Sunday, July 8, 2012

Truth is......Summer-time Version


Ahhh....It's the most wonderful time of the year-summer. A time to rest, relax, unwind, and enjoy a slower pace. Time for one to master the art of "piddling" and waste away many hours doing things that ordinarily, there would be no time for. I have spent many leisure mornings with my two friends-my computer and my cup of caffeine while my daughters sleep peacefully until 9:30. (Can I hear an amen?!) Recently, as I was stalking my daughter's Facebook wall on the look out for inappropriate material, I couldn't help but notice all the "truth is" posts from Hannah and many of her other friends. I read them all and chuckled at the comments (trying unsuccessfully to ignore the many grammar and spelling mistakes) and wondered what the 12 year old Becky would have said. To shake that scary thought away, I decided upon a summer-time version of "truth is" from a 42 year old wife/mother/teacher's perspective.

Truth is- Ice-cream is one of the best parts of summer. Home-made, store-bought, Bruster's, Blue Bell, Blue Bunny, Tastee Foods- I do not discriminate.

Truth is-Every time I consume this summer-time (but really anytime) treat, or my children open the freezer drawer and ask "We got any ice-cream?" I can hear the voice of Forrest Gump saying, "Lieutenant Dan...ice-cream!"


Truth is- I have spent way too much time this summer on Pinterest pinning fitness activities, holiday crafts, DIY projects and recipes.

Truth is- I need to repin most of these things under the board "Never Gonna Happen!"

Truth is- Cherry tomatoes are really good for you, and I have several plants producing well in my garden.

Truth is- Eating them by the bucket-not a good idea.

Truth is-The lyrics in the song that say "Girl you make my speakers go boom-boom" is really stupid.

Truth is- I can't stop singing it! No matter how hard I try!

Truth is- My daughters are awesome, beautiful, smart, and the best things in my life. I am thankful to have summers, breaks, and snow days to spend quality time with them.

Truth is- They are L-O-U-D!

Truth is- So is their mama. Yes, I own it.

Truth is- I was really excited about the new Dallas TV series and hearing the opening music made me a little nostalgic for my childhood days.

Truth is- JR is super-creepy and Sue Ellen's botoxed face looks 25 but her hands and neck belong to a 90 year old. (Bobby on the other hand.....well he was always the best looking Ewing brother.)

Truth is- I really wanted to read some literary classics that I somehow was never required to read in high school. Each summer I read at least one book just because I feel like I have missed out and because I am a teacher, well, I just should.

Truth is- Mr. Christian Gray and his three books had other plans and took up A LOT of my summer reading time.

Truth is-some of you are judging me right now. I know you are, but you better not roll your eyes ;)

Truth is-I am too old for a pony-tail.

Truth is-My hair looks dumb when it's short and I'm too lazy to take the time and tremendous effort to style it in the summer heat and humidity.

Truth is-Every summer I love watching QVC's Christmas in July week long sale!

Truth is- It also signals the almost closure of summer break. Bah-humbug.

Truth is-It must be a requirement for all Disney Channel actors to be really loud and really obnoxious.

Truth is-I guess it is better for my children to watch the family-friendly programs on Disney than some of the programs I watched as a child. (Hello? The Duke boys were cute, but actually they were boot-leggers with really tight jeans.)

Truth is-If I were to be abducted by aliens, the toilet paper roll would always be empty in my bathrooms.

Truth is-I shouldn't make such a dramatic scene when I refill it in both bathrooms, everyday, every week, all of the time. Seriously, am I the only person qualified for this task?

Truth is-I L-O-V-E Good Morning America and can't wait to watch that show each morning.

Truth is-Robin Roberts and I could be BFF's, I have a slight crush on George. However: Sam-you need to dial your enthusiasm for the weather back a notch or 20.

Truth is- I don't have very many items checked off my summer break "to-do" list, so sometimes I write things on there that I have already accomplished, just so I can mark them off. 

Truth is-It can wait until fall break.Maybe I should start a new list???

Truth is- Every time the Ballard family goes on a road trip, I hear the "Holiday Road" song from "National Lampoon's Vacation" in my head.

Truth is-Usually before we are 15 miles into the trip I have ordered both girls to put in their I pods to keep them from previously mentioned loudness and never-ending arguments.

Truth is- Sometimes I am really afraid my children will be "warped" from my parenting techniques.

Truth is- Now, as adults, my sister and I laugh about our childhood dramatics and beatings we received. Maybe Hannah and Micah will as well. 
 
Truth is- All my status updates are about my daughter's softball team, UK basketball (yes even in the summer), pool parties, and coffee.

Truth is- Those are pretty darn important things! 

Truth is-you're probably tired of reading this by now, and you're probably thinking my mind has turned to mush over the summer. Truth is you might be right. However, everyone needs a little down-time, maybe a guilty pleasure or 2 to enjoy the simple things in life.

The real truth is....I really enjoy writing this blog, and although I usually have nothing profound to say, I hope the readers find something in each post that helps them in some way. (Did not plan that rhyme at all!)


Here is a recipe from Pinterest that I have actually made-twice!

Peanut Butter Cup Dessert
20 0reos, crushed. (Save a small portion to sprinkle on top of dessert.)
2T butter, softened
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup peanut butter
1 1/2 cup confectioner's sugar, divided
16 oz cool whip, divided
15 miniature peanut butter cups, chopped
1 cup cold milk
1 (3.9 oz) instant chocolate pudding mix

1. Crush the Oreos. Toss with butter. Press into ungreased 9 inch square dish. Set aside. 
2. In large bowl, beat cream cheese, peanut butter, and 1 cup confectioner's sugar until smooth.
3. Fold in half of whipped topping and spread over crust. Sprinkle with chopped peanut butter cups.
4. In another large bowl, beat the milk, pudding mix, and remaining confectioner's sugar on low speed for 2 minutes. Let stand for 2 minutes. Fold in remaining whipped topping.
5. Spread over previous layer and top with remaining crushed cookies. (I also used extra chopped peanut butter cups because Reece's Cups are heavenly.) Cover and chill at least 3 hours before serving.



This is an actual "craft" I completed from Pinterest. The pin said to buy peel off sticker numbers. Place onto a rock, and spray paint. When paint is dry, peel numbers away. Simple huh? The example used their house number and looked really cool.Keeping in mind that I have always been artistically-challenged, it took me forever. I had gold spray paint everywhere. I bought stickers where the numbers had to be cut out and the numbers were gold-the same color of my paint. Truth is-I have an incredible knack for finding the hard way to do everything. Truth is-the struggle makes the end result more rewarding.

Happy summer,
Becky