News flash- men have cravings too!  For the last week my hubby has been requesting fish tacos for dinner.  I asked if he had ever had fish tacos- NO.  We have been to several restaurants serving the tacos, but he has never ordered one.  I went on to look up a few recipes and show him the ingredients.  He did not seem very impressed with the Baja recipes I located, but still insisted he wanted fish tacos.  So glad he trust me to get creative and allowed me to just make something up.  After considering the flavors, our roots and his taste I created a southern version.  Watch out Paula Dean! My dear hubby has already asked for a repeat so I guess he liked my new recipe.

As of today my family has been asked to complete 11 Census forms.  We were mailed two forms- filled out the first one immediately and mailed it back.  Evidently, it was lost, misplaced, disregarded, skipped or whatever.  Beginning in mid May we started receiving visits and phone calls from Census workers.  Each time we either filled out a new form or confirmed one we have already completed.  At this point I have gotten very rude with the Census workers.  I've stopped answering the phone.  My children have suggested we block the drive way and put up posters "Census Workers Not Allowed".  On the last visit the worker forgot to ask for our birthdates so I'm sure she will be back.

Due to our situation I have talked to many people and done a little research.  We are not the only family having to deal with numerous visits from the 2010 Census.  I have also learned Census workers are being fired and hired to boost employment numbers.  In May over 400,000 workers were hired by the Census.  I also learned the original plan was to have these workers utilized hand held computers to enter the data, but there were lots of problems so they went back to paper.  I was told by one worker that every fifth form is kicked out causing them to need to revisit households.  As I was concerned about being counted more than once I inquired how they would prevent this problem.  I was assured this couldn't happen because each FORM had an ID number-  not sure how this would prevent being counted multiple times if you are completing multiple forms???  One local friend told me the Census workers made an appointment w/her family on Mother's Day!  She said the workers went into all types of information on healthcare (I told her she should report this situation- either they were not Census workers or they were Census workers w/an agenda).

My parents owned their own business for many years.  Small business owners could teach the federal government a lot about efficiency and cost cutting. Our government is BROKEN- why would you trust the government to run anything- healthcare, education, banks, automobile companies, etc.  I'm horrified by the pics of the devastation caused by the oil spill in the gulf, but our federal government has NO business telling anyone how to manage or clean up this mess.   I suggest any government agency or politician suggesting he/she knows how to deal w/the oil spill take his/her hiney back to DC and put his/her own house in order.

I really don't intend this as any type of political message just frustration w/all politicians and government agencies suggesting they actually have any expertise in any area.  Wouldn't it be cheaper to count homes and estimate the number of people living in each home.  As of today, according to the 2010 Census there are 44 people living in my house.

I want to thank Webbisodes for the Preppy Mafia Award.  She notified me about two weeks ago, but I have been so wrapped up in end of the year school stuff with the kiddos I have not had time to reply- Better late than never.  I really do appreciate the award and the opportunity to think about something fun and entertaining instead of the serious stuff of work and everyday life.  Even more fun I get to pass it along to some of my favorite bloggers.


The rules:

1. Copy and paste the above image onto your blog/website.

2. Answer the questions below.

3. Pass onto bloggers that you LOVE and let them know they've been given this award.



Welcome to the Preppy Mafia! Now for a few questions, you cannot refuse.


1. Who is your style icon(s)?
Modern Day:  Anne Hathaway and Debra Messing
Forever icon:  Grace Kelly

2. What is your favorite Socialite lit book?
A Southern Belle Primer:  Or Why Paris Hilton/ Princess Margaret Will Never Be a Kappa Kappa Gamma

3. Favorite party theme?
Kentucky Derby- 1st weekend of May

4. Go to Halloween costume?
Not a big Halloween costumer

5. Extravagance you cannot live without?
Internet and  Choco Cherry Kiss Coffee

6.  Living person you admire?
I can't just name one, but instead must thank both of my parents.  They raised me in a Christian home and made sure I developed a work ethic.

My daddy- for instilling a powerful since of dependability in me.  He taught me to carry out my obligations.  Daddy also taught me the importance of being on time and sticking to a schedule.

My mother taught me the power of faith and prayer.  She is a prayer warrior.  Anytime I want to pray about something really important I enlist my mother.  She always told me I could do anything I put my mind to.  My mother spent endless hours making sure I had the best of everything (she never did tell my Daddy how much she was spending).  I appreciate her instilling the spirit of encouragement in me. 

My Mother always tells me I'm doing a good job as a mom.  She claims I know so much more than she did as a mother.  I don't know how this is possible.  Everything I know I learned from my parents.
7. Greatest fear?
Snakes, lizards and rodents

8. Trait you deplore in yourself?
I am a perfectionist- some people may not understand this as a deplorable trait.  I have a difficult time working w/people that don't put the same effort and time into projects, meetings, events, etc.


9. Which talent would you most like to have?
I would love to smock and knit.  I could probably do both of these things if I had the time to learn.  I would also love to learn to draw/paint.


10. Greatest Achievement?
My son and daughter

Now, The Preppy Mafia award goes to:
Pink, Green and Southern
The Chocolate Zebra
The Bogarde Buzz
Henley on the Horn

Early this morning we received a call informing us that a child in our daughter's K-4 class was airlifted to the nearest teaching hospital w/bacterial meningitis.  We called our doctor as instructed and she started my sweetie w/the antibiotic.  We heard it did not look good for the classmate and later received notice she had passed away due to the illness.

Since this morning we have received information leading us to believe it was not bacterial meningitis, but another possible type.  We are going to finish our antibiotic just in case. 

Please keep the family of the classmate in your thoughts and prayers.   She had a younger sibling and a sibling a couple of years older.  I haven't decided how to tell my little one.  If anyone has experience talking to little one's about death I would like some help.  My daughter understands old people dying, but thinks youngsters like herself are invinsible.

The end of the school year means banquets, award ceremonies, graduations, recitals, etc.  This week I was so proud to attend my son's Honor's Day ceremony.  Our son is a third generation attendee of his elementary school.  As I waited for his name to be called I thought about the fact my husband, his brothers and his father also participated in similar ceremonies at this little school. 

Our children were so blessed this year with wonderful teachers.  My son had four regular teachers, three elective teachers and a gifted teacher.  Each of them challenged him to learn and explore more about topics of interest.  Our daughter was with the same preschool teacher for two years so we were very concerned about her adjustment to new teachers in elementary school.  She was so blessed to have two Godly women watch over her each and everyday.  As you might notice from pictures the hairbow is an essential part of each outfit.  I think it is so important for a little girl to look like a little girl.  Thank goodness we had a teacher that thought the same.   I am so thankful for the lady that made sure our little princess came home each day looking like the same little princess we sent off to school each morning.  Thanks to her for allowing this spoiled little girl sit in her lap while listening to silly little stories. This same teacher had to take some time off due to illness.  We pray for her healing.  Our teachers have been such a blessing to us.  Thanks for mothering our children just as you would your own. 

Time to start praying for our new teachers.  In just a couple of months we will send them off again- a little older, a little wiser and a little more curious.  Our prayer is for God to provide them with Godly men and women to protect and challenge their minds.  Education has become somewhat of a toy for politicians.  As parents we must pray our children don't become a pawn in this game. 

I know lots of parents ponder over the end of the year teacher appreciation gifts.  Gift cards, stationary and personalized gifts are all very nice gifts, but the very best gift we can give our children and their teachers is a little prayer each day.  I hope you will join me in praying for our children and teachers before the new school year begins.

We are so excited about visiting with my family at a reunion.  I whipped up a yummy cornbread salad to share with the cousins.  The gorgeous colors alone made my husband's mouth water.  The visual appeal along with the delicious flavors make for the perfect summer salad.  I've had several cornbread salads, but this is by far my favorite.  My friend Amber would say, "Taste so good it makes me wanna hurt somebody".  For some reason good Southern food can make people do strange things.  Here is the recipe:

Cornbread Salad

8 1/2 oz box cornbread mix, prepare as directed
4 medium tomatoes, chopped
1 green bell pepper
1 medium onion
1/2 cup chopped sweet pickles
9 slices bacon, chopped and crumbled
2 cups shreadded Cheddar cheese

Dressing

1 cup mayo
1/4 cup sweet pickle juice

After cooking cornbread allow it to cool and then cut into cubes.  Combine tomatoes, bell pepper, onion, pickles and bacon.  In a large bowl, layer cornbread, 1/3 cheese, tomato mixture, 1/3 cheese, dressing, remaining cheese.  Cover and chill for at least 8 hours.  Serves about 8. 

The flavors are incredible.

Enjoy!