Anybody Out There

Wow... has it really been this long since  I have posted something.

YEP

Happy New Year!  Better late than never.

In all seriousness I have missed my blog.   Blogging was always a fun outlet for me and now that I am in a different place in my life I thought it would be a good time to start it back up.  A lot has happened in the past few years.

So what's it going to be about.... anything, everything, something, and nothing.  Just sharing my journey with you in hopes that maybe you find something useful to help you with your journey.

It appears I have lost my signature.  I will get around to creating a new one.

Until then,

Takij

Banana Cream Pie

First of all I think I need to say Happy Belated Mother's Day to all the mothers out there.  This mother's day was pretty nice.

My one request was a Banana cream pie.  My oldest made one for Easter and I knew I needed another one.  Perfect occasion. Both daughters slaved away in the kitchen making my pie and pies for some of the neighborhood mothers.  Yummy, yummy, yummy.  I demolished this pie.  It was a total sugar rush.  There were water bottles on deck for me to detox but it was sooooooo worth it.  

I also got new leather handbag. Go figure it is the color I envision when I think of banana cream pie.  It is a Canary Coach Phoebe.  Nice and roomy.  Three separate compartments.  LOVE IT!!!  I only have one other Coach bag but I think I may consider this brand a little more.  Here she is at work with me in her very own chair.  My daughters laugh because I will randomly pick up the bag and walk around.  Awesome gift for a purse lover.

Cleaning Day

Yesterday was officially a day of cleaning.  While I didn't get everything cleaned up it was a big dent.  I like things nice and tidy but for some reason it is always like a tornado has whirled through.  My method for yesterday was to spend 30 min in each area.  It is amazing what you can do in 30 min with some focus.  I was quite pleased with the results and plan on doing it like this more often.

There are some charts floating around on the Internet on what to clean if you have 10 min, 20 min, 30 min.  I  may have to revisit one of those an incorporate into my daily efforts.  As I get better I can only hope that 10 min should be the most I need for most things.

Anybody Out There?

Yes, it has been ages and since it is the first of the month for some reason I always revisit my blog.  This time I am actually posting something.  I have done a few things on the 101 in 1001 but need to update the list.  Not a lot but in looking at the list I have realized how much my interests shift and I have outgrown the desire to do some of the things. I am also fine with that.  So what have you all been up too?  That is of course if anyone is still out there.

Seeking Balance

24 hours in a day. So much to do yet seemingly so little time. It is quite a juggling act as of late yet I am still in search of that beautiful balance. Time to learn something, time to teach something, time to cook, time to eat, time to clean, time to do absolutely nothing, time to sleep and time to do the other 10 million other things. I am happy to say I am slowly achieving the balance I am seeking. I don't consider it something that will happen overnight but I am on the right track.

Excuse Me While I Get My Life Together

Chaos seems to be an understatement at this point in my life. I feel like I have a zillion things I am doing while still feeling like I am actually doing nothing. NOT GOOD. This has to stop and stop now. I don't want to constantly feel stuck and look back with the "I-wish-I-would-have's".

So what can I do? Get my act together I guess.

Step 1 will be to take some time for myself. Like actually do it and not just say I am going to do it. Real time for myself to relax, regroup, and just enjoy the moment with no worries about what I need to do. Time where it is all about ME (can that actually exist)!!

What should go into this chunk of time? I don't even know. Maybe go get a pedicure. I haven't done that in ages. Help me out here people!!! No studying. No planning. Fitness stuff doesn't count. Washing my hair doesn't count either. A happy hour would count I think. Tackling some of my 101 items will count as well.

It all starts this week. ME TIME 101. I'll start small with saying 30 minutes a day for me to have only for me. I know this is going to take me a while to figure out so please excuse these random posts. Sometimes it just helps to put your thoughts out there.

Just curious, how do you keep your life in order?

The What I Want Post

Here is my random, it is late, it is to dark to take nailpolish pics for my other post, what is on my mind post.

WHAT I WANT

1. iPad- I have an iPad on my mind 24/7 now. I could be in the bed surfing the net, checking emails, and being productive

2. new cell phone - nothing out that I am CRAZY about but I need something ASAP, perhaps an iPhone or Blackberry

3. new wardrobe - like throw everything in my closet out and start over

4. spa day- who couldn't use one of these, massage, facial, pedicure

5. trip to somewhere warm with a beautiful beach- please and please

What is on your wish list these days?

This Really Bugs Me

I have no idea what the scientific name of these things are but there has been an insane influx of them this summer.  The kids call them “stinkbugs” but thank goodness I haven’t had to be the beneficiary of the odor they emit.  Apparently when they feel threatened or are smashed they release something that is quite offensive.  This was demonstrated by one of the soccer dads shaking one up in hands and telling us to “smell my fingers”.  Umm, no and  thanks.  After a few jokes he even showed a trail of “stink” that the critter left.  YUCK.

They are everywhere.  Hanging out by my front door.  Diving toward me when I am entering and exiting my car.  Don’t be caught standing still.  It is almost like they are out to get me.  I hate bugs.  I have said it before and yes, here, I have posted about my weapons of choice when trying annihilate these suckers from afar.  I did find out that the ant spray works pretty well.  It isn’t an immediate death.  It is slow and torturous which I feel they deserve for all of the fear they inflict upon me.

Oh and then there is this thing on my back screen door.

Can I scream now?

Mrs. Fix It

I am the handyman in my household.  If it is broken and can be taken apart then that would be my job to get it fixed.  Unless it is something really expensive I don't want to be blamed for breaking even more I will typically try to fix it myself.

Well what do we have here? Any thoughts on what this is before I tell you?

Give up? It is a garment steamer, flipped upside down awaiting surgery. I had used it for about 2 minutes and then lots of cloudy dripping water then nothing at all. Mineral buildup was the culprit per the troubleshooting guide and the resolution was to run a water-vinegar solution through it.  That's no fun so I  opted for the learn-something-new-everyday approach.  

There was a ton of sand-like buildup  that was clogging the tubing and the heating well impeding proper water flow through the unit.  Water and vinegar was not  going to fix that amount of deposit.  With lots of meticulous unscrewing of this and that I was able to flush the buildup from the tubing.  Trust me, it was far easier said than done.  In the end there was water everywhere but mission accomplished.  Needless to say this wasn't the best project for my hands and nails.  Lots of chips, scratches, and a few almost burns.

At times I really think I should have been some type of repair person.  I really enjoy taking things apart.  It is even better when I can actually fix it and get it put back together.

High School Mom

I sent my oldest to high school this morning.  She has been quite excited and the day has finally come.   I am officially the mother of a high schooler.  Wow.  You know how you know something is coming and despite what you do to prepare for it, for some reason you never feel fully prepared.  That is how I feel right now.  This day has come, we spent the summer talking about it, shopping, and getting prepared.  Today was it.  Now I sit here moment by moment wondering what she is doing, what she is thinking, how she is feeling.  A typical mother I guess.  Mother of a high schooler.

On a side note we painted her toenails with Zoya Charla last night!! You can't go wrong there.

Hiatus, Happy Happy Joy Joy and Other Random Babbling

I started off the month being diligent with my blogging and then fell off the wagon.  These little hiatus are basically when life has got me doing 20 bazillion other things so no time to blog, paint my nails, or do much else.  By the time I have time to myself it is usually enough time to keel over and get a few winks of sleep.  Anyhow, thanks for still coming around and checking me out.  I love getting comments as well as reading your blogs.

On to other stuff I guess!

Well I was pretty happy when I got $2.19 a gallon for Premium Unleaded.   Lookie here, lookie here!!! $1.87 (really $1.88 but whatever).  I have a gas guzzling SUV.  I am happy.  Crazy enough to stand there and take a picture.  It's the small things.

 

Life has been crazy this summer.  With the kids home my attention has be devoted to them.  They are fun kids to be around.  School starts Tuesday so hopefully my blogging will pick back up again.  It is tough to balance work, family, and time to yourself.  It is the time to yourself that always ends up with the short straw.  Oh well.  No complaints though.  My daughter and I picked up sewing in June so my attention has also been devoted to that.  I love it!!  We started another blog about it but haven't been doing the greatest job keeping it up to date.  I am about to go do that after this.  

I have so many pictures in my camera it is a crying shame.  I want to blog about all of them but when will I find the time.

Purple Heart is coming on Friday.  I have packed up 12 bags of clothes and shoes.  Still not done either.  At least I am getting rid of it and someone who can use it will.  Plus I need to make space for all of my new clothes that I am making for myself.

I am feeling bad because that blood donation I couldn't do, I still haven't gone back to donate. I am completely off schedule.  Bummer.  I have to get back on track with that.  A fellow blogger actually  posted about getting a blood donation.  It does make you feel good to know that you are helping someone, somewhere.  Actually, it makes me feel AWESOME!!

The family went to Hershey Park earlier this summer, I am getting to old for those roller coasters.  I am....wait for it....35 years old although my WiiFit told me I was 43 last night.  In my defense we had added the WiiFit plus and I got some fitness test that I had never done before.

Well I could go on and on.  I feel like I have been gone forever.  I know it hasn' t really been that long but I do miss blogging at least once or twice a week.  Hopefully once I get back on a normal schedule with the kids being back in school I'll get my flow again.

Family Game Nights? Bamboozle Anyone!!

In my family we love to play games.  Getting everyone to play can be a challenge at times but even if it is only 2 of playing we still have fun.  Growing up I would ask my sisters to play games with me all the time.  There were some times when they said yes but of course I remember the times they said no.  That left me to playing games by myself a lot.  Anything from I-DeClare War to Monopoly I would sit and play alone (don't judge me).

We had some family over and pulled an old game out the woodwoork.  Actually the last time I played this game my kids weren't even old enough to play yet.  This game will bring out the competition in everyone.  A lot of laughs and fun to be had.  

 

Objective:  Be first to score required points.

Playing: Two teams try to guess the words the other team came up with for them. Shake up the dice, see what the letters are, make words that start with those letters.  A timer runs while each team makes their list of words.  That is the amount of time the other team will have to guess the words.  The longer it takes for you to make the words, the longer the other team gets to guess them. The clue giver from each team swaps lists.  The clue giver then has to give clues so their team can guess the words on the list. (Not the best description but hopefully you get the gist)

"WHAT" , "HURRY UP", "UMMMMMMM", "COME ON YOU KNOW THIS" always leads to lots of laughs and fun for everyone.  As fun as it is, it gets quite competitive.  

What are your favorites for Family Game Night?

Bummed - Low Iron Means No Blood Donation

As you may have read in previous posts I am all for making sure those who can donate blood do so. Yesterday when I went to do my donation they told me I couldn't. Yep, my iron count was to low. In order to donate you have to have a hemoglobin level of 12.5 g/dL. My count was only 12.3. Waaaaa, I want to cry. They allow you to try twice and both times it was 12.3. This has actually happened before but when they did my second prick to get my level I was where I needed to be to donate.

Boooo, to me. I want to cry. For some reason I feel really bad. The nurse told me there are a number of reasons that can cause it but I can try again in 24 hours. I think I will try to make sure I eat really healthy this week and try again next Monday.

So what can I do. They gave me a list advising me to increase my intake of high iron foods. I think I see where I went wrong.   Having been on vacation last week I wasn't eating the greatest but was taking an iron supplement. Obviously not enough.

Wish me luck for next week. Now all I have to do is find a place.

Oh, and they were really nice. They let me take a snack and gave me some flip flops anyway.  I am pretty sure for the month of August if you donate you get a pair of flip flops.  The flip flops are pretty cool too. If you walk in the sand it will leave an imprint that says Give Blood. Neat!!

Ooops..the flip flop is upside down. You get the idea.  GIVE BLOOD.

Cake For Dinner

Oink Oink but I guess if I don't do this to often I'll be okay. Who am I kidding, I am already kind of irked that I am so out of shape so this doesn't help the matter. My willpower is at an all time low and my daughter decided to bake a cake. It was delicious and as any good parent I had to do my part in making sure that cake was eaten so she knew just how good it was. Cake and milk. Yuuuuuuuuummmmmmmmmmm.



Yep, it didn't even make it out of the pan!!

Fourth of July Mani- I Did Do One

Hey everyone, I am still polishing my nails just not as frequently. This is a quick shot on the mani I did for the 4th of July.



The red polish is Seche Zodiac in Scorpio. The white is this old, old Sally Hansen French Nail polish that works great for stamping. I had probably left the cap off at some point. It is nice and goopy. There is a coat of Finger Paints Floatin' On A Cloud on top for a bit of glitter goodness.

Anyhow, my attention has been quite divided lately so polishing my nails once a week will probably be the norm. With my kids out of school we have been just hanging out, playing games, having girl talks and enjoying each other. My oldest has taken up sewing and I have been enjoying it with her. It is quite addictive as well. Looking for fabrics, patterns, notions, etc. My youngest who is ready to go back to school has been crying bored all the time. If a World Cup game isn't on she is moping around. I have given her a list of a million things to do but none of them will satisfy her boredom. In an effort to have her occupied I offered to do her nails so we will be doing that tonight.

I am about 400 blog posts behind so if I haven't commented in a while sorry. I haven't forgotten you and I will read your posts.

Doritos Mr. Dragon's Fire Chips

My kids and I were in Walmart today and came across a couple of flavors of Doritos we had never tried. We don't eat Doritos on a regular basis but when we see new flavors it is always fun to try them together. We picked up a bag of the Mr. Dragon's Fire Chips flavor and the 1st Degree Burn Blazin' Jalepeno.

(Source)


My, oh, my. The Mr. Dragon's Fire Chips is one of the weirdest things I have ever tasted. When you first put it in your mouth your tongue burns. Then you move on to the other flavors. I couldn't pinpoint what I was tasting but after looking it up it was wasabi. Not my cup of tea.

The 1st Degree Burn Blazin' Jalepeno was pefect though. Nice kick to it.

Tomatoes and Stuff

I love salsa, absolutely love it. So what could be better than homemade salsa. Not to much. My mother came out a few weeks ago to help me plant some herbs she had picked up for me. Green thumb. Not me, not at all. I have the anti-green thumb. She knows it but we enjoy trying. She bought me some oregano, green peppers, rosemary, mint, marjoram and then we went to the store to get a tomato plant and some marigolds. We also got some jalepeno seeds for my daughter to plant.

The tomato is in a pot (actually everything is in a pot) so I could move it as needed into the sun. Plus the dirt in my area is horrible so I would rather leave it in the pot with so organic soil. We get everything in their pots, had a good laugh about the 5 pots sitting in the middle of the yard and crossed our fingers.

Surely if I planted it in the middle of my yard the guy who cuts the grass would have just rolled right over it to. When they came all I had to do is grab the pots and put them on my steps.


My poor tomato pot keeps falling over. Every morning it is on its side. And then the poor leaves looked so withered and sad. The blooms I had looked like they were dried up and about to die. My mom told me the blooms are where the tomatoes grow so I thought surely I had killed my poor plant.

I felt like it needed to be inside with me. Yes, I know, direct sunlight but we really do get a good amount of sun in our "sunroom". After some nuturing over the weekend I took it back outside this morning. It looked a little happier. And there was one tiny tomato on it.

When I went to take some more pictures I was pleasantly surprised to see another little tomato that I had missed.

I didn't kill it!! Yet :-( I'll try to enjoy this as long as I can. I love my plants and have always loved that my mother has a green thumb. She always laughs at my plant issues and gives me great advice to try and revive them.

Gas Prices..

Gas prices drive me bananas. Thank goodness the grocery store I shop at offers discounted gas for shopping there.

Yea, for discounted gas. My gas guzzler takes premium so I was quite please to get such a discount.

Random Vacation Pics

Has it really been since Friday since I blogged. Seems like forever. My drive with all of my pics is taking forever to backup and currently inaccessible sooooo I am looking though the pictures I have on my local drive. Wow, what a lot of memories. I think I will just spam you with random vacation pics from over the years if you don't mind.


Atlantis

This is from the underwater tunnel at Atlantis in the Bahamas.

I would go there over and over. Scary dude!!

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Chesapeake Bay Bridge

Odd picture but it was kind of cool at the time. I was on a cruise to Bermuda that left out of Baltimore. We had to go under the Bay Bridge. This boat just cleared that bridge.
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Jungfraujoch- The highest point in Europe
This was in Switzerland. It is not the highest point, it is the highest railroad station, or

something like that. Either way all I know is it was breathtaking to be that high

up in the mountains.

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Random foolishness at the hotel in Riviera Maya.

They actually came over and tried the throw my husband in the pool.

One of the best laughs I have ever had!!

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It has been a while since I have been out of the country on vacation but am thankful for the many times I was able to go. I am trying to think where I would like to go next. Do any of you have any great vacations coming up?

Going, Going, Gone

Yep, the amount of time it took for me to type the title was probably the amount of time it took for me to gobble this delight down. One of my faves.

What are you getting from the ice cream truck this summer?