A Friday Funny!

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Tell Me What is on Your Mind, Baby Girl!

A year or so ago, I found myself struggling as a Mother. I felt that I must have been doing something wrong because Allison wasn't the Allison she once was. She wasn't happy all the time like she used to be. She was cranky. She complained about everything. She was not not nice to be around. Quite frankly, I didn't like the person I thought she was becoming. I felt the strong connection we once had with each other was slowly slipping away.

Of course as I usually do with most things, I blamed myself. I told myself that it was because I was working full time. It was because I couldn't give her the attention that she needed. I felt that if I didn't have such a stressful job, then I would have more energy in the evening to be the Mom I wanted to be . . . instead it took everything I had just to get through homework, dinner, bath and bedtime.

I shared this with her teacher last year. Thankfully, she said she didn't see all of this in class. However, she did tell me that she was about to tell me something that I probably didn't want to hear. Oh. My. Word! I gasped! What could it be????? Those few seconds ripped through my soul just anticipating what I was about to hear about my once sweet baby girl!  I braced myself and her teacher said "puberty." Oh geez! I had not even thought about that! Allison is physically such a tiny little thing that I sometimes forget that she is maturing! The teacher was wrong! I am so glad she brought that to my attention. It was the answer to my frustration and self-persecution!  Amen!

The teacher also shared with me that I shouldn't be too concerned with how she is at home. Was she serious??? Did she not know that I sometimes referred to her as the spawn of the devil??? Anyway, once she explained, I understood. She said that Allison was a perfectly sweet, well-mannered little girl with a great sense of humor who was always kind and sweet to everyone in her class. WHAT??? Were we talking about the same kid????  She continued . . . she said that I should be thankful that we've created an environment at home where Allison can feel comfortable and safe. That she can let her hair down and just relax in the comfort of our home when she isn't at her best. I'll take that! It was a great compliment!

So. Now that I knew puberty was to blame for what we had been going through, I needed to find a way to bridge the gap in our relationship that was slowly getting larger. I knew the most difficult time for a Mother and a daughter was just a few years away and if I didn't handle this right away, things could really get ugly.

One of the things I saw on a blog several years ago was a Mother/Daughter journal. Sadly, they had lost their youngest child in a horrific, backyard, freak accident. Their therapist had suggested this journal idea to the Mother for a way to communicate with her older daughters. I thought it was a such a great idea! I put it back in my arsenal of Mom ideas that I may need some day.

I think the day had come that I needed to pull this idea out and put it to use. I found this hardback journal and thought it was perfect for keeping the "peace" between Allison and I.

One the inside front cover, I wrote a little letter to Allison explaining what the journal was and how it was to be used.

"Allison,
This book is between just you and me. It's for no one else to see. If you have a question, thought, or some love to share, use this journal and put it under my pillow. I will write back with my thoughts, questions, and love and return it to under your pillow.
Love,
Mom
XOXOXO"

I share it, here on my blog, not just because it's a great idea but to share a few my observations of the benefits of this journal.

• Some of the questions Allison has asked in this journal, she has never spoken of or mentioned before. This makes me realize there is a lot going on in that brain of hers. By having this tool of communication, she can ask questions or bring up subjects that she may not feel comfortable approaching in person.
• Since some of the questions are "heavy", this allows me time to think it through and answer her with my perspective on the subject in detail and completely. If I need to ask her Daddy about his opinion on the subject, again, I have time before replying.
• Another benefit of this journal is that it is used as a reference book. Allison can look back on it to review my perspective or advice on the subjects we address in this book.

These are just a few benefits but there are so many more.

If you have a daughter, I highly suggest you start one. She will get to know you a little better and you will get an inside look into the person she is becoming. It doesn't take much time at all. It is not an every day thing for us. We use it when we need it.

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Yesterday's Results!

Not that you get your news from my blog but I felt the need to post the results of the 2012 Presidential Election. I hesitated at first because it's my personal policy not to discuss politics publicly. I just feel too much nastiness results from individuals on opposing sides trying to promote/discuss/defend their candidates. I'm happy for the passion that voters have about our candidates and our country. It's just too often the "discussion" turns ugly and I would rather not be a part of it. After all, let's face it. We all are individuals and are not ever going to agree on everything. However, we do have to live next to each other, work together, shop at the same grocery store and attend the same church. At the end of the day, we need to get along in spite of our differences of opinion and be examples to our children. The nastiness that results from opposing political sides is not the example I want to set for my child. We have impressed upon our daughter that no matter if you agree or disagree on the outcome of the election, you must and will support and respect the individual that holds the position. You don't have to like his choices but you will give him the respect he deserves.  Okay...enough said!

Congratulations, President Obama on your re-election!

May you bring this country back together as one nation under God!

And just because I can't believe how much Sasha & Malia have grown, here is a photo from the 2008 Election. Haven't the girls grown into beautiful young women! Truth be told, I kind of feel sorry for them having to live their teenage and high school years in the White House!

Can you imagine a boy calling to talk to Sasha? . . . Let alone trying to ask her to prom?

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I Did! Did you?

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Trick-or-Treat 2012

Thanks to Hurricane Sandy, our trick-or-treat was moved to Saturday, November 3rd. Saturday turned out to be a cold and wet day. I did not want to go. In fact, I offered Allison $20 and a trip to Baldinger's instead of going trick-or-treating but she wasn't having it! So, I did what any dedicated Mother would do and sucked it up.

Allison wanted to go as a Gothic Nerd. We did our best to come up with her "level" of Gothic . . . which was really just the skull skirt, suspenders, hair bows, black clothing and dark lipstick. I'm so glad she didn't want to go to the extreme!

She wears the "nerd" look so well!

 The neighborhood trick-or-treaters. 

Usually it's just Allison and the three boys who are on the step with her. However, we picked up 3 more this year. The pirate and the little princess just moved into our neighborhood a couple of months ago from Oklahoma and we also had a little lion who moved here from Nebraska a couple of months ago too. Although, our little lion was 18 months old and did not want to stand still for a picture.

To the left here is my little observation of the candy given out these days.

Please do not think I'm complaining, because I would rather not have any candy in this house. This is just my observation.

The Hershey bar is a regular size candy bar. One house gave them out and the kids walking away from the house were all commenting. I also gave out the full size Hershey bars but I only had to buy 6 since that is all we ever get at our house  - our little group. 

Anyway, look at the size of the Kit Kat! It is like 1/8 the size of a normal sized bar. I haven't seen anything so small! It probably costs more to make the wrapper than the candy!

Hope you had a great Halloween and Trick-or-Treat!

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Silent Sunday's Inspiration!

Starting with today, I am going to follow many blogs out in blogland and designate Sundays as silent on my blog. I'm not going to chat about anything. I know! It's going to be hard for me to keep my mouth shut but I know I can do it . . . although Curtis will disagree! Love you, honey! 

I'm actually going to go one step further and share a picture, a quote, a prayer, a funny or something that inspires or speaks to me. I hope you enjoy!

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Finally a Welcome!

We live in a townhouse and unfortunately there isn't a whole lot of opportunities to show your personality on the exterior of your home. The homeowners association frowns upon changing any exterior colors. If I had my way, my front door wouldn't be white but it is what it is so I make the best of it. Actually, maybe it's a good thing I'm not allowed to paint my own front door....I do have pink, green, tan and lilac walls on the inside of my home! Gosh, can you imagine if we were all allowed to paint our own colors on the outside? It would probably look like Willy Wonka threw up!

Anyway. A couple of years ago, I ordered the word "Welcome" in black vinyl to put on my front door. It's been sitting on top of my refrigerator ever since it came in. I'm kind of getting tired of moving it when I dust up there so it was time to put the puppy on the front door! Actually, I didn't want to put it on because the front door needed painted and who has time to paint the front door? Not me! Well the HOA hired someone to paint all of our front doors. Bonus!!! Lucky for me!!!

What do you think?

 I know it has been around blogland for sometime and it's old news but I LOVE it! 

It just sets us apart from the other front doors!

I think Mr. & Mrs. Pilgrim love it too!

(Sorry for the glare from the storm door!)

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They Don't Make Bakeries Like This Anymore!

Now that I am back to blogging (at least for now), I'm going about my day differently. Well if not differently, at least I'm thinking more about the daily events of my day.

I find myself thinking about blog posts.

I find myself looking for inspiration for blog posts.

I find myself . . . well . . . BORING!

Seriously, my life isn't that exciting!

For example, my inspiration for today was my morning coffee cup. Yay!  See what I mean!  BOOORRRRRRING!

Oh well! As the title of my blog states, "This is My Life..."  Hmm, maybe I should change it to "This is My BORING Life!"  Anyway, I'm happy with MY life . . . well most of it. If I could, I would change a few things but they are not the really important things so I guess I'm doing pretty good.

 Okay, back to our regularly scheduled blog post:

When I said in my title that "They don't make bakeries like this anymore!", I meant it. 

Kretchmar's Bakery in Beaver, Pennsylvania has been around since 1960. It is on its third generation of owners in the same family. Kretchmar's is a traditional hometown bakery.

Kretchmar's is located in Beaver County, Pennsylvania. Beaver County is where I grew up. Even though I wish I still lived in that county (for many reasons), I am glad that I live in the neighboring county of Butler. 

You see, if I still lived there, I would be a 1000 pounds and broke!

Kretchmar's is one of my weaknesses . . . or maybe it's an addiction! 

I'm not sure which but it's definitely my drug of choice!

And with so many of the hometown bakeries dying off, I make it my personal mission to help Kretchmar's stay in business every time I go home for a visit. 

Yup! That's it! They need me! Seriously, they do!

Okay, okay! They really don't but at least in my mind they do!
Please let me have that at least!

I hope you enjoy the little tour I've put together for you of Kretchmar's Bakery!

Kretchmar's Bakery is located on Third Street in Beaver which is actually the main street through town.

Whether you are coming from the left or . . .

 . . . the right, you can't miss the hometown feel of this bakery.

 As you step through the front door, you are greeted by 3 huge display cases of the most delectable confections you could ever imagine. Fresh baked breads and doughnuts are located in the display wall behind the middle display case.

 A closer look to the left and there are many traditional cookies along with iced sugar cookies of the current season.

The display case to the right holds the most amazing selection of tortes to tempt you. They even make them in mini versions that serves two. They are just perfect for a sweet treat after a home cooked meal with your hunny or you could just leave the mini torte in the fridge and take a bite of it every time you open the door. Not that I would have ever done that!

 There are so many choices in the cases that even a President has trouble making a decision.

Yes, as President Obama was traveling through Beaver in July of this year, he stopped at Kretchmar's and picked up an Apple Pie and some cookies. (Please do not leave any political comments or nastiness on this blog. Currently, he is the sitting President and deserves respect for being the leader of this country.)

And now for some of the goodies!

They have everything....

Chocolate chip cookes

 

Butterball cookies

Butter with sprinkles cookies

 Brownies

 Eclairs

Cinnamon swirl donuts

Claws filled with apricot, raspberry or nut fillings.

All types of danish filled with almond, apple, apricot, blueberry, cheese, cherry, cinnamon, lemon, pineapple, or raspberry fillings. These are one of my favorites! They are so moist and yummy!

 Maple-nut danish

Orange danish cup

 

Cream puffs

Cannoli

Peanut butter bars

 Lady locks

 Chocolate mousse torte. I am not a big chocolate cake fan but OH MY WORD! This is so light and amazing!

Raspberry almond torte . . . TO DIE FOR!

Peanut Butter Torte

Pumpkin cheesecake torte which is a seasonal item.

The Toasted Almond Torte has won many awards and not in just Beaver County. It's well known by Pittsburghers as well!

They even have a Peppermint torte for the Christmas holiday.

If you are going to a Steeler party, you can always order a Black & Gold tray to take with you.

These are my absolute favorite item that I pick up every time I stop there. Their petit fours are the best that I have ever had. They are little squares of white cake with vanilla icing. They have ones with chocolate icing too but I am a white cake with white icing girl. I've never tried the chocolate. This little deliciousness of goodness satisfies my craving for their cakes which is absolutely better than taking the whole cake home with me!

Mom used to always get us a Kretchmar cake for birthdays and special occasions. Unless I'm baking or making Allison's cake myself, I try to get one of their cakes for her as well.

Kretchmar's also has a Prize Wheel and they bring it out every Third Thursday of the month. If you spend $20 or more, you get to spin the wheel. That's how I got my mug!

 

If you are ever in Beaver or heck, if you are ever within 100 miles of Beaver, PA be sure to stop by Kretchmar's and treat yourself to a little sweet treat.

Your family will thank you and attack you when they see the brown and white striped box!

 

You never know who you might see . . . the President of the United States or

little old me!

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The Truth is Out!

One of the things I've dreaded about being a Mom is when Allison found out about Santa, the Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy. Since I stress honesty to her, my fear was that once she found out the truth she would be mad at me for not telling the truth or she would wonder what else I lied to her about.

The truth all came out and it started with the Tooth Fairy.

On October 3rd of this year, Allison came home from school and told me she had a loose tooth. I looked at it and it was only about 1/2 way loose. I figured the Tooth Fairy had some time to get some things together. She complained a little later about it hurting so I gave her some pain medication and she went to bed.

Fast forward to the next morning at about 5:30 am. I was in the living room and Allison came down and went to lay on the couch. I asked her how her tooth was and she said "Good, because it came out last night." That little stinker worked on it until it came out!

I panicked! I asked her what she did with it. She said she put it in a glass of water on her nightstand. (Our tradition is to put it in the water and the Tooth Fairy comes and removes it and sprinkles glitter into the glass and around her room. The color of the glitter signifies what color her dress is that she is wearing.) I asked her what the Tooth Fairy left her and she said she forgot to look. I told her that I was going up to take a shower and when I'm done, I will call her up and we will look together. She said, okay. Thank goodness! It bought me some time! I ran down to the basement and grabbed a pink leopard change purse I had bought for her Christmas stocking and threw two dollars in it and put it under her pillow.

When I called her up and she went to see what the Tooth Fairy left her, she was so thrilled! But then she asked me if was it me or the Tooth Fairy that put it under her pillow. I asked her what she thought. She said that I wouldn't have had time to go out last night and buy the change purse. She also added that I hate glitter. She then dropped it and so did I.

We continued to get ready for school and work and then went downstairs to make breakfast. As I was making breakfast, she brought it up again. I look at her in her eyes asked her "Are you asking me if the Tooth Fairy is real or not?" She replied, "Yes." My response was, "Are you sure you want to know?"

She then screamed, "I knew it!" and then said. "Santa too?"

I said, "Yes and you might as well throw the Easter Bunny in there too."

At this point I was ready for her to flip out about me telling the lies.

I told her that she had just crossed over and now knows the magic between a Mother and a child.

I asked her if she was mad at me for not telling her the truth. Her response was, "Heck NO, I can't wait to do it for my kids!"

Whew! I immediately knew I was off the hook for not telling the truth! Woo hoo!

And just because I like pictures on blog posts, here is a picture of Allison when she was 5 1/2 with Santa. Wasn't she just the cutest thing?

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Happy Halloween and Happy Birthday!

I wish you a safe and happy day filled with lots of treats and no tricks!

Happy Birthday, Juliette Gordon Low!

Thank you for founding the Girl Scouts 100 years ago!

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