Blog Makeover..dreaming of S P R I N G

Sorry everyone- had to change it up!  I am over the dramatic and moving away from snow and gloom and wishing/hoping/praying for Sunshine, blue skies and green grass- well maybe not the grass, this year at least, but a girl can dream.  So we are heavenly and happy and bright and cheery at Life at Gray Gables!
Enjoy!

~KEL~

T G I F F F F... (you fill in the F's!) - Oh Yea, February is OVER! C-ya...

Have you ever wanted something so bad? 

I feel like I have waited for this DAY all week, anybody with me? It didn't seem like it would EVER get here and it has been an exceptionally eventful day for sure.  Going out with a BANG. 

Friday, February 28th, 2014

March is upon us. (Actually I am blogging so late- and I will get to that- that it is officially March 1st!) 

I don't know about you but February has been a hmm..dingger in my opinion!  Cold, Snowy, Ice, Dry Skin, the Sickness (which won't leave...) and it just has seemed to drag on and on and on....

Today was no exception for my family.  Did you know.. 

                                    *that I have been to the Doctor's office 5 times since Thursday, 2/21.

                                    *that both my girls are down and out

I hate this sickness. Thursday, we headed to the doctor's for my 5yo's horrible cough, which turned into an upper respiratory infection.  They put her on antibiotics and she seemed to be on the mend.  But, here is the kicker, that was Thursday, she already had her scheduled wellness check for Kindergarten set for Monday, 2/24- so not only did we have to go in on Thursday, but again on Monday.  And let me tell you, that Kindergarten check is nothing short of military training! Ears, eyes, skills, shoe tying and peeing in a cup- which my Diva was NOT having! So, we had to take the cup home and bring it back. So Tuesday, after we got her to pee in her little sisters training potty and put it in the cup (ugh!) we ran BACK to the doctors for a drop off. 

Side note: OK, as a parent, when you see a certain, bold typed sign all around the office, taped to the door to enter and all that says that the office has had a Whooping Cough outbreak, are you freaked out? I am a Mom who is totally terrified that my girls will get this disease. (insert the controversial subject of VACCINATIONS here and my personal beliefs- Vaccinate your kids people- your only hurting them- but again, another topic for another time!)

So, we drop off the pee and make our 30 minute trip back to the other side of the frickin world, or so it seems. 

Wednesday, I get a phone call (at work) that my 2yo has the same kind of cough going on. Mind you, Monday evening when we got home my 2yo had a little, normal sounding cough at this point, but was doubled over with a stomach ache- so something was obviously going on at that point.  So, Momma is back to the doctors. She has fluid on her lungs and in her ear and we are introduced to the nebulizer. Oh Joy! 

Finally get home- and we had a stint at the pharmacy too, with one kid. My parents ended up keeping 5yo overnight. Which brings us to Thursday, get a phone call (at work because I have had a week and forgot my cell phone) to 5yo work up with red hives everywhere.  I am thinking, OK, heat rash.  We have been battling fevers. Well, my Mom thinks it is Measles- really? I call Doctors, I really didn't want to go back in for a rash.. So we agreed, Calamine bath with Hydrocortizon cream after. I used 1/2 a tube! True Story!

[pinned image]

So, that brings us to today, Friday.  I get a phone call from Hubby that the dots have multiplied and are now covering inside of hands, all of back and all the way up to her ears. Ugh!  So, appointment time. Our Doc. is out till Monday so we schedule with another Doc.  I am super aggravated at Hubby because I could've scheduled an 11am but heaven forbid he has to take them anywhere, let alone call the doctor. I am so frustrated.  (kind of still a heated topic for me.. weird!)

So, I had to get off work, drive to my old house, pick up rent, drive to gas station because my red light was on and poppin', stop off at bank for night deposit, run to my Parents to pick up my ladies, run to Doctors, to find out kiddo has Penicillin allergy like her Dad! We finally got home a little late and had to rush a breathing treatment on 2yo, rush back out of the house for a trip to the grocery store and of course, ended our evening with a shamrock shake from McDonald's. What a frickin' day! I guess the best part is, I was putting girls to bed, felt so tired, came in my room, laid on bed and crashed. Missed Hubby's calls (which phone was on ring) and text messages and ended up with kid in our bed and have no idea how that happened. Crazy!  I think exhaust-en is an understatement?

My Girls

Have you had a day like this recently or is it just me? I need a break! This darn sickness can move on now cause we have had more than our fill at this point. 

So, needless to say, I have waited so long for  you Friday, and wanted you so bad, I am so glad your here, but let's take it nice and slow to get to Monday, deal?

Thanks for letting me share!

Until next time...

~KEL~

Throwback Thursday- Flash Mob Style... What is the earliest childhood memory you have...and go..

What is your Earliest Childhood Memory?

Now, don't relieve events from those millions of pictures your Mom has in the old shoebox stuffed in the hall closet. (well, you probably only have millions if you were a first born, right!)

Try to remember, really remember your first memories. I mean, don't just see a picture, be part of the picture, look for that memory that you can smell your surroundings, see the details and relive the experience.

{pinned image}

The other day, I was sitting around discussing kids with my Hubby and I said that old cliche, "Remember what it was like to be a kid." Well, this simple statement seemed to light up a memory in his mind and resulted in 45 minutes of a walk down memory lane of an experience he had as a kid and how he could remember his room at a house he lived in from 1-2 years old. He could remember the carpet, the door that squeaked, the color of the walls, how his room was set up and what kinds of toys he had.  Then that question I was dreading was flipped onto me, "What is the earliest memory you have?" 

This is where I think.  It is so hard because I have pictures, tons and tons of pictures from when I was born, on up, and movie also! I have looked at those pictures a billion times, watched the old movies just as much as find myself teetering on the line of, is that a real memory or a picture memory? 

So, I just started pulling stuff, I remembered my dog, he was my first dog and I guess (not a memory for me) I begged for him and my Dad finally caved and we ended up with Cujo.  Obviously, I had nothing to do with naming said dog!

[Me with "Cujo" as a puppy]

[Me with "Cujo" getting bigger]

I remember riding my "Big Wheel" up and down the driveway and having my Dad's big red, ugly van (we're talking 80's here people) blocking the street. I had a cabbage patch Big Wheel and it had mint green wheels and I literally rode that thing until the wheels fell off!  I can remember just riding it and screaming and having a blast. The big problem I have, this was on the videos- so I am not sure how accurate my visions of the past really are, as I was under age 5 during this time.

[pinned image]

I have concrete memories of Kindergarten. I know those are real because there is not a picture or video to contradict my memory.  I remember my Teacher, Ms. Forker and my cubbie and the toys we played with and the kids and the Blue Carpet Square that I just had to have, luckily she had more than one because I know the boys always wanted blue ones too!

I remember playing in the pretend kitchen with the other girls, and having to always be the "Mom." 

So, for me, Kindergarten is my earliest, genuine, memory.  I know this because I can still smell the crayons!

[pinned image]

So, what is your earliest memory on this Throwback Thursday?  I'd love to hear from you!

Until next week...

~Kel~

 

It's Wacky Wednesday.. Everyone- Ready for some RANDOM-NESS?

Wacky Wednesday is here!

Are you ready? Well, let's get started. 

Its time to see what we can dig up on some random facts that we didn't/shouldn't know 

(or care about for that matter!)

 

Did you know?

~ Women need NINE 8-ounce glasses of water a day.

~ Men need TWELVE 8-ounce glasses of water a day.   

 And Coffee & Tea COUNT!

Bedtime is the BEST time to take your daily aspirin!

~When you get burned you should crack an egg and you won't get a scar. 

COMPLETE RANDOM-NESS!!! 

An Ostrich's egg is bigger than its brain!

Lightning strikes the earth about 8 million times a day.

Hippophobia is the fear of horses.  

Christmas trees have been sold in the U.S. since 1850.

Totally Disgusting!

On average, people swallow 1.5 liters of urine when swimming in a public pool.
  (now that, my friend, is GROSS!)

Have anything you want to share to the blog for next Wednesday? Feel free to email me @: kel.amstutz@gmail.com.  I would LOVE to hear from you and be able to add your own random facts to the page!

Until next week, watch out for "Pee Pools" - yuck!

~KEL~ 

Book Review Tuesday...Claim Me- Stark Trilogy #2 by J Kenner

Let's get a little steamy, a plot is thickening as the blood starts to boil.

Are you ready to jump into a budding romance that will make your toes curl?

This is the 2nd Tuesday that we are unveiling a Book Review and since I started this day with a trilogy, it seemed fitting to discuss book #2 of the Stark Trilogy Series by J Kenner. 

As I previously stated, the first book, Release Me, was a little hard to get into.  I really felt like I was reading so many of the other books out there, but, once I was able to dive in, I was hooked.  I finished the first book and with stealth, moved right onto the next book, Claim Me. 

This book is well written. I really was able to connect even further with the characters, Damien Stark and Nikki Fairchild.  It was like watching their relationship unfold further and further and getting inside of Damien's head. 

Quick Question: Is Damien a Good Guy or a Bad Guy in your opinion? 

I bring this up because at book #1, I was getting a weird vibe.  I wasn't sure if he was a cheater, if this was just a "game" to him or if he was dark and dangerous, like so many other millionaire sex machines out there. 

Book #2 was watching Damien evolve almost.  He was proving to be sincere, the love was sweating off of his persona and it was like you could feel his emotions, even though he wasn't speaking words. 

My opinion (and given, I have NOT started Book #3 yet- just for this reason) is that Damien is a good guy.  He is like a saviour in a lot of ways, always giving and helping. I know there is a twist and I am totally NOT trying to spoil it for those who are just getting to book #2 (you will have a disclaimer for next week and book #3 though!) but events are happening that are leaving me on the edge of my seat and wondering questions like 'really?' 'could it be?' and other little things are going on that are just placed in such a way that I have to keep reading!

Book Synopsis

For fans of Fifty Shades of Grey and Bared to You comes the second novel in the erotic, fast-paced trilogy that started with Release Me. This sexy, emotionally charged romance continues the story of Damien Stark, the powerful multimillionaire who’s never had to take “no” for an answer, and Nikki Fairchild, the Southern belle who only says “yes” on her own terms.

For Damien, our obsession is a game. For me, it is fiercely, blindingly, real.
 
Damien Stark’s need is palpable—his need for pleasure, his need for control, his need for me. Beautiful and brilliant yet tortured at his core, he is in every way my match.

I have agreed to be his alone, and now I want him to be fully mine. I want us to possess each other beyond the sweetest edge of our ecstasy, into the deepest desires of our souls. To let the fire that burns between us consume us both.

But there are dark places within Damien that not even our wildest passion can touch. I yearn to know his secrets, yearn for him to surrender to me as I have surrendered to him. But our troubled pasts will either bind us close . . . or shatter us completely.

  [from Random House Books]

What others are saying about this book: 

I love this series!,

April 23, 2013

By 

LuciaCalwen

This review is from: Claim Me: Book 2: Stark Trilogy (Kindle Edition)

Sexy billionaires have never been my most favourite topic (shocking, right?) but Nikki and Damien grew on me in Release Me and I fell in love with them even more in this book. Nikki and Damien are hunted by ghosts of the past while facing the pressure of society and paparazzi in the present. But the beauty of this book is the fact that besides their problems, Damien and Nikki found peace and solace in each others arms. But besides serious issues, readers will get plenty of steamy ones too.

Story pics up exactly where first book ended. Things between Nikki and Damien look pretty good right now, but Nikki is worried that while Damien desires her and her body, he does not need her as much as she needs him in her life. Also, in previous book we learnt that Damien has his secrets. In this book he finally opens up and gradually reveals them all. Moreover, I really love how possesive and passionate Damien is in this book. Also, he is able to admit his mistake and be reasonable. And THAT is very sexy combination... If you did not fall for him in previous book, you will fall for him in this book for sure.

Writing in this book has a poetic feeling. As well as the story itself, writing was sensual, tantalizing and very enjoyable. Storyline flows easily and I really liked this intelligent-like style of writing. The relationship between Nikki and Damien is extremely sexual. But I found refreshing the fact that they do not use sex as a make-up tool, the act of making love helps them to overcome problems from outside and it helps them to feel grounded and safe.

Story may have been a little bit slow paced at the beginning but I never mind. I got to love main couple so much that I just simply enjoyed their sensual and emotional journey in this book to the bits. Cannot wait for final instalment in this series and see how things are going to develop for Nikki and Damien!

 [book review from Amazon.com]

5.0 out of 5 stars MOVE OVER GIDEON AND EVA!!!, April 24, 2013

By 

D. Nekarda "dd87" (NY.N.Y.) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)

This review is from: Claim Me: A Stark Trilogy Novel (The Stark Trilogy) (Kindle Edition)

OMG!I didn't think there were books that could rival Christian & Anastasia, Gideon & Eva, but the Stark Trilogy just rocks!
Kudos to J Kenner for these rapturous chapters. Each page in both Release Me & Claim Me held me captive from the beginning, I couldn't put these books down. Read both in a 24hr period.
The chemistry between Damien & Nikki ignites the soul from the beginning, and you can't help but get caught up in them. The other characters are equally as entertaining and lend a great supporting cast to Daimien and Nikki.
July can't get here soon enough with Complete Me, I can wait for this last book to come out.

 

  [book review from Amazon.com] 

If you get the opportunity to read this series, give it a try.  I know the first book will be tough to get through at first, but once your in, it is HARD to put it down!

I am onto book #3- Complete Me!  Check in next week to see my review and others.  Be note that it will BE a SPOILER alert!

 

Until then...

~KEL~

 

Marriage Monday...Marriage is not for ME...

Marriage is not for ME!

Now, before you get your panties in a bunch, or run off and tell my Hubby (which I have discussed this topic with him) - there is a point to this topic.  

Hubby and I were watching a tv show and the kid said he was terrified to get married. I turned to my Hubby and said, "We're you scared to get married?" His reply was a shocking, "Hell Yes!" I must've looked at him funny.  It wasn't like we had just met. We had been together five, long, drawn out years.  We had even already purchased a home together. I really didn't know.

Then he went on to tell me that all the stories that you hear, horrific stories about marriage and having a Wife, it doesn't exactly scream, "Hey, I want that, Let's jump into that."  And to tell you the truth, from a guy's perspective, I can totally see that. It makes sense. 

So, thinking about marriage and the fears that guys have, I think it might be a frame of mind.  As a Guy, (and this can totally apply to a Gale too) - are you getting married for You? 

If you said Yes, you are thinking about Marriage ALL wrong.  Marriage is not about you. Marriage is not about ME.  This is something that has literally taken me six years to unearth.  I walked down the isle, proud, happy and exicited. I had not a clue what marriage really meant, just that I was going to be with this Guy for the rest of my life. I expressed my fears to him, sure.  Marriage is a sacred thing to me, I come from two people, who are still married, whether they should be or not, and although their marraige works, it has also helped me see what I did not want in my own marriage. I had lived with my Hubby, and knew that our marriage would be different and I wanted that for the rest of my life. 

Do you see all the I's in that statement? 

I was young and naive.  To think about marriage now, and all the reasons TO get married, I think you need to think about it like this: 

Marriage is really simple.  You don't marry for your own happiness, you marry to make someone else  happy. This Marriage is not for ME, I  married for my Family. I didn't marry my Hubby for the sake of having in-laws or relatives, but instead for our children that we would make together. I married because of the Dad I saw him to be, help with raising them, with making an impact in their lives.  Therefore, I can say that Marriage is not for me. It is not even about me. It is, however, about my Hubby, being that he is the person that I chose and vice-verse. 

I know that this is a strange way to think about this subject, but putting into my own perspective, I married for L O V E yes, for the bond that we create, totally, but I also married because I felt something in my heart, I looked at this Man, who asked me, choose me, to be his Wife and I could see our children that we would one day have, I could see our life and how at the end of each day, I live for him and he for me. (Of course, now, there are 2 other little bodies that we also live for.)

I also think that it is important to say that a true marriage and true love is never about you, it is instead about the person that you love. You job, to understand their wants, needs, hopes and dreams. Your job is to find out what you can give, how you can help and without selfishness.

Today, I can look back and realize that Marriage is about Family.

Yes, it really is that simple. I love my Hubby, I will do anything to make him smile, to brighten his day and to ease his life in any way that I can muster. To me, he is my family. Our children are what we created as a family. It was done out of love and selflessness. Nothing more. 

So I can say that Marriage is not for ME. It is for others. 

[Our wedding day, 11/11/2006]

Say WHATTT?? - - its Sunday..

Say WHATTT??

I can't believe its already Sunday...

Why do the weekends go so fast for me? Do they for you? I feel like it takes so darn long to get to Friday.  Saturday ends up being a blurrr and then BAM it is Sunday late afternoon and time to get shit* ready to start a new week. 

I think particular weekend has been very fast, due to the SICK bug invading our house right now. We had a trip to the Doctor's on Thursday, which resulted in an Antibiotic and a very sick, lethargic five yo. She has really been calm, but yesterday, she must've been feeling a little better and was a little more active and apparently, her listening ears are BROKEN due to this infection. 

This morning, she must've been feeling really good because she has been in trouble almost ALL day!  So far she has lost all her frozen stuff, her baby dolls stuff and just recently her American girl Baby Doll.  She is so exhausted, I think, that she cryed herself to sleep. I have NO IDEA why she is being a devil child today but when I asked her many times what the heck was going on, all she tells me is that she wants to do what she wants... Really.. I swear, if I am having these kinds of conflicts at age 5- can  you image what the heck I will be dealing with at 16- lord help me!

Last night my 2 yo didn't want to stay in bed, she was god awful tired! Then, finally, around 9:30p she snuggled back in, for the tenth time, and started coughing, the same dang cough that her sister currently has- SAY WHATTT??

[pinned image]

I was trying SO hard for her not to get sick, (Lysol, you are my best friend and if you need an endorsement, right here- HOLLA!) but I think it was inevitable.  She plays with my 5yo's toys, snuggles in her bed, and is around her, no  matter how hard we try to keep them at a distance. 

Now, I have a cranky, just took a nap but still going to cry my heart out because I want my Mommy (even though I am RIGHT here!) kid and all I am asking for is a prayer! Please sickness, go away. 

Having sick kids is for the B I R D S. I can't take all this crying and coughing- it is just heartbreaking.  I don't think that little ones, under the age of, say 10, should be able to be sick- it is just rotten!

[Pinned image]

So, for my SAY WHATTT Sunday, I just want to see how many of you out there are dealing with sickness right now- of yourself or your kiddos?  Are you dancing in the realm of insanity within your house? The words I so hate are, "Mom, I getting sick from my Sissy."  - quoted from a 2 yo.

 WAHHH.. I want to cry now too- join in on my pity party!!!

Praying this is the end of all these darn germs- LYSOL take them all - ALL away, PLEASE! (I beg!)

Until Tomorrow...

~Kel~

P.S. Quick Tip-  If you kiddo has a sore throat, give them some marshmallows.  They were first developed to cure a sore throat, and yes, as an Adult, it really does work! Give it a try...

P.S.S. Quick Tip-  If your kiddo has a cough, that is keeping everyone up at night- Rub Vicks Vapor Rub on your kiddos feet and it will help them get a better nights rest without coughing. We rub this on as soon as we see a runny nose and really does work its magic. We have really pasted the could and flu season with our little one, until this last bout and I was not putting the Vicks on her feet during this- that'll teach me- right!

[pinned image]