have some left over.

Have you ever seen a Wallaby?

2008-08-09T10:10:00.000-07:00

I saw one today. Now, it wasn't out in the 'wild' like the previous animal shots I've showed you, lol, it was at the church today as part of an exhibit..they were having a back to school party..it was ok..something to do..got the boys entered in some drawings, they'll draw the winners at church tomorrow.

But, here's the wallaby..isn't he cute?

2008-08-07T15:20:00.001-07:00

I found exactly what the boys want..but if I order them online, they won't get here until after school starts..they weren't a bad price either..I think Joe will have to go to Penney's tomorrow to grab them from the store (God willing they have them in stock). I'll be in Sanford with my mom and sister, waiting for dad to have his batteries (in his pacemaker) replaced. I'm not the kind of mom that really worries about names on shoes/clothes, but I have to admit the skechers we bought Ray and some skater shoe (Globe? I think) that we bought in February are still in pretty decent shape..although they don't fit them anymore..and if they last that long, its worth it to me to spend a little bit more money on them.

These are the ones Daniel wants..

and these are the ones Ray picked out..I have to say, of the two boys, Raymond is far, far less picky, though Danny doesn't give me too much crap about name brands, he just wants them to fit the way HE likes, rather than the way I like..sometimes he wins, sometimes I do..(he wins when I decide its not worth the fight, lol.) They're only 29.99..so, a pretty decent deal.....

I thought this was funny today

2008-08-06T08:56:00.000-07:00

I laughed myself sick when I watched it, and wanted to share it with y'all too

Mother In Law had a little visitor

2008-08-05T14:22:00.000-07:00

She called me yesterday asked if the boys would like to keep him. She rescued him out of her pool!

We've had turtles before, but Joe thinks this one is a softshell turtle, I've got no clue how to raise this little guy..but I cleaned out the aquarium, I'll find a spot for it tonight, and in he'll go..I've got to research soft shell turtles now...

Happy Birthday Dad

2008-08-02T16:29:00.000-07:00

Grandpa and 3 of his grandsons

Yesterday was Dad's 75th birthday, so we had a party for him this afternoon..turned out pretty nice..way, way too much food!

Look what I saw in the Walgreens parking lot

2008-08-01T13:52:00.000-07:00

Its been pretty wet and rainy for the last couple of days...this guy was poking around the parking lot today.

Bonus, sweaty, shirtless hottie for you

2008-07-24T15:49:00.001-07:00

Workin' Hard in the Garden

2008-07-24T14:17:00.000-07:00

look closely, lol its a pineapple plant. I have another pineapple top to plant soon too. They take a long time to produce pineapples though.

We did some major weeding and mulching today

Monday, Monday

2008-07-21T08:12:00.001-07:00

I've got the boys working in the yard today..cleaning up some weeds that were pulled lastweek, and some of the grass that was mowed, so it won't be so hard to mow again in a couple days. Dan went and got the tractor and trailer so he could haul it all in one trip..I thought Raymond was out there getting it cleaned up in a pile..wrong..

72008

2008-07-20T11:33:00.000-07:00

Its a pretty day today..although, I'm sure it'll cloud up and pour in about 2 hours. I'm making cupcakes for dessert tonight. Boston Creme cupcakes. They're the boys' favorites. So easy to make, just time consuming. But worth it, they let me sleep in a long time today, so they deserve them.

7-19-08

2008-07-19T16:45:00.000-07:00

7/18/08

2008-07-18T14:28:00.000-07:00

Here's something cute

2008-07-15T10:32:00.000-07:00

well, cuteish anyway, lol. I needed to go to Sweetbay this morning..the boys didn't want to go, so instead of sharing this with them, I'm sharing with you. They stayed home (I was less than 5 miles away, and this is something we've been trying..so far so good, I get home, there is no blood anywhere to be seen, no bruises, or crying going on, and the door is still locked, so..they're passing fair) Anyway, I climb into my suv, crank it up, and pull around to the driveway. I notice on my windshield wiper a little hitchhiker. Its the ugliest lizard ever. I have no idea what kind of lizard it is, if you know, please share. He's clinging to my windshield wiper shaft on the base....he's just..staring at me with his beady, lizardy eyes. For just a moment I contemplate turning the wipers on high speed, and watching his {shudder} ugly lizard self flinging haphazardly through the air. I stopped myself..and took the picture..took a couple actually, and then started slowly down the driveway. I'm thinking that he'll jump off right..nope..he goes into the well near the windshield and hunkers down for the ride. I pull out slowly, I really don't want to splatter the nasty looking thing on the blacktop, and start off to the store, thinking he'll jump off when I get to the parking lot. Apparantly, the seating near the windshield wasn't to his liking, and he decided to climb back up the shaft of the windshield wiper. Alas, he lost his footing (?) and flew (fast!) off onto the road. Hopefully, he flew far enough to hit soft ground.

Which do you like better?

2008-07-14T11:36:00.000-07:00

The morning glories finally bloomed! I played with the picture in photoshop..(I finally put it back on the puter) just a little though..I wish I knew how to add the color back in, in specific spots..but, I'm lost...

As promised

2008-07-11T13:35:00.000-07:00

a better picture of the white tiger. They are just awesome aren't they?

Wednesday, July 9, 2008

2008-07-09T19:00:00.000-07:00

We took the afternoon to go to Busch Gardens today. Joined a gym in the a.m. and headed out. We have the year round fun passes..so we got a hotel and decided we go back tomorrow. The new Jungala exhibit is open now, so we headed there first. Tigers, particularly white ones are my favorite. I got this picture..and one more..(I'll post that too). It was so hot, they weren't really moving around much. When we go back tomorrow..I'll try to get better ones. They are such beautiful animals!

Before and After

2008-07-08T14:05:00.001-07:00

Before

Today was the day Cali (my schnauzer) had to go get groomed..it was a must do..she was getting pretty wooly.

After

She looks better..but I'll be glad when she grows back in, and I can get her skirt and beard back.

July 7, 2008

2008-07-07T08:09:00.000-07:00

I have little baby tomatos! Now, I know I don't like them, but my husband does. I bought the plants for him on Fathers day..and they are finally producing! I have about 3 or 4 of them growing right now. I was about ready to replace the tomato plant with something else..maybe a rose bush or something. I still think I want a nice rosebush in my little jungle .

July 6, 2008

2008-07-06T11:58:00.000-07:00

There was a nice cookout after church today to celebrate the 4th. The kids had a good time. It was beautiful weather, although, I think it'll probably cloud up and storm some today. I'm so tired..I haven't slept very well this last few weeks. I'll probably go lay down and take a nap for a little while. The kids are playing video games..I'm not too worried about dinner.. Bil did all the cooking today at church, so gave us some extras for diner so I don't have to cook tonight. I'm all about that!

4th of July

2008-07-04T10:53:00.000-07:00

Killing Time....

2008-07-02T13:12:00.000-07:00

man, I hate wasting time. I took t he boys to the gym today..they are aprt of a 'fit kids' program for the next 6 weeks. today was the first one..was told it was 2 hours..so, I made their check ups at the ped for 2..plenty of time to make it..oh yeah, we had plenty of time alright..today was an evaluation..took 1/2 hour..so we waited....and waited...and waited! I gave the kids my camera to get some shots while we were in the parking lot..so I'm posting one of their shots today. Its pretty!

Gotta love it

2008-06-30T10:14:00.000-07:00

When the house stays clean!I worked hard Saturday to get it under control. I do have to get dh to get the rubbermaid bucket out to the shed..its just too heavy for me to do it, so I've nominated him for the job.

He doesn't grasp the urgency in getting it done..He leaves for Texas tomorrow evening, so hoopefully, it'll be done before then. hmm, I didn't notice that lampshade being crooked..I'll have to go fix it now..

6-28-08

2008-06-28T10:20:00.000-07:00

Both of my boys with one of their older cousins. We live right next door to each other. They have so much fun together.

(Men are still idiots, but it is better today)

Argh

2008-06-27T18:37:00.001-07:00

men are idiots...

bad day..

6-26-08

2008-06-26T14:34:00.001-07:00

We had such a good time fishing last night! We didn't catch anything, but it was still fun. I have a picture of the pelicans hanging around the dock before we left..I've never seen that many gathered all in one spot before. I have a picture of a loggerhead turtle too..but it looks terrible no matter how I try to fix it up in photoshop.and in a clearly brilliant moment, I've removed paint shop pro from my computer..go figure

Living in the country..kind of

2008-06-24T14:39:00.000-07:00

We live out in the country..sort of..and we get quite a bit of wild animals here..I've never been lucky enough to spot a (live) bear, although I've seen 2 dead bears in the last 2 months, I've never seen bobcats/florida panthers either, nor do I really want to..other than at a zoo, because as beautiful as they are, I probably would flip out to see one in my front yard. We do see a lot of these white birds..I get blue herons in the summer too sometimes. Today there were 3 or 4 of the white birds ( I just call them the 'white cow birds') that hang out in cow pastures, in our yard today. If you click on the picture to see it larger, you can make out one on my fence line. I'm going fishing tomorrow night (Shark fishing..grrrrrr, lol) so I'm hoping to get Thursday's picture there.

OOps..

2008-06-23T07:27:00.001-07:00

I didn't really forget yesterday..I have a friend in the hospital and stuff just got in the way..I had to run to the Pediatrician today and got a couple pictures..Not the best quality, I took them both on my phone. The second one is the train that had us waiting about 5 minutes to get across the tracks, and the first is the exact color crape myrtle I'm looking for..I wish I could find one!

June 21, 2008

2008-06-21T09:07:00.000-07:00

I take a lot of pictures of rain..I just like the way they turn out..I'm always hoping for a really good shot I guess. I'm not that great a photographer, its completely for fun, and I haven't gotten any training, or any special 'eye' for it, I just love it. And Rain is one of my favorite subjects. This is the rain falling on my deck I was hoping it would come out half way decent.

June 20th

2008-06-20T14:41:00.000-07:00

Today was the last day of VBS for the kids. Ray got his face painted..enjoyed an alpaca, and some games, got a hot dog, and we were back home. :)

Kind of a lazy day today

2008-06-19T15:05:00.001-07:00

I'm Simming today..the boys are out...one with Dad, the other with friends..I got back from the dr, and had time to do what I wanted...so I did..

FCAT SeaWorld Field Trip

2008-06-18T15:19:00.001-07:00

Today was the fifth grade field trip to Sea World. All the 5th graders that were proficient in Reading and Math (score of a 3 or above) were invited free of charge (other than their lunch) to Sea World by the Principal. I was a chaperone today. It was HOT! The kids had a lot of fun though..so did I, although, I will be finding my foot massager soon, lol. Today is a twofer also..The top picture is of the Sea Lions that the kids fed today, they're so cute! The other is of my son and myself..I don't have too many of these, I hate, hate, hate having my picture taken, but today it was warranted.

Looking out my front window

2008-06-17T13:02:00.001-07:00

Thats the view from my front window this afternoon. Its so hot, the dogs are just laying around in the dirt..not wanting to do anything! I'm going to Sea World tomorrow with my oldest son, its an 'incentive' trip he earned for FCAT this year.(All the kids that came back proficient ..the ones in 5th grade anyway are getting to go.) I'm chaperoning..so, who knows it could be a picture of Shamu tomorrow~

Just another Monday

2008-06-16T13:42:00.000-07:00

I drove to my parent's house today to see my father. I didn't get a chance to go for Father's day yesterday. Its a couple hour drive or so to their house in Volusia County from my house in Marion County. I got a shot of SR 42 on the way home.

Happy Father's Day

2008-06-15T08:37:00.000-07:00

My husband is at work, my boys are at a friend house..I have the day to myself. I did take a couple pictures at odd angles of my bookcase, so you can see that it really is full..(so is the video cabinet! wow, does that need to be cleaned out!:P)

I have a bonus pic for today too.

Something a little different today.

2008-06-14T11:23:00.000-07:00

I love to read. I can literally lose time in a Barnes and Noble. And maybe I'm a book snob, but I don't like the library. If I'm going to spend time to read a book, I want to own it, much to my checkbook's (and husband's) dismay. I am out of room in my bookcases, so, I probably should pass on some of my books..but, alas, that is SO not going to happen. BUT, I do like to share a good book..and have been known to lend a copy (that's right, I have at least 2 copies if I've lent you a book)
or to gush about a book or a series of books. I recently found a new series..by accident, thats the way I've found nearly all my keepers by the way. The latest book is called Real Vampires Get Lucky, by Gerry Bartlett. I can't say enough good things about this series (Or the Awesome author, she's great!) Anyway, check out the books!

Friday, the 13th

2008-06-13T11:22:00.001-07:00

So, I've gone a whole week! Woohoo..I didn't think I'd do it.

This is a pepper plant I bought today for my husband for Father's Day. Although, I'll be doing the work, lol. He likes fresh peppersauce..so, for the first time in too many years, I've got the motivation to grow them myself again and make it for him. Its so easy to do..peppers, vinegar, pinch of sugar..boil, pour over the peppers, (the peppers should be in a mason jar of some sort), put the lid on tight, flip upside down, and wait awhile for the sauce to get hot enough for you. I don't use it..but if he likes it..

Day 3

2008-06-12T15:03:00.000-07:00

I got a late start today..had to go to the dr..but it was just starting to storm really good here when I took this. We need it pretty badly, its so dry!

Day 2

2008-06-11T10:09:00.000-07:00

My second day
ok..my second day posting a picture a day, and this one may or may not make sense to anyone else, unless they've read Kim Harrison's books (They're pretty awesome in case you've not read one, check them out!)
I don't like tomatos, so this doesn't really affect me, and maybe I'm just a bad person to find humor in this..but trust me, read her books..and you'll get it.

06/10/08

2008-06-10T11:03:00.001-07:00

I just took this picture..about 5 minutes ago..we definitely need the rain..its so dry right now.