Scrapblog

In less than an hour, I have developed a new addiction. First it was blogging, then Picnik, now thanks to my bloggy friend, Tina, it's Scrapblog. My hands are numb from carpal tunnel, my eyes are bloodshot, the laundry is piling up, and the house has been overtaken by two very small, very grubby little terrors.

Although I love to buy scrapbooking supplies (believe me...I LOVE to buy them) I am very bad at actually putting it all together which leaves me with a closet full of stickers, paper, etc and several unfinished scrapbooks.

This, my friends, is the answer to my dreams. I can play around with my pictures using premade designs, add my own personal touches, include text, stickers, frames, you name it...they have it.

I started Scrapblogging this morning around 7:00 a.m. and haven't stopped. Here are some of my creations so far (in addition to the super cute header up there!)

I may become a freak and start changing my header all.the.time. just because I CAN! I already have a header ready to go as soon as the guys start harvesting wheat. Okay, enough chit chat. Off to scrapblog!

Happy Independence Day from a 5th Grade Teacher

One of my favorite things to teach is U.S. history, particularly the events that surrounded the signing of the Declaration of Independence. So get ready for some learnin'...got your #2 pencil handy?

*In June 1776, Congress selected a committee including John Adams, Ben Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Robert Livingston, and Roger Sherman to draft a declaration of independence. The committee then chose Thomas Jefferson to write the document.

*On June 11, 1776 Thomas Jefferson began writing the first draft of the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia. He finished 17 days later on June 28.

*The first part of the document explains the reasons behind the break with England. The last part is a list of grievances and complaints against King George III.

*Even though the Declaration of Independence was adopted by Congress on July 4, most delegates didn't sign until August 2.

*56 men signed the Declaration. The youngest was 26; the oldest (Ben Franklin) was 70.

*2 future presidents signed (John Adams and Thomas Jefferson) as well as 3 future vice presidents.

*Other signers included farmers, lawyers, merchants, and physicians.

*My IRL BFF Deb's great, great, great, great grandfather signed the document. (Did I get those greats right, Deb?)


You've been a great class. Now go grill some hot dogs, eat some potato salad and baked beans and drink some iced tea. And as you watch your fireworks show tonight, take a moment to remember the men and women who have helped to keep this an independent nation for more than 200 years.

Red Potato Salad

I have never been a big fan of potato salad, which is strange because I have never met a potato I didn't like. However, I found a recipe in this magazine and decided to give it a try (with a few of my own special touches.) Are you intrigued? No? But I said special touches! That is exciting stuff, people. Here's what you need:

2 Tbs. sweet relish, 2 Tbs. red wine vinegar, 1/3 C mustard, 1 1/4 C mayo, 1 tsp. mustard seed, 1/3 C sour cream*, sliced red onion (you will notice mine is not red, but it should be), 2-3 stalks chopped celery, 8-10 slices cooked bacon*, 5 lbs. red potatoes

* special touches

First you need to boil the red potatoes until fork tender, about 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, add 1/3 C mustard. It's your choice what type of mustard to use. I chose spicy brown mustard. Cause that's how I roll.

Then add 1 tsp. mustard seed.

Next, (and this is a very important step) find a chubby cheeked helper.

Let your chubby helper add 2 Tbs. red wine vinegar.

Then add 2 Tbs. sweet relish. (Or if you aren't a very sweet person, you could always use dill relish.)

*Note to self: Must paint helper's nails.*

Then add 1/3 C sour cream.

Then add 1 1/4 C mayonnaise. (Please don't talk to me about Miracle Whip.) Then mix all together. Add salt and pepper.

Drain and allow potatoes to cool. Cut them into chunks.

While the potatoes are cooling, finely slice a small red onion, 2-3 stalks of celery, and 8-10 strips of bacon. Try to keep chubby cheeked helper away from bacon.

Add the onion, celery, and bacon to the potatoes. Then pour the sauce on top. Mix thoroughly.

Stir the mixture well and allow to cool. Serve with grilled hot dogs, these baked beans, and macaroni and cheese. Oh, and beer. Definitely beer.

Next, take a really cute picture of you and your chubby cheeked helper. Then to go Picnik to spruce it up.

Bon appetit!

Thursday Thirteen

Last week, I wrote thirteen things I miss about having a new baby. This week, I get back to reality. Here are thirteen things I do NOT miss about having a new baby.

1. The explosive poop that somehow manages to go up the back and into the legs of the sleeper

2. Sore, cracked, bleeding nipples

3. Smelling like sour milk

4. Colic

5. Getting up for feedings every 2-3 hours

6. That feeling when you FINALLY get the baby rocked to sleep, only to put her in the crib to have her instantly wake up, screaming

7. Always staying home to keep the baby away from germs

8. On the rare times you did leave the house; having to nurse in the bathroom, car, or dressing room

9. Those nights when you don't know what else to do, so you load the screaming kid into the car to drive around aimlessly with unwashed hair and no bra

10. Scraping dried biter biscuits and other assorted first foods off every surface of the kitchen

11. Teething

12. Seeing the baby gnawing frantically on her fist when you JUST nursed her-my nipples hurt just thinking about all of those marathon nursing sessions we had

13. Pumping-OMG that was the worst for me. I hated it. It was so unnatural and I never had much success with it. Combine that with the fact that 2 different people walked in on me at work while I was pumping...yeah, it didn't last long. After my principal walked in on me, I thought my milk would NEVER let down again.

It's a good thing they're cute because even though it seems like a never ending cycle of crying, poop, and more crying...it does get better and it IS worth it.

If you want to see what other people are posting about today...check out Thursday Thirteen!

Betrayed

Dear Starbucks,

We've had a good run, haven't we? From the moment I first saw you my sophomore year of college, I knew we were destined to be together. We started off as friends. I was a little shy. I liked you, but didn't know if you liked me too. Our friendship slowly evolved into something more. We began a love affair. We began to see each other more often. I knew we were going to be together forever.

Then things began to change. It started off small. A mistake here and there. Hey, we're all human. Then you just got sloppy and dare I say became complacent towards my coffee needs. First you gave me whip when I asked for no whip. The first time, I let it slide. But then it became increasingly frequent. I began to question your loyalty.

Then this happened. I suddenly realized one of us in this relationship cared more than the other. It was no longer a 50/50 partnership. I decided to give you some space. I didn't call or visit for a few days.

But after today, I don't think I can go on like this. When I ordered my grande, ICED, non-fat, raspberry mocha with NO WHIP...I held my breath. I nervously paid, hoping to see our issues resolved. But you betrayed me. When I was handed a HOT, raspberry mocha WITH WHIP, I knew it was over. I guess this relationship wasn't meant to be.


I hate to end things like this. I wish there was another way. I hope to see you again sometime. In the meantime, Folgers and I are getting to know each other. And I have to admit, he's not bad. Not bad at all.

Wordless Wednesday

"It's my potty and I'll cry if I want to..."

And the winner is...

Lindsay at Somewhere over the Rainbow! And here was Lindsay's choice:

"I'm going to go with Door #2 because I love me some dark purses. Seriously. Out of my 10-15 purses only 2 are NOT black."

Congrats, Lindsay! This cute bag will be yours as soon as you give me your mailing address. (Email me!) Love her and comfort her and tell her Mommy will miss her. I know she will be in much better hands with someone who will actually get her out of the closet and show the world how cute she is...matching wallet or not.

Thanks for playing, everyone! Stay tuned in the next few days...I might just have another drawing for limey green Liz and brown Vera Bradley. I've saved your names and the kids are DYING to pull more out!