To start with tricksey little hobbitses...Tonight we had chicken enchiladas. This is not something the boys love (it's not dino chicken nuggets after all) but they ate it tonight without too much hassle. Monkey wasn't quite as hungry as usual what with the animal crackers/enough pepper cheese to constipate an elephant/a third of a peach/applesauce dipper/graham cracker sticks/apple juice/cut up tomato snack. So he didn't eat much of the dinner. I told him that in order to get dessert he needed to eat more...then I left to go talk to Dirty about what I spent at the grocery store today. That was a parenting mistake that I should have learned not to make by now. So Monkey took his adult sized plate, emptied it into the garbage disposal, rinsed his plate, then asked for dessert. When I went to see how much he'd eaten there was no plate because it was completely cleaned off in the sink. Do I tell him I don't believe that he ate the rest and not give him dessert? Do I give in because he did clear his place and clean off his plate? How can I verify that he did indeed eat his dinner? I didn't. I gave him the one flavor-ice that has frozen since we got home from the grocery store and a waffle cone bowl with some rainbow sherbet in it. Tricksey little hobbitses...
Mildewy laundry has to do with the fact that I am washing for the third time the same load of darks that I keep leaving either a.) in the washer until it mildews or b.) in the dryer not giving it more dry cycles (because it's a super large load) until it gets mildewy. I've spent more money on laundry detergent, water, and electricity with this one load of laundry than I cared to. I vow to get this load of darks through the entire laundry cycle instead of leaving it down in the basement to mildew once more.
And finally, our family has been having a Lord of the Rings marathon in all of our free tv watching time (LOTR for all of you lay-folk). In anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour or so we have been watching all three of the LOTRs...since last Friday. It's now Tuesday and we are finally on the final movie (Return of the King...again for all you that don't know much about LOTR) We have all three movies in extended versions. That adds on maybe 30 extra minutes or so of movie onto already pretty long movies. Don't tell Dirty but I actually enjoy all of these movies but love busting his chops about how I don't want to watch them. I don't really need a reason to watch Viggo Mortensen, Orlando Bloom, Elijah Wood, or Andy Serkis (hee hee hee for anyone that doesn't know he actually plays Gollum). My only problem with watching them this time is that Dirty has sub-dialogues of what the characters are thinking. For instance, when Eowyn is trying to convey to Aragorn that she wants to end up with him before the final battle because she loves him Dirty says, "Step up off my grill woman! I only dig elven women. Those pointy ears really do it for me. I don't want some human woman. I don't care if you can wield a sword." Other than that I do enjoy the movies and that is why I'm calling my three year old a tricksey little hobbitses.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Summer Vacation...
Summer vacation is officially here. I know that all of us that get to be more house-bound during the summer were looking forward to it. Of course we will be visiting all of the regular summer places around town but we get to do it when we want to do it whenever we want to do it. Last night Yellow Belt was upset that he had to go to late (7-8:15 p.m.) Tae Kwon Do until I reminded him that it didn't really matter that it was late night because he could stay up until I go to bed which would be at the very least 11 p.m. He perked up after that. I think the routines and schedules were really wearing on him.
Yesterday we had our first day of summer vacation. The boys woke up I think about 7. (I can't remember anymore since today Yellow Belt slept until 9 a.m. and Monkey slept until 10 a.m.) Yellow Belt didn't want to eat breakfast so I didn't push it. He ended up just eating lunch. The boys both stayed in their underwear until after lunch when we got sunblocked up and swimsuits on. We played in the sprinkler and baby pool. The boys like to dunk into the pool and it's the perfect size for that. After outside play we came in for "quiet time" so that I could work out. "Quiet time" didn't end up being very quiet because Monkey was too silly trying to entertain big brother. Afterwards I went to go clean the kitchen and start dinner. Yellow Belt and Monkey watched some tv and then Yellow Belt came in, at 4:30 p.m. no less, to inform me that Monkey was asleep. Yellow belt then demanded dino chicken nuggets for dinner because he DID NOT want salmon patties and he wasn't going to eat what I made. I informed him that I wasn't making anything else and he WAS going to eat the dinner I DID make. He disappeared the rest of the time that I prepared dinner. Once Dirty got home, about 5 p.m., I woke up Monkey who was surprisingly pleasant during dinner, we ate, had the discussion about not wanting to go to Tae Kwon Do, Yellow Belt decided once again (for the fifth time at least) that he does indeed like salmon patties, and Dirty and Yellow Belt left to go to class. They stopped to get milk and ice cream on the way home and the boys both stayed up until around 11 p.m. (the reason they slept late today).
I spent the entire day enjoying the moments and telling the boys how much I was enjoying spending time with them. I know that there will be a point during the summer when we're all going crazy and I'm counting down the days until school starts but for now I'm really enjoying our slow starts and being together all day long. Today Yellow Belt has a playdate and will be gone all afternoon until after dinner, but we got some quality time to watch Essence of Emeril together which we haven't done in a really long time.
Yesterday we had our first day of summer vacation. The boys woke up I think about 7. (I can't remember anymore since today Yellow Belt slept until 9 a.m. and Monkey slept until 10 a.m.) Yellow Belt didn't want to eat breakfast so I didn't push it. He ended up just eating lunch. The boys both stayed in their underwear until after lunch when we got sunblocked up and swimsuits on. We played in the sprinkler and baby pool. The boys like to dunk into the pool and it's the perfect size for that. After outside play we came in for "quiet time" so that I could work out. "Quiet time" didn't end up being very quiet because Monkey was too silly trying to entertain big brother. Afterwards I went to go clean the kitchen and start dinner. Yellow Belt and Monkey watched some tv and then Yellow Belt came in, at 4:30 p.m. no less, to inform me that Monkey was asleep. Yellow belt then demanded dino chicken nuggets for dinner because he DID NOT want salmon patties and he wasn't going to eat what I made. I informed him that I wasn't making anything else and he WAS going to eat the dinner I DID make. He disappeared the rest of the time that I prepared dinner. Once Dirty got home, about 5 p.m., I woke up Monkey who was surprisingly pleasant during dinner, we ate, had the discussion about not wanting to go to Tae Kwon Do, Yellow Belt decided once again (for the fifth time at least) that he does indeed like salmon patties, and Dirty and Yellow Belt left to go to class. They stopped to get milk and ice cream on the way home and the boys both stayed up until around 11 p.m. (the reason they slept late today).
I spent the entire day enjoying the moments and telling the boys how much I was enjoying spending time with them. I know that there will be a point during the summer when we're all going crazy and I'm counting down the days until school starts but for now I'm really enjoying our slow starts and being together all day long. Today Yellow Belt has a playdate and will be gone all afternoon until after dinner, but we got some quality time to watch Essence of Emeril together which we haven't done in a really long time.
Friday, May 23, 2008
Holy Inappropriateness Batman...
My neighbor that moved in where my in-laws used to live is a really nice guy. He likes a well manicured yard and clear sidewalks when it snows. He always does it without asking and usually says, "No really. I like doing it!" Which is extremely generous of him. He pretty much does every one's front yards within at least a five house radius of his. He snow blows both sides of the street, around some neighbors cars even, on pretty much the whole block. I think that's his gift to the mail person. We are having a birthday party for Yellow Belt tomorrow evening and even though Dirty offered to do it since we were having guests in the yard our neighbor still did it during the day today while we were both gone.
As a thank you we try to get him some Schlafly beer as a thank you because he enjoys beer. We do it when we can, which isn't often with our current financial situation, in hopes that it conveys our gratitude. We don't have a lawnmower, a snow blower, a weed whacker, or any of the other tools you might need to keep your yard looking crisp. And since Dirty offered to do it and our neighbor did it anyway we bought a couple of cases and were going to let him pick which one he wanted. Dirty left it to me this time to speak with our neighbor about which he preferred.
Now as I've stated he'd been working in the yard all afternoon. He had just gone inside but I was hoping to catch him before he went out or got too comfy inside. I ran over and rang the bell. No dogs barking. Must not work. Knocked on the glass of their door. Dogs bark. It's only a matter of moments now. Then he opens his door...wearing nothing but a towel...that is gaping toward the bottom...threatening to pop open and show me more than I would really ever want to see of one of my neighbors. Holy inappropriateness!!! So I said a little shyly and really embarrassed that, "You really didn't have to answer the door in this state!" He said, "Oh no. It's not problem." All I can think is...white hairy chest...please don't let the towel drop...oh good the puppy came out to see me and I don't have to look up...just spit out the types of beer you bought and have him pick...AS QUICKLY AS HUMANLY POSSIBLE...PLEASE...OH...PLEASE!!!!! I gave him the choices. He didn't have a preference. I was trying to figure out how to get out of the situation as quickly as possible. I said, "Well we should be in the yard later. I could get it to you then. But actually. You're already at the door (practically naked anyway). So if you can wait, like, 30 more seconds I can go get it and run it back over." "Sure that would work." "Okay great." I ran back over and then had to walk back with the case of Hefeweizen. I would have ran had I not feared slipping on the walk and then breaking the bottles in the case. I noticed when I came back out that he was leaning out his door watching. So as soon as I gave him the case he said, "Yeah, I cleaned off your patio out back for you since you'll have guests over." "I said we really appreciate it. Thank you so much for always doing the yard." And he said, "Oh really no problem." Then I ran off because I think my entire face was red from being embarrassed.
Yikes!!! Then I couldn't even get ahold of my husband to tell him of the very odd uncomfortable situation and that I would NEVER be doing that again....never...ever. So after many weeks of not blogging about anything here's a story for you. I hope your neighbors never answer the door naked...unless you want them too of course. I really did not.
As a thank you we try to get him some Schlafly beer as a thank you because he enjoys beer. We do it when we can, which isn't often with our current financial situation, in hopes that it conveys our gratitude. We don't have a lawnmower, a snow blower, a weed whacker, or any of the other tools you might need to keep your yard looking crisp. And since Dirty offered to do it and our neighbor did it anyway we bought a couple of cases and were going to let him pick which one he wanted. Dirty left it to me this time to speak with our neighbor about which he preferred.
Now as I've stated he'd been working in the yard all afternoon. He had just gone inside but I was hoping to catch him before he went out or got too comfy inside. I ran over and rang the bell. No dogs barking. Must not work. Knocked on the glass of their door. Dogs bark. It's only a matter of moments now. Then he opens his door...wearing nothing but a towel...that is gaping toward the bottom...threatening to pop open and show me more than I would really ever want to see of one of my neighbors. Holy inappropriateness!!! So I said a little shyly and really embarrassed that, "You really didn't have to answer the door in this state!" He said, "Oh no. It's not problem." All I can think is...white hairy chest...please don't let the towel drop...oh good the puppy came out to see me and I don't have to look up...just spit out the types of beer you bought and have him pick...AS QUICKLY AS HUMANLY POSSIBLE...PLEASE...OH...PLEASE!!!!! I gave him the choices. He didn't have a preference. I was trying to figure out how to get out of the situation as quickly as possible. I said, "Well we should be in the yard later. I could get it to you then. But actually. You're already at the door (practically naked anyway). So if you can wait, like, 30 more seconds I can go get it and run it back over." "Sure that would work." "Okay great." I ran back over and then had to walk back with the case of Hefeweizen. I would have ran had I not feared slipping on the walk and then breaking the bottles in the case. I noticed when I came back out that he was leaning out his door watching. So as soon as I gave him the case he said, "Yeah, I cleaned off your patio out back for you since you'll have guests over." "I said we really appreciate it. Thank you so much for always doing the yard." And he said, "Oh really no problem." Then I ran off because I think my entire face was red from being embarrassed.
Yikes!!! Then I couldn't even get ahold of my husband to tell him of the very odd uncomfortable situation and that I would NEVER be doing that again....never...ever. So after many weeks of not blogging about anything here's a story for you. I hope your neighbors never answer the door naked...unless you want them too of course. I really did not.
Monday, May 5, 2008
Cinco de Mayo recipes...
Just in case you need some quick recipes (and hopefully Schnucks on The Hill has restocked because it was slim pickin's yesterday :). I like this recipe for margaritas. And this is my favorite mixed drink which are mojitos. Most resturants don't make them, and I've only like this recipe which makes a whole pitcher. Be careful with these. They are extremely tasty and you might not noticed just how potent they are.
For salsa (I make it fresh): I take one small onion, a clove or two of garlic, a handful of cilantro, and one whole jalapeno (more if you like it really spicy...Dirty likes three. I know he's crazy. He likens it to getting tattoos. He knows it's painful but he still endures it.) and throw all of that in a food pro (i<3 kevin brauch and alton brown) and pulse until finely chopped. Then add four tomatoes that have been quartered, the juice of one freshly squeezed lime, and a pinch of salt. Enjoy with corn tortilla chips.*
*I can't get the salsa picture to come through right. I've tried three times and now I give up.
For guacamole (again I like it fresh...and chunky. No blended, can't tell what's in it, baby food texture guac for me.): Take two avocados, cut in half, remove the pit, score a criss cross pattern in the flesh, and scoop out with a spoon. Add two diced tomatoes, a handful of chopped cilantro, one fresh jalapeno pepper, one or two cloves of garlic, and a small onion all finely diced. Then add a pinch of salt and ground cumin and the juice of one freshly squeezed lime. Gently fold the ingredients together, being careful not to break up the avocado too much, and enjoy!!!
For salsa (I make it fresh): I take one small onion, a clove or two of garlic, a handful of cilantro, and one whole jalapeno (more if you like it really spicy...Dirty likes three. I know he's crazy. He likens it to getting tattoos. He knows it's painful but he still endures it.) and throw all of that in a food pro (i<3 kevin brauch and alton brown) and pulse until finely chopped. Then add four tomatoes that have been quartered, the juice of one freshly squeezed lime, and a pinch of salt. Enjoy with corn tortilla chips.*
*I can't get the salsa picture to come through right. I've tried three times and now I give up.
For guacamole (again I like it fresh...and chunky. No blended, can't tell what's in it, baby food texture guac for me.): Take two avocados, cut in half, remove the pit, score a criss cross pattern in the flesh, and scoop out with a spoon. Add two diced tomatoes, a handful of chopped cilantro, one fresh jalapeno pepper, one or two cloves of garlic, and a small onion all finely diced. Then add a pinch of salt and ground cumin and the juice of one freshly squeezed lime. Gently fold the ingredients together, being careful not to break up the avocado too much, and enjoy!!!
Saturday, May 3, 2008
Bellydancing video update...
The videos that I am using, as far as bellydancing goes, all feature Rania. The two specific videos that I have are here and here. The first video, as you can see, is only $5 right now on amazon.com. I haven't actually used the second video (I've only viewed it) because I just got it today, but I plan on starting tomorrow. The "My Personal Trainer" video actually has a plans in it, and the one I'm most interested in, has seven days a week (mainly 50 minute) sessions.
And I'm so excited that Dirty helped me brainstorm how to link web urls into the blog content YAY!!! THANK YOU, DIRTY!!! This is extremely exciting!!! I'm going to have links all over the place now. I've graduated to a new level of blogging...at least in my own head. :D Do the emoticons bring me back down a level?!?
And I'm so excited that Dirty helped me brainstorm how to link web urls into the blog content YAY!!! THANK YOU, DIRTY!!! This is extremely exciting!!! I'm going to have links all over the place now. I've graduated to a new level of blogging...at least in my own head. :D Do the emoticons bring me back down a level?!?
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
my coffee shop...
Here is the web address for Hartford Coffee Co. I'm sorry that I can't link it. I need to have a tutorial with my more blog saavy friends to figure out how to link things. I've tried using the shortcuts at the top of the posts and they aren't working...well the pictures do but nothing else.
http://www.hartfordcoffeecompany.net/index.html
http://www.hartfordcoffeecompany.net/index.html
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
I'm a "Regular"!!!
Some of the coffee shop regulars are viewing me as a regular which I found exciting this morning. I've decided to introduce myself to the staff of my favorite coffee shop the next time I'm in...especially Sullen Guy who always under-charges me, gives me extra bacon when I order a sandwich, doesn't get frustrated when I can't decide if I want food or not, and let's it roll off his back if I get distracted (sometimes I have Monkey with me). I'm always polite* (I greet them with a "Hi", I try and be as quick with ordering as possible, and ALWAYS say "please" and "thank you") but if I'm going to see these people as often as I sometimes do I should introduce myself...right???
*At least to the ones that don't try and act all condescending when, I accidentally, order two "endless cups" (insert nasty look here by guy taking order), and I end up clarifying my order by saying that I want two 16 oz. sized "to go" coffees which is technically different than an "endless cup". I did have one of the staff give me a look like "You are so clueless. I'm so much hipper than you will ever be. I would never screw up my coffee order. How lame you must be. I can't believe all of the extra steps you are making me go through to put this order in." which I thought was rude.
As a person who works at a coffee shop you should have the understanding that some of the people who order will have some order clarity issues...THAT'S WHY WE DRINK COFFEE!!! So don't all go and get an attitude when one of us accidentally orders using the incorrect terms for the coffee (sizes, types, etc.)
I could also complain about a girl that works there who speaks as little as possible to me and acts like I'm bothering her by being there ordering. But I digress...
BTW Sullen Guy has never given me attitude. He quietly backs up in the order, corrects it, and then gives me my "to go" cup (whichever size I want...generally the 16 oz.) marked with a "B" (I think that stands for endless cup. I might ask him the next time since I'm going to introduce myself anyway), and then ALWAYS says thank you. So thank you Sullen Guy. You always brighten up my coffee shop visits.
*At least to the ones that don't try and act all condescending when, I accidentally, order two "endless cups" (insert nasty look here by guy taking order), and I end up clarifying my order by saying that I want two 16 oz. sized "to go" coffees which is technically different than an "endless cup". I did have one of the staff give me a look like "You are so clueless. I'm so much hipper than you will ever be. I would never screw up my coffee order. How lame you must be. I can't believe all of the extra steps you are making me go through to put this order in." which I thought was rude.
As a person who works at a coffee shop you should have the understanding that some of the people who order will have some order clarity issues...THAT'S WHY WE DRINK COFFEE!!! So don't all go and get an attitude when one of us accidentally orders using the incorrect terms for the coffee (sizes, types, etc.)
I could also complain about a girl that works there who speaks as little as possible to me and acts like I'm bothering her by being there ordering. But I digress...
BTW Sullen Guy has never given me attitude. He quietly backs up in the order, corrects it, and then gives me my "to go" cup (whichever size I want...generally the 16 oz.) marked with a "B" (I think that stands for endless cup. I might ask him the next time since I'm going to introduce myself anyway), and then ALWAYS says thank you. So thank you Sullen Guy. You always brighten up my coffee shop visits.
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