Peas and beans!

So my kids are still out of town, and just my husband and I were sitting down to eat a nice dinner. We had broccoli and cauliflower from our own garden, and corn on the cob and zucchini from a farmer's market. (Our fresh sweet corn isn't ripe yet.) We also grilled BBQ chicken. It was quite yummy, but I'm not as fond of vegetables as my husband is. I tried to be kind when I said I didn't need another serving of broccoli or zucchini. In all seriousness, he stopped and asked what fresh vegetables I ate growing up. We always had a garden, but I can only remember growing sweet corn, strawberries and pumpkins. I love fresh Illini Extra Sweet sweet corn and fresh strawberries!!!!! The rest of the fresh vegetables I'm not real fond of. I do remember eating quite a bit of frozen peas and canned green beans though. Peas and beans, there's two vegetables I will eat, I just prefer them not fresh.

So that got me thinking of the many wanted or unwanted things I am passing down to my children, like me only liking fresh sweet corn and no other fresh vegetables. I wish the saying, "Do as I say, not as I do" were realistic. I'm sure there are many things that I do that I wish my kids would not pick up on. Like my hatred for doing dishes, or how I say "crap" when something goes wrong, or my inconsistency in exercising, or my distaste for vegetables, or how I tend to drive over the speed limit. I guess, now I'm a bit more conscience of my habits, good or bad, and the potential for passing those down through the generations.

Feeling old...

Our postponed Collin Raye concert was yesterday afternoon. We had a great time, although I'm feeling pretty old. First of all, everyone I talked to had no idea who Collin Raye was. Come on, he's had ten #1 hits, and some of my all time favorite country songs. Second, when we get to the concert, everyone is between the age of 50-70. Yikes, we kind of stuck out. We were some of the youngest people there, but it still made me feel old. Finally, when Collin walks out on stage, he looks nothing like I pictured. He's a bit rounder around the face and waist, and seriously balding. As the concert progresses, he continues to make light of the fact that he's getting older. Apparently, he's been producing music and touring for 16 years. That used to not seem like a long time, but these days it does. Sixteen years has flown by like nothing.


On a separate note, both boys are away at different church camps this week, leaving Dan and I home alone! In the past 14 years, I don't think that has EVER happened before! Any ideas on what we might do?

World's Worst Parents

I think we get the award for being the world's worst parents this week. Three and a half weeks ago Jordan fell off his bike. He was attempting to ride his bicycle and throw water balloons at the same time (smart huh?). He complained that his ankle was sore and he thought he sprained it. That same day and same foot, he also had a stick go up through his flip flop and puncture the bottom of his foot. At the time, his puncture wound seemed like the more serious injury. He was also leaving for a week of scout camp the following day. He limped around the first few days, but it seemed to be getting better. We did find it odd that it never bruised like a sprain, and over time the swelling never went away. So, we finally took him to the doctor 3 1/2 weeks later. Needless to say, a bone in his ankle was broken and we felt terrible! He really didn't complain about it being painful, and he continued most of his daily activities like normal. So there you have it, we feel like the world's worst parents! Oh, by the way, he got stung by a yellow jacket on that same ankle while mowing the neighbors yard a few days ago. Bad luck!

Salsa

I think I told you before that it is the simple things in life that give me much pleasure! Many, many months ago I tried some salsa from O'Malia's Market in Bloomington. Now, we are big salsa lovers at this house. We have tried dozens and dozens of salsa, but this one was by far the best I've had in a long time. The problem is, I don't ever go to O'Malia's Market. So I have tried countless salsas trying to find one that tasted like this, with no luck. So, I was in Bloomington the other day with a bit of extra time and stopped by O'Malia's to pick up the infamous salsa and a bag of chips. We ripped into both in the parking lot, and it was glorious! That just made my day in a royal way! I've since found out that I can also get it at Kroger, which is much more convenient. The special ingredient that makes it good... sugar! So now you know what to get me for Christmas, Jack's Special Garden Fresh Salsa! Adios!

Hot Date

My husband and I have been married for 14 years, and it is a rare occurrence when we get to go on a date. Life seems to be too busy, and we usually end up doing things as a whole family. So, a few months ago, when I saw that Collin Raye was going to be playing at the Little Nashville Opry in our hometown I bought two tickets. We were set to have a hot date! Five minutes after the show was suppose to start, some guy comes out and says that Collin is stuck in Dallas and will not be able to do the show! WHAT!? So much for our hot date!