The Jumpin' Jelly Bean Share Café

I made that chicken, too, Donna. I did it in the crock pot. I ended up adding bbq sauce because the wing sauce was so spicy. I'm a baby with spices. Thanks for the recipe!

Lindsay - So cool that your family was on TV! I can't believe it might rain for your walk. I thought it didn't do that in AZ And also I wish I had some leftover ham! We did brunch for Easter and John hates ham so I didn't make any. I just saw a recipe today that called for it, but now I can't remember what it was!

Stacy - I hope all goes well tomorrow. I will be thinking of you and Elim and the poor doctors who have to put tubes in a hungry kid!

Lauren - Absolutely take a break next year. You do so much!

Tracy - I'm surprised and angry that they wouldn't include you in the decision to move the walk. A move like that would definitely cool my enthusiasm for that particular event.

Jessica - We just got a new community director and she is great. The guy last year never returned any of my emails with offers to help and there were literally like 50 people at the walk. I hope you get someone like Katie to replace your guy.

Liz - That doesn't sound good at all. I hope that the doctors can help get Tori back on the right track. Thank you for your extra kindness lately.

I am still second place for family team fundraising for my walk. It's making me crazy! A new team is beating me by a few hundred dollars, according to the community director. I asked when I saw I was in second. It might help if ANYONE else on my "team" did any fundraising! I'm only $147 away from my goal, so I'm pretty excited about that. I don't think I'm going to be able to have my yard sale because I just don't have enough good stuff, but like Stacy said, I will sell the better items and go with that. I still have the student council fund raiser in May, so by June 30 maybe I will be in first...

The weather here has been crap, which is good for me doing school work this week. Kind of boring, though, and not great for the mood. Watch it be 70 when we go back to school next week.

Lauren: Haha!! True!

Lorena: We're crossing our fingers he falls back asleep once we're in the car. Doubtful, but a girl can hope! It really is amazing how much stuff you can accumulate! Good thing about military life is you clear it out once every 3-4 years!

Shannon: I'm a total wimp with the spicy stuff too now. Thank you! Ha! They won't have to deal with him as they're going to knock him out, it's the nurses that need the positive thoughts! So you can see what place people are in for your fundraising? We have no idea about that here. I think our garage sale is going to be a flop.....thunderstorms are predicted, the whole state is in an uproar and freaking out about them. Oh well, we'll hold it rain or shine, though we will close up shop of a tornado finds its way over here.

Sigh.....I haven't had a clogged duct since last June and now I have a major one that will not go away, not even a little bit. Ouch! Doesn't help that Elim can't nurse past midnight now either....hoping I can get rid of it with my two sleep nursing sessions for him before midnight.

Ah, so much better. So I figured out it was a milk blister, messed with it a bit and then pumped and it's all clear! That was hurting so much, but better now!!

Shannon- For what it's worth we add baked goods to our garage sale... keeps people around and shoppin... enough to hear why we're doing the sale and sometimes donate without buying.

Lauren- That's a good idea with the baked goods. So clever. We just got rid of all of our stuff when we moved but I am pretty sure we could have a good yard sale with kids stuff but I don't know that our co-op would dig the yard sale.

Stacy- Good luck today with the tubes and the yard sale Saturday.
I find all lmedical procedures nerve wracking.

Tracy- Would be so mad. They should have called you since you helped organize it before. I can't believe you haven't received 50 fliers about the new walk. I am pretty sure our division kills a small forest a week with the number of fliers they send out.

Lorena- I'll try to remember to put the recipe in my blog. It is simple. How were your visitors? I agree visitors do spur the urge to clean and if it is my in-laws it is usually a deep clean. How is S doing with all of the homework?

Shannon- Second is still pretty good. Sometimes new teams are more enthusiastic and have more donors since the story is so fresh.

Hope everyone is looking forward to a good weekend. Hockey hysteria here. My students are all worked for what I fear will be a short post season for Pittsburgh.

Laura- Any break in the fever?

Have a great weekend.

Lauren: I pretty much stole your whole idea and have a bucket of cookie dough in my fridge. Now if the storms can hold off till after 2 we'll be golden.

Ellen: Thanks!

Tubes went great! I wasn't nearly as stressed with this procedure as I was when he was sick back in December. He didn't even cry when he woke up unless I wasn't rocking him or standing up. The worst part was the drive home. He's back to playing around the house already!

So glad it went well! What a lil' trooper... and momma too! Glad the ideas are spreadin' around! Always cool to see that ripple travel.

Ellen- So embarrassing, when I read about Hockey I thought to myself, really? It's not winter... but um... of course it has been very obviously winter for more folks!! Ooops!

Shannon- We're 3 this year and I hear ya... it drives me crazy! I want Akeelah to be first... it's like a momma bear thing.

Tracy- Yeah, that's a seriously lame move. I'd be less than thrilled too.

Ok... I should really try to get back to sleep... it's 5:30a... was tossin' and turning and finally gave up... but I'm gonna give it one more go.

Stacy-Glad everything went well, I was thinking about ya this morning!

Lauren-Start counting sheep! I hope you are able to get some sleep!

I get off at 1:30 today because I worked extra time during the week to get ready for state testing next week! I was so exhausted on Tuesday, but it really paid off today!!!!

Katie

That's pretty sweet!

I did get some more shut eye and thankfully Micah kept himself happy until 7am.

Micah must really love his mommy to let you get some sleep! He's a good little man!!!

We are actually relaxing at home before karate, no rushing today!

I can't tell what place I'm in. The only reason I know is because our community director sent a newsletter with the top teams listed in order. I'm #3 overall, first is a corporate team, so I don't count them. I tried to be all sleuthy and search the other team on the website, but I couldn't find them so I just asked how far behind I was. Got $50 more today!

Stacy - I'm so glad that everything went well with Elim and that you got your own pain resolved as well. Now, if the thunderstorms just hold off.

Lauren - Baked goods are a good idea. I'm doing a craft show on the 28th, so I might try that there. I have some killer cookie recipes! I guess it is a "momma bear thing." It's kind of a way to take control of a situation that has left me completely powerless.

Ellen - I agree that new teams have an advantage with a fresh story. I'm so scared that people will forget my boys, which is part of the reason I do this.

I'm going to go outside now because sun is shining. Later, we are going to visit John's folks.

Hello ladies!

Stacy, so happy things went well with Elim and I hope the storms hold off for your yard sale. I won't lie, I got nearly repulsed by your duct story, I'm glad all is well in the boobie department.

Lindsay, Awesome @ telemundo!! I think it would be totally cool to see my family on TV!!

Lorena, that salad sounds delishious!!!! I agree, when people come visit I clean....That's about it.

Shannon, Extra kindness? I love ya, girl! If we lived closer I'd bake you a cake and we'd eat the whole thing! I am extremely competitive and I told the team in first place..."It's on!" at our last local team meeting. Meanwhile, My couple of thousand to her 15-20 is something I can't compete with.

Ellen-Go Pens!

Katie, cool on the 1.30 dismissal...Have a good weekend!!!!

I've been watching my niece for a couple days a week. It's going great until...They both start screaming/shreaking/ear piercing/high pitched hysterics. My child does not do this. E(16months) on the other hand. So when one starts, the other joins in. I can take alot of things....shreaking children is not one of them. Tori bit her today! Hit her! Pushed her! Oy! This girl needs interaction with other kids..IMMEDIATLY! Off to the gym we go tonight. Tori has hit that stage of throwing hysterical fits, covering her face, wailing, crying, yet peeks out the corner of her fingers to make sure someone is watching. With her cousin, it's 10X worse. She wants everything E wants. (Which actually helps with the whole eating thing).

Needless to say, I was ready to rip my hair out with the two of them crying/screaming a few hours ago. I now know why God blessed me with only one child, I would not be able to handle two!

Hugs
bbl...

Shannon, great job on the fundraising!!

It's super nice outside! Enjoy it!

Love and Light,

Shannon- I totally did the sleuthing too!

Katie: Yay for getting off early today!

Lauren: Glad you got in that extra bit of sleep, always sucks waking up early when you still want to be asleep!

Shannon: Look at you super sleuth. I don't think I've ever seen a newsletter from here.

Liz: Haha! Sorry! Supposedly there are supposed to be two rounds tonight and tomorrow night with a break in the morning, we'll see! I think I'd be ripping my hair out too!

Round one of storms is currently going on, small tornado touched down a little less than 9 miles away. I was kind of nervous because we were caught on the highway with the storm coming straight for us. We made it just as the hail started up.

Hi girls,
I am curled up in bed at my hotel for the night -- relaxing with all of you and catching up with Share. Was supposed to get a massage this afternoon -- i get there, and they canceled on me! the girl who was supposed to do my massage got sick, is in the hospital -- and no one else was available b/c they were all booked. Huh -- at 4 p.m. on a friday? I was ticked ... that's what i had looked forward to the most! I did end up with a half-hour freebie for when I come in the next time. Sure would have been a perfect way to kick off my me time. I did make it out to dinner with a friend, though... and am now relaxing for a bit. And I went to the Verizon store and upgraded to a smart phone. I now exist in this century with my technology!

OK, so let's see if I remember anything...

Stacy: glad to hear that elim's tube surgery went well. Probably a common surgery for little kids, eh? We're lucky in that regard -- no issues. When my brother was little, he had a lot of issues with his ears, and had tubes in that kept coming out. My mom and dad took him to a reflexologist for a while and he never had any problems after that.

Lauren: how are you feeling? where are those weekly belly shots? How is Micah doing with this pregnancy?

Shannon: i understand the feeling of competition -- i'm the same way! I could never compete with some of these other teams either that have loads of people eager to fundraise. I've been the only fundraiser until this year when my friend -- who lost twins at 12 weeks -- asked to join the team. She pledged to raise $200, which is better than nothing. Good luck with your efforts!

Liz: Oi -- shrieking kids. I can't stand it either. Kaelin runs around the house shrieking "aah! aah!" as loud as she can ... sometimes near Kelsey. My mom told me to ignore and redirect -- or ignore completely. Easier said than done. Kaelin still does the drama -- more for attention. Dan feeds into it -- I don't.

Lorena: the salad sounds wonderful! What did it have in it again?

Donna: did i miss a chicken recipe somewhere along the way? I would be like Shannon and do BBQ sauce ... i'm not a hot sauce girl. I just tried the Kraft Fresh Starts packet -- seasoning and cheese -- just add chicken to shake around in it and bake. Good -- but the southwestern kind has too much of a kick for me. Kaelin was huffing and puffing while she ate, too.

Lindsay: very cool that hubby and your kids were on TV. I'd love to see it too if there's a link to it online, maybe?

Katie: sorry we didn't get to hook up in Florida last month. Hope we can do it next year -- will be easier actually since Kelsey would be 1 1/2 years old by then.

Ellen: was nice seeing you again at the family team's committee meeting. I will actually get to make the next meeting in person as well. Pirates have an early day game, so dan will be home in time.

I am doing surprisingly well with my time out ... even though it didn't start off well. the uninterrupted quiet time is nice. going to get a good workout in the morning, eat the freebie breakfast at the hotel and take my time getting home. I do miss my nightime nursing/snuggle routine with Kelsey, though. But I do need some uninterrupted sleep. So, with that....

i'm going to catch up on some posts and hit the hay.

erin

P.S. Stacy: ouch on the milk blister/plugged ducts. I had a lot when i was weaning kaelin -- and several when i started nursing Kelsey. I've only had two since the fall -- and even though not much milk comes out from behind the blockage -- it hurts like hell! glad to hear you are feeling better.

Oh Erin... I'm so proud of you for doing that!!! You inspire us all momma! Total junk on the canceled massage! Doesn't even take a smart phone to call a client and tell 'em their appointment is canceled!

Safe sunshining thoughts for those of you in the path of those nasty storms!

Morning girls!!

Erin! Jelaous!!!

Busy weekend! Exciting!

Today = Zoo, then my nephews birthday! I will be on the opposite side of town all day(My family is in the south hills, his in the woods way northwest<1hr,20-30min drive time>) I'm hoping to spend time with my sisters and also hoping the storms hold off till late afternoon as the news predicts so we can have fun times at the zoo with PopPop, Gma and Aunt M!
Tomorrow = Church, pancake breakfast, Dinner here!

Have a great day ladies, take cover when the storms push through!

Hugs
bbl...

Should be a fun day Liz!

It's our walk day today... while I'll be there I'm super bummed to not be walking!

Holy moly at the posts that I had to catch up on! Ya'll have been busy the past few days. So have I....hence the fact that I've not even made it online.

Stacy~ I'm glad that Elim's procedure went well and he's back to playing!

Erin~ Girl, you sure do know how to make a momma jealous!!!! I'd seriously be bummed about the lack of massage too, but hey--what a great excuse to go do it again!!

Liz~ Squealing is not my thing!!! Maybe you could just invite the "competition" over for meals so that Tori will eat!!

Lauren~ Bummer on not getting to walk, but next year will be here before you know it!

Jessica~ Sorry about your director. That's difficult....I know, I've had several in the past 7 years. That's part of the reason that they're moving my walk....my rep is moving to FL. Maybe Katie and Sam can benefit from her awesomeness!!

Okay so the word is that we'll find out about the job situation on May 4th. (tentatively) I know that you all have been cheering me on the whole time and I appreciate that, but if you're the "praying kind", then that day would be a great day for constant prayers not only for me, but for my friends and co-workers too.

I'm such a baby when it comes to storms, so I'm nervous for those of you in the path of these nasty thunderstorms. My prayers and thoughts are with you whether you have things to worry about or not. Stay safe!

Okay---so according to my stomach, it's supper time. Enjoy your evening girls!

Erin: Good for you for getting out like that!! Love that you got some me time! Yep, super common surgery! I'd like surgery-lite since there are no incision sites and they're not in any pain after, just gotta put em to sleep so they don't squirm! Oh my goodness, yes it was painful, I had never had one do that before, clogged duct sure, but not a total blockage that wouldn't go away! It still hurts to nurse him on that side, I think the blister did some damage, I'm considering calling my OB for a prescription for Newman's APNO if it's still hurting Monday.

Liz: Sounds like a busy but fun weekend for you! Hope the storms hold off till after outside fun is had!

Lauren: Bummer! I hope you have nice weather for it at least!

We survived day one of storms! A small tornado touched down about 8-9 miles away last night. Some more supercells are supposed to form starting in about an hour and a half. If it looks like it's going to get near us, we'll go spend the night at my parents' house since they've got a storm shelter.

Garage sale was okayish, we made about 230 for it, though 100 was from a table and chairs we sold on Craig's list. Don't know that we'll repeat last year, but trial and error I guess! I'm happy with our total fundraising for this year, I think we've more than doubled the previous two years combined.

That's huge! And seriously, you had tornadoes to compete with!

Tracy- Crossin' crossables May 4th comes and goes without too much shake up for ya!

Came back from the walk... 107/43.... ooooh yeah baby, meds are workin! Didn't take it before I left because I didn't want to know...

This year's walk had really good energy, and I forget who the kiddie stamp card idea was from... Jackie?? Kids LOVED it. They got plants as prizes.

stacy: just a quick suggestion for the pain leftover from your milk blister. a warm salt water soak before and after you pump, and before and after you nurse does wonders. I had a painful one last month and did the salt water soaks ... and after a few days -- it went away. a lactation consultant suggested this to me when I was getting a lot of them while weaning Kaelin.

let me know if you try it and if it helps.

erin

Stacy - Glad to hear that Elim' surgery went well.

Lauren - Good that Micah let you sleep a bit more:) Such a good boy!

Shannon - Good luck with your craft show and bake sale. Yum!

Liz - I can't really stand the screaming children thing either. Hurts ears and makes me want to drink:)

We were supposed to get rain, but it never came our way. Some wind here and there, but not like what the weather reports were indicating. It was a fun Saturday and I'm relieved that's it's over for now.

Lindsay~ Great pics! That's great that the rain didn't ruin things for ya!!

Lauren~ Lovin' those numbers!!

Stacy~ I hope you're still safe from the storms. Love your yard sale numbers even though they weren't as high as last year. Nobody can ask for more when there are storms brewin'!!

We've been skating today! Ansley's friend had a birthday party at the skating rink so we were off after church to enjoy some exercise. Well, let's change that a bit.....SHE exercised....I watched!

Lindsay- I love the pics! You look fabulous momma... and the boys are adorable as always.

Tracy- Ice or Roller? Either sounds fun to me!

Lindsay, love the pics and so glad the weather held off!
Tracy, I'd be frightened of any type of skates. We used to go ice skating, not since Tori.
Lauren, hi!
Erin, Sorry about your massage, I'd be content with some uninterupted TV, glass of wine, and a big comfy bed.

Good weekend here.

bbl...

Erin, I'd be super bummed about the massage. I've always wanted one but I just can't ever find the time.

Stacy, glad the milk blister doesn't hurt anymore. Clogged ducts are the worst, I had two with Trevor and it was awful.

Tracy, I'd just watch also since I'd probably kill myself on skates!

Ugh, can't remember anything else. Trevor STILL has a fever and we are still waiting for urine results. I know it can take up to 5 days for results and no one will call on the weekend but I'm sick of this. Also, he has diarrhea now, ugh. At least he's acting better and finally eating/drinking mostly normal. I'm calling the Dr tomorrow to see if they have any suggestions.