On Vacation

We are off for 2 weeks, will miss you all!

An oldie, but a goodie! Family Ties

Who didn't want to jump into their TV set and live with this family? Or were you someone that decided you were more like one of the characters on the show, and just enjoyed watching? Either way, this show became an instant hit, and it's obvious to see why. Boy I miss this kind of family TV show. Now that I have children ages 2-12, these shows are sorely missed. Where, ow where are the 80's executives, that recognize the value of "family values". Uh, hello?!

Somebody, please help!

xoxo ~L

What a Hottie...Jim Rockford

Yes! Yes! Yes! I was a lovesick teen. Man, this guy had everything a rebelious girl like myself could want. Attitude, penchant for trouble, and an awesome car! Oh, and he always found a lady in there somehow. I'm sure if he'd known me, he would've really, really liked me. Maybe I could've passed his producer a note in gym class.

Hey a girl can dream, can't she :)

xoxo ~L

Continuing with TV Themes...Greatest American Hero

Man, I loved this show! It had everything going for it...goofy guy, heart throb girl, tough guy to help out the goofy guy! This song just popped into my head the other day, and I have yet to get it
out. So now I'm just singing it all day long, and my kids think I'm crazy.

I can remember buying the 45 for my record player (this was before the CD), and playing it over and over in my room. It just made an awkward pre-adolescent girl with no figure, acne, short hair and who was skinny as a rail feel a little bit better about who she was.

Sigh...ahhh, the good old days...when I was skinny as a rail. None of that other stuff:)

Then there was this to freshen up our memory...

T.V. theme week...tune in...Hahahaha.

I don't know why, but it popped into my head about all the great songs that came from television. Not that Love boat was a "hit", but we all...admit it, own it, c'mon now...loved that show! I couldn't wait to see who the crazy characters were. The couple that found each other, because of the destiny of The Love Boat. I'm a sucker for romance! How about you? What shows made you wait with baited breath to see the next episode (o.k. besides Dallas)?

Happy Anniversary to My BFF and her Hubby

Well, I really wish I had a picture of the 2 of you! Happy Anniversary...15 years. I think I speak for all of us, when I say...I know what you're doing tonight :P

xoxo ~L

Happy Birthday to my Firstborn

Wow, twelve years goes by fast. But I remember your story like it was yesterday!

We had tried for years, and years to have a baby. We'd seen a specialist...the best in the area, and had tried a very expensive medicine to help me et pregnant. We could only afford one cycle, and during that cycle, my egg just disappeared one day. The nurse said sometimes that happens, and we could try again next time. I let her know we would get back in touch when we could afford it. After a few months, hubby was going to get a big commission check, so I called the nurse to say we would be able to do a treatment the next month. Of course, I hadn't had a period since the last time I'd seen her. This wasn't unusual for me, and there is a medicine, that can induce your period. She told me, by law you must have a blood pregnancy test before the prescription can be filled. So at lunch I went in for blood work. Later as I was getting ready to leave my office for the day, the nurse called. I was expecting her call, and would let her know which pharmacy she could send the Rx to. Imagine my surprise when she says "Lisa, you're pregnant." I didn't actually believer her! I said it's me Lisa S****." She said "Lisa, I know. You really are pregnant." For those of you that have gone thru this, you know the tight bond you have with your nurse. I could hear her smile through the phone. We were both just in shock! It felt soooo good!

I couldn't believe it. Who do I call? What do I tell my co-workers?...I know they've heard me on the phone. When did this happen? Holy Moly!

I couldn't wait...I called hubby right away! He could barely believe it either. We rejoiced, cried, laughed, and thanked God.

The very next day, I had a sonogram to "date" my pregnancy. It wasn't unusual for me to go a number of months with no "monthly visit", if you know what I mean. So imagine our surprise when my fertility Dr. starts the sonogram to see how far along I am and we see a little baby moving around. I mean full fledge head, legs, feet, hands, spine, eyes, etc... an actual little baby...Holy Moly!!! We all were in awe, and immediately started crying. I've never ever felt those tears of joy in the same way again.

Our joy was shortlived. The next day my regular OB/GYN Dr. called and told us something was wrong with the baby, and to come in right away. He did a sonogram, and showed us that there was very little amniotic fluid, and that this ALMOST ALWAYS meant that something was WRONG with the baby. What?!?! This couldn't be happening! He suggested an Amnio to find out exactly what was wrong. Being my first pregnancy, I figured we should go along with that. It made sense, didn't it?! The day came for the amnio, and I was so nervous, I was sweating in places I won't mention. I told my OB/GYN that I didn't like the odds of miscarriage after amnio, and he asked me this simple question:

Dr: What will you do with the results of the Amnio?

Me: Nothing.

Dr: Nothing?

Me: Well, I most certainly wouldn't terminate this pregnancy!

Dr: Then lets just skip the amnio, and we can keep a close watch on things, by sonogram. We'd have to do that to watch the baby grow, anyway.

Me: Really? (with great relief!!!)

Dr: Yup!

Me: OK!

Dr: OK, get dressed and I'll see you in my office.

That was that!! Anytime I would hear Natalie Merchant sing "Wonder", I felt as though she were predicting the outcome or our pregnancy. Listen to the words...my heart still fills with Joy everytime I hear it.

To make a long story short...our faith told us that God had given us this baby, and God would take care of this baby. We knew to let His will be done.

6 mos. later and a few complications along the way (bed rest, diabetes, still no improvement in fluid) our beautiful son Jack was born. He was 2 weeks early (not considered preemie) and healthy as a horse. None of the Dr.'s or specialists I saw could ever tell us why the amniotic fluid was so low. Frankly, it didn't matter! He was here, and he was in our arms safe and sound.

So here's to my first born son. All my children came to me in a special way, but I consider you our very first miracle! The one who started it all!

Dude, You the Man!

Love, Mom

Mmmmm...NC Style BBQ

Well, I haven't been able to stop thinking, drooling, salivating, figuring on a way to marry it BBQ. Not just any BBQ, no siree, an authentic vinegar based saucy style pulled pork BBQ.

Oh, come to mama! This delectable sandwich that looks so divine, is one of the most heavenly things! Trust me on this! The tangy sauce, with no overpowering vinegar. Just the right blend of seasonings, pulled pork and sauce brought together on a simple bun.

Quick to the kitchen! First you're going to need a pork shoulder. Mine weighed between 4 -5 lbs. That was plenty for my family of six with enough leftovers for a sandwich or 2 the next day.

Next you want to gather up 3 cloves garlic, 1/2 an onion, and about 1 1/2 cups rice vinegar.

Peel and finely chop the garlic. Don't be afraid of the garlic. Embrace it! It's easy, don't rely on that pre-minced refrigerated stuff. Let me show you how easy it is to make garlic your friend!

Next seperate out 3 "cloves" and remove the papery layer. So you may chop the garlic. Prepare you're senses for the warm, sinus opening smell of the garlic. Oh, I love it!

Place a large chef's knife on top of your garlic clove and press down so it gets a little smushed. Then you get to take out a little agression and smash down onto the knife, crushing the clove of garlic. Ahhh, I feel a little less stressed already.

Grab hold of the end of your garlic clove where it comes to a point.

Give it a little squeeze and push at the same time, so that the garlic starts to slide out of its skin

Ta Da...you are now an expert at peeling garlic, without using one of those silly tools you find on the kitchen gadget wall at most stores.

Then you get to finely chop the garlic and release it's heavenly aroma. I am just dying here! I would eat this garlic right now, except I'd like to remain a functioning acceptable person in society. Plus keeping my friends is always a bonus :)

Just start chopping! Chop, chop, chop!

Heat some olive oil in a pan, and throw in the onion and garlic and saute until just tender and translucent. Don't you love that word "translucent". It sounds so authoritative, and all knowing! Like you actually know what's going on in your saucepan. Me...I haven't gotta clue, but it sounds good!

Add in the vinegar. Next you will need to trim the fat off your shoulder (pork shoulder). I'd personally love to be able to trim the fat off my stomach, thighs, behind and neck, but that's a bit off track.

Get out your largest stock pot, put it over a medium heat, and add in about 4 tablespoons olive oil. Once heated add in the shoulder and brown on all sides. You may think this step isn't necessary, but the falvor off the bottom of the pan will bubble and cook and seep into your meat. Ahhhhh!

Slide your delicious mixture of onion, garlic and vinegar over the shoulder. Cover your pot and put into a 350 oven. Now comes the hardest part. Waiting!! Oh my word, what to do whilst you wait for the glorious 3 hrs. it's going to take for this meat to be so tender, moist and delicious, that you'll just sit and pull it apart with only 2 forks?!

I did laundry. Do not try this at home. Please make my heart happy, and do something fun. Read a book you've wanted to read. Get a trashy magazine, and let me know how poor Heather Locklear is doing. Anything, but laundry!

Once the meat is falling off the bone, you may pull it out, and shred until your heart's content! The shoulder will soak up all the juices, onion and garlic from cooking. All you have to do is add in about a cup to a cup and a half of your favorite BBQ Sauce. Make it thick, thin, somewhere inbetween. Your call. Just make it. Now. Do it. Go on.

P.S. You'll need a great coleslaw to have with it. I had to buy some slaw, because I have to put just a little on my sandwich. Oh, the contrasting flavors of the sweet slaw and the tangy BBQ, it's almost too much for me to take! It's just who I am. Hopefully you'll be better than me, and actually make your own coleslaw...you gourmet!

xoxo ~L

For all the Service Men and Women...

I thank you for keeping me and this land I love free! Happy 4th of July.

GOD BLESS AMERICA