Saturday, November 23, 2013

Ten Things of Thankful: Week 25


I cannot believe we have arrived at 25 weeks of Thankfulness already! One more week and it’s HALF A YEAR! And while I am still kicking myself for missing one week, I am certain that the weeks in which I have double-posted makes up for that, right? Because someone is keeping score, right? And I would absolutely HATE to not have a perfect score.

So just go ahead and tell me I’m good and that my double-posting covered over the missed week and I can claim perfect attendance.

BTW The only time I ever got perfect attendance for a school year was in Fifth grade, and actually, I got sick on the second to last day and had to go home. I came on the last day, just so I could claim my major award (yes, Miss Bloggypants…I threw that in there for you).

Well, I’m certain that Lizzi has big plans for the hop today (because, as you shall see, I am writing this in advance and obviously haven't read her post yet), so I don’t want to waste time on my intro (and by the way, did everyone notice that I WROTE an intro today? It’s a special occasion so I thought I’d put in some effort.)

SO now…my list for the week:

1. That I can now plank for 2 minutes. At the beginning of November, I joined a group on FB which was doing “Planksgiving”…you do your plank for the day (however many seconds is assigned for that day) and then you post something you are thankful for. Well, I haven’t been doing the posts, but I have been doing the planking. So…I began on November 1 with 20 seconds; I will finish (in theory) on November 30 at 3 minutes. Whew!


2. That when the Jehovah Witnesses came to the door (and I apologize if any of my readers are JW…I mean no offense and I don’t think you’ll be offended when I write this…but if you are, I apologize. It’s not my intent.) one week-day morning last week and saw that my boys (ages 10 & 12) answered the door (since we home school), the woman simply said, “Ohhh” and turned around and walked away. I’m still not entirely sure what she thought, but I was kind of glad because frankly I didn’t have time for a discussion/debate.

3. That one of the stories I am writing (again getting paid for…wahoo!) involved a woman who makes her own cleaners. I have only dabbled in this area over the past few months, but I was glad to get some recipes for things I had not made you (glass cleaner and multi-purpose cleaner…just to tease you; posts probably forthcoming).

OK, now the next few have to do with my birthday party from last Saturday night. Sorry to continue talking about it, but this will probably be the last one (it should be…come on, what else could I say?!?)

4. Anyway, so the first thing is that my friends know me so well and I received a HAUL of chocolate. NOTE: There MAY have originally been more of the blue wrapped Ghiradelli Intense Dark Chocolate with Sea Salt candies, but since the  photographer (c’est moi) is totally lacking in self control, those chocolates were unavailable for the photo shoot.

5. That we had my favorite cake in all the world: Chocolate Almond Raspberry (and no, there were not actually raspberries IN the cake; just the flavor, so it is ok), with chocolate buttercream icing.


6. That my friend PA (and her husband…lest he not get any credit) gave me a “Make Your Own Chocolate Cake Shake” kit…with Chocolate cake, ice cream, and complete with cups from Portillo’s…where you can get the BEST (and possibly only) Chocolate Cake Shakes. The ingredients are all still tucked away in my freezer, waiting for me to have/make time to make the shakes. It’s so cute…the PBA are all excited about it…as though they are actually going to get any…

I really hope PA doesn't mind her picture being included...I kind of didn't ask...
7. That Christine and COW (the code name in her blog for husband) came to my party (I know...go ahead and be jealous that I know her in real-life; I don’t blame you a bit!) and she gave me a lovely bouquet of 40 Tootsie Pops. She wanted to include the note that was supposed to accompany it, but COW said I was “Too religious and wouldn’t appreciate it”. What was the sign going to say, you may be wondering (but probably not, because you’re all sharp as tacks, right?)? “40 Sucks”. Ha! I love her husband. And for the record, I TOTALLY thought it was funny. (Also just to explain, she got Tootsie Pops because it’s what Mr. Always Random and I eat at our son’s soccer games in order to keep from yelling at the ref…sounds like we’re “too religious”, doesn’t it?)

And I know you are disappointed but I neglected to get a picture of the bouquet and Christine together; picture of bouquet is above in the "haul".

8. That Mr. Always Random has his birthday this week-end; he’s my “older man” (he’ll be 43! *GASP*!)

9. And that I made a Sugar Cream Pie for him…which means there’s more of my leftover cake for myself; the PBA also like the pie.

10. I had my list written by Thursday night.

Have a glorious week-end! And hop on over to Lizzi’s to see what she and the other bloggers have got cooked up for the big day!

34 comments:

  1. I am s 0000 0000 jealous that you know the coops in person! sounds like you had a fabulous birthday! Not bad for a religious chick!

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    1. I know, right? I am certain it means that everyone else is jealous of her too...knowing me, right? LOL

      Thanks...I can get down with the best of them (is that still hip to say?), even though I am "religious" :)

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  2. WHAT a BLAST! I can't believe you two awesome bloggers know each other IRL! Too fun! And Happy Birthday, btw! Someone else who loves chocolate as much as me....a woman after my own heart. :) Great post...loved it big!

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    1. Thanks...and yes it is fun to know her IRL; she ia even more fantastic in real life than in her blog (which I know is difficult to fathom). I knew her for a while before I knew she was a blogger, even...that was back when she kept it under wraps. So glad she tells people now!

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  3. Okay, this is TOTALLY awesome, because I homed in on the tootsie pops in the photo, because they're AWESOME and I love them - so I was gonna congratulate you on such an awesome haul, and then a coupla Thankfuls later, I see that Christine gave them to you! She's freakin awesome and yes - I'm totally envious that you guys know each other IRL and get to hang out.

    I love that you've had such a gorgeous birthday it's lasted over a week (by my count). See how long you can hang it out, cos that's always fun.

    And yes - your double post TOTALLY covers that one week we'll never talk about again. You have a clean slate and a perfect track record :)

    *MASSIVEHUGS* I love your list this week :D

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    1. I know...I pinch myself too. She is awesome...I wish you could all know her IRL...maybe someday!

      Thanks so much for the good wishes...I think at this point I need to ge toff the birthday train (with the exception, of course, of continuing to enjoy the chocolate!)

      Thanks for the clean slate... totally feel better now. Phew!

      **Squee!**

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    2. *grins* Glad you feel better. Onto the important question now - which Tootsie Pop is your best flavour?

      Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand maybe someday...I shall keep my fingers crossed :D

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    3. I think cherry is my favorite, actually...I'm pretty traditional on that. But Lisa asked about pomegranate ones??? That sounds FABULOUS! I haven't seen them...but there may be (fingers crossed) some in my haul?!?

      Yes, we'll keep fingers crossed on the IRL meetings!

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  4. I didn't know you were doing Planksgiving! (Of course, I didn't even know there was such a thing as Planksgiving.) Three minutes of planks is quite an accomplishment! Go you! You can do it!
    The party was so, so much fun. Even my anti-social husband had fun. And the cake? Yum. Can't believe you haven't made the shakes yet. Perhaps Tuesday? :) I am impressed you put a photo of YOU in the post. That's a rare treat!
    Tell the Mister Happy Birthday for me!

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    1. Well, I'm not there yet, so don't congratulate me yet. Two minutes was challenge enough!

      SO glad you counld come to the party...you celebrity you!

      I knew you've be impressed by the photo...I didn't think it was horrible so I thought I'd give it a go. :)

      Will do!

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  5. I think it is SO COOL that you had another blogger to your birthday party! What fun to know each other in person!

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    1. It is fun to know each othe IRL. We actually knew each other before I knew she blogged...she used to keep that info private...can you imagine keeping all that humor under wraps?!? Such a crime!

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  6. Happy belated Birthday! Lovely list and I loved your introduction!

    Awesome that Christine was at your party! The chocolate cake looks so delicious!!

    Planksgiving sound interesting...

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    1. Thanks...and thank you for acknowledging my intro. I worked hard on it (ok not really).

      Yes, it was awesome. And yes, the cake was awesome too!

      Yes, I wouldn't call it "fun" but it's been fun to challenge myself!

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  7. yeah…. how weird is it to see someone in the 'real' world! (of course, this is true only if you met first in the blogosphere and became friends who were geographically near to each other…lol )

    what the hell are 'planks'? (the photo of the woman on the chart is clipped…is she doing push-ups? laying on the floor?)

    good looking cake….and very excellent anniversary Post!

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    1. Yeah we knew each other first, then she confessed to her blogging habit. ;)

      It is kind of like a pushup although you just hold your body still, and you rest (if you can call it that) on your forearms and your toes. It works your abs, shoulders and multiple other muscles which I didn't know existed until I started planking. I'm really selling it, aren't I? ;)

      I had to plank to make up for all the cake and chocolate I've been eating...I really should be doing MORE planking than I am.

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  8. I agree, I'd really love to party with Christine, not just because she has kids in babysitter-age ;-) I hope you had the bestest birthday ever! Oh, and I'm jealou, 2-minute planks.. wow!!

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    1. Thanks...she's always the party girl, I think.

      Well, thanks...2 minutes might be my limit...although I have thought that every day ("I can't possibly do more tomorrow!"). I'll keep you posted! :) Thanks for the encouragement!

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  9. I love the idea of sucking on a lolly instead of yelling. OH! to be able to go back in time when the boys played soccer. Now they dance, and there is no yelling in ballet. Thank you for letting me feel like part of your party.

    FYI: I may have eaten a whole bag of chocolate as inspiration for my TTOT. Chocolate Therapy is the only way!

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    1. Yes, it's all a good theory but when the sucker gets too small, it is totally easy to take up the yelling again...

      I don't judge chocolate therapy...I only embrace it!

      Thanks for stopping by! :)

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  10. I "suck" at planks, but I do love a good Tootsie Pop. Have you tried the new pomegranate ones??? Outrageous.

    So cool that you know Christine in real life. That would be so fun!

    I may have to try the Planksgiving thing in December...call it Twelve Days of Planksmas or something.

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    1. Ummm pomegranate ones??? That sounds awesome! I did not know that such things existed...but now I do and shall have to hunt.them.down. Thanks for the tip!

      Oh, Twelve Days of Planksmas...I love it!

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    2. Apparently, the pomegranate are either new or promotional or both. But I have had them and they are wonderful. I am currently on a search to find more. If you have success, let me know and I shall do the same.

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    3. Yes, Lisa...I have been looking but haven't seen them...have you had any luck?!?

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  11. I need to start doing planks. But first I need to get some of that dark chocolate sea salt candy!

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    1. I can't speak to your need to do planks, but yes, you DO need some of that dark chocolate sea salt candy. To DIE for. :)

      Thanks for stopping by!

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  12. Happy birthday! And I love the Planksgiving idea. Planking is brutal - but there's a wonderful feeling of accomplishment once you can do it!

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    1. Thanks...and yes, I did 2 minutes 30 seconds today and just.about.died. I am kind of dreading Saturday! :)

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  13. Maybe it's 'cuz I live in the hicks here in Nebraska, but I do not know what planks are and to what purpose it serves.

    And I'm totally jealous that Christine came to your party and that you know her in real-life.

    I started a comment awhile ago and cyber-space or the cloud or something stole it ...and I can't remember what all I said. *sigh*

    Happy Birthday to Mr AR!!

    Your picture of PA totally looks like someone I know, so much so that I had to take a double-take to make sure. ;)

    and *of course* there would be NO raspberries in your cake. EVERYONE knows --- fruit does NOT belong in desserts! Am I right?

    Well, I will let you go now...because you have much to do to pack and prepare for your trip to Nebraska. ;)

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    1. Planks are kind of like a pushup although you just hold your body still, and you rest (if you can call it that) on your forearms and your toes. It works your abs, shoulders and multiple other muscles which I didn't know existed until I started planking. I'm really selling it, aren't I? ;)

      I know...maybe next year you can come too...I don't usually have a party, but I would have one if you would come to it! :)

      Well, you might know her...her real initials aren't PA (those are the initials for her nick-name...just to be confusing)...her real initials are AW. Does that help?

      Yes, we clearly got a late start on our trip to Nebraska, so feel free to begin eating the meal without us tomorrow! ;)

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  14. what a great list!!! i love birthdays!!! Happy birthday to your hubby:) What is a sugar cream pie? I will have to look it up:) I laughed about the JW's coming to your door, and then leaving. Have a great wk!

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    1. I actually wrote a post about the sugar cream pie so you can look it up there...I find it disgusting, but my husband and kiddos love it.

      Yes, the JW's visit about twice a year at most...usually in the evening though. I was just about as thrown off by the experience as they were! :)

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