I know I post everyday, but it seems like it’s been a while since I’ve actually written anything about what’s been going on with us.  So, I decided that it’s about time I update everyone with what has been going on in our lives.

First of all- there has been a major change here at the Livin’ With Me household.  For about the last year Rich has been very unhappy at his job.  Last year in July we talked very seriously about Rich leaving his job and finding something to do that he enjoys.  Rich has always enjoyed playing around on the Internet and creating sites and a bunch of other stuff I don’t understand.  He has done it as a hobby and really likes doing it.  So, we have talked a lot about him leaving his job to do something he has fun doing. 

There always seemed to be a reason not to do it though- mostly it was me worrying about all of the what ifs (and believe me I know there are lots of what ifs). I could see that Rich was becoming more and more unhappy with his job to the point of hating it.  I think that life is too short to go to a job every single day that you truly hate, and to think about doing that everyday for the rest of your life is an awful feeling.  We finally decided that Rich would leave his job and try doing what he actually likes doing. So, a couple of weeks ago Rich left his job to work from home doing what he enjoys doing.  I know that there are still a lot of what ifs and we have certainly taken a big leap. 

This is the reason that you have probably noticed that I have been writing a lot of sponsored posts lately.  Many of the posts I write I am getting paid to write them.  I don’t really want to do them and I don’t like filling my blog up with those kinds of posts.  But for now it is helping to supplement our income as Rich starts out on this new venture.  So, I appreciate that you are still here reading my blog even though you have to comb through all of the other posts. 

The way I keep my blog organized is whatever my “main” post of the day is will stay at the top of my blog.  Anything under that is probably a post I am being paid for.  You will also find what I call “filler” posts that are in-between the posts I am paid for- this is a requirement of one of the companies I write for.  Please do not feel like you have to read all of my sponsored and filler posts, and certainly don’t feel like you have to comment on everything.  If you just read the post I put up at the top of my blog each day then you will be reading or seeing what I consider to be the important post for that day.

So, I guess that’s all for my updates for now.  Please keep us in your prayers as we are going through this change.  It’s been fun and exciting but also very stressful.

Want to know what Meme Monday is?  Click here to read all about it. 

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This was an easy week for me.  First I was tagged by Saralynn with the book meme.

Here are the rules:

Pick up the nearest book of at least 123 pages.
Open the book to page 123.
Find the 5th sentence.
Post the next 3 sentences.
Tag 5 people.

This was actually a little difficult for me- finding a book near me that has 123 pages.  In the past I would have had lots of books nearby with lots of pages in them.  But since I’m busy with Hailey and reading her the kind of books she likes I don’t read much for myself anymore (unless you count all of the blogs I read). 

I am reading a book right now that I am supposed to be doing a review for on my blog, so that is the only book I have right now that isn’t meant for a toddler.  The name of the book is “Dadditude” and it by Philip Lerman.  It’s really good, but I’ll write about that when I do my actual review.

Anyhoo- all of that to say this- pg. 123, find the 5th sentence and post the next 3 sentences- so here they are:

“You woke up again at 3 a.m., and started crying inconsolably, and I didn’t know what to do.  I held you and rocked you and sang to you, and you screamed and you screamed and you screamed.  I almost went and got your mom.”

So that was that- and you’ll be hearing more about this book when I do my review on it- but let me just say again- it is good.  Really good.

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Next up, I received an award.  During the month of March there was this contest being held by Bluedreamer to find the top 5 hottest blogs.  Several of my bloggy friends nominated me for the award- so I won spot number 3.  Woo Hoo!  Thanks to everyone who picked me.

So, now if you played Meme Monday this week sign Mr. Linky so that all of the participants can visit each other.  Anyone is welcome to play along, so join in the fun.

Do you know what I put in Hailey’s Easter basket this year?  I think that lots of moms out there will be shocked when I tell you that we put some playdough in Hailey’s Easter basket.  I know what you’re thinking- it is just so messy- why would anyone ever give their child playdough?

Having worked in day care and pre-k, I do know that playdough can create quite a mess.  But do you know what else I have learned about playdough?  It can usually buy several minutes in a row of quiet play. 

So, since last Sunday Hailey has been walking around carrying sealed containers of playdough.  She has been quite excited with just that, so there was no need to even open them.  But, finally on Thursday I decided it was time to be brave and let her, you know, actually play with the playdough.

And of course I took just a few dozen pictures.  Don’t worry, I won’t share all of the pictures with you. 

First things first- “I must taste this.  I mean mommy did put me in my chair after all and usually when I am sitting here she gives me things to eat.  So, I guess that is what I am supposed to do with this new squishy stuff she just gave me.”

“Well that tasted terrible.  Probably another one of those things they call ‘vegetables’ that mommy is always trying to make me eat.”

“Now this is fun.”

“It feels so weird.”

Obviously Hailey loved the playdough.  And do you know how long she sat there and played with it?  Quietly?  For almost an hour.  And then it was dinner time, so I had to take it from her so we could eat.  And she cried and didn’t want me to put it away.

Even though it might have seemed like a crazy idea initially it was definitely one of my better ideas. 

For this weeks Random Recipe exchange Pam has asked us to share our favorite pizza recipe.  I have only ever made a pizza once and it was not a pretty site.  Rich, on the other hand, makes a fabulous pizza.  It is so delicious that I would rather have his pizza than any pizza from anywhere else.  So, I asked begged Rich to share his recipe with us for the Random Recipe exchange.

His response? “There is no recipe.”  I finally convinced him that if he would not share his recipe that perhaps he could just take pictures of the process.  You would have thought I was asking him if I could pull out all of his teeth without any novocain.  Or perhaps he was thinking that I was trying to trick him into making dinner.  Either way he was not exactly a willing participant.

Anyhoo, here are the pictures of Rich’s pizza making process.  This has been kept a secret up until now.

First you mix the water with whatever is in the bowl.

It should look like this.

Next you put some flour on the baking stone…

…and then spread the dough.

Then you spread the sauce.

Then add some cheese.  And if you are anything like us, you also add some more cheese.

Then you put some spices and other stuff on. 

 You bake it for a little while in the oven and then when you take it out it should look nice and yummy, just like this.

Now stop on over at Pam’s to see the other participants- who have hopefully shared an actual recipe.