Wash and wax

Yea, I know how you think.  It's not for me.  It's for my car.  You know, the ghetto van. 

Well, if I want this done, I have to do it myself.  Kind of like the times when my car needs gas and I have to put it in there?  (even though I wasn't the one driving it)  Ok, just clarifying so you understand.

So, I called on my brother, Steve.  If you ever need your car waxed, he's the one to call.  See, when I got my first car, I asked Steve to show me how to wax it.  Only, I didn't do any of the work.  You  know, it's that damsel in distress thing I'm good at pulling.  "Oh, I can't do it, show me how again."  (oh boy, I'm giving away my tricks.  Hopefully no one reads this post)

Steve told me that he had some leftover wax that he could bring over.  I said, ok.  He came over and helped wash the car with me.  We had a little help from Alex and Bella (which didn't last too long)  You think that Steve would have learned from the last time he waxed my car.

So, there I am standing in the driveway and Steve start's waxing away on the ghetto van.  I was enjoying the beautiful weather we were having, sunny and 77F.   I didn't stand around the WHOLE tine.  I helped out.  (a little)  

I tried to get Steve to drive around with the wax on it.  How cool would that be?

He didn't go for it this time.

The ghetto van looks pretty sharp now.  Almost brand new!

Thanks to all my Steve's hard work.      

Wait! Don't shoot!

I can't believe I'm writing this post.

Ok, I guess I can.  I mean, who else would this happen to?  The (scary) things that happen in my life probably just happen to me, right?  That's why I'm writing this blog.  I'm not sure why they happen to me.  Am I the only one that these things happen to?  Maybe I'm the only one that notices these things or has the nerve to write about them. 

So, tonight, the kids were all outside goofing around.  This means, terrorizing each other and the dogs.  Nick was hiding the parts to the slide so Bella couldn't use it.  Nick and Alex were going after each other.  I think sticks and bats were involved in that one. (yea, just another normal, typical day here)  Lots of screaming and crying going on (mainly Bella).

After dinner, Bella and Nick decide to have a squirt gun fight.  (Alex had basketball, so he was not involved)  Somehow, Bella didn't get a squirt gun, Nick had both big guns.  Bella dumped her water bottle on Nick.  Not sure how she managed that one (he's still ticked about it).  Bella ran inside and refused to go out again.  I can't blame her.  She changed her clothes and knew that Nick was mad and that he had two squirt guns.  Nothing good or happy could come of that situation.

I was going to make some cookies.  I went near our window and it smelled pretty bad.  How bad was the smell, you ask?  Like a really nasty bathroom.  Yea, I know.  Only me.  I realize that the screen was sprayed with "water" and that it smells.  The counter smelled, too.   I pulled the screen out and put it in the bathroom.  I then started cleaning the window and the counter.  I told Nick that it smelled bad.  He offered to help clean up.  Meanwhile, Pippen ran into the house and ran to his cage.  He looked terrified.  I went to see if he was ok and realized he smelled, too.  So, now the screen needs to be washed and so does the dog.

Nick offered to wash Pippen.  I helped him out. 

The story did come out.  Apparently, that wasn't water in one of the squirt guns.  I don't think I need to go any further.  Not sure how it happened or who did it.  Nick said he got the squirt guns from the garage and put some water in them.  He was surprised that there was some water in them already.  Water is the questionable word there. 

Yea.  I know, it's gross.  But, it's also kind of funny.  Well, except that I had to clean the window, screen, counter, floor, the tomatoes and peppers on the counter and the dog.

Someday, we'll all look back at this and laugh.

Ok, some of us will laugh. 

Some of us will still have that look on our face that says, "Ugh!  Why me?"

Purple Squeaky Bone

Sounds scary, doesn't it?

Bella has a dog named "Cookie" that she got for Christmas.  Cookie is an interactive dog that barks.  He came with a purple squeaky bone. 

Bella brought Cookie downstairs to play with him.  Pippen was interested in Cookie.  He kept trying to bite Cookie's tail.  Bella was playing with the squeak toy which piqued Pippen's curiosity.  I told her not to play with it around him because he might think that it's his toy and chew it up.  She told him "no" as he got close to the toy and put it away.

Later that evening, Alex found the purple squeaky bone and started squeaking it around Pippen (the squeaky bone is about 4" long).  Pippen started running around the kitchen trying to get away from Alex.  At one point, he ran and jumped into bed with Newton (who was asleep and did not seem too happy about having Pippen wake him up).  Pippen eventually ran downstairs to be with RT.

I'm not sure what's so scary about this toy.  It's ALOT smaller than Pippen.  He usually has no fear!  He barks at dogs 10 times his size.

Maybe Bella told Pippen if he touched the squeaky that she would put bows in his hair and a bonnet on his head and toss him in a stroller and push him around by all of the big dogs in the neighborhood.

Here's purple squeaky bone.  

You have been warned.

I'll let you decide about the scare level.

I've fallen and I can't get up!

You may be old enough to remember this commercial. 

 

After this aired, a lot of people went around saying that line, "I've fallen and I can't get up!"

Last night, I had to run downstairs and let Pippen out.  Yes, I know.  The kids told me that they would take care of him, all I would have to do is let him out when they are at school.  That is not the case.  At all.  But, that's another story.

Anyway, we have a lot of stairs at our house.  I had to run down two flights of stairs to let Pippen outside.  I didn't want him to have an accident in the house.

When I got to the second flight, I didn't run.  I slipped and fell down the entire flight of stairs.  With all my cries for help, the only one to rescue me was Pippen. (who wasn't really much help with a lick to the face)  Alex couldn't be torn away from his video game to help me.  Nick was up in his room with ear buds on and probably didn't hear me  (I was in the basement).   

I managed to get up and let Pippen out.  I went upstairs and took some Advil because I knew that I would be in ALOT more pain the next day.  Then I went upstairs to bed.  That's where I found RT.  All cozy in bed.  He asked what happened.  I told him.  He said he didn't hear me because he was asleep.  He did say that if he was awake, he would have come to my rescue. 

After the witness situation, we all know that probably wouldn't happen.

Pickles!

That's right, pickles!

We had so many cucumbers from our garden, I decided to try making pickles.  I got a few recipes from my mother-in-law and decided to combine a few to make a batch.

I would have made some earlier in the season, but, we kept eating our cucumbers so fast.  I didn't think I would have this many cucumbers from our garden.  (I was picking about a dozen cucumbers every few days)

Here are some pictures of my pickle making fun.

white vinegar, sugar and salt

(there really is something in there)

a very shiny pickle jar picture

pack them in tight!

well, not too tight, you want to be able to get them back out

add the pickling spice

cap on, give it a shake and put in your refrigerator

I waited about 10 days to try them

 

Here is the pickling spice I used

This is a great idea to do with the abundance of cucumbers that you get from your garden.  And, you are able to enjoy your crop much longer.  :) 

This is taken from "Corky's Pickles" with a few modifications here and there.

mix together:
1 Tablespoon sugar
1 Tablespoon salt
1/2 cup vinegar

put in the bottom of jar:
1 clove garlic
1 sprig dill

put in pickles
put vinegar mixture in jar
add 1 Tablespoon of pickling spice
fill with cool tap water
put in refrigerator

*Update:  I skip the sprig of dill and add the pickling spice to the cucumbers.  These have been our favorite pickles so far.
Enjoy!

Daddy Daughter Dance

After reading John Kass' column in the Chicago Tribune today (September 20, 2012) I thought I would write a little something about Daddy/Daughter Dances.

Daddy Daughter dances are a time where a father and his daughter get to spend time together.  This is where you spend fun, quality time with each other.  You don't have to dance.  You don't have to be good at dancing.  You just have to be there.   No other man on the planet will treat you better than the way your father will treat you.  Like a princess.

If you had a bad experience with your father, I'm sorry.  Maybe there is another male figure in your
life you can compare this to, say, a favorite uncle, an older brother or a grandfather.

I didn't have the experience of a Daddy Daughter dance.  I did get to spend a lot of time with my dad.  I remember when he took me to see the play, Annie.  It was late at night.  I also remember him falling asleep during the performance. :)   (I didn't wake him because he worked long hours and was usually in bed at that time)

Bella and RT had their first daddy daughter sweetheart dance in February.   They had a great time dancing and eating sweets.  (Alot of sweets, according to Bella)  They even went out for ice cream after the dance.  Pictures and lots of fun memories.

So, I was surprised to read in the article that the ACLU was getting involved in Rhode Island banning daddy daughter dances.  If you read the article, a single mother was upset because her daughter's father was not in the picture.  She stated that this was unfair.

I wonder why she didn't see this as an opportunity.  Maybe there is an important male family member (uncle, grandpa, big brother) that could take her to the dance?  If there isn't another male, why didn't she, the mother, take her daughter to the dance?  What a way to make some memories with your daughter. 

And, for those of you who say, what about your sons.  There is a father son brunch that is held at our junior high.  There are numerous mother/son luncheons (there is one at the high school that I know Nick is just dying to take me to).  

I don't see why the ACLU has to get involved.  I don't see why the ACLU has to take this special tradition away.

It's just a dance. 

It's just a way to make some memories with your daughter.

Fleas, Ticks, Mites, Mange, Itchy, Itchy, Itch!

Now that's a title that makes you itchy and want to scratch!

We have had Pippen for a month now and what a crazy month it has been!
Pippen has been itching and scratchiing since we rescued him.  I thought Pippen had fleas so I gave him (and Newton) a flea bath.  Pippen still continued to scratch.  I thought maybe I dried his skin out with the flea bath and topical I put on him. 

Pippen had surgery on his back paws.  He had double dew claws on both back legs.  They stuck out pretty far.  We were afraid that he might snag them on something and it is best to have the surgery while he is a puppy.  I don't think it affected him much.  I don't think anything bother's him.  He is so calm and loving.  (well, he does have his occasional puppy fits) 
He has been sporting his "cone of shame" since his surgery. 

aww!

He needs to keep it on another week.

Since his surgery he has been on some antibiotics.  His itching seems to be getting worse.  It has gotten to the point of him scratching until he bleeds. 

I started looking up on the internet (uh-oh, here we go) and thought he might have mites.  Mites are microscopic and can be detected by a Veterinarian by doing a scraping and looking under a microscope. 

My next guess was mange (also caused by mites).  After reading about these two, I have been itchy.  And, finally, I thought he might be allergic to the antibiotics.  (although, he was itching when we got him).  His skin, which is normally pink was getting black in some places on his legs and stomach.

So, off to the vet we went to find out the source of the itching.  The Vet combed for fleas (didn't find any).  He also did a skin scraping (which is as gross as it sounds) (he doesn't have mites or mange)  And, he is not allergic to the antibiotics.  Pippen's skin is very dry.  The vet thinks it's a skin allergy and (skin) infection. 

The poor guy has been through alot (Pippen, not the Vet).  He has more medicine to take (RT will say "along with another huge vet bill").  Luckily Pippen will take his medicine with a little peanut butter. 

Every time Pippen scratches, I feel a little itchy.  I hope he feels better soon and that the itching goes away.

Pick up at Home Depot

So, there I am, hanging out at Home Depot (I really need to find something better to do) (and I should get paid for all of the promotion I do for them).  I was getting paint for Alex's room.  We finally took down the stars and moons baby border in his room.  Twelve years is long enough.  Picked out his new paint.  I would call it blue paint, but the creative people at the paint company call it, "Rainy Sidewalk."  It really is blue, even though "Rainy Sidewalk" makes you think of gray.  (you'll just have to trust me on this one)

When I was leaving (with Bella, my side-kick) I was being picked up by a 60 something year old guy.  Yea, I know, my beauty has no age limits.  Apparently my beauty seems to attract 60 something year olds that are married (his wife was standing right next to him).  RT told me that I should be flattered.  I don't  know if I should be flattered or if I should run to my room and cry?  His wife got into their car and he kept turning to me and smiling, so, I did what any normal person would do, I smiled back and blew him a kiss.  (I think that made his day)

I'm going to go now and reassess my wardrobe choices and my hairstyle.

Vegetarian Diaries

Some more of my musings on being a vegetarian.

I was visiting my mom during lunch time.  She offered me some lunch meat.  I said, I don't eat meat.  She said, "I know you don't eat meat.  You can have some, it's ok."  Apparently it's ok to have meat when you are a vegetarian if you are visiting your mom.  It's one of those rules I did not know about.

When cooking for the family, I do cook meals with meat.  This means I have to cook two separate meals.  The difficult part is not tasting a meal that you are cooking.  I just have to rely on my past cooking experience and just hope for the best.  It's also nice to get feed back from those eating the meal, too.

Bella told me that I can't eat ice cream.  She said that since I'm a vegetarian I can only eat vegetables.  She said if I want ice cream, I have to be an ice cream-a-tarian.  Bella said that she would like to become an ice cream-a-tarian so she could eat ice cream all the time.

I get asked quite often if I'm always hungry.  (I'm not always hungry)  Not sure if there's the idea that you should walk around feeling stuffed?  I might snack, but, my snack might be a few almonds or some fruit.  So, no, I'm not always hungry.
 
I was invited over for dinner and was told that they were making chicken. 
"You eat chicken, right?"
"No, I'm a vegetarian."
"Well, I can make pork, then.  You can eat pork, right?
I'm thinking this country needs a little food education.  Start with the basics:  What is meat?  What are vegetables?  What are fruits?

I believe bacon should be included in the vegetarian diet.

1 year

Already!?  I know, it feels like it's been a lot longer.

I have done a lot in this last year. 

I started a blog.  Something that I talked about doing for a long time.

I tried to work for Home Depot as an exit greeter, had the song B-I-N-G-O stuck in my head (it might still be there), had a month of crafting, went to Navy Pier, visited the Arboretum, was witnessed (many times over), took you on a sight seeing tour of our walking paths, introduced you to RT's beetle friends, became a vegetarian, went blueberry picking, hiked some trails, had Girl's week and basked in the sun at either the pool or a beach.

We also said good bye to the hot water heater and to Mr. Wash and Mrs. Dry. 

There was also a little taste of the daily craziness that goes on here.

It's been a fun year.  Thanks for sticking around sharing it along with me.

Here's to another year of craziness  insanity FUN!

Retail and Holiday Decorating

Ran into the hardware store with Bella for Duck Tape. 

There are a lot of uses for duck tape, like trying to tape a cone back together (cone of shame for a puppy) that "someone" wiggled his way out of and chewed.  We won't mention your name, Pippen.  Don't worry, your secret is safe here.

As we were waiting in line to pay for the tape, I noticed that they have a couple of Thanksgiving decorations out.  Yes, it's September.  And, yes, Halloween is still 6 weeks from now, which makes Thanksgiving 10 weeks from now?

Thanksgiving is usually a holiday that doesn't have much decorations to it.  Some turkeys, pumpkins, cornucopia's.  Small decorations for the inside of your house.  Some retail stores just bypass the holiday all together and go from Halloween to Christmas.  I think Thanksgiving is a forgotten holiday.

Apparently at the hardware store (and possibly other stores) this is not the case.  I found a couple of items that you can put out and light up your front yard for this big November day.

Your very own lighted Turkey

and a Lighted Maple Leaf

So, finish up making your hand turkeys (the ones that you draw an outline of your hand) and head on over to your local hardware store.  These are just perfect for your fall/Thanksgiving outdoor decorating needs. 

Let's bring back Thanksgiving!

Long Island Medium

The other night, right after we finished watching a show we recorded, the TV came on with a new show called, "Long Island Medium."  I don't have an answer about medium's.  I am not one. 

RT and I watched for a few minutes.  The woman was at a reading with a group and said that spirits are always around us (people we knew that passed).

So, of course, RT looked at me and said, "Always around us?"  Which, of course, got us thinking about what you do in a normal day. 

Are they all in the bedroom when you wake up?  Do they sleep on the floor or just stand around waiting for you to wake up?  Do they join you in the bathroom (you knew that was coming)?  I can just hear it  now,
"Here we go again." 
"Weren't we just here a few minutes ago?" 
"Did anyone bring any reading material?" 

How about when you take a shower? 

I walked yesterday and as I was finishing up my walk, I was thinking about this whole medium and that there are spirits with you all of the time.  So, I'm imagining power walking with a trail of these "spirits" following me.  I can hear them saying,

"Can you tell her to slow down?" 
"Loosen her shoelace again, I need to catch my breath." 
"Does she always have to go on these walks?" 
and, finally,
"I'm having a piece of baklava when we get back, who's with me?" 

Calender Organized using Five Star

My calender normally looks like this:

Papers are sticking out from underneath.  Piles of paper near the calender.  If you take the calender, you have to take all of the papers, too.

Not pretty and not functional at all.

I have the color coding system down. (each child is assigned a color) (guess who is pink?)  That's about all I have going for me right now.

In walks the Five Star flexible binder.

I saw this at the store and thought this might work for me.  I know it was designed for the student in mind, but, I feel it's a great organizing tool, especially for a mom.  (I'm not getting paid by Five Star, but, I probably should)

I can customize the cover (to be done at a later date and time).  I took out the extra notebook paper, added my color pocket folders (yes, there's a pink one) and include all of my extra papers (you know, the ones that you need to remind you about something that is happening in a month from now?  But, you have to bring that paper with you so you can't throw the paper out).  Toss in the school calender and you are good to go.

Neat, organized and very easy!
Now to schedule some blogging time...

Mama and Me

I just found this adorable idea on Pinterest.  I'm linking back to the original person's post so you can read a little more. 

I fell in love with this Mama and Me book idea.  What a wonderful way to communicate with your child.  And what a fun memory to have and keep.

This is my first attempt at trying out a pin on Pinterest. 

Yes, I'm on Pinterest.  It can be a little addicting.  Getting lost for hours and hours, looking at everyone's pins. 

Anyway, getting back to my "pin" and project.

Bella and I are pretty close.  She's a momma's girl.  I mentioned a couple of posts ago about the lunch notes and how she loved getting them in her lunch (even though she reads them when she wakes up in the morning).  Sending little notes in her lunch is something I had in mind before she went to school.  The boys were not really into the notes (it wasn't really a big deal for them).  And, now, I think they would be embarassed if they got a note in their lunch from their mom. 

After seeing this idea on Pinterest, I tracked down the blog and searched for the post. 

This is a book of notes between you and your child.  Bella loves to write and is the one I thought would get the most enjoyment out of this idea.  Good practice at writing and a great keepsake.  :)  I thought I would try it and see what happens.

Tools needed?
Composition notebook
printable label*
pretty paper (to decorate cover)
clear contact paper (to protect book) (I used modge podge)

*Click on the above link and you can get your own printable label for the front of your book.

I used Mama Jenn's intro letter

Dear  ____   ,
Would you like to be my pen pal? Instead of mailing letters to each other, we can keep them here in this notebook. Does that sound like fun?
I will write to you and then leave the notebook on your bed. Then, when you want to write me back you can begin writing on the next page and leave the notebook on my bed when you are done.
You can write about anything! It can be funny or serious! Just write about whatever is on your mind! :-)
I am so excited and I hope that you are excited too!
Love,
Mom
P.S. Write back soon! :-)

Here are some pictures of my notebook

my modge podge puckered a bit 

I love hearts, so, of course I had to add a heart to this book

I put this on Bella's bed and she was pretty excited. 

I think this is going to be fun!

Bella's Craft Post

Bella sat down and started crafting.  I was impressed with what she did (without any suggestions from me).  This is something I thought of asking her to make (since she loves Mr. Yellow (Newton) and usually draws thousands of pictures of him).

Bella decided to do a mosaic of Newton using yellow squares of construction paper. 

She drew on a few key features so that you can tell that it's a dog.

She also wanted to make sure that I used it as a post on my blog.

So, here is "Newton"  by, Bella

I woke up this morning, looked at the clock and realized that it was 6:30am.  I didn't hear Nick leave for school.  I hope he didn't miss the bus!
So, I jumped out of bed and ran up towards his room.  As I got closer, I realized.....

it's Saturday.

I turned around and got right back into bed.

This is what happens when I finally get some sleep at night. 

It's a snack

It's amazing how much a teenage boy can eat when he walks in from school.
Today it was a huge piece of lasagna, a few pieces of leftover (homemade) pizza, a yogurt and a huge glass of milk.
"Don't worry, I'll still eat dinner."
Not sure if I'm worried about him eating dinner.  Just worried if we are going to have enough food at dinner for the whole family, and for the rest of the week.
I better go plan another trip to Costco.