I'm still trying to figure out why in the heck weekends can't be five days and the week only be two. I mean that would make for such a happier world right??! Plus, it would allow me so much more time to do the things I want to do, instead of the things I have to do {aka go to work}

I worked the past two days putting in well over 26ish hours. Talk about tired! For that reason I wasn't able to sneak in any blog time because let's face it, I basically come home and crash. Steve has been working 1-2 hours of overtime each day as well so we're pretty much the equivalent of a 80 year ole' couple lately on the fun-o-meter.

This weekend, however was grand. I had Friday off making it an incredible three day weekend. I dig those. Friday was a mellow day all around. I took Garrett to the park per his request and we spent the afternoon tearing around the house after his nap. A quick stop for a "pop-tickle" and we where quickly back at it! I'm telling you...there's no sit in my boy. It's go, go, go all the time! We headed into town to run errands that night and spent way too much money at Target. Go figure.

Saturday we started our day off with a family walk. 2.68 miles total to be exact. It was nice being able to walk with both of my boys as usually it's just Garrett and I. We headed home then and did some work around the house. Garrett napped and we prepped to head to a 5th birthday party. It was at a local sports park and had tons of fun stuff for the kids. We attempted mini golf and quickly learned Garrett was far too young for that. He was more content running away from us and throwing the golf ball at random stuff. Kids...

Garrett got to ride his first go kart which scared him to death based on his facial reaction. But the minute he got off he begged to go back on the "cars". Momma took him for his second ride and got laughed at by daddy, for going too slow.

Sunday was a fairly mellow day. We did some grocery shopping, watched all the airplanes fly overhead, headed home from the EAA and played outside. We grilled pork chops on the grill and I whipped up some sides to go along. It was pure heaven to eat and I scarfed every last morsel from my plate! It was a nice, relaxing weekend...one I didn't want to end!

Come, Take A Walk With Us

Garrett is an early worm. Up everyday before 6am for sure. It's slightly killer on momma but I'm learning to adjust. It's the nights when I've only gotten 2-4 hours of sleep that are really a challenge. It sure doesn't help that three days a week I'm dragging him out of bed (if he's not already awake) at 5:20/5:30am to drop him at my parents so I can head to work. We do our normal routine when I'm home...couch cuddles, breakfast at 7am and he usually goes down for a nap around 10am. It's those three hours between 7am and 10am that I need to fill because let's face it...chasing a toddler around when you're full blown zombie status just doesn't fare so well.

So, in attempts to keep him in one place, but occupied and to keep my thighs from over taking the world we've taken up the art of morning walks. I thought they'd be quite the challenge but it turns out I've grown to love them. It's quite, the world is somewhat still and it's constant breaths of fresh air.

We head out the driveway and to the right. I'd go left but that's a busier road and at 8am we like things peaceful. We cross a busy highway onto a quite back road. It's like a whole different world there. The birds sit high atop the power lines, horses graze in the field, flowers turn their blooms to soak the morning sunshine. It may sound cheesy but in a way it's almost magical.

Garrett points out the "tweet tweets" as we walk along. He always request to stop and see the "puppies" at the houses he knows has them. He rides content most days but others are bribed with fruit snacks and ice water. We stroll along taking little breaks to point out the world and talk about different things. Country tunes flow quietly from my phone as my pedometer struggles to keep up with my steps. We go back and forth between brisk walking and short bursts of intense runs. Sometimes when I'm running Garrett will clap his hands and yell "Weeeeee momma!" encouraging me to keep up the fun.

After about 1+ mile we turn and head home. By this point Garrett is restless and wants to get out and fun for himself. By the time we reach the driveway he's unbuckled himself, scoots out of the stroller and heads off to find his best pal, Kattie.

I tell ya. This country life thing is downright addicting.

Pig Pickin' Cake

Let me start out by saying that this is the most divine cake in all of creation. Seriously. It's light, it's sweet and a little bit fruity. It's the perfect cake for summer and ranks right at the top of the list around here. Even my husband who isn't a big cake lover will wolf this one down.

I actually was passed the recipe from my husband's grandmother long before he & I where ever a "thing".

His grandparents lived right next to the house I grew up in which is how I got to know him, long ago when I was able eight. My mother would often help them out as needed and my sister and I where responsible for getting their mail each day so they literally became like a set of grandparents to me as well. I remember his grandmother always had baked goods around the house, usually pies. But every now and then she'd whip up one of these cakes and give us a piece when we dropped off the mail. It was far too good to say no too and I'm so very blessed to be able to share it with my children, a fourth generation.

It certainly has a strange name, I agree. But I promise you that after one slice you won't even care about the name...

Pig Pickin' Cake

You'll Need:

1 box yellow cake mix
1 small can of mandarin oranges-drained and set juice aside
4 eggs
1/2 cup liquid shortening
1/2 cup water

1 large bowl Cool Whip
1 12 oz can of crushed pineapple
1 large package of instant vanilla pudding
plus juice from mandarin oranges

Follow These Steps:

- Preheat oven to 325
- Combine all cake ingredients
- Spread into greased 9 x 13 pan
- Bake for 25 to 30 minutes
- While the cake is baking mix together the frosting ingredients. No need to whip...the frosting will be light and airy!
- Cool cake completely

Frost and enjoy! The frosting will be quite thick but I promise you that every last drop of it belongs on the cake! Store in fridge...if it even makes it there ;)

County Fair 2015

The fair was in town this past week and Friday night we freed up some time to take Garrett. Last year he was pretty little and every animal except the cows freaked him out. This year I was hoping he'd be a bit more into exploring and seeing the animals.

Wrong-o!

He didn't mind the cows one bit which surprises me because they are tied up, but not in pens or anything like the other animals. We walked through a few of the cow barns and then headed to the horse barn. Last year the horses freaked him out and he screamed bloody murder. This year he was just incredibly unsure and attempted to hide in his stroller. He cared less about the camel, pigs and sheep. We headed to the petting zoo area and he was slightly afraid of the goats at first. That went straight to full out scared screams when one of the goats hopped up on the fence, looking for food. Cue mega tears.

Enough of the animals! We headed to grab some food. Good ole' hot dogs, pretzels and fresh squeezed lemonade! Garrett discovered a love for lemonade and basically wanted his own cup to wander around with...too bad momma doesn't love sticky messes! He was intrigued by the rides and attempted running to get on a few of them. His favorite was the carousel because it was full of "neigh, neighs!"

It was surreal wandering the fair. Last year I had a 10 month old with me, who was just learning to take steps and the year before that I was nearly 35 weeks pregnant basically waddling my short of breath self around. It's fun to think what next years fair time may bring. Perhaps another little M baby ;)

Cheers (Or Rather Beers) To The Brew Crew

Let start this with saying that at work nurses are all business 95% of the time. I mean we have to be, we're literally responsible for lives. The other 5% of the time we make small talk with each other while charting, throw out jokes in the passing and attempt to figure out how we're going to finish our charting, make it to the mandatory meeting, pee & eat all at the exact same time. There's never a day that I don't leave work exhausted and with at least 5 miles on my pedometer.

I'm sure you could imagine how one might become rather run down doing this for 40+ hours a week. How moral may drop from time to time. And how every now and then we catch ourselves thinking "What in the world was I thinking getting myself into this??!?" It's for those reasons that we really try to make work fun and make sure to have fun together outside of work.

So, after much planning we managed to get quite a few of my co-workers off for the day and we headed South for a baseball game. We rented a rocking bus, loaded up (tons) of tasty drinks and snacks and cranked the tunes. No patient, family, assessment or medication worries in the world.

 The bus ride down consisted of a few things:

- Our 70 year old bus driver telling us she was really hoping not to crash as she'd never driven a bus so large before

- Rum slush for everyone...some of us x2 or 3

- A mixture of twerking, belting out made up song lyrics and sharing hilarious stories

We arrived about an hour and a half before the game for some tailgating. Which basically turned into competitive games of dizzy bat, loads of stares from other people, cramming food down to absorb some of our drinks and sending pictures to those stuck at work...suckers ;)

Heading into the park we played chug the wine as fast as you can, hide our mugs to sneak them in and one of us even got searched ;) We found some HUGE long island ice teas and headed to our seats. The game is sort of a blur and we all found it funny that leaving the game we had no idea who won or who we even played against...we where far too busy laughing and talking. 

We took breaks to grab snacks and more drinks (as if we needed those) and made friends with strangers surrounding us. One of us got lost, one threw up in the bathroom, one was hit on by an elderly man, and three fell asleep during the game. Needless to say, we know how to party! The bus ride home was far more relaxed as we all where pretty much tired from the day's events. It was a great day though all and all, being able to have fun and joke with my co-workers with no worries in the world!

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