Office to Aprons

Happy Birthday Baby!

2011-10-01T20:53:00.000-07:00

A momentous occasion passed the other day and you may not have even realized it. My baby turned 1 year old. It was an overwhelming day and for me it was filled with a range of emotions. I began to dread the toddler years, but celebrate the end of a rocky year with a less than settled baby and about hundred other things that I realized I already missed about a baby. Up and down, highs and lows. Geesh!

However, this one year mark has marked a series of lasts for me. For me, only God knows, if this is my last baby and so I have already begun my list of lasts. Repeat that again, my "List of Lasts".

3 times fast:

List of Lasts

Lists of Lasts

Liss o Lass

Did anyone happen to watch the MTV show "Autobiography" with Ashlee Simpson? Perhaps I am the only one, but I will go ahead and sum it up for you. It was a 30 minute show every week where Ashlee Simpson became a rock star. She had never done a dang thing before in her life, so it was a monotonous list (no, not List of Lasts) of things she had never done before.

Ashlee Simpson:

Oh my gosh this is my first time performing on a stage.

Oh my gosh this is the first time I have ever sang this song on a stage in front of my sister.

Oh my gosh this is the first time I have ever filmed my own music video.

Oh my gosh this is the first time I have ever recorded a song.

Oh my gosh this is the first time my sister made me famous.

Oh my gosh this is the first time my Dad has tried to make me a rockstar.

Very entertaining.

Anyhow, so as my sweet baby turns one I have already begun my very own Ashlee Simpson show.

Oh my gosh this may be the last 1st Birthday party I throw.

Oh my gosh this may be the last, first time I feed him cake.

Oh my gosh this may the last time he will fit into this outfit. This kid is a giant!

It is a sad sad world.

So, now that I have depressed myself I am off to drown myself into the heap of leftover cookies and milk, and add to my List of Lasts.

Happy Birthday Baby!

The Cook vs. The Baker

2011-07-02T13:17:00.000-07:00

My entire life I've been told that you are either a cook or a baker.

I have to be a baker. I can eat a cookie, a cake...a pie...a brownie any time of the day, any day of the week. I have to be-I love to bake it and I LOVE to eat it. There have been times in my house that I have made an entire batch of cookies and have eaten every last bit of cookie within a day. Look it's happened.

If you have had the pleasure to stroll upon one of my desserts, like the one below, you may question my decision on being a baker and not a cook. You may actually want me to be a cook just so you don't have to eat such an ugly pie. I understand.

As much as I wish to be a cook. It will never happen. I have a disorder...a following directions disorder. I HAVE to follow directions. I cannot stray. I cannot waiver. What is written must be done.

I made a Tomato Crouton dish the other night and it said to dice the tomatoes in 1/2" dices. It took me so freaking long to dice those tomatoes it wasn't even worth it. I almost took the ruler from the drawer just to ensure they were exactly 1/2". As I was walking towards the drawer I realized how crazy that is. Cooks don't get a ruler! That's just embarrassing.

So, I made the Tomato Crouton dish which turned out not to be so great.

Was it the fact that the tomatoes were not measured perfectly to a 1/2 inch dice? We may never know, but probably.

So, I went straight away to baking. I had to. I needed a safe haven where following directions is not a disorder, but a service to your stomach. As my finger glided seamlessly across my measuring cup to get an exact cup of sugar I felt right at home.

I am a baker by default. I have problems.

Friday

2011-03-25T20:47:00.000-07:00

For all you Gleeks, this song is equivalent to "My Headband".

Out.

The Nursery

2011-03-20T19:55:00.000-07:00

I can only say that the amount of complaints I received regarding the baby's nursery have been numerous. Not many people have been able to come and see it, but everyone seems to know the story behind it getting done. I didn't spare one soul when it came to complaining about the arduous task of putting this thing together.

When I got pregnant the first time I just knew I was meant to be a boy Mom. Well as usual, my instincts failed me. I soon became and fell in love with being a girl Mom. I love all things girl! When I got pregnant again I saw no vision past pink. So, I was a bit surprised when we found out we were having a boy. I was completely prepped on my new bunny nursery. I basically just need to click "purchase" on all my websites. The deal was done.

So, redrawing a boy nursery flustered me. I only had 6 months to design, create, purchase, paint, and place PEOPLE!

It started out with a Moon and Stars theme. Oh wait Pottery Barn Kids, where in the heck did all of the Moon and Stars stuff go that I saw a mere 2 months ago? Are you playing with me?...and so they weren't.

Then I said forget you Moon and Stars and I decided to go all modern. Hey wait...going all modern is expensive when nothing you own is modern and you have to buy new things.

So, to keep a long story short I kept a lot of things I already had from the beginning and I plowed forward.

***

When it was complete, I then decided to post it for the entire world to see. The real world is harsh folks. Within in seconds of posting the nursery my sweet little nursery became a 2.5 out of 5 stars nursery. Did I offend your mothers of something people? Don't kick me while I'm down.

The hurt and pain followed.

To make myself feel better I aimed to vote for myself and give myself a very unrealistic 5 stars.

Well...it turns out my fingers are more trustworthy than my foolish little brain and I accidently hit 3 stars! At least I tried.

I get it! I am no five stars. I can't even give MYSELF five stars.

Luckily in the meantime some gentle person voted me into a 3.5 star nursery. Bless your precious heart you sweet stranger.

Here it is friends:

The Baby Boy Retreat

A Valentine's Dud

2011-02-14T13:58:00.000-08:00

Not so long ago, my Mom came to the conclusion that I may not move back into her house. Just 6 years into marriage with two kids and after 12 years of dating my husband she figured that the possibility of me sleeping in my childhood bed was becoming dim. So, she made me come get my things. She was ready to make my room into the "Green" room. You see my Mom colorizes rooms. There is the pink room, and the blue bathroom, and the gray bathroom...oh I could go on, but I won't. There are more important things to discuss.

Anyhow, I began the treacherous journey to clean out my old room. I've become so tidy in my older years. I keep hardly anything and try to live without an ounce of clutter. Oh but not so in my youth. I kept everything! Every note ever written is in my possession, along with every Valentine.

...and so I came across these

It started off nice an easy with a Hulkamania "BE MINE!". Whoa!

Then I saw a sweet little Mario Brothers Valentine. I began thinking to myself as I quietly read through them all.

"Oh I remember the Mario Brothers. How cute! Oh and remember when they made a real TV show with Mario and Luigi where they were real people? That was scary. 'My Heart Burns for You, Valentine'-so sweet...WAIT, 'not'? What the heck is this? Who sent me this? Jerk."

Then I found this one. I wasn't impressed at first, just a little dinosaur.

Then I flip over the innocent dinosaur Valentine and find this!

"What is my problem? What is with you people and your anonymous Valentine's! Happy Valentine's to you too buddy!"

I then come across the real stunner. I even remember receiving this one in the 3rd grade because I had my detective friends come over to try and decode this horrendous mystery. We didn't get too far because ol' Thad here did a pretty good job of covering the evidence. What I did decode was-

To: Shel (Shelly)

Will you go out with me?

blah blah blah

-Then a pretty mean scratch out-

To: Jennifer

From: Thad

What? You people are terrible Valentine's givers.

To you on my favorite holiday! Not.

No, really it is.

Oreo Cookie Cake

2011-01-21T14:52:00.000-08:00

How can you screw up an Oreo? This is how.

Because I have a sick urge to trump everything and find my Tried & True version of every recipe-I made this cake. Dumping half a box of oreos into anything sounded delightful.

Failure.

Oreo will never be good with cream cheese. Never. Why oh why would I even dive off the deep end and mix the two? Stick to the original. Oreos and milk.

Don't get me wrong I ate every last bite of cake. I did it for the oreos. They were so mad at me for making this cake. I had to make it up to them somehow.

17 Again

2011-01-20T12:17:00.000-08:00

The expectation for this movie was about as high as Battlefield Earth, meaning zilch. My thinking was at least Chandler was in it. Luckily I don't know anything.

Forget Chandler (Matthew Perry). I love you Zac Efron! This movie was so good. Well, I mean it's no Gangs of New York, but I would totally watch it again.

Before this movie I could not have cared less about the Zac and Vanessa break-up. Now, my heart goes out to poor little Zac. She didn't treat you right Zac!

P.S. The only difficult part: The suspension of disbelief came to a roaring halt when I realized Zac Efron was supposed to be a younger version of Chandler. Come on people even I can't go along with that one. Zac is too cool for you Chandler. Sorry.

Pretzel M&Ms

2011-01-18T14:01:00.000-08:00

If you're not addicted you should be.

Pretzel M&M's...hello! They are little bits of deliciousness. Do I like pretzels? No thank you sir. Do I like chocolate covered pretzels? Eh, trying to make something gross into something good-I see where you're going, but don't let the pretzel fool you people. These things are good!

Luckily this was Anthony's stocking stuff for Christmas. Well, I say luckily for Anthony, but what I am really saying is lucky for ME. It was a bag 5 times the size of the one above and I ate every single M&M in that bag besides the one I gave to Anthony. Obviously I liked them about 1% more than he did.

These things are so good they almost beat out my favorite candy. A twix is just too tough to beat. Although when it comes to a snacking candy, Pretzel M&M's is your man!

Local Yocals: Aldi

2010-12-15T12:23:00.000-08:00

On a mission to find Almond Butter, on the cheap, I went to the new market in town-Aldi. I saw the commercial and so I went.

I somehow assumed that perhaps they would be a scaled down Central Market. Where do I get these "ideas?"

I pull up in 40 degree weather with my fifty kids, and with good fortune on my side I got a front row parking spot. As I was getting the sippy cup, the wipes, the snacks, the blanket, the coats, and my wallet ready-I looked up as I was cramming it all into my purse and saw something about needing a quarter for a cart...blah blah blah. Wait. What?

I read the sign a little closer. Basically for Aldi to save costs and room in the parking lot you insert a quarter into the cart to unlock it and then when you finish with the cart you get your quarter back.

Ok fine.

So, now I am cramming the sippy cup, the wipes, the snacks, the blanket, the coats, and my wallet in my purse-I now am stuffing a quarter in my pocket.

Now, I get out with my fifty kids in freezing temperatures and walk up to insert the quarter to look over and see a lady coming out with no bags. Just zucchinis and potatoes strewn in her cart.

Crap.

I forgot my bags and these folks at Aldi could give a flying flip.

So I walk all the way back to get my environmentally friendly bags. I walk into the store ready to go and soon realize it's a mini Sam's/Costco. Oh forget you Aldi! Where's my daggum Almond Butter?

Lesson here folks:
If you go to Aldi it better one pretty day on the plains because if you have fifty kids like me you will never make it.
Remember your quarter.
Remember your bags or you'll have to pay a dime for each one.
Don't go in looking for Almond Butter.

I love you environment, but the Mom of fifty kids kinda hates you.

Christmas Movie List

2010-12-14T08:56:00.000-08:00

HO! HO! HO!

If you love Christmas movies then you must watch these movies from my Christmas Movie List.

Some of the pictures are missing which I despise, but you get the gist.

I already have most of them recorded. All except Disney's Christmas Carol-that thing is impossible to find. I need to just buy it. However, I am willing to find another Christmas Carol version. Jim Carrey's last year in 3D scared me to death, so that is a no go.

I will also admit that I did watch A Christmas Story last year after "Colon" reprimanded me in the comments section, and I loved it. I still don't have the heart to add it to my favorites list.

Sorry "Colon".

Nine Questions

2010-12-13T17:19:00.000-08:00

Posted by Emily's Little World

1. What is the worst job you've ever had?

Easily my janitor job. When I started college I needed a job...bad. I don't like to say I was "fired", but I quit my previous job. Anyway, I knew someone in the Nursing School that knew of a work-study job in her department. I don't know what I thought I would be doing, but I was a janitor. I worked in the practice area that was essentially a small hospital. I am a business major people. I don't do hospitals. Looking back, I should have taken the position in stride and been humbled by just having a job, but I was gone within two weeks. I worked my way into Victoria's Secret. oh dear!

2. What book are you reading right now?

What Every Mom Needs-we shall see how I feel when I finish it.

3. Keep in touch with a bunch of friends from high school (other than on Facebook) or just a few?

I would say a bunch, but I can go even further than just high school. I have known some since birth and others since Kindergarten.

4. What is your favorite vacation spot?

Ugh. So many. I loved Lake Lucerne in Italy, but so far if I could duplicate any vacation it would be my trip to Hawaii.

5. What did you want to be when you grew up as a kid?

The main career goal was to be a secretary. Reach for the stars kid!

6. When you text, do you write out You or do you use U?

I definitely use "u". I think we all know by now that I have a "pay as you go" phone, also known as the Ghetto Phone 2000. So, when I text I am constantly counting. I don't have one of those fancy key pads.

"Ok I need a C. One, two, Three. Ok I need an A. One. Ok now and N. One, two."

7. What is the last thing you did out of your comfort zone?

I would have to say joining a Moms Group. It only took me three years.

8. What is something you are really good at?

I think it goes against the very nature of being a self-deprecating lady to answer this question. I would have to say remembering Birthdays. There are a few that I miss here and there, but dang it I cannot forget my best friend's birthday from 5th grade.

9. What is something that you see as something you need to work on/not a strength?

Realizing that the word Mom will never be preceded by the word perfect.

Whip It

2010-12-04T19:25:00.000-08:00

Free movie channels. Saw this. Recorded it. Thought I would hate. Loved it!

The end.

War

2010-12-03T07:09:00.000-08:00

Dear Mother-In-Law,

Oh, what does it all mean? I am writing to you in an attempt to beg for your forgiveness, to right any wrongs, to settle the scores.

Unfriend me on Facebook, why MIL (mother-in-law, for those of you non-tech savvy folks) why?

I realize now that I had it coming didn't I? Was this because of the time you left a message on my machine thinking I was your other daughter-in-law. Calling her "Sweetheart." I was never a "Sweetheart." Is it because I never would let that go?

Is it because it was...me, yes ME, who gave you the nickname Garks for Grandma Arkansas. I am sorry dear Mother-In-Law...I had no idea that it would stick four years later. It was only a passive aggressive way to make you come back to the heart of Texas.

Is this why you would give me one of your recipes and "accidentally" leave out a major ingredient. Were you hoping I would fail? Is that what you want? Did you want my homemade bread to taste like a block of salt?

WHY?....I am now shamed and humiliated in front of friends and family no less. I have now lost a coveted Facebook friend. You know I have the least amount of friends in Facebook history and now, by my own family, I have one less. You wanted me to have 218 friends instead of 219 didn't you?

Now I have to answer to my poor, sweet baby.

"Mama, why do you sadly only have 218 friends instead of 219?"

"Well, dear it's Grandma (Garks). I am just not her "Sweetheart". Can you somehow understand that Darling? It's because she wants her bread to be the best. Can you wrap your sweet head around that one Sugar Pie?"

I am deeply sorry for the wrongs Garks, I truly am. I will accept your move to Arkansas, I really will. I will start buying bread. Target makes artisan, so it's all ok. Please forgive me Garks. I will stop at nothing.

Office to Aprons

A "Tweet" Baby Shower

2010-12-02T09:21:00.000-08:00

My best friend had a baby! Well...it was about seven months ago, and I am just now blogging about it. Hey I'm here now aren't I?

Basically it was so much fun to plan. I started planning as soon as I got the news. For starters she helped throw the best and most thought out baby shower for Sugar Face, so I could not let her down.

I couldn't decide between a Baby Bird baby shower or a Bedtime Story baby shower. So, I had my co-hostesses decide and it was a unanimous decision for a Baby Bird theme.

Instead of the traditional pennant banner I went with baby Jay's name in matching colors on some twine with mini clothes pins. Then I painted and stained birdhouses to line the mantel. This was my absolute favorite part because it turned out better than what I envisioned. I also liked the brown wood stain on the birdhouse instead of having just painted it brown. No one else in the entire universe would have even noticed the difference, but as Oprah says "Love is in the details."

The front table was really fun. It included bird shaped cookies which were the favors. A bird cage with a bird with a nest of eggs. I also had Anthony cut some wood to be the card holders for notes and for the food table. I also embossed all of the cards with birds. I had never embossed anything before in my life and it was basically awesome. I wish I had a close up, but don't worry I will be embossing more things in the future.

I couldn't have a bird shower without branches and birds. I went all "Martha Stewart"-literally-on the guests and glittered my birds to match the color scheme.

Here were my glasses and paper straws. I am always an RSVP'er, but didn't realized how crucial such a thing was until I customized each glasses with everyones name. You kind of looked like a jerk if you RSVP'ed and didn't come or if you didn't RSVP at all and I put your name on a glass for just in cases. Sorry about that.

I wish I had a good picture of the food table because it was my masterpiece. It was the best table I have done so far.

Then most importantly here is the mother-to-be. She had sweet little baby Jay in May and has become a wonderful mother. I am so happy I got to be a part of the baby shower along with Alicia and my fellow Jennifer. It could not have been done without them. A wonderful shower for a wonderful friend!

the boy child has arrived

2010-10-21T12:58:00.000-07:00

Three weeks in and I have only had one catastrophic meltdown over a lost headband and crumbs on the couch. Things seem to be going pretty well, no? I am not really sure who would have an utter breakdown over a headband and crumbs, but if the question should ever arise in an "ice breaker" introduction game I can now confidently raise my hand.

*ME*

Little Boy Blue is here and I truly could not be happier. It is just as wonderful and difficult as I had imagined.

One of the most difficult things to date actually was texting everyone the big arrival news. Anthony had to manually insert all of my friend's numbers into his phone one by one...by one...by one at some unheard of early hour in the morning. I think we were both delusional and I still question if everyone knows.

Oh and does everyone know why he had to manually input all the numbers? Well, that's because I wanted him to feel some of the pain that I had just gone through!

Ok no.

I have a...pay as you go phone-SHHHHH! I try to keep this small piece of information to myself. I don't want to go around flaunting my frugal $30 sad existence to everyone. I just try to add "sent from iPhone" to all of my emails so people still think I am cool and not too sad. To be honest I think this aversion to technology runs in the family. Is my Mom the only person left on earth that does not own a computer, or much less know how to use a mouse?...or really even know what that dang Facebook nonsense is? I blame you Mom for my lack of an iPhone or Blackberry.

Overall, having two kids makes you write strange posts on the internet.

I Heart You: Ice Cubes

2010-08-16T08:18:00.000-07:00

The search is over.

Ice Breaker's Ice Cubes

A little insight into my life- I don't chew gum regularly. Actually if I had it my way I wouldn't chew gum at all. Gum...it's just weird.

However, sometimes I just need a fresh minty bite to feel refreshed. So I just chew for 5 minutes and spit it out. I am not a marathon chewer like most. (I just got the hibby gibbies.) Gross. Just chew and spit, that's all I need.

With all things I will make/purchase/bake/try different brands/recipes/flavors/varieties of everything before I commit and then I will never look again. When perfection is found there is no need to look further. Therefore, I had tried every type of gum in existence when I stumbled upon this little gem of minty freshness. Oh and by "stumbled" I mean I saw a commercial and those dang advertising agents got me. They sucked me in and got me to where I am now. Committed or addicted. Whatever.

An ideal bite of a soft, perfectly sized and shaped piece of gum. Is this an advertisement? Heck yes. Try it!

Am I getting paid to bring this type of joy into your life? No!-but I should be.

The only side effect of this gum is confusion. Well, for me anyway. Not only am I addicted to these Ice Cubes, but I also actually crave ice. Why you ask? Well, a certain doctor would say "slight iron-deficiency" while being pregnant. yadda yadda yadda

Regardless, it makes it confusing when I ask for ice cubes, because do I mean gum or ice? Just bring me both.

For the Love of Food: Almond Butter English Muffin

2010-08-09T12:06:00.000-07:00

My life tends to revolve around whatever food I am into for any period of time. I have had the Fruity Pebbles phase, the McFlurry phase, the Sonic grilled cheese phase, the Cherry Dump Cake phase, and so many more. It would be a sad moment to even begin to count the food phases. So for my sake, and yours, I won't.

Any thoughts of blowing up like a balloon shall be left behind, so that I can now introduce you to my newest phase. The Almond Butter English Muffin...

Do you hear the birds singing?

When I was in New York for my friend Amy's wedding, she casually mentioned to someone during her bridal shower about her new breakfast addition. It had something to do with an english muffin, and some honey. However, I perked up when she mentioned almond butter. I had been hearing about this almond butter for several months now in passing.

Look people-I lead a sad life based around Martha, Oprah, and The Food Network so almond butter gets around.

I don't really like peanut butter or nuts in general, but I had been interested. I had to delve deeper-Almond Butter...what do you do with the stuff?

Well, this is it.

Almond Butter English Muffin

1 English Muffin
Honey
Almond Butter

Toast the english muffin in the toaster. Spread the almond butter onto the english muffin and drizzle with honey.

Don't thank me...thank Amy.

By the way, in Texas Almond Butter is ridiculously expensive. After trying to cut down on my grocery bill, an eyebrow was raised from The Other Half when I purchased this gift from the heavens. However, something so heavenly should be expensive right? It is a gift from above after all.

Sidenote: I also just ran out of my first jar last week, so trying to sneak another jar into the pantry will command an act of the CIA. It's all hush hush here people.

Ice Cream Inspiration

2010-06-16T18:45:00.000-07:00

Since it seems my morning sickness woes are behind me I am ready to get back into the kitchen. I could make delicious healthy meals for me and the babies, but why? They want the real deal and so do I.

Ice Cream!

I have been wanting an ice cream maker for years and this year for my Birthday my Mother In Law bought one for me. Nothing screams summer like ice cream...or well, a sno-cone really screams it, but I didn't get a sno-cone machine for my Birthday. Christmas maybe?

Anyhow I have started off slowly using the recipes the ice cream maker came with, just to see what I was up against. Well come to find out, those recipes are fantastic. I have made about 5 gallons of vanilla and I just tried mint chocolate chip. Or rather, I made mint chocolate Thin Mint. As a former Girl Scout, it's just in the blood.

After making the mint chocolate ice cream two things were revealed to me:

1. Sugar Face does not in fact like mint. Not mint ice cream and definitely not mint toothpaste.

2. That for AV the mint chocolate thin mint ice cream was...(I shall paraphrase)-but life changing.

Now, that I am on my way to conquering the pre-selected recipes I am ready to spread my little wings and fly.

Does anyone have a good ice cream recipe that I could so kindly borrow?

I'm back baby!...or rather WITH a baby

2010-04-06T13:06:00.000-07:00

So, since January the writer of this blog has been MIA. Now to my loyal followers, I am terribly sorry, for I know how much you miss the wonder that is officetoaprons.blogspot.com, and for that I appreciate your patience...all 2 of my loyal followers. Thanks Mom and Grandma.

I kind of have an excuse though-kind of. Little Sweet Face is going to be a Big Sister! Please see picture below.

I made this shirt as soon as we found out so we could tell our families and it was awesome. It took my family a good 45 minutes to say, "What does her shirt say?". I had this T-Shirt envisioned in my mind and it turned out circa 1975 just like I wanted it to. However, one problem, Big Sister will not take off the "Big Sister" shirt. I love it as much as any other could, however the thing needs to be washed every now and again.

So, now that we're all on the same baby page, the blog is back baby-plus one.

Edgar Sawtelle

2010-01-06T12:18:00.000-08:00

So as we were eating our fancy Chipotle dinner on New Years Eve I looked up and declared.

"I am going to finish Edgar Sawtelle tonight!"

Him: ? *blank stare*

About 6 hours left on New Years Eve 2009 I decided that my 2009 resolution was to finish a book. I had already spent 3 days prior to New Years Eve reading The Story of Edgar Sawtelle. I used up nap times and time in between cooking and cleaning to get through the book, but up until that point I didn't care when I finished or if I did.

It was my only attempt to feel like I did something in the year of our Lord 2009. I had about 200 pages left, but I had to do it. My pride was at stake. Little Baby goes to bed and I start reading.

What a way to spend New Years Eve, you know? People are out there in the world partying it up and I come up with some lame idea to accomplish something in 2009, six hours before 2010...and of all things read a book that is going as slow as Christmas. My only hope was that Oprah told me to read it and I do WHATEVER Oprah tells me to do. Therefore, the book could only end well since it had Oprah's stamp of approval. Just because my little brain was thinking that I should stop reading doesn't mean I should.

So, a few minutes until midnight, on the brink of 2010 and a new decade-

I walk to the desk where the Old Man is sitting and throw that stupid book down on desk and curse Oprah for telling me to do this.

Oh yes, I finished the book, but with what consequences Oprah? Wasting away the last 4 days of my LIFE. Especially wasting New Years Eve 2009. I had a least a dozen (or not) better things to do. What if I would have died the next day Oprah? Would I have wanted to end the last decade with this book? Heck no!

......

Then, the next morning I woke and apologized to Oprah for my wrongdoings, since it was my 2010 resolution to be nice and follow Oprah. Please Oprah tell me what to do next. I can't walk without you.

2010-01-04T19:37:00.000-08:00

I have officially joined Twitter. *Please direct your eyes to the right side of the page*

Never say never. It's a sad world out there. Especially when you find out the only reason I joined.

To stay on top of my game that's why. I know you have no idea what that means, so let me tell you.

I can just see it now, sweet little Love Face casually talking to her friends twelve years from now...

"My Mom still has no idea what Twitter is. That gives me an idea, since she is so computer awkward, how about I Tweet you when I sneak out of my window tonight? She won't even know. Tweet ya!"

I've got you now and oh I do KNOW about Twitter. I'm not so lame after all.

Paranoia.

Sure does get to the best of us.

Happy New Year!

2010-01-03T16:51:00.000-08:00

I'm too late to say "See you next year!", aren't I? Dang!

Pioneer Woman

2010-01-01T19:18:00.000-08:00

Pioneer Woman finally came to Dallas and all I got was this lousy picture.

Yes, she is the dark shadow in the center. I had to throw bows just to get this one shot.

Pioneer Woman was the first blog that I began to read religiously and I love her. She is the inspiration for this sad blog you are reading now. From the Borders bookstore that I went to on an early December night it seemed as though I was not the only one who reads her blog. Who knew?

I began to get a little nervous a couple of days before the signing after seeing PW's pictures from other cities. It was after seeing massive crowds in her pictures that I started to realize that she may be a bigger star than I realized. Once inside the Dallas Borders and being dropped at the door because there were no parking spots...I realized I had made a mistake driving an hour with a toddler... in the rain.

Sorry, Pioneer Woman, but I stayed a whole hour before giving up. I later read on her site regarding her trip to Dallas about how some other sad person like me thought the FIVE HOUR wait was worth it. Maybe in my youth dear friend...maybe then.

I was waiting to have her sign my copy of her cookbook. I didn't get it signed, but I LOVE the book. It is my favorite cookbook right now with lots of good recipes that are already on her site and lots of my Thanksgiving and Christmas dishes came straight outta here.

So, if your New Year's resolution is to cook then this is your book. If you want...I'll sign it for you.

A Christmas Story

2009-12-22T13:42:00.000-08:00

One of my last posts listed my Top 5 Christmas Movies. "Colon", if that is your real name, commented and did not like that A Christmas Story was not part of the list.

Well..."Colon", if that is your real name-this one's for you Bud.

I sat down and pay-per-viewed A Christmas Story. I had to. I have never watched because I know me, and I know I'm not going like it.

Sure, I've seen a clip or two in my life and all I knew is that it was about a leg lamp. What? That's not Christmas.

So I as I sat down and pressed the two simple remote buttons to purchase. I immediately felt the buyer's remorse settle in. What am I doing?...and so I sat. As it began I already hated it, the ugly early 1980's coloring, the funny looking kid and the strange brother. I hate it.

But...I continued. I sat and watched until the very end when I found myself screaming inside for little Ralphie to receive the official Red Ryder carbine-action 200-shot range model BB rifle WITH a compass. Oh please Mom and Dad...please! What does a kid have to do around here?

I simply loved it! See? It's always better when I don't listen to myself.

Now, Colon, if that is your real name-would I put it on next year's Top 5 Must See Christmas Movies List?

You'll have to wait and see.

P.S. Is Scut Farkus not the real life version of Sid from Toy Story? Please get back to me on this one. Thanks.

Etsy Highlight

2009-12-11T12:01:00.000-08:00

I frequent Etsy a lot. It is a sickness at times. I am just so jealous of all the creative things people come up with. It really is amazing.

I have had a few questions asked as to where I bought little Sweet Cheeks' outfit for her Cupcake Birthday Party...

and yes, the sickness got to me and I found it through Etsy. I bought the shirt and skirt from Chic Baby Rose. She has really unique items in her shop and lots of perfect gifts for a sweet little girl for Christmas. There are a few things for boys too, so don't feel left out. She shipped it fast and it was perfect!

You definitely need to check out her shop.

Christmas Movie List

2009-12-10T13:39:00.001-08:00

When it comes to Christmas, I only have 5 movies in my life. These are on my "Must See by Christmas or it's Not Christmas List".

...and the category is: Christmas

#1 The Holiday

*I just generally love this movie. It was on my all time top 5 list, so because it is centered around Christmas, it naturally made this list.*

#2 White Christmas

*Now this is an all time Christmas classic and I have been watching this movie since I was a kid. It made me realize that watching non-funny movies was ok. It said to me, "Hey you're a girl you can get away with it."*

#3 Christmas Vacation

*When I met The Boss and he told me he watched this movie every Thanksgiving. I knew right then and there, it was real love.*

#4 Mickey's Christmas Carol

*To me there is no other Christmas Carol. When you have Scrooge playing Scrooge, that

shows true legitimacy.*

#5 How the Grinch Stole Christmas

*Look I love cartoons, but Jim Carrey playing The Grinch doesn't get better. Now, Jim Carrey playing Scrooge is just plain scary.*

I hope you have your stocking's hung and your Christmas movies ready to go on the coffee table because Christmas is near.

Inspiration

2009-12-09T07:01:00.001-08:00

Great Finds for Christmas

*or any time of the year*

I made this banner for Little Love's 2nd Birthday party and it was so much fun to make.

If you don't know how to make one and have a sewing machine you need to head over to Emily's Little World. She just posted a tutorial on how to make a "Celebrate" banner. Actually this entire week she is posting a tutorial every day for anyone wanting to boost their craft skills. I don't have any skills, except my bow-staff skills.

Here are so other sites that are helpful if you are looking for crafty ideas/inspiration/or cute things to buy.

Frenchie and Flea-This month Frenchie and Flea are highlighting Etsy shops that are definitely worth checking out.

Design Mom-she just posted a DIY project making felt trees. Her blog is addicting.

Oh Yeah, Happy Thanksgiving!

2009-12-08T11:32:00.001-08:00

I forgot to mention my Thanksgiving turkey and wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.

Ta Da!

I would like to think that Martha Stewart would be proud, but if you have ever really watched her show she is actually a little snippy when it comes to doling out compliments. *Get over yourself Martha!*

This year I decided to try Pioneer Woman's turkey recipe and it turned out great. My Mom said that it was actually the best turkey she had ever had. I, on the other hand, am a strange person who thinks all turkey tastes the same and that chef's are trying to pull the wool over my eyes. I'm on to you "Chefs".

So, if you trust my Mom then you definitely have to make it next year.

Funny thing actually-you have to brine this turkey, and I was up for it. So, the day before I took the time to carefully make the brine, place the gigantic turkey in the enormous plastic bag, and manage to pour the brine into the bag without a drop of brine getting on the countertop. The next morning, The Boss Man asks if he could help so I ask him to remove the turkey from the refrigerator so we could get the thing cooking. I am on the other side of the kitchen minding my own business when I hear what sounds like the splash of a beluga whale into the ocean. I look over to see what is happening and I feel a tidal wave of brine rush against my leg.

Now, because in times like this I am calm and collected I simply inhale with all the terror I can muster and shriek "What do we do? What do we do?". I am standing in a half inch river of brine on the wood floors. Oh and did I mention that the RAW turkey was soaking in the juice? SALMONELLA!

I could have fainted, but I didn't, we just cleaned it up and moved on.

I now realize that after yesterday's post you now think I am a walking clown, and that's fine, but honestly you can't make these things up people.

I had to post this picture just because I know he is so proud of it. I wish I could take credit for it, but I don't have talent, I can't even fake it.

The Fall Heard Around the World

2009-12-07T11:38:00.000-08:00

If you saw someone with a toddler fall down the stairs at church yesterday...that was me.

We took little Sweet Cheeks to the Christmas Cantata at church yesterday and we have started sitting in the balcony. Once it was all over with we began the treacherous journey down the stairs. To paint a picture for you, it is about a 100 stair descend downward and although I am not a clumsy person, I do have my moments. So, any time I walk down stairs I always rhythmically march to, "left, right, left, right" just so there is no confusion.

Well, I made it down with only 3 steps to go and the next thing I know-I'm down. I spring back up, just hoping no one saw me. I look over to see that Button Nose is still tight in my arms, looking as though she felt nothing. Then, I see the worried look form, "Mommy, okay?". Great! People noticed. Everyone is staring at me and I begin to laugh. Anthony laughs.

We walk on and (and I try to get lost in the crowd) he asks the obvious question, "What happened?".

In moments like this I just kind of black out and come to later, because I couldn't remember what caused me to fall.

As we were walking to the car he began to describe the loud commotion it caused and just how loud the fall really was, and it hit me.

As I was walking down the stairs, "left, right, left, right", I saw a girl with the cutest pair of black riding boots that I had ever seen. She was a few steps below me on the other side of the stairs and I had been bobbing and weaving trying to decipher what brand they were. Right before the fall I remember an emblem on the back and I thought, "Are those Tory Burch?"...BAM! That's when I fell. I had lost my, "left, right, left, right" concentration.

So, these boots must have been really cute to risk my life.

Now they are just a faint, yet cute, memory at this point. Not knowing the brand will haunt me for the rest of my life.

Now that I think about it-if you saw someone fall with a toddler at church yesterday it...uh...wasn't me. Righhhhhhtttt.

A Perfectly Pink Party

2009-12-02T14:18:00.000-08:00

The Pinkalicious Party has come and gone...and more importantly I survived.

My inspiration was the actual Pinkalicious book by Victoria and Elizabeth Kann. I love this book! I read so many terrible children's books, that I become obsessed with the good ones. To many people's dismay I have known for a whole year that there would be a pink cupcake theme for this year's party. So, if you think that is crazy I should probably not mention that next years theme is already in the works.

Busted! There was some pre-party gift opening going on.

I also worked for weeks perfecting the Happy Birthday banner. I will post details later because to tell you the truth I like it so much I might sell it.

Here is the party girl checking out her outfit. I wanted her to look as though she had never heard of any other color besides PINK.

The cake.

The food and most importantly the pink velvet cupcakes. I served it with pink lemonade of course and Sonic ice because there is no better.

A better view, no?

What would a pink party be without pinning the cherry on the cupcake? We also had the kids decorate their own cupcake.

Two Birthday parties back to back and I am still here.

Mommy Sucks

2009-11-30T11:39:00.000-08:00

Wow, talk about a shot to your ego. All morning I have heard..."Mommy sucks, Mommy sucks...Mommy sucks". I cried a little, I sat in a dark corner for at least 2 minutes, and cried all over again. My precious little Lovey Princess has really shown her true colors today.

I then broke out my handy dandy mini pocket Toddler Translator kit and realized:

Mommy sucks=Mommy's socks

*as in sweet Lovey Princess has been putting on my socks all morning*

The sun came out again, the birds were singing and I began to prepare myself for the teenage years.

Surprise!

2009-11-10T11:31:00.000-08:00

Finally the surprise is out and a heavier load could not be lifted from my shoulders. For months I have been planning a surprise 30th Birthday party for my husband. To even say that it was difficult to plan this party is a huge understatement. First and foremost he doesn't like parties, and secondly he doesn't really like theme parties. Did I let that stop me? No!

To host a surprise party in your own house with someone you live with...almost sent me over the edge. There were countless fights trying to keep him out of the closets and away from my email. To plan every single detail in secrecy almost made my heart stop-twice. I am a second guesser people!

But, alas...it is done.

Happy 30th Birthday Mark Anthony!

The theme was Mafia/Italian, so I tried to include every aspect of a dark and cozy Italian restaurant that I could. The lights were dim, the entrance was lined with red balloons on the ceiling, and I made these red checkered runners everywhere.

One of my favorite parts was the buffet where I served lasagna, skinny bread sticks, bruschetta, fried ravioli, fried mozzarella. I made a chalkboard menu and if you look closely lasagna is misspelled. Details...details. I won't be a sucka and rat whos done it. We'll keep it in the "family".

In the background I made peach Bellinis with prosecco, which is what he and I drank when we were in Venice. It was what I looked forward to the most, even though I didn't actually get one. *Funny Side note* My sister-in-law thought the peach juice was the Bellini so she drank it all up not realizing you have to add the prosecco. So it kind of went fast! *Funny side note over*

I wish I could have gotten a picture of the food completed and on the table, but it all happened so fast.

I had to have a poker table. No one actually played, but it was a great addition to the scenery.

To drink: I had Italian red and white wine, along with Italian sparkling sodas.

Lastly, the dessert...mmmmm. I picked up a tiramisu cake, strawberry cheesecake, and cannolis. I had never had a cannoli before, but they were delicious and addicting.

The pictures do not do it justice, but he was surprised and that is all that matters. Just the fact that I got to carry a gun around all night and wear my long black gloves from prom made it all worth it.

It was definitely a happy birthday...gangster style.

Sneaky Sneaky

2009-10-27T12:13:00.000-07:00

As my sweet little Pumpkin approaches the age of 2, she has begun to disregard anything and everything I ask her to do. The little ball of sunshine I once knew has now become very opinionated, and to be perfectly honest her "opinions" don't tend to sit well with me. If you must know I find them to be whack. Yes, you heard me "whack".

One of the numerous new issues is bedtime.

"Hey sweet little darling, sugar pie, honey dumpling...it's time to go to bed."

Her: NO!

Me: Uh, yeah, you know why...because I said so.

Her: NO!

Me: Whatev.

If only you could hear exactly how she says "No". It's more of a "Neeeuo". Exceptionally cute, but difficult to under mind.

Regardless, a few weeks ago, after we get her all tucked in The Old Man questions the sudden distaste for nighttime. There's only one obvious reason-she knows that after she goes to bed all sorts of cool things begin to happen. That is when parents break out all the goodies. They eat tubs of ice cream, jump on the bed, watch Punky Brewster, and I don't know...lots of cool stuff! Well, that's what I thought when I was a kid. Every night I would lie awake listening for the party to begin.

(Hubsband: A blank stare)

These are the types of conversations the two of us have that always leave me feeling crazy. Well, little did I know my idea of the parent party post bedtime would come to fruition beginning with me.

Later that very same week The Better Half went out to get my weekly M&M McFlurry, and it hits me.

See? I knew it! Those dang parents are hanging out late doing awesome things!

Here I am at 8:30 on a Tuesday night just sitting on the couch eating my McFlurry, right after we put little Pumpkin Patch down for the night and the guilt flooded over me. That's why she is having trouble going to bed. She wants a bite of my McFlurry. She knows!

What else are those parents doing after their kids bedtime? Chatting up Santa? GA!

A blog shout out and contest!

2009-09-30T19:09:00.000-07:00

I have been reading Emily's Little World blog for at least a year and a half. I am obsessed...period. She is my blog hero and she chews gum while sleeping. I am intrigued. Her pictures are amazing and our babies are the same age, so that makes me feel connected. Yes, to a total stranger or as I like to call her my best friend. Whoa, did I come on too strong?

Anyhow, she is having a scavenger hunt photo contest where you pick 8 out of 10 questions to find and photograph. Then somehow you win, I don't remember how, but either way here are mine.

Let's remember here-I am no photographer. I don't even put the "p" in photographer. That's how bad I am.

1. Something you need every day.

I have got to have a shower every day or my life is turned upside down. If the door bell rings and I have not taken a shower-I'm not home.

2. A happy place in your house.

The nursery is the most serene place in the whole house and this spot is where I go when I need help.

3. Something you ate today.

4. A picture of a picture.

This is a picture of my grandpa when he was a baby.

5. Something fall-y.

Candy corn, but not just candy corn, CHOCOLATE covered candy corn. Snap.

6. Your favorite color.

Purple. Blurry purple.

7. Something from your childhood.

Don't be scared. It's my original Strawberry Shortcake. I can't help but to laugh out loud when I see this.

8. Something from your to-do list.

I am trying to make a "Happy Birthday" pennant banner. So, I needed a fading marker.

I love games.

Featured Blogger

2009-09-28T13:54:00.000-07:00

Look...I may not know how to write a blog, but like I said, I sure love reading them. I have a long list of blogs that I follow and this is one of my favorites.

Hostess with the Mostess

If you haven't been keeping up with her blog I suggest you do. Honestly, what have you been doing if not? Well, I guess you may not be into throwing parties or perhaps have a life. Both of which are fine and good.

Regardless, for the few and minuscule parties I throw, this blog and website have been nothing but inspiration for me.

This blog will give you great advice and show you images of real life parties to help inspire your own get together. Plus the entire site and every picture are perfectly colorful and drool worthy.

In reality I am completely jealous of this site and my self-esteem takes a hit when I realize that I have not one creative pulse in my body.

Controversial

2009-09-24T14:06:00.000-07:00

What is it about this blog?

For some reason, when I sit down to type out a new post I have this deep-seated notion to write something really controversial. I want to just scream out, "I cannot stand Dr. Suess".

"Nene is my favorite housewife of Atlanta!"

"It's true, I hate eating desserts with nuts in them!" (Well, of course I am going to eat it...it's still a dessert ain't it?) Seriously, why would you mess up the pure deliciousness of chocolate? Does it need to get better? Heck no it doesn't.

I just have this need, this want, for people to get into an uproar...to fight to the bitter end.

Does she REALLY not drink coffee?

The crowd: "Of course she does!"

"Don't do it!"

In real life I am such a harmless creature. Sweet. Kind. Save the drama for your mama kinda girl.

In the midst of all of these controversial thoughts I must fuse these thoughts into something a little more clean, subdued if you will. So, lucky for you "Getting to Know Me Better: Round 2" is coming to a theatre...er...uh a blog near you.

Sneak Peek

2009-09-21T11:56:00.000-07:00

If this picture does not make you giddy with excitement, then I don't know what will.

In the next couple of months Little Mama is going to have the most awesome Birthday Party ever. Last year my friend, Jess, bought the Pinkalicious book for Sweet Cake's 1st Birthday and she has been obsessed since. So, I thought it would be a perfect theme for her next birthday.

So, get ready for lots of pink and lots of cupcakes in the coming weeks.

That reminds me, speaking of Jess. Do you know Jess?

Jess is the one who made me start this blog. For months and months she would pester me for not having a blog. So I would remind her, like in my initial post, I don't do blogs. I can sure read the heck out of a blog, but there was no way I would write one. Because as you may still be wondering, who cares about me? I am the perfect storm of lame. I stay at home like a hibernating bear and I don't go for coffee because I don't drink coffee. The only person who thinks I am cool is probably Sweet Cakes and honestly I am not really sure she does either.

Anyhow, as time went on something would happen and I would think to myself-now if I wrote a blog that would be in it...I should tell Jess, but I never did. So, one day I boldly started a blog and wrote a post.

This is what I've become...a blog about birthdays for 2 year olds. What?

I still don't have a direction, but I keep writing.

Fried Fish and Twice Baked Potatoes

2009-09-10T18:24:00.001-07:00

Ok, so I may not be a food stylist or experienced photographer...yet, but this is all I got. It's a work in progress folks.

Anyhow, this was my version of fish and chips the other night. Sweet Cheeks even loved it and she is not even 2 years old.

I have been on a secret mission to attempt all of Pioneer Woman's recipes. That sounds so boring, but it's true. So, after reading through her recipe index for the 10 billionth time I found these twice baked potatoes. I'm not gonna lie to you they were good, but they were not fantastic. She even admits that if you already know how to make twice baked potatoes, you're not in for anything new. I think I would rather save myself some trouble and make my own baked potato and add my own ingredients. Enough said.

The best part was the fried fish. I was once a fast food addict. Nothing could beat Jack In the Box with their two tacos, with medium curly fries, and a large rootbeer. A creation from the heavens.

I am reformed my followers I am reformed. I am over fast food. A small droplet of water falls down my face when I say it out loud.

Back to the subject-I love Long John Silvers. I mean LovED it. Anyway, Sandra Lee's fried fish was a great homemade version of the LJS fish. I personally needed to add some more salt, but it was really good. I am actually a little obsessed. Don't be afraid of making this with tilapia. I was scared of making fish when I first started cooking-I don't know why. All you need to do is find the frozen tilapia in the freezer section of your grocery store. EASY! You don't have to even go to the butcher, especially if you are scared of your butcher like I am. Well...I'll get into the logistics of why I race pass the butcher every week another time.

Adios amigos.

Getting to know me better: Round 1

2009-09-09T18:05:00.000-07:00

If you regularly read this blog you may be wondering, "What is this blog about?".

Me: I don't know.

Hey, I just write...you read. Let's keep it simple here folks.

However, you may wonder..."Who is this girl?". Now, that I can help with!

Let's start with my top 5 favorite movies. Although I must warn you, my definition of all time favorite means that I could watch these movies OVER and OVER again. Then over and over and over.

Look I am not going to pretend that I could sit and watch The Dead Poets Society a trillion times. I like it, I get it, but I am not going to sit and watch it all day. Let the games begin...

Number 5: Sweet Home Alabama

Number 4: Zoolander

Number 3: The Notebook

My cold heart just melts seeing this picture.

Number 2: The Holiday

Number 1: Legally Blonde

I love love love these movies and if had to choose 5 movies to bring with me to a deserted island these are it baby.

Round 1 completed.

It's been a year.

2009-09-08T10:30:00.000-07:00

September 5th marks my one year anniversary of being a Stay at Home Mom. I cannot believe for one second that it has already been a whole year. I still feel as though I am a newbie and am still getting used to it. Although in the big scheme of things I had been working since I was 16 years old. Voluntarily thank you very much. So, for me, working has been a part of my life for a long time.

After a whole year though I would like to give a great big kiss goodbye to my old job. Good riddance. How in the world did I think I would miss it?

For those of you that don't know. When I quit my job I had plans of quickly find a new job and moving on with life at a job that I would like a little better than the last. It just didn't work out that way and I am so glad it didn't. I think my old job was making me a crazy person. A genuine crazy person. I still have unsettling flashbacks of whispering, quickly and quietly and isolated, eating my lunch at my desk. Pure paranoia. Sometimes I forget...I'M FREE!

My new job, however, makes me happy!...and I will continue to pray that I am able to stay at home for several more years.

Not Cool

2009-09-02T19:30:00.001-07:00

As soon as I had a baby I knew my days were numbered. I would never be cool. Not in a "Hey, I'll supply the liquor to your teenage party, honey." kind of way. More like a you'll never see me all slouched over on What Not to Wear in my mom jeans kind of way.

I always thought I would be somewhat hip. You see? Do you see

how I talk now? Who says "hip"? Moms! That's who.

Especially being a Stay at Home Mom. You are forced into looking like the person you never thought you would be. I fight and I fight, but giving up sounds like the right thing to do.

When I first started staying at home I woke up in time to take a shower, get dressed nice and put on make-up. I could still live out my old ways. In reality though, the likelihood of my cute clothes getting spaghetti thrown its way or sidewalk chalk on the back of my shirt is high.

I know these facts deep down and I know what I've become, but I still continue to

live in a daydream world of thinking I could one day be Megan Fox. I love my delusional world.

My day came though.

I went to my favorite store, Anthropologie, just imagining all the awesome things I would walk out with. I would be so cool. So hip. I was prepared to look like I popped straight out of the Anthropologie catalog.

This is the only thing I walked out with. After an hour of searching and finding and trying on. I couldn't do it. I pictured every item I tried on with splashes of milk and dirt and chalk and crayons and unidentifiable substances.

It's over. My Mom status has escalated to the highest status...Mom Jeans.

Just had to blog it

2009-09-01T14:31:00.001-07:00

I just got a call from a telemarketer.

Which by the way, I am so much nicer to you telemarketer people than I used to be. It's a recession people! What if a nice person got laid off and had no choice but to be a telemarketer? Hey, I understand, so I am now somewhat nice. Here's to you, Mr. Telemarketer guy that got laid off from your real job and had to telemarket even though you are nice.

Back to the story...

So, the telemarketer on the phone says, "Is Mr. SuchandSuch there?".

Me: No.

Her: Is Mrs. SuchandSuch there?

Me: This is her.

Her: Oh, I thought you were a kid.

Now, I can honestly tell you for the faintest split second I was excited because for some reason I thought she had told me I LOOKED young. How great is that? Especially now that I am feeling like an old hag.

Then I realized, oh we're on the phone. She didn't say that at all. She said I SOUNDED like a kid. When I realized there is not one benefit to sounding like I kid I was a little hurt.

She in the mean time was continuing on with her monologue.

Me: Uh, no thanks. Click.

Me again: (After the call ended) "Jerk."

See? The call was ended. I could have called her a jerk over the phone.

See how I've changed?

Cinnamon Rolls

2009-08-25T10:53:00.000-07:00

If you know me, you know I am a die hard fan of Giada De Laurentiis from the Food Network Channel.

I have watched her since the beginning of Everyday Italian. I even tried to meet her when she came to town and I did everything in my power to see her, but didn't make the cut. I did, however, get a signed copy of her book, which I drove an hour and a half one way to pick up. I am die hard!

Did I mention that the signed copy was later destroyed in a tea disaster? I had a drink container leak tea over the countertop and floor for a whole night. This in turn ruined my pristine signed copy of Giada's book.

Did I also mention that this incident happened in our new house, where we had only lived 3 months? That was almost a year ago and our stained white cabinets are still not really fixed. You can still see it. So...if you come over please take a look. Ugh. Don't really take a look.

Did I also mention that although I have a signed copy of the book, her signature is already printed in the foreword of the book and looks exactly the same as her real-life signature? Why did I drive so far for a signed copy? So now it looks like she signed the book twice.

Since I love Giada so much I never thought another Food Network star would ever replace her...and they haven't. However, I do like The Neely's and it is not as though I really LIKE them. I just happen to watch and actually have tried a few of their recipes. Here is one that I really love!

Nana's Cinnamon Rolls

Ingredients:

2 packages of dry yeast

1/2 cup warm water

4 eggs

1/2 cup sugar

2 t. salt

5 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 cup butter, melted

Filling:

2 T. all-purpose flour

1 stick butter, melted

3/4 cup brown sugar

1 T. cinnamon

1/4 cup chopped pecans (optional-I don't do it...yuck!)

1/2 cup raisins (optional-I don't do it...again yuck!)

Glaze:

1 1/2 cup powdered sugar

3 T. milk

1 t. vanilla extract

Directions:

Spray a large mixing bowl with Pam. Dissolve yeast in water in a bowl of a standing mixer with dough hook. Let sit for 5 minutes.

In a large measuring cup beat together eggs, sugar, and salt.

Whisk in egg mixture to the bowl of yeast. Add 1 cup flour and mix until smooth. Add melted butter and mix well. Add remaining 4 cups of flour in stages a mix until stiff dough is formed. Add dough to greased bowl and place in a warm area with plastic wrap on top. Let rise for about an hour until it doubles in size.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees and grease a 9x13 pan. Sprinkle 2 T. flour on the counter top. Punch down and roll out dough to approx. 12 by 15in. rectangle. Spread with butter. Sprinkle sugar, cinnamon, pecans and raisins. Roll dough into a large pin wheel cylinder and cut ends off the roll. Cut into approx. 1 inch pieces. Put in greased pan, and let them rise to approx. double in size. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until brown. Remove from oven and cool.

Whisk the ingredients for the glaze and drizzle over cinnamon rolls once cooled.

Domestication

2009-08-21T19:07:00.001-07:00

You see, I cook a LOT. It makes me feel like a good 'ol housewife. Stirring my pot of stew with an apron on...it just makes you feel so domestic.

Sewing though...now that is a Domestic Engineer people! I take my job seriously. I can cook all day long, but you HAVE to eat right? So, in my opinion that's no big deal. But sewing? Big deal!

I just made something because I could. It didn't have to do it, I just did. It improves the home...oh whatever I just wanted to do it.

In reality, I have been getting really rusty on my sewing so I wanted to start on something easy and work my way up, and there is no better way to start than a pillow. It looks a million times better on the couch, but the lighting wasn't great inside for the picture, so here it is outside.

Ta-Da.

Worst Book Ever!

2009-08-19T13:16:00.001-07:00

Need I say more?

Dear Ms. Judith Stuller Hannant,

Worst book ever. What were you thinking when you wrote this book? What was your inspiration...I must know-and how long did it take you to iron out all the kinks? Five seconds, one minute? Just asking.

I now have to stare at this book on a daily basis and read the non-existent story to my little Baby Foot. Thank you for that. Lucky for you I guess, that someone can appreciate this book. She loves it.

On the other hand, Ms. Judith Stuller Hannant, you have given me inspiration. If you can get this book published, then my dreams of publishing my own children's book is bound to come true. Mine simply could not be worse than this...I think or maybe it could. I don't know. Not only that, but if this book can be written and published, Ms. Judith Stuller Hannant, then by golly anything can be done in this world.

I love you and I hate you Ms. Judith Stuller Hannant.

Sincerely yours,

Office to Aprons

P.S. Amy, is this one of your sick plans? If so, Little Mama may like this book, but dogs will always be #1. Woof Woof.

Tick Tick Tick

2009-08-17T20:41:00.000-07:00

The less I write the more stressed I become. Each day becomes one day further from my last post. I have so many things to write about, but then I forget them. I have had a terrible case of writer's block. Can you even have writer's block when you are no where near a professional writer? I don't think so.

Writing was fun, but then I didn't post in a week and became overwhelmed with guilt. So, what do I do when I become overwhelmed...I procrastinate.

I also found out my Mom was reading my blog or at least I think. The thought just put me in shock. See, I don't just write little updates about little Baby Face. I am writing about ridiculous things. Oh how embarrassed she must be.

So, I thought I would just quickly type up my thoughts and just get a post out there in hopes that more posts will come. If you post it, more posts will come. Hopefully blogs work like baseball fields. Cross your fingers.

Tap Tap Tap...This Thing On?

2009-07-23T17:58:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to encourage anyone reading this thing to post a comment so I know you are there. I am beginning to feel like I am talking to myself.

If you have blog that I should be following give it a shout out. I'm am not so great about writing a blog, but I sure can read the heck out of someone else's.

Shout out!

When I Grow Up

2009-07-21T20:14:00.000-07:00

Speaking of TV, I generally do not watch it during the day. Since I am such an addict I want little Baby Love to stay away. I figure it's better for her, right? Either way, I know if the TV gets turned on, it ain't turning off any time soon. So, for all of us I leave it off.

However, during the past couple of weeks I've allowed her to watch an hour of Sesame Street in the mornings. Afterwards, you've guessed it, the channel gets changed to the Today Show, then The View and so on and so forth.

I can't help it. I love you TV! I love you! Don't leave me! Don't!

Will you marry me?

Whatever.

Throughout the day I take a peek and catch something here and there. I really am not paying any attention. Just a little background noise.

So, just for your reference, when I grow up I would like to be the following:

a paralegal

a court reporter

a computer tech

a medical assistant

I also know that I will sue the pants off you if you rear end me.

Now This is What I Know

2009-07-18T21:11:00.000-07:00

Look I don't know a lot of things. Quantum physics...nada. Gardening, not one thing. Writing a blog...zilch.

However, I've got a few tricks up my sleeve. If you want to know about kid's breakfast cereals...here I am pal. Leaking sippy cups...I know all about it. There's just one other category in which I enlist myself as a professional-TV!

I got my very first TV for Christmas when I was five. Now that may not sound like a big deal to some, but in those days kids didn't have t.v.'s strapped to their cribs like they practically do now. I was a child of the future. The remote control was at my disposal. Cartoons on Saturday morning...boom, there it was. Hee Haw on Friday night...bla dow, it was on.

I've seen a lot of TV shows and I sometimes include movies into that knowledge as well. I know there are more robust movie goers out there, but I have seen my fair share and I just saw a great one.

You may not remember the previews for this movie. I only happen to remember because Reese Witherspoon is in it as a supporting character. When it came out I assumed it was bad because I never heard a soul speak of it, but let me be the first to declare that it is awesome. It is a sweet and cutesy movie all wrapped up with a bow.

It is a perfect whimsical, cute fairytale. Why trust me? I've had a TV since I was five...Bam!

Little House on the Prairie

2009-07-16T17:57:00.000-07:00

Back in the spring I decided I would start a garden. Was it a long lost dream? No. I think I had been watching one too many recorded episodes of Martha Stewart. That dang Martha, she makes me feel like such a loser. So, in an effort to make myself feel better I had to at least keep up with her, to some degree.

For Valentine's Day I asked the old man to build some planter boxes. Oh how romantic! Well, after ten years you begin to run out of ideas, so I came up with a useful present. So out of the middle of nowhere the boxes were made. I planted tomatoes...lots and lots of tomatoes. Then, for some herbs-Cilantro, basil, rosemary, and parsley.

Doesn't it remind you of the Scarborough Fair song? "Are you going to Scarborough Fair? Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme."

It doesn't? Well, anyway...

They were once teeny tiny plants, and now look at them. I am so proud.

Just ignore whatever is to the left of the basil.

WAIT! Wait a minute, do you see that? We need a close up here folks.

Why yes! Yes it is, my very own tomato. Ta da! If I never grow anything else, at least I can say I grew a tomato...once.

Fine. This is what was to the left of the basil. I knew I would be hounded if I did not at least show you. It is almost too sad to look at...too much death and destruction. This WAS the cilantro. It is the one herb that I don't have to go out of my way to use and I don't have a one sprig.

Having this little garden makes me feel so capable. I would like to thank YOU...Martha Stewart, for inspiring me. So now maybe I won't need Bear Grylls by my side when the destruction of 2012 comes.

An Original

2009-07-05T18:32:00.001-07:00

I have received many questions in the past about who makes little Sweet Face's cute shirts/onesies and her bedding.

Well, the secret is out.

When I was in high school I was part of the drill team. Otherwise known as the Gold Dusters. When I was a sophomore we needed a to pick a "Little Sister" from the Junior Varsity team. I had my eye on my girl...my future Little. It was an easy pick for me. She had beautiful thick red hair and always had a smile on her face.

All of the sophomores were anxious and terrified someone else would steal their girl, but no one knew exactly how or when to properly ask. I mean I was scared because I practically felt as though I was proposing, down on one knee, to a stranger. I had hardly spoken to her ever, and all the other girls seemed as though they were friends already.

The night came during football season in a whirlwind of excitement. The sophomores, as we sat in the back of the older girls in the football stands (since we were lowest on the totem pole on varsity) sat right in front of the JV team. We were all uneasy because the time was now imminent. We were all suddenly talking about who was picking whom and when to ask. I then abruptly hear from beside me a sophomore yell out to her JV pick to ensure they were set. I couldn't handle it any more, I've just got to ask, so I swiftly yelled out behind me-"MANDY! Will you be my Little?" and then...a nod of the head. Yes! We were set for life.

Hey it may have been a little hasty and desperate, but it needed to be done.

After college we found each other again on Facebook. I was pregnant at the time and could not, for the life of me, find a look or bedding that fit what I had envisioned. That was until I happened upon Mandy's website-CoCo Couture. Hallelujah I had found it! It was to the "T" exactly what I was looking for in the nursery. I think I may have even heard the angel's singing from above.

So that's it http://www.cococouture.com.

She also has an Etsy site.

In conclusion, if I have been to your baby shower since that day of hope and glory, you have received something from Mandy. I love her!

Back to Hawaii

2009-07-03T14:10:00.000-07:00

On difficult days I begin to miss the sun and the beach. You know, the sand underneath your feet, the trees swaying in the wind. I could use that right about now. However, since we are on the subject, why don't you just sit back and let me tell you a little story from my Hawaiian days.

So when we went to Hawaii, the most important part was to ensure we had a Jeep Wrangler so we could take the top down. At one point when we booked the Jeep the confirmation said "Jeep Wrangler or similar vehicle". Wait...similar? I don't think so sir.

This confirmation would only plague me until we arrived. I spent the whole flight to Hawaii thinking of the exact words to say when they rolled up in a Honda Fit. I could not picture our Hawaiian vacation without the top down and my hair blowing in the wind! Anthony would then have to calm me down and assure me things would be ok.

Wait a minute...why was I so desperate for the Jeep? I don't know. You know, once I started to think about it the Jeep wasn't my idea in the first place. It was Anthony's! Yeah! I don't care about a dang car.

So, we get there and low and behold they roll up with a silver Jeep Wrangler. Done. End of story.

Oh, don't fret that is not the end.

The very moment we get into the Jeep the old man wants to take down the top. After a long day of traveling, and not knowing where we are going I suggest to do it later. Who's the party pooper?

Our first real day in Hawaii we are rushing to get to our Four Wheeler Tour, so there is no time. After the tour we decide to drive the coast to the North Shore. Well, this time he is ready to take the top down. I, hesitant as usual, have to be coaxed into it. Why? I don't know-I just like to suck the wind out of people's sails. I mean just picture us not being able to get the top back on or my hair getting messed up. Why? I don't know. So we do it!

The top is down and we start driving out of the parking lot. Drip, drip...drip. Oh heck no. We look up and it is completely cloudy. So, we look at each other and stop the car. We discuss two things:

1. His Mom talked to us about her trip to Hawaii and how it rained practically every day for about 10 minutes. Ok.

2. AV's thought is that if we get on the road the wind will blow the rain over us. Ok.

Well, those theories worked just fine. Uh...except that we have been driving for about 3o minutes and it just now stopped raining. Theory #1 down the hole.

Oh, well looky there-it's a beautiful beach with not a soul on it. Let's just stop and put our feet in the water since we haven't even touched the Pacific ocean yet.

Having fun, loving life until...

those clouds keep sticking around we better head back to the car and put the top up. Drip...drip.

There it is folks-a torrential down pour. Well, we know I am hiding under a tree, soaked and hiding my camera under my shirt. Where is Anthony?

There he is! This is when I was still laughing.

20 minutes later the laughing stops. There is a lot of cussing going on. A lot of hitting the car. He can't get the top up! A lake begins to form around the car so I hop in onto soaked maps.

That's how we like to start a vacation...with a bang!

Cake Party!

2009-06-30T12:38:00.000-07:00

After glancing at my blog, I sure have noticed lots of talk about cake. Lots and lots. Now, some people may think obsessed. I think phase.

Now, sure at this very moment do I fantasize about owning my own bakery and making daily confections? Yes.

Do I already have a small business plan jotted down? Of course.

Do I already have a list of my bakery's name? Definitely! I mean that's the first thing I do in these "phases". You've got to start out with a catchy name here people, then things fall in to place. Right? RIGHT?

Is any of this going to happen? No.

It's what I do. I barely know how to slap a cake mix together. I just like to daydream.

Anyhow, my friends and I are all on the same kick lately. Cakes! So, to commemorate the new hobby we had a cake party where we made cake purses.

So, we started out with your average cake mix. You see you make heart shaped cakes and cut them out to look like purses. Can't visualize? Then oh wait....you'll see.

While the cakes bake, Alicia (since she is the professional here) got to work on the fondant.

Roll Alicia, roll! Oops, it sure does look like Alicia is doing the brunt of the work. Sorry about that. I think we all "watched" pretty well though.

As we wait for the cakes to bake, Leah finally swats the fly that had been stalking us. He or she was just waiting for the cakes to finish. Leah looks like she just won the gold medal in fly swatting.

The cakes finished and Coby and I starting laying them out to cool.

Then we iced the cakes with the buttercream I brought over. If you see some missing, it's because we ate them ok. We ate them! Sorry, but we just did. This led to me wanting to just throw up after all of this was over.
Once we ate a little cake and then each decorated one, I think we began to lose a little steam. I did anyway. I mean I can only think of so many ways to decorate a purse. Either way, we did it. You see? We cut off the heart bottom, added some fondant clasps, and a fondant handle. Purse cake.

Ta Da!
It was awesome!

Disaster

2009-06-28T18:41:00.000-07:00

I don't know what it is about the kitchen. The more I get beat up the more I keep coming back. From the beginning of time my family has eaten at Carshon's Deli in Fort Worth. Since high school my Grandma and I have a tradition of eating there every Saturday (although we occasionally miss a Saturday or two) for the chocolate pie. In my lifetime I have sometimes opted out of chocolate pie for strawberry delight. Both equally delicious.

The strawberry delight is similar to the Zydeco Dancer from Razzoo's. Anyway, it is pure whip creamy, strawberry, air. I love it. Well, I came across a recipe the other day for a strawberry delight and I figured it would be pretty easy to replicate. I mean how hard could it be? Just throw in some whip cream and strawberries. No. Not even close.

It started out looking good. I quit taking pictures because I realized early on that this recipe was only going south and indeed it did. A crash and BURN! Disaster.

Why do you do this to me Carshon's?

Do you hate me?

What do you put in there to make it so good? Is it crack? Is that what I am tasting?

Mine tasted like death with a crust.

This past year I have probably made at least 10 different chocolate pie recipes in a failed attempt to just taste Carshon's chocolate pie at home. It's true, ask my family. I think they are tired of chocolate pie.

Ok me too...a little.

Don't worry Carshon's you can't win. You WON'T win.

Fiesta Fiesta!

2009-06-25T12:29:00.000-07:00

My Mom's best friend, Aunt Jan Jan as I like to call her, had a Birthday earlier this month. So, I decided it must be a Fiesta. Why? I don't know. Why could it not be a regular party? I don't know. So, a plan was made. Then a pinata was bought. What is a Fiesta without a pinata? Ask yourself that same question. Anyhow I made as much Mexican food as I could make and the party was on.

The pinata must be filled.

Hung up.

Oh and by the way, my 84 year old Grandma got up to swing at the pinata with her cane. Priceless.

The cake must be made.

Then, most importantly, eaten.

I am going to have to say...it was the best Fiesta I have ever been to. I also don't like to toot my own horn, but that cake was good! This isn't boxed people.

Did you know? For my sorority's annual Mom's weekend I asked Aunt Jan Jan to come with my Mom. She is practically my second Mom, so it was fitting. We had a dinner at Billy Bob's with the mothers and then we had the rest of the night to dance the night away at the 'ol honkey tonk. Well, at the dinner we got up to get in the buffet line and I was talking to someone I knew and introduced my Mom and Aunt Janice as "my folks". I turned to see the horror on my Mom and Janice's faces. I laughed and turned back to tell the person I misspoke, and all at once we were all trying to explain-not my folks in the lesbian sense, but more like my Mom and her best friend. It was hilarious! I have called them my folks ever since.

Not that there's anything wrong with that.

I made it!

2009-06-11T12:06:00.001-07:00

I don't know about you, but when I was growing up I spent a lot of time watching TV. Yes, I know, this may come as a shock to most. Calm down. Anyway, the channel of luxury for me was channel 13, PBS, since I didn't have cable until college. I am well versed in Julia Child and the Frugal Gourmet. Here and there I would sneak in a little Nova and a maybe a documentary. Of all my PBS watching, my all time favorite of favorites was an ice cream documentary called "The Ice Cream Story". That thing came on once a year and I watched it every year.

To make a long story short, at the end they would travel to Hawaii to interview the owner of the Matsumoto Grocery Store where they specialize in shave ice. My little heart would melt every year yearning for this "shave ice", just wondering what this foreign concoction tasted like. I have always been a snow cone fan and this with it's sweet beans and ice cream sounded, well, down right magical.

Well, my day came dang it.

I came, I saw, I conquered. I had my first bite of the famous Matsumoto Shave Ice with Azuki beans and ice cream and it was...uh...good (shrugging shoulders). I've uh...had better in Texas.

What? I came all the way here and it was good. I mean I wasn't going to just throw it in the trash or anything hysterical like that. I would just like to say that as a snow cone connoisseur, it was alright-nothing special.

Black Bean Soup

2009-06-07T19:46:00.001-07:00

Getting back from vacation is always hectic for me. You can practically count me out for at least three weeks when I go on a week long vacation. I need a week to prepare for the vacation, then I need to go on the vacation, and then it takes a week to get back into the swing of things. So, this time since I have a baby who needs to eat right when I get back-she doesn't care if I have been on vacation and don't have time for the grocery store-I had these ingredients ready to go.

Black Bean Soup

10 pieces smoky bacon (chopped)

1 onion (chopped)

6 garlic cloves

1 can chicken broth

1 can chopped tomatoes

2 T. ketchup

2 t. worcestershire sauce

4 cans of black beans (rinsed)

1 T. chili powder

1 lime

cilantro

Chop the bacon, onion, and garlic.

Next brown the bacon in a medium high pan. Then throw in the onion, garlic, broth, tomatoes, ketchup, worcestershire sauce, and the black beans.

Add water if needed until beans are covered. Salt and pepper. Bring it all to a boil, then simmer for 15 minutes. Turn off the heat and add the chili powder, the juice of one lime and a handful of chopped cilantro.

This recipe is so easy and a good back up plan.

Sharpening my Skills

2009-05-21T13:00:00.000-07:00

They may not be numchuck skills, bow hunting skills or computer hacking skills...but they are my only skills dang it! When I was in Junior High I decided on a whim that I wanted to decorate cakes. So, my Mom who is always willing to indulge me, signed me up for my first Wilton Cake Decorating course. When I arrived, with cake and icing in hand, I was the ONLY 14 year old in a class full of middle aged women.

I can only now realize that this would not be my first time mingling with senior citizens...our trip to Europe, the new neighborhood, oh forget it I am getting off track.

Anyhow, I can just picture me with my hair straight and parted down the middle, a flannel tied around my waist, and the bulkiest pair of sketchers I could find, in a room full of old ladies wearing cat sweaters. Now, those were the days. I sure did learn a lot in that class and it has kept me decorating cakes all these years.

Well, about a month ago a friend of mine decided to take the very same Wilton course and asked if I would like to attend. "You know I do!", was my response. I need to sharpen my skills in cake. So, here we are thirteen years later-Round 2. I bought my Course I kit, even though my Mom still has my original, and went to class.

Voila!

When Snakes Attack

2009-05-12T18:22:00.000-07:00

Or I guess the title should say, When a Snake is Sitting There and You Feel Like You are Going to Die and You Try and KILL the Snake...or AHHHHHHHHHHH!

So, the other night we decided to go for a walk around the neighborhood. The Old Man went out through the garage with our dog, and I went out through the side door with the baby. As we met up, I went to grab the jogging stroller from the corner of my garage and I tried to finagle it from the corner. It wouldn't budge. So, I picked it up and rolled it backwards. I then rolled it beside, so I could take the heavy baby from my hip and place her in the stroller.

As I rolled the stroller backwards beside me, I naturally looked down to the seat where I was about to place her. I looked down to see a gray coil. Do what? Well actually, there truly was not even a second of a thought that crossed my mind because I saw half of a SNAKE...and ran the opposite direction like there was no tomorrow. Oh and did I mention that while I ran I screamed at the top of my lungs, and I quote, "AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!". By the time I decided to stop the Old Man was running towards the garage, with a hideous three foot snake flailing on the ground.

He grabs a shovel from his truck and bravely tries to bludgeon the snake again, and again....and again with no luck. The snake, mind you, is slithering to the side of the house with stabs of the shovel right behind him. I couldn't see what was happening now, so I move over, from a football field distance away to see what was going on around the side of the house. All I could see was the snake reared up hissing and trying to get a mouthful of Anthony. I of course yelled, "Watch out!". In all the adrenaline he finally noticed that he not only was trying to take out the snake, but the snake was trying to take him out as well. In the sobering moment he backed up, tripped over our flower bed, and fell backwards into the bushes. I think I may have even laughed then at the sight. Yes, even in full terror I can appreciate the comedic moments.

Once he got up, the anger got to him and the snake was obliterated. The little baby watched the whole scene with me and did not even flinch once. She can handle a 3 mile sprint away from the house AND a murder scene all in five minutes and still be as cool as a cucumber.

So in summary there are still so many questions to be answered in this case. Exactly when did the snake jump from the stroller onto the ground?...and how close was I?

Oh and I am the only person that believes snakes can re-generate back to life like Agent Smith from the Matrix?

Working Hard on Mother's Day

2009-05-11T19:42:00.000-07:00

Most Mom's on Mother's Day like to sit back and relax, but no not I. I decided to invite my Grandma and Mom over for brunch. I wanted to go all out and I did. Now, how all out did I go you ask? I put the orange juice in champagne glasses. THAT all out!

I made eggs, bacon, fruit salad, homemade biscuits, Belgian waffles, and Pioneer Woman's Basic Breakfast Potatoes. Oh and orange juice of course. I have to admit it was pretty good.

As we set the table the night before I figured this could be the one time I actually use my Grandma's English Rose china set. I was thinking how sentimental it would be and how she would love me for it. Then I remembered how in her whole lifetime she never used it, so I quickly came to my senses and realized, "She's gonna KILL me!". So, I decided against it and just went with what I had.

All in all, I got a picture of the four generations, me, my baby, Mom and Grandma.

The end.

Baby on the Brain

2009-04-29T19:43:00.000-07:00

Hawaii is looming in the near future. Next month marks our 5 year wedding anniversary and this year the husband is turning 30, so we made the decision to go to Hawaii for a week. What a decision that was.

At the time I was a little arrogant, maybe a little too cocky for my own good. Our 1 year old, my sweet baby girl, was brought up multiple times. Can we leave her? Do we want to leave her? SURE! Why not? I can do it. I'm no pansy, I'm a strong Martha Stewart type...well, wanna be anyway.

Thinking back I don't know what came over me because right now it's total fear. I have only been away from that sweet face for two separate nights-total. What am I going to do? I can barely make it to the mall by myself without having to turn around because I see a little girl that looks like her. I feel empty and alone if there is no one there for me to take care of. A week in Hawaii could be the worst thing that has ever happened to me. Who knew?

The "Anti-Blogger"

2009-04-17T13:52:00.000-07:00

Ok the first post...can I do this? I can just see it now, the "anti-blogger" starts blogging. Who would have known? Miss, "I'll start a blog over my dead body." and "Oh, you think you're so wonderful that everyone wants to read every minute, uninteresting, detailed event of your life."!

Well, world...here I am!