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.

Not Really in the Spirit

I am trying to help the girls with their Valentine's and am not feeling all that joyful and lovey about it. I mean, TBell had to make 20 and Princess had to make 40 (some for Brownies and some for her class.) They used my stamping paper, which I cut into the annoyingly small pieces that Valentine's usually are, and their own washable stamp pads. I let them use any of my heart-related stamps they wanted to use. I spent $8.48 candy for them to take into their friends. I have to tell you, though, I am not feeling the love. I am feeling very annoyed and stressed and just can't wait for the whole thing to be over with!

(I assure you that I am not conveying my feelings about this to the kids...that's what all of you are for!)

Toys and Frustration

I intended for this post to have pictures of my kids playing with my Lite Brite (which is something like the link here, except with a light bulb and plastic pegs) and my Weeble Wobble Disney Castle. However, my stupid digital camera is not working, so I can't upload the pictures. I cannot tell you how annoyed I am. I really did want all of you to see how cute they were playing with my toys. In fact, these were two of my favorite things to play with. I think the next favorite would have been, in no particular order, my wooden blocks, my smurfs and my Benji board game. Those were the days...

In other news, Paco and I bought a season pass for Heroes today so we could just watch the episodes anytime we want. Also, we are taking a class at our church on Monday nights, so now we don't have to worry about taping it. (No, we don't have DVR...don't get me started!) I would really like to be able to buy The Class and How I Met Your Mother, also, but they are not available. I do like Studio 60, but we are home in time to watch that. There is a thing that iTunes is coming out with that you hook up to your TV that allows you to watch the shows/movies you have on iTunes on your television. I am very interested in hearing how it works and what people think.

Well, that's all folks. If I can get my stupid camera working, I will upload those pictures.

We May Think a Bit Too Much

Pirate's birthday is October. As it happens, so is mine. When I was younger, my parents gave no thought as to when I would attend kindergarten; it was assumed that I would start the September before I turned 5. Nowadays, there is a school of thought that it would better to hold a child back who is not 5 within the first few weeks of school. This is even more true, people say, when the child in question is a boy. Paco and I (okay, probably more me) have been struggling with a timetable for Pirate. He will be 4 this year, so should probably start preschool in the fall. (This is another issue, for another time...if you don't send your kids to preschool these days, they are behind before they even start.) The question is, should he be in a 3 year old program or a 4 year old program? Because he is a boy, there is the matter of maturity to take into consideration. There is a concern that he just wouldn't be mature enough to be with other 4 year olds. However, will he be too advanced for the 3 year old class? Then, what about the next year? Should he go to kindergarten the year he is eligible? I have gotten more opinions about this than I care to share and was starting to lose my mind.

Anyway, the preschool that we utilize took Pirate in for a trial class with the current 3 year olds; these are the kids that will be in his class next year if he were to go into the 4 year old class. He was a little hesitant when I dropped him off, but finally did walk away from me and went to play. They did not call for the entire 2 1/2 hours of the class and he was so excited about everything when I went to pick him up. The teachers both said that he should absolutely go into the 4 year old class. (I think a lot of this is due to his many years of therapy - his arts and crafts skills are exceptional ;) )

So after a lot of pointless thinking, Pirate will be entering the 4 year old preschool program this September. TBell will be in kindergarten. Princess will be in 2nd grade. I will be old.

The entire reason I wrote this post was to show this picture - here is Pirate before leaving for his trial class.

Yum!

A few weeks ago, TBell wanted some muffins. I didn't have a mix or anything and wasn't sure that I wanted to make any from scratch. I remembered that I had some Jiffy baking mix so I went online to see if they had a muffin recipe. It turns out that they have several different muffin mixes on their site and I was able to come up with a way to make chocolate chip muffins. Anyway, a few days later I decided that I wanted cinnamon rolls. So, I went back to Jiffy and they had a recipe for those, too. Now, if you make them from scratch, there is a lot of waiting and rising and punching. If you make them with Jiffy, they are way better (and cheaper) than the canned ones and aren't nearly as difficult as the cookbook variety.

He Did It!

In April-ish of 1998, I sat down to watch the NFL Draft with Paco. Paco watches the entire thing each year and for some reason I joined him that year. As it happens, that day was the start of my love affair with Peyton Manning. I watched the human interest story about him while waiting for the draft to start and decided he was the Best Football Player Ever. I have followed his career - Paco always updates me with the Colts goings-on. I wouldn't say that I am a huge Colts fan, as I don't watch every game. But, I do like them and always want them to win. During the current play-off season, the three main men in my life (Paco, his father and my father)all said that there was no way Peyton was going to do it. The sports announcers said that he had to make it to the Superbowl in order to continue his amazing career. I remained faithful, though, even when my precious team was losing 21-3 last night to the New England Patriots. And....they won! I think I am actually going to watch the Superbowl this year instead of just eating the good food. I think the game last night could have gotten even a non-sports fan excited...what a great comeback! I am just tickled that Indianapolis won and went to bed with a *huge* grin on my face.

Woohoo!

Another One

Here is another article. Enjoy!