I'm a conflicted soul

OK...so that title is a little overstating things. It's not like I am trying to decide my life's work, I just can't decide whether I am embracing fall, or if I'd like summer to last a little longer. On one hand, fall means sweaters, and new jeans, cute boots and a little bit of a nip in the air (read: not so damn hot). On the other hand, we have had a great summer, and despite the heat (which to me really wasn't all that unbearable) we got to swim at friend's pools (thanks Katie and Melissa M!) we went to the splash pad quite often, and we spent a lot of time just hanging out. Which season is better? I love the fact that Colin is back in school, and more focused than he was in the summer time (I can handle him better now too, since I'm not with him 24/7) but it was great that we got to spend a lot of time together. Fall also means Football. NFL football is on 3 nights a week, and college football on 1 sometimes 2. In our household it equals football on all the time (DirecTV NFL Sunday Ticket) and that equates to one TV with football and one TV with kids stuff. Although....summer means re-runs, and about 100 million reality TV shows (like I have said before....not a big reality TV fan). So, as the title of the post states: I'm a conflicted soul. Not sure if I'm happy about Fall or not!

I'm a couch potato too!

I love the TV. And I mean LOVE the TV. I know I should be getting more excercise, or spending more time with my kids.....but my favorite hobby is watching TV. My favorite show, as most of you know, is Gilmore Girls. I can watch every episode over and over, and believe me, I have! I own all 7 seasons on DVD, and will watch ABC Family twice a day to see Lorelai and Rory and Luke rant and rave and pretty much take over the town of Star's Hollow. It is a shame it was cancelled, although it was prefect timing for Rory and Lorelai. I'm still wondering what the show's creator (Amy Sherman Palladino) had in mind for the ending....we may never know, since she and her husband (Daniel Palladino) weren't the writers for the last season (Damn the CW!) The new TV season is on it's way and I am getting so excited to see some of my fave shows come back: Chuck; Heroes; ER; My Name is Earl; The Office and Jericho. I'm not very excited about the new shows that are slated for fall....but I will check some of them out and let you know what I think! What shows are you looking forward to this Fall? Are you gonna plop your ass down in front of the TV for a week and make sure you see the season openers?

I'm an unsupportive Daughter-in-Law

Today we had a picnic with Seth's side of the family; his Sister M, and her 9 of her kids (they are "yours and mine") and his Mom C. It was a pretty fun afternoon, lots of people to hang with, lots of people to play with my kids (although we did have an incident of Lilly following people to the Holiday Oil and we didn't know where she was) and not as awkward as we all thought it would be. Until..... Seth's Mom decided she doesn't want to be called "Grandma C" anymore. She wants to be called "SawSaw" or "SaSa" or is it "Salsa" or "Salami"? For almost 21 god damn years she has been "Grandma". Since she has been married 3 times, and has a different last name from the rest of the family, M's fam calls her "Grandma C" and we call her "Grandma Lockwood". To her face the kids call her "Grandma" or since Lilly can't say "Grandma" she calls her "Na" just like she calls my Mom "Na". How does she expect anyone to just change what we call her out of the blue? I don't have any problems with Grandmas not wanting to be called "Grandmother" or even "Grandma" some people call their Grandmothers "Mimi" or "Oma" or even "Yai Yai". But that is what they have been called from day one. From the moment they had grandchildren, they have been called a different name. But I do not know one that has decided to change their "title" in the middle of being a grandma. Seth's Mom has Grandchildren that range in age from 23 (step-grandchild) to G's unborn child (yay for G and D!). Does she really think all the adults are going to be "on board" and change what they call her after that long. I mean I am supposed to call my mother-in-law "Sa Sa" instead of "C" after 11 1/2 years of being a part of her son's life? WTF? It just don't understand. I guess I am just an unsupportive daughter-in-law. And I'm OK with that! PS "SaSa" comes from some old movie she likes. If anyone knows which one...let me know so I know I will never rent it!

I'm an almost organized Mom, Fighting the chaotic Frump

I spent last weekend organizing my "crap". And I use the word "crap" lightly (it was really much more than that). It has been more than 6 months since I filed things, gotten rid of papers we don't need, and all in all just organized our stuff. I don't know what got into me, it might be the fact that school was starting on Tuesday and with that an influx of more papers and information, or it might be that for the last 4 months I have felt displaced after having to rearrange my storage to allow our nephew to move into our guest room (the guest room also serves as underbed storage, under-the-stairs storage and "let's put this crap here" storage).

I always forget how great it feels to be caught up on filing, and to have everything in it's place. It is such a cleansing process (literally and mentally). Why don't I do it more often? It is most likely because I don't take the time. Why don't I take the time? I have so many things going on each month, and most of them don't have a set day or time, so it is hard to schedule time to file/dejunk when I don't know where to fit it in. So my challenge to myself (and to those of you that are as disorganized as I was) is to schedule one day a month to get things together. It will make you feel much better, and you don't have to go through 2 straight days of uncluttering your house!

So Fight the disorganized Frump and take my challenge! (And here's the link to Mrs. Fussypants and her Frump Fighting tip of the week!)

I'm the Mom of a confused little girl

Seth and Lilly were standing in the bathroom one AM, while Seth got ready for work. As he is combing his hair, and brushing his teeth Lilly starts pointing to a drawer and saying "Horse!" Confused Seth says "There isn't a horse in that drawer". Lilly points again and says "Horse! Horse!" Seth finally opens the drawer, full of combs and brushes and ponytail holders and Lilly once again says "Horse!" It dawns on Seth that she wants her hair done and he realizes she is calling the "pony" that I put in her hair a "horse"! It is so much easier for us to call the ponytail elastics "pony's" and the poor little girl just wanted her hair done, but was so confused about how to tell him what she wanted! I thought it was so funny, I had to share!

I'm music listener too!

OK...I had a hard time coming up with a name for this post. I'll have to think a little more on it and come up with a great one for next week. This is gonna be quick.....as you all know well, I am in love with my satellite radio. My hubby just installed the new receiver in the new car, and I feel like I am back in the groove of new music. All over the Sirius airwaves is a band from the UK The Ting Tings. I was a little afraid to admit I like them, since they are really poppy, and most likely a one album wonder band (especially since they have a song on an iPod commercial....remember Feist and 1234? Yeah, I thought so). But Parker on 101.9 The End reviewed their album yesterday, and I wasn't so afraid to admit I like them. I need to listen to the whole thing on my own before I can pin down a fave song, but they are catchy, and most of the songs are OK for the kids to listen to (Shut Up and Let Me Go isn't so kid friendly, unless you are OK with your kids telling everyone to "Shut Up"). So take a listen and take the poll, and let me know what you think!

I'm a slacker!

Wesdnesday's Wonderful Recipe will have to be postponed until I can get my act together again. With school, soccer and softball starting, I haven't done much cooking, nor have I done much thinking about sharing recipes with you...wait, what? Is that you begging for some kind of recipe? You want me to share what we had for dinner last night? OK, here we go...don't say I didn't warn you! Tuesday, August 26th, 2008 4:30 rolls around and I don't have anything planned....watching the Food Network is no help, I wanna make it all but don't have even 1/2 the ingredients! It's kinda like grocery shopping when you are hungry...."Friends Don't Let Friends watch the food network right before dinner time". 5:30 rolls around and the kids are "starving" and I mean, they haven't eaten anything today at all! (No pancakes for breakfast, no snack at school for Colin, and Lilly didn't eat a graham cracker, a package of fruit snacks, or a whole banana at the MOMS Club meeting, NOR did we have pizza for lunch.) Good thing we have some of that non-existent pizza leftover, yum! 6:15:Seth gets home from work and we quickly dig through the fridge for whatever leftovers are available...that means pretty much nothing. We ate Spaghetti Monday Night, and that always gets eaten, and Sunday's dinner is un-appetizing, Saturday night we ate Chili's To Go..and before that, well, I don't remember what we had before that. 8:45: On the way home from softball and the grown ups are hungry..almost starving. We would stop at to get food.....but the kids are too tired for that, and who am I kidding, so are we. So we dig in the fridge again, and decide the Sunday's dinner isn't so un-appetizing after all. That was dinner last night.....now, what do we have for dinner tonight? Any ideas? Any easy "go-to" recipes at your personal cook books? (Preferably made out of food I may already have in my house!)

I'm the Mom of an Independent Kindergartner

Today was Colin's first day of school. All of us were excited; Me to have some more one on one time with Lilly (amongst other reasons); Seth, because he likes seeing Colin grow up and Lilly because everyone else was excited. Colin and Lilly were ready way before it was time to go, and Colin kept asking, "Can we leave yet? I can't wait much longer!" When I dropped him off at school, he was a little apprehensive. He didn't cling to me, like Lilly would have, but he didn't run into the big group of kids and ask to join the fun either. HE kinda held back a little bit. After reintroducing him to his teacher, and saying good bye, I asked Lilly if she was ready to go....she said "No, bubba too!" And I'll admit that even though I could have dragged her out of there, I kinda took the opportunity to stay a little longer....I asked Colin if he needed anything, hoping he would ask me to stay. He said "no" just as a friend from preschool said "Hi". It was nice of Tessa to say hi to him, and make him feel a little more at ease. As Lilly and I left, I fought back tears...."I can't cry on the way to the car...I'll have to wait until I get into the car." Once I got into the car, I realized there were other Moms in the cars near us, and I thought "I can't let them see me cry." So I was a big girl and didn't cry, yet. We picked Colin up from school, and I think he was excited to see us... Lilly sure was stoked. She made sure he knew she was there to help pick him up. Colin voiced that was a little disapointed he couldn't ride the bus home, but he also was a bit relieved. He asked me what he should do if he is scared of the bus, and I let him know how nice the bus driver is , and how much fun he would have. (I hope that is the way it turns out) I'm glad I didn't have to be the one parent that stayed all morning to make sure my kid could handle kindergarten, but am also a little sad that my son doesn't need me to stay. All I have to remember is that I am doing my job right, and I am raising my son to be an independent person, that can figure things out on his own, but can come to me when he DOES need help. Like right now...he is screaming at something downstairs....I guess I'd better check on him! PS Picture coming soon.....not enough time to post one...later today, I promise!

Happy Blogoversary!

So this is my "blogoversary". For a year now I have written to you and expressed likes/dislikes, shared recipes, and Frump Fighting advice. I have said a lot about me, and even not said much at all. I've changed the name of the blog...several times I think...and in an attempt to "switch it up" even more...I am going to change it a little more. Blogger has updated the "widgets" you can add to the side of your blog. I love the widget that lets everyone know when a blog you read has been updated. A recent post of mine "I'm a soccer parent" came across on my friend's blogs as this: I'm not just a Mom I'm a soccer parent And I had an epiphany! A brilliant idea to keep me on my toes and make me think a bit more about my posts, and their titles. So from now on....I will name my posts "I'm a (blank)". I think that will make me be more creative in my writing, give you guys something less boring to read, AND help me remember that "I'm not just a Mom, I'm a (blank) too!" *Disclaimer: I don't know if anyone else out in the blogosphere has thought of this before, I'm sure they have, but I am not trying to copy anyone. The point of this blog is to help me remember I have interests other than my kids, and that I enjoy sharing them with other people. I apologize in advance if my "epiphany" encroaches on any copy writes or patents or other legal stuff.

Fight The Frump Friday

This is just a little reminder to Fight The Frump in any way you can! Don't forget to review my other FTF posts, and if you are preggers or are going to be, check out Mrs. Fussypants for her tips! PS Sorry there aren't any better tips.....I've been so crazy and stressed out this week, that I haven't even been Fighting The Frump the way I should be. I needed my own little reminder too!

Turntable Thursday

There are very few musical artists that make me swoon (yes, I said swoon). Most of the time I will hear one or two songs from different artists, that make me remember specific moments, or people . A few songs will make my heart beat faster and some will even make my knees buckle (a little). But there aren't many artists that could sing anything and still make me feel all amorous and wish I would have put them on my "laminated list" (or Top 5, or Doorbell list, whatever you call it). Lenny Kravitz is one of those artists. No matter what song he is singing, I stop and listen. Even if it is on a commercial. I know he wears some out there clothes....the leather pants he dons are a little too tight, and his hair is a huge afro....but he makes me swoon (yes, I said it again). I can't even tell you what my favorite song is or my favorite album. All of his music is awesome! I remember the first time I heard one of his songs (I don't remember which one it was) and I thought... "What are they doing playing an older song on this station?" His sound is new and fresh, while at the same time it retains some of the old Jimi Hendrix era rock-n-roll. I know you can't listen to all of his songs with the kids in the car ("Black Velveteen" is not so kid friendly), but put some of his music on your MP3 Player, and listen while the kids are in school, or napping. He's got a new album out (It's Time For a Love Revolution)....I haven't heard it yet...but I am looking forward to downloading it from iTunes and having a chance to listen, hopefully it will be just as good as his other albums are are making me swoon (yes, I said it one last time).

Wednesday's Wonderful Recipe

I haven't made this recipe in a long time, but everyone I have served it to has loved it! (Well, everyone that likes black beans). Mexican food is one of the easiest to make when you are having a pot luck. Tacos, fajitas, enchiladas...you can make just about anything, and still have things left over for people to contribute. This recipe is something you can make as a side dish, a salad, but I also just realized if you tweak it a bit and saute the onions and the bell pepper with the spices, then add the rest of the ingredients and heat it through, it would be a wonderful warm topping for a taco salad, or even a filling for a vegetarian taco (or a filling along with a bit of chicken or shredded beef in a taco, or a tostada). I found the recipe on allrecipes.com and I love making it. It is so easy, and healthy....AND I bet it would take good even with the beans omitted...for those non-bean loving people in your life (my hubby included). Here's the link: http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Black-Bean-And-Corn-Salad-I/Detail.aspx Let me know if you make it! PS...If we can get a babysitter for CNO...I think I'm gonna make this...so don't even think about it! ;)

Widget's

So I was a lemming and I copied my friend Katie in her quest to see who looks at her blog. I added a Live Traffic Feed from FEEDJIT to see what cities the people that read my blog are living in, as well as how they are getting here. Welcome to everyone that doesn't ususally read my blog....please leave a comment....I like hearing from all of you. If you don't, I will just assume you are a lurker...or think you don't have anything to say (which I am sure you do....don't be so down on yourselves!) You can comment anonymously, but make sure you leave something for me to know who you are...just like CB does. Thanks for reading!

Is it just me?

Is it just me or are teenagers/young adults less mature than we were at their age? When I was 21 I was getting ready to get married, working a part-time + job, and going to school. I made sure bills were paid on time, and if I didn't have the $$ I went without the frivolities and even essentials of life to make sure I could pay them. I only had 1 credit card, and that was for ZCMI...it wasn't even a regular credit card. I could only use it on the kind of stuff I could find at ZCMI, and even then, I didn't use it very much. I didn't have multiple maxed out cards, and I certainly wasn't using my boyfriends card to buy expensive things. I know I did a few stupid things when I was young (not gonna share them here) but I don't think I screwed over family, or had my priorities messed up. I didn't take advantage of people I loved, just because I thought they would always trust me. What is your take? Where were you when you were 21? Are young adults these days getting everything handed to them, so they don't know how to take care of themselves?

I'm a soccer parent!

Today was Colin's first Soccer game, so I guess I am officially a soccer parent (not a "soccer Mom", since my hubby is planning on being at most practices and ALL games, I'm not doing this alone). Colin's "best friend" (Colin kept cheering on his "best friend" when he was on the sidelines) Seth is on his soccer team, and since his mom Katie has a way better camera than I do, she took tons of pics and then made a cool slide show of them. Take a look...there are a lot of Colin, Thanks Katie!

http://thedobsonfamily.blogspot.com/2008/08/this-morning-seth-and-his-friend-colin.html

FlakyFriends

No, No...I'm not saying my friends are Flaky....I'm saying some new members of our household came from the WONDERFUL Etsy Shop "FlakyFriends".

I came across Sarah's blog Hollywood Flakes through the BlogHer Network a few months ago. I checked out all of her links....noticed how cute her homemade stuffed animals were, and that was the last of it. Until.....I read a post on Mamas Like that highlighted her Etsy Shop. Since I remembered her, I took another look at her fun Friends (the fact that there was a limited time discount code didn't hurt either).

Here are the Flaky Friends my kids have acquired:

Gerty the Good Natured Hippo For any of you that might NOT know, my daughters favorite animal to "draw" is the "Hippo"...or more accurately "Heepo" with a high inflection note on the second "e". OK, so I must confess, "Hippo" is the word I most like to hear her say. AND she's purple! So Sarah stuffed...and I mean stuffed her into a most uncomfortable mailing envelope and popped her into the mail ASAP! When Gerty arrived, she was very grateful to be in the fresh air, but didn't complain a bit (hence the Good Naturedness).

Lucky the Out of Shell Turtle

Lucky out of his shell My son on the other hand, got to choose the Flaky Friend that joined us in SLC. At first he wanted a blue penguin....and I was all ready to pay for him, when I remembered the cute turtles that can come out of their shells. He fell in love with Lucky, and when I ordered him, I got teased a bit (by Sarah) because I was ordering so close to receiving Gerty! Colin was so cute when he started to play with Lucky....he said in a squeaky, turtle like voice "Hey! Where's Gerty! I wanna play with her." Just melted my heart! Unfortunately Lilly was waay too rough with Gerty, and I need to restitch her seam...by no fault of the original seamstress...my daughter kept trying to ride her hippo!

Anyway...just wanted to share my new find with all of you...Sarah is great about shipping, even better about child safety (she changed out Gerty's eyes so they are safety ones now), AND she can even do custom orders to match bedroom decor/favorite colors/etc. etc. So take a look....and hopefully you will find Flaky Friends as endearing as I do!

Fight The Frump Friday

My hair was looking a little drab and dreary, it lost it's shine and the color was blah! I didn't know what to do short of chopping it off....because I knew I couldn't, and still can't, make it down to Spanish Fork to my hair dresser.

Then I had an epiphany! The heavens opened up and the light showered me through the clouds, and I swear I heard angels singing (or that could have been the beginning of "The Simpsons"...I'm not sure). I remembered hearing about hair stylists "glazing" hair to make the color shine through. Then me being the "Google Guru" that I am...I found an over the counter product to use instead of just leaving my hair the way it was.

John Frieda sells a wide array of products for colored hair, including shampoos and conditioners, but I think the greatest thing he has ever put on the shelves of Tarjay or even the WalMarts is his Luminous Color Glaze Clear Shine. There are two ways to use it, you can either use it every time you wash your hair, or just once an week. I opted for the once a week since most of my showers take all of about 10 minutes. My hair was and still is so soft and silky and it looked sooo much better! This product cost me less than $10...and I still have a few more applications left in the bottle!

So if your hair needs a pick me up, go get some Luminous Color Glaze in Clean Shine. It is soo worth the extra 20 minutes a week (pre shampoo and condition) to help you FIGHT THE FRUMP!!!

Turntable Thursday

This week I still haven't listened to this band enough to have an actual critique of their music....I guess I just like them. I first heard them on Sirius Radio (BBC Radio 1) and I thought their song was very catchy (OK cheesy term) and I could sing along with the chorus after just hearing it once. This bands name is really weird.....I usually have to repeat it, but Biffy Clyro is awesome! They are from Scotland...no big surprise since I tend to listen to foreign bands...and I love their accents. They came to town in March with Say Anything, and I was way bummed I missed them live. It would have been cool to see a band from Scotland before they got big here...maybe next time they come!

Wednesday's Wonderful Recipe

A few weeks ago I asked for your favorite potato salad recipes...thanks to all those that sent them to me! I tried Allison's (see comments of that post) and I loved it! I like that it can be warm OR cold, and I know it goes great with corned beef! Katie's Mom Leslie sent her the recipe she uses at family get together's via email, and I have been authorized to share it here! I made it for the MOMS Club Family BBQ last month, and it was delish! Everyone that ate it said they loved it (one person even just ate the salad and nothing else all night....she is such a lover of pickle juice!) So here is the recipe thanks to Leslie! Leslie Kupfer's Potato Salad Dresssing: 2 1/2 Cups mayonnaise 2 tsp yellow prepared mustard 1/2 tsp ground black pepper 1 tsp celery seed (can substitute celery salt but be careful with the amount) 1/4 cup sweet pickle juice (just from the pickle bottle) 1 tsp salt. Mix all together. SALAD: 8 cups cooked, peeled and chopped (not itsy bitsy but not real chunky either) potatoes. I usually use Russets but can be any kind. It computes to about 8 large potatoes to get this amount. 4 finely chopped hard boiled eggs (yes, it does have eggs ) 1/2 cup finely chopped onion (not green onions) 1 cup chopped sweet pickles 1 cup sliced black olives (this is probably optional if not liked) 1 cup thinly sliced celery (I usually use less cause I think 1 cup is a bit too much) Stir all together before adding dressing and mix well. Add the dressing mixture in increments stirring as you do so. Makes a pretty good sized bowl - plenty for a group. I used my awesome Cuisinart mini chopper for the eggs..it chops them really finely, and I also used it for the onions...so easy to do! I didn't use all of the dressing, I am sure I didn't cook enough potatoes, but definitely add the dressing to the salad slowly, you don't wanna drown your potatoes!

Happy Birthday to You...Happy Birthday to You!

Just have to say a quick "Happy Birthday" to Seth...he's turning...well...older today. Yeah, yeah...I know his B-Day is way close to our anniversary, but we couldn't get married on the day we wanted to (July 12th) because it was a Sunday....and we were ready to have everything done and over with so we could start our life together. SO...I messed up and chose a day too close to his B-Day. Blame me....or blame him...he agreed on the wedding date.

Anyway....Happy Birthday! Hopefully we can celebrate when you get home....if not we will this weekend! (With icingless cake and tons, I mean TONS of ice cream, and presents...oh there will be presents!) Love ya!

I got to meet a fellow blogger!

OK, OK...so I feel like it was inevitable that I would meet this particular blogger seeing as she is the sister of a friend (Katie also another fellow blogger). Sun Tea For Sinners (Kim) was in town this week to see a concert with her sister Katie. I happened to be out watering the lawn and letting the kids play in the front yard (before it got too hot) as they dropped Katie's adorable little girl off at school (right across the street from me). OK, so it wasn't exactly a coincidence...I was hoping I would see them, at least get to wave, but if it didn't happen it wouldn't be the end of the world (no, that is when we have no more food). Kim is soo cute! She had great blond and magenta hair....and the magenta hair matched her adorable smocked dress. I was in awe of her coolness as I spoke to her wearing my PJ's and a pair of flip flops without any make-up on (don't tell Fussy). She was so nice, and was great to my kids, and well...it was great to meet her! I know you don't get to see your lil sis very often, Kim, but I'd love to go out with you guys one night when you are in town next....if you have time.....and if you want to!

10 Years!

10 Years goes by fast once you have grown up. 10 years ago today I was married to my sweet hubby Seth, and we were then considered grown ups. 10 years! Yes, we have had our ups and downs as every marriage has....but I am extremely lucky to have a husband that lets me be my own person, have my own friends, but still loves it best when I am home with him (if you ask him, he'll deny it though!) 10 years and 2 kids later, Seth still makes me laugh, and I still help keep him a bit grounded (OK so having to support us all probably does that) and we are still in love, even more so than 10 years ago. Happy Anniversay!

Fight The Frump Friday

I think I am going to continue my "series" on embarassing things that happen only to women, so guys...you'll have to skip this post, again. (OK so I am just kidding myself by thinking a guy even reads my Friday FTF posts....just me hallucinating) If you are a woman, no matter how much you weigh, or how much you don't weigh, your thighs rub together. Yeah, some of us more than other's...but it is just a fact of life (unless of course you are Miss NancyPants). I found this great product a few years ago that keeps your thighs from rubbing together when you are wearing a skirt or a dress! I bought a tube, and it lasted me years! (Mostly because I stopped wearing skirts and dresses) It goes on totally silky smooth, and helps keep your skin from chafing (I am sure runners would love to use it too!) Now...don't be put off by the name of the manufacturer. Monistat Soothing Care Chafing Relief is awesome! These guys know women's issues. I just got a new tube at Tarjay for like $5.99....like I said it lasted me a few years! So if you have the same problem most of the women in the US have....check it out! And check out the great info at Mrs. Fussypants!

Life Doesn't Suck This Thursday

So my dear blogger friend Mrs. Fussypants has started a new Thursday Theme, that I haven't participated in since I have my own (see previous post). But I decided that after the evening I had last night, I would write a "Life Doesn't Suck" post and link to her site.

Life doesn't suck when you have great friends. Life doesn't suck when you have friends that you can call at any given moment through the day and talk for an hour, hang up, and when you talk later that day (as inevitably happens) still have stuff to say for another hour or so.

Life doesn't suck when you go to a gathering, and know almost everyone there, and realize that you can carry on an intelligent conversation with all of the attendees, including the person you have met for the first time that night.

Life doesn't suck when you are on your way home, and instead of waiting for you to call the person you just dropped of she calls you to keep you company at 2:30 AM AND to make sure you make it home OK after having a few extra drinks throughout the night.

Life doesn't suck when your husband of 10 years, doesn't care that you crawl into bed at 3:30ish AM (on a "school night") after spending the whole evening with the friends mentioned above.

And I know that this is a "Life Doesn't Suck" post, but I do have to tell you that "Life Does Suck" when people you love keep moving away and you have to say "goodbye", or I guess not "goodbye" but "see you later".

See you later CB!

Turntable Thursday

This week I don't have any music for you to listen to. I started to listen to my iPod while chopping ingredients for the salad from yesterday, but I was happily interrupted by a phone call. A phone call that lasted a long time....which was a good thing since I wasn't expecting to hear from this person since I was making said salad for her and her damned going away party that night. So I don't have anything good.....I do have a new poll up....take a look and let me know what genre of music you most like to listen to.

Wednesday's Wonderful Recipe

Today I am sharing a great salad I first had at my SIL's wedding shower. It was an awesome salad for a bunch of people and a great one for a family dinner if you cut down the recipe. Hope you enjoy! Chinese Chicken Salad 5 heads of romaine lettuce (wash and dry completely) Chicken breast strips (1/2 per person fully cooked and chilled; or I use the Tyson pre-cooked, pre-cut chicken strips) 4 green onions finely chopped 5 cans mandarin oranges slivered almonds (brown in butter and 4 Tbs. sugar, place on brown paper bag to dry OR I use the pre-sugared ones in a bag) sesame seeds (handful) Won ton wraps (cut into strips then fry in 1/2 inch oil til lightly browned) Dressing: 1/4 cup vegetable oil 2 Tbs. sugar 2 Tbs. red wine vinegar 1 Tbs fresh parsley (don't use dried...and flat leaf/Italian parsley is perfect!) 1/2 tsp. salt dash of pepper 4 drops Tabasco sauce (double dressing if needed) Leave separate until ready to use then mix all together. I don't add the almonds or won ton wrappers, I leave them separate and let people put as many as they want on their own salads. It is also easy to make it for a smaller group, just use less of the salad fixings and make the same amount of dressing, but use sparingly, you don't want to make your salad soggy!

Who needs toys?

Colin's imagination ran wild today as he played "Planet Heroes". This is what he looked like as he saved the solar system:

Who needs toys? I should just go get some boxes from the grocery store and let him go at it!

(The box is his spaceship....and he IS wearing shorts under there!)

Fight The Frump Friday

On this episode of Fight The Frump, I will talk about a problem that can be a little embarassing for women. Any men that read this blog (Seth this means you) can stop reading now, and wait for a new post to read (Oh and my younger 13 year old friends....stop reading now too). OK all the guys (and teenagers) gone? All of us women know way too much about revealing too much nipple when we get cold, or warm, or well, just about anything. I know it can be embarassing, or sexy depending on who you are with, or even too sexy if you are in mixed company and don't want to give the wrong impression. But most of us don't want to go around looking like this:

Well, hello ladies!*

I found a product that is supposed to work...well two different ones, but I am only trying one out right now. If these don't work, then I'll try the other, if those don't work, I don't know what I will do. I know, I know, most women purchase bras with a little bit of padding, just to help with this "problem". My problem is, the only bra I have found to help support my melons (and I do mean melons) is what can be considered "sexy", "racy" and "very lacy". So if you don't like padded bras, or can't find on that fits try these:

These baby's can be used up to 6 times...6 times! I'm not sure if the petal shape shows through the bra and t-shirt...but I'll let you know!

If you are feeling adventurous try these: OK...I so I KNOW the butterfly shape would be seen through a bra and t-shirt. But to each his own!

Fight the Nipple Showing Frump! And here's the link to Fussy and her other FTF tips!

*(photo found on The Onion-www.theonion.com/content/node/36527)