A few weeks ago, WEEKS, I snagged a recipe from Annie at Real life Living (An awesome blog if you need info on cost cutting (who doesn't?) and super amazing recipes). Te recipe was for something called a Pumpkin Roll.
The minute I saw the recipe I KNEW I had to bake it! But, Im not sure If me and the Pumpkin Roll are meant to be.
The first hurdle (of many) I had to jump was my internet. I had clicked over to Annie's source for her pumpkin roll and read the recipe, an hour or so later I tried to go back to make sure I had all the ingredients on hand so I could make it that very afternoon and the page would not open. I was able to pen any other page AND other people could open the recipe page, just - not me!
Annie of course, came to my recipe, copy and pasting the list of ingredients I needed and emailing them to me. I had everything I would need but for the Pure Pumpkin. No problem, I went to the store after dropping Logan off to school and picked up a can.
I went home, set the cream chese out to soften, got all my ingredients assembled on the counter and then...
...And then I searched high and low, then low and high then left to right for my goddamn pan that I freaking KNOW I OWN, with no luck.
I called my in-laws, knowing my MIL would have the pan I needed, but of course they were not home. I wasn't horribly upset, I put the stuff away and decided to make it the next day.
But the next day was Music class, so it was pushed to the next and then the next day.
Finally, a week or so had passed with no sign of the pumpkin roll, and hubs asked me about it. I told him, yup, I'm going to make it this week. Except, in the middle of getting all the ingredients out - THREE TIMES - that week, the power went out.
Then yesterday I got everything out. I made two pumpkin pies, had my cream cheese on the counter nice and soft, raced for my can opener to open up the pure pumpkin and..
...And my can opener broke into seven pieces!
Yeah. It's like that.
Last night hubs fixed my can opener. This morning I once again got everything ready. I turned on the oven to pre-heat. Then I made a pot of coffee. I sat at the computer re reading the recipe, making sure I was ready to bake.
That's when I realized I had neglected to wash the tea towel I need to use in this recipe. (you have to wrap the cake part of the roll and leave it wrapped for an hour to make it curve, but you need a specific kind of towel so that the towel and cake do not stick together.) I only have one of them, so now I am sitting here, waiting for the washer to ding so I can switch it around and then wait for the towel to dry.
What else can go wrong? Seriously. I promised both the in laws and my dad that I would bring a pumpkin roll for Christmas eve/Christmas dinner and I am RUNNING OUT OF TIME.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Friday, December 19, 2008
Nobody Knows the Troubles I've Known
The car broke in the brake area.
LOL. that amuses me.
(STFU, little things amuse me and that's OK)
OK, wait, it doesn't amuse me that the brakes are Broken, becuase broken breaks aren't funny, they are scary and expensive, its the play on words that amuses me. I'm just not that into death and dismemberment.
In the past week I have gotten either a ride or had my neighbor drive Logan to class three times, and it bugs me. Ive taken her boy once all year. ONCE! Not very fair, wouldn't you say?
So I've been thinking about Christmas. Our neighbors are great people, with the exception of how early they go to bed. I like talking to them, and the kids love playing together. I'd like to get them something for Christmas, more than a box of chocolates, but less than, say, a subscription to a wine of the month club.
But WHAT? There are six days between now and Christmas, and tonight hubs and I are going out to finish up. all we have left is stocking stuffers. Tonight is the last time we will brave the malls and the hordes of people, so I have to decided on somehting now, today!
Any Ideas?
LOL. that amuses me.
(STFU, little things amuse me and that's OK)
OK, wait, it doesn't amuse me that the brakes are Broken, becuase broken breaks aren't funny, they are scary and expensive, its the play on words that amuses me. I'm just not that into death and dismemberment.
In the past week I have gotten either a ride or had my neighbor drive Logan to class three times, and it bugs me. Ive taken her boy once all year. ONCE! Not very fair, wouldn't you say?
So I've been thinking about Christmas. Our neighbors are great people, with the exception of how early they go to bed. I like talking to them, and the kids love playing together. I'd like to get them something for Christmas, more than a box of chocolates, but less than, say, a subscription to a wine of the month club.
But WHAT? There are six days between now and Christmas, and tonight hubs and I are going out to finish up. all we have left is stocking stuffers. Tonight is the last time we will brave the malls and the hordes of people, so I have to decided on somehting now, today!
Any Ideas?
Class Auction
Once a month the kids have a class auction. So far, it is just Parker's class that does it, but when Blake is in a higher grade he will as well.
Hubs hates the class auction. He thinks it is horrible the school makes us buy something once a month to give away. He's a big ol grinch.
Me? I like them, see, the kids get coupons for behaving, for doing well on a test for keeping their desk clean and all sorts of things. The coupons are traded in once a month for monopoly money and the auction is held.
The auctions at the end of the month are just a little extra for the kids to look forward to. I use my computer memory to keep the auction dates straight, becuase we all know I won't remember on my own, and Parker and I go to the dollar store and spend some one on one time choosing auction items. Some days, like we did last night, we head to the convenience store and get candy for auction - candy ALWAYS sells well LOL.
Hubs hates the class auction. He thinks it is horrible the school makes us buy something once a month to give away. He's a big ol grinch.
Me? I like them, see, the kids get coupons for behaving, for doing well on a test for keeping their desk clean and all sorts of things. The coupons are traded in once a month for monopoly money and the auction is held.
The auctions at the end of the month are just a little extra for the kids to look forward to. I use my computer memory to keep the auction dates straight, becuase we all know I won't remember on my own, and Parker and I go to the dollar store and spend some one on one time choosing auction items. Some days, like we did last night, we head to the convenience store and get candy for auction - candy ALWAYS sells well LOL.
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Christmas Carols and School
I'm getting so so so tired of hearing that this song of that has been banned at a school Christmas play becuase OMG it makes references to Christianity! I am not a Christian, in fact, I have no religious affiliation whatsoever ...
Sure, I don't wander round Googleing for Christian videos, but if I happened to find one on a website, i wouldn;t freak out over it. Nor do i freak out over the fact that my own children will be singing Oh Holy Night in their Christmas play next Wednesday. It's a song people, it's not gonna hurt you!
Sure, I don't wander round Googleing for Christian videos, but if I happened to find one on a website, i wouldn;t freak out over it. Nor do i freak out over the fact that my own children will be singing Oh Holy Night in their Christmas play next Wednesday. It's a song people, it's not gonna hurt you!
Power Outage - Again
Today we had another Power outage. Again, it was right at supper time, and again, the power company had no estimated time fro when the power would be back on.
This happened just a few weeks ago, and the power was out for 13 hours. some retard shot the power transformer thingy and power was out for 100k people.
The horrid thing about today's outage, besides the fact it was once again at supper time, was that with the windchill it was -40 outside, and without power the fan in the furnace doesn't turn and without the fan, well, it was getting cold fast.
This kids were hungry, and so were we, and with no estimate of when the power was coming back, Hubs and I made the executive decision to drive into the city and eat at a restaurant. This itself is kind of perilous as we were uncertain how long it would take us to get our order and eat - would the car get too cold to start back up?
Thankfully, even though it took 35 minutes to get our order taken, the car started fine, but I am beginning to get really REALLY annoyed at the power company. They are our only choice for a power provider, so we cannot even threaten to take our business elsewhere. In the past five months we have had five major - lasting 12 hours or more- power outages, and only one of those outages - the shooting- has come with an explanation.
It's not as if I am asking them to turn water into Fenphedra, I just want to have a reliable source of power!
This happened just a few weeks ago, and the power was out for 13 hours. some retard shot the power transformer thingy and power was out for 100k people.
The horrid thing about today's outage, besides the fact it was once again at supper time, was that with the windchill it was -40 outside, and without power the fan in the furnace doesn't turn and without the fan, well, it was getting cold fast.
This kids were hungry, and so were we, and with no estimate of when the power was coming back, Hubs and I made the executive decision to drive into the city and eat at a restaurant. This itself is kind of perilous as we were uncertain how long it would take us to get our order and eat - would the car get too cold to start back up?
Thankfully, even though it took 35 minutes to get our order taken, the car started fine, but I am beginning to get really REALLY annoyed at the power company. They are our only choice for a power provider, so we cannot even threaten to take our business elsewhere. In the past five months we have had five major - lasting 12 hours or more- power outages, and only one of those outages - the shooting- has come with an explanation.
It's not as if I am asking them to turn water into Fenphedra, I just want to have a reliable source of power!
Friday, December 12, 2008
Location, Location LOCATION!!
Yep. I missing out on another review becuase of where I live. I saw a sweet review opportunity for a grill today, but I can't even apply to review it becuase I live in Canada.
Now, from what I understand, and I *could* be wrong, is that companies have different PR groups. Like a PR group based in the US may NOT send a review to Canada, but if the company had a branch in Canada, the Canadian branch could send out the product. It might be that more companies based solely in the US are doing product reviews, and if so, I wonder what I would have to do to get the word out to Canadian companies that there are tonnes of Canadian bloggers willing to test their product and try it out.
I mean, it would be cheaper to supply the product for a few hundred, say, Hydroxycut reviews, than it would be to take out print and TV ads to tell people about the product, and money right now is tight, I think, even for the big companies...
Now, from what I understand, and I *could* be wrong, is that companies have different PR groups. Like a PR group based in the US may NOT send a review to Canada, but if the company had a branch in Canada, the Canadian branch could send out the product. It might be that more companies based solely in the US are doing product reviews, and if so, I wonder what I would have to do to get the word out to Canadian companies that there are tonnes of Canadian bloggers willing to test their product and try it out.
I mean, it would be cheaper to supply the product for a few hundred, say, Hydroxycut reviews, than it would be to take out print and TV ads to tell people about the product, and money right now is tight, I think, even for the big companies...
sigh
Well folks, it's official. I do not deserve to know, let alone type the words Diet, diet pill or exercises EVER again!
Why?
Because right now, at this exact moment, hubs is at the store, as per my request, getting snackage. Chocolate, chips, pop and of course, chip dip. OMG I love chip dip!
What right do I have to complain about my weight when i do nothing to stop its increase but blog about how dissatisfied I am?
It's time to either say good bye to snacks (yeah right) or become comfortable with who I am, chub and all!
Why?
Because right now, at this exact moment, hubs is at the store, as per my request, getting snackage. Chocolate, chips, pop and of course, chip dip. OMG I love chip dip!
What right do I have to complain about my weight when i do nothing to stop its increase but blog about how dissatisfied I am?
It's time to either say good bye to snacks (yeah right) or become comfortable with who I am, chub and all!
Monday, December 08, 2008
Canada's Worst Driver
Every Monday we watch Canada's Worst Driver. Have you heard of this show before?If the idea that these people are on Canadian roads RIGHT now, wasn't so freaking terrifying, this show would be hilarious!!
It's on right now, I'm sitting on the couch typing during commercials. The challenge that the drivers must go through right now is called "The eye of the needle". They have a van, and a Styrofoam cut out with at least one, and probably two feet clearance on all sides. They need to drive through the arch without, ya know, hitting it.
They all hit it. Multiple times.
One of the tests they had to go through was a simple test. They were shown different signs, like an exit sign, yield signs, train crossing signs, and had to identify them.
Not a single one of them could identify all the signs. AND THEY ARE STILL ON THE ROAD!!!
It's on right now, I'm sitting on the couch typing during commercials. The challenge that the drivers must go through right now is called "The eye of the needle". They have a van, and a Styrofoam cut out with at least one, and probably two feet clearance on all sides. They need to drive through the arch without, ya know, hitting it.
They all hit it. Multiple times.
One of the tests they had to go through was a simple test. They were shown different signs, like an exit sign, yield signs, train crossing signs, and had to identify them.
Not a single one of them could identify all the signs. AND THEY ARE STILL ON THE ROAD!!!
LOLz With Kids
The following conversation should NOT have caught me by surprise.
And the reason the conversations should NOT have surprised me is that Hubs owns a PS2, a PS3, a PSP, a Wii, and the boys each have their own Nintendo DS. (Or at least, after this Christmas when Logan get's his, they all will LOL)
It should have come as no surprise that the boys would think of a game system when thinking of their dad in terms of gifts, after all, most nights they see him load up a game and play - of course, most nights, they are playing the game right along side of him. It might just be that the boys want an XBox more than they want to give one to hubs!!
"Mom. What are we getting Dad for Christmas?"
"Hmmm. I dunno. What do you think he would like?"
"Me and Blake and Logan were talking and we think we should give Dad an xbox 360!!"
"WHAT?!!"
And the reason the conversations should NOT have surprised me is that Hubs owns a PS2, a PS3, a PSP, a Wii, and the boys each have their own Nintendo DS. (Or at least, after this Christmas when Logan get's his, they all will LOL)
It should have come as no surprise that the boys would think of a game system when thinking of their dad in terms of gifts, after all, most nights they see him load up a game and play - of course, most nights, they are playing the game right along side of him. It might just be that the boys want an XBox more than they want to give one to hubs!!
Oh Dear....
Parker is only nine. NINE. he has been washing his face nightly with acne preventatives for a year, but he is STILL getting hte occasional zit. Actually, Im not sure if zit is the right word, he gets these... bumps along side his nose. They are int eh right place for a zit, but other than being in the shape of a bump, don;t look like a zit. They have no.. head? they are just bumps, no icky pus inside of them.
But it still worries me, regardless. See, if he is having issues with "Maybe-Acne" now, before puberty, what will happen when he actually HITS puberty??!
I tell myself that I shouldn't worry, that there is no point in worrying because we aren't there yet, not for a while yet, I hope, but I still spend a fair amount of time researching the best acne treatments available.
I'll just keep my fingers (and toes) crossed that we won't need it!
But it still worries me, regardless. See, if he is having issues with "Maybe-Acne" now, before puberty, what will happen when he actually HITS puberty??!
I tell myself that I shouldn't worry, that there is no point in worrying because we aren't there yet, not for a while yet, I hope, but I still spend a fair amount of time researching the best acne treatments available.
I'll just keep my fingers (and toes) crossed that we won't need it!
Gift Ideas for Boys
- Train set. Not wooden, a real one. If it doesnt move, it's no good.
- Matchbox Cars. My boys have at least 300 already, and trust me, they could always use more.
- Play Dough and cookies cutters. Trust me.
- Vinegar and Baking soda. Again, Trust me. Nothing makes my boys happier than me buying both Vinegar and baking Soda in the same shopping trip.
- ball lock pins. Not quite sure what they are, but they look "toolish" and if there is one thing boys like, it's playing with tools. In the same vein, hammers, small pieces of boards, nails and hacksaws are also a great idea. If you can find one cheap, a cordless drill makes an awesome "boy" gift. My four year old is capable of handeling one safely so yours probably is too.
- Candy. Of any kind. Seriously.
- Shoe Boxes. I keep all my shoe boxes and give them to the boys, they take them and store a billion and one things in them. Secret things.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Making money... the sneaky way?
My inlaws live in a little community within our community. They live in a condo block of thirty condos and they are a tight knit group. My father in law is the Condo association president, and as such, the different members often leave their house keys with him while they are on vacation, just in case an water pipe breaks and someone needs to go in and turn off the water or something.
Today they were joking with my sister in law about how many people in the association are on vacation and that they know who is all on vacation and for how long, AND they have keys to all their homes.
My sister in law replied that since neighbor B was on vacation for three months, mom and dad should rent the place out for that time and make some cash on the side. Kind of like one of those vacation rentals, the ones where instead of staying at a hotel, you stay in a house, with all the bonus's of a house, (fridge stove, washer dryer ect). They laughed. I laughed.
I know they would never in a million years do something like that, but it *would* be a nice chunk of change if they DID!
LOL
Today they were joking with my sister in law about how many people in the association are on vacation and that they know who is all on vacation and for how long, AND they have keys to all their homes.
My sister in law replied that since neighbor B was on vacation for three months, mom and dad should rent the place out for that time and make some cash on the side. Kind of like one of those vacation rentals, the ones where instead of staying at a hotel, you stay in a house, with all the bonus's of a house, (fridge stove, washer dryer ect). They laughed. I laughed.
I know they would never in a million years do something like that, but it *would* be a nice chunk of change if they DID!
LOL
Quickie
Just a quickie post for right now, I missed doing a post about thanksgiving, and That is something I normally do. HOWEVER, I do it when the US celebrates thanksgiving LOL
Better late than never, eh?
I am Thankful that we do not celebrate Black Friday in Canada, especially after hearing the news of that poor mans death in Wal*Mart. Senseless. To trample a man to death for a toy on sale. :o(
I am thankful that our car insurance is not due in December. Fro the second year in a row we stupidly got a pet in October, meaning three consecutive months of 100$ bills for the shots. Set number three comes due in two weeks, And I'm happy to not be worrying about my car plates as well.
I am thankful, so very very very very very thankful for the weather we are having right now. The coldest it has gotten has been -10 and most days it sits at PLUS one. According to the news,m it will be down to our regular temperatures by Wednesday ( -25 to -40) but holy hell, have we ever had an awesome November!
And I am thankful for you. Yes YOU. I am so very thankful that you take the time to read this bog, whether in a feed reader or by physically coming here to read, it doesn't matter, just knowing you are out there somewhere makes this all worthwhile.
Better late than never, eh?
I am Thankful that we do not celebrate Black Friday in Canada, especially after hearing the news of that poor mans death in Wal*Mart. Senseless. To trample a man to death for a toy on sale. :o(
I am thankful that our car insurance is not due in December. Fro the second year in a row we stupidly got a pet in October, meaning three consecutive months of 100$ bills for the shots. Set number three comes due in two weeks, And I'm happy to not be worrying about my car plates as well.
I am thankful, so very very very very very thankful for the weather we are having right now. The coldest it has gotten has been -10 and most days it sits at PLUS one. According to the news,m it will be down to our regular temperatures by Wednesday ( -25 to -40) but holy hell, have we ever had an awesome November!
And I am thankful for you. Yes YOU. I am so very thankful that you take the time to read this bog, whether in a feed reader or by physically coming here to read, it doesn't matter, just knowing you are out there somewhere makes this all worthwhile.
I wonder
I had a friend who blogged. One of the things she was doing in her blog was journaling her experience with diet supplements. She had lost a fair bit of weight on her plan, but then had to stop taking them due to a surgery she had.
I wonder how she would be doing if she was still taking the supplements.
And then I wonder how I would be doing if I had stuck to MY plan of taking them.
I think that the reason people sleep at night and not the day is because the dark offers too much chances for us to think of things. And often, thoughts that occur in the dark are themselves dark in nature.
Right now, this very second, though, I am wondering if there is anymore bubble bath left....
I wonder how she would be doing if she was still taking the supplements.
And then I wonder how I would be doing if I had stuck to MY plan of taking them.
I think that the reason people sleep at night and not the day is because the dark offers too much chances for us to think of things. And often, thoughts that occur in the dark are themselves dark in nature.
Right now, this very second, though, I am wondering if there is anymore bubble bath left....
Do I look a little green to you?
This evening was spent at my in laws, hubs sister had come in from out of town. They were on the laptop looking at different flight planning sites trying to make las vegas hotel reservations. After they checked thata all out, they started talking about going to Mexico.
I WISH!
I know that it is very different, how they live to me, but it still makes me a bit green round the edge. their kids are old enough to look after themselves when they go away so they only have to plan for the two of them to go, not the whole family. (And we all know that taking kids instantly quadruples the prices of any vacation!)
One of my least favorite things? Checking out vacation photos of other peoples vacations. Its like torture to me. Seeing all the things they have done and seen, and knowing that while I may get to go there one day, it won't be for quite a while!
*sob* poor pitiful me, eh?
I WISH!
I know that it is very different, how they live to me, but it still makes me a bit green round the edge. their kids are old enough to look after themselves when they go away so they only have to plan for the two of them to go, not the whole family. (And we all know that taking kids instantly quadruples the prices of any vacation!)
One of my least favorite things? Checking out vacation photos of other peoples vacations. Its like torture to me. Seeing all the things they have done and seen, and knowing that while I may get to go there one day, it won't be for quite a while!
*sob* poor pitiful me, eh?
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
SnowBirds in Mexico??
My In laws are die hard Snow Birds - Snow Birds are people of retirement age who go away from home, to a warm place, Usually Arizona, for the winter.
My in laws typically leave either in the beginning of December or the week after Christmas, and stay in Arizona for three months.
This year, instead of Arizona, My in laws are going to Mexico. I know that they are planning on getting a new life insurance quote as well as health coverage - my father in law suffers from heart disease and has had a stroke in the past - but I wonder if they have thought about the water in Mexico.
I'm pretty sure that people who visit Mexico must have a shot to prevent hepatitis. That the hepatitis can be found not just in the water, but in ice cubes as well as int he food that has been cooked in the water.
I will be seeing my mother in law tonight and i will have to remember to mention that to them. I'm sure that my Father in law will be talking to his doctor before they leave and his doctor will mention it as well, but better safe than sorry, right!!
My in laws typically leave either in the beginning of December or the week after Christmas, and stay in Arizona for three months.
This year, instead of Arizona, My in laws are going to Mexico. I know that they are planning on getting a new life insurance quote as well as health coverage - my father in law suffers from heart disease and has had a stroke in the past - but I wonder if they have thought about the water in Mexico.
I'm pretty sure that people who visit Mexico must have a shot to prevent hepatitis. That the hepatitis can be found not just in the water, but in ice cubes as well as int he food that has been cooked in the water.
I will be seeing my mother in law tonight and i will have to remember to mention that to them. I'm sure that my Father in law will be talking to his doctor before they leave and his doctor will mention it as well, but better safe than sorry, right!!
Christmas Idea # 654
With Christmas coming (WOOT!Less than a month!!) have you considered using your Christmas Gifts as a way to promote your blogs?
I leave a Christmas card with Money for my Garbage man, as well as my Mail carrier, but this year I will be including promotional pens in the envelope as well.
People, by nature are curious, and they will go to their computers and enter the URL provided on the pens, and with any luck, they will then be hooked on your site and you will have gained an extra reader!
The more loyal readers the better!
Give it some thought, but don't take too long, it takes a bit of time to get the promotional items made up and mailed to you!
I leave a Christmas card with Money for my Garbage man, as well as my Mail carrier, but this year I will be including promotional pens in the envelope as well.
People, by nature are curious, and they will go to their computers and enter the URL provided on the pens, and with any luck, they will then be hooked on your site and you will have gained an extra reader!
The more loyal readers the better!
Give it some thought, but don't take too long, it takes a bit of time to get the promotional items made up and mailed to you!
Science
Parker, my eldest, was doing a study on weather for his science class last month, and with the term over I wondered what the class would be tackling next.
Turns out they are going to be studying their own bodies!
last night at the dinner table Parker was excited to tell us that this term they will be using microscopes and everything! He said that soon they will be taking a Q-Tip and rubbing the inside of their mouth, then they will get to see the cells in their cheeks.
It's not DNA testing, but it sure does get the kids excited!
I told Parker he ought to take some dog hair to class to view under the microscope, because I think Smokey's hair would look neat!
Turns out they are going to be studying their own bodies!
last night at the dinner table Parker was excited to tell us that this term they will be using microscopes and everything! He said that soon they will be taking a Q-Tip and rubbing the inside of their mouth, then they will get to see the cells in their cheeks.
It's not DNA testing, but it sure does get the kids excited!
I told Parker he ought to take some dog hair to class to view under the microscope, because I think Smokey's hair would look neat!
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Too easy to please
I think that my kids are getting tired of the same old lunch every day! They normally make their own lunches, they take a sandwich a yogurt and then they can pick two snacks from cheese strings, granola bars and rice crispy squares.
Two nights ago we had cheese smokies in a bun and this morning I made their lunches because i wanted to use the buns up. I made them a plain old baloney and cheese sandwhich, but stacked it into the hotdog bun like it was a sub.
You would have thought I had given the kids a lunch made entirely out of chocolate and jelly beans the way they reacted!
When we go shopping this weekend I am going to have to help them find somehting other than a sandwich for lunch.
Two nights ago we had cheese smokies in a bun and this morning I made their lunches because i wanted to use the buns up. I made them a plain old baloney and cheese sandwhich, but stacked it into the hotdog bun like it was a sub.
You would have thought I had given the kids a lunch made entirely out of chocolate and jelly beans the way they reacted!
When we go shopping this weekend I am going to have to help them find somehting other than a sandwich for lunch.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
My son Makes me LOL
We don't watch that much TV here - Or at least I do not! My husband and the boys like cartoons though, and we all enjoy movies. Only ONE of us, however, enjoys commercials and infomercials.
My six year old son, Blake. He can watch the Tide ball commercial(or other commercial) one time and then recite the entire ad while we are in the store standing beside the product. He tries his darnedest to convince me that I need to buy it. He only does this with things that he thinks I need, cleaning supplies, certain "girl" toys like the Easy Bake Oven, anything he thinks will help me.
It's so cute, there is a product called "Sham Wow", and basically it is an orange cloth that is supposed to be a miracle product, but they want 30 bucks for it. You can find the exact same cloths at the dollar store for a DOLLAR, though. One evening while we were at my mother in laws house, Blake was astounded when she brought out her rag to mom up a spill. it was a "Sham Wow" (lol from the dollar store). He proceeded to get a bowl down, fill it with water and do the entire infomercial for us. (the bowl of water - it shows how absorbent the cloth is... or something)
At the rate that drug companies are increasing their advertising time, it will not be long before Blake is telling me to buy Phentermine as we walk down the vitamin isle of the store!
My six year old son, Blake. He can watch the Tide ball commercial(or other commercial) one time and then recite the entire ad while we are in the store standing beside the product. He tries his darnedest to convince me that I need to buy it. He only does this with things that he thinks I need, cleaning supplies, certain "girl" toys like the Easy Bake Oven, anything he thinks will help me.
It's so cute, there is a product called "Sham Wow", and basically it is an orange cloth that is supposed to be a miracle product, but they want 30 bucks for it. You can find the exact same cloths at the dollar store for a DOLLAR, though. One evening while we were at my mother in laws house, Blake was astounded when she brought out her rag to mom up a spill. it was a "Sham Wow" (lol from the dollar store). He proceeded to get a bowl down, fill it with water and do the entire infomercial for us. (the bowl of water - it shows how absorbent the cloth is... or something)
At the rate that drug companies are increasing their advertising time, it will not be long before Blake is telling me to buy Phentermine as we walk down the vitamin isle of the store!
Monday, November 17, 2008
Time to re-organize!
When we moved into our new house the basement was completely empty. Just a cement floor and an unfinished roof. No walls, toilets, lights or outlets! Except for this room. This BADLY planned room:
The room has two doors, one to the furnace side, and one for the storage side. Smack in the middle of the room is the furnace/water heater combo. The combo makes it impossible to go from one side to the other inside the room, they are as good as a wall.
The problem is, there is NO room to get around in the storage part of the room becuase of all the clutter - and becuase the stairs take up a portion of that side of the room.
This weekends chore is to clean out those rooms, there could be so much more done with them if we only organized them properly! The first thing to happen is to move the bookshelves (The wood thing you see in the left side of the "Storage side" picture) from the storage part of the room to the furnace part of the room. I'm not sure what I will put on the bookshelves, but trust me, our house has enough crap that it will fill up quickly!
Then I need to re organize the two dressers that are in the storage room. I keep the boys summer/winter clothes in those dressers depending on the seasons and as you can see, they need some organization!
Furnace side
Storage side
This is my Furnace/Storage room.
Storage side
The room has two doors, one to the furnace side, and one for the storage side. Smack in the middle of the room is the furnace/water heater combo. The combo makes it impossible to go from one side to the other inside the room, they are as good as a wall.
The problem is, there is NO room to get around in the storage part of the room becuase of all the clutter - and becuase the stairs take up a portion of that side of the room.
This weekends chore is to clean out those rooms, there could be so much more done with them if we only organized them properly! The first thing to happen is to move the bookshelves (The wood thing you see in the left side of the "Storage side" picture) from the storage part of the room to the furnace part of the room. I'm not sure what I will put on the bookshelves, but trust me, our house has enough crap that it will fill up quickly!
Then I need to re organize the two dressers that are in the storage room. I keep the boys summer/winter clothes in those dressers depending on the seasons and as you can see, they need some organization!
Buying in Bulk
You know, it is not just huge Box stores that benefit from buying from places that sell things like wholesale fashion jewelry. It's true.
What the stores are doing is called "Buying in Bulk" and anywhere you look you will see that you can get a discount by buying multiple of the same item. We buy a HUGE percentage of our foods in bulk. The first two shelves in my pantry are filled with Tupperware containers filled with staples like flour, sugar, and rice.
Buying in bulk is not only good on the pocket book, but on the environment. You can buy two chicken breasts, each on a Styrofoam plate wrapped in plastic wrap, or buy a whole tray of them. You save on money and on the packaging!
Now of course, you cannot purchase "time sensitive" foods in bulk, but for staples, freezable or canned goods, it just makes more sense to buy bulk.
What the stores are doing is called "Buying in Bulk" and anywhere you look you will see that you can get a discount by buying multiple of the same item. We buy a HUGE percentage of our foods in bulk. The first two shelves in my pantry are filled with Tupperware containers filled with staples like flour, sugar, and rice.
Buying in bulk is not only good on the pocket book, but on the environment. You can buy two chicken breasts, each on a Styrofoam plate wrapped in plastic wrap, or buy a whole tray of them. You save on money and on the packaging!
Now of course, you cannot purchase "time sensitive" foods in bulk, but for staples, freezable or canned goods, it just makes more sense to buy bulk.
How to : Closet Knobs
Four years ago when we moved into this house we had these knobs on the closes 
(Except in a browny bronze color). I very much disliked the door hardware and as soon as possible I went hunting for new hardware to change too.
You can only imagine how happy I was to find these:
Not just becuase they look a damn sight better than the old ones, but becuase they EXACTLY matched the cabinet pulls!
So the question - or How To - if you will, is : Why are the knobs so loose? Ive checked the back and they are threaded in properly and the thread is not worn, yet at least once a month we have to go around and tighten the knobs.
It gets very annoying as the doors are bi-fold (I think that's what they are called) and it is hard to get your arms in there to do the tightening. I have thought about putting something - glue maybe into the threads and sealing them that way, but then we would find it VERY difficult to change the knobs in the future. (you would be surprised at how much a simple hardware change will update a kitchen)
So what can I do? Is there anything to be done, or do we just have to pull up our big girl panties and deal with the monthly tightening of knobs?
(Except in a browny bronze color). I very much disliked the door hardware and as soon as possible I went hunting for new hardware to change too.You can only imagine how happy I was to find these:
Not just becuase they look a damn sight better than the old ones, but becuase they EXACTLY matched the cabinet pulls!So the question - or How To - if you will, is : Why are the knobs so loose? Ive checked the back and they are threaded in properly and the thread is not worn, yet at least once a month we have to go around and tighten the knobs.
It gets very annoying as the doors are bi-fold (I think that's what they are called) and it is hard to get your arms in there to do the tightening. I have thought about putting something - glue maybe into the threads and sealing them that way, but then we would find it VERY difficult to change the knobs in the future. (you would be surprised at how much a simple hardware change will update a kitchen)
So what can I do? Is there anything to be done, or do we just have to pull up our big girl panties and deal with the monthly tightening of knobs?
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
OooopS!
I need a memory upgrade!
This is a comment I left on FantastaGirls Blog :
This is a comment I left on FantastaGirls Blog :
I did our lists the other night too, then to hide them conveniently - becuase I wrote them while the kids were watching a movie, I shoved them into my book. this afternoon I was in the bath and the papers fell out of my book and into the tub, I fished them out, blotted them and laid them to dry on the counter, telling myself that I would SURLY remember to pick up the lists and NOT leave them unattended in the bathroom for the boys to read.
Guess who forgo to pick up the lists. There were two lists. One of the stuff we had bought already, one of the stuff we had yet to get.
Thank GOD that Logan - the only one who cannot read, was the one who found them and brought them to me asking if he could color!
Yeah. Nuff said, eh?
Last Night
Last night I decided to take the boys into the city for McDonalds and some impromptu Christmas Shopping. We had decided that since hubs was gone hunting, now was the perfect time to get his Christmas gifts bought and hidden away.
What I didn't take into account was that I would get to the city at the exact time that Rush hour traffic would be at it's heaviest. I'm not a horrible driver, I mean, I don't have to take out extra travel insurance to get to the grocery store, but I am a TIMID driver.
I am not a fan of changing lanes in heavy traffic, nor do I feel comfortable driving with cars on both sides of me. At one point, when going from my place to the mall, I have to change two lanes, and it was pretty scary for me. The first time, I had to cut in front of a semi truck, and the second was on the bridge, and that one was harder.
It's really amusing to me, how PROUD I feel when I have successfully driven myself somewhere. And it's even funnier to hear my children congratulate me on not getting lost!
What I didn't take into account was that I would get to the city at the exact time that Rush hour traffic would be at it's heaviest. I'm not a horrible driver, I mean, I don't have to take out extra travel insurance to get to the grocery store, but I am a TIMID driver.
I am not a fan of changing lanes in heavy traffic, nor do I feel comfortable driving with cars on both sides of me. At one point, when going from my place to the mall, I have to change two lanes, and it was pretty scary for me. The first time, I had to cut in front of a semi truck, and the second was on the bridge, and that one was harder.
It's really amusing to me, how PROUD I feel when I have successfully driven myself somewhere. And it's even funnier to hear my children congratulate me on not getting lost!
And So it is Done
While by brother has not called to tell me he has made it safely up to Alberta with his chick and their two daughters, I assume from the facebook status updates they have done so.
I was talking with my father, firming up plans for us to go down their next weekend, and he told me that my brother has a pay as you go cell phone. I don't know what kind, or if it is one of those unlocked cell phones (whatever that means) or not, but at least he has the means to get ahold of the family.
It does kind of worry me that it is a pay as you go phone, becuase in the winter, not often, but sometimes, going outside, even to drive, is totally inadvisable, and I worry they will run out of minutes and be unable to get help if it is needed. (Ive heard that you can dial 911 on any cell phone and the call will go through, is this true?)
I'm guessing now, that the next time I will be able to see my brother and the girls will be at Christmas time, and that kind of sucks. Baby Brooke will be nearly five months old. She will be sitting and laughing byt he time I see her next!
Come to think of it, K;s Birthday is December 24th so I had BETTER see them during Christmas, I'd hate to have my niece celebrate her birthday with out her Aunty (ME!!) wishing her a happy Birthday
I was talking with my father, firming up plans for us to go down their next weekend, and he told me that my brother has a pay as you go cell phone. I don't know what kind, or if it is one of those unlocked cell phones (whatever that means) or not, but at least he has the means to get ahold of the family.
It does kind of worry me that it is a pay as you go phone, becuase in the winter, not often, but sometimes, going outside, even to drive, is totally inadvisable, and I worry they will run out of minutes and be unable to get help if it is needed. (Ive heard that you can dial 911 on any cell phone and the call will go through, is this true?)
I'm guessing now, that the next time I will be able to see my brother and the girls will be at Christmas time, and that kind of sucks. Baby Brooke will be nearly five months old. She will be sitting and laughing byt he time I see her next!
Come to think of it, K;s Birthday is December 24th so I had BETTER see them during Christmas, I'd hate to have my niece celebrate her birthday with out her Aunty (ME!!) wishing her a happy Birthday
Friday, November 07, 2008
If Wishes Were Horses : Part two
Last night I kept hitting refresh on the local Lottery website, waiting for the numbers to come out, hoping that I had won.
I did win, but only two bucks.
See, Christmas is coming and while I have my immediate family's gifts under control (except for hubs, he really wants rock band, but it is out of our price range right now), I would love to be able to shop expansively for my dad and step mom and my siblings.
My dad and his wifee-poo love to gold - they even golf with snow on the ground, and i would love to get them something in the line of Cobra golf accessories. My sister is into weird things, but I would love to be able to give her a bunch of gift cards to the stores she frequents, and my brother has two adorable daughters that I would love to buy gift upon gift upon gift for, but I cannot.
And then there is the fact that yet another blogger is having a blogger party, and as much as I would LOVE to go, I cannot, absolutely cannot, afford the 2k it would cost to get me out there.
BUT. I have a ticket for tonight's Super Seven, so fingers crossed people!
I did win, but only two bucks.
See, Christmas is coming and while I have my immediate family's gifts under control (except for hubs, he really wants rock band, but it is out of our price range right now), I would love to be able to shop expansively for my dad and step mom and my siblings.
My dad and his wifee-poo love to gold - they even golf with snow on the ground, and i would love to get them something in the line of Cobra golf accessories. My sister is into weird things, but I would love to be able to give her a bunch of gift cards to the stores she frequents, and my brother has two adorable daughters that I would love to buy gift upon gift upon gift for, but I cannot.
And then there is the fact that yet another blogger is having a blogger party, and as much as I would LOVE to go, I cannot, absolutely cannot, afford the 2k it would cost to get me out there.
BUT. I have a ticket for tonight's Super Seven, so fingers crossed people!
If wishes were horses...
...I'd have a lot of dung to clean up!
I'm kind of jealous that the people in the USA get to have Black Friday. I've seen the ads, I know that the Americans are getting awesome deals on things I will be paying full price for, and it makes me sad.
And the worst part of it all is knowing that OUR deals come the day AFTER Christmas. Sure, that works awesome for my friend and her mom, who both work Christmas and then go shopping on Boxing day, saving lots and lots of money on their Christmas list, but for me, for people who have kids at home, who expect Presents on Christmas Morning, well it just plain sucks.
I want Black Friday to come to Canada too!
I'm kind of jealous that the people in the USA get to have Black Friday. I've seen the ads, I know that the Americans are getting awesome deals on things I will be paying full price for, and it makes me sad.
And the worst part of it all is knowing that OUR deals come the day AFTER Christmas. Sure, that works awesome for my friend and her mom, who both work Christmas and then go shopping on Boxing day, saving lots and lots of money on their Christmas list, but for me, for people who have kids at home, who expect Presents on Christmas Morning, well it just plain sucks.
I want Black Friday to come to Canada too!
Thursday, November 06, 2008
LOLz with logan
Logan is eating his Ham with trees sandwich (Ham and cheese for those of you who don't speak Loganese)
Logan, I ask him, What do you want Santa to bring you for Christmas?
A Blue DS. He tells me.
Simple enough, "Santa" has already bought the Blue DS and magically hidden it in my husbands closet.
But, DS's are very expensive Logan, Santa might not have enough money for one. I tell him.
Santa has lots of money. It's in his head. The way to get money out of your head is to put your finger in your ear mommy.
Well, If Santa can't bring you a Blue DS for Christmas, is there something else he can bring you?
Yes! He tells me
What? What can Santa bring you?
A Green DS
*Bangs head on counter*
Logan, I ask him, What do you want Santa to bring you for Christmas?
A Blue DS. He tells me.
Simple enough, "Santa" has already bought the Blue DS and magically hidden it in my husbands closet.
But, DS's are very expensive Logan, Santa might not have enough money for one. I tell him.
Santa has lots of money. It's in his head. The way to get money out of your head is to put your finger in your ear mommy.
Well, If Santa can't bring you a Blue DS for Christmas, is there something else he can bring you?
Yes! He tells me
What? What can Santa bring you?
A Green DS
*Bangs head on counter*
Sunday, November 02, 2008
I'm such a dork
This was on sale at Costco for 17$, which is a pretty good deal. I've seen Barbies, just the Barbie, nothing extra, at stores for 20-100$!
I was looking at it just now, while I was hiding some of the other gifts I had bought in my closet - I know - Very original hiding place, eh? And I got to wondering, What kind of Saddle was on that Pretty, Sparkly blue horse.
My first thoguth was that it might be one of those english saddles, But now I'm thinking it might be a dressier type, like a those horses who go into competitons where all they do is prance around looking pretty wear.
It *might* be a made up kind of saddle, 'cus, ya know, it's on a sparkling blue horse, But until I know for sure, I am going to picture that pretty blue horsey dancing... Like this:
This is ANDREAS HELGSTRAND on BLUE HORS MATINE
Christmas on My Mind
Thinking about Christmas all day has led me to remember some of the weirder parts of Christmas and got me wondering.
What's the weirdest thing you've ever gotten or had happen to you for Christmas?
Has your grandma ever given you a skirt made out of ties? or Uncle Bob a decoratively wrapped ServReach KVMCube? What about Aunt Sue's rock hard fruit cake?
The weirdest thing that I've experienced Christmas-wise was one year, long long ago. My mother was not a big fan of wrapping gifts, and since me and my sister LOVED to do it, she would give us a pile of gifts and send us with tape, scissors and paper to separate rooms.
There we would, green with envy, wrap each others gifts. That's right. We had to each wrap the other sister's Christmas gifts and NOT tell what they got.
it was VERY hard, especially when you consider that my sister always seemed to get exactly what I wanted!
Then came Christmas morning and I was horrified at my mistake! Here I was unwrapping my very own Purple Boom Box - except - I had wrapped it for my sister! Oh no!
Yeah. My mother had each of us wrap OUR OWN Christmas gifts!
What's the weirdest thing you've ever gotten or had happen to you for Christmas?
Has your grandma ever given you a skirt made out of ties? or Uncle Bob a decoratively wrapped ServReach KVMCube? What about Aunt Sue's rock hard fruit cake?
The weirdest thing that I've experienced Christmas-wise was one year, long long ago. My mother was not a big fan of wrapping gifts, and since me and my sister LOVED to do it, she would give us a pile of gifts and send us with tape, scissors and paper to separate rooms.
There we would, green with envy, wrap each others gifts. That's right. We had to each wrap the other sister's Christmas gifts and NOT tell what they got.
it was VERY hard, especially when you consider that my sister always seemed to get exactly what I wanted!
Then came Christmas morning and I was horrified at my mistake! Here I was unwrapping my very own Purple Boom Box - except - I had wrapped it for my sister! Oh no!
Yeah. My mother had each of us wrap OUR OWN Christmas gifts!
Less than 2 months away - update!
I went into the city very shortly after writing this post, mostly because I felt guilty we hadn't done more to prepare.
I feel pretty good about the trip. Logan is almost completly done now, Just stocking stuffers - and those are usually little things from the dollar soter, not something a high quality watch from Audemars Piguet!
Hubs will be stopping at Costco for a gift for my oldest niece tomorrow after work, and then both my nieces will be done. We have plans already for my father and Step Mother's gift - which, of course I won't mention here, as My Stem Mother (not the evil variety) often reads this blog!
I had started on Blake's gifts about a month ago, and picked up a nice Shirt for Parker this trip in. I like to get the boys a complete outfit as well as a toy for chirstmas! (And on top of that, a gift from Santa) Logans santa gift has been bought, and we will pick up the boy's Santa gift one each ont eh next two shopping trips.
So yeah. I feel really good about how close we are to finishing now!
I feel pretty good about the trip. Logan is almost completly done now, Just stocking stuffers - and those are usually little things from the dollar soter, not something a high quality watch from Audemars Piguet!
Hubs will be stopping at Costco for a gift for my oldest niece tomorrow after work, and then both my nieces will be done. We have plans already for my father and Step Mother's gift - which, of course I won't mention here, as My Stem Mother (not the evil variety) often reads this blog!
I had started on Blake's gifts about a month ago, and picked up a nice Shirt for Parker this trip in. I like to get the boys a complete outfit as well as a toy for chirstmas! (And on top of that, a gift from Santa) Logans santa gift has been bought, and we will pick up the boy's Santa gift one each ont eh next two shopping trips.
So yeah. I feel really good about how close we are to finishing now!
The US Election has me Confused
I will admit that 1. I have no right to post anything about the US election becuase I am not eligible to vote, and 2. I'm not a politically savvy person. But. I'm confused about one point.
I'm confused about US health insurance.
I'm confused about how some people think that making the US health care system more like Canada's - Free - is a BAD thing!
No one has point blank said how this can be bad. How having free health care so that people, little kids are not dying of pneumonia becuase their parents had to choose rent and groceries and there was not enough left over for health insurance.
I know that more of my readers are from USA than are from Canada, so I am hoping that one of you can tell me - why is it so bad?
I'm confused about US health insurance.
I'm confused about how some people think that making the US health care system more like Canada's - Free - is a BAD thing!
No one has point blank said how this can be bad. How having free health care so that people, little kids are not dying of pneumonia becuase their parents had to choose rent and groceries and there was not enough left over for health insurance.
I know that more of my readers are from USA than are from Canada, so I am hoping that one of you can tell me - why is it so bad?
A Bad Time of Year
I was on face book earlier this week - Oh, who am I kidding? I am on face book EVERY day of the week! Anyway, I love to click "friends" and read all the status changes my Friends make. One of the girls on my list was complaining that she had two birthdays and Christmas all in the next few weeks.
That is Crappy. We had a Birthday here recently, Parker's, on October 29th, and Hubs Birthday is on January 13th. But that's not the bad part.
Our two cars auto insurance come due in October and November. Plus our Home Owners Insurance comes due in November. We recently got a break on our home owners insurance by installing a security system, and I wish we could find some cheap auto insurance to go with it! Or... that we had thought about the timing of our cars and bought them at different times of the year!
That is Crappy. We had a Birthday here recently, Parker's, on October 29th, and Hubs Birthday is on January 13th. But that's not the bad part.
Our two cars auto insurance come due in October and November. Plus our Home Owners Insurance comes due in November. We recently got a break on our home owners insurance by installing a security system, and I wish we could find some cheap auto insurance to go with it! Or... that we had thought about the timing of our cars and bought them at different times of the year!
Christmas - LESS than 2 months away
This, I am ashamed to say, Is the worst we have ever been in terms of preparedness for Christmas. Normally we are all but done our Christmas shopping by this time. This year? Not so much. We are about 2% done.
*SHAME*
Part of it is getting into the city without the boys to do some hard core shopping, another part of it, a bigger part is that since we know - pretty much - what we are getting the boys, so we have settled into kind of a complacent attitude, almost as if it is already done.
Some of the more interesting items I have seen for sale this holiday season are things like talking watches, the bubble machine for bathtubs - this I would have liked to get, but it was being sold on an infomercial and I don;t buy things with Credit Cards - there was a dinosaur at Costco I loved , it was the size of a small child, talked walked and "rawred" - unfortunately, Logan is a bit too old for toys like that :o(
We completely FORGOT to pick up my nieces Christmas/Birthday gift yesterday while shopping. I say Christmas slash birthday becuase her birthday is December 24th. We have one gift bought already, but I am not sure if it will be for her birthday or for Christmas.
Hubs has agreed to run into Costco after work tomorrow and pick up the gift for me, and once they are bought I can wait until the last minute to decided which is for which occasion.
Next payday, we are going to go to my dad's house for dinner - shh! I haven't told him yet, and at that point we will be able to buy two more gifts. Those two gifts are only available at the store when my Step Mother (not the evil variety) works.
*SHAME*
Part of it is getting into the city without the boys to do some hard core shopping, another part of it, a bigger part is that since we know - pretty much - what we are getting the boys, so we have settled into kind of a complacent attitude, almost as if it is already done.
Some of the more interesting items I have seen for sale this holiday season are things like talking watches, the bubble machine for bathtubs - this I would have liked to get, but it was being sold on an infomercial and I don;t buy things with Credit Cards - there was a dinosaur at Costco I loved , it was the size of a small child, talked walked and "rawred" - unfortunately, Logan is a bit too old for toys like that :o(
We completely FORGOT to pick up my nieces Christmas/Birthday gift yesterday while shopping. I say Christmas slash birthday becuase her birthday is December 24th. We have one gift bought already, but I am not sure if it will be for her birthday or for Christmas.
Hubs has agreed to run into Costco after work tomorrow and pick up the gift for me, and once they are bought I can wait until the last minute to decided which is for which occasion.
Next payday, we are going to go to my dad's house for dinner - shh! I haven't told him yet, and at that point we will be able to buy two more gifts. Those two gifts are only available at the store when my Step Mother (not the evil variety) works.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
*looks around * Sigh
This just won't do. Logan is 18 months old in that picture. Now he is four! I need to face facts people. I need a new template!
What I would like is one where I could have three of four photos across the top, preferably ones that I could change whenever I like. I need to pack this old template into some moving boxes and put it on the top shelf of my closet.
I want to look for something brighter, less colorful, more...Minimalistic maybe. The yellows and blues are getting on my nerves. Not nearly as much as the baby photo of Logan, but still. it's time for a change!
What I would like is one where I could have three of four photos across the top, preferably ones that I could change whenever I like. I need to pack this old template into some moving boxes and put it on the top shelf of my closet.
I want to look for something brighter, less colorful, more...Minimalistic maybe. The yellows and blues are getting on my nerves. Not nearly as much as the baby photo of Logan, but still. it's time for a change!
Halloween
I read this morning that Halloween ranks highest of favorite holidays for kids.
DO YOU BLAME THEM?
Not only do they get to dress up, but they get to go out and get bags of candy! BAGS.OF.CANDY! I mean, Halloween is my favorite holiday too! I get to stay inside the warm house while Hubs takes the boys out door to door, and then I get to go through their bags, picking out my favorite candy and putting it aside for ME!
I guess the only downside to Halloween is having to turn off the security systems and opening the door for goblins and ghosts all night long!
(This year, we are giving out Play Doh instead of candy)
DO YOU BLAME THEM?
Not only do they get to dress up, but they get to go out and get bags of candy! BAGS.OF.CANDY! I mean, Halloween is my favorite holiday too! I get to stay inside the warm house while Hubs takes the boys out door to door, and then I get to go through their bags, picking out my favorite candy and putting it aside for ME!
I guess the only downside to Halloween is having to turn off the security systems and opening the door for goblins and ghosts all night long!
(This year, we are giving out Play Doh instead of candy)
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Friday, October 24, 2008
Fall means Mess
It Means Mud and sand and dirt and sticks and leaves coming into the house. I refuse to wear any of my "nice" shows when I take the kids to school, we have to walk trough a veritable landmine of muck and mire to get to the door (I feel sorry for the school janitors) so whey , WHY are people dressing to the nines to bring their kids to school? I'm talking Oscar de la Renta, perfect make up, not a hair out of place, and of course, all the matching accessories!
It's eight thirty int he MORNING! What time do you have to get up to look like that for eight thirty in the morning?? I mean, Most mornings I drive the kids to school with a coat over top my pajamas! (It's not a big deal people, I stay in the car, no one can see but the boys!)
In a month when we are dealing with -30 temps and the icy sidewalks that come with it, I'd love to see those girls wobble on their four inch heels up to the doors to drop Junior off to class. And me in my comfy pajamas? I'm not going to get snow and slush on MY fuzzy bunny slippers trying to help Little Miss fashion plate get back up!
It's eight thirty int he MORNING! What time do you have to get up to look like that for eight thirty in the morning?? I mean, Most mornings I drive the kids to school with a coat over top my pajamas! (It's not a big deal people, I stay in the car, no one can see but the boys!)
In a month when we are dealing with -30 temps and the icy sidewalks that come with it, I'd love to see those girls wobble on their four inch heels up to the doors to drop Junior off to class. And me in my comfy pajamas? I'm not going to get snow and slush on MY fuzzy bunny slippers trying to help Little Miss fashion plate get back up!
DCA*
Let me start by saying that I sure hope my family does not read this post! You see, my family thinks that since I take soooo many pictures and get quite a few nice ones ( really though, 1 awesome shot per 100 clicks of the shutter) I am some kind of camera whiz. BUT I'M NOT!
Here goes. I have a Kodak easy Share DX7590. It's a few years old, but its an alright camera. I have been off and on bitching to my husband that I want an SLR camera so that I can get different lenses - particularly a wide angle lens *swoon* and take some really neat shots! The reason I have been so half heartedly bugging hubs for the SLR is the price. Lenses are expensive enough without having to go and get a new camera to go with them!
I would love to have a huge zoom lens, like adding Nikon binoculars to my shutter so that I could get nice, non noisy shots of the boys while playing.. but again, I need a camera that you can interchange lenses on.
OR DO I?
Day before yesterday I was cleaning all the cameras, it's something I do on a regular basis. Nothing worse than getting somewhere you know you want to take photos and finding a smudge on your lens, ya know?
So I was cleaning the DX - something I have done at LEAST a hundred times before, when I noticed wee little grooves around my lens. Kind of almost EXACTLY like the grooves you need to screw in the optional lenses you can buy.
Eye R Dum.
(Eye R Also Shopping for a new lens for Christmas!!)
* Dumb Chick Alert
Here goes. I have a Kodak easy Share DX7590. It's a few years old, but its an alright camera. I have been off and on bitching to my husband that I want an SLR camera so that I can get different lenses - particularly a wide angle lens *swoon* and take some really neat shots! The reason I have been so half heartedly bugging hubs for the SLR is the price. Lenses are expensive enough without having to go and get a new camera to go with them!
I would love to have a huge zoom lens, like adding Nikon binoculars to my shutter so that I could get nice, non noisy shots of the boys while playing.. but again, I need a camera that you can interchange lenses on.
OR DO I?
Day before yesterday I was cleaning all the cameras, it's something I do on a regular basis. Nothing worse than getting somewhere you know you want to take photos and finding a smudge on your lens, ya know?
So I was cleaning the DX - something I have done at LEAST a hundred times before, when I noticed wee little grooves around my lens. Kind of almost EXACTLY like the grooves you need to screw in the optional lenses you can buy.
Eye R Dum.
(Eye R Also Shopping for a new lens for Christmas!!)
* Dumb Chick Alert
So... What do Dreams mean?
If I were to tell you that last night I dreamed that my entire house - the WHOLE house, walls floors, the ceiling, even the appliances - were covered in pop up tv's and every time someone Thought about me, their specific TV would pop up and I could see their thoughts?
That was my dream last night. it was very odd. Sometimes your thought made me laugh, but it really is true that those who eavesdrop don't hear good things about themselves, becuase for the most part the dream was sad, scary almost. I kept wanting to wake up and I would finally wrench myself from sleep, thinking" good, it's done", and fall back asleep only for my dream to continue from where it left off!
I absolutely hate dreams like that, the ones you cannot escape. I suppose that some people would say that when you have a dream that won't go away, your subconscious is desperately trying to tell you something, but what? WHAT?
That was my dream last night. it was very odd. Sometimes your thought made me laugh, but it really is true that those who eavesdrop don't hear good things about themselves, becuase for the most part the dream was sad, scary almost. I kept wanting to wake up and I would finally wrench myself from sleep, thinking" good, it's done", and fall back asleep only for my dream to continue from where it left off!
I absolutely hate dreams like that, the ones you cannot escape. I suppose that some people would say that when you have a dream that won't go away, your subconscious is desperately trying to tell you something, but what? WHAT?
...Because of the cost, mainly.
I was asked recently why I do not have a cell phone. The biggest reason is the cost. The fact that a cell phone bill can be so easily ran up terrifies me! ALL of the bills I get now, The amount is known to me long before the bill arrives.
Another huge reason that I don't have a cell phone is ...No Need. My husband cannot receive or make calls from work, when I go out, 99% of the time it is with him, and if there is someone else I want to call, that I NEED to call, I can find a pay phone!
And the third reason? I'm in love with the iPhone, be we don't get the best coverage here. I'm not entirely sure how all the satelite and cell phone towers and cell signal booster work, but I've heard that if I get an iPhone, I will only get coverage in the city, which is not cool as I live OUTSIDE the city. Quite a bit outside in fact.
So there you have it. Why don't I have a cell phone? I'm Cheap, Boring, and lust after the impossible!
Another huge reason that I don't have a cell phone is ...No Need. My husband cannot receive or make calls from work, when I go out, 99% of the time it is with him, and if there is someone else I want to call, that I NEED to call, I can find a pay phone!
And the third reason? I'm in love with the iPhone, be we don't get the best coverage here. I'm not entirely sure how all the satelite and cell phone towers and cell signal booster work, but I've heard that if I get an iPhone, I will only get coverage in the city, which is not cool as I live OUTSIDE the city. Quite a bit outside in fact.
So there you have it. Why don't I have a cell phone? I'm Cheap, Boring, and lust after the impossible!
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Family Fun Night
Tonight was our schools Family Fun Night. They have a FFN each year as a fundraiser and it is a lot of fun. hectic, but a lot of fun. I've always kind of felt on the Outer Banks when it comes to other mothers. I don't really talk with them at pick up and drop off time- I mean, I say Hi and make random small talk, but I do prefer to not have to talk with them. I just don't feel like I belong!
I've used our youngest son as an excuse for the entire time I have had kids in school to keep from "having" to volunteer at the various school functions there are! Except, this year, Logan is in school too, and I no longer have any excuse to not volunteer, and tonight was my first night as a volunteer.
You know, it wasn't that bad. All I had to do was had out bingo tickets while taking in tokens at the door. It was only a half hour shift, and if I do say so myself, I did not half bad! And...it wasn't that horrible of an experience either. I mean. I was a bit confused at first as to what to do, but after the first few minutes, I got my bingo grove on!
I've used our youngest son as an excuse for the entire time I have had kids in school to keep from "having" to volunteer at the various school functions there are! Except, this year, Logan is in school too, and I no longer have any excuse to not volunteer, and tonight was my first night as a volunteer.
You know, it wasn't that bad. All I had to do was had out bingo tickets while taking in tokens at the door. It was only a half hour shift, and if I do say so myself, I did not half bad! And...it wasn't that horrible of an experience either. I mean. I was a bit confused at first as to what to do, but after the first few minutes, I got my bingo grove on!
Puppy BREAK!
Parker And Sammi
Sammi loves to sleep with me while I am online
She also loves for the boys to hold her. Even Logan
She is happiest when she is being cuddled.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
I have a secret
It's a weird secret.
I've been watching Lost. The TV Series. Yeah. I KNOW! Now, right now you are thinking, WTF? That's no secret, a million people watch Lost. But the thing is, I HATE TV series, I hate being sucked into something that plays at a certain time on a certain day. I hate that I have to plan things around a Television show, becuase I don't want to miss an episode!
But hubs started watching Lost when our station started playing Season one. Tonight is the Season Two primere. It plays Monday to Friday at 10 PM, which is a pretty much perfect time for us. The kids are long in bed and it is late enough at night that I am back from coffee (when I go for coffee that is).
I sit here, everynight on my very uncomfortable couch, wishing that I had home theater seating, blogging blindly, watching Lost and correcting all my typos on commercials.
I never expected to be interested in this show. I mean, I've read about a million blog posts about how wonderful it is, adn the majority of the world is watching like season 64, but I got sucked in regardless.
I've been watching Lost. The TV Series. Yeah. I KNOW! Now, right now you are thinking, WTF? That's no secret, a million people watch Lost. But the thing is, I HATE TV series, I hate being sucked into something that plays at a certain time on a certain day. I hate that I have to plan things around a Television show, becuase I don't want to miss an episode!
But hubs started watching Lost when our station started playing Season one. Tonight is the Season Two primere. It plays Monday to Friday at 10 PM, which is a pretty much perfect time for us. The kids are long in bed and it is late enough at night that I am back from coffee (when I go for coffee that is).
I sit here, everynight on my very uncomfortable couch, wishing that I had home theater seating, blogging blindly, watching Lost and correcting all my typos on commercials.
I never expected to be interested in this show. I mean, I've read about a million blog posts about how wonderful it is, adn the majority of the world is watching like season 64, but I got sucked in regardless.
Decorating For Halloween
I have to say that as much as I dislike having to be dressed and get out the door at a certain time to get the kids at school, one of the best parts is being able to see all of the arts and crafts the children have done. even better is when there is a festive holiday like Halloween, Easter or Christmas for the children to decorate for!
On a Normal day i pick up Logan at his classroom and wait outside it for Parker and Blake to make their way to me. Imagine the school as the letter "V" Parker and Blake are each one the very tip of one of the "legs" of the letter, and Logan's room is at the point.
Today was Music class for Logan, and parents are Strongly Encouraged to attend, so I of course attended! The class let out about ten minutes before any of the other grades classes did so the children who had parents with them were free to go. I considered - very briefly, because it is cold - going home and leaving Parker and Blake to walk, but decided instead to go and get them from their classrooms.
Since we always pick up Blake first, Logan and I decided to head to Parker's classroom this time, and am I ever glad we did! Because we always go to Blakes room, and Blake is very slow at getting ready, Parker meets us somewhere between Logan's class and Blake's class. We hardly ever get to see the older kids art work! (k-2 is on one side of the V, with 3-5 on the opposite side)
The theme for this Halloween appears to be SPIDERS! Oh man! I have never seen so many at one time! Four different displays, with 30-60 spiders to a display! (kind of wish the school would advertise when they decide to turn their halls into huge spider traps, just for those of us who have phobias!) If you take into consideration that a piece of fuzz caught on the carpet scares me with it's vague resemblance to a spider scares me, you can just imagine what walking down that hall did to me!
Logan liked the eggshell spiders the best - they had cut the rounded part of the egg carton off, painted them black and added pipe cleaner legs and scary painted faces - but my favorite was a decorating idea I had not seen before - At most grocery stores you can get tiny tiny TINY pumpkins, they literally fit int he palm of your hand. The kids had taken these pumpkins and painted them black, and added legs and faces to them. They looked both realistic AND scary!
I am pretty sure I broke Logan's little heart when I told him NO! Absolutely NOT! to the query of us making Spiders like this at home. it is important to note that while there is not much I will NOT do for my children, facing my Arachnophobia is something I CANNOT do for them.
I have tired to get over my fear, as it is a fear I have had for a long long long time. I can remember sitting down to watch the movie "Arachnophobia" as a young teen. I think it was with the hope of making them seem more fictional and fake - less scary, but THAT plan backfired on me. I also went through a period when I decided that you only fear that which you don't know, and researched Spiders.
I got the encyclopedia off the shelf and opened it to the word "Spider". I was put off for a bit by the fact there was a photo of a spider on the page. I solved that by covering it with a piece of paper while I read all about spiders. Now, I know a LOT about spiders, but I am still just as scared of them.
I bet I could write a five hundred page book on all the stupid things that I have done in response to my fear of the creature. One example - At nine months pregnant, I was sitting on the floor, cutting flannel into a pattern to make some sheets for the baby's crib. A Spider, just a little one, no bigger than the eraser on the end of a pencil, crawled out from under my pile of material. To my back was a couch, and directly behind the couch were the railings to the stair. I crawled backwards, in a crab walk to the couch and, still heading backwards, up the back of the couch to the railing, where I continued UP the railing. At nine months pregnant. Over a spider smaller than a baby's fingernail.
Oh well. Only one more week before the kids start decorating for Christmas!
On a Normal day i pick up Logan at his classroom and wait outside it for Parker and Blake to make their way to me. Imagine the school as the letter "V" Parker and Blake are each one the very tip of one of the "legs" of the letter, and Logan's room is at the point.
Today was Music class for Logan, and parents are Strongly Encouraged to attend, so I of course attended! The class let out about ten minutes before any of the other grades classes did so the children who had parents with them were free to go. I considered - very briefly, because it is cold - going home and leaving Parker and Blake to walk, but decided instead to go and get them from their classrooms.
Since we always pick up Blake first, Logan and I decided to head to Parker's classroom this time, and am I ever glad we did! Because we always go to Blakes room, and Blake is very slow at getting ready, Parker meets us somewhere between Logan's class and Blake's class. We hardly ever get to see the older kids art work! (k-2 is on one side of the V, with 3-5 on the opposite side)
The theme for this Halloween appears to be SPIDERS! Oh man! I have never seen so many at one time! Four different displays, with 30-60 spiders to a display! (kind of wish the school would advertise when they decide to turn their halls into huge spider traps, just for those of us who have phobias!) If you take into consideration that a piece of fuzz caught on the carpet scares me with it's vague resemblance to a spider scares me, you can just imagine what walking down that hall did to me!
Logan liked the eggshell spiders the best - they had cut the rounded part of the egg carton off, painted them black and added pipe cleaner legs and scary painted faces - but my favorite was a decorating idea I had not seen before - At most grocery stores you can get tiny tiny TINY pumpkins, they literally fit int he palm of your hand. The kids had taken these pumpkins and painted them black, and added legs and faces to them. They looked both realistic AND scary!
I am pretty sure I broke Logan's little heart when I told him NO! Absolutely NOT! to the query of us making Spiders like this at home. it is important to note that while there is not much I will NOT do for my children, facing my Arachnophobia is something I CANNOT do for them.
I have tired to get over my fear, as it is a fear I have had for a long long long time. I can remember sitting down to watch the movie "Arachnophobia" as a young teen. I think it was with the hope of making them seem more fictional and fake - less scary, but THAT plan backfired on me. I also went through a period when I decided that you only fear that which you don't know, and researched Spiders.
I got the encyclopedia off the shelf and opened it to the word "Spider". I was put off for a bit by the fact there was a photo of a spider on the page. I solved that by covering it with a piece of paper while I read all about spiders. Now, I know a LOT about spiders, but I am still just as scared of them.
I bet I could write a five hundred page book on all the stupid things that I have done in response to my fear of the creature. One example - At nine months pregnant, I was sitting on the floor, cutting flannel into a pattern to make some sheets for the baby's crib. A Spider, just a little one, no bigger than the eraser on the end of a pencil, crawled out from under my pile of material. To my back was a couch, and directly behind the couch were the railings to the stair. I crawled backwards, in a crab walk to the couch and, still heading backwards, up the back of the couch to the railing, where I continued UP the railing. At nine months pregnant. Over a spider smaller than a baby's fingernail.
Oh well. Only one more week before the kids start decorating for Christmas!
Is it Because I am Old?
We do our shopping every two weeks, on payday, and with the exception of milk and gas, if we forget to buy it then, or run out, we wait until the next shopping day to buy it. So every Sunday after shopping day, I start a new list of items that we need or have run out of, and for the last EIGHT shopping trips I have forgotten to get one simple thing.
See, nine weeks ago our power went out. And everything was fine until about nine PM when it started getting dark outside. we kept hoping that the power would come back on and that we would be able to see and do stuff, but we had to give in, finally, and light candles.
We have a LOT of candles, but most of them are decorative. In my bathroom alone I have nine different candles. Until that power outage, two of my votives, which were a gift but matched the pain on the walls EXACTLY, were kept in the shrink wrap they came in. However, when the power went out, we opened them up, put them on plates and lit them, along with about 12 other candles.
(we were trying to play a card game and you need a surprising amount of light for that - I think that the reason we needed So much light was the game that we were playing, Green 11, you have to be able to see the color of the cards - they are special cards- and with too little light you can mistake a blue 11 for a green 11, and that just cannot happen!)
Ahhhhny way. The item I keep forgetting to buy is two Votive candle holders for the candles that I had opened. I already have two votives in nice holders that I found for under a dollar,and it would be nice to be able to find two more that match it. As it is, those poor little votives are sitting, gathering dust under my sink waiting for a new home.
And yes, before you say anything, I DID get up half way through this post and wrote it down on the shopping list! I wont forget this time!
See, nine weeks ago our power went out. And everything was fine until about nine PM when it started getting dark outside. we kept hoping that the power would come back on and that we would be able to see and do stuff, but we had to give in, finally, and light candles.
We have a LOT of candles, but most of them are decorative. In my bathroom alone I have nine different candles. Until that power outage, two of my votives, which were a gift but matched the pain on the walls EXACTLY, were kept in the shrink wrap they came in. However, when the power went out, we opened them up, put them on plates and lit them, along with about 12 other candles.
(we were trying to play a card game and you need a surprising amount of light for that - I think that the reason we needed So much light was the game that we were playing, Green 11, you have to be able to see the color of the cards - they are special cards- and with too little light you can mistake a blue 11 for a green 11, and that just cannot happen!)
Ahhhhny way. The item I keep forgetting to buy is two Votive candle holders for the candles that I had opened. I already have two votives in nice holders that I found for under a dollar,and it would be nice to be able to find two more that match it. As it is, those poor little votives are sitting, gathering dust under my sink waiting for a new home.
And yes, before you say anything, I DID get up half way through this post and wrote it down on the shopping list! I wont forget this time!
Just a post for my dad
You will have to click on each photo to make it bigger!
Blake:
Parker:
Logan:
Packages:
Just because a certain pose is shown in black and white, sepia or color, doesn't mean it has to be ordered in that color.
(the little photo in the corner is they one that will be placed in the school yearbook. Ignore it!)
Blake:
Parker:
Logan:
Packages:
Just because a certain pose is shown in black and white, sepia or color, doesn't mean it has to be ordered in that color.
(the little photo in the corner is they one that will be placed in the school yearbook. Ignore it!)
Friday, October 17, 2008
Oh WTF ever, lady
I have been bringing Sammi to school with me when I drop off and pick up the boys all week. Two days in the past week, hubs was home and so I left Sammi with him. I bring her only because it breaks my heart to hear her cry as we walk out the door, plus she is so small and cute and I just want to eat her up!
All week I have done my best to keep Sammi tucked into my coat, knowing that if the 400 students in the school suddenly saw my cute little pup it would cause a hell of an commotion, but yesterday I had to stop into my eldest son's classroom to make sure there were no allergies for the students in his class. He will be bringing Birthday cupcakes on the 29th and I wanted to be sure.
I was in the class, and Parker, knowing Sammi was tucked into my coat told his teacher. He loves his pup and I cannot blame him for wanting to show her off! Well, from there it all spiraled out of control and by the time we made it out of the school 40 minutes later more than 20 teachers stopped in to hold and pet our sweet baby girl.
Therefore, today when I went in to get the boys I made less of an effort to hide Sammi, after all, yesterday the Principle himself was holding and petting her and did not say I should not be bringing her into the school!
We were on our way to the car when a woman stopped to admire Sammi. She kept insisting that Sammi could NOT be a mutt, that she was most definitely a Shitzu. This woman stood there, Starbucks coffee in hand, arguing with me! I had never met her before in my life!
Finally I told her that Sammi cannot possibly be a Shitzu becuase her mom was a Miniature poodle crossed with Miniature eskimo and her dad was a fox terrier. Well, that was the worst possible thing for em to ever say. Where before the woman was trying to get me to giver her an exact address of teh farm(reserve) where we got Sammi (because OMG she was free)(wtf seriously) Now she was backing away from us like Sammi had aids.
Terriers!!!! Have you any idea what you have done! She shrieked. Apparently a terrier needs to be played with 24/7 or they get very destructive.
Whatevvvvvvvvvver!
Every dog is different. Even within the same breeds. Sammi will be a fine dog, as long as we take the time to teacher her the proper ways to behave.
All week I have done my best to keep Sammi tucked into my coat, knowing that if the 400 students in the school suddenly saw my cute little pup it would cause a hell of an commotion, but yesterday I had to stop into my eldest son's classroom to make sure there were no allergies for the students in his class. He will be bringing Birthday cupcakes on the 29th and I wanted to be sure.
I was in the class, and Parker, knowing Sammi was tucked into my coat told his teacher. He loves his pup and I cannot blame him for wanting to show her off! Well, from there it all spiraled out of control and by the time we made it out of the school 40 minutes later more than 20 teachers stopped in to hold and pet our sweet baby girl.
Therefore, today when I went in to get the boys I made less of an effort to hide Sammi, after all, yesterday the Principle himself was holding and petting her and did not say I should not be bringing her into the school!
We were on our way to the car when a woman stopped to admire Sammi. She kept insisting that Sammi could NOT be a mutt, that she was most definitely a Shitzu. This woman stood there, Starbucks coffee in hand, arguing with me! I had never met her before in my life!
Finally I told her that Sammi cannot possibly be a Shitzu becuase her mom was a Miniature poodle crossed with Miniature eskimo and her dad was a fox terrier. Well, that was the worst possible thing for em to ever say. Where before the woman was trying to get me to giver her an exact address of teh farm(reserve) where we got Sammi (because OMG she was free)(wtf seriously) Now she was backing away from us like Sammi had aids.
Terriers!!!! Have you any idea what you have done! She shrieked. Apparently a terrier needs to be played with 24/7 or they get very destructive.
Whatevvvvvvvvvver!
Every dog is different. Even within the same breeds. Sammi will be a fine dog, as long as we take the time to teacher her the proper ways to behave.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Wow
I know its not proper, nor right, but how the children eat their evening meal sets the tone of how I feel emotionally. When I have fight with the boys to get them to eat I end up with headaches, I am very bitchy and very, almost lethargic?
But when they eat well, my mood does a complete turnaround. I can be having the crappiest day on earth, but seeing them clean their plates sends me over the moon! And trust me, it is VERY rare that the boys eat well.
(They get it from me. I'm an extremly picky eater and so are they - though they are much worse than I am)
I wish I had taken a photo of tonight's meal. The boys ate better than I think they EVER have!
I had taken out pork chops for hubs and I and was not looking forward to fighting with the boys to make them eat that. When I had the chops sliced and marinating (just some garlic seasoning and a dash of italian dressing, enough to coat everything well) I realised there was not enough of the pork chops to feed all five of us. I was looking around wondering what to feed the boys when I saw the slices of ham in the fridge.
My mother in law had sent slices of ham off a ham.... uhm roast? A ham thingy. Those round things with kind of a quilted outside? Whatever, slices of ham. Slices that were sent to my house and were living in my fridge.
I tossed them in a frying pan, no butter, no oil, just sliced ham. I heated it up and browned it a bit and took it out. While I did that the two youngest boys mixed honey and mustard to make a sauce for their ham. Then we just had sliced cheese, carrots and some cheesey pasta.
The boys ate all of their food and then went back for more. And then MORE! I ended up having to fry more ham for them!
It was awesome.
The pork chops were good too. I almost feel like I should be taking diet pills to make up for how much I ate tonight!
But when they eat well, my mood does a complete turnaround. I can be having the crappiest day on earth, but seeing them clean their plates sends me over the moon! And trust me, it is VERY rare that the boys eat well.
(They get it from me. I'm an extremly picky eater and so are they - though they are much worse than I am)
I wish I had taken a photo of tonight's meal. The boys ate better than I think they EVER have!
I had taken out pork chops for hubs and I and was not looking forward to fighting with the boys to make them eat that. When I had the chops sliced and marinating (just some garlic seasoning and a dash of italian dressing, enough to coat everything well) I realised there was not enough of the pork chops to feed all five of us. I was looking around wondering what to feed the boys when I saw the slices of ham in the fridge.
My mother in law had sent slices of ham off a ham.... uhm roast? A ham thingy. Those round things with kind of a quilted outside? Whatever, slices of ham. Slices that were sent to my house and were living in my fridge.
I tossed them in a frying pan, no butter, no oil, just sliced ham. I heated it up and browned it a bit and took it out. While I did that the two youngest boys mixed honey and mustard to make a sauce for their ham. Then we just had sliced cheese, carrots and some cheesey pasta.
The boys ate all of their food and then went back for more. And then MORE! I ended up having to fry more ham for them!
It was awesome.
The pork chops were good too. I almost feel like I should be taking diet pills to make up for how much I ate tonight!
Friday, October 10, 2008
I Hate Winter
We will have snow int he next seven days. It's an inevitable fact of life. I always worry about Micah driving to work, but int eh winter, when he has to drive 15 minutes on an often ice coated highway to get to and from work, well, I worry even more.
I often wonder if travel medical insurance works on things like traveling to work, or if it is meant for vacations and what not.
I know that when we go out of province we need travel insurance, and of course, out of country,but is there extra insurance for "normal" travel.
I like to worry, if you had not noticed yet, and i worry about things whether or not they need to be worried about!
I often wonder if travel medical insurance works on things like traveling to work, or if it is meant for vacations and what not.
I know that when we go out of province we need travel insurance, and of course, out of country,but is there extra insurance for "normal" travel.
I like to worry, if you had not noticed yet, and i worry about things whether or not they need to be worried about!
L OH L - OH L OH L
Blake - he is six - he cracks me up! Last night he was brushing his teeth while his older brother finished up his preparations for bed. One of Parker's "jobs" to do before bed is to wash his face with medicated wipes. Parker has been getting black heads and pimples (Already!!!?) so we are trying to instill good hygiene early on to make sure his face stays under control when he is a teen and acne is a real concern.
Blake was staring at the mirror, toothbrush hanging out of his mouth when I walked in last night. I told him to hurry up, and he turned to me, dropping his toothbrush, with a big foamy grin on his face "FINALLY!" he said, "I have my first pimple".
Sure enough he had a tiny dot on the side of his nose. I let him use Parker's wipes, just to make him feel big.
I'm not sure I like that Blake is ready and WILLING to grow up so fast!
Blake was staring at the mirror, toothbrush hanging out of his mouth when I walked in last night. I told him to hurry up, and he turned to me, dropping his toothbrush, with a big foamy grin on his face "FINALLY!" he said, "I have my first pimple".
Sure enough he had a tiny dot on the side of his nose. I let him use Parker's wipes, just to make him feel big.
I'm not sure I like that Blake is ready and WILLING to grow up so fast!
LE SIGH - What now you might ask?
I just had a shower. Not all together an odd thing, although, the timing of it was a bit off. I normally have my shower either in the early morning or late at night. I was busy cleaning house (PUPPY PROOFING!!) this morning, and I will be busy (PUPPY) tonight, so I had it now.
Everything was fine, until I stepped out of the shower. I was putting lotion on my face when I noticed something off. I wear body jewelry, a belly button hoop and a nose ring. The belly button ring is fine, but somewhere between last night and getting out of the shower I lost the little blue jewel from my nose ring!
Nose rings, the kind I get are not expensive, but where I buy them, you have to call ahead 24 hours (or visit) becuase they take the jewelry out of the display case and put it in their autoclave to make sure it has not been contaminated while on display.
I SUCK at remembering things, so I will not remember to call ahead on Friday night (next Friday) so that I can pick up my new nose jewelry Saturday when we are in the city!
Just my luck!
Everything was fine, until I stepped out of the shower. I was putting lotion on my face when I noticed something off. I wear body jewelry, a belly button hoop and a nose ring. The belly button ring is fine, but somewhere between last night and getting out of the shower I lost the little blue jewel from my nose ring!
Nose rings, the kind I get are not expensive, but where I buy them, you have to call ahead 24 hours (or visit) becuase they take the jewelry out of the display case and put it in their autoclave to make sure it has not been contaminated while on display.
I SUCK at remembering things, so I will not remember to call ahead on Friday night (next Friday) so that I can pick up my new nose jewelry Saturday when we are in the city!
Just my luck!
BAD timing
Our DVD player is broken.
Logan has gotten into the habit of watching a movie every morning - he isn't a fan of TV shows, but loves movies- and now the DVD player is broken!
Hubs did something or other and I can play movies on his PlayStation, but there are weird lines that run up and down the screen while we watch and a horrifyingly ANNOYING buzzing sound. There is a cord in the back, a yellow, white and red one, what's that called? A CAT5e cable? Anyway, hubs said that that corn needs to be replaced and then the buzzing and lines will be gone.
Plus, its way cheaper to buy a cord as opposed to a whole DVD player!
With Christmas in three months, and our eldest having a birthday in three weeks, buying a DVD player is NOT in the budget!
Logan has gotten into the habit of watching a movie every morning - he isn't a fan of TV shows, but loves movies- and now the DVD player is broken!
Hubs did something or other and I can play movies on his PlayStation, but there are weird lines that run up and down the screen while we watch and a horrifyingly ANNOYING buzzing sound. There is a cord in the back, a yellow, white and red one, what's that called? A CAT5e cable? Anyway, hubs said that that corn needs to be replaced and then the buzzing and lines will be gone.
Plus, its way cheaper to buy a cord as opposed to a whole DVD player!
With Christmas in three months, and our eldest having a birthday in three weeks, buying a DVD player is NOT in the budget!
Tonight I win the lottery
No really! I tell myself this every Friday! We buy a weekly lotto ticket for our Provincial lotto, and sooner or later I will win more than ten bucks.
If I DID win, after paying my student loans and mortgage down to zero, I would buy a flash car, like a Ferrari. I wouldn't need to worry about finding Ferrari parts, cus I would have the money to ship them in from over seas...A Ferrari is a European car, right?
I would also take the kids on a super cool vacation - like a Disney cruise!
Please use the comments to name one thing you would do if you won a lottery!
If I DID win, after paying my student loans and mortgage down to zero, I would buy a flash car, like a Ferrari. I wouldn't need to worry about finding Ferrari parts, cus I would have the money to ship them in from over seas...A Ferrari is a European car, right?
I would also take the kids on a super cool vacation - like a Disney cruise!
Please use the comments to name one thing you would do if you won a lottery!
Healthy Eating
I was on facebook last night when a friends status message caught my eye . She said She is starting her Detox tomorrow. I was confused and sent her a message, because I had no idea she was addicted to drugs or alcohol.
She laughed at me. She told me that her body needed to be detoxed from all the junk food and unhealthy habits she had, that she was doing the orovo detox to speed things up.
I guess with the arrival of her new little girl, she is worried about being healthy so that she will be around for them as long as they need her.
I need to make a few lifestyle changes myself. Number one on that list is to smoke less and move more!
She laughed at me. She told me that her body needed to be detoxed from all the junk food and unhealthy habits she had, that she was doing the orovo detox to speed things up.
I guess with the arrival of her new little girl, she is worried about being healthy so that she will be around for them as long as they need her.
I need to make a few lifestyle changes myself. Number one on that list is to smoke less and move more!
Nerves of steel
My hand is shaking. Actually, the whole arm, not just my hand. when I keep it busy, such as typing or walking around picking up toys it is fine, but if I stop, and just sit, it starts to vibrate.
I think it's nerves!
In seven more hours it is puppy time. All I have to do is get the kids off to their nana's after school, and away we go!
We have been keeping the puppy's arrival date a secret from them!
And oh! How i want this puppy. I want her like a shoeaholic needs Beautifeel shoes! I cannot wait to hold her and kiss her and pet her silky back, and most of all, know that she is OURS!
It's going to be awesome!
I think it's nerves!
In seven more hours it is puppy time. All I have to do is get the kids off to their nana's after school, and away we go!
We have been keeping the puppy's arrival date a secret from them!
And oh! How i want this puppy. I want her like a shoeaholic needs Beautifeel shoes! I cannot wait to hold her and kiss her and pet her silky back, and most of all, know that she is OURS!
It's going to be awesome!
Wednesday, October 08, 2008
SO Cold. SO VERY COLD
So, we haven't turned on our furnace yet. Part of it is I hate to see my bills go up, but a bigger part is that as soon as we give in and turn it on we are admitting that summer is over and that Winter really really is coming. And that depresses me.
We are going to have to give in VERY soon and turn it on. Seriously, I am in long underwear, jeans, a tee shirt AND a sweater, as well as fuzzy socks and slippers and I am SHIVERING.
The weather forecast is calling for snow flurries starting tomorrow night. Its time for me to plan one of those Vegas vacations, like Nobody is going on. Its hot in Vegas right? Or no? Tell me quick before I get too far in my planning!
We are going to have to give in VERY soon and turn it on. Seriously, I am in long underwear, jeans, a tee shirt AND a sweater, as well as fuzzy socks and slippers and I am SHIVERING.
The weather forecast is calling for snow flurries starting tomorrow night. Its time for me to plan one of those Vegas vacations, like Nobody is going on. Its hot in Vegas right? Or no? Tell me quick before I get too far in my planning!
Sunday, October 05, 2008
Morning!
It's 10:37 (my time, dunno what time it is where you are!!) And I am, obviously, awake. I'm not sure anyone ever sleep blogs, but that would be kind of cool to read, wouldn't it? Imagine waking up, firing up your blog to find something you had written in your sleep!
I'm not quite sure why I am up, not just up , but quite wide awake, at this time of the morning, But I don;t really want to complain! I actually have stuff to do today!
I need to get the dishes done, and a bit of laundry, but most importantly, I need to run into the city and grab a package of soft paws for the cat. We have the claws from a package of soft paws, but our glue has all dried out. Tigger must have the soft paws on before Sammi comes home. She's rather a grouchy nasty cat, and from what I have heard, Sammi is a very, very playful puppy.
(The word Belinda used was "mean" but she qualified it with the fact that the rest of the puppies in the litter are rather shy and skittish and Sammi, even though she is half their size (she is the runt) is always after them to play. Nomming on their tails and ears even when they are trying to sleep!)
Needless to say, I am very excited to hear that Sammi is a frisky, playful puppy. One of the things we were worried about the most when we had to pick our puppy at four days old was that we would not be able to watch them play and get a feel for their temperment. Looks like we did OK, but really, we will have to wait until Friday (OMG FRIDAY!!) when we have Sammi home with us!
I'm not quite sure why I am up, not just up , but quite wide awake, at this time of the morning, But I don;t really want to complain! I actually have stuff to do today!
I need to get the dishes done, and a bit of laundry, but most importantly, I need to run into the city and grab a package of soft paws for the cat. We have the claws from a package of soft paws, but our glue has all dried out. Tigger must have the soft paws on before Sammi comes home. She's rather a grouchy nasty cat, and from what I have heard, Sammi is a very, very playful puppy.
(The word Belinda used was "mean" but she qualified it with the fact that the rest of the puppies in the litter are rather shy and skittish and Sammi, even though she is half their size (she is the runt) is always after them to play. Nomming on their tails and ears even when they are trying to sleep!)
Needless to say, I am very excited to hear that Sammi is a frisky, playful puppy. One of the things we were worried about the most when we had to pick our puppy at four days old was that we would not be able to watch them play and get a feel for their temperment. Looks like we did OK, but really, we will have to wait until Friday (OMG FRIDAY!!) when we have Sammi home with us!
Just a quick reminder of what Sammi looked like at four days old :
Wednesday, October 01, 2008
For Robin
Yesterday Robin inferred that Wal*Mart, my favorite of favorite stores, SUCKS!
I KNOW!
I told Robin that just for her, I would write a post and try to explain why I love Wal*Mart so damn much. Here goes:
Dear Wal*Mart;
While I find it offensive being verbally accosted by the group of weirdos who would be better off in drug rehabilitation than standing in front of your doors, David MORE than makes up for it. I've "Known" David for about three years now. His scars concern me. I know that he is mentally handicapped by the way he carries himself and the way he speaks. The one scar goes from ear to ear like his head had been split right in half! I worry about him.
When we walk in the store, David does his hobble/run over to us, mussing the babies hair, and handing out stickers. He likes to tell us what he did that weekend. We like to listen. Last Weekend, David got Bender necklace - you know, bender from Futurama - Its pretty cool. I wish I had one.
David always makes me smile. I actually get pretty bummed when we stop in and he is not working.
You see, Wal*Mart, We only go shopping every two weeks, On PayDay, and your store, with it's many wonders, lets us get our shopping over and done with. You have clothes, and shoes, and baby supplies, food, pet supplies, and cleaning crap (I hate cleaning. Please discontinue all cleanning products so that it will no longer be required of me. Thanks.)
I love the fact that if I walk past the gang of drug rehab rejects that hang around the layaway section, I will find my self surrounded by a cornicopia of shoes. And sometimes, those shoes are marked down to three dollars. And I buy them. I buy them all!
I love that I can ditch hubs and the boys in the electronics section and go to your instore McDonalds for a coffee and a Big Mac, and I love the fact that you carry the normal AND abnormal colors of nail polish.
In closeing Wal*Mart, I truly do love you. You DO have lower prices on most things, But the fact that I can complete nearly all of my shopping in one stop, makes up for even the smelliest of washrooms!
I KNOW!
I told Robin that just for her, I would write a post and try to explain why I love Wal*Mart so damn much. Here goes:
Dear Wal*Mart;
While I find it offensive being verbally accosted by the group of weirdos who would be better off in drug rehabilitation than standing in front of your doors, David MORE than makes up for it. I've "Known" David for about three years now. His scars concern me. I know that he is mentally handicapped by the way he carries himself and the way he speaks. The one scar goes from ear to ear like his head had been split right in half! I worry about him.
When we walk in the store, David does his hobble/run over to us, mussing the babies hair, and handing out stickers. He likes to tell us what he did that weekend. We like to listen. Last Weekend, David got Bender necklace - you know, bender from Futurama - Its pretty cool. I wish I had one.
David always makes me smile. I actually get pretty bummed when we stop in and he is not working.
You see, Wal*Mart, We only go shopping every two weeks, On PayDay, and your store, with it's many wonders, lets us get our shopping over and done with. You have clothes, and shoes, and baby supplies, food, pet supplies, and cleaning crap (I hate cleaning. Please discontinue all cleanning products so that it will no longer be required of me. Thanks.)
I love the fact that if I walk past the gang of drug rehab rejects that hang around the layaway section, I will find my self surrounded by a cornicopia of shoes. And sometimes, those shoes are marked down to three dollars. And I buy them. I buy them all!
I love that I can ditch hubs and the boys in the electronics section and go to your instore McDonalds for a coffee and a Big Mac, and I love the fact that you carry the normal AND abnormal colors of nail polish.
In closeing Wal*Mart, I truly do love you. You DO have lower prices on most things, But the fact that I can complete nearly all of my shopping in one stop, makes up for even the smelliest of washrooms!
All my love,
Bluepaintred
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Coooooooookies!
Ginger Snaps
1/4 cup molasses
1 egg
2 cup flour
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
2 tsp baking soda
2 tsp ginger
1/2 tsp cloves
Granulated Sugar
(I ALWAYS double this recipe)(ALWAYS)
Cream Butter, Brown Sugar, molasses and egg until Fluffy. Combine dry ingredients in a bowl and add to wet - slowly - flour makes a mess when you use a mixer like me- mix completely.
Put dough in the fridge to chill, this cookie dough must be cool to work with. Trust me. It's VERY sticky other wise.
I use a rounded table spoon measuring thingy to scoop out the dough so I get uniform balls. Roll dough into balls and roll them in the granulated sugar you have already gotten ready on a plate 'cus I remembered to tell you about this earlier. When the ball is covered in sugar - mmmmm - put on a cookie sheet , about two inches apart.
Cook at 350, or 375, for 8-12 minutes or 6-8 minutes. - You are thinking WTF? So am I. My granny wrote this recipe down for me with both of those times. I put it on 375 for about 6 minutes. If the tops of your cookie are starting to crack, they are done. Or should be. Sometimes the inside is still raw when they are hot.. they are still nummy.
Let cool for about 1 minute of the cookie sheet (other wise you are liable to break a billion cookies tring to get them off the sheet) then put 'em on a rack to cool the rest of the way. Or in your mouth, It's up to you. ( I cool them in my tummy personally)
I have had EXCELLENT luck freezing this dough. I measure out 12 cookies (thats how many fit on my pans) mush them back together and cover them first with plastic wrap then tinfoil. This way I can take a froen package out at noon, and have hot cookies for snack time when the boys get home from school without having to deal with all the mess.
Good luck, and happy Nomming!
3/4 cup butter (don't melt it, use room temperature butter)
1 cup brown sugar (packed)1/4 cup molasses
1 egg
2 cup flour
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
2 tsp baking soda
2 tsp ginger
1/2 tsp cloves
Granulated Sugar
(I ALWAYS double this recipe)(ALWAYS)
Cream Butter, Brown Sugar, molasses and egg until Fluffy. Combine dry ingredients in a bowl and add to wet - slowly - flour makes a mess when you use a mixer like me- mix completely.
Put dough in the fridge to chill, this cookie dough must be cool to work with. Trust me. It's VERY sticky other wise.
I use a rounded table spoon measuring thingy to scoop out the dough so I get uniform balls. Roll dough into balls and roll them in the granulated sugar you have already gotten ready on a plate 'cus I remembered to tell you about this earlier. When the ball is covered in sugar - mmmmm - put on a cookie sheet , about two inches apart.
Cook at 350, or 375, for 8-12 minutes or 6-8 minutes. - You are thinking WTF? So am I. My granny wrote this recipe down for me with both of those times. I put it on 375 for about 6 minutes. If the tops of your cookie are starting to crack, they are done. Or should be. Sometimes the inside is still raw when they are hot.. they are still nummy.
Let cool for about 1 minute of the cookie sheet (other wise you are liable to break a billion cookies tring to get them off the sheet) then put 'em on a rack to cool the rest of the way. Or in your mouth, It's up to you. ( I cool them in my tummy personally)
I have had EXCELLENT luck freezing this dough. I measure out 12 cookies (thats how many fit on my pans) mush them back together and cover them first with plastic wrap then tinfoil. This way I can take a froen package out at noon, and have hot cookies for snack time when the boys get home from school without having to deal with all the mess.
Good luck, and happy Nomming!
Sunday, September 28, 2008
AHH!
Logan starts school in Three days.
Wednesday October 1 is his very first day of Pre-K.
He has been excitedly crossing days off on the calendar.
I have not.
I know this will be good for him, and will be good practice for ME to be away from him, but OHMYGOD what was I thinking!!? he is just a baby! He isn't old enough to be without me! What if he gets hurt, or someone doesn't share and he cries? Will the teacehr know to rub his back as she hugs him?
Deep breaths. Deeeeeeeeeeeeeeep Breaths.
Wednesday October 1 is his very first day of Pre-K.
He has been excitedly crossing days off on the calendar.
I have not.
I know this will be good for him, and will be good practice for ME to be away from him, but OHMYGOD what was I thinking!!? he is just a baby! He isn't old enough to be without me! What if he gets hurt, or someone doesn't share and he cries? Will the teacehr know to rub his back as she hugs him?
Deep breaths. Deeeeeeeeeeeeeeep Breaths.
Friday, September 26, 2008
*giggle*
So, Logan went for his four year old shot on Wednesday. While we were sitting, waiting for our turn, he entertained himself by sending his daddy an email on my iTouch. Then he played a few games on it and it was his turn.
Think about it! When I was a kid, the word "E-Mail" never crossed my lips. Nor did the word Computer or laptop or digital cameras. Actually, Digital Anything! And I am not yet thirty!
It's funny that my kids know these words, when I learned of them much later in life. I used to go ask my mom if I could play with her make up, My kids ask if they can play on my laptop!
What words can you think of that your kids say that you would have never said as a kid - and I mean in terms of technology and news, not swears and slang!
Think about it! When I was a kid, the word "E-Mail" never crossed my lips. Nor did the word Computer or laptop or digital cameras. Actually, Digital Anything! And I am not yet thirty!
It's funny that my kids know these words, when I learned of them much later in life. I used to go ask my mom if I could play with her make up, My kids ask if they can play on my laptop!
What words can you think of that your kids say that you would have never said as a kid - and I mean in terms of technology and news, not swears and slang!
Thirsty Solutions
Logan is ALWAYS thirsty. He drinks constantly. And yeah, Ive already taken him in for diabetes testing, he was clear, but still he drinks.
When we were staying at my dads last summer, Their tap water is not fit for drinking, so everyone drinks bottled water. Logan went through a CASE of 24, 1 Liter bottles of water in two days. So you can imagine how often I am getting up to give him a glass of water or juice or milk!
That is, until we bought this thing. It's like those big water purifiers things, My dad and In Laws have the big ones, but this one, it doesn't do anything except make it easy for Logan to get his OWN drink!
I still have to re fill it, and I often fill it a bit and then freeze an inch of ice on the bottom so the water stays colder longer - the big ones chill and heat the water for you, but hey, filling this every few hours is better than getting up to get him a drink every few minutes!
(pee ess: that's Parker in the photo, not Logan!)
When we were staying at my dads last summer, Their tap water is not fit for drinking, so everyone drinks bottled water. Logan went through a CASE of 24, 1 Liter bottles of water in two days. So you can imagine how often I am getting up to give him a glass of water or juice or milk!
That is, until we bought this thing. It's like those big water purifiers things, My dad and In Laws have the big ones, but this one, it doesn't do anything except make it easy for Logan to get his OWN drink!
I still have to re fill it, and I often fill it a bit and then freeze an inch of ice on the bottom so the water stays colder longer - the big ones chill and heat the water for you, but hey, filling this every few hours is better than getting up to get him a drink every few minutes!
(pee ess: that's Parker in the photo, not Logan!)
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Thursday Thirteen
I can never seem to keep track of what the theme for the Thursday Thirteen Meme is, so I makeup my own - When I remember it's Thursday, that is!
So, this Thursday's theme (for me) will be job descriptions!
So, this Thursday's theme (for me) will be job descriptions!
My job description would be :
1. Mother
2. Cleaning lady
3. Personal Shopper
4. Laundry Attendant
5. Personal Chauffeur
6. Chef
7. Debate Moderator
8. Part planner
9. Secretary
10. Tutor/Teacher
11. Artist
12. Director (of plays)
13. Nurse/Doctor
I originally wanted to also do job descriptions for Hubs and the boys, but when I tired I realized I cannot think of enough items for them! Oops!
1. Mother
2. Cleaning lady
3. Personal Shopper
4. Laundry Attendant
5. Personal Chauffeur
6. Chef
7. Debate Moderator
8. Part planner
9. Secretary
10. Tutor/Teacher
11. Artist
12. Director (of plays)
13. Nurse/Doctor
I originally wanted to also do job descriptions for Hubs and the boys, but when I tired I realized I cannot think of enough items for them! Oops!
Twilight Ideas
I've been reading the four books in the Twilight series, and then reading them again, and then? Again. I am chapters away from finishing the series for the third time, and I plan of picking up book one again as soon as I finish with book four!
From reading twilight, it has come to my attention that if I want to have a Vampire of my very own, I will need to start looking for jobs in Philadelphia because vampires like populated places, You know, cus no one will notice a random bloodsucking every now and then - so long as there are way way way more people alive in a city than the ones who turn up mysteriously dead, it's all good.
And I really, really, really would like a vampire.
Seriously.
No, really, I seriously would LOVE to be a vampire, especially the way Stephanie Myers portrays them in her Twilight series!
From reading twilight, it has come to my attention that if I want to have a Vampire of my very own, I will need to start looking for jobs in Philadelphia because vampires like populated places, You know, cus no one will notice a random bloodsucking every now and then - so long as there are way way way more people alive in a city than the ones who turn up mysteriously dead, it's all good.
And I really, really, really would like a vampire.
Seriously.
No, really, I seriously would LOVE to be a vampire, especially the way Stephanie Myers portrays them in her Twilight series!
Monday, September 22, 2008
On House Repairs
Last night Hubs opened the door the the basement. Once that door is opened, you go down three steps to a landing where you can either go outside or continue on downstairs. Hubs had opened the basement door so that he could go down to the landing and feed the cat her dinner - cat food stinks, so she has to eat it away from me!
The very first step, right where the door closes is carpeted, as are the sides of the stairs, but the steps themselves ate lino. The carpeting is left over from when we tore out the carpet upstairs, we decided not to do the stairs as stairs looked like a really tough project!
Looks like we should have done them when we had the chance - and when we were able to get flooring that matched! The cat has torn up that little piece of carpeting WAY beyond repair, and eventually it will have to be replaced.
Its not a huge job like fence installation, but we will have a tough time, I think, trying to find a wood laminate that is a close match to what is already upstairs, AND the basement is a completely different color than the upstairs was done, so I'm not sure how to go about deciding how that works!
I think that what will have to happen is that I will have to live with the sight of that torn up carpet (or replace that bit of carpet) until we have the money to redo the entire upstairs. When we did it last time, we only did the hallway and living room, we left the kitchen with its lino, and the bedrooms carpeted. I wish we had poneyed up the extra money and done the bedrooms and kitchen when we had the chance!
The very first step, right where the door closes is carpeted, as are the sides of the stairs, but the steps themselves ate lino. The carpeting is left over from when we tore out the carpet upstairs, we decided not to do the stairs as stairs looked like a really tough project!
Looks like we should have done them when we had the chance - and when we were able to get flooring that matched! The cat has torn up that little piece of carpeting WAY beyond repair, and eventually it will have to be replaced.
Its not a huge job like fence installation, but we will have a tough time, I think, trying to find a wood laminate that is a close match to what is already upstairs, AND the basement is a completely different color than the upstairs was done, so I'm not sure how to go about deciding how that works!
I think that what will have to happen is that I will have to live with the sight of that torn up carpet (or replace that bit of carpet) until we have the money to redo the entire upstairs. When we did it last time, we only did the hallway and living room, we left the kitchen with its lino, and the bedrooms carpeted. I wish we had poneyed up the extra money and done the bedrooms and kitchen when we had the chance!
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Oil Spill!
Saturday and Sunday were mostly spent three doors down. My father in law turned 69 today (September 21) and of course, we had to be on hand to celebrate. On Saturday, one of hubs sister's and her family were there, and for a little bit, the children of one of hubs other sisters dropped by.
While R was there, Hubs and I had gone out for a smoke and I pointed to R's car saying that if he was any closer to the curb he would be on the grass. His tire was literally millimeters from being on the grass. Later on in the evening it was time for hubs and I to take the boys home, R had left about twenty minutes earlier, and both Hubs and I stopped to look where R had parked his car. We were checking the lawn for tire marks!
Instead, we found a puddle the size of a deck of cards and about 10 or 15 drips around it of oil! R has been driving his sister's car, a beat up old thing, since he got his license eight weeks ago and it looks like it is time for him to get to an auto parts store!
Both Hubs and My father-In-Law said that R will be lucky if his transmission lasts another month if he doesn't get the oil problem taken care of!
I love the convenience of cars, but I sure do hate the upkeep of them!
While R was there, Hubs and I had gone out for a smoke and I pointed to R's car saying that if he was any closer to the curb he would be on the grass. His tire was literally millimeters from being on the grass. Later on in the evening it was time for hubs and I to take the boys home, R had left about twenty minutes earlier, and both Hubs and I stopped to look where R had parked his car. We were checking the lawn for tire marks!
Instead, we found a puddle the size of a deck of cards and about 10 or 15 drips around it of oil! R has been driving his sister's car, a beat up old thing, since he got his license eight weeks ago and it looks like it is time for him to get to an auto parts store!
Both Hubs and My father-In-Law said that R will be lucky if his transmission lasts another month if he doesn't get the oil problem taken care of!
I love the convenience of cars, but I sure do hate the upkeep of them!
Friday, September 19, 2008
half asleep typing
It's Friday morning and I am sitting in bed with Logan, Iggy Arbuckle - some cartoon show with forest animals - is on the television.
I am more than tempted to put my laptop down on my night table and go to sleep. On other days of the week, this is no problem. But on Fridays I always feel so guilty when I get extra sleep in the morning, considering that Hubs gets up at 430 AM for work those days!
It would not be so bad if he napped after work, but he never seems to need a nap!
I wish I could go through days like that, but until then, I am going to go back to bed and dream a little dream!
sweet dreams my friends
I am more than tempted to put my laptop down on my night table and go to sleep. On other days of the week, this is no problem. But on Fridays I always feel so guilty when I get extra sleep in the morning, considering that Hubs gets up at 430 AM for work those days!
It would not be so bad if he napped after work, but he never seems to need a nap!
I wish I could go through days like that, but until then, I am going to go back to bed and dream a little dream!
sweet dreams my friends
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Are You Addicted?
Ok, I'm pretty fanatic about my FaceBook apps. Three in particular, Big Bucks lotto, Pull Tabs, and Scratch and Win. Each day your credits reset, so you have to use your daily credits..well, Daily!
The games are a blast, and I love playing them to the point that when I am away from home, and thus, my internet I make arrangements with a friend to "buy" my tickets with my daily credits so they do not go to waste.
What I simply do NOT understand is how people can be online trading REAL money for FAKE credits for these apps!
Yes! Absolutely, I would LOVE to have more daily credits to spend on my apps, but seriously, real money??
Take Big Bucks Lotto for example. I get 400 daily credits to buy my tickets. The more sets I complete by winning "BigBucks" and purchasing "prizes" the more daily tickets I get. I am not sure, but I believe that the max FREE daily tickets one can get is 2000.
There is an app that is connected to almost every FaceBook app, it is called Spare Change where you can spend real money - either VIA credit card or PayPal and get in return FAKE credits to play whatever FaceBook app you are playing :
Yea. One HUNDRED dollars. One hundred dollars that could be spent on gas or Milk or even a cute pair of shoes, just to get a couple thousand tickets?
So do the math people. This person has played 29600 tickets - and that is JUST in the first half hour of the day! By the end of the day the top spot is usually held by someone who has played over 100,000 tickets!
And that, people, is how you KNOW you are addicted to the internet!
The games are a blast, and I love playing them to the point that when I am away from home, and thus, my internet I make arrangements with a friend to "buy" my tickets with my daily credits so they do not go to waste.
What I simply do NOT understand is how people can be online trading REAL money for FAKE credits for these apps!
Yes! Absolutely, I would LOVE to have more daily credits to spend on my apps, but seriously, real money??
Take Big Bucks Lotto for example. I get 400 daily credits to buy my tickets. The more sets I complete by winning "BigBucks" and purchasing "prizes" the more daily tickets I get. I am not sure, but I believe that the max FREE daily tickets one can get is 2000.
There is an app that is connected to almost every FaceBook app, it is called Spare Change where you can spend real money - either VIA credit card or PayPal and get in return FAKE credits to play whatever FaceBook app you are playing :
Yea. One HUNDRED dollars. One hundred dollars that could be spent on gas or Milk or even a cute pair of shoes, just to get a couple thousand tickets?
So do the math people. This person has played 29600 tickets - and that is JUST in the first half hour of the day! By the end of the day the top spot is usually held by someone who has played over 100,000 tickets!
And that, people, is how you KNOW you are addicted to the internet!
Sunday, September 14, 2008
P is for Piglet!
We went for coffee on Friday with BFF Kissy. Our regular place had closed at 4pm due to lack of staff, so we had to go to a new place. At first i was quite upset, I am NOT a fan of change! But after we got there - there was a truck stop Husky gas station and restaurant - and I had a chance to check out the store part of the place, I was OK with it! I got the boys tiny little kittens that meow and say I love you, but are made out of something so freaking soft, it makes me wonder if they actually skinned live cats for the toy cat's fur!
since BFF Kissy is ALWAYS working she took the opportunity to pass along some baby gifts for my SIL, knowing that I would for sure see her first. I left a message with SIl that i had gifts for her, but also told her not to worry about trying to get down to my place to pick them up, as we will be going to my Dad's (SIL is staying there) in two weeks to pick up our new puppy and will deliver the gifts at that time.
BFF Kissy was gifted an umbrella stroller from a friend, and gave it to me to pass on to SIL. It's no Bob stroller - those are awesome, they are for parents who want to spend a lot of time out doors, the bob stroller has a pivoting front wheel for easy navigation of rough terrain, and the tires themselves are much larger than a regular stroller so that you don't have to stick to paved roads! The Bob Strollers come in the same categories that a "regular stroller" comes in, they have the one with an infant car seat on it, they also have ones that will seat multiple children!
But it will come handy when a big stroller won't fit where she needs to go! And, it will make a great play toy for SIL's two year old daughter to drive her baby dolls around in!
Anyway, I promised SIL some pictures of the goodies I have sitting here waiting for her!
And some Stickers for the Big sister!
And of course, the most important - an adorable Piglet outfit for the new baby!
since BFF Kissy is ALWAYS working she took the opportunity to pass along some baby gifts for my SIL, knowing that I would for sure see her first. I left a message with SIl that i had gifts for her, but also told her not to worry about trying to get down to my place to pick them up, as we will be going to my Dad's (SIL is staying there) in two weeks to pick up our new puppy and will deliver the gifts at that time.
BFF Kissy was gifted an umbrella stroller from a friend, and gave it to me to pass on to SIL. It's no Bob stroller - those are awesome, they are for parents who want to spend a lot of time out doors, the bob stroller has a pivoting front wheel for easy navigation of rough terrain, and the tires themselves are much larger than a regular stroller so that you don't have to stick to paved roads! The Bob Strollers come in the same categories that a "regular stroller" comes in, they have the one with an infant car seat on it, they also have ones that will seat multiple children!
But it will come handy when a big stroller won't fit where she needs to go! And, it will make a great play toy for SIL's two year old daughter to drive her baby dolls around in!
Anyway, I promised SIL some pictures of the goodies I have sitting here waiting for her!
Here is the little umbrella stroller with the gift bag sitting in it!
And some Stickers for the Big sister!
And of course, the most important - an adorable Piglet outfit for the new baby!
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