Birthday Party Day

Went to my nephews b-day party today at the local park. It was a nice time. Not too hot and there was this sweet little Boston Terrier that a friend of my ex-sister-law brought. Quite the little entertainer. She never quit playing soccer with the older kids. I still have my mind made up that we need to get one. They are such good natured pets and so good with children. She just ran and ran and ran and ran some more! I'll just bet she's worn plum out though tonite. Such fun! Anywho-I've just always wanted one. Maybe Mr. Man will let me when the kids are gone. I took gifts for my other niece and other nephew working upon the idea that I never know if and when I'm going to see them on their birthdays. Presumptuous, I know, but I'd feel worse if I missed them altogether. I think everyone liked what they got so it was a good day for them all. Later I took Sean out to Pizza Hut for his birthday dinner. We had never got around to it last month. That turned out to be an expensive trip. $51 dollars to be exact. Seems that everyone "needed" something different. So, Breadsticks, Wings, 2 Sandwiches, and 1 Large Stuffed Crust Pizza later it tallied up to $51 bucks w/ a tip. Pete will probably lose his mind when he gets that bill. Thanks goodness we don't do that often!
Still working on Connor's letters for TXGovSchool. He is not taking it seriously at all. I ought to be wringing his neck over it but I guess I'll do like every other parent and help him out in a clinch. As it is, we'll be postmarking it by the very last date possible. Maybe I ought to just say the hell with it all, eh? Well, we all know parenting is an ungrateful job.....I doubt it is gonna change overnight. I'll just deal like always....
Went to the Dr. yesterday-Found out that "No" I was not supposed to be completely off my happy pills but now that I am I could just stay off of them and see how it goes. I told him it wasn't "going very well" but we would see. He did up the dose on my Topamax. He seems to think that it is helping me lose weight (I lost 9 pounds & I had no clue) and that it will calm my nerves and that, of course, it does help with my headaches-greatly. So-If it manages to do all that-I will officially declare it a miracle drug. We'll see. I told him I've been eating like a horse. Lot's of good stuff though-Just a whole LOT of it. He didn't seem concerned. He said because I must be eating better that its canceling out the amount. Plus, Lord knows we have been busy! Still busy painting furniture. I just thought I had a game plan. Every time "The Man" gets off work he has an agenda that somehow is ALWAYS more important & takes precedence over anything anyone else could possibly have had planned. If he could ever see what an egomaniacal control freak he is-I just wonder if it would make any difference to his personality? On his days off this time we did manage to get the garden tilled and planted. I did paint some more primer but I'm still not quite finished. He painted Connor's bed and it looks very nice. The headboard needs another coat for touch-up. Hopefully-by tomorrow I'll have all the primer DONE! Then I have touch-up on crown moulding and wall paint. Also, I'm sure I'll have to fit in helping Connor on his 3 letters for the TGSchool. So, tomorrow another busy, enlightening, and fulfilling day of being a parent once again.....So, Anybody wanna trade lives? PLEASE?

Higher ED-JA-MA-Kation.....

Trying to get Connor's paperwork together for Texas Governors' School. It's too good of an opportunity to pass on. I think he'll really enjoy himself once he's settled and gets to know some of the other kids. Unfortunately, He's just like the rest of his family. Just not comfortable in stressful first situations and or around new people. It's just something that really doesn't go away. Hopefully, it will get easier for him as time goes by. We also need to get cracking on his Driver's Ed packet. Right now, all we have to do is go take the written test and get the learners permit. You wouldn't think it would be that hard, I know. Every weekend rolls around and we totally forget or we have a ton of things planned so that it doesn't even cross our minds until it is too late. I'm really amazed Connor hasn't pushed harder for us to go get it. He hasn't made a big deal about it at all. He is so-o-o-ooo not your typical teenager! I would have lost my mind if I couldn't have drove at his age! Even if I was only allowed to go down to the convenience store.....Ah, Boy-that was living! Yeah, right!!!
Trying to make good on my promise to Mr. Man-So I painted more primer on the bed frames today. I will be totally finished with primer by tomorrow and I should have at least one coat of color on almost everything by evening. He going to have to spring for dinner or at least pull and cook frozen from the freezer by himself. I guarantee I will be stomped after that much painting!
I should be able to get a second coat Wednesday and that means they can move in by the weekend! Which means the "Man" can start going on his master plan for the rest of the house....."I" am so darn tired but I would be pretty dense to stop him while he is on a roll. Lets just hope I can hold up physically & mentally because we all know this is what I've wanted more than anything else in the whole world. I really should be careful what I ask for because I guess I'm finally gonna get it.....Now if I could just get him to agree to a new Master Bed & Bath?...... Can I get a "Hell, Yeah"? Anybody?
Well, other than that I guess not a whole lot is going on. My doctor is still crazy if he thinks I can manage without my happy drugs. I am not exactly the "beacon of sweetness and light" that I used to be (Ha! Ha!). I'm sure my family would be happy to go and vouch for me! I wonder what the man would do if I brought the the whole menagerie with me? Who am I trying to kid-He'd probably re-prescribe my meds in a heartbeat and quadruple the dosage! A one jump interval for every member of the family! Later, Peeps-

I swear if she moves again !@$%&*!

It's gonna get ugly! It wasn't too bad this time because she, my sister, just moved next door. Almost doesn't seem worth it but I am sure it was. As soon as I saw the inside of the house-well, you could just tell that this one was going to work out for them. For awhile anyway. The job did come bearing "gifts". I received the cutest pics of my perfectly sweet first little niece. The little angel was dressed, of course, in her Easter finery and looked as if she had just been gathered and "hatched" in an Easter basket. She really looks the part of fresh and new, which-of course, she is.....Such a sweetheart. I just can't wait to get my hands on her......Heck, She already has me wrapped around her finger!
Have I ever said how much I love the National Treasure movies? I love the puzzle part of the storyline, but I think it is really the history lessons that intrigue me. I always loved U.S. History more so than any other. Traveling across the country, antique shopping, architecture, at that just gets me going. To see everything in the country going to hell in a hand basket just makes me sick! I don't think I have ever been more disgusted with the general state of the U.S.'s affairs . I have the darnedest time trying to explain the current situation to my teenager. Everyone thinks that people are still prejudiced and have a grudge against having a Negro/Black president. I don't think anyone truly cares who directs this countries affairs as long as they were trustworthy, fair, brave, and do what it for the good of the people. I am so disenchanted right now that I have no idea if any one person could fix our problems! I don't have the answers-BUT I also did not run for a position in the government. Somebody better start showing us the answer/plan! I'm tired of "them" playing games at our expense!!! Maybe it is time we become more united as a nation. Hardwork I am afraid but I'm thinking this is just going to be apocalyptic if we just try to wait it out for things to get better.
SO-I'm done grandstanding for today---HEADS UP People!

Just trying to catch UP!!!

Easter weekend went along without much incident. Connor and Sean both had a friend overnight at some point in the 4-day break. My sister Gwyn and her husband came to decorate and help hide eggs. We still managed to get in some good amount of work though. Pete was insistent that we had to get going on the beds/desks we had decided to make out of square metal tubing. It turned out to be a good thing because although we had our ducks in a row, it took forever to get everything cleaned and cut. I was glad when we finally started welding but then “stupid” me hurt my eyes. Yes, I know better than to look at someone welding and no, I did not look directly at the work done! BUT I did not realize that even if you close your eyes and look away from the “spark” that it can still and will burn (blister the inside, in my case) your eyes. So-Do NOT Be ANYWHERE Near Welding WITHOUT The Proper Eye Equipment!!! I can vouch that it will mess up a perfectly wonderful day for you and it really H-U-R-T-S!
On another note, I finally broke down and let Connor have an Easter basket so he could hunt for eggs. I honestly thought he had outgrown the holiday but I guess boys just really never grow up. I know I had by that age but I guess it’s time I get it through my thick head that girls and boys just don’t function anywhere near the same. Not that I want them too-I know firsthand what “girls” do and that is just way boring…..So, at least the boys will always keep my life interesting and colorful (even if it’s not in the spectrum of pink, lilac, and other pastels.)
Going to try hard not to disappoint my hubby this week and get the rest of the painting done. The kids really need to get moved in to their rooms before we can start on the rest of the house. Painting is the final holdup and beyond that, I am the problem with the painting…..Vicious circle. In my defense, I will say I do stay busy when Pete is off. We have been doing something everyday. The hot water heater died and needed to be replaced. We went back with an on-demand tankless version. That also required updated electrical wiring when we installed it. It was an upgrade planned for the next remodel but had to come much sooner. It works great and we were able to get an awesome deal on it online & shipped. We, definitely, have no regrets going with this type of water heater. Pete’s power supply in his computer just kicked it-I’m hoping to go and get one at Fry’s tomorrow for him. It will give me an excuse to take Grant to Build-a-Bear Workshop. He received a coupon for a free animal for his birthday and he will be heartbroken if he cannot go get it. They also have an igloo/tent that he wants. It might be a good place to keep his entire cold dwelling menagerie. This time he wants to get the “Good Housekeeping” Seal. It is actually very cute. He sure LOVES his stuffed animals! Sometimes a little too much we all think.
I had my 38th birthday on Wednesday. Hardly anyone forgets my birthday…..it falls on income tax day every year and for some reason, people just seem to remember that day easier that others…..Me-I forget it every year! Oh, I do not try to-I am just busier and more easily distracted I guess with my old age, i.e. forgetful/dementia, etc. Or I guess it is just hell to get old and have your priorities shift. Sometimes, I still wish it were all about me, Me, ME!
Well, Pete goes back to work after 7 days off tonight. It will be time to buckle down and get laundry folded away. I am still trying to get everything dirty-dishes & laundry- caught back up from when we were without hot water. Just got a load of trash taken to the dump this morning-We must have 7 full cans still need to go. I could sure use a “butler” or a “Man Friday” like out of “Robinson Crusoe”. Lot's of "Help Needed" around here, that's for sure! But in the meantime I have a hot bath and a box of Calgon waiting for me.....Right now, that's better than any butler, Man "Friday", or Sancho-the gardener/poolman.

Lockset on bathroom door- $10
New HW heater- $259
Box of Calgon- $2.50

Add it all up-

Worth every dang' penny just to have an hour of luxury to myself! Talk to Y'all later!

To Muff or Not to Muff.....It it REALLY a question?

The Cardinal is out on my front porch again stealing stray dog food. He then flys it over to his mate on the picnic table and she then flys off with it. For their brood? I don't have any idea what they are doing with it but these are the little I see every day in the country. When we first moved here eleven years ago-Nothing. And really nothing for many years after either. It seemed as soon as we started putting in the gardens and the Martin houses they came. So, I guess it's true: Build and they will come.....
On another note. I have been told that another family member shares my love of Muffalettas. So, today I am sharing my recipe for the Olive Mix so he can make his own. Because I know what an addiction those things came become and how irritating it is when you can't get your hands on one at 2AM. It also gets kind of expensive too and it's just so incredibly easy to make your own. So here's the recipe:

OLIVE MIX-
2 Cups (10-oz. jar) chopped Green Olives w/ Pimientos
1 large can sliced Black Olives
1/4 teaspoon Celery Seed
1/2 teaspoon dried Rosemary, chopped
3/4 teaspoon Black Pepper
1 1/2 teaspoons dried Oregano
1 Tablespoon dried Parsley
1 1/2 Tablespoons White or Red Wine Vinegar
3/4 Cup Olive Oil

Drain Olives & chop up well. Mix together with other ingredients and let marinate in refrigerator for 2-3 days before using.

Original recipe called for 2 T. chopped Celery, 3/4 C. chopped Carrot, 1/2 C. chopped Cauliflower, 1/2 C. chopped Red Bell Pepper. Although, good-I'm sure. All those fresh ingredients surely cut down on the shelf-life of the mix. I'm just guessing. This version still gives you all the flavor and will last almost indefinitely.

As for the rest of the sandwich.....You can pretty much make it any way you like. I'm partial to toasted pita breads with ham/Genoa salami/provolone cheese/warm it up/and add a little "rabbit fodder", i.e. lettuce and tomato. I think Mom used to like it with just turkey breast and provolone on a focaccia-type bread. So, anyhow-the recipe I have says to use-

SANDWICH-
1 loaf round Italian bread
1/4 pound sliced mozzarella
1/4 pound sliced provolone
1/4 pound thin-sliced ham
1/4 pound thin-sliced hard salami
1/4 pound thin-sliced mortadella-or substitute a good-quality bologna

Slice bread loaf in half from side-to-side, pile on meats and cheeses, add the olive mix & enjoy!

Business as usual-Worked around the house this weekend. Pete sprayed the yard for weeds. I imagine it will look ghastly for hunting Easter eggs this weekend. We finished putting the baseboard down in the kids rooms and it looks fabulous. I filled the nail holes yesterday while Mr. Man put a coat of paint on the door trim. He said I would have to finish touch-up painting because it was just not his "thing".....NOW this we know....That's why I do the the majority of any DETAIL painting . As long as the project is outside or on bare concrete, we are A.O.K. But as soon as carpet has been installed, etc. then you are just asking for it. I swear it's like, "Call of the Wild" and the next thing you know, there goes a quart of paint making a break for it-down the ladder-towards that new carpet. And No-I could strap that paint can down with ratchet-straps and it would not help a bit. Me blogging this afternoon is just delaying the inevitable demise of that beautiful new carpet or maybe it's just me procrastinating getting the work done.....whatever.....Make me....
My sense of taste has changed a lot lately. I've been drawn to fresh ingredients and my appetite has really increased too. So, we have been eating fresh veggies, salads, grilled zucchini & squash, cut-up tomato & onion w/ salt & pepper, salsa, grilled chicken, home-made broccoli-cheese soup w/ fresh broccoli, fresh strawberry shortcake, Ham/Genoa salami/Provolone cheese Muffalettas, and the list goes on and on.....I am not only enjoying eating food again, I'm actually having fun searching for recipes to cook. And when the kids say they don't like it; I'm not really letting it bother me so much. Heck, they didn't like what I cooked before so I now know for sure I couldn't have won the battle! Besides, they are at least eating better. What little they do decide to eat of it and I'm giving them options..... Well, "take it" or "leave it" are options, are they not?
On another note-
Why do we sometimes think our kids are:
"WONDERFUL", "great", "Gilded feathers in our proverbial Parental Hats",
By becoming responsible, productive members of society and thus,
You, as parent, can take a deep breath; exhale, sit back on your "laurels" and bask in the glow of parental glory? And then the very next minute said child will go and pull the stupidest, most asinine stunt? At present, I am speaking directly of my first born but they all have done this to me and to themselves. I used to feel such shame as if I did the wrong. I think to some extent I still do. Ultimately, Now, I just end up getting so very disappointed with them. I know that they don't see the consequences of their actions as of any major importance when they're young but would be wrong. Character counts. Young and old alike. I KNOW I drilled that into Connors' head but maybe I lost momentum with the other two. I don't know. It's so hard to keep up.....So, moral of the story is; "Resting on your Laurels is a Asinine Stunt"?

Grandma Gathering

Yesterday, it dawned on me that my mother has been gone for 3 years now, April 30th. (Well, almost.....trust me, I'll forget by the end of the month) Now, I don't feel too bad almost having forgot the anniversary of her death really. Besides, If I had "remembered"-Now that honestly would have been more cause for for any concern than "forgetting".....I think people half expect me to put on a party every year. "She was a very creative woman" as writ by an maternal aunt on a condolence card after her death. What a HOOT! Boy, If that doesn't just about sum up the best and the worst of it all, Well, then I just don't know what does.....So, here's to the most irritating, conniving-AND the only person I know who should have never had children but still pulled managed to produce 3 really great ones, I say so myself. May you enjoy a never-ending cup of sweet tea from a perpetually dirty, stained thermos-cup and never run out cigarettes. Bear and the Kids miss you-the little ones more than even you would have thought.
So, do us big Kids.

P.S. You did a great job making sure we got the recipes. Thanks