Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Do you know what happens when you talk about Spring and Jonquils?
That is correct, you get snow. Serves me right. The Collective are begging to go out and make snowmen, and have a snowball fight. There is about a teaspoon of the stuff.
Solitude
When I was small my Father did a lot of ice fishing. At that time we were pretty close to broke, so he had made himself a wooden ice fishing hut.
I am unsure of the exact measurements at this time. Because when you are small, the scale of things is altered and defined by your own size. The shed must have been about 3 feet by 8 feet, made out of simple framing and plywood. The exterior painted white. The interior was unpainted, and on the foor were 6 round holes, which my Father had made covers. There was a door with simple hinges, and one square, and small window.
I spent a lot of time in the summer, in the ice hut. A lot. I played school in it, with all of my best dolls. I would spend hours dragging chalk boards, and books, and chairs all of the way across the green lawn. I also had a library in there for a while, and I had spent weeks making library cards and convincing my mother I needed a black ink pad so I could stamp the cards with a pencil eraser dabbed in black ink.
It was a an animal hospital for some time. My stuffed animals were much better patients than any live animal I could convince to enter.
I enjoyed all of that "alone" time, and it is something I doubt my children will ever know. Solitude, or freedom. It is doubtful at this time, that I will ever send them out alone or unattended to our own backyard. No. That will not happen. An afternnon on a bicylce, riding in the sun jumping curbs alone. That feeling of having change in your pocket, and going to get a snowcone ALONE. It just is not going to happen.
I am unsure of the exact measurements at this time. Because when you are small, the scale of things is altered and defined by your own size. The shed must have been about 3 feet by 8 feet, made out of simple framing and plywood. The exterior painted white. The interior was unpainted, and on the foor were 6 round holes, which my Father had made covers. There was a door with simple hinges, and one square, and small window.
I spent a lot of time in the summer, in the ice hut. A lot. I played school in it, with all of my best dolls. I would spend hours dragging chalk boards, and books, and chairs all of the way across the green lawn. I also had a library in there for a while, and I had spent weeks making library cards and convincing my mother I needed a black ink pad so I could stamp the cards with a pencil eraser dabbed in black ink.
It was a an animal hospital for some time. My stuffed animals were much better patients than any live animal I could convince to enter.
I enjoyed all of that "alone" time, and it is something I doubt my children will ever know. Solitude, or freedom. It is doubtful at this time, that I will ever send them out alone or unattended to our own backyard. No. That will not happen. An afternnon on a bicylce, riding in the sun jumping curbs alone. That feeling of having change in your pocket, and going to get a snowcone ALONE. It just is not going to happen.
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
It is the small things
I had one of those days with The Collective.
It has been a pretty quiet day. they have behaved decently so far.
It started at the gym, Sir Rowland was recognized by a peer, and asked to play. And while I stood there sort of suprised. He was not.
Pink Ninja, got 2 ballerina movies at the library. She got 1 Dr. Suess book, and the 2 movies and sat down at a table and read.
Sir Rowland, got a book on the immune system, gravity, and the Atlantic ocean.
We spent the rest of the morning in the library, at story-time.
When I called DH with a report of the morning, he asked how The Collective fared. I was glad to report this.
"They were pretty good, there were naughtier kids there."
That seems like a horrid way to measure behavior. I know, but when you have children less than 2 years apart. You spend ages 0-appearently now, trying to stay at least 3 steps ahead of them.
Tis no longer a full time job, and I am amazed at them.
Dash sat and crafted at the table, cutting his own groundhog out of paper. He stayed in the lines.
Pink Ninja made alligators using her hands in the light of the overhead projector.
It really is the small things when you are a Mom.
They even put the laundry in the laundry room!!
It has been a pretty quiet day. they have behaved decently so far.
It started at the gym, Sir Rowland was recognized by a peer, and asked to play. And while I stood there sort of suprised. He was not.
Pink Ninja, got 2 ballerina movies at the library. She got 1 Dr. Suess book, and the 2 movies and sat down at a table and read.
Sir Rowland, got a book on the immune system, gravity, and the Atlantic ocean.
We spent the rest of the morning in the library, at story-time.
When I called DH with a report of the morning, he asked how The Collective fared. I was glad to report this.
"They were pretty good, there were naughtier kids there."
That seems like a horrid way to measure behavior. I know, but when you have children less than 2 years apart. You spend ages 0-appearently now, trying to stay at least 3 steps ahead of them.
Tis no longer a full time job, and I am amazed at them.
Dash sat and crafted at the table, cutting his own groundhog out of paper. He stayed in the lines.
Pink Ninja made alligators using her hands in the light of the overhead projector.
It really is the small things when you are a Mom.
They even put the laundry in the laundry room!!
OK Enough Already
Chicos.
I am tired of getting your catalog in my mailbox, and e-mails re: your specials.
I am 36 years old. And although yes some of your clothing are stylish, I know what you are saying when you send me a catalog.
enough.
I am tired of getting your catalog in my mailbox, and e-mails re: your specials.
I am 36 years old. And although yes some of your clothing are stylish, I know what you are saying when you send me a catalog.
enough.
Monday, January 29, 2007
Dreaming of David Lee Roth...
Last night I made stir fired shrimp and veggies. I found myself hungry at 11pm, and had a small stack of ritz crackers. (the dumb box with Rachel Ray all over it)
I woke this morning, discombobulated.
I had spent part of the night dreaming of odd things.
I will blame DH. A couple of nights ago he mentioned, if he had the power of time travel he would have told Eddie Van Halen that the synthesizer was a big mistake. "Do not do it Eddie, resist the urge".
For some reason, thoughts of David Lee Roth wove way into my dreams again. (This the second time since blogging). This time, I was his agent of all things, and trying to get him a job at Dillards, in mens clothing of all places.
*note here it was not the balding Dave,
It was the 80's Dave, complete with spandex pants and all of the hair. It is very hard to find a guy like that a job.
Honestly probably the best front man for a band EVER...even better than Mick, or Plant.
6 degrees of Narcissim...
I wandered lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o’er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden daffodils;
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze."
~Wordsworth
For those of you who are tired of Winter, Spring will soon be on its way. Although the robins never leave the Mid-South, I am seeing them in abundance, and they are fat with worms. My purple phlox have been blooming since December, despite the cold weather and frost. (note to self, plant more of these, the purple flowers offerred cheer on days that that needed it) My jonquils are trying they're best to bloom, and I can see yellow buds growing outside of the stems.
Jonquils?
Are jonquils daffodils? Or are daffodils a different flower? Well, both jonquils and daffodils are members of the Narcissus family. But the true jonquils (Narcissus jonquilla) have round, rush-like leaves and small, fragrant early blooming clusters of yellow blossoms. Daffodils, on the other hand, have large, normally yellow, single trumpet flowers. All jonquils are daffodils, but not all daffodils are jonquils!
Jonquils are the most fragrant of the Narcissus species. The cultivation of jonquils goes far back. Roman soldiers introduced the plant into England during the early years of the Christian era. They say Queen Anne loved jonquils so much that she wove patterns of jonquil blossoms into much of her delicate needlework. And her love of jonquils inspired her to establish Kensington Palace Gardens, the first public gardens in England.
This year I am taking The Collective to Wye Mountain to see the 7 acres of daffodils. The festival is slated for March. I do not think the daffodils will wait. It is sure to be a beautiful sight.
Sunday, January 28, 2007
Define Wench
Last night while bathing The Collective.
Sir Rowland: "You got soap in my eyes."
AWTM: "sorry buddy"
Sir Rowland: "You kitchen wench."
AWTM: "Where did you hear that?"
Sir Rowland: "Cinderella."
AWTM: "yeah, we don't call people wenches."
I have always thought of wench being derogatory, so after putting The Collective down for the night, I looked it up.
I am going to pretend he meant "young woman"....
Main Entry: 1wench
Pronunciation: 'wench
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English wenche, short for wenchel child, from Old English wencel; akin to Old High German wankOn to totter, waver and probably to Old High German
1 a : a young woman : GIRL b : a female servant
2 : a lewd woman : PROSTITUTE
Enjoy your Sunday, it will be a busy day here.
There is church, and then a lot of odds and ends around Casa De Dust.
I must take some photos of some things The Collective have outgrown, so they can be sold.
Saturday, January 27, 2007
Milblogging Conference
The Second Mil-Blogging Conference is on the way!!
I will be attending the conference. And cannot wait!
I will be attending the conference. And cannot wait!
A Mother Sleep Deprived=No Fun for Anyone Involved
My Mothers family is German, both sides, all sides German. I am fourth generation American on that side. They arrived her and started farming and ranching in Nebraska. The only reason I bring this up, is because there are two type of people on my Mothers side. There are those that wake before the rest of the World, before the sun, and they are industrious, they work and work and work...until the sun sets. The "awake" side of the family require little sleep 4-5 hours. They wake early and talk and talk, and chatter about. Which is honestly irritating to any normal person at 4:30 in the morning. They love morning. The other type of sleep personality in that family oddly enough is the ALWAYS tired, always sleeping person. (my Brother has inherited this trait, I also have at least 4 sleeping cousins). It seems that there is not enough sleep for these people. They seriously would sleep 10 hours a day and it would never be enough. They look tired they act tired. Remember the sleepy mouse on the Speedy Gonzolez cartoons? Yeah that is the other half of the family. It is really an odd mixture of people to combine.
I on the other hand have my Fathers sleep habits. Always have. I do not shut down easy, I like the quiet in the house at night. I have trouble sleeping. I like private time to read, or blog, watch a movie. I like the house when it is quiet. I can do 6 hours sleep, but feel better with 8.
The bad news here is, I gave birth to German farmers.
Many of you remember the days of Sir Rowland not sleeping well. Neither of my children are "sleepers". Sir Rowland is 5 now, he sleeps through the night regularly. At least 10 hours. Unless he is ill or has a bad dream.
Pink Ninja on the other hand is requiring less than a normal amount of sleep for her age. That might have something to do with turning three. Three is an energetic age. Because she is waking daily at about 4:30 a.m. ready to go. She wants everyone up at 4:30a.m.
I have tried keeping her up later, and all other practical things. But it seems as if she is waking at 4:30 to pee and then she is awake. (yes I have tried cutting fluids as well, so she doesn't have to pee, but thanks for thinking I am incapable). She still wakes to pee. When you are 3, your bladder is small.
It is my job at 4:30 to convince her that it is not time to be awake. It never works.
You see my kids do not nap, never have despite my BEST EFFORTS. (I have learned, some kids do not nap. They will nap if they are strapped in the back of the truck on a ride, but with a Ford F150, this is not a practical solution, or something I have ever done unless I am close to death) So by 10am. Pink Ninja turns on me, and instead of her normal full of joy self...she becomes almost unrecognizable.
So, I suppose it is time to give in to the 4:30 monster. Ugh....
I do not like 4:30 in the morning. I never have, never will.
Friday, January 26, 2007
Spoiled Rotten
DH has been gone with work for the last few days. I am spoiled. He has been home, and with a normal drill schedule for a month.
I forget how much I hate it.
I even prepared a meal yesterday that consisted of grilled cheese, and tomato soup out of a can.
Hurry home.
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Position of the Week
We do not grow absolutely, chronologically. We grow sometimes in one dimension, and not in another; unevenly. We grow partially. We are relative. We are mature in one realm, childish in another. The past, present, and future mingle and pull us backward, forward, or fix us in the present. We are made up of layers, cells, constellations.
~Anais Nin
~Anais Nin
par-ee-POOR-nah nah-VAHS-anna) paripurna = full, entire, complete nava = boat
Benefits
Strengthens the abdomen, hip flexors, and spine
Stimulates the kidneys, thyroid and prostate glands, and intestines
Helps relieve stress
Improves digestion
Contraindications/Cautions
Asthma
Diarrhea
Headache
Heart Problems
Insomnia
Low blood pressure
Menstruation
Pregnancy
Neck injury: Sit with your back near a wall to perform this pose. As you tilt your torso back rest the back of your head on the wall.
Step by Step
Sit on the floor with your legs straight in front of you. Press your hands on the floor a little behind your hips, fingers pointing toward the feet, and strengthen the arms. Lift through the top of the sternum and lean back slightly. As you do this make sure your back doesn't round; continue to lengthen the front of your torso between the pubis and top sternum. Sit on the "tripod" of your two sitting bones and tailbone.
Exhale and bend your knees, then lift your feet off the floor, so that the thighs are angled about 45-50 degrees relative to the floor. Lengthen your tailbone into the floor and lift your pubis toward your navel. If possible, slowly straighten your knees, raising the tips of your toes slightly above the level of your eyes. If this isn't possible remain with your knees bent, perhaps lifting the shins parallel to the floor.
Stretch your arms alongside the legs, parallel to each other and the floor. Spread the shoulder blades across your back and reach strongly out through the fingers. If this isn't possible, keep the hands on the floor beside your hips or hold on to the backs of your thighs.
While the lower belly should be firm, it shouldn't get hard and thick. Try to keep the lower belly relatively flat. Press the heads of the thigh bones toward the floor to help anchor the pose and lift the top sternum. Breathe easily. Tip the chin slightly toward the sternum so the base of the skull lifts lightly away from the back of the neck.
At first stay in the pose for 10-20 seconds. Gradually increase the time of your stay to 1 minute. Release the legs with an exhalation and sit upright on an inhalation.
Benefits
Strengthens the abdomen, hip flexors, and spine
Stimulates the kidneys, thyroid and prostate glands, and intestines
Helps relieve stress
Improves digestion
Contraindications/Cautions
Asthma
Diarrhea
Headache
Heart Problems
Insomnia
Low blood pressure
Menstruation
Pregnancy
Neck injury: Sit with your back near a wall to perform this pose. As you tilt your torso back rest the back of your head on the wall.
Step by Step
Sit on the floor with your legs straight in front of you. Press your hands on the floor a little behind your hips, fingers pointing toward the feet, and strengthen the arms. Lift through the top of the sternum and lean back slightly. As you do this make sure your back doesn't round; continue to lengthen the front of your torso between the pubis and top sternum. Sit on the "tripod" of your two sitting bones and tailbone.
Exhale and bend your knees, then lift your feet off the floor, so that the thighs are angled about 45-50 degrees relative to the floor. Lengthen your tailbone into the floor and lift your pubis toward your navel. If possible, slowly straighten your knees, raising the tips of your toes slightly above the level of your eyes. If this isn't possible remain with your knees bent, perhaps lifting the shins parallel to the floor.
Stretch your arms alongside the legs, parallel to each other and the floor. Spread the shoulder blades across your back and reach strongly out through the fingers. If this isn't possible, keep the hands on the floor beside your hips or hold on to the backs of your thighs.
While the lower belly should be firm, it shouldn't get hard and thick. Try to keep the lower belly relatively flat. Press the heads of the thigh bones toward the floor to help anchor the pose and lift the top sternum. Breathe easily. Tip the chin slightly toward the sternum so the base of the skull lifts lightly away from the back of the neck.
At first stay in the pose for 10-20 seconds. Gradually increase the time of your stay to 1 minute. Release the legs with an exhalation and sit upright on an inhalation.
The NRSC PLEDGE
Andrea, over at Radio Patriots, brought this to my attention today.
SIGN IT
If the United States Senate passes a resolution, non-binding or otherwise, that
criticizes the commitment of additional troops to Iraq that General Petraeus has
asked for and that the president has pledged, and if the Senate does so after
the testimony of General Petraeus on January 23 that such a resolution will be
an encouragement to the enemy, I will not contribute to any Republican senator
who voted for the resolution. Further, if any Republican senator who votes for
such a resolution is a candidate for re-election in 2008, I will not contribute
to the National Republican Senatorial Committee unless the Chairman of that
Committee, Senator Ensign, commits in writing that none of the funds of the NRSC
will go to support the re-election of any senator supporting the non-binding
resolution.
SIGN IT
Some Soldiers Mom on ABC news...
I know Some Soldiers Mom, I have heard her speak, I have met her. She is a strong, intelligent and supportive Mother. ABC asked her to be on, the other day to get a Mothers feelings about "the new plan" in Iraq.
Please go over and watch the piece, read her, about her experience on ABC news the other day.
I had a similar incident happen recently. The BBC contacted me re: a possible interview with Richard Lawson, after the Presidents speech on the new plan. They called me, and my supportive stance "was already being represented". And when I wanted to speak to them about Global terrorism, they wanted to ask me "how I could send a Husband into battle". It seems as though they were looking for a Wife that would proclaim her disdain for the military and those in power here in the
U.S. So after a 30 minute phone discussion, I was pretty much (in best British accent) "just not what we are looking for".
I watched Carlas interview, and I do not think both women were granted equal time. Which, I should have expected. The oppsing view, was also a Michael Moore henchman, and big in the anti-war movement. This information was conveniantly left OUT by ABC.
And so the liberal media continues to feed people crap.
I would like to point out a great source of intelligent information, and news.
THREATSWATCH, go there, bookmark it.
Please go over and watch the piece, read her, about her experience on ABC news the other day.
I had a similar incident happen recently. The BBC contacted me re: a possible interview with Richard Lawson, after the Presidents speech on the new plan. They called me, and my supportive stance "was already being represented". And when I wanted to speak to them about Global terrorism, they wanted to ask me "how I could send a Husband into battle". It seems as though they were looking for a Wife that would proclaim her disdain for the military and those in power here in the
U.S. So after a 30 minute phone discussion, I was pretty much (in best British accent) "just not what we are looking for".
I watched Carlas interview, and I do not think both women were granted equal time. Which, I should have expected. The oppsing view, was also a Michael Moore henchman, and big in the anti-war movement. This information was conveniantly left OUT by ABC.
And so the liberal media continues to feed people crap.
I would like to point out a great source of intelligent information, and news.
THREATSWATCH, go there, bookmark it.
roots
I look spooky right now. I really do. My roots are taking over my scalp like kudzu, on a Southern roadside. Ick. It is horrible to wake to. I looked in my personal calender, and saw it has been almost 3 1/2 months since my last foil job.
But seriously, it just took a backseat to all of the other projects in the house.
The good news is, I have not had to "go" anywhere to be seen. One of the bonuses of being a SAHM.
However I broke down and declared a hair emergency. An appointment next Thursday. Maybe I will feel like a woman again. Becasue if I was walking down the street this morning, in my t-shirt, yoga pants, with my morning fro and roots showing, I would surley be mistaken for a crack addicted homeless person. Not kidding.
Off to yoga people.
But seriously, it just took a backseat to all of the other projects in the house.
The good news is, I have not had to "go" anywhere to be seen. One of the bonuses of being a SAHM.
However I broke down and declared a hair emergency. An appointment next Thursday. Maybe I will feel like a woman again. Becasue if I was walking down the street this morning, in my t-shirt, yoga pants, with my morning fro and roots showing, I would surley be mistaken for a crack addicted homeless person. Not kidding.
Off to yoga people.
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Do you need to read something funny?
It has been a LONG day here at Casa De Dust, but THIS from the holy shit files at Bucketheads made me laugh.
A MUST READ!
A MUST READ!
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
This is LOVE...
He made arrangements before he left and asked one of my friends to pick them and up and bring them to me. He then wrote out notes on post-its and gave them to my children to sporatically put on my vanity mirror when I'm sad to remind me of how much he missed me and loves me. The love that inspired him to record a video telling me of how he can not wait to come home to me. Now all of this may seem fine to some of you who have overly romantic husbands. My husband is romantic as well, when he's here. He has done some pretty extraordinary things in the past while he's been home, but he has never done anything in anticipation of a deployment before. This is our 4th deployment since 2001 and it has left me simply overwhelmed with those moments that make me cry, and miss the man that my husband has become........even more then I did before. God please keep my husband safe.
And a new blog, I have not read. And it made me cry. Well said, and an amazing 4th post. Darling we will all pray he comes home safe too.
Go over and welcome here to the sphere, and add her to your blogroll.
Every time Barrack Obama flushes the toilet
an angel gets its wings.
*I am going to stock up on migraine meds, maybe something to prevent a stroke. The looming election and MSM, is going to kill me.
*I am going to stock up on migraine meds, maybe something to prevent a stroke. The looming election and MSM, is going to kill me.
Ewww....
Nancy Pelosi was reported to have changed her suit prior to the State of The Union address, due to a "chocolate spill".
My DH peeked into the livingroom and said...
"kitten or puppy blood I suspect"
She seems to need a bit of dental floss for her dentures. She keep licking her dentures and lips to get fur out.
It is very distracting.
My DH peeked into the livingroom and said...
"kitten or puppy blood I suspect"
She seems to need a bit of dental floss for her dentures. She keep licking her dentures and lips to get fur out.
It is very distracting.
Odd Man In
Today I spoke with Sir Rowland about a trip we will be taking in May. We got out the Road Atlas, and started reading through it, highlighting a route. Talking about National Parks Me and his Daddy have been to. Talking about how his Grammy cannot wait to see him, and how he will be able to see the ocean for the first time. We can pick up shells, and listen to waves.
We open the Atlas, and start thumbing through talking about the United States.
He then turns to a map of Washington state and the following takes place.
Sir Rowland: "There is Seattle, Chuck and I have been there."
AWTM: (confused look wrinkled forehead) "Who is Chuck?"
Sir Rowland: "Oh Chuck and I go way back, we are old friends."
AWTM: "When was this?"
Sir Rowland: "We drove, it was fun, Chuck is a great driver."
AWTM: "How old is Chuck?"
Sir Rowland: "He had a map."
Sir Rowland: "Mom, you do know I am just making this stuff up right?"
AWTM: "So Chuck is a pretend friend?"
Sir Rowland: "I am making this up."
AWTM: (this is weird, wrinkled forehead remains)
It appears Sir Rowland has a new friend, or alter ego if you will. I was told Chuck likes everything Sir Rowland likes. They go on trips together. Chuck "gets Sir Rowland".
Seems a little odd to me.
And it reminds me a little of Calvin and Hobbes
Monday, January 22, 2007
Praying for these families
From Arkansas KHTV website this evening....
Video here
Video here
Family members say two Arkansas soldiers were among the 12 U.S. soldiers killed when a Black Hawk helicopter crashed Saturday in Iraq.
Capt. Michael Taylor, 40, of North Little Rock was piloting the helicopter when it went down northeast of Baghdad. That word is from his father-in-law, Sandy Sanders.
Sanders says Taylor had been in Iraq for several months and was to return to Arkansas for a family visit in February.
Taylor, who was in the Army Reserves, also served in Desert Storm.
He and his wife, Wendy, have two children, ages 11 and 5. He worked in the computer business, and previously worked for the Veterans Administration.
Sanders said his son-in-law loved duck hunting and appreciated life.
Crew chief Gary Brown of Little Rock was on his first day of duty Saturday after returning Jan. 13 from a family visit in Arkansas. Brown's brother Phil Brown says his sibling grew up in Nashville, Ark., and was living with his wife and two stepdaughters in Little Rock.
Brown, who also served in Desert Storm, began his latest tour in April with training in the U.S. before going to Iraq in the late summer. His brother says Gary Brown worked for a tire supply company.
Brown and Taylor’s fellow soldiers say this is their unit's first losses since arriving in the Middle East last year.
The Department of Defense’s policy is not to announce the names of fallen soldiers until 24 hours after their next of kin have been notified. The DoD will not release the names of the 12 killed until 24 hours has passed since the last soldier’s family was notified. However, all the Arkansas soldiers’ next of kin have been notified.
In an e-mail Monday, one Guardsman told Today's THV that all of them fly that route dozens of times every day and say it could have been any one of them killed.
Meanwhile, an al-Qaida-linked coalition of Iraqi Sunni insurgents has claimed that its fighters shot down the helicopter.
The insurgent coalition posted the claim on an Islamic Web site, saying "the lions of Iraq's Islamic state" shot down a Black Hawk helicopter on Saturday.
The posting's authenticity hasn't been independently verified, but it appeared on a Web site used as a clearing house for militant statements. The coalition is believed to be the political wing of al-Qaida in Iraq.
A U.S. military spokesman says the cause of the crash hasn't been determined. But a senior U.S. military official said today that investigators have found debris near the crash scene that could belong to a shoulder-fired weapon.
(Copyright 2007 by THV & The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Hook Needs You!!
VA Mortgage, is sponsoring a wonderful contest for mil-bloggers. In which the winner gets a cash prize. There are many great blogs nominated. But frankly it has come down to a race between CJ ,Acute Politics (new and fresh) Mr. Blackfive, and Hook. A very hard decision to be sure.
But since Mr. Blackfive knows famous people, and gets billions in TV appearances,(and keeps insisting pirates are cooler than Ninjas) and CJ apparently has some sort of fan club and is in the lead. Hook needs our help!!
Since SpouseBuzz was nominated, but is lacking in the vote department I to am going to ask you a favor. (By the way, whoever nominate SpouseBuzz, thank you for the mention we were flattered to be in such great company, we continue to strive to find out what the mil-spouse community needs and deliver)
I know, I know, I keep asking you folks for favors. I do. I ask you to write soldiers letters, and de-lurk, and give money to certain charities, and spread the word, heck I even ask for personal tech help.
However CSM Hook is in the need of a little help. CSM is a married gentleman with 4 hungry boys to feed. Money to get to the 2007 mil-blogging conference goes to groceries is my guess. I only have 2 small children and I think of buying a dairy cow for milk and cheese once a week.
He is also planning to donate what does not get used to the, Fischer House. There is also this, Hook is an active duty mil-blogger who continues to put a positive message out. The mil-bloggin community does need him at the conference. I am sure there will plenty of talk about what kind of message and how the real news can be read.
I think he will come away inspired by the fellowship. I also think he will head to Baghdad feeling energized and supported by the military community, and ready to spread to pro-victory message!
At last years mil-conference we had such good fellowship. It was also a great time to net-work. As you in the military community know, it is a small World, and most of us end up separated by 2 or three degrees. And I heard more than once "Where is hook?". He was missed!
Folks he has less than 24 hours to get about 200 votes! Lets push this.
He needs EVERY VOTE!!
SO GO VOTE FOR SGT HOOK!
But since Mr. Blackfive knows famous people, and gets billions in TV appearances,(and keeps insisting pirates are cooler than Ninjas) and CJ apparently has some sort of fan club and is in the lead. Hook needs our help!!
Since SpouseBuzz was nominated, but is lacking in the vote department I to am going to ask you a favor. (By the way, whoever nominate SpouseBuzz, thank you for the mention we were flattered to be in such great company, we continue to strive to find out what the mil-spouse community needs and deliver)
I know, I know, I keep asking you folks for favors. I do. I ask you to write soldiers letters, and de-lurk, and give money to certain charities, and spread the word, heck I even ask for personal tech help.
However CSM Hook is in the need of a little help. CSM is a married gentleman with 4 hungry boys to feed. Money to get to the 2007 mil-blogging conference goes to groceries is my guess. I only have 2 small children and I think of buying a dairy cow for milk and cheese once a week.
He is also planning to donate what does not get used to the, Fischer House. There is also this, Hook is an active duty mil-blogger who continues to put a positive message out. The mil-bloggin community does need him at the conference. I am sure there will plenty of talk about what kind of message and how the real news can be read.
I think he will come away inspired by the fellowship. I also think he will head to Baghdad feeling energized and supported by the military community, and ready to spread to pro-victory message!
At last years mil-conference we had such good fellowship. It was also a great time to net-work. As you in the military community know, it is a small World, and most of us end up separated by 2 or three degrees. And I heard more than once "Where is hook?". He was missed!
Folks he has less than 24 hours to get about 200 votes! Lets push this.
He needs EVERY VOTE!!
SO GO VOTE FOR SGT HOOK!
Talk Nerdy to me
*t-shirt image not me!
I have questions about podcasting phone interviews, interface, USB mics, voIP. I need the EASIEST and LEAST expensive way to record phone interviews and podcast them. (budget is currently about $250.00. I am currently using audacity since it is free. I am ready to go!!
It seems as though I have done my research to the point where I am more confused than ever. It is beginning to remind me of yoga, the more advanced you become, the more you realize you do not know.
e-mail me if you are super nerdy!!
jonesarmywife@sbcglobal.net
Pink Ninja loves Baby Jesus
Sir Rowland bought Pink Ninja her "activity set" (that is nativity to you and I) for Christmas.
She loved it, and loved The Christmas Story, and could identify all of the pieces of the nativity. That did not stop her from taking Baby Jesus to Dora the Explorers house. I guess Joseph and Mary needed a sitter or something, because Baby Jesus spent a lot of time over at Doras. He ate enchiladas there, and was even invited to a tea party there. I saw the Wise Men over there a couple of times too. Oh and Dora's family in turn lined up outside of the manger to see the Holy Child.
Pink Ninja also loved Baby Jesus sooo much she took him to bed, and put him in her pillow case at night so he would be safe.
Sunday, January 21, 2007
Saturday, January 20, 2007
Week #3 Recipe
I will be putting a chicken in my slow roaster before church Sunday. When I come home I will debone, and throw the veggie into the pot! (The recipe reccomends a dutch oven, but what the hell)
Moroccan Chicken for your Sunday Dinner
RECIPE INGREDIENTS:
1 tablespoon oil
1 small onion, chopped
2 to 3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon turmeric
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
3 whole cloves
2 bay leaves
2 cups chicken broth
4 skinless, boneless chicken thighs (about 3/4 to 1 pound)
1 (14.5-ounce) can whole tomatoes with juice
1 large carrot, sliced
1 1/2 cups green beans, snapped into smaller pieces
1 small summer squash, quartered and and cut into large chunks
1 (15.5-ounce) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup golden raisins
FOR THE COUSCOUS:
2 cups chicken broth
1 cup water
2 cups couscous
1. In a Dutch oven or large (8-quart) pot, heat the oil over medium heat for 1 or 2 minutes. Add the onion and garlic and saute them until the onion is translucent, about 2 minutes. Stir in the turmeric, cinnamon, cloves, and bay leaves and cook the mixture for 2 to 3 minutes.
2. Add the chicken broth, chicken thighs, and tomatoes and bring the stew to a boil. Then reduce the heat and simmer the stew with the pot covered for 25 minutes.
3. Stir in the carrots, green beans, squash, chickpeas, and salt. Cook, covered, for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally and using the edge of the spoon to break the chicken and tomato chunks into smaller pieces.
4. Add the raisins. Turn the heat back up to medium and continue simmering the covered stew until the vegetables are tender (10 or so minutes more). Add more salt, if desired. Ladle the stew into shallow bowls around a mound of couscous. Serves 4 to 6.
5. To make the couscous, combine the broth and water in a saucepan and bring them to a boil. Quickly stir in the couscous. Remove the pan from the heat and let it sit, covered, for 5 minutes. Fluff the couscous with a fork before serving.
*I am going to use a whole roasted chicken for this, tomatoes I had froze from the summer, some saffron, and butternut squash, and and I am putting some snow peas in.
Recipe from Family Fun magazine (thank you Aunt Leggy)
Moroccan Chicken for your Sunday Dinner
RECIPE INGREDIENTS:
1 tablespoon oil
1 small onion, chopped
2 to 3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon turmeric
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
3 whole cloves
2 bay leaves
2 cups chicken broth
4 skinless, boneless chicken thighs (about 3/4 to 1 pound)
1 (14.5-ounce) can whole tomatoes with juice
1 large carrot, sliced
1 1/2 cups green beans, snapped into smaller pieces
1 small summer squash, quartered and and cut into large chunks
1 (15.5-ounce) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup golden raisins
FOR THE COUSCOUS:
2 cups chicken broth
1 cup water
2 cups couscous
1. In a Dutch oven or large (8-quart) pot, heat the oil over medium heat for 1 or 2 minutes. Add the onion and garlic and saute them until the onion is translucent, about 2 minutes. Stir in the turmeric, cinnamon, cloves, and bay leaves and cook the mixture for 2 to 3 minutes.
2. Add the chicken broth, chicken thighs, and tomatoes and bring the stew to a boil. Then reduce the heat and simmer the stew with the pot covered for 25 minutes.
3. Stir in the carrots, green beans, squash, chickpeas, and salt. Cook, covered, for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally and using the edge of the spoon to break the chicken and tomato chunks into smaller pieces.
4. Add the raisins. Turn the heat back up to medium and continue simmering the covered stew until the vegetables are tender (10 or so minutes more). Add more salt, if desired. Ladle the stew into shallow bowls around a mound of couscous. Serves 4 to 6.
5. To make the couscous, combine the broth and water in a saucepan and bring them to a boil. Quickly stir in the couscous. Remove the pan from the heat and let it sit, covered, for 5 minutes. Fluff the couscous with a fork before serving.
*I am going to use a whole roasted chicken for this, tomatoes I had froze from the summer, some saffron, and butternut squash, and and I am putting some snow peas in.
Recipe from Family Fun magazine (thank you Aunt Leggy)
So a Pastor, a Soldier and a Mother walk into a living room
It was not lost on me that our Friday night was totally open, and available for The Pastor to visit. I am officially middle aged I suppose. I watch the weather, and I finally understand escrow.
I come from working, rural, simple peoples. The Pastor in question is from a religion I am familiar with.
So yesterday I was planning to try a new recipe for Moroccan Chicken. It has been cold, and it sounded sooooo good.
And then my Midwest brain kicked in:
*note* The Pastor was not coming for dinner, he was coming after dinner for cobbler and coffee.
AWTM Midwest brain: You cannot have a Pastor over after stewing Moroccan Chicken on the stove all day, it will SMELL like curry, saffron, wine and cinnamon. He will be certainly think we are communists, hippies, or heretics. Cook something that will smell like a normal Christian home. For Example a meatloaf, fried chicken, something uhhh...potluckish.
I am not kidding when I type the above, that was the conversation that went on in my
head. Something I should really not admit to. It proves I was raised in the rural, agrarian, Midwest from modest German/English/Dutch/French etc immigrants.
So I served my family a meatloaf for dinner last night, to make sure my home did not smell of exotic places, or foreign lands. SERIOUSLY.
The Pastor was very nice, he stayed for 2 hours. We like him. Turns out the guy is also a bit of a gourmet as well. I told him about my "chicken dilemma" and he seriously was leaned forward out of his chair laughing.
And he also requested me to bring my chicken curry to the next church pot luck.
I come from working, rural, simple peoples. The Pastor in question is from a religion I am familiar with.
So yesterday I was planning to try a new recipe for Moroccan Chicken. It has been cold, and it sounded sooooo good.
And then my Midwest brain kicked in:
*note* The Pastor was not coming for dinner, he was coming after dinner for cobbler and coffee.
AWTM Midwest brain: You cannot have a Pastor over after stewing Moroccan Chicken on the stove all day, it will SMELL like curry, saffron, wine and cinnamon. He will be certainly think we are communists, hippies, or heretics. Cook something that will smell like a normal Christian home. For Example a meatloaf, fried chicken, something uhhh...potluckish.
I am not kidding when I type the above, that was the conversation that went on in my
head. Something I should really not admit to. It proves I was raised in the rural, agrarian, Midwest from modest German/English/Dutch/French etc immigrants.
So I served my family a meatloaf for dinner last night, to make sure my home did not smell of exotic places, or foreign lands. SERIOUSLY.
The Pastor was very nice, he stayed for 2 hours. We like him. Turns out the guy is also a bit of a gourmet as well. I told him about my "chicken dilemma" and he seriously was leaned forward out of his chair laughing.
And he also requested me to bring my chicken curry to the next church pot luck.
Friday, January 19, 2007
Busy Day
My organizing the home, has been derailed. Casa De Dust is having company tonight. The Pastor, is coming to our home. That being said, I must go put a table cloth on the table, make a cobbler, and give the living areas a sprucing up!!
*wear pearls, smile, offer tea, and by all means do not say call anyone a shit bag in front of him, even if it is Katie Couric*
Thursday, January 18, 2007
This isn't McDonald's, and it is not a Country Club either.
*a rare political post, because I am pissed off this morning*
When the President spoke the other night, about the surge in Iraq, the Dems were quick to prance out Senator Durbin with the message that was approved by the entire party. It wasn't Durbins message, but they pranced him out anyway. Everyone on the right thinks he is a piece of shit anyway, so they had nothing to loose with him delivering the vague, and finger pointing response, which offered no alternatives.
I am sick of people wanting everything NOW!
Instant gratification does not work in war, democracy, liberty. Some things are worth the wait. Nation, and government building take time.
Oh and lets talk about the picture the media has painted of Iraq. I mean it sort of resembles a Picasso at this point. Wolf Blitzer, and Katie Couric, and other shit bag personalities, reporting what they hear from some other shit bag journalist held up in a hotel in the green zone. Yeah, not a real reliable source. (Oh and remember the media spends little time on Iraq, there is more pressing new to be found eg: Britney Spears not wearing panties, or the fight between Donald Trump and Rosie O Donnell, which frankly we should give 2 shits about, or whose tits looked great at the golden globes)
Which is why CENTCOM, the DOD, and the PAO need to start fighting this media war a little more aggressively. Right now the active duty bloggers, and embeds are where to get the REAL news.
I am currently pissed off at the Dems (nothing new), wanting to put a time limit on the success in Iraq, they are talking about Iraq from both sides of they're mouths at this point. And from all I have read on the Iraq Study Group (I mean the Iraq surrender group) , it is a politically biased piece of crap.
Iraq, is a small piece of the puzzle, and will look even smaller in 30 years time. Iraq has loose borders, and Iran and Syria need to be watched. Those WMD did not just go away, I assure you.
Terrorism is a global problem. Just note the news in Indonesia, Thailand, and Africa.
The World is a dangerous place, and I will respect the Democrats opinion when they admit, that there are a lot of fanatical religious and terrorist factions that want us dead. Simple as that.
The World is not McDonald's.
And I think we as Americans owe it to ourselves, to expect more from policy than "hey we want the #1, and supersize it". Things take time, and plans can change, and should change.
Lets not forget 9-11. There are people that want my family dead. Oh, and they want you dead too. That is no laughing matter.
My Husband is more than willing to sacrifice his life to protect our freedoms here at "home". He does not want our children to finish the job in 15 years. He also wants us to feel safe when shopping, at work, at school.
I do not want an American Idol style call in on when this war should be over.
*oh and to my friend that was traveling in the United States yesterday, and had to go through a security checkpoint manned by a woman in a burka, yeah I would have been nervous too*
When the President spoke the other night, about the surge in Iraq, the Dems were quick to prance out Senator Durbin with the message that was approved by the entire party. It wasn't Durbins message, but they pranced him out anyway. Everyone on the right thinks he is a piece of shit anyway, so they had nothing to loose with him delivering the vague, and finger pointing response, which offered no alternatives.
I am sick of people wanting everything NOW!
Instant gratification does not work in war, democracy, liberty. Some things are worth the wait. Nation, and government building take time.
Oh and lets talk about the picture the media has painted of Iraq. I mean it sort of resembles a Picasso at this point. Wolf Blitzer, and Katie Couric, and other shit bag personalities, reporting what they hear from some other shit bag journalist held up in a hotel in the green zone. Yeah, not a real reliable source. (Oh and remember the media spends little time on Iraq, there is more pressing new to be found eg: Britney Spears not wearing panties, or the fight between Donald Trump and Rosie O Donnell, which frankly we should give 2 shits about, or whose tits looked great at the golden globes)
Which is why CENTCOM, the DOD, and the PAO need to start fighting this media war a little more aggressively. Right now the active duty bloggers, and embeds are where to get the REAL news.
I am currently pissed off at the Dems (nothing new), wanting to put a time limit on the success in Iraq, they are talking about Iraq from both sides of they're mouths at this point. And from all I have read on the Iraq Study Group (I mean the Iraq surrender group) , it is a politically biased piece of crap.
Iraq, is a small piece of the puzzle, and will look even smaller in 30 years time. Iraq has loose borders, and Iran and Syria need to be watched. Those WMD did not just go away, I assure you.
Terrorism is a global problem. Just note the news in Indonesia, Thailand, and Africa.
The World is a dangerous place, and I will respect the Democrats opinion when they admit, that there are a lot of fanatical religious and terrorist factions that want us dead. Simple as that.
The World is not McDonald's.
And I think we as Americans owe it to ourselves, to expect more from policy than "hey we want the #1, and supersize it". Things take time, and plans can change, and should change.
Lets not forget 9-11. There are people that want my family dead. Oh, and they want you dead too. That is no laughing matter.
My Husband is more than willing to sacrifice his life to protect our freedoms here at "home". He does not want our children to finish the job in 15 years. He also wants us to feel safe when shopping, at work, at school.
I do not want an American Idol style call in on when this war should be over.
*oh and to my friend that was traveling in the United States yesterday, and had to go through a security checkpoint manned by a woman in a burka, yeah I would have been nervous too*
Kleenex...
Motherhood is not for wussies, that is what I know.
The Collective are both sick with a cold or flu or something.
Sir Rowland started the trend, and now Pink Ninja also has it.
There is a tissue box in almost every room in the house. However, I think they like to hear me say "get a tissue, get a tissue, get a tissue". Because frankly it is all that is coming from my mouth. I take that back. It seems I need to follow it up with "throw your tissue away, throw the tissue away, throw the tissue away."
I figure by the time they are trained, the colds will be gone, and this lesson on civility, hygiene will be lost on them.
I have noticed the energy level has not been affected by the illness. This is good, this means it is probably a cold. They seem to get tired and cranky a little earlier than usual. There was fussing and crying here during the witching hour last night. (I call the hours between 4-6 the witching hour at my house). The hours between 4-6 are hours I loathe here. My kids do not nap, and they get up early. So by 4pm, they are grouchy anyway. When they are sick and 4pm rolls around. It is really an experience.
I am unable to go to the gym today, I cannot take The Collective to the nursery because they are ill. Darn.
So I will try and do 30 minutes of yoga at home today, well I will try...
The Collective are both sick with a cold or flu or something.
Sir Rowland started the trend, and now Pink Ninja also has it.
There is a tissue box in almost every room in the house. However, I think they like to hear me say "get a tissue, get a tissue, get a tissue". Because frankly it is all that is coming from my mouth. I take that back. It seems I need to follow it up with "throw your tissue away, throw the tissue away, throw the tissue away."
I figure by the time they are trained, the colds will be gone, and this lesson on civility, hygiene will be lost on them.
I have noticed the energy level has not been affected by the illness. This is good, this means it is probably a cold. They seem to get tired and cranky a little earlier than usual. There was fussing and crying here during the witching hour last night. (I call the hours between 4-6 the witching hour at my house). The hours between 4-6 are hours I loathe here. My kids do not nap, and they get up early. So by 4pm, they are grouchy anyway. When they are sick and 4pm rolls around. It is really an experience.
I am unable to go to the gym today, I cannot take The Collective to the nursery because they are ill. Darn.
So I will try and do 30 minutes of yoga at home today, well I will try...
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Advice WANTED...
Rarely do we see a call out for ADVICE in the blogosphere. I mean real, warrented, and wanted advice. Cetainly advice is given in droves. Even when people do not want it. (I am guilty of that)
However Sarah, is asking for ADVICE. She is considering pregnancy! (Sarah, was one of the first Mil-spouse blogs I read.) she is really a classic in the blogosphere. And then I got the chance to meet Sarah in Texas, while at the first SpouseBuzz conference.
When I met Sarah, I thought this "she is really American wife", flag waving, apple pie eating, stand by her man with integrity kind of lady. However, she is funny too, she had me cracking up often. Even if she took off like a flash, and left me struggling to re-dress in security.
Anyway Sarah begs the question...
Am I ready to be a Mother?
I'm scared to death of raising a child. I know it's something I want to do, but I wanted to keep it in the vague future. Someday I would be a mother. But someday is upon us, and my mother is right: I need to start thinking about specifics if we're really going to have a family.
Go OVER SHE WANTS TO HEAR WHAT YOU THINK!!
Project a day
When the New Year rolled over, I got to thinking, I can do better. I need to get things done before Spring. DH will be away at school, it will be me and The Collective. In fact he has a busy year. I have a lot of other things I would rather be doing than "cleaning" and organizing. And Spring Cleaning can be over whelming. So I have taken it upon myself to complete at least one small project a day in addition to my daily duties here at Casa De Dust. And if time permits, I do another.
Todays project, this hideous junk drawer.
*does one really need to organize a junk drawer?*
I wonder what I will find in there?
Oh, and I am guessing, this is as braves as I get. You will not be getting any photos of my closet!!
ok a fuzzy photo of the fridge...and that is it.
Todays project, this hideous junk drawer.
*does one really need to organize a junk drawer?*
I wonder what I will find in there?
Oh, and I am guessing, this is as braves as I get. You will not be getting any photos of my closet!!
ok a fuzzy photo of the fridge...and that is it.
Position of the Week
Life shrinks or expands according to one's courage
~Nin
Yesterday in class, we worked on this pose.
And for those of us who practice yoga, it was one of those classes in which metaphorically all things physical and emotional, melded together to make some sort of sense. The headstand pose is a little frightening. It puts you in a place you are not used to. The inversion. Therefore, you are a little scared. Scared to try something new, scared of the perspective, scared to trust yourself. An enlightening position. I managed to get up into a modified headstand for a long while, and then started straightening my legs. I found the position to be frightening, because I could do it, but it was hard, it required "all" of my focus. And I wasn't willing to allow it. So I stayed up legs tall for only a moment, because I guess I was a bit afraid. Afraid of succeeding today and not tomorrow, afraid of allowing myself to focus, afraid of feeling inverted. So I allowed myself to stay in a modified headstand, because it was much easier.
Before the year is up, I will manage this.
sah-LOM-bah shear-SHAHS-anna)
salamba = with support (sa = with
alamba = support)
sirsa = head
Benefits
Calms the brain and helps relieve stress and mild depression
Stimulates the pituitary and pineal glands
Strengthens the arms, legs, and spine
Strengthens the lungs
Tones the abdominal organs
Improves digestion
Helps relieve the symptoms of menopause
Therapeutic for asthma, infertility, insomnia, and sinusitis
Contraindications/Cautions
Back injury
Headache
Heart condition
High blood pressure
Menstruation
Neck injury
Low blood pressure: Don't start practice with this pose
Pregnancy: If you are experienced with this pose, you can continue to practice it late into pregnancy. However, don't take up the practice of Sirsasana after you become pregnant.
******Sirsasana is considered to be an intermediate to advanced pose. Do not perform this pose without sufficient prior experience or unless you have the supervision of an experienced teacher. Some schools of yoga recommend doing Sirsasana before Sarvangasana, others vice versa. The instruction here assumes the former order.
~Nin
Yesterday in class, we worked on this pose.
And for those of us who practice yoga, it was one of those classes in which metaphorically all things physical and emotional, melded together to make some sort of sense. The headstand pose is a little frightening. It puts you in a place you are not used to. The inversion. Therefore, you are a little scared. Scared to try something new, scared of the perspective, scared to trust yourself. An enlightening position. I managed to get up into a modified headstand for a long while, and then started straightening my legs. I found the position to be frightening, because I could do it, but it was hard, it required "all" of my focus. And I wasn't willing to allow it. So I stayed up legs tall for only a moment, because I guess I was a bit afraid. Afraid of succeeding today and not tomorrow, afraid of allowing myself to focus, afraid of feeling inverted. So I allowed myself to stay in a modified headstand, because it was much easier.
Before the year is up, I will manage this.
sah-LOM-bah shear-SHAHS-anna)
salamba = with support (sa = with
alamba = support)
sirsa = head
Benefits
Calms the brain and helps relieve stress and mild depression
Stimulates the pituitary and pineal glands
Strengthens the arms, legs, and spine
Strengthens the lungs
Tones the abdominal organs
Improves digestion
Helps relieve the symptoms of menopause
Therapeutic for asthma, infertility, insomnia, and sinusitis
Contraindications/Cautions
Back injury
Headache
Heart condition
High blood pressure
Menstruation
Neck injury
Low blood pressure: Don't start practice with this pose
Pregnancy: If you are experienced with this pose, you can continue to practice it late into pregnancy. However, don't take up the practice of Sirsasana after you become pregnant.
******Sirsasana is considered to be an intermediate to advanced pose. Do not perform this pose without sufficient prior experience or unless you have the supervision of an experienced teacher. Some schools of yoga recommend doing Sirsasana before Sarvangasana, others vice versa. The instruction here assumes the former order.
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
the baby in the driveway
photo of Sir Rowland watching the excitement of the ambulance picking up the newborn and Momma from the other day..
Chicken Soup
Sir Rowland is ill with a cold. He wants my chicken noddle soup. You can buy frozen egg noodles. (Reames, is a popular brand) However, none to be had here in town. Last evening Pink Ninja, Sir Rowland and I sat down at the kitchen table and made the noodles for the soup.
I had to dig up the recipe, which was my Mothers, and proabably handed down through at least 4 generations.
Egg Noodles
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 pinch salt
2 eggs, beaten
1/2 cup cream (you can sub milk)
(keep extra flour out, and in reach)
So we mixed the dough.
Pink Ninja, made the dough into baseball sized balls
Sir Rowland, rolled out the dough
AWTM, cut the dough into strips, on A WELL FLOURED SURFACE !
Voila! Noodles.
We let them dry over night. I know my mom used to make the noodles in the morning, and they would be ready for the pot by 5pm.
Here is a re-post of the rest of the recipe...
Just like grannies chicken noodle soup
12 cups water with boullion/ or chicken broth
I whole chicken, grilled or raosted.
(I am slow raosting mine in the oven today)
(I use my chicken stock)
1 1/2 tsp salt
3/4 tsp fresh ground pepper
1 tsp minced garlic
1 1/2 cups chopped carrot
1 1/2 cups chopped celery
1/4 cup onion diced
(DH likes an egg dropped in.)
(save celery leaves for later)
make sure these ingredients are at a gentle boil, and add noodles.
-add celery leaves before serving.
1 12oz bag frozen Reames egg noodles wide (*you can make your own egg noodles, however these noodles are very good)
So there it is. One of my most requested items from family and friends.
*Pictures tonight after soup is done!!
It is 18 degrees with the windchill. Brrrrr.
I had to dig up the recipe, which was my Mothers, and proabably handed down through at least 4 generations.
Egg Noodles
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 pinch salt
2 eggs, beaten
1/2 cup cream (you can sub milk)
(keep extra flour out, and in reach)
So we mixed the dough.
Pink Ninja, made the dough into baseball sized balls
Sir Rowland, rolled out the dough
AWTM, cut the dough into strips, on A WELL FLOURED SURFACE !
Voila! Noodles.
We let them dry over night. I know my mom used to make the noodles in the morning, and they would be ready for the pot by 5pm.
Here is a re-post of the rest of the recipe...
Just like grannies chicken noodle soup
12 cups water with boullion/ or chicken broth
I whole chicken, grilled or raosted.
(I am slow raosting mine in the oven today)
(I use my chicken stock)
1 1/2 tsp salt
3/4 tsp fresh ground pepper
1 tsp minced garlic
1 1/2 cups chopped carrot
1 1/2 cups chopped celery
1/4 cup onion diced
(DH likes an egg dropped in.)
(save celery leaves for later)
make sure these ingredients are at a gentle boil, and add noodles.
-add celery leaves before serving.
1 12oz bag frozen Reames egg noodles wide (*you can make your own egg noodles, however these noodles are very good)
So there it is. One of my most requested items from family and friends.
*Pictures tonight after soup is done!!
It is 18 degrees with the windchill. Brrrrr.
headed to the gym...
No rain this morning. The first no rain in 5 days, although it is overcast, and dreary.
Headed to the gym, to wage this war against gravity.
I will be 37 this year, and gravity seems to gain yearly.
Headed to the gym, to wage this war against gravity.
I will be 37 this year, and gravity seems to gain yearly.
Monday, January 15, 2007
The Promise
It has been a busy day. We managed to spend a lot of good quality time with The Collective over the past 3 days. Over six inches of rain, and now 30 degree temps. Cold.
We also managed to get a lot done. A lot. Which is good. I already have a list made for the week.
Tonight I rest.
Getting ready to sit down and watch The Promise
We also managed to get a lot done. A lot. Which is good. I already have a list made for the week.
Tonight I rest.
Getting ready to sit down and watch The Promise
An orphaned girl, driven by poverty at such a young age, makes a promise with an enchantress. In return for beauty and the admiration of every man, she will never be with the man she loves. This spell cannot be broken unless the impossible happens: snow falling in spring and the dead coming back to life. Now a grown and beautiful princess, she regrets her promise, for all of the men she's loved has always been met with tragedy. In love again with a man behind a red armor and a golden mask who rescues her from death, she is tormented by their inevitable parting. Meanwhile, Kunlun, the slave of a great general, is searching for the lost memories of a family he once had. Soon the fate of these two intertwine when the princess believes the general to be her hero, thus pulling him into this web of fate. What end will befallen our three characters? Are their fates already sealed by a higher power, or can they still choose a life they want?
Sunday, January 14, 2007
Have You EVER?
WEll the crib is down. DOWN. She has not slept in it for months, but it was still sad.
And NOW WHAT?
I sit here staring at the carefully chosen shabby chic crib set before throwing it into the wash machine one last time. Cream, pink, and green. Striped dust ruffle, a duvet cover striped on one side, with cabbage roses on the other, a fitted sheet with a circus toile print. The bumper pad a circus toile. Now what? I wash it for a final time.
It makes my heart hurt. And now with the crib down I can access the closet readily. I find the Graco pack and play. Used maybe twice, in the carrying case. My wedding dress. A maternity formal, silk shatung black (that embarrassingly enough I doubt would fit my non pregnant body now), never worn. DH's fencing outfit, a camel hair coat, DH's guidon from his OCS.
I should have left the door shut.
Because for every one thing I have gotten done today. It seems as though I discover 10 more things to do.
Frustrating yes.
A box of letters from OIF. Sweet, keep them in the closet.
Wish me luck, a part of my brain knows I can only take one thing at a time. The other part, I am sure the German part wants this done NOW!!
I think, I can mange to be done by Spring. I think I can.
But what I wouldn't give today to shut the closets, and walk out onto a deck know all was done, with a drink in hand sinking into a hot tub (which I don't have).
And NOW WHAT?
I sit here staring at the carefully chosen shabby chic crib set before throwing it into the wash machine one last time. Cream, pink, and green. Striped dust ruffle, a duvet cover striped on one side, with cabbage roses on the other, a fitted sheet with a circus toile print. The bumper pad a circus toile. Now what? I wash it for a final time.
It makes my heart hurt. And now with the crib down I can access the closet readily. I find the Graco pack and play. Used maybe twice, in the carrying case. My wedding dress. A maternity formal, silk shatung black (that embarrassingly enough I doubt would fit my non pregnant body now), never worn. DH's fencing outfit, a camel hair coat, DH's guidon from his OCS.
I should have left the door shut.
Because for every one thing I have gotten done today. It seems as though I discover 10 more things to do.
Frustrating yes.
A box of letters from OIF. Sweet, keep them in the closet.
Wish me luck, a part of my brain knows I can only take one thing at a time. The other part, I am sure the German part wants this done NOW!!
I think, I can mange to be done by Spring. I think I can.
But what I wouldn't give today to shut the closets, and walk out onto a deck know all was done, with a drink in hand sinking into a hot tub (which I don't have).
Still raining
Rain in the last 48 hours=a little over 4 inches.
We have been lucky enough to have temperatures above freezing. Otherwise, it would certainly be a disaster.
We managed to get to chuirch this morning. Sir Rowland did well, he took a workbook and a pencil. He was busy. Pink Ninja on the other hand wanted to sing and give praise loudly. They made it through 30 minutes, and then I thought the church nursery was a good idea.
I did manage to come home and put a breakfast pizza in the oven.
I do not measure, but will give you an idea of the how to..
1 Baboli pizza crust.
1 tube jimmy dean breakfast sausage cooked
country gravy
shredded hashbrowns browned with red pepper, onion, and mushrooms
toss with scrambled eggs
mozzerella cheese
------------
put the gravy on the pizza crust
top with the scrambled egg, sausage and potato mixture
cheese on top
bake at 370 degrees until done.
Sorry I do not have specific amounts etc. I really do not measure when I cook.
Today is busy. We have to take Pink Ninjas crib down, she is no longer using it. Sad, but really she will have more room.
We have to get Sir Rowlands big boy bed frame down from the attic.
Christmas boxes need to be put away.
odds and ends. Lots of them.
We have been lucky enough to have temperatures above freezing. Otherwise, it would certainly be a disaster.
We managed to get to chuirch this morning. Sir Rowland did well, he took a workbook and a pencil. He was busy. Pink Ninja on the other hand wanted to sing and give praise loudly. They made it through 30 minutes, and then I thought the church nursery was a good idea.
I did manage to come home and put a breakfast pizza in the oven.
I do not measure, but will give you an idea of the how to..
1 Baboli pizza crust.
1 tube jimmy dean breakfast sausage cooked
country gravy
shredded hashbrowns browned with red pepper, onion, and mushrooms
toss with scrambled eggs
mozzerella cheese
------------
put the gravy on the pizza crust
top with the scrambled egg, sausage and potato mixture
cheese on top
bake at 370 degrees until done.
Sorry I do not have specific amounts etc. I really do not measure when I cook.
Today is busy. We have to take Pink Ninjas crib down, she is no longer using it. Sad, but really she will have more room.
We have to get Sir Rowlands big boy bed frame down from the attic.
Christmas boxes need to be put away.
odds and ends. Lots of them.
Saturday, January 13, 2007
Less than 24 hours left to De-Lurk!!
Only a few hours left for you to de-lurk!!
I have enjoyed reading your stories, more than you will know!!
Today I am asking for you to share your New Years Resoloution. What do you need to better at this year?
Oh and thank you for de-lurking.
Friday, January 12, 2007
No no no...Conceive in the back seat!
*play the song while you read*
*Oh and note I tried to find the theme song to the 80's show TAXI to no avail, only since they always had a woman having a baby in the back of a cab.*
Today was an odd day at Casa De Dust. Unusual. This morning was supposed to piddle and laundry day. Only to interrupted by a commissary trip. (I know it sounds like we are always there, but we eat out about once every 2 months.)
Anyway, so I am lounging in my robe, and fluffy slippers folding away. The Collective are playing and fighting, and playing, and then we hear a siren. I am paranoid enough to think, OMG my house is on fire. So I open the garage door and peer out, see nothing, so I walk out just a bit.
HOLY CRAP, the firemen are at my neighbors house. The neighbor who is due to have a baby any day now. OH OH I hope Mother and baby are ok. CRAP.
HOLY CRAP, the firemen are all standing around her car in the driveway. Firemen all surrounded at the back passenger doors on both sides.
HOLY CRAP I need to get dressed. Run in the house, get dressed, wash hands. Warn the kids to stay in the front hallway, "stay right here, do not move the neighbor is having her baby in her car." Run out of the front door, literally 20 feet and say "hey I am an LPN, do you need help".
Fireman #1: "yes, where you 5 minutes ago?"
Poke my head around to see Daddy cutting the cord, and go in the house to wash his hands. I congratulated Mother, and left ASAP. I am sure she really did not appreciate the fact that she was lying in the back seat of her car in the driveway having a baby, and the neighbor from across the way is right at the end of her "business".
Holy Crap. I think Mom and Dad better hang on tight, I am sure this is going to be one unpredictable child.
Serious, this shit happened right out the front door. One cannot make this stuff up.
So far Mother and Baby are fine.
*also note here, this is the same woman who could not believe that I stayed at home until I was 9 1/2 cm diilated with Pink Ninja*
Damn I have a photo of Sir Rowland in the front door watching and Blogger won't load!!
Thursday, January 11, 2007
Who Are You?
I know I am asking so much of my lurkers this week, I am. I keep asking you to comment and comment...
And now I really want to know Who Are You? What do you do? Are you married? What is your hobby? What do you listen to in the car? What are the first five songs on your Ipods playlist if you shuffle?
Yes, I really am that snoopy.
I really want to know who you are.
Thursdays = Boring
Casa De Dust, boresville today. Which, I suppose is OK. I really did not want any major event to garner a bunch of attention.
I did wake up and head to the gym. I thought, huh the truck feels odd. Did not figure it out until unloading the collective out of the back. A VERY LOW tire. So I headed into the gym. Had a great workout today, a lot of yoga and weights. Anyway, so I headed out and went the the gas station down the street. I was lucky enough the air thingy worked. (I swear they are all out of order). Anywho...so I have to fill the tire. Before I go any further here. I can fill a tire, I can change a tire etc. However filling a tire makes me uber nervous, I think it might be a phobia. Actually filling the tire full of air does not frighten me. I am sure I am going to overfill the damn thing, only to have it explode in my face causing me to go blind, and be disfigured. And no I am not kidding. It is a pretty irrational fear. Yeah I am a nut case. Still it scared the be-Jesus out of me.
I managed to fill the tire, checking the pressure gage about every 3 seconds, looking like a paranoid freak.
The good news I filled them bravely, and was really quite pleased with myself after it was done.
So it is filled.
I am also guessing, I have a damn slow leak in it. So truck will have to go into the shop for a bit one day. I am going to have them fix the tire....And I will need to buy a pair of replacements soon.
More irritating than my filling tire phobia, is the fact that I am frankly quite tired of things going caput around here. It seems like every month I have this $500 dollar emergency. Frankly I am tired of it. I need some personal things, like new walking shoes, a new pair of jeans, dainties....
I cannot look nice of if keep spending every dime on repairing things around here. It is beginning to drive me nuts.
I am still thankful everything is picking a month in which to show its ass, can you imagine EVERYTHING happening at once. NO FUN..
I did wake up and head to the gym. I thought, huh the truck feels odd. Did not figure it out until unloading the collective out of the back. A VERY LOW tire. So I headed into the gym. Had a great workout today, a lot of yoga and weights. Anyway, so I headed out and went the the gas station down the street. I was lucky enough the air thingy worked. (I swear they are all out of order). Anywho...so I have to fill the tire. Before I go any further here. I can fill a tire, I can change a tire etc. However filling a tire makes me uber nervous, I think it might be a phobia. Actually filling the tire full of air does not frighten me. I am sure I am going to overfill the damn thing, only to have it explode in my face causing me to go blind, and be disfigured. And no I am not kidding. It is a pretty irrational fear. Yeah I am a nut case. Still it scared the be-Jesus out of me.
I managed to fill the tire, checking the pressure gage about every 3 seconds, looking like a paranoid freak.
The good news I filled them bravely, and was really quite pleased with myself after it was done.
So it is filled.
I am also guessing, I have a damn slow leak in it. So truck will have to go into the shop for a bit one day. I am going to have them fix the tire....And I will need to buy a pair of replacements soon.
More irritating than my filling tire phobia, is the fact that I am frankly quite tired of things going caput around here. It seems like every month I have this $500 dollar emergency. Frankly I am tired of it. I need some personal things, like new walking shoes, a new pair of jeans, dainties....
I cannot look nice of if keep spending every dime on repairing things around here. It is beginning to drive me nuts.
I am still thankful everything is picking a month in which to show its ass, can you imagine EVERYTHING happening at once. NO FUN..
k.i.s.s.i.n.g.
First comes love
Then comes marriage!!
Go over and see the RING!!
OH AND DELURK OVER THERE!!
CONGRATULATE HER!!
WWWOOOOHHOOOOO
Then comes marriage!!
Go over and see the RING!!
OH AND DELURK OVER THERE!!
CONGRATULATE HER!!
WWWOOOOHHOOOOO
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
Moonbat Migraine...
I have listened to Sen. Dick Durbin for an entire 2 minutes, and the bastard gave me a migraine. Fuck you Durbin. Now I am off to cuss at the TV.
A Mouthful of milk...
I stop in at chromed curses about 2 times a week or so. And this week, I caught this piece on women.
Women
She really says it all through most of the her piece. And I too am going to admit to past and present snark. I will also add it is something I work on daily. And a trait in myself that I loathe. I will say, since I am far removed from it being a stay at home Mom...I do not miss the daily political things that have a tendency to go on at one's place of employment.
I then find myself over at Oddy's place and see this RANT
So as a Mother and a Woman, I am ashamed. Honestly. I know I can do better, and I can even raise children to do better.
So "clink"! Here is a toast to doing better!!
*P.S. I still think those Bratz dolls are skanky*
Monday, January 08, 2007
On The nightstand
A trip to the library was in order today. I got the above title for myself.
In addition, Sir Rowland got his FIRST EVER LIBRARY CARD, he filled out the paperwork, and signed his own card! He was proud and excited, and I was too. Pink Ninja was a bit sad, that she too did not get a card. I did try an explain to her that as soon as she can write her name, she can get one!
I got the idea from a this book ...
Sir Rowland and Pink Ninja recieved a signed copy for Christmas from Aunt Leggy! Aunt Leggy, always sends The Collective books. And I love her for it. She always picks funny titles, and new writers in the childrens book world, that I am not always familiar with.
The love of books will be passed to another generation!
Where Yat?
Since childhood, I have been very good at entertaining myself. I almost always have one book in my posession.(Heck I even read in the bath.) I enjoy all kinds of music. However, my one love above all others is "people". All kinds of people. I like watching people most of all. I have since I can remember, and I am also very naturally curious about people.
As a military spouse, and a LPN, this has been very handy. Working primarily in pulmonary, geriatric, and hospice areas, there are a lot of tasks that become easier, when both parties are occupied and enjoying one anothers company. Throughout the years I have heard stories, millions and millions of stories, that I now regret not writing down. Because most of those people are gone. I have heard of marriages, that occurred right after meeting one another that have lasted 73 years, war stories, heartbreaking stories. Everyone has a great story. I have met painters, writers, knitters, pie makers, military veterans, entrepranuers. All interesting.
Over the years, I have become quite excellent at guessing where people are from by accent. I am rarely wrong. Rarely. And those mistakes were almost humerous. I guessed one woman to be from Minnesota, and she was from Arkansas, HOWEVER when I asked where her Mother was from she said Minnesota. She told me, her Mother had been dead for about 23 years or so, but I assured her her accent was decidedly Minnesotan.
I once, guessed about 30 peoples home state on a trolly at a casino. I managed to get all 30 people matched to the correct state. (even after a couple of drinks with dinner)
The last time I flew, I guessed the man that was seated to my right as Egyption after he said "excuse me". I was correct. The funny thing is, I have never been to Egypt, and I do not believe I have ever met anyone from Egypt...we ended up having a lovely conversation.
Oh of course a lot of accents are easy. Minnesota, Boston, Jersey.....
And today I disappointed myself, I really did.
I guessed two gentlemen wrong. Damn. TWO wrong to add to my list.
I seriously heard Boston, New York -Irish Italian thing. So I guessed New Jersey. I was tricked I was fooled!!
The men in question were from New Orleans. And after listening to them both for a bit, I began to hear, the rhythm, the sound, the thickness...and I said ok "now I get it, like Harry Connick New Orleans, I always think Cajun, and country". This got quite a chuckle, because appearently Harry was a classmate and from their parish.)
And then tonight I recalled this...
John Kennedy Toole's A Confederacy of Dunces
*the interesting part is, I cannot learn a language to save my life, and wonder if it could be genetic, after all Isaac Taylor was a philologist.
As a military spouse, and a LPN, this has been very handy. Working primarily in pulmonary, geriatric, and hospice areas, there are a lot of tasks that become easier, when both parties are occupied and enjoying one anothers company. Throughout the years I have heard stories, millions and millions of stories, that I now regret not writing down. Because most of those people are gone. I have heard of marriages, that occurred right after meeting one another that have lasted 73 years, war stories, heartbreaking stories. Everyone has a great story. I have met painters, writers, knitters, pie makers, military veterans, entrepranuers. All interesting.
Over the years, I have become quite excellent at guessing where people are from by accent. I am rarely wrong. Rarely. And those mistakes were almost humerous. I guessed one woman to be from Minnesota, and she was from Arkansas, HOWEVER when I asked where her Mother was from she said Minnesota. She told me, her Mother had been dead for about 23 years or so, but I assured her her accent was decidedly Minnesotan.
I once, guessed about 30 peoples home state on a trolly at a casino. I managed to get all 30 people matched to the correct state. (even after a couple of drinks with dinner)
The last time I flew, I guessed the man that was seated to my right as Egyption after he said "excuse me". I was correct. The funny thing is, I have never been to Egypt, and I do not believe I have ever met anyone from Egypt...we ended up having a lovely conversation.
Oh of course a lot of accents are easy. Minnesota, Boston, Jersey.....
And today I disappointed myself, I really did.
I guessed two gentlemen wrong. Damn. TWO wrong to add to my list.
I seriously heard Boston, New York -Irish Italian thing. So I guessed New Jersey. I was tricked I was fooled!!
The men in question were from New Orleans. And after listening to them both for a bit, I began to hear, the rhythm, the sound, the thickness...and I said ok "now I get it, like Harry Connick New Orleans, I always think Cajun, and country". This got quite a chuckle, because appearently Harry was a classmate and from their parish.)
And then tonight I recalled this...
John Kennedy Toole's A Confederacy of Dunces
is regarded as particularly accurate. One of the better-known varieties is spoken by the "Yats," lower- and middle-class white New Orleanians. (The name derives from "Where y'at?" a local greeting.) The Yats have a strong Irish heritage, and several features of their speech recall stereotypical Brooklynese—"dese," "dem," "doze" for "these," "them," "those"; "berl," "earl," and "ersters" for "boil," "oil," and "oysters"; and "mudder" for "mother."
*the interesting part is, I cannot learn a language to save my life, and wonder if it could be genetic, after all Isaac Taylor was a philologist.
Week #2 recipe
Part of my New Years resoloution was, to try 1 new recipe per week. A break for everyone that tolerates my current cooking rotation. Tonight I tried a different coleslaw.
Asian Slaw
Ingredients:
6 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
6 tablespoons vegetable oil
5 tablespoons creamy peanut butter
3 tablespoons soy sauce
3 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons minced fresh ginger root
1 1/2 tablespoons minced garlic
5 cups thinly sliced green cabbage
2 cups thinly sliced red cabbage
2 cups shredded napa cabbage
2 red bell peppers, thinly sliced
2 carrots, julienned
6 green onions, chopped
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
Procedure:
1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the rice vinegar, oil, peanut butter, soy sauce, brown sugar, ginger, and garlic.
2. In a large bowl, mix the green cabbage, red cabbage, napa cabbage, red bell peppers, carrots, green onions, and cilantro. Toss with the peanut butter mixture just before serving.
*Ok, the news here, I only used one type of cabbage, and I had no scallions. I did use regular green cabbage, red pepper, and some celery. (DH suggested water chestnuts would have made a tasty edition). I also used just 1 TBS olive oil.
It was very delicious, and I served it with grilled chicken breasts.
I do think this salad could be used in rice paper wraps sort of like Vietnamese Spring Rolls (one of my favorite things to eat). The entire family enjoyed the meal. I will try this again.
Asian Slaw
Ingredients:
6 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
6 tablespoons vegetable oil
5 tablespoons creamy peanut butter
3 tablespoons soy sauce
3 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons minced fresh ginger root
1 1/2 tablespoons minced garlic
5 cups thinly sliced green cabbage
2 cups thinly sliced red cabbage
2 cups shredded napa cabbage
2 red bell peppers, thinly sliced
2 carrots, julienned
6 green onions, chopped
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
Procedure:
1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the rice vinegar, oil, peanut butter, soy sauce, brown sugar, ginger, and garlic.
2. In a large bowl, mix the green cabbage, red cabbage, napa cabbage, red bell peppers, carrots, green onions, and cilantro. Toss with the peanut butter mixture just before serving.
*Ok, the news here, I only used one type of cabbage, and I had no scallions. I did use regular green cabbage, red pepper, and some celery. (DH suggested water chestnuts would have made a tasty edition). I also used just 1 TBS olive oil.
It was very delicious, and I served it with grilled chicken breasts.
I do think this salad could be used in rice paper wraps sort of like Vietnamese Spring Rolls (one of my favorite things to eat). The entire family enjoyed the meal. I will try this again.
Sunday, January 07, 2007
Tricky Tricky
This speech is my recital, I think it's very vital
To rock a rhyme, that's right on time
It's Tricky is the title, here we go...
It's Tricky to rock a rhyme, to rock a rhyme that's right on time
It's Tricky...it's Tricky
~Run DMC
*The culprits*
Ok The Collective have been great. Really great.
So since they are on this "good streak", i made the mistake of loosening the reigns a bit.
Not good, I know better. I mean come on already, they are 3 and 5. Loose reigns at this age always leads to a disaster.
So after dinner,(which btw was delicious, and I will post the recipe soon)I am washing dishes. Anyway, so I am washing dishes and I ask them to brush they're teeth. So then I hear giggling and water. (no one should giggle while brushing teeth, I know it should have been my warning.) More giggling, more water.
For some reason since I am washing dishes, the running in a circle starts. There are toys that need to be picked up, they know what to do, they have to do it nightly. Instead they are circling around the livingroom like some sort of Conestoga.
I saunter into the living room, and I grab Pink Ninjas arm to try and ease her momentum and realize she is soaked. (Her pajamas that were fresh and dry only 5 minutes ago are soaked)
Huh? That seems odd, she was dry a second ago.
I walk into the bathroom, that was just cleaned top to bottom, to find water droplets EVERYWHERE. Half way up the wall, the mirror, the toilet, the floor.
Water, water everywhere...
(Keep in mind I spent a small part of my day scrubbing The Collectives bathroom today, I had just cleaned and shined the entire bathroom.)
So while I was in the kitchen cleaning, they were in another room I just cleaned, messing it up, so I could spend another 30 minutes cleaning.
You have got to be fucking kidding me.
I think a vein might have exploded in my forehead.
To rock a rhyme, that's right on time
It's Tricky is the title, here we go...
It's Tricky to rock a rhyme, to rock a rhyme that's right on time
It's Tricky...it's Tricky
~Run DMC
*The culprits*
Ok The Collective have been great. Really great.
So since they are on this "good streak", i made the mistake of loosening the reigns a bit.
Not good, I know better. I mean come on already, they are 3 and 5. Loose reigns at this age always leads to a disaster.
So after dinner,(which btw was delicious, and I will post the recipe soon)I am washing dishes. Anyway, so I am washing dishes and I ask them to brush they're teeth. So then I hear giggling and water. (no one should giggle while brushing teeth, I know it should have been my warning.) More giggling, more water.
For some reason since I am washing dishes, the running in a circle starts. There are toys that need to be picked up, they know what to do, they have to do it nightly. Instead they are circling around the livingroom like some sort of Conestoga.
I saunter into the living room, and I grab Pink Ninjas arm to try and ease her momentum and realize she is soaked. (Her pajamas that were fresh and dry only 5 minutes ago are soaked)
Huh? That seems odd, she was dry a second ago.
I walk into the bathroom, that was just cleaned top to bottom, to find water droplets EVERYWHERE. Half way up the wall, the mirror, the toilet, the floor.
Water, water everywhere...
(Keep in mind I spent a small part of my day scrubbing The Collectives bathroom today, I had just cleaned and shined the entire bathroom.)
So while I was in the kitchen cleaning, they were in another room I just cleaned, messing it up, so I could spend another 30 minutes cleaning.
You have got to be fucking kidding me.
I think a vein might have exploded in my forehead.
Christmas diminuendo.....
I am stealing one of Sir Rowland's favorite words. Diminuendo..
As far as I am concerned the Holidays are over.
The cookies are LONG gone.....(the proof is in my ill fitting jeans, darn)
And now all that is left to do, the de-decorating.
Oh the de-decorating to be done.
And then the fat lady can sing, or a bell can ring, whatever it is that announces "It is Over".
I do hate to see the tree come down most of all. It has served as our ambient lighting in the house for the last month or so. It does look beautiful sitting in the corner. The collective do not want it down.
So I feel a bit hung over, from the Holiday Season. Being drunk with joy, activity, baking, chocolate, sugar, running, scampering about, has left me feeling "spent".
I was sitting here this morning, contemplating the season.
It is truly a wonderful time to be followed by New Years, and all of the resolutions that are attached.
A fresh start, becoming better organized, cleaning closets, getting rid of those things that we simply do not need. Heck you may as well do something, someone has to drag all of that stuff back to the attic. It may as well be put away neatly. To stream line our lives. To exercise more to work off all of those cookies, and pies, and candies. To read more, study more, volunteer more.
I keep reading the blogs, and some of you made no resolutions, although I am sure you have resolved to becoming a better you, a more dynamic you. Some of you simply did not put your resolutions up. (I too did not put all of my goals up, a woman has to have some mystery).
So here is to the New Year, to becoming a better person.
There are enough projects to keep me busy for the next 365 days!
*I almost forgot, we have to paint the house this year*
Saturday, January 06, 2007
A day in the life of....
The best thing about the blogosphere?
Perspective.
Sometimes the same, and sometimes different.
Most of these people I enjoy reading are similar to us. They have similar ideals, politics, carrer choices.
However it is all about perspective to me.
This morning, I read Badgers Forward, and I have been reading a lot of Badgers Forward. He is An Army Officer in Iraq commanding an Engineer Company.
His post this morning, offers me a time to reflect on communicating while the one you love is miles away, and at war. And it will give those of you, who have not lived it a glimpse, a tiny glimpse of what it is like.
Be safe...
Perspective.
Sometimes the same, and sometimes different.
Most of these people I enjoy reading are similar to us. They have similar ideals, politics, carrer choices.
However it is all about perspective to me.
This morning, I read Badgers Forward, and I have been reading a lot of Badgers Forward. He is An Army Officer in Iraq commanding an Engineer Company.
His post this morning, offers me a time to reflect on communicating while the one you love is miles away, and at war. And it will give those of you, who have not lived it a glimpse, a tiny glimpse of what it is like.
Be safe...
Tammi has left the building
The visit is officially over. It was very nice to have Tammi here.
We had a nice visit, we talked a lot, always good. DH had drill this weekend, so he was absent Friday and Saturday night. Lots of girl talk. It was nice.
We did manage to get out of our slippers and jammies, and leave the house yesterday, and I took Tammi to our favorite award winning rib joint, The Whole Hog Cafe. Sir Rowland ate 5 or 6 bones. Holy Moses! This kid can but down some ribs. Pink Ninja, managed 2 bones, maybe 3. They really do have the best ribs in town in my book.
We were going to watch Fun with Dick and Jane, and then ended up talking all night.
For those of you that know either of us, it was not hard.
Very quiet weekend here at Casa De Dust.
*There are no photo of the weekend, neither of us wanted to wear makeup all weekend!!*
We had a nice visit, we talked a lot, always good. DH had drill this weekend, so he was absent Friday and Saturday night. Lots of girl talk. It was nice.
We did manage to get out of our slippers and jammies, and leave the house yesterday, and I took Tammi to our favorite award winning rib joint, The Whole Hog Cafe. Sir Rowland ate 5 or 6 bones. Holy Moses! This kid can but down some ribs. Pink Ninja, managed 2 bones, maybe 3. They really do have the best ribs in town in my book.
We were going to watch Fun with Dick and Jane, and then ended up talking all night.
For those of you that know either of us, it was not hard.
Very quiet weekend here at Casa De Dust.
*There are no photo of the weekend, neither of us wanted to wear makeup all weekend!!*
Friday, January 05, 2007
Safe
I have company.
Yes, Tammi made it safely. I think the doorbell rang around 2'ish...
She looks great.
WE sat and got caught up, The Collective climbed on her, and kissed and hugged on her. We played.
I fed her left over chalupas, which were delicious. Although I think it is bad manners to feed company left overs.
And DH, Tammi and I had a nice long visit tonight at the dinner table. A lot of laughing.
she is safe.
Yes, Tammi made it safely. I think the doorbell rang around 2'ish...
She looks great.
WE sat and got caught up, The Collective climbed on her, and kissed and hugged on her. We played.
I fed her left over chalupas, which were delicious. Although I think it is bad manners to feed company left overs.
And DH, Tammi and I had a nice long visit tonight at the dinner table. A lot of laughing.
she is safe.
Thursday, January 04, 2007
Changes
I watch the ripples change their size
But never leave the stream
Of warm impermanence and
So the days float through my eyes
~David Bowie
Some days it seems as if the changes here are more apparent than others.
This morning was one of those.
We were getting ready to head to the gym. The usual drill... Me making everyone hurry through breakfast, then help people dress, remind people to use toilets, brush teeth. I, in the past have ended up doing most of, or at least completing most of these tasks. Usually stopping an argument or wrestling match half way through. Dreading the "getting ready to leave the house" routine.
This morning was different. I got them each yogurt, a slice of banana bread, and fruit. They sat and ate quietly. I laid out clothes, and they dressed without me prompting and prompting and prompting. Even down to the socks and shoes.
They brushed teeth without being asked multiple times.
We had extra time to dawdle to the gym, not enough time for me to revel in my success as a parent.
Because in my book, this morning was a success as a parent. It may not sound like much to most of you. Some of you without kids, think "well that is how it should be everyday", and 6 years ago I would have agreed. But now I know different.
This morning was wonderful. I watched my children do things independently, without nagging or whip cracking.....It was a pleasure.
They were praised as well, I was proud of them.
They are growing indeed, and I have been realizing for quite some time I am no longer toddler mom.
Long gone are the days of me following them at the park from piece of equipment, to piece of equipment, saving them from themselves (and me from hefty medical expenses).
Long gone are the days of me trying to leave them at the gym in the nursery only to see them screaming. Trying to meditate in yoga only to hear the cries of an infant or toddler. Wondering if those are the cries of my child or another, or if I will have to exit class early, to sooth some frightened infant. Those days that seem like yesterday, are GONE. Almost hard to imagine now. Now they have friends and mentors there. Sir Rowland even hugging his "teacher" there, making sure she had a good Christmas.
And the other day, as Sir Rowland blew out his birthday cake candles. He announced his wish. "I want you to play with me". A Simple wish, and I smiled, and his Daddy smiled.
An easy wish, a sweet wish.
On the phone two days ago with a guidance councilor, finding out then whens and whys of kindergarten registration this month for Sir Rowland. Was almost an out of body experience for me.
Running into the gym this morning, carrying Pink Ninja in the rain as she was kind enough to share her umbrella.
These children are growing, and it is warm impermanence.
But never leave the stream
Of warm impermanence and
So the days float through my eyes
~David Bowie
Some days it seems as if the changes here are more apparent than others.
This morning was one of those.
We were getting ready to head to the gym. The usual drill... Me making everyone hurry through breakfast, then help people dress, remind people to use toilets, brush teeth. I, in the past have ended up doing most of, or at least completing most of these tasks. Usually stopping an argument or wrestling match half way through. Dreading the "getting ready to leave the house" routine.
This morning was different. I got them each yogurt, a slice of banana bread, and fruit. They sat and ate quietly. I laid out clothes, and they dressed without me prompting and prompting and prompting. Even down to the socks and shoes.
They brushed teeth without being asked multiple times.
We had extra time to dawdle to the gym, not enough time for me to revel in my success as a parent.
Because in my book, this morning was a success as a parent. It may not sound like much to most of you. Some of you without kids, think "well that is how it should be everyday", and 6 years ago I would have agreed. But now I know different.
This morning was wonderful. I watched my children do things independently, without nagging or whip cracking.....It was a pleasure.
They were praised as well, I was proud of them.
They are growing indeed, and I have been realizing for quite some time I am no longer toddler mom.
Long gone are the days of me following them at the park from piece of equipment, to piece of equipment, saving them from themselves (and me from hefty medical expenses).
Long gone are the days of me trying to leave them at the gym in the nursery only to see them screaming. Trying to meditate in yoga only to hear the cries of an infant or toddler. Wondering if those are the cries of my child or another, or if I will have to exit class early, to sooth some frightened infant. Those days that seem like yesterday, are GONE. Almost hard to imagine now. Now they have friends and mentors there. Sir Rowland even hugging his "teacher" there, making sure she had a good Christmas.
And the other day, as Sir Rowland blew out his birthday cake candles. He announced his wish. "I want you to play with me". A Simple wish, and I smiled, and his Daddy smiled.
An easy wish, a sweet wish.
On the phone two days ago with a guidance councilor, finding out then whens and whys of kindergarten registration this month for Sir Rowland. Was almost an out of body experience for me.
Running into the gym this morning, carrying Pink Ninja in the rain as she was kind enough to share her umbrella.
These children are growing, and it is warm impermanence.
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
More Loss More Prayers...
Incoherent Ramblings has lost his wife to cancer as well.
Please continue your prayers. There are two young sons, and a Husband who is sure to miss this woman, this Mommy and Wife very very much...
Real Courgage, and Real Strength
Reid, continues to amaze me with his courageous spirit in which he is leading his family at this time. My prayers to this family continue, but it looks like Reids relationship with God, and his family is so incredibly strong. I have no words.
Please go over and see how he has been doing, and offer support... Mourning in this country can be hard, people expect it to be short and sweet, people do not do death well.
I am actually glad he is sharing his experience and grief for it may help one person. And he as the head of household, needs someplace to "put it".
Reid, keep doing what you are doing.
Our prayers continue.
Please go over and see how he has been doing, and offer support... Mourning in this country can be hard, people expect it to be short and sweet, people do not do death well.
I am actually glad he is sharing his experience and grief for it may help one person. And he as the head of household, needs someplace to "put it".
Reid, keep doing what you are doing.
Our prayers continue.
Week #1 recipe
Part of my New Years resoloution was to try a new recipe every week. Thanks to Princess Cat via online discussion this morning, she has turned a meal of a simple pork roast into ...
Ta Dah!
Chalupas
3-4 lb port loin roast
1/2 - 3/4 tsp garlic powder (I think I used a full heaping tsp ... I love garlic)
1 Tbsp cumin
2 Tbsp chili powder
1 Tbsp salt
1 tsp oregano
1 sm can diced green chilies
1 lb dried pinto beans
put all ingredients in crock-pot with meat on top. Cover with water.
Cook 6 hrs on high. Break up meat and cook 30 mins on high.
serve with taco fixins
Makes 7 LARGE servings
The other good news is, I do not have to cook, the new crock pot gets christened, and from what Cat says "a lot of leftovers"!
No cooking tommorow either.
Ta Dah!
Chalupas
3-4 lb port loin roast
1/2 - 3/4 tsp garlic powder (I think I used a full heaping tsp ... I love garlic)
1 Tbsp cumin
2 Tbsp chili powder
1 Tbsp salt
1 tsp oregano
1 sm can diced green chilies
1 lb dried pinto beans
put all ingredients in crock-pot with meat on top. Cover with water.
Cook 6 hrs on high. Break up meat and cook 30 mins on high.
serve with taco fixins
Makes 7 LARGE servings
The other good news is, I do not have to cook, the new crock pot gets christened, and from what Cat says "a lot of leftovers"!
No cooking tommorow either.
Thank You
The other evening I was sitting here in Casa De Dust blogging, and I recieved an e-mail from Major Z.
Go over, he provides you with an insiders look of Walter Reed, there are pictures of these brave men, and the BONUS...
There are addresses! I think that a Thank You note to these brave men, would be the only way to start the New Year. Go get your pens, and write a note. If you can think of a gift that might cheer a young man up send it.
Thank You.
I went to Walter Reed again on Wednesday. I’m now scheduled for surgery #34 on the 9th of February. They’re going to do another skin graft into my left hand, hopefully to increase the web space in my left hand, and also a Z-Plasty (imagine Zorro carving his mark betwixt your thumb and forefinger.) Lovely. Although that was the purpose of my visit, the true highlight was meeting three young men who were spending Christmas (and New Years, and probably Easter) on ward 57. I spent some time with each one, heard their stories, and shared my experiences with them. I tried, at best to give them hope, and at least to prepare them for what is coming.
They all agreed to let me publish their pictures and addresses with their story. Folks, these guys (and their families) are going to spend one of the greatest holidays in the worst places—because they served you and kept you safe. Please, take a little time this week and remember them, give thanks for them, and maybe even send them a card or a small gift. (It’s okay that it won’t reach them by Christmas, as long as it does reach them.)
Go over, he provides you with an insiders look of Walter Reed, there are pictures of these brave men, and the BONUS...
There are addresses! I think that a Thank You note to these brave men, would be the only way to start the New Year. Go get your pens, and write a note. If you can think of a gift that might cheer a young man up send it.
Thank You.
Tuesday, January 02, 2007
If I were Emma Peel.....
I doubt if I would have spent my after dinner time cleaning the fridge. I am also sure my "discerning if chai tea is good or bad face", would have been called "terricfically sexy or pouty" instead.
Monday, January 01, 2007
The early bird...
This morning DH and Pink Ninja were awake with the birds. Sir Rowland and I sleeping quietly...
I guess they played "don't wake your Brother up" all morning. Because I woke to find all of Pink Ninja's babies wrapped like newborne burritos lined in a row.
Funny that Daddy still remembers to wrap a new baby up. Especially since he missed Pink Ninja's baby days entirely...
I wish you a happy fifth year
*Granny won the best gift catagory this year twice...the collapsing suspension bridge, for Sir Rowlands Thomas stuff.
There are so many things I wish for you this year. But most important of these is joy. I wish you joy.
I wish you the kind of joy that a little one gets when they can ride a bike without a hand on it, even with training wheels. And the sun is shining on your face, and the wind is on your cheeks..
The kind of joy you find when Mom makes you a 2 package cup of cocoa.
The kind of joy when you make it to the top.
The kind of joy when you discover something new...
The kind of joy that makes you come and sit on my lap and tell me "I love you Mommy".
Five is going to be fun for all of us....
I am so proud of you little man.
*Granny also won with this little portable CD player and 2 classical music compilations...he is currently lying in his little bed looking like he is in a spa, somewhere out west...
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