TheNotSoDesperateHousewife

Kefir

2011-02-22T08:41:00.000-08:00

I recently (this past weekend) started culturing Kefir. I have heard of the benefits for a while, (try googling Kefir, or look HERE) and a friend cultures her own. In fact, she has "converted" several mutual friends to drinking Kefir.

If you have never heard of Kefir, it is cultured milk. You can drink it plain (I haven't yet, though I tasted the yogurt-kefir I made, and it is fantastic), or in fruit smoothies (our choice thus far). You start with Kefir grains (which are a cellulose compound of bacteria, yeasts in a complex matrix of sugars, proteins and lipids) that looks somewhat like translucent cauliflower. You simply place the Kefir grains in a clean glass jar, pour fresh organic milk over them, and let it sit at room temperature for anywhere from 12-48 hours. I cover mine with a clean towel, so bugs don't get in, but have also sealed in a glass jar - sealing causes a fizzy, effervescent effect: makes our smoothies "sparkly". Each morning, I strain the kefir grains out, put them in a clean jar, and pour fresh milk over them, for a new batch. We then use thestrained kefir as outlines above. Any remaining kefir can be stored int he fridge, in either glas, or non-leaching plastic, free of toxic chemicals.

Handsome Buffalo was ready to try anything - he's become lactose intolerant recently, and the Kefir grains break down and partially digest the lactose (from my online reading), helping correct lactose intolerance. In fact, my wonderful friend has assured me that he will eventually be able to drink regular milk, as long as he continues kefir, to keep his gut balanced.

The kids were less enthusiastic. They both refused it at first. I simply ignored them and drank my smoothie, declaring it to be (truly) delicious. I put the remaining smoothie in the fridge for later.

That evening, I decided to drink more of the smoothie. This time, MiniMe was curious, so I gave her a very tiny bit. I did not want to waste my new treat, after all. She made a face at first, then broke into a smile, and asked for more. I filled her teacup, and she drank every bit. LittleBit became somewhat curious at this point, and, as she often does, decided she wanted to follow her sister’s footsteps. So I poured her a tiny amount, which she loved, and then some more.

MiniMe has declared kefir smoothies to be “even better than tortellini” (her until-now-favorite-food).

I am going to start looking for a source of raw milk, but for now am using organic store-bought milk (which we’ve been drinking since the kids were born).

Zoku

2010-10-02T07:08:00.000-07:00

Have you seen THIS? The Zoku QuickPop Maker. Here's the Video (it does work, despite the comment to the contrary)

I think I know what Santa will be bringing us this year.....

Yes, I covet

2010-10-01T18:23:00.000-07:00

I covet the Para P10-45. I covet a fence, so the kids can play out back without me next to them every minute.

And now, I covet Sarah's phone. Samsung Fascinate. Crap. I just killed my verizon contract, and was eligible for New every 2 on BOTH lines. Crap.

2010-10-01T13:04:00.000-07:00

Who would have thought I'd be a Happy Home-schooler? Not me.... but it's true, I am.

Most of you know the drama we've gone through with our neighborhood school - a school we chose FIRST, then found the house (in our case, bought the lot and had it built, to be near the school). I won't re-hash all of that here, but suffice to say, my child's needs were not being met. She was bored, frustrated with waiting for the others to catch up, and generally being taught to accept less. Because apparently, not "rocking the boat" is more important than LEARNING, and excellence is a foreign concept.

SO, this year, we embarked on a home-school partnership. Specifically the k12 curriculum through Colorado Virtual Academy (COVA). I am the "learning coach", and the girls share a homeroom teacher (a LOVELY woman, who has helped us more in a matter of weeks, than the old school did in TWO YEARS). The curriculum is excellent, the lesson plans well written, and since we are public school, the girls will have transcripts, like any other school. We also have the same testing, etc. So I can compare apples to apples, when determining if this method is working.

The first day was scary. VERY bad. A combination of the OLS crashing ("On-Line School" - where we log in to see the daily plan, mark attendance, and correspond with the teacher, among other things), the kids not wanting summer to end, one child having never done "school" before, etc. Only the fact that the two preceding years were a COMPLETE disappointment kept me going that day. The next day was better. And so on.

We've had a couple of rough days, had a few that have made me wonder how I will be able to give them the education I am trying to, when they fight actually sitting down and getting the work done, etc. All along, though, I see great improvements:

My kids are actually LEARNING. I meant REALLY learning, not just sitting there filling in busy work that is beneath them, for the sake if classroom management.
I know what they did today; instead of trying to drag it out of them, I am right there, and see it all (I was putting in many hours each week volunteering in the classroom, but even MY efforts then had to be divided amongst other children).
I can then incorporate our daily activities into the lesson; when we drive somewhere, I hand MiniMe a map, and have her "navigate". When we pass road construction, we compare it to the methods used in ancient Rome.
My kids work at their own pace. Sometimes that means more time to complete a difficult task; more often than not, it means vaulting ahead. LittleBit will finish her Kindergarten Math before Christmas, and move on to First grade math. No egos here, no red tape, no one telling me I am abusing my kids by letting them move ahead, at THEIR pace....... because all COVA seems to want is what *I* want - to help my children learn and master each skill, then move on.

I overheard a conversation the other day, wherein a mother said, "I am not raising doctors and lawyers; they don't need to excel in math, just finish it". How sad for those children, that they already have 2 careers removed from their possibilities. Simply because their mother wanted to "get done with" the math, rather than go in depth and push them to conquer it. So lest you misunderstand, my children aren't rushing, they are simply moving at their own pace; and they are thriving. I saw MiniMe becoming bored, frustrated, and lazy at the old school. Never having to try hard at anything (because nothing was ever hard for her), she learned to dislike the WORK of it all.

Now, I see her reaching for more, learning to push herself, and taking delight in her sister's progress, as well. We still have ground to make up, with regards to changing her feelings about education, but we are getting there!

I may NOT be raising lawyers, I may NOT be raising doctors. But I am giving them the chance to become WHATEVER they want. The point is, it will be THEIR choice, not mine. And EVERY choice will still be available for THEM to make. BECAUSE MY JOB IS TO TEACH THEM, to push them, to ready them for the work it takes to achieve their dreams......

And giving them the wings to "get there".

Pain relief

2010-09-02T06:58:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to tell you about something that has completely changed my quality of life. I'm not selling anything, just sharing information. (some of you know pieces of this, but not the whole thing).

For quite some time, I have been dealing with knee pain (most of my life, as you all know, but worse in the last few years). Meds don't help, exercise made it worse, etc. My left knee has been nearly twice the size of my right for at least the past three years. I have also had other all-over-body pain, to the point where I would cry if Dan hugged me too hard, and was being told by several people I might have fibromyalgia.

Went to a doctor who was only interested in giving me narcotics, not finding the source and actually fixing it. Actually seemed angry that I refused them.

So, I went on a radical diet, gave up starches, sugars, and refined foods of any kinds,etc.

Lost 30 lbs, which was nice (I will soon start another round of the diet, since I have much more to lose). Fibromyalgia-type pain went away. If I have sugars and refined/processed foods, that pain comes back, as does the restless leg syndrome. So I avoid those foods, but my joints were still hurting and still swollen. No increase in mobility.

Then I read an article about tart cherries, and their effect on inflammation an arthritis pain. I'd read before that cherries and pineapple were good for joint health, but neither made a huge difference for me. In the article, it specifically stated "TART cherries". Pie cherries. So I bought some tart cherry capsules from Whole Foods (Vitamin Cottage and others also carry them). I started with two a day, in the morning. Noticed within 1-2 days that my pain was greatly diminished. Started taking 2 more capsules in the evening. My pain in my knees (the arthritic pain) WENT AWAY. The swelling WENT AWAY (took about 2 weeks for all the swelling to be gone). My knees match again. I can walk without pain (spent three hours at the State Fair the other night, and didn't even THINK about my knees, I felt so good).

I also chased my kids around the yard, and yes, RAN. And even jumped. The kids are shocked, because I haven't been able to do either of those things, well....... EVER in their lifetimes.

Anyway, just wanted to share that with anyone in chronic pain.

This is absolutely the most AMAZING thing I have ever seen.

2009-02-18T08:00:00.000-08:00

The applications are unlimited:

Overheard

2008-10-05T07:58:00.000-07:00

MiniMe: "LittleBit, let me smell your armpits. I need to see if they are stinky."

LittleBit: "I'm not stinky"

MiniMe: " I need to smell if you're stinky".

MiniMe apparently smells LittleBit's (freshly bathed, and too young to stink) armpits, and screams, "EEEWWWWWWW, your armpits are stinky. I'd better put some deodorant on them".

LittleBit: "Let me smell your armpits." (smells MiniMe 's freshly bathed, and too young to stink armpits) "EEEWWWWWW, you need deodorant".

Back and forth while they clearly have found my deodorant, and are having a ball.

I've been tagged

2008-09-08T14:25:00.000-07:00

I was tagged by roundtuit. (one of my oldest, dearest friends! Not that I am calling us OLD; we've known each other since Jr. High! GO Tigers!!)

The rules:
1. Link the person who tagged you.

2. Mention the rules on your blog.

3. Tell about 6 unspectacular quirks you possess.

4. Tag 6 following bloggers by linking them.

5. Leave a comment on each of the tagged blogger’s blogs letting them know they’ve been tagged.

Six UNspectacular quirks? hmmm... here goes!

1. I can pinch things with my toes (do "talents" count as quirks?). I have been able to all my life. I take it for granted, really, and often forget. Unless I need to pick something up, like a sock on the floor. I use my toes to pick it up, because my knees hurt, and it beats bending. HandsomeBuffalo laughs, and thinks it's soooo weird. THen I remember and pinch him. MiniMe can sometimes pick up socks, but LittleBit, she's REALLY got the toes. She can do everything I can do, and she's not yet three. Of course, my sister, Sailorgal, beats us all - she used to hold a brush in her feet, and brush her hair with it, just for fun.

2. I can turn my tongue upside-down, in either direction, tie cherry stems, form a flower, etc. One of my many "stupid pet tricks" (like toe-pinching, above). MiniMe definitely inherited this one. She can even do a "near" flower - much younger than I knew they existed.

3. I am a reformed Obsessive-Compulsive. At least, I CLAIM to be reformed. HandsomeBuffalo says I have a LONG way to go, to get rid of my OCD. I remind him how bad I used to be, and he concedes the point.........

4. I LOVE rain. L-O-V-E LOVE. It was on my secret list of ways I'd know my "prince". He'd kiss me in the rain. I had boyfriends who never kissed me in the rain, even when I asked, and boyfriends who never kissed me at all. A few who thought it was weird I even LIKED rain. And one I definitely suspect would have melted, or something (he was rather evil, and has probably returned to his underworld home, long ago, lol). HandsomeBuffalo, on the other hand, took me for walks in the rain (he didn't even know my secret obsession), sat in porch swings smelling the rain with me, and even dragged me out in the middle of a near-monsoon just to kiss me in the rain, when we were still dating. Not only was he literally everything else I ever wanted/needed (and more), but the whole rain-kissing-thing sealed the deal! Call me silly, but there it is!

5. I hate mess. Now, before any of my siblings call me to remind me what a horribly messy room I ALWAYS had, I admit it's true. But it made me cranky. I hate clutter, I hate mess, and I REALLY HATE germs (see, OCD again). In the new house, this is mostly under control, but there are still boxes in the garage that need to be dealt with. I have been an unpacking FIEND, and have most of what we really ened already unpacked and put away. I keep telling HansomeBuffalo we should just let them all go out to ARC, and not even LOOK in them. If we haven't needed it yet, I don't want it!! And the baby clothes, maternity clothes, and all the peripheral accoutrement..... I would much rather just agree we are done, so I can let all that clutter go as well. And then I remember there is something I am still looking for (like my awesome cutting board, and the dish drainer I finally gave up and replaced), and I sigh, and resolve to at least unpack a few more before giving up. And to have the kids give aawy at least a third of their toys to charity, before moving more into the house.

6. I love getting a GREAT deal! I have a couch and chair n my living room, purchased for $25 (total), that was almost BRAND NEW, because I was in the right place at the right time. I just purchased a refrigerator from a big-box store, for almost less than THEY paid for it (and several hundred below the list price), and I find great deals on Freecycle and Craigslist all the time. In fact, I almost don't like something if I have to pay full-price for it. But I am NEVER rude or greedy about it, and never insult people with a low-ball offer. Once in a while, I just know what to ask, and when to ask it. I've gotten some lemons, but quickly been rid of them. And I have found some SERIOUS diamonds in the rough! And if I won the lottery tomorrow, there's not much I would change or replace.

Hmmmm.... so now I will go tag:

Tammy
Wupwo
nateandmiranda
CB

hmmm.... other than MY tagger, those are the only bloggers I know, lol!
I guess I will tag roundtuit right back!

AT LONG LAST - an update!!

2008-09-04T13:21:00.000-07:00

Well, we are in our house - we finally closed 3 weeks ago (Aug 13), after several days of homelessness. Gotta love incompetent loan processors who lose paperwork, don't follow up on anything, return calls, etc. Let's just say it was a NIGHTMARE, and we were glad to finally close, move in, and be reunited with the kids (whom I sent to live with my sister V for a few days, so they would not be homeless and stressed with us)!!!

It took about 4 days to feel like human beings again, and recover the lost sleep of our real moving day, etc. But we quickly got into a rhythm of work/unpacking/MiniMe's school, etc. Making new friends, meeting our neighbors, and getting a feel for the area.

On Labor Day, Dh had the day off (YAY!!!), so we did some household shopping, had lunch at Subway (MiniMe's choice), and went to the State Fair. I got a bit sunburned, but we had a LOT of fun! LittleBit was mad because she "didn't get to ride EVERY ride", MiniMe was THRILLED about the ones she DID ride.

MiniMe just started soccer last night. Ran her heart out, but was running funny. I asked her why, and she said her pinky toe hurt in her cleats. So we took her to get her feet measured. DUH!! Her shoes are size ONE, her feet are size TWO!! She went up 2 sizes.....and I should have realized, since it's been a year since she last played!! The instant she had the RIGHT SIZE on, she danced for joy, shouting, "My pinky toes don't hurt!!!" I told her it's OK to tell me her shoes are too small!! No "Mother of the Year Award" for me this year................. and I was *THIS* close!

Dh's broken toe is still hurting (did I tell you he stubbed it on some furniture, and broke HIS pinky toe?). And the other day, his store did 800 "scripts" (by the time he went home; there were MANY more after he left!)....his old store in Metroville did 150 in a whole day! He was on his feet 10 hours, without even one break, or a chance to sit down. It was CRAZY! He should only have been there for 8 hours, but couldn't leave the other pharmacist like that. SO he has to talk with the district office, about getting paid those 2 hours. Yesterday was his day off. I was going to have him move furniture, but felt sorry for him, and let him take a long bath, instead.

I am slowly but surely getting the house pulled together. We bought a couple mattresses yesterday, and some more curtains. Still have wrapping paper on the girls' windows (we will have to special order blinds, because of the window dimensions, so it's not a high priority right now), but they have cute sparkly purple sheers over that now, lol. I really am enjoying all the “housework”. My sisters used to laugh at me when I said I LIKE cleaning. The last few years, it's just been overwhelming; with 4 of us in such a small space, and all the junk we've been storing (baby clothes for "what if", etc). This house isn't too big to clean, yet it's plenty big enough to organize, and with Dh working so much, I can just get rid of junk as I see fit (rather than waiting for his OK - though HIS stuff, I set aside with a deadline for organizing/purging). And having an actual office has made ALL the difference! Anyway, I am enjoying cleaning house again. There is a TON of work to do, but the girls are a help from time to time, and my vacuum is really FUN to use, lol - it's a very good vacuum, and gets things really clean. And sleeping in a clutter free room (after years of being surrounded by storage boxes) is the MEANING OF LIFE. I get much better sleep now. If I *EVER* complain about my house, smack me!

And LittleBit is still content to be glued to Mom or MiniMe, at any given moment, but makes it clear she LOVES her Daddy, too!! She sings, "Oh My Darlin, Clementine" ALL the time, it's soooo cute and funny!!

And they are laying natural gas lines on our street, as we speak; just a couple more weeks, and no more propane!!

Hope you are all well and happy, and that Life is moving in a positive direction!!!

HE IS LICENSED!!!!

2008-08-06T18:47:00.001-07:00

Dh's Pharmacist license finally came through TONIGHT!

Lots of roller-coastering, etc., of which I will spare you. Suffice to say, it was down to the wire.

And now we're holding our breath that the bank will get all their stuff done first thing tomorrow, so we can close Friday.

I am sooo excited!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The wait is KILLING ME!

2008-08-04T12:28:00.001-07:00

Still no word from the State. I really REALLY wish they'd get it together already. DH's test scores were transmitted ELECTRONICALLY over a week ago, yet his license has still not been processed (another ELECTRONIC process).

I am seriously going nuts waiting, and worrying we won't close on the house this week.

:(

Funny craigslist posts...... again

2008-07-28T18:08:00.000-07:00

You know, the funny posts on craigslist never end.

Here are 2 from the pets section. The first........

help me find a good home

Date: 2008-07-27, 9:09PM MDT

Good home needed for my husband. I hate to give him up but i don't think it's fair to leave him at home all alone all day while i work.
he is current on all vaccinations and knows how to sit, stay, and lay down (he's actually quite good at those things)he is not neutered but i would consider doing this if you could provide him a good home. I wont lie, he does frequently make messes in the house, but usually does it in the same spot so maybe you could train him to do it outside if you had the time. he is not good with children and probably should be an only pet, but will be completely devoted to you if you just feed him and give him what he wants. I am asking for a small rehoming fee of 50,000.$ just to cover what i've already spent on him.
if it sounds like you may be able to give him a good home, please reply to this email. he doesn't work so he will be able to respond to your inquiry quite quickly. Please note that he will come with all his basic supplies (motorcycle, Large over expensive pickup and of course his giant ego)
Thanks for Looking, and hopefully I will hear from someone soon

and the reply

re: help me find a good home

Date: 2008-07-27, 9:33PM MDT

I may be interested in providing a home for your husband. I would like to know if he can perform any tricks(?) The messes don't bother me if he is a working breed and can fetch the bread. It is also important that he be non-aggressive as I can't tolerate this type of behavior. If not would you be upset if he ends up in the compost pile with my last one?

Sugar High

2008-07-28T10:40:00.001-07:00

Caught the girls eating sugar. Not sugary food, just SUGAR. Out of the bag.

LittleBit (my 2 year old, mind you, and this is a direct quote) said :

"well, my tummy said it wanted sugar, so I fed it some sugar. and it liked the sugar, so it said, "Mmmm, thanks for the sugar". And then I said, "Oh, You're welcome"."

(The "experts" say she might string together 3-5 words any day now......)

Our kitchen

2008-07-26T07:55:00.000-07:00

We took the base kitchen, then extended the outside wall 10 feet, to give us a covered patio. Moved the living room wall to split the difference between the two (the model's kitchen was way too small for my tastes).

We ended up with more cabinet space on ONE WALL (the common wall between the living and kitchen), than we have in our entire kitchen currently. Thanks in part to the upgrade to 42" cabinets throughout. This is seriously my dream kitchen!!!!

Yes, Virginia, we HAVE a close date!!

2008-07-25T20:55:00.001-07:00

Went down to see the house today. Had our builder meet us there, in case there were any "issues", so we could discuss them right away....... and this is what we found (more continued below). As you can see, there are no issues!! We love it!!!

Next week, our builder will get a camera crew in, to do a virtual tour before we close. WHen they do, I will link to it. Because THESE pictures just don't do it justice:

OH - and we close in TWO WEEKS!!!!! YIPPEEE!!!!!!!!!

Yes, Virginia, we HAVE a close date!! part 2

2008-07-25T20:51:00.000-07:00

MiniMe is growing up too fast!

2008-07-08T16:16:00.000-07:00

She's now lost 5 teeth (go HERE for pics) . The first one last September (she turned 5 a month later), the second shortly thereafter..... and three in a week (2 weeks ago). So cute, and she's had so much fun playing with them.

LittleBit woke up during the night MiniMe lost 2 in the same day, and asked me, "Mommy, is [MiniMe] going to pull all of MY teeth out next, so the Tooth Fairy will give her more money?"

According to "development experts", she may start stringing three words together to make a simple sentence, any day. Three, you say???? Yeah, I always knew my kids were geniuses!!

Ah, the JOY of BUILDING a house.....

2008-07-08T15:59:00.000-07:00

Got a call last week from the Builder's office..... we're closing the first or second week of August. Yep, that's the original close date (August 11). Oh well, as long as we don't close LATER (school starts the following week!!!).......

And the State has been dragging their heels on submitting HB's paperwork, for the national licensing exam. Others have received their go-ahead, but his case manager (or whatever the heck the job title is) claims he submitted approval "weeks ago" - turns out he didn't really submit it until last week. NO IDEA why it took him a MONTH to check the "approved" box. So we're still in limbo (unlicensed), so HB can't start his job...... He's working, but at half salary, and as a glorified tech in the meanwhile.......

Times like these remind you that everything happens for a reason. If the house were as far ahead of schedule as we'd been told, we wouldn't be able to close, because of the delays in licensing. If the license wasn't being delayed, HB would have to travel as soon as he is licensed, or to stay on a couch in P-town, until the house was done and we could move down there. It will all work out, I am sure, but I am getting tired of waiting, LOL!!

The painters were delayed, because there was a problem with the drywall. The tile guy can't work until the painters are done, the cabinets can't go in until the tile is down, etc.......

That ate up about 2 weeks of time. And when we went down on Sunday, we discovered one of the doors is hung wrong: instead of opening from the laundry INTO the rest of the house, it swings into the laundry room, which will make it collide with the garage door, and they will BOTH block the bathroom door. Took a couple of back and forth calls with the builder to explain what was wrong, and that we want it like it is on the PLANS..... once he understood, he of course agreed to take a look, and get it fixed. Ah..... another delay.

Handsome Buffalo tells me not to worry. I just want to get into the house!!

Here are the latest pictures. Drywall done, walls primed, trim painted, a coat of stucco on (and some guy named "Fransisco" signed his name in the stucco. I am FAIRLY CERTAIN his autograph will not still be on the house at closing.......)

Ahead of schedule?!?!?!

2008-06-28T13:04:00.000-07:00

We're supposedly 3 1/2 weeks ahead of schedule. Spoke with the builder today, and was told again, that we are ahead of schedule. Asked if he had a rough estimate of when we might close, and he said "I don't really know, without looking in my book (he wasn't in the office), but I think 6 weeks".

6 weeks from now is our original close date. SO It seems we are on schedule, not ahead. He'll call me Monday with better info.

Ah well...... even the original close date is ok. I am just anxious to get in, and got my hopes up!!!

Death by Tacos - a restaurant review

2008-06-25T12:17:00.000-07:00

Once upon a time, back in the Stone age (20 years ago), my Handsome Buffalo worked in a very fine eating establishment. Some of you Metro Natives may have eaten there. It is known as......... Taco House. For years, I have heard stories, both from HB, and his sister, of their work experiences there, during their formative years (HB started working there when he was 13).

For years, HB and SIL have tried to get me to eat there. For years (nearly 12), I have refused. I have gone so far as to pick up a "to-go" order from SIL, but, well..... let's just say this is NOT a place for someone who values their intestinal Health. Makes the BIG "taco chain" seem like a world class, 5 star, gourmet restaurant. Having worked for the BIG Taco Chain in my youth, I certainly have no desire to eat in a place that is so drastic a decrement. And I thought that was the end of it.

Well, just the other day, Handsome Buffalo needed me to prove my love for him. He desperately wanted us, as a family, to go to Taco House for dinner. I could see how much it meant to him, and convinced myself to not be such a Food Snob, and let him have his tacos.

Now, don't get me wrong. I can eat tacos. I love homemade tacos, ADORE Del Taco tacos, and even eat at the BIG Taco Chain from time to time. But Taco House has never interested me. Kind of in the same way bamboo under the fingernails just doesn't sound like fun.

but I L-O-V-E Love my Handsome Buffalo. And he spoils me constantly, rarely asking for anything in return. Therefore, I really had no alternative but to smile, and not say anything alarming to the children, about what we were going to experience. And hey, I could be wrong, and they could be really good - after all, I had never eaten there, so how did I know?

We sat down, and I told myself the shabby building was not relevant - there's a place in P-town called Nachos that looks like a real dive, and is actually fantastic!

We placed our orders, and I chose Three Guacamole Tostadas. Tostadas are safe. You cannot mess them up if you try. And I LOVE guacamole.

And now I stand corrected. You CAN mess up tostadas. Especially when your guacamole comes from a #10 can, that was most likely opened in 1982. It SMELLED. And not in a good way. I kept my composure and took a bite anyway. Worse than it smelled. Luckily, the cook messed up and only made one tostada, rather than the three I'd ordered. I forced a second bite. THen I could go no further. So I stole a bite of LittleBit's taco. I think it was even worse. MiniMe ordered Nachos. I think the Nacho Cheese was opened before the guacamole.

I was nice, I didn't say a word to the girls, and didn't give my full opinion until after the meal. The girls each took one bite, and no more. And while they can be picky (as children often are), that wasn't the case this time. They literally tried, and could not force themselves to do it - and they had no idea, at this point, that I felt the same way.

HB ordered a smothered burrito. And a "queso chip" - that's a tostada shell spread with Nacho cheese. Even he had to admit the food was not good. He told MiniMe we would go to the grocery store and get some ingredients for real nachos.

I took the girls to the car, and HB stood in line to pay for our meal. He then came out, and we headed to the store. Within a few minutes, he started complaining of a sore stomach. Bordering on nausea.

As with most things, it was one of those, "gee, this seemed so great when I was a kid, but is a disappointment now" kind of thing.

But I gotta hand it to them. The place was PACKED. They have been (according to the printed menus) in business 49 years. They must be doing something right.

Of course, most of their clientele were clearly Walmartians, so that may explain it...........

Seems like yesterday...... forever

2008-06-23T06:48:00.000-07:00

Handsome Buffalo and I celebrated our 11th Anniversary over the weekend. It seems like we have been together FOREVER (in a good way, lol). And it also seems like it was just yesterday.

I love my wonderful husband. Every day, I appreciate him more. I truly think the world would be a better place, if more men were like him!!

Holy Drywall, Batman!!

2008-06-13T07:26:00.000-07:00

So, since the last time we saw the house (and the plumbing was nearly finished), the crews have been hard at work doing the following:

finishing up the plumbing
electrical, including a few things we added (outlets in the soffits for Christmas lights, 220 outlet in the garage, some extra outlets in closets and master bath, as well as the laundry room....)
Insulation
Septic system is in and finished!
and yes, we have DRYWALL!!!

All in the last 2 weeks. The drywall guy will be back today to tape and mud, etc.

The monkeys didn't want to go: MiniMe whined "it's too far to drive" (it is two hours from our current house, after all). We promised to bring the portable DVD player, and our latest Netflix loaner - The Bridge to Terabithia (awesome movie, btw). When I plugged the car adapter into the car, after we were on the road..... it blew the fuse. My wonderful and handsome hubby stopped at a hardware store for more fuses - and they strangely didn't have the one we needed. So we drove onward, and the monkeys surprised us by being happy anyway. (they aren't used to movies in the car, so we worried that the promise, and then reneging of such a special treat, would cause anarchy - not so!!)

In the end, they had so much fun walking through the house (and picking their bedrooms, lol), that even after an hour, they didn't want to leave!!

Our real estate agent (who is wonderful, btw - anyone in P-town need one?) wanted to see the house too, so we had him meet us there.

The house looks great, aside from the requisite dust and mess of drywalling!!!

My bathroom:
Living room:
Master bedroom:
secondary bedrooms:
Handsome Buffalo in the garage:

And here's our ginormous garage, in all it's glory - well, MOST, anyway - I forgot my camera (yes, I know, how dumb is that???), and my phone only records 10 seconds of video.

Yes, folks, this is a 1200 square foot garage. That's bigger than the whole house we are living in now. Insane? Well, it was the cheapest thing we added, actually! And we certainly won't need anything bigger......ever.

MiniMe and LittleBit do a little gardening

2008-06-10T15:09:00.000-07:00

new family pics, for those "in the loop". you know how to find them, right?

if not, click Here for a hint.......

The rooster post - craigslist funny

2008-06-06T12:56:00.000-07:00

Free Rooster

Date: 2008-05-22, 9:36AM MDT

Hello, we have a year old, large white rooster that we need to be rid of. He is a Leghorn, maybe about 8 pounds. I would not suggest him as a pet because he recently started attacking. He doesn't have spurs, only nubs, but enough to bruise my leg. Anyhow, I think he would make a fantastic Memorial Day barbecue. We can't do it, we aren't country enough. But if this is right down your alley, please come pick him up. I'm afraid you'll have to catch him because I won't go in their pen anymore. If it's after 5, my husband can help. I would go out and take a picture, but I'd rather have you imagining him rotating on a rotisserie. (Sorry, but I've built up some resentment). Email for directions.

I love those crazy Craigs-listers!!

2008-06-06T12:55:00.000-07:00

Did I post the Rooster one yet? I'll find that for you. Until then.......

Free Dog!!

Date: 2005-01-28, 4:33PM EST

Free dog. This is a smallish yet loud dog. It is not small enough to fit in your purse, but who the fuck are you kidding, you're no Paris Hilton. Sizewize, it is somewhere between the Taco Bell dog and Benji. It is brown and white, or possibly just white but dirt caked. I think it's about a year old. I think that because it's been about a year since I've been able to sleep past 6:30am without being awakened by the barks of a meduim sized dirty dog. I don't know that it knows any tricks, but it is very skilled at shitting in my yard and barking incessantly. I think it is a boy dog, but I only think this because the owner of said dog is a misogynistic, wife beating dirt bag, and I can't imagine that he'd have a girl dog, but I could be wrong about that. I've never gotten close enough to the dog to check out its goods, so if gender is a deal breaker for you, you might want to pass on this one. I don't know this dog's name, but I can tell you that it does not answer to "@#*&@*$^&$#tPuhleeezeShutThe&$#*&Up!!!" If you're looking for a dog with that name, than this is not the dog for you.
The one tricky part about this transaction is that technically, this is not my dog. In fact, there is no "technically" about it, this is definitely not my dog. This rank creature belongs to my next door neighbor, The King of Rank Creatures. What makes this whole scenario feasible is that said next door neighbor has the disposition of a drunken Boo Radley, and will almost certainly not even realize or care that you are in his yard stealing his dog. Also, as the next door neighbor, I will provide excellent look out skills.

No givebacks.

this is in or around Abington

more pics from most recent update....

2008-06-02T14:48:00.000-07:00

back porch - ready for stucco, and for the patio to be poured!

Living room - looking at front door.

Snake in the Grass - and an UPDATE.

2008-05-29T20:07:00.000-07:00

We were cleaning up our backyard - pulling grass out of the flowerbeds, trimming bushes, yanking out the bamboo creeping over from the neighbor's yard....

And we saw a garden snake - so cute, quite long. It tried to get away, and we backed off, then it got into strike position. We let MiniMe and LittleBit stand with us where they could see it, but stay far enough back not to threaten it. Had a nice little talk about snakes, and snake safety. Timing's just right - we may have LOTS of snakes to deal with in the new place.

SPEAKING of the new place, here are more pictures!!!

Here's my new tub!!

Front of the house - ready for stucco, and the roof is finished!!!

Bay window in the dining room - I forgot to take a picture of the cool door leading to the porch - as a builder incentive, we were able to get the kind with the blinds built in - between the panes of glass.

Here's where the kitchen sink will be. I also saw the drawings of the kitchen layout, sent over by the cabinet guy - my kitchen is going to be so big, I won't be able to fill it! Big change from the overcrowded mess we have now!

I love my fireplace. It will be great for stockings, and will really make a statement in the family room!!

The house is coming along so quickly, we may be able to move in much sooner than anticipated!! ANd it's so well-built, we may never leave!!!! If anyone is planning on moving to Ptown, let me know, I'll gladly introduce you to my builder!

What children see

2008-05-19T09:05:00.000-07:00

This is something that was forwarded to me today. Made me cry. So I thought I'd make you cry too. It always amazes me to see adults misbehaving, and not understanding what they are teaching their children.

Our big surprise

2008-05-14T06:49:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we went to P-Town to pick our cabinets, counters, flooring, etc. Our awesome builder set aside the whole day so he could have us meet the three different vendors, see the job site, and choose everything at once, since it's a 2 hour drive for us. We left MiniMe and LittleBit with my sister for the day, so they could play with cousins, rather than be frustrated at all the back and forth, driving, and "boring stuff". Not remotely boring for me - I LOVED choosing all the colors and textures for my new house!!!

We started with carpet, tile, etc, then went to see the house. Our builder mentioned an issue with the windows, but told us it would be taken care of before we came down again. I asked him if that meant the house was framed already - he replied, "not really".

So imagine our surprise when we saw this:

Back of the house:

Front of the house:

How Firm a Foundation

2008-05-14T06:38:00.000-07:00

We had to register MiniMe for school. So we went down to NewTown, to submit all the required documents. Turned out, her pediatrician hadn't yet had time to fax her immunization records (and I couldn't find my copy before we left town), so we had to wait. We decided to go see our "house", and discover what (if anything) had been done.

We were pleasantly surprised to find the foundation done and cured, and the floor trusses in!!

Self-cleaning toddlers

2008-04-22T12:17:00.000-07:00

Well, LittleBit surprised me yesterday. After a couple months of very laid-back "do you want to sit on the potty chair?" (we haven't pushed, because she's had constipation issues for so long, and hasn't seemed interested).......

Yesterday morning, when she woke up, she told me "no more diapers, I want panties". So I put her in panties, thanking the powers that be for hardwood floors, since she would surely be soiling them any minute.

She has been using the potty and staying dry ever since. Yep, LittleBit potty-trained herself. All on her own. Not too shabby. Her sister was trained at 2 1/2 as well, but it had been after several months of trying.

Can it really be this simple???

I LOVE MY BATHTUB - and I haven't even used it yet!

2008-04-18T08:11:00.000-07:00

I can't wait to use my bathtub. I ordered it Friday. It will take about 4 weeks to make it, and then I have to wait until my house is built, to actually use it, LOL. The company that makes it will hold it for up to 6 months, before shipping. My house should be done by the beginning of August, and my builder has promised me two-weeks lead-time, to notify the tub company (to ship it to his plumber for installation).

This is not just any tub. I have ordered a Sanijet. If you've stayed in luxury hotels, like the Mandarin Oriental, Ritz Carlton, and various others, you may already know about Sanijet. They are the ONLY PIPELESS whirlpool baths on the market. Why pipeless? Well, if you are a germ freak, like me, you already know that most whirlpool baths (water, or airjet, it's the same issue) CANNOT ever be totally clean. Mold grows in those pipes. Even if you clean them all the time. even if you run bleach through them.

Having been a germ freak forever, I have never enjoyed jacuzzis, whirlpool baths, etc. And I am very tall (and not too skinny anymore), so I don't enjoy your average tub/shower combo. My sweet hubby was surprised to learn I would actually LOVE to take baths - if only there was a bathtub that could be kept clean (and still have the jets, so I could use it for arthritis therapy).

My sister V told me about Sanijet. She is doing a house remodel, and hoping to put one in the new bathroom. I was skeptical, until I visited their site, and saw their Pipeless technology in action. Be sure to watch the videos. They are priceless.

So sweet wonderful Hubby of mine, told me I could order whatever I wanted. He specifically said NOT to get the cheapest (but please not the most expensive, either), because he wanted it to really be a bath I would love. He wants me to sleep at night (which is hard, when your legs hurt so badly), and to have the bath be my Oasis - my break from the stresses of the world, noise of children, etc. Plus, he knows that a long hot soak before bed is the best thing for arthritis pain relief.

Hubby is a WISE MAN. He knows a Happy Mommy makes a Happy Home. He spoils me a little rotten. I had to make him SWEAR he will tell me "NO" when I start asking for new furniture, for our beautiful new house!

His reply? "No".

We have a CONTRACT

2008-04-18T08:00:00.001-07:00

We signed a contract a couple weeks ago. Those "similar floor plans" I mentioned earlier? Well, I decided to contact the builder, just for grins, to see what a new build would cost. I wanted to have some negotiating room, if I ended up putting an offer on one of those houses.

Turns out, the cost to build is less than these sellers are asking for a resale! We took the stock plan, and customized it: bigger kitchen, large covered patio, larger garage, third bathroom on the main floor, separate laundry room (instead of the washer and dryer in a hall closet - the large laundry closet is now an over-sized coat closet), and slightly larger master bath, to accommodate a special-order tub I want (More in another post).

So we found a lot (These are not building tracts - you have to find a lot somewhere, then hire a builder to put a house on it. Suits us fine - then we aren't living in cookie-cutter land!), and signed a contract with the builder. He negotiated the lot price, for what we were willing to pay for it, and added it as a line item to our house contract (with no markup on land). We cut out a few things we could do later (namely solid-surface counter tops), in favor of keeping things we want NOW (you can't change the size of a kitchen after it's built, unless you REALLY like throwing money away).

We're so excited! 2400 square feet, all on one level. 4bed/3ba/4car garage. On a full acre. And still less than what the re-sale house would have cost.

The best part? We have not had to compromise ANYTHING on our "needs" list. It has seperate living and family rooms, etc....

Our builder closed on the lot last week, and is ready to break ground! I'll be down there in a couple of weeks, to register MiniMe for school. I promise to take pictures of the progress!

So, we're hosting Thanksgiving this year. And you're all invited.

Walked away from the house

2008-03-07T18:29:00.000-08:00

Well, we started having some concerns, after putting in the offer. Info that made us rethink it, and want to keep looking.

Luckily, they countered so high, we wouldn't have agreed anyway. Pretty house, but we really want separate living and family. And the grout lines of the white tiles everywhere would be a pain to clean!!! I'd forgotten about my nanny days I had to bleach those white tile counters daily, to keep the grout from staining!!

So we're back to square one. Several houses we are going to look at. 3 with the identical floor plan (one of which we've already walked through). Priced all over the place. But one is a foreclosure, so maybe we can get a deal??? (Also happens to be the largest of the three).

Time is on our side. We are in no hurry, and want to be sure we'll be really REALLY happy with this purchase!

I'm gonna be sick!!

2008-03-05T16:58:00.000-08:00

We are putting in our offer on a house tonight!!!

It is just right for us. Some minor compromises (I wanted a separate family and living, but will make due with a great room again, because the floor plan works SOOOOO well!!). It's big enough to work for now, and for 10 years at least into the future. It is BREATHTAKINGLY beautiful, and it is on the lower end of our price range, without being in any way a fixer upper. On just over an acre, the only thing we will do (and not right away), is fence in a larger part of the yard, and do some low-maintenance, kid friendly landscaping in the back. It's even decorated the way I want it!!

So keep you fingers crossed (and toes, and eyes, if you can) that all goes well!!!!!!

We're not mentioning it to our families, by the way. We are doing this completely on our own, and want to just invite them over for dinner, when we move (target close date means we'll move at the first of June).

I think I'm in LOVE

2008-02-27T13:17:00.000-08:00

with my new Realtor, that is.

In just the last few days, he has given me not only the list of 11 houses that fit my criteria, but a few more that are new listings. He has listened to EVERY WORD I have said, even the ones I didn't think I was saying. For example, I mentioned the reason I am looking for a ranch, with 4 beds and laundry on main level, is because I have VERY bad knees, and cannot, CANNOT do stairs, or I will have trouble walking for several days after.

So what does Casey the Magnificent do? He LISTENS, and finds me listings that I want to see, but is sure to exclude RAISED ranches, because he knows I will have to walk up too many steps to get in my house every day.

THAT is the way a Realtor is SUPPOSED to behave!!

Ahhhh......... dh keeps teasing me that I'm in love with another man, whom I haven't even MET. LOL.

The joys of househunting

2008-02-22T09:16:00.001-08:00

With an impending move, we thought we'd start house hunting. Should be easy, right? We have a referral for a realtor in the area we are moving to, several conversations back and forth, trying to get her to understand what we're looking for.

She doesn't listen. She sends me listings that are NOT what I asked for. Back and forth several times, then I had my agent here (who refered me to the one down there) talk to her, and set her straight. I put up with strange things, tried to give her chance after chance.

She then appeared to do what I asked, get the listings I asked for, etc. But told me there was ONLY ONE house for sale with my criteria. ONE HOUSE. So I lowered the size requirement. Still only one. So I asked for fewer bedrooms, and she came up with three more. Well, actually *I* came up with one of them. And the ONE she said was available in the higher bedrooms, which I'd also come up with. Out of 4 houses she showed us, I came up with 2 of them.

Wow, what a strange market it is, to not have what we are looking for.

The same nagging feeling that I've had every time I speak with her, was telling me she wasn't being honest. So I called a random Realtor, and asked him to pull all the 4 bed and laundry (all on the same level) in the area.

He came up with 11. In 5 minutes they were emailed to me. 11 houses I would love to go see. One was "the only one", but that still left 10. And that "ONE" is listed by a friend of hers.

That realtor has been fired.

When you LIE to me? It's over, we're done.

Taking something that doesn't belong to you.

2008-02-08T12:15:00.001-08:00

My car was stolen.

a few weeks ago, in broad daylight, right in front of our house. DH and I had taken the girls out to breakfast. Someone decided they wanted to go for a joyride, and our car was apparently the best thing for jumping curbs and partying in.

It was found 4 days later - airbags viciously slashed (not removed, SLASHED), rim bent, windshield cracked, car dented, windows yanked of the tracks, stinking to high heaven, ignition punched out, trunk lock punched out, and the transmission and power steering messed up.

Denver PD called to say they'd found it in "good shape with no damage". Begs the question, what exactly does it take for DPD to consider "damage"?????

And they charged me $100 for the impound.

Whatever happened to the golden rule?

2008-02-08T12:14:00.000-08:00

I don't know what it is with society these days. When I was a child, we were told that we should say please and thank you. Wipe our mouths, use polite words, and generally avoid a fight, whenever possible.

Now, it's more important to be "politically correct", to buy what you want, whether you can afford it (or need it) or not, to steam your way through life with no regard for anyone else. Duty? Debt to society? What silly notions. Only sillier is personal responsibility. How DARE you tell me I should pay my own bills, care for my own children, clean up my messes, and - horror of horrors - ACT LIKE A RESPECTFUL, RESPONSIBLE HUMAN BEING??? How passe - don't you know how out of touch you are? It's FAR more stylish to dress like a hooker, talk like a trucker (apologies to my trucker friends, who have hearts of gold and actually very clean mouths), spend money you don't have, and generally get your won way in everything.

Morals are for morons. WHO needs them? I'm in it for ME, man!

You might think I'm complaining about teenagers. You know, "kids these days". Guess what? They aren't being raised in a vacuum.

Yesterday, on my way to pick MiniMe up from school, I witnessed a soccer mom (complete with kids in the minivan, etc) stick her head out the window to scream epithets and FLIP OFF the car behind her, for politely honking to bring her attention to the green arrow she'd apparently not noticed (and no, I am not the one who honked). I could almost see the spittle flying from her mouth.

The other day, at the grocery store, my path was blocked by a woman who, child on one side of her cart, turned and faced the other side (looking for the child), then, once she knew the child was accounted for, spread her arms across the pathway like a linebacker, squatting to be sure she blocked the space near the floor as well. Then she went for the pies, still blocking the path. I paused, since the store was crowded, and there were people behind me, also trying to get through. I simply smiled, and waited for her to do what she needed to do. This offended her. She barked at me to keep going, and not stand there. I politely said, "That's ok - I can't move, so I'll wait".

"YOU CAN'T MOVE?? WHAT'S WRONG WITH YOU THAT YOU CAN'T MOVE?!?!?!"
I replied, "well, you are kind of blocking the path". She continued screaming at me, but then the people behind me had all moved away, and those to the left as well, so I was able to turn and leave. All the while this lovely personage screaming at my back. OK, no big deal, she must be having a bad day, I am moving my kids away from her, and continuing my shopping.

As I get around to another part of the store, I hear her voice (still yelling), say to the child, "watch out for that MEAN WOMAN and her CHILDREN" and as she came around the corner to where we were, "OH LOOK, THERE SHE IS!!"

Once again, I turned my children and walked the other way. She was still yelling something at my back.

She's not some "young thing" that didn't know any better, or had been raised in a too-permissive society. No, this woman was easily 60 years old. I'm pretty sure she knew better. Well dressed, hair and makeup done up, etc.

Just goes to show that not only can money not buy happiness, but it also doesn't guarantee class.

You might love to hear stories of Canadian Geese. I think they're full of........

2008-02-08T12:09:00.000-08:00

Heading out to drop another installment of Veronica Mars in the mailbox (if you haven't familiarized yourself with the show, you can get it on Netflix - I highly recommend it), I saw a large flock of Canadian Geese in my driveway and yard. I signaled MiniMe to come quickly, to look out the window. So beautiful.

We watched them a while, then I realized the mailman was passing my house, so I rushed out to give him the red envelope. Then I turned around.......

And saw my sidewalk and driveway COVERED with GOOSE POOP. Seriously, folks, my DOG doesn't leave droppings that big. And there were at least three "thank you cards" for every goose I saw.

But really, despite my updates of "what I'v been up to since I last blogged", I am in a very good mood. Really!!

Just Breathe......

2007-12-27T11:42:00.000-08:00

I have had a really bad head cold this past week. Made for a painful trip up into the mountains, and even worse coming home - I was sure my eardrums were both about to rupture, and was driven to tears by the time we pulled into the driveway. Benadryl and Sudafed (alternating) didn't do me much good. Christmas Day was a near-deaf experience. Like I was underwater, trying to hear what everyone else was saying. Finally, on Wednesday, I could feel a little less pressure in my ears, so I had Dh bring me home a nasal rinse kit (by NielMed). It was too close to bed time to use it last night (you have to stay up at least an hour afterward, so none of the rinsing solution is ingested), so I put it off until this morning.

I have to say, the idea of leaning over the sink while I pump what amounts to sophisticated salt water up my nose, was a little.... well, strange. But Dh assured me that NONE of the patients he has ever recommended it to have complained. In fact, they seek him out, specifically to THANK him for the recommendation. My sister swears it is the meaning of life, as does SIL. So I was wiling to give it a try.

WOW!! I'll warn you this is a little gross, so you can LOOK AWAY NOW, if you are squeamish.....
............

OK - You know whan a child with a cold sneezes, and they produce the longest darn string you've ever seen? This was TWICE as long as that. I started laughing so hard, and even made dh look. It was so highly amusing (yes, I live a quiet life).

And IMMEDIATELY after completing the rinse..... I CAN BREATHE AGAIN!!!!! For the first time in a week, my sinuses are completely clear. WOW - You really take breathing for granted, you know???

I could really have used this when I was pregnant with LittleBit - I don't think my cold would have been so bad!!

I have waaaaaay too much!

2007-12-19T10:14:00.000-08:00

I saw message on freecycle, asking for toiletries for a women's shelter. I emailed the poster, and said i had a few things I could spare.

So I grabbed the soaps that we don't use - DH and I both prefer to use liquid soap, and with sensitive skin, we're picky about what we use. So why do I have 10-15 bars of soap in the hall closet? What soap emergency am I expecting?

I then saw the stash of shampoo and conditioner - brands we no longer use, for the same soap emergency, I guess.

While I'm at it, I changed to mineral cosmetics, and have a whole drawer full of barely-used (and some brand new) makeup. And why do I have 6 boxes of hot oil? I don't USE hot oil. and bubblebath? Wow - this stuff has been moving from house to house with me for 10 or more years, for the "what if". I don't have a large enough tub for bubblebaths, and MiniMe and LittleBit both have eczema - they can only use very gentle soaps, too.

Hey, is that a multi-pack of deodorant? In the brand Dh is allergic to?

How on EARTH did my closet become a repository of products from my past? I like the smell of something, and buy a ton of it, so I don't run out. Then, before I get through my stash, I have a reaction, or Dh one of the kids has one. So I switch to the next thing, and repeat the process.

Granted, the shampoos are a brand I've used for years. Then I discovered that is why my hair looks like straw, and recently found a product that has fixed my hair. So why did I still have a closet full of stuff?

SO I thought I'd give her a few items, and it turns out the giant shipping carton a recent gift was shipped in (the gift was 1/6 the size of the shipping carton), is overflowing, and took two of us to carry.

But my closet is a little cleaner (needed to do that before we move next summer, anyway!), and my burdens a lot lighter.

I have been so very blessed. I have a wonderful husband, beautiful, amazing children, a roof over my head, car to drive, food in my cupboards, clothes in my closet. It really reminded me not to take any of that for granted.

My kids have no idea what "poor" feels like. We are poor, but they don't know it. We have been living on student loans (and a couple credit cards) to get dh through grad school, and in some ways, it's been tough. But overall, we have had sufficient for our needs. And then some. We have supportive extended family and friends, and best of all? We have each other.

My kids have never been HUNGRY. I have, I know what having no money really feels like. I know what it's like to have a bag of beans, and have to make them last a week. But even then, I still had a roof over my head. Granted, it was a room for rent in a basement, in a house where I was not allowed to turn the heat above 50 degrees, or light a fire in the fireplace. But for $150, it kept me off the streets. And that in itself was a HUGE blessing.

I heard on the news this morning, that over 100 homeless people died in Denver last year - or maybe it was all of Colorado. Either way, that is STAGGERING.

A little soap hardly scratches the surface.

So many homeless, so many CLOSE to homelessness. And no matter how tight things have been, we have always had the light at the end of the tunnel. Always had some place to stay, if we could no longer afford to stay in our little rental house. And we've just been BLESSED. Always, and in ALL WAYS.

Cruisin'

2007-12-13T22:28:00.000-08:00

I am enjoying the van thus far. Very nice little marketing idea. Get 300 housewives hooked on your van, by showing them how quickly they could get used to all the bells and whistles, lol.

If it were up to MiniMe, Santa would be letting us keep this one.

Aurora Borealis Explained

2007-12-12T07:27:00.000-08:00

Ever wonder what causes Aurora Borealis? Now they know.....

Energy source of northern lights found

Tue Dec 11, 6:21 PM ET

SAN FRANCISCO - Scientists think they have discovered the energy source of the spectacular color displays seen in the northern lights. New data from NASA's Themis mission, a quintet of satellites launched this winter, found the energy comes from a stream of charged particles from the sun flowing like a current through twisted bundles of magnetic fields connecting Earth's upper atmosphere to the sun.... [click for full article]

Soldier Girl

2007-12-11T15:56:00.000-08:00

I was at the mall today with my 2yo and 5yo, doing, what else, a little Christmas shopping. A young woman in an army uniform (fatigues) was in front of us on the escalator. I was juggling m 2yo, and carrying two heavy bags plus all our coats, and trying to keep my 5yo off the escalator railing. When we got to the top, I told my 5yo we needed to say thank you to the soldier. So we re-balanced the packages (and the toddler), and by then, the soldier was gone.

Mini-me (my 5yo) has eagle eyes, however, and noticed which store she and her (civilian) friends went in. So we followed her. She walked faster than I could, and it took us a bit to catch up to her. When we did, I stopped her, and thanked her. I thanked her for the service she is giving her country, and the service she thereby gives MY family.

She thanked ME, for thanking her. By this time, my heart (and eyes) was too full, so I thanked her again, and left before I stated bawling in the clothing store.

When we headed out to the car, Mini-me asked what we thanked her for. How do you explain all that our servicemen and women risk by putting on that uniform? I told her that soldiers work very hard to protect the rest of us from people that hate us, simply because they don't like our country. That sometimes they have to fight, and sometimes they get hurt, or even die. But that they do it for ALL OF US, because they love their country.

I cannot pass a fireman or a soldier, without my heart swelling with thanks. It's almost embarrassing, because I know if I try to explain how grateful I am for them, I just might start blubbering.

It may seem like just another job to you. But I am profoundly aware of the risk they take, by the very nature of their "jobs". They literally put their life on the line. Not quite the same thing as risking a paper cut, in my previous jobs. Aside from the two crazy people (different jobs) that security had to be notified about, and the trouble makers on the midnight bus I had to ride home from downtown, I have always had very safe jobs. And there was no expectation of danger of any kind.

No, it is a VERY different thing to go to work, KNOWING that the VERY NATURE of your job may require you to give up your own life, for someone you don't even know. That's the very definition of a hero, as far as I am concerned. Even if they never see combat, a soldier is already a hero, the minute they put on that uniform (and likely long before, given the character one would expect in a soldier).

And a fireman exists for the sole purpose of rescuing other people. How can that not move you with gratitude?

Mini-Me and LittleBit may not comprehend everything I said to them today. And they may not understand (for many years, at least) why Mommy cries when she sees soldiers and firemen. But someday they will. Someday, they will understand the difference between wolves and Sheepdogs. And that every single one of them, deserves our respect.

When I got to the car, and got the kids buckled into their car seats, I called my favorite soldier, to say thanks.

On display

2007-12-10T14:01:00.000-08:00

Don't you hate it when you are out in public, you crouch down to sit in a tiny chair (like 8 inches tall, but it was a STURDY chair), and you hear that HORRIBLE NOISE???

Yes, my pants split right open. At the Children's Museum. Had to cut short our visit and run out of there so I could go home and change my pants.

my 5yo thinks it's hilarious.

Gun control

2007-12-10T13:06:00.000-08:00

Is Gun Control a good idea?

Is it even legal?

Read these two articles, and come to your own conclusions; I firmly believe that the Right to Bear Arms is a fundamental right, that a government has neither the right to amend or withhold. We have a HUMAN right to protect ourselves and our families.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — When a gunman walked into New Life Church on Sunday and started shooting, he was met with the church's first line of defense: a congregant with a concealed weapons permit and a law enforcement background.

Media Coverage of Mall Shooting Fails to Reveal Mall's Gun-Free-Zone Status

2008 Dodge Grand Caravan TEST DRIVE

2007-12-10T09:22:00.000-08:00

I have been "selected" to be one of 300 moms nationwide to test drive a 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan for 6 days.

We are planning to buy a van in the next year, so I thought this would be a great way to decide whether this one makes the short list, or is crossed off altogether. So far, DH and I are leaning toward the Honda Odyssey, or MAYBE the Toyota Sienna. I do have a 1996 Neon, and have not been impressed with Chrysler's customer service, so it will have to be a pretty fantastic van to overcome that.

On the other hand, I DID try to win one from Regis and Kelly (Nope, didn't win!), so I'm certainly willing to try it out!! Of course, that was the Chrysler Town and Country, not the Dodge Caravan. But let's face it - they are made by the same company, and are likely very similar.

For updates, click here.

And if anyone else is interested in doing this, HERE is where you can get more info.