Set Free

My favorite things to do during a typical day : sleep in as late as I can (which ends up being around 8 or so), spending time with Ellie, eating (whether it's healthy or not), having the option to be outside, night owl goodness, and..... The things I wish I got the ability to have happen in a week but rarely does: time with my little family each day, time with other Mom's during the day, the option of getting out of the house during my daughter's nap time, and having solid friends/people to hang out with and live life alongside. Is it bad to want the ability to have those things happen? Is it selfish to want more in life than the typical get up, meals, playtime, and daily household "duties"? Is it wrong to want to be fed wisdom from others, having people around me, and of course I would give back to them with all the energy I've got. But as I sit here during my daughter's nap time coping a terrible headache I cringe.  The weather is nice and al...

Someone help me figure it out.  I'm tired of calling myself "average."  I'm neither Type A or Type B .  I'm in between.  I'm not a Tom Boy or Girly Girl.  I'm in between.   Let me explain....I could get all dressed up if you want me to but I'm also capable of throwing on jeans, t-shirt and playing a good game of ultimate football.  (I'm not afraid to catch it or tackle you!) So then what am I when it comes to introvert or extrovert?  I'm in between. Grrr. Introvert stuff includes but not limited to : enjoying nights when everyone is in bed and I get refueled by staying up late doing my own thing (I'm not this way when hubby is around but many months it's been time away from him).  I get overwhelmed in large group settings or keeping a conversation going with people I don't know well.  I'm always concerned if people care about what I have to say or not.  The insecurity is overwhelming. Extroverted tendencies include but no...

To escape reality I watch TV.  [Moment of judgement] I use it when it's not my daughter's fault Mommy isn't lively (like running on 5 hours of sleep).  Or when she is sick.  Or when I desperately need her to be focused on something while I sneak out of the room to do something. [Another moment open for judgement.] Recently Ellie has gotten more aware of the TV and I have to watch what she is hearing and seeing.  However she loves music so there's some fun shows that I let her watch.  It's always so cute to watch her dance and "sing" along with them. :) [No judgement needed here.] Ellie's favorite shows as of now include: 1. Sesame Street  ....she loves Elmo.  She spots Elmo everywhere.  At the grocery store, on a shirt, a book, etc.  The other day I was at Once Upon a Child and saw a shirt for $2.50 that has Elmo all over it.  She's currently wearing it today.  She points at it saying "Elmo, Elmo, Elmo" since it has numerous...

Back in June 2013 when we bought the house we knew we were going to fix up the bathroom.  It didn't come with a shower, just a tub.  However we had to take down some tile to make that happen.  There wasn't the proper drywall surrounding the tub to prevent water damage.  Plus there was a window RIGHT in the middle of the exterior wall so we couldn't just easily put a shower in.  As time went on and washing paint brushes in that bathroom (who cares if we get paint in there?) Jon started to notice a leak.  So we stopped using that sink and figured there was more remodeling to do.  At that point we said....all or nothing. Issues in the bathroom/stuff that wasn't a big deal but wanted to change to make it our own: 1. No shower 2. Leaking sink faucet onto pipes. 3. Copper pipes (updated plumbing needed!) 4. Electrical updates desperately needed 5. Poor lighting (two can lights halfway down the wall only over sink is not well thought out) 6. Exterior ...

Time for a recipe!  Yeah, it's been quite awhile.  There is this yummy creamy soup that I just HAVE TO share.  My mom makes it from time to time and she got it from allrecipes.com . It's not hard to make (that's the only recipes I try). Creamy Chicken & Wild Rice Soup (8 servings) What you need: 4 cups chicken broth 2 cups water 2 cooked, boneless chicken breast halves, shredded 1 package of quick cooking long grain & wild rice (with seasoning packet) 1/2 tsp salt 1/2 tsp pepper 3/4 cup flour 1/2 cup butter 2 cups heavy cream Directions: 1. In a large pot over medium heat, combine broth, water and chicken.  Bring just to boiling, then stir in rice, reserving seasoning packet.  Cover and remove from heat. 2. In a small bowl combine salt, pepper, and flour.  In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt butter.  Stir in contents of seasoning packet until mixture is bubbly.  Reduce heat to low, then stir in flour mixt...