The Unfettered

Photo shoot...

2011-09-24T09:28:00.000-04:00

I had a fun shoot yesterday, and wanted to share a few of the photos... This guy needed some photos for his website. He is only 13, and he plays a sick guitar! So cute...

September...

2011-09-05T16:51:00.001-04:00

I can't believe it is already September of 2011. It seems like the older I get the faster time flies... (I hear everyone say that...) I have been so busy with school and work... but it is good. It keeps my mind off of things that I would just rather not think about. But I have learned that numbness isn't always the best way to deal with things... learning that best way has been a struggle though.

Fall semester has started. I finished my summer semester with a 4.0.. WHAT!? I am taking Eng 101, Psych 255 (Research Method in Psych), HIUS 221 (US History) and CCOU 201 (Intro to Christian Counseling). I am excited. And still nervous. It is good. I can't wait to graduate.

Anyway, I had two photo shoots last month and wanted to share a couple of the pictures with you... enjoy.

Noah (age 2 wks)

Hunter (1year)

Baby Noah is Here!!

2011-08-16T23:10:00.000-04:00

My sister had her baby! He was born August 13 at 7:59pm at a wopping 8lbs10oz!! She had pre-eclampsia and they called her in to do a c-sec (her c was scheduled for this coming Thursday). He is the most beautiful baby ever! Some pics...

A short Update

2011-07-17T20:56:00.001-04:00

My teacher posted my Biology grade, and I finished with an A! I am super excited. And my 2 classes that I have just started I am doing well in. I have 3 papers to write... I forgot how to write papers...

But I have to say, if my PBC teachers could see me now... they wouldn't know who this student it! (This is a good thing for the me now... not so much for the me then.)

Things are getting confusing in my personal life... and I have been dx with PTSD... go figure. It is what it is.. and I am dealing with it.

What I do know is I am getting close to God. I talk to Him more than I ever did. And I know He hears me.

Happy Sunday All.

Busy busy...

2011-07-07T09:20:00.000-04:00

Phew...

I am so busy.. I guess I lost the 30 day challenge all together! hehe.. I have 3 classes going right now. My sister is on bedrest, so I am helping her lots... And work.. that is always busy. Well, i guess my life in general.

I will try to update some soon...

Once I catch my breath!

30 Day Blog Challenge

2011-06-11T21:13:00.000-04:00

I know I did one today already, but I have missed a day or two... So I am doing 2 today.

Day 14 - Things you love

My Family

My Job

My dogs

School (surprisingly... I have always hated school... more of a social event. Well.. it is all online now, so no real social activity... and I still love it...hmm)

Reichen and Stratton, Sevryn and Synjyn... (they are my job.. I thought I would mention it twice.)

Pasta

S'mores with PB (Nicole.. I want to try them with a Reese cup.. I am scared)

Live music

Karaoke (never done it.. but I want to.. I love to watch others do it)

Jazz Bars

Volleyball

30 Day Blog Challenge - Day 13

2011-06-11T18:49:00.000-04:00

Day 13 - Something you want to buy

I have mentioned it before... I am on a tight budget! BUT! I have lots of things I want... Here we go!!!

Maybe silly.... but I want some Egyptian Cotton Sheets...

The new iPad

iPhone 4 (or the latest version when that envelope is ready...)

A Mac

2011 Camaro

Corvette Stingray

ChevelleSS (mmmm....)

Yeah.. I REALLY want one of these...!!!

I really want a Harley...

(I have a thing for muscle cars...)

Fall Semester '11

2011-06-09T16:41:00.000-04:00

Well.. I am only taking 1 class this first summer session (each session is 8 weeks). The next summer session that starts in just a few weeks, I will be taking 2 classes (Theo 104 and Bible 104). So this first semester, I am taking 9 credits. The first session has been great. And I am hoping it's not because I am only taking 1 class...

I just registered for Fall semester... I will be taking US History, Math 102, Eng 101 and (my first counseling class) Intro to Counseling 201...

I may be just that crazy...

30 Day Blog Challenge - Day 12

2011-06-09T15:46:00.000-04:00

Day 12 -Something you have recently bought.

I am on a tight budget... I use envelopes, and if they have no money, I do not spend money... so besides groceries, I have not really bought anything... BUT... (And i can't find a picture of it online.. and I don't have it to take a picture of..) I bought my sister a really cute outfit for her baby (due in August). It says "off to auntie's" on it. with a car. it is a t-shirt and shorts set. It is super cute.

Other than that.. I haven't really bought anything...

Thursday Five

2011-06-09T15:36:00.000-04:00

Linking up with Nicole for this week's Thursday five.

This week's wordes are:

Happy

Giddy

Joyful

Excited

Appreciative

Happy... hmm.. I am happy I am still making an A in Biology. It seems to be getting easier as I go. AND, I work for a vet.. she has helped me understand some of the information. You can tell she loves it!

I am giddy that I got my summer swap essentials! It was super exciting to get a package in the mail!

I am joyful that I get a vacation.. well needed...

I am still very excited that I have started back to school... I know I talk about it a lot. I am not sure the excitement will ever wear away.

I am appreciative of my families support in all my endeavors. I have whims... and I like to be supported... :)

YAY for Summer Essentials Swap!!

2011-06-08T20:51:00.000-04:00

I few weeks ago, I decided to join in this Summer Swap over at Flip Flops and Combat Boots. I swapped with Jessica at Black Cat Kitchen. I was super excited to get the mail today! I LOVE packages! And when I opened it, I felt special... silly as that is (I signed up to get this...lol.. it's the little things). Here's what she sent me!

Whoohoo! I also got a note that I forgot to put in the stuff. She sent water bottle, fun drink markers, a pedicure kit, a pollish called "Miss Independent" :), her favorite snack bars (Luna! I Love Luna!), some Tea samples, coffee cozies (super cute!), a sleep mask, and Liftoff (I think this is an energy tablet to make an energy drink with).

I love this color. I will do my nails this weekend!

Pedi Kit :)

Luna Bars!

Energy Tablet for energy drink I think :)

Tea :)

Drink Markers

Sleepers (I have needed a new pair. I lost my other ones! I LOVE sleepers!)

Coffee cozies! How cute are these. I drink coffee everyday! These are perfect!

And a water bottle. I also try to drink a good 64oz of water a day. This will be helpful!

Some more teas! I love tea. Being from the south, I generally drink it sweet and iced. But I do love flavored teas to. I am excited to try these.

Jessica, you did great! Thank you so much!!

Recipe Swap Tuesday

2011-06-07T22:31:00.000-04:00

I can't believe it is still Tuesday. It has felt like Wednesday to me all day! Ugh!

Anyway, I am linking up with Mrs. S over at Confessions of a Sailor's Wife for my Recipe Swap.

This week is Lasagna. I never make it, but I LOVE pasta! My "lasagna" (I do call it Lasagna) is actually the curly noodles... Callentani is my favorite, but those are hard to find, so I usually use rotini.

My Lasagna

Preheat oven to 350F.

1 lb pasta noodles (cooked and drained)
1 jar (Prego 3 cheese)
1 lb ground meat (usually I use beef, but you can use turkey, chicken or sausage- cooked and drained)
8oz Ricotta cheese
8 oz Cottage cheese
handful (yes.. seriously.. a handful) of Parmesan cheese
2 bags Itallian Shredded cheese (really any that you like)
1 egg
touch of salt

Place pasta in a 9x11 glass baking dish. Add meat and sauce. Put a slight but of water in sauce jar to get remainder of sauce out of the jar. Stir meat, pasta and sauce. In a separate bowl, add together the Ricotta, cottage, and parmesan cheese, add the egg and salt. Stir to mix well. Spoon on top of pasta/meat. Cover with shredded cheese (I use both bags... I like it cheesy)

Cook at 350F for about 25-30 minutes, or until sauce bubbles and edges are yummy crisp (not burnt though...)

MMM... I love it! It is pretty generic though.

30 Day Blog Challenge - Day 11

2011-06-07T22:17:00.000-04:00

I know I skipped Day 10... But it is a picture of yourself 10 years ago. That will take some effort on my part that I don't have time to put in... so you all will have to wait :)

Day 11 - Nicknames you have and why

Nanna - people called me this in HS. I have a few people still call me this now. I like it. I think it is endearing.
Banana - hate it... obviously it rhymes with Anna.
Ena - This was what the kids at the daycare called me.
Babe - Not called this much anymore.
Sister - my mom calls me this occasionally. It's not like she is calling me "sister" as a name, but, almost like she is singing it. Hard to explain. She calls my sister "Sister-Lou"
Lolly - My nieces and nephews will call me this. My sister calls me it now sometimes.
B - term of endearment. Short for banana

30 Day Blog Challenge - Day 9

2011-06-06T07:54:00.000-04:00

Day 9 - Pet Peeves

~when someone who speaks without thinking (I totally think people should speak there mind... but not speaking before they think)
~when people call other people names. I can't stand that
~stereotypes
~people walking slower than me in the store.. and I need to get around them
~loud eaters
~cell phones at dinner
~when people are late without calling
~alarm clocks... necessary evil...

That's all I can think of...

30 Day Blog Challenge - Day 8

2011-06-04T22:10:00.000-04:00

Day 8 - Craving

hmm.. let's see. I do not crave food only

Mexican Food

Pasta

the outdoors

Facebook (still go through withdrawals)

Pasta

Fall

Snow

Alcohol

Pasta

S'mores (with peanut butter, no chocolate)

A child

Did I mention Pasta...:)

That's probably all...

30 Day Blog Challenge - Day 7

2011-06-03T21:19:00.000-04:00

Day 7 - The Meaning behind your blog name

To me... this is obvious. But to you all... maybe not so much. The meaning of unfettered is "released from physical or mental bonds; unrestrained." This is my story in one word. So, I am the unfetterd.

30 Day Blog Challenge - Day 6

2011-06-03T21:15:00.001-04:00

I am a day behind... so you will get 2 today.

Day 6 - Favorite Songs

This one is hard, because I love so many songs. I don't really have any "favorites." It just depends on my mood, the day... there are lots of things that make me love a song. So here goes my best shot...

La fille aux cheveux de lin - Peter Schmalfuss

Clair de Lune - Peter Schmalfuss

Grace - Brad and Rebekah

Blue Sky - Emily West

I'd Love to be Your Last - Gretchen Wilson

Make You Feel My Love - Adele

Turning Tables - Adele

Falling In Love At A Coffee Shop - Landon Pigg

The Boy Who Never - Landon Pigg

I'm Yours - The Script

Lost - Anouk

Poison and Wine - The Civil Wars

Powerful Stuff - Sean Hayes

From The Morning - Nick Drake
Tangled - Stain'd

Thats's probably all for now.

Thursday Five

2011-06-01T22:37:00.000-04:00

Linking up with Nicole at Flip Flops and Combat Boots for Thursday Five. I CANNOT believe it is already June of 2011. Where in the world.. does the time go.

This week the words are

Fascinating

Pleasant

Sweet

Sensational

Heartwarming

I think it is Fascinating that people can be so ignorant. They talk before they think. I am not going to rant about it.... but seriously.

I have had a Pleasant week. I had Monday and Tuesday off, and I got a lot finished in my school work. It was quiet where I was. It was just very nice.

I got concert tickets tonight... (will disclose band at a later date..) I am stoked!! SWEET!

This band... Sensational

Today was my boss's birthday. She texted me at 8:00pm and asked me to come to her house for cupcakes. It was very Heartwarming to be thought of... Love my job.

30 Day Blog Challenge - Day 5

2011-06-01T20:08:00.000-04:00

Day Five - Favorite Quotes

(From Demotivators at http://www.despair.com... I love these things)

Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.
~Albert Einsten

Age does not diminish the extreme disappointment of having a scoop of ice cream fall from the cone.

~Jim Fiebig

No matter how much cats fight, there always seem to be plenty of kittens.

~Abraham Lincoln

The tooth fairy teaches children that they can sell body parts for money.

~David Richerby

My granny used to say to me "pretty is as pretty does..."

And if I had more time, I could probably list lots of song quotes... but I have to study.

Recipe Swap Tuesday

2011-05-31T14:19:00.001-04:00

I am linking up with Mrs. S over at Confessions of a Sailor's wife for my Tuesday Recipe swap! Today's theme is potatoes!

Twice Baked Potatoes

Ingredients

4 large russet potatoes, about a pound each
Olive oil
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup milk
2 Tbsp butter, softened
1 Tbsp cream

Cheddar and bacon version

1 cup grated cheddar cheese
4 strips bacon
1/4 cup chopped green onion

Blue cheese and chives version

1 cup crumbled blue cheese
1/4 cup chopped fresh chives
1/2 teaspoon salt

1 Bake the potatoes. Preheat the oven to 400°F. Scrub the potatoes clean under running water. Poke each potato in several places with the tines of a fork so that when the potatoes are cooking they don't explode. Rub the potatoes all over with a little olive oil. Place directly on the middle or top rack of the oven. Cook for 1 hour and 15 minutes, or until the potatoes are cooked through. They should give a little when pressed.
If short on time you can bake the potatoes in the microwave, 10 minutes on high heat for 2 potatoes, 15 minutes for 4 potatoes. The skins of microwave baked potatoes aren't nearly as crispy, so you may want to rub a little olive oil on them and finish them in a conventional oven at 400°F for 10 minutes.
2 If you are including bacon as one of your mix-ins, while the potatoes are cooking, cook the bacon strips in a frying pan on medium low heat for 10 to 15 minutes, or until crisp. Drain on paper towels. Let cool. Crumble.
3 Allow the potatoes to cool to touch. Slice the top third lengthwise off the potato. Use a spoon to scoop out the insides, forming a potato "canoe", leaving about 1/4 inch of potato on the skin.
Alternatively you can slice the potatoes in half, lengthwise. In this case you may want to bake an extra potato so that you will have more potato filling to mound into the potato boats.
4 Place the scooped out potato insides, sour cream, milk, cream, and butter into a large bowl. Mash with a potato masher. If you want a creamy texture, beat with an electric beater until desired consistency. Note, do not over-beat potatoes, they can turn glue-y.
5 Mix in the extras with the potatoes. Reserve some of the extras to sprinkle on the tops of the potatoes. Spoon fillings into the potato shells. Sprinkle with extra toppings.
6 Heat oven to 350°F. Place potatoes on a roasting pan and bake 15 to 20 minutes until heated through.

:) Enjoy

30 Day Blog Challenge - Day 4

2011-05-31T09:37:00.000-04:00

Day 4 - Favorite Books

I don't read a lot... so this one is hard.

Dave Ramsey Total Money Makeover

Shaunti Feldhan For Women Only (I also read For Men Only.. also good)

Francine Rivers Redeeming Love

Francine Rivers Lineage of Grace Series

That's all I can really think of right now. I really should read more... right now I am reading:

Biology: Today and Tomorrow

(I couldn't find a great picture...)

Happy Things

2011-05-30T08:34:00.000-04:00

When I was in college the first time... back in 2002... I took biology. I made a D. I was young...

I am taking Biology now.. 9 years later... I am making an A...

Um.. heck yes.

30 Day Blog Challenge Day 3

2011-05-30T08:32:00.000-04:00

Day 3 - Favorite TV

I do tend to watch a lot of tv...

Celebrity Aprentice

House

How I Met your Mother

Mad Love

Biggest Loser

16 and Pregnant

Teen Mom

ANTM

Big Bang Theory

Rules of Engagement

Burn Notice

Fairly Legal

Shark Tank

Suppernanny

Dr Phil

In the Bedroom with Dr. Laura

Sister Wives

The Office

Parenthood

Glee

Traffic Light

I love Lucy reruns

Cosby Show reruns

That's probably it... Dang I need to stop watching TV so much... :)

Happy Memorial Day

2011-05-30T00:03:00.000-04:00

Memorial Day to some people just seems like a day to have off work, or to get sales prices at their local shopping mall... But it means so much more...

I want to take a minute to thank the men, women, sons, daughters, fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, who gave up all their special moments, so I could enjoy mine...

(these videos are moving... But I would suggest you watch them, and think about the life you are able to have because of these men and women..)

30 Day Blog Challenge

2011-05-29T23:15:00.000-04:00

Day 2 - Favorite Movies

I don't really have a lot of favorite movies. I will list just a couple...

The Princess Bride

Dirty Dancing

And as sad as it is... that's all I can think of. These are always my favorite. I go through movies in phases... but I always love these two... :)

30 Day Blog Challenge

2011-05-28T12:57:00.000-04:00

I am linking up with TerinAleah at Modded Momma for the 30 Day Blog Challenge. :) It will give me something to write about when I am not studying wretched Biology!

Day 01 — A recent picture and 15 facts about you

I had just gotten my hair cut.. and for some reason I am not smiling.. hmmm..

1. I am married... and separated.

2. I have 2 dogs (Cami is a brown dog... Rosco is a chocolate lab). I love my dogs and I miss them.They are my kids.

3. I am a photographer. I am currently taking a break from picture taking, but it is a passion of mine. I love doing it.

4. I have a large family, and they are my world. My codependency on them is almost unhealthy. I need them all very much.

5. I have 5 tattoos... and I LOVE my tattoos. They all have great meaning to them. I plan on getting more. Right now I am working on creating a rib piece, and a possible hip piece.

6. I am a part time student. I plan on starting full time in the fall

7. I am a full time nanny to 4 boys (ages 4-14). I have become part of their family. I love these boys so much.

8.. I am in school to be a Psychologist. I love the study of the mind, and all the things people do because of how they perceive life and react to their situations. I want to help people, and this is how I am going to accomplish that.

9.. I can't garden. It is random... but I kill every plant that I come in contact with... if you have plants, hide them when I am coming by. :)

10. I love music. All kinds from classical to pop.

11. I play the piano, and have played it for 25 years. I have a treble and bass clef tattooed on my wrist because my passion for music comes from way inside, and from my long time learning of music.

12. I have a baby in heaven. And I miss her.. though we never really met.

13. I will be a mom one day.

14. I see a therapist...

15. I will be 30 this winter. I am having a hard time dealing with this.

Photo shoot

2011-05-26T21:39:00.000-04:00

This doesn't happen too often right now, because life happened. But I had a photo shoot and wanted to share some of my favorites.

Enjoy :)

Thursday Five

2011-05-26T10:19:00.000-04:00

I am linking up with Nicole again for this week's Thursday 5. This week's words are:

Great

Incredible

Inspired

Rewarding

Swell

I feel GREAT about my quizzes last week for my biology class. I made a 95 on my last one (the teacher said at the beginning of the class that people do not do well on the quizzes! I am trying to have a good attitude though!)

My family vacation is in 2 weeks. I go with my mother, my brother and his wife, my other brother, my sister and her husband, and her 2 step children. My dad comes up at some point usually... But we are going to have an INCREDIBLE time! I am super excited.

I always get very INSPIRED when I go to Beaufort, and I will be sure to make a trip there while on vacation.

It is very REWARDING to do well in school. I am still just very excited that I have even made the choice to go back and finish.

This weather... it is NOT SWELL. I am not a fan of humidity. And I really don't like any temp above 82 unless I have a swimming pool to get int. :) I do love the summer time attitude though. There is just a happiness that overcomes people. *shurg* But NC weather is not my favorite... I want to move to Mexico...

May 23, 2008

2011-05-23T22:48:00.000-04:00

Today marks the 3 year anniversary of a day I will never forget. The year 2008 was a year of change for me (and I still find myself growing because of that year... and I hope I always do). I can give a little background... like a flashback of that year. I lost a job that I loved (I did find another job not long after...), I got pregnant, I moved cities, I miscarried, my grandmother died, my father-in-law died, and amongst those things, I made choices that contributed to the death of my marriage.

Anyway, I have always wanted children. For as long as I can remember. It has fueled me. It became who I was. At the young age of 17 I was dx with PCOS (which have since learned it was a misdx, I just had lots of cysts on my ovaries). I tried for 6 months to get pregnant before getting pregnant (a total of about 16 months when all was said and done), which I know now isn't a long time.

I had what is medically called a chemical pregnancy. It was too early to be seen on an ultrasound, so they could only test my blood. And just a few days after my life changed and I was a mother, May 23 happened... and I miscarried. I tried for about a year longer for another pregnancy... which lead to my endometriosis dx. I grew three more very large cysts, and in my last surgery I almost lost both my ovaries. My dr is a very hopeful man though. He is great.

Now, I look forward to the day that I will be a mother. One day... It will happen. Until then (and probably for the rest of my life), my May 23 Angel is here with me... And I love her like I met her. Like I held her. Like she is mine.

Thursday Five

2011-05-19T10:55:00.000-04:00

It's Thursday already! Time just flies! I am linking up with Nicole over at Flip Flops and Combat Boots today!

Today's words are

Irresistible

Positive

Successful

Vibrant

Glorious

I find procrastinating on my school work irresistible. I have officially been in school for 4 days... And so far I have done very well on getting all my work for the week turned in. But today, I am doing everything I can to keep from studying... maybe I need to get up and get some coffee..

I am feeling positive about school. Although I want to procrastinate, the only class I am in for the first 8 weeks is Biology. I feel like I am able to concentrate and focus. And I am feeling positive about where it is going to take me!

Well, today's five seem to be about school. I am going to be successful and graduate in 2 years. Then I am going to go on to get my master... and finally my PhD. Dream big!

The weather this week has made me feel vibrant. I love the 70's.. I love rain. And even though the weather itself isn't "vibrant" it makes me feel that way :).

The last few months (years) have been very hard. I have made some hard choices, and have made some difficult changes. I am finally feeling like my life is taking a glorious turn for the better. Things look good.. and are looking up.

Recipe Swap Tuesday

2011-05-18T22:48:00.000-04:00

I'm linking up with Confessions of a Sailor's Wife for a day late recipe swap! Today is Pork! I just made a GREAT pork roast. It is a crock pot meal

Cranberry Pork Roast

Ingredients

1 (3 pound) boneless rolled pork loin roast
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 (16 ounce) can whole berry cranberry sauce
1/4 cup honey
1 teaspoon grated orange peel
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Place Roast in a slow cooker; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Combine the remaining ingredients; pour over roast. Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours or until a meat thermometer reads 160 degrees F. Let stand 10 minutes before slicing.

mmm.. this is so yummy.

...

2011-05-17T22:20:00.000-04:00

Although clean up efforts have been made, driving through this daily just reminds me how powerful these storms can be... and how blessed my family is that no one was hurt. It hit so close to home. I thought I would post some pictures from the day right after the tornado went through. This is from my sister's neighborhood. Most of these are from her next door neighbors.

There are some things that you never forget...

6th annual run for the warriors

2011-05-14T09:50:00.000-04:00

*Phew*

A good run this morning.. There were tuns of people there. Here is a pic of me and my running buddy (My cousin, Beth on R)

I think we finished in about 40 minutes. I would have liked to have done a little better, but next time. Our last was done in 44 minutes... so we did do this one faster!!

I am so proud of the men and women who defend this country. We would not be the country we are without them. My appreciation runs deep.And to the men and women who stand behind our military... you all have a very special job too!

Now, time for a shower!!!

Happy Saturday!

Some Photos

2011-05-12T09:59:00.000-04:00

I love Beaufort, NC. I want to share a couple photos from my last visit... I go again in just a few weeks.

I am very much looking forward to going next month...

Thursday Five

2011-05-12T08:25:00.000-04:00

Thursday Five from over at Flip Flops and Combat Boots! Yay! I am getting into this blogging thing... And this is such a cute idea! So this weeks words are

Excellent

Simple

Joyful

Glamorous

Refreshing

The fact that my little boy is home and getting better is Excellent. I was so worried about him last week. I've already told the story...

I received one simple yellow rose this week for mother's day. It was a beautiful sentiment

I feel joyful that I am starting my journey in completing school. My first class starts Monday. But my teacher has already posted everything online. I'm a little nervous, but super JOYFUL and excited that I am going back...

Glamorous is a hard word for me. I don't usually feel glamorous... maybe its time to change that!

I am doing the 6th Annual Run for the Warriors 5k this weekend! This is going to be refreshing! My second 5k. And hopefully there will be many more. I am a little worried about my knee however. It is an old lady knee.. :)

Recipe Swap Tuesday

2011-05-10T19:14:00.000-04:00

Yay for recipes!! I love to cook! The theme this week is grilling!

I am going to give my simple corn on the cob recipe for the grill (who doesn't know how to grill corn on the cob. still...) And also my favorite dessert (i am not a dessert eater... but i LOVE this one!) Frozen Peanut Butter Pie... mmm

Corn on the Cob

   What you need:
   Corn ears - shucked and cleaned
   Butter
   Salt and pepper to taste
   Garlic (also to taste... if you use real garlic, I use about a clove per 4 ears.)
   Tin foil

Place ear on the tin foil. Add butter, salt, pepper, garlic and wrap tightly. Grill usually 20 minutes, turning occasionally (corn will caramelize too much if not turned often.)

Some people leave them in the husks, soak them in water, and then grill them... i like to grill the flavor right onto it! mmm

Frozen Peanut Butter Pie

2 graham cracker pie crusts
2 c. powdered sugar
1 c. peanut butter
8 oz. cream cheese
12 oz. Cool Whip

Mix together powdered sugar, peanut butter, and cream cheese. Fold in Cool Whip. Divide mixture into 2 pie shells. Freeze. Set out few minutes before serving.

Just the nanny...

2011-05-10T13:27:00.000-04:00

Today is a good day.

"Just the nanny..." I love to hear people say this (insert sarcasm). I have been working with my current family for a little over a year (March 15th was 1 year). I keep a 4 year old continually. There is a 6, 12, and 14 year old that I watch when they get home from school. All boys.. very polite, and very well behaved. I am very much emotionally attached to all 4 of these boys. But i have a special attachment to the 4 year old, only because i see him so much more than the rest. I wake up every day to see this child. He brightens my day. Once he told me "Ms. A, you are the nanny i have been looking for my whole life..." I mean.. melt my heart.

May 1st he was bit by a venomous snake. Where i live, we only have 2 kinds of venomous snakes... copperheads and cottonmouths. However, the Pygmy rattlesnake lives only miles away, so it is possible for them to migrate to my county. We (and i say we like i am part of the family) don't know what kind of snake bit him, but what we do know is that he became very sick very quickly. Within one day the swelling had moved from his foot all the way to his hip, and the drs were talking amputation, and that he might not ever walk again... By Tuesday, the swelling was to his rib cage, and the drs were saying there was nothing more they could do, just keep him comfortable. Evidently they will not use anti-venom on a child because there aren't many cases of this happening. It can be just as dangerous to use anti-venom as it is for a child to get bit in the first place. Long story... his mom was with him every minute, watching for him to start bleeding internally (this was what was supposed to happen next... then DIC... then.. well.. the worst thing that could have happened.)

As awful as this is... i was preparing myself mentally for the worst to happen. I emailed many friends and churches asking for prayer... Scared to death... And while i stayed home with the other kids... i wondered what was going on with this little 4 year old that i loves so much.

Today, as of right now.. he is lying in his bed, taking a nap with his brand new Sponbgebob blanket. I will rewind a little more to last Wednesday - Drs said, we don't know how... but the swelling has stopped, in fact it is going down, and he is improving. By Thursday he was home... and yesterday, he took his first steps. (he is walking with a walker, but a week ago today, we weren't sure he was even going to be with us.)

I have so much to be thankful for. That child is one of the strongest people i have ever met. He told me yesterday "I will walk in 3 days!" The drs said it would take weeks to get his strength back enough to stand on his own, let alone walk. But he's doing it. He's meeting his goal. Almost makes me feel ashamed. I know there are so many things i have given up on.

Just the nanny... but I hafta tell you. I am so glad my little guy is asleep in that room, under that Spongebob blanket, walker close by. *shrug* makes me smile.. and makes me cry a little too...

A Day for Mothers

2011-05-08T16:37:00.000-04:00

Happy Mother's Day to All.

Today has been a hard day for me the last few years. It always starts off the same... i can never find anything to wear to church (i hate finding things to wear... i need to go shopping...) I go to church and hear what the characteristics of a good mother are, and about how it is a great privilege to be a mother. Then I go out to eat with family (including my pregnant younger sister)... And then go home... sit is a quiet house... and long to be a mother.

This blog is not going to turn into a story of my struggles to be a mom. I try not to focus on it. I have been so blessed. I want for nothing (not that i have a lot extra, but i have what i need). I have a family that loves me... siblings that i can depend on. My dogs are a blast. I have a great job where i nanny 4 beautiful children. But my desire to have children grows. the more years i put behind me, the more i want for those babies.

Anyway, Happy Mother's day. To all the grey haired mothers, the young mothers, the mothers who have lots of children and the ones who have only one. To the mom's have children thru adoption, and the ones who gave birth themselves. But also, Happy Mother's day to all the women who long so badly for children, and for whatever reason, don't have them.

Happy Mother's Day to All!

Springtime... the good and the bad

2011-05-07T22:24:00.000-04:00

I love spring. It reminds me of new life... springing forward to the newness of oneself... Here are some very specifics i loves about the spring...

I love blooming flowers. They are pretty, and i like the way they smell.
Cookouts are a blast. Especially with open fire. I love a roasted marshmallow!
The smell of fresh cut grass. I really love when I am sleeping with my windows open, and the smell of the grass welcomes me as i wake up.
I love the countdown to vacation (although summer is NOT my favorite season... i love vacation). It is very exciting to me to count down... as of today, I have 1 month and 4 days!

Things that i do not love so much...

I am not a fan of mosquitoes (they love me). And they are everywhere. And i hate bug spray just as much.
Ticks.. gross.
Humidity... and around here you can't get away from it.
Spiders.. more than anything i hate spiders. They usually show up more in the fall, but they are here now. And that is scary... i have posted a picture of the spider my friend found and shared with me today... scary...

New to Blogging

2011-05-07T15:35:00.000-04:00

So behind the times... right!?

This is my place to become... and be unfettered.

And this is my first post! Yay!

Happy Saturday.