javajanie

Crazy Chinchilla Babies

2 hours ago
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The babies are 4 weeks old now. And they are so stinkin' cute. And crazy too!

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Avocados and High Fiber Cereal

Yesterday
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You thought I was joking, didn't you?

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Could This Week Get Any Better?

2 days ago
3 comments

It started out with a impromptu get-together at my house when Rob and Nicole arrived to pick up my nephew (I watched him while they were out of town) and Steve's brother, Rob and his wife, Kirsten showed up at the same time Sunday night. We all ended up sitting on the porch for awhile just visiting.

Monday, after taking the remaining 3 kids to their Mom-Mom's house, Steve and I headed to Virginia for a business trip. Which of course, meant stopping at Cracker Barrel. I got my downhome cooking fix, Chicken Fried Chicken, Fried Okra and Turnip Greens.

Tuesday, while Steve was off working, I got to hang out with Jamie and Nathan (DeWitte made a brief appearance too). Meeting Vox/blogging friends is always a little surreal. It's a mix between meeting a celebrity and an old friend. But it's oh so much fun. I'm pretty crappy about taking pictures anymore, so there are none. Jamie's kitchen is awesome. And they have lots of cool old stuff. I meant to tell Jamie this, but forgot, she makes good coffee and her iced tea is spot on. Trust me, I'm a little picky about both. Jamie blogged about the whole thing and she's a much better storyteller than I am, so go read it. The only thing I'm bummed about is not getting to see the chicken trick. Maybe next time.

Accompanying Steve on business trips not only means visiting friends, it also means good food. I had one of the best crab cakes ever on Tuesday night. Who knew those Virginians could cook blue crab so well? I think of blue crabs being a Maryland thing, but I guess we do kinda share the Chesapeake Bay with Virginia. On our way home, we stopped at a little restaurant on the water by Yorktown. I had a Po' Boy Soft Crab Sandwich. I was a bit skeptical when it said they had shaved country ham on the sandwich but I tried it. Very very good.

After we got home, I had a craving for some good old fashioned Maryland Fried Chicken, like my Mom-Mom, Great Aunt Mary, Great Aunt Catherine, and Mom used to make. So I whipped some up and some sweet corn fritters too. It was really really good. It's a wonder I have any left.

But I needed to make sure I had some left because I promised Kelly I would bring her some today. I haven't seen Kelly in over a year. And as a bonus, Jenny is going to be hanging with us today too. Steve doesn't expect me home at a decent time. He figures he'll end up just chilling with a good book until I get back.

And then (Yes, this week just keeps on getting better!) Steve's vacation starts tomorrow. Last year, he didn't have any leave, so he had to work while the kids were gone. We're going to do exciting things like sand down the front door and paint it red, finish the playhouse, buy a new dishwasher. Honestly, it'll be loads of fun, because we'll be side by side all week long!

Ok, I better go get ready. I need to get on the road by 9:30ish to get up to Kelly's around 11 like I told her!

Never Pass Up a Vox-ortunity!

4 days ago
7 comments

You know what's awesome? Going on business trips with Steve. We get to eat out, stay in a hotel with free breakfast (I love a good free breakfast), and most importantly, I can usually meet up with a Vox friend!

Since we are in Jamie's neck of the woods, she is going to not only show me her beautiful chickens and fancy schmancy chicken coop, but she is also going to show me around a beautiful downtown area nearby. I've had family live in this area on and off for most of my adult life, but I've never visited this part of town, so I'm excited to see it. And I'm especially excited to have Jamie and Nathan as my tour guides!

Now if only Steve had some business out on the West Coast. I'd love to meet Cori, Steve B., and Fish!

A Nice Little Reminder

5 days ago
4 comments

Next time one of my children is stung by a bee, I will not attempt to tell them to calm down or that it's not so bad. Why? Well, I stepped on one while walking in the yard and it hurt. I pulled out the stinger and thought, "Holy crap, that is ridiculously painful." It was a nice little reminder after not being stung since I was a young child catch bumble bees and putting them in empty margarine containers and shaking them up real hard for the fun of it. (Yes, I deserved to be stung after doing that, I realize that. I had a rotten side as a child.)

Some Things To Look Forward To

Jun 25, 2009
5 comments

The kids are all getting ready for their summer trips with their dad/stepmom or mom/stepdad. Ok, I am getting them ready, either way, we are in the throes of packing/organizing, seeing who is missing what and whether everyone has a decent amount of underwear. The usual.

It's bittersweet. While it is nice to be a childless couple for a few weeks, I find that once they are gone, I miss them all terribly.

I'll be accompanying Steve on a business trip for a few days next week. (Hey Jamie, want to attempt to do lunch on Tuesday?) That'll keep my mind off of their absence. Kinda like a vacation, for me. I think I'll take War and Peace with me and have another stab at it. It's been mocking me for well over a year now, ever since I put it on the shelf after getting 100 pages in.

Also, I'm kinda looking forward to grocery shopping. For a change, I'll be buying things I like. I'm totally going crazy and buying a high fiber cereal. I'm all about living on the edge when the kids are gone. I'm also going to buy a bag of avocados and eat all of them. Usually I buy strawberries, apples, bananas, carrots. Nope, I'm going for the avocados. I might even go crazy and buy some mangos. I'm totally going to live it up. I might even make a whole meal out of vegetables that the kids hate.

Steve is going to take a week off too. Not sure what we are going to do. I think a bit of home improving, or home upkeep, whatever you want to call it. I tell ya, I turn my back for a season and everything seems to be going to pot!

Oh, and to really have some fun while they are gone, I scheduled my yearly appointment. The one just for women.

It's going to be one wild time!

My favorite necklace

Jun 25, 2009
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A cute little bird!

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Right now.

Jun 24, 2009
2 comments

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More Chinchilla Pictures And a Bonus Baby Rabbit too!

Jun 14, 2009
6 comments

Babies, Babies, and More Babies

Jun 13, 2009
7 comments

First, let's discuss the ridiculously cute chinchilla babies. They are getting so big. And cuter each day. And they are rotten. Rose loves to climb out of the cage whenever I open it. I have to catch her before she falls to the floor. I'm in shock over all the things they do at a little over a week old. They popcorn, run, climb. Poor ZuZu was trying to eat and Rose was climbing on her head. I guess even chinchilla mamas have to just deal and do what they've got to do. I've got video and stuff, but I'm on the deck and have no desire to go inside to grab the camera and upload stuff. They are just such blessings. I'm enjoying every day with them.

Also, Steve found a teensy tiny baby rabbit today in the yard, like smaller than the baby chinchillas. He caught it and brought it to me. He's so awesome like that. We have pictures, but like I said, I'm being lazy, so you'll have to wait til Monday when Steve is out of town without us in Virginia Beach and I find myself bored out of my mind. I get to stay behind so I can let the AC guys in. They will be replacing our AC unit, the coil, and cleaning our ducts. Woohoo! And here I thought I was staying on the beach next week. So yeah, baby rabbit, very cute. Pictures later.

Last, Away We Go was hilarious. I liked it better than Juno. Don't be hating on me for saying that people. It was just really funny. The kind of movie I really like. I love movies that are like a snippet of a part of a real person's life. And that's what this was like. Don't get me wrong, there were some things that just did not compute, but I won't discuss them here because I hate spoilers so I'll refrain. If you've seen it, feel free to PM me and I'd love to discuss! Also, I will not be watching Food, Inc. Saw the trailer and I'm afraid if I watch it, I'll only feel safe eating dandelion greens out of my own backyard. (We had to go to an "independent" theatre to watch Away We Go, so the trailers weren't your normal Hollywood crap.)

Ok, that wasn't last. I lied. I had a really great date with my husband last night. He picked the movie and the restaurant, but it really was all about me. The movie, well I showed him the trailer months ago. I would've bet money on him picking Star Trek as soon as he said we were going to a movie. The restaurant, not only French, but outside dining. I love eating outside on a cool Summer night in the city. Oh, and he made all the arrangements for the kids, including dinner. I seriously didn't have to do anything but get myself looking as hot as possible. Yup, he rocks.

dewitte Updated: 1 hour ago
Jamie Updated: 2 hours ago
ashbylane Updated: 4 hours ago
mad-tante Updated: 4 hours ago
RG Updated: 13 hours ago

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Jamie said:
I hope you also bought extra toilet paper! read more
on Avocados and High Fiber Cereal
Nacwolin said:
What, that you were going to buy stuff that you like while the kiddos are away?(If that's the case, I... read more
on Avocados and High Fiber Cereal
Kzinti said:
Well, we were kind of hoping. LOL. Madwoman... read more
on Avocados and High Fiber Cereal
Kzinti said:
It's what life is all about. Family, friends, food... Ahhh... read more
on Could This Week Get Any Better?
Steve Betz said:

[this is good]
Fried chicken and sweet corn fritters?!!!? Where do I show up!? read more
on Could This Week Get Any Better?