Memorial Day 2011

We didn't do a lot this memorial day weekend, but i think that was just what we needed. We hung around the house, cleaned a little and swam several times. Despite our lack of activity, I did manage to get a workout everyday. Yeah! If memorial day weekend is a indicator of how the summer will go, I think were going to love it. We really enjoyed the slower pace that summer brings.

On Sunday, johns mom Bonnie came over and we swam in the pool. Cullen had on his new swimsuit, float vest and water shoes and was looking too cute! Here are a few of our favorite pictures from the day.

My shoe shrunk!

I'm an avid crocs wearer, so I own quite a few pair.  They are easier on my feet than your average shoe, and when you are pretty much standing all day as a teacher, you want comfy shoes.  Since I can't wear sneakers with every outfit, I vary and wear different kinds of crocs.  I have two pairs similar to this design below (minus the little jewel thing) in brown and in black.



Well about a month ago, one of my black shoes fell out of my workout bag in the car and I never brought it back inside. I didn't even think about that being a problem until today when I planned on wearing them.  When I went to put on the shoe from the car it was like shoving my foot into a shoe 2 sizes too small.  It was tight, and my fat foot wouldn't fit.  I felt like one of Cinderella's ugly step sisters, when they tried to shove their big foot into Cinderella's petite little shoe.  My shoe had shrunk.  I knew the car was hot, but I didn't know it could shrink my crocs.  Now if I knew the secret formula of time in the sun, and length of time in the car, I would leave the other in the car too, so at least they could be a matching set that I could give away to someone.  Until then, if anyone knows of someone who wears a 10 on their right foot and probably an 8 on their left, let me know, and I'll send the shoes their way. 

My cat can paint

First off I want to say, don't judge us. We bought an app for the iPad called Paint for Cats. Garfield is intrigued. We were amused, it's a win for us all. Here is Garfield's first painting and him enjoying his app. We are so proud of our furry artist.

The Portier's have left the building

Tonight we had dinner outside on our patio, but that wasn't the original plan. John had taken Cullen outside with the intent of keeping him busy while I cooked dinner. I finished cooking one of our e-mealz, but had not heard from John and Cullen. I went outside to see what they were doing, and rather than them being in the yard, they were in the pool. I brought dinner outside and we decided to eat on the patio. Oh for summer to be here and we can have more random and planned meals outdoors.

Another haircut for Cullen

Our family jokes that we keep tabs on the number of haircuts that Cullen gets. Well we think today was number 9. We always love our Snip-It's experience with bubbles and lollipops.

Cat on a Hot Tin Roof

Today while we were outside enjoying our backyard around 10 am, our pets decided to entertain us. While Selah our dog did her usual swim in the pool, our crazy cat Garfield decided to climb on the roof and hang out. I think he was trying to avoid the ever so gentle hands of our sweet Cullen, who has not quite gotten the hang of petting Garfield gently.

Well I guess the roof was not high enough, so he proceeded to go lay in the opening of the chimney. Maybe he was looking for evidence of Santa?

Baby Pool Protector Fence

I'm sad to say we have been avoiding the backyard lately because I have been worrying about Cullen falling into the pool. Neurotic yes, but still a fear.

Well in order to give us that peace of mind, we looked into a baby pool fence, and finally after getting an estimate, and being floored by the cost, and then getting another estimate from another company, we have our fence. The company we went with gave us a discount for being state employees. We're really happy with the product and am excited to have this addition to the Portier Pool.

I'm not too sure that Selah likes the fence. She has to be let into the pool gate in order to swim, and let out when she's done.

e-mealz: my love/hate relationship

I love being subscribed to e-mealz. John discovered them from Dave Ramsey a few months ago and we have been blessed by this amazing service ever since. For a few dollars a week it saves me the mental anguish of meal planning. Check them out at www.mealtimemakeover.com

I'm not very creative, so often times my meals were repeated over and over (sorry chili-mac, I love you, but I'm sick of you) and we'd often end up at Chick-fil-a or something like it. With e-mealz we get a new menu every week which includes a grocery list for five meals for the week and it only usually cost around $40 to $50 for the groceries needed to make all five meals. Before e-mealz we were spending much more than that on groceries and we'd still come home and try to figure out what we were going to make for dinner. Now we come home and we have a plan for dinner, and we've already got the groceries, and the instructions on how to create this fabulous dinner are all on one friendly page. Now, I don't want to sound like a paid spokesperson, but wait there's more! We have subscribed to the portion control plan, which is really Weight Watchers Points Plus. So not only are we spending less on groceries, but we are also losing weight. So we've established my love for e-mealz.

Now let me tell you why I am often frustrated by them as well. Last night we made stewed chicken with lima beans. The recipe called for a white cooking wine, so me being the wine virgin that I am asked the wine lady at HEB where to find such stuff. Well I cooked my fancy dish with the Kitchen Sink, the wine my wine lady suggested, and we go to eat the meal, and I'm not that big of a fan. I figured I would have had a little more love for this dish I cooked, but no, not so much So, that being said, sometimes e-mealz is just too sophisticated for this girl. I try almost every recipe they give, within reason. I figure if we try it and like it, then we've expanded our food horizons, but if we try it and don't like it, then we've gained some cooking experience. Oh, on a side note Cullen loved the lima beans. Wonder if the fact they were soaked in wine had anything to do with it.

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I need the yodeling veterinarian from the alps

I'm not sure if any of you are veggie tales fans, but if you are that's where my blog title comes from. Whenever a pet is sick, Larry the Cucumber will yodel to make the pet feel better.  Well I have a poor sick kitty, come do your stuff. 

I took garfield into the vet on Friday because he was looking bony and hasn't been eating well.  Well sure enough, vet confirmed that he has lost 2 pounds since December.  That's a lot of weight for a cat.  We are trying to figure out what is wrong.  Right now they are treating it as Irritable Bowel, and we will go from there.  Were hoping it's not cancer, because we can't afford to put him through expensive treatments.  Please keep our kitty in your prayers, he's only about 2 years old, and Cullen adores the kitty. 

 

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Laps at the pool

On Saturday morning we were getting ready to go out of town and John realized he needs to get our cars oil changed (perfect timing on his part, yes I know). He leaves to go take care of the car, while Cullen and I are packed and ready. Now instead of going to play in his room, or watch Jelly Telly his favorite little show, my little guy climbs into our jogging stroller and starts rocking as if to say lets go mom. So I went ahead and took him for a walk around the pool in the back yard. We had fun watching the dog jump in and out of the water, and just enjoying our morning stroll. I love little moments like these.



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Back in the water again

It's getting warmer so you know what that means, pool time. We're having fun getting Cullen used to the pool again. Now Selah has been swimming for several months, so I think she's ready to share her pool with the rest of the family. Coming soon to the Portier Pool is a Baby Pool Fence. I think it will give us peace of mind and will get us in the backyard more.

More adventures at the Portier Pool to come as summer is fast approaching.

















































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Grandpa turns 80

My wonderful grandpa, Bernard Cullen is turning 80 this week. To celebrate we went to Olive Garden for an early dinner (3:00). So blessed to have my grandparents around.

Here are a few photos from the event

Grandpa (the birthday boy) and grandma





Aunt Michelle and Joe





John, Cullen and I.





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Can I blog on an iPad? And a new hamster

For my 30th birthday/mothers day gift John bought me an iPad. I'm trying to learn this new device and I'm already behind on blogging by several months. Good luck to me.



John bought a hamster tonight for his 2nd grade classroom. He set up the case here at home tonight and our little rat terrier selah has been
obsessing ever since. While bathing Cullen tonight selah jumped on the table and tried to knock over the hamster cage. We almost had a $20 dog treat. Better pictures of the hamster to come.


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