Laptop Help & a recipe

I'm scared to type it out because it may just make it happen now, but my laptop is about to bite the dust.  Really, it kinda bites the dust on a daily basis.  I will be in the middle of doing something (slowly though, very slowly b/c my computer is quite the thinker) and all of a sudden it will blink to a blue screen saying some gobbldy-goo about how it's "beginning the dump of your physical memory..." yeah, probably not a good thing!?!?  I just turn it off, then turn it back on and give it another go.  Why?  Because I've already trouble-shooted as much as I know to do: 

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1. All my files/pictures/stuff are backed up to an external hard drive, so when it claims to be dumping my physical memory I guess I'm not really losing anything?

2. I've run virus scans and haven't found anything

3. The only solution windows gave me to this problem was to do a "system restore" to before this problem started, and I did that to a month before this started, BUT IT'S STILL HAPPENING! 

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So, I'm in the market for a new laptop (YAY... the dork in me says yay about new technology but the money-saver in me says boo about spending money)!  It's probably time for a new one anyway, because this one is 5 years old, a Dell Inspiron 6000, I already had to replace the battery, all the warrantys are expired, the space bar sticks & I have to punch it every time I need to use it (which is pretty much A LOT), the before mentioned slowness & shutting off issues (and I use this thing EVERY DAY and my productivity for my work related reports is horrible b/c of how slow it moves).... I even got Photoshop for Christmas but my computer rejects it and says it can't download it... why? I have no clue! ....

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SO, that leads me to you lovely readers/potential commenters (even if you have never commented before... please come out of hiding/lurkdom & say hello & help me please... well, even if you don't have computer help, you can still say hello!)... do you have any suggestions for what laptop to get?  What do you have? like it? hate it? is it worth it to get a Mac?  If I stick with a PC what kind should I get?  I've always had a Dell, but have heard good things about HP, Toshiba?  I'm pretty computer savvy but like to do my research before making a big purchase so HELP!!!! THANK YOU! 

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and since way-back-when, I promised some of the recipes I made for our Christmas family get-together, here is our SPINACH MADELINE recipe.... oh how I love it so!  It has a kick to it & when we were younger my mom would make a spicy & non-spicy version & I have ALWAYS preferred the spicy one (below)!

SPINACH MADELINE

2 pkg. frozen chopped spinach

4 TBsp butter

2 TBsp flour

2 TBsp chopped onion

1/2 cup evaporated milk

1/2 cup reserved liquid from defrosted spinach

1/2 tsp black pepper

3/4 tsp celery salt

3/4 tsp garlic salt

salt to taste

4 oz jalapeno cheese (such as Velveeta)

1 tsp Worcestershire

Red pepper to taste

Bread crumbs

Cook spinach according to directions on package.  Drain & reserve liquid.Melt butter in saucepan over low heat.  Add flour, stirring until blended & smooth, but not brown.  Add onion and cook until soft but not brown.  Add liquids slowly, stirring constantly to avoid lumps.  Cook until smoother and thick, continue stirring.  Add seasonings & cheese which has been cut into small piece.  Stir until cheese is melted.  Combine in casserole dish with spinach and top with bread crumbs dotted with butter.  Cook in oven at 325 for 15 minutes. Enjoy!

(now that you're at the end don't forget to comment about the laptop!)

Family & Friends Weekends

While this weekend I'm looking forward to a relaxing few days at home, the last 2 weekends we have spent going somewhere with either family or friends.  2 weekends ago, we headed up to Phenix City, AL to visit Ben's grandparents!  His mom, younger brother Adam, Amy & baby Leigh came as well.  Grandmother & Granddaddy got to meet 2 month old Leigh for the 1st time & we all had a great time laughing, sharing stories, catching up, watching Leigh, eating, relaxing, and just spending time together.

Saturday, the boys took a trip to Academy while the girls went shopping at the mall!  Leigh modeled her new fishy sweater!

Every meal at grandmothers is extensive and delicious.  We get so many choices that it feels like Thanksgiving dinner, and she always makes Ben his favorite dessert: bread cake (AKA pound cake).  We got to spend more quality time with Leigh over the weekend than we do in Mobile, as well, since we were all staying in the same house.  It was such a great weekend visiting with family.  

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This past weekend was projected to have weather in the 70's so we got together with Katie & Jody, Austin & Stephanie and headed to the beach.  Friday night we all met at COSMO's for dinner but they had a 2 hr wait for a table, so we went to a new restaurant called Big Fish, instead.  It was really nice & delicious! 

We all stayed at my house & Saturday attempted to lay out by the pool but it was extremely windy.  Rather than being party cloudy it was mostly cloudy.  We ended up laying under blankets, fully clothed rather than in bathing suits, and freezing.... but I did have a little sun on my face the next day!  The boys went to the grocery store & cooked BBQ all day so that we could enjoy all kinds of meat, veggies, & potato salad for dinner.  We then all 6 gathered around the TV and watched New Moon that night (which had been released that day & Katie & I went to Wal-Mart & purchased it earlier that afternoon)!  Trust me, not all the boys gave into our plans for the evening that easy, but I think they ended up enjoying it! 

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We look forward to many more beach weekends this summer, I am definitely ready for the SPRING weather to really be here, AND STAY! 

World Down Syndrome Day

I just learned recently that today, March 21st, is known as World Down Syndrome Day. This day was selected because people with Down Syndrome have a 3rd copy of their 21st chromosome... hence 3/21! Some of you may have noticed the button I have up on the sidebar of my blog... it's for the Parker family's blog "Room for More".

This incredible Christian family (Kate & Charley) have 7 children (Megan, Adam, Emily, David, Sarah, Isaac, & Joshua) & are in the process of adopting 2 little girls from the Ukraine (Bethany & Rebekah), both of whom have Down Syndrome. In the Ukraine, if children living in orphanages with special needs aren't adopted by the time they reach 4 or 5 years old, they are put in institutions where they receive little to no interaction with people for the rest of their very short lives. This is SO sad!!!! Kate & her family are trying to bring these special girls home from the orphanage and into their home to have a much better life.  This family is overflowing with love to give & can't wait to bring these girls home. 

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They are doing fundraisers & giveaways in order to raise the funds necessary, but have a long way to go. In honor of World Down Syndrome Day, would you please consider donating a dollar, $5, or however much your heart leads you to? You can also purchase things like candles, popcorn, jewelry, coffee, etc and the sellers will donate a percentage of the proceeds directly toward the adoption costs. Every little bit helps!  Please click here: www.snadoption.blogspot.com .  Thanks! 

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(Today is also a very special day because it's my sister Natalie's birthday, so after you visit Kate's blog & donate, head on over to Nat's blog & send her birthday wishes!)

Babies, Babies, Babies!

There must be something in the air (or water?) because friends are having babies left and right (nope, not me)!  It is so exciting to see these precious little ones join their families & I can't wait to meet all the yet to be born babies, too!

In addition, to our 2 month old niece, little Leigh, who we are loving every second we get to spend with her... 2 of my good friends and pledge sisters have had babies recently! 

Alex [left], & her husband Colin, had Adeline January 7th!

Kate [right, next to me], & her husband Jeff, had Grace Anne February 27th!  

I know they are going to be, well already are, incredible mothers & I am so happy for them!   I can't wait to reunite with all of you!

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Also, my great friend, college roommate, & bridesmaid, Lauren & her hubby Paul are expecting a baby girl, Mary Michael, in May!

[us, freshman year in college at Auburn]

I helped host a baby shower for her up in Montgomery on Sunday afternoon, so I just headed up for the afternoon then drove back home. Everything was decorated beautifully & she got some wonderful things for Mary Michael!  It was so fun seeing all the pink & purple & monogramming, and visiting with so many friends from college I haven't seen in a while (& meeting Alex's baby Adeline)!

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diaper cake

  food table

precious bunny outfit

love her monnogram (symmetrical!)

love you Lauren & am so happy for you!!!

I'm so Cultured!

For the most part, we had a pretty relaxing weekend, trying to get over both of our sinus infections.  However Saturday I had quite the juxtaposition of events to attend.  Ben's work was participating in Mobile's annual Chili Cook-Off benefiting the American Cancer Society.  He was up at 3:30 am so that he could get downtown to their booth the start cooking.  I headed downtown midday to stop by & check things out.  They were still cooking the day away & handing out chili left & right!  I was so happy that Will & Amy (and Ben's parents) brought baby Leigh down to stroll around in the chilly but beautiful day!  I mean, wouldn't you be happy to see this face?!

{no I didn't take this picture, it's from her birth announcement and this picture was taken by the hospital when she was only like a day old! SMILING ALREADY!} 

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So the funny part is that I went from a outdoor country chili cook-off to running home changing clothes and meeting my mom & sisters to go to the SYMPHONY!    My momma planned our "girls night" where were went to a delicious dinner at NOJA (a nice restaurant downtown that I had never been to but am going to convince Ben to take me back to for a date night) before attending the Mobile Symphony's French Connection performance. None of us had ever been to the symphony before & they even asked at one point during the show who were first-timers & we were 4 of about 6 people who raised their hands! It really was a beautiful show& such a relaxing experience to sit &listen to music without any words! 

So now I can say that I officially feel cultured!