Time Management

I know I've written quite a few posts before on this topic.  I've had numerous talks with my children.  I think it has finally sunk into one of them (Nick).  The other two?  Well, I'm a bit frustrated worried.

It stems back to when they were little.  I would tell them when something (a movie, play date, party, etc.) started.  The child then gets it into their head that at that time they are to be ready to go and we will magically be transported to the destination.  This would be great if we lived in a fantasy world.  I could wiggle my nose or wave my magic wand and we would arrive at our destination dressed, ready and on time.

But, alas, we are not living in a fantasy world.  In our world, we have to build in a travel time.  That travel time can be anywhere from 5 minutes to two hours.  (luckily we don't have many events that are two hours away).

Alex had an appointment for his Senior picture.  I told him the date and time.

When Nick had his appointment for his Senior picture, I told him the appointment time and he just went to it by himself.   He didn't want to be seen with me  me to go with him.  It did take a lot of convincing on my part to get him to even get his picture taken - he tried to avoid it...In the end, he did it for me, but, went alone.

I thought the same would happen with Alex.

Instead, I had to wake him up.  He had no recollection of this picture appointment.  Didn't know what to wear.  Had to be reminded to brush his hair.  And, because it was getting close, I decided to drive him because I was afraid he would miss the appointment all together.

I guess it all worked out in the end.  Alex made it to the appointment (thanks to me) and took some great pictures.  Let's hope he learned a little about managing his time.

Severe

Severe:  adj.
  1.  (of something bad or undesirable) very great, intense
  2.  strict or harsh
  3.  very plain in style or appearance


When I was in my teens, my Mom and I would go shopping for clothes together.  I went to a Catholic High School and had to wear a uniform.  I didn't have tons of clothes.  But, when I needed clothes, off we would go to the mall.

One of the most important things I learned from my Mom,  was to scan sale racks first.  You never know what treasures you might find, and at a great price, too!  Also, to try clothes on.  Sometimes things don't look good on the hanger, but, they look great on you.

My Mom was well versed in the art of shopping and was a great cheerleader.  She was also honest about how things looked on me.  Along with her honesty came her strong opinions.  Like color.

My Mom let me wear any color I wanted, except black (the opposite of Johnny Cash).  My Mom said that black was a "severe" color.  I wasn't exactly sure what "severe" meant in that context.  I just know that when I tried something on that was black, I would hear that comment.

Thinking back on "severe," in my head I would picture some woman, in the 1940's, wearing a black dress, black hat, black shoes and long black gloves.

Sometimes I was told that it looked, "too severe."  That was confusing.  First it looks severe, and now, it's too severe?

When I was 19, I was finally allowed to wear black clothes.  I took it to the extreme and wore black head to toe for quite a few years.

Raising my children, I have to admit, they didn't wear black when they were little (maybe I thought it was too severe?).  As they got older, I let them wear black.  They each have some piece(s) of black clothing in their wardrobe.  They wear black, but, not all the time and not all of the pieces together.  I think by not putting some type of stigma on a color (like black) my children will wear all colors of clothes freely and happily.

I Don't Like It

All social media has a "like" or "favorite" button.  Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.  If you really like something that you see, on Facebook, you can share it.  On Twitter, you can retweet it.  And, on Instagram you can repost it.

But, what if you don't like it?  What if you find something that's just awful?  or hideous?

I know there was talk of adding a "dislike" button to Facebook.  Maybe that was just a rumor?  Or, maybe they don't want the negativity?

I follow quite a few people on Instagram.  Several of the people I follow have blogs where they feel the need to do a craft every day.  Some of these crafts are pretty neat.  Some are very useful.  Then there are some that, well, I wonder why they took the time to make it?

It wouldn't be nice to comment and tell them that what they made is hideous.  Or, "What on earth were you thinking?"  Or, even better, "Why did you feel the need to make that and what in the world are you going to do with it now that it's made?"

I guess it's probably better to just keep my comments to myself.  I won't hit the like button and I will just move on to the next post.

Has this ever happened to you?

RT's Outbursts

Watching TV the other night, RT had another one of his "outbursts."  We have been watching House of Cards on Netflix.  It's a political show.  For those that don't know, the main characters are always scheming so things fall favorably in their way.  In the midst of some scheme, RT says, "I really need to see the dentist."

I'm not sure where these outbursts come from when they happen.  The characters weren't talking about or to a dentist, or even going to a dentist.  Just one of the odd things that my husband decides to communicate at an awkward time.

It's been so slow at work lately that I wish I could pull out my handy dandy blogging notebook and write blog posts.  It would be a lot more fun than standing around waiting for customers.

Bringing Sexy Back

I'm bringing sexy back (yeah)
Them other boys don't know how to act (yeah)*

It all started with a text I received from RT (yea, don't get too excited).  Then I started looking through my texts with him.

I (think?) normal couples have nice (normal) text exchanges.  Maybe even some lovey, dove, sexy texts going back and forth.  You know, like the long lost love letter, but, in modern times it's put into a text to your loved one.

Looking through my texts I realize that RT and I don't have this whole sexy thing going on.  I mean, I will write something to him and he will reply, "K."  < not exactly sexy.  Well, to some, maybe.

I should mention the best text I received, "My phone battery is dying."  < I know.  You're jealous.  That one gets me excited every time.

One day I received a text from RT and Alex was standing there.  I said, there's your Dad.  Bringing Sexy back.  (I think his text was, "yes")

About a week ago, RT was leaving for work and said that he wanted my help with something.  I admit, I was a little excited and asked what we were going to do.  "I have a splinter in the bottom of my foot and I need help getting it out."

Wow.  That sure was a turn on.

Laying in bed the other night, I asked if he still needed help getting the splinter out and he said yes.  He didn't want to get it out right then, because he was tired.  He didn't ask me for help before that because he knew I was busy doing other things.

So, I have that to look forward to........


*Justin Timberlake

So, I mentioned that Bela has dance class this summer (once a week).  She missed the first class because she was at camp.  The second class, we almost missed because I forgot.  We did make it to class (a few minutes late) and I did remember my notebook.

Lucky for you, Bella is in a summer dance class.  Now I have one day a week dedicated to blog writing.

Doctor's Appointment

So, Nick tells me he thinks he got metal in his eye when he was making a knife.

OK.  First:  Yes.  He makes knives now.  Why?  I don't know.  It's a hobby he has now.  He built a nice little set up that he can get to 1500 degrees F so he can melt the metal and mold it metal.  And, yes, he wears protective goggles.

That last part, I asked him about.  I thought I saw him wearing eye protection.  He said he always wears them, but, maybe he wasn't and he got a small piece of metal in his eye.

So, I gave him a phone number to an eye doctor.  Now, metal in the eye?  You would think that would be something that was important...something you would want to see right away.

No.

The next available appointment was in a week.  Nick said he will dig the metal out himself in that amount of time (he's so patient!).

That got me thinking about Doctor's and Doctor appointments.

I'm not one to run off to the doctor whenever something goes wrong.  I'm the total opposite.  I have to be on my death bed before I even start thinking about calling the doctor.  When I finally do call the doctor, I'm dying on my death bed and need last rights help ASAP!  And that's when I hear (from the office) that they are too busy to see me (What?).

I guess that's when it's time to switch doctors.

So, when Nick was told they couldn't see him for a week, I found another eye doctor that could see him that day.

Nick did not have metal in his eyes.  It's just part of his annoying allergies.  He has some drops to put in there and all should be better soon.

Well, I obviously found some things to do while the two kids were gone. 

Two kids away for the week at camp. 

This should be interesting. Not sure what I will do with all of this free time. I mean, I always say, "I'll do this when I have free time."  But, we all know, there never really is any free time. 

And, here I am, with an entire week of free time and I can't come up with one good thing to do with all of this extra time. 

Vegetarian Diaries: Cooking Meat Meals

The title doesn't make sense, does it?  Why would a vegetarian cook meals with meat?  Well, if she is living with a bunch of carnivores, then she might have to feed them once in awhile.

My family isn't always up for trying some of my vegetarian experiments delicacies.  There are days where I focus on just making a meal for the family.  When cooking for "the carnivores",  it isn't aways easy.  A lot of my cooking is done using my senses.  I don't always measure spices.  I used to be able to taste the food I was cooking.  Now, when cooking a meat meal, if I don't have a "taster" available, I cook by "smell."  I haven't had any problems and my meals get great reviews!

I envision myself going on Throw Down with Bobby Flay.  Making my Pastichio recipe.

And, the one rule.....we can't taste what we are cooking.

Professional chefs always taste the food that they are making.  I know I wouldn't have any problems (because that's how I cook now).  I say it would be a  guarantee win for me.

Veggeti

So, I finally broke down and bought a veggeti. It's been an item that I have wanted to try for awhile.

I like pasta, but, I don't eat a lot of it.  I love soup and wanted to try zucchini noodles instead of rice or pasta noodles.

This is not an ad.  I'm not getting paid to write this post.  I'm just excited about my find and thought I would share.

I purchased a veggeti.  It's a small model, where you turn the zucchini by hand.  I was a little worried at first.  It seems like people go all out and get the crazy large models and here I am trying out the smallest one.

The first dish I made was peanut satay noodles with veggies.  RT was skeptical.  Bella was excited and I was nervous.  My dish turned out to be a big hit.  No left overs.  I even won over RT!

The next night (yea, two nights in a row!) I decided to make pasta.  Once again, I pulled out my handy dandy veggeti and made zucchini noodles to go with the sauce (I made pasta for those who enjoy it).  I had a little and noticed that RT had some on his plate.  Once again, they were delicious (and healthy) and.....No left overs!  Well, we did have left over pasta and sauce.

Next up will be a soup with zucchini noodles.

Good thing I'm growing zucchini in the garden this year!