A New Day

So yesterday was a LOW as far as my mommy skills go except, I did go in at lunch to help my little hurricane study and she was happy and confident that she wouldn't fail. Yeah - giant step forward!!!

So here's my next Mommy story
I decided it would be a good idea to take my Harry Potter loving children to the HP corn maze near us. (5pts for a fun idea)
They both dressed in robes and wands and my sweet boy even wore his HP glasses. The enormous groups of teens at the maze thought the kids were adorable and wanted to have pictures taken with them.
It was dusk when we got there. I remembered our flashlight (2pts for thinking ahead). The corn people also had little finger laser thingys that you could buy for 50 cents so we got 2 of those and clipped them onto the kids wands - it looked cool, like they were casting spells.
Anywhoozle, about 8pm we ventured into the maze, with our map in hand and bundles of enthusiasm to carry us to the first check point.
We turned left, right, right, left, probably a few more lefts... Then I realized its really dark, I'm already feeling lost and I'm now thinking about children of the corn! (minus 2 points for not using the map already).
So we get out the map and find our way to the first check point, punch our little card and more on to check point two, we find it easily and are feeling pretty confident, until the first little teenager jumps out of the corn and scares the kids (I'm giving him the benefit of the doubt, he probably thought we were teenagers). Then we wander on and on and on, despite the map, I'm beginning to have my doubts about ever making it  out of this maze tonight (minus 2pts for my hideous map reading skills).
We run into teenager group 2 and they don't have a map so they ask to borrow ours, I share, but snotty nose teen throws the map away!!! Look I know I'm well preserved but I'm a 40ish mommy and I want my map!! The kids are now freaked out, I'm a little freaked out and I decide to end our maze experience.
Starting the maze at dusk was a big minus 5pts. guess what now I'm at 0 pts.  Guess it could be worse the Children of the Corn thought could have reduced me to a big blubbering mess and then I would have been at negative points.
I think the ice cream and cupcakes we ate when we got home made up for it a little!!

PINTREST - Follow Me
Its like crack for non-druggies.

Gorgeous!!!!!

Too cute - you can make it with crayons too

DE.LI.CIOUS!!!!

Shopping Advice

Today I went shopping. It wasn't bathing suit shopping but let's just say with a bubble butt and generous thighs, jean shopping is the next worst thing!

I thought I would share some things I've learned to make your shopping trip more enjoyable!

1. Knee Highs Do NOT wear knee high socks/nylons... knee high anything when you're trying on pants. Seriously - tights, full nylons or NUSSING (I've been waiting to use that word - thanks Me, Drazil and Shenique)
Knee highs cut your leg in half, and if the change room mirrors weren't bad enough, the knee highs make you look like a stumpy leg little person. Nuff said about that.

2. Change Room Mirrors: DON'T look in them when you're NEKED! They aren't flattering so unless you are one supremo confident chick, don't do it. Cellulite looks like moon craters, fat looks like whale blubber.... Get it?! Pretend its not there while you're disrobing, turn your back to it and for the love of all things holy DON'T look when you're backside is facing it.

3. Sizes: Always grab a larger size than you think you'll need.  I don't care if you've been an 8, a 10, a 2 all your life (well if you're a 2 - pftttt), grab one size larger as well as the size you think you'll need. Why? Because it feels great to say to yourself or the salesperson, oh this doesn't fit, could you get me a smaller size?! Compare that to: this is too tight for my ample butt cheeks could you get my ass a larger size (and its own zipcode while you're at it).

4. Buy it in every color: Finally, if it fits, buy it and 2 more because you know when you need another one, the style will have changed or the fit will have changed and you won't be able to find what you want. This leads to tears and tantrums and fits of unhealthy eating, which does nothing for the bubble.

With all that in mind, and a trip to Target, Kohls, and yes Meijer, I went to Buckle. Its a fabulous, trendy store. It also carries $145 jeans! 2 years ago I gave in and bought a pair - loved them and still do, they look great, truly FLATTERING!! but damn expensive ( That's why I try every other store first). Today my lovely attendant, who shall remain nameless (because I can't remember what it was) pulled 3 pairs of jeans off the rack and I slid right into them!!! They fit. The wash on one pair wasn't flattering, they need to be hemmed and the waist nipped in but they fit AND....... wait for it..... $189 total for two! I thought I was going to have to sell my first born to buy them because I resolved to walk away with two no matter what. 
I tell ya ladies, BUCKLE is the store. I'll upload pictures after I get them back - and, the store hems them FREE. 

For my clean eating friends, You have to check out this blog, The Gracious Pantry, they have fabulous recipes and menu plans.
Happy Weekend and Shopping all

Crazy Ass Wives

My last post was about my latest marital dispute. My hubby and I don't agree on whether to continue renting an old house in a fabulous location (one we don't want to buy) or take our money out of our investments (which, given the state of the market, would mean losing money) and buy something new.
He wants to stay put, I want new.
I wanted a third child but he vetoed that too. (probably with very good reason - my 4 year old was quickly pushing me to become a raging alcoholic  less than perfect mom).
Many people (my father being one) have suggested that I put my foot down. To that I have to ask, and do what?!
So I ask what do you do when you're at an impasse? Or when your hubby does something truly  DUMB ASS!

I won't force him to move, its just not in me.
I can't buy a house by myself.

Some of our friends (who don't read my blog) have crazy ass wives (or in some cases ex-wives!). When their hubbies screw up (as hubbys do) they have emptied their belongings on the front lawn, broken his nose with a swift elbow (seriously - he had a girlfriend because she refused to get rid of her boyfriend), made him sleep in the garage, thrown, retreived and then stomped on his blackberry in public.....

I am, according to said men, the best wife in the world. Because I have never done those things. I sleep in another room when he comes home late smelling like a brewery, I DVR my shows because he doesn't like watching them, and I live in an old country house that is falling apart around me but has a gorgeous backyard because he isn't ready to move.

Just Dont Forget to put MARTYR in front of my name when you address me and it might be all worth it and for damn sake put it on my headstone some day.

On the flip side though - He works hard so I can stay home with the kids, he never says no to the kids activities (even when its $115 for 6 wks of synchronized swimming), he doesn't get rid of the cat even though he never wanted it and hates it (hey I put my foot down on that one)....

So, What do you do?

Day 1

Its a two post day!

My romantic weekend away with my hubby was great. Shopping, (shopping wasn't that great but oh well - I came home and bought a gorgeous peacock necklace at pier 1), eating (chicken cordon blue with brie cheese - heaven), a little bit of exercising and relaxing. But I didn't follow the clean eating this weekend and I know I'm gaining back the 5lbs I swore I'd keep off. So, I'm starting again (how many times have I done this before?!). Anyhoo, oatmeal and 2 hard boiled egg whites for breakfast, I even gave up creamer in my coffee and added only 1tsp of sugar!! That's huge progress already!
I just finished P90X - plyometrics training. Holy cow that's a killer workout, so I used my P90 recovery drink but its got creatine in it and I don't want to gain so I only used 1/2 the recommended amount. Now I'm having my protein shake, my quinoa lunch is packed and so is my handful of almonds for snack. I just need to pick up an apple while grocery shopping for my afternoon snack. Here's hoping that this planning will help me be more successful than I've been!!
Here's a great site to help with meal ideas for clean eating.
http://www.eatcleandiet.com/the_kitchen_table/
Enjoy!!

9-11

It's one of those events that you know exactly where you were when it happened. They way our parents knew where they were when Kennedy was shot, or the Spaceship Challenger exploded.  I read in a book recently about this, remembering the moment before as the last "normal" moment.


I was on maternity leave loving quiet playtime with my 7 month old. My husband phoned on his way to the Toronto Airport (on route to Detroit), to tell me that a plane had hit the world trade center and all flights were grounded, he was on his way back to work.  Like many others, I wondered why air traffic was halted for an accident, I could only assume that this plane was a small Cessna-type and some pilot had made a fatal error. I took my daughter off to the gym to continue on our way. It was there that we saw the second plane hit the second tower and then the third hit the pentagon and the fourth crash in the field. I took my daughter home and holed up in our house. I didn't know what else to do. I'm not American, it wasn't my country and yet somehow it was an assault on all of us, it shattered our sense of safety. (That wasn't meant as a callus comment - I'm trying to convey that although it happened on American soil, somehow it happened to all of us.) 
I found myself emotional all day yesterday and could barely remember that fateful day without tearing up. I can't imagine what it was like for people in New York or people who actually lost someone that day.


Two years after 9-11 a huge power surge/problem caused a power outage all over Ontario and many places nearby. I remember feeling that it must certainly have been a terrorist attack again. Fortunately, this time it was a crazy accident not a deliberate event but I didn't assume that at first as I had on Sept. 11.
I wonder if we are at the point yet, when an accident can occur, and we don't automatically think its terrorism.


My son wasn't born yet on 9-11, he came 2 yrs later (not as a result of the power outage!!). He was sad last night because the rest of us had memories of Sept. 11 (although my daughter only knows what I've told her about our day together) and he wasn't a part of it, didn't have any memories of it.  This made me happy that there is a whole generation of children out there who don't have one of those defining moments. The moments that happen and you remember where you were when you heard the news forever.
Maybe he never will.
One can hope.

BYOC – Bring Your Own Crazy. We answer 5 questions in an effort to get to know each other better and to give our blog brains a break. Copy to your own blog and ENJOY!

1. Do you drink coffee? Decaf or regular? Cold or hot? If not – what’s your go-to morning drink?

I started drinking frou frou coffee - Tim's Iced Caps. Then after my sweet boy was born (I was 33) I switched to reg coffee. Its still frou frou to die hard coffee drinkers because I use French Vanilla coffee, french vanilla creamer and sugar!!! But I just love it.

2. What are your top six characteristics in a partner if you could hand pick them. And just for kicks – if you’re in a relationship – after you make the list of six – does the person you are with possess all five?

sense of humor
Compassionate
Ability to be a good father
interested in athletics/fitness

I know that's only 4 but I don't know how to put #5 into words, its something about being a teacher/camp counsellor/...
My hubby has many of these but not all. Sometimes I wonder if this is a problem. He doesn't enjoy going to museums, zoos, movies with us but he loves any outdoor activity that involves moving, sports..... He has to move.

3. I’m going to pick a person – not knowing if this person even exists in your life – and you try to describe this person in 5 short words or sentences:

Paternal grandfather

Strong barrel-y man
Baker on a navy ship
Emigrated from Scotland
Could whistle like a bird
Made great scones

4. What’s your signature item? Color? Piece of clothing or jewelry? Accessory? You know – that one thing people know you will ALWAYS have on?

I dont' know about signature - silly slippers that I always wear to keep my ice cold toes warm, or sweaters cause our house is drafty or maybe my Mary Kay Dusty Rose lipliner hate going out without color!!
5. Repeat question: Summarize your week in real life and in blog life.
Still working feverishly on school committee stuff. My parents arrive today!! Subbed in the library 1.5 days this week which is FUN and I love it but throws me off at home.
Off to shop with the hubby this weekend in IN at the outlet mall and the antique shops. I can't where the hooker shoes like Me, Drazil and Shenique because of my frankenfeet but I'm going to try to find fantastic boots - those I can wear. Maybe some more cowboy boots with a little bling!! On a mission now.
And eat clean - please, please, help me avoid the Brie and Mike's Hard Lemonade!!!! (praying to the food Gods)
Happy Weekend!!!

Food, Food and more food!

Once again ( for the millionth time in as little as a week) I'm going to get the eating under control.  I always start out right and even work out fairly well but somewhere between lunch and bed I lose it. Tonight it was nutella! Really?! I mean if I'm going to fall off the wagon why not go for the good stuff, like Lindt or Mike's Hard Lemonade?!!! But tonight it was nutella, last night the hubby brought home chicken, ham, and pineapple pizza!!!!
With inspiration from LauraBelle, who took a suggestion from me and tried the Eat Clean Diet, I too will Eat Clean.
Here's my Food Plan for tomorrow:

7am Breakfast:
1C steel cut oatmeal with flaxseed, craisins, almond milk and a few maple flakes
1 hard boiled egg
Coffee - can't drink it black yet, so I'll be back with a little sugar and milk

10 am snack: Shakeology protein shake and an apple and water

1pm Lunch:  Quinoa *, peppers, little bit of feta with balsamic vinegar and water (I cook the quinoa in the rice cooker on white OR whole grain rice setting, it works perfectly!!)

3pm snack:  handful of almonds, no pears in the fridge and I don't want to eat another apple so I'll probably have a peach or watermelon

6pm dinner: My parents will be in town so we will probably be out for dinner but there's no reason why I can't eat grilled chicken will veggies almost anywhere.

I'm hoping to workout before breakfast but we'll see how quickly I wake up.

*Quinoa tip. I buy prerinsed quinoa. If you don't rinse the quinoa before you cook it, it will taste very bitter. Prerinseed quinoa is a bit more expensive but well worth it! I know our Kroger, Giant Eagle and Meijer carry it.
I love quinoa, its so versatile and HEALTHY. "This powerhouse food has more protein than any other (about 22 g per 1-cup serving, compared with only 5 g per cup for white rice, for example). Like meat and soy, quinoa contains all the essential amino acids our bodies need to function, and it’s also high in fiber and iron. But quinoa has less fat than either meat or soy, so it's a great addition to a healthy diet."  I'll probably have leftovers for breakfast on saturday morning with almond milk, and  maple flakes!
Saturday I'm off for a romantic weekend with the hubby and some shopping at the outlet mall. I've got to plan well so I'll be able to eat well!! One drink at dinner, one drink at dinner, one drink at dinner - no chocolate cake, no chocolate cake...  Repetition may help.
Stay tuned tomorrow for - BYOC!!

BYOC

BYOC - Bring Your Own Crazy!  ( I know its not Friday)

BYOC – Bring Your Own Crazy….5 little questions we ask to get to know each other better and to give our blogging brains a break. Copy and paste to your own blog and enjoy!

1. If you have a camera and have the time – take the contents of your purse out – and take a picture of said contents and explain them. If you don’t have time or a camera – please describe the contents of your purse.

The usual suspects: cell phone, sunglasses, check book, headset, coupons, gum, pens, pencils, sunscreen, migraine meds, 6 lip colors (?!!), perfume and in the lower left corner, a thumb (magic trick of the boy's - don't know why its in my purse!)

So of course I cleaned out all the things I don't need - NOT - I just dumped the whole shebang back in my purse. You never know when you'll need a thumb right?!

2. Repeat question: I’m going to pick a person not knowing if you have a relationship with this person or if the person even exists and you try to describe the person in 5 words or short sentences.


• Your kindergarten teacher

I remember her name - Mrs. Gali

but that's it

3. What’s your favorite guilty pleasure / trashy TV show you like to watch?

Any and all medical shows: Love Grey's, Private, Off the Map.... and some lady porn: True Blood

4. "A lot of you told me about your first day of school experiences when I posted about how my 5 year old going to kindergarten wasn’t causing me too much heartache." (quoted from Drazil) So now I’m officially asking – tell me about one of your first day of school experiences that sticks out in your mind the most. Who put you on the bus? Did you ride the bus? Did your parents take pics? Did they walk you into school? Drive you there? Cook you breakfast?

My parents were teachers, my dad a principal, my mom a stay-at-home mom til I was older so the first day of school was a big deal but my dad had to be at work early. We had first day pictures and then my mom would walk me and then my sister and I to school. Nothing huge, so that's what I do. The only thing that's different on the first day than any other day is the pictures at our house.

5. Repeat question: Summarize your week in real life and in blog land.

In blog land I'm slacking. I love reading everyone's blog but I just don't get to it often.  In real life, its busy busy. Three school committees I'm on have events happening this month - Box Tops, Walking Club and Scholastic Book Fair. I'm trying to clean my house but its BORING so I find many many other things to do instead. WOW I live an exciting life! I really gotta do something interesting this week. I'm open to suggestions.