A Mom Thing

Thank GOD for polka dots and zebra belts

I am so in a fashion rut.

I wear black. In part, because it's slimming... but mostly because God granted me incredible sweat glands. (Seriously, my trainer recently said, "I have never seen anyone sweat like you do.") It's impressive for sure.

So - how do you "mix it up?"  Pop a little zip in the dreary black monotony of your wardrobe life. 

I've chosen zebra prints and polka dots lately. AND SOMETIMES... ONLY SOMETIMES... TOGETHER.  Crazy, I know.  But effective, very effective. It's like sunshine on a cloudy day... you can't help but smile.

I also accessorize with red ... and I'm considering green. Shoes or scarves mostly...I'm considering it.

What's your trick?

I love MILK

the movie, that is. 

We FINALLY watched it.  We had it from Blockbuster for over a week. For some reason, we never managed to devote the 2-ish hours to watch it. 

Until Sunday.  Then-we-did.  And it was soooooooo  good.  Sean Penn was sooo believable. The story was riveting.  Everyone should watch this movie. 

Ever wished you were a dog?

I think I have dog-envy. 

I mean, really, think about it...the biggest worry of your day is when you'll be fed dinner - 6pm or 6:10pm?  And will it be the same dog food as always (YUM) or something new (YUMMIER).

Can you pee anywhere, anytime you want (mostly)?

Your only job all day is to nap and be good.

People buy you toys.

You are literally rewarded for sitting or lying down.  Rolling over shaking hands only gets you extra treats.

You're pretty much always happy. Always.

Do you only need to BARK to make an impression (get the door opened, scare someone, get a dogbone)?

Do you only have to wag your tail and look cute to get love and affection?

Do you get all your pent up energy and frustration out by running devil-dog around the yard or chasing your tail in a circle?

Two words: Dog-Envy.

My butt is bigger than yours...

Do you ever find yourself unintentionally in a really odd argument or competition?  With a spouse or a friend or a colleague?  It's really (truly) not one you want to win ... but you still find yourself "going for gold"? 

Typically they run along these lines (hypothetically, of course):

• I was answering work e-mail until after 10 pm then my kid was up all night with nightmares. (I'm more tired than you are.)
• I had a crazy day, I have not pee'd or changed my tampon all day and only ate a can of cold soup because I didn't have time to heat it. (I'm way busier than you are.)
• Sorry I didn't return your phone call, my dog has uncontrollable diarrhea and we were hosting a pre-schooler playdate. (You are lower on my priority list.)
• I didn't even look at Facebook this weekend. (I'm waaaay busier than you are.)

C'mon - we've all been there. Admit it.  It's addictive.  And sick.  It happens. (Sh*t happens.) But I'm here to say - BASTA!

The reality is that the February/March of life is HARD.  The little kids puking, pooping, sick phase is hard. The "I wear my underwear inside out because I'm too tired to notice" phase is no harder (or worser as the kids say) than the "holy shit, it's curfew and my kid is not home yet or answering text phase."   Or - God forbid, the "no matter how hard we try, we can't seem to make a kid" phase. They all are H-A-R-D. 

So - let's all stop competing, be compassionate and get along?  Right? You listen to me and I'll listen to you.  We'll turn the other ear and all move on...feeling better for having told someone - right? Right.  Right?

Ever wonder how a Jelly Belly is made?

We were looking for something fun to burn through a few hours recently.  Just a few hours. Family Fun.

A friend told me about the Jelly Belly Warehouse in Kenosha, Wisconsin.  It's about an hour (in no traffic) from our home.  I looked it up online and saw they were also having a "blowout inventory sale."  We host Easter (if you remember...).  And I mean WE HOST Easter. It's a big big holiday for H.  He goes all-out.  So - we could kill two birds with one stone - Family Fun and get the Kid Easter Candy bought.  Sign us up!

It was good. The tour was a little lame (we thought it was a factory, it was just a warehouse).  But it was educational. The videos were good! And we got to ride around in a (lame) little train.  And we bought a LOT of candy. All in all a good few hours.

Pics?

 

Too Busy for Bronzer?

It's March in Chicago and my skin is pasty white.  I just have not had time for bronzer this year.  Usually I fake bake a bit throughout the Winter (Jergens lotion potion) -- just enough to keep the ghostly edge off.  Not this year.  Just didn't happen. And now that I think of it - not last year either.

For some reason, this year there have been many other things I'd rather do than stand around naked for 5 minutes while the lotion dries enough to not stick to my clothes.  Let's see...

• make an extra nice breakfast for the kids
• floss my teeth
• change my outfit a few times
• have another cup of coffee
• post a blog
• read a blog
• answer emails
• check out facebook
• make myself breakfast
• sleep

Hmm.  Kinda lame.  But there ya' go.  What do you sacrifice in order to look bronzed and beautiful?

International Cookie Day, Did Ya Know?

Apparently today, March 18, is International Cookie Day. 

Here's the story (as I know it). . .

Last year on March 18, Middle Guy had a cookie in his lunchbag (we typically don't give cookies and lately the school has discouraged any type of "junk food" unless it's someone's birthday.)  His buddy also had a cookie in his lunchbag.  WHAT A COINCIDENCE!!

Well, I guess "said cookies" started a discussion and they boys declared it was International Cookie Day.  One other buddy quickly (and sagely) jumped on the "International Cookie Day" marketing bandwagon. The three boys sold it in to their teacher.  They added banners and bookmarks ... and of course cookies for everyone!

Roll ahead a year.  Second grade now. The three boys sold it in to their new teacher.  She embraced it.  Today, Middle Guy is bringing 26 cookies to class (thanks Granny) ... bookmarks and banners are ready, too.

Happy International Cookie Day everyone!

Licks of Love...

We are getting ready for Little Guy's 6th Bday at the end of this month.  We go "every other year" for a  party.  This is his year.  He picked Pokemon and Pancakes, at home, afterschool on his REAL birthday.  So there you go - Pokemon and Pancakes it is. Little Guy has spoken.

I ordered the Pokemon invites and we just got finished addressing them.  I delegated for him to "lick the envelopes" and then went to make myself a snack.  I turned around about 2 minutes later and he was literally LICKING THE WHOLE ENVELOPES!

I started laughing and he froze. I showed him the sticky part.  Ohhhhh!  Well, that tastes like glue. Euw. 

Hi-lar-i-ous.

10 inches of hair; 14 months of love; Priceless

After H was sick last year, Daughter (as only Daughter can do) decided to grow out her hair to donate.  Basically, she had to grow her hair 8-10 inches long (in a ponytail) and we get it cut off and mail it off.  Six other kids do it and VOILA -- a free, beautiful, loving wig is made for a child who has lost his or her hair to cancer.  A Beau-ti-ful Thing.

Check it out from before to during to after:

 

 

 

Mmm Mmm Ribs!

  

We decided to have an early evening/late afternoon dinner on a recent Sunday.  

I saw a big ol' slab of RIBS at the store (loin, extra meaty, baby back ribs). I've never cooked ribs before but I thought it could be really fun (and knew the pig-o-vores at home would love it!).  PLUS they seemed reasonably priced (12 bucks for the slab?).  I grabbed some boneless, skinless chicken breasts and was on my way.

I roasted the slab in our roaster with a little white wine, a cut-up onion and a quartered lemon at 350 degrees for about an hour.  Then we grilled them with Open Pit BBQ sauce.  OMG. So tender, NOT fatty and so good. We didn't even do a vegetable. Just a plate of meat.  Some days simply require that.

Believe it or not, we had 2 ribs and a quarter of a chicken breast leftover.  H made brown fried rice with it one later night in the week. So good!

Finger-lickin-good.