Fall & Apples

Someone else I know

is with child!!!!

I'm so excited and they so deserve this magic!! Congrats and happy and healthy 9 months.

In fact H & H 9 months to all my many pregnant friends!



better you than me - chuckle.....

Cheap and then some

I'm one of those odd freaks who is so incredibly cheap in some ways yet all together the opposite in others. One of my ultra cheap ways is controlling the heat & AC so we have no heat right now and won't until November 1st which is my turn on date! Well it has been mighty chilly here so the house has been down to 58 and warms up to about 62 during the course of the day.

I'm thinking due to that I will make something in the oven for dinner. If you remember my oven door doesn't latch properly so it does a nice job of heating the house. Although then it doesn't do a great job of cooking the food but honestly you can't have everything.

Here's to hoping the oven problem gets worked out on Thursday when the repair guy comes and also that he can make my dishwasher decide to start washing the dishes again. I have much faith in a guy I have never met!

Hours have past and I have done very little but sit outside and chat with friend and drink wine (me not her as she is with child). Gotta love 2x for Tuesday at Dominoes. I know have both kids asleep because I fear we are battling another cold off.

Croc Sale

In case you hadn't noticed I'm a fan. Today I was lucky enough to stumble upon the outlet sale at Crocs.com and picked up 2 pairs of chutes for the kids next summer and a pr of crocs boots for P all for $49 with free shipping (crocsavp08).

Don't knock 'em till you tried 'em and better to try 'em on sale.

Pair it with Gerard

I figured Pasta would be a perfect pairing for my Champagne Salad so I whipped up this quick and yummy and healthy pasta dish.

Chickpea Pasta

Saute a red pepper, white onion with some fresh garlic, OO and any spices (if the kids weren't eating I would have done Red Pepper Flakes). Cook your choice of pasta, I did Penne but this would be perfect with a fun shape. Add 1 can rinsed chickpeas and 1 can petite diced tomatoes to the saute pan, warm. Then add to your drained noodles and mix. Dump into a nice bowl and add some fresh chopped basil and some fresh Parmesan.

Tasty!

Both kids gobbled (subtle reference that its almost time to talk Turkey Day) it down and spent a good 5 minutes coming up with different variations of Chickpea - ChickPete, ChickPeep, ChickPip etc.

I'm smitten

I can't get enough of it, I figure you can eat it on salads, pastas, sandwiches or really anything! I can't get enough of Gerard's Light Champagne Dressing.

It all started last night with an impromptu get together of homemade pizzas and a salad (brought by a friend). The salad itself was perfect - greens, onions, hearts of palm, artichokes, blue cheese - yum! But then the dressing was added and its safe to say that 4 grown women stood around a bowl of salad and devoured it!

I do feel better knowing that I have friends with the same addiction as me.

Holiday Cards in the Making

It's always something

I made mini-thanksgiving last night and it took forever since my oven hardly heats and then I put everything in the dishwasher and its washing for a 2nd time because it doesn't wash. It's hard to put into words how much I hate my appliances and they are only 5 yrs old. Be warned DO NOT buy Whirpool Gold. I can't vouch for the cheaper parts of the Whirlpool brand, hell they probably work great. Gold sucks Pez!

To further enlighten you on my non-dishwasher, I ran it twice and now have a sink full of dishes to scrub - can you say pissed!

Do you think its a problem that I'm blogging and my kids are playing puppy with an actual dog collar and leash?

Have you wondered about my choice in music on the blog? If you subtract Jason Mraz the other songs are the ones I picked for our family DVD that I'm having made. This will be our big gift to most the family this year, it will be 99.9% pics of the kids with a couple of us. I used Smiling Snaps and so far her service has been perfect. I look forward to seeing the final version and of course that my Christmas shopping is done!

On a different note, I'm not much of a sweet person but my kids and GR are responsible for eating half the Halloween candy in the last couple weeks. I did just try a Butterfinger and I must say it was yummy.

Cheap Date

For $24.95 + s/h I have bought myself peace from one of my kids.



This little beauty has kept Preston occupied for solid hours since its arrival on Tuesday. I feel like one of these times I will look over and he will have written a novel, which if he shares some $$$ with my meager retirement account that would be even better.

The best toy in the world is from Toys to Grow On which was the catalog that they picked most of their Christmas gifts from. I also ordered the Math Tables which I thought would be an instant hit because Preston is a huge number freak, instead he won't leave his writing table long enough to eat. But Maren does enjoy pushing all the buttons up and then all the buttons down.



Either way I'm happy and my kid is smart!

Girls Weekend

I know its the same post title as a few days ago but its the same topic! Girls Weekend was perfect and I mean totally perfect - perfect weather perfect activities, perfect food and no drama. It was lovely and relaxing, calm and peaceful and fun and memorable.

The weather was mid 90s during the day and probably low 60s at night. We had great meals cooked at home and one good lunch (right before we left) at a brewery, a tiny bit of shopping, a great hike and just time to chat and read. Nothing was ever forced, it was all perfectly natural.

I admit I was scared about going someplace so freaking hot but it was great. I was scared about going someplace with all girls but I love and respect their company even more now. I was scared to leave my kids but they did great and although I have to repaint 2 rooms my house is still standing.


A cactus on our hike, not sure if its a Saguaro but I can tell you how to pronounce it


We hiked Pinnacle Peak and these are some of the rock formations that look like they could topple at any moment

I consider it a perfect success! Now onto to making the same happen with our large Halloween party.

I'm waiting patiently for the Twilight movie to come out, yesterday I heard Bella's Lullaby and fell head over heels for it.

I managed to get my house put back together yesterday and even my fridge cleaned out (we had pizza for dinner) so today I can touch up paint a few of my chipped rooms and finish up some work then organize my desk. It is piled with 2 kids worth of preschool activities, crafts and misc.

Girls Weekend

I have waited until I was practically out the door to tell the kids I was leaving for the weekend. I will be honest, I have hardly been away from them since they were born. Technically I have never been away from Maren and Preston I was gone 1 night while I had Maren!

When I told Preston he said "If you are gone the whole weekend, I will miss you so much!". "Will you miss me that much?" he asks with tears welling up. I automatically start crying (heck I'm crying typing it) but I managed to tell him I would miss him more.

Of course my missing the kids will come in between a spa day, days at the pool, shopping, eating good food uninterrupted, drinking lots of wine and just laying around doing nothing. but I will miss them both! I'm not sure what I will do when I use the bathroom and don't have an audience, perhaps one of my 3 girlfriends coming with can be the audience.

Did I mention we have perfect fall weather here - 50, sunny and leaves changing. Did I mention I heart fall the most! Did I mention we are going to Arizona and its 90! Did I mention I'm not a fan of heat, summer or boob sweat! Did I mention I don't care because I have managed to do my nails, toes, brows, hair and I look somewhat put together (this is a change see unrelated comment below).

In regards to me never looking put together, Maren's teacher told me I looked "stunning" at church on Sunday. Keep in mind this is the one who sees me un-showered 98% of the time and in sweats. I had managed to get a simple black dress on with tall black boots and my hair brushed (it did need to be washed since I was going on day 4 but...) and apparently it was enough. You know what I will take the compliment, heck it made my freaking week!

Off to the official Girls Weekend 2008 Arizona. I love my kids and will miss them terrible (probably miss GR also)!

5 things you might not have known about me

1. I don't really like sweets and if I do have it would be fancy dessert with strong black coffee.
2. I have no real clue how to style my hair or apply make-up.
3. I swam competitively all the way through college (or the 2 years I attended).
4. I moved to MN when I was 21 so I never really drank in any bars in CO.
5. I had 2 dogs growing up - Lady & Tramp
   

Check it out...

Don't forget to check out Little Bits of Something they have much cuter pictures!

10 Things that make me smile

1. Smell of a campfire or bonfire (on a crisp fall night)
   
2. Watching the leaves change
3. Listening to my kids giggle (or even play nice together)
   
4. A good glass of wine (or the whole bottle)
   
5. Cooking dinner for my friends
6. A book I can't put down (vampires, anyone??)
   
7. A rainy day
8. Pretty flowers (even better if I grew them)
9. Taking a perfect picture (love it even more if it's of my kids)
10. Crocs (ok, that is a tad pathetic)

Speaking of Crocs I highly recommend the new Croc boots. I bought a pair for both Maren and I and they are so cute and should handle the snow and cold nicely (former Ugg lover on a budget now).

AGAIN!!!

I had planned on trying once again to make mini-thanksgiving but it didn't work out so I converted a recipe that I usually do in the crock pot to a quick stove one (we shall see how it turns out).

Monterey Spaghetti - today I used some cooked noodles, can of Cannellini Beans, can of diced tomatoes, spinach, a bit of mayo, a bit of soy milk,an egg (powdered) and some cheese and dried onions. Cooking on 350 for 1 hr with a bit of time after to brown the top.

So I hadn't planned on posting again today but for the 3rd time in a week I managed to burn my hand cooking - 1st on steam from a micro veggie bag, 2nd lasagna on Sunday and third just FREAKIN now!!

But I have the magic cure - a bit of Calendula and kids bandage and it's like it never happened. I swear that stuff is magic I would post before and after pics but you can't even tell I was burned.



Off to figure out if dinner is edible....

Lazy Monday

I'm not one for laying around during the day, in fact in my 4.5 years of being a SAHM I'm pretty sure I have never done it. Just not my style, I'm an up early go-go-go until about 10 pm type of person.

Yesterday was the exception, Preston came home from school with a headache and took a nap by himself. I was in the middle of making a mini-thanksgiving so I shelved that idea and ordered pizza because the neediness was coming. I then spent most of the rest of the evening laying in someones bed watching Spongebob. The bonus was the world premier of "Who Bob What Pants" was on!

A bit of Chinese herbs, some immune vitamins and a good night sleep and I think I have my normal kids back. I do think it helped we at just been to the chiropractor on Friday so both kids were in good aligned shape. I will also admit that laying around watching cartoons with your kids isn't such a bad deal.

My Fav Chinese Herb - kids can take 1 a day (you could add 1 more 12 hrs from the first if needed) adults take 3-6 pills 2-3 times per day right at first onset of symptoms.

That does leave me with a long list of To Do's for today and tomorrow: p/u pants, Target Grocery Shopping, Brow Wax, finish work project/get paid, clean house and spend quality time with the kids before I leave.

weight loss

My summer was very emotional on one hand and on the other very much like a college frat party. My kids were finally old enough to play on their own with supervision which allowed me to have an actual conversation with adults. We did many laid back evenings of drinks and food. Let's just be honest when you are 5' 3.75" you can't really afford to over indulge often.

I lost all my pregnancy weight after Maren was born and was back down to 127/28 (I was about 120 when I meet GR and 127 when I got married). When I stopped nursing I gained about 10 lbs pretty easily, it's safe to say I made good use of the 500 calories I was burning making milk. Then over the summer I plowed all the way to 163.

I'm proud to say as of yesterday I was back to 144 and back into about 1/2 my clothes! I can tell that putting on that kind of weight when not pregnant ravaged my already ravaged body but what is done is done. and only 14 more lbs to go.

over myself

ok, I know my last post was so self-centered, selfish and all about me! I just want to make it clear I'm over myself and in my defense all this happened when I had massive crying PMS. I love my dear friend and am nothing but thrilled and excited and can't wait to hold the wee one (wee in more ways than one)!

Busy weekend - we did the Apple Orchard/Pumpkins on Saturday and the kids had a blast. Went to Dianna's Saturday night for drinks and bonfire, Preston came with me and played and Maren stayed home because she was a bit worn out.





The kids sang in church this morning as part of the Preschool Singers, both were nervous but Preston came through. He held Maren's hand and went up and for the first time in his preschool career sang!! He looked like he wanted to throw up but he did it and Maren even sang a bit so I deem it a complete success and am incredibly proud of them. So proud my weepy PMS self all but practically cried like a baby!





Not much else planned for the day, very busy week of errands and prep because I leave Thursday night for a girls weekend in AZ. This will be my first time away from the kids, I mean I only spent about 14 hrs in the hospital partly because I didn't want to be away from P (and partly because I hate hospitals).

Working through it

With a complete sprinkle of luck I found out one of my closest friends is pregnant. She had planned to tell us at the airport as we flew to our girls weekend in Arizona. Now you wouldn't think this would do anything but make me thrilled beyond belief but it stirred up so many emotions that I was stunned.

First and most important she is my cul de sac drinking partner, now of course she can continue to "hold and dump" like she has done the past 4 wks (aren't I observant) but that isn't right of me to ask. So I have to come to terms with the fact that she is out of the game for a minimum of 9 months (slightly less but lets just stick with that for ease) and perhaps a restricted schedule after that.

Then I suffered through that we no longer had matching families - 1 boy and 1 girl and what should I do about it - get pregnant to keep up with them, come to terms that we are different or just drink a bottle of wine and forget about it (I chose the later).

Then it occurred to me (because I think clearly when drinking just don't remember most of it) that it changes our summer plans - pools, hanging out not watching our kids, 5 o'clock somewhere parties etc and for that matter it just changes everything in general.

What is even stranger is I went through these same emotions when I found out my kinda-cousin wanted to have a baby - come on people why mess with something good! You think I would have come to terms that people change, lives change and I cannot forever stay in one moment just being happy!

So once I was done being selfish I realized what she must be going through (possibly all of the above) and more - bigger car, bigger house, less work, less money, less time to herself, more happiness, more unforgettable moments and more memories of her kids growing up as a family.

I guess my problem is I would have a shoe-full of kids if I wasn't worried about everything and trying to plan everything. I'm always concerned with not enough money, time, patience, space and how it changes the future. I will focus on the happiness of my 2 kids and reveal in the joy that will happen when they have 3 kids.

I'm so incredibly excited to be a part of my already pregnant friends life and pregnancy and can't wait for not quite yet pregnant kinda-cousin to get pregnant so I can live vicariously through her life also.

and it broke

It took a few days but I had quite possibly the worst day ever - on the phone dealing with a bank issue, crabby kids, basement dishwasher backs up and spills all over the workshop floor, my drill breaks when I'm trying to hang my new curtains, the dogs are constantly wet and muddy since it has rained the ENTIRE FREAKING DAY!

ok, I must stop focusing on the negative and start on the positive - I ordered pizza for the 2nd night in a row and had several glasses of wine, I skipped the kids bath, I borrowed Rachael's drill and wet vac (I'm pretty sure I'm getting married to that drill) and ultimately I accomplished nothing which is always a good end to the day.

I can actually say that the kids weren't too bad except for the pen on the couch and the huge mess in the bonus room (which is kinda normal so why complain).

Wednesday was better and it ended with a bang but before I get to that I must wrap the day up. And find a large bandage to wrap my completely steam burned pointer finger (yep, they put the STEAM EXITS HERE - HOT for a reason on micro vegetables). And yes dinner was not delivery pizza but grilled cheese and micro corn!

Fairly Uneventful

Today was fairly uneventful from the start which I can only assume means all heck will break lose later in the day for me. At this moment (after dropping the kids at school) I should be working on an Internet shopping cart project but instead I'm focused on the front door waiting for the UPS guy.

We are having our first ever Halloween party so I ordered some "sale" stuff for PBK and some decorative branches from Nettleton Hollow (I haven't seen it in person yet but the website is FAB!!!) I'm planing and plotting how to set up everything on the front porch. Here's a couple things I did inside (a mix of Etsy and Target stuff).





As I said it was a nice morning - did some laundry, continually cleaned up after the kids and managed to put on clean underwear. I even have dinner started, 3 days of crockpot glory this week (veggie soup - tonight, monterey spaghetti - monday night and last night roasted potatoes (sweet/regular).

Idiot!!!

This actually happened last week but I still chuckle and !@??!!@#$ a bit everytime I open the fridge.

Ok, here’s the story, try and keep up…

I noticed when I got up yesterday at 6 AM that I had water running down the fridge, I assumed GR did it during the night and didn’t think anything of it. Until it started to pool up around the fridge and was a constant stream of water. I checked out under the sink and thought I found the turn off valve for the on-the-door water. I conferenced with Ryan Rice because guys are always right and they know this s*it!

So I turn the water off (and test, its OFF) and I’m leaking so I continue switching off towel to soak up the mess. I had called BBY who does our maintenance and the soonest was Tuesday so I scheduled that. I get up this morning (after changing towels out overnight) and it’s a mess, water everywhere and its warping my wood floors so I find someone (who I have to pay as BBY is free) to come look at it this morning.

The guy was here for 3.5 minutes, he explained that the tiny bit of plastic bag on the bread (you know the part that is leftover after you twist it shut) was covering my cool air vents. In turn this was making my ice melt (which sits in the door) hence water pouring out the front of my fridge from my NEVERENDING SUPPLY OF MELTING ICE CUBES !@#@!@###%$$$!!!!!!!

$59 bucks, one less loaf of bread and 16 soaking wets towels my fridge is fixed – IDIOT!!!!

The bright spot is it gives me a reason to drink tonight.

partial shot of the fridge in question (I actually love that fridge!!!)

Why Another?

I have many things to say that might not be appropriate for some to hear....Little Bits of Something can keep family and friends updated on the happy-go-lucky trivial stuff that everyone cares about and Plenty of Not Much will help put you to sleep at night.

I can rant endlessly about my house, cooking, kids, Mr. Jen, the damn dogs and anything else that I feel like blabbering about. Good luck to those reading!