Christmas is always one of my very favorite times of year and this year is no exception. The kids are so ready and this is the first year that Henry has really gotten into it. We've decorated, written to Santa, spoken to Santa, made homemade ornaments, played in the snow, had hot chocolate, made some Christmas gifts and driven around checking out the lights. Oh and we have read a Christmas story every night all month long.
This year we are having TWO big Christmases. Count em TWO! The first will be with my family here in KY on the 18th of December. The kids do not know about it and we are not telling them either. We are going to Grammy and Poppy's for breakfast that morning and BAM Santa will have visited! We will spend the whole day unwrapping and playing and eating and snoozing.
For the actual Christmas Holiday we will be travelling to VA to spend time with Jon's parents and siblings and all the nieces and nephews. Well the niece and nephews that is. Two new baby nephews that we have yet to meet! There we will also spend the day unwrapping and eating yummy homemade treats from Gram and playing and being in jammies all day and we will actually have a mini 4 day vacation too!
So I am super excited about this year and everything special that has gone into it and will come out of it. We have much to celebrate this year. Henry is almost 4 and he has grown into such a little man. He has learned how to go potty like a big guy, he can dress himself and helps with all kinds of jobs around the house. He has learned how to work on the car and does every oil change with his Daddy. He is also quite the big brother to Callie Anne. He looks out for her, teaches her things (good and bad) he holds her and hugs her and tells her how much he loves her and when he thinks you aren't looking he will put his arm around her or tell her how much he loves her pony tail or dress. He really adores her and she him.
Callie Anne has started to walk this year and is getting tons of little teeth. Henry taught her how to brush them and she loves to do it all day long! She loves Mickey and Minnie Mouse and she loves to look through books. She looks up to her big brother and is his little shadow. This year he taught her how to go down the slide and she loves that so much. She is finally getting hair and can do a little pony tail or even two tiny piggies! She likes to look at herself in the mirror each day when she gets dressed to see how she looks and already has an obsession for shoes!
Jon and I are still going strong and loving life. Busy and tired alot like all young parents(and old ones too I am guessing) and we are working hard to pay off all of our debt so we can get to a point where we can get the things that we want, move, travel and anything else we want to do. It is going great and I am still grateful each day that he and I have found each other again and that he is my husband.
Here's too the end of one fabulous year and hopes for Happy and Safe Holidays for each of you.
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Cookbook Update
Some of you know, some of you don't but we are doing the Dave Ramsey plan. I never tire of talking about it and sharing our story, our tips and what has worked for us in the year and 1 month that we have been on the plan. Just ask me about it!!
One of my goals is to write a budget inspired cookbook to help others who are struggling with a grocery budget, or with a working budget period. I want to help make grocery shopping and planning family meals easier for anyone who is interested and looking for a solution.
I am not quite halfway through the cookbook but do want to share that this will be different than other cookbooks.
First of all it is budget centered. I grocery shop for a family of 4 every 2 weeks. Each trip is $120 or less. I have worked hard to keep this budget and that includes NO DINING OUT and NO PRE-PACKAGED foods. I make all the meals all the time and although that is tough, we are doing it and we are getting rid of debt because of this contribution.
Secondly it is about using your pantry. It is about options. I may serve this dish on spaghetti, egg noodles or rice. Whatever you have you use and none of the ingredients are crazy or anything you haven't heard of.
Thirdly, I do not coupon. This isn't about spending 3 hours a week trying to get groceries for free. Although I applaud the families that do this, I am a stay at home mom with 2 part time jobs and a household to run. I do not have the time and do not have the energy to put in the effort for couponing. Kudos to those who are dedicated and can find the time.
Fourth, I am not a trained anything. I cook because I like it but even if you don't I appreciate that quick meals are important. I work a night job a few days a week so I utilize the crock pot and casseroles so there is a hot dinner for my family even on the nights I can't be there. You can do this too and I will show you how.
Finally, it is about easy, fun and good food. Lots of these are family favorites. Lots of these are things that the children love to help making too. I have an array of foods and desserts that are "on the cheap" and very good to eat. We enjoy food and don't think we have to suffer just because we are on a budget.
I can't wait to share this cookbook and ask for your support. I plan on finishing and printing then sending this cookbook to Dave Ramsey himself as well as Aldi grocery stores as they are the source of our low cost grocery budget. With some planning and creativity you can feed your family for pennies on the dollar and bring back the "old fashioned" family meals to your life. Everyone in our family benefits from our family dinners and "Big Breakfast" weekends. You can too!
One of my goals is to write a budget inspired cookbook to help others who are struggling with a grocery budget, or with a working budget period. I want to help make grocery shopping and planning family meals easier for anyone who is interested and looking for a solution.
I am not quite halfway through the cookbook but do want to share that this will be different than other cookbooks.
First of all it is budget centered. I grocery shop for a family of 4 every 2 weeks. Each trip is $120 or less. I have worked hard to keep this budget and that includes NO DINING OUT and NO PRE-PACKAGED foods. I make all the meals all the time and although that is tough, we are doing it and we are getting rid of debt because of this contribution.
Secondly it is about using your pantry. It is about options. I may serve this dish on spaghetti, egg noodles or rice. Whatever you have you use and none of the ingredients are crazy or anything you haven't heard of.
Thirdly, I do not coupon. This isn't about spending 3 hours a week trying to get groceries for free. Although I applaud the families that do this, I am a stay at home mom with 2 part time jobs and a household to run. I do not have the time and do not have the energy to put in the effort for couponing. Kudos to those who are dedicated and can find the time.
Fourth, I am not a trained anything. I cook because I like it but even if you don't I appreciate that quick meals are important. I work a night job a few days a week so I utilize the crock pot and casseroles so there is a hot dinner for my family even on the nights I can't be there. You can do this too and I will show you how.
Finally, it is about easy, fun and good food. Lots of these are family favorites. Lots of these are things that the children love to help making too. I have an array of foods and desserts that are "on the cheap" and very good to eat. We enjoy food and don't think we have to suffer just because we are on a budget.
I can't wait to share this cookbook and ask for your support. I plan on finishing and printing then sending this cookbook to Dave Ramsey himself as well as Aldi grocery stores as they are the source of our low cost grocery budget. With some planning and creativity you can feed your family for pennies on the dollar and bring back the "old fashioned" family meals to your life. Everyone in our family benefits from our family dinners and "Big Breakfast" weekends. You can too!
Thursday, November 4, 2010
The worst part of being a parent...
This may differ for each parent out there but this week I had my worst parenting experience. Of course, it wasn't when my son was kicking screaming and acting a brat. It wasn't when my daughter blatantly hit me in the face to get a reaction. It is not moments like these that add up to my worst parenting moment. Weird huh? You would expect those would be the moments that would be terrible.
My worst parenting moment started Monday night when I arrived home from work around 1am. Getting ready for bed and my son starts to cry. I am thinking, "he must have to pee or something" so I head up there and he tells me he has to poop and immediately pukes all over me!! He ate hot dogs and I am wearing a white bathrobe. I panic and don't know what to do so I start CATCHING IT IN MY HANDS??? Yup until I realize "What the hell am I doing???" and I lose it and grab a blanket that is sitting there and him and run downstairs. I wake my husband up with a holler and he heads up to clean the mess that has covered the bottom bunk.
(Listen I had an intolerance for hot dogs when I was a child. Speaking from both perspectives I will say that hot dog puke is the worst for the "giver" and the "receiver")
Thank God for the sectional sofa. I set him up a sick bed with barf bucket and cold water and washrag in tow and set myself up on the other sofa. I couldn't sleep cause he kept saying he had chest pain. Chest pain??? When I finally do fall asleep I am lucky that before he gets sick he tosses and turns cause he is uncomfortable and that wakes me to be by his side. We spend the whole night like this but get pretty much no sleep.
His face was white. His lips were white. He was limp in my arms and shivering as he is trying to puke or poop or what he doesn't know? He is writhing in pain and I CAN'T DO A THING. It was the most horrible moment of parenting I have ever had. I couldn't take it away. No matter how much comforting I did he still had to get it all out of him and I just cried. I prayed for him and I cried. I know that I will have many more moments that I want to take away the pain. I want to take away the hurt and the sick. This is the sickest he has been and it broke my heart. It broke my heart for so many reasons but mostly cause he is my baby. I remember what it was like. I remember that no matter what Mom or Dad did I just had to get it out. I remember their hearts breaking while I was sick or hurt or just not myself.
It is moments like these that remind you of how much you love someone. Your baby. Your blood. Your life's work. Your child.
My worst parenting moment started Monday night when I arrived home from work around 1am. Getting ready for bed and my son starts to cry. I am thinking, "he must have to pee or something" so I head up there and he tells me he has to poop and immediately pukes all over me!! He ate hot dogs and I am wearing a white bathrobe. I panic and don't know what to do so I start CATCHING IT IN MY HANDS??? Yup until I realize "What the hell am I doing???" and I lose it and grab a blanket that is sitting there and him and run downstairs. I wake my husband up with a holler and he heads up to clean the mess that has covered the bottom bunk.
(Listen I had an intolerance for hot dogs when I was a child. Speaking from both perspectives I will say that hot dog puke is the worst for the "giver" and the "receiver")
Thank God for the sectional sofa. I set him up a sick bed with barf bucket and cold water and washrag in tow and set myself up on the other sofa. I couldn't sleep cause he kept saying he had chest pain. Chest pain??? When I finally do fall asleep I am lucky that before he gets sick he tosses and turns cause he is uncomfortable and that wakes me to be by his side. We spend the whole night like this but get pretty much no sleep.
His face was white. His lips were white. He was limp in my arms and shivering as he is trying to puke or poop or what he doesn't know? He is writhing in pain and I CAN'T DO A THING. It was the most horrible moment of parenting I have ever had. I couldn't take it away. No matter how much comforting I did he still had to get it all out of him and I just cried. I prayed for him and I cried. I know that I will have many more moments that I want to take away the pain. I want to take away the hurt and the sick. This is the sickest he has been and it broke my heart. It broke my heart for so many reasons but mostly cause he is my baby. I remember what it was like. I remember that no matter what Mom or Dad did I just had to get it out. I remember their hearts breaking while I was sick or hurt or just not myself.
It is moments like these that remind you of how much you love someone. Your baby. Your blood. Your life's work. Your child.
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Ever feel inspired?
Just got back from a visit to Knoxville to see some of our Framily. Which is our Friends/Family who are most important to us. (Think of the honorary "Aunts and Uncles" that you grew up with that were family friends.)
So we spent this great weekend in Knoxville and visited Ijams nature center which is beautiful in the fall. Also spent time with some friends who recently had their home on the Historic Homes Tour through Knoxville. Spending time in their home really inspired me. Erin is an artist and their home is filled with things they love. Trinkets and photos. Art from friends, medals and paintings and things they have created. Thrift store furniture they have refinished, sanded and placed in the perfect place. The colors of their home are rich and deep and homey and welcoming.
It reminded me that I have put my art on the back burner and what better way to get back to me then to fill our home with creativity?? Fill our home with things we love. Trinkets and collections and photos and quirky things that only I would have.
So feeling this inspired got me started on several projects which I will eventually take photos of for you all to enjoy. Some framed pieces, some nice photographs, a vase filled with fabric and twine flowers and butterflies. Just things of beauty and things I like and I create.
So nice to be inspired again. I don't remember the last time I was so motivated and just felt so peaceful about getting some projects done. I LOVE this new outlook. You should all try to remember what inspires you, what makes you tick what makes you happy. It is so easy to just get caught up in life and the things you HAVE to do and forget to do the things you WANT to do. If it's good enough for me...
So we spent this great weekend in Knoxville and visited Ijams nature center which is beautiful in the fall. Also spent time with some friends who recently had their home on the Historic Homes Tour through Knoxville. Spending time in their home really inspired me. Erin is an artist and their home is filled with things they love. Trinkets and photos. Art from friends, medals and paintings and things they have created. Thrift store furniture they have refinished, sanded and placed in the perfect place. The colors of their home are rich and deep and homey and welcoming.
It reminded me that I have put my art on the back burner and what better way to get back to me then to fill our home with creativity?? Fill our home with things we love. Trinkets and collections and photos and quirky things that only I would have.
So feeling this inspired got me started on several projects which I will eventually take photos of for you all to enjoy. Some framed pieces, some nice photographs, a vase filled with fabric and twine flowers and butterflies. Just things of beauty and things I like and I create.
So nice to be inspired again. I don't remember the last time I was so motivated and just felt so peaceful about getting some projects done. I LOVE this new outlook. You should all try to remember what inspires you, what makes you tick what makes you happy. It is so easy to just get caught up in life and the things you HAVE to do and forget to do the things you WANT to do. If it's good enough for me...
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Dog Days
So yes for those wondering the dog is home and cuddling next to me on the recliner but I can't help but wonder what she is thinking.
She went from living at the shelter in her first months to living with an older couple who let her on all the furniture, slept with her and fed her all the same food they ate. They were a good couple for her and treated her well but in a sad sweet way I know that they were temporary parents to our family dog. Unfortunately her adoptive mom got brain cancer and could no longer take care of her needs or the dogs. So...back to the shelter for about 2 weeks with a bunch of barking dogs, a cold pen by herself, lots of visitors in and out and on a diet!!!
We pick her up about 2 minutes before someone else wanted to adopt her and bring her home to a 1 year old and a 3 year old that cannot CONTROL THE VOLUME OF THEIR VOICES!! She is eating just dog food but pacing the table at every meal. She sleeps in her kennel even though she attempts to jump on the bed (but her legs are so short) and when she gets up there she is told to get down. Life has got to be hard when you are 8lbs and a shrimp and even the baby seems like a giant to you!!
However, in 6 days she has gone from shaking and unsure about the kids to being so excited every morning that her entire butt is shaking when she sees them. They are gentle and cuddly and Callie has spoken her first word since she met this dog. She leans to kiss the dog and when the dog kisses her she stands up and says, "YUCK!"
The name issue may have been confusing for her. Originally Poppy at the shelter, then Baby with her adoptive parents then back to Poppy at the shelter who knew how naming her would go. Well I can tell you this, Poppy is the kids Grandpa so...needless to say we nixed that. It took 2 full days. Jon wanted Killer, I wanted Tyrannosaurus Lex and Henry wakes up Sat morning and says, "I wanna name her Oggie, Oggie the Doggie, and so Oggie was named.
Here we are, dog owners of almost a week and I wonder, I just wonder what is going on in her little dog brain.
She went from living at the shelter in her first months to living with an older couple who let her on all the furniture, slept with her and fed her all the same food they ate. They were a good couple for her and treated her well but in a sad sweet way I know that they were temporary parents to our family dog. Unfortunately her adoptive mom got brain cancer and could no longer take care of her needs or the dogs. So...back to the shelter for about 2 weeks with a bunch of barking dogs, a cold pen by herself, lots of visitors in and out and on a diet!!!
We pick her up about 2 minutes before someone else wanted to adopt her and bring her home to a 1 year old and a 3 year old that cannot CONTROL THE VOLUME OF THEIR VOICES!! She is eating just dog food but pacing the table at every meal. She sleeps in her kennel even though she attempts to jump on the bed (but her legs are so short) and when she gets up there she is told to get down. Life has got to be hard when you are 8lbs and a shrimp and even the baby seems like a giant to you!!
However, in 6 days she has gone from shaking and unsure about the kids to being so excited every morning that her entire butt is shaking when she sees them. They are gentle and cuddly and Callie has spoken her first word since she met this dog. She leans to kiss the dog and when the dog kisses her she stands up and says, "YUCK!"
The name issue may have been confusing for her. Originally Poppy at the shelter, then Baby with her adoptive parents then back to Poppy at the shelter who knew how naming her would go. Well I can tell you this, Poppy is the kids Grandpa so...needless to say we nixed that. It took 2 full days. Jon wanted Killer, I wanted Tyrannosaurus Lex and Henry wakes up Sat morning and says, "I wanna name her Oggie, Oggie the Doggie, and so Oggie was named.
Here we are, dog owners of almost a week and I wonder, I just wonder what is going on in her little dog brain.
Monday, September 13, 2010
H...I...J...K-9
Having the debate of whether or not to get a family pet. Not any pet but a dog.
For the past few years we agreed that a dog was not for us; didn't feel like training a puppy, pee in the house, lots of poop in the yard, they are an expense of food, they shed hair and on the occasion that we want to go out of town we have to arrange for the dog to stay somewhere blah blah blah....
I imagine this is the age old debate most people have while deciding if they will get or want a dog.
The problem is that Mama, me, has changed her ever loving mind!!! what??? I was always the clear headed one on this issue and the answer was just, "NO." Well, this weekend we took the kids to the pet store and it was dog adoption day. Callie wanted every dog of course, Henry is nervous around certain dogs and loves others. We spent an hour there AT LEAST!!
Today I took the kids to the shelter and Damnit, I fell in love, with a dog that isn't even usually my type of dog in ANY WAY WHATSOEVER. We are looking around and they are barking their heads off some at us, some for our attention and Henry is cowering cause they are loud and Callie is trying to get into everyone's cage and Henry says he wants to get one of them out to play. Here is what I observed:
A puppy is NOT for us. We played with a sweet little guy named Hank, 4months old, and he was crazy jumping all over and using his puppy teeth to tattoo my arm in bloody scratches and the kids didn't really even get to pet him or anything cause he was all over the place. NO PUPPIES.
Any dog that was big and loud completely intimidated Henry to the point of cowering behind me. We only played with little dogs. And not just little dogs but FULLY GROWN little dogs. Then there was a 3yr old mini pinscher named Mahogany. She was shaking the entire time, she was scared of doors opening and she cowered from us. No way am I taking home a doggie that has obvious ISSUES. So she was cute but out. I was beginning to think Jon was right, "We have enough going on right now and a dog is not for us at the moment."
Then Poppy looks up at us. She is a full grown Rat Terrier (short hair). She looks like a sausage with a too tiny head. Henry asked if we could visit with that dog. I was about over it but I said "last one" and we took her for a visit and God love her and everything about her!!! I freaking fell in love with this dog!! I don't even like tiny little dogs and here she is sweet and calm. 1.5yrs old. Already house trained and spayed. She was sweet, never jumped up and loved the kids. Friendly but chill. She debunked my reasons for not getting a dog cause...
She isn't a puppy and is already house trained.
She wasn't bonkers and hyper and she loved the children
She has hair but not too much cause she is soooo small
Which means her poop is small-so kinda not that big a deal to me at least
And she would be easy to take around with us so the leaving town thing also not really an issue
Oh and she is on a diet cause her owner over fed her so her food expense is 1 cup a day (not bad)
I also know her history which is more than you normally get with a shelter doggie.
So of course now Jon thinks I am crazy as all get go! "Where did my wife go?" and honestly I feel like a kid trying to talk him into it "I'll clean up the poop and take care of her, I PROMISE" Geez, this dog has got me all cloudy inside and I don't know why. I think all dogs are cute, I love them but always keep my head straight about their needs and the work they take but this dog just seemed like she would be the perfect addition to our family. Like she would blend right in and I have never felt that way about a dog before.
Crap! I guess I've got my work cut out for me trying to talk my husband into this dog in the next few days before someone else grabs her or god forbid the other thing that happens at the shelter. I can't believe this happened to me. This dog has made me mush. I am screwed!
For the past few years we agreed that a dog was not for us; didn't feel like training a puppy, pee in the house, lots of poop in the yard, they are an expense of food, they shed hair and on the occasion that we want to go out of town we have to arrange for the dog to stay somewhere blah blah blah....
I imagine this is the age old debate most people have while deciding if they will get or want a dog.
The problem is that Mama, me, has changed her ever loving mind!!! what??? I was always the clear headed one on this issue and the answer was just, "NO." Well, this weekend we took the kids to the pet store and it was dog adoption day. Callie wanted every dog of course, Henry is nervous around certain dogs and loves others. We spent an hour there AT LEAST!!
Today I took the kids to the shelter and Damnit, I fell in love, with a dog that isn't even usually my type of dog in ANY WAY WHATSOEVER. We are looking around and they are barking their heads off some at us, some for our attention and Henry is cowering cause they are loud and Callie is trying to get into everyone's cage and Henry says he wants to get one of them out to play. Here is what I observed:
A puppy is NOT for us. We played with a sweet little guy named Hank, 4months old, and he was crazy jumping all over and using his puppy teeth to tattoo my arm in bloody scratches and the kids didn't really even get to pet him or anything cause he was all over the place. NO PUPPIES.
Any dog that was big and loud completely intimidated Henry to the point of cowering behind me. We only played with little dogs. And not just little dogs but FULLY GROWN little dogs. Then there was a 3yr old mini pinscher named Mahogany. She was shaking the entire time, she was scared of doors opening and she cowered from us. No way am I taking home a doggie that has obvious ISSUES. So she was cute but out. I was beginning to think Jon was right, "We have enough going on right now and a dog is not for us at the moment."
Then Poppy looks up at us. She is a full grown Rat Terrier (short hair). She looks like a sausage with a too tiny head. Henry asked if we could visit with that dog. I was about over it but I said "last one" and we took her for a visit and God love her and everything about her!!! I freaking fell in love with this dog!! I don't even like tiny little dogs and here she is sweet and calm. 1.5yrs old. Already house trained and spayed. She was sweet, never jumped up and loved the kids. Friendly but chill. She debunked my reasons for not getting a dog cause...
She isn't a puppy and is already house trained.
She wasn't bonkers and hyper and she loved the children
She has hair but not too much cause she is soooo small
Which means her poop is small-so kinda not that big a deal to me at least
And she would be easy to take around with us so the leaving town thing also not really an issue
Oh and she is on a diet cause her owner over fed her so her food expense is 1 cup a day (not bad)
I also know her history which is more than you normally get with a shelter doggie.
So of course now Jon thinks I am crazy as all get go! "Where did my wife go?" and honestly I feel like a kid trying to talk him into it "I'll clean up the poop and take care of her, I PROMISE" Geez, this dog has got me all cloudy inside and I don't know why. I think all dogs are cute, I love them but always keep my head straight about their needs and the work they take but this dog just seemed like she would be the perfect addition to our family. Like she would blend right in and I have never felt that way about a dog before.
Crap! I guess I've got my work cut out for me trying to talk my husband into this dog in the next few days before someone else grabs her or god forbid the other thing that happens at the shelter. I can't believe this happened to me. This dog has made me mush. I am screwed!
Friday, September 10, 2010
Social Security: A Social Experiment
Here is an oldie but a goodie from my archives. Original blog posted on January 03, 2007
This is being posted by request from a friend.
I have a new name. I don't know if anyone understands how painstaking the process of getting a new name actually is. I am going to preview this for you in a little blog.
First of all, the actual day that you go to the social security office, make sure it is NOT the day after a holiday and make sure you are not "in mourning" over the death of a former US President (cause they are closed that day). There will be about 300 people in a room that is full to capacity at 45. There will be a shit ton of people applying for disability and they will even walk up to the window with a fake limp to convince you they need the "free money".
DO NOT try to pop in on your lunch break because you will be there for hours sitting next to Stinky Limpy and No Teeth Betty who hasn't showered in over a week. There will be Dirty, Scummy, Smoky, Sweaty and a whole slew of other various Dwarfs from the Disney movie we all know and love. You will want to cry when you see the 3 year old resting his open mouth on the chair in front of you and you will want to slap his mother for not paying attention while her kid just contracted God knows how many diseases from the back of this chair.
There will be NO INSTRUCTIONS posted anywhere that you can see and about 15 Japanese men on break from the Toyota plant taking up all the room. You will finally figure out how to get a number and when you eventually get called an hour or so later (right about the time you are totally ready for another shower) you get back to the window and they will ask you why you didn't fill out any paperwork/application to change your name or renew your card. Umm...cause there are no signs indicating that I have to do so, that's why!!!!
The actual name changing portion is NOTHING compared to the social experiments going on in that lobby. Takes a minute, just remember to bring EVERYTHING you have EVER been given as an identifying piece of paperwork AND to sign your new name, not the same old name you've been signing for 26 years, and everything will be fine. Within 24 hours you will be recognized in the eyes of the government as a whole new person, despite the fact that your card will not be arriving for another 2 weeks.
Congrats to you for spending the day waiting for someone to jump out and scream enthusiastically, "Smile Your on Candid Camera!!" You did it!!
This is being posted by request from a friend.
I have a new name. I don't know if anyone understands how painstaking the process of getting a new name actually is. I am going to preview this for you in a little blog.
First of all, the actual day that you go to the social security office, make sure it is NOT the day after a holiday and make sure you are not "in mourning" over the death of a former US President (cause they are closed that day). There will be about 300 people in a room that is full to capacity at 45. There will be a shit ton of people applying for disability and they will even walk up to the window with a fake limp to convince you they need the "free money".
DO NOT try to pop in on your lunch break because you will be there for hours sitting next to Stinky Limpy and No Teeth Betty who hasn't showered in over a week. There will be Dirty, Scummy, Smoky, Sweaty and a whole slew of other various Dwarfs from the Disney movie we all know and love. You will want to cry when you see the 3 year old resting his open mouth on the chair in front of you and you will want to slap his mother for not paying attention while her kid just contracted God knows how many diseases from the back of this chair.
There will be NO INSTRUCTIONS posted anywhere that you can see and about 15 Japanese men on break from the Toyota plant taking up all the room. You will finally figure out how to get a number and when you eventually get called an hour or so later (right about the time you are totally ready for another shower) you get back to the window and they will ask you why you didn't fill out any paperwork/application to change your name or renew your card. Umm...cause there are no signs indicating that I have to do so, that's why!!!!
The actual name changing portion is NOTHING compared to the social experiments going on in that lobby. Takes a minute, just remember to bring EVERYTHING you have EVER been given as an identifying piece of paperwork AND to sign your new name, not the same old name you've been signing for 26 years, and everything will be fine. Within 24 hours you will be recognized in the eyes of the government as a whole new person, despite the fact that your card will not be arriving for another 2 weeks.
Congrats to you for spending the day waiting for someone to jump out and scream enthusiastically, "Smile Your on Candid Camera!!" You did it!!
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Turning 30 Resolutions
I NEVER fall victim to the new year's resolutions. I think that it is silly. That ANY TIME of year is good for a resolution or a change. So as I turned 30 (less than a month ago) I decided now was as good a time as any to make some resolutions for myself. Heading out of the 20's means that I am now not some young party animal, post college kid, making stupid money decisions, go to bed in the morning/wake up and start my day at nighttime, kind of girl anymore. I am a responsible Mother, a dedicated Wife and although I am still "Crazy Amy" I am a real live GROWNUP!!
Resolution 1: Have Tea
I see people asking for tea. I watch them on tv. I hear that people LIKE to sit down with a hot cup of tea. There are tea shops, and tea gear and it seems to be as in depth as wine making/tasting, so I resolve to sit down and try to enjoy a cup of tea occasionally.
Resolution 2: Time for Girlfriends
As most of you Mothers and parents in general know, when you have little ones and a family to run and take care of, you tend to forget about taking care of yourself. I am going to make time for my girlfriends. I should really say "Once a month I am meeting up with the chicks" however, I am not ready for the time commitment, just that I am making this change is big enough. So I am making time with the girlfriends and who knows maybe we'll have tea!! (right like I'm grabbing for tea when I get a night away from the house!!)
Resolution 3: Make a pot of soup a week
I recently heard someone else say they do this on weeks when they know they will be busy so they have a go to lunch/dinner/snack. I LOVE soup! I am resolving to make a pot of soup a week that will be in the fridge for leftover use so I can have a quick, easy, healthy lunch ready for myself and the family when in a crunch. Oh with the time thing again, maybe once a week is a little too ambitious. Twice a month?
Resolution 4: Read to learn, not just for pleasure
I love reading, I love the library. I normally get murder mysteries or some chic lit (no romance don't get me wrong here) but I am going to get actual non-fiction books that interest me. I want to learn about house plans. I want to read more about investing (since I have finally taken steps to live debt free). I want to know about parenting strategies. I want to flip through pictures of house decorating books and learn tips about renovating my space. Maybe I will end up with a new career after all this reading as a Chef or an Interior Decorator, or a Mechanic! One of the rules we live by in this house is "If they wrote a book about it, I can do it" I am finally going to dive into this head first.
Resolution 5: Go for walks with my kids
I should have been doing this more and more and I just haven't. In this neighborhood we don't have sidewalks and I don't feel it is super safe to have them with me on the road BUT there are plenty of places we can travel to take walks together and we have a high school track right up the street that they would think is kick a**! I am going to make more time for the family evening walk.
Resolution 6: Start running again
This one is actually not as easy for me as you might think. I ran cross country and track in high school. I liked it and excelled in it, but trying to get started again is near impossible. Here is why, the time commitment! Sounds like a theme huh? I have to find time to go without the kids. I have no running stroller, not going to be buying one and am a solo runner anyhow. I can do it in the morning before Jon leaves for work (which would be approx 6am) I work nights and don't get home until 130a-2a, see the problem on the nights I work?? I am not running in the dark-the husband wouldn't be comfy with that and really neither would I. But I WILL find a way to get running back into my life, even a few days a week. I was never healthier, I was never stronger and I was never SKINNIER!!! What 30 year old, mother of two, doesn't want to be skinny??
Resolution 7: Try Brussels Sprouts (EWWWW)
I have NEVER liked these and they even made me yack all over the kitchen when I was little. However, I used to dislike asparagus until one day I said I WILL try this until I like it. I ate it each time it was offered me for at least a year. I didn't like it every time but I kept with it and now I like asparagus!! So I know alot of folks who think these disgusting miniature cabbages are delightful and I resolve to try them when I am able and keep an open mind. This goes for some other foods too, but there is not much I don't like so I will keep you posted when these other foods arrive on the palate.
Resolution 8: Camp outs in the backyard
I remember how awesome it was when my Dad would set up the tent and let my little brother and I spend the night in the yard. I remember how great it was when we did Daddy Movie Night and he folded out the couch bed, made a giant bowl of popcorn and spent the night with us after a kiddie movie. It may have been boring for him but these were great nights for us!! Breaking up the routine and making something seem special to us was the most important thing. I will set up camp outs for the kids in the backyard, or the living room for that matter. I don't care how much work it is for me it will make great memories for them and they are only young once! I can't wait for the first backyard family camp out!
Resolution 9: Name the cars
According to my husband all cars are female. He is the motor head genius so even though I long disagreed, I must accept that he is right and get to naming our two cars. Every car I've had has had a name. There was Ebony the black Nissan Sentra, Vic the purple Honda Civic (he was gay), there was She-Ra the red Honda Accord and then there was Lou the Vue my gray Saturn Vue. However, these two current cars we have are loyal and deserve names but none have ever come to me the way they did with the others. We have a 94 white Plymouth Neon that just let's us put miles and miles on her with no major problems other than wear and tear age related things and a white 07 Dodge Grand Caravan that lets us use and abuse her, rarely keep her clean inside cause the kids always have to have a snack! and doesn't mind that occasionally I bump her into things :) and neither of these beauties have a name! It reminds me of the time that our daughter didn't have a name and for the first three days of her life was just Girl Durham. It made me feel like a terrible unloving mother for 3 days until we named her and I feel like a terrible mother to these vehicles who are so good to us yet have no name. I need to work on this resolution ASAP!!
For now these are my resolutions but as you already know I don't resolve to do anything in the new year cause I resolve to work on things and change things about me for the better whenever I feel there needs to be a change so there will always be resolutions and I will always welcome your opinions on them. Time to go get the little one out of bed and make a cup of tea!
Resolution 1: Have Tea
I see people asking for tea. I watch them on tv. I hear that people LIKE to sit down with a hot cup of tea. There are tea shops, and tea gear and it seems to be as in depth as wine making/tasting, so I resolve to sit down and try to enjoy a cup of tea occasionally.
Resolution 2: Time for Girlfriends
As most of you Mothers and parents in general know, when you have little ones and a family to run and take care of, you tend to forget about taking care of yourself. I am going to make time for my girlfriends. I should really say "Once a month I am meeting up with the chicks" however, I am not ready for the time commitment, just that I am making this change is big enough. So I am making time with the girlfriends and who knows maybe we'll have tea!! (right like I'm grabbing for tea when I get a night away from the house!!)
Resolution 3: Make a pot of soup a week
I recently heard someone else say they do this on weeks when they know they will be busy so they have a go to lunch/dinner/snack. I LOVE soup! I am resolving to make a pot of soup a week that will be in the fridge for leftover use so I can have a quick, easy, healthy lunch ready for myself and the family when in a crunch. Oh with the time thing again, maybe once a week is a little too ambitious. Twice a month?
Resolution 4: Read to learn, not just for pleasure
I love reading, I love the library. I normally get murder mysteries or some chic lit (no romance don't get me wrong here) but I am going to get actual non-fiction books that interest me. I want to learn about house plans. I want to read more about investing (since I have finally taken steps to live debt free). I want to know about parenting strategies. I want to flip through pictures of house decorating books and learn tips about renovating my space. Maybe I will end up with a new career after all this reading as a Chef or an Interior Decorator, or a Mechanic! One of the rules we live by in this house is "If they wrote a book about it, I can do it" I am finally going to dive into this head first.
Resolution 5: Go for walks with my kids
I should have been doing this more and more and I just haven't. In this neighborhood we don't have sidewalks and I don't feel it is super safe to have them with me on the road BUT there are plenty of places we can travel to take walks together and we have a high school track right up the street that they would think is kick a**! I am going to make more time for the family evening walk.
Resolution 6: Start running again
This one is actually not as easy for me as you might think. I ran cross country and track in high school. I liked it and excelled in it, but trying to get started again is near impossible. Here is why, the time commitment! Sounds like a theme huh? I have to find time to go without the kids. I have no running stroller, not going to be buying one and am a solo runner anyhow. I can do it in the morning before Jon leaves for work (which would be approx 6am) I work nights and don't get home until 130a-2a, see the problem on the nights I work?? I am not running in the dark-the husband wouldn't be comfy with that and really neither would I. But I WILL find a way to get running back into my life, even a few days a week. I was never healthier, I was never stronger and I was never SKINNIER!!! What 30 year old, mother of two, doesn't want to be skinny??
Resolution 7: Try Brussels Sprouts (EWWWW)
I have NEVER liked these and they even made me yack all over the kitchen when I was little. However, I used to dislike asparagus until one day I said I WILL try this until I like it. I ate it each time it was offered me for at least a year. I didn't like it every time but I kept with it and now I like asparagus!! So I know alot of folks who think these disgusting miniature cabbages are delightful and I resolve to try them when I am able and keep an open mind. This goes for some other foods too, but there is not much I don't like so I will keep you posted when these other foods arrive on the palate.
Resolution 8: Camp outs in the backyard
I remember how awesome it was when my Dad would set up the tent and let my little brother and I spend the night in the yard. I remember how great it was when we did Daddy Movie Night and he folded out the couch bed, made a giant bowl of popcorn and spent the night with us after a kiddie movie. It may have been boring for him but these were great nights for us!! Breaking up the routine and making something seem special to us was the most important thing. I will set up camp outs for the kids in the backyard, or the living room for that matter. I don't care how much work it is for me it will make great memories for them and they are only young once! I can't wait for the first backyard family camp out!
Resolution 9: Name the cars
According to my husband all cars are female. He is the motor head genius so even though I long disagreed, I must accept that he is right and get to naming our two cars. Every car I've had has had a name. There was Ebony the black Nissan Sentra, Vic the purple Honda Civic (he was gay), there was She-Ra the red Honda Accord and then there was Lou the Vue my gray Saturn Vue. However, these two current cars we have are loyal and deserve names but none have ever come to me the way they did with the others. We have a 94 white Plymouth Neon that just let's us put miles and miles on her with no major problems other than wear and tear age related things and a white 07 Dodge Grand Caravan that lets us use and abuse her, rarely keep her clean inside cause the kids always have to have a snack! and doesn't mind that occasionally I bump her into things :) and neither of these beauties have a name! It reminds me of the time that our daughter didn't have a name and for the first three days of her life was just Girl Durham. It made me feel like a terrible unloving mother for 3 days until we named her and I feel like a terrible mother to these vehicles who are so good to us yet have no name. I need to work on this resolution ASAP!!
For now these are my resolutions but as you already know I don't resolve to do anything in the new year cause I resolve to work on things and change things about me for the better whenever I feel there needs to be a change so there will always be resolutions and I will always welcome your opinions on them. Time to go get the little one out of bed and make a cup of tea!
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Burn Baby Burn
I love to cook. I LOVE it. However, I am a handicapped chef. The knives in our house are not sharp. I can't keep them sharp or else you may find a fingertip in your Sweet Italian Sausage and pasta dish. I will need to visit the emergency room for stitches a minimum of twice a week IF I keep them sharp. So I have the kind you have to saw everything in order to cut it. This way I don't chop off an appendage.
I also am the messiest cook ever. I have to scrub the stove and countertops after every meal and even snacks. I never get all the milk in the cup, I never keep the sauce from bubbling over even when I put a lid on it. Baking, don't even get me started. I try to avoid it at all costs.
Oh and the scars. I have more scars from burns from the oven than I prefer to mention. Currently I am nursing a burn on my arm that prevented Callie from touching the 400 degree oven.
And despite all this I keep on cooking. Someone has to. I would be eating frozen pizza and spaghettios every night if anyone else did the cheffing around here!! Besides, my wounds will heal but don't ask me what is in my special sauce...
I also am the messiest cook ever. I have to scrub the stove and countertops after every meal and even snacks. I never get all the milk in the cup, I never keep the sauce from bubbling over even when I put a lid on it. Baking, don't even get me started. I try to avoid it at all costs.
Oh and the scars. I have more scars from burns from the oven than I prefer to mention. Currently I am nursing a burn on my arm that prevented Callie from touching the 400 degree oven.
And despite all this I keep on cooking. Someone has to. I would be eating frozen pizza and spaghettios every night if anyone else did the cheffing around here!! Besides, my wounds will heal but don't ask me what is in my special sauce...
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