Today I am grateful for:
1. Indoor playlands, particularly at Chick-fil-a, because they let me gather with friends and provide something for the kiddos to do while I chat it up.
2. This recipe, particularly the frosting. Ohmygoodness! http://www.the-girl-who-ate-everything.com/2011/10/candy-corn-cupcakes.html (they also have this recipe at OurBestBites.com, but they use a different frosting. I think this frosting is FAR superior, but then again, I have a weirdness for things that taste too much like un-melted stick of butter. Ick. The frosting at the link is YUM). Happy Birthday, Cryptic Jennifer.
3. Miss Q decided that having strep this week was not enough, so she got a mighty upset stomach this evening after we came home from dropping off Miss A and Miss E to gymnastics (and long after we'd returned home from The Chik), and promptly hurled everything she'd eaten today. Why am I grateful for that? Because she chucked in the garage and the clean-up was about as good as a clean-up like that can get. Hooray for easy clean-ups of gross things.
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Day 2
Today I am grateful for:
1. Antibiotics for strep throat (two of my girls are down with the ailment, but on the mend thanks to modern medicine).
2. My husband surprising me by coming home for lunch today. I love to see him smack in the middle of the day for no reason.
3. Electricity. I'm able to use my computer, turn on the tv, the lights, the oven/stove/refrigerator...so many luxuries, all because of electricity.
Gratitude bestows reverence, allowing us to encounter everyday epiphanies, those transcendent moments of awe that change forever how we experience life and the world. ~John Milton
1. Antibiotics for strep throat (two of my girls are down with the ailment, but on the mend thanks to modern medicine).
2. My husband surprising me by coming home for lunch today. I love to see him smack in the middle of the day for no reason.
3. Electricity. I'm able to use my computer, turn on the tv, the lights, the oven/stove/refrigerator...so many luxuries, all because of electricity.
Gratitude bestows reverence, allowing us to encounter everyday epiphanies, those transcendent moments of awe that change forever how we experience life and the world. ~John Milton
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Day 1
Today, I am grateful for:
1. The first of the month and being able to go grocery shopping.
2. A new topper for our mattress made of memory foam. I'm hoping for great results for my poor pained back.
3. Amazing neighbors who are willing to take Miss A and Miss E (my 9 and 7 year olds) to the school's Skating Party so I can stay home with my two youngest who don't care about skating one way or another.
Develop an attitude of gratitude, and give thanks for everything that happens to you, knowing that every step forward is a step toward achieving something bigger and better than your current situation. ~Brian Tracy
1. The first of the month and being able to go grocery shopping.
2. A new topper for our mattress made of memory foam. I'm hoping for great results for my poor pained back.
3. Amazing neighbors who are willing to take Miss A and Miss E (my 9 and 7 year olds) to the school's Skating Party so I can stay home with my two youngest who don't care about skating one way or another.
Develop an attitude of gratitude, and give thanks for everything that happens to you, knowing that every step forward is a step toward achieving something bigger and better than your current situation. ~Brian Tracy
Monday, October 31, 2011
Month of Gratitude...starting tomorrow
Just like my chicken broth diet,* tomorrow starts my dear friend Cryptic Jennifer's Attitude of Gratitude Month. I'm going to email her my list and hopefully post it daily to my blog (I know, I know. Did you catch the word "hopefully?"). Here's the rules, copied shamelessly from my friend, if you'd like to participate (if so, leave me a message in the comments so I can follow you on your month of Thankfulness). If not, I hope you still feel free to join me in identifying things to be grateful for, as they are all around us, and come back to check in on me to see if I'm able to complete the challenge. Happy Month of Thankfulness!!!!
*I'm not really starting a chicken broth diet, but the idea is not bad considering that we ARE entering the season of baking and treats, and I've gained back a shameful amount of weight due to ongoing back injury, personal pity parties, and lack of self restraint. Hmmmmm, this month of gratitude is well timed.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hello Friends!
It's cold out there! I want to cook soup and bake things that are pumpkin flavored but can't get myself off the couch because I'm in a Halloween candy induced coma. You know what all that means... It's time to kick off the 8th Annual Attitude of Gratitude Challenge. Many of you know the drill, but we've got some new participants this year so I am including the FAQs below.
Attitude of Gratitude Challenge
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the Attitude of Gratitude challenge? How does it work?
A: Each day during the month of November you will send an email to me (and I to you), at least, but feel free to invite others to participate and you can send your gratitude emails to them, as well. Each daily email will contain three "things" for which you are grateful. The challenge is to come up with three ORIGINAL "things" each day. (Miss L's note: For the most part, I'm just going to email Cryptic J back and post my list on my blog.)
Q: What constitutes a "thing"?
A: Definition of "thing"- the term "thing" is used here to encompass a myriad of stuff including, but not limited to: a certain set of circumstances, an event, an inanimate object distinguished from a living being, possessions or effects, a deed or act, a product of work or activity, an idea or notion, a piece of news or information, a person, a memory, anything that makes you smile.
Q: Now, when you say "ORIGINAL", does that mean we can't repeat entries?
A: That's correct. Try not to repeat entries :)
Q: What if I forget one day?
A: Your email should be sent by midnight each night. If you miss a day or two, no biggie, but I would love for you to make it up!
Q: Do I have to participate?
A: Participation is completely optional.
Q: What if I decide to not participate but I keep getting Crypic J's daily emails and I don't want to see them?
A: Feel free to let me know if you'd prefer to not be on my daily list. I won't be offended. I will just be grateful that you let me know. I also generally post my gratitudes to my blog, and I was thinking of starting Facebook group this year. Would you prefer to check the blog or participate via Facebook instead of getting the daily email? (I'll still be posting to the blog, but if we end up doing the FB thing, I'll let you know)
Q: Are there any side effects I should be aware of?
A: Actually, I should warn you that challenge participation may result in any or all of the following:
- you will be surprised at all the Lord has done for you
- angels will attend
- you will feel help and comfort
- you may find yourself singing as the days go by
- your doubts will fly
Be Grateful!
"We can lift ourselves and others as well when we refuse to remain in the realm of negative thought and cultivate within our hearts an attitude of gratitude. If ingratitude be numbered among the serious sins, then gratitude takes its place among the noblest of virtues." ~President Thomas S Monson, October 2010 LDS General Conference
*I'm not really starting a chicken broth diet, but the idea is not bad considering that we ARE entering the season of baking and treats, and I've gained back a shameful amount of weight due to ongoing back injury, personal pity parties, and lack of self restraint. Hmmmmm, this month of gratitude is well timed.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hello Friends!
It's cold out there! I want to cook soup and bake things that are pumpkin flavored but can't get myself off the couch because I'm in a Halloween candy induced coma. You know what all that means... It's time to kick off the 8th Annual Attitude of Gratitude Challenge. Many of you know the drill, but we've got some new participants this year so I am including the FAQs below.
Attitude of Gratitude Challenge
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the Attitude of Gratitude challenge? How does it work?
A: Each day during the month of November you will send an email to me (and I to you), at least, but feel free to invite others to participate and you can send your gratitude emails to them, as well. Each daily email will contain three "things" for which you are grateful. The challenge is to come up with three ORIGINAL "things" each day. (Miss L's note: For the most part, I'm just going to email Cryptic J back and post my list on my blog.)
Q: What constitutes a "thing"?
A: Definition of "thing"- the term "thing" is used here to encompass a myriad of stuff including, but not limited to: a certain set of circumstances, an event, an inanimate object distinguished from a living being, possessions or effects, a deed or act, a product of work or activity, an idea or notion, a piece of news or information, a person, a memory, anything that makes you smile.
Q: Now, when you say "ORIGINAL", does that mean we can't repeat entries?
A: That's correct. Try not to repeat entries :)
Q: What if I forget one day?
A: Your email should be sent by midnight each night. If you miss a day or two, no biggie, but I would love for you to make it up!
Q: Do I have to participate?
A: Participation is completely optional.
Q: What if I decide to not participate but I keep getting Crypic J's daily emails and I don't want to see them?
A: Feel free to let me know if you'd prefer to not be on my daily list. I won't be offended. I will just be grateful that you let me know. I also generally post my gratitudes to my blog, and I was thinking of starting Facebook group this year. Would you prefer to check the blog or participate via Facebook instead of getting the daily email? (I'll still be posting to the blog, but if we end up doing the FB thing, I'll let you know)
Q: Are there any side effects I should be aware of?
A: Actually, I should warn you that challenge participation may result in any or all of the following:
- you will be surprised at all the Lord has done for you
- angels will attend
- you will feel help and comfort
- you may find yourself singing as the days go by
- your doubts will fly
Be Grateful!
"We can lift ourselves and others as well when we refuse to remain in the realm of negative thought and cultivate within our hearts an attitude of gratitude. If ingratitude be numbered among the serious sins, then gratitude takes its place among the noblest of virtues." ~President Thomas S Monson, October 2010 LDS General Conference
Monday, October 24, 2011
Whoa! It's October already. And then some.
I'm having one of those moments where I realize how overwhelmed I am...but specifically at the speed time has been flying by. There seems to be an incredible amount of things to do, things which will get done but may or may not be truly necessary accomplish. Example: just how many trunk or treats do we really need to attend? Every single one to which we are invited? My children seem to think the answer to this is a resounding YES! Ahhhh, youth.
Still. It didn't stop me from buying 4 bags of DumDum suckers to give away.
Did that make you flinch, Gentle Reader? If so, sorry. Though it does beg the question: who doesn't enjoy a tiny lollipop now and then? Plus (and maybe a wee bit sadly), it's one of very few types of candies that is safe for me to have around the house. I may enjoy an occasional DumDum once or twice a year, but it won't have me downing a whole bag on a day when my overwhelmedness by life hits hard. Know what I mean? Because even "fun" size Snickers or M&Ms or 3 Musketeers or KitKats or Mounds or...yegads, the list could go on and on...well, they are infinitely edible. And thus must be avoided. Because after Halloween come THE SEASON OF BAKING and GIFT GIVING and all that goes with it. HOLY COW time is going fast.
But to refocus, here is this palate cleanser:
We got to attend a very sweet Halloween party thrown by some neighbors (Oh, wait. Before the palate gets cleansed, I should explain that neither Super J nor I are into Halloween as far as holidays go. Seriously, we put together our "costumes" about 35 minutes before we had to leave for the party. Every year I promise myself I'll do better, but...there so much other stuff to buy, and I don't really want to shell out the cash or spend the time doing anything else, because I'm really just trolling the Internet for new recipes to try. It's all about priorities, Gentle Readers. Priorities).
Okay, now back to cleaning thing:
We went to this Halloween party and all the kids were sent home with a tiny but appropriate gift bag that had 2 pieces of candy, a pencil, a pencil sharpener and a spider ring. Oh, and each family got a thing of play dough. The girls played all afternoon yesterday with the play dough, and it is now pretty much in the garbage. But the pencil sharpeners????? Miss O, all by herself, has hunted down any/all pencils that might-maybe-could need to be sharpened, including colored pencils in the art supply area and wee little nubs of pencils with the erasers chewed off (ewww. I know). I love it. I hate the shreds she leaves behind as she seems to be missing the garbage can that she's supposed to be sharpening into, but still. Work it, Miss O.
Anyway, I sure wish that for Halloween, we could just have neighborhood kids bring those pencils you know they are going to be getting in their class Fall Festival Parties and let my girls sharpen them with those amazingly effective sharpeners (I think they actually have Sponge Bob on them). Can you imagine how awesome that would be? And budget friendly???? Maybe next year.
DumDum anyone?
Still. It didn't stop me from buying 4 bags of DumDum suckers to give away.
Did that make you flinch, Gentle Reader? If so, sorry. Though it does beg the question: who doesn't enjoy a tiny lollipop now and then? Plus (and maybe a wee bit sadly), it's one of very few types of candies that is safe for me to have around the house. I may enjoy an occasional DumDum once or twice a year, but it won't have me downing a whole bag on a day when my overwhelmedness by life hits hard. Know what I mean? Because even "fun" size Snickers or M&Ms or 3 Musketeers or KitKats or Mounds or...yegads, the list could go on and on...well, they are infinitely edible. And thus must be avoided. Because after Halloween come THE SEASON OF BAKING and GIFT GIVING and all that goes with it. HOLY COW time is going fast.
But to refocus, here is this palate cleanser:
We got to attend a very sweet Halloween party thrown by some neighbors (Oh, wait. Before the palate gets cleansed, I should explain that neither Super J nor I are into Halloween as far as holidays go. Seriously, we put together our "costumes" about 35 minutes before we had to leave for the party. Every year I promise myself I'll do better, but...there so much other stuff to buy, and I don't really want to shell out the cash or spend the time doing anything else, because I'm really just trolling the Internet for new recipes to try. It's all about priorities, Gentle Readers. Priorities).
Okay, now back to cleaning thing:
We went to this Halloween party and all the kids were sent home with a tiny but appropriate gift bag that had 2 pieces of candy, a pencil, a pencil sharpener and a spider ring. Oh, and each family got a thing of play dough. The girls played all afternoon yesterday with the play dough, and it is now pretty much in the garbage. But the pencil sharpeners????? Miss O, all by herself, has hunted down any/all pencils that might-maybe-could need to be sharpened, including colored pencils in the art supply area and wee little nubs of pencils with the erasers chewed off (ewww. I know). I love it. I hate the shreds she leaves behind as she seems to be missing the garbage can that she's supposed to be sharpening into, but still. Work it, Miss O.
Anyway, I sure wish that for Halloween, we could just have neighborhood kids bring those pencils you know they are going to be getting in their class Fall Festival Parties and let my girls sharpen them with those amazingly effective sharpeners (I think they actually have Sponge Bob on them). Can you imagine how awesome that would be? And budget friendly???? Maybe next year.
DumDum anyone?
Monday, September 12, 2011
The Kindness of Strangers
I don't want to spend all my time talking about my crazy weekend of sick, but I did have to share this.
Today everyone had firm stools. You may think that's gross to talk about, but trust me, it is a happy miracle. It also meant that I could finally leave the house, which is also a happy miracle. And by leave the house, I mean take my kiddos who were finally fever free out to pick up Miss O from school (bless her heart, she never fell victim to the virus, at all. She was a whineypants, none-the-less, all weekend long, but that's another post for another time). And, since I like to walk the edge, I also did a quick run to Aldi for some much needed celery and mushrooms for this delicious soup. Seriously. You'll want to make this, very very soon. It's total comfort food and tastes like more work than it really is.
ANYWAY! Off to Aldi we (Miss E, O and Q and I) go. Keeping in mind that I am on a cash plan for my groceries, I knew very specifically how much money I had and could spend. So, while there I, of course, put all sorts of stuff in my cart and then at check out tried to do a mental calculation. I did AWESOME, Gentle Reader. Until cashier added the tax. Ugh. So, I asked her to take back two items: some granola bars (no biggie) and some shredded wheat (also, no biggie). I expressed no sadness at all, as the new total gave me a random dollar back (and in the back of my mind, I thought, WAHOO! Diet Dr. Pepper from QT here I come!). If you are familiar with Aldi, you know after you pay for your groceries, it is then up to you to bag them. So, I hauled my cart over to the counter with the girls and proceeded to do just that.
Moments later, the gal who was in line behind me (with only 2 items) comes up and brings the cereal to me and says, "I got this for you," smiles and quickly walks off with me calling, "Thank you!" out to her back.
I'm not sure what prompted her to buy my cereal for me, but I thought that was just one of the nicest things a random stranger has done for me in a long long time. We didn't need the cereal this week. It was actually for next week, and I was just trying to squeeze it to the budget today. So unexpected. So nice. I said a little prayer in my heart for her that her day would be as awesome as she had been in that sweet moment and finished bagging my groceries and went home.
Once home and groceries put away, I happened to look at myself in the mirror and thought, this sweet lady must have thought I was in some bad shape. I was wearing a shirt that was at least 10 years old and overly big since my recent weight loss, and I had only kinda brushed my hair and clipped it with a barrette. In all honesty, looked like I had spent the weekend tending sick kids. It made me laugh at myself that I had the audacity to go out in public like that and then her kindness reminded me of how I should be in my everyday life. That I should take advantage of being able to do little acts of kindness and service, just because. Whether the person looked bedraggled (like me) or not. Because the feelings were lovely and unexpected. I sincerely hope she felt the same way, too, and that her day rocked of awesome because of her tender gesture toward a stranger.
Today everyone had firm stools. You may think that's gross to talk about, but trust me, it is a happy miracle. It also meant that I could finally leave the house, which is also a happy miracle. And by leave the house, I mean take my kiddos who were finally fever free out to pick up Miss O from school (bless her heart, she never fell victim to the virus, at all. She was a whineypants, none-the-less, all weekend long, but that's another post for another time). And, since I like to walk the edge, I also did a quick run to Aldi for some much needed celery and mushrooms for this delicious soup. Seriously. You'll want to make this, very very soon. It's total comfort food and tastes like more work than it really is.
ANYWAY! Off to Aldi we (Miss E, O and Q and I) go. Keeping in mind that I am on a cash plan for my groceries, I knew very specifically how much money I had and could spend. So, while there I, of course, put all sorts of stuff in my cart and then at check out tried to do a mental calculation. I did AWESOME, Gentle Reader. Until cashier added the tax. Ugh. So, I asked her to take back two items: some granola bars (no biggie) and some shredded wheat (also, no biggie). I expressed no sadness at all, as the new total gave me a random dollar back (and in the back of my mind, I thought, WAHOO! Diet Dr. Pepper from QT here I come!). If you are familiar with Aldi, you know after you pay for your groceries, it is then up to you to bag them. So, I hauled my cart over to the counter with the girls and proceeded to do just that.
Moments later, the gal who was in line behind me (with only 2 items) comes up and brings the cereal to me and says, "I got this for you," smiles and quickly walks off with me calling, "Thank you!" out to her back.
I'm not sure what prompted her to buy my cereal for me, but I thought that was just one of the nicest things a random stranger has done for me in a long long time. We didn't need the cereal this week. It was actually for next week, and I was just trying to squeeze it to the budget today. So unexpected. So nice. I said a little prayer in my heart for her that her day would be as awesome as she had been in that sweet moment and finished bagging my groceries and went home.
Once home and groceries put away, I happened to look at myself in the mirror and thought, this sweet lady must have thought I was in some bad shape. I was wearing a shirt that was at least 10 years old and overly big since my recent weight loss, and I had only kinda brushed my hair and clipped it with a barrette. In all honesty, looked like I had spent the weekend tending sick kids. It made me laugh at myself that I had the audacity to go out in public like that and then her kindness reminded me of how I should be in my everyday life. That I should take advantage of being able to do little acts of kindness and service, just because. Whether the person looked bedraggled (like me) or not. Because the feelings were lovely and unexpected. I sincerely hope she felt the same way, too, and that her day rocked of awesome because of her tender gesture toward a stranger.
HOORAY!!!!
Yep. It's a shout of success. The girls have had the stomach flu this weekend (boo!), especially Miss E and Miss Q. Poor Miss E had it at both ends, bless her heart. Still. That's not why I'm so happy. No, I'm happy because Miss Q didn't have a single accident. And that's saying something after this weekend. I think...dare I say this, but I think she truly and really is potty trained! In fact, I'm just going to declare it to be so. Hooray!!!!
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Updates
So, really, the 4th of July post was just a quote that I just kinda fell in love with, brought to my attention by my cousin on Facebook.
I like to be patriotic for lots of things, I have discovered. And not just on the 4th of July. heh.
But, here's what's been happening at The Zoo in recent weeks. I have pictures. I just have a difficult time getting them from Super J's computer to MY computer (his being a Mac and mine is...well...not. Him being computer literate and me...well...not as much anymore). But I did take pictures, thinking how fun it will be to post them. Yep. It sure will be fun. One of these days.
ANYWHO.
In the past few weeks...
I like to be patriotic for lots of things, I have discovered. And not just on the 4th of July. heh.
But, here's what's been happening at The Zoo in recent weeks. I have pictures. I just have a difficult time getting them from Super J's computer to MY computer (his being a Mac and mine is...well...not. Him being computer literate and me...well...not as much anymore). But I did take pictures, thinking how fun it will be to post them. Yep. It sure will be fun. One of these days.
ANYWHO.
In the past few weeks...
- Potty training has been going steadily and has taken a few regressive steps back. Even when I am lovely and kind about potty training. Even when I am a she-beast about potty training. One step forward, two steps back. I told Super J today that I think I am going to buy some more pull-ups because I think both Miss Q and I need a break. Wearying work, potty training is. And back breaking! I forget that you have to bend over to pull things off and put things on and then haul kids on and off the ol' commode many many times a day. Yep. My back hates potty training and needs a break, too.
- Super J turned one year old and wiser, too! I made this delicious thing, only with Ghirardelli brownie mix on the bottom because that's what I had. Love Costco. Also I made him BBQ ribs and cheesy funeral potatoes. See? I was very patriotic for Super J.
- Miss O turned 5 today! Can you believe it?????? You should have seen her cake that Cryptic Jennifer made for me, for Miss O's party (which we held at McDonald's. Ohhhhh to be 5 and happy with Happy Meals for food for a birthday). GORGEOUS. I gotta get a picture of it posted on here because it was super amazing, especially because she whipped it up in literally less than 5 hours, which is something because she made it and cooled it and frosted it. Shazzam. And can I say, Miss O deserved a lovely cake. Because she's 5!!!!!!!! And, she's a doll.
- But let's talk more about the cake. And why? Because I had a night from the Hot Place thanks to Miss Q. And a bit of Miss A with a small appearance by Miss E, informing me that Miss Q had to use the bathroom (AGAIN!???! At 3:00am? AGAIN????). But mainly Miss Q (notice, nothing about Miss O. She was the only one who got a good nights sleep last night. I guess that's what happens when you are turning 5. You sleep like a baby, but you aren't, to celebrate being born). And when I say Hot Place, I'm talking nigh unto an inferno, and I was a walking zombie who had some church meetings and babysitting and other party stuff to do and I was a bit stressed out. So, she whisked it off my plate and created an amazing visual and yummy edible thing. Thanks dearest Friend!
- Speaking of getting whisked away, Super J and I took a cruise to the Bahamas for our 10 year anniversary! Wahoo! And yes, for those who know that we actually don't turn ten until September, we did celebrate a little early, but we have decided to celebrate early and celebrate often for this decade of weddedness (you also know that Miss A was born on our anniversary, a year to the day, so it's kinda hard to have a big deal for us on her special day, too). I'm a lucky girl to have such a great guy.
- We did a 4 day, 3 night cruise on Royal Caribbean and it was lovely. I still feel like I'm swaying with the ocean occasionally, but it's fading every day. My biggest worries that we'd be attacked by Somali pirates turned out to be unfounded (but thanks for being our Will Witnesses anyway, Friend Adrienne!!!!), but I have to say that if I were to do it again, I'd go for the 5 day, four night cruise because ours seemed to be just starting when it ended. Yep, a super fun experience spent with an amazing man. One cruise tip I can give, though: Don't bother with the Virgin Pina Colada in the pineapple. I mean, for $8.00, I expected more than 8 ounces of Colada. Grrrrrr. That's all I'm saying. That, and they must make a killing on the alcohol they sell on those things. ANYWAY! I digress. I digress.
- I have been reading up a STORM! I should do a list. Many blogs I read have these great lists about books they have been reading, but I must confess, Gentle Reader, I am a wee bit embarrassed by the number of paranormal romances I have been reading. I know!!!! But I'll tell you anyway: I have become a Patricia Briggs fan. LOVE!!!! Enjoyed her Mercy Thompson books loads. Scoured used books stores to get her books, requested books on hold from the library and when I was too impatient to get them, I forked out my cold hard cash at my Barnes and Noble and bought 'em anyway for a mere 15% off (at least I had a coupon, right???). Next up in the queue, when I'm done with my Alpha and Omega series, I have the Iron Fey series by Julie Kagawa (all from the library, and perilously close to being due. Hope I can renew them!). Ahhhhhhhh, lovely summer reading. Why can't I read my scriptures as voraciously as I read these books???? Oh well, I'll dodge that and save the heavy questions for another day.
Monday, July 4, 2011
Independence Day
Happy 4th of July!
You have to love a nation that celebrates its independence every July 4, not with a parade of guns, tanks, and soldiers who file by the White House in a show of strength and muscle, but with family picnics where kids throw Frisbees, the potato salad gets iffy, and the flies die from happiness. You may think you have overeaten, but it is patriotism. ~Erma Bombeck
(thanks to my cousin for posting this awesome quote over on FB)
You have to love a nation that celebrates its independence every July 4, not with a parade of guns, tanks, and soldiers who file by the White House in a show of strength and muscle, but with family picnics where kids throw Frisbees, the potato salad gets iffy, and the flies die from happiness. You may think you have overeaten, but it is patriotism. ~Erma Bombeck
(thanks to my cousin for posting this awesome quote over on FB)
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Potty Training: The In Earnest Phase
Gentle Reader, a disclaimer. From the title of this post, you should be aware that this is all about the bodily functions of a 2 year old. If this grosses you out and/or you have no desire or need or want to read about such things, please feel free to ignore this post. It will not break my heart. I wanted to write this because I know that Potty Training is such a crazy stage of life, and I just wanted to offer my $.02 about how we were doing it with our youngest daughter.
So, Miss Q has reached that magical stage in life: she's asked to start wearing panties. This is a day that I have dreamed of and dreaded. Yet, it is upon us here at the Zoo. She actually asked last Monday to wear underpants, and so this is how we started:
This week: Monday-Friday: Miss Q got one pair of underpants for the day. When she wet them, it was back in Pull-ups. If she pooped in the Pull-ups, it was back to diapers. However, if she sat on the potty, she got M&Ms. If she actually peed while on the pot, she got a sticker for her Potty Chart and M&Ms. If she does everything (ie: Number 2), she gets a special treat (a Hershey's Kiss), some M&Ms, and a sticker for her Potty Chart.
Result: She did, honestly, really well. During the week, she only wore diapers once. She's been going on the toilet when she feels like it for months now. We are just needing her to recognize when she needs to go, instead of ME recognizing when she needs to go. I am already trained. She is not. So...more drastic measures because the girl wants those panties! And, to be fair, every morning she gets the choice: panties or pull-ups. Only on Thursday did she pick the pull-ups. It was a strangely magical day of no responsibility for both of us.
Starting Today: (Today being Saturday) We are earnestly working on the training. She's wearing underpants all day (except at nap/bedtimes). If she pees in her pants, we take the wet underpants off and replace them with underpants that I run under warm tap water. Thus, she is still wearing wet underpants but they aren't from the Nation of Urine and, thus, not freaking anyone (read: ME!) out if she sits on something...like the floor or my lap. However, they are wet and uncomfortable and she's aware of them. She wears them until they dry, and if she keeps them dry and then goes on to potty appropriately, then she gets all the M&Ms, stickers, etc, and has the benefit of dry pants afterwards. If she pees while wearing the wet underpants, she gets a quick cold shower to clean her legs off. We had decided that after the shower, she'd get dry underpants and then we start the process over. During naps and at night, she gets pull-ups (that's a given).
So far today: We've had ups and downs. She has successfully identified her need to poo, which is what she has consistently been good at for the past month or so. She has NOT been successful at identifying the need to pee, until it is running down her legs. The Tally up to naptime? 3 wet underwears, 1 cold shower, 1 successful everything, two stickers, two places on the carpet that were cleaned, one HUGE accident on the dining room floor (which is wood and also the reason she ended up getting the cold shower), 1 pull-up for naps, 2 Very Tired Parents, but some nice and clean floors. I'll update later.
So, Miss Q has reached that magical stage in life: she's asked to start wearing panties. This is a day that I have dreamed of and dreaded. Yet, it is upon us here at the Zoo. She actually asked last Monday to wear underpants, and so this is how we started:
This week: Monday-Friday: Miss Q got one pair of underpants for the day. When she wet them, it was back in Pull-ups. If she pooped in the Pull-ups, it was back to diapers. However, if she sat on the potty, she got M&Ms. If she actually peed while on the pot, she got a sticker for her Potty Chart and M&Ms. If she does everything (ie: Number 2), she gets a special treat (a Hershey's Kiss), some M&Ms, and a sticker for her Potty Chart.
Result: She did, honestly, really well. During the week, she only wore diapers once. She's been going on the toilet when she feels like it for months now. We are just needing her to recognize when she needs to go, instead of ME recognizing when she needs to go. I am already trained. She is not. So...more drastic measures because the girl wants those panties! And, to be fair, every morning she gets the choice: panties or pull-ups. Only on Thursday did she pick the pull-ups. It was a strangely magical day of no responsibility for both of us.
Starting Today: (Today being Saturday) We are earnestly working on the training. She's wearing underpants all day (except at nap/bedtimes). If she pees in her pants, we take the wet underpants off and replace them with underpants that I run under warm tap water. Thus, she is still wearing wet underpants but they aren't from the Nation of Urine and, thus, not freaking anyone (read: ME!) out if she sits on something...like the floor or my lap. However, they are wet and uncomfortable and she's aware of them. She wears them until they dry, and if she keeps them dry and then goes on to potty appropriately, then she gets all the M&Ms, stickers, etc, and has the benefit of dry pants afterwards. If she pees while wearing the wet underpants, she gets a quick cold shower to clean her legs off. We had decided that after the shower, she'd get dry underpants and then we start the process over. During naps and at night, she gets pull-ups (that's a given).
So far today: We've had ups and downs. She has successfully identified her need to poo, which is what she has consistently been good at for the past month or so. She has NOT been successful at identifying the need to pee, until it is running down her legs. The Tally up to naptime? 3 wet underwears, 1 cold shower, 1 successful everything, two stickers, two places on the carpet that were cleaned, one HUGE accident on the dining room floor (which is wood and also the reason she ended up getting the cold shower), 1 pull-up for naps, 2 Very Tired Parents, but some nice and clean floors. I'll update later.
We Still Owe $14,300,000,000,000.00 and Growing
Yeah, so many of you know that Super J and I have been working the Dave Ramsey plan of getting out of debt. This has required much sacrifice and doing without, and yet, much like counting calories, has not been as terrible as initially thought and expected (I bet you can't tell who had the harder time with this, can you???). In fact, we have seen incredible blessings because we have been heading prophetic counsel and working the Ramsey plan. Did it take both Super J and I to commit to this? ABSOLUTELY. We have to do it together or we fail together. Happily, we have been wildly successful together, which has strengthened our marriage, which is (as the credit card commercials say) priceless.
Additionally, for the past six months, I have been on a cash plan for the household budget, which includes groceries, clothes, eating out, diapers (well, now pullups and panties), and stuff like that. It has revolutionized how I see money. Of course, the ironic thing is that when I have an awesome month watching my finances, I tend to not have such a great month with my eating (hence why, after I reached my goal, I have fallen off the wagon). Conversely, when I do great with my eating, my spending starts spiraling. There is something NOT in balance, and I know this, but I'm working on it.
ANYWAY! I bring this up because I am hyper aware of our home and personal finances (and counting calories or lack thereof for both, but that's another post for another day). When I saw some of these statistics in an article (and subsequent links), I was gobsmacked. So, of course I had to share.
United States Economy By the Numbers
I don't care which political affliation you are. That's pretty scary stuff and something that (from personal experience) will be ugly to deal with but MUST BE.
Okay, I'm stepping off my soap box, but had to share.
Additionally, for the past six months, I have been on a cash plan for the household budget, which includes groceries, clothes, eating out, diapers (well, now pullups and panties), and stuff like that. It has revolutionized how I see money. Of course, the ironic thing is that when I have an awesome month watching my finances, I tend to not have such a great month with my eating (hence why, after I reached my goal, I have fallen off the wagon). Conversely, when I do great with my eating, my spending starts spiraling. There is something NOT in balance, and I know this, but I'm working on it.
ANYWAY! I bring this up because I am hyper aware of our home and personal finances (and counting calories or lack thereof for both, but that's another post for another day). When I saw some of these statistics in an article (and subsequent links), I was gobsmacked. So, of course I had to share.
United States Economy By the Numbers
- Number of jobs lost under Barack Obama: 2.5 Million
- Current national debt. $14.3 Trillion
- The amount added to the national debt since Obama took office. $3.7 Trillion
- Expected national debt in 2021 under Obama's Budget: $26.4 Trillion
- Current federal deficit (largest in history & 3rd consecutive trillion dollar deficit): $1.65 Trillion
- How much Washington borrows every day to fund Obama's spending spree: $5 Billion
- Amount borrowed on every dollar the federal government spends. 43 cents
- True cost of ObamaCare (when budget gimmicks are removed): $2.5 Trillion
I don't care which political affliation you are. That's pretty scary stuff and something that (from personal experience) will be ugly to deal with but MUST BE.
Okay, I'm stepping off my soap box, but had to share.
Friday, June 10, 2011
Things I Learned Today
Today, I learned that:
- Sometimes you gotta stay flexible, especially on the most well planned day, when confronted with a short bursted but severe thunderstorm.
- I kinda missed not going to my spin class. Darn that lightening and it's subsequent blown transformer (and not the Robot in Disguise kind, which is what my girls thought it was. Ha!)
- Yet again, I'm so so so glad for friends who can get together on relatively short notice.
- I only needed to all of my name my girls Elizabeth. Who knew?????
- Some toenail polish is quite seasonal, though still lovely.
- My girls may or may not read all those books we hauled out of the library this morning, but I love them wanting to.
- I *DO* already own that Rick Riordan book, but since I thought it was the sequel to The Red Pyramid, I hadn't even bothered to crack it open.
- Though none of us worked out this morning at the YMCA, three of my four girls are sound asleep. I do NOT know what this means for this evening.
- Going to the library for a second time in one day so the girls can use a restroom you trust? Priceless.
- Eating ice cream off the floor of a restaurant does not kill a child, though it grosses out her mom.
- Getting gas for $.10 cheaper still strikes a happy place in my heart.
- I should have prepped stuff for crock potting as I had planned to last night because now I have no idea what to make.
- I am out of onions, so I am wondering if this recipe would be fine with dried or even green onions? You think????
- Having spent the afternoon with one of my very favoritestest people in the world? Never gets old and is simply lovely.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Uncontained
Miss O was sitting next to me as I was reading some blogs, and I took a moment to stop and be in the present moment and then I got to thinking how I appreciate my girls, especially since I watched two extra girls today, and (to continue this run-on sentence) I just thought how much I love my daughters because they are my girls, and they know me and my little Mom-isms and are just quite wonderful and even though they wear me out sometimes, I also really enjoy who they are becoming, because they are becoming these amazing little humans, and so I was overcome and started kissing her and hugging her and kissing her some more and she said, "Mom, why do you have to do this?"
I told her I just couldn't help myself, which was the truth.
Then she asked me to go with her to open the door to my bathroom, just in case there was a Monster in there.
Oh well. So much for tender moments.
I told her I just couldn't help myself, which was the truth.
Then she asked me to go with her to open the door to my bathroom, just in case there was a Monster in there.
Sunday, June 5, 2011
What's for Dinner Tonight at the Zoo? Crockpot Lasagna, Take 2
So, the other day (a few weeks ago), I made this with the firm conclusion to make it again, because if you remember, that first time was a bit disappointing. And so I did. These are the changes I made:
1. I used Italian Sausage instead of Ground Turkey. Thank you Jimmy Dean.
2. I seasoned the sausage like I would if I were making normal lasagna or spaghetti. In other words, in addition to the onion, I used more garlic (which I actually remembered! Big difference, Gentle Reader. Big.), Italian Seasoning, Garlic Salt, and a can of mushrooms.
3. I used Ragu Extra Chunky Mushroom Spaghetti Sauce, because we love it in all it's high fructose corn syrup goodness and clearly cannot have enough mushrooms. Further, while I can't remember what size I used, I do know it was more than the recipe called for. Yep. We are a sauce-y group.
4. I used a 6 Quart Crockpot (which I did last time), but I ended up using 8 noodles vs 6, and I added about a cup~ish of water to my sauce instead of the recommended amount (I don't know for certain how much because I put the water in the Ragu jar to swirl to get the last bit of sauce out. You do that, too, right?). I only cooked it for about 3.5 hours (vs. 4 or 5) and tossed on the cheese at the end as recommended and then let the whole thing sit until dinner was totally ready, which was probably more like 20~ish minutes (it's hard to get everything done at the same time, especially when Super J is giving Proper Watermelon Balling Techniques to Misses A & E, and they are meticulous learners).
5. Speaking of cheese, I used freshly grated mozzarella cheese (though I made Super J grate it for me. Hooray! Was there a difference? Not sure) and some deli sliced provolone (which needed to be used asap), and used probably 3 cups vs. 2. Oh! I also used ricotta (as recommended in the original recipe) verses cottage cheese (which is what I used last time). Was there a difference? Not sure.
6. I made and served homemade bread sticks (which recipe I will post one day soon and was/is DELICIOUS, if I do say so myself) and steamed broccoli and fresh watermelon (that was, delightfully, in season).
The result:
WONDERFUL DELICIOUS SUCCESS!!!!!
I was so happy!!!!! Hooray! AND...brace yourself: even Miss O ate some. I KNOW! Shocker.
Upon further reflection, I don't know that this is really that much easier to cook than a regular lasagna, but whatevs. It SEEMS easier to cook. It does make less, which means less leftovers, which is not terrible in the house, and I threw it together before Super J and my Sunday naps (we were soooo tired. Would someone please tell me when children stop waking up during the middle of the night, cause our 8 year old has NOT gotten the message, and for those who actually DO sleep during the night, why oh why during the summer do they want to wake up at 6:00???? I KID YOU NOT! That is an unnatural hour...though it did help us get to church on time today and sit in the comfy pews, so I guess that's the silver lining blessing of it. But still) and it was ready to eat at a normal time. Score!
Will I make it again? Yep. No doubt about it. And the next time, I might try the recipe recommended hamburger, because that's the kind of life on the edge that I like to lead.
1. I used Italian Sausage instead of Ground Turkey. Thank you Jimmy Dean.
2. I seasoned the sausage like I would if I were making normal lasagna or spaghetti. In other words, in addition to the onion, I used more garlic (which I actually remembered! Big difference, Gentle Reader. Big.), Italian Seasoning, Garlic Salt, and a can of mushrooms.
3. I used Ragu Extra Chunky Mushroom Spaghetti Sauce, because we love it in all it's high fructose corn syrup goodness and clearly cannot have enough mushrooms. Further, while I can't remember what size I used, I do know it was more than the recipe called for. Yep. We are a sauce-y group.
4. I used a 6 Quart Crockpot (which I did last time), but I ended up using 8 noodles vs 6, and I added about a cup~ish of water to my sauce instead of the recommended amount (I don't know for certain how much because I put the water in the Ragu jar to swirl to get the last bit of sauce out. You do that, too, right?). I only cooked it for about 3.5 hours (vs. 4 or 5) and tossed on the cheese at the end as recommended and then let the whole thing sit until dinner was totally ready, which was probably more like 20~ish minutes (it's hard to get everything done at the same time, especially when Super J is giving Proper Watermelon Balling Techniques to Misses A & E, and they are meticulous learners).
5. Speaking of cheese, I used freshly grated mozzarella cheese (though I made Super J grate it for me. Hooray! Was there a difference? Not sure) and some deli sliced provolone (which needed to be used asap), and used probably 3 cups vs. 2. Oh! I also used ricotta (as recommended in the original recipe) verses cottage cheese (which is what I used last time). Was there a difference? Not sure.
6. I made and served homemade bread sticks (which recipe I will post one day soon and was/is DELICIOUS, if I do say so myself) and steamed broccoli and fresh watermelon (that was, delightfully, in season).
The result:
WONDERFUL DELICIOUS SUCCESS!!!!!
I was so happy!!!!! Hooray! AND...brace yourself: even Miss O ate some. I KNOW! Shocker.
Upon further reflection, I don't know that this is really that much easier to cook than a regular lasagna, but whatevs. It SEEMS easier to cook. It does make less, which means less leftovers, which is not terrible in the house, and I threw it together before Super J and my Sunday naps (we were soooo tired. Would someone please tell me when children stop waking up during the middle of the night, cause our 8 year old has NOT gotten the message, and for those who actually DO sleep during the night, why oh why during the summer do they want to wake up at 6:00???? I KID YOU NOT! That is an unnatural hour...though it did help us get to church on time today and sit in the comfy pews, so I guess that's the silver lining blessing of it. But still) and it was ready to eat at a normal time. Score!
Will I make it again? Yep. No doubt about it. And the next time, I might try the recipe recommended hamburger, because that's the kind of life on the edge that I like to lead.
Sunday, May 22, 2011
In Honor of Rediscovered Friends
Have you ever found a friend on FB. I mean, a friend from your past when you were young (I mean, YOUNG), and that you kept in touch with via letters through your years of schooling and moving and more schooling and then lost track of after high school?
Me, too! Just yesterday!!!!! Wahoo! If this isn't what FB is good for, then I don't know what it's purpose is (though, according to that movie, it was to find hawt girls at Harvard and to make lots of money, but you know. Whatevs. I'm not the target audience for that).
And, since I told her I have a blog, I wanted to get some pictures on here so she could see some more recent photos.
So, then, here's a quick snapshot of those of us living here at the Zoo:
These are the girls!
This is the husband!
This is Me! Yep, this is me still with make-up, hair and earrings after church, also enjoying much better day lighting for computer pictures (I'm just saying...sorry Super J). This is NOT how I normally look. Normally, I sport The Frazzle as a look I embraced and made my own about...oh...eight years ago
This is the cute picture that I took with me and Miss E, who came up to tell me that the girls are coloring on the table and may or may not have accidentally colored ON the table, so I made her pose with me in a picture.
What, you can't see this picture?????
Yeah. Alas, I goofed saving something whilst having deleted it just moments prior (because that's how I roll, Gentle Reader. I am a myriad of walking talents). So, imagine me with my cutie patootey seven year old. She is a doll.
Oh! Here are some of my other dolls coming up while I am writing this. They are telling me that they are currently needing my help making confetti. Interestingly, I have never made confetti with them so I am amused they think this is part of my skill set. Also, I am a bit worried about if they are making confetti out of their newly colored paper (on the colored table) or something else, as I had no idea they were even GOING to make confetti.
Yeah, I better go check on things before things get more out of hand.
Me, too! Just yesterday!!!!! Wahoo! If this isn't what FB is good for, then I don't know what it's purpose is (though, according to that movie, it was to find hawt girls at Harvard and to make lots of money, but you know. Whatevs. I'm not the target audience for that).
And, since I told her I have a blog, I wanted to get some pictures on here so she could see some more recent photos.
So, then, here's a quick snapshot of those of us living here at the Zoo:
 |
| Clockwise from top left: Miss E (just turned 7), Miss A (8), Miss Q (2.5...wowzers. Is she ever 2 almost 3), and Miss O (4) |
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| Super J!!!!! He will be THRILLED I used this picture. THRILLED, I tell you. |
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| Miss L, after church |
This is the cute picture that I took with me and Miss E, who came up to tell me that the girls are coloring on the table and may or may not have accidentally colored ON the table, so I made her pose with me in a picture.
What, you can't see this picture?????
Yeah. Alas, I goofed saving something whilst having deleted it just moments prior (because that's how I roll, Gentle Reader. I am a myriad of walking talents). So, imagine me with my cutie patootey seven year old. She is a doll.
 |
| Left to right, Miss A (age 8), Miss O (age 4), Miss L (age Older than Twenty-one) |
Yeah, I better go check on things before things get more out of hand.
Thursday, May 12, 2011
Ripped
Holy Mother of a Goat! I have ripped my left foot's big toe toenail, half off, two thirds of the way down. Thus, still attached; however, quite painful. Yeeeeeeouch!
Thank you for letting me share in today's Pain Report, brought to you by the Pantry Door's attempt to give me a rude pedicure.
Update (approx 12 minutes later): Have soothed myself with some plain chocolate M&Ms. Toe still hurts, but at least gave me weak excuse to enjoy some chocolately goodness.
Thank you for letting me share in today's Pain Report, brought to you by the Pantry Door's attempt to give me a rude pedicure.
Update (approx 12 minutes later): Have soothed myself with some plain chocolate M&Ms. Toe still hurts, but at least gave me weak excuse to enjoy some chocolately goodness.
Update: Crockpot Lasagna
Upon cooling, this lasagna holds itself together beautifully, and tastes pretty good cold and then reheated. I will DEFINTELY be making this again, but with homemade breadsticks.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
The Verdict: Crockpot Lasagna
Okay, here's what I thought about the crockpot lasagna: it was definitely FINE. Overall, to me, it seemed a bit tasteless, but at the same time, it wasn't bad.
Super J and Miss E thought it was really good (I asked Super J on a scale of 1-10 what he thought and he said, 7). The cheese on top was nice and melty, and the noodles were great (Misses O and Q actually ate the noodles...the rest of the insides, not so much). I thought it was good, but I was hoping for out and out delicious. I DO think I want to try it again because I think I might be able to do better.
Here are some things that I'll try next time: hamburger meat or Italian sausage vs turkey; Ragu spaghetti sauce--personally, it just holds it's flavor better; ricotta mixed with cottage cheese (I like cottage cheese in it, though, so I'd try it again with cottage cheese, too; also, I only had cottage cheese, so I don't how ricotta would effect it one way or another); a bit more Italian Seasoning or Basil or something more.
Oh! Speaking of which, here's a biggie: if I had actually remembered to put in minced garlic in it. Hmmmmmmm. Now that I think about it, that could have made a big difference.
Also a bit discouraging, the edges got a bit scorched on the bottom (closest to the crockpot walls), which didn't really effect the taste too much, but totally effected the appearance, so the girls were like, ewwwwww.
So, I think I would definitely stop it at 4 hours instead of 4.5 and take it out of the holder instead of letting it set for 10 more minutes on "off" inside the crock-thingy while the cheese melts on the top. Of course, maybe my crockpot runs a bit "hot" but yours, Gentle Reader, would be fine at 4.5 hours. I'm interested in trying it "cold" and tomorrow, now that my expectations are different.
Verdict: I will make it again and see how I like it. Admittedly, the house smelled great and it set up really well (though getting the first few pieces out was rough).
ALSO: I won't give in to the temptation to get the cheap Price Chopper Garlic Bread, which I did today. Though lovely as a time saver, it is such yucky bread!!!! I should have made bread sticks.
Super J and Miss E thought it was really good (I asked Super J on a scale of 1-10 what he thought and he said, 7). The cheese on top was nice and melty, and the noodles were great (Misses O and Q actually ate the noodles...the rest of the insides, not so much). I thought it was good, but I was hoping for out and out delicious. I DO think I want to try it again because I think I might be able to do better.
Here are some things that I'll try next time: hamburger meat or Italian sausage vs turkey; Ragu spaghetti sauce--personally, it just holds it's flavor better; ricotta mixed with cottage cheese (I like cottage cheese in it, though, so I'd try it again with cottage cheese, too; also, I only had cottage cheese, so I don't how ricotta would effect it one way or another); a bit more Italian Seasoning or Basil or something more.
Oh! Speaking of which, here's a biggie: if I had actually remembered to put in minced garlic in it. Hmmmmmmm. Now that I think about it, that could have made a big difference.
Also a bit discouraging, the edges got a bit scorched on the bottom (closest to the crockpot walls), which didn't really effect the taste too much, but totally effected the appearance, so the girls were like, ewwwwww.
So, I think I would definitely stop it at 4 hours instead of 4.5 and take it out of the holder instead of letting it set for 10 more minutes on "off" inside the crock-thingy while the cheese melts on the top. Of course, maybe my crockpot runs a bit "hot" but yours, Gentle Reader, would be fine at 4.5 hours. I'm interested in trying it "cold" and tomorrow, now that my expectations are different.
Verdict: I will make it again and see how I like it. Admittedly, the house smelled great and it set up really well (though getting the first few pieces out was rough).
ALSO: I won't give in to the temptation to get the cheap Price Chopper Garlic Bread, which I did today. Though lovely as a time saver, it is such yucky bread!!!! I should have made bread sticks.
What's for Dinner tonight at the Zoo?
I know you have been waiting waiting WAITING for the answer.
Here 'tis:
Crockpot Lasagna, which you can find HERE (note: I super enjoy the girl who posted this recipe's actual website, too, fyi. She has some great recipes, if I do say so myself) ...Alas, of course, whilst I am wildly excited about this, sadly it will probably only be enjoyed by 2/3 of the family (can you guess who will not be enjoying it???? If your answers started with an O and a Q, ding! ding! ding! you are RIGHT!). But do you want to know the delicious thing about this recipe that I'm currently cooking but have yet to determine if it's actually delicious?????
It's already been made and is cooking, so I don't have to do anything but heat up my garlic bread before Super J comes home. Bah-da-bing!
This begs the question: Why don't I crockpot more, Gentle Reader? This is not a rhetorical question. This is a sincere, why DON'T you crockpot more, Miss L???? I cannot say. Actually I can: because I am a hot mess when it comes to planning menus. But I love this feeling of freedom, of being able to sit and blog and not worry about WHAT to have, because it is being made. right. now. while I sit and blog. Lovely.
I may have to do this crockpot thing more often. Hmmmmmm.
Hey. By the way, I'll let you know how this goes. I should also note that my Crockpot Lasagna is being made with ground turkey, cottage cheese and mushrooms, so it is a wee bit deviant from the recipe, but I'm sure will be fine.
Here 'tis:
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| Picture TOTALLY mooched from the recipe at http://www.tablespoon.com/ |
It's already been made and is cooking, so I don't have to do anything but heat up my garlic bread before Super J comes home. Bah-da-bing!
This begs the question: Why don't I crockpot more, Gentle Reader? This is not a rhetorical question. This is a sincere, why DON'T you crockpot more, Miss L???? I cannot say. Actually I can: because I am a hot mess when it comes to planning menus. But I love this feeling of freedom, of being able to sit and blog and not worry about WHAT to have, because it is being made. right. now. while I sit and blog. Lovely.
I may have to do this crockpot thing more often. Hmmmmmm.
Hey. By the way, I'll let you know how this goes. I should also note that my Crockpot Lasagna is being made with ground turkey, cottage cheese and mushrooms, so it is a wee bit deviant from the recipe, but I'm sure will be fine.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
New Glasses with Newish Hair Cut!!!!
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| ...and my Metropolis Temple 5K LDS Temple Run t-shirt. Sassy, non? |
Sorry about the grainy-ness of the picture; as Super J says, you just can't get decent quality pictures from my laptop camera. Still. Gets the job done and that's what matters in this particular instance. See, my hair is shorter! And see? My glasses are more squarish. I think I'm just excited that I still kinda look like a librarian...or at least someone who enjoys books, both of which are facts.
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