Another Addiction

I went to a Pampered Chef party last night. I had so much fun looking at all the cooking gadgets. It was so hard not to buy lots and lots. I decided to just host a party and get a few things. So some of you that read this get ready for your invites :)

I have decided that unlike others who love to cook, I simply love to get recipes. I love cookbooks, Cooking Light magazine, and All Recipes.com. I am forever tearing pages out of the multitude of magazines I subscribe to. I have a binder of these pages organized and in plastic sleeves. I will say I have used some of these recipes at least once to see if we like it and /or what I should change. I just find that I have more pages to place in the binder than I actually use. I'm sure if I ever started to compare recipes I would even find some that are basically the same with a different name.

I do wish I loved to cook and bake. I like to do it, but the time and effort needed I just don't seem to have often. So I seem to stick to my handful of regular dishes and just keep get new recipes to put in a pile. And God Forbid if this pile was ever trashed or recycled!!! The horror!!!
Perhaps one day I will love it. I'm thinking that day might be after I get all my new Pampered Chef items.

Updates

Thanks to all for your comments on my shoe dilemma. I will be returning these and looking for something else. Especially since I got a traffic ticket for "disregarding a stop sign". I need the cash to get my license back. I do kinda like the idea of me in leopard, but not sure these do it. Plus now that people know I wear leopard and leather to the park (thanks a lot JS), I think I will just wait to find the right pair.

Something I want to clear up... it has come to my attention that there was a little confusion about my recent posting about the clogged toilet that husband didn't fix. 1. He did not clog it. Little tiny Bridget did :) 2. In our house he is not the gross guy. I do the vomit, blood, and poop. He does other stuff like bugs and dead mice. So, some seemed concerned that my husband was not very good. He is! I just thought it was a rather funny moment and the fact that he would call my dad was even better. And now that this is in print I can't deny what I said. Good thing he doesn't read this blog :)

That should do it for today. Thanks for reading.

Girls, I need help

So I know this is weird, but I need to get some feedback. I got these shoes and really liked them until I got home and showed Tom. He was not as taken with them as I was. I too began not really knowing if I liked them on me or not.

I do kinda think a round toe makes my feet look fatter and short. Maybe the leopard is good, but need a pointy toe?

SSSSSOOOOOO.... I am asking you, my friends to give my HONEST feedback. B helped me take these photos too.

Joan, just think about what UB would comment on in their message board about this post :)

thanks!

No Wonder Bambi's Dad Was Shot

As you might be able to tell from the heading I am so not liking deer right now. In fact I down right hate them. I am so sick of these animals eating every single plant I put in dirt. Even kinds that are "deer proof" they eat! And the poop! I can't walk in my front yard without hopping over many a pile.



I spent a couple of hours Saturday redoing my front flower garden with fall plants. It looked good with the different color mums. I was smart and did not plant the kale that I like because I knew the deer would eat it. I also figured the deer would enjoy the pansy, so I said no to those too. Even though it was all mums, I was pleased.

Flash to Sunday morning. I figured that when I woke up I would be missing one newly planted flower garden. Imagine my surprise when I looked out and saw the mums still in tack. I was so excited.

Excitement short lived. I awoke this morning to find not only had the mums been eaten down to roots, they had also been uprooted and strewn about my front lawn!!! They also made a mess of my phlox that I planted this spring in hopes that they would return next year. I am so pissed! I might as well just plant dollar bills and see if the eat those.

How is it with an entire forest preserve, that they live in, they can't find food? Why do they eat my plants and leave the neighbor's alone? I am just so tired of trying to have a nice flower bed only to have it ruined. Like I don't have enough ruined items due to my kids, why outside too?

So I say, watch out deer I no longer find you cute. I am now into finding ways to get you away from my property! Any hunters out there?

What If I was Gone?

I took a few hours "off" today and went to a few stores to return some things. Husband was at home "watching " the kids. Actually he was in the man room watching the football game, but as long as I could count on him to dial 911 if needed I was fine. I enjoyed my alone time and even stopped at the store for a few ingredients he needed for dinner.

When I came home I was informed that there was a small problem.
I asked,"Other than A sleeping extra long?"
Him: Yup.
Me: What could it be?
him: The upstairs toilet is clogged and I can't seem to fix it. So I left it for you to look at.
Me: So you are going back downstairs to watch the game knowing the toilet is clogged?
Him: Yup.
Me: What would you do if I was, dare I say, on vacation or worse dead? Would you never use the toilet?
Him: No, I'd call your dad or a plumber.

Needless to say, I did fix the toilet in no time flat. So all is back to normal. Mom fixing, Dad watching football.

First Piggies!

Here is a shot of A's first set of piggies. She is the one who asked for them, and who knew she had enough hair to make them. It took a few minutes for me to get used to them, but I really like them. She looks so big now to me. I might have to go back to her everyday pony on the top of her head.

Up Close With A Hawk

I was sitting on the porch that the house across my street when all of a sudden I saw this beautiful hawk fly over. I have seen them around, but never this close. Here he was right on the top of their roof. It was so cool! Even as he flew away I was in awe.

I did also remind Mr Hawk that across the street at my house I have a great lunch and dinner buffet of all you can eat chipmunks, squirrel, and mice. I really hope he takes me up on my offer.

Time to Say Good-Bye

I can't believe that this day has come. This bear was won by my parents when B was born. They won it in a raffle and we used it for B's first Christmas photos. She was so little that she basically sat in the bear's lap. As soon as we made our basement into a playroom Grandma and Grandpa were happy to give us the bear. It has been with us for a few years, but due to some bad rips it is time to put him down. B was a little sad as I am, but it was a good 5 years. As I put him out in the garbage, I knew I had to take a final photo.

So, good-bye friend, you will be missed. Thanks for your endless cuddles, hugs, and pillow time.

Never Thought I'd Hear This

B received a great package in the mail yesterday from her best buddy Drake. As she began taking the items out she exclaimed, "Wow! That Drake sure knows how to buy a girl a present!"
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As we were eating dinner:
B: Mom you are going to change your outfit before you go to my school's Open House?

Me: I wasn't thinking of changing.

B: Mom, this is a big day for me, so you should put on something nicer.
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@ Midnight:

B: Sorry to wake you mom, but I'm all out of underwear.

Me: Don't worry we will figure it out in the morning.

(just to let you know I then spent the rest of the night trying to figure out how she could be out of underwear for I had just done laundry. And also tyring to figure out when I was going to do laundry before school. needless to say she was NOT out of underwear.)
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Getting dressed today:
Me: A what do you want in your hair today? Pony or Barrette?
A: Piggy
Me: Piggies? I'm not sure I can do piggies in your hair.
A: Piggy mom!

I did do piggies and she is super cute. Post photo later.

Just Call Me Bob Villa

After dropping B off at school I took A with me to Lowe's. I wanted to get mums for the flower beds and a set of saw horses. Now to some of you this might sound strange, but I have decided that I need a set. Perhaps now I will finish a few more of my wonderful decorating ideas. I would have finished them ages ago, but didn't have saw horses.

So after finding the horses and convincing A that they really do fit in the cart they are not "to big" I went to look at lights. I have decided project number one for the day would be replacing the 2 very old and very gross kitchen lights. I found a good one for under 20 dollars, so I bought 2 and went in search of mums.

With all my new items, home we went. A decided to watch Elmo, and I though it would be a good time to do the lights. I have never changed out a light fixture, but I did watch my dad do the ones in the basement. Plus I had directions, so really how hard could it be?

Well to start, I decided turning off the main power would be a good idea. My dad just goes with the theory that if the switch is off so is the power. Makes sense, but I didn't want to find out this is sometimes wrong with only A in the house with me. So off went the power. After removing the old light I found that these wires are also wrapped in cloth. This means there are no black wires which the directions tell me to use. I figured the red one is probably the same since there was a white one. Just to be sure I called Dad. And I was right! Next came hooking the wires together. Not as simple as it looks to wrap wires around each other while holding a breakable light fixture above my head. I soon found out that I did not have a large enough plastic cap. (Found this out by calling my dad again). By this time an hour had past and I still did not have a light plus it was time to go get B from school.

On the way home we made a quick stop at the local ACE for more caps and electrical tape (just to be safe). I decided the girls would have to eat in the living room since the kitchen table was being used for parts. This was to their delight and they even got me to turn on the tv. Wow! with the right cap the light went right up. I did it!!! The second one was not so easy. The screw holes were not lined up right so it was very difficult. But I did it!!!

Now I have 2 new, clean lights that I am very proud of. All for under 45 dollars! I guess these home shows I watch do pay off :)

We Have Reading!

B came home from school yesterday upset that they are beginning to read. I found her being upset a little strange. She loves books and now often speaks in first letters. Her first letter speak goes like this... "Mom can I have a S?" S translated is snack. Anyway, I quickly deduced that since my daughter is a perfectionist, reading is hard for her. Hence she hates it.

It was a nice surprise that I went to the library and picked out a few books while she was at school. We sat down with the pile and she picked this one out. She read it all by herself! I did have to help with a couple of words like "everyone", but I was so excited. We have a reader!!!

She was so proud of herself that she read the book many times during the day. She read it to daddy, and even to little A for her night, night book. I'm sure most of the book is now said from memory, but that is how reading all begins right?

I did go the extra step and asked her at bed time if she still thought reading was "stupid". And with a smile she replied, "Nope, it is easy." Oh my work here is done :)

I will definetly be reserving more Biscuit books from our library.

Most people were surprised to find that the horrible, ear piercing screams that were being made all during take- off came from this sweet little thing. She doesn't look naughty or even capable of screaming does she?

Let me tell you that I felt bad for all passengers on the plane during this flight. Poor A just didn't want to sit in her seat. She just kept telling me in between her tears and screams,"Scarry Momma!!! and Not Fair!" Big sister B was not much help as she continued to ask me for ear plugs so she wouldn't have to hear all this noise. As soon as we were finished with take-off all things returned to normal.

That is until landing time :)

Everything Else Is Recalled

Since most toys these days have been recalled, I have resorted to the basics.

Today B decided to make horses for each of them. I was impressed with her great horse heads. I also like the use of pipe cleaners for the reigns. Little A was responsible for getting the hats. "You can't ride a horse without a hat mommy." I was told. How right she is. Good thing I had gone to Costco and picked up these great boxes or who know what we would have done. The girls also made a stable downstairs for their horses.

Who knew one day it would be a bag, the next a box? Perhaps tomorrow I will give them some sticks and see what they can do.

Little Helpers

Let me begin by saying the girls have not had much sleep these past days, so they are getting very moody. I was trying to prepare dinner when B came at me for help with another "great" art and craft project. She has been on an art and craft kick all day. Many of her ideas entail me doing most of the work. So needless to say I tried to get her to help me with dinner instead.

Not so willing to help until little A wanted to help too. Now all of a sudden the big sister can't wait to help me. Again, this does not work well when I give each different jobs, yet they still fight over one job. I practically had a full brawl over the baggie of crackers that A was crushing. "So help them if they pop open that bag!" I thought to myself. Well actually I said that line out loud to them. But I'm sure I thought something more vulgar to myself.

After crackers were crushed (into a fine power) the fight over who was going to mix began. I was able to solve this a little due to redirecting B to her art and craft. As I was helping B little A decided to stop using the fork to mix the crab cakes and use her hands. Oh wait she is not using her hands to mix, she is using them to EAT the crab mixture. Apparently she likes the mayo!

So washing of hands and mouth began. Now if they both would just leave me alone for 5 minutes I could be finished. I guess the only way I can get them to leave me alone is to yell at them. This I found out after actually doing it. Poor B had no idea what was going on. She was actually covering her ears as she cried and ran upstairs. Little A did not care that I yelled, she just cared about why B was crying. What a good, sweet sister.

After I calmed down I went upstairs to get B in the bath and found her asleep on her bed. I woke her up and gave her a quick shower. I did not want her to rest now for she would not go to bed later if she did. Little A also wanted a bath the shower was not going to work for her.

I decided to let B stay in the bath so she could make sure A did not drowned while I finished up dinner. Yup- mother of the year!

Funny, Tom came home just as all was good. I did however make him get the girls out of the tub. He was not happy until I informed him that they were all ready washed.

Dinner finished, dishes done, and to bed thy girls have gone. I hope tomorrow is better.

Sad Day

Today is the day. It is the day that our good friends from across the street are moving. B has been dreading this day for awhile now. One of her best buddies and first crush(buddy's older brother) are moving to Colorado. I too am sad, not because a good friend of mine is moving, but because I know my little girl is sad. It is much different when she is sad than just me being sad.

I don't really think of their move as bad for me. In fact it gives me someone else to chat with on the phone, more mail, another blog to read, and a place to visit. But B finds this as just the worst thing ever." Who will she play with now?" I know in a few weeks she will make a bunch of friends at school to play-date with, but for now this is just sad.

I will have to find something else to do than look out the window at their house and wonder if they are willing to take my daughter for an hour. B will have to find someone else to call to play at any time during the day.

It seems rather fitting that as soon as the movers finished packing the truck it started to rain.

Big and Little

This has to be one of my favorite photos. This is big football player, cousin Michael with little A walking hand in hand. I just love that Mike has to lean down so they can hold hands. It is just so cute. For a guy that could crush her if he stepped on her, he is so sweet and gentle. I probably shouldn't let that out since he is a big, tough guy, but who really reads this blog anyway :)

Go Wildcats!!!

We made these shirts to wear to all of the Northwestern football games. I wanted the girls to have a little more than the typical Northwestern purple shirt to support their cousin. So we had fun creating these. Uncle Danny thought they were great and the girls were very excited to put them on for the tailgate Saturday. The only sad part was that Cousin Michael didn't get to see them in their shirts. Lucky for us we have many more games to wear them to. And the shirts must be good luck, for the Wildcats pulled a win out at the last minute.

Oh No!

Well I can't believe it has happened again. It has been a week without it and again it is gone. What am I talking about, you ask? Our Satellite dish. Yes that means no tv. The roofers took the dish down yesterday to lay the shingles and when the replaced the dish...No workie! I myself have no problem with this, but knowing my husband I knew he would. He was out at a Cubs game so I took it upon myself to call directv and get a repair guy here ASAP. The best ASAP I could get is Saturday morning. I figured that will work since it will be before the Northwestern game and Sunday night football. So I was feeling rather proud of myself. That is until the husband came home.

His first thing to do was, not say hello, not give me a kiss, not check on his girls, not ask about my day. No, it was to call Directv again and demand that they turn on his signal. Like they can do that.

I did mention he had been at the Cubs game right? That would indicate to most that he was not, may I say, sober when he got in. So I felt very sorry for the person on the other end of the phone.

In all of my proud planning I had failed to know that there was a game on that moment that he wanted to see. How could I!? I decided that it was time for me to go to bed after taking a migraine pill. I figured that this conversation was going no where fast and I didn't want to be around for the end result.

fast forward to today... No dish still, and a night filled with many awake hours due to husband not sleeping. Hope it all works out tomorrow and my husband gets his baby back.

What A Great Idea

Yesterday at Grandpa and Grandma's house a clubhouse began. Thanks to creative Grandpa again. There are windows that open, and even a sunroof! The only thing missing was a little color.

My idea for today, so we wouldn't be here with the roofers, was to go paint the clubhouse. What a great idea! The girls had a great time. And by time I mean they painted outside for over an hour. As you can see I had to set a time limit on the painting when the brushes were left at the wayside and the hands were used. I'm not even sure the hands were used to paint as much as the paint was used to cover the hands. It is definitely a bath night tonight too. I just hope I get all the paint off before B goes back to school tomorrow.

The roofers are no longer here, but the roof is not finished. Strange, but perhaps they are out to lunch. Or perhaps they went to get some water. Yesterday they came to work on the roof without water! I found this stupid and my husband found this sad. He actually wanted me to go buy water and give it to them. Now I'm not that mean, I just think if grown men, who do this for a living, don't bring water with them on a 90 degree day why should I give them some? As you can guess I did not bring them any. In my defense I was at my parent's house for most of the day. I figured A was not going to sleep with all the hammering going on. Not that she slept at grandma's either, but it was worth a shot.

Exercise?

I decided to get up at 6:00 this morning so I could get in a little exercise before the kids got up and the roofers came. Well, I decided that I did not feel like going to the gym nor going for a bike ride. I decided to spice things up a bit and go do the yoga DVD I have in the basement.

Before I began my yoga I thought I should put the sheets in the dryer since they had been in the washer over night. And while I was there at the washing machine I figured I should get a start on the many loads of laundry I have to do today. So I looked a one of the baskets and began sorting. I'm sure there is some yoga move that looks like bending into a laundry basket, turning to the side to throw shirt into pile, and then going back for more. Ok, load in washer, one in dryer, and all laundry in piles on floor. Onto the DVD!

Oh now where is that DVD? I swear it has been down here for weeks. Why can I not find it?! Well maybe if I clean out this cabinet I will find it. So as I began to pull things out I find myself asking "why in the world do we have so many cord and directional booklets for the dish box?" "Do we really need 3 of these books?" I should put all this crap away. There, now that looks better. Still no DVD.

Oh wait I could use the yoga book! I finally began my yoga. Oh this feels good. Remember to breath and relax. Don't think about all the things I have to do today, just breath and relax. Oh no! I did not just hear the squeak on the crib bar coming down did I? No, that can not be the sound of little feet coming down the stairs! I am doing my yoga!!! It is my alone time!!!

Well I guess 15 minutes of yoga is better than nothing right? Plus I should figure in the number of calories I burned from laundry and cabinet cleaning.

Guess now I know why I go to the gym or for a bike ride.

1st Day Report

Here she is, my big Kindergartner! She looks so grown up now. She swears she is sooo big, "like a 7 year old". I however, hate to try to imagine my baby as 7.

Her day went very well. As B says "it was just great!"

I took her this morning only to find that on the first day all parents take their kids to their classroom. I'm not sure if this is due to the kids not wanting to carry all their supplies, or if the parents really want to see their 7th grader's classroom.

Whatever the reason, it meant there were very few parking spots open in the huge lot. I, lucky in parking, found a spot and didn't have to walk miles.

When we got in the building B found her name on her locker and opened it right away. In the classroom she found her name tag and gave me a big hug. That was it. All the nerves that she had been talking about seemed to vanish. I'm not even sure I even got a "look back" as I left the room.

I myself had no tears either. I found that 2 years of pre- school and 3 years of day care prepared me for this day. Perhaps when A goes to school I will shed a tear. For now my eyes are all dry.

Kindergarten Eve

B is not looking forward to start her kindergarten year. She has told me that she is a little scared and a lot nervous. We talked about it and I reminded her that she knows her teacher from the summer program, and she probably will know some of the kids too. She didn't really seem to care. It seems to be all about the new school concept. I reminded her that she knows how to open her locker and that she knows one of the 3rd grade teachers too. Again, didn't seem to help much. Oh I give up! After the 5th "I'm just so shy" I told her it was time for bed and I would see her in the morning. So wish us luck and I will let you know how it goes.

I've Been "Bitten"

Today I had a "day off" and so I did what I normally do on this kinda day. I went shopping alone :) I wanted to find a few things for the girls now that the weather is going to begin getting cooler. I soooo enjoy looking around a store without any kids.

One place that I have wanted to go check out is the Steve and Barry store that carries the Sarah Jessica Parker line, Bitten. I really like her and wanted to check out her "great fashions" so I grabbed my sister and off we went.

I was surprised by the amount of clothes in her line. However after trying on a number of things I was beginning to lose my excitement. Don't get me wrong I did buy a few things, but I don't think I really LOVED much. There is a difference between the $14.00 jeans I bought and the $50.00 pairs I have bought from other places. I thought the sizing was a little off. I do have large arms, but still, even large size sweaters didn't fit well. I did get a cute cropped jean jacket however. And pants... Well not the best for us larger thigh and butt girls. But it was still fun and I did find a cute sweater for A. I don't think I will go back for any major shopping, but perhaps for a few basics. I can't give up on her just yet.

ARGH!!

I have now spent the better part of nap time trying to print 2 photos. I have not been able to get my photo printer to print photos since we upgraded our computer. Every photo comes out dark. And by dark I mean basically black. I am so pissed. I have been on the Epson troubleshooting site and downloaded stuff and tried all sorts of things. No luck. Still too dark. So now I have used time, photo paper, and ink all for nothing. It is just one of those days where technology really sucks.

On the up side to my day I made a batch of really good oatmeal cookies. I even added some flax for an additional dose of Omega 3. So I guess I will go eat a few more cookies, wait for the Omegas to kick in their added brain power, and try printing again.