Simply Sudie

Some Days

Many days I am not sure I am going to make it.

Some days are so crazy, if I told anyone else about it they would never believe it.

And one day, I will be on top of things.

Today was a some day.

My oldest daughter has a couple of food allergies that we have to contend with.  One of these is dairy.  So, for all of her nine years on this earth we as a family have done without.   Until recently when my suffering-in-silence husband declared he could not take it any more and headed to the Piggly Wiggly for some "real" milk.  My youngest daughter hearing his rant stated she wasn't going to continue drinking rice milk anymore either.  (Especially if her daddy said it was "icky.")

So this morning sweet Meemee had her cereal with Real milk.  It was a non-event.  But she felt somehow it was a victory none-the-less.  

This is where you picture our domestic bliss.  Sister is making her bed.  Mom is putting the finishing touches on lunch boxes after starting a load of clothes.  

So sweet Meemee remembers that she did not clear the table.  This is something that she is constantly getting in trouble for.  She tries to sneak putting the cereal bowl in the kitchen sink when she trips. And she throws the bowl straight up in the air which hits the ceiling and then lands on top of her big navy blue bow drenching her only clean school uniform.

It is now raining milk.  It looks like Real milk was spritzed all over everything.  It's all over the walls, the floors, the ceiling, the girl and me.  What is worse is it is all over A.'s lunch, lunch box and shoes.

Did I mention it was five minutes away from walking out the door?  The one day we were ahead of schedule?  Did I mention that?  And that in the washing machine was all the uniforms we own.  Wet.

What do you think we did next?  We just decided to make the most of it.  We looked at it as an opportunity to slow down and spend some more time together.  It was a gift.

What was most unexpected was that I had an opportunity to teach my children that messes happen.  Plans change.  And you can let it get you down, or you can turn it around.  It is up to you.

It was not planned.  But I learned something today.  And I think my girls did too.  And that is pretty cool.

And when we arrived at school and Sister Marilyn asked why we were late, we all broke out in laughter.  

We live one crazy life some days.

 

Boc Boc Burgers

Tonight I hit a home run with dinner.  

Someone alert the media.  I believe the last time that happened was when the babies discovered strained sweet potatoes.

Lately, it seems I can do little right when it comes to our third meal of the day.  And seriously, I have been having one bad thing after another.  

Not one person appreciates the meals I cook, more or less likes the meals I cook.  Not one person.  

I have been pulling out the cookbooks.  Whipping up old favorites.  And the result?  A turned up nose and possibly a smirk.

My sister was telling me about this meal she fixed that her family loved.  And it reminded me of this silly thing I used to fix before kids.  

I thought, if I cannot please them anyway  I might as well have something I like.

It is a crazy little something I like to call Boc Boc Burgers.  

Just a pound of ground chicken breast, salt pepper, ketchup, bread crumbs and egg white mixed up.  I formed little patties the size of sausage patties.  Fried them in a non stick skillet.   Then I took small pita bread and cut in half.  Spread it with yogurt cucumber mixture.  fill with lettuce and sliced tomatoes.  and stuff in the chicken patty.  

Totally yummy.  Healthy.   Kid friendly.  Even Meemee liked it. 

Well, tonight I think I may just have turned my dinner downer streak around.    We shall see what tomorrow brings.

I was so proud of myself that I was planning on taking a picture of it and posting on the blog.  But all evidence of a successful dinner was consumed at a rapid pace.   My sincerest apologies.

(Note:my children are suckers for any food with a crazy name.)

When Work Is Play

Please don't throw chocolate at me, but I love my work.

You probably know I own Inspired Business Group that has unKit scrapbooking kits, and unKit Live! weekly scrapbooking show.  But you probably don't know I work helping with non-profits and local artists too.   They are all things that I love to do. 

My granddaddy told me that if you love what you do, you'll never work a day in your life.   

Between the two companies, I usually put in a lot of hours.   But my clients have become friends.  And I have met the nicest people through scrapbooking over the years.

Today both jobs came together as I enjoyed a wonderful workshop on email marketing from Constant Contact.   It was nice to see so many familiar faces in the crowd.  Email marketing must be a hot topic.

So a happy hello to old friends and to the nice people I met today.  

Back To Schedule

For us Back To School, means back to schedule.  Back to crafting. Back to Baking.  It's like summer is an alternate universe.  

Well, I am back from CK Convention in Charlotte.  The first time I was not working.  I was thrilled to just hang out with my mom and friend Debby.  It was the best weekend.   I saw the sweet Kelly Purkey aka the Purkage.

 

Kelly P. and Me

Sweet Mary made some fantastic unKit buttons.  What a thoughtful surprise!  I did not see half the people I had planned on seeing.  Sorry if I missed you.

We have lots going on.  The girls are lining up their fall activities.  We started taking family guitar lessons this summer.  and it is so much fun to learn something new together.

I am back to my tradition of baking cookies for school lunch.  We try to do a different kind every week.  We are kicking off the first week with peanut butter.   I am open to suggestions.  I will try to start a list.

Welcome back.  Now back to the cookies.  Yummo.

 Have you heard about the Flip Pal?

Transition Overload

This morning we are shipping Sweet A. off to school for her last day.  Well, not really a day.  More like a couple hundred minutes, if you know what I mean.   

My kitchen has exploded with workbooks, notes, camp flyers, computer headphones, art smocks, oil pastels, ziplock bags of pens and pencils, art projects, and other assorted junk.  Yesterday afternoon I got the dump of stuff of the last-week-of-school.  Today, the girls are going to have to learn to get this junk put away or get it to the curb.  

Then we can get on with the business called Summer Vacation.  Goal for next Monday:being one with the couch.  and I canNOT wait!

But for now, heaven help me, we are in major transition between school and summer overload.  And I have the kitchen to prove it.

Better Than A BFF

It is so hard to keep up with all the acronyms and what they mean.  UrbanDictionary.com is some help.  

Having just delved into the wide world of texting, is just...well, just... confusing.  My number one text I receive is "K"   And I stop and think, how did I live without all the shorthand letters?  

I knew I was lost when I UD'd (looked up on UrbandDictionary) Yo.  yes.  I am embarrassed, but did actually think that it was Y. O. for Yellow Ogre.  Young Octogenarian?  I don't know.  Well, it is just plain ole "yo!" (and not half of a yo-yo, as you may have thought.)

My girl is such a sweetie pie.  She is so on top of all the coolness and random lettering of cool phrases.  I think I totally impressed her with my "BFF" (Best Friends Forever) that I threw out at dinnertime.  I could see it in her eyes.

So tonight as I tucked her in for some sweet dreams, she called me her BMFE.  Best Mama Forever and Ever.   This acronym melted this Mama's heart.  Better than a BFF.

I love Good moments like these make me feel like the BMOC.

The Land of 1,000 Bags

The Land of 1,000 Bags

You may not know it to look at me, but I am a bag lady.
I must own 1 million bags. Ok, well, thousands at least.

If you are a mom, you will know what I am talking about.

Currently, we have packed 2 ballet bags, 1 beach bag, 1 jazz bag, 2 swim bags, and a "Mom, I'm bored" bag. I keep one bag packed so that when we have to dash, it is easier on me.   One activity, One bag.

Naturally, with all the waiting I do as a mom, I have a little bag or 2 for me as well. A reading bag, and a creative bag.

Today I am switching out my creative bag from paper to yarn. I just love knitting and crocheting in the summertime.

Currently re-reading Shoot The Moon
What's in your bag?

Rainbow Cupcakes

Have you ever tasted a rainbow?

I love making rainbow cupcakes.  It is a silly little thing I do that just thrills my girls.

This week I saw a rainbow cake on Martha, and was inspired to make some of my cupcakes for our school's bazaar this weekend.

First I make white cake from a mix.  Then I divide it into 6 batches.  Using the ROYGBIV rainbow colors as a reference, I start mixing each batch with about 1/2 teaspoon of food coloring.  The colors are very vibrant.  Red Orange Yellow Green Blue Indigo and Purple.  (I omit Indigo.)  

Then I fill the cupcakes with the colored cake mix and bake according to directions.

Each color has a bit left over, not quite enough for a full cupcake.  So with the last bits of each color, I make one rainbow cupcake.

I frost with white fluffy vanilla buttercreme.  But any white frosting will do. Lemon is good too.  It is very sunny. It should cover the colored cake underneath so that there will be the surprise of which color you picked. 

The child (or adult) that finds the rainbow cupcake wins.  You will have to bite into the cupcake to see if you win.  So everyone is biting and looking.  Just silly cupcake fun.

 

 

Teaching

 Sharing my love of crafting, scrapbooking, and photography is something I love to do.

I am able to do this at unKit from the comfort of my own home.

unKit is a place that we share scrapbooking tips and tricks.  We discuss the trends and those tried and true techniques that will always be with us.

Every 2 months we coordinate a collection of scrapbooking papers and embellishments that go together to create a big scrapbook kit.  We think of ourselves as stylists for scrapbookers.  Think Rachel Zoe, but for paper crafting. 

We also have a fun scrapbook show that is recorded live every Monday evening 9:30pm EST.  We have an interactive chat that is a big part of the show.  You really should pop by and check it out.  It is so much fun.

This Monday night we are showing banners.  We have a special guest joining us from Tombow, the adhesive people. 

And the next show is a biggie.  I am not at liberty to discuss the sensitive details as of yet.  But you will not want to miss it.

So if you love to learn, I invite you to check us out at unKit.

Learn. Laugh. Create.  with unKit and unKit Live on Sudie TV.

This summer I plan of starting a tour teaching, sharing and broadcasting at conventions and crops near you.  Details coming soon.

How To Get Kicked Out of The Zoo

Take your family to the zoo.   Make sure kids and husband look cute as to not arouse suspicion. 

 Locate Meerkat exhibit.

 

Pick the sweetest looking Meerkat.

Now here is where it gets tricky.   In your left hand, hold your lens cap to your camera.

Take pointy stick from 6 year old.  Hold souvenirs from 8 year old.  Hold Camera in your right hand.  

Lean over wall barrier of Meerkat exhibit to get the best possible shot.

Have husband trip and bump into you while hanging over wall.

Watch helplessly as lens cap sails over into exhibit and bonk innocent meerkat on head.

Sheepishly approach zoo keeper to report incident. 

She really did tell me, "you know you aren't supposed to throw things in the exhibit."

Really?

She had to wrestle the meerkats for the lens cap.  I am not sure, but they looked like they could use a Xanax.

Disclaimer: no lens caps were injured in the filming of this episode of places Sudie has been kicked out of.

 

Laughter

is my poison of choice. 

And for some reason my life provides a great deal of comic relief.  You don't even know the half of it.  I could tell you, but frankly you would not believe one word of it.  

That said, I am so grateful to have girlfriends that I can just relax with and enjoy the laughter.  Thank you, friend.

Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.  ~Abraham Lincoln

Speaking of laughter...

tomorrow night on unKit Live! we are talking dollar store finds and crafting opportunities.  9:30pm EST (6:30pm West Coast)  Hope you can join us!

and don't forget to check out unKit at unKit to see our newest collection.  It should be up this week.  Crazy cool.

The best way to cheer yourself up is to try to cheer somebody else up.  ~Mark Twain

True!

Recovery

Too much birthday is rough the day after.   It can wipe a girl out.  

The party was Sunday, and Monday evening we are all still recovering.  What birthday light weights we are!

We came.  We danced.  We ate pizza.  We played with friends.  and then we had cake.

Thanks to everyone for making Maria's birthday so special.  She's 6, you know.    

Snow Way!

Yes, way!   Charleston, SC had 3 inches of the white fluffy stuff.

It was so perfect.  It snowed really big right after bath time.   So we grabbed the girls out of their warm beds and threw them into winter wonderland.   Then I woke them up extra early to enjoy more snow fun before it all melted.

We have the best neighbors.   A little girl who is four.  And 3 older boys who are really sweet and always play so nicely with us.   It was funny to see everyone out in the middle of the street taking pictures.

The sixth grader challenged us to a snow ball fight.   It was 3 against one, and he clobbered us.  Every snowball we threw with military precision.  Then he just held up his arm and it dissentegrated into a white powdery puff of nothing.  Argh!   Then he pummeled us with packed white stingers.  

Then the boys and dads built a 9 foot snowman in the street.  Meemee built a mini version of her own.

By the time night fell, we all collapsed into the bed.   

It was a great day.  Years from now we will say, "remember that time is snowed?"  and my grandchildren will say, "Snow way, Nanny!"

 

 

 

   

National Wear Red Day

Tomorrow is National Wear Red Day. Thousands of Americans will be wearing red to draw attention to this startling fact:

Over 430,000 women are silenced each year by cardiovascular disease – and most of these deaths are preventable.

I’m writing because I hope you’ll wear something red tomorrow to honor those women – and that you’ll help fund the research and programs that can save them.

Today, we’re launching a Go Red & Give campaign. One week, one goal: $100,000 to keep our sisters, mothers, daughters and wives safe.

Give a gift today and support our education, outreach and research programs to help save women’s lives.

Your donation could help keep someone you love safe from the #1 killer disease in the U.S.
Nearly every minute, another
woman succumbs to
cardiovascular disease. The
American Heart Association is
fighting back, and we need
your help.

Wear red tomorrow – and
donate today to help save women’s lives.

Our goal: $100,000 by next Friday.

Big or small, your gift can help put information in the hands of more women – information that can save a life, like how to eat better, how to recognize the warning signs of heart attack, and how to talk to a doctor about critical health choices.

The American Heart Association is also a major funder of breakthrough research with $44 million invested in women-centered research in just the past five years.

But we can only save lives with your help.

Please donate what you can. Every dollar will help us reach our $100,000 goal by midnight February 12th.

Thank you for showing your support tomorrow by participating in National Wear Red Day – and thank you for your generosity.


Sincerely,

Nancy Brown
Chief Executive Officer
American Heart Association

My Morning by Sudie Alexander

This morning I awoke to the sound of a tinny ringing that was very far away.  So far away that it was in a different kingdom.  With a little finesse, I was able to wave my royal scepter and banish it to the Kingdom of Tomorrow.   I was able to continue with my lovely tea party in the fields of the most beautiful and fragrant flowers.

Then I was abruptly (and rudely) awakened by my husband who informed me that I must be a grown up today.  Party pooper!  (sidenote: giggling that spellcheck does not recognize "pooper" as a proper word)

Then I sprang to action, pouring cereal and juggling a well-balance lunch into their boxes in one swoop. 

It took me a good 15 minutes to realize what Princess Meemmee was babbling about.  She was having a serious wardrobe meltdown.  and when she said she was going to the "otters for Jesus,"  she meant she was going to the alter during chapel to present the Haiti money to Jesus.  

She wanted to wear something nice, like for instance her blue velvet formal gown that my mother in law bought her (because it was clearanced, and you just never know when you might need a little full-length something-special.)

Audrey has a crazy ball that she won't put down.  It seems that the best place for crazy bouncing is in the foyer in front of our room where Davey is trying to get some more winks.  Apparently.  The crazy ball is the red eyeball bouncy ball that she dove for in the prize box at the doctor's office yesterday.  Very creepy.  It keeps staring at me.  Plus, it smells weird.  For the record, the crazy ball is making me crazy.   

I have little, if no, voice thanks to my allergies.  The girls have selective hearing this morning.  They cannot hear me calling their names, but hear the crinkle of the cookie bag and come running.  Hmmm.  

Now I sit and type in quiet isolation sipping my piping hot cup of coffee.  and for just a moment breathe in the peace.

And *poof* the moment is gone.

Now I have to get dressed for chapel so I can see Meemee present the gifts for Haiti to the otter for Jesus.

Wishing you a great day.

Nice

Nice always wins.

I don't think that I have ever once regretted being nice to someone.   But I have regretted missing an opportunity to be nice.

Many times it is so much easier to be nice.  Being mean takes effort.  Sometimes forethought.  Being mean has never, not once, made me feel better.

So, don't think twice.  Just be nice.

Maybe we could make that into a bumper sticker.  What do you think?   

Tonight on unKit Live! scrapbooking show we are discussing Manners and Scrapbooking.   

I find it fascinating all the interest in this subject.    

While reviewing tonight's material with friends, I was warned that the content may be controversial.    

Well, I don't know about that.  Maybe it will lead to some interesting discussions. 

Hope you can join us.  We broadcast live tonight at 9:30pm EST and have a moderated interactive chat.

unKit LIve! on SudieTV 

Through Ice And Sleet

Our weekend will come despite the icy weather.

The weather here is unseasonably frigid.  My friends just up the interstate are reporting a serious ice storm.  and Miss Kathy said on Facebook that there was snow in Gaffney!  For South Carolina, this is highly unusual.

But still, the basketball, cheerleading, and birthday parties come.   We are thoroughly enjoying this Upward season.  We are blessed with the best coaches and have made so many new friends on the team.  I love how Upward is a teaching league.  They are focused on teaching skills on the court, and sharing the Good News.  At Upward they say, "Every child is a winner."  and it's true!  A wonderful program.

Tonight we have a birthday party.  My favorite (albeit only) Sister's birthday party.  I am surprising her with a birthday cake.  Yellow butter cake with homemade creamy chocolate frosting.  I was dying to take a little taste last night, but resisted.   We are celebrating at my favorite pizza joint.  Yeah!  We are looking forward to getting together.  I can never get enough of my sister and her family. LOVE them!  

Warmest Weekend wishes!  I hope you enjoy friends and family this weekend.  Until Monday...

 

Last Call, Y'all

Get your Girl Scout Cookie order in.

Cause when they are gone, they're gone.

Relief. https://www.compassion.com/contribution/giving/disasterrelief.htm
If you are looking for an opportunity to help, this organization does so much good.
All funds raised in response to the Haiti earthquake will be used immediately to reequip Compassion's local support structure and to provide for the immediate needs of Compassion-assisted children and families. Any funds raised in excess will be stewarded by Compassion for additional and future disaster relief efforts.

Monday Rang In

Today, Monday rang in a completely new way.
 

My oldest daughter has her very own alarm clock.  

We went out and bought an analog clock of her very own.  She is now responsible for waking up and getting going on her own.   

Most brilliant parenting strategies go terribly awry.  Generally causing the mom (me) more heartburn than progress.  That has been my experience.

Last night I made sure that I went to bed earlier than usual.  Then I lay in wait for the impending brrrring! at 6:35am.    Well, actually, I slept great.   It is a skill I am most proud of.  I am a good sleeper.

Then, morning came.  It all went off like clockwork.  Pardon the pun.   

Except that Audrey woke up at 5am because she was afraid the alarm would startle her.   

In the big scheme of things, not such a bad start to a new habit.

The good news is I slept in.  ah!   Audrey made breakfast, got dressed and woke her sister up.  

She is so proud of herself.  And I am too.

Another great Monday!

Wishing you an incredible week.   

Between the craft Trade show, learning my new job, tax season, basketball, cheerleading, and Girl Scout cookies. where was I going with this?

Crafters and scrapbookers prime time is now. New releases and lots of fun with the trade show this week.

Join us on Facebook for a virtual crop at Scrapbook Royalty. Begins around lunchtime EST. We are getting a live feed from the show, a big announcement from Princess Elena, and a few more surprises. Hope you join us.

Jump!

for basketball season.  I love that the girls are in upward.

   

Happy Monday, World!

What a great day!  This is going to be a great week.

Tonight on unKit Live!  we are having a fly by from Scrapbook Royalty, whom we love.  They do so much good. scrapbooking show unKit Live!  tonight 9:30pm EST (6:30pacific)

And we are talking home studios for your family pictures.    There may be a little something thrown the way of a lucky someone.

Then, this week there will be a major announcement from Create Scrapbooks.   Create Scrapbooks

 

 

Meet The Cookies

http://www.girlscoutcookies.org/meet_the_cookies.asp

	Thin Mints: The most enduring and universally familiar Girl Scout cookie. These round, mint-flavored cookies covered with dark chocolate perennially sell the most boxes of any cookie.
	Samoas® or Caramel deLites®: These are round doughnut-shaped cookies about two inches in diameter with a hole in the center, covered in caramel and toasted coconut, and then striped with chocolate. Samoas® are made by Little Brownie Bakers. The ABC version is called Caramel deLites®.
	Tagalongs® or Peanut Butter Patties®: These are round cookies with a layer of peanut butter on top, and covered in chocolate. These cookies come in a red box. Little Brownie Bakers calls them Tagalongs®, ABC Bakers call them Peanut Butter Patties®.
	Do-Si-Dos® or Peanut Butter Sandwich: A sandwich cookie. The round, bumpy perforated oatmeal cookie top and bottom surrounds a peanut butter-flavored layer inside. Do-Si-Dos® (formerly Gauchos) are baked by Little Brownie Bakers. ABC Bakers calls them Peanut Butter Sandwiches.
	Trefoils or Shortbread: These shortbread cookies are shaped like the Girl Scout Trefoil design. Scot Teas were a similar, lighter sugar cookie made by the now defunct Burry. These cookies come in a blue box. Little Brownie Bakers calls them Trefoils, ABC Bakers call them Shortbread.
	Daisy Go Rounds™: Reduced Fat Daisy Go Rounds™ make it easy to snack by doing the calorie counting for you! Each carton contains five ready-to-grab-and-go snack packs full of crispy cinnamon flowers blooming with flavor in every bite. They are made by ABC Bakers.
	Thanks-A-Lot™: A shortbread cookie with a layer of fudge on the bottom and the words "Thank You" in English, French, Chinese, Swahili or Spanish embossed on the top. Thanks-A-Lots™ have been made by ABC Bakers since 2006 and were preceded by a similar cookie called the Animal Treasure.
	Lemon Chalet Cremes™: Featuring a design of Our Chalet in Switzerland, a beloved Girl Scout World Center, this sandwich cookie has a touch of cinnamon-ginger spice that evokes the warmth of a fireside chat on a snowy evening. They are made by Little Brownie Bakers.
	Thank U Berry Munch™: New for 2009. Real premium cranberries provide a delightful tartness in these hearty cookies sweetened with creamy, white fudge chips. They come in a cranberry colored box and are made by Little Brownie Bakers.
	Dulce de Leche: Inspired by the classic confections of Latin America, these sweet, bite-size cookies are rich with milk caramel chips. They come in a turquoise box and are made by Little Brownie Bakers.
	Lemonades™: Introduced in 2006, these shortbread cookies are stamped in the shape of a sliced lemon with a tangy lemon icing. They are made by ABC Bakers and come in a yellow b

Yummo!

Today Girl Scouts all over are kicking off their cookie sales campaign!

So what is your favorite Girl Scout Cookie?  Thin Mint?

You can win a box of your favorite Girl Scout cookie.  

If you comment below with your favorite pick, I will randomly draw a winner.   You have until next Friday to comment.  You can comment once a day.   Winner will be drawn on Saturday and will be posted on the blog.  It is the winners responsibility to check if they won, and to follow instructions for contacting me.  If not, you'll forfeit your box of cookies.  

So, what's your favorite cookie?