It is Tuesday, right??

sorry I am a sucky blogger

2009-12-18T10:41:00.001-08:00

I have zero motivation whatsoever to write anything on this blog.

I am not a writer - I am just some goofy chick from Jersey.

I mean really, how many times can I write about how cute my kid is? Yes, he is damn cute, but I think we covered that already.

I think I should close up shop.

Or, maybe I am just cranky because its 'Tis the Season to be overwhelmed. And its cold. And gray. And I am chubby.

I don't know.

What do y'all think? Ever just feel like there is just nothing left to say?

Things that make ya go Hmmmmm....

2009-11-10T07:27:00.000-08:00

So.

I was calling the pediatrician's office DAILY, for like 3 weeks. And DAILY was being told, no H1N1 shots..no idea when we will get them. Sorry, you lose.

Every day.

Then, I had a purse party at my housie (whole 'nother story, omg i have a weird obsession with bags) and my pediatrician attended. We have a few friends in common and I knew she liked the purses I was showin'.

Remember, earlier that same day I had called the office and again been told no H1N1 shots available? Riiiight.

Then....Purse party. Wine, food, fun, purses. Makes chickies happy.

Next day? Coincidental well baby visit.

Pediatrician leans in, hushed voice, waggling eyebrows...."I have a secret stash of H1N1 shots"...and lo and behold, my kid gets his vax.

WTF?
Why are they hiding shots? Why did my kid have to wait so long? Why are other kids still waiting? Why did my pediatrician decide to do me a favor? Cause I gave her good chicken satay and wine? Do I have to have another purse party to get the booster shot in a month? Why do I feel so guilty now? Why was that so shady?
Hmmmmmm.

True Love Always

2009-10-30T06:40:00.001-07:00

Fishies! and Swine!

2009-10-27T14:05:00.000-07:00

Took Buster to the Aquarium over the weekend. He LOOOOOVED it! See?

Too bad its the last outing of its kind for awhile. Sigh.
I talked to the pediatrician. She said H1N1 is RAMPANT around here. She sees multiple very VERY ill kiddos a day. Hospitalizations. Breathing tubes. In her opinion (and she is a very rational easygoing lady) she thinks we should avoid taking Buster anywhere. ANYWHERE. No Little Gym. No MOPS. No crowds. No museums. No play places. "Stay home" she said. "Just stay home".
Seems like there is no hope for any vaccinations anytime soon. They MAY be getting a few (like 100?) doses of the vax WITH preservatives. I don't want to give him the vax with preservatives. Would you? I am not sure which is worse...flu or preservatives.
I guess its gonna be a long scary winter, and I guess I will be seeing a lot of my backyard and living room.
Stupid H1N1.
Whats the point of having sultry sassy red hair, if I am going to be stuck in my living room in my pajamas for the winter?
Pffffft.

Something A Little Different

2009-10-22T06:45:00.000-07:00

Ok my lovelies, I decided to try something different on here....girlie things!
I am kind of a product JUNKIE - I love trying new lotions and potions, and LOVE browsing at Sephora, Ulta, or even just the drug store. For a long time there, my girlie side got squashed as the challenges of new motherhood took over...who has time for soaking in a bath and applying careful makeup when your kid is screaming bloody murder? Not me that's who. But NOW, now it is coming back...my evenings are free for bubble baths and beauty masks and ohhhhh its so fun to be a woman!!

SO, lets give it a shot, eh? And PLEASE PLEASE tell me your favorite products, indulgent ones or useful ones or magical ones...I love hearing it all!

Ok. So.

Some girlie things that I am lovin' lately have come from Lush. Lush is a bath/body store devoted to fresh handmade natural products, many of which are Vegan. I am lucky and have a Lush in the Mall where I live...but you can also order products online at http://www.lushusa.com/shop/. I am not gonna lie, their stuff is rather pricey, but everything I have tried so far has been really really good.

My favorite product right now is this:

The Strawberry Feels Forever Massage Bar. Oh yessssss.

Massage Bars at Lush are hunks of buttery moisturizing yumminess that you either rub over a loved one as a massage treat, or rub all over yourself (hey, you are your own loved one, right?) as a delicious body softener. It looks like a hunk of soap, but as you hold it in your hot little hands, it begins to melt and soften....then you rub those oils into your skin. Can I just tell you? LOVE.

Lush describes the Strawberry Feels Forever smell as "real crushed strawberries and hibiscus flower infusion". To me, it smells very fresh, and warm. Definitely like strawberries, but a little spicy too? Like strawberry wine or something. Its so hard to describe. Its a pretty strong smell, most Lush scents are lingering, but its not overpowering to me...just delicious.

Lately every evening as I sit in bed preparing for peaceful slumber (yea right), I give myself a little Strawberry rubdown. I use it on my arms and legs and elbows and knees and cuticles...it is SO SOFTENING...my skin feels like velvet. Its a little oily at first, but I have dry skin, so it soaks in fast and just leaves me feeling sooooo yummy and soft and smelling soooo yummy and good...its DIVINE I tell you! I keep it in a little tupperware thingie right by my bed. I am addicted. LOVE. LOVE. Did I mention Love?

There are many different massage bar scents to try...so if the Strawberry is not your bag, baby, I bet you can find one that is. They retail for about $8.95, which is not cheap, but you get a nice chunk, and its so pampering....I feel like I am worth it. No, I KNOW that I am worth it!!

Highly recommend!!!

___

offer it up to the cosmos

2009-10-20T05:56:00.000-07:00

I love my son. Man I love him so much it actually makes me hurt. I am so lucky. Even when I am exhausted, and he drives me batty, and he wont sleep, and he wont eat, and he has a meltdown, or throws a tantrum, or climbs on the dining room table to retrieve and eat a chapstick (ew)...I know I am blessed beyond belief. I keep thinking back to when I was trying to get pregnant, and how anxious and sad I was CONSTANTLY, or when I lost the pregnancy and how despondent I was CONSTANTLY...and now my life is CONSTANTLY good, full of love and laughter and joy. How did I manage to win this lottery???
What an incredible little person this boy is. Soft red curly hair, sometimes ringlets like a cherub, sometimes crazy waves like a mad scientist. Sparkling blue eyes, perfect white teeth, (like little mini chiclets -yes, I even fawn over his teeth). Chunky pink cheeks. Perfect baby buns. Expressive hands. Fat little feet. Slim little boy hips. Lanky limbs, he will be so tall. The way he looks in a pair of footie pajamas, oh my god its ridiculous. The way he snuggles into my lap, the way he throws his arms around me and pats my back with teenie fingers while he hugs me. Sloppy open mouthed kisses. The way he plays with my hair while he nurses. He is like, seriously, the best thing that has ever happened to me. I just feel the need to let the universe know...that I know....I know I am lucky, I SO know. I know not everyone wins this lottery, and I am very grateful. I know I am blessed. I am thankful.

So... I hope it is not too awfully selfish to ask to be blessed one more time?

*fairy dust*

----

Damn It Feels Good to Be a Gangsta

2009-09-15T06:16:00.000-07:00

Or...Sometimes it Pays to be a Crankpot.

Next Sunday I get to go to Sephora, AFTER store closing, for a private makeup tutorial and store tour and freebies. Ching! Pampering! Weee!!!

I am MORE than pleased with their response to my complaint. Go Sephora!!!! You have won me back (its not that hard to do - just wave some freebies at me).

Hurrah!
Makeover!
Fun fun!!

Hee Heeee!!!

2009-09-11T15:29:00.001-07:00

I sent my letter to David Suliteanu...PRESIDENT of Sephora. I mean, why not?
I got this e-mail today....

Dear Mrs. _________,

Thank you for your recent correspondence to Mr. Suliteanu. I am pleased to hear of your excitement at the opening of the new _______ store but extremely disappointed that your experience was an unpleasant one. On behalf of Mr. Suliteanu and the Sephora team, I sincerely apologize. We value our clients and take all complaints seriously; yours is no exception. As a result I have copied Dina Bloom, executive assistant to the executive vice president of retail operations, to assist in rectifying the situation. Dina, or another member of the retail operations team, may contact you directly to obtain additional information in order to determine the best course of action.

We thank you for your continued loyalty and look forward to better serving you during future visits to Sephora.

Sincerely,

Tricia Ulricksen

Assistant to David Suliteanu

S E P H O R A

HEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHHEHeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!! I wonder if anyone else will actually contact me?? HAHAHohohohohheheheeh....I don't know why this cracks me up so much, but it totally does. Imagine this assistant reading my totally sarcastic 3 page mumblefumble. HAHAHAHA. She is probably like HELLO CRACKPOT. *wheeeeeze*

Sephora, you done me wrong

2009-09-08T07:49:00.001-07:00

Went to Sephora today. It didn't go so well. Wanna see my letter? I am sending it off to corporate this morning. (Some stuff blanked out for obvious reasons...)
.....

Dearest Sephora,

I am writing to convey my supreme disappointment at my experience today in your new retail store in _________.

I am a very loyal online Sephora devotee, (swoon!) but there is something way more satisfying about shopping for beauty items IN a store... where you can sample and dab and touch and sniff, am I right? I been wishing nightly on stars and eyelashes that a store would open here in ________. Seriously, you can ask my husband - I have been complaining for at least 5 years about my hardship. So, you can only imagine my delight when I got wind of the news...________ is opening a Sephora store? It’s like the Mother Ship calling me home.

My shopping spree started out well - I had a shiny new gift card from my husband, and stars in my eyes. A very helpful consultant named Stephanie guided me through the dazzling displays and sat me down to test some products on me. I can say only good things about Stephanie, she was wonderful...patient and quite informative. I came away with a new skin care regime, and some delicious new make-up. Kudos to her.

I only wish Stephanie didn't hand me off to the ~~sharks~~ ladies at checkout.

Unfortunately I did not get the register ~~nazi's~~ consultant's name , but I have enclosed a copy of my receipt which may have in the information - in case you want to ~~publicly flog her~~ gently redirect her. We will just call her Miss Register for now, okay?

You must understand - I am used to shopping Sephora online, since we were lacking a _______ store. Online, my Beauty Insider number is automatically generated when I log in, so I didn't even think about it at the store. Miss Register never asked me if I was a Beauty Insider, never asked me if I had a Beauty Insider card, never asked me if I wanted to become a Beauty Insider...the words Beauty Insider never sprung from her lips. Are you following? She pretty much never looked at me or talked to me at all. She may have mumbled something as she slipped some free samples into my bag....but I was ok with the lack of communication and eye contact cause hey, free samples, and I was still high from the glory that is the Sephora store. (swoon!)

It was only when I happened to notice the samples lined up along the counter that things went decidedly downhill.

I said to Miss Register "Oooo, are these more free samples?" and she quite snootily responded "oh no, THOSE are only for our Beauty Insiders". And she handed me my bag.

(Um, wouldn't the proper response be something like - *happy tone* "Oh those are for our Beauty Insiders, are you interested in becoming one?" or *chipper grin* "you can get those if you are a Beauty Insider...are you one?" But I digress.)

The fact is, I AM a Beauty Insider, and I am well aware that I earn a point for every dollar I spend. I want my POINTS! And honestly, if I have another free sample coming to me, I want that too! I am not ashamed to admit it.

So I said "Oh, I'm so sorry, I AM a Beauty Insider, I forgot to mention it, can we please fix that?"

Her response? Huff and puff, eye roll... "But you didn't give me your card."

(Did I mentioned that she never ASKED for a card, or my Insider status, or even how I was that day?)

Sadly, I didn't have my Beauty Insider Card with me. From that moment on, my friend, disaster.

I got much more huffing and puffing, some hair tossing, some eye rolls. She tried to plug in my e-mail address several times, but the computer was acting wonky and kept rebooting. Twice she had to call for back-up to be signed back in. She had to ask me to restate my email several times. She was practically oozing with disgust, I felt like an old fat leper. My Sephora high was quickly dissipating. She punched keys and hit buttons for a good long time, but for whatever reason she could not figure out how to credit me my points and give me my sample after the sale was already complete. She smacked her lips in that precious way that teenagers do when they loathe you, and called over a manager. Enter Manager Blondie McHatesmyguts. Miss Register pouted..."she wants a sample but she didn't give me her card".

(I felt so stupid. I shouldn't feel stupid while shopping, should I? Just a tip - making me feel stupid does not make me want to spend mad cash.)

I wish I could say that Blondie McHatesmyguts was warm and delightful and tried to soothe me...THE CUSTOMER and supposedly valued Beauty Insider... but alas, no. She was also clearly annoyed and frazzled and could not bring herself to make eye contact with me. She snapped in the direction of my forehead "which sample do you want?". I think she intended to just try to ~~shut me the heck up~~ appease me with 0.29 ounces of Nars Primer, so I had to remind her that I had just dropped over 200 bucks at her fine store and I wanted my Beauty Insider POINTS.

(Wouldn't you? I mean 200 dollars is not chump change. Well, at least not to me. Maybe to Blondie I was small potatoes?)

Anyhoo...

I really do not understand what I did to make Miss Register and Blondie McHatesmyguts so angry. Is it THAT difficult to redo a transaction, if it makes the customer happy? Did they have something better to do, besides, um, THEIR JOB? Is it so odd that I would want the points I earned, or another free goodie to try? I felt like they went out of their way to make me feel like I was such an incovenient pain. Which, I swear, I am not! I am truly quite charming and fun, we should be friends! Sephora, we could braid each others hair and tell each other our deepest secrets. Call me!

I do not deserve such nasty treatment.

Finally, after much punching of buttons and heavy sighs and frantic whispered negotiations, Blondie McHatesmyguts said to me "the only way we can do this is to process the whole thing as a return then start over and pretend it’s a new transaction."

(I really think she was hoping I would just say "oh forget it then I don't want to trouble you". HA!)

Me: "Then yes, let’s do that, redo my transaction".

Her: eyelid twitch, sneer.

Blondie McHatesmyguts did not address me (or my forehead) again - just told Miss Register to redo my transaction. They had to recheck my gift card to make sure I could re-use it, they had to fiddle with the computer again, they had to get my e-mail address again, they fiddled with a different computer, they had to huff and puff some more, they had to rescan items. (Oh the horror!) It seemed endless. It was probably only about 20 minutes, but it was 20 minutes of my life I will never get back.

Finally it was over. Blondie flounced off without a glance my way - Miss Register handed me my bag. As I turned to leave, I said "just a suggestion, you should ask each customer if they are a Beauty Insider, it would save a lot of trouble". Miss Register gave me a tight smile, but her eyes were pure evil as she said "yes, totally my fault".

Now look. I come to Sephora to feel lovely and pampered and refreshed and HOPEFUL. Isn't that the point? It’s a glimmering store full of hope. The HOPE that some foundation will make my skin dewier. Or some gloss will make my lips plumper. That some magical potion or powder on your shelves will transform me from 'tired somewhat saggy 38 year-old stay-at-home Mom with pureed spinach in her hair' into 'glamorous voluptuous 18 year old supermodel vixen with flaxen locks'. Right? It's hope that opens the wallets folks. And as of now, hope is not alive in the Sephora store in the _________. I left feeling annoyed, confused, sad and deflated. And regretful. I kind of wanted my money back.

This is not the beginning of the beautiful retail store relationship I was hoping for.

I would have thought that a new store would be eager to please, wanting to make a good impression to ensure repeat business. Am I just naive? Is Sephora so successful now that customer service no longer matters? Am I just a small potato that no longer matters? Does my hard earned cash no longer matter? Is the Beauty Insider status a big fat joke? Please, Sephora - say it aint so.

I am not going to lie to you (I would never) - I will most likely still shop there. Because, well, it’s you, and I love you. But please, love me back? Ensure that ALL of your consultants and managers and check-out ladies are appreciative of my business... are kind to me, are patient, are thoughtful, are helpful. Remind me to give them my Beauty Insider card, don't chastise me if I forget. Have them eager for me to get all the samples I am entitled to, to TRY new products that I will then return to PURCHASE. (Funny how that works). Have them talk to my eyes, make me feel valued. I don't think I am asking too much. Am I?

Sephora, can we start over?

Sincerely,
Kate
Very Important Sephora Beauty Insider

She's Crafty

2009-08-28T06:11:00.000-07:00

I am not sure if I even have 5 readers...but....I love crafts and so I'm asking if anyone would like to join??...

Here's how it works....

The first five people to respond to this post will get something made by me, especially for you. I promise I'll make it worth your while!

This offer does have some restrictions and limitations:

1- I make no guarantees that you will like what I make... but I hope you will.

2- What I create will be just for you.

3- I have a year to get it to you, but if it takes me that long I am a big fat loser.

4- You have no clue what it's going to be, but I may need to ask for weird measurements. Just go with it.

The catch? You must re-post this on your blog and offer the same to the first 5 people who do the same on your blog.

So the first five people who post, and are willing to pass it along,will get a handmade gift in the mail from me.

Another episode of bad parenting

2009-08-14T11:03:00.001-07:00

I was in the kitchen, and I heard the durn musical toy, so I knew he was fine and occupied. Well, he was occupied alright. 'Bout gave me a heart attack when I came back in the room.

That is what is so awesome about the Flip. I always have it handy, so I can catch these priceless gems.
Hee hee!

&^%$# (*&^%$ IDIOT FATHEAD

2009-08-11T10:19:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I &^%$# hate my husband.

There. I said it.

I am sure I am not alone here.

And I am not even PMSing. I swear.

He just irks the crap out of me sometimes.
Like today.
I could not get the kid to nap FOR THE LIFE OF ME. He just refused to go down. When the kid does not go down for a nap, he is a cranky grumpasaurus for the rest of the day, screaming, crying, crabby, unhappy. Its awful. Babies need naps. My baby needs at least 2 hours to recharge.

Well, after SUCKING ON MY NIPPLES FOR CLOSE TO AN HOUR, I finally FINALLY got the little bugaboo to fall asleep. MY NIPS ARE LIKE HAMBURGER.

45 minutes into the bliss...MY FATHEAD DUMBASS CLUTZBURGER OAF of a spouse comes into make himself lunch AND WAKES THE KID UP because he was too noisy.

Now look, I am not a complete insensitive lunatic - I know the man needs to eat...but couldn't he wait a bit? Or couldn't he have gone to the other fridge in the basement and gotten himself a snack to tide himself over. Stock your desk with some granola bars and SUCK IT UP. There have been 5 million instances where I have gone HUNGRY because I am TRAPPED under a SLEEPING CHILD. FIVE MILLLLIIIOOOOOOON!!!!!!!!!!! I SUCK IT UP BECAUSE I KNOW THE CHILD IS A MONSTER WITHOUT A NAP.

When I gave him the evil death eye glare, all he could say was, "well, I needed lunch, what do you want me to do?"

Well, you could BITE ME...that would be a start. And then you could GET A FLIPPING CLUE, that would be nice too. And lastly, oh yea, DISAPPEAR.

(I edited that last bit. I had said for him to DIE, and then DIE AGAIN - but then I decided that is too harsh and I don't really want him to die, I just want him to take a leave of absence from my life. He can be healthy and all, just so he is the hell out of my face)

Don't you think now THAT jackass should have to spend the rest of the afternoon dealing with the cranky tantrum throwing child instead of me? Cause I sure do.

So now you know.
SO many women tell me they are jealous because my husband works from home... so we can always be together and I get a break when I need one. And yea, it does have its advantages some days. Some days I count my blessings that I can get a rest, a nap, a breather, and its a very good thing.

But days like today?

IT'S NOT A GOOD THING. GO TO AN OFFICE AND LEAVE US ALONE FOR THE LOVE OF GOD.

and now the darling angel is playing the counting song on his confounded toy piano over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and so help me I need a martini.

Late talking....

2009-08-09T19:10:00.000-07:00

Anyone's kid out there a late talker?

Cause I have one, and its driving me mad.

He is 18 months, and we have zero words pretty much. He says "uh oh" when he drops something, he says mama and dada kind of, and I think he is trying to say kitty and bubbles, but that is up for debate.

He DID say six sign language words - milk, more, eat, book, baby, nurse. DID. But not anymore. Lately he just refuses to sign. Or forgot how. I don't know. I am freaked! We took him to early intervention, but he scored too high on their tests to qualify for speech therapy. So we have to wait three months. I have seen no improvement whatsoever since then, and now he is not signing. What the hezzie?
I just want him to be ok.

I guess I will call Easter Seals and probe further.

SIGH.

Anyone out there in internet land have any personal experience with this? Am I over-worrying? He is simply charming in all other regards...smiles and giggles and waves and points and claps, shares toys, takes turns, pretend plays, affectionate, interactive, follows directions...just a doll. A silent doll. Well not silent, he babbles A LOT.

HMMMMM.

Yum

2009-07-19T17:09:00.000-07:00

This is sorta becoming a food blog. Woops! I don't mean it to be, but I seem to be concentrated on food lately. Mothering and food, that's me! Sorry I am boring.

Sigh.

Eh well.

Crockpot Spinach Lasagna

I got the recipe off of the Lipton Vegetable Soup Mix Box! I can't take credit. : )
I have no shame, I will try any crockpot recipe I find. I am becoming obsessed.

It was SCRUMPTIOUS....

Here it is....

Slow Cooker Spinach Lasagna
2 containers (15 oz each) ricotta cheese
2 cups shredded mozzarella
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
2 eggs
1 pkg (10 oz) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
1 envelope Lipton Recipe Secrets Vegetable Soup Mix
2 jars (10 oz each) Ragu
12 lasagna noodles, uncooked

1 - Combine ricotta, 1 cup mozzarella, 1/4 cup parmesan, eggs, spinach and soup mix.
2. - In 6 quart slow cooker, spread 1 cup sauce. Layer 4 noodles, broken to fit, then 1 cup sauce, then 1/2 the ricotta mixture, repeat. Top with remaining 4 noodles and 2 cups sauce. Reserve remaining sauce. Cook covered on low 5 to 6 hours
3. - Sprinkle with remaining cheeses. Cover and cook 10 more minutes. Let stand 10 minutes before serving. Serve with remaining sauce, heated.

Everyone enjoyed it immensely!

This and That

2009-06-30T15:05:00.001-07:00

Well, lets see....

I am sick. Again. My throat hurts, my head hurts, I feel queasy and weak. My eyes sting, my teeth itch, my tummy aches. Its awesome. So far I am the only one that has it. Buster seems a little cranky, but so far, ok. Let's hope it stays that way. Aren't summer colds DA BOMB?

I owe some videos...

For Heather...

For Beautiful Mess.....

Sorry, not much booty for you - and its kinda long and boring. : (
I don't want to show too much of my nekkid baby to the internet. Besides which, every time he stands up in the bath offering up a good booty shot - he is standing up to play with his deeter. And if I don't feel comfy posting too many nakey booty shots on the internet, you can guess I really don't feel comfy posting video proof of my child's current deeter obsession. Although I don't seem to have any problem TALKING about the mad deeter grabbing that goes on at every bathtime, SHOWING the deeter dingling is a whole different story. I am sure you understand. Boys are funny.

Hey, is that the ugliest bathroom ever, or is it just me? Pink and gray tile?? Oh MY GAWD its ugly - and to top of the nasty, it has a yellowy cream colored sink and vanity and dark BROWN cabinetry. Can someone please tell me what paint color/rug color/towel color would tie together pink, gray, yellowy cream and poo brown? Cause I am stumped.

For Eden...don't have a biscuit vid for you yet my lovely...but I am working on it. Gotta take a trip to good ol' Kentucky Fried, where I will film a nice soggy gravy soaked biscuit just for you. Patience.

I do have another recipe for y'all though. And guess what? I MADE IT UP MYSELF. That is like, unheard of in these parts. I am recipe follower. But this time I just threw in this and that and out came an edible slosh. Actually more than just edible, it was quite good. Weee hooooo!

I call it Delightful Crockpot Lentil Quinoa Chickpea Jumbledumble.

1 can chickpeas
2 cups dry green lentils
3/4 cup red quinoa
1 8 oz can tomato sauce
6 cups vegetable broth
1 cup water (added later in cooking cause it needed more liquid)
lemongrass stick
cinnamon stick
ginger
garlic - 3 cloves
tsp ish tumeric
2 tspish cumin
handful of fresh cilantro, minced
tspish cayenne pepper
cup or so of cauliflower
2 bayleaves

Throw it all in the crockpot, along with anything else that might tickle your fancy. Cook on low until everything is soft and yummy. Serve with parmesan cheese for sprinkling on top - and a nice thick crusty slice of sourdough with lots of butter. My husband thought it was yummy and he is eating leftovers right now! See?

Mmmmmm.
Now, I must go lie on the couch and prepare to die.
Bye bye.

Cabin Fever

2009-06-23T12:56:00.000-07:00

It has rained here every stinky day for like the last month I SWEAR. Its gloomy. Rain, rain rain. Yea, my yard looks fantastically green...but, can we please have some sun now? Pretty please? I feel like my whole body is turning pruney, and I am pale, oh so very pale.
Its getting rough. Cabin fever. Coco loco.
Help!

All videos brought to you by my sassy new pink Flip. Thank heavens for the Flip, as it has brought me entertainment during the downpours. Did you ever video tape your kid eating peas for 16 minutes? I have. Did you ever video tape your kid walking nude from one room to another? I have. Did you ever video tape your kid sleeping on the couch? Now that is a boring video. But I have nothing else to DOOOoooooooooo.

Anyone have something (clean) they would like me to videotape? Leave a comment on my blog, and I will try to oblige. All requests will be considered. It will give me something to do since my summer seems to be DROWNING.

EDITED TO ADD: I will get working on laughing and bathing (tho not sure i wanna show nudie buns on the internet, might do bathing suit) - but your requests do not have to be child related. It can be anything! Well, sort of. Keep em comin'!

Mmmm.....Food

2009-06-16T13:43:00.000-07:00

Lately I am all about the Crock Pot.

I never knew how much I loved the Crock Pot til I became a harried sweats-wearing stay at home Momma.

Its so easy. Throw a bunch of crap in it, turn it on, walk away - and 6 hours later you have a hot meal.

And, I get credit for cooking, even though its not really cooking, its more like, um, throwing a bunch of crap in something - but hey. I do often have to chop things so ...it counts.

And, did you know you can cook FROZEN meat in the durn thing? Yep, you don't even have to plan ahead and defrost. I have made a few meals just covering some frozen chicken breasts in the crockpot with whatever I can fish out of the pantry. Like, for example, salsa and beans or maybe some apple sauce.

Ok, this post is making me out to be a lazy whore. Whoopsies!

Anyhoo....I found this blog called A YEAR OF SLOW COOKING (cue angel harps). I mean, I love this chickie - she has supplied me with ENDLESS crockpot recipes!! She is my Crock Pot guru! She is honest about it too. If it sucks, she says so, if it needs tweaking, she says so. If the husband hates it but the kids eat it, she will let you know. Awesome.

So, tonight we are trying the Indian Chicken recipe from her blog.

This is what it looks like so far...

I still have to add in the yogurt and more spice, then I will serve it over brown basmati rice (cooking as we speak in the rice cooker - another appliance I HEART).

Hold please while it finishes bubblin'...

la la la

Ok!

Here is the finished product, it looks sloppy but it tasted pretty yummy.

I wish I had gotten some naan bread to dip. Yum. I added salt and pepper to mine, the recipe didn't call for it, but I think it needed it. I don't think the extra yogurt I added by mistake hurt anything - might have made it a little too soupy though. My hubs loved it, and even the little man gobbled it right up. Next time I might add some spinach in. I like things to have a lot of color.

So...

Here is the recipe:

--frozen chicken pieces - I used 2 very large chicken breasts, frozen but cut in chunks)
--1 can tomatoes, drained (I used diced)
--1/2 diced onion
--1/2 t ginger
--2 cloves garlic, minced
--1/2 t ground coriander
--1/4 t cayenne pepper
--1 t garam masala (1/2 t to add now, 1/2 later)
--1/2 cup plain non fat yogurt (I used a whole cup by accident)

The Directions.

--put your chicken pieces into the crockpot and add the can of tomatoes and all of the spices, minus 1/2t of the garam masala.

Don't add the yogurt yet.

cook on low all day. (I cooked mine about 6 hours)
30 minutes before serving, stir in the yogurt, and taste. Add the other 1/2 tsp garam masala. Add what tastes right to you.

Yumma!

Wee!

2009-06-08T18:40:00.000-07:00

He must have heard me talking...

Cause now we have THIS!

Starting Over

2009-06-01T07:52:00.000-07:00

For some reason, I have completely lost my desire to Blog. I think life has just left me kind of drained and uninspired lately. I am not unhappy or depressed, I am just not feeling very creative.

I am gonna try to get back into it though. Maybe if I just babble for a few posts, the creative goo will start oozing?

Ok, here we go.

Buster-man is great - he is so freakin' cute I almost can't stand it. He giggles all day, and keeps me constantly entertained. He is a little charmer - people stop us on the street to comment on his smile and his red curls.

Still not walking - well, he walks if he is holding on to one of my fingers, but as soon as I try to pry my finger away he drops to his knees and giggles like a maniac. I think he is so EXCITED to walk, that it makes him laugh and his legs go all jelly, and then he CAN'T walk. Crazy man. He's delicious. I feel so in love with him, and so lucky that he is my boy.

Let's see - he is still not talking much yet either. I have started referring to him as silent Bob. He is 16 months, so the pediatrician wants to do some early intervention and we are going to speech therapy. I am a little annoyed by it, because I think he is just on his own schedule (he crawled late, got pincher grasp late, etc etc) and I hate the idea of YET MORE therapy..but we will go. Pffft.

As for me...when I lost my blogging mojo - I also lost my cooking mojo, AND my exercise mojo. Bummer.
So we started eating crap, more takeout, ice cream right out of the carton. And guess what. I am old, and I can't eat like that anymore. I went to the Dr. for a regular physical and mentioned some pain I have been having in my right side. An ultrasound and bloodwork later - wooopsies - I have fatty liver and a hemangioma on my liver. Jesus. So I now HAVE TO diet and exercise - not for vanity anymore - but to save my freakin' health. Nothing is more motivating than feeling like you are gonna die early and leave your kid. Who knew.

That's about it for now.
Talk soon?
Maybe.

Oh right. I have a blog.

2009-05-05T09:48:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the silence.

Life has been sucking.

My half brother had a stroke. Then he died. So we had to cancel Grandmas trip to come see us. Then we had to traverse to Virginia for the strangest excuse for a "funeral" I have ever seen. Oh wait..."celebration of life". They served champagne and Buster (I stopped calling him Boo Boo cause he is far too macho for that crap) Buster wore a suit. We saw the wild horses of Chincoteague who were actually in a pen. Letdown. I ate my way through a few states. I did not Shred. I gained weight and got zits.

We are supposed to go to Texas next week. Airports and airplanes are not somewhere I want to be right now with all the Swine flu floating around the atmosphere. But, we have confirmed cases 3 blocks from my house, so, screw it.

Buster is sick. No, not piggy flu sick. just a cold - but he wont sleep. He also is growing teeth like its his job. And its making him a Crankmeister with side of Grumple.

I hate smug people who talk about how well their children sleep. Smug assholes. Smuggy McSmuggertons, i want to smack them.

I am back on Weight Watchers, and I never wanted a chocolate binge more in my life. I want to bury my face in ice cream til I vomit.

I have my period. Can you tell?

The End.

I'm Not Worthy!

2009-04-08T18:45:00.000-07:00

I got an award! Who me??

The lovely Photogrl over at Not The Path I Chose nominated me for the Sisterhood Award!!

I am truly touched. Photogrl always takes the time to stop by and leave me such nice comments, even when she is in the midst of her own struggles. She is a gem.
Thanks girl! In honor of you, I will work hard to be a better commenter/supporter on yours and other blogs...in the name of sisterhood!

Now lets see....
the rules....

Rules:
Put the logo on your blog or post.
Nominate at least 10 blogs with great attitude and/or gratitude.
Be sure to link to your nominees in your post.
Let your nominees know they have received the award by leaving them a comment on their blog.
Be sure to link this post to the person who nominated you for the award.

So, I nominate....

Bill, Miss, and Brood

Average Girl In Average World

Thoughts From the Mind of MayDayGirl (private blog)

Life...Its Nothing Like The Brochure

Wife, Student, And...Mom?

Mrs. Spock

Your Average Infertility Blog

From Maternity to Madness

Awaiting (And Expecting) in Joyful Hope

My Journey To Mommyhood

These are blogs I visit regularly - they make me either think, laugh, commiserate, admire, cry, ponder...or all of the above!
Yay for women!

Curses!! Level 2!!!!!

2009-04-08T07:53:00.000-07:00

This morning I did Level 2 for the first time!

Holy hannah!!! Now I know what all the moaning about Planks was for ....auuuugh! My shoulders!! My poor aching shoulders! Jillian, you saucy minx...you are trying to kill me!

I was panting and cursing by the end (I owe the curse jar approximately $6.25), BUT, strangely I think I like Level 2 better? Is that possible? Maybe I was just utterly sick of damn jumping jacks and Level 1 altogether. (oh fudge, I said damn...25 cents please). It was fun to try some new moves.

I had to follow Anita the whole time, but I finished. Phew! Jillian always says "If you want to look like Natalie - follow her" and in my head I always say "but I want to look like Aneeeeeeeeta!!" Natalie is too muscular for my taste, I would kill to be slender but firm, like Miss A. I think I will use that as my excuse for sticking with the modified moves. Thumbs up!

Lets see....hmmm...
some tidbits....

I got fab new sneakers...gotta take a pic.

Have lost 2 pounds (162.5 now) but have decided to quit weighing myself for a few weeks. I was getting a little obsessed. Just want to try to eat healthy foods and stop thinking about it so much.

I am using 1 pound weights now, because after doing some reading...i don't want to bulk up my already broad arms/back/shoulders. We'll see how it goes, I can always switch back to 3 pounders.

My workout pants AND underwear kept falling down during my workout. Am I toning or are they just cheap?

Now I must go, gonna try to teach my 15 month old how to give Momma a nice neck massage.

Keep on Shreddin'!

Mercy!! I am Old. And falling apart.

2009-04-03T11:15:00.000-07:00

That's it!
Today, I am hauling buns out in a serious rainstorm to get myself some new shoes.

I had to miss shredding yesterday (Day 11) cause I had an all day migraine...and now Day 12 is gonna be a bust because my lower back is in excruciating pain. I think I slept on it wrong, then I wrenched it funny picking up the kid. Or "Chunky Heftybuns" as I like to call him.

Did you ever meet anyone who needed to get in shape MORE? I can't even lift my child!

Sigh.

More later....

*cue hold music*

Ok, I am back. But...shoeless! Poo. The shoes I liked at DSW - they were out of my size. Some lovely tan and blue Asics. Waa!
Then I went to Dick's Sporting Goods (I hate that name) and they only had three types of cross trainers...none of which I liked.
I tried on about 13 sports bras too, and none would contain my giant milk juggies.
Total shopping trip fail. Frustrating!
Well, not total fail - I did pick up some 1 pound and 5 pound hand weights. In Pink! Ooo...la la!

I also did a bunch of floor stretching...felt so good on my poor aching bones. Tomorrow I'm back in the game...will re-shop and do some Shredding. Probably will do Level 1 since I missed two days. If my back is still killing, I will try some yoga. SOMETHING. Something to move my body and work up a sweat.
Stay tuned!

Day 10 Shred Complete!

2009-04-01T14:00:00.000-07:00

Day 10 Done!! Wow! I stuck with it....ten whole days! Gooooo ME!

I think I might see the whisper of a beginning of a teenie bit of possible maybe kinda definition happening in my tummy. I think my sides are smoother...like there is less of an overhang squeeshing over my waistband. Or am I just crazy?? It could quite possibly be wishful thinking, but I am gonna go with it.

Day One:

Day 10: (different pants - unfortunately, still no booty)

I should have taken my measurements in the beginning, but didn't. SO no clue if I lost any inches. I did not lose ANY weight, still at 164.5 this morning. But, I didn't GAIN any either, (and ate like a horse for the last 7 days) - so, I guess I can thank the Shred for that!

And yep - I scribbled out my face again - I decided I am going to get my hair cut and colored and buy some new make-up once the 30 days is over...so, the big reveal will be all 'Glamour Do'. I'm also hoping losing some weight will lessen my double chin. Heh.

I am going to be on TEAM JILLIAN for the Month of April - I am not sure if I am going to keep with Level 1 for a few more days or suck it up and move to 2. I am getting kind of bored with doing the same thing over and over...but it still kills me and leaves me gasping. Hmmm. I do feel like I need a better warm-up so I might take a brisk walk before starting. Babble Babble.

Also - I am definitely an Apple Shape or Cone Shape - bigger on top with skinny legs. This makes me little worried that so much upper arm weights will make me even more bulky on top - but am gonna keep going for now. I have very broad shoulders, like a linebacker. Sigh.

I am back on my Weight Watchers too, stuck to points yesterday and today...feel good, had the energy to do the workout...excited to keep going! Ok, enough blathering.

Here are my stats:
Height - 5'11
Weight - 164.5
Bust - 40" (lordyloo!)
Waist - 37"
Hips - 38"

Lets GO Team Jillian!!!!!!!

Clarification to Previous Post

2009-03-31T09:44:00.000-07:00

Just so y'all don't think I am a nursing dufus...I do eat. I eat a lot. I eat so much that I am now chubby and need to Shred and do Weight Watchers for nursing Mommas. Go figure!

Food is WAY too close of a friend.

AND my son is 14 months so solids and cows milk are also a major part of his diet. He nurses around sleep times, and that's it. I am having no supply issues.

The problem is, I hate breakfast....always have. Since I was a kid. I feel nauseous if I eat to soon after waking up. Strange I know. So for the first 6 days of Shred, I was working out before eating and feeling totally fine. Not sure why Day 7 and 8 went to the crapper - but I am thinking its a combination of a lot of things.

Rest assured my pretties - I will now force a snack down my gullet before Shredding. This morning I had a hard boiled egg, a cup of strawberries, and a mini bagel with peanut butter. Then sat for 30 minutes - then Shredded. Much better. Still hate it, still curse and pant and have to pause during all arm stuff - but, kept my energy and did not feel woozy.

Phew!