my friend, ashley tagged me. i know these things can be painful to read - so no hard feelings if you want to skip this post. in fact, i never do them when e-mailed to me and the only reason i'm doing it this time is because i think ashley would do something mean if i didn't. she'd probably go as far as hurting my Rosemary plant. she already sabotaged my carrot so it wouldn't grow. is there nothing you won't do???
"tag your it!...here are the rules: Post these rules on your blog. Answer these 15 questions about yourself on your blog. List 3 Joys, 3 Fears, 3 Goals, 3 Current Obsessions/Collections and 3 Random/Surprising facts. Tag 5 people at the end of your post by leaving their names. Let them know they are tagged by leaving a comment on their blog"
ok - here i go -
JOYS: 1- my husband - especially when he actually leaves work when he says he will - that brings great joy. 2- my kids - even when noah tells me he loves my "big 'ol bootie". (thank you kindergarten classmates) 3- brownies for breakfast. really - need i say more?
FEARS: 1- writing a post no one wanted to read. how pathetic is that? i didn't even know what a post was 5 months ago. 2- finding out that gas really is over $4.00 a gallon and that it's not just a bad dream. 3- turning 40. i love being in my 30's and i'm thinking there's no reason to ever get past 39. if you don't acknowledge the birthday - then it's like it never happened, right? i could be in my 30's forever!
3 CURRENT OBSESSIONS: 1- finding the perfect book that seems to suck me in and makes real life disappear for a brief moment. 2- growing carrots. oh yes, ashley, it will happen. one day - my carrots will grow. 3- stopping time. i'm trying to make every day slow down because Reagan is growing up too fast. her first tooth is breaking through and i want to cry. where is my baby going? where is that tiny little bundle of baby goodness who would fall asleep from overexertion if she sneezed more than once? i love watching her grow, but a little bit of me aches when i realize how fast it's happening.
3 RANDOM FACTS: 1- i'm terrified of heights, but love sky diving. 2- i love walking in the rain. 3- i love cooking - even though half the time it's disastrous and if i really loved my family i would stick to frozen meals from Costco. but i can't help it - now that i have my Rosemary plant and my bottle of Accent - i figure any dish could be a success!
ok- now i'm supposed to tag 5 people. i'm sorry to do this - believe me, under normal circumstances i would never participate in these kinds of things. so forgive me.... Talai, Alicia, Anna, Carillisa, Amelia or Sandy (i know you don't have a blog, but you could e-mail me your answers) :)
Monday, June 30, 2008
Saturday, June 28, 2008
debated
i really debated sharing this one... but then i figured - what kind of blogger would i be if i didn't share my most pathetic, embarrassing moments.
As most of you well know - i have really struggled this time around trying to lose the baby weight. It could be my addiction to sweets - that is still under debate - but whatever the reason, the pounds just don't seem to want to part any time soon.
so, as it is, i'm always trying on my summer shorts and capri's waiting for the day i finally fit in another pair. well, a few days ago i tried on some linen, draw-string capri's. they were perfect! seriously, they were so comfortable and i was very excited to fit in something so well... you know - no rolls hanging over the sides, it was wonderful. i was quite proud of myself for all my hard work at the gym. (i can hear you laughing Carrie and Ashley) alright, 'hard work' may be a term i'm using rather loosely here, but it's more the thought that counts - right?
anyway - a few days later i decided to wear those wonderful linen capri's again because they were so comfy. as i was pulling them on, i looked down at the tag and in my greatest 'for the love' moment yet, i realized why they were so comfortable... they were my old maternity capri's!!! for the love.
my feeling of being so proud in losing weight was now out the window. it was just a sham, a farce - they were maternity pants for goodness sake! and now i am forced to take a more serious look at my weight loss program. you know there's a problem when you feel your best after accidentally putting on maternity pants. i can see that just positive thinking my way into shape is not going to cut it anymore. and i think i'm going to have to give up sweets... well, at least for breakfast and maybe my 2:00 chocolate snack. so sad. but desperate times call for desperate measures.
wish me luck.
As most of you well know - i have really struggled this time around trying to lose the baby weight. It could be my addiction to sweets - that is still under debate - but whatever the reason, the pounds just don't seem to want to part any time soon.
so, as it is, i'm always trying on my summer shorts and capri's waiting for the day i finally fit in another pair. well, a few days ago i tried on some linen, draw-string capri's. they were perfect! seriously, they were so comfortable and i was very excited to fit in something so well... you know - no rolls hanging over the sides, it was wonderful. i was quite proud of myself for all my hard work at the gym. (i can hear you laughing Carrie and Ashley) alright, 'hard work' may be a term i'm using rather loosely here, but it's more the thought that counts - right?
anyway - a few days later i decided to wear those wonderful linen capri's again because they were so comfy. as i was pulling them on, i looked down at the tag and in my greatest 'for the love' moment yet, i realized why they were so comfortable... they were my old maternity capri's!!! for the love.
my feeling of being so proud in losing weight was now out the window. it was just a sham, a farce - they were maternity pants for goodness sake! and now i am forced to take a more serious look at my weight loss program. you know there's a problem when you feel your best after accidentally putting on maternity pants. i can see that just positive thinking my way into shape is not going to cut it anymore. and i think i'm going to have to give up sweets... well, at least for breakfast and maybe my 2:00 chocolate snack. so sad. but desperate times call for desperate measures.
wish me luck.
Friday, June 20, 2008
why i say bad words
i have decided to make a list of things that cause me to say bad words...
** people who are in such a hurry to turn onto the road that they cause me to slam on my brakes and then they end up going 5 miles under the speed limit.
** people still using checkbooks at the grocery store. i'm sorry - i know many of you are even my friends (one of you may actually be my mother) but for the love, people, life is too short for checkbooks in grocery stores.
** i just made a batch of cookies and am cleaning up when i notice that the eggs expired 3 months ago. i actually debate eating them anyway.
** i don't have time to shower, it's definitely a hat day, and it's only after i've ran 3 of my 5 errands that i realize i forgot to put the hat on.
** when i find the two 2-year-olds i've been watching decide that running out of paper isn't a big deal - crayons work on the wall just as well.
** when my 6-year-old asks me if i'm pregnant because my tummy is getting big again. ouch.
** when i hear my dentist say - 'this is way worse than i thought'.
** when Aaron calls and starts conversations with 'first of all, let me tell you how much i love and appreciate you...' yeah, i'm not buying it - what did you do?
** when i find out my good friend has been robbed. this one is actually worth 2 bad words or 1 really really bad word.
apparently, our neighborhood has become a robber's play land. there have been five break-in's in the last six weeks. it's very sad, and very frustrating to think people out there feel they have the right to walk into a home and take whatever they want. first off you have to deal with the damage they did to the house to get in it, they never clean up after themselves as they trash every room they enter, and you spend weeks, if not months, figuring out ways to help your children feel safe again. so i think that i'm going to have an envelope outside my front door labeled "if you are here to rob my house - please read"
the letter would go something like this....
Dear Theif -
first of all - i don't write this because i condone what you are doing - let me be clear... i am against everything you do and stand for. i am writing this because i figure if you're going to rob me one way or the other - we should probably set up some guidelines...
In order to avoid damaging my home on your way in, i have hidden my house key under the rock next to my Rosemary plant. (i love that plant, please let it be)
If you must destroy the inside as you look for things to take, please try not to mess up my bookshelves too much, it took me forever to arrange things the right way. As for looking for things to take - let me save you some effort, i don't have prescription pills for you to sell because if i did have pills, i would have sold them by now. i also do not have cash, hidden or otherwise, because if we ever do have cash in hand it is usually spent before we get home.
As for anything you do decide to take - please use the note pad and pen i've left you and make a list of everything you've taken so i can more easily report it to the insurance company. it really would save me so much more time in filing my claim. Also - my husband has a white North Face button up shirt in his closet, with mesh lining on the sides...it would not be that tragic if the shirt went missing.
One last thing - i would like a new couch, so if you feel the need to destroy it in your search for things, feel free to do so.
Sincerely,
The Homeowner.
** people who are in such a hurry to turn onto the road that they cause me to slam on my brakes and then they end up going 5 miles under the speed limit.
** people still using checkbooks at the grocery store. i'm sorry - i know many of you are even my friends (one of you may actually be my mother) but for the love, people, life is too short for checkbooks in grocery stores.
** i just made a batch of cookies and am cleaning up when i notice that the eggs expired 3 months ago. i actually debate eating them anyway.
** i don't have time to shower, it's definitely a hat day, and it's only after i've ran 3 of my 5 errands that i realize i forgot to put the hat on.
** when i find the two 2-year-olds i've been watching decide that running out of paper isn't a big deal - crayons work on the wall just as well.
** when my 6-year-old asks me if i'm pregnant because my tummy is getting big again. ouch.
** when i hear my dentist say - 'this is way worse than i thought'.
** when Aaron calls and starts conversations with 'first of all, let me tell you how much i love and appreciate you...' yeah, i'm not buying it - what did you do?
** when i find out my good friend has been robbed. this one is actually worth 2 bad words or 1 really really bad word.
apparently, our neighborhood has become a robber's play land. there have been five break-in's in the last six weeks. it's very sad, and very frustrating to think people out there feel they have the right to walk into a home and take whatever they want. first off you have to deal with the damage they did to the house to get in it, they never clean up after themselves as they trash every room they enter, and you spend weeks, if not months, figuring out ways to help your children feel safe again. so i think that i'm going to have an envelope outside my front door labeled "if you are here to rob my house - please read"
the letter would go something like this....
Dear Theif -
first of all - i don't write this because i condone what you are doing - let me be clear... i am against everything you do and stand for. i am writing this because i figure if you're going to rob me one way or the other - we should probably set up some guidelines...
In order to avoid damaging my home on your way in, i have hidden my house key under the rock next to my Rosemary plant. (i love that plant, please let it be)
If you must destroy the inside as you look for things to take, please try not to mess up my bookshelves too much, it took me forever to arrange things the right way. As for looking for things to take - let me save you some effort, i don't have prescription pills for you to sell because if i did have pills, i would have sold them by now. i also do not have cash, hidden or otherwise, because if we ever do have cash in hand it is usually spent before we get home.
As for anything you do decide to take - please use the note pad and pen i've left you and make a list of everything you've taken so i can more easily report it to the insurance company. it really would save me so much more time in filing my claim. Also - my husband has a white North Face button up shirt in his closet, with mesh lining on the sides...it would not be that tragic if the shirt went missing.
One last thing - i would like a new couch, so if you feel the need to destroy it in your search for things, feel free to do so.
Sincerely,
The Homeowner.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
just keep it simple
And we've done it again.
When Noah was born we bought him all the bells and whistles any 4 month old could care less if they had - but as new parents, were convinced it would make him a genius. From interactive musical devices, to bouncers that would encourage muscle development, to the Baby Einstein DVD's which stimulates the child's brain. We spent hundreds of dollars on all kinds of things only to find that he usually cared more about the box it came in.
well - not one to make the same mistake twice... we waited a whole 2 extra months before we gave in and started buying all that stuff for Reagan. She's now 6 months old and has more "toys" than she even knows what to do with - but they are there to help her be a genius someday. The picture gives you an idea of the kinds of things that now clutter our home.
The problem being - each one only keeps her attention for about 10 minutes (if i'm lucky) or i have to sit with her and rattle or beep or ring whatever the toy is to help keep her entertained... this does not leave much time for getting things done around the house. (some of you may say... 'you could get things done while she's sleeping.' to that i say... 'are you high?' out of concern for her to be able to get a very sound sleep, it's important for me to stay extra quiet. the best way to do that is to sit with a bowl of ice cream and a good book. i'd rather be cleaning, but it's a sacrifice i make to help her sleep longer and better.)
So with these hundred of dollars worth of toys to help her young mind develop and her muscles just sitting in the corner, you can imagine my mixed feelings when i find her happy as can be with a 75 cent dental floss container.
For The Love
When Noah was born we bought him all the bells and whistles any 4 month old could care less if they had - but as new parents, were convinced it would make him a genius. From interactive musical devices, to bouncers that would encourage muscle development, to the Baby Einstein DVD's which stimulates the child's brain. We spent hundreds of dollars on all kinds of things only to find that he usually cared more about the box it came in.
well - not one to make the same mistake twice... we waited a whole 2 extra months before we gave in and started buying all that stuff for Reagan. She's now 6 months old and has more "toys" than she even knows what to do with - but they are there to help her be a genius someday. The picture gives you an idea of the kinds of things that now clutter our home.
The problem being - each one only keeps her attention for about 10 minutes (if i'm lucky) or i have to sit with her and rattle or beep or ring whatever the toy is to help keep her entertained... this does not leave much time for getting things done around the house. (some of you may say... 'you could get things done while she's sleeping.' to that i say... 'are you high?' out of concern for her to be able to get a very sound sleep, it's important for me to stay extra quiet. the best way to do that is to sit with a bowl of ice cream and a good book. i'd rather be cleaning, but it's a sacrifice i make to help her sleep longer and better.)
So with these hundred of dollars worth of toys to help her young mind develop and her muscles just sitting in the corner, you can imagine my mixed feelings when i find her happy as can be with a 75 cent dental floss container.
For The Love
Monday, June 2, 2008
Who knew
While flipping through a cookbook I saw a recipe for Sticky Chicken. I thought it would be fun to try a new recipe, and with a quick glance i had most of the ingredients. Later that night, as I was getting everything ready, I took a closer look at the recipe and saw that it had something new. A concept I'd never heard of before - but it sounded great to me. The last ingredient said '1 teaspoon accent'. I thought - what a great idea... you can accent this recipe with whatever spice you choose. I started thinking of all the spices I loved... rosemary, basil, lemon pepper - etc. etc. but as i'm not an expert in the cooking arena, I thought I should call my friend for her advice because I wasn't sure which of those spices would work best as an accent to this dish. so I called Ashley M....
Brenda: I'm making sticky chicken and I'm wondering what spice to add as an accent.
Ashley M.: What are you talking about?
Brenda: The recipe says to accent the sauce. I'm assuming it's so people can personalize the sauce with their favorite spice?
Ashley M.: (pause) Tell me exactly what the recipe says.
Brenda: Add 1 teaspoon accent.
Ashley M.: (long pause) Brenda (another pause) accent IS a spice.
Brenda: come again?
Ashley M.: Accent is a spice - it's called Accent.
Brenda: (pause) for the love.
I have since gone to the store and bought a bottle of Accent...
and now I use it on everything. As Chef Auguste Gusteau always said... "Anyone can cook"
Brenda: I'm making sticky chicken and I'm wondering what spice to add as an accent.
Ashley M.: What are you talking about?
Brenda: The recipe says to accent the sauce. I'm assuming it's so people can personalize the sauce with their favorite spice?
Ashley M.: (pause) Tell me exactly what the recipe says.
Brenda: Add 1 teaspoon accent.
Ashley M.: (long pause) Brenda (another pause) accent IS a spice.
Brenda: come again?
Ashley M.: Accent is a spice - it's called Accent.
Brenda: (pause) for the love.
I have since gone to the store and bought a bottle of Accent...
and now I use it on everything. As Chef Auguste Gusteau always said... "Anyone can cook"
This one is for the Grandparents
Apparently this is the only way i can figure out how to send video's from my camera... so unless you're a grandparent or just love watching video's of someone elses kids - you'll probably want to skip this post as well. this is a video of us trying to feed Reagan when she was in one of her talking and spitting moods. i tried to catch it on camera - but even this does not do justice to how messy she was in the end.
just trying something out
i'm trying to send my friend a movie clip from my camera, but it's not going through - so i'm seeing if this works - unless you're Jamie - you probably won't find much interest in this post.. sorry.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)