No Complaints

If you noticed, I did NaBloPoMo with no complaints this year. Usually I'm bitching and moaning by day 5. I guess after 7 years you get the hang of it?

Something I learned this year has mostly happened in my head. I have grand plans for blog posts, and major things to say, and yet?  Most of the month I wrote fluff. I'm sorry about that. First of all, I was, AM, afraid of saying something that is unpopular. I know that this is my space, but I like having friends. Second, I want to be an example of a 'good Christian' and I would hate to say something that would give someone more ammunition to point the finger at 'those Christians'. Especially because those posts composed in my head are not necessarily very nice. Ouch.

I guess what it boils sown to is that I feel like I've lost my voice. I really thought that I would find it by writing every day but that hasn't been the case. I feel more tongue-tied than ever. Even issues that should have been a slam-dunk, (red cups, anyone?), felt more like lead balloons. (Not that I've ever been one to write about the day's popular or controversial topics, but it's easy.)

Maybe it's the time of day that I have available to write. 10 pm after a long day on my feet isn't the best time to pump out a cute story about the kids, or scathing commentary on today's most popular Facebook story. But often this is my only time to write, (like tonight!) Editorial calendars have never been my strong suit.

One thing I did learn, though, is that I do love having this space. I no longer feel pressure to write often, but I love having the space ready for when I do want to write. I like it here. I'm not going anywhere!

Imma just leave this here

Big Day

It was a big day for the Headless Boys!

HB#1 turned 16 today. I cannot believe that. It feels surreal. Every day I realize more and more that the years are so short. He will get his license in a couple of weeks. License! Time travel totally feels like a thing.

Thing about HB#1 is that he is smart, driven, and talented. He loves Jesus. He is sweet, compassionate, and kind. And we are so, so proud of him. We will have a proper birthday for him next weekend when his mouth doesn't hurt so badly from his ortho appointment on Wednesday.

HB#2 played in the biggest game of his youth football career today. He had an incredible game. Both teams scored 8 points in the first quarter, and then none the rest of the game. Into OT we went. (The rules of OT in this league are weird. 4 downs from the 10 yard line, each team gets a chance.) The other team had the ball first and scored. Attempted to run for 2 and we stopped them. Then we got the ball. We used our 4 downs but made the TD. Tied at 14. And our kicker made the PAT for the win! Next stop: the Super Bowl/Championship in two weeks.

It's been a long week capped off by an amazing day for my guys. I'm pooped!

Fun Facts About Me

For only the first time this NaBloPoMo I'm stealing from Melisa. Last year, (or was it the year before? they all run together after a while,) I used her ideas a lot. She recycled this Fun Facts post from a friend and I'm totally stealing it.

• I was in our elementary school talent show at least twice. Once with a disco dance to (crap, I can't remember the name of the song,) with my best friend Kristie. The other was a dance to 'Charlie Brown' (the 50's version) with Kristie and our other best friend Judi.
• I've been getting my nails done, almost continually, since 1985.
• When I was a child I wanted to be either an elementary school teacher or a flight attendant. I was, at some point in my life, pretty close to both. In college I was an Ed major (until my junior year when I changed to English,) and I got to the second interview, twice, with an airline.
• I have never had stage fright. From a duet in the 6th grade musical, to presenting for Panhellenic Council in college, and beyond, I'm a confident public speaker.
• After working in a restaurant, I'm usually the best tipper at the table. But I also admit to being the biggest critic of the service and if it's really, really bad I'm also the first one to lower the percentage. Only once, ever, have I not left any tip at all, and I made sure that the manager knew exactly why. I don't feel bad about it either. It was hideous service. Bonus: if you make me use the stupid order/payment computers that they now have on the tables? You've just earned a 10% tip. I hate those things.
• For Christmas 1981 I got a Walkman and a Journey tape. We had a lake in my hometown where we would go ice skating all winter long. I had 'figure skating' routines made up to all of the songs on the Escape album. (I wasn't that good.)

So, what are some fun facts about you?

The Menu

Rotisserie Turkey
Baked Pineapple
Squash Casserole
Stuffing with cranberries
Mashed Potatoes
Baked Yams
Gulliver's Corn (A creamed corn variety.)
Mashed Rudabagas
Green Bean Casserole
Gravy
Cranberry/Blueberry sauce

Dessert:
Cheesecake
Pumpkin/Hazelnut pie
Caramel Cake

I'm stuffed.

What was on your menu?

Have a beautiful day tomorrow!

Progress, Y'all!

Just yesterday I was lamenting the state of my house. While there are 3 areas in serious need of attention, (I literally piled the decorations onto the existing crap. Don't judge.) I made progress in a few areas today!

First and foremost, I bought a new Christmas tree. I scored, bigtime. A few weeks ago I had checked Hobby Lobby to see what they had. At the time, the tree that I wanted was 40% off. Thinking that I would check a few more places, I didn't buy it. I checked online yesterday and noticed that their Christmas stuff was now 50% off. Score!

This morning I headed out pretty early. Well, for me anyway. I thought that I was only going to grab the tree. Heh. I grabbed the tag for the tree and a few, ok several, other things and went to check out. Turns out, the tree I had chosen was sold out. Except for the floor model. (Seriously? Mark it or take the tags out of the holder.) Since it had been out and picked over I only told them that I would take it if they gave me more of a discount. They did! I ended up getting a $600 tree for about $250. Love that! And, it's 9 feet tall-perfect for our living room with a vaulted ceiling.

The best part of the tree though was when HD went to pick it up. He called me after almost having a heart attack at seeing the price on the box. He was not happy. Then he saw the receipt. And praised my bargain shopping and negotiating skills. ;-)

I also put away several boxes. Getting there!

I also got more Christmas shopping done! Yippee!!!!! I'm feeling pretty on top of things so far this holiday. Don't hate me. I'm certain it won't last for the next 4 weeks so I'll enjoy it now, mmmmkay?

The Storm before the Calm

I'm sitting here tonight and my house is in chaos.

I pulled out all of the Christmas decorations today, and while it's starting to look festive, the mess still remains. Boxes stacked to go back into the closet, boxes open waiting to be emptied. Boxes stacked waiting for a tree to trim. Stockings hung, nativities staged, mini-tree plugged in and trimmed.

There are still a few things left to do. (Besides that tree. The tree still needs to be bought and put up!) How is it that I cleaned last week but am still cleaning as I go. And will still need to sweep and vacuum when I'm done tomorrow? *sigh* The work is never done, I suppose.

The best part about the chaos now, though, is that in a day or two I will be done with the decorating and can get on to the fun part-the shopping and cooking! I do love decorating though. Most everything that I have for decorating are things that I LOVE. There are so many things that make me smile- you can see some of them on this post from 2008!

I know, I know. It's not even Thanksgiving yet. If you knew my December schedule, you would understand. I'm glad I'm getting it done now. I will have so much less stress over the next couple of weeks, and have a pretty and clean house to enjoy the Christmas season in. After traveling for the last few years over the Christmas holiday it will be a joy to be at home this year.

Although, I will miss the snow!

18 Years Ago

I married my best friend.

It keeps getting better, folks. May you be as lucky, blessed and happily married as we are.

19 Years Ago

This evening, 19 years ago, almost to the minute, HD was asking me out for our first date.

I've told the story here before, I think, but it goes something like this:

I was an Opening Developer for Macaroni Grill and had been sent here (to my current city,) to open the store here. Truthfully, I was a little miffed that I was at this opening because there was another opening in Thousand Oaks. I have two cousins that live near there and wanted to see them, but God had another plan.

It was a Thursday night opening, and as a server developer I was watching 2 server stations, with a total of 6 tables. Once the restaurant was open, the developers stayed out in the stations making sure that each table was getting everything that they needed and on time. HD was a single dad and after a long day just needed to feed HG and get her home and into bed. So they decided to try the new place-not knowing that it was the very first night that we were open!

Obviously, they sat in my section, and since I wasn't actually their server, I got to chat with them. I colored with HG and took her to the women's restroom. He and I chatted. She was a pretty precocious 6 year old who had zero problem with making it absolutely clear that her mother lived in another city. At the end of their meal, HD wrote his phone numbers down on some of the table cloth and was getting ready to hand it to me when HG tugged on his shirt and said, "Hey Dad! Get her phone number and take her on a date!" I had absolutely no intention of calling him so I told him my last name and the hotel that we were staying at and told him to call me.

And he did.

My night off was a few nights later and he took me to dinner at a local steak house and then up to the mountains to have a drink and watch Monday Night Football. We had a really great time and couldn't stop talking. When we got back to my hotel we had our first kiss before he drove away.

Needless to say, I heard from him again.

Marching Band

HB#1's Marching Band a few weeks ago at a competition.

List,

... because I don't have much left in me today.

• I have 2 dental implants. One of the crowns falls off about every 5 years or so. It's been loose for a while now and fell off on Sunday. Monday I went in to get it cemented back in place. Which was great. Until I realized today that it was infected. So back to the dentist I went for antibiotics. 
• Mouth pain is great for napping. I finally got some rest today. Not enough, though.
• Much of the west has been having crazy winds this week. While my house hasn't gotten more than a breeze, you wouldn't know it by the pain in my head. Between the wind and my tooth, I'm a mess above the neck!
• I've lost a day of Christmas prep. Pray for me on Friday as I dig in to finish and (hopefully!) start to decorate!
• Oh yeah, and prep for a little day called Thanksgiving. Thankfully, (heh,) I'm not hosting that this year. Side dishes, FTW!
• I have to give Libby a bath tomorrow too. She's a mess. I'm somehow going to have to figure out how to get her into the bathtub so I can use warm water. The hose is way too cold this time of year. Wish me luck!

Alright. That's it. I'm outta here. See ya tomorrow!

The Universe is Conspiring Against Me

Certainly I've whined before about being tired. Fall. It gets me every year. We have Marching band and Football. I've been teaching. Between practices and games and competitions and church obligations I am stretched so thin. Early wake up calls and making sure everyone is in bed, then falling in myself, only to do it all again in a few short hours is wearing me the heck out.

I've even tried to take naps. I love naps. Sunday afternoon naps are the best because HD usually cooks on the weekend so I don't even have to wake up fretting about that. But that is only one day a week. Weekdays! You'd think, as a stay-at-home-mom that I could get a few winks in now and again. You'd be wrong.

These last few weeks I've tried so hard to nap on weekdays. Planned it. Tried. And either I can't fall asleep, or my guilt kicks in, or the phone rings. Or it's too hot. Or the dog barks. Or, Or, Or.

It's getting bad, y'all. I really, really, REALLY need some sleep. Do you have any tips for napping? I have no problem sleeping at night, or staying asleep, it's just the nap. Help!

This is why you don't blink.

This picture was taken in August 2010. We had surprised the boys with tickets to the Taylor Swift concert in LA. (Shhh! They don't want anyone to remember!) Those faces melt my heart. This is the reason that I want my pictures off of a hard drive and onto my walls. Or in a coffee table book. So I can see the changes. I want to remember.

Because all of a sudden they are driving and shaving. Next thing I know.... Wait. I'm not ready to discuss that yet.

Cold Weather Dinner

I'm a big fan of the one-pot meal, the casserole, the crock pot dinner. Less dishes, all sorts of goodness in a simple package. I live in a house full of testosterone so this is not always the consensus, but this? This recipe keeps even my staunch carnivores happy.

I consulted Pinterest and found inspiration for an Albondigas Soup from Hispanic Kitchen and Taylors at Home, then mishmashed the recipes and added my own twist. We really love this and I hope you do too!

Albondigas Soup

1 white onion, diced
2 spoonfulls of minced garlic (aprox. 2 Tablespoons ?)
1-2 Tablespoons olive oil

Saute onion and garlic in the oil in a tall soup pot until onion is beginning to get soft.

Add 8 cups of broth. (I prefer to use Knorr stock starters, in vegetable flavor. However my store now only carries chicken and beef. Any of these will be fine. Use two starters with the 8 cups of water.) Bring to a simmer.

Chop: 3 stalks celery, and carrots (I don't really know how much I used. I just chopped the mini carrots until it looked like I had a little more than the celery.)

Add veggies to pot with: 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of cumin, 1 teaspoon oregano, 1 can diced tomatoes, 1 can mild green chilies (4 oz,) and frozen, bite-size, home-style meatballs. (The packages I found have 22 or 28 meatballs per package. I use 1 1/2 packages for the meat-lovers in my family. You can just as easily use homemade meatballs if you'd like. Or the large ones from Costco. Whatever you have should be fine.) Continue to simmer until the meatballs are no longer frozen and the veggies are tender, approx 20-30 min.

20 minutes before serving: Add 1/4-1/3 cup white rice. (Omit if you've made your meatballs and added the rice there.)

15 minutes before serving: Add 3-4 small zucchini, chopped.

You can also add jalapenos, or some other kind of peppers as per the linked recipes. We have one that isn't so much of a spicy guy, so I leave them out and HD adds fresh chopped jalapenos to his own.

This recipe serves the 4 of us, with one serving left over for my lunch. Your results may vary.

The Big Declutter

A couple years ago when HG was about to get married, I started to get the bug. I got rid of bags of stuff. Went through cupboards and drawers. I was able to give her a few hand-me-downs of kitchen things that she, miraculously, didn't receive as wedding gifts, but mostly I was in clean-out mode.

I'm there again.

I recently read an article about the stats of our stuff. It was shocking. Stuff like: kids play with 12 toys but own well over 300, or we wear 9 outfits but own 60. As I look around my home, I'm highly embarrassed about the things that we own that are purely there to collect dust. I have a new resolve, and this is my plan.

1) I need to clean my house to get ready to get all of my Christmas stuff out. Since Thanksgiving is almost here I don't have much time. In the process of basic cleaning I vow to box/bag things that I know without a doubt that I need to get rid of. This list will include, but isn't limited to: books that have been read that no one else will want to read, magazines, clothing, things that are broken/beyond repair, ugly, etc. In general these things will either go into the trash or a donate bag. Before Christmas this is all I will have time for.

2) Have you seen the articles about the stuff that is worth crazy amounts of money? Pokemon cards, old VHS tapes, etc. I have a bunch of random stuff lying around that are on those lists. I need to sell them. I don't expect top dollar for it all but if I can list some of it on eBay and make enough money for it to be worth it, then why not? Better than the trash bin-for me and the collector! Action point: set up an eBay account and learn best practices so I'll know what I'm doing when I start.

3) Stop pretending that I'll be 1 (or 2 or 3) sizes smaller by next spring (or winter). I have a ton of clothing that I need to just ditch, already. Yes, I need to lose weight, but even if I do there are things that won't make the cut. I've actually started doing this already. I keep a bag in the corner of my room that I toss stuff in when I'm getting dressed. If it doesn't fit, if it's stained, if I simply hate it? It goes in the bag. I no longer feel guilty, because like the article said, we only wear about 9 outfits anyway. Now if I could just get my husband to do the same!

4) Eventually I plan on doing the Japanese thing about "does this item bring me joy?" I don't guess I'll follow it to the letter; I'm way too sentimental for that! But I need some guideline for getting rid of stuff and that sounds as good as any other reason.

5) I would like to organize our family photos. I have a central place that most of them are kept but now most of them live on a hard drive or on an internet account. First up: gather old photos that I've always wanted to have hanging somewhere and make it happen. I have a long wall that I've always wanted to make a 'gallery' and the pictures of grandparents and great-grandparents, as well as great photos of us and the kids. It's one of those "Just do it" type of things. It would make me so happy to be able to see them every day-why does it take me so long to do this stuff??? Second: dig through digital photos and make books- kids, birthdays, holidays, vacations. We take great photos and they live inside of an electronic device. That's sad.

So it looks like I have at least a year's worth of work ahead of me. Wish me luck!

OOPS!

Almost forgot to post.

Long day.

Parade and band competition.

Just under the wire.

Back with a regular post tomorrow.

Yes, it still counts!

#PrayforParis

Lord Jesus come! Protect them, protect us.

A Little Assistance, Please?

I don't typically use the official NaBloPoMo prompts, but Carmen did it today and it sparked my interest.

If you had a personal assistant who would do your most dreaded tasks, which items from your to do list would you assign out?

Monday- My personal assistant would assist me in making a menu for the week and do the grocery shopping.
Tuesday- He/She would clean out both of my email boxes. (I did this today and got one from over 1,000 to less than 500. Not too shabby but under 100 is always my goal.)
Wednesday- Dust and vacuum the whole house. I suppose this is technically a housekeeper but it's my list.
Thursday- This could totally be their day off since I'm out of the house most of the day. Maybe cook dinner?
Friday- File paperwork, shred paperwork, fill out paperwork.

Every day- They would help with the kid taxi duties. OMG the taxi is killing me.

So, what tasks would you farm out?

Fitness, or You mean you have to work out regularly?

Last January my husband decided that we all needed to get in shape. Clean up our eating. Join the gym. You know, the regular resolution stuff.

So he headed out to the gym and signed us all up. Yes, both of the kids too.

It stuck for about 6 weeks with the kids. A little longer for us, but here we are, 11 months later and I don't think we've set foot in the gym in 5 months. Or more. It's kind of embarrassing to admit that, yet, here we are.

I think the most frustrating part for me was/is that now that I'm, ahem, a little older, it takes longer to see the results that I want. Like the image above, I expect immediate, spectacular results. I know it's about being healthier in general. Eating right, moving, strengthening. All good things, no doubt. But really, what is in the back of my mind through all of it is that perfect Cindy Crawford body (or insert your favorite woman's body here.) Thin, fit, healthy, and always looks good in clothes. (And out of clothes, but only one person in my life gets to see that.)

I know that I need to move. At one time I was thisclose to becoming a certified aerobics instructor, so I know that our bodies need to move to stay healthy. I wish that I could be better at making myself get up to go to the gym. I feel better when I do. I look better when I do.

So this is my way of giving myself a pep talk. Next week, I'll go. Even if it's only once, I'll go. Then maybe, just maybe, I can turn once into twice.