Foto Friday

My furbaby, Cosmo (fondly known as MoMo, or about 2 dozen other goofy names). He's my "firstborn".....the first cat that was ever officially mine. Sure, growing up we had cats .... but they were family pets. Never really specially bought for me.

In November of 1996 my boyfriend at the time picked me up from school and put a box on my lap. Inside was a black ball of fur, with booger bubbles coming out of his nose. Poor thing had an upper respiratory infection and my mom and I had to force feed him pink liquid medicine (have you ever tried giving a cat liquid medicine?). He was the cutest little furball ever, and he's still my bestest little bud 11 years later.

Just recently I had a moment where I was petting him, and realizing he's already been in my life for a good portion of his kitty cat years and I started to cry. When my good friend, Melissa just lost her kitty, it tugged at my heart strings, not only because I just got to kitty sit this summer and Lucky and I had a special "bond" over cat treats, but because it made me realize that someday I'll be in that boat, too.

Throughout the years, I've gone through the loss of 5 cats. A couple (Wubs and Caeser) of them were when I was much younger, so I don't really remember the time (though, I remember the cats). I remember when my buddy, Binky, crossed the rainbow bridge. I came home from school, and he was gone. I was so incredibly upset that they took him away before I could say goodbye. Then, Tommy, our tabby (the three previous cats were all black), who could do tricks. He got really sick, and was pacing and pacing, just walking from one side of the apartment to the other. We knew something wasn't right; that it was his time, too. And then, the most recent was a few years ago. Our part Siamese, only female, Stephanie (because she had nice "software" (movie Short Circuit where Johnny 5 says "Nice software Stephanie!")) had a cyst by one ear that got bigger and bigger (it didn't seem to bother her, so the vet said it wasn't likely serious) and then it started oozing, and her ears started oozing....I remember driving my mom to the vet, Stephanie in a box on her lap because she was oozing so bad, we wanted to keep her contained (and she wasn't fond of car rides either). She was trying so hard to get out of that box, meowing desperately....it broke my heart.

And now as I write this, I've got tears streaming down my face....missing those 5 kitties like crazy. Longing for one more snuggle. And it kills me that my adorable little furball, MoMo is happily bounding around the house, and I know that someday he's going to leave me, too.

The Things Kids Say

We're at the mall tonight sitting down in the food court and a rent-a-cop walks by.

B: Uh-oh! A police man just walked by!

Me: He's probably coming to take you to jail. For disturbing the peace.

B: Which piece??

No Mo' NaBloPoMo

This is it! The final day of NaBloPoMo 2007. I made it!

Of course I've got a crazy work day ahead of me, so this is gonna be short, and I'll have to get you the Foto Friday later....

Happy Friday!

Thankful Thursday

This week, I'm thankful for my new employee, who is fitting in nicely, and adjusting quite well. Tomorrow will wrap up her 5 consecutive day training period, and she's doing very well.

Hopefully we'll continue to see improvements, increased efficiency and productivity.

Wisdom Wednesday

Running too quickly on an icy sidewalk in front of a neighbor's house, you slip and break your leg. Would you be likely to sue the owner of the house if you were confident you could win the suit because of his negligence in shoveling the snow?

Depends. Which neighbor is it? If it's one we really like, then no. If it's one that minds their own business and is respectful, likely not. If it's the one that allows their dog to shit on our lawn, plays beanbags loudly in the backyard at 11pm on a work night, smokes pot outside so that we can smell it through our open windows, revs the car engine at 5:30 in the morning (I could go on), then YES, probably.

Revenge is a bitch.

Call 911, I'm wearing myself thin

By the time Christmas rolls around, I'll probably be hospitalized....or committed. Every year at this time, I start getting just a little bit frazzled by the amount of things I have to do, and just how little time there is to do it.

I thought I was ahead of the game; my Christmas cards arrived in people's mailboxes today, *most* of my Christmas shopping is done, I just finished making 15 goody bags for my son's birthday party (could potentially have to make another 7) and I just completed an order for 90 personalized candy wrappers - not to mention the work load at my nine to five. So why do I feel like I've got more than I can handle?

I can probably guess why. I'm the type of person that when I know there are things to be done, I like to get them done NOW.

I really hate my impatience sometimes, but it's who I am (and lucky you! You just got another random confession for True Confession Tuesday .... yes, now you know, I am impatient.)

So, while I'm sure you're reading this and thinking to yourself "What is she bitching about?! Seems like she's got everything under control to me! Heck, her "I-took-it-myself" photo Christmas cards are already in people's possession!" But have I mentioned the boxes and bags and piles of presents that need to be wrapped? My count - I've currently got 65 gifts to wrap. And then there's the 800+ cookies I'll be helping to bake. And speaking of, there's the cookie exchange that I'm hosting with my mother. Scratch what I said before; I have 66 gifts to wrap because I forgot about the grab bag gift for the cookie exchange, too.

Take into consideration that I spend 10 hours out of the week commuting, and 43 hours a week working. No wonder it's just now 10pm and I'm feeling that it's well past my bedtime.

True Confession Tuesday

So, have you seen the movie A Christmas Story? Do you recall the 'tongue-stuck-to-the-pole' scene?

Boy, do I have my own story for you!

It was a cold, winter evening and my mom, dad and myself went out grocery shopping. This was something we did together, every Friday. So, we do our shopping and head back out into the blustery night with our purchases. As my parents are walking ahead of me, pushing the cart, I decide to test out that theory I saw in the movie.

So, I found myself a shopping cart at the cart corral and lick the metal cart handle.

In the meantime, my parents realize, "Hey, where'd Sarah go?!?"

And there I am, stuck, frozen tongue, to the shopping cart.

Movies and television really do influence our youth, folks.

Our House

Yep - that's our house this holiday season.

Menu Monday

Since this is the season for baking and cookies, I figured I'd present you with one of these best chocolate chip cookie recipes I've come across. I tested these bad boys out with different pudding flavors and they were a huge hit with family, friends, neighbors and coworkers.

The Best Chocolate Chip Cookies Ever

INGREDIENTS:

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 (3.3 oz) package instant white chocolate pudding mix
1 cup butter, softened
1 cup white sugar
3/4 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

DIRECTIONS

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Stir together the flour, baking soda, salt and instant pudding powder; set aside.

In a medium bowl, cream together the butter, white sugar and brown sugar until smooth. Blend in the eggs and vanilla. Gradually mix in the dry ingredients until just blended. Stir in the chocolate chips by hand using a wooden spoon. Scoop cookies using an ice cream scoop or by heaping tablespoons. Place cookies at least 2 inches apart onto ungreased cookie sheets.

Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven, until lightly golden. Cool on baking sheets for a few minutes before removing to wire racks to cool completely.

How can it be? Say it ain't so!

The weekend is over?!

So much for weekends being down time. I swear my weekends are busier than my work weeks.

I did get all my Christmas cards finished, and they are in my purse to mail from work tomorrow (if I remember ... I have a tendency of forgetting mail in my purse). My shopping is just about done (need to pick up a few gift cards), so I can get started on the wrapping any time now.

I printed out the personalized candy wrappers for my son's family birthday party, so they just need to be cut, wrapped and glued.

We got a few more RSVPs for the munchkin party, but there's still just under a dozen left that didn't respond. I did type up a letter to go home. If it was just a few kids, I wouldn't bother. Since it's so many, it could definitely play a part in not enough food, and not enough goody bags, and I'd hate to see any I-didn't-get-a-goody-bag-and-now-I'm-going-to-cry-until-I-throw-up drama. I like to be prepared, and I can't be with that many kids not responding at all. In normal cases, I'd take the no-calls as regrets. But when we're talking 1/2 the class; it's a lot harder to assume they all are NOT showing up. At any rate - my son is over the moon about the friends that are coming. He is so totally stoked to be turning SIX! (HOLY CRAP, really?!? Six? (sigh) I thought 5 was a weird age last year. Now we're even closer to ten!!!!)

But there I go rambling...... So.

Tomorrow starts a whole new work week. The new office girl starts tomorrow. She'll be in every day this week for training. Hopefully she'll adjust and ease in nicely. I'm a little nervous, but anxious to just have someone reliable and hard working in the office.

I've got plans to hit the stores tomorrow evening to pick up some goody bag stuffins and possibly finish off that Christmas shopping.

Oh! And wait! I just remembered I have to tell hubby to take my car and go put gas in it (yes, 80% of the time he goes and gets gas for me .... besides, it's too cold out there right now, and he's not entirely crazy when I come to bed with a frozen ass ..... that happened every weekend last year while we did Santa's Landing ... that's no fun -- even with long johns, my butt was still like a popsicle each night when I came inside).

Okay, goodnight blogworld! See you tomorrow to finish off our final week of November and NaBloPoMo 2007!

Stargazing Sunday

Are there a such thing as elves?

Because I'd really like one. Or two. Maybe three.

There's always so much to do this time of year, and not enough time to do it. I stayed up late last night and wrote out 90% of my Christmas cards. I just need to do the last few, stamp them all and get them in the mail.

The plan is to head out today and do a bit more Christmas shopping. It'll get me that much closer to the finish line.

I'm still holding out hope that a couple elves will show up on my doorstep to help out.

Snarkalicious Saturday

Zzzzzzzzzzzzz.........

I'm ready to drop. Up early this morning to hit the mall for a round of Christmas shopping (though I have to say, I'm almost done!), then back home to decorate the inside of the house, and put up the trees.

We just finished our tree a few minutes ago. There's about two dozen ornaments for the kids to put on, but other than that - it's done.

Our Christmas cards came in the mail today (earlier than I expected, but that's a plus!), so now to get those all addressed and in the mail.

The first round of baking will be done in a little over a week for our cookie exchange. I do still need to make a decision on what type of cookie I'll be baking.

At some point I need to start wrapping presents. And of course we can't forget about my son's 6th birthday or his two birthday parties. And while we're on that subject, there will also be thank you cards to write out and mail.

I'm soooooo sleepy right now. It was a very productive day, but I ache. Actually, I'm wondering if I'm not coming down with something for how achy I feel. Oh how that would suck. This is just not the right time to be ill. I've had a cold, and it's gotten to the point that I can deal with it, but for a bit it was really kicking my ass.

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzz........

Off to bed I go before I start drooling on the keyboard!

No time

I don't have enough time for a good post right now.

Christmas threw up in our house, and we're trying to get it all organized and decorated around here. Right now it's a great big mess of storage totes, boxes and strings of lights.

Itty bitty

I was just googling some images, when I came across this photo. Found that the artist's name is Camille Allen and her work is just stunning. Such realistic, adorable little babies. Take a look!

Foto Friday

4 weeks! I haven't bitten my nails in four weeks. I love the way they look, but I am noticing them when trying to complete daily tasks. It'll take some getting used to, but I'm lovin' it! The desire to bite isn't there anymore, and I hope it stays that way.

(Side Note: I love that there is a piece of lint on my sweater, and that you can see residue from my last polish color....nice)

Thankful Thursday

What a perfect day for a Thankful Thursday!

The first half of 2007 was not a good year for us. From health problems, to losing a parent, job loss and unemployment that stretched on for 6 months. It was a tough time.

I'm thankful that we made it through all that. I'm thankful for my family, especially my mom and dad that are the greatest grandparents ever; my 2 adorable little children that even when they make me crazy, that I still would give my life for them. I'm thankful for my job, and the opportunity that came to me in August. I'm thankful for my friends, always able to provide a laugh, a smile when it's needed, or just a listening ear. I'm thankful for all the superficial things that we don't need, but are blessed to have anyway. I'm thankful for our health; there were a few health scares this year and recently. I'm thankful for my faithful furry companion, who loves to snuggle with a fleece blanket on the couch to watch TV with me.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Wisdom Wednesday

What things are too personal to discuss with others?

It depends on who these 'others' are. Random strangers? Acquaintances? A new friend?

First and foremost - it all depends on the individual; their personality and how they roll.

For me, I'm pretty open about a lot. Those that I have known a long time, or are very near and dear to my heart, there really isn't a subject that is off limits. As long as it's spoken about tactfully.

Hell. Who am I kidding? We had a girl's weekend in August in which we discussed landing strips, ball gags, and PVC pants.

Yes, truly some tactful ladies. Squeak, squeak, squeak!

Droopy Mind

I'm picking up Chinese food for dinner on my way home from work tonight.

So, I jot a quick note so I know what I need to order when I phone it in.

I jot 2 orders of egg rolls. Check.

An order of pot stickers. Check.

It was all fine and dandy until I jotted down egg droup soup.

Have you ever eaten egg droup soup?

Mommy Tip

A week or so ago I was looking for a contact through our school district's website, and I happened to find a link to a website that the kindergartener's use. I played around on it for a few minutes, and thought, "Hey, I really should let Braeden play this at home. He's always asking to go on hotwheels.com and such, so this would be perfect!"

Time didn't allow for computer play since then, so when Melissa posted about it on her blog, I made a mental note to make time for Braeden to use it.

He was excited to be able to play on Mommy's computer, and when I brought up the website his eyes lit up like a Christmas tree!

"HEY! That's what we have at school!" he exclaims.

And he proceeded to play on it for an hour and half. I sat by him and watched for a bit, and it's really neat. Easy for them to navigate, and it's got all sorts of fun pictures, animations, sounds and music.

If you've got preschool/kindergarten age kiddos, check it out!

Birthday Party Dilemma

Okay fellow bloggy friends....I've got a question for you all.

My son is having a party strictly for friends next weekend (not this weekend, but the first weekend in December). He invited his entire class and a couple kids outside of school.

So far we have only gotten a response from about 5 kids in his class. The RSVP date was November 25, so people do still have time to call in but I'm starting to get a little concerned.

Last night my son tells me that so-and-so said her dad told her she could go, but that they don't have his (my son's) phone number. I tell my son - well, it was on the invitation.

He tells me "Well, maybe you forgot"

Well. No, I didn't forget. Getting back on track ....

I was thinking about typing up a letter for each child and sending it to school on Monday with our phone number and all the party info again. Perhaps make reference to the conversation between my son and his friend, and that I may have inadvertantly forgot to write our phone number on the invites.

What do you think?

It's just that the class is like 19 kids - so there are over a dozen children I haven't heard from. I make goody bags up for the kids, and this leaves the potential of having kids goody bag-less and upset, or I spend extra money to fill all these goody bags and end up with a dozens of extra play-doughs, stickers, candies, and glo-bracelets than I know what to do with.

Plus - the party isn't cheap. It's nearly $300 for up to 26 kids. Obviously the more kids, the more you "get your money's worth". I'm really not too keen on spending $40 a head for 5 kids to show up - but it's not likely that I'd cancel the party anyway, so I guess that point is mute.

So, what do you think? Is sending home a note inappropriate? I don't have phone numbers for all the children, so this would be my only means of contacting them.

All clear

My mom's boobies are okay! She got the all clear today. Doesn't need to go back for a year. Everything is a-ok!

Thank goodness!!!!!!!!

True Confession Tuesday

Have you seen Mr. Mom? Do you remember the child who had a "woobie"? It was a raggedy blanket that he dragged along everywhere?

Well, I'm nearing 28 years old, and I have a woobie. Yes, you heard right. Except mine isn't a blanket....it's a simple piece of material that my mom used to make my money dance apron for my wedding. It's a white silky material that you would probably use to line something. I've had this piece of material for over 7 years now, and it stays under my pillow or tucked away inside my pillowcase.

It's a simple comfort, and I love it. Everyone knows not to touch and mess with my woobie!

Sneak Preview

Our computer room has been dubbed the "Spy Room" in our house because it faces the street, and the way our house is angled, we have a pretty good view each way down the block as well.

We've used this "Spy Room" to keep tabs on the neighbor's teenage daughter (well, not really keeping tabs - but we were able to provide our neighbor with inside information while she was at work), and we've got the best (and warmest!) seats in the house to take a peek at the light show.

I'm being treated to a sneak preview right now. Of course the lights are just shining; there's no "dancing" and no music, but it's quite a sight anyway.

Here's a quick snapshot taken from the "Spy Room" window....



Notice the great big glorious Christmas tree! There's got to be a gazillion lights on that thing (hey Clark, er, I mean Joe -- care to share just how many twinkly bulbs are on that thing?)!

It's all my fault

I've been thinking a lot about this ADHD stuff, and decided to email Braeden's teacher today to get some insight about his behavior at school. Someone on one of my online groups mentioned that some kids feel act up once their home because they are "cooped up" at school throughout the day. So, I thought why not ask the person he's with for a few hours five days a week.

She called me after school this afternoon. She's noticed the same behavior. I was afraid of that answer. I wanted her to say that he doesn't do any of that.....I wanted there to be some glimmer that maybe I'm overreacting. Instead I've got more reason to believe there's an issue.

I spent a majority of my drive home in tears. I don't want there to be something wrong with my child. I found myself questioning what I could have done. Was it something I did wrong during pregnancy? Could I have done something differently while raising him?

His well child visit is December 8, at which point I'll speak to the pediatrician.

Menu Monday

This is a great side dish; perfect for with sandwiches, or just by itself!

Dilly Crab Salad

INGREDIENTS:

1 - 16 oz package medium shell pasta
2 - 8 oz packages imitation crabmeat, flaked
1 1/2 cups sour cream
1 1/2 cups mayonnaise
1 tablespoon dill weed

DIRECTIONS:

Cook pasta according to package directions; rinse in cold water and drain.

Place in a large bowl. Add crab. Combine sour cream, mayonnaise and dill; add to paste mixture and mix well. Chill until serving.

Stargazing Sunday

Stargazing ..... if I were to see a shooting star this week, I'd be asking for an answer on how to get the children to start listening, to stop the whining, to start behaving .... I'd be asking for there to be nothing wrong with them, other than 'kids will be kids' and this is all a part of the parenting process.

Snarkalicious Saturday

I'm truly beginning to fear that my children both suffer from ADHD. This was a thought we had regarding our son, but he was young, and we thought it was just normal behavior.

Things seemed to get better as he got a little older, but now I'm really beginning to wonder again. I'm not sure if it's truly his behavior, or if he's acting off his sister, who is now at the age that he was at when we first started questioning if there was something wrong.

Today has been one of those days, that all started off with Braeden taking forever to get dressed (not unusual, he is just too busy dawdling or watching television, or playing with something in his room to finally put his clothes on), then it's off to Kaelynn's last ballet class, where we were all invited to stay and watch them 'perform'. I don't know if it was all the people in the class or what - but she wouldn't participate. She was being defiant and was more interested in the other people/kids that were there to watch. It was embarrassing, and frustrating.

Add in the meltdowns, and the not listening, and being sent to their rooms -- all in a day, before one in the afternoon.

I could cry. I don't want there to be anything wrong with my children. I want them to be normal. I want them to listen to me for once. I want to stop having to yell.

I just want peace, cooperation, understanding and happiness in the house.

Foto Friday

Our first ice! But it's not just any ordinary ice! You see, it's not like we are under blizzard conditions or anything like that.

During the night, the irrigation system in the common areas gave all the bushes and trees on the berm a good soaking. Since it was in the 20s .... well, you get the idea.

I first saw it when I left for work this morning (without my camera - mental note: really should start carrying camera around at ALL TIMES), and luckily there was still a pretty nice scene when I got back home this afternoon.

Thankful Thursday

I'm thankful for great neighbors.

It's not everyday - or in just any neighborhood - that you can look out your window and see The Grinch heading down the street to your house.

I have been blessed with some of the greatest neighbors ever. At this point they shouldn't just be called neighbors - they are friends. And I'm thankful for all of them.

Say Cheese!

My handsome little man brought home his school pictures today. I knew they'd be at home waiting, as when I read Melissa's post about her daughter looking like the Joker, I figured I'd have a set of pearly whites staring back at me from matte paper as well.

Sure enough! (And yes, I took a picture of the picture, and YES, it looks bad, but I was feeling far too lazy to use the scanner)



So, I quickly went to work cutting and sorting because it just so happens that I was getting ready to print and mail the invitations for his family birthday party, so now I can just stick everyone's photos right there in the envelope! I love when things work out this way. Simple pleasures!

The invites and photos are stuffed, addressed and stamped, so now I've got the task of writing out my Christmas card list to see just how many cards I need to order this year. Once that task is completed, I'm heading off to watch the tube before heading to bed.

Is it the weekend yet?

Wisdom Wednesday

Do you have any specific long-term goals? What is one and how do you plan on reaching it?

Losing weight. It's long-term because it takes time, and I've found that doing it bits at a time works best for long-term results.

In January 2006, I finally felt that it was time to do something. I started off at 235 pounds (gasp!). I carry my weight halfway decent so many people couldn't believe I weighed that ever, but scales don't lie (though sometimes I wonder).

I was watching what I was eating, trying to cut out the nighttime snacking, and started exercising. It really helped and I ended up losing 35 pounds. I didn't reach my goal at the time, but how can you really get upset over losing over thirty pounds? I was damn proud of myself! I went down 2 sizes as well, which was probably even more exciting than the weight loss itself!!!

I'm happy to say that I haven't done anything in regards to weight loss throughout 2007, but I have maintained and even dipped to a low of 197.

I will be starting again in January 2008, and right now I'm still thinking about what my goals will be.

Freakin' Figures

Toys R Us was offering a $25 gift card when you purchased the new Mario Galaxy Wii game. I planned on buying it, and last night about 8pm remembered that it was the day that it came out. I was too tired to go out then, so I figured, eh...I'll do it tomorrow.

So this morning I'm talking to my boss about it, and she mentions that she called ahead and the store she went to only had 10 left when she went at 1 in the afternoon.

WHAT?!?! It never even occurred to me that maybe they'd be sold out. So I call FOUR different Toys R Us stores, and aside from one store saying they had some of the "presales" left (people put down $5 to reserve a copy) every single store was sold out yesterday.

!*(*&(&@#*@&@*)*#@#@&(())@#@*)@!! This does not make me happy! That was one gift I planned to pick up from the Big Guy (you know - the one that comes once a year wearing a red suit and expects a plate of cookies and a glass of milk to be waiting for him?) and thought, BONUS! A $25 gift card that I can turn around and buy more gifts with! Great!

Yeah, not so much. Looks like I won't be getting that deal after all and I'm pretty bummed about that.

When is enough, enough?

I guess I don't have enough to worry about right now. Last weekend my mom went in for a mammogram and pap. It's been a few years since she's gone (shame on her). Her doctor's office called her today; they want her to come in again for another mammogram - they found a nodule.

(sigh) Not to mention the large polyp they found and removed while she was there having the pap done. When the doctor removed it, afterwards she said she thought maybe it was just a cyst as the way it just kind of gave when she removed it.

Her next appointment is Saturday. I know we won't know anything right away, so it probably means a week of torture, and wondering, and worrying.

True Confession Tuesday

I play with Webkinz. My parents bought my the black cat since my real life furbaby is a black cat, who I lovingly call MoMo (short for Cosmo).

My children still do not have their own Webkinz. Well, they do, but they have not earned them yet. They remain in their bag from the store and will stay there until their behavior changes.

For now they sometimes watch me play the games and such online. My favorite game is the tile match; like mahjongg.

Do you own a Webkinz??

Menu Monday

Today is a twofer. Today's menu consists of 2 separate recipes that I put together to make 1 dish which was delish!

Lime Butter Chicken & Lemon Thyme Rice

Lime Butter Chicken

INGREDIENTS:

4 tablespoons vegetable oil
6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
salt and pepper to taste
1 lime, juiced
1/2 cup butter
1/2 teaspoon dried dill weed

DIRECTIONS:

Heat oil in a large heavy skillet over medium high heat.

Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper.

Cook chicken until lightly browned, about 3 minutes on each side. Cover, and reduce heat to low. Cook until no longer pink, and juices run clear, about 10 minutes. Remove chicken from pan, and keep warm.

Drain excess oil from pan. Stir in lime juice, and cook over low heat until it begins to bubble. Stir in butter, 1 tablespoon at a time. Continue stirring until butter becomes opaque, and sauce thickens. Remove from heat, and stir in dill weed. Spoon sauce over chicken, and serve.

Lemon Thyme Rice

INGREDIENTS:

1 tablespoon butter
1 cup uncooked white rice
1 (14.5 oz) can chicken broth
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon dried thyme

DIRECTIONS:

Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, and stir in the rice. Cook rice, stirring frequently, until browned, about 5 minutes.

Mix chicken broth, lemon juice and thyme into the rice. Cover, and reduce heat to low. Cook 20 minutes, until liquid has been absorbed. Fluff with a fork before serving.

Stargazing Sunday

I'd just like cooperation for once! That's all I wish for! Cooperation long enough for me to shoot one good photo for our annual Christmas card.

We just went through Shoot #1. Needless to say, I am not that impressed with the end results, and I only have 1 photo that I could potentially use if the rest of the shoots I do have worse results.

Here's a few:

Here my daughter looks like a mole ......


Look at the ceiling or look at mom? I think I'll do BOTH!


Are we done yet? We can't sit still anymore.


Yeah....hopefully I'll have better luck with shoot #2!

Snarkalicious Saturday -- Project: Christmas Cards

My next project is wrangling my offspring into matching Christmas jammies, posing them with festive props and snapping as many photos as I can in hopes of getting at least 1 good one to have made into Christmas cards. I started this once we had both children; so Christmas 2004 was the first year.

The first; they were both posed on the couch, with a green sheet as the backdrop, with a Christmas pillow and beanie baby along with them. The second; they are sitting on the stairs in the house, Christmas lights and garland down the banister and one is holding a wrapped present. And the third; they are back to back with Christmas lights lit and strung around them.

This year - I'm not 100% sure what the outcome will be, but I've got myself some new props. I just need to decide if I'll be using my backdrop stand or if I'll use a more natural setting. I sure wish I already had lighting equipment, but it looks like I'm just going to have to make do.

Foto Friday

If you read over at Melissa's you may have read the PVC related post. We had such a good time in Galena. So above is the gang that all traveled out there to celebrate Melissa's birthday.

These are some of the greatest ladies I know. :)

Crazy Day Ahead

You all will have to wait for the Foto for this Friday. I've got about the craziest work day ahead of me. I have to get the normal morning routine done, plus payroll all by 11:45 this morning. The first interview is at noon, and the entire afternoon is booked solid with interviews until I (hopefully) leave on time at 3pm.

I cannot begin to tell you how much I am not looking forward to this. Freaked out that I'm not going to do it right and look like a fool. My stomach is a bit freaked out about it. Ugh.

I just want this day over with. Plus I've got a desire to go out and do some more Christmas shopping tonight, along with an additional 30% off coupon for Kohl's burning a hole in my pocket (well, it's really burning a hole in my mom's wallet - she was lucky one to scratch off a 30% 'winner').

Anyone care to go shopping with me tonight?

Dear Santa....

I have been thinking about what I want this year for Christmas. If I don't give the hubby specifics, he'd never buy anything. Getting him to buy me clothes is like pulling teeth. The few times he has picked something out on his own, he's done well. But most times I find something, grab the size I need and say "Here, I like this" and then I disappear so he can do his shopping.

There are a few things I would like this year, so I'm going to do my Christmas list here, and then hint to him that he should visit and read my blog.

Photo Mousepad (complete with a photo of my little chickybabies)

Willow Tree Family Plaque

FM Transmitter for iPod (I'm not entirely sold on exactly which one I want, other than I'd love to be able to listen to my nano in the car)

Loving Family Necklace

Thankful Thursday

I'm thankful for neck rubs.

Especially when they come after a long day at work. This week has been an especially busy one, as I am having to step up and just sort of wing it through hiring. Thankfully the bosses are both participating so I'm not at it entirely alone. But I've looked at easily over 50 resumes and I've got at least 9 interviews lined up so far for the next two business days.

Add in the driver work comp drama, and I found myself awake from 2-3:30 this morning, my mind racing. Have you ever just wanted to shut off your brain? Yeah, it was one of those moments.

I see another neck rub in my future. ;)

Widsom Wednesday

I've decided to introduce this new section in my blog, entitled "Ponder This".

I will post a question, and my answer. Please answer the question in my comments, or post about it in your own blog and put a link in my comments.

For the first....

Would you accept a much less enjoyable job paying twice what you make now? If you received the same pay regardless of your job, what kind of work would you do? If you were financially independent, would you continue to work? If not, what would you do?

Twice the money is pretty tempting, but I can't imagine being unhappy with my job and dreading it every single day. I can't say that I love my job now, because well, it's a job (wouldn't life be great if you could do things like read a book, surf the web, and blog all while staying in your jammies, eating chocolate rather than heading into work each day?), but I don't hate it either. For the most part I enjoy what I do, and I enjoy the people I work with.

For the same pay, I'd love to do photography on a full time basis. It's a true passion, and it's something I do to 'escape'.

Ah, to be financially independent .... don't we all wish? I probably still would work - at least a few hours a day, or just a couple full days and have the rest of the week off. It would give me something to do, a 'purpose' so to speak. Afterall, one child is already in school a few hours a day and will be in all day starting next year, and the other one is right behind. What else what I do with my time without kids around? Oh yes, that's right ..... there's a 3 Musketeers bar and a book with my name on it.

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True Confession Tuesday

I bite my nails.

That's a nitty-gritty little secret, isn't it? I know - totally lame, BUT - there's a reason behind this post.

It's a bad habit I have, and I'm trying to break it. I'm currently on Day 11 of Not-Biting.

It all started when I painted my nails black for Ghoul's Night where I dressed up as a black cat. I had to keep my fingers out of my mouth to keep the nail polish looking nice. So I took the opportunity and ran with it.

I've now got a chrome pink color on and I can see and feel their growth. It's minimal for now, but probably longer than they've ever been in a really long time.

So there you have it .... it's not the best confession, but I'm proud that I've managed to make it this far in trying to break that habit!

Menu Monday

CHEESEBURGER & FRIES CASSEROLE

INGREDIENTS:

2 pounds lean ground beef
1/2 medium onion, chopped
salt and pepper to taste
garlic powder to taste
1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed golden mushroom soup
1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed Cheddar cheese soup
1 (16 ounce) package frozen French fries
2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees

Combine the ground beef and onion in a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook, stirring occasionally until beef is no longer pink, and the onion is translucent. Drain off excess grease, and season with salt, pepper and garlic powder.

Return to the heat, and stir in the golden mushroom and cheese soups until well blended. Heat through, and remove from stove. Transfer the mixture to a 9x13 inch baking dish. Cover the ground beef mixture with a layer of frozen French fries.

Bake for 25 to 30 minutes in the preheated oven. When the fries are golden brown, remove the casserole from the oven, and sprinkle cheese over the top.

Return to the oven, and bake just until cheese has melted.

(This is a great, easy recipe. Great for families - my kids loved it!)

Stargazing Sunday

Our help wanted ad hit the paper today, so I'm suspecting I'll be swamped with phone calls tomorrow. My stomach is in knots because I haven't done hiring before.

At least this first time it's to fill the part time office position and not for a driver (that's much harder to find someone for).

I wish a fairy godmother would fly along and grant me a wish. Or two. Heck, I'd even be grateful for three. At this point, just one would do.

So, I'd wish that we'd have someone in the office that I meshed well with (you know how women can be) and that adapted to the duties quickly and worked efficiently.

I am so not looking forward to tomorrow.

It's beginning to look at lot like Christmas?!?

It sure is on our block. Right now, including our house, there are 3 with lights along the roof line and around second story windows.

Our neighbor got a boom truck, so this was today's scene:





You do realize just how close Christmas really is, right? A local radio station (The Lite 93.9 for those in the area) already switched to Christmas music as of yesterday morning. Believe it or not, the "season" is in full swing.

Snarkalicious Saturday -- Free Pass

Just recently at the office, we were discussing celebrities and the men on screen that get our pulses going.

The conversation geared towards having the opportunity to sleep with said celebrity, and how it would all factor in with the infidelity thing.

I commented that I felt it was like a free pass.

In all honesty, can you imagine a conversation with your best friend when you tell her that Vince Vaughn (or fill in your favorite actor here; for the record, he would not be my first or second choice at a free pass) propositioned you and you turned him down?

You: "You will *never* believe who I met at _____ bar the other night!!!!! VINCE VAUGHN!"

Friend: "You have got to be (fill in expletives here) kidding me!!!!"

You: "Really! We were talking, had a few drinks....and then, he actually asked me back to his hotel room. I said no, of course. I mean, I'm a married woman!"

At which point, your friend's jaw is sweeping the floor and her eyes have bugged out of her head as if you just mentioned you birthed a baby elephant at home in your bathroom.

You see? It wouldn't go over well at all. A one time, once in a lifetime opportunity like that should not be passed up. And it's not fair to induce cardiac arrest on your friend when you tell her what you did (or in this case, didn't do).

So tell me....who would you use your free pass on? Who would your husband use his pass on?

Foto Friday

In honor of the holiday just passed.

The kids had a fantastic Halloween. It didn't get too chilly until the sun went down, and the drizzle they were calling for avoided us. We just did in our subdivision, and the kids got a load of candy. More than they'll ever be able to eat, so I guess I'll just have to lend a hand with that (oh, darn!)

I must say though, eating a bunch of fun sized candy bars before going to bed 2 nights in a row had made for some interesting and vivid dreams. But that's a whole other post in itself!

Rough Day Ahead

All fun and kidding aside for a moment.



I just placed an order with a florist to have an arrangement sent to the funeral home for Katrina's father. The obituary is in today's paper and visitation is tomorrow evening.

Since reading it online, I've been in sorts and not able to think clearly. I couldn't even remember my zip code when I was placing the order.

Tomorrow is going to be a rough day. I don't handle seeing others upset very well, so I imagine there will be many tears tomorrow.

Thankful Thursday

Oberweis Cinnamon Pecan Coffeecake ..... truly a heavenly indulgence. It makes work that much easier when you cut yourself a slice and settle into your office to start the day.

It's a given that I'm thankful for my kids and my family, and the roof over our heads and all that -- so I'm going a slightly different route with this, and yes - it may be about things like coffeecake. :)