How to have an exhausting, but exciting weekend with Dad!

I have to give props to my Dad is this blog post. He is truly a blessing, & I couldn't be happier that he is my dad. He has been saying he was going to come down & do some things to the house for weeks now...which to me was looking like next year. Well, earlier this week one of the toilet's broke (I know, I am SPOILED!) so I sent a S.O.S. text to my dad saying we needed him. Somehow I convinced him to come down this weekend to fix the toilet, but what neither of us knew was that there were going to be some BIG changes!

He arrived late Friday night & luckily my mom had asked me if I made a list of all the things I wanted done...which of course I had not. So I compiled my list with random things like: a)fix the toilet, b)patch the wall & rehang the toilet paper holder, c)fix my door, d)make the air conditioner stop leaking, e)replace the batteries in the smoke detectors, & f)put a ceiling fan downstairs. So Saturday morning we got up early & went to Lowe's. I picked out a ceiling fan, then ended up getting a new light fixture for the kitchen. We bought all the other things we needed to complete the list. I dropped dad off at my house & then I headed to pick up Zach & Alec from their grandparents at Applebee's. I have to say those 2 are troopers because they were angels the WHOLE day! I took them to Home Depot to pick up some paint and then we went back to see the progress my dad had made. He had the whole list almost completed! Alec & Zach went down for naps, & that is when dad realized that hanging the ceiling fan was not going to work because there was nothing to support it to. So, after naps we headed back to Lowe's to return the ceiling fan. We went to a different one, & ended up coming out with another light fixture, & a new main kitchen light(the one that was there would not turn on if it was below 70 degrees & it was getting annoying)! I asked my dad if he checked to see what kind of light bulbs were needed, but he assured me that we had them (HA! At 10 that night I was driving around to different Wal-Mart's trying to find the light bulb with no success). Then we stopped for dinner & we took dad home. I stayed at my aunt & uncle's with the boys, so I didn't get to see the finished products of what he was doing. My dad actually called me a couple of times today to see if I had made it home to see what he did...& he was the first person I called when I walked in! It's amazing how a few light fixtures can change a lot! I have posted pictures below.

On another note, all of those things were great, but the BEST thing that my dad did this weekend was to fix the air conditioner! It has leaked for the whole summer, I didn't know why & I never got around to calling anyone. Go figure that there was a piece that was plugged & once he cleaned it out & fixed it...NO MORE WATER! Aah, although summer is almost over, I am relieved!

The best quote of the night though was when I was driving Alec & Zach back to their house...Alec said "Today was a GREAT day! Hanging out with Uncle Ralph, Cousin Libby & Ziggy Zach couldn't have been better." I totally agree!

How to drive down the Lost Highway...ok, we weren't really lost!

This past weekend I was able to go back to Wisconsin for a few days. We left on Thursday & came back Sunday evening. I had a jam packed weekend! Lots of driving, watching soccer games, hanging out with my family, & getting to see a friend & meet her baby. Of course I made sure to eat some cheese curds! It's cool because the next time I go back there will be a Sonic in Wisconsin! I can't wait to take my little sister there, she always tries to convince me to bring her a Route 44 of Lemon Water when I drive up...it would probably make it, but I don't tell her that!

My niece Becca is growing by leaps & bounds! She changes so much these days. She did have a little bit of Stranger Danger in her this time & would cry whenever I picked her up, but on the last day I found a ray of hope when I learned if I gave her food she would hang out with me. She has started talking. Granted she can't say Libby yet (it's a tough word, but I do have to admit that I'm so glad that Zach can say Bibby!!!! He's been able to say Indiana Jones for weeks, & surprised me last week by breaking out Bibby), but she says "Bye guys," among other things. Her new thing though was if you asked her if it was loud she would plug her fingers in her ears. I do have a picture that is a bit ironic I think because she was on my shoulders & she was crying & I had my fingers in my ears!

Here are some of the pictures from my trip:

How to know 'You might be a Redneck'

You might be a Redneck...when you are driving through town & you see this:
Enough said!

How to make Sassy Potato Corn Chowder

The newest recipe to my collection:

Prep Time:
10 min

Total Time:
40 min

Makes:
6 servings

What You Need

4 slices OSCAR MAYER Bacon, chopped

3 cups cubed peeled potatoes (about 1-1/4 lb.)

1 can (13-3/4 oz.) chicken broth

1 pkg. (10 oz.) frozen whole kernel corn, thawed, drained

1/2 cup chopped onion

1/2 cup sliced celery

2 Tbsp. flour

1/2 cup MIRACLE WHIP Light Dressing

2 cups 2% reduced fat milk
10 oz. Velveeta

Make It

COOK bacon in large saucepan until crisp; drain. Return bacon to pan.

STIR in potatoes, broth, corn, onion and celery. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low; simmer 15 minutes or until potatoes are tender.

MIX dressing and flour in medium bowl. Stir in milk. Add to potato mixture. Cook 3 to 5 minutes or until thoroughly heated, stirring occasionally.

Add Velveeta & let it melt...then enjoy!