General Observations:
It would take a garden rake and a blow torch to exfoliate me. I question if bathing in a tub of advanced healing lotion could hydrate and heal my extra dry skin. Don't take me to the zoo I could be mistaken for an alligator.
Letting my hair grow out causes mood alterations. This is a time when I should consider hair extensions for the sake of, not only my marriage but the love of my daughters. Do you think it appropriate to wear my pink World Series ball cap 7 days a week? Even to church?
My tread mill has a thick layer of cob webs formed on it--sitting idle since December. This is a situation that requires immediate intervention.
Question:
Should I take my Grateful Dead or my Woodstock CD as I make my whirl wind drive to Indy to retrieve my eBay winning bid item? There is something about the spouse's big blue van required transportation for this trip) that makes me feel so 70's. If the kids were older I might be tempted to put a bumper sticker on it that says "if this van is a rockin don't come a knockin".
...for those of you dying to know what my bid got me, well you'll just have wait to see!
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Friday, January 26, 2007
What does one do to celebrate they weren't the lucky son of a bitch who bought the $254 million Power Ball Lottery ticket at the grocery store at the top of the street?
A. They have a rootbeer float for breakfast
B. They make homemade spaghetti sauce and meatballs seasoned with Emeril's "baby B-A-M! seasoning"
C. All of the Above
If you don't mind, I'll resume my day dreaming exercise of "if I had only won how would I have spent that money".
A. They have a rootbeer float for breakfast
B. They make homemade spaghetti sauce and meatballs seasoned with Emeril's "baby B-A-M! seasoning"
C. All of the Above
If you don't mind, I'll resume my day dreaming exercise of "if I had only won how would I have spent that money".
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Monday, January 22, 2007
Weekend Recap
Friday: Laid on couch for 13.5 hours balled up with a stomach ache--while I managed to bring Maddi her forgotten clarinet to middle school, pick her up from color guard practice and deliver her to the youth convention at a hotel 30 minutes from home, all while I precisely placed a plastic bag and Alee (my back up permitted driver) in the front seat for safeguard. Finally after the wafting smell of Kevin's take-out Imo's pizza filled the room the toilet and I became one.
Saturday: Laid on couch wondering when my headache would subside. Let's see...after applying a thin layer of "Head On" (which I believe melted the skin off my forehead leaving me with exposed skull) and a few Tylenol, along with a bowl of (lukewarm) Campbell's goldfish noodle soup and a some Gatorade I began to feel better.
Sunday: Watched from the side line as Kevin helped Demi and her friend build the best snowman on the street (sorry neighbors but it's true) from the freshly fallen snow.
Monday: Digging out from under a mess of a house that no one tended to while I lay dying
Friday: Laid on couch for 13.5 hours balled up with a stomach ache--while I managed to bring Maddi her forgotten clarinet to middle school, pick her up from color guard practice and deliver her to the youth convention at a hotel 30 minutes from home, all while I precisely placed a plastic bag and Alee (my back up permitted driver) in the front seat for safeguard. Finally after the wafting smell of Kevin's take-out Imo's pizza filled the room the toilet and I became one.
Saturday: Laid on couch wondering when my headache would subside. Let's see...after applying a thin layer of "Head On" (which I believe melted the skin off my forehead leaving me with exposed skull) and a few Tylenol, along with a bowl of (lukewarm) Campbell's goldfish noodle soup and a some Gatorade I began to feel better.
Sunday: Watched from the side line as Kevin helped Demi and her friend build the best snowman on the street (sorry neighbors but it's true) from the freshly fallen snow.
Monday: Digging out from under a mess of a house that no one tended to while I lay dying
Thursday, January 18, 2007
Turn your brain on.
That is what I heard, yep, those were his exact words--not exactly wise choice of words from a husband's mouth at 635am. Not to mention I was in my car wearing a t-shirt that resembled something Charlie Brown would wear, snow flake patterned flannel PJ bottoms, white socks and cheetah print over fluffed slippers while sporting bed head and bad breath.
Turn your brain on. Me turn my brain on, I'm not the one who left my flute in daddy's car, who took it to work with him, only realizing seconds before zero hour started. The fact I retrieved the flute should warrant some type of honor. So just because I didn't pull up to the squad car window the "proper-cop-way" I got a "turn your brain on".
H-E-L-L-O spouse, the brain only turns on at 635am enough to stop at red lights, go on green and drop kick a 16 year old musician at the band building door of the high school.
So by the time I pulled into the garage at 641am (making not one trip to the high school but two) I was wishing it was five o'clock because I could have used a glass a wine--instead I had a Diet Coke and two Chips Ahoy cookies.
So remember husbands of the world the phrase "turn your brain on" spoken at 635am--well them are fighting words!
That is what I heard, yep, those were his exact words--not exactly wise choice of words from a husband's mouth at 635am. Not to mention I was in my car wearing a t-shirt that resembled something Charlie Brown would wear, snow flake patterned flannel PJ bottoms, white socks and cheetah print over fluffed slippers while sporting bed head and bad breath.
Turn your brain on. Me turn my brain on, I'm not the one who left my flute in daddy's car, who took it to work with him, only realizing seconds before zero hour started. The fact I retrieved the flute should warrant some type of honor. So just because I didn't pull up to the squad car window the "proper-cop-way" I got a "turn your brain on".
H-E-L-L-O spouse, the brain only turns on at 635am enough to stop at red lights, go on green and drop kick a 16 year old musician at the band building door of the high school.
So by the time I pulled into the garage at 641am (making not one trip to the high school but two) I was wishing it was five o'clock because I could have used a glass a wine--instead I had a Diet Coke and two Chips Ahoy cookies.
So remember husbands of the world the phrase "turn your brain on" spoken at 635am--well them are fighting words!
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
Monday, January 15, 2007
I should have read the puppy's mind today because this is what I would have heard her singing a Paul McCartney song...
Stuck inside these four walls, sent inside forever,
Never seeing no one nice again like you,
Mama you, mama you.
If I ever get out of here,
Thought of giving it all away
To a registered charity.
All I need is a pint a day
If I ever get out of here.
Well, the rain exploded with a mighty crash as we fell into the sun,
And the first one said to the second one there I hope you're having fun.
Dog on the run, Dog on the run...
So the girls hurried to find shoes, bolted out the door, jogging up and down and across the street-- like a bullet Uli comes from the yard across the street. In true Stooge form the girls were trying to catch the little shit eater.
Never a dull moment with a puppy in the house.
And I sing now...
the dog's in the cage, the dog's in the cage
Stuck inside these four walls, sent inside forever,
Never seeing no one nice again like you,
Mama you, mama you.
If I ever get out of here,
Thought of giving it all away
To a registered charity.
All I need is a pint a day
If I ever get out of here.
Well, the rain exploded with a mighty crash as we fell into the sun,
And the first one said to the second one there I hope you're having fun.
Dog on the run, Dog on the run...
So the girls hurried to find shoes, bolted out the door, jogging up and down and across the street-- like a bullet Uli comes from the yard across the street. In true Stooge form the girls were trying to catch the little shit eater.
Never a dull moment with a puppy in the house.
And I sing now...
the dog's in the cage, the dog's in the cage
Friday, January 12, 2007
Well I am able to relax a bit now that night one of Demi's contribution to the school play--Beauty and the Beast--has taken to the stage. Here she is (the girl in bright pink) as a "silly girl" swooning for Gaston. Next weeks performance moves from the middle school's Little Theater to the big stage at the high school auditorium.
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
Saturday, January 06, 2007
Last night the spouse and I experienced a first in our near 17 years of parenting...we were home alone.
The girls all had somewhere or something to do. Alee had a date. Maddi was baby-sitting. Demi at a slumber party.
So one would think this would be cause for romanticism--a quiet dinner out with glimmering candles or say even an unmentionable activity...
Oh no, not us. Which leads me to think we are aged before our years. This adoring couple threw on sweats, had a couple of diet Cokes, ate homemade bruschettta and played Scrabble.
Nineteen and a half years of marriage at this is romance at its best.
The girls all had somewhere or something to do. Alee had a date. Maddi was baby-sitting. Demi at a slumber party.
So one would think this would be cause for romanticism--a quiet dinner out with glimmering candles or say even an unmentionable activity...
Oh no, not us. Which leads me to think we are aged before our years. This adoring couple threw on sweats, had a couple of diet Cokes, ate homemade bruschettta and played Scrabble.
Nineteen and a half years of marriage at this is romance at its best.
Thursday, January 04, 2007
Spending the day in solitude, listening to Janis Joplin, while denudating the house of all presence that it was once Christmas. True I always wait till Epiphany but this year the muscle of the house will be at work and I need to have that muscle to carry the beast of a tree to the basement, load her in the colossal size box that is home for the next 11 months. Striped are the twinkling lights of the eves. Lonely hangs the pine wreaths on the front windows. Still standing proud is my snowman collection--January the month of the snowman.
...puppy is being chased in circle while feasting a Christmas candle.
...puppy being chased in a circle while eating the foot of the snowman on the hearth.
...puppy trapped peacefully in the cage.
ssssshhhhhh! I'm doing this in my usual post Christmas attire--my PJ's :-)
...puppy is being chased in circle while feasting a Christmas candle.
...puppy being chased in a circle while eating the foot of the snowman on the hearth.
...puppy trapped peacefully in the cage.
ssssshhhhhh! I'm doing this in my usual post Christmas attire--my PJ's :-)
Monday, January 01, 2007
Friday, December 29, 2006
It isn't often that a 60* December day in STL occurs (despite what my nephew is believing these days) so I suggested we go to the zoo. I had one taker, my 7 year old niece Chloe.
I really enjoyed our special afternoon together--Chloe and Auntie. We walked through the Rivers Edge; saw the elephants. Visited the puffins and penguins. Saw the gorillas. Drank a Coca~Cola. Looked for ice cream with no luck. Kept missing the train everytime we wanted to ride. Saw a real STL cardinal fluttering near the big cats. Decided the loose tooth was so bothersome "Auntie needs to pull it". So I did--a lost tooth in the middle of the zoo deserved a phone call to mom to alert her (and the tooth fairy) of this exciting news. Saw the zebras, the camels and couple of prairie dogs. All the while Chloe instructed me when and what to snap pictures of with my new camera. It was a great day! Just me and little Chloe.
Ich liebe Chloe!
I really enjoyed our special afternoon together--Chloe and Auntie. We walked through the Rivers Edge; saw the elephants. Visited the puffins and penguins. Saw the gorillas. Drank a Coca~Cola. Looked for ice cream with no luck. Kept missing the train everytime we wanted to ride. Saw a real STL cardinal fluttering near the big cats. Decided the loose tooth was so bothersome "Auntie needs to pull it". So I did--a lost tooth in the middle of the zoo deserved a phone call to mom to alert her (and the tooth fairy) of this exciting news. Saw the zebras, the camels and couple of prairie dogs. All the while Chloe instructed me when and what to snap pictures of with my new camera. It was a great day! Just me and little Chloe.
Ich liebe Chloe!
Thursday, December 28, 2006
Christmas was wonderful, filling in so many ways--family, friends, food (my Cocoa Spiced Pork was the hit of the season), presents, presents and presents, games galore. It passes all to quickly.
I don't know what seems more chaotic, all the preparation of Christmas or when my sister arrives from Michigan for a four day visit? My sister in from Michigan!
God bless all the mothers of the world who have more than three children. I think for the last 12 hours I have been trailing behind five kids (Alee is out of town) with my dust buster in hand catching cookie crumbs--no that is my sister's cookie crumbs. There are pillows and blankets everywhere. Suitcases. The fridge is overflowing even more now with prime rib and turkey that traveled all the way from Detroit just to be eaten (so not to spoil in waste).
Chloe, my youngest niece requested a bubble bath in my jet tub. Bubbles almost suffocated the poor child, but she loved it. Uli has found feast in the hair of her American Girl dolls; which leaves me chasing the puppy in circles.
It is so gorgeous here today I sent the kids outdoors to play. I heard my nephew say "we don't need coats in STL they have two seasons spring and summer". Although a total incorrect assumption, spoken like a true Michigander--yikes say it isn't so!
Alee and Kevin arrived safely in Bayou La Batre, Alabama to rehab Katrina houses.
I believe rest and relaxation will come January 3 when my girls are back in school!
For all the cooks out there here is the pork recipe:
Seared Pork Tenderloin w/ Cocoa Spice Rub
1 T whole white peppercorns
1 T whole coriander
4 1/2 T cinnamon
2 t. nutmeg
1 t. ground cloves
3 1/2 T unsweetened cocoa powder
4 T sea salt
2-2 lb. pork tenderloins
2 T olive oil
Preheat oven to 400 In a medium saucepan over med heat, toast peppercorns and coriander seeds until they begin to pop. Remove from heat and grind to a fine powder in a spice mill or coffee grinder (I use a chopper). Mix the ground pepper and coriander w/ remaining spices, cocoa and salt.
Trim the pork tenderloins of fat and silver skin. Rub w/a generous amount of the rub. Heat the olive oil over med heat in a large sauté pan. Sear all sides of the tenderloins until a rich brown color is achieved, about 2 min. per side. Remove from pan and finish in the oven for about 10 min or until cooked thru.
Let the tenderloins rest out of the oven for at least 10 min. before slicing. Extra rub will keep for up to 3 months in an airtight container.
Notes: This makes a lot of rub but I like to keep it on hand because once it is made the most time consuming part is done. I have also used black peppercorns and don't see any problem w/it. I have found that 10 min. is not enough to cook the meat thru. I use a meat thermometer and take them out when it reads 160, let it rest, and it is usually done perfectly.
Friday, December 22, 2006
In an effort to bolster my Christmas cheer I have been sampling (over the last two days) the cocktails I will be serving at the multiple family gatherings (I am hosting) this weekend.
First, the pomegranate martini should only be drank with a full stomach of food--whoaaaa nelly it got me when I was not expecting. Tasty though, very tasty!
POMETINI
1/2 oz. Pomegranate Schnapps
1 oz citrus vodka
splash of sprite or lemonade
shake and pour in chilled martini glass
Tonight I am being held hostage in the kitchen-- first by need, second by the high school Christmas party that is happening in my downstairs rec room, so I figured good time to sample cocktail number two, the White Christmas (with 58* Midwestern winter temperatures this is as white as Christmas is going to get). My dear friend Lucy's chocolate chunk pecan cookie bars are turning out to be a wonderful compliment to my "White Christmas".
WHITE CHRISTMAS
This sweet cocktail can be used as a dessert, too. Though similar to regular eggnog, the white chocolate liqueur makes this drink even more decadent. Serve with cookies or a simple dark chocolate poundcake for a rich ending to the evening (or in my case the beginning, middle and end).
4 ounces eggnog (homemade or commercially prepared) 1/2 ounce white chocolate liqueur 1 ounce Southern Comfort
Directions: Mix all the ingredients and serve straight up in a snifter.
Servings: 1 cocktail.
So I raise my glass to all my family and friends wishing you all a blessed and Merry Christmas!
***************************************************
Alee, Liz and Mary's party was a success. Let me just say at the high school parties I went to there was never food available! My ole' high school friend came over tonight to keep me company-- we decided we should have been in the band they have respectable parties with not only a smorgasborg of food but, games, karokee, poker, Twister, etc, etc...
First, the pomegranate martini should only be drank with a full stomach of food--whoaaaa nelly it got me when I was not expecting. Tasty though, very tasty!
POMETINI
1/2 oz. Pomegranate Schnapps
1 oz citrus vodka
splash of sprite or lemonade
shake and pour in chilled martini glass
Tonight I am being held hostage in the kitchen-- first by need, second by the high school Christmas party that is happening in my downstairs rec room, so I figured good time to sample cocktail number two, the White Christmas (with 58* Midwestern winter temperatures this is as white as Christmas is going to get). My dear friend Lucy's chocolate chunk pecan cookie bars are turning out to be a wonderful compliment to my "White Christmas".
WHITE CHRISTMAS
This sweet cocktail can be used as a dessert, too. Though similar to regular eggnog, the white chocolate liqueur makes this drink even more decadent. Serve with cookies or a simple dark chocolate poundcake for a rich ending to the evening (or in my case the beginning, middle and end).
4 ounces eggnog (homemade or commercially prepared) 1/2 ounce white chocolate liqueur 1 ounce Southern Comfort
Directions: Mix all the ingredients and serve straight up in a snifter.
Servings: 1 cocktail.
So I raise my glass to all my family and friends wishing you all a blessed and Merry Christmas!
***************************************************
Alee, Liz and Mary's party was a success. Let me just say at the high school parties I went to there was never food available! My ole' high school friend came over tonight to keep me company-- we decided we should have been in the band they have respectable parties with not only a smorgasborg of food but, games, karokee, poker, Twister, etc, etc...
Everything is cleaned up, at nearly 1am I am crawling into my bed to wake in the morning to holiday chores.
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
Pardon the interruption in MY LIFE... I will be cleaning Maddi's bedroom all day (hopefully I will finish today).
So far, in the closest, I have found last year's Hershey chocolate Santa. Mmmmm should be be pretty tasty now-- if not the festive wrapper is in synch with the season.
I regret to inform Maddi last spring break project-- cutting a magazine in confetti size pieces of paper has gone to the trash. The jewelry box that held it once again holds jewelry.
The gold balloon hiding in the pillow sham is now free and ready to celebrate New Years.
The neon green sock you never could find well... it has been rescued from the depth of the closest, along with so many other items it is not worth listing them all. Imagine wearing two green socks?
I am doing this task, monumental task alone to preserve my Joan Crawford Mommy Dearest persona for another more deserving occasion.
Brief intermission in the cleaning to retrieve Maddi from the 8th grade and mossy on down to the doctor to be diagnosed with what is sure to become bronchitis if not for the administered antibiotics.
So far, in the closest, I have found last year's Hershey chocolate Santa. Mmmmm should be be pretty tasty now-- if not the festive wrapper is in synch with the season.
I regret to inform Maddi last spring break project-- cutting a magazine in confetti size pieces of paper has gone to the trash. The jewelry box that held it once again holds jewelry.
The gold balloon hiding in the pillow sham is now free and ready to celebrate New Years.
The neon green sock you never could find well... it has been rescued from the depth of the closest, along with so many other items it is not worth listing them all. Imagine wearing two green socks?
I am doing this task, monumental task alone to preserve my Joan Crawford Mommy Dearest persona for another more deserving occasion.
****
Brief intermission in the cleaning to retrieve Maddi from the 8th grade and mossy on down to the doctor to be diagnosed with what is sure to become bronchitis if not for the administered antibiotics.
I do believe I sent a memo to every member of my family it read: NO ONE IS ALLOWED TO BE ILL UNTIL TUESDAY DECEMBER 26, KEVIN AND ALEE NO ILLNESS UNITL YOU RETURN FROM YOUR KATRINA RELIEF TRIP ON DECEMBER 31.
Sunday, December 17, 2006
If you could go back in time and relive certain days would you? I would.
I would relive the days of the birth of each of my daughters.
That feeling, that rush of a love like no other--unconditional love. To hold there tiny sweet naive beings in my arms. To trace there petite lips with my finger, then leaning forward to tenderly kiss my baby girl(s). The fingers, the toes, to stroke the hair (well Maddi's hair since she was born with a mop of it)...
Why all this reflection? Maddi turned 14 today. In the blink of an eye time has raced forward, not allowing me soak in every moment and every cherished memory of my "baby girl".
Happy Birthday Maddi, I love you much!!!!!
Side Note: the portion of Maddi's birth I would change is having the knowledge that whatever you scream out in those birthing rooms transcends through the entire hospital--screaming out "SH*%, SON-OF-A-B*^(#@ this hurts" for all to hear, well I would be glad not to have that on moment recorded on a home DVD.
I would relive the days of the birth of each of my daughters.
That feeling, that rush of a love like no other--unconditional love. To hold there tiny sweet naive beings in my arms. To trace there petite lips with my finger, then leaning forward to tenderly kiss my baby girl(s). The fingers, the toes, to stroke the hair (well Maddi's hair since she was born with a mop of it)...
Why all this reflection? Maddi turned 14 today. In the blink of an eye time has raced forward, not allowing me soak in every moment and every cherished memory of my "baby girl".
Happy Birthday Maddi, I love you much!!!!!
Side Note: the portion of Maddi's birth I would change is having the knowledge that whatever you scream out in those birthing rooms transcends through the entire hospital--screaming out "SH*%, SON-OF-A-B*^(#@ this hurts" for all to hear, well I would be glad not to have that on moment recorded on a home DVD.
Friday, December 15, 2006
Pass the hand lotion...
Scrubbing the house down with bleach (in an attempt to pass off the idea that my house is always near white glove testing quality clean) can really suck all the moisture from the skin.
Oh Jo your white counters look fabulous, however do you keep them so white? But you know only a moran would have white kitchen counters.
But I am hoping, like last year, my sister-in-law walks into my house on Christmas Day for our festive family gathering, and says "who does your cleaning"--to which I will once again reply (smiling while snickering under neath) "well I do it all!"
... And then I will smile once more knowing the dust and dirt will begin reappearing the next day.
Now, if you would pass that lotion again...
Scrubbing the house down with bleach (in an attempt to pass off the idea that my house is always near white glove testing quality clean) can really suck all the moisture from the skin.
Oh Jo your white counters look fabulous, however do you keep them so white? But you know only a moran would have white kitchen counters.
But I am hoping, like last year, my sister-in-law walks into my house on Christmas Day for our festive family gathering, and says "who does your cleaning"--to which I will once again reply (smiling while snickering under neath) "well I do it all!"
... And then I will smile once more knowing the dust and dirt will begin reappearing the next day.
Now, if you would pass that lotion again...
Thursday, December 14, 2006
It is our tradition that the wisemen travel the house till they reach the navity on Christmas Eve night--mode of transportation, the girls feet.
When our Christmas baking commenced last Saturday, in marched the three wisemen. Baking ceased--finally-- last night and the wisemen can't seem to bring themselves to travel out of the kitchen.
What is the reason...The peanut kiss cookies? The rolo cookies? My grandma's toffee squares? Or is it my grandma's potato chip cookies? Could it be grandma's Christmas holly cookies (they are the girls favorite, my brother's too)? I know, the spritz? Maybe it is the ordinary chocolate chunk or oatmeal raisin cookies that keep these wise guys hanging out, hovering over the platter of cookies.
What ever the reason I think I will let them know it is time to be moving on...
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
I have been wanting, waiting for nearly 15 years for this...
I can now say I HAVE A NEW MAILBOX! (pardon me while I do my happy dance)
It is the most beautiful thing, in its hue of bronze with it artistic post-- curved and straight lines. No more chewed bubble gum to hold the red flag up for a mail pick up. No more digging around in the snow to find the flag after the pick up. No more beating the rust lose to free the letters (and bills) from it fifteen layers of black paint (applied lovingly in an effort to resurrect it for yet another year). She is so beautiful, my new mailbox.
...subconsciously we are thinking this mailbox will cause our beloved mailman to postpone his retirement.
But in the meantime she is open for business and accepting Christmas cards.
I can now say I HAVE A NEW MAILBOX! (pardon me while I do my happy dance)
It is the most beautiful thing, in its hue of bronze with it artistic post-- curved and straight lines. No more chewed bubble gum to hold the red flag up for a mail pick up. No more digging around in the snow to find the flag after the pick up. No more beating the rust lose to free the letters (and bills) from it fifteen layers of black paint (applied lovingly in an effort to resurrect it for yet another year). She is so beautiful, my new mailbox.
...subconsciously we are thinking this mailbox will cause our beloved mailman to postpone his retirement.
But in the meantime she is open for business and accepting Christmas cards.
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