The blog only a mother could love

Creamy Wild Rice and Chicken Soup

2011-11-11T10:52:00.009-05:00

I have been intending to start posting my successful recipes on here, with links to the inspiration recipes. No matter my intention to follow a recipe to the letter, it almost never happens, and inevitably I forget what I did. I would like to post pictures, but I am no food photographer and I'm worried it would look unappetizing :) I will have to play with it.

Last night I made Wild Rice Soup in the crockpot, inspired by Beyer Beware Hunk of Meat Monday

My Version:

1 cup diced or shredded carrots
1 cup diced celery
2 cloves minced garlic
1/2 chopped shallot
1 package Rice-a-Roni long grain and wild rice
1 pound chicken cutlets
1/2 can cream of chicken condensed soup
2 chicken bouillon cubes*
4-1/2 cups water
3 tablespoons butter
2 cups (1 pint) half and half*
1/4 cup flour
salt and pepper to taste

1. Mix the veggies, garlic, chicken, rice and seasoning packet, bouillon, and water in the crock pot.
2. Cook on high for 2 hours, stirring occasionally, break/cut up the chicken while cooking.
3. Towards the end of the cook time, make a roux. Melt butter, stir in flour, and slowly add half and half and whisk until smooth. Add salt and pepper to taste.
4. Stir half and half mixture into crock pot and continue cooking another 15 minutes.

*notes:
You can use milk instead of half and half.
You can substitute the bouillon cubes and water with chicken stock.

Rain

2011-07-27T19:14:00.001-04:00

Rain rain go away
Come again another day
I have to drive, shit

Haiku

2011-07-27T14:03:00.002-04:00

I know it is wrong

Wanting to smash in faces

Those who rudely stare

Haiku

2011-07-27T13:49:00.002-04:00

Who ever did know
Awful apartment living
Would be me again

Parent Hack - Hair

2011-05-26T22:48:00.010-04:00

My very own parent hack!! Thanks to two teens, I always have plastic CD spindles sitting around. I have tried various methods of organizing hair ties with little success. This way, I can see every style and color easily, and they are easy to slip on and off so it doesn't matter if a color I want is at the bottom.

2011-03-15T11:46:00.000-04:00

Free picture collage personalized with Smilebox

New Machine

2010-03-06T00:47:00.007-05:00

I thought this was the best idea! So pretty, fun, and EASY!! I went more for cute, and couldn't get fancy with rounding on the contours because about 1/2 of my machine is actually a rough finish, which the rub-ons won't stick to.
I hope it makes me happy whenever I look at it.

Quilt haha

2010-03-06T00:38:00.004-05:00

And Jana begins a quilt... HAHAHAHA!! We will see how far I get. I am trying to make this quilt. You might be thinking, okay, that's a lot of cutting but simple enough if you pay attention, and in theory this is correct, but it is harder than you would think to make exactly straight lines when you sew. For me at least, it is tough. Plus add in a little fraying and some wrong millimeter calculation... I am afraid it is going to turn out all wonky. Of course it is my first, so practice, practice, practice!! I will keep you updated as I (slowly) move along. No way I can keep up the actual quilt-along pace, especially since I am coming in so late.

Camels

2010-02-18T09:33:00.010-05:00

I was listening to the Slate Culture Gabfest yesterday and they were talking about the Darwin movie and how it could have been so much better, but instead felt like a Lifetime movie. This lead to the discussion of Darwinism vs. Creationism and one of the commentators mentioned that he had once been to this place in Florida called Holy Land, which I found funny because me and my friends have always laughed at this place, for reasons you can gather for yourself. He said that what he remembered the most about this place was the camels. He said that they were the saddest looking camels he had ever seen. HAHA! Camels don't believe in creationism either! And then this morning I was listening to the Stuff You Missed in History Class podcast, because I am a history dork, and they were talking about the Victorian Exploring Expedition, which was about men who had no idea what they were doing, exploring Australia. And the animals they took with them, who were effectually unable to navigate the terrain, CAMELS!!

Things you learn when you run your first 1/2 marathon in the freezing sleet and rain in sunny Orlando Florida

2010-01-11T09:11:00.008-05:00

1. You CAN sweat and freeze at the same time.
2. You are fatter and more out of shape than you realized.
3. You will get windburn. Not knowing what this even was, you did not try to prevent it.
4. Running in soaking wet socks will cause a huge blister.
5. You really should've created a marathon playlist. Tori Amos singing Christmas songs and the soundrack to The Sound of Music are not really running motivation.
6. You will chafe in places you never would've imagined. Like the outside of your thumb, from wearing gloves which you aren't used to. Or the front of your thighs.
7. You will totally high five strangers who are cheering you on for no good reason other than they are awesome.
8. You will actually consider picking up that super nice jacket someone discarded.
9. Disney is NOT the most magical place on earth when you are slogging through it half frozen.
10. You will be so cold/numb you won't even realize you lost your knit cap until you reach up to pull it off, and realize it isn't there.
11. Even though you religiously put on Chap Stick throughout the race, your lips will still become wicked chapped.
12. You will feel like you won an Olympic medal when they give you your completion medal..

Sleep, day one

2010-01-07T10:05:00.002-05:00

Okay, the first day of the sleep diet, fail. Stayed up over 45 minutes too late thanks to receiving Mad Men season 2 in the mail. I couldn't help myself!! Plus I had a cup of coffee at 5, also against the rules. I did resist any coke in the evening though.

Porcelain

2010-01-05T13:42:00.005-05:00

Okay, I get how this dishware would look awesome. Especially if you have glass front cabinets. But all I see when I look at this picture is that I would have to move a mug, a bowl, etc. to get to a plate. And then those items would have untold germs from removing and replacing the plates. ugh.
Magazine states "KAHLA'S UPDATE PORCELAIN PIECES MAKE FOR WELL-ORGANIZED CUPBOARDS."
If interested, go visit CSN.COM

Red

2009-12-04T23:24:00.002-05:00

Luftballoons Tina?

Shrink it

2009-11-29T22:18:00.005-05:00

Thank you so much to Cathe of Just Something I Made, for this awesome tutorial. I had already started playing around with shrinky dinks for Halloween, making friends and family Halloween trees, so this seemed like a natural next project for Christmas. I used sterling silver and played around with different colored beads and flowers and leaves. I have never made jewelry before so I am struggling a little with that part of it but I am going to keep trying. What do you think? I am not sure if it is pretty, cute, too plastic looking or what.

*Forgive the picture quality, I wasn't using my camera so.. I will upload more photos later.

Book it

2009-11-29T20:36:00.004-05:00

Thank you so much to Sharon Rowan for these awesome FREE printable bookmarks! I love them and they will make the perfect stocking stuffers. I printed them on photo paper to make them a bit more durable. Plus I love the shine.

Santa Card

2009-11-27T20:02:00.006-05:00

My mom gave me this Santa gift bag, like, a year ago and said "I bet you could make this into a cute card", so finally I did. The bag has mittens, which I didn't make, but maybe I will later. Or maybe I will just make this one and none other. She did love it, which is awesome, and I made her enough buttons and "beards" for about 20 cards because she is making them for her Christmas card this year.

Here is my card, inspired by the bag. I didn't realize until after I glued on the buttons that I should have aligned the holes. oh well.

Donate

2009-11-24T14:00:00.009-05:00

Friends,

On January 9, 2010 I will be participating in the Disney Marathon at Walt Disney World with the Miracle Marathon group. My focus and reason for training and completing this event is to gain financial support and awareness for the 11q Research and Resource Group (www.11qusa.org) in honor of my daughter, Faith.

Those of you who have met Faith know how exciting it is to watch her grow and progress. This is in large part possible due to the research done and information shared by the 11q Research Group. Those who don’t know about Faith can read a little more about her amazing journey.

During my pregnancy we found out that Faith has an 11Q deletion, also known as Jacobsen’s Syndrome, a rare chromosome disorder in which a portion of the 11th chromosome is missing. It affects about one in every 100,000 births. The same day we found out that Faith has Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome, which means the entire left side of her heart did not develop. Doctors were unable to tell if she would survive after delivery. A late ultrasound showed that she hadn’t been growing as expected so I had to deliver her 2 weeks early via c-section.

Faith was born on September 1, 2004 at 5 lbs. 10 oz. Due to an imminent hurricane threat and the fact that our Orlando area hospital did not perform the types of surgeries Faith’s heart would need, Faith was flown to Miami Children’s Hospital a few hours after birth where she would have to undergo heart surgery. Several events and complications lead to the discoveries that Faith had sustained a brain bleed, was possibly unable to produce her own platelets (we later learned she has Paris-Trousseau Thrombocytopenia, a bleeding disorder highly common with the 11q deletion), and would possibly need lifetime transfusions and a bone marrow transplant. At this point, with Faith in the ICU, the surgical team decided that because of the high risks of the bypass surgery and bleeding, her small size, her brain bleed/bleeding disorder, and her uncertain future that it would be best for us to take her home and let her pass away in peace.

Of course we refused. Instead we asked for information for research hospitals, pleaded with the Chief of Pediatric heart surgery, wrote letters, and just refused to take her home, living in the hospital for weeks and weeks. We knew she was a fighter! Because while most children with HLHS go into heart failure days after birth, Faith just kept going. The Chief of Cardiovascular Surgery finally agreed to perform surgery on Faith but gave us, her parents, a bleak outlook. Faith was 5 ½ weeks old when the surgery was performed, and by this time it was discovered that Faith COULD indeed produce her own platelets. After a 5 hour surgery and much bleeding and uncertainty, Faith was doing great!

Faith is now 5 YEARS OLD and she continues to amaze her doctors! She has undergone a total of 3 heart surgeries, skull surgery and eye surgery and the results are to date successful. After her trying and uncertain first months, Faith continues to grow, excel and be curious of the world around her. She can’t get enough of her older brother and sister and she currently attends a pediatric facility where she receives physical, occupational and speech therapies and is monitored by nurses. She says and signs a few words and is currently at the developmental level between a 1 and 2 year old and is constantly advancing. Faith loves attention, socializing, cuddling and the outdoors. And even though she has only half a heart, her energy level exceeds that of everyone else. Her strength and fight and perseverance touch everyone she meets.

So, here is what you can do: First, pray. Pray for Faith and others like her. The 11Q Research and Resource Group provides invaluable support to our families as well as life saving research. They have a dedicated cardiologist who does research exclusively for these children as heart defects are very prevalent. They have seminars and conferences studying medical and social conditions for these children and adults. Second, give. Send a check made out to Miracle Marathon, with my name in the memo line of the check and return it to me at the address listed below. Or you can go to www.miraclemarathon.net and click on the donate button located at the upper right. Please be sure to put my name (Jana Wells) in the runner line. My goal is $1,000.00, which is not a huge amount, but will go so far in providing hope and support to families like mine. I hope you will help me reach my goal. Even just a few dollars would be appreciated.

Many Thanks,

Jana & Faith
11410 Cypress Drive
Clermont FL 34711

*You will also get a receipt with information for your tax records mailed to you.

Bothered

2009-11-17T21:44:00.009-05:00

Yay! I won some blog candy from an awesome site I had recently found, The Bothered Owl, and I was so excited to get whatever goodies were coming from overseas!! How exciting is that! And how awesome of The Owl to pay extra shipping to send my items to the states. I had forgotten it was coming and when I first saw the envelope I thought it was something from Unique, the rare chromosome disorder group I belong to and sends me the only mail I get from abroad and then I remembered! Let the excitement begin! In an effort to better document my life for posterity, I did not rip the envelope open in a frenzy but instead calmly got the camera. And ignored my children.
I got the cutest button earrings and handmade flower brooch.
Let me just say that they were so thoughtful too because the gift envelope was made with pretty paper and there was even a sticker on the envelope flap. Thanks gals!! So thoughtful.

Fruition!

2009-11-17T21:40:00.008-05:00

I can't explain how exciting this is to see on something you have worked and waited on. Even if they never make it to edibility, it is my first, practice garden and I love it!! PS, ignore all the dead looking leaves, since it is dark by the time I get home I have gotten lazy about pruning.

Bumming

2009-11-10T10:37:00.004-05:00

So, on my way into the gas station this morning COUNTING OUT CHANGE FOR GAS, some dude goes "you happen to have any spare change?" I just laughed and said "uh, no, I am counting out pennies for gas!", and me and the bum had a good laugh. At my expense of course...

Dewy

2009-10-26T21:45:00.004-04:00

I have always been a sucker for morning dew.

Cheesy, I know, but when it's on my plants, BEAUTIFUL!!

Hello dew, nice to meet you.

Uncivilized

2009-10-25T22:47:00.006-04:00

My uncivilized mess...

Homeschooling

2009-10-19T15:38:00.004-04:00

Well, without the being home or the schooling. Alexia has been giving me a heck of a time when she is at school or "shopping" with her friends. After another suspension I talked to her Vice Principal about Virtual School, which is something really cool that Florida offers now. It is a Florida public school. You can take classes to get ahead, catch up, or complete your schooling. All grade levels too! The VP said although she hates to see a kid leave school, even if only temporarily, she also believes that not every environment is right for every kid, and that Alexia might really do well with this right now. And I agree. There are a couple of reasons I feel this might be a good idea. 1. I can keep on top of her schoolwork/progress in ways I haven't been able to do with her at school, even though I have tried for years and years, working with her teachers, etc. 2. She admitted she doesn't think she can say no to her friends right now and if they ask her to do something crazy at school, she just might.
The fact that she doesn't seem to be able to stand up for herself to her friends makes me sad, and wonder what else I could have done to empower her, but I also remember being unable to say no alot myself as a teen so...
I have tried the counseling route, the guilt route, and the act-like-a-grown-up route so I am hopeful this path will be the right one. Or at least the good enough right now one. Wish me/us luck!

More garden

2009-10-18T19:29:00.010-04:00

It is growing! Waiting on stuff I can eat
.
Basil

Cucumbers

Culantro (cousin to cilantro)

Garden view

Garden view 2

View from garden :)

Italian Parsley.... and weeds

Romaine!

Tomatoes

Zucchini...and weeds

Plus some weeds...

Garden Trois

2009-10-09T12:55:00.014-04:00

And it continues. I was really worried when I had the flu and couldn't summon the energy towalk outside for almost two weeks that my poor newbie garden would die, but so far, most things are growing. The problem I (now!) realize I made was planting tiny stuff together, and big stuff together, so now my garden looks full on one side and empty on the other. I will totally have to rework it at a later time...

Garden, day 2

2009-09-16T14:26:00.004-04:00

The earthy journey continues. I started my plantings yesterday evening and have some more to plant tonight. Including some wire thingie to hold up my beans and tomatoes!

Cart

2009-09-16T14:00:00.000-04:00

This was a page in Food Network Magazine I found a couple of days ago. What fascinated me about this page wasn't the fruit, wheat, veggies, or vodka, but the shopping cart evolution!! I know, I am such a dork! but I have been shopping ALL THE TIME for over 17 years, when my son was born. I love grocery shopping for the most part and I am intrigued by the newest model, which I haven't seen! Double stack! Multiple kids!! Antibacterial handles!! Jana want!!!

Imaginary friend

2009-09-16T12:58:00.000-04:00

Did anyone else have an imaginary friend as a child? Or now, whatever. Because I did. His name was I.D., and he was a mouse. I am not really sure where he went or when, but I remember him most vividly. He was always there for me (as imaginary friends should be!) and he always let me win. I am not sure what it would say about my psyche if I lost to even my imaginary friend.
He made me feel like a freak in elementary school (along with my crazy childhood illness, my love of books, and my freakish tallness) because I knew I was the only person with this affliction. Surely no one else had an imaginary friend! scoff. But then, then it happened. One day in the school library I came upon a series of books about famous people throughout history and THEIR IMAGINARY PET FRIENDS!! Who knew??!! Needless to say, I read them all and wondered at the artwork. I was not alone. I have searched since for these books but as I don't remember the name I cannot locate them. I will keep looking.
This post makes me wonder about whatever happened to that guy Rik Mayall from The Young Ones. IMDB, here I come!

Foodstuff I ate as a kid

2009-09-14T13:13:00.001-04:00

1. Fried bologna, cut into little pieces. (mom)
2. Ketchup sandwiches. On Wonder bread. (me)
3. Toast with smooth peanut butter and sugar. Because peanut butter not sugary enough already. (mom)
4. Sliced bananas in a bowl of orange juice. Eaten like cereal. (mom)
5. Fried hamburgers. (grandma)
6. Corncakes. (grandma)
7. Push-ups and Creamsicles. (grandpa worked at Farm Best! We were so sad when he retired..)
8. Funnel cakes. (mom and dad)
9. Raw lemons. (me)
10. Tons of grapefruit, mercots, oranges, and lemons. (grandpa's trees)
11. Fried rabbit. (grandma told us it was chicken!!!)

Beginning to grow

2009-09-14T10:26:00.011-04:00

Finally, I begin the garden! Wish me lots and lots and lots of luck!
Before:

4 hours, 15 gallons of sweat, one rainstorm, 3 frantic phone calls re: found snake eggs, and 1 bucket of weeds, rocks, and misc. objects later...
After:

The fuzziness you are seeing is because I brought the camera out from inside the house and that's how FREAKING HOT it was!! Steamy...

Ten ways I am killing the environment

2009-08-04T13:15:00.007-04:00

1. Clorox wipes (especially handy when you have hard water)
2. Hard water (use more detergent/cleaners/Clorox wipes)
3. Disposable diapers
4. Zyrtec (each pill individually packaged in plastic casing 4 times the size of each pill)
5. McDonald's (I have been buying approx. 1 $1 soda a day and then THROWING AWAY THE CUP!!)
6. Post-it notes
7. My running, sweat-wicking AND chemically infused, gear/clothes.
8. Napping or eating in my car with the A/C running.
9. I commute a really long way to work, 5 days a week, often in an SUV.
10. Scrapbooking

Comments

2009-07-27T15:22:00.002-04:00

I want to make these! and thanks to my best friend I am now obsessed with not only reading (devouring) blogs and articles online, but the comments section, which are the best!
So here are my comments on the comments:
Comment #2. Really? People wasting 1/2 of a pie? Wrong!
#4. I think these look awesome, but calm down.
#5. If it isn't about baking, how is it for these?! Tiny Trets? Isn't American Girl those creepy dolls?
#11. See my note on #4.
#17. Then did you really need to comment? Really?!
#21. So sad that show was canceled.
#28. Way to brag about your apple tree, now we are all jealous. Thanks.

Louche

2009-07-27T07:00:00.001-04:00

This is an awesome word. Louche. meaning, not reputable or decent.
Even though I don't normally speak or write as though I am a word dork, I totally am.
And the etymology is French. Even better!
French, literally, cross-eyed, squint-eyed, from Latin luscus blind in one eye

Birdcage

2009-07-26T19:04:00.004-04:00

I have never been a fan of having birds as pets, just not my thing, but THIS is really a beautiful birdcage! Maybe I could keep something else in there. Like my dreams.

You'll poke your eye out kid!

2009-07-26T13:56:00.000-04:00

Apparently the new hazard for teens is texting thumb.
“Repetitive use of your thumb, in a manner that it was not originally created to be used. Continued misuse can cause pain, numbness, enlarged thumb syndrome (ETS), and possibly amputation.
Take a good look at that last possible scenario. AMPUTATION?! What the?! Are you kidding me?! This made me think about the warning of the day when I was a teen which was that wearing headphones would cause you to become deaf. I wonder what the big warning was in our parents days as teens? I know my dad said they used to warn that Elvis Presley was evil, but I wonder what was the health warning. What about when you were young? Do you remember any? If so, make sure you leave a comment or email me, because I can't hear so good.

Cosplay

2009-07-24T22:06:00.004-04:00

Apparently people dress up, role play, act out, just for fun. My life is so boring.

Creaky

2009-07-24T13:23:00.006-04:00

I have had "old lady" knees for as far back as I can remember. Friends and family were always like "what the f*ck?!", that's how loud they crack when I bend down. The same is true of my jaw, it isn't really LOUD, but is audible, and only happens when I open my mouth wide for things like yawning, at the dentist, um unmentionable things that I don't do anymore, bobbing for apples, whatever. People always ask if my knees or my jaw hurts but I feel nothing except the popping sensation which could be creepy if I thought about it too hard. Those I know who actually have arthritis or lockjaw say their afflictions are noiseless. I guess I don't understand why nature would make someone 6' tall and then give them embarrassing knees knowing someone tall would have to bend down much more than a short person.

Pick yer nose

2009-07-24T10:39:00.003-04:00

Yesterday when I picked up Faith from school she showed me a new trick she had learned and stuck her finger DIRECTLY INSIDE OF HER NOSE!! Of course I was like "Ack!! Stop it!" and pulled her hand down and the nurses were cracking up so Faith thought it was hilarious so she kept doing it. She did it like 5 TIMES until we got to the car. She was hysterically laughing. I am worried that she found it so funny she will continue to do STICK HER FINGER UP HER NOSE. Luckily, she forgot once in the car and didn't do it again last night. When I picked up Alexia I threatened her with bodily harm if she showed Faith how to do it again, because she would totally do that!
On the plus side, this shows a dexterity and finger manipulation we (parents and therapists) worried she might never possess. Go Faith!

My mom is a buzzkill

2009-07-23T11:00:00.003-04:00

Me: I have been trying to get home to get some exercising in.
Mom: That's great, what have you been doing?
Me: I've been trying to run a little bit.
Mom: You know you aren't supposed to run hard, right?
Me: Yeah, I have a heart rate monitor I use to keep track of how hard I am pushing myself.
Mom: No, I mean because of your intestines.
Me, in my head: What the F*ck is she talking about?
Mom, continues: Women who have had big babies aren't supposed to run on hard surfaces.
Me: Oh, well....

This is why I am a hypochondriac!

Ahava

2009-07-16T11:16:00.008-04:00

This is my newest body wash. Breaking away from Oil of Olay and Dove I thought I would give it a try. Okay, really I just wanted the free bag that came with it at ULTA! Purchased months ago I finally busted it out and I actually LOVE IT!! Here is the description:

VELVET CREAM WASH

Hibiscus & Fig

For Very Dry skin

500 ml e 17 fl.oz

Your skin is for life - protect it well. Ahava Mineral Botanic is a body wash free of SLS (harsh detergent), prepared with healthy Dead Sea minerals, Macadamia oil and organic plant extracts. That is why its foam is different and more velvety than regular soaps. Work with a sponge for richer lather and let the delicious blend of Hibiscus & Fig protect your skin with their antibacterial, nourishing and softening properties. Love your skin.

SLS/SLES free. Paraben-free. Approved for sensitive skin. Allergy tested

Although I think the ingredients have too many chemical sounding things:

Aqua (Water), Ammonium Laureth Sulfate, Cocamidopropylbetain, Glycerin, Peg 7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Cocamide MEA, Maris Sal (Dead Sea Water), Styrene\Acrylamide Copolymer, PEG-16 Macademia Glycerides, Ficus Carcia (Fig) Fruit Extract, Hibiscus Sabdriffa Flower Extract, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinat, Polyquaternium 7, Parfum (Fragrance), Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Decyl Glucoside, DMDM Hydantion, Sodium Hyaluronate, Allantoin, Xantan Gum, Citric Acid, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Benzyl Salicylate, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene.

I still really like it!! You know you want to touch me now.

Can't

2009-07-15T15:17:00.003-04:00

I can't believe Julia Child was turned down by the Navy for being TOO TALL!! Boo to you Navy!! She is now my favorite new obsession.

5 ReasonsJulie and Julia Is Going To Be Awesome

2009-07-15T10:49:00.003-04:00

5 Reasons Julie and Julia Is Going To Be Awesome

I am so excited to see this!

Bear surgery

2009-07-14T01:27:00.000-04:00

While Faith was in the hospital I also got to perform "surgery" on these teeny bears! Not only were they wired in tighter than any other toy/barbie I have ever opened, even the stuffing was separate with a zipper attachment. I probably didn't need to stuff them as Faith was just going to chew on them then throw them on the floor.

Reading

2009-07-13T12:55:00.003-04:00

Someone you want to be friends with... Like!

Dress me up

2009-07-10T13:01:00.004-04:00

I think I will just buy one of these when I get the time. Or the $400!! What the heck! And let me just point out that for $400!! It should come in XL! hrmph.

Cute

2009-07-09T13:00:00.003-04:00

I totally want to make these! I will add them to my list of 200+ craft projects I want to create... The lobster actually looks like one I already have from my days at Boston Lobster Feast.

Gingery

2009-07-07T09:51:00.003-04:00

How friggin' cute are these?! Admittedly I am a lover of ginger bread men, women, animals, and houses.

Cost of Living

2009-07-06T09:37:00.005-04:00

I don't know how much the cost of living actually goes up as we age as much as the comfort of living we will put up with.
Shoes: no longer willing to put up with uncomfortable shoes no matter how good they look
Food: no longer willing to eat Hamburger Helper, Ramen noodles, or Taco Bell all the time
Car: no longer willing to drive car without A/C or defrost, or that makes loud and embarrassing noises
Clothes: no longer willing to wear clothes too tight, too short, too long, without bras. Speaking of bras, require more support!
Home: no longer willing to live with roommates
Hobbies: more expensive than going to bar to shoot pool where dudes will buy you drinks, or nickel beer nights
Sunglasses: No longer able to just pick them up at Ross, need prescription ones!!

Letter to a daughter, or 2...

2009-06-22T05:36:00.003-04:00

In the tradition of Dooce I am going to start writing letters to my kids. Although with a lot less eloquence and humor....

Dear Alexia,
You are 14 getting close to 15 and even though I believe you are purposely trying to drive me crazy right now, I know that it has nothing to do with me and you are trying to find yourself. I wish you could find you on your own without the help of your friends, and hope that one day you will you will realize how awesome you are. You make me proud the way you are with kids and animals and fashion and art. You have an instinct that I never had and a magnatism that draws these things to you. You are patient and kind and fair with others and I hope you can be kind and fair to yourself.
Since you have exhausted your grandparents, when your brother comes to visit us in the hospital he is bringing you along. Even though I know you will be kind of bored here and missing your friends, I am excited that you will be here with us. Faith loves you more than anything and she needs some more fun than I have to give her. Brush your teeth and be good for Grandma, Papa, and Brit.
Love,
mom

Faith,
It is day 21 in the hospital and you are the best little girl ever. You hardly complain and are such a good patient, even though you have no right to be as much as we have tortured you. Unfortunately I don't see much letting up of the torturing until your little body decides to cooperate!! I completely believe that your attitude is helping and will help you to heal. While waiting for your walks that you love or to be picked up, you have a patience your parents can't even begin to believe. You wait while I check your tube, move, unsuction, position, re-check, re-position, and arrange your tubing. Then wait some more while we try to pick you up without hurting you, or kinking your tube, and while we try to do it smoothly, which is nearly impossible. To pick you up under your bottom and support your back at the same time, with your low muscle tone, makes you feel 25 pounds heavier than normal. I am sorry for every time I hurt you when picking you up. The nurses and doctors all love you because you are cute and strong and happy and busy. I think the curly fro helps too.
You push us away when we try to cuddle because you are a big girl and don't need mom and dad all up in your business.
Hang in there and I hope we can take you home soon.
Love,
mama

UMT: Useless Movie Trivia

2009-06-22T00:44:00.003-04:00

It turns out that Tarantino wasn't the first to give the "cool" names to the bad guys in Reservoir Dogs. These were originally used for the bad guys in The Taking of Pelham One Two Three.

Lancey

2009-06-21T03:38:00.004-04:00

This couple in Florida paid $155,000 to have their dog cloned. A Labrador. I understand them wanting to do this since they can afford it, but it seems so weird and risky with personality, genetics (the cancer returning), etc. I hope it doesn't turn out poorly for them like the couple with that bull on the This American Life episode where the bull was actually mean and kept goring the owner. I suppose the Lab won't gore anyone.

Maurice Joseph Micklewhite Jr.

2009-06-21T00:38:00.004-04:00

A reason to like Michael Caine:
Recently asked what he is currently watching on TV he said "30Rock" and said something about Tina Fey being one of the funniest women or the funniest woman, on TV. True dat!

Medical dramas

2009-06-18T00:58:00.005-04:00

Overheard today in one of the hospital corridors while carrying Faith and her chest juice around:
Female resident: You never see them doing rounds on those shows.
Male resident: I think they used to do it on ER.
Female resident: Really, they did?
Male resident: Yeah, I think so.

This made me think, uh, duh, hello, SCRUBS!!!!!

Green

2009-06-16T07:47:00.007-04:00

It seems crazy or ironic or funny that everywhere, everyone, everything is going "green", reducing, reusing, recycling, EXCEPT at hospitals and medical facilities. And I am not even talking about items like syringes and medical waste, contaminated stuff, but the bottles her milk and sterile water come in. These items they throw away. In the trash. With the dirty paper towels and food items, etc. there is no attempt to recycle these items. Probably it is more expensive than just throwing them away. It isn't just plastic items either. Water, rubber gloves, paper towels, etc. they don't mess around here! Cleanliness and speed definitely more important. I am not suggesting that recycling is the answer or a better way for the medical community, just that it feels unnatural to see everything tossed as garbage when outside in the "real world" I feel guilty if I throw away a soda lid or use an entire paper towel instead of half of one.

Prescription

2009-06-14T23:48:00.003-04:00

Everything I have seen in hospitals and this is my first viewing, or knowledge, of prescription butt cream...

Sexy

2009-06-04T01:22:00.005-04:00

Before this visit I was less worried about the horribly uncomfortable furniture because I read how Rooms to Go had donated all new furniture to the Devonshire. Whoo Hoo!! The furniture is definitely a big upgrade, the rest not so much. They even donated sexy artwork! Although I did add my own personal touch..

Devonshire

2009-06-04T00:59:00.008-04:00

There are no Ronald McDonald houses near Miami Children's Hospital so they have these crappy little apartments down the street they rent cheap to family members of patients. I don't mind that they are crappy, cheap apartments because who cares, you have a fridge and a bed and air conditioning. What I DO mind are that they are rodent, worm, bug, roach infested. Whether or not it bothers me on a personal level is a moot point, but the fact that IT IS DISGUSTING and brings gross, buggy, disgusting germs to the hospital seems to me an issue! The place bathed in sanitizer and freezing temperatures to keep germs at bay. Why wouldn't you make sure to spend a fraction of your budget on pest control!! Maybe infested is too harsh a word but here is what we walked into (I do have to say it does seem better than 4 years ago), dead HUGE roaches in the lights, and in the windows, rodent poop in the shower where I had to bathe Faith with her surgical scrub the night before her surgery, worms in the lights and on the floor, etc. I have to say it is better than last time as most of the roaches I have seen are dead or dying (I knew that little can of Lysol would come in handy!) but still. All those disgusting germs to take into the surgical wards? Really? I think it is wrong...

Pelosi

2009-06-04T00:18:00.005-04:00

So while hearing about all this hoopla re: Nancy Pelosi and her knowledge of the torture techniques being implemented, one of the journalists was wondering why Pelosi didn't speak up and just say, hey it was right after the 9/11 attacks/safety of our country/mood at the time, etc. and I thought why is it okay if that was "our" mood at the time? Torture, interment camps, WAR, all fine as long as we are feeling that way on a particular day... Oh, we're very sorry but America has PMS today.

Mi Miami

2009-05-31T23:30:00.002-04:00

Today we came to Miami. Poor Faith was so sweet and cute and it almost killed me to think of the ways in which she was about to be tortured. I know children are strong, will get over it, blah. But I felt (feel) so GUILTY!!!! sigh. Bad mommy. Of course her FATHER was in a HURRY to get to beautiful Miami as his mom was already at her hotel so on the drive down I had nothing to eat or drink because I thought he might flog me if I had to stop at a rest area. Did I mention that everything is always MY FAULT?!?! So I didn't want to cause trouble by having to do something terrible like PEE.

Engulfed in Flames

2009-05-29T13:48:00.002-04:00

Remember this post? This book, not so much..

Corn + cake

2009-05-21T15:48:00.003-04:00

My grandma used to make these for us, corncakes. I have no idea exactly what she put in them, but I am betting canned milk was involved, as she also used it for creamed corn (hers was the best I have ever had!), and EVERYTHING. When she passed away all I asked for were her crochet hooks, because she taught me how to crochet with them, and her recipes. These were the things that were important to her and remind me of her. Of course, none of her everyday recipes were in there, only in her head.

Calcium

2009-05-19T09:32:00.003-04:00

This makes me wonder what it will be like in 10-20 years when our kids are grown. Everything we try to eat now will be bad for you. Whole wheat BAD! Flax seeds, boo! ..... Like when I was younger it was don't eat the yolk, bad, but now the yolk is good in moderation. Or how people cut down too much on fats, but we need the good fats blah blah.

iRun

2009-05-19T09:20:00.007-04:00

Okay, not yet, but I think I am going to try. I am using this series of podcasts to train myself. Have I mentioned I heart podcasts?! Even back when I was a crazy gym rat (I know, hard to believe!) I had no interest in running. I would do fast walking and incline but never run. For some reason now I feel like it is time. Plus I need something to keep me healthy that I can do basically anywhere since the gym isn't really a viable option with Faith and I need to do something productive to work off my stress, anxiety, and living with Jeremy. Wish me luck! Or stamina or whatever it is you need to become a runner...

Trying to kill my mom

2009-05-18T16:20:00.003-04:00

antibiotic:
So, my moms STUPID FUCKING doctor prescribed this to her. She was really feeling crappy for the week before/after mothers day and then noticed a commercial for it on tv that said the risks/who should not take.
Read the bold part.
Even better when my mom called her coordinator/nurse at Shands who monitors transplants and their medication interactions, levels of everything, etc., she didn't even know about it and said that she COULDN'T TELL THE DOCTORS because she WASN'T ALLOWED! It has to come down from like the FDA and trickle down to the doctors the nurse works with every day! It is political!!!! So doctors are prescribing this to their transplant patient not knowing, and this nurse can't tell anyone except her own patients. They can't tell my mom if the damage will be permanent or not. This is the latest in a string of medical nightmares...

nicknames

2009-05-18T15:31:00.003-04:00

I wonder what it is that causes us (just moms?) to call their little ones by a crazy assortment of nicknames. Me anyway. In addition to the "standard" ones (beautiful, cutie, sweetie, princess, etc.) a lot of them related to food. Some I have used:

Peanut Butter cup
Crabby Patty
Booger
Cranky Pants
Crazy Hair
Sweet Potato
Pumpkin Butter
Cutie Patootie
Jelly Bean
Snorty Snorterson (she inherited the snort laughing from grandma Pyle, thanks grandma!)

Sad eyes

2009-05-18T10:56:00.008-04:00

When I took my little peanut to the eye doctor I mentioned that she still doesn't seem interested in television or books. The doctor replied, very matter of fact "SHE MIGHT NEVER BE INTERESTED" WHAT?!?! sob, cry, NO!! TV, fine. Books, love of my life, is there no justice?! I have already filled her awesome little library with new books, classics, and her bro and sis' old books. I understand the doc was saying she might never be interested/able to focus well on these things, the geneticist once said the same thing about her driving, but I doubt he had any idea how his words scared the crap out of me. Maybe crushing my soul just a little bit. Of course, now I will be on a mission to get her to love reading but...
This could be worse than my son being a jock.

Backyard view

2009-05-18T10:51:00.007-04:00

This is the view from the dock of my new back yard torwards one of the neighbors houses. Notice the cat on the end of the dock. We have stray/not really cats that live in our yards and one of them had her kittens right under where this cat is sitting! So for days we had little girls running through our back yard.

This is a view into the canal from the dock. Note the lack of water. Those wooden legs you see used to be covered with water...
Also, on a side note this canal is very different than the one behind my grandpa's house when I was young. That one had black moccasins and other snakes and was yucky with huge concrete sides, so man made... ours does have reptiles too, but not so many that I have noticed. Not seen a gator yet either..

iCook Lemony

2009-05-18T10:42:00.003-04:00

Okay, it's true, you don't think lemon + pasta works but this recipe from PW is really good! Simple and yummy, and it makes me think of all the ways I could play with it! Of course, I made an entire pan and so far I am the only one eating it so I guess I will be eating it all week! :) I will have Faith try it tonight..

Room shots 4

2009-05-12T13:35:00.004-04:00

My cool acid stained concrete floors. I picked the color but made my baby daddy add a couple more coats with colors. I really like them. Although probably freezing in the winter. I haven't picked out any rugs yet. I am looking into FLOR.

Room shots 3

2009-05-12T13:31:00.003-04:00

My recess cans. I love these!!

Room shots 2

2009-05-12T13:26:00.005-04:00

Desk, blinds I like, but not sure how well they match. OOH, if you look close you can see a Victoria's Secret bag behind my printer. Sexy!

Wondering

2009-05-12T13:05:00.001-04:00

If it's weird to have carried Faith's shoes and socks in my purse all day Sunday, then my own socks (clean at least!) yesterday and today. Methinks I need a smaller purse.

Room shots 1

2009-05-12T01:03:00.001-04:00

My fan. I know, maybe I should have taken a picture of it while not on, but whatever. You can see my wall color here also. Behr Pineapple Fizz.

Juicy cute-ure

2009-05-01T12:27:00.002-04:00

I don't even remember why but I guess sometime I signed up for something through Juicy Juice and they sent me a free sippy cup. I think it's so cute! :)

Apropos

2009-04-27T12:05:00.004-04:00

Okay, I am thinking that sitting on your (much older) boyfriend or husbands lap and playing with his hair is fine when you aren't at A FAMILY OPTHAMOLOGISTS OFFICE!! Geesh. Maybe I am just too uptight or Welsh or something. For the first 20 minutes they were wandering around while I was waiting on Faith's appt. and glasses adjustment I thought (assumed) they were father and daughter. I hope not.

Snotty socks

2009-04-24T09:19:00.006-04:00

Okay, last week when Faith STARTED her still ongoing virus, I took her to Wal-Mart to pick up a couple of things. Since we have moved Wal-Mart is closer than Super Target, so....
Anyway right when I put Faith in the cart she started throwing a fit, something she is doing more and more lately both since her dad and I moved in together and because she hasn't been feeling well and because she is getting more frustrated and because she can! For some reason when Faith throws fits she blows snot rockets out of her nose if it is snotty or just snorts like a bull if it is clear. Of course on this day it was snot all over her face and while digging in my purse for tissues I ALWAYS HAVE, they weren't there! Either I used them and forgot to replace them or more likely Faith tossed them out of my purse since mommas purse is her favorite toy. Since you have to get the snot immediately off her face or she will PLAY WITH IT GROSS!! I looked for the only thing I had handy besides my shirt, which was her socks I hadn't put on yet. In white trash wal-mart tradition, I used her (clean, I swear!) socks to get all the snot off her face. Then, because she has about 50 pairs of socks I just threw them away and took my sockless baby shopping. Although I felt guilty about throwing away the socks, my mom and my grandma are still inside my head telling me to save everything, I felt better that her face was clean.

Clocks

2009-04-20T09:32:00.001-04:00

I was just listening to the song Clocks by Coldplay and the line when he sings "shoot an apple off my head" made me wonder if now when he sings that line, if it feels funny, since that is his daughters name?

Fontan I

2009-04-16T10:15:00.003-04:00

Faith had her cath almost a month ago and we have been ANXIOUSLY waiting to hear from Miami Children's Hospital to schedule her 3rd stage surgery. Her local cardiologist told us he conferenced about her case on April 1 and that we should hear from MCH within a week to schedule. We don't want to wait too long because
a. want to get it over with and get Faith back to healing and growing
b. if it takes too long to schedule they will have to do another sedated echo, etc. and she doesn't need any additional unnecessary testing.

I wait a week and a half and since they haven't called yet her cardiologist gives us the direct number to call and find out what is going on. This direct number goes to a team of cardiologists asst., not the actual cardiac scheduling department, so the asst. transfers me to scheduling where I leave a voice mail. OF course they don't call back and after 24 hours I try again and leave another message. Another day and I call back getting irritated. This is a big deal, it is a major surgery, we are anxious parents, we have jobs waiting on us to let them know when we will be taking off, I have a teen to coordinate schooling with...
Luckily the asst. is really nice, they couldn't find her file or the info. from Orlando or where she had been conferenced, so she tries to help me figure this out. She goes to look for the file, can't find it so she emails everyone and long story short today she found her! When I called back this morning to follow up she tells me she found her on the conference notes and they found the information sent from Orlando. She is surprised I haven't already heard from the scheduling girl/lady/person and transfers me to her where it just rings and then hangs up on me....

Spider bite

2009-04-13T13:11:00.003-04:00

Who knew? I am such a mom now. First a friend had to explain to me the "Have You Seen Amy" song by Britney Spears (this friend even said I was "such a mom"!) and now my daughter after piercing her lip tells me that she thought about doing 2, in case you missed that 2!!!! piercings next to each other and this is known as a spider bite.
Dude, I am so old...

iMove 1

2009-04-13T12:32:00.005-04:00

So, due to financial and emotional reasons, my baby daddy and I decided to move in together in the best interests of Faith and Alexia and my (in)sanity. During this time I tried to ignore such statements as "what have you been doing for the past month?" when I mentioned I still needed to pack and maybe he could watch Faith. I took the higher road and said "nothing" instead of listing off all the things I had been doing. Most notably taking care of our daughter and my other daughter and my house while not getting home until almost 7 every night. Because really I am just SO lazy. I was really just sitting on the couch every night watching Oprah and eating take-out. Then when I was still moving Monday and Tuesday night until late, I mentioned I ran out of boxes and he said "why don't you just put some of your (crap) stuff away and use those empty boxes. I did ask him where exactly I should unpack to as I had no dresser (in his garage), no closet (I had no shelves or bar), no bookcase (also still in his garage), no bathroom counter or storage (awaiting him to finish and install new concrete countertop). THIS is what I have to live with people!! I know it will be so exciting and fun to live together. urgh.

You

2009-04-13T12:27:00.001-04:00

Listening to You

Wondering

2009-04-04T01:11:00.003-04:00

How long I can let my underarm hair grow before it is disturbing.

Carrot

2009-03-30T15:34:00.004-04:00

While this recipe sounds good, I was wondering what the heck is up with the carrots on this cupcake? Are they glazed with something hard and shiny? Are they crystallized or something? Are they sprayed with some type of hairspray photo trick material? But I see they are cooked with butter and maple syrup!! okay, yum. Although I figure mine will look like weird orange blobs on my cupcakes...

Current Addiction

2009-03-10T17:26:00.000-04:00

I am pretty sure this tells people ALL about me...

Podcasts on my Zune:

Adobe Photoshop Quick Tips - Multiple
BBC Global News - 3/4-3/10/09
BBC History Magazine - Part 1
Being Healthy for Busy People - multiple episodes
Brain Stuff - Can water go bad?
Business English Pod - the different ING forms and gerunds
CNN Complete Update - 3/9/09 & 3/10/09
Dan Carlin's Hardcore History - 3 eps
Discovery Health - Get fit in 2009
Gardenerd - 6 episodes
Get-It-Done Guy Quick and Dirty Tips to Work Less and Do More - Multiple
Grammar Girl's Quick and Dirty Tips - over 50 episodes
Just Vocabulary - multiple eps
Martha Stewart - multiple eps. *This is supposed to be a mixture but for some reason every episode is about deserts!
Mayo Clinic - Acupuncture for nausea
Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day - Daily
MSNBC Countdown - Daily
MSNBC Rachel Maddow - 3/9/09
MUSC Children's Health - Congenital Heart Defect: Reparation of Heart Abnormalities in Children and Heart Surgery: Open Heart Surgery in Pediatric Patients
MUSC Heart and Vascular Health - Quality of Care/Echocardiogram/Heart Transplantation
MUSC Organ Transplant - Cardiac Transplantation: Selection of Patients for Surgery/ Heart Transplants: An Overview
NBC Nightly News - 3/9/09 *I heart Brian Williams!! :)
NPR Books - 1/12/09
PediaCast - Peanut Butter, VapoRub, Wimpy Kids/Flouride, Flu Shots/okay, a bunch!!
Photoshop For Digital Photographers - Multiple. *HEY! A girl can dream!
Podmedics - Various, aimed at medical students
Raise your kids, NOT YOUR VOICE - Siblings/ Good Mornings/ The I-Don't-Argue-With-You Rule/ Teaching Responsibility/ Good Nights: Resolving Bedtime and Sleep Issues/ Parenting Your Teenager
Stuff You Missed in History Class - Multiple episodes
Stuff You Should Know - How Redheads Work
The Bugle (Audio Newspaper for a Visual World) - Last 3 eps.
The Family Anatomy - Multiple
The History of Rome - All
The Nutrition Diva's Quick and Dirty Tips - Multiple
The Parents Journal - Multiple
The Teaching Company - Will China and India Dominate the 21st Century/The Search for What Killed the Dinosaurs/Modern Economic Issues/Building Great Sentences

...and many more

2009-03-10T14:50:00.005-04:00

So, Alexia totally has my put foot in mouth/bizarre sense of humor where these inappropriate one-liners will often just slip out of their own accord. Basically our brains have no yield signs. So, the other night we were celebrating my dads birthday, and at the end of every birthday song my mom has always sang the phrase "and many more". But after this birthday song to my dad Alexia belts out "and NOT many more". What??!!! The entire table fell silent and just stared at her and then we all started laughing because she turned so red. Her brain had finally caught up with what she had said. Maybe not the best thing to say to someone nearing 70. Poor kid, I have burdened her with my (and my moms side of the family) humor disorder. Although where she gets that sarcasm from is a mystery...

Full Circle sigh

2009-03-10T11:18:00.000-04:00

It is happening to me..... I am turning into my mother!! And a bit of my father. Every other day I find myself saying something to Alexia and in my mind thinking to myself, "I sound just like my mom!!". The latest example of this involves razors. Razors are so important to a teenage girl but so scary and dangerous to have around toddlers! So I find myself saying constantly, put up the razor, don't leave it lying around, put it up, and she almost never does it unless I follow her around! I would threaten to throw them away but then I know she would "borrow" mine. Just like she does my makeup, and sweatshirts, and jewelry and....
I also ask her if she is going to be paying the electric bill due to all the lights on/fridge open/TV & stereo on. Or start buying the groceries for all she wastes!
I'm sorry mom and dad!!

O Ceramic Christmas Tree

2009-03-05T15:47:00.008-05:00

This is so true! My mom has one and every year we would be so excited to put in all the tiny multicolored lights! I mean until like age 12. And then our kids loved it too. She still puts it out and I still love it because it makes me feel happy and takes me back to excited childhood Christmas memories. I think part of it is because when we put the lights on this tree it was when everything was done and decorated. On a side note, my mom is a Christmas decorating FIEND!! I believe that is part of why I now decorate more minimalistic for the holidays, because she was such a freak taskmaster about it! I love the decorations, even the gaudy ones, but never seem to find the spirit or energy for it. Plus I am lazy. She still decorates this way and the grand kids help her, because they loved it and as they turned into teens because she pays them to help her :)

Retarded, Disabled, Special Needs, Medically Needy

2009-03-05T13:00:00.000-05:00

How do I refer to my sweetpea? To those who don't know her...
To me, retarded brings to mind certain characterizations and movements I don't want associated with her, as they aren't true.
Disabled is okay, and what I usually say, but as with medically needy or medically fragile, not quite appropriate. She has medical issues, yes, but not that hinder her day to day, it also doesn't infer that she is delayed in motor/language skills.
What do you think?

French Idioms

2009-02-04T13:08:00.003-05:00

comme un baiser sans moustache - Like a kiss without the mustache
comme un violon sans cordes - Like a violin without strings
comme une soupe sans sel - Like soup without salt

Now, if I only knew how to pronounce these.. the French versions..

Be Careful of Crawling Babies.....

2009-01-31T17:49:00.003-05:00

Okay, probably you don't have to be TOO careful but don't ever leave your glasses lying within toddler reach while you go to potty and brush your teeth... Or you will have to have your lenses replaced after she crawls across the gritty tile floor with her cute little hand wrapped around them.... Especially if you don't have a back up pair or wear contacts...

It could've been a jungle out there...

2009-01-28T15:36:00.005-05:00

I found out last Friday while visiting with my mom something I never knew before. We were discussing how happy we were that my son has flat feet so couldn't join the service or be drafted. It's true, I am a very selfish mother. Anyway we were saying that since he is such a by the rule don't be weird (I know, who knew I could produce something so normal!) guy he would never leave anyone behind and would be killed doing something brave but unnecessary. This led to us talking about how like my father he is and my mom said that is why she told my dad, when he was ready to start jungle training for Vietnam she told him it was Vietnam or her!!!!!! I never knew that he was going to go to Vietnam! During the war! So scary! I knew he had been in the Air Force stationed overseas but always assumed he did his time before the war and got out just in time. Turns out he wanted to stay in! And was ready for jungle training! I could have been a have not. And she said it was REAL jungle training. Eating bugs and monkeys and guys dying from poisons and losing limbs to gangrene, and all kinds of horrible stuff. Brave daddy.

iCook

2009-01-28T12:59:00.003-05:00

Does Apple have this yet? A way to organize, rate, and share your recipes?! In any event, I made this for dinner last night, Beef and Sweet Potato Pan Roast. Except that as usual I overcooked my beef, cut my sweet potatoes into cubes, and sliced my tomatoes in half. Because I am weird like that. It was actually really good except for said overcooked beef. However I wasn't able to let Faith try the sweet potatoes as I didn't finish cooking it until after she was in bed and daughter A refused to try it based on the sweet potatoes alone. I cook for myself. I would have taken a picture but mine looked nothing like this pretty pic here so I decided no...
If you are interested, here is a link to the recipe

Coveting...

2008-12-05T15:14:00.004-05:00

I am coveting this kitchen gadget. Even if I never use it for fancy presentations. I want it .....

Sweetness

2008-12-05T09:43:00.002-05:00

Faith LOVES sweet potatoes. Now that she is eating (happy happy joy joy), these are her favorite. Knowing they are a "superfood" but not exactly why I decided to research and besides the multiple nutritional values I learned that:
"In South America the juice of red sweet potatoes is combined with lime juice to make a dye for cloth. By varying the proportions of the juices, every shade from pink to purple to black can be obtained."
So cool! I want to learn how to do this and be one of those people who sell Green clothing!

Bugs slugs and tiny green thugs

2008-11-14T09:47:00.004-05:00

Okay, I am not sure what episode of creature feature I am on but my house has become some sort of swamp/camp/woods creature refuge!! Two nights ago, Daughter A trapped a wasp under a cup. A wasp. At 8 PM at NIGHT!! Then about an hour later I went to pick up what I thought was a wayward leaf near the front hallway. But as I headed towards said "leaf" it was a baby frog!!! AAAHHH! While I am not frightened of frogs, especially babies, or perhaps it was a teen, it did startle me and I screeched a little which prompted Daughter A to come and investigate. I asked her to put it outside and after some hopping and screeching of her own she actually chased it out the front door. Those suckers can jump!! Okay, all good, I figured maybe she left the front door open too long earlier in the day or something. Then, last night, I was letting Mr. B out and he stopped to investigate something right next to the floorboard by the door and it was a SLUG!!!!!! EWWWWWW!! What is going on in my house!!!!!

It’s True. You Can’t Put A Price On Stupidity

2008-11-13T10:56:00.001-05:00

It’s True. You Can’t Put A Price On Stupidity

Posted using ShareThis

Youth in Asia

2008-11-11T22:20:00.005-05:00

David Sedaris makes me laugh, and he makes me cry, and he makes me laugh while crying. People who see me reading this must think I'm a total nutter!

Rubber Band Cats

2008-11-07T15:20:00.003-05:00

So, today my poofy puppy is getting neutered! While complaining to my mother about the cost, she said I could do what my Grandfather and great-grandfather used to do with all the stray cats on their Illinois farm. Tie rubber bands around their, um, "boys" until they fell off!! Good ol' farm medicine!!

I Voted

2008-11-04T12:59:00.001-05:00

And I color coordinated too!

Halloween 08

2008-11-04T08:37:00.007-05:00

This year we (me and my baby daddy) decided to go to his boss' place for Halloween as it is close to our workplaces and we wouldn't have to rush the hour+ drive home to try to hurry up and get her ready, etc. I thought she would mostly be uninterested or just want to be held but she actually walked and held her cute felt pumpkin basket (from Grandma) out to people for the candy. And because my little cutie pie is so friendly and social she thought that when people were opening their doors it was for her to come in and hang out! So each time she was trying to step up into the houses. So cute!