A Rough Start, Hopefully With A Nice Finish

On Sunday night, I was feeling like this...

So, on Monday morning I went to Urgent Scare to get one of these...

But, upon returning home somewhat refreshed, I was still doing this...

all night long.

So, yesterday I went here...

Where I was treated by some nice doctors...

And was released last night feeling like this...

So, tomorrow I will be going on a...

With this gal...

And driving to...

To visit these guys...


Hopefully I will not be nauseous while driving or else I will look like this...

Wish me luck!

Happy Belated Birthday, Sheena!

I hope you had a cat-tastic day!
Inspired by your love of all things cats, here are some purr-fect pictures for you to enjoy.





Be on the look out for a special birthday delivery!
This stroller is perfect for walking Lucy and your favorite neighborhood cats.

I really do think you should consider expanding your photography business to include cat portraits. You would make a killing on calendars and greeting cards.

"The Sun Will Come Out, Tomorrow..."

(weather permitting)

Kasey, this post is especially for you.
I thought I would compile a list of things you love in hopes to put a smile on your face. I hope you have a better day.

A nice, cold....

with a...


You love funny cats and swimming.


Your ideal family, on a day like today.


A good workout.


Win Co has a great return policy.


Tons of candy.


A turkey burger from Paul's Place.


Molly. (Has she ever looked that good?)


Front row seats at The Monster Jam.


He's a dirty boy.


Enjoy!

Rain, Rain, Go Away...

So, today was the day Sarah and I were to load our girls into my car and drive up the I-5 for 430 miles to Kasey's house.

Cue the rainstorm, 50 mph wind gusts, hail, and snow.

The following is a picture of what we would have been driving through: a winter wonderland known as The Grapevine.

Now, as of last night, The Grapevine is closed due to snow and "black ice" on the roads. Had we just decided to forget the warnings from our husbands and Cal Trans, and hit the "open" road this morning, we would most likely be stuck here:

.... shopping for souvenirs and making friends until the weather cleared.

"Excuse me, ma'am, oh, I mean sir, do these leather chaps come in maternity sizes?"

Sorry, Kasey.
It's just not in the cards this week.

Back To Work...

tears, tears, tears.

After a nice 7 week break off of work due to "pregnancy complications", I have been given the "O.K." by my doctor to return to my job, starting tomorrow.
At 6 am.
I am REALLY looking forward to helping such people as those pictured above, find their Organic Badger Milk and Hemp Hummus.
Seriously, Olive is fine without me.

Let's Share Recipes!

I had a CRAVING last night....

Original Nestlé Toll House Chocolate Chip Cookies

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 large eggs
2 cups (12-oz. pkg.) NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels
1 cup chopped nuts


Directions:
PREHEAT oven to 375° F.

COMBINE flour, baking soda and salt in small bowl. Beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar and vanilla extract in large mixer bowl until creamy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in morsels and nuts. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto ungreased baking sheets.

BAKE for 9 to 11 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.

Enjoy!

F.Y.I.

I just read this article on the Los Angeles Times website. I thought it was of interset to those of us with Disneyland passes or plans to visit the park soon.


DISNEYLAND'S SMALL WORLD SET FOR BIG REHAB
"This holiday weekend marks your last chance to ride It’s a Small World at Disneyland before the beloved boat ride undergoes a major overhaul.

The classic attraction goes down for a 10-month rehab starting Jan. 22, 2008, to replace the original flume and fleet of boats used at the 1964-65 New York World’s Fair, where the ride debuted.

Disney Imagineers are still trying to decide what — if any — changes and additions to make to the characters and scenes in the 14-minute show. The new Small World ride at Hong Kong Disneyland adds 30 Disney characters to the attraction (including Mulan, Peter Pan and Aladdin).

The Anaheim ride’s long hibernation is scheduled to end Nov. 28, 2008, according to Disney officials.

The Mouse still insists the Small World overhaul has absolutely nothing to do with the ever-increasing waistlines of Americans."

CRAVINGS: Week #2

** I CRAVE Taco Bell EVERYDAY for EVERY MEAL! A Crunch Wrap with no sour cream, a Grilled Stuffed Burrito with chicken, a Mexican Pizza with no meat, a beef Mexi Melt, and my absolute favorite, a Bean and Cheese Burrito with no sauce and no onions with a side of nacho cheese.
No thanks, I don't need a drink with that.
Why is Taco Bell so flippen good?


** I CRAVE a 2 hour, full body massage. I want the valedictorian of the Helga Ikea Premiere Massage School in Sweden to come to my house and relieve all my aches and pains. Then I want a meal of Swedish Meatballs and Loganberry Juice to cap off my international day of pampering.


** I CRAVE a candy coated, pre-natal vitamin that isn't the size of my forearm, and doesn't stimulate my gag reflex by just looking at it. Maybe something like a Conversation Heart that has encouraging messages inscribed on them like,"Hot Momma", or "You Grow Girl", or "Tons of Fun", or "Sentenced to 9 Months". Something that will put a smile on my face and nourish my baby at the same time.

I have so much more I could add to this but, after typing my CRAVING for Taco Bell, I must make a run for the border.

**WHAT ARE YOUR CRAVINGS FOR THE WEEK?**

"Mommy, I Wa-na See Cinderella"

Olive's very important mission on our last trip to Disneyland.


Daddy: "Wow, Olive! You met Mickey Mouse!"

Olive: Smiling and looking behind Mickey, "I don't see Cinderella."



Mommy: "Say Hi to Ariel, Olive. She's so nice!"

Olive: Starring worriedly at her beautiful, sequined tail and shaking her head, "I don't want Ariel, mommy."

Ariel: "Beat it, kid!"

** Awkward photo of the awkward moment lovingly captured by my husband. Maybe he was the one I should have introduced to Ariel.**



Mommy: "Olive, it's Woody from Toy Story! He's playing with your Cinderella piggy bank!" (Purchased only because at this point in the day, Rob and I were certain the plastic piggy bank was the closest she was going to get to Cinderella.)

Olive: Happy for about 30 seconds (hence, the picture), then a sudden, "No, that's mine!", as she reached to free it from his freakishly large hands.



Finally, they meet.

Olive is giddy and shaking with excitement. She has a permanent grin as Cinderella talks to her and tells her how pretty she is.
Rob stands beside his "princess", beaming with joy as he watches her meet her idol (of the moment).
I, overwhelmed by happiness and pregnancy hormones, snap as many pictures as I can of this incredible first meeting through weepy eyes.



After a good minute or so, we say our "good bye's" and "nice to meet you's" and Olive gives Cinderella a huge hug. I step
forward to collect my elated daughter, when Olive finally breaks her silence:
"I go potty in the toilet!", she beams.

"Oh, how nice!", Cinderella responds.
Then Rob, Cinderella, and I all look at each other and laugh.

It was a great day.

Must-See-Movie Alert!

Run, don't walk to see this movie!
Rob and I finally had a "date night" on Sunday and we went and saw "Juno". Now, I'm not much of a movie buff. I think the last time I went to a movie theatre it was to see Seabiscuit (no joke). But, I know when something is worth showering for, wearing your dry-clean-only articles of clothing, hiring a babysitter for the kids, and dragging your husband out for a night on the town with just the two of you. And "Juno" is definitely worth it.
You'll laugh, you'll "oohh" and "aahh", and you may even shed a tear (you too, boys... my husband cried like a baby... in a good way).
The important thing is, it's a feel good movie that is worth the $22 price of admission for two adults and $16 for a large bag of soybean oil soaked "popcorn" and two sodas.

Let's Share Recipes!

FRUIT PIZZA!!
I CRAVE this fruit pizza! I had it at Sarah's house last week and it is all I can think about right now.
I want it.
I need it.
Breakfast, lunch, AND dinner.
I hope this inspires a craving for all of you.

INGREDIENTS
1 (18 ounce) package refrigerated sugar cookie dough
1 (7 ounce) jar marshmallow creme
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
The juice of half a lemon, to taste
Whatever fruit you desire as the final topping: sliced strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, kiwi, mandarin orange, etc.

DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
On an ungreased medium baking sheet, smooth the refrigerated sugar cookie dough into a single layer approximately 1/4 inch thick. Bake in the preheated oven 10 minutes, or until edges are lightly browned and center is no longer doughy.
In a medium bowl, blend the marshmallow creme and cream cheese and lemon juice. Spread the mixture over the baked crust. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours.
Next add your favorite fruit as the topping and serve.

Enjoy!

Cravings

They are unpredictable and always changing.
These days I am completely ruled by my cravings. Any plans I have for the day like personal appointments, errands to run, children to raise, etc., come second to my cravings.

For example:
I wake up, it's 8:30 am, and I CRAVE a Peach Pleasure from Jamba Juice.
"But wait", my conscience will say. "You have plans at 9 am to go to Costco with your dad. You can't possibly get yourself and Olive dressed and ready to go in time."
So, I call my dad, ask him sweetly and politely if we can meet at 10 am (I like to take my time and slowly savor every last drop of my smoothies) for an unspecified reason (he can't know I'm ditching our original plans for food) which he responds with sincere concern, "Oh, honey, of course", thinking the reason is because my head is in a toilet and will be until 10 am.
If he only knew.

And they are not limited to strictly edible items.
Oh, no sir.
My cravings do not discriminate against other tangible and non-tangible things.

For example:
I CRAVE more one-on-one time with my husband. I want to spend good quality time as a couple.(But not on Tuesdays because it's $1 scoop days at Baskin Robbins and I now have a perpetual date with friends to indulge in ice cream on Tuesdays. And not on Saturday mornings because that is when I go to Mimi's Cafe to eat pancakes with Olive. And not between the hours of 8-9 pm daily, because that is when the Bakker's Cookie kiosk at the mall marks all of their cookie inventory half-off.)

I CRAVE a new maternity wardrobe. There are a few items left over from my pregnancy with Olive that I still like and more importantly, do not have to squeeze into, that I wear everyday. But I am growing by the second and need new comfortable clothes. (I do have the cutest light blue top that my mom gave me for Christmas, but it has a very noticeable chili stain on the front of it from when my family and I had "chili dog night" for dinner.)

I CRAVE some alone time. I just want to leave my house with just my wallet and Carmex in tow, go to Seal Beach, walk around a bit on the sand, breathe the ocean air, and maybe treat myself to a manicure and pedicure on Main Street. (There is a Hennessy's Restaurant next to the nail salon that serves the BEST turkey burgers with the yummiest french fries. And I LOVE their bottom-less lemonade.)

Now, I KNOW that YOU, the reader of this blog, can relate to or somewhat understand CRAVINGS. So, I invite you to share with ME (and my audience of about 4) all of your current CRAVINGS, which includes but, is not restricted to, food. I think that this will be a nice outlet for all of us. In fact, I may even make this a weekly blog entry so we all have a place to vent, share, or even inspire, if you will.

So, without further a do,

WHAT ARE YOUR CRAVINGS THIS WEEK?

You Be The Judge

Today Olive and I were watching The Little Mermaid (for the millionth time) and when Ursula came on the screen she said to me,
"Mommy! It's my Pat!"
Pat is her wonderful Godmother who is the sweetest, funniest person ever. But I couldn't help but sort of agree with her.
What do you think?

Ursula


Wonderful Pat

Let's Share Recipes!!

Turkey Chili
My family and I really enjoy this recipe. It's perfect this time of year when it is freezing outside (which is 60 degrees for Southern Californians). I like to serve it with homemade corn bread, tortilla chips, over hot dogs, or with a nice crusty bread.

1 1/4 lbs ground turkey
1 onion, chopped
1 green pepper, chopped
1 (16 ounce) can red kidney beans, undrained
1 (16 ounce) can stewed tomatoes
1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
2 tablespoons chili powder
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon oregano
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2-2 cups chicken stock
1. Over medium heat spray a large pot with non stick cooking spray.
2. Saute ground turkey, green pepper, and onion until lightly browned and onion and pepper are soft.
3. Add the remaining ingredients plus the chicken stock and stir well.
4. Cook over medium heat for 30 minutes.
Enjoy!

W.W.J.D? What Would Jo Do?

I just love Jo the Supernanny.
I love her books and her show.
I love her style: calm, firm, loving and fair, allows children to make independent choices with non-violent circumstances if a "bad" choice is made (time-outs on a "naughty chair"), creates schedules for a fun yet structured home, and is all about positive praise.

Last night, ABC ran two back-to-back episodes of Supernanny (which I diligently studied) and I realized just how much she has positively influenced my parenting style. I have learned that by remaining calm and not raising my voice (which is sometimes VERY hard to do), not engaging in power struggles, absolutely no spanking, Time-outs in a "naughty corner" and positive praise and affection, has produced extraordinary results in setting boundaries with Olive.

I only wish Jo could help me with my husband's disciplinary needs. If I put him on a "naughty chair", he would probably get the wrong idea.

Life Changing News

I feel it is my responsibility as a woman with a horrendous sweet tooth to announce to the world that Baskin Robbins or 31 Flavors, if you will, has $1 SCOOP TUESDAYS!!

Yes, every single ice cream they offer is $1 a scoop, all day on Tuesdays!!

Normally, this is time of year when I eat nothing but carrots and hummus to fulfill my annual New Year's resolution of watching my weight.
But this year, I consider it a belated Christmas Miracle that:
A. I am pregnant.
B. I didn't find out about this amazing offer UNTIL I was pregnant.
C. I won't be on ANY type of diet until the end of July (after I have my baby).
D. I am able to keep food down (at least every other day).
E. I carry anywhere from (and not to exceed) $2 - $5 worth of singles at any given time. Thus allowing me to subtly indulge on these now sacred Tuesday $1 Scoop Days.

So far, 2008 has been an excellent year for me and looks extremely promising- at least, the Tuesdays do.

Happy New Year!

"A New Year's resolution is something that goes in one year and out the other."
-Anonymous