Celebrate The Small Things -- March 31

It's Friday and I'm Celebrating The Small Things!  The brainchild of Viklit, Celebrate The Small Things is a weekly celebration where some bloggers have decided to post about something worth celebrating...no matter how big or small it is.

Today I'm celebrating...

• I recently found a discontinued nail polish that I have been in search of for more than a year now. I was beyond excited to stumble across it in my local Walgreens. It really is the little things that make me happy. (Edit to add: if anyone has this polish, Sally Hansen Pacific Blue, and it's collecting dust in your house, I will happily take it off your hands!)

• Last week my husband asked me what I wanted to do for my birthday. There is a Pilgrim Virgin statue of Fatima that has been making its way around the U.S. Last week it was visiting my diocese, so for my birthday my husband took me to the next county over to attend mass at the parish that was hosting it for the night. It was a Korean Catholic parish, and the entire mass was said in Korean. But the cool thing about Catholic mass (yes, I just described mass as cool) is that it's the same no matter where you are, or what language it's in. So while we didn't understand a word that was spoken, we were able to follow along. It really was an amazing experience! For more information on the Pilgrim statue click here.

• My puppy and best friend, Emmie. I just love her to pieces. Last week we celebrated her 2nd "Gotcha Day" with us. March, with it's temperature swings, has been rough on my body. Emmie keeps me company on my bad flare up days, and always manages to put a smile on my face to cheer me up.

What are you celebrating?

If you'd like to Celebrate The Small Things, visit our wonderful host, Lexa @ Lexa Cain for more information.  And don't forget to visit her awesome co-hosts:   LG Keltner @ Writing Off the Edge and Tonja Drecker @Kidbits Blog

I have an instagram! If anyone is looking for more pictures of Emmie, head on over there and give me a follow @thecyborgmom

Celebrate The Small Things -- August 19

It's Friday and I'm Celebrating The Small Things!  The brainchild of Viklit, Celebrate The Small Things is a weekly celebration where some bloggers have decided to post about something worth celebrating...no matter how big or small it is.

Today I'm celebrating...

• my baby girl turned Sweet Sixteen! I can't believe how grown up she is already...seems like just yesterday that she was so itty bitty and fit perfectly in my arms.

• my husband and kids! Having the party last weekend took a lot out of me, even thought I purposely tried to take it easy! I guess I did more than my body could handle, and I ended up pretty achy on Sunday and Monday. If it wasn't for my hubby and kids, things wouldn't have gotten done. They all helped with set up, clean up, food prep, taking care of Emmie (our dog and my bestie), and more stuff that I'm sure I just can't remember. That's one nice thing about having older kiddos...they can help!

• acupuncture... Having an acupuncture treatment on Tuesday really helped my body recover from the weekend. I really love acupuncture...a lot. I've blogged about it many, many times. For anyone interested in reading more about my acupuncture adventures, just type 'acupuncture' in the search bar on the right.

• Jim Gaffigan...When I'm not feeling well, I like to watch funny stuff on tv to help myself feel better. Gaffigan is, by far, my favorite comedian, and Netflix now has another two specials of his available to watch. If you are in need of a good laugh, check him out! For anyone who doesn't have Netflix, I will link his website here.

What are you celebrating?

If you'd like to Celebrate The Small Things, visit our wonderful host, Lexa @ Lexa Cain for more information.  And don't forget to visit her wonderful co-hosts:   LG Keltner @ Writing Off the Edge and Tonja Drecker @Kidbits Blog

I got an instagram! If anyone is looking for more pictures of Emmie, head on over there and give me a follow @thecyborgmom

Celebrate The Small Things -- Jan 16

It's Friday and I'm Celebrating The Small Things!  Celebrate The Small Things is a weekly celebration where some bloggers have decided to post about something worth celebrating...no matter how big or small it is.  I am thrilled to co-host this wonderful blog!

This week I'm celebrating my new scooter! I'll be writing a more in depth post on it tomorrow, but the short story is that I ordered a seated scooter to help out after my foot surgery next week. I'm glad that it came in time and that I can fit on it! I'm a mini-person...at 4'9”...and was worried that my feet may not reach the floor! Luckily, I can reach, and it seems like this will be helpful in getting around the house a bit.

I'm also celebrating the fact that I can stay on all my prescription medications as part of my pre and post-surgery routine (click here to read about my pre-op medicine routine for my last surgery). One of the hardest things about my past two surgeries was having to come off my anti-inflammatory Celebrex a week before surgery, and wasn't able to take it again until about 6 weeks post op. Yowza! I hurt to even think about it!! So glad I don't have to go through that again.

I will probably be skipping next Friday's Celebrations, as I'm having surgery the 22^nd and will most likely be too drugged up to write anything that makes sense :) Hoping to be back the week after!

What are you celebrating? 

If you'd like to Celebrate The Small Things, visit our wonderful host, Lexa @ Lexa Cain for more information.  And don't forget to check out her co-hosts:  LG Keltner @ Writing Off the Edge, and Katie @ TheCyborgMom
 

The old linky will be retired, please sign up at the new linky below: 

Celebrate The Small Things -- Sept 19

It's Friday and I'm Celebrating The Small Things!  Celebrate The Small Things is a weekly celebration where some bloggers have decided to post about something worth celebrating...no matter how big or small it is.

This week I'm celebrating not getting to second base with the TSA on my flight home!  It's a miracle!  The nice thing about flying out of (or into) bigger airports is that they have those x-ray machines.  The x-ray machine means less of a chance that I get intimate with the TSA, but it does mean that they get to see me naked in the machine LOL.

I'm also celebrating my bed.  After sleeping on an air mattress for a week it was really nice to sleep in my own bed last night.

And last, but not least, I'm celebrating my husband and kiddos.  I've missed them so much!  It's good to be home :)

Happy Weekend!

What are you celebrating?

If you'd like to Celebrate The Small Things, visit our wonderful host, VikLit @ Scribblings of an Aspiring Author for more information.  And don't forget to check out her co-hosts:  Diana Wilder, LG Keltner @ Writing Off the Edge, Katie @ TheCyborgMom, and CaffeMaggieato @ mscoffeehouse

 

Celebrate The Small Things -- Sept 5

It's Friday and I'm Celebrating The Small Things!  Celebrate The Small Things is a weekly celebration where some bloggers have decided to post about something worth celebrating...no matter how big or small it is.

This week I'm celebrating:

• the kids going back to school...giving me more free time to myself
• my boy turned 11 this week! 

Ever wonder what the perfect gift for an 11 year old boy is?  Well, wonder no more...

Happy Weekend!

What are you celebrating?

If you'd like to Celebrate The Small Things, visit our wonderful host, VikLit @ Scribblings of an Aspiring Author for more information.  And don't forget to check out her co-hosts:  Diana Wilder, LG Keltner @ Writing Off the Edge, Katie @ TheCyborgMom, and CaffeMaggieato @ mscoffeehouse

 

Celebrate The Small Things -- August 22

It's Friday and I'm Celebrating The Small Things!  Celebrate The Small Things is a weekly celebration where some bloggers have decided to post about something worth celebrating...no matter how big or small it is.

This week I'm celebrating surprise schedule changes.  Next month I fly to Nebraska to help my sister-in-law out with my niece and nephew because my brother has to go on a business trip...great excuse to visit with the chicklets :)  So in the original plan, I wouldn't have seen my little bro, just his family.  Well, my brother called just a few days ago to tell me that his trip will actually be shorter than expected, so I'll get to see him for 2 days.  I'll take it!


Happy Weekend!

What are you celebrating?

If you'd like to Celebrate The Small Things, visit our wonderful host, VikLit @ Scribblings of an Aspiring Author for more information.  And don't forget to check out her co-hosts:  Diana Wilder, LG Keltner @ Writing Off the Edge, Katie @ TheCyborgMom, and CaffeMaggieato @ mscoffeehouse

 

Celebrate The Small Things -- August 8

It's Friday and I'm Celebrating The Small Things!  Celebrate The Small Things is a weekly celebration where some bloggers have decided to post about something worth celebrating...no matter how big or small it is.

This week I'm celebrating boxed brownie mix.  I've made brownies from scratch before, and although the brownies were delicious, it was a lot of work.  With a boxed brownie mix, all I have to do is add an egg, and some water and oil...and BAM!  Deliciousness!  I love quick and easy...especially when it's combined with chocolate yumminess :)  And a touch of extra chocolate chips made the brownies even better...hey, you can never have too much chocolate!

What are you celebrating?

If you'd like to Celebrate The Small Things, visit our wonderful host, VikLit @ Scribblings of an Aspiring Author for more information.  And don't forget to check out her co-hosts:  Diana Wilder, LG Keltner @ Writing Off the Edge, Katie @ TheCyborgMom, and CaffeMaggieato @ mscoffeehouse

 

Celebrate The Small Things -- August 1

It's Friday and I'm Celebrating The Small Things!  Celebrate The Small Things is a weekly celebration where some bloggers have decided to post about something worth celebrating...no matter how big or small it is.

This week I'm celebrating our local library.  Just a few years ago our library was renovated and among the new improvements was a teen center.  They have video games, board games, and books of course!  My daughter has been biking (or sometimes I'll just drive her) to the library to meet her friends and "hang out", making use of all the cool stuff the library has to offer.  It's great for her, and I think my son appreciates having the house mostly to himself :)  

I'm also celebrating my new Doctor Who themed ring tone for my new cell phone!  I was very excited when I got my first phone call the other day and heard my Doctor music :)  I wish I could make my house phone do the same thing!

What are you celebrating?

If you'd like to Celebrate The Small Things, visit our wonderful host, VikLit @ Scribblings of an Aspiring Author for more information.  And don't forget to check out her co-hosts:  Diana Wilder, LG Keltner @ Writing Off the Edge, Katie @ TheCyborgMom, and CaffeMaggieato @ mscoffeehouse

 

Celebrate The Small Things -- July 25

It's Friday and I'm Celebrating The Small Things!  Celebrate The Small Things is a weekly celebration where some bloggers have decided to post about something worth celebrating...no matter how big or small it is.

Apologies to everyone for being MIA this past week.  I was away last weekend and I've been having a hard time with my arthritis all week, so my blog has not been on my mind.  I plan on catching up with my blog reading this weekend. 

Anyway...on with the celebrations...

This week I'm celebrating my new smartphone!  Yes, I've moved into the 21st century.  I still have a pay-as-you-go plan because I'm a total cheapskate... but now, in public, I'll look a little less ghetto :)  Thank goodness for my teenage daughter who helped activate and set it up.  Both the phone, and my daughter, are smarter than me!

For the nosy peeps like me...here's the phone I got:  LG Optimus Dynamic II (here is a review on it).  I call it Optimus Prime (from Transformers fame) because I can't remember anything after the optimus part...I'm bad with names!  And I switched over to Tracfone because my brother was raving about his new service with them.  Actually, he's the one who convinced me to get an android phone...he has one and thought I should be as cool as him.  I'm not quite sure that goal was achieved ;)

Also, I purchased my smartphone from ebay and saved a bit of money.  Because I had such a great transaction I figure I'll give the seller I bought if from a little recognition...his username is:  shopcelldeals...and I received Optimus Prime the day after I ordered it...best shipping experience ever!

What are you celebrating?

If you'd like to Celebrate The Small Things, visit our wonderful host, VikLit @ Scribblings of an Aspiring Author for more information.  And don't forget to check out her co-hosts:  Diana Wilder, LG Keltner @ Writing Off the Edge, Katie @ TheCyborgMom, and CaffeMaggieato @ mscoffeehouse

 

Celebrate The Small Things 7/18 and Kids Update

It's Friday and I'm Celebrating The Small Things!  Celebrate The Small Things is a weekly celebration where some bloggers have decided to post about something worth celebrating...no matter how big or small it is.

This week I'm celebrating that both my kiddos are on the mend!  My daughter's sprained shoulder is almost completely healed since hurting it a few weeks ago.  Her acupuncture treatment last week allowed her to play in her softball tournament last weekend...and according to the other softball moms (I couldn't make the games), she played well and didn't seem at all injured.  Thank God!

And my son, while he still has a bit of a sore throat today (it's Thursday afternoon as I write this), he is currently at his friend's house playing.  His spirits are much improved and he has had no fever for two days now.  I'll continue to have him take the Chinese herbs until his throat is completely healed.

I'm also celebrating rainbow cookies.  These are my favorite cookies and I finally found a recipe that is very close to the Italian pastry shop in Brooklyn that my grandparents used to get them from. When I was in high school, my grandparents would visit us every Monday because my grandpa's doctor was close to where we lived.  And every week they'd bring Italian pastry cookies for us, with a load of rainbow cookies for me.  I love you grandma and grandpa!  I hope they have cookies in heaven that are just as delicious as in Brooklyn!

 

For the rainbow cookie recipe, click here.  Changes I made to the original recipe:  I omitted the raspberry jam and substituted almond pie filling for almond paste.  Then I made a ganache out of the chocolate so it wouldn't crack when I cut the cookies.

What are you celebrating?

If you'd like to Celebrate The Small Things, visit our wonderful host, VikLit @ Scribblings of an Aspiring Author for more information.  And don't forget to check out her co-hosts:  Diana Wilder, LG Keltner @ Writing Off the Edge, Katie @ TheCyborgMom, and CaffeMaggieato @ mscoffeehouse

 

Celebrate The Small Things -- June 27

It's Friday and I'm Celebrating The Small Things!  Celebrate The Small Things is a weekly celebration where some bloggers have decided to post about something worth celebrating...no matter how big or small it is.

This week I'm celebrating doing normal things...like washing dishes and loading the dishwasher, doing laundry, vacuuming, cooking, and other various house chores.  I know this may seem like weird things to be celebrating, but over the past few days I've been able to do more than I have in a while.  With all my post-op ankle problems, doing "normal" things, like housework, makes me feel useful.  It's easy to sink into depression when you are in pain...and when you can't do the things you normally do, the depression just gets worse.  I've felt very useless lately (despite my husband assuring me I'm not), and this week was a little boost of happy for me. 

Let's all pray that this is the beginning of more normal days ahead and not just a fluke!

What are you celebrating?

If you'd like to Celebrate The Small Things, visit our wonderful host, VikLit @ Scribblings of an Aspiring Author for more information.  And don't forget to check out her co-hosts:  Diana Wilder, LG Keltner @ Writing Off the Edge, Katie @ TheCyborgMom, and CaffeMaggieato @ mscoffeehouse

 

Celebrate The Small Things -- June 20

It's Friday and I'm Celebrating The Small Things!  Celebrate The Small Things is a weekly celebration where some bloggers have decided to post about something worth celebrating...no matter how big or small it is.

This week I'm celebrating having my brother and his family over for the week.  My little bro lives several states away, which equates to a 20 hour car ride, so we don't get to see each other too often.  I'm loving having him here and visiting with my adorable niece and nephew...they are too cute!

Below is a pic of my son and my nephew watching tv together...they look the same :)

I'm also celebrating good medicine.  My arthritis has been going crazy the past couple of weeks and so I've been taking my newest pain medicine, ConZip (extended release Tramadol), almost every day.  It has really helped take the edge off.

Also celebrating my orthotics...I think they may be helping a bit and I'll take anything I can get!

My brother just reminded me...celebrating old school music that makes you dance in your car like a crazy person.  We heard "The Humpty Dance" twice in three days!  Woot!  Special thanks to Sirius XM radio's 90's on 9!

What are you celebrating?

If you'd like to Celebrate The Small Things, visit our wonderful host, VikLit @ Scribblings of an Aspiring Author for more information.  And don't forget to check out her co-hosts:  Diana Wilder, LG Keltner @ Writing Off the Edge, Katie @ TheCyborgMom, and CaffeMaggieato @ mscoffeehouse

 

Celebrate The Small Things -- June 13

It's Friday and I'm Celebrating The Small Things!  Celebrate The Small Things is a weekly celebration where some bloggers have decided to post about something worth celebrating...no matter how big or small it is.

This week I'm celebrating the fact that I don't have to commute for work.  Twice this week I've commuted from a few towns away and it's taken me over an hour to do a 20 minute ride home and a 30 minute ride home.  If I had to deal with that kind of traffic everyday I'd be a very grumpy person!  I've been a stay at home mom since my daughter was born and am very thankful that I am blessed with that opportunity.  While I have gone a bit crazy at times being a SAHM, I'd be even crazier if I was a commuter!

I'm also celebrating my brother coming to visit this week coming up.  He lives many states away, so I don't get to see him too often.  Can't wait to see him and his family!

Happy Friday the 13th...13 is a lucky number for my family, so I think I'll celebrate that too :)

What are you celebrating?

If you'd like to Celebrate The Small Things, visit our wonderful host, VikLit @ Scribblings of an Aspiring Author for more information.  And don't forget to check out her co-hosts:  Diana Wilder, LG Keltner @ Writing Off the Edge, Katie @ TheCyborgMom, and CaffeMaggieato @ mscoffeehouse

 

Celebrate The Small Things -- June 6

It's Friday and I'm Celebrating The Small Things!  Celebrate The Small Things is a weekly celebration where some bloggers have decided to post about something worth celebrating...no matter how big or small it is.

This week I'm celebrating my in-laws and all of my husband's extended family and good friends.  I am so lucky to have married into an incredible group of people who are kind and generous to me and are great role models for my children.  Having spent last weekend with most of my in-laws, I have to say that it's never something that I don't look forward to.  I may get anxiety, but that has nothing to do with the company I'm keeping...but more to do with how I'm feeling about my medical problems or personal stuff going on with me.  I'm so very blessed to have such wonderful people in my life and in the lives of my children.

Also, I'm celebrating Denino's pizza.  Pizza is my favorite food, and Denino's is my most favorite pizza.  Visiting my old neighborhood last weekend allowed me the chance to enjoy a few slices of heaven :)  Thanks to my hubs for picking it up for me!

What are you celebrating?

If you'd like to Celebrate The Small Things, visit our wonderful host, VikLit @ Scribblings of an Aspiring Author for more information.  And don't forget to check out her co-hosts:  Diana Wilder, LG Keltner @ Writing Off the Edge, Katie @ TheCyborgMom, and CaffeMaggieato @ mscoffeehouse

 

Celebrate The Small Things -- May 30

It's Friday and I'm Celebrating The Small Things!  Celebrate The Small Things is a weekly celebration where some bloggers have decided to post about something worth celebrating...no matter how big or small it is.

This week I'm celebrating good friends who don't make you feel bad when you have to ask them for weird favors.  "Oh, you're going to Bed Bath & Beyond?  Can you pick up some glasses for me?  I'm down to 5 from the original 16 I started with 15 years ago.  I'll give you a check when I see you."  She also took pictures for me and sent them over email so I could see what my options were.  Also, she dropped them to me on her way home.

Never did she make me feel like I was an inconvenience or question why I couldn't just go myself...because she knows my medical problems.

Friends like this are hard to come by.  Thank you Julie!

What are you celebrating?

If you'd like to Celebrate The Small Things, head on over to Scribblings of an Aspiring Author, by VikLit, for more information.

 

Celebrate The Small Things -- May 23

It's Friday and I'm Celebrating The Small Things!  Celebrate The Small Things is a weekly celebration where some bloggers have decided to post about something worth celebrating...no matter how big or small it is.

This week I'm celebrating new linens.  I've had the same towels for about 15 years or so.  Some are bleach stained, and some are starting to unravel.  I'm having company stay for a week next month, so this was the perfect time for an upgrade.  I'm also down to one sheet set...which is a pain when I have to do laundry.  I hate having to worry about washing, drying, and putting my sheets back on all in one shot.  An extra set gives me a little more wiggle room to be lazy :)

Also celebrating the 15% cash back from Ebates.com for ordering all my new linens from JCPenney online (never even had to leave my house!).  Just an extra little something to look forward to...a rebate check coming in the mail in a few weeks.  (Anyone interested in joining Ebates.com, click here and I get a little kickback for the referral.)

BTW...all this is SO #firstworldproblems and I'm well aware of it!  But this is a little things celebration, so I'm entitled to be happy about whatever I'd like :)

What are you celebrating?

If you'd like to Celebrate The Small Things, head on over to Scribblings of an Aspiring Author, by VikLit, for more information.

 

Celebrate The Small Things -- May 16

It's Friday and I'm Celebrating The Small Things!  Celebrate The Small Things is a weekly celebration where some bloggers have decided to post about something worth celebrating...no matter how big or small it is.

This week I'm celebrating my grandma.  It's been a few years now since she's passed, but I have things of hers that remind me of her.  The pictures that I took for my post on Wednesday were taken on the chair of hers that sits in my bedroom.  My daughter went to her 8th grade dance a couple of weeks ago and she and her friends were checking themselves out in the mirror that hangs in my living room that once hung in my grandmother's "parlor".  I even have my grandma's sugar shaker that we used the other day to dust some powdered sugar onto our french toast.

I love you grandma!  I'm so happy to have so many reminders of you in my life!

What are you celebrating?

If you'd like to Celebrate The Small Things, head on over to Scribblings of an Aspiring Author, by VikLit, for more information.

 

Celebrate The Small Things...May 9th Edition

I'm Celebrating The Small Things!  Celebrate The Small Things is a weekly celebration where some bloggers have decided to post about something worth celebrating...no matter how big or small it is.

This week has been a rough one for me, which is why I'm posting on Sunday instead of the usual Friday.  See, I threw my back out Tuesday night and have been in bed popping muscle relaxers ever since.  Today is the first day that I've come downstairs to sit.  Through all of this yuckiness, I'm thankful for a few things...

• My wonderful supportive husband
• My helpful (most of the time) kiddos
• My comfortable bed
• Muscle relaxers
• Heat packs

Without any of these, I may still be lying in my bed!

What are you celebrating?

If you'd like to Celebrate The Small Things, head on over to Scribblings of an Aspiring Author, by VikLit, for more information.

 

Celebrate The Small Things -- May 2

It's Friday and I'm Celebrating The Small Things!  Celebrate The Small Things is a weekly celebration where some bloggers have decided to post about something worth celebrating...no matter how big or small it is.

This week I'm celebrating the end of my first A to Z Challenge!  I'm so grateful to my friend, Nicole, for telling me about this challenge.  When she first filled me in on the details, I was very hesitant to take this on.  But I'm so glad I decided to just say, "f*ck it" and do it anyway!  I've met lots of cool people and come across some fantastic blogs.  Now I have to think of a theme for next year :)

What are you celebrating?

If you'd like to Celebrate The Small Things, head on over to Scribblings of an Aspiring Author, by VikLit, for more information.

 

Celebrate The Small Things -- April 25

It's Friday and I'm Celebrating The Small Things!  Celebrate The Small Things is a weekly celebration where some bloggers have decided to post about something worth celebrating...no matter how big or small it is.

This week I'm celebrating that my husband was able to fix our washing machine with minimal time used and zero dollars spent.  Let me repeat that last part...ZERO DOLLARS SPENT.  Things like this never happen!  Turns out that one of my daughter's socks got caught in the pump.  The washer was draining and the motor would make a humm, but nothing would happen.  My husband is our washing machine hero of the week.

Of course, he fixed it after I drove a half an hour away and spent the afternoon doing laundry at my mother-in-laws. :)  At least I got a free lunch!

What are you celebrating?

If you'd like to Celebrate The Small Things, head on over to Scribblings of an Aspiring Author, by VikLit, for more information.