1. For me narrow-mindedness is the opposite of creativity.
2. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows was the last excellent book I read.
3. I like fill-ins because it gives me something fun to blog about.
4. In nature I like looking at flowers.
5. I’m not happy with anyone who will win the US elections.
6. The last time I laughed with all my belly was probably at something one of my kids said or did.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to grilling out, tomorrow my plans include taking Ryan to a birthday party and Sunday, I want to chill out with the family!

blogging, memes | 2 Comments »

This quiz was fun. I’m from northern Indiana, though, not southern.

blogging, fun, memes | 1 Comment »

My fantastico FINALLY had the new WP update and I must say that I LOVE IT! I have spent a good part of the morning trying to get used to the new look. I love that I can automatically update any out-of-date plugins (which I did, by the way) I don’t remember the old version allowing me to do that, but it may have. I know it told me when they were out of date, but I believe I had to dl them myself and then ul them in my ftp. I now have a way to delete drafts without having the post them and then delete them.

I also love the new dashboard look. The expanded “Incoming Links” box is great. now I know why someone is linked back to my blog without having to click on the link and go there myself to find out. All in all I think that the new look is much more user friendly and more appealing. Thanks, WordPress!

Technology, blogging | No Comments »

Thirteen Things about Trisha 1. Public bathrooms gross me out. 2. I do not use port-a-potties…EVER! 3. I am a bookworm 4. I consider myself an amateur photographer. 5. I have 1 sister, 1 step-sister, and 3 step-brothers. I am the oldest of us all. 6. I do not make friends easily. 7. I am an introvert. 8. I have wanted to be a teacher since I was 3 years old. 9. I am a musician, both instrumental and vocal. 10. I am easily bored. 11. I am not an organized person 12. I LOVE puzzles…crosswords, sudoku, cryptograms, jigsaw…you name it, I love them. 13. I hate ironing.

Thursday Thirteen, memes | 3 Comments »

1. On my laziest day I like to lay on the couch either reading a book, or watching a movie!
2. Getting all the laundry done makes me feel like I’m being productive.
3. I love little kisses and big hugs.
4. This summer I want to try to enjoy myself and discover all Rochester has to offer.
5. Living so far away from my friends and family made me start my blog.
6. Red apples and orange flowers.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to heading to my inlaws, tomorrow my plans include hanging out with dh and other family (minus the kids) and Sunday, I want to go the Indianapolis 500!

memes | 1 Comment »

My Tackle It Tuesday comes in two parts today. They both coincide with each other, however. The first is the ever-present pile of laundry:

The second is the daunting task of packing suitcases. Oy. I have decided that I can no longer fit all 3 boys in the same suitcase so Alex now gets his own, smaller, duffle bag. As much as I hate to pack even one extra bag due to space in the van, I am really out of choices. I knew it was coming, though. Eventually, we’ll all have our own bags, so in the grand scheme of things, 4 bags isn’t really a big deal, I suppose.

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I am a member of an onine twins community. We are parents or grandparents of twins. They are such a great resource. Our twins range in age from babies to adults, so somewhere, someone has either been though what you have or will go through it. Most of us have children in addition to our twins. I just love being part of a community of people like that. I became really good friends with someone from the forum while I lived in Erie because, lo and behold, she lived in Erie, too! There are 2 members who live either here in Rochester, or in the surrounding areas. Though I haven’t met either one yet, I intend to. There’s one who lives in NYC and I would love to meet her, too

Anyway, yesterday, a discussion was started about how much we spend on groceries per week (or per month) and how much we spend on gas per month. I chimmed in that we spend around $250 a month (give or take) and household items combined. They were all shocked that we could feed a family of 5 on roughly $60 a week. I was amazed that some of them, for a family of 4 or 5, spend $700 a month!!! I just cannot fathom spending that much on groceries! We’d be bankrupt! Seriously!

So, how do I do it, they wanted to know. One word. Generic. I don’t know that there is anything that we buy that is brand name unless it’s on sale cheaper than the store brand. Peanut butter used to be the exception. But we’ve found Wegman’s brand of peanut butter to be THE BEST peanut butter ever made. Seriously, if you LOVE peanut butter (as all of the boys in the house do…including the big one) and you have a Wegmans near you, you must try it. I will never buy Jif again, which used to be my p.b. of choice.

I recently ran across a blog that was talking about making a price book. I thought it was an interesting idea, so I decided I’d do it to. If you don’t know what a price book is, just google it and you’ll find lots of information. It really is a fantastic way to see just what you are spending per unit. This is especially helpful if you don’t shop at the same store all the time, or if you shop at several differnt stores. I am also finding it helpful to see what items are increasing in price vs. what are staying the same. It may eventually help us cut down our grocery costs even more (I know what you are thinking…why would she cut them down even more???). I am NOT looking forward to having to feed three teenage boys, and we’re only 6 years away from the “teens.” That doesn’t sound like it’s very close at hand, but trust me, every penny we save on groceries now will go into the “24/7 smorgasboard” that will be our kitchen in a few years!

blogging, food | 1 Comment »

1. There is absolutely NO way you can get me to bungee jump!
2. Seeing all the flowers and trees bloom reminds me that summer is almost here!
3. I cannot live without my computer!
4. Knitting and quilting are two things I’d like to try.
5. When life hands you lemons trade them in for oranges.
6. Camping with my grandparents all over the country is my favorite childhood memory.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to going back to the Lilac Festival, tomorrow my plans include going to a charity “black-tie optional” dinner and Sunday, I want to watch the NASCAR All-Star race that I will dvr Saturday night!

memes | 2 Comments »

Appetizer

What is the nearest big city to your home? Well, technically, I live in a big city. Otherwise, I’d say Buffalo, NY.

Soup

On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being highest, how well do you keep secrets? I am a 10 No, really I am! I can keep a secret for years!

Salad

Describe your hair (color, texture, length). I recently cut 16 inches off my hair and donated it to Locks of Love. So, I’d say my hair is now medium length (just above the shoulders), strawberry blonde, fine but very thick. And curly. Unless I use a straightener

Main Course

What kind of driver are you? Courteous? Aggressive? Slow? I’d say most of the time I’m a courteous driver. There are times when I will get aggressive if I have to, but I try not to.

Dessert

When was the last time you had a really bad week? A couple of weeks ago.

memes | 1 Comment »

Because hte Indianapolis 500 is only ten days away, I’m doing an Indy Car TT this week So, here goes!

Thirteen Things about the 92nd running of the Indianapolis 500 1. This is the largest rookie class since 1997. Thirteen rookies are entered in the Indianapolis 500, the most since 1997 when the 13-member rookie class included Kenny Brack, Greg Ray and Sam Schmidt. Eight rookies have won the Indianapolis 500, including Helio Castroneves in 2001. Can a rookie take the checkered flag this year? 2. Old rivalries will be renewed at Indianapolis this year. The 92nd Indianapolis 500 will be the first under the unified IndyCar Series banner, meaning teams like Team Penske, Dale Coyne Racing, Andretti Green Racing and Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing will compete against each other in “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” for the first time since 1995. 3. This is the second consecutive season that three women (Milka Duno, Sarah Fisher and Danica Patrick) are entered in the Indianapolis 500. (Entered does not mean they have qualified for the race.) 4. The next generation is here. Andrettis, Foyts and Rahals will share the track for the first time since 1992 when Jeff, John, Mario and Michael Andretti, A.J. Foyt and Bobby Rahal were on the track together. That year, Rahal, Foyt and John Andretti all finished in the top 10. This year, Marco Andretti, A.J. Foyt IV, Larry Foyt and Graham Rahal will compete. Marco is the 21-year-old grandson of Mario and son of Michael. A.J. IV, who will turn 24 on Race Day, is the grandson of A.J. Foyt, and Graham is the 19-year-old son of Bobby. The only question is, can these next-generation drivers continue their family’s legacies at Indianapolis? (Graham nearly made the top 11 in qualifying last weekend.) 5. One of my favorite drivers, Tony Kanaan, has qualified in the top five in all six of his Indianapolis 500 starts. Other notable streaks include: Helio Castroneves, four consecutive top-10 starts; Danica Patrick, three consecutive top-10 starts; Marco Andretti and Scott Dixon, two consecutive top-10 starts. 6. Helio Castroneves is the only driver to finish in the top five in all four races this season. Tony Kanaan is the only other driver to finish in the top 10 in all four races. 7. Helio Castroneves and Dan Wheldon are the only drivers to complete all 683 laps in 2008. 8. One of my other favorite drivers, Helio Castroneves will make his 102nd career IndyCar Series start after qualifying fourth. It will also be his 100th consecutive start. 9. Buddy Lazier is the only driver to start every Indianapolis 500 since 1995. Hopefully, he will continue that streak by qualifying this weekend. 10. The points leader is missing a victory. Helio Castroneves leads the IndyCar Series standings from his four top-five finishes. However, he has yet to record a victory in 2008. Can he find his way to Victory Lane at Indianapolis, where he won in 2001 and 2002, and become the ninth driver with three or more victories in the Indianapolis 500? Or, will he continue a streak of points leaders who struggle at Indianapolis (Wheldon 22nd in 2007, Castroneves 25th in 2006)? I must say that his season of “Dancing with the Stars” is the only one I’ve watched completely. I was so glad he won! 11. Four drivers have won the first four IndyCar Series races of 2008, making this year the first time since 2004 that a season has started with four different winners. The top four drivers are separated by only 15 points. The last time five different drivers won the first five races was in 2003 when Scott Dixon opened the season with a victory at Homestead-Miami and went on to win the championship. Team Penske’s Gil de Ferran won the Indianapolis 500 that season (the fourth race). 12. Graham Rahal will become the fifth-youngest starter in Indianapolis 500 history (19 year, 142 days) if he qualifies for the race. A.J. Foyt IV (19 years, 0 days) is the youngest ever starter in the 500 while Marco Andretti (19, 76) is third. Sarah Fisher (19, 237) is currently fifth. 13. Four IndyCar Series champions are scheduled to participate in the Indianapolis 500: Buddy Lazier (2000), Scott Dixon (2003), Tony Kanaan (2004) and Dan Wheldon (2005).

Thursday Thirteen, memes | 2 Comments »