I'm a Mom that enjoyed Thanksgiving this year.

This year for Thanksgiving, we went to Seth's sister M's house. She and her blended family live 3 miles away, if you drive the long way (she measured the mileage one day, but went the long way down Skye Drive instead of the short way by driving down Old Bingham). It was a nice relaxed Thanksgiving! The kids stayed at home as long as they could, so they didn't get too bored waiting for dinner to be ready. I was able to do as much as possible here, and bake things over there (they have 3 ovens). If we forgot anything, we could run home. At a few points in the day we threatened to take kids home if they didn't stop doing whatever horrible thing they were doing (that was so nice!) M's family is so fun to be around! We all get along fairly well, and my kids love hanging out with all of the older kids. It was not stressful...we were harried to get things on the table when it was time to eat (but than happens anyway) but it didn't matter that we were using paper plates, and not real ones, it didn't matter that we didn't all sit at the same table, it didn't matter that we didn't eat pie together at the end of the meal. It was so nice not to have that kind of stress! Hope all of you had a non-stressful Thanksgiving Day, you stuffed yourselves full of all of the good things on the table, and enjoyed the company of family and/or friends!

Semi-Silent Saturday

GO UTES~!

That is all I have to say!

I also try to support local bands...

...try being the key word. I wish I had more time to go see local bands perform, and help get the word out about how great they are! (Seth, remember Orange Crush? I loved those guys! And do you know where that CD is???) Anyway....my hubby works with a local actress/singer (she is an artist at Avalanche...multi-talented I tell ya!) that has filmed a music video for her band Petal. Emily Tyndall sent the YouTube link to her fellow co-workers so they could help spread the word about this video since the song and video were inspired by the book (can anyone guess???) Twilight. I thought I would share it with all of you. The music isn't quite the genre I normally like, but the effects in the video are pretty cool. She's got a great voice, and is gorgeous! So check it out....hopefully the embeding works!

I'm a Twilight Fan too!

So the Twilight movie is in theaters in....well check out the countdown clock at the right. In the spirit of the great weekend that is ahead for all you Twilight Fans, I have chosen a band that is not part of the Twilight movie but goes along with the whole Supernatural Theme: Vampire Weekend! Since for most of you it is a Vampire Weekend, being as you are planning on seeing the movie multiple times, why not take a break from the movie soundtrack without taking a break from the "Vampireness" of the weekend? (OK, that was cheesy) I've heard these guys a few times on the Alternative Sirius radio station. I even heard them hosting the Alt. Nation Top 20 (I think it was 20) Countdown when they had a song in the Top 10. They seemed to be pretty modest about their new found fame. I can listen to them. They don't make me want to change the channel when they come on. last.fm only has a sample of one song, so I can't make an informed decision. Check some of their songs out on their website music link: Vampire Weekend. (If you listen to them there, just know it isn't censored. So listen without the kids in the room!) Enjoy your "Vampire Weekend!"

I'm a Mom that is relaxing after an eventful evening (updated)

No need to rehash the whole night in detail, but here are the "highlights".

Son comes upstairs saying his tummy hurts and he might throw up.

Son climbs into bed with a fever, won't let Mom see how high of a fever, and falls asleep.

Daughter eats dinner by herself.

Daughter needs a bath.

Daughter poops in bath.

Daughter cries and cries and cries because she has pooped in the bath.

Mom cleans the bathtub.

Daughter, still crying, gets bathed, dressed and candy to shut her up.

Son is still hot from fever and asleep.

Daughter is sent to bed, but won't sleep without Daddy saying goodnight.

Mom, exhausted from those few hours of chaos, has one of these at the suggestion of a friend:

White Russian Fixin's

Mom feels better and is glad Daddy is on the way home.

Daughter is still awake. UGH!

Update: Mom spills White Russian on lap and bed sheets...Mom is going to bed!

I love bringing things to potluck dinners too! (Updated)

Or "appetizer, salad, dessert" events too. I know I have posted quite a few recipes that can be taken to potluck type dinners (can you tell that is just about all I attend these days?) but this one is so good, and so easy AND my SIL "M" requested it for our Pre-Thanksgiving goodie table next week, so I just had to share! Artichoke Cheese Dip 1/2 Cup mayo 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese 1/2 cup shredded Monterrey Jack cheese 1/8 tsp. onion salt (I am sure onion powder would work as well) 1 tsp. dried dill weed 1/8 tsp. lemon pepper 1/2 of a 14 oz. can artichoke hearts drained and chopped Preheat oven to 350. Combine all ingredients, mix well, and pour into a 2 quart baking dish. Bake uncovered for 30 minutes. Serve with toasted sliced baguette, crackers or pita bread. As always you can modify the recipe to suit your needs. Doubling it for a larger crowd is simple. Using low-fat mayo and 2% milk cheese would make it healthier. Even making it and heating it in a crock pot to keep it warm is perfect for potlucks! (I think I'm going to try to find a new little one with dual heat settings for Thanksgiving so I don't have to watch it as closely as the one I currently own) PS: I don't remember where I found this recipe. If someone out there reads this post and makes claim to this recipe, I'll happily give credit where credit is due! *Updated*....this is not the dip I brought to Bunco last night. That one was from Costco. THIS dip is still awesome though!

I'm a Mom that loves giveaway's...

and this one was found by reading Erin's blog, two seconds! (I love reading her blog....she is so creative and all around fun...wish she had more time for MOMS Club stuff!) Anyway...check out this Giveaway from Tip Junkie. I think I might start reading the blog, not just for the giveaway's but for the amazing ideas from amazing women around the blogosphere.

(I can just see the cute Christmas decoration sitting on top of my piano...I hope I win!) Oh, and PS...Pioneer Woman is giving away TWO (yes, that is TWO) Kitchen Aid mixers...hurry and enter! (I hope that didn't ruin my chances of winning!)

I'm a friend too!

Check out the new countdown clock at the bottom of the page. If that doesn't tell you how good a friend I am then nothing will. I will adorne my blog with freaky clocks just to let you all know when Nicool is comin' to town. If Nikki T doesn't appreciate it then she can "suck it" (trademark line from Holly), cuz until she is in town and we can go to "Wing Ballz"* (sorry Rusty) I'll be bouncin' off the walls in anticipation. (Hence the freaked out bouncing ball things animating the countdown clock) *"Wing Ballz" is actually the new wing place in The District "Wing Nutz". I've heard it is good, but haven't actually been....BUT just so you feel sorry for me, my hubs went without me one Monday Night to watch football!

I'm trying to be a better cook-Wednesday's Wonderful Recipes/Tips

As you all know by now, I like to cook. I wish I had a little different kitchen to cook in, another oven, larger counter space to work on and to keep a few more appliances on (a Kitchen Aid mixer has been on my covet list for a long time...there is just no room to keep it) maybe a pot rack to keep pots and pans handy, the list goes on and on, and just gets more extravagant from there. Since I am destined to work in my current kitchen until either a) we win the lottery or b) hell freezes over, I need to just try to keep the counter top cleared off so there is always room to chop, slice, mix, and grate (I can hear Seth now "Yeah right! That isn't going to happen!). I subscribe to daily and monthly newsletters from All Recipes.com that give cooking advice and new recipes. Today's advice was how to have the perfect pantry (No Beth, I said Pantry, not Panty...you have enough of those in the leg of your jeans) I have come across many lists from many chefs with supplies to keep a pantry stocked with items that can help you make great meals for your family. I don't think I have ever taken any of those lists seriously enough to take it to the grocery store and stock my own pantry. When I got the email I thought I'd finally take a look at one and see what I might be missing. I was fairly certain I was going to need quite a few items to complete the list, and decided to start stocking a little at a time. As I went through the list, I was amazed at how little I have to buy! I only have to buy 5 or 6 items to make my pantry as perfect as it is going to get. They recommend buying canned beans as well as dry beans, and even though I have a few cans of black beans, we just don't eat many beans in this family (to the chagrin of me and the joy of Seth). Whoo Hoo! My first attempt to boost my basic cooking and baking skills was a success! Onto the next challenge (whatever that might be). PS I have pretty much abandoned the idea of a "Side Dishes" series. Which makes me ask "How many posts constitute a series anyway?" If I come up with anymore, I will post them. If I don't you'll just get random recipes, OK?

I'm gonna have to make a decision too!

It has been a week since the "vote for my next hairstyle" post and we have the results (drum roll please...........) IT'S A STINKIN' TIE! Now I have to "man" up and make my own decision between the Gwyneth and Particia cuts! I guess I'll take both pics to the stylist and see what she thinks. Thanks for voting and I'll stick the final decision pics as soon as I can make it to Spanish Fork to get my hair cut!

I'm a housewife too

The title should be "I'm a lazy housewife too". Today I vowed to stay home in the AM while the oldest is at school and do laundry and "tidy" the house. (I used quotations because if you saw my house, you would know tidy isn't the right word) So far there is one load of laundry in the washer, one load of dishes in the dishwasher and I have straightened the bathroom. I sat down to rest for a bit (a bit meaning few minutes) and I was sucked into a few blogs, and Facebook (it's addicting) and Twitter. And I decided to write a post. I've been on the computer for more than a "bit". Needless to say the rest of the house isn't becoming very "tidy". What is is about the computer and the need to be in the loop all the time? I check Facebook and Twitter every 10 minutes or so to see what everyone is up to. I check it so often that my job is suffering (in fact my daughter is tugging on my fingers wanting me to fix the moive as I try to tpye). Is it the actual want to make sure all is OK with my friends? (BTW...Katie, hope your headache is gone) Or is it a little bit of snoopiness? Although, if it were snooping, or spying, the updates wouldn't be so out in the open. Oh well...at least I know it isn't just me slacking on housework and some parental duties (I said duties) there are a ton of you out there that spend a lot of time on the computer too! OK...back to doing housework....I only have an hour and a half before Colin gets home....I can do a lot in that time!

I am a yard worker too

Today my family took the opportunity to clean up our yard a bit since the weather was fairly nice. Colin loved that we were having a family day! The kids had a ball helping Dad rake leaves and put the toys away for the winter (too bad we have a lot of leaves left on the trees...we'll have to rake again, and again, and again). I put my flower pots away (and took out the dead flowers, since I am not very good at remembering to water during the summer). The yard is ready for snow even if I am not! Enjoy the slide show of the kids in the leaves....they were both so cute!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

I'm a woman with needs too~!

No, not those kinds of needs! (There are just some things I won't share on my blog!) Anyway....I totally agree with Mrs. Fussypants FTF post today. Shape your eyebrows! It isn't too hard, she'd got a great video to help you out. OR you can go spend a little $$ and get them waxed once, then keep them shaped well by using a great pair of tweezers! (Tweezerman makes some really spiffy ones and they sell them at Bed Bath and Beyond read 20% off coupon) I am one that needs to pluck even a little every day or my brows get unruly. Even if I get them waxed, I still keep a pair of cute pink tweezers handy for those stray hairs. So check out her post, and keep your eyebrows shaped! It's a small and easy way to Fight The Frump! Oh and for you guys out there (you know who you are) you can always get a Micro Touch Magic to keep from sporting a Bert style unibrow!

I'm a Cure Fan too!

But I didn't always used to be. Well, I liked their most popular songs during Jr. High and High School, but I didn't start really listening to specific albums until I married Seth. Come to think of it, Seth should be the one writing these music posts....he's the one that tells me about the cool music I listen to....I wonder if I could get him to do that for me...hmmmm. Anyway....The Cure has a new album. I didn't know this until I listened to Parker's show on Tuesday while he and Dallan were reviewing it. (God I am so out of the loop sometimes!) I like listening to The Cure....in fact two of my ring tones on my cell phone are from The Cure (Lullaby and Just Like Heaven). They invoke a bit of 80's/90's nostalgia, as well as some great 00's concert nostalgia. *sigh* From what I heard of the new album...I like it, but other people beg to differ. Each song is fairly reminiscent of another Cure song, but that is OK with me. Other's listening to the review weren't as impressed. I guess you have to be a Cure Fan to appreciate 4:13 Dream. I will most likely buy the album on iTunes, just so I have it as part of my music collection, but that is just me!

I'm slow at getting stuff done too...

but you already know that about me. If it is important, or something that weighs on my mind I get it done quickly....but if it is something that is not a pressing issue, I procrastinate. I have finally gotten the Halloween pictures of the kids in a small slide show, hope you enjoy!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

I am also ready to have YOU vote!

I thought it fitting to post my hair cut poll on election day. Most everyone I know has been urging everyone to Vote in our national election, and since they have all voted (I will tonight) I don't have anyone to appeal to.

BUT I do urge you to vote in a less serious election. Mostly because I am sick of the campaigning, and the last minute plea's for votes. But also because sometimes I have a hard time making a decision on my own. Please take a look at the hair styles/explanations below, and in the comments let me know which hair cut you think I should get. I will post results in a week and then get the hair cut within the next few weeks, and of course put the pics here.

Here are your choices:

Hair Cut #1- Gwyneth Paltrow's Medium Length Bob:

Hair Cut #2- Patricia Heaton's Medium Length layered cut:

Hair Cut #3- Slight A-line cut, same length as the Gwyneth cut, with the front pieces slightly longer (couldn't find a good pic to show you)

Hair Cut #4- Get the same Cut as you got a few months ago

Hair Cut #5- Just get your hair trimmed and leave it mostly the way it is now.

I'm not going to influence your vote by telling you which one I like the best. I already have a vote for #2...my SIL is a lurker and doesn't comment, but told me she likes #2.

Let the Voting begin!

I'm a Mom coming out of her funk with a little help.

So I am slowly coming out of my funk. Halloween is over, and there are still a few more weeks left until the food stress of Thanksgiving. I am pretty much done Christmas Shopping for the kids...we scaled way back this year, and it feels really good! Something arrived in the mail today that has helped me climb out of my hole of despair. I have been debating telling you guys about this, because...well....because I feel like there are some things I am allowed to be selfish about. But in the spirit of the upcoming Holiday Season, and to try to help out some of those very talented people that are awesome at hand making many cool things. The Little Black Box (LBB) is a company run by an innovative woman (Kim) helping get the word out about handmade goods. LBB is actually a bag full of handmade samples and even some full sized items along with some coupons for etsy shops and websites that gets sent to your mailbox just for you to enjoy! (that was a mouthful!) I have purchased three Little Black Boxes and each time something different arrives! It is just like opening your stocking on Christmas Morning. This month I got two different handmade soaps, quite a few handmade cards, an awesome mini pendant, a pair of earrings (last month I got 3 pair!) and many other really cool items that make me want to spend all day on the internet checking out the shops they came from. October's LBB is on sale now for $19 and that includes Priority shipping....it might seem like a lot, but if you count up how much each sample would cost you to buy and ship it, it is an amazing steal! Take a look, even if it is just to check out the vendors that are in October's LBB, OR November's LBB. PS Also check out Kim's LBB blog where she reviews things that she finds online, or things that will be in the next month's LBB. It's awesome!!!!