Gillie Time

Another new blog home?

2011-06-22T21:09:00.002-05:00

Feeling Content
Hearing Baby Chatter

I am feeling the urge to start blogging again but am not ready to commit to a full blown thing.

Enter Tumblr!

So now Gillie Time is on Tumblr HERE!!!

Come and visit won't you?

But before I go I will leave you with a picture of my new beautiful baby girl!!

Meet my newest love...Harper!

Missing Her

2011-04-09T09:59:00.003-05:00

Feeling Heartbroken
Hearing The baby being burped

I thought I was done blogging. I haven't been out here in over a year and wasn't missing it too much...Facebook and Twitter fulfilled my need for oversharing.

But here I am...not to write about the birth of my beautiful daughter but the death of my beautiful dog daughter.

I am devastated.

I am Heartbroken.

I feel alone in a house full of my family.

All because she is not here.

I see and hear her everywhere.

I can't stop crying.

She was my best girlfriend and a wonderful listener. Now that she is gone I realize what an enormous part of my day she was.

I can't wrap my head around the fact that she is not here.

I miss her so much. Much more than I ever thought I could miss anyone or anything.

I hope you are enjoying romping around in Dog Heaven Miss Jill!!

Hello...

2010-01-31T13:56:00.002-06:00

Feeling Happy
Hearing The dishwasher running

Hello, my name is Gillie and I will put bacon in just about anything!

Case in point...BACON CINNAMON ROLLS!

Hot out of the oven...look at that bacon peeking out!

All frosted and ready to eat!

They were delicious!!!!

New Year's Resolutions

2010-01-05T21:40:00.003-06:00

Feeling Blessed
Hearing Silence

Last year I posted my New Year's Resolutions here. I am ready to self report on how I did!

Resolution # 1 was a monthly Date Nite with my Hubba Hubby! I am proud to report that we aced this resolution with flying colors!

January: Hubby & I went out to Mark's Bistro for dinner.
February: We celebrated our anniversary at Mahogany Prime Steakhouse.
March: We went to PF Changs (KEY LIME MARTINI anyone?)
April: Mother India for dinner and we saw the movie State of Play (I loooove Ben Affleck!).
May: Brewburgers for some very delicious burgers!
June: Spezia for dinner.
July: We had dinner at Brother Sebastian's Steakhouse
August: Indian Oven for some tasty grub!
September: Amarillo BBQ and we saw The Informant!
October: Lil Burro and we watched Zombieland.
November: NEW MOON BABY!! Oh yeah...and dinner at Hector's.
December: Cheesecake Factory and truck shopping.

We also had a few bonus Date Nites as well!!! I am so glad we kept to this resolution! It was something we both looked forward to each month and it was fun just hanging out together! We plan to continue the monthly Date Nite (have already had January Date Nite...Biaggi's for dinner after a full day of shopping!!) this year but not as our resolution.

Resolution #2 was to make more time for my friends. I think I did okay with this resolution. I started out like gangbusters in January and had lunch/dinner/coffee dates with most of my friends. I intended to do the same in the last half of the year but life of course got in the way. I did see some of my friends quite a bit and Hubby and I went out with a group of friends a couple times. But I could have done better and made more of an effort here.

Resolution #3 was to read The Bible all the way through. I failed miserably on this resolution. I would get behind a few days and then I would get discouraged. I think I put to much pressure on myself to read all the way through and will change my resolution for this year.

For 2010 my resolutions are as follows...

1. Hubby & I decided our resolution together this year would be to unplug everyday from 7:00-9:00 p.m. So 7:00-9:00 no computer or cell phones or blackberries or texting. Two hours is a long time! I never fully realized how often I text or pop into the office to check my email. This has already really opened my eyes!

2. I will try and read The Bible everyday. I am going to continue to read the chronological version I have but will not get discouraged if I miss a day and instead of trying to make it up by reading more than one day, I will just pick up where I left off!

3. I am going to keep a listing of every book I read this year. I did this a few years ago and looked back on it recently and found it very interesting to see how my reading changed from month to month.

4. I am going to continue to carve out and make time for my friends (well on my way...had a coffee date with two friends this evening!!).

5. Hubby and I are also going to try to do things as a couple with our friends. We tend to do friend things separately but found that on the two occasions when we met a group of friends for dinner and drinks we had a great time! So we are gonna try to do more of that this year whether it be with a group of friends or with another couple.

There it is...my 2010 resolutions! Happy New Year!!

2009 In Review

2010-01-01T11:17:00.002-06:00

Feeling Blessed
Hearing Cage The Elephant~Free Love

I have done a year in review the last two years...2008 & 2007...and decided to keep the tradition going!

JANUARY was great! We rang in the NEW YEAR warm, happy & healthy! I celebrated my second year as a full time stay at home mom and Hubby and I committed to a once a month date night!!

FEBRUARY is one of my favorite months! Hubby & I celebrated our TWELFTH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY and FOURTEEN YEARS together!!

The Prince turned NINE in MARCH! Hard to believe I have a child that old!!!

APRIL was fun! The big highlight...MIL, The Prince & I went to Des Moines for a spring break mini-vacation!

MAY is always busy! The Prince had recitals, programs and graduated from 3rd grade!! I officially became a hippie chick and traded in my SUV for a new (hybrid) car!!

JUNE was fun! The Prince & I took a road trip to Dallas to visit my brother and nephews AND I met a blog friend face to face!!!

JULY was a BLAST!!!! We took a week long family trip to Chicago...sooooo fun! We also spent quite a lot of time in the pool cooling off or at local Farmer's Markets!!

AUGUST flew by! I went to visit my BFF Jen in Atlanta, Hubby & I both turned 37!

In SEPTEMBER The Prince started FOURTH grade and I spent the month enjoying some much deserved mommy alone time!!!

OCTOBER was spent enjoying the fall Nebraska weather and an early snow storm!! If you don't like the weather in Nebraska wait 15 minutes...it'll change!

NOVEMBER was all about NEW MOON & RPatz!!!!!

DECEMBER went by quickly. I spent most of the month sick with whooping cough! Yes, I said whooping cough! We spent a lot of time as a family watching movies and snuggling by the fire because of TWO blizzards!

Overall 2009 was a great year for me and my family. We settled into some new routines and recommitted to spending more time with friends and family. We have made the same commitment for 2010!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

It's Thursday!

2009-11-19T10:00:00.005-06:00

Feeling Content
Hearing John Mayer~Half of My Heart

I am sitting here working on my Christmas card (gotta start early or it takes forever!) and thinking about doing this same thing last year. Hard to believe Christmas is about a month away. Yikes! Haven't done much shopping yet but do have The Prince pretty much done. He is the easiest! Legos and Star Wars...done!

Here are a few pics of The Prince.

School Pic

Christmas Pics

How'd that get in here? Oh yeah, I did it. Just excited for tomorrow!! Hubby took the day off so he could take me to the noon showing of New Moon. Love me some R Pattz!!!

If you could make it past the above pic and made it this far...have a great weekend and if you wanna exchange Christmas cards...email me!!

I'm Back!!!

2009-11-15T19:47:00.018-06:00

Feeling Happy
Hearing Cobra Starship-Good Girls Go Bad

I'm back!! I am sure you have been waiting and waiting for me to update!!! I have no excuse for not being out here except I was just not been feeling it. I have found myself missing it a bit recently so here I am!

Since I was last out here we have enjoyed spring, summer, autumn and are now gearing up for winter!

In April we took a trip to scenic Des Moines, IA and the Science Museum for spring break.

Of course he found the Legos!

We also participated in the cultural day at school. The Prince did his presentation on The Czech Republic (MIL & I spent hours on those kolachky in front of him)!

In May we were "Goin' Ape"...

We had a piano recital...

Got a new fishing hat...

Had the last day of THIRD grade...

AND I GOT A NEW CAR!!!

June was super busy and fun!!

Hubba Hubby had to get tubes in his ears.

We took a road trip to Dallas to see my brother and nephews.

The Price stayed up past midnight for the first time. He was very excited and wanted photographic proof!

My little navigator...

We also spent a lot of time outside!!

In July we took a vacation to CHICAGO!! We had such a great time!!! We were there for over a week and we did everything! We went to museums, parks, restaurants, a ball game and we did a ton of shopping!!

The Prince experienced all kinds of travel on this trip...plane, bus, taxi, double-decker bus, tram, train, boat and water taxi.

His first time on a plane...

The Lego Store was a BIG HIT. We were so lucky it was across the street from our hotel as we ended up going more than once.

Go Cubs!!

Enjoying Chicago...

August flew by. I had a birthday and The Prince started FOURTH GRADE!!

I visited my BFF in Atlanta...

And we hit the Nebraska State Fair for it's last year in Lincoln.

Just clowning around...

September was pretty chill...

So was October...so chill in fact that it SNOWED before the leaves had even finished turning.

The weather turned nice again so I was able to get some pics of the kids in the leaves.

Halloween was a blast!

Jill was not as thrilled to be a Clone Trooper.

And here I am halfway through November!

Gearing up for Thanksgiving and for the NEW MOON release on Friday!!

Don't be a stranger...let me know how things are with YOU!!

Oh My!

2009-06-22T10:20:00.003-05:00

Feeling Happy
Hearing Coldplay~Twisted Logic

Wow! I haven't been out here for ages. Thanks to those of you who checked on me. All is well, I just needed a little blogging hiatus. But I think I am ready to be back! You've been warned. ☺

We've been busy since I last wrote. We've had piano recital, road trips, a new car purchase, last day of school, lots of summer fun & more!

I will be by to visit you as well! I haven't read any blogs for ages!! Speaking of visiting you fellow bloggers...I had the chance to meet one of you in person!!!! I was in Dallas a couple weeks ago and met Kelly (and Kadie & Courtney) for a snack at La Madeleine. It was cool to meet a fellow blogger!

*Please ignore my hair! I have no idea how anyone in Dallas has cute hair! It was so hot and humid my hair just drooped!

I'll do a few catch up entries in the coming days! Watch this space!

Happy Easter

2009-04-12T10:17:00.009-05:00

Feeling SAVED
Hearing Silence

We have been busy busy busy! I will be posting about Spring Break and weddings and all kinds of fun soon but wanted to wish you and yours a Happy Easter!!

Praise be to God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead...
1 Peter 1:3

The Prince and a bunny

Beautiful eggs

Eggs & JELL-O Jigglers~FUN!

Easter basket loot (and The Prince in Flashdance)...Nerf basketball hoop, Nerf gun, Star Wars Legos, Rayman Raving Rabbids 2 for Wii, School House Rock Earth DVD, Bedtime Stories DVD, How To Be The Best At Everything (The Boy's Book) and CANDY!!!!

It appears our Easter Bunny really likes the Russell Stover store!!

We will be heading over to the in-laws for Easter brunch in a bit. It feels kind of weird not hosting a family event. I am not even taking any food over. MIL said she didn't need us to bring anything. But we are taking her this enormous Easter lily!

Enjoy the day!

Great big giant catch-up entry

2009-03-20T10:53:00.020-05:00

Feeling Content
Hearing The Strokes~Take It Or Leave It

It has been ages since I have done a real post. I don't have an excuse. I wasn't exceptionally busy or anything...I guess I just wasn't feeling it. I got lost in the world of Facebook and Twitter for a while. What a total time suck that can be...lol!

I have done a few posts recently on my other blogs here and here. Check em out!

Things in Nebraska are finally feeling spring like. I was getting really tired and depressed with the no sun and super cold weather. I feel like I haven't taken my Uggs off for months.

Since I haven't really done a real post with real pictures since the Christmas entry I am gonna play catch up now. Hold on to your hats...I have LOTS of pics!!

January was COLD!

So cold in fact we had to get more firewood!!

The Prince was as smiley as ever.

Jill was still staking her claim to Hubby's side of the bed.

I discovered the joy of wearing a scarf.

AND Hubby and I had our first date night of the year (for one of my New Years Resolutions)!!

Look at me all ready to go out (scarf and all)!

Plus I took off the Uggs and put on my big girl boots!

We had a great time. We went to a restaurant we had never been to before called Marks Bistro. The food was fabulous (For my entree I for mac & cheese...it was seriously the best mac & cheese I have EVER had!!) and the ambiance was perfect. It is a smaller restaurant and it was pretty dark.

Very romantic mood lighting.

February is a fun month for us!

Jill was still being Jill.

We got a huge snow/ice storm and had a snow day which postponed The Prince's school Valentine party until the Monday after Valentine's Day.

He didn't mind!

We had a great family Valentine's Day filled with love and laughter.

As a gift The Prince and Hubby made a garden stepping stone for me.

We went to Chili's for lunch...YUMMY!

And had heart shaped pizza for our family Valentine dinner!

The Prince had a fun month.

He had grandma time.

IMAX in 3-D time.

And a very fun time at Zio's Pizzeria.

The pizza dough and such is made fresh on the premises so it takes a while to get your food...so they give kids pizza dough to play with while they wait.

And play he did!

Hubba Hubby and I celebrated our 12th wedding anniversary!!

Our yearly picture for our anniversary scrapbook.

We went out to Dinker's Bar & Grill (best burgers in Omaha!) with the inlaws for dinner on our actual anniversary and had February date night that weekend~the inlaws took The Prince for a sleepover! ;) We were going to go to the Melting Pot but could only get a reservation at 5:00 or 8:00...ummm...no thanks...so we went to Mahogany Prime Steakhouse. We went there last year (and the year before) for our wedding anniversary and always enjoy it. We got the private wine room again. Very quiet and romantic!! The food was fabulous and we had a great time!

Notice the scarf!

March has been great thus far!!

We've done some lounging.

The Prince has been working out.

Jill has been enjoying the weather.

Hubby and I had March date night at P.F. Chang's.

But the big news is The Prince had a birthday! He is now a BIG 9 YEARS OLD!!!

We had a family party the weekend before his birthday.

This is an ice cream cake from TCBY. I had spent hours baking and decorating a chocolate banana cake. I put the cake outside to set the frosting. I came back 10 minutes later and a WILD CAT WAS EATING MY CAKE!! I was so upset and just tossed the cake in the trash. Hubby though I should've taken a picture of it but I was so furious about the whole thing that I didn't think I wanted a reminder.

It was still a good cake.

On his actual birthday, I sent cookies up to school for a snack.

We went to Red Robin for dinner.

Then came home for cake and present. Yes, present as in one present...a really big present. The Prince really wanted this big Lego set. Hubby and I talked and decided we would go ahead and get it for him but that would be all he would get. We didn't even have a friend party for him...just the big present.

He didn't mind! Look at his face!!

Jill is not amused.

I made another chocolate banana cake...no decorations this time.

We did let The Prince spend his birthday money on whatever he wanted.

There you go. Three months packed into one entry!

I have been busy the last week putting together our home office. I will definitely be posting about that soon!!

New...New...New!!

2009-03-16T21:04:00.003-05:00

Feeling Happy
Hearing Rick Springfield~I've Done Everything For You

I changed my template!

I also changed up the templates on my other two blogs as well...go check 'em out.

My Monthly Heartbreak

Gillie in an Apron

So...what do you think? Is change good?

Hello...anybody home?

2009-03-09T17:01:00.004-05:00

Feeling Happy
Hearing Silence

Long time no blog. ☺ I haven't felt much like writing here lately. I am sure I will be back soon with lots to say and a lot of pictures.

In the meantime...I am over here writing a bit about what I am feeling today.

Check this out

2009-02-26T16:56:00.003-06:00

Hearing Silence
Feeling Calm

Click HERE for my new favorite website (click on Enter JacksonPollock.org then start clicking and moving your mouse around). Very soothing and fun!!!

12 Years!

2009-02-19T20:14:00.003-06:00

Feeling Bliss
Hearing Big Head Todd~Circle

12 years ago today Hubba Hubby and I were in Las Vegas getting hitched!!!

So in love with lots of hair and baby faces!

Just Curious...

2009-02-14T15:59:00.002-06:00

Feeling Blessed
Hearing Dave Barnes~Home

Hey Peeps!! Long time no updates. I have been lost in the interwebs and am curious...How many of you all are on MySpace, Facebook or Twitter? Do any of you IM and if so who do you use...AOL, MSN, Yahoo?

Happy Valentine's Day!!!!

New Year's Resolutions

2009-01-24T11:45:00.004-06:00

Feeling Happy
Hearing Nada

Since I am behind on everything it makes sense to be behind on putting my New Year's Resolutions in writing. I figure if I get this posted in January I am doing okay.

I really put some thought into these resolutions. I wanted to make more personal resolutions versus the normal eat better, lose weight, etc. I focused on what was important to me and what I wanted in my life. I wanted to make resolutions that would be fun and fulfilling to keep so here are my resolutions in no particular order.

1. Date Nite once a month with Hubba Hubby. We have slacked on this a lot lately. With all of the drama the last couple years (Grandma Lou being sick and then MIL's cancer and treatment) we haven't had a real date night since last February for our wedding anniversary. I need to chill out on the babysitter restrictions. At this point we have never had a real babysitter for The Prince...only family (mainly MIL) and I have had my friend Beth and my friend Steph watch him. I am just overly protective. I also don't really know any teenagers so that is a problem as well. Hubby and I have a good relationship and we do a lot of things as a family but I think most every parent could use some additional "Couple Time" to just reconnect. We need to focus and nurture our relationship as a couple versus our relationship as a family and as parents. I have lined up MIL to babysit tonight and Hubby is making the rest of the plans.

2. Make more time for my friends and stop making excuses about it. It is so easy to get caught up in my own day to day tasks and drama. Time passes so quickly. I have reconnected with a lot of friends (old & new) on Facebook and through email but that is the easy part. As a SAHM I am pretty isolated in my day to day activities. Facebook is fun and easy but I also have to make the effort to SEE my friends as well. Since most of my friends work I am the one who has to make the effort to make plans and such. I remember when I worked and had friends who didn't...it was kinda out of sight out of mind. I understand it and have let myself fall into the same trap. So, no more excuses. I have been calling and emailing and am making lunch plans like crazy with friends. Last week I went to lunch with my friend Dawn. This week I went to lunch with James on Tuesday, Beth on Wednesday, Paul on Thursday and Jeff on Friday. Next week I have lunch plans with Stephanie & Dave on Tuesday, Doug on Wednesday and Mark on Thursday. WOW~in writing this out I realized I have an inordinate amount of male friends. I have a couple more friends that we are still trying to hammer out a good time to meet. I feel good about it. It is great to spend time with these people and hear what is going on in their lives and share what is going on in mine. It really wasn't that difficult either. I made the calls and the plans fell into place. I guess the next step will be to keep in contact. That is where I tend to fall into slacker mode. I am really good at starting something but have a little problem with the follow through part.

3. I will read The Bible all the way through this year. I am well on my way! I bought a new Bible which is in chronological order. I have been reading this Bible everyday as well as a daily devotional. I have really enjoyed this quiet time each day to reflect and learn and feel closer to God.

So there is my small but mighty list of New Year's Resolutions! I am motivated to keep these resolutions and am well on my way to a great year!!

I am off to make lunch for The Prince and then to get ready for Date Nite!

Have a good Saturday!!

Our Christmas in Pictures!

2009-01-12T19:37:00.008-06:00

Feeling Happy
Hearing Basketball

Christmas was a wonderful and happy time in our house.

On Christmas Eve we had our traditional family dinner for just our little family of three.

Prime Rib
Yorkshire Pudding
Roasted Asparagus
Bread
Martinelli's Sparking Apple Cider
Lithuanian Torte Cake for dessert

Hubby cooks the meal and it is fabulous!!!

We opened gifts after dinner.

The Prince posing before the big open.

Playing Santa...

Jill gets to go first!

Then it was The Prince's turn!!

Then Hubby

Then Mama

The aftermath...

What do you do with all that paper??? You burn it of course!! Please ignore Hubby's shiny shorts (he LOVES those shorts~I don't).

Cookies for Santa and carrots for the reindeer.

Christmas morning came early...did Santa come?

YES HE DID!!!

Straight to work...

Jill was wore out!

Christmas evening had the family over for a lasagna dinner and presents. It was a fun time. Everyone was in a good mood and got along and there was no bickering or fighting!

Do you like my moustache?

I did pretty well in the gift department. I feel very blessed. I got the usual smelly girly things, books, clothes and movies but I also got some great new stuff for my kitchen.

The Prince enjoyed the rest of his vacation.

He Wii'd.

He played outside in the frigid cold weather.

Of course, he played and built Legos!

It was a fun and happy holiday spent with family and being thankful for the many blessings in our lives!

Stop Me Before I Cookbook Again

2009-01-11T15:15:00.003-06:00

Feeling Happy
Hearing Football (NYG v PHI)

I have a problem.

Seriously.

I LOVE cookbooks!

I have A LOT of cookbooks.

Here is my cookbook bookshelf.

This shelf is at capacity. No more cookbooks will fit. I have more cookbooks in a box that will not fit on the shelf.

Yes, I know...I have a problem.

These are the cookbooks that have come into my house recently.

Some were Christmas gifts and some I picked up myself (The Half Price Book Store is so not my friend and neither is the Borders 40% off coupon).

I think I might need a 12 step program here.

Photo 4x4

2009-01-09T15:42:00.003-06:00

Feeling Calm
Hearing The Prince on the Wii

I was tagged by Janis to do the Photo 4x4 challenge. I haven't done a meme or a tag in a very long time and I lucked out with this one. It is a pretty easy challenge!

The challenge is to go to your picture folder on your computer and then go to the fourth folder and then the fourth picture. You need to post the picture and then explain what is going on.

My picture folder has picture folders by year (I am soooo organized!) so the fourth folder is for 2006. In the 2006 folder there are folders by date. The first folder had only one picture so I went to the next folder and picked the third picture. Here it is...

The Prince & Me in our jammies!

Look how young he was and how long my hair was!!!

Those of you who have been reading me for a while might remember these QUACKalackin jammies. I did an entry in my old blog about these jammies.

Here is an exerpt from the original blog post...I will leave you a laugh for the night. One of my favorite things to say is Crackalackin! Which when I use it means something is cool (and of course the fact that I am saying it makes it cool...lol). So tonight I put on my jammies which have cute little ducks all over them and The Prince says to me "Mom, those jams are QUACKalackin!"

Here is the post where I actually posted the picture...QUACKalackin Jams.

Of course this was before the movie Madagascar. I was saying Crackalackin long before Marty the zebra! I am such a trendsetter!!!

I am supposed to tag some of my peeps to play along, but since I am so far behind in my blog reading I have no idea who may have done this already. If you haven't played please feel free...just let me know so I can check it out!

I am hoping to have some quiet time in the morning to do a big picture catch-up entry. I know you are all dying to know what I got for Christmas!! :)

My MIL just called and her and my FIL want to take us out for pizza tonight! Yeah!! Happy Friday!

2008 In Review

2008-12-31T09:45:00.002-06:00

Feeling Hopeful
Hearing Oprah on tv

I did a year in review entry last year and really enjoyed looking back on the good (and the bad) things that happened during the year.

JANUARY was tough. I was still reeling from Grandma Lou's death and it finally kind of hit me. I also spent a lot of time with my MIL for chemo treatments but I did celebrate my first full year as a full time stay at home mom!!!!

FEBRUARY is always a happy month for Hubby & I~we celebrated our ELEVENTH wedding anniversary!!

MARCH started out great! The Prince turned 8 and I found out I was pregnant! It quickly turned sad when I miscarried at the end of the month.

APRIL is kind of a blur. I spent the month recovering from the miscarriage.

MAY was busy! The Prince had a piano recital, spring program at school and graduated from 2nd grade! I started on some serious home improvement stuff in the midst of helping out with wedding plans for BIL & SIL's wedding at the end of May.

JUNE was spent finishing the bathroom remodel and spending a lot of time in the pool with The Prince. The Prince attended two summer camps and had a great time and MIL had her last radiation treatment!!

JULY started the summer of travel! Hubby, The Prince & I went to South Dakota and Montana and then MIL, The Prince & I went to Oklahoma. What a great time we had!!

AUGUST was fun! I went to Atlanta to see my BFF Jen and then I went home to Tampa for the first time in ages! Hubby & I turned 36 and The Prince started 3rd grade!

SEPTEMBER was spent recovering from the summer of travel!

OCTOBER was spent messing with this blog! Crappy AOL!!

NOVEMBER had Hubby out of town A LOT but home for Thanksgiving and we were THANKFUL!

DECEMBER brought the end of the year with a wonderful Christmas spent with family and friends.

2008 was a tough year emotionally for me but also brought so much joy. I am truly blessed with a wonderful family and friends. I look forward to what 2009 will bring! HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Christmas Eve

2008-12-24T11:13:00.010-06:00

Feeling Blessed
Hearing Bruce Springsteen~Santa Claus is Comin' to Town

The Christmas preparations are in full swing here at our home!

The tree is trimmed and the presents are wrapped.

The baby Jesus made it into the manger this morning in our Advent calendar (Great-Grandma Lou made this for The Prince when he was a baby).

The baking is done.

Butterscotch Chocolate Chip Puddin' Cookies

FUDGE!

Chocolate Brownie Peanut Butter Cups

Pumpkin Pecan Chocolate Chip Cookies

We have kept ourselves busy the last few weeks...

The Prince had his school program.

The Prince and Mr. Smith his music teacher...they are best buds!

The Prince had his piano recital.

The Prince and Miss Amber his piano teacher (isn't she a beauty~we LOVE her!).

The Prince's school had their holiday party with a Christmas singalong.

The Prince has enjoyed his vacation especially since we have snow!!!

Rosy cheeks after playing outside!

We had our Christmas lunch with my friend Stephanie. The Prince used to say she was his girlfriend but she got married this year so he told her she couldn't be his girl anymore because she went and got married...LOL!

Now I am just fiddling around the house getting ready for our big Christmas Eve and Christmas dinners.

I will leave you with The Prince at his piano recital. A classic Christmas tune.

I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas.

New Stuff

2008-12-17T09:59:00.008-06:00

Feeling Happy
Hearing A Celtic Christmas

I am procrastinating on some holiday baking and thought I would post pics of the new stuff that makes it so much more enjoyable to cook in my kitchen!!!

Before... (please don't judge the cluttered & messy kitchen...I had all this stuff out because of the install...really)

AFTER!!!!!!!

Those are double ovens baby!!!!!

I didn't get a before pic of the dishwasher (it was the same color and style as the old stove and fridge so I am sure you can imagine it)

Aren't they beautiful?? Amazing how different my kitchen looks now!!

I will be posting more soon. I have all kinds of pics and maybe even a video of The Prince's piano recital!

I am off to the store and then I seriously need to do some baking for The Prince's class party tomorrow!

We LOVE Santa

2008-12-12T17:50:00.001-06:00

Feeling Happy
Hearing The Prince playing the Wii

USPS look out!

2008-12-11T13:45:00.003-06:00

Feeling Accomplished
Hearing The Martha Stewart Show

I have been a bad blogger lately. I just could not sit down and do a real entry until I got my Christmas cards done!

I am FINALLY done! My little hand hurts from writing. :)

I posted a list last year of where my cards are going and thought I'd do it again this year because I know you are so interested!!

39 to Nebraska
17 to Florida
4 to Texas
3 to Georgia
3 to North Carolina
3 to Ohio
3 to Oklahoma
2 to Indiana
2 to Kentucky
2 to New Jersey
2 to Iowa
2 to Nevada
2 to Colorado
2 to California
1 to Michigan
1 to Minnesota
1 to Pennsylvania
1 to Michigan
1 to Montana
1 to Mississippi
1 to New York
and 5 are going overseas!

Missing Her

2008-12-03T21:08:00.008-06:00

Feeling Quiet
Hearing Silence

Today would have been my grandmother's 79th birthday.

I miss her like crazy!

When I was in Oklahoma this summer my cousins gave me a bunch of old pics and I thought I would share a few of Wilma.

I just LOVE old pictures!

What a sweet baby girl!

My grandmother and my great-uncle.

Protecting her baby brother.

This is one of my favorite pics!

I have no idea what this is about!

My grandmother and great-grandmother.

My grandmother and my mother, my great-uncle and my great-grandfather.

My grandmother and my mother.

A five generation picture!

I miss you Gram!

Christmas Cards

2008-11-30T10:57:00.001-06:00

Feeling Happy
Hearing Burl Ives~Silver Bells

I am elbow deep in Christmas cards!!! If you want to exchange cards please e-mail me your address!!!

FUN FRIDAY

2008-11-21T08:10:00.006-06:00

Feeling Tired
Hearing Silence

It's FUN FRIDAY and here is what made me happy this week...

The seat warmer in my car! The car does not really get warmed up in my three minute round trip drive to drop off The Prince at school...but the seat warmer warms up fast! Especially fun on a morning when it is 12°!!!

My new haircut (same as the old but it had grown out A LOT).

The art gallery I made last weekend to display The Prince's artwork.

But the funnest thing about FUN FRIDAY for me (besides the fact that Hubba Hubby is coming home tonight *wink wink*) is I can go back to bed! I am tired and it IS ONLY 12°!!! My bed is probably still warm...

So...what was fun and made you happy this week? Play along but leave me a comment so I can come see...

I am a bit behind on my reading (got sucked into the Twilight series) so if I have not been by to see you...I will be soon!!!

Cold Saturday Morning

2008-11-15T08:19:00.003-06:00

Feeling Content
Hearing Hubby snoring & The Prince playing Legos

It's coooooold this morning (about 28) so I am snuggled in under my favorite blankie on the couch with a little dog in my lap and a cup of coffee in my hand (in my new tumbler). Hubby is home and all feels right in my house (not thinking about the fact he is leaving again on Monday).

I am flipping through recipes trying to decide on dinner tonight. Since Hubby is only home for a few days I figured he deserved a few really good home-cooked meals before he heads out again on Monday. Last night we had steak tacos...check 'em out here. I am thinking maybe a pork roast tonight.

I am anticipating a lazy Saturday at home and I there is nothing that would make me happier!

FUN FRIDAY

2008-11-14T15:52:00.006-06:00

Feeling Happy
Hearing Donkey Kong Barrel Blast on the Wii

After a morning of wallowing in self pity (see here) I ended up having a good afternoon. I talked to my BFF Jen on the phone and I spent a lot of time IM'ing with another friend (Hi Dawn). I felt a lot better after that.

I picked up my boy who had a fabulous week at school and kept all his stars (they have stars that they can lose for bad behavior) so he got to go to Fun Friday. Fun Friday for them is where the teacher picks a number and if you still have at least that many stars you get to go to Fun Friday. She has done different Fun Friday activities...movies, games and they always get a snack.

Fun Friday got me thinking...out here in the blogosphere I have seen all kinds of day things...we have Thankful Thursday, Frugal Friday...etc. So I wanna do FUN FRIDAY!

I am frugal and I am thankful but most of all I am FUN!

So for FUN FRIDAY all you have to do is tell about something that makes you happy and is fun.

Of course there are the usual suspects...

A little dog in my lap...

My boy playing the Wii

But I want to see random things that make people happy.

Last week I talked about the seasonal coffees and coffee creamers and Cranberry Splash Sierra Mist and had I done Fun Friday last week I would have posted about that!

So this week this is what has made me happy (I picked three things because I'm really happy!).

More delicious seasonal coffee creamer...

My new coffee tumbler...I love poppies (yes, I realize I am a little obsessed lately with coffee)

I found a store in town that carries CHOCOLATE COVERED GUMMI BEARS!!!

Please feel free to play along...what makes you happy this FUN FRIDAY??

Cozy Afternoon

2008-11-12T16:08:00.006-06:00

Feeling Content
Hearing Crackling of the fire in the fireplace

Here is a peek at what is happening in my house this afternoon...

The Prince was doing some art (I am sure his drawing is of some alien battle or spaceship) while he had his snack.

Then he decided to do some quiet reading. Doesn't he look nice and cozy (notice the crackling fire in the background)?

What a lucky momma I am that my boy loves to read (he is reading a biography on Steven Spielberg)!!!!!

I am thankful...we are all thankful as our family turkey feather (done for school) shows...we all traced our handprints (and Jill did a pawprint) and wrote 10 things we were thankful for.

As for Jill...
She is sitting at the top of the stairs hoping anyone will come visit her. She needs more attention.

See...she is waiting for you...

The Winners!!

2008-11-11T07:53:00.003-06:00

Feeling Tired
Hearing Silence

This was the one The Prince liked. He loves this pose and he liked laying down and the ornaments on the background. :) He is such a ham!!!

I chose this one...I love seeing his face as the main subject of the picture!

And this one because it is just too cute!!

There were reasons on each of the other pictures on why I did not choose them but it's harder to see the "flaws" in the smaller pictures. I won't bore you with the reasons as my BFF Jen thinks I am too picky and mean!

I just dropped The Prince off at school. I should be cleaning and such but it is totally dreary and raining and would be a perfect day to go back to bed. I am really tired. I don't sleep well when Hubby is gone. It doesn't help that the first night he is gone Jill is always a mess...jumping at every sound because she thinks it is him. It is almost impossible to get her to settle down. She'll sleep well tonight though!! That is all for now...I think I am off to bed!

The Prince

2008-11-10T08:04:00.005-06:00

Feeling A little sad (Hubby just left to go out of town for the week)
Hearing Silence

Here are The Prince's Christmas pics!

I picked three to make prints from. Which three did I pick?

The Prince had a favorite pic as well...which one do you think he liked the best?

Pic 1

Pic 2

Pic 3

Pic 4

Pic 5

Pic 6

Pic 7

Pic 8

Christmas is coming...

2008-11-09T09:46:00.004-06:00

Feeling Happy
Hearing The Food Network

Christmas pictures that is...The Prince is getting his Christmas pictures done this morning! I went shopping yesterday with my friend Dawn and got him some new fancy duds!

The Prince and Hubby took Jill to the dog park this morning so I am enjoying the quiet! I just put some cinnamon rolls in the oven for when they come back!!

Christmas pictures got me thinking about Christmas cards...so if you want to exchange Christmas cards send me your address!! I still have a lot of my addresses from last year but I know a few of you have moved so I need your new address!! You can e-mail me (there is an e-mail link on my sidebar).

For those of you who asked...I posted the mini cheesecake recipe here.

Enjoy your Sunday and hopefully I will have some fabulous pics of The Prince later today!!

Random Pics

2008-11-07T11:57:00.001-06:00

Feeling Irritated (I am subbing at school this afternoon)
Hearing Bobby Brown~Don't Be Cruel

Here are some random pictures from my life over the last few months...

Took some lovely autumn pics with The Prince & Jill in the yard...

The Prince GOT A BIKE!!!

We went to Vala's Pumpkin Patch (TWICE)
Caramel Apple~Yummy!!

Me & my friend Michelle (who was in town from Colorado)

The Prince & a buddy

The Prince on a train~very contemplative. :)

s'mores

Getting bigger!

GO IRISH!

Totally random~he is wearing cowboy boots with shorts!! I SO WANT TO DO THAT!!!

Family dinner at the Surfside

Me & MIL

Fishin'

Totally random~deer just hanging out in someone's yard! Welcome to Nebraska!

We went bowling!!

The Prince got a new bucket hat like Grandpa's

FIL, MIL & The Prince in their buckets!

Enjoy the rest of your Friday...I am off to work (YUCK!!)

Torturing Hubby

2008-11-06T09:48:00.006-06:00

Feeling Happy
Hearing Silence

Because I can and because I am just plain mean...I have taken to sending Hubby pics from my cell phone of Jill in his spot in our bed.

Once Hubby leaves the house Jill is in the bed like a shot and totally makes herself at home on his pillow. Luckily for me I am not much of a bed making person...I would never get the chance!

These are random shots from September and October (please forgive the poor picture quality~they are cell phone pics AND please ignore my messy bedroom!).

See what I mean...she totally takes over that spot like she owns it!!

Wednesday Afternon Blah Blah Blahs

2008-11-05T15:47:00.006-06:00

Feeling Content
Hearing Social Distortion~Ball & Chain

The Prince is outside playing with the MIL so I thought this was as good a time as any to update. Life has been good in Nebraska. The weather has been a bit screwy but that is nothing new here. :) It's hot and then cold and then sunny and then overcast and rainy and now they are saying there might be a chance of snow in the near future! Gotta love fall in Nebraska!!

Remember this tree?

It now looks like this. :(

I am glad the election is finally over. I do have to say it was very inspiring to see how many people got out and voted. So many people in our country have been apathetic for so long that it was awesome to see people care about something.

I made the election a learning opportunity for The Prince. I pulled him out of school a few minutes early and took him with me to vote. We talked through the whole process and why we did things the way we do it. Nebraska has ballots that you fill out with a pencil and then it is sent to an optical scan. After we got home we called my BFF Jen so she could tell him how she voted in Atlanta (touchscreen).

He was very interested in the whole process and was absolutley mesmerized by all the results as they rolled in.

They gave him 2 "I VOTED" stickers at the poll!!

We had to force him to go to bed last night! I am proud he is so interested and will continue to look for ways to foster that interest!

In more exciting to me news...I stopped by the store to pick up a few items the other night and was thrilled to find...

The seasonal coffees and creamers are out!!

As is Sierra Mist Cranberry Splash!! This was my favorite last year!!

It seriously (obviously) doesn't take a whole lot to make me happy!!

Hubby was out of town last week and he just told me he is going out of town again next week! I hate when he is gone! :( He is bringing home some takeout from our favorite Indian restaurant tonight to make it up to me~SCORE!!

Have a great evening!!

Another new blog

2008-11-04T20:30:00.001-06:00

Feeling Happy
Hearing CNN election coverage

Hey my foodies!!!!

I have another new blog.

I have been asked to share some of my recipes and such from time to time so I decided to make a separate foodie blog for this purpose.

Please come visit and bring your appetite!!

Gillie in an Apron

Halloween Pictures!!

2008-11-04T15:35:00.001-06:00

Feeling Accomplished
Hearing CNN election coverage

The Prince was Boba Fett for Halloween!

Doesn't he look threatening?

The Prince and his teacher

The Prince's Music Teacher~the kids LOVE him!!

You can still see his sweet face~doesn't he look thrilled?

The Prince with his Great Aunt Cathy

Boo!

Great Aunt Cathy and Great Uncle Bobby

His biggest fan

Capturing Grandpa

Sunday Morning With The Prince

2008-11-02T09:53:00.003-06:00

Feeling Content
Hearing Meet the Press

I turned on the television to watch Meet the Press this morning.

The Prince looks up and says "I do not want to watch that!"

I kind of ignored him and then he said "Mom! I don't want to watch it. It's not the same without that guy!"

I stopped and asked "What do you mean?"

"That guy who had the heart attack and died...Tim Russert. The show is just not that good anymore without him!"

Wow~even an 8 year old knows how cool TR was!!!

Through the years with The Prince

2008-10-31T09:13:00.008-05:00

Feeling Nostalgic (singing Totally Chocolate Dinner in my head~see previous entry)
Hearing My percolator percolating

This year The Prince is going to Boba Fett (from Star Wars) for Halloween. His costume has a mask so you can't see his face. This makes me sad. He has such a sweet face!

So...I thought I would share with you The Prince at Halloween through the years...

2000
His first Halloween...he was Tigger. The most wonderful thing about Tiggers...is their big blue eyes!!

2001
He was a lion but he would not keep the the hoodie on. If you pushed the lion face it roared!

2002
Ah...my sweet little Woody (I'm Woody! Howdy! Howdy! Howdy!) from Toy Story. He was such a little baby supermodel when he posed for these!!

2003
Go Bucs!!

2004
Monkey boy!!

2005
Yes~monkey boy again!!!

Look at that face!!

2006
The Penguin! This costume cracked me up!!!

2007
Anakin Skywalker from Star Wars~no longer my little boy~a more grown-up costume!!

Still a sweet face though!

I will post his 2008 pics tomorrow. I think I'll make him take off his mask for a few pics though!

The theme song for today

2008-10-31T08:03:00.007-05:00

Feeling Happy
Hearing The Prince singing

When The Prince was a toddler, one of his favorite shows was Rolie Polie Olie. It was a great show and in one episode the kids switch places with the grown-ups and decide to have what else?

Totally Chocolate Dinner

I sing this song all the time and wanted to share it with you all.

If you click on the link above you should be able to hear the song and here are they words.

A totally chocolate dinner,
cakes and cookies & cream.
The totally chocolate dinner,
eating it's just a dream.
Brownies, puddings all the works,
what we’ll eat is just desserts!
The totally chocolate dinner,
chocolate up and down.
The totally chocolate dinner,
with sprinkles all around!!

It's like a Halloween theme song!!

Actually it more like MY theme song. I sing this song all the time (and have for years). I love it a little too much and have actually considered it a life changing song and more a way of life than anything (LOL!).

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!

I am writing...

2008-10-29T07:55:00.003-05:00

Feeling Sad
Hearing Quiet

over on the Heartbreak this morning.

My heart is feeling really tender this morning.

Quiet Sunday evening

2008-10-26T15:02:00.008-05:00

Feeling Happy
Hearing Hubby whip some whipping cream

Today was finally a sunny day...windy but sunny! It has rained and rained and rained here. The ground is just saturated and with said saturation comes...

MUSHROOMS...Yuck!!

These are in the backyard on the remains of the tree roots from the tree we cut down a few years ago. Hubby mowed 'em up right after I took this pic. Still gross looking!!

The rain and the fallish temperatures have done beautiful things for our trees.

This is the tree in my front yard right outside my kitchen window. I spend a lot of time at my kitchen sink looking at this tree. :)

A few more trees from down the street...I thought they looked pretty in all their different colors!!

So of course this fall weather got me preparing for the winter.

Our woodpile was barren...not a log in sight!

Then magically....TADA!! We have wood!!!

We will make it through another cold Nebraska winter!!

So what do you do on a cold autumn afternoon?

You carve pumpkins!!

The carving masters!

The Prince directing Hubby on what the face should look like!

All done and on the porch (we carved SEVEN of 'em)!!

I was looking back at my pics and realized I never posted pics from my birthday or the pumpkin patch and a whole bunch of other random pictures.

I see a big picture entry in my (and your) future...you've been warned. :)

Back off ladies...

2008-10-25T10:00:00.009-05:00

Feeling Happy
Hearing Hubby & The Prince arguing

My husband...the light and joy of my life recently decided to take the Fatburger Triple King Challenge.

Okay...just because you can doesn't mean you should!

He was determined.

That is his XXX King burger sitting beside my sad little baby burger.

Here we go...

Ohhh my pretty...you are not long for this world.

CHOMP!

Progress check...

Still going strong...

Almost done...

All gone!

See...

That was nothing...I'll finish YOUR shake and all the fries too!

Wow~a certificate...

And a free shirt!!

I am so proud! I know you are all jealous...

But back off ladies and gents! He's all mine!

Missing Her

2008-10-22T15:14:00.004-05:00

Feeling Sad
Hearing Silence

It is hard to believe but it has been a year since Grandma Lou left this world for another more beautiful.

Some days it feels like only yesterday she was sitting here with me at this table telling some story or another and at other times it feels like I knew her in another time and place.

I don't pick up the phone to call her as often as I used to but I still have not deleted her number from my phone.

I don't start to drive over to her house on autopilot anymore~which is a good thing because the house now belongs to someone else.

We are able to talk about her more freely now. Her death is no longer like a fresh wound and any mention of her makes it bleed.

It's been a year since I've talked to her...heard her laugh...seen her smile.

I think about her daily and know she is having a great time in Heaven. I know there is no other place she'd rather be.

Selfishly though...I still wish she were here with us.

I am missing her.

Beauty in a mini-cheesecake

2008-10-16T11:34:00.002-05:00

Feeling Accomplished
Hearing Nada

Lookie what I just made!!!!

Don't they look gorgeous and yummy!!!

Tonight is parent/teacher conferences at The Prince's school and the PTO supplies dinner for the teachers. I was asked to make a dessert.

It is such a shame that not all of the mini-cheesecakes I made will fit on the platter. I guess I will have to choke a few of them down myself. :)

I am....

2008-10-16T08:42:00.002-05:00

Feeling Sad
Hearing The Today Show

writing over at My Monthly Heartbreak this morning.

Okay...

2008-10-13T21:20:00.003-05:00

Feeling Happy
Hearing Hubby reading to The Prince

It appears all is well with my Blogs. My pics are all here and I am happy. I am still tweaking and adjusting things but I will be back to posting regularly tomorrow!! My archive address has changed...I put the link on my sidebar if you want to take a look. :)

Not totally sold...

2008-10-09T07:23:00.005-05:00

Feeling anxious
Hearing Nada

Okay~I am not totally sold on the migration.

My 2007/2008 entries look fine but if I go to my 2006/2005 entries...the ones that have pictures...if you click on the pictures they pop up in AOL pictures. If AOL pictures is going away then will these pics disappear when it goes away???

My 2007/2008 pics are in my Google Picasa album and have Blogger properties and appear to be fine.

I have posed this question and have not gotten an answer yet.

I had already moved those 05/06 entries and reformatted them so my pics are okay but I am sure I am not the only person to have this issue.

Maybe it was all too smooth....

Hot D@mn! AOL DID IT!

2008-10-08T17:52:00.007-05:00

Feeling Surprised
Hearing Nada

I just imported my AOL journal to Blogger with NO ISSUES!!!

Check it out!!

Gillie Time Archives

The only thing it did not bring over was the Feeling and Hearing thingies!!

Wow~AOL just totally knocked me for a loop!!!

My Other Blog

2008-10-07T22:41:00.004-05:00

Feeling Quiet
Hearing Football on tv

I have another blog. It is a safe place where I can pour my heart out.

My Monthly Heartbreak

Please feel free to visit~but be kind to me. :)

Ummmm...Thanks Jen!

2008-10-07T19:43:00.007-05:00

Feeling Happy
Hearing The dishwasher

My BFF Jen sent The Prince a present today. It is the Star Wars cookbook!!

He was thrilled!!!

THANKS JEN!

Of course he wanted to make something out of the cookbook right away...

We chose brownies (because I had all the ingredients on hand) and got to work.

The ingredients...

Mixing up the batter...

Gotta taste the fruits of my labor...

Ummm...Thanks Jen!!

Ready for the oven...

Seriously...Thanks ALOT Jen!? :)

Very chocolaty and fudgy...

And delicious!

I am still working on getting things over here like I want. Hopefully I will be back in the swing of things by next week.

Watch this space. :)

New month...new blog home!

2008-10-01T13:16:00.005-05:00

Feeling Happy
Hearing Nada

I am still tweaking and working on my new home here on Blogger.

I had been slowly (and manually) moving all my old AOL entries over here even before the big AOL announcement!

I will do a great big catch-up entry once I have finished moving in but I wanted to go ahead and open up for business due to demand! :) For those of you who wanted me to add you...no need as I am not going private (yet!). :)

Thanks for visiting!!