beverage dispenser

Not being one to pass up a bargain, I saw Martha Stewart
Beverage Dispensers (originally $100)
on clearance for 50% off.
One day only, another 15%.
Then if I opened a Macy's charge, 20% more.
Since I have one from last year, I now have a matched pair.

Well, actually I didn't buy just one . . .

Okay 5 in all!
Two retirement gifts.
Two birthday gifts

simple black dress

I have just begun shopping for a dress for my son's wedding in August.
My first purchase is a simple black dress.

My friend Val tells me that pink is my best color
so I added a pop of pink with a scarf.
Now I am thinking maybe something a little shearer??

Hmmm . . . I have seen this look somewhere before.

The secret is out ~ I am a true Vista Woman wanna be!
Doesn't she look beautiful!

irrevocable

Dear Mrs. C and Mr. W,

Please accept this letter as my irrevocable resignation for the purpose of retirement effective June 30, 2010.

When I married Jim in 1979 and moved to this area I had no idea how important you would all become in my life. The first day I started teaching at K Elementary School I didn’t know anyone here. Thirty years later this is truly my happy place and I can’t imagine leaving this family of friends and dedicated professionals.

I am constantly amazed and impressed at the impact that this wonderful staff has on the lives of K’s children and I could not have asked for a better or more welcoming place to work. I leave this job confident that I gave my all every day and with the hope that I have made a positive difference in the lives of our students.

Thank you for the opportunity to be part of this school district for all of these years. As I leave K Central School I take with me wonderful memories of working with you and look forward to keeping in touch.

Sincerely,
MH

Don't look back . . .


Look ahead . . .

twenty-three

Happy Birthday to my youngest son. Unfortunately for him, his birthday is always during the last week of school and both his parents are teachers. We could fool him for many years and celebrate a week later. Then . . . he learned to read a calendar and the gig was up. He has always been very patient about it but I know it was hard.

This past year, when he was 22, I could still think of him as a child - I'm not so sure about 23. He is a funny, thoughtful young adult with one more semester of college before he's off to find his way in the world.

I hope he knows how much he is loved.

father's day

If you want your children to be successful in life . . .

choose their father carefully

I am truly blessed to have married this man . . .

comfort food

At our most recent Pot-Luck Lunch at work we were to bring a favorite recipe of our mother's. Growing up we had Sloppy Joes fairly often so I made a more "grown-up" version and it was a success.

photo from Southern Living Magazine

Cheesy Sloppy Joes
(on Texas Toast)

Preparation Time: 30 minutes
Yield: Makes 6 servings

1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef
1/4 cup chopped onion
1/4 cup chopped green bell pepper
1 teaspoon prepared yellow mustard
1 15 oz can tomato sauce (or diced tomatoes)
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
3 teaspoons brown sugar
3 teaspoons Montreal Steak Seasoning

1 package (12 pieces) frozen garlic or cheese Texas Toast
3/4 cup (2 oz.) shredded sharp Cheddar cheese

1. Brown ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat, stirring often, 8 to 10 minutes or until beef crumbles and is no longer pink; remove from pan and drain well. Sauté onion and pepper in same pan. Return beef to skillet. Stir in rest of ingredients. Cover and cook 10 minutes.

2. Meanwhile, prepare Texas toast according to package directions. Serve beef mixture over Texas toast; sprinkle with cheese.

cousins

These little munchkins are my daughter's
nieces and nephews from Terrace, British Columbia.
I love this photo.


I do see a little space left on that skateboard for one more.
Maybe someday?!

market bag tutorial

Here is a link to the directions

My most "funky" pair of bags to date ~ Elvis Presley
I thought no one would choose them ~ I was wrong.


My "favorite" pair of bags to date ~ Buffet
I chose them.

market bags

Sewing market bags for friends, family and gifts is one of my passions.
I have been missing sewing these lately.
It is good to be at it again.
They come in pairs.

Peek-a-Blue

Batik Turtles

Celebration ~ I Do
Like Clockwork

Spots in Spots

Early to Bed


These bags are large enough to hold five boxes of cereal!

Enough funky fabric for thirty more bags . . .


I am always surprised which bags people choose.
Would you choose pretty or funky?

View All the Market Bags

beadboard wainscoting

This is a photo from one of my favorite blogs, homespunliving.
Don't you just love Deb's beadboard wainscoting backsplash?


My husband and his friend are making my dream come true.


Thanks for the inspiration Deb.

word reflection

Every spring our Wine-on-Wednesday friends each choose a word and then reflect upon it the next year. Soon I will post our 2010 words but here are thoughts about some of our 2009 words . . . .

Jim – active ~ I am recently pleased with my more "active" life. There were a few months where active was not part of it.

Mary – moments ~ I am well on my way to enjoying (and recording) my everyday moments. My blog has been a great way for me to focus on my moments.

Amanda - experience ~ I would say attained with exhilarating & heartbreaking experiences all rolled into one year... exhilarating - Angkor Wat, Vietnam, South Africa, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, visitors (oh my!), heartbreaking - watching daily struggles - malnutrition, injustice, corruption, brokenness

Benjamin - evolving ~ Grade B+ Increased vegetable intake, decreased meat intake, experienced new places (locally and foreign), volunteered a handful of times, brought weight down to 175, became more politically attuned, drank better beer and understood why they were better!, continued on my slow book reading pace, re-lit my musical interests, , went to more concerts.

Mike - build ~ Grade B, I wanted to rebuild our finances, relationship with kids, and relationship with Marty.

Marty – health ~ On the way to being attained – I am more in control and that is a good thing.

Doug – survival ~ I’m still here so I guess . . . attained.

Leslie – anticipation ~ There were many good things to anticipate this past year...and more to anticipate in 2010! I think my anticipation was for a possible retirement decision. Difficult as it has been to truly decide, now that the decision is made, I am happy about it. More time with Dougie, more time with friends and family, time to get organized, and hopefully more time to plan some new adventures! I look at all of my retired friends, and not one has an ounce of regret on their young, smiling faces!

Debbie - timely ~ For me that's the key, "for me", I think I'm doing a bit better. I've actually been at appointed places within five minutes of the designated times.

Dave - focus ~ He thinks he didn't do well. He's thinking of a new word for this year.. . but he just needs to "focus".

Val – opportunity ~ I believe I was successful at being open to opportunities that helped me grow as a wife, mother (and mother-in-law! )friend, and teacher. For me, half the battle is recognizing an opportunity when it seems to be a celebration, event or challenge . . . That is the part I will always be working on!

Ed - please ~ Please, did not work too well. I am taking suggestions for my new word. Help Please.

Maryellen – thankful ~ It was the theme for our somewhat-annual Mortonian Valentine Letter

Ali - wedding ~ attained :)