La Jolie Vie de Lorie

There are no coincidences

2010-12-14T17:13:00.002-06:00

Yesterday, i got a divorce. Today both Zac Efron and Ryan Reynolds announce their splits from their significant others. Coincidence???

Katherine Feeding Maddie

2010-01-14T12:10:00.002-06:00

I know, dull. But it was my first attempt at uploading video on Flickr - so humor me.

A new year, a new start

2010-01-14T10:22:00.003-06:00

So, i decide not to rant in my blog anymore and what happens??? *cricket*cricket *cricket

In reality, I'm super busy. I think of things to blog but I'm never near a computer when i think of it.

I'm also kicking around talking about cheap things i like. Like my favorite cheap wine of the moment or that really nice ( and cheap) shampoo that i really like.....

Perhaps, perhaps, perhaps.....

I HATE my MITSUBISHI DLP

2009-08-06T12:36:00.004-05:00

Seriously - i try not to rant so much. But really. I HATE my DLP. Its by Mitsubishi. It is the most worthless POS we've ever wasted so much money on. And when i say POS I don't mean "Stuff". I mean that bad word i get in trouble with my kids if it slips out. I wish there were a worse word to describe it, because I would use it.

We haven't had it that long, the lamp ( around 200 a pop) has burned out TWICE. The last time we replaced it was LESS THAN A MONTH AGO. Now the TV has the green blinking light of death. We get sound, but we get no picture. Do a google search and you will find this is a known problem with NO KNOWN CURE. The only solution i saw online that i liked involved a driveway and a car running the TV over.

Seriously DON'T EVER BUY A DLP. Don't even let someone GIVE YOU ONE. And run twice as fast if it is a MITSUBISHI.

Ok, NOW i will try not to rant so much. :) But its Shark week , for goodness sake, and sound only just doesn't cut it! I HATE YOU MITSUBISHI!!! (opps, sorry)

Great Wolf Lodge Video

2009-07-13T14:48:00.002-05:00

Its long - and the magi-quest is still a beating even on tape. LOL

WOW, I've been a busy girl!!

2009-07-13T11:24:00.007-05:00

This has been a busy summer! June Started off well. I had my birthday and anniversary all in one week. We went to a rough riders game with the girls on a beautiful evening. It was fun.

After the week of my birthday and anniversary I got sick. No Dr verification, but I'm pretty sure it was the swine flu - as I had every one of the symptoms. It was a mild case, and I got better pretty quickly but I STILL have a cough. Also, my kids got it the next week, and its just been one thing after another.

K1 has been playing indoor soccer. I've really enjoyed it! She has been goalie - and pretty good at it too.

We also had some wicked weather during the soccer game and had to evacuate to a bathroom. It's amazing how many people can fit in one long bathroom. I also love my iphone where I can check the radar on the go. Much geek goodness.

On the 4th we went to an adventure camp where you had to walk EVERYWHERE. I must have walked over 10 miles in 24 hours ( in 100 degree heat). We ended up doing a lot of fishing. It was really fun (and there was shade - glorious shade).

We even caught a catfish

Then last weekend we went to the great wolf lodge - which is an indoor water park hotel resort thing. From there I determined that I totally had a bikini body if I go by what others were wearing. (Which is NOT a good thing!)

The kids were also in love with this "quest thing" where you go on adventures with an overpriced interactive wand over 8 floors of the hotel. (using the freaking stairs) I have never climbed so many flights of stairs in my entire life. Up to floor 8, down to floor 5, back up to 6, down to 1, back up to 4.... you get the idea. (oh, and in flip flops. I mean, who takes tennis shoes to a water park?) Pictures to come. Phillip is hogging them.

I asked Phillip that if we go somewhere next weekend that please, please, please let it not require walking.

Mr Wii Fit Snarky

2009-05-21T08:59:00.004-05:00

My hubby got me a Wii fit for Christmas ( yes, I asked for it).

After I got it I read a blurb somewhere claiming the Wii fit was a bit "judgmental" - but i hadn't seen it, and didn't think much about it.

So, I've been using it - or TRYING to use it when the kids aren't around. If they are around, they take it over. I like the step and the boxing, and its pretty fun.

First thing I noticed was Mr Wii Fit asking me if I had seen "Bruce" (k2's mii) around lately because he hadn't been working out.

It then asked me to pick from a list "how Bruce was looking?" I clicked "i don't know" and it said "Maybe i should pay more attention" - um Really?

Then there was the day I'd gained a pound. Mr Wii fit wanted me to pick from a list just why I thought I had gained a pound and reminded me that I'd never hit my goal this way.

Then came the time i missed a few days - oh brother. ( I got this screen shot from another site - clearly I am not alone in being berated)

Last week I got on and I had missed 25 days. 25 days! Oh the Horror! Mr Wii Fit said that was ok, it still recognized me and "it's so nice to see you again, BRUCE".

No, my Mii's name is not Bruce. That's K2's Mii that Mr Wii Fit is so worried about.

That Mr Wii Fit - he's a character. Like i need yet another sarcastic member in my household. NOT. ;)

WOW - two in one month!

2009-05-12T09:13:00.002-05:00

Gee, I must be on a roll!

Hope everyone had a nice Mother's day. I did. My sweet SIL hosted a brunch at her house and it was very nice. In an EXTRA nice step she kept the girls overnight and P & I had an unexpected date night. The girls ate it up, and we got to see Star Trek ( Which is excellent, by the way)
For gifts, i got a handmade plaque from k2, a necklace and a Sewing Machine! Now, i've wanted a sewing machine for a while - but now that it is here, i find it a bit intimidating. I went to a fabric store which was even MORE intimidating! LOL I found a pattern for a simple tote bag, something to practice on. I'm trying to decide if I've got a quilt in me. It sure would get used, and I've seen some pretty ones. Anyhow - mulling that over.
I think P really got me the sewing machine so i would actually clean up my craft room and make a space for it. Probably a good strategy.

Maybe we all just need some Oinkment

2009-05-01T14:01:00.003-05:00

So we are under a swine flu pandemic. Or so i'm told. I haven't seen it, and there is a school within a few miles of me that is shut down over ONE CASE. 1. Uno.

Back in March, when K1 had the flu - 10 kids out of a class of 18 were out. Over 50%. Did they close the school? Nope. Did they cancel anything? Nope. She tested positive for "type A" which is the same thing the swine flu kids are testing positive for now. Did she have it back then but the CDC wasn't involved? How would i know? I just know they sent us home with "rest, advil and fluids" and "tamiflu side effects are almost as bad as just having the flu - so you might not want it" (we didn't fill the prescription, and no one else in the family got it - we used lots of hand washing and sanitizer - this apparently works)

Now tamilfu is flying off the shelfs. Hmm, kind of makes you wonder - if you happen to be the type that wore a little tin foiled hat around - mine is shiny.

The school showed the girls this cartoon, they came home singing like germs.

I'm posting - April Fools!

2009-04-01T11:20:00.004-05:00

Just kidding.

Darn - one post all year - how the heck did I let that happen?!

It would be an understatement to say we've been busy - but - we've been busy!

So - Catchup #2 for the year. Perhaps after this I will improve my blogging skills (I wouldn't hold my breath if I were you, however)

In January I got a New (to me!) car. Its an older Mercedes Wagon with the Jump seat in the back. The kids LOVE riding backwards. I tried it once, and it made me a little car sick. I can cart 7 people around at once, and although rare - it happens! The air conditioner hasn't been working but my cousin charged it for me today and I happily felt cold air. Yee haw!!

After losing Sawyer so suddenly - we found a new Big dog to love. His name is Toby, he is a yellow lab about 2 years old and he thinks he's a tiny little lap dog.

He quickly became VERY attached to P and is basically his shadow. P went for donuts one morning and he just sat by the back door and whine. Some serious separation issues going on here! The Little dogs think Toby is ok - as long as he doesn't pee on them ( they have gotten a little faster out back!) The cats are not so thrilled.

February flew by and March was a blur of flu and spring break. K1 got the flu with fever for a good 5 days. K2 luckily - just a nasty cold.

K1 is playing soccer - with misses for flu and cancellation for nasty weather. We may actually have 3 make up games THIS WEEKEND! K2 is playing BB again ( and she made the local Youth Sports paper!)

K2 also turned 9 in March ( i typed 8 - clearly - wishful thinking) That also happened in the middle of the flu/spring break goings on.

So, enough catching up for now. Perhaps elaboration later - perhaps.

Just playing Catch-up

2009-01-30T10:31:00.003-06:00

Well, December was just a blur! K1 turned 10 and had a prerequisite party with 10 squealing "tweens" - or so i am told she is now. She did take pity on me and it wasn't a slumber party. Thank goodness. After Christmas, we took a drive down to Pensacola Beach to meet up with P's son and his family. It was a great trip and there were days when the weather were some of the best beach days we've ever had. Of course, i packed for a mild Texas winter and had to scramble to get the kids some shorts and short sleeved shirts. What was i thinking?

January has been filled with Winter basketball and car swappings. P discovered the wonderful world of craiglist ( where we found our car) and discovered they have a section for pets. Danger, danger! I imagine it won't be too long before we have another big dog in the house. The hole left by Sawyer has been pretty big.

The basketball has been really fun. Its fun yelling at the kids in public to be aggressive,lol.

Sigh - down to 2 dogs again

2009-01-26T11:59:00.002-06:00

We were shocked and saddened last night at the sudden passing of our big pound dog, Sawyer. He had a good day - in the evening he ate - a few hours later he wanted out and i noticed he had thrown up. I mentioned it to P but just didn't think much about it - dogs eat too fast and throw up many times. We cleaned it up, and when P went to let him in about an hour later, he was gone. Just like that. We don't know if he choked, had a heart attack - just no idea.

This morning the city animal services came and got him, they were exceedingly kind.

We will really miss him, he was a good dog.

Whine update

2009-01-22T09:00:00.002-06:00

Well - the inspector showed, my car passed - i turned the puppy in and I am now a HAPPY CAMPER!! I even did all the tax,title transfer stuff on the wagon. That sneaky Texas Tax office, they now have a value calculator based on the car vin # so you can't fudge the sales price. heh.

ugh-ugh-ugh

2009-01-21T08:35:00.003-06:00

ok - today is a whine blog. So -if you aren't in a whine mood - just skip it, ok?

Once upon a time i had a toyota lease. When the lease was up , i turned it in and that was it. Process over and painless.

Now i have a honda lease. Process NOT painless. You have to get the car inspected. Not just by anyone - by some 3rd party inspector which is national and not all that friendly. First they take a week to even schedule your appointment - then they make you have a pretty wide window of waiting on them to show. I follow all the stinking rules and Mr inspector decides to give me a call at the very end of the very wide window to tell me he is canceling and i need to reschedule. UGH.

So, i reschedule. But i forgot to call and change the location. I'm not driving this car anymore - i'm over it. So, i call last night but - hey - they are closed. So i call first thing this morning and told OH NO! You can't change on the DAY OF!! (even though they can, jerks) You can cancel and try to get another inspection reguest wtih a 3-5 business day window to even process teh stinking request!! WHAT?!? i just want to TURN THIS CAR IN! PLEASE TAKE THIS CAR BACK!! This has been THE MOST IRRITATING EXPERIENCE. you think i want to get another one? Heck NO!!

The Reason i am NOT having a tree this year

2008-12-05T12:33:00.001-06:00

Jasper and last years tree. And I can tell you, he hasn't improved in his manners.

We've got a new addition

2008-12-05T10:26:00.002-06:00

Its been a busy few weeks. And this week was no exception - we had a sweet baby niece and cousin enter the family. Sure was a great week.

Life Flies by in Seconds.....

2008-12-04T14:40:00.002-06:00

Today my baby turned 10!! *SOB*

It is some consolation that she is smart, fun, loving and a joy to be around.

Projects, Projects Everywhere.......

2008-11-14T10:16:00.002-06:00

Last week was school project central. K1 had a History Fair entry due and K2 had a "game made out of a Simple Machine" project due - both on the same day. What's a simple machine? Well - good question!! There are lots of suspects, but the easiest one to make a game out of is the "incline plane" -
so K2 and her dad made a race track.

On Friday when it was due (along with the dwarf hamster exhibit), I got quite a kick out of all the parents carrying big old wooden incline plane games into the school. Very cute!

K1's history project was on Isabella of Spain. A good friend who got me into scrapbooking always told me that all the money I spent on supplies would also be "great for school projects" - oh boy, she wasn't kidding!! K1 got 3rd place individual out of 50 submissions. Pretty cool!

And then last night, as we were eating dinner and I felt our projects were behind us, K1 announced:

"oh, i found out when that memorial model is due"
"Really?"
"Yeah, Friday!"
"Friday next week?"
"No, Friday this week"
"You do realize it is 6:30 PM on a Thursday, right?"
(insert crickets chirping)

- apparently NOT!!

So, we brainstormed and decided to do Arlington National Cemetery. P thought K1 could "cut out some crosses" - oh yeah - right!! So - off to the Hobby Store and with a stroke of very good luck found a cross punch that would work. Love those scrapbook supplies! (and living close to shops! heavenly shops!)
So, K1 punched out 77 crosses, spray painted some Styrofoam (a gimpy dad project, as he has banged up his knee and is on crutches - no, I'm not ready for my 9 year old to be let loose with a can of paint) and glue sticked toothpicks on the back. (joint effort again, 9 year olds and hot glue guns aren't allowed to play together alone yet) Whew. It isn't gorgeous or elaborate - but it is better than a big fat zero.

Lets hope next week is project free. :) Aren't daily homework battles punishment enough for us parents?

Omnivore Meme

2008-11-12T14:48:00.002-06:00

This is a a fun meme- post this list and bold what you've eaten. Some blogger somewhere decided that these are the 100 things every omnivore should eat before they die. Thanks to webfrau who got it from jww for this.

1. Venison
2. Nettle tea
3. Huevos rancheros
4. Steak tartare
5. Crocodile
6. Black pudding
7. Cheese fondue
8. Carp
9. Borscht
10. Baba ghanoush
11. Calamari
12. Pho
13. PB&J sandwich
14. Aloo gobi
15. Hot dog from a street cart
16. Epoisses
17. Black truffle
18. Fruit wine made from something other than grapes
19. Steamed pork buns
20. Pistachio ice cream
21. Heirloom tomatoes
22. Fresh wild berries
23. Foie gras
24. Rice and beans
25. Brawn, or head cheese
26. Raw Scotch Bonnet pepper - a habenero, right? I haven't had a whole one but i did try a little at The Firehouse
27. Dulce de leche
28. Oysters
29. Baklava
30. Bagna cauda
31. Wasabi peas
32. Clam chowder in a sourdough bowl - oh yeah - in Monterrey - YUM
33. Salted lassi
34. Sauerkraut
35. Root beer float
36. Cognac with a fat cigar
37. Clotted cream tea
38. Vodka jelly/Jell-O
39. Gumbo
40. Oxtail
41. Curried goat
42. Whole insects
43. Phaal
44. Goat's milk
45. Malt whiskey from a bottle worth £60/$120 or more
46. Fugu
47. Chicken tikka masala
48. Eel
49. Krispy Kreme original glazed doughnut
50. Sea urchin
51. Prickly pear - in jam - does that count?
52. Umeboshi
53. Abalone
54. Paneer
55. McDonald's Big Mac Meal
56. Spaetzle
57. Dirty gin martini
58. Beer above 8% ABV
59. Poutine
60. Carob chips
61. S'mores
62. Sweetbreads
63. Kaolin
64. Currywurst
65. Durian
66. Frogs' legs
67. Beignets, churros, elephant ears or funnel cake
68. Haggis
69. Fried plantain
70. Chitterlings, or andouillette
71. Gazpacho
72. Caviar and blini
73. Louche absinthe
74. Gjetost, or brunost
75. Roadkill
76. Baijiu
77. Hostess Fruit Pie
78. Snail
79. Lapsang souchong
80. Bellini
81. Tom yum
82. Eggs Benedict
83. Pocky
84. Tasting menu at a three-Michelin-star restaurant
85. Kobe beef
86. Har
87. Goulash
88. Flowers
89. Horse
90. Criollo chocolate
91. Spam
92. Soft shell crab
93. Rose harissa
94. Catfish
95. Mole poblano
96. Bagel and lox
97. Lobster Thermidor
98. Polenta
99. Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee
100. Snake - boy scout jamboree as a child

hmm, some of these things i have no idea what they are! lol

Halloween 2008

2008-11-05T09:30:00.003-06:00

We had the traditional pumpkin carving followed the next night by the hunt for the mostest candy. The girls got an impressive haul. K1 was a charm school witch and K2 was Zorro. Sawyer even got to go. They had a great time.

Flickr claims this slideshow will work, so i'm giving it a try......

Almost Rodent Free again

2008-11-03T08:45:00.002-06:00

Last night I sent the girls up to get ready for bed and before i could join then, there were screams and cries and wailing of gigantic proportions. The Hamster cage had been knocked off the desk where it sat and was in pieces. (Two guesses who pushed it off) Hamsters no where in sight - which was a good sign. No fur, no little feet, no nothing. Looking around the room and thinking they could be anywhere, P sent K1 downstairs for a flashlight. From DOWNSTAIRS she screamed (not a mere yell, oh no) that the cats had one cornered in the front room.

Downstairs? How the heck did it get downstairs? Was it carried? Did it jump?

She grabbed it - it was Salsa, and aside from Post-traumatic-stress-syndrome, it appeared to be perfectly fine.

So, one found, but one still in some unimaginable terror so the wails and screams and drama continued. After about 30 minutes of looking, and watching the cats, and even letting the little dogs (which are SUPPOSED to be Ratters) in, P noticed that one cat, Scooter, kept returning to our bedroom. Belle the dog went in there a few times, but all the commotion made by the girls, kept her too distracted. Jasper - the other cat - likes his food well cooked and on a plate - he wasn't much help. Sawyer never once moved from his position on the floor - no help at all.

Tabasco was located behind the Highboy. (ALSO DOWNSTAIRS, What the heck!?) After much screaming and chasing him around the room (with him ending up on my foot and making me scream too) he was caught and looks in good health as well.

Go figure. I told the cats I was mighty disappointed in their feline abilities, but in this case - it was a good thing.

Rodent-free no more!

2008-10-30T10:44:00.002-05:00

Last year K1 got to take her Guinea Pig, Princess to school for the class fair. Well, the fair is coming and K2 played the "it's not fair" card, and insisted a new rodent was needed. And she had her dad pretty much talked into a Ferret. A Ferret? IDONTTHINKSO. Luckily, we looked it up and saw it was basically a cat, a cat that poops where ever it chooses. Much more than I wanted to take on.

So i suggested a hamster - maybe a really little hamster ( K1 had an eye on a robo-hamster). Luckily - they bought that answer. When we got to the store, we ended up with 2 Dwarf hamsters. I admit - they are pretty cute. And little.

The cats thought we must have brought them a small crunchy treat. We even got them a few of those little balls and they run around like crazy. The girls named them Tabasco and Salsa. I have no idea why. I guess they are "spicy" :)

I can't tell who likes them better - the girls or the cats......

Pierre Cardin has done lost his mind

2008-10-07T08:35:00.004-05:00

How dare he do that to a perfectly good sleeping bag. Seriously - someone pays him to come up with this?

And this one - i can't decide if it is a poncho gone wrong, a simulated shark, or perhaps a bubble ufo. Regardless, I'm happy to see they found my old boots from the 80's that I'm pretty sure I gave to Goodwill.

He also must have been eating a plate of oysters when the inspiration hit him for this doozey.

Go here to check out more. You'll notice he wore a suit. No sleeping bag for Pierre, no siree.

Dang - another busy weekend

2008-09-24T11:31:00.003-05:00

This soccer stuff really is a time eater.

On Saturday, K2 had her first game. It was at THE EXACT SAME TIME as K1's game. It was also ACROSS TOWN. As I am about to leave, P remembers it is the Balloon Fest weekend, and I should probably adjust my route to avoid the traffic. (the park was pretty close to the Balloon Fest parking lot).

So, we got there just fine, and were amazed to see all the balloons! It was such a pretty view!

I actually thought one was going to land on the field. That was some close up Balloon Viewing.

Anyhow, K2 played her first game (And her second game the next day). She did ok, but she had fun, and that was the main thing. P (who was at K1's game) and I were texting scores back and forth and I sent him balloon photos. Gadget-fun, lol.

A Busy Weekend

2008-09-16T09:26:00.003-05:00

Well, our first soccer game was played as bands of Ike passed through. Yes, these soccer people play through hurricanes! Luckily - it moved east of us and we only got rain and very little wind. Newbie soccer mom me didn't realize they played through rain and didn't bring an umbrella. Wow, what was I thinking?!? So, i put all the meltables in the car and got soaked. at least it was a warm rain. K1 played some right wing and left wing. She had a blast.

About 10 minutes before we left i got a call from my SIL that she and my brother were coming into town and wanted to see our house for the first time around 5! *GASP!* So, i tried to clean the house as best as i could (boy, it needed it!) in record time. Actually, i still had a mop in my hand and no shower when they arrived, opps! my brother must have a lead foot. I thought the big city traffic might intimidate him, no such luck.

It was awesome to see them! Now it is our turn to make a quick trip. :)

On a sad note, we lost K1's Guinea Pig, Princess. She had a lot of personality and i will miss her squeaks anytime she heard plastic rattle. Poor little Princess.

The Ike Man Cometh

2008-09-12T10:09:00.003-05:00

Ike is on his way to Texas. Right now he looks pretty big and many of the predictions show it just skirting us. Even though its only a H2, its size is what makes it impressive. This morning they measured it on TV to be over 1200 miles wide and take up much of the Gulf.

I've always been a big fan of history, and on a visit to Galveston, we went to the Pier21 1900 storm exhibit. It really moved me. Back then, they had no idea what was coming. They would look at the sky and guess. Now i can sit and watch forecast paths on StormPulse ( definite hurricane porn). I sure hope Galveston fares better than it did then - it really never recovered its previous glory.

We should get some of the wind, some of the rain. But minor in comparison. At the worst case, it will postpone K1's first soccer game. I hope it doesn't, but with the size of it - no one can really tell when (or even if) the winds will hit. I'm going to the grocery store today just-in-case. I'm sure it will be a mad house. But, i hate shopping in the rain, and I'm providing snacks for the game tomorrow. Is that a good enough excuse? :)

1 practice down - many more to go....

2008-09-04T11:37:00.004-05:00

K1's first practice went really well and she had a blast. Her coach is a PE teacher at another elementary and is beyond awesome. She got in there and went over the basics and K1 didn't feel uncomfortable at all. (many of the girls have played a long time, and she worried about not knowing what to do) There were even 2 girls from her school that she recognized, and that helped too.

Tonight we have K2's first practice. I hope it goes well, but K1's coach set the bar pretty high.

What? I'm A what?

2008-08-29T14:24:00.002-05:00

Good grief - I'm officially a soccer mom. It's my fault for putting the girls in a summer program that was more sports oriented than school oriented. They decided they liked soccer and after many years of showing absolutely no interest - they are both on a team.

Tonight is the first practice - and i have to go buy shin guards.

And they're Off

2008-08-25T11:28:00.003-05:00

Another year has begun. I know the girls are excited to see their friends again. My fingers are crossed that they give us a few days off before homework kicks in. P

Last day of Summer

2008-08-22T14:32:00.002-05:00

Can you believe it? Wow - that was quick! Tonight we meet the new teachers and Monday - Back to School!!

Oh Summer, going so soon?

A Weekend Birthday Party at the American Girl Store

2008-08-19T10:52:00.003-05:00

K1 got invited to a birthday party at the American Girl Boutique and Bistro this past weekend. The invitation said "bring your American girl doll" so its a good thing that K1 has a wonderful aunt who got her a doll last Christmas. Thanks Again!
So we arrive with doll in arm (on tax free weekend at the galleria - now you know i was worried about the parking and it was CRAZY) and there didn't appear to be a girl in there that didn't have a doll too.
It reminded me of PetSmart, except for dolls. I had NO IDEA. K1 loved just about everything in there (big surprise) She had a great time at the party and said it felt like it lasted "about 5 minutes" (it felt like 2 hours to me, even though i did get to walk the mall kid-free)
Luckily for me she had a sleepover planned for the evening and didn't want to waste time shopping after the party so we got out of there purchase-free (you know I'm shocked, but delighted) She did get a catalog, and I noticed it made the trip to Grandmother's last night. Smart Girl.

Sad. C'est Moi

2008-08-18T15:40:00.002-05:00

The olympic swimming has come to an end *sniff* and I just don't know what I am going to do. The other sports wear entirely too many clothes. Except for the women, now why are they running races in little bikini things and the men are completely covered? Its just not fair. Don't they care about the ratings???

Sucked into the Olympic Vortex

2008-08-13T11:43:00.008-05:00

I was pretty much apathetic about this years Olympics in China. Because, you know, its in China. The place that follows no laws save their own. That place which has no problem ripping off any brand that comes to their shore for a little cheap labor love.

But here I am a week into it and I'm watching it all the time. And I just can't figure out why.

Nope, no idea. Not a clue......

And if this girl is 16 then I am 29. Whatever. Why have rules if you let the gold metal team break them? It puts everyone else at a disadvantage and is JUST PLAIN WRONG. UGH. Shows what China thinks of rules, doesn't it? So why does Nike cry when they steal the shoe logo? Isn't that just "business as usual the chinese way"?

A quick trip to the Palace of Wax

2008-08-12T15:41:00.004-05:00

We went to the Palace of Wax/Ripley's Believe it or Not last week. We had a really good time although the wax figures didn't strike me as all that amazing. The best part of the wax museum was the scary part - and K1 didn't care for that one bit. No haunted houses for her this year.

Our favorite part was probably the Mirror Maze. Maybe because we didn't expect too much. I like this picture because both girls are in front of me, but P is actually around the corner out of view. K2n has a hold of his wrist. It got confusing!

We had to wear gloves to keep from smudging the mirrors, and smudging really does ruin the effect. I think K2 left a cheek mark when she was 100% sure she was going the right way and face planted into the mirror. I probably shouldn't have laughed.

MMMM Enchiladas

2008-08-05T09:57:00.002-05:00

Phillip and I had a debate over Beef enchiladas. I swore they were made with chili, ala canned chili. He swore it was not. So, i puttered around the internet and sure enough, it isn't chili ala tin, its called "Chili Gravy". So, last night I channeled my inner Lisa Garza, and using this recipe prepared Beef and bean enchiladas starting with a chili gravy. I even made a ROUX, we are talking cutting edge for this former burner of boiled eggs.

As i put it in the oven, i thought "there is no way the kids will eat this" - so I didn't take any photographic evidence.

Well guess what, My chili gravy was a bit on the thick side, but it was WONDERFUL. I got not 1 - but THREE (3!) thumbs up. Both kids had SECONDS. I cannot tell you what a rare event this is. RARE! REALLY RARE!

It would also be excellent over cheese/onion enchiladas. I am sure to make it again, and then i WILL take a picture.

Yea, I can now join the iZombie ranks

2008-08-05T08:57:00.002-05:00

My own personal iphone-addict went and stood in a 10 minute line to get himself a new 3G iphone. On his way home, his first call to me DROPPED. Boy did that make me laugh (and he cussed a bit). And as of today, I HAVE HIS OLD ONE! SWEEEEEEEETTTTT. And it has all his programs on it - like iBeer, you know you gotta have iBeer.

Oh Rats!

2008-07-28T09:36:00.002-05:00

As a 1930s wife, I am
Very Poor (Failure)

Take the test!

But I outscored Kari, and she can actually cook! LOL

My favorite site when I'm feeling PMSy

2008-07-25T11:13:00.001-05:00

Come on, you know you get that feeling too. They are rich and skinny, so i can giggle about their questionable fashion choices, can't I?

Go Fug Yourself: Because fugly is the new pretty

Well, i'm might just have to stop cooking

2008-07-25T10:04:00.006-05:00

So, I got pulled in Hook, Line and sinker on the Food Network Star challenge.I only started watching because a local girl was on, and I like to support local talent when i can. And she is talented. VERY.

And on it i am struck that most of these cooks don't seem to adlib well (and I'm thinking their established stars - Paula Dean came across BADLY, as did Martha Stewart, as did Rachael Ray...)

And then they go and CHANGE THE RULES at the last minute, so 3 can go to the end and not the 2 that actually won the challenge. They even held the hand of the one that should have lost, and he still did badly, but still he advances. Now, WHY would they do that? Hmm, COULD IT BE, COULD REALITY TV BE RIGGED?? Shut YOUR MOUTH!! NO WAY!!

Then the brainiacs at the food network accidentally update their website with not only the WINNER(3 days early) but the name of the winner's new show!! (BIG DADDY'S HOUSE - are you freaking kidding me????) They fixed it, but you know, its forever on cyber-space now, you can't take it back.

Yeap, its the one they held the hand of, changed the rules for, and babysat to the bitter end. If you wanted him, just pick him and not make a fake contest the wasn't really a contest because the winner was pre-determined, alright? Now i feel had, and hell's going to have to freeze over before i watch his show, and i'm feel very chilly towards food network in general right now.

And lets not even bring up what they did to Mr Dinner:Impossible. I LOVED him. Come on, show me Rachel's resume.

Iphone - i don't get it

2008-07-14T12:50:00.005-05:00

So, Phillip works near an Apple store, and i had jokingly asked if he was going to get in line at 8 to get me a new 2nd gen iPhone. He laughed at the notion that there would be people in a frenzy over it - after all, it was only a 2nd gen. Iphones had been out for a while.

And the 3G network was the only difference and i have a 3G Blackjack, and let me tell you, it is so NOT ready for prime time. I don't ever make it through a call without at least 1 drop, so until the 3G cells get more coverage around here, its no big attraction.

Well, he was WRONG. there were tons of people in line. And the bad part is, you couldn't just walk in and get one and hook it up at home ( like he did on the 1st gen) its a good 30 minute activation process for each and every customer. It was a hot day here friday, the line was still there when he went by at lunch, and people were getting a bit RIPE. (Stinky) They were still there at 5 when he went home.
Here is the line at 5 - notice the door is around the corner. Also, if it takes each person 30 minutes, how many minutes are in the line ahead of you??

all for a 2nd gen phone? I mean, its nice and all, even with the plastic back instead of the metal one, and oh yeah, how pissed are they going to be when the 3G drops them like it does me..... hmm, perhaps it will speed up getting some decent cell coverage around here and my blackjack won't feel like such a boat anchor.

Oh, and I'm not saying the iPhone doesn't rock - it totally does. But why do you need it day one, when you could have had one any time over the last year (up until June, when they stopped selling the 1st gen) with a better backplate, a better activation system, and a more reliable (around these parts anyhow) network? I'm so hoping Phillip decides to upgrade, I'd take his old one in a heartbeat.

4th of July

2008-07-14T10:46:00.002-05:00

We went to Phillip's Uncles Lake house for 4th of July. The girls had a blast, they played in the pool, they played in the lake, they rode a "hot dog" pulled behind a boat, they rode a see-do with their Uncle, they fished for a little bit, they played with sparklers, they rolled down hills................. I pretty much just followed them around making sure they didn't drown while fetching food and drinks. (the catfish was great, but the Brisket was Awesome!!) Phillip's Aunt and Uncle were wonderful hosts.

Here are a few of the pictures from that day.

A suprise gift!!

2008-07-08T11:11:00.003-05:00

My sweet H got me one of these nifty puppies! Now I can slice up a freaking storm. Its really very nice, and I love me some kitchen gadgets.

A few weeks back i tried a "shortcake" by my friend Kari. I didn't make enough crust, and I think I like it more like a pie crust and less like a shortcake - but the flavor of the filling was GREAT. Thanks, Kari. Documented, as requested. ;)

A Turduken - You're kidding right?

2008-07-02T08:37:00.003-05:00

Ok, so i have nothing even close to a Gourmet palate, but I've been enjoying this show - the Next Food Network's Star. These people are seriously talented cooks and they are putting them through the wringer. Its brutal!! LOVE IT.

The one I watched last night ( DVR, don't ask me when it really aired) the Bon Appetite people wanted then to make " difficult food accessible" - and the 3 they choose pretty much reminded me why I never buy Bon Appetite. A beef wellington, A Coq Au Vin, and a TURDUCKEN. A what? A Turducken, a chicken stuffed in a duck stuffed in a turkey. OKAY. I've heard of this one. And it was a Frank Calliendo parody of John Madden, and i SERIOUSLY THOUGHT that Frank made up this ridiculous dish. Nope, its real. I'm not sure if I feel bad that i didn't know it was real or not.

Anyhow, I will never, never, never make a turducken. Even if it is 'easy' and that is a pretty loose use of the term

It must be memory lane day

2008-06-30T09:48:00.002-05:00

Well, since Ellie May did it, I felt inclined to do the same. What, me be a copy cat? Well, I guess so.....

In the 60's. My father and my future father in law worked together on the F1-11. We all ended up in Fort Walton Beach when I was 3 and my brother and future husband were 8. I have to wonder what the heck my mom was thinking with the bubble monstrosity she put me in. Ugh. You can see my friend Joy wondering the same thing.

My favorite aspect of this picture is the fact that my brother and husband still sport the same hairstyles....

Misc Monday ramblings

2008-06-23T08:12:00.002-05:00

You know, when the kids changed schools and friends, it didn't dawn on me right away that i would miss their mom's too. I liked the Mom's from school 1, and school 2. I remember K1's first birthday party at school 3 and not only was she feeling a bit out of sorts, i didn't know the moms at all! Lonely!!!

So, many of the Mom's from school 2 hang out poolside at the rec center - at least I've run into them twice so far. Its been so nice.

On the "try something new for the weekend" we tried the Beer margaritas.

Oh yes, they were tasty. Oh yes, they were STRONG, deceptively strong. I think i may have to 1/2 the tequila next time. Yowsa.

On an interesting note - no tequila headache the next morning. Not even a twinge. hmmm..

Gosh, I really like where I live.....

2008-06-17T07:53:00.002-05:00

Over the last few years, we've been in flux. And it has probably affected K1 the most, as she has had 3 elementary school changes. (but all pretty close together) Each change i have agonized over - "will she like the new school - will she find friends?" and As K2 got to school age - the same questions. (only 2 changes for her)

But now, i really think all things are starting to "gel" in a super good way.

Yesterday was K1's first day in summer school ( a gifted program for the city, so it brings many elementary school kids together) In her first period, there were kids from school 3 and school 2. In second period, her best buddy from school 2, and in third period, a girl from school 1 who was in her girl scout troop. How cool is that?

Then we were to MCDonalds and ran into kids from school 3 ( our neighbor). After that to the rec center and ran into K1's good friend from school 1 and K2's good friend from school 2. Seems like its all worked out pretty well.

Oh, and I did try the "work out while the girls swim in the pool below the window" thing. There are 6 lifeguards and for the most part, i could see the kids from the stepper. It worked out well!

Funny thing is they were spotted by one of my most overprotective friends as "unsupervised". Thinking back to my childhood where I ran around unsupervised from the age of 4 and up - its amazing i survived. :)

Summer Fun

2008-06-13T09:53:00.004-05:00

So summer has begun!

We've joined a wonderful rec center near by with awesome indoor and outdoor pools.

We've gone to a baseball game

Summer school is starting - just for the month of June

And of course - lots and lots of swimming.

looks to be a busy summer!

I'm tired already -- right doggies??

A Room with a View - What the....?

2008-06-11T08:49:00.006-05:00

Ok, there was a sleepover, and I was trying to outlast the kiddos (foolish, I know) so I started watching a Masterpiece theater adaption of one of my favorite movies - A Room with a View. It was on PBS a few weeks back and was sitting on my DVR taking up space.

*Backstory* - the 1985 Merchant/Ivory film of "A Room with a View" - has got to be one of my favorite movies. I've watched it many times. I've got the VHS and the DVD, I've bought the book (but it still sits waiting to be read) - so I'm not to keen on a new version to start with but I figure "what the heck".

So it starts off with her in Italy alone. What? Where is Charlotte? I am confused. Then you kind of figure out that she is older, and she is alone. hmmmm. Then we flash back to the story i know. Ok. I let it go.

The new Lucy - she's good. I like her. The new George - he's got pretty big Julian Sands boots to fill - and he's a bit of a..., ok - he's a HUGE nerd. On a scale of 1-10 for romantic lead, I'm feeling a 2 - TOPS. He's the son of the guy who plays a believable rat in Harry Potter for goodness sakes. Ok, I let that go.

Then comes the big "kiss in the wheat field"- the most romantic part of the movie - and he misses her lips and hits her chin. (i watched it twice to be sure) ok - not even a good kisser and it bothers me. They must have done many takes and that was the best they could do? *sigh* Ok, I let THAT go.

So, then it goes on like it has before. Except at the end - they show them reuniting together when George is lying in the pond in a pool of blood. He sits right up, so I suppose it wasn't serious - but I am baffled. Was he trying to kill himself? Was this in the book? No explanation.

Next scene - they are in Italy again like the other movie - but her hair is long. hmm.

They switch from this scene to a dark scene of a dead George on a random battlefield. What? What? What? Was he a soldier? When the heck was this? What?!? Again, no explanation.

Then we see the Short haired Lucy (aha!) mourning him. And in her efforts to mourn him, she hooks up with the carriage driver from the earlier scene where she and George first kiss. RIGHT. She's moved on. Lovely. NOT. We spend the whole movie waiting for them to get together, and after a 10 second flash that he is dead we are ready for her to date. I don't think so!!

I thought perhaps this was in the book, and i was suddenly quite glad i had never read it. Turns out all this flash back crap was added by the guy who adapted the book based on some after the fact musings of the author - which from what i have read, seems debatable.

Seems someone asked him how they thought Lucy & George would turn out and he said they had a few kids and he died later on in the war. And you know - he might have just been having a bad day and was tired of the freaking question. I don't think he intended the end of this movie to be a complete downer with her flirting with the carriage driver. Just ruined the WHOLE.DARN.THING.

So, this version promptly got deleted from my dvr never to be replayed. Bleh.

The Boston Globe seems to agree with me:

This room looks on a different view

A Flickr Meme

2008-06-10T09:23:00.004-05:00

Saw this on a few sites, you know i got to try it for myself:

a. Type your answer to each of the questions below into Flickr Search.
b. Using only the first page, pick an image.
c. Copy and paste each of the URLs for the images into fd's mosaic maker.

The Questions:
1. What is your first name? - Lorie
2. What is your favorite food? - Shrimp - one of many favorite foods
3. What high school did you go to? - South Garland
4. What is your favorite color?- Purple
5. Who is your celebrity crush? - hmm, changes daily - today Eric Bana
6. Favorite drink? - Red wine
7. Dream vacation? - Fiji
8. Favorite dessert? - chocolate cheesecake
9. What you want to be when you grow up? - Happy? :)
10. What do you love most in life? - my kids, and their dad
11. One Word to describe you. - protective
12. Your flickr name - Lorie G

With every addition - there comes a subtraction

2008-06-10T09:01:00.003-05:00

Last Wed the Girls got out of school, and we took a few days off to just have some fun. We saw Kung Fu Panda and Indiana Jones ( and ate lots of popcorn). We went swimming a few times at this awesome rec center near us. We ate out a few times, we had sleepovers, we shopped a bit - just a busy fun time.
We also lost one of our rodents. Her Name was Fluffy and she was K2's guinea pig. She got sick and went down fast. Very sad.

In other news, Sawyer is doing great. He was missing from his spot on the tile the other night and he was located in K2's bed upstairs. (she was sleeping on the couch, which she likes to do on weekends, so i have no idea what attracted him) I think he is feeling comfortable.......

Please tell me they are joking...

2008-05-29T10:10:00.002-05:00

So, economy is not so hot. People aren't spending so much money on clothes, and Sears is going to attract people with a line of "relaxed and sexy" children's clothes designed by LL Cool J? (yes, i did just say SEXY and CHILDREN in the same sentence)Yeah - good decision.

In the interest of trying new things

2008-05-27T10:24:00.008-05:00

I've been looking for a few new things to do for dinner. So, in the past few weeks i've tried a few internet finds (where i find 95% of my recipes)

For Mother's day - i tried out this spinach quiche - it was yummy
Spinach Quiche

Last week - I experimented with a black bean/beef burrito for a quick dinner. The kids both ate 1 and My H also ate it - so I'll label it a success (the girls griped a bit, but they gripe about pretty much anything that isn't pizza)
Black Bean and Beef Burritos

Last night I tried The Pioneer Womans "best lasagna EVER" - and I have to admit - it had wonderful flavor. K2 ate so much she was ill - so that was also a success.
Best Lasagna Ever
Its more meaty than my usual lasagna - so now I'm torn on which to do, it i were to do one.... My usual is quicker so that might be the deciding factor:
Barilla Lasagna

I also bought everything to do a homemade hummus - can you believe it, I found tahini at WALMART? I hope to do that this afternoon for a snack.
Hummus

Edit:
I finally did the hummus. The first day - didn't like the taste - something missing. Decided to let it "merge" in the fridge. Two days later, it tasted like i expected. Or perhaps i was starving? anyhow - let it sit over night.

A slow week

2008-05-21T11:01:00.002-05:00

Not much going on this week. The big dog, who had a cold, is recovering and adjusting. He is not as docile as he was in the beginning, but he is still extremely good natured. And much better trained than the little dogs. H got him groomed and dipped last week so he smells better too. Sawyer LOVES the backyard and chasing squirrels. Many times he doesn't want to come inside. We got him a dog house, but so far the girls are in it more than he is. We also tried to get him a bed inside but he seems to prefer the cool tile.

The girls are getting ready for summer - i can't believe the school year is almost up!

An addition to the menagerie

2008-05-14T10:19:00.003-05:00

My H has always had a thing for big dogs, and over the years he has brought home more than one. And usually we end up having to find new ( and sadly better) homes for them for various reasons. But that thing about big dogs - well, it persists.

And I have to blame his cousin a bit for this, as last September she put a bug in his ear about the possibility of a well trained dog failing training and coming to live with him sometime in March. I agreed because it would be a well-trained dog. Well, March came, and well trained dog passed. So, no big dog after all. (or so I thought)

Friday he comes home with a picture of a big dog whose time is soon to be up at the SPCA. Of course, he shows it to K2 who readily starts promising all the chores she would do "for no money" if the dog was saved by us. I ask H - "is getting a big dog inevitable?" - Yeah, it is. I'm also remembering how he didn't really bat an eye when I drug home two rescued kittens from the shed behind work. So, we talk and agree to "go look at him" tomorrow.

After K2's basketball game (they won!) We head north to the SPCA. We walk in and are asking if we just walk back to look at the dogs when the lady says to H - "Oh, are you back to look at Sawyer AGAIN?" - haha - He's BUSTED.

So, they go get Sawyer and bring him to the "get acquainted room" and K2 throws her arms around his neck in a hug like she had finally found some treasured long lost friend. You know, if I didn't know it was all over before, it surely was now.

Yes, we have a big dog. He's pretty sweet. Mostly mellow, but BIG, and i mean BBBBBBIIIIIGGGGG. (Newfoundland/Lab mix, heavy on the Newfoundland)

The other two dogs had to give him a nip to show who was boss ( yes, the little dogs are boss) and after that all has been fine between the 3 of them. The cats hiss at him and then sniff at him when he is asleep, but no fights. So all good there, too.

he really likes me, for some strange reason - cause I'm still working on being a big dog person. He must have belonged to a woman ( and no, we don't know his story)

I also have a Ravelry Addiction

2008-05-07T10:17:00.002-05:00

In my quest to finally learn to knit, I joined a website called Ravelry to help inspire me ( and give me tips!)

Well, instead of inspiring me to knit, it keeps tempting me with crochet.(which I have been doing, although not really well, for many years) So now I've seen more crochet things than I could ever HOPE to finish. But it is fun!

I'm currently doing a "Circles In Squares" Afghan. It is in "Jumptown colors" and I hope one of the girls will claim it. IF I finish it - that is. I'm still uncertain on the "sew it all together" line - I mean, that's quite a leap.

If you join Ravelry - look me up!

I have an Etsy Addiction....

2008-05-05T11:05:00.003-05:00

I love this site called Etsy (www.etsy.com) where you can look at all the homemade crafts ( my pusher *ahem* I mean friend who led me to this site shall remain nameless)

My problem isn't that I buy a lot of crafts, but i want to figure out how to make just about everything i see. "how do they do that?" and more importantly "how can I do that?!?!" Then i research how it is done and start trying to figure out how to convince my kids to go to a craft store (i usually fail miserably on this step... which is probably a good thing)

It's a Different World....

2008-05-02T10:37:00.003-05:00

K1 has COMPLETELY BONDED with another girl from her class, also a K, hmm K3? (gosh - i'm so original) I'm really pleased because they get along well, and share a love of school.

The part that cracks me up - and is such a new experience for me - is they are now comparing book notes. K1 will come home and announce that her friend "has read this book, and says its the best ever, and she MUST READ IT NOW" - heh. And she will pester until she gets it. So, i usually let her drag her father out to Barnes & Nobels that evening on the quest for the BEST BOOK EVER. (the first time it was "The Diary of the Wimpy Kid", then it was all the Royal Diaries,....)

This week is is some thing strange called "Tokyo Mew Mew" ?!? And she tells me it is a comic book - and it is THE BEST EVER, and of course - IT MUST BE LOCATED - and how soon can we go to a comic book store? I compromise on Half Price Books because "hey - they have comic books", and not to mention her sister has suddenly seen the light and started reading. (can you hear the angles sing?) K2 is "a big fan" of the Magic Tree House books - just starting this week after getting 2 from Grandma - and she wants more - gasp- so, I'm getting as many as she will read and i know Half Price books has a shelf full of them.

So, we get about 5 Magic tree house books, and i walk over to the comic book section. But K1 says 'NOT THOSE, its this backwards book thingy' - oh brother, I'm in over my head here. But on the side shelf under the comics books - THERE IT IS. It is a book, and you read it backwards, and it is in the "Manga" section. Manga? *sigh* - there is another new word for me. (japanese comic books, apparently)

I'm a bit bothered because some Japanese Animation - well - isn't exactly 3rd grade appropriate. But she shows me the "4 kids" sign on the back and not the '17+' on a similar looking one i had picked up in the same section.

So, now I've learned about Magna and that Tokyo Mew Mew is about an 11 year old crime fighting super heroine and how the A LA MODE book we found wasn't the best, and oh yeah - she can get them on Amazon if she can talk her Dad into it.....

First Basketball game

2008-05-02T09:16:00.002-05:00

K2 had her first basketball game this past weekend. They lost, but she scored several points (at least 10). For her first time, i thought that was pretty GREAT. She is having fun, and that is the best part.

Kids.....

2008-04-29T11:52:00.002-05:00

In December, we had a massive leak in our front yard (the main water line broke - due to tree roots) And within a few months of getting that fixed, I noticed standing water in almost the same spot. Did it break higher up? Are we ready to pay for that again???

So, this weekend Phillip finally dug down to find out what was leaking. This time it was the sprinkler system and not the main line. Whew! Of course, it was the roots of the same tree.

He had hole digging helpers - until they discovered earth worms. Then the help was all over.....

We've been sick

2008-04-23T14:00:00.003-05:00

And that is a story in itself. Feeling better after anti-biotics.

Ok - so here is the story:
K2 started getting chills last Tuesday night. She had the sniffles and compained that her nose hurt. I am thinking "sinus infection". H was at the Stars game (the one where they lost - he's a jinx)

When Wed morning comes I am not surprised that she feels bad and doesn't want to go to school. I am a bit surprised, however, that she is running around 103 temp.

No school for her and a quick trip to the Dr. When we get to the Dr, she sits down. I go to give them her new insurance card. She starts moaning and walks over to me, i turn to tell her to please sit back down and rest and she proceeds to spew all over the lobby. Nice. GROSS. Poor thing.

We are shown a room RIGHT AWAY! lol. She tells the nurse her throat hurts ( no surprise, she has just hurrled in the lobby - a really nice lobby, or it was) So, they swab her.

By the time the Dr come in the results show that she has strep, which is good - because that is an automatic antibiotic and not the "wait and see if she gets worse" diagnosis that makes me irritable. We can treat her and she can start getting well.

She then throws up on the Dr. Poor things.

It took 2 good days of antibiotics to kick the fever. By Friday, she was bouncing off the walls and back at school. Thank goodness for good medicine. (and the $4 rx at wal mart)

Dogs will be dogs, cats will be sneaky

2008-04-15T09:25:00.003-05:00

When we moved, the girls were NOT HAPPY to have to change schools. So we bribed them with the promise of a dog once we had a house with a backyard. This worked pretty well. The girls wanted either a Chihuahua or a Dachshund or maybe even a Chi-weinie (a cross between the two). Well, after the move came and the time came and the conditions were right and looking at what was available and in our budget - we ended up with 2 Manchester Terriers. They looked close to what the girls wanted, they looked sturdy and playful, and they were ready right then.

Manchester Terriers, according to Wiki - were bread to be rat killers and rabbit chasers.

Where is this going? Well, last night they lived up to their breeding.

I let them out for a last "break" before bed and they took off with a growl and a shot ( not all that unusual). After putting the kids to bed, I came back to let them in and they didn't show up at the door (unusual) . Then only Gracie showed up - Belle was not coming. Then I see her running around the yard with something big dangling out of her mouth. GROSS.

As I'm yelling at her to "drop that this INSTANT and get in here". Jasper, the big fat yellow cat, sees his chance and escapes between my legs. He's been trying to break out for the past few weeks and has been stepping up the campaign - and we want him to be an indoor cat, thankyouverymuch.

So, I'm yelling at the dog, yelling at the cat, and yelling at my husband - who is doing taxes so you know HE'S in a good mood - bleh!!

We get the dogs to drop it and put them in their crate for the night. Phillip gets the cat ( he doesn't go far - especially not after i open a can of food) And we locate 1/2 a bunny in the back yard. Just the back half. YUCK.

This morning Gracie went outside and located the other 1/2 of the bunny. I could tell because the girls were shrieking at the tops of their lungs. (they tell me she had it by the ears)

So, bunnies - beware our backyard!!

What? Me kill a bunny? Never! Look at my innocent face!

Now why would i want to escape? And who are you calling fat??

April Showers bring.... April Flowers

2008-04-11T13:47:00.002-05:00

I planted these bulbs really late in the season. I figured they wouldn't grow, or maybe the squirrels would eat them (they did dig up several) so i didn't do a very good job. I just threw them in to existing pots and around a tree one afternoon.

Much to my surprise, green shoots came up. Even bigger surprise when there were blooms. Yea! I love spring.

Well Its a good thing....

2008-04-10T13:36:00.004-05:00

...that we moved the king bed inside. This week has been late night storm-o-rama. Which means two kids in the bed more than once this week. I was glad for the extra space! Last night they claim we had 70 MPH winds! It sure sounded bad. And lots of lighting. We came out of it intact, but many trees in my neighborhood didn't do so well. I only got one clear picture on my drive in.

There was also lots of power outages ( the 7-11, banks and walmart on the corner, as well as a few gas stations and intersections)

We only had 1 power flicker, so we really were very lucky.

Ch ch ch ch Changes

2008-04-07T09:02:00.004-05:00

This weekend we moved furniture. Or, H moved furniture and I guided it around corners a bit. We've been talking about moving our Queen bed upstairs to a quest room and then the King bed that has been in our garage since the move would go in our bedroom. But the King is pretty darn heavy - so it hasn't been a quick decision. If it weren't for the headboard, which we both love, we probably would have abandoned it long ago. I found a picture on line:

Well, SOMEONE heard one of our discussions and decided the bed upstairs would become hers (K1) - the girls were sharing a room with a bunk bed that had been pulled apart.

So, she started pushing us for action. Now, the girls have a two room arrangement where they slept in one and had their toys in another. The two rooms are attached with a bathroom. I always knew the day would come where they would go to separate rooms, I just didn't know it would be so soon. Neither did K2 - she was not happy about her big sister abandoning her to "her own room".

So, this weekend we put the Bunk beds back together, moved the Queen upstairs to the toy room, and moved the king out of the garage and into our room. It all fit nice.

And the only one unhappy is K2 - even though she scored the bigger room, with the largest closet, with the ability to sleep on either level of the bunk - she's "lonely". Her sister made her a few "free passes" to sleep with her ( ha!) but apparently last night wasn't on the free pass list because she ended up in our bed. Perhaps tonight she will make it on her own.

Its hard to be the little sister.

Some things worked , some things didn't

2008-04-04T11:42:00.004-05:00

Well, the crochet lesson went about how I thought it would. Both girls were frustrated and in tears within minutes. *sigh* They did finally get a decent chain going, but K1 refuses to pull the hook, and moves the thread over the end instead. Ok for a chain, not ok when taking the next step. I figure if she works with it a little while longer she might get a better feel on it by herself.

Basketball was a huge hit and K2 did great. She was SO SO SO SO SO excited. Beyond excited. And she's pretty good, if i do say so myself (and I do)

This morning K1 and I created the Budget Brunette Version of Marie Antoinette in a summer frock. K1 was happy, and that was the most important part - oh, that and I didn't have to dish out a couple hundred for a vintage costume. I mean, come on - its just third grade and only worth 10 points. Heh. ( i was secretly hoping for Sally Ride, as we have a NASA shirt, but no such luck)

Now I've Gone and Done It

2008-04-03T10:50:00.002-05:00

Two big things coming up today. My Youngest has joined her first extracurricular basket ball team, and both girls want to learn to Crochet. TODAY.NOW.GET WITH IT MOM.

So, i have some larger hooks and we are going to try the Chain stich today after homework. Should be interesting.

Also tomorrow older daughter has to dress up like the VIP she is writting a paper on. Her VIP is Marie Antionette. Being that it is NO WHERE NEAR Halloween, a costume has been hard to find. We found some long hair ringlets, a necklace, gloves and a fan so she is satisfied. Her dad wanted to put fake blood on her neck, which I thought was a great idea, but she is missing the humor of it and gave us both the "look". As in "you poor people don't understand a thing".

Movie Meme

2008-03-28T07:55:00.005-05:00

Others have done a movie meme so i decided to give it a try. If for no other reason than to try to remember what films i have enjoyed over the years. Defining 10 favorites would be too hard for me. I'd feel bad for the movies i forgot.

Here's the rules of the movie quote meme.

1. Pick 10 of your favorite movies.
2. Go to IMDb and find a quote from each movie.
3. Post them on your blog for everyone to guess.
4. Strike it out when someone guesses correctly, and put who guessed it and the movie.
5. Looking them up is cheating, please don’t.

1)
L: I have to go. They trust me.
E: Why should they, when you deceived everyone, including yourself?

2)
W: You fool. No man can kill me. Die now.
E: I am no man. - LOTR #3 - The Return of the King - Mary P got this one

3)
~~Walking around like regular people. They don't see each other. They only see what they want to see. They don't know they're dead.~~ - The Sixth Sense - Lori got this one

4)
I just found out, that a girl got killed here last week, and you knew it! You knew there was a shark out there! You knew it was dangerous! But you let people go swimming anyway? You knew all those things! But still my boy is dead now. And there's nothing you can do about it. My boy is dead. I wanted you to know that.

5)
~~I tried to think of the most harmless thing. Something I loved from my childhood. Something that could never ever possibly destroy us. Mr. Stay Puft!~~ - Ghostbusters - Mary P got this one

6)
E: You must change or you will catch a cold.
M: What care I for colds when there is such a man.
E: You will care very much when your nose swells up.
M: You are right. Help me

7)
Listen, strange women lyin' in ponds distributin' swords is no basis for a system of government. Supreme executive power derives from a mandate from the masses, not from some farcical aquatic ceremony. - Monty Python and the Holy Grail

8)
You Americans, you're all the same. Always overdressing for the wrong occasions.

9)
Careful, Jane. I can push the button any time I like.
Jane: Baby, you couldn't find the button with both hands and a map.

10)
Mom: Where are you going with those fireworks?
B: Well, the Protector got super-accelerated coming out of the black hole, and it, like, nailed the atmosphere at Mach 15, which, you guys know, is pretty unstable, obviously, so we're gonna help Laredo guide it on the vox ultra-frequency carrier and use Roman candles for visual confirmation.
Mom: Uh, all right, dinner's at seven.
[B exits. Mom turns to a dubious Dad]
Mom: Well, he's outside. - Galaxy Quest - Mary P got this right

Ode to SimTower

2008-03-26T10:33:00.004-05:00

SimTower - oh how i loved this game. Pre-kids i wasted far too much time on it. Creating my elevators, hotel rooms and business offices. Watching the maids clean and sometimes a *gasp* call-girl would visit the hotel rooms. It was greatness.

I read it might come out for the DS this summer. If so - I'm THERE

Easter, St Pats, Birthdays, Anniversarys, Spring Break - all in 1 week

2008-03-24T13:36:00.003-05:00

We've been busy! First we had Kristen's 8th birthday, and on the same evening we had Phillip's parent's 50th Anniversary party. It was a lot of fun, but curse the free flowing bar and my tendency to be a chatty lush. *sigh*

Then we had Spring break which included St Patricks Day and Good Friday. Whew! The kids got to go to Grandma's, Gabbys, and had sleep overs at other kids houses as well as our own. Exhausting!!

Then the weekend came with the Easter festivities of dying eggs, a visit from the Easter Bunny and a very nice Brunch with family. Delicious!!

Not to mention, spring has sprung and the weather is improving. Yeah!

I need a nap!

March Snow in Texas

2008-03-18T11:46:00.005-05:00

The weather around here has always been crazy. I remember the old saying "if you don't like the weather in Texas, wait a minute". Which couldn't be more true last week. On Sunday we were in shorts, by Monday - there was SNOW. On Tuesday it was back in the 70's. By Thursday HUGE amounts of snow. BIZARRE. But, the kids had a blast, with what little we had. Since the weather had been so warm, it melted pretty much as soon as it hit. By Friday the streets were clear and all back at school - RATS!

Finger Knitting

2008-03-13T13:44:00.000-05:00

I learned how to crochet in Elementary School, and after many, many false starts, i think i am finally getting the hang of Knitting. I really, really wanted to learn how to knit.

I also wanted to find a way to get my girls interested, but they resisted. They tried the loom for a bit, but became frustrated. Then I happened upon this on YouTube - two girls not much older than my own finger knitting. My Oldest daughter watched it twice, and started finger knitting like crazy. She showed her little sister and at least 4 girls in her class at school. She came home telling me they've formed a "finger knitting club", and has shown people on the bus how to do it. She is worse about her stash of yarn than any full blown knitter I have seen, and now i can get her to go to the store if i promise her a ball of string ( she prefers the cotton Peaches and Cream ) Too funny.

Anyhow, if you have kids - this worked better than i ever expected

My first Blogger Post

2008-03-13T13:38:00.001-05:00

Well, I've posted off and on for a while on LiveJournal (well - more off), but I always wanted to try out the blogger (i've been envious of others ability to link, and i just couldn't figure out how to get that done on LiveJournal)

So, here is my new site. Perhaps I'll be a better blogger. heh