One of my blog friends Kelli has decided that I deserve this Honest Scrap Award, and coming from her it is a real honor. Kelly is an encouraging, fun-loving, all around great gal with 2 of the cutest kids ever. You should swing by and see her when you have a few mins. because she is the real deal.

Here's how this works:
In accepting this award, I need to do the following:
1) Say thanks and give a link to the presenter of the award.
2) Share "ten honest things" about myself.
3) Present this award to 7 others whose blogs I find brilliant in content and/or design, or those who have encouraged me.
4) Tell those 7 people that they've been awarded HONEST SCRAP and inform them of these guidelines in receiving.

10 Random/Honest Things About Me:

1. I am the oldest of 3 kids. My sister and I are almost 2 years apart and my brother is 7 years younger. I am the typical oldest child, a people pleaser.

2. I have a college degree in Business Management, and am a licensed cosmetologist. Currently though, I call myself a kitchen beautician because I only do hair from home. I always thought I wanted to own my own salon, but as with most people, my ambitions have changed as I have had children. Being with them is what is most important to me at this stage of my life.

3. I am a carbaholic. I could eat dessert or bread for every.single.meal. I'm talking only desserts and bread too, no veggies, no meat, etc. Since that is not a healthy eating plan, I do eat choke down other healthier foods.

4. I am fickle by nature. You know that saying "a rolling stone gathers no moss". That's me. I grow tired of things quickly and am always changing things.

5. I can not stand for my food to touch. Especially if the foods are runny, like vegetables or beans. I know, I'm a wierdo.

6. I am impatient and LOVE shortcuts. I wish I was not this way, but it is just in my nature. If there is a quicker way to do something, I'll find it. If something is gonna take a long time to do, I will probably not take it on. I want quick results.

7. I met Lonnie in college and we have been married for 6 years. One of my sorority sisters dated a guy he played football with, and that is how we met. He is my soulmate and I love him completely. He is an only child and only grandchild. Our 2 boys are the only grandchildren on both sides. That is why they are wrotten!

8. I'm a busybody. I get it from my momma. I love to go and see and do. I have passed that gene on to my boys, especially Connor.

9. I LOVE to shop. I mean I could shop every single day and never get tired of it. Bargains make by blood rush and I can always sniff out a good bargain.

10. I let my boys climb all over our furniture. I mean serious rough housing like doing flips off the back and jumping from the end tables. They are wild and rambunctious, but somehow they know they can only do this at home and in the family room. They never attempt to set up an "obstacle course" at anyone else's house, thank goodness!

I tag... Stacie, Amanda, Gwen, Hat Chick, Sarah, Krista, and Michelle because they are blogs I enjoy and friends I have made via this blog. Thanks for being the real deal ladies!

Weight Watchers Wednesday, Week 30

It is Weight Watchers Wednesday, and yes you read correctly, it is Week 30!! I have actually been doing this for over 7 months! This week I had a loss of .5 lbs for a running total of 34.5. I am just so stinkin' proud that I am still sticking to this new lifestyle and exercising that I can hardly stand myself. HA! Just teasing. In all seriousness, I am stoked to have had a loss this past week because it has been extremely stressful and I didn't eat every pint of Ben and Jerry's at Bi-Lo. I did have some Chubby Hubby on Sunday though, just keepin' it real!

Walker's dental appointment on Tuesday was a complete and total nightmare. For a little background, he had his first dentist visit last month and it was terrifying to him. We researched and took him to one of the best pediatric dentists in our area, but Walker was still traumatized after the visit. The way that child was screaming, I am surprised they didn't kick us out.

Anyway, they found 2 cavities in his molars so the dentist said our best bet would be to have him sedated and get the work done. We had to be there really early and he got his Demerol, but because he was so anxious his body metabolized the meds funny and it acted more as a steroid. He was bouncing all over the walls. You would have thought they gave him a double espresso.

To make a long and painful story very short, after they velcroed him to the table and he still thrashed around it was determined that he was gonna need to have the work done in a hospital operating room with complete anesthesia. Can I just say that having your child scream and cry for your help is heart wrenching. The dentist was wonderful and so patient, but it was just too much for Walker, and when they tried to give him a shot in his mouth he jerked so hard that they almost got him in the cheek. That was what sealed the deal on the hospital visit. It just wasn't going to be safe to proceed at the dentist office. Thank you Jesus! I don't think I could handle much more, and neither could poor Walker. So, $4oo later we still have cavities and we get to look forward to another fun dental adventure. But no need to worry. Walker is back to his regular self.

What does all this have to do with the price of tea in China, you ask? In another time, I would have literally eaten and eaten and eaten. This time, I shed a few tears, talked to a few girlfriends/ family and felt better! This is huge people!

Mary and I are still exercising 3 -4 times a week, and doing it first thing in the morning has been a wonderful way to do it. I am too tired to make excuses and I know that at 6:30 in the am I don't really have anywhere else to be.

For this week's recipe, I am gonna share a Pineapple Banana Smoothie Recipe, 2 points. When I was a kid my mom always made Pineapple Banana homemade ice cream, and this reminds me of it.

Pineapple Banana Smoothie

Ingredients:
1 cup cubed pineapple -- fresh or canned

1/4 cup pineapple-orange juice -- from frozen concentrate

1/2 cup vanilla yogurt nonfat

1/4 cup water

2 ice cubes

1 packet of Splenda

1/2 of a banana

Instructions:
1. In a blender, combine all ingredients, blend until smooth and frothy.

2. Pour into glasses.
Makes 2 servings, 3 POINTS per serving

I hope all my WW buddies had a great week. I look forward to hearing from you!

The Boss's New Chair...

I have been doing a little "junking" lately, and the boys have become big fans too. Last week we went to the local Habitat for Humanity Restore, and came across this cute little chair for $2. At that price I just couldn't pass it up.
We brought it home, and after a couple coats of paint, it has found a new lease on life.

Here is a close up of the details. Originally, I painted it green and blue but Connor kept pulling out the red so I finally caved and painted some red dots and it got a little more busy than I intended. He loves it though, and that is what matters.
I am probably gonna add his name, but I am gonna do vinyl letters instead of painting it myself. so there you have it, Con's $2 chair.

Here's "The Boss" trying it out. We will be going back tomorrow to pick up the another one for Walker since little man doesn't want to share it.

Walker has "oral surgery" in the morning. He has to be sedated to get 2 cavities fixed. I am a little nervous about it because the dentist appointment was such a disaster last month, but I am trying to put my mind at ease, afterall Matthew 6:27 says "Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life ?"

Weight Watchers Wednesday, Week 29

It is Weight Watchers Wednesday, Week 29, and this week I lost 1 lb. for a running total of 34 lbs. Yippee!! As always, I am happy that I had a loss, especially since I have not been completely motivated to eat perfect for the past week. I have done pretty good, but I'm sure I used more than the "Flex" points I am alotted weekly.

I have been exercising regularly with my exercise buddy Mary (Happy birthday friend!). I have decided that the accountability is key for me. Having Mary to call me at 6:20 am, 4 days a week as she is enroute to my house makes me get up and moving when I would rather just roll over. We did Hip Hop Abs this morning and it was the usual laugh fest. We have decided that we should memorize the whole routine and go bust it out at a club. Kind of like they did in the House Party movies. We're crazy I tell you, crazy.

I am gonna skip the recipe this week, and post a couple really helpful tools for those of you trying to do Weight Watcher's on your own.

Weight Watchers Points Calculator

A to Z Weight Watchers Food List

Restaurant Points Guide

I do feel obligated to tell you that none of these sites are endorsed by Weight Watchers, but I use them frequently on my own and have found their points to be accurate. I hope all my WW buddies had a great week!

Cornbread Goowrotten...

I am quickly coming to the realization that my boys are growing up TOO FAST and there is nothing I can do to slow the process. SO, I have been trying to enjoy lots of quality time with them these last few weeks before they both start pre-school. In case you've missed me in the blogosphere, that's where I have been, elbow deep in playdough as opposed to decorating or crafting.

Today we took our first trip to the library for the sole purpose of getting books. We usually only go for storytime. The boys loved picking out their different books, but were disappointed that I limited them to six. We had read them all within an hour of getting home and they are already asking about going back tomorrow to get different ones.

We've also been spending time at the river.

Making sticker collages. And more sunglasses...

But mostly I have just been enjoying these two wrotten little things.
By the way, Connor is no longer Connor Brett. He is now going by Cornbread Goowrotten. Cornbread is what his Uncle Paul says his name sounds like (Connor Brett), and Connor loves it. I told him he is "wrotten" and Nonnie says he's a "good wrotten", so he now says his name is Cornbread Goowrotten. That should make for an interesting first day of preschool. He definitely looks like Cornbread in Poppy's camo hat and his black underwear.

The boys start "school" September 9, and we have a lot we hope to do between now and then, but I promise to get back to posting about some of my projects once we get settled into a routine. Until then, forgive me if the posts are a little sparse. Hope you are enjoying the last little bit of summer as much as we are!

Weight Watchers Wednesday, Week 28

It is Weight Watchers Wednesday, Week 28 and this week I lost .5 lbs. so I am now up to 33 lbs. I am stoked about having had a loss because being out of town this weekend was challenging, but also the weather has been bad this week and we have been inside baking every.single.day. Walker has always been a big fan of cooking, and Connor has now decided he likes it too, so that means double the goodies around to munch on.

I am still exercising 4 days a week. Mary and I have been meeting at 6:30 am for Hip Hop Abs or to walk. Tomorrow morning is hip hop, so I will be getting in bed shortly. That is one hard workout. I think our abs get more of a work out from all of the laughing we do at ourselves than they do the actual video. Hilarious I tell you!

For the recipe this week, I am gonna share a Lowfat Banana Oatmeal Bread that the boys and I baked. I made it into muffins instead of bread, and they were really good. Great to grab one and go.
Low Fat Banana Oatmeal Bread (muffins )
Makes 12 servings @ 2 points each

Ingredients :
3 large bananas, mashed
1/2 cup white sugar (I used Splenda)
1 egg, beaten
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup flour
1/2 cup rolled oats (old fashioned oats, not quick cook)
1/3 cup applesauce
1/2 teaspoon salt
Directions:
Add sugar to mashed bananas and mix. Add beaten egg and mix. In a separate bowl mix all dry ingredients. Add dry ingredients to the banana mixture and mix well. Mix in applesauce. Spoon into medium size muffin tin (I use paper muffin cups so they won't stick) and fill 3/4's full. Bake for 20-25 minutes at 350.

I cheated a bit, and sprinkled chocolate chips on a few of them just to see how they were. YUM! I didn't count this change in my points though. I figured since I used Splenda instead of sugar, the chocolate chips would even it out again. Probably not the smartest way to do it, but I only added the chocolate to 4 of the 12 muffins.

I hope all my Weight Watchers buddies had a great week. I'll try to get some good pics next post.

My Cheap New Bedspread...

We spent the weekend in TN, and while it was a lowkey-hang-out-with-family kind of weekend, I did manage to squeeze in a trip to Ross and TJ Maxx. I finally found a new bedspread, and it was a heck of a deal so I thought I would share.

As you can see, I have a lot of red, green, and black in the bedding. The bed is queen size, but with a very deep mattress, so I have to buy king size comforters and bedspreads. I have been using a red comforter, but it was hot and I had gotten really tired of it lately. I was looking for something simple and light, when I came across this king size quilt and 2 shams for $35. It was just what I was looking for to bring the other stuff down a notch. The other bedding is custom made and we have had it for a couple of years now and I still love it. However, with the duvet as the bedspread it is just too loud. That's why I use it as an accent at the bottom of the bed.
Excuse the poor pictures. The green is much better in person, but right after I took these 2 pics, my beautiful bed was no longer. Pete and Re-Pete invaded the room...
I will tell you, this is how the bed usually looks. The boys love to wrestle and watch TV in my room while I get ready. Connor did say, "Mom, your bed looks so pretty."
As they began to throw my pillows here, there, and everywhere I asked Walker what he was doing and he said, "I'm just playing on your bed Mom. You can straighten it up again later. " Thanks Walker. Thanks a bunch!

M.I.A. ...

Sorry I have been M.I.A. lately. I just wanted to pop in and say I have not forgotten about the blog or all my blog buddies! It has been crazy busy around here trying to get ready for school and doing VBS every evening this week. Ours is from 5:30-8:30, but by the time we get home and ready for bed it is closer to 9:30. This is giving me a taste of how crazy things are gonna be when they are playing sports down the road.

And since we are going to TN this weekend for Aunt Wewe's birthday, we will not have our regular downtime at the river, where we do a lot of this...
and model fabulous Armani shades that belong to Aunt Brittney by our Big Lots pool. That is contrast if I've ever seen one!
But I am sure our weekend will be full of family and fun. I hope you have a wonderful weekend too, and I will be back Monday with my creative juices flowing for a new post.

Weight Watchers Wednesday, Week 27

It is Weight Watchers Wednesday, Week 27 and this week I lost 1 lb. for a running total of 32.5 lbs. I am very happy with my loss this week. We were at the river all weekend, and while I was conscious of my eating, I just didn't worry about it too much. For the first time in a while, I feel like this past week is one I could live with the rest of my life and not think I am missing out. This Weight Watchers thing must finally be becoming the "lifestyle change" I've been looking for.

In the area of exercise, believe it or not I finally made a commitment. My walking buddy Mary and I weren't able to go exercise a single evening last week because of conflicting schedules, and with VBS this week, we knew it wouldn't happen in the evenings again. So, we started exercising in the morning before Mary goes to work. We have been meeting at 6:30 am, and either walking or doing Hip Hop Abs. Getting up and going that early has been a HUGE change for me. I am always up by 7:00, but then I snuggle with Connor (the early bird) and drink coffee for an hour or so. Jumpstarting my morning has been different, but it is something I am gonna stick to because I am so much more conscious of my eating all day if I work that hard first thing in the morning.

For this week's recipe, I am gonna share my Chicken Veggie Bake. This is a creation I came up with (still trying to use all that zucchini) as a lighter variation to some other chicken dishes I saw online. We ate it for dinner last week, and I ate leftovers the next day and they were delish!

Chicken Veggie Bake, 6 points

4 servings

Ingredients:

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts

1 zucchini, sliced

1 squash, sliced

1 tomato, sliced

1/2 cup Italian Bread Crumbs

1 cup Spaghetti Sauce

1/4 cup Reduced Fat Parmesean Cheese

Salt and pepper

Aluminum Foil

Tear off 4 sheets of aluminum foil, and spray them with cooking spray, I use Pam. Wet the chicken with water, and roll in bread crumbs. Sprinkle with Salt and pepper. Lay on foil, layer zucchini, squash, and tomatoes on top of each breast. Spread 1/4 cup of the spaghetti sauce on each, and sprinkle the parmesean cheese on the top. Fold the foil closed along the top, close tightly on the ends. Bake the "pockets" on a cookie sheet in the oven at 350 degrees for 35-40 mins.

Now I am huge fan of chicken and pasta together, and since I wanted Alfredo sauce (yes I know how fattening that is) I decided the most calorie conscious way to do that was to just buy a frozen Alfredo entree by Lean Cuisine. It is 4 points, and wonderful. It made my whole meal 10 points, but it was exactly what I wanted. Even Lonnie said it was delicious. Give it a try!

I hope all my Weight Watcher's buddies had a great week. I look forward to hearing your progress!