So Juicy

Spring is just around the corner and my favorite designer brand, Juicy Couture, is coming out with some oh-so-cute, gotta (eventually) have, new arrivals!

Baby Fluffy in Good Housekeeping
How cute is this purse?!? I have the bowler style bag right now in black, and I am starting to crave a new fun color for spring/summer. I am loving this size, too.

And these crop terry capris with snap-flap pockets do wonders for my butt! Seriously! I bought a pair of these in black last year, and they paired perfectly with all my dressy tops throughout the summer. I am loving the Ciocollato and Regal colors (although all the new colors are pretty cute). They are $100 per pair, so I figure I'd stick to the basic colors to get more wear out of them. Juicy tends to run a bit smaller, but I buy the crops in the petite size for the best fit (pants, I get the smalls for the extra length).

Any other Juicy fans out there? What is your must-have brand you like to splurge on?

* Update: Saw the Ciocollato color at Nordstroms and had to order a pair. Don't judge. Had to make sure I snagged a pair before all quantities ran out! :o) *

I am all over the giveaways today!!

Be sure to comment that I referred you though (please!!) - that's how you get extra entries!!

Please don't enter ... ha!

Entered the giveaway for this awesome Peek email/texting gadget. I am really wanting to win this, so please just ignore this little link. No need for others to enter. Ha, ha! Just joking!! Go check it out!!!

Be Still My Heart

Krispy Kreme. Original Glazed. I do a little dance every time I eat these heavenly little things.

My little man is 5 years old today, and we picked up a couple dozen of these babies instead of a birthday cake. That's how we roll.

LeeLou's Baby Shower Fun!

That's what I am talkin' about!

No, this is not personal. Just funny. Be sure to read the PS at the end.

To my darling husband,
Before you return from your overseas trip, I just want to let you know about the small accident I had with the pick up truck when I turned into the driveway. Fortunately it's not too bad and I really didn't get hurt, so please don't worry much about me.
I was coming home from Wal-Mart, and when I turned into the driveway I accidentally pushed down on the accelerator instead of the brake. The garage door is slightly bent, but the pick up fortunately came to a halt when it bumped into your beloved Ferrari.
I am really sorry, but I know with your kind-hearted personality you will forgive me. You know how much I love you and care for you, my sweetheart. I am enclosing a picture for you.
I cannot wait to hold you in my arms again.

Your loving wife
XXX


P.S. Your girlfriend called.

Couldn't help myself ... had to post!

Laughed so hard, I cried! A few of my fave bloggers have posted this, and I had to pass along the smiles! Enjoy!

I Love Jesus, but I drink a little ...

Ghost Whisperer, anyone?

I love this show. I love Jennifer Love Hewitt. I am NOT loving this new story line! I was absolutely pissed that Jim died (and bawled my eyes out when he did), but COME ON PEOPLE!!! Okay, so his spirit jumps into a dead guy's body and takes over a new life, but a) Jim is no longer hot in Sam's body, and the thought of Melinda and Sam together is so not right! and b) am I the only one that thinks this whole situation is STUPID!?! Ugh. So disappointing! I sure hope this soon passes. Move into the light, Jim, or at least go pick a hotter body to take up residency in.

I'm just saying.

If I Had A Girl ...

The first few months of my second pregnancy, I was just about convinced I was having a girl. My first trimester was way different than my first pregnancy, I had whenever sickness and would start dry-heaving at random moments throughout the day. My hypoglycemia acted up all the time, and I just wasn't sure what I was having (unlike with Maddox - I knew from the beginning I was having a boy).

To be honest, I had to convince myself that having a baby girl would be a good thing. You see, I am a simple girl. I am not high maintenance. I am easy-going, and hardly ever throw fits. As an adolescent and a teenager, I gave my parents a run for their money, and I definitely did not want a little diva running around our house! I loved my son, and had to prepare myself for ultrasound day if they announced a little girl. Hubby and I discussed names ... I liked Aubrey, he liked Taylor ... and I started searching for a nursery theme.

My friend, Betsy, is having a baby girl just a few days before my birthday this year, and talking with her as she prepares for Katie's arrival, I was reminded of the nursery set I had all picked out for my future daughter. To my relief surprise, I was preggo with my little man, Sean. No need for this adorable Glenna Jean Jitterbug set, but I'll admit that it was fun picking it out!

Keeping It Funny

Thanks, Em for making me laugh!!

A gynecologist had become so fed up with malpractice insurance and HMO paperwork and was burned out. Hoping to try another career where skillful hands would be beneficial, he decided to become a mechanic. He went to the local technical college, signed up for classes, attended diligently, and learned all he could.
When the time for the practical exam approached, the gynecologist prepared carefully for weeks and completed the exam with tremendous skill.When the results came back, he was surprised to find that he had obtained a score of 150%.
Fearing an error, he called the instructor, saying, "I don't want to appear ungrateful for such an outstanding result, but I wonder if there is an error in the grade."The instructor said, "During the exam, you took the engine apart perfectly, which was worth 50% of the total mark. "You put the engine back together again perfectly, which is also worth 50% of the mark." This equaled an A.
After a pause, the instructor added, "I gave you an extra 50% because you did it all through the muffler, which I've never seen done in my entire career.

~

And check out this funny post from Sassy Cass - my new blog friend!!

You are on the bus when you suddenly realize ... you need to pass gass. The music is really loud, so you time your gas with the beat. After a couple of songs, you start to feel better as you approach your stop. As you are leaving the bus, people are really staring you down, and that's when you realize, you have been listening to your ipod.

Scuurred

I love being tan ... I have a light olive skin naturally, but I still look pale and washed out in the winter. So you would think that vacationing in Cabo San Lucas, I would have come back with a delicious bronzing. Nope. I am not about to get cancer, so I 'tanned' with SPF 50. No joke. I did get some color - I had slight tan lines, but definitely not enough to convince anyone I had just gotten back from Mexico.

Tim and I had a big wedding event we attended this last weekend, and of course, I wanted to look my best all dressed up. So, after much deliberation, I decided to go get a spray tan. I was so worried I was going to turn orange, but was assured that I wouldn't.

I went to the local Suns Up Tanning Center (after a major exfoliation and shaving session in the shower) and learned the run-down as to what I was about to partake in. The cute little 17 year old tanning 'specialist' showed me all the moves I would be doing in this alien shower stall looking contraption, and all I could do was laugh thinking about the episode of Friends where Ross goes spray tanning.

All in all, everything went well. I did not turn orange, although I was a little concerned with my color within the first 24 hours, as you aren't supposed to shower. After I washed away the lingering solution, my faux tan looked very natural! I received a few compliments, too! For $30, it was worth the extra boost of confidence, but I am not sold on spray tanning on a regular basis. The color last about 5 days, and fades naturally, and I will definitly consider it again when need be, but for the most part, it still feels fake to me. I am just so thankful I didn't end up like Ross.

.

Where was Chuy?

In Cabo, I read Chelsea Handler's book "Are You There Vodka? It's Me, Chelsea." Throughout our vacay, my hubby kept checking in to see if the book was just as funny as Ms. Handler is in person (stand-up and on Chelsea Lately). I was actually disappointed. I didn't laugh as much as I was hoping, and I was even bored at some points. Sad, I know. I did have a few laugh out loud moments, but I was expecting more. She didn't even talk about her 'little nugget' who shares the book cover with her! Oh well. She is still a funny gal, just not in print.

Happy Birthday To Me!

My 28th birthday is in April (yes, that is why I have the same name - short story, tell ya later). Miss Britney Spears announced her tour and she happened to be doing a special concert just for me on my birthday in Las Vegas at MGM. And not only is she in concert on April 25th, but Pussycat Dolls are touring with her!! OMG!!! I am squealing like a giddy little teenager!

My AMAZING hubby just bought us tickets for the concert! We are going to Vegas for the weekend of my birthday, seeing Miss Britney and (my girl crush) Nicole Scherzinger, and partying without the kiddos!! I cannot even tell you how excited I am!! I absolutely love Vegas with my man, and the bonus birthday concert is going to be so awesome!!

So, who's coming to party with me?!? :o)

Going to the Chapel of Love ...

Actually, we've already been there, but I had to get that song going in your head while you view my wedding pictures! Ha, ha! I have had requests here and there, and seeing Jo-Lynne's post, motivated me to grab my album. I don't have a scanner, so I just took some pictures of my pictures.

So, here we are, married June 23, 2001. I was 20 years old, Tim was 23. We celebrated with 420 guests! We had a fun reception and were introduced as Mr. and Mrs. to 'Who Let The Dogs Out?' - oh the memories!

Now I hope I have inspired all of you to pull out your wedding pics and post a few for all to see!! :o)

Personal Ad

My friend Betsy emailed me this post found on our local Craigslist. It was too funny, so I had to share! Happy Tuesday!

To the woman that crapped in my car…
Reply to: pers-1007823954@craigslist.org
Date: 2009-01-25, 8:53PM

We met on Craigslist so I am hoping that this post finds you. I know that it could quite possibly be the most humiliating first date that you have ever been on, but I am willing to look past that.
I thought we had chemistry sitting at McMenamins sharing that basket of Cajun Tots while drinking the Terminator Stout. I really felt like there was a connection there. I found you to be intelligent and witty and looked forward to further conversation with you.
At some point in life, everyone has gambled on a fart and lost. It just happened to be on a first date in the passenger seat of my car. Please don’t feel bad. The package I sent you with Pepto the next day and the note that said “First dates are always a crap shoot. Call me” was meant to be funny, not offensive.
I have gambled on a fart and lost on multiple occasions. The first time I did it was very memorable. It happened when I was five and sitting on my uncle's lap. I am lactose intolerant, but love cheese. I probably win 95% of the time, but I don't think anyone wins 100% of the time. That's why they call it "gambling". I'm the last person to judge you for crapping your pants. In fact, I am impressed by your boldness. The timing on the other hand, could have been a tad bit better...like when you're not sitting on a heated leather seat...
What I am trying to say is that if you want to go out again, I would be more than happy to take you someplace where we can get a meal that is high in fiber and less taxing on the digestive tract.
I await your call,
Tad
P.S. - If you shat yourself on purpose to end the evening early…Touché…

Location: NE Portland
it's NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests
Original URL:http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/m4w/1007823954.html

Job Wanted

Raising my boys, and being blessed to be able to stay at home, is the most rewarding job anyone could have. I am so thankful and grateful that I have the opportunity to watch every moment of their lives. With my boys getting bigger, and elementary school just around the corner, I often dream of what the perfect job would be. Something part-time to keep me occupied while the kids are in school. So, I have come up with a few dream jobs that I would be willing to look at offers for. The salary would, of course, have to be comparable to that of a CEO of a prominent, high-earning company. We all know the job description of a mom and wife, and being I have yet to see a pay check, the job has to offer adequate compensation for all my life experience.

• Taste Tester - someone to cook for me with the only expectation that I give an honest opinion of the foods. I wouldn't have to clean up, or hear any complaints, or have to negotiate desserts with how many more bites have to be taken. Meals would be served at proper temperatures being I would be the first priority to sample, and the job would require sitting down at a table for the entire meal.
• Cleaning Inspector - walk around with my little white gloves on. Inspect closets, under beds, bathrooms, and kitchens making sure they are sanitized and organized to the highest of standards. Laundry to be inspected for proper stain removal and sock matching, and to be folded and organized neatly in their designated spaces.
• Personal Shopper - shopping at the mall all day, spending other people's money. I would be willing to accept shopping credits for this particular position. Strollers and children are not allowed during work hours, but lunch with the husband or girlfriends is highly recommended. Minimum of two Starbucks breaks are required each shift, and occasional massages will be assigned for employee well-being.

Hee, hee. It would be easier to win the lottery, but that's another post. It's fun to dream a little. :o)

New Obsession

Hawaiian Style Potato Chips

Sweet Maui Onion
Flying home from Cabo, I purchased these tasty little chips and fell in love! Now I am sitting in front of a party size bag and praying that I can stop myself before something unfortunate transpires (weight gain, upset stomach, whatever ...). It's a good thing the rest of my fam likes them too ... I seriously would need a mental evaluation if I ate all of these on my own!

Happy Monday!

Tagged ... on Facebook

This is currently going around Facebook, and I was tagged to participate. Thought I would share with my blog friends, too!!

25 Random Facts about April

1. I lived in South San Francisco, California for the first 10 years of my life, although I was born in Portland, Oregon.
2. My favorite color is purple. Boring fact, I know, but I have to come up with 25!!
3. I love the internet! Without it, I would seriously go crazy! Emailing, blogging, whatever - love it all!
4. I travel a lot with my family. We have done the Disney Cruise twice to the Bahamas, and traveled to many, many places. We take at least two big vacations a year and enjoy planning our destinations.
5. Favorite TV Shows - gotta include these! Ghost Whisperer, The Real Housewives of Orange County, Lipstick Jungle, 90210, Privileged, The Hills, The Secret Life of the American Teenager, In Plain Sight, The Closer, Without A Trace, and Law and Order SVU. Whew! My DVR is always recording! LOL!
6. My favorite subject in school was English and I loved to write!
7. If I had to go back to high school and do it all over again, I would have learned Spanish! I took a whole half of a semester, then dropped the class. It would be nice to be fluent in another widely used language! I have always wanted to learn Italian, too.
8. Food ... I love to eat! I am usually willing to try just about anything, and if something is really good, I'll do a little dance for the first bite or two. Seriously.
9. I am currently living with my family in the downstairs portion of my mom and dad-in-laws house. Hubby and I decided to rent our house out until the market picks up, and we wanted to relocate to get our boys into this school district. The downstairs is about 1500 square feet, so we are are in our own little apartment! I get along great with my in-laws, so this is going to be nice!
10. I love to go dancing! I rarely ever do though (not too big into the club scene), but when I get to, I love it!
11. I listen to rap, hip hop, r& b, and pop. I am not into the gangster stuff, mainly just what you hear on the radio. I am a big fan of Britney Spears, The Pussycat Dolls, T.I., and so many more!
12. My girl crush is Nicole Scherzinger from The Pussycat Dolls - she is so gorgeous!! Vanessa Marcil is my #2 ... such beautiful and sexy women!!
13. Tim and I were married on June 23, 2001. We dated for 2 1/2 years before we tied the knot, and we were both virgins on our wedding night!!
14. I have acrylic nails and my mom-in-law treats me to fills every few weeks! We love our girl time together at the salon!
15. Shopping. It's my thing.
16. I have a salty-sweet fetish, especially at the movie theater. If I have popcorn, I have to combine it with something sweet, like sour straws. I'll go back and forth switching between the two until I am full and satisfied.
17. I met my bff, Betsy, on myspace! When I moved to Gresham, I did a random search of moms in the area, saw Betsy's profile, and sent her a message. She replied and invited me to join MOMS Club of Gresham in which she was the vice president of at the time. I went to an open house, and her and I (and our two boys who are 9 months apart) became good friends! I have never had such an amazing friend, and I love her so much! We are un-biological sisters! LOL!
18. I am an ex-scrapbooker. So sad that my hobby came to an end this last year. I have no time to keep up, and with today's easy to do books online, I have given up my one time addiction! I have 16 completed albums.
19. I am French-Italian, and Germman with a tad bit of Irish and English. I only brag about my Italian roots though. Hee, hee.
20. I am an Italian girl who doesn't like wine! Gasp! I know, blasphemy!
21. My alcohol of choice is vodka. Classy, right? It's the only thing that doesn't give me a hangover the next day. Seriously! Tequilla will make me puke, Rum upsets my stomach and makes my head throb, and Whiskey is so nasty, I can't even get past the taste (or smell for that matter). Any fruit juice and vodka is my usual order ... martinis are fun, too.
22. My favorite movie of all time is Dirty Dancing. Nobody puts Baby in a corner!
23. My (paternal) grandma is one of the most important people in my life. She practically raised me growing up, and to this day, we still hang out every week. She is a very big part of my everyday life and at 85 years old, her and I love our lunch and shopping trips!! I love my gram!
24. I drive a 2007 Chevy Tahoe. I totalled the gold minivan this last year (don't judge - it had all the options!), and I love my SUV. It is uasually always dirty though - inside and out! I try to keep it clean, but my boys do a good job of messing it up!
25. I have to sleep on the right side of the bed (if facing the bed from the foot). Don't know why for sure, it just feels right.

Okay - this took for-evah to complete, so be sure to comment, people!! Ha, ha! Feel free to re-post one of your own, too!!

Mangia!

I am very proud of my Italian heritage. My paternal grandma (whom I have been very close to my entire life) is a wonderful little Italian lady. My Papa Tuddy (who is no longer with us) was French-Italian, and between the two of them, we would have amazing family meals together. I spent 10 years of my childhood growing up in South San Francisco, California and lived just a few short minutes from my grandparents house. I will always have the fond memories of visiting the little Italian bakery with my gram for the amazing foccacia bread (you all don't know focaccia the Italian way!), or eating homemade minestrone soup at The Garden Club, or walking into their home and immediately being offered something to eat (we Italians always have food on our minds). I would be served all of my favorites - anything from mush in the morning, to a simple piece of french bread with blue cheese, to grand dinners with multiple courses. My papa always had a cheese plate and french bread brought out after every dinner and our salads were always eaten after the meal (not before like restaurants serve - the roughage aids in digestion and cleans the palate) with the oil and vinegar mix my grandma made. My gram usually always made me green peas (frozen, not canned) as they were (and still are) my favorite. Anything from calamari steaks to fish dishes to pastas, my grandparents were geniuses in the kitchen! No other pasta sauce compares to my gram's homemade meat sauce, she has a famous Italian sausage dressing that can be stuffed into a turkey or ravioli shells, and ciopinno - oh the ciopinno! - a seafood stew we feast on once a year. Desserts were rather simple - a pie or some cookies (with all the food we ate at dinner, who had room for more?). My gram's cookie jar (that has been passed on to me), was always full of cookies. Usually the Mother's Cookies bag mix, or double chocolate sandwich cookies were the norm, and occasionally some Lorna Doone shortbreads (my grandpa's fave). One of my favorites though were the Stella D'oro Lady Stellas. These little Italian cookies were amazing and are now very hard to find. Every once in a while, my aunts or myself will stumble upon a random box or two at a store that normally doesn't stock them. When we find them, we clear the shelf! After all these years, Lady Stellas still taste the same as I remember from my childhood, although there are a few cookies that are no longer a part of the mix (like the mini biscottis, the sesame seed rolls, and the jelly thumbprints). This year is off to a great start - ciopinno on New Year's Day and a randomly found box of cookies found by my aunt at the local Rite-Aid. Buon Appetito!

Oh Baby!

I am frequently asked when baby #3 will be in the works. My response every time ... "Oh no! No more babies for us!" I am done having babies. I have been blessed with 2 healthy and happy boys, and that is good enough for me. I am content. I am satisfied. I am so thankful I ended up with boys! I don't know if I could have handled a girl - as a baby, absolutely! But come pre-teen, puberty and teenage years ... let's not even go there. I had wonderful pregnancies, gained over 80 pounds between the two of them, and absolutely adored the baby stages. I will quit while I am ahead. So unless divine intervention takes place, there will be no more kiddos in our future.

Here are my little guys just a few months old ...

Awww ... so sweet!!

The award states: "These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers. Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award."

Thank you so much to Elizabeth for such a sweet blog award!! I love blogging ... it has been such a fun and creative little outlet for me. I can't tell you how honored I am that people read and enjoy my blog each day. I love all the new friends I meet, and I adore all the comments! For those of you on my blogroll - I check in on you each day for my daily fixes! I love everyone's personalities and feel a part of your world. So thank you to all my friends, for all the comments, emails, and smiles! And thank you so much for this special little award - it made my day!! xoxo

Here are 8 blogs (per the rules, otherwise everyone would be getting one!) I am passing along some love to ....

The Pinkston Family (Jodee is awesome - I love her personality!)

Buried With Children (how this momma of 4 does it all, blogs, and stays sane, I will never know!)

This Momma's Musings (Miss AnnieBanannie is so funny!)

A Girl Named Timi (sometimes I laugh so hard that I cry - Timi is great!)

The Kovatch Website (my bff ... enough said!)

The Seifert's Diary of Life (such a sweetie!)

Grosgrain Garage (not sure if she has ever visited my blog, but I stalk Lisagh's daily - so talented!)

ClemsonGirl and the Coach (a fave among many ... I always love seeing what is going on in her world)

Catching Up

Sea of Cortez

Little Amigos

Yep - his latest tattoo is of me (from our wedding day)!!

x o x o
Had to post my hottie hubby

Sunset in Mexico

Pueblo Bonito Rose

Our resort

Pueblo Bonito at Sunset Beach

Sorry for the delay in updates ... getting home, and back to everyday life non-Mexico time has been a little crazy. Plus, minor, but completely frustrating internet issues has put a wrench in blogging. Comcast - if you are listening, this is not normal internet connection!!! Quit blaming websites and fix the issue!!

Okay - so Cabo was amazing!! Waking up every morning to warm sunshine is heaven! I am really glad to be back in the good old USA though. It's home. Our trip was a lot of fun and we did a whole lot of nothing! Relaxing, taking it easy - no stress or worries. The boys loved all the pool time, and just being outside really. The food was amazing, and it was just nice to not have to be doing something or having to be somewhere. I tried to work on a tan, but I am not willing to get cancer, so I 'tanned' with SPF 50 sunblock. Ha, ha! Not much color, a faint tan line, but oh well. Maybe I'll hit up the spray tanning place and hope I don't turn orange! Hee, hee. Here are a few pictures from our trip ... uploading pictures is a joke right now (only I am NOT laughing) with the wireless issues Comcast says doesn't exist, but I finally got some loaded on our family site and my facebook (if you don't have an account on facebook, you won't be able to view them there - so go sign up! It's free and fun and not like myspace!!). Hope everyone is having a great week!!

I'm leaving on a jet plane ...

... and I'll soon be home again (in much need of a good detox)!! LOL!! Updates tomorrow!! Have a great Monday!! :o)

Wish You Were Here! **updated**

Hello from sunny and warm Cabo San Lucas!! Just wanted to check in with a little update ... I have been working hard (on my tan), and have been over-exerting myself with strenuous activities (swimming, shopping, getting a pedicure). Hee, hee. We have been having fun, enjoying the relaxation and down time. The food is amazing and a very nice treat of not cooking has been adored! The boys are having a blast in the pools with Nana and Papa, and I am soaking in the sun!! Hubby got a 4-hand massage yesterday (yep, two therapists at one time!), and is always out in the hot tub off of our large patio. I will have lots of pictures to share when I get home. Other than being bitten by fire ants by the pool (those suckers sting and left me with 3 welts on my feet - which are now gone), I have been sipping on various vodka-infused drinks and iced tea, reading the Chelsea Handler book Tim got me for Christmas, and living it up while I can!
I hope everyone is having a great week ... lots of love!! xoxo

**Oh, and I forgot to mention the whale watching from our room ... so cool! Tim and his dad went marlin fishing today and caught a 9 footer! Tim caught it on camera. While they were out on the boat, they saw whales up close, dolphins doing acrobatics in the ocean, and flying fish. Mom and I went to a sister resort today to barter with the locals - the boys got superhero parachute thingies that are now just superheroes (cheap toys!), and I got myself a henna tattoo (cuz I can't commit to the real deal - ha, ha!!). We dipped our feet into the Sea of Cortez and had some fun on the beach. I don't know if I am going to be able to come home ... seeing the gorgeous ocean and feeling the warm sunshine every morning will be hard to leave.**

Cabo...here we come!

After a very looong weekend of packing and moving and unpacking and blah, blah, blah ... I am so excited to be getting up in just 3 lovely hours to head to the airport! Yes, I will be waking the boys up at 4am, dress them in their shorts and crocs, and head out of rainy and cold Portland to beautiful 80 degree weather in sunny Cabo San Lucas with my family! Aaahh ... relaxation!! We'll be gone a week, and I will try to update from my cabana (we'll see what kind of wi-fi we can find). Ha, ha!

I am feeling much better and finally kicked the annoying cough! My hubby looks like he got ran over by a bus, then hit by a train, so I know he will be enjoying this next week. Papa and Nana are taking us to their gorgeous timeshare, and I know we will all have a great time! I hope everyone has a great week ... leaving you with a couple pictures to drool over ... xoxo!!

Sending Some Love ...

I absolutely loved all the words of encouragement on my last post. I am feeling lots better (amoxacillian is my wonder drug!!) and I am so touched that you all sent your love! The packing is INSANE! You really don't realize how much crap stuff you collect over the years until it is time to pack it all into boxes. I am going to have an awesome garage sale in June!! Ha! My fantabulous hubby busted his butt tonight prepping for the big move tomorrow ... he may be somewhat paralyzed in the morning from all the furniture lifting he did on his own tonight, but he rocks! We are definitely looking forward to our Cabo trip on Monday - especially since our move will be complete!!
A quick shout out to my awesome friend, Sheri, who just started a blog!! We have been friends since our first day of kindergarten back in South San Francisco, and she is one cool chica!! She still lives in Cali and we don't get to see eachother all that often, so I am definitely excited to keep up with her more through her blog. Go show Miss Sheri some love and welcome her to the world of blogging!!

Sigh.

First a sinus infection. Went to the doctor again this morning .... two inner ear infections and a throat infection. Round 2 of antibiotics, amoxacillian this time. A house to pack and move. A trip to Cabo to pack for. Busy preschooler. Talking back toddler. A very exhausted me, losing momentum. Oy!

Up To No Fun

Not a whole lot of exciting things to blog about this week ... just packing. Since the housing market isn't any good right now, we have decided to rent our house out until it picks back up. We have been trying to sell for about a year with no luck, and we are trying to relocate to get Maddox into a specific school district out closer to the rest of our friends and family (we are currently about 25 minutes away). So, we are going to move in with my hubby's parents for a little while. They have a nice big house with plenty of room for us to intrude.
Packing is moving along. I am trying not to feel overwhelmed. So far, so good. We are heading off for Cabo San Lucas, Mexico on Monday, and I am just hoping we can get 95% of the work done before we leave. Check in on me in a few days and see how stressed out I am then! Ha, ha!
I am still workin' the Special K diet ... week one I lost a few pounds (probably helped to lose all the lovely water weight my period brought on), and I am doing well in week two. Sunday will be my official weigh in day ...
I hope everyone is having a great week!!

Driving along in my automobile ...

It snowed again tonight. The weatherman didn't warn us of the 2 inches we were getting. Maybe he didn't see it coming. Anyways, we were out driving the Tahoe today. I love my car. It has all the room I need for me and the boys and all our stuff. We got it back in June after I totalled the minivan (no one was hurt), and we got an incredible deal on it through a seller on eBay. A 2007 Tahoe, almost all options (no heated seats or sunroof), only 5,000 miles with the original 30K mile warranty, darker gray color (hubby is big on car colors), and such a great driving vehicle. Except in snow or ice. The Tahoe is only 2 wheel drive. I know what you are thinking ... who buys an SUV without 4wd? I do, because if road conditions required 4 wheel drive, then I would not be driving! And here in our part of Oregon, we would usually only need 4wd a couple days a year, and that is what the Hummer is for. Plus, for under $23k, who's being picky?
So, back to tonight .... we were driving home in about an inch of snow and ice, came around the corner in our neighborhood and proceeded up a small incline to reach our driveway. And the Tahoe stops, wheels spinning. Traction control light goes on, and the car all but shuts down. Tim puts it in reverse, hoping to gain some momentum, and tries again to get up this small hill. No luck. We try again, and again, and one more time. We then back track around the corner, and try one more time to pick up some rpm's to make it to our driveway .... come around the corner and spin 90 degrees. With neighbors now watching out their windows and on their front porches, my embarrassed hubby tries one last attempt and pulls closer to the curb (if we fail this one, at least it will look like we are just parking the car). Sure enough, we gain more traction and rev it up down our driveway (we live off of a private drive). Oy!
We can only imagine and laugh to ourselves what the neighbors were thinking as we are driving a big Chevy Tahoe that can't make it in an inch of snow. Hee, hee. Oh well.

I am tagging all of my readers!!!

That's right ... re-post this fun little survey I snagged from the funny and sweet, Miss Amy. Be sure to comment letting me know to check out your blog!!

Random Thoughts

Where is your cell phone? On the kitchen counter next to my purse

Your significant other? He might just be in the bath tub (but you didn't hear that from me!)

Your hair? Needs to be dyed soon ... dark chocolate, but right now it is up in a ponytail.

Your mother? German

Your father? French-Italian

Your favorite thing? Plural - shopping, eating, internet, traveling, etc ...

Your dream last night? I actually didn't go to sleep until 8am - didn't have time to dream before my boys woke me up!

Your favorite drink? Non-alcoholic: my complicated green tea latte or sweet tea Alcoholic: I am a vodka girl - no hangovers when you stick to vodka!

Your dream/goal? To be debt free - we will get there some day!

What room are you in? in my bedroom snuggled up in bed

Your hobby? Does shopping count? Photography (nothing professional, just my boys) and blogging

Your fear? Not being able to live long enough to see my boys grow older, and snakes! I swear one will kill me one day!

Where do you want to be in 6 years? Let's see - I will be turning 33, Maddox will be turning 11, and Sean will be 8 years old - HOLY COW! I will probably have a fun part-time job and loving life with my 3 guys!

Where were you last night? After dinner at my parents house, I was laying in bed all night watching TV (damn insomnia!)

Something that you aren't? Fake - I try to keep it real (and try to be nice at the same time)

Muffins? Tops only ... mmmmm!!

Wish list item? a new purse maybe

Last thing you did? Put the boys to bed and checked my email

What are you wearing? sweatpants and a long sleeve tee - comfy jammies!

TV? We have 5 in our house!!

Your pets? One very sweet and gentle Siberian Husky named Sadie Girl, and a tadpole with no name.

Friends? Of course, cuz I am cool like that!

Your life? is absolutely amazing! I am so blessed!

Your mood? I am so tired - I took some Nyquil because I am still sick and don't want to pull another all-nighter. This stuff knocks me right out!

Missing someone? Papa Tuddy (my grandpa) ... he died a long time ago, and it would have been so great to be sharing life with him today. He would have been amazing with my boys!

Smoking? Oh hell no!! Don't even get me started!!

Your car? My 2007 Tahoe ... love it! My hubby hit a huge piece of ice tonight though and busted something unber the front bumper. Sigh.

Something you're not wearing? Socks - I never wear them in bed!

Your favourite store? Gosh - too many to choose from!!

Your favourite color? Purple

When is the last time you cried? Probably when watching TV - I always get so caught up in the moment!

Who will repost this? I am hoping everyone (I need to stay entertained somehow!)

Where do you go to over and over? Maddox's preschool and shopping/out to eat with my gram

Person who messages you regularly? Text? Probably Miss Jackie the most.

Favorite place to eat? Stanfords, Panera, Nautical Nellies (a rarity - it's a steakhouse in Canada)

Place you'd like to be right now? In La La Land ... I am sooo tired!!

Kisses? Hershey's!!

Hugs? Bring them on!! The tighter the better!

Favorite music? Pop, hip hop

What did u get for christmas? Mayfaire Uggs, Northface jacket, clothes, Britney Spears CD, oh the list goes on and on ... I was spoiled!!

Are you sick of the snow? Say it with me: NO MORE SNOW, NO MORE SNOW!!

Favorite weather? Love the fall - not quite cold weather, not super hot ... perfect!! Also love the summer time - the warmer the better!! I hate being cold!

Never Say Never

I am now the proud owner of not just one, but TWO pairs of Uggs! My amazing hubby got me an awesome black Mayfaire pair for Christmas, and I seriously don't even understand why I dragged my feet for so long before getting these oh-so-comfy boots! I am lovin' them!! And extra thanks to all you girls out there who convinced me to try them!

So remember when I was debating the pros and cons? I couldn't get over the whole stuffing my bootleg jeans into the boots, which is my preferred style. Tim took me shopping the day after Christmas, and I set out to find myself a pair of (gasp!!) straight leg or ankle jeans to fit better into my boots. I know, I know ... I hate this style, but after getting a small blister on my ankle from my pant seam crammed into my boot and rubbing on my skin while walking around all day, I was ready to give in!! I didn't want to spend a lot on a pair of jeans that I was only going to wear with my Uggs, so after searching all day, good old American Eagle pulled through for me! Their after-Christmas sale was awesome to begin with, but then I found a cute pair of straight leg jeans that were mis-marked! These particular $49.50 pair were not supposed to be on sale, but the tag said $19.95. After convincing the sales girl, I got them at their marked price!! Yay!! They work out so much better, and make my Ugg wearing way more pleasurable!

Happy 2009 !!!

My 2008 resolution was to no longer drink pop (or soda, whatever you prefer to call it). I was pretty darn successful!! I'll have a sip here and there, but I haven't had a full serving for a little over a year now. I really don't miss it either. Root beer always tempts me in the summer time, but for the most part I no longer crave pop. Why did I decide to cut it out? With no nutritional values, I honestly was tired of being so bloated! Bleh!!
This year's resolution ... to get out of debt!! I really need to buckle down and not spend so much on unnecessary things. A very big goal that I would love to achieve!! What are your resolutions this year? Did you achieve your 2008 goals?

The Never-Ending Battle

Laundry! Here at the Baker House, there is always lots of it. I try not to let it pile up, but sometimes I can do up to 7 loads in a day!!! And that's just my laundry, and the kids laundry ... my hubby does his own! I don't separate colors, I don't have any bleach in the house, and I definitely don't iron (if it is wrinkled, throw it in the dryer for a few minutes). No special care fabrics here. My Juicy Couture are the only items that get a load all their own, and the two dresses I own go to the dry cleaners after their occassional night out. I keep it simple.

My current laundry soap of choice: Tide with Downy April Fresh
Favorite dryer sheets of the moment: Bounce with Febreze Spring & Renewal

Big Fat Check!

Okay, I promise this will be the last blog about good ol' ebates! I just wanted to share how much I earned this holiday shopping season by going through this simple and free site ... $77.68!!! Now I have to thank Jodee, Dana, and Jackie for signing up and making their first purchases ... I received extra cash bonuses for them using my email address aprilbaker23@yahoo.com as their referral!! I'll receive bonuses for the many others who also signed up when they make their first purchase (thanks, girls!). My check goes in the mail December 31st ... anyone else earn their shopping rewards?

Countdown to Cabo (updated)

Two weeks. 6 pounds. I accept your challenge Special K! It's a good thing I like cereal.

** Day One ... Not the best day to start my period AND a diet. Ugh! I ate my two bowls of cereal, and an extra 1000 calories or so. Not too bad for day one, but I definitely need to improve. The first couple days are always tough ... add an overdue period (I have an IUD, so there is no schedule there), and my crabby ass is HUNGRY!!! **

Wrappin' up December

My hubby started taking down the Christmas decor tonight. We are getting ready to pack up our house ... the housing market (as you all know) stinks right now, and probably will for another year or two, so we have decided to rent our house out (more on that later). Next week, we welcome 2009 and will soon be vacationing in sunny Cabo San Lucas, Mexico! This next year is looking fabulous already! We had a wonderful Christmas celebrating with family. I was absolutely spoiled, as were the kiddos. Here are a few pics from Christmas Day ... I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday!!

Time to open presents!

Ready for Nana and Papa's house!

Christmas 2008

Tried something new ...

... And will not be doing this again!! Every year during the holidays, I am on top of my game. I have all my presents shopped for, wrapped, and under the tree well before the week of Christmas. I would admire the holiday shopping frenzy from a distance, being I had nothing to stress about.
This year, I took a different approach. I thought I would slow it down a bit, shop a little longer, and not wrap anything until Christmas Eve. Then, we got blasted with a freak snow storm!! Ugh!! No more complaining on that (you have all heard enough of that the last week and a half), but here I am all bummed out because gifts didn't arrive as they were scheduled. UPS cannot deliver in these 'adverse weather conditions', and SEVERAL gifts are not here to be presented to deserving family members. Sigh. I am glad that these specific people are understaning and don't have hurt feelings, and I am thankful that none of the said packages are for the kids. The little guys wouldn't understand why no presents arrived for them (although I could have probably delayed the actual date of Christmas being they are too young to tell time).
So gift giving will be postponed until next week for a few people, and I will try so hard to salvage the non-stressed holiday spirit that I love so very much!
Merry Christmas Eve!!

Cabin Fever

Stuck at home in over 2 feet of snow and ice ... why not do some baking? Fellow blogger friends, Jen and Jodee, emailed me with some yummy recipes to try (per my request). Here's what I've cooked up - all 3 of my boys loved these recipes!! They were simple and easy, just the way I like 'em! Thanks, girls!!

Jen's Pizza Dip

8 oz cream cheese

1/2 cup sour cream

1 tsp dried oregano

1/8 tsp garlic powder

1/2 jar pizza sauce

1/2 cup mozzarella cheese

Pepperoni

(Or any meat of choice - I used canadian bacon)

Mix these all together and put into a 9 inch pie plate. Cover with 1/2 jar of pizza sauce (you can use more if you like it more saucy). Next cut up pepperoni and sprinkle over the sauce. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes, then sprinkle with 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese and bake for 5 more minutes, or until cheese melts.

I served this delicious dip (a new family favorite!) with Pilsbury Breadsticks ... pop 'em out of the tube, unroll them, and bake them for 10 - 13 minutes. I sprinkled some garlic powder over the dough before baking ... mmmm!!

Jodee's Funky Monkey Banana Bread

Jodee emailed me her recipe card ... so cute!!

Mine took a little longer to bake because I added an extra half cup of banana, but it was so moist and made the house smell incredible!

New Blog!

I have been following a great blogger named Sasha for months now. She is the one who introduced me (on her blog, not personally) to ebates and mysurvey, and she always let's everyone know of great deals she finds online (got my boys' Mammoth Crocs for under $6 a pair!!). She is one blog I check in on every day. Sasha has started a second blog and has graciously opened it up for any blogger interested in participating!! I have signed on and hope to be able to post soon (stinkin' snow storms have messed with my salon schedule!!), but check it out! If you want to participate with the Manicure Mommas community, get your email address to Sasha!

This woman is NUTS!!

She should be tested for mental disorders ... this family is INSANE! And they want more!!! (Click on picture for story)

Tears Are Falling From my Eyes!

A foot of snow and ice ... 50 mph winds ... and MORE on the way!! UNBELIEVABLE!! We never get snow here in Portland, an occassional snow day here and there, but nothing like this. Check out our weatherman's latest report:

Weather Forecast for Oregon and SW Washington

Sunday December 21, 2008, 5:15 p.m.

Good Evening from the First Alert Storm Center
The Portland area is under a Winter Storm Warning until 10 am Monday for snow and freezing rain. Another 2-7" of snow will fall over the northwest Oregon and southwest Washington by Monday when the heavier snow will end and turn to snow showers. Highs Monday will struggle up to near 30-dergees in Portland where the east wind continues to blow, but should make the mid 30s farther south. After a break early Tuesday, a new storm brings more snow to the Portland area Tuesday night and on Christmas Eve. Temperatures will remain cold until next weekend.

Enjoy The Snow,
Matt Zaffino
Chief Meteorologist, KGW Northwest News Channel 8

Enjoy the snow? Are you kidding me? I have been put out of my daily routine for long enough now. I miss my gram, who I see a couple times a week for our lunch and shopping dates. Speaking of shopping, I still have things to get for Christmas! I am loooong overdue for my nail appointment! These suckers are getting so long and a bit irritating! I need my friend fix ... Starbucks with Betsy!! Sigh. Looks like I'll have another week of inconveniences. I am just hoping we will be able to make it to our families homes for Christmas (and it would be great if UPS can get me my packages in time, too).
Reading my sister-in-law's blog today, I was reminded to look at the positives. Watching the news reports this evening of stranded people at airports and bus stations, sleeping on hard floors, waiting and hoping for their plans to resume - I am safe at home, sleeping in my own bed. We have heat and electricity and our pantry is stocked with food. I have internet (thank goodness, or I would go INSANE!!!), and cable, and my family is together. As frustrating as it may be to be cooped up at home, I am thankful for what we do have. Not everyone can say the same, and I realize that all my rantings, while out of sheer stir-craziness, are pretty petty. Thank you to all my great friends and readers who listen to me whine and complain. Love you all!! :o)

Let It Melt!!

I do not like the snow. Yes, it is beautiful ... breath-taking even, but I do not like the stuff. I hate being cold and I hate the inconveniences that snow brings ... driving, especially! I have been cooped up long enough and wish for it all to melt away. The weatherman says we could have a white Christmas, and I am okay with that, as long as it doesn't interfere with our travels. Sigh. Woke up Saturday morning to another 5 inches!! It snowed ALL day - no breaks - and we had 50 mph winds out of the gorge. Going to bed, we had about a foot of snow outside!! Ugh!

I, of course, had to take a picture from our backyard ... couldn't pass up a photographic moment! LOL!

So True

Borrowed stole this from another blog (check her out - she is great!!) ... thought it was too funny not to re-post! Hope you are having a great day!!



"Whatever you give a woman, she will make it greater. If you give her sperm, she'll give you a baby. If you give her a house, she'll give you a home. If you give her groceries, she'll give you a meal. If you give her a smile, she'll give you her heart. She multiplies and enlarges what is given to her. So, if you give her any crap, be ready to receive a ton of shit."

Wash Your Hands

Those who know me laugh at how funny I am about germs. I am definitely not crazy, but I do always have antibacterial on hand. My boys have also developed an awareness of the germs around them (thanks to me scaring the life out of them), and they too, remind me and others when they need antibacterial on their hands. I am not a fan of public bathrooms and will only use them in an emergency situation (and even then, I will go to the ones I know are cleaned regularly). And forget about porta-potties - ain't no way I am stepping foot into one of those nasty little boxes!
So being couped up inside the house due to our lovely weather, I have spent a lot of time online ... gotta stay sane somehow! My germaphobia isn't extreme to the point of researching, but I, of course, was intrigued when Yahoo posted an article on the home page. Germ Cesspools: The Top 5 Dirtiest Places. Public magazines, office computers, the gym, shopping cart handles, and subway poles were the top five on this list. Gross, but I already knew these ones! Took it one step further and found this list Soap Up! The 12 Germiest Places In Your Life. Your kitchen sink, airplane bathrooms, a wet load of laundry, public drinking fountains, shopping cart handles, ATM buttons, your purse, playgrounds, the gym, your bathtub, your office phone, and the remote control in a hotel room. YUCK!! Click on the titles to see why these places are on the list ... and go get your self some alcohol-based antibacterial gel!!

Facebook anyone?

You can find me here ...

Baking with Betsy!

Snowed in and low on food in the pantry, my bff Betsy got creative and whipped up a batch of these ... I can't wait to bake them myself! Thanks, Betsy for sharing your recipe!!

Oat-rageous cookies by Betsy!!

Ingredients:
1/2 cup butter, softened
3 tablespoons Creamy Peanut Butter
1/2 cup sugar
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
1 egg
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup quick-cooking oats
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup Hersheys chocolate bar chunks (broken)
1/2 cup crushed Butterfinger bar chunks

Directions:
In a mixing bowl, cream butter, peanut butter and sugars; beat in egg. Combine flour, oats, baking soda and salt in separate bowl. Add to the creamed mixture and mix well. Stir in candy bar chunks. Drop by rounded tablespoonfuls onto ungreased baking sheets 2 inches apart. Bake at 350° for 10-12 minutes or until lightly browned. Yield: about 3 dozen.

It's going to be a long year ...

It will be so hard to wait for the second movie ... I am so excited that they announced the release date though! Click on the picture to see the details!!

I.Just.Can't.Stop.

I simply cannot have these little things in my house! Hostess Chocolate Mini Donettes ... I.am.so.weak!! Seriously - I have probably had about 16 of these things today ... no joke! And, according to the trusty nutritional facts, 3 of these oh.so.yummy donettes pack 220 calories!! That's over 1100 calories that I have devoured in donuts alone!! Aaaaaah!!!!! Help. Please help! I am out of control!! Hostess ... if by some rare chance you are reading my blog (I know, I have high hopes for myself), can you please remove the calories in these delicious little treats? Or maybe just lie about their nutritional values - I won't tell anyone, pinky swear!

Yummy!

I have never been a big fan of fudge. In fact, I've always dodged the stuff ... until our very thoughtful neighbor, who we never speak to, brought over a plate of homemade goodies yesterday! She made cookies (peanut butter ones with Hershey Kisses on the top), and fudge!! Needless to say, the fudge is all gone. It went so fast that I didn't even take a picture of it.
And that my friends is what happens when I am snowed/iced in. I eat.

Great Giveaway!

I stumbled onto this great blog from another ... and I, of course, couldn't help but enter her awesome giveaway for 4 (yes, FOUR) brand new sets of FiestaWare dishes - your color choice!!! Go check out Ravings of a Mad Housewife and enter her giveaway - if you link like I did, you will get 3 extra enteries!! Yipee!!

Cyber Monday II

Ebates is hosting one more round of Cyber Monday! Do you still have some holiday shopping to do? Get paid to shop today from home!! Check out the list of stores with DOUBLE CASH BACK bonuses today! If you aren't signed up yet, registering is easy and free - takes only a few seconds!! Be sure to add my email address aprilbaker23@yahoo.com as the friend who referred you and we will both get extra cash bonuses (when you make your first purchase)!! Hurry ... offers are good for today only!! Happy Shopping!!

Kids Room Makeovers

I am posting to brag about a very talented artist who I have done business with for about 3 years! Her name is Heidi and she hand-paints murals for your children's walls. SHE IS FABULOUS!! Heidi takes your custom orders and puts so much unique and special time into them .... when they are delivered to your door, they are super easy to put up on the walls, and they look like they were hand-painted directly onto the wall! If your child outgrows them (which mine have done several times), they are so simple to remove and do not damage your walls! Heidi specializes in children's characters ... I have had Elmo, Buzz Lightyear, Woody, Mickey Mouse, Spiderman, and she even custom painted Oregon Duck logos for me!! I currently have on order Handy Manny and his tools, Blue from Blue's Clues (she can do all the characters), Tom and Jerry, and another Buzz Lightyear for my mom-in-laws playroom, PLUS she is doing all the kids' names to go with the characters! Her prices are awesome, and she will work with you to get the sizing and look you desire. Check out some of her designs ~ Squiggie2 Murals ~ and contact her to get your custom order and quote started! Heidi is the sweetest person to work with and your business is so much appreciated! Run your ideas by her ... squiggie2@comcast.net and let her know that I sent you!! :o)