Help me win a scholarship

I've been on the scholarship hunt and here's one that will take all the help I can get! I entered a photo and need everyone to vote as often as possible over the next 46 days for me to win. Evidently, you can vote every 8 hours - so get busy!! And please, please pass this along to everyone you know.

Thanks so so much!

Click here to vote!

Pass the url along! http://tinyurl.com/VoteForSharon

$500 from FastWeb

I just signed up to go back to school. For quite a while, I've been thinking about going back to school to finish my degree. And since my husband just graduated, it seemed like the right time. Since we're dirt poor right now, I've been scouring the internet for scholarships and grants.

I signed up with FastWeb and I like the site a lot. Basically, you check off every single bit of bizarre info about you and your parents and they match you up with scholarships.

I just got an email from them about a new scholarship on July 4th only.

Here's the text of the email they sent to me:

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FastWeb Shout for Cash
Award Amount: $500

In celebration of Freedom of Speech, and the launch of the new FastWeb Discussions Channel, we're giving away $500 to any FastWeb user who visits FastWeb.com on July 4, 2009. We hope you'll also feel free to visit our new Discussions Channel and join the conversation with students, educators, parents and alums on how to get the most money for your education.

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"to any FastWeb user who vists FastWeb.com on July 4, 2009." Which sound like everyone gets the $500. But I also found this in a discussion group "FastWeb Shout for Cash! contest where anyone who visits fastweb on July 4th is automatically entered in a random drawing to win $500. In celebration of Freedom of Speech, and FastWeb's dedication to listening to students."

Whether it's a drawing or every user, I'll definitely be logging in on the 4th!!

Click to sign up with FastWeb

I made cheeseburgers

A friend of mine pointed me to Bakerella's blog and these adorable "cheeseburgers and fries". I don't know how I got high and what made me think I was up to this... but I did it! Big Daddy was ticked by his Father's Day surprise.

The two fathers in my life

Big Daddy
I adore my husband. Just plain old ADORE him. Sure, there are times when we get on each others' nerves but, all in all, he's a super duper husband and father. When I was pregnant, he read Dr. Seuss to my belly for each baby. He did middle of the night breast pump cleaning so I could fall back to sleep. He has rocked our children to sleep, changed exploding diapers, washed sippy cups, braved the stores with cranky kids, snuggled with them in the mornings, played with them in the afternoons, bathed them at night. He makes them breakfast every morning so I can sleep in a little. He takes our son to school every morning. He blow dries our daughter's hair and tells her how pretty she is. He's not too macho to do girly things with our daughter and he acknowledges and nurtures our son's analytic play.

As a husband, he takes care of my heart and my tissue paper feelings. He love me exactly how I need to be loved. I think he really likes it when I'm feeling needy and need extra hugs, kisses and snuggles. He supports me even when he doesn't agree with me. He boosts my ego and makes me feel special.

I am very fortunate that he is my husband. I adore him.

My Daddy
What did I inherit from my father? Nordic skin that turns lobster red in the sun, a love for music, a unique sense of humor, computer talent and a sense of family. There's plenty more, but these things are very much the core of who I am and they came from my daddy.

My father taught me the value of hugs and kisses - especially at the First National Bank of Dad.

I wish he could teach me how to grill as wonderfully as he does, but I don't know that I have the aptitude for it. Man can he grill!! Two words... Flank. Steak.

Music was a huge part of life growing up. My father can play just about any instrument he picks up and encouraged me and my siblings to try music as well. He financed our violins, lessons and contest fees. He never missed a concert, contest or recital. And as much as I tease him about his Bluegrass love, it was his constant need to play music that reinforced music in my life.

When you're raised on a comedic diet of Tom & Jerry, Abbott & Costello, Roadrunner, Bugs Bunny and the like, you can't help but have a unique sense of humor. Another two words for you, Dad: Gadoosh, Gadoosh. I bet you're laughing! I am!

I love you, Daddy. Thanks for being a great dad to me and a wonderful grandfather to my children.

Menu Plan Monday 6/22

When it comes to cooking meals for my family I'm great at making the main dish. Side dishes are another story. Growing up, my mother always served us two side dishes and one of those was always a green veggie of some kind. But when I try to make side dishes, the veggies end up soggy, limp and lacking in that certain zing. Can you help me? I really want at least one side dish to go with each meal. Please leave a comment with tips and ideas. I'd really appreciate it!

Monday
Italian salad dressing chicken and pasta

Tuesday
Chicken quesadillas

Wednesday
Chicken - and - rice - and - beans

Thursday
Provolone wrapped chicken
Beer baked scalloped potatoes

Friday
Bourbon chicken with rice