Another Day In Paradise...

Soundscape Saturday: Dick Dale

2009-11-14T11:48:00.000-08:00

Fanciful Friday: Phobias, what's yours?

2009-11-13T00:39:00.000-08:00

Happy Friday the 13th!!!

So, what fears plague your mind? Phobia Index

I suffer from: Pedophobia, Ochlophobia, Macrophobia, Theophobia,and Tryanophobia (severe!). Yep. I always knew I was crazy =o)

Trash Talkin' Thursdays...

2009-11-10T22:42:00.000-08:00

My weekly dumping ground for all things a-buzz-buzz-buzzin' in my bonnet!

1) Ahhhhhhh, what a week this has been! Recovering from our various viruses, starting the remodel, discovering our entire floor was about to fall through, making more decisions, adjusting to having no kitchen and nothing in the house is where it should be, life in general.... I am ready to have my breakdown!!!!

(sigh) Unfortunately, I mean that quite literally. I have been in denial for a couple months now but the reality has set in. I have Postpartum Depression. I saw my Dr yesterday. I hate this. I feel like a failure. Not only because I really am failing as a homemaker and a mom (moody and yelling all the time) but I feel as though having PPD is a failure in and of its self. I wasn't strong enough to stabilize on my own. Rationally, I know this not to be true, but emotionally that is where I am right now. I am not in control. I can't do what I would normally do when feeling blue and just decide to be happy with an attitude adjustment. My hormones are all out of whack and no amount of attitude adjusting can change that.

2) NaNoWriMo. I was sooo excited about you, NaNoWriMo. Soooo very, very excited. But I just don't have it to give this year and will have to place you on the back burner for another time. One day, I will accomplish this goal!

3) The Wedded Bliss Weekly Challenge is on hiatus for a while. I will try to continue with some form of a Wedded Bliss Wednesday theme, but the challenges are on hold. My heart just isn't into it and I need to get myself to a happy place before I get the romance back to where it should be. I was beginning to feel hypocritical each week posting challenges that even I am not up to doing =o).

4) The kitchen remodel hit a snag when we discovered the extend of our water damage. A section of our floor was rotten down to the crawl space under the house! I'll post pics tomorrow as I can't seem to find the camera right now.

So, there you have it! Apologies for the major downer tone this post has taken. Agh!

The Before

2009-11-10T10:37:00.000-08:00

Good bye step saving layout and ugly dark cabinets!

Good bye ugly stained floor!

Good Bye heinous wall paper!

Disgusting drawers that I have never used.....

Popcorn ceiling and hideous hanging light!

Good Bye 70's Kitchen!!!!

Tips and Tricks Tuesdays: Holiday Budget

2009-11-10T10:07:00.000-08:00

Can you believe the Holiday Season is just a couple weeks away???? In my family, we do our Holiday Portrait and order our cards on Veterans' Day (tomorrow), which has me thinking about our Holiday Budget...

I know many families end the Holiday Season in complete financial shock. They made a gift budget, they stuck to it... for the most part... yet they still end the Holidays in debt! And, here is why:

Most people only make a gift budget. They completely forget all the other expenditures involved in the Season. When I make my annual Holiday Budget I include everything: food, decorations, cards, stamps, cookie trays, holiday clothing, donations, etc.

The more detailed your budget is, the less surprise you will have in the end!

Daily To-Do: Say Good Bye To My 70's Kitchen

2009-11-09T09:13:00.000-08:00

Thing2 and I continue to recover from our second run of Swine Flu. I think we'll make it (wink)!

My Kitchen demolition begins tomorrow morning! We had to push things back a day since I wasn't much help in getting the old kitchen moved out in time for this morning's deadline. So, today we will wrap up and move all the last minuet things and continue to set up my temporary kitchen in the library.

I'm feeling a little sad for my old kitchen. She has only been a part of my life for 4.5 years but she has been a part of this house for longer than I have been alive. As much as she makes me miserable in her design and function, she was truly the heart of this home and she fulfilled her role with all necessary grace and homage one would expect of a kitchen of her era. I thank her for her service.

Menu Mondays

2009-11-09T08:57:00.000-08:00

I need HELP!!!! What exactly does one cook when they have no kitchen for 6 weeks? I need suggestions, dear readers! I have an electric griddle, a crock-pot, George Forman grill and a microwave. I have NO sink, save for our bathroom sink, to wash anything in. I refuse to microwave meat, that's a big one... ewwwe.

At first I thought, "Oh how easy this will be! I can cook just about anything with my small appliances!" But then the reality of NO SINK hit and I realized how tied my hands are. My average crock pot meal usually yields 2 dishwasher loads of dishes in the prep work alone!

So, I need suggestions for very easy, minimal prep, minimal mess, meals which can be prepared using the above small appliances and NO microwaving of raw meat.

The next 6 weeks will be very interesting, indeed!

Mon: Lasagna

Tues: Leftover Lasagna

Wed - Sun: ? HEELLLLLPPPP!

Daily To-Do: Swine Flu: Take Two

2009-11-04T11:08:00.000-08:00

It's baaaaaaaack. I predicted this, I knew I wasn't hit hard enough a couple weeks ago, and yes, this time it is worse. I seriously hate the pigs for sharing their plague.

Regular posting should resume next week.

Tips & Tricks Tuesdays: Ink Stains

2009-11-03T11:03:00.000-08:00

Ball point ink stains can be removed, quite effectively, with rubbing alcohol. That was an old trick I learned back in college.

For more on ink stain removal....

Daily To-Do: Picking out details

2009-11-02T13:33:00.001-08:00

Morning dear readers! Ok, I guess it is afternoon (grin). Hope you are all having a fabulous day!

I got to spend my morning picking out flooring, granite for my counter tops, and tile for my new backsplash!!! Wooohooo! (sigh) Too many choices when it came to the back splash, and unfortunately, little struck my fancy.

As for the granite.... I took 3 samples of black ( a sparkly, a honed and a kind of grey-black sparkly tortoise shell looking thing) Two samples of brown flecked with black, and two of a white flecked with black and grey.

I need to look at pictures for inspiration on that back splash!

My list for today:

PS drop off
Kitchen Showroom
home to unload
baby to nap
look at my samples
PS pick up
lunches
play time
Laundry of day
Dishes
Baby to nap
Craft project with Thing1
Laundry
Prep for dinner
play time/look at my samples some more
Make Dinner
showers/baths
girls to bed
clean up kitchen
prepare for tomorrow
make school lunch
relax before bed

Menu Mondays

2009-11-02T13:25:00.000-08:00

Mon: Oven Fried Chicken with rice and broccoli

Tues: London Broil with Cheesy Potatoes and zucchini

Wed: Chicken & Dumplings

Thurs: left overs

Fri: Taco Night!

Sat: Lasagna

Sun: Roast Turkey breast, smashed potatoes, stuffing, greenbeans and pumpkin pie

So, this is why I do this....

2009-11-01T13:23:00.000-08:00

Because SOMEBODY needs to teach Thing1 it is not proper Halloween Party etiquette to stand on tables and moon a room full of boys! "But Mommy, I was only showing them where poop comes from!"

(hits head on wall)

Soundscape Saturday: Wickedly Good Tunes

2009-10-31T10:26:00.000-07:00

Fanciful Friday: My Halloween Eve To-Do!

2009-10-30T10:59:00.000-07:00

I'm cheating a bit today by combining my Fanciful Friday with my Daily To-Do!

The Witching Hour is close upon us and I have much to do! My Kitty self must transform into a proper Witch by nightfall, I have bat wings to cook, goblins to look after and a Monster Bash to attend this evening. My sugar cookies are out the window but Witches don't cry over a bit of spilled sugar. If time permits, and I know it doesn't because I have been cursed with the anti-time spell, Thing1 and I may still be able to concoct some sort of Halloween Treat before tomorrow's end! Oh, and our pumpkins! I can not forget to carve our Jack-o-lanterns!

With that, I must say adieu and leave you with links of all things Halloween....

Pumpkin Carving 101

Halloween, a History

DIY Costume ideas

Ghost stories

Trash Talkin' Thursdays...

2009-10-29T11:47:00.000-07:00

My weekly dumping ground for all things a-buzz-buzz-buzzin' in my bonnet!

1) My new kitchen has been designed and I can't wait for them to begin demolition!!!! We finalized the layout last night (see CAD pics) but the island is not shown in these. We are still going back and forth with our cabinet style but will have that nailed down by the weekend and will likely go with the beadboard as shown here. I just can't believe I am really getting a new kitchen!!! Wooohoooo!

2) I added a Halloween Tree to my library display and I totally love it! I have wanted to do one for years but never had the ornaments to put on there. MIL brought me a bunch of old Halloween jewelery and I used that for the ornaments.

3) Thing1 and I still have not been able to make our annual tradition of sugar cookies come to fruition this year. AAAaaagh! (hits head on desk) Amazing how one little baby can really throw a wrench in time management! I even decided to go for time saving by buying pre-made cookie dough but the grocery store was sold out!

4) I went to Goodwill this morning to find a black skirt for Thing1's costume (we tried the usual stores at the mall but black skirts were nowhere to be found). I found two adorable black dresses which will work and then found an awesome antique looking Pie sign for my new kitchen (on an old plank) that was just $5! I also nabbed a lantern (I'll do pics once I have it incorporated into mt home) for just $3!

5) Dear Tooth Fairy, you completely SUCK! How dare you inflict such pain and suffering on my sweet little Thing2 by making her cut 4 top teeth at once!!!!

Daily To-Do: Cookie dough!

2009-10-28T12:14:00.001-07:00

I completely failed at yesterday's list! Laundry, dinner and my grocery list were the only tasks I got to cross off (sigh) oh well...

In store for today:

PS Drop off
Grocery shopping
Unload
get baby down to nap
start laundry of day
breakfast
blogging
PS pick-up
lunches
unload DW
load DW
play time
get baby down to nap
make cookie dough with Thing1 (my priority of the day)
Put away some laundry
Baths
Make dinner
showers
girls to bed
clean up kitchen
make school lunch
organize for tomorrow
relax before bed

Wedded Bliss Challenge of the Week!

2009-10-28T12:08:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Week 8 of our Wedded Bliss Challenge!

This week we will work on turning up the heat, adding a little spice to your life.....

My challenge for you this week is to try something new in your bedroom repertoire. Whatever that means for you.... A toy, accessory, position, role playing... the possibilities are endless! The only rule is to add something new and to keep adding one new thing a month.

Daily To-Do: Not go to the Pumpkin Patch!

2009-10-27T11:59:00.000-07:00

I'm feeling a bit guilty... Thing1 had her yearly Pumpkin Patch field trip with her school today and this was the first year I didn't go with her. I have a good excuse... pouring down rain and a few snowflakes mixed in is no weather for an 8mo baby who is still recovering from piggy flu... but I still feel guilty. Like I'm missing out on a very important part of Thing1's childhood.

My list for today:

PS drop off
Laundry
snuggle (hehehe)
blog
PS pick-up
lunches
Organize and schedule my hectic week
Make sugar cookie dough
change laundry
put away laundry (OMG, I have 6 baskets to put away!!!)
Clean out and organize Thing2's drawers (we finally got her winter clothes yesterday)
Play time
unload DW
Load DW
Make dinner
Baths/showers
Girls to bed
Clean Kitchen
Make school lunch
Grocery list (I never got to that yesterday)
Relax before bed

Have a fantastic Tuesday! What do you have planned?

Tips & Tricks Tuesdays: Free-standing Brooms

2009-10-27T10:13:00.000-07:00

Pink and Green Mama just posted about her anti-gravity brooms (WOW, how cool is that????) and I was left wondering if this was a fantastic Trick, or was it really a gravitational phenomenon....

The answer, my friends, is that YOU TOO can have your very own free-standing broom! Here's how.....

Daily To-Do: Mountains of Laundry

2009-10-26T10:24:00.000-07:00

Happy Monday!!!!

Aaaaaaagh, I am soooo behind, and completely un scheduled today! We had a fantastic and busy weekend visiting with the ILs, Kitchen planning and life in general. Today is their last day in town, so life will return to a semi-normal state for a little while, at least.... until we start our demolition, that is.

Unfortunately, I did not complete my usual Sunday task of weekly planning, sooooo it sort of leaves me scrambling this morning as I make sure I am not forgetting anything important.... like that we have Dr's apts this afternoon.

My List for today:

PS Drop-off
Breakfast
Blogging
Laundry of Day
Empty DW
Load DW
Tidy up kitchen
Tidy up Library
Clean guest bath
PS pick-up
Lunches
change laundry
Play-time
Dr's apt
Visit with ILs
Prep Dinner
Change laundry
Cook Dinner
Feed the fam
Baths/showers
Bedtime for the girls
Make Grocery list
Clean Kitchen
Make school lunch
Prep for tomorrow's field-trip
Relax before bed

Menu Monday

2009-10-26T09:55:00.000-07:00

Mon: Garlic-Rosemary-Lemon chicken over Couscous and Broccoli, Pumpkin Pie for dessert

Tues: Spinach-Artichoke & Feta stuffed Ravioli with Garden Salad and Sourdough Bread, Pumpkin Pie

Wed: Chicken Enchiladas, Mexican Salad and ???? dessert (anyone know of a quick and easy mexican-esque dessert?)

Thurs: Burgers & Tots with Chopped Salad and Halloween Sugar Cookies

Fri: Spooktacular Nibblers at a Halloween Party

Sat: Pizza and tons of candy!

Sun: Lasagna (?)

So, this is why I do this....

2009-10-25T11:22:00.000-07:00

Last weekend we created a new family tradition. This was the first time all members of the household shared a bug at the same time. Normally the sickos are quarantined in their room, pretty much isolated... I so hate that existence when I am sick. But this time, since ALL were plagued, we piled together with our blankets and pillows and watched movies (including: The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown). Despite our misery, it was family bliss!

Soundscape Saturday: Songs from the Infirmary

2009-10-24T10:50:00.000-07:00

Fanciful Friday: Nietzsche, for Preschoolers

2009-10-23T10:44:00.000-07:00

The Nietzsche Family Circus

Morality is the herd-instinct in the individual.

The Nietzsche Family Circus

Trash Talkin' Thursdays...

2009-10-22T08:53:00.000-07:00

My weekly dumping ground for all things a-buzz-buzz-buzzin' in my bonnet!

1) I'm wondering where Frankly Miss Go Lightly's blog has disappeared to.... (whispers) it's missing! (eerie music)

2) (should be read with a note of humor)

Hubs and I continue our debate over whether or not our plague was Swine Flu.

He is absolutely certain it was, as over 25% of his school has been absent in the past week and of the students who were tested, they were positive for H1N1.

To which I refute... We did not have the correct symptoms!!! H1N1 is a moderate to severe respiratory illness and none of us has significant respiratory symptoms!!!! (hits head on wall) Hubs was the only one in the household to get really sick. The rest of us... it's like we felt sick with out getting fully sick....

"But does it even matter?" he asks.

Oh Hubs. Of course it matters!!! As a Mom, I need to know all the things out there which can kill us. And if YOU had it but the rest of us only mildly got it... we could still get it and when we do, it could be really-really BAD, like the kid who only sort-of gets the chicken pox one year then gets hit with a triple whammy a few months later because they didn't build up the necessary immunity.... and this time their body completely over-reacts to the the reintroduction of the recognized virus, causing a more severe symptomology and increased risk of complication. Do you know what happens in the case of H1N1, when the body over-reacts to it? It results in potentially severe damage to the respiratory tract! We have an 8month old! That's BAD.

He eyes me, as one does a crazy person.

Seriously, Hubs. I am like a plague magnet. I am the one in this house who gets seriously ill with pneumonia for three months straight, every time a flu-like virus even winks at me. How do you think it is possible that YOU are the only one to get this (H1N1) with any noteworthy severity? Yeah. You had something else. It's still out there.... (seals house in bubble)

3) I need to stop watching TV. Media propaganda is over-riding all my formal medical education and training.