Simply Shanzie Being Simple

Hi Everyone, hope your Christmas was fabulous!  I wanted to write a new post letting you know that I have been a little lax on blogging at Simply Shanzie.  I hope to be back in the New Year with LOTS to say, but right now I am enjoying blogging on my family blog!  http://www.teamedwards91.blogspot.com/  feel free to stop by and check us out!  Two teenagers can make for some interesting posts!

Thoughtful Thursday!

No cream for my coffee...YIKES! I blasted the rudeness I felt on facebook and lo and behold......

3 CHEERS for Mandi!!  My neighbor & friend came to my rescue!

Thanks Mandi!

And they all lived happily ever after....THE END

Meet My Designer

Lolatini Design Studio

I would like to take a moment to thank my designer, Celeste at Lolatini Design Studio.  She has worked very very hard to make my blog look the way it does!  I am always more than pleased with her creativity, tech "know-how" and her professionalism.  I have gottten countless compliments on my blog design and I must say...she makes me look good!  Everyone knows you can have a great product, but if it's packaging isn't right, it's hard to sell.

Again, thank you Lolatini Design Studio for your talent!

And if you are reading this and you are inspired to start a blog or need a fresh look for your current blog or website, please go to her site.

Lolatini Design Studio

Wordless Wednesday

So Excited for Fall!

I'm ready! This is my fave time of year!  Kids are back in school, the air is crisp, yummy warm treats and yes, FOOTBALL!  This time of year reminds me of my childhood days for some reason.  Good stuff!  Hopefully with all of the hibernation I will be doing this Fall and Winter I will mozey (just got that word from hubby today,lol) on down to the computer and BLOG more!  There's only one reason why that wouldn't happen, and it's spelled L-A-Z-Y!

Blog atcha soon!

Disclaimer: Whipped up the apples in about 20 minutes on a Sunday night and the socks came from Target for about $8! Good Stuff!

This Is How I Feel Most Days!

Is That Really Necessary!?!?

OK, we tried to go see a movie as a family, which is a rare event for us. Of course since the first release was fantastic, we knew we had to return to see Transformers 2! Although we were warned by a dear friend that it might be a little too "risque'" for our family, we went anyway. We warned our 17yr old and our 12yr old that there were probably going to be parts in the movie that were distasteful. We even told them to look away and focus on the overall theme of the movie and the action...which is what attracts our family to these types of films in the first place. Sure, I thought maybe we would see a little kiss here, maybe a little cleavage there, maybe even hear a few swear words. SHOCK and AWE I tell ya! Now call me old fashioned or Grandma or even naive, but COME ON! There was more bare bottom than I see all day long doing daycare!! It's one thing to be pretty...OK Megan Fox is gorgeous, but do you have to look like you want sex EVERY TIME the camera is on you??? Why? I don't get it! It's almost like they thought the first movie didn't have enough sexual content in it. Was there a memo I missed that said, if you like seeing girls straddled over motorcycles or how about an alien part coming out of a woman's behind, then write in and we'll be sure to get you a free movie ticket and popcorn!!

Needless to say, I was disappointed in the writers or whoever is in charge with that icky stuff. It's a shame that a really good movie could be ruined by such filth! Don't they know that little 3 yr old boys are walking around with "Bumble Bee" t-shirts on? Those sexual scenes are SO unnecessary! I enjoy seeing our Nation's Military defeat an enemy, but there is absolutely NO reason for those pouty lip scenes! They do not add to the story, but only take away from families that want good wholesome movie fun.

OK, whew! I said it and that settles it! I'll let you know when my next movie comes out. Bring your whole family, and the dog too....HA HA!

If You Don't Have One...Here's What You're Missing

One word for this machine...FABULOUS! I was introduced to this hot lil' mama a couple years ago by a girlfriend! She offered me one of the best tasting Latte's I have ever had. Tassimo, is her name. After whining and hoping for several holidays, I finally received my Tassimo for my birthday recently. She still makes the most delicious coffee with the push of a button. No more twelve cup coffee makers for me. I would make a whole pot and consume it in one day! Now I have more control and drink just what she makes for me, a cup...ok, maybe two.

If you don't have one of these girlfriend, you are truly missing out! Go to Tassimo.com for more information and see a variety of drinks you can indulge in! This must be added to your Christmas list!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Well, I made it to 35 years! I am very grateful to be alive...not sure how healthy I am but I manage to get up out of bed each morning with a smile on my face. Life has been good to me or should I say God has.

My day was filled with hugs and kisses from my big kids, endless phone calls, text messages and numerous Facebook birthday wishes! Birthdays always remind me of how truly loved I am.

Of course my hubby always blesses me with beautiful red roses, an absolute favorite of mine. My mom has declared for years that her son-in-law chooses the best flowers for me. She's right, he's the best!

I have to say though, I have always said it to my friends..."celebrate your kids birthdays as if it's your own..you did all the work, why don't us mom's party on their day?" Well today was the day of my birth, but I did not let it go by without thanking my mom for being the delivery instrument that brought me here. I told her that she should celebrate the day that SHE gave birth. As we get older we tend to take things like that for granted. I am very blessed that I'm here and that God chose my mom to help make that possible.

Happy Birthday Mom!

Top 10 Rules on How to do Summer

This is for moms that have kids/teens home for the Summer. Whether you work at home or outside the home, I think we can all agree Summer Break is highly overated!

#1 Do not get up from bed before 9am. If you do happen to awake - look around your room at all the things you could do without mom asking you to.

#2 Do not expect to be entertained. See #1

#3 Do ALL of your chores before you ask for ANYTHING. See #2

#4 NEVER ever say "I'm bored". If you have a ball or a bike you have NO excuse! If you can't find something to do, I will find something for you.

#5 You are no longer at school-fix your own lunch.

#6 This is not the 7Eleven or Quickmart! Do not bring your friends home to drink up all the bottled water and eat all the snacks.

#7 No you cannot spend the night! Don't wear out your welcome-your friends parents may not want to look at you ALL the time. And don't forget #4!!

#8 Summer is not an excuse to lay around, sleep and watch tv ALL day and this includes Playstation Games etc. GO OUTSIDE! See #1 & #2

#9 Parents are not richer in the Summer! Don't expect field trips, movies or eating out everynight. See #6 & #4

#10 Do I HAVE to see you in that shirt one more day!?!?!

What happened to the Holidays??

When I was growing up, there was no mention of hanging out with friends on ANY holiday. Holidays were times that were set aside for family and the closest you could get to playing with a friend was a cousin.

Now either I'm getting old or times have really changed. Memorial Day was the last holiday and as soon as my two woke up, they were planning their day like it was "Friendship Day". I don't know, but each year my children get older it seems to get more challenging to preserve that family time. Now don't get me wrong, I do believe holidays are overated! Haven't you ever set yourself up for this wonderfully thought out holiday with gifts for everyone, perfect dinners and enough talking and game playing with family to write a book about it?? Does it EVER turn out to be all that? Well, since I'm honest I will have to say NO! Even though holidays can be kind of lame at times, there is still something sacred about keeping everyone with the same last name together....even just for the day.

Although the challenge is there and sometimes we barely know what we are even celebrating (depending on the holiday), I will continue to savor the moments when we unite for those special days. It may not be so on Veterans Day and some others, we might not have on Christmas sweaters, or be waving a Memorial Day Flag and I may have to hide a cell phone or two....but atleast the effort will still be made. Somethings should just remain the same.