A side of Camden most house guests do not see.


Sorry, not that actual, physical side...

... but the calm, lazy...
..it's 9:00pm...

...I can't be bothered by a camera in my face side.


Fortunately for us, that side isn't limited only to late in the evening.

CARPET!!!

The carpet was scheduled to be installed yesterday. They brought the wrong pad and had to wait for a truck to arrive.

Last Night:

It was a long drive home from KC today. I was filled with great anticipation.

Tonight!

Then I started skipping, hopping and running all around on the new carpet! (it's all hardwood upstairs.)

If only you could smell it, too. :)

It's about the food.

Friday: Calzones

Saturday: Hamburger Vegetable Soup

Sunday: Hamburger & Potato Casserole, roasted green beans

Monday: Grilled Cheese

Tuesday: Apple-Cheddar-Turkey Meatballs, mustard potatoes

Wednesday: Whatever

Thursday: Homemade Chicken Nuggets, apples

Guess what's on sale this week at our grocery stores? Yep - potatoes, hamburger, turkey, apples, and cheese among others. I might be getting the hang of shopping the sales and planning based on sale. Or, more likely, it was just a lucky week. My focus is still on planning meals we like and sticking to them.
Check out more great menus at orgjunkie.com!

P.S. I have something against cans of Cream soup - I don't like the taste - so I always use a casserole sauce mix in place of the can(s) of soup for recipes.

Bathroom #2

It looks like a bathroom! I have to admit, installing tiles is probably one of the most tedious and most boring things I have ever done. Thanks to my dedicated husband for doing that entire wall and most of the floor!

There are a few finishing touches needed - most importantly a door! - but after today it should have running water and be a functional bathroom!


With carpet coming on Tuesday, the end is in sight!!! We started finishing our basement over 2 years ago! I'm so excited.

A list

After all, this is a blog of Random Things.

Found this list on Kelli's blog. The things in orange are what I have done. Makes me realize how much I actually have experienced.

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland/world
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo (those who know me might not believe it)
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables (tried to grow corn once, mom thought it was a weed. I also have and area prepared for a garden this summer!:)
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train (only sort of slept...)
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise (probably going to in Alaska this summer)
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language (maybe, I learned several phrases in German. Don't think I could actually communicate with a German speaker though).
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David (This summer!!!)
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person (This summer!!!)
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Gotten flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican (Again, this summer!!!)
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee



45% with 5 more planned!

New Year's Resolution?

Not exactly. It is just a coincidence that I've been super motivated these past couple weeks to be organized. Not that I lack organization - except that one time I was 5,000 miles overdue for an oil change, oops. Organization just makes me happy. :) Yep, I'm one of those people.

I found this website yesterday and have been reading, designing, printing, an three-hole-punching like crazy creating my own Household Notebook. Oh, it's so fun! I love the tours of others' notebook. Seeing it in action is more inspiring to make one myself. True: most of these people have kids or large families, so it is probably quite helpful. True: it's just me and my husband in our household. True: I just like to be organized.

So if you are also one of those people, join in the FUN! Here's a sample of some of my section title pages.

I'm Back

People often say the holidays are so busy. I don't usually agree, finding them fun and relaxing. I love spending time with family and enjoying the season. I still don't think holidays are busy but I did feel very refreshed this weekend! Things have slowed down a bit and I feel like I'm back to a regular pace.

Although... I still haven't been inspired for new blog posts. I have been inspired by my weekly menu plans. Last week my husband and I found a new meal that we both loved! Marinated Pork Loin (I used chops) from the American Heart Association Cookbook, Crash Hot Potatoes and veggies. Yum! We have somewhat different tastes, so it's always exciting to find something we both enjoy. Here are this week's meals for Menu Plan Monday.

(I plan with Friday as the beginning of the week.)
Friday: Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo
Saturday: Spanish Tortilla
Sunday: Ranch Ham 'N Cheese pasta bake
Monday: Left overs
Tuesday: Taco Salad
Thursday: Dijon-crusted Chicken