Whirligig Bug

Over the fourth we went to Ocean City, Maryland to hang out with some family members. It was a great time!

Rachel did AWESOME the entire time we were there. We left Friday night and spent the night in Pennsylvania. She slept great in the car and at the hotel room. The next day we drove to Maryland. It was a longer trip than we wanted it to be, but we stopped for feedings, and diaper changes and to get water and soda and beer and then hit some traffic. 

While on vacation, Rachel loved the water. We set up a pool by the ocean and filled it with salt water. We let it warm up and she hung out in the pool almost all day. She liked to watch the ocean, but I think the water was too cold for her. Occasionally she would be sitting on the shore and the tide would come up and get her butt wet and she would fuss. The water temperatures were near 70s and the air was in the 80s-100s every day. It was perfect.

We had a huge wagon load of things that we took to the beach every day, but we managed to get it all there in one trip and never have to go back to the condo for anything. We spent all day at the beach and two of those days we spent at the condo pool. 

Rachel liked to grab and play with the sand and enjoyed chewing on the (salt) water covered toys I brought to put into her pool. She splashed her arms up and down in the water and was enjoying all the attention by family. 

We all managed to get "cooked" nicely on the beach and at the pool, but no sun burns to report. We were careful at reapplying sunscreen and keeping our baby girl in the shade. I still think her legs got tan! 

Cousin Jami had a knack with Rachel. Jami is a high-school baby lover and she always willingly took Rachel and managed to get her to fall asleep in her arms. It was crazy! And so cute at the same time. 

"Does she ever cry?"  That wast the question most asked by family members. Our child is so amazing that she rarely cries and fusses, and since it is so rare, i often let her cry and laugh at how cute she looks when she cries! Mean, maybe, but it's too cute! On the long ride home (14.5 hours) she didn't cry once. I swear, she was an angel. It was odd and crazy at the same time! I couldn't ask for a better child!

Rachel's first souvenir....a personalized flip flop zipper pull that i put on her diaper bag! 

The wagon at the beach, all loaded up! 

Here's a list of what is inside:
Sunscreen
Beach Towels
Beach Blanke
Cooler with Beverages & Sandwiches
Snacks
2 Umbrellas
Boppy
Sun Tent
Radio
Kiddie Pool
Bag of Toys

Pretty impressive, but what is more impressive is that my husband dragged it across the sand every day we went to the beach! Don't worry, it's not overloaded, with the correct air pressure in the tires, it can hold 300 lbs. Thanks to grandma and grandpa for getting Rachel this wagon! She hasn't ridden in it, but all of her stuff has! 

Posted by Kari at 03:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Rachel is already 6 months old! She sits up, she rolls over, she talks and she is now eating cereal, bananas, peas squash and sweet potatoes! We're working on a sippy cup and she sometimes will drink water from a bottle. Often she makes a mean face when she starts to suck and realizes it's just water.

She loves her exersaucer and jumperoo at home and whenever we put her in there she will poop. We were on our way to vacation over the fourth and I put her in her exersaucer about an hour before we were leaving, hoping she would poop before we began our 6 hour car ride, and she did!

She sleeps well, she smiles and laughs a lot and people often comment on how happy she is and ask us if she ever cries! She's tiny - petite - weighing in at 13 pounds 12 ounces at her six month check up and 24.5 inches long. She's following her curve and in the 10th percentile!

My kid is so mellow and calm. Almost all of the photos we take she is just sitting there looking.

But I can coax a smile out of her!

Posted by Kari at 01:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

We went on a trial-run camping in Rachel's Grandpa's Rock Star Motor home to the west side of the state. It was our test before we drove to Ocean City, Maryland over the fourth. It gave us a nice idea of what worked on the beach, what did not and what we need to take. Plus, Grandpa was nice enough to let us borrow his "rock star" motor home, so camping really wasn't all that bad.

Rachel traveled well in her car seat buckled into the motor home couch, she slept well in her pack n play, enjoyed a bath in the kitchen sink and had a nice long nap in her beach tent on Lake Michigan. She wasn't too fond of the water, mostly because I think it felt cold to her, but she liked the sand and enjoyed "people watching" with her dad.

We are so grateful that Grandpa let us borrow his Coach, and watched our dog while we were away. And so thankful to Stacy L. for inviting us on the camping trip. There were about 8-10 families that all camped and hung out at the beach! We hope to do it again next year!

Here is a photo of the coach, all set up and in our camping spot. 

Rachel comfortably hangs out in the motor home (on the floor).  You can see her seat strapped in where she rode for the trip (on the right) and the usual accommodations of camping (laptop/internet on the left couch).

Here is the other shot, facing the entrance/driver's seat. The satellite TV wasn't working, which upset my husband who wanted to watch a baseball game. As you can see with the slide out we were able to accommodate her exersaucer for the trip, too! Grandpa even steam cleaned the couch cushions "for Rachel" before we left.

Posted by Kari at 01:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

She's not really a fan of the cereal. She seems to squeeze her lips shit very tightly and rub her face, putting cereal all over her hands, hair and eyes!

Ready for her first "meal" from a spoon! We tried this Memorial Day weekend.

Not sure what is going on....

Poor girl...it was torture! 

I kept trying with the cereal and she began to get a little better. I took some to "school" and of course she gobbled it up for her teachers! I can't wait to give it to her this weekend when we are home! 

Posted by Kari at 01:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Memorial Day was a big weekend of Firsts for Rachel. Stay tuned for:

1-Her First Boat Ride.

2-Her First Time Sitting in her Big Girl Seat at the Table.

3-Her First Taste of Cereal.

4-Her First Time in the "Pool."

Posted by Kari at 01:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

We went to visit Great-Grandma on her 39th birthday!

I wish I could tell you that I said "close your eyes" but I did not! 

Posted by Kari at 04:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I struggle with these photos. I never have enough time and usually try to get them done in the morning before she goes to school. 

Last Month

Posted by Kari at 04:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This is probably Rachel's 2nd craft, and my First Mother's Day Present from her. Her teachers helped her make a flower pot for me!

The flowers are painted using Rachel's finger prints! 

Posted by Kari at 11:45 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

The traditional gift for a First Wedding Anniversary is paper. Last year I purchased a ticket for my husband to attend opening day at Comerica Park for our first anniversary gift.

This year, I will admit, I remembered our anniversary was coming and then I forgot. A few weeks before our big 2 year celebration, my husband sent me an email with his suggestion for a second anniversary gift for him: 100% cotton coveralls - - the traditional gift for a second anniversary is cotton (modern is china).

This was such a fabulous idea because I struggle with what to purchase my husband for birthday/anniversary/Christmas gifts because he wants big ticket items - a house with a basement, a rock star motorhome, a tractor...

So three pairs of navy coveralls are all wrapped and given to him on our big day! 

In keeping with the 100% cotton/Traditional Wedding Gift Theme, I received new flannel sheets! 

Posted by Kari at 09:01 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Rachel's school teacher gave me her first craft to take home. It was hanging up during the month of April and I never even thought to see if one of the pieces of artwork was hers! The teacher's traced Rachel's foot to make the chick. It's too cute!

Posted by Kari at 08:53 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Die hard fans (such as my husband) know that baseball season is in full swing!

Rachel brushes up on her baseball vocabulary including singing "Take me out to the ballgame" with her dad. 

Dress rehearsal for opening day! 

Posted by Kari at 01:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

And here are Rachel's 4th month photos!

And here she is standing up! 

For Comparison:

1 Month Photo

2 Month Photo

3 Month Photo

Posted by Kari at 01:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

I just realized I forgot to post Rachel's 3rd month photos....from March. I realized this when I was getting ready to post her 4 month photos!

One Month Ago (2 month Photo)

Two Months Ago (1 month Photo)

Posted by Kari at 09:33 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Rachel's sneak peek Easter dress photos were revealed a while ago, but here is the dress in its entirety...with the Easter Bunny! She didn't have a problem with the bunny, she got upset just before it was our turn to have photos! I didn't have a chance to calm her down and it was our turn! You can even see a tear in her eye!

The Easter bunny knows just what Rachel likes - Cadbury Eggs, Peanut Butter & Chocolate! Thanks to Grandma Linda for personalizing the basket for Rachel!

I recently started putting bibs on Rachel because she is very drooly.  While finding a new bib the day before Easter, I noticed this one! Thanks to Aunt Dawn and Avery for the hand-me-downs!

Rockwell had to pose with the basket filled with goodies he was unable to taste! 

Photo shoots with Dogs are challenging, but then you add a baby and an Easter basket prop and it gets even more challenging! 

Posted by Kari at 08:14 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The other day I had an eventful shopping trip to Kohl's to use some Kohl's cash and a gift card I received. While browsing around the store, I stumbled upon some cute dresses and realized that Rachel needed an Easter dress! I found a dress that I thought fit her personality and picked up a cute sweater in case it's cold on Easter Sunday.

I believe this is the first "outift" I have purchased for my daughter. If you recall, her closet is full thanks to my sister Dawn. I was quite excited about all of the cute dresses that were out for summer and had to remind myself that Rachel doesn't need any more clothes, so I should save my money until she can talk and tells me she wants something like a pair of jeans from Hollister, or a Coach purse.

Here are some sneak peek photos of what Rachel will be wearing when Peter Cottontail comes to visit her!

I also picked up a few swim suits for Rachel to wear on our trip to Ocean City, Maryland over the fourth of July! 

Posted by Kari at 11:52 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Over Valentine's Day weekend, my husband, daughter and I were invited to an ice skating party at faux Aunt JuJu's house (Uncle abandoned JuJu for the Valentine Weekend). My husband brought his skates - the ones he bought brand new in the early 90s - and I bundled Rachel up in the Baby Bjorn and we went for a walk to the pond.

Posted by Kari at 01:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Just as I sit down to begin my 2009 holiday letter (in January 2010) my new baby girl begins to cry. I guess you can say we ended our 2009 year with a big bang – the birth of our daughter, Rachel Suzanne on Saturday, December 19, 2009. I hadn’t planned on sending out Christmas cards this year, I planned on sending a New Year’s card and double it as a birth announcement.  I didn’t think our baby would be born in 2009 or 9 days early, so Rachel happened to really put the kabash on the New Year’s Card and as for this letter, viewing it online, you can say we’re “going green” this year. I’m sure by next year, the paper version will be back in action.  

Around this time last year, Dan and I were spending time in Puerto Vallarta Mexico, celebrating my friend’s 20-20 birthday. And shortly after our return from the warm weather, I threw my own 29.5 birthday party at the roller skating rink. That same month, Dan’s job was put on hold as he spent 3 weeks unemployed, a far cry from the original length of 3 months. Dan said goodbye to his truck he called “The Pig” – his 1995 Dodge Ram 3500 (Dually) 4x4 Cummins.

February we celebrated the super bowl at a friend’s party. We took care of our dentist appointments, got the dogs to the vet for their check-ups, and tried to stay warm. March came and went and before we knew it, it was opening day at Comerica Park in April. Dan spent the day in Detroit celebrating and watching the game with the ticket I bought for him and the following day we moved a shed that we purchased at an auction the week before.

Dan’s second annual bachelor party was spent at a Tigers game in Detroit in May, I attended a bachelorette party for my friend Heather in Windsor, and we organized and hosted a benefit golf outing for Jax Johnson (and we raised over $4,000!) We celebrated our first wedding anniversary and found out I was pregnant.

Halfway thru the year and we said goodbye to Michael Jackson, Farrah Fawcett and our beloved K9 Cletus. My surprise 30^th birthday party was in June, and after finding out about the event, I surprised my guests by telling them I was expecting.  We went strawberry picking at a local farm and for the first time I made strawberry jam!

We had two camping trips planned this year – one was in July and it rained the entire weekend. We did see sunshine during a four hour stretch that allowed us to float down a river in a tube. I felt our baby move for the first time this month and I got poison ivy while trimming trees in our yard.

In August for our second camping weekend we broke out our brand new tent we received as a wedding gift. And it leaked. All weekend it rained and all weekend our tent was leaking water. We found out this month we were having a baby girl on or around December 28^th. My VW Bug debuted in it’s first bug show not far from our home.

We began to put our nursery together – slowly but surely in September. We bought some hangers, emptied out our office, had our carpets cleaned, I refinished a dresser and began to sort thru the baby clothes my sister gave to me. We took a class on how to prepare our pooch, Rockwell, for a baby. Most of our thoughts revolve around having a child at this point in our life – we have to hurry up and do things before this baby arrives.

In October I flew to Georgia to visit my sister and niece and we had our first baby shower in the thumb. And how can I forget Halloween? Dan and I took advantage of my “baby bump” and went as a shotgun wedding. Sadly we didn’t win any prizes. Braxton Hicks contractions began this month and continued through my pregnancy.

We continued to take more classes to prepare for our baby in November, as well as celebrate two Thanksgivings, and have our Nut Cracking baby shower. I had most of my Christmas shopping done hoping and anticipating we would have a baby before Christmas and the New Year.

December started out as a normal December…Christmas Parties, Tree Trimming, Hair Cuts, Gift Shopping, Pot Luck Recipes but a few new items were added: Car Seat Inspection, Doctor Appointments, Meet the Pediatrician, Belly Photos and Santa Photos with Rockwell. Then, on Friday, December 18^th we made a trip to the hospital and the next day had our baby girl!

Whew, what a busy 2009, and thankfully we received our tax deduction - Baby Rachel! I’m wishing all of you a fun, happy and healthy 2010!

In my annual fashion…
In the spirit of supporting our friends, family and community, we are very proud to announce we have made contributions totaling over $1,200 to the organizations listed below. We invite you to share in this sense of accomplishment, for it is your continued patronage that is the cornerstone of this financial assistance.

Alzheimer’s Association – Greater Michigan Chapter
The Salvation Army
Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation
Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure – Greater Lansing
Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation – In Memory of Ehren Peyerk
The American Cancer Society
The Travis Chellis Foundation
Peace Corps
Habitat for Humanity – Canada
Thumb Industries Walk-a-Thon
Last Chance Rescue
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
Honduras Mission Project
Special Olympics of Michigan
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Livingston County
American Diabetes Association
Eric Carpenter Family Assistance Fund
Brides Against Breast Cancer

Posted by Kari at 03:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

One of my good high school friends had her second baby boy just before Thanksgiving. Everett McIntosh is his name. He is joined by his big brother, Mason.

As I was sitting at my desk a few days before her scheduled delivery, I received a text message that said, "Mason just asked if the doctor was going to take the baby out with a screwdriver." This had me laughing so hard, I was almost in tears! Therefore, when the baby came, so near to Christmas, I had to act on the comment made by his big brother and send Everett a special, personalized Christmas ornament.

The search almost immediately began, I needed to find the perfect screwdriver AND baby's first Christmas ornament. I wanted a simple, flat baby's first Christmas metal/pewter ornament to attach to the screwdriver. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to locate exactly what I wanted, so I found this instead:

3 pack of screwdrivers at the dollar store, I just had to add the hole. 2 sided, Baby's First Christmas Ornament from Babies R Us. Personalized paper quote that captures Mason's curiosity forever. 

Put it all together and you have a one-of-a-kind, personalized ornament for Baby E. My friend reports that she received the ornament and has it displayed at the top of the tree because Mason wants the screwdriver!

Posted by Kari at 12:53 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Here's a photo of our current "baby" with Santa.

Posted by Kari at 08:52 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

My daughter isn't even born yet, and she already has a Christmas ornament. We received this 2009 Hallmark Fisher Price Chatter Telephone Ornament as a shower gift and it is now adorning our tree. I'm sure I appreciate it more since I recall playing with the actual toy as a child.

Posted by Kari at 12:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This Christmas will be a very uncertain one! With my due date on the 28th, we contemplated getting a real tree, but we like to wait to put up a real tree until the middle of December. I figured that was "cutting it too close" and since we have no free weekends in December, I put up the artificial tree this past weekend while my husband was working. The tree is nothing too special, a small, cheap one that I purchased for my apartment while in college. It works for the occasion.

Rockwell wasn't too interested in helping this year, he did walk back and forth with me to the garage to bring in all the boxes, but mostly he just sat and watched or relaxed on our bed in the bedroom. I was able to get a few photos of him relaxing next to me while I decorated.

Posted by Kari at 11:59 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I've told several people that my daughter has so much stuff that I am not going to buy anything unnecessary until after she is born. Necessary items such as a crib mattress and changing pad and wipes and nursing pads were purchased, but up until last Thursday, I haven't purchased anything we didn't need for her.

Then I went to Target. And while looking at the Christmas items, I saw the cutest stocking. I looked at it and said, "awwww" to myself as I touched it. It was so cute and pink and soft. I knew we didn't NEED this stocking, she may not even arrive before Christmas, but I wanted it. It took me about 30 seconds before I put the $2.99 stocking in my cart and immediately I felt guilty. I knew I should put it back because I made a promise to myself that I would not buy any unnecessary items. I couldn't even justify it being only three bucks!

As I walked through the store and nabbed a few more items on my list, I told myself when I get to the register I would just tell the cashier I changed my mind and didn't want the stocking. But then I said "the heck with it!" I have a gift card, she can get a $3 stocking and it will be fine. I was so excited when I got home and decorated for Christmas to hang it up with the other stockings on our shelf. It looks too cute!

Posted by Kari at 12:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

This year my husband and I had to play on my pregnancy and belly for our Halloween costumes. We decided to go as a Shotgun Wedding. I hope we didn't disappoint our fans!

Posted by Kari at 03:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

I have a gut feeling my husband is planning or is in on a surprise 30th birthday party for me on June 6th. I only know this because I manipulated him and some other people into indirectly telling me it is true.

June 6th has been listed as "Kari's Birthday Day" on our calendar for months. Probably since there was still snow on the ground. Recently I asked my husband if we could change the day. He assured me we could not. I was convinced he had something big planned, or bought tickets to a concert or something, because why else would he not be able to change the date.

After some pressing I got an email from him that included our itinerary for the day. He was very disappointed he let out our surprise day plans, but assured me this is what we were doing. There was one item on the list that required an appointment, but I could easily see that everything else could be changed and rescheduled. Again, this confirmed my thought that he had something up his sleeve. At this point, I am 90% sure he has something planned or is in on something.

One day I decided to start asking people what was going on. I called my friend Dawn and assured her she didn't have to get me a present for my real 30th birthday because she got me something for my 29.5 birthday. Again, I was just stirring the pot a bit. She left me a message and through her smiles and laughs, I knew she was bluffing when she told me she knew nothing about a party! Now I am 92% sure there is something going on.

I shot out a couple of emails to a few friends and in casual conversation I told them I would see them on June 6th at my surprise party, and the common response was "I don't know what you are talking about." That was usually followed by "We have plans to do this or that on that date." Some people ignored the question completely! My hunch is now up to 94%

I then nabbed some people at the gym and started asking them if they were coming. The combined response is usually "I didn't get invited." My response was "I'll get you on the list." The small smile on Cassie's face made me 1% closer to thinking something was going on, but it was Trena who did an excellent job of giving me a hint.

Trena looked at me weird, and asked why she would come to my surprise birthday party. She then pulled out the "I didn't get invited" card and I saw her whispering to Katie, another girl at the gym. Shortly after I questioned Trena. Katie then asked me how I knew. I told Katie, I just "Had a hunch." Trena asked me if I was sneaking into my husband's email account! Suspicion up to about 99%.

I will give Amy at the gym some credit for looking at me and saying, I don't know about any party, I have the spin-a-thon that day. She did an excellent job keeping her face straight and promptly coming up with an answer!

Although I cannot officially confirm, and I feel somewhat guilty for manipulating people into giving me clues about a possible party, I'm only 99% sure something is going on...and if it is, I hope to see you all on June 6th!

Posted by Kari at 03:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

My husband and I are corny and that is what I love about us! We love to rip on things like "what's the gift for the first anniversary?" and then try to find cheesy gifts to give each other for the special event. The traditional first anniversary gift is paper. I was determined to somehow find a way to get my husband some sort of paper gift.

I began with an online search, for 1st anniversary gifts, paper anniversary gifts, and found nothing I was really interested in. Concert tickets were a nice but obvious gift, but to what concert and when, I wasn't sure. Then I stumbled across the idea to get him opening day tickets at Comerica Park! I was set on this gift and amazingly found some tickets reasonably priced on Craigs List. I only bought him one ticket, because I didn't want to spend a few hundred on two tickets, so I got him a single seat. He's corny like that, he'll go to a game alone!

My next task was to figure out how on earth I was going to give him an anniversary gift one month early (opening day is on April 10th and our anniversary is on May 7th) and make him work hard for it. So I rattled my brain and asked some friends and came up with an idea: a paper scavenger hunt and a paper poem to present him with his paper opening day ticket.

For the scavenger hunt, he had 24 different close up photos of paper that was in our house and garage: paper towel, newspapers, magazines, computer paper, etc. He had to find one set of paper, that revealed a clue and lead him onward to more paper. He was not at all thrilled about this scavenger hunt. He sighed a lot and asked me how many clues there were. He actually completed the hunt rather quickly. I kept reassuring him it would be worth it in the end. The last clue directed him to me, and I had this lovely paper poem that I read to him:

A Paper Poem
by Kari

You can use paper
for a silly hat
for rain cover
a chair mat
to get the news
to write love letters
for grocery lists and
to blot your lipstick.
 
You can use paper to
blow your nose
wipe a tear
clean a spill
make spit wads
buy a motorcycle
carry groceries
make airplanes
design a home
leave a note
make a payment
send a message
wipe your butt
dust a table
buy a car
clean a window
light a fire
make a pinata
rock paper scissors
stuff your bra
make a funnel
win a game
buy a home
travel abroad
business cards
origami birds
unwrap gum
squish a bug
hold a six pack
scrapbook memories
suicide notes and
to wipe your face.
 
You can use paper
to color
filter coffee
decorate a tree
send a letter
blot a cut
roll cigarettes
get a parking ticket
mark a trail
say I love you
say I’m sorry
litter the floor
stuff a bag
print a picture
vote
ask questions
get answers
pay a check
call for help
carry lunch
hold vomit
show your support
decode puzzles
give a compliment
keep your place
send mail
voice your complaints
become a citizen
say thank you
have a yard sale
read
mark a page
save the date
renew subscriptions
connect the dots
send packages
seal envelopes
wrap food
understand instructions
to congratulate
say farewell
wrap a gift
celebrate
your first anniversary
with a paper ticket
to opening day at
Comerica Park.

While reading the poem he seemed half interested, he was petting Rockwell and talking to him. Not sure if he realized what the gift was at the end or just looked up at me when I was finished reading it. He did say he loved the ticket and went to Opening Day with other friends that were at the game as well.

The highlight: he took a photo of the seat I got for him. It was really a single seat. The seats him and I always make fun of when we are at the park.

Posted by Kari at 09:36 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Is there anything better than a Reece's Peanut Butter Cup? I thought for sure a homemade peanut butter cup would somehow be better than a store bought peanut butter cup. I guess I was wrong.

For Valentine's Day, my husband and I decided to make gifts for each other. I decided to make him Peanut Butter Cups from scratch. I was very excited about making them because I love to cook and I thought he would love them.

On Valentine's day I gave him the container of peanut butter cups. After we each tried one, I said to him, "aren't they good?" To my surprise, he said, "ahh, I don't like the peanut butter filling. It tastes funny." I then told him I thought they were delicious and if he didn't want them, I would eat them all. After that, I let him know I had to "hand paint" all of the chocolate in each paper cup, then add the filling and hand paint the top chocolate on! It didn't make him love the peanut butter cups any more, but I think they were good. Maybe not as good as Reece's Peanut Butter Cups, but comparable enough to share the recipe! 

Maybe before sharing the recipe I should admit I used Smooth, not Chunky Peanut Butter, I had smaller paper cups, which could explain why I had so much chocolate left, and I didn't have graham crackers so I substituted for Ritz crackers, possibly the reason why he didn't love them! 

Peanut Butter Cups

1 3/4 cups (11.5-oz. pkg.) chocolate chips

2 tablespoons vegetable shortening

60 (1 1/2-inch) paper candy liners, separated into 30 double-lined cups

1/2 cup butter

1/2 cup chunky peanut butter

1 cup powdered sugar

2/3 cup graham cracker crumbs

MICROWAVE morsels and vegetable shortening in medium, uncovered, microwave-safe bowl on MEDIUM-HIGH (70%) power for 2 minutes; STIR. The morsels may retain some of their original shape. If necessary, microwave at additional 10 to 15-second intervals, stirring just until morsels are melted.

PLACE about 1 teaspoon melted chocolate in each candy cup; spread to about 1/8-inch thickness, almost to top of cup, with small pastry brush. Refrigerate.

COMBINE butter and peanut butter in medium, heavy-duty saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, for 4 to 6 minutes or until melted. Stir in powdered sugar and graham cracker crumbs. Cool for 5 minutes. Spoon about 1 heaping teaspoon into each chocolate cup.

SPOON about 1/4 teaspoon melted chocolate on top of filling; spread to cover filling. Freeze for about 2 hours or until firm. Carefully peel off paper liners. Store tightly covered in refrigerator.

Makes 30 candies

Posted by Kari at 02:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

No matter how hard I try to NOT have a New Year's resolution, I always have a list of things in my head I want and do not want to do in the coming new year. I remember this list for about a month. I would say I abide by about 1/3 of the list.

This year Dan and I are on a serious spending freeze come January 1st. We haven't been out of control with any of our money, we are very conscious of how much we have, how much we spend and how much we should be saving. We are just looking to save more because you never know what else is going to happen in the auto industry... I'm already looking for loop holes in this spending freeze such as sneaking things into the "grocery bill" when I am at Meijer. I'm going to try hard not to, I have two Target gift cards burning a hole in my wallet right now, but I'm saving them for when I am really desperate (I'd say by mid-February) to buy something not on our list.

I'm sure we'll fall off the wagon a few times, but the two of us are wise with our spending. We like to research our purchase, attempt to find the best item and the best deal. We rarely purchase something on impulse, and Dan has found a gas station that will give him a Reece's Peanut Butter Cup Cappuccino for FREE if he puts 8 gallons of gas in his car! 

These thoughts have led me to wonder if there is a top 10 list of New Year's resolutions. Sure enough, that internet has EVERYTHING! About.com has the Top 10 list. My resolutions match 3 on the list:

Number 3 - Tame the Bulge. Don't we all wish we could lose 10 lbs (or more!)

Number 7 - Get out of Debt (see above)

Number 9 - Help Others. This will happen because we regularly donate to Last Chance Rescue, JDRF, the American Cancer Society, and the Special Olympics. But each year I try to do more. I'm sure 2009 will include the Travis Chellis Foundation as well.

We wish everyone a happy, healthy, New Year and hope that when 2010 comes around, you aren't repeating and relisting items on your resolution list!

Posted by Kari at 12:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

As most of you know, I had my Christmas cards ready early, therefore I mailed them at the beginning of December. Well, the other day I received a very official letter from the United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General.

In a nutshell, the letter stated the following:

1-The mail I sent on or about November 24th was rifled through and was discovered by the Bay Port Post Office. The envelope and its contents was investigated and then sent to the addressee on or about November 24th. There was a photocopy of the envelope included in the letter from the post office, therefore I know who received the Christmas card.

2-The individual responsible for rifling my mail has been identified and "no longer has access to U.S. Mail within the United States Postal Service."

3-Complete the Mail Loss/Rifling Report to ensure the post office can document any lost cash or item that was within the envelope. 

This letter was F A S C I N A T I N G to me because I mailed the letter on December 2nd, as the postmark states, not on November 24th. And, when I emailed my friend to see if she got it (as the letter from the post office stated) she had not received anything. 

Therefore, I emailed the person who sent me the letter and she answered most of my questions. Sadly, the letter sent wasn't completely accurate. 

1-There were multiple victims, and the mail was opened between November 24th and December 3rd. I say, "Fix the form letter!"

2-The letter was not sent to the addressee but is in the hands of the Office of Inspector General until the case has been adjudicated. Again, I say, "Fix the form letter!"

3-The letter can be returned to me, which I have requested because I want to see what is missing and how long it takes the government to handle this situation!

This is just one of the reasons why I don't want the government taking control of my health care!

Posted by Kari at 11:13 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

My family has always given each other Christmas lists. The lists contain everything from socks and tee shirts, to gift cards and electric blankets, peanuts and chocolate, cologne and wallets, tools and car cleaning kits. I love getting a Christmas list from people. It at least gives me an idea of what they want, but may not need. And everyone knows a Christmas List is a guideline for gifts. You may not get anything on the list, you may get a few things, or you may get everything. I mostly like them because they take all the thinking out of gifts and when you don't know what a person wants, you always wonder if they really like the gift you got them or if they are just "being nice."

This year I have been at a loss as to what I should get my husband for Christmas, so I asked for a list. Recently he sent me a link to an expensive watch. Normally I would just purchase this watch for him and be done with it, but for some reason I cannot see buying him another watch. He already has one. (I know, I know, it's probably like telling a woman she doesn't need another pair of shoes or two winter coats). But his is in great shape, still accurately tells time and he frequently gets comments on his watch to which I hear him reply, "I do love this watch."

When I asked him if he really needed another watch, he said he would love one but actually thought of something he needed for his Christmas list. Here is what he said:

"I did actually think of something I somewhat need, a new desktop radio for work. Mine is getting annoying, and I have to shove paper in my audio selections to get both speakers to work. Keep in mind the radio was purchased in the summer of 1992, traveled back and forth to LSSU a few times, and took a spill out the back of my Ramcharger in 1995. It also powered the speakers at the house for half a party when the amp we had took a s#*%."

After reading that, how can I not get him a new radio? Anyone who can recall the path his radio has taken deserves a new one plus, he's had that one for OVER 15 years and is still making it work. This is why I love my husband and his Christmas gift list!

He was kind enough to email me these photos...

Posted by Kari at 10:10 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)