Does It Have To End?

I love summer. I really do.

Especially this summer. This past year has been beyond a challenge in homeschooling. Not sure why? Perhaps the huge range in grades, the new baby, the noise level, the {gulp} inability to remember basic 8th grade math..

or quite frankly

could care the less to re-learn 8th grade math.

Yeah, maybe the latter was more truthful. None-the-less, I think I out ran the kids when it was time to put the books down and race to the pool.

But 2 months have passed and that dun-dun-dun... dreaded day is almost here.

Well, maybe I should re-phrase that for the opinionated haters out there...

Im not completely dreading it as im not ready to kick them out the door to public school just yet. I hold firm and steadfast to my beliefs. But things are changing in our little red house. Time to switch it up a bit and greet this next school year completely different than how we left last year.

Im a bit excited and nervous to begin. Im putting a lot of HOPE in some new choices and I have been praying hard that they are the exact answers I need.

I also will be drawing strength from a very dear friend of mine. She doesn't know it yet... But I have an earful for her when we are able to finally coordinate schedules.

I have found that homeschooling can be a very lonely world.

Unless you do it, you just don't get it....Because the reasons why you do it are the reasons why!!

Does it make sense?

Anyway. Thats where I am right now...

I am slowly picking up the schoolbooks with my rising 2nd grader to do some review and get the gears going... you know, the gears that are rusted from chlorine and sun..

Oh that glorious sun. ;)

Link is awesome. Every day the kids find out his new likes and dislikes. For instance...

He likes being put in a bucket...

and swung gently back and forth.

Like a swing...

Seriously!

He loves it.

and if you go on the ground and pretend your a cat...

he FREAKS out and starts playing... its so cute.

and then he gets tired and looks for a warm lap to cuddle up in.

We love Link!

We also bought 2 new Crepe Myrtles for our backyard. They are * PINK *. 

I can't wait.

1 will be used to help shade our patio. It gets full afternoon BLAZING sun.

ouch!!

But hopefully that will be changed... once it grows and grows.

Im being a fickle pickle with my blog postings... 

Sorry about that.

tanning and swimming  enjoying the summer will do that to ya.

But I'm pretty consistent with my twitter...

so follow me and maybe I can get my act together.

What about you?? What have you been up to?

Xoxo

GiGi

Tempting Everyones Tummy...

GOOD MORNING!!!

I usually don't post recipe's but the other night I made a dinner that was just so pretty to see and tasted just as good... I just HAD to share.

Im also joining Tempt My Tummy Tuesday for recipe linkies!!

I don't have a formal recipe for this. I kind of just threw it together. But I will do my best to remember exactly what I used.

These are the ingredients:

An onion chopped, Garlic chopped, Fresh string beans, baby Spinach, 1 stick of butter, sliced mushrooms, pork and a box of farfalle

I cut the pork in strips, dredged them in heavily seasoned flour and fried them in the pan

In another pan I sauteed the onions till soft, then threw in the garlic and the mushrooms and spinach. ( you can use as much as you want)

I cooked them for just a bit as I didn't want everything completely soaked!

After cooking the pasta, I threw the pork and the stir fry pan of the veggies all together in a huge pot. Added salt and pepper to taste

and

Voila !!

A great dinner my family ate right up. I managed to squeeze in some healthy veggies too.

What did you eat??

Xoxo

GiGI

SweetTea...

Hello my dear bloggy friends. Its MONDAY and surprisingly im quite chipper.. which is NOT the norm. Especially since I had an appt. with the dentist this morning..

<>

But I SURVIVED!! I did. I go to a GREAT place. They are on the posh side and cost a bit more BUT they specialize in cosmetic dentistry... and neurotic women.

(me)

So for the higher price, I get babied and pampered  AND guaranteed I feel NO!!! PAIN!!!

That still didn't stop me from crying the minute they called my name to go back. Im serious. 35 years of life experience went right down the drain as I was walking the green mile down the hall. The sweet girl asked how I was doing and before she knew it I was a blubbering mess.

IN MY DEFENSE

I was getting a crown.

And I was scared. I don't think I have seen anyone slap the gas on a nose so quick. And I don't think anyone else sucked down that sweet air any faster.

But we got to chatting and before long I was as high as a kite relaxed and ready. I think I convinced her to take her kids on a DISNEY cruise by the end of the visit. And I kindly told my dentist that taking his wife on a vacation where she had to vacuum...

wasn't a vacation.

But grace was extended as he kept pumping that stuff higher and higher after I claimed it wasn't working.

When I went to get up to visit the restroom mid crowning...

IT WAS WORKING!!!

So, The gas will be used at all dental visits even though it didn't do what I expected it to do and I was still a bit anxious... but calm enough that my reflexes were not hitting his face.

Now that the dreaded visit is behind me, I can focus on my vacation coming up in a couple of weeks. I CAN'T WAIT!! Seriously. I need it. We need it.

This past saturday night during WING NIGHT... sweet cuz (who is a web and branding consultant) branded me with a logo for my travel business...

SweetTea Travel

I have a webpage. and my logo ROCKS!! The webpage needs work and right now it will just link you to my FB page where its updated MANY tines a day with the latest deals. Believe it or not, FB is where I get ALOT of my business and its easy to get the word out about FAB-U-LOUS deals and steals.

SO if your kind, please follow me on Twitter and Facebook. =))

Let me know how you like the new logo...

and remember... no haters.k?

But Im off. Half my mouth is still numb and I have to attempt to eat.

I kept thinking I was in pain and he kept giving me more Novocain to shut me up...

Did I mention Neurotic??

Yeah. I own it.

Have a great day

Xoxo

GiGI

Into The Woods...

For those of you who are just not cool don't follow my twitter, do not know that we had an experience with nature this past weekend.

Friday night, after hubby came home from work, he set up his new 8 person tent.

Um, yeah... 8 person but I can guarantee maximum capacity will never go over 7....

Anywhoo... the littles were as excited as could be. The firepit was lit and the smores came out. They played in the dark and counted the starts. By 10 pm, I handed out kisses and retreated back in the house to watch the baby. Yeah... thats it. Cause the baby just can't be outside. Yeah... thats it!!

But I showered the wilderness off of me and retreated to my comfy bed and my beloved DVR.

By 11, my sweet hubby was carrying them in 1 by 1. My big girls were already whining about missing their beds and the fire was out.

Our night under the stars was over.

Yup, thats about as country as we get!

And here are some pictures of my baby P. Who is almost 9 months. I have a real hard time with the 9 month mark.

But I will save that for another day

Isn't she cute?

Xoxo

GiGi

WIWW/WILW 4TH ADDITION!!!

HAPPY 4TH!!

Today's addition of WIWW and WILW hosted by The Pleated Poppy and Krystina is all about the FUN of the 4th of July.

With the holiday falling on a monday, we had an incredible 3 days weekend and spent 2 nights party-ing with fireworks and family.

I went for summer/tan chic by the fire

Tank: Old Navy

Skirt: Old Navy

Flower: Forever 21

It was also our 15th wedding anniversary and hubby surprised me with a trip to the mall and a "detour" into our Pandora shop...

I came out with a little more **bling**

Miss. P. wanted to participate in WIWW/WILW and she got dressed up in her "little black dress..."

Cause every woman needs one. Or 2 or 5... really!!!

and MY outfit which is 100% me all the way!!!

Pink Tank: Old Navy

Turquoise flower: Old Navy

Brown skirt: Old Navy

Red/black and leopard apron: Kirklands

Bow flip flop: Kirklands.

Can't wait to see all YOUR outfits...

Happy Summer

Xoxo

GiGi