Thursday, December 31, 2009

Happy New Year!





I have great expectations for 2010! And one of them is that the Mr.'s arrival is just around the corner ;).
We went bowling at the Air Force Base on New Year's Eve and then home for a movie and popcorn. In the middle of the movie, Goosie lost her first tooth!!!!! How exciting!
Happy New Year to all my followers, friends, family and blog stalkers ;).
Much love to all!
May the New Year be the best!

Monday, December 28, 2009

Letters from Iraq

I've been so very blessed lately to receive quite a few letters/cards from the Mr.
I have had some struggles these past few days with the fact that I have become selfish out of self-preservation. My selfishness is not to hurt anyone or done maliciously... I'm exhausted. I'm very tired and dealing with what seems to be weekly "flare-ups." I have had to start realizing that I need to step back and take care of myself and the little people that rely on me daily.

I received a letter today that had special meaning for me... because... it said this:
"I miss you and I'm glad this is almost over. As a test, I feel like we passed with flying colors. All this did was reaffirm my love and dedication for you. Yes, it is miserable being away from you and the kids, but it has proven that we are strong. Strong than ever."

I hope the Mr. doesn't mind my sharing this. It meant so much to me to read those words because this is exactly how I feel about us.

sidenote:
I have some wonderful news that the bone is regrowing in my cervical spine fusing to the surgery site! That is amazing since there were some doubts at the last doctor's appointment. Now, I get to battle for two referrals... one a renewal to the neurosurgeon and one to a rheumatologist. I hope these are easily won! As of today, if the military moves as scheduled... I'm looking at hugging the Mr. in 49 days!

Thursday, December 24, 2009

Merry Christmas to All!


Merry Christmas from the Rondeau Crew!

Monday, December 14, 2009

simple

I. Miss. Him.
I. Miss. Us.

soon...

Saturday, December 12, 2009

What 100 days has taught me...

I have learned quite a bit during these first 100 days of deployment.
One thing I have had to do is step away from my blog. I had to make the decision to leave the laptop and just simply go to bed. I'm the only one to take care of the kids and they need me fresh and ready.
And here are some of the other things I have learned:

1. I know exactly who my friends are and I don't need a ton of friends in my life. I have had to do some "friend weeding" this year and less drama = peaceful living.

2. There is soooo much truth to the phrase... deployment makes a strong marriage stronger and a weak marriage weaker. I feel like our marriage is even stronger than before!

3. You really know who will be there and who won't. Even if it's a phone call or a letter in the mail, it means so very much.

4. Just when you think you can't handle anymore... there is one more test!

5. Kids are resilient but they really need a team of support. Any extra phone calls, cards, etc. help them so much.

6. Drive-thru post office windows would be all the rage for deployed spouses... until you have pushed a stroller and lugged two or more boxes in the rain only to get to the post office that has no handicap door.... you could never truly understand!!!!

7. My neighborhood Rotary Club ROCKS! They provide two free boxes a month to deployed families! THIS IS INCREDIBLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have only paid to ship one box during this 100 days!!!!!!

8. I am so fortunate to have my kids with me... Leo goes to sleep each night in a bunk with no one to kiss him and say, "I love you." Every morning of our marriage that he has been home I have said, "Be safe." He replies, "ALWAYS ;)" I miss saying that to him.

9. Daddy Dolls... they are expensive. Looking for a place to give a donation... try www.hugahero.com. This has helped our kids so much and they carry them everywhere.

10. Take a deep breath, let the small stuff go... it will ALWAYS be there tomorrow!

Friday, November 20, 2009

Revisited...

Greetings From Rancho Mirage
By Ben Stein Published 4/5/2006 2:29:42 AM
Tuesday

Dear Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, National Guard, Reservists,in Iraq, in the Middle East theater, in Afghanistan, in the area nearAfghanistan, in any base anywhere in the world, and your families:

Let me tell you about why you guys own about 90 percent of thecojones in the whole world right now and should be damned happy withyourselves and damned proud of who you are. It was a dazzlingly hot day herein Rancho Mirage today. I did small errands like going to the bank to pay my mortgage, finding a new bed at a price I can afford, practicing driving withmy new 5 wood, paying bills for about two hours.

I spoke for a long time to a woman who is going<http://www.spectator.org/bensdiary.asp> through a nasty child custodyfight. I got e-mails from a woman who was fired today from her job for not paying attention. I read about multi-billion-dollar mergers in Europe, Asia,and the Mideast. I noticed how overweight I am, for the millionth time.

In other words, I did a lot of nothing. Like every other Americanwho is not in the armed forces family, I basically just rearranged the deckchairs on the Titanic in my trivial, self-important, meaningless way.

Above all, I talked to a friend of more than forty-three years who told me he thought his life had no meaning because all he did was count his money.

And, friends in the armed forces, this is the story of all ofAmerica today. We are doing nothing but treading water while you guys carry on the life or death struggle against worldwide militant Islamic terrorism.Our lives are about nothing: paying bills, going to humdrum jobs, waiting until we can go to sleep and then do it all again. Our most vivid issues are trivia compared with what you do every day, every minute, every second.

Oprah Winfrey talks a lot about "meaning" in life. For her,"meaning" is dieting and then having her photo on the cover of her magazineevery single month (surely a new world record for egomania ).This is not"meaning."

Meaning is doing for others. Meaning is risking your life forothers. Meaning is putting your bodies and families' peace of mind on the line to defeat some of the most evil, sick killers the world has ever known.Meaning is leaving the comfort of home to fight to make sure that therestill will be a home for your family and for your nation and for free men and women everywhere.

Look, soldiers and Marines and sailors and airmen and CoastGuardsmen, there are eight billion people in this world. The whole fate ofthis world turns on what you people, 1.4 million, more or less, do everyday. The fate of mankind depends on what about 2/100 of one percent of thepeople in this world do every day -- and you are those people. And joiningyou is every policeman, fireman, and EMT in the country, also holding backthe tide of chaos.

Do you know how important you are? Do you know how indispensable you are? Do you know how humbly grateful any of us who has a head on his shoulders is to you?

Do you know that if you never do another thing in your lives, youwill always still be heroes? That we could live without Hollywood or WallStreet or the NFL, but we cannot live for a week without you?
We are on our knees to you and we bless and pray for you every moment.

And Oprah Winfrey, if she were a size two, would not have onemillionth of your importance, and all of the Wall Street billionaires willnever mean what the least of you do, and if Barry Bonds hit ninety home runs it would not mean as much as you going on one patrol or driving one truck to the Baghdad airport.

You are everything to us, as we go through our little days, and youare in the prayers of the nation and of every decent man and woman on the planet.

That's who you are and what you mean. I hope you know that.
Love, Ben Stein

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Wait a minute... Mr. Postman

Do you remember the days when your Great Grandparents or Grandparents refused to get direct deposit on their social security checks and had to HAVE the checks in their hands? They would pace by the window waiting for the postman/woman to arrive with their check so they could dash to the bank and deposit it?
I'm an old person waiting by the mailbox these days. I seem to love grabbing the mail and checking it for a letter from the Mr.
I probably missed a winning letter from Publisher's Clearing house because it was passed over searching for a letter from Iraq.
What has happened to me?
Deployment exhaustion... it's a new diagnosis that this uneducated doctor is proclaiming has possessed my body.
Between running to the mailbox, I'm jotting notes to myself because I can't remember a thing. I have neglected my blog to attack Christmas with a vengence... oh, and stock pantries, wash clothes, give baths, do homework and on special days... wash my hair ;).
I'm here and I'm there but I don't seem to know where I am anymore.
The days are running together.............................smash!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh, no... here comes Wednesday!
So, dear friends. I hope to get better at this bloggin' thing! But, gotta go.................UPS IS HERE!

Sunday, November 1, 2009

Fit for a little princess







Goosie's teacher asked if I could do a tutu for her daughter's birthday...
YES!!!!
Her daughter will be 3 next week and I wanted to make sure that everything was extra special.
I hope her Mommy loves it...
I loved making the hat as a surprise for her!
This tutu is pink and green...
The wand is made from a Christmas ornament and a wooden dowel.




Tuesday, October 27, 2009

tonight...

where I lived when we met... our first date took place here... Atlantic City
where we had our first dinner date in Atlantic City

tonight... I really miss him.



Sunday, October 25, 2009

Daily love...

Lunchbox notes...
Before the Mr. left, he wrote many, many of these post-it's for Goosie's lunchbox.

Every day I put one in the lunchbox in a baggie along with a napkin.

Every day... she throws away all her trash but... when I open her lunchbox... the daily note is still inside with her ice pack.

She never, never throws them away.

It's amazing how the little things can make such a difference in someone's life.

I hope the Mr. knows how much these mean to our Goose!

I believe (and he will correct me) that he did nearly 200 of these notes.

{having been a school teacher... I really need to inform him that most school years are 185 days}

I don't think that many repeat themselves!

Put a little note... and a little love in someone's life today!

Pumpkin Spice Cookies! Easy for the kids to make!

These cookies are SUPER easy and wonderfully delicious!!!!

INGREDIENTS
1 (18.25 ounce) package spice cake mix
1 (15 ounce) can solid pack pumpkin
1/4 tsp. of pumpkin pie spice
1 egg

DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease cookie sheets.
In a large bowl, stir together the cake mix, pumpkin, pumpkin pie spice and egg until well blended. Drop by rounded spoonfuls onto the prepared cookie sheet.
Bake for 10-13 minutes in the preheated oven. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.

I'm going to add a glaze to mine to make them extra special!

Happy Halloween, Ya'll!

I hope it is a great one for you this year!

now... where is my vanilla chai tea???

I'm ready for cookies!

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Happy Birthday, Boomer!




Happy 3rd Birthday Boomer!
We made it through the day and even received a call from across the seas!
It was a good day and Boomer seemed to be thrilled with his "loot" and his cake!
And yes, I spent the day holding his hand and giving him tons of hugs!
Next, Halloween....
someone please stop me from invading all their candy ;)


Monday, October 19, 2009

Tomorrow is my special day, too...

photo by: J. Crawford Photography
Tomorrow, Boomer will be 3. Most of the day, it will just be the two of us. My boy holding my hand much like he gripped it the first time I put my finger into the palm of his little hand.
It is such a bittersweet day... His father will miss it all and that totally breaks my heart... for both of them.
Three years ago, the Mr. and I held hands and in one very calm and quiet birth... our son was born.
He amazes me every single day.
Isn't it bizarre how... as mothers... we get caught up in how exhausted we are doing everything for them... but, in retrospect... I have been blessed with being able to witness nearly every single aspect of Goosie and Boomer's life.
The cake is made and ready to be decorated.
The gifts are wrapped and ready for hours of play.
The hugs and kisses are about to burst from my being...
But, inside, I'm so brokenhearted for the Mr. and Boomer... I wish you both could be together.
I can't wait till the day we stop talking about when he is coming home.

Sunday, October 18, 2009

And the winner is...

We did it the old fashioned way ;)
She didn't look... I promise!!!!

Jenna is the winner!!!!!!!!
I have your address so I will be mailing it this week!!!!
CONGRATULATIONS AND THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR PARTICIPATING IN THE
"DRAB TO FAB" WEEK GIVEAWAY!
Everyone please keep following!!!
I feel another giveaway coming right around the corner!



Saturday, October 17, 2009

Prepping for the drawing!



I'm getting ready the old fashioned way for this drawing!!!!! Anyone else want to enter?
Here are the prizes for the Drab to Fab giveaway....


Friday, October 16, 2009

DRAB to FAB day 5! Countdown to Christmas!

A clipboard "Christmas Countdown"

There are two clothespins covered with ribbon holding the numbers


Today's feature is a clipboard that has been turned into a countown board for Christmas.

The clipboard is covered in scrapbook paper and modge podge.

Each number is modge podged, also.

I hot glued ribbon onto two clothes pins and then attached them to the clipboard with hot glue, also.

I rushed completing this one for today's blog post... next time... I will slow it down a bit... and possibly do two at one time.

Thank you for joining me this week for DRAB to FAB!

I hope you were able to use some of the ideas!

The winner of the giveaway will be announced tomorrow (Sunday). It isn't too late to leave comments or join as a follower!

Also, please remember that Goosie and Boomer Bowtique hairbows are on sale at

"It's Your Style" on Main St. in Mascoutah, IL.

100 % of the profit goes to support a young man, his family and the tough road they face in their attempt for him to receive a heart transplant!

Thank you!!!!



Thursday, October 15, 2009

Day 4 of DRAB TO FAB!!!

Oh... this is just too DRAB~ (and a bit cheap... I must add... but they smell so good and do the job)

Naked wipes container


FABULOUS personalized container... keep scrolling!!!!


isn't that so cute... a flower on the lid... heeheheh


Ribbon? Why Goosie and Boomer... I'm so surprised!!!!

Keep scrolling!


a shot from every angle...


What? It's a plastic grocery bag container for your car!!!!!!!!!!

What the heck?

I have to be honest... the first time I made one of these... it was a bit of a joke.

My dear friend that has 4 beautiful children that all got the flu and they were um... vomitting... (ewwww... I know)

in the car. So... I made her a "barf bag" container. But, it is kinda cute and you could just use it to gather up trash! You could whip this out during carpool and amaze the kids... well, maybe not but it would be cute in the car!

So... in order for you to get more entries... you need to join as a follower or leave comments. I'm gonna make this one easy... click on the comments below the post and give this container a name! Make me laugh!!!!!

The giveaway ends Saturday night... and then I will announce the winner on Sunday!











Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Day 3 of Drab to Fab!!!! Refurb a candle jar!

before... empty candle jar... was pumpkin spice... now...

lid... vinyl snowflake cut with the Cricut


candy jar!



snowman, letters, and snowflakes cut with the Cricut...

BUT... did you know that Michael's carries many precut vinyl pieces for walls, holidays, etc.?


The intention is to fill this with candy... but, due to a sporadic fever that has been hitting the Goose... we have not made it out of the house!

(so you could be tacky like me and stuff it with tissue paper for photo purposes)

I hope some of these ideas have inspired you... think twice about throwing out things that can be reused in a new way.

Drab to Fab... right?

The giveaway will close on Saturday! So... leave those comments and sign up as a follower!

Thank you for stopping by my blog!







Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Day 2 of Drab to Fab Giveaway!








I want to thank all of you that have signed up as followers and have stopped by for a visit! Today's Drab to Fab feature is a plain 4x6 photo frame turned into a "post-it" note holder. I got my frame at WalMart for a dollar. I used paper and ribbon I already had and found this wonderful tutorial. (and the tab on the side is for a pretty pen!)


I made this one to match the clipboard featured in yesterday's post! AND... I'M INCLUDING IT IN THE GIVEAWAY!

Please, remember, sign up as a follower and recieve 10 additional entries! Leave a comment on any of the posts and receive one entry each!


As always, THANK YOU for stopping by Goosie and Boomer bowtique!

DRAB to FAB week and GIVEAWAY!

front
back of clipboard

Okay... are you ready for Drab to Fab week? Where I will take ordinary items and turn them into a cool gift or special treat????


Each Goosie and Boomer Bowtique follower will receive 10 entries! If you leave a comment this week on any post, you will receive an entry! So... let's get the comments started.


Today's feature is a clipboard. I have taken an ordinary clipboard and made it FAB! It would be the perfect gift for any girl that loves pink! Any girl that wants something special... or a Mom that loves to bake! OR... maybe just maybe you like to be over the top ;).
It is embellished with rhinestones and flowers on the front and back. I'm sorry the images are not better. There are three coats of Luster Modge Podge to ensure long lasting! Also, there is a ribbon and button weight to hang a pen if you like!

This clipboard is part of this week's giveaway! That's right... I'm giving it away! And... I will even ship to my international friends!!!!!
LEAVE COMMENTS!!!!!
*Also, please note... the hairbows will be in Jan's shop on Wednesday. Goosie has a high fever and we are on lockdown today! Please support Jan and her dear friend's son! He is facing a heart transplant! Hairbows will be at "It's Your Style" on Main Street in Mascoutah, IL!

Sunday, October 11, 2009

100th Post!




















As of yesterday... I have completed 100 posts! And to celebrate... there will be a special giveaway this week! Announcement tomorrow!
I spent a great deal of the weekend making bows! Halloween bows and "spirit" bows for the local girls to wear on Spirit day at their local school.
AND... the best news...
I have donated these bows to be sold at
"It's Your Style" hair salon on Main Street in Mascoutah, IL!!!!
100% of the profit from these bows will go to a sweet boy and his family that are in need
of your support!
Please stop in and buy a bow!!!!
All the bows are ponytail (or pigtail) holders!
They will be in the store by the end of the week!
The rest of this week... I am going to do a feature called
"DRAB TO FAB!"
BoldIt will feature ordinary and recyled items made into gifts!
One of these items will be included in a giveaway...
STAY TUNED!

If you add yourself as a follower from Monday until the giveaway deadline... you will earn 10 additional entries!

Saturday, October 10, 2009

The Best Part of Waking up.... is....

Harvest Pumpkin Apple Bread... YUMMMY!!

I had a ton of apples to eat and a pumpkin craving...

So...

I found this recipe!

(click on the word... this)

This recipe makes two loaves of Harvest Pumpkin Apple Bread...

and you will NOT be disappointed!!!

This bread is so moist and delicious.

and... pair it with Folger's Cinnamon Swirl coffee and you will feel like

Fall is swirling through your kitchen!

Okay... well, that might now happen, but it's the little things that seem to make me

happy these days!!!

I had had this recipe set aside for a few weeks and a field trip apple picking... it was a

"must do" on my list...

and I'm so glad I did!

(and I froze the second loaf for those days where I lack motivation)






Friday, October 9, 2009

Heeeelllllloooo HAYSTACKS!

















It seems to be a tradition in our house every Fall to make Haystacks! I'm sure there are many variations of this easy "cookie." But this one is our recipe...


Ingredients:

2 bags of butterscotch chips

2 tblsp. of vegetable oil

one package of "chinese noodles" the crunchy kind

one container of salted peanuts


Recipe:

add the vegetable oil to the chips in a microwave safe container.

microwave the chips and oil for 30 seconds and stir

microwave an additional 20 seconds

stir and make sure the chips are completely melted

stir in noodles and peanuts

the mixture should be thick with peanuts and noodles... it really depends on your liking

line 4 cookie sheets with foil

drop the mixture by heaping tablespoons onto the foil lined sheets

allow to set on counter until the mixture has set

EAT LIKE MAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Alden's Godfather loves these "cookies" and one of Quinn's Godfathers can be encouraged to mow a lawn for these ;).

They are a very simple treat to make with kids!

I hope they become a tradition in your family!