Girls Night

Last night was 'girls night out' for me and c-girl. We do this about once or twice a month, I take out my daughter and W takes c-boy out on his own. We've been finding a lot of rivalry for my attention and my daughter usually gets the shaft since she's older and can do most things on her own. I, however, was disappointed when I asked her what she wanted to do and her first thought was, "can you buy me something?". Nice. Thats not what these 'girls' nights are for. So I decided to get away from that and just go out to the Town Center Chili's Restaurant and then ice cream afterward.

W thought we were going shopping so he goes to the Town Center... and we end up AT THE SAME PLACE. Okay how much of a girls night out can that be. Because he sees my car - in the parking space he wants - he veers out and ends up at the other end of the Town Center and goes to a different restaurant. How pathetic are we? No, Hawaii is not this small but we are both too lazy to drive out of our tiny town.

All in all we did have fun, eating nachos, talking and giggling and sharing some time. These are the memories I hope to keep in my ever cloudy brain. Why can't they stay this small forever?

Wish Upon a Snowflake

I should have born in another state I think, I am always thinking about cold weather. Wishing it would be a nice brisk morning. Of course this never happens. It gets a bit cooler in December/January but not necessarily cold, not like it used to. So I like to pretend by rearranging the house to look 'fallish'. Yeah, this works. Anyway, to help me along in this silly charade I decided to make Fall Leaves Pancakes this morning. Much to my dismay I cannot find the molds.

So the next best thing...


Snowflake pancakes! Yes, its like 85 degrees out and insane mommy has made Christmas pancakes. Humor me.
The kids love them though, make anything in a cute shape then drown it in butter and syrup and they'll eat it all(unless its veggies).

If anyone knows how to flip the pancake without it getting smeared and very much not looking like the picture on the William Sonoma box please let me know.

Evil Doings

I found this beautiful old Italian bowl at the thrift store yesterday, it was really dusty and neglected when I found it but after a good wipedown it looks much happier. I think I may give it to my mom as part of her b-day present, it looks like something she might like. I do this often, I find something I love and that she would love then when it comes time to give it to her I, uh, go out and get something else for her. Evil daughter. This time I will give it to her. I can't say as much for that set of burgundy Emile Henry mixing bowls that look gorgeous above my cabinet...

Helmet Head

What more can a little boy need. Kickin' it outside with a big ol'power size Jamba (orange dream with immunity boost) and some head protection in case my massive head causes me to fall off the wall.

Just kidding, he was just on his bike...
and look! buried treasure...or an empty can.

I Am Superman, I Can Do Anything

I finally made a blanket for c-boy out of this great vintage baseball material that my great aunt gave me a while back. He loved it, and then he was sad it doesn't have Superman on it ,good grief the boy has a one track mind. He used to love 'Olive the Other Reindeer',and I heart J. Otto Seibold, so I found some great pictures from the book and was going to make prints for his wall. Now of course he only wants Superman. At least my Halloween will be predictable.

Erasure

I am so ridiculously tired, last night after finding the elusive elph I tried to download pics that were in there and accidently erased a bunch of them. I was so upset I couldn't sleep.

All I wanted to do was erase one picture and it started eating up all the pics in the folder that I have been taking the past couple months, as it was doing this I tried to escape or stop it and all I got was, 'you will need to wait as zoombrowser is performing an action' Um yeah, its EATING ALL MY PHOTOS. Zoombrowzer. Try Doombrowzer. Of course it didn't nag me like other programs like 'are you sure you want to do this, you will lose your images FOREVER' kind of warning. No, just gone. Sorry. Nada. 'Nothing left loser', is all I could imagine it saying. I think a few of the good ones I printed and sent to my MIL - I hope.

Poor C-boy he already had way less camera time than C-girl, this just made it worse.

So I kept leaving the bedroom looking for photos I may have printed out from that bunch. I found two. Dorkbrowzer I hate you.

Brusha, Brusha, Brusha

So this is the beautiful Blythe that my cousin sent from Japan. Yes, I found the elph, it was in the car (where all cameras should be) and yes, this is a crappy picture but its 10 p.m. what more can I do?

I will maybe take a better pic as I drink my mocha tomorrow a.m. unless its a mad rush out the door. Then, there will be no blogging, sometimes its a wonder I even remember to brush my hair. Good thing for everyone else I remember to brush my teeth.

While Visions of Gingerbread Men Danced In Their Heads

Well, the Fuji camera still isn't budging. I think its the USB port so I may try and get another one before trying another camera. I also can't find my elph camera, it seems the world is against me. Meanwhile I am missing all kinds of cute pics of my kids. Not really. But its possible.

I got this wonderful recipe from Anna's Schoolhouse blog and it is so yummy and fallish I wanted to share it with you.
Schoolhouse Gingerbread

Combine and beat until smooth:

1 c. sugar
1 c. molasses
1 c. oil
3 eggs

In another bowl mix:

3/4 t. salt
1 t. cloves
1 t. ginger
1 t. cinnamon
2 c. flour
2 t. baking soda

Add to first bowl, then stir in:

1 c. boiling water.

Bake in greased and floured 8x8 pan at 350 for 45 minutes.
After cooled add some whipped cream (or ice cream even better).

My kids were so excited before it came out, then thoroughly disappointed it wasn't gingerbread men. Oh well, tough noogies is all I say. They liked it with whipped cream anyway.

I know, I need them pictures. I will try and find the elph tonight.

Cookie Monster

You Are a Black and White Cookie

You're often conflicted in life, and you feel pulled in two opposite directions. When you're good, you're sweet as sugar. And when you're bad, you're wicked!

What Kind of Cookie Are You?

You Light Up My Life

Good grief. Got no sleep last night. C-boy woke up at 3:30 am screaming and standing up. Apparently, the boy had peed everywhere. I mean its a lot. Gross. Then after cleaning him up and trying to put him on the other end of the bed I try to take the sheet and padded sheet underneath off the bed.

Apparently, the pad is stuck to the foam pad underneath it (which is never taken off- sorry kind of gross I know, but I do change the top sheet, I promise) and when I try to separate it I see a light. Okay, this is weird for me. It lights as I am taking it off. So excited that I have extraterrestrial sheets on my bed I run down to W's office (he starts work on NY time so he is on the computer already) to make him come and see my alien sheets.

At first he can't see anything (has to adjust to the dark, I guess)then he just says "um, static electricity?"

Me "Okay, yes, but isn't that unusual that its lighting up?"
Him "No"
C-boy "WHAAAAT ARE YOU DOOOOOOING, MOOMMMMYYYY WHERE ARE YOU"
C-girl "Is it morning? Can I have pancakes? Did you sign my field trip form?"
Me "Go to bed!"
Him *snicker snicker*

Okay, Mr. Wizard I am not. And yes, family beds do have a huge drawback, especially when your child has just been potty trained.

So no exciting alien discoveries. Mommy tired, kids grouchy when they woke this a.m. Pee everywhere. Lovely Wednesday everybody.

Getting Picky

So the camera, not so good. I will have to try and use my elph at home and hopefully download it there. Crossing fingers.

On a better note our stocks are doing well, so Landscapers here we come! We'll probably call them and they won't be able to come for a few months. By then our stocks will dive and we'll have to postpone. Sorry, ugly yard. Why Miss Pessimistic! How do you turn a happy paragraph immediately into a depressed one?
Takes some talent.

My friend used the same landscapers for her yard. She said just to beware of the huge WWF looking ex-con that picks his nose. As far I can say, he can go to town with it whenever he wants. Just keep it in the yard is all I ask.

Found this recipe card from way back, its so easy and potluck friendly
I will try and posts pics of this over the weekend (camera permitting):

Southwestern Salad

6 cups torn romaine lettuce
1 can (15 oz.) black beans, drained and rinsed
1 cup frozen corn, thawed
3/4 cup salsa
1/2 cup Mexican style shredded cheddar cheese
1/4 cup ranch dressing
1 cup tortilla chips, broken
Arrange lettuce in bottom of glass serving bowl or on serving plate. Layer beans, corn, salsa, and cheese evenly over top. Drizzle with dressing; sprinkle with chips.
Makes 4 servings of 1 and 1/2 cups each.

You can also add avocado and cilantro(cut big for non-cilantro lovers) if desired (i do!)

Doing Little Jig and a Sappy Poem

Well, I wanted post a bunch of stuff but as it is my camera won't download into my computer. Figures. My cousin in Japan sent me a Blythe doll and the cutest Blythe Calendar. I did the happy dance with my daughter, until she realized the doll wasn't for her. Then it seemed like the record screeched to a halt and the crickets chirped in the silence. eek eek eek eek. She wasn't thrilled 'bout that. I will post the pics of Blythe later, she's a doll (get it?)

I also took my munchkins to W's nieces birthday party at a gymnastics place in town. I have had my hunch that my c-boy has very little coordination skills. Its confirmed. I know he's only 2 but my daughter had more hand-eye coordination at that age. Here's hoping that he'll get it together soon, I'd hate to have to play the "well, you're good at math..." card. Maybe W should start teaching him chess, just in case.

Meanwhile I found this poem and thought it was so sweet. Just wanted to share...
Makes me sad to think one day my boy will be big -

Walk a Little Slower, Daddy

"Walk a little slower, Daddy,"
said a little child so small.
I'm following in your footsteps
and I don't want to fall.

Sometimes your steps are very fast,
sometimes they're hard to see;
So walk a little slower, Daddy,
for you are leading me.

Someday when I'm all grown up,
You're what I want to be.
Then I will have a little child
who'll want to follow me.

And I would want to lead just right,
and know that I was true;
So, walk a little slower, Daddy,
for I must follow you.
-Author Unknown

Talent Is As Talent Does

My sister, a professional photographer, and a collegue of hers has a photography exhibit tonite featuring children of underprivledged homes. They go into a low income community and give these kids their own cameras and work with them for a number of weeks. In the end, the kids get their own art show in which prominent people guestspeak and make appearances(sometimes known as shmoozing).

I give my sis props for her hard work, its all non-profit and you can tell it makes the kids feel good when there's usually not a lot to feel good about.

My little brother is in Virginia doing an internship for the CIA (Culinary Institute, NOT Central Intelligence) He's going to be a chef. He's somewhat the screw-up but now he's getting it together, I hope. He's got a total genius brain though, no common sense, but he could retain useless information like I retain water.

It all makes me think, okay, what do I do? Where did all my art/smart genes go? I can do crafts to a point. Easy-peasy stuff. Even then there's often swearing and sweating involved. I can cook. Again, the easy stuff. Nothing Julia about it.

Okay I'll make a list of things I CAN do...

1. I can budget my life to death, W hates that. I try not to anymore, but if I had to I could live on virtually nothing but oatmeal and costco buns in bulk. I've done it before, post-college year living on my own. Yum.
2. I can tell what looks good in a room. Then rearrange it 5 minutes later. Then 5 minutes after that I'll do it again. And again.
3. I can drink A LOT of mocha. Sometimes I can get 2 venti cups in one day. Then actually want another. Its a gift. To my thighs. I think if I did get the 3rd, I'd probably not be able to keep it down. ew.
4. I can do the 'Budgie'. Small inside joke. No, I will not do it again. Ever.
5. I can yell at my kids for the entire night, but I'm so not proud of that.
6. I used to be an o.k. swimmer, back in the day. Even made MVP in my senior year. Get me back in the pool now though, and I probably couldn't outswim my grandma.
7. I can match colors well, this wouldn't be that important except that my sis can't match to save her life. She sticks with the neutrals for a reason.
8. I can spell pretty good. But I have grammar problems. Ya think?
9. I can sing. Just kidding.
10. I'm good at math. Kidding again.

And finally I can make a blog long and boring just because I wanted to get up to 10 things.

So there. Maybe someday I'll find my niche. Until then, I'll keep on keeping on. I'm not complaining in any way, I am very happy where I am and that's what counts. Sometimes there's a good feeling being the middle of the road, no pressure to be ultra-wowing anyone. Not exciting, but I enjoy life nontheless. Its just interesting thinking maybe there's something out there that I'm really good at that I haven't tapped into yet.

Oh well, did I mention the 'budgie'?

The Ice Man Cometh

There was sheer chaos last night. I couldn't find my wallet on my way home from work.

So all these scenarios go through my head, -

-Like I dropped it in my car before I started work and someone from this shady area nabbed it from my car because I didn't lock it.

-Or that weird druggie guy that came in to buy screencloth, the total bill was $6.50. He had to go to the bank machine first to purchase it - how many druggies have money in the bank? He must have seen the wallet on my car seat and took it.

Now I can't find my phone. Iceman took my phone AND my wallet. He can do takeout faster that way I'm sure.

Then the neighbors come over and want to look at our flooring, apparently they are redoing their floors. They bring over their 3 year old and my genius and him are taking out ALL of the toys. Then they leave. Toys...everywhere...help me...

After all this I cook dinner. Its like 8 pm.

Meanwhile my kids are going nuts while I try and put a block on the gazzilion credit cards I have in there. "Excuse me Ma'am can you repeat that 16 digit number for the 3rd time, there's some commotion in the background" Um, yeah, that's my 2 year old screaming, what... the...? Is that ice cream dripping from your head? Genius child put the bowl on his head before finishing his ice cream.

For Pete's sake put it on your head AFTER your done.

By this time W and I are not talking to each other. He has made a stressful situation worse by being grouchy about my irresponsibility. Whatever, that's the least of my problems- SOME METH-HEAD HAS MY PRADA. Irresponsibility be damned.

I find my phone after closer examination of the contents of my purse, its very dark in there. Battery was dead so that would explain it not ringing. Hmmmm. Maybe I should have done that sooner. I'm starting to understand why the genius became that way.

Found the wallet when I came into work this morning.
On my desk.

Laughing at me.

Only this and this made me feel better.

See Me Running Every Night and Day, Spread My Wings and I'll Fly Away

Its a bird, its a plane!

Its towel man!


Pants? Who needs pants when you got a stylin' cape on!

Speaking of capes, or capers for that matter (that didn't flow like I wanted it to), we made apps last night like the ones at Panya Bistro...

Really easy and yummy, just mix dill and garlic powder(to taste)with light or regular cream cheese. Spread on these garlic chips (from costco) or anything similar - I think sliced baguette is best toasted lightly with olive oil. Sliced toasted bagel works well too.
Then pile on the smoked salmon, capers and maui (or sweet) onion. Couple drops of Tabasco (optional).
Sorry the end picture is so blurry, boy do I need a new camera.

And, um yeah, the wine in the picture is optional too...

10 happy things

Some things that made me really happy this weekend - 'cause it was my b-day on Saturday....

1. woke up to breakfast in bed - eggos and eggs.
2. portable ipod speakers from my kids (and W) with homemade card.
3. date nite dinner at Panya Bistro with yummy martinis and wine.
4. dinner at Neonabe - shabu shabu with friends and kids.
5. lunch at Curry House - ok, my life has a lot to do with food...
6. birthday dinner at moms with chocolate pie (with glitter candles), more food and pool time.
7. tickets from my sis and BIL for 'A Praire Home Companion' 'cause I'm nerdy like that.
8. lots of sunshine (and rain too, for my plants).
9. not THAT MUCH fighting from the kids.
10. money from my parents for upcoming VEGAS TRIP...yay!


See, I can do a happy post.

I'm not cool like that

Things went crazy the other night. My daughter was enjoying a soft serve cone from McD and gave a little squeal - of pain. So I immediately drop what I am doing and take a look. There's blood on her ice cream. Gross. So this is where I panic. Something is wrong when you eat ice cream and it makes your mouth bleed. Upon inspection it seems that there's blood all around and coming from her bottom front tooth, is this how it happens? I don't remember this. So of course I call her hygenist(sp?). Like all overly panicked moms do. It helps that she is one of my friends, and of course I'm interrupting dinner for her, but nevermind, its an emergency right?

Okay, not so much.

By this time W is laughing at me. Apparently, sometimes the tooth is loosened quickly and there's lots of blood. This is not in my parent manual.

I am the most not keep your cool mom (in the world according to W).

When my daughter fell and hit her tooth on the tub and it went 90 degrees OUTWARD, I freaked. Seriously freaked. I couldn't calm myself and was holding her crying (yes, I was crying )while my husband read through the kids health book and found he had to snap it back into place. What? I held her and cried until we both fell asleep that night. I, of course just make matters worse when an emergency happens.

When my son fell at ToonTown at Disneyland stepping out of one of those cars and hitting his head I had a cow. This was on W's watch mind you. I was pacing, panicking and on the verge of tears as this huge golfball-cartoon-sized (how appropriate) bulge protruded from his head. The emergency guys took 10 minutes to get to us. This is Disneyland, aren't they supposed to just appear out of nowhere?

Even when my kids were locked in the car with the windows rolled up (yes, bad mommy and daddy) the locksmith was called and in the meantime my husband was trying to get my, at the time, 3 year old daughter to hit the unlock button, talking to her like it was a game so she wouldn't get scared. I was made to stay away from the car because, of course I thought I looked calm, but in fact, had panic-mom all over my face.

I don't think I'm the Rachel Green type mom who calls the Doctor at all hours for a cough, its not like that. I think when my kids have visible pain, blood or fear I go into crazy not-thinking-mommy mode. I can't deal with it.

I'm going to work on that, in the meantime where's my parent manual?

Everything is Beautiful, In Its Own Way

Well, here it is, the ugly yard. Low and behold, can you believe right after I started bitching about the landscapers my husband got out the weed wacker and trimmed the nasty grass and weeds back? Yes, thats right trimmed those weeds. So that they may grow back even stronger. Despite the lack of sprinklerage.

Anyway, doesn't it make you want to strip and roll around on the lovely ground? Watch out for the prickly sleeping grass though. Do you see the little pile of rocks in front left of the flower pots? It's a pile that c-girl and c-boy have made collected from inside the dirt(gotta earn their keep). Keep going guys, theres about 2 million more where that came from.

And wait! What is this? Something special the mason's left!


I bet if you dig deep enough you can find a leftover styrofoam plate lunch that they might have buried. Its a virtual treasure chest I tell you.

So there you have it, don't hate me because my yard is beautiful.

Feelin' Kind of Beanish

I have this recipe that I use on some Sundays that is no fail. That is unless you don't like beans, then never mind. I usually use it to take to the Momsters so that I don't feel guilty for not cooking anything because I basically throw it all into a pot and then stick it in the oven there. It literally takes me about 5 minutes to put together and I always keep the ingredients at hand. Here goes-

Super Easy Baked Beans

2 cans pork and beans (I take out that disgusting gob of pork fat), undrained
1 can of kidney beans, drained
1/4" cup of brown sugar (you can add more if you like it really sweet)
3 T dark Molasses
2 T mustard (dijon or yellow)
1/2 cup ketchup (this is up to you how much, I just squirt until my arm is tired)
About 1/2 cup textured veggie protein (found at most health food stores)I don't even bother reconstituting it, it expands with the rest of the liquids in the bowl(this is optional I just like the extra protein and texture - thus the name, duh)

Thats it, mix in a bakable pyrex or pot that can go in the oven and bake on 375 for 45 minutes.
Its no fail because I have tried other measurements 'cause I have a bad memory, and you know what, for some reason it tastes the same. Thats kind of scary actually. But my dad loves it and my son does too (those who don't like beans will not be converted by it, however, ask my sister). It goes well with bbq chicken or ribs (or shrimp in our case since we don't really eat meat or chicken)

You can mix it up and add other stuff before baking if you want and aren't as lazy as me:
- brown some ground turkey or beef and chopped onion
- fry and crumble some bacon

I'll post a picture later on, you know I do most of this crap at work and I sure as hell can't take a picture here. I'm lucky if I do any work here.

I edited, this -its supposed to be brown sugar NOT regular sugar - sorry!

Renovation

Okay, so Nonnahs suggested I post pics of a recent renovation I've had, (the one that ruined my already ugly yard) so these are some very badly taken pictures from last night(you would never know that my sis is a professional photographer - she got all the photo taking genes)- I hope you can't see that there are dishes in the sink - seriously didn't look before I took these at 11:00 :) - not that I would have rushed over and washed them anyway...


I have no before renovation pics, the only thing I can say is that the old kitchen ended about two feet after the sink. After that it was wall and ugly (but not as ugly as it is now) backyard. The dining area is where the back yard was too. The opposite side of the kitchen is a sitting area and then W's office and the other side of the dining room (which is right past the kitchen) is the t.v. room. We have another living room but thats used mostly for the kids toys and my sewing crap. I have some redecorating and furniture buying to do eventually, it looks quite plain when I look at these pictures, I had big plans, just too lazy and child bogged at the moment...

We did have a big back yard and now its just a small lanai with furniture and grill, and behind the house is a terrace that I can garden. It works out well that way since W is yard challenged and it looked like hell anyway. I can't blame him too much since he did redo the yard 3 times and the masons screwed it over big time. The funny thing is that he refuses to turn on the sprinkler - for fear of watering the weeds. Its true, I kid you not. So what grass that did survive the mason's beating is drying from this lovely summer heat. Those damn landscapers better be here soon. I'll post pics of the ugly yard when I have time during the day.