Nutella & Go! At Walmart!

I have found a new addiction - nutella & go! I knew I loved nutella but did they really need to seal the deal and make these fabulous little to go snacks?? Oh my! So yummy!

Picked some up after spying them in the check out aisle at Walmart for my husband and I's stockings for Christmas and they never made it that far! Oops!

Loving Thirty-One Gifts & Basket Love

I know I've seen this lovely basket somewhere before - probably a blog. When I looked up info about Thirty-One Gifts for an upcoming party that a fellow church member was throwing I all but cried for joy! I found it! Yay!

Such a lovely picnic/multi-use basket and reasonably priced too! $30 for the small and $38 for the big one.

I am slowly realizing that I have a small great love for baskets. I use them to house our little ones toys, our dogs toys, towels by the door for wet puppy feet, in the laundry room to corral and hide random detergent bottles, stain sticks, etc, in the bathroom for towels and misc items, in the livingroom to hide our hoard of mail and paper, theres a basket to hold my yarn - ok maybe two of them for that job, a basket with spools of ribbon in my craft area, basket on the kitchen counter to hold more important mail pieces...baskets, baskets, baskets! :)

And so now another will soon join our little basket family...yay!

Made It Myself

Love me some LOL Cats...

Quote to Ponder

"Life is too short to spend your precious time trying to convince a person who wants to live in gloom and doom otherwise. Give lifting that person your best shot, but don't hang around long enough for his or her bad attitude to pull you down. Instead, surround yourself with optimistic people."

-- Zig Ziglar

Pipe Cleaner Ephiphany

My husband and I have those nifty, double-walled Starbucks tumblers that we use ALL the time. They have been one of our best purchases in the whole water-bottle, reusuable cup department. But, anywho...with all that use comes a build-up of grime in the hard plastic straw.

I have been mentally whinning to myself for weeks about the bad taste coming from the straw and how looking down it causes me slight distress at the sight.

On the way to church this past Sunday I was rambling to my hubby about my dirty straw dilema - and how there should be a way to clean it out. I mean, SURELY there is a product out there that can clean it? A teeny, tiny bottle brush perhaps?

Then he asks why I don't use a pipe cleaner.

A pipe cleaner? My mouth just hangs open for a second because the first thing that enters my mind and starts coming out of my mouth is how a pipe cleaner is for crafts.

Then it hits me, um yeah, the name "pipe cleaner" pretty much denotes its intended use - to clean pipes or, in this case, straws. Oh boy....considering I have been trying to figure out how to clean this straw for weeks it is pretty embarrassing - I have a boatload of pipe cleaners upstairs in my craft area...wow. Just wow. :)

But alas, I have a clean straw now - and a whole new outlook on pipe cleaners! :)

What We Did Today

Saturdays are glorious. The slow start to the morning - sleeping in till 9. Breakfast made by my dearest love - sitting out on the deck in the warm early morning sunshine, our forks clinking against our plates. The smell of coffee drifting from my husband's mug. Fabulous! Sneaking a sip - even better!

Moseying around the backyard barefoot with my "Japanese beetle jug" collecting the stupid things off my veggies and flowers while they are still slow moving in the morning. Having my hubby help me...smiles!

Gazing at the garden, amazed at how fast it is all growing. Keeping busy picking zucchini, yellow squash and my husband's peppers and jalapenos. Peas and broccoli have been taken out, replaced with pumpkins and the peppers that were outgrowing their pots.

Back inside for showers and a change of clothes (can't wear your pjs to town!).

Took some time to set out all my glassware onto the two tables I have set up in the dining room for my upcoming baby shower in August! It's coming so quickly! Deciding what foods should go where and how much candy we need.

Bored husband is not impressed with my puttering about with the tables and jars and asks for the 30th time when we are going to town.

Putzed around long enough that hubby makes lunch.

Another meal out on the deck, under the shade of our new found umbrella.

We finally leave for town.

Stop at the library to pick up a book on hold. Yes, I know I have $3.20 fine - no, I don't want to pay it now...

Head off to visit the chocolate shop I just discovered (another post to follow up on that fabulous find).

Realized about halfway there that I forgot the camera. Turned back around - got the camera. Back on the road.

Chocolate shop browsing while snapping pics, chatting with the clerk - who's due in August, sipping on old fashioned creme soda and sharing a marshmallow filled chocolate with Matthew in the shade. Watching the small town life in the summer sun - cars going by - people walking past.

Meandered up the road for a little antiquing at The Salvage Sisters and Thanks for Your Thyme - more favorite places. Managed to make it out without spending a dime - but added 5 more things to my mental wish list. Current loves: picnic baskets, wire baskets and cake pedestals.

Stopped a garage sale to pass the time - still no money spent despite the $6 book shelf find. Startled by a box that moved - they had rabbits! Too cute! :)

Someone asked how far along I was - without me having to say I was pregnant. :)

Back home for afternoon naps in the cool indoors.

Living on cold cereal and fruit - too hot to eat much else.

Another round outside in the evening hours to let the dogs out and collect more beetles and water all the plants.

Back inside after the neighbors start up with the fireworks. Dogs are startled, hair raised and barking frantically. I turn on some music to drown out the pops and bangs. Showbiz watches the front door nervously but settles down. Lola seeks shelter next to me - nestled on the couch.

The pops and bangs finally slow to a stop - with only occasional blips from the distance.

Blog browsing till I am sleepy - collecting ideas, recipes - catching up on what my blog pals are up to - feeling my baby kick and tumble.

Never did get to my to-do list of working on my fabric bunting or making chocolate zucchini muffins or sugar cookies. But there's tomorrow and Monday yet!

Yay for Saturdays! :)

In Love with Ruche!

I don't exactly remember how I stumbled upon this amazing women's boutique but I am so glad I did! And they take Paypal - woot!

Here's a few of my favorite items in their shop! Visit Ruche here http://www.shopruche.com/index.php!

What Are Our Neighbors Doing??

I am tempted to start a new series on my blog called "What Are Our Neighbors Doing??" Because honestly, I am always wondering just what the heck is going on over there across the lawn, across the street and next to us. I am sure they are thinking the same thing as every month or so we lug out boxes of clothes and things for goodwill with our car so packed that it looks like we are moving out or when I linger about the yard with my camera snapping pictures of my flowers and house.

But seriously, this warrants a picture for your sake, but I haven't quite gotten myself into the idea of leaning in our upstairs window to get a shot for you because knowing my luck they will see me. But maybe this post will provoke me enough to do so.

So, we have new neighbors behind us... and there was a little deck with railings in the yard that the previous neighbors had put in - probably not with HOA permission which I am sure resulted in various letters of warning and threats when the new neighbors moved in and the HOA finally noticed there was a deck on the back of the house. Well, one of the first things they did was rip up the deck.

Then a tarp when down in the middle of the lawn held down with milk jugs filled with water and bricks. I am assuming that this is to kill the grass? Maybe for a garden next summer? Woohoo fellow gardeners! :)

But as the months have progressed (they moved in last summer) more milk jug-laden tarps have gone down until the ENTIRE back yard is now covered with blue, black and grey tarps. Lovely.

So what are they doing??

Are they killing off the old grass to completely start over and reseed in the spring? They started back in the fall...they don't seem to have kids or pets who would actually use the backyard and I never actually SEE them in other parts of the yard landscaping or anything - so why this urge to kill the grass? Hmm? Any ideas?

Languages of Love

I know we've had this book before, but I've recently heard more about the Five Love Languages both on the radio station I listen to in the mornings on my way to work and from my Dad who's getting married here in a few short weeks (yay!) :)!

So, of course it prompted me to figure out what my love languages were again since I couldn't remember and made me wonder what my hubby's was - though of course I had an idea of what they were for the both of us - but, sometimes it take a little stepping back to analyze exactly what makes us tick.

So, here it goes!

My love language scores:

5	Words of Affirmation
9	Quality Time
6	Receiving Gifts
3	Acts of Service
7	Physical Touch

My love language is: Quality Time
In the vernacular of Quality Time, nothing says, “I love you,” like full, undivided attention. Being there for this type of person is critical, but really being there--with the TV off, fork and knife down, and all chores and tasks on standby--makes your significant other feel truly special and loved. Distractions, postponed dates, or the failure to listen can be especially hurtful.

My hubby's Love Language is: Words of Affirmation
Actions don’t always speak louder than words. If this is your love language, unsolicited compliments mean the world to you. Hearing the words, “I love you,” are important–hearing the reasons behind that love sends your spirits skyward. Insults can leave you shattered and are not easily forgotten.

Here's his scores:

11	Words of Affirmation
10	Quality Time
2	Receiving Gifts
3	Acts of Service
4	Physical Touch

Want to find out your love language or learn more? Check out the Five Love Language website!

Can't Stop Staring: Indiana Wind Farm

Traveling to our hometown has been made just a little more interesting - a wind farm has come to the small rural area where my husband and I are originally from.

I can't stop staring - so sci-fi looking in contrast to all the fields and barns.



And there are so many of them.

For more info about this wind farm - click here.

Baubles in a Box

Been cleaning out our spare rooms and closets going through things for our garage sale. While going through the many totes of things and came across all these little bits and pieces that had come from a miscellaneous box from my childhood bedroom.

I put them all into an old jewerly box (bought at a garage sales years ago) and it looked all so pretty I just had to take a pic!



So many little things that grab at the heart...charms from a matching set "Best Friends" necklace from my childhood friend Corinna, who is getting married here towards the end of the year!! So excited for her!! A picture of my father from 5th grade - lol! :) Little rocks, coins, jewelry and other little bits and baubles.



A little old empty bottle of perfume from my great-grandparents' basement I think - or a garage sale - memory is fuzzy on that one. And skeleton keys - love them!

These are all keepers, definitely not in the garage sale, nope, they are getting up right up with all my arrowheads.

Woke Up to Friday in a Funk

Woke up in the wee hours of the morning today with a whopper of a sinus headache. 4:45AM to be precise. My alarm is set for 6:45AM - so needless to say I am a tad bit grouchy today.

Not only could I not get back to sleep until a mere 5 minutes before my alarm went off - but my face feels like it was beat up from inside and my neck and shoulders are achy and sore from being stiffed up all night.

Trying to pull myself out of this funk, because it is Friday after all and I would like to salvage the day. So, I treated myself to a McDonald's sweet tea this morning and will be going out for lunch since I was in no mood to scrap together anything for myself before work.

Hopefully the caffeine and sugar from the tea perks me up a bit here soon because I feel like I could just lay my head across my keyboard and drift away.

I loathe sinus headaches - and they seem to happen every time a weather front comes in. Anytime it goes from being 60 degrees and then drops down to 20 in the course of one evening - I am bound to wake up suffering. I should have taken my Sudafed Severe Sinus Headache meds before bed last night because I had all the warning signs. Sore muscles in my neck and a slight ache between my eyes - but I was hoping I was just tired.

Ugh.

Bee House

This unseasonably warm weather we've been having and the recent arrival of the Spring Hill garden seed catalogue has my mind on all things spring. When browsing the oh-so-wonderful Cox & Cox website I came across this nifty little bee-house. We had bees try to house one of our bird houses last year but they later abandoned the idea - this would the perfect thing to encourage bees to visit your yard and garden but hopefully keep them away from housing your along your roof line and vacant bird houses. And at $15 it isn't a large dent in the wallet.

Found on Cox & Cox

Funny Stuff

You all should read my husband's blog - he had the day off today and was feeling pretty hilarious apparently! I love how he makes me laugh!

Much more blogging than I've been able to do in the last few days!

Matt's Micellany

Cold. Tired. Busy. Blah.

Cold. Tired. Busy. Blah.

Will post something good soon...

Craigslist: Anybody want anything??

Have a few things posted on Craigslist if anyone is local and interested in the following items!

Gold & Amethyst Bracelet

Minolta Maxxum 5 35mm Camera (complete with carrying case & roll of color film)

Large Dog Crate - SOLD!

Standing George Foreman Grill

Black & White Marilyn Monroe photo mounted to foamcore (measures 5 feet x 3 ft approx.)

X-Chair Hammock

Woman's/Girl's Fossil Watch

Lovely Backyard Frogs

More frog sightings! I love these little guys! Too bad they don't like me as well, I could not nab this one for the life of me. He finally found sanctuary under our grill - on which I knocked my head pretty hard. Yeah, I bet that was a sight for the neighbors. :)

Thursday Morning Madness

Well, my return to the office today was quite eventful - let me tell ya!

(Yup, I was out of town for two days - but you didn't know it did you?! - I was sneaky and SCHEDULED some posts ahead of time...ah, the joys of technology...will post about my business travel adventures soon - promise!)

Anyways, back to this morning. Woke up in a fairly chipper mood for as much driving I have done in the last two days. Drank my English Breakfast tea while walking barefoot out in the backyard looking at all our lovely plants and flowers. And found THESE little guys all over our fence...so THAT is what has been eating at our leaves on our plants!



Now we need to work on getting rid of them....saw some slug and snail control stuff at Lowes we may pick up - UNLESS you all have something better and more environmentally sound! Let me know!

Managed to get my behind on the bus on time and enjoyed some pleasant reading time and basked in a little attention I got my fellow bus riders and my favorite bus driver for having been missing for a few days. :) They noticed I wasn't around - aw!

Made it to my stop only to see billowing plumes of smoke rising up out of the skyline of Indianapolis. Yeah, a little scary!



Ended up being a car fire in the parking garage - but lots of excitement nonetheless.

Then dropped my bagel on the floor - AND ATE IT. Yup - that is how I started my morning! :)

Toally Random (soggy) Tuesday

Arg! Today is a soggy day. Woke up to lightening, thunder and lots and lots of rain. Not that I am unhappy about the rain - my yard was getting rather crunchy so I know we needed it. I just like it much better when it storms at night - when I can curl up on the couch and read a book and listen to the storm - not be out in it.

And Tuesdays are the day that I give my parking pass to my intern. She comes in on Tuesdays now but not until the afternoon after her classes and since I ride the bus we broke a deal - she drives in after her class and uses my parking pass but she has to drive me back to my car at the end of the day (we live on the same side of town). Works out most days - except that today was horribly rainy and I would have rather just drove in to begin with and avoid getting soaked.

And of course I could not find my gosh darn umbrella . And OF COURSE it starts pouring as soon as I pull up to the bus this morning. So, here I am fumbling around my car trying to find the umbrella - which I swore was in the back of the car which requires getting out and opening the back hatch and guess what? It wasn't back there - it was in the back seat the whole time - I didn't have to get out to get it - but I did and I got soaked.

And the AC was definitely working on the bus this morning so I was frozen....

I am now drinking hot chocolate complete with marshmallows - in August. :)

Totally Random Tuesday

Yeah, so I am super busy today - and hubby has the day off so I am sure to be busy once I get home as well so the posting is gonna be next to nil, but I can supply you all with a totally random fact that I bet ya didn't know (because I sure didn't)!

When hubby and I went the Cincinnati Zoo a few weekends ago for our anniversary weekend getaway, we learned about the Sumatran rhinoceros. What is really cool is that the Cincinnati Zoo was able to bred this rare rhino in captivity successfully for the first time in 112 years! I was talking to one of the zoo employees (as you can see in my pic above) and she said it would have made the news because it was such a feat but it happened just days after September 11 and became overshadowed.

Here is some more great info from the zoo's website:

The Sumatran rhinoceros is one of the most endangered animals on earth with fewer than 270 individuals distributed throughout fragmented rainforests of South East Asia. A captive breeding program was formally established for this species in 1984, but efforts to propagate these rhinos in captivity failed. In 1997, CREW scientists initiated research using endocrinology and ultrasonography to learn about the reproductive physiology of the species. As a result, scientific breakthroughs led to the first Sumatran rhino calf bred and born in captivity in 112 years at the Cincinnati Zoo on Sept. 13, 2001.

Since the birth of that first calf, two additional calves have been produced. This series of successful births clearly demonstrates how productive a captive breeding program can be when it incorporates good science, veterinary care, animal husbandry and intensive management. The Cincinnati Zoo remains the only place in the world breeding this species successfully in captivity.

In addition to its leadership role in the Sumatran rhino captive breeding program, CREW partners with other conservation organizations (Rhino Global Partnerships) to protect Sumatran rhinos in the wild by helping to support Rhino Protection Units (RPUs). These RPUs are trained to protect the rhinos from poachers, the greatest threat to the species. Furthermore, financial support and staff expertise are provided to facilitate the captive breeding program on Sumatra. The goal of the program is to keep the rhinos safe in the wild and to establish a successful international captive breeding program for the Sumatran rhinoceros.

Now you know! ;)