Sunday, June 29, 2008

It's Late

So it is after midnight on a Saturday evening (OK so it is Sunday AM) and I have finished hosting a Couple's Night Out for my MOMS Club. We had an AWESOME BBQ, and a great time chatting and having non-kid related conversation. (And a lot to drink.....I am having a hard time writing yhid....I mean this, as we speak) It is very peaceful, not quiet, because I can hear the cars out on the highway (white noise, really) but peaceful, nonetheless. I can hear crickets singing, the cars humming, and not much else. I can actually see the lights below the mountains, and I didn't realize what a nice view we have from our back deck. My husband and nephew ditched me long ago (both passed out...too much to drink and not enough sleep from the night before, respectively). I should feel slighted, alone, lame, but I don't. I feel excited, buzzed, and serene. It is not often that I stay up this late just taking in the calmness of the night. Usually I am IM'ing someone (thanks CB!) or watching a movie (thanks Holly!) or watching TV(totally by myself). I need to do this more often. Now that I have decent patio furninture, I resolve to spend more time in the backyard at night, with a glass of wine, or a Dr Pepper, just thinking and being me. Just a quick side note....I can totally handle my liquor better than my hubby!! Don't tell him I told the world this, but he drank so much he puked (alcohol induced) for the first time in 11 years! I am so glad he got shit-faced tonight! He totally needed, and deserved it!

Friday, June 27, 2008

Fight The Frump Friday

I am busy doing research for a future FTF, so there is no interesting post this week. Keep watching for the info I have found about...HA! You'll have to wait! (Hopefully only until next Friday!)

Thursday, June 26, 2008

Turntable Thursday

I like punk music. Yes, this Utah County born and raised Mom likes punk music. I don't dress all in black (not that there is anything wrong with that Melissa M.) and even though I like skulls, I don't dare wear them (I know...I should live a little and at least buy a pair of sneakers with skulls). So with just one look, you might not know that I like punk music. Now I am not as into punk as my sister (she goes to most of the punk shows here in town...MXPX is her favorite to this day, I think) but I have been listening to the punk station on Sirius more than the others lately. Especially since they play a lot of Clash and Ramones. I like the new bands that are giving out an old school sound. One of the punk bands I have been listening to a lot are the Dropkick Murphys. They are a band from Boston, and they combine punk with Celtic music and are amazing! I would love to see them live in a pub setting. Too bad MacCool's doesn't have a stage!!! Take a listen to them on lastfm....or even on iTunes, let me know what you think...they are upbeat and like I have said before, even if the lyrics aren't happy ones, the background music makes me happy!!!

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Wednesday's Wonderful Recipe

So I asked two members of my family what their favorite meal is (one that I make for them, of course) and both Seth and Lilly said "hot dogs". That was a bit of a slap in the face from Seth, since I don't do anything out of the ordinary to the hot dogs I make. I expected it from Lilly, she is only two, after all. My last resort was my nephew who is living with us for the summer and his answer: cake mix cookies! Leave it to a 20 year old kid to think you can make a whole meal out of cake mix cookies. I know he will eat the whole batch if I'd let him, but a meal..WTF? (or for some of you non-cursing readers WTHeck?) So I guess I give you ANOTHER dessert recipe and I'll come up with something better for next week! Cake Mix Cookies 1pkg Dry cake mix (any flavor will do) 1/2 cup vegetable oil 2 eggs 1 tbs water 1 cup chocolate chips 1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional) Mix first 4 ingredients together throughly, then add chocolate chips and nuts. Place by spoonfuls or cookie scoopfuls on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes, cookies won't look done! Use any combo of cake mix and chips. For Valentine's Day I used red velvet cake mix and white chocolate chips, for Christmas my sister did the same, but I think mint chips would be more fun! Be creative! If you use a devils food cake mix, add a bit more water (1 tbs at a time) since the batter tends to be thicker.

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

On Sale!

For those of you that live in Utah, and enjoyed the recipe from the last Wednesdays Wonderful Recipe post, Krusteaz Crumb Cake mixes are on sale at Macey's 2 for $4. It is a great deal considering the recent rise in food prices. Just thought I'd let you know!

Saturday, June 21, 2008

Wow! Celebrities can be really cool!

This is kinda a follow up to the MTV Movie awards post from earlier this month. I am sure this story has been out there for a while, but I didn't see it until today. All I can say is: Johnny Depp is hot! AND he might now be on my top 5 after realizing he treats kids with as much respect as he does adults!

Friday, June 20, 2008

Fight The Frump Friday-Ouch...that darn sun!

Now I know we all faithfully make sure our children are slathered in SPF 60 or higher when we are out in the sun, but I know that I sometimes forget to put sunscreen on myself. Trying to keep kids from drowning, or from eating sand, or hitting other kids, makes me negelct my own sun care needs. Inevitably, I get sunburned...sometimes just a little, sometimes a lot. So, how many of us know what to do to treat a sunburn? Here are some tips to help keep your sunburn from keeping you awake at night.


  • Take some ibuprofen to help with the pain and swelling

  • Drink a lot of water, it helps replenish the liquids you lost while in the sun

  • Cool down the skin with a cold shower, cold compress or a cool bath with 1/2 cup baking soda added

  • Purchase aloe vera gel (not lotion) and keep in the fridge. Aloe Vera will soothe and moisturize, and the cold gel will feel soo nice! Bonus if it has a topical pain reliever

  • Don't put on a sweater or wrap up in a blanket....that will trap the heat and make the sunburn worse


Hope this helps you Fight the Sunburn Frump! Thanks to my friend Katie E. for her idea for this FTF post. Fussy has links to more FTF posts!



Thursday, June 19, 2008

Things they are-a changin'

So as most of you know, Disney's video gaming studio, Avalanche, has been wanting Seth to come work for them for almost 2 years now (for those of you that don't know...he used to work as a tester in the video game industry until the studio he worked at was unethically shut down right before Lilly was born). The timing just hadn't been right for Seth to return to video games, until now. Seth had meeting with some Avalanche development managers a few weeks ago. The day after that he submitted his resume'/application. A bit after that we found out that his former supervisors had been called for references. On Monday they called and gave him an offer. After a bit of deliberation, and lot of going back and forth with his current employer, he will start working at the Avalanche video game studios June 30th. Even though he doesn't get much of a pay raise, he will be returning to an industry that he knows well, and he will be working with a lot of people he worked with while he was working at Indie Built. He will also be trying to live up to his potential, which is something that he wasn't able to do at his last two jobs. Seth will be able to to move up with in the company, and he will have a chance to learn things he really wants to learn. I'm really excited for him, and I think he is excited too. He feels a badly about leaving at a crucial point in the project he is working on, but he also may have a chance to work part-time for his current company, while he works at Avalanche. Congratulations Seth! PS....Sorry about the long post, I am not very good at "short, sweet and to the point".

Turntable Thursday

Since I am a Mom, and since my kids have my genes and my husbands genes, they love listening to music. Even before Colin was born, he owned a CD player and two CD's. One is the "Sleepytime" lullaby CD from Martha Stewart, and the other is one Seth made for him called "Colin's CD" (OK it has another title, but Seth insists on keeping that as something for the original copy only). Lilly also listens to the "Sleepytime" CD, and Seth made a CD just for her called "Shine" (no insisting on keeping that title a secret, hrmmm). My biggest problem is finding music that all of us can and will listen to. I HATE Raffi, and buying a Wiggles CD is totally out of the question. Colin doesn't like any of the satellite radio stations I listen to, so what CD's (well, nowdays MP3's) can I buy that the kids will like, and I can listen to also? Damn good thing some of my favorite bands are putting out kid's albums! I know there are compilations where a band will sing a traditional kids song (Cake on For the Kids for example) but not every song on those CD's is awesome, and I end up skipping most of the CD. Barenaked Ladies (BNL) just put out a kids album called "Snack Time". It is so cool! They DJ'd a few hours on the Sirius Radio station "Kids Stuff" and all of the songs they played were from the new CD. I just had to buy it. It has some silly songs (similar to If I Had a Million Dollars) and some songs that kinda teach a few things. I have loved BNL since I heard The Old Apartment, and even though I am not so inclined to see a concert...I will keep buying their albums. Check out "Snacktime" and let me know what you think...my kids love it, and so do I!

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

Wednesday's Wonderful Recipe

Time is short this week...lots going on...so I am going to share my favorite recipe for Coffee Cake/Crumb Cake. You can serve as a breakfast food, or as a dessert with fresh berries and coop whip/whipped cream. Coffee Cake in 16 easy steps! Step 1: Get in the Car Step 2: Drive to the grocery store (your choice!) Step 3: Get out of the car Step 4: Go into the store Step 5: Go to the baking aisle Step 6: Find the cake mixes/muffin mixes Step 7: Find Krusteaz Crumb Cake Mix in a box Step 8: Go to the register Step 9: Pay for the mix Step 10: Go out of the store Step 11: Get in the car Step 12: Drive home Step 13: Get out of the car Step 14: Go into the house Step 15: Follow the directions on the box Step 16: Enjoy your Coffee/Crumb cake!

Sunday, June 15, 2008

Just an observation...

OK...as an upfront disclaimer, I realize that movies and TV shows and books are for our entertainment, something to take us out of our lives and into the lives of other people. But there is something that bugs me about most of the movies, TV shows and books out there.... Everyone has a really cool job that makes more money than they ought to! They have ALL supposedly gotten degrees that just happen to get them cool jobs. Case in point: 1-Friends: The only person that doesn't have a cool money making job at the end is Pheobe, and that is only because she doesn't want one. Rachel got lucky by being able to work at department stores, after the only other job she had was a waitress at a coffee shop. 2-My Boys: PJ is a writer for a Chicago newspaper, and gets to hang out with her favorite baseball team the cubs. She hangs out in the press room for games, and the locker room afterwards. Now I am not a huge baseball fan, but DAMN! That must be a great job to have. Everyone else in her group of friends has a great job, with great pay....and even though her friend Stephanie had to have financial counselling at one point, she still works for a magazine that has great perks. 3-Just about any Chick lit book you read, has some great chick with a great job, having enough $$ to live relatively on her own (some have roommates) with great clothes, great shoes, great furniture etc. 4- Most movies have characters that you know make the normal amount of $$ for their profession, but still have penthouse apartments, great mansions, and all around wealth. Why don't writers make things more believable? I mean, could Rachel actually afford partial utilities and food on that apartment with Monica on Friends? Could she really get the cool jobs she did, with NO experience? Does PJ really write well enough about sports to be paid the salary she gets? I know you can all give me names of characters that have a tough life, and I know I could to if I though hard about it. BUT everything I have come across these days has an unrealistic portrayal of a person's real status in life. Just once I'd like to see a person that has just enough $$ and just enough stuff and just enough of everything, to make them happy! If you can give me a character that has all of that, I promise I will check it out!! (OK so enough of my rant....next post won't be so "ranty"; and don't pay any attention my my grammar....rants aren't supposed to be gramatically correct)

Friday, June 13, 2008

Fight The Frump Friday-Friends

So I recently talked about taking some time for yourself to help you Fight The Frump. Today I'll talk about spending time with friends. I LOVE spending time with my friends...we don't do it sans kids often enough (well, my "often enough" would be once a week, which just isn't plausible). I see most of them at least once a month or so, and two different groups once a week (playgroup friends).



Spending time with friends makes me feel less Frumpy, makes me seem like I have less of a "mommy brain", and all in all makes me feel better about myself. Knowing I have great friends that think I am a strong woman, and hopefully think I am an an intelligent, knowledgeable woman, makes me realize "I'm good enough, I'm smart enough, and doggone it people like me!" One of my favorite places to hang with the girlfriends is MacCool's public house, and I like that place so much, I even hung out with two different sets of friends at MacCool's twice in the same week. (Yeah...those boys at MacCool's were sick of me!)



So pick up the phone, or get on the email and set up a day to hang out with the girls! (Truthfully, even just having a chat on the phone with a friend helps a ton).



Now go check out Fussy for some other great tips from other strong, intelligent, knowledgeable women!





Thursday, June 12, 2008

Thank you!

Just a quick post to say "Thanks" to anyone that called, commented, sent an e-card, sent a real card, today....I am so excited to know I have such great friends! Thanks a ton...you all made my day! (And to Seth that sent me flowers and tried his hardest to make my day great!)

Turntable Thursday

OK...since today is my day....I am choosing to talk about about band that I LOVE! I have never hated any of their songs, they put on a really, really great live show, I don't feel too old when I listen to them since they are a newish band (not like Weezer). THE KILLERS! I absolutely LOVE The Killers! Ever since I first saw them on SNL singing Somebody Told Me, I have been in LOVE! The drummer (Ronnie Vannucci ) looks eerily similar to Earl Hickey, and the lead singer (Brandon Flowers) has a great voice and just gives it his all when performing. On their most recent album Sawdust, they collaborated with Lou Reed of Velvet Underground fame on Tranquilize as well as covered a Joy Division song, Shadowplay. So give them a listen...if you haven't already and let me know what you think! "They say the Devil's water it ain't so sweet, you don't have to drink right now. But you can dip your feet in, every once in a little while" The Killers-When You Were Young Next week I'll get back to talking about some newer groups I listen to, OR maybe I will let you know about some new bands/groups/singers that Seth has told me I'll like.

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

Weekend Getaway

Question: What is your all time favorite quick weekend getaway? (preferably near Utah) My hubby and I would like to go away for our ten year anniversary (OMG it has been TEN YEARS!). We were thinking about going to Las Vegas, well Henderson, to stay at the beautiful Green Valley Resort and Spa, but it might be too HOT for us in August. So where do you guys go to spend a weekend without the kids, Sun Valley? Jackson Hole? Park City? (although everything in the Salt Lake City area is SOLD OUT for the weekend we want to stay somewhere...what the hell is going on in SLC the 8-11 of August? Huh?) Just spit out some ideas...anywhere is better than here! (Well, except maybe St. George...that is where we met, and well.....we don't really like to go back...mostly because we know St. George all too well!)

Wednesday's Wonderful Recipe

I have a ton of dessert recipes I can share, but you all don't want to eat just dessert, do you? I keep trying to think of the recipes I use on my own family, but they are fairly boring, and pretty common. One I use a lot during the non-grilling months (since Seth will grill almost anything I ask him to) is my own variation of a chicken recipe in some long forgotten cook book. It is pretty healthy since you can adapt it however you'd like to...and you can serve the chicken with any side dishes...usually it is mashed potatoes or Rice-A-Roni, and some veggies at our house. You can even cut the chicken into smaller pieces for chicken nuggets for the kids. So, I hope you enjoy! Baked Breaded Chicken chicken breasts (as many as your family will eat) 1-2 cups plain bread crumbs salt and pepper to taste 1-2 eggs for an egg wash 1-2 Tbs any variation of herbs and spices you like. Some ideas: season salt Lemon pepper Cayenne pepper Italian seasonings Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Add bread crumbs to shallow dish. Add salt, pepper and spices; mix well. Taste bread crumbs, add more spices if necessary. Break egg(s) in another shallow dish, add enough water to make a wash. Rinse chicken breasts. Dip chicken in egg wash, then in bread crumbs, coating thoroughly. Place chicken in greased (I use Pam) baking dish. Bake for 20 minutes or until the juices run clear. (If making chicken nuggets maybe cook for 15 minutes) When I serve it with mashed potatoes I make a packet gravy to go over the potatoes and chicken. When I serve with rice, I omit the gravy! If you use Italian seasonings, you can serve with spaghetti sauce and noodles and spoon sauce over chicken. See, a very versatile dish!

Monday, June 9, 2008

Stuff

Wow! I haven't written a non-themed post in a while. Part of it is that I really have nothing to say, or nothing that will make sense anyway, and part of it is that I have been extremely busy! Not only is Colin now out of school until the end of August (that means I have to drag him every where...the grocery store, Lilly's playgroup, Target) but we have a very full MOMS Club calendar this month. Between the two playgroups and the multiple activities things are CRAZY!! I look at my calendar and want to cry! A friend wanted to schedule a time we can hang out without the kids, and she looked at my calendar and just about cried herself! I don't even think I will be able to celebrate my upcoming b-day until Sunday when we celebrate with my family (along with Father's Day, of course). Too many things going on! I should be grateful to be so busy and have enough friends to have a full calendar. It could be like it was before MOMS Club, a day full of talking to my 2 year old and him not being able to actually answer. And the highlight of my day being my short walk to the mail box! As for other things to say...I guess I should do them in bullets since individually they will not make enough of a post, but together they might:

  • I watched the movie "Crash" for the first time this weekend....LOVED IT! I don't know why I didn't see it sooner, seeing as we own it.
  • It is finally summer...the days have been nice enough to send the kids out back to play....I am soo glad we bought a swing set last year.
  • I most likely just jinxed the good weather he had this weekend, and it will be crappy for the next two weeks.
  • I followed through on a contract I signed, and I only drank Starbucks Vanilla Latte's with the regular amount of vanilla and non-fat milk for a week. So even though I didn't have a latte every day....every time I did it was as per contract. And I am OK with it...I can handle the normal amount of vanilla every time I get a latte. Now I guess I should work on cutting down on my Dr Pepper intake. Maybe.
  • My kids amaze me every day with the new things they learn. Colin can climb the huge tower at Bounce U without any help....it was soo cool to see him waaayy at the top! Lilly keeps learning new words, and my favorite phrase right now is "Morning Mom".

So I think that is all for now....keep your fingers crossed that I didn't jinx the weather!

Friday, June 6, 2008

Fight The Frump Friday


This week's Fight the Frump is about a product I found that I use for two different purposes. Not only is it a great body wash, but it is the best thing I have found to shave with. I have tried soo many kinds of body wash, Bath and Body Works, Body Shop, Oil of Olay, even cheaper no name brands and I haven't loved any of them enough to buy them more than once. I do keep a few of the fragrant ones around, for those special occasions, but this one is my favorite every day body wash. I have even tried many, many shaving creams, and gels, and they dry out my legs way to much. Softsoap's Pure Cashmere moisturizing body wash is soo nice on the skin and so great for shaving. Some washes say they are moisturizing, but really are more drying, this one delivers! Find it at your local drugstore.

So FTF and skin dryness with one great product! (Click on over to Fussy for more,and better, tips!)

Thursday, June 5, 2008

Turntable Thursday

So even though I am aware of some music new to the music scene....I am sooo lame when it comes to the "older" bands I have loved for a long time. I just found out that Weezer has a new album out TODAY! Why didn't I know that!? Why didn't my sister tell me about it!? (She works for FYE) So....Weezer has a Red Album out now! I can totally sing most of the lyrics to all of the songs on their Blue Album (since I have been listening to them since Senior year in high school). I love the Green Album....although I haven't listened to that as much, and I am OK with Pinkerton, Make Believe and Maladroit. I think some of their best music is on any album named after a color. Anyway...check out the new stuff....I am looking forward to it!!! http://www.amazon.com/Weezer-Red-Album-Deluxe/dp/B00188HR3G/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1212555266&sr=8-2

Wednesday, June 4, 2008

Wednesday's Wonderful Recipe

Since summer is nigh, and BBQ's, pool parties and pot luck's are around the corner, I have decided to share my family's favorite Macaroni Salad. It is my Mom's recipe, but I have actually perfected it. I know some of you have similar recipes, but it is the lemon pepper that makes all the difference in the world!!!! Enjoy!

Macaroni Salad 12 oz. small shell pasta
3-4 green onions sliced
2-3 stalks celery chopped
1 can tiny shrimp
2 cans tuna fish
salt to taste
lemon pepper to taste
mayonaise to mix in
Cook pasta according to directions. Drain and rinse with cool water. Add green onions, celery, peas, shrimp and tuna. Add seasonings. Mix with enough mayo to make it creamy. Chill overnight. Add more seasonings if needed. If you want to make it vegetarian, omit the shrimp and tuna, and add 1 cup frozen peas.

Tuesday, June 3, 2008

Better!

OK...today has been better....the kids have listened better and kept mouths shut longer (of course I helped that with popcorn and drinks). It also helped that they got TV for quite a few hours this AM while I lazed around in bed. Now, if I could only get them to go out back and play before the storm* really hits. Then I could get some MOMS Club stuff done!

*I am talking about the weather storm...but along with that I am sure will come a metaphorical storm too!

Monday, June 2, 2008

Kids!

OK....this is just to remind myself that I love my kids and no matter what they say/do/act like they are just kids and I should just give them a little slack. Right? It's been a long day and no matter how nice I was, no matter how rude I was, no matter what I said or HOW I said it, things just did not go right today. Kids yelling in the office supply store because it echoed. Kids touching every piece of clothing in a store as we walked by. A kid biting a friends stroller, because the handle has foam on it. Ugh! I guess I should have just stayed home, and let them run amok (Amok, amok, amok, amok! Name that movie!) Tomorrow will be better, right? I will run a few short errands tomorrow AM, then I will let them run free in the back yard. I love my kids, I love my kids, I love my kids....that will be my mantra tomorrow! (I'll let you know how it goes!)

Sunday, June 1, 2008

2008 MTV Movie Awards

So we were watching the MTV Movie Awards this evening when Johnny Depp won an award. Now we weren't expecting him to actually be there, since he doesn't always attend award shows. What happened next was amazing!!! (OK so at least to me) Johnny Depp walked out onto the stage (it looked like he was backstage) and the audience went wild!!! I'm not quite sure if it was because he was there....and not "Live Via Satellite from Paris" OR if it was because he looked so damn hot! The last few years he has been an eccentric dresser and speech maker and even though I like most of his acting.....he totally turned me off (that's why he wasn't on my Top 5 laminated list), but his look tonight was a flashback to the glorious days of 21 Jump Street! It was sooo awesome....and he was sooo hot! In fact my husband made a comment that I can't really post here....since it is kinda a PG-13 kinda blog. So....here is a pic of Johnny Depp receiving his award, and just notice how his hotness radiates on the stage!!! http://www.imdb.com/media/rm515020544/nm0000136 (As I was finishing this post, he won another award!!!! I have now decided the applause from the audience is because he is soooo hot!)