Pretty Penny & Handsome Hank

Hank & Penny are our kids. Penny is proud of her new look. She got beautified today at the groomer. Hank is a short haired mini-doxie and Penny is a long-haired mini-doxie. They love to lay in the bed while I am on the computer. Hank greaves when he can't see me.

Three years ago this month, we adopted Penny. You've probably seen her in recent posts. We were blessed to be able to adopt Penny from a breeder who was retiring her from having puppies. She came at just the right time in our lives. We spoil her and treat her like a queen.....afterall, she deserves it, after having many liters of pups. I am truly thankful for Miss Penny....

5 interesting things about Mimi

I've been tagged by crooked eyebrow for a meme.....Where do I begin?

1. I started singing at a young age and was in a traveling Christian youth group. I won teen talent in our region at age 17, by singing a solo. I have been singing at weddings and funerals since age 16. The older I get, the less I do. I also play the piano by ear. I use to play piano for a local church and nursing home ministry.
2. I have been to the Oprah Winfrey show 4 times....I stood and talked 2 times.
3. I use to work down town Chicago, comuting by train. I come alive in the city....One of my favorite places.
4. I have a few dream jobs that I would love to pursue. One is rocking Babies in a hospital nursery. One is working for Make a Wish Foundation. The other one is a model...yes, at my age and size...would love it! One of my favorite jobs I have held would have to be an assistant 2nd Grade teacher...It was so rewarding. I have a Medical Records Clerk certificate. I loved taking medical terminology. I would also love to volunteer at Children's Hospital in Chicago.
5. Some day, I would like to drive a convertible.......I now drive a mini van, which is very handy with 4 grand-children. Well, that's all folks...

I am going to tag Ashlee and Robin for a meme....What are 5 interesting things we don't know about you girls? Spill it!

"Throwback Thursday"

This is a throwback to 3 years ago....Can you pick out my beautiful daughter, Stephanie?

Her mother-in-law, Barb, holding her grand-daughter, and I gave Steph a baby shower when she was expecting Grayson...(look how cute her tummy was). Some of her closest friends and realatives blessed her with some wonderful gifts. This was such an intimate and special day. Can you guess the other Bloggers in the photo? I will give you a hint...Sheryl is sitting next to Steph, in the green. Lori is standing behind Sheryl.

Thanks pinks and blues for another fun T.T.

"Wordless Wednesday"

Carter sneaking the duck food at Lake George...

Another Fun Weekend

My weekend started with a nice quiet dinner with hubby on Friday night after work. Saturday I Abbysat with my adorable grand-daughter. I had her ALL day. I planned it so I could get most of my housework and laundry started before she arrived, which meant up at 5 am. I forgot how much work a 7 month old can be, but I loved every second of it. As you can see, she is sucking on a teething bisquit and loving it. We played, she ate, she played, she napped (on me). My husband said I needed a sling. At the end of the day, Abby started doing this funny thing with her mouth, like she was saying "Oh". We realized that she was imitating me because I have a habit of looking excited when I play with her and do my mouth like that. Her mommy called it her "mimi look"...made me feel special.

Gray's 2nd Birthday Party

Gray's Birthday Cake made with love by his mommy...It was delicious! Ginger, coconut, macadamia, carrot cake.

Gray is busy playing with his birthday presents.
This is one of Gray's gifts we got him. He loves to pretend he's cooking along with mommy in the kitchen.
Tonight we celebrated Gray's 2nd Birthday, It was also Steph & Jeff's 8th Wedding Anniversary. Gray is enjoying his special chocolate cupcakes.
Abby was a party pooper and fell asleep on her daddy during gift opening and cake time.

Happy 2nd Birthday Grayson

Today is Gray's 2nd Birthday......Mimi loves him very much...

"Throwback Thursday"

Noah & Carter enjoying ice cream cones and listening to music at the Sunflower Festival
Oct. 2006.

Last October at the Sunflower Festival...Mimi, Gray & Noah
Thanks pinks and blues girls for another fun TT.

"Wordless Wednesday"

Healthy & Happy Noah, on his 6th Birthday.
2-16-07

Lovin' my New Lunch Box! (Pretty in Pink)

I wanted to share my new Barbie lunch box...we were at Target with the family last Friday night walking down the clearance isle. Steph said, "mom you should get this lunch box".
Since I did need a new one, I thought, Why not? And at the price of $2.38, what a bargain......So what if I am "51" and a Mimi! I knew that my co-worker, Amy would get a kick out of it, well it turns out, she is jealous and wants one too ...LOL...Goes to show, you are never too old to have fun. I really like the bottom compartment to hold my bottle water. The only disadvantage is, my Smart One frozen meals won't fit...oh well...I switched this week to sandwiches.
Whatever you do, have fun in life..................P.S. no, I did not wear pig-tails to work! Although, I thought about it....

"Wordless Wednesday"

My Fall table decoration. Fun and easy to make.
check out 5 minutes for mom and her WW.

Happy Abby Dumplin'

My little Abby Dumplin' (grand-daughter) on a Sunday afternoon visit. She is little Miss Personality now. Look at those 2 bottom teeth. My living room is starting to look like a day care center with all the different age group toys......
I also had my boys during the day after church and Gray even shared his "Meee Meee" with Abby. Usually he likes for me to put her down so he can sit in my lap...I feel so loved....What else can you ask for?

"Throwback Thursday"

This is a Throwback from Sept. 8, 2007....My neice, Dayna & Rob's wedding in Jamaica holding my picture, since I could not be there physically. How thoughtful of them to include me! Don't they make a Beautiful couple? They live in Louisiana...

Visit pinks and blues girls for more fun throwbacks...

Before, During & After....Check out "Tales from the Scales"

This is me "Before" at a miserable plus size "22" in Feb. 2002.
This is me "During"at a comfortable size "16", some "14's" in April, 2007.

I started following Weight Watcher's in April, 2006. Weight loss, 54 lbs.

I gained back 10 lbs and am on a mission to get it back off, plus would like to lose another 25lb.

I am going to continue following Weight Watcher's and I also joined Tales from the Scales for support from fellow bloggers. I hope to have a good report next week at the Scales. Hope to see you there and hear all the success stories! Next time I post my picture, it will be "After"......

"Wordless Wednesday"

Taken at San Diego Zoo....during Noah's (grand-son) make a wish trip....He loves Polar Bears!

Don't forget to check wordless wednesday at 5 minutes for mom.

"Tales from the Scales"

Today is a new Challenge from tales from the scales.
If you would like a support group to help you, check it out. Let's start feeling better girls and guys and get healthier.

"My Quest for New Cookware"

So, I am lying in bed a few weeks ago flipping channels on t.v. and a set of stainless steel cookware catches my eye....at HSN, so I pause to start watching these amazing dishes the Cook is preparing and clean-up was effortless with "1" piece of papertowel. Well, I knew I needed a new set but wasn't reeled in by the Great Deal...
So, I am sitting in the lazy boy chair later that evening flipping channels on t.v. and a set of stainless steel cookware catches my eye...at HSN, same set, same effortless clean-up...but this time a new Bait was thrown out and I fell for it...."you can pay in 4 installments".....I almost broke my toe running to my purse to get out my credit card to call and order....I wanted to hurry before I changed my mind....
So, One week later, I am sitting at my desk at work and this huge box arrives UPS...MY NEW COOKWARE.....I unloaded all the zillion pieces when I got home from work (it came with utencils and a pepper mill) that I forgot to mention....I read the instructions and did as instructed to wash and dry and put away....
So, next day, I made my husband breakfast in my new stainless steel frying pan, making sure I read the instructions again on how to use. Well, lets just say, the eggs stuck to the pan and after using half the roll of papertowel to start cleaning it, I gave in to the sink full of suds to scrub clean...then there was this wierd looking film that appeared in the pan. Also, the edges around the pan was very sharp, almost cut my finger....I was trying to convince myself that I liked the set after using several other pieces within the weeks to come....
So, Today, Box of pots and pans are waiting on UPS to pick them up....30 day return policy and I am on 28 days. I feel good about the decision I made to return them. I did keep some of my old pieces to use until I find that perfect set for me......
So, can anyone out there recommend a set of pots and pans? I learned my lesson from ordering from t.v. I am stuck with paying the shipping and handling, but that's my fault. I thought about the Rachael Ray cookware...it would match my fat chef kitchen....What do you think?
p.s. I would like to mention, I don't usually order anything from t.v.

"Shoobie-Doobie Shoe"

Every day Mommy is having a contest to win the Easy Spirit, Wedge Clog shoes.....Who doesn't want a comfortable shoe? I know I could use a new pair....So walk on over and check it out..

Sunday night at Mimi & Bumpa's

We watched the grand-son's while mommy & daddy went out. They made the most of every second.... Carter loves to play with Unkie Nate's Legos. Noah played burning monkeys on the computer, while Gray rode the pedal car and many other activities. Gray calls Grampa "Bumpa"...He is a character.

Saturday in the Park with Abby

It was a perfect afternoon for playing in the park. Abby, my grand-daughter is 6 months old now and loving the swing...her daddy had a blast swinging with her. Oh yeah, she said "da da" today, which made his day!