Best Invention EVER

Okay, I will be the firs to admit that I am not much of a cook. It's not so much that I *can't*, but just that I *don't*. A friend of mine suggested I do more crock pot cooking, which I am all for except for one little problem. When I crockpot cook I tend to just put the crockpot container in the fridge with the leftovers and then I take forever to get around to emptying it out and washing the crock pot for future crock pot meals. Basically, I hate CLEANING my crock pot. Her solution: slow cooker liners. I bought some. They sat in my cabinet for a month. Well, today I made a crock pot dinner (beef stroganoff, if you MUST know)and used the liner for the first time. WOW! It was awesome! Nothing stuck to my crock pot. I spooned out the leftovers and put them in a plastic container and then just lifted the liner out. Voila. Crockpot cleaned. Okay, I did wash the lid. But now my crockpot is stowed away in its little crockpot spot in my cabinet...the SAME night the meal was initially cooked. That has NEVER happened in my house. LOL So, I recommend you go out RIGHT THIS SECOND and buy some slow cooker liners. They're awesome. Thank you, Allison, for helping me out. :)

"My online friends"

As many of you know, I am a member of an online group called Early Millenium Babies. We were all pregnant together and due in March of 2000. It's amazing, but we have stayed together all this time. I don't know what I would have done without this group, as they were my outlet during the tough times and my ear to brag to during the awesome times. We always had a safe place to come when we had questions, concerns, or proud moments to share about our children. We have become a pretty tight group and I am so proud to be a member. In 2002 I wrote a poem to this effect. I had completely forgotten I had written this poem, but found it as I was cleaning out my computer desk in the den. I wanted to share it here.

EMB

Early Millenium Babies, that's what we're called,
but what does it really mean?
We were the Late March Mommies,
but babies don't keep to a schedule it seems.
Our babies were born, but we had more to say.
Our group would not stop here.
No, we typed and we talked, and some even met,
as we trudged through that tough first year.
Great friendships were made. We laughed and we cried.
We leaned on each other. We made it through.
There were more gatherings, more wonderful bonds,
and now - WOW - our babies are two!
As they come upon the age of three,
our group is still steadfast.
We share our secrets, our greatest joys,
our present and our past.
We have come together in time of need.
We have stood strong through calm and strife.
Our babies may have brought us together,
but it's our love that will take us through life.
~Kathy Nay, winter 2002

Those 'babies' are now 8 and I still love this group. Sure, we've lost some members and we're all busier now than ever, but many of us still find the time to 'talk' to those reading out in cyber space. There have been more secrets shared than we can count. It feels good to know that you always have someone you can tell anything to and who are they going to tell? LOL It's been very cathartic for me and I truly owe them for my sanity, what little I have left. So, thank you, EMB! I love you!

Get Your Popcorn!

The boys have been begging to sell popcorn and lemonade outside of Aunt Angel's store for months. My dad had bought a popcorn machine a few years ago and I think Shelbie sold some up there once or twice. Anyway, I finally gave in and told them we'd do it. They named their business "Rock 'n' Pop" - Carter planned to have his radio and/or guitar - and made their sign themselves. We went to Sam's to buy supplies, as I provided them with a small business loan to get them started. We determined that they would pay me 25% of their profits each time they worked until the loan was paid in full. The first night, Friday night, they were set up from 8:00 - 10:00 PM and made $17.75! I was impressed! And, boy were they excited! Saturday we set up from noon - 2:00 and made $8.25. Apparently night time is better. I didn't really intend for it to be such a learning experience. I just thought they'd have fun making a little money. But, it all evolved and by the end of the night Friday Chad was figuring 25% of their profits each time they made a new sale. They did a great job and, of course, I was glad I finally gave in and let them do it. Now I just have to let them do it more often so they can pay off their loan. :) OH, and they both had to spend their money yesterday as soon as Charles got home (their profits plus their allowance). Chad had been wanting a new Pokemon game, so he bought that at Gamestop and Carter found a bug net gun on sale, so they did pretty good.


Their sign


The boys and their popcorn


Their first dollar made

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