I Spy...must have originated from the cleaning of a junk drawer!

With January coming to a close I've decided that I did well with my resolutions for the month...got all of my doctor appointments done and cleaned out some closets and drawers!!  Here is the contents of one (yes, she says with embarrassment) of my kitchen junk drawers...Anyone for a game of I Spy...

I Spy ...
a little green bird
graduation pictures
the letter G
a membership card for AARP
batteries, a tape measure, scissors, and tape
two old cell phones, an ipod, hand sanitizer, headphones and deck of cards
a mini tape recorder, a luggage tag, map for NYC
a pill box, a band aid, a WV postcard...

I don't know what a person's junk says about her...but there you have it...I did find 3 pairs of reading glasses which I can always use and a pedometer, which I can't figure out how to use...no seriously!
Anyway, enough fun and games...February is almost here and so it is time for a fresh set of resolutions!
In February I am going to mix a fun challenge with a paper chase!! Alas, I am going to tackle the dreaded filing cabinet that is kept under lock and key.  YIKES, this is not going to be fun, but it really is necessary as there are things in it that don't deserve the space and there are things in other various places that need to be in there where we can easily get our hands on them!!  I think my paper shredder is going to get a work out!!  
After the rigors of the paper chase I am going to switch to something that is more creative and FUN...but still a challenge.  I am going to do some decorating updates in the house that I have been putting off...anybody know of a really exceptional upholsterer in the Panama City area??

I hope your January has been awesome but if not it's over and so it's time for a fresh start in February!!

Debates, Colonies, National Treasure...It's Five for Friday!

It is a political season complete with the good, the bad, the ugly; and whether we like it or despise it we are fortunate, are we not, to live in a country that allows the discussion and yes, the heated debate.  I have to confess I am a junkie for this kind of stuff...not the political pundits going on and on mind you, I like to listen to the candidates debate and really appreciate a good exchange in which sometimes everything that was said yesterday is "unpacked" and sometimes denied today.  It is entertaining at times...you must admit! 
Last night I watched the Florida debate with fascination...I am going to vote today so it was must-see TV for me! While I choose not to publish my personal political views here on my blog, I strongly encourage all of you young citizens of our wonderful country to pay attention, engage your mind, listen to the candidates, look at history, talk to your parents, siblings, grandparents...and vote!!

So, off of my soapbox, I am wondering...when was the last time you took a look at the Declaration of Independence?...(yea, I know, not the best segue, but it was referenced last night...I remember memorizing this for a college class on teaching History ;)  Well here it is...the well known and often memorized preamble... 

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.--Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world."

 Five facts For Friday that you might or might not know about this document.

1)  Thomas Jefferson was the author of the document ~ chosen to pen it from the committee of FIVE that was appointed to draft a statement.

2) The Declaration of Independence was adopted by 12 of the 13 colonies* on July 1st 1776, New York did not vote. Congress began the debate, revisions were made, and the bells rang throughout Philadelphia on July 4, 1776...the Declaration of Independence had been officially adopted by all 13 colonies.

3) John Hancock, President of the congress, was the first to sign the parchment.

4) There is writing on the back of the original.  It is not visible and reads
"Original Declaration of Independence dated 4th July 1776." It is written upside down.  NO, there is no map leading to treasure (contrary to the notion in the much loved movie...National Treasure).

5) There are 26 known copies of the document; 21 owned by American institutions, 2 by British Institutions, and 3 by private owners.


 *The 13 Colonies in chronological order (in case you have forgotten...I have):

Virginia~ the first English-speaking colony to survive was Jamestown, VA founded in 1607
Massachusetts
New Hampshire
Maryland
Connecticut
Rhode Island
Delaware
North Carolina
South Carolina
New Jersey
New York
Pennsylvania
Georgia ~1732

And now for a bit of fun on this Friday...National Treasure...



Doesn't every boy want to be a treasure hunter??  
Treasure your weekend!!

The United States Map...It's a Good Thing!

While in Birmingham last week I happened upon this United States Map and snatched it up!  It is a combination of the teacher/traveler gene in me that makes me smile at the possibilities a map holds!  I plan to find a really cool frame for this map and then find someplace in my home to showcase it!

Looking at this map brings interesting things to mind...

 This is my "stomping ground" and while my kids seem far away at times, I realize that I am very fortunate that they are just up the road and I can get to them all with no worries!!   I love this part of the country, it is home and holds memories that I cherish...as well as future adventures that I look forward to!

It's interesting that my present day hometown, Panama City, isn't on the map in Florida, but my childhood hometown of Parkersburg, WV is!! Looking at a map it seems weird to me that you have to travel slightly NW to get to Columbus, OH!! While it didn't really seem southern to me while growing up, I did live south of the Mason-Dixon line so technically I have always been a southerner!!

Lots of love for this part of the country...We've done a couple trips to Philadelphia, Boston (fabulous place to take a group of 5th graders), New York City (my absolute favorite big city), and Vermont...our favorite after-Christmas-to-see-snow destination...

Okay, so before I get too wrapped up in my map let me just end this post with Five things you can use a map for on a Friday...or any other day!

1) You can learn all the states...or relearn them!  Over Christmas we somehow played this game in which we had only so many minutes to write down all the states...I did it by alphabetical order, one of the girls did it by regions, Chels's bf Stephen wrote down the ones he could think of...I don't remember, but i THINK Kate was the winner! We all got 40-some...but you know Rhode Island...it slips your mind!

2) You can learn all the state capitals! This is really useful knowledge if you are ever around Richard Dodd who loves the joke..."How do you pronounce the capital of Kentucky...Louisville or Loueyville?" (It's...Frankfort :)

3) You can buy a map for every vacation you take and visually journal your trip on the map by marking all the places you visit and adding pictures; then matte and frame it. Instant scrapbook! My father-in-law has done this for several of his vacations and they are all hanging along one of the hallways...very cool!!

4)  You can do cool stuff like mark every state you have been to; every big city you have visited; every state park you have camped in; every place you have run a race...the possibilities are endless!

5) You can come up with some excellent ideas for future vacations...I am definitely thinking I want to go to the Grand Tetons, Alaska, and Texas someday!!! 

What can I say...I love a map!!

Dr. Oz and the Pioneer Woman...a likely match???

Today I am in the mood to get healthy!!  I don't get too hung up on that stuff...I try to eat fruits, veggies, and only an occasional steak or pot roast or spaghetti bolognese...but anyway...I try to exercise my body and my brain and my soul on a regular basis and I go to the doctor for all the check-ups!  I was on pinterest the other day and happened upon this...

no, not the sweet potato cakes with sour cream and chipotle black bean salsa, or the vanilla bean caramel sauce, nor the oven baked smashed potatoes...look in the middle of the picture kinda next to the caramel sauce...

Dr. Oz's Tangerine Weight-Orade!!

It takes just three ingredients...

8 cups brewed green tea

1 tangerine sliced

a handful of fresh mint leaves

This concoction goes into fridge overnight and tomorrow I can drink it all day and benefit from the metabolism boost it will deliver!! It smells good and has ingredients that I like...so we shall see!

On another note, while I am talking about food...

I made this supreme comfort food the night before Katelyn and Chelsea left for college after Christmas break.  The Pioneer Woman's Macaroni and Cheese feeds the stomach and the soul...here is the recipe

http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2009/04/macaroni-cheese/

Go ahead take a peek...make this once, you will be hooked...hence the necessity for Dr. Oz's Tangerine Weight-Orade!!

Claire's Kipper Birthday Party...

Rainbow colors, Kipper the Dog, family, friends, and balloons all make for one fabulous 2nd birthday party for our Claire!!

Claire's Uncle Aaron created her cake!! You can catch more of his work at Homewood's (in Birmingham) Dreamcakes Bakery!

At the end of a long fun-filled afternoon the party girl is pooped!

But fear not...a little rest and she will be good as new!!

Happy 2nd Birthday Claire!!

Today is Claire's birthday...she is all about being 2 years old! She fills our world with JOY and laughter and we are all looking forward to celebrating with her on Sunday!!  To celebrate her actual birthday today I am taking a trip down memory lane...I hope you will join me but please remember that this is from GiGi's (that's me) point of view!!

January 10th...parents-to-be leave for the hospital!

After a long night for Nicole and no progression of labor the doctor decided...

it was time for Claire to join the world!!

Claire was a sweet baby...happily going along with whatever fun we would cook up!!  We, of course,  were convinced she was a Gerber baby!!

                           She was quite the fashionista and Nicole learned
               how to sew and made adorable dresses for her 

Claire's first fall was full of adventures...there was the first Halloween in which she and Nicole dressed up as black cats.  She attended her first college football game...Auburn V Georgia...and managed to sleep through the first half even amidst all the noise!! Fully mobile and almost ready to walk she had to spend some time in a "safe zone" over Thanksgiving!!

First Christmas's are magic...Claire was the center of attention

                       and enjoyed all the flying paper and ribbon!!

Claire's first birthday party was a "Winter ONEderland"

She wore a cute corduroy bubble made by Nicole and showed off her newest skill...walking!!

 

2011 sped by with Kate's graduation, a vacation at Carillon Beach, Claire's weekend with Pop and GiGi, fall fun, a first ear infection, grocery shopping for Thanksgiving, Christmas Cookie making, Christmas #2, and Claire's first gingerbread house!!  Somewhere in all the excitement Claire's hair turned super curly...it matches her personality! 

Thanks for going down memory lane with me, it was nice to spend some time today reliving the blessing that is bundled up in this sweet little girl! So with much love and all the sparkle I can manage (in a blog) a big...

                                                                         ...to my favorite Claire!!