February 22nd (the day of the infamous ER trip) was important for another reason that kinda got lost in the craziness.
We met with a builder.
We met to discuss remodeling our house. Well, really, we met to discuss leveling half of our house and, basically, building another small house alongside it and attaching them. (I know, I know.... jokes about just pulling a trailer house in there and taking off the wheels are perfectly acceptable....)
In January we talked about our goals and decided 2010 would be the year of the house. We'd do our research and either add on or let go of the dream. The basic driving force being.... our kids are little and we can enjoy it now....
So Hot talked to some friends who were having a house built and I called their builder. We set up a meeting for Monday, the 22nd of February.
So, here is what we learned:
1. Until two years or so ago he didn't build houses under $500,000. For the last 18 months he hasn't build one over $250,000.
2. He has an engineering background and graduated from MSU.
3. A few years ago a modest house was $150/sq ft. Now it is $75. He thinks he can do ours for around $100.
Here is what we decided:
1. We both like him and his process. We should do more research into other builders but, without plunking down a lot of money for design and bid stuff we can't really get more than a gut reaction to them anyway so, we're going for it.
2. The septic system needs to be re-done. We already knew this but it will be an additional cost. Also, we don't know what demolition will cost.
3. So this is meeting number 1. The next meeting will be for him to do rough measurements of our house and then start designing the addition.
Monday, March 08, 2010
Tuesday, March 02, 2010
The ER Update
The boys spent the rest of last week at home. They watched FIVE movies in one day. That has got to be some sort of record. I also have it on good authority they may have watched some movies that were not "child appropriate" during the week. But we will let the boys have their secrets, won't we? (Except each of them, independently, ratted themself out to me.) What is wrong with a little "Young Guns" and "Transformers" anyway? Heck, we let all three kids watch Harry Potter on tv last week..... and Tuff loves the Medusa-faced guy in "Pirates" so what the hell....
Friday morning I walked into the clinic, smiled at the volunteer on duty and sort of waved the pee cup I was carrying at her. She tipped her head and grinned back. I dropped the cup at the lab... taking a moment to notice how stylish and great-looking both of the lab attendants are.
Hot took Sweet to the doc that afternoon. He gets to wean off the steroids by early next week and has to do a pee test and bp check every Friday for the next two months.... then every month.... then every other month.... for a year.
Let's just stop a moment and say a big fat "amen" for health insurance. I may not love my job but I have health insurance.
Much love going out to my staff for getting him "Up" and a "Where's Waldo?" for get well, to his daycare provider for the balloons and m&m's, and to Hot's co-workers for making him able to be home all week.
Also to several really great docs and nurses at the hospital..... wow.
Friday morning I walked into the clinic, smiled at the volunteer on duty and sort of waved the pee cup I was carrying at her. She tipped her head and grinned back. I dropped the cup at the lab... taking a moment to notice how stylish and great-looking both of the lab attendants are.
Hot took Sweet to the doc that afternoon. He gets to wean off the steroids by early next week and has to do a pee test and bp check every Friday for the next two months.... then every month.... then every other month.... for a year.
Let's just stop a moment and say a big fat "amen" for health insurance. I may not love my job but I have health insurance.
Much love going out to my staff for getting him "Up" and a "Where's Waldo?" for get well, to his daycare provider for the balloons and m&m's, and to Hot's co-workers for making him able to be home all week.
Also to several really great docs and nurses at the hospital..... wow.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Do NOT google "swollen knes and red spots on shins -children."
Do NOT google "swollen knes and red spots on shins -children."
Just don't do it.
Then go to the ER.
Let's back up a bit, shall we?
Wait... first let's fast foward.... everything is fine.
Ok... now back.
Friday afternoon Sweet Boy was complaining of sore knees and sore feet. I, of course, assumed his snow boots were small and he'd fallen on his knees while playing on the snow peak in the yard. That night I felt his arches and they were spongy and painful. I worried a little but secretly just planned to hit the big weekend clearance sale at a local sporting goods store.
Saturday he had no complaints and was his usual bouncy goofy self. I measured his foot in his boots and they fit. (Size 2 by the by.... he IS a laborador puppy.)
Sunday afternoon he started going up and down the stairs like a seal because it hurt to bend his knees. Then he wanted to put his face in his bowl to eat his dinner because it hurt to bend his elbows. By Sunday night he was piled up on the couch with icebags on his knees. It hurt to touch below his knees (And I'm wondering if a 5-year-old can get Osgood-Schlatter's??). We tested the faker-factor by poking and prodding him after he fell asleep. He winced a lot. Suddenly I realize his knees are the size of oranges and I can't see his knee caps. I worry outloud and plan to make a doc appt the next day.
Monday morning he is fine. Bouncy. But I notice a few tiny red dots on his shins. Hot drops him off at school and talks to his teacher and asks her to keep an eye on him and call if anything changes.
Monday after school he is sore so he snuggles up on the couch. When I try to get him up at 4:30 to go to Nana's he can't put on his shoes and almosts cries when he walks. But Hot and I had somewhere to be at 5:30 so he got tought and went to Nana's couch. We picked him up a little before 8 and his ankles were now huge and looking bruised in spots. We loaded him up and headed for the ER.
The ER.
There were very few people there but we still sat for over 4 hours in a little room. H0t had to carry Sweet to the bathroom and hold him because he couldn't walk or stand. The adrenaline wore off and I was tired and realizing I hadn't eaten since lunch. Sweet was a champ. He didn't cry during the IV (and watched... just like I do). He was polite and calm. The ER doc said it looked like an autoimmune disease, maybe RA, but that wasn't his specialty and we needed to talk to the pediatrician first. The pediatrician said it probably wasn't RA. Then she came back and said he tested positive for mono.
WTF?
Mono?
Who has he been kissing? And, since it is an antibody test he's had it for a week at least. I review the history of the last few weeks... the doctor visit for Bugsy, the doc visits for all of us, the sore throat.....
Turns out he probably has Henoch-Schonlein-Purpura. An autoimmune reaction to an infection. And we have to keep an eye on his kidneys.
He got admitted and got some good steroids. By then I realized Hot was not leaving his side and there was no point for Bugsy and I to stay all night so we went home and took care of the critters. Tuff stayed at Nana and Papa's and in the morning I took both girls to daycare and went back to the hospital.
By the time I got there the pediatrician had been by and said his heart murmur was much better and the swelling was going down. He could walk to the bathroom.
He was playing with a game boy.
So we read and did a bit of work on the computer. Later in the day our regular doc came by and talked with us about what was going on and said he'd rather Sweet recover at home so we got discharged.
Sweet rode out of the peds wing in a little red wagon pulled by a college football player/nursing student wearing purple scrubs.
We picked up the girls and hit McD's for a celebration. Then home for the kids to watch movies and me to veg out watching the Olympics and cleaning up the house for the delivery of the dishwasher today and nervousness about my mom's surgery today. Hot went to Parent-Teacher conferences and then went to bed about 7:30.
Sweet has a doc appt on Friday for follow up and Hot is home with him today trying to keep him simmered down and resting.
And all is well.
Just don't do it.
Then go to the ER.
Let's back up a bit, shall we?
Wait... first let's fast foward.... everything is fine.
Ok... now back.
Friday afternoon Sweet Boy was complaining of sore knees and sore feet. I, of course, assumed his snow boots were small and he'd fallen on his knees while playing on the snow peak in the yard. That night I felt his arches and they were spongy and painful. I worried a little but secretly just planned to hit the big weekend clearance sale at a local sporting goods store.
Saturday he had no complaints and was his usual bouncy goofy self. I measured his foot in his boots and they fit. (Size 2 by the by.... he IS a laborador puppy.)
Sunday afternoon he started going up and down the stairs like a seal because it hurt to bend his knees. Then he wanted to put his face in his bowl to eat his dinner because it hurt to bend his elbows. By Sunday night he was piled up on the couch with icebags on his knees. It hurt to touch below his knees (And I'm wondering if a 5-year-old can get Osgood-Schlatter's??). We tested the faker-factor by poking and prodding him after he fell asleep. He winced a lot. Suddenly I realize his knees are the size of oranges and I can't see his knee caps. I worry outloud and plan to make a doc appt the next day.
Monday morning he is fine. Bouncy. But I notice a few tiny red dots on his shins. Hot drops him off at school and talks to his teacher and asks her to keep an eye on him and call if anything changes.
Monday after school he is sore so he snuggles up on the couch. When I try to get him up at 4:30 to go to Nana's he can't put on his shoes and almosts cries when he walks. But Hot and I had somewhere to be at 5:30 so he got tought and went to Nana's couch. We picked him up a little before 8 and his ankles were now huge and looking bruised in spots. We loaded him up and headed for the ER.
The ER.
There were very few people there but we still sat for over 4 hours in a little room. H0t had to carry Sweet to the bathroom and hold him because he couldn't walk or stand. The adrenaline wore off and I was tired and realizing I hadn't eaten since lunch. Sweet was a champ. He didn't cry during the IV (and watched... just like I do). He was polite and calm. The ER doc said it looked like an autoimmune disease, maybe RA, but that wasn't his specialty and we needed to talk to the pediatrician first. The pediatrician said it probably wasn't RA. Then she came back and said he tested positive for mono.
WTF?
Mono?
Who has he been kissing? And, since it is an antibody test he's had it for a week at least. I review the history of the last few weeks... the doctor visit for Bugsy, the doc visits for all of us, the sore throat.....
Turns out he probably has Henoch-Schonlein-Purpura. An autoimmune reaction to an infection. And we have to keep an eye on his kidneys.
He got admitted and got some good steroids. By then I realized Hot was not leaving his side and there was no point for Bugsy and I to stay all night so we went home and took care of the critters. Tuff stayed at Nana and Papa's and in the morning I took both girls to daycare and went back to the hospital.
By the time I got there the pediatrician had been by and said his heart murmur was much better and the swelling was going down. He could walk to the bathroom.
He was playing with a game boy.
So we read and did a bit of work on the computer. Later in the day our regular doc came by and talked with us about what was going on and said he'd rather Sweet recover at home so we got discharged.
Sweet rode out of the peds wing in a little red wagon pulled by a college football player/nursing student wearing purple scrubs.
We picked up the girls and hit McD's for a celebration. Then home for the kids to watch movies and me to veg out watching the Olympics and cleaning up the house for the delivery of the dishwasher today and nervousness about my mom's surgery today. Hot went to Parent-Teacher conferences and then went to bed about 7:30.
Sweet has a doc appt on Friday for follow up and Hot is home with him today trying to keep him simmered down and resting.
And all is well.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Monday, February 08, 2010
Bugsy 7 months
Dear Bugsy-
You've been in this world more than seven months now.... so what do you think?
You love to clap your hands and smile.
You just figured out if you turn your head way around in the car seat you can see mama. Every time I look back big dark eyes are looking at me.
Target-brand diapers do not agree with you. What I saved in diapers I paid in Oxyclean and Shout.
You love food. You love apricots and applesauce and prunes. Peas make you have a full body shudder (you are daddy's girl). You love anything your siblings are eating. You do not like the texture of mashed up bananas. (Don't worry... I don't either.) You like holding the spoon and feeding yourself. Avocados and sweet potatoes are fun.
You like to drink out of my water glass.
You crawl. Sort of. For someone who doesn't really crawl you sure do get across the living room quickly. I think you are a snow frog. I have to get it on video.... words don't do it justice.
You like to style your hair like a kewpie-doll. Then everyone spends all their time trying to smoosh it down and you have to fluff it up again.
You are long and lean. 40th percentile for weight.... 90th for height. As of right now you are weighing in at 16lbs, 5oz.
You love the exer-saucer. You like to bouncy-bounce in it. And you have discovered the "I'll throw it on the floor and watch you pick it up" game. You love it.
Your favorite toys are the black & white ring, the tab book, the pink fuzzy dog blanket and the pink/brown fuzzy ball.
You've just started to show interest in a pacifier. You've never really used one up until now. But you like it for nap time and car rides.
Nap time. You aren't much of a napper but you sleep really well at night. Still in the co-sleeper and, lets be real, often snuggled into mama's arm pit.
You love to watch your brother and sister. LOVE IT. And they are quite happy to dance around and entertain you.
You are the sock Houdini. Shoes and socks do not stay on those little monkey toes of yours.
You make the most serious face in the world and then you announce, "Dah. Dah, dah, dah." But it comes out all baritone and ferocious. I think it is from imitating your sister when she sings opera baritone.
You love it when your dad waves to you. Even if he isn't going anywhere....
I love you baby girl.
You've been in this world more than seven months now.... so what do you think?
You love to clap your hands and smile.
You just figured out if you turn your head way around in the car seat you can see mama. Every time I look back big dark eyes are looking at me.
Target-brand diapers do not agree with you. What I saved in diapers I paid in Oxyclean and Shout.
You love food. You love apricots and applesauce and prunes. Peas make you have a full body shudder (you are daddy's girl). You love anything your siblings are eating. You do not like the texture of mashed up bananas. (Don't worry... I don't either.) You like holding the spoon and feeding yourself. Avocados and sweet potatoes are fun.
You like to drink out of my water glass.
You crawl. Sort of. For someone who doesn't really crawl you sure do get across the living room quickly. I think you are a snow frog. I have to get it on video.... words don't do it justice.
You like to style your hair like a kewpie-doll. Then everyone spends all their time trying to smoosh it down and you have to fluff it up again.
You are long and lean. 40th percentile for weight.... 90th for height. As of right now you are weighing in at 16lbs, 5oz.
You love the exer-saucer. You like to bouncy-bounce in it. And you have discovered the "I'll throw it on the floor and watch you pick it up" game. You love it.
Your favorite toys are the black & white ring, the tab book, the pink fuzzy dog blanket and the pink/brown fuzzy ball.
You've just started to show interest in a pacifier. You've never really used one up until now. But you like it for nap time and car rides.
Nap time. You aren't much of a napper but you sleep really well at night. Still in the co-sleeper and, lets be real, often snuggled into mama's arm pit.
You love to watch your brother and sister. LOVE IT. And they are quite happy to dance around and entertain you.
You are the sock Houdini. Shoes and socks do not stay on those little monkey toes of yours.
You make the most serious face in the world and then you announce, "Dah. Dah, dah, dah." But it comes out all baritone and ferocious. I think it is from imitating your sister when she sings opera baritone.
You love it when your dad waves to you. Even if he isn't going anywhere....
I love you baby girl.
Friday, February 05, 2010
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Saturday, January 30, 2010
Homestead's Delicious V1
I was sorting through my delicious account the other day and thought I'd share.
Lion Brand Yarn. Discovered via Martha Stewart Living. They have some cutie pie patterns for knitters. Even though my knitting abilities are limited to crooked doll blankets I have high hopes for someday becoming a true knitter. Just look at the adorable toys. And a bikini? Yes, this is what I want to become.....
Shabby Princess. I found this looking for a recipe card template to print my fabulous shrimp dip recipe for a friend for Christmas. I am not a digital scrapbooker but I have great aspirations to become one someday. ('Cause lord knows I don't have the patience for the process of regular scrapbooking... or for the storage of materials or those big-ass albums.) I even got photoshop elements for Christmas. Add this to my list of "things to become."
Kindergarten Blog. I found this while searching for some clip art for the infamous morning schedule we created. It is quite a nice little blog and has great clip art.
Do2learn. Also found this while searching for clip art. But bookmarked it because several of the things on this website apply directly to my job. Nice find.
Pancakes & French Fries. You know I'm a sucker for anyone combining kids and design and paint. What's not to love?
Lion Brand Yarn. Discovered via Martha Stewart Living. They have some cutie pie patterns for knitters. Even though my knitting abilities are limited to crooked doll blankets I have high hopes for someday becoming a true knitter. Just look at the adorable toys. And a bikini? Yes, this is what I want to become.....
Shabby Princess. I found this looking for a recipe card template to print my fabulous shrimp dip recipe for a friend for Christmas. I am not a digital scrapbooker but I have great aspirations to become one someday. ('Cause lord knows I don't have the patience for the process of regular scrapbooking... or for the storage of materials or those big-ass albums.) I even got photoshop elements for Christmas. Add this to my list of "things to become."
Kindergarten Blog. I found this while searching for some clip art for the infamous morning schedule we created. It is quite a nice little blog and has great clip art.
Do2learn. Also found this while searching for clip art. But bookmarked it because several of the things on this website apply directly to my job. Nice find.
Pancakes & French Fries. You know I'm a sucker for anyone combining kids and design and paint. What's not to love?
Friday, January 29, 2010
300. But not the Movie.
I've been toying with the idea of creating several 300 calorie "meals" and then just rotating 5-6 of them into my day every day.
Um, Homestead....
Yes?
Six times 300 is 1800 calories.
Yes.
Isn't that, well, a LOT for someone trying to drop a few pounds?
Yes. But, dear reader, you must remember I am an acception to every rule. I'm powering a small human with my chesticles.... I NEED those calories.
I'm a creature of habit. I can eat the same couple of things every week and be perfectly happy. So, in my ever-planning-never-doing mind I was lining out the things I eat most often:
1. Mountain High low-fat vanilla yogurt, fiber one cereal, chocolate sauce.
2. Tortilla, refried beans, cheddar, peppers, cherry tomatoes.
3. Veggie & cheese omelet.
4. Fried egg sandwich.
5. Toast with cheese.
6. Chai tea.
7. Coffee with 2% milk.
8. Apple with caramel sauce.
9. Spaghetti.
10. Caesar salad.
11. Chicken tender salad with cheddar and ranch.
12. Pita with olive oil and cheese melted on top. (Pizza!)
13. Tacos.
14. Wheat thins.
15. Avocado and cheese grilled sandwich.
So imagine my suprise when Prevention came out with a whole diet book about it!! Here's a preview of some of the menu ideas they suggest. I shoulda got on this... I coulda made a million.
Um, Homestead....
Yes?
Six times 300 is 1800 calories.
Yes.
Isn't that, well, a LOT for someone trying to drop a few pounds?
Yes. But, dear reader, you must remember I am an acception to every rule. I'm powering a small human with my chesticles.... I NEED those calories.
I'm a creature of habit. I can eat the same couple of things every week and be perfectly happy. So, in my ever-planning-never-doing mind I was lining out the things I eat most often:
1. Mountain High low-fat vanilla yogurt, fiber one cereal, chocolate sauce.
2. Tortilla, refried beans, cheddar, peppers, cherry tomatoes.
3. Veggie & cheese omelet.
4. Fried egg sandwich.
5. Toast with cheese.
6. Chai tea.
7. Coffee with 2% milk.
8. Apple with caramel sauce.
9. Spaghetti.
10. Caesar salad.
11. Chicken tender salad with cheddar and ranch.
12. Pita with olive oil and cheese melted on top. (Pizza!)
13. Tacos.
14. Wheat thins.
15. Avocado and cheese grilled sandwich.
So imagine my suprise when Prevention came out with a whole diet book about it!! Here's a preview of some of the menu ideas they suggest. I shoulda got on this... I coulda made a million.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Me. Defined.
An excerpt of an email I sent to Elle. She's getting serious about being an organizational blogger. I can't wait.
Who do I love? Crap. I have no idea…. It will come to me. I like flylady.net for some of her stuff. The idea of just jumping in and getting after it. I like ikea. I like the container store. I can’t think of the organizing one I love the most….. I like the idea of simplicity. I think the blog should be about that…. I know… it’s a very trendy topic right now. But here’s the thing…. It is so appropriate. I like David Allen and Getting Things Done. I like Mark Forester. I like Hoarders. I like The Gilbert Center and his ideas on time and technology management. I like steam cleaners and streamlining. I like nesting. I like paint colors and the idea of little alters and stolen moments. I like lists. I like books. I like books about lists. I like taking little everyday moments and treasuring them and treating them like something important. I like celebrating the everyday. I like Martha. I like cupcakes. Your blog should be like a really good cupcake. Celebrated little tidbits of decadence. Little things really worth celebrating in the everyday. Totally relished and not wolfed down while in transit to that some-other that will never be achieved. Living in the moment. I like dark chocolate covered pomegranate seeds. I like the idea of one really good piece of dark chocolate over a bag of crappy stuff. One really good cup of coffee over a pot of instant. One really good vase of flowers over a whole shelf of knick knacks. I like design. I like the shape of things and how they play off each other. I like trying to mix modern and simple with farmhouse/woodsy and homey.
Who do I love? Crap. I have no idea…. It will come to me. I like flylady.net for some of her stuff. The idea of just jumping in and getting after it. I like ikea. I like the container store. I can’t think of the organizing one I love the most….. I like the idea of simplicity. I think the blog should be about that…. I know… it’s a very trendy topic right now. But here’s the thing…. It is so appropriate. I like David Allen and Getting Things Done. I like Mark Forester. I like Hoarders. I like The Gilbert Center and his ideas on time and technology management. I like steam cleaners and streamlining. I like nesting. I like paint colors and the idea of little alters and stolen moments. I like lists. I like books. I like books about lists. I like taking little everyday moments and treasuring them and treating them like something important. I like celebrating the everyday. I like Martha. I like cupcakes. Your blog should be like a really good cupcake. Celebrated little tidbits of decadence. Little things really worth celebrating in the everyday. Totally relished and not wolfed down while in transit to that some-other that will never be achieved. Living in the moment. I like dark chocolate covered pomegranate seeds. I like the idea of one really good piece of dark chocolate over a bag of crappy stuff. One really good cup of coffee over a pot of instant. One really good vase of flowers over a whole shelf of knick knacks. I like design. I like the shape of things and how they play off each other. I like trying to mix modern and simple with farmhouse/woodsy and homey.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
No Grey In Either Muzzle.....
Subtitled: He is still wearing that shirt. When the pickup was new (to us). The dog still has that collar.
Friday, January 22, 2010
Sometimes I forget to tell him
Dear Husband-
You were right. About several things. This week.
1. Putting my car key on a different ring on my keyring clip was a very good idea. I can now leave the car running while I run back into the house for something I forgot and lock the back door at work while warming the car. You smart guy.
2. The driveway is very slick. (PS. Thanks for sanding so I didn't wipe out.)
3. Calling that other internet guy was a good move. I totally thought their plans would be too expensive but they were quite reasonable.
I love you.
You were right. About several things. This week.
1. Putting my car key on a different ring on my keyring clip was a very good idea. I can now leave the car running while I run back into the house for something I forgot and lock the back door at work while warming the car. You smart guy.
2. The driveway is very slick. (PS. Thanks for sanding so I didn't wipe out.)
3. Calling that other internet guy was a good move. I totally thought their plans would be too expensive but they were quite reasonable.
I love you.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
The Pink Tub
Oh holy shit.
Remember when I said I was afraid I might be a hoarder.
Check out the episode of "Linda and Todd" on Hoarders this week.
See that pink tub on top of Linda's piles??
I HAVE THAT PINK TUB.
It is one of those hospital tubs. In our house it is the "soaka foot" and "frow-up" tub. It lives on the top shelf of the laundry room cupboard... but during the last 6 weeks it has been out and about next to various beds in that game of throw-up roulette. I actually just put it away (again) this weekend.
Remember when I said I was afraid I might be a hoarder.
Check out the episode of "Linda and Todd" on Hoarders this week.
See that pink tub on top of Linda's piles??
I HAVE THAT PINK TUB.
It is one of those hospital tubs. In our house it is the "soaka foot" and "frow-up" tub. It lives on the top shelf of the laundry room cupboard... but during the last 6 weeks it has been out and about next to various beds in that game of throw-up roulette. I actually just put it away (again) this weekend.
The Morning Routine
Kae is talking about how long it takes to get going in the morning.
Since this is my first week working in the office 5 days I think it is a good time to review my own schedule and see if it needs adjusting.
6:00: alarm. My alarm is the sound setting... usually the rain storm one. Although this morning it was static... loud static... because some small person messed with it this weekend. Ahem.
Nurse the baby and get up by 6:30 at the latest.
Bugsy comes downstairs and sits in the bouncy seat while I shower and get ready. I have until just before 7:00 to do the following: shower, comb my hair, moisturize, put on my face (let's be real.... tinted moisturizer, eyeliner, curl/mascara, eyebrows... in my old age I've added mascara and eyebrows.... it used to be moisturizer, eyeliner & blush), brush my teeth (does anyone else have days when they think, "I don't have time for TWO WHOLE MINUTES with the electric toothbrush"????), dork around.....
Other things that need to be done that may get done before 7:00: make coffee, change and dress the baby, pack my lunch, get out daycare bag and put milk in it, make Sweet's lunch.
Hot usually makes Sweet's lunch. Bologna and cheese on wheat, granola bar, pretzels, carrot sticks, apple slices and a peanutbutter cup is the usual.
A few minutes before 7:00 Bugsy and I go up and snuggle Sweet and wake him up and decide what he wants for breakfast. He then grabs his clothes and comes down in front of the stove to dress. Tuff also gets up and does the same around this time.
Hot's alarm goes off at 7:00.
I turn on the Today Show at 7:00 for a few minutes of news while I dress and top off Bugsy.
Then I turn the tv off. This seems to be the key to getting it together in the morning.
Sweet eats breakfast and brushes and follows his schedule (on the fridge) while Tuff dorks around getting dressed. She eats breakfast at daycare.... a lifesaver since getting her to eat breakfast quickly usually ends in one of us crying.
Then I fix Tuff's hair and she brushes her teeth.
Hot starts my car and brings it to the front door for me.
Then comes coats and hats and baby's in bucket seats.
In theory I should be able to leave by 7:30 but it never works that way. It is usually 7:45. Sometimes it is 8. Hot leaves at 8 with all the kids and drops Sweet at school and the girls at daycare on his way to work.
Since this is my first week working in the office 5 days I think it is a good time to review my own schedule and see if it needs adjusting.
6:00: alarm. My alarm is the sound setting... usually the rain storm one. Although this morning it was static... loud static... because some small person messed with it this weekend. Ahem.
Nurse the baby and get up by 6:30 at the latest.
Bugsy comes downstairs and sits in the bouncy seat while I shower and get ready. I have until just before 7:00 to do the following: shower, comb my hair, moisturize, put on my face (let's be real.... tinted moisturizer, eyeliner, curl/mascara, eyebrows... in my old age I've added mascara and eyebrows.... it used to be moisturizer, eyeliner & blush), brush my teeth (does anyone else have days when they think, "I don't have time for TWO WHOLE MINUTES with the electric toothbrush"????), dork around.....
Other things that need to be done that may get done before 7:00: make coffee, change and dress the baby, pack my lunch, get out daycare bag and put milk in it, make Sweet's lunch.
Hot usually makes Sweet's lunch. Bologna and cheese on wheat, granola bar, pretzels, carrot sticks, apple slices and a peanutbutter cup is the usual.
A few minutes before 7:00 Bugsy and I go up and snuggle Sweet and wake him up and decide what he wants for breakfast. He then grabs his clothes and comes down in front of the stove to dress. Tuff also gets up and does the same around this time.
Hot's alarm goes off at 7:00.
I turn on the Today Show at 7:00 for a few minutes of news while I dress and top off Bugsy.
Then I turn the tv off. This seems to be the key to getting it together in the morning.
Sweet eats breakfast and brushes and follows his schedule (on the fridge) while Tuff dorks around getting dressed. She eats breakfast at daycare.... a lifesaver since getting her to eat breakfast quickly usually ends in one of us crying.
Then I fix Tuff's hair and she brushes her teeth.
Hot starts my car and brings it to the front door for me.
Then comes coats and hats and baby's in bucket seats.
In theory I should be able to leave by 7:30 but it never works that way. It is usually 7:45. Sometimes it is 8. Hot leaves at 8 with all the kids and drops Sweet at school and the girls at daycare on his way to work.
Monday, January 11, 2010
I feel inspired... not to paint... but to TALK about paint
Check out comments here. Now don't you think Christal should post paint brands/names so we call all chime in?
Seriously. You know about me and paint.
Elle can just say, "I'm painting." and get after it. I hem and haw and even after I pick a color and buy the paint I can't get if finished.
See my almost done dining room walls for proof.
You'll notice I did NOT put "finish painting" on my list of resolutions.
Last time Elle was here (lordy, was that.... um...... the summer of 2005?) she motivated me to paint the most offensive room in our house.... the peach bathroom. Do you KNOW what peach does to you when you are trying to put on makeup? Ugh. I looked like I had jaundice every time I tried to powder my nose.
So I had been thinking blue.... something very Pottery Barn with dark blue and crisp white. We ended up, somehow, with purple. I loved it for a while but now it is looking worn and I need a change. I'm planning to go with a neutral and then be able to change it up easily with some small accents.... like right now I have an orange thing of pump soap on the counter. It smells great and was on clearance. I'd like to get one orange or brown hand towel and a pumpkin spice candle and call the my "fall look" for now.
That summer we also painted my dryer. What? You've never painted a major appliance? No problem. You pick up a $6 can of appliance spray paint, put on a Thomas the Train dvd for the kids, drag the dryer onto the lawn and ta-da. My almond dryer matches my white washer. The best part? The reason I GOT the dryer in the first place was my auntie got a new white washer and couldn't stand them not matching so she was ditching her almost-new dryer.... seriously.... I hauled it out of the lean-to behind the shop at the farm. I've also turned harvest gold oven hoods to neutral. Amazing stuff... that appliance paint.
Next up was the laundry room. I've had a love affair with this particular shade of blue for a long time. Benjamin Moore's Palladian Blue. But I've never had a place for it.... so I painted the laundry room. And one wall black chalkboard. Very trendy. I still need to do the ceiling with some classic ceiling white. (Decorator's white with a touch of black in it.... or so I'm told.) I have the paint but not the motivation.
Then we did a slight remodel.... chopping our odd-shaped living room in half to make another bedroom. It required me to prime and paint. So it got a lovely shade of green..... peaceful jade.... inside and out. The plan is to redo the living room (currently a shade of antique white) to a neutral and also paint the ceiling with that classic ceiling white.
My new neutral. Ladyfinger. Let me say.... I don't like it on the sample card. At all. But one of the offices at work is painted it and I LOVE it. So I tried it. I like it a lot. Eventually the rest of the living room and the connecting wall to the dining and kitchen will all be painted. Eventually. I might also use it in the bathroom.... in a glossier form.
Moving on.... the kitchen. Some small parts are ladyfinger and I did the two tiny walls green called, um, I think it is Sag Harbor Grey. NO, wait.... Nantucket Grey. Yes, Nantucket. I like it but am slightly disappointed it is so close to the green I used in the living room/downstairs bedroom. I also did one wall of the dining room.... the one I still haven't finished. Ahem. Add this to the top 5 list of things I do that drive Hot nuts. (Also include: burning candles, leaving the garage door up, starting multiple projects and not finishing any of them and nagging him to clean up his piles when my piles are still out.) Again... ceilings need paint.
Moving on to the upstairs.... with the strange wall papery stuff. I'd like to do our bedroom Smoke and some sort of blue in the kids' room. Someday. And a crisp glossy white for the closets and shelves. Very trendy. But easy to change.... each room only has two small walls that can be painted.
And that's it. My WHOLE house.
I like to go here for inspiration. She paints often and has a good eye.
Seriously. You know about me and paint.
Elle can just say, "I'm painting." and get after it. I hem and haw and even after I pick a color and buy the paint I can't get if finished.
See my almost done dining room walls for proof.
You'll notice I did NOT put "finish painting" on my list of resolutions.
Last time Elle was here (lordy, was that.... um...... the summer of 2005?) she motivated me to paint the most offensive room in our house.... the peach bathroom. Do you KNOW what peach does to you when you are trying to put on makeup? Ugh. I looked like I had jaundice every time I tried to powder my nose.
So I had been thinking blue.... something very Pottery Barn with dark blue and crisp white. We ended up, somehow, with purple. I loved it for a while but now it is looking worn and I need a change. I'm planning to go with a neutral and then be able to change it up easily with some small accents.... like right now I have an orange thing of pump soap on the counter. It smells great and was on clearance. I'd like to get one orange or brown hand towel and a pumpkin spice candle and call the my "fall look" for now.
That summer we also painted my dryer. What? You've never painted a major appliance? No problem. You pick up a $6 can of appliance spray paint, put on a Thomas the Train dvd for the kids, drag the dryer onto the lawn and ta-da. My almond dryer matches my white washer. The best part? The reason I GOT the dryer in the first place was my auntie got a new white washer and couldn't stand them not matching so she was ditching her almost-new dryer.... seriously.... I hauled it out of the lean-to behind the shop at the farm. I've also turned harvest gold oven hoods to neutral. Amazing stuff... that appliance paint.
Next up was the laundry room. I've had a love affair with this particular shade of blue for a long time. Benjamin Moore's Palladian Blue. But I've never had a place for it.... so I painted the laundry room. And one wall black chalkboard. Very trendy. I still need to do the ceiling with some classic ceiling white. (Decorator's white with a touch of black in it.... or so I'm told.) I have the paint but not the motivation.
Then we did a slight remodel.... chopping our odd-shaped living room in half to make another bedroom. It required me to prime and paint. So it got a lovely shade of green..... peaceful jade.... inside and out. The plan is to redo the living room (currently a shade of antique white) to a neutral and also paint the ceiling with that classic ceiling white.
My new neutral. Ladyfinger. Let me say.... I don't like it on the sample card. At all. But one of the offices at work is painted it and I LOVE it. So I tried it. I like it a lot. Eventually the rest of the living room and the connecting wall to the dining and kitchen will all be painted. Eventually. I might also use it in the bathroom.... in a glossier form.
Moving on.... the kitchen. Some small parts are ladyfinger and I did the two tiny walls green called, um, I think it is Sag Harbor Grey. NO, wait.... Nantucket Grey. Yes, Nantucket. I like it but am slightly disappointed it is so close to the green I used in the living room/downstairs bedroom. I also did one wall of the dining room.... the one I still haven't finished. Ahem. Add this to the top 5 list of things I do that drive Hot nuts. (Also include: burning candles, leaving the garage door up, starting multiple projects and not finishing any of them and nagging him to clean up his piles when my piles are still out.) Again... ceilings need paint.
Moving on to the upstairs.... with the strange wall papery stuff. I'd like to do our bedroom Smoke and some sort of blue in the kids' room. Someday. And a crisp glossy white for the closets and shelves. Very trendy. But easy to change.... each room only has two small walls that can be painted.
And that's it. My WHOLE house.
I like to go here for inspiration. She paints often and has a good eye.
Friday, January 08, 2010
Gloss or Not
Glossy or Lustre Photos?
High Gloss, Semi-Gloss, Satin or Flat paint?
Lip Gloss or Chapstick?
Whole, 2%, 1% or Skim Milk?
High Gloss, Semi-Gloss, Satin or Flat paint?
Lip Gloss or Chapstick?
Whole, 2%, 1% or Skim Milk?
Holidays 2009
I'm reflecting today.
It was a good holiday.
The kids loved every minute and got lots of goodies. As a matter of fact I still have one tub of stuff to find a home for lurking in the baby's room. I better get on that.
The big surprise hit of the holidays was an underwear shirt. Duofold. Dark Blue. For Sweet. He loves it.
Tuff loves her play kitchen. I quickly got over my misgivings about the SIZE of it when I saw her playing with it..... although sometimes she likes to play bartender with it and use the back of the couch as a bar.... that concerns me a little. Hearing a baritone bark of, "Hey, you want a beey-a?" from a 3-year-old is just strange.
Bugsy completely enjoyed the wrapping paper and boxes. Her favorite gift is the little stuffed camel my boss brought her from Egypt. His toes are just the right size and shape for snacking. I got her a baby book.... guess I'll have to write in it now.
Hot liked his gift cards. That's his favorite gift. Gift cards to his favorite local sporting goods store. He's on a mission to buy a pair of very expensive binoculars (different from the very expensive binoculars he bought a few years ago) so this will help him reach that goal.
I got lots of good stuff.... too much. I'm completely enjoying the coffee gift cards and I love the clothes I got. Also my sister rocked me a good gift as always.
I do have one question.... what is UP with all the calendars? At home AND at work. We got 4 wall calendars and I got a pocket calendar. And I have a pile of calendars at work.... why?? Do I look that disorganized? Does the fact that I don't have a calendar on every wall a problem for you people? Is that why you give them to me?
It was a good holiday.
The kids loved every minute and got lots of goodies. As a matter of fact I still have one tub of stuff to find a home for lurking in the baby's room. I better get on that.
The big surprise hit of the holidays was an underwear shirt. Duofold. Dark Blue. For Sweet. He loves it.
Tuff loves her play kitchen. I quickly got over my misgivings about the SIZE of it when I saw her playing with it..... although sometimes she likes to play bartender with it and use the back of the couch as a bar.... that concerns me a little. Hearing a baritone bark of, "Hey, you want a beey-a?" from a 3-year-old is just strange.
Bugsy completely enjoyed the wrapping paper and boxes. Her favorite gift is the little stuffed camel my boss brought her from Egypt. His toes are just the right size and shape for snacking. I got her a baby book.... guess I'll have to write in it now.
Hot liked his gift cards. That's his favorite gift. Gift cards to his favorite local sporting goods store. He's on a mission to buy a pair of very expensive binoculars (different from the very expensive binoculars he bought a few years ago) so this will help him reach that goal.
I got lots of good stuff.... too much. I'm completely enjoying the coffee gift cards and I love the clothes I got. Also my sister rocked me a good gift as always.
I do have one question.... what is UP with all the calendars? At home AND at work. We got 4 wall calendars and I got a pocket calendar. And I have a pile of calendars at work.... why?? Do I look that disorganized? Does the fact that I don't have a calendar on every wall a problem for you people? Is that why you give them to me?
Thursday, January 07, 2010
Elle is posting resolutions.
Game on.
I haven't taken time to really think it out yet this year (I'm more of a Lenten resolver myself) but here goes.
I'm following her format here.
A. Healthy Diet. We are eating our way through the Christmas gift candy. In the great kitchen overhaul project I tossed several giant bags of, um, is it Halloween candy?? I don't know and it doesn't matter because it is gone now. I'm focusing on eating a little healthier every month without denying myself. I gave up freakin' sugar for 6 weeks in 2009 (not shedding a single pound I might remind you) and if I can do that, well, just call me Wonder Woman. So my healthy diet goal is: Eat until you are full, not until you are tired.
B. Getting rid of the stock up stuff. I figure if I moved it into this house from the old house it is now 5 years old... toss it. That's my current standard. Also ditching interesting items dumped on me by various family members.... (Mom, don't think I didn't notice the stuff you slipped in my take-home box last week....) And I purged a giant box of kitchen stuff... who knew my tiny kitchen could even HOLD a giant box of kitchen stuff? How many sippy cups do you really need anyway?
C. Purge negativity. Uh-huh. Actually, I'm feeling pretty negativity free in people in my life. I should count that as a blessing.
D. Seeing a doctor? I just saw my doctor... he was at Costco shopping with his son. Although I do promise to consider getting a colonoscopy sooner rather than later based on family history.
E. Knitting. I wish I was better at knitting. I also wish I knew how to digital scrapbook. Maybe that will be my next goal.... learning to digital scrapbook.
F. I will see my family several times this year. And I will go to a 100 year celebration for the town I graduated high school.
G. Grow my garden? How about I resolve to pull the grass in my flower beds. And I resolve to brush my dog's teeth because he is old and deserves some extra love.
H. Money. I make money resolutions weekly, don't I? I resolve to determine, once and for all, if we can afford to remodel and add on. And I resolve to put double money in the kid college funds this year. And continue our goal to have the house paid off in 8 years. And continue putting $75 per month into a special secret account to be spent on the unglamorous items in life... like a new dishwasher and new carpet. And I refuse to freak out about the new higher price of daycare.
I. Finding a position that lights my fire? My goal for 2010 is to just maintain. I just want to maintain this level of serenity and organization. I'll look for fire next year. Next week I start back with 5 days a week in the office. Total dread. Complete and total dread.
J. I will love my childen even if two-thirds of them sleep in my bed every night.
K. I will baby proof the house for Bugsy. And I will not put those goofy baby girl headbands on her head.
L. I will play loud music and dance with Tuff. Oh, and I will teach her to do a headstand.
M. I will play legos with Sweet. And I will honor his wish to only wear Wrangler jeans.
N. I will try not to nag Hot. And I will support his attempts to drop weight.... even if it means I don't get to eat pasta for the next 365 days which might kill me.
O. I will continue to add little bits of working out into my days.
N. I plan to do one fun family thing every month. January: rodeo on the 17th and dinner somewhere fun after. February: Um, I'm already out of ideas.
Game on.
I haven't taken time to really think it out yet this year (I'm more of a Lenten resolver myself) but here goes.
I'm following her format here.
A. Healthy Diet. We are eating our way through the Christmas gift candy. In the great kitchen overhaul project I tossed several giant bags of, um, is it Halloween candy?? I don't know and it doesn't matter because it is gone now. I'm focusing on eating a little healthier every month without denying myself. I gave up freakin' sugar for 6 weeks in 2009 (not shedding a single pound I might remind you) and if I can do that, well, just call me Wonder Woman. So my healthy diet goal is: Eat until you are full, not until you are tired.
B. Getting rid of the stock up stuff. I figure if I moved it into this house from the old house it is now 5 years old... toss it. That's my current standard. Also ditching interesting items dumped on me by various family members.... (Mom, don't think I didn't notice the stuff you slipped in my take-home box last week....) And I purged a giant box of kitchen stuff... who knew my tiny kitchen could even HOLD a giant box of kitchen stuff? How many sippy cups do you really need anyway?
C. Purge negativity. Uh-huh. Actually, I'm feeling pretty negativity free in people in my life. I should count that as a blessing.
D. Seeing a doctor? I just saw my doctor... he was at Costco shopping with his son. Although I do promise to consider getting a colonoscopy sooner rather than later based on family history.
E. Knitting. I wish I was better at knitting. I also wish I knew how to digital scrapbook. Maybe that will be my next goal.... learning to digital scrapbook.
F. I will see my family several times this year. And I will go to a 100 year celebration for the town I graduated high school.
G. Grow my garden? How about I resolve to pull the grass in my flower beds. And I resolve to brush my dog's teeth because he is old and deserves some extra love.
H. Money. I make money resolutions weekly, don't I? I resolve to determine, once and for all, if we can afford to remodel and add on. And I resolve to put double money in the kid college funds this year. And continue our goal to have the house paid off in 8 years. And continue putting $75 per month into a special secret account to be spent on the unglamorous items in life... like a new dishwasher and new carpet. And I refuse to freak out about the new higher price of daycare.
I. Finding a position that lights my fire? My goal for 2010 is to just maintain. I just want to maintain this level of serenity and organization. I'll look for fire next year. Next week I start back with 5 days a week in the office. Total dread. Complete and total dread.
J. I will love my childen even if two-thirds of them sleep in my bed every night.
K. I will baby proof the house for Bugsy. And I will not put those goofy baby girl headbands on her head.
L. I will play loud music and dance with Tuff. Oh, and I will teach her to do a headstand.
M. I will play legos with Sweet. And I will honor his wish to only wear Wrangler jeans.
N. I will try not to nag Hot. And I will support his attempts to drop weight.... even if it means I don't get to eat pasta for the next 365 days which might kill me.
O. I will continue to add little bits of working out into my days.
N. I plan to do one fun family thing every month. January: rodeo on the 17th and dinner somewhere fun after. February: Um, I'm already out of ideas.
The Plague: Round, um, Four??
Holy Fug-a-Duck. My husband called in sick again today..... I'll spare you all the details but he was sick for 10 days over Christmas and now again?!?!?! This is his third round of it. I had one round but, knock on wood, I haven't thrown up....
It's the freakin' plague.
Actually.... I think it is a rotavirus (sp?).
And the reason Bugsy hasn't gotten it? Babies get vaccinated for these sorts of things.
Hot's response? "Well why the fuck did we get lathered up over flu vaccine? Why didn't we get a rotavirus vaccine??"
I paraphrase.
It's the freakin' plague.
Actually.... I think it is a rotavirus (sp?).
And the reason Bugsy hasn't gotten it? Babies get vaccinated for these sorts of things.
Hot's response? "Well why the fuck did we get lathered up over flu vaccine? Why didn't we get a rotavirus vaccine??"
I paraphrase.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
The Sickness
I wish I had documented this plague that has attacked our house.
Let's see.... I got sick..... a general kind of throat thing.... in September. But it held on for SIX WEEKS in various forms. I rallied (everything except my voice) for the wedding in October and then relapsed.
And both kids got a feverish flu thing around then..... Sweet hallucinating.... in the middle of the night... mad at me because I won't let him go outside and play transformers. And Tuff puked.
Then this other stomach thing started in, um, early December? I don't know. I know Sweet had it. I know Tuff had it. I know I had it for 5 days. Hot got a mild version of it. Bugsy held strong. Then last week Sweet got sick again... the throw up in the night version. The one that almost makes you think food poisoning. Then Sunday night Tuff got it. She was retching every 30 minutes or so and couldn't hold down a sip of water... but she really wanted a drink.
My basic puking theory is.... nothing for 20 or so minutes after you yak. Then a sip of water or some ice chips. If you can go an hour and your tummy feels settled you can have water and maybe a cracker. But I believe (is there any scientific evidence?) putting things in an upset tummy can make it react violently and create a bad cycle.
So this morning I wake up alone.... which isn't totally unusual.... Hot tends towards insomnia. I wander to the bathroom and see the garbage can upside down, rinsed, in the sink. And I wander to the kitchen and see one of the two big white bowls on the counter.... this means either someone made popcorn or someone is losing their cookies. I don't smell popcorn.
Hot is in a bad way. (Can I also add... unfortunately he went out for a guys night last night and had prime rib and beer..... really awful on replay.... also pricey puke.)
You know what this means, right? Who is going to get it in two days? Me.
Let's see.... I got sick..... a general kind of throat thing.... in September. But it held on for SIX WEEKS in various forms. I rallied (everything except my voice) for the wedding in October and then relapsed.
And both kids got a feverish flu thing around then..... Sweet hallucinating.... in the middle of the night... mad at me because I won't let him go outside and play transformers. And Tuff puked.
Then this other stomach thing started in, um, early December? I don't know. I know Sweet had it. I know Tuff had it. I know I had it for 5 days. Hot got a mild version of it. Bugsy held strong. Then last week Sweet got sick again... the throw up in the night version. The one that almost makes you think food poisoning. Then Sunday night Tuff got it. She was retching every 30 minutes or so and couldn't hold down a sip of water... but she really wanted a drink.
My basic puking theory is.... nothing for 20 or so minutes after you yak. Then a sip of water or some ice chips. If you can go an hour and your tummy feels settled you can have water and maybe a cracker. But I believe (is there any scientific evidence?) putting things in an upset tummy can make it react violently and create a bad cycle.
So this morning I wake up alone.... which isn't totally unusual.... Hot tends towards insomnia. I wander to the bathroom and see the garbage can upside down, rinsed, in the sink. And I wander to the kitchen and see one of the two big white bowls on the counter.... this means either someone made popcorn or someone is losing their cookies. I don't smell popcorn.
Hot is in a bad way. (Can I also add... unfortunately he went out for a guys night last night and had prime rib and beer..... really awful on replay.... also pricey puke.)
You know what this means, right? Who is going to get it in two days? Me.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Hoarding
Do you watch Hoarders???
You can actually watch episodes online.
Yikes.
Here's the thing.
We've been having sickness in our house the last few weeks. The puking and "my bottom threw up" kind.
And it has me thinking about messiness.
1. Several years ago Sweet was mad one night when I made him put his transformer tub away. It was sitting on the floor by his bed. In the night he threw up right where the tub had been. He still refers to it... "remember that time I threw up right where my toys had been" and how we have to pick up things so that doesn't happen.
2. I'm just now getting all the carpets and bed skirts and bedding cleaned up from the latest round of yakking. (Tuff managed to mess up THREE beds in one night. Sweet missed the bucket and nailed the carpet. And Bugsy had a separate spit up incident that required removing the slipcover from the couch and, oh what the hell, while we are doing that lets take all the coverings off the couch cushions and wash them all.... the couch looks great but it took 2 days to get it all apart and back together again. Oh and side note: The cat likes to "nurse" the tan fuzzy blanket on the couch so I'm washing it several times a week...ew.) And I have had the washer going pretty steady.... now image that scenario in a hoarder home. Ew. (And then be thankful for not living 100 years ago... when I would be down at the creek banging the bedding on a rock to clean it....)
3. Also.... I'm so thankful for my frontloading washer and the foresight to buy more laundry detergent at Costco last week.
4. And (much as I complain about how cluttered it is) thank goodness our house is clean and picked up so no one tripped on a toy in the dark and crashed down the stairs or broke a toe rushing to get a kid over the sink or to a bucket.
5. Can you imagine what our bathroom would look (and smell) like if we weren't cleaning the toilets multiple times per week right now? Nothing says "I love you" like a clean bowl and someone to hold your hair. I've actually been using Dr. Bronner's peppermint to clean it.... a nice minty bowl and safe for the dog to drink from..... But I can sympathize with some of those compulsive hoarder homes..... it doesn't take long for a toilet to get really nasty with illness, right?
6. I think I have some hoarding tendencies. Seriously. Sometimes things can sit in a pile for so long I just start seeing them as part of the landscape. Or I clean every room and just pile it all in the laundry room.
7. I love how our beds look when they are all clean and fluffed. So things are looking really great in spite of the illness. And no one has thrown up on any Christmas presents. Who-hoo.
You can actually watch episodes online.
Yikes.
Here's the thing.
We've been having sickness in our house the last few weeks. The puking and "my bottom threw up" kind.
And it has me thinking about messiness.
1. Several years ago Sweet was mad one night when I made him put his transformer tub away. It was sitting on the floor by his bed. In the night he threw up right where the tub had been. He still refers to it... "remember that time I threw up right where my toys had been" and how we have to pick up things so that doesn't happen.
2. I'm just now getting all the carpets and bed skirts and bedding cleaned up from the latest round of yakking. (Tuff managed to mess up THREE beds in one night. Sweet missed the bucket and nailed the carpet. And Bugsy had a separate spit up incident that required removing the slipcover from the couch and, oh what the hell, while we are doing that lets take all the coverings off the couch cushions and wash them all.... the couch looks great but it took 2 days to get it all apart and back together again. Oh and side note: The cat likes to "nurse" the tan fuzzy blanket on the couch so I'm washing it several times a week...ew.) And I have had the washer going pretty steady.... now image that scenario in a hoarder home. Ew. (And then be thankful for not living 100 years ago... when I would be down at the creek banging the bedding on a rock to clean it....)
3. Also.... I'm so thankful for my frontloading washer and the foresight to buy more laundry detergent at Costco last week.
4. And (much as I complain about how cluttered it is) thank goodness our house is clean and picked up so no one tripped on a toy in the dark and crashed down the stairs or broke a toe rushing to get a kid over the sink or to a bucket.
5. Can you imagine what our bathroom would look (and smell) like if we weren't cleaning the toilets multiple times per week right now? Nothing says "I love you" like a clean bowl and someone to hold your hair. I've actually been using Dr. Bronner's peppermint to clean it.... a nice minty bowl and safe for the dog to drink from..... But I can sympathize with some of those compulsive hoarder homes..... it doesn't take long for a toilet to get really nasty with illness, right?
6. I think I have some hoarding tendencies. Seriously. Sometimes things can sit in a pile for so long I just start seeing them as part of the landscape. Or I clean every room and just pile it all in the laundry room.
7. I love how our beds look when they are all clean and fluffed. So things are looking really great in spite of the illness. And no one has thrown up on any Christmas presents. Who-hoo.
Sledding with Alvin, Simon & Theodore.
Sledding with Alvin, Simon & Theodore. As you can see in the last photo.... Theodore is pissed and wants to go in for hot chocolate and marshmallows....
Monday, December 21, 2009
Christmas by the Week WEEK 12
Week #12 - Dec 21-27 "Celebrate!"
Enjoy the Holidays with Family and Friends! Take time to drive the neighborhoods to enjoy holiday lighting displays. Enjoy family traditions and special meals.
Enjoy the Holidays with Family and Friends! Take time to drive the neighborhoods to enjoy holiday lighting displays. Enjoy family traditions and special meals.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Because all I can talk about is snow....
Geez-o-Pete.... it's back down to what we are just referring to as "butt-ass" cold here.
And it snowed. A lot. And I know I should complain about the cold and the snow and streaking out to the shop in my slippers to get more butter from the freezer but, damn, it is so beautiful.
And this weekend I will curse the plow and the fireball (fuel poured directly in the carburetor) in the garage and the exhaust fumes... but for right now.... gorgeous.
The kids think they are dying because I told them it had to be 15 above to take Bugsy sledding. They think she is a wimp. With her rice bag heater and double snowsuits and vaseline on the cheeks..... well.... she kinda is a wimp. She sits so solomn in her little sled and waits.... then giggles like a tiny demented maniac when we start racing around.... it is a fun workout.
Hot had an, um, experience yesterday morning. On the way to town this car was following him really close. Now, um, it is very icy and all the laws of physics still apply.... even if you have 4-wheel drive. This particular driver (who shall remain nameless...) has been observed driving rather, ahem, rapidly on our road before. Hot starts down the hill.... this car starts to PASS him. Seriously. Curvy hill. Fairly steep. Very icy. No visibility. Double yellow line. Lots of knocked over fence posts on either side from cars hitting them. Dead carion deer at the bottom of the hill and a pack of white-tails on the side of the road just to make it more interesting. And the fate of this driver? The ditch.
It would be wrong for me to laugh right now.
Because Karma is a bitch.
And it snowed. A lot. And I know I should complain about the cold and the snow and streaking out to the shop in my slippers to get more butter from the freezer but, damn, it is so beautiful.
And this weekend I will curse the plow and the fireball (fuel poured directly in the carburetor) in the garage and the exhaust fumes... but for right now.... gorgeous.
The kids think they are dying because I told them it had to be 15 above to take Bugsy sledding. They think she is a wimp. With her rice bag heater and double snowsuits and vaseline on the cheeks..... well.... she kinda is a wimp. She sits so solomn in her little sled and waits.... then giggles like a tiny demented maniac when we start racing around.... it is a fun workout.
Hot had an, um, experience yesterday morning. On the way to town this car was following him really close. Now, um, it is very icy and all the laws of physics still apply.... even if you have 4-wheel drive. This particular driver (who shall remain nameless...) has been observed driving rather, ahem, rapidly on our road before. Hot starts down the hill.... this car starts to PASS him. Seriously. Curvy hill. Fairly steep. Very icy. No visibility. Double yellow line. Lots of knocked over fence posts on either side from cars hitting them. Dead carion deer at the bottom of the hill and a pack of white-tails on the side of the road just to make it more interesting. And the fate of this driver? The ditch.
It would be wrong for me to laugh right now.
Because Karma is a bitch.
Monday, December 14, 2009
Christmas by the Week WEEK 11
Week #11 - "Final Shopping/Wrapping Week" Dec 14-20
Complete last minute details and enjoy holiday parties, concerts, and family activities.
Complete last minute details and enjoy holiday parties, concerts, and family activities.
Friday, December 11, 2009
Things I know about Cold
It is a balmy 15 degrees out now. Practically tropical.
I wish I had a block heater in the van.
The school kids do outside recess down to zero degrees. The parents just get a vaguely ominous "dress your children appropriately" message.
Sweet has managed to lose and find his hat about 14 times..... he's worse than his father.
The cats can't figure out the cat door into the shop.
Bugsy is cute in her fleecy snowsuit.
I calculate the actual temperature by triangulating the average on three separate thermometers.... this is a sure sign I am a farmer at heart.
Tuff has her coat unzipped.... that girl does her nordic ancestors proud.
I pink puffy heart Land's End winter gear. My mom found a clearance coat for Tuff last spring and I dropped $45 for a clearance coat for Sweet this fall. Totally worth it. We also got some really nice "squall" gloves for Sweet and fleecy mittens for Tuff and fleece hats for both.... all from clearance of course..... Sweet is wearing some really nice sorel snowboots that I raised my eyebrows over when Hot came home with them.... I don't wanna know the price.... but they are super nice. Tuff is wearing some several sizes too big boots but she loves them because they are warm and purple. Bugsy is wearing the same fleecy snowsuits the other two wore.... and using the rice-bag heater to stay toasty in the sled.
Vaseline on the cheeks is brilliant for insulation.
Hot chocolate is really a good thing..... so is the bottle of Irish Creme from Costco.
I wish I had a block heater in the van.
The school kids do outside recess down to zero degrees. The parents just get a vaguely ominous "dress your children appropriately" message.
Sweet has managed to lose and find his hat about 14 times..... he's worse than his father.
The cats can't figure out the cat door into the shop.
Bugsy is cute in her fleecy snowsuit.
I calculate the actual temperature by triangulating the average on three separate thermometers.... this is a sure sign I am a farmer at heart.
Tuff has her coat unzipped.... that girl does her nordic ancestors proud.
I pink puffy heart Land's End winter gear. My mom found a clearance coat for Tuff last spring and I dropped $45 for a clearance coat for Sweet this fall. Totally worth it. We also got some really nice "squall" gloves for Sweet and fleecy mittens for Tuff and fleece hats for both.... all from clearance of course..... Sweet is wearing some really nice sorel snowboots that I raised my eyebrows over when Hot came home with them.... I don't wanna know the price.... but they are super nice. Tuff is wearing some several sizes too big boots but she loves them because they are warm and purple. Bugsy is wearing the same fleecy snowsuits the other two wore.... and using the rice-bag heater to stay toasty in the sled.
Vaseline on the cheeks is brilliant for insulation.
Hot chocolate is really a good thing..... so is the bottle of Irish Creme from Costco.
Tuesday, December 08, 2009
Monday, December 07, 2009
Christmas by the Week WEEK 10
Week #10 - "Meal Making and Decorating Week" Dec 7-13
Prepare some favorite meals and other baked goods for the hectic days ahead. Decorate. Involve children in memory making!
Prepare some favorite meals and other baked goods for the hectic days ahead. Decorate. Involve children in memory making!
Tuesday, December 01, 2009
Bah-humbug Already
I have decided to give up on Christmas for a few days. I'm just not into it so I'm taking a break.
A break from... what? I haven't really done anything anyway. And I haven't been very gung-ho to shop.... shopping means spending money and I just can't do it right now. It hurts me.... physically and deeply.
I'm done shopping for some and have ideas for others and my motivation is GONE. So I'll sit back and have a cup of tea and wait for inspiration.
I got my lot of holiday books from ebay ($17 shipped for 10 books) and they are lovely. I am going to wrap them (maybe tonight) and put them in a wicker basket along with wrapping a bunch of winter-themed ones we already have around and the kids can open 2 per night for the 12 days of Christmas and we will read them. I can't wait to read "Stranger in the Woods" and "Tacky the Penguin" again.
A break from... what? I haven't really done anything anyway. And I haven't been very gung-ho to shop.... shopping means spending money and I just can't do it right now. It hurts me.... physically and deeply.
I'm done shopping for some and have ideas for others and my motivation is GONE. So I'll sit back and have a cup of tea and wait for inspiration.
I got my lot of holiday books from ebay ($17 shipped for 10 books) and they are lovely. I am going to wrap them (maybe tonight) and put them in a wicker basket along with wrapping a bunch of winter-themed ones we already have around and the kids can open 2 per night for the 12 days of Christmas and we will read them. I can't wait to read "Stranger in the Woods" and "Tacky the Penguin" again.
Monday, November 30, 2009
Christmas by the Week WEEK 9
Week #9 - "Mailing Week" Nov 30-Dec 6
Complete package wrapping for gifts to be shipped. Complete addressing and mailing of Christmas correspondence.
Complete package wrapping for gifts to be shipped. Complete addressing and mailing of Christmas correspondence.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Nothing is on sale this week either.
Nothing is on sale this week either.
Why not?
I'm not gonna lie.... I wrapped presents on Saturday. I had a netflix movie to watch. Obsessed. Hot didn't want to watch it so I was on my own. During the movie: I tidied and dusted the living room, folded tons of laundry, unpolished my toes and wrapped gifts.
Pretty impressive, no?
Then Saturday evening Hot was complaining about his Smart Wool long johns.... they are warm and wonderful but threadbare. And his Chilly Willies (Hot Chilis) are old and worn out. I whipped out a present (wrapped) and told him to open it. He did. And THAT is when I realized I got the size right but the item wrong. Who knew the Under Armour boxes had a choice of tops OR bottoms? Back to the store I will go.
I need one good solid shopping trip sans the two big children. I need to hit Base Camp and Target and Lasso the Moon without them and I could be done with their stuff. And I'm just waiting and watching for a nice sale on bandaids and whatnot to fill the stockings. Why pay full price?
I got most of the farm gifts wrapped so I'll go ahead and take them up tomorrow and get them out of my house. Mom. Dad. Sis & Hubby. Bro & Wife. Jasper. Sarge. Daisy & Olive. I need to get photos printed to finish Grandpa Kenny's present. And I need to talk to Dad about what he wants to get for Mom.
The kids and I made fudge and peanutbutter blossom cookies this weekend. The blossom cookies turned out a little odd.... I'm thinking my tiny assistants put in an extra cup of flour maybe??? And the fudge got a little over cooked so it isn't as creamy as usual but the fatty hoggers will eat it this weekend anyway... then I can throw together another batch next week for Christmas. That's all the baking I plan.... fudge. Oh and a package of sugar cookie mix so the kids can use the cookie cutters and docorate them. Maybe some caramel corn... we haven't made that in a while.
The kids and I had a slumber party on Sunday night.... Daddy went to a friend's cabin so he could hunt early on Monday. We stayed up late enough to watch Lady Gaga strut her stuff on the music awards. My kids love her. And the Black-eyed Peas.
And we played lots of cards. Sweet taught me how to play War. But are aces high or low? And how does the game END? And we played Speed. Sweet & Tuff played Uno. Tuff dances and sings (opera tenor) with every card played.
Sweet & Tuff played chess yesterday afternoon.... Tuff lost but she didn't mind... she was playing restaurant with the prisoners. That's my girl. Did I tell you the story about her wearing my silky bathrobe? It's all silky and flowered and flowy (My sis got it for me in Japan) and she is wearing it and posing and dancing around and I tell her she looks nice and she says, "Oh. I look beautiful. Just like Judge Judy." I had to wipe the tears out of my eyes.
And Sweet. Sweet was curled up with the baby sleeping. He kept trying to snuggle in and use her as a pillow. She'd grunt and start whapping him with both arms until he moved. Then they'd snooze a bit and then he'd start sneaking in and trying to use her tummy as a pillow again and she would grunt at him and the arms would start going again. I really need to clean out her clothes.... I sent her to daycare in an outfit that was more like a stuffed sausage casing. She could possibly be working on another tooth. Runny nose and drooly... no fever and not unhappy but very clingy.
Why not?
I'm not gonna lie.... I wrapped presents on Saturday. I had a netflix movie to watch. Obsessed. Hot didn't want to watch it so I was on my own. During the movie: I tidied and dusted the living room, folded tons of laundry, unpolished my toes and wrapped gifts.
Pretty impressive, no?
Then Saturday evening Hot was complaining about his Smart Wool long johns.... they are warm and wonderful but threadbare. And his Chilly Willies (Hot Chilis) are old and worn out. I whipped out a present (wrapped) and told him to open it. He did. And THAT is when I realized I got the size right but the item wrong. Who knew the Under Armour boxes had a choice of tops OR bottoms? Back to the store I will go.
I need one good solid shopping trip sans the two big children. I need to hit Base Camp and Target and Lasso the Moon without them and I could be done with their stuff. And I'm just waiting and watching for a nice sale on bandaids and whatnot to fill the stockings. Why pay full price?
I got most of the farm gifts wrapped so I'll go ahead and take them up tomorrow and get them out of my house. Mom. Dad. Sis & Hubby. Bro & Wife. Jasper. Sarge. Daisy & Olive. I need to get photos printed to finish Grandpa Kenny's present. And I need to talk to Dad about what he wants to get for Mom.
The kids and I made fudge and peanutbutter blossom cookies this weekend. The blossom cookies turned out a little odd.... I'm thinking my tiny assistants put in an extra cup of flour maybe??? And the fudge got a little over cooked so it isn't as creamy as usual but the fatty hoggers will eat it this weekend anyway... then I can throw together another batch next week for Christmas. That's all the baking I plan.... fudge. Oh and a package of sugar cookie mix so the kids can use the cookie cutters and docorate them. Maybe some caramel corn... we haven't made that in a while.
The kids and I had a slumber party on Sunday night.... Daddy went to a friend's cabin so he could hunt early on Monday. We stayed up late enough to watch Lady Gaga strut her stuff on the music awards. My kids love her. And the Black-eyed Peas.
And we played lots of cards. Sweet taught me how to play War. But are aces high or low? And how does the game END? And we played Speed. Sweet & Tuff played Uno. Tuff dances and sings (opera tenor) with every card played.
Sweet & Tuff played chess yesterday afternoon.... Tuff lost but she didn't mind... she was playing restaurant with the prisoners. That's my girl. Did I tell you the story about her wearing my silky bathrobe? It's all silky and flowered and flowy (My sis got it for me in Japan) and she is wearing it and posing and dancing around and I tell her she looks nice and she says, "Oh. I look beautiful. Just like Judge Judy." I had to wipe the tears out of my eyes.
And Sweet. Sweet was curled up with the baby sleeping. He kept trying to snuggle in and use her as a pillow. She'd grunt and start whapping him with both arms until he moved. Then they'd snooze a bit and then he'd start sneaking in and trying to use her tummy as a pillow again and she would grunt at him and the arms would start going again. I really need to clean out her clothes.... I sent her to daycare in an outfit that was more like a stuffed sausage casing. She could possibly be working on another tooth. Runny nose and drooly... no fever and not unhappy but very clingy.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Christmas by the Week WEEK 8
Week #8 - "Thanksgiving Week" Nov 23-29
Use this week to prepare Thanksgiving dishes, pies, home-made rolls: enjoy the holiday with your family.
Use this week to prepare Thanksgiving dishes, pies, home-made rolls: enjoy the holiday with your family.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Game Night
I'm so excited! Elle finally posted about the games her family loves.
Finally.
I always see that big row of games but I never know which ones are fabulous and which are stinkers.
My kids love games but I'm at a loss beyond a few standards we played growing up. We were not a "games" kind of family.
Here's what we have now (that I can think of without getting up to look):
Connect 4. Love this. Quick. Easy. And we also have the travel version.
Chess. My son and husband play chess regularly. I can still beat Sweet but I have to pay attention or he wins.
Checkers. I suck at Checkers. Sweet loves to school me.... although we have a house rule that the winner has to pick up the game so he always makes sure I win the last round.
Battleship. I loved playing this game with my grandma when I was a kid. (She also taught me gin and several kinds of solitaire) But I hate the version we have... the pegs don't stay in very well.
Candyland. Duh.
Trouble.
Sorry.
Rummy-0. This has several names. My gram taught us to play when we were tiny and it can get pretty competitive during the holidays.
Uno. This is actually the set from when we were kids... my mom off-loaded it.
Some other card games. Actually.... I'd like to learn some good games using a regular deck of cards. We play Speed. And Crazy 8's & Go Fish.
The other problem at our house is, of course, storage.... we can't have very many games... they take up too much space.
Finally.
I always see that big row of games but I never know which ones are fabulous and which are stinkers.
My kids love games but I'm at a loss beyond a few standards we played growing up. We were not a "games" kind of family.
Here's what we have now (that I can think of without getting up to look):
Connect 4. Love this. Quick. Easy. And we also have the travel version.
Chess. My son and husband play chess regularly. I can still beat Sweet but I have to pay attention or he wins.
Checkers. I suck at Checkers. Sweet loves to school me.... although we have a house rule that the winner has to pick up the game so he always makes sure I win the last round.
Battleship. I loved playing this game with my grandma when I was a kid. (She also taught me gin and several kinds of solitaire) But I hate the version we have... the pegs don't stay in very well.
Candyland. Duh.
Trouble.
Sorry.
Rummy-0. This has several names. My gram taught us to play when we were tiny and it can get pretty competitive during the holidays.
Uno. This is actually the set from when we were kids... my mom off-loaded it.
Some other card games. Actually.... I'd like to learn some good games using a regular deck of cards. We play Speed. And Crazy 8's & Go Fish.
The other problem at our house is, of course, storage.... we can't have very many games... they take up too much space.
Make a list... but not that kind of list....
I just found out Dr. Oz has a tv show! I've only seen it once but I think he is so damn adorable. If I had a list, I'd put him on it. He's just so happy and perky.... and those adorable ears & eyebrows.
You know... a list. I used to date this guy who maintained a list. A list of people he could sleep with and I couldn't get mad about it. Do you see why we aren't dating anymore? I can't quite remember but I think his list had people on it like Halle Berry & Salma Hayek.... heck, Halle Berry might be on my list... but he took it all very seriously and was very intense about it (don't you think that would have been a clue? Why did I keep dating him?). And then he'd push me to put people on my list and I could never think of anyone... who wants to sleep with a celebrity? Talk about giving me a complex. So I'd come up with outrageous ideas (Peter Jennings & Bill Maher were both on my list) or I'd pick pro football players from teams he hated. And comedians.... Steven Wright, Howie Mandel & George Carlin all made the list at one time or another. Oh and Sesame Street characters... but not Bert or Ernie.... I'm still not sure what is going on between those two.
Ok. So who would be on your list at this point in your life? What about in the past? My, my but how we have changed....
You know... a list. I used to date this guy who maintained a list. A list of people he could sleep with and I couldn't get mad about it. Do you see why we aren't dating anymore? I can't quite remember but I think his list had people on it like Halle Berry & Salma Hayek.... heck, Halle Berry might be on my list... but he took it all very seriously and was very intense about it (don't you think that would have been a clue? Why did I keep dating him?). And then he'd push me to put people on my list and I could never think of anyone... who wants to sleep with a celebrity? Talk about giving me a complex. So I'd come up with outrageous ideas (Peter Jennings & Bill Maher were both on my list) or I'd pick pro football players from teams he hated. And comedians.... Steven Wright, Howie Mandel & George Carlin all made the list at one time or another. Oh and Sesame Street characters... but not Bert or Ernie.... I'm still not sure what is going on between those two.
Ok. So who would be on your list at this point in your life? What about in the past? My, my but how we have changed....
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Buy a Lotto Ticket
Been a heck of a few days.
Saturday.... the well died.
Sunday.... my cell phone hinge fell apart.
Monday... got property tax bill for Nov & May.
Tues....got new rates for 2010 from daycare.
Still waiting for the well repair bill.... it coulda been worse. No phrases like "cave in" or "pull the pump" were used. Turns out it was something we could have fixed ourselves had we known what was wrong.... needed a new control box. Welcome to the country.
Saturday.... the well died.
Sunday.... my cell phone hinge fell apart.
Monday... got property tax bill for Nov & May.
Tues....got new rates for 2010 from daycare.
Still waiting for the well repair bill.... it coulda been worse. No phrases like "cave in" or "pull the pump" were used. Turns out it was something we could have fixed ourselves had we known what was wrong.... needed a new control box. Welcome to the country.
Meal Planning Continues.....
Remember how I was meal planning this month?
Wanna know how it is going?
Great. I stayed outta the stores (with their wicked, wicked impulse buys) and stayed on task. I flopped and swapped a couple of times but mostly it worked out.
So we are on the next two week rotation.
M 11/16 chili (Want my super easy recipe that my picky kids will eat? 1 package moose burger, 2 cans kidney beans, 1 can tomato sauce, powdered taco seasoning, cumin, oregano.) I failed to make corn bread.
Tu 11/17 pasta & white sauce... using up the last sad bits of veggies in our fridge.
W 11/18 pizza.... fresh veggies on a boboli.
Th 11/19 baked potatoes & leftovers... this will go over, uh, not so well.... but I love a potato with salsa and cheese.... maybe I'll make steaks to satisfy the carnivors.
F 11/20 chx nuggets & ricaroni.... what? I didn't say meal planning would eliminate insta-food... just reduce the amounts consumed. A speed meal for a night we have lots planned.
Sa 11/21 calzones... mmmmm.
Su 11/22 dirty rice.... red beans and rice.... mmmmm.
M 11/23 tacos....taco salad is my favorite.
Tu 11/24 tomato soup & grilled cheese.... easy stuff easing into the holiday.... clean up leftovers.
W 11/25 fast food.... on the drive to the farm.
Th 11/26 holiday..... turkey from the Hutterites. Do you say "stuffing" or "dressing"?? And do you put it on the side or jam it up the bird's butt? My husband swore he hated the stuff until he had my mom's version..... ala stove top.
F 11/27 holiday..... leftover pie.
Sa 11/28 holiday.... leftovers will be getting scarce... my brother is there..... maybe spaghetti?
Su 11/29 holiday..... possibly more fast food driving home.....
Wanna know how it is going?
Great. I stayed outta the stores (with their wicked, wicked impulse buys) and stayed on task. I flopped and swapped a couple of times but mostly it worked out.
So we are on the next two week rotation.
M 11/16 chili (Want my super easy recipe that my picky kids will eat? 1 package moose burger, 2 cans kidney beans, 1 can tomato sauce, powdered taco seasoning, cumin, oregano.) I failed to make corn bread.
Tu 11/17 pasta & white sauce... using up the last sad bits of veggies in our fridge.
W 11/18 pizza.... fresh veggies on a boboli.
Th 11/19 baked potatoes & leftovers... this will go over, uh, not so well.... but I love a potato with salsa and cheese.... maybe I'll make steaks to satisfy the carnivors.
F 11/20 chx nuggets & ricaroni.... what? I didn't say meal planning would eliminate insta-food... just reduce the amounts consumed. A speed meal for a night we have lots planned.
Sa 11/21 calzones... mmmmm.
Su 11/22 dirty rice.... red beans and rice.... mmmmm.
M 11/23 tacos....taco salad is my favorite.
Tu 11/24 tomato soup & grilled cheese.... easy stuff easing into the holiday.... clean up leftovers.
W 11/25 fast food.... on the drive to the farm.
Th 11/26 holiday..... turkey from the Hutterites. Do you say "stuffing" or "dressing"?? And do you put it on the side or jam it up the bird's butt? My husband swore he hated the stuff until he had my mom's version..... ala stove top.
F 11/27 holiday..... leftover pie.
Sa 11/28 holiday.... leftovers will be getting scarce... my brother is there..... maybe spaghetti?
Su 11/29 holiday..... possibly more fast food driving home.....
Monday, November 16, 2009
Christmas by the Week WEEK 7
Week #7 - "Shopping Week #2" Nov 16-22
Complete as much shopping as possible. Take advantage of many items that are on sale before Thanksgiving! Check Thanksgiving menus and grocery list: purchase any additional, needed supplies.
Complete as much shopping as possible. Take advantage of many items that are on sale before Thanksgiving! Check Thanksgiving menus and grocery list: purchase any additional, needed supplies.
Monday, November 09, 2009
Christmas by the Week WEEK 6
Week #6 - "Shopping Week #1" Nov 9-15
Decorate your home for Thanksgiving and focus on gift buying for prepared list. Wrap and label packages as you go. Set aside needed shipping boxes.
Decorate your home for Thanksgiving and focus on gift buying for prepared list. Wrap and label packages as you go. Set aside needed shipping boxes.
Monday Notes
Things of note:
Ghostbusters isn't as funny as I thought it was.
Taking three kids to a play (The Pirate Play) actually IS a good idea. All three were completely mesmerized.... even if I planned for Bugsy to nurse and nap... she wanted to watch the action. It helps that it is a one-act play and, well... PIRATES.
26 degrees is cold.
Having a meal plan is relaxing.
Hunting season is stressful.
Going to bed before 9:30pm is the new reality.
Letting your kids create a playground in the spare bedroom is a good idea.
Playing school is a fabulous idea. (I'm Mrs. Beasley and I ring a bell when we change activities.)
A new washer and dryer really is wonderful.
Spending enough time every day to read one chapter of a nice trashy novel can double as "me" time. (Even if you nurse the babe while you do it.)
Nothing is as relaxing as having all the rooms in your house tidied (notice I said "tidy" and not "clean") at one time.
Morning routine charts are good.
Alarm clocks that accidentally go off at 4:00am on non-hunting days are bad.
Cinnamon bun creamer is good.
Straightening my cowlicks and putting on mascara are my new glamour thing. (Did you hear that sister? Mascara. Me. It is a revolution.)
Danskos are excellent... especially red mary janes purchased on the cheap.
Husbands who wash their own hunting clothes are rare and treasured.
Kids who tidy their own bedrooms are rare and treasured.
New underpants will make up for a lot of shortcomings.
Drooly, teething, grinning babies are adorable.
Halloween candy is evil.
Fundraisers are also evil. Way evil.
The smell of grapefruit makes me very happy.
The taste of grapefruit juice (especially with vodka) makes me very happy.
Ghostbusters isn't as funny as I thought it was.
Taking three kids to a play (The Pirate Play) actually IS a good idea. All three were completely mesmerized.... even if I planned for Bugsy to nurse and nap... she wanted to watch the action. It helps that it is a one-act play and, well... PIRATES.
26 degrees is cold.
Having a meal plan is relaxing.
Hunting season is stressful.
Going to bed before 9:30pm is the new reality.
Letting your kids create a playground in the spare bedroom is a good idea.
Playing school is a fabulous idea. (I'm Mrs. Beasley and I ring a bell when we change activities.)
A new washer and dryer really is wonderful.
Spending enough time every day to read one chapter of a nice trashy novel can double as "me" time. (Even if you nurse the babe while you do it.)
Nothing is as relaxing as having all the rooms in your house tidied (notice I said "tidy" and not "clean") at one time.
Morning routine charts are good.
Alarm clocks that accidentally go off at 4:00am on non-hunting days are bad.
Cinnamon bun creamer is good.
Straightening my cowlicks and putting on mascara are my new glamour thing. (Did you hear that sister? Mascara. Me. It is a revolution.)
Danskos are excellent... especially red mary janes purchased on the cheap.
Husbands who wash their own hunting clothes are rare and treasured.
Kids who tidy their own bedrooms are rare and treasured.
New underpants will make up for a lot of shortcomings.
Drooly, teething, grinning babies are adorable.
Halloween candy is evil.
Fundraisers are also evil. Way evil.
The smell of grapefruit makes me very happy.
The taste of grapefruit juice (especially with vodka) makes me very happy.
Thursday, November 05, 2009
The December List Draft One
Elle is making Christmas lists..... she has lots of birthdays in December and that really makes things tricky... I'll take a smug moment here and be thankful for June-July & September birthdays.... good balance.
She's asking about family traditions and gifts from other kids...
Family traditions:
Nana: Nana gets the kids pj's they open on Christmas Eve. They are always nice ones from Gymboree or Land's End. Great photo ops and we don't have to get dressed on Christmas Day.
Christmas books: This year I'm going to try wrapping up 12 Christmas books and opening one each night.... books we already have. Grinch. Stranger in the Woods. Christmas Mice. Rocky Mountain Christmas..... you know.... those ones. We get to have a present opening fix, we have a book to read that night, and I don't spend any money. It's the chartruse triumverate of cheap, easy & fun.
Santa: Santa is into personal hygiene... this dates back to when we were kids. He loves character bandaids & fancy toothbrushes.... stuff mommy might not normally spring for.... (hint: and stuff that always goes on good sale at CVS sometime in the months of November & December...) He also always brings batteries. (This year they might even be rechargeable....) He usually brings a bag of Hershey's kisses. And lots of swag I score at an IT conference mid-December.... little notebooks and tape measures and such. Santa at my in-law's involves gifts from everyone.... each person sneaks stuff into the stockings.... I like to get Mexican hot chocolate mix, lip balms, chocolate oranges, little hand lotions, and socks. Hot manages to do up great stocking stuff..... stockings are fun at our house. Santa also usually brings one thing mommy would not approve of..... a special movie or some toy that makes way too much noise.
Gifts for kids: Each of my kids will get something for each other and something for mom and dad.... usually dvd's for each other and something special from all three for mom and dad.... maybe a new elk video for daddy and the new Lucinda William's cd for mom. Mommy also wants the Dr Oz challenge book. Sweet wants to get Tuff the new Tinkerbelle DVD and Tuff will probably get Sweet a Scooby Do DVD or a Transformer. They will get Bugsy something (probably a brightly colored plastic toy or a new Christmas book) and she will get them something.... maybe new Leapster games.
Teacher gifts: This is a new one for me. We always try to get something nice for our daycare provider... usually a fat gift card to Jade Garden because we know she likes it. The teacher has an amazon wish list for the classroom. I'll be watching for a great sale on some of those items. I love the idea of a spaghetti gift basket.... get those clever bowtie pastas from Costco and present it in a collander (the $1 store has decent ones last time I was there) with a spaghetti scooper. Also make sure to include some dessert.... dove chocolates maybe? If you really want to go all out I'd add a bottle of wine... is that wrong for a teacher gift? There is a great wine at our grocery store that is $4 per bottle. I am a master at those kinds of gift baskets.... years of silent auctions. Our teacher for K had a baby in the spring so I m-i-g-h-t think of a baby themed basket for her.... maybe. Or a Target gift card... now to decide an amount. Right now I'm voting homeroom teacher only and no support staff but I might change my mind later.....
Others: I give a plate of sweets to the mailman. Fudge and caramels. And somehow a stupid gift giving tradition at work started a few years ago.... I'm thinking ELF all-in-one sticks for everyone....
I'd love to drop/limit the sibling gift giving.... this is the first (and possibly only) year we ALL have spouses..... My sister's hubby is getting a bottle of crown unless I come up with something better..... Heck... that's a good gift for my brother, my husband and my husband's sister's spouse as well.... ok... 4 bottles of crown and I'm done shopping for most of the men. Maybe we will go for a booze-themed Christmas and get that for the women as well.... one stop shopping at your local liquor store....
My hubby wants new binoculars. The $1300 kind. Ponder that for a moment.
She's asking about family traditions and gifts from other kids...
Family traditions:
Nana: Nana gets the kids pj's they open on Christmas Eve. They are always nice ones from Gymboree or Land's End. Great photo ops and we don't have to get dressed on Christmas Day.
Christmas books: This year I'm going to try wrapping up 12 Christmas books and opening one each night.... books we already have. Grinch. Stranger in the Woods. Christmas Mice. Rocky Mountain Christmas..... you know.... those ones. We get to have a present opening fix, we have a book to read that night, and I don't spend any money. It's the chartruse triumverate of cheap, easy & fun.
Santa: Santa is into personal hygiene... this dates back to when we were kids. He loves character bandaids & fancy toothbrushes.... stuff mommy might not normally spring for.... (hint: and stuff that always goes on good sale at CVS sometime in the months of November & December...) He also always brings batteries. (This year they might even be rechargeable....) He usually brings a bag of Hershey's kisses. And lots of swag I score at an IT conference mid-December.... little notebooks and tape measures and such. Santa at my in-law's involves gifts from everyone.... each person sneaks stuff into the stockings.... I like to get Mexican hot chocolate mix, lip balms, chocolate oranges, little hand lotions, and socks. Hot manages to do up great stocking stuff..... stockings are fun at our house. Santa also usually brings one thing mommy would not approve of..... a special movie or some toy that makes way too much noise.
Gifts for kids: Each of my kids will get something for each other and something for mom and dad.... usually dvd's for each other and something special from all three for mom and dad.... maybe a new elk video for daddy and the new Lucinda William's cd for mom. Mommy also wants the Dr Oz challenge book. Sweet wants to get Tuff the new Tinkerbelle DVD and Tuff will probably get Sweet a Scooby Do DVD or a Transformer. They will get Bugsy something (probably a brightly colored plastic toy or a new Christmas book) and she will get them something.... maybe new Leapster games.
Teacher gifts: This is a new one for me. We always try to get something nice for our daycare provider... usually a fat gift card to Jade Garden because we know she likes it. The teacher has an amazon wish list for the classroom. I'll be watching for a great sale on some of those items. I love the idea of a spaghetti gift basket.... get those clever bowtie pastas from Costco and present it in a collander (the $1 store has decent ones last time I was there) with a spaghetti scooper. Also make sure to include some dessert.... dove chocolates maybe? If you really want to go all out I'd add a bottle of wine... is that wrong for a teacher gift? There is a great wine at our grocery store that is $4 per bottle. I am a master at those kinds of gift baskets.... years of silent auctions. Our teacher for K had a baby in the spring so I m-i-g-h-t think of a baby themed basket for her.... maybe. Or a Target gift card... now to decide an amount. Right now I'm voting homeroom teacher only and no support staff but I might change my mind later.....
Others: I give a plate of sweets to the mailman. Fudge and caramels. And somehow a stupid gift giving tradition at work started a few years ago.... I'm thinking ELF all-in-one sticks for everyone....
I'd love to drop/limit the sibling gift giving.... this is the first (and possibly only) year we ALL have spouses..... My sister's hubby is getting a bottle of crown unless I come up with something better..... Heck... that's a good gift for my brother, my husband and my husband's sister's spouse as well.... ok... 4 bottles of crown and I'm done shopping for most of the men. Maybe we will go for a booze-themed Christmas and get that for the women as well.... one stop shopping at your local liquor store....
My hubby wants new binoculars. The $1300 kind. Ponder that for a moment.
Meal Planning for November
In honor of organizing.....
I'm a broken record when it comes to meal planning... I try and try and fail and fail and try again.... Here's where we are now....
Goals:
1. Eat more veggies
2. Create "deconstructable" meals so I'm not cooking two (or three) complete menus every night.
3. Use up stuff in the cupboards.
4. Start using more burger.
5. Grocery shop less.
6. Save money.
7. Save time.
8. Save stress.
I'm doing meal planner 101 over here.... Here's what is cooking for the next two weeks.
M: tacos
Tu: potato soup & caesar salads
W: pizza & salad
Th: chx tender salad
F: bean & cheese burrito
Sa: chx soup or leftovers
Su: white bean chili
M: spaghetti
Tu: omlettes & salad
W: steak and fried potatoes
Th: tomato soup & grilled cheese
F: pita bread pizzas
Sa: corn chowder
Su: salmon nuggets & leftovers
How did I do??
Success and Failure:
1. Veggies: I'm trying to do the what the dietician's suggest. A normal size dinner plate, half fruit & veggies and half protein and carbs.... as opposed to our usual MO.... a giant vat of spaghetti and a fork. Sweet will eat "carrot salad" which is, um, cut up carrots and ranch. Tuff likes salad with ranch and peppers and cucumbers and carrots. I'm just trying to get in the habit.... baby steps.
2. Deconstructables: So far so good. On pizza night I make two pizzas (and I broke down and got boboli crusts... which everyone seems to love), one cheese and one something else... this week was my m-i-l's specialty... italian sausage (moose), green pepper, onion, black olives and mozz slices. Most of the meals I've picked are pretty easy to make kid-friendly and the kids are getting more adventurous. The potato soup (from a mix) was a battle until they tried a bite... now they love it. If it is going to be a real battle I can always fall back on chicken nuggets.
3. Use up stuff in the cupboards. Mid-October the school did a food drive (so far we've done a food drive, a hat/mitten drive, a change drive, sold chocolates & coffee and donated extra tissues, glue stick & ziplocks to the classroom.... getting tired....). Anyway. The food drive was good for getting rid of a few mistakes... like the kettle corn.... apparently no one in our house likes kettle corn. But the food drive made me clean out a bit and realize that, yes, canned goods DO expire.... so we systematically started eating everything in the cupboards and only replacing the things we like. I know.... this is basic logic for some of you but it was a revelation for me. Also... sweet heavens... toss the cake mix that expired in 2006. Wow.
4. Start using more burger. We ran out of cow a few weeks ago with the exception of a few carefully hoarded packages of hamburger. My f-i-l got a moose. We have lots of burger and sausage now. It is amazingly good. I haven't tried the steaks yet... talk to me after next Wednesday.
5. Grocery shop less. Can't tell if this is working or not. We did the usual Costco run and a grocery store stop and I think I have everything for all these meals and lunches.... I'm sure there will be more stops but it feels good to know all the basics are in the house. I spent $122 at Costco (including lunch) and $42 at the grocery store (including squeeze cheese and tomato/basil Wheat Thins.... we're practicing our letters with after-school snacks this week).
6. Save money. It isn't like we can get take-out where we live so I won't be saving much there but hopefully less time in the stores means less impulse buying (yes, I DID buy squeeze cheese this week and I am properly horrified by it...) and planned meals means planned leftovers for lunch so less stops at the local market by Hot for lunch.... we will see. I made "pizza rolls" with the leftover pizza stuff last night and everyone took those for lunch today.
7. Save time. Less shopping.... the end.
8. Save stress. Less "5:05 oh shit" moments. Fewer "chicken nuggets & fend for yourself" nights. I am going to try to put the "more cooking" stuff on Mondays & Wednesdays when I am home all day for the next few months and most "I have to actually cook this" stuff will be on the weekends. Getting off work at 3:00 every day sure makes cooking easier. Friday foods are usually things we can eat on tv trays while we watch a Friday Night Movie. (This week: Ghostbusters)
I'm a broken record when it comes to meal planning... I try and try and fail and fail and try again.... Here's where we are now....
Goals:
1. Eat more veggies
2. Create "deconstructable" meals so I'm not cooking two (or three) complete menus every night.
3. Use up stuff in the cupboards.
4. Start using more burger.
5. Grocery shop less.
6. Save money.
7. Save time.
8. Save stress.
I'm doing meal planner 101 over here.... Here's what is cooking for the next two weeks.
M: tacos
Tu: potato soup & caesar salads
W: pizza & salad
Th: chx tender salad
F: bean & cheese burrito
Sa: chx soup or leftovers
Su: white bean chili
M: spaghetti
Tu: omlettes & salad
W: steak and fried potatoes
Th: tomato soup & grilled cheese
F: pita bread pizzas
Sa: corn chowder
Su: salmon nuggets & leftovers
How did I do??
Success and Failure:
1. Veggies: I'm trying to do the what the dietician's suggest. A normal size dinner plate, half fruit & veggies and half protein and carbs.... as opposed to our usual MO.... a giant vat of spaghetti and a fork. Sweet will eat "carrot salad" which is, um, cut up carrots and ranch. Tuff likes salad with ranch and peppers and cucumbers and carrots. I'm just trying to get in the habit.... baby steps.
2. Deconstructables: So far so good. On pizza night I make two pizzas (and I broke down and got boboli crusts... which everyone seems to love), one cheese and one something else... this week was my m-i-l's specialty... italian sausage (moose), green pepper, onion, black olives and mozz slices. Most of the meals I've picked are pretty easy to make kid-friendly and the kids are getting more adventurous. The potato soup (from a mix) was a battle until they tried a bite... now they love it. If it is going to be a real battle I can always fall back on chicken nuggets.
3. Use up stuff in the cupboards. Mid-October the school did a food drive (so far we've done a food drive, a hat/mitten drive, a change drive, sold chocolates & coffee and donated extra tissues, glue stick & ziplocks to the classroom.... getting tired....). Anyway. The food drive was good for getting rid of a few mistakes... like the kettle corn.... apparently no one in our house likes kettle corn. But the food drive made me clean out a bit and realize that, yes, canned goods DO expire.... so we systematically started eating everything in the cupboards and only replacing the things we like. I know.... this is basic logic for some of you but it was a revelation for me. Also... sweet heavens... toss the cake mix that expired in 2006. Wow.
4. Start using more burger. We ran out of cow a few weeks ago with the exception of a few carefully hoarded packages of hamburger. My f-i-l got a moose. We have lots of burger and sausage now. It is amazingly good. I haven't tried the steaks yet... talk to me after next Wednesday.
5. Grocery shop less. Can't tell if this is working or not. We did the usual Costco run and a grocery store stop and I think I have everything for all these meals and lunches.... I'm sure there will be more stops but it feels good to know all the basics are in the house. I spent $122 at Costco (including lunch) and $42 at the grocery store (including squeeze cheese and tomato/basil Wheat Thins.... we're practicing our letters with after-school snacks this week).
6. Save money. It isn't like we can get take-out where we live so I won't be saving much there but hopefully less time in the stores means less impulse buying (yes, I DID buy squeeze cheese this week and I am properly horrified by it...) and planned meals means planned leftovers for lunch so less stops at the local market by Hot for lunch.... we will see. I made "pizza rolls" with the leftover pizza stuff last night and everyone took those for lunch today.
7. Save time. Less shopping.... the end.
8. Save stress. Less "5:05 oh shit" moments. Fewer "chicken nuggets & fend for yourself" nights. I am going to try to put the "more cooking" stuff on Mondays & Wednesdays when I am home all day for the next few months and most "I have to actually cook this" stuff will be on the weekends. Getting off work at 3:00 every day sure makes cooking easier. Friday foods are usually things we can eat on tv trays while we watch a Friday Night Movie. (This week: Ghostbusters)
Tuesday, November 03, 2009
Me-ology
FOODOLOGY:
What is your salad dressing of choice? Caesar from Costco. Or balsamic, olive oil & a little dijon (also, interestingly, all from Costco....)
What is your favorite sit down restaurant? Um. Brewhouse? I haven't been out in so long..... It is not, in spite of what my children believe, Applebee's.
What is your favorite fast food restaurant? Costco. Or Cafe Zydeco.
What food could you eat every day for two weeks and not get sick of? pizza or bean and cheese burritos
What are your pizza toppings of choice? Double Mushroom, cheese, just a tiny bit of sauce
How many televisions are in your house? 2 but only one actually works
What color cell phone do you have? Damn. Where IS my cell phone? It is darkish-redish.
BIOLOGY:
Are you right-handed or left-handed? Left
Have you ever had anything removed from your body? ACL
What is the last heavy item you lifted? a futon mattress
Have you ever been knocked unconscious? yes
Have you ever fainted? yes
BULLCRAPOLOGY:
If it were possible, would you want to know the day you were going to die? No thanks
If you could change your name, what would you change it to? Something besides mom??
How many pairs of flip-flops do you own? 2
Last person you talked to? Tuff
FAVORITOLOGY:
Season? Fall and also flower-planting
Holiday? Valentine's Day & Mother's Day & my birthday
Day of the week? Monday (what? It's my day off.)
Month? September
Color? Green
Drink? Water with no ice. Although margaritas sound good right now.
CURRENTOLOGY:
Missing someone? Yes
What are you listening to? A breast pump
Watching? Baseball
Worrying about? Money and remodeling
What's the last movie you saw? Duplicity
Do you smile often? Grinning like an idiot
If you could change your eye color what would it be? green
What's on your wish list for your birthday? Calm & Competence... oh and wireless speakers.
Can you do push-ups? I can.
Can you do a chin up? I doubt it. Please don't make me get up and try.
Does the future make you more nervous or excited? Excited.
Have you been in a Car wreck? no
Have you caused a Car wreck? no
Do you have an accent? Redneckian
Last time you cried? I can't remember but I'm sure I'm blocking out crying from exhaustion in the last several months....
Plans tonight? Make a lovely soup-salad dinner, read books, prepare for tomorrow and do some work.
Have you ever felt like you hit rock bottom? Not today anyway....
Name 3 things you bought yesterday? Um. Yesterday... nothing. But this morning I bought crazy glue, kid coat hangers & a 2010 organizer.
Have you ever been given roses? Yes
Met someone who changed your life? Yes
For the better or worse?? Yes
How did you bring in the New Year? Firing automatic weapons
Would you go back in time if you were given the chance? Hell no.
Have you ever dated someone longer than a year? Yes. And then I married him. And he gave me roses.
What songs do you sing in the shower? All of them.
Do you like to cuddle? Yes. Love it. On the couch. But I like to spread out a little when I sleep.
Have you held hands with someone today? Yes.
Who was the last person you took a picture of? The kids.
Are most of the friends in your life new or old? Old.
Do you like pulpy orange juice? Yes... with vodka.
What is something your friends make fun of you for? My chronic need to make lists of things that don't really need to be on lists.
Last time you ate peanut butter and jelly? Sometime around 1980. I don't like pbj.
What were you doing 12 AM last night? Probably nursing in my sleep.
What was the first thing you thought of when you woke up? Did I set the clocks in the bedroom for DST? How funny is it that my alarm is the sound of thunder? Who let the cats out of the bathroom? Who is making that noise? Is that the BABY tooting and grunting?
Monday, November 02, 2009
Christmas by the Week WEEK
Week #5 - "Gift Making" Week Nov 2-8
Focus your energies on completing gifts to be made, setting aside gifts that aren't coming together, and writing a Christmas letter. Find family photos suitable for inclusion with Christmas cards.
Focus your energies on completing gifts to be made, setting aside gifts that aren't coming together, and writing a Christmas letter. Find family photos suitable for inclusion with Christmas cards.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Pig Cold
Please. Can I get just a little more conflicting information about H1N1???
Please?
Clinic for kids age 6 mos to 4 years and caregivers of children under 6 months. Ok, great. I'm on it. Except.... it's the nasal spray.... a live virus. The NP recommended we NOT do that because we could shed the virus on the baby and give her the very virus we are getting vaccinated to prevent her from getting. (Did you follow that?) She was fairly surprised the health department was recommending the nasal spray to caregivers of infants.
Why don't these people talk to each other?
So, factoring in that we've probably already HAD swine flu (we've certainly had our share of Whine Flu at our house) I've elected to take the do-nothing route until the shot is available.
Am I doing the right thing?
Not sure.
Please?
Clinic for kids age 6 mos to 4 years and caregivers of children under 6 months. Ok, great. I'm on it. Except.... it's the nasal spray.... a live virus. The NP recommended we NOT do that because we could shed the virus on the baby and give her the very virus we are getting vaccinated to prevent her from getting. (Did you follow that?) She was fairly surprised the health department was recommending the nasal spray to caregivers of infants.
Why don't these people talk to each other?
So, factoring in that we've probably already HAD swine flu (we've certainly had our share of Whine Flu at our house) I've elected to take the do-nothing route until the shot is available.
Am I doing the right thing?
Not sure.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Christmas by the Week WEEK 4
Week #4 - "Baking Week" Oct 26-Nov
Set aside the time needed to complete holiday goodie making.
Make lists of toys, books, and clothes that children would enjoy and keep the list handy for telling family members who ask what they would like.
Set aside the time needed to complete holiday goodie making.
Make lists of toys, books, and clothes that children would enjoy and keep the list handy for telling family members who ask what they would like.
Friday, October 23, 2009
Jingle Bells
My mom called last night... she got Sweet the new Transformers movie for Christmas. So it is genetic.... this early organization thing.
Elle has a post up about it as well. See? It isn't just me.
I'm planning gifts. I think both big kids are getting little digital cameras and new snow sleds. Tuff wants Snow White & Scooby Do dvds and a pink water bottle. Sweet wants Transformers and Bakugan. Bugsy wants.... I think Bugsy wants one of those star animal night lights. Now to decide... turtle, sea turtle or lady bug?
I'm making my gift list.... I want new cami sleep tops, Photoshop Elements, narrow clothes hangers & a curved shower rod.... all available at your local Costco. Also one and two-quart sauce pans and an addition on my house.
I'm also thinking of doing the "12 days of Christmas" in books.... you take Holiday books you already have and wrap them up and open one a night and read it.... I think I have 12 books if I include a few board books. Snuggle up for a little tradition..... sounds kinda nice.
Elle has a post up about it as well. See? It isn't just me.
I'm planning gifts. I think both big kids are getting little digital cameras and new snow sleds. Tuff wants Snow White & Scooby Do dvds and a pink water bottle. Sweet wants Transformers and Bakugan. Bugsy wants.... I think Bugsy wants one of those star animal night lights. Now to decide... turtle, sea turtle or lady bug?
I'm making my gift list.... I want new cami sleep tops, Photoshop Elements, narrow clothes hangers & a curved shower rod.... all available at your local Costco. Also one and two-quart sauce pans and an addition on my house.
I'm also thinking of doing the "12 days of Christmas" in books.... you take Holiday books you already have and wrap them up and open one a night and read it.... I think I have 12 books if I include a few board books. Snuggle up for a little tradition..... sounds kinda nice.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Veggies
The veggie wars are on.
I was successful in getting rid of a lot of the sugar in my diet. I've relaxed a little but I'm still being very careful but sometimes I need a bowl of ice cream or some stuffed french toast.
So I've successfully integrated that habit.
Now to add more veggies. I've been eating a lot more salad lately. A small side Caesar with dinner or something. And piling the veggies on my bean burrito at lunch. And spaghetti squash. I love spaghetti squash. Now to make it a regular habit and get the rest of the family involved.... Hot likes salads and we've compromised on our lettuce style by getting hearts of romaine. (He likes iceberg, I like spring mix.)
I'm trying Elle's recipe for ribbons this week.
Last night each kid ate a bite of "cream of green" soup. But I got downturned thumbs from Sweet (and a request for raw broccoli & ranch) and a "meh" from Tuff (and a request for a pumpkin muffin and a pickle) and Hot wouldn't even taste it (and made himself short ribs for dinner). I really like it. What does that say about me? I'll make a bunch for lunches. It is super easy and ranks as "great use of stick blender" in my book. I'm so lazy I skipped the onion. And I used a combo of mozzarella and cheddar cheese because Costco doesn't sell mo-jack.
Broccoli Soup* (aka Cream of Green)
2 tsp olive oil
½ onion, chopped
1 med potato, peeled and cut into ½ in pieces
3 c broccoli, chopped
3 c low-salt vegetable stock
1 c reduced-fat Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
In a large stockpot, heat oil and sauté the onion for 5 to 7 minutes over low to medium heat. Add potatoes, broccoli, and stock; bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook, covered, for 12 to 15 minutes or until broccoli and potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork.
Remove the mixture from stove top. Puree with stick blender and top with cheese.
*To give credit I think this is from Health magazine.
I was successful in getting rid of a lot of the sugar in my diet. I've relaxed a little but I'm still being very careful but sometimes I need a bowl of ice cream or some stuffed french toast.
So I've successfully integrated that habit.
Now to add more veggies. I've been eating a lot more salad lately. A small side Caesar with dinner or something. And piling the veggies on my bean burrito at lunch. And spaghetti squash. I love spaghetti squash. Now to make it a regular habit and get the rest of the family involved.... Hot likes salads and we've compromised on our lettuce style by getting hearts of romaine. (He likes iceberg, I like spring mix.)
I'm trying Elle's recipe for ribbons this week.
Last night each kid ate a bite of "cream of green" soup. But I got downturned thumbs from Sweet (and a request for raw broccoli & ranch) and a "meh" from Tuff (and a request for a pumpkin muffin and a pickle) and Hot wouldn't even taste it (and made himself short ribs for dinner). I really like it. What does that say about me? I'll make a bunch for lunches. It is super easy and ranks as "great use of stick blender" in my book. I'm so lazy I skipped the onion. And I used a combo of mozzarella and cheddar cheese because Costco doesn't sell mo-jack.
Broccoli Soup* (aka Cream of Green)
2 tsp olive oil
½ onion, chopped
1 med potato, peeled and cut into ½ in pieces
3 c broccoli, chopped
3 c low-salt vegetable stock
1 c reduced-fat Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
In a large stockpot, heat oil and sauté the onion for 5 to 7 minutes over low to medium heat. Add potatoes, broccoli, and stock; bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook, covered, for 12 to 15 minutes or until broccoli and potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork.
Remove the mixture from stove top. Puree with stick blender and top with cheese.
*To give credit I think this is from Health magazine.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Christmas by the Week WEEK 3
Week #3 - "Supplies Week" Oct 19-25
After inventorying supplies on hand, purchase non-perishables needed for holiday baking, supplies needed for gift making, film, batteries, gift wrapping, and Christmas cards as needed.
After inventorying supplies on hand, purchase non-perishables needed for holiday baking, supplies needed for gift making, film, batteries, gift wrapping, and Christmas cards as needed.
Friday, October 16, 2009
And the Powers That Be spoke and said, "Go to bed at 9:00"
Am I getting old?
Wait. Don't answer that.
The Powers That Be seem to be telling me, via the terrible TV available in the 9-10 slot, to go to bed early.
Every fall we sort of figure out what we want to watch..... "My Name is Earl" and "Chuck" were both favorites that seem to have disappeared.
So last night I was reading a trashy paperback and realized we aren't watching a lot of tv lately.
This is good.
So I looked at the lineups and listed the things I thought we'd consider watching.....
Monday: House at 7. Trauma at 8. Lie to Me at 8. Castle at 9.
Tuesday: That witchy woman a few seasons ago spoiled The Biggest Loser for us.... but the kids love Hell's Kitchen. And watching them play it cracks me up. We make dinner and they call me Chef and do my bidding. But it ended this week.
Wednesday: Mercy at 7. The Middle looks funny but I haven't actually watched it yet.
Thursday: FlashForward at 7. Bones at 7. The Office at 8. Grey's at 8.
Friday: You know... I once liked Law & Order.... no more.
Sunday: Extreme Makeover: Home Edition at 7. Tradition demands we eat dinner late on tv trays in the living room.
These are the things I'd consider watching but I'm not in love with any of them. And the only one in the 9 slot is Castle.... and it is kinda dumb. But Trauma and Lie to Me at the same time? So wrong. And Grey's & The Office at the same time.... killing me.
I wish we got A&E so I could watch Hoarders.... and I wish we got CBS so I could watch.... well, whatever is on CBS.
What's everyone else watching now that the new fall lineup is out? Should I just give up and get "Dexter" on my netflix list??
Wait. Don't answer that.
The Powers That Be seem to be telling me, via the terrible TV available in the 9-10 slot, to go to bed early.
Every fall we sort of figure out what we want to watch..... "My Name is Earl" and "Chuck" were both favorites that seem to have disappeared.
So last night I was reading a trashy paperback and realized we aren't watching a lot of tv lately.
This is good.
So I looked at the lineups and listed the things I thought we'd consider watching.....
Monday: House at 7. Trauma at 8. Lie to Me at 8. Castle at 9.
Tuesday: That witchy woman a few seasons ago spoiled The Biggest Loser for us.... but the kids love Hell's Kitchen. And watching them play it cracks me up. We make dinner and they call me Chef and do my bidding. But it ended this week.
Wednesday: Mercy at 7. The Middle looks funny but I haven't actually watched it yet.
Thursday: FlashForward at 7. Bones at 7. The Office at 8. Grey's at 8.
Friday: You know... I once liked Law & Order.... no more.
Sunday: Extreme Makeover: Home Edition at 7. Tradition demands we eat dinner late on tv trays in the living room.
These are the things I'd consider watching but I'm not in love with any of them. And the only one in the 9 slot is Castle.... and it is kinda dumb. But Trauma and Lie to Me at the same time? So wrong. And Grey's & The Office at the same time.... killing me.
I wish we got A&E so I could watch Hoarders.... and I wish we got CBS so I could watch.... well, whatever is on CBS.
What's everyone else watching now that the new fall lineup is out? Should I just give up and get "Dexter" on my netflix list??
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Balmy 26
My kids are completely confused. They didn't want to wear mittens yesterday because it was a balmy 26 degrees. (Up from 2 the day before.)
We went to the park because it was almost 40 degrees out. Sweet asked if he could take his coat off. No. But he was running around with it unzipped.
Isn't this called the "Admiral Byrd Effect" or something.... how guys at the pole shovel show shirtless in ten below weather because they are so climatized?
Well we climatized early this year... usually it doesn't feel warm at freezing until February or so.
I'm not going to lie... when the cold weather hit I went nuts at Land's End. New coat for Sweet. (Already had a nice one for Tuff thanks to mom watching the clearance at LE last spring.) New fleece hats. New mittens and gloves. A pile of those "magic" knit gloves for everyone. Next up is good base layers for Tuff and a new underwear top for Sweet. I'm thinking Sierra Trading Post. Sweet has good boots. Tuff needs some. Bugsy is sporting the dark green fleece snowsuit/bunting that has served all three kids.... and will continue on down the line for next year's baby in the family....
We are warm and ready. The inflatable tubes are ready for sledding. The goggles and hand warmers are by the door. Bugsy has already figured out the baby sled and cries when it stops moving. Tuff can show you the position her feet/knees should be in to ski.
Bring it.
We went to the park because it was almost 40 degrees out. Sweet asked if he could take his coat off. No. But he was running around with it unzipped.
Isn't this called the "Admiral Byrd Effect" or something.... how guys at the pole shovel show shirtless in ten below weather because they are so climatized?
Well we climatized early this year... usually it doesn't feel warm at freezing until February or so.
I'm not going to lie... when the cold weather hit I went nuts at Land's End. New coat for Sweet. (Already had a nice one for Tuff thanks to mom watching the clearance at LE last spring.) New fleece hats. New mittens and gloves. A pile of those "magic" knit gloves for everyone. Next up is good base layers for Tuff and a new underwear top for Sweet. I'm thinking Sierra Trading Post. Sweet has good boots. Tuff needs some. Bugsy is sporting the dark green fleece snowsuit/bunting that has served all three kids.... and will continue on down the line for next year's baby in the family....
We are warm and ready. The inflatable tubes are ready for sledding. The goggles and hand warmers are by the door. Bugsy has already figured out the baby sled and cries when it stops moving. Tuff can show you the position her feet/knees should be in to ski.
Bring it.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Chicken Enchiladas
Enchiladas
from Elle
3 chicken breasts (boiled with garlic salt & pepper & chopped up)
¼ c onion (chopped in Pampered Chef chopper)
½ block cream cheese (softened)
1 can green chilies
10 tortillas
2 cans (or more) green chili sauce
shredded cheese
Put ½ can sauce on bottom of 9x13 pan. Spoon chx, onion, cheese, green chili mixture into 10 tortillas and roll up and put in pan. Top tortillas with green chili sauce, then sprinkle with cheese and finish with more green chili sauce. Bake 350-375 for 30 min.
Use lots of green chili sauce. These re-heat for great work lunches.
from Elle
3 chicken breasts (boiled with garlic salt & pepper & chopped up)
¼ c onion (chopped in Pampered Chef chopper)
½ block cream cheese (softened)
1 can green chilies
10 tortillas
2 cans (or more) green chili sauce
shredded cheese
Put ½ can sauce on bottom of 9x13 pan. Spoon chx, onion, cheese, green chili mixture into 10 tortillas and roll up and put in pan. Top tortillas with green chili sauce, then sprinkle with cheese and finish with more green chili sauce. Bake 350-375 for 30 min.
Use lots of green chili sauce. These re-heat for great work lunches.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
The Girls
I love the word brassiere. Is that how you spell it?
My grandma always used that word.
SarahP commented on a recent post that every woman, after a baby, should go get fitted and get a new bra or two.
Here's my question.
WHICH BRA?
I need some suggestions for good nursing ones.
Here's a funny story:
Before the wedding my mom came down and we took the two girls and went shopping. I needed shoes and a bra for my bridesmaid dress.
So we went to Macy's at 10:00 when they opened. Found shoes.
Shopped bras. I figured it was my only chance so I tried on lots. Tuff mimicked our every move.... holding bras out, checking the tags, holding them up to her front. Then she'd either shake her head and put them back or hang them on her arm.
So I had a LOT of bras to try on.... she was "helping" me by trying them on as well (picture it... now stop laughing) and then she went in the next dressing room and was playing "worker girl" with some extra hangers. Then she went out to find more bras.*
She brought in three bras and I will be damned if I didn't end up buying one of the ones she brought me.... how did she know my size better than I did??
*Now wait, before you think I was letting my child run wild let me assure you... it was 10am... the store had just opened and there were no child stealers in the store and, two, she was being quiet, polite and respectful and NOT making a mess.....
My grandma always used that word.
SarahP commented on a recent post that every woman, after a baby, should go get fitted and get a new bra or two.
Here's my question.
WHICH BRA?
I need some suggestions for good nursing ones.
Here's a funny story:
Before the wedding my mom came down and we took the two girls and went shopping. I needed shoes and a bra for my bridesmaid dress.
So we went to Macy's at 10:00 when they opened. Found shoes.
Shopped bras. I figured it was my only chance so I tried on lots. Tuff mimicked our every move.... holding bras out, checking the tags, holding them up to her front. Then she'd either shake her head and put them back or hang them on her arm.
So I had a LOT of bras to try on.... she was "helping" me by trying them on as well (picture it... now stop laughing) and then she went in the next dressing room and was playing "worker girl" with some extra hangers. Then she went out to find more bras.*
She brought in three bras and I will be damned if I didn't end up buying one of the ones she brought me.... how did she know my size better than I did??
*Now wait, before you think I was letting my child run wild let me assure you... it was 10am... the store had just opened and there were no child stealers in the store and, two, she was being quiet, polite and respectful and NOT making a mess.....
Pul Go Gi
Pul Go Gi
from my Uncle J
2-3 lbs thin sliced beef
1 c soy sauce
4-6 TBS sesame seed oil
4 TBS roasted sesame seeds
½ TBS pepper
4-6 cloves garlic (crushed & chopped)
1 TBS ginger
2-4 TBS sugar
Red pepper
1 small bunch green onions (chopped small)
Marinate & grill.
Ok, maybe not fall comfort food but so good eaten on skewers while watching football.
from my Uncle J
2-3 lbs thin sliced beef
1 c soy sauce
4-6 TBS sesame seed oil
4 TBS roasted sesame seeds
½ TBS pepper
4-6 cloves garlic (crushed & chopped)
1 TBS ginger
2-4 TBS sugar
Red pepper
1 small bunch green onions (chopped small)
Marinate & grill.
Ok, maybe not fall comfort food but so good eaten on skewers while watching football.
Monday, October 12, 2009
Christmas by the Week WEEK 2
Week #2 - "Browse Week" Oct 12-18
Develop and record ideas for gifts and decorations. Ask yourself the following questions:
* What would our ideal Christmas be like?
* What activities are particularly important to our family at Christmas?
* How much emphasis do our Christmas activities place on the spiritual side of Christmas?
Develop and record ideas for gifts and decorations. Ask yourself the following questions:
* What would our ideal Christmas be like?
* What activities are particularly important to our family at Christmas?
* How much emphasis do our Christmas activities place on the spiritual side of Christmas?
CUBE STEAK SANDWICH
Cube Steak Sandwich
2 to 3 pounds cube steak
large onion
rolls
butter
Lawry’s Seasoned Salt
Worcestershire Sauce
Tabasco
Slice onions and cook in 1/4 stick butter until soft and light brown. Remove and set aside.-Slice cube steak against the grain. Season with Lawry’s. -Heat 2 TBSP butter over high heat (in same skillet) until melted and beginning to brown. -Add meat in single layer. Cook one side until brown, then flip and cook until brown, about a minute on both sides. -Add 1/2 (at least) Worcestershire sauce, 5 to 6 shakes Tabasco, and 2 TBSP butter. Add cooked onions. Stir to combine.-Butter halved French rolls and brown on skillet.
Roll, meat, pan juice, top of roll.
This came from the internet but I can't remember where.... Pretty tasty even if your husband doesn't like worcestershire.
*Updated to add: Source noted by Anonymous: Pioneer Woman
2 to 3 pounds cube steak
large onion
rolls
butter
Lawry’s Seasoned Salt
Worcestershire Sauce
Tabasco
Slice onions and cook in 1/4 stick butter until soft and light brown. Remove and set aside.-Slice cube steak against the grain. Season with Lawry’s. -Heat 2 TBSP butter over high heat (in same skillet) until melted and beginning to brown. -Add meat in single layer. Cook one side until brown, then flip and cook until brown, about a minute on both sides. -Add 1/2 (at least) Worcestershire sauce, 5 to 6 shakes Tabasco, and 2 TBSP butter. Add cooked onions. Stir to combine.-Butter halved French rolls and brown on skillet.
Roll, meat, pan juice, top of roll.
This came from the internet but I can't remember where.... Pretty tasty even if your husband doesn't like worcestershire.
*Updated to add: Source noted by Anonymous: Pioneer Woman
Sunday, October 11, 2009
PORCUPINE MEATBALLS
PORCUPINE MEATBALLS – PRESSURE COOKER
1 ½ lbs. hamburger
½ cup rice
1 tsp. salt
½ tsp. pepper
1 Tbsp. onion, minced
1 small can tomato soup
½ cup water
Wash rice. Combine meat, rice, salt, pepper and onion. Shape into small balls. Heat tomato soup and water in cooker. Drop meat balls in soup mixture. Close cover securely. Place pressure regulator on vent pipe and cook 10 minutes with pressure regulator rocking slowly. Let pressure drop of its own accord.
I've also made these in a regular electric frying pan with tomato sauce instead of soup. Whatever.
1 ½ lbs. hamburger
½ cup rice
1 tsp. salt
½ tsp. pepper
1 Tbsp. onion, minced
1 small can tomato soup
½ cup water
Wash rice. Combine meat, rice, salt, pepper and onion. Shape into small balls. Heat tomato soup and water in cooker. Drop meat balls in soup mixture. Close cover securely. Place pressure regulator on vent pipe and cook 10 minutes with pressure regulator rocking slowly. Let pressure drop of its own accord.
I've also made these in a regular electric frying pan with tomato sauce instead of soup. Whatever.
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Creamy White Chili
Creamy White Chili
From my Auntie A
1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cut into ½” cubes)
1 med onion –chopped
1 ½ tsp garlic powder
1 TBS vegi oil
2 cans (15 ½ oz each) Great Northern beans, rinsed & drained
1 can (14 oz) chicken broth
2 cans (4 oz each) chopped green chilis
1 tsp salt
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp ground oregano
½ tsp pepper
¼ tsp cayenne pepper
1 c (8 oz) sour cream
½ c whipping cream
In large sauce pan, sauté chicken, onion & garlic powder in oil until chicken is no longer pink. Add beans, broth, chilies & seasonings. Bring to boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 30 minutes. Remove from heat, stir in sour cream & whipping cream. Serve immediately.
I usually use dried beans instead of canned.... because my aunt is a bean farmer.
From my Auntie A
1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cut into ½” cubes)
1 med onion –chopped
1 ½ tsp garlic powder
1 TBS vegi oil
2 cans (15 ½ oz each) Great Northern beans, rinsed & drained
1 can (14 oz) chicken broth
2 cans (4 oz each) chopped green chilis
1 tsp salt
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp ground oregano
½ tsp pepper
¼ tsp cayenne pepper
1 c (8 oz) sour cream
½ c whipping cream
In large sauce pan, sauté chicken, onion & garlic powder in oil until chicken is no longer pink. Add beans, broth, chilies & seasonings. Bring to boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 30 minutes. Remove from heat, stir in sour cream & whipping cream. Serve immediately.
I usually use dried beans instead of canned.... because my aunt is a bean farmer.
Friday, October 09, 2009
SCALLOPED POTATOES & HAM
SCALLOPED POTATOES & HAM
(original recipe from Helen Schnitzmeier)
6 medium sized potatoes
3 T. margarine
3 T. flour
1 ½ tsp salt
¼ cup grated cheddar cheese
1/8 tsp pepper
1 small onion (chopped)
2 ¼ cup milk
1 cup cooked ham (diced)
Pare potatoes; slice thin. Melt margarine in saucepan; add onions and cook until yellowed but not brown. Stir in flour, salt and pepper. Add milk and cook, stirring constantly until thickened and bubbly. Put half of potatoes in a baking dish; pour over half of the sauce; add ham. Top with remaining potatoes and sauce. Sprinkle with cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for about 1 hour or until potatoes are tender. 6-8 servings.
I often skip the onion.
(original recipe from Helen Schnitzmeier)
6 medium sized potatoes
3 T. margarine
3 T. flour
1 ½ tsp salt
¼ cup grated cheddar cheese
1/8 tsp pepper
1 small onion (chopped)
2 ¼ cup milk
1 cup cooked ham (diced)
Pare potatoes; slice thin. Melt margarine in saucepan; add onions and cook until yellowed but not brown. Stir in flour, salt and pepper. Add milk and cook, stirring constantly until thickened and bubbly. Put half of potatoes in a baking dish; pour over half of the sauce; add ham. Top with remaining potatoes and sauce. Sprinkle with cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for about 1 hour or until potatoes are tender. 6-8 servings.
I often skip the onion.
What are you wearing today??
I'm wearing my favorite dark orange long-sleeved t-shirt and my dark jeans.... with crazy striped multicolored socks. What? It's Friday.
The on-going and ever-lasting clothing debate continues. I guess it isn't a debate but more of an ongoing discussion about finding your personal style.
Get Rich Slowly has a great article up about clothing. Go. Read the article and the comments. Come back. Tell me what you think.
Now. Here's what I think. Yup, right on. I began my quest to discover my style in January 2008 with the great closet clean out. I gathered my sister (you can borrow her if you want.... she has great style, is honest, and won't hurt your feelings) and a cup of tea. We started into my closets with the goal of not stopping until we were done.
I discovered what everyone discovers. I wear the same stuff over and over. So I ditched the rest.... to the tune of seven large garbage bags to Good Sam's. And later a giant tub of shoes.
Then I spent a little money on a few items shopping with Elle at Kohl's and getting some capris at Eddie Bauer.
So that was almost 2 years ago. I'm finding my wardrobe needs another overhaul. Frankly, that stuff I bought two years ago is WORN OUT.... I don't care how you launder it and don't put it in the dryer.... wear it every week and it wears out.
Plus I suffer with every season change. I'm moving out of my cute skirts/plain tops/sandals outfits and into jeans and fall clothes. I need something a little classier than my dark jeans three days a week at work.
I have some "Holy Crap It Is Hard To Ditch Baby Number Three Weight" clothes now that I am wearing to work but I need to anticipate Christmas. What items should I ask for to make the perfect work/play wardrobe??
Here's what I'm thinking:
The perfect black cardigan.... maybe cashmere.
Long-sleeved black shirts.... not crew neck... v-neck or something clever..... soft fabulous fabric.
A new scarf or two. I love scarves. Something shorter maybe?
One or two tops... those crazy trendy print ones.
Something fabulous and Eileen Fisher??
Pants... what pants? I have black knit ones (yoga pants) that I wear all the time. What else?
The on-going and ever-lasting clothing debate continues. I guess it isn't a debate but more of an ongoing discussion about finding your personal style.
Get Rich Slowly has a great article up about clothing. Go. Read the article and the comments. Come back. Tell me what you think.
Now. Here's what I think. Yup, right on. I began my quest to discover my style in January 2008 with the great closet clean out. I gathered my sister (you can borrow her if you want.... she has great style, is honest, and won't hurt your feelings) and a cup of tea. We started into my closets with the goal of not stopping until we were done.
I discovered what everyone discovers. I wear the same stuff over and over. So I ditched the rest.... to the tune of seven large garbage bags to Good Sam's. And later a giant tub of shoes.
Then I spent a little money on a few items shopping with Elle at Kohl's and getting some capris at Eddie Bauer.
So that was almost 2 years ago. I'm finding my wardrobe needs another overhaul. Frankly, that stuff I bought two years ago is WORN OUT.... I don't care how you launder it and don't put it in the dryer.... wear it every week and it wears out.
Plus I suffer with every season change. I'm moving out of my cute skirts/plain tops/sandals outfits and into jeans and fall clothes. I need something a little classier than my dark jeans three days a week at work.
I have some "Holy Crap It Is Hard To Ditch Baby Number Three Weight" clothes now that I am wearing to work but I need to anticipate Christmas. What items should I ask for to make the perfect work/play wardrobe??
Here's what I'm thinking:
The perfect black cardigan.... maybe cashmere.
Long-sleeved black shirts.... not crew neck... v-neck or something clever..... soft fabulous fabric.
A new scarf or two. I love scarves. Something shorter maybe?
One or two tops... those crazy trendy print ones.
Something fabulous and Eileen Fisher??
Pants... what pants? I have black knit ones (yoga pants) that I wear all the time. What else?
Thursday, October 08, 2009
Christmas by the Week WEEK 1
Week #1 - "List Week" Oct 5-11
Make your lists of gift recipients, Christmas cards, menus for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's, goodies to share or to give, favorite meals to prepare ahead, decorations needed, and gifts to make.
Make your lists of gift recipients, Christmas cards, menus for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's, goodies to share or to give, favorite meals to prepare ahead, decorations needed, and gifts to make.
Fall Comfort Foods
Elle just asked me for some meal inspiration. Which is a switch because I'm usually bugging her for help with school lunch packing or ideas for dinner......
Things are a bit chaotic here....
1. I'm still recovering from being sick (so tired) and I smacked my head yesterday (don't ask.... cleaning behind the pellet stove and that blessed elk mount.... need I say more??). So just getting things done is a challenge right now.
2. I'm putting things away from the evacuation pile and the wedding pile. And catching up on laundry... a challenge with no working dryer and below freezing temps outside.
3. We got our first real storm. It is cold here. Right around freezing. So we did the "dig out the winter stuff" from the shed.... it is all piled in the dining room. And I ordered some stuff from Land's End... mittens and hats and such. Sweet really needs a new winter jacket. He has one but it isn't very high quality or warm. And Tuff really needs new boots. And everyone needs those little liner one-size-fits-all knit gloves. Plus some heavy winter socks, and long underwear tops and bottoms. More shopping. Ugh. Paid Sweet a dollar to search for garden hoses under the snow and a dollar for every one he hauled to the lean-to for storage. Bought enough bags of pellets to get to the weekend... hopefully I will have time to take the pickup and get a ton this weekend.
4. Hot is on a diet. No carbs. He swears it works for him. I've been eating some sugar (leftover wedding cake and cinnamon rolls) this week but I finished that up last night so I'm back on the wagon. The no carb thing makes dinner interesting. It seems wrong to make big vats of pasta and eat it in front of Hot. On the other hand.... I could eat an omlet every night and be happy.
5. My "to do" list is multiplying exponentially. Paying off doctor bills from this summer, doing school stuff (fundraisers, book orders, math homework, reading homework, finding library books, checking out the teacher's Amazon wish list....), dealing with cold weather stuff (I must put plastic on the windows this weekend and blow out the flowerbed sprinklers and finish putting porch pots in the garage.... so much for my plans to put my flower beds to bed nicely...), the broken dryer isn't helping, trying to feed everyone healthy-ish but cheap and easy, oh my... it overwhelms sometimes.
So back to the recipe request.... I went for some comfort foods.
Inspiration: Fall Comfort Food
From my mom: Scalloped Potatoes and Ham (I won't mention that you can redneck it and use hot dogs....)
From my aunt: White Bean Chili (This is actually a great crock pot potluck item.... you can tone the hot up or down with green chilies or habanera)
From my grandma: Porcupine Meatballs (serve with garlic mashed potatoes made in the pressure cooker....if you make enough you can have meatball sandwiches the next day)
From the internet: Cube Steak Sandwiches (serve with salad)
From my uncle: Pul Go Gi (We like it with plain rice)
From my friend: Chicken Enchiladas (Elle's recipe)
Up first.... Scalloped (Scalped) Potatoes and Ham....
Things are a bit chaotic here....
1. I'm still recovering from being sick (so tired) and I smacked my head yesterday (don't ask.... cleaning behind the pellet stove and that blessed elk mount.... need I say more??). So just getting things done is a challenge right now.
2. I'm putting things away from the evacuation pile and the wedding pile. And catching up on laundry... a challenge with no working dryer and below freezing temps outside.
3. We got our first real storm. It is cold here. Right around freezing. So we did the "dig out the winter stuff" from the shed.... it is all piled in the dining room. And I ordered some stuff from Land's End... mittens and hats and such. Sweet really needs a new winter jacket. He has one but it isn't very high quality or warm. And Tuff really needs new boots. And everyone needs those little liner one-size-fits-all knit gloves. Plus some heavy winter socks, and long underwear tops and bottoms. More shopping. Ugh. Paid Sweet a dollar to search for garden hoses under the snow and a dollar for every one he hauled to the lean-to for storage. Bought enough bags of pellets to get to the weekend... hopefully I will have time to take the pickup and get a ton this weekend.
4. Hot is on a diet. No carbs. He swears it works for him. I've been eating some sugar (leftover wedding cake and cinnamon rolls) this week but I finished that up last night so I'm back on the wagon. The no carb thing makes dinner interesting. It seems wrong to make big vats of pasta and eat it in front of Hot. On the other hand.... I could eat an omlet every night and be happy.
5. My "to do" list is multiplying exponentially. Paying off doctor bills from this summer, doing school stuff (fundraisers, book orders, math homework, reading homework, finding library books, checking out the teacher's Amazon wish list....), dealing with cold weather stuff (I must put plastic on the windows this weekend and blow out the flowerbed sprinklers and finish putting porch pots in the garage.... so much for my plans to put my flower beds to bed nicely...), the broken dryer isn't helping, trying to feed everyone healthy-ish but cheap and easy, oh my... it overwhelms sometimes.
So back to the recipe request.... I went for some comfort foods.
Inspiration: Fall Comfort Food
From my mom: Scalloped Potatoes and Ham (I won't mention that you can redneck it and use hot dogs....)
From my aunt: White Bean Chili (This is actually a great crock pot potluck item.... you can tone the hot up or down with green chilies or habanera)
From my grandma: Porcupine Meatballs (serve with garlic mashed potatoes made in the pressure cooker....if you make enough you can have meatball sandwiches the next day)
From the internet: Cube Steak Sandwiches (serve with salad)
From my uncle: Pul Go Gi (We like it with plain rice)
From my friend: Chicken Enchiladas (Elle's recipe)
Up first.... Scalloped (Scalped) Potatoes and Ham....
Friday, October 02, 2009
Thursday, October 01, 2009
Evacuation Warning vs Mandatory Evacuation
Friday was a hell of a day. I had a very long and very stressful day at work. Complete with picking up Sweet from school at 3 and going back to an off-site 10-5 meeting. He watched videos on his little dvd player and was an angel but still... It felt like a serious hit to my professionalism, ya know?
AND there was no place to pump.... so I was about dying and hoping nobody said the word b-a-b-y or they risked taking a full shot to the eye from chest level. My plan was to get the girls and stop at a park so the bigs could play and the littlest could nurse.... and then my cell phone rang.
"Honey, go home, sit tight, watch the horizon, and maybe pack a bag or two. I'll call you when I know more...."
WTF?
Big fire. A few miles from our house. Not a big deal, right? But add to the equation a whole forest of red, dead, beetle-kill trees and predictions of high winds and, well, huh.... what IS important in your home?
My 5 minute plan is the kids, the dog and my purse. My 6 minute plan is the kids, the dog, my purse, the cats & the external hard drive. But what do I pack when I have hours and hours to stew about it?
First. Call the in-law's and let them know what is going on.... they are out of town and will be back early the next morning. Then spend much time on the phone talking to... everyone. Lots of people called to ask if we needed help packing up or needed a place to stay. Thank you. I talked to several neighbors including two who needed a place for their horses. Bring 'em down... I have water buckets and all the gates are closed.... just put them in an empty space and make sure they have water.
I paused to daydream about the items I would like to burn up.... the pink countertops in the kitchen, the couch, Hot's swim trunks, the washer and dryer.....
Then pack up photo albums that aren't available digitally, baby books (who am I kidding... the books are blank... but there is a box accompanying each that is full), taxes, last year's worth of bills, camera, various little antiques, jewelry, all the guns (please note: I'm only required to salvage the hunting rifle if it is a serious emergency), all the keys to all the gun locks, safe deposit key, various other paperwork that seems important, 4 days worth of clothing for each of us, hunting pack and licenses for Hot, all gift cards (what? It made total sense at the time), spare car keys, toys (transformers, bakugan, several baby dolls & leapsters)..... at this point I realize whatever I pack up I have to unpack later.... so I stopped.
Then I debated leaving my bridesmaid dress for this weekend. Then I packed it. And all the kids' wedding attire.
Then I called Hot and told him I was sorry to report his swimming trunks burnt in the fire. His "but I've had them since high school" trunks. Teal green baggies with a navy blue pattern. Yes, a speedo would be worse... but not much. So sorry.... all gone... bye-bye.
And I got the small cat carrier down from the garage rafters. And ran the dishwasher and did some laundry. And remembered my dryer is broken and I can't hang laundry out in the smoke. And I put the sprinklers on in the yard. And I took some photos for insurance documentation. And my in-laws helped me shuttle the pickup to town.
And we went to a birthday party on Saturday afternoon. Because, really, it is just a normal day in the rest of the world. But I know I was rattled because I forgot the gift.
And off to my sister's house to make centerpieces and programs. I discovered the fire was her fault. She said, "I hoped for an act of God to bring you to my house for Saturday AND Sunday... I'm very sorry...." We were only planning to go up on Sunday but ended up going on Saturday afternoon because of the smoke and evacuation warning.
But Sunday night was fine and by Tuesday it was cooling off. It rained and snowed on Wednesday.... so much that Hot called me and told me to open the "end of season" celebratory bottle of wine.
And that is the end of my story.....
AND there was no place to pump.... so I was about dying and hoping nobody said the word b-a-b-y or they risked taking a full shot to the eye from chest level. My plan was to get the girls and stop at a park so the bigs could play and the littlest could nurse.... and then my cell phone rang.
"Honey, go home, sit tight, watch the horizon, and maybe pack a bag or two. I'll call you when I know more...."
WTF?
Big fire. A few miles from our house. Not a big deal, right? But add to the equation a whole forest of red, dead, beetle-kill trees and predictions of high winds and, well, huh.... what IS important in your home?
My 5 minute plan is the kids, the dog and my purse. My 6 minute plan is the kids, the dog, my purse, the cats & the external hard drive. But what do I pack when I have hours and hours to stew about it?
First. Call the in-law's and let them know what is going on.... they are out of town and will be back early the next morning. Then spend much time on the phone talking to... everyone. Lots of people called to ask if we needed help packing up or needed a place to stay. Thank you. I talked to several neighbors including two who needed a place for their horses. Bring 'em down... I have water buckets and all the gates are closed.... just put them in an empty space and make sure they have water.
I paused to daydream about the items I would like to burn up.... the pink countertops in the kitchen, the couch, Hot's swim trunks, the washer and dryer.....
Then pack up photo albums that aren't available digitally, baby books (who am I kidding... the books are blank... but there is a box accompanying each that is full), taxes, last year's worth of bills, camera, various little antiques, jewelry, all the guns (please note: I'm only required to salvage the hunting rifle if it is a serious emergency), all the keys to all the gun locks, safe deposit key, various other paperwork that seems important, 4 days worth of clothing for each of us, hunting pack and licenses for Hot, all gift cards (what? It made total sense at the time), spare car keys, toys (transformers, bakugan, several baby dolls & leapsters)..... at this point I realize whatever I pack up I have to unpack later.... so I stopped.
Then I debated leaving my bridesmaid dress for this weekend. Then I packed it. And all the kids' wedding attire.
Then I called Hot and told him I was sorry to report his swimming trunks burnt in the fire. His "but I've had them since high school" trunks. Teal green baggies with a navy blue pattern. Yes, a speedo would be worse... but not much. So sorry.... all gone... bye-bye.
And I got the small cat carrier down from the garage rafters. And ran the dishwasher and did some laundry. And remembered my dryer is broken and I can't hang laundry out in the smoke. And I put the sprinklers on in the yard. And I took some photos for insurance documentation. And my in-laws helped me shuttle the pickup to town.
And we went to a birthday party on Saturday afternoon. Because, really, it is just a normal day in the rest of the world. But I know I was rattled because I forgot the gift.
And off to my sister's house to make centerpieces and programs. I discovered the fire was her fault. She said, "I hoped for an act of God to bring you to my house for Saturday AND Sunday... I'm very sorry...." We were only planning to go up on Sunday but ended up going on Saturday afternoon because of the smoke and evacuation warning.
But Sunday night was fine and by Tuesday it was cooling off. It rained and snowed on Wednesday.... so much that Hot called me and told me to open the "end of season" celebratory bottle of wine.
And that is the end of my story.....
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