Random Inspiration

Do you ever get bitten by the random inspiration bug?  The kind where all of the sudden you decide, That's IT!  I'm going to [insert whatever crazy scheme of the moment here].  This is usually followed by an eye roll from The Husband.  I can't be alone in this. 

Sometimes I decide I'm going to exercise.  Nope, never happens.  I don't really like to sweat. 

For a short time I decided I was going to decorate our house nicely.  I'm subscribed to a handful of home decor blogs, but all they do is reinforce the truth that I have no eye for decor. 

Or, it could be a new crafty project.  Like, this one time I decided I was going to try my hand at soap making.  I have a few things to do this, but I haven't gotten the second wind of inspiration that will actually motivate me to get started on this project.

Most recently I settled on the new hobbies of sewing and crocheting.  I just bought a new (to me) sewing machine.  I had one, but it didn't work anymore even after it was tinkered with.  It was older than me, for sure, so it was time for an upgrade.  Hopefully I will not let this fall by the wayside.  I don't think I'll ever hear the end of it from The Husband if I do.

I recently taught myself to crochet.  So that's kind of going somewhere.  Just a few basic stitches and I'm currently working on a scarf.  I'm kinda getting bored with that project though so I hope my skills improve soon so that I can move on to something more fun.  Like a hat for Jack or a cool pair of mittens.  I have dreams. 

I think the problem is that I just want to *BE* crafty.  I don't want to have to learn or hone skills or deal with any sort of learning curve.  I just want to sit down at a sewing machine and sew really cool things or pick up a crochet hook and make a really cool hat.

Clearly it's focus that I lack, not inspiration.

Menu Plan Monday - Week of September 26th

Sunday:  Corn Chowder w/ Beer Bread - didn't get to this last week since Ohio was a little confused about it being Fall

Monday:  Breakfast for Dinner

Tuesday:  Buffalo Chicken Pizza

Wednesday:  Local Farmers Market Italian Sausages w/ Baked Sweet Potato Fries

Thursday:  CrockPot Chicken with Mushroom Gravy w/ Noodles & Broccoli

Friday:  Burritos

Saturday:  OUT


I'm linked at OrgJunkie.com

A New Wardrobe

Last weekend we went to a HUGE local consignment sale organized by Three Bags Full.  If you live in Ohio you should definitely check out the schedule and plan to attend one of the sales because I scored some awesome deals!  If you live elsewhere you can go HERE to see if any sales are listed in your area.

Poor Jack has just about outgrown the last of his 6 month clothes and we didn't have much in larger sizes and nothing for colder weather.  This sale was really great for stocking up on some cute gently used clothes for GREAT prices! 

We got 21 pieces for $43.  Everything is in great condition and some things still had tags on them!  The thing about kid's clothes is that they outgrow stuff so fast gently-used, really is gently-used! 

Most of what we bought are name-brand items.  The day that we went it was the last day of the sale so most items were 50% off.  We got a lot of long sleeved onesies and cotton pants - the kind of stuff that I put Jack in for comfy, day-to-day outfits - and most things were $1.  Can't beat that! 

Here's our haul: 

Not a great shot, but it was hard for me to get a good angle because our bed is so high.  You get the idea!

I'm hoping to attend another of their sales soon to stock up on clothes that he can wear around 12 months and beyond.

Menu Plan Monday - Week of September 19th

Sunday:  Roasted Poblano Cheddar Chicken Burgers with Oven-Fried Onion Rings

Monday:  Parent's House

Tuesday:  Corn Chowder with Beer Bread  (I'm SOOOO excited that we're getting into soup weather!  LOVE soup!)

Wednesday:  Grilled Steak Fajitas with Rice

Thursday:  French Dip Sandwiches (CrockPot) with some sort of Veggie

Friday:  Buffalo Chicken Pizza

Saturday:  OUT!


I'm linked over at OrgJunkie.com

Five Question Friday

1. What is the first nightmare you remember?

Funny you ask because I was just thinking about this the other day.  The first nightmare I remember I had when I was probably 4 or 5 years old.  I had a dream that this creepy old lady was in my room because she wanted to cut my hands off.  I chased her off, but when I peeked out my window - in my dream I was in some sort of high-rise apartment in the city, while at the time we actually lived in a ranch-style house in the suburbs - I saw her quickly crossing the street pushing a grocery cart full of cut off hands.  To this day I'm still scared to sleep with my hands uncovered! 


2. Even if you're not a sports fan, what's your favorite sport to play/watch?

I'm REALLY not a sports fan, but if I have to choose I suppose I prefer to watch baseball.


3. If you could pull off one piece of trendy fashion, what would you want it to be (jeggings, hats, thigh high boots, etc.)?

I'd love to be able to rock the cowboy boots and dress/skirt look, but alas, my short self has enough trouble finding dresses that can be worn off the rack.  We're not even going to talk about further shortening my munchkin legs with tall boots. 


4. Did you make good grades in school?

Yes.

5. What magazines do you subscribe to?

I used to subscribe to quite a few, but right now all I get is Taste of Home (because I got a year's subscription for like $3) and Parents (which I got for free).  Oh, and Women's Health, but I'm not even sure how I'm subscribed to it.  It just started showing up.  ::shrug::


I'm linked over at My Little Life

Menu Plan Monday - Week of September 12th

Here's what's on the menu for this week:


Sunday:  Ultimate Grilled Cheese with Sherried Tomato Soup

Monday:  Crispy Yogurt Chicken with some sort of Potato

Tuesday:  On my own for dinner - nothing planned

Wednesday:  On my own for dinner - nothing planned

Thursday:  Bourbon Chicken with Broccoli and Rice

Friday: OUT

Saturday:  Roasted Poblano Cheddar Chicken Burgers with Baked Onion Rings


I'm linked over at OrgJunkie.com

Happy Friday!

Oh hai, I'm praciticing sitting up!

Look!  Doggeh is coming to play with me!

I LOVE Doggeh!  She's SO funny!

Wait!  Where are you going?!

Ahh!  Here she is again!

Quick!  While Momma's futzing with her camera - doggeh kisses!

What?  I've been sitting here the whole time.

OSU Wreath

I'm grudgingly acknowledging that football season is officially upon us. *grumble* 

I've realized after several football seasons with my husband that it's not that I don't like football season necessarily, it's that I don't like football season with him.  I know, I'm incredibly kind.  The problem is, I enjoy football season for the social aspect.  I like going to parties and eating and making great football watching foods.  To me, it's really just a themed excuse to get together with friends! 

However, my husband doesn't see it this way.  To him (and his friends), football season is a very serious thing.  A game is not something to be talked through - apparently that is rude.  And fortunately for me, I live in Central Ohio where people live and breathe Buckeye football practically year round [insert sarcasm here]. 

So, instead of enjoying parties where football is just an excuse to get together, have a good time, and eat yummy food, it's serious business.  And those Central Ohioans who dare to dislike football *cough*me*cough* get the evil eye from everyone in the room if you'd rather gossip about the latest celebrity break up or discuss this past week's primetime television shows.  Clearly I'm not the one with a problem here... it's everyone else. 

Anyhoo, I tried to get into the spirit by making a crafty decoration for our front door.  An OSU wreath to add a splash of color and maybe some luck to the season, if you care about that sort of thing.  This wreath from Craftaholics Anonymous was my inspiration.

I used:

   *Medium-sized wire wreath frame (no idea if this is actually what it's called)
   *Red, White (probably 1/4 yard of each), and Brown (scraps) burlap
   *2 Random Buckeyes (because every reasonable Central Ohioan has a few of these things floating around their house)

And voila!  A wreath!

I cut the Red and White burlap into approximately 1-inch by 6-inch strips (do this outside, burlap is MESSY!) and just tied them around the wreath frame.  Then, I made some flowers out of the brown burlap and attached them with hot glue and then attached the buckeyes to the flowers with hot glue. 

Easy peasy, and cute too! 

I've Been Tagged!

I'm slacking a bit as usual, but Kaley @ A Tale of Three Poags tagged me in a survey. 

She asked:


1. What is your favorite recipe/thing to cook?
I really like making bread.  It always amazes me how just a few ingredients can come together and form something amazing!  I love the smell of  yeast and of course the smell of baking bread is heavenly!  Unfortunately, I'm still playing around with recipes.  I haven't found a perfect one yet!


2. What is your favorite hobby? 
Reading, I love getting lost in a great book!

3. What is the best memory with your significant other? 
We have so many great memories - the night we met, our first date, moving into our apartment, moving into our house, getting engaged, taking our first real vacation together, our wedding, our honeymoon, the birth of our child, and of course a sprinkling of "less important" great memories!  It's hard to pick just one.

4. What is the biggest life changing event you've been through? 
I know it's cliche, but the birth of my son.  It has changed my life in so many ways I'd need at least a whole other post to even begin listing everything!

5. What is your favorite song? and why? 
I definitely don't have one favorite, but there are tons of songs that when they come on I just have to belt it out along with the radio!  Anything catchy that I can sing along with is my favorite at that moment :)


6. How do you find the time to blog?!! 
I don't spend a ton of time blogging to be honest.  That's probably why my topics are all over the place!  I usually blog when I have a topic in mind and I'll usually get it done if I have a minute while my son is taking a nap.

7. Which celeb do you get compared too most often? 
I don't really get compared to any celebs, although my little brother told me the other day that I remind him of Snooki from Jersey Shore.  I had to give him the side-eye.  That's not exactly a compliment...

8. Who is the biggest influence in your life? 
Next to my son Jack, my husband.


Now it's my turn to ask 8 questions and tag some fellow bloggers.

My questions:

1. What's your favorite dessert?  (Feel free to provide the recipe!)

2. Coffee or Tea?

3. What's your favorite movie?

4. What did you want to be when you grew up?  Or, what do you want to be when you grow up?  :)

5. Do you have any special holiday traditions?

6. If you had to plan the menu for the last meal of your life, what would it be?

7. What's your favorite book? 

8. Do you have a hidden talent? 


I am tagging:

Stacey @ A Life Full of Love

Meredith @ La Buena Vida

Candace @ Mrs.SouthernBelle

Mrs.G @ Our Growing Garden

Lisa @ The Pieces of My Life

Megan @ Newly Wed, Newly Bred

Haley @ Blessed

Melissa @ Completely Eclipsed

Menu Plan Monday - Week of September 5th

And by Monday, I mean Tuesday : )

Last week our meal plans were derailed by a broken fridge.  I'm happy to say that we have a new refrigerator that actually works and is so much nicer than our old one!  I found out that it's really a pain in the tuchus to live without refrigeration.  Thankfully, this week we can get back to normal!


Sunday:  Had a late lunch; No dinner planned

Monday: LABOR DAY!  Dinner at my parent's house

Tuesday: Mark's Fantasy Football Draft; On my own for dinner

Wednesday:  Rustic Chicken (Crockpot) served over Noodles

Thursday:  Steak Fajitas with Refried Beans and Mexican Sour Cream Rice

Friday:  Ultimate Grilled Cheese with Sherried Tomato Soup

Saturday:  Sloppy Joes with Mac & Cheese


I'm linked over at OrgJunkie.com

We Have an Upright Baby!

I think we can officially say that yesterday a new milestone was reached!

Look who's sitting! 

Jack has been working on sitting unassisted for quite a while now, but yesterday was the first day that he was able to sit up without any help for a short period of time!  It's still a work in progress, but now that he's starting to get the balance thing down I think he'll master it pretty quickly.  And not soon enough since lately all he wants to do is sit up!  Even though he wasn't able to really accomplish it before yesterday, Jack would constantly try to sit up on his own, even from a laying down position!  He looked like he was constantly doing baby crunches : )

So, hopefully this whole learning to sit up thing will make him happy.  I think he's more than ready.

Here are a few clips of his progress.  Enjoy!

Oh, and one more milestone...

Jack's very first Buckeye game with Daddy!

Happy Friday!

Thankful Thursday

I actually started writing this post on Tuesday while I was having one of *those* kind of days. 


I'm thankful...

...for A/C in this hotter than the face of the sun heat.

...that my full-time job is raising a little boy who looks like his daddy and caring for my little family.

...that we can pay our bills, keep a roof over our heads, and provide all the necessities on one income.

...for naptime!

...for good books and the library from which I borrow them. 

...for cool, crisp days on the horizon and lots of yummy Fall comfort foods!

...for my son's smiles!

On Domestic Discipline

Perhaps I've been living under a rock or something, but I have never heard of this until about a week ago.  A friend of mine came across a blog about a couple who practices what is referred to as Christian Domestic Discipline and passed the link on to me.  What I then discovered was a whole network of blogs, forums, publications and websites dedicated to living a life involving Domestic Discipline. 

From what I have gleaned from several different resources, having a "DD", as they call it, marriage is rooted in recognizing the male as head of household and submitting to that authority.  It is the male's duty as the head of household to establish rules and lead his family as only he knows how as well as dole out punishments and discipline to his uncontrollable wife. 

Observers of DD are quick to explain that Domestic Discipline is not a form of abuse, mental or physical, because the wife is a willing participant and the husband must dole out discipline out of love for his family.  However grown women go on to explain about punishments involving among other things time out (i.e. being sent to their bedrooms, standing in a corner), groundings (when their privileges are taken away like T.V., internet access, or being sent to bed early), spankings (either routine maintance or in the form of a punishment, may be doled out with bare hands or tools such as paddles or wooden spoons), or having to compose apology letters or essays. 

The wives, who are curiously enough typically the authors of these blogs, undoubtedly under the watchful eye of their opressors... errr, loving husbands... like to explain that they WANT this for themselves to help them become more loving and submissive in their marriages. 

Discovering that there exists a whole network of people out there living a lifestyle that I've never heard of is suprising.  I consider myself a fairly open minded person when it comes to alternate lifestyles.  I'm typically of the opinion that people should do what makes them happy, and who am I to judge, but this...? 

A few of my reactions:

First, this is a form of abuse.  I will go as far to say that even though there is some physical harm involved, it's more about mental abuse and control than physical abuse.  Regardless of the fact that the women are "willing" participants. 

Second, it's seemingly ridiculous that observers label this lifestyle as "Christian" Domestic Discipline.  Admittedly I may not know a lot about the Christian religion, but I while I believe that traditionally males are viewed to be head of household I feel like this kind of control and actions have nothing to do with Christian beliefs and behavior.  It seems like a fairly twisted interpretation. 

And third, if a women feels she needs her husband to act not as a partner, but as a parent to her then she's lacking respect for herself.  She can't view herself as an adult because she isn't treated as one.  She isn't accountable to herself as a responsible adult, but needs her husband to keep her in line.  That has to be a troubling situation not just for the wife, but for the husband too.  Why would a man want to spend his adult life raising his children as well as his wife?  Single parent much? 

I have so many other thoughts on this, but it's hard to compose them all to be honest.  I'm not going to link to anything specific, but a quick Google search of "Domestic Discipline" or "Christian Domestic Discipline" yields plenty of results. 

Have you ever heard of this lifestyle before?  What are your thoughts?