I HATE strep...Contest Winner...Next contest details...

What a crazy week it’s been here. It started Sunday with me heading to the urgent care bright & early where the dr told me I had strep & an ear infection.

Sweet – no wonder it feels like I’m swallowing shards of glass.

Monday between my fever & sore throat, I didn’t make it into work – instead I took about 4 naps throughout the day & when I wasn’t napping, I was lying on the couch like a bump on a log.

Tuesday I made it back to work – but quite honestly, still felt like crap. By Tuesday nite, I was exhausted but my throat finally quit hurting. Plus The Voice was on & it was my two favorite teams – Adam & CeeLo - so that helped a lot!  :)

Wednesday was a lot better, except for my glands still being swollen… After work we went to the store and out to dinner…then home to relax for the evening. We had picked up a new potty chair for Bry & she used it as soon as we put it together. She went poop & potty!! It was too easy & I’m sure only beginner’s luck!

Thursday was long – I left home at 7:30 in the morning & didn’t walk back in the door until 8:45 that evening! WHOA!! After a few hours of overtime, I joined the rest of the family at Stephanie’s for Dane’s 4th birthday party! The kids ran around like crazy people & we joked about how much my family disliked Lisa when we were growing up – haha!

The girls didn’t eat at the party – they were too busy playing, so we stopped at McD’s on the way home & got them some dinner.

When we got home, the girls played – we kept Bry up til 9:45 b/c she’s been waking up at like 6:00 every morning – yuck.

She was really starting to show how tired she was by 9:30 – and after a potty chair break, fresh diaper & pj’s she happily headed to bed & was out right away. I tried a bunch of times to get online to Random Number a winner – but not my service was not working well last nite. It was actually quite frustrating!!

So…without further ado…

The winner of the Hobby Lobby & Kohl’s gift card…

Brooke – please contact me with your information!!

Thanks again for entering…I’m excited for my next contest next week – it centers around my favorite thing…reading. When I read a book, I love to pick up a large Diet Sprite w/cherry juice from Sonic & a candy bar. Right now I’m obsessed with the Coconut Twix bars – YUM!!

So in honor of my favorite past time & my favorite author – Janet Evanovich - I’ll be giving away the new Janet Evanovich book – Smokin Seventeen & 2 Coconut Twix bars & a $5 gift card to Sonic…

See you next week!!

The Voice 6/14 recap

I wasn’t too surprised when Beverly made it through with America’s votes. She was pretty awesome last week!
I was surprised Christina chose Frenchie! I’m not saying she doesn’t deserve it, but it just was a little bit of a shock.

I was absolutely THRILLED Dia was chosen by America & EVEN MORE THRILLED when Blake chose Xenia!
He said the 2 feed off each other & he was happy to keep them together – me too, Blake, me too!

I cannot put in to words how amazing the performance done by the Thompson sisters was. I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED it! They looked adorable & sound great. What an odd song to choose – Bugle Boy- but soooo perfect for them.

Casey did well – I still liken her voice to Stevie Nicks…even tho she’s on Adam’s team, I just don’t feel it with her.

Vicci did “Jolene” & sound fantastic. No stomping though – wonder if this song was on purpose to control that.

Devon went on & while, to me, there was nothing noteworthy about his singing..he’s a cute guy.

Nakia sang next & he was good, but eh - I feel bad, but I could take it, I could leave it..

FINALLY – My guy is up! JEFF, JEFF, JEFF…He sings Jesus Take the Wheel & I loved it, but I will be the first to admit – talking about his mom who passed away seems a bit like he’s really trying for some extra votes. Hey, my dad passed away a few years ago – I know what it’s like to lose a parent, so I’m pretty sure it’s ok for me to say – don’t use that for your ratings..

Curtis was singing Addicted to Love. There were quite a few notes that didn’t sound so hot - his comments after the song to Christina were hilarious! A little banter between them & it was pretty hot b/c it got bleeped – ha!

Finally, my other favorite guy – Javier. Yum – yum! He sang in the Arms of an Angel. I wasn’t impressed. I mean he sounded good – but that’s not the song for him. Oh well..

Can’t wait for Tuesdays episode to see where it goes from here!

The Voice 6/7 Recap

Although I thought it was cool to see the team captains get together & do a show...I was anxious to see how the 'live' shows were going to work - so I just wanted to get past the opening  :)
The first performance of the night from contestants was Raquel Castro, the youngest of the competitors.
She sang “Blow”, and danced her butt off! She freakin looked adorable. I enjoyed her performance & knew this is who I was voting for.

Blake's 1st performer was Jared & I thought he had a good voice, but I wasn't overly impressed. He sang "Use Somebody" and worked the crowd pretty well.
Bev was the next one from Team Christina. She sounded really good and even though she was worried about a cold - you couldn't tell while she was up there singing. She was singing "I'm the only One" & I was torn between her & Raquel.
Dia was the next one from Team Blake to rock it & she ROCKED it! Her shyness was gone & she blew it up. I LOVED it.

Christina's team does Lady Marmalade - it sounded fantastic.

After they finished, it was Xenia's turn to perform. OH.MY.GOSH. girl's voice was amazing.

I was torn between her & Dia. They both sounded great. I actually ended up doing the same amount of votes for both because I truly couldn't decide!
Lily, Christina's final performer, hits the stage & sings "Big Girlds Don't Cry". She sounded good but I don't think there is anything that makes her stand out.
Team Blake comes out & performs to a song by Maroon 5. They sounded great!
Last from Team Blake was Patrick - who I've never enjoyed.
And to close out all the performances was Frenchie. She sounded great & looked great!

I can't wait for next week's show to see who wins! AHHHHH!!!

Randomness, a Request & a Contest...CLOSED CONTEST!!

Randomness...
Last week Cadence was going to stay the night w/Madison & they were going swimming @ Aunt Sandy's house, so we went out to Old Navy during their Memorial Day sale to get her a new bathing suit. While we were there & since all bathing suits were on sale - I also got Bry one...

Cadence ended up waking up crying & so I had to drive out to get here @ 12:45 in the morning. Ugh...and when we got home, the rest of the night was no better - she cried numerous times during the nite.

Cadence's team also marched in the Rally by the Rails parade. The girls looked cute & did a good job shouting out their cheers. It was a looong walk. I was ready to get home & relax after.

I also went to Selena's Graduation Party. I cannot believe she has graduated high school. I feel sooo old!

I didn't stay long b/c I had gotten so sunburned during the parade. That's why I only have one picture!

Has anyone tried the new Coconut Twix??? OMG! I LOVE THEM!! Soo good - but they are hard to find. I'll be giving away 2 next week YUM! I promise you won't be dissapointed! :)

Request....
There's this fabulous little facebook page - Cheer Soxx & they are having another contest that I have entered Cadence in. If you have a minute - would you please, please, please go vote for Cadence...
You have to like the Cheer Soxx page - then find her picture - it's a team picture & it says - Cadence w/the Storm girls. 'Like' that photo.

Thank you so much!

Finally - a Contest....

A $20 gift card to Hobby Lobby & a $10 giftcard to Kohl's. Seriously, I could spend & have spent $100's of dollars there. Dennis tries to drive by as quickly as possibly so I don't have a chance to have him stop there. HA!
I love their wall hangings - they are all great & I love when they're 1/2 off.
At Kohl's - I love the kids clothes. I mean seriously - so cute & always good prices and great sales!

WOOO!! So excited!!


Giveaway Rules…
To enter for your chance to win the gift cards, please do following & leave a separate comment for each entry:

TO ENTER YOU MUST
1.  Become a public follower of my blog (or comment that you already are a follower).

FOR EXTRA ENTRIES:
2. Comment & tell us what you love to get when you go to Hobby Lobby & Kohl's
3. Blog about my contest w/the following link: http://stacey-dellfamily.blogspot.com/2011/06/randomness-request-contest.html
then comment w/a link back to your post
4. Facebook my contest w/the following link: http://stacey-dellfamily.blogspot.com/2011/06/randomness-request-contest.html
then comment w/a link back to your post
5. Tweet about my contest w/the following link: http://stacey-dellfamily.blogspot.com/2011/06/randomness-request-contest.html
then comment w/a link back to your tweet
6. Follow me on Twitter- Cadence1228
7. 'Like' Cadence's team picture on the Cheer Soxx facebook page

Please leave an email address if you do not have a blog

The winner will be chosen via the Random Number Generator on 6/16 (b/c there seems to be an issue w/my follower button) & announced here that evening.

Thank you & Good Luck!!

Happy 1st Birthday Cohen!!

Megan @ In This Wonderful Life is celebrating the wonderful memory of her little baby boy, Cohen's 1st birthday.

Happy 1st Birthday Cohen!!

My Monday Meal - Chicken sandwich

1 pound ground chicken (we used boneless/skinless breast)
1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/3 cup mayo
4 onion kaiser rolls, split
8 strips bacon cooked until crisp
1 large tomato - sliced
4 leaves romaine lettuce

mix chicken, cheeses, garlic, salt & pepper. Form into 4 burgers about 3/4 in. thick, making a slight depression in center of each patty (this helps keep burgers flat as they cook).

cook on grill or stove top...toast buns on in pan or on grill - add bacon, lettuce & mayo.

So yummy!

Serve w/grilled asparagus.

sorry no pics - my battery is dead :(

Out of my control

This weekend has been super crazy busy! I didn't get much accomplished & am putting the finishing touches on Cai's teacher's end of year gifts. I hate last minute stuff! UGH!!

Tomorrow will be 'My Monday Meal' and Tuesday will be a $20 Hobby Lobby giftcard AND a $10 Kohl's card giveaway! WOOO!!! Thank you to the wonderful managers who offered these for the giveaway. :)

Look for the 'Randomness, a Request & a Contest... ' blog Tuesday.

Now - off to watch the new season of the Glades & then to bed. Have a great Monday!

The Voice - 5/31 Recap

Team Adam has left the best for last (in my opinion) Jeff Jenkins against Casey Desmond in a duet of “Don’t Let The Sun Go Down on Me”. I was blown away by both, while the latter wasn't my favorite, she impressed me. I was still all about Jeff - but I enjoyed listening to Casey. From the beginning Jeff has had me hooked. His voice - uh - I love it!

Blake’s final two performers are Xenia and Sara Oromchi. Both girls were VERY nervous & both had their voices crack a little - Sara more than Xenia. But honestly - even if Sara's hadn't cracked - there is something about Xenia's voice. It's got this raspy, bluesy tone. Thankfully Blake picked Xenia!

Christina’s team is up next, and her final pairing is Lily Elise and Cherie Oakley to sing “Since You’ve Been Gone”. This one did nothing for me & I didn't really care who won..I did like Cherie a bit more than Lily - but eh - whatever. Lily won.

The last battle is Emily Valentine vs Curtis Grimes singing “Need You Now”. They end their duet with a kiss shocks the audience AND judges! This was another dual that really didn't matter to me - but again, I enjoyed Curtis just a bit more and he won - woot! :)

CANNOT wait until next Tuesday for the live shows...I'm practically foaming at the mouth with anticipation!

Irregular again???

Saturday I spent a few hours at the ER b/c my heartbeat was going fast again.  :(  
It was my fault, I missed a dose of medicine & noticed around 4 my heart was fast.  When we got to the ER it was 125.  The lopressor kicked in & by the time I left 3 hours later it was in the 80's.  So thankful I didn't have to stay overnight in the ICU again.
I was disappointed b/c I was supposed to have a Premier party - so rescheduling that for a few weeks away.

Meanwhile in our house Cadence has learned to ride without training wheels.

Unfortunately, she hasn't learned how to stop.  So riding down our road (thankfully a cul-de-sac) she has run into the neighbors car, trash (on trash nite) and our tree.   Thank you Snell Foundation for making the first bike helmet.

Another milestone my princess hit - reading a full book all by herself! She's read it so much now, she knows it by heart.

A few days later she finished her 2nd book all by herself.

I can't believe how much she's grown this year...she was JUST starting kindergarten...and JUST learning to write...and JUST wanting nothing more than to stay home w/mom & dad...and JUST...getting ready to finish kindergarten :(
My oldest daughter has taught me more about life than the 27 years I had before she was born...Cadence Colleen - thank you for being so wonderfully you! Daddy & I are so proud of you & all you have accomplished this year.

I'm looking forward to finish putting together her teacher's gift to deliver Monday at the end of the school day.

Friday is Dennis' 2nd surgery. He's excited to finally get all this behind him & get back to work. His release date for work is 6/21! I'm excited that he'll have normal paychecks again - disability sucks but at least it's something.

Tonite we found out Cai has thrush. Ugh. She won't eat & she keeps crying - I feel so bad. She's on a mouthwash now & I'm hoping it works quickly. It breaks my heart to see her in pain.

Tomorrow is my Friday at work - woohoo! And what better way to end it then w/a birthday celebration for Lindsay. I'm looking forward to some yummy treats - including the coconut balls I made. I'll share some pics & the recipe soon!

To-Do Weeks 72-76

As much as I enjoy having a weekly checklist, I just can’t keep up w/posting them on here. I enjoy posting them on here b/c it’s nice to go back & see what I’ve accomplished – what can I say, I’m a list nerd! To make my ‘listing’ personality & my ‘time’ both happy, I’m going to make my to-do Tuesdays monthly…they’ll rarely fall on Tuesdays now - but at least I still feel like I’m getting my list in!

The list is long - we have a new place…so much to do…but that will be the work in progress list…and I will have towards the top, my appt/everyday lists… The list keeps it straight – no matter how much or how little!

To check out what the to-do is about To-Do Tuesday click on the post-it below...

Weekly Tasks..

May

Week 68
5/1 Happy b/day Uncle Butch!
5/2 Happy b/day Randi!
5/2 Happy b/day Sierra!
5/6 Happy 16 yrs together Dennis <3
5/7 Happy b/day Kasey
5/7 Kasey's b/day party
5/7 happy b/day Selena!!
5/7 Bryleigh's Dedication

Week 69
5/11 Dennis' limpoma surgery @ 2
5/14 Oregon Fest

Week 70
5/17 Happy b/day Jenny!
5/21 Rally by the Rails parade for SEA
5/21 Selena's Graduation Party

Week 71
5/25 Happy b/day Quinn & Bella
5/28 Happy Anniversary Aaron & Bobbie!!
5/28 Memorial Day Parade
5/28 Flower Day

Week 71
5/30 happy b/day Cheyenne!!

June
Week 72
6/2 Happy 2nd B/day Sormane!
6/3 – Happy b/day Heather!
6/4 – Happy b/day Lindsay!

Week 73
6/6 Cadence’s LAST day of kindergarten – gulp!
6/9 – Happy b/day Angie!
6/9 – Happy b/day Lynn!
6/10 – Happy b/day Michele!
6/10 – Happy b/day Jody!
6/11 – Happy b/day Kari!

Week 74
Nothing as of right now! WOOP!

Week 75
6/19 – Happy b/day Ethan!
6/25 – Happy b/day Jeremy
6/25 – PPI Screening

Week 76
Another week of nothingness!


In no particular order:

Clean truck
Clean masterbath
Clean spare room

make curtains in front of washer & dryer

Pull strips/Sand/Clean up/Paint:
our room
our bathroom
laundry room
spare room

Smoke micro stand
Paint our bedroom furniture black
Pick out paint color for our room
Paint light fixture base in B’s room

Build 2 shadow boxes for Cai's cheer stuff
Buy blinds for our bedroom
Buy new light fixture for diningroom
Buy new light fixture for kitchen
Buy new light fixture for above island
Buy matching drawer handles for our dressers
Buy headboard/footboard for our room
Buy Backsplash for the kitchen
Buy new sectional
Estate sales for dining room outfit
Buy black paint for highchair
Buy pic frames
Tile the Bathroom floors
Hardwood in the dining room

Outdoor Projects
Buy grass seed
Buy tree for yard
Buy hanging plant baskets
Replace 5 window screen frames...grrrrrr....
Color-match the shutters to paint the front door & trim around shed
Buy patio blocks
Build trash can holder
Stain Decks


CRAFT PROJECTS I’D LIKE TO DO:
Make a Dell Family Est. 2002 plaque for front door