30 Day Challenge: Day 2 - 5 Little Things That Make Me Happy

What Makes Me Happy?!? I guess I've never stopped long enough to really contemplate this simple question. Where does my true joy & happiness stem from? So I've pondered this question and here are the reults:

1.) Softball! Need I say anything more?!? Give me a sunny (I'll even take warm & rainy) day on a field with great friends and there isn't a worry in the world. (Well unless Trevy parks to close to the right field line.) Being physically active is a neccessity for being happy...it keeps those endorphins moving.

2.) A Peanut Buster Parfait from DQ on a hot summer's day. A good book & my fleece blanket in front of the fireplace on a cold rainy day. A sled & Sherwin Hill on a beautiful winter afternoon. A bonfire & family on a chilly fall evening.

3.) Keagan & Taliya! In advance, I'd like to apologize to them for the utter crazy life I have given them. However, it's also this crazy life that as helped make them into the unique individuals that they are becoming. Their random "aha" moments bring smiles to my face daily. Keagan's ability to fantasize about fictional characters and their purpose in the universe is incredibly creative. The fact he can transfer those images into drawings and physical creations is amazing. Taliya has her own image of the world and I belive it's called "Taliyaville". I find joy in the fact that my children have minds of their own...completely different from one another but bound by a sibling connection.

4.) My friends & family! This isn't to say my happiness is based on these individuals but I certainly would be unhappy without each one of them in my life. Yes, that even means those whom bring me stress and grief more often than not. (You know who you are!) Each person with whom I interact has some purpose in my life. They can be a permanent fixture or just a passing acquaintence but regardless, they have a purpose. That purpose brings happiness or joy in some aspect.

5.) Reading the scriptures! This actually surprises me...I know it shouldn't but it does. In the world of organized chaos in which I consider my life, there are few moments of solitude or peaceful serenity. It's these moments that I find I'm most at ease, I'm connected with that true moment of joy & happiness that will most likely be lost throughout the chaos of my day. Why don't I seek these moments more often...I become bored way too easily!

30 Day Blog Challenge - Day 1

Seeing as though it's been years since I've updated our blog, I'm going to steal my good friend Melanie's wonderful idea and take the 30 Day Blog Challenge. Today's topic: 15 Things About Me.

1. I love shoes, all types, but prefer to go barefoot.

2. My mother is my best friend and conscience when I'm too close to the issue to see around it.

3. My world is crazy & mostly unorganized, however if it was any slower I'd be bored.

4. I originally attended college to become a sports psychologist.

5. I'm the 2nd oldest of 6 children (3 brothers & 2 sisters).

6.. I'm afraid of spiders.

7. I love to explore new places and learn the local culture.

8. Rollercoasters are my idea of a perfect outing.

9. I read everything I can put my hands on...from the back of cereal boxes to the small print on contracts & insurance policies.

10. I never blow dry my hair.

11. I hope to one day have degrees in political science, American history, mathematics, & mechanical engineering.

12. I love math and logic problems.

13. I want to learn how to garden.

14. I enjoy peanut butter, jelly, fluff, & pickle sandwiches

15. I love my Lord & Savior Jesus Christ

http://www.backyardfuninfo.com/backyard/72-backyard-fun-food/

{{THE BACKYARD FLUFFERNUTTER}}

DIDN'T EVERYONE GROW UP EATING FLUFFERNUTTERS?

A Fluffernutter is a wonderful concoction of Marshmallow Fluff (marshmallow crème to the fluff illiterate)
and peanut butter in a delightfully tasty sandwich!

Until I moved away from New England I honestly thought the fluffernutter was internationally know. When I
went to my local grocer and couldn't find "Fluff", I went into panic mode. How do we have our backyard fun
night without Fluffernutters? Not only did they not have "fluff" at my local supermarket, but I couldn't
even find another brand of marshmallow cream in the peanut butter and jelly isle. When I inquired about
where the Fluff was,I got the raised eyebrow look. This became my first realization that not everyone
knew what a "Fluffernutter" was. Marshmallow crème was only sold in the baking or ice cream isles. They had
never heard of putting it with Peanut Butter on a sandwich.

How utterly sad this was. Fluffernutters were as much a part of growing up as running through puddles.


My first call to action was to supply my pantry with Fluff (survival first). I called Maine and had some shipped
to me immediately. What would I feed the kids on Thursday night? Thursday was fluffernutter night
following Wednesday's Spaghetti night.

How did children survive without Fluffernutters? I believe this is definitely some form of child abuse, probably
In the neglect area. Every American child has the inalienable right to be raised on fluffernutter sandwiches.

So, my second call to action is to educate all of America on Fluffernutters.


Did you know:
Astronaut Rick Linnehan brought Fluff with him into space in March of 2008.

Fluff comes in 3 flavors: original marshmallow, strawberry and raspberry

The origins of Marshmallow Fluff go back to 1917. That is way before most of us were born.

Fluff has been a long staple of playgrounds, after-school snacks, college dorms, and the local diner and backyards,
at least where I grew up.

Tavane turns Sweet Sixteen Today!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TAVANE!!


BASEMENT UNDER CONSTRUCTION.

YOU WERE SO CUTE...WHAT HAPPENED??

BASKING IN THE SUN.

Quote of the Week

"Government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it." Ronald Reagan

Fantasy Football

We are headed into week 12 of the NFL and I'm happy to say that I'm currently sitting in 3rd place in my fantasy football league. Here are the players who have brought me to a 7-3-1 record:

Quarterbacks: Jason Campbell, David Garrard, Jeff Garcia, and my newset addition Brady Quinn

Receivers: Braylon Edwards (who finally stepped up last night...thank you), Vincent Jackson, Calvin Johnson, Steve Breaston, & Patrick Crayton

Running Backs: Adrian Peterson, Deuce McAllister, Kevin Smith, Mewelde Moore, Matt Jones

Tight Ends: Alex Smith, Dustin Keller, Daniel Graham

Kicker: Davis Akers

Defense: Green Bay

On the campaign trail

The kids and I headed to Norridgewock with Senator Susan Collins to help her campaign. I'm pretty sure my kids will be excited once election day has come & gone.