The (non)Whisperer

Have you ever met someone who can not whisper in a soft tone? That is my husband. I ask nicely, "Can you please whisper?" My husband has this lovely, deep, smooth, radio-talk-show-host voice. And his voice just carries. A long way. His throat must hurt when he whispers, because my throat hurts when he whispers. So much air is coming out it sounds like he might pass out. I could hear him across the street if he whispers. This brings a smile to my face. He might not be able to whisper, but he has crystal blue eyes. And he turns the heater on in the bathroom for me so it will be nice and warm when I get up. I just love my non-whisperer.

Time

Drew called me yesterday to see if I wanted to go to lunch. He met me at the food court. It's a good thing he did. I had a couple of days of too much thinking. Not of work or deadlines, but about time. Where did it go? When did my baby girl get to be 5foot 4 inches. When did my baby boy get too big to sit in my lap (OK, he still does occasionally!) Late Thursday night I pulled out the scrapbook from when my kiddies were babies. I did alot of documenting during that time in their lives. I am so glad that I did. It gives me lots of reasons to start crying...uncontrollably in the food court over a chicken cheese steak from Great Escape. My poor husband looks at me in an uncomfortable glance and says, "why are you crying". I couldn't tell him for a minute because there were LOTS of people and I didn't want to make more of a scene than I was. What I wanted to do was just put my head on the table and cry for a good while. I have spent the last 48 hours being very sad and wanting desperately to go back to those lazy days of tickling, reading and eating pb&j for 5 days straight.

But, I didn't put my head on that table. I finished my sandwich. On my way home from work I stopped by the store and bought 4 big beautiful steaks. Pulled out the china and the pretty red place mats. I even washed the crystal tea glasses for our celebration. We sat down and my kids said, "What are we celebrating?". I told them we were celebrating being together and being happy. Ultimately that is all I have ever wanted for my sweet little family!

Uniforms.

My sister and I went shopping this weekend. I am pleased to announce that I officially have no faith in the sizing that our current fashion industry uses. Within 1.5 hours I ranged from a size 8 to 14. Instead of being sad about this, we immediately found the closest Coldstone Creamery to celebrate our diversity! I am of the opinion that these clothes were cut for women who 1. NEVER eat at Coldstone and 2. Have never EVER had to wear Spanx!




This past winter I had a beautiful "aha" moment. I decided to stop agonizing over what I would wear to work and traded that anxiety with a very simple strategy... uniforms! This picture represents my "Monday" skirt ensemble. Every Monday for many months, this is the skirt I wore. The black tights and the boots automatically go with the skirt so all I had to do was grab something to throw on top. I found comfort in the fact that Monday was taken care of. I actually took a similar approach to Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. I left Wednesday as a wild card. I was free to choose something really crazy and wild. Most of the time this ended up being my green cardigan with my lime green tank.

This picture is actually part of my Project Life book. Even though my children probably will not forget me wearing this outfit since I wore it every Monday for months. I want them to know that I spent my time on more important things like cooking cinnamon rolls for them on Sundays and riding bikes. I also did NOT spend as much time cleaning from the looks of the fogginess on the mirror hence,the thin layer of dust! And this too is part of my story.

Live Today!
Dawn

Starting my Day!

My typical day starts waking up to a busy household just like yours! There are lunches to be made (thanks to my wonderful husband!) teeth to brush and homework to be stuffed in the back packs! I LOVE that we start our day all together and end it in the same way! (That story is for another day!) I am fortunate to spend about 30 minutes in the car with my daughter! What wonderful times we have had! We cover many subjects and laugh until tears come out! I cherish that time.



After I drop my eldest off to learn about history and getting the best seat at the lunch table, I continue on my journey to work. I enjoy that time too. I ponder and consider during this time. Or I call my mom,dad or husband. I don't call my sister because she is more of an afternoon talker. This is part of my journey to the office. I park waaaaay away from the building. So, I have even more time to ponder life and prepare for the day and plan on what I'm going to eat for lunch!



These small details are all part of my story. What does your story look like? Go capture it!

Live Today!
Dawn

Reputations.

We get only one chance for these! I realize that my reputation, especially in my children's eyes, is treasured! I think I blew it though! So...I have been doing Becky Higgin's Project Life. Yesterday before I took H to school, I wanted to take some pictures. We took the pictures on her itouch. I love using her Hipstamatic app. that I paid for in itunes. Pictures came out great! I then decided that I wanted to document my morning routine of dropping H off at school and my drive to work. How cool! So, I asked her if I could borrow her i thing and use it. She was never more shocked! She looked at me like I truly had lost my mind. She simply states, "Mom, I know how many times you have dropped your phone, I really don't think that is a good idea." I didn't have a reply. I know that she has witnessed the dropping of the phone and there was not defense. So, I had to think fast. I went and got one of my husband's thick socks. I promised that I would keep it safely tucked in the sock while I wasn't using it. She was hesitant, but agreed. She also instructed me how to turn it off when I wasn't using it. I think I have completely lost my techological reputation here.

It's Been Awhile!

I have made some serious observations the past year.
1. All of my hats are off to single mothers who bring home the bacon and raise a family!
2. When you work full time, you don't have too much time to worry about the small stuff. All of my energy goes to my family first and then my job. That has been a huge eye opener for me.
3. My children are just fine. One of my biggest fears about working was how this would all affect my kiddos. All of that time I spent with them during their younger years stuck somehow. They are still happy and strong and thank heavens still remember right from wrong (even though I am not there every second to remind them).
4. I am so thankful for where I am right now. There truly is a time for everything.

Cheddar Chicken Chowder

Cheddar Chicken Chowder
Originally published by "Cooking Light"
Passed on to me from my friend, Karen!

2 bacon slices (I actually cooked the whole package at once in the pan, and what didn't fit in the pan I put in the oven, who cooks bacon 2 slices at a time??)
1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breast, cut into bite size pieces
1 cup chopped onion
1 cup diced red pepper (I omited this, my family would pass out if they saw red in their chowder)
2 garlic cloves, minced
4 1/2 cups fat free low sodium chicken broth (I measured, it's about 2 cans)
1 3/4 cups diced peeled red potatoes (used Russet and I didn't peel them)
2 1/4 cups frozen corn
1/2 cup all purpose flour
2 cups low fat milk
3/4 cups shredded cheese
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. black pepper

1. Cook bacon in a dutch oven over med. heat until crisp. Remove bacon from pan, crumble. (try your best not to eat it while crumbling!) Set aside the bacon. Add chicken, onion, bell pepper and garlic to pan drippings, saute' 5 minutes. Add broth and potato, bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat and simmer 20 minutes or until potatoe is tender. Add corn, stir well.

2. Lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cup, and level with a knife. Place flour in a bowl. Gradually add milk, stirring with a whisk until blended; add to the soup. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium, and simmer 15 minutes or until thick, stirring frequently. Stir in the cheddar cheese, salt and pepper. Top with bacon (if you or your children haven't eaten all of it yet!:)

PS. This SMELLS wonderful! Can't wait to pull it out for dinner!