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Titus 2: The Godly Art of Homemaking
I'm teaching Scrapbooking in September, gulp.

posted by Amanda Wheeler @ 1/31/2007 12:01:00 PM, ,




Sunglasses
Monday, January 29, 2007

Yup, again.

I lost my sunglasses. Or maybe someone took them? Surely that is the case.

Last week Andy broke his (my back-up pair) so now we are sharing the cheap-o's my Mom stuffed in Andy's stocking this past Christmas. My Mother apparently had a relapse to the 70's because they look an awful lot like these:


Yes that is Erik Estrada. And, yes I do look like him when wearing those beauties...

If it wasn't for the darn solar glare I would just squint, but I wore them today to avoid plowing into traffic. I forgot that I had them on when I took a quick spin through the Dunkin Donuts drive through. The young russian boy handed me my nonfat hazelnut coolata and then audibly snickered.

posted by Amanda Wheeler @ 1/29/2007 10:41:00 PM, ,


My anointed chocolate cake



It was -4 degrees here today without the windchill. I miss summer.

posted by Amanda Wheeler @ 1/26/2007 10:50:00 PM, ,




Chocolate....Oh how I love thee...
Wednesday, January 24, 2007

We get meals dropped off at the church on a regular basis. Someone is always sick, in a tough spot, or just had a baby. Today's meal was being dropped off for my favorite little family. But to my surprise one was made for mine as well! I’m not just talking about a little meal either…they went all out: tater-tot casserole, caesar salad, homemade rolls, sparkling cider and a 6” round, raspberry filled, Heaven anointed chocolate cake. I have a great job and more importantly great friends.
(I have to post a picture of the cake – it’s stunning. However I don’t make a habit of bringing my digital camera to work – so hopefully tonight I will remember to snap a photo…we’ll see if the cake makes it that long). I suddenly feel a need to go to the gym.

Anyhoo...

Is anyone familiar with THIS curriculum? Tackling this topic with our youth group is not one I’m particularity looking forward to, but is much needed. Oh geeze, I’m already blushing.

The baby shower invitations are slow going. I dragged Andy (kicking AND screaming) to Michaels last night to look for a teddy bear punch. No dice. I’m going to have to order it online, which put things on hold for a while.

American Idol is on again tonight. I’m really looking forward to when the good singers are chosen and the competition begins. I’m tired of all of the shenanigans.

posted by Amanda Wheeler @ 1/24/2007 05:46:00 PM, ,




Babies on the Brain
Tuesday, January 23, 2007

Part of my job at church is planning baby showers. I have one coming up in March and i'm starting to think of the invitations I need to make. What do you think of these? I'm not sure of the color as the parent's-to-be aren't finding out the sex of the baby. I was leaning toward a sage background and ivory front with black lettering. What do you think?

(these are used as an announcement, but can easily be adapted to a shower invitation)

posted by Amanda Wheeler @ 1/23/2007 10:02:00 AM, ,


There is a lot of pouting going on over here tonight.

posted by Amanda Wheeler @ 1/21/2007 10:17:00 PM, ,


It's noon. I'm still in my pajamas. I love Saturdays.

Andy just left for church. He is trying to figure out if we can get an HD signal on the big screen at church. This is in preparation for the big superbowl party. Yip. E. I really don't give a flying fig about football, but he loves it.

Andy's father has been staying with us since thursday night. Well yesterday he drove down to meet a friend in Cape Cod and ended up spending the night because of the snow. He'll be back tonight by 8, so I have to clean. Usually I wait until Sunday night to do such things.

I've been catching up with a lot of people from High School this week. Our ten year reunion is coming up this summer. So weird. I was part of the senior class officers, so I have to split the duties of tracking people down. It's not easy! Out of 25 people i'm searching for, i've only found 4.

One person I did find was John White. He and I were next door neighbors growing up. I fell madly in love with him in third grade. He was a boy and I came from a family of all girls so I was facinated with him. I followed him everywhere he went right up until the sixth when he pushed me in the mud during kickball. He was dead to me after that.

John lives in Oklahoma now and is getting his doctorate in Evolutionary Biology. Let me know how that works out for you John.

The wind is whipping outside. Not that i have actually gone out yet, but I can hear the windows whistling.

My Mom is testing for her black belt in karate today. She broke her foot a few months ago while training. I can't help but fell nervous for her. She's a tough cookie.

Well, I must go tackle the laundry mountain and scrub the bathroom floor. Have a wonderful weekend.

Go Pats... or whatever.

--------------------------------------------------------------------
I almost forgot. We got a few pictures of Andy's brother Stephen and our neice Elizabeth from Christmas...


Linda (my MIL) and Elizabeth


Stephen, Charlene and Elizabeth
(This reminds me of Hansel and Gretel for some reason)

posted by Amanda Wheeler @ 1/20/2007 11:51:00 AM, ,




Blah, Blah
Wednesday, January 17, 2007

If you like to listen to online Christian Radio, I found a goldmine this morning! Check out Air1.com

*We went shopping for a digital camera last night and came home empty handed. Of course the model we want went on sale this week and is now out-of-stock. Boo! We did get a rain check though at the sale price.

*It was 1 degree this morning. It's suppose to be -20 tonight with the windchill. I guess i'm going to have to break out the hats and mittens after all. My grandma just mailed us two pairs: green for Andy, purple for me. She's so cute!

*I love these. They make life so much easier.

posted by Amanda Wheeler @ 1/17/2007 09:42:00 AM, ,


My sister Katie just e-mailed me. She picked out her bridesmaids dresses:

Does she hate me? I am going to look like this in that dress:

posted by Amanda Wheeler @ 1/16/2007 09:19:00 AM, ,


I had the day off yesterday and spent it cleaning, doing laundry and reorganizing closets. V. productive! Today i'm rewarding my hardwork by staying in my Pj's until at least three and i'm going to finally start the series I got for Christmas. Andy is more than entertained. He bought a new x-box game last night, he'll be good until dinner.

We got up late this morning, and I made french toast for breakfast. I freaking love that electric griddle my MIL gave me. It's so easy to clean, you can put it all in the dishwasher (after removing the plug of course)!

I put a pot roast in the crock pot for dinner this morning. It smells so good! Molly is sitting in the kitchen starting at it. hehe.

Have a great, restful Saturday!

posted by Amanda Wheeler @ 1/13/2007 11:15:00 AM, ,




Picture post: My family in 2006
Friday, January 12, 2007

My family in 2006 (i'm have a day off today, and am bored)
Mom and Keith

Dad and me

Step-Mom Debbie and neice Jaslyn

Step-brother Jason and nephew Mason

Andy and I

Step-sister Becky and Me

Step-sister Heather and Molly

Step-sister Jamie

Frank and Erin

Katie and Ed

Dad and Danny

posted by Amanda Wheeler @ 1/12/2007 12:23:00 PM, ,




Macaroni & Cheese, Messes and Molly.
Wednesday, January 10, 2007

Last night after work Andy and I stopped at Shaw's to pick up a few things for dinner and a few extra things so I could make dinner for a family in need in our church. Dinner went well - I made Andy's favorite....portabella hamburgers with cheese and tomato. He did the dishes. Life was good.

I made homemade Macaroni & Cheese to give to the family at church after Andy finished up with the dishes, and I set it on the counter to cool before I put it in the refrigerator (the very back of the counter). I was in a cleaning mood, having accomplished so much before 7pm, so I decided to go upstairs and organize closets (I’m weird, I know). Andy was downstairs playing with Molly. A few minutes later it gets really quiet (uncommon), so I go downstairs to see what was going on.... Molly, using her inspector gadget legs had gotten the 9x13 pan Macaroni & Cheese down from the counter and had drug it from the kitchen to the living room carpet where she then tipped it over and started feasting on it. I stood there in stock for several seconds. She is only 12" off the ground. How is this possible???

The girl loves cheese, what can I say?

posted by Amanda Wheeler @ 1/10/2007 10:28:00 AM, ,




Tuesday
Tuesday, January 09, 2007

I have skipped one too many days a the gym these past few weeks. I went last night and I can barely move today. Luckilly I'm working alone today, so I might do more stretching.

I was cleaning out my purse last night and came across some recipes I copied when I was home for Christmas. My Grandma Cannan was a famous candy maker in my hometown (my hips are all her fault). She has long past, but I was able to write down all the recipes I remember loving as a child. My all time favorites were these:

Grandma's Famous Pecan Turtles


  • 1lb or (55 pieces) kraft carmels

  • 2 TBSP Water

  • 1lb bag of pecans

  • 1 - 6oz. bag of semi-sweet chocolate chips

  • 1/2 TSP instant coffee (optional)


  1. Heat carmels and water in a double boiler for 5 minutes or until smooth and bubbly.

  2. Grease baking sheets and arrange pecans in groups of three, about 2" apart.

  3. Drop melted carmel by the TSP on each group of pecans and let them cool at least 15 minutes.

  4. Melt chocolate pieces in a double boiler and add instant coffee.

  5. Drop melted chocolate by TSP on each group of carmel pecan. Spread chocolate if necessary.

  6. Set in a cool dry place for 1 hour or until firm.

  7. Enjoy!

Makes 36 Turtles

posted by Amanda Wheeler @ 1/09/2007 08:38:00 AM, ,




Global Warming?
Saturday, January 06, 2007

Our thermostat in Saco reads 64 degrees. We celebrated this spike in temperature with chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast cooked on my new griddle. Andy is wearing shorts “just because he can”.

The Christmas tree is coming down today…finally. I am sad to see it go, but thrilled at the prospect of not having to yell at the dog every 5 minutes to “get out of the tree”. She has a deep affinity for pine tree scented water. Last year was much worse – as she violently tugged on the “sticks” under the tree. We had to tie it down in several places.

Laundry, dishes and organizing make up the rest of the day and I’m glad for that. It’s good for things to get back to normal. We do hope to squeeze in a walk and maybe this after dinner.
Have a great Saturday!

posted by Amanda Wheeler @ 1/06/2007 10:44:00 AM, ,




Welcome little baby Elliot
Friday, January 05, 2007

My good friend Kelly (seen here, here, here, there or here) gave birth to her first son yesterday! Elliot Baxter was born at 8:59pm after only 20 minutes of pushing (and 10 hours of labor). He was a healthy 8lbs 7 oz, and Kelly did it unmedicated like she wanted. She's amazing. I went to visit them this morning. Here are a few pictures:

Family of three: Aaron, Kelly and Elliot
(is it possible for three people to be more adorable?)


Me holding Elliot
(holy baby fever)

posted by Amanda Wheeler @ 1/05/2007 09:15:00 AM, ,




Ramblings
Thursday, January 04, 2007

We are doing a church-wide fast for 21 days. Andy and I gave up soda and meat. I’m starving and I have a headache.

I have the tomorrow off and I plan to clean my entire house, take down the Christmas decorations and tree, and do mounds of laundry. I think I’d rather go to work.

My sister Becky is out of the hospital. She’s at 30 weeks now. The doctors said the baby is out of danger, but are keeping a close eye on her. Thank you Lord for answered prayer!

My 10th high school reunion is in 5 months. I feel really old today.

posted by Amanda Wheeler @ 1/04/2007 09:25:00 AM, ,




Happy New Year!
Monday, January 01, 2007

We got up late today. It was wonderful to sleep in. We've been staying up late for the last 10-days and it is catching up with us!

We had the Progressive dinner at church last night. It went really well, especially considering that 10 more people came than signed up! Andy and I were in charge of the soup & salad portion of the evening. It was a little stressful doing everything after church but we came through. We made: Creamy Chicken torillini soup, ceasar salad, tossed salad, italian bread, bruschetta and cheese/crackers/pickles/olives. The next house had lasagna and beef tenderloin. Yum! We finished with dessert at church and the worship and an end of the year slide show made by Andy. It was a great night!

Linda celebrated New Years Eve with us because we didn't get to see her over Christmas. She was in Virginia with Andy's brother Stephen, his wife Charlene and the new baby Elizabeth. So this morning we exchanged gifts and had "christmas breakfast". I made french toast on the new electric griddle Linda bought me, and we had fruit and bacon. The diet must start back up again tomorrow!

Elizabeth is doing much better. The doctors finally decided she was allergic to milk. She was in the hospital over Christmas, but was released a few days ago. She has to wear a feeding tube until she gains more weight. The new milk free, soy free formula they have her on has already produced results. She gained 5 oz. in just one day. The only down side is its really expensive!!!


Little Elizabeth - 1 month old

My sister Becky (step), her husband Chris and my little neice Jaslyn were in a really bad car accident yesterday night. They were going up a hill and were hit by someone going down the same hill (it was freezing rain). They're car spun down and hit a telephone pole. Chris ended up with a concusion (sp?) and 25 stitches on his head. Jaslyn was in the back where the telephone pole hit directly. Her carseat was tossed from one side of the car to the other, but because both side air bags went off was unharmed - thank you Lord. Becky is in the hospital now. Her airbag hit her 6.5 month pregnant stomach. They baby initially showed some signs of distress, but has calmed down. They are keeping her for a few days to make sure everything is ok. Please pray they don't have to deliver early! She's really scared, but is in good spirits.


Miss Jaslyn - Christmas Day
She received dress up clothes for Christmas and refuses to wear anything else

posted by Amanda Wheeler @ 1/01/2007 12:50:00 PM, ,