Spicy Casseroles

Sorry it has taken me so long to get the Casserole pics from Saturday posted.

I am feeling sorry now as I look through these that I chose not to take my camera into the dance club we went to. You'll have to imagine the pics for that one...

Our Habenero's experience:

They offered a salsa bar with 15 different varieties ranging from sweet to savory to spicy. Several of us chose the spicy and were unprepared with our empty water glasses to cool the burn.

Fiesta Pie ordered the MOST AWESOME guacamole ever. They bring a cart with a large variety of ingredients for you to choose from and make it fresh.

The wandering guitarist took notice of our table and quickly headed over to flirt.

He took an immediate interest in Souffle, who shared the joyous news of her pregnancy.

Just when we thought we could eat no more, they brought a dessert cart over. Green Bean and I shared the flan. It was delicious.

The Casseroles.

Side Note: Deep Dish took out her lipstick and I declared, "That looks like a Silver Bullet". Several ladies giggled in agreement while other looked puzzled. Fiesta Pie will be having a Surprise Party soon for some much needed education.

Funny Girl

Do our movie choices and preferences say something about us?

A comment was made to me at work recently when I was clueless in a discussion on various modern day funny-ha-ha films.

“You don’t like comedies?”

It’s not that I don’t like comedies. I just find very few of them funny, for one thing. Old school comedies like Caddyshack, Young Frankenstein, Strange Brew, Animal House, Delirious, Airplane; these flicks are pee-your-pants funny to me. Yes I realize my choices make me sound like a 22 year old frat boy, but what can I say. I think what surprised them most about my dislike of comedies, is that I have always been somewhat considered a “funny girl”. I am always giggling and smiling and looking for my next opportunity to get a laugh. Wouldn’t it seem likely that I would gravitate towards funny movies? Not really.

I love to watch dramas, love stories, period films, fantasy, suspense thrillers, and mysteries. These movies are avenues of escapism for me. They inspire me and compel me to think. Period films like Dangerous Liaison’s, Empire of the Sun, Hamlet, Elizabeth, Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, Gone with the Wind with their sweeping cinematography and intricate costumes are feasts for my eyes. Fantasy films like The Lord the Rings, Legend, Conan the Barbarian, Excalibur, Willow, The Dark Crystal, The Neverending Story take me to worlds I don’t have the imagination required to create. Love stories for me aren’t the Sleepless in Seattle or Runaway Bride crap. They are The Color Purple, Moulin Rouge, Fried Green Tomatoes, As Good As It Gets, Quills, Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner. These movies speak love to me and touch my soul.

For the most part, I have a light-hearted and fun life. I prefer to surround myself with amusing, witty, optimistic, merry friends and keep it as drama-free as possible. Drama can arise from time to time, but I find that I don’t tolerate it well in my real life. It is what I prefer to escape to not from.

When it comes to funny-ha-ha, well…that is what I strive for everyday in my life. My real life.

Hmmmm....

If this blog is called TaterTot's Thoughts and I have nothing to post today, does that mean I have no thoughts?

Yeah...I've got nothing.

Dancing with the Oscar's

Saturday evening was spent enjoying time with my peeps, The Casseroles. We dined at a wonderful Mexican restaurant, Habenero’s. Bombadee has a post with all of the nitty gritty and I concur with her entirely. I forgot my camera today, so pics will have to be posted tomorrow (sorry ladies). Two great things I would like to note from the evening, both personal:

• The first Casserole meeting was in the summer of ’05. I remember dancing that evening; or more specifically how I would shake my thang no more than two songs at a time before being so winded and having legs that felt like wavering rubber telling me I couldn’t continue. I would often sit on the sidelines feeling woeful as my thinner, healthier friends carried on. Not anymore. This past Saturday night, I danced and danced and danced and danced. The heart pounding house music filled my limbs and assured me no rest was needed. We were at this club 2 1/2 hours, I am not kidding when I proclaim TaterTot danced two of them.
• As Bombadee and I approached each other on the dance floor, our breasts met (there’s a visual for you – imagine sparks flew or something). Now this may seem odd to some of you, but to me it translates to this: “As Bombadee and I approached each other on the dance floor, my fat stomach was NOT the first thing to touch her.”

When I crawled out of bed Sunday morning and stood up, I thought my knees would buckle from beneath me. Apparently they aren’t used to 2+ hours of dancing.

Sunday evening SugarLips and I headed to Bombadee’s for the Academy Awards. Jenny and I sat in her living room curled up in our comfy clothes under blankets as the kids ran circles and Dan moved from place to place with his laptop and earphones. While I could type endlessly on all we watched and discussed, at this time I will only note the following:

• When Sugar and I arrived and walked through the massive doors, he and his beloved LaLa’s eyes met across the room. He yelled, “LaLa” and she responded, “Iz-kak”. They ran towards each other, arms wide open, meeting halfway and embraced. Jenny and I smiled as she said, “That could have only been better if they were in a meadow or something.”
• Dolly Parton, who I adore, looks like a bobble head. It’s the only way I can describe it. Her waist, legs and arms are so thin that her head looks too big for her body. Jenny said she looked like a couple of marshmallows on toothpicks in her white suit. We both reminisced on this gorgeous, voluptuous woman we remember from 9 to 5 and Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. Where did she go?
• Jon Stewart rocks. Enough said.
• Russell Crow is the only cool cat of the modern day that can pull off a pompadour.
• Meryl Streep’s skin looks like creamy porcelain.
• As Jenny and I watched the multiple movie montages, we realized how many movies we still haven’t seen (Crash, A History of Violence) or want to share with each other (Being John Malkovich, The Color Purple). We thought, how fun would it be to have a monthly movie night? We can take turns picking a film and have popcorn and wine, followed by in depth discussions and pompous declarations on a films importance in society. This would be right up Mr. BlahZeeBlah’s alley. Then reality set in. If we establish one more “monthly get together” we might as well all move into a compound or something.

Who's That?

Mimi and I were were having a blast reminiscing last night as we went through photo boxes. She is the "Student of the Week" and needed to take in pictures of herself and her family.

Suddenly I came across something that made my stomach turn. Then another. Then another.

Who IS that?
Is that ME?
Did I look like THAT?

Yes, to my horror, these are all me. At my heaviest. I have made progress, but have become complacent. I arrived at 193 months ago and stopped. It's time to go again. Jennie's Journey is once again in full swing.

40 pounds to go.

My Magnificent Mimi

Nine years ago, to the minute, you appeared.


You are a light that shines on those around you.
You are a beautiful, enchanted and whimsical spirit.
You are a gift.
I love you.
Happy Birthday.

Wazoo Weekend

We, as usual, have weekend plans coming out our wazoo’s. Most of our upcoming weekends already have at least one “event”, some of them have several.

Saturday:
10:00 a.m. – Picked up by parents to photograph their new house. Deliver Girl Scout cookies to out of town family.
7:00 p.m. – Hockey game with Bombadee’s and Blahzeeblah’s

Sunday:
8:30 a.m. – Breakfast with parental units, Sister Stephanie and Boyfriend Brian
10:00 a.m. – Girl Scout scrapbooking with Mimi (each Scout creates a memory book)
1:30 p.m. – Mimi’s Birthday Swim Party with her friends
5:00 p.m. – Mimi’s Birthday dinner with my family

Who am I kidding? I always complain how it would be so nice to have a weekend with nothing to do, but am sure I would be bored.

Upcoming Events Include:
Mimi’s Family Party (another side of the family)
Fine Arts Night at Doody’s School
Casseroles (Woo-Hoo!)
Dinner Party at Our House
Library Benefit/Gala
Moving Parental Units (this should take the entire weekend)

Blahzeeblah Production Company's First Indie Film

Bombadee suggested to me yesterday how our lives/relationships over the past several months would make an interesting film. The plot would focus on friendships marred by a fine tapestry of deceit and web of lies leading to a climatic ending. We would market it as inspired by true events, allowing us to append (make up) what we want and avoid lawsuits. She did note “all we need in there is a murder an explosion and a sexy lesbian kiss somewhere”. Now that's what I'm talking about.

Next we started to cast our film. Bombadee made some suggestions and I came up with some picks. Our characters to cast would be:

• Mrs. Bombadee: the often misunderstood and conflicted main character who is forced to make some life altering choices and defend not only herself but her friends and family when they find themselves in peril; she evolves from tree-hugging hippie to bicep-flexing heroine
• Mr. Bombadee: the intelligent politician with a no-nonsense attitude and passion for fantasy games, historical wars and breasts; he is an expert in the Vulcan Death Grip and trivia games
• TaterTot: the funny sidekick who is conflicted between telling it like she sees it and being everyone’s friend; she eventually makes a decision and discovers her inner superhero
• Mr. TaterTot: the handsome and quiet husband who saves the day at the last moment by defusing a bomb and ends the film with the funniest one-liner ever heard
• Mrs. Blahzeeblah: the sanest character in the film who provides and grounding point and sense of stability to the others
• Mr. Blahzeeblah: the geeky former marine who may seem like a jokester, but when push comes to shove opens a serious can of whoop-ass to save the day while using off the wall phrases and bad karate movie lingo; provides much needed comic relief
• Brother Joe: Bombadee’s brother who fills in the missing pieces of another character’s past
• The Duchess: our films antagonist who eventually goes off the deep end and uses the Internet as her virtual partner in destruction and death; as the credits roll, you hear her evil laugh "MWAAAA-HA-HA-HA" leading the audience to believe she survived the car explosion, bridge collapse, 120-foot fall and shark infested waters (this leaves open the possibility for a sequel as well)
• The Cowboy: this character is not cast as he is never actually seen, only referred to; by the end of the film, the audience is left not knowing if he is real or a figment of another characters imagination…

Here are the actors I chose to play the above characters with the exception of The Cowboy and TaterTot. Any guesses on who I chose to play whom?

Number 8 is left blank as TaterTot was a difficult character to cast. After asking for suggestions at work, this is the pool of choices we put together. Which is your pick?

We also need a title for our film....

*Disclaimer: All character references in this post are meant to be humorous. Mr. Bombadee cannot perform the Vulcan Death Grip nor can my husband difuse a bomb. And, I'm pretty sure the midwest does not house any shark-infested waters. With that said, I hope you enjoyed it.

The Tale of Two Haircuts

Please note dear readers, although I believe I am down to one or two who actually read my blog at this point, I purchased my first digital camera fifteen days ago (isn't is amazing what can happen in 15 days by the way?). I am taking pictures non stop. Mr.'s Bombadee and Blazeeblah can attest to this based on my annoying, insatiable need to snap a picture every ten seconds on Saturday night. Please be patient with me as I work through my new found obsession to capture and post more than you really want to see whether it be my chit-lins, my friends, my pets, my house, my co-workers...whatever.

My offering today: The Tale of Two Haircuts

SugarLips before:

During the actual haircut, this expression never left his face and he barely moved:

He finally caught his reflection in the mirror and smiled:

SugarLips After:

Doody before:

Doody After - she was going for an "older look", I think it worked:

Mama Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys...

Yippie Ki-Yay!

33 and Lovin' It

New shirt to wear to birthday celebration: $14.95

Dinner, appetizer, dessert and drinks at Japanese hibachi restaurant: $94.35

Bar tab at small local watering hole where Bombadee and I danced: $38.00

Pictures of me and my friends having a good time on my birthday: Priceless

Jennie, It's Mom...Call Me Right Away...Jim's Been In An Accident...

This is the voicemail we all fear. I was checking mine Thursday at 7:30 p.m. on the way home from the kids haircut appointments and this is what I hear. I call back Mom, hoping it’s a joke. It’s not. He was heading down 64 in his pickup at 6:30 p.m. when a car slid through an intersection on the black ice. T-Bone. He calls my Mom, who is still in her office at work and says, “I’m hurt, I’m hurt, call an ambulance.” She calls 911 and insists the ambulance take him to the hospital we both work at, it is a Level I Trauma Center. They say no, they are taking him to the smaller town hospital that is closer. She waits in her office, unable to drive the 60 minutes until she calms down. Sister Stephanie is informed, she is on her way to the ER. When he arrives and my Mom finally gets an update she is told, by the treating ER doctor, that Jim is alert but has a probable broken pelvis and multiple extremity fractures – both legs, both arms and his left hand. Devastation. This is the update I am hearing as my car is heading to the small town hospital treating my broken step-father, all three children in the backseat. Devastation. My girls are crying. “Will PaPa be okay?” I struggle with how to answer. “I hope so.”

My next update comes five minutes later. Mom is hysterical. The small town hospital can’t handle him, he needs a Level I Trauma center. Jim is being transferred. I turn the car around and begin heading to his new location. Thankfully, Aunt Teenie Weenie calls me and asks where I am, where am I going? I’m in a stupor. “I’m just driving. I don’t know.” She calmly tells me to go get Jeff from work, take him and the kid’s home and head to the hospital slowly and carefully. This is what I do. I arrive at the ER around 9:30 p.m. to find my Mom, Sister Stephanie, Boyfriend Brian and friend Logan sitting, waiting. He’s not there yet. A short time later, my Mom makes an inquiry with the front desk. The small town hospital wouldn’t drive him, he is too critical. Weather and icy conditions did not allow the helicopter to get him. Our hospital had to send a trauma team in their own ambulance to pick him up. Devastation.

To make a long story shorter, we finally are told at 12:30 a.m., after many tests, that he has no broken bones. He is held overnight for observation. We are relieved. Then we are angry. Why were we told he had a probable broken pelvis and multiple extremity fractures? This is apparently explained by the fact that Jim was hit by a car 20+ years ago and broke both arms and both legs. They “looked” at his extremities and diagnosed fractures based on the deformities he has been living with for years. I have always been under the impression that is what radiology is for since x-ray vision is still in beta. The first ambulance’s insistence to take him to the small town hospital delayed his treatment by 5 hours. The accident was at 6:30 p.m.; he was finally given pain relief, treatment and properly diagnosed at 11:30 p.m. It’s hard to stay angry, because he is okay. But, for several hours on Thursday night, we were devastated.

Things That Have Surprised Me This Week

American Idol has beaten the Olympics in the ratings.

A conversation with my 10-year old daughter regarding boys. She received a bracelet and heart shaped box of chocolates from an admirer by the name of Eric. No other girls received a similar gift from Eric, only my Doody. As we are talking about this, she shares how Eric and his best friend both have crushes on her and have been fighting. She is hoping the best friend’s attentions will move to her friend Taylor to avoid any further conflict. I sit and listen to these tales calmly as my chest begins to ache with the thought of boys and my daughter, my daughter and boys. Thankfully when I asked her about having a boyfriend she said “I don’t think I’ll be ready until at least junior high”. I can breathe again, for now.

Vice President Dick Cheney’s declaration that the day he shot his friend in the face was the “one of the worst days of my life.” Personally I would think he should acknowledge it was one of the worst days of his friend’s life.

How easily I am able to liberate myself of a relationship gone sour. In the past it would have taken me months of gloom and guilt, trying to work it out. I went through that last year, I won’t do it again this year. I choose who to share my life with.

Turning 33 isn’t bothering me. Seriously.

I can still get jealous when it comes to my husband.

Someone who has unjustly labeled herself as a “fair weather friend”, I discovered is anything but. When I needed an ear this week, one was offered. Thank you.

My Afternoon

I'm skipping school, drinking cranberry wine and looking at obscene things on the Internet with one of my number one friends. Life is good. Today.

Reasons We Like Our Friend

Here are several reasons Bombadee and I really like our friend:

• She is an excellent listener.
• She always has the sanest advice of anyone we know.
• She is the MOST awesome chef ever.
• She loves her children and ours.
• She looks even more glowey when she is pregnant.
• She can cut her own friggin' hair and it looks spectacular.
• She is married to Mr. Blaazee-Blah
• She can keep a secret.
• She may seem quiet and shy, but get a few drinky-drinks in her and watch out!
• She is the classiest person who is willing to be friends with us.
• She used to smoke "stuff" with one of us more often than we should admit.
• She has never taken a bad photograh, ever.
• She has the longest lashes next to a Maybelline commercial.
• She is determined, strong, unshakable, tolerant, and poised through it all.
• She gets our jokes, or least laughs to make us believe she does.
• She is always smiling.
• She is supportive and nuturing.
• She is not embarrassed to talk about sex and demonstrate valuable exercises.
• She can dance like we always wished we could. And still try to.
• She will pick up the phone to call and ask how you are today.
• She's selfless, she wouldn't ask for toilet paper if she thought it would put you out.
• She's not afraid to tell you when you're being a bitch, but she always says it nicely.
• She uses the word "dude" a lot.
• Play "Push It" by Salt N' Peppa and back up, you're about to see a performance.
• She listens to the Butthole Surfers and Nitzer Ebb.
• She would willingly change our childs poopy diaper without being asked.
• She has raised a very kind and loving Judo Boy.
• Did we mention she can cook?

What Not To Wear...

I've been looking for a dress for a fun social occasion coming up in September and am having a hard time. Most stores I have perused seem to have one of three choices:

Teeny-Bopper Homecoming Dress

Hoochie-Mama Dress

Mother of the Bride Dress



I did find a few online that I like on the twig mannequins they're showcased on, but the biggest size they came in was an 11 (except the last, black lace one). It will be interesting to see what I end up with.

I'm looking for 33-year-old sophisticated fun with knee length minimum and chest support (no strapless).




Wish me luck!

The Post That Was Never Meant To Rock A Friendship, But Managed To Do Just That

See below.

Reasons I Like, Love and Admire My Friend.

This is not meant to embarrass her nor is it intended for her to respond with all of the things she likes about me. I just think its nice every once in awhile to remind those you care about that they are special. Plus, if there is one thing we definitely share it has to be our penchant for lists. Here's my list for her:

• She’s fun. Her name is high on the list of “people I want to hang out with on a Saturday night”.
  
• She’s intelligent. I enjoy knowing people who occasionally use a word or reference I don’t understand and aren’t annoyed when I ask what it means.
  
• She enjoys playing dress-up. I have pictures to validate.
  
• She has a sense of purpose.
  
• She’s honest. I am still trying to convince her that being out spoken and honest does not equate to being a bitch. Just because someone doesn’t like what you say doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have said it or that your intentions were to hurt their feelings.
  
• She is a wonderful mother. Being a mother is something we both find rewarding and irreplaceable.
  
• She is deeply in love with her husband. It’s nice to confirm that other couples can argue, get annoyed with each other, enjoy time away from one another and still have a strong, loving, passionate marriage.
  
• She and I respect each other. We do not always agree, but we can discuss anything and appreciate the others point of view. Our friendship is not weakened by the realization we do not have the same opinion on everything. Quite the opposite.
  
• She can keep confidences. This statement has never really been tested, but I wholeheartedly believe it to be true.
  
• She enjoys playing board games or cards with our children running in circles around the table.
  
• She and I can talk openly about sex, without the worry of embarrassment or judgment.
  
• She taught me how to swing dance and has told me I’m ready to graduate to dipping.
  
• She makes a mean cosmopolitan. We enjoy sharing a cocktail or two every now and again, but have thankfully moved past the desire to binge drink ourselves into a stupor.
• She likes me, and my husband, and my children. I have a tendency to gravitate towards this type of person more than those who find me an annoying, opinionated, haughty bitch. (Yes, there are some with that opinion.)
  
• She inspired me to start my blog. While I do not have the readers that she or Beth has, I enjoy having a place all my own where I can post cute pics of my kids one day, rant on politics the next and occasionally be annoying, opinionated and haughty.

*Don't we both have some killer cleavage?

Weekend Synopsis: Multiple Shopping Orgasms

Friday Night:

Dinner out with the kiddos and my folks at this great restaurant in what will be their new, very small, home town called The Pinecricker. The food was fabulous and affordable, two of my favorite things.

Dropped off final payment to Aunt Teenie Weenie for our living room furniture. I love not owing family money.

Saturday:

Doody’s basketball tournament was all day. After four teams played six games, her team was the only one undefeated. She ended her fifth grade season with a 1st place trophy. The second half of the last game, her team was ahead by 15 points and feeling pretty secure. My tiny daughter was the only member of the team who did not make a basket all season. Jeff and I were sitting in the stands right behind the team bench and overheard the coach tell them at half time to get the ball to Abi, it was her time to shine. I had a hard time sitting through the rest of the game with the large lump that moved into my throat as I heard her teammates cheer, “You can do it, Abi”. She attempted twice, but missed both. She may have finished the season with no baskets, but what she did have was worth so much more. Friends.

Shopping, shopping, shopping. Duchess Jane and I hit the town and spent some serious money. Best Buy, Old Navy, Target, Circuit City, Bergner’s, Marshall Fields and other various mall stores. We had a wide variety of discussions/discoveries, i.e. TaterTot has an uncanny ability to look marvelous in all style of sunglasses, back fat needs to be considered in the purchase of all formal wear, “smoother-outers” are a necessary evil, Jane looks magnificent in low cut plum trimmed in antique gold and amethyst beading, earrings circa 1982 are back in, and size 18 pants without a tapered leg can be more elusive than sasquatch.

Eating, eating, eating. Jane and I over indulged ourselves with the 3-course meal special at TGIF’s. Whoever decided to marry the decadence of Cinnabon’s and cheesecake was a genius. Once again, we sat at a table and talked for hours as I shredded a wooden skewer into a pile of splinters.

Sunday:

I went out for breakfast with parental units and Stephanie, followed by six hours of packing at the cabin. Strange items my parents use as decorations I found myself packing: beaver skull, antique stone pulleys, ceramic banana boy, antique shears, horse harness, antique enamel basins and a variety of animal skins including beaver, deer, cougar, minks, rabbit and coyote.

More shopping. Finally found some pants but had to settle for a slightly tapered leg. I did discover that in Lee Eased Fit Stretch khaki’s I can easily fit into a size 16. My vanity has no bounds…I bought two pair for that reason alone. New discovery: Curvations bras, spokesperson Queen Latifah. I finally found a pushup bra designed for busty women. Look out America, Tot’s cleavage is now on display!

Hey Big Spender...

Our federal tax return was deposited today. Here are our plans for the money, so far:

• Vegas House Rental, Deposit to Dan & Jenny
• Vegas Flight
• Payoff the following credit cards: Kohls, Kohls, Capital One
• Couch payoff to Aunt Teenie Weenie
• Digital Camera
• New Bedding for Doody, Mimi, Mr. & Mrs. TaterTot
• Payback parental units some borrowed money
• Full-Face Helmets for Doody, Mimi and SugarLips
• Deposit for Mimi’s Girl Scout Camp
• New Pants for TaterTot

This still leaves us with a chunk of change…hope it doesn’t burn a hole in my pocket.

Dress Vote

I have been doing some online shopping with my new found size (down from a tight 22 to a comfortable 18). I keep going back to these two dresses. Casual enough that I could throw on a cardigan or wrap and wear with flip flops or dressy enough I could put on some great earrings and heals. I probably won't buy both and can't decide which I like more, or which would look better. The brown/floral one would offer more support and produce some killer cleavage, but the black one would probably be more slimming. I'm afraid the brown/floral number is too busy, but the waist on the black one's waist seems to ride really high.

I'm conflicted.

Which do you like better?

Dood-a-looney

I may complain now and again that my Doody is growing up too quickly, but every once in awhile we still get to enjoy our "little" girl.

What Happens in Vegas...

I have been to Sin City\The City of Lights twice. I had what I consider to be a really good time and a fabulous time.

In 2002, The Big B and I went for a girl’s only vacation. It was my first time, her third or fourth. Her mission was to show me the town and that’s precisely what we did for three nights and four days. We walked and walked and walked and walked and walked until my feet were literally about to crumble from my ankles. I would often say, “Hey Bren, let’s stop and have a beer” to “We don’t have time, the free pirate show starts in twenty-three minutes and we have to walk 1.2 miles to get there.” We figured on the way home that we had slept something like 15 hours in four days. A good time, but exhausting.

Last year, Jeff and I went with Steph and Brian for my kid sister’s 21st birthday. Since I had been shown most of the “sites” in my last whirlwind tour the pressure was off. It was much more casual and fun. Dancing, a bit more gambling, drinking, lounge acts, sex (I was with my husband this time after all), food, sleep…whatever we felt like doing, we did. No agenda, no itinerary...just fun, fun, fun.

This coming September we have a trip planned with our dear friends Dan and Jenny to celebrate their 10th anniversary with a vow renewal Vegas style. Jeff and I were a bit nervous about going at first, as we are the only couple not bringing their child, or children in our case. Rather than stay in a hotel/casino, Dan and Jenny are renting a gorgeous five bedroom house complete with entertainment room and private pool/spa. Bedrooms were first come/first serve. Jeff and I went back and forth for days. Do we want to stay in a house with kids and grandparents (babysitters)? Here was our train of thought that led us to a decision:

• Money: We looked into a room on the strip and leaving on Sunday to save a night. It was still going to cost close to $300 more (on the Strip), and the flight out on Sunday is at 6am; we would lose all day Sunday. Staying less time and paying more money? That makes no sense.
• Pool: I am a “hang out at the pool and drink a Pina Colada” gal. The hotel pools are crowded with strangers and stinky. I'm sure Jeff and I would go to the private pool at the house to hang with our friends anyway. Why are we staying at a hotel again?
• Kids: There are kids everywhere in the hotels, so why are kids at the house bugging me so much? In a hotel you basically get a bedroom with an attached bath, same the house. In a hotel you may have kids on the other side of the wall, same as the house. Is it guilt for not bringing my own kids when my friends are? I got over it. Still not taking my children.
• Drunkenness and Getting Our Groove On: It is a given that both of these things will happen, the latter hopefully in the privacy of our room. I kept thinking if I stay at a house with kids and Jenny’s parents I can’t jump in the pool naked at midnight if I want to. Well I’m stupid…I can’t jump in the pool naked at a hotel either, without the risk of jail time. So what’s the big deal?
• Sleeping: Jeff and I will be out late and I was afraid if we were at the house, sleeping would be interrupted by kids who won’t be sleeping til noon. Who am I kidding? Sleeping in for me is like 8:30 a.m. no matter how late I am up.
• Food and Drink: I’m frugal (a.k.a. cheap). I can bring a big bottle of booze and Pina Colada mix with me; we can go to the store to buy food. We wouldn’t have to eat out EVERY meal. Restaurants quickly bore me and meals in Vegas are not as cheap as they used to be, you can’t find $5.95 prime rib dinners any more.

Yes, we decided to stay at the house with our friends, their children and parents. Will we have crazy fun? Will TaterTot drink too much? Will we have hot monkey sex? Will we have cocktails in the pool before noon? Will we stay out all night? Most likely answer to these questions and more is a yes.

So please dear friends, feel free to remind me I am in the presence of children if needed.

And, feel free to jump in the pool naked with us when they are sleeping.

A Son's Obsession

A battle of wills (not wits, dear Jane) took place in my household last night. In one corner, Mommy. In the other, SugarLips. My little Mr. Lips has discovered the world of Pixar animation. Nothing else matters; not food, not toys, not playmates. Only Buzz Lightyear or “Baa Light” as he is called by my 2-year-old (insert your own beer joke here). Every morning I wake up to him crawling on my head, shouting “Up…Mommy…up…more Baa…peas”. Immediately after we arrive home each evening he grabs a chair to reach the latch on the TV cabinet, hoping to get the magical machine that produces Baa Light to work for his tiny hands. I’m usually chasing him, trying to take off his hat and coat.

Jeff and I have decided to limit SugarLips to one movie per day. Since Jeff is home with him all morning, he is usually the hero who produces the beloved Buzz on the magic box. Mommy is the tyrant who says, “No more movies. Let’s read a book” as he screams, cries and stomps his feet.

Last night, after our typical tantrum I made dinner; macaroni & cheese and pork chops. Mr. Lips refused to sit at the dinner table. He just kept screaming “mo Baa”. His sisters and I sat at the table and ate, staring at his untouched plate of food. About an hour later, he asked to eat. I told him he had to sit at the table to eat. My son shot me a very serious look and said, “No”. He pulled one of his small chairs up to the coffee table in front of the TV, sat down, pointed at the table and said “Eat”. It would have been so easy to just hand him his plate and not feel guilty that I was starving my child, but I couldn’t do it. My refusal of his plan and insistence he sit at the dinner table brought on yet another tantrum. This went back and forth until 8:00 p.m., his bedtime. I was prepared to put him to bed without supper, but thought I should give him one last chance.

Mommy: “Isaac, are you hungry”
Isaac: “Yep”
Mommy: “Want some macaroni and pork chops?”
Isaac: “Yep”
Mommy: “Come sit at the table, and I will heat it up for you”
Isaac: “O-tay”

Isaac and I sat at the table and I airplane’d and choo-choo’d him every bite of his dinner.

State of the Union Address

Memorable moments, for me:

• As President Bush noted the passing of Coretta Scott King, the camera immediately zoomed in on the faces of African-American’s seated in the Capitol.
• “There is no peace in retreat.” The definition of peace is the state prevailing during the absence of war. How does one obtain peace in the presence of war if it is defined by its absence?
• “We are in this fight to win, and we are winning.” Personally, I’m going to have to quote Dalton (Patrick Swayze) from the movie Road House here and say, “No one wins a fight.”
• President Bush noted the death of Marine Staff Sergeant Dan Clay in Falluja last month and introduced his family; wife Lisa and parents Sara Jo and Bud. This sad, reflective moment was twisted a bit for me when the family stood, the house applauded and the camera panned to our President smiling and winking in another direction. This man has no scruples.

After reading Bombadee’s post yesterday, I kept count of some words used in the speech. Here is what I had at the end:

Terror/Terrorism/Terrorists: 17
Freedom: 15
WMD/Nuclear Weapons: 4
9/11: 2

Alas, he did not use either resolve or steadfast. No shots for me.

Out of the Mouths of Babes...

My ten year old daughter Doody and I were watching Americas Funniest Videos last night when we saw the common clip of a young boy attempting an ill-fated skateboard grind, land on his privates and fall to the ground grasping his crotch in pain. My jaw dropped when Doody exclaimed, “Man, did you see that boy land on his nuts?”

Huh? His what? Excuse me?

I have adamantly taught my children the correct names for body parts. My girls do not have boobies or hoo-hoo’s, they have breasts. Their private includes a vagina, clitoris, labia, etc. When I was pregnant with SugarLips and someone asked Mimi if she was excited her mommy had a baby in her tummy my daughter eagerly corrected her. “The baby is in her uterus and will come out her vagina.” As Doody and I were discussing her choice of words last night, I asked her what boys in school call girls breasts these days. She plainly states that girls either have buttons or watermelons; she has buttons.

This prompted a funny conversation at lunch today surrounding all of the silly nicknames parents teach their children to use when referring to their privates. We had: tweeters, cookie, tally whacker, go-nads, peanuts, coochie.

What were you taught to call your naughty bits?

Casseroles, Karaoke, Bitch, Babes, Shots, Swing and the Mysterious Orb

The Casseroles had an evening out this past Saturday and the ever faithful Bombadee arrived with a dead camera, leaving me to document our evening out. I will let the pics tell the story...

A lively dinner discussion on the word "bitch" brought differing opinions to light.

"Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" after all.

Fiesta Pie flashed her boob to the obvious enjoyment of Sweet Potato and Souffle.

A quick snapshot of some of the carcasses left in our wake.

My solo career was a blur...

Line 'em up...I can take it! (My favorite part of this one is Fiesta Pie's face: laughter or sheer terror?)

The picture behind the Casseroles is of the legendary Mary Jane.

This is a pic of the FABULOUS woman who served as hostess of the evening. Notice the mysterious orb on Green Bean's face...they say the Roadhouse is haunted...

Hello, My Name is Jennie, and I'm a Democrat

I sat down at my PC this morning and saw an email from an old friend, subject line “Don’t Forget”. I immediately began thinking, “oh crap, what did I forget?” Maybe there is something fun coming up and she wants to remind everyone. As I eagerly open the email, I see it has several pics attached and it was forwarded from an even older friend who recently had a baby. Woo-hoo, baby pics! I’m even more excited.

My exhilaration is abolished as I open pic after pic of the World Trade Center. On fire, smoke pouring out, collapsing, the absence left behind. Then I scroll down and find stories bashing Vice President Gore and President Clinton.

Okay, let me make a few points perfectly clear:

• I am a democrat who voted for Bill Clinton, twice, Al Gore and John Kerry.
• I am a democrat because I believe in the equality of all people regardless of race, gender, spiritual belief, sexual orientation, handicap or any other defining characteristic that allows one to be who they are.
• I am a Democrat because I hold sacred freedom of the press, TV, movie, music, art, religion. I believe in the power of one’s choice and ability to change the channel.
• I am a Democrat because I fervently believe in the separation of church and state; religious extremists who want school-sanctioned prayers should be stopped, “In God We Trust” should be removed from all US currency, putting one’s hand on a bible to swear in before giving testimony in a court of law is absurd.
• I am a Democrat because I believe in a strong military. Not only strong, but insightful and empathetic; ready to face the new challenges of modern conflict. We train soldiers for war and then expect them to be peacekeepers?
• I am a Democrat because I believe in a women’s right to choose.
• I am a Democrat because I believe in campaign finance reform. Today, will my opinion matter if I don’t pay for it?
• I am a Democrat because I believe in the environment and conservation.
• I am a Democrat because I believe the government’s role should be to maintain the military for defense against invasion, maintain a court system for ensuring justice and regulate and oversee the economy, not my morality.

September 11, 2001: Have I forgotten?

When I read the news everyday I feel sick when I see a headline that reads “Eleven Marines Killed”, wondering if Ben’s name will be found in the small print.

When my daughters come home from school and load up a box of their toys to donate to Iraqi children who are surrounded everyday in death and destruction I burst into tears.

When I receive monthly letters in the mail with our “evacuation route” because I live 3 miles from a nuclear plant it reminds me that if something were to happen, it wouldn’t really matter.

When I am at a high school sporting event and they play the national anthem I teach my girls to stand tall with their hands on their hearts, to remember there are men and women who are risking their lives to protect what that flag stands for as we eat popcorn and Starburst.

No I haven’t forgotten, but thanks for asking.

Craving

I haven't wanted a cigarette this badly in months.

New York Senator Hillary Clinton

"Right now the greatest threat to world peace is intolerance cloaked in religion."

Weekend Synopsis

Friday Night

After work, I went shopping and out for dinner with Duchess Jane. I had the pleasure of watching my pal purchase several sweaters and a lovely lilac handbag, perfect for spring. My butt fit into a pair of size 18 Tommy Hilfiger jeans (yeah!) but alas, they were six inches too long. After shopping we went out for Mexican food and sat at the restaurant for 4 hours chatting. Surprisingly I was the only one to actually tear up during our conversation. When I finally was forced to empty my bladder, my booth seat had some serious ass-groves in it. The weather and snow turned what would normally be a quick 35-40 minute drive home into an hour and twenty minutes. The following specific items should be noted:

• If you are looking for a sweater or blazer complete with large pseudo-fur collar, look at most stores clearance racks.
• Who purchases gold, silver, diamonds, watches, etc. at mall kiosks?
• The new colors for spring seem to be reminiscent of Lionel Riches All Night Long video, neon green, orange, pink, yellow, etc. It was like a sea of Runts candy at Bergner’s and Marshall Fields. Jane “forced” me to try on a lovely ensemble.
• Do most people who shop at Lane Bryant, believe their ass is best represented with floral appliqués and a Bedazzler?
• When did paisley sheer tops, shrugs in textures ranging from knit to sequins to fake fur, disco ball handbags, crocheted shawls, brocade-brocade-brocade, belly dancer belts, freakishly large rhinestone belt buckles, Copacabana inspired ruffle sleeved satin shirts and wedge high heels come back in style. Or did they just never leave?

Saturday

Spent most of my day at the Regional wrestling meets in my home town with my sister Stephanie. Her boyfriend Brian coaches; his kid brother is on the team. He lost both of his matches, but we stayed for the finals. I was suffering from a nasty case of bleacher butt by the end of the day as we sat on the same bench for 5+ hours. Most of the day was spent observing the following:

• Brian habitually scratches his head and has a very nice bubble butt.
• The majority of matches result in at least one of the two wrestlers bleeding; most commonly from the nose.
• Your arm can be contorted and pulled very far behind your back before your shoulder will dislocate.
• Ass-crack and scrotum sweat is disturbingly visible through most singlets. Maroon, silver and red show it best.

After the meet was over, we went to a local watering hole where I had the pleasure of watching Brian get loaded and then fight with Stephanie over the keys to his truck as he stumbled through the bar. As we were leaving she shot me that look and said “Jennie, which door are you going out?” that really meant “Jennie, please follow and help me here.” While it was reassuring she asked me for help, she didn’t need to. There was no way my sister would be getting in a car with someone who is clearly too drunk to drive. As I prepared to park my car directly in front of his truck, impeding him from going anywhere, he finally relented and Stephanie drove them home. The next morning, he still claimed that he was okay to drive. I personally thought a thank you was more in order.

Sunday

Set-up my parent’s new and improved PC/Printer. This definitely isn’t what it used to be. Now you can pretty much connect all the cords and plug it in. I remember when you had a stack of discs that took hours to load. After a quick trip to Super Wal-Mart the rest of the day was spent in my sweats on the couch watching football as SugarLips crawled on my head.

Ahhhhhhh.

Sickened by the News

I just read an incredibly disturbing article on a Massachusetts ruling to remove an 11-year old in a constant vegetative state from life support after being allegedly kicked and beaten nearly to death with a bat by her stepfather, Jason Strickland. He fought the states desire to remove life support saying:

“Jason Strickland, who never formally adopted the girl, argued that as the stepfather, he should be considered a de facto parent and allowed to have a say in whether she lives or dies. Egan insisted his client wasn't motivated by the chance he could be charged with murder if the girl dies. "We should be coming down on the side of life as opposed to death," he told the justices during last month's hearing.

Wasn’t he already allowed to have a say in whether she lived or died? Maybe he should have come down on the side of life before beating a beautiful, defense little girl with a baseball bat.

Who are these people?

I’m sick to my stomach now.

Dr. Phil-ism's

Dr. Phil has 10 Life Laws that resonated in me when I read them some time ago. There are times I feel I'm perceived like a bit of an unsymphathetic hard ass when it comes to my friends and family. I shudder when people ask me for advice or my opinion at times, just because what works for me is to look to myself for what isn't working in my life and to change it. Sometimes what a friend or sister or whomever needs is a simple "It will be okay, hang in there. What can I do to help?" In most situations my first reaction is to say, "If you didn't like it, you would change it" or "You don't get to decide what they do, only how you react to it." I really do understand it isn't always that simple and this way of thinking may not work for everyone, but it has served me well to date. The first six months of 2005 were my toughest in a very long time as some of you know. I blamed all of my sadness and anger on others and felt like I controlled nothing, not even myself. It was a struggle to move past that and remind myself that I may not get to decide the actions and thoughts of those around me, but I do get to decide my own. I took back my power.

This whole post is my way of explaining the thoughts behind what I say sometimes. If I come across too blunt or harsh at times, please let me know. I would never intentionally hurt the feelings of someone I care about. Here is an edited version of some of my favorite Dr. Phil-ism's:

Life Law: You either get it or you don't. Become one of those who gets it.

• It's easy to tell these people apart. Those who "get it" understand how things work and have a strategy to create the results they want. Those who don't are stumbling along looking puzzled, and can be found complaining that they never seem to get a break. In designing a strategy and getting the information you need — about yourself, people you encounter, or situations — be careful from whom you accept input. Wrong thinking and misinformation can seal your fate before you even begin.

Life Law: You create your own experience. Acknowledge and accept accountability for your life. Understand your role in creating results.

• You cannot dodge responsibility for how and why your life is the way it is. If you are overweight, you are accountable. If you are not happy, you are accountable. Don't play the role of victim, or use past events to build excuses. It guarantees you no progress, no healing, and no victory. You will never fix a problem by blaming someone else. Whether the cards you've been dealt are good or bad, you're in charge of yourself now.Every choice you make — including the thoughts you think — has consequences. When you choose the behavior or thought, you choose the consequences. If you choose to stay with a destructive partner, then you choose the consequences of pain and suffering. When you start choosing the right behavior and thoughts — which will take a lot of discipline — you'll get the right consequences.

Life Law: People do what works. Identify the payoffs that drive your behavior and that of others.

• Even the most destructive behaviors have a payoff. If you did not perceive the behavior in question to generate some value to you, you would not do it. If you want to stop behaving in a certain way, you've got to stop "paying yourself off" for doing it. Find and control the payoffs, because you can't stop a behavior until you recognize what you are gaining from it.

Life Law: You cannot change what you do not acknowledge. Get real with yourself about life and everybody in it.

• Be truthful about what isn't working in your life. Stop making excuses and start making results. If you're unwilling or unable to identify and consciously acknowledge your negative behaviors, characteristics or life patterns, then you will not change them. (In fact, they will only grow worse and become more entrenched in your life.) Acknowledgment means slapping yourself in the face with the brutal reality, admitting that you are getting payoffs for what you are doing, and giving yourself a no-kidding, bottom-line truthful confrontation. You cannot afford the luxury of lies, denial or defensiveness.

Life Law: There is no reality, only perception. Identify the filters through which you view the world. Acknowledge your history without being controlled by it.

• You know and experience this world only through the perceptions that you create. You have the ability to choose how you perceive any event in your life, and you exercise this power of choice in every circumstance, every day of your life. No matter what the situation, you choose your reaction, assigning meaning and value to an event. Filters are made up of fixed beliefs, negative ideas that have become entrenched in your thinking. If you continue to view the world through a filter created by past events, then you are allowing your past to control and dictate both your present and your future.

Life Law: We teach people how to treat us. Own, rather than complain about, how people treat you. Learn to renegotiate your relationships to have what you want.

• You either teach people to treat you with dignity and respect, or you don't. This means you are partly responsible for the mistreatment that you get at the hands of someone else. You shape others' behavior when you teach them what they can get away with and what they cannot. If the people in your life treat you in an undesirable way, figure out what you are doing to reinforce, elicit or allow that treatment. Identify the payoffs you may be giving someone in response to any negative behavior.

Life Law: You have to name it before you can claim it. Get clear about what you want and take your turn.

• Not knowing what you want — from your major life goals to your day-to-day desires — is not OK. The most you'll ever get is what you ask for. If you don't even know what it is that you want, then you can't even ask for it. Be bold enough to reach for what will truly fill you up, without being unrealistic. Once you have the strength and resolve enough to believe that you deserve what it is that you want, then and only then will you be bold enough to step up and claim it. Remember that if you don't, someone else will.

Who's Full of Bologna Now?

My dear, dear pal Bombadee. Though we may sometimes feel like

I like to believe we are more

Tattoo's

This design is celtic and means "sisterly love". It's hard to see, but you should get the general idea. I have been trying to talk Stephanie into getting this one with me for ages. The Heart, which symbolizes compassion, is entwined in a triquetra. The triquetra represents the three phases of womanhood: maiden, mother and crone. This design is created with one unbroken line to remind one of the eternal love of sisters.














This one is a line from my favorite movie. I have been considering it for two years, but can't decide where to put it:


















These Chinese calligraphy symbols mean "elder sister" and "younger sister". Once again, have been trying to talk Stephanie into getting on the inner ankle with me:












I found these three browsing on the internet today and thought they were simple, yet beautiful:






This is two of mine. I say two, because the butterfly was added several years after the cross:

An Imperfect Union Between Two Willing Spirits

We think a lot alike sometimes, Dr. Phil and I. An excerpt from his show:

"Maybe you just need to kind of lighten up a little bit and realize that there's not going to be a perfect connection. You're not going to meet a perfect guy. You're not a perfect mate. It's just an imperfect union between two willing spirits. And that's a good place to be. You're not chasing or retreating, it's just an imperfect union between two people who say, 'I'd rather be in a relationship and share my life, share my joys, share my fun, share my activities, share my life than do it alone.' And you don't have to have a man in your life to be good, healthy, whole and complete. But if you want that, you've got to give yourself permission to take it with the flaws and fallacies that come with it."

"And take a chance on getting hurt," she surmises.

"No, no, there's not a chance that you're going to get hurt. Let me guarantee you," says Dr. Phil. "Even a well-intended guy is going to hurt his partner. I know; I've seen me do it. I'll guarantee you, if you get in a relationship with a guy, you are going to get hurt. So?"

"So I have to take more chances I guess," says Suzie.

"You're going to get hurt," he continues. "You just have to decide that you are durable enough, that you have enough confidence in yourself that you can handle that."

Random Quote

Earnhardt Jr. Fan: "Have them shove the harddrives into your dark, secret hole."

Forgotten Film...

Sunday Jeff and I picked up 10 rolls of film. We suck at pictures; taking, developing, putting in albums. In this forgotten bundle were pictures from Halloween, Wisconsin vacation, Doody's summer camp, Brian's birthday, Doody's birthday, SugarLips birthday, MiMi's appearance in the parade, and so on.

I am in talks to purchase a digital camera, in which case I will begin posting many more pics on a regular basis.

Here are two of my favorites:

Bombadee + Alcohol = Great Snapshots

I was feeling a bit nostalgic today and started reading through some old posts on mine and my pals blogs. Everywhere I went I came across pics of the lovely Bombadee in various states of drunkeness that made me laugh hysterically and count my lucky stars she is my friend.

Thanks to Bombadee and Duchess Jane for my shameless copying of your pictures.

2006: To-Do, In Part

Home

• Landscape yard on the sides of our house
• Upgrade electric to 100 amp service
• Replace kitchen floor
• Paint bedrooms
• New curtains and closet doors in girl’s room
• Clean and organize basement

Friendships

• Karaoke with The Casseroles (soon to be crossed off per Bombadee)
• Continue monthly dinner nights with the Hills and Mathews
• Continue monthly evenings out with the above mentioned Casseroles
• Continue somehow knowing just what to say despite my staunch refusals to offer any kind of influential opinions
• Continue nourishing relationships with my pals (short list)
• Contact Jill and Erika
• Stop mourning The Big B and Triple A
• Invite friends for an overnight camp out at Lowden State Park
• Forge a bond with my soon-to-be-born honorary nephew Colin Scott
• Attend hockey game with family/friends

Children

• Potty train SugarLips
• Teach Sugar colors, numbers and the alphabet
• Support my oldest as she navigates menstruation
• Purchase full face helmets for all three
• Allow Mimi and Doody to have more slumber parties
• Sign the girls up for the next level swim lessons
• Get SugarLips portraits taken in his t-shirt from Bombadee
• Encourage Jeff to take the girls out, individually, for date nights
• Go to the zoo

Marriage

• Be spontaneous, instigate more often
• Join Mathews in Vegas to renew their vows
• Celebrate my 13th anniversary

Family

• Visit sister Sara in Arizona
• Witness sister Stephanie graduate college and head to graduate school
• Encourage mother to make healthier choices
• Encourage step-father to stop consistently providing example of what not to do to my children

Self

• Fit into a size 14, see Jennie’s Journey blog
• Purchase new glasses
• Stop chewing the two fingernails I currently cannot
• Read six books
• See four plays/musicals
• See at least one adult movie, at the cineplex
• Go hiking
• Rectify all claims/bills from car accident
• Buy sparkly sandals and dangly earrings
• Purchase digital camera
• Get ankle tattoo reworked
• Sneak idea to husband that I would like a plain, comfort fit, white gold or platinum wedding band.

I thought this list would be short. Wow.

Finally, A Good Reason To Watch

John Stewart.

2005, With a Bow

I had started a “2005 List” yesterday, but was sidetracked by Bombadee’s positive posting. Many of the items on my list were not very positive in nature, but focused more on what sucked. I’m not sure why I had chosen to dwell on these, but did. This morning I told myself that I would compose a list of all of the shiny happy things that had occurred; more of a cup half full perspective. As the list began to take form it kept yelling at me, “Jennifer, this isn’t all of it. If you ignore the crap, it doesn’t go away. Sweep us under the rug and we will still be there”. You get my drift.

I decided to include the good and some of the bad on the list. For much of the negative, something good has occurred to directly offset it as you will see. Is this list complete? No. But it’s what popped into my head first when I thought back over the past twelve months.

Friendship

• Chose to end an eight year friendship after unsuccessfully forging a friendship with her new husband, Triple A.
• Rediscovered how much I enjoy Jenny and Michelle.
• Made a fabulous new friend (you know who you are).
• Held monthly dinner parties with the Hills and Mathews ten out of twelve months.
• Joined a gang of fierce women dubbed “The Casseroles”, codename: TaterTot
• Went dancing three times.
• Went on a lovely vacation with the Hills in Wisconsin.

Career

• Changed jobs, increased wages.
• Completed an A+ Certification class, still chicken to take tests.

Marriage

• Celebrated my 12th anniversary.
• Truly love my husband more this year than last, although he still pisses me off at times.
• Finally took a vacation, sans children, with the husband (Vegas, baby). First one since our honeymoon.

Children

• Doody and Mimi are growing up too fast; Doody needs to start wearing a bra and received her own cordless phone for Christmas. Cell phones and thongs are around the corner. (If anyone feels the need to remind me of their pending interest in boys ~or girls~, please refrain. I am not ready for the thought of someone’s tongue in either of their mouths.)
• Girls are growing up to be respectful, confident, intelligent, responsible, interesting, funny, beautiful young ladies.
• Read all 3 of the great books I found regarding periods, breasts and tampons with Doody.
• Weaned Mr. Lips from his pacifier and have him successfully sleeping in his toddler bed.
• Managed to make it through 2 basketball teams, 2 softball teams, 2 soccer teams, 5th grade band, Girl Scouts, 4 swim lesson sessions, 4-H Club and the 4-H Fair.
• While SugarLips speech is noticeably delayed, he can successfully tell me when he’s hungry, thirsty, poopy, or needs hugs and kisses.
• Dressed all three of my children quite stylishly with wardrobes purchased primarily from garage sales: 50% (girls) and 85% (Mr. Lips)

Home

• Landscaped the front and back yards.
• Painted the living room and kitchen.
• Had a garage sale and felt sick as I sold many of the items I bought new for Sugar at a fraction of what I paid for them.

Family

• Sister moved to Arizona.
• Step-father still a prick about sister moving to Arizona.
• Sister Stephanie and boyfriend Brian joined Jeff and I in Vegas to celebrate her 21st birthday.
• Mom made it through two more knee surgeries.
• Brother made it through one knee surgery and sewing back on of face.

Personal

• Lost 35 pounds.
• Started two blogs.
• Started reading too many blogs.
• Began wearing heels with jeans.
• Saw two musicals.
• Read five novels.
• Bought an elliptical machine (and use it).
• Came to the realization I’m important, special and more powerful than I thought.

Tomorrow I plan to begin a to-do list for 2006.

Random Lunchtable Quotes

Grammy Pammy: "You just have to bend over and take one up the ol' wazoo."

D'Super: "Bite me, putz."

TaterTot: "My Mom still tells me how to vacuum."