Ah, Love

Everyday (well almost everyday) my husband heads off to work with a freshly packed lunch by yours truly. Sometimes it's a sandwich, sometimes leftovers, but I generally try to make sure the man is properly fed. Lord knows he might break his hand making his own PB & J. He says mine just taste better. Hmmmm.
Anyway, he came home the other day and was telling me that there is this guy in his squadron also named Dan (we'll call him Dan2) who is newly married. Dan2 comes to work every and pulls out his freshly packed lunch and goes on and about how fantastic his wife is and who wonderful her cooking is and how he is so lucky that she takes care of him. All together now, "Ahhhhh!" (puke) Right?
So my Dan procedes to tell me that just isn't his style and he would never gush on like that about me. Swoon! I just sat there and looked at him like he was from Mars. Seriously, I am falling in love with you all over again. He smirks.
Then Dan tells me that just that day he took leftovers of my pulled pork sandwhiches to work and was warming it up. Dan2 walks in and says "Mmmm, that smells good. What is it?" My Dan replies, "Oh just a bbq sandwich my wife made for me."
His theory is that he doesn't need to brag about me or my cooking because it speaks for itself. Sweet. Armed with a smirk on his face, "You just do too many wonderful things for me to brag about just one." High praise or just trying to dig out of a hole with a shovel? I'll take it.

My new house.

We had to have some termite work done, so there is this weird random post in front all by itself. That will becoming out soon. See our nice palm tree and pretty petunias? Let's all bow our heads and pray that they at least make it a few weeks.

Notice the flag??? That is gone now.

Indecisive

I am still in search for the blog template that suits me best. I decided to give this one a whirl. Shana said I needed something more girly. What do you think? Blogger has some sucky choices...

Toasty?

The other day I decided to make a cake for my neighbor, Jim and his wife Maggie. They are the sweet older couple who live across the street who helped me out with Btom and gave popcicles to the kids. They're great neighbors. So I whipped up some of my Ponderosa cake. I had enough for 2 cakes, so I put them in those disposable tin cake pans. They turned out beautifully. I took them out of the oven and left them on the stove to cool.
A while later the kids were hungry so I decided to make them some noodles for lunch. I put a pot of water on and then wandered back into the office to do some more blogging (addict??). After some time, I realized I had forgotten about the noodles. Oh well...kept blogging. Then I heard the smoke alarm. BLEEP BLEEP BLEEP!! I ran out of the office letting out an expletive, that shall remain nameless, slip out and ran into the kitchen/family room. There are my kids, mindlessly watching TV and oblivious to the room that is FILLED with smoke. Hmmm, I stop to ponder....they really watch too much TV...oh wait...back to the smoke. I looked over at the stove and see that one of the cakes is on fire. Actual FLAMES. So I grab a dishtowel and start whacking away at them. By now, the Red Beast is standing behind me yelling and pointing, "Fire, fire FIRE! Bwahahahahaha!!!" and laughing hysterically. Maybe I should be talking to my kids a little more about the dangers of fire and seriousness of burns?
When I finally get the fire out, I realize that I had turned on the wrong burner and the pot of water was sitting there still cool. Makes you wonder why I didn't just us that to put out the flames?

Free Pedometer

I wandered onto a blog called Big Blueberry Eyes and saw that she had a link to a website that will send you a free pedometer for taking a very short survey. Interesting. I took the survey, I'll let you know if the pedometer comes in the mail!

Click here

The best advice given to me today

Always keep several get well cards on the mantel..... so if unexpected guests arrive, they will think you've been sick and unable to clean.

The time has come....

I am just grouchy enough today to tell you about the person who gave birth to my husband. She drove me CRAZY this weekend. And to be perfectly honest, she didn't even do anything that bad. Just enough to poke the bear.

1. She made a photo album for my kids. (nice in itself right??) There were pictures of everyone in the family but me. Including the dog.

2. My sister in law (married to Dan's brother) is a really sweet girl who we all actually like. She is graduating from the police academy next week. MIL has her announcement displayed prominently on her piano and was telling Dan how we CANNOT miss her graduation. (We have an important Navy function that night). When I was graduating from college, I flew home from Florida for the ceremony and invited her to the party. She refused to come and asked Dan to come over and visit her at her house instead....without me.

3. She disciplines my kids in front of me. Even if I am in the middle of correcting them. I am perfectly capable of raising my own kids thank you.

4. I was telling Dan how I bought these jumbo rolls of toilet paper and they don't even fit on the dispenser thingy. She says "I always knew you were full of it." Huh??

5. She would NEVER NEVER NEVER let me in her bedroom but she felt free to go exploring in mine. And it was a mess. And my husband let her. When she came to visit us when we were first married, she was digging around in our bathroom and found condoms. As if that wasn't enough she actually had the gall to go to my husband and ask what they were for. WTF????

So, nothing too out of the ordinary this weekend, but enough.....


Oh, and I have added some yummy new recipes for Pulled Pork Sandwiches and Homemade Hot Fudge Sauce on my recipe site. Check it out! Great for this hot weather!

For the Love of God and all that is HOLY...LEAVE ME ALONE!!

Since I have moved into my new house, my routine has been to load the kids into the car before I open the garage door - just in case Bastard Tom is around - I can make a fast getaway. Today, I rationalized to myself that this was not going to be a problem. So I opened the garage and started loading the kids. Then I look up and there is Tom. He was across the street, saw me and started making his way towards me. I start to panic and am tossing the kids in, ran around to my seat, turned the car on and screeched out of my garage. As I am turning to leave the street, Btom walks up to my window.
He starts telling me how he came by last week and knocked several times. When I didn't answer he decided he would just take the flag. He knew we wouldn't mind and all. Then he starts listing off all kinds of things he left behind that he wants back. I told him to make a list and leave it in my mailbox. "Oh, I can't do that. That's a federal offense!" (As if threatening to hurt my children is no small thing).
He did take the time to say "sorry" for being "grouchy" that one day...you know the day he told us he was going to stalk and hurt my kids. Gee Btom, I am so touched. Let's be friends. I tried to go to the police today to file a report, but didn't work out. So that is the plan for tomorrow.
Luckily, Dan made some friends in the cul de sac this weekend. And our neighbor, Jim, saw Btom talking to me and came out to hurry Btom along. He is a sweet older man and I think I am gonna bake him some cookies. Is this drama ever going to end???

He's BAAAAAAACK!!

Yesterday I was outside taking pics of the new house (which I promise to post once I tweak them a bit!!) and the kids in the front yard. We have this wonderful American Flag that hangs out front. Bastard Tom had left it there and we were happy to have it. Well, I took the pics at noon yesterday and the flag was in the pictures. Last night when my parents were leaving, Dan says, "Where is the flag??". He came over, took a ladder and tools and undrilled it from the house WHILE I WAS HOME!! So, today or tomorrow my dad and I are going in to file a police report. SO creeped out. In the meantime here are a few not so good pics of my backyard. Happy weekend!!

Our grass needs work and the tree is coming out next weekend. Probably looks small to all you Canadians out there. But this is sprawling for California...LOL!!

Ubu is fiercely protecting our backyard. Look how mean she looks....grrr.

Our beautiful greenery in the retaining wall which will soon be dead because I have a black thumb.

Red Beast, Stinky and Boo

The Red Beast on her Red Wheels

Stinky eating a yucky banana popcicle from the neighbor

Brady Boo wearing his adorable kimono from our friends Mike and Nicki

Mmmm...

My parents are coming over to my house to bbq tonight. I found this recipe and am going to try it as a side along with bacon cheeseburgers (being that they are low fat and all) Ha!

GRILLED ARTICHOKES
(Recipe for 4 artichokes, 8 servings ½ artichoke each)
This recipe is perfect for the lazy cook, since all preparation can be done the previous day. The slightly smoky taste compliments the nuttiness of the artichoke and no dip is necessary, although some might want to use additional marinade for dipping.

Ingredients: 4 large artichokes ¼ cup balsamic vinegar ¼ cup water ¼ cup soy sauce 1 T minced ginger ¼ cup olive oil

Method:
Slice artichoke tops off, crosswise. Trim Stems.
Boil or steam artichokes until bottoms pierce easily, or a petal pulls off easily.
Drain artichokes. Cool. Cut each artichoke in half lengthwise and scrape out fuzzy center and any purple tipped petals.
Mix remaining ingredients in a large plastic bag. Place artichokes in the bag and coat all sides of the artichokes. For best flavor marinate in the mixture overnight in the refrigerator but should marinate at least one hour.
Drain artichokes. Place cut side down on a grill over a solid bed of medium coals or gas grill on medium. Grill until lightly browned on the cut side, 5 to 7 minutes. Turn artichokes over and drizzle some of the remaining marinade over the artichokes. Grill until petal tips are lightly charred, 3 to 4 minutes more.
Serve hot or room temperature

I'll let you know how they turn out. Still looking for more suggestions from all of you on your favorite recipes. I'm trying to build up my personal cookbook. Feel free to comment!!

Not all the animals were contained at the zoo...

Yesterday my fun kid project was to take my boys to the zoo while the girl was in school. Had a great time, met my friend Jennifer there. We had some much needed mommytime and talked about our unsolvable problems while we guiltily munched on cookies and diet coke. We did take time to ponder - do they cancel eachother out?
The freaks were out and possibly having a parade yesterday. As I was waiting outside the gate for Jen, there was this weird man staring at me from across the courtyard. He looked eerily like my FIL and I had the distinct feeling he was checking to see if I was interested. Even though I had 2 babies with me and he was clearly almost 70. Ick.
When Jen arrived with baby Nate in tow, we decided to go see the Orangutans first. I love them. Especially the male one, Clyde. He shows up on most of the posters and stuff to advertise for the zoo when he isn't overshadowed by our beloved pandas. We love that guy around here. Anyway, there was a gaggle of old men hanging around over there. Probably retired and kicked out of the house for the day by their frustrated wives.
One guy walks up to us and starts talking to Stinky. My chest puffed out with pride as Stinky scrunched his face up and growled for the man to go away. Proud mama moment. He hates strangers as much as I do. The man seems unphased and continues to talk and walk with us away from the exhibit. He actually asked Jen, who is only a couple years older than me if she was the grandma. WTF??? So we just kicked him in the shins and ran away. Ok, not really, but I thought about it.
Relieved that we finally escaped that guy, the creepy FIL guy was back. He walked over and started walking really close along with us, staring at my baby. I wanted to scream. I was sure he was going to grab me and try to make me his love slave. I'm gonna have nightmares about him for weeks. He said something bizarre like, "Is that a baby?" I just mumbled, "Yup" and we picked up the pace and out walked him. Whew. Another close call.
I think I would have been happier if they had locked up all the creepy old men and I could walk around the zoo with the gorillas.

The results are in....

For those of you who so passionately argued for your favorite spelling of Breydan's nickname, the results are in:


Brady


We had to make a snap decision on Saturday night. The kids made a Father's Day tshirt with their hand prints and nicknames on it. So this is what we chose. It just makes sense to us. I need to get out the camera today and snap some new photos of my kids. Espcially Brady. He has changed alot! Pics of him and the house to come!!

I want my body back!

Our internet has been down for the last several days and it has just been fixed. I thought I was going to go crazy. Funny how attached we have become.
I am turning over a new leaf. I don't know how long it is going to last because I am naturally drawn to the lazy side of life. But I have decided to take being SAHM (stay at home mom) by storm. I feel as though my house is always a mess, my kids watch too much TV and I am tired of not losing mommy weight. So in the last 2 weeks I have set up household chore schedule, planning fun events for my kids (big or small) at least 3 days during the week and staying away from sweets. (See that picture, that was after I had my daughter and I thought I looked way out of shape. Bwahahahah! I would kill to look like that now!)
I'm breastfeeding, so it is hard to really diet, but I figure if I start there I might make SOME progress. I want to lose at least 25 lbs. My goal was 30, but magically I have already lost 5. Feel free to keep me accountable. I am hoping that by the time Santa comes, his belly will be the only one jiggling like a bowl full of jelly.
My house, my kds and ESPECIALLY my body will never be perfect, but at least I am making an effort for some improvements. With that said, I better go turn off the TV and play with my kids. I think we're gonna run in the sprinklers today. Have a good one!

Bastard Tom and his sidekick Blithering Idiot

Well, I pretty much covered all that happened with Bastard Tom. As I said before we kept trying to do our final walkthrough and his agent, Blithering Idiot, kept cancelling on us - he's just too drunk to go over there. (When is he not drunk??) BTom then decides that he wants his money before we can set foot on the property. He would not let us come over until he had his check in hand. Which he got on Wednesday morning last week. Being the rational and normal people that we are, and the fact that we closed escrow already that day, we decided to do the walkthrough Wed afternoon. AGAIN, Blithering Idiot cancels on us. He is just too drunk, don't go over there. We told her to stick it. It is her JOB to make sure the walkthrough gets done and to handle her client. As I told you before we got there and he went crazy, threatening and yelling. He said things like, "I work across the street 3 times a week. You don't want somebody like me mad at you." and "I KNOW where your kids play." Shudder shudder. Creepy as all get out! Needless to say, I left a crying mess. Before my dad and my agent left, Bastard Tom started to cry and apologize and offered to get out of the house right then and there. What an ass! I know alcholoism is a disease - but it is also a way to let down your defenses and show who you really are. Someone who threatens a child when drunk, is not a good person when sober.
So on Friday morning, after we moved in, Dan was taking Savannah to school and called me to let me know he saw Bastard Tom across the street at a neighbor's house and warned me not to open the door. I was so freaked out that I threw my boys in the car - in my pajamas no less - and headed over to my parents' house.
When I got home I had THREE messages on my voicemail from Blithering Idiot telling me how Bastard Tom was such a "nice man" and a "sweet soul" and how we are so lucky that he fixed the house up so nice for us. She had stopped by to pick of a few of his remaining items which I had left on the driveway per her request. I was SO angry that after what BTom had done that she would have the audacity to call and tell me what a great guy he is. So I called her. I have never spoken to another human being that way in my life...and I have had some whoppers with my MIL. Ha! A few snippets:

BI: Were you home when I stopped by this morning?

K: No, my husband told me that Tom was across the street, and I was so terrified I took my boys and left.

BI: Kristin, you really are just going to have to get over this...

(WTF????)

K: HE THREATENED MY CHILDREN

BI: Oh, well, he really is a sweet soul. I warned you not to go over there

K: HE THREATENED MY CHILDREN. They are 3, 1 1/2 and a newborn. That is NOT a sweet soul.

BI: You just have to put this behind you. I know. My father was an abusive alcoholic.

K: Who gives a $%#$^%#?!?!?!?

Anyway, it went on and on with her defending him and refusing to see that Bastard Tom or she had done anything wrong and me screaming SCREAMING at her until I was purple. What a BLITHERING IDIOT! I was so insensed that I called and spoke to her supervisor on Monday. They were shocked that she had been so inappopriate. I can only hope they fire her....I doubt it. But I can hope.

I'm alive!

It has been a rocky road these last few days. We FINALLY moved into our new house on Thursday. It is so beautiful! We love it so much. There was quite the fiasco moving in. When we came to do our final walkthrough on Wednesday the former "Good Ol Tom" now called "Bastard Tom" was drunk and angry. He was mad that we were there and mad that he had to move out. He tried to extort more money out of us to get him to leave, threatened to sue us and said the only way we were going to get him to leave was to call the sheriff to throw him out. The he said if we did that he would basically hurt me or the kids. The story goes on and on. I'll have to take the time to fill in the rest, but there are boxes and boxes to unload still. I better get on that.
For now, know that we are in our new house, Bastard Tom is gone and we are all well.

Whatever you say.

I was reading Kelly's blog and she mentioned a boy named Travis Dolan. He lived next door to us when I was growing up. He was a total punk! He taught my brother, Kevin, many a bad word. Well, he had a little sister named Tiffany. I think she was a year younger than me and she and I were friends. She was very sweet, compared to her big brother. We would be sitting at dinner and she would walk up the steps to our back porch and just walk right into the kitchen - whacha doin?? Granted she was probably 4 or so at the time.
One day, when I was about 5 years old, my brothers told me we were declaring war on the Dolans. I had no idea what this meant but I figured if they were doing it, it must be important and I wanted to be involved. So Rob...or was it Kevin (Probably Kevin, he is the evil sneaky middle brother) told me that my job in this war was to take care of Tiffany. No questions asked, I marched outside, very determined and angry. I didn't really understand why, but felt it was important. There I found little Tiffany happily playing in our front yard. She smiled and said, "Hi" as I walked up to her and just clocked her one without a word, and watched as she fell to the ground crying. I just stood there proud and satisfied that I had carried out my task.
I think back at that now and wonder why she continued to talk to me. Probably the same reason I did whatever my brothers told me to do.

Dangerously too accurate?

You Are Cookie Monster

Misunderstood as a primal monster, you're a true hedonist with a huge sweet tooth. You are usually feeling: Hungry. Cookies are preferred, but you'll eat anything if cookies aren't around. You are famous for: Your slightly crazy eyes and usual way of speaking How you life your life: In the moment. "Me want COOKIE!"

The Sesame Street Personality Quiz

The In-Laws...the other ones

We went to see my in-laws yesterday. No my MIL, but the "other ones". That would be my FIL, Ronnie and his wife, Gloria. We have not seen them in months. Our last visit with them ended with FIL telling us that Savannah was not a good kid and needed to be spanked more often for basically every little thing that she does. Don't get me started.
Now, I can tolerate the other ones better than MIL, I am not sure why. They have at least made an effort with Dan and I to get along and help us out. But Dan did TOTALLY blow it with them unintentionally. He forgot to call them when Breydan was born. Big mistake. He got an earful for that one.
They let us know that we are in danger of being "cut off" by Dan's grandmother. She is old and grouchy and is threatening to do so because Dan does not call or visit. Perhaps becasue she IS actually mean and grouchy....hmmmm.... Dan's family is a deep well that I can draw from. I'm sure one day I will get fed up and tell you all about them. I am so glad Dan turned out normal. Now let me tell you, Dan is a great guy. He puts up with SO much junk from his family. They aren't a openly loving and communicative bunch. He visits his parents and grandmother when he can and when he can tolerate it, usually only to be met with nastiness. He does love them anyway, God help him. And I respect him for that...and love him even more for his loyalty. I feel very lucky to have the fantastic family that I have. At least we can depend on them to be normal....well maybe not normal...but loving and kind.

Friendships

I have been doing a lot of thinking about friendships lately. What friendship really means to me, who my friends are, why others have slipped away... I am one of those people that if I engage in a friendship, my intention is to keep you for a lifetime. Most of the friends I have, have been so for at least 8-10 years or more. My dearest friend, Shana, and I have known each other 28! I hear people all the time refer to a "best friend" that has been part of their life for a mere year or two - which is entirely possible. Not everyone is so lucky to find their platonic soul mate so early in life. Then there is my friend Kelly - who even though she is an entire country away - we have managed to keep in contact and be friends for over 20 years! And of course my friend Stepho who has put up with me for over 10! My friend, Nicki, is living over in Japan and thanks to our blogs I still feel so invloved in their lives. I am very lucky to have friendships to last a lifetime. I hope I can make more along the way.
There is one thing that I have noticed about all the friends that I call dear. None of them are normal. Not one of you! My friend Jennifer is the closest - we'll call her my mature friend. So what does that say about me? You may all comment and plead your case, but I've got something on all of you. Maybe we are all misfits and that is why we all meld so well. I like being silly and finding the humor in everything. I make funny faces, interrupt people when they talk to mock them, and joke about my children constantly. I'm glad I have friends who can appreciate this in me and that I can see it in them as well.
So if I get to know you and allow you into the inner circle of silliness that is my life, I truly hope we are always friends - even if that isn't realistic for all people. I guess that is just what friendship means to me.