Bella Country

Friends

2010-02-06T22:25:38-08:00

I love my friends!

I am blessed to have so many friends.

All different, but many.

I have my husband to is my ultimate friend.

My sister who is my hilarious friend. Not one time have ever gotten together and not laughed our selves silly! She is the friend that will tell me my hair looks stupid, or that I look homeless!

I have my foodie friends, those are the friends that would bring my family dinner after a rough day or health scare.

I have my shopping friends.

I have my oldest and dearest friend that I have know since the 4th grade.

I'm just very very blessed.

The best part about my friends is that they are all real, just like me, and we don't judge.

Although we love to get a laugh at each others expense!

For example....

My good friend Angie and I are taking a class together at church.

Angie always rolls in a minuter or two late, and I know its because she squeezes every last minute of sleep in before she has to get up.

So here we are listening to the speaker, talking amongst our table group. That's when I look over at Angie and I notice that her shirt in on INSIDE OUT!

Now yo have to know Ang is my classy put together friend. Always looks good, lovely Italian scarf, beautiful jewlery.

Being the classy lady I am...

I could not let this slide. A sweet sensitive friend would just quietly lean over and whisper in her ear, OH not me... I look over and say

Oh Angie I love you... even though your shirts on inside out!!!

BAh HA HA HA HA

By this time I'm laughing so hard I have tears running down my face, then she catches on and starts in with me.

We have disrupted our whole table and half of the room!

When our table leader asks us what the problem is I turn to Angie point continue to laugh out loud!

Oh don't you want to be my friend?

Hills and Valleys

2009-10-19T13:54:45-08:00

I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

Jeremiah 29: 11-13

I know that everyone goes through hills and valleys...sometimes it just hard to remember that it happens to everyone & it's normal.

I have been stuck in a valley.

Big stuck ~ Big Valley!

Between everyday life, kids, husband, struggling with finances, & working full time, I was feeling defeated. The straw that broke the camels back… I was in a car accident and totaled my mini van. To say I was devastated is an understatement. Yes… I thank God that no one was hurt. But I was stuck in mourning for our family car. That mini van was tied to my independence. Without it I am totally dependent on others. ~~Plus I don’t share well with others. I want my own car!~~

One day last week I was having an especially hard time. Every morning I read a daily devotional on line. The scripture of the day was Jeremiah 29: 11-13. I thought… wow that hits home this morning. That evening I was surfing through some blogs, guess what… there it was again. Jeremiah 29: 11-13.

I called Husband over.

(I was bawling.)

~~He loves it when I do the ugly cry….~~

Me: Look, this scripture came across my laptop/crack berry screen twice today. Do you think it’s a coincidence?

Husband: Well DUH… no! ~~Ain't he precious~~ I think God is telling you something.

Ok so I will try & listen. I then get a 5x7 card and write Jeremiah 29: 11-13 and put it in my pocket. I’ve had it with me since.

The very next day Angie (the better half of this Web/Blog Adventure) came to my house with roses and a card for me. She rocks like that! That is so Angie to bring me pink baby roses and a card when I’m struggling. I love her! I open the card and guess what scripture she has hand written on the card. Yep… Jeremiah 29: 11-13!

Me: looking up… OK God I get it!!!!!!! You are my hope and my Future. You will take care of me.

Sometimes I just need a reminder that he is in control…. NOT me!

Thank You Lord!

It's begining to look a lot....

2009-08-31T14:25:27-08:00

I love FALL!
It is my very favorite time of year. Everything is getting ready to hunker down for the cold winter. I can feel it in the cool mornings. I can see the sun setting a little earlier each day. I went on a bike ride this weekend and saw that the apple trees are full of fruit, They look like a Mother that is 9 months pregnant. Very tired and heavy. This time of year I always start nesting around the house, lighting candles, baking and generally puttering around the house.
I will be writing and posting more, so please take a look back!
I hope you all enjoy this time of year as much as I do!

A Day In The Life

2009-07-14T21:35:20-08:00

7:00 am – Wake up…. Late

7:05 a.m. Jump in the shower. Run like a chicken with my head cut off getting ready for work.

8:00 am – Arrive to place of employment on time. Whew!

8:02 a.m. finish hair do in employee bathroom.

8:05 am – receive phone call from husband.

Me: This is Kal

Husband: Hey did I tell you I made a dentist appointment for our son and myself for today?

Me: Um no.

Husband: Oh yeah, Son is getting a root canal and I am getting MY WISDOM TEETH PULLED!!!!

Me: WHAT?

Husband: Oh yeah it will be fine.

Me: WHAT? GRRRRRRRRRRRREAT!

10:30 a.m.

Leave work super early to assists family at the dentist.

11:30 a.m. Arrive at dentist office

12:30 p.m. FINALLY get Son into the dentist chair.

2:00 p.m. Son gets out of the chair & Husband gets in.

2:05 p.m. Son and daughter decide that the dentist waiting room SUCKS. They go to the trusty family mini van.

3:00 p.m. Get husband out of dentist chair ~ minus 2 wisdom teeth. That he now has in his pocket. (Gross!)

3:05 Get ~~half stoned~~ groggy husband into the trusty family mini van.

3:06 Try to start the trusty family mini van. No Luck! The trusty family mini van ain’t so trusty today.

Please remember now… I have a 13 year old son who just had a root canal. And a 37 year old ~~baby~~, husband that has just had his wisdom teeth ~~yanked out of his head~~ pulled. And a teenage daughter. ( who thinks we super suck & she knows EVERYTHING)

3:07

Me: WHY WON”T THE VAN START?

17 yr old ~~smarter than everyone~~ Daughter: I don’t know why it won’t start? The only thing I did was LISTEN TO THE RADIO AND RUN THE AIR CONDITIONER FOR 2 HOURS. But it should be ok because I didn’t turn the car on all the way.

Me: WHAT!

Needless to say: We now have a very dead battery.

Husband: Beep Bleep Beep BLEEP BEEP BLEEP!!!!! We are censoring what Husband said cuz this is a family blog. He is trying to ~~scream~~ talk with a mouth full of gauze. Can’t understand a thing except those dad gum cuss word come out perfectly clear. Huh?

So now I have a crying female teenager also.~~Thanks to my ever so sensitive husband.~~

3:15 I ask the scary man parked next to us if he would give me a jump.

Scary man: Uh huh

Me: Thank you!

Scary man: Uh huh

We finally get the trusty family mini van running. I pack up 1 son, who bless his heart is being very patient and helpful. 1 ~~crying hormonal teenage~~ daughter and one ~~very grumpy~~, in pain, bleeding husband.

FYI:

If you ever get your wisdom teeth pulled and are on blood thinners for a heart condition, please tell the dentist. That way the proper procedures can be set in place and you will not bleed ~~buckets of blood~~ a lot. And your lovely wife will not get the daylights scared out of her. She may even get some sleep that night. Instead of lurking over you, worried that you are bleeding to death in front of her very eyes.

Just a little friendly advice.

4:15 Arrive home. Drag ~~half stoned~~ groggy husband out of mini van. Put him to bed on the couch. By now Son has recover and is reeking havoc in the hood. Daughter has recovered from the frustration that was taken out on her. I transferred more money into our children’s counseling fund.

4:30 Make a large pot of soup for boys to slurp on for the next several days.

9:00 p.m. Blogging. ~~Lurking over~~ Watching husband STILL bleeding buckets. Wondering why I am not a raging alcoholic.

Soon I will go to bed and start all over again tomorrow!

Weekend Ideas

2009-07-11T10:58:11-08:00

If your looking for something fun and relaxing to do this weekend...
here are a couple of ideas.

Last Friday night husband and I went to the movies to see The Proposal.

This movie is so good. Even husband thought it was funny. Anything with Sandra Bullock is good by me. Betty White is hilarious! What a treat to get to watch her. Over all.... a great movie.

I also have done a bit of reading...

This was a good summer time read. A quick easy read, but very entertaining.
I have never read anything by Elin Hilderbrand, but I was not disappointed. She has several other books that I will be searching out.

So...
those are my suggestions. If you need to sit back in the air conditioning and take it easy.
Have fun! Happy Saturday.

Be Simple ~ Be Genuine ~ Behave

Thankful Thursday!

2009-07-09T13:58:47-08:00

Welcome to our first
Thankful Thursday!!

This week I am thankful that I was given the opportunity to be a part of my niece's wedding!
It was the most beautiful wedding I had ever been to.

Her Dad (my brother-in-law) brought her in in his jeep.

This is right after they said "I do"
The view from that spot was beautiful. The weather was perfect.
All in all it was fabulous!

This is the happy couple at the reception.

I am so lucky to have this young lady in my life. She is truly a blessing to me. I was honored to be involved and to get to do so much. It was a blast!

Thanks for reading!
Happy Thursday!
It's almost the weekend!!!!!1

New Idea

2009-07-07T21:04:01-08:00

I'm thinking about doing a "Thankful Thursday Post". Every Thursday I will post about what I am thankful for that week. I don't know about anybody else, but I tend to forget all I have to be thankful for. I need to remind myself how lucky I am. I am truly blessed, but I do get caught up in the craziness of everyday life, working full time, raising kids and my husband.

So… look forward to Thankful Thursday coming this week.

Jesus loves casserole's too!

2009-07-07T20:00:00-08:00

Go over and see Timi.
She has a great new Wednesday posts. It is called "Jesus Loves Casseroles Too!" She is hilarious! You won't be sorry.
It's great! Go over and get a new recipe or two. She is also asking for more recipes. I know as soon as I get a chance I will be sending her one or two.

I'm having a hard time getting things to link correctly. If it isn't working, Timi's blog site is...
http://agirlnamedtimi.blogspot.com/

Hey there.....

2009-06-23T14:13:41-08:00

Tomorrow is the day... My baby girl gets back form Vegas.

I can't wait!

She did get to meet Elvis while she was there!

On another note....
Did anyone watch Jon & Kate + 8 last night?
How sad. I hate to see anyone get a divorce, but when there is 8 kids its extra sad.
It sure makes me thank God for all the blessings I have.
I reminded my husband last night that he could never leave me, ~~because I would hunt him down like a dog~~ for I would be lost without him.

Happy Tuesday!

It's true!

2009-06-18T13:41:15-08:00

This is a pretty bad picture, but the sign says...

Our shopping carts will lock if taken beyond the parking lot perimeter. While distinctive yellow lines mark the normal exits, the entire perimeter is protected.

It is true!
I had to try it, I could not help myself, I had to know.

Yep those wheels lock right up. Then a ~~very grumpy~~ Walgreens employee will have to come out with the fancy smancy remote & unlock the wheels. Then she frowns at you, even if you smile and say " Opps..I guess I parked really close to the perimeter!"

Well, she did it

2009-06-17T19:29:49-08:00

My sweet ~~baby~~ girl left me for Vegas tonight. She actually boarded a plane and ~~abandoned me~~ flew to Las Vegas for a week. Her and a girlfriend went for a week to be with family of her friend. I just let my 17 year old baby girl go to VEGAS!!! I need valium!
I'm praying that she...

1. Won't become a show girl
2. Won't get married (by Elvis)
3. Will stay away from the tattoo parlor
4. Won't say " I can double your money"
5. Doesn't find out how much strippers can make!
6. I pray she acts like Mommy not Daddy! :-)

I also hope she has the time of her life!!!

I do have a bit of a control issues. So I will struggle the next week with her being away. I also tend to worry ALOT! I'm going to try my best to relax and think positive. I know she will have a fabulous time.

I am concerned about the show girl thing! :-)
I'm pretty sure I busted her practicing her moves today!
I

Why I can't ever go to Starbucks again!

2009-06-11T14:30:23-08:00

Last Friday on my way to work I decide I NEED Starbucks. So I take my cute little self out for a latte. Keep in mind that it is a Friday morning at 7:30. Lots of poeple also getting there lattes. So I order my venti iced coffee with sugar free hazelnut. As I wait I am talking to my sister on my cell. I know.. total rudness!

I'm just a chatin' away, when all of the sudden I hear a loud crashing and shattering sound. It dawns on me that it is the sound of glass breaking. LOTS of glass breaking. For a split second I pray that it was not me. I turn around to see that some idiot knocked over the whole display. About .5 seconds later I relize I am that idiot! As I'm talking I don't relize how close my big ole butt is to the display and knock it over. Yes people, OVER as in on the ground.
3 french presses
several glass coffee mugs
and alot of traveling car cups.
They all go crashing down. Glass shattering everywhere.
Of coarse the first thing I do is look for someone else to blame. No one was within a 3 foot area, except me! I didn't even have my kids with me. I so would have blamed my kids. And then bought them a dog or something to make up for it. But oh no just me.

The lady was nice, but I know they are still talking about the moron that can't control the direction of her own butt.

Needless to say I can never go into that Starbucks again. Now I have to drive all the way across own to get my fix.

So next time your day sucks, just think.... At least I didn't knock over $200 worth of Starbucks crap!

Great Weekend!

2009-06-10T14:31:00-08:00

The Farm Chicks Show

It was absolutely fabulous! We went for our second year and walked away so pleased! It is just the best. We both found some great finds. ( we will go over those next time.) But I think the best part was the people. No joke when I say everyone is so nice.

We stood in line with the sweetest ladies. The group in front of us was a hoot! The gals behind us were just wonderful to visit with.

We participated in the Blog Badge idea that Kim @ Camp Whimsy came up with. Each of us bloggers would wear a badge with our blog name on it. So we could put a face with the blog. Brilliant! It was such a great way to meet other bloggers. And it drew attention to our blog. Thank you Kim!

Funny thing is we ran into several bloggers but not Kim! She came up with the idea and we didn’t even get to meet her. Maybe next time!

Here is who we were lucky enough to meet!

We ran into Timi of A Girl Named Timi & her great friend Laura of WSU Laura. They were so funny! Timi cracks me up. I have never met Laura before, OHhhh she is equally as funny. The two of them together. Watch Out!

I need to give a shout out to Timi. She is after all a big reason we are bloggers! We met her at last years show. She gave me her card and I loved her blog so well, I guess I wanted to copy her!

Angie had suggested we blog for quite awhile, but I wasn’t sold on the idea. Then after last years show I started nosing around blogs. I fell in love! Angie was right, she told me we would love it!

We also met Lisa form A Thing For Roses ~ She is just precious. So sweet, and a gorgeous booth!

We ran into Laurie form Magpie Ethel. She is gorgeous and so kind. She was shopping with her sweet mother. They were having a blast.

Elaine from Tinker Verve had a great booth. She spent some of her time visiting with us.

Auntie Joy was there with her great booth. She welcomed us so sweetly into the bloggy world.

Arlene from Heart rocks Home. She had the best bags! UH, I had to have one. She was so sweet! She told me she loved my laugh! That made my day.

I know we met some more but I can’t remember their names. Please forgive me. ( you all know I am raising teenagers) I shall say no more!

I’m sorry this is so long. The whole point is the ladies are so sweet, and welcoming! It was a pleasure to get to meet and visit with all of them.

By the way... We heard there were a couple gals that came from Georgia! We met two gals that came from Florida!!!!!!!

I can't say enough!

2009-06-08T11:00:43-08:00

On my....
The Farm Chicks Show was AMAZING! I can't say it enough!
We saw some beautiful things. Met some amazing women. Got some great treasures.
I will post more later!

But.... I did get to meet these lovely ladies..

They autographed my cookbook!
It went liked this!

Waited in line.
They asked my name, Teri commented about my Blog Badge.
I gave them my card for this blog.
They smiled.
I smiled.
They signed my book.

We are practically BFF's!

24 Hours Until Farm Chicks!!!!!!!!

2009-06-05T10:22:49-08:00

Farm Chicks or Bust!

Teri & Serena here we come!

Angie & I are leaving right after work!

Nails done… check

Mini Van washed, vacuumed out, (you would never believe the crap I found in there) fueled up, oil changed….check

All extra seats removed from mini van…..check (we may find something big!!!)

Bags packed…check

Husbands and children taken care of….check

Cash in hand…check

Camera…check

Book for autographing…check

Good walking shoes….check

Blog Badge….check

Super cute vintage red cart…. check

I think we are ready!

Whoo Yhoo!!!!!!!

Farm Chicks here we come!!!!!!!!!!

2009-06-03T08:08:00-08:00

This is the weekend Angie and I have been waiting for!

Farm Chicks!

We are heading north to Spokane this weekend for the most fab show ever. We went last year and had the best time. So many great vendors and the people... Crowds of people, but the amazing thing is I don't remember one single crabby person. Everyone is so nice. Its like a big party!

Kim at Camp Whimsy came up with the brilliant idea to make blog badges, so we could pick each other out. Even though Angie and I are pretty new to the bloggy world we thought why not. After seeing what an awesome job Timi did we just had to.

SOOOOOOOOOO..... Here are our blog badges...

Bella Country.com
Be Simple ~ Be Genuine ~ Behave

Please look for us!
If you see us give us a shout.

Angie's is the brown & pink and mine is the all brown. Some may say that her's is pink because she is way sweet & mine is all brown because I'm full of sh.... Never mind,its not true. No matter what our husbands say! The lie!!!!

Hope you see you there. It is so worth it!

Farm Chicks or Bust!!!!!!!

Reusable bags

2009-05-24T17:40:00-08:00

Don’t get me wrong by no means am I, as husband would say a “tree hugger”. But as time in my life goes by I think I could be making some better choices. So baby steps, here we go.

First step… reusable grocery bags. Love them! I seem to have collected several of them. Some are just plain bags but a few of them are really great. It has been a nice change from having 9,000 of those dumb plastic bags around. Although my kids are getting tired of running out to the car while the grumpy checker lady glares at me for holding up her line. Of coarse I don’t remember the bags until I’m in line and see the other earth conscious people with their bags. As the crab behind me is snorting, I give her the “Oh get off it lady, I’m saving the environment!” glare.

You should pick up a few. I’ve seen them for a little as two for a dollar.

The first one I bought was at Trader Joe’s. I don’t know if you’re familiar with TJ’s. It is a great grocery store. Our closest store is in Seattle. On our last adventure to the area I decided I wanted to scope out good ole Trader Joe. Well due to circumstances out of my control Husband came with me. I guess I forgot to tell him TJ’s is mainly organic. Oh that went over well “What is this? Organic crap?”

All I heard for the two hour ride home is “I suppose now your gonna stop shaving your legs too.” One reusable grocery sack and a cart of organics and the man is so nervous he can hardly see straight.

Moral of that story… Next time husband will wait in the car.

Oh yeah, and I LOVE reusable bags!

Dueling laptops...

2009-05-23T19:13:50-08:00

This is what Angie and I do when we get together....

We sit side by side with our twin laptops.
(matching laptops not planned)

I'm not a jealous person

2009-04-29T13:18:22-08:00

But then my coworker pulls up in this...

And then he lets this clown drive it...

My Husband

Now that's Crap!

I'm not jealous or bitter! Uh huh yep...I promise...

Welcome to the Northwest

2009-04-21T12:19:39-08:00

It's a crazy world here. My last post was one week ago today. It was snowing buckets!
Please look back at the pic.
So this was yesterday...

Can you read it? That is the temp thingy in my car. Yep... in one week we go from snow to the 80's. The weather man says 84 today!
Bring it on! I'm so ready!

This is getting out of hand!

2009-04-14T16:51:08-08:00

This is what was waiting for us this morning...

This is looking out the front doors of my office.
HELLO.... It's April
This is getting old. I am wearing capris and sandals today.
I WANT SPRING!!!!
That was me throwing a fit.
I'm done now.

Two of my favorites...

2009-04-13T14:01:16-08:00

Please meet my children...
They make me laugh, they make me cry.
I would be lost without them.

I am so totally blessed.

My latest Favorite!

2009-04-13T13:55:00-08:00

I found a new favorite grocery store!

It is FABULOUS! They have rows and rows of bulk stuff. Everything from baking goods, to dog food.

I'm in love!
The closest WinCo to me is about an hour away. So worth the Drive!
If you have one near you...Please pay it a visit. You won't be sorry!

Sunday morning muffins

2009-03-29T18:25:00-08:00

I made these for breakfast.
Orange poppy Seed Muffins.
For the recipe go to our Be Delicious page on our web site.
www.bellacountry.com

I wanna be here...

2009-03-23T15:01:48-08:00

I want to be here...

With the sunshine, a good book & a Diet Pepsi!

It's Spring!!!!!!!

2009-03-22T15:22:27-08:00

My oh my… I believe spring may have sprung! It has been so nice here the last three days. I did some spring cleaning yesterday.

I can’t wait to start yard sailing, and spending time outside.

I’ve been told my pictures are too big and take to long to download. So I am trying to figure out how to compress my pictures, so until then I will hold off on the pictures.

I’m working on s painting project, I will post about when I’m done. I hope it turns out. So far so good.

Have a Happy Sunday!

Happy St. Patricks Day

2009-03-17T12:29:06-08:00

Happy St. Patricks Day!

I hope you wore green today!
I made green cupcakes early this morning.

Sorry about the bad picture. Its from my phone. My counter tops are not really pink. The sun was shining through my red curtains.

I bought these for my desk....

I could not help it. They called for me.

Oh My

2009-03-16T14:23:00-08:00

Please meet Bitsy. Our not so itsy Bitsy, (she has a bit of a weight issue). Quite possibly the most precious, spoiled dog ever. She gets treated better than some children.

You don’t want to get me started.

Two things I love

2009-03-13T13:46:08-08:00

To things you will usually never see me without….. My cell phone & my journal.

I am one of those sick people that are totally attached to their cell. We’ve totally bonded her & I. I take her everywhere I go.

My journal is almost always with me. I write down everything. I jot down my thoughts, my ideas, things that I see and love. Sometimes I look back in it, nothing makes sense but it did at the time. Oh it was journal worthy.

I am a bit addicted to journals. I tend to buy them more than I need. There are just so many cool ones out there. This green one is my latest addition. Happy writing!

More about our Road Trip!

2009-03-12T11:33:20-08:00

Here is some more about our day trip to Seattle. After leaving the Market, we went to the water front for lunch.

We ate here……

You can order a Seafest. They cook tons of seafood, corn. potatoes, and sausage, all together in a large pot. The waiter puts butcher paper on your table, they bring you a board and a wooden mallet. When your Seafest is ready your waiter just dumps it all out on your table.

No lie.

Its awesome. Crab, shrimp, oysters, clams, fish, and so much more.

Oh also they give you bibs to wear. OK normally you wouldn’t catch me in a bib, but when in Rome. It totally saved my shirt. I was going to post a picture of me in my lovely bib, but it won't upload. Oh Well! :-)

If you get the chance you should try it. It makes lunch much more of an experience.