Crazy Things We Say

Zip it.  Lock it.  Put it in your pocket!

By far the best

Monday Morning Motivation

Live it up this week!

Wow, that was fast!

We've all heard the saying: Time flies when you're having fun.  BUT let me tell you it flies all the time.

The last few weeks have flown by!  Where did they go???  Last I checked it was summer and BAM!  The leaves are changing and I'm sick of things that come in pumpkin. (Whom I kidding - I still like pumpkin.)

The nail in this coffin I'm talking about, derives from my trip to Home DePot.   Outside I was reminded of how pretty the fall is with all the mums and fall plants on display.  I was nice.  HOWEVER, I walked into the actually store and I was blinded by the Christmas display.  It's not even Halloween yet - WHAT GIVES???????

I'm all for celebrating anything.  Life is full of so many wonderful things; things that should be celebrated.   We shouldn't rush those moments.  Savor and enjoy them.  Make the moment count.

We also should not be rushed, day in and day out.  I am constantly running around like a humming bird from moment to moment.  (The stress and pressure make me do it.  Oh how much I hate those two.  I swear they have it in for me. But I'm onto them - they better watch out!)  In those times I fear I miss the wonderful things that could happen.

I saw something wonderful today.  A wonderful thing doesn't have to be a big thing.  What was wonderful today was simply this: my son's joy while running.  Today was my second 5K  - ever.  As some may know, recently busted my foot, so this was no fast paced race.  I assumed that my son would  most likely want to walk the whole thing.  How wrong I was.  He's a little spitfire!  He ran and ran and loved it!  He cheered me on, taunted me, made jokes, stopped to check out cool things along the run.  I'm so happy I took the few hours out of my crazy working mom life to do this.  Those moments we shared, so small and silly to some, were amazing for me.

So here's my skinnirage assignment for this week: enjoy the moments you have, no matter how simple they may be AND, most importantly, don't rush a thing (unless it's something gross, like, using a public bathroom.)

Vices and Things We Can't Change

Vices, addictions, habits, crappy personality traits - we all have them.  Why do we beat ourselves up over them?

Here's what I mean:  I am a very talkative, label making addict.  Yes, me, I know it's hard to believe.  I really do talk too much.  A shock right?  And the label making; I've just got to get that in check!  Everyone must be talking about me behind my back!  It's all the gossip at the home and school meetings and at the soccer games.  I'm such a mess about it.

Yeah, right.

Why are people so concerned about what everyone else thinks?  What gives!?!?  It's not that important if you label everything under the sun with your p-touch machine.  It's not that important if your only vice is drinking too much coffee. It's not that important that you watch reality TV.  It's not  that important if you have to play Candy Crush every day.  It's not that important if you post everything that makes you happy on your twitter feed.

Who cares!?!

Stop feeling guilty.  Unless you're over drinking, (and driving), gambling your life away or chain smoking; having a silly habit or unchangeable personality trait isn't something you should feel guilt over.  Evict that shame and kick it to the curb.  We all need something or do something that helps us make sense of this world.  Life is difficult enough without having one little thing that makes it all feel within our control.  Mine is labeling like a mad woman.  I do have some control over it, but the perfect world would have labels every place.  I just love those things.  Here's a link to a cheap one: you really must buy one it would make me so happy: http://www.staples.com/Brother-P-touch-PT-D200-Label-Maker/product_637689  or this one at Amazon.

So if someone gives you a sideways look this week or snickers at something about yourself you just can't control.  Seize the moment and love who you are.  Own it and love all those little annoying things about yourself.  As long as you're happy and you're not hurting anyone; it just doesn't matter.   Find your way in this crazy world and make it what you will.

Be happy!

Buckets and My Boy

So much for P.P.P.P.P

Prior
Planning
Prevents
Possible
Problems

Yeah right.

Well, I should have known better.  It is Monday after all.  Damn you Monday.  You always sneak up on me and give me those sucker punches.

Last night I posted how I had myself all set up for the week ahead.  HA!

I said it - crap was going to happen.  There's no need to get into minutia, but the hardest part for me was my son.

He had a terrible no good very bad day. Not a thing went right for my little man today.  It started with a bloody nose before 5:00 AM and it went downhill for him.  By the time I got him after school he was SHOT.  All I did was look at him the wrong way and BOOM he lost it.  Which basically means I was a his verbal little punching bag.  There obviously were consequences for his behavior, but that's not what this is about; it's about what he did next.

In my son's school last year they introduced the Bucket Fill-osophy.  Here's a quick explanation:

The Theory of the Dipper and the Bucket
Each one of us has an invisible bucket.
It is constantly emptied or filled, depending on what others say or do to us.
When our bucket is full, we feel great. When it is empty, we feel awful.
Each of us has an invisible dipper.
When we use that dipper to fill other people's buckets ~
by saying or doing things to increase their positive emotions ~ we also fill our own bucket.
But when we use that dipper to dip from others' buckets ~ by doing or saying things that decrease their positive emotions ~ we diminish ourselves.
Like the cup that runneth over, a full bucket gives us a positive outlook and renewed energy. Every drop in that bucket makes is stronger and more optimistic.
But an empty bucket poisons our outlook, saps our energy, and undermines our will. That's why every time someone dips from our
bucket, it hurts us.
So we face a choice every moment of every day: We can fill one another's buckets, or we can dip from them.
It's an important choice ~ one that profoundly influences our relationships, productivity, health, and happiness.

Back to our story

Before I put Kyle to bed tonight he asked me if I know what buckets were.  I immediately said, 
"Yes, and you dipped pretty deep into mine tonight." 
He said, "Yea Mommy. I know.  But I'm going to try and fill it up a little before I go to bed.  I'm sorry."

Gotta Love Kids!
Take that Monday!

A Working Mom's Sunday Night

It's Sunday night
(in the fall)

The football games are done
(Of course our team lost)

House is picked up
(In hopes that it will stay that way all week.  HA!)

Work clothes are laid out for the morning and each day this week.
(You know I'm going to change my mind and wear something else)

Kid's clothes are also laid out - Yay!
(He'll probably change his mind too)

All bags are packed, lunches too!

However, this is the only late night of the week,
I find that is calm (especially when my husband is in the firehouse);
the rest are like I live at the zoo.

I start each week with this way.

I can't stress over what will go wrong and right.

I know SOMETHING is going to blow up in my face.
(Those of you who know me, know, that if it will go wrong or bizarre, it will.  I just can't make crap up. Oh wait!  Didn't I write about that once?)

So my advice out there for all of you who are like me is this: hit that week hard and wish it well.  If it blows up in your face; oh well. There's nothing you can do about it. Just laugh (or cry if you need to) and let it go.

Good luck this week working girls.  We got this.

French Toast Fingers (Gluten Free or Traditional)

My son asked me for French toast sticks this morning.  I was more than happy to make them, since it's Sunday.  So here's what I did.  (Just so you all know, I love French toast, so it wasn't like he was twisting my arm or anything.)

Ingredients: (I used all gluten free ingredients, but you can use regular stuff too.)
Three Eggs
Milk
Bread
Vanilla 1 tsp
Cardemom (optional)
Cinnamon - 1/8 tsp
Brown Sugar - 1 TBS
Butter - for frying
Powdered Sugar (optional)
(Bacon - if you have some left over, crumble a little on top - YUM)
Syrup for dunking

Directions
1.  In a bowl, large enough to soak bread later, crack three eggs:

2.  Add a splash of milk

3.  Add a teaspoon of vanilla















3. Add an 1/8 tsp of cinnamon

(OPTIONAL STEP)



Now if you're willing to try something different, add some cardamom at this point.  Or even put a little in your syrup if you want to try out how it tastes first without fully committing because it's something new.  I was first introduced to it as a kid from my grandfather.  It's warm like cinnamon but more spicy.

4.  Next add a tablespoon of brown sugar

5.  MIX with your handy-dany whisk. 

6.  Cut up bread into sticks.  Soak in egg mixture.

 7.  While the bread soaks heat griddle and butter it.

Heat griddle to medium heat

8.  Add "sticks" to griddle.  Fry on both sides until golden.  

9.  Throw those bad boys on a plate and enjoy.  These are definitely sweet to begin with, but powdered sugar is just so French toast, I couldn't resist. This is also where I would add crumbled bacon.  (Yes, I used to do this all the time when I was younger, but bacon never lasts that long in my house anymore.)

This recipe was made gluten free, but it's ok to use gluten backed ingredients too.  

Either way, it's yummy

 

Dear Thursday,

Oh Thursday, you're such a tease.  However, there will be a foot update later.  I'll keep all you peeps posted.

My foot says hi!

BLT Dip

Like sooo many of us I LOVE BACON.

I know it's bad for me, but screw it.  I love that crap.  In fact, on my birthday, I received a pile of bacon for breakfast.

Isn't it beautiful?
With a candle and everything???

It's the best!

I know what you're thinking, "but you're skinny?"

I don't eat bacon everyday.  I'm not that stupid to kill my arteries and induce early onset heart disease.

I digress.
The real reason for this post is to share the AWESOME bacon dip recipe that my aunt and uncle brought to my birthday party.  (Yes, I still party for my birthday.  You're only as old as you feel and on the week of my birthday I like to party.  Sometimes like a five year old, others, like I'm 21, others like my age.)

So here it is:  TADA!  BLT DIP

Ingredients:
1 to 1&1/2 pounds of bacon, cooked, drained, crumbled and divided
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
2 (8oz packages) cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup sour cream
1/4 mayonnaise
1 cup cheddar cheese (shredded) or to taste
1/2 tsp Italian seasoning (to taste)
1/2 tsp garlic powder (to taste)  [I know right now you garlic freaks are saying load it up - go ahead]
1 TBS mustard
2 cups chopped seeded tomatoes
1 to 1/2 cup shredded Iceberg lettuce
Salt and pepper to taste (your arteries are going to scream anyway, so do what you like)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350.  Spray a 1 & 1/2 quart baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.  
2. Set aside 3/4 cup crumbled bacon.
3. In a large bowl, combine remaining bacon, cream cheese, shredded cheese, sour cream, mayo, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, mustard (and salt and pepper if you wish).  Spoon mixture into prepared baking dish.  Bake for 25-30 minutes or until hot and bubbly.  Top with chopped tomatoes and the remaining 3/4 cup of bacon and lettuce.  Dig in immediately!
4. Serve with whatever chips or bread you like.  I'm gluten free so tortilla chips (the scoopy kind) were perfect for me.  

I promise the bacon lovers (and I bet some of the non-bacon lovers) will love it!

 

Crap that's not made up, continued & Internet Madness

Foot update.  I went to the doctor this morning.  This time I saw a different person.  What a difference!  Apparently, the initial treatment was not sufficient.  (See, I can't make this stuff up.)  The foot is still not broken, but sprained and bruised pretty bad.

This doctor gave me an air cast and crutches.  I should have had them since day one.  In addition, I was prescribed an anti-inflammatory.  

So today I have off.  (Shana tova to all my Jewish friends and family.  Happy New Year - see I was right.  Read my past post 8%, it really is the new year!  Maybe I should convert.)

I will rest up all day.  That equals not stop Internet surfing, ebook reading and charging devices.  I really love technology. My son has hijacked my Apple TV so that's out.

Have a lovely day all.

You Just Can't Make This Crap Up

I had one of those days.  One of those days in which you relay to your friend what happened, and they shake their head at me and say, "only you."

Yes, crazy things happen to me all the time.

Full on, I can't make this up, crazy crap.

All
the
time

If someone would strap on a camera and follow me around, I guarantee it would be entertaining.  (And not because I'm so flipping hysterical and charming.)

Take today for example: it was the first day back after summer break.  Normally this is a nutty day to begin with.  But imagine my surprise when I husband tells me there's a fire call at my building two seconds before I am to leave.  To most that would be the highlight of their day.  Fire trucks at your building are always cool as long as there's no fire.  Ok, a little fire would be alright too, as long as no one is hurt and nothing is really damaged.  Pretty exciting, right?  Probably the most exciting thing of the day, right?

Nope, my day went right downhill from there.

Next, I realized I forgot my lunch.  Again, no biggie, but it still stinks.  (Never fear, though, my wonderful husband dropped it off to me at work before he ran to his job.)

Then comes the crap I can't make up.  I was walking down the hall and BOOM. I'm on my face, hand, knees and pretty much splatted on the floor.  My shoe slipped out from under me.  Next thing I know I have a golf ball sized knot on my right foot and it's not in good shape.  I had to leave work to get it checked out.

BUSTED FOOT!!

Check out the lump

Oh, and PS - yesterday was my birthday.

See I can't make this crap up.

This kind of stuff happens to me constantly.  I can't be the only one that this stuff happens to, can I?

1/2 way to 70

This week celebrates my 35th birthday.

But I've decided to call it Half-way to 70 Day.  Thirty five is so lame, but seventy is such an accomplishment.

So I'm half there.  Great!

Too many people worry about their age or getting old.  I'm one of those people who really doesn't care.  You're as old as you think.  You're as old as you feel.

Age is all a matter of the mind.

Coffee & Sleep Apnea Induced Sleep Deprivation=Addiction

Ah coffee

It's the greatest thing in the universe, next to chocolate, of course.

I'm officially a member of the coffee club.

It's funny though.  I didn't become a member of the coffee club until I had a child.  Before that it was just a novelty, yummy dessert drink that I hit up Starbucks or Dunkin for.  Now it's a necessity; like oxygen is to humans.

After my son was born, he developed a server case of sleep apnea.  I didn't sleep for three years.  Yes, you heard me: three years!    But before I realized what was going on I tried every single method known to man to get him to sleep.  I read so many books on the subject, that amazon still suggests those kind of books for me and my son is eight now!  So if you've got questions on how to get that kid of yours to sleep, I'm your girl.

I became desperate and finally picked him up.  Oooooo.... all you sleep specialists out there just flipped out on me.  The number one thing they all say is let him cry.  Well, thank goodness I did, because I began to notice subtle signs that something just wasn't right.  When he was little I used to pace and hold him in my arms.  He would relax a little and I would feel his breath catch and then came the crying.  Oh, the crying.  My poor baby, if only someone would have listened to me earlier, I would have saved myself years of fear and aggravation.  I spent every moment with him at night.  When he was little I paced and when he was old enough for a big boy bed I slept with him.  You can only imagine what that did to my marriage.

During his whole first three years of life this continued.  I only took off 6 and 1/2 months from work before I went back.  I'm a teacher, so I needed energy and the only way I could get it was coffee.   I most likely drank it from breakfast to the end of school.  The only time I didn't was when I was out of cash for the day or simply ran out.  However if it wasn't for coffee and a supportive family: my husband and my in-laws, I never would have survived.

Finally, I was able to get a doctor to believe me.  Once this happened we first had Kyle wear an ankle monitor for measure his movements.  Needless to say he was all over the place because every time I heard his breath catch I had to shake him to get him to breath again.  I stayed awake almost all night long.  The next step was the sleep study.  This was the scariest and most relieving moment ever.  He wasn't breathing 39 times in an hour.  Yes, you heard me, 39 times in an hour!  I had my proof; time to fix this.

Within a month his surgery was scheduled.  He had his tonsils, adenoids, and his nose done.  About a month went by and he was better.  That's it; one month and my life started to be normal.  YAY!

But the damage is done.  I cannot start any day without my liquid fuel.  I know so many of you out there are like this too.

The coffee club is huge and it's a club I have no problem being a part of.

The Fly

Someone let a fly in my house.

I could have been the boy.  I could have been me.  I don't know who it was, but now, I'm stuck with it. 

I hear it stuck in the blinds.  I want to whack it there, but that would mess up the blinds.   I'm NOT doing that.  If I do, that means a trip to Home Depot.  Home Depot is evil and I have probably written my life off to them.  Home Depot is like Costco - you can't go in there without spending more than you went in for.  You see all these things that will make your house so HGTV beautiful and BAM! you're upping your credit limit to afford hand made Italian tile for your back splash.  

It just WHIZZED past me, RIGHT NOW!  The little bastard is teasing me to get it.  And oh I WILL.  But it's sneaky.  It's behind the blinds again.  This game of cat and mouse is on like Donkey Kong.  You're going down town to China Town, little fly, and you will be mine!

I've assembled the tool I need for the job: a kitchen towel.  I'm not a fly swatter owner.  #1 I don't let flies in at all costs.  #2 The thought of having one and it having fly guts on it and storing it in my house gives me the eebie-geebies.  Towels do the job and can be washed.  

BRB

I got the annoying little thing! YES!  

I'd post a picture for you, but that thing is already flushed and will sleep with the fishes.  

Now, I can go on with the rest of the day. 

The Perfect Man: Found Him

The perfect man is awfully hard to find.  But never fear ladies (and men too).  I found him!!!!

He resides at the beach and he has lots to tell.  Please take a listen.

Enjoy!

Food Store: Joy or Just CRAZY

The food store used to be one of my favorite places to go; especially right before I got married.  I finally had time to fulfill the crazy expectation of society for an engaged girl to be the next Food Network star.  I always liked cooking, and still do, but the food store teeter totters from a joy to a source of aggravation in life.  Sometimes on my way there I say "great," other times it's grrrrrr."

I was practically raised in a food store.  My mother was a long time employee of the A&P, or as a joke around my house, we always called it by it's historical name: The Great Atlantic and Pacific Tea Company.  It was our attempt to glorify her job in a era that covets white collar jobs.  Yet spending time at the food store was a blast.  One comment folks: free junk food and candy.  I never complained once.

Just before I tied the knot, I have the opportunity to live by myself.  (Everyone should experience that.  I'll write about that another day.) The time before the wedding was, of course, consumed with wedding preparation, but my time alone meant I controlled the remote.  I enjoyed cooking from early childhood so cooking shows were an immediate choice for me.  During the course of a show I would watch and jot down notes and ideas.  I didn't have DVR or a laptop at the time, so notes it was.

These notes would accompany me to the food store with detailed ingredient lists.  I would relish the time spent buying special ingredients and experimenting with them in my kitchen.  The joy of buying Tahitian vanilla beans and making creme brulee from scratch.  Fantastic!  My family benefits greatly from that time.  Yet I set an expectation of my meals early on.  No ham steaks and mac-and-cheese in my house. Though, thank goodness for kids, I get taco and sloppy joe nights.  Kids love meals like that.  I'm glad I can satisfy the kid in my husband too or I would probably hang myself with butcher twine.

We pretty much always eat a home cooked meal.  Not only do we have to work full time, we have to somehow get that Betty Crocker meal on the table.  Society expects a lot more from a family now a days.  Not only do both parents have to work; we have to cook balanced meals as well.  God forbid we have takeout once in a while.  In all this stress one that I never complain about is that we always sit down together for our meals.  That's one expectation I'm fine with.  The good news for me is that I have won them over on leftovers.  Leftovers make great lunches.

Going to the food store now is tough.  Dragging unwilling family members, dealing with all those people, and shopping cart rage, have made my trips there awful.  I know, there's so many of you out there saying, "Get your food delivered," or "order online."  I have food snobs at my house.  Goodness forbid my bananas are too ripe.

I call it dragging the unwilling family along because I literally feel like I'm dragging them.  They don't want to go, but I don't have a choice.  I start off at the beginning of the store putting things in the cart in a organized fashion so the food doesn't get smashed.  By the last isle I'm chucking things in, just to get out.  I live in a small town, so pretty much every time I go, I bump into someone I know.  I'm a people person, so this doesn't bother me at all, yet it makes my family nuts.  Remember, this is like pulling their arm hairs out one-by-one.

SHOPPING CART RAGE.  PEOPLE - PUT YOUR CARTS AWAY!  I cannot tell you the amount of times myself or my car have been hit by a shopping cart.  One time I was wedged between the car and a runaway cart as a shopper was backing out of a spot. Ouch.  Parking spots are a premium; especially those close ones.  If everyone put the cart away there would be less driving around because of the cart congestion.  The workers would spend less time gathering the carts and instead they could worrying about the clean up in isle five or helping someone find soba noodles. Don't give me that garbage about the rain.  The only one who melted was the wicked witch of the west.  (I know, I know, monsoons and hurricanes don't count.  But, hello!!! They do!  Why are you even out in that? You should be at home, not the food store. Make an emergency kit and be prepared. Don't know what to have?  Check out the government's website:  www.ready.gov/build-a-kit )  My biggest reason to gripe of all, is with all the talk about obesity in our country, do yourself a favor, burn a few extra calories, and put the cart away.

I truly miss the times in life when I could go to the supermarket and experience the joy of shopping.  I miss the free candy of my youth.  I miss the joy of taking my time.  The stress and overwhelming need to get in and out of there like the game show Supermaket Sweep; coupons and all, gives me heartburn.  Other days, it's the only free time I get.  The food store: sometimes my blessing and sometimes my curse.  Grrrr

Roots & Wings

Advice for My Son

In life I hope that I can give you roots and wings.

I always want you to know that you will always have a place here to come home too.  If you fall of your bike, I'll be right here. When you go off to college and mess it all up and decide to take the eight year plan, I'll be right here.  Don't ever be afraid to come home.  And home isn't our house.  It's us.  Your father and I, where ever we are, your tree will be.

Spread your wings!  Don't ever be afraid to try something new.  Go out there and experience our wonderful world.  There's so much to be a part of.  Dive right into the ocean and let the waves carry you.  (Remember if you get caught in a rip tide, swim parallel to the shore.  Be adventurous, but not stupid.  I know, I know, 'stupid' is just a horrible word.  Sometimes, though, it's the truth.)

Back to flying: always check that the zipper is zipped; literally and figuratively.  Keep your mouth shut and take a second to listen too.  Be a vault for your friends.  Keep promises, be trustworthy and true to your word.  Words have power.  In addition, if your actual zipper is unzipped (or your metaphorical zipper), people will talk about you. In either case, it's not good.  Be a good bird, um, I mean boy.

When your legs, arms, and heart grow tired; when life punches you in the gut; or you just miss some home cooking; about face and fly back to your tree.  Find us and all will be ok. But don't give up.  Spread your wings again and fly again.  Never ever look at life and say forget it.  Talk about it and share it.  Just just the chirping birds every morning.  Let it all out, never bottle it up inside.  I'm always here to listen. I promise I'll try keep my mouth shut, just like the tree does for the bird.  I'll hold you up.  I'll support you as best I can.

More important than anything in this world; I hope to give you roots and wings.

8%

This time of year is a ferris wheel ride.  Nice, but totally up and down.

It's the time of the year I like the most, but at the same time I dread it.  For me, and so many others September is the real start of the new year.  That December 31st nonsense is just another excuse for a party.  Yet, I like a good party, so December 31st, I'm going to let you slide this time.  

Mint from my herb garden - one thing I'll miss from summer

September 1st marks the real beginning of my new year and it resembles clearly what January 1st is supposed to be like.  This is the time of year my whole family gets ready for the year ahead.  My son starts school all over again.  I start a regular work schedule again.  It's also when my birthday happens pop up on the calendar.  It's the time we all make promises for the year ahead.  We look back on the past and reflect.  See what I mean?  January 1st is just an impostor.  The real New Year is September 1st.

Now for the ups and downs.  

I'm going to miss the freedom the summer gives.  During the summer people more apt to let some responsibilities slip for the day and have a beach day. The warm weather lets us feel the sand between our toes listen to the ocean and take in this wonderful world of ours.   People smile more and, honestly, people are actually seen more.  

When I feel the air getting colder and the days shorter, it makes me a little sad.  The pile up of things that have to be done soon become stressful.  The care-free attitude so many have dwindles.  This IS NOT an argument Summer vs. Winter.  This is a observance of how people begin the unspoken change in their life as the Fall comes around.  

Start making your New Years Resolutions! Dust off those gym shoes. Stand up to the person you've been meaning to give a piece of your mind to. Clean out that messy basement. Start that new hobby. Only 8% of us are going to succeed in January anyway, I've got a feeling that now is right time to succeed.  You've got more willpower this time of year.  

Happy New Years Everybody!

I'm

Like so many other people out there, I've decided to start a blog.  

Shocker

However, this is not an attempt to jump on the bandwagon.  I just want to write and if I make a few people giggle along the way, then hey, the more the merrier.

It seems that as I walk, run, trip, (repeat) through this life, so many interesting things occur; things I just can't make up or that give me the giggles or drive me nuts.  I can't be the only one out there that experiences what I'm going through.  Misery loves company too, right?

As for who I am:
I'm a wearer of many tiaras.  I look horrible in hats.

I'm a mom.
I'm a wife.
I'm a teacher.
I'm a talker.
I'm a nerd.
I'm a friend.
I'm a cook (with a capital C and an e on the end.)
I'm a Virgo.
I'm still skinny.
I'm an only child, I think.
I'm a reader.
I'm addicted to using a label maker.
I'm, well, I'm a whole lot of things.