Excitement Comes in So Many Ways

First, excitement comes in the form of DVR, which Paco and I finally got this afternoon. I haven't really had time to play with it, but it is currently set to record all episodes of Friends on TBS (I still really like that show) and all episodes of Kim Possible on Disney Channel. I think I am really, really going to like it.

Second, excitement comes in the form of martini's and Chinese food and sushi with friends. I think it's going to be a good night!

Could I Have Felt Any Worse?

I have a pretty high tolerance for pain. In fact, immediately following the births of each of my girls, I was thrilled at the prospect of possibly doing it again. Today, however, I was crying uncontrollably on my couch with a headache that hurt worse than most things I have ever felt. (I still remember the pain of a particular surgery I had and I do admit that this headache was not that bad; possibly close, though.) Princess was taking care of me and all three children behaved pretty well considering I was completely out of it for most of the day. I finally called my mother to bring me more medicine, which helped immensely. It sucked for her, though, because my three year old niece is staying with her for the week and had just thrown up in the car when she arrived at my house. I was barely able to help her and only had three napkins to give her. I was in so much pain that it didn't occur to me to give her rags or anything. I don't really get headaches like that and sincerely pray that it never happens again.

Dinner

I made the most amazing pizza for dinner tonight. I suppose it won't sound all that extraordinary, but let me assure you that it was FAB! I used dough from the bakery - the kind that you have to let rise and then punch down and rise again. I do have a great recipe to make my own, but I chose to buy with my discount today. At $1 a bag, it's hard to resist. I brushed it with olive oil, sprinkled oregano, then spread pizza sauce. On top of the sauce, I put cut up meatballs, jalapenos, and mozzarella cheese. I really don't think that I can tell you how good it was. The kids had a plain cheese version that was also very, very good.

TBell fell off a swing after dinner and smacked her head on the very hard ground. I was worried that she may have a slight concussion, but Paco insists that she is fine. I suppose she probably is okay, but I am watching her very closely anyway.

Things We Go at the Fair Today (Old Home Days)

1. 4 pieces of pizza, two orange soda's and one red Gatorade - $14
2. 1 (amazing) taco and a Coke - $6
3. 1 sword - $5
4. 1 can of silly string - $3
5. 1 purple stuffed fish, won at a game - $2
6. 1 box of snappers - $1
7. 3 all-you-can-ride bracelets - $39

A grand total of $70 worth of fun! (I am kind of hoping Paco doesn't read this.)

Well, I'll Be

I had no idea that it has been over a month since my last post. Crazy. There have been many times that I have thought of things I would like to say, but then never got around to them. So, with not much written, and two of my most loyal readers not employed by a company that allows them to play on the internet all day, I am left to wonder if my blogging is coming to an end. Sigh.

Princess is at sleep away camp this week. It's actually only a few days, Sunday to Wednesday. She has been away from us before, but we can always talk on the phone. This is the first time that she has been away with no contact and it feels strange. It's not too bad, I guess, but I admit that I will be glad when she gets home.

TBell is anxiously awaiting Kindergarten. She also has her first loose tooth. (I lost my last tooth in high school, so she had better get used to the feeling of loose teeth...it's going to last a while!)

Pirate is now really Jack Sparrow. My mother bought him a pirate costume from Disney World and he basically hasn't taken it off for a couple of weeks. It's funny and annoying all at the same time.

Paco and I will be married nine years in just over a week. Just after that, we will have been together (including dating) for 13 years. I am almost too stunned to think about it.

That's the update from here. I definitely need to consider my blogging future!

Good Times

I rode in with my parents, which was a little stressful. Dad was stressed, mom was tired and there was a lot of bickering and snapping. I was also bored, which didn't help. However, once we got to the church (my mother is doing a reading in the wedding) for the rehearsal, things got better. Afterward, I found out that my grandmother and her boyfriend were planning on riding with us to the dinner, so I managed to swing a ride with the bride so as not to have to deal with grumpy parents and grumpy grandparents! (I do love them, but I am here to have fun!)

The rehearsal dinner was great. It was so nice to eat and drink while other people had to watch their own children and all I had to do was have fun! (I do think that one of the groomsmen, a much younger man, was trying to pick me up. I guess I shouldn't be too excited because he has a girlfriend and two children, but still...it's nice to be wanted!) The bartender poured very liberal glasses of wine, of which I had two. My cousin bought me a shot of vodka, which sadly took me two gulps to finish since it was so large. I was never a good drinker when I was younger, and age has just made it worse. But, it was fun nonetheless. After the dinner, I met Paco at the hotel and actually slept all night and was able to wake up this morning without a care in the world! We went down to have breakfast and are thinking of walking over to the mall for a little bit just for fun. Now, don't get me wrong, I do miss my kids. But, it is so nice to not worry about anything and just hang out. The wedding isn't until 5pm, so we have all kinds of time to just have fun. I hope all of you are having a great weekend, too!

My Weekend

Since our children were born, they have spent the night with grandparents if Paco and I had a wedding or party or something. Also, the girls have each gone away from us on there own for various trips or overnights. Paco and I have each taken trips individually without the children. But, never before have we both been gone at one time for any length of time...until this weekend - and I can't tell you how excited I am! Paco is away on business and I will be meeting him there tomorrow night, in a hotel room paid for by his company! Then, on Saturday, we will be going to my cousin's wedding. We will spend another night away, go to a family brunch on Sunday and then come home. I have been busy packing tonight, in the ridiculous heat, and generally stressing because I have so much to do. (Luckily, a deadline was changed so I do not need to spend the entire night compiling grants in Adobe Writer since I just got the software and am not entirely sure how to use it yet.) I am still doing laundry but have gotten a lot more done than I expected to. Wait...have I mentioned that Paco and I are going away?

Various Tidbits of Information

I have no idea how so many days occur between my posts. I very often intend to write, but then get lazy or busy or something and the moments passes. However, I am currently sitting at my computer while the rest of the family is outside and I decided that it is the perfect time to write a mixed bag sort of post.

I worked at the bakery this morning and I have to say that it was my most enjoyable day there so far. Sadly, it was enjoyable because I was having completely inappropriate conversations with my coworkers, but for some reason we couldn't stop. And the conversations were funny. I think I laughed for an hour straight. Isn't it nice to do that sometimes? I don't think that the perfect environment will occur for that type of conversation to happen again (such as those two coworkers with me, no customers, strange moods, etc.) and it really shouldn't since we talked about things that would absolutely offend some people, but I kind of hope that it does happen again because it was just plain fun.

In cooking news, I found out something about crock pots. Now, it may be something that all of you know. However, I most assuredly did not and I was stunned - you do not need to add water/liquid when cooking in a crock pot. For some reason, I was sure that you did. The other day, I was looking online for a crock pot/pork tenderloin recipe because it was too hot to turn my oven on and we had no gas for the grill. I didn't feel like my normal recipe with beer, so I looked for a new way. I came across several recipes that did not involve liquid. So, I tried it just coated in a rosemary blend I have along with some pepper. IT WAS FANTASTIC! I have to say, this opens up a whole new world for me!

Travel Nightmare

As you read, we are just recovering from the travel disaster which occured on Princess' way home from Disney. Now, we are dealing with another one! Paco was in Denver for business and was supposed to be home last night. After arriving in Philadelphia with enough time to make his connecting flight (they arrived at the gate with 20 minutes to spare), they were told that the flight had left early! EARLY! When does a flight ever leave early? There was a huge line of people waiting for what was *supposed* to be a full flight that had already left. USAir didn't seem to care, though. They said that the pilot was about to lose his flight time (something to do with the number of hours a pilot can fly before being grounded for rest) so the plane had to leave. Paco tried two different hotels with no luck. I think he is on his way home now. I had to call in to the bakery because I had no sitter for 5am. My sister was supposed to come over at 8 when Paco would have normally left for the office, but certainly couldn't leave her own family to come be with mine. What is really frustrating is that I am sure USAir won't do a &%*# thing about it!

Updates and More!

For those of you who are interested, I am enjoying my work at the bakery. We don't do any baking at our location - it is all trucked over from another (larger) location two times a day. (Someone does come in to make sandwiches and some of the pizza we sell.) So, as an opener, I am mostly responsible for setting up the store with the yummy goods and serving the few customers who are there between 6am and 9am. (My actual shift starts at 5 - the store opens at 6.) I was told in my interview that I can eat as many doughnuts and as much pizza as I want while I am working. I told the manager that this was a terrible thing to tell me! But, in fairness, doughnuts are not really my downfall. Pizza can be bad for me, but typically not that early in the morning. I have tried some yummy desserts that I have never had before, but overall I don't think my eating is too bad considering the circumstances.

My job at the grocery store is actually over before it really got off and running. I was able to quit because a woman I work for out of my home heard that I was working two jobs and guaranteed me enough hours to be able to quit at least one. Woohoo!

We ate the friendship bread, discussed in my last post, before I could take a picture of it - TBell and Pirate LOVED it! I have some other starters, but I think I ruined them because I forgot to take care of them. So, the project may be a bust now.

Princess just arrived back from a week in Walt Disney World with my parents. (My sister and her children joined them as well.) She had a wonderful time and was full of stories today. You could really tell that she was glad to see TBell and Pirate and that they were thrilled to see her - it warmed my heart! Airtran really (*$(^*$(% up the traveling, though, with a VERY late flight home and lost luggage. It seems that every time my parents travel via Airtran, their flight home is a disaster. It is to the point now that I highly recommend that no one use them at all!

I have some great pictures to post, but I am way too lazy to upload them right now. (They are still on the camera.) I promise to take care of it soon!

Happy Mother's Day!

Tension

I am very tense and tired. I don't want to be tense and tired. I have tried to will myself to be a bit happier and light of heart, but to no avail. There is a lot going on right now and I really just need to wait it all out. But, it's frustrating to do that. One major thing is a dinner which I am co-chairing - this event has caused a lot of annoyance and I will be very glad when it is over tomorrow night. However, I did get a new dress for the occasion and am excited about that.

In baking notes, I recently received a starter for 'Friendship Bread.' I LOVE this bread and haven't had it in so long. A grandmother who drops her grandson off at TBell's preschool gave it to me and I can't wait to have it. I will post a picture of it when it's baked. Does anyone want a starter bag?

Early Morning Message

It's 4:20 in the morning here and already I am showered, make-uped, and ready to go! Today is my first day at a local bakery where I will be on the opening shift. The idea is that I will be home in time to spend the day with the kids but still bringing in some money. This is not the only new job I am starting right now, but the plan is to work most of what I am doing around the kids. I think it should work out pretty well, but even if it doesn't...nothing ventured, nothing gained!

Paco and I watched Heroes last night. It was okay, although certainly not as good as other episodes have been. I am actually not interested in next week's at all because it seems to be more of a 'what could be' based on the previews, but isn't actually what happens at all. What's the point? I think there are only three new episodes after that, so I hope they have some secrets up their sleeves to make watching worthwhile!

In cooking news, I now have an electric griddle. I am so excited! I have never had one before and can't wait to start cooking pancakes, grilled cheese, and other such things in abundance! While I realize that I won't be creating exotic recipes with it, my kitchen has desperately needed one for a long time and will love the new addition!

Disappointing Pork

I rely pretty heavily on pork in my kitchen. While pregnant with TBell, I developed an aversion to chicken that even 5+ years later I can't seem to shake. So, we have pork whenever I am in the mood for a white meat. Tonight, I adapted a recipe that I found to include items I currently have, rather than going to the store. I dipped the pork in an egg, soy sauce and orange juice mixture, then coated each one in crushed croutons. I drizzled melted butter over the top of each and then placed them in the oven at 250 for about 20 minutes. (Note: these were extremely thin chops, if yours are thicker, you will need to cook them longer.) While they turned out nice and tender, I was disappointed that I couldn't taste either the soy sauce or the OJ. I do think I will make them again, but I will add more of those two things in an effort to bring out the flavor.

In other news, I am in the midst of planning a brunch for one organization (happening this weekend) and a dinner for another. I have an MRI tomorrow. I have countless phone calls to make and envelopes to stuff and mail. However, I am playing on the computer and listening to the Sabres game, which Paco is watching behind me. Will I ever stop procrastinating? It seems very unlikely...

Easter Fun

The dress I wore to church yesterday ended up making me feel very self-conscious. I was showing more cleavage than I thought was appropriate and was constantly tugging at the neckline to make it cover more. Paco said it looked fine, although the pastor's wife questioned why I would listen to my husband about matters of my cleavage. (For the record, she also thought the dress looked fine.) Here is a conversation with my pastor before service:

Me: Are we kneeling for communion today? (Note: We normally do kneel, but occasionally we take the bread and dip it into the wine. If we dip, we stand.)

Pastor: You are.

Hysterical laughter.

Pastor: No good can come from this conversation. (exit pastor to get ready for Easter service)

My First Ever...

...quiche! I don't know why I have never made one before. Paco loves them. I had a lot of eggs that I needed to use, so I decided to try it. I looked up a few recipes and then did a modified version of my own. I think my pan is a ten inch pan, but I am not sure. For the crust, I just used a box mix that you add water to and lined the bottom of the pan with it. Then I added fresh, chopped broccoli and shredded cheddar and monterey jack cheese. I put enough in that the veggie and cheese were completely covering the bottom of the pan. Then, in a blender, I mixed 9 eggs, salt, pepper, 2 cups of half and half and about three tablespoons of flour. After it was all well mixed, I poured it in the pan. I baked it at 375 for about 50 or 55 minutes - just until the entire top was starting to brown. It was so good! And, for the record, it is vegetarian!

My Latest Addiction

I have SO many things I should be doing right now. Paco is at a hockey game, so I even have the house to myself while I get things done. The kids are asleep, all is quiet. However, instead of doing the many things I really should be doing, I am watching an eBay auction. A while ago, I tried to sell something (I can't remember what), but it didn't work. Last week I saw that eBay was having a special for people who had never sold anything before - 3 free listings! So, I decided to try it. We listed an old game system that belongs to Paco and a set of glasses that belong to me. Well, within a half an hour someone had bid on the glasses. I didn't think anyone would bid on the game system, but just this afternoon someone actually did. The game system auction ends in less than an hour and all I can do is refresh my screen to see if anyone else is going to come in at the end. I am obsessed. I have actual work to do, with a deadline of tonight, and I am still just watching the silly auction. I am kind of surprised that I am taking time away to write this post. But, I feel like writing about it may help me deal with my behavior! Ah, the dangers of the internet...

Did You Feel the Earth Shake?

I cleaned my house. I mean, I really cleaned it! I am sure that there are those - like my mother - who would find more that needs to be done. But, I really did it! I mopped, I scrubbed my stove...I even vacuumed! In fact, I even look like I cleaned my house - there are spots all over my shirt from the cleaner I used on the stove.

Below are some pictures taken of the girls last weekend. I know that I mentioned sharing birthday pictures. But, I just love these - taken last Sunday before the American Girl Fashion Show. My mother took both Princess and Tbell along with their cousin M.

Stress

1. TBell has lice. I believe we got all of the adult lice but have to do the egg/nit treatment for several days. We also have to do daily bed stripping/sheet washing until this is all over. It is very annoying.
2. Our half-bath sink is clogged because one of the kids stuck toilet paper in it. I can't seem to fix it. I have been plunging and plunging to no avail.
3. Pirate just stuck a gem in his ear. I couldn't get it out so I decided to call the MD. Pirate freaked when he heard me say something about the MD so I tried one more time with a toothpick and managed to get it out.

This is all with me recently being diagnosed with a heart condition that causes my heart to suddenly beat out of control and is thought to cause sudden death in athletes - I am supposed to avoid stress and avoid being startled. (Please, don't honk or say 'boo' to me as I am so fragile!) Luckily I am not an athlete and very rarely do anything that raises my heartbeat!

Okay, I think that is it. As long as my children behave for the rest of the day, I should be okay. Stay tuned for birthday pictures!

Happy 100!

Folks, this is my 100th post. I can hardly contain my excitement! I am sure that you are all equally as thrilled that I continue to amaze with my wit and recipes.

Okay, maybe there was a little sarcasm there. Anyway...I have to make cupcakes for TBell to take to school tomorrow. She picked a red velvet cake mix and chocolate frosting. I really didn't think anything of it, but my mother was HORRIFIED and said that red velvet cake should only have cream cheese frosting. Now, my mother is the type of woman who would know these things. She has made countless wedding, birthday, and other occasion cakes. So one would think I would listen to her. However, this is the same woman who REFUSED to make a chocolate wedding cake for me because she said that not everyone likes chocolate cake. She didn't listen when I pointed out that not everyone likes yellow (or other) cakes - including me! She doesn't like chocolate, so no one else can. So, do I make red velvet cupcakes with chocolate frosting and assume that she just doesn't like chocolate frosting? Or, is she actually right? Should red velvet cake only be served with cream cheese frosting? I don't want to traumatize the preschool!

Sorry for the Delay

Okay, I have been told that my absence has been felt across the internet world. Well, that may be an exaggeration. But, at least two people have mentioned that they miss me. Things have been crazy here and my computer time has not been fantastic. I am here now, though, and will try to make the most of it!

First, there has not been much cooking my kitchen lately. I am not especially proud of this and am hoping to fix that soon. I did make a warm dip the other day for a party that turned out really good. It wasn't terribly difficult or anything, but I got a lot of compliments. I spread 8 oz. of cream cheese on the bottom of a small-ish, round baking dish. I then added about 1/2 jar of spicy black bean dip. (I used an organic version for this, but you could use any black bean dip you would like.) Next I added some pre-cooked spicy chicken. Lastly, I covered the whole thing with grated cheddar cheese. I heated it through and served. For something so simple, I received a lot of compliments. And for the vegetarians out there, you can obviously not add the chicken.

In other news, Princess is turning 7 on Saturday. We are going to Red Lobster for dinner because she is in desperate need of crab legs. I realize that Red Lobster isn't the best place in the eyes of many people. But, remember that we live in Western New York and the seafood is not plentiful here! On Sunday, she had TBell are having a joint party. (TBell turns 5 next Thursday.) We will be playing Radio Disney and making glittery faces and dancing. The party favors are CDs of the girls favorite music. I will be sure to take pictures and include some here.