Pizza Pie?

My baby is six years old. How did this happen?! He's no longer just a one hander. He now has to hold up both hands to show people how old he is. *sigh*

He's cute isn't he? I may be a little biased. Just a tad. ;-) This picture was taken by a friend of ours who happens to be starting up a photography business. If you're interested you can find her here. Thanks Rachel for the awesome pictures!

For his birthday he wanted to have a chef party. He wants to be a chef with his own restaurant when he grows up. So we went to this great little place called Young Chef's Academy where he got to have a pizza party! The kiddos each got to make their own personal sized pizza then at the end of the party they got to eat it! The chef in charge of our party did a fantastic job of including all the kids and really explaining each process. The best part, though, was the way they took care of everything! Everything! The only thing I had to worry about was the cake.

You can't have a pizza party with out a pizza cake, right? Right! So, I scoured the internet for pizza shaped cake recipes. I didn't find too many, but what I found was enough. I combined several ideas and came up with this.

Looks like a deep dish pizza to me! It's a lemon sponge pie. And when you cut into it, it really looks like it's filled with cheese.

This was my trial cake. I couldn't wait to cut into it and have a taste which is why it's a little lopsided in the picture. It really needs to sit in the fridge for a few hours to set up properly. But it was oh so good! The top is similar to a lemon cake while the center is more of a custard consistency. Yum-Oh! If anyone is interested I can put up the recipe. :-)

Saying Goodbye To My Aunt

I'm not eloquent with words when it comes to goodbyes. I become a big blubbery mess and my face gets all red and puffy while I stumble on the words trying to come out of my mouth. So forgive my big blubbery mess as I say goodbye to My Aunt today.

My Aunt that used to take me out to some long forgotten creek in the summer, where we would take our shoes off and dangle our feet in the frigid water as we sipped cherry limeades from the route 44s she always bought us.

My Aunt that taught me that family isn't always just the people you share DNA with. Family is also those you bring into your heart. Those that you share your life with can be called family too. It was a completely new concept for me. To bring a stranger into your home, into your life, just because you had enough love to go around and they happen to need love. Love and a place to call home. Two things my aunt taught me to appreciate.

My Aunt that taught me how to be a warrior, a survivor, as she stayed strong even in the toughest of times while she battled cancer for more than a decade. It would show up and she would go through the chemo and the treatments. And the cancer would go away for a while before showing up somewhere else and she would go through it all again.

My Aunt that I will always miss.

My Aunt that I will always love, I say goodbye to you...for now.

Dear Universe

Dear Universe,

You have quite the sense of humor.

I'm all for choosing your own path, but do you have to make both paths so darn tempting? At least you give me another chance to choose more wisely when I screw up the first choice. By the way, I can hear you laughing at me when that happens. Just so you know, your laughter isn't always appreciated.

While we're on the subject of your sense of humor...I don't find it a bit funny that you provide us all with so many tasty carbs and sugary treats only to make them "bad" for us, then give us holidays that center around them. Valentines Day...not funny. My thighs do not thank you.

There are times when your quiet sense of humor is greatly appreciated though. Like the way you seem to always introduce me to new friends at just the right times, when I need them the most. Or when we get a bonus only to have our television break.

I guess being all knowing has it's advantages. Now, can we talk about the lottery numbers?

Sincerely,
Jennie

Word Of The Day

Respect - To take notice of; to regard with special attention; to regard as worthy of special consideration; hence, to care for; to heed. (from Webster Dictionary)

My hubby and I work with our boyos everyday teaching them the values that we as human beings should have. We explain to them the whys and whats and hows then send them out into the world hoping beyond hope that they take those lessons with them.

I've always heard, and we all know it's true, that kids behave differently around their parents than they do away from their parents. We know it happens. We just hope it's small stuff they're doing.

Today is Awards Assembly Day at my boyos school. I always give them the same speech every Awards Assembly day. It goes something like "Sit quitely, listen, don't fidget, don't play with any awards you might win. I'll be there and yes, I'll be watching." And I end it with a few stern looks. Sound harsh? Yeah, maybe. But when I get there and I see my boyo behaving while a kid a few seats away from him stands up and walks around then starts yelling that he needs to go get a drink and while the teacher is trying to get him to calm down he starts tell her she's not his mom...I think to myself...Man, am I glad that kid isn't mine.

We've all seen little terrors kids while we've been out somewhere, fussing, back talking, throwing fits. The parents of said terrors kids all red faced and trying their hardest to drag the little dear out of the store or giving into the tantrum to shut the little dear up.

When I'm getting on to my boyos and they back talk me or give me some sass, I remind them about respect. My hubby and I have worked hard to make sure our boyos respect their elders. That means all adults. All of them. You may not like it, you may, in fact, detest it. But as a youth you're expected to give all elders your respect.

My boyos know this. They aren't perfect, no one is, but for the most part they do good. Almost every time we're out we get comments about how good our boyos are. You don't have to threaten them to get them to be good, you just have to start teaching them what is expected of them at an early age.

As a mom of three boys, I tend to be strict. But I'm trying to raise future men, not overgrown boys.

The Common Cold

The common cold is the most common infectious disease in humans...there is no known cure.

Symptoms include but are not limited to: cough, soar throat, runny nose, nasal congestion, sneezing, muscle aches, fatigue, headaches, and muscle weakness. (I have or have had all of these in the past three weeks)

The common cold can lead to acute bronchitis, croup, pneumonia, sinusitis, or strep throat. (I really believe I have had at least two of those maybe three in the past three weeks)

I'm really sick and tired of being sick and tired. *sigh*

Christmas Vacation

Two words all kids love to hear. Christmas Vacation. They still send tendrils of excitement racing through my veins, making me want to squeal like the little girl I used to be even though I no longer go to school. Heck, I no longer have an actual job that I have to go to everyday. 

Two weeks of freedom from school. Two weeks of new toys and family dinners and Christmas candy and if you're lucky enough, two weeks of playing in the snow then coming inside and warming up by the fireplace with a cup of hot chocolate. I'll take mine with marshmallows please.

Today marks the start of Christmas Vacation for my boyos. They announced it to be true as soon as they got in the car this afternoon. "Christmas vacation starts now, Mommy!"

There are traditions we have. One that is a must for us is watching the movie Christmas Vacation. Here's a little glimpse for those of you who've not had the pleasure of watching it yet.

What are some of your traditions?

Shopping and Friends

I went shopping with a friend this past weekend. *waves at friend*

It was so nice to just walk around the mall, chatting and shopping (yes, I said shopping at a mall). It had been awhile since we'd both been able to just get out and relax. I think we both needed it. As much as we love our husbands there's just something to be said about the company of a good friend. It relaxes, renews and refreshes the spirit.

We were there earlier in the morning so the crowds were just starting to get unbearable when we were ready to leave. We ended the trip with a stop at the book store (which is a must in my opinion...it would be wrong to be so close to a book store and not go in *shudders*) before we stopped at a fabulous pizza place for lunch. Mmm...love pizza!

So, to all the overstressed, overworked, overtired people out there...find time to have a day with a friend. It really helps!

Thanks again friend! *waves at friend*

Christmas Shopping

I finished up my Christmas Shopping today! W00t!! *does happy dance*

I love the Christmas season. All of the decorations, the music, the cooler weather...but the shopping...no, not so much. I'm not a shopper.

First there are the lines just to get into the store.

Once I've finally made it into the store I'm faced with all of the other shoppers crammed into the store trying to get the same deal I'm trying to get while the sales people are either ignoring me or trying to spray me with something that smells very much like my grandma's closet.

Nope just not my thing at all.

And then the lines to check out after I've wrestled my item away from ten other moms...I'll pass.

That's why I do the bulk of my shopping online. Shopping online rocks. No pushy people, no smelly purfumes, no infuriating sales people. Just me in my jammies perusing the online stores.

How do you like to shop? Do you brave the stores or shop online?

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Turkey Day!!

It's so easy to get stuck thinking about all the negative things in our lives. All of the shoulda, coulda, woulda's that we all go through. Today is for being thankful for all that we have in our lives. It doesn't have to be big stuff, in fact, I find that it's the small stuff I'm most thankful for. So, I thought I would share a little bit of my list with you.

1. My family
2. My friends 
3. My health
4. Being able to be a stay-at-home mom
   
5. Plenty of good books to read
   

What's at the top of your list?

Free Books

That's right, free books! 

Did I get your attention?

Yeah, I thought so. *grin*

While I was reading through some of the blogs I like to keep up with, I came across this little beauty. Free Book Friday Teens features a new young adult book every week. All you have to do is go here and sign up. Every week you can enter to win a free book. Now, here's the kicker...the books are also signed by the author! How cool is that?

Very! It's very cool!

If you're not into the whole young adult thing (and I'm not sure why anyone wouldn't be) they haven't left you out. You can go here and sign up to win a different adult book every week.

Now before you go off and check it out, let me just warn you that you don't comment to enter to win. There is an entry form on the left sidebar. If you try to enter by commenting, you'll lose out. Make sure to go to the left sidebar and fill out the little entry form.

Thank you Jessica Brody for creating Free Book Friday Teens and Free Book Friday! You're my new hero!!

Two chances to win a free book every week. Now that is something to be thankful for!! ;)

Halloween Candy

Dear Halloween Candy,

You know I love you, but I wish you would go away. I hear you calling to me during the day and into the night. It's distracting to have you sitting on the counter with all of your ooey gooey yummy goodness, taunting me. Teasing me.

Stop it. I am trying to be good and get in shape. You're not helping me, so I am going to have to get rid of you. Don't take it personally, I'll always love you. I'll always crave your sugary goodness. I just think our relationship has run its course.

Longingly yours,
Jennie

Free Kindle

Hey guys!
There's a contest to win a free Kindle here. All you have to do is sign up!

Go enter and good luck!!

;)

Stairs

Dear Stairs,

You are no longer my friend. There are too many of you and you are too steep. My aching body just cannot put up with your cruel taunting laughter as I stumble my way up you after working out.

It's not funny. Stop laughing.

Sorely,
Jennie

Writing Again

I'm still waiting on several agents to get back with me. I've been playing the waiting game. It's the hardest game I know. I'm horrible at waiting. The worst.

To get my mind off of it, I've started writing again. I'm working on the next book in the series I hope to get published one day. There are six books altogether in the first story, buy I have several ideas past that.

I'd forgotten how much fun it is to get to know your characters. What their physical appearance is, their likes and dislikes, their history, their attitudes, finding their voice. It can take me days to find just the right name. And the name has to be right. No name, no writing. The story just won't happen for me.

Before I can really start writing, I need to know everything about my characters along with the setting they're in. If they use a weapon, I research the weapon so when I write about it I actually sound like I know what I'm talking about.

I also need to have a pretty good idea of  what will be happening. For me, it's like watching the preview of a movie. I know all the good parts, I just have to fill in the rest.

It's my research phase. I really enjoy the research phase. It's where I am right now.

I'm almost done with it. In fact, this next week I should be able to start working on my next story. *does happy dance*

What's your writing process?

Bullying

Bullying - written or oral expression or physical conduct that a school district's board of trustees or the board's designee determines:  1.) to have the effect of physically harming a student, damaging a students property, or placing a student in reasonable fear of harm to the student's person or property; or 2.) to be sufficiently severe, persistent, or pervasive to create an intimidating , threatening, or abusive educational environment for a student.
**Taken from Fort Bend ISD Student Handbook 2009-2010 pg. 68

Yesterday, my middle boyo was walking by two boys fighting at recess with one of his friends. He was punched in the arm which caused him to fall and while he was on the ground he was slapped in the face. When I went to the school to check on him he was icing his face. I could still see the slap mark. My boyo and I went to gather his things for the day (his head and arm were hurting him) and his teacher didn't even know what was going on. Someone had told her he had fallen and that was it.

My first question to him when we left was where were the teachers. He told me they weren't far away, but they were talking. Maybe it's just me, but I have a problem with that. Why were these teachers chit chatting and not watching the kids? And if they weren't far away why didn't they stop the two boys that were fighting before it could escalate into what it did? There are close to one hundred and fifty first grade students and only three or four teachers there to watch them during recess.

That afternoon when we went back to pick up the rest of my kiddos, my boyo saw the twit that slapped him in the face. The boy was still there. Now, this absolutely blew my mind. Our school is supposed to be a zero hate/no tolerance school. Why was this twit still there? Certainly slapping someone in the face is considered bullying, right?

According to the school district's own definition of bullying it is. When I brought this little fact up, I was told that it's not bullying unless it happens more than once.

When I inquired as to what punishment the other boys received, I was told they can't tell me. And then, I was told that when the Assistant Principal  spoke to the two little boys that were fighting, she couldn't really tell what my boyo's roll in it all was, but the teacher on duty had said that my boyo was "play wrestling" with the two other little boys. And that she wasn't sure why, if he was involved, that he didn't get in trouble too.

So, just like that my boyo went from being an innocent by-standard that got hurt to being included in the guilty party.

I informed her that our stories seem to not match. That in fact, my boyo was playing with someone else. That in fact, my boyo was just trying to get around those two twits. That in fact, the teachers on duty were too busy chatting it up to really notice what happened.

I left her office feeling like I'd been slapped in the face myself.

I'm not sure what our next step should be. Or if there even is a next step.

What would you do?

To Read List

Dear To Read List,

I hear your complaints. I know you're quickly reaching critical mass levels. I cannot help the fact that there are so many good books out there to be read right now. I keep buying books and deleting them off of you, but you seem to grow faster everyday.

I am reading as fast as I can, but the pesky house work keeps getting in the way. Laundry needs to be done, dishes need to be washed, toilets have to be scrubbed. My boyos need attention too. I simply cannot sit and read as much as I would like to, so stop giving me paper cuts every time I pull you out when we're in a book store.

I appreciate the way you keep all of my to read books in order. All sixty seven of them are listed with the author's name and release date in an orderly fashion. I would never be able to remember all of them without you.

Lovingly yours,
Jennie

Pumpkin Pie

I'm a Fall kind of girl.

Beautiful colors, pumpkin pie, crisp air, pumpkin pie, cool nights. Did I mention pumpkin pie?

Yep, I'm definitely a pumpkin pie Fall kind of girl.

Actually just pumpkin in general. I'm not picky. Pumpkin pie, pumpkin cake, pumpkin bread, pumpkin muffins pumpkin bars. Baked pumpkin, stuffed pumpkin, fried pumpkin. Is anyone else reminded of Forrest Gump?

 I got the bright idea of showing my boyos where pumpkin in a can comes from. So, I bought a pumpkin pie pumpkin.

We cut it in half and took out all of the seeds.

Then cut it up into pieces, took the skin off of it and put it in a roasting pan with butter, brown sugar and some pumpkin pie spice along with just enough water to cover the bottom of the pan. I covered it and put it in the oven until tender.

What I got was yummy pumpkiny goodness. But it was lacking something...so, I mashed it added a few things and put it into mini gram cracker crumb pie crusts...

stuck it back in the oven for a little longer...YUM!

I don't know if you can tell, but that pumpkin was a small pumpkin, but it yielded four cups of mashed pumpkin. Just so you know, most pie recipes call for two cups of pumpkin.

So, how do you like your pumpkin?

The Weather

It's finally starting to cool off here. The cooler weather has been great!

One of the things I miss about living in the Ozarks is the way the leaves change color there in the Fall. The town I grew up in has tons of Maples that turn the most beautiful reds, oranges and yellows every year.

I miss that.

I miss the crispness in the air that comes with the changing colors of the leaves.

We don't get that here. The leaves stay green until one day they just fall off and the trees look like skeletons reaching for the sky.

Of course, we don't get the mountains of snow and ice either. And snow is something I definitely don't miss! I don't miss the ice on the roads either. ;)

Most Annoying Phrases

I was watching our local morning news a few mornings ago when the newscaster read off the top five most annoying phrases (according to CBS).

1. "whatever"
2. "you know"
3. "it is what it is"
4. "anyway"
5. "at the end of the day"

My first thought was, "Shoot! I use three of those phrases quite frequently." Followed closely by, "Oh man, I hope I don't use them too much in the stories I'm working on!" Followed closely by, "You know, it is what it is. And anyway, at the end of the day...whatever." ;)

Agent Update

Just a quick update.

I have now sent out to seventeen agents. And I've actually gotten some bites! A few of the agents have requested fulls! I have to admit I did the whole girly squeal thing where I jumped up and down.

Of course, I've also gotten some flat out no's. It's to be expected. I don't think anyone's gotten an agent right off the bat.

Did I mention the requests for fulls? *does happy dance*

So, I think I'm at least heading in the right direction. I'm aware that it's not unusual for an agent to still reject after requesting a full. But still, it is exciting to get that request. ;)