Randomness In All Its Glory

- Looking for a really tasty granola recipe. Anyone out there have a good one to pass on?

- I am so very very sick of the cold. I am really longing for summer.

- In September I will be able to add "Aunt" to my description list over there in my profile!!! I am really excited about this! (Trying to be a little covert in this announcement since the future mommy and daddy haven't blabbed it to the world yet. I am bursting with the news so I had to share somehow!!! ) (How'd I do with the covert thing? I always knew I would make a good spy. Just call me Sydney Bristow.)

- I can be really sarcastic and dry. (duh.)

- I say "really" too much and am trying to break myself of this habit. As you can tell by the previous random tidbits I am doing just dandy with this.

- Had to wipe the dogs arse yesterday after she pooped on Jaron's blocks. This is not in my job description and I am not getting paid enough to do such a vile thing.

- I have a post about shame that I am working on. Maybe someday I will actually get it published on here. My writing gears have slowed down lately and cranking out anything of substance has become near impossible.

- I need some good books to read. Anybody have some good suggestions? I especially love fiction and biographies/memoirs.

And A Happy Holidays To You...

Being sick is the pits.

Taking care of a sick toddler is sad.

Having a sick husband is MISERABLE.

All of the above at the same time, during Christmas vacation, cannot be described in words I wish to publish on the blog. Use your imagination.

I'm going to bed.

Bullet The Blue Sky

Just saw this funny post over at Musings of a Future Pastors Wife and thought it looked like fun. Join in if you want!

1. Put your iTunes on shuffle.
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
3. You must write that song title down, no matter how silly it sounds.


IF SOMEONE SAYS "IS THIS OKAY" YOU SAY?
Girls Just Want To Have Fun- Cyndi Lauper

WHAT WOULD BEST DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONALITY?
Overjoyed- Jars of Clay

WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL?
Rest Stop- Matchbox Twenty

HOW DO YOU FEEL TODAY?
Frail- Jars of Clay

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE'S PURPOSE?
All Eyes On Me- Goo Goo Dolls (HA!)

WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO?
I Believe In Love- Dixie Chicks

WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?
Light Years Away- MoZella (LOL!)

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN?
Sugar- Tonic

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND?
6th Avenue Heartache- The Wallflowers (oh! sad!)

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR SPOUSE?
Lover Lay Down- Dave Matthews (*blushing*)

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?
You're So Wonderful- Vineyard Worship

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For- U2

WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE YOUR SPOUSE?
I've Got News- Andrew Peterson

WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?
Eternal Flame- The Bangles (HA!)

WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING?
Hey Ya!- Outkast

WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?
Mr. Froogie Went A-Courtin'- Burl Ives (LOL! A kids song that Jaron loves!)

WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST?
Apologize- OneRepublic

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET?
Wipe Out- The Surfaris

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?
Walk This Way- Aerosmith

WHAT'S THE WORST THING THAT COULD HAPPEN?
I Ain't Goin' Nowhere- Martina McBride (LOL!!!!!)

HOW WILL YOU DIE?
Saved By Loved- Amy Grant (does this mean I won't die?!?) ;)

WHAT IS THE ONE THING YOU REGRET?
Canned Heat- Jamiroquai (oh dear.)

WHAT MAKES YOU LAUGH?
You Are My Joy- David Crowder Band

WHAT MAKES YOU CRY?
We Cry Out- Kim Walker (appropriate I would say, huh?)

WHAT SCARES YOU THE MOST?
Building A Mystery- Sarah McLachlan

DOES ANYONE LIKE YOU?
What's In It For Me?- Faith Hill (hehehe!)

IF YOU COULD GO BACK IN TIME, WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE?
Don't Fade On Me- Tom Petty

WHAT HURTS RIGHT NOW?
Two Princes- Spin Doctors

WHAT WILL YOU POST THIS AS?
Bullet The Blue Sky - U2

Okay- that's it for me tonight folks. A little bit of silly as I veg out before Turkey Day. Lot's to be thankful for this year. Make sure you take time to be thankful amidst the eating!! :)

Twitter Bug

I finally caved in and I am now Twittering. Anyone else out there doing the Twitter thing?

True Confessions

I'm bored. Waiting on the hubby to get home so I can go work out. Ugh. I hate working out, but I have to do it. I HAVE to for oh, so many reasons. But mostly I just have to do it b/c I said I was going to. I am working on keeping my word in all things.

So, anyhoo-- now that I've bored you to tears also, let's spice things up a bit. Here are a few random confessions that will probably tell you more than you ever wanted to know about me.

Feel free to tease and laugh at me if it will make your day. :)

1. Like my friend Marilee, I hate sticking my hand down the drain (or garbage disposal). This is why I married my husband. He can do all the dirty work. :)


2. I watch re-runs of Saved by the Bell episodes every morning while I eat breakfast. I watched this show as a kid and there is something nostalgic about it. (TBS is the station, in case anyone is interested in joining me!)


3. I do this weird thing while driving on the interstate (we don't have a "highway" where I live- just an interstate, though this would apply to a highway also). I grind my teeth whenever I pass a guardrail and I only grind which ever side the guardrail is on. If there's one on both sides I grind all my teeth. Weird, I know, but then I never claimed to be normal.


4. I hate wearing socks. If I could do the flip flop thing all winter long, I would. As soon as it breaks 50 degrees outside I bust those baby's out.


5. I think that fresh cilantro makes any dish better. Truly I do. I even bet you that it wouldn't be half bad coated in dark chocolate. Because we all know that chocolate makes everything better too. The next peanut butter and jelly me thinks.
   

Oh- the hubby just walked in the door. Time to go sweat my butt of. Did I say Ugh! yet?!?!

Some Linky Love

* Updated to ad a new link**

Because I'm glued to the all the Election Coverage and b/c things have been way to crazy in my head (thus the absense from the ole' blog), here is some linky love. In case you need something else to do besides watch all the hoopla going on.

• Of toothbrushes and surrender by Jackie @ Our Moments, Our Memories- made me cry. Her writing is simply beautiful.
  

• I am already married, but I am drooling over all the pretty things at Style Me Pretty.

• These funky boots have me wishing I was sassy enough to own them.

• Has anyone else discovered Letters to a Parent? I'm loving it.

• Pretty much adoring this house. Wishing it were mine. *Sigh*

• Just saw this Letter from Earthcamp and was moved. I needed to hear (see) this reminder today.
  

Okay, that should keep y'all busy for a while. I'll be back when all the swirling in my brain slows down a bit.

Happy Election Day! :p

I Wish I Had Something Interesting To Say Today...

but I don't. In fact, I just woke up from a nap (not an every day luxury so I took advantage today) and I am still a bit nap groggy. Know the feeling?

Went to a Beth Moore event last night. You know, I adore her, however last night was just off. All the ladies I went with agreed that it was a bit discombobulated. The worship was a little over the top, and her message felt very piecemeal.

Now, don't get me wrong.... I am not criticizing, really. I was glad I went and came away with a ton of little nuggets that I am excited to dig deeper on. Maybe that's the point of her events anyway?? And I would/will go to another one if I get the chance. I will say that I am very excited about her new Ester bible study.

Anyhoo... what's new out there in blog land? Anyone have big, exciting things happening these days? I usually have around 50 blog hits a day and I have no clue who all y'all are! So, leave me a comment and let's start getting to know each other a bit more.

(PS... anyone got an good vegetarian recipes out there? I'm in need of some new ideas! Help!)

Just In Case You Wanted To Know...

I'm having a great time on vacation. Minus the cold I have; and the fact that Jaron has decided he no longer needs to sleep at night. Good thing the tan I'm getting covers up the dark circles under my eyes.

Jonathan and I are thinking we might never go home. The house we are staying at is beautiful... right across the street from the beach. The weather is perfect. And I love, LOVE, spending time with all my family.

So, if I could just get some sleep to get rid of this cold, it would be perfect.......

I'll post pictures soon, I promise. I'm just having too much fun to be bother with such trivial things right now!! ;)

Meanderings and Such

Yay for health! We are all healthy (minus some allergy issues) and doing well. Whew!! So glad that is over. I'm tellin' ya, it is a scary thing to see your usually perky toddler completely un-perky. Un-perky, as in lying in bed, eyes wide open, but not moving or blinking or speaking or singing or clapping or anything else of that nature. I don't think I've ever seen him be so still. And the 104 fever didn't help matters much. Nor did the body rash or the blisthers coving his cute little hiney.

Poor thing.

Now that that's over we can look full ahead to our VACATION! I cannot tell y'all how truly excited I am about this vacation. We need it more than ever. Jonathan has been so stressed at work and strechted thin with extra-curricular actives. I have been overwhelmed with sickness and taking care of a friends baby during the week. Not to mention trying to sell this condo. I am ready to just "be". Getting to hang with all my family is such an added bonus.

And the beach! Oh how I miss the beach!! I am truly excited beyond words.

My folks are driving down later this week and they are carting all our luggage with them. Jonathan, Jaron and I will fly down on Saturday and it will be so helpful not to have to tote all our bags too. This means, of course, that I have to be packed in advance. Since I am watching a friends baby Weds- Fri, I really need to be well sorted out before Wednesday rolls around. Watching a 5 month old and my toddler takes up every ounce of energy and I know no packing will get done on those days. So... cleaning and packing is the name of the game for the next 2 days around here. Fun times.

I feel like there was something else I was going to say... but I'm drawing a blank... oh well. Sorry for the randomness of this post. Not my normal style, but figured I'd just be real with where I am today.

Oh, I remember now... Tom Brady. Ouch! Did anyone watch the Patriots game yesterday? My hubby almost cried. He declares that football season, for him, is now over. Can't say that I mind, entirely. Ha!

Back with more substantial stuff tomorrow. Happy Monday!

Break Me Off A Piece Of That Kit Kat Bar

So, I thought today was Monday. Guess what? It's not. It's Tuesday. Just thought I would share that info with you in case you didn't know already that it's Tuesday and not Monday. Now that we are clear on that, I can move on...

My head is in a fog. (Can you tell?) I have too much on my plate this week. I am weary. And I am having one H-E-double-hockey-sticks of an allergy attack. To put it simply I am all spent and I have nothing left to give right now.

I love blogging, but in the scheme of things, it's low on the priority list. Something has to give this week and I choose The Blog. However, have no fear, I will not be gone forever, just for the week. I promise I will be back with bigger and better things. (We'll maybe not bigger and better, but I will be back.)

But wait! There's more!

While I am away I will be reposting a few oldies. I have selected a few of my more meaningful posts for you to ruminate over. I have a big-ole-juicy-God-filled blog going on and on and on in my head. I am hoping that maybe this week I can get it on cyber paper for y'all to read next week when I come back.

Until then... enjoy the archives! :)

Love,
Casey


PS I love KitKats.

Vacation

This is where we are headed for our family vacation...


in September. Ugh. I am so ready NOW!

Okay, I'll Admit It, I'm A Slacker

But the truth is that the weather has just been AMAZING and sitting inside playing on the computer just isn't on the top of my priority list.

Also, I totally forgot about posting this weeks chapter review for Captivating. So, chapter 3 will get posted next week. Jaron's birthday took over my life last week and I had a blast planning it, but sort of got wrapped up in it and didn't get chapter 3 written up.

So, yeah... there's my list of excuses. Anyone care for a violin solo?!? =)

Speaking of Jaron's party, here are few pictures. He loved every minute of it and was so well behaved. He is such a social boy and he loves being the center of attention.

Rain Drops On Roses

I forgot how much I love sleeping during the rain. The fam and I are in Ohio, visiting my bro and his beautiful wife, and Ohio has real rain. Real rain, with thunder and lightening. I love it! I woke up at 2 am to the sound of torrential downpour on the roof and windows. Then the air was all charged with electricity as God showed His power in an awesome display of noise and light.

And I slept like a baby.

Speaking of babies... my baby slept through it all. I thought for sure that the crack of the thunder and the zap of lightening would put a quick halt to his snoring. But alas, he is his momma's boy for something and awake he did not.

Today we lunched Panera Bread. Yum. (How's that for a change in subject?) Jaron spilled "Guncle" Andy's beverage all over everything, but it was bound to happen at sometime. "Guncle" Andy and Nephew Jaron are quite a pair. And oh how Jaron loves his Aunt Leigh. (I think it has something to do with all her cute, funky necklace's he can chew on and her long hair he can twirl around his pudgy little hands. He's a hair guy.)

This visit would only be better if Uncle Gabe and Aunt Minnie were here. (Guilt trip!)

And if we didn't have to drive the 13+ hours home in the forecasted rain and SNOW showers!! What? Snow? Ick. Ick. Ick.

Ugh. I need the beach.

(Insert Clever Title Here)

Um, hello, my name is Casey and this is my blog. I have been strangely absent as of late, and really, I have no good explanation to give.

I could say I am tired, and while that is true, I just don't think it's a valid excuse.

I could mention that I am spread a little thin, what between being a wife, a mother and a working woman (who's office is currently in the process of moving, which is a whole other excuse story.) But no one wants to hear me complain.

I could tell a tale about Jaron and his erratic sleeping habits, but those have FINALLY settled down (praise Jesus from whom all blessings flow!) and so there's not much to tell anymore.

I supposed I could also blame it on blogger, with whom I have a love/hate (mostly hate) relationship. Dang thing has been kicking me out and refusing to post my photos. But that is a story that lots of people can tell, so I won't bore my readers with such triviality.

So, um, what can I say?

Well, how about that I have had the mother of all cases of writers block. I mean really, who am I to think that anyone wants to read what I have to say? Every time I start to write something I end up erasing it all. I do have things I want to post, but I worry about being too down, or too serious, or too silly, or posting too many photos, or not enough photos.

It's like high school all over again... overly self aware.

Anyway, I have things on my mind... things I think when I can't sleep at night. Good things, bad things, life things, God things. (I am starting to sound like Dr. Seuss "Left foot, right foot, red foot, blue foot"!) Maybe in the next few days I can start to get them out of my head on here-- for all 2.5 of my readers to read.

Until then... how are y'all doing? Got any topic/post ideas for me?

Okay, I Give Up!

I have been trying to post something all day long and stupid Blogger won't let me upload my photos. I am beyond frustrated. Today my boy is 10 months and I had some photos of his cute little face for the blogging world to gaze upon. Guess I'll try again tomorrow.

Oh, wanna know what I did today (when I wasn't watching the photo uploader thingy tell me it didn't work)? I cleaned... the whole house... with a 10 month old following me around all day. Fun, huh?!?!

Now I can sit with my feet up and read a book without guilt. I might even have some ice cream as a special treat for finally getting my cleaning butt in gear. I think I have the spring cleaning bug which is good because I have been far too lazy for far too long.

Okay, enough of this nothing for now. I'll be back tomorrow, and hopefully I will have pictures.

Sleep tight, don't let the bed bugs bite!

I Have Nothing Positive Left To Say About The Snow...

Our local weathermen are predicting 12-16 inches of snow in the next 24 hours. With periods of 1- 2 inches an hour over night. I have nothing good to say about this. In fact all sorts of very-not-nice-words are floating around in my head and this blog is rated G so I must censor myself.

My smile (brought on by the sunshine and warm-ish weather of yesterday) is now gone. A frown and furrowed brow have replaced it.

Along with an onset of claustrophobia and manic scrubbing of the stove top. But that's a whole other post all together.

Day Dreaming Of Sunshine

Sure, this is pretty if white, wet and cold is your thing.

The view from my parents back porch.

But I would rather have me some of this any day.















Cane Garden Bay, Tortola, BVI... where the Hubs and I spent our honeymoon.

Help I Am Sitting On The Couch And I Can't Get Up!

Oh please, someone stop time right this second so I can remain in the vegetative state in which I currently reside.

And, would someone else please remind me the next time I want to throw a large party in my teeny, tiny condo that it is a lot of work and is it really worth it????

(Last night it was worth it- I hosted a dear friends surprise party and I loved every second of it. Today, however, I am toast. Burnt toast, to be exact.)

Having said all of that in really long, run on sentences....

I'll be back later. When my eyes can stay open, my head stops throbbing, and my brain regains its proper thinking functions.

Boy do I feel old.

A Few Thoughts- Real Quick Like- Because This Sunshine MUST Not Be Wasted

1. Flips flops make me happy. And flip flops worn in the middle of winter, when it warms up to 62 degrees, make me even more happy.

(Shhhhhhh!! Let's not mention that it is supposed to return to the 20's later this week. Let's just enjoy this BEAUTIFUL day God gave us.)

2. I have a love/hate relationship with Wal-Mart. I love their "Everyday Low Prices". I hate that their not Target.

3. When applying several coats of Desitin to a baby's bum, be prepared to have a white finger for the rest of the day.

That's it. I'm off to bask in the winter sunshine!

Hello, My Name Is Casey And I Am A Strarbucks Addict

I have a free moment! A FREE MOMENT, y'all!! That's a miracle when dealing with a sick baby.

(He has an ear infection accompanied by the, uh hum... "runs"... thanks to the lovely prescription meds he must take twice a day. And may I just say that nothing is quite so fun as changing umpteenbillion dirty diapers a day.)

(And no, umpteenbillion is not an exaggeration.)

(Okay, I lie, it is an exaggeration. It is really just umpteenmillion dirty diapers.)

But, back to the point of this post.

I am a Starbucks addict. It's true, I am.

Only, I am not a huge fan hot beverages. I will partake of an occasional hot chocolate, but never have I consumed a cup of coffee. Never. The very thought of swallowing such a vile liquid makes my gag reflex react just a bit. (No offense to those of you who would die without your morning- or noon, or night- cup of Joe. Drink on my friends. Drink on.)

I am however a love-ur of a Grande Black Iced Tea.

Seriously. Just ask my husband.

In the first few months after Jaron was born, I lived on my daily Grande Black Iced Tea. It was during those days when getting out of the house looking good took a lot of time and too much effort. My daily Starbucks run was the only time I didn't care if I left the house without a shower and make up. I would just throw my greasy hair back into a fun little bun and hide my face behind my Nicole Ritchie sun glasses. I was the picture of style and beauty. I was.

Yes, I love me some Starbucks Grande Black Iced Tea.

I just thought I would take this FREE MOMENT and let you all know a little something else about me.

Anyway, that's really all I had to say.

(And really, you should feel honored that I chose to spend this here FREE MOMENT with you, my bloggy friends. Because who knows when I'll get another one, with all those umpteenmillion diapers to change and all.)