What's new?

Hello Bloggers!
It's been a while since updating.
What's new?
Well, I've signed up the walk the Tampa 2009 Breast Cancer 3-Day Walk (Oct 09).
I'll be walking 60 miles over the course of 3 days. I've also agreed to raise
$2300 to benefit the Susan G. Komen for the Cure and the National Philanthropic Trust.

I'm doing this because my mom had breast cancer and thankfully, she is a survivor.
She is one of the lucky ones, because it was caught early!

If you interested in supporting me.. click on the 3 day link to your left.
Or you can go here: http://www.the3day.org/goto/melissa.eschler
This is a 100% tax-deductible contribution.

I've been told that raise the $$ is the easiest part of this journey. The hardest
will be the actual walk. I started walking regularly about a month ago. I walk
about 3-4 miles 3 days a week and 6-7 miles on Sunday. I'll be increasing these
distances as time goes on.

If you are not able to help me with a donation, I just ask that you keep me in
your thoughts and prayers as I train and raise $$ for this worthy cause.

Can you believe?

....that Valentine's day is just around the corner? It's crazy how fast time is flying by!

With that said, I wanted to share info about a Valentine's swap I just joined over at
An Island Life. Check it out and Join if you'd like!



Here's what ya do. Go over to An Island Life and sign into Mr Linky and post a comment.
You'll have to put together a little Valentine's box for the person who signs up directly above
you. Then the next person to sign up will send you a little Valentine's box of treats. (priced between $8-$10)

Next, answer this little questionaire:


What is your idea of a romantic Valentine’s Day? A dinner cruise with Dear Hubby with lots of yummy champagne.
In reality, what is your Valentine’s Day really like? Take out from BoneFish with lots of yummy champagne. LOL!
If you could have a lifetime supply of your favorite sweet indulgence, what would it be?
Tehehe! Yummy Champagne! Just kidding.. I love PB cups!
Is there any sweet treat you absolutely do not like? liquorice is one I can do without.
If you fell into a pool of chocolate, how would you get out? Call all my good friends (cause I always have my cell phone on me) and tell them to get over quick with some skewers, strawberries, pound cake, etc... "We're having a fondue party!" (and "don't forget the champagne") Nothing like beatin' a dead horse.

WooooooooHOOOOOOOOOooooooooooo!

I RECEIVED AN AWARD! Teheheheehe! I'm gitty!

I just received my first blog award. I guess I better start giving this blog some

more attention!

My "virtual" friend Liz at Sweetwatersavings.com has granted me this lovely award!

So here is what I am suppose to do:

Honorees are to list 10 honest things about themselves - and make it interesting, even if we have to dig deep! Second, we are to pass the award on to 7 bloggers we feel embody the spirit of the Honest Scrap.

10 Honest Things About Me:

1. I miss living around my brother.

2. I love to drink wine every night (but I don't because

it cost too much and I like the expensive stuff).

3. I use to be a neat freak but then I taught Kindergarten for

five years and I really changed my ways.

4. I miss teaching a BUNCH.

5. Like Liz, sometimes I wish for another baby.

(even though I'll be 40 in 2010 YIKES!)

6. Since moving I've not found any good friends.. and it sucks

because I really miss my Tampa/St Pete friends.

7. I'm planning on walking the Cancer 3-day walk

in Oct and I'm scared I won't raise enough $$.

8. I love my boys so much, sometimes I want

to bite their toes. (specifically Lukas, he's got the

cutest little piggies EVER)

9. I truly hate my hair and wish it was more acceptable

for women to wear crew cuts. LOL!

10. I need to go to the dentist and to the dermatologist.

(Dentist because I have a tooth that hurts and the dermatologist

because I'm suppose to go every 9 months and I've not been in 2 years,

again YIKES!)

Now to pass this along to 7 bloggers:

1- Holly

2- Cheryl

3- Cari

4- Nancy

5- Julie (at CoolMomGuide.com)

6-Michelle

7- Tena

Thanks again Liz!

Secret Santa Spy Photo Shoot

We make a pretty good lookin' pair, huh?

Christmas Program Photos

Here are a couple photos from the Christmas programs at each school.
First we have Jacob's Kindergarten program given at the December PTA meeting. They sang 3 or 4 Christmas songs. We were told by "The Boss" aka Dr Foster, that this was NOT a Holiday Program, but a Real Christmas Program. NOW I know I'm living in the deep SOUTH!



Next we had Luke's program at West Mobile Baptist. The 4&5 year olds did a little skit that really wasn't so little. Anyway, the 3 year olds stole the show. They cracked us up... specifically this one little boy who sang his heart out! Now I know why Lukas kept telling me to sing "Away in a Manger' softly. (Probably because that one kid was belting out the song like he was singing "I've got Friends in Low Places" down at the local college bar.)

These last couple were taken at home before heading out to watch Luke's program.

Fundraiser Prizes

Thanks to the family members who helped Jacob to win these super cool Radio Sunglasses and fun Scooby Doo T-Shirt.

Some Holiday Photos

These things keep creeping up

IT seems everytime I open my email, or read a webpage, or blog; I'm reminded of yet another Gandhi quote.
This guy really makes a lot of sense... I just need to keep reminding myself of these things.

Ok -- here's my favorite one:
"Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever"
(I keep telling my husband about this one.. I'm waiting for him to hear me!)

"I suppose leadership at one time meant muscles; but today it means getting along with people."

"We must become the change we want to see"

"The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others. "

"The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong. "

"They cannot take away our self-respect if we do not give it to them."

Wii FIT Mommiis

AND I thought the boot giveaway was the best I'd seen!
I was SO wrong! NOW this is the giveaway of giveaways...

but it's not as simple as making a little comment.

Julie over at CoolMomGuide has setup a new site

called Wii FIT Mommiis and they are doing a GREAT

giveaway! There will be lots of giveaways including a

GRAND PRIZE of both a Wii and a Wii Fit donated by

the generous folks at Nintendo!

My new LOVE!

This is our new baby. HER name is Finn. She is a chocolate lab and she is about 8 weeks old. Isn't she adorable?

If you have house trained a puppy or doggie, I'd love to hear your advice.

Couple of Fat Burning recipes

CAUSE I KNOW WE ALL NEED THEM.

I found a great blog with some recipes I plan to try out this week...
Check it out: http://45yearold6pack.blogspot.com/

Flat Belly Recipe: Low Fat Greek Pizza
This one is super easy and quick.
Here's what you need:
1 Boboli (or other pre-baked) pizza crust
1 small can Contadina Italian Style tomato paste
1 cup feta cheese
1 cup mozzerella cheese
2 cups frozen chopped spinach
1 small jar Mariani's marinated button mushrooms or artichoke hearts
1/4 cup oil-packed sundried tomatoes (halved)

Spread the tomato sauce evenly on the crust, thaw the spinach in the microwave
and spread that, and finally the cheeses. Cook according to the pizza crust instructions
(usually 450 degrees for 9-12 minutes), adding the tomatoes and other veggies in the last three or four minutes so they don't burn.

I'll do this one one night for what we call "Breakfast Dinner"
I'll make this for myself and DH and the kids will probably have
eggs, toast and fruit.
Flat Belly Recipe: Hi-Pro/Low Fat Spinach Scramble
Ingredients:
• 4 eggs and 8 additional whites
• 2 cups chopped frozen spinach
• 2 tblsp sun dried tomatoes or pesto
• 1/2 cup grated smoked cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste

Saute spinach in a pan on medium with a one tbsp olive oil. Scramble egg mixture and add to the pan. Stir with spatula and add pesto. When eggs are golden and very slightly browned, turn off heat and grate cheese over pan. Serve topped with medium salsa. Serves 4-6

One other thing we'll do this week is grill some chicken and boil a couple eggs
and make a salad with spinach, romain, tomatoes, cucs, and maybe some mandrin
oranges.

For breakfast, I'm going to try really really hard to eat real oatmeal.. We'll see how that goes.
I found a few ideas of things to add to the oatmeal to make it taste better and to add protein.

Cool Christmas DVD Bundle at MOMDOT

Hi Ya'll,

Check out MOMDOT for a uber cool Christmas DVD bundle giveaway!!!
5 People will win this cool bundle!

Click here

Christmas of Dreams - Day 12 (LAST DAY)

Day Twelve Blog Party Question is Brought to you by Georgie Tees and Mutsy.

I Thankful for...
1. I'm thankful that we made it through the past year, as it's been one of the toughest
years I've had to deal with.
2. I'm thankful for my husband and 2 beautiful boys.
3. I'm thankful for the home we are able to live in.
4. I'm thankful for my job that helps to pay our bills.
5. I'm thankful that "we" are all healthy (WE=my family)
6. I'm thankful for my friends.
7. I'm thankful for the internet (it allows me to work from home full time)
8. I'm thankful for our kitty Bama, who provides us with unconditional love.
9. I'm thankful for my boy's teachers and schools.
10. I'm thankful to be me.

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone! I've enjoyed being part of MOMDOT.COM's
Christmas of Dreams. It's been fun answering the daily questions and reading
everyone's blog updates. Thank you for the inspiration MomDot!

Christmas of Dreams -- Day 11

Sponsors: Day Eleven Blog Party Question is Brought to you by Shishu Style and Mimsi Bags.

If you could only pick one food to eat on Thanksgiving, what would it be? I know, pure torture! Do you have a home-cooked meal or eat out? Does your family dress up?

One food -- PECAN PIE -- hands down! It wasn't that hard to choose..

I grew up eating home-cooked meals. My Grandmother cooks up a MEAN Thanksgiving dinner! It is truly the BEST! Ask my brother, he would agree.

I bet she's cooking right now. Unfortunantly, she lives in NC and I live in AL.... AND I'll be staying home for Thanksgiving this year. I'm sad that I'll miss seeing my family this year, but I'm also happy to stay at home with my boys! I'll be doing a home-cooked meal. I'll be making some of my Grandmothers recipes. (Like Sweet Potato casserole and Asparagus Casserole).

Growing up, we would dress up a little to visit Grandmama, but not too formal. Since we are staying home.. I'm sure it will be jeans and a sweatshirt. Nice and comfy!

Wordless Wednesday

Christmas of Dreams -- Day 10

Hosted by: MomDot.com
Sponsors today:by Organic Blankees, Huddy Buddy, and Baby Legs.
Do you decorate for the holidays? Do you have a themed tree? Share pics! Do you think there is such thing as OVER decorating?
Do I decorate, why of course I do. I love pulling out all the red and green and silver decor! I love putting up a fresh green Christmas tree decorated with white lights and tons of mix match ornaments. Yes, we have a theme... it's call Eclectic Christmas. We do have lots of Santas to decorate with... Not sure why I love them so much.. I just do.

About over decorating... I have seen a couple houses that are a tad bit over decorated on the exterior... You know what I'm talking about.. That house you can see a mile away as you drive down the street. It lights up the night sky... and burning through electricity like it's free. So I guess the answer is YES, there is such a thing as over decorating IMO.
Melissa

Christmas of Dreams - Day 9

Wow, we are already into DAY 9!
Here's our wonderful sponsors of the day:
jaC Jewelry, Cutie Covers and Sassy Baby

What is the most unusual gift you’ve received? It doesn’t have to be bad, just unusual.
What was one of your favorite gifts? Do you think re-gifting is OK?

I have a couple I think were kinda unusual.
1- Chia pet from my grandmother.
2- Box of candy from a student.
Here's the story behind that one: After college I accepted a teaching position
in Bowman, SC. If know anything about Bowman, well I'd be surprised! Anyway, it use
to be quite rural...and I was in the minority....
Anyway, I taught kindergarten and one of my boys students brought me a box of
Christmas candy as a gift. Well I opened it and it was half gone... he said that he and
his older brother ate a piece or two on the bus ride to school. It was really funny!
3- One other. We had a gift exchange at a restaurant job I had one year... it was at
the Christmas party that we exchanged gifts and I got a freaking ham Bone! LOL!
IT was so freakin' gross!
It was one of those gift exchanges that everyone brings something and you pick the gift
you want under the tree... I picked that bone! LOL! (It was in a very pretty bag... I guess that's where the gifter spent the $5.00)

One of my Favorite gifts....
An Indian style gourd bowl that someone made for me while I was teaching.
It's beautiful!

Regift.. I don't usually. Opps! I take that back... I have once! I won a prize at a baby shower and it really wasn't my style... so I gifted it to someone who really LIKES it. (and I knew she would)
There is NO way she'll ever know that I regifted it. LOL!