Bite of the Day

Can I borrow a quarter?

2011-03-03T16:09:00.002-05:00

I am back writing again after how many months M.I.A? I know I started this blog for a reason...just wish I had the time for it! At any rate...it would seem as though today I do have time. Therefore I thought I would write on another of Mama Kat's Writers Prompts: (finally, a topic I can relate to) One pet peeve that shouldn’t drive you crazy, but does.

There are so many more than just one. Mama Kat's pet peeve relates to me as well. But since she wrote on that one, I'll tell you about another of my pet peeves.

Jingling change...or specifically my husband jingling his change, right next to my ear when he's standing beside me, or even across the rooom from me. It sends chills down my spine. He has his hands in his pockets, along with whatever change from the day, keys...and who knows what and he jingles it in his pockets. I.WANT.TO.SCREAM!!!!!! It really makes me irate, and I get unbelievably bent out of shape. When I started mentioning to my husband that it bothered me...he just made a joke saying, "You must have the most sensitive ears/hearing of anyone in the world to hear that" now he just says to me "what doesn't bother you?"

So now, instead of asking him politely(or screaming at him...whichever suits my purpose), I just tell him bluntly: "GIVE me the contents of your pockets, and no one will get hurt"

Christmas Cards--re-do

2010-12-02T09:08:00.008-05:00

Ok, so apparently my family and friends caught wind that I wasn't going to mail Christmas cards this year, and they revolted. They said, "WHAT? We're not going to get a photo card of your beautiful family to hang on our wall? How could you deprive us!? We just love your photo cards!"

So I have been forced to reconsider. My thought process of emailing cards was actually me finding the easy way out. The end result being: I wouldn't have to address cards, stuff envelopes and actually go to the post office to buy stamps. Am I really THAT lazy? No...I really do love doing cards, it's just been a crazy holiday season so far, and I wasn't sure I had the energy for one more thing! And when I think about it, it will be a great tradition to hang all of our holiday cards from years past up every year. Then we can remember all the wonderful Christmases past.

And then I remembered Shutterfly...and it struck me, I can totally find a card I like there, they have some pretty awesome Christmas photo cards to choose from. I have used Shutterfly in the past for calenders and holiday cards so what's to stop me this year? AAAAND, the icing on the cake? For a small fee Shutterfly will address, stamp and mail my cards for me! SCORE!

What do you think of our new Christmas card? Shutterfly is pretty awesome, huh?

Perfection

2010-12-02T09:00:00.003-05:00

This Fall photo was taken on a wonderful day, out on the trail with the kids, it was actually early October when it was taken. Right now all the leaves are gone, and there is snow on the ground which makes it feel more like Winter. Oh, how I miss those days of Fall.

Another installment for Mama Kat's Writer's Workshop

3rd Day of SITS-mas, I stole their idea ;)

2010-12-01T08:17:00.004-05:00

Those SITS girls are having another awesome giveaway, and I liked their blog topic, so I totally copied it...well except for the giveaway, you'll have to go there if you want that!

1. What is your holiday wish for your family?

To be happy and healthy

2. What is your Christmas morning / Hanukkah Nightly tradition?

We don't really have a morning tradition yet, our son has had one Christmas morning at home and the other at his aunt's house in NJ. Hopefully, now that we're staying home for Christmas, traditions can be established.

3. If you could ask Santa for one, completely decadent wish for yourself, what would it be?

Chocolate, and no weight gain to go with it. Maybe even a chocolate fountain :)

4. How do you make the holidays special without spending any money?

We go to events like Village Christmas, and also by watching lots of Christmas movies!

5. What games did you play with your family growing up?

We played Uno a lot as kids, and the game of Life

6. What holiday tradition have you carried on from your own childhood?

Decorating the day after/weekend after Thanksgiving

7. Where would you go for a Christmas/Hanukkah-away-from-home trip?

A cabin in the mountains(a large one to fit all our extended family) Snow on the ground, roasting marshmallows in a fire pit outside, drinking hot cocoa

We love SITS-MAS!

2010-11-29T10:24:00.002-05:00

It's that time of year again! SITS-mas is here!! Below you'll see the holiday card my family will be emailing this year. I LOVE doing Christmas cards, but unfortunately the economy is taking its toll on our family, and we'll be emailing our cards. I guess you could look at it like this; we're saving the environment too!

In our house we're in full holiday mode...house is decorated, tree is up, Christmas tunes are playin', and my son is constantly sneaking the red and green M&M's. How about you? When do you decorate for Christmas? Do you say bah-humbug to it all and wait until the last minute? Do you do your shopping online to avoid the stores?

We’re celebrating at SITS with 12 Days of SITSmas giveaways and today visitors are encouraged to post Christmas cards on their blogs (I used Picnik) and then link them up. Come join the fun!

Thanksgiving Week...What are you thankful for?

2010-11-23T17:12:00.004-05:00

Mama Kat's prompts for Thursday's writers workshop:

It’s Thanksgiving time and the show will go on!

1.) Interview your kids…what do they think Thanksgiving is for? What are they thankful for? etc.
2.) Share a photo of what Thanksgiving looks like in your neck of the woods.
3.) Write a poem about the things you are thankful for.
4.) Describe a memorable Thanksgiving.
5.) Forget Thanksgiving, write about that time you fell down.

Today I talk to my son about the upcoming holiday and what he's thankful for.

Mommy's Gone Wild

2010-11-18T12:34:00.003-05:00

Wanna know what happens when you meet friends from the bloggy world?

Then again...maybe you don't wanna know what happens when you meet people from the bloggy world.

Another installment of Mama Kat's Writers Workshop

Hot Piece of Ass

2010-10-21T20:27:00.008-04:00

I thought my husband married me for my intelligence…or maybe even my cooking. As it turns out I was just a nice piece of ass, and I gave him a nice glimpse of it before our courtship even began. You’ve probably guessed which Mama Kat’s Writer’s Workshop I am writing about: wardrobe malfunction.

New to the area, I met my husband at a local business mixer. We were both attending to promote our respective businesses; mine a bed and breakfast, and his an outdoor adventure business. I invited him to my house next day so we could talk “packaging” (in reality, there was only one package of his I was really interested in *wink wink*).

In anticipation of his visit I made sure wear a cute, yet understated, outfit. I knew right away what I wanted: St. John’s Bay blue skirt and a simple white tee shirt. I watched in anticipation as the hot adventurer pulled into the drive, and I waited eagerly at the front door for him. I let him in the house and offered a tour. I was so proud of my business venture. I took him through all the rooms of the bed and breakfast; detailing the history of the house, all the while giving him the low-down on me (letting him know in so many words, I was SINGLE!)

Everything went great!! Before he left he offered to be my “personal tour guide,” and I was ecstatic! I ran upstairs to change into my “clean the house clothes.” I passed the full length mirror in my room, and that’s when I caught a glimpse of it…the back of my skirt, where it’s supposed to be zipped, was split. The zipper was compromised and my underwear (blue lace thong) and butt crack were exposed to the world, namely my hot suitor. It’s no wonder he was so giddy his entire visit. It wasn’t because I was witty, beautiful and what-not…it’s because he was trying to hold his laughter in at the sight of my exposed ass.

Lucky me, he made good on his offer as a personal tour guide, and called two days later to ask me to dinner…he moved in two months later, and the rest is history. At one point, I did confront him about the exposed butt snafu of 2006…but still, to this day, he denies that he followed me up the stairs resisting the urge to touch my crack, or that he ever saw any part of my underwear until many weeks later(*wink wink*)…

**Not my actual butt, however this is a close representation of my wardrobe malfunction.

Wordful Wednesday

2010-10-20T17:07:00.003-04:00

We're wearing purple today.

We want to be a part of the voice that stands against bullying our gay youth. God forbid if one of our children takes their life because of being bullied for their lifestyle choice. I cannot fathom the pain that a parent who has lost their son/daughter to suicide goes through. I do not understand what the bullies are thinking as they torment these children. I cannot fathom the pain that a gay youth goes through. The last thing they need to feel is that no one is there for them to talk to, or stands behind who they are. I don't want my children to think they couldn't talk to me. I want to teach my children to be kind and understanding of lifestyle choices, and accepting if people different than them.

So today, we're wearing purple...but it's not just today that is going to change the mindset of people; it's what we do tomorrow...and the day after that...and the day after....

Solitary Confinement

2010-10-18T22:52:00.006-04:00

I told my husband "I am leaving you."

He didn't seem too concerned, I guess he figured it'd just be for the day.

I left the ~~jail~~ house , ~~warden~~ husband, and the ~~other inmates~~ kids behind, and I escaped to get a haircut. I can't describe why this was as liberating as it was, but considering liberating used to be going on a vacation...by myself...to Spain, a $15 haircut at Mastercuts was like a trip to Australia.

After the haircut I bought myself some new shirts at Kohl's, then I went to a movie. by. myself. I love being by myself. It was BLISS!! I really need to do it more often.

Family and kids are ~~over-rated~~ wonderful! They provide ~~judgement~~ unconditional love, and ~~a life sentence~~ never-ending companionship, but getting time to myself ~~never happens~~ is important. And not even a "moms-night-out" or "date night" can compare to my alone time. I won't say it re-charged me, because I came home a little ~~pretty damn bitter~~ sad that I had to...well....come home. But I will say with all my ~~attitude~~ good behavior, I hope I get ~~put into solitary confinement~~ out on my own a little more often.

Adventures in NON-babysitting

2010-10-14T06:17:00.003-04:00

Writing another Mama Kat's Writers Workshop
I chose:
5.) A memorable babysitting job.

Because I couldn't choose #3, even though I wanted to...I just can't chance it.

I was an awful babysitter. It wasn't that I lacked the desire to babysit, I always wanted my own babysitters club. I would have friends named Claudia, Mallory and Stacey and we'd run a lucrative babysitting business in Connecticut. I just didn't want to actually have to watch kids. Which leads me to my most memorable babysitting story...

My sister worked at McDonalds in high school, her manager was looking for a babysitter. She recommended her younger sister, (me, then 12) as a perfect fit. It was set up that I would watch his 2 kids after school, on weekdays for about 2-3 hours. A nice job, I earned money, and I was cool with that.

I showed up for the first few days of babysitting...and I.was.bored. The kids were annoying, they watched boring cartoons, and I had no interest in spending my afternoons with them. So I slept. What did it hurt? They were watching TV anyway. Well...it didn't turn out to hurt anyone, but myself. Because there was that one day their dad got home early from work(or maybe it was on time), and there I was still asleep on their couch while the kids watched TV.

Needless to say he drove me home that night, and he never picked me up to watch them. EVER. AGAIN! Who can blame him!? I think if I came home to find a babysitter asleep on the kids with my toddler aged kids running around, I would go berserk. I am lucky he was a mellow guy, I am lucky he drove me home.

Ever Wonder What a Bitch Looks Like?

2010-10-07T18:14:00.007-04:00

Or two bitches for that matter?

bitches (noun)\ˈbich-es\: Usually two women running away with their jogging strollers without offering to help after your angelic son has flipped over the double-stroller containing your 8 month old baby girl.

Where I live....

2010-10-06T19:55:00.020-04:00

This post is brought to you by Mama Kat's Writers Workshop...because I am always sucker for a good prompt.

The prompt I chose this week was:

Show us where you live. Not on a map (security please), but take a picture of the view out your front door, back door, or neighborhood.

Instead of showing my neighborhood, (not much of a neighborhood, and I showed a photo of my house in a previous post) I thought I'd show you all the region where I live. I am in LOVE with this region!! It's an absolute dream here, and I wouldn't live anywhere else in the world! I feel pretty strongly about where I live...so let me share with you: its the land of waterfalls, lakes, and wine. It's history is rich, and scenery divine. The nearest metropolitan area is 2 hours away. In fact, we still have farm stands where the honor system is king. Surprisingly, it's still a hidden gem, because if you ask many people if they've heard of where I live they'll tell you "no." I hope you enjoy these photos...and if you're ever interested in visiting where I live let me know...I know some good tour guides (shameless plug) :)

I love where I live because in the Winter it looks like Narnia

I love where I live because we have beautiful waters

I love where I live because there is WINE...LOTS OF WINE, made right here from grapes off these vines

I love where I live, because this was my view on my birthday

I love where I live because we have hundreds of waterfalls, and I still haven't seen them all

I love where I live because natures beauty is literally 2 minutes or less from my house

I love where I live because I can teach my children how to observe and love all of God's creation

I love where I live...did I mention the wine!? OH YEA!! THE WINE!

I love where I live because the ones I love live here

Who Else...??

2010-10-06T12:35:00.003-04:00

Is gonna be Buzz Lightyear for Halloween?? None other than my 2 year old. Big shocker, because it's not like there will be 100 other Buzz Lightyear's out there. But at least mine will be rockin' the zebra print glasses...

Comment Sensitivity

2010-09-14T05:39:00.002-04:00

I started this blog to mostly take part in Mama Kat's Writer's Workshops...I was always a reader of Mama Kat's, and I wasn't able to participate due to the family blog being private. It's kind of ironic that the family blog is private, and yet none of my family knows about this blog.

At any rate, one of the prompts from MKWW instructed us to write about a journal entry from an old journal. I got a few comments on the post, as I usually do for MKWW, however I don't think that my feelings were correctly interpreted in the post.

Here is the post:

really really! no really!

When I was thirteen I lived with my Dad. My parents were still “married” but my mom was living in another state attending law school. At thirteen, I thought it was just that, it never entered my mind that my parents were actually separated and didn’t tell me. So my mother wouldn’t lose touch with me, she bought us both journals. We traded journals whenever we saw each other, about once a month. We both wrote in our journals every night before bed. Once we traded journals we could go back and read what the other person had been writing. It’s strange thinking back on that time in my life. My mom was only 2 years older than I am now. At 30 I know the truth and the circumstances behind my parents divorce, and it gives me a whole new perspective. At any rate, I don’t know what ever became of those journals, maybe my mom still has them, or maybe I threw them out. If I were to open one of those journals today I think the entry would read something like this:

Sometime in 1992…
Hi Mom,
I wish that you didn’t have to go back to law school this week. I really really really miss you! It was really nice having you here this weekend. I know you said it would only be three years, but I just can’t wait for it to be over! I really don’t like my math teacher, he is so boring, it’s even worse that he’s my homeroom teacher too. I really think that I wouldn’t mind living with you, I think it could be fun trying a new school, but I guess I understand why I have to live here. I really can’t wait to see you again, only 26 more days until you visit again. Well that’s all for tonight, I am tired I guess, I’ll write more tomorrow. Marbles says “meow”

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo, ME

I think the hardest part in reading the comments was that the main consensus was: "wow, how great that your mother found a way for you two to keep in touch." When in reality I was actually really hurt by the fact that at the age of 10 my mother moved away and shirked all of her parenting responsibilities off on my father. For me it was a hard time in my life...going through puberty with a father who was very hands off, and me trying everything I could to get my mother to accept me. In the end, I never really understood what my mother was going through and dealing with in her own troubled mind, I probably never will. I guess my point in revisiting this post is that I wanted to clarify my feelings about it all. In future blogposts I hope I can express myself better so readers know where I am coming from.

This is the Second Post in the SITS "get back to blogging and jump start your blog" challenge that is happening all week long. To sweeten the deal, the event is sponsored by Standards of Excellence, Westar, and Florida Builder Appliances, and someone may even get to take Thelma and Louise(a washer and dryer--not the movie) home with them!

First Posts

2010-09-13T12:48:00.006-04:00

The purpose of this post is to bring you the first blog post I EVER wrote...well that would be from a blog wrote about 7 years ago, and subsequently deleted, and so I bring you my first blog post from my family blog(which is a private blog, so this should be considered quite a treat).

The family blog I keep is essentially a baby book and chronicle of my children's lives. I chose not to post the first blog from 'Bite of the Day', because well...its easy to find...just click the blog archive to your right or this link: FIRST POST (ironically they both have similar subject matter)

And now I bring to you....my first post:

2/19/2008

After some urging....26 weeks-14 to go!

Well to be honest, it didn't take a lot of urging. Just one email suggestion from a friend and I decided a blog could be fun...we'll see how it goes.

As you can see I've posted baby's first photo, this was around 7 weeks...I wonder who baby resembles? This was taken about two weeks after we found out we'd be expecting.

Tonight I told my wonderful fiance we've reached the 26 week mark, only 14 more to go, 98 days! Then we got to talking about the day we found out. He remembers coming home from work and sitting at his desk. He remembers me sitting at the table next to him and blurting out "I'm pregnant" "What?" he responded...So I repeated "I'm pregnant." He then asked me "are you sure?"

"Well, I took a test and it came out positive" And for the past several months since we found out, it's been an amazing experience!

I look back and read that post and think: "gosh, it was so basic, so blah!" I could have added more to the story, I could have given it a little punch, some pizazz! Ugh, I hope I've come a long way since then...either way I hope to write more on this blog as it's the one that has been suffering.

This First Post post came to you because to the ladies at SITS are having a "get back to blogging and jump start your blog" challenge all week long. To sweeten the deal, the event is sponsored by Standards of Excellence, Westar, and Florida Builder Appliances, and someone may even get to take Thelma and Louise(a washer and dryer--not the movie) home with them!

What My Single Friends Don't Understand

2010-09-08T20:54:00.004-04:00

I don't have many single friends or childless friends. The one that comes to mind is getting married in two weeks so she won't be single for long...and hopefully she'll have babies very soon too!! Besides all that, she understands more than most single friends, and she definitely understands more than my husbands single male friends!! This list incorporates more of his friends than mine!

What Childless Friends Don't Understand:

-That I am really not sorry that my son broke your dye cast model whatever...he thought it was a toy...oh wait, because it IS A TOY!

-That I need multiple toys or distractions for my 2 year old and 6 month old if we go out to dinner...that's why I tried to encourage a BBQ in the comfort of my own home.

-That I really didn't want to go to your wedding with my kids. Because it ended up with me running around after the 2 year old the entire time, and me trying to apologize for him stealing the grooms cake off his plate.

-That going off into the woods to poke smot at your pig roast is NOT on my to do list...unless you want to change the 6 month olds diaper, and then the 2 year old...because all this fresh air is making.them.poop.

-That no, babies aren't born potty trained.

-That I would love to just pick up and leave this godforsaken part of the country every winter and drive to California in my vintage car, and then to Key West(like you). But I can't. I. HAVE. KIDS!

-That saying "AAAAH BAAAA!" to a two year old isn't necessary...he can talk now. USE YOUR WORDS!

This has been a part of Mama Kat's Writers Workshop...head on over, read other entries and write your own!

Childhood Fears

2010-09-02T16:54:00.003-04:00

So I haven't participated in Mama Kat's writers workshop in FOREVER!!! It's summer in upstate NY, and that means that we're BUSY!! Also, it's been a task juggling the two little ones, and finding time to blog isn't top on my list. However, with summer ending and Fall just around the corner I'd like to start blogging again...when I can!

So here goes:

Childhood fears I've brought to my adult life...thankfully it's plural...because there are a few!

-I'm afraid of the ball...don't ever pick me to be on your volleyball team, because ever since I played volleyball for the first time at age 9...I've been afraid of the ball. I am the person who shirks away from the ball as it's flying toward my head and lets it land on the ground. You've all seen "Meet the Parents" right? Well that's me, I'd rather NOT get the bloody nose, so ya...don't pick me.

-Carousel Horses: I HATE THEM! They have got to be the freakiest part of the carnival/fair...well maybe not compared to the scary guys with abnormally large hands, who work the midway, but a close second. I mean, come on!! Have you looked at them? HAVE YOU? They are totally writhing in pain with a pole stuck in their backs, going in circles in a room full of mirrors and the creepiest music I've ever heard. NOPE, not a fan of Carousel Horses.

-Dams, and swimming in the lakes attached to them. I know it's probably unrealistic...but in my mind if I swim in a lake with a dam, I am bound to end up in one of the intake tanks and die. I'd just rather not, thank you very much.

That about sums that one up...Happy Thursday...and Happy Writing!

Photo Link Up

2010-08-07T18:47:00.004-04:00

Well I know it's been forever since I posted, but I couldn't help link up to Mama Kat. My favorite photo of this week was when Baby A got her first taste of solids

Famous People

2010-04-28T08:12:00.005-04:00

Another installment for Writers Workshop

I have had my share of run-ins with celebrities…what can I say? I am cool like that. Actually, I used to work at a private air terminal in southern California, and famous people frequent those. I had encounters with Jim Carrey, Oprah and her dogs, Mr. October aka Reggie Jackson, and I even helped Mark Maguire make a bottle for his baby. My most frequent interaction would have been with Harrison Ford. He flies his own small aircraft, and he was in and out a lot. There are two times that stick out in my mind…the time I harassed him, and the time his credit card declined.

The time I harassed him, he didn’t take it as well as I had hoped. I was just being funny sarcastic me…and well...he didn’t “get it.” Where I worked we offered pilots the use of a courtesy vehicle to make quick trips if they weren’t staying long. Harrison Ford made regular use of these vehicles. One time when he was going to fly out, he was in a hurry and he forgot to return the car keys to me. I ran after him calling his name “INDY, INDY!!! You forgot to leave the keys!!!” He didn’t stop. So I was all “HAN, the keys!!!” he kept going…I finally called out “HARRY, please don’t take my keys!” He finally stopped and I got the keys back. The next time he came through the terminal and asked to borrow the courtesy car, I told him, “sure, no problem, as long as you don’t take the keys with you” *wink-wink* He didn’t laugh, he didn’t even smile, instead he gave me the evil eye. I wanted to curl up in a ball, I got the evil eye from Indiana Jones. Not the highlight of my career.

The second encounter I had with Harrison was probably about a year later. He had purchased some fuel from us for his small aircraft. He came inside to leave a credit card number, and then he flew away. I ran the card later that afternoon and it declined. WHAT? That can’t be right I thought. So I ran it again-DECLINED-the machine blinked at me. What now? Well, lucky for me Harrison left his phone number for us when he borrowed the courtesy car. So now I had the privilege of calling him and telling him his card declined, yay. I dialed the number expecting to hear his voice, instead I got some woman. “uh, er….I think I got the wrong number” I said. The woman answered “We’re an answering service for this number, you can tell me what you’re calling about and I will relay a message to the numbers owner” Well of course she is! Harrison Ford wouldn’t leave me his real number, duuuuh! It’s like he knew I would stalk him or something, weird. So I left my message, and two days later I got a call from a representative of Mr. Ford’s who gave me a credit card that was accepted.

Harrison kept coming in, despite the colorful girl behind the counter. I was even there when he introduced his mother to Calista Flockhart. It was interesting working in a place where you see famous people everyday. After awhile they just don’t seem famous anymore, and they’re everyday people like you and me…getting their credit cards declined and forgetting to return keys.

Because I was a snoop...

2010-04-08T12:32:00.004-04:00

Writers Workshop presents:

The first book I luuuuuuuved:

It was 1990 and I was in my big sisters room snooping. The only thing interesting on this day was a collection of books on a shelf. I usually ignored the books in favor of juicy notes she’d passed in class or a letter she’d write to her boyfriend, but there wasn’t much along those lines. I looked over the books until I saw one that sounded good, If There be Thorns by V.C. Andrews. At eleven I was constantly trying to be grown-up like my 16 year old sister, so I “borrowed” it. But before I left her room, I made sure to spray myself with my sisters perfume “Escape”

I got around to reading maybe the first chapter of the book, and I was bored out of my mind! I didn’t care enough to return the book to her, and the book got lost in my mess of a room, until one day my sister happened to notice it in my room.

“What are you doing with this?” she asked
“Reading it, duuuh.” I answered

"Did you read any of the others?” she asked
“No…it’s boring” I responded, “and I didn’t even read all of that one”
“Well if you’re going to read it, then you need to read the series, and in a particular order” She explained.

And thus began my pre-teen, and into my teens, obsession with V.C. Andrews. I liken it to the Stephenie Meyers “Twi-hards” of today. Only back then there wasn’t quite the cult following as there is for Twilight. I mean we didn’t have the internet to follow up with Taylor Lautner(Go Team Jacob), or Robert Pattinson. All we had was Kristy Swanson(before she killed vampires-and before Sarah Michelle Gellar did) and an obscure movie made in 1987. That day in 1990, my sister taught me how to read a V.C. Andrews series…you start with the first book, which is actually the second book, and when you read the fifth and final book, it is actually the first book. Make sense? Yea, it did to me too. So I started reading Flowers in the Attic that afternoon, and I was hooked…no longer was I bored, all the sudden everything made sense to me! I followed the Dollanganger family through their fathers death, and into what they thought would be a life of wealth, that turned into a life of imprisonment in their grandmothers attic. I followed them through heartbreak and disappointment to death and incest…pretty heavy stuff for 11, especially the latter. Waaaay heavy, in fact looking back, I don’t think these books were much like the Twilight series at all! I read the Twilight books, and I don’t have a problem with my 13 year old niece reading them, but I would mind her or my own daughter reading Flowers in the Attic at that age. Nope, not happening…I mean I turned out okay, but what was okay for me isn’t necessarily for my own kids right?

What did I love about these books? It’s the world that V.C. Andrews created, that just drew me in. It was a dark world of drama and turmoil, the happiness in her books was minimal…and the romance drew me in…I used to imagine myself as an actress in the movie version. I just knew I would be perfect to play Cathy, my only downfall is that I wasn’t blonde...or a ballerina. I’ll still pick the books up from time to time, they’re good for a quick read, when and if I have the time. I imagine if these books were popular today they’d all be movies by now with a huge cult following and Zac Efron as Christopher…then again maybe not, because Flowers in the Attic is no High School Musical.

It's been awhile, so I wrote on all five....sorta

2010-03-25T10:07:00.003-04:00

So it’s been awhile since I took part in Mama Kat’s Writers Workshop, hey I just had a baby 5 weeks ago. I have an excuse! But I’ve really wanted to get back into it, and just haven’t had the time. It’s been a little hairy around here with a 22 month old and a newborn. So I decided Tuesday, this will be the week where I will try to get back into it, and to make up for it I think I'll write on all five. Let’s take a look at the prompts…

Number one…the other day I ventured to ask my husband what my weakness is:

Me to wonderful husband: “What’s my weakness?”

Wonderful husband responds: “What do you mean? What do you think your weakness is?”
Me: “PLEASE stop answering my questions with QUESTIONS!”

WH: “You’re quick to anger”

And you can guess where that conversation went….so scratch number one.

Number two…I am in desperate need for positive affirmations these days. I am in serious doubt of my ability to be a good mother and wife. Having 2 kids under the age of 2 is so much more than I am able to handle right now. I plan on reading other Writers Workshops in search of some positive affirmations. Because I am fresh out.

Number three… What could I be MADE into? Ugh, the possibilities are endless…really…because I would love to be anything other than what I am right now. I just can’t think of one thing.

Number four…this one makes me want to cry. I gave up a lot when we got married, I sold my house and my business. Then we had our first child a month later, who I’ve been home(locked up) with ever since. I feel like I did all the compromising(giving up) and my wonderful husband was able to keep and run our(his) business while I raise the kids. I love my husband and kids, I really do.

Number five…and finally the “No one ever asked me” prompt.

No one ever asked me the right question.

Well it’s not true; my husband asks me all the time “What do you want? How can I help? What can we do to make this better? What do you need? What can I get you?”

And me, being the selfish, confused, tired, and down right stubborn woman(psycho) cannot answer a single one of those questions, because I don’t know, and I wish I did.

10 Reasons while I'll never...

2010-02-25T09:41:00.003-05:00

It's that time again...Mama Kat's Writers Workshop

1.) 10 Reasons why you’re better off without him….or her….or it.

10. I am a happier person with out IT--that's reason enough I think...

9. My husband won't leave me now

8. I can drink again

7. I can eat bleu cheese again, and sushi if I were so inclined...which I am not...if I want a cold dinner I'll eat a salad TYVM!

6. I can tie my own shoes again

5. I can dye my hair again, bye bye gray

4. No more indigestion

3. People will stop asking if I am going to "pop" any day now

2. I won't have to waddle like a penguin anymore

1. I can play with my kids without a boulder in the way

These are the 10 reasons why I am better off NEVER being pregnant EVER again! I hated it, I was not one of those women who glowed while pregnant. I was downright miserable, so make me a margarita because this baby-making mama is outta commission!

Random February Photo

2010-02-18T17:29:00.003-05:00

Mama Kat's Writer's Workshop is brought to you by....the two cutest kids in the world...well MY world at least!!

I chose prompt 3.) Open your picture folders…find a random “February” picture from a past year and tell a story.

Well it's not that random, and I know the prompt said to pick one from last year. But this years was so much more fun! You see I just had a baby on Monday, and this is my 21 month old holding her for the first time this morning, and without provocation, he kissed her. I just love these two!!!

Happy Bloggy Valentines Day!!

2010-02-12T12:18:00.004-05:00

So for The Valentine's Blog exchange I was lucky enough to be paired up with Kimberly at Mommie's Time Out Today How cool is it that she knew this very pregnant mama needed her chocolate!? I even shared some with my son, he liked it too!

Thanks Kim!

A place called home

2010-01-21T00:15:00.006-05:00

It's the reason I started this blog...Mama Kat's Writers Workshop

4.) “How many homes have you had? Write a journal entry about ALL the places you’ve called ‘home’ in your life.”

At this point in my life I can say I have called two places “home.” I have lived plenty more places, too many to count. To me, home is where I have a sense of family and belonging.

The first place I called home was back in Washington where I grew up. It was in a house my dad built with his own two hands, to me it was a mansion in the middle of a magical forest. I lived in that home from ages four to ten…this happens(still) to be the longest I have ever lived in one place. Making that time, the most stable time of my entire upbringing. When I took my husband to visit my home state back in September, I could not wait to show him that house, of all the places I lived growing up. Driving down Sunset Avenue to my old house brought back so many memories: riding bikes down the road, walking to the school bus. And then I saw it…and it wasn’t as big as I remembered it, and it was….wait for it….yellow!! While it certainly wasn’t the mansion I had boasted about growing up in, it was still my beautiful home. That house held all the childhood memories I cherished, of Christmas mornings and lazy summer days. No matter how it looks to anyone else, it will always be my magical mansion in the forest.

B-Town, WA

The second place I call home happens to be the house we live in now. It is really nothing to write about, it is SO SMALL! It is a starter home, and the first house my husband has ever owned(at 41). We closed on the house right before we got married…literally. 8 days before we got married, and 6 weeks before our son was born…I know, one of “those” weddings…wink ;) wink ;)

The house is barely 900 sq ft. and it was uninhabited for 2 years before we came along. To say it wasn’t lived in isn’t exactly true…there were many woodland creatures who liked to call our place home, even after we moved in(that’s another blog, for another day). Whoever lived in the house 2 years prior to us, trashed it!! When we came along it was in need of some major repair, and TLC! We were crazy to take it on in the midst of getting married, and having a baby. But our options were limited, and we were determined to make it work. Or rather, my husband was determined to make his pregnant wife happy. I am so proud to call this little place home, my husband has put so much hard work, love, and dedication into this house. It in NO way resembles the place we bought 2 years ago; we have new carpets, floors, new paint, new fixtures, and all thanks to my husband’s handiwork. Not only did the house get a major face lift, but it also got a family. Our house has thrived with its new residents. Having our son play in his room, run through the house, and wake up here on Christmas morning has been a dream come true…and I finally feel at home again.

Somewhere-town-NY

and I rant...

2010-01-13T23:25:00.007-05:00

Time for Mama Kat's Writers Workshop

1.) Time for your tangent…what is your latest complaint?

My biggest complaint…for today, is that my in-laws use our private bathroom. We have a small house. Ok, that I get. But what I don’t get is: why do they insist on walking through our bedroom to use the master bathroom every time they need to use the facilities? We have a perfectly good and accessible guest bathroom. I just don’t get it. It frustrates me beyond any comprehension.

The guest bathroom is not dirty, admittedly it does house the cat box, but I always make sure it’s clean for our guests to feel comfortable. So I ask my wonderful husband, “WHY do your parents insist on walking through our bedroom to use our bathroom?” He has no response, and then I get angry because he’s not responding, to which he answers, “well it is weird, but I don’t have an answer for you, why don't you ask them? " UGH!!!! My wonderful husband told me I should ask them…ME!? WHY would I ask, they’re his freakin’ parents! Apparently he’s ok with them walking through our space.

His response probably is more aggravating than the fact that his parents feel the need to walk through my bedroom, to get to the bathroom. Inevitably, they wind up seeing my private stash of porn(People magazines) by the toilet and bra’s hanging all over. It’s not like it’s a once in a while thing, they come over a few times a week to watch our son. While they watch him, I often wonder to myself, did I remember to put away the hanging bras? or pick up the undies on the floor? is there a plastic bag lining the garbage can? and oh, CRAP I forgot to make the bed! Maybe if I left the bedroom and bathroom all nastified then they’d stop walking through MY personal space. I already took the Kleenex out our private bathroom, maybe it’s time to take it out of the living room too.

...and that is my rant for today.

Cold Goo and a lake full of Jell-O

2010-01-12T13:11:00.005-05:00

Yesterday was my last ultrasound before this baby is born. The nurse did the initial ultrasound, when she finished and left me with 2 things: a 3D image of my baby on the TV screen(which was interesting for all of 45 seconds), and she left me with cold goo on my exposed belly for fifteen minutes before the doctor came to see me. It was awful! I kept wondering, am I supposed to be sitting here? Maybe she was done and since everything is ok, the doctor isn't coming...should I wipe this off? Was I supposed to get up and get dressed? What is taking so long, she did say he would be coming right? I am going to feel really dumb when they come in 20 minutes later and tell me I was done, and I could have gone home. Finally he came, ah relief.

Why does my Mother-in-Law laugh at things that aren't funny? Like when my son has too much food in his mouth and it poses a choking hazard, she thinks its funny. My wonderful husband thinks its nervous laughter, but I find it immensely annoying, and I wish she would stop.

My son is finally starting to say please, I am not sure he knows why he's saying it, but at least he's started.

My wonderful husband asked me the other day if I remember waking him up in the middle of the night to ask why there was a rabbit on his hip. I told him I don't remember waking up in the middle of the night and asking why there was a rabbit on his hip. But I do remember my dream from that night: me swimming in a lake full of Jell-O.

Notes of Love

2010-01-11T12:56:00.001-05:00

Notes of Love

2010-01-09T20:09:00.004-05:00

Notes like these are exchanged between my husband and I everyday. I leave one the keyboard at night for him to find first thing in the morning, and he in turn leaves me a note to find when I get up after he leaves. It's the first thing I think about, and look for in the morning. I'll be posting them as often as I can, because they make me feel wonderful, and its better than any morning coffee!

7th photo of 2009

2010-01-06T21:20:00.006-05:00

This was the 7th photo in my photo album of January 2009, so I can only assume that it's the 7th photo I took. Mama Kat's Writers Workshop would have me write a poem about this photo, but I don't do poems. Instead, I am just going to write a letter to my son, he was 7 months old in this photo. For the last 19 months he's been my only child, and in less than a month he'll no longer be an only, and I have a few sappy things I'd like to say.

Dear Son,
The last 19 months have flown by faster than I could have ever imagined. I've spent every day of your life with you. In a few weeks you are going to have to share us. Your daddy and I have tried our best to prepare you for this, but I know your life will never be the same. It makes me really sad at times, because I know that we've had the best time of our lives together. You have brought me more joy than I could have ever imagined. In a few weeks you will become a big brother, and I know that you will be the best big brother ever! You will love and care for your little sister, and you will protect her with all your strength and heart, because that is who you are by nature.
I've loved being your mommy and I consider myself the luckiest person alive to have been able to experience you day in and day out. You have taught me patience, love, and more laughter than I imagined possible. Even though it won't be just the three of us anymore, I want you to know that you will not be any less loved. It might be hard at first, but the funny part is you won't remember any of it! I wish I could slow down the next few weeks, but I can only cherish these last few days of just the two of us at breakfast, and lunch, reading books to you, playing dance party, putting puzzles together, coloring, tickling you and your laughter. The laughter isn't going away, it's only going to get louder!
I love you Handsome Boy!!
Love,
mommy

This is my son, on the 7th day of 2010

Not my first Random thought...

2010-01-05T14:47:00.005-05:00

But it's the first time I've blogged about them.

My cat peed in the bathtub last night. I cursed and swore at her up and down, then I threw her outside in 3 degrees to spend the night in the snow. THAT'S how I felt about THAT! I woke up this morning and my husband left me a note: "Jinx peed in the tub again this morning. I whacked her and threw her outside. Caught her in the act"

GREAT!!

I googled "why does my cat pee in the tub?" looks like it could be a UTI, taking her to the vet tomorrow. For now I'm on tub watch.

Should I feel bad that I plop my kid on the sofa to watch Little Bear while I type out random thoughts? He's way into the TV, more than I should let him...but sometimes I need a minute, or 30.

Been trying to envision where I want this whole blog thing to go. Not sure I have a vision yet, just know that I like getting things "out" there that my family(my husbands) doesn't get to see. They wouldn't get it. They don't entirely "get" the family blog yet. I guess they're not much for the techy baby book idea. Hey, I have a hard copy baby book too. I just like the interactive bloggy world.

Trying to find a color to paint our laundry room has proven to be much more difficult than I thought. All the other colors in our house were no-brainers, but for some reason they make 1,434 different shades of yellow, and I really don't want my laundry too look like the McDonalds golden arches. Why did we buy a fixer-uper again? I just have to keep telling myself, it's the last room.

Ah, well Little Bear is over and I have about 43 seconds until the little guy comes to find me in the office. 4,3,2,1...and there he is!

Be Nice

2009-12-30T22:49:00.011-05:00

So about a week before Christmas my husband and I arranged for his parents to watch our 18 month old so we could go to our local chamber of commerce holiday mixer, and do some Christmas shopping at Wal-Mart(our shopping options are limited here in our rural NY town of 2,000).

It was the first time we had planned to do something together in a LONG time. I was looking forward to this night for weeks! Now I have a tendency to put high expectations on things I look forward to, and when things don’t go as planned, my. world. has. ended. The night didn’t go as planned. The mixer was a bust, they held it on the third floor of a 100 year old building with one freight elevator and no heat in the building. We got to Wal-Mart, only to find my husband lost the list, HE LOST THE LIST! My feet were killing me(being 8 months pregnant will do that). And to end the night was, Nick, our cashier at Wal-Mart. A smartass who thought it would be funny to tell jokes about my attitude in front of me, to my husband, and then call me out on a look I gave him. He also challenged me and asked me if we “needed to talk about this” UGH! The nerve! Well, my night ended with me and tears and black streaks of mascara running down my face on the way home.

So here’s my letter to Nick:

Dear Nick,

You’re not funny and should be nicer to pregnant women.

Sincerely,

The Pregnant Lady who didn't deserve being badgered by you, and could care less about your existence, so next time just shut your mouth when you bag my freakin' groceries.

This has been a part of Mama Kat's writer's workshop.

Some friends

2009-12-10T00:02:00.011-05:00

HONK!!!! HONK!!!

“What the hell?” I shout as I look in my rear-view mirror and see this guy waving at me. Straining to see if I recognize him, I decide to ignore him, turn up the music, and sing:

“Say my name, say my name If no one is around you, say "baby I love you" If you ain't runnin' game Say my name, say my name”

I am heading north up the 405 in heavy traffic on my way to my friend Crystal, and her fiance Tom’s apartment, for dinner. Almost to my exit in Costa Mesa I feel a sudden jerk of the wheel.

“Oh crap!”

Cars are zipping past me as my Grand Am starts slowing down. I check my mirrors and see an opportunity to make my way to the right shoulder. The right rear side of my car starts making a loud thumping sound. Flat Tire.

Coming to a halt on the right shoulder, I start trying to figure out; what do I do now? Then it hits me, Crystal’s fiance owns a small rental car company, surely he can come help me with the flat, and I am less than a mile from their apartment.

I pull out my cell phone and dial their number….ring, ring….

Crystal: “hello”
Me: “Hey, I just had a flat tire on the 405, do you think Tom can come help me with it?”

Crystal: “Oh, no…uh, I dunno. Let me ask”
Cars whiz past as she places her hand over the receiver, in muffled tones she asks Tom what he wants to do, I can’t make out his answer.

Crystal: “Tom says just have it towed somewhere”
Me: “but I don’t have AAA, or any money, can’t he come and change the tire, I am right at the exit to your house”

Crystal: “he said it would just be easier to tow it so you can take it to Sears and get a new tire”

Me: “I don’t even know who to call to have it towed though!”

Crystal: “Tom can give you a number of a tow company they use for the rental cars, let me call you back and I’ll get you the number”

Crystal hangs up the phone and I burst into tears. Why is this happening to me!? I hate California, I can’t rely on anyone here. Then I look in my rear view mirror and see a white Honda Civic pull up behind me, one of those lowered ones with tinted windows and a rear spoiler. A Hispanic man exits, he’s short with big tattooed arms, he walks over to my passenger window and motions for me to roll it down, I comply.

Him: “Hey, you got a flat tire"

I answer, but try not to make eye-contact.

Me: “yea, I know”

Him: “well, do you have someone coming to help you? Like AAA?”
Me: “My friend is calling a tow truck for me”

Him: “do you have a spare? ‘Cause if you do then I can change it for you”

I look at him, trying to decide if it’s a good idea or not to trust this man with changing my tire and basically my life on the side of the freeway. He seemed to have good intentions…do I trust him? I’ve heard a lot of stories of people getting roadside assistance from a passerby that robbed them….oh what to do!?

Me:“Uh, sure-ok”

I pop the trunk and he heads to the back and starts going to work on the tire. About ten minutes later he comes to the window and says, "You're all done, you're good to go"

Me: “Thank You, I really appreciate that”

He starts to walk away, and I call out to him “Hey, what’s your name?”
“Angel” he answers.

I sit back in my seat and watch him get back into his white car, he cautiously enters back into traffic and drives away. Wow, I thought…I just met my guardian angel.

My cell phone rings, it flashes Crystal’s phone number, I answer:

Me: “hello?”
Crystal: “hey, Tom found the number, he said get the car towed to Sears. We'll save some dinner for you”
Me: “Thanks but I don’t need the number, I am already on my way to your house, I’ll explain when I get there”

A complete stranger, my Angel, came and helped me that day. My “friends” didn’t want to be inconvenienced. That was ten years ago, at the time I was 21 and living in California, I had no family to call on, and I had relied on my “friends” for everything. Some friends they turned out to be.

This has been a part of Mama Kat's Writers Workshop Also this week she's helping host an online auction for some great causes, check out the auctions and place a few bids!!

Merry SITSmas!!!!

2009-12-08T09:00:00.004-05:00

Time to celebrate SITSmas!!! This year my little elf below would like to wish you all a Merry SITSmas!

Baby Girl wishes you all a Merry SITSmas!!!

P.S. Check out the giveaway below!! Could make a great Christmas present for someone you know!

Giveaway for the Fisherman in your life!

2009-12-06T17:28:00.003-05:00

I am blogging about this because the company in question, Summit to Stream Adventures, is near and dear to my heart...OK, so I own it with my husband, and we could really use some blogger and twitter followers. So if you want to enter a fun giveaway, (think Christmas gift here), then go vote for your Catch of the Year!

Dear Santa,

2009-12-03T00:18:00.004-05:00

Happy Holidays…oh wait, I guess I don’t have to be politically correct with you, since you are Father Christmas. So MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!! It’s so nice to be able to say that to someone and not worry about offending said person. I mean there is no confusion with you right? You’re all about Christmas! Unless you’re coming during Kwanzaa now and I missed the memo.

So since we’re on this politically correct business, let’s talk about the environment. You’re a notable figurehead, what are you doing for your part? How green are you? Are you making any efforts to be greener? How does the North Pole look these days? Are things a bit watery? What is your contingency plan for when the polar ice caps melt completely? You could relocate to the Yukon Territory. The Yukon seems like a pretty neutral place. Really how sustainable is the North Pole? Don’t you think you could be doing more damage there than good?

A few more things to think about: I’d like you to seriously consider organic milk, with all the growth hormones in regular milk, I don’t think it’s doing your body any good. For my part I’ll leave you some organic cookies I got from Trader Joes, hope you like them. Now I know my friends at PETA have probably contacted you about your use of eight tiny reindeer to haul your sleigh full of presents around the world. I think we can come up with a plan that will benefit everyone involved. Have you ever thought of teleporting? I think it could be advantageous to you, and you’d be done so much faster! Think about it, we don’t want to piss PETA off. Oh, and you might want to think about adopting a polar bear.

So, to surmise: go green Santa, eat better, and treat animals with kindness.

Merry Christmas!

Your Friend,

Mama the Chef

p.s. don’t forget my Net Book

p.p.s. Put Lucky Charms in my stocking please, been craving those this pregnancy

p.p.p.s. DVD copy of An Inconvenient Truth(not really)

p.p.p.p.s I've always wanted to have a sugar glider, I’d name it Moe.

This has been part of Mama Kat's Writers Workshop

Corn Dip, so yummy!

2009-11-30T12:01:00.003-05:00

Warning!!!
This is so good you will want to eat it all!

Corn Dip
3 cups of corn-I use one bag of frozen
1/4 cup green onion
1/2 cup yellow onion
1/2 cup red bell pepper
2 teaspoons of garlic
1 jalapeno
2 cups of cheese
1 cup of Mayonnaise
2 tablespoons of butter
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
pinch of pepper
pinch of salt

Chop all the veggies. Saute the corn in 1 tablespoon of the butter until it browns a little, add salt and pepper, cooking about 4-5 minutes. Set corn aside in a large bowl so you can cook the veggies. Melt remaining butter, and add yellow onion, garlic, and red pepper, saute until soft. Add green onion and jalapeno and saute until soft. Remove veggies from heat and add to corn. Add mayo and 1 3/4 cups of the cheese. Mix the corn, veggies, cheese, and mayo together, adding the cayenne pepper. Place the mixture in a baking dish top with remaining cheese. Put in oven at 350 degrees for 10 minutes, or until bubbly.

Serve with tortilla chips...take to a potluck, serve at a party, it's sure to be a BIG hit. I made it as an appetizer for Thanksgiving and everyone LOVED it!

I Just Knew

2009-11-25T21:00:00.001-05:00

The prompt I chose this week for Mama Kat's writers workshop:

4.) Write a story in exactly 101 words...so here goes...

He made us a fire on the shore of the lake; we enjoyed a simple dessert of vanilla ice cream topped with fresh blueberries. We finished our dessert and walked to the end of the dock. Together we sat, letting our legs dangle over the edge, talking and watching the fish swim beneath our feet. Once the June sun set, we laid on our backs gazing at the stars and the moon, pointing out the satellites floating through space. Hours later, he held my hand and walked me to my car. We said good-bye, kissed our first kiss, and I knew.

Awards!?

2009-11-23T18:34:00.002-05:00

Holly over at 504 Main passed this blog award on to me, and as part of accepting the award I get to list 10 random facts about me...

So here goes:

1 I love Journey
2. I ran the Army 10 Miler in 2005
3. I have lived in 6 states: WA, VA, KS, CA, GA, and NY-in that order
4. I love the way books smell
5. I've probably read Flowers in the Attic more than any other book
6. I hate stepping in water with socks on
7. I was adopted by my Dad
8. I have been to 41 states and 10 countries
9. I love to cook-duh!
10. I only ever want to be self-employed

I have to admit when she left me a comment that she had something for me on her blog, I got all excited thinking I had won her giveaway! Even though I didn't get the stamper, I still came out a winner!

I don't really have anyone to give this award to...yet. I am new to the blogosphere, so I am going to hang onto it a bit before I pass it on.

really really! no really!

2009-11-19T06:02:00.006-05:00

When I was thirteen I lived with my Dad. My parents were still “married” but my mom was living in another state attending law school. At thirteen, I thought it was just that, it never entered my mind that my parents were actually separated and didn’t tell me. So my mother wouldn’t lose touch with me, she bought us both journals. We traded journals whenever we saw each other, about once a month. We both wrote in our journals every night before bed. Once we traded journals we could go back and read what the other person had been writing. It’s strange thinking back on that time in my life. My mom was only 2 years older than I am now. At 30 I know the truth and the circumstances behind my parents divorce, and it gives me a whole new perspective. At any rate, I don’t know what ever became of those journals, maybe my mom still has them, or maybe I threw them out. If I were to open one of those journals today I think the entry would read something like this:

Sometime in 1992…
Hi Mom,
I wish that you didn’t have to go back to law school this week. I really really really miss you! It was really nice having you here this weekend. I know you said it would only be three years, but I just can’t wait for it to be over! I really don’t like my math teacher, he is so boring, it’s even worse that he’s my homeroom teacher too. I really think that I wouldn’t mind living with you, I think it could be fun trying a new school, but I guess I understand why I have to live here. I really can’t wait to see you again, only 26 more days until you visit again. Well that’s all for tonight, I am tired I guess, I’ll write more tomorrow. Marbles says “meow”

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo, ME

This has been a part of Mama Kat's Writers Workshop

I Made a Cake

2009-11-10T23:38:00.007-05:00

I have been looking(still looking BTW)for ways to fulfill my time outside of being a WAHM. Working from home can be very isolating. I stay home all day with my son, I then go to work from 6-midnight, sleep, and repeat...it doesn't leave much room for social interaction outside of Nick Jr, and Very Hungry Caterpillars. So about a year ago I enrolled in some cake decorating classes through Micheal's.

In the first class they started out teaching us how to make frosting, YUM! We got a discount on decorating supplies, so I bought all sorts! It was fun, and I was excited.

The second class we brought a frosted cake to class so we could learn some actual decorating techniques. Not to be boastful or braggy, but mine was the smoothest buttercream frosted cake there. I don't know what some people were using to frost their cakes, a sledgehammer perhaps?

The third class we learned how to write on our cakes, make flowers and a few other cutsie tricks...the classes continued and I stuck with them for about 6 weeks. Then I decided, I don't need classes anymore. I think I'll go at it on my own now. Not long after, feeling like I knew it all(step aside Duff) I offered to make my niece her birthday cake. I told her no holds barred, anything she wanted, she could have. Turns out she wanted a two tiered fondant cake. The one thing I didn't know how to do...decorate with fondant. I never made it to that course!! Now what?

Well I did a lot of googling, and watched a lot of You Tube videos. I practiced two weeks before her party, on my husbands birthday. My first fondant cake, to my relief, wasn't a disaster! I was able to deliver on my promise, and my niece, she got her 2 tiered fondant cake.

I have since not promised or offered to make a cake for anyone. Outside of making my children's cakes, my cake decorating days are over. It's not something I particularly enjoy, it's just something I know how to do. One of these days I will find a hobby I can be passionate about, and I'll stick with it.

For now...I present to you, the Fondant Cake!!

My DIY fondant cake, a Twilight inspired cake, for my niece's Twilight themed 12th birthday party.

This is part of DIY day at A Soft Place to Land. Head on over and check out all the other great projects!

And it's also part of Mama Kat's Writers Workshop, head on over and read the other great entries.

Bedtime Conversations

2009-11-07T07:51:00.003-05:00

My husband and I are getting into bed, and having one of those night time chats before we fall asleep. Well really, I am chatting away with him while he tries to gently let me know that talk time is over and now it's sleep time. I decided to thwart his attempts and I came up with a fun game...

Me: "Honey, if you could have any other name in the world, what would it be?"
Him: "I don't know"

Me: "Come on, any name...what would it be?!"
Him: "My name is fine"

Me: "Ugh, forget it, you never want to play my little games...in the car, or anywhere. No one does"

I then shuffle my pregnant belly and the covers, and turn over in a huff.

Him: "What games are you talking about, and who else plays them?"
Me: "DOESN'T play them" I correct. "You don't play them, my mom doesn't play them, anytime we're on a long drive I try to have fun and come up with fun little games...like my 'Guess the State' Game, but anyway forget it. I am thirsty, can you get me some water?"

My wonderful husband turns on the light, gets out of bed, and gets my water for me. Then he turns off the light and lays back down.

Him: "If you were a radial tire, what kind of tire would you be?"
Me: "Shut up, just go to bed"
Him: "No really, what kind? Studded, high performance, all weather?"

UGH, my husband, the smartass.

Love this dish!

2009-11-06T14:20:00.002-05:00

Stuffed Green Peppers

4 Green Peppers

1 lb ground beef

Small Onion

1 cup minute rice-I use brown minute rice

1 can tomato soup

Garlic Powder

Salt & Pepper to taste

Core and clean peppers. I start off by parboiling my peppers for a few minutes, this way when they are done baking the peppers are soft. Place peppers in a 9 x 13 baking dish.Cut onion into small 1/4 inch chunks. Combine onion and ground beef and brown beef over medium high heat. Drain excess grease. Combine rice, meat, onions and tomato soup. Add salt, pepper, garlic powder, and flavor to taste. Fill peppers with meat mixture. If you have leftover meat mixture, shape into meatballs and cook alongside the peppers. Cover the peppers with foil and bake for 1 hour at 350. Remove from oven, uncover and bake for an additional 10 minutes.

* Since I always seem to have an open can of marinara sauce in the fridge, I also add a little sauce if the meat mixture seems dry, and it gives it just a little more flavor

Why Can't He Sleep?

2009-11-05T13:48:00.001-05:00

No, not my son, he's a great sleeper, he takes after me. Why can't my husband sleep? Well...let us delve into 10 reasons why:

10. He has a lot on his mind, and he's thinking of the different flies he can tie on his fly rod to catch the big one.

9. He's enviously watching me fall asleep less than 2 minutes after my head hits the pillow, and wondering how he could have married such an anomaly.

8. The crackle of the baby monitor and our son's quiet breath keep him up.

7. Pain, the pain in his arms, legs, hips and shoulder, now if he only had a wife who would lovingly massage these pains he might be able to sleep

6. He's too hot.

5. He's too cold.

4. He's re-living the chase and fight scenes from the action-adventure movie we watched before bed.

3. He's not sure, but he could be hungry

2. Our black cat is meowing blood curdling muuuuuuuuurrrrrrrrrrrooooooooow's to be let outside and no one else(his sleeping wife) will get up to do anything about it.

1. His very pregnant wife is snoring, and if he does anything to stop it she'll wake up and bite his head off.

This has been my first entry as part of Mama Kat's writers workshop

oh the deception...

2009-11-01T19:13:00.000-05:00

The only veggie my 18 month old will eat is a green bean. It's very aggravating, we have tried giving him other forms of veggies, but dousing his broccoli in cheese sauce just didn't seem like the best habit to get into. So I've been attending a family nutrition class put on by a local university and they've been giving us all sorts of good nutritional tid bits for feeding our little ones. We make the recipes at the class and then the kids taste test them for us afterward. During the class my son always eats everything! Which is great, but so far we've only done fruit, which isn't my problem!!

In the meantime several mothers in the class were talking about a book called Deceptively Delicious, by Jessica Seinfeld. I kind of paid attention, but not really. Then two of my friends, mentioned the same book after I told them about my finicky eater. After finding out our library doesn't carry the book, I headed to the bookstore to see if it was worth buying. I wanted to find out what this secret was to getting kids to eat and like nutritious foods. After perusing the book, I found out it's all about the purees. Very exciting, I will finally get good use out of my food processor that my husband gave me last Christmas!!! So I bought the book.

I already put the book to work and I made the Tortilla "Cigars"(pureed carrots, *pureed black beans, My son was so intrigued with what Mommy was making for dinner, that he came by stuck his fingers in the bowl of filling and taste tested it before it my son and said, you know you're eating carrots and black beans right? He responded with "MMMMM" The final product was also a success, and our son ate his veggies and didn't even know it. However, as he gets older I'll have to focus on getting him to make healthy food choices when the food can't always be "hidden" from him. Hopefully the rest of the recipes are just as easy and tasty :)

*I substituted the pureed squash in the actual recipe for pureed black beans since I have like 20 cans of them, and no squash :)

Dreams

2009-10-25T07:40:00.000-04:00

Last night I had some wild dreams! Amazing, but wild! In my dream I fast-forwarded to February, and I dreamt that I was in the hospital having this baby. I got to see what our baby will look like, and our baby was beautiful!! It was a really exciting dream, a happy dream, especially because I didn't feel the pain from the c-section I'll have! If only that were true! My husband had interesting dreams too, but they were more shoot-em up/fighting dreams, probably because we watched Con Air last night.

Great for Fall

2009-10-15T19:29:00.001-04:00

This is one of our favorites:

Pork Chops with Apple Chutney

4 boneless pork chops
Steak Seasoning
1 Tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar
2 Tbsp Brown Sugar
1 c. Chopped Apple
1 c. Chopped Yellow Onion
1/2 c. dried cranberries(crasins)
2 Tbsp. Butter

Rub the pork chops with the steak seasoning. Melt 1 tbsp of butter in frying pan, put seasoned chops in pan and sear on both sides approx 4 minutes or until cooked through. Remove Chops from pan and set aside on a warming plate in oven. Melt remaining butter in pan, saute onions in the butter. Once onions are soft add vinegar and brown sugar and apples. Stir cranberries into the mixture and let simmer approx 4 minutes. Remove chops from the oven, put in serving dish and top with chutney. Serve with Mashed potatoes, and green beans.

Mac-N-Cheese

2009-10-05T19:20:00.001-04:00

So this morning I really didn't want to make dinner. Why should I be thinking about dinner when I still have breakfast and lunch to think about? Boxed Macaroni and Cheese, that's what I am doing...it's easy won't require any thought or effort, it's perfect! A few hours go by....I think "hey, I'll just add the left over ham slices from the corn chowder I made the other day...then it won't seem so half-assed, Cool!" a half hour goes by....hmmm...more thinking...."boxed macaroni and cheese really isn't that healthy, I should probably add some peas too!" Around 3:30 an epiphany occurs..."I'll make homemade macaroni and cheese with whole wheat pasta, ham slices, peas and a buttery crumble crust! Oh it will be so good, and easy!" At 4:40 the Macaroni and Cheese CASSEROLE comes out of the oven bubbly and smelling scrumtious! My husband ate half, my son had his first macaroni and cheese experience and I am thrilled that it wasn't from a box.

Macaroni and Cheese Casserole

2 c.raw whole wheat penne pasta

2 c. 1% milk 2 c. sharp shredded cheddar cheese

1 c. frozen peas

1/2 c. sliced or cubed ham

1 Tbsp. flour 4 Tbsp. butter

6-10 butter crackers(Ritz or any store brand will do)

salt and pepper to taste

Spray casserole dish with non stick spray. Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees. Melt butter in large saucepan, add flour to melted butter and whisk. Slowly add milk while whisking. Whisk until slightly thick and add 1 c. shredded cheddar cheese. Add pinch of salt and pepper. Meanwhile boil water and cook pasta until chewy. Strain water from pasta and put pasta in casserole dish. Top with peas, ham and cheese sauce. Mix thoroughly, add remaining cheese to top of pasta mix. Put crackers in a plastic bag and mash until crumbly, add crumbly mixture to top of casserole. Put in oven for 20-30 minutes. Take out of oven and let sit for 10 minutes to settle.

Half-Way Point

2009-09-28T07:42:00.001-04:00

Today I am officially 20 weeks pregnant. 20 more weeks to go...yay.

Stark Reality #1

I am an emotional person...shocker I know. Well being pregnant only magnifies these emotions a thousand-fold. Even when I was pregnant the last time I don't remember commercials making me want to cry. Take for example; the preview for the new Sandra Bullock movie "Blindside"...gushing tears this morning. Other nonsensical commercials too, it makes me sick. I hate being this emotional. So word to the wise...unless you have a death wish; compliment me...tell me you love my cooking, you think I am a great mother and I am one hot momma. Please don't tell me I am getting fatter, and don't point out that my roots and gray hair are growing in (because you know I can't dye my hair). It will crush me, I promise. You may just be cracking a joke, but believe me, I am not in the mood.

Stark Reality #2

Oh, MY GOD...I am going to have another baby in 20 weeks. Holy crap...I don't know what I am going to do! Right now my son is very demanding, this is a very enjoyable stage, yet very difficult. I LOVE his accomplishments, he's started counting..."One, Two, One, Two, One, Two" It's so stinkin' cute! Or when he tries to sing his ABC's with me, I just love it! But you know what's not cute..the biting, the hitting, the tearing pillows off the couch, smacking my face when I ask for a kiss. It's rough, especially in my emotional state. Then there are the mornings when I want to enjoy my one cup of coffee and relax a moment, it is impossible because he wants to be entertained constantly. So I turn on Noggin...and inevitably I feel guilty that I've turned into one of those mom's who uses TV as a babysitter. What on earth am I going to do when there are two of these attention craving beings?

Now I know a lot of people with 2 or more children, and they all survived, they suffered these moments and are stronger for it. Don't get me wrong we'll be just fine. But right now, this moment, the one thing I desperately need, I cannot have: a HUGE glass of wine, with a big chunk of raw cookie dough...sigh...20 more weeks.

p.s. Sorry and thanks to my wonderful husband who puts up with me being pregnant, emotional, and irrational, I don't know where you get the strength to deal with me, but I love you so much for it!