Monthly Random Acts of Kindness - August

Here I am again with an update on my goal for the year.  My monthly Random Acts of Kindness.

As I said in my January post, it's pretty easy to reach a goal of one random act of kindness a month.  Especially if you look at all of the little things that you do.  This is a summary of some of the kind things that I have done this month.

Helped break up fight between two boys at pool at top of slides*
Gave away some produce from my garden
let people ahead of me in line
Greeting people on the paths during my walks

*The mom actually thanked me.  Turns out the boys were brothers.  I was just trying to prevent one of them from falling and cracking his head open.

How did your list for Random Acts of Kindness look this month?

Looking for ideas for Random Acts of Kindness?  Check out this post here.

Social Media - Putting it all out there

I noticed the growing trend of putting your entire life on social media.

--------wait....isn't that what this blog is..?  Me?  Talking about my scary life and everyone can read about it?

Yes.  Blogs are part of this, but, I will expand on blogs next time.
And, I (hope) I don't bore you with stories of my life?  I'm hoping you can relate to the story (or just laugh about all of the scary things that happen to me).

Well, what I'm referring to is the everyday life.  The every minute of every day of your life.  Every.  Single.  Detail.

I'm sure you've seen it, especially if you are on any type of social media.

"Woke up at 6am to the birds chirping."
"Eating a bowl of cereal for breakfast and watching TV"
"Just checking in at ________ Restaurant."
"Watching a baseball game."
"Watching reality TV."
"Watching paint dry."

Oh, and my favorite:

"Doing a load of laundry."

And, don't forget the pictures.

"Just had surgery" followed by a picture of a swollen body area that is all sorts of colors and covered in stitches and dried blood.

Or,

"Twisted my ankle" goes along with a picture of a swollen foot turning purple/green/blue/black and that is in desperate need of a pedicure.

To those people I would like to say, spare us the photos.  We believe you when you say that your surgery went bad and you are developing a weird infection around the incision.  Trust me.  I don't need to see it to believe it!

I won't say much about the loving tributes.  Especially the ones that make it sound like the other person will actually read it.  Never mind that they are celebrating their first birthday, they might have their own Face book page and will read it before they, um....... take a nap?

It's fun to see updates of what people are doing.  I know there are a few people I'm interested in seeing (some) of their daily activities.  (Note the "some" details)

So, the rest of you?  Try to keep it to a minimum.  We don't want to know about your bathroom trips, shower schedule or see the photo of your hang nail.

Thanks.

The Top Ten Reasons I can't find another job

I have a job, but would like to have one where I could be home when my children are home.

I love my job.  I love the new toys we get in and I love showing them to customers.  It's a fun job.

The problem?

The hours.  I have to find someone to watch Bella while I'm at work.  With school back in session and the kids in more activities, it's getting difficult to pull this off, so....I have decided to try and look for another job.  One that has me work while Bella is in school and be home when she gets home.  Yea, the perfect Mom job.

The problem?

Finding time to fill out applications for jobs.

Which leads me to my:

Top Ten Reasons I Can't Find Another Job

10.  I'm currently at my job and do not have access to a computer to fill out an application.

9.  I'm off work but have to run the billion errands that need to be done today.

8.  I'm at work again.

7.  I'm busy shuffling kids around from activity to activity.

6.  The kids are home and in need of my driving skills.

5.  I'm at work again.

4.  The school called to come pick up my child because he/she is sick.  They need to be taken to the doctor.

3.  The kids are home and in need of picking my brain until I am brain dead.

2.  I'm at work again.

and the number one reason I can't find another job....


1.  Kids.

Car Comfort

It's interesting how in car commercials they show a family driving on the expressway in a nice car.  The family is all smiles.  The car is packed like they are going on vacation.  Everyone is happy and comfortable sitting in the car.  There is plenty of room around them while sitting inside the car.  They get to their destination, open the trunk to get their luggage out and there is all of this space back there.  When they get out of the car after the long drive, they don't have to stretch their legs or back.  They don't have leg or butt cramps.

I bring this up because we just got back from a road trip.  There were four of us in the car.  We packed light.  The trunk was full.  We even had items inside the car with us.  Sitting in the back seat was just OK.  I had a hard time getting comfortable (could be that I can't stand being in the car on long trips).  I felt like I was folded inside the back seat.  OK, that might be because my husband is REAL tall and requires A LOT of leg room, so the driver seat is so far back it is in the back seat.  (Bella has to sit behind him).  And my growing teenager needed leg room so his seat was back, also.  My right knee may never be the same.

We didn't have that whole happy thing going on.  When we got out of the car, we all had to unfold our bodies and stretch a little.

Who are the car companies fooling?

Does anyone else have this problem on family road trips?

Maybe I just need a specially designed car for TALL people.

The Famous Pizza Pasta Salad

I have to admit, I can make only one pasta salad.  My kids absolutely love this pasta salad.  They would eat it every day if they could (If I would make it every day).  I’ve thought about trying to make other pasta salads but my kids tell me that I have perfected the pasta salad with this recipe and that no other pasta salad can compare.

I’m thinking that is the ultimate compliment.

Here's the recipe.  Not sure where I got this one.  Now you can make it and be the best pasta salad maker ever.  

Pizza Pasta Salad

Ingredients

I pound spiral macaroni, cooked and drained

3 medium tomatoes, seeded and diced

1 pound cheddar cheese, cubed*

1 to 2 bunches of green onions, sliced

3 oz sliced pepperoni

1/3 cup black olives

3/4 cup olive oil

2/3 cup Parmesan cheese

1/2 cup red wine vinegar

2 tsp dried oregano

1 tsp garlic powder

1/4 tsp pepper

In large bowl, combine macaroni, tomatoes, cheese, green onions and pepperoni and black olives.

In small bowl, combine oil, Parmesan cheese, vinegar and seasonings and pour over macaroni mixture.

Cover and refrigerate for four hours.

*I have used shredded cheddar cheese

**You can make this vegetarian by eliminating the pepperoni.  I have done this and my kids don’t mind it at all.  

I try to make this every so often.  The last time I made this, apparently I didn’t make enough.   Someone complained that they didn’t get enough to eat.*

*translation:  someone beat them to the breakfast serving of pasta salad…they were left with an empty container

If you try making the pasta salad, let me know what you think!  

Enjoy!

Vacation with a Teenager

Wanting to get out early in the morning to see the sights but your teenager wants to sleep in until noon.

Vacation with a Teenager

Refusing to put any dirty clothes in the dirty clothes bag because, "they aren't dirty."

And then......

Getting ready in the morning and smelling his clothes to see what is clean.

Scary

Got new toothbrushes that have a suction cup on the bottom.  I thought they would be great because they can stand up on their own.  

This is what I found when I went into our bathroom the other night.

Training

RT has been in training mode for Mountain Climbing.  I’ve been tagging along with the hopes that I might be able to climb a mountain with him.  It’s also a great switch up with the walking I do during the week.  I’ve noticed a difference in how I feel.  It’s a good feel (healthier because I exercised) and bad feel (like not being able to walk or squat).

You have to remember that we live in Illinois.  It’s REALLY flat here.  We train by climbing a hill at the forest preserve.  We go up and down the hill several times.

RT packs his back pack with bricks.  I don’t ask why.  Probably to make it tough for the workout and when he does the actual climb his back pack (without bricks) will feel light as a feather.  Or, maybe he just likes carrying a bunch of bricks around (you never know with him).

I carry a back pack, too.  My back pack doesn't have bricks.  I carry books and anything else I can grab before leaving the house.  

I’m hoping this pain and suffering (it’s not that bad) will pay off and I will be able to climb a mountain.

Vegetarian Diaries: Tabbouleh

I think most of my recipes that I post are vegetarian.  

I got this recipe from my cousin, Margo.  She brought this to Easter one year and I fell in love with it.  She emailed the recipe to me and I still have the printed out email in my cookbook.  (This was from a time where email was sort of new)

Margo’s comments:  finely chopping the vegetables is quite tedious and time consuming but it’s well worth it. 

Tabbouleh

Ingredients:

1/2 pound (1 1/3 cups) bulgur wheat

1/4 cup sesame seeds

1/2 cup finely chopped carrots

1/2 cup finely chopped celery

1/2 cup finely chopped onion

1 tomato chopped *

1/2 cup finely chopped red pepper

1/2 cup finely chopped green pepper

1 cup canned tomato juice

1/2 cup fresh lemon juice

1 cup cold water

2 tsp fresh thyme leaves

3/4 tsp salt

In large bowl put all tabbouleh ingredients.  Mix well.  Cover and refrigerate overnight.

*You can use 1 can diced tomato (15oz) instead of the tomato.  Use the entire can, including liquid and you can eliminate the 1 cup canned tomato juice

Serve it with crumbled feta or goat cheese sprinkled on top.

This is such a refreshing meal, especially on those extra hot summer days.

Enjoy!

Car Dealer

I had to take my car in for a couple of recalls.  I was told it would take about 2 hours…sooo I made sure that I had plenty of things to keep me busy.  Books, magazines, paper to write blog posts…stuff like that…

I walk in to the waiting room and there is one person in there.  His attention is on the TV which is showing…..golf.  I don’t have anything against golf, but (you knew there was going to be a “but” in there somewhere) I don’t see it as a fun, energetic game to watch.  I associate watching golf with my Uncle George and Easter.  He would turn the TV on and watch golf and end up falling asleep in the chair.  You couldn’t change the channel because he would wake up and wonder why the golf tournament isn’t on television.

The scary thing?  This guy in the waiting room is really into this golf game.

Excuse me while I take a nap…

Scary

I know I talk a lot about RT’s fashion and fashion sense, but, when I found my waist pack from the ’90’s on his side of the closet - I got a little scared.

The Tooth Fairy

The Tooth Fairy visits when a child loses a tooth.  The child puts the tooth under their pillow and the Tooth Fairy comes in the middle of the night and takes the tooth and leaves some money.

Sometimes kids lose teeth on vacation.  That’s interesting.  You’re never sure if the Tooth Fairy will get the message and make a visit.

Some children use special pillows to put their teeth in while others use a little box that they place under their pillow.

And then, there are children who write notes to the Tooth Fairy.  It’s difficult to get a response sometimes because she’s so busy visiting kids at night that she doesn’t have time to stop and write a letter.

And, then there’s the forgetful Tooth Fairy (that’s who visits us).  She always sometimes forgets to visit during the night.  I’m forever having to make up excuses for the woman.  I don’t know how difficult it can be to remember to visit my kids when they lose their teeth!

I mean, I can see why she does it.  My kids are such light sleepers.  Especially on the night that they lose a tooth.  They would stay awake all night if they could…just to get a glimpse of the Tooth Fairy.

The other night the Tooth Fairy forgot to visit again.  The next day, Bella lost another tooth.  Last night the Tooth Fairy came to collect two and a half teeth (the Tooth Fairy forgot half of the last tooth last time she visited).  Maybe she didn’t visit the other night because she knew that a second tooth was going to fall out and she wanted to make only one trip?

Or maybe she’s just forgetful…..

Zucchini Chocolate Cake

I’m surprised I haven’t shared this recipe on this blog yet.  I absolutely love this cake!  It’s so moist and so easy to make!  It’s my father in laws favorite cake.  

Every year I have an abundance of zucchini in my garden and I’m always wondering what I can do with it all. This is one of the recipes that I make that the whole family enjoys.   

I don’t remember where I got this recipe from.  It’s not an original.  

Zucchini Chocolate Cake

Ingredients:

1/2 cup butter

1/2 cup vegetable oil*

2 eggs

1 tsp vanilla

1/2 tsp chocolate flavoring

2 1/2 cups all purpose flour

1/4 cup cocoa

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 cup buttermilk

2 cups shredded zucchini

1 6oz pkg semisweet chocolate chips

1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Oven 325F

Grease 13x9 baking dish.

Beat together: butter, oil and sugar in large bow until light and fluffy.

Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.

Blend in flavorings.

Combine dry ingredients.  Add them to creamed mixture alternately with the buttermilk, beating well after each addition.  Stir in zucchini.  Pour into prepared pan.  Sprinkle with chocolate chips and nuts.  Bake 50 minutes or until tooth pick inserted in center comes out clean.  Cool on wire rack.

I know I have posted quite a few zucchini recipes, but, this one really takes the cake.  (ha ha ha)

If you try making this cake, let me know what you think.

Enjoy! 

What's For Dinner?

Does anyone else cringe when they hear those words?  

When asked this question, You know, deep down, that they are looking for an answer that will “wow” them.  Some delicious meal that they will love and maybe even have a second helping. 

Unfortunately with my kids, nothing “wow’s” them.

I make all the kid friendly meals.  You know, pasta, taco’s and homemade pizza.  If I try something new, I get asked if they can make a frozen pizza.  At one point I decided that I wasn’t going to cook.  RT asked “ what will the kids eat?”  He was probably imagining them starving because their mother refuses to cook a meal for them.    I replied, “What they always eat:  frozen pizza.”

I’m not big on processed foods, but, sometimes I cave and tell them they can eat whatever they want for dinner.  Again, it’s usually a frozen pizza.  

I have taken to making a meat meal one day and a vegetarian meal the next.  They can try the vegetarian meal (they like most things I make) or they can have left overs.

Some people have a set meal plan for every week.  I like to mix things up a bit so we don’t get sick of having the same thing week after week.  

What’s your meal plan?  Got any suggestions for me?

What are you making for dinner?

Rainbow Bridge

Someone sent me a copy of this poem.  I can't find the author of the poem.  Anyway, I thought I would share.  We all miss Newton.

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Scary

So when did you start thinking that jogging in your pajamas was acceptable?

I know. Jogging in pajamas (short, skimpy pajamas)  = sexy.

No. We are talking big pajama shirt and long pajama bottoms. Maybe it started with a 20 foot jog to the mail box and then you decided to continue?

This is day two of jogging in the same pajamas, by the way.