Cookies 2010!!

Not sure if any of you loyal readers remember my cookie post from last year. Let's just say that I basically said I was never doing sugar cookies again, they were a royal pain and they can kiss my big a$$. Feeling the love??

Well, my dear friend KC offered to assist once again with the cookie making. I think she may have later regretted this, because Roomie asked when we would be done baking and she very calmly said, "I don't know, whenever Red says we are done.". Clue taken!

Back to the baking...We didn't use the cookie cutters, but instead focused our creativity on frosting. I now have 40+ tips (they are actually a X-mas present, but I opened early, and repacked them), special food coloring, icing bags and I am good to go!! It is so much fun to decorate when you have the essential tools!

They may not be perfect, but they are soooo much better than my efforts last year! My roomie kept asking me where the mess ups were (so he could eat them). I eventually just let him eat the "keepers".


All packaged up and ready to deliver!

Xmas Light Tour

This past Saturday, my roomie took me and two friends on a Xmas light tour. It was such a delight, I felt like a kid riding in the back of the Good Times Van. (the van my parents had when I was growing up, and I LOVED IT). Anywho, he mapped out our plan and even created a playlist. So fun.

So, we head out to several Olathe neighborhoods. We went to Christmas Card Lane, where most homeowners had made a Christmas Card out of plywood. Cute tradition, but there were too many bah humbugs in the neighborhood. Then on to the Griswolds and OMG, it was great. Everyone in the little lane and culdesac totally decked out their house. Then....we get to the gem of them all....Paulines Penguins. Pauline loves penguins apparently and she has every single penguin blow up that exists. Anyone in the KC area must go see this. It is free, and will bring a smile to your face. Seriously. She even has a snow machine and Happy Feet (the movie) playing on a screen on her house. Pauline doesn't mess around!

Sorry for the quality of some of the pics.

Favorite one!


KC's Xmas card for next year!




This will NOT be our Xmas card!



P.S. We also went to Longview Lake. I don't want to be a negative nelly and get haters on here, but seriously think before you take the drive to this exhibit. It took us 1.5 hours to get through the park, but the light portion was only 15 minutes. Let's just say that my roomie the driver was sitting in a car for 1.5 hours with 3 impatient women. Probably not his idea of a good time!

Kid Rental

Craigslist allows lots of inappropriate ads, but I just couldn't find the appropriate section for a kid rental. You see, I am planning to do X-mas baking and wrapping this week and all of this would be "easier" if I had a kid to blame the finished product on.

Take the sugar cookie decorating as an example:


(decorated by Mickey)
It will taste just as good as something that I would fret over and spend a lot of time trying to perfect.

And the wrapping:

(b-day gift for my Mom wrapped in coloring book pages from twinkies - this was before Mickey liked to color)
It is fun to take your time and wrap the first few, pick out the perfect bow, etc, but after a while, I just throw everything into bags. They are reusable and so much easier.

Warning and Funny Story

DO NOT BUY ANYTHING FROM OMAHA STEAKS unless you want them to call your house several times a day. We ordered a X-mas gift from them last year and obviously they REALLY want us back. Problem is, they have annoyed me so much I will probably never order from them again. Just wanted to give everyone (all 7 of you) a heads up.....

At the end of the story above, I was going to say that I was just being a good citizen, which sparked a funny memory. I went to a middle school called Liberty Middle School. There wasn't much to do in our town, so anytime anyone had a program (choir, band, etc), my friends and I would attend the program. We really just sat together and made fun of what was going on. Anyway, in the middle of a program, in walks a dog down the aisle of the auditorium. Me, without any pause, get up from my seat and escort the dog out. My friends got a hoot out of this. I then told them "I was just being a good citizen". They got even more of a hoot out of my comment. It was a running joke/comment for years.

Grateful

I have been so touched by the writings of Elizabeth Edwards. It is unfortunate that her death has made me aware of her writings. She was so poetic, true and honest in her words. I heard a quote on Good Morning America today that was so inspiring:

"The days of our lives, for all of us, are numbered," she wrote. "We know that. And yes, there are certainly times when we aren't able to muster as much strength and patience as we would like. It's called being human. But I have found that in the simple act of living with hope, and in the daily effort to have a positive impact in the world, the days I do have are made all the more meaningful and precious. And for that I am grateful."

I so often wonder what my impact is, or will be, and it is comforting to be reminded that it doesn't have to be some grand plan, just a daily effort to have a positive impact. A little right now can mean a lot in the end.

Love to you all and here's to lots of hope in our near future.

Donner, Prancer, Mickey and Minnie

Santa has two additional reindeer this year!!

I didn't learn

..forgot to get a picture of the rolls, but on Friday AM I put some bbq beef in the crock pot before work and I (like an idiot) left the ciabbata rolls on the counter. Willie only tested a few, guess he prefers biscuits.

Will I Ever Learn

that Willie feels everything on the counter or table is his for the taking??

There were two biscuits on this plate. I went upstairs to grab something and I come back to one biscuit on the plate....





and one on the floor.



Damn cat wasted a perfectly good Grands biscuit. Momma wasn't happy.

Thanksgiving Recap

I had a great Thanksgiving. Our T-day was pretty low key, but of course my roommate had to spice it up with a turkey cook off. I somehow don't find it fair that I am responsible for multiple things plus the turkey and he just does one measly breast. Oh yeah, I brined it and I buttered it up for him. Anywho.....our guests were not wanting to hurt anyone's feelings and only one vote was officially cast for him. Smart guests!! :) He smoked his turkey and yes it was very delicious, however, I like the traditional turkey taste with the T-day trimmings.

After dinner we played a very fun game - Wits and Wagers. We teamed up and my sister in law was on my team. We were REALLY bad at the trivia part. Here are some of our very bad answers:
1. Year women got to vote: 1957 -
2. How much does a 747 jet weigh - 4000 lbs
3. How often does Pluto go around the moon - every 365 days

We realized that we were very horrible at the trivia part, and should probably take 8th grade over again, so we just laughed and put down bad answers while my roommate and his team used their brain. We were good for laughs at least. AND we did get the hang of how to Wager, so we didn't do too bad in the overrall game.

I cut the heck out of my finger on Wednesday when I was in a hurry chopping onions and celery. It was annoying having your thumb out of commission when you are cooking. I was too scared to get stitches....not sure if they were warranted or not, but I just bandaged it up myself since it was a clean cut.





I babysat my 2nd favorite nephew (Mickey is currently my favorite although he can drop down to second place at any minute - ha!), Bennie. This was one of the easiest babysitting jobs ever. He sleeps at least 18 hours a day. Rough life.

Another bar fight

Apparently Willie has an anger management problem or drinking problem. Just a month ago he got in a fight and his ear was hurt again and this Saturday he came home at 4:00 a.m. and could barely walk. No, he wasn't drunk again, he was injured. I knew something was really wrong when Sunday AM he didn't get out of bed to drink milk. This cat looks forward to that every morning!! He also could not stand to eat. I literally put the bowl under his chin and he would eat....and he would leave some morsels, which again, is NOT like Willie.

After a half day of not knowing what to do, off to the Vet ER we went. After all, we have a basketball game to go to tonight and we just didn't want this to interfere (just kidding, sort of!). After several hours and less than $500, we found out that he has puncture wounds and all will heal fine. This pic doesn't really do his leg justice, to me it looks worse in person. Maybe that is the Mom in me talking!



So....today I am thankful that Mr. Willie is not seriously injured and neither is our bank account :)

Tale of Two Breakfasts

This past weekend, I visited Daytona Beach with a good friend. She had a family wedding to attend and I was her traveling companion. Yup, it was a gay-cation.



Since we were on vacation, after a night down in the hotel bar, we decided we needed to order room service. Boy, was she patient with me during this process. Everything had something weird about it. Nuts, fruit, custard, etc. She assured me that custard dipped french toast would be good.

So....I ordered the french toast


And she ordered this.




Can you say opposites attract? I believe it was salmon slices on a bagel. I would rather starve than eat that. One thing we agreed on - Mimosa's!

Need some help up here?

Our house is still torn up due to our recent project, and our cats have been going crazy. We had to take Jordy to Grandma's house (thanks again!) and Willie has been locked up in the basement or garage. Willie has finally been freed the past few days and he is enjoying his freedom. Last night when my roommate and I were moving furniture we heard a weird noise. We look around the corner and Mr. Willie has climbed up the ladder. I don't know how he really did it, but seriously, nothing surprises me with this cat!

O-Tay

Buckwheat is all grown-up and now works at KSU parking.

\

Please tell me you know who Buckwheat is! If not, you must go rent Little Rascals today. Maybe this will help keep Blockbuster in business. I'm sure Redbox doesn't have this one.

Walk in My Shoes

My roommate and I are in the process of having our hardwood floors refinished, which required us to be out of the house until late last night so the stain could dry. I drug him out shopping and then we went to eat. None of this was really planned, and we are planners, so let's just say we were a little bit disoriented last night.

We walk outside of the restaurant and my roommate says "I have no idea where we parked." We then looked around and he quickly remembered where the car was. I started laughing and said "Welcome to my life! This happens to me daily!" Sometimes it is difficult to be so ditzy, but I fully embrace this gift(?).

Hope you like the new blog template!

Hard at Work

Take your kid to work day was a little different at my firm this year. You see, I had to drive 300+ miles to get any kids to take with me, we had to drive downtown to a coffee house, and I had to allow 5 year olds to drink their own coffee. I see nothing wrong with this picture. Although, I do have to admit that I find it strange they LOVE coffee and I can't stand it.

Hard at work....or coloring.

Did Someone Steal My Phone?

Mickey, were you taking pictures with my phone?
No.
Hmmmmm.....





Look at the reflection in this one....

Deodorant Issues

Some of you have heard this, so I apologize in advance. And I also apologize for not having a picture.

I am getting ready to take Sarah to a doctor appointment and put on a black cotton dress. I hate deodorant on my clothes (don't know who the heck likes it! and I know, they make clear deodorant, but it is sticky), so I always tuck toilet paper under my arm and then the extra deodorant goes on the TP instead of my shirt/dress.

We go to the Doctor. Sarah and I sit there for a good 15 minutes before she is called in. I stay in the waiting room as she goes into the Doctor. I am sitting there reading my magazine and I look down and notice something white sticking out the top of my dress. I take a second look and OMG it is the toilet paper!! I just about die laughing to myself as I pull out the TP and put it in my purse.

Afterwards, I show my sister the evidence of the mishap and tell her that she must either be really blind or mean b/c she let me go in public like that!! We met up with my parents later and I could hardly get out the story without laughing so hard I was crying. Maybe you had to be there, but it was hilarious.

I just read on another blog that when others remember you, they don't remember your figure or your clothes, they remember your smile and laugh. I sure hope this is true.

One thing after another

This past Friday, I decided to treat myself to some M&Ms. This is a big deal for several reasons. One, my cheap ass doesn't like paying 75 cents for a small pack of candy and I try to not eat candy at work b/c it is just a bad habit for the figure to get into. Anyway, I go to the vending machine and this happens! I ended up with 2 packages of M&Ms b/c my roommate advised me it is better to spend another 75cents and get two packs, than to spend money for nothing. Good reasoning.



I then had an hour to spare Friday evening before meeting KC at the movies. I was very excited to watch Grey's, as I like to watch it outside of the earshot of my roommate, as he does not share in my love for Grey's and Private Practice. What the hell, I can't get my cable to work! I spent about 30 minutes and 4 unanswered calls to my roommate, but don't worry, I got it figured out. Still have no idea what I did, but who cares, it is working again.


By the way, saw the new Katherine Heigl movie this weekend...story is predictable but good and Josh Duhamel is certainly worth 1.5 hours of your time!! :)

Fishing

Jordy is such a good little helper around the house. She has to be involved in everything I am doing. She was most excited the last time she got to "help" clean the fish bowl.

She is keeping an eye on him while he is in his holding tank as I wash his bowl and rocks.



Her attempt to pet Quattro



By the way, I went to the Pet Store a few weeks ago and found some really cool stuff for Bettas. I know, it is a fish, get over it. I, for some reason, am very interested in my Betta being happy. Turns out that Bettas like perches or things floating to sleep or rest in so they don't have to work so hard. I got Quattro a floating log that I will show you sometime. They also like to keep warm, so I am going to buy a light so he doesn't freeze this winter.

Bribery = Bowling

When I was in Arkansas last month, the kids were bribed to be good with a trip to the bowling alley. They were told if they were good at school and at home, on Thursday we would do something special. Well, Monday after school I pick up the kids and Minnie is half orange with marker. I asked her what happened and she very seriously said "marker war"! Mickey then quickly informed me that she did not get a smiley face b/c of the marker war....oh boy, looks like someone doesn't want their special treat!! So, to even it out I told Minnie she would have to do chores to make up for her behavior. She helped gather the trash, fold and put away clothes and pick up toys. This ended up backfiring on me b/c she was bragging to Mickey about her chores and what all she did, then Mickey wanted chores!! You really can't win with this parenting stuff.

Well....we made it through the next four days with no big issues, so off to Professor Bowl we went.

Thank goodness they only had the energy for one game, b/c bowling is expensive these days!! My parents put us kids into a bowling league when we were kids, so I have always liked to bowl. I am not an awesome bowler, but I did win a trophy one year.....no idea what it was for, possibly most improved!!

The bumpers for kids these days are pretty cool, they come up when it is the kids turn to bowl, then go down when it is the adults turn.

They look so cute in their shoes





Granny style! Bringing back old school!



This little guy is too manly for Granny style! It was a miracle he didn't throw the ball backwards.

Awesome Sky

Went to the K-State game this weekend and saw the most unique cloud formations ever. We did have a 1.5 hour rain delay and I dealt with wet feet for 6+ hours, but we won, so I guess you can say it was worth it.

Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad

Today, the 24th, is my parents 39th wedding anniversary. Congrats on this milestone and I am so happy and lucky to have both parents that are involved, active and loving in my life. Congrats Mom and Dad. I hope you continue to annoy and love each other for many more years!

Funny things:
1. My Dad relies on me to remember things for him. While I enjoy being the "responsible" one, it comes with a lot of pressure. For some reason I got it in my head that their anniversary was on the 25th....so last year my Dad flubbed up and had planned something for their anniversary but was a day late. Of course this was my fault as it is my responsibility to remember HIS wedding day. :)

2. I posted earlier in the week about my Dad gathering twigs for his fish habitat. My MOM actually did a large amount of the gathering and tying of the twigs. She deserves credit for all of her hard work.

3. My roomie was saying that 39 is impressive. Yes, it sure is. But I thought I was funny in responding that we have been together 9, so we only have 30 to go, no big deal, he will still overeat and I will still be bitchy. I guess you could say I am pretty comfortable where we are.

Not your typical restaurant....

No, it is not a dilapidated home, it is a restaurant. Yup, we ate here.




This is Cotham's Mercantile in Scott, Arkansas. It is not too far from the school where my sister teaches. It is an old mercantile turned into a restaurant. I believe they still have stuff on the shelves from when it was a mercantile. My roomie and I were watching the food network and saw the restaurant featured, so we just had to go there. Despite the fact some "nice" southern woman cut in front of me in line while waiting for a table and that the air conditioning was out, I enjoyed my experience.

Their specialty (I think) is their hamburger. It is called a Hubcap b/c it is as big as a Hubcap. This is no way tickled my fancy so I stuck with chicken strips. We all enjoyed our food and I especially enjoyed the onion rings (onion rings are high on top of my last meal list). It is definitely one hole in the wall you should check out.

Crazy thing - when we were waiting for a table I started talking to this older couple who told me they had been there about 15 years ago. We discuss where we are from and realize we live in the same town! It is truly a small world!

Kindy-garten is tough!!

The twinkies are in all day Kindergarten. They are at school from 7:30 - 4:15, so it is a really long day for them....but it makes bedtime easy!!! :)

Wednesday was grandparents day at school. Mom and Dad both went and split time between classrooms. Grandparents day was only 1 hour, but in that short amount of time they were able to corral Poppa down to the book fair and encourage him to buy the kids books. Pushover.

The kids "read" their books all the way home from school and just wiped themselves out.

Soccer and A Random Picture

The twinkies are playing soccer. They had their first practice 20 minutes before their first game, so you can guess how good the game went!! It was very entertaining to say the least.

My roommie and I practiced with them the evening before their game and I told them the #1 rule was to not touch the ball with their hands. When we were practicing, I told them if they touched it, then they had to do 5 push ups. When Minnie got to her game, the coach asked what happened if they touched the ball. Minnie, so proud of herself for knowing the answer loudly responded "5 push-ups!". My sister and I start laughing hysterically b/c we had no clue she thought that was the real rule! I informed the coach (a soccer pro) that was my own rule for playing at home!




Luke was more into the social aspect of the game, which isn't bad at all. He enjoyed being part of a team, but had no clue what he was supposed to be doing.



He wanted to make sure we got lots of pics of him!


Really cute pic of Minnie as she was goofing around during her brother's game.


After the soccer games, we went to the lake for the day. My Dad found a new use for the tube - making a fish habitat. He has been collecting twigs as he cleans up the yard, and then tied a rope around the twigs to a rock and then buried them. Mickey loved helping. Problem is, I HATE fish and I am scared of them. I have no interest in my Dad having a fish habitat anywhere near the dock. uggh.

Locust Hunting

Willie takes after his grandfather, he is an avid hunter. While he may not look spry, he is smart, and his senses give him a great ability to catch prey, and bring it home to Momma so she can be so impressed.

For the record, I am scared of everything he catches. Birds, especially.



You can look, but don't touch.




Since his keeper doesn't feed him enough, he has to find his own dessert. Delicious and nutritious! He doesn't eat the legs though...not sure why.