Wednesday, September 24, 2008

The Under-Appreciated Food


Tapioca Pudding... Do we really appreciate the feeling of complete and total comfort that it offers with its creamy sweet taste and unique texture?

We've already determined that I am definitely an emotional eater and when I get stressed I head for comfort foods. This time I headed straight for the box of tapioca pudding. I can't really describe what it is that I enjoy so much about it, other than when I was a kid my mom would fix tapioca as a special treat for my dad and I just grew up liking it as much as he did. I've tried to buy the pre-made stuff from the grocery's refriderator section, but it just isn't the same - it's got to be the 'real stuff' that my mom made years ago.

Not too long ago I asked my mom if she would make some for me... uh.. her response was 'no'... "You can make it better than I can and you're not 7 anymore..." Gee... do you just feel the love from my mom? Or what? LOL I really do make it tastier than she does! :)

So anyway - I'm on a campaign to bring back the fascination with Tapioca Pudding - Won't you join me?

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

I"m done ....


Finished.... It's over - I quit!!
From this day forward I am resigning from my position as head laundress, chef, and chauffeur or better known as MOTHER!! Is there some paper I need to fill out somewhere? Do I need to seek proper legal representation to make this binding?

I don't know what ever possessed me to think I could pull this off, but I just obviously don't have what it takes to be the mother of these three deranged children. Obviously their headstrong and opinionated ways are a direct reflection of their exposure to too much time with their father! If I say the sky is blue, then someone is going to argue with me. If I ask someone to take a shower, then I'm going to hear 400 reasons why they don't want to take a shower and let's not even get started with teeth brushing! UGH! Go ahead... see if I care if all of your teeth fall out!!! I'm not the one that's going to be gumming my food!!

My 17 year old spoiled, ungrateful spawn has decided that she can live a better life living with her ungrateful spoiled 18 year old girl friend in HER parents' garage apartment. OH really now? Are you employed? Do you have any money? Can you even cook for yourself? Do you have any idea how much it costs to live on 'your own'? All of which this brat can answer a resounding 'NO'! See? What did I tell ya'... DERANGED!!! Oh by the way - on your way out - leave MY credit card that you use to put gas in your car with - on the cabinet.

I guess it's just too much for some kids to live in a new home where EVERYTHING is paid for and made available to them. Including college, clothes, food, and transportation? I guess I have really been a horrible mother? Go ahead... take all of your possessions (which I paid for) and move your happy little butt out.... (INSERT HUGE EYE ROLLING HERE)....

I didn't sign up for this drama. I certainly never created this for my parents - If I had, I can promise you I would have been picking my teeth up off of the floor! LOL

I am at the end of my rope with all three of my brats! Usually I like Briley, but lately she's turned into a little monster - is the moon in some weird phase? Are we having some sort of galactic imbalance? Can I sprinkle ground up happy pills in their food?

I've always heard the saying that "you're paying for your raising"... UH... I beg to differ - I'm obviously paying for someone else's raising because I guarantee I never acted like this - BUT my husband - well..... I guess the stories that his sisters told me were true, after all!

Monday, September 22, 2008

Happy Fall Ya'll



Well it's finally official - Fall has arrived! I can decorate with pumpkins and fall leaves and not be considered a big dork by my neighbors! I really do enjoy this time of year when we can raise the windows and experience the crisp morning air or fresh evening breezes without the droning sound of the air conditioner constantly coming on and off. Now I realize I can't get too happy yet, because we will still have several more days of 90* weather, but I can at least look forward to the season changes with baited anticipation.

Along with the change in season, comes the reoccurring runny noses and seasonal sneezes - but I'm ready - the Zyrtec is in the medicine cabinet and I'm still going to enjoy this time of year.



We have started our new year of Girl Scouts and our troop has increased in size from 4 girls to 15 - so I'm really excited about the fun stuff I've got planned for us to do this year. I'm even going to entertain the idea of taking our Brownie Troop on a camping trip - I think I should have my head examined!!! Luckily my Assistant Leader loves to camp is more than ready to lead this adventure - or else I might not be so eager to pitch a tent! Oh by the way - I don't know how to pitch a tent - and I really never considered learning - this should be interesting! LOL

We are going to have a mini-camp next month, to teach the girls in all of our troops in the area, various camping techniques and skills before we actually take off to the woods. I have a lot of confidence in the lady that is leading this adventure, so I plan on bunking down in her tent when the boogie man comes to visit us in the middle of the night! LOL

Friday, September 19, 2008

The MOM Test

Just a little funny for you to end your work week on:


I was out walking with my 4 year old daughter.
She picked up something off the ground and started to put it in her mouth.
I took the item away from her and I asked her not to do that.

'Why?' my daughter asked.

'Because it's been on the ground, you don't know where it's been, it's dirty, and probably has germs,' I replied.

At this point, my daughter looked at me with total admiration and asked, 'Momma, how do you know all this stuff, you are so smart.'
I was thinking quickly. 'All moms know this stuff.'

It's on the Mom Test. You have to know it.
We walked along in silence for 2 or 3 minutes, but she was evidently pondering this new information.

'OH...I get it!' she beamed, 'So if you don't pass the test you have to be the dad.'
''Exactly! I replied back with a big smile on my face.

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Surprise... Pop-Up Daisies


It's true - the sign of Fall and cooler weather has peaked its head out in North Texas. These little magical red wonders seem to pup-up over night! For most of my life, I've been told that as soon as these red spider/surprise lilies pop-up, we will have our first freeze of the season in exactly 6 weeks. It is a wives' tale - so give or take a day is just automatically implied? Right?

Now I certainly don't know how much scientific evidence there is to this, but it seems to be right on target (give or take a day) for our area.

If my calculations are correct, we should have our first episode of brisk weather and/or freezing temps around October 20th. I am going to really pay attention to this, because it seems to me that our freezes don't usually start until after the first of November. So, I'll have to get back with you on how accurate our pop-up daisies were in predicting the freezing temps this year.

On another note...remember the Yankee Candles I ordered - ahhhhh..... they are here! I fired up my first Frosted Pumpkin of the season.... so yummmy!! I've also ordered a few tea lights and votives in various flavors ... uh... aromas.... and I can't wait to smell all of the fall goodness. Yes, you know me well enough to know that by February I'll be sick of apple spice and cedar.... but right now I'm going to enjoy the scents of the season.

I might even start pulling out my pumpkin paraphernalia, just to set the mood of Fall in our home. I'm so ready to start baking and making soups. Oh heck, I just might even drag out the crock pot and whip up a batch of something fall-ish? LOL Okay, so maybe not? :)

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

School Pictures - Oh HORROR!

**UPDATE** Did you know that for a mere $6 you can have your school pictures retouched. Well you can bet we checked that box and included the additional $6! LOL


We've all been there - Picture Day at school and there's some sort of blemish that will haunt us for the rest of our lives, because there IT is - captured in color print - for the entire world to see!

Okay, so maybe its not quite that horrid, but when you're in Jr. High and you've got two HUMONGOUS zits on your chin and its THE day of school pictures - O...M...G.... It is traumatic!! Yep, it's Bailey Drama and believe you me - she is not the least little bit amused by this. I've assured her that we can always have re-takes done, but as she reminded me, the school uses the first go-around of pictures to put in the yearbook - they don't use retakes! (Insert rolling eyes!!!)

So, we've got approximately 24 hours before THE day and we'll be using all forms of magical zit remedies this afternoon and tonight. I've explained to her, that during my school years, from kindergarten through Jr. High, I always had missing teeth, fever blisters, chapped lips or zits - It's life - It's inevitable!

(Wish us luck -'cause there's not enough cover-up in the world to cover those pesky zits! They are with us to stay for several days! This too shall pass...)

What are your school picture horror stories?

Friday, September 5, 2008

OH MY GAWD!!!!!


(Now say that with a southern teenage drawl.....) This is the coolest bag EVER!!!!!

This purse is called a Miche Bag and is totally changeable and versatile. You no longer need to buy an bag to match an outfit - you just buy one bag and change out the 'shells'!! This is an awesome discovery!!!

Here's how it works, you buy one bag for around $35 and then you buy these cute different colors and designs of shells that attach to the outside of the bag to change look of the purse. How cool is that? If I understood this correctly, the outer shells attach by using magnets. I just might have to have one of these - just for the novelty of it!

I heard about this bag on the radio show I listen to as I drive in to work, and ofcourse I made their website my FIRST stop once I got into my office today. This purse/bag really is a neat little idea. Check out their website!

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Mmm.... Fall is in the air...


Can you smell it? The newly bought pumpkin spice candles.... the grocery stores are stocking up on pumpkins.... the aisles are filled with Halloween treats, pie making goodness, and rows and rows of harvest decorating items.... Ahhh.... could it be that Summer is coming to a close? Could it be that cooler temps are in our near future?

PSYCHE!!! This is Texas! Get a grip! We will have 80* evenings until almost Christmas and this evil tease that's in the air is due to Gustav.... but I'll gladly take the cooler temps for a day or two.

OH well - I fell victim to the spell and went on-line and orderd my Yankee Candles this morning! What can I say? I'm weak? I need seasonal changes and cool weather goodness... not to worry - by mid February I will be complaining of the cold weather and relentless wind and whining about needing a tropical vacation.

I know, I know, I'm just never happy!

Tuesday, September 2, 2008

Fall Garden Plans

No, no, no.... not MY garden plans, but my 88 year old grandmother's garden plans!!!

I caught my Nan-Naw in a weak moment on Sunday afternoon and made a deal with her - she's really very active and quite a hoot - I just love that old woman dearly AND clearly I'm her favorite of 5 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren - just ask me!

Anyway, I called her up Sunday afternoon with a proposition - If she will plant a fall garden this year, I will pay for everything that she needs to buy such as seeds and plants and then when it's time to harvest, I will come down to her house (3 hr trip) to help her pick or shell beans or whatever. I also want her to teach me how to 'can' and 'put-up' veggies the right way, so I'm going to buy all the stuff she needs to do that. I figure I get to learn from the Master of Gardending and Canning and she gets to continue to be the greatest Nan-Naw EVER!!

Each Spring and Summer she has a garden and usually will share a pint or two of her famous butter beans with me, but she really only grows enough for herself, which is great and it keeps her up and moving each day. However if you call to check on her, be prepared to sit and listen to her 30 minute detailed description of all she's done in her yard and just say 'uh huh' every few minutes! LOL

If she didn't have her garden to keep her busy, I'm sure she would find more time to sew and quilt, which is another incredible talent she has. This is a picture of my Nan-Naw last Christmas passing the time... crocheting.... I will never be as talented or as patient as she is.



I'm very excited at the prospect of having fresh veggies in my freezer and if all goes well, maybe I can convince her to do a larger garden in the Spring and I will be better educated and can do all of the canning for her. When I first mentioned it she said that her feet and legs wouldn't hold up to all of that standing in the kitchen canning, so I asked her if she could just sit and supervise - YEP, that was not a problem at all for her. We have a deal! :)

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