Tuesday, September 01, 2009

Tackle It Tuesday (9.1.2009)


I love to tackle a project...but today....I have a list of things that I need to get done instead of a project where I get to show you a before and after picture...maybe next week!

1. HS Girls CMSL Schedule
2. Scan and shred MYSA paperwork.
3. Laundry...need to do a load of darks and lights.
4. Take girls laundry to their room.
5. Clear off kitchen table today.
6. Put weekly routine on calendar.
7. Update big family calendar.


The list doesn't look to intimidating but #1 and #2 will take a majority of my day.

Monday, August 31, 2009

Menu Monday (Aug 31, 2009)


I am slowing working on getting back to my regular routine and one thing that really helps me stay on track with meal planning and my budget is to sit down every Monday morning and look over my freezer inventory, pantry and calendar and plan my meals for the week. Here is my menu for the week of August 31st:

Monday (soccer practice-CWH, GLH and SJH):Tangy Curry Pork Chops, Twiced Baked Potatoes, and Green Beans.

Tuesday: Grilled Spicy Peach Chicken

Wednesday (Soccer Game-CSH): Southwest Pasta Bake

Thursday (Dance-GLH & SJH, Soccer practice-CWH, & Booster Meeting): Pork Tenderloin with Roasted Apples and Onions

Friday: Out of Town

Saturday: Out of Town

Sunday: Out of Town

Monday: Out of Town

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Tackle It Tuesday-8.25.2009



I haven't done a Tackle it Tuesday in quite sometime now...so here goes...figure this would be a good route to get started on my new school year routines and goals...to start with a TIT blog posting (since one of my goals is to blog daily!).



Today, I have a couple of items that need tackling today....



1. Freezer Chicks Cooking for Meal Exchange - we exchange this evening and I haven't started cooking yet! I have 3 meals to make times 6! Why do I wait until the last minute to do these things???? Why!!!!

2. Set goals and routines for the next month. I am going to tackle one month at a time because my life seems to change by the week!

3. Three loads of laundry...my laundry is so far behind!

Monday, August 24, 2009

Another School Year Started....

School years come quicker and quicker each year...it feels like yesterday that I was sending my first born off to Kindergarten and he is starting his junior year! Wow...where has the last 12 years gone!

With the start of the new school year, for me comes a time to reflect on last school year, make changes to routines and schedules. This year, I am going to do a "New Year's Resolution" and make some new goals for the school year for me, the kids, and my family in general.

I also want to reflect on my 40-before-40 list and see if there are some things that I can cross off before I turn 41 in July 2010.

One thing that I am going to do is to post regularly to my blog...I feel like my blog friends give me support and some accountability that I need! So check back tomorrow to see my goal for the remainder of August!

Wednesday, July 08, 2009

It's Official....I am 40 years old!


I have reached a milestone! This year has been full of milestones for my family...Connor turned 16 in January, Collin turned 13 and both Sean and I turned 40!
I woke up early on my birthday...yuck! But I have had some time to think and ponder on the next 10 years! They are going to be great! God has given me a wonderful husband and four beautiful children!
"I'm not 40...I'm 18 with 22 years of experience!" Author unknown.

Tuesday, July 07, 2009

Happy 40th Birthday to me!!!

Well....my fortieth birthday is tomorrow! I started this blog almost 3 years ago to track my progress of things I wanted to accomplish before I turned 40 years old. I plan on taking this year to work a little harder on my list and figure out what I am going to rename my blog right before I turn 41! I accomplished some but still have a lot of things that I would still like to do...here is my list:

1. Clean/Organize Garage (cleaned last summer...need to clean it out again!)
2. Clean/Organize Attic
3. Lose 50 pounds---75 would be better but 50 would be great! (need to get serious about losing some weight. This Easter I had a heart scare & cardiologist recommends losing 75 pounds!)
4. Read the Chronicles of Narnia with my kids. (reading on my own first-finished the first book)
5. Bake through Martha Stewart's Baking Handbook.
6. Knit a blanket for each of my kids.
7. Renew my wedding vows. (will look at doing when we have our 20th wedding anniversary in 2011)
8. Read the Bible completely.
9. Purchase "1001 Books to Read Before I Die" and read one book a month.
10. Catch up on my scrapbooks. Started working on our Disney trip photo album a couple of weeks ago. (plan to finish Disney trip album, work on New York next and then work on catching up the kids.)
11. Give up Diet Dr Pepper (this will be a really hard one, I have been drinking Dr Pepper since I can remember!Maybe just for a day...like the day I turn 40!) Better yet, add more water to diet! (Cardiologist recommends this for my heart condition...made some progress but started drinking dt dr pepper again.)
12. Make a quilt.
13. Take Networking at church..discover my God given talents.
14. Burn all my home VHS onto DVDs.
15. Rip CDs I don't listen to often and sell them.
16. Go to a spa for a massage.
17. Get a pedicure.
18. Take a cooking class.
19. Read everything I haven't read yet on my bookshelf.
20. Watch all five Best Picture nominees prior to the Oscars.
21. Get a will (mostly for if something happens to both S & I-details for Mom & Dad re: the kids) Have mine done...need to get Sean's completed & have SIL file.
22. Learn cake decorating.
23. Plant a herb garden to be used all year long.
24. Try yoga.
25. Try pilates.
26. Incorporate a regular date night with hubby. (I thinking every other Friday or Saturday evening.)
27. Visit NY and go to a Broadway musical or play. (would like to see Wicked)
28. Make a household inventory notebook including pictures, serial numbers, etc for insurance purposes. Purchased notebook 6/29/07. Started working on inventory with kitchen.
29. Get finances in order and everything paid off. (just about there!!!)
30. Take family to Disney World.
31. Send out Christmas Cards (last time was 1997)
32. Clean out car-keep it clean for an entire month-figure this would help me set a habit.
33. Take a second honeymoon with hubby.
34. Take family on a ski trip to Steamboat.
35. Go ice skating with my family.
36. Drink Milk. Plain, Chocolate or Strawberry flavored. (at least one for that day-this one is for my son-I do not like milk &; don't drink milk & he thought that it would be a good one to add to my list!)
37. See "Gone with the Wind."
38. Take Tennis Lessons.
39.
40

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Hickman High School FBLA Winners


District 6 Future Business Leaders of America Conference
February 23, 2009
Jamestown, Missouri

Twenty Hickman students and advisers Jeaniene Thompson and Colleen Goss attended the conference. There are 22 schools in the district. Ten students will represent Hickman High School at the state competition competing in 11 different events; these students' names are indicated by an asterisk. In addition, Hickman won second place in total points. Hickman had the following winners:

Accounting I -1st Place, Kristen Bailey*
Business Calculations - 5th Place, Melissa Green
Business Communications- 1st Place, Ben Hoffman*
Business Ethics (team event)- 3rd Place, Ashlie Anderson-Rice, Connor Hollrah, Brock Loesing
Business Math - 4th Place, Connor Hollrah
Business Procedures - 5th Place, Charlie Chau
Computer Problem Solving - 1st Place, Alan Gatica*
Computer Problem Solving - 3rd Place, Skye Ramseyer
Economics - 2nd Place, Joe Langworthy*
Economics - 5th Place, Josh Jacobi
Electronic Career Portfolio - 1st Place, Erin Chambers*
Entrepreneurship (team event) - 2nd Place, Yohana Ghirmazion, Connor Hollrah, Avy Kea
Global Business (team event) - 1st Place, Kristen Bailey*, Joe Langworthy*, Trey Nelson*
Help Desk (individual event) - 2nd Place, Kyle Bogden
Management Decision Making (team event) - 2nd Place, Grace Cripps, Alan Gatica, Josh Jacobi
Marketing - 4th Place, Trey Nelson
Network Design (team event) - 1st Place, Kyle Bogden*, Josh Boyer*
Networking Concepts - 1st Place, Kyle Bogden*
Personal Finance - 1st Place, Grace Cripps*
Personal Finance - 3rd Place, Gavin Hart
Sports Management - 1st Place, Gavin Hart*
Technology Concepts - 2nd Place, Alan Gatica*
Hickman FBLA Total Points - 2nd Place

Friday, February 20, 2009

One More Down.....34 More To Go! Disney Vacation



We just returned home from a family vacation to Disney World on February 17th. We had 8 awesome days of Florida sun and Disney fun! The girls' dance competition team decided to attend the TwirlMaina competition that is held every February at Disney World and when it was presented at a Booster meeting in August, we decided that it was the right time to take the family to their FIRST Disney trip! Not to mention that it allowed me to cross off another item off of my 40-before-40 list...yeah!!




Our trip started early Tuesday morning. Our plan departed at 7:30 am and we arrived in Florida around 11:00 am (Eastern Time). We caught the Magical Express Shuttle to our resort-All-Star Music. We arrived around noon, got checked into our room, which was a family suite, through on our swimsuits and headed to the pool. I stayed in the room and unpacked our suitcases. I had also pre-ordered groceries prior to leaving Columbia, they arrived around 2:00 pm. The girls participated in the hula-hoop contest, a dance party and a hot potato contest (which both Gracie and Sydney were the winners-they tied). We had reservations at Chef Mickey's so we left around 4:15 to catch the shuttle and to make our 5:05 pm reservations. We were greeted at our table by Goofy, Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, and Pluto. The food was okay...for the price, I wouldn't recommend Chef Mickey's and if we get the opportunity to go to Disney again, we won't go there again. After dinner, we caught the Monorail and rode it through Magic Kingdom...watch the castle change colors, it was quite a sight!




The next day we were up early and off to Magic Kingdom for breakfast at the castle with Cinderella and the other princesses! We were greeted at the castle gate and were treated like royalty! We were "My Lady," and " Princess" and "Young Prince", etc. The breakfast was fabulous! I would recommend the Royal Table to anyone going to Disney for breakfast, lunch or dinner! It was a pricey but the food and service was fabulous! We also got our picture taken with Cinderella before our dinner and those pictures came with the meal! Belle, Jasmine and Snow White greeted us during our breakfast. The girls (and boys) had a great breakfast and dining experience!




The boys took after to ride rides and the girls and I stayed close to the castle because they had an appointment at the Bibbity Bobbity Boutique to get their hair, make-up and nails done for the day. They were absolutely gorgeous after their appointment!
After being transformed into a princess, we were off to enjoy Magic Kingdom. We rode lots of rides, including Splash Mountain and Space Mountain and ended the day at Magic Kingdom enjoying the fireworks! It was a magical first day at Disney.
Our second day at Disney we did a lot of park hopping...started at Animal Kingdom, hopped over to Hollywood Studios (MGM) and ended at Epcot. We were at Hollywood Studios when they had the American Idol Parade and got to see a bunch of American Idol Past Winners, Contestants, Ryan Seacrest and Paula Abdul! It was quite the experience!
The next day we went to Universal Studios and Island Adventure. The boys really enjoyed this park! Lots of daring rides some that Sydney could ride and some that she couldn't ride. She was a little upset when she discovered that she couldn't ride all of the rides! She is a dare devil and riding the roller coaster was exciting for her. Her and Gracie did ride the water raft ride two times and was soaking wet! They enjoyed this ride immensely! We closed the park down and headed back to our resort. We ordered pizza and relaxed in our room that evening.
The weekend was rather busy for Gracie and Sydney, the TwirlMaina competition took place on Saturday and Sunday. Saturday we started the day at Epcot and then headed to Magic Kingdom for the parade that Gracie marched in...which was exciting that she was able to march in a parade at Disney. After the parade they had two performances at the Milk House at Wide World of Sports. We then headed back to Magic Kingdom to rides a few rides and eat dinner with the Patty's and Mary Jo & Cassie. We turned in early that evening because we had to be up and ready for competition to catch our bus at 7:00 am the next morning! Sunday was competition, performance at Downtown Disney, off to Epcot for Showcase and back to Milk House for more competition. The girls, Collin and I headed to Hollywood Studios and Magic Kingdom for some Disney fun after the competition...we were planning on staying at Magic Kingdom until they closed that evening, which was 3 am but we pooped out and headed back to our resort around 11:30!
The next day we went to Sea World...it was great! The girls loved the aquatic animals, the shows were fantastic! Collin was sick that day so he didn't get to ride the rides, he toured Sea World in a wheel chair and slept off and on all day. I felt really bad for him. We stayed at Sea World until the park closed, headed back to our hotel to start packing for our return home.
Our last day, we spent the morning at Epcot walking through the different countries...we stopped and had pastries in Paris. They were yummy! Collin shopped at the Sportsman's Shoppe in London and got a rugby ball and a Chelsea jacket. We were sad to leave but headed back to our resort to catch the Magical Express Bus at 1:00 pm.
We had a great vacation!

Friday, February 06, 2009

Not Long: Disney Schedule


Last night I laid out what days we were going to the different parks. I have to fit in Dance Competition/Performances, Sea World and Universal Studios into our schedule. I feel like we need to at least have a schedule before we go or we won't get to do everything that we would like if I don't do all of this planning. I know some of the other parents that are going are teasing me because I am planning on laminating my schedule....this doesn't mean that we will stick to that schedule but I just want a "master plan!" I am all about spontaneity!


So far this is what my "plan" for the week is:


Day One: Arrive, Swim at Pool at Hotel, Dinner at Chef Mickey's, and Explore Disney via the Monorail after Dinner, Bed at a descent time.


Day Two: Breakfast at Castle in Magic Kingdom, Girls have appointment at the Bippity Boppity Boutique-Hair and Nails, and spend the day at Magic Kingdom.


Day Three: Sleep in (everyone will be awake & ready by 8 am-I'm sure), Spend most of the day in Magic Kingdom. Eat lunch at one of the restaurants in Magic Kingdom (one with no reservations!). Spend late afternoon/evening at Hollywood Studio's.


Day Four: Animal Kingdom in the morning (so we can see the animals) and Sea World that afternoon/evening. Dinner at Rainforest Cafe in Downtown Disney. Extra Magic Hours at Epcot from 8:00 pm to 11:00 pm.


Day Five: Morning at Epcot, Gracie has parade from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm, Girls Perform at the Milk House (Wide World of Sports) from 4:30 to 5:00 pm, Evening at Epcot until closing. Bed by 10:00 pm (girls are up early for a day of dance-meeting bus at 7:15 am in make-up, hair done, in first costume!) Sean and I have reservations at the California Grill for Valentine's Day at 9:00 pm.


Day Six: No Park fun-Performing all Day from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm.


Day Seven: Universal Studios. Pack that evening, make arrangements to get luggage picked up. Print boarding passes.


Day Eight: Hollywood Studios until we need to leave for airport. :-(


Wednesday, February 04, 2009

Countdown to Disney-6 days!!!


I am counting down to the day we leave and I feel like I have so much to do! I have 5 days to finish planning our trip, clean my house and pack!

We just watched the DVD that Disney sends to get us excited (not that we already aren't excited) but to see what the rides look like, the shows, etc. and to get an idea of where we want to go! Sydney was a little worried that she wasn't going to be tall enough to ride the roller coasters! She looked up at me and asked (with big tears in her eyes!), "Are you just going to leave me, if I'm not tall enough?!" I got the tape measure out and she is 51" without shoes on, all of the ride requirements are 40-48" except for the race car ride, which she has to be 52" to drive by herself. She is a happy camper!

The kids then asked about where we are sleeping, I said that each of you will have a "bed" and no one will have to sleep on the floor, etc. I said that they have pictures of our rooms online and I showed them. They were very ungrateful! None of them want to "share" a bed! Collin doesn't want to share, but wants the bigger bed that folds out! Talk about ungrateful! I am spending all of the money to go to Disney and they are more concerned about what they are sleeping in....be thankful that you are getting to go!

Oh well....I am sure that once we get there, get settled in and start our vacation that they will be happy with where they get to rest at...after all we are going to Disney! We are going for the rides, the shows, the food and the fun!

The other cool part of this trip is that I get to cross off one of my items on the 40-before-40 list! Taking my family to Disney!

Tuesday, February 03, 2009

40-Before-40 List

Oh my! I haven't posted on my blog in quite some time. It use to be that blogging was one of my daily activities, something that I really enjoyed now I spend my time on facebook. I still enjoying reading my friends blogs and I am going to do a much better job of posting!



I am about 5 months away from turning 40 so I thought I would revisit my list and start working on a plan to complete some of these items!



1. Clean/Organize Garage UPDATE: Need to organize the area in front of car and then garage is clean....will do when it's not so cold outside!

2. Clean/Organize Attic

3. Lose 50 pounds---75 would be better but 50 would be great!

4. Read the Chronicles of Narnia with my kids. (reading on my own first-finished the first book)

5. Bake through Martha Stewart's Baking Handbook.

6. Knit a blanket for each of my kids.

7. Renew my wedding vows. UPDATE: Would like to renew vows on our 20th Anniv in July 2011.

8. Read the Bible completely. (started reading each day)

9. Purchase "1001 Books to Read Before I Die" and read one book a month.


10. Catch up on my scrapbooks.

11. Give up Diet Dr Pepper (this will be a really hard one, I have been drinking Dr Pepper since I can remember!Maybe just for a day...like the day I turn 40!) Better yet, add more water to diet!

12. Make a quilt.

13. Take Networking at church..discover my God given talents. (Registered for Networking-class starts Jan 21-23. 2007

14. Burn all my home VHS onto DVDs. Purchased a program for my computer & will start working on this next week!

15. Rip CDs I don't listen to often and sell them.

16. Go to a spa for a massage.

17. Get a pedicure.

18. Take a cooking class.

19. Read everything I haven't read yet on my bookshelf.

20. Watch all five Best Picture nominees prior to the Oscars.

21. Get a will (mostly for if something happens to both S & I-details for Mom & Dad re: the kids) Have mine done...need to get Sean's completed & have SIL file.

22. Learn cake decorating. Looked into classes but need to wait until Fall.

23. Plant a herb garden to be used all year long.

24. Try yoga.

25. Try pilates.

26. Incorporate a regular date night with hubby. (I thinking every other Friday or Saturday evening.)

27. Visit NY and go to a Broadway musical or play. (would like to see Wicked) UPDATE: Wend to NYC in June-July 2009. Saw Wicked the first night there!

28. Make a household inventory notebook including pictures, serial numbers, etc for insurance purposes. Purchased notebook 6/29/07. Started working on inventory with kitchen.

29. Get finances in order and everything paid off. UPDATE: All but house will be paid of in Dec 2009!!!

30. Take family to Disney World. UPDATE: We are leaving for our Disney Trip on Feb 10, 2009!!

31. Send out Christmas Cards (I haven't sent out cards since I was pregnant with my 3rd child!) Mailed out cards for 2007 and 2008!!!

32. Clean out car-keep it clean for an entire month-figure this would help me set a habit.

33. Take a second honeymoon with hubby.

34. Take family on a ski trip to Steamboat.

35. Go ice skating with my family.

36. Drink Milk. Plain, Chocolate or Strawberry flavored. (at least one for that day-this one is for my son-I do not like milk &; don't drink milk & he thought that it would be a good one to add to my list!)

37. See "Gone with the Wind."

38. Take Tennis Lessons.

39.

40.


Monday, January 26, 2009

Menu Monday (Week of 1.26.08)


I haven't posted since September and I don't think I have done a menu plan Monday it quite some time. I want to get back to my routines and after two busy weeks (one with dance/soccer and the other sick with the flu)- I am finally getting back to my routine this week.

Here is this week's menu for the Hollrah family:

Monday: (Dance)

Steak Soup and Sandwiches

Tuesday: (Dance, Soccer, Piano)

Bourbon Chicken w/ Veggies, Rice and Salad

Wednesday: (Soccer, Basketball)

Parsley Parmesan Chicken, Veggies, Baked Potato, Salad

Thursday: (Dance, Soccer)

Pork Roast with Apricots and Cranberries (Crockpot), Rice and Salad

Friday: (Basketball and Dance)

Lasagna, Salad, Garlic Bread Sticks

Saturday: (Basketball, Soccer)

Beef Barley Soup (Crockpot), Sandwiches

Sunday: (Soccer)

Eat out