73 posts tagged “daily life”

Things I loathe

• Waking up late and having to take a cold shower due to poor shower scheduling
• Messy kitchens
• Homework time after school
• Laundry
• Reading Treasure Island outloud for hours (and summarizing) because of inadequate teaching
• People who talk the talk, but don't walk the walk
• Spending 5 1/2 hours of my Saturday in a car dealership

Things I love

• A husband that keeps himself in shape for me
• Breakfast and coffee with friends
• My new shiny black minivan (I got to pick this one out all by myself!)
• Naming my new shiny black minivan (Victoria gave it the best name a minivan has ever had)
• 87% dark chocolate
• Breakfast by the pound at McKay's, a small local grocery store (french toast and scrapple for $.84, mmmmm)
• My special mix CD Steve made, each song handpicked for me
• Handwritten notes
• Egg salad sandwiches
• Clean kitchens
• Seeing my teenagers studying together for an upcoming test
• Driving with the moonroof open and my windows down
• Baseball caps and ponytails when you don't have time to do your hair
• Baby bunnies and baby cockatiels (not mine, but I got to look at them)
• Reading funny cards and laughing with Victoria
• Kids that not only can behave in a restaurant, but in a car dealership for 5 1/2 hours (Seriously, they deserve an award.) 

So a telemarketer just called. I'm very nice to them, I just turn down whatever they are offering. We exchange the usual pleasantries...

"Hello, is Mr. or Mrs. P available?"

"This is Mrs. P."

"How are you today, Mrs. P?"

"I'm doing well. How are you?"

At this point she launches into exactly how she is...

"Well, I'm not really feeling well. I was feeling fine this morning and then all of a sudden I just started not feeling right, like I was coming down with something. I just can't seem to get over it."

I had to hold back from laughing, partly because it was so unexpected, partly because it's something I might actually do.

I managed to say, "Yeah, it's that time of year. Everyone's getting sick."

She then went into her spiel. I politely turned her down and told her I hoped she felt better soon. And I really meant it.

Yesterday, I took homemade cupcakes into school for Josiah's 8th birthday. This was my first time. Every other school the kids have ever gone to have had strict rules for birthday snacks. No homebaked or bakery items, must be individually packaged and have ingredient list due to possible allergies. Sure, it took less effort from me, but it's just not the same bringing in a couple of boxes of twinkies instead of some homemade cupcakes. I have fond memories of watching my mom in the kitchen, the night before my birthday making cupcakes. There was something so wonderful about carrying that box full of cupcakes into your class, knowing that everyone else in your class would hurry over to see the goodies you had brought in.

A side note, I was amazed at what a little bit of candy sprinkles do for a horrible frosting job. Who knew cupcakes were so difficult to frost? Although, I guess it could just be me.

I'm having a lot of fun with my new computer (whom I have named Oscar, just because). Yesterday, I installed iTunes and put our entire library on it. I burned myself a cd of a bunch of songs from the various mix cds Steve made me when we started dating. I hadn't really listened to "secular" music in almost 10 years, so I was a bit behind on music. (Don't ask.)

Anyway, while driving home from the store with Ashley and Alex and listening to my "new" cd, we were discussing how certain songs can bring you back to a particular time and place in your life.

"These songs remind of when I was dating your dad. It's like I can close my eyes and just be there. And like The Fray's album reminds me of last October when Mom-Mom died because it was the cd I listened to the most." I said.

Alex (13) pipes up like he totally gets what I'm trying to say, "Yeah, and like, I don't know why, but the word supper always makes me think of spaghetti."

Alrighty then. I was a good mom and didn't laugh til I told Steve later. Although, perhaps a good mom wouldn't blog about it.

 

 

Janie is in the kitchen, rummaging through the cabinets looking for a snack. She ends up putting a single serve bag of popcorn in the microwave, as she does every night. She calls out to Steve who is sitting on the couch curled up with a quilt.

Janie: "Steve, do you want anything while I'm out here?"

Steve: "No"

Janie: "I have cookies. Do you want some milk and cookies?"

Steve: "Nah, I'm not really hungry."

Janie: "Okay."

Janie waits for her popcorn, then dumps it into a bowl to enjoy while watching tv. She comes out and sits down next to Steve. Janie neurotically methodically picks through her popcorn, scoping out the best kernels. Steve reaches over without looking away from the television and grabs a big handful giving no thought to the next piece of popcorn that Janie was planning on eating next. He throws the popcorn in his mouth.

Janie: "I thought you weren't hungry."

Steve (throwing another handful of popcorn into his mouth): "I'm not."

Janie looks incredulously at Steve while he mixes all the popcorn around while trying to take another handful. Steve doesn't notice and keeps happily munching away. Janie gives up and sighs. Steve's too cute to stay mad at for too long.

*Ok, not every night, but 5 or 6 out of seven nights a week.

 

 

 

I've noticed that we aren't going through toilet paper as fast as we once did. So I did some thinking. The only thing I can figure is that it has to do with the kids going back to school. Now I need to adjust my toilet paper buying schedule. I've been buying it in the same quantities I was over summer and it seems I have 36 rolls of mega roll toilet paper after buying a humongous 30 roll pack at the wholesale club 2 weeks ago (yay for new wholesale club membership and being able to buy things in bulk!). I think I can skip buying toiler paper for this pay period. Don't you think?

I woke up earlier than usual this morning. Victoria was going to a friend's farm to dress up like Boots from Dora the Explorer for a hayride thing they do. Sure beats asking to hang out at the mall, so I drove her down. The costumes weren't just cheap costumes, they were like mascot costumes. She promised me to get a picture or two. We'll see if she conveniently forgets.

After dropping her off I took the opportunity to call Hannah and stop at the grocery store. I wanted to make "Quick Tortilla Soup". It's windy with a good chill in the air. Perfect day for a huge pot of soup.

When I got home, I made a huge pot, big enough for a couple of days. Steve was outback attempting to turn the pool from a lovely green back to clean. The pool guys are coming to close it in a little over a week. I'm always so relieved when they come to close it. I'm so tired of trying to keep the thing clean by this time of year (hence the green hue it currently has).

Now Steve and Alex are at the dump getting rid of our old dishwasher and stove along with other random crap that was sitting out in the garage. There is still much more out there, but the van will only hold so much.

Josiah is playing some SpongeBob video game. Sophie is working on a project for school, something to do with the United Kingdom. Ashley is hanging out at the neighbors. I told Hannah I would post the recipe. So here I am. I was racked with guilt for putting it off until now.

Quick Tortilla Soup

1/2 cup chopped onion

1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and finely chopped

1 tbsp taco seasoning mix

1 garlic clove chopped

6 cups chicken broth

1/2 cup thick and chunky salsa

1/4 cup lime juice

2 cups cooked chopped chicken

1 can black beans

2 cups frozen yellow corn

1/4 cup snipped fresh cilantro

2 cups broken tortilla chips

Toppings such as grated cheese, diced avocado, sour cream, and diced tomato.

In 4 qt pot, cook onion, jalapeno pepper, taco seasoning mix and garlic over medium high heat until tender crisp. Add chicken broth, salsa, and lime juice. Cover and bring to a boil then reduce heat to a simmer. Stir in chicken, cilantro, beans and corn. Ladle soup into bowls. Sprinkle with broken tortilla chips and serve with toppings.

So there ya go. A good soup for a nice cold day. I already sampled it several times, just to make sure it was edible and all. (Tamzen, I bet it would be good if you used vegetable broth and left the chicken out too!)

 

Let's imagine you are sitting on the couch with your husband next to you, all snuggled so nicely. Let's imagine your husband wants your attention. To accomplish this, he elbows you in the rib cage EVERY single time. Is this endearing or horribly annoying? No matter what, it is would be painful, despite how lightly your husband thinks he is "nudging" you. What is so important on the television that Steve your husband would need to inflict physical pain to get my your attention? Wouldn't a kiss on the cheek be much better to get my your attention? I'm just asking, hypothetically, of course.

My brother in law, Rob, is here. He came over to watch Jeopardy and The Office with Steve and I. I made him a nice homecooked meal of spaghetti and some carrot cake cookies with cream cheese frosting. Despite all this, he has the audacity to say that he is going to beat me at Jeopardy tonight. Seriously, can you believe this guy?

Now, I'm not saying I'm going to win, that would be prideful, but I'm not going down without a fight!

 My mom turned 60 this week. Funny how 60 just doesn't sound as old as it used to sound to me. Grey hair doesn't seem so bad either. Good thing since I found my first one a couple of months ago. I kinda like it. Who knew I wouldn't mind getting older?

That isn't what I was here to blog about. I was actually going to post pictures of my mom's birthday party from yesterday. I started to do it earlier, then Hannah called and I got a little sidetracked. Although, I think the braindumping I did while I was on the phone with her did me good. I feel all ready to blog and take on the world.

So yeah, pictures. First we have the birthday girl opening her gift while my dad looks on....

My mom just bought a new(er) car to replace the one she totalled in a lovely accident with a state trooper (long story). She was upset that her new car didn't have a cassette player. We all pitched in a bought her an adapter so she can play her cassette tapes. She's silly.

This was just after she blew out her candles. Well, my adorable blonde nephew, Noah, blew several out from way up in his daddy's arms. Grammie blew out what was left....

This is Marlen's youngest, same kid that blew out the candles....

This is her youngest daughter...

Nicole's teenagers fighting it out. Kay definitely had the upper hand...

I made a lemon pound cake for my mom. Here I am getting ready to make Steve try some. It was surprisingly good....

 

Some pictures of the grandkids with my mom's (formerly my) beloved dog, Harrison...

 

 

This is Nicole's youngest, but the thing I love most about this picture is Kare Bear in the background about to lick her ice cream while trying to find a place to sit....

I think they could've fit a few more people in the chair, don't you?

My mom and her older brother...

Steve, just because I think he's cute...

Sophia, looking all serious...

Alex modeling some really big shoes while standing with me...

Ashley and my cousin's daughter...

It was a good time. Lots of food, grilled salmon, burgers, hot dogs, loads of doritos, broccoli salad, deviled eggs, ice cream (seriously, can you have a bad time if there is ice cream?). The real blessing is just being able to have big ol' family get togethers like this. After years of being apart from my sisters, I'm thankful to have times like this with them and their families.