Preparing to Sell

Ashley and I are in the process of selling our house. We're hoping to be able to avoid using a real estate agent so for now we have a For Sale By Owner sign in our front yard. I've created a blog advertising the property and we have fliers posted with our sign. So...if you or anyone you know is interested in moving to West Columbia, SC, please let me know and I'll share the blog with them.

Here are a few shots we took around the house as we staged each room. These aren't used on the blog because we're in them but you can see what we've been up to.

Sliced by Similac

Earlier this week I sliced my finger while opening Mason's formula container. I've had problems with these containers in the past so I decided to contact the company through email:

"I dread opening the foil top of the plastic tub container of Similac
formula every week because the tab always rips off. Tonight it ripped
off and when I tried to open the package, the foil sliced my finger and
it won't stop bleeding. I love the carton but the foil top is a problem
EVERY time I open it. I thought it would improve in the 2 years that I
have used Similac for my sons. Please tell me you are working on
improvements."
I'm happy to report that after speaking with a Similac customer service representative, they're sending me a booklet of coupons AND (this is a little bit of overkill), $30 to replace the formula container (which I have to mail back to them so they can analyze the foil that always gives me problems).

It literally pays to be an assertive consumer. If more people would report concerns they have, all products could be better! Oh, and my finger still hurts (the cut felt like a super-sized paper cut).

4 months old Mason!

It's hard to believe Mason turned 4 months this week. He's really growing (I'll have stats from the doctor after Monday but I think he's in the top percentiles for height?). The biggest difference between Mason and Levi at this age is Mason is so STURDY and strong! He's now mastered rolling over back to belly and belly to back. The belly to back takes a lot of strength and he just did it one day. Yay, Mason! Here are two pictures.
And of course, the 4 month notecard pictures. I love this one! This is SO Mason. Levi picked out his outfit for the photo shoot, a gift from Ryan and Rae Culnon.
Ah, sweet brothers! Levi is really bonding with "May-May" now. It's wonderful to watch.
I borrowed this kicking floor toy from Aunt Donna. Mason is a major kicker--he can about bounce himself out of his bouncer.
Levi insisted on putting shoes on Mason. These are a pair that Joshua and Kelsey gave Levi. Mason was fascinated with these things on his feet!
And Levi with his blanket. :o)

Racin' at Darlington

This past Saturday, Ashley went to Darlington Raceway with a customer to watch a truck race. Scott had infield passes for his RV so Ashley got to experience the excitement of being inside the race--and got to check out the pre-race activities.



I'm glad I married Ashley for so many reasons. One random one is he enjoys NASCAR. I grew up in a family who loved watching the race on Sunday (NASCAR began at the North Wilkesboro Speedway, where I'm from) so it's been fun watching the sport again for the past 6 years with my husband. I'm sure our boys will like racin' too!

"Go to Papa and GinGin's House!"

Last Wednesday, Mama and Papa stopped by our house on their way home to NC from Atlanta. Levi was thrilled to see them. So much, in fact, that he kept repeating "Go to Papa and GinGin's House!" Mama took him up on this and invited me and the boys to go home with them. Thursday we drove up caravan style (Ashley had to work Friday and went to a race on Saturday so he wasn't going to be around). Mason did a little better on the trip--but it still took 5 hours and Levi didn't nap. Here are Mama and Papa on Friday, heading to a wedding. They look great!
While Mama and Papa were at the wedding, I took the boys over to see Heather and Rich's twins. Estella was awake (on left) and Vivenne slept in the swing. Mason had a ball in the kick-n-play and Levi actually gave me a fantastic smile!
Mason and Estella, about 2 months apart in age.
Saturday afternoon, just Levi and I went to visit my Aunt Donna and Uncle Mike. My cousin Richard's (Heather's brother) kids were there so Levi got to play with Alexander (who is 4). They had a big time playing with matchbox cars and the train. Well, I say that. Levi kept to himself but Alexander tried to engage him!
Here is Levi with Mama and Mason. This is Levi's new "Happy Face", which he developed on the ride up to NC. It cracks me up!
We had so much fun--being up there is so different from being at our house because there are all sorts of things to do, from playing in rock piles to petting 5 dogs. Here's Levi in the rock pile. Dirty!!
Papa has planted grapes all over the mountain. The vines are starting to produce so maybe wine or grape juice is in the future! They used to have an apple press...maybe we could use that to press grapes? Papa already had a hat made that says Elk Valley Vineyards.
I love this picture. I played around with the settings on my camera to capture it correctly. These grapes tasted as good as they look.
This section of grape vines is from my Granddaddy's (great grandfather) house. They're the best. It's great that Mama and Papa transplanted some of the vines so the next generation can enjoy these tasty grapes.
Yum!

Skillet Sensations (and other cookings)

I've been busy and happy in the kitchen. Here is a sample of what's been going on... made a peach blueberry crumble based on the Food Network magazine's recipe. Delicious!! MUCH better than the standard 1 c 1 c 1c cobbler. Charleston Cooks (a kitchen store in Charleston) produced a great little cookbook about Lowcountry cuisine. Ashley went through and picked out recipes he wanted me to try. Here's one-- Cowpea Succotash. So fresh and tasty!! Includes field peas, corn, tomatoes, okra and bacon.
While I was home last weekend, I requested that Mama make her stuffed peppers. They're one of my favorite meals (and I don't get to eat them if Ashley is there because he doesn't eat peppers). These were perfect! Thanks, Mama!
Another Charleston Cooks recipe... Carolina Vegetable Rice Saute. Includes zucchini, okra, tomatoes, corn, carrots and rice. Another winner!
Sometimes folks ask how do I manage to do all this cooking with having 2 small boys. Here's the answer-- I do most of my prepwork (chopping, marinating, etc) early in the morning or in the afternoon when the boys are napping. Actual cooking starts around 5. Levi is usually great at playing by himself. Mason is kind of on the breaking point around 5:30 so as I'm wrapping up the meal, he's usually fussing a bit but is ok to sit in the bouncer as long as I talk him through the preparations. The biggest thing that allows me to cook is that I LOVE to cook. It's really satisfying to make a good meal--even if I don't always get to enjoy it right away. I go through spells where I don't cook every night. If I decide on the week's menu and buy the groceries on Monday, I'm much more likely to cook.

Before the next 19th arrives...

A few people reminded me that I never posted Mason's 3 month picture. I did...but it was on Facebook. There are two....see if you can spot why.

July 19 was crazy...I put the wrong date on Mason's card AND ran a load of laundry with no detergent. Haha!