Coffee to Cocktails

Hey Buddy, Can you Spare Some Change?

2014-11-03T14:51:00.000-05:00

I don't know about you people....but I'm ALWAYS looking for ways to make a little extra money on the side. I would love to become one of those crazy-ass extreme couponers and spend $3.27 for $287.63 worth of shampoo, but I just don't have that kind of time to clip and sort and organize. Hell, I can barely fold my laundry and put it away in the same day.

Since I'm trying to save a little bit of cash, and since I will NEVER hit the lottery, I figured I would compile a list of my favorite apps for Money Saving for y'all. So here are 10 of my all time favorites!

I hope it comes in handy for you! Little hint? Click on the logo and you can read more at their official websites.

Ibotta is available for iPhone or Android, US only. Once you have the app installed, you can browse their current offers to see what you can earn cash back on. They have lots of grocery items, and you can also earn cash back on some restaurant purchases, going to the theater, etc. What they have changes regularly.

If you see something you know you’re going to purchase, just redeem it and then follow the instructions. You may have to answer a short poll, trivia, or watch a video before the item can be available for redemption, but I haven't had to do that for awhile now. After you've purchased the item, simply upload your receipt and your cash back for that item will go into your Ibotta account. Ibotta also has some stores where, if you have a loyalty card, there is no need to upload a receipt. You can just link your loyalty card number for that store to your Ibotta account and it will recognize when you’ve bought the item and you’ll get your cash back.

You need at least $10 to redeem your earnings, and they will be sent almost instantly to either Paypal or Venmo. They also allow you to redeem for various gift cards. You can also earn $5 for each friend you refer to Ibotta, but you won’t get the $5 until they redeem their first offer. I don't use this app as often as I should, but I will start using it much more often.

Checkout 51 is available for both iPhone and Android, US or Canada. This one is very similar to Ibotta because you can earn cash back for buying certain grocery products. Their offers change each week, and it’s most always very popular things you might buy anyway, so it can add up. If you do not have a smartphone, you can also opt to use Checkout 51 online. That is one feature that sets it apart from Ibotta — the fact that it doesn’t have to be used as an app. Checkout 51 can also be used at any store.

To use Checkout 51, just browse the available offers, select the ones you know you’re going to buy, then upload your receipt to prove you’ve bought them. Once Checkout 51 has confirmed your purchases, they will credit your account with the cash back. You can then request a check once you’ve earned at least $20. Checkout 51 does not currently have a referral program. I've used this a few times and have made about $15.00 off of it.

The Saving Star app is available for iPhone or Android, US only. You can also use Saving Star on the web, so it’s possible to take advantage of the savings/earnings even if you don’t have a smartphone. Saving Star is similar to Checkout 51 and Ibotta (above) because you can browse through their grocery offers, select things you know you’re going to buy, and then get cash back paid to you once Saving Star confirms your purchases. Saving Star does not require that you upload receipts for confirmation. You just link your grocery store loyalty cards to Saving Star and you’ll get your cash back automatically if you’ve purchased the items you selected.

Saving Star will pay you once you have $5 in your account. You can request a direct bank deposit, Paypal cash, Amazon code, or you can opt to donate your earnings to a charity. Saving Star does not currently have a referral program.

The Groupon Snap App is available for iPhone or Android, or it can be used online. You can use Snap as long as you live in the US or Canada. This is another “cash back for groceries” app. Just browse the offers at Snap and select the ones you know you’re going to purchase. After you’ve made your purchases, upload your receipt to Snap within two days and they will credit your account with the cash back amount for their grocery offers that you purchased. Unlike Ibotta and Saving Star, you can use Snap at absolutely any store.

Once you’ve earned $20, you can request a check to be mailed to you. Snap does currently have a referral program as well. You can earn $1 for every friend you invite to Snap through your unique link and redeems their first eligible offer. I'm currently LOVING this app and since I've started two weeks ago, I'm up to $7.00 earned.

Shopmium is available for iPhone or Android users, US or France only. It works just like Ibotta and Checkout 51. Browse their grocery offers (they change weekly), select the ones you’re going to buy, and then take a photo of your receipt and upload it via the Shopmium app. You can choose to be paid via either Paypal or directly to your bank account once your cash back offers have been approved. There is no minimum for cashing out and no “cash out” button to remember to push. Once your offers are approved, Shopmium just sends the payment.There is a referral program at Shopmium as well. They’ll give you $2 for every friend you refer after they redeem their first offer through Shopmium.

Receipt Hog is available to iPhone or Android users. To use Receipt Hog, just take pictures of all your receipts and upload them. You can upload receipts from any store regardless of what you bought. Receipt Hog will then reward you with “coins” you can redeem for cash to Paypal or an Amazon gift card. You only need 1000 coins to redeem for $5. The coin value for each receipt depends on how much you spent — the more you spend, the more coins you get.

The Stock Up app is available to iPhone and Android users, US only. You can save money with this app by using it to find the lowest prices on certain items at your local stores. You can make money with the app by going around and entering new prices as you find them while you’re out shopping. Stock Up will pay you 20 points for every item you input that falls within any of their core grocery categories, and you can cash out your earnings to Paypal once you’ve earned at least 1,000 points. Currently 1,000 points on Stock Up is equal to about $5.

The Jingit app is available for iPhone or Android, US only. To earn with this app, you simply check in at your favorite stores, watch advertisements, or take advantage of their cash back offers. Currently Jingit only pays via direct deposit to your bank account or in the form of various eGift cards. They used to have a Jingit Visa debit card you could apply for, but it looks like they recently discontinued that. There are no fees nor minimum amounts of money required to send your Jingit money straight to your bank.

This app is available for both iPhone and Android users. You can earn “kickbucks” with Shopkick by checking in at stores, scanning barcodes of products in those stores, and of course taking advantage of their exclusive deals and offers. This app is known for offering a fairly generous amount of “bucks” for the things you do. You can use your bucks to redeem for gift cards and vouchers to popular retailers.

If you don't already know about this amazing app then you are TRULY MISSING OUT!!! The Walmart Savings Catcher app is available to iPhone and Android users, US and Puerto Rico only. The way this one works is very simple. Download the app and then go shop at Walmart. After you've paid and gotten your receipt, enter your receipt number into the app and it will do price matching for you, checking the prices of local competitors. If there are any retailers offering a lower price on anything you paid for, Walmart will give you the difference via an e-gift card you can use to shop at Walmart (you can use the card either online or in-store). It doesn’t look like there is any referral program for Savings Catcher.

So there you have it friends! All kinds of nifty, awesome, legitimate ways of making money using apps for every day things. It might not add up to a lot quickly, but if you're like me....every single itty bitty little bit helps.

How about you? Do you have any favorite apps you can share with us? I would love to hear about them!!!

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A Better Way!

2014-10-21T16:36:00.000-04:00

Do you ever feel like you're on the cusp of something? You can feel it in your belly. That little tickle you get. That shiver of excitement. You can't quite put your finger on it but you think about it ALL the time. You know, deep down, there is success to be had and you just KNOW there has to be a better way than the daily monotony of waking up at 5 am, getting your little ones off to school with as much chaos that can be created by 2 young girls in an hour's time and racing off to your full time job without breakfast just to run the rat race for a minimum salary that barely covers rent and food on the table....forget any bills or *gasp* anything "extra".

Oh My. What I wouldn't do for a pedicure. Maybe get my hair done at an actual salon. To be able to buy a new bra so that the one I've worn every day for 10 months can finally be put to rest. *RIP pretty black bra. You have served me well.* Or how about just a pair of jeans for my daughter who is growing so fast I can't freaking keep up.

There just HAS to be a better way. Right? RIGHT???

*crickets*

As most of you know I am a complete and utter internet junky. I want to be on it all day every day. I love the plethora of information on virtually ANY subject you want to learn about. I love the Google. I love Pinterest and Facebook. I’m on every social network website there is – I'm pretty sure I still have a MySpace account open somewhere. Stop making that face. I can see the judgement in your eyes.

For the longest time I felt I was on the verge of being able to make a living on the internet. Everyone’s doing it. Why not me? There has got to be room for me. I’m not greedy. All I want is enough to supplement my 9-5 job. An extra couple hundred dollars a month would be unbelievable.

On one of the days I was supposed to be working, and in fact, trying to avoid it by surfing the net (shhhhh!) I happened upon a work at home website who “reviewed and recommended” the WealthyAffiliate website. Pretty much everything I found online seemed “too good to be true” when it comes to getting rich off the internet. There are lots and lots of scams out there. I’m sure you knew that already. They make pretty promises of wealth so, with sparkly money signs in your eyes; you hand over your $49.95 (or MORE!) because you NEED to make MORE money.

Then your “miracle” comes in your inbox. You can’t wait to learn the SECRET to all of that online success! This is it! This is your way out of the poor house!!! You can work from home in your pajamas just like you have always envisioned! You will finally be RICH! You open that email up with such gusto and enthusiasm and BAM ---it’s nothing but a little 10 page e-book telling you crap you already knew everything about. Heart sinks. Brain gets mad. And you feel like a schmuck falling for it. Again.

Well that ends here.

Right from the start I was impressed with the WealthyAffiliate. The community within this website is awesomesauce! No lie. Everyone welcomes you, even the owners of this website, and they really WANT to help you. Actual people. Wanting to help you. WANTING TO HELP YOU. Did you hear me? WANTING to help YOU. That needed to be repeated because, well because, it’s pretty rare these days isn't it?

The Wealthy Affiliate really has the knowledge if you want to learn. It has so many awesome, easy to read and to follow lessons and amazing training resources on how to successfully run an online business. They will even help you start your own website if you don't have one already! Wanna know what the best part is? It’s FREE people. You can take advantage of their knowledge for FREE. Of course, they have to make money too, don’t they? They do offer a premium membership. They promise to bump you up the ladder of happiness with even MORE knowledge if you subscribe…but honestly if you can’t afford it you don’t HAVE to. Not yet anyway. When you’re ready to though, I highly recommend doing so. I truly believe it’s WORTH their asking price. You will make that money back in no time. Remember, though, sometimes you do have to take a risk in order to be a bit more profitable.

Bottom line here. If you are looking for a legitimate means of making money online, and you have an idea for a business, an online store or a blog that you are trying to monetize, I’m telling you it is definitely worth taking some time out of your day to sign up with them. It’s risk free. Honest. And I can assure you, you will be just as impressed as I was.

Now if you'll excuse me I have me some learnin to do!

What Do You Think People?

2014-09-26T14:30:00.000-04:00

Think it's time I dust this bad boy off and start writing again?

I think so.

I have had a LOT happen in the last couple of years. Perhaps it's time to share. Plus I'm kind of jonesing for new recipes to try out and play with.

So stay tuned folks. It's time I make my come-back!

Plain and Simple

2012-02-20T11:54:00.002-05:00

*WARNING*

Immature curse words ahead.

My husband and I have been fighting these last couple of days. He'd kill me if he found out I told you. I guess he wants everyone to think we're perfect. Aren't we? So...this is between you and me. M'kay? Pinky swear?

The fight started over something that was so stupid and ridiculous. Then it grew into something bigger. Way bigger than what it actually was. You know...the "you hurt my feelings" - "no you hurt MY feelings" crap. Silly, mundane, stupid stuff when you look at the big picture. We don't fight often, but when we do, it's usually a doozy. That's what happens when you put a Latino and an Irish/English/Italian Red head together. What? I DO TOO have natural red hair...er...I mean highlights.

I'm not proud of how I talk to him and I'm pretty sure that after all is said and done, he isn't proud of how he speaks to me during these times either. What can make matters worse now, is that our girls are usually within ear shot. I don't want my girls to grow up saying the things that come out of my mouth, yet I can't seem to stop myself when my feelings are hurt, or I feel as if I was wrongfully treated. I want my girls to stand up for themselves, but I pray they do it more intelligently and with less curse words than I do. I hope they are more mature in their arguments. Refrain from the F word. Don't call each other names. Don't stomp your foot like a two year old. Don't walk away from an argument when things need to be said. Now that I have children, I do try so hard not to do the same immature and irrational things I used to....but still...crap runs out of my mouth before I have a chance to think about it. And when I finally do, it's too late.

Fuck me. There goes that Mother of the Year award again.

I'm kind of getting off point here. My original intent for this post is to really state the obvious.

Life is just too short.

Why fill it with hurtful words and regretful arguments? Fighting between spouses is said to be healthy for the relationship. Is it? Is it REALLY?? I love my husband with all of my heart and soul. He truly is my very best friend in this world. Yet, we can say such hurtful and malicious things to each other. How is that healthy? What if the last words I said to him were "fuck you" before leaving the house? What if, after I left the house, I was in a horrible car accident and God Forbid didn't make it out alive? Those words would hang over his head for the REST OF HIS LIFE. Would I care? Nope. I'm dead. But the thought of him having to replay those disrespectful and downright mean words over and over and over in his head for the rest of HIS life makes me cry. Why can't I think of this BEFORE I say these things?

I read blogs...lots of blogs. One of the blogs I follow religiously is In Jennie's Kitchen. It was (and still is) a food blog. A damn good food blog. She's a great writer and her recipes rock. One day, her husband died. Very suddenly. Leaving her with two small daughters. And, as you can imagine, her life was ripped apart. Her eloquence, her raw words, are absolutely heart wrenching and captivating. I don't know this woman. I will never ever meet her. But I feel as if I have taken this journey with her. Her words help me understand better, my own friend's feelings who lost her husband a little less than a year ago. Not all grieving paths are the same, but her words certainly puts things into perspective. It helps me realize that, although we can be angry at the loves in our lives, we have to stop and take a moment to think about the big picture. Is being angry over a form that wasn't filled out, REALLY worth a screaming match? Were the hurtful things that came out of my mouth really necessary? Was the look on my daughter's face as my husband and I retaliate really what I want to be imbedded in my memory for the rest of my life.... or his...or worse...theirs? Everyone has a right to be angry or have a bad day. But everyone has a choice on how they handle those angry moments and bad days. We all have to stop what we're doing and look at the big picture. Not so easy in the heat of the moment....I know.....but "we" HAVE to. As people. As humans. We ALL have to.

Because when all is said and done....when the dust has settled...those words, those actions, cannot be taken back.

Life is too damn short people.

Plain and simple.

Hot Fudge Sundae vs. Baby Carrots

2012-01-19T14:49:00.000-05:00

I want...no...no....I NEED...a big hot fudge sundae with coffee ice cream.

RIGHT NOW.

HOT HOT fudge...none of that cold hot fudge crap. You know what I'm talking about. So hot the ice cream gets all melty and deliciously soupy. Just the way the Z-man hates it. Quite honestly, I don't really care if he hates it. More for me. It'll keep his grubby paws off of my Hot Hot Fudge Sundae.

Instead of a Hot Hot Fudge Sundae though, I'm sitting here eating baby carrots with Light Ranch Dip.

Blech.

So not what I'm craving. So not a messy, scrumptious Sundae. So not even CLOSE to a messy, scrumptious Sundae.

Queue sad face.

It's day 10 for me on Weight Watchers. I weighed in on Monday (day 7) and I'm down 5 lbs. Yay me! Not bad considering we went home to Rhode Island this past weekend and engaged in two days of pure Rhode Island foody bliss. Foods that I grew up with and love and dream about and miss.

Coffee Cabinets, Fish and Chips, my Mom's French Toast, my Aunt's chicken wings and her Champagne Punch, REAL pizza....GOOD pizza....the drippy greasy cheesy pepperoni kind you can ONLY get in Rhode Island....wieners and clam-cakes....the list goes on and on.

*sigh*

Pure, unadulterated, R.I. foody bliss.

Even with all of that happy food in my reach, I still managed to keep the overeating, overindulging, to a reasonable amount and didn't gorge myself *too* much. Oh, I wanted to. Oh.My.God, how I wanted to. I love to eat. (Doesn't everyone? If not, then they are big fat liars or they have something seriously wrong with them and they need to seek help immediately.) I REALLY love to eat Rhode Island foods. But.....I love to be skinny more. Or at least skinnyish. I'll never be my 120 lb 20 something self again....but I WILL fit into size 10 jeans someday! Why are you laughing? I will. I swear it.

Of course, while I'm sitting here dreaming of soupy ice cream, and my size 10 jeans, I'm also thinking about what I'll be making for the big game that's coming up. You know the one. The game that involves men running around a big field wearing really tight tight pants and doing these funny little dances when they spike a brown ball at the end of said big field. The game that I only watch because my husband makes me, er...I mean because.... I want to see the commercials and the half time show. (Madonna this year? REALLY? That's just WRONG) Of course, I'll be making all the delectable fattening foods that REALLY makes this game worth watching....like Chicken Wings and Chili and Jalapeno Dip and Nachos and Pigs and a Blanket and the various chips and desserts and alcoholic beverages. Along with those heavenly bits and bites, I will be attempting to make things a bit lighter (so I can eat more) and a bit more healthy (because...well....just because). I recently came across this fun little recipe and I think it looks pretty doable...and I think they might even be...um...GOOD. I think that even the Men folk might try them.

Buffalo Wing Turkey Lettuce Wraps.

Come on. You know they sound kinda good.

No?

Really?

You don't think so?

What's throwing you off? The Turkey part or the lettuce part? Both kinda scare me too. But they look really good and they might just take the place of that deep fried buffalo wing craving.

Aww, who the hell am I kidding. That's never going to happen....but...we're still going to give it a whirl.

I got this recipe off this website the I recently found (and cannot wait to read more of).

I will be adapting this recipe to my own special needs on Game Day. When I do, I will post my adaption and hopefully a photo or two, and a review of how it turned out. Keep your toes crossed that everyone will like them!

Here's the recipe in it's original form:

Buffalo Wing Turkey Lettuce Wraps

1 lb lean ground turkey
1/2 cup onion, chopped
3/4 cup carrot shavings

1 cup celery, chopped
1 head iceberg lettuce, leaves removed to form cups
salt and pepper

1/2 cup Frank's Red Hot (or your choice of Wing Sauce--use more if you like it saucier)
Bleu cheese crumbles or bleu cheese dressing to drizzle over the top Recommended: Litehouse Bleu Cheese Vinaigrette You only need a tiny drizzle.

1. In a large skillet, saute the onions over medium heat until golden (3-4 minutes). Add ground turkey, season with a dash of salt and pepper, brown meat and cook until cooked through. Drain any grease if necessary.

2. Return to pan and stir in Frank's Red Hot or other Wing Sauce. Reduce heat to low.

3. Prepare lettuce cups. Place spoonful of meat into lettuce cup, top with a few carrot shavings and chopped celery. Drizzle with Litehouse Bleu Cheese Vinaigrette. Wrap and enjoy!

Here's the picture of these little baby buffalo lettucy wraps that kinda made me think they might be good:

I know...it looks pretty yummy right? I pinky swear I will let you know how they turn out!

Here We Go Again....

2012-01-12T12:51:00.000-05:00

Ooops, I did it again.

I'm channeling my inner Brittany here...

But there's a reason for that.

I want her body. I REALLY want her body.

No...you dirty people. Not like THAT. Shame on you for thinking that (especially YOU Z-Man!)

I mean, I wish my curves were like hers. A small little waist like hers. Nice perky boobs like hers. Thighs like hers. I know I'll never be like her...although my singing IS pretty good despite what my family and friends think....but to be something close like that would make me happy.

So I did it again. The same thing I did last January. I joined Weight Watchers. And this time I'm serious.

Stop laughing. I mean it this time.

I'm challenging myself to complete a week without failing. Then, if I meet THAT challenge, I will challenge myself to complete two weeks. And then three weeks and on and on. Baby steps people. Baby steps.

I like food. Obviously. I'm not telling you something you didn't already know. Here's my problem. I like food with actual taste. Food that smells good. Food that looks good. Those so called healthy foods don't do a damn thing for me. Nothing. Zip. Nada. And I have to force myself to eat them. Which then becomes a chore. I hate chores. Ask my Mom. So I have to learn how to cook food that is "healthy" and low in fat/calories/carbs/taste so that I can learn how to eat them, and maybe even *gasp* like them.

I went to the market yesterday and I got myself cottage cheese and Egg Beaters® , turkey sausage and LEAN CUISINE® meals for lunches, even though I normally wouldn't purchase these ~~tasteless~~ items any other time. First, I must say...when you doctor up the cottage cheese with some chives, salt and pepper...it's pretty damn tasty. And the LEAN CUISINE® meals? They've come a long way baby. Some are still ~~nasty~~ lacking in flavor and texture but I will say the two out of the five I bought, so far, were pretty tasty. More on that to come. But my all time favorite surprise??? I whipped this little baby up for my breakfast today. Easy. Really Easy. Almost too easy. But it didn't taste like nasty 'ole' healthy crap. It tasted like the fatty. luscious, tasty, divine food that I prefer to eat.

Here it is. Are you ready??

Ahem.

Drum roll please.....

Yep. It's exactly what it looks like. Well, if you think it looks like Cheesy Scrambled Eggs, that is. I know. Simple. But oh so very yummylicious. Seriously. It was like a little breakfast party in my mouth. And the BEST part??? It was ONLY 4 points! 4 POINTS for breakfast? What? Holy Macaroni! And it tasted good. I mean really really GOOD. All from these 3 simple ingredients:

Just measure out your serving size (1/4 cup of Southwestern style Egg Beaters® , 2/3 cup of turkey sausage crumbles and 1 slice of cheese) and throw them in a pan. 2 minutes later....oila! A hearty and good portioned breakfast!!

I'm psyched! Healthy breakfasts are hard for me.

I could so have this every single morning and be perfectly content!!

Who knew?

Maybe this weight loss stuff will work after all.

Got a favorite low fat meal you want to share here? I'll be happy to post it if you have one!!

Another Stinkin New Year's Resolutions Blog Post

2012-01-07T18:26:00.000-05:00

New Years. Again.

Ugh.

Must mean it's time for "Resolutions". Every single article, news piece, magazine and blog I've read lately has done nothing but mention these hellacious formal expressions of intent. I swear every single year, on December 31st, I feel refreshed, renewed, reinvented and most of all, hopeful....and I go crazy with making resolutions for my self. Which is pretty damn silly if you think about it. I don't finish what I start. Ever. Ask the Z-Man.

Go ahead. I'll wait.

See? I can hear him now. I bet he told you these exact things: "She never ever finishes a project." "She has 12 projects started. 0 Finished" "She's the sexiest most amazing wife but can't finish a project to save her life."

He DID say I was sexy and amazing. Right?

RIGHT?????

Anyway, the point is, as I've often said....I don't finish many things that I start. I'm surprised my kids all came out in one piece for Gawd's sake. I think we've all seen examples of this just reading my blog. I've promised weight loss. I've promised recipes. I've promised laughter. I promised to bring you the "latest deals and steals". Sure I've given you some of these things...but not consistently. Hell, I barely post to this blog anymore. See? There I go again....not finishing what I've started.

So after all is said and done, it's a New Year and I still feel obligated to make some resolutions. To pledge my commitment to you and put them to paper so I have something to refer to and you can all hold me accountable (uh, yeah....we've all seen how well that works, refer to my "Commitment" Post from January 2nd, 2011).

This year, imma gonna (yes, you crazy literary, grammar loving people....I wrote "imma gonna" - because I CAN) make me some lazy mom resolutions! Resolutions even a commitment phobe, non project finisher mom like myself can keep!

Ahem.

*Tap *Tap *Tap.

Is this thing on?

Good. Here goes nothin!

I, Misha Z, resolve to:

~ do less laundry ( I can do this one easy....the Z-Man is my Laundry superhero...leaping over tall piles of laundry in a single bound)
~ cook less and eat out more ( I figure, if I cook less, I'll eat less, 'cause I can't really afford to eat out more - which might just help me lose that weight I resolved to at the start of last year. Right?)
~ drink more caffeine and more wine (I can soooooo accomplish this one)
~ not get stressed out about things. like living paycheck to paycheck.

~ not yell at my children as much. (this one might be tough)
~ kiss said children MORE. (this one is easy peasy lemon squeezy)
~ listen to my husband often. (there ya go Z-Man - it's in WRITING-but ONLY because you called me sexy and amazing) .
~ make lemonade (add vodka) and enjoy the lemons life throws at me.

and last but not least:

~ blog more. seriously. I will. maybe. probably. ok, fine. Sometimes.

So. What have you resolved? Got some good ones? I would really like to hear them. Here. Not on my Facebook. Not on my Twitter. HERE. On this blog. Fess up people. 'Cause at the end of the year, we're going to see how many of us held ourselves accountable to our stupid ass resolutions.

Oh...and just one more thing. I want to wish every one of my family, friends and readers this wish:

2012 - Gotta Get My Poop In A Group

2011-12-28T11:40:00.001-05:00

As I ponder the upcoming new year, I think about all that I am blessed with. A beautiful, healthy family, a fabulous, sexy, husband, amazing friends, a roof over our heads, food on the table and jobs that help us with all of that.

But I have a deep dark confession to make.

Although we might appear to be living comfortably, we struggle. Every single week we struggle. We struggle enough that I lie awake many nights, with a sinking feeling in my belly, thinking about how we're going to make ends meet. I seriously can't do this anymore. Sleep is very important to me. Almost more important as my children. And that sinking feeling? I hate it.

We make a pretty decent amount of money on a regular basis - thank the higher power you happen to believe in for that. Sure, I could make more, but I happen to love my job. It's super easy, convenient and occasionally very entertaining. My husband rocks a pretty good income too. It could definitely be better. I truly believe he doesn't get paid for what he's actually worth....but...he does get paid pretty well and I'm not really complaining about that. We have a very nice home, albeit it needs repairs and upgrading...but it's big, it's beautiful and it's mine. We rarely go without. My children have every stinking toy imaginable. We have iPhones, and nice TV's, computers, etc.

And yet, we struggle.

I know, I know.

Priorities.

It's all in the priorities.

I understand that it's pretty much my fault. I want the nicer things in life. I grew up with a parent that was ALWAYS laid off. My Mom did everything to make ends meet, and although my parents might have gone without, they made sure I didn't.

Well, there was that one year I was going to absolutely DIE if I didn't get a pair of Nikes.

I didn't get them.

I also didn't die.

I really hate when my Mother is right.

But I only have one life to live, and I really don't want to go without. See? My fault. I justify spending money I don't have and I can't stop.

So, with all of this said....I am tired of robbing Peter to pay Paul. WHAT AM I GOING TO DO ABOUT IT???? And for the love of God, Who IS Peter and Paul?

I'm on a mission to stop living Paycheck to Paycheck in the year 2012.

Are you living paycheck to paycheck? A lot of us are. See?

So come on. Confess.

Did you before and now you're not? I've been checking out all kinds of websites, and looking for an actual person to sit down and go over my budget and bills with me, but to no avail. Has anyone used BalanceFinancial.com? Or how about PNC Virtual Wallet? A personal bookkeeper? A financial consultant?

What do you use? Tell me. I need help. I need ideas. I need inspiration. I need encouragement. I need to get my poop in a group.

Most of all, I really, really need to hit the lottery.

Addiction

2011-09-17T23:29:00.002-04:00

We're going to tackle a very serious subject today.

Addiction.

Yep.

I am an addict.

There. I said it. Out-loud. While I was typing it.

The definition of addiction is simple:

noun

the state of being enslaved to a habit or practice or to somethingthat is psychologically or physically habit-forming, as narcotics, tosuch an extent that its cessation causes severe trauma.

Yep. Sounds about right.

The thing is though, I'm not addicted to drugs. Or cigarettes. Or sex (although my husband wishes I were). I'm not addicted to gambling. I'm not even addicted to fun things like shopping or chocolate.

Nope. My addiction lies within the megabytes and gigabytes of the internet. You've heard me mention it before....you know...my "addiction" to Facebook. Yeah, I'm pretty much always connected - except in my sleep - and even then I sometimes dream about it. But I have a new obsession. A new compulsion if you will.

It's called "Pinterest".

Pinterest.com

It's a beautiful thing. I can spend hours and hours just dreaming and wishing and dreaming some more on this website. It's full of fun. Of inspiration. Of ideas. It gives me this VERY FALSE sense of Creativity. It makes me believe that anything is possible.

This website caught my eye when another fellow blogger had a simple photo of a delicious looking unusual food that caught my eye.

I clicked.

I stared at awe.

And I immediately became hooked.

The rest, as they say, is history.

So what is Pinterest you ask? Good question...

Let me see if I can describe it for you...

Pinterest is a place for visual bookmarking that you share with others. It’s a great way to keep track of all those things you’ve been wanting to try, and a fabulous way to discover new and inspiring ideas!

It has these things called "Boards". This is how you can organize your "Pins".

This is what it looks like:

Cool right??

Then, once you create your boards, you "follow" people. And the people you "follow" are pretty awesome, 'cause they find stuff you might not, and then you want to "pin" it to your board to save it for later, because some day you're going to fit in those clothes, buy those shoes, decorate your house like that, travel to that beautiful far off destination, make that fabulous crafty thing, bake those delectable sweet treats or cook that gourmet dinner.

Stuff like this:

Look at this Yumminess!

Are these boots not the COOLEST???

Can I get a What What? Look at these Cinnamon Bun LOLLIPOPS!

How friggen cute is this cupcake??

May I please live here?

A little hint though?

You won't do any of the stuff you pin. You might make a few of the recipes...but you certainly won't make them all. You won't buy that cute outfit, or that shnazzy product. You won't make the fun little crafts that you think you have time for. You won't. But it's nice to dream.

You'll sit at the computer for hours just dreaming of the day when you WILL do all that.

And then there's the Eye Candy. OOOhhh the Eye Candy......

Look at this man. Ohhh My Lordy...

Or....

Are those pictures AHHHHHmazing????

Is it warm in here? It feels warm in here.

I thought so....anyway....

So join me in my addiction.

Come on. You know you wanna.

You have to be invited to start pinning.....but I'll invite you.

Because misery and addiction LOVE company!

Pin On My Friends.

Pin On...

(And please, if anyone finds a 12 step program....let me know.)

Down Right Invisible

2011-09-04T10:19:00.002-04:00

Wow, there are some days I can completely understand the feeling of being invisible. A friend posted this link on Facebook and I just had to share, because it pretty much reminds us why all us Mommy's, Mama's , Mah's and Mom's out there do what we do. Sometimes, we need a little reminder.

Invisible Mother (click here to see the article)

It all began to make sense, the blank stares, the lack of response, the way one of the kids will walk into the room while I'm on the phone and ask to be taken to the store. Inside I'm thinking, “Can't you see I'm on the phone?' Obviously not; no one can see if I'm on the phone, or cooking, or sweeping the floor, or even standing on my head in the corner, because no one can see me at all. I'm invisible. The Invisible Mom.

Some days I am only a pair of hands, nothing more: Can you fix this? Can you tie this?

Can you open this??

Some days I'm not a pair of hands; I'm not even a human being. I'm a clock to ask, 'What time is it?' I'm a satellite guide to answer, “What number is the Disney Channel?' I'm a car to order, “Right around 5:30, please.”

I was certain that these were the hands that once held books and the eyes that studied history and the mind that graduated summa cum laude - but now they had disappeared into the peanut butter, never to be seen again. She's going, she's going, she's gone!?

One night, a group of us were having dinner, celebrating the return of a friend from England. Janice had just gotten back from a fabulous trip, and she was going on and on about the hotel she stayed in.

I was sitting there, looking around at the others all put together so well. It was hard not to compare and feel sorry for myself. I was feeling pretty pathetic, when Janice turned to me with a beautifully wrapped package, and said, “I brought you this.' It was a book on the great cathedrals of Europe. I wasn't exactly sure why she'd given it to me until I read her inscription:

To Charlotte, with admiration for the greatness of what you are building when no one sees.

In the days ahead I would read - no, devour - the book. And I would discover what would become for me, four life-changing truths, after which I could pattern my work: No one can say who built the great cathedrals - we have no record of their names.

These builders gave their whole lives for a work they would never see finished. They made great sacrifices and expected no credit. The passion of their building was fueled by their faith that the eyes of God saw everything.

A legendary story in the book told of a rich man who came to visit the cathedral while it was being built, and he saw a workman carving a tiny bird on the inside of a beam. He was puzzled and asked the man, “Why are you spending so much time carving that bird into a beam that will be covered by the roof, no one will ever see it.” And the workman replied, “Because God sees.”

I closed the book, feeling the missing piece fall into place. It was almost as if I heard God whispering to me, “I see you, Charlotte. I see the sacrifices you make every day, even when no one around you does. No act of kindness you've done, no sequin you've sewn on, no cupcake you've baked, is too small for me to notice and smile over. You are building a great cathedral, but you can't see right now what it will become.”

At times, my invisibility feels like an affliction. But it is not a disease that is erasing my life. It is the cure for the disease of my own self-centeredness. It is the antidote to my strong, stubborn pride.

I keep the right perspective when I see myself as a great builder. As one of the people who show up at a job that they will never see finished, to work on something that their name will never be on. The writer of the book went so far as to say that no cathedrals could ever be built in our lifetime because there are so few people willing to sacrifice to that degree.

When I really think about it, I don't want my son to tell the friend he's bringing home from college for Thanksgiving, '”My Mom gets up at 4 in the morning and bakes homemade pies, and then she hand bastes a turkey for three hours and presses all the linens for the table.” That would mean I'd built a shrine or a monument to myself. I just want him to want to come home. And then, if there is anything more to say to his friend, to add, “You're gonna love it there.”

As mothers, we are building great cathedrals. We cannot be seen if we're doing it right. And one day, it is very possible that the world will marvel, not only at what we have built, but at the beauty that has been added to the world by the sacrifices of invisible women.

First Day of Kindergarten - Last Child Out - Guest Post

2011-08-30T15:38:00.002-04:00

My BFF, Billie , went through an extremely traumatic experience this morning. Her baby went off to Kindergarten. Tears. Oh the tears. So many tears. Sadly, only from Mom. Billie wrote a very poignant email to her family and friends relating her feelings and I would like to share them all with you. I can relate. Can you?

So I did it! I made it! I dropped off my baby girl at school for her first day of kindergarten. I quickly gave her a kiss on the forehead then turned and walked out of the room. I didn't want her to see the tears streaming down my face. As I escaped into the hallway I ran into a friend, who is teaching first grade across the hall, she gives me a hug and tells me my baby "will be fine". Then I realize - I know she will be fine. She has been so excited about this day for a long time. But will I be fine?

Up until this day, I have been a mother of young children. We have been a "young" family. I would tell others the ages of my children. Their response would almost always be, "Aww you still have babies. " Yeah, I still have babies! I'm still a young mother of two.

Now it seems things are changing. I once was the receiver of advice on how to soothe a colicky baby or which is the best daycare. Now I'm the giver of advice. Simply saying to young acquaintances, "Oh, my baby had that, don't worry. This is what I did." And when Sam (my oldest) was that age, he did the same thing. It is a boy "thing".

I once looked into the face of women with graying hair as they told stories of their teens, and thought to myself, "Wow, how worn she looks. She must be in her 40's. " Now I stand there telling stories about my children and I stop and look and wonder what story my face is telling. Do I look worn? Can they see my graying hair?

Today the transition begins from being a young mother of two babies to a middle aged woman with two kids. The transition from a "young family" to a "family with older kids".

That reminds me, I need more wrinkle cream. And I guess, hair dye.

I will be fine.

Perfectly said. And so very true.

Meh

2011-07-31T12:34:00.002-04:00

I am so sick.

Of myself.

Do you know what I mean? I'm just fed up TO HERE with me. I feel boring, uninspired, whiny, ridiculous, apathetic, and just TOTALLY MEH. I feel like white bread looks. Just meh. Seriously, I wish someone could just reach through this screen right now and slap me, wake me up. Or, bring me pills. Is there a pill for less meh?

Is it a stage or something? Or am I seriously just this meh bleh meh? I look at my house and shrug and go meh. I look at my blog and I go meh. I look at my phone and think about all the peeps I could call for a chat and I go meh. I think about all the things I could be doing this summer and I go meh. It's just meh meh meh meh meh.

Oh my god, someone pull my head out of my ass before I whine us all to death.

You know what doesn't make me feel meh? Yep. Food. I don't feel meh when I think about good food or a blow-my-lid-off easy fun dessert. I get all squirrely and excited. I actually get butterflies in my tummy. ohhhhh there you go - I thought of a non-meh thing. God...let's throw a party. Throw back a shot of whiskey. Wait. I don't like whiskey. Forget that. Maybe tequila. Tequila would be definitely not meh. We could Run around the block naked, screaming "I LOVE GUACAMOLE" - just for the hell of it. See, now that would be exciting, wouldn't it? Totally not meh.

2011-07-27T07:05:00.000-04:00

Daniel A. Duffy Jr., a resident of Plainfield, Ill. for the past five
years, formerly of North Wales, Pa., passed away on Thursday, July 21, 2011, at the Doylestown Hospital. He was born in Philadelphia and raised in Churchville.

He was 45.

Daniel was the loving husband of Caterina (Finacchio) Duffy.

Daniel was a son of Loretta R. (Kelly) Duffy of Warwick and the late Daniel A. Duffy Sr.
.

In addition to his wife and mother, Daniel is survived by two sons,
Daniel Alphonse III and Sean Patrick; a daughter, Emma Catherine; and two sisters, Pamela Lunny and Kellyanne Duffy. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

Daniel was a graduate of Nazareth Academy High School, Holy Ghost Prep and Delaware Valley College. Prior to his retirement in 2008, Daniel was employed with Chrysler Financial. Daniel enjoyed building guitars and computers.

Daniel's Funeral Mass will be at 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 30, 2011 at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church,

428 S. Main St., North Wales, Pa.

Family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, July 29,
2011 at the Shelly Funeral Home, 1460 Easton Road, Warrington and from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday at the church.

Interment will follow in St. John Neumann Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to:

Daniel Duffy Jr. Trust,

24247 Bradford Court,
Plainfield, IL 60585.

click here and hit the "Donate" button!

Changes

2011-07-23T11:50:00.001-04:00

Things change in an instant.

With a phone call. A call that tells you, somehow, that one of your oldest and dearest friends is gone. Gone at 45, without warning.

Things change in an instant.

And the lens through which I see the world may never be the same.

I've known Dan for several years. It's gotta be at least 12 years if not more. We worked together back in the day when working at an Auto Finance company was cool and a "big deal". We were all just kids getting our first real corporate job. I can't remember the exact moment or specific place I met him, but one of my earliest memories of him was at a Denny's Restaurant with my husband and another co-worker, Trina. Trina and Dan were "just friends". I remember that night, which for me is a big deal, since I can barely remember my own children's names. What I remember most about that night is how we laughed and laughed and laughed until I almost peed my pants. I remember thinking to myself, this guy is very sexy, very funny, and very very "nice". All very admirable qualities in a man. I remember making a mental note .... thinking to myself...~~what a shame I was taken~~ ....He's going to make some woman a very happy wife some day. That woman was Trina. After many years of the "we're just friends" saga (who did they think they were fooling?) they became husband and wife. They were the ultimate couple. The kind of couple everyone wished they could be a part of. The kind little girls dream about when they play "house". Trina and Dan had the "Happily Ever After" that everyone wants. They each had great careers and were so good at their jobs. Everyone loved them. They were fun. Caring. Understanding. They "protected their own" when things got tough for family or friends or co-workers. They genuinely loved each other and it showed.

They soon became a family of three when Emma was born...and shortly after that a family of four, and then five adding two little boys, Danny and Sean, to the mix. And who can forget the 6th member of the family "Molly" who is a Bull Mastiff that is bigger than Trina and her three children all put together.

During the midst of building their little family, they had gotten a job offer in Chicago and the cool auto finance company moved them. Off to start a new chapter in their life. Who knew that the new chapter would be so life altering. Shortly after leaving for Chicago and embarking on their new life...Dan was diagnosed with RSD. For those that do not know what that is, let me explain a little bit. I don't know all that much about it either...but what I do know is that it is a neurological, unexplained, rare disease. It is not fatal. It causes a person to have excruciating pain to the slightest touch. Wearing clothes or sleeping in a bed or sitting on a couch, causes such pain that most people never experience in a lifetime. It effects different people different ways, but the end result is only what I can explain to be as, daily torture. I can't begin to imagine what he felt, or how he had to live with this torture, but he did. How many drugs he had to take just so he could "function" with day to day tasks like holding his children or kissing his wife. And he did it with dignity, humor, love and a lot of faith. He was still more of a father and husband to his family then most men could ever be.

After so many years of our old friends being in Chicago, we were so excited that they were back here in PA visiting family and friends. We made plans to get the old "crew" back together for some fun, family,and some friend time. I couldn't wait to see them. See how their children have grown. See how they were and find out what they have been "up to" these last few years since we've seen each other last. It was supposed to be a day of food,drinks, fun and laughter. These plans were for today.

Dan died yesterday.

I got the call at work. My husband was, in his quiet way, devastated to get the news. I was overwhelmed with grief, not so much for myself, but for his family. I was grieving for his 3 adoring, beautiful children and for the wife that he is leaving behind. The loves of his life. The centers of his universe. I was overcome with sadness that I, myself, would never see him again. That I would not see his humor on Facebook anymore. I would never get to talk to him again. Laugh with him again.

I am not looking forward to going to his funeral. Sharing in his family's grief face to face. Saying goodbye to a man I thought so much of.

I don’t understand how it’s ever going to feel any less like this combination of heartbreak, disbelief and helplessness.

But here’s what I do know.

I know that there will never be someone whose humor draws you in like his. Dan, You were so very funny. You always made me and so many others laugh louder and without reservation in a way that nobody else could.

I know that I will think of you hundreds of times every day, and I will try to smile instead of cry. I will try.

I know that when I get the chance, I will tell your beautiful children, like many others will — for years and years to come — all of the things that made you so fabulous. I will tell them what an honorable man you were. What a Father. What a Husband. I will tell them about your unwavering friendship and everything you ever did for everyone you loved and cared for and even for those you didn't. I will tell them how much everyone loved you. I will remind them they are who they are - because of you.

And I know that, wherever you are, you are with us. Always.

The Return of the In-Laws

2011-06-27T15:48:00.001-04:00

In-laws.

You either hate them, or love them.

I just happen to love mine. And it's a good thing too, 'cause most summers they come and stay with us for a month or two...or sometimes three. My husband's parents are from Uruguay, South America. They have lived in the US – Rhode Island specifically - since 1965 and are citizens of the US, but moved back to Uruguay once they both retired.

I have to tell you...I HATED their decision to move there, despite understanding that two elderly-ish people can not sufficiently live well off of Social Security in this country. Sad isn't it? At least, though, they had an option of moving to another country they CAN live well in on social security...but it stinks nonetheless. I really had a difficult time with their ability to up and move away TO ANOTHER COUNTRY from the only two children they have and, at the time, their unborn – soon to be born - grandchildren. It broke my heart that my children, and my sister in law's children would grow up not really “knowing” their grandparents. I grew up in a small family with 4 alive and well grandparents that were a part of my everyday life as a child. I couldn't fathom that this was ok with my husband and my sister in law. I couldn't wrap my head around it. My husband tried to explain it. My SIL tried to explain it....but still....my thick headed, opinionated mind, wouldn't grasp that it was truly “OK”.

So they moved 5200 miles away. 5200 miles. My own Mom who lives in another state, lives only 300 miles away, and THAT'S way too far away for my liking. 5200 miles is like another planet.

Both my SIL (their daughter) and I had children shortly after their move. Two apiece. My Mother in Law, God love her, came all the way from South America for each birth to help each of us. I can't ever thank her enough for spending the money and taking the time to come all this way and to stay with us to help in our sleepless time of need. The expense alone is way more than I could imagine...again....living on social security income and living in another country.

But she did, and I am grateful.

I am also very grateful that they do their best to come see us every summer.

“Why? Isn't it hard to live with your inlaws for several months?” you ask.

DUH.

OH MY GOD YES YES YES YES to the hundredth degree!

(What?)

(is my adament answer too much?)

Hey, you would have that much enthusiasm in that answer too if YOUR in laws came to stay with you for months at a time. Ask a friend of mine, whose Mother in Law LIVES with them. * gasp *

I know. Right?? LIVES with her. As in full time. As in 24 hours a day 365 days a year.

It's hard living with “normal” people in your own space and domain. Now picture two “Spanglish” speaking (you should hear my Mother in Law say “My Goodness”. It sounds like “My GOOSEness” - or that she replaces every “but” with the Spanish word “pero” - as in....This house is so pretty “pero” it smells like poo poo.) 70ish year old people. They are very set in their ways, and completely bored out of their mind when they come stay with us. That combination can sometimes lead to some grumpiness.

I mean, come on, do you want to live with two extra people in your house eating your food and messing with your TV viewing time??? Or how would you like to deal with the general chaos of trying to go somewhere with two small children and two elderly-ish people? (you really should have been there when the only form of transportation we had one summer was a 2 door Jeep Wrangler. You know how funny it is watching cranky old people getting in and out of the backseat of a red Wrangler? I bet we would have won a pretty decent cash prize on America's Funniest Home Video had I been smart enough to tape these very laugh-till-you-pee instances) Would you want to be told your house smells like “poo poo” or that “My gooseness, you got fatter since I saw you last”? (yes, these instances ARE true)

Probably not.

Or how about the slight damper it puts on your sex life....(yes, I went there!)

But putting that aside (and sometimes it's HARD putting THAT aside) , the plusses of my in laws living with us are way better. I can't really complain about the help I get with daily cleaning, cooking, laundry (YEAH!!) ...household projects like rooms painted, shelves hung and cleaned garages....the helping with child care (WHEW!) and the free babysitting...or helping with the grocery bill (WHAHOO).

But most of all?

Most of all – what makes it ALL worthwhile - is our children getting to spend time with their foreign grandparents, learning a different culture and language. (even if it IS “Spanglish”.)

They will treasure these times someday. The memories they are making, the laughter that erupts over the silliest things, the general easy going summer feeling when they are here. Even the chaos and the loud voices that sometimes occur when too many adults live under one roof.

That's what memories are really made of.

Thats what truly matters the most.

My Sentiments Almost EXACTLY

2011-06-07T21:55:00.001-04:00

Why, oh why couldn't I come up with this??? I have always liked Tina Fey...

she's adorable. She's smart. Funny. She's sexy in a normal way.

And evidently, she's a mind reader.

I have really just wanted to be her friend. But now? Now I just wanna hug her and say thank you. Thank you, Tina, for saying things that I wished I could say to my own daughters (had I thought of them first).

The Mother’s Prayer for its Daughter

First, Lord: No tattoos. May neither Chinese symbol for truth nor Winnie-the-Pooh holding the FSU logo stain her tender haunches.

May she be Beautiful but not Damaged, for it’s the Damage that draws the creepy soccer coach’s eye, not the the Beauty.

When the Crystal Meth is offered,

May she remember the parents who cut her grapes in half

And stick with Beer.

Guide her, protect her

When crossing the street, stepping onto boats, swimming in the ocean, swimming in pools, walking near pools, standing on the nearby subway platform, crossing 86th Street, stepping off of boats, using mall restrooms, getting on and off escalators, driving on country roads while arguing, leaning on large windows, walking in parking lots, riding Ferris wheels, roller-coasters, log flumes, or anything called “Hell Drop,” “Tower of Torture,” or “The Death Spiral Rock N’ Zero G Roll featuring Aerosmith,” and standing on any kind of balcony ever, anywhere, at any age.

Lead her away from Acting but not all the way to Finance.

Something where she can make her own hours but still feel intellectually fulfilled and get outside sometimes

And not have to wear high heels.

What would that be, Lord? Architecture? Midwifery? Golf course design? I’m asking You because if I knew, I’d be doing it, Youdammit.

May she play the Drums to the fiery rhythm of her Own Heart with the sinewy strength of her Own Arms, so she need Not Lie With Drummers.

Grant her a Rough Patch from twelve to seventeen.

Let her draw horses and be interested in Barbies for much too long,

For Childhood is short — a Tiger Flower bloomingMagenta for one day —And Adulthood is long and Dry-Humping in Cars will wait.

O Lord, break the Internet forever,

That she may be spared the misspelled invective of her peers

And the online marketing campaign for Rape Hostel V: Girls Just Wanna Get Stabbed.

And when she one day turns on me and calls me a Bitch in front of Hollister,

Give me the strength, Lord, to yank her directly into a cab in front of her friends,
For I will not have that Shit. I will not have it.

And should she choose to be a Mother one day, be my eyes, Lord,

That I may see her, lying on a blanket on the floor at 4:50 a.m., all-at-once exhausted, bored, and in love with the little creature whose poop is leaking up its back.

“My mother did this for me once,” she will realize as she cleans feces off her baby’s neck.

“My mother did this for me.”

And the delayed gratitude will wash over her as it does each generation and she will make a Mental note to call me.

And she will forget.

But I’ll know, because I peeped it with Your God eyes.

Amen.

Toasty Marshmallowed Milkshakes

2011-05-24T14:01:00.000-04:00

Let me state for the record that I love Toasted Marshmallows.

LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE them. Love.

Once, a long time ago, when I was a skinny little thing...I had a serious love affair with Toasted Marshmallows. You see, my Mom was a napper (gee. wonder where I get THAT from!) and would go take her nap leaving me, an only child, to entertain myself. I was not allowed to eat a lot of candy in my youth. I wasn't deprived, but Mama was pretty strict about my sugar in take. So when she went upstairs for her afternoon nap...I would sneak out the bag of marshmallows, throw the electric burner on our stove on and toast myself a marshmallow or two. Ok. Fine. Three. Possibly four.

I'm sure she was wise to my ways...I mean really....that glorious smell of burnt sweet sugar is pretty distinct. She never did say anything though. And I continuously enjoyed my marshmallows in all it's toasty goodness.

I've been known to still do this when I need a quick treat. Please don't tell my children. They will want to do this too.

So in honor of my old love affair, I whipped these delicious babies up. I was so excited about this recipe I've been twirling for days just THINKING about it.

I'm dizzy now.

I think you will be too after tasting one of these cold, sweet, toasty milkshakes. Take special note of the littlest tiniest pieces of toasted marshmallow with each and every sip of your milkshake. You can barely notice them at first, but when you do, you'll be praying for more!!

You're welcome.

Here's how to make 'em:

10 marshmallows (plus extra for garnish, if desired)
1 (heaping) cup vanilla ice cream
1/2 cup milk (I used 1%)
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

mmmmm. Toasty Goodness.

About to be mixed into serious happy oblivion.

The finished product. Not the best pictures, but...hey...I tried. I'm not a professional you know.

If you look hard. I mean REALLY hard, you can see the bits and pieces of toastiness.

See the bits of toastiness clinging for it's life? I'm sad to say...it didn't make it.

As you can see....I threw my marshmallows on a tin foiled and sprayed with butter flavored oiled cookie sheet and threw them under the broiler of my oven. If you have time, you can toast them using the flame on your gas stove or holding them over your electric burner on your stove. I'm pretty sure you can also do this with a small kitchen torch. If you use the broiler, keep a close eye on the marshmallows. Let the toasted marshmallows cool briefly.

In your blender, combine the toasted marshmallows, ice cream, milk and vanilla extract. Blend until combined. You can adjust the consistency by adding ice cream (to thicken) or milk (to thin). Serve garnished with extra toasted marshmallows.

Pour.

Sip.

Twirl with happiness.

Long Time Lost

2011-05-22T21:40:00.001-04:00

It's Sunday night, and it's been such a nice weekend - even despite the rainy and cold Spring weather. I had a great day yesterday hanging out with my darling friends Sandy and Sean and the kids, watched my daughter play soccer today and in general just had a relaxing couple of days. The highlight of my weekend though? A super awesome visit from a childhood friend Friday night that I'm still totally reeling from. I still can't believe how I was nervous about her visiting. I was so afraid we had grown apart in the last 25 years. That we would just stare at each other until bedtime (she spent the night, in case you were confused). Awkwardly making small talk. Praying time would move. Fast.

How wrong I was. How silly silly wrong. From the minute she came into my house, it felt as if she and I have never been apart. It was like I was a 14 year old, awkward teenager, all over again. Laughing, joking, talking about boys and "stuff". The best part about spending time with my sweet friend, with whom I had such a bond with all those years ago, is how we can skip right to being the best of friends -again. The distance and the miles have only proven to be completely and totally irrelevant. With so many years of separation, we may not have as many things in common as the women we have become, but I can tell you - that matters not one bit. I am thrilled to have her "back" in my life, and I just hope that life isn't so busy that I forget how much I need her.

You know, people make fun of my addiction to Facebook. I agree it sometimes get's a bit out of hand (don't you DARE tell the Z-man I said that), but it has brought people that I once loved dearly, and have lost touch with, back into my life. Childhood friends, High School friends, College friends, and yes past boyfriends too. All of these people...all of the experiences I've shared with these people....have made me who I am. Sadly, I've been horribly lazy. Ridiculously lax in keeping touch with people I cared about and love(d). Facebook has changed that. They have brought these people closer to me. Back into my circle of life. And although life gets stupid busy...and I might be too lazy to pick up the phone to actually hold actual conversations with people....I have Facebook. I know what all of the loves of my past and present are doing. For this, I am truly grateful. Aren't you?

Bits and Bites

2011-05-16T22:22:00.002-04:00

I am addicted.

There. I said it.

I'm addicted.

Seriously.

Night after night after night, after a long day...and an hour on Facebook playing silly games, I spend the rest of my evening stumbling through the world wide web looking for recipes. Unusual ones. Common ones. Delicious ones. Ones with pretty pictures. It's the pretty pictures that get me. They make me want to cook. To bake. To create. So I thought maybe, once a week I will surf the web and collect some deliciousness and share them here with you. Maybe you don't have the same addiction I have...but I bet you'll be happy I put some pretty pictures of yummy food in front of you. Maybe it'll inspire you. And maybe. Just maybe. You'll become addicted too.

Tonight's theme?

Strawberries. 'Tis the season for Strawberries. Oh the happiness you can make with strawberries.

Here. I'll show you.

(A little tip? If you click on the picture, it will take you straight to the website and the creator of each delectable goodness)

For my gluten free friends....look at this:

Strawberry Gluten Free Vegan Cupcakes

Isn't this happiness on a plate? I'm not a cupcake lover, but I cannot deny how much fun cupcakes truly are. This one is just plain 'ole HAPPY.

This one might make you think hard. Because the ingredients in it, they just don't sound like they belong together. But think. Think about how each flavor tastes. Then imagine them combined. Weird...but weirdly delicious. Hey...I often say...I'll put ANYTHING in my mouth once. Twice if I like it. Go ahead. Think what you will. 'Cause if you are one of my friends, you know exactly what I'm talkin' about baby. Oh my dirty dirty friends. How I love thee.

Ok. Back to the food:

Avocado, Kiwi, Strawberry Salad

Pretty unusual...but I really want to try this. Anybody going to be daring too?

Look at these beauties! Strawberry Cream Bars.....oh my. My mouth is watering just looking at these pretty little gems.

How could you pass these up? Look at that? The perfect combination of strawberries and cream. Yum!

Considering that the title of my blog IS coffee to COCKTAILS, I thought it appropriate to add these precious babies. Can't you just wish you had one of these little suckers??

Strawberry Margarita Jello Shots!!!

Next up in line. The most beautiful Strawberry Shortcake I have ever laid my blue eyes on. Look at this gorgeousness. Is that a word? "Gorgeousness"? Probably not. I like to make things up. I think you'll agree though, this picture is truly Gorgeousness.

Strawberry Shortcake

Ok. One more. I promise I'm done after this. I just can't help myself. Its like a Strawberry Fiesta.

Strawberry Cheese Pie

Just makes me wanna dance the salsa.

Speaking of Salsa...I know I said that the last one was the LAST one...but.... I lied. This one is the last one. Maybe.

Salsa Mango Salsa

Isn't it pretty? Look at the colors. Aye Caramba.

Ok. That's it. Until next week. Before you go though, tell me...do you have any favorite Strawberry Recipes you would like to share with the rest of my adoring readers? If not...can you tell me which of the above makes you the most happy? Come on. Don't be shy.

Down to the Nitty Gritty

2011-05-13T20:10:00.000-04:00

*Please note..this was supposed to be posted yesterday but Blogger.com was down for repairs. Bastards.*

Just out of curiosity, what the hell does “Nitty Gritty” actually mean anyway??

I get the Gritty...but the Nitty?? I don't get the Nitty.

When in doubt...Google it out I guess.

So...It's Thursday and we're pretty much down to the minimum in our bank account.

Translation? We're down to NOTHING in our bank account. Just as a side note, this whole living paycheck to paycheck life sucks. But that's a different post for a different day.

Back to my point.

I've had pretty slim pickings in the freezer in ways of dinner choices this week since I haven't had the funds to do a decent shopping. Every morning I wrack my brain and check and re check the freezer to see what it is that I exactly have to make a dinner for four out of.

4 chicken cutlets.

A freezer burned package of Chorizo.

Package of ground chicken.

Some odd unnamed leftovers I'm absolutely horrified to open.

A few bags of frozen veggies. You know. The kind no one really eats, but they were on sale so I had to “stock up” (Damn you Extreme Couponers! Damn you for teaching me to ~~hoard~~ “stock up” on things I don't need but have a coupon for).

My cupboards are getting pretty bare too. I'm down to a cup of rice and a few boxes of pasta. A can of baked beans. A can of diced chilies. (What? My husband IS Spanish you know.) A variety of fruit in cans. A bottle of barbeque sauce. A jar of roasted red peppers. And some crumbs. And I'm pretty sure a mouse has been eating the crumbs.

I got pretty much nothing. Nothing I can make a true meal out of. And I'm tired of thinking about it. The Z-Man NEVER worries about what we're going to have for dinner. He NEVER decides what we're going to eat. He NEVER cooks anything other than chili and gas grilled foods and only when I beg. He NEVER EVER worries about taking food out of the freezer or making sure we have any ingredients to prepare a meal. So I guess the thinking has got to remain my responsibility or we'd all go hungry...or worse, get fatter because all we would eat is McDonald's.

Why yes. Yes. I AM a bit bitter about it. Thank you for asking.

Driving home from work last night, doing a mental checklist of all of the items I have to make a meal out of (especially since I forgot to take anything out of the freezer to thaw) and wishing that the Dinner Fairy would arrive to save me - it came to me. What would I get if I saute'ed the ground chicken with some diced onion, chopped roasted red peppers...a bit of garlic, some Italian dressing and some parmesean cheese. What would happen if I threw it over some mini pasta shells?

Um, straight up deliciousness on a plate...that's what I would get!!

See?

It only took a mere minutes to throw together. The best part?? Even my picky lil girls devoured it up.

The secret weapon to yumminess in this dish was absolutely the Italian dressing. If you have never used this:

then you are truly missing out. It's in the produce aisle of my grocery store. If you see it, pick it up right away! It's some tasty goodness. Of course, I have used it on salads, but I have also put this in many a pasta salad, I've marinated chicken in it, and I've poured it on ice cream. Ok. That was a lie. I have not poured it over ice cream. If any of you do, though, please please let me know so I can make fun of you.

So this all leads me to one question:

What's are some unexpected quick dinners YOU have had to throw together in the past?? I mean REAL dinners. No boxed Macaroni and Cheese unless it was an ingredient in your meal. I need more ideas!!

Mama's Day

2011-05-08T21:04:00.000-04:00

Looking for a job?

Imagine you were perusing the classifieds and came across an ad that looked something like this:

NOW HIRING
Self-motivated, caring, hard-working, borderline psychotic individual to take on the following roles on a volunteer basis: facilities manager, psychologist, CEO, cook, day care teacher, housekeeper, computer operator, van driver, janitor and laundry machine operator. The ideal candidate will stay on site indefinitely and should dedicate no fewer than 96 hours a week to their responsibilities (on call the remaining 78 hours). Benefits include warm fuzzy feelings and the occasional macaroni necklace.

You’d be hard pressed as an employer to find anyone crazy enough to take the job, and yet millions of women across the world are working their Mommy magic day in and day out.

Me included!

While most Moms are unfortunately not making the six-figure incomes they deserve for all their hard work, a little bit of love and thanks and wine goes a long way.

You deserve a few hours off, a glass of wine in hand, a good book in your lap. Maybe, just maybe, you can get through a few chapters without the sound of fighting or whining children, or questions about what's for dinner, or the sound of the dryer buzzer telling you that yet another load needs to be folded and put away.

So, to all the Mommies out there...I hope you had the very best Mother's Day today!

Happy Mother's Day from one tired Mommy to another!

Writer's Block or Just Laziness?

2011-04-11T21:50:00.000-04:00

Hi.

I'm back! Didja miss me? I've missed you. I've thought about you every day. I swear I have. I wanted to tell you all kinds of things...but I would get home from work and cook dinner, clean the kitchen, go through the kid's backpacks, do a load of laundry, get the kids showered, put them to bed, feed the cats, change out of my work clothes, and curl up on the couch with the Z Man. At that point all I want to do is watch TV, catch up on all of my friend's FB statuses and play Frontierville.

What??

I told you. Don't judge me. It's not nice.

By the time I collected all my bonuses, fed all of my animals, built all my buildings, cleared all my grass and wildflowers, I was just done tuckered out. All of that hard work and I still had to watch 4 of my DVR'ed shows. Oh, and I watched the Z Man fall asleep on the couch.

Who has time to write? Hell, WHAT do I even write about? The crazy lady customer who sent in an email to complain that she didn't get a shower cap in her hotel room and now she is entitled to a refund?? (She travels all the way to romantic Paris and THAT is what she has to complain about???) Seriously. I can't make this shit up. It was a real complaint.

Or how about the fact, that I've only lost 15 lbs on Weight Watchers, and my desire to eat myself out of house and home is back in full force, and I can't seem to make myself write down my points anymore? I'm pretty sure I ate everything in my fridge in the last 3 weeks. Right down to the crumbs of crap and the leftover moldy bits in the bottom produce drawer. And I have no idea why.

Or...how Spring is finally here (WAHOOOOO!), and the ground is muddy and my kids are playing outside again (and tracking it all in on my clean floors). Or that my flowers are popping up (YAY) and Easter is next week...which only means the I have to start gardening (which I LOATHE because I have a black thumb and I hate dirt)....and I have to prepare for the Easter Bunny (coloring eggs and filling eggs, and buying chocolate, which will most likely be consumed by me and not my children).

It just seems like I can't get out of whatever funk I appear to be in. Which apparently leads to writer's block. Or extreme exhaustion. I once put on my status..."make no mistake...what appears to be laziness is really just pure exhaustion".

It's true isn't it??

Of course, if you ask the Z Man, however, he will just say I don't do anything and it IS pure laziness.

Whateva.

What does he know? He's asleep on the couch.

Big Game Appetizers - the Lighter Version!

2011-01-29T12:55:00.000-05:00

So..the "BIG" game is almost upon us once again. You know which one I'm talking about. The one where grown men run around in tights and try to kill each other over a funny shaped brown ball....then they run to one end of the big gigantic field and when they get there, they do these cute little dances.

Of course, the only reason I get excited to see the game is for the snacks and commercials. And the cute little dances.

You can't tell me you don't feel the same way.

Come on now. Don't try to kid me. I know.

Of course, if the N.E. Pats were playing then maybe I'd take a little more interest, but only because it makes my husband happy to see them make it to the grand finale...and...if they win, I might just get "lucky" that night. Ah, who am I kidding, I'd get "lucky" even if they didn't win. TMI? Oh well, it's my blog, get over it. ; )

So, everyone knows I'm trying to lose my muffin top right? In order to satisfy my strong urge to gorge myself on amazing snacks during the game, I took a really fun recipe I found on a very cool blog called Macaroni and Cheesecake and made it a bit on the lighter side so that I can indulge too.

Selfish aren't I?

Check out these delicious little morsels. And if you are doing the WW Point Plus program - ONLY 1 point if you make them small...and 2 points if you make them a bit bigger. FABULOUS. Add a few more points for each dip into the cool ranch or blue cheese (if you're into smelly moldy cheese) you'll serve along side it.

Look at these beautiful little darlings. Don't they look naughty?

Not naughty enough for you? How about this?

I know. Right??

Buffalo Chicken Bites

Yield: 48 small bites (WW Plus Point = 1), or 30 medium bites (WW Plus Points = 2)

3 cups shredded cooked chicken (About 1 store-bought rotisserie chicken, skin discarded)
1/4 to 1/2 cup hot sauce (or more to your taste)
3 1/2 oz. fat free cream cheese, softened
1 3/4 cups sharp or medium low fat shredded cheddar cheese
1/4 cup sliced green onions
1 cup all-purpose flour
4 eggs, lightly beaten
3 – 4 cups Corn Flakes cereal, crushed

Preheat oven to 350˚F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, mix the chicken, cream cheese and hot sauce until combined. Stir in the cheddar cheese and green onions.
Using a small cookie or ice cream scoop, spoon out the chicken mixture and roll into about 1 1/2 inch balls. Place on a plate or separate baking sheet (not lined) until ready to dip.
In three separate bowls, set out the flour, eggs and Corn Flakes.
Dip each chicken ball first into the flour, then the egg and ending with the Corn Flakes.
Place on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 20 to 25 minutes.
Serve warm with ranch or blue cheese dressing.

**If freezing for later, place the dipped and uncooked chicken balls onto the parchment lined baking sheet and flash freeze for 15 to 20 minutes. Transfer to a freezer bag and store in the freezer until ready. To bake, place the frozen chicken balls back on a parchment lined baking sheet and bake at 350˚F for 25 to 30 minutes, until crispy and golden brown.

Source: Adapted from Macaroni and Cheesecake

They Grow So Fast, Don't They?

2011-01-28T23:12:00.000-05:00

WHY DIDN’T I THINK OF THIS?

Oh right, I’m lazy.

Parents of little Natalie took pictures of her almost every single day since she was born and made a time-lapse video of her growing up before the camera’s eye (literally) over 10 (!!) years. Watch her posture improve, hair grow, and her little cherub baby face melt into a young lady in under a minute and a half.

*sigh*

They really do grow up too fast.

This is why I love the Z-Man

2011-01-28T22:18:00.000-05:00