Memoirs of a Moorings

Makes Me Smile

"Today, give a stranger one of your smiles.  It might be the only sunshine he sees all day."

Turns out that somebody other than my mother and two of my friends read the blog. I received The Smile Award from the ladies over at Mommy Lounge. What a sweet little surprise. Be sure to go over and give them a visit. Thanks ladies!

Here are the characteristics for the Smile Award:
1. Must display a cheerful attitude. (not necessarily at all times--we are all human)
2. Must love one another
3. Must make mistakes
4. Must learn from others
5. Must be a positive contributor to blog world
6. Must love life
7. Must love kids

Here are the rules:
1. The recipient must link back the the award's creator (http://www.thebabblingsofmere.blogspot.com/)
2. You must post these rules if you receive the award.
3. You must chose 5 people to receive the award after receiving it yourself
4. You must fit the characteristics of the recipient of the award, as posted by Mere.
5. You must post the characteristics of a recipient.
6. You must create a post sharing your win with others.
7. You must thank your giver.

These are the blogs that always make me smile when I see them updated in my feed reader:

1. My Longest Year: Cute crafts. Cute kids. Cute mommy. She formerly blogged about having her husband away in the service. He's now home. What's not to smile about?

2. Makes Me Wanna Holler: Blogs about things on a black daddy's mind. Always interesting stuff here. I especially love the YouTube daddy video on his site.

3. Mocha Dad: I love black men who love being daddies. That alone makes me smile.

4. Never Hoot Alone: I love this dude. Always makes me smile with his thoughtful posts.

5. Superhero Journal: Just looking at her site makes me smile. I think she has like 10,000 million readers. Proof that she's a joymaker!

Be sure to check everybody out. I'm sure you'll smile too.

Worth The Click Through

Love and adore this you.tube video. Love the little girl confidence. The joy!

W.ii Are Addicted

"Video games are bad for you? That's what they said about rock and roll." ~SHIGERU MIYAMOTO

My dad bought W.ii for our big boy. But it looks like we are all addicted. I've never been one for videos games, but I find myself saying, "okay, one more game and then it's your turn." The other night me and the hubby were up well past midnight racing each other on Mari.o Kart W.ii.

Not good.

So I have given myself a time limit and it is only on if someone else is in the house with me. I need someone to hold me accountable. I need treatment.

Thanks Daddy. Thanks alot.

Sweet Treats

“Forget love, I'd rather fall in chocolate.”

Not perfect...but delicious indeed! I should have taken a picture of our little guy with red all over his face and fingers to prove it.
Recipe here.

Sweet Day

"The best leader is the one who has sense enough to pick good men to do what he wants done, and self-restraint enough to keep from meddling with them while they do it."  ~Theodore Roosevelt

Lately, work has been less than fun. But today when I came from a meeting, I found this lovely package of goodies from a sweet lady who works in my department. We had to reschedule a lunch 3 times for Bosses Day and it just never happened. How sweet of her to make my day.

Odd and Ends

"A journey of a thousand sites begins with a single click."  ~Author Unknown

I don't know if I should be admitting this, but I LOVE the internet. There's a world of resources at your fingertips. I always come across something useful or cute in my online travels.

Lately, I've been shopping for side tables for the family room to no avail. Then I found this lovely (and inexpensive IKEA hack). When I get some free time I'm going to attempt this one. Isn't this just the cutest little thing :-)

And I've decided to ban microwave popcorn from the house. Sure it's fast and easy. But with all these conflicting reports about its healthiness--I thought it best to steer clear---especially since my little one really enjoys the stuff. We've gone back to the old-fashioned way of popping popcorn-straight from the kernel. Even Daddy made some for Rhyan last weekend and it was pretty good. And if Daddy can handle it, then I know it's do-able! I found a recipe for Perfect Popcorn here. Try it out!

And I think Rhyan will love these rainbow pancakes. Why didn't I ever think to put chocolate chips in them?

Gurrlie Girl and Good Grooves

"Think of all the beauty still left around you and be happy." ~Anne Frank

Amazing how something as simple as some good music can make you forget about your bossy kid. I totally missed the last season of American Idol, so I knew nothing of Elliott Yamin who was like the third runner up. The other day I saw an ad on TV for his song "Wait For You" and I went straight to the computer to download the album. Let's just say I've been rocking the album non-stop for two days. He's making me very happy right now!

Also, I've been rocking some Gurrlie Girl jewelery that my sister bought for me from one of her co-workers. Absolutely adore the scriptural reminders of trusting God and the fruit of the spirit! And I'm such the nerd. I ordered an Acme Pen from See Jane Work. (Thanks Toni!) Writes like a dream :-) So I've been constantly writing "This too shall pass" as reminder that this crazy time with Rhyan is just a phase.

The Girlfriend Gathering

"Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another, 'What! You too? I thought I was the only one” ~ C.S. Lewis

The girlfriend gathering held last Saturday was so much fun that I didn't think to pick up my camera until the party was pretty much over. The premise of the get together is simple: Good food and Good friends :-) Could a girl possibly ask for more? Without girlfriend time I always feel like I'm dying on the vine. This is the third year I've held it and we had an absolute blast--and everybody brought GREAT food. Fried chicken, macaroni and cheese (which was granished with tomatoes on top-so pretty! and delicious), yams, greens, spaghetti, and few dishes I know I"m forgetting.
For those who wanted that sinful banana pudding I made, it's P*aula De*en's recipe. Click to get the recipe Not Yo Momma's

Banana Pudding.

A co-worker came to speak about losing her husband four years ago to a motorcycle accident after only two years of marriage. Instead of it being a sad tale of love lost, she offered hope and reminded us that tomorrow is promised to no one. Love with all your might right now! When I first met her last year, I could hardly believe her joy given her situation. We are the same age, so I felt a kindred spirit in her. Yet, she is a testimony of how God heals and restores. I love that girl and thank her so much for sharing her testimony.

We still have left overs? And extra favors with little goodies inside. Any body wanna come over and take some off our hands?!