Well, I am not actually moving but my blog is. I have dreamed of learning how to program my own site that would give me freedom to blog, write, display art, and connect with other creative people. I have researched html, Wordpress, Typepage, etc. Finally, I have done it. I have a fully functioning blog and I plan to add more to the site each month in 2010, so I hope you will join me. You can find me and my antics at:
Drum Roll Please.......
www.readandtellme.com
Enjoy and thanks for you loyal support!
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Ummmmmmm! A Yummy Lifestyle Change
Turkey wrap with lettuce and low-fat wasabi mayo = 250 caloriesHarvest Chicken Chowder = 340 Calories
Welcoming In 2010!
Something Painted, Something Knit,
Something Written.....Time to Sit
Something Written.....Time to Sit
I have been thinking a lot about my goals/priorities for 2010. I am not huge on "resolutions". However, I do think every year what I want to achieve. Here are a few of my thoughts:
Each month I want to do at least one painting, one thing knitted, one thing written and plenty of time to just sit and enjoy my children. As far as the work out/eat healthier, etc.....I have implemented a new "lifestyle change" to get myself in the physical condition I want to be in for my sisters wedding, my 10th anniversary, and just life in general. I will be featuring a little of the recipes and workout plans on my blog too.
So, faithful readers, sit back....enjoy life....and tell me what IT says to you!
- Be less self-deprecating
- Create More
- Yell Less and Cry More
- Enjoy Life
- Cook and Eat more healthfully
- Work Out
- Take more pictures
- Work on my photography
- Develop a website
- Create a Peaceful environment for my children
Each month I want to do at least one painting, one thing knitted, one thing written and plenty of time to just sit and enjoy my children. As far as the work out/eat healthier, etc.....I have implemented a new "lifestyle change" to get myself in the physical condition I want to be in for my sisters wedding, my 10th anniversary, and just life in general. I will be featuring a little of the recipes and workout plans on my blog too.
So, faithful readers, sit back....enjoy life....and tell me what IT says to you!
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
How is your mom doing?
I was asked today, "How is your mom doing?"
I smiled and said, "she died." What kind of answer is that? The kind that makes me think my heart has shriveled up and died with my mother. Maybe it froze in the past ice storm. I don't know, but it surprised me!
Then, to make it worse, I giggled. Not the "funny joke" giggle, but the "someone just pulled off my swimsuit bottoms" giggle. That makes a little more sense to me. It is embarrassing. Why couldn't my mom have developed cancer from her drinking like Patrick Swayze or overdose like many others? Instead she slowly killed herself one little drink at a time. I am dreading the question that I know is coming as this year progresses, "How did your mom die?" I have been saying "she was sick for a while". I guess that is true, but it feels like I am hiding from the complete truth.
I have not been to an Al Anon meeting since a year or so before she died. I feel like that is not really the place for me. Those people have alcoholics in their life that are still alive. Do they really want to hear my story of how my mom died, nothing worked, she gave up?
I went to a grieving class at my church....that did not go very well. I did not get to tell my mom goodbye or spend days with family thinking of all the good times we had. I spent the days after her death dealing with the medical examiner, cleaning out her filthy apartment and trying to keep her car from being repossessed. There was a little "thinking about the good times", but it was tainted with the underlying anger and frustration we all felt toward one another for "not doing enough"...."not saving her".
I wish I knew one other person who lost a parent to plain, simple alcoholism. I want to know them and I want them to know me. It feels like a very lonely existence.
Recently, I was at the grocery store buying some cleaning supplies and snacks. I asked that they put it all in one bag. (I forgot my reusable bags, so I only wanted one plastic bag.)
The man replied, "I just didn't want to mix the food and chemicals."
I said, with very little thought, "Oh, we all die eventually."
"Do you consider yourself as a realist or a pessimist?" he asked.
"A realist," I replied, "but good question."
I guess that is where I am right now. I am very optimistic about 2010 and the future with my family, my art, and life in general. But, this is my path. I have to face the difficult questions that have come up over the past year or ten.
Monday, January 4, 2010
Naughty is the New Nice
Here is a little look at our Christmas card from this year. I love Christmas cards, but I am ALWAYS a little late getting them out. So, I have gone to the generic holiday card just in case. I do think everyone received their cards BEFORE Christmas. I try to do something creative that reflects our past year. Well.....2009 was the year of two 3 year old's....Adam from Jan-July and Nate from December 14th and on. This WILL NEVER happen again. Thank goodness! I tell you three year old boys are a challenge. Now, I can just sit back and wait until my friends with girls have prepubescent daughters....then, maybe they will begin understand the sass! (Now if I can just survive until Nate is 4!) That is my resolution for this year...survive three!
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Preparing for Christmas
I really want to teach my children to be good stewards of their things and that we don't need six of everything to function. :) This has been much more difficult than I ever thought it would be. I believe that play is how kids learn and I want my kids to have toys that teach...not just entertain.
I spent a few days playing with the boys trying to evaluate what needed to happen. I realized that we had so much stuff they couldn't maintain the room themselves. We were missing pieces to at least half of our favorite toys.....which I did end up finding. The boys were not all that innovative with their play...i.e. The Little One just liked dumping out all of the toys looking for missing pieces. He was doing this last week and I ran over to him after he dumped over six baskets and pushed every toy off the window ledge.....I said, "WHAT ARE YOU DOING?"
His response, "looking for my friend Nemo!" and he held up a little orange fish.
So, I sat some parameters for the BIG CLEAN.
Keep
1. Does the toy have all the parts?
2. Is it something that develops an age appropriate skill?
3. Is it something they love or the giver had special meaning?
Give Away
1. Are most of the parts there?
2. Is it something others would enjoy?
3. Is it a toy that I would approve of in a childcare area my children attend?
If the answer was yes we kept it or gave it away accordingly.
Before I do not buy the boys toys for anything other than birthday and Christmas, but this is where our playroom was last week. Note: I pick it up everyday and this is really not even "that bad". I have seen worse, much worse.
Before
During (I filled six tubs of give away toys).
After
After
I spent a few days playing with the boys trying to evaluate what needed to happen. I realized that we had so much stuff they couldn't maintain the room themselves. We were missing pieces to at least half of our favorite toys.....which I did end up finding. The boys were not all that innovative with their play...i.e. The Little One just liked dumping out all of the toys looking for missing pieces. He was doing this last week and I ran over to him after he dumped over six baskets and pushed every toy off the window ledge.....I said, "WHAT ARE YOU DOING?"
His response, "looking for my friend Nemo!" and he held up a little orange fish.
So, I sat some parameters for the BIG CLEAN.
Keep
1. Does the toy have all the parts?
2. Is it something that develops an age appropriate skill?
3. Is it something they love or the giver had special meaning?
Give Away
1. Are most of the parts there?
2. Is it something others would enjoy?
3. Is it a toy that I would approve of in a childcare area my children attend?
If the answer was yes we kept it or gave it away accordingly.
Before I do not buy the boys toys for anything other than birthday and Christmas, but this is where our playroom was last week. Note: I pick it up everyday and this is really not even "that bad". I have seen worse, much worse.
Before
During (I filled six tubs of give away toys).
After
AfterWhat I learned:
1. We have done a pretty good job keeping pieces together. I only had to throw away a small bag of toys that were too broken or too few pieces.
2. The boys can pick up their own playroom if it is not too overwhelming.
3. They get along better when the toys are organized in a way that encourages cooperation and learning.
4. They have not noticed anything missing!!!!
Where did the toys go?
1. To a local community group that allows kids that participate to bring can goods in exchange for Christmas gifts to give their parents and siblings.
2. My sisters daycare that is in need of some fresh toys.
Other ideas:
Infant Crisis Services
Local Church Nurseries
YMCA/YWCA Programs
2. The boys can pick up their own playroom if it is not too overwhelming.
3. They get along better when the toys are organized in a way that encourages cooperation and learning.
4. They have not noticed anything missing!!!!
Where did the toys go?
1. To a local community group that allows kids that participate to bring can goods in exchange for Christmas gifts to give their parents and siblings.
2. My sisters daycare that is in need of some fresh toys.
Other ideas:
Infant Crisis Services
Local Church Nurseries
YMCA/YWCA Programs
Monday, December 21, 2009
I almost forgot....
Here are some pictures from the cookies and punch after Big Boy's Christmas Program. Precious!
Monday, December 14, 2009
Monday, December 7, 2009
picture of ME, Monday
I bet you think I forgot! I didn't, I am just now sitting down for the day. This has been a Monday for sure. Ironically, my sister in law wrote a little about her distaste of pictures of her last week too. I guess I am not alone. Well, I said if you sent me pictures I would show them. So here we go!
This one is from my aunt Cindy. It is a sweet picture although the uncropped version is a little risque for this blog. 
This is a picture of me and my parents my first Christmas. My uncle (mom's oldest brother) sent it to me.....along with some others that will make an appearance at some point. I think my mom looks beautiful in this picture. Dad isn't too shabby either.
Here is a picture off my camera from the past week!
Me, Mary, and Tracy at Mary's fabulous engagement party!
This one is from my aunt Cindy. It is a sweet picture although the uncropped version is a little risque for this blog. 
This is a picture of me and my parents my first Christmas. My uncle (mom's oldest brother) sent it to me.....along with some others that will make an appearance at some point. I think my mom looks beautiful in this picture. Dad isn't too shabby either.Here is a picture off my camera from the past week!
Me, Mary, and Tracy at Mary's fabulous engagement party!Thursday, December 3, 2009
The Cobbler's Children -- A Christmas Lament
This has been a week of deep thought and contemplation. I have laid awake, more than once, thinking about what I am supposed to be doing with this very valuable time of staying home with my young children. I am not one to sit back and just relish the moments as they happen, although I wish I had a little more of this in me. However, I do realize on a daily basis that each moment with my children at this formative age is so important and PRICELESS. (Even the moment yesterday when the youngest batted the glass ball ornament across the church bookstore in front of a good dozen people.)
I have filled my time with some blogging, painting, knitting, and playing with the boys. But, a good chunk of my time has been spent serving on some mission oriented boards, and doing church work. This week was frustrating to say the least. I realized that I had spent hours of time cutting out ornaments that went unused and the board that I sit on has canceled a program (well, not just any program, but my first baby....Project Transformation) for one of two reasons....perhaps both.
1. They can't find anyone to commit to be the Site Coordinator
2. They don't feel like PT understands their African American culture
What is particularly upsetting to me about both of these situations is the lack of cooperative work at the detriment to people in our community who really need the services and ministry offered by each group. Communication is hard. It is hard for everyone, but for some reason it seems particularly challenging when we deal with social and spiritual matters. I guess people are just too afraid they are going to hurt someone's feelings. Well, my feelings have been hurt. I am at a point in my life where my time is my most valuable commodity and it is being misused.
Fast forward to this morning. I am working out, listening to the CMP and the following quote comes up in her opening monologue.
I have been so busy working on these projects/causes and losing sleep thinking about the children that will not have the literacy program their parents have come to count on that I didn't realize all of the time I was taking from my own children. It has been months since we went to the library, weeks since we went to the zoo, and days since I last sat down just to read a book outside of bedtime.
So, where am I now. I am not rethinking my participation in these groups, but I am realigning my priorities. I am going to spend the next few weeks thinking about how I can help facilitate better communication and a mutual understanding with the groups that I am currently working with...starting with helping people understand that when I am not with my children my time is precious and it will be respected or they will need to find someone else to do what they need.
I also have some big ideas about how to use the skills and interest I have developed with blogging and podcasting. I think it is going to involve some revamping an old site. Stay tuned. Now.....off to pick up my wild little men.
Blessings and thanks for listening to me ramble.
I have filled my time with some blogging, painting, knitting, and playing with the boys. But, a good chunk of my time has been spent serving on some mission oriented boards, and doing church work. This week was frustrating to say the least. I realized that I had spent hours of time cutting out ornaments that went unused and the board that I sit on has canceled a program (well, not just any program, but my first baby....Project Transformation) for one of two reasons....perhaps both.
1. They can't find anyone to commit to be the Site Coordinator
2. They don't feel like PT understands their African American culture
What is particularly upsetting to me about both of these situations is the lack of cooperative work at the detriment to people in our community who really need the services and ministry offered by each group. Communication is hard. It is hard for everyone, but for some reason it seems particularly challenging when we deal with social and spiritual matters. I guess people are just too afraid they are going to hurt someone's feelings. Well, my feelings have been hurt. I am at a point in my life where my time is my most valuable commodity and it is being misused.
Fast forward to this morning. I am working out, listening to the CMP and the following quote comes up in her opening monologue.
"The cobbler's children have no shoes."
I have been so busy working on these projects/causes and losing sleep thinking about the children that will not have the literacy program their parents have come to count on that I didn't realize all of the time I was taking from my own children. It has been months since we went to the library, weeks since we went to the zoo, and days since I last sat down just to read a book outside of bedtime.
So, where am I now. I am not rethinking my participation in these groups, but I am realigning my priorities. I am going to spend the next few weeks thinking about how I can help facilitate better communication and a mutual understanding with the groups that I am currently working with...starting with helping people understand that when I am not with my children my time is precious and it will be respected or they will need to find someone else to do what they need.
I also have some big ideas about how to use the skills and interest I have developed with blogging and podcasting. I think it is going to involve some revamping an old site. Stay tuned. Now.....off to pick up my wild little men.
Blessings and thanks for listening to me ramble.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
TURKEY Crafting
The last two years my sisters and our children have gotten together Thanksgiving morning to eat breakfast, watch the Macy's Day Parade and do a little craft. Last year we did Turkey Hats with paper feathers. 
This year we made Turkey Sculptures. I got the idea from one of my friend's blogs, Laugh, Paint, Create. The boys loved it, but I think my sister enjoyed it just as much. I am really going to miss these crazy days when my boys are older and might even sleep through the parade like I used to do. What was I thinking?
Nate hard at work.
The oldest one concentrating!
Aunt 'Chelle helping a nephew.
Aunt Tracy helping out too.
Ummmmmm! Pumpkin Bread Pudding.
This year we made Turkey Sculptures. I got the idea from one of my friend's blogs, Laugh, Paint, Create. The boys loved it, but I think my sister enjoyed it just as much. I am really going to miss these crazy days when my boys are older and might even sleep through the parade like I used to do. What was I thinking?
Nate hard at work.
The oldest one concentrating!
Aunt 'Chelle helping a nephew.
Aunt Tracy helping out too.
Ummmmmm! Pumpkin Bread Pudding. Monday, November 30, 2009
Pictures of Me
I have a HUGE phobia of pictures of myself. This might seem a little crazy with all of the pictures I take, but I think it is probably the reason I always find myself behind the camera. I have noticed the increasing lack of photos of myself since I had the babies. I have always been a little shy with pictures, but now I all out hide.
This camera fear might have something to do with the dream of that first picture holding my baby.....it was crushed when I went through three rounds of epidural and gallons of saline to have my first child at 9 pounds 10 ounces. The picture......well, there was not enough room in the room to back up enough to capture my entire face. It was the size of a city block. I nearly died when I saw it for the first time.
This "little issue" came up again when I received a phone call from my mother in law asking for me to send her a picture of myself. In all the pictures taken at the hubby's grandmother's 80th birthday, there was not one of me. I pretended to be surprised, but I am certain there were at least three or four. Where are they now? Deleted.....Bad Hair Day!
So, here is my attempt to break my fear of photos. I will post pictures of me right here on this blog every Monday. Not to be vain, but in attempt to get over this crazy issue with looking at myself. Why? Because I don't want to look back and miss pictures like this with me and my children. Plus, when I look at pictures of myself more than a year old, I usually think they are pretty good.
Challenge to my readers: If you have or take a picture of me, send it this way and I will be sure to post it.
Blessings!!!
This camera fear might have something to do with the dream of that first picture holding my baby.....it was crushed when I went through three rounds of epidural and gallons of saline to have my first child at 9 pounds 10 ounces. The picture......well, there was not enough room in the room to back up enough to capture my entire face. It was the size of a city block. I nearly died when I saw it for the first time.
This "little issue" came up again when I received a phone call from my mother in law asking for me to send her a picture of myself. In all the pictures taken at the hubby's grandmother's 80th birthday, there was not one of me. I pretended to be surprised, but I am certain there were at least three or four. Where are they now? Deleted.....Bad Hair Day!
So, here is my attempt to break my fear of photos. I will post pictures of me right here on this blog every Monday. Not to be vain, but in attempt to get over this crazy issue with looking at myself. Why? Because I don't want to look back and miss pictures like this with me and my children. Plus, when I look at pictures of myself more than a year old, I usually think they are pretty good.
Challenge to my readers: If you have or take a picture of me, send it this way and I will be sure to post it. Blessings!!!
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Christmas is UP
Thanksgiving CAME
and WENT.
Then it was time to bust out the Christmas decs......
Now, they are up and.....
we even have lights on the house. I know, it is not much but for us, Nov. 29th. It is a Christmas Miracle!
and WENT.
Then it was time to bust out the Christmas decs......
Now, they are up and.....
we even have lights on the house. I know, it is not much but for us, Nov. 29th. It is a Christmas Miracle!
Monday, November 23, 2009
A Little Holiday "Fist Bump"
I know that the holidays will be difficult this year without my mom, but with so much to be thankful for, it is sure to be a great season in spite of all of life's challenges. Yesterday, as I sat in church, I was thinking about some of the stresses of the holidays, when I began to listen to the sermon about being thankful. It was in that moment that I realized that God had prepared me for this very holiday season over the last few years with a couple of "little fist bumps."
It was Thanksgiving Day, 2004 when we found out we were expecting our first baby. This is a picture of me and JDC a little excited and very "freaked out." We had tried to have a baby for more than 9 months, I am not sure why we were surprised but we were!!!!
Just a few months later we also invited our second baby into our home. I don't have pictures of finding out that piece of golden news, but I guarentee you surprised does not fully express the emotions we felt. Baby two was due on December 23, 2006. Sixteen months after we had son number 1 we had son number 2, two weeks early, December 14, 2006.
This is our family on Christmas Eve with our 16 month old and our two week old. With memories like this, the holidays will always be sacred time for me and my family!!!
Happy Thanksgiving!!!!
It was Thanksgiving Day, 2004 when we found out we were expecting our first baby. This is a picture of me and JDC a little excited and very "freaked out." We had tried to have a baby for more than 9 months, I am not sure why we were surprised but we were!!!!
Just a few months later we also invited our second baby into our home. I don't have pictures of finding out that piece of golden news, but I guarentee you surprised does not fully express the emotions we felt. Baby two was due on December 23, 2006. Sixteen months after we had son number 1 we had son number 2, two weeks early, December 14, 2006.This is our family on Christmas Eve with our 16 month old and our two week old. With memories like this, the holidays will always be sacred time for me and my family!!!
Happy Thanksgiving!!!!
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Parties, Parties Everywhere
I am running around like a mad woman trying to get geared up for the holidays. I look at my calendar and FREAK.....why did I think it was a good idea to have so many parties, get-togethers, etc? Well, that is just who I am.
But, here is why I do it.
I am getting excited already!!!!!
Rules I live and entertain by:
1. Have way too much food and then eat it ALL!!!
2. Always be ready for unexpected guests....the more the merrier.
3. Take a lot of pictures of the food
4. No mess = a bad day/party
5. Last minute planning works every time.....well, most every time. Vomiting child at the SS Ugly Sweater Party last year threw me a little off my game, but that is the only exception.
1. Have way too much food and then eat it ALL!!!
2. Always be ready for unexpected guests....the more the merrier.
3. Take a lot of pictures of the food
4. No mess = a bad day/party
5. Last minute planning works every time.....well, most every time. Vomiting child at the SS Ugly Sweater Party last year threw me a little off my game, but that is the only exception.
But, here is why I do it.
I love to just, "hang out" with my family.
I LOVE to Cook
(turkey from last Thanksgiving....that is my "helper")
Apple Sauce for recent Pork Wellington
Pork Wellington....ummmmmm!
The burnt...very broken two are mine....not the best baker.
I LOVE to Cook
(turkey from last Thanksgiving....that is my "helper")
Apple Sauce for recent Pork Wellington
Pork Wellington....ummmmmm!
The burnt...very broken two are mine....not the best baker.
I love to make things (especially food) pretty!
Friends, neighbors, friends, friends, friends.....Everyone is always welcome at the Curran House.
(pics from the Ugly Sweater Party last year)
(pics from the Ugly Sweater Party last year)
I am getting excited already!!!!!
Friday, November 13, 2009
Happy Birthday Mom
My mom would be 58 today. She was born November 13, 1952. It was not unusual for her birthday to fall on a Friday....Friday the 13th, none the less. She always joked about Friday the 13th being her birthday. I also remember my mom always being pleased that all three of her children were born on a Friday. I figured that this was just a convenient day of the week for two very busy parents. I never really checked this little fun fact out, but today....in honor of my mother, I did. I used this birthday calculator. Sure enough, we were all born on Friday. I thought there was a chance she was born on a Friday, but no....my mom came into this world on a Thursday.
She always loved this little poem. In fact, when she had my youngest sister, someone gave her a little porcelain box with these words on it.
She always loved this little poem. In fact, when she had my youngest sister, someone gave her a little porcelain box with these words on it.
Monday's Child is fair of face,
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Hey Kids.....the Grand Canyon
I was so excited to sit by the window on the airplane flying out of Las Vegas. I looked up from my knitting and this is what I saw. I think this is just the edge....but, I am pretty sure it is the Grand Canyon. The boys were very impressed!!!!
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