Running On Empty...No More

May 25th, 2012, marks the 29 year anniversary of the most terrifying day of my life, but also a day filled with future blessings that could not have been imagined at the time. I crashed a motorcycle into a tree going an estimated 90 mph (without wearing a helmet) and lived to tell about it. I didn't walk away from it, but I survived. I don't know what happened to the bike I rode, but it was huge just like this one. My friend, Jen, and I thought it would be fun. She was a good driver and a really good friend - we were friends since birth because our mothers were friends when they were in school. We were being typical teens and not thinking about possible dangers or consequences. It was only three days after my 13th birthday and I felt alive and happy to have finally reached my teenage years. I remember wearing a shirt that my aunt Pat sent me as a birthday present that day. I remember the wheelie I popped when I first attempted to drive the bike, while Jen fell off the back

I tell myself that birthdays have long since lost their appeal, but deep down it's not true. I love feeling loved and appreciated and my birthday is a day that I really want to feel that way. The morning was a typical weekday morning - get up early, pack lunches, get everyone out the door. Until it was Gracie's time to get up. She remembered my birthday immediately and called me into her room to "help" her get ready (which she never needs). So in I go and she had these beautiful pink roses in a vase for me along with a special card which read "I love you Mommy because you shine." O-M-G...waterfall at 7:45 in the morning. She is such a sweetie.   Then came lunchtime. My parents picked me up and took me out to lunch at 4Brothers in Gap. It's one of my favorite local places to eat and the same spot I took Mom on her birthday. Dad was going for the first time and after eating there, he is also now a fan. But here's the kicker - they have a s

Getting together with family and friends is the single best past-time around. I don't do it nearly often enough as I would like, and because I live in Podunk, PA, it usually involves me throwing a party. This is where Chris and I have a slight difference of opinion. Don't get me wrong, he likes being with people, too, but I tend to invite all kinds of people over all year long. I think he'd rather go out a little more instead of playing host so often. I cannot say I blame him - I've been known to reach out to strangers from time to time and invite them over, as well, and I'm pretty sure that doesn't thrill him. Take Chase & Chelsea, for example. I met them at a concert in Philly. Within the short span of an hour and a half, I invited them to our house for the annual Memorial Day pool opening party. They were very friendly college kids attending Missouri State and headed back to college that weekend, but they were coming home to Philly in time for my party, a

My hat goes off to all of you single moms out there. I single-mom-it a few times a year and there are a few observations that I make each time Chris goes away, and this time was no exception. There are pros and cons, but I think the cons win, meaning I lose because there are way more negatives on the list. Dinner is much simpler (tacos and fruit salad tonight - and loved by all) The house is neater and quieter I am even MORE tired than normal since I did all the running so far this weekend I miss my husband and son so much it actually hurts I had to do almost all of the doggy duty solo My fuse is much shorter than usual Gracie was more skittish at bedtime than usual (probably because of my short fuse) I got less housework/yard-work done on such a beautiful day Gracie was sad that her daddy missed her awesome softball hit to right field I overcompensate on treats while shopping to make up for the softball disappointment I am going to a picnic tomorrow afternoon, with one les

This weekend was another fantastic weekend with two celebrations - Gracie's First Holy Communion and Mother's Day. Friday night was a rat race; last minute prepping for the party on Saturday. The menu for the party was very simple, though, and (almost) gluten-free. I had been marinating flank steak in a French dressing for three days and that would be grilled on Saturday. I made a German potato salad (which turned out fantastic, recipe to follow), deviled eggs (NC's favorite), and the rest was supplied by my awesome mother (baked beans and fruit) and friend, Lisé (special raspberry salad). Chris' cousin, Haley, supplied her amazing layer cake which is pictured here - totally NOT gluten-free, so I only tasted the frosting. But she makes cakes look beautiful and taste fantastic.   The celebration was wonderful. Gracie was so happy and felt pretty in her dress. I did not finish the last stitch of her dress until Thursday night (more like Friday morning),

This week is one of the busiest I've had in a while. On top of an extremely busy work week, my kids have three or four "events" every day this week, and I'm knee-deep in preparing them for these events. Events include dance rehearsals, CCD, softball and baseball practice and games, school concerts, tutoring sessions, music lessons, and the grand-daddy of them all - First Holy Communion. (BTW, just typing up that list makes me tired!) My daughter is making her First Communion this weekend, and I decided a long time ago (like when she was born and I finally got the "girl") that I would make all of her dresses for such special occasions. Somewhere along the way, I must have TOLD her this, because she REMEMBERED that I wanted to do this for her. And that's why I'm up late every night working on her one-of-a-kind princess communion dress, not feeling all that holy as I prick my fingers on needles and let little curse words slip out. She has, as they say

Chicken is one of my favorite things to eat, but boneless chicken breasts sometimes dry out. This recipe will guarantee moist juicy chicken and will please everyone in the house - even the picky eaters. My chicken looked just like this, but I didn't have a camera handy - so I shamelessly stole it from the food network. I made extra dressing and coated cubed potatoes with the dressing and baked them in oven at 400 for about 45 minutes. Together with the chicken, the potatoes were also fantastic. We also had steamed broccoli, which honestly did not make anyone excited. The rosemary is back in my garden from last year, but I'm going to plant a few more varieties. I just love to have fresh herbs available whenever I need them, and the aroma is to die for in the kitchen. Rosemary Ranch Chicken 1/2 cup olive oil 1/2 cup (gluten-free) ranch dressing 3 Tablespoons Worcestershire sauce 1 Tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary 2 teaspoons sea

It was 5 am when I heard it. That awful alarm clock. Even though I wake each morning to my favorite sound - the beautiful music of Mumford & Sons - I really hate getting up early, especially on a day like today. I jumped in the shower and went through the motions. I washed, rinsed, and shaved. I haphazardly dried my hair only because I knew it would be two days until I could do it again. When I woke Ben, he got out of bed rather quickly, got dressed and headed to the van. He even carried our overnight bag for us. He fell asleep almost instantly as I tried to wake myself up. The drive to Philly is never fun this early in the morning, but the drive to Children's Hospital is even less fun. Ben has had chronic GI issues since birth. We've bounced around from doctor to doctor and facility to facility hoping each time that THIS was going to be the time we'd find some healing for him. No one has been able to find a solution - or worse, a cause - for his problems. And yet he