My Big Sister Monica

I couldn't wait to grow up and wear that Dallas Cowboy Cheerleader hand-me-down.
She taught me everything I know...including the socks w/ jellies look. And did you know if you squeeze your legs really tight together, it makes you look thinner?

Dad's Easter Morning Bed Head

Easter at the Koeth's House:

My so-so-subtle-daddy-o hands me an article at the breakfast table: Moving home: Not just for 20somethings today…”We have a hard time saying no as a culture to our children, and they keep asking for more.” –Karin Stifler DMN

Marlene still hides our Easter baskets. But, “DON’T MESS UP THE CURTAINS” searching for them

The married kids and their spouses get like real gifts in their baskets

Single children get chocolate, luggage tags (is that another hint?), and two peeps. Who does that? One, thank you Marlene for unwrapping like the creepy men do at Halloween---really, I’m pretty sure all the peeps made their way to Wal-Mart this year despite the economy.

Ask me if I'm grateful at Thanksgiving.

Baby Jesus is RISEN!...Let us pray.

They don't hand out chocolate at mass. Wine, yes. Chocolate, no.

Surprise for Grandma

I went to the St. Patty's Day parade in Dallas on Saturday. Ran into some men with their shirts off handing out free posters. I thought it would be a nice late birthday gift for Grandma, so I decided to pin it up on her bedroom wall. RAWR. I got a slap on the hand, but I'm pretty sure that Grandma likee.

I Smell a VISA...

It's finally in. Where to start?...
Anyone interested in a '96 Maxima with a million miles on it?
I'll even clean the dried orange juice off the passenger side rug mat.

I've Always Been a Dreamer...

...and apparently thought I had blue eyes and blond hair too.

Quality Poetry Class 3C

God Bless Marlene for keeping my childhood treasures (organized) in a big box.
Below are some quality winter haiku's by Mrs. McCords 3C class.

Wolves in the Winter
By: Frank B.
The wolves in winter
are very mean and bitter
Those crazy old wolves.

A Winter Night
By: Sarah H.
On a winter night
go drink some hot chocolate
and then go to sleep.
(I think mommy's spiking the hot chocolate)

The Winter
By: T.J. H
Mom made some breakfast,
I went sledding down the hill,
On the yellow sled.

Snowy
By: Jennifer G.
Cold and falling snow, stop.
Icicles falling fast, stop.
You are falling fast.

A Blizzard
By: Stephanie H.
As blizzards sweep by
and knock down rare snowmen
and the children cry.

Snowy Day
By: Mary M.
Winter snowmen fun
When I think I think snowy
Ice cold sleds with snow

OMG! MB is Cooking Dinner...

My wish: To cook dinner for mi familia sometime before heading off...
I set a date: March 2nd
I set a menu:
Spinach Salad w/ Red Onion, Egg, and Balsamic Vinaigrette
Red Wine
Oranges, Olives, Chicken and Pistachios with Tagliatelle (recipe from Hallmark Magazine)
Angel Food cake, Strawberries, and Whipped Cream
Coffee

Mindful of not creating the typical MB mess, I prepared the ingredients ahead of time and carefully placed into little bowls like they do on the cooking shows that I don't watch.

So, I've made this meal three times now...it's amazing...and everyone that I've cooked it for agrees.

I welcomed my family: Mom, (Dad...we miss you!) Grandma, Matt, Cristina (the Italian), Monica, Glen, and Karl

"Thank you for coming to this big day family people. As you eat this meal that I so lovingly prepared for you all, I want you to be really mindful of how all the flavors marry because I'm going to ask you what you think of my outstanding cooking skills that you never knew I had." Here's the love that I got...
They think they're all comedians. Hilarious. Not.

"The pasta is cooked perfectly. Not overdone. Perfect." -The Italian

"Best pasta I've had today." -Glen

"It's OK...I mean, thank you. It's good Mary Beth, really. It's just weird." -Matt

"I just tasted an olive and it was excellent." -Mom

"It's special because you made it." -Grandma

"Sort of like egg on pizza...you would never think to do it, you know?" -Glen

"I've got some marinara sauce in there...hahaha." -Mom

With that, I'm taking applications for a new family.