Red Rider lives at the Zoo

Out for a Cruse

2009-02-10T06:30:00.002-08:00

This may not be an exact account of what happened on that April night; after all I was only 7 years old...but it's as I remember it. It's as it is in my dreams, the dreams that still haunt me from time to time, most recently two nights ago. The mind is a funny thing, and maybe I shouldn't have even been affected by what I saw or what I *think* I remember I saw but there it lies still waiting until I feel content and then creeping back into my subconscious like a thief in the night and reminding me that you never know what might happen next...

In 1987 I was in 2nd grade, other than my parents nasty divorce I hadn't come across much adversity in my life. I hadn't lost a loved one to old age or any else for that matter. I lived a normal quiet life with my dad, my stepmom and my two younger brothers. We stopped at our local KMart on a Thursday night. I don't remember what we needed to pick up, or why we might have been compelled to stop. It didn't matter anyway because it wasn't the stop that changed the way I looked at life, it was what happened afterwards.

My father was a plumber, he had just had a hernia surgery. I remember we were checking out and he decided to get a head start to the car, he was still walking with a bit of a limp, slowly...deliberately. My brothers were in the cart and my mom was paying so I decided to walk with my dad. As we reached the double doors leading outside things changed in a flash. A white car backfired outside and a man hit the pavement, but there was blood. Why was there blood from a car backfiring? Why was he laying in the road? And why was my dad going after him? I remember my dad pushing me back inside and telling the cashiers to call the police...someone is shot. Someone is SHOOTING still. Everyone looked at him in stunned faced silence, crazy man with a limp. What is he talking about?

The next few minutes are a blur, I vaguely remember someone helping my father drag the wounded man inside...or do I? Is that an addition to my memory over time? I remember them ushering us to the back of the store, to lie in wait for the Crazy Man with the Gun to come in and find us and kill us all like rats in a trap. My dad and mom didn't feel that was a good idea so instead we took off, dashing through the parking lot. I remember screams of STAY DOWN STAY DOWN, GET IN THE FLOORBOARDS AND STAY DOWN. I remember arriving home safely. I remember trying to be shielded from the news on the television of the stand off in the shopping center where the Crazy Man with the Gun had killed 6 people, 10 people, 12 people...no one seemed to know and now he was holding a poor girl hostage.

The standoff lasted well into the night, long after I had been made to go to bed. Long after the nightmares of the Crazy Man with the Gun remembering my face and finding me began. I remember my mother coming into my room and telling me that they caught him and it was over. But for me it's never really been over. I don't even know that we were ever in real danger that night but I know that it changed how I looked at the world, seeing Bad People around every corner. Worrying that the strange or furtive looks that come from anyone on the street might lead to gunfire and mayhem. I know that I still dream of William Cruse 22 years later.

William Cruse really did kill 6 people on April 23, 1987. 4 were college students and 2 were police officers. He wounded close to 20 others, set off because some children were bouncing a basketball too loudly near his home. I believe he is still on death row in Florida to this day.

I've got a riddle for you...

2009-02-03T10:21:00.000-08:00

What do you get when you mix 4" of snow with 30 mph winds?

Give up????

11" drifts!

This is my driveway which was devoid of snow this morning. I'm not sure how Brian is going to get the little Ion into the garage...but our huge driveway and I are not going to be getting along! With the windchill it's a whopping -8*!!

...

2009-01-13T08:44:00.000-08:00

It's so hard to convey the right words or images when the need arises to send a sympathy card. If you've ever grieved the loss of a loved one you know that you appreciate getting condolences from others, but creating the card to send, as a card maker is always so difficult.

I do love the Notes of Prayer set from Verve. The cross is beautiful. I made this card today for a friend of Brian's who's father in law passed away over the weekend.

Ariel DP by Memory Box
Notes of Prayer by Verve
Sentiment by PTI
SU! artichoke, baja and mustard

Bad Blogger

2009-01-12T11:20:00.000-08:00

Just popping on to say hi and not much else. I promise to do better soon. I've stamped every day of the new year so far (except yesterday) so I've got some stuff to share just had to much other stuff going on to take the time.

Don't forget me!

I get by with a little help from my friends...

2008-12-29T08:20:00.000-08:00

Today is my birthday. Happy 30th Birthday to ME.

As is customary on my birthday, I got some really crappy news. Stupid, STUPID people.

But I won't dwell on that, because this post is about getting by with a little help from my friends. I will pause for a little musical interlude...

Including a nice karaoke scroll in case you want to sing along!

Now that you are still humming along...I'd like to share with you a gift I received in the mail today. I was very LOW. I was very very LOW when I went to my mailbox and found a soft and squishy package from my friend Tracy. Intrigued I ran to my stamp room to grab scissors to open this package...and what did I find???

THE MOST AWESOME AND THOUGHTFUL GIFT I COULD HAVE GOTTEN TODAY.

But wait first let me remind you how much I love funky socks...See here I am as Velma with my teal, chocolate and orange argyle socks on. I wore these so much there was nothing left but threads...

Then there is my new find this year. Knee high chocolate and mustard socks. I wear these at least twice a week. Socks ROCK. I also have about 7 pairs of toe socks and a huge supply of other cool color combos...

The gift I opened contained these. 8 pairs of socks for an array of different holidays. There was St Patricks Day....White with green shamrocks...

Then we had 4th of July, complete with stars and stripes. I am totally diggin' this gift....

Then came Halloween. Check out witchy poo on the back. She is crackin' my ass up. By this point I'm thinking Bad News Schmad News...I love my friends!

and this cornucopia is kicking my ass. I had to get a close up. Sorry my hands aren't really steady but I think you get the idea.

and who could resist a cute pink bunny nose?

Or a fuzzy snowman?

Hearts for Valentines Day

or arguably one of my favorites...Bad Ass Mardi Gras socks...SA-Freakin' WEET!

40 kids? NO MORE CANDY!!!!

2008-12-18T12:57:00.000-08:00

Bradan and Kenzie's classes are combining for one big holiday party tomorrow. That's 40 kids! 40 kids and 40 treat bags coming home. I know that most of them will just be loaded with candy and that's really the last thing we need around here! We're still loaded down wiSo I decided that my kids would just give out Snowman Soup this year.

I wanted it to be cute, but I didn't want to spend a TON of time because hello, we are talking about 2, 3 and 4 year olds here. They aren't going to be too interested in the packaging!

Here's what I came up with....the cups were 4 for $1 at Walmart. I used cocoa in the canisters and measured out a single serving into a cellophane bag, topped with mini marshmellows and tied it off with some sheer ribbon and a candy cane.

And a close up of the tag. I used my Just Rite Stampers to make these. I thought they were a cute touch ;)

FYI...I know they are blurry. I haven't been able to take a clear picture since we got this camera a year ago! I need a new one. I honestly think all the kid beatings that this thing has taken has affected its usability!

I should be doing one of a million things...

2008-12-15T10:44:00.000-08:00

But instead I spent an hour and a half coloring this image! I've had this stamp forever and never taken the time to color it before. I used my copics although the background gave me a bit of trouble...I think it turned out really pretty!

I didn't want to do a whole lot with the card because I really feel like the image stands alone, but I did use some Basic Grey paper behind the image so it wasn't totally plain and I put some Shimmerz on her wings and skirt. I should have taken a close up but as I mentioned in the post title I have a bazillion things to do and really should get started!

A little something for Mo...

2008-12-12T12:13:00.000-08:00

My cousin Moriah is 18. She is sweet and funny and extremely popular. She is on the swim team and the volleyball team and has a boyfriend whom she has dated for over a year now...maybe even two years. I should ask her. Anyway. My point is...she still makes time to bail me out when I am in dire straits and need a night out. Despite her hectic and busy schedule, she rarely tells me NO when I ask her to please, please, please sit for my heathens. When I am sure there are times when she could think of a million more interesting things to do! In fact, she rarely even lets me pay her...usually in fact, only when I can stuff money in her coat pocket on her way out the door...

I wanted to do something for her this Christmas to let her know how much we appreciate her. Bradan and Kenzie love her so much and she is great with them. So I set out to make her a journal (she loved the ones I did for bible study a few months back when I showed them to her for an opinion) and ended up doing a tin, a mini notebook and a set of monogrammed cards. She comes to my stamp club so I know she loves crafty things. I just hope they turned out "hip" enough for her ;)

She wouldn't tell me otherwise, but...still I hope I got it right! Here is a close up of the tin, you can't tell in this picture but there is shimmerz (angel wings...thanks Rach) on the soft sky circle. It gives it a nice subtle glitz. I am in love with that stuff!

The top, you can see the shimmerz on the paper here and on the flowers also...

A close up of the nicely shimmery flowers. Did I mention I love that stuff? Wow it is so easy to use (just a regular paintbrush works fine) and TADA. A great addition to any project.

the A2 box I made using a tutorial found on Splitcoaststampers. I used Fancy Pants KEWL papers for this entire project. I had a ton of them left over from last year's purchase and I thought they would be great colors for a college bound chick. You thinks??? I doubt you can find KEWL leftover anywhere but the About a Boy line rocks. Check it out at Jacksonbelle Embellishments

Monogrammed cards. Very simply done. I didn't want them to be costing her a fortune to send from college and we all know how the post office is in LOVE with us card makers. It's getting ridiculous what they will try to charge to send a card! I used my Just Rite Stampers for the borders and the letters. They work great with Nestabilities!

The journal. This is just a $1 composition book from the "everything's a $1" store. The insides are covered with kiwi kiss SU! paper and there is also a ribbon that can be used as a page marker and a separate ribbon at the back for the matching pen. Yes, I know the "M" is too close to the edge. I used the SU Sticky Cut letters and the darn thing touched the page when I was trying to line it up. OOOPS! I had to make do...but AH....here is the matching pen as well...

I am occasionally a HORRIBLE HORRIBLE friend...

2008-12-09T06:09:00.000-08:00

About 3 weeks ago now, we had a LOSTie Secret Sister round reveal. If you don't know what a LOSTie is, or you've never heard of a Secret Sister round...well bear with me or skip this post MMMKAY?

My Big Sister was Stacy. She is incredibly generous when it comes to LSS. And me, I'm a horrible little sister and I keep forgetting to post all the WONDERFUL goodies that she sent to me. But NOT anymore! HA! I'm putting them all right here for you people to OOGLE at and get JEALOUS because I GOT THEM and YOU DIDN'T!

NANA NANA BOO BOO!

Everything...

Scentsy

Continue working with the History Brush and Patch tools...

2008-12-08T07:52:00.000-08:00

Pick up the nearest book of at least 123 pages.
Don't pick the coolest or most impressive one, just the NEAREST one.
Open the book to page 123. Find the fifth sentence and post it! *
Spread this tag to 5 people

A HUGE GIVEAWAY! Enter to win...or don't because then I totally won't win...whatev

2008-12-03T07:20:00.000-08:00

Did you know that HP is giving away 50 prizes through bloggers like YOU and ME? Each prize pack is valued around $6000 and is filled with TONS and TONS of awesome HP products. Casey at Moosh In Indy is one of the LUCKY bloggers who is giving away a package and she’s giving ME and YOU a chance to win.

First let me say, don’t enter ;) because if you enter…I won’t win. I never win. (WAH, right Casey?) But, you certainly can’t win if you don’t try and I always TRY at least. That makes me less of a sore loser no?

Casey wants to know WHO I might share my prize package with. What would little ol’ me do with $6000 worth of HP products including 4 computers? Well Casey, I’d keep one for myself. Most definitely because while the gift of giving is great, keeping a little something for yourself is also FABULOUS! My hubby would just drool over the media server so we’d have to keep that for ourselves too. But I’d be giving it to him for Christmas so it counts…right? ;)

My Brother in Law is in the Army, he has been spending a LOT of time deployed overseas (twice this year and the ENTIRE year my sister was pregnant and the first few months of my nieces life) and my sister would LOVE to be able to communicate with him via email so I would definitely be hooking her up with one as well. They’ve got a two year old little girl who definitely needs to see and hear from her daddy as much as possible!

My church is a new church that began just a few years ago. We’re in the process of designing a building and actually BUILDING our own place. Along with that comes a lot of other things that we need to acquire and I think that they would LOVE a new computer for their offices.

For the last computer I would totally do something random like run a contest locally for soon-to-be-college students and give it away to someone who would otherwise be without a laptop heading into those perilous years where sharing a computer with complete strangers to get work done could totally SUCK.

I would keep the Blu-ray Kung Fu Panda for my kiddo’s. I would donate the other two copies to the giving tree, toys for tots or some other Christmas charity gathering things for children who are less fortunate.

The printer and photo package would be a great shower gift for my friend who is getting ready to have a baby and will have TONS of reasons to be printing pictures really soon!

Phew. That’s a LOT of stuff, HP is wonderful for doing this and they’d be a whole lot MORE wonderful if I WON!

Army Strong

2008-11-28T04:57:00.000-08:00

Uncle Andy is in town. He just got home from being deployed to Afghanistan. This morning, Bradan wanted him to see how STRONG he is. So he showed him how many push ups he can do. Uncle Andy told him if he brings that form to the Army he can revolutionize PT as he knows it!

I told Bradan he can do more pushups than daddy :)

Kids say the darndest things part 2163

2008-11-26T05:11:00.000-08:00

I gotta tell ya. This kid...he kills me.

Even when he doesn't try he's funny. Apparently however, I need to work with him. I need to explain a few things about our religion a little more clearly.

You see this is our pastor.

Pastor Aaron. He's a great pastor. He makes me want to learn more about our religion. It has come to my attention that Bradan reveres him a little more than I do though.

Yesterday, I was looking at our church website trying to find some dates for our Christmas program to tell my MIL. As I'm scrolling, Bradan is sitting on my lap and when he sees this picture of Aaron he shouts.

MOM!!!!

LOOK!!!!!!

It's GOD!

Thanksgiving is a time for MESSES

2008-11-25T10:54:00.000-08:00

Especially in MY kitchen. Let's take an informal poll...are you a "clean" cook? Or are you a messy one? For instance when you're making something does your kitchen resemble this???

I started my Thanksgiving cooking yesterday. I made pie crusts which are currently chillin' in the fridge (pun intended), I also for the fun of it made THESE cinnamon rolls. And I crushed 3/4 of a lb of ginger snaps so I could make a crust for my cheesecake that I'll be making tomorrow. Note to Santa, I'd love a food processor. A GOOD one. I've been good. But, I know I know I got that nice TV already. Maybe next year ok?

Today, I got up and made a second batch of the cinnamon rolls using my own icing instead of the one listed in that recipe. I just used powdered sugar 4oz of cream cheese, a few splashes of milk and some vanilla. Brian loved the rolls but doesn't dig coffee much so I ended up with 3 pans of maple icing and 3 of cream cheese. Then I had just a TEENY bit of dough left and I didnt' want to put it in a pan of cinnamon rolls all by itself so I made up a few dinner rolls. Which miraculously use the same recipe. How neat is that???

FYI: These babies are GOOOOOOOOD. Oh my are they good. I ate TWO with my lunch straight out of the oven. WOW-EEE-WOW-WOW! This is a great recipe for yeast rolls. I had a different one I used to use but I'm switching. Light, fluffy, oh so good!

So, then next on my list is my noodles. Homemade egg noodles. I fix them with some turkey and cook them in the turkey broth with a few spices. Nice. One of my favorites at Thanksgiving. They are super easy to make, the only real pain is you have to make them ahead of time so they can dry. I usually let them dry overnight. They don't have to be SUPER DRY (read: they dont' have to be brittle) but you want them to dry out quite a bit before cooking them. Also, it doesn't take long to cook them when they are fresh like that. Boiling broth, max of 10 minutes. Just keep checking them.

Mix together 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour and a "pinch" of salt. (I use about 2 tsp roughly) Add 2 beaten eggs, 1/2 cup of milk and a tbsp of butter and knead dough until it's smooth. (About 5 minutes) Let rest in a covered bowl for 10 minutes.

Place dough on a floured surface

Roll the dough out flat. (This is a preference thing as to HOW flat. I like my noodles to be like the Raeme's Frozen noodles so that's the thickness I go for)

Now for this part there are TWO ways that work. I recently got a pastry cutter so I've got pictures of this way. However, if you don't have a pastry cutter in years passed I have rolled the dough towards me so that you end up with a log and then just cut off strips, unrolled to let dry. Here's how I did it this year. Cut the flattened dough into strips one at a time.

Then cut those strips into pieces.

until you have the entire pile cut up. Oh another thing I do is divide my dough into two balls before I start so that there is less to work with at once...

As you can see, it doesn't really matter if your size is consistent. Your thickness will be and that's what really matters. I use to try and be perfect in everything I did but my therapist told me that isn't really very healthy. OK, so I don't HAVE a therapist, but I probably need one and IF I had one she'd tell me that my attempts at perfection are futile and I should get a life. Sometimes I hear her talking in my head...

What? Don't you have a therapist in your head too???

I don't even need a reason for this post...

2008-11-17T13:13:00.000-08:00

It's just too cute for words. We've got a Wii Fit. Every night (usually after dinner) we spend a little time "working out" together. It's nice family time and good for us too. Here's a little video of Kenzie doing the hula hoop.

Sorry if it's shaky, I couldn't quit laughing!!!

Christ Is Born!

2008-11-17T09:10:00.000-08:00

Christmas time is upon us boys and girls. In case you didn't realize you have only 38 days until the Big Day. My goal this year is to have all of my Christmas cards done by December 1. That's 13 days from today ;) unbelievable? I know!

Awhile back I ordered some of these Fabriano note cards which I knew I loved but had I no idea what I wanted to do with them. (My friend Rach used to sell them but I have no idea where to tell you to get them now...if you know, tell me please) Enter Saturday night when I had a brainstorm...one layer Christmas cards. Time saving...but I needed them to still look elegant and faboo. Cuz, hey that's just my style.

OK so it's not normally my style but I was trying to break out of my box here. (Speaking of boxes, Charlie Pace is NOT dead, he's in a box in my stamp room dying to be let out...soon!)

Here's what I came up with. 19 cards, made, signed, enveloped and addressed. Only like, 40 to go. ;)

Christ is Born (SU!)
Fabriano note cards
Ruby Red and So Saffron SU! Markers
Versamark/Gold EP

Tammy Fae has NOTHING on her...

2008-11-17T09:09:00.003-08:00

A picture is worth a thousand words...so I'll just leave it at this:

A trip to the museum and kids say the darndest things....

2008-11-04T11:25:00.000-08:00

Today we met my sister in law and niece in the next county to the north and went to their tiny version of a children's museum. It was only $6 per person to get in and we spent 3 hours going through all the exhibits. It was quiet, clean and a lot of fun.

Here the kids are playing with the trains

And the girls dressed up in kimonos in Japan. It was quite the cultural area. With the tatami rooms separated by the rice paper walls.

Bradan in the GIANT toilet. They had this exhibit that was a house that you could climb through the walls and stuff. This toilet led down into the "sewer" system of the house and ended up with a slide. It was a lot of fun. Even mom got flushed! :)

They also had a magnetic table with gears that you could put together and make work. Giant checkers, a garden, finger paints, dance dance revolution, virtual biking and speed cups.

And this face, it's a good thing I love this face...after the museum we went to McDonalds for lunch. Here is the conversation that took place between Bradan and I.

Bradan: I'm done.
Me: Eat your chicken nuggets.
Bradan: But mommy I'm full.
Me: Eat your chicken nuggets.
Bradan: But mommy if I keep eating my belly will get really big...(wait for it....wait for it...)
LIKE YOURS.

My sister in law Sam nearly shot coke out her nose. I was of course mortified. By the truth. But still, mortified. I need to remember this to help me with my diet....

My undying love to the Pioneer Woman, very belated cards, and things Kenzie does that I'm not supposed to know about...

2008-10-30T14:29:00.001-07:00

I am in love with the Pioneer Woman. Please do not fret, my husband knows of this latest infatuation and I think he may hold a special place in his heart for her as well.

She has a plethora of things on her site for all different kinds of people and their interests, photography, cooking, homeschooling, home and garden stuff. Me, I read it all...because I love her.

She introduced me to these potatoes and not only are they easy. They are so flippin good that I don't know what to do with myself when I start eating them. I don't know how to stop! Easy and Yummy could explain why I need to lose 20 lbs....but I digress. I don't totally blame Ree for my waistline, as previously mentioned Chelle has some blame there as well! :)

Hot Crash Potatoes

Boil in salted water as many washed new potatoes as you'd like to serve. Once they are soft remove from water and place on a sheet that has been drizzled with EVOO. I use a fork to split the potatoes and "smash" them. Ree uses a potato masher, I say use whatever the heck you have that looks like it might work.

Then drizzle your potatoes with EVOO, sprinkle with kosher salt and pepper and whatever herb floats your boat. I am partial to parsley. Really, I don't think there is a wrong answer.

Bake at 425* for about 20-25 minutes or until they get a little crispy around the edges. Trust me, you want them brown and crispy. It makes all the difference in the world.

I dare you to eat just one.

Go on, try. I dare you.

Also, I participated in a Halloween swap with my fellow Losties, we each sent an image, card stock, and patterned paper enough for each person participating and then all created a card from the same elements. I think there were 15 in all. I sent some of mine out without taking pictures. DUH. But here are a few pictures of the ones I remembered to snap from.

Maggie's Kit

Justine's Kit

Debbie's Kit

Tammi's Kit (the sword is silver ep and the hat is flocked)

Kim's Kit

Amanda's Kit (I couldn't get a good picture without glare on the acetate)

Jeannie's Kit (the belly is stickled and popped up on dimensionals)

Liz's Kit

Lastly, Kenz got ahold of my camera last night and here are what her pictures look like...

what is this anyway???

and HOW does she manage to take pictures of herself???

I'm FAST....

2008-10-23T15:32:00.000-07:00

Oh good Lord in Heaven above. Please, please help me. I am so screwed. My kids, they've got my number. I'm sitting here at my computer after a long day of very hard work. Trying to just relax. My temper is short because I'm tired and Bradan kicks a ball across the room and it hits me in the face.

I jump up and take off after him and I believe in my heart that I might be whuppin' his butt tonight.

He takes off running. The fear of God in his eyes and a nervous giggle escapes his lips as he shouts

MOMMY YOU CAN'T CATCH ME! I'm SUPER FAST. YEAH. THAT'S ME. SUPER FAST.

Oh and I'm sorry, I wasn't trying to hit you with that ball mommy ok? I'm so so sorry. So stop ok? You couldn't catch me anyway cuz I'm FAST!

Out of my Ever-Lovin' Mind!

2008-10-23T10:53:00.000-07:00

Can someone please tell me WHO? (who wrote the book of love) oops (I did it again)

CRAP CRAP CRAP

WHO!?!?? WHO wakes up one morning and decides to have a garage sale in TWO DAYS? Apparently me.

I blame Grace. She woke up at 7 am and woke up the other kids. Which means I was up at 7 am. Which means I wasn't thinking clearly when I made the decision and PAID FOR AN AD IN THE PAPER...FORCING ME to get everything ready by SATURDAY AT 8 AM.

At 8am I started getting things together. That was 6 hours ago. Other than eating lunch and the occasional phone call to Brian to ask how fond he is of something, I haven't stopped.

I have nothing PRICED, but by golly I have a ton of stuff to put on my lawn and pray that someone wants to take it off my hands.

This is my laundry room, well part of it.....

Here's the other part.

And this mess is in my kitchen...

And my living room....

and my hallway....

oh and my bedroom, can't forget about that!

wait, how did they get in there????

This doesn't even include what's already in the garage and don't even get me started about all the CRAP in the attic. Anyone have oh say the next 42 hours free to help me price this stuff?

Outrageous Brownies!

2008-10-22T07:44:00.001-07:00

Have I, as of yet professed my love for Chelle over at Brown Eyed Baker? She has so many awesome recipes that she shares usually adapted from somewhere but hey, isn't that how we all start our recipes?

I have never made scratch brownies. Scratch cakes, yes. Cookies, YUP! Brownies, no. I mean can you really beat Betty Crocker box brownies?

I'm here to tell you YES YOU CAN. And it doesn't take much longer than tossing in that egg and oil either. And OH MY GOOGLE. They are so worth it. But believe me, when this recipe says WAIT TIL YOUR BROWNIES ARE COMPLETELY COOLED BEFORE CUTTING.

WAIT TIL THEY ARE COMPLETELY COOLED. I cooled mine on the counter for about an hour and then put them in the fridge for another hour. These things are awesome!

So without further horn tooting from me, I share with you gladly

OUTRAGEOUS BROWNIES (recipe from BROWN EYED BAKER

(my notes are in italics...)

(Source: Ina Garten)

Ingredients:
1/2 pound (2 sticks) unsalted butter
1/2 pound (1 1/3 cups) plus 6 ounces (1 cup) semisweet chocolate chips, divided
3 ounces unsweetened chocolate (I didn't have this, so I used 3 tbsp of Hershey's cocoa & 1 tbsp of Vegetable oil for each ounce)
3 extra-large eggs
1.5 tablespoons instant coffee powder (I omitted this ingredient)
1 tablespoon real vanilla extract
1 cup + 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1/2 cup + 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour, divided
4 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1.5 cups diced walnut pieces (also optional, I left them out because really...nuts and chocolate aren't my friend)

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour a 9×13 baking pan. (325 degrees if using a dark non-stick pan)

Melt together the butter, chocolate chips, and unsweetened chocolate on top of a double boiler (I did this step in a glass dish in the microwave at 30 second intervals). Cool slightly. Stir together the eggs, instant coffee, vanilla and sugar. Stir in the warm chocolate mixture and cool to room temperature.

Stir together the flour, baking powder and salt. Add to cooled chocolate mixture. Toss the walnuts and chocolate chips with flour to coat. (Since I did not use walnuts, I only used 1 tablespoon of flour to toss the chocolate chips.) Then add to the chocolate batter. Pour into prepared pan.

Bake for about 30 minutes, or until tester just comes out clean. Halfway through the baking, rap the pan against the oven shelf to allow air to escape from between the pan and the brownie dough. Do not overbake! Cool thoroughly, refrigerate well and cut into squares.

I made a card! I made a card!

2008-10-17T12:01:00.000-07:00

OK so technically I made a TON of cards but some of them are for the LOSTie Halloween Kit Swap so I can't show them to you.

However, I did make this beauty for stamp club and I must say I am very impressed with how it turned out. I think I'm going to mass produce some for this Christmas season.

and a close up of the snowflake. I used Stardust Stickles to make it sparkley!

Snow Swirled set
Baja Breeze, Riding Hood Red and Whisper White paper and inks
Little Felt Flurries the snowflake embellishment
Snowflake Cuttlebug Embossing Folder
Riding Hood Red Taffeta Ribbon
Oval Nestabilities
Versamark
Hologram Highlights EP

Space Cadet...are you surprised??

2008-10-08T07:53:00.000-07:00

OK so I totally never made it back here to post my chili recipe and announce a winner from the last post. Jess...of course as my most favorite food connesiour you were right. Who could possible know me and not guess CHILI!

So I'll save my chili recipe and my chili pictures for another day, but Jess your goodie prize is on the way!

I gotta tell y'all a story (bout a man named Jed...) not really but dang it do you ever do that? Say a word or sentence and start singing? I do it all the time. Some people might call me crazy...(I could do it again but I won't)

Anyway so Kenz and Bradan started Sunday school at our new church. Peace Lutheran in Seymour in case anyone was wondering. www.seymourpeacelutheran.com It's awesome. I've never been one to LIKE going to church or to even really get anything out of it but I just feel so at home here. I enjoy going and love that my kids love it. So anyway back to my point about Sunday school.

The first day I drop the kids off, they are in the same class. I quickly introduce the kids to the teacher amongst the uproar of little children playing excitedly and take off for adult bible study.

Fast forward to later, after the donuts. (Yup, donuts and coffee between Sunday school and church service, how cool is that???) Miss Leta the Sunday School teacher comes up to me and says "I'm sorry what did you say your daughter's name was?"

Kenzie. Kenzie Jane. She might say it's Janie. She's got a few names. *chuckle*

She says to me "That's right, ok. Well I asked her what her name was during class and she told me it was Punkin' Pie. So I asked her brother and he said "You heard her it's Punkin' Pie"

I've called Kenz my Punkin' Pie for as long as I can remember. She's gotten to the point where if I don't call her that before bed, she will cry. I have to say "g'nite punkin' pie I love you" last thing before I close her door. TOO CUTE.

'cept, now she's telling teachers it's her REAL name. (she actually says that. It's my REAL name, my nickname is just Kenzie Jane) I can see her wedding announcements now...

Headache Schmeadache

2008-09-26T10:55:00.000-07:00

Do any of you suffer from chronic headaches? I swear it seems like I get one everyday. Migraines, sinus headaches, tension headaches, pms headaches. It's ALWAYS something. I used to live on Tylenol until it started upsetting my stomach (Excedrin Migraine was my FRIEND) and these days I gobble ibuprofen like it's pez. (A little shout out to my niece Josie there...PEZ Lover extraordinare!!! ;))

You can't get sudafed these days without offering the first born of your first born, 6 oz of plasma and the most sincere promise that you aren't building a meth lab.

Seriously? My 12 tablets of sudafed do not a meth lab make.

I never really realized HOW often I get headaches until I went to Florida recently and only got 1 (Brian says 2) headaches the entire week we were there. This says something to me. I don't consider my life "stressful" here but something must be different because HELLO I've been back 2 days and 2 headaches. What is up with that?

Today I'm making my comfort food. Do you have a comfort food? I'm going to share my recipe once it's done. Post your guesses of WHAT it is and of the CORRECT answers, I'll randomly select a WINNAH of something cool.

I don't know what yet, but it will be cool ;) I promise.

Until then...

LATER TATERS (and wally gators) BWHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! (LOVE YA SIS)

Such a Pretty Fat...

2008-09-12T16:04:00.000-07:00

Right now I'm feeling like such a pretty fat COW. Oh my let me tell you, today my friend Jess said to me and some others..."I could really go for some Olive Garden; a never ending pasta bowl and some breadsticks."

I live over an HOUR from the nearest Olive Garden but she had me thinking. Pasta Fagioli. Oh how sweet it sounds. I'm a blog hopper. I have half a billion marked in my google reader ranging to everything from politics to cooking. Of course I have my stamping blogs and a few that I find just plain hilarious.

A while back I stumbled onto Brown Eyed Baker. Chelle posts some freakin' AWESOME looking recipes and I went through them all. At that time I noted HER recipe for Pasta Fagioli and vowed to some day give it a shot.

My friends, that day is today. I gathered up MY children (not the imposters from yesterday) and we went to the store and gathered all the necessary ingredients for the soup as well as for a caesar salad and some yummy looking fresh baked garlic breadsticks from the bakery.

Here's what I ended up with (Pardon the pics, we were trying something new with the camera and didn't realize til the food was GONE that it hadn't worked out well.

The entire spread...wow it was GREAT. Did I mention all three of my kiddos ATE the salad and didn't complain? In fact Bradan and Grace devoured it! I was THRILLED. We will be having a caesar more regularly now.

Here's my bowl, my, my, my it WAS as good as it looks. I'm definitely jotting this recipe down so I don't forget it.

Here's the recipe itself. I got it directly from HERE and I am noting my changes (which were very few)

Pasta Fagioli
(Adapted from Tricia’s Kitchen)

2 tablespoons butter, divided
1 package sweet Italian sausage, casings removed (**I used regular sausage and added my own italian herbs)
½ large (or 1 medium) onion, finely chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
4 carrots, thinly sliced (**I grabbed the matchstick carrots from the store SUPER easy)
4 stalks celery, thinly sliced
28 oz. can diced tomatoes
1 can red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 can white cannelini beans, drained and rinsed
64 oz. beef broth
28 oz. can tomato sauce
2 teaspoons dried parsley (I didn't measure any of the spices, just added to taste)
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon salt
4 oz. small dry pasta (I used ditalini)

1. Melt 1 tablespoon of the butter in a large stockpot over medium high heat, and brown the sausage, crumbling it as it cooks. Once brown, remove sausage from pot with a slotted spoon and discard any grease that remains in the pot.

2. Melt remaining 1 tablespoon of butter in the same pot, and add the onion, garlic, carrot, and celery, and saute over medium heat until vegetables are soft, about 8 minutes. Add sausage back to the pot, add the can of diced tomatoes (do not drain), stir briefly, and simmer for 10 minutes.

3. Stir in the beans, and add the beef broth and tomato sauce. Add in all of the seasonings, stir well, turn the heat to high and bring the soup to a boil. Once it boils, turn down to low heat, cover, and simmer for at least 30 minutes.

4. Add the dry pasta and continue to simmer on low for another 30 minutes. Serve with your favorite bread or crackers.

THEN...Earlier this week my friend KIM guest posted a pie over at THE REAL PIE CLUB blog. Key Lime. My request. My favorite. While at the store today I got all I need to make it and Brian and I spent an HOUR (ok mostly Brian) juicing key limes. I don't own a juicer, extractor, etc. We did it by hand. I strained it using, well...I won't tell you what but it wasn't probably what a well stocked kitchen would have used!

I haven't cut into it yet, I need to digest a little of my yummy faux Olive Garden food first, but you can guarantee we will be cutting into it tonight.

Here's her recipe and a few pictures...just to prove we really DID juice all those key limes by hand.

Key Lime Pie
Recipe courtesy Emeril Lagasse, 2002 (here’s the link you can use:
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/emeril-lagasse/key-lime-pie-
recipe/index.html)

Show: Emeril Live
Episode: Mr. Lou’s Desserts

1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1/2 cup granulated sugar
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick butter) melted
2 (14-ounce) cans condensed milk
1 cup key lime or regular lime juice
2 whole eggs
Cool Whip
1 tablespoon lime zest

Preheat the oven to 375.

In a bowl, mix the graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and butter with your
hands. Press the mixture firmly into a 9-inch pie pan, and bake until
brown, about 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to cool to
room temperature before filling.

Lower the oven temperature to 325 degrees F.

In a separate bowl, combine the condensed milk, lime juice, and eggs.
Whisk until well blended and place the filling in the cooled pie shell. Bake
in the oven for 15 minutes and allow to chill in the refrigerator for at least
2 hours.

Once chilled, top with Cool Whip and add a little key lime zest to the top
for presentation.

2008-09-11T15:07:00.000-07:00

It's been one of those days. One of those days when I will be SO GLAD when it's bedtime. I love being a mom, and I love being a stay at home mom but there are days...like today. Days that I think it would just be easier to work 8-5 and come home to a meal prepared by my loving husband. Kiss the kids on the head, play with them for a few and then toss them in bed.

These days don't come regularly. Even on the worst days I don't usually feel this way but today...oh man today. Kenz and Bradan normally play well with each other. They don't normally fight, they share with one another, they can agree on what to watch during tv time. But ANTI Kenz and ANTI Bradan are hellians. Heathens, Satan's children sent to take over my children's bodies to punish me for all the sins I've ever committed on this earth.

They scream, cry and whine. They hit each other, they break things, they can't hear, they have no manners and they generally drive me NUTS. Today, they showed up on my doorstep. Around lunchtime I noticed that they had taken over my children's bodies and the last 7 hours have been unadulterated HELL.

Did I mention Brian didn't come home tonight? Work ran late and it's his last night of league so instead of coming home to change and say hello he went straight to the golf course. No break. Not even a 5 minute one. I'm feeling the need, the need for (a little captain in me) but I won't until the are safely tucked into their beds. But what I'm wondering is...6pm? Is that too early for bed?

I finally blew a gasket while making dinner. After the 845th time one of them came up and told me that the other hit them in the "I-am-the-whiniest-kid-in-the-universe" voice. I sent them to their bed in my "I-am-12-seconds-from-stringing-you-up-by-your-toenails-and-letting-the-dogs-lick-the -shit-out-of-you" voice. I told them to NOT come OUT until I said and NOT ONE SECOND before. I let them stew for about 15 minutes and then I told them they could come out.

I love how perceptive Bradan has become. Granted it only lasts about 15 minutes, maybe 20 but for that brief moment in time...he got it. He came into the kitchen where I was making dinner and asked me what he could do to help. It was ready so I didn't need any help and as soon as he started eating he told me how GOOD his hamburger was and how GOOD his tater tots were and DID HE MENTION HOW WONDERFUL THE GREEN BEANS WERE? oh and MOM WHERE DID YOU GET THIS MILK? IT'S GREAT!

Dinner at least was a peaceful meal, then the hellians returned and my moment of sanity vanished. I'm thinking baths and bed. Then I'm going to take a LONG HOT SHOWER and have a night cap.

5 minute Chocolate Cake

2008-09-11T09:08:00.000-07:00

My friend Rachel sent me this recipe in email today and Chocolate Fanatic that I am, I had to make it. So once I finished my yummy chili for lunch. I set into trying out this quick and easy recipe.

The promise? Chocolate Cake in 5 minutes from my microwave. Now what PMS-ing chick wouldn't love to have that in her back pocket? Don't get me wrong *if* it's good, I'm sure it would work other times as well but seriously? Aunt Flo is PISSING you off and you don't want to wait 40 minutes for the prep and oven baking of brownies (my personal favorite) 5 minute chocolate cake.

SA-WEET.

Here's the recipe:

5 MINUTE CHOCOLATE MUG CAKE

1 Coffee Mug
4 tablespoons flour(that's plain flour, not self-rising)
4 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons baking cocoa
1 egg
3 tablespoons milk
3 tablespoons oil
3 tablespoons chocolate chips (optional)
Small splash of vanilla

Add dry ingredients to mug, and mix well.
Add the egg and mix thoroughly.
Pour in the milk and oil and mix well.
Add the chocolate chips (if using) and vanilla, and mix again.
Put your mug in the microwave and cook for 3 minutes at 1000 watts.

The cake will rise over the top of the mug, but don't be alarmed!
Allow to cool a little, and tip out onto a plate if desired.
EAT! (this can serve 2 if you want to share!)

Here are the results

Straight from the microwave

On a plate

Damn the luck I'm out of frosting! And...I don't feel like making any, but I would recommend having some on hand. Also, watch the cake, I think I overcooked mine a bit. I nearly took it at 2:15 (my microwave is 1500 watts I think) but I didn't and it's a bit dense.

Also, I only had EVOO and I poured in more than a dash of vanilla. It's pretty decent cake as is, but it's not TO DIE FOR. I will be trying again with all the right ingredients and pulling it out a bit sooner. Cuz you know we all hate when we forget to pull out til it's too late!

Look Out!

2008-09-10T11:42:00.000-07:00

I can't exactly say how long it's been since I stamped something that I enjoyed and was actually proud to say I've done. I've been in a FUNK lately and I haven't been able to get out and nothing I touched would turn out well.

I finally got my first order from the new SU! catalog Monday and I had ordered the Washington Apple paper on a whim. I wasn't even sure if I'd like it. Turns out, I LOVE IT.

I immediately made these cards and I liked them so well I decided we'd do them at stamp club this month.

Then I got my Urban Garden paper last night which has been on backorder and made these cards and low and behold I luffed them too! So again, stamp club. WOOOHOOO!!

I agreed in the spring to do a Christian Women's Retreat at Camp Lakeview a local Christian camp. (Hey I bet you coulda figured that part out without me actually pointing it out couldn't ya?) Anyway it's getting CLOSE and I've been trying to decide what I should do. Cards? Alterables? Then the other night it hit me. It's a Christian Women's Retreat. How cool would it be to make altered prayer journals? Then I decided we also needed to make bookmarks, and I'm hoping to throw in a few cards. (I'm waiting on a glorious friend to send me the set I want to use...it was INCREDIBLY nice of her to offer to send it to me since she doesn't use it :):):))

So today I sat down and started working on it. I decided I'll just use whatever random designer papers I have laying around and while each persons cards/bookmark and journal will all coordinate they won't all be the same papers that way I don't have to spend money buying all the same kind of paper. Here is the example I made today, that I'll probably keep for myself!

A chip off the old block

2008-09-05T10:59:00.000-07:00

Kenzie...Kenzie...Kenzie.

What am I going to do with this girl? The one who insists that she will never wear shorts or panties. Brian is having an old world chastity belt constructed for when she reaches puberty. He's afraid she won't outgrow it.

Anyway, that wasn't my point. Today we are in the car and we've been running a million errands. We stopped at McDonalds and I got us some food to go and my favorite a LARGE SWEET TEA. Delish.

I gave Kenz a drink or two but I didn't want her peeing her pants so I cut her off, we still had errands to run!

So she's whining and pouting. And finally she says...

MOM, YOU'RE MAKING ME SO NERVOUS.

I said...Kenz I do not think that word means what you think it means (name that movie)

she says...It does too Mommy, you are making me SO NERVOUS!

me...What does it mean then???

and she tells me....IT MEANS YOU'RE PISSING ME OFF!

Where do these kids learn these things? The BAD news is, she doesn't know what NERVOUS actually means. The GOOD news is she says she's nervous rather than that other thing...which I swear I don't say. Really, this one, it's not me. I'm not sure who it is, but it's not me. For real this time.

Not now Aunt Roovie.

2008-09-05T06:16:00.001-07:00

My big guy is in preschool. This is his last year before he starts kindergarten. He attends a local preschool that is ran by a church and I love sending him there. He has such a great time and they are wonderful with the kids.

This morning we ran into my aunt Ruth Ann, she was pulling in at the same time we were on some church business and we stopped to say hello. Kenzie was of course throwing a fit because she doesn't start preschool for another month and she wanted to get out too!

Aunt Roovie, as Bradan calls her; asked if he was ready to go play golf (we have a "date" with her and my uncle tonight for dinner and golf)

Bradan, as serious as his little face could possibly be looked at her and said:

Not now Aunt Roovie, I've got to go and learn something!

Bless his little heart. I'm so glad he loves his preschool and knows why he is there. Of course he wasn't serious for long. Today was our day to bring snacks, as soon as we walked through the door he ran to his room and announced loudly

HEY PEOPLE, ITS OK NOW, I BROUGHT THE SNACKS!

I want a new TV...

2008-09-04T14:47:00.000-07:00

Brian has had our television since 1993. It's one of the old school projection big screens. For its age its still got a GREAT picture and there is nothing like playing Wii on a 56" screen...but lately there is something weird going on with the sound.

We'll be watching and all of the sudden it will go completely silent yet no one is anywhere near a remote. Or it will turn up SOOOO LOUD that it makes you want to rip your ears off because you can feel your eardrums shattering in slow motion.

We've been dealing with it, we don't watch a ton of TV in this room so it's not a terribly big deal. However, today I think I may have scarred my children for life. See we just found The Spiderwick Chronicles game for Wii at Circuit City in their bargain bin. Have you seen the movie? If not I'll give you a brief rundown. It's about this kid who moves into his uncles spooky old mansion unearths his journal and discovers the existence of goblins and fairies and such. We loved the movie, so theoretcially speaking the game should be fun.

It is, for me. It's a lot of "seek and find" before moving on to the next task. So the kids love to watch me play it, but they can't play it themselves very well. Tonight we are playing and let me tell you, these goblins they sound scary when they are creeping up on you outside. Sound is out on the TV and right as one of those sonsabitches attacks me the sound turns up loud enough that I'm certain my hard of hearing father in Florida probably heard the attack. Yeah, it was that loud. Bradan and Kenzie immediately start looking behind the couches and freaking out screaming and crying because for a goblin to be THAT loud they MUST be in the room with us.

Shit.

So much for getting them to finally sleep in their OWN beds. Now I'll be doing random Goblin checks and still end up with 4 in our queen sized bed. Who's stupid idea was it to buy this game anyway?

Shit. That was me.

I shouldn't be aloud to think. It never turns out well.

Are you ready for some FOOTBALL???

2008-08-29T13:25:00.000-07:00

I can't believe it is finally here. The beginning of football season. I am so stoked for next Thursday's season opener. Six years ago if you had asked me when the season opener of football was I would have laughed at you, I would have also laughed at you if you tried to get me to eat an onion, or a tomato or if you told me in 6 years not only would I be eating onions and tomatoes (amongst a whole slew of other things) but that I would not only know when the season opener in the NFL was, but that I'd be excited about it.

Yeah, it's ok, I used to be narrow minded, I know.

Ok, so maybe that hasn't changed...THAT much.

Shut up, this is my story.

Anyway, Brian; my husband is the reason for all the new and wonderful things that I have experienced over the last few years. And some of the really crappy ones too, like blood pudding and head cheese. Seriously? That shit should just not even have to be made. This isn't the 1800's there are better food choices people. Check into them, but anyway sorry...

Like I was saying, B and I were dating and he liked football and I laughed and said something incredibly deep and meaningful like: "football is stupid." With which he countered (and it wouldn't be the last time I heard these infamous words) "Have you tried it?"

Tried it, like it's some delicacy that I was missing out on. Seriously dude, it's football. It can't be that exciting.

But I luffed him so, less than I do today but still enough to sit down and say, ok...explain it to me. And we watched...and I learned...and I loved. And then just when I couldn't get enough he taught me about FANTASY FOOTBALL which is nearly as addicting as heroin I would guess...not that I would know, but I would guess. From what I've heard.

And the next thing I know my days and my weeks are consumed with football players and teams and their statistics. I love statistics. Did you know you can predict trends based on statistics? I am excellent at creating a spreadsheet to determine the likelihood that a team will give up more than such an amount rushing yards against a particular defense. It's creepy. And a bit nerdy. And a helluva lot of fun!

So now I've drafted one of my three fantasy football teams for this year and I can't wait for the players to take the field so I can sit in my recliner 3-4 days a week cursing and cheering each of MY respective players with every move they make. I love this game!

So tell me HAVE YOU TRIED IT???

Joke of the Day

2008-08-28T05:28:00.000-07:00

Bradan has been on a joke telling kick. Most of them aren't funny because he's 4 and I'm not entirely sure he understands the whole idea of telling jokes, for instance:

Why did the birds eat the chickens?

Because of the humans!!!

Bwahahahaahaha..wha??? I laugh politely anyway cuz I luff my kid to death. These have been going on since last night and he's got one after another so this morning he says to me

How does a daddy eat a mommy?

(omg, I'm thinking to myself this could be dangerous...but surely he has NO IDEA what he's talking about...I should add we were laying in my bed and he was hiding under the covers while telling me this joke)

I don't know Bub, how does a daddy eat a mommy???

HE HIDES UNDER THE COVERS SO NO ONE WILL SEE!!!

and that my friends is how my 4 year old is going to get expelled from preschool. Thank you ladies and gentlemen you heard it here first. Don't forget to tip your waitresses, he'll be here all week!

Big Bad Football Players...

2008-08-25T09:10:00.000-07:00

Dear Terrible Towel Waving Pittsburgh Steelers,

I wanted to share with you the insights into my 4 year old sons mind. You see we are a big football family, we LOVE our Indianapolis Colts. But beyond that we spend a lot of time watching football, more than most families. From 1pm until midnight every Sunday during football season we are planted in front of whichever game is on our Sunday Ticket at the time. Not to mention Mondays, and Thursdays...oh and now I guess there are the occasional Saturdays.

Bradan is a big football fan too. In fact last year while watching the Lions get their asses handed to them on a platter he screamed at the TV "FREAKIN DAMN LIONS." I have no idea where a then 3 year old would get such verbage but you know, in the world these days you just don't know where kids are hearing things. I assure you it did not come from his father, or myself. At least not on that particular play.

Last night while reviewing the preseason game scores and stats on the computer my darling Bradan was telling us what the teams were and what scores they had...for instance he told us about

the Lions

the GOOD PIRATES

the BAD Pirates

of course he recognized his "football Colts"

but then, you big and bad, rough and tough Pittsburgh Steelers. The meanest, biggest, most gruff and masculine team in football he told us the score in this game...

Apparently it was THE SPRINKLES

I don't know about you, but...I'm thinking this could hurt your reputation. You may want to look into a new more formidable logo. The next generation just isn't buying into what you've been selling!

5 minutes ago...

2008-08-22T09:01:00.000-07:00

This conversation actually took place...

Bradan is jumping on the couch, which I yell at him for at least 3 times a day.

ME: Bradan come here.

(he walks around the couch to me, stops 10 feet short)

ME: HERE (pointing at the floor in front of me)

(he comes and stops, half grinning at me)

ME: Am I smiling?

him: No

ME: Why not?

him: Because you are being mean??? (peals of laughter double my son over)

Me: Busts out freakin laughing because I can't help it.

I can't help it my kids are heathens they are too damn funny to punish half the time. Witty little suckers know if they can make me laugh they can get away with almost anything!

Chief Butt-Wiper

2008-08-22T06:34:00.000-07:00

I used to have a title for myself. Having two kids 15.5 months apart it seemed quite fitting that I should be known as Chief Butt-Wiper if you know what I mean. *wink*wink* And if you don't...well I mean POOP (she called the shit, poop! name that movie.) There is something incredibly liberating about finally being free of diapers.

I for one never thought the day would arrive. My son was just not having it. As the older of the two I knew that there was little chance of his shadow (aka Kenzie, aka Janie, aka Pumpkin Pie aka...) taking to it either. But finally one glorious day he just started going. She was fully independent within 6 months of him finally taking the plunge!

That day I went from Chief Butt-Wiper to Chief Messcleanerupper. Whatever do you mean you might ask? If he's advanced to The Big Potty then there should be no more messes. Right??? Wrong! Bradan in his exuberance of this new found grownup-ness decided to challenge me in ways I never thought possible.

For instance one day we have this exchange...

Bradan: I gotta potty!

Me: can you do it? Do you want me to go with you?

Bradan: I can do it by myself! (he proceeds to the bathroom...alone)

5 minutes roll by...there is some serious clanging and banging going on in the bathroom, I can't for the life of me figure out what my kid is doing in there that would cause this huge amount of racket...

Me: You need help? Are you all done???

Bradan: Nope, I'm still doing it.

Me...maybe I better go check....

this ladies and gentleman is what I found...

Oh yeah he went there, not only did he go there but a few days later I caught him doing it again only this time, he wasn't trying to PEE in the potty, instead he shat on my floor, from 3.5 feet in the air!

Random things at the Zoo

2008-08-21T15:05:00.000-07:00

I should preface this by saying that with the likes of these two running around...

I am never shocked when I find or see random weird things. So let's just start off a regular little segment I like to call...

Random things at the Zoo...

So tonight I'm emptying the dishwasher, which like...I NEVER do. For some reason I don't mind putting dirty dishes in, but I hate taking clean dishes out? What is up with that???

But I digress, so I'm emptying the dishwasher and what do I find? A styrofoam plate. Yup, my darling Bradan apparently decided the green thing to do would be to recycle our styrofoam plates.

The weirdest thing? My dishwasher gets EXTREMELY HOT, I mean melt and warp plastic hot. Yet, the plate held up just fine. Pulled that bad boy out of there and put him back into the cabinet. Maybe the kid is onto something, I guess I owe him a 'prise.

PS...that is Bradan and Kenzie playing dress up. For the record, I have no idea what Kenzie is dressed up as, and no dad she did NOT get that from watching me.

All I need is the Air that I breathe...

2008-08-21T12:53:00.000-07:00

and an internet connection, an IV of coca-cola and an unlimited supply of Triscuits. Oh ok, I also actually need television, air conditioning...who am I kidding? The older I get and the more I like to think that I am a pretty low maintenance chick the more I realize I'm not.

I try to be, but I think my low maintenance facade is more laziness than anything actually...benevolent. For instance I spend most days sans make-up and hair products. Why? Because it would involve time and effort to put it on. However I must admit when I do, it never takes me more than 5 minutes from start to finish. Again, too lazy to take care. I love that my husband tells me he likes me better without makeup, it gives me VALIDATION for my laziness and hey, who doesn't love a little validation?

I have made it a serious goal of mine to become LESS lazy. (Is that even good grammar?) I am spending less time on the computer and more time on my house and with my kids. I think I've been doing a pretty darn good job too. My laundry stays caught up, my floors get vacuumed and if the kids spill...ok well I still throw a towel over it until I am ready to get to it but we're taking baby steps here people. Baby steps.

I have tried to read more and watch TV less. Now that we're headed into football season I may have a hard time with that because besides being low maintenance in my dreams. I'm a HUGE football fan. I didn't even know what the heck the big deal was about football until 6 years ago but now I spend more time than the average American male in front of the TV, internet, and magazines watching or reading about football. But that, is a story for a different day!

This is me...

2008-07-02T10:37:00.000-07:00

This is me...granted, this picture is like two years old but I've come to realize being a mom of three...you are RARELY in a picture and if you are you are never alone. This is my story of how I came to live at the zoo. Oh and did I mention I have on NO MAKEUP? Why is it when hubby wants to play around with the camera he chooses to take shots of me without any makeup? Seriously? We need to work on this one...

First, let me say that my name hasn't been Red Rider for a long time, but it's easier to explain with visual representation than some of my other nicknames but I'll save that story for another time. See the red hair? Yeah, that's the stuff it means I'm full of piss and vinegar but it's also a really handy trait to build a nickname off of. My dad came up with that one Red, hmmmm...original stuff their pops ;) It became a little more original when he threw the "Rider" into the mix. Wanna know where that one comes from? It's pretty original too...I liked to RIDE with my dad (pretty much anyone actually and my dad was handy about sending me off with strangers but again...that's a story for another time!)

I've got three heathens...errrr...kiddos ages ranging from 6-2. Two girls, both very independent and bull headed like their momma but gorgeous...like the mailman. And a son, stubborn as the day is long again, like his momma but again cute cute cute...

I'm not new to the blogging world but I'm just often too lazy to keep up the posting. But I'm going to try, because everyone needs a creative outlet, or a place to vent, or a little of both. So here we go!