New Blog

About six months ago our computer had a really bad virus, it has since been fixed and we have upgraded our anti-virus software. At the time we had the virus I was still blogging and I think something messed up the layout. Since then the pages will not load completely. So I created a new blog to stop the loading error. To preview the new blog visit www.thealfordscorner.blogspot.com

1st Picnic of 2008

Last Sunday we had a fun day of just hanging out. It included a bike ride, picnic, nap by the water and a nature hike. We had a great time and can't wait for next time.

Banana Split Cake

the professionals
mine

Fish & Coyote

Just a few of our pictures where we are encountered by wildlife.

Later Easter Day

After lunch I went back to my dad's place and just hung out as he sawed some logs. This is another one of his hobbies. It was nice to just sit and watch as logs/trees are turned into lumber to build anything you want to.

Easter Day

On Easter I went to my Uncle David's for lunch, it was really nice to see them again. My Uncle David built a shop or guy's playhouse and we had a good time playing ping pong. The very first picture is my Grandma and Uncle Bob the next is Grandma and I and the last one is my 2nd cousins Allie, Abbie, Uncle David and my Uncle Bob. Keith had to work but we still were able to have a good time.

Weeds

The other night I pulled weeds for thirty minutes and look how much I got. This was only around my patio in the back. My shoe here is a size 9, so that means that is a lot of weeds.

New Do

On one of our many Wednesday Date Night's we decided to do something different to our do's. So we went to Ulta and spent some money. Not as much as if we went to a salon. My new hair color cost me only $12.99, compared to the $65 that I used to pay about 6 years ago. To see what I did and how bold I went well I guess you have to see me in person. I will leave that part a surprise.

My Dad's New Toy

This is a official green John Deere tractor. I got to take it on a drive and loved it. It was so easy and like a golf cart but with so much power.

It's Snowing In Chattanooga

There was a neighborhood wide yard sale that started at 7am, so we got up and and got ready to find that it was snowing and 30 degrees outside. We were already dressed so we went ahead and drove to the neighborhood. It was a very big neighborhood but only about 4 houses actually were selling anything. We didn't find anything but it was good to get out and see more of what this town looks like.

What Might Be Coming Soon To Lick Skillet Road

Picture from marthastewart.com

This is so simple, easy and peaceful. The effect will be nice in the evenings eating dinner or by the fireplace. Maybe I will get this done this year.

What's In A Name

What Angie Means
You are usually the best at everything ... you strive for perfection. You are confident, authoritative, and aggressive. You have the classic "Type A" personality.You are very intuitive and wise. You understand the world better than most people.You also have a very active imagination. You often get carried away with your thoughts.You are prone to a little paranoia and jealousy. You sometimes go overboard in interpreting signals.You are deeply philosophical and thoughtful. You tend to analyze every aspect of your life.You are intuitive, brilliant, and quite introverted. You value your time alone.Often times, you are grumpy with other people. You don't appreciate them trying to interfere in your affairs.You tend to be pretty tightly wound. It's easy to get you excited... which can be a good or bad thing.You have a lot of enthusiasm, but it fades rather quickly. You don't stick with any one thing for very long.You have the drive to accomplish a lot in a short amount of time. Your biggest problem is making sure you finish the projects you start.You are friendly, charming, and warm. You get along with almost everyone.You work hard not to rock the boat. Your easy going attitude brings people together.At times, you can be a little flaky and irresponsible. But for the important things, you pull it together.

What Keith Means
You are a seeker of knowledge, and you have learned many things in your life.You are also a keeper of knowledge - meaning you don't spill secrets or spread gossip.People sometimes think you're snobby or aloof, but you're just too deep in thought to pay attention to them.You are friendly, charming, and warm. You get along with almost everyone.You work hard not to rock the boat. Your easy going attitude brings people together.At times, you can be a little flaky and irresponsible. But for the important things, you pull it together.You tend to be pretty tightly wound. It's easy to get you excited... which can be a good or bad thing.You have a lot of enthusiasm, but it fades rather quickly. You don't stick with any one thing for very long.You have the drive to accomplish a lot in a short amount of time. Your biggest problem is making sure you finish the projects you start.You are a seeker. You often find yourself restless - and you have a lot of questions about life.You tend to travel often, to fairly random locations. You're most comfortable when you're far away from home.You are quite passionate and easily tempted. Your impulses sometimes get you into trouble.You are truly an original person. You have amazing ideas, and the power to carry them out.Success comes rather easily for you... especially in business and academia.Some people find you to be selfish and a bit overbearing. You're a strong person.

Find out what your name means at

http://www.blogthings.com/whatsyournameshiddenmeaningquiz/

February's Cake Is...

Triple-Chocolate Mousse Cake

Martha's version

My version

This was not very easy to make and at 11:30 at night you just kinda loose all patients. The tape would not stick to the parchment paper so taping it in a circle to hold the mousse in was very hard. I lost all the patient I had and just made a so called circle and filled it in and the did it again in the other flavor of mousse. The cake part was very good at first but after it sitting in the fridge waiting on the mouse to completely set it became hard and dried out. But it was worth the effort and very chocolaty.

Pretty Centerpiece

February 16th I had a Pampered Chef party and made this really cute centerpiece. It is red tulips and red hots. Very simple and inexpensive but it only lasted about 3 days because the tulips started to die.

Birds, Birds and Birds

I love looking out my windows and watching God's creatures.

New Camera

My new toy
Keith playing with the new toy, taking a picture of me.

Some of you might know that my digital camera has had plenty of accidents from flying off the car while I turned out of the driveway to falling on the kitchen floor after accidentally being knocked off the counter. I guess you could say that after all that it was time to get a new one and that I did. I have been nagging Keith for about two weeks and he finally gave in and I even let him pick the color.

Baby Cason

Cason trying to get some gum relief on my grandma's chin.
My dad and Cason looking at my new toy.

This week/weekend we had the joy of keeping my best friend's baby. We had fun and learned a lot about parenting and babies. Keith changed his first diaper and it turned out to be a stinky. I guess if you are going to do something for the first time why not go all the way. We went shopping, visited my grandma and dad and just played mom and dad.

Grandma's 77th Birthday Party

Grandma's great homemade cake waiting on the candle's to be blown out.
All the family that came, sorry there is to many people to say who is who. Uncle Bob, Shelly, Amy and Grandma eating
Jessica, D.J., Dad and Chuck enjoying lasagna
All the grand and great grand kids

L to R (back row) Angie, Jason, Amy, Grandma, Shelly, D.J. and Jessica

( bottom row) Hunter, Zachary, Abbie and Allie

So like last year, I had a birthday party for my much loved Grandma. I love having people over and don't see my aunt's and uncle's that much so it is always good to catch up. My grandma turned 77 on January 26th and had so much fun this year as the conversation and food were great. Here are some pictures of the party.

Much Needed Posting

So today I am doing some much needed posting. I have so many thing to write about so sit back and enjoy.

1st New Year’s Resolution Update

So this first month has been rocky but only because I am trying to get into the routines. I figured that if blogged about what has been happening and where I stand then I might stick to them better.

1. Lose 15 – 20 pounds by my birthday (August 10th) ~~ I have only lost 5 pounds, but still have a lot of time.

2. See grandparents at least twice a month ~~ I saw both of them twice and talked to them on the phone several times.

3. Don’t eat junk food ~~ It is to tasteful not to eat, I ate junk food in other words.

4. Write more letters instead of email. ~~ I have written two in January.

5. Say my prayers before bedtime ~~ I do this about every other night but find myself praying in the morning while I am still in the bed if I forgot the night before.

6. Recycle more ~~ I have got my row of co-worker giving me there water bottles. I am doing real good with this one.

7. Be cautious of how I treat people ~~ I think I am getting better, but I can’t judge that one really.

8. Give complements, don’t be afraid to say them ~~ I love this one, and I am doing great. The other day I told someone that I liked something she had on and she said you don’t like my skirt I made it. I felt like I put my foot in my mouth but not all the way.

January's Cake Is...

Martha's Meyer Lemon Anniversary Cake

For the month of January I have decide to skip this cake. When reading her website it says that it serves 45+ people. Since I can't plan a party before the month is over I am skipping out this month. It is a beautiful cake and looks simple but challenging. Maybe next January I will make it for my Grandma's birthday.

I can't wait for February's cake, I already have my grocery list ready.

A Year Of Cakes

Today at work I was surfing my friend Martha Stewart's web site and found "A Year Of Cakes", this is something I am going to start doing. I figured that I could make the dessert and then take a picture and post her picture with mine and we can see how my cake turns out. Hopefully I will have great success. The only problem is that most of the cakes are for 8-10 people and it is only Keith and I, so if you want some come and get it. Here is the link if you are interested in doing this http://www.marthastewart.com/portal/site/mslo/menuitem.3a0656639de62ad593598e10d373a0a0/?vgnextoid=ffcece908332f010VgnVCM1000003d370a0aRCRD&vgnextfmt=default

Fire

I am not really sure what Keith and I would do without our fireplace. This is a way of life for both of us. We grew up with fire's all the time in our childhood fireplaces. This is something that is relaxing, calming and warming all at once.

King of the Chair

I guess our cat is taking of Keith's man chair!

Our New Years Resolutions

Angie’s Resolutions

So I figured since this is 2008 that I would have 8 resolutions that I could and hopefully will stick by. Wish me luck and motivate me if you see me slipping.

1. Lose 15 - 20 pounds by my birthday
2. See grandparents at least twice a month
3. Don’t eat junk food
4. Write more letters instead of emails
5. Say my prayers before bedtime
6. Recycle more
7. Be cautious of how I treat people
8. Give complements, don't be afraid to say them


Keith’s Resolutions

1. Work out more

After hearing that he just had one, I asked him why don’t you challenge yourself and set a few more. His response was “Why make them if you can’t keep them.”

Wednesday Date Night

Jennifer and I had our usual Wednesday date this week but with a twist. Shalon came over and they scrap booked. I don't scrapbook but I motivated, cut paper and keep the conversation going. Jennifer's was of Cason's 1st Halloween, it was cute and funky all at the same time. Shalon did her page on the Koalas at the Australian Zoo from there honeymoon. It was fun and we had a blast.

Here is Britt and Cason sleeping in Cason's nursery after a night of hanging out with the guys (Cason & Britt).