Best intentions

Today, I have not gossiped, yelled, been greedy, selfish or self-indulgent. I have not whined, complained, moaned or eaten any chocolate. I am going to get out of bed now, Lord, and I will need a lot more help to get through the day!

Healthy eating

This afternoon close to 3 o'clock Alex came to me and said that he was hungry. I told him that he could have an apple or some baby carrots or some little tomatoes. He asked, "Am I on a diet?" In between my laughing I explained that he had already eaten birthday cake, pizza, 2 dum-dum lollipops, fruit punch and a chicken nugget lunchable; and that he needed to balance it with a fruit or vegetable. He decided that he wasn't so hungry anymore!

Something right

I must be doing something right because when I was putting Alex to bed tonight this is what he said, "Mommy, I wish you weren't already married and I wish I was a big old man and I could marry you."

Landmarks

This is a book that I purchased recently and have just thoroughly enjoyed. Some landmarks were obvious, Sydney Opera House, Leaning Tower of Pisa, Colosseum, Kremlin and the Red Square. There were others which I had a vague familiarity with, Ayers Rock, Rock of Gibraltar, Great Wall of China and Edinburgh Castle. Then there were those that I had never heard of, Samarkand, Neuschwanstein, Potala Palace, Guggenheim Museum Bilbao and the Atomium.
Jeff and I had fun looking through the book seeing which of these landmarks HE had either just seen with his own eyes or had gone into. (16). I only had 6 from the list and only one of those Jeff had not been to, Pearl Harbor. That man is a world traveler!

The Cookie Jar Bakery

I was folding laundry and watching t.v. when I came across this segment of the Good Day Houston show. There is a bakery on Westheimer that lets you come in and make and decorate your own cookies, cakes and cupcakes. The cookies were what caught my attention. I have the hardest time with cut-out cookies. Here you select your base dough, choose from their extensive list of mix-ins, they are baked and then cooled and you decorate as you wish. Such a fun place! www.thecookiejarbakery.com

Poetry

I will preface this by saying this entry is no way indicative of Jeff currently being in Europe.
That being said... this evening I was reading through a book, The Love Poems of Lord Byron, and remembered why I chose English as my major in college -- poetry. My two all-time favorites are When We Two Parted by Lord Byron and Remember by Christina Rossett. She was of Italian descent but was born and raised in Great Britain.

Remember me when I am gone away,

Gone far away into the silent land;

When you can no more hold me by the hand,

Nor I half turn to go yet turning stay.

Remember me when no more day by day

You tell me of our future that you planned:

Only remember me; you understand

It will be late to counsel then or pray.

Yet if you should forget me for a while

And afterwards remember, do not grieve

For if the darkness and corruption leave

A vestige of the thoughts that once I had,

Better by far you should forget and smile

Than that you should remember and be sad.

Healthy Eating

I am always interested in food products that are a healthier version of the original. Here are a few of my favorites.
Oscar Meyer Turkey Bacon: my family actually prefers turkey bacon and this brand is a cut above the rest. The thickness and texture is most like the "real" stuff but without all the fat and cholesterol. We have used Louis Rich and Butterball brands and most recently I found the Oscar Meyer brand. This is my new favorite.

Jimmy Dean D-Lights Breakfast sandwiches: I have only tried the turkey sausage, egg white with cheese on an English Muffin and loved it. I add a dash of salt and pepper to the egg white part. This is the closest I have found to a McDonald's Sausage McMuffin. Very tasty.

Morningstar Farms Spicy Black Bean Burger: this is a good lunch and is easily heated in the microwave or stovetop. Two out of the three Griffin kids agree! Especially yummy with picante sauce.

Fiber One Oats and Chocolate Bar: a more grownup granola bar with chocolate chips. (also comes in Oats and Peanut Butter). These are great for breakfast with a glass of skim milk or as an afternoon snack.

The Brady Bunch

No.. I am not refering to any plans to expand our family! We have been watching The Brady Bunch with the kids and they love it! The episodes currently running are from the 1970-1971 season. Can you believe that is as old as I am?!? It is such a treat to see these shows again and now as an adult I find them just as enjoyable as I did as a child.

If you have a chance, set your TIVO to the TV Land channel and record a few for yourself!

Shame on me

Time moves so quickly. It has been almost 2 weeks since my last entry. And you KNOW that I have things to talk about!

For New Year's Eve we had Stuart and Natalie Jackson and family to our house. We ate dinner, played Mexican Train dominoes, did fireworks (ssshhh... not allowed!) and toasted to 2008.

Monday was mine and Jeff's 12 year wedding anniversary. We ate dinner at Perry's Steakhouse and used our gift certificate Christmas present from Becki and Michael. Thank you! What a delicious meal. It is really a treat when you eat a meal and every bite is fantastic. I had the roasted pork chop and Jeff had a ribeye. Served with our two favorite sides, augratin potatoes and creamed spinach. We were waiting to order dessert and the waiter brought one out with Happy Anniversary written in chocolate. When I called to make the reservation I was asked if we were celebrating anything and did we want a quiet table or booth. I told her that without the 3 kids with us it would be a quiet table!

The kids are back in the swing of school and activities. Rebekah and Emma should start with soccer in February. We considered Alex doing T-ball but decided to hold off until fall or next spring. So for now he continues to tag along.

Speaking of Alex.. yesterday he told me that when he gets to heaven he is going to be shy with God because God is so big and he is shy with big people. I assured him of God's perfect love and that in heaven there will be shyness or fear or tears or pain. He was cool with that.

My Grandma Pegi is in the hospital so I have gone to The Woodlands a couple of times to visit with her. The doctor's are treating her for pneumonia and expect her to recover. It just takes longer for someone her age, 92 years young.

Hope your 2008 is off to a great beginning!