July 25th - Pop goes the stomach?

speaking of water
well, not really....but speaking of diet coke...

So I was watching "Myth Busters" with my kids and they were testing the myth about Mentos added to diet coke creating kind of an explosion. The myth was true but the weirdest thing...the most EYE OPENING thing!... was when they used a pig stomach (the pig wasn't attached) to see what would happen in your tummy if you combined those two ingredients. Well, in short, nothing much, BUT when they poured just the diet soda into the pig stomach the stomach lining expanded like a balloon! SERIOUSLY. Not just a little bit!

So that got me thinking...

All this time, when I drink diet soda, my stomach is stretching out like a blown up balloon? I'm not sure, but I think it might be...so bye bye soda! (You people might call it "pop"...I'm a west coaster...whatdoIknow!) I love diet coke...it's an addiction, I admit it....but after seeing that...I'm going to love water more. From now on! I'm quitting diet coke...cold turkey! (Or pig - as the case may be.)

June 17th 2007 - The Dream - My Grandmother

So a few days ago I was speaking to my Mom on the phone discussing Grandma's death.

Mom was describing what the staff at the assisted living place had told her about Grandma's last moments of life. It was described almost as if she just started coughing, choked and died within moments. I think Mom was feeling that basically Grandma had choked to death.

But EVERY TIME I tried to talk to Mom about this during our phone conversation the line would go dead so that Mom couldn't hear what I was saying.

I'd hear her say "Hello? Hello?"....

I'd stop talking about Grandma...and the line would clear.

This must have happened at least 6 times in a row!

We both laughed saying maybe Grandma was trying to tell us something. I stopped trying to talk about her body...and the phone remained clear from then on. I don't have a history of phone line troubles.

Anyway, so last night/early this morning I woke up from a very vivid dream about my Grandmother. She was talking to me and standing behind her were my Grandfather, my Uncle Johnny, and a crowd of other relatives who had passed away over the years. Most of them are buried in the same cemetery in which my Grandmother was laid to rest - thanks to a large family plot purchased by my Great Grandparents many, many, years ago.

In my dream she said to me, "I didn't choke. They came to get me, and I went. It was what I wanted." I could see almost a movie of it; my Uncle Johnny (her brother) coming for her with his hand out and my Grandfather right behind him smiling and all of the others with them. I could also feel her happiness. I'm not sure if she told me she was happy...or if I just felt it. It was a strong sensation either way.

I woke up thinking, "Wow! That sure felt real! I'll have to tell Mom." and promptly fell back to sleep.

When I woke up this morning I almost called her right away, but it was early and it's Father's Day, so I figured I'd tell her later.

But then you know how when you dream something...and wake up.....it begins to fade?

It was fading without me realizing it, until I spoke to my Mom.

Suddenly as she was about to hand the phone over to Dad for his Father's Day greeting from me, it all burst back into my mind.

I told her I wanted to tell her about a dream I had about Grandma. She and her sister had a dream about her too. I thought maybe they would all be the same dream, but they weren't.

Mom became very emotional when I told her mine....and I had a strong sense that I was supposed to have told her about it.

I'm glad it didn't slip away before I could tell her.

I always felt very bonded with my Grandmother....and I still do. I can feel her around me. It's hard to explain the sensation to anyone...but I know I'm not crazy.

Seeing her body so soon after she passed away was an odd experience for me. I had the strongest sensation that I was simply looking at her shell....like a shell on the beach. A vessel that once held life. Her spirit was no longer in her shell....she was where she should be...but still within reach in some way.

The sensation of her presence remains like a sort of whisper.

Grandma May 21, 1919 - June 3, 2007

Mares eat oasts n Does eat Oats and little lambs eat Ivy...

A kid'll eat ivy too, wouldn't you?

Grandma couldn't sing... or so she thought ....or so we teased...

but I can clearly hear her singing that song in my head...and it sounds beautiful to me. It always did.

Since I was a teenager, whenever I'd call grandma on the phone I'd say "Hello my beautiful grandmother!"....and she'd reply "Hello my beautiful Granddaughter!" It was just a greeting, but it was something that I think both of us loved. I always felt like if she ever reached a point where she lost her memory and didn't know me, she'd probably still automatically answer that greeting in the same way.

She had a way of making each one of us feel like we were an important part of her life. Perhaps that is because she was an important part of ours.

Visiting grandma and grandpa was always fun. It wasn't that they took us to exciting places, but there was a magical element to their house.

First of all, their house always smelled like toasted english muffins...

Grandma's parakeetes could ALWAYS talk.. pretty bird.. (We've had parakeets for years and they haven't said a thing! (except maybe "get me outta here! in tweet")

And to all of my cousins...remember the frogs in Grandma and Grandpa's yard? Where did they come from? Have you ever seen that anywhere else? I never have.

Grandma's cooking was magical too. I would be happy to live on her leg of lamb, mint jelly, gravy, roasted potatoes, and shrimp and egg salad every day for the rest of my life. Honestly...it's what dreams are made of!


Tracy and I had an ongoing "Grandma Loves me the Most Competition" Birthdays $5.00 - $100.00?

Speaking of competetivc:

Grandma's little known "Dark side"

Ever played Password with her?

PASSWORD - based on old TV Game Show from the 60's and 70's

The object is for one teammate to get the other teammate to say the password given a series of clues. Each time a clue is given, the other player can guess the password - if they get it right the team scores.

If they get it wrong, the other team gets to try a clue word.

Score is higher if you guess it on the first clue -

As a clue-giver you can only say one word (non hyphenated) so you need to find the "definitive" clue. No sounds or charades allowed

Grandma, Me - Team One "Lighthouse"

Gran: Beacon

Me: Breakfast meat

Tracy & David - Team Two "Dog"

David: Cat

Trac: Dog! SCORE!

Lighthouse - Gran: Ships

Me: Trains

"Fan"

David: Blow

Tracy: FAN!

Granny starts getting agitated: not having fun "Lighthouse" Ocean

Me: Pacific

She taps card in exapseration

David "Drip"

Tracy "sweat!"

They get it again!

Granny starts coughing...but it sounds like Fog Horn

"Horn"

Me: "car"

Arggggghh! She jumps up and says "I have to start dinner! You guys finish the game" Tracy and David "We Win! We Win!"

I was very fortunate to have my Grandmother in my life for 44 years.

I know that she is happy in heaven, and finally reuntied with Grandpa...and all I have to do is say "Hello my beautiful grandmother" and I can feel her with me any time I want to.

January 12, 2007 ~ Mother-in-love

On Thanksgiving I walked around a bend and saw her sitting on the floor in our living room talking to the kids. Not an uncommon sight, really, especially after being apart for a few months. (Due only to a distance of a 7 hour drive.)

She looked up and smiled her usual warm greeting at me....and in that moment I saw something that made me think this might be her last Thanksgiving with us.

It scared me,

and I haven't even told hubby, because how can I say something like that about his mother?

She is the hub of the family.

The one who always knows the answers, even if you don't want to hear them.

But as the days and weeks passed after Thanksgiving, it became apparent that something was, in fact, wrong.

At first she thought it was anxiety attacks. They run in the family....but usually they don't begin at age 72.

And then she thought it might be the flu. Nausea....headaches.....weakness.

But the weakness became more focused towards her right side.

Could this be a stroke? Vertigo?

She couldn't lift her right leg, or hold her fork, or see peripherally out of her right eye...

This woman who has spent her life teaching and practicing the importance of remaining active and eating right,

This woman who easily walks two miles per day,

This woman who tap dances and performs with other women at local senior centers,

This woman who has survived breast cancer....

twice....

This woman who I've watched jump on a trampoline as if she were 20, not 70....

What was happening?

A brain tumor, malignant, size of a golf ball with tentacles that have spread, Grade 3, inoperable, 2-5 years....maybe.

So she will be treated at Stanford....hopefully.

And they often work miracles....hopefully.

But her spirit is broken, her strength has vanished, her fears have overwhelmed her.

Can she fight?

She has never not fought before. She has never questioned her ability to fight.

I pray she can. I can't lose her. Not yet.

But I don't want her to fight a battle that can't be won. So I pray that this battle can be won, or at least that it can be fought successfully,

extending life,

good life,

whole life...

Not extending suffering...

She knows how much she is loved...by me....and by everyone....

but even so

she can't possibly,

really,

know how much.

There are no words for that much...

October 31st ~ Free Hugs

Have you seen this? It is soooo worth the 3:30 minutes it takes to watch it!

VERY moving....


There is nothing like the spreading of peace....

Please watch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vr3x_RRJdd4

October 23rd ~ The Gospel of Transformation

Have you heard this song? If I knew how to put songs on my blog...you could listen to it...but I don't.

So you can't...

But I am moved by lyrics and music....always have been.....and this one is singing to the deepest core of my being....I feel like living life with arms wide open...
going forward fearlessly...



NATASHA BEDINGFIELD LYRICS

Unwritten

I am unwritten, can't read my mind, I'm undefined
I'm just beginning, the pen's in my hand, ending unplanned

Staring at the blank page before you
Open up the dirty window
Let the sun illuminate the words that you could not find

Reaching for something in the distance
So close you can almost taste it
Release your inhibitions
Feel the rain on your skin
No one else can feel it for you
Only you can let it in
No one else, no one else
Can speak the words on your lips
Drench yourself in words unspoken
Live your life with arms wide open
Today is where your book begins
The rest is still unwritten

Oh, oh, oh

I break tradition, sometimes my tries, are outside the lines
We've been conditioned to not make mistakes, but I can't live that way

Staring at the blank page before you
Open up the dirty window
Let the sun illuminate the words that you could not find

Reaching for something in the distance
So close you can almost taste it
Release your inhibitions
Feel the rain on your skin
No one else can feel it for you
Only you can let it in
No one else, no one else
Can speak the words on your lips
Drench yourself in words unspoken
Live your life with arms wide open
Today is where your book begins

Feel the rain on your skin
No one else can feel it for you
Only you can let it in
No one else, no one else
Can speak the words on your lips
Drench yourself in words unspoken
Live your life with arms wide open
Today is where your book begins
The rest is still unwritten

Staring at the blank page before you
Open up the dirty window
Let the sun illuminate the words that you could not find

Reaching for something in the distance
So close you can almost taste it
Release your inhibitions
Feel the rain on your skin
No one else can feel it for you
Only you can let it in
No one else, no one else
Can speak the words on your lips
Drench yourself in words unspoken
Live your life with arms wide open
Today is where your book begins

Feel the rain on your skin
No one else can feel it for you
Only you can let it in
No one else, no one else
Can speak the words on your lips
Drench yourself in words unspoken
Live your life with arms wide open
Today is where your book begins
The rest is still unwritten
The rest is still unwritten
The rest is still unwritten

Oh, yeah, yeah

October 17th ~ You'll be hooked LOL

Sometimes you just need to kick back, hang out....

(g)

October 7th ~ 20 outta 20

My 12 yr old son came home from school yesterday so excited that he scored 20 out of 20 on his essay. I thought I'd post it here because I loved it! He's so funny!
Bugs Got Your Tongue?

When I was in the 2nd grade my mom bought me a joke book, and my brother seemed particularly interested in it. The prank that he felt was the funniest was one where you use rubber ice cubes with fake bugs in them and put them in someone’s drink as a joke. Unfortunately, we didn’t have any rubber ice cubes. Or fake bugs. That didn’t stop my brother!
I saw him outside later that day collecting bugs. I didn’t know why. I figured he was just playing around in the dirt so I just kept playing outside as though I had seen nothing.
At least an hour passed before I figured out what he was doing.
“Hey Mom, you want a Diet Coke?” I heard him ask my mom.
“Really?” she said, sounding quite surprised that he was offering to bring her a drink.
“Yeah, I’ll even put it in a glass with ice!”
“Okay! Thanks, honey!” she said to him.
My mom was folding laundry and watching a movie when my brother brought her the Diet Coke. He brought it to her in a big wine glass.
“Thank you, sweetie,” she said and then took a sip of the drink.
“AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!” she screamed! There were earwigs in her mouth and on her tongue. He had done what most people wouldn’t imagine doing. He thought he was going to play a funny prank on our mom, so he’d gathered the bugs and put them in ice cube trays with water and placed them in the freezer. Unfortunately, being that he was only about 8 years old, he didn’t realize how long it takes for ice to actually freeze solid. He waited until the cubes looked frozen, but as soon as the ice cubes hit the diet coke they began melting. There was only a thin layer that was actually frozen.
He felt really bad! He didn’t notice that the bugs were alive and swimming in the drink rather than looking creepy in an ice cube like he saw in the book!
My mom was not happy. (Although she thought it was funny later after she forgot about the feeling of bugs’ feet on her tongue.)
She made him go on his bed for an hour and gave him an hour-long lecture. She was madder than we had ever seen her. Can you blame her?
Her friends were amazed (she told all of them). (In fact, she still tells people about it.)
We all still bug her (even Dad) by asking her, “Do you want a Diet Coke?” Even though I never actually did anything, I still enjoy bugging her. (“Bugging”, get it? Ha! Ha!)To this day my Mom always gets herself her own drinks.

October 2, 2006 ~ Sunset/Sunrise

The thing about a sunset...

is that it's always followed by a sunrise...

On a one day trip to Monterey this past July...on the hottest day of the year...during the longest stretch of a heat wave we've ever had...it occured to me that my children had never seen a sunset over the horizon. Sure, they'd seen it over the roof of the house across the street....or setting between rolling hills on a car trip....

but seeing the sunset at the ocean is completely different.

You can feel the roundness of our earth, the smallness of our world, and the vastness of life continuing...

As the sun says goodnight to us.....there is something good in knowing that it is saying good morning to those just around the bend of our shared world...

And, hopefully, the gentle rose colors of sunset and sunrise will bring peace...

At least some...

And it will be a start.

April 26th ~ I should blog but..

I should blog, but I'm stuck.

I can't explain my stuckenness....

I just have to get past it.

Ever just feel stuck in life ...or in a moment.....or a mood? I thought I'd blog my way through....but can't seem to form a sentence that explains anything. So much for being self-evolved. lol

April 18th ~ Here's Gracie

Here's Gracie...our new pound puppy. :)

She's about 8 months old..a cross between a german wire-hair pointer and some small dog like maybe a basset hound. She'll get up to about 40 pounds. So cute....so sweet....playful....loving....and has cost us about 500.00 so far (in this first week) between adoption fees and vet appointments due to various issues. I think she's ok now.....LET US PRAY! :)

I'm behind in blogging (both posting and reading) ...but I'll catch up this week. I hope all of you, my blogland pals, are doing well...I miss reading about your lives...but I'm thinkin aboutcha!

April 6th ~ Am I nuckin futs?

We got a dog.

Our dog of 17 years passed away about a year and a half ago.

We've talked casually now and then about getting another. I'd walk through the animal shelter once every few months...but I wasn't really sold on getting a dog again. Hubby DEFINITELY wasn't sold on the idea.

But last weekend I found one.

She's an 11 month old brown mutt.....looks like a Schnauzer/Terrier/Pointer mix. She's about 20 pounds, brown, adorable yet sorta homely (hard to explain), and in need of a bath.

The shelter people said she passed the behavior tests with flying colors. They could take food out of her mouth and tug on her while she was eating etc...and she remained sweet and docile. The kids met her Tuesday night. Two of the three LOVED her. My oldest was more ambivalent about the whole idea of getting a dog.

We were number 2 on the list to adopt her yesterday.

Family number 1 never showed up.

I felt sudden panic. Oh my God....am I doing the right thing? Do we want a dog? Except underneath all of that..I still felt like if we were going to get a dog....this one would be right for our family.

So I picked up the kids from school.....called hubby to see if he could meet us at the shelter (he hadn't met the dog yet) and held my breath.

The kids and I were on the lawn outside of the shelter with the dog when hubby drove up. He took one look at all of us and the dog, and I could tell he was partially won over.

The dog had been playing in that pouncing puppy kind of way with me and the kids....but when hubby walked over her whole demeanor changed. She sat down and started thumping her tail against the ground and looked at him with her ears perked up.....so sweetly! When he offered her his hand to sniff.....she licked it in a very ladylike fashion....and sat on his feet like, "I'm the best, most obedient, docile, dog in the world! Pick me! Pick me!" lol It was so funny. She completely won hubby over. He walked her around and she walked right next to him. With the rest of us she was bouncing around tugging at the leash.

Back inside I filled out the paperwork....and wrote the check (jeeeeeeeez it's expensive to adopt a dog) and she sat with hubby next to my chair licking me now and then. Our daughter climbed on my lap while I was writing....so then the dog thought she could too. lol

We can't pick her up until next week after she's "fixed"....so we'll be visiting her in the Big House until then.

I woke up this morning in a panic. Do I even want a dog?

:)

April 1st ~ An April Fool

I have been a bit blog blocked lately, but I was thinking in honor of April 1st:

What is your most embarrassing moment?

Here is mine:

When hubby and I were first married (16+ years ago) we had some close friends and their baby move in with us for about a week. They were having their hardwood floors refinished and needed a fume-free place to stay.

Now, I pride myself on being a gracious hostess.

But my 24/7 hostess gene has an expiration date.

4 days

I'm a great hostess for 4 days.

After that....my abilities curdle like old milk.

It's not that I become rude.....it's just that I'm no longer enjoying it in quite the same way...and I don't feel as eager to make sure everyone is having a great time.

SO anyway, our friends and their baby moved in for a week. We had a blast, great meals, fun conversations, cute baby experiences (we didn't have our own munchkins yet), shared laughter, etc etc etc

for 4 days.

On day 5 I woke up missing my privacy, missing alone time with hubby, missing feeling "kidless" and free.

I'd babysat our friend's baby a few times while they stayed with us.....like any good 4-Day hostess would. On the morning of Day 5 ( a Saturday), they asked if I'd take care of her again for a few hours.

Of course, I agreed....because I don't know how to say no.

But within 15 seconds...I was regretting it.

Now please.....know this.....I'm an honest person. I have tons of integrity...I don't lie....but I was desperate. Not that its an excuse, mind you.

"I just need to call my office to make sure they don't need me. I'm on call."

(lie lie lie)

So I went into my bedroom.........picked up the phone.....faked a phone call to the office.......said loudly, "Oh! Ok...I'll be there in an hour! I understand." And I knew that our friends properly overheard me.....

except I made one mistake.

As I was "talking" on the phone I made the mistake of leaving my finger on the "hang up" button.

And the phone rang.

Loudly!

Right in the middle of my lying fake conversation!

I was never so embarrassed!

"WOW! That was weird! I've never had the phone ring while I'm talking before! Hello? Hello?"

They knew.

But they were kind enough not to humiliate me further.

Maybe they noticed my expiration date and had pity on me. I'm still hot with embarrassment over it all these years later.

Anyone wanna come over for 4 days?

March 25th ~ Sweet Savory Tart

By the title of this post, you thought I was going to write about some trampy woman I know, right?

Wrong! Fooled ya! It's Recipe Saturday!

STB's http://sttropezbutlersays.blogspot.com/ yummy salad recipe put me in the mood for that style of posting.

This is more of an appetizer (I can't spell Hors Douerves....see?) but it is spectacular! LisRay will vouch for it, if she reads this, right LisRay??

Ripe Pear and Crisp Apple with Bleu Cheese Topping

(EASY!)
A couple of hours before the guests arrive (or the night before): In a bowl lightly toss together:

4oz crumbled bleu cheese (I use the larger plastic tub size...I'm guessing on the oz..it might be a bit more or less.) (More is good..err on the side of more)

(These next 4 ingredients I mix together with a fork and then toss them into the blue cheese above.)
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1/4 cup dried parsley flakes (You can use fresh parsley...but for some reason dried turns out better.)
3 cloves of garlic crushed or finely chopped

Cover bowl and let ingredients marry for an hour or two in the fridge. (You can make this the night before if you wish. Wait...I already said that.)


Before your guests arrive take:

5 ripe fresh pears - cut in half, remove seeds and slice with skin on.

5 Granny Smith apples (or other tart apples) - cut in half, remove seeds and slice with skin on.

(Think "thick potato chips" when you are slicing them)

Drizzle fruit with a LITTLE orange or lemon juice to prevent browning, arrange slices on a platter leaving room in the center for the cheese mixture.

When ready to serve, gently re-toss cheese with a fork, drain off excess liquid (only if it is excessive...it probably won't be), and place cheese mixture directly on the platter in the middle of the sliced fruit. Eat the fruit with a little scoop of the cheese on it.

You'll love me for this recipe. :)

March 23rd ~ Touched by and angel

Read Sher's post of March 22nd..called Locks of Love.

I'm moved to tears. http://tiom.blogspot.com/

March 21st ~ Biker chick

I wish this was my ass.

Who wouldn't?

But it does lead me to a story...

So, on Sunday, hubby and our kids did a "move your body" intervention on me. I'd been under the weather for a LONGGGGGGG time, and they knew that I was stressed because I hadn't been swimming in about 3 weeks. They talked me into going on a bike ride with them.

That sounds fun and easy right?

It would be for most people, I think. However, I have very screwed up knees (a congenital defect), so riding a bike is something that I don't do often. Ok, its been a few years. Like 5 or 10.

Hubby nicely spent time making sure that my rarely ridden bike was safe and ready to go, but something had happened since the last time I sat on it: I think I shrunk. (In height, doh!) It's a man's 10-speed street bicycle .....and when I stepped over the bar....I discovered that it was jammed way up my
you-know-what....(Hmm ....if I could of installed batteries, I guess it would have been fine....but anyway...) this was not comfy.

If I had better balance, was in better shape, or was more coordinated, I could have probably just stepped on the pedals, and lifted myself onto the bicycle seat..and ridden along my merry way. However, that isn't my reality. I'm a bicycle
spazz-oid.

Hubby nicely suggested trading bikes with me. His is a sturdier moutain bike, without a high middle bar. A MUCH better solution. Except I still couldn't remember how to ride a bike.

The boys were so excited that I was going with them...that they kept riding close to me. Arghhhhh! I couldn't tell them to ride farther away....but everytime they got near me I panicked that I was going to crash. I did a few times. (Ran off the trail onto a lawn or into a tree.... la la la)

We decided to stop at the local grocery store for a couple of things. The kids played while hubby went into the store and I babysat the bikes. I didn't get off the bike.

Remember that fact...

I DIDN'T get off the bike.

So hubby comes out of the store with the groceries and gets back onto his bike and takes off towards home with the kids.

I try to turn around and follow them.

Suddenly I can't seem to figure out how to ride the bike. I slip off the seat, but keep the bike between my legs....and everything feels weird. I am wedged weirdly between the seat and the handlebars.
So, I try to get back onto the seat...but now the front point of the seat is jammed uncomfortably up my ass.....which seems impossible...and yet it was happening.

SO with my bicycle-seat-horribly-wedged-ass facing the shoppers leaving the grocery store, I try to start pedaling. Everything feels wrong.

I make it around the corner of the store and see hubby and the kids......and suddenly realize that I can't find the hand breaks.
They seem to be in the wrong place. I can't stop.....I don't know how to stop. How do I get off? Arrrrrgh......

So I yelp, "HELP!" to hubby, who turns around and sees me in a panic......and tries as hard as he can not to start laughing as he rides over trying to assist me.

I realize, finally, that I somehow have the front wheel and steering wheel turned backwards...but there isn't room to just jump off.....due to the way I wedged myself onto the bike seat....and I can't make the breaks work because they are not where my hands can grasp them in my panicked state of mind!

So I crashed into the brick wall side of the grocery store to stop myself. Hubby rode up, biting back grins, and helped me turn everything back the right way.

We all made it home safely.

Swimming suddenly holds MUCH more appeal than ever before. (BTW, the corned beef and cabbage St. Patrick's Day Party last Friday night was a success. We had a great time! :) )

I was thinking of titling this post "Erin Go Braless"....and then got the bright idea of looking that up on the web! lol Voi La! Damn! Once again my originality has been usurped!

So, anyway. I'm a crazy Irish person. Ok, perhaps my Irish blood isn't pure, but my great grandparents were born in Ireland, so I'm "of the body", so to speak.

The craziness comes into play when I decided to have a St. Patrick's Day dinner party this year. On Friday. THIS Friday. 2 DAYS from NOW! I've known this was coming. I've been looking forward to it. But I've been under the weather for 25 days now! Arghhhh! Oh well. I'm better than I was. I should be fine by Friday.

SO I'm trying to figure how to make Corned Beef for 22 people. If you've ever made corned beef, you KNOW how much they shrink when cooking! lol Half of those people are kids, so I'll have to have an alternative food source for some of them. It'll be something mindless and easy.

And my house looks like a tornado went through it! I'm not the world's best housekeeper, but I'm obsessive/compulsive about anyone seeing that flaw....so somehow by Friday order will be restored. I'd just rather blog than clean. Go figure.

And we don't normally eat meat on Friday's during Lent...but I decided since St. Patrick's Day is in honor of a Saint....what the hell...we're covered under the "Saint's Exception Rule" that I made up! lol Unfortunately, hubby and I are the only ones who enjoy Guinness....so we'll have wine too (even though that's
anti-Irish on St. Paddy's Day). I'm thinking white. I know, red goes with beef, BUT, corned beef and cabbage just doesn't seem like a red wine meal to me. Any opinions?

I dream of going to Ireland. I have to make that a reality. SOON.

March 13th ~ Peace on Earth

"The Statue of Liberty is no longer saying "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses." She's got a baseball bat and she's yelling, 'You want a piece of me?' " Robin Williams (Supposedly his T-shirt says "I love New York" in Arabic.)

March 11th ~ My eye for a Mai Tai

For recipe Saturday I thought my all time favorite to die for cocktail would be nice. (Hopefully I haven't already posted this! lol)

1 Tall glass with ice

1 big shot glass of dark rum (or dark rum to taste...if you're scared)

a nice splash of Grenadine (to taste)

1/2 C pineapple/orange juice

1/4 C straight orange juice

Drizzle Bacardi 151 over the top of the drink.

Garnish with a cherry and slice of orange

Enjoy (You'll love me for this one.)

March 9th ~ Idol fluff

Ok....there are too many huge world issues and family issues swirling in my mind.....so in an effort to think calm thoughts....can we discuss American Idol? It's not that I'm shallow......just enjoying an air pocket for a moment.

First of all....of the men: Taylor Hicks is #1. I thought I had the hots for Ace for a moment.....but now he seems to be playing it up to the camera and it comes off as insincere to me. Taylor on the other hand is a doll.....and a riot.....and I LOVE his jerky, odd, dance moves. They just make me happy. I love his grey hair. The guy is OBVIOUSLY having a blast. And Bucky....he is very "real".....unusual.....but real and true to himself. Good voice. And then the bald guy....I love his voice....but he doesn't get under my skin. (Thus I can't remember his name.)

As to the girls: I hope Simon stops messing with the little blonde Kellie Pickler. Simon calling her a "Naughty little minx" just seemed inappropriate. She's too innocent and sweet and untarnished to be played with in that way. (Now had Simon called ME that.....well.....that'd be a whole different thing! lol) I'm also a fan of Katherine McPhee (the tall brunette with the mom as a vocal coach), Mandisa the classy, beautiful larger woman with a stunning voice (my daughter says "Mommy she looks cuddly like you!" lol), and Lisa Tucker, the 16 year old with such poise, presence, and the voice of an angel.

Anyway, I know this was fluff......but I needed a bit of fluff today. Have a wonderful day every0ne.

March 8th ~ Changes in choice

Along with the rest of our country, I've been watching the happenings in South Dakota regarding abortion with great interest. This topic is so heated and so important to people on both sides of the arguement, that I've been having a hard time trying to articulate my own feelings on the subject. This is such a deeply personal issue.

This morning I read the blog post of my friend Gina on this topic....and felt like she somehow put words to my thoughts. I couldn't have expressed it better. She is a wonderful writer. If you'd like to read her post, go to:

http://findingmygroove.blog-city.com/

March 7th ~ Awww :( Superwoman

Dana Reeve
1961 - 2006

Rest in peace

March 4th ~ Cornflake Chicken

In honor of "Recipe Saturday" here is one of my favorites. It's healthy, EASY, SO delicious, and I was able to calculate it into Weight Watchers points!

Cornflake Chicken

4 chicken thighs (boneless/skinless) (It works with breasts too)
1/2 cup yogurt (fat free plain)
1/4 tsp each, salt and pepper
Pinch cayenne (or to taste)
1 1/2 cups crushed corn flakes
1/4 C freshly grated parmesan cheese



In one dish mix yogurt ,thyme, salt, pepper and cayenne. In another mix corn flakes and cheese. Spread out the chicken thigh and dip in yogurt mixture and then roll in the corn flake mixture. Spray bottom of baking pan with PAM.
Bake for 45 minutes at 350
6 Weight Watchers points per thigh

February 27th ~ Grace Kelly

(Hey...a cheesey quiz....but it's a cute one....so indulge me. :) )

Which Movie Star Are You?

Ever wonder which movie star you are most like? Don't read ahead please! A team of researchers got together and analyzed the personalitiesof movie stars. The gathered info has been incorporated into this quiz. There are only 10 questions. Answer each question with the choice that most describes you at this point in your life, and then add up the points that correspond with your answers.

Don't look ahead or you will ruin the fun!

1. Which describes your perfect date?
a) Candlelight dinner for two
b) Amusement Park
c) Rollerblading in the park
d) Rock Concert
e) Have dinner & see a movie
f) Dinner at home with a loved one

2. What is your favorite type of music?
a) Rock and Roll
b) Alternative
c) Soft Rock
d) Classical
e) Christian
f) Jazz

3. What is your favorite type of movie?
a) Comedy
b) Horror
c) Musical
d) Romance
e) Documentary
f) Mystery

4. Which of the following jobs would you choose if you were given onlythesechoices?
a) Waiter/Waitress
b) Sports Player
c) Teacher
d) Policeman
e) Bartender
f) Business person

5. Which would you rather do if you had an hour to waste?
a) Work out
b) Make out
c) Watch TV
d) Listen to the radio
e) Sleep
f) Read

6. Of the following colors, which do you like best?
a) Yellow
b) White
c) Sky blue
d) Teal
e) Gold
f) Red

7. Which one of the following would you like to eat right now?
a) Ice cream
b) Pizza
c) Sushi
d) Pasta
e) Salad
f) Lobster Tail

8. Which is your favorite holiday?
a) Halloween
b) Christmas
c) New Year's
d) Valentine's Day
e) Thanksgiving
f) Fourth of July

9. If you could go to any of the following places, which would it be?
a) Reno
b) Spain
c) Las Vegas
d) Hawaii
e) Hollywood
f) British Columbia

10. Of the following, who would you rather spend time with?
a) Someone who is smart
b) Someone with good looks
c) Someone who is a party animal
d) Someone who has fun all the time
e) Someone who is very emotional
f) Someone who is fun to be with

Now total up your points on each question:
1. a-4 b-2 c-5 d-1 e-3 f-6
2. a-2 b-1 c-4 d-5 e-3 f-6
3. a-2 b-1 c-3 d-4 e-5 f-6
4. a-4 b-5 c-3 d-2 e-1 f-6
5. a-5 b-4 c-2 d-1 e-3 f-6
6. a-1 b-5 c-3 d-2 e-4 f-6
7. a-3 b-2 c-1 d-4 e-5 f-6
8. a-1 b-3 c-2 d-4 e-5 f-6
9. a-4 b-5 c-1 d-4 e-3 f-6
10. a-5 b-2 c-1 d-3 e-4 f-6

NOW, take your total and find out which Movie Star you are:

(10-17 points) You are MADONNA:
You are wild and crazy and you know it. You know how to have fun, but you may take it to extremes. You know what you are doing though, and are much in control of your own life. People don't always see things your way, but that doesn't mean that you should do away with your beliefs. Try to remember that your wild spirit can lead to hurting yourself and others.

(18-26 points) You are DORIS DAY:
You are fun, friendly, and popular! You are a real crowd pleaser. You have probably been out on the town your share of times, yet you come home with the values that your mother taught you. Marriage and children are very important to you, but only after you have fun. Don't let the people you please influence you to stray.


(27-34 points) You are DEBBIE REYNOLDS:
You are cute, and everyone loves you. You are a best friend that no one takes the chance of losing. You never hurt feelings and seldom have your own feelings hurt. Life is a breeze. You are witty, and calm most of the time. Just keep clear of back stabbers, and you are worry-free.

(35-42 points) You are GRACE KELLY:
You are a lover. Romance, flowers, and wine are all you need to enjoy yourself. You are serious about all commitments and are a family person. You call your Mom every Sunday, and never forget a Birthday. Don't let your passion for romance get confused with the real thing.

(43-50 points) You are KATHERINE HEPBURN:
You are smart, a real thinker. Every situation is approached with a plan. You are very healthy in mind and body. You don't take crap from anyone. You have only a couple of individuals that you consider "real friends". You teach strong family values. Keep your feet planted in them, but don't overlook a bad situation when it does happen.

(51-60 points) You are ELIZABETH TAYLOR:
Everyone is in awe of you. You know what you want and how to get it. You have more friends than you know what to do with. Your word is your bond.
Everyone knows when you say something it is money in the bank. You attract the opposite sex. Your intelligence overwhelms most. Your memory is the next thing to photographic. Everyone admires you because you are so considerate and lovable. You know how to enjoy life and treat people right.

February 26th ~ Dominos

I'm third from the back... Doh!

February 23rd ~ Snow Falling on Egg Beaters

They've been planning it for a year. They took "Wilderness Survival" courses. They've packed. We've paid.

2 nights of snow camping and learning to ski.

It was to be my middle son's first time doing this..and the 2nd time for Mr. Teen.

Monday Mr Teen came down with 104.8 temp. To the Doc we went. The flu he has. Begged for anit-viral meds since we caught it so quickly. This morning his fever is finally down... There is hope that he'll be able to go tomorrow. And before I blinked my eyes with relief ~ my middle son woke with a high fever.... He's in tears. I'm in tears.

There will be other weekends, but sheeeeeeesh.

February 22nd ~ Do that to me one more time

I would so do Ace Young from American Idol

Alas, hubby said no. lol

February 21st ~ Her slumps her slumps have transformed into humps

Like the title of this post? lol

(Side note: Why can't the Black Eyed Peas write something my 7 year old daughter can sing to without causing me to go gray? Just wondering... lol)

Anyway....so....I was in a slump for quite some time. It was a combination of things, some I've written about, some I haven't. But it has been rough. And I felt as though the whole world could tell....could see on my face....that I was strung out and not my normal self. What happened to Happy Trudy? Where did the relaxed, cheerful me go? Was this menopause? Was I just becoming old and cranky? Had I morphed into Witchy Woman, or what?

I kept asking hubby, but he said he hadn't noticed. (I think that was his survival instinct kicking in.) The kids were always asking me, "What's wrong, Mom?" so I KNEW they were picking up on it. Finally, I asked a couple of close friends. One had noticed the change for about a year (which was startling...but reassuring in an odd way). And the other noticed it in a lesser way, but probably a more significant one. She commented that when she used to see me driving by with the kids, I appeared serene and queen-like, with a small smile always on my face.....and she'd noticed that I'd lost that expression.

Well sheeeeeeesh....that was it! I'd lost my inner queen, dammit!

I decided that the first thing I needed to do was to make a real commitment to myself to health and fitness. That was my "Today" post of a couple weeks ago, and I'm still reading it to myself daily and sticking to it as best I can. And then I decided I needed a "pick-me-up" starting with my hair (that I'd begun to hate).

I've never colored or highlighted my hair before...but I decided I needed to throw caution to the wind....put myself in someone else's hands...and just go for it.

I asked the haggard looking stylist to make me younger. (She looked like she needed a little pampering herself, so I panicked that I may have said the wrong thing.) She didn't have the liposuction equipment set up in the salon, dammit. What happened to the one-stop-shopping concept? Anyway, I digress. So she suggested a perm first. I'm thinking poodle....and she swears on the life of her ancestors that I will not look like a poodle.

Wait....

Aren't her ancestors already dead?

Was that an empty promise?

By the time I'd figured that out, I was covered in big purple rods and stinking like a chemical plant.

When she took them out, and I looked in the mirror....I was stressed. My hair had been very long...
(dead ends ....dry.....crappy looking...but long)...below my bra strap..and now it was only a couple of inches below my shoulder..and layered. Did my face look fat? What would happen when those curls dried?

She was smiling like she'd created a masterpiece....and I was sweating with "What have I done?" stench.

I paid her and left a bigger tip than any rational person completely-in-love-with-their-hair would have, because I didn't want her to think I didn't like it. I was proving that I loved it. After making an appointment for a hair color the next week (because, yes Imma Whackjob), I got into the car and tried to think positively.

Miraculously, as my hair dried in the car, the curls were soft and flattering and I did look younger. (wipes brow in relief)

Are you wondering about the color/highlights? How can slumps turn into humps? That will have to be part two because the kids aren't dressed for school and I haven't made lunches....God, do I even have bread? What the heck am I on the computer?? arrrrrrgh Oh yeah...the rush of being behind. I forgot. (snort)

February 19th ~ Holy Moly!

ok ~ Guess what? I was reading Ro's blog yesterday ...and oddly enough when I "commented" on it I discovered that I was the first to reply....which was fun since she gets hundreds. Anyway, so tonight (after finally getting the slumber-party-7-year-olds to sleep) I read her blog....and she mentioned my comment in the first line!!

How kewl is that? I feel like an audience member who ended up as a guest on her show! LOL :)

The other comments she mentioned, were funny or moving or sad. I felt kinda honored to even be included.

Hey, I'm easy. She likes me. :) lol (Let me have my illusions!)(Or should we call them delusions? ) :) and Psssssst Ro...thanks

February 16th ~ Reasons

I fell in love with you first because of your stupid jokes mixed with your obviously big heart and your integrity.

Along the way, I discovered that I could depend on you in ways that I didn't expect. You lift me up when I fall. You patch my heartaches with your tenderness. You hold tightly onto the reigns when I thrash about irrationally. You realign my planets...and instinctively know when they need realigning.

Sometimes I get jealous of your calm. Sometimes it pisses me off that you are rational. Sometimes I want to fight with you, because I want to know that I'm not the only crazy one...and that you can get crazed too.

But mostly, I just feel loved by you. And so very lucky to have you. And the kids are lucky too....because imagine how warped they'd be if they only had me. :)

I love you , Dearly....and I'm sorry I'm such a pain in the ass sometimes.

February 11 th ~ And Bunko was its name-o

Have you ever played Bunko?

I live on one of those streets......probably like on Desperate Housewives....although I'm not sure because I've never seen that.
But it's a court of 16 houses. Varying age groups of people...including 21 children. We have a "mayor". Everyone knows everyone, watches out for each other's kids and grandkids, brings food to those with an illness, attend each other's births, weddings and funerals.

For hubby, it can sometimes be "too much neighborliness", but for me it's wonderful.

The women on the street decided to start a "Bunko" group. They alternate houses and husbands/kids leave while the game is going. I'd never played before, but it's a dice game that require 12 players. Because I'm so busy, and feel stretched too thin, I decided to just be an alternate instead of a "player". Being a player is a monthly commitment.

Last night was the first time I played.

I think I burned more calories playing that game than I would have if I'd run for 90 minutes.

I lost my voice.

You have to be loud when you get a Bunko. I think I may have been loud when Anyone got a Bunko. And I'd only had about a half a glass of wine.

I got swept up in the moment.

And I kept winning some other thing.....I forget what it was called...three of a kind that wasn't a Bunko...but I'd have to wear a necklace thing when I'd win that.

So I yelled out desperately: "I need a string of pearls!"

I'm not sure anyone else has as dirty of a mind as I do.

:)

February 10th ~ Hugs

Today is day 4 or 5 of my "Today" commitment...and I'm still on the highway I want to be on.

On a side note to all: Hug each other. Call someone you should call. When/if stress overtakes you today, remember what you have and take a deep breath. Sometimes we just need to be present in the moment, silencing inner chaos, and breathing in the gifts that we have in our lives.

February 9th ~ Unforgettable

Have you ever known someone whose smile makes everyone around them smile? Whose laughter is so engaging that it makes you laugh? Whose happiness is obvious and contagious?

That describes my friend D.

Today she lost her battle with cancer. She leaves behind a husband who knew she lit the stars and two wonderful young children who have her face super-imposed on theirs, and her personality radiates from them.

I can't imagine never seeing her again.

It wasn't that we were close friends, but we were more than acquaintances. There was warmth and shared humor between us every time we spoke.

Her family is large and close..thankfully. They will surround her husband and their children and tenderly wrap them up. As will all of their friends.

I feel close to her sister-in-law (the two of them grew up together and were closer than any two sisters).....and was at a complete loss today when I saw her. I hugged her and asked if she wanted to talk... she didn't. She couldn't. She was trying to hold it together...probably for her young daughter...but maybe also for herself. It's so hard to see someone's heart broken...and to not be able to do anything.

I don't want advice on what I could have or should have done. There is no perfect answer in a situation like this. I know that.

But I still feel such a sense of grief and helplessness. It's awful.

I keep putting myself in her shoes. And in the shoes of her children. And her husband.

I just want to blanket myself with my family and my friends and hold on to all of you.

February 6th ~ Today

Today I will listen to my body
I will not close my eyes when I stand on the scale.

Today I will not wonder why I've been so oddly cranky for the past few weeks. I will listen to my inner voice and DO something about it.

Today I will commit to exercising daily, even though I don't want to. I have to.

Today I will go to war with my self-control. And I will win.

Today I will pay attention to the changes I must make. I will keep them in the front of my mind. I will not ignore them...or pretend to.

Today I will face the lonliness of making these changes. I will except that even with support, ultimately it is up to me. I will stand up to myself.
I will stand up for myself.

Today is the day I change my life.

I'm afraid. But today I will not let fear defeat me.

Today I will not be lazy.

Today I will not hide from people.

Today I am writing this down so that when tomorrow is today, I can read it, and remember what I have to do.

Today I will tell my inner voices of temptation to go screw themselves. I'm in charge today.

January 31st ~ The Crookedest Road and the Hungriest Teen

We had such a great time with our newly teenaged son in SF last weekend. :) It was really fun spending time with JUST him.

How often does a kid get the full attention of BOTH parents for an extended period of time?

We let him choose anything he wanted to do for the day. We went to a couple of museums first...one of which was the MOMA. (The first museum was fun but relatively uneventful.)

He'd never been there before.

Well......we all know that art is subjective, right?

And, you know what you are getting when you see Matisse or Picasso..

However, a few of the other exhibits were....well......more adult oriented. lol

One in particular: Peter Sarkisian's Dusted (installation view), 1998 Mixed media and video:

Dusted uses a five-channel video projection to animate a white cube so that it appears to be a glass container entrapping two naked figures. There also appears to be a lint-like film on the glass cube you are looking through....and as the moving figures "inside" the cube brush body parts against the inside of the cube...the lint is cleared away making your view of them more clear. Like using your hand to wipe off a foggy mirror... The sound of voices whispering the names of men and women make you feel as though you are looking at something secret...something you aren't supposed to be walking in on...

Ok...so the room with this piece was completely dark....except for the cube in the middle of the room. We walked into it completely unaware of what was in there. And although we could hear the whispering....you couldn't make out what they were saying very easily. You had to strain to understand the voices.... and in the same way...it was hard to know what was in the cube. At first it appeared to just be shadows....and shapes. As you looked though, the nude bodies could clearly be seen.

So.... realizing that this was likely making our son uncomfortable, and feeling equally that if I was in there alone or just with hubby, I'd probably have stayed and watched that cube for hours on end, I made a hasty exit, son following with a look of stunned surprise.

"Well, THAT was interesting," he said in a baffled voice.

I laughed. "Sorry, I didn't know we were in the sex-ed wing of the Museum!"

The next exhibit was equally wild... in part, depicting life-sized wax female nude sculptures, including some with unusual things protruding from their bums. hmmmm

So we quickly went to the other, tamer, floors of the museum. lol

The Chuck Close self-portraits were amazing!

Anyway, it was pouring rain (as you can probably tell by the photo of the crookedest Street above) ALL day. That didn't deter our fun though. We walked and walked...umbrella-less....drenched.....but happy.

We spent a couple of hours in the Metreon. Father and son played in the arcade....I was so bone tired from all of the walking we'd done that I watched them from the sports bar inside the arcade. A Corona light recharged my batteries. lol IT has amazing recharge qualities. I noticed a few other mom's recovering in the same way. lol

We then proceeded to China Town. It was festive (the night before Chinese New Year) and fun. Mr. Teen bought some fun Chinese tchatchkis and then we had dinner in a spectacular Chinese restaurant. We ordered some unusual things he hadn't tried before. Wonderful. (sigh) He kept eating and eating. lol

We got home really late..exhausted....but relaxed and happy about the success of the day.

Our next son is counting the month's until HIS 13th birthday.

14 months to go for him. :)